Moscow - Red Square

This section of the city is dedicated to the various government offices of the country, as well as many international consulates. The Red Square mixes nicely the technology of the 23rd century with the architecture of the old days. The Kremlin still stands proud, serving as the head office for Russia's government. Also here is a UN/Repliforce office and a number of other countries consulates. The streets are well kept, and security is ever present with so many important people in this area.

Suzie Hochkonjunktur Chill Snowcat [Unarmored] [MH]

Kalinka [Work] [MH] Harley Hovercycle <Rising Storm> [C]

Dragon Corner Moscow

South <S> leads to Moscow - Southern Downtown.

North <N> leads to Moscow - Northern Downtown.

Just off of Moscow's Red Square stands an *extremely* old and decrepit building. The paint has long since flaked off, exposing the cement blocks and bricks beneath in many places. This building has been a hotel, a tenement building for project housing, and even an office building in previous incarnations. Now, it serves as an international youth hostel. Young students come and go freely from the five-story building. The front door is always wide open (unless it's sleeting or snowing; inclement weather brings those creaky doors to a close).

Just inside, in the first-floor kitchen area, Kalinka is getting ready to do the dinner dishes. Chill has agreed to help her. Chores are chores, after all, whether they're in the Hunter base or here in the hostel where she is staying. Possibly for a long, long while.

Chill Snowcat laughs a little as he accidently splashes water on Kalinka when he plops a bowl into the water, "Sorry.....well....least ya had yer shower for the month sis!"

Suzie Hochkonjunktur slowly makes her way towards the hostel in question. She blinks slightly as she sees the doorways, open...thats totally unexpected. She reaches a mitted hand up and slowly moves closer to the doorway, she blinks as she pokes her head through and then steps further in. Her eyes cross over the interior, and she raises a hand to scratch her ear slightly.

There are places where stetson hats and dusters are considered everyday wear, where dusty leather boots are so common as to be almost cliche. Moscow is not one of these places. Therefore, Bowie is very easy to spot in the foot traffic coursing up and down the street outside the hostel. He pauses at the corner, comparing the address given to him with the street signs. Maybe he should have picked up Russian in addition to Spanish.

Kalinka smirks, splishing a little bit of water on Chill -- not enough to make a big mess all over the place, though. "Oh, and I know how much kitty cats LOOOVE baths, buddy, so you best beware!" She giggles, picking up a brillo to begin scrubbing the now-soapy dishes. "You know, I will miss staying on the base, but...right now, I do not need to be staying there," she says. Suzie's arrival is actually noted by the Russian girl, but she doesn't think it unusual; youths come and go from this building at all hours...that's the nature of the hostel. It isn't particularly private, and it's certainly not a secure facility.

-Suzie Hochkonjunktur

-A young woman, dressed in nice warm clothing. A pair of nice woolen gloves cover her delicate fingers, and a long black trenchcoat hangs about her. A woolen cap sits on top of a mop of red hair. She's wearing knee high galoshes. Over all she looks like a somewhat chilly young girl of about sixteen.

Chill Snowcat snorts and breathes apon the water that Kalinka has her hands in putting a very thin layer of ice apon it. Its still quite warm beneath. He returns fire in hesitant russian, "<<Don't make me make a Kalinka-icicle!>>"

Suzie Hochkonjunktur blinks and notices Kalinka, she smiles a bit nervously and makes her way over towards her. Deep in the recesses of her drone mind the Erinyes tracking program clicks slightly. Radio's can't be risked, so Landon's apparently letting this drone run almost entirely on its own. Might that be the target, its internal computer debates...it falls onto an exploratory subroutine. She steps closer, "Uh, yes, hello? Is this the...youth hostel?"

Kalinka crosses her eyes, and sticks her tounge out at Chill. The expression immediately disappears when Suzie begins approaching her, and she turns and smiles cordially at the other girl. "Yes it is! Um, the main office for renting rooms is...let me see...okay, you go down main hallway, and it is the last door on the right-hand side."

Chill Snowcat purrs softly and nudges Kalinka with his head, acting like the oversized pet kitty again. His large eyes watch the other girl and he tries not to look particularly scary to her.

