Down in the Barrens, This time its Redmond.. Hang on... Options

[Redjack]

http://forums.dumpshock.com/index.php?show...opic=18648&st=0
Saturday March 2nd, 2070; 22:00:01; Touristville, Redmond, Seattle

Some days are good days and some days are bad days, then there are days like today. It was a new definition of bad. It was like all three fates took a dump on your head after eating Indian food all week...

The day actually started pretty good. Two days ago Ditch McCoy dropped off his ride for an upgrade of the turbines. This morning at 10 am it was done and after a 30 hour bender to get it done ahead of schedule.

Billy awoke an hour ago, feeling pretty damn good. Ditch is a drone rigger with good connections, good hardware and a steady stream of work. If he was as equally impressed, then there would be more work coming... and perhaps some work that paid on contingency and paid lots better than wrenching.

Stepping into the shop Billy saw it all slip away. He felt ill, weak in knees, tasted the bile in his throat. Ditch's ride was gone, the alarm node was trashed. Ditch wasn't the type of guy to take a joke and the guys he ran with were the types to rip your arm off. Just what Billy needed, to loose another arm.

Kneeing there in the shop Billy looked across the floor, then at the clock in AR. Ditch would be here at 4:00am on Tuesday. Lacking a sense of humor, Billy doubted that Ditch has an ounce of compassion either. Could just grease him and dump the body.. No, his crew knew he was coming by. Could pack up and leave... No, Billy didn't have much, but he'd have to walk away from it all and start all over.. again... Too old to do that.. Only one choice. Track down the bugger who stole the ride and make them a grease spot. Probably some damn trog!

[fistandantilus4....]

Ah @#%@ @#%$@%, @%@$ @ @$@#$in the %$@#@ @#$@# his $#@$#@ then @#$@34 with iron wool!


Bill took a minute to compose himself, then another five to go through his list of explatives again. Just incase he'd missed some.

Alright, has to be a reasonable explanation for this.

Let's work under the assumption that Ditch wasn't trying to skip out on the bill, and that no one's doing this to purposefully get me geeked.

Or maybe I shouldn't close that avenue of thought.fragger!. OK, how would I get in this place....?

First thing, Billy inspects the alarm system. See how they got in, see what kind of talent I'm looking at. Then just pray to Dog it's just some idiot kids I can put a couple of ruonds into and call it aday.

Billy scans over the alarm system first to see how it was bypassed.

[Redjack]

[ Spoiler ]

Hardware check (Maglock). Since you didn't upgrade the system it appears to be one of those things Billy wanted to do..

[fistandantilus4....]

[ Spoiler ]

Three successes, absed off of roll linked in IM

[Redjack]

Saturday March 2nd, 2070; 22:04:00; Billy's Garage, Touristville, Redmond, Seattle

The first pass looking everything over yields utter confusion, but running a diagnostic on the garage's maglock provides some information. It was opened at 19:03 with a valid access code, though with your expertise with maglocks you know a good maglock passkey can generate a fake code.

[fistandantilus4....]

Damnit. Passkey means someone with cred available. That rules out punk gangers. Not helpful.

Looking around the place some more, Billy scans the place for anything basic. Anything out of place, dropped, hell even boot prints. Grabbing his olfactory scanner, he runs it over the garage as well to see if there's anything out of place. An enclosed space only a few hours ago, perhaps something will be left.

If nothing pans here, going to have to have a talk with a few f the squatters.

[Redjack]

Saturday March 2nd, 2070; 22:06:00; Billy's Garage, Touristville, Redmond, Seattle

[ Spoiler ]

Secret perception test rolled

Several minutes spent looking around the garage for things out of place do in fact yield a few clues. First, someone walked through the oil on the garage floor you spilled when draining the old oil cooler. The boot's tred looks like a military or hiking boot type. Large. The owner is either a large human or ork. Perhaps a small troll. Other than that, everything is as you left it. Your box of expensive tools is sitting there open and undisturbed.

[fistandantilus4....]

Besides the tools, there's plenty of other expensive things the ycould have grabbed here. They must have been looking specifically for Ditch's ride. At least they didn't touch my bike.

At the thought, Billy goes over to his bike, giving it a thorough goings-over. Once he's satisfied it's in good condition, he changes the maglock's combination, grabs a few of his firearms, shrugs on his jacket, ... and heads to the fridge.

