<Indie`> <the shuttle breaks through the clouds, and beneath them lies North Carolina. The weather, heeding no ones wishes, continues to send rain. Mixed with the heat of the shuttle's surface as it speeds towards the ground, a cloud of steam seems to surround the small ship>

<Indie`> <landing in a spot pre-arranged by her superior, Indonesia sets the shuttle down, the landing causing the shuttle to shake a little>

<Indie`> Here we are, good old boring North Carolina.

<Evan_Cross> <nods>

<Evan_Cross> Exactly.

<Evan_Cross> Hopefully we won't have to stay long.

<Indie`> Come on, let's go find somewhere to lodge, I need a hot shower and a warm meal.

<Evan_Cross> <stands, walking to the back of the shuttle to retreive his luggage>

<Indie`> <leaving the shuttle, knowing that already someone was on their way to retrieve it, she too grabs her bags and heads off towards a small general store that sits on the corner of this vast expanse of land>

<Indie`> Ever ride a motorcycle Evan?

<Evan_Cross> <shakes his head, laughs>

<Evan_Cross> I've never even driven myself anywhere.

<Indie`> <sighs> alright, then i'll drive. Our baggage will remain here, the man at the general store works for the same people i do. He'll arrange to delive our cases once we notify him of our lodgings

<Evan_Cross> Okay. At least until we find a place to stay.

<Indie`> Really Evan, you never cease to amaze me. Has anyone ever called you spoiled and too lazy for your own good?

<Indie`> You have to learn how to drive.

<Evan_Cross> <grins> All the time.

<Evan_Cross> <shrugs> I had an easy life. I didn't ask for it.

<Indie`> well, i'm not surprised. they're right. Come, let's go rich boy.

<Evan_Cross> Lead on.

<Indie`> <she leads them to the small general store. A young man, perhaps in his early twenties without a word hands them a set of keys. He then nods towards the shed which stands at the back of the small house. Leaving their bags in his care, the two of them open the shed and find a black motorcycle, it's silver chrome features a stark contrast to it's black leather seats>

<Evan_Cross> <looking at the bike> Nice...

<Indie`> <Indie hands Evan a motorcycle helmet> Yeah, it would have to be, it's in my contract, black and the best. I

<Indie`> am not very picky other than that.

<Indie`> <knows that her conditions are strange, but doesn't care>

<Evan_Cross> <carefully puts the helmet on>

<Evan_Cross> WHat else is in your contract?

<Indie`> <pulls the silver chopsticks from her hair and carefully slips them through small loops that are attached to holster around her thigh. She sits down on the bike, her dress riding upwards, exposing the gun and chopsticks. She looks down.> Hmm...oh well, if someone stops me, i'll just give them shit. <shrugs>

<Indie`> ahh...my contract. <laughs> do you really want to know?

<Evan_Cross> <looks down at her leg>

<Evan_Cross> <grins>

<Evan_Cross> <carefully swings himself onto the bike seat>

<Evan_Cross> This should be an interesting ride.

<Indie`> other than the exhorbant amount that i charge, i also demand a wardrobe allowance of 50,000, an unlimited local and international cell phone plan, a pound of russian caviar and a year's membership to the New York Symphony.

<Evan_Cross> <whistles>

<Evan_Cross> At least you don't expect much.

<Indie`> <revs the bike> alright Evan, hold on tight...just becareful where your legs are....I don't want you to be hurt by those chopsticks.

<Evan_Cross> <looks around>

<Indie`> <laughs> no, i don't expect much, because my actual salary covers the rest.

<Evan_Cross> Hold on...to what?

<Indie`> <turns around to look at him> To Me?

<Indie`> you weren't joking were you....

<Evan_Cross> <leans forward, putting his arms around her>

<Evan_Cross> Just checking.

<Indie`> <nods>

<Evan_Cross> Didn't want to...overstep my bounds.

<Indie`> The bike is brought to life, and speeds down the highway....passing by farms and little towns, the two finally arrive in a modest sized city called Chapel Hill. She scans the area, looking for some sort of indication of accomodations. Seeing the sign outside a quaint victorian house saying "Weeping Willow Inn" she brings the bike in.>

<Indie`> Looks like a bed and breakfast.

<Indie`> I'm sure you've not been to one Mr. "I only stay at the ritz"

<Evan_Cross> <laughs> I've seen them before, does that count?

<Indie`> I'll give you a half point for being observant.