The simple fact that the hostel is not a secure facility is what has Bowie worried. The elder Cossack's harsh words still echo in his ears. He's their friend, and it pains him to see both father and daughter acting like this. The Texan climbs the short flight of stairs leading to the entrance of the hostel and knocks. If there's a sign to tell him to walk on in, apparently he can't read it.

Kalinka calls out toward the front door when she hears the knocking. "<< Come on in! >>" She then realizes the person might not be Russian, and adds in English: "Door is open!"

Suzie Hochkonjunktur blinks slightly and smiles, "Down the hall and last door on the right hand side. That's good, I was worried I was at the wrong place." She lifts her eyes towards Chill and claps her hands together, smiling happily, "Oh it's so cute! Is it one of those new Happy Tiger mobile assistants?" She steps closer and begins examining Chill as one might a motorcycle, "...oh no wait..." A blush touches her features, "Uhm, you're a reploid aren't you?" (Threat assessment...violet).

"Er, not exactly," Kalinka says, suppressing a chuckle. "He is my friend, Chill Snowcat."

Bowie recognizes that voice, and so wastes no time following her directions. The door clicks and creaks as he lets himself in. As usual, he takes a brief moment to look around - his opinion of what he sees he keeps to himself. "Hello? Miss Kali?"

Chill Snowcat starts sniffing the other girl. Keens senses search for any candy that might be weaseled through being utterly adorable. He makes a whimpery sound and adds, "<<Not Brother?>>" He tries licking the strange girl's hands.

As Suzie and Chill are getting acquainted, Kalinka turns to see Bowie with a grin. "Hi! I am just here doing dishes...how are you?? Thank you for coming by! Sorry for...you know, the mess and all."

Suzie Hochkonjunktur fortunately, demonstrates Landon's attention to detail and 'smells' real. She giggles slightly at the tongue touching her gloved hands, and no she isn't carrying candy. "Awefully affectionate isn't he?" She grins and tenatively pats his head, "Uh, nice, reploid, nice nice." She frowns, "I really have no idea how to treat reploids...we didn't have much personal interaction with them at home, till, you know....Sigma." She blinks and looks over at Bowie. (Identity Code A-A1 German enabled, new subject entering, begin threat scanning.)

Bowie returns the grin with one of his easy-going smiles. "Evenin. Jus came t'see how ya wus doin." He nods to the other young lady in greeting as well, guessing her to be another person staying in the hostel. At the mention of the 'mess', he simply shakes his head. " 'Sall right."

You paged Dr. Landon DeVry with 'So, what do you want to know? :)'.

Dr. Landon DeVry(landon) pages: Its internal comm inside her head, she's just going to give you a once over and make a descision based on how threating you look :D

Dr. Landon DeVry(landon) pages: Carrying the pistols with you? :D

Kalinka places a few clean dishes to one side of the sink, so Chill can go about drying them. "Everything is quite fine, Bowie, um...I have decided that it would probably be best if I stay here for...a while. Daddy agreed."

Long distance to Dr. Landon DeVry: Bowie nods. Have a permit to carry, so I do. :) The knife and any other toys I may have on me are hidden under the duster, but the guns leave obvious bulges even if they aren't visible.

From afar, Dr. Landon DeVry(landon) pats, "Welcome to threat level red :D

You paged Dr. Landon DeVry with 'Should I be flattered? ;)'.

Dr. Landon DeVry(landon) pages: Chill only got violet ;)

Chill Snowcat trills a little and purrs a bit louder for a moment. "I better finish cleaning....." He turns to watch Kalinka while changing form slightly. Instead of being four pawed he's now got reploid boots and hands for drying dishes.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dragonlady Sonata transmits, "How is everyone doing this evening?"

