Atlanta 2070, Hot time in the old town tonight Options

[ludomastro]

After a bit more munching, the duo heads back toward their car. Carlos takes the wheel and they start heading out of the garage. The fly-spy is able to pick them up without a problem.

System adds, You do it your way, I'll do it mine.

The duo winds back around to the same place that Carlos picked up the girl. They both head inside and stay there about about two hours. Carlos emerges with a smile on his face.

System adds, Now what?

[Redjack]

As the car pulls out Tank withdraws his fly-spy, actually picking it up en route. No sense taking a chance on outrunning the little bugger- He cost way too much for that.
-----
After arriving outside the girl's flat, as time goes on, the duo figure out what's going on inside. Tank grumbles, "Great. He's inside tapping some and I'm stuck out here with your ugly mug while its going down.. A he took the damn statue with him."

Book leans his seat back and closes his eyes. "Yea. Whatever." Just in case he summons a watcher to look over his sleeping body.

A few minutes later a rabid, cartoon looking dog manifests and growls at Tank. "Kidding... I was kidding." The adept goes back to watching for Carlos and catching up on the current issue of Fire & Maneuver Magazine.
-----
Two hours later the dog manifests again, growling menacingly at Tank. "Wake your happy ass up. The kids on the move. It looks like he has the statue."

Book rubs his eyes, dismisses the watcher and looks at the video feed. Noticing the time, "Two freaking hours? It couldn't have taken the little shit more than forty-five seconds... What's he been doing? Getting emotional?"

[ Spoiler ]

Getting emotional is a slang term referring to the emotionally extreme experiences associated to BTL use.

<<@Team [Book] System - You got anything more on Dumont?>>

[ludomastro]

I'm working on it. I've never seen private security go this far. I figure I've got another fifteen to twenty minutes before I finally break through all the crap he's laid down.

-----

Carlos, grabs his bike and heads out. He appears to be headed back toward the meat packing plant. However, he changes course and heads for a miniature warehouse storage area a few blocks away. He throws his bike into the back of a truck and starts loading some boxes by hand from one of the storage locations. Once finished he jumps into the truck and drives back to the meat packing plant.

-----

Got it! Damn, not what I was expecting. It appears that the club he and his honey knocked over is owned by the yaks. Dumont is a cover name. Best I can tell, they use the club to launder money.

[Redjack]

The tug of Snake is overpowering. Yes. The secrets, I know.
"Tank. Follow him for just a moment."

As the truck pulls out onto the street and passes their position, Tank pulls out to follow it for a block.

[Redjack]

As Tank pulls out, Book sighs wishing it could be just that easy with a Magic Fingers spell. Not having the spell, he instead summons an air spirit and works through a slightly more complex plan. He is amazed when the spirit arrives, pledging three services.

He then turns his attention to turning himself invisible, followed by rolling down the passenger window. He pulls on his gloves. "Guard me and carry me." he commands, committing the spirit to all but one of the spirit's services.

He directs the spirit to the truck, where he procures the statue. "Conceal this from prying eyes great spirit of air." he directs the spirit, "and carry me back to the Tank's vehicle."


Settling down back in the seat, he dismisses the spirit. "Thank you great spirit. You are released with my gratitude." He then quickly searches the bag to insure no RFID tags found there way there in.

[ludomastro]

Damn! System Error makes his amazement known. I didn't know you could fly.

-----

Book finds the statue easily enough. There are RFID tags all over the contents as well as the bag itself.

-----

Carlos and the truck continue on toward Dick's.

[Redjack]

Letting the invisibility spell end, Book quickly peels off all the RFID tags back into the bag, being extra cautious not to miss or drop any. He summons a slightly smaller air spirit. This one comes easy, anxious to serve Book. He holds out the back to the spirit. "Take this. I will show you were to put it."

And with that, Book leans back into the seat and projects his spirit from his body. He guides the spirit to Dick's parking lot. He chooses a vehicle one of the larger vehicles and has the spirit stash the bag there. A larger car should be someone of more prominence. This should begin the boy's undoing.

Book's not for sure what will transpire, perhaps nothing. He imagines anyone of a dozen scenarios: The boy tracks down the tags and begins accusing or he tracks down the tags and seeks revenge or he forgets about them and the car's owner tries to figure out what the hell they are or.....?

