The Bodyguards, IC Thread Options

[Street Wyze]

The phone wakes you up, nearly causing you to fall out of bed as you reach for it. It's your fixer. Amazing, no matter what time of day it is, whether you're drunk, hung over, or feeling fine, you just never mind seeing that mug on your telecom screen...it's payday.

"You awake?" your fixer asks. "You better be, cuz I got some good news for ya, but you gotta act fast. You're s'posed meet Mr. J in two hours if you want the job. He was a little shady on the details...when aren't they...but it's some kind of bodyguarding job, right up your alley. He's promised 2,000 in advance with six grand on completion, along with possible bonuses." Your fixer gives you an address, an apartment in an upper-middle class section of town. "Like I said two hours. Johnson will tell you more about the gig and if you don't like it you can let it go then. If you take it I'll be expecting my usual finders fee." With that your fixer hangs up and you are left to your own devices.

It's 10:00 AM, the meet's at Noon. Better get movin' cuz it's gonna take about 45 to an hour to get there.

[phelious fogg]

Bear wakes up, takes a nice hot shower (one of those rare mornings the shower works) Gets out, drys off, and slips into his "Sleeping Tiger" Outfit full with Hardliner Gloves. He puts on one Conceled Holster Under his left arm, and the other behind his back. He the holsters his sliver gun under his arm, and puts his Gaurdian behind his back. He slips his knife in his boot and puts the TMP in another holster and slips that into a small breifcase with his pocket secratary and a stimpatch. He then runs downstairs to his Americar, driving off to the meet.

[last_of_the_grea...]

Baron wakes as the telecom chimes out. Recognizing the "work chime" he picks up the reciever and half shouts "Timmy!" After getting the info he rolls out of bed, jostling the woman laying there awake. "Sorry, gorgeous. Biz calls." He calls her a cab and starts to get ready. He doesn't rush...he's never rushed. He showers and combs his hair, enjoying the view of himself in the mirror. "Damn, I look good," he says as he gets dressed. He steps into his Actioneer suit...with the longcoat option and admires how the cut settles on his frame. he loads up his Morrisey Elite with regular ammo and pops it into the concealed holster, pocketing an extra clip. He hustles the girl out when the cab arrives and doesn't even watch her go. She served her purpose reasonably well, he supposed. He Headed out of his penthouse, thinking about the money he'd be making...noone ever paid him what he was worth. Of course, noone could afford what he was worth except the big boys...and he was still too new to the shadows for them to pay him interest. He flagged a cab, told the driver the location...several blocks from the actual location (He'd walk the last few blocks and get a good look at the erea) and hauled out his pocket secretary, setting it to vibrate on a call. 8K would serve him well for a few weeks pocket cash. Bodyguard work was usually easy...quick cash was always good.

[Fenris]

William has risen at 5am, as usual, part of the instinctive routine of needing to plan the day before most clients awoke. His morning routine is remarkably similar, even here in America. However, the lack of a client allows him to double his normal workout time, and perform a leisurely inspection of his equipment instead of the rapid, terse verification he's used to.

He's sifting through the days news when the call comes in, startling him from the oppressive silence that usually fills the small flat. He answers with audio only, still put off by the exuberant face that fills the screen, although it's recognizable as the 'fixer' that Felina had introduced him to several nights ago.

He responds to the offer with an initial affirmation, needing rent and food for the next month if nothing else, time to seek information, and time to establish himself among the semi-legal world that prevailed in the streets here in Seattle.

He steps from the doorway of the apartment complex 30 minutes later, cursing the lack of forethought that's left him without normal clothes, sticking out like a sort thumb in the middle class neighborhood, his custom tailored clothes naming him a mark to the predators that roamed the local streets, few though they were.

He hails a nearby cab and leaves for the meet, fully intending to arrive early enough to scout the location, his training requiring nothing less.

[Herald of Verjig...]

Ah, business. When the rich and scared pay me to keep them alive another day.

George rifles through the closet a bit.

Maybe I should get a smaller gun to carry on meets like this...hmm, this should fit in well, and should hide the body suit...

Once dressed up, George departs for the apartment, it never hurts to be there a little early watchig before you walk in.

[Glyph]

A slow grin creeps over Dirk's face as he hears the news. It's about time he got work again. He gets up, does a few stretches, then takes a quick cold shower. He dresses in the one suit that he has, a dark Hong Kong suit with a dark grey shirt and a crimson tie. He puts on his shoulder holster under the suit jacket, along with his gun, then adds his black duster and matching fedora. He carefully checks his grooming, making sure he looks good, before heading out the door to catch the tube. As he approaches his destination, he mentally rehearses for the job of selling himself to the client. He should get there 10 minutes early or so.

[Street Wyze]

Arriving ten to twenty minutes early, you take a drive aroud the block. The apartment building is a large one, about 25 stories or so tall. It's block is also occupied by large appartment complexes. To the south, accross the street from the building's main entrance, there is a decently sized park. It's a good day in Seattle, about 70F on a Sunny Sunday and many children are running through the greenery under the watchful eyes of their parents. East of the building is another block of apartments. The block north of the meeting place has several other apartment complexes along with a large public parking garage. West, there is a large strip mall with several retail stores, resturants and a large grocery store.

William- You take a look around for anything that would make you overly suspicious when you leave your doss and keep the watch up as you ride to the meet. There isn't anything you see that trips any inner alarms.

[last_of_the_grea...]

Not only does Baron circle the block, he circles the building to take a good astral look. He jams his senses into the astral and stalks around the complex, kicking in his vision magnification. Once finished, he does it again with his senses shoved back into the mundane. He mentally notes anything worth noting, then enters the building. He walks the entirety of every floor, familiarizing himself with it as best he can in the limited time, then, as his retinal clock clicks from 11:59am to 12:00pm, he knocks on the door while he puts on his emotionless game face.

[Fenris]

William spends the few extra moments making himself familiar with the layout and the area around the building, including obvious entrances and exits. He commits it all to memory, focusing until he can recall each and every detail about the building, it's exterior layout, an area 'round it.

[phelious fogg]

Bear is going to arrive on time and sit down to meet the Johnson.
Nothing Fancy

[Herald of Verjig...]

George takes his time getting to the door, not so long as to be late, but long enough to look at the stresses of each person in sight of the apartment building (and George hs some very good eyesight). Noting any deep discrepancies between appearance and truth, he chuckles to himself at how many people live in an endless lie. When the meeting time nears, he walks to the apartment building and enters.