Suzie Hochkonjunktur smiles at Bowie, "Hi!" (Threat Assessment Red.) She blinks at the guns, and puts her hands to her mouth, "Oh My! I didn't know everyone carried guns around here!" She takes a bit of a step back, bumping into a counter. (Movement plan interrupted, reassess current environment). "About those chips I stole in the Ural Mountains...I was really hungry! Don't take me away!"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Mac transmits, "Currently, I am opera-- *cough* Er, all right."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Kalinka transmits, "Very well, Sonata! Quite well, and yourself?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Blizzard Wolf transmits, "*over the sound of music* Hmm.. a quiet evening.. Ah. I think I'll say hullo to Father..."

Kalinka frowns, looking over at Suzie and her odd behavior. "It is okay. This is not a police station...it is only a hostel. We are not here to judge you."

Chill Snowcat grins, "yeah it's not a hostile hostel." He turns to face Suzie, putting the plate down.

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Zero transmits, "Oh yeah. Welcome to the team Blizzard. You settling in well?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Dragonlady Sonata transmits, "Oh... Father, Blizzard?"

Bowie walks into the kitchen, finds a relatively clear section of wall, and props it up. "Yer sure." His tone puts his words somewhere between statement and question. Though his smile doesn't entirely disappear, the more concerned expression crowds it out.

And then, the young lady whose name he hasn't gotten begins babbling something about chips. To that, he raises an eyebrow, then does his best to sound reassuring. "Now calm down, missy. Ah'm not here fer trouble, and Ah'm not here t'arrest ya or anythang."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Blizzard Wolf transmits, "Ah.. yes.. Commander, Zero.. Everything has been proceeding as smoothely as can be expected... *he pauses for a moment to explain to Sonata* I've bumped into my creator in Tokyo.. Professor Gate."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Isaac transmits, "Greetings Zero, Sonata."

Suzie Hochkonjunktur chuckles nervously, "A hostile hostel, thats uh...clever." (Termination Order Issued. Safety override. Termination order cancelled.) She blinks at Bowie, "S-still, can you put those things down, they make me nervous." She frowns, "I know its asking a lot but...guns make me really nervous..." She frowns a bit, "I don't like getting shot at...not at all..." She then blinks and blushes again, "Oh yeah! My name is Suzie!"

Kalinka continues washing the dishes, placing them off to one side of the sink. "Welcome, Suzie. You are more than welcome to stay...are you a student? Many youths here are students. I am attending university."

Chill Snowcat is covered in natural weapons. He looks at the girl and then Kalinka and shrugs, "He's not holding his weapons. What's the problem?" He picks up another towel and dries the plates quickly."

Kalinka says, "Be considerate, Chilly...some people do not like to even be around weapons, or are even used to seeing them very often."

"Oh. Sorry," Bowie apologizes. "Didn't mean t'scare ya, Miss Suzie." He draws back his duster just far enough to reach his e-pistols, his movements slow. Wouldn't want her to think he's drawing them with intent to shoot, after all. "How 'bout this. Ah'll take the e-packs out an put 'em on the table. Can't shoot anyone without em. Fair enough?"

Suzie Hochkonjunktur smiles nervously at Bowie, "That's fair. I hate to make this be my first impression." She blinks and looks at Kalinka (Internal history file, continuity A1-A.) "I...I'm a traveler. I used to live in Germany, I'm making my way to my family's home in Hawaii...but when I got out of Germany I lost my teleporter pass. Not to mention its fun to see the world." She smiles, "And uh, if I can ask, what's the name of you folks?" (Designation recording system, Activating)

Kalinka grins pleasantly at Suzie, pulling the stop out of the sink-drain and allowing the water to drain. Then, she shakes her hands dry. "I am Kalinka. Wow, Suzie, you have travelled quite a bit! Welcome to Moscow...it is nothing like Hawaii."

Chill Snowcat grins, "I'm Chill....still gotta come up with a better name....maybe." He finishes drying and putting the dishes away.

Bowie draws the left-hand pistol out of its holster, turns it over, and ejects the e-pack. Again, his movements are slow, deliberate, and visible. "'Sall right, missy. Name's Bowie. Pleased t'meet ya."

Long distance to Dr. Landon DeVry: Bowie OOCly warns he's still packing heat. Bowie's only mildly paranoid. ;)

From afar, Dr. Landon DeVry(landon) expected as much :D

You paged Dr. Landon DeVry with 'C'mon, he's a Hunter. You expect him not to be paranoid? :D'.

