Atlanta 2070, Hot time in the old town tonight Options

[ludomastro]

System adds in, "Ready to go."

-----

The trio reaches Los Samurai territory with little effort.

The first transport is clear, System says to noone in particular as the drone leaves through the door he opens at the back of the van.

Moving a little closer, the duo finds the same group outside the pharmacy with the Lone Star drone buzzing the area.

Let's get this party started.

[Redjack]

As the motorcycle approaches the pharmacy, Book leans back in the seat and thrusts his consciousness into that which is the astral. He stands in front of the two guards, still sustaining his spell with a cluster of spirits standing and beck & call.

Knowing that his walking back out of the pharmacy alive depends upon a proper performance, Tank pulls right up in front of the doors and hops on the bike - leaving it idling and balanced by the advanced gyros within. He is careful not to look at the van and give away their position. He does, however, take a moment to look over his shoulder at the nearby Lone Star drone. He lingers his gaze to insure the guards take not of it as well.

He then strolls forward, getting a chill as he unknowing walks through the astral for of the Shaman. He summons up as much bravado as he possess with the intent of striding confidently into the pharmacy and past the guards without a word.

[ludomastro]

The toughs look Tank-Junior over but don't stop him from going into the pharmacy. They give the drone more than one look as he passes. Once inside, Tank is confronted by dust covered product shelves. Some of the packaging on the shelves is of a pre-Crash design. Most are for material that is over ten years old. There is an older Japanese gentlemen behind the pharamcy counter. He stares at Tank-Junior for a second before asking, "What can I help you find today, young man?"

[Redjack]

Tank-Junior confidently strides up to the counter, "I represent your new business partner... Though his intention is to remain a silent business partner."

Book follows the adept in, keeping vigilant watch for new arrivals. He takes a moment to assense the old man's aura, though sustaining the spell inhibits his ability to read it nearly as well as he would like.

[ludomastro]

The old man stares at Tank-Junior for a second before responding. "Is that so? And who exactly is our new business partner that would send such a messenger as you?"

-----

Book is able to determine that the old man is not magically active but healthy.

[Redjack]

Tank-Junior sets a hand on the counter to establish proximity, but not threat nor arrogance. "I represent a powerful local interest who can minimize complications-" He looks of the the side for a moment so as to imply a threat, but not make one. "-or increase them."

He looks back to the old man and smiles, "But the hope is that we come to an arrangement." He gestures over his shoulder towards the door. "My escort is in the street." Then turning fully back to the old man, "Are you able to discuss terms?"

Awaiting the old man's answer, Tank uses the DNI link provided by his trodes to send a message:
<<@team [Tank] I'm bailing before reinforcements arrive or if this turns hairy... I'm feeling like a fish in the desert.>>

Book fully immersed in the astral does not see the message, but his paranoia is already in over drive. The odds of this portion of the run ending as planned are diminishing by the second.

[ludomastro]

The old man breathes a heavy sigh. "I was under the impression that ... your employer ... understood our previous arrangement. Perhaps the time to re-negociate has come? Very well. Have your employer contact my boss for a meeting. Here is a comm code for your use."

[Redjack]

Tank-Junior accepts the com-code like its what he had been expecting all along and heads out the door and back to the bike. Book lingers to see what the old man does as Tank leaves the room.

[ludomastro]

The old man picks up a line and speaks into it in Chinese. His voice and aura seem extremely agitated.

He nods and then yells to the young men outside.

-----

[ Spoiler ]

Roll initiative.

[Redjack]

[ Spoiler ]

Tank Init: [1,2,1,3,1,6,3,3,3] = 10 (1)
Book Init: [3,2,6,6,6,4,1,4,3,1,1] = 11 (3)
- (Rolled too many dice for Book, dropped the extras from the end)

[ludomastro]

The two young men bar the door with their guns. They make no attempt to raise them but the sound of the safeties being turned off is unmistakeable. The old man strides confidently over to Tank-Junior. He says, "My boss tells me to tell you this. No gaijin will ever dictate our business practices! Now, run along to your master and report." He spits on the floor and then yells in Chinese again. Two of the toughs swing into the pharmacy and take up positions on either side of the old man. The other raises his rifle to his shoulder and motions for Tank-Junior to move into the street. Book realizes that the door will catch him on the inside if he does not hurry.

-----

[ Spoiler ]

Give me an Agility + Reaction (2) test.

[Redjack]

[ Spoiler ]

Tank: Reaction(5) + Agility(3) = Buy 2 successes. You meant Tank, right? Being astral, Book can pass through the door without issue... right?

As the two guards move to bar his way, Tank figures that his luck has ran out. He stops short of them not turning back at the old man. In the astral Book watches, unsure what to make of the situation.

As the old man rattles through his next tired, Tank stands firm knowing that flinching could be conveyed as a sign of weakness. When the thugs move and afford Tank-Junior an exit, he takes it.

[ Spoiler ]

Is one of the thugs pointing a gun at Tank right now? Do they remain inside the pharmacy as Tank passes out the doors to the outside?

[ludomastro]

[ Spoiler ]

Do'h. I was thinking that he was invisible. Yeah, he's fine.
The two stay in the pharmacy. One comes out with his gun raised but finger not on the trigger.

