Rubi: Revisited First 800 Words

     Rubi Rascke woke up to the startling vibrato of an operatic soprano; her emerald eyes popped open.She ran her fingers through her inky black hair; a red streak framed her face.

open. She sat up and stretched, yawning loudly she looked around her. She threw back the sheets. A swallow was tattooed on her left hip. A spiral of branches dotted with thorns, and toped with roses wrapped around her right leg and up to her hip. A series of lines mimicking the design of a motherboard circuit crisscrossed her right shoulder and a line of Cyrillic characters were placed vertically on her left forearm, translated the message read, "The sin our fathers sinned was that they did not trust liberty wholly”.
     For a second she didn’t know where she was, but as her mind began to clear she remembered the previous night. She swung her legs over the bed and began to feel around the floor for her clothes. She found her underwear and her acid washed jeans, but she couldn’t find her shirt. What the fuck, she thought. She stumbled to the door control and hit the open button.  The door slid open She could smell food cooking and she was hit by the full force of the music, she recognized it as Richard Wagner’s “Götterdämmerung”. Danielle and her fucking classical music, thought Rubi.

     “Jesus Christ…” she mumbled. She found her way to the InfoScreen and turned the music down.

     “Hey! I was listening to that!” came a voice from behind her. She turned around. A young woman with cropped brunette hair stood in the doorway that opened into the kitchen. She wore the standard issue camouflage pants of the Planetary Colonial Defense Force, which were unbuttoned and hung low around her hips, and a Kindstod, band shirt. Rubi recognized the shirt immediately.

     “ What are you doing with my shirt?” she grumbled.

     “Why did you turn off my music?” asked Danielle.

     “Don’t change the subject!” hissed Rubi. Danielle rolled her golden eyes.

     “I like it,” commented Danielle, “And I thought that wearing the shirt of the person that slept with you, is like planting a flag.” Rubi couldn’t disagree with her, Danielle did look good in the shirt. Despite her current state of dress, Danielle usually leaned more towards the feminine side of things; pretty make-up, dresses and heels were her style. Rubi often teased her about how she was only marine that liked to be pretty.

     “That’s for, like… the first couple of times you fuck someone!” stated Rubi, “Not after you’ve been dating them for almost a year and a half!” Danielle slid up to Rubi and wrapped her arms around her. Danielle was much shorter than Rubi and her face pressed against Rubi’s breasts. 

     “You like it, don’t lie baǒ-beì!” exclaimed Danielle, looking up into Rubi’s eyes. Rubi grinned and kissed her. 

     “You do look really cute,” complimented Rubi. 

     “Xièxiè!” grinned Danielle, “Come on, I have breakfast cooking.” Rubi allowed herself to be lead into the kitchen. The smell of bacon and scrambled eggs filled her nose. 

     “How did you get this?” marveled Rubi. Meat was expensive, due to its extensive manufacturing process.

     “The perks of being a marine! The government wants us to be healthy and protein just doesn’t cut it,” grinned Danielle as she slid the bacon and eggs onto a plate, and handed it to Rubi. Rubi rarely got to taste real meat and she savored the bacon as it melted in her mouth.

     “Ooohh…” purred Rubi, “It’s soooooo good!” Danielle simply smiled and served herself. The ate in relative silence and when they were finished they each dropped the plates into the dishwasher.

     “What time is it?” asked Rubi. Danielle looked up as if the time was displayed on the ceiling tiles.

     “Six-ish, abouts?” she guessed. 

     “Oh shit! I’m going to be late!” shouted Rubi, “Gimme my shirt!” Danielle pulled the shirt over her head and tossed it to Rubi. Rubi caught it, but before she could pull it on she became distracted by Danielle’s toned body. She wasn’t wearing a bra, and her breasts were perky and smooth.

     “Rubi! You don’t have time to admire the scenery!” scolded Danielle. This brought her back to meat-space. She pulled the shirt over her head and skidded back into the bed room. She found her holster and pistol and tucked it into her waist band and hurriedly ran her belt through the loops. She skittered back into the living room and began to pull on her boots; hopping around on one foot. She pulled on her leather jacket whose lapels were studded with badges and pins, and slung her messenger bag over her shoulder. She gave Danielle a quick kiss before pulling her respirator over her mouth and nose and sprinting out the door. Once in the elevator she pulled her earbuds out of her pocket, hurriedly untangling them she put them in her ears and chose a playlist from her mobile terminal.

Jack: Revisited; First 900 words

     Beads of rain ran down the window casting flickering shadows across the bedroom and a rumble of thunder would shake the glass every so often. A series of drawers were set into the wall along with a closet, only thin lines outlined where the compartments were. Clothing was strewn about the floor and the sheets where crumpled. A small red light pulsed slowly on the wall next to the bed, below a black thirteen inch screen.

     Jack Aric O’Callahan sat propped up against the cool glass, his muscular chest rising and falling rhythmically. His thin, coarse brown hair was slicked back which made his receding hairline slightly more obvious. A silver chain with a single dog tag hung against his chest, a momentum to his past. Cordell wore it’s companion around her neck. He had given it to her as an engagement gift, since he couldn’t afford a ring. In his left hand, a cigarette was balanced between his fingers, and his right arm, a series of wires, servos, and circuits was incased in a flesh-colored carbon fiber-kevlar blend casing, was wrapped around the shoulders of a naked woman, laying asleep next to him. 

Cordell, now she was a special type of woman; she had stuck by his side through everything for the past seven years. She worked down at Yutani’s Gentleman’s Club. Jack knew that she did more than take her clothes off an strut around naked for rich snobs in three-piece suits. He didn’t care how many exec knobs she fiddled with, as long as she came back to him at the end of the day. 

     Cordell had choppy, heavily layered purple hair. Protruding from the top of her head where triangular ears, similar to that of a cat’s, that twitched occasionally, and folded back against her hair when he ran his hand across the top of her head. Protruding from her lower back was a  fluffy purple and black stripped tail, that flicked happily over the edge of the bed. Jack inhaled through his cigarette causing the ember to glow bright for a moment. He looked down at the woman. He could see her eyes moving behind her eyelids. He envied her for being able to sleep so easily. He was haunted by visions of horror, violence and gore every time he closed his eyes. The therapist he had been assigned to told him it was called “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,” and had prescribed him some sort of drug called, “clora-prostate,” or some other bullshit medical name. They helped, but not as much as he would have liked. Instead he enjoyed his cigarettes and booze, preferring to smoke away, and drown the memories. 