Suzie Hochkonjunktur smiles, "Ah, good I always like knowing who I'm talking to, especially when they're nice." She grins at Kalinka, "I know, it's a lot different. its different from Germany too. Not used to all the reploids though, we lived kind of out of the way..." (Threat level Bowie, downgraded to Orange.) She looks at chilly and grins, "And it's a perfect name for you." She blinks at Bowie, "Bowie? Like the knife? That's neat!" (Target Kalinka confirmed. Personal threat level, green. Tactical assessment, remove or manuever around existing threats...options *cheery voice: It's down the hall...* Tactic filed and noted. Continue information gathering.) She smiles, "A student? What are you studying? Math?"

Bowie sets the ejected clip on the table, returns the now empty gun to its holster, then begins doing the exact same thing to the one holstered on his right side. For those who might be knowledgeable in such things, the pistols are a grade or two above standard police issue, but still legal for civilians to carry with permit. Have to love the US Constitution's second amendment. He nods in response to Suzie. "Yep." Otherwise, he lets the ladies steer the conversation.

Kalinka chuckles when Suzie asks if Bowie's name is 'like the knife', and briefly, she gives Bowie an amused look. "Well, Suzie, it depends on the semester. This semester, it is Advanced Chemistry and also a special lab on bio-synthetic materials." She goes about putting the dishes away on the higher shelves; she's getting tall enough to do that, now. "I know, it is probably a lot of...blahblah. It is not cool to talk about." She grins ruefully.

Chill Snowcat nods, "Yup....I got tons of ice type stuff I can do."

Suzie Hochkonjunktur smiles at Kalinka, "Really? It sounds kind of neat." She blinks, "Ditzy me...can you lead me to where I have to get my rent in? If these two folks don't mind me stealing you for a moment?" She smiles at Bowie, and then at Chill, "Such nice friends you have. Heh, I guess I'd better get used to more reploids..."

Chill Snowcat smiles, "I can show ya! I can even translate for ya if ya'd like!"

Bowie quirks a smile. "we're nice, once ya get t'know us." The second e-pack is set on the table. "Mind if Ah tag along? Ah'd lake t'meet the people in charge...if that's okay, Miss Kalinka?"

Kalinka nods, apparently not minding that Bowie and Chilly also want to tag along. "Okay, I will show you...it is nothing -really- exciting, it is...you know, hole-in-the-wall office. This way." She exits the kitchen, proceeding slowly down a long hallway so everyone can follow along. The hallway is narrow, with creaky floorboards and it smells clean but musty from centuries of use. "Mrs. Ilanayov is the one you must speak to for a room. I think there -is- vacancy on the top floors," she says, stopping at the door to the main office. "Huh. Light is off. I think she went home already...well, if you leave a note for her, she is -very- good about getting right back to you, I promise you that."

Suzie Hochkonjunktur blinks and follows Kalinka. (New planning must be undertaken, feint 1 has failed.) She frowns, "Where am I supposed to sleep tonight if I can't get in touch with her?" She frowns, "I really don't want to sleep on the streets...a bunch of...not nice men saw me when I entered the city and asked me if I wanted to earn some travelling money...they followed me as far as the River..." She frowns slightly, "I do so wish this trip was easier..." (Rapid Termination? Self-preservation directive, negative. Prolong life as long as feasibly possible.)

Bowie follows behind the others, leaving the e-packs on the table as promised. His smile fades again as he listens to the conversation between girls. "If ya feel uneasy, Miss Suzie, Ah don't mind stayin the night," he offers.

Kalinka frowns. "Eccch, men are -disgusting-. Er...present GENTLEMEN company excepted, of course. Well you -know-, Suzie, you are welcome to sleep on the couch in the front room, or I think there might be crash space on the floor of my room, too. These are not private rooms, though...a hostel room sleeps four. I would not want you getting stepped on in the middle of the night." She grins warmly as Bowie offers to stay. "That is a very nice offer, Bowie."

