The stuff that wired Specs, he had to smile and acceptd it humbly. "Thanks. I will- Losing these.. well you saw. I'll go nuts without them."Squeezing Spec's hand lightly he took the wire and threaded the charms back on. He was still thinking of spec's words as he tied the strand back around his neck.

"Maybe. The old man certainly thought he saw something. I'd like to think my friends saw it too."

The strong fingers locked around the offered hand to protect it from leaving before he was done, Specs still watching the other with a bit of interest that went further than recruitment but not so far as to make the tech-headed male question what he'd thought. "Yeah. You remind me of Amy, that sorta thing.", he gently pulled on the other's hand in the ghost of a gesturing move, "So. If they- were partners? Than who's little friend were you?". Somehow it seemed relevant at that exact moment to hear a name or moreso a gender behind it. Viper's friends had been together in that sort of way by his connotation, but Specs could not help but guess his friend was not so alone in himself.

"I never had anyone like that. Slept around a little but that got boring, didn't wanna get anyon knocked up."He sighed, not getting Spec's true meaning. He blushed softly again. "But Ié kissed a guy.. if thats where your heading.." Yeah it was Fang ut I highly doubt he'll rat me out to anyone. Rin thought, not letting Spec's hand go.

Knocked up. That is what he'd needed to hear. Knocked up It meant that the partners had been female, and thusly able to be knocked up instead of just dropped dirty. Smiling at the male and at his lost chance he softly ran one finger over the back of his trainee's hand and nodded contently at the response. Seeing no reason to pry more he simply barked, "Well, fag or liberal it won't matter in this city. Almost any bar will find someone willing to further your 'experience' on either end of the gender realm. Which is a damn shame for something as ambrosial as you". Laughing at his half-stab at the boy, Specs looked up to see the effect of his fun and started to hesitantly let the kid go without further torment.

Vipers cheeks flushed more, his skin hot to the simple stroking of Spec's fingers. "Tthanks.. ut I don't think i'll be that bold. I'm new here- can't let someone take advantage of me." Smiling softly Viper recaptured Spec's hand. "What about you? There someone here that claims you?"

"....Nah.", Specs turned his head a bit so that he could break that line of sight he'd held with the other, totally entranced before and only now free, before he bit his lower lips and considered his next response of, "There was, but she .... she was the reason that I left the Jades. Why I even joined them to start with". But in his heart of hearts he knew that there were some things that didn't need to be said to be understood. Years before he'd gotten what he had wanted. Now it was simply the debts of a stupid life. Looking just past the kid made it easier, but even when his computer hummed 'Incoming mail' it was only just enough to do so without losing him back to where he couldn't seem so happy with how things had gone. "I don't now. And if I had stayed with her that night I doubt you'd have been invited so forcefully to be my apprentice in the city instead of that d*ckhead, Fang's."

"Miss her don't you?"He sighed, following the blinking lights once the closeness between them got uncomfortable. "Its none of my business though- don't have to answer that."Further he moved away, looking up at Spec's body with a shiver of realization.

He wanted to kiss his trainer just like he'd kissed Fang. His curiousity was getting the etter of him all because of a nice body. Damn he was foolish. Things between Specs and him couldn'twork on that level. Asp and Cobra had never fought and already he and Specs had been at each others throats.

"You think I'd do any better learning from Fang?"

Specs let an honest grin escape him when those words were spoken. He chose to forget the lover he had left on the corner of the road, and to recall something else he'd seen just once in all of his days. "Yes, you would be much better taught by him. Or any of the drones in his boss' gang.", Specs looked up at the boy and locked their eyes, "No one could teach incest, murder, and homoerotic brotherhood like that pompous d*ck or his brothel of disease-bearing chew toys". To even think of that one who had followed in his own footsteps and accepted the human modification program was an utter disgrace on his own records and the idea of his ever playing in their idiotic games, "All I'm going to say is that with me, there is a chance to see how the city breathes and thinks. A pretty body like yours, in Fang's world, is more likely to be seduced and rapes by lottery. If you ever intent to become anything worth having you're better off to test all your inhibitions with me around to check you when you go to far."