[Glyph]

Dirk enters the apartment building after only a cursory look at his surroundings, and heads straight for the meeting place, still early, and mentally rehearsing for the interview as he walks to the door.

[Fenris]

William pauses some distance from the door, trying to look unobtrusive and observing as several individuals pile through the marked door in succession several minutes before the meet is scheduled to begin.

Shaking his head to himself and smiling, he steps forward, in the lions den.

[Street Wyze]

You all arrive and are ushered inside in turn. Everything you witness feels normal for a meet of this sort. Everyone looks like a professional, and is feeling roughly the same mix of excitement and anticipation, and even a little bright because of the unusually sunny day.

Your host seems to be the only person in the apartment. The tall elf leads you into a large room with several couches and chairs. The furnture is nice, and the apartment well decorated, but the apartment just feels uninhabited.

Once you are all seated he offers you anything to eat or drink, and serves those who request something, then he stands at the front of the room and faces you as he speaks.

"Thank you all for coming. As you can probably guess, I am Mr. Johnson. I now ask that you introduce yourselves to each other. Once we have all been aquainted, we can get down to business."

With that he sits down in a large white leather easy-chair and clearly waits for you to comply with his wishes.

[last_of_the_grea...]

Standing with his arms crossed in front of him in his black Vashon Island Actioneer line clothes and sunglasses, his hair short and neat held in place with Nerps™ brand hair shellack, he stood his full imposing height and looked down to everyone and said simply in his moderately deep voice, "Baron." He looked at all in the room, expecting his name to be enough. He waited for the rest to introduce themselves, wondering if any of them would be up to "his standards."

[phelious fogg]

Nearvosly Bear introduces himself. "I'm Bear." He says. Not sure how the rest of the introductions will go, and not willing to let out anything more than nessassary.

[Glyph]

Dirk, looking relaxed as he sits on the couch, lifts the brim of his fedora to glance around with piercing grey eyes. "I'm Rent", he says, in a soft but rumbling voice. Rent is a whipcord-lean troll with slicked-back dark hair that has sideburns and a little bob of a ponytail. He is dressed in well-made dark clothing - under his black duster, he is wearing a charcoal grey, slightly conservative business suit. Despite his relaxed posture, he still seems alert.

[Herald of Verjig...]

"Interesting, only short names, quick to say and of few letters." He pauses for a moment. "'Kull' is enough of a name for these purposes."

[Fenris]

He acknowledges each in turn as they speak, smiling and nodding pleasantly.

His voice seems to go with his appearance, light and cultured, and bearing a British accent. "Assez," he murmurs, giving the word a slight French accent. The slacks and shirt he wears under the simple overcoat look to be cut professionally for him and him alone. He looks more like a playboy then a bodyguard, with an easy smile, blonde hair and blue eyes completing the look.

[Street Wyze]

Baron takes a long cool look around the room, peering deep into each individual as only one opened to the astral plane can. As he looks he is surprised to see that two of the other five people in the room are awakened, but not in the same way as him. Their magic is turned inward, helping their bodies to become more. The others, Assez, Bear, and the Johnson do not seem to share this trait. Baron can see that their essence is not as strong, or as pure as his or the others. He also sees dark patches of their bodies, where the glowing of their souls has been darkened by cybernetic implants. After taking his look he settles down to listen to the rest of the Johnson's pitch. His truth sense, gifted to him by his magic, has not picked up anything he believes bears interest, of course, no one here is using their actual names, but that is to be expected. The final introduction is made and everyone settles as their tall elf host again stands and begins to speak.


EDIT- Continuity Effect

[Street Wyze]

Everyone watches intently as Assez finishes his introduction and sits.

"Thank you," your host says from his seat. "It is important that you get to know each other professionally. The operation for which I require your services will require teamwork. Lone guns will be a detrement and will be excused from the operation, and the payment entitled to those professional enough to complete it." He gives the room a cold, serious eye. "If there is anyone here who cannot live by this, then it is time for him to leave."

He waits for a moment, to see if his invitation is taken, when it is not he nods, then rises to his feet and presses a button on the small remote control in his hand. A panel on the wall behind him slides out of the way to reveal a trid screen. Another button press lights up the screen with a holopic of an attractive elf girl, apparently in her early twenties. She has dark brown hair and eyes, tan skin, and she is smiling for the camera, revealing alabaster teeth.

"This is Miss Johnson...no relation." Your perspective employer says with a slight smile. "She is arriving in Seattle by boat tomorrow morning at 9:30. Your mission is to provide her with personal security for the duration of her stay. The catch is that she cannot know that you are watching over her. For this I will pay you each 8,000 NuYen. 2,000 upon commencement of the operation and 6,000 upon it's termination." He pauses and returns to his seat. "I will now take any questions you may have concerning this proposal. I will attempt to be as forthcoming as possible, but you must understand that there are things about this that I am not authorized to reveal to you."

[phelious fogg]

"Wait a minute," says Bear, his voice boomming, "how the hell do you protect someone who cant see you." He pauses calming from his nervous outburst. "I mean, if you can see someone the rule is that they can see you. Also the general reason you have bodygaurds is so that people know better than to frag with you." Bear takes a deep breath. "The point is why does someone hire a squad of bodygaurds only to make them invisible."

[Glyph]

Rent smiles slightly. "Maybe she's the type who doesn't think she needs bodyguards, and she has buds who know better."

He looks at the Johnson, his face serious again. "The job is still doable, but I think we're going to need some more logistical support here. For one thing, knowing her itinerary would help. For another thing, it would let us start working on cover stories that explain our presense. Because sooner or later, as good as we are, she'll spot us. If we stay far enough away that she can't see us, we won't be near enough to help her when the drek goes down. We need a reason to be near her. And we also need to know what your priorities are. If we - absolute worst case situation here - can't protect the client without blowing our cover, do you still want us to do so?"

[last_of_the_grea...]

"One hires invisible bodyguards when the one being guarded is bait. I don't like this one allready." He turns to look at the man displaying Ms. Johnson on the monitor. "Here are the conditions of my employment. If you withhold information that I deem important and discover it, I walk away. Set me up and make sure I am dead or I will spare nothing to hunt down you and anyone connected to this job. The 2000 nuyen up front buys my silence. Once all has been said I will say whether I accept the contract, but the 2K Is to be paid immediately before the rest begins." He speaks in a noble manner, as if he's above all in the room. The way he carries himself leaves no doubt as to whom he thinks will be in charge of this operation (should he choose to accept). He maintains his analyze truth spell throughout the meeting, focusing it on his potential employer, but keeps an eye on the others, too, sizing them up to see if they are competition, underlings or the rare type worthy of being considered equals.

