Ace of The Duck Pond Thunder of the Ghost Ships.

[Ranger Reid]

Liam leaned in to Donna's embrace.  Since he was seated, she easily cradled his head to her bosom and wrapped her arms around him.    It was almost motherly, but not awkward at all for either of them.   

Liam sighed, and felt the exhaustion slowly fade.   He would have to be careful.  Even with his new understanding of his ability, there would always be a cost.


He asked "Should someone check on Wilfred?   He has been gone for a long time."

[Stella Gaslight]

This was lovely Donna thought as she felt the warmth of his breath on her skin.  She was sad to part when Jace spoke up.  "Be careful and knock first he sometimes has wicked booby traps for those that try and brake in."

[MWBailey]

"Marta, there, can take you to Under-Town," Meri said. "But you may be right that my presence could keep you out of too much dire trouble; humans are just as able to go there as the supernaturals, but the humans that do so tend to be a bit of a rougher breed than the ones who stay "topside," as the Scarabs put it." she thought, then came to a decision. "Fine, we can enter through the place where I work."

"Don't look so surprised, Al, even vampires and other supernaturals need jobs in a place like this." Meri said archly.

"Uh, sorry, you just don't look like a shopgirl, I guess," Al answered dubiously.

"Shopgirl!? I'm a lounge singer and Head Hostess in a swing club, you big lout," Meri laughed. "I work at the Imperial Palace in Chinatown. Madame Lee tells me you're a regular there, but you haven't shown in a while; she worries about you, you know."

"A host of mothers," Al said, not entirely put upon-sounding. "I have a host of mothers..."

"keep your wits about you down there, and if I say don't go or look someplace, don't do it," Meri added. It's not likely anyone will try to attack if I'm with you, or Al, in fact. Like he hinted,, he's known down there as well, and most of the undertowners know that messing with him will probably get them killed - but then again, a few members of the three creches of vampires we broke up last week are still at large, so be alert. Also, a few Oni and various spirit beings from Japan and other regions of Asia have resettled here since the Island of Youkai was moved to the Celestial Plains. They are not demons in your western sense, but they are dangerous nonetheless if provoked - and territioriality is strong in them. be wary. I would hate to have to bury my little Amazon friend."

[Stella Gaslight]

Jace wiggled out of her dirty overalls revealing a blue cotton shirt and green denim pants covered in pockets.  She let her hair down and tried to get it tamed in to something resembling the short wavy styles that were so popular.  Admitting defeat she used a metal band to at least get it out of her face.  "At least I look like I am more in charge than a mechanic.  Lead on. We can take the green three wheeler if Donna remembered to fill it up after she used it last."

[MWBailey]

"Um...kay. I guess I'll drive," Al said, and climbed aboard the three-wheelers motorcycle front. He turned the key, flipped a toggle switch, unhooked the kickstarter, let it raise up, and then stood up on it, kicking it downward and turning the engine over. Twice more, and it caught, pop-popping up to spead as Al twisted the grip throttle. "OK, climb on," he said...

Meri looked dubiously at the conveyance. Whomever rode with her, or whomever she rode with, they would be all scrunched up against one another...

[Stella Gaslight]

"Hold up a moment I gotta get the silver buggy put on so we aren't all nearly in each others pants."  The silver buggy was a strange mishmash of cargo hauler and rickshaw made of shiny bright aircraft aluminium Jace had won in a poker game.  It sat up to eight people,in comfort sort of, or a weeks worth of groceries. Setting the cotter pins she lept on the back body pressing against Al.  There was a giggle in his ear and warm breath on his neck.  "This is worth the cramped quarters."  She nipped at his ear and made him squeak then laughing she called out.  "All aboard that is coming aboard."

[MWBailey]

"Yikes!"  Al yelped, and nearly drove the contraption into the siode of the hangar. Teh he felt the warmth and softness of jace, and mentally rem,arked on how sweat and hand soap could only smell like perfume on her. He revelled in her warm breath on the nape of his neck, and kind of settled back inyto teh curve of her body as she glued herself to his back. "Kinda reminds me of those rides around Sydney on the C.O's Excelsior motorbike," he said as he righted the threewheeler; soon they roared off across teh runway and down the main drag toward Chinatown.

Meri had climbed into the rickshaw without grumbling, though in her head she felt a bit snubbed. As they rode along, though, she heard a child exclaim, "Look mommy! A rickshaw cab!"

Well, then again, I look like a fashionable Onee' in a hired hack, she thought to herself and smiled a slightly smug smile. Drive on, cabbie.

[Stella Gaslight]

The club sprawled before them and not an inch was not decorated.  Paint, tiles and mirrors made it very much the tackyest wonder of the world.  "Wow they have been busy since the last time I was here." Jace was unsure as to whether she was truly impressed or just dazzled.

