Gathering Intel (tag Shizuka)

[Annabelle Schmidt]

Annabelle thought for a moment about each of the different questions. She knew enough of that world to get them by. It would requite a lot of good bullshitting to fill in the rest of it. She thought of what she had originally told this woman as she waited for Shizuka to take a seat.

"She knows more about the big time fights that are aired and big time underground rings. My guess is that she does not know all of the little local fights. It is a big time sport around here so there are too many rings and what not to be able to keep track of them all. If it comes down to it, you are part of an upstart one, she won't know the difference. Most of it has to do with how the government wants people to move up in the world, rankings are huge to get power and wealth. Though the better you are, the more damage to the brain you have taken. So being slow would prove that you are serious with wanting to prove to someone that you want better than what cards we have dealt.

"Don't worry about cards. I can fabricate a few that shall fit our needs. It will show you are serious about all of this. Bruising from me won't be spotted as fake. I will not hold back. She will not be able to tell that this was intentional.

"You and I come a small town that hardly anyone has heard of. We are rather poor as we don't have the most money. It has given both of us motivation to want better. She thinks of me almost like an apprentice with getting the information she wants. I would love to see her face should she find out what I actually do. Do you have any more questions before I give you a few bruises? I will answer as we go along. Time is growing short."

[Shizuka Jaeger]

Shizuka sat down in the seat. The warning that time was growing short quelled any further questions. She was satisfied.

"No further questions... for now. As long as I play dumb and act slow, we should have this. Let's do this." Shizuka answered confidently. This was going to be painful. However, it would be the best way to sell their deception.

"Give it to me. Don't hold back." Shizuka signaled readiness to put the plan into action. She had been hit before. Numerous times. This time it would be for a reason better than personal gain.

[Annabelle Schmidt]

Annabelle nodded her head as girl got into chair. She hoped that the girl remembered all that she had said. She just wanted to make sure that they pulled this off.

She planted her feet shoulder width apart. Her elbow pulled back as she straightened her wrist. She aimed as she hit the side of her cheek with surprising force from her frame. She pulled back as she hit in the left eye. It was not as much as the first time around. She didn't want it to look too fresh.

It would be a process for a few minutes ranging from her face to upper body with various amounts of force. She took a step back once she felt that she had done enough. She could see that discoloration starting to form. She grabbed an ice pack just in case there was a bit of pain.

"I hope that you are feeling well. I think this should be good enough."

[Shizuka Jaeger]

Shizuka recoiled from the impact of each blow. Her face and upper body hurt more than it should have. She had spent too long away from the arena.

"Get that aircab. I want tah rile uh feport." Shizuka stated. She was mildly disoriented from the blows to the head. That part was not fake. The rest of it would have to be faked to perfection.

"Oh, yeah. I'm cool. Let's do this while I'm still in pain and in character. Lead the way when you're ready." Shizuka said to Annabelle.

[Annabelle Schmidt]

Annabelle tossed her an ice pack as she heard the girl. It would work to pull off what they needed. Now if Shizuka could hold that until this evening. She would take a medical device to heal her handy work. She was pleased to know that she was able to pack a punch after being in a couple of fights already today. Granted the first one was more verbal than anything else.

"Easy there tiger, I still have to get a couple of cards made out. A little time to let more color show through won't hurt us."

She sat in the chair next to the girl as she pulled up a data pad. Her fingers brushed over the soft glow of the surface. She searched quickly for different symbols of the few fighting rings. She paused for a moment as a finger tapped on the side of pad as she thought for a few minutes. Her eyes narrowed as a few ideas came flooding through.

"Scaen and Kiskev will be the two of the upcoming fighting rings. She will not know of them since they come close to our town. We can play it off that you want to hit the big leagues for the rings. There are a few fighters in your way. You need that extra boost to get your name out there."

She stood up as she handed the cards over to the girl. She moved her whip from her back to make it more like a belt. She grabbed a couple of small knives as she placed them in her boots. She never wants to walk into that place unprepared. A small pistol was placed on her back as she shifted her cloak over her head.

"If you have the main part of the story down, let's go. I am ready to get off this miserable planet."

[Shizuka Jaeger]

"Scaen and Kiskev are the names I wanna throw out there for cred. But that's not enough. I want the big fights. And for the big fights I need something special. That's a good cover story." Shizuka opined. She was willing to wait for a little more color to show through if Annabelle wanted to wait. Shizuka was not a cloak-and-dagger person. She preferred to beat her problems into submission, or if that failed, run away quickly and wait for another chance to beat the problem into submission.

"I hate to ask questions, but tell me something... do the fight rules allow the kind of aid we're seeking?" Shizuka asked. She remembered the old Scarlet Aquila rules. Any martial art was allowed in any match and weapons were allowed in selected matches, but pharmaceutical aid was off limits. However, not everywhere played by those rules. Nor did all fighters.

"Well, an illicit edge is why we're going to her to start with. Still, we might wanna know before we waltz into her shop." Shizuka added. The blows to the head might have enhanced her cover, but they also made her grasp of simpler things fuzzy.

[Annabelle Schmidt]

"Good, let's get going. It will be very passable."

