IC: Blood Drive Options

[Kiedo]

"D-did you say your name was buzz," he looks sternly at the elf. Memories of the remains of Trog and Daisie's flood into his mind, which the nature progession of though leads him to Pandora. For the second time today, his fingernails dig into his palms, sending rivulets of blood trickling off his knuckles.

Calm, he's obviously not the same buzz that killed your sister. You're over reacting. Calm, cool, collected, that's how you deal with things, remember that.

He loosens his hands, revealing a pattern of U-shaped cuts in his palms.

I'm calm.

He grabs a napkin and wipes the blood from his hands, tossing it in a nearby trash can, hoping nobody noticed.

Well I hope this guy isn't too paranoid, wait buzz was afriad I'd try and kill him just by touching him, that's bit wierd, infact, he didn't tell ME his name. Forget it, it's not Allen, it can't be Allen, unless he became an elf in the last three months, which isn't entirely impossible, but highly unlikely.

He extends his hand to the newcomer, "Name's Grendel."

[Sicarius]

Buzz initially shyed away again from the troll's hand, and than laughed out loud.

"You could probably snap me in half like a twig, I don't your gonna need to slip me the stinkpalm." Buzz gripped Grendel's hand with both of his and shook vigoriously.

"Taylor, Trace, pleasure to meet you both." He offered his hand to both.

That's right Buzz, be socialable. There ain't a whole lot of people lining up to shake your fraggin hand anyway.

[Shadow]

Wow this aqkward moment keeps stretching and stretching.

"So anyone know why we are all here?"

[Kiedo]

His attention broke, with the comments of Trace, and he released his grip on Buzz. He had intended the handshake to go to the guy who just walked up. Taylor was it? But he had no problem shaking anyone's hand.

Icarus looked dumbfounded at trace. he can't be serious, it's for a shadowrun. Maybe he's not all there. Or maybe he want's to know what KIND of shadowrun, yeah that makes more sense. Well maybe it's a... wait what kind of shadowruns are there? Well stealing things, and breaking things, and killing things, that's about all they do on the trid. Better play the tough silent type.

The large troll grunted at the question after wiping the look of are you kidding me, off his face, as if to say, what's it matter?

[Chance359]

Taylor orders another beer before speaking.

"You mean besides waiting for Mr. Johnson? Not much of an idea, I know it is somewhat related to my field."

[Sicarius]

"Tracking people down huh? Weird." Wasn't it legal to track down people?Why would someone want a bunch of shadowrunners for something a private detective, or the 'Star could do alot easier? Whatever was going on, Buzz was relatively certain this was gonna be a strange couple of days.

[Kiedo]

tracking. how could I have forgotten the bounty hunt, that was my favorite episode of Shadow Samurai. Watching Lawless crack the skulls of those guys, was freakin' awsome. I wonder if that's anything like what I've been asked to come here for? Well I guess we'll just have to find out, now won't we?

It was interesting how change had a way of putting a person in with new and sometimes strange people. He could remember the first guy he met getting off the Suborbital flight from London, Debian. He was a paraplegic decker, with a penchant for old school tech, and would go to great lengths to get rare and outdated gear. It never made sense to Icarus, he had always done the exact opposite, from when he ran the restaurant, on back to when he was in college. If there was a new piece of tech, he felt obligated to own it. He'd never gotten an implant before, and never planned to either, that was of course were he drew the line. He knew some guys took em', but he wasn't one of them. He liked knowing that he came fully equipped right out of the factory.

"Tracking huh, not my forte, but let me ask you this, how'd you come by that information," he says looking at Buzz, then realizing taylor had actually implied it, and focusing his unobtrusive glance on him.

[Sicarius]

Buzz was starting to take a liking to the big troll. He was friendly, and not in a dishonest, get one over on you type way.

The other two were harder to read, but seemed like they knew more about what was going on then Buzz did. Of course that was relatively easy to accomplish.

The wait was starting to make the elf nervous. Buzz slipped his poc-sec out of his coat pocket and looked down. It had been only a few moments since they'd moved to the back... time stretched out like ages when you were waiting.

[Musashi Forever]

Meeting other runners for the first time is usually difficult and, as some of you have experienced, can also at times be dangerous. Fortunately, while things may not be going "swimmingly", the introductions are going well. Trust has not yet entered into the relationship, but at least you all may be able to work together.

At 8:40 the door opens to admit a tall man in a dark designer suit covered by a black long coat that you all recognize as being armored. You cannot tell if he is armed, but there aren't any large bulges so if he is carrying, it's not an assault cannon.

"Gentlemen," he says with a nod as he takes the room's last empty chair. "I am Mr. Johnson and the reason I have asked you to come here this evening is that I need a team to preform several tasks. Tasks that could be very lucrative if they are preformed professionally." He speaks as if he is discussing market returns or quarter sales at a board meeting. You like the fact that he does not hide his eyes behind sunglasses, but still cannot read much of anything from his face.

"These tasks will involve tracking down and individual and retrieving something from him without harming him. After the item is retrieved you will be in charge of protecting it while you transport it to several different locations. Once the tasks are completed you will be relieved of the item and paid," he pauses, "Now are any of you interested? If not leave now."

[Shadow]

Transport it to several different locations? This better not be what it sounds like.

"This sounds like a decoy run, is that what it is? We run around town drawing attention while the real run is happening somewhere else?"

