[IC] - Shadows of the CAS, We start in Charlotte, NC Options

[LordArcana]

It's a cloudy damp day in 'the plex' as the tail end of a coastal storm has deposited its moisture further inland than previously expected. At least this is nothing like the wind damage caused along the Outer Banks, laying waste to many of the small fishing towns up and down the East Coast. You are willing to bet your left arm this will drive up the price of fresh fish in the foreseeable future. The rain pounds down heavily for a few minutes turning to small bits of hail just long enough to trigger the alarms of several unprotected vehicles out on the street. Casey Carelson of WSOC News says this weather should hold out until evening tomorrow when a gentle warm front makes its way through the area scattering the remainder of the showers, turning to sunshine for Saturday morning.

Artemis Fowler : Thursday April 7, 2072 (08:06:11) : Artemis's Lair, Quail Hollow Country Club

It was just another dreary early spring day in 'the plex' as Artemis laid in the massive canopy bed with real silk sheets wondering what his plan was going to be for the day. He could smell the fresh brewing coffee from half way across the house. Without a care in the world he slipped out of bed standing naked as the day he was born in front of a full wall sized mirror.

“Perhaps we start the day off with a few laps around the pool.” He says out loud more to himself since he was alone in the mansion with nobody to hear him anyway.

Donning his robe as he exits the pool, Artemis heads for the kitchen where he pours himself a cup of the most perfect tasting coffee he's ever had. None of that soycaf crap will do for this man. He looks around at the luxuries at his fingertips and wonders how ever he would live without all the niceties. A soft beep from his commlink snaps Artemis out of his reverie.

<<Encrypted Message Downloaded>>
<<Decryption Initiated...>>
<<Stage 1... Complete>>
<<Stage 2... Complete>>
<<Message Decryption Complete>>

<<@Artemis:[Burn-out]: Can you hear that? It's the sound of a few extra Yen in your proverbial pocket. Maybe even enough to get some of the goons off your back. Meet me at the R&R BBQ Pit at 19:30 tonight. 803 Ebenezer Rd, Kannapolis. Dinners on me Chummer. Bring your appetite.>>

The prospect of paying off his debt had merit. Perhaps even be on the plus sometime soon. Maybe even one day having those militant Bratva drekbags owing him would be nice.

Sage “Egg” Summers : Thursday April 7, 2072 (12:22:19) : Sage's Apartment, Mint Hill

She laid on her couch reading the newest AR publication of 'Llewellyn Worldwide'. The article about empowering circle magic with scents of nature was just fascinating. Her cat sat lazily on the windowsill watching the rain pour down. Occasionally a stray drop of rain or a bit of hail would rap against the glass causing the cat to perk to attention with its tail moving in agitation. Caught up in the articles of the occult publication, Sage completely lost track of time. Its a good thing her cat instinctively knew when it was time for the Troll to feed it.

The feline pounced from the floor to Sage's legs jarring her attention away from the AR display. She glanced at the time and seeing it shortly after noon decided now was just as good a time as any to grab some lunch.

“Well you are right little one, I guess it is time to eat.”

A shallow “Meow” is the only response to be had from the creature.

Clearing the dishes from the meal, Sage returns to the couch to finish reading when her commlink buzz's notifying her to an incoming message. Not many people had this commcode which made the vibration startling. Checking the message she sees one of the few people she trusted with her contact info has some encrypted info sent to her.

<<Encrypted Message Downloaded>>
<<Decryption Initiated...>>
<<Stage 1... Complete>>
<<Stage 2... Complete>>
<<Message Decryption Complete>>

<<@Sage:[Burn-out]: Can you hear that? It's the sound of you being one step closer to freedom. Meet me at the R&R BBQ Pit at 19:30 tonight. 803 Ebenezer Rd, Kannapolis. Dinners on me Chummer. Bring your appetite.>>

Tyler “Lobo” Savage : Thursday April 7, 2072 (13:18:22) : Lobo's Apartment, Concord

The sound of the rain pounding on the antiquated shaker style siding of his apartment building combined with the hangover effects of his five round bout with a case of brew the evening before have caused Lobo to sleep in today. Vivid nightmares flash through his mind as he watches the shining smile of a little Bavarian girl as she puts the next piece of her puzzle in place. Her look turns to confusion when she holds up her bloody hands. Lobo reaches down in a panic to see what happened when he notices blood beginning to run down her face...

