Atlanta 2070, Hot time in the old town tonight Options

[Redjack]

Book sighs. Snake's hissing can be heard in the shadows of his mind, somewhere just outside of his peripheral vision. More secrets to uncover.
Book watches as Bolo walks through the door. After she asks the question, he smiles, stifling the desire to laugh at the question. "But of course." He pauses considering the naivety of the moment. "Is there anything we should know?"

[ludomastro]

Bolo smiles a truly feminine smile. "My client has needs that are a bit unusual given his current position. I can help him meet those needs. I get some cash and he gets what he needs. Everyone wins. Just melt into the background and life is good."

-----

A short time later a black towncar pulls past the shop and a rather plain woman gets out. She comes inside and finds Bolo before speaking. She whispers in Bolo's ear, "H .... cu .... or .... ards?"

[Redjack]

Tank slips back and lets his consciousness melt into the matrix. He watches the town car approach using the cruiser's sensors, then jumps into the doberman when the woman enters the shop.

Book sits behind the counter, not quite sure what to make of Bolo's reply. He sits, amusing himself with one of Bolo's books to pass the time. When the woman whispers, he keeps his senses attuned to the surroundings while listening.

Both maintain their professional composure in the situation, assuming that at anytime the whole situation could devolve into a chaos of shit and bullets.

[ludomastro]

Bolo nods and the woman relaxes. She wanders over in a very business-like fashion. "I'll assume that you are well versed in security and discretion. Bolo seems to know here people fairly well. Stay on your toes and I'll keep things moving. He'll be done in about two hours."

She no sooner finishes her statement than a man walks in. He is dressed in a business suit but his walk has an extra swagger that indicates he isn't normally in this garb.

He is soon followed by a bevy of people who better fit Bolo's image than his own. Each files into the private meeting room behind a curtain Bolo has pulled into place.

[Redjack]

As the woman speaks, Book silently listens, half focused on her and half on the surroundings. If Tank has taught me anything, it is 'Be aware of your surroundings'

Tank records the various persons entering the shop. Book always asks for video. God only knows what he does with that video collection.

Book shifts his gaze to the astral as the various people file in. He knows without looking that there will be awakened among them, but they are expecting it and he has to play his role.

[ludomastro]

As he surveys the astral Book is able to see that with the exception of the "secretary" and the guy in the suit all the guests have some degree of Talent.

Once the rest of the file guests file into the area, Bolo steps out with a smile on her face and locks the door after hanging up a "Closed" sign. She gives Book a quick thumbs up and adds, "I'd invite you in but you are security for the day." She smiles and heads back into the room.

-----

System pipes up. Uhh, guys. You aren't going to believe this. I traced the thugs out to get Bolo back to a sergeant working for the Star. What do you make of that?

[Redjack]

Book nods to Bolo, then momentarily focuses his attention on System's news. A little smile crosses his face as he finally sees an out on this job. His smile goes away as his paranoia kicks back in.

<<@Tank [Book] Keep an eye out on the area. This meet is heavy in magic, so any assault will probably be heavy on the physical side.>>

<<@System [Book] What is the relationship between this sergeant and the leader of the task force that took down the officers?>>

[ludomastro]

<<@Book [System] Far as I can tell, they're in the same unit. Is that relevant somehow? If so, I'm missing it.>>

As Tank scans back and forth among video feeds, he notices an elf slinking along the street sticking to shadows and holding up a paper now and then in a vain attempt to blend in.

[Redjack]

Tank marks the elf in AR.

<<@System [Tank] Can you eaves drop on this guy? Is he a cop or someone who needs to disappear?>>

<<@System [Book] Same unit huh? I find it hard to believe that they didn't know about each other's interactions then. Either the one who led the raid was trying to get back at his teammate or trying to indirectly oppose his corrupt teammate. So I guess the question is: Is the officer who led the raid corrupt?>>

[ludomastro]

<<@Team [System] OK, Tank, I'll see if I can get a fix on his comm and will keep you posted. Book, I'll look into it.>>


-----

Tank notices the elf making motions with his hands like old flat-vid directors framing a scene.


<<@Tank [System] The elf is snapping pictures with some new matrix program and it looks like he has a press pass, PI license and might be paparazzi. Any of our guests celebrities?>>

[Redjack]

Book relays the news to Bolo.
<<@Bolo [Book] Seems your guests have attracted a fan club. There is a reporting skulking around outside. I assume they would like to slip out a little more anonymously?>>

<<@Team [Book] For now, we assume the credentials are legit. Any weapons on him?>>

Tank zooms in on the elf, looking for concealed weapons, then returns to a perimeter search using his plethora of video sources.

[ludomastro]

Bolo doesn't answer immediately.

<<@Team [System] Not that I can tell from the 'trix-side.>>

Tank doesn't see anything on the elf. He looks relaxed like he has done this before. Over his shoulder, Tank notices another woman, ork this time, who is armed. She has a more traditional camera and is shooting some pics of the shop.

