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Turning Kasai runs after Fauve moving as quickly as his legs will carry him, he can hear the explosions start behind them as he closes in on the exit.

Cin lets Merci' carry part of her weight as she goes, trying the best she can to keep up with the other woman. Cin grimaces with pain trying to take on most of her own weight. Looking forward she sees dark figures waiting in the archway where they are running to. "We are going to have company."

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"Sheesh, look what those girls did, heh, well at least they will be worn down a bit. Shouldn't be too hard to take them to Red now." One of them men raises his meaty arm, grinning crookedly.

Seeing the men in front of them Kasai grabs onto Fauve's hand pulling her behind him as they come up on the pirates, I won't let them hurt you. Looking around Kasai tries to find a source of fire or at least Cin.

As Merci' and Cin run out of the falling area one of the smaller framed pirates runs out and grabs at Cin. "Watch it fire boy, I wouldn't be pulling any of your magic on us now...I have this little lady here." The pirate was Al, it seems there were other reasons why he was on Red's good side - he had smarts. Cin struggled in his arms and looking down she realized that she still had her pistol in her hand, with nothing else to do she struck her arm upward pistol whipping Al in his face. Blood spurted out from his nose and the other pirates started to move in.

Kasai growled slightly at the man and with nothing else to do stepped down hard on his instep. Then reaching up he grabs onto Fauves biceps and pulls her back to him, trying not to hurt her already damaged arm. Turning he pulls the small dagger Cin gave him out of his belt, holding it in front of him he rushes at the nearest pirate, slashing at the man's leg. As Kasai passes the man he draws some blood but running underneath his arm the pirate is able to bring his arm down hard and fast, knocking Kasai upside his head with the hilt of his sword. Dazed and falling fast to the ground Kasai calls out one last time, Fauve, Cin, Merci...run...

Cinder twists out of Al's grip as he grabs for his now broken nose bringing her pistol up she lets of two quick shots of plasma at a large man coming towar her. She can hear fighting and cries of pain all around her, then hearing Kasai's cry she turns and lets off another shot at the pirate that had hit him, the man grabs his shoulder. "Merci' Kasai is down!"

Bruce wasn't the smartest or fastest in the group, which had left him with the crappiest duties out of all of them. But when he saw the mask boy fall he knew he had his chance. Running forward Bruce ducks behind the body of his comrade and scoops the small boy up in his arms, grinning his crooked teeth showing he puts Kasai in front of him, Red was finally going to recognize him. "I got your boy here misses", he calls over in Cin and Merci's direction. "Don't you be trying anything else or I will break his scrawny neck." Bruce moves one arm around Kasai's neck in a threatening manner.

"Sh - b*****d prolly doesn't even know how to break a neck." Cin whispers but turns her pistol backward and allows one of the other pirates to grab her, she wouldn't risk her boy's life.

((haha they think they won! We are pulling a Trojan horse or something I swear))

One of the pirates grabbed Cin pulling her sideways painfully, pulling up the sleeves of her jacket they pulled the stinger from her arm, also taking her daggers and pistols. One of the men stood with the stinger peering at it and making the releasing mechanism go off. Too bad it is out of cartridges, the b*****d would of shot himself in the face, she let that thought comfort her as they were being pulled away. Blinking slightly Cin looked at her wrist, they had left Mycroft on her, most likely thinking it was just a watch. Cin cried out slightly when she got pulled into the doorway, her leg felt as if it was on fire.

"Looks like this one is a bit damaged, her back and leg."

Al's voice could be heard coming from the front of the group, "Just bring the b***h - she ain't that hurt, trust me."

Black stars swarm in a sea of light, dizzily Kasai opens his eyes slightly his head vibrating with pain. The first thing he sees is the floor then realizes he is being carried. Holding completely still he moves his eyes so he can see the others. Cin...we were taken captive weren't we?

Cinder braced herself to keep from letting out a sigh of release she didn't want the pirates to suspect anything. Yes, don't move though...we don't want them to know you are awake. Try and get Fauve and get out of here if you can.

