Atlanta 2070, Hot time in the old town tonight Options

[ludomastro]

As he draws closer to the table, Book notes that the two orks stiffen slightly. The Johnson pulls an attache case from under the table and slides it towards Book.

She speaks in a voice that is completely understandable; yet, she does not seem to have to yell over the crowd. Also noticeable is the complete lack of an accent that she had the first time around. "It would appear that you have earned most of your bonus. The dogs will need to be cared for; otherwise, you did very well."

She appears to size Book up for a moment before adding. "You should find an alternate outlet for your anger. It would not end well for more blood to be spilled in Digger's former establishment."

She smiles. "Before you attack me - or have your spirits attack me, please look around again." A quick look to the astral reveals this Johnson to be far more than she initially appeared. She is obviously a very powerful mage. There are several more spirits guarding her than were noted previously. The two orks are also magically active and have foci in their possession.

[Redjack]

Book does indeed check the astral, but it does not have the desired result. Fear accompanies the the prospect of death, calm shepherds its certainty. He instead arms the vest, expecting this to end poorly.

He turns on his com mic, standing his ground. "Where is Digger and why is this his former establishment?"

Dalton on the other hand notices Book's subtle hand movement on the vest. Shit! I just got my life back and I'm not ready to give it up. He also hears the question, as he's sure System has. His mind goes back to the vest and Book's angle. She's surely not gonna kill him, or us, here. She doesn't know about the vest.... Has he lost it? What the hell is doing? Dalton decides in any case this is the last place he wants to be.

[ludomastro]

"Digger decided that he had had enough and sold me the Cube. I suppose you could say the place is under new management." She smiles the grin of someone who knows more than they are letting on.

<<@ Team [System] I can confirm that the various shell companies Digger was using have closed up shop. The Cube's registered owner hasn't changed but that isn't surprising, Digger didn't change it when he took over. I'll try to do a more thorough search but we'll have to be on the other side of the Cube's private node - my loophole through security only works so well.>>

Neither ork has moved. Quite a feat considering the metahuman body is designed to move and doesn't idle well.

"Now. I suggest you take your payment and vacate my club."

[Redjack]

Book stands there for a moment. She probably killed Digger. We're probably next, but she had to display her power.

He looks into her eye. "I get the feeling I have a better play, but this one time. This once. I'll play your way."
<<@Team [Book] Let it go. Back off and back out. This night is far from over though. We need to either find Digger or his body. If we find a lifeless body, she'll choke on it.>>

Dalton stands speechless. He'd had a moment in the sun. He'd led the team out of the facility. He'd been in that command chair... How did it slip away? Do I really want it at this moment?

Book picks up the case and looks down at it. That would be just enough explosives to kill off the team.
<<@System [Book] Scan this thing for wireless.>>

He looks back at her, at the case and back at her. Could be nuyen, could be explosives... could be a dwarf's hands. Adrenaline is pumping now and perhaps he's not thinking through all the consequences. Three options. Three choices. Three different outcomes. Let's see how far the rabbit hole goes today. Book sets the briefcase on the table right beside them, pops the latches and lifts the lid.

[ludomastro]

"Be my guest."

<<@ Book [System] Scans clean from my end.>>

The Johnson doesn't flinch as Book opens the case. Inside he finds a very elaborate internal case. There are six slots for certified credsticks. Three of them have sticks showing a balance of 5000 nuyen each. The other three are empty.

"There. You see. There is nothing to fear from me. You can keep the case if you like."

<<@ Book [System] Picking up nanite signatures.>>

[Redjack]

Noticing the ork's subtle movement, Book plays coy. I'm facing down two aces showing with three threes.
<<@System [Book] Can you disable them? Or reprogram them to bother the shit out of that slit?>>

He picks up the trio of credsticks, ignoring her lies. He turns smiling, letting her think he knew nothing of the nanites. "Keep the case" She obvious doesn't know about the last fixer to frell me over. Makes no difference. She will learn that lesson last.

[ludomastro]

"As you wish." She reaches across the table and folds the case close and tucks it under the seat once again.

<<@ Book [System] Working on it.>> After a short pause, <<@ Book [System] Got 'em. They're dead now. Sorry - couldn't reprogram them on the fly.>>

With a coy smile she asks, "I assume our business is concluded?"

