Atlanta 2070, Hot time in the old town tonight Options

[ludomastro]

Book's first day turned out to be a waste of time on the social front. The second day went a bit better. He found himself walking down a street in a nicer neighborhood when he saw a Lone Star cruiser pull up near him. The cop - a thick elf - got out and started hassling a bum on the side of the street. For reasons only Snake knew, he walked up to the officer and said, Excuse me, sir. That's my crazy older brother. He got loose from the house about five days ago and we have been worried sick. If you give me a moment, I'll take him home. The cop looks confused and then suspicious for a moment. Then he relaxes and adds, Sure, your brother. Yeah, you take good care of him. In a whisper he adds, I think they pay more for 'em down at the gym on the corner.

The bum smiles at Book and begins walking with him. You jus' saved me bacon back there. Thanks stranger. Name's John Doe but most folk just call me Seven Eleven. How can old John Doe, repay the favor I owes ya?

-----

System Error looks at Tank for a moment as if sizing up the situation and then answers, If you must know, I had a run in with some friends in my neighborhood. The sarcasm drips off the word. Some of this information wasn't easy to come by and I had to ask a favor to get it. More to himself than either of the other two he adds, ... and sometimes favors have hidden costs.

He eats his last rib and opens another bottle of soda and begins to drink it down. Glancing at Tank he adds, That will have to do for now.

A smile creeping back onto his face he asks, So, what's next?

[Redjack]

The previous day...

As Book walks with the bum he figures there is more meets the eye... He shifts his gaze to the astral as they walk and looks the man's aura over. "Folks call me Book... My penchant for real books rather than the E variety. As to a favor.. I don't know, what do you do and do you have a com?"

The current day...

Tank gets a very serious look on his face, "Do we need to pay them a little visit? You're with a crew now buddy... Somebody in our squad takes a beating-" he punches into his palm for emphasis, "we rain down hell."

Book raises an eyebrow looking over at the scrawny driver. Perhaps there is something in there besides a drunk who is able to hold it together just long enough to get through a run...? He then looks to the team's hacker. "He's right, though perhaps flamboyant in his espre de corps mentality. We are pretty much a crew now. We pulled a good run together and are getting ready to run the gauntlet with this next one. If you have issues on your home turf, we are here for you. You do the work on our coms and we cover your meat-body.." .. and besides the secret was sending snake into a tizzy.

[ludomastro]

Previous Day

Well, I'm usually good for the odd piece of information - I hear things ya know. Yeah, I have one of those blasted electronic devices. Can't go nowhere without one anymore. He produces a ratty, first generation comm that looks fairly rough.

-----

Current Day

Book and Tank both get a solid look from the young ork. It is appreciated. I have something that needs doing; however, it will have to wait until after this run. We take this guy down and you get full details. Deal? System Error smiles and adds, Besides, Tank, your comm security is so weak my grandma could hack it.

[Redjack]

Previous Day

Book transmits one of the LTG's provided by his shadow-server account to Seven Eleven when they trade codes. "Good luck with avoiding the Star." He finishes with a nod and a hand shake as they reach the bus stop that is Book's ride onward across town.

Current Day

Tank snickers at the innuendo. "I'm not ready to spend more on security software than I spent on the whole damn com." He pauses for a moment, the synapses firing. "Say... Now that you are the team hacker, aren't you supposed to hook your crew up with drek-hot security apps?"

Following System's reply, Book switches the conversation back to the run. "We need to shadow the boy for a few days. Find out what he does... where he goes. Where can we find him today?"

[ludomastro]

Previous Day

Same to ya. Seven Eleven shuffles mildly along.

[ Spoiler ]

Roll Perception.

-----

Current Day

System Error rests his head against the seat as if sleeping. His eyes flash back and forth behind closed eyelids as if dreaming and then he answers, My sources tell me he is at Tony's, a Southern style joint on the other side of town. They also figure he has a 70% chance of stopping off at Dick's, after that. He adds without waiting for the question, It's a meat packing plant. Or at least that's the front. I'm not sure what is in the back.

He takes a final gulp of soda and looks at Tank. I might know someone who could fix up your comm for you. He pauses and the adds, Course, I could probably get his programs for cheap too. It would keep the circle smaller that way.

[Redjack]

Previous Day

[ Spoiler ]

[2,6,4,4,3,1,3,5,5,2,2] = 3 hits

Current Day

The duo listen as System Error lays out the details about the Captain's Son. It is Book who follows up with a reply, "Meat packing plant? Who owns that? We gotta be careful about who else we potentially cross here. We should also look for a fall guy for when the kid takes a tumble."