She opened the hanger door as the sound of rain filled in. She stopped as she turned back to the girl. It was a good question. Her arms crossed over her chest as she thought for a moment or two. She knew some of the rules, the drugs were something of a looser nature.

"Some use is allowed for gaining muscle mass, I believe. We are seeking something that will increase your speed and strength. Anyways, my informant will know precisely what we need."

She tapped her feet as she looked at the girl, "Let's get going. I want to be home before night falls."

[Shizuka Jaeger]

"OK, let's keep going then." Shizuka agreed with Annabelle. She did not want to be out past nightfall either. No matter where one went, the streets tended to get nasty after dark.

"I hope she's got what we need." Shizuka stated while partially in character. If she did not, this whole trip would be a waste of time. However, Annabelle had yet to steer them wrong.

[Annabelle Schmidt]

Annabelle was happy the girl followed this time. She closed up the ship once they were out in the rain once again. She sighed as she pulled up her hood. What they needed? She could hope so as well in the way of information. What they needed was more people and funds. She wanted to strike a blow at the heart of that beast. Small ops with what they were doing was not getting it done. How she wished for Du'Avatar to show up. At least, the computer based life form could help plan more of the missions.

While she didn't mind being the leader, she wanted someone else to call more of the shots. She was good at the here and now. Long term planning was not her strong suit. She was good with details while Andrew was good at piecing together a whole picture. One would think, combined they would manage better. The problem was there was no one for Andrew to pry information out of. In fact, she suspected he was enjoying living on the farm a little too much. What she would give for a kick in his rear.

"If she doesn't than it was a lost trip. I might have to start looking for someone else. I really don't need to waste several months of work like that. I might end up loosing my temper..."

She would lead them through the slightly nicer part of town. This woman wanted to keep a certain clientele around her. Anyone too shady was bad for her upfront business. She put a smile on her face in case someone saw her. The eyes of her informant were everywhere. She was not going to give them a reason to doubt her.

It would be nearly a twenty minute walk until they reached their destination. Annabelle was rather silent on during the walk. She would rather not have any of their conversation over heard. The storefront looked like a hippie ran it. There was a mix of color all along the front which made one think a rainbow barfed. The windows were slightly tinted making it almost impossible to see in. The building screamed everything anyone wanted to know about her informant.

She sighed as she glanced as the girl, "Are you ready, sis? Just remember to smile and be polite. We will hopefully get what we came for."

It was Annabelle's nice way of saying don't fuck this all up.

[Shizuka Jaeger]

Shizuka practiced her "hit in the head too many times" demeanor by spacing out. She sometimes did that anyway. A caffeine addiction could do that. Ths time she had a real incentive to space out.

She picked up on Annabelle's statement. It was a veiled warning that it was game time. They were about to engage in a contest of wits with the informant.

"Uh, yeah sis. I'm ready." Shizuka replied. When acting her part, she had to be careful not to lay it on too thick. Short and sweet would do it. So would the occasional irrelevant tangent.

[Annabelle Schmidt]

The reply was all that Annabelle needed to know. She knew the girl would follow inside the rainbow barfed building. She knew the girl would follow closely behind her. Her shoulders were square as her face held that smile which didn't reach her eyes.

A small bell dinged as she opened the door. Her eyes darted around as she saw a stocky woman behind the counter helping someone else. She walked around some of the shelves that were filled with various herbs, tonics, and crystals. There was a lot of other natural healing things. On one of the walls there was a large scrolls of famous quotes from the culture. In a corner of the shop was a few flowering planets. There was a lot of different items scattered around the room. She picked up a few different things as she wondered around.

As the lady behind the counter was free, Annabelle walked over to the counter. Her smile widen as she slid a finger across the counter top. The woman gave a curious look at the blonde.

Annabelle had a feeling someone new threw this woman off. "Elfrieda, it has been a little bit. I needed to bring little Nana here." She checked her head over to Shizuka. "She had a bit of a tough fight. I know Siobhan was expecting me. I hope it is not to bad I brought an extra. We need a little something extra."

Elfrieda snorted as she looked over the pair. She shrugged, "I suppose. I didn't know that you had any family. Maybe next time a little warning. I will not be responsible when she bites off your head for this. You know how she gets with surprises."

Annabelle snorted a little, "Yes well this a last minute thing. She will surely understand how plans change. She will be more than compensated for this addition."

Elfrieda looked at Shizuka. "What's your deal?"

[Shizuka Jaeger]

"My. Deal? What deal?" Shizuka repeated listlessly. She held the not-quite-there look a few moments before continuing.

"Me? I'm uh fighter. I've been fighting. In tha little leagues. Scaen and Kiskev. You know... tryin' tuh make uh name." Shizuka explained.

"But it's not enough. I want more. I wanna step up and fight. Fight tha big guys. That's how ya make uh name." Shizuka continued. She looked at the wall with a dazed expression. She then turned to the woman again, keeping a not-quite there look.

"But tuh make uh name. Tuh REALLY make uh name, I hafta fight tha big guys. And ta fight them. I need uh... uh little extra muscle. You know... muscle." Shizuka finished. She hoped that she did not lay it on too thick. Otherwise Annabelle might lay into her with real punches... if they survived.

