Atlanta 2070, Hot time in the old town tonight Options

[Redjack]

<<@System [Book] Damn straight it is. My thought was to just send it home while we take our afternoon drive. Gonna need a paint job before it comes out again. Better yet, a chameleon coating. That would sure make it easier to disappear then reappear.>>

Tank makes the turns as directed. When they arrive, he leaves the doberman in the cruiser. A surprise in case my security is not as set as I think it is.

The trio then change vehicles to the cab. Once complete, Tank sends the cruiser home and directs the cab towards Bolo's shop.

[ludomastro]

The trio arrives without major incident at Bolo's shop. The new feeds are all in a twitter about the "car chase" carrying a "person of interest."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you." Bolo says as they pile into the shop. "Oh, I'm supposed to give you this. I'm jealous, I think." She hands over three engraved invitations. Actual paper, cardstock to be precise, with raised gold lettering. The invitation is for a dinner at the community center near the church. The bottom reads, With Benefits.

[Redjack]

Dalton takes his copy first, looking it over, trying to figure out if the gold is real or just colored foil.

Book takes his last, gingerly. He looks over the details of the invitation. Dinner at a community center on a gold foil, paper invitation...? He looks up to Bolo and the timing suddenly strikes him as well. "This was a rush printing... or was it?" He reflects back on the statue job, the opera, the note.....
A porter delivers a handwritten, gold leaf note that says, Good help is so hard to find. I look forward to working with you again. Please feel free to enjoy the rest of the opera.
He mentions nothing to Bolo, nor even to the team at this time.

Dalton smiles, "I like friends with benefits. Can never have too many of those."

Book gives his head a little shake before addressing Bolo. "Thanks. We still have the issue of your lenders.... Any word?"

Tank meanwhile moves inward, validating the video feed from his external cameras.

[ludomastro]

Book's examination would seem to indicate that the gold is real.

Bolo nods her head loosing some excitement in the process. "Yes, actually. They called during all the commotion - I didn't even hear the phone - and left a message saying they were coming tomorrow morning and that I should have some nuyen for them."

After a quick review, the external footage doesn't show anything that Tank considers unexpected.

<<@Team [System] What do you make of this. I have a trace on our mystery guests. It appears that they are talking to the cops? Any reasons why such fine upstanding citizens would need to consult with the authorities?>>

[Redjack]

Not wanting to, Book asks the obvious question. "With the yen I owe you and the sales from the last few days, do you have their money?"

Hearing that things may have a breather until tomorrow, Tank follows up on a few outstanding items. He starts by reaching out to the mechanic that Digger had connected him with.
<<@Lug Nut [Tank] Chummer - Looking to have a chameleon coating put on my cruiser. How soon till you can work me in?>>

He then moves on to the gunner runner he had started working with.
<<@Six Gun [Tank] Checking on those stick-n-shock rounds. Gonna be dropping those today?>>

<<@Team [Book] You have footage or just a trace?>>

[ludomastro]

Bolo responds, "With today's receipts, what you owe and the gathering, I should have most of it."

<<@Tank[Lug Nut] Seeing as how the Star just raided my place, it's gonna be a while. If I think of a way, I'll let you know.>>

<<@Tank[Six Gun] Yep. The park down at City Center Plaza around dinner tonight. I hear the Irish pizza at Johnny Boy is good.>>

<<@Team[System] Just a trace. Hold on. Looks like they are moving away. Yep, Star going one way, and our guests the other.>>

[Redjack]

Tank's eyebrows furl at his continued bad luck.
<<@Lug Nut [Tank] Good luck getting that worked out.>>

But Tank has another contact that just might be able to get him hooked up; The guy he bought the cruiser from.
<<@Michael Richards [Tank] Looking to get some work done to that cruiser I picked up from you. Thinking about putting on a chameleon coating. If you don't have a guy who can put it on, I'm also interested in just picking up the supplies and doing it myself. What options do we have?>>

<<@Six Gun [Tank] Done.>>
Tank marks the appointment and flags it.

Book meanwhile focuses more on the tasks at hand. He talks with Bolo being gentle, but frank. "Bolo, you need to make some decisions. (1) You pay these guys off and deal with them muscling in. (2) You pay these guys off and we push back on the muscling. That will probably cause some heightened threat for a time and we come to an understanding. (3) You tell them to get lost and use the money to fund some "whatever it takes to get rid of them" type of work... In any case, you need to make the decision."

<<@Team [Book] Hmmm... Is this connection still back to those officers they were linked to before?>>

[ludomastro]

<<@Tank [Lug Nut] Thanks, chummer. Gonna need it.>>

<<@Tank [Michael Richards] Sure, no problem. Gonna cost you, though. Even the raw supplies are up. Seems like the Star has been cracking down on it recently. How bad ya want it?>>

Bolo nods her head. "I understand. Can I have some time to think it over? I got myself into this by rushing in. I'd rather not repeat that process."

