Up from the Bottom, Wipe Those Tears and Pass the Ammo Options

[Konsaki]

The Waffle Iron, just off I-164, Enumclaw, Auburn
Friday 8/22/70 15:35:32
Caittie – Technomancer – Hidden
PAN – ‘Kitoria McCree’ – Passive

It wasn't until after she sent the message that she looked up from the food she was pecking at, to see Johnson looking at her. Quickly rereading the last message in the que, she quickly undersood what he was waiting on.
<<"I'll watch your back... I mean, we arn't doing anything wrong by talking with them. Besides, they're supposed to be the 'good guys', right?">>, she replied over the net. <<"I dont see anything wrong with my helping the FBI out, depending on what they need help with... I'm not re-living this last week...">>, she finished, Johnson and the two trolls seeing the distain clear on her face.

[BlackHat]

Northacres The Waffle Iron, just off I-164, Enumclaw, Auburn
Friday 8/22/70 15:37:30
Smith - Johnson
PAN - Hidden

<<@Team:: "Absolutely. I think we're all in agreement there. I'll use my commlink. One sec....">>.

Johnson's commlink appears to go offline for a moment. When it comes back on, its identifying information is different. His next message appears to come from a different commcode.

<<@Team:: "Commcode spoofed, and I've done what I can to clean up my datatrail. Picked up a hotspot a few blocks away. I'm logged in as the admin, but I've created a super-user account for you that should have access to all of the security features. Feel free to bring along your own. Here's the details, and encryption handshaking protocol.">> In AR, a glistening bundle of data formed above his gloved hand, which he offered towards Angel. This wasn't the typical sort of user-friendly information one might pass along to a friend to share a Sim. This had some technical details, and low-level parameters, that would really only be understood or useful to someone with a background in computers, who wanted the flexibility to do some 'creative' things to the firewall and security programs that average-Joe-gamer was wise not to mess with. Of course, the data was encrypted, but since Angel was the intended recipient, she should have no trouble getting at the information. <<@Team:: "Time to see how serious these guys are....">>

With a few motions in the air, Johnson connected with the Seattle branch FBI office's public node, as a guest, and began scanning their directory. It wasn't difficult to locate the name 'Higgins' or to issue the command to connect to his office. As the connection was being established, Johsnon glanced at his AR clock, and wondered what sort of hours this guy worked - hopefully, from his office node, he could get a message to his personal commlink.

[adamu]

The Waffle Iron/FBI Seattle System
Friday 8/22/70 15:37:40

Selecting "Higgins" off the public access directory brought a virtual reception desk up in Johnson's field of vision. It was about what he'd expect of a government office - kind of bland, but not bad resolution. Not great, either. The picture of President Colloton hanging behind the desk probably had a higher pixel-count than the woman who worked behind it. Her mannerisms were wooden enough that Johnson couldn't tell if her icon represented an agent or a live operator.

"One moment please," was all she said. Her face was too blank for even the people-skilled college shadowrunner to guess whether she had discerned that his icon was spoofed, stealthed, and rerouted, or whether she cared if she did. It was only a couple of seconds before she muttered fourth door on your left without looking up from her newsfax.

*****

Flying along to the rear of Johnson's left shoulder, Angel perceived his 2.5D experience in all its fully-textured, 360 degree glory - some ironic civil servant programmer had even added a hint of soykaf smell, but all in all the place was a shadow of even a mid-size mall shop in terms of VR imagery. She had no problem matching the surface of her persona to the colors and shades around her, making her all but invisible.

Of course, out in the public access lobby no one had been looking. Once Johnson had been authorized for the system's next security level, she'd had to brute-force her way through on the fly. It had been easy enough, though. Too easy for what she'd expected from an FBI office. Either someone had essentially left the door open for her, or they weren't anywhere near the real secured areas.

*****

Keeping his hand under the table at the Waffle Iron, Johnson mimed a rapping motion as his icon knocked on the AR door with Higgins' name on it - a completely unremarkable black nameplate with institutional white lettering.

"Come in," came a gruff voice from within.

Higgins' icon looked just like he did, except it was sort of fuzzy and ripples of static flowed across it at irregular intervals. He clearly was not interested in appearances.

Neatness either - his virtual office was a sea of loose paper, though there was a clear enough space on the top of his desk for his wide dwarf ass. His stubby legs dangled from the edge as he faced his guest.

"I don't think we've had the pleasure."