[Annabelle Schmidt]

Elfrieda watched the sister of the blonde. She did look as if she was beaten pretty bad recently. She glanced over at Annabelle as she watched the girl. "There are ways of getting more muscle. I can show you a few of the supplements."

Annabelle shook her head. "We have already tried those. We need something a little potent if you get my meaning."

The woman behind the counter shrugged as she stepped away from the counter as she glanced around. "You will have to sweet talk Siobhan to let you have the really good stuff. Supplies are drying up so it won't be cheap."

She stepped around as she lead them to a bookcase in the by the different scrolls, straightening them as a spring popped open a secret entrance. "Nana seems like she might have been hit in the head one too many times, Joetta. Do you think she will make it to the big time?"

Annabelle snorted as it seemed Shizuka might have over done it a little. Her face kept the same expression on it. "Well she might have taken a bad hit to the head last night. That dude was not letting up. I think that I know the rest of the way."

Elfrieda stepped out of the way as she waited for the two to step into the dimly lit passage way. "If you say so", the reply held a little disbelieve in it.

Annabelle lead them through various twisting tunnels. She kept silent once again as the walls always seemed to have ears. She could only hope that Siobhan would be fooled by the slight over acting. She really didn't have time to establish another informant at this stage. This one knew the workings outside of the planet like the back of her hand.

They finally reached a large open space lit by torches along the outside and a path to what could be described as an oversized throne. On it sat an obese human with rolls of fat everywhere with a pixie cut. This woman was dressed in the bare minimum as she sprawled across her chair. She sat up a little as she noticed that visitors had arrived.

An impish smile crossed the rounded face as she saw who came up, only to frown. Her voice was almost masculine as she spoke, "Why are you not alone? You know the rules. Tsk, tsk Joetta I expected better from you. I think I shall have to punish you myself." A fat tongue rolled over the lips. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

Annabelle put on her award winning smile as she bowed deeply at the waist. She motioned for Shizuka to do the same. Her voice held a slight quiver to it. "Oh great Siobhan, I don't mean to offend. This was a dire situation. We have great need of your services. As you know ever great fighter has a thinker behind them. We are no exception to the rule. My sister here has need of something that will give her a bit of an edge. We are trying our hand at getting a better station in life."

"A sister? Here I thought you were an only child. My, my how you do like to surprise me. I can only wonder what would happen once I get you away from being so formal. It would be nice to see what you have to offer."

A shudder was suppressed as she held a hand out to Shizuka. "Say hello to Nana. Nana be a dear and say hello to Mistress Siobhan. She is the one who has been helping us for several months now."

The large woman chuckled as she saw the face of Shizuka, "Been in a recent bad scrape I see. I can help give you a few tips if you want. Pity that the bruises are covering up such a nice face. This will be double my usual cost. Since I like you so much, I gave you a discount, Joetta."

[Shizuka Jaeger]

Shizuka slowly gazed over at Annabelle and caught her gesture. Shizuka had to bow as well. She turned her head back and bowed deeply at the waist. This was no time for pride.

Shizuka suppressed a shudder. Their informant... had a large presence. The thought of her and Annabelle having intimate contact made Shizuka want to bathe in scalding water after all. A few of her brain cells felt like they had just died for real. It was too late to back out now.

"Hello... hello Mistress Siobhan." Shizuka greeted the informant while looking her in the eyes. Now she had to dial it back. No overacting. Let Annabelle do the complex talking.

[Annabelle Schmidt]

Annabelle was pleased as the girl did not over do anything at the moment while following her movements. As much as she wished to rush this meeting, she knew it would only back fire down the line. She kept her persona going as she answered the question coming from the mistress.

"I tend to not mention Nana here. I would hate to have people use her against me. You know as she needs your help. She is very strong and well skilled. Her speed tends to be lacking...."

Siobhan raised up a hand as she twisted around in her seat. Her eyes narrowed as she looked over the fighter. "Enough! You know better than to use words. I demand a performance when it comes to fighters. I just don't give things away, my Joetta. I can't have rumors spreading that I am going soft should my rules bend for you. I also don't just hand out my product to anyone on the streets."

Annabelle bowed her head as she pushed away the anger. She would get to dish out just dues some day. She looked up as she took in a deep breath, "I guess I was not aware of fighters needing performances. Since you know that I would never lead you...."

Siobhan once again cut Annabelle off. She shook her head, "I have seen these other fighters in action. Your sister has yet prove her worth to me." Siobhan looked at Shizuka, "Now, I will have you fight one of my best fighters. Beat him and I will consider granting you use of my speed enhancers."

She sat up as she clapped her hands together. "Bring forth a chair for my little Joetta. Summon the butcher!"

It would be a few minutes as a chair was brought out along with a mostly naked man with bulging muscles. He had a muzzle on his canine snot with a long gray tail. He was a hybrid of wolf and human. He dragged a large ax behind him. A rack of weapons was brought out as Annabelle took her seat.

"Nana, pick your tool to defeat him wisely. He will kill you if given the chance."