Chapter 8: Addictions

[Maeve Cullen]

Maeve savors her cigarette as she follows the skipping Hilja with a contented smile. "Heh, nah, but new business is always good. Looks like Jeff's little plan to "spread the word" worked out." She says, feeling that this was a very good day even with the shootings.

[Hilja Kukkanen/Sasha Pisarev]

(I am moving all characters that wanted to go to Ireland, so if you have a problem with that, sorry)

Lon leads the way to the teleportation booth, with the rest of us far behind. The streets are quiet. People seem to be hiding. It is late evening now and the quiet is unsettling. I try not to think of it though.

"You've been a real help. Anyway, you said you were born in Ireland? Have you been back there during your adult life?" I ask to make conversation as we walk.

[Alexei Nacharade]

Alexei follows, groaning inwardly at the mention of the teleportation booth. He hated those things.

He glanced around cautiously, but followed without a word.

[Maeve Cullen]

Maeve shakes her head. "Nah, I was born in America, but I've visited Ireland frequently throughout my life. Father was the one with the Irish genes." And some other genes. She takes another drag of her cigarette before flicking some ash onto the ground. The quiet always bugged her too.

[Li Violette]

I get Tyler's message as I am about to leave to give another speech. I am a little frustrated, but not with him or the work that he is done.
I send him a quick message while I am waiting for my ride.

"Tyler, I can not meet with you. That would be too politically dangerous for me. I am impressed with your work and thank you for a job well done concerning Horacio and stirring up the rebels. It will take some time for them to regroup. I have sent a payment to your group to an account at Global Bank. You may pick up the money when you see fit. The account is in your name. I can not pay you any more because the Governing Council has some budget concerns. So, anything you do from now on will be on your own. Our relationship is therefor over until I access more funds again. Thank you and have a pleasant day."

With this little piece of business taken care of, I get into the car that will take me to my next speaking engagement.

[Linnea Korpela]

Linnea doesn't notice Keito being a pervert.
"I don't think so. I may have a card game or two, but its not like I have many friends that come over all the time," she goes to a cabinet and reaches up to get a glass for water. "I have an idea where they might be at."

[Markus Dunstan]

Markus had skulked all over Helsink, but to no avail. He'd attempted to find other copies, and people who knew. One time he did, he'd kidnapped someone reading the paper and tortured her while vigorously pointing at the paper, but all she'd done was scream in fear and pain until she finally died of terminal wounds.

Markus sat in his room with the CD player playing another hypnotic melody, waiting for an idea or instruction.

[Hilja Kukkanen/Sasha Pisarev]

"Oh so that is probably why you are so tough, growing up in America. I heard there are many criminals and mentally ill people there...outside of Allwhere and places owned by Allmart." I say as we walk.

"But people have a lot more freedom there. Don't you worry about the radiation at all?" I ask. We are almost at the teleportation booth now.

[Jumala Keitoleinen]

"No friends? Well thats a shame, Linnea. Maybe instead of playing a game we should go out and socialize. It would do you good." Keitoleinen states. He does feel slightly bad for Linnea. She always seems upset for some reason or another. He just doesn't get it. "You are pretty and that's all people really care about. I am sure you could make many friends."

[Alexei Nacharade]

Alexei tenses as they near the booth. He does his best to hide it, forces his fear into the deepest pit of his stomach. Just thinking about the confined space set him on edge.

A dark confined room...

He twitched and shook his head, forcing himself to remain calm, even if he felt more and more like a cornered animal. He took a steadying breathe adn continued closer to the booth they walked towards.

[Linnea Korpela]

While Linnea is facing away from Keito she makes a face, 'I can't believe how shallow he is.' She thinks to herself. But then again she can.
"Ok sure," she says as she turns around and leans against the counter. Maybe this will get him off her case for a while. And she doesn't really believe his comment about being pretty, she has always been treated as normal and no one really paid that kind of attention to her, except for Keito and that was the exception to the rule. Keito was a exception to every rule ever invented.

occ: exhausted and I have to work in the morning. night guys!

[Maeve Cullen]

"Maybe, but it's tough to grow up anywhere nowadays. I started living in Cuba four years ago. I never really worried about the radiation..." And why would she bother? Maeve smiled, amused. "But yeah, I suppose there were a decent amount of those types. Good enough place aside from that and the radiation even if it isn't what it used to be." She glances curiously at Alexei as she talks.

[Jumala Keitoleinen]

"Put something sexy on and we'll go out to a club. Maybe you'll meet some new friends tonight, Linnea." Keitoleinen orders. He stands up now and claps his hands. "Hurry now, I'm sure you have something skimpy in that closet of yours. I can help you find something if you like." He suggests, but really it is more of an excuse to help her get dressed.

[Hilja Kukkanen/Sasha Pisarev]

"Here we are!" I say when we finally arrive at the teleporter. There are so many of us that we will have to take turns going into the teleportation booth. "Lon can go last since he has to punch in the code."

And so, Lon enters the code and Tuesday and Malak are the first sent in to teleport. Then it is my turn. "See you guys in Ireland!" I say before entering the booth. That leaves Maeve, my brother, and Alexei.

[Alexei Nacharade]

Alexei stares at the booth, then tentaively steps inside.

A dark confined room with bars and a cage...

He shook his head again. No, he wasn't there. Just a booth. Just a booth.

A bead of sweat goes down the side of his face.

"Can we hurry the fuck up? Damn you guys are slow." He speaks impatiently.