<<@Team [System] And he gets it in one. Interesting, no? You've got that look in your eyes my man. What are you thinking.>>

[Redjack]

<<@Michael Richards [Tank] Well, I'm gonna need the replacement tools for my shop, complete line. I left all the tools I had up north. How about we talk a package deal on the tools and the coating? How much is up? I got ten grand I could throw at this project, perhaps scrape together a little more...>>

Book nods. "Sure. I think you have until your appointment tomorrow... Granted, if they arrive early that will put a definite wrinkle in it."

<<@Team [Book] If these cops are in the middle of this, we may need to play our Ace with the good captain. I'd rather not play that too soon or too often, but what good is an Ace that always sits in your pocket.. Besides... In a few years he'll be looking to move up to commissioner... Best that we keep on good and talking terms.>>

[ludomastro]

Bolo responds, "You said a mouthful. I'll ask the Lord and Lady for an extra blessing on you and your friends for all the help you've given me."

<<@Team [System] Sounds like a good idea to me. Shall I set something up?>>

About that time a young man walks in with a smile on his face. "Excuse me miss. Do you sell Silver Shaman™ paint?"

[Redjack]

Book nods to Bolo, cognizant of a new arrival. "Thank you. I'll be back tomorrow to check on that package then."

<<@Team [Book] Yea. Probably better get a secure line set up that we can make that call. I'm just not sure we have enough details yet... Have you ID'd the cops who are connected to the loan sharks? Last I remember you had some issues tracing back the loan sharks to their source. How far back have you made it?>>

Tank, bored with the whole talismonger scene decides to take a video capture of the new shopper's face and just run a public search while waiting for a reply from Michael Richards.

[ludomastro]

<<@ Tank [MichaelRichards] For that kind of cash, I'm listening. It's gonna take me a few days to put everything together. Once I have the goods, I'll send you word.>>

Tank's facial recognition search turns up the customer's mug on a local news site. The Atlanta Free Thinker has dedicated itself to discussing the shadows and everything that goes on there. The site boasts that more than one citizen has been shown up for being in league with the shadows. They specialize in so called under cover operations.

<<@ Team [System] I keep hitting a brick wall. Really good security with a rotating algorithm. I can hack it but it will take a good chunk of some time. Do you want me doing that or other things?>>

[Redjack]

<<@ MichaelRichards [Tank] Great thanks.>>

Tank heads out of the shop and a few buildings down the street. Tank reads a little further on the details on the customer's picture. Is this guy a reporter or a runner?

Book looks over several jars on an upper shelf. Grasshopper wings. Eye of newt. Rabbit's feet. His attention is really on what to do next though. He spends several minutes thinking over his options, of which he really sees two: Find out who these guys are really backed by and play against them or phone a friend and see where that leads... or both.

<<@System [Book] I need a secure line to the Chief. We need to know if the dirty cops involved in this are his dirty cops or a freelance group. Either way, the situation could solve itself.>>

[ludomastro]

"Sure, right over here." Bolo exits from behind the counter and walks over to another wall and takes a few samples off the shelf. "You, ah, don't strike me as a shaman." He replies, "Nah, I'm not. It's for my girlfriend." "Ahh. In that case you might want to look at something authentic rather than this mass produced stuff. She'll get more out of it. Really" "Sweet! It's a little extra but she's worth it."

<<@ Book [Bolo] I think this guy's girl is a posser. No self respecting shaman would send her guy in her for supplies. Ahh well, nuyen is nuyen.>>

<<@Book [System] One secure line coming up. I'll bounce it off several waring corps and a few toasters ... and maybe that guys new suit. Give me a few minutes.>> Even across the link the glee in System's voice is apparent.

"Hey, is that a multi-purpose room you've got there? What kind of meetings do you hold in there? Can I take a look? Could me and the girl rent it from you?"

[Redjack]

Book smiles. Don't know how we lucked into System, but glad we did.
<<@Bolo [Book] It appears he likes to think of himself as a runner. [[ ARO: Link to The Atlanta Free Thinker ]] He may draw more attention than you need right now making him more hassle than he's worth.>>

<<@System [Book] Excellent news.>>
With that, Book exits the shop and heads towards the team's current ride.

Once the link is established, Book talks to the chief:
<<@Chief [Book] Morning Chief. How are things going? I need to run something by you to make sure we are not at cross purposes. Got a few boys squeezing one of our associates. We traced them back to a few of the boys in blue. [[ ARO: Video of cops ]] Are these guys freelancing or are they sanctioned?>>

[ludomastro]

<<@ Book [Bolo] Thanks for the heads up.>>

Bolo answers the multitude of questions with an apologetic look on her face, "Sorry, no. I can't rent it to you. Hell, I can't even store things there. My lease says that ... I'm sorry, it's an old soapbox about my landlord. Here, let me ring up that paint for you."

The street is about as quiet as the city ever gets. The trash blowing in the wind was less today than it could have been but the bums were thicker somehow.