<Indie`> <takes her helmet and baggage with her, and goes up the whitewashed steps of the small inn>

<Evan_Cross> <follows>

<Indie`> <inside, an elderly lady sits behind a small antique table, a small cash box and guest book in front of her>

<Indie`> [Old Lady] Yessss? Weeelllcome...to...Weep....

<Evan_Cross> <pulls the helmet off>

<Indie`> Yeah yeah old lady, i know, i can read the sign, Weeping Willow Inn. We'd like a room, smoking, top floor, ensuite, and breakfast brought up at 9:00 am sharp. I like my eggs done over easy, toast slightly burnt, and he'll have the same. Black coffee, freshly squeezed orange juice.

<Evan_Cross> <grins>

<Indie`> <opens her purse, and puts a hundred credits in front of her, reaches over the old lady's shoulder, and grabs the highest numbered key on the rack>

<Indie`> Thank you, the name is indonesia, no last name, and you don't need to know who he is coz we're not married. We're living in sin. Excuse me, i'm tired. and please, don't scratch my bike, or i'll scratch you.

<Indie`> <looks to Evan> come, let's go upstairs, i'm dying for a shower.

<Evan_Cross> <nods>...sure.

<Indie`> [Old Lady] ......rude child. If I were your mother.

<Evan_Cross> <closes his eyes, whispers>...shouldn't have said that.

<Indie`> <bends down to look the lady in the eye> I didn't have a mother, the woman just gave birth to me. So you know what? If you were my mother, you'd be dead just like she is.

<Indie`> [Old Lady]...<grumbles>

<Indie`> <making their way eventually to the top, Indie holds her bags under one arm, and opens the door with her free hand>

<Evan_Cross> <leans forward and pushes the door open>

<Evan_Cross> <points at her bags> Need a hand with those?

<Indie`> <inside is a charming room by most people's standards, victorian decor like the house. A hand made quilt lies ont the four poster bed, and a small tv sits on a stand which is attached high up on the wall>

<Indie`> <looks at evan> does it look like i need help?

<Indie`> <drops the bags, one purpously on Evan's foot>

<Evan_Cross> <Smiles, raising his hands> Just thought I'd offer.

<Indie`> I never need anyone's help.

<Indie`> <little does she know those words will prove false in the near future>

<Evan_Cross> <takes a step back, extracting his foot from under the bag>

<Indie`> <looks at the bed, looks at evan> alright rich boy, you're camping out on the floor, I get the bed tonight. We'll rotate. Hopefully we're only spending one night here.

<Evan_Cross> <shrugs> Whatever you say.

<Indie`> <smiles> you're learning.

<Indie`> <jumps on to the bed and takes her boots off. She then carefully takes off the gun and chopsticks from around her thigh>

<Indie`> <leaning back on the bed> goddam, it feels good to lie down. that bumpy flight did horrors on my back, and the motorcycle ride did it no good either.

<Evan_Cross> <walks over to the tv, head down to hide a smirk>

<Evan_Cross> <turns on the tv, flips through the channels>

<Indie`> <moves up so that she's sprawled on the bed, pillows propped up behind her supporting her>

<Indie`> anything interesting there?

<Indie`> serial killers? terrorist bombings? civil wars?

<Evan_Cross> <shakes his head> No such luck. Just mundane stuff.

<Evan_Cross> <looks over at the bed>

<Indie`> <looks Evan in the eye> listen buddy, stop eyeing the bed like that, i told you you're camping out on the floor tonight. Don't think that puppy dog eyes will work on me, i've shot people for less.

<Indie`> throw the remote over will ya?

<Evan_Cross> Shouldn't you arrange to have the rest of our things brought here?

<Indie`> <pauses> you're actually quite right about that.

<Indie`> I forgot.

<Indie`> I knew there was a reason why i keep you around.

<Indie`> <moves over to her purse and takes out her cell phone. she dials a number and begins to speak in some sort of strange, unidentifiable language. She then hangs up>

<Evan_Cross> <sighs, continues flipping through the channels>

<Indie`> It's coming.

<Evan_Cross> <nods>

<Evan_Cross> <walks across to the bathroom door, reaches in and turns on the light>

<Indie`> oh....Evan...

<Indie`> before i yell at you for not complying...

<Evan_Cross> <turns>

<Indie`> I absolutely detest it when men leave the toilet seat up.