Stunned Viper had reccieved both a compliment and seen how Spec's viewed atleast Fang. Fang who had kissed him so skillfully and awakened what he'd thought never existed. Thoughts and feelings that firmly attached themselves to the available man in the room.

"Then I should properly thankyou for saving me from the den of iniquity and rape Specs."His words were playful, hinting at more than just the thanks in those words.

Specs raised one hand and brushed the back of his head as he realized that this kid actually had a sense of humor on him along with sense enough to belief him on matters as bothersome as the Jades. Not knowing how else to pass the comment off he laughed, "Yeah. Well, you've seen how he is. Probably felt up whoever went with him the whole time, either that or shot down civilians for thinking he would. Be a damn shame if you'd said you were like your friends, no judgement cast, because of who you were with on the way here". His bitching was something fiercer than his actual anger and yet there was a comical sense when he looked up and grinned. Whoever had sent him a message on his computer could not have wanted much, and so he was free to rise and offer a small gesture as he spoke; "I'm getting a tea and hitting up whatever work I have left for the Family unless you want something frm the kitchen. Or else you have any better idea of what you might need before I start all this."

"I'm good for now. I'll clean up this mess and get a meal started. Shouldn't keep you from your work."SIghing quietly he gathered up the lotion and the lak case with yellow lettering, packing it all away. He didn't know what to think about th way Specs had spoken of Fang. Or if Specs would look down on his for the diversionary tactic the two had employed.


It could be there secret for all he cared. Returning to the living space ater putting the supplies away he lingered over by Specs. "Don't worry I'm a pretty good cook- you just get to work ok?"

Specs shook his head in agreement as the other spoke of doing the lighter chores. In truth he'd not thought that housing a new member would be so quickly rested, nor that it would serve him any sort of good. But here was the case against that doubt. When Viper turned and left Specs took to the kitchen and took one of the large Styrofoam cups from the cooler where he had stored his preemptively made beverages. As he crossed back by the living area in trail for his large console sent in the corner of the room he heard the voice of his housemate again and turned to see him near. "Oh. Whatever is fine, man. You don't even have to be a decent cook to get along.", he placed one hand on the other man's shoulder and sighed, "Just gauge yourself while I work and you can do whatever you want; Not that I would shun the company if you decided to stay around and cook or something". Half-joking with his last comment, he merrily looked back at the set of computer screens and watched the little envelope in the bottom spin and dance its way several inches in either direction before it looped back to start its signaling motion again.

"You do what you gotta do man and I'll handle the little stuff."Viper smirked, leaving Spec's to his computer screens in favor of exploring the kitchen. He found that it was in good order, the fridge pretty well stocked for 2 people.xcellent he could whip up something decent or their eating pleasures.

He lost himself in the waork, making up a small feast for the two hungry men. Plating it up he cleared his throat to get spec's attention. "At a place you can pause? I have dinner and alittle more of this mornings tea if you're ready."

Instantly when the flashing envelope was clicked a white wall shot into sight with a single row of words that blinked and hummed in his eyes; 'Attention Consumer', it cordially began, 'All goods are going out. Big sale now at downtown Berlin's own Harold and Eron's Linen Parlor. Send all your loose garbs for refitting and elimination. Going fast'. At the bottom of the message a false tag had been made to issue the message, a cry for help for one of the Jades without a doubt, under the illusion of an automated message from a nonexistant store from before the fallout had begun. That message shook and grew inside Specs' head as he thought of his cover that could be lost and of the boy that knew him too well from being placed beneath his wing, and silently began re-encoding the message to appear to external servers as never being opened. After a long time, Spec was drawn from the spreadsheet and browser screen by the voice of his housemate, Viper, announcing the preparation of food. Specs returned the call with a warmth gratitude and reduced each screen as he rose to attend his meal.

