IC: Down in the Puyallups with Team #3, Kilroy's latest venture, this time its corporate Options

[Gray]

Saturday March 15, 2070; 7:57PM; Shakes, Fircrest, Tacoma District , Seattle
Sam

Sam realized she was hungrier than she thought. She picked up the last set of chopsticks and pulled the last bowl of ramen to her place at the table. The she grabbed a diet coke, popped the tabe, and poured some of the refreshment into her mouth.

Ahhhhh. Caffeine. Drink of the gods. To bad I'm watching my weight for dance class, I'm not a huge fan of the low test stuff.

Sam turned to Spades, "I've seen a small dossier on both of you, yes."

She thought Spades was going to choke on his noodles, so she added, "I've worked with Kilroy before. You could say I'm a regular."

By way of an answer for Spades last question, and said, "Me? I guess you could call me a 'pistol combat specialist'. You could say that I'm preternaturally gifted in that area. I also have minors in athletics, urban infiltration, and sweet talk."

"Let me give Kilroy a buzz. Maybe he can give us the lowdown on Zephyr Security."

[Redjack]

Saturday March 15, 2070; 8:02PM; Shakes, Fircrest, Tacoma District , Seattle

<<@Sam [Kilroy] Zephyr Security? I'll take a look into that. Take a little time to dig deep, even more if you want info from inside their system. Here is the basics that I know: They are a small, local security firm based in Auburn. They have been in business for just over two years, started by a retired sergeant from Fort Lewis. Press is pretty good, though they had had a few wrinkles in the last year. Lost a package to a gang on hwy-167 six months ago, another two months ago to what appears to have been a shadowrun. They specialize in physical security: escort and protection.>>

[Dirtz]

Saturday March 15, 2070; 7:57PM; Shakes, Fircrest, Tacoma District , Seattle
Ramses

Turning as he shovels another mouthful of ramen into his mouth, Ramses notices Mr. Spades is watching him eat - apparently waiting for a reply to his earlier request. " Sorry old chap, I just assumed Kilroy told you who was invited to this little to do. I am Ramses", extends his hand in friendship, " Practioner of the Egyptian tradition of magic, spiritualist and traveler from many lands in search of enlightenment of our ancient culture. Hmm, guess you could say I'm the bloke with all the mojo" Ramses smiles and continues to finish his noodles.

[Gray]

Saturday March 15, 2070; 8:02PM; Shakes, Fircrest, Tacoma District , Seattle

<<@Kilroy [Sam] Do you think you could get that information to me by some time tomorrow, sweetie? We run Monday or Tuesday.>>

[SoyKaf Adict]

Spades took Ramses hand, shook firmly and kept the conversation going.

"Mojo, huh? That's wiz, a Gunslinger, a Mage, and a Face. This has the potential for being a crackin' group, just wish we had some cyber'd muscle to back us up, or maybe a hacker. Oh well, we'll make do. I'm thinking that if we end up having to split from this op, I imagine you can stick with me in my Comet while Sam takes her bike. So, when and if we split after we're done or we get slotted big time, we can have the majority following us and you can make sure our potential followers have the roughest ride they can get. Sound good?"

Spades was actually into the planning stage of this op, some background in running always helped for foreseeing problems and singling them out. He finished his ramen after some time, not wanting to break any etiquette in an attempt to focus solely on the conversation, even though Sam was a little pre-occupied getting info from Kilroy.

"I think it would be best if we set up a meet with our fixer, Kilroy, so we can hope to get a sweeter deal on what it's gonna cost us for that info."

[Gray]

Saturday March 15, 2070; 8:02PM; Shakes, Fircrest, Tacoma District , Seattle
Sam

Sam looked up rom her comm at Spades as if there was an automobile accident happening in his lap. She tried to muffle the receiver, so kilroy could not overhear.

"You don't ever get to see Kilroy's meat body. It just isn't done. And I can't speak for the professor, but I 'm not wired. I can ask him to set up a network call to all of our comms?"