[BlackHat]

The Waffle Iron/FBI Seattle System
Friday 8/22/70 15:38:30
Smith - Johnson
PAN - Hidden

Knowing his facial expressions wouldn't translate to his icon, Smith allowed himself a smirk, and his gloves commanded his virtual-self to close the door behind him, and lean against it, rather than taking a seat so close to the dwarf. His voice, however, would translate to his icon, so before he spoke, he brought up a few scripts to alter the defining characteristics of his speech. He didn't care if his voice sounded unnatural to the dwarf. Since he was doing all of this from AR, it must have felt like an eternity to Angel before Johnson replied.

"Indeed, not."

He had come online, expecting to leave a message, or even to play tug-of-war over a voice-connection. Agent Higgins's willingness to meet online, in 'person', actually said more about him, to Johnson, than anything on Cerberus's tape. Johnson quickly changed his plan, which was far from uncharacteristic of him. His voice came off friendly and polite.

"I already have some idea who you are, so allow me to introduce myself, for what it is worth. My team calls me Johnson, and, frankly, that's what brings me here. Word is, you and your partner are meeting with some of my talent, trying to encourage a little moonlighting, and want to cut out the middleman," Johnson's avatar gestured at itself. "Understandable, especially if you're working with a tight budget, but ultimately, it is inconvenient for everyone involved."

"If you're not too busy, I was hoping we could discuss our options, here - as I am not necessarily against the idea... so long as the proper business etiquette is observed. I would like to see everyone get what they want out of this opportunity."

Johnson's avatar cocked its head, slightly. The scripted emote didn't look nearly the way Johnson had wanted it to. Again, if he were connected in full-VR, his personal mannerisms would translate much better, and he would do a better job of expressing himself. However, for the moment, he felt doing things this way was safer. In fact, if he came off as a complete VR n00b, it might be to his benefit.

[adamu]

The Waffle Iron/FBI Seattle System
Friday 8/22/70 15:38:45


"All right," the dwarf said, rubbing his hands together in a getting-down-to-business gesture. "I am pretty sure I know who you are." He smiled. "We had assumed the Incredible Hulk was not in a position to speak for your team, so we are delighted to now be in contact with you.
"I am not sure whether your associate accurately relayed my message, so here it is again. We have a job for you. You get to work for the good guys. We need to discuss it face to face, compensation will be made individually to team members, so they need to be at the meet to get on the payroll. It is absolutely essential that the woman with the taser be on the team. We are willing to have this face-to-face meet at a time and place of your choosing, no questions asked, and it will be just me and my partner attending on our side. And that, my friend, is all I am willing to say online to an AR icon... No offense."

[BlackHat]

The Waffle Iron/FBI Seattle System
Friday 8/22/70 15:42:00
Smith - Johnson
PAN - Hidden

"None taken." Johnson was still smiling in the meat, because of the Incredible Hulk reference. "And I believe I understood your position, before coming here. The 'Hulk' was wearing a wire."

"If that is all you will say, we will have to meet, in person, to disucss this further. However, allow me to state my own position, before I go - since that only requires that you listen." Johnson's avatar paced back and forth as he spoke. He wasn't really sure how best to put what it was he wanted to say, but he knew that as the words rolled off of his tongue, they would either fall right into place, or get spit back into his face. "As you already know, we have met to discuss your offer - vague as it was. Frankly, nobody was impressed. There is a reason people in our position deal through middlemen. By cutting me out of the equasion, you have spooked the team. Half of them have left - not interested in your cause, or in further dealing with someone who has the attention of the authorities. You have caused me great personal discomfort... and for what?"

"A job offer? I can find one of those, anywhere. And you can certainly find men more desperate than mine, if you tried. I am certain, however, that you and your partner have some reason for selecting us, specifically. You have just chosen not to share it. You have not given me any reason to believe that this particular job is worth exposing myself, and my clients, any more than we already are. As much as I would like to help you, the constraints you have put on this relationship, coupled with your unwillingness to offer suitable explaination, make your first offer completely unreasonable." Johnson's avatar smiled, "I put my faith in your training, never to open negotiations with your final offer."

"So, if I am to believe that you and your partner are simply looking to 'outsource' some of your work to local 'deniable assets', I do not believe we are capable of helping one another. You don't want to play by the rules, and nobody on my team wants a reputation for working with your department."