<Evan_Cross> <walks into the bathroom, closes the door>

<Indie`> <smiles> just wanted to share that with you. <goes back to watching tv>

<Indie`> <laughs>

<Evan_Cross> <turns on the shower>

<Evan_Cross> <opens the bathroom door, walks back into the room>

<Evan_Cross> <kicks off his shoes, takes his coat off and hangs it up>

<Evan_Cross> <walks back into the bathroom, closes the door>

<Indie`> <hears Evan singing in the shower> Well...he can at least carry a tune, probably went to Julliard just to take voice lessons or something....

<Karagin_Bell> <pulls out a digital phone and dials the hotel asking for Indie.>

<Indie`> <her mobile phone rings>

<Indie`> Indie.

<Indie`> <not giving more than her name, she waits for the person on the other line to identify himself>

<Karagin_Bell> <speaks in a special code only Indie and him know.>

<Indie`> <nods> alright we'll be waiting for you.

<Evan_Cross> <steps out of the bathroom, towel wrapped around his waist>

<Indie`> <hangs the phone up> he's just left the house, and has our baggage in tow....good, coz all my toiletries are in there. I'm dying to take a shower....

<Evan_Cross> Waiting for who?

<Indie`> Karagin.

<Indie`> He's the young gentleman that was at the small general store?

<Evan_Cross> Ah.

<Karagin_Bell> <is in his car driving towards the hotel>

<Evan_Cross> Good.

<Indie`> you took a shower without soap or anything?

<Evan_Cross> Better than nothing.

<Karagin_Bell> <his car pulls up to the inn and parks in a parking space.>

<Indie`> he should have been here approximately 2 minutes ago

<Indie`> <begins to get impatient>

<Evan_Cross> Maybe he got caught in traffic.

<Karagin_Bell> <knocks on the door.>

<Indie`> there he is.

<Indie`> <stands up to open the door>

<Karagin_Bell> <is weighed down with luggage.>

<Indie`> <once again, in the language that only a select few were taught, she talks to the young man>

<Evan_Cross> <crosses to the door, takes his suitcase and bag from Karagin>

<Evan_Cross> Thanks.

<Indie`> I'll keep in touch.

<Indie`> Thanks for the bags. Take the shuttle back to HQ, i'll arrange for another one when i need it. I may need a space shuttle that's why i don't want to keep this one siting around in the open.

<Karagin_Bell> <nods.>

<Indie`> <laughs> i just realized I have no reason to speak to you in that godforsaken gibberish, this place isn't bugged.

<Evan_Cross> <carries his bags to the bed, lays his suitcase on the bed and opens it>

<Indie`> <hands Karagin her compact>

<Karagin_Bell> <takes it.>

<Evan_Cross> <picks through the clothes>

<Indie`> Karagin, can you get that thing checked? It's my radar for the bug i planted on the carver boy.

<Indie`> It seems to be broken.

<Karagin_Bell> <nods> Alright, I'll see what I can do.

<Indie`> I don't know if that's broken or if that bug i planted is damaged or even found.

<Indie`> Thanks. I'll see you soon i'm assuming.

<Evan_Cross> <pulls a few items out>

<Karagin_Bell> Yeah, bye. <turns to walk away.>

<Indie`> <looks at Evan> And Karagin, if word leaks out that I've taken someone on this mission with me, you're a dead man <smiles and kisses him on the cheek> now be a good boy and run along <laughs> i'll see you when i see you.

<Indie`> <closes the door>

<Karagin_Bell> <shakes his head as he heads back to his car.>

<Evan_Cross> <laughs under his breath>

<Indie`> <places her own case on the bed, and tosses a towel, satin robe, shampoo, lavender scented shower gel and bodymist, and last but not least, her cigarettes on the bed>

<Karagin_Bell> <drives the car to wear the shuttle is hidden>

<Indie`> are you done with the bathroom Cross?

<Evan_Cross> <shrugs> Yeah. Go ahead.

<Indie`> thanks.

<Indie`> <throws everything into the towel, and picks up the edges, using it like a bag>

<Indie`> shit...i forgot....

<Indie`> <rumages around in her purse..>

<Evan_Cross> What did you forget?

<Karagin_Bell> <pops a CD into the CD player on the shuttle and blares Small two fo pieces from XG.> [Disregard]

<Indie`> Eureka!

<Indie`> <pulls out her silver zippo>

<Indie`> <smiles> i'll be done in a bit.

<Evan_Cross> <nods>

<Evan_Cross> Take your time.