Far away elsewhere, the sounds of a car being flipped by the rising crowd shook the stable phone and sent another wave of cries for the line of green-clad men who stood in the way of the rioting mob. Green bandannas, emerald shows, jade-shaded glasses, grassy-toned shirts all lining the street to take mutual losses as they stopped the group of supporters that rose with the rival gang and put them all at risk of the Civil Guard who were already appearing at street corners with batons and gas guns. Tucked in a bombed out deli not a quarter mile afront his own green-clad men, Fang sat in the dusty corner on his haunches with a cellphone now dialing the extended line of numbers that popped 'Dialing Viper..' into the center of the device's tiny screen with a dial tone that quit just in time for the first of the connecting rings.

Viper set the plate down by Specs without looking at the screen out of curtesy. The glass of tea sitting close by it. Until his cellphone rang, buzzing wildly in his pocket. "Excuse me.. gotta see who this is."

If it was anyone back home he'd have to ignore it for the sake of being dead ut to his shock it was Fang. Taking the call he went into the bedroom and hit talk. "Yo. Whats up man?" He thought it odd that Fang was calling him all of the sudden.

A blast of static came as someone in the distance clapped the side of a wall. Electric jolt grenades, the type used to replace tazers in massive revolts, must have torn the air nearby to have swatched his phone the way it did. "Yo! Viper!", Fang cupped one hand and barked into the phone in hopes of outlasting the previous jolt of static and the coming sounds of the riot, "Time to do you d*mn duties for the gang!! Get the f**k down to the 15th street lightcar line and hurry the f**k up!! Its a d*mn battlefield out here!". And before he could say more a stray bullet clipped the wall above him and sent clay shrapnel everywhere. This call would have to end. Slamming the phone shut, Fang dipped back to his side and throw the phone into his pocket as he began to reload the ten millimeter custom with another clip of the armor splitting shells. His men could handle the Fangs and all the civilians, which meant the Civil Guard b*st*rds were his alone.

Looking up, Specs followed the path that Viper had taken. Whatever he was doing on his phone was almost undeniably bad for the joint interests of both his providing factors. Being swift to resolve that claim he shouted, "Hey, Viper. Come back in here and eat!". But would his late prompting be enough to disallow others beyond the city walls to know what he and Fang had done to secure their fates? Decisively, Viper had to remain 'dead' or else it meant bad bad news for all.

"Sh!t. I'll b down there as fast as I can man."Viper swore, hearing spcs he slammd the phone shut and busied himself gathering up his battle gear. The blades and guns could be worn openly, he didn't have much time. He grabbed his med kit too, strapping it to his hip before the thick armor jacket went over.

And since he was dead a very quick moment of vanity smear green makeup over his face- anything to obscure his identity. "No time Spec's gotta go don't wait up for me ok?" Storming through the living room he wondered if this day would be his last.

Looking up with the most innocent sheen, Specs saw through the actions of his housemate and instantly began his own work to counteract the betrayal with the true flare of his place in the German Mafia. The moment Viper left his sight Specs slammed a hateful message into his cellphone and sent an order out on the child. Money, as it were, would save him, and it would do so more swiftly than even the local gangs could see. By the time Viper returned, Specs was back to eating. When he spoke, Specs looked up and nodded. And as he left, Specs raised his voice to a strong word as he called. "Viper.", he gasped, "This city belongs to the Jades on most of the terrain, but there are still UN soldiers patrolling the streets. If you don't conceal those you're going to get shot". But that was it. As soon as he had spoken he looked back at his food and continued as if he'd said nothing about it at all.

"[email protected] Thanks man. I'm sorry abut this but he needs me."Viper blushed shamefully, stashing the weapons in a hasty motion. "Wish me luck?"With a wink the slim male blew his trainer a kiss and darted out the door.

He'd never run so far, had to get to Fang and when he finally got to the street car line everything was chaos. Sh!t, brand new here and risking his neck.

