Atlanta 2070, Hot time in the old town tonight Options

[ludomastro]

System doesn't answer immediately. In AR a hooded figure without a face appears and says, If they can trace what I'm doing right now then I'll eat my underwear. We should be golden in a bit.

-----

The cab arrives at the park as the ceremony is beginning. A very confused Junior steps out of the cab and stumbles around with a statue. A few of the news drones fly over toward him. Then, in a rush, the entire flock speed toward him. The live feed of the presentation is interrupted for "breaking news." Several channels from various angles cover him stumbling and asking Dad? ... seen my dad? I got ... statue. Cut ... drugs. Wow, this is good.

Eventually the media outlet begin running his comm and determine that he is the son of the Honoree. One channel splits the screen into fours with a commentator in one, Junior in another, Daddy in the third and the videos looping of "Junior" stealing the statue and squeezing Los Samurai for money. The image of the LS drone is enhanced to show the "PROPERTY OF LONE STAR" on its side. The video of the extortion is credited to "a concerned citizen" while that of the stolen statue is credited to "Mr. Dumont."

The picture of dad turns white and his shoulders sag for a moment before his business face reasserts itself and he begins ordering officers around. The others - his superiors order him to stand down. Total chaos is averted but just barely. Media circus comes to mind.

[Redjack]

Tank drives away from the scene looking to his team mates, focusing on Book. "I can't believe that we pulled that off."

Book replies, cynicism written all over his face. "He's not completely done in yet. The use of the Lone Star drone will bring lots of scrutiny, though it may not be enough to bring him down. I'm thinking that the statue will be enough to do that.... If not out in the open, behind the scenes."

Tank turns to System, "I think there's a dwarf that owes us at least one round!"

Book surprises them all. "After the last few days... I need a drink."

Tank's shit-eating grin returns. Perhaps if he couldn't stay on the wagon, he could drive Book to drink. Looking at the ork's black eye in the rear-view he thought, Just one more little task to handle.

[ludomastro]

The trio makes it to The Cube without any problems. As they pull into the lot, they each get a message from Digger's shell company:

<<You have been invited to a birthday reception at Don Angelo's this afternoon. The festivities begin at 1600. Dress is business casual as Doug wants to relax a bit and share drinks with friends.

- Reservation Confirmations, a Double D subsidiary>>

The bouncer stops the nascent line as the trio approaches and ushers them in. Digger is practically bouncing on his heals as they walk in. Hey! Get me the Crown and four glasses. We're gonna have a party. Congratulations, boys. I don't know what you did but the Lieutenant called and is as happy as I have ever seen him. Can you share anything?

[Redjack]

Checking the message, the duo lean back and let the pilot program take them to the Cube. When they arrive, they ditch their running gear in the back of Dalton's cruiser and accompany their hacker past the line. Eric is his usual self. A bit of natural charm, mixed with shyness. Dalton on the other hand is practiced suave augmented by his magically enhanced social abilities. Dalton stops to pat the bouncer on the shoulder, collect his name and wish him well for the evening. Eric nods and follows the adept.

Once inside, Dalton is already working the mid-afternoon crowd. Smiling and making eye-contact with the women they pass. Eric is focused on the target. He passes the slow moving face and makes as direct a line as possible to their fixer. Eric allows Digger gets the first word before replying. "Let's just say that Junior was a bad boy and it appear Daddy will be reaping the rewards of that."

The duo raise glasses with their fixer and hacker. This evening they are celebrating life and freedom. Hearing what he swears is System's stomach growling, Tank turns to the dwarf after downing his drink. "What's cooking in the kitchen today?"

[ludomastro]

The night passes easily. Despite his normally stingy reputation Digger keeps the alcohol flowing and serves up some fried catfish and hush puppies. Grits are available as well. After a few drinks Digger admits that the good Lieutenant was leaning on him pretty hard prior to their work. Now he seems happy and relaxed again. While not friendly toward System he doesn't appear scared of him either. After several hours he peels away from the table and crashes in his office leaving the trio to do as they will.

System pipes up. I think I'm calling it a night.

[Redjack]

A couple of drinks in him as well as food, Eric begins to loosen up and socialize. With his suave moves, Tank fares well but is not on the top of his game.

[ Spoiler ]

Book: Charisma(5) + Etiquette(1): [1,1,4,5,2,1] = 1 hit, glitch
Tank: Charisma(3) + Etiquette(2) + Kinesics(2) + Inc Etiquette(1): [1,1,3,2,4,6,5,4] = 2 hits

While both loosen up, both are also paranoid enough not to drink to excess.