"Had you come to me, earlier, things would have been much easier. It is commonplace for someone in my position to handle the customer relations, protecting the identity of those who need somethign done, and likewise, protecting the anonymity of those he hires to accomplish the job." Johnson winked across the table, at the trolls.

"However, you did not, and the damage is done." Johnson's avatar stopped pacing, and faced the dwarf once more. "And, yet, I am here, so I am clearly still interested. It might be my sense of civic duty, my curiosity, or simply desire to make amends for whatever discomfort my clients may have caused you last week. In any case, I would be happy to meet with you, in person, to discuss the details, so long as you are willing to acquiesce to one of two requests, right now."

"I would like you to either reconsider your decision to withhold relevant information, and explain to me what it is about my team, in particular, warrents your personal attention. Help me understand what necessitates that you meet them all, personally, and handle finances individually - specifically, if you intend to hinge this entire deal on the presense of a particular taser-wielding woman. I want to know why. These particular demands invalidate the majority of the services I offer and, should I be unable, or unwilling, to produce her, we may have nothing further to discuss."

"Alternatively, if you are unwilling to present evidence to the contrary, I would like you to agree that it is sufficient for you to meet me, and hire me, personally, to handle this matter for you, in whatever fashion I am comfortable with. This will, of course, involve bringing on additional assets, as the situation demands, which will be reflected in the compensation I expect. These assets may or may not include those members of my team that you have already identified, but, as the situation stands, I fail to see why the exact composition of that team should be of any of your concearn."

"So, clearly, I am looking for a little give-and-take. I don't think my requests are unreasonable, and I am being completely up front about the fact that they will be how I judge how reasonable you intend to be." Johnson's avatar reached for the doorknob, pausing before activating the link to exit the node. "I do not deal with unreasonable people, Agent Higgins."

[adamu]

The Waffle Iron/FBI Seattle System
Friday 8/22/70 15:42:30


Higgins listened to Johnson's entire speech without any attempt to interrupt. In fact, his face showed no change of expression whatsoever - but then, with the bargain basement icon he was using, it wouldn't - not unless he consciously instructed it to.

Even when the team's face reached for the doorknob with the line about not dealing with unreasonable people, the dwarf waited a moment - possibly making sure the human avatar was done speaking. Then he began, "Well, I'm very sorry for not approaching you personally. I can see how that would have been a lot better. I guess my only excuse is that until two minutes ago I didn't know you existed." The dwarf's icon shrugged mechanically. "Apologies." Arms spread, palms upward, like a marionette placating its audience.

"If you insist, I can give you a little of the information you are looking for - the part that pertains to you. That's no skin off my nose, really, who hears it. The first reason we wanted to hire your team despite your complete lack of reputation...well, we really didn't, actually. We wanted to hire the woman. There are certain things we know about her that make her very desirable for this job. Then, when we saw she'd attached herself to a crew, that was potentially convenient for us. Subsequently, your group's actions showed marginal promise - your desire to hear details of a job over a wireless connection notwithstanding. So there it is - that is why this offer has come your way.
"As for why we want to meet everyone, that goes to the payment method. The sad fact is, we are strapped for cash. The only monetary compensation involved, well, I am sure you'd find it no better than expense money. And you'd be right, which is why you'd get it all up front. But over the last few decades I've developed an impressive array of contacts and markers in places with resources your people can only dream of accessing. I am prepared to offer substantial, but reasonable, favors in exchange for work well done. But I'm not doling those sorts of favors out to a middle-man. I need to know they are going where I'm told they are, because bestowing them directly affects my reputation, which I value very very highly.
"So there you have it. I think that mostly answers your questions. I really am not unreasonable. And I repeat my offer to meet your team face to face at the place and time of your choosing. Provided the woman is there, I can discuss things in full detail."

[BlackHat]

The Waffle Iron/FBI Seattle System
Friday 8/22/70 15:43:20
Smith - Johnson
PAN - Hidden

Johnson hadn't really expect that. He had expected to have to dance precariously around the issue for quite a bit more. When he listened to what the dwarf had to say, the situation did sound reasonable. Unfortunately, it still hinged on Sledge whose apprehension was similary reasonable. Sledge wanted Johnson to convince the Fed she died. Johnson was disinclined to lie to Agent Higgens, especially since he was offering to help out him and his team. Favors were something potentially more useful than cash, right now.

"Thank you for coming straight with me." Johnson's icon looked once more at the door, and then back at the dwarf. "It does sound like a reasonable explaination. I think I would be quite happy to facilitate this assistance - to the extent that it remains in my control."