Tank raises an eyebrow, "What are you thinking?"

Book replies, "As to the meat pack plant, probably organized crime. The fall guy should be somebody close and in deep as well. I don't want someone innocent getting pulled down."

Tank smirks.

Book retorts, "I mean relatively."

The duo look back to System for additional information about Dick's.

[ludomastro]

Previous Day

[ Spoiler ]

The bus pulls up soon after and then heads in the same direction as Seven Eleven. Book's view of S-E is momentarily obscured by the pole of a street sign. On a seemingly normal street, the man just vanishes.

Go ahead and mark S-E down as a contact at Connection 1, Loyalty 1.

-----

Current Day

System Error rests his head again - he looks tired - and lets his eye drift back and forth. He answers as if from somewhere far away, I can't tell you who the actual owner is. I hit a good firewall after I left City Hall. I can tell you the owner listed on the deed for Dick's is Susan Kyles. Give me a minute. After about five minutes he smiles and adds, Nice choice of name. There are 427 Susan Kyles in Atlanta and none of them have lived at the address recorded on the deed. I'll have to get back to you on the owner. Maybe we can run some meat contacts to ground on that one too.

[Redjack]

Previous Day
Book shakes his head in disbelief. Nah.... Couldn't have been. He settles back in the seat, musing how curious a day today has become.

Current Day

While Book looks on concerned for the team's hacker, Tank is focusing on the information. "I think I have some contacts we can run that by." He starts up the vehicle and heads towards the Fire Cracker.

His attention back on the run Book continues the conversation. "Ok. Back to the fall guy. We need to find out more about the kid, but we gotta keep from asking too many questions. Can't have any avenues of inquiry lead back to us." He pauses a moment, thinking. "Ok. Let's talk to your contacts, but keep it low profile. Don't mention the kid. Let's start with the meat packing plant. Let's talk in generalizations about cops.. not mention the father specifically."

The duo sit quietly as they continue the drive. When they arrive, Book casts physical mask on himself to change his appearance to something more suitable for the Irish pub. His focus, more on his team-mate and the run, the strain of the spell would be evident on his face... were it not covered by a masking spell.

He follows Tank into the bar, feeling as though the wind had been knocked out of his, slowly returning his breathing to normal.

Once in the pub, Tank heads straight for the bar. "Jimmy! A brew for me and my friend."

[ludomastro]

Oh, there boy. Would ye be looking for me own home brew? Jimmy smiles and asks, Will ye be wanting it hot like a good Irishman or cold some some damn American fool.

[Redjack]

At the mention of home brew, Book's ears perk up. This may be more than just an information run after all.

Tank smiles, "Well since I've an allergy to fools, you best to fix us up two warm.

The duo pull themselves up to the bar and Tank leads in small talk with the bartender. He works himself around to the meat packing plant. "Say, I got some biz that may take me around Dick's Meat Packing Plant.... Am I gonna run astray of any... family complications if it does?"

[ludomastro]

Well now, let's be supposin' that I can part with that kind of information. Can yer friend their be trusted? An what type o' business will ye be havin'?

[Redjack]

Tank takes a draw from the pint, "He's covered my back in a place or two where the heat was pretty high. He's tight-lipped and instantly forgets where he hears things. As to our business... Well, we ain't looking to cause a scene. We're really just looking to get the scoop on Dick's before we step into the proverbial lion's den."

Book nurses his pint as well, deciding that tonight might be best for him to play the strong silent type.

[ludomastro]

Jimmy eyes Book with some concern but seems to accept Tank's explanation. Well, ye won't be treading on any family business if that's your concern. There's this copper who's been muscling in on family business. Seems to have an understanding with ... someone. I can't say that I approve; however, it's not me decision. What would ye like to know about Dick's?

[Redjack]

Tank takes a draw from the pint mulling the new information. As he does, a text scrolls in AR from Book.
<<@Tank [Book] We should inquire about the cop and try to get an angle there.>>
Tank continues talking to Jimmy without missing a beat. "What's the real scan on Dick's? Obviously more than the sign says. And a cop you say? I know several of them are pretty dirty. Which one is making waves with the families?"

For Book, the wheels are silently turning. Perhaps there might be an opportunity for Don Venedicia to become a little indebted...