The duo wave off Digger and continue to hang with System until he, also, is ready to leave. Dalton mentions he will give System a ride and Eric makes his way to cruiser and piles into the back.

Dalton takes the ork where ever he wishes to be dropped off. During the drive, he turns to his team mate. "I figure you already know this but the name's Dalton." He shakes his head with an approving smile, extending a hand. "In any case, since we are a team these days, I thought a proper introduction was called for."

[ludomastro]

System smiles as he extends his hand as well. Given the state of your comm, yeah, I know your name ... but, thanks for the introduction. The name's Matt. Matt Green. System turns to Book.

[Redjack]

Eric pauses. It was not in his nature to trust anyone. He hadn't even told Dalton where he actually lived, always having the driver pick him up down the street. He always paid his rent with certified cred to keep that one element of his life segregated. Now though he though about Dalton's earlier statement about the coms. He knew data trails were everywhere and he'd seen System do things in the matrix that were as awe inspiring to him as he was sure his magic and summoning were to others; Like walking Junior off the bike.

After an uncomfortable pause the shaman answers, taking a calculated gamble to reveal one of his secrets. "Eric. Eric DeBois." Snake winced, but he was sure at this point the hacker already knew that answer as well. He also extends his hand as if meeting the ork for the first time. "Now for a secret that is not already know. What happened to your face Matt?"

[ludomastro]

The young ork smiles. I know that for you it took a lot to reveal that about your self. You do a pretty good job of keeping the data-trail clean and tidy. If anything, it sounds like admiration coming from the ork. Ok, here goes. I am ... was ... a member of the Avenue Anacondas. I went outside the gang to get the information we needed. Apparently, they took issue with that. Told me to choose my allegiance with care. I told them that I wanted to be "one with the matrix" and To... the leader said he understood. I later got jumped and was told it was the first installment in my going away present. He has a downcast look on his face. He starts to say more but holds his tongue.

[Redjack]

Dalton latches onto that as if a group of airmen had ambushed his squad. Time for a little lesson. He looked at the analog clock in AR. It is late.. or early depending upon your reckoning. "Two questions: Do the Anacondas have a mojo slinger and where would the lead dog be right now?"

Book smiles, Perhaps Dalton and I do have a lot in common... "And what name does he know you by?"

[ludomastro]

System seems a little unsure of himself. Look, it's ... it's not that I'm ungrateful. I am, I really am. I'm ... it's just that I'm not sure if knocking this guy upside the head is the best idea. I mean, I still have ... you know ... friends there.

[ Spoiler ]

Roll:
Perception
Etiquette
Con

[Redjack]

[ Spoiler ]

@Tank
Perception(3) + Intuition(4): [1,4,3,3,6,6,5] = 3 hits
Etiquette(2) + Charisma(3) + Kinesics(2) + Imp Etiquette(1): [6,5,5,6,5,2,4,1] = 5 hits
Con(2) + Charisma(3) + Kinesics(2) + Imp Con(1): [5,1,2,2,5,6,1,5] = 4 hits

@Book
Perception(2) + Intuition(4):[3,5,6,2,2,4] = 2 hits

Dalton puts on his game face. "Look, I'm not of the mind to put you into a harder place. Nor is it my idea to whack this ghoul... or even leave him with a coloscopy bag.... but a bully only understands one thing and that's a bigger bully. Best not to make him loose face either. I'm suggesting a midnight meeting. Convince him that a higher power is interested in your best interest." He pauses a moment before continuing, "Best to leave the specifics to us... that way you can honestly tell your friends that you weren't involved and your not exactly sure what is going on..."

[ludomastro]

[ Spoiler ]

Book/Eric doesn't quite pick up on why System would be waving them off.

Tank/Dalton spots it immediately. System isn't trying to con anyone just trying to make sure that things don't go wrong for him at some level. Also System has some ideas of his own.

Well, if you think that it's best that way. His name is Tom - goes by Quetzalcoatl - and he's a smart troll. I don't mean smart for a troll, I mean smart and a troll. Don't underestimate him. He took to calling me Mercury since he had a snake staff.

[Redjack]

Book asks, "Snake staff? He's a shaman?"

[ludomastro]

Huh? Wha ... no, no. Mercury had a snake staff. He was the messenger of the gods and since I did matrix stuff for the Anacondas - and Tom thought of himself as a god - I got stuck with the name. No, if Tom's picked up magic support, that's news to me.