Being dragged along Cin passed by the pirate carrying Merci' whispering as quietly as she could to the other woman, "Kasai is alright...we can get out of this." She didn't know if she could hear her but she hoped that the woman was awake. Eyes wide Cin and the others were pulled into a huge cave, and standing on an outcropping of rocks was one of the larges men Cinder had ever seen. Carrying a large sword in his hand he turned as they were brought in, he red beard glowing in the torchlight. He looks over at them and his eyes grow big with recognition at seeing Kasai and Fauve. "Tie them up, they are from that Amazon tribe." Red calls to the others his voice harsh and angry as he looks at the wounds on his men, "What the hell happened to you! They are just a couple of women and children, useless the lot of you!" He growls and stalks off to the right of the cave.

Angrily the other pirates started tieing them up, the ropes were tight and made it hard for Cin to breath, she hoped the others were alright.

Kasai...find out if Merci' is awake and if she can move her hands at all. Cin was completely unable to move, Al had tied her up with no mercy. Cin moved slightly trying to get some breath into her.

Bruce watched the woman squirming in her ropes, grinning slightly she walked over to her. "You havin' trouble breathin' missus?"

Cin looked up at Bruce and had to stop herself from gagging, the man smelled awful. Looking into his eyes Cin saw a hungry predator looking back after a shocked moment she remembered where she had seen that look before. At her coming of age ball Councillman Graystone had worn that face, taking her off for a private walk in her frilly blue ball gown. Gah, how she had hated that gown and the councillman's motives had not been pure. Looking at Bruce though she decided not to kick him between the legs as she had done to Graystone but to try something a little different. Remembering something a school friend had taught her Cin lowered her lashes and blinked them slowly and then she looked up at Bruce through them. "Yes, I am having a horrible time breathing. If you could just loosen them up a bit that would be wonderful." Cin breathed the words in a flighty fashion.

Bruce looked down at the woman and grinned. He had seen her break Al's nose and shoot the rats like there was no tomorrow but now like this she looked so helpless and needy; plus he was pretty sure that the look she was giving him meant she was interested in him. Al had said captives could get this way he just never knew it happened so fast! Bruce happily went about loosening her bindings letting his hands rest on her breasts slighty as he did so; he didn't want to push her you see.

Cin clenched her teeth as the man started feeling her up, gah the big lug was so freakin' clumsy and should be glad she didn't have her dagger on her or it would of been through his throat by now. Kasai you there? You need to get out of here with Fauve if possible; because I don't know how long I can keep up this act.

The black stars were back, blinking Kasai realized he had passed out again. I am here...Fauve? Are you alright? Wriggling his wrists around he realized his hands were bound tightly too. Can you get out of your bounds?

The emerald, Kasai looked shocked for a moment he had almost forgotten. Right, lets try and get Merci' free...then maybe she can help Cin. Kasai looked over to his guardian and realized from their mental link she wasn't having nearly as much fun as she was pretending. I think Cin might kill that man if we don't get them free soon.

Thank you and Curse you Cassey, Cin thought as the man started becoming more friendly. "Since everyone is gone, we could get a little private time you and I." Cin said this in a suggestive manner to Bruce. Kasai, get out of here with Fauve.

Kasai couldn't help himself he stopped and watched his guardian with the pirate. Cin are you going to be ok?

I can handle this big lug, as long as he lets me free. Cin continues to smile at the large man, giving him wistful glances from under her lashes.

Kasai looked around quickly and spied their bags not far from where the pirate had originally been posted. Crawling up the rock face he grinned as he pulled the dagger he had been carrying from the pack. Dropping back down he went about cutting the ropes around Fauve's legs. Then he looked over to Merci', They keep telling us to go but I have to at least give them a better chance to get out. Kasai lays the dagger on the ground and then slids it across the floor to Merci', he winces mentally as it makes a loud scrapping sound.

"What...what was that?" Bruce seems to come out of his stupor slightly and starts to turn around.

Oh no, Cin thinks and then raising her legs slightly she brushes it along the man's inner thigh. "I thought you wanted to party?" Just untie me you idiot...so I can knock you out.

Kasai sighs with relief the man had stopped looking, he wondered slightly what about Cin could be keeping him so interested; then he decided he didn't want to know. Grabbing Fauve by the hand he pulls her up to the higher rock face area. We will be able to see the emerald better from here plus this is where our bags are.