[MWBailey]

"Yes, it catches the eye and has it's garish way with it," Meri said drily. "Madame Lee's  current paramour's idea. He says it draws customers like flies." She eyed a local hood and his moll enetering the club ahead of them. "Hm. Well, he was right about one of those..." Sje led teh way in, and got them past the bouncer at the door. "These are my comrades in arms, Mako, she said pointedly. "Extend to them every courtesy. This way, Miss jace, Al."

AHA! MEroVINgia! Teh heroine of the China Clipper!" an older but not yet elderly Chinese woman, beautiful in an expensive evening gown the way that only middleaged Asian women are capable of, swept down the aisle between the tables from the stage, along the bar, and up to their little trio. "I hear your mission of mercy was more than successful, and you managed to strike a blow for our home as well!"

Meri laughed, not entirely an act, and returned teh lady's hug affectionately, as one would a beloved relative. "Madame Lee, aqllow me to present my comrades in arms, Miss jace and of course, you already know Al." It was a bot of an odd sight, Meri acting as if she were a slightly demure schoolgirl to Madame Lee's motherly actions, for all the world as if she were introducing some friends from school.

"Long time no see, Madame Lee," Al said, clasping her hands between hers as she did with her own hands.

"And you, my dear," Madame Lee said cordially. I have heard so much about your bravery and tenacity from our Meri. What brings you to our home?"

[CPT_J_Percell]

"They are looking for someone Madam Lee!" Wilfred grunted from the door way.
She turned towards him and scowled, "I hope your not back here to cause more trouble?"
"If you got a bottle of the blue in then I will cancel that favour." He said leaning against the door frame and holding his servive revolver out to the bouncer.

[Stella Gaslight]

"Someone has attacked the station and is targeting those who live underground.  The Aces tried to drive the green ship off but we are underpowered."  Jace smiled brightly at Madame Lee doing her best to be likeable.  "I have been told you may know of a gunsmith that can help."

[MWBailey]

"DON'T hurt him, Mako, he may be an insufferable lout, but he's also one of my  comrades-in-arms."

"whatevah youse say, Miz Meri."

"I know several, my dear," madame Lee answered Jace, "but there's one in particular whom I suspect may be better than anyone else."

Just then, a rather inebriated man stumbled out from the bar area, and stopped short at the sight of the tableaux at the front door. "Hey, Pauly?" he yelled back behind him, "here's that guy I was tellin' you about, da guy what fixes blasters fer cheap!"

Meri looked at Madame Lee's ssuddenly smug expression, turned back around to follow her and the drunk's gaze, and nearly dropped her jaw in surprise. "YOU?!" she exclaimed, staring at Wilfred.

"If you will help my darling Meri, Mister Wilfred, you may have that "bottle of blue" plus the two extras under the bar - when you complete your services." Seeing the measuring look on Al's and Jace's countenances, she added,  "Mako, there, is not only wearing an invulnerable; he's also naturally very well-armored, like all of the dragonkind. Wilfred is smart to hand over his piece, as I doubt his revolver would do more than give him an unsightly scratch. There's a reason we keep him on the door, you see."

[Stella Gaslight]

"I know you did side work but I didn't know you were famous." Jace said with amusement.  "Can we get the guns up and running before the green bastards come back.  From what I have heard this isn't the first time they went after the station."

[Ranger Reid]

Whatever Liam had been expecting, the ramshackle old tower simply was not it.  It might have been a cultural center of wanton wild excitement back in the day, but at this point it was simply a derelict old ruin. 

He looked at Donna and asked "Are you sure this is it?"    She laughed  "It is probably a lot more entertaining with a group of naked worshipers coming and going.   Will you still find anything useful?"

Liam allowed his love for Donna to flow and his inner sight opened up immediately.  "There is a lot of energy here.  They must have worshiped for a very long time and often."     He walked in and began to scan the dirt floor.   Without his ability, he would have only seen sand and wooden debris like any drift wood found on a beach.   But to Liam the lines of energy glowed and certain places were brighter.   

"I think what passed for an altar or a bed or both was over there.  That wood pile is what's left.  We can start there."   he said.

Together they began to sort through the trash and dirt.  Donna would hold an item up, and Liam would shake his head.   Twice he said "keep it, but I think we will find better."

[Stella Gaslight]

There was a smell Donna had not expected. It was a dry sort of spice that drew her along with memories of her father's after shave.  She found something half buried in the sand.  Lifting it up to the light she let out a shout and jumped back.  " Is that a head!"

[CPT_J_Percell]

"Depends on if I can get a drink from here first."
Wilfred walked past and headed for the bar and as he approached, the tender placed a glass of "blue" in front of him.

[MWBailey]

"I guess we won't be seeing the basement, then." Al rumbled from behind Jace.

Madame Lee looked from face to face and finally back at Meri. "Basement?"

"Miss Jace wanted to inspect our newly augmented storage facilities, Madame" Meri answered, using the euphemism that was the norm for referring to the Undertown Gate.

