Constance was in the alleyway next to the building, or rather, mansion where the soirée was about to start. Since regular clothes would not cut it for a fancy party, she wore an elegant dress, with shoes she could run on. Charlotte was leaning against the wall, Constance came closer to steal the entry pass.

Charlotte grabbed her hand, “Is that how we say hello these days?”

Constance wanted to pull her hand away, but Charlotte’s grip felt, unnatural. “Jackie told me to get the pass from you.”

Charlotte smiled and let her go, “I know, I am just messing with you,” she pulled out an entry pass and handed it to Constance, “You know the goal, right?”

Constance nodded, “Yes, get inside, get the MCG, and flee. There is no sight of the soldiers, is there?”

Charlotte shook her head, “No, there is no sight of any action tonight. I will keep an eye on you and Thomas. Whatever happens, the MCG is the most important thing, your friend Katy got it for us.”

Constance looked down, “She just, went away.”

Charlotte grumbled, “She left because everyone was out to get her, for what is inside there, it is some kind of mechanical chip. Byron and Fay worked out how to use it to boost our ritual, now go.”

Constance nodded, quite stunned, she just met with another one of the Voodoopunk leaders. She went into the line, Thomas joined her, he was now wearing a suit. “Thomas, why do you have a wound on your neck?”

“Oh, that, yeah, soldiers tried to ambush me, one big fellow, I thought I was gone for, but then Byron showed up and saved me. Did you get the entry pass?”

Constance nodded, “Are you sure you are fine?”

Thomas grinned, “It is nothing I cannot handle, what is our approach?”

They followed the line she whispered, “I need you to case out the exits, I will charm the mark, who is, funnily enough, called Mark. Once I have the MCG, we will make our exit before anyone even notices.”

Thomas slowly nodded as they came up to a burly man checking the entry passes, Constance gave her pass, “Innana and Thomas, we are invited to this soirée by Mark.”

They were let into the mansion and Constance did not know where to look, The venue, adorned with intricate chandeliers and elegant decor, exudes an air of sophistication. Guests, dressed in elaborate and extravagant attire, contribute to the lavish ambiance of the soirée. Women don elegant evening gowns, adorned with sequins and flowing fabrics, while men sport tailored suits that exude refinement.

The ambiance is further enhanced by the lively chatter and laughter that fills the air. The heavy tint of joy is palpable, as the soirée becomes a temporary refuge where guests can momentarily forget the harsh reality of the ongoing conflict. Thomas pulled her aside, “We have to blend in, dear, don’t gawk like it is your first time.”

Constance regained her composure and nodded, “Yes, there are guards everywhere, can you avoid them and find an exit? I will make my way over to Mark. Do you see any problems?”

Thomas scanned the area, “No, there is no sign of the soldiers.”

Constance saw her mark, Mark. He stands out in the crowd with his commanding presence and distinct features. As a colored man, his heritage adds a layer of uniqueness to his appearance, contributing to the rich tapestry of diversity in New Albion. His well groomed brown hair frames his face, lending a touch of sophistication to his overall look.

Mark’s attire reflects a blend of elegance and modern style. Dressed for the occasion, he wears a tailored suit that accentuates his stature and exudes a sense of authority. Constance grinned, “I got him,” she strolled over to him on the lovely beat of music. When she made it to him, she gently stretched her hand, “Hello, care for a dance?”

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Mark smiled at her, “Hello, Innana, was it, right?”

“Yes,” she started to dance to the music with Mark, “So, the MCG, I am here to take it, is that glass case fortified?” They both looked at it, The MCG, a coveted computer chip, is prominently showcased within a secure glass enclosure, drawing the attention of the attendees with its mysterious aura.

“I’ve got the key right here,” he slipped it in her hand. “All you have to do is swipe it from the glass case. Do you have an exit route?”

“Yes, Thomas is seeking one for me as we speak, he never let me down before. I am off.”

Her dark, untamed locks cascade down her shoulders, framing a face that bears a mix of determination and sly intelligence. The expressive eyes, accentuated by a subtle touch of eyeshadow, gleam with a mischievous spark as she navigates the social intricacies of tonight’s event. A few strategically placed accessories, such as a slender necklace and discreet earrings, complete her ensemble without drawing unnecessary attention.

In a moment of swift and silent precision, she retrieves the MCG, concealing it within a small, elegant bag she brought for this one purpose. The entire process unfolds seamlessly, a testament to Constance’s mastery of her craft. The attendees, engrossed in the festivities, remain oblivious to the subtle heist taking place in their midst.

Just as she grabbed the MCG, an alarm started to blare, it was not because of her theft, it was an alarm that meant the soldiers had infiltrated this district. She looked around to find Thomas, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Through the side door, at least twenty soldiers appeared with one of them leading the group, they all wore masks to hide their faces. Mark walked their way, “Excuse me, how dare you intrude? This is a haven away from the civil war.”

The leader pointed, “He is a rebel, shoot him!”

Mark grinned, “You have no way to claim that I am-” Two shots were fired and Mark went down. Constance gasped, she started running to the bathroom. For some reason, the door was locked, she grabbed a pin and started lock picking the door as the soldiers fanned out.

The leader called out, “We heard something we covet is here, a thief took it, find her!”

Fay stepped forward, she had been hiding in the corner all along. “I am sorry, soldiers, that is not going to happen.”

With a mere gesture of her hand, Fay unleashes the full extent of her Voodoopunk powers. The soldiers, caught in an unseen vortex of energy, find themselves ensnared by an otherworldly force. Their movements become sluggish, as if the very air resists their advance. Even their bullets slowed down.

Fay’s eyes glow with an eerie intensity as she orchestrates a symphony of mystic energy, weaving a spell that transcends the physical realm. The soldiers, disoriented and unable to comprehend the supernatural onslaught, falter in their advance.

In a swift and ethereal dance, Fay manipulates the unseen forces around her, rendering the soldiers powerless against the mystical onslaught. Each movement of her hands sends ripples through the fabric of reality, disrupting the soldiers’ coordination and sapping their strength.

The revelers, initially startled by the intrusion, soon witness a mesmerizing display of Voodoopunk prowess. Constance managed to open the door, but she could not help but look in awe as she noticed even more soldiers storming in, that was one of the Voodoopunk leaders, she never even saw her hiding. As Constance entered the bathroom, she sighed in relief.

The building plans were right, there was a bathroom window, she moaned, “Dammit,” she climbed through the window and ended up in an alleyway.

She started running down the alleyway when Jackie stopped her, “Constance, did you get it?”

She nodded, “Yes, I got it, the soldiers, they came into the soirée and shot Mark, out of nowhere, this old woman swept in and, she kicked their asses.”

Jackie grinned, “That is Fay, she matches Byron in power, but she might be more cunning and smart, now come, there is a sewer nearby, we need to get that hot potato of you.”

Constance shook her head, “Thomas is still inside, we need to go back.”

Jackie grunted, “There is no time for that, your man is not important, we have to meet with the Voodoopunks right away, if he dies, then he helped stop the civil war. You have to keep that in the back of your head, there is a war going on. Fay can save the people in there, probably Thomas too,”

Constance turned around, “That is not good enough, I am going to get him.”

Jackie screamed after her, “Goddammit, Constance, that thing will help us win the war, I need you,” she sighed, she was out of hearing distance.

Constance bumped into Byron, she grunted, “You are not taking me with you, I need to get Thomas.”

Byron nodded, “I heard something like that, if you want that, then we need to slip inside, and get out before, the super soldier arrives.”

Constance smiled, “You seem, more reasonable than my aunt.”

Byron sighed, “Yeah, my humanity usually gets the best of me.”