[ludomastro]

Well Dick's actually does what the sign says. They slaughter and butcher real meat - 'though it's not always beef or lamb or even pork - and package it for sale. If you want to see the front o' th' store, ye jest 'ave to walk in and order a kilo or so. Just be prepared with some yen for their trouble though. Now, in the back with all those electronic forms for the various shipments, their might or might not be some extra payments that pass through the business. And all the crate labeled "meat" may or may not actually contain meat. Drones won't, and bored dock workers don't generally, go openin' 'em for fun.

He lowers both his head and his voice a bit and adds, I here tell that their be other kinds o' meat for sale there too if you know what I mean.

Standing up again he continues, I ain't never laid eye on the cop in question but I'd be glad to ask around should you like to know. Now, I'd be obliged if you was to return the favor and let me know what you are plannin'.

[Redjack]

The duo listens as Jimmy lays out the details he knows. The mask spell hides Book's dismay at the information. The shaman locks the details away though. One never knows when little secrets like that may come in handy.

Tank smiles. "Well right now we're not planning anything. Just feeling out that if we make a scene there who might be upset with us." He raises the glass, "Here's hoping that we avoid any scenes." He drinks down the rest, sets the glass down and changes the subject. "As to the cop, just trying to figure out who to steer clear of. No sense mixing it up with Johnny-Law if I don't need to, right?" Gesturing to the glass, "Set me up again my friend."

Book considers the additional detail a little deeper. Perhaps I should pay Don Venedicia a visit after all. He begins to run various permutations of a conversation with the Don through his head. He also considers what Seven-Eleven might know as well... Decisions, decisions.

[ludomastro]

As he pours another round, Well, now sonny. I can't be disagreeing with a right minded notion like that. As I said, I don't know him personally seeing as how I've never met 'im, nor seen 'im but I hear he might be a Captain with the Star.

The door opens and a confused little girl walks in. Jimmy begins wiping the bar as she walks up to him and without a word holds out an evelope. He takes it, opens it and reads the note. He diggs in a box without saying a word before producing a two gold colored coins and gives them to the girl. She smiles, pocketing one of them before unwrapping the other and eating it. Then she leaves.

He turns back to the bar and grabs some whiskey. He doses the note with it before setting it on fire. I dona wish to be rude; however, I must close early today. The rounds on me. This time. With that, he begins to pick up around the bar.

[Redjack]

"I understand. Thanks" is Tank's reply. The duo finish their drinks quickly and turn towards the door.

[ludomastro]

Reaching the doorway, the two see the form a little girl skipping down the street.

[Redjack]

The two continue out the door and into Dalton's ride. Book looks over, "They're cannibals?"

Dalton looks at him, "What the hell are you talking about?"

"The meat packing plant."

Dalton erupts into laughter. "No.... Whores. They also sell flesh."

Book grimaces. He wasn't used to missing the obvious. "What the hell was with the double talk then?"

Dalton replies, "Jimmy fancies himself a mobster too. Though its really his brother Tommy that runs things." He looks back at the sleeping hacker and starts the vehicle.

Book lays a hand on his arm. "There's no rush... and Snake doesn't like not knowing secrets."

[ludomastro]

Their patience is rewarded, even if the relative quiet of the vehicle is broken by little snores coming from System Error. They see five people enter the bar with muscle in tow. Tow of them set up a table out front a start a game of some kind. Perhaps dominoes, perhaps backgammon, it's hard to tell from here.

[ Spoiler ]

Roll perception. Let's see if we recognize any of these people.

-----

After moving on, they are able to locate Dick's easily enough. It is in a run down area of town but one with pride still left in it. There are several grandmothers out scrubbing the graffiti off the walls. The troll up high and the dwarf down low. Not surprisingly, the elves aren't getting their hands dirty. However, one of them is hunched over an outdated comm working on something. The housing units near the plant are as clean as any and the street is still well lit. The group of teens and pre-teens on the sidewalk is too neat to fall into the "gang" category; however, too organized to be a "play group" either. They must be the "neighborhood watch" or a group of "concerned citizens". The meat packing plant sits off the street in a large lot that was obviously used more when large groups of chattel were brought in at once rather than one or two at a time. There is a well dressed man supervising the unloading of two cows when the group pulls up.

Across the street is a closed store front for rent. It looks to have been furniture at one time or another. The upper floors still appear to have apartments in them.

[Redjack]

Amid the snores from the back the duo watch as the various mobsters enter the bar. After a few minutes, Book nudges Tank. "Best we don't linger too long."