"Please, do not let a little unpleasantness in the foyer dissuade you," she said.

Al had been about to relax; he wasn't sure Jace was really prepared to "go under," as the saying went. But now Madame Lee was bringing it up again!

"Uh, Jace, you still wanna go? There's not really much reason, now..."

[Stella Gaslight]

"Actually we may need to do just that." She said thoughtfully.  "Meri you said you could feel the pull of the green light and I was wondering if we could turn that in to an early warning system.  We don't have the time for science at the moment but magic just might be able to fill the gap but I have no clue how it works."

[Ranger Reid]

Donna's cry startled Liam and his ability collapsed in on itself.  His vision went dark for a second and he stumbled.

This new focus of power was going to present some difficulties....

As his sight cleared, he held his hand out for the skull.   It seemed plain and unremarkable.  But as his power returned, Liam noticed lines of power attached to it.

This had been a cleric of some kind.  As he considered the relic, he could see lines of energy flowing in the tower base.  Ghost images of revelers appeared to him.  He watched as pagans danced, loved, worshiped, and did unthinkable things with coconuts.

While considering the weird debauchery, he noticed most of the lines tapered off and ran along the wall to a specific point.

With his ability of seeing how things worked, he pushed gently at the base of the tower and heard an audible click.

Sand fell away from a hatch in the floor.       Liam dropped the skull in his messenger bag, and looked at Donna to see her reaction.

[CPT_J_Percell]

"And what will you do once its activates?" Wilfred asked without turning to face them, "Apart from Meri, liam and yours truly, you dont have the tools for the task." he said pulling out his glowing hand gun.
The correct tools are not easy to come across even for the hostess and myself.

[Stella Gaslight]

"I know I am not ready to fight like you do but I can't just let them take shots at the pond.  Besides I did manage to knock it around."   She puffed up a bit at the end.  Jace did have her pride after all.

Donna searched the pockets in her overalls and pulled out a silver tube triumphantly.  "It may be small for a light but it packs a punch.  There is no way I am going in there without a light.  Who knows what we will find."

[MWBailey]

"If I only had my Foster-father's sword," Meri mourned. "But that went to Tartarus with that Hellhound. The only way to get it back is to literally make a deal with a demon - or the Mahou himself."

"Um, Hostess Meri?" about that..." Meri tyurned around to find herself face-toface with two young people; they looked barely old enough to be on the doorstep of a club like the Palace, not to mention inside, especially in the bar.

"Miss jace, these two are brothe rand sister. The eldest, Shiro, is very good at findingthings, and his sister, Mariko, is a magical smith." she turned back to Shiro, and asked, "What is it, Shiro?" She had to remind herself that although the "boy" looked barely older than fifteen, he was in fact twenty, nearly twenty-one in fact.

"Mariko is seeking a patron for her smithing."

Meri first turned white atthe prospect of whatthe unbearbly cute little woman child was supposedly about to attempt. by "patron," the lad meant that Mariko was about to attempt to make a binding contract with a demon smith to teach her the art of magickal smithing. Meri soon rallied and regauined her composure, however, and asked, "What is it that you propose, young lady?"

"As part of my apprenticeship pact, I could request the return of your patron's sword."

[Ranger Reid]

Liam took Donna by the hand.   She held the light so it beamed down the dark abyss and illuminated the stairs. 

As he held her hand, Liam also turned so his body shielded hers.   He knew she would figure it out, but also figured that she might appreciate the thought.

"As long as my ability lasts, the light won't be necessary for me" He thought.   To his eyes, the glowing lines of energy made the entire cave glow.

They started down the stairs.   Far off came a feint sound of dripping water.   At the bottom of the stairs, they found themselves in a long hand carved cave.  The walls were rough hewn, but the floor was very smooth.   

Liam sensed that it had been worn that way by the passage of so many people on foot.  They continued slowly down the passage.

[Stella Gaslight]

The sound of water on the rock and the utter stillness made Donna relax.  Something about this felt hushed like the time mama took her to the cathedral.  The cave widened and filled with green light. A hole in the ceiling was covered with green vines and in the light that filtered down a single palm tree grew.  Around it were small trinkets and fragments she couldn't recognise.  "What is this place?"

[Ranger Reid]

"I think THIS is the real temple or shrine."     With his enhanced vision, Liam could see the glow of true worship and faith surrounding this place. 

"The worshipers gathered here."   Something was bothering him.  Almost instinctively he took the skull out of his pouch.   It would be useful for making the enhanced bullets for the Aces, but somehow Liam knew he couldn't take it with him.  With a sense of reverence and destiny he held the skull up to the tree.

A shaft of blue light blazed out of the tree and hit the skull.  The dirt and dinginess fell away and the skull began to glow, and looked more and more like a coconut.

Liam felt odd.  He knew this was the effect of the the left over religious energy in the room, but it didn't seem to matter.   He sat the skull on the ground and took Donna in his arms.