"If you will indulge my curiosity one moment further.... These qualities, for which you sought out the woman...." Johnson thought carefully before speaking this time. He wanted to give just the right impression, without unbalancing the whole affair. "... it is clear that they are so well-suited for this task, as you would not be interested in my team, if she were no longer a member. It also appears quite clear that you would still be interested in her, in such a case - but would find yourself at square-one in terms of locating her and negotiating the deal. If I am not mistaken, whatever issue it was you would have her attend to is time-sensitive, in nature."

"I suppose, my question is how developed is your contingency-plan? Are there others who share her unique-credentials? Are you prepared to do things yourself, or would you spend your remaining time seeking out her, specifically? In any of these situations it sounds as though you could still use help - and yet, the impression I get from your conditions is that this is not the case."

He was stalling, but he hoped he wasn't that transparent. Johnson glanced around the table at the two trolls, as if looking for ideas. As he waited for the dwarf's response, he typed up a quick encrypted message to Sledge in another window, hoping her commlink was filtering on data other than commcode - so that she'd actually get the thing, in time to respond.

<<@Sledge:: "Met with suits. Claim you're suited to help. Deal's off if you're out. Last chance to change your mind, before I explain the ghoul. I won't blame you if you don't.">>

[adamu]

The Waffle Iron/FBI Seattle System
Friday 8/22/70 15:43:30


The dwarf made no attempt to answer Johnson's series of questions point-by-point. "I think I've been pretty clear. If she's not with you, then I am afraid we have no reason to employ you instead of a team with more experience and with which we have a stronger relationship. If that is indeed the case, then we would be willing to pay for help in locating her, which could have an added benefit for you, since if she accepts our offer she may choose to work with you on it. But then you'd know more about how inclined she'd be to do that." He paused. "I'd hate to think this is about the Jolly Green Giant. If friction between those two is the issue, then I recommend you use your silver tongue to solve that issue and get in line for a job that pays some fat favors. In any case, you are right - as I told your associate, time is a factor...both for the job itself, and maybe for her. I told her I wanted to be her friend, and I meant it. But if she didn't take me at my word, she could be in a world of trouble."

[BlackHat]

The Waffle Iron/FBI Seattle System
Friday 8/22/70 15:43:50
Smith - Johnson
PAN - Hidden

Johnson's avatar nodded. "You've been very clear. I'll tell you what, let me check some facts with my team, reguarding who saw her last, and I'll get back to you within the hour. Either we can set up a meeting, soon thereafter, or discuss how we can help you find the woman you're looking for. I apologise for any inconvenience, or misunderstanding. If you need to contact us again, please contact me, directly. Here's my card."

In VR, his avatar manifested a small packet of data containing enough non-identifying information to allow the FBI agent to contact him. It took the icon of a buisness-card, which flew across the room to the dwarf. His avatar then reached for the doorknob and logged off of the node.

In realspace, he looked towards the rest of the team. <<@Team (Including Sledge who is BCCed seperately):: "Well, short of a miracle, I don't think we're going to be able to help Mr. Higgens. He isn't going to budge on the face-to-face thing, particularly with Sledge. He was rather upfront about his reasons why, but he hasn't given me any proof that we have nothing to fear. He did imply that it was in Sledge's best interest, that she hear what he has to say.">>

[Abbandon]

The Waffle Iron, just off I-164, Enumclaw, Auburn
Friday 8/22/70 15:44:50
Cerberus - Street Samurai
PAN - hidden(Robert Nevall)

<<@team::"Hmmm. When they grabbed me off the street they claimed someone else was looking for me to but who knows if that was just a ploy to bug the van while we drove around or serious. I'm not really to keen on not havng an income but then again if I can get some free shit like maybe some better 'ware it will only increase my ability tp help the team. My position hasnt changed, I say we go for it. But if we are still divided I'm fine with letting this opportunity slide by.>>

Cerberus leaned back and drank his orange juice flavored water. This seemed to be ut of his control. Cerberus almost zoned out completely thinking about the cool video game he had seen and had yet to purchase. The text/voice of one of his other teammates brought him right back to reality though and he couldnt have slapped himself for daydreaming at a time like this. He had been to war and had some wounds to prove it but he wasnt a disciplined veteran yet.