Chill Snowcat grins, "I sleep on the floor. It's hard ta hurt me if I'm stepped on."

Suzie Hochkonjunktur grins, a little sheepishly, "Uh, stay with you? That's uh, not necessary, really?" She turns from Bowie and blinks, blushing a bit as she looks at Kalinka, "A couch? A couch would be simply wonderful." She chuckles a bit nervously as she looks back to Bowie, "No offense, Mister Bowie, but I was taught that boys and girls shouldn't sleep under the same roof after the age of six, unless they're married of course." She rubs her chin and frowns, "I do have the money to stay here..." Then she blinks, "Uh, Kali...the bathrooms are...private...right?" (Calculation. Method of gaining individual access to subject Kalinka... Assetts: Personal Armament...negative, self-preservation directive. Assetts: Janes mark D21, D02, D01. ...feasible plan).

Bowie agrees quietly, "Men like that are disgustin. Spent far too much time chasin scum like that down." He quirks an eyebrow at Suzie's somewhat confused explanation, and briefly wonders if this is a co-ed hostel - he hasn't checked. "No offense meant. Though Ah could jus stand by the front door, in case thay decide t'not leave well 'nough alone."

Kalinka chuckles at Suzie's innocent-seeming question, as she reaches over and scritches Chill. "Oh yes! I mean, they do not expect you to...you know, do that and also shower with everyone standing around! The girls do have their own rooms for that. So do not worry! And Bowie is my friend, he is quite trustworthy. Chill, too."

Chill Snowcat grins, "I'm a great guard. And I can track anythin! Don't worry you'll be safe here."

Suzie Hochkonjunktur smiles, "That's good...still, they're kind of scary to have around, never know what those men are thinking of, hrm?" She grins playfully. A thin, rapid radio communication is released to the Jane segment assigned to her command. Her order is brief, and bizarre...although given the Erinyes opinion of a simple Jane... <Enter Hostel. Destroy All Targets.> She smiles at Kalinka, "About your fields of study, tell me Kalinka...what do you hope to become someday?"

"Successful," Kalinka quips with a wry chuckle, to Suzie. "I have many, many plans at this time. One thing I will not do is become...you know, -exactly- what my father is. He is successful and a good man. But I want to be my own person. Anyhow...that is enough of that. Would you like to store your bags someplace safe? I could let you borrow my locker for the evening for your belongings...and I do recommend it. Most people here are quite nice, but there is problem with theft."

Bowie's smile slips, but he does his best not to take offense at Suzie's comment. They've only just met, after all. So he just stands there, listening to the conversation without contributing to it.

Chill Snowcat wags his tail a little trying to look non-threatening. He grins, "No one steals from Kali though. They know that they gotta get past me and I don't let nothin get stolen on my watch."

Kalinka winks at Chill. "I know, you are the ultimate watch-kitty."

Suzie Hochkonjunktur smiles, "Well its nice to see a girl has a good protector...I know I cou.." *A blast is heard from the entry way. Through the door from the kitchen a fast burst of grey and blue can be seen, with a shock of blonde attached to it. Two girls dressed in long grey and blue outfits rush into the kitchen more directly, visors narrowed and claws bared. One of them leaps for Chill, while the other takes a pot shot at Suzie, which she barely dodges.

Kalinka lets out a frightened scream...then, she fumbles for something in her pocket, pulling out her father's military-issue pistol as she sees the Janes approaching. "Suzie, get back!! These things are dangerous!" She moves to stand in front of Suzie protectively, as she warms up the pistol's charger. Darned old weapons!

Bowie doesn't think, he simply reacts. While he may have surrendered his pistols, that doesn't mean he's totally unarmed. Reaching for the Colt .45 tucked away in a back holster, the Texan moves to interpose himself between the girls and the intruders. Ancient? Perhaps. But the weapon still packs a punch. "Get down!" he orders in his police sergeant voice. The sound of thunder reverberates as he fires at whatever is attacking them.

Chill Snowcat looks to Bowie, "I'll protect Kalinka and Suz..." He runs right after them. His tail flicks and sends an missle at the attacking Jane.

