Colin MacGregor

Colin stood in the dew covered grass outside of Orpheus' Marietta headquarters and looked at the white Dodge van awaiting him. One of the big, fifteen passenger models. I s'pose it'll look odd, a big van like tha' wi' only four people in i'. Bu' a' leas' the windows are tinted, should nay draw too much attention. He stuck his hands in his pockets and glanced down at his 'outfit'. Jeans today, and a grey Adidas tshirt, untucked. There was no need for professional appearances on his part this trip, and even if he wasn't strictly uncomfortable in the coat and tie, it still didn't seem to suit him.

"I was after wondering when ye would show up. I know wha' yuir gwan tae say, and I'll tell ye the same thing..."

"Whoa, there, chief." Marcus held up his hands in a mock surrender and grinned. "Look, everyone knows you're dealing with some issues on this one, it's fine. We've all got them. Liz is scared, too."

Marcus opened his mouth to say something then snapped it shut, choosing instead to stare deeply into his young protégé's eyes. Colin returned the look defiantly at first, but wavered soon thereafter.

Colin turned away from his mentor and scowled at the landscaping as the first rays of morning light began to cross the lawn.

"You can put up the front all you want, Colin. You've got to face it, though. I can help, but only if you admit that it's bothering you."

The young skinrider spun back around to face him, and his shaded eyes flashed dangerously. "I told ye, I told Ryan. I told Sean. I e'en told Max. I can do this. Nay, I'm nay happy abou' i', bu' I've got tae deal wi' i' sometime, I do." He lapsed into silence and turned away from Marcus again to stare pointedly at his hiking boots.

Marcus sighed and muttered something to himself. "All right then. If you say you're fine, you'll be fine." Marcus strode away to make sure the van was ready.

Colin sighed to himself. Well done, lad. The one person ye prob'ly could talk tae, and ye pissed him off too.

The distant roar of a snarling twin-cam engine heralded CJ's approach, and Sean stumbled out of the front door at almost the same time, yawning widely. He was wearing a Georgia Tech sweatshirt and jeans, and seemed to be struggling to keep his eyes open. He half mumbled a "Good morning" before climbing into the driver's seat of the van.

Colin cocked an eyebrow and climbed into the seat directly behind him. "Och, lad, are ye sure yuir awake enough tae drive?"

"Aye, and the usual retor' abou' an unarmed foe." Colin winked at him and settled back into the seat to ponder the mission ahead.

Outside, he could CJ parking her bike and walking over from one side as Liz stepped out from the main building. Close behind her were two guards in the navy blue Orpheus security uniforms. Ah, the watchers for CJ and Sean's meat.

CJ slung a shoulder bag into the back of the van before climbing into the passenger seat. She was dressed much like Sean, in jeans and a sweatshirt, only hers had the APD logo on the front. In her hand was another Starbucks cup, and she turned to Colin before he could say anything. "Not a word about faces."

He grinned and tossed her a salute before returning his gaze to the front door in time to see Ryan, Scooter, and Max all emerge.

CJ nodded to the two security guards, who introduced themselves as Tom and Will.

Tom, the older of the two, glanced around the interior of the van. "Anywhere in particular? I don't want to, ah, sit on anyone."

Colin nodded to her as the others began finding seats of their own; Marcus, Ryan, and Max took the back row while Scooter hopped up next to the guards.

"Guess that means I'm up here with you." Liz smiled at Colin almost naturally, and the ghost grinned back, his own anxiety lessened a bit by knowing he wasn't the only one feeling nervous.

"Everyone settled?" Sean asked. CJ yawned, took a sip of coffee, made the face, and nodded.

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Last Updated: January 2, 2004 by Blake Sorensen

#0767 - Deep Harvest

November 13, 2003