[BlackHat]

The Waffle Iron
Friday 8/22/70 15:46:00
Smith - Johnson
PAN - Hidden

<<@Team:: "Let's give it an hour, and see what fate throws our way. I'm with Cerberus. If its out of our control, it's out of our control, and I won't lose any sleep over it - but if given the opportunity, I'd like to help him out. He seemed like a good enough guy.">>

<<@Team:: "In the meantime, I had meant to catch you guys up on current events. Word on the street is, if you guys are willing to look the other way, so is O'Malley. Don't go bringing it up, and they're willing to pretend they never heard of you.">> Johnson paused for a moment, then added. <<@Team:: "I know its small consolation, considering everything you guys lost, but its one less reason we have to look over our shoulders - and considering who we're dealing with, that's something.">>

Johnson thought for a moment about what Cerberus just said about someone being after him. <<@Team:: "You just reminded me of another thing Higgens said. For some reason, he got the impression that the reason Sledge didn't want to talk, was because she had some beef with you.">> Johnson raised an eyebrow, looking directly at Cerberus, as he finished off the last of his soda. <<@Team:: "Any idea what he was getting at? That seems like an awfully strange conclusion to jump to, unless he knows something I don't.">> He then set his drink down on his tray, and shrugged. <<@Team:: "We may not be able to do much about Sledge's fate, but it might be worth our time to figure out who's after you. It might be connected.">>

[JDragon]

The Waffle Iron, just off I-164, Enumclaw, Auburn
Friday 8/22/70 15:46:19
Rocky - physical adept
PAN: Hidden

It was nice to be doing something almost normal for once in the last few weeks, even if it was tied to having a covert conversation with the FBI. The food had been the best he had in weeks and Rocky took advanatge of it, throughly cleaning his plate as he listened and watch Johnson's expressions as he talked. Once the conversation was over Rocky listened to the report and the others thoughts. He didn't think Sledge or Fort would change their minds on what they had found out, and he still wasn't that interested, but if the team went for it he would go along.

<<@team: Good to hear we may be left alone by the remains of Louie's guys. So now I guess we wait and see if the additional info gets Sledge's interest?>>

[Abbandon]

The Waffle Iron, just off I-164, Enumclaw, Auburn
Friday 8/22/70 15:47:32
Cerberus - Street Samurai
PAN - hidden(Robert Nevall)

<<@team "Well she did kind of taser me unconscience when we ran into our friends the first time. Its good to know someone noticed">> Cerberus took a deep breathe and exhaled imagining himself blowing out all the negativity that memory braught up. <<"Its all good though, I'm over it. As for who else is after me... It could be the guys who are the reason for me having to enter the shadows. While working for Doc Wagon I rescued some runners from Matsuki Precision Instruments. After that I was almost killed twice, once in a trap and again at a hospital. They might still be after me..otherwise I have no clue." >>

[BlackHat]

The Waffle Iron
Friday 8/22/70 15:49:00
Smith - Johnson
PAN - Hidden

Johnson let Rocky's question about Sledge go without mention. At this point, he doubted the Feds were listening in, but didn't want to completely give up on the ruse, either. At least, if someone was reading his lips when he subvocalized, they would get his impression, and miss the messages that are typed. Instead, he ran with Cerberus conversation, with little more than a nod towards Rocky.

<<@Team:: "I dunno... That would explain why you'd have a beef with her... but I dunno if it 'works' the other way around. I mean, other than her worrying she'd need to put you down again. What's our policy on that, by the way? Anyone have a problem with a new rule that says nobody shoots anyone else on the team? I suppose that would only work if we had another rule that said that if someone on the team asks you to back down, you do it. Those sound fair?">>

Without really waiting for a response, he added. <<@Team:: "If anyone else wants to put any rules on the table, now's a good time to discuss our process.... Tighten shit up... in case we get a job... that we can actually go after.">> His grin was pretty big, at this point - but he was honestly interested in hearing how everyone thought they should be doing things. Its not like he had a lot of experience.

[pragma]

The Waffle Iron, just off I-164, Enumclaw, Auburn
Friday 8/22/70 15:49:05
Fortunato - Support Mage
PAN - Passive (Contacts, Earbuds, Smartlink)
Astrally Inactive

<<@Team: So you know, my conditions on this job still stand. I'm never mentioned and never show my face to the feds.