[OOC] Suzie Hochkonjunktur says, "Ah, heavy weapons in enclosed spaces... :D"

[OOC] Chill Snowcat says, "ice missile"

[OOC] Suzie Hochkonjunktur says, "Ah, important distinction :D"

Kalinka backs up down the hallway once Bowie gets in between her and the Janes, though she 'backpedals' because she doesn't want to take her attention off what's going on. Her gun is still trained on them, and she shoots carefully in their direction...trying not to hit Bowie, so she isn't shooting all that much.

The first Jane gets knocked back a bit by the gunshot, and then is finished off as a shard of ice pierces through its chest, sending it to the floor in a sparking, melting heap. The other Jane leaps at the tiger, as the third Jane, the one that rushed in earlier rips through the wall and lands between the defenders and the girls...unfortunately since the Erinyes didn't assign priority...the Jane falls back on its mission of attacking the highest threat, in this case, the Tiger. Neither of them is really affected by Kalinka's fire, they may just be drones, but even drones aren't taken out easilly by scared girls with guns. Suzie takes this moment to make her move, she grabs Kali's gun hand and puts the other around her waist, "Kali! We've gotta get out of here!" She begins dragging her off deeper into the hallway...a bit stronger then a girl of her age should.

Bowie would appreciate not being shot in the back - he's having enough to worry about up front. While the gunslinger does have spare e-packs on him (a fact he neglected to tell Miss Suzie), there isn't the time to load the other pistols. Trying to conserve his own ammo, he chooses his shots quickly but carefully, firing once at each of the Janes in front of him. That's three.

Kalinka's eyes widen, as she suddenly begins getting dragged back, away from the fray. "Wait, though...er...!" (Good Heavens, this girl is strong!), she thinks. "I do not want to leave them here with the Janes," she protests worriedly.

Chill Snowcat snarls as he is attacked and uses razor sharp claws and teeth to rend the one before him, counting on Bowie to cover his back for the other. "Kalinka stay close!" He's trying to get free to get to her.

The Jane in combat with Tiger manages to take a step back before his claws rather unpleasantly shear off her breast, leaving a sparking display of wires and gyros open to his view. As the second Jane takes a hit in the thigh, and screams in pain and annoyance, she turns her attack closer towards Bowie, trying to get in close, although with her leg wounded her speed is cut significantly. Suzie for her part is still busy dragging Kalinka away, "Believe me, Kali, they're not the ones to worry about.." She smiles slightly, as she notices a nice large window...(Egress point noted, escape possibility if mission fails). Her eyes narrow, and a grin touches her face, "I am the god of torment, the whip of the heavens. I am fury." Her fingers dig deeply into Kalinka's wrist and she YANKS her arm back, causing an unpleasant *SNAP* to elict from the girl's shoulder.

Chill Snowcat snarls and attempts to bolt past the jane that is impeding him to get to Kalinka, "KALI!" He roars in anger.

If Bowie were the sort of person to cuss, he would be doing so now. Instead, he remains calm, even though the situation is definitely not how he'd like it to be. Again he reaches under his duster, drawing his bowie knife in his free hand. Bullet number 4 is fired at the Jane closing in, then glances behind him.

And Suzie is found to be a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Bowie accepts this without thinking - there is no time to do otherwise. "Chill! Stop them!" he barks. If the Jane on Chill is close enough, he moves to plant his blade in her skull. If not, he sends the blade tumbling at her back.

Kalinka's eyes widen, as she realizes -- all too late -- that once again, she's been had. In that dreadful moment, that split second before her brain kicks in the adrenaline she needs to fight the new threat, she feels anguished that her life can't be a normal. She wants so much to trust people -- and look what it gets her.

There's a terrible *SNAP* sound as her shoulder is forcefully broken by her captor, and Kalinka lets out with an absolutely blood-curdling scream. This is probably the worst pain she's EVER felt, and she's been through some harrowing moments. The pain is absolutely debilitating. It courses through her shoulders, her arm...blindingly crashes through her nerves, searing down into her torso. It's so intense, it makes her want to vomit. And yet, she maintains consciousness, fighting with all of the fight left in her...smashing and punching furiously with her good arm.

