Posted for Greg... > > He listens to Woof's tale, then says to Lessa. "We're going to have > > to see this recording. I'm not entirely sure what we *can* do to > > help you, in fact, beyond recommending some good lawyers." > > "We need to see the video," Mira agrees. > > Lessa lifts her leg allowing Woof to pull the briefcase out and > remove the laptop computer. > Woof takes it, looks at her and says, "I'll be right back. Don't go > anywhere." He smiles slightly, then takes the laptop out to the > other room and turns on the vid. He also doesn't watch it again, but > stands as Lessa had done, behind the screen, hearing but not seeing. Leesa starts to flip off her computer terminal when her private line buzzes. Instinctively she hits the button and a picture resolves on her screen. It is a closeup of her 3 year old, Rachel. A digitized voice says, as it pulls back to show Rachel being held in someone's arms, "Leesa Kramer, we have your daughter." Leesa can't tell who the woman is that is holding Rachel, she is masked, and her attention shifts as the camera continues to pull back showing, Jim, her ex-husband tied to a chair, a gag in his mouth. The voice continues, "You've been a naughty girl, poking your nose in where it doesn't belong. My employers are not amused." An arm, covered in red fur, appears to the side of the camera shot, raising a shotgun. Without warning there is a blast and Leesa looks on in horror as Jim is shot square in the chest. Blood flies everywhere and Rachel begins to scream. Then her scream is cut off when the woman holding her clamps a hand roughly over her mouth. "Now your *former* husband has paid the price." the digitized voice says calmly, "If a single word of your prying ever sees the light of day, Sianna Kramer, your *former* daughter will suffer the same fate." Leesa's fists are gripped tightly as she half stands behind her desk in shock. "I assure you, the police will find all the evidence they need to arrest you for this, Sianna." says the voice, "Turn yourself in and suffer the consequences or run. We don't care. Just remember, if any of your notes become public you will see your daughter again...dead." The voice adds, "On the other hand, if you decide to be a good girl and keep your mouth shut your daughter will live. She is already on her way to a new life on a new world." The camera scene abruptly changes to a shot of Rachel being carried aboard a starship by a woman with long black hair. A man is walking beside her carrying two suitcases. Leesa can't tell from the shot what the starship's name is, but she will remember that gangway and entrance hatch until the day she dies. "Say good bye to Rachel, Sianna Kramer." the digitized voice says, then the connection is cut and the screen goes blank. > He waits till it is done. > > "Well? How can I help her? How can I *not* help her?" Eris AKU GM
