They had reached the city and gone toward one of the shadier parts of this place. There always were some in every gathering no matter how 'civilized' it was supposed to be. Alex looked around "So what do you think?".

"Better than some places I've seen." Neovgre said as the two of them walked through town "I wish it were better though."

She made sure to appear inconspicuous as the two of them walked through town... though 'inconspicuous' and a Chimera with a height of 7'3" with glowing eyes didn't exactly fit in. Still, she was a one of a kind being; who'd suspect her of anything. If nothing else, Alex could always claim to be showing around a potential race from the far reaches of space... or something.

"We need to find someone who can provide us with answers..." Neovgre said, but trailed off at the end, knowing that there was no real way to 'root out' the good and the bad sources.

"Well if there are answers than we can find them here." Alex looked around until he saw the shadiest bar he could see. "There is where we begin our search." When they got inside it was suprisingly clean inside, almost cultured even. He led Neo to a couple of open bar stools with some empty spaces around them. he looked to the bartender "Bring us a couple Arisa Tacheas." He told the man without even looking at their selection. He messaged Neo "It's a code among these people. You pick up a couple things in this business.".

Neovgre knew it was better for her to not speak. Her lack of experience was a problem for conversations, but her skills in other areas more than made up for it. She decided to spend her time looking for any potential threats, and anything else that could be useful to them. There were comparatively few patrons in the bar, compared to what she normally saw. Still, she did not miss the glint of a weapon hidden in the clothing of one of the men.

"Your weapons are silenced, right? One of the guys is watching us and is armed. I can't check the rest though without raising suspicion." she messaged to her superior.

"Don't worry, Zangetsu knows what to do in these situations." Alex messaged back. He was going to tell her more but the bartender returned.

"I'm not sure if we have this song sir, would you and your friend mind coming to the back to see if we have it." The Bartender asked.

"Not a problem sir, lead the way." Alex said as he lead Neo to the back. Once there they were lead to a room with several people sitting on mats.

Once they sat down the lead said "I see you are interested in purchasing information. Information can be VERY valueable to many people."

"Yes it is, and there is a very important piece we're looking for." Alex nodded to Neo to signal it was time to tell them what they wanted.

"We need information on a few of the richer members of the colony." Neovgre explained "Specifically those who may have met up with a Volus from the Citadel rather recently."

Despite a few odd looks from several of the men, it seemed that somebody was looking down on them for their success.

"I might have information like that." the man said "But I might not as well. Now, this would be rather valuable information, and I don't barter with anyone. So, tell me: how much do you think this information is worth?"

"Great... I don't have that much. Will we be going through with this, or will we find an alternative method?" Neovgre messaged to Alex.

((I apologize if it's craptastic))

"Don't worry little one and learn from the best". Alex smiled "It is not us specifically who wants this information, however I can say our client is willing to pay ANY amount if it's the information they require." Alex pulled out a money transaction form and quite obviously there was no number written down. "The question is how much it's going to take to aquire the information our client desires.".

"Aw... quite ingenious." Neovgre messaged, eye-smiling all the while.

"Well, well... what if I were to say... 30,000?" the man said with a sly smile "I'd be cutting you a deal honestly."

Neovgre rolled her eyes, but the bioluminesance of her eyes hid the action.

"I'm sure our client will be quite appreciative of the deal you've cut is." Neovgre said with a realistic tone and eye-smile "So we're in agreement? 30,000 for the information?"

"Of course." the man replied with a smirk, and a few of the other men were smiling too.

"Well, at least it's better than what I'm sure Ethan and Talq are doing..." Neovgre messaged to Alex.

((Even if it's not, let's pretend that that is a lot of credits))

Alex filled out the form before handing it to the man he asked. "Now what was that information>"

"It's simple enough. Your Volus friend has been contacting some very high powered friends lately. All of which meeting in an area a few hours off."

"Any information you can give on these 'freinds'?"

"I have a list on them, where to find them, and where to find their fmiliies. We also have their pictures and what we think they're up to. You'd have to go there yourself for anything else."