~

Red watched his boys mow down the ROUS, the jewel better be worth it he thinks. Cracking his knuckles he twitches slightly; he didn't know why but he got a feeling something was not right back at the camp. Scratching his beard he turns, "you boys keep this up my beard is a twitching I am going to go check on the dunder head Bruce." Taking large strides Red starts back toward the camp.

Cin continued smiling at Bruce, she knew if she didn't that the disgust she was feeling toward him would show on her face and he would know she was faking her attraction. "I'm not much a threat, all wounded the way I am. You could let me out for a little fun."

Bruce stared down at the woman and gaped slightly. He didn't really know what to do in this situation, the only times he can remember being treated like this is when he paid them, to act this way. "I'm not sure...I mean Red."

Cin thought she saw Merci' messing with her binds across the room, hurry please hurry, she thought. "Red isn't here now is he?"

I am not going to leave you...let me be a look out or something. With that Kasai stood protectively by Fauve, keeping watch well letting her work.

~

Red took a turn down a side tunnel, he and the boys had been here a while and knew a few of the routes back and forth from different spots. With his beard twitching the way it was he wasn't taking the chance of going the same way twice.

((Help Merci' the smelly pirate is going to get me!))

Cin looked down at Bruce and then back to Merci' grinning, "Thanks, and I am sure that the Emerald will be useful somehow." Cin rolled her shoulders and then started climbing to her feet wincing. "Yeah, we are still looking for the jewel." Cin's pain had taken her smile with it and now she stood trying to get her bearrings better.

Kasai hunched down by Fauve looking at what she was doing. Sitting the way he was he could see down the passage that the pirates had gone, but strangely enough he could hear footfalls. They were quick and coming closer, Fauve I think someone is coming. Kasai stands and circles around behind her only to come face to face with a pair of legs. Looking up Red glares down at him.

"What'cha think you are doing here?" Red's attention goes to Fauve, "Trying to get me and my guys when we wouldn't be suspectin' missus?" Roughly Red pushes the boy aside and goes to grab for the troublesome girl.

Kasai looked around wildly, there was no fire nearby. Cin Red he is here, he is trying to grab Fauve. With nothing better to do Kasai grabbed for the stone around his neck. Well, lets see how this works he thinks.

Red looked after the two masques angerily, then he grabbed for his sword. He didn't have to catch them...just get within swinging range! With that thought in his mind he held his sword in his hand and headed for the kids.

When Cin first got up she had started wobbling over to her equipment. But now she could see Red coming toward her boy, who was trailing behind Fauve, not being as quick as she. "Kasai!"

Kasai heard Cin yell for him, he wasn't sure if it was mental or if it was verbal but the yell had rang through to him. Turning he looked to find her, as he turned he saw the pirate coming toward him and Fauve. Fauve keep going... His hand had never left the necklace, putting his hand out in front of his he focused on Red and then a shard exploded out of his hand and raced toward the pirate. It hit Red full in the chest, once he was hit Red blinked once and looked down at his chest before falling stunned to the ground. We don't have much time! Kasai yelled as he ran after Fauve.

Shaking her shock off Cin watched Red fall to the ground; then she forced herself to keep moving toward where her and Merci's supplies where. Pulling herself up the stairs Cin sat on the top step and reached her bag. Pulling it toward her she grabbed her gun out and then spied the rifle and Merci's gun and knife. "Merci, here is your stuff." Cin called to the other woman and then as an after thought Cin pressed on Mycroft's button. "Mycroft, scan for lifeforms coming toward us into or immediate vicinity."

Mycroft was silent after Cin gave him the instructions, perhaps he knew that it was important that he not screw this up. After a few moments though he spoke, "It is hard to read inside of these caves - but I think there is actually a few lifeforms coming toward your positions as a slow rate."

Cin didn't like it when AI's used terms like "I think", they were after all mostly computers and not being sure wasn't part of the package. "How sure are you that they are coming - give me a percent."

"So pushy today, according to my calculations there is an 85% chance that there are lifeforms getting closer to you from my scanning area."

"Merci' did you catch that? 85% chance of pirates", Cin starts getting her equipment back on and holds Merci's out to her.