Colin MacGregor

"Hey Sean, you see that gray Sable with the two unfriendly looking guys in it, about three cars back?" CJ suddenly spoke up for the first time since passing Macon. They were now nearing the outskirts of Savannah.

Everyone turned to look, save for the two guards, who were asleep. CJ started to say something, then shut her mouth with a wry grin.

"The windows are tinted anyway, lass." Colin grinned at her. "E'en if they can see spooks."

Ryan shrugged. "Pull off at the next gas station, act like you need to pee. Colin and I will check out the car, if they are in fact following us."

CJ frowned. "No, they've matched our speed too closely for that. I think that's a good idea, though, Ryan. Maybe get their license plate so we can run a check."

As expected, the Mercury followed them off onto the exit ramp and into the truck stop's parking lot. Sean got out and made a show of stretching as Ryan and Colin phased through the side of the van and headed for the Sable, which had parked unobtrusively at one of the gas pumps at the far end of the station. Before they got more than ten feet, however, the two men stepped out of the car and stared straight at them.

The two ghosts stopped and looked at each other. Hesitantly, Colin hazarded a wave at the men, both wearing dark suits and sunglasses. One of them nodded slightly.

Ryan nodded. "You got that right. And look, through the open door. There's a spook in the back."

Colin squinted at the car, then nodded. "Wisp, I think. I guess we find ou' wha' they wan'."

Colin concentrated briefly and tapped the least power of juggernaut, increasing the speed at which he could move. For the moment, he remained at Ryan's pace, but remained ready to react - hopefully faster than those that had been following them could react.

"I be' there's a' leas' one more, too. Maybe two. A 'rider in one o' those agents, and a haunter in the car." Colin narrowed his eyes as they closed within ten feet of the men, one of whom stood between them and the license plate to prevent them reading it.

Colin smiled at the two men outside, then waved again, this time at the ghost in the backseat. "Morning, gentlemen. Wha' is i' we can be after doing for ye?"

Colin cocked an eyebrow at him as Ryan responded with a smirk, "And why would we do that?"

"Aye, now we ha'e the whole threats and promises routine." Colin sighed. "Why dinnae ye jus' tell us wha' this is abou' and who ye are? Ye ha'e tae know we'll nay be going along wi' ye jus' like tha'."

"It's business." The other man spoke for the first time, though his voice was nearly identical in tone. There appeared to be some physical resemblance between them as well, though Colin wasn't sure if that was brought on by their identical clothing or a true similarity.

"Oh, well," Colin nodded to Ryan, "if tis business, then our answer still be no, wi' an added fuck off for good measure. Tha' abou' sum it up ye think?" Colin tossed an inquisitive look Ryan's way as the closer agent scowled.

"Yes, I think that does about cover it. Tell you what. If it's business, you boys can make an appointment with my secretary. Until then, toodles." Ryan spun and began walking back towards the van while Colin watched the two men warily.

Satisfied that they weren't going to make a move he backed away for several feet before turning and hurrying to catch up with the hue.

"You got it. You know who they were as well as I do, don't you?" Ryan looked at the skinrider curiously.

"Tell you as we go, just get moving." Marcus looked worried, his usual exuberance dampened by the thugs' unexpected appearance.

Sean looked confused, but he turned the key and the van started smoothly. "Allright, we're moving", he said as they accelerated down the onramp to I-16 again.

Colin called out from the back row, where he'd been staring out the back window. "They seem tae ha'e stayed behind. They jus' wanted us tae know they were watching for now, I'm after thinking."

Marcus nodded. "Death merchants are agents, similar to yourselves, who work more or less indepently of any corporation." He sighed. "Orpheus tries to keep tabs on them, but they're way underground, and we've had even less luck on the whole putting a stop to them than we've had with pigment."

"Well, we'll report the incident when we get back." Max rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "There's nothing we can do about them for now, other than make sure we aren't followed again."

"Aye, we'll need tae see if any o'er crucibles ha'e ran intae them", Colin mused. "Find ou' if Orpheus is being targeted in general, or someone is after us."

Ryan nodded. "Not sure which is better. At least they'll have a hard time following us out to sea." He grinned at Colin, who glared at him. The hue chuckled but raised his hands in an apologetic gesture before turning around in his seat to face the front of the van again.

"We'll find out in about an hour", Sean said as they passed a green distance marker. "40 miles to Savannah, and closing."

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Last Updated: January 2, 2004 by Blake Sorensen

#0767 - Death Merchants

November 13, 2003