[Herald of Verjig...]

Looking at Bear: "Being seen and being noticed are two entirely different things."
"Baron's words are the basis of any proper agreement. I have to notice that you are vague about how long the job will last. 6,000 does not always buy even one day of protection. If the duration or difficulty goes too far, we will have to re-negotiate the payment."

[Street Wyze]

Mr. Johnson stands totally still and listens intently to your questions and comments. After everyone has had their say, he stands silently for a long moment, then nods and addresses the group.

"I appreciate your questions and I will endevour to answer them. It seems that you all are the professionals I had hoped to recruit for this assignment." He pauses and turns toward Bear. "Mr. Bear, I am certain that you and these other gentlemen can come up with a satisfactory way to meet the mission specifications."

"Rent," he says as he turns toward the second man to voice his opinion. "Any logistical support you may require I will endevour to make at you disposal. I already have Miss Johnson's preliminary intinerary ready for you, as well as the address of the hotel she is booked into and a list of several places she may visit based upon her personal interests. The duration of her stay should be no longer than three days and four nights. The cover stories I leave up to you, but I will do my best to aquire anything you can come up with that may help said cover stories seem more plausible. And yes, I do understand the limitations of any bodyguard. While it would be the best of situations if you could keep your presence totally covert, the highest priority IS the saftey of Miss Johnson. If you must intervene for any reason, I do expect and encourage you to give no thought to your cover and perform your primary function...keeping her safe."

"Mr. Baron." The Johnson turns to the mage and fixes Baron with a solemn look. "By no means do we wish for any harm to come to Mrs. Johnson. She is very valuable to myself and to my employers. If you are hesitant to take this job based on concern for your personal health, I can assure you now that you will be compensated generously for any wounds that any of you may suffer during the course of this operation."

Moving on, "Mr. Kull. If you are concerned about size of the promised payment, I am authorized to increase the promised price as well as award you various bonuses. If any of you would like to negotiate for a higher rate of pay, I will be glad to speak with you privately or openly."

With that he walks to the back wall of the room and takes a bottle of juice from the refigerator there, taking a large sip to quench his thirst from such a long speech.

"Are there any more questions?" he asks as he returns to his comfortable white leather seat.

[Fenris]

Assez shakes his head slightly as the other speak, watching and observing silently. When they've all had their piece, he arches a brow slightly to catch the attention of "Mr. Johnson".

"I, for one, have no problems and compunctions about guarding a client covertly. I've done it many times before. 8000 :nuyen: for 4 days seems reasonable enough. However, since I sounds like her schedule is a bit tentative, I will need an extra 3000 a day for each additional day she extends her stay here in Seattle. Also, if we're to stay close, we'll need to pay for accommodations nearby. I can hardly believe that she," he nods towards the image, "will be willing to stay in coffin motels and eat at the local Stuffer Shack. Therefore, I propose an extra 500 :nuyen: a piece per day to cover expenses."

He speech is steady and professional, always polite, and always said with a slight smile. He keeps his hands steepled casually in his lap.

[last_of_the_grea...]

"As well as the well put suggestions he (gesturing to Assez) made, we will also need names and descriptions of regular visitors or contacts that Miss Johnson has or will have. Images would be better. There is also the matter of the 2K up front...which I am still waiting for." He suggests with his tone and manner that he meant what he said about the 2000 being paid immediately. "I am certain everyone else here would agree that this should be taken care of before we continue." He speaks with such surety that he must actually believe that he has the support of all present, though they know him not at all.

[Herald of Verjig...]

"It's nice to see that everyone has some reasonable numbers in mind, but one of my primary concerns still stands. You expect a four day job, but have not given any details about the threat level or variety. If you have any nice slideshows of people you think would like to geek the chick, you may want to get to them once Baron's primary interests are met."

[Street Wyze]

"Mr. Assez I believe that 300 :nuyen: a day is perfectly enough party money for each of you," Johnson says, that slight smile returning once more. "As far as accommodations go, I have already booked two rooms in the same hotel for you all to make use of. They are both on the same floor as Miss Johnson's booking and should give you excellent points from which to surveil her."

Reaching a lanky arm over the back of his chair, the Johnson pulls out a nice looking briefcase. Placing it on his lap, he opens it and removes several credsticks, tossing one to each of you. "There you are Mr. Baron," he says once they have all been passed out. "Now I hope that money will not be a hinderance to our conversation for the next few minutes at least." This he does not cut with a grin, his face remaining stone serious. "As of your request for additional intelligence, I assure you that Miss Johnson knows no one here in the city. She is on vacation, seeing the sights and relaxing in her own way. There is no one in particular she would visit, but as I said before there are many places she could visit, and I have a list of those places ready for you."

With a click on his remote, Ms. Johnson's picture is replaced by two shots of a human male of African decent. His skin is dark brown and long light brown hair flows from his head like the mane of a lion. One is a close up of his face, the other is a full body shot with a caption stating hight and weight measurements. Reading it, you find that he is a very large human, 6'9" and 350 pounds, and you can see from the full-body shot that little or none of that weight is excess fat. "This man," Mr. J continues, "Is named Samson Nojibot. A former colleague of mine, he was privy to information regarding Miss Johnson before he left our mutual employer and began to freelance. I consider him the primary threat to the well-being of Ms. Johnson. The last time my employers located him he was in Atlanta, but that was five weeks ago and he could easily be in Seattle right now. Also a concern are shadow teams such as yourselves, the identifying of which I leave to you."

[last_of_the_grea...]

Baron takes the credstick and checks the amount. Satisfied, he slips it into his pocket and crosses his arms in front of his chest again. Trusting his magic should the Johnson lie, he turns his attention to the monitor. Samson Nojibot. A collegue. Well, this Johnson just let them all have the info to find out who his employer was. He considered the reactions of his spell to what the Johnson said throughout the meeting for possible answers and questions. He activates his Sony OptiView™ vision magnification eyewear so he doesn't have to move closer and inspects the image of Samson for any obvious (or not so obvious) distinguishing features besides his size.