Regarding the work we just did, which we really shouldn't mention over wireless unless the better Angel's of our nature say otherwise, I think we need to plan a little farther ahead regarding where we plan to sleep when doing business. A few places reserved in advance would go a long way towards making our lives easier. J ought to get on that.>>

[BlackHat]

The Waffle Iron
Friday 8/22/70 15:49:30
Smith - Johnson
PAN - Hidden

<<@Team:: "All good points. Leave out details where possible. I had hoped to talk in person, but this other thing sort of got in the way....">>

[JDragon]

The Waffle Iron, just off I-164, Enumclaw, Auburn
Friday 8/22/70 15:50:01
Rocky - physical adept
PAN: Hidden

Rocky glanced around a little, still wondering where the mage had gone and made sure no one was really looking at them. Keeping his voice a s quite as possible added his thoughts.

<<@team: Sounds good to me. If this thing isn't going to workout for a quick job, it would be helpful if Johnson could help me find someone that could alter my look some. I don't to get reconized by some fan and have the Star all over us.>>

[Konsaki]

The Waffle Iron, just off I-164, Enumclaw, Auburn
Friday 8/22/70 15:43:59
Caittie – Technomancer – Hidden
PAN – Kitoria McCree - Passive

Opening her eyes slowly, she blinked a bit as the rest of her teammates slowly came into focus. the girl then brushed a few free floating hairs from in her face with an easy movement, tucking them behind her pointed ears. With the same moment, she straightened herself from the position she had put her body in, slightly leaning into the slight corner the booth made, to keep from causing a commotion of someone seemingly passing out into their food.
Keeping up with the digital communication easily, Caittie felt a calling on the physical plane, one not unheard of when partaking of a meal as she and her compatriots were. With a showing of some social grace, she hinted to Johnson, which he understood easily. The trolls looked a little interested at seeing their ‘boss’ getting up, but quickly dismissed it as the elven hacker slid out and the human retook his spot, seemingly nonplused in his conversation. With a quick, “I’ll be right back�, she made her way towards the restrooms, red braid swinging with her strides.


The Waffle Iron, just off I-164, Enumclaw, Auburn
Friday 8/22/70 15:54:30
Caittie – Technomancer – Hidden
PAN – Kitoria McCree - Passive

With a click, the hand dryer shut off. Caittie frowned and shook her still damp hands in the air to try and dry them some more before resorting to wiping them on her jeans. ‘Environmentally friendly, but it doesn’t matter if it doesn’t work…’, she thought in annoyance, before having her thought process interrupted.
Easily seeing the cause, she let out a smile as she pushed open the door to the bathroom and stepped across the threshold back into the dinner proper. Making her way towards the booth, the technomancer’s smile faded quickly, till it was more of a concerned frown. ‘I wonder what the others are going to think when they find out?’, she asked herself just before reaching the booth.

Johnson saw her approaching from a while away, motioned as if he was getting up to let her back into the booth, but stopped as he saw the expression on her face. A mild quirk of his eyebrow as she finally stepped up to the table asked the question of what was up. Looking towards the human, she spoke in a slightly annoyed but hushed tone, "Sometimes people just wont leave you alone...� she then tied it into some more common conversation on people calling at the wrong time and other annoying situations.
On the digital realm though, she uploaded videos of a known dwarf/human pair onto the team network, adding commentary but mainly pointing out time and location using a digital map overlay. As the video and commentary went, she motioned for Johnson to move over and then sat down on the now vacated spot, finishing with, <<“That’s the last one I found, putting them around five blocks away at around fifteen-thirty… around twenty five minutes ago…�>>

[BlackHat]

The Waffle Iron
Friday 8/22/70 15:56:00
Smith - Johnson
PAN - Hidden

Johnson worked his response into Angel's casual conversation, while accepting the video feed she was offering in AR. "There are worse things than being popular on a Friday afternoon." As he saw what was being presented, he smiled, and added. "I'd get used to it. For the next couple of years, I think you're going to have boys calling you all the time." His disarming smile made the comment somehow come off as complimentary, rather than creepy. "Trust me, you don't need to worry until they stop."

Turning to the two trolls, he gestured in the direction that the map suggested lead to their friends. "Want me to deliver the bad news, personally? They got here a bit early, but I don't think the situation is gonna change. I could hop over there, and save them the trip over here."

Turning his attention back to Angel he winked. "There a bit old for you, I think - and they haven't exactly got the 'playing hard to get' part down yet."

A moment later, he added, "Any chance you can get me a current look at that store? I spose, by now, they could be ordering waffles." He half peered over the divider at the line of customers waiting for a table.