     They had talked about moving to one of the colonies; to get away from the clutter and pollution of the City. Jack liked the colony of Elysia, a green jewel of a planet. It was known as a vacation destination, and was mostly a farming colony. It was calm and peaceful. Jack thought about lounging on the pale beaches, splashing in the waves with Cordell. Paradise, he thought. But they would never have enough money to move out there. Travel alone would cost him two years wages, and buying a house, maybe four years. He took a good long drag off his cigarette.

Cordell shifted and wrapped her pale arm around his waist and pulled herself close to him. Her warm, honey soft breasts pressed against his leg, causing him to stiffen slightly. 

     He rubbed the back of his neck with his mechanical arm. The finger tips felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand as the colder carbon-fiber touched his neck. There was a round metallic hole at the nape of his neck, his neural connection port. He hadn’t used that for ages, not since he retied from the mercenary work; seeing as his current job as a warehouse worker didn’t require it. Everyone had one, though not everyone used it.

     He reached over and touched the screen with the pulsating red light.  The screen flickered to life and a displayed a simple monochromatic UI that illuminated his chiseled jaw with soft blue light. He tapped the symbol that looked like an analog clock eclipsing a sun. The screen flashed to black and back to blue before displaying the weather, date, and time.

MAR.3.2184//04:13:21

100%HUMID//THNDRSTRM//45ºF

     He hit the window with the back his head in frustration. It looked like it would be another sleepless night. He ran his fingers through Cordell’s hair and a purr of pleasure slipped from between her thin lips. He stamped out his cigarette in the glass ashtray sitting on the window ledge. The rain seemed to let up for a moment. He heard a door close in the other room. His muscles tightened as adrenaline shot through his veins. He pushed on one of the panels on the wall which silently slid open to reveal .45 Automatic. He took it in his hand; the metal against his skin and the weight of it felt calming. He gently released himself from Cordell’s embrace. She stiffened as he got up, but soon relaxed back into sleep. Jack slipped over towards the door control panel. He hit the manual override switch and slid the door open softly and slipped into the room beyond, sliding the door shut behind him. He could hear someone moving about in the kitchen, but when he peered inside, no one was there. 

A Jack O'Callahan Mystery: Black Leather and Blackmail, Issue #7

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Warning: This post may contain mature content.

     The rain came down in buckets as Jack exited Cordell’s apartment.  He hailed a cab and headed back towards the office. His mind mulled over what he had just told her. He jolted back to meat-space when the cab pulled up to his office. He paid the cab driver and stepped out. A black sedan with tinted windows was parked on the street. He looked at it curiously; it looked familiar, though he couldn’t figure out where he had seen it before. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He looked around, there was no one on the street. A hint of movement was visible out of the corner of his eye. He spotted a security camera perched on a lamp post. It’s lens stared at him. He looked at it curiously. His mind strayed to the mysterious voice on the phone. A traffic camera had stared at him only hours before he received the call. He blinked. I have heard about ghosts on the grid. Net-jockeies that could hack into security cameras and use them as eyes for runners. He shivered, turned his back on the camera and walked into the office. 

     Jack opened his office door. David was standing in front of Jenn’s desk; Jenn was sitting in her chair. Jack stared at Jenn for a moment, taken aback by her clothes and makeup. He pulled of his dripping jacket and hung it on the peg. As he turned around he noticed David was standing strangely.

     “So, How was your date?” asked Jack with a sly grin. Jenn put her hand to her mouth, blushed and giggled. David scowled.

     “It was fine,” he spat, “We did find a camera though, in the room depicted in the photos. Did you find the location of the computer?”

     “Yeah,” said Jack.

     “Where?” asked Jenn.

     “405 West Wisconsin Street,” informed Jack. The office fell silent. “What?” Jack looked at them confused.

     “That’s the address of the dungeon,” stated David. They jumped as the door opened. A man with blonde slicked back hair, and blue eyes stood in the door way. He wore a dark blue suit and red tie, and a London trench coat. An e-cig was balanced between his lips. 

     “Forgrave?! What the hell are you doing here?” questioned Jack. 

     “Police Business, we need to talk.” stated the blonde man, his eyes shooting towards David and Jenn, “Alone.” David and Jenn looked at each other.

     “We were just leaving,” said David, “Jenn here owes me several drinks.” David and Jenn stood, picked up their coats. David held the door open for Jenn. She smiled and left the apartment, David followed her. Forgrave watched them leave.

     “Office Romance? Thought you didn’t like that?” said Detective Maxwell Forgrave. 

     “What? Jenn? David? They aren’t together,” said Jack. Forgrave puffed on his e-cig. “Why are you here Forgrave?” 

     “I’m here about a murder,” said the police detective.

     “Oh, Let’s step into my office.” Jack gestured towards the door. Forgrave opened the door and Jack followed. He walked around his desk and sat in his chair. Forgrave sat opposite from him.

     “So who’s murder are you here about? I didn’t kill anyone,” said Jack.

     “The murder of Dixon Malone,” reported Forgrave. Jack blinked and looked at Forgrave.

     “Dixon Malone?” questioned Jack.

     “Yeah, You know him?” asked the detective.

     “I can guess that you already know the answer to that question,” grunted Jack. Forgrave pulled a plastic bag from his coat pocket. It contained the scrap of paper that Jack had scrawled his CommNet address on.

     “We found this on his body,” said Forgrave.

     “I didn’t kill him,” drawled Jack, taking a drag on the cigarette.

     “I never said you did,” commented Forgrave, “But what was he doing with your CommNet address?” 

     “He hired me for a job,” reported Jack.

     “So Alderman Malone hired you to do a job?” asked Forgrave, eyebrows raised.

     “You got that right.”

     “What did he hire you for?” 

     “To find out who was blackmailing him. He had been receiving letters from a mysterious person for some time now,” explained Jack. He picked the letter that Malone had left and handed it to Forgrave, “He left one here.” Forgrave opened the letter and read it. When he was finished he looked back up at Jack.