"This case intrigues me. Why, may I ask, is this man a threat to Miss Johnson? Normally those who leave the employ of a company under normal circumstances are no danger in and of themselves."

[Street Wyze]

"I apologize, Baron. But I am not authorized to disclose any more information personally regarding Miss Johnson."

[Herald of Verjig...]

"There is a reasonable likelyhood that Samson would hide his identity if he was planning to act againts your interests. If it is within the available resources, I would like some photos and voice samples. There are many who this man could have dealt with, and such aids may help their memory."

[Fenris]

He gives the Johnson a knowing smile as a compromise is reached, and gives another slight shake of his head as he catches the credstick and tucks it away in the inner pocket of the suit jacket.

As the Johnson delivers the last of the information he seems inclined to give, Assez waits for a quiet moment, and speaks again.

"I think that I, for one, have enough information. If she is arriving tomorrow morning at 9:30am, I think that we, as a group, " he nods towards the other gentlemen present, "already have our work cut out for us. We'll need to recon her hotel and as many of the possible itinerary stops as possible before tomorrow, and secure our own cover stories and accommodations. We'll also need to work out a rotating close and distant watch sch...well, I'm sure you've no interest in the details. If you'll be kind enough to provide the information you mentioned on her possible tourist picks, and the rooms you've acquired for us, I, for one, would like to get to work."

He glances around the room, lingering for an extra moment on Baron, and then back to the Johnson, apparently uninterested in any arguments that may be forthcoming.

[last_of_the_grea...]

Assez is wise, as Baron intends to argue. "I did not ask about Ms. Johnson, I asked about Samson Nojibot. Remember what I told you before. If I discover through my or my new teammate's work on this job that you had information we need and did not share it, I walk away. The 2K will keep me silent about the job, but not about you." The threat is not subtle...he is direct and hoping he will inspire direct answers which aid his spell.

[Glyph]

Rent puts the credstick in his pocket, pleased enough with the negotiations. He grins at Kull's request. "I agree that photos would be helpful. At least this Samson is... distinctive looking. Big guy, for a human."

Looking back at the Johnson and Baron, Rent wonders if it's worth getting into the middle of it. But Baron does have a point, and maybe it won't be too late to keep things from getting confrontational. Stepping closer to the two of them, he speaks in his soft, rumbling voice: "Baron, I'm not sure we need to know why a former company man would want to abduct an employee of that same company. In fact, the less we know about Ms. Johnson's contributions to the company, the better." Rent turns back to the Johnson. "However, he does have a point about this Samson fellow. If he is a former colleague, then I'm sure you could at least tell us about his cyberware and fields of specialty without jeapordizing your company's identity." He smiles a bit to take the sting off. "After all, every company has its, shall we say, expeditors."

[phelious fogg]

Bear, still nervous about this situation, and getting more so with the confrontation between Baron and Mr. Johnson, tries his best to sink into the couch and dissappear.

[last_of_the_grea...]

Well, they just blew it down the drekker, didn't they? Baron turns to look at Rent, brow furrowing in annoyance and giving Rent his best, "Don't you dare interfere," look. After a moment's glare, his features soften again just a little and he turns back to the Johnson, switching to astral perception to monitor his emotions as well as listen for lies.

[Fenris]

Assez rises, glancing around at the room to confirm his own feelings in the faces of the others in the room before stepping up quietly beside Baron as the other 'runner continues to confront and offend the Johnson.

His voice is quiet, pitched to carry only to Baron and the Johnson, despite the small size of the room, and still polite and tinged with the English accent.

"I think you've satisfied the rest of us. I suggest that you allow Baron to walk away with his credstick. I offer up my own to replace it, if need be. He's already proven that he has no concept of how to work with a group. If, after reviewing the information on her itinerary and the locations involved, we decide we need another member, I'm sure that between the three of us," he motions to Rent and Bear, "we can contact and retain someone of adequate and appropriate skill.

[Herald of Verjig...]

"It seems Baron is not the only one showing a shortage of senses in this meeting. There are five of us here being offered a job. Baron's sense of self preservation seems to have exceeded his common sense. The interesting part is that he would threaten four people who could dismember him if we so agreed. He has some skill, otherwise he would not have been told of this meeting, but he can't seem to evaluate the costs of his words. Yet it would be a shame to get blood on this carpet and make Johnson clean up such a mess, he has been quite reasonable so far."

All this time, Kull remains seated, in his chair, as reclined as possible with its design.

[last_of_the_grea...]

Sensing via his astral perception that things are turning against him, he turns his attention to Rent. (9, 5 3 1 1 0 0 3 0 0 3 1 are the rolls) He hits a mindlink slpell (force1) to say what he means silently. ~I have an analyze truth spell active. I detected a lie from our Mr. Johnson when he said he wished no harm to come to Ms. Johnson. I am not doing this for no reason.~ He holds the spell so Rent may reply, even though it is straining to hold 2 spells at once. He does the same for Assez and Kull. (10, 6 and 4 with a -4 penalty added in allready for Assez, 15 and 3 after a -6 penalty for Kull...the rest were all 0 or below. Resist if they would against force 1...pretty easy...hopefully it'll calm everyone so I don't have to drop the character from the game. However, with the strain of holding 4 spells He's screwed for any other actions besides detecting lies)

[Herald of Verjig...]

(since ~ is apparently the standard for loudly thinking)
~Then he is lying about the motive, but not so much the goal. He says we are to protect her, but he really just wants Samson dealt with. If we will destroy this man, we should decide that when we get information about what Samson has been doing. If this is part of some infantile power struggle, I want to know more than this man will ever divulge before decided who to be honest with.~

[Street Wyze]

Baron can see several things with his astral gaze. Assez is fairly agitated at his loud-mouthed ways and this agitation could quickly build to anger. Kull is calm, apparently keenly interested in the events unfolding before him. Bear is wishing he were a mage, so he could just turn invisible, not wanting any part in the conflict. Rent wants to end this as soon as possible and just move on. The Johnson seems to be the calmest person there, although Barons slight intimidation does seem to have paid off. Mr. J is not going to perpetuate the conflict, rather, he will leave it to the other runners.

[last_of_the_grea...]

Baron relays Kull's return message to the other two (should they choose to allow the mindlink) and waits for their response. He keeps his eyes on the Johnson, however, waiting for the conversation to continue.