[ludomastro]

The diminutive spirit of the air - in the form of a whirlwind tossing dirt and paper - appears in the astral when Book beckons. The spirit practically throws itself at his feat. Oh great one, how may I serve you? Upon Book's command the air spirit zips off to do his bidding and then returns. Is there anything else great one?

-----

Carlos gets out of the truck and heads in to the office, returning a few minutes later with the ork from earlier. They begin unloading the truck and its contents. Carlos appears confused for a second - he scans over the back of the truck for something. He then throws up his hands as well as a few curses toward the skies before getting back in the truck and heading back the way he came.

-----

The ork smirks at Carlos and takes the boxes inside the office.

[Redjack]

Book smiles at the spirit's completed service then tilts his head, confused. He feels the spirit's connection as if bound to him. That is all for now. I will call you when I need you. He adds Thank you for your service.

As the youth heads off in search of his missing prize, Book keeps his smile in place for another moment. Tank continues on and away hiding out several blocks away leaving his fly-spy in the area to give him eyes.

Once parked Tank looks to the shaman again. "Ok. We've spent the day following this little twit, now you've swiped his prize. What next? Care to share the plan?"

Book takes a breath looking at his team mate. He could tell Dalton wanted a drink, but was holding it together well, if not a little anxious. "One step at a time. One misstep and junior figures out we're on to him. Then Daddy- Remember Daddy? The police captain?- Then Daddy takes an interest in us. Right now we can tie junior to a crime. We have video and physical evidence. Better yet, he robbed the Yakuza. This could work out for us in a number of ways."
<<@Team [Book] System - Can you start a watch on the boards for people seeking intel about the robbery of Bliss? It shouldn't be too long before the Yaks start looking for some payback. They won't pay a lot, but when we are ready we can sell them the information.>>

At that point Tank smiles a little. "You are pretty damn devious..."

Book looks over. "Oh, I'm just getting started... and when this is over you and I have one more little job to take care of."

<<@Team [Book] Its time to focus on Daddy. Any idea where we should start with him? System, you mentioned you had a friend tracking Junior, but there was some sort of limit. You got a drone or an agent or something like that?>>

[ludomastro]

System Error replies, Something like that. I'll see what I can do with my sources. I'll look into the boards for Yak offers on information. I assume that you want to find out what I can on Daddy?

-----

A few minutes later, Carlos comes roaring back into the parking lot on his bike. He heads into the store.

-----

A couple of hours later, System Error pipes up, Well, the Yaks are asking around for information. Right now, they are only offering unspecified favors. Daddy is set to receive a medal for meritorious service tomorrow afternoon. I haven't pushed hard enough into the Star's firewall to see his personal calendar. I don't think we need that kind of heat right now. What else do we need?

[Redjack]

<<@Team [Book] Yea. Its time we started looking at how to angle Daddy in. I have an idea, but its pretty bold.>>
-------------------
As Carlos returns to the lot, Book continues to watch the feed from the drone and leans back in the chair. Day one; Things are going well so far, but this is a big one to pull off.
-------------------
after System Error provides the most current update, Book replies:
<<@Team [Book] Ok. Let's pull back, let's get a good night's sleep. We know where to find the kid and we know where to find Daddy at least tomorrow. Meritorious service? There is no end here. By tomorrow morning we need two things: We need to know where Daddy lives and we need fresh vehicles. System - Would you start looking at Daddy's place with a mind to pull a run on it? I'm thinking we drop the statue there... I'm also thinking I drop it masked as Junior. We can catch some video and have a package for the Yakuza. If we can have this in place before the ceremony, then they have a window to recover their statue and get pissed while Daddy is tied up.>>

[ludomastro]

System replies, On it.

-----

After breakfast the next morning System calls the group. Our mark has two places. His house isn't on file; however, from what I can tell, he spends a lot of time at an apartment near his precint. It took some doing but I figured out his home is in the same gated community where Junior picked up the girl. I have a line on three vehichles. A delivery van that is do for servicing at the end of the day, a cab cause they're easy and a little rental that thinks it is being rented by a little old lady to take her kids to the beach. What else do we need?

[Redjack]

Dalton was the last of the crew to arrive to his apartment. Despite not having done anything he was tired.. and he wanted a drink. He was in the middle of a run though and technically, he was trying to quit- cut back. As he nuked a package of noodles, adding in the meat flavoring, he looked around his little dump of an apartment.