     “Is this all he gave you? It’s not much to begin to find out who was blackmailing him. These initials could be anyone,” Forgrave stated. “Did he give you anything else?”

     “Yeah, This flash drive,” said Jack, pulling the flash drive from his pant pocket.

     “What’s on it?” asked Forgrave.

     “The pictures he was being blackmailed with,” stated Jack.

     “Is that all?” 

     “Yup,” affirmed Jack.

     "Thats not a lot to go on,” noticed Forgrave.

     “Yeah, you got that right. But he paid up front. Ten big ones,” replied Jack. Forgrave leaned back. In his seat.

     “I’m going to have to ask you to turn over your case file,” said Forgrave.

     “I figured you would say that,” said Jack, “All he gave me was the flash drive and that letter. Take ‘em.” Forgrave slid the flash drive and letter into individual baggies. 

     “Is there anything else?” asked Forgrave.

     “No.” Jack lied.

     “Thank you for your cooperation,” said Forgrave.

     “Anything to help the cops,” smiled Jack. Forgrave stood, tipped his hat and headed towards the door.

     “One last thing,” said Jack.

     “What’s that?” said Forgrave, turning to face Jack.

     “How was he killed?”

     “Three shots to the chest,” replied the police detective.

     “Caliber?” asked Jack.

     “Why?”

     “Just curious.” 

     “Nine-millimeter. Hollow-point,” informed Forgrave.

     “Oh, Thank you.” said Jack. Forgrave's gaze lingered for a moment before he exited, leaving Jack alone in the office. Jack reached down to the bottom drawer of his desk, and pulled out a glass and a bottle of scotch. He poured himself a glass and stepped to his window. He looked out across the city. I’m going to get to the bottom of this. Something is going on. Someone is pulling the strings in this city. I will find out who H.W, is.

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Rubi Rascke: Runner for Hire #9

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      Rubi and Cal found themselves in a quiet bar along East Washington Street. It wasn’t very big and was in the basement of an restaurant. Futbol highlights were being displayed on the info-screen. Being in the middle of the week not many people where there. Rubi and Cal sat on the far end of the bar against the wall. Rubi sipped on a pint of beer and Cal had a White Russian clutched in her hand; their eyes were fixed on the soccer game. At the end of the bar opposite to where Rubi and Cal were sitting was a young woman, college aged. She was a brunette, her wavy hair pulled back into a ponytail. Her face was thin and young. She wore a v-neck shirt with the motion ‘W’, of the University of Wisconsin emblazoned on the front, and an unzipped sweatshirt. Rubi’s eyes shot over to the girl periodically, after while Cal began to notice.

      “Whatchu looking at?” asked Cal, looking where Rubi was looking. She noticed the girl and spun her head back to Rubi, grinning. Rubi looked at her.

      “What?” 

      “You think she’s cute, don’tcha!” grinned Cal.

      “What? No!” exclaimed Rubi.

      “Yeah you do!” Cal gave Rubi a toothy grin.

      “Shut up!” growled Rubi into her glass.

      “I’m going to go talk to her!” quipped Cal, spinning around on the stool.

      “No! Wait!” cried Rubi, “Shit.” She turned to her drink as Cal bounced over the the girl. Rubi watched Cal introduce herself and strike up a conversation. Rubi got the bartender’s attention. “I’ll have a scotch, double, no ice.” The bartender poured the drink for Rubi. As Rubi took the glass she noticed movement out of the corner of her eye. She glanced over. The girl was coming over. Shit… 

      “Mind if I sat down?” she asked.  Rubi shook her head. “I’m Dani. Your friend said that I should come talk to you”, said the girl. God damn it Cal, thought Rubi. She shot a dirty look towards Cal, who only gave her a toothy grin and a thumbs up. Rubi looked down into her glass. Rubi’s eyes flashed up at the girl. The girl smiled at her. Rubi struggled for words, leaving them in an awkward silence.

      “So, Dani? Is that short for something?” grumbled Rubi, taking a swig.

      “Yeah, Danielle.” 

      “Cool,” muttered Rubi.

      “What about you?” asked Ella,”What’s your name?

      “Uhhh… Rubmm,” gurgled Rubi into her glass.

      “Rubi?” asked the girl.

      “Yeah,” muttered Rubi. An awkward silence descended on them. Rubi sipped on her scotch.

      “I like your jacket,” quipped Dani. Rubi grunted. “So, you like Kindstod?” asked the girl, referring to one of the patches on Rubi’s jacket. 

      “Yeah. They’re one of my favs,” replied Rubi. She glanced over to the girl sitting next to her, “You don’t look like someone who would enjoy that kind of music,” she noted. The girl shrugged.

      “My older brother got me into it. He was really big on the whole ‘anti-culture’ idea,” mentioned Dani.

      “Cool,” said Rubi, “You a student or something?”

      “Yeah, I’m about to start my senior year. What about you?” asked Dani.

      “I work.” 

      “What do you do?” questioned the girl. Rubi hesitated. I can’t tell her that I’m a runner… She’ll probably freak out. Uh… Say something!

      “Computers,” she blurted, “I work with computers.”

      “Software or hardware?” asked Dani.

      “Both,” replied Rubi. 

      “Cool! My degree is in Graphic Design and Programing.” Dani looked at her watch, “Oh! It’s getting late, I gotta get going!” She pulled a pen from her pocket, and scrawled her CommNet address on a napkin. “Give me a buzz sometime alright?”

      “Sure,” muttered Rubi.

      “Have a good night!” The girl smiled and headed towards the door. Cal bounded over, her smile spreading ear to ear. She jumped atop the stool. Rubi glared at her.

      “Suka,” hissed Rubi. Cal opened her mouth in mock offense.

      “How could you!” She grinned, “You got her digits! Come on. You owe me a thanks.”

      “Why?” asked Rubi.

      “Because with out me, you would never have even talked to her!” Cal pointed out.

      “Yeah, I guess your right. Thanks,” said Rubi sheepishly.

      “I’m always happy to play wingman for you,” grinned Cal. She wrapped her arm around her friend and gave her a loose hug.