"I'm sure that will be fine." After they traded information sheets Alex led Neo out of the building. "Contact the others, let them know what we've found.".

Neovgre nodded as she brought up the secure channel to all Espada Members.

"We have a location, suspects, and potential motive. We'll go check it out, and let you know if it's legit."

"Done." Neovgre said after she sent the message "Now we need either a vehicle or the proper directions and the desire to walk. The former is faster but we're more noticeable, while the other is much slower but we'd be more secure."

Not neccessarily, we need to go to Zhu's communion right? What better place to get an inconspicuos ride there than here." He led Neo to what looked like a garage. "Excuse me would anyone here be interested in earning some cash?".

A couple men came out "Course, that's the one thing that moves the universe right? What do ya need?".

"Either a lift or a vehicle and directions to Zhu's Communion. And we're willing to pay A LOT."

The two men grinned. "Sure we'll get you and your lady friend there no sweat. Shall we say 5 thousand?"

"That sounds fine, when do we leave?"

"Just as soon as we pack up our tools." One of them said as they began putting things away.

Alex turned to Neo "God I love this world.".

"...is that your solution to everything?" Neovgre asked with a raised brow "...it works, but it's expensive and ergo not an option for one such as I who is nigh broke."

She waited for the guys to get their stuff packed, and let them load up. Once more, she started to think about various things, but to take care of her time, she decided to attempt to memorize the pictures of whom they were looking for. It wouldn't be too hard; she had always been a fast learner after all.

"Hey, we're ready to go when you are!" one of the guys called to them "We have the ride pulled out back for your lady friend and you!"

"Wonderful." Neovgre said as she stood up and looked at Alex, handing him back the photos "I've memorized them perfectly, you can have them back. I'll work on the other data on the ride over."

Alex nodded "Who said we were using MY money Neo. This money is a special acount used by Espada members during assignments to procure information.". On the ride over Alex thought about a lot of things, he had time to spare. He thought about how even at his age he had never bothered with a relationship. Especially since noone would be interested in a Mass murderer who lies for a living. He laughed at the irony of how his immense skill prevented him from a serious relationship. Once they arrived he turned to the men. "Don't go too far, we may need a lift again if we're not back in 8 hours or so." He led Neo outside looking for their next objective.

Neovgre spent her time memorizing the information, and rememorizing the images. Her memory wasn't photographic, but with as much as she read everything, it damn near could be by this point.

"Well, we should begin our search for at least one of these humans." Neovgre said as she pointed to the information Alex now held "It shouldn't be too difficult; I'll be able to spot them without an issue. However, I get the feeling that we won't be able to bribe these..."

She stopped at that point, for she noticed a man in the distance.

"First target, 12 o'clock." Neovgre said in a low voice "Suspect is David Swarzch, brunette with green eyes and a dark complexion. Height 6'5" weight 247 lbs. age 43. Owner of a company that specializes in customized weaponry."

"I see him, and your wrong. These men are VERY bribable, I know the type. Take to the roofs, I can slip in and out of crowds much better than you can." Alex followed him from a fair distance but not far enough to loose him. He knew Neo wasn't far off so he took his time getting close. It had been a while since Alex had this much fun and he planned to make it last.

Neo nodded in agreement before leaping onto the roof of a low building in a single bound.

'Thank you Elcor strength genetics.' Neovgre thought as she began to follow Alex and subsequently David.

It was odd how the few people out and about didn't notice her, but then again, she WAS on the roof, not the street. She kept a hand on her silenced HMWP, ready to fire if even the slightest hint of danger arose. She had to leap from roof to roof at some points, but her greater strength, and occasionally th combat exoskeleton of her armor, was more than enough to get her to where she needed to be.

When the man entered a building, Neovgre sent a message to Alex.

"He entered the building straight ahead. I'll cover the rear exit in case he's spotted either of us and attempts to escape."