Bowie's attack strikes home, blasting through the back of the Jane's head, as she falls forward at Bowie his knife bites into the neck of the other one, causing it to gack in confusion and fall to the ground. Suzie, or more appropriately the Erinyes smiles at the crack but then notices the larger Maverick Hunter barreling down on her, deciding discretion is the better part of Valor, grabs Kalinka by the throat...not really feeling her punches, and THROWS Kalinka -at- Chill. Having done that the Erinyes converts the tip of her hand into a blaster cannon, and smiles...unless Chill manages to get Kalinka immediately clear of the line of fire, when her aerial trip ends...so does her life.

And all at once, Kalinka is airborne...her lithe frame sailing through the air like a fragile doll. She almost looks like she'll shatter upon impact. She hurtles toward Chill, screaming like a siren.

Chill Snowcat reaches out with his hands, luckily he converts to upright mode in time to catch Kalinka, "I got you." He tries to be careful. Unfortunately he sees the drone turning to fire on his rescuee. "Duck your head!" He covers her with his other arm and turns away, hoping the jane has terrible aim or at least that he can protect her from the worst of the blast.

Two bullets remain in the Colt .45, but Bowie is almost hesitant to use them now. Both Kalinka and Chill are between him and "Suzie," blocking any chance of a clear shot. They are his friends, but they're also Hunters. Jinking to one side, Bowie aims high, knowing that if he misses, he may strike one of them by mistake. And yet, there is no other reasonable choice. The gunslinger pulls the trigger, and once again the hallway fills with thunder.

Kalinka sobs and moans from the pain in her shoulder, clinging tightly to Chill with her good arm. She trembles violently, kicking vigorously with her left leg, trying hard not to go into shock.

Suzie Hochkonjunktur smirks and fires from her arm blaster, a sickly green light illuminates the hallway, careening through the air and matching Kalinka's scream in pitch. But it does not hit its intended target...not at all. The blast hits Chill...and a bolt of energy that would have evaporated a human, hits a much sturdier body of a reploid. The blast from Bowie's gun nicks across the skin of her arm, spraying sparks like a strange fountain. Her eyes narrow and she makes a rear sommersault out of the window behind her, landing in an alley. The heroes are afforded the glimpse of her ripping through her clothing, and through 'Suzie' until only a 7 foot tall, beautiful woman with a tentacle on one arm and a blaster on the other is seen...with a set of beautiful, wings...each feather, individually crafted from metal. She glances at the group, and then LAUNCHes into the air.

Bowie makes a split-second decision - go after the enemy, or stay and care for his friends. Growling softly, he returns the Colt to its holster, ignoring the acrid tang of smoke and hot metal on leather. He turns back to Chill and Kalinka, his face etched into a concerned scowl. Again, without thinkinking, he shrugs off his duster as he kneels next to them.

Chill Snowcat crumbles with a cry of pain to his knees. Light sparks in all directions from Chill's back and side. The Hunter's eyes closing as he hits the wall shoulder first with his head hitting the wall He feels Bowie's presence more then sees it, "T-take her Bowie....s-she's hurt."

Kalinka peers over at Chill, tears streaming down her face. Normally, she could be upon him in an instant to begin repairs, but any movement she makes of her upper body causes tremendous, excruciating pain. "I am so sorry...this is all my fault completely...I did think I was safe here...Chill...Bowie, please forgive me..."

Bowie's brow furrows deeply as he checks Kalinka. "Shh. don't wurry 'bout that now." All anger is gone from his voice, leaving only his usual calm. Wiping his hands on his shirt first, he gingerly feels around the injured shoulder, trying to determine if there are any broken bones or if the arm is merely dislocated. "Hold still. Yer gonna be jus fine."

Kalinka whimpers in pain as Bowie touches the tender shoulder. "Oh!! It hurts so -bad-, I think that Jane or...whatever it was, it broke the bone..." Teeth chattering, she lets out a little moan...then, her eyes roll up into her head and she passes out.