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A Jack O'Callahan Mystery: Black Leather and Blackmail, Issue #6

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Writers Note: So. This issue is fairly explicit; including some lets that savory things...  (Language and Rape) I do not encourage or condone rape, in fact I have friends that have been raped. I find it terrible and disgusting. But, rape is something that happens. I included it because even though it is a terrible thing because I wanted to show that no character is perfect. We all have done things that we regret. If things like that bother you, I recommend skipping this issue.

Warning: This post may contain mature content.

     Jack opened his eyes. He was in Cordell’s apartment, the living room to be exact. She was next to him, her leg thrown over his lap. Her heat warmed his side. Her sapphire head was nestled in his armpit. He could feel her breath on his chest, slow and steady. He admired the curve of her back, down to her firm bottom and to her shapely legs. Her soft but perky breasts were pressed into his abdomen. He smiled. He shifted and she stirred. Her head rose. 

     “You’re a good lay,” she murmured. She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

     “You are too,” grinned Jack. She sat up. He eyed her breasts. Perfection, he thought. She pulled his chin up so he would look into her violet eyes.

     “My eyes are up here.” She grinned. 

     “Your eyes are just as beautiful as your tits,” commented Jack. She tossed her head back laughing.

     “If only your face was as beautiful as your dick,” she giggled. He jumped as her cold hand wrapped around him. 

     “Hey!” He grabbed her shoulders and flipped her onto her back.

     “Oh! I thought you liked being on the bottom.” She bit her lip. Jack leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. She ran her hands down his back. Her thin fingers traced a scar that stretched from his mid back to his hip. “You never told me how you got this.” Jack got off of her and sat on the couch. His grey eyes stared through the wall. She sat up.

     “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to…” she apologized. Jack picked up his trousers and slid them up. He reached into his jacket and pulled out his pack of cigarettes. There was one left. Fuck. He put it in his mouth and patted his pockets down. There was a click. His eyes flashed towards Cordell. She held out his lighter, her lavender eyes apologetic. He leaned forward and held the cigarette in the flame.

     “I really am sorry.” She begged for his forgiveness. He pulled the the cigarette from his lips and exhaled.

     “We’ve known each other for seven years now… I figure you should know.” He looked at her, his grey eyes dead, “You have to promise me something though.” 

     “What ever you say.”

     “Promise me that no matter what I tell you, you will still love me,” he said in a monotone. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

     “I promise.” 

     “Alright.”

     It was Singapore. I was sixteen. I had just joined up. We had been fighting the Long-Ko Gang for five months. Brutal fighting; street to street, building to building, room to room. I had lost most of my platoon. I had been promoted three times. I had watched my best friend get blown apart by mine that had been tucked into a medicine cabinet. He just wanted to get a god damn fucking aspirin. His blood and bones splattered against my armor. I was furious. I wanted revenge. The next week we finally found the boss. The leader of the mob. We stormed his palace. Nice digs. It was a shame to get blood all over the place. It was me who found him. But it wasn’t a him. It was a her. She was the mastermind behind my friend getting blown to hell.  We where alone. She was feeble and old. I was young and full of fury. I slammed the bitch up agains the wall. I ripped her clothes and spit in her face. I beat her. I made her bleed. I wanted to defile her. I pulled my armor off. And undid my belt. Tears streamed down her face. Good. Suddenly there was pain down my back.  I fell to the ground. I fell to the floor. Thats when I saw her. She was gorgeous. Black hair, black eyes. A katana was clutched in her hand, beads of blood dripped to the floor. I asked her who she was, and she told me. She was the leader. The old woman was her mother. She placed the blade at my neck. Adrenaline coarsed through my veins. I pushed the sword away and hit her with a left hook. She fell to the ground. I had knocked her out. I picked up her body and slung it over the desk. I slashed her belt off with my knife, and tore her pants off. I ran my hand over her muscular ass and between her legs. It was just then when she began to regain conciseness. I put my pistol at the back of her neck. I told her that if she struggled I would put one through her head. I forced myself inside her. She began to cry but I didn’t care. I pushed harder and harder. She began to scream. I finally finished inside her.  I left her crying on that desk. My seed dripping from her pussy. I put myself back into my pants. Then I blew her head clean off. I shot her mother too; right between the eyes. I dropped to my knees. The next thing I knew, I was in a hospital.

     Jack took a long drag off his cigarette. He couldn’t bare to look at Cordell. She sat there in silence. Say something damn it! Then she did something he did not expect. She swung her leg across his lap and straddled him. He looked up at her. Her face was somber. She kissed him. He could taste the wax flavor of her lipstick on his lips.

     “I still love you” she whispered. She wrapped her arms around his head and held him against her bosom. He closed his eyes as tears began to stream from his eyes. They ran over her chest and fell to his lap. Her perfume was calming.

     “I’m a monster,” he wept.

     “The past is the past,” cooed Cordell. 

     They sat there for hours in silence.  It was Jack who broke the silence.

     “Is your program finished working?” he asked. She twisted and leaned towards her computer. 

     “Yes. I have your address,” she began.

     “What is it?” 

     “405 West Wisconsin Street,” she stated.

     “I should get going,” he grunted.

     “Alright.” She didn’t argue, and slid off his lap. He got dressed and headed for the door. She pulled on her panties and shirt, and followed him to the door.

     “Be safe,” she whispered.

     “I always am sweetheart.” He stepped into the hall and closed the door behind him.

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Next>>

Check back in next week for the next issue of The Jack O'Callahan Mysteries!

Please support me on Patreon! Donations are on a monthly basis, so you can make sure you don't go over your carefully constructed budget! Every donation is a step to my goal of being able to write full time! Help me realize my goal here!

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A Jack O'Callahan Mystery: Black Leather and Blackmail, Issue #5

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Warning: This post may contain mature content.