Alex followed the man inside. Taking care not to be noticed. The building was another bar. Alex ordered a drink while watching David meet a volus. "I think we've found our Volus friend. He's meeting David now." He messaged Neo. He watched as they traded money and information. He brought out a little Espada tool that looked like a writing utensil. It fired a small dart that leached on to the Volus. "I'll follow our Volus friend. Keep an eye on David.".

"I'm on him." Neovgre messaged back, waiting on the roof for David to come out of the bar.

It wasn't too long before she got her wish, and David stepped out of the bar. Luckily, the fairly large man was easy to follow, especially since there was not too large a crowd. She continued to traverse rooftop to rooftop in her 'pursuit', though it was sadly put to a halt when David stepped into another building, this one being another bar.

"Suspect has moved into another bar; the data did state that there might be multiple contacts. I'm going to head in to verify potential contact." she messaged to Alex as she leapt off of the roof to the ground in an alley.

Alex had followed the volus to what looked like an important office building. From the look of the area is was probably the area's 'city hall'. "Roger that, followed the Volus to what llooks like the local command building. Contact me if you need help." Alex went inside, he asked a stewardess where the Volus's office was and was pointed to one of the chairman's offices. Using stealth he activated a video recorder and hid in the room before the volus rounded the corner and came in.

Neovgre made sure her hood was completely hiding her hair and face as she walked into the bar, where it was possible for her to pass, hopefully, unnoticed. The target was actually at the bar this time, but there was no Volus to be seen.

'I believe the second contact was a false alarm. He's currently buying a drink, and the conversation appears to be mundane judging by the bartender's lips.' Neovgre messaged as she took a seat at the far end of the bar away from David the suspect.

"Can I get you something?" the bartender asked her, looking at her interesting appearance rather curiously.

"Whiskey sour." Neovgre responded softly, making sure to keep her sentences short in case the guy overheard her voice and was able to recognize it later.

"Can do." the bartender replied as he went about fixing Neovgre's drink.

She was sure to keep a inconspicuous watch on David, as well as several of the other patrons who appeared to be rather well built for combat.

Alex hid as the volus spoke with several people about classified information that was not supposed to be leaked in any way. He smiled as he put tags on all the new people as they entered and exited. Once the Volus left Alex snuck out the window and dropped down several stories looking for the next target. "Anything yet Neo?".

"Well, this bartender makes a good whiskey sour, but that's about it." Neovgre responded over the closed channel to Alex as she managed to 'sip' the whiskey sour.

David seemed to be simply carrying on a conversation with the bartender, nothing more. Neovgre sighed; this had been an unnecessary risk that she could have avoided. As such, she finished off her drink and stood up from her seat at the bar. In the midst of making her way to the door, a rather tall man stepped in front of it, blocking her passage.

"Is there a reason I cannot leave?" Neovgre asked the man as she took note of the various sounds of movement around her.

"Oh, no reason." the man said with a smile, crossing his arms in the process "I just felt like it."

The sound of a pistol being drawn echoed from behind her, but she had been expecting it from the point in which the man had blocked her path. She glanced backward to see the bartender holding the gun, and a couple of the other patrons seemed to be arming themselves as well, and most were rather big guys to boot. David, however, was nowhere to be found.

"Alex, David lead me into a trap and escaped out of the backdoor of the bar. I'm sending you my location, but I want you to keep trailing David if you can. I'll handle the goons alone, and I'll refrain from lethal force unless absolutely necessary." Neovgre messaged to Alex, preparing herself for whatever may come.

"Done" Alex moved and saw David running out through a near by alley. Trying to play chiken with this baffon was taking too long so Alex decided to go for a more direct approach. He landed quietly behind David, put his hand over his mouth and ran Zangetsu through his leg. "You made a VERY big mistake leaving a trap for one of my subordinates, now you better hope her hair isn't ruined before she gets here or you'll have more than a sword through your leg." Alex told him. He could feel the man quivering in fear.

Neovgre didn't wait for a threat, or even for anyone else to speak. She simply spun around to the man with the gun and drew her own silenced HWMPs, firing twice and placing two holes in the man's arms, effectively disabling him. She then aimed a pistol over each shoulder and fired two rounds into the big guy's legs, sending him sprawling to the floor with a scream.