Tank-Junior makes it back outside without incident. There is a cooling breeze blowing thorugh the area. The guard continues to keep his gun trained on Tank.

[Redjack]

Tank's desire is to flip off the guard and give him a piece of his mind, his instinct however compels him to remain the silent tough in order to effect the ruse. He continues smugly to the bike, ready to move on.

Book continues to watch the guard, not yet convinced they intend to allow Tank to leave. He turns to the unbound spirit, "Guard him." while gesturing towards Tank.

[ludomastro]

Tank is watched while he walks out. The individuals make no moment to stop him and his is able to leave without incident. The guards are obviously annoyed that they can't open fire. One flips his butterfly-knife in an absent-minded fashion while keeping his weapon trained on Tank. The other switches his attention to the Star drone.

[Redjack]

As Tank pulls away, Book continues to maintain the mask and returns to his body. At this point, there is a spirit guarding the adept and he is headed out of the Los Samurai turf. Book turns to System. "You have the LTG to old man gave him?"

After the hacker's confirmation, the shaman continues. "Next step is to pick a fight. Time to send a self destructing message to that number. I think Daddy should simply tell them they 'should have played ball'... or something like that. Then the drone should begin processing reporting weapon and drug violations."

He rubs his chin. "Unless of course you have a better idea?"

[ludomastro]

System returns a question, "You sure that comm would self destruct on us ... or worse yet, send a trace? I'm good with the LS drone going ape on them. I could also deliver a note via other means to screw with everyone's AR in that building. Would that work?"

[Redjack]

Book looked at the hacker imagining the opposite conversation where book was explaining the differences in the binding ceremony for a spirit of man vs a beast spirit. Placing a hand on the hacker's shoulder, "You deal with the virtual and I'll handle the astral. I trust you on the details of execution to keep up clean and clear." He smiled as he withdrew his hand, resisting the urge to make a wish crack about quantum phase capacitors or some such nonsense.

[ludomastro]

System nods before loosing himself in concentration. A drop of sweat falls down the side of his face. He looks up after a few minutes. Done. Let's get out of here! The sound of sirens begins to fill the air. The AR outline of the building takes the shape of a hand flashing the peace sign while a flashing sign states, You should have cut a deal. Shortly, guns begin firing.

We ought to pull Tank back in before they send someone after him.

[Redjack]

"Yea, I was just thinking about him."
<<@Tank [Book] Find a place to pull over. Secluded from sight. Get off the bike and walk away.>>

A few moments later.
<<@Book [Tank] I pulled over and walked into an alley. Looks pretty secluded. Ducked behind a commercial trash can. Man this stinks, make it fast.>>

Turning to System, "Drive the bike off. We'll need to go and pick up Tank" Concentrating on the sustained spell, Book mutes the effect. Tank is now an ork in a garbage man's uniform.

<<@Book [Tank] What the-?>>

"Time to move on to the next phase."

[ludomastro]

System replies, Working ...

There is an explosion nearby.

Damn! They used a rocket on the bike. Heading for Tank now.

The van lurches off before slowing back down.

How do I not look like an accomplice? Tell Tank to hunker down. We'll get him on the back side of the alley.

The van heads for the opposite alley opening and arrives shortly. The three of them can hear Star T-birds screaming overhead. Panic is the norm in the street. News vehicles begin skimming the skies. AR links start popping up for breaking news.

Get this, System says. Some old man is saying that his pharmacy was hit by members of the 51st Street Nomads. Said they just up and killed some bystander on his bike. He looks scared - best acting job I've seen in a while.

[Redjack]

Book passes the message on to Tank:
<<@Tank [Book] Hunker down and act like you belong. We'll pick you up in the back side of the alley.>>

The adept tries to blend in and moves toward the prescribed spot. The explosion of the bike nearly causes him to say a short prayer, but he manages to hold it together.

Book looks to System, "Well, if nothing else Daddy and Junior are all mixed up in this.... Would have liked it all a little cleaner and quieter, but beggers can't be choosers."

[ludomastro]

I suppose not.

System is able to eventually work his way back around to Tank's location. The sheet number of patrol cars from the Star is making System's skin crawl. Once inside, System takes the trio away from the area. He almost gets to the perimeter when a Lone Star drones drops in front of the van and AR windows pop up with a request for identification.

[Redjack]

Book sits back as the System pilots the van around to the pick up location. As Tank climbs in, Book again mutes the physical mask to closer to his own form, an older human male.

As they seem to draw attention from a Lone Star drone, Book whispers in the astral to one of his waiting air spirits. Conceal us. He gestures to himself, System and Junior. At this point, he thinks, it would serve no purpose to get caught with Junior.

<<@Team [Tank] This thing wants my ID.. What the hell do I do?>>

<<@Team [Book] Use your fake.>>

Reluctantly, Tank uses his fake ID for identification.
<<@Team [Tank] Guess I'll need to replace that.....>>
His kinesics kicking in to keep him calm as he waits for the drone to allow them to pass.

[ludomastro]

The drone halts for several seconds while it runs through the ID. Another AR window pops up "ID confirmed. This is an active emergency location. Please procede to the exit. Would you like to purchase a ticket to the Lone Star celebration for tomorrow evening?"