[Abbandon]

The Waffle Iron, just off I-164, Enumclaw, Auburn
Friday 8/22/70 15:56:30
Cerberus - Street Samurai
PAN - hidden(Robert Nevall)

Cerberus whispered as quitely as he could "If you want, I can go deliver the message. No need for you to show them what you look like, if they dont already know by now." Of course Cerberus also had other reasons for wanting to be the one to deliver the message. For one he wanted to ask who else was looking for him that the two feds had eluded to. And two he was pretty pissed off at being constantly followed and watched and if they were going to arrest him he would atleast like to gets some shots in before it happened with his fists and that would only happen if he went to them.

"If not then does anyone have any contacts with somebody that can hook me up with some living qaurters that are maybe off the grid?"

[BlackHat]

The Waffle Iron
Friday 8/22/70 15:57:00
Smith - Johnson
PAN - Hidden

Johnson smiled at Cerberus. "Thanks for the offer, man." He shook his head. "Thing is, I just gave our friends an earful for talking to you, instead of me, in the first place - if I sent you to bear the bad news, I would look like a hypocrite." Then he gestured towards the door. "You wanna come with, though, feel free. I just figured I'd be playing interception, and buy the rest of you some time to split."

As he spoke, he was looking past the trolls, through the window, scanning across the cars in the parking lot. He figured, if the Feds were onto their location, they would probably be outside watching them.

[BlackHat]

The Waffle Iron
Friday 8/22/70 15:58:30
Smith - Johnson
PAN - Hidden

Johnson didn't recognise any of the car's out front, and couldn't see anything through their windshields, anyway. He saw Angel looking out the window, at the sky, and followed her line of sight to a nearby rooftop. The glint of metal tipped him off to what she was looking at, and he saw it too. A surveilance drone. He had no idea if it had some sort of laser sensor whathaveyou, but at that distance, it was probably mostly visual, which meant his intuition was right - they were being watched, and there was a good chance his lips were being read.

He continued to look along some of the other buildings, as if he hadn't seen it at all, and decided to try to tell the others to play it cool. <<@Team:: "Alright, check it out. ">> He flourished his hand in front of Angel making sure she and the others turned their attention to him, rather than the scene around them. He stood where he knew he would be facing the general direction of the drone - but tried not to make it obvious that that was what he was doing. His brief stint in acting was gonna pay off. <<@Team:: "They're gonna keep pulling this shit until we come straight with them. Every dollar they spend tracking us, is another dollar they don't have to offer us when they finally catch on.>> He gestured at the trolls. <<@Team:: "You two, either take the van and start shopping for a place to sleep, tonight, or sit tight here where its nice and public. I'm gonna go try to straighten everything out. I think its best if I go alone.">> He got out of his seat and wiped off his mouth. <<@Team:: "Angel, why don't get some rest... see if you can't make a friend around here?">> He smiled, maintaining eye contact until he felt she understood his meaning, and then headed for the door.

[pragma]

The Waffle Iron, just off I-164, Enumclaw, Auburn
Friday 8/22/70 15:49:05
Fortunato - Support Mage
PAN - Passive (Contacts, Earbuds, Smartlink)
Astrally Inactive

Fortunato carefully glanced around the diner. He'd heard enough to know that it was time to put the mask he was wearing to use.

First thing was first, Watcher, are there any astral forms in this room?

While the spirit bit its non-existent lips trying to determine what was and wasn't worth mention, Fortunato in the guise of a Boeing employee slowly started to pay his check while looking for a publicly accessible back door.

[BlackHat]

The Waffle Iron
Friday 8/22/70 16:07:00
Smith - Johnson
PAN - Hidden

Before he left, Johnson threw down a few worn bills for his share of the tab. He left nonchalantly, and when he got to his bike, he took his time putting on his helmet, seemingly adjusting a few things in AR. In reality, he was forming one last message for Sledge. <<@Sledge:: "Time table moved up. I need your answer now. Call if you have questions.>>

Then, expecting no more response from that message than his last two, he flicked a few AR dials and picked up one of his favorite Matrix music stations. He headed out of the parting lot, initially heading perpendicular to the route one would expect if he were going towards the 24Heaven. After a block, he took a couple of fast turns, and swung around in that direction. As he drove, he had no idea if the drone was following him or if the Feds had seen him leave and were similarly on the move. Somehow he doubted it, though. These guys seemed laid back.

One more block, and he'd find out if he was right.