[Glyph]

Rent sends his thoughts, which seem fairly calm and unruffled, along the mindlink:

~"Even if he were telling the complete truth, it would change nothing. He still won't volunteer information about his company's internal power struggles. We need to get information about this Samson character, and trying to browbeat the Johnson won't accomplish anything."~

[phelious fogg]

Bear looks curiously at the remaining runners, not knowing what is going on between them. Bear sits quietly, waiting to see what happens next.

[last_of_the_grea...]

Baron couteously waits for Assez's response.

[Glyph]

Meanwhile Rent, ignoring both the outbursts from the others and Baron's scowl, continues to look calmly and expectantly at the Johnson, waiting for an answer for his question about Samson.

[Street Wyze]

The Johnson waits quietly and somehow you know that he knows something is going on between the members of the group. After an uncomfortable silence he speaks, "I believe we have reached a slight impasse. I don't know what you gentlemen are thinking, but arguing gets us nowhere. I will continue only when you have come to a decision on how to end this conflict."

[Fenris]

Assez feels the unfamiliar contact of magic with his mind, and instinctively clamps down, shutting out the mind affecting magic springing from the unknown source.

Still smiling politely, he looks to Baron. "After proving himself unwilling to act civilized, Baron was just leaving." he says calmly, outward demeanor showing none of the disgust for the lack of professionalism the other has drawn up. At Baron's distraced gaze, the possibility of the runner being Awakened flashes through his mind, and he tightens his mental defenses a little more, even more on guard and unimpressed then he was previously at the man's possible attempt to stick his fingers into his mind.

[Glyph]

Rent calmly takes a step back, so that he is no longer between Baron and Assez. His face is blandly uninterested, although he is ready to jump in if anyone attacks the Johnson. He tried to defuse the situation, but apparently this Assez is a hothead as well, either that or very picky about whom he works with. But he has his own professional appearance to think about now. Any further attempts to interject himself into the proceedings could just call his own professionalism into question. He shoots a wry, sympathetic grin at Bear, who may have been the wiser of the two of them to sit this confrontation out.

[last_of_the_grea...]

The resistance to such a low powered spell tells him all he needs to know. "I shall wait in the hall while you get the information you need. When the meeting is done you can decide whether you need my expertise or not." With a slight bow to all, he steps to the door. This would never finish with him in there. He did maintain his telepathy with the other two though, mentally letting them know he would so they could keep him updated if they wished...and that it would be simple for them to end the link if they decided to. He opened the door and stepped out, closing it behind him.

[Fenris]

A nod follows Baron out of the door, and he turns back to the Johnson, the ever present smile there.

"With that dealth with, please proceed with any additional information you have for us. I think all that remain here have decided to accept the job, with your conditions."

[Street Wyze]

Mr. Johnson nods to Assez. "I'd like to apologize to you all. Baron's skills came highly recommended and I believed I was hiring someone of a higher professional level. Now that we have worked that out, I will continue."

Again Mr. J reaches into his briefcase and removes an optical disk, which he tosses to Kull.

"That disk contains a dossier on Mr. Nojibot as well as several files containing recordings of his voice. Also it has the specifics on Miss Johnsons predicted arrival and departure times as well the list of the places she may visit. I believe we have come to terms on your payment. You have your 2,000 NuYen now and you will receive 6,000 at the end of the next four days if you job is completed."

Removing a credstick reader from the case he slides a certified stick into it and keys an amount into the stick, this he tosses to Assez.

"That contains expense money for all of you. 200 NuYen a day each. If I am impressed by your abilities to complete this mission, there will be bonuses awarded when the mission is done."

He closes the case and sets it next to him. "After we have concluded this meeting, I will leave. Feel free to use the cyberterminal in the next room to examine the data on that disk. Are there any more questions?"

[phelious fogg]

Bear shakes his head.

[Fenris]

Assez shakes his head as well, offering the Johnson a handshake before sitting down to await the Johnson's departure.

[Glyph]

Rent leans forward on the couch, steepling his fingers together thoughtfully.

"No questions. But unless you have decided against hiring Baron yourself - which is of course your perogative - the rest of us haven't voted on it yet. My experience with spellslingers is that they are a rare commodity, and know it. Corporate mages get away with drek that would get another employee summarily shot, and runner mages tend to be even worse. Now, if we have another spellslinger in this group, I say let Baron go his own way. But if we don't, then we need to seriously consider whether a bad attitude is enough reason to cripple our team. I shrug off most spells pretty easily, but I can't protect someone else from hostile magic. One spellslinger with line-of-sight, and all of the expertise of the rest of us means squat. So, how important is protecting Ms. Johnson to you? To me, it's important enough to work with someone who is not as professional as me - with my reputation and well-being on the line if he screws up."

Rent shrugs eloquently. "But in the end, she is just another client, and if she dies through hostile magic, my main priority will be establishing that I was not negligent in her death. So if you find the risk of using Baron to be more than the risk of a magical attack on Ms. Johnson, so be it."

[Street Wyze]

"If you all think that you can work with Baron, then I will let you work out an agreement with him. If not, I will endeavor to find another magic user as soon as possible."

[Fenris]

Unintentionally mimicing Rent's motions, Assez steeples his fingers and taps them lightly on his bottom lip, considering for a long moment.

"Rent has an excellent point, unfortunately. With Mrs. Johnson arriving in town on the morrow, our options are limited for the opportunities to gather additional magical support. Perhaps Baron can be persuaded to temper his rash actions just a bit. We'll work with him. If additional situations arise, we, as a team, will deal with them."

He nods to the Johnson, smiling. "I believe that's everything, then. Can you please ask the gentleman to step back into the room as you leave?"

[Street Wyze]

Mr. J picks up his breifcase, stands, and begins walking towards the door. "Well then gentlemen, good luck to you all." As he passes Rent he stops for a moment and reaches inside of his coat, pulling out a cell phone and handing it to him. "If you need to contact me, use the number one preset number. I should be able to answer any time you call." With that, the Johnson leaves the apartment.

Out in the hall, the tall elf pauses and puts on a pair of 12,000 NuYen sunglasses then looks at Baron.

"They'll talk to you now. If you can play ball with them you'll get the same amount of pay and any relevant bonuses. But if this mission fails because of your posturing...I will destroy you."

Mr. Johnson turns away from Baron and walks away. Soon he turns a corner in the hallway and he is gone.

[last_of_the_grea...]