     They stepped out into a room with red walls and black trim. A leather couch and matching love seat sat nestled in the corner. A black semi-circular desk was positioned in front of a long hallway. A woman wearing a black Mandarin style leather dress with a deep purple trim. Her make up was dark and made her eyes stand out. Her neon purple hair was smooth and hung over one eye. David noticed a black leather collar around her thin neck. She looked up as David and Jenn approached. She smiled displaying her perfect teeth.
     “Good Afternoon, you must be Miss Bianco.” welcomed the woman.
     “Yes, but please, call me Jenn,” requested Jenn. David looked at the ground.
     “As you wish,” stated the woman, “Do you have any preferences for a room?”
     “I was thinking something homely; something comfortable,” requested Jenn. The woman turned to a computer screen and her fingers began to dance across the keyboard.
     “The Red Room is available,” said the woman, turning the screen, so Jenn and David could see it. The room was painted with a deep crimson paint.  A four poster bed of dark stained wood was covered in deep red sheets. A large mirror hung on the wall and a large x-frame with leather cuffs leaned against a wall. David and Jenn shared a quick look.
     “Yes. That would be perfect,” cooed Jenn. The woman behind the desk, spun in her chair and stood. 
     “If you would follow me please,” she said, gesturing for them to follow her. They walked around the desk and followed the woman down the hallway. As soon as David stepped into the hallway, a buzz echoed as a red light flashed. The woman spun around and glared at them. She held out her pale hand.
     “We do not allow weapons in our dungeon,” she said in a severe tone. Jenn looked at David, with the same intensity. 
     “Well! Give it to her!” commanded Jenn. David jumped. He reached into his jacket, unhooked the retention strap on his holster and withdrew his pistol. He handed the pistol to the woman.
     “You can have this back when you leave,” she assured him. She spun back around and continued down the hall. She led them to a door, which she opened. Inside was the room displayed on the screen. 
     “Mistress Joy will be with you momentarily,” informed the woman as they stepped inside. 
     “Thank you,” said Jenn. The woman closed the door, leaving David and Jenn alone. David looked around.
     “Alright, we only have a few moments before she comes back,” said David. 
     “Right. So if this is where he was tied… The camera had to have been…” Jenn pointed to the corner, “There.” David moved over to the corner. 
     “Yeah, look! There is a camera here… Albeit a small one,” said David. He jumped as he heard the door opening. In the door was a woman in a black tight leather pencil skirt; a leather corset accentuated her curves and pushed her chest into a nearly impossible bust line. Her legs were smooth, and long. Her five-inch stiletto platform heels gave a dominating height and presence. Her deep brunette hair hung to her shoulders, framing a square, yet feminine jawline. 
     “Mistress Joy?” asked Jenn. The woman smiled, nodded and shut the door.

*****
     It was raining when Jack arrived at Cordell’s apartment. He stood outside her apartment door, thinking. What is this city coming to? Blackmail with out money demands? Mysterious voices on phones… Shit. This town is going to hell. He reached up and knocked on the door. Cordell opened the door with a big smile on her face, but the smile was wiped from her face when she looked at Jack.
     “What’s wrong?” she asked. 
     “Got a lot on my mind,” muttered Jack. 
     “Well come on in,” said Cordell stepping aside. Jack stepped in. Cordell helped him pull his coat off and hung it in the closet. She also picked his hat off his head and hung it on a peg. She led him to the living room. Jack plopped down on the couch, taking a deep breath. Cordell slid next to him.
     “So what’s bothering you?” she asked. God damn it. You can’t tell her. Tell her about the voice, but not what the voice said about her. She loves you. You can trust her.
     “Just work stuff. I got this really strange call about a month ago. I haven’t been able to put it out of my head,” explained Jack. Cordell brushed her lips across his cheek. 
     “Who called you?” she asked.
     “I don’t know. It was this woman’s voice. It was smooth and soft, but incredibly intimidating,” murmured Jack. Cordell straightened. Jack looked at her, “What?”
     “There has been rumors circulating the runner community about a mysterious voice handing out threats, and if the person didn’t comply, they vanished. I mean like gone. No record,” reported Cordell.
     “Well, I’m still here,” said Jack. 
     “I’m glad,” said Cordell. She laid her head on his shoulder.
     “Me too… Me too.” Jack exhaled, “Oh, I have something for you. It’s for a case.”
     “Sure! What is it?” she asked. Jack reached into his pocket and pulled out the flash drive the alderman gave him.
     “This. I need you to find out where these pictures came from, originally,” requested Jack. Cordell plucked the flash drive from Jack’s fingers.
     “Let’s take a look.” She grinned. She got up and walked into the other room. She returned carrying a laptop. She sat next to Jack and opened the screen. She plugged the flash drive in and began to view the files.
     “Whoa…” she breathed as she scrolled through the pictures.
     “Can you find it?” asked Jack
     “Yeah. No problem,” she said. She began to run a program. “Though, It is going to take a while.” She set the laptop on the coffee table. She swung her leg over Jack lap, and pressed her lips against his. Their tongues intertwined and Jack pulled her close. He wrapped his arms around her waist and they fell to the couch.

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Next>>

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Rubi Rascke: Runner for Hire #8

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     The Saloon Tavern was jam packed when Rubi and Cal arrived. All sorts of runners where sitting about swapping stories and getting drunk. Rubi spotted Wynnefred chatting up a muscular man with dreadlocks and tattoos. She seemed pretty drunk. Harlot, thought Rubi. They headed towards the stairs, weaving in and out of the tables. They garnered several cat calls from the drunken patrons, men and women. Rubi blushed, looked to the floor and hurried towards the stairs. Cal on the other hand, blew kisses to the cat-callers. They headed up the stairs and stepped up to Madame Loxi’s office door. Rubi pressed the button on the intercom. It buzzed. The screen flashed and showed the feed from the security camera.

     “Yes?” came Madame Loxi’s harsh voice.

     “We have the goods,” said Rubi. There was another buzz followed by a metallic click. Rubi pulled open the door and she and Cal stepped in. 

Madame Loxi looked up from her monitor when Rubi and Cal entered.

     “Ah, Rubi! How was it? Not too hard I hope,” queried Madame Loxi. 

“We got some static. But it was nothing we couldn’t handle,” said Rubi. She flinched as she slid her backpack off. The anesthetic from the bio foam began to wear off. She pulled her lap top from the bag placed it on the desk and opened the screen. Rubi moved the stolen data to a disc and began to burn the information. Once the process was completed she ejected the disk and handed it to Madame Loxi. “That’s everything,” said Rubi. Madame Loxi inserted the disk into her computer and began to look over the files. 