Then he smirked. Just the way I like it.
----------
Several neighborhoods away another runner sat eating his dinner. His thoughts were on secrets. The secrets learned today and secrets still in hiding. Looking down at the statue, he takes an opportunity to study it; Something he'd not really done yet, though he wasn't sure why not. Looking at the statue, he thinks about what will be happening in the next 24 hours.

Ruining someone's life wasn't unknown to Eric; Lucias had learned that the hard way. The difference is that then had been personal, this time it was all for money and positioning. Having the new police chief as a contact could work out very well, as long as they didn't make the mistake of trusting him too much.

He tossed the take out bag into the trash and made his way to a shower and bed, falling asleep to the lullabies of snake whispering about secrets.
----------
After getting System's report, Book takes a moment to consider the options. He had not considered two places.
<<@Team [Book] I think the apartment. The perimeter security will be easier to deal with since its not a gated community. I think we need to nab junior today. Once we have him, I will mask myself to look like him even down to the clothes he's wearing today. Using his comlink I *should* be able to access the apartment. I'll leave the statue there. We then take junior, give him his drug of choice, load some video onto his com- with an expiration, of course. We then drop him off near Daddy's event. We'll need to seed some of the information to the Yakuza about the robbery and where to find the statue. The only trick with this plan is that it does not implicate Daddy with drugs. We need more time... or we really have to make the most of today... perhaps that delivery van will be very useful.>>

Eric sits back looking at the plate of food that is breakfast. So close... so close. He knew he needed more information about the Captain's involvement in the local underground. Hell, he needed more info about the local drug trade. He moved his fork back and forth and finally tossed it down in disgust. Too many secrets not yet uncovered.

[ludomastro]

As Book examines the statue he notices that it is a carved piece of jade depicting an old oriental man with a cane and a dog by his side. The object feels familiar somehow.

Look closer. Snake whispers.

-----

System replies to Book, I have some off the wall friends in the 'trix but I have no idea what you have cooking. You mind letting me in on what you are thinking.

[Redjack]

Book takes a few moments to assense the statue, trying several times.
----------
<<@Team [Book] I'm not sure what I'm cooking either. Let me think on it a few minutes.>>

[ludomastro]

Despite Book's trouble assensing the statue, he is able to determine that the staue focuses mana around itself. It seems likely it is linked to health; however, it refuses to give up more of its secrets.

-----

System answers, Damn. I'm beginning to think that you mages are insane. Flying, blowing shit up with your mind and who knows what else. Keep me posted.

[Redjack]

<<@Team [Book] Shaman actually, but I get the point. What time is the ceremony? We have three runs to plan and execute today. Run #1: Nab Junior. Run #2: Piss off a Yak drug gang. Run #3: Plant some evidence with Daddy. When those are complete, we will drug up junior and release him at the ceremony.>>

Book looked again at the statue. Part of him wanted to keep it, study it. Another part wanted to just be done with it. Too easy to trace it back to the team. Looking at the time he grimaced. How the hell are we gonna pull this together in time?

[ludomastro]

System replies, Looks like things are supposed to kick off around 1500 hours with the mayor making a presentation around 1523 if the schedule I hacked is right. I figured that at some point your are going to ask me about Junior, so here goes: He crashed at his dad's house in the gated community and, if he holds to pattern, will head over to his girls house as soon as he wakes up. My guess is around 1000 hours. As for pissing off the Yaks. You sure that's a good idea? They don't play nice. Course, I'm not sure I really want a pair of concrete shoes either.

[Redjack]

<<@Team [Book] Pissing off the Yaks is never a good idea, though the kid already started down that path with the statue. Besides if we play this right, it will be the old man taking the brunt of that.>>

Dalton looked the shaman over for a minute, something about him just ain't right.. At least when I take chances it 'cause of liquid courage....

Looking at the time, Book cringes. 8am. Never enough time. Never.
<<@Team [Book] If this is gonna happen, its all gonna happen fast. Any part of the run fails, we abort it all. Ok. First two steps are to locate Junior and a Yak gang. We gotta make sure Junior isn't anywhere he can be seen while we pull this little op. Hey! How about that pickup he was driving? Was it rigged?>>

[ludomastro]

The pick-up is ancient, no wires. His bike however, that's fair game. Give me a little time and I can cook up his location. Ten-to-one says he is asleep in bed right this minute. He pauses for a moment. Now a Yak gang. I assume you are wanting a gang back by the Yaks? OK, that shouldn't be an issue. What else do we need?