Baron narrows his eyes and drops his mindlink spells, observing Mr. Johnson in detail, from his hair to his clothes, his height and any detail he can discern. Threatening a shadowrunner was never a good idea. Questioning his abilities and discretion was a sin! He's tempted to nail him with an influence spell, but resists the impulse. However, he would remember this Johnson and his description, learn as much as he could about him...likely after the job, but if there was time, before it started.

He opened the door after the Johnson was out of sight and stepped regally through the portal, closing it behind him. He looks around at what he's certain are hostile faces and counters before any can speak.

"I had an analyze truth spell active during Mr. Johnson's pitch. I caught him in a lie regarding Ms. Johnson's safety. Specifically, when he stated that the highest priority was her safety. He slipped and I was "pushing his buttons" to see if this run was a set up. I could not explain during the interview with him right there, so I played the role I'd started: paranoid runner. You may question my methods, though I believe them to be reasonable, but results are what counts.

However, I understand that trust likely is an issue now. I will detail my skills and abilities so that my duties in this run can be best determined. If nessesary I will provide a reference."

That stated, he stands with arms crossed, waiting for the inevitable questions andlow insults he'd have to shrug off.

[Herald of Verjig...]

Kull takes the disk.

"I will copy the records on our likely adversary to research if and how he arrived. I would gladly explain more, but I am not certain of the security of this room, and would like to leave as soon as possible."

[Glyph]

Rent, about to reply to Baron, pauses as Kull speaks, then nods slowly.

"Yeah, why don't we head somewhere a bit more secure. We can divvy up the expense money, look at the disk, and all introduce ourselves a bit more thoroughly, so we know what each of us is bringing to the table."

[Fenris]

"There's a local dive bar named Tiggy's near the edge of the Barrens. There's enough biz going on that with a little intervention we can be assured of relative privacy."

Assez grins, "The waitress has a thing for felines and cosmetic surgery, but she's nice enough. Meet in an hour." Basic location and directions follow, and William rises and takes his leave.

[phelious fogg]

Bear, finally relaxing from the previous ordeal, smiles. "I guess I will see you all there, until then" Bear stands up and walks to the door, then turns around, "Baron, could you try not to be such a hot head in the future." Bear chuckles and walks out the door. When he leaves, he calls up his cousin, Garrion and says, "Ill have that money for you by the end of the week, keep the wheels rolling and try to get more information on the nut who has me in this mess. Also I need some information on a Mr. Samson Nojibot, including his wereabouts and any enimies he might have, pictures would be nice too. Also a list of important people comming into town, Ineed to check that against my employers id. I have a picture of the package we need to protect as well, I was hoping you could help identify it." He pauses waiting for Garrison to answer, then says, "Whatever you can find will be all right, and just tell me the cost later, you know Im good for it."
After that he drives to Tiggys and has a drink.

[Street Wyze]

Garrison answers in an airy tone, this usually signifies that his thoughts are being translated into audible sounds by a transducer, which is how Bear is used to hearing him.

"Ok, Bear. Nojibot...hmmm, almost rings a bell. I might find something on that pretty quick, send me any pics you have and that'll probably make it go a lot faster. I'll get back to you soon as I can with the other stuff. Catch ya 'round."

[Herald of Verjig...]

"Nice to see that we all can agree on something."

With that, Kull leaves, first to copy the important portions of the disk, and then to the bar.

[last_of_the_grea...]

Baron nods as everyone leaves for Tiggy's. He steps into the restroom before he leaves, though, pulling out his pocket secretary and typing out the name of Samson Nojibot fellow, a description of him at 6'9" and 350 pounds. Dark brown skin and long, flowing brown lion's mane of hair. Next , he types up a description of Mr. Johnson, linking them to the same employer and noting that Samson left said employer's fold. Finally, he types out a description of Ms. Johnson. Attractive elf woman, dark brown hair and eyes, tan skin, tagged for a 9:30am arrival in Seattle via boat. He types in the hotel and room number she's staying at, then closes the file and activates the passcode. Later he'll load in the pictures of Samson and Ms. Johnson to send off to his contacts. He flushes the commode, then heads out to Tiggy's.

[Fenris]

The rain drizzles constantly near the outskirts of the Barrens where Tiggy's is located. Suspicious eyes peer out from dark hollows among the scattered remains of civilization. The building itself is a cacaphony of random colored plascrete walls patching the battered and burned walls.

The interior, while smokey and smelling of a mixture of gun oil and cooking grease, is fairly clean, and sports not only a dart board on one wall but a pool table as well.

A stereotypical orc polishes glasses behind the bar, and grunts at each new customer stepping through the door.

[last_of_the_grea...]

Noting the erea Tiggy's is in, he decides it would be wise to call a taxi for the ride there. He calls up Iron Horse Cabs, a company that proudly advertises it's armed driver and shotgun rider. They carry machine pistols and defend the customer once they accept the fare. They also have armoured cabs, using the GM Smartcar™ design and runflat tires. The fare is 25% higher, but they guarantee safety and go anywhere. He pays the fare (in advance...they figure out the cost before they go. I invented the company myself :) Pretty kewl, neh?) and steps inside the coach and goes for the ride.

[Street Wyze]

Baron feels very safe during his ride to the Bar.

[Street Wyze]

Assez is the first to arrive at Tiggy's. Stepping through the door, he stands for a moment, checking the place out and letting the collected drizzle run down his coat to the floor. The place is fairly empty, this being the early afternoon, but the usual ork is behind the bar and a slim waitress with distinctly surgically added feline features passes by him, delivering a beer to a customer, then turning and taking him in. She looks at him for a moment, then a smile blooms on here face.

"Hey hot-stuff, I remember you!" She walks up to Assez and stands quite close to him. He gets the feeling that if she really were a cat, she'd be rubbing up against his leg. "You want a table, honey, or do you need something more private?" she asks conspiratorially.

[Street Wyze]

As the armored cab pulls up to the run-down, dirty looking bar, Baron looks out of the thick, rain streaked, window and catches a glimpse of Assez entering.

"You need us to wait mister?" the shotgun rider asks, sounding a little tense. He may be armed and dangerous, but this isn't the kind of area anyone likes to sit and wait at.

[Street Wyze]

As Bear is on his way to Tiggy's his phone rings. He answers and Garrison's transducer-pitched voice comes to him over the speaker.