[ludomastro]

Cut Scene

The silhouette hunches over and pushes a physical button on the desk. The young elf steps in.

"Sir?"

"It is time. Re-task the satellite and prepare the transmission."

"As you wish."

"I also wish for you to shower and wait for me in my bed."

I better get a promotion for this.
"I am honored."

After the elf leaves, he opens an AR window and enters the following:
<<Extermination Order 14159. Code White authorization. Countersign = Qaz@W%^8254. Confirm.>>

The reply comes back nearly instantly. <<Order received. Countersign confirmed.>>

Today will see the end of two enemies. One, sly. The other, inept and power hungry.

He removes his coat and follows after the elf.

[Redjack]

Book's anger at a controlled level, he replies. "It would appear so." and with that he turns and walks out of the bar. Without looking back, he keeps his eyes open for peripheral threats.

Tank, however, stays on full alert sending the fly-spy in his pocket ahead of the shaman and starting a video feed from the doberman in his cruiser to gain tactical intel about the parking lot. We are so far from out of here.

As he stepped into the parking lot, a little thought nagged in the back of Book's brain. Why did this all happen? She got way to personally involved afterward. I expected either clean the team or just disappear.... But to wax Digger and show up... Makes no sense... I'm missing some details...

There is a secret here that Snake latches onto. A secret that Snake won't let go. A secret that see wants to own and to hide away for herself.

As Book heads out, Tank motions for System to follow.
<<@System [Tank] We need to get the hell out of Dodge, while the getting's good.>

[ludomastro]

The team files into the parking lot. Neither the doberman nor the fly spy pick up anything as they do so.

Once outside, System plops into the jeep and goes somewhat limp.

<<Something's not right about the front companies folding. I can't put my finger on it but it doesn't look like Digger's work to me. I'll see what else I can dig up.>>

Suddenly there is screaming from the club and people start pouring from the exits.

[ludomastro]

Cut Scene

The silhouette rises from his bed and opens an AR window. He checks off the elf's profile and then closes the window only to replace it with another. He 'taps' a single symbol and then pours himself a drink.

Two down, three to go.

And the conquest is not yet complete. Soon though, soon.

[Redjack]

Tank and Book climb into the cruiser. As System sinks into the seat and the screaming begins, Book steps out into the astral A penchant for the obvious.

Tank meanwhile starts the cruiser after sending the fly-spy back into the club for a look-see.
<<@Team [Tank] Ain't nothing right about any of this. Its all frelled up.>>

[ludomastro]

The astral is awash in fear and panic: each emotion tinting the aura of those fleeing the club.

Book passes through his own ward without slowing and is greeted with the appearance of pain and hatred on the now fading aura of a misshapen lump on the physical plane. The spirits that once surrounded the Johnson are now gone. Two foci still gleam on the astral. They are connected to calm auras, despite the chaos around them.

-----

Tank's fly spy almost get's flattened by a troll's horn as he exists the club. The scene inside is still utter chaos but there are three individuals still tagged in AR who seem completely calm: the impostor waitress and the two bodyguards for Mrs. Johnson. Both bodyguards are standing over her body and cleaning long, thin knives.

[Redjack]

Completely unsure of what is going on, but sure he doesn't want to get caught in the cross fire, Book snaps his essence back to his meat body. "Get the hell out of here!"

Needing little prompting, Tank recalls the fly-spy as he maneuvers his cruiser towards the edge of the parking lot and beyond.

Once back in his body, Book reviews the video footage obtained by the fly-spy of the Johnson and her former bodyguards. Tank says, "This makes no sense."

Snake hisses in Book's, causing the shaman to wince before answering. "To someone it makes a lot of sense. The trick is to see it from their perspective. That of course, requires being alive to go down that rabbit hole."

Tank goes just a dozen blocks before pulling over and starting an electronic sweep of his cruiser. "System, you finding anything?"

[ludomastro]

A slack bodied System answers, <<Already checked, omae. Nothing there. What I can't put my finger on is why none of these financials make sense. I'm used to unraveling shadow finances but this is insane. I really need some help on this one. Do we want to bring in a third party?>>

Shortly after Tank stops, the various shapes and sizes of Lone Star vehicles come flying through the street heading toward the Cube.

