Atlanta 2070, Hot time in the old town tonight Options

[Redjack]

<<@System [Tank] Take 'em out.>>
<<@Book [Tank] Looks like the media is getting ready for a surge. Time for a retrograde motion.>>

Book smiles at the inquiry. "Just a moment." he say before focusing on the man. He weaves a simple spell, but nearly allows himself to be distracted by the virtual chatter. As the man fades from view Book then speaks again. "Please proceed out the back door, to the left, down and out the alley to the cruiser waiting there."

Book maintains his concentration on the new principal while looking across the room at the old principal. Clearing the scene is giving me a really bad feeling.

Once the man enters the cruiser and Tank has secured the door, Book casts invisibility on himself to follow suit. His lack of commitment shows in the poor effect of the spell and the beads of sweat only serve to reinforce that his concentration was far from focused.

Looking down to more translucent than transparent, At least Tank's not in here to start with the 'like an open book' jokes.

He casts again with no better results. This time he maintains lack luster spell and he reaches under the back of his cloths for the hood of his chameleon suit. Never can be too sure.

As he fades away, he pings Bolo.
<<@Bolo [Book] If you stay, I cannot protect you. Do you want to leave with us?>>

[ludomastro]

<<@Book [Bolo] My store: I'm supposed to be here. I'll stay. I might be able to stall them. Not to mention it could mean a decent payday ... which I could use right now.>>

The primary slips out the back per Book's instructions. His female lieutenant almost seems to morph into another form: she gives new meaning to quick-change artist. She seems to shrink into the form of an older woman with a limp as she heads out the door.

<<@Team [System] Damn! Got all but two of the fly-spies. One seems to be heading this way. I think that he may have figured out where my hack is coming from.>>

Before the primary can reach the cruiser, the flier gets into position above the vehicle so as to watch the alley.

[Redjack]

Still maintaining his invisibility spell on the primary, Book nods to Bolo then turns his attention to the drone in Tank's AR feed. He closes his eyes and concentrates a moment, summoning a spirit of air. As it fades into astral space near him, Humble spirit of air, I beseech you clear away this little mechanical pest.

The spirit flies through the walls directly into the alley. Still in the astral, it moves to the drone's location and materializes as a cyclone around the unsuspecting mechanical annoyance. Book, meanwhile, takes a moment to gauge the success of the spirit via Tank's drone's feed before continuing.

[ludomastro]

The fly spy makes a valiant effort but the spirit is simply too much for it. Lamentably, this attracts the attention of one of the news crews in the area and a slim ork with a camera starts turning to film the little drone.

About that time the "package" gets to the vehicle, opens the door and enters.

The camera-man seems too intent on the drone to notice the door.

[Redjack]

The primary safe in the cruiser, Book drops the invisibility on the Johnson and now envelopes himself in a spell of invisibility. His distraction and fatigue take a toll and the results are far from spectacular. His chameleon suit hood in place and activated as well, the scrutiny of the media has Book's paranoia quotient running high. He brings back the spirit, Return for another task my friend. Conceal me from prying eyes.

The spirit's mana surrounding him, Book proceeds into the alley. He approaches the vehicle waiting for the reporter's attention to turn back away before entering the car.
<<@Team [Book] Let's go. Tank - Watch for tails.>>

"Where to Mr Johnson?"

[ludomastro]

Doing his best to look non-pulsed the older gentleman says, "The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Please." The please seems to cost him a bit.

[Redjack]

Without being prompted, Tank responds, "On it." He immediately begin checking for tails and plots an indirect route to the church.

Once the car is in motion, Book releases the spell, but leaves the spirit in place.
<<@System [Book] Can you do some facial recognition magic and tell me who this guy is?>>

[ludomastro]

<<@Book [System] On it.>>

As Tank drives away from the media circus he gets a few annoyed looks from those whose shot he is blocking. The passenger looks away but doesn't bend down or otherwise try to get away from the line of sight.

<<@Book [System] That's odd. I can't get a positive ID on this guy. I have a few potentials between 78 and 85% probability but nothing solid. Do you want a list?>>

[Redjack]

<<@System [Book] Yea. Give me the list.>>

Book then shifts his perceptions to the astral plane and scrutinizes the aura of their passenger.

[Redjack]

Tank lets a small groan escape his lips. "We got another drone." The highlights the drone in the optics feed.

Book looks back towards the drone. He reaches his mind out to the air spirit nearby. Great spirit. Please do me to favor of smashing that little, mechanical abomination into the ground.

With that, the spirit streaks off across the short distance in the astral towards the speak of gray. Towards the little flying insect. An insect devoid of life essence. Something outside of the nature order of things.

[ludomastro]

The spirit destroys the drone with extreme prejudice. Unfortunately, that seems to have attracted the attention of people on the street. Some have started making windows with their hands - a sure sign of posting to social networking sites.