She then aimed each pistol at a separate man, firing two rounds into each of the legs each man had. The final two men were taken out in a similar fashion as well. The tricky part of this was the fact that she was using shredder rounds to make larger holes, and the fact that she had done all of this without hesitation and without a second thought.

Sheathing her guns amidst the screaming and yelling in pain and agony, she swiftly made her way to the back door that David had taken earlier. Rounds began to bounce off her shields though, and her energy blade slid out of her left sleeve into her hand. She lunged as the blade extended into a full blown longsword, and she pinned the bartenders gun and hand to the wall with her blade, effectively stopping him from firing his weapon. She then sliced off the trigger, and the man's trigger finger, to make sure there was no way in hell it would come back to bite her... which is also why she shoved her blade through one of the man's legs too.

Finally knowing that she could leave rather safely, she 'sheathed' her blade and hid it up her sleeve once more as she stepped out of the bar's back door and headed down an alleyway.

"Issue has been resolved, all targets are still alive, but they won't be going anywhere for a good while." Neovgre messaged to Alex "I'm almost at your position, and I assume you have him."

//Message received.
Sender: Tyrus
--
"Ambushed, has been dealt with. No injuries. Assailant ID'd one David Swarzch as employer. Confirmed presence of David being a member of probable black market ring. Possible collusion in said ring between all three suspect families. Possibility of internal rift between families. Proceed with caution. Exit route secured. Mako inside warehouse B-13, dockside."

Alex grinned as he recieved the messages from Neo and then Tyrus. He sent a message back to Tyrus then turned to David. "Looks like it's your lucky day. You might just live through this in one piece.".

Neovgre received the message as well, and responded with a notification blip to Tyrus as she rounded on Alex's position, noticing the blade through David's leg.

"That wasn't very smart to leave only six men as a trap." Neovgre said seriously "Now they're all unable to walk or lift anything back at the bar."

Flicking her energy sword back into her hand, she extended it and drove the blade through David's other leg, the end of the blade sticking into the ground behind him.

"Lex Talionis... now what to do with you...?" she said rather softly, though her glare and biotic flareup was more than enough to potentially scare the man into making a mess of himself.

"That Alex Setanoki kiddo." Alex told Neo as he tore Zangetsu out and down, tearing the man's foot in half. Placing Zangetsu against the man's arm he asked "Tell me Neo, did his little friends mess up your hair?" Alex grinned menacingly.

"...my hair?" Neo said as she pulled the hood of her cloak off, letting her rear-end long 'hair' fall out of it "In many ways I wish his goons would have cut it a bit."

She proceeded to follow Alex's example, cleaving the man's foot in two before 'closing' her blade and sliding it back up her sleeve.

'Wait? Why did he say his name? Was it in response to 'Lex Talionis'?' Neovgre wondered as she attempted to shift her hair around.

"But that's not the matter of the moment. What do we do with him given the message we got?" Neovgre asked her superior "He knows your name, would it be safe to keep him alive?"

Alex grinned "Now who said I was telling the truth about my name? For all you know the info could have been faked. Besides we were going to kill him once we were done anyways. Now he's just going to live in fear wondering what my name really is." Alex messaged Neo "I find in these operations they are ALWAYS so suspicious that if we give our real names they think we're lying . So no matter what we tell them they don't believe we even exist.". Alex turned to David "Now what should we take off? An arm, a finger?" Alex pointed Zangetsu lower "Or something else?".

"Hm... I think that depends on how much he's willing to help us." Neovgre said, taking Alex's words to heart "Tell me, David, are you willing to help us out?"

The man managed a nod as Alex's blade went lower, and Neovgre couldn't help but notice the man crying from the pain.

"That's good... for both of us." Neovgre said "I'm going to ask Alex to remove his hand now, and I want you to only respond to us in a quite voice. If you try to yell, call for help, or even just scream in agony, I'm going to let Alex remove whatever part of you he wants. Do we have an understanding?"