     “Well done Miss Rascke,” congratulated Madame Loxi, “I’ll transfer the funds to your respective accounts.” 

     “Wiz,” said Rubi. She and Cal turned and left the office. Once they were outside Cal turned to Rubi.

     “So, You up for a drink? I’m paying” she asked, holding up her credcard. 

     “I don’t know,” muttered Rubi, stepping to the railing and looking down into the crowded bar. Cal slid her arm around Rubi’s. 

     “Awww, come on!” pleaded Cal. A burst of pain shot up Rubi’s arm as Cal tugged on it. She yelped. “Oh! Sorry!” apologized Cal, letting go of Rubi.

     “Could we go to a different bar?” asked Rubi. 

     “Sure!” smiled Cal. They left the bar and headed onto the streets.

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A Jack O'Callahan Mystery: Black Leather and Blackmail, Issue #4

<<Previous

Warning: This post may contain mature content.

     David sat at his desk, a cigarette tucked between his lips. He checked his watch, it was 12:04. He fiddled with his lighter nervously; trying to mentally prepare himself for what he was about to do. He scowled. What was Jack thinking? This is going to be so humiliating. He heard someone enter to the adjacent room. He got up and opened the door. Jenn stood in the waiting room. David looked her up and down. Her champagne-colored hair was pulled up into a loose bun. Her skin appeared as smooth as silk, her cheeks were adorned with a light blush. A hint of gold was swept onto her upper eyelid. Her bright blue eyes were outlined in dark eyeliner and her eyelashes seemed thicker and darker. Her red lips had a faint hint of gloss. She wore a burgundy blouse that was unbuttoned slightly to show a hint of cleavage. Her dark grey slacks were neatly pressed. Her stockinged feet slid into a black pair of stiletto pumps. Her coat was flung over her arm.David blinked, speechless. She looked at him.

     “So, what do you think?”

     “You’re beautiful,” gasped David. Jenn’s lips cracked into a shy grin.

     “You ready to go?” she asked.  

     “Uh.. Yeah. Sure,” muttered David, still enraptured by Jenn’s appearance. He grabbed his coat and together they exited the office, David locked the door behind them. They walked towards the elevator in silence. Jenn’s heels echoed in the empty hallway. David pressed the button to call the elevator. As they stood waiting, David couldn’t help but shoot glances over at Jenn. His eyes lingered at her exposed cleavage. Has she always been this beautiful? He mulled this over for a while. Out of the corner of his eye he saw her eyes flash and he tore his eyes away from her chest. He saw her grin; it was his turn to blush. The elevator arrived and they stepped in. Jenn punched the button for the ground floor. She probably thinks I’m a pervert. She clearly caught me staring, he fretted. He shifted back and forth in his shoes. The doors slid open and they stepped onto the street. The humidity from the morning rains caused small bead sof sweat to from on their brows. David stepped forward to hail a cab but Jenn stopped him.

     “I think I’m the one that is supposed to take the lead here,” she stated with a thin grin. David just stared at her blankly as she flung out her arm. A cab pulled up infront of them. David opened the door for her. “Thank you,” she said as she slid gracefully into the back seat. David took his seat and closed the door.

     “Where to?” barked the driver.

     “405 West Wisconsin Street,” ordered Jenn. 

     “Alright,” drawled the cabbie as he pulled out into traffic.

     The cab dropped them off outside of a nondescript brick building. David stepped out and looked around. They where in a fairly upscale part of town. The sidewalks were fairly empty. Jenn’s heels clicked on the sidewalk. She led him to a thick steel door with a intercom. Jenn pressed the call button. The speaker buzzed, and crackled to life.

     “Hello, How may I help you?” came a sultry voice over the intercom. Jenn stepped up to the speaker.

     “Yes, I have an appointment,” said Jenn.

     “Name?” 

     “Jennifer Bianco,” stated Jenn. There was a click and the door swung open. Jenn looked at David.

     “You ready?” she asked. David’s stomach churned. 

     “I guess.” 

     “It’ll be alright,” she cooed.

     “I guess I’m still trying to wrap my head around this,” confessed Jack, “I mean, how are you so calm? This whole thing is so bizarre!” Jenn turned to him.

     “I didn’t take an acting class in college,” she declared.

     “Okay,” said David.

     “I worked at a bondage club to get some extra cash,” she confessed.

     “Oh,” David breathed. Jenn looked at her feet. “We should probably head inside,” said David. Jenn nodded and stepped aside to let him in. 

     They where in a hallway. Their footsteps echoed as they headed towards the elevator at the end of the passage.

     “So a bondage club, eh?” asked David.

     “Yeah,” said Jenn, rubbing the back of her neck. David looked at her.

     “Didn’t peg you as someone who would be into that sort of stuff.” David pressed the button to call the elevator.

     “I didn’t either, at first,” she began, “It was just a job. But the longer I worked there, the more interested I got. It was exciting. I enjoyed the idea of having control.” She paused, “But that was along time ago. I’ve moved on. I quit the job at the club so I could focus on computers and hacking. I started running for a while after that.” The elevator arrived and they stepped inside. There was only one button on the control panel. David pushed it. The doors slid shut and the elevator began to rise.

     “There’s more to you than I thought,” said David.

     “I guess you could say I had a colorful past,” muttered Jenn. The elevator made a ding and the doors slid open.

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Next>>

Thank you for reading. I finally get to write David and Jenn! It's fun to write how they interact with each other. 

Check back in next week for the next issue of The Jack O'Callahan Mysteries!

Please support me on Patreon! Donations are on a monthly basis, so you can make sure you don't go over your carefully constructed budget! Every donation is a step to my goal of being able to write full time! Help me realize my goal here!

This weeks picture is from cosplayer and model Raychul Moore.

Rubi Rascke: Runner for Hire #7

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     Rubi and Cal drew many strange looks on the metro; two girls wearing dark clothes with bright hair, completely soaked, and smelling of diesel and harbor water is not a common site. They got off the train, leaving a grayish puddle behind them. The walked up out of the metro station and onto the street.