Walking purposefully outside, Billy looks around with his thermographics at the street people around his shop.

Two things you can always count on in this city. Trolls will always be in the way when you gotta take a piss, and the squatters never have anythign better to do than watch.

With that, he walks acorss the street, a well stacked sandwich and a couple of bottles of beer in hand. Holding out money is a good way to say "someone shank me" in this area. But food, now that's incentive. Food and a drink, in exchange for a bit of helpful talking, that was a one wa ticket to InformationVille. Hopefully.

[ Spoiler ]

Talking to squatters in the area. People around here must know my shop, and a vehicle like that isn't what you'd call low key. Hopefully, someone saw someone [i]going in[;i] as well as coming out.

Armamant is my arm slide colt america 360 on the left arm (not ambidextrious, but most people would be watching the right arm, since its' chromed, hip hosltered Steyr, and shoulder holstered Colt Manhunter. No point in being subtle in this part of the city. Subtle gets ya' shot at. ;)

[Redjack]

Saturday March 2nd, 2070; 22:09:00; Billy's Garage, Touristville, Redmond, Seattle

One thing you notice is a definite lack of street people in the area. The recessed doorway of the hardware store across the street is usually the squat for Walter, a local street person. He is not there. Most street people are laying in for the night at this time of night, in this neighborhood, but where are they?

[ Spoiler ]

Another secret perception test rolled.

You do hear a noise round the north side of the garage. Moving closer to investigate, you find Madge, another local squatter, leaning and weaping over the body of her husband, Derrick. The first thing that dawns on you is that you know the names of too many people living on the street. The second is that Derrick died from a single shot to the forehead. Madge does not appear to have noticed your arrival.

[fistandantilus4....]

What the frag? Who the hell cares enough about a snatch to pop the squatters? Maybe Madge know something at least...

Walking up by stopping two meters from the squatter, Billy the food down.

Madge , what happened? Who did this?

[Redjack]

Saturday March 2nd, 2070; 22:09:06; Billy's Garage, Touristville, Redmond, Seattle

She looks up, tears streaming down her face. Instead of replying to your words she jumps up, flailing arm at you, wailing even louder, "You! This is your fault!". With your increased reflexes she moves moves slowly by comparison. Her flailing arms lack any skill and are fueled by her all encompassing grief.

[fistandantilus4....]

Well that obviously didn't work. Time for a different tact

Billy waits for a moment to find a good opening , then moves in to grab her arms at the wrists, lifting them high above her head.

I didn't do this! Otherwise I wouldn't have been asking what the frag happened, now would I!?

He shoves her back before she decides that biting is an acceptable alternative to smacking.

Someone hit my shop last night, and oviously killed Derrick to keep him quite about it. I want these people dead damn near as much as you do. So instead of screaming your head off and picking fighs with the wrong people, why don't you help us both out here and get me some information!

It comes out as a yell. It's probably not the best tact, but it should be enough to crack through her chip addled brain. Crazy slitch.

[Redjack]

Saturday March 2nd, 2070; 22:09:45; Billy's Garage, Touristville, Redmond, Seattle

When you grab her she struggles only for a moment before collapsing. Between the sobs she speaks. "I didn't say YOU.... shot him..... I said.... It's your FAULT..... " She begins to calm a bit, speaking more rationally. Her anger now bringing some measure of control. "We were eating behind the corner cafe." The greasy spoon diner is two doors down. "He heard a noise and came down here to check it out. A few minutes later I heard your garage door open. I came down, saw the vehicles driving away and then saw Derrick."

She immediately turns back to the body, dropping to her knees beside it. This time she refrains from draping herself across it. Sitting there looking at the old woman's back you realize that she must be in her forties. Not much more than a decade older than you. Derrick is something closer to fifty, a hard life for both of them.

[fistandantilus4....]

So this just happened?!

[Redjack]

Saturday March 2nd, 2070; 22:09:57; Billy's Garage, Touristville, Redmond, Seattle

Kneeling by the body she replies as though the wind is knocked out of her. "You brought this here. Whatever you're involved in..."

[fistandantilus4....]

