_moz_

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Moz woke up early and climbed out of her cage. All the other girls were still sleeping, which Moz was glad for. She wanted some time to do some preparations for tonight, and it was always easier with no one else in the way. Moz skipped breakfast; she'd eat later.  There was too much planning to do. Moz practically paced around the room - she was almost nervous. She needed to make a major impression to the other tribe leaders tonight. Make them see what a horrible job Salene was doing, make them understand that they could not just sit around and allow the Mallrats to run the City. But what if she failed? Failure was not an option. They would have to see. The other tribes weren't stupid, as often as Moz liked to think they were. If they had survived this long, they were strong enough and smart enough to see that the Mallrats were simply too much power with not enough brain.

Moz rummaged through some boxes and pulled out a stack of lined paper and a pen. She sat down and began writing down what she was going to say when everyone arrived tonight, as she waited for the rest of her tribe to wake up.

_zappers_

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Macon led Becky away from Zapper Headquarters and out into the streets, slowly. If Mega wanted to see him being serious, sticking to the plan, and making everyone do their part, then that's what he'd see. Macon was halfway tempted to go back and massacre those dumb Technos, including Line and Mega, but he also knew he was slightly outnumbered, and outsmarted. He also had half a mind to go over to that Mall and tell that joke of a city leader about Mega and his involvement, that would surely shock the shit out of her, but he couldn't. No, he couldn't do that because he needed this, how would he get what he'd been promised, his rise into a powerful position in the city? Rising above even Dan to become one of the most powerful Tribal leaders ever? Mega had sworn, Macon would live like a king, and if he betrayed Mega to Salene, that would all be over.

Macon would also be held accountable, he knew how those stinkin virty Mall Rats thought, their justice systems of old, they sickened him. When they had been appointed Lords of the City he didn't know, their stupid antidote wasn't enough to keep them there anymore, years had flown by. Forget them. They were lame, and he hated them, and soon he would be better than any of them. Especially better than Bray, and that joke, Salene, and that weird, manky hairy Eco, Pride. Forget them all, and soon they would all be forgotten. Their day of reckoning was coming, but first, Macon had a mission to fulfill, and he had to bide his time.

"Alright," he pulled Becky down an alleyway and pointed to some glass bottles on top of a crate, "See them glass bottles? Here, I'll show you," he powered her TGun up and helped show her how to aim, how to shoot, so she could feel how different it was from the virtual game. When one of the bottles broke he smiled and resisted the urge to overcontgradulate her, giving her a firm pat on the back. "Now you try, show me," he stood back and waited, watching.

virtual_ram

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Having pushed aside the thought that he may have gotten a little too rough with Java toward the end, Ram started out into the city. The noon sun was just crossing its peak and his eyes were still getting adjusted to the light. Autumn scents filled his senses, bringing back memories of happier times in his youth. It steeled his determination to re-build the world, to make it better than it had been before. A world where people didn't roam the streets like a bunch of wild animals, stealing, fighting over scraps, killing and dying because they had nothing better to do, nothing to hope for any longer. As these thoughts filtered through his mind some distant noises reached him. Sounds of fighting. "Great," he muttered, "the pack of animals is headed this way."

Quickly he pulled the hood farther down over his face and moved away from the noises, hurrying this way and that, seeking to put as much distance between himself and the throng of fighting as possible. All the while moving toward his meeting place, and trying to avoid the militia that seemed to be crawling all over the city. He very nearly collided with someone once as he rounded a corner, and mumbled a quick apology as he moved past them. There was an uncomfortable fear that someone might recognize him, even with his face nearly covered in tribal paint, the contours disguised with large stripes of black edged in silver. It was a real relief when he finally entered the meeting place, a small group of loyal followers were gathered inside waiting for him.

_zappers_

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Jordan sat on the steps in front of the abandoned old Hospital. This was where he had told that zapper girl to meet him. He was agitated and nervous. Where was she? What had happened? Had she been caught? If she were caught, he knew she would break down and tell everyone about him soon enough. Should he wait here any longer? The longer he waited, the more nervous he became. He kept looking around, half-expecting to see a swarm of militia looking for him once more.


You're just being silly man.... you're paranoid... that's what you are.... Stop it! Just sit back and wait.... relax man.... doesn't do any good to get your nerves up.... She'll be here soon.... you know she will be...She won't dare to doublecross you... not after the beating she received.... He laughed at that thought, chuckling almost evilly to himself.

Jordan tried to relax as he sat waiting for her to show up. He leaned back against the steps, one leg dangling beneath him, trying to act casual. In his left hand was a metal rod, similar to the one he had used to kill both Stingrays. This one, however, was shorter, and not as thick as his previous weapon. In truth, he liked the other better, but that one had been lost to him and he did not dare backtrack to try to retrieve it. With his other hand, he held a rock, quickly rubbing it against the tip of the rod, trying to sharpen it. This was how he had finally sharpened the other so he could kill with it. Just took time, and patience, but he'd have a new weapon soon enough.

She should have been there already; where was she?