[Redjack]

A the team drive off in the distance, putting even more space between themselves and the pieces of drone, Book smiles. Thank you spirit. You service to me is complete. Return home with my thanks.

He then checks the astral for other follower ons.

Tank grimaces.
<<@System [Tank] I think some modified DMV records are now a high priority. What are the chances of an updated license?>

[ludomastro]

<<@ Tank [System] One set of sunday-driving-church-lady records coming up.>>

Book can breathe a little easier as nothing seems to be following them from the astral.

<<@ Book [System] Here's your list.>>

• Wilhelm von Herman - Industrial tycoon - 85% match
• The Most Reverand Nathaniel M. Claus - Catholic Bishop - 82%
• William K. Bradford - Member of the Board of Directors for the Sunlight Foundation - 78%

[Redjack]

<<@System [Tank] Danka.>>
Ever paranoid, Tank starts back at square one in regards to his looking for tails. "Delivery will be delayed sir as I insure any possible tails have been lost."

<<@System [Book] Let me guess, Bishop Claus has some ties to The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus? If not, the circumstantial value of the connection is pretty compelling. Let's deliver our Johnson collect our money, change vehicles and circle me back to Bolo. We've lost one good contact this week. I'd rather it not climb to two.>>

[ludomastro]

The gentleman in the back seat smiles and says, "Yes, that will be fine. My associate will meet us there to provide your payment. I do hope that you are not losing out on gainful employment for my behalf."

[Redjack]

Tank nods. "Excellent. We're hoping the same."

<<@Bolo [Book] Need an LTG for our Mz.Johnson so that she can forward payment. Client is clear. We are en route now to the drop.>>

Once Tank is relatively comfortable that he has lost all tails, he delivers the Johnson to the desired location.

[ludomastro]

The imposing front of the church has not dimmed with age. A testament to the faith of those who still attend in this age of disillusionment.

<<@Book [Bolo] Got ya. I've got a drop box for ... um, payments. Here's the address. It's a media circus down here; hopefully, it is quieter on your end.>>

The passenger gets out and walks slowly to the front door of the church before entering. A short time later, a small digital ork in an 2020's vintage uniform for a now-defunct money courier appears in the Book's PAN.

<<You have received a payment in the amount of (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) 3,000.>>

[Redjack]

Tank watches the Johnson walk to the church, noting the condition of the building. Guess there's nuyen flowing in some places..

Book distributes the payment evenly between the three team members.
<<@Bolo [Book] Got the payment. Thanks! Any sign of your loan sharks?>>

While he awaits Bolo's reply, he speaks to the team. "Ok Tank, get us back to Bolo's. I've still got her payment for the foci that needs to go to the loan sharks."

He looks over at System. "If nothing pans out back tracing, you may need to hack their coms and back trace on the fly. We gotta let these guys know that we know them and level the playing field. By the way, how secure is your doss?"

Tank pulls away, heading toward Bolo's shop. This time, he plans to park several blocks away to keep from attracting attention.

[ludomastro]

My place? Umm... Yeah we better not use it. I'm having a dispute with the landlord right now. I'll work on the back trace program and see if I can unstick myself from some of these dead ends. Although System answers the question, his voice indicates he's hedging a bit.

It is an uneventful drive for the first few blocks from the church. However, at a light Tank's vehicle is swarmed by media drones and floating cameras. Other than the media circus happening outside the windows, no one is being threatened.

[Redjack]

Book laughs. "No bud, I've seen your idea of a doss. Not my dream of a place to hide out. On the contrary, if these sharks get wind of who we are, they may want to back trace us and mess with us on home turf. Just wanting to make sure that if things get messy for you that you are safe."

Now, having picked up a media circus, Tank elects a new route, not back towards Bolo's but rather towards less reputable parts of town. "Looks like we have new plans chummers. Also looks like my ride will new a new paint job and yet another new set of credentials."

Book groans at the swarm of drones, but sits back in his seat. "It appears our day just got more interesting." He turns to System, "Alternate wheels?"

[ludomastro]

I've got a few layers of security at my place ... as well as a bolt hole if I need it. As far as the other goes, I think I've got a spare ID I can get you. However, I'll need to get access to my place. We could always boost a cab if you like.

The media circus continues to follow the van.

[Redjack]

Tank plots a route to get them onto a highway. Need some speed to loose this swarm of pests.

Book nods, "A cab. That will work."

[ludomastro]

"Here's the route." System overlays an AR map on the windshield for Tank.

[Redjack]

Tank accelerates the cruiser with the intent of leaving the media drones behind.

[ludomastro]

The acceleration and little maneuvering seem to lose the drones - for a while.

<<@ Tank [System] Take the next left; I've got a cab for us. Is this thing set up for remote drive?>>

The cab's doors are standing open with the motor running.