Once again, David nodded, this time more fervently. Neovgre then nodded to Alex, suggesting that he remove his hand.

Alex slowly sheathed Zangetsu. As the blade went in the sheath it made a sound almost like a low screech. He stood in front of David and recieved the message. "Well, well, well it looks like we may not need you after all. Unless you can explain your little experiment in a bunker not too far from here. Can you do that, can you explain it?" He nodded to Neo, waiting for her next action.

"B-bunker?!" the man managed, both fearful of his life and in rather excrutiating pain "I... I don't-"

"Before you finish that sentence, let me remind you of something: I'm the one thing keeping my friend here from turning you into a torso with a head." Neovgre said in a manner so cold it could have literally frozen itself "However, let me also say this: if you don't tell me the answers I need you to, then I will crush every last bone in your body, then shred every last non-vital organ... all while you're still alive.

"So go ahead; tell me you don't know. I can use the biotics practice." Neovgre said, her tone forever unchanging.

"I... body-doubles..." David finally said "David... he has body doubles... lot's of them. I... I don't even know how many they are... and we all look and sound like him."

"Where is the real David then?" Neovgre asked sternly.

"I... I... I don't..." the man said, stumbling over his words as the bloodloss was getting to him "He contacts us... by proxy."

'Wonderful...' Neovgre thought to herself 'This is just the complication we need...'

'Proxy, sounds familiar.' Alex thought. "Alright this is what we're going to do, your going to give us the next time and place for contact. and if we find out your lying you'll get to meet MY superiour. Is that clear?". Alex decided that he would have this one lead them to the contact location but first "Who have you and the other doubles been working with for David?".

//Message recieved
Sender Getari.

"Hey Neo you might be interested in this information about our target."

Subject: David Swarch
Location: Zhu's Communion.
Area Code: 2392848583
Building: Swarch Enterprises

Seeing the message, Neovgre replied with a simple confirmation ping, then she slid her blade back out and extended it to it's full length in an instant, a low crackle of energy accompanying it.

"It seems you've outlived your usefulness." Neovgre said to the man softly.

She grabbed her 'David' by the shoulder and thrust her blade deep into him, cutting into his heart with one single stab, then twisting to ensure it was a quick and merciful death. She then resheathed her blade, and shook the blood from her hand.

"We have David's coordinates. We should get there ASAP." Neovgre told Alex "We might need to... dispose of him first though."

((The post is fine.))

"I'll handle this." Alex said as he drew Zangetsu and aimed it at the corpse. "Zangetsu ...Gestuga Tenshou." The area turned into a massive flash as the thousand black lasers from Zangetsu torn the corpse apart at the molecular level. Once the flash had disapated there was no corpse, no shred of clothes, nothing to even hint there was a body there. There wasn't even a drop of blood on the ground.

"Lead the way Neo." Alex said menacingly.

((I credit Blitz for part of this ^_^))

Neovgre was... impressed with the attack. It was extremely powerful, but it seemed a little... too powerful.

'Wait... wouldn't putting enough energy to wipe out a body the size of a human result in an overpressure capable of destroying several city blocks?' Neovgre wondered to herself, then decided that it didn't really matter that much.

"Well, those guys who brought us their are supposed to wait for us, right?" Neovgre stated "We should head back to them."

She then tried to hid her hair back int the hood, but quickly got fed up with it going in every direction but where she wanted it.

"Damn long hair..." she 'muttered' as she finally stuffed it into the hood "Let's get going..."

They finally headed for the transport, hoping it was still there and hoping that there was no trouble between here and there.

Alex and Neo arrived with the people they came with still there. "I need you to take us to Zhu's Communion. We have further business there."

"Alright ... I assume your done here." The one mentioned.

"Correct. Let's get moving." Alex ordered. The ride was short but Alex was proud Zangetsu knew how much energy to use. He checked the battery to see how many more he could pull off. Since it was a small attack there was about 3 shots left depending on how strong they were. Once again he found himself thinking about how his own skill was his curse.

((Continued in Espada Mission: The Hunters))