The chaos erupting in the streets led for almost three city blocks. Every inch of the roadway, once packed with cars before the nuclear assault, was a teeming riot with Jade gang members fighting outright to subdue the many civilians and unmarked Fangs as huge men in full-on battle suits went systematically through them all with tasers and stun grenades at hand. In several spots along the way, most perched in broken out store display windows, the civilians already caught could be seen with their limbs bound by handcuffs, safety straps, and in some cases straight up clothe. Those Jades still not injured by the Civil Guard or pinned by the group of chaotic rebels seemed to shift even as they fought so that when Viper arrived it was to an almost instant response of the crowd being parted. In the heart of the crowd Fang stood with one of the largest men held by his arm and his waist while a female at this side tore the man's crimson shirt from his chest and used it as a bound to tie him up. Just missing a clay bullet, Viper had arrived in the heart of the chaotic times.

After a moment's rest Fang was free again, and his eyes met Viper's only long enough for him to nod at the gesture of Viper's being there before he started forward toward one of the other Fang street members already engaged in fighting off the hands of another heavily armored Civil Guard. If they could break up this fight, perhaps they would find the one who started it. But that was far enough away that defending the streets was the only feasible goal.

Viper moved towards Fang- fending off the attacks his direction and doging bullets. This was hell, the kind of battle and riot he hadn't seen in ages. He was fighting here for Fang, because Fang had called him in. He owed Fang and with a grin followed his lead.

Fang moved outward along the crowd, intentionally avoiding the legal officers that had already begun dismantling his own gang one for every four of the crowd. As he worked along the edge several civilians began to recognize his face or his namesae teeth and lost cause before breaking themselves away from the rowdy mob. After some great minutes the chaos had fallen back into a dull roar and left not a dozen Civic gang members and short assembly of Fang, Viper, the female, and a hefty other male to stop them. Two Civil Guards broke from their further position, the other now chasing down one of the picketers, and to no great surprise began forward with their weapons of choice shining in the light of the street. Heavy batons swung and in an instant Fang was tearing off with a sense of completion for the task they's already done, "Jades out!! Get the f**k off the street!". He looked back for a moment and saw SweetPea grabbing Hamlet as both diverted one of the Civil Guards while Viper was left to act as he saw fit; Hopefully, very much so, he would run.

He would run if he could. Hearing that order and seeing the weaponry the Civ guards had he knew he couldn't stand a chance. And he didn't want to get mowed down but obviously someone else didn't feel like letting him escape.

His blood pumping the boy took off only to be followed by someone who hadn't had enough of the fight. Both armed and dangerous it came down to the sheer sense thatViper moved more accurately in the tight confined allyway that was their battle. He got the persuer with a slash to the gut and kpt moving away from the sound of the heavy guns.

As the cement behind them lit and one of the slower Civs caught got in the herding fire, a single member had time enough to tear after the boy and make one short call on an open mic before he met and loss to the male he intended to fight. "Fourth and Southland", was all he said. But like clockwork an old ham radio shot alive two streets down and a sharp eyed woman was able to just see the two civs that had forcefully occupied her store as they slid down against each side of the door and waited. At the street before them and vehicular accident had been staged involving a 'misplaced' grenade blast that blocked the path back out of the city and a well placed enforcer of the Civs standing on the opposite side. The minute the male entered their sights the two standing in ambush beside the door would aim high and low and unleash the dozen-ammunition clips of tranquilizer stubs into what would soon enough become their hostage in the already violent situation. Already the Jades had declared themselves anti-UN and this new bargaining chip might well mae them change their precious minds and give the Civs a final chance to sway the public trust.

Viper hadn't been in this type of conflict before,let alone had to think about amushes while hell broke loose. He tore down the allyway at full speed. It all happened too fast, he felt the burning pains in his body and fell, gripping his weapons tightly. In those fleeting moments before unconciousness he regreatted not knowing Specs better. But then he was out cold.