[Redjack]

Tank AR tags the ork woman as well.
<<@Team [Tank] Looks like its party time.>>

Book pulls up the video of the reporters from a few days ago to see if either of these two match up.
<<@Team [Book] Perhaps my paranoia is just asking up, but reporters seem to really like this neighborhood.>>

[ludomastro]

Neither of the two that have been tagged appear in the footage from the other day. However the third reporter on the scene - a human male - was here the other day and he is coming in with a full camera crew.

[Redjack]

Tank highlights the video feed in AR.
<<@Team [Tank] Something is going down.>>

Book stays calm, but proceeds to the door of the office and gently knocks. Time to at least determine the visibility level...

[ludomastro]

After a few moments a harried looking Bolo comes to the door in a state of semi-dress. "What's wrong?" she hisses through clenched teeth.

At the same time, Tank notes another group with cameras.

<<@Team [System] Hey! I recognize that guy. He's from one of the scandal scream sheets.>>

[Redjack]

<<@Team [Book] Something is about to go down and we are in the wrong place. Perhaps we should evac the doberman.>>

Book ignores the attitude and opens an AR window to Bolo of the outside video feed.
"You seem to have a pest control problem. Something is about to happen. Is there any reason your guests should not be here when it does?"

Tank grumbles to himself about having even gotten tangled up with this woman and her problems. And now my dobie is tangled up in her mess. Tank starts a scan of the rear of the shop. Getting a line on the exits, windows as well as doors, looking for people and surveillance.

<<@System [Tank] Time to think about our exit strategy.>>

[ludomastro]

One look at the video feeds nearly sends her into a panic. "He can't be here. At least not on camera. What do I do? What do we do?"

Another van comes careening around the corner with an obvious matrix set up bristling from the roof.

[Redjack]

Book nods. "I can get him out the back unseen, assuming we go now and he has nothing that will inhibit my magic."

In the meantime, Tank moves the cruiser around the corner, near the alley's exit.

[ludomastro]

Bolo bites her lip in concentration. "I can't interrupt the ritual right this second. Maybe five more minutes. Can you stall them for that long?"

The woman - security - from earlier pokes her head out. "What's going on?" She pales for a split second, "The press?!?"

When Bolo nods, she glances at Book with a hard but pleading look in her eyes. "I'll make it worth your while to get rid of them - quietly."

[Redjack]

"Five minutes..?" Book asks, disbelieving that she was actually asking the question.

As the woman looks out and asks the questions, Book winces. He listens to her spiel. "Worth my while?" He rubs his chin. "There are no guarantees with this if he stays, but we can try a few things."

He then looks over his shoulder, masking the doberman in invisibility; A single drop on sweat rolls down his brow, betraying the effort. Then turns back to the
<<@Tank [Book] Recover your drone. Let me know when its complete.>>

As Book opens the back door, Tank pilots the doberman into, then down the alley and quickly into the cruiser. Once inside the drone is safely within, Book drops the spell.
<<@Team [Book] Ok. Looks like we might get paid today after all. We just gotta 'get rid of the press'; We gotta work fast.>>
The rapidly arriving van puts a pit in his stomach.
<<@Team [Book] Three ways to get rid of them: (1) Make a wet mess. (2) Give them something else to report or (3) Simply give them nothing. In a few minutes I will have more details.>>

[Redjack]

Book looks up to the woman. "Just so we work the angles properly, why are the press here? Who is the primary and why do they care he's here?"

[ludomastro]

"The true identity of my employer is none of your business. He was wearing the expensive suit. The press would like to capture trideo, video, even still photos of him here in an effort to discredit him and possible disgrace him based on his position in society."

She seems genuinely annoyed by the questions.

"I don't have time to discuss this in committee. If you are in, please help; otherwise, get out of my way so I can step on your rep while I do my job."

[Redjack]

Book replies a little flip, "Your dime. Just let me know when you're ready."

He turns away from the woman, allowing her to retreat to the room. Johnsons really piss me off some- all the time.

<<@Team [Book] Ok. Looks like we just sit and wait. Keep an angle of exit and the primary plan will be the alley. Designate an alternate.>>

----

Tank stays reclined and relaxed. It's days like this I really wish I had a fleet of fly-spies.
He moves his sole Fly-Spy around in order to check for roof access from the shop.
<<@System [Tank] Can you start a sweep to check for fly-spies penetrating our perimeter?>>

[ludomastro]

She re-emerges a shot time later with her charge in tow. "Your Excellency, we have to go. Please follow the man there, indicating Book, as you would me. I'll set up a distraction."

The man comes over to Book and will a hint of an accent, he asks, What should I do?

----

Tank's little drone notes the media lining up in what looks like the preparations for a pincer maneuver outside the shop. So far, no one has moved on the alley exit.

"Our perimeter"? Does he know that the closest I get to a military perimeter is Miracle Shooter™? Or maybe Seals: CAS?
<<@Tank [System] Uh, yeah. Looks like we've got at least three spies. You want me to drop 'em?>>