<Indie`> <turns the water in the tub on, and finds the plug>

<Indie`> <Indonesia then pours the scented shower gel in with the flow of water...the bath tub begins to turn into a cloud of bubbles>

<Indie`> <slipping out of her dress, she gets in, takes a cigarette, lights it and relaxes, the hot water easing the tense muscles and putting her at ease>

<Indie`> <begins to sing in the bath tub and dances, splashing bubbles and water everywhere>

<Indie`> <in the commotion of splashing water and flying bubbles, a big wave of lavender scented water douses her cigarette>

<Indie`> FUCK!

<Indie`> <evan can hear her exclamation outside>

<Evan_Cross> <Turns to the door>

<Evan_Cross> <walks over to the door>

<Evan_Cross> <knocks> Everything okay?

<Indie`> <grumbles to herself. at the same moment her lighter falls in>

<Indie`> CHRIST!

<Indie`> ARGHH!!!!!

<Indie`> <doesn't hear him, is VERY annoyed at the moment>

<Evan_Cross> <rattles the doorknob> Indie?

<Indie`> <goes underneath the water, in search for her, you guessed it, specially made, i can take anything, lighter>

<Evan_Cross> <turns the doorknob, eases the door open an inch> Hello?

<Indie`> <is now underwater, snorkling for her lighter>

<Evan_Cross> <opens the door further, stiks his head in> Indie?

<Indie`> <feels around the bottom of the tub for the lighter, pulls out the plug instead> shit....

<Indie`> <the water begins to drain from the tub, and still no lighter>

<Indie`> <as the water moves towards the bottom of the tub, she suddenly sees her lighter going down stream>

<Indie`> Oh no you don't!

<Evan_Cross> <watches from the door>

<Indie`> <grabs it before it goes down the drain> YES!

<Evan_Cross> <laughs> Good save.

<Indie`> <stands up from the tub and kisses her prized lighter. she now begins to chastize it> You silly thing, don't you ever freaking do that to me again, i almost had a heart attack.

<Evan_Cross> <pulls the door closed slowly, steps back>

<Indie`> <gets out of the tub, dries her hair, and puts on the black satin robe>

<Indie`> <opening the bathroom door, a wave of hot mist leaves to enter into the bedroom>

<Evan_Cross> <still laughing a little, walks back to the bed and starts pulling on clothes>

<Indie`> <Indie lies back down on the bed. taking the towel and drying her hair she turns to Evan>

<Indie`> <she throws her towel at him> You're a goddam peeping tom, just coz i didn't answer doesn't mean i don't know you're watching me.

<Evan_Cross> <grins>

<Evan_Cross> <shrugs> Just making sure you were okay.

<Indie`> <leans back and lights another cigarette as her other one had an untimely demise> that's alright, i know you liked what you saw. <grin>

<Indie`> Alright Evan, let's see what we're going to do tomorrow....

<Indie`> how far are we from retrotech?

<Evan_Cross> Not far, really.

<Evan_Cross> A short drive.

<Evan_Cross> When did you want to go?

<Indie`> well...actually their home would be good.

<Indie`> I've been there before but not from here...i've got no bearings at the moment

<Evan_Cross> ...been a LONG time since I've been there.

<Indie`> how about the university?

<Evan_Cross> Shouldn't be too hard to find it.

<Indie`> <unbeknownst to the two of them, her jacket remains exposed, sending off a signal>

<Indie`> to watch them of course. i want to know if the carver boy went back home

<Evan_Cross> Oh. I understand.

<Indie`> do you think i look young evan?

<Evan_Cross> Shouldn't be a problem to find the house by way of the Institute.

<Evan_Cross> Young? Yes.

<Indie`> young enough to enroll into the institute? <smiles evily>

<Evan_Cross> <laughs>

<Evan_Cross> I suppose.

<Indie`> i think that's what i'm going to do....

<Evan_Cross> ....

<Indie`> perhaps get in good with the mother...

<Evan_Cross> Why?

<Indie`> to get closer.

<Indie`> who ever suspects that your closest friends would stab you in the back?

<Indie`> i just have to make sure they don't get involved....

<Indie`> it'd be a cinch to do so if i were in good with the family

<Indie`> Very well, tomorrow it is.

<Indie`> Indonesia is going to enroll into Retrotech.

<Indie`> hmmm...as...

<Indie`> ..Veronica El-hadid..

<Indie`> <looks to evan> that's my real name....

<Indie`> <he's the first person to hear that name spoken in perhaps 10 years, having abandoned it when she left her father>

<Indie`> So...Tomorrow it is.

<Indie`> <at the same time, this is all being transmitted to Byron back in New York. He sits down in his hotel room, staring at the charcoal sketch of Indonesia left beyind by the hostage.> Yes...Tomorrow it is...