Tank lazily pulls away out of the parking spot and down the street.

-----------

As the duo drive through the neighborhood, Book is glad at least for the polarized windows. Looking through them at the sights, he wonders where the plethora of cameras that surely are around are. He turns to Tank, "The graffiti is a telling sign."

"How so?" Inquires the driver.

"That tells me that they do not control the neighborhood with an iron fist. Random youth at worst, a gang at best are pressing for the territory." Book rubs his chin. "There will be a way to use that."

Tank looked at the shaman for a moment. He didn't have the slightest idea how they were gonna pull this job off.

"First thing we gotta do is latch onto the kid. Once we do that, then we can figure out what he's up to. If he's not into mischief, we can surely invent some. We may not even need this neighborhood." Book smiles, "You gonna let out your fly-spy so we can start our stake-out?"

Tank releases his small drone, sending it out a window rolled down just a crack towards building for rent as the van makes its way down the street and around the corner. As he looks for a spot a few blocks away, out of the sight of the building and the kids, he sends the fly-spy to awning of the building. "I hate stake outs." he grumbles looking over to the shaman's unconscious body.

[ludomastro]

Book is quickly able to orient himself on the astral. The building is not hard to find - it is the only one with a ward on it. A pretty good one too. There are remnants of pain and suspicion around the entrance where the cows are being driven. One of the youth is magically active - probably an adept.

-----

Tank is able to land on the awning and watch the cows be loaded into the chute. An ork is standing there with a large gun - or at least something that resembles one. He pulls the trigger and the cow drops to the waiting conveyor belt below the chute. The next cow walks into the same chute and the process is repeated. The ork retrieves the two pieces of metal and drops them in a liquid filled bucket.

You're pretty good with them bolts, boy, says the man with the cows. The ork just looks at him for a second and then walks away. A few moments later a human walks out with a smile plastered on his face. The troll behind him is smiling as well. Another man - short and balding walks out and greets the cowboy.

Right this way. We have an excellent suggestion for you to consider.

[Redjack]

Book moves cautiously through the astral. The gray of the buildings provide little cover for his projected form.

[ Spoiler ]

Perception test: [5,5,6,1,6,5,2,5,4,3,5] = 7 hits. Not just : Wow!, but: WOW-WOW-WOW!!
Is the kid astrally active (aka astrally perceiving)?

-------

[ Spoiler ]

The cowboy is the 'human walks out with a smile plastered on his face.'?
Let me see if I got this right: An ork killed the cows and then went further into the meat packing plant. Four grandmothers (a troll, a dwarf and two elves) are outside. The former two cleaning, the latter two working on coms. Three people came out meat packing plant. A human, a troll and a short, balding human. The short human is proposing something to the other a third human who is well dressed and was supervising the unloading of the cows.

Tank steers clear of the elven women. No since taking a chance on them running com scans. He takes a moment to switch the com channel for the drone and change encryption keys. He tries to pick up some additional details from the conversation, wary of the elven women.

[ludomastro]

Book sees everything on the Astral in the vicinity. When the ancients spoke of opening the third eye and Seeing, this must have been what they were talking about.

The young man - the adept - appears to be unaware of his own potential having only recently tapped into it. The group of grandmothers seem to be in a good mood, if a little tired of having to do this again.

There is life all over the upper floors of the building across from the meat plant. The bottom floor does indeed appear to be empty. The building where the grandmothers are working is full of pride and optimism, even a little hope. There is even a warded area near the ground floor.

In a rare twist, Book is able to see into the ground and although fuzzy, he can make out lust and misery from an area under the meat packing plant. The ward around the meat packing plant was created by

Book's eyes are drawn to a luminous snake standing off to the side. You See. Enjoy it. Savor the secrets. Look there.

Book sees the astral form of a coyote near the warded area in the grandma's building.

-----

Tank is able to follow the two into the area but loose some control of the drone due to a water curtain designed to keep out flies.

The cowboys breaks into a belly laugh, Show me what you got. I have some time on my hands and now how I want to spend it. The short, balding man asks him to turn his PAN to active so that he can access the AR menu. The cowboy looks for a minute and then says, That one. She'll do nicely.

The short man bows slightly, An excellent choice.

Another man walks out - staggers really - from a hidden door which apparently leads to a basement. The short man seems annoyed at the young man - the mark!

Carlos! Calming himself, he adds, Please escort our guest to see Kitty would you?

The youth replies, Sure thing.