     “So, To the Union?” asked Cal, “Because we missed that stop.” The pair began walking down the sidewalk. Billboards flashed advertisements in several languages.

     “I figured we would dry off and and change before that,” suggested Rubi.

     “So your place then? You still got my clothes?” asked Cal.

     “Yeah,” said Rubi, biting her lip.

     “What?” said Cal, looking at her friend, slightly worried.

     “I might have borrowed your underwear at one point.”

     “What, the white ones, with the bow, and the little grey cat on the hip?” questioned Cal. Rubi cracked a grin, her lip still between her teeth. “I’ve been looking for those!” exclaimed Cal.

     “They’re so cute!” replied Rubi.

     “I KNOW! That’s why I was looking for ‘em!” shouted Cal.

     “I washed em okay!?” 

     “Alright… As long as I get them back!” growled Cal.

     “I always give them back! It’s you who has the bad habit of keeping clothes!” reminded Rubi, “You still have my fishnets.”

     “Yeah yeah. Okay, touche.” 

     Rubi’s apartment was a small studio on the top floor of the building. It had a nice view of the cityscape. The kitchenette sink was full of dirty dishes. The apartment was nearly void of any furniture, except for the dresser and computer desk and chair. Her mattress laid on the floor next to cinderblock and plywood shelving which was crammed full of software cases, and random cords and wires. A stereo system with a record player sat next to the shelves. A pair of stereo headphones laid next to the speakers and a pair of milk crates that sat nearby were full of vinyl records; Rubi enjoyed the vintage sound of the records. A chipped metal door labeled, “WC,” opened into the apartments bathroom.

     The computer desk was the most organized part of the apartment. The whole desk was clear of any sort of trash. The 42” monitor displayed a stylized screensaver depicting what could be interpreted as a electricity running through a circuit board, a headset hung off one side of the monitor. The CPU was black with red highlights that gave off a soft glow. The keyboard was black, with backlit keys, and the mouse was sleek and ergonomic. They dropped their backpacks onto the floor near the door.

     “You wanna take a shower first?” asked Rubi, “I’ll send a secure message to Madame Loxi.” 

     “Sure, Where are my clothes?” asked Cal.

     “Top drawer,” said Rubi, gesturing to the dresser. Cal stepped up to the drawer and pulled out a t-shirt, the pair of panties they had discussed earlier, a pair of socks and some jeans. As Cal headed towards the bathroom Rubi pushed her desk chair aside and stood at the computer desk. She wiggled the mouse and woke up the computer. The screen saver faded to a welcome screen. In the bottom right corner a message read, “FalkeOS v.5.1.6” A message in the middle read, “Welcome Back, RedLady”. Below was a rectangle that read in greyed out letters, “Password???” She selected it and typed in a fifteen character password. The screen flashed “Password Accepted”. It then faded to display her desktop. The background was a green hill with blue skies and white clouds, a seldom site in the world today. It was from an old operating system from 2001. She opened up console. The desktop faded from rolling hills to a black screen with white sans-serif text.

     # app/webmail/startup/config.yml

     // … starting webmail.exe

     #message = new \secure message;

     // … preparing message input

          // transport => smtp

          // encryption => ssl7

          // auth_mode => login

          // host => smtp.dwimordene.int (secure)

     // username?

     # redlady

     // password?

     # b9-uhrxWx-Ba66f8#EHM=TT

     // login secure…

     // new message…

     # message= \swift message::new instance

     #setsubject => Run Complete

     # setFrom => redlady@dwimordene.secure

     # setTo => valar@dwimordene.secure

     # setbody => run complete. Target secured. Bring in tonight.

     # webmail/cmd: send.

     // … message sent

     Rubi ran her fingers through her soaked hair. She rubbed the tips of her fingers feeling the grease that she pulled from her hair. She made a face, shivered and wiped her hand on her pants. She looked around her apartment. She pulled off her jacket and began to unlace her boots. She tossed them to the floor and pulled off her socks. Next came her shirt, she had to peel it off her body. This joined the jacket and boots on the floor. She stood in the middle of the room in her sports bra. A series of lines mimicking the design of a motherboard circuit crisscrossed her right shoulder and a line of Cyrillic characters were placed vertically on her left forearm, translated the message read, “The sin our fathers sinned was that they did not trust liberty wholly.” She pulled open the top drawer and pulled out a can of biofoam. She placed the nozzle on her wound and pushed down. The wound stung and then went numb. She jumped when the bathroom door opened and Cal came into the room, completely dry and holding a crumpled ball of her wet clothes. 

     “Shower’s all your’s” said Cal. 

     “I sent Madame Loxi a message. Can you watch it for me?” asked Rubi. Cal nodded. She walked over to the chair, plopped down and spun around. Rubi walked to the dresser and began pulling clothes out. She headed towards the bathroom. She flipped the faucet of the shower as far as it would go. She looked in the mirror above the sink and ran her hands through her hair. Her hair was a tangled mess.The mirror began to steam up from the shower. She unbuckled her belt, tucking her thumbs in the waist band she slid them down her thin but muscular legs. A swallow was tattooed on her left hip. A spiral of branches dotted with thorns, and toped with roses wrapped around her right leg and up to her hip. She pulled of the sports bra and a gush of water that had been trapped in the spandex ran down her stomach. She stepped in to the shower and closed the frosted glass door behind her. The steaming water flowed over her thin pale body. It was an extreme contrast to the cold lake water. She lathered the shampoo in her hair and then proceeded to wash her body. She had no body hair, due to the hair removal procedure she got herself for her eighteenth birthday. When she was satisfied with her shower she turned off the water and pressed a small red button on the wall with three squiggly lines above it. Jets of warm air hit her body, and caused her hair to slap her in the face. When the air had stopped she was completely dry. She steeped out of the shower and looked in the now clear mirror. The shower had caused her eye make up to run. She squirted a clear fluid into her palm from the dispenser on the wall, and splashed it on her face. She then reached for a towel and wiped her face. The fluid had completely cleared her face of make up. She ran a brush through her hair. Once she had fixed her hair she applied a thin line of eyeliner, nothing too complex. She pulled on her clothes and stepped out of the bathroom.

     “She responded. Gave us the green light,” said Cal.