[Redjack]

The team relatively assured that the physical, astral and matrix are clear of trackers, tracers and pursuers, Dalton pulls the vehicle out and back onto the road. "I don't know about you all, but I'm wiggy about going home. Digger set up my place."

Book looks over, "Is your place clean?"

Dalton snickers, "Of course. Remember when I had to burn my place after the last run? Everything I own worth a shit is in here... and the place is clean."

Book sighs, "Then I suggest you walk away from it. At least until we find out a little more about Digger. At this point we have to consider him flat-lined."

The team drives in silence for some time before Dalton speaks again. "Then where to?"

Book replies. "We collected 10k, plus a 5 k plus, plus 5k upfront each. 20k minus 8.866 in expenses leaves 11,133 each. Plus we now have chameleon suits."

The adept replies while continuing to drive, "That means we have some bank to track down Digger."

Book scowls, "Look. I fully intend to figure out what happened, but that will take time.. Unless we want to rattle enough cages to get ourselves killed?" Tank nods and Book continues, "Then we need to lie low for a while. Perhaps even split up? Perhaps stay together? You have a preference, System?"

[ludomastro]

"Definitely need to lie low. Never thought about working with folks before, but I've enjoyed working with you for a while. Honestly, it's your call."

[Redjack]

Book looks to the duo. "I am torn. We should split up, but at the same time we need each other's areas of expertise... At least I perceive we do." Looking to System, Book continues, "I need whatever it is you do to clean up and harden a com done to mine and Dalton's. I also assume that the two of you would prefer that I ward some personal space for you to protect from spying, magical eyes?"

Tank adds, "I also need you to do some more work on my ID or recommend someone who can."

[ludomastro]

"First thing I want to do is sleep. After that I don't care for a bit." Pausing - as if he has made a social gaff - he continues, "But yeah, I can handle the ID - it just may take me a bit. I really do need to rest."

Turning to Book he adds, "I don't know how the sparky stuff works but I've seen enough to know that I could use some help in that department. Does a ward hide me like a ... a ... "

What do the hackers call that program?

"... a stealth program? That sounds good to me."

[ludomastro]

Saying their temporary (they hope) goodbyes the trio begins to head in the predetermined directions.

Book and System are able to make it back to System's place without a problem. The office is empty and System seems to relax has he settles into the leather chair. There are several AR critters that come out of the woodwork so to speak that stare intently at him and then look at Book to see what he will do.

-----

Tank is having a bit more difficult time finding a suitable place that has both a garage and some semblance of security. Even when he finds it, there are dozens of squatters holed up inside. Finally he is waived down by a young ork wearing La Pandilla colors. "What are you doing here, omae? You look lost to me. Lost people dissapear. Scan?"

[Redjack]

Deciding he needs concentration and not quite sure what to make of the virtual critters, Book turns off his comlink to focus on the creation of his ward.

====================

Tank looks at the young ganger. A little more research would have made this transition a lot smoother, but we're here so I guess we see how it all goes. "I've been to hell and back the last few weeks. I was looking to get lost. I guess I've been successful." He pauses a moment to let the wordplay rattle in the boy's head. "I'm looking to make a business arrangement. You can make those introductions?"

[ludomastro]

Book is able to create a ward with minimal effort. It seems that the area is providing a boost to his spellcasting abilities.

-----

The ork's chest swells up with obvious pride. "I like a man who knows the score. I can make arrangements ... for a small fee." He rubs his finger and thumb together with a sly smile on his face. Once their 'business' is concluded, Tank is escorted through a side road slightly bigger than one lane. The ork enters a alley to the back of an old store. He motions for Tank to follow.

[Redjack]

Book considers the clearer mana flow he experienced in creating the ward. Now that the ward is completed, he turns on his com and attempts to determine some history for the place.

[ludomastro]

No sooner does he turn on his com than Book is bombarded by the sights, sounds, smells and touch of the same AR critters. They look concerned and nudge him toward System.

[Redjack]

Book races over to their hacker and immediately draws the mana about him and envelopes the ork, seeking to heal his friend.

==============

Tank cautiously follows the ganger, testing the weight of his predator in its holster. He puts the drone on alert, but at this time he needs make nice. I hope I run into one of the gangers from the last time we were here.