[Redjack]

Eric smacked his palm to his forehead, "Of course." He sits a few moments before speaking again. "A troll presents a little more challenge, but much less than someone with magical support."

"Good cop, bad cop?" Dalton inquires.

"No. I was thinking more James Bond." Eric retorts.

"That sounds fun. That sounds real fun." Dalton snorts.

Eric turns his attention back to Matt, "Tell me about the Avenue Anacondas; Size, turf.... and Quetzalcoatl-" its Eric's turn to snort, "Where does he sleep? How many around? Any mages at all?"

[ludomastro]

There's around 50 of us ... I mean them. Their turf is near the warehouse district. There's an abandoned warehouse where we .... they've set up a headquarters of a sort. Several of the younger guys crash there when they have nowhere else to go. It helps the gang out anyway. The Anacondas provide "security" for the Family around the warehouses. The Star makes a token pass through the area but as long as their palms are greased, they will look the other way. The Family is really the ones in control of the situation down there. Now, Tom - Quetzacoatl, if you prefer - stays in an old apartment complex near the center of the territory. Says he likes his space. I've never been there myself so I can't speak to any extra security but I know there are no mages in the Anacondas. The only magically inclined guy we had got one to many upgrades and lost touch with his super powers. Does that help?

The ork seems to be getting better as he talks through the gang issues.

[Redjack]

Eric nods, "Yes. Yes it does."

As they stop at Matt's stop Eric asks, "What about electronic security? Cameras? Sensors? Or are they low tech?"

[ludomastro]

Matt looks at them. Like I said, I've never been to his place before. The gangs mostly low tech. Stolen comms, etc. Me and couple other guys set up two cameras on the warehouse and some RFID scanners looking for anyone not wearing gang ID. I would assume that Tom's place is at least that protected by now. The ork gets out and then turns back to the duo. Hey ... uh ... thanks. He then starts walking away.

[Redjack]

As the duo drive off discussing various options for convincing Tom to back off Matt, they realize how pivotal the ork had become to their team.
----------
The next morning, Book gives a call to Seven-Eleven.
"Hey man what's up? Say, wondering what you know about a gang called the Anacondas. Warehouse district. Specifically the leader, a troll who fancies the handle Quetzacoatl." He wasn't sure where the bum's stomping grounds are, but he figured a call wouldn't hurt.

[ludomastro]

He pretends to the name of Quetzcoatl? Only a fool would do that. The tone of voice indicates that Seven-Eleven would have reason to know but he doesn't elaborate. Yeah, if my memory serves me well, they run protection for the Family in the Warehouse area. They have never interested me. However, if you would like me to look into it I would consider it a favor repaid.

[Redjack]

Book nods and replies, "Yea. But keep it on the down low. I'm not trying to mix you up in the middle of this, just looking for a little bit of info." He really wondered just how well connected and how subtle the man is. Guess I'll soon find out....

Dalton had slipped out to his apartment the night before, using his fly-spy to scout the area for a stake out. He figured it would take a while, if ever, for the Star to check up on the ID he presented leaving the area after the mix-up at the pharmacy. In any case, he wasn't taking any chances. He dowsed the place in ammonia to kill DNA evidence, gathered up his few belongings and walked away from the pad and the ID.

He slept the night in his cruiser and then found his way to The Cube to meet with Digger. Time for a new ID.

Book took the rest of the day to be lazy. He wished he could have kept the statue as a bonus, but he needed the heat to stay with the Captain. Some days it is better safe than sorry and keeping the statue would have jeopardized the secrets about the truth behind the last few days.

[ludomastro]

Seven-Eleven nods. I'll see what I can do.

-----

The team gets a note from Digger's front company with a message that basically says, "Check your bank account." The promised funds have arrived.

[ludomastro]

A few hours later, Seven-Eleven calls back with some news. The pretender to the name of Quetzalcoatl is living in an apartment near the warehouse district. He has no magical defenses. I have the address and his room number. Have fun! With that he breaks the connection.

[Redjack]

No magical defenses. That statement struck Book as odd. He'd not expected such a report from the homeless man. As I suspected, there is definitely more than meets the eye with him.

He took the information and held it. Time to figure out a plan.

The incoming funds came to 5k (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) for each of the three of them. With System's mad skills they had avoided any expenses on this run... except of course Dalton's ID being compromised.
---------------
The fixer found Tank waiting for him the next morning. "Needing a new flop, not attached to the new ID I need... and a throw away would be good as well."