[Redjack]

<<@Team [Book] The bike got a Gyro mount as well? A gang backed by the Yaks is it. They need to be known drug dealers..... and a border gang, as in on the border of yak territory. We need to make it seem like pops is working a power play. Gonna have to be a small power play though since we lack the resources to stage a large one... but I think I know how to make this play out.>>

[ludomastro]

About ten minutes later, System Error replies, OK, I've pinned down Junior's comm to Daddy's house in the gated community. His wheels have a gyro as well. No gyromount for weapons though. Looks like the girlfriend's comm is at Daddy's too. If you want the area closest to Dick's for a Yak gang, then you want Los Samurai. They an up and coming gang about ten blocks from the territory of the 51st Street Nomads. System pauses for a moment.

Now, if you want the biggest movers and shakers then we need to focus on a few members of Avenue J. They are freelancers but have strong Yak ties. However, it's gonna take some time to track some of them down. Preferences?

[Redjack]

<<@Team [Book] Ok. The 51st Street Nomads are the gang that cover the turf including Dick's? And the Los Samurai are 10 blocks away and the closest Yak affiliated gang. That will work.
Here's the plan: (1) We need a van. (2) We need to scan the Los Samuari. Find out what corners they are dealing from and what they are dealing and where they hide the stash. Usually the guy on the street takes the money and someone else delivers. (3) By 10:00, we start looking to pickup junior. Hopefully he heads to the girlfriends, but if you can keep an eye on him then we'll pick him up when we're able. (4) Once we have Junior, I'll mask Tank as him, you control the bike. We'll hit a fence in the area who is Yak friendly with the statue. That should get some attention. (5) We then go back to the Los Samurai and we'll give them a shake down. That will give us the drugs we need for later and start pissing off the Yaks once word gets around. If you had a Lone Star drone for an assist, that would go miles towards selling my story line. (6) Drugs in hand, we hold out until close to 3:00. We drug Junior, we show him video of 'him' shaking down the gangers for drugs and drop him off stoned at Daddy's event. Hopefully he'll babbling, in any case, the Yak's will be looking for them, there will be a drug connection and the statue.>>

Book had strongly considered keeping the statue, but it was too unique, too traceable and an integral piece of the equation. If nothing else, Junior would stumble into the event carrying the damn statue and be caught on the media broadcast. If everything else failed, that should pull in the Yaks.

Tank had one comment, "You're expecting ME to stick my neck on the line for this?"

Book sighed, "You are a much better con man than me.... and I have to sustain the mask to alter your face and voice."

Tank's eyebrows squint with concern. This is a risky damn plan and my ass is out in the open.
<<@Team [Tank] System - Can you cover your end? How soon till we have replacement wheels?>>

[ludomastro]

The bike won't be an issue - I don't think. Do you want me to get it here or help Tank ride it? As far as the other goes. That won't be a problem. System closes his eyes for a moment. His lips begin moving silently as he concentrates. He seems winded with the effort. Say hi. An icon pops up in AR. It is a little drone with miniature tank treads and roughly humanoid body and what appear to be a set of binoculars for a head. It says, Hello. Turning to System it asks, What can I do for you? System thinks for a minute and then says Go find me a van, wipe its memory and connection to the Matrix and then bring it here. Don't hurt it though. The robot seems to move sideways somehow and is gone.

System repeats the process but doesn't seem as effected. Thank you, Miss Duckworth, could you help me find some information on a local gang names Los Samurai? I need to know where they store their drugs and which corners they deal from. The form of a cartoon librarian appears and sits down in at a desk that appeared from nowhere. She begins entering information into some type of device that has a screen and a keyboard. Perhaps it is some form of old data-terminal?

[Redjack]

(( At this point I'm assuming all three are in the van together. ))

"Don't want to jump the gun on the bike. In fact we might extract Junior in route. We're gonna have to play that one by ear."

Seeing the pair of constructs in AR and System interacting with them, he muses how the interaction mirrors his own summoning of spirits.

Tank drives the team onward towards a parking garage. He finds one with lower quality security, cameras in disrepair and the like. Once inside, he specific targets an area to park where the camera is busted. "This should give us a place to change vehicles without a video footprint." Looking to System, "Now might be a good time to spoof some new access IDs for us."

Book is tense. The plan is thrown together on a thread with a lot of unknown variables. Today we see if we're as good as we think we are...

The duo kick back and try to relax, waiting for the van for the day.