     “Shiny! You ready to go?” asked Rubi, pulling on some high-top canvas sneakers.

     “Yeah. It’ll be good to be paid,” smiled Cal.

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Rubi Rascke: Runner for Hire #6

<<Previous

     They crawled through the venting. They came to a grate and Cal pushed it open. They slipped into a dark room. As they stood up they squinted as the lights flashed on. As they looked around they took in rows of single motor speed boats. 

     “What the fuck? Are there boats on boats now? Fuckin’ rich people,” spouted Cal.

     “Must be boat-ception,” giggled Rubi. Cal glared at her friend.

     “That is such a dated reference,” she scolded.

     “What?” grinned Rubi, “I thought it was funny.” Cal rolled her eyes.

     “Let’s get going. I don’t like how bright this room is,” whispered Cal

     “One sec,” said Rubi, dropping to her knee and slinging her backpack to the floor.

     “What are you doing? This isn’t the time for a picnic!” Cal hissed. Rubi ignored her and began to rummage through her back. “HELLO!? Are you listening to me?” growled Cal. Rubi pulled what looked like a pair of scuba masks out of the bag and tossed on to Cal, who fumbled with it. “What’s this for?” she asked.

     “Going for a swim!” said Rubi, slinging her backpack over her shoulder. They jumped as the door swung open. Three mercenaries burst in.

     “THERE THEY ARE!” shouted one. The room echoed with gunfire as Rubi and Cal ducked behind the boats.

     “What now!? They got us pinned down.” shouted Cal. Rubi’s head spun around. She noticed the yellow and black tape against one wall. That must be access to the lake, thought Rubi. She scanned the room for an activation switch. 

     “Where is it?” she growled.

     “Where is what?” shouted Cal, her voice cracking with stress.

     “The control panel!” replied Rubi.

     “WHAT CONTROL PANEL!?” 

     “The one that opens the ramp!” said Rubi. Her voice unusually calm for their current situation. She poked her head around the boat. She pulled it back just as a hail of bullets sparked against the hull of the boat. She drew her pistol, ejected the magazine and checked the capacity. 

     “Der’mo, I only got to rounds left,” she grumbled.

     “What?! You didn’t think to to bring more!?” said Cal exasperated. 

     “Umm… No,” stated Rubi.

     “Oh you glupaya devchonka!” hissed Cal.

     “Zatknis' ! I’m thinking!” spat Rubi. The shots halted. One of the mercenaries started speaking in a harsh, ancient sounding, yet singsongy language. 

     “Hreyfa í kring. Flank thá,” commanded one of the mercenaries. The sounds of boots on the floor echoed. 

     “I think they are trying to flank us,” whispered Cal.

     “Net der'mo. How many shots do you have?” hissed Rubi. Cal ejected the magazine and tucked it into her pocket. She withdrew another magazine and slapped it in. 

     “Eighteen,” said Cal. Rubi smiled.

     “Cover me.” Rubi popped out of her hiding spot, taking the mercenaries by surprise. Cal jumped out too, pointing her pistol at the closest mercenary. He leveled his rifle, but Cal was quicker. She threw two rounds into his shoulder, knocking him spinning, to the ground. Rubi ran towards the other one. The mercenary got of a couple of shots, one impacted Rubi’s arm. She didn’t notice, the adrenaline was pumping through her blood. She tackled mercenary to the floor, knocking of their helmet. It was a woman with a shaved head and slightly pointed ears. Her eyes were two fires. She swung a punch, hitting Rubi in the mouth. Rubi tasted iron. Her jaw was throbbing. Black spots appeared in her vision. She shook her head and swung the butt of her pistol down, impacting the woman’s temple. The woman’s eyes fluttered shut and her body relaxed. Rubi heard two more shots as she struggled to her feet. Someone ran over to her. Cal grabbed her and held her up. Her blue eyes were glistening with worry. 

     “You okay?” she croaked.

     “Y-yeah… J-j-just gimme a sec,” stammered Rubi, “H-h-hit duh b-b-button.” Rubi pointed to the console on the far wall. Cal sat her friend down on the floor and ran over to the console and pressed the green button. Orange caution lights began to flash as the door began to open. Rubi sat there, her head spinning. She closed here eyes for a moment, taking deep breaths. Her head stopped spinning and she stood slowly.  The smell of the the marina flooded the room. Cal ran back over to Rubi, a look of worry on her face.

     “What?” asked Rubi.

     “You’re bleeding,” said Cal, pointing to Rubi’s arm.

     “It’s just a graze, I’ll be fine. It’s not like there’s sharks in the lake,” said Rubi with her signature sideways grin. Cal smiled, glad that her friend was making jokes. Rubi pulled on her rebreather.

     “You ready?” asked Rubi. Cal nodded and pulled the mask over her face. They stepped towards the hatch and towards the bay. Just as they had reached the edge of the ramp seven more mercenaries burst into the room.

     “Der’mo! Go!” shouted Rubi. They dived into the lake. The water was colder than they expected. The heads-up display of the rebreathers showed the water tempature as 73º.The sound of bullets whizzing through the water was surreal. They dove deeper into the lake, lights on the sides of the masks flickered on. The water muffled the sounds around them. Rubi’s arm began to sting as they swam through the murky and polluted water.They finally surfaced just outside of the marina, about fifty meters from a beach. They pulled of their masks and collapsed, breathing heavily on the littered sand. Rubi crawled to her friend, and pushed her cardinal locks behind her ear.

     “Told you we would be find,” smiled Rubi.

     “Yeah… Yeah you did,” grinned Cal, “But I’m not using the zip-line again, poymite?”

     “No promises," smirked Rubi.

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Once again, Sorry about the god awful translations! I figure that the languages would change around and evolve so they wouldn't be completly accurate. I would love to have accurate translations but I don't have the contacts yet. Maybe when these stories get published! *fingers crossed*

Picture Source: http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2013/226/7/a/incognito_shadowrun_6_by_pressf7-d6i4r35.jpg

Please support me on Patreon! Donations are on a monthly basis, so you can make sure you don't go over your carefully constructed budget! Every donation is a step to my goal of being able to write full time! Help me realize my goal here!