Right, 'cause I invented crime. Listen, I was just fixing some guys car. I sure as hell didn't want anyone breaking in! You wanna blame me fine, but you want the fraggers that did this to face justice, I need intel. Did you see anything? The driver, anyone inside the shop? Hell ,which way were they headed? The faster I get intel, the faster I can go after 'em.

[Redjack]

Saturday March 2nd, 2070; 22:10:21; Billy's Garage, Touristville, Redmond, Seattle

Without turning around she points to the north. "X. Q. D. 1. 5. 9. The plates of the second vehicle."

[fistandantilus4....]

*blink* Blinkblink* For a moment, billy looks at her increduosly.

Wait, how did she ....second vehicle?

Do you have an eye cam Madge ?

Via his cybercomm, he imediately starts searching for some sort of plates database. In all likelihood it's a fake plate. But if she has a recording of the vehicle, a picture is worth a thousand words after all.

[Redjack]

Saturday March 2nd, 2070; 22:10:45; Billy's Garage, Touristville, Redmond, Seattle

She reaches out to touch Derrick's body with one hand, remaining silent. She shakes her head to answer. No.

[ Spoiler ]

Licenses would be in the DMV database and that would be secured.

[fistandantilus4....]

How did you get the plate number then?

As he asks, for the first time he comprehends the real pain he is seeing that's usually such an easily forgotten byproduct of his way of life. He'd said it himself "killing squatters". He knew their names and he still didn't think of them as people.

Slowly, Billy put his left hand on her shoulder.

Madge, I'm sorry. I...

Silence for a moment.

When Billy speaks again, his voice is level and more serious.

Listen, I asked before because I was being selfish. Your husband is dead. I can't do anything for him or you now, except bring down who ever did this. For my own reasons yes, but this ... this sort of thing shouldn't happen. You two aren't any different from me.

Come inside, I'll bring Derrick. You can tell me anything you remember there.

Slowly, Billy moves to pick up the body.

I'm just treading water as a small time runner. Ten years from now I won't be able to do even that. I could well be Derrick in twenty.

[Redjack]

Saturday March 2nd, 2070; 22:12:00; Billy's Garage, Touristville, Redmond, Seattle

Madge follows Billy into his shop. As he carries Derrick, Madge recovers slightly, but still following almost zombie-like. "I just remember stuff. Always have. I pick things out and remember details... No cyber, all real meat. Never had enough cred for anything like that. We had a little house once, when we were about your age..." She chokes up a little, but holds it together. "The other vehicle was nice. Newer model. One of them sleek multi-passenger types. Kinda between a van and wagon."

As you set the body down and look back to her, you see her sights have settled on your sandwich despite the tear stains on her face.

[fistandantilus4....]

Here, I know it's going to be a while 'til you get settled. Have a bite and a drink. It'll help calm you a bit.

He slides the sandwich over and pops the beer. Giving her a minute to eat, he finds a sheet to cover Derick's body and finds something to be paying attention to to let her get comfortable.

I gotta get out there and find these guys.. Madge is my best bet ... Dog have some damn compassion man..

[Redjack]

Saturday March 2nd, 2070; 22:15:00; Billy's Garage, Touristville, Redmond, Seattle

Madge wolfs down the sandwich, her eyes darting back and forth between Derrick and Billy. Returning just a minute later, he find her sleeping. Still sitting on the stool she laid her head on the work bench and fell asleep. Finally, the worry and stress in her face have recessed a little and she even looks rather peaceful. She is dirty and definitely needs a bath, but she is much better than a mere fifteen minutes ago.

The fact remains that fifteen minutes have passed since Billy learned his life may be over and information is still minimal....

[fistandantilus4....]

DAMNIT ! Drek, I know she needs rest, but I need answers!

He moves over to gently, at first, shake her shoulder to wake her.

Madge, listen, I still need some information. I need to know anything you can tell me about the second vehicle .What it looked like. Madge?

While trying to rouse her, Billy sends a message to Ash, his fixer.

<<<<Ash[Billy] What's it going to set me back to get intel on a license plate number?

[Redjack]

Saturday March 2nd, 2070; 22:15:30; Billy's Garage, Touristville, Redmond, Seattle

Madge awakens, embarrassed at having fallen asleep. "All I know is what I told ya. The other vehicle was nice. Newer model. One of them sleek multi-passenger types. Kinda between a van and wagon...."

<<@Billy [Ash] Probably around 500. You working a job?>>