[Sicarius]

Trace's question was an interesting one... one the elf never would have thought to ask, although Buzz wasn't so sure that the Johnson would answer honestly, despite the pointed question. He'd always heard that Johnson's were always looking to stab their 'runners in the back, if at all possible.

Not that Buzz didn't know all about backstabbing.

"I'm frosty, at least till we get to the specifics."

[Musashi Forever]

The Johnson answers Trace cool and straightforward, "It is not a decoy operation. Several things must be done with the item before it can be delivered and they can only be done at certain locations."

He nods to Buzz, "Does anyone else have questions or wish leave before I enter into those specifics?"

[Shadow]

I gave a nod back, it was a reasonable answer, I still thought he was playing us. But I decided it would e best to hear him out before making any decisions.

"Nah, I think I am good."

[Kiedo]

"Well Davin asked me not to make him look bad so I guess I'll stay, it sounds pretty cut and dry, transport duty," he didn't think that it was in poor taste to point out the first part, though he was more than likely mistaken.

this isn't exactly what I pictured a shadowrun to be, I thought it was more killing and stealing. Oh well you live and you learn.

[Chance359]

Taylor listens to Mr. Johnson's pitch, trying to hide a smile. Looks like were about to go on another hunt.

"Well Mr. Johnson, you've peaked my interest, I'm in. Can you tell us about who we're looking for and what this item is, and who will be trying to prevent us from taking it around?"

[Musashi Forever]

"I'll take it from the absence of objections that everyone else is interested," the Johnson says.

The person you will be acquiring the item from is named Nathaniel Monroe. I have the address where he lives with his family for you. The item you need to get from him is a pint of his blood," he pauses, "I know this may seem odd, but that is what I need. I have the medical equipment you will need to perform to procedure. I have to make it very clear to you right now, the target is not to be harmed any more than is necessary to get the blood," he pauses again and glances at each one of you, "To make myself as clear as possible, a needle mark is acceptable, but if there is any other sign of injury you will forfeit any payment for this operation.

"Once the blood is secured you will be given instructions on further tasks. As far as opposition, there is none that I know of so far, but I like to take as much precaution as possible. I will pay you each 2,000 nuyen right now with a further 8,000 each once all the assigned tasks are complete.

"I will now ask if there are any questions, but I must also tell you that I cannot go into much more detail without a final commitment from you."

[Shadow]

"So you want us to accost this fellow, and it is accost right? He isn't going to willingly give us a pint of his blood. Then you can't tell us what to do after that, but you’re just sure there won't be any opposition. And for that you’re willing to pay us 10k."

I almost laughed, but I think that would have hurt my negotiating stance.

"I think you can do better than that, you want us to go in blind, your going to have up the ante."

[Sicarius]

Buzz listened intensely. He agreed with Trace about the money. If he hadn't mentioned it, the elf probably would have. But there were other questions as well.

"So this Monroe can't be harmed? I assumed that other fraggers who get in the way ain't necessarily needing to recieve the same consideration? Also It don't matter if the guy knows we got his blood, only matters if we harm him while doing it?"

[Chance359]

Taylor listen to the stress in the Johnson's voice about not actually hurting the mark, Probably a family member or someone he knows.

"Well Mr. Johnson, I can sympathys with you not wanting this young man harmed, however, with the stipulations you've made, you're really cutting down our options, which in turn will affect the final price. Also, how long will we have to take this liter of blood to the various locations? Are we on a time clock, do the locations have to be visited in a certain order?"

[Kiedo]

Icarus kept his mouth shut. He didn't know what he was doing, and certainly didn't want to point that out.

The only time he made any communication was when the johnson asked about the group being interested, and then he simply noded.

These guys know what they're doing, I'll just let them handle the negotiations and dealings with this "Mr. Johnson".

[Musashi Forever]

"Perhaps you are correct," the Johnson says to Trace. "Allow me to change the offer to thirteen thousand each with three grand payable up front. Now to answer the rest of your questions."

Before going on, he takes a drink from the glass at his arm. "As you surmised, Mr. Buzz, the safety of the target must be maintained, but anyone else who gets in your way is fair game. I can tell you now that the target is under minimal protection and he and his security are totally unaware of and ill-prepared for any threat. Again I understand that the restrictions I have placed on you are limiting, but this is the way it has to be. You are professionals, I am sure you can find a solution.

"As far as what you will be doing with the blood after you have acquired it, I will not divulge that now. The less you know, the less may be hurt if you are captured or otherwise rendered inoperative. I hope that you understand."

[Sicarius]

13 thousand! Ka-CHING! Buzz leaned forward slightly, and gave Trace a congratulatory nod.

"Sounds good to me." the elf looked around to see if the rest of the crew with him agreed as well.

Was the job weird. yes. But the money was good. And besides you didn't just find that kind of cash lying around... Well some times.. Buzz thought to himself, a wry smile appearing on his face.

[Shadow]

I had to smile, not a big goofey smile like an idiot, just a little smirk to let myself know that I came out on top. I gave Buzz a nod back, nice to be recognized.

"Okay, I'm in, we will need a few things, obviously the location of the target, and at the very least the general location of where we will be taking the blood. By 'general' I mean, West Seattle, Auburn etc, no need to get specific, but it would be nice to have our driver, assuming we have one, drive the streets."

[Kiedo]

"Sounds good to me," Icarus said. He didn't really know if that was good money or not, but it's better to fein wisdom in silience.

[Chance359]

Taylor smiles at hearing how much money is on the table, should be a good hunt . "Mr Johnson, if theres is there anything else you'd like to tell us?"