"I think I've got a few preliminary things for you on this Nojibot guy, but I'll need pictures to confirm. What I know now is that he might be a guy who organized and carried out a big hit in Atlanta a month or so ago. Like I said, I ain't one hundred percent on this, but my contact in the CAS says he'll be able to confirm with a picture and that will open up some more info."

[last_of_the_grea...]

"No need to wait. You may go." He says it as if he were dismissing a servant as he steps away. After the usual once over, he sniffs at the bar's less than trendy appearance, then opens the door. He looks around discreetly as he enters, seeing who else is there or if he's the first to arrive.

[Glyph]

Rent takes a much dingier cab to Tiggy's, paying the slack-jawed driver as he exits the dilapidated vehicle. He would have the man wait, but in this neighborhood, he would be likely to find a corpse and a stripped down shell of a car when he came back out.

Rent snorts as he looks around. The Redmond Barrens - the only place in Seattle that makes the Puyallup Barrens not look quite as bad. Rent is dressed more casually. He is still wearing his trademark hat and black duster, but this time he is wearing dark grey jeans and a black T-shirt with abstract silvery circuitry designs on the front, and he is wearing heavy boots. He is still armed, of course.

He winces as he prepares to step inside, then mentally sighs with relief as the normal, seedy bar presents itself to his sight. After the description of the waitress, he was halfway expecting to find a sleazy mix between an S&M parlor and a cosplay convention. This... is almost homey. A dart board and a pool table, even.

[Fenris]

Assez smiles as Felina greets him, going from paranoid bodyguard to schmoozing playboy in a matter of seconds.

"Felina, darling..." as he gives her a quick hug and tweaks the tip of one of the cosmetically altered ears, "Good to see you too. I'm going to need something a bit more private today. I've got some rather rough associates coming in." He glances around and then leans in close to whisper conspiritorially, "They think they're shadowrunners." He winks to indicate that he's joking, "But don't spoil their fun by laughing. And bring me my usual, will you? There's a dear..." He gives her a rather familiar pat as she bounces away, giggling.

Tiggy's is definitely not the most high class location he'd ever met in, but Felina guaranteed that the service was nice, and he'd heard that the two meeting rooms were some of the hardest to eavesdrop on, partly because of the standard jamming equipment, and partly because the Ork behind the bar was rather picky about the people that used them.

He strolled towards the back, the slightly open door giving evidence that the second and smaller of the two rooms was available. Although not his first choice, it would do nicely.

[phelious fogg]

Bear chips the picture into his pocket sec and faxes it off to Garrison, as well as a picture of the Package, he soon arrives at Tiggy's on foot, his nice walk through seatle easing his mind and his nerves. When he arrives, he looks at the multi colored plascrete and smiles, it reminds him of a trashy bar him and his compatriots would frequent in the SSC. He shakes his head and walks inside out of the rain, and takes his rainsoaked coat off and hangs it on one of the few unbroken hooks beside the door. Seeing Assez, Barron, and Rent already there, he nods his head at them. He walks up the bartender and asks for a drink, "What's the hardest drink you have?" then he thinks again, "Don't tell me what it is, but give me two, thanks." and he slides a credstick across teh counter to cover his drinks.

[last_of_the_grea...]

Noting Bear as he enters and orders, he nods in return, then looks to see who else he's nodding to. He makes eye contact with each in turn, noting their positions so he doesn't lose them.

[Herald of Verjig...]

Arriving last, and with a few extra copies of the disk, Kull finally makes it to Tiggy's.
As he notices Felina: "Someone willing to take fate in her own hands and make reality change."
To Felina: "I am looking for an overdressed man who has probably arrived here recently, he has been using the name 'Assez'"

[last_of_the_grea...]

He catches Kull's entrance. They were all here. Now they just had to stagger their approaches. He assumed there was some sort of back room and watched to see who went there first. He ordered a Shirley Temple as he waited, then hit himself with a Healthy Glow spell to spruce himself up a bit. No point in being seen all scruffy! Appearances had to be maintained!

[Fenris]

He nods to Kull as he enters the samller back room, giving Felina a warm smile as he takes the drink she delivered along with the runner.

He motions Kull to a chair, still smiling warmly, and asks casually, "How long before the rest arrive?"

[Herald of Verjig...]

"Everyone else is in the bar waiting for an epiphany."

Kull then finds a seat with reasonable a periferal view of the entrance.

[Glyph]

Sipping at the beer he just ordered from the bar ("Not bad... not great, but not bad." he thinks to himself), Rent ambles back towards the back room when he sees Kull head that way, then nods at the other two as he sits down. He makes no attempt to be inconspicuous - he figures 5 well-dressed strangers will stand out no matter what they do.

[phelious fogg]

Bear downs the two drinks he ordered, and then walks across the room. He takes a seat in the back room, and rests his head against the wall. He smiles as the remainder of the group moves into the room, and closes the door after the last one enters. "So any new information in the last hour?"

[last_of_the_grea...]

Before heading over to the table, Baron gives a quick look-see, checking for anyone who might be paying too much attention. After finishing his drink, he heads over to the table, seating himself as if he were the king at thehead of a table of subjects. He nods to all in turn, then says, "I see we all made it."

[Herald of Verjig...]

Kull places the original disk and a copy on the table.
"I intend to seek out those who deal in subtle transit methods and see if any of them know about our suspect and if he is in the area. I made a few more copies of the data than I expect I will need, and I may not be able to get any solid results befour our job starts, but it seems like a better start than just waiting to see if he attacks. Any other plans to make this job easier?"

[:ooc:]Rampant empathic sensing: 1,2,5,5,9[/:ooc:]

[last_of_the_grea...]

Baron pulls out his pocket computer and slots the chip into it, loading the information. As it uploads into it he says, "I have a couple of contacts who may know about our Ms. Johnson and Mr. Nojibot, but I was wondering if anyone has a cybercam or some such thing and was able to get a picture of Mr. Johnson. I'd like to know a bit more about him, too."

After waiting for (and hopefully recieving) an answer, he also says, "I said I would reveal my capabilities. I am a sorceror. Specifically, a combat sorceror. I suppose you all remember that I can analyze truth and mindlink. I can also use levitation, individual and erea affecting stunning attacks and a subtle influencing spell. I am accomplished at aura reading and, thanks to my implants, can see a lot farther than any normal eyes can. I'm handy with a pistol, but mostly keep one for "dress." I imagine my task in this job will be as reserve, filling in where needed as well as observation. Perhaps you would care to share what you bring to the table, now?" He says the question as if the answering of it was expected and that the answer would be accommodating. Not rude or demanding, just...expectant.

