[b][color=#c45302]"Oh [i]she's[/i] the better liar?"[/color][/b]  Archer's lips twisted into a grin of endless amusement.  [b][color=#c45302]"Guess that means I have to practice then... you know, sometimes I get the feeling it's her you'd rather see.  If you're not careful you'll make me jealous, Mr. Locklear,"[/color][/b] he prodded, flicking a bit of ash from the end of his cigarette.  Archer's glib amusement was short lived as his gaze was directed upwards first by the Spirit, and then by Dean.  He just watched in silence for a long minute, gazing into the Astral Sea while he tapped the elevated foot of his crossed legs in thought.

[b][color=#c45302]"Someone sure has been [i]naughty[/i],"[/color][/b] he remarked, placidly as he exhaled a formless cloud.  [b][color=#c45302]"Guess I better see what that's all about.  This is why we can't have nice things."[/color][/b]

Archer's gaze followed the creature as it left towards deeper areas of the settlement, and he finished his cigarette with a distinct lack of urgency.  He extinguished the butt on the ripple of [Force] that had served as his chair's armrest and then dropped it into a small foil pouch which he stashed back in his jacket pocket... wouldn't do to litter.  The tarot cards flicked back to his hand as he stood, and with a flick of his fingers the image on the face changed.  A woman in modest dress, drawing a bow and arrow towards the corner of the card flanked by two wolves.  At the bottom it was simply labeled "7 - The Archer."  He pressed it to Dean's sternum as he passed, his fingers trailing across the man's collarbone and lingering on his shoulder for just a moment as the card stayed suspended.

[b][color=#c45302]"Call me if you change your mind about that juice box.  We'll make it a date,"[/color][/b] Archer grinned as he stepped after the creature.

[hr]

Farther in, the sounds of combat began to die down and a few minutes after the final shot rang past from the Den, Wolf swung into town.  Pulled by the repulsor sled.  She lowered gracefully on a grapple line, which reeled swiftly back into her arm as it detached.

[b][color=#9e8659]"Rat must attend the deliveries,"[/color][/b] he notified Maire as he scuttled off to meet the woman.

Wolf unslung a rig from her back and traded two drained Power Cells to Rat for one that glowed and hummed faintly with energy.  They argued loudly over price for a long time before Wolf finally relented and handed over two ropes of coins with a sour expression.  Rat cackled with glee before scuttling off to make his other rounds.

Back at the wall, the Drive Frame forces more or less had the situation under control.  Combat wasn't finished, but they were swiftly and neatly mopping up the remaining creatures they had herded into the killing pens.  Although the immediate threat seemed to have subsided, the tension in the air hadn't.  Defenders remained on station, and Wolf's drones continued to keep vigil over the settlement while the clean up crews pushed into position to start working.

[b][color=#7270db]"Oi!  Locklear~!  Earth calling!  Quit daydreamin', I need the physician at The Den [i]when it's safe[/i] to cross.  Some of the girls are in rough shape."[/color][/b]