<<@ Book [Chief] Damn! I wish our IT guys were half as good as that hacker you've got working for you. I don't think the DDI could crack what he's got running right now. Least not in the time that he's going to have it open. Sorry, I got sidetracked, but, damn, I admire good work. Thank you for bringing the other matter to my attention. No, I don't have anyone working on that end of town. And it seems like I should know ... or at least get my cut if it were being worked. We both appear to have a problem. If you look into it and let me know what's going down, I'll come down like a hammer. I get good press and ... I owe you. I'm not terribly fond of owing anyone, by the way. Do we have a deal?>>

[Redjack]

Book smiled. That couldn't have gone much better. He considers squeezing the Chief for better terms, but considers... What could be better than 'I owe you one'.
<<@Chief [Book] Deal. I'll let you know when we have more.>>

<<@System [Book] Ok. Let's pull back so you can do your thing. I have some things to take care of myself.>>

[Redjack]

The trio loads into their appropriated cab and heads out. Tank's cruiser meets them halfway home, taking him the rest of the way while System and Book go their way. Book is then dropped off a few blocks away from his apartment. He slips through an alley, turns off his com and casts physical mask (as usual) before returning to his apartment.

He sends a watcher ahead to insure that everything is clear before entering. After getting an all clear, he proceeds inside. Being early in the day, he rubs his cheek thinking about the past few weeks. He picked up his copy of Reidell's Theory of Temporal Permanence read a chapter, before switching his senses to the astral. To most, this was nothing more than a book created on a hand printer; A relic created using outdated processes. The hand written notes within reduced its value to many but to those with the sight it makes it priceless.

He leaned back in his easy chair, taking in the aura of the book like a drug. There is a secret within he tries to pull from it. A metamagic it describes. Finally, he sets the book down and lies down on the bear rug. He reaches his voice out to the astral, calling for a spirit of man; Calling for the spirit that is the caretaker of his building. Old man. I am going on a dream walk. Watch over my body and my lodge. Keep me safe.

He then lies down and projects his consciousness into the astral. Next stop the Guardian and then the metaplanes.

[ludomastro]

The spirit of man in the form of a very old human comes up through the floor as if walking up an old set of stairs that may or may not have been part of the original plans. He looks over at Book and the book in his hands. Reading again, heh? Well ... I knows ya take care uh yo apartment and pay yor rent on time. Guess I kin looks over thangs whiles ya out. Jus don make an old man stand around too long, ya hear. I gots 'ritis ya know.

As he drifts off, Book see the old spirit sink into a chair where no chair exists in his apartment.

[ludomastro]

Book is standing on the edge of a simple clearing in the woods. It seems to be late fall or possibly early winter. From the humidity, it could be somewhere in the south or somewhere up north on either coast, or near the Great Lakes - when the stink isn't rolling off them. As he turns he sees a large canine, perhaps a wolf, perhaps something else. It is standing on the opposite edge of the clearing. It seems as large as a horse. The wolf-thing smiles. A voice more heard than felt asks, And what do you think you are doing in my woods? Come for a stroll? Or perhaps you would like me to feed you to my pups?

[Redjack]

His confrontation with the Dweller put a spotlight on his deepest secrets and regrets. His inability to unravel the secrets around the abduction of Digger is the one that haunts him the worst. Once the Dweller was done berating him for his failures, he was finally allowed to proceed.

Looking around, he is not surprised by the serene nature of the location. Wolf's presence does surprise him. Why would Wolf be my first trial? He knows that his quest will have one or more trials before reaching completion. He also knows that he may never understand the meaning of each trial.

"Great Wolf, I have arrived on a journey." He considers his tact. Perhaps this is a secret Wolf does not want him to find. Perhaps Wolf already knows..... In the end, he knows that Snake is somehow directing the path though... "May I go through your woods?" He looks around for an obvious path.

[ludomastro]

The wolf smiles - there is simply no other word for it - and then replies, I don't know. It's not like the disciples of the Slithering One to be so straight forward. You will find the secret you seek if you are willing to sacrifice another secret you crave. With that, the Wolf fades away leaving only eyes and a smile before they vanish like falling leaves in the cold breeze. The clearing shows two paths - one to the right and the other to the left.

[Redjack]

Book tilts his head, puzzled. Wolf is the Cheshire Cat now? He is happy to have caught Wolf off guard or at least surprise. He turns his attention to the paths. What would Snake do?

He squats for a moment, looking at each path more for Snake's level. He then summons up two watchers, sending each down a path. "Go several minutes down the path, then come back and tell me what you find."

[ludomastro]

For reasons that Book can't explain the watchers take the form of rabbits here. They no sooner start down the paths in question before being set upon and devoured by what appear to be wolves. Book hears a raspy laugh that seems to have a touch of a growl in it.

"Nice try, He-who-slithers. I favor directness. Choose."

[Redjack]

Book winces as the rabbits are devoured by the wolves. He rubs his chin, trying to figure out Wolf's angle. He looks down each path, looking for differences in the two.