[Glyph]

Rent looks thoughtful for a minute, as if he is mentally cataloguing Baron's abilities, before he replies. "I have a lot of experience and knowledge in professional bodyguarding, although I've always worked under the table. I am an adept. Although I don't have a smartlink, or any other kind of cyberware, I am still a lethal shot with a pistol, and I am also a lot quicker than I look. I can deal with high society and the seamy underbelly of Seattle with equal ease, and I can play it subtle or hard as the situation demands."

[Fenris]

AS the entire group files in and sites down, Assez takes a second to reach into his coat pull out a small pentagram, pressing a button on the top of the device and setting it on the table top, before the conversation starts. Anyone with abnormal hearing will catch the familiar hiss of a white noise generator.

"I'm a bit more familiar with our current type of job. I've worked as a professional bodyguard for several years now. Our primary purpose was to guard without appearing to guard, so I've got some experience in blending in with various locales. I speak Japanese, Spanish, French, Russian, and I'm chipped for German, Portuguese, and Chinese as well. I'm a crack shot with a pistol and a rifle, as well as having some skill in close combat, electronics, and stealth. I'm in excellent shape, and can hold my own in a conversation regarding multiple subjects, including literature, physics, and pyscology. More importantly, I've had extensive training on terrorist tactics, the kind utlized by snipers, asassins, and shadowrunners, which definitely applies to situations such as this."

[Herald of Verjig...]

"I prefer a decorative water sculpture for my white noise. By the standard phraseology, I am an adept. With my weapon of choice, or any of similar role, I am very competant in a fight. My senses are tuned to a level of competence that only the finest circuitry can approach. I am also proficient at gathering information from unwilling sources and have reasonable medical skill."

[phelious fogg]

Bear thinks a bit about his role in all this, "I've been a Bodygaurd in the Salish Sihde Council for about four years now. Now Im doing freelance work." He pauses, "Im good with a gun and I'm a smooth talker, that about covers it."
He chuckles, and sits back, waiting for the conversation to continue

[last_of_the_grea...]

His pocket secretary finishes uploading the info on the chip. He quickly organizes it and slots his credstick and spending 400 nuyen. He sends the info with a request for info to his contacts, giving each 200 nuyen to cover their troubles. He ejects the chip and sets it back on the table.

"Anyone here good with computers? Access to guest lists, security and delivery lists and tapping into her phone line and such would be usefull. Also, is anyone here a good driver or rider? We'll need to have a tail put on her if she goes out. Perhaps someone has a contact with a taxi company and could get a cab for a few days that we use specifically to driver her around. Or a limo service even."

He pauses for a moment, then mentions, "It may not seem like much, but if there's no time for showering and changes of clothes, I will use my healthy glow spell to keep anyone who wishes it presentable. It's good for getting blood off, too."

Sometimes a token of aid such as this was a usefull carrot to dangle to gain a little good will.

[Fenris]

"Well, now that all that's been established to everyone's satisfaction, I think we need to get down to the important details of the case. Since we have two magically active people present, amazingly enough, and two non, I'd like to propose a rotating schedule, with half the team in close proximity to the target and half at a distance at any one time. We can rotate through the team as locales change to prevent the target from getting suspicious. Of course, this is assuming everyone can keep a low profile while near the target. 1 "Awakaned"," he glances to Baron, "Is that the proper term? 1 Awakened member of the group and one mundane member in close proximity, and the others at a distance. I suggest this because it may be necessary to physically prevent harm from coming to the client while under our protection, and observing from a distance does not always allow one the freedom of intervening at will."

[last_of_the_grea...]

He merely nods at the title of awakened.

"I might suggest a rotating schedule, but since it is a four day contract, I suggest it involve one person be sleeping at any one time in 2 hour intervals. It's hard to maintain concentration for more than 6 hours and this schedule should make for the equivelant of a solid night's sleep. I haven't any Long Haul and am reluctant to use such measures unless nessesary."

[phelious fogg]

"I agree," Bear chimes in, "after all, its not like we can sleep when she does."

"I guess whats most important at the moment is how we deal with her arrival."

[Street Wyze]

Consulting the data provided, the team learns that she is arriving at 10:00 in the morning at pier 14 in the Tacoma docks district. Her cruise ship is registered as the Lauren Belle, under the ownership of Parlerai Cruise Inc.

She has reservations at the Laubenstein Plaza, a very nice hotel in central Seattle. The runners also have two rooms there, already rented. The team find four maglock keys in the case, two for each room, which need to be returned to the hotel at the end of their stay.

[phelious fogg]

One of us shoudl arrive as her driver, and the rest of us should act as tails for a block or three at a time, cycling in and out so there is always two of us in the immediate vicinity, after we get to the Hotel, two of us should be in the lobby, prehaps checking in? After that things will probably cool down a bit an we shoudl be able to settle into a nice rotational schedule.

[last_of_the_grea...]

"That sounds reasonable." Baron looks from runner to runner with a slight, cocky smile. He loved being agreed with! "As I asked before, who here is a good driver? Some arrangement will have to be made about being her driver. We'll need to know if she was going to have one first, then what company." He turns his gaze to Assez. "I suggest you take care of this research. You're the one who's mentioned having technical skills and will be most likely to be able to deal with the computer side of this run...unless anyone else wishes to speak up now and mention their hacking skills?" He pauses, waiting for anyone to pipe up. He looks over to Kull. "Since your senses are so strong and you have bodyguard experience to go with them, I suggest you be her driver if you have reasonable driving skills. I'd like the one closest to her to be able to react to a changing situation with alacrity." He turns to look at Bear next. Why don't you go and check out the pier she is to arrive at? Recon the erea. I'll do the same at the hotel here. We can rendezvous at room..." he picks up a passkey and reads the number out loud, "when all is done. My radio will be set to frequency Alpha one one seven niner. My cell number is *********" ((OOC...couldn't think of a number)). If any of us happen to be outside radio range, use the multiple caller option on your phones." He pockets the passkey and waits for responses.

[phelious fogg]

"If you dont want to hack the company to add a driver, we could just repaint my car, its practically a bulletproof taxi anyways, same make and model as most companies use. Then we need only waylay the driver."