In a cold sweat he is startled awake nearly falling out of his bed. The soft rhythmic sound of the rain turns to a sharp hard clatter against the window of his bedroom and the faint sound of his elderly neighbor Mrs. Honeywell yelling at someone draws his attention to the present.

CHIRP!

Lobo nearly knocks the lamp off his nightstand as he swings around wildly half mistaking the sound for sound suppressed gun fire. A small red blinking light on the display of his commlink alerts him to a saved text message. He gingerly stretches across his bed grabbing the link to check his messages.

<<Encrypted Message Downloaded>>
<<Decryption Initiated...>>
<<Stage 1... Complete>>
<<Stage 2... Complete>>
<<Message Decryption Complete>>

<<@Lobo:[Burn-out]: Can you hear that? It's the sound of your rent being paid and food in your belly. Meet me at the R&R BBQ Pit at 19:30 tonight. 803 Ebenezer Rd, Kannapolis. Dinners on me Chummer. Bring your appetite.>>

Perhaps things are finally turning around...

Matt : Thursday April 7, 2072 (13:22:16) : GEAR, Near the Speedway

Matt stands at the front of the Lotus Evora working the overhead winch controls as wisps of sports scores from the previous nights games race across his mind. This thing was a blast from the past being over thirty years old and one of only 116 remaining of the last production run of the Evora line in 2038. Mean Gene had asked the young man to pull the motor in the antique vehicle so that it could get the power upgrade the owner wanted installed. The winch cable pulled tight and Matt gave the engine compartment a quick once over making sure all the cables and hoses were tucked back out of the way as to not get caught on anything.

A few more taps on the 'UP' button caused the motor to begin lifting off the motor mounts and easing the weight on the suspension of the vehicle. Thinking everything was all clear Matt holds down the button causing the motor to slowly climb out of the engine compartment. His attention is caught for a split second as a weather alert passes through his minds eye. It looks like this lousy weather is supposed to last all day.

“WHOOOAA there kid... give that motor a little slack!” An obviously agitated voice calls out from across the shop.

Matt snaps back his full attention to reality as he realizes the front tires of the Lotus ever so slightly lifting off the ground. It looks like he had missed pulling the pin on one of the motor mounts. With his face getting red and warm from embarrassment he switches the winch to reverse and lowers it back down until the cable barely shows any slack.

“Sorry boss. Won't happen again.”

The burly gear-head owner of the shop meanders over to Matt while wiping his hands on a shop rag. His face shows absolutely no sign of anger, rather if he had to guess Matt figured he was about to get some 'friendly advice' from the older mechanic. Gene walks up from the rear of the vehicle stopping for a moment to wipe a small smudge off the spoiler before making his way up to the front of the car. He leans in and watches as Matt reaches down and pulls the pin from the last motor mount.

“Everything under control over here kid?” The gentle ork asks his young protege. “I put you on this project because I know you have the skills to do the job. You just need to learn to turn off all that other garbage while you're working.”

The owner pats the kid on the shoulder as he turns and walks away. Such a stupid little mistake like that could have been so much worse if the boss-man wasn't watching. Matt felt small in that moment but he took control of the situation and turned it into a learning experience. Starting over again he begins to gentle pull the slack from the winch cable and this time the motor rises up unhindered. As he begins to walk forward with the motor, setting it up to bolt on to the motor stand, the mechanical chime in his mind alerts him to an incoming message.

<<Encrypted Message Downloaded>>
<<Decryption Initiated...>>
<<Stage 1... Complete>>
<<Stage 2... Complete>>
<<Message Decryption Complete>>

<<@Matt:[Burn-out]: Can you hear that? No I'm not talking about that resonance drek you are always going off about. It's the sound of your rent being paid and food in your belly. Meet me at the R&R BBQ Pit at 19:30 tonight. 803 Ebenezer Rd, Kannapolis. Dinners on me Chummer. Bring your appetite.>>