[Redjack]

Saturday March 15, 2070; 8:02PM; Shakes, Fircrest, Tacoma District , Seattle

<<@Sam [Kilroy] I'll have it to you in a few hours.... Right now, I have something pressing to attend to though..>> and with that, the call with Kilroy ends.

The beat of the music can be felt on the floor and through the walls, but not so much as to be disruptive to the team meeting.

[Redjack]

Saturday March 15, 2070; 9:15PM; Shakes, Fircrest, Tacoma District , Seattle

The team spends over an hour discussing tactics, eating and just shooting the breeze when an incoming message from Kilroy arrives ahead of schedule:
<<@Team [Kilroy] I was able to piggy back into the system on a user clocking in at a client site. Standard issue is stun baton, Ingram Smart-gun, gel rounds and a vest. Company policy recommends employee additionally invest in form fit. They have three standard delivery packages: Single courier with a motorcycle. Pair of couriers in a sedan plus a shutgun with explosive slugs and third option is armored, unmarked van with four assets using personal selections of upgraded armor and weapons. All magical support is contracted externally.>>

[SoyKaf Adict]

Saturday March 15, 2070; 9:15PM; Shakes, Fircrest, Tacoma District , Seattle
Spades

Spades mulls the information over a bit. Blackjack! He backtracked to a picture of his closet, his armor jacket would do, course it still had a piece of flair on it. Who'd notice? His chameleon suit would take care of the form-fitting undergarment... Ingram... Silenced or Unsilenced?
Spades mostly out to himself combing details.
"Ingram Smartgun X's come with a suppressor, I'd assume they'd want to keep things noisy until help arrives. I'll have to holster that until shit hits the fan. I'll have to snag those gel round clips from the first hapless son-of-a-bitch...."
He continues going over details until his thought process is disturbed.

[Gray]

Saturday March 15, 2070; 9:17PM; Shakes, Fircrest, Tacoma District , Seattle
Sam

"Excuse me a few minutes, guys? Gotta make a call. I need to find out if the Crime Mall is open tonight. I want to get some Stick'N'Shocks. They'll be better against that form fitting body armor than Gel Rounds. You know: Zzzzzzzt!" Sam said to her new partners, as she got up from the table. She flailed her arms about immitating being electrocuted as she made the "Zzzzzzzt!" sound.

She walked over to the far corner of the room and called Queen's Knight, arms dealer and fellow chess afficionado on her comm.

<<@Queen's Knight [Sam] Hola, 'Knight. ¿Cómo estás? Have you played any chess lately? We'll have to get together soon for a game, Cariño. My brother actually beat me one game out of three last week, so there's always a chance for you. Quick question. Do you know if The Mall is open tonight? Sammy needs some supplies.>>

[Redjack]

Saturday March 15, 2070; 9:18PM; Shakes, Fircrest, Tacoma District , Seattle

<<@Sam [Queen's Knight] You are in luck. The Mall is open tonight. I just paid the parking fee myself.... and as to chess, you forget who you're talking to girl.>>

[Gray]

Saturday March 15, 2070; 9:18PM; Shakes, Fircrest, Tacoma District , Seattle
Sam

<<@Queen's Knight [Sam] Muchas gracias, mijo. Maybe I'll run into you at The Mall. Say ten-ish?>>

[Redjack]

Saturday March 15, 2070; 9:18PM; Shakes, Fircrest, Tacoma District , Seattle

<<@Sam [Queen's Knight] Yea. Look for me on the second level. I'm trying to get in with M80-Mike. Peace-out.>>

[Gray]

Saturday March 15, 2070; 9:18PM; Shakes, Fircrest, Tacoma District , Seattle
Sam

<<@Queen's Knight [Sam] Hasta luego.>>



Saturday March 15, 2070; 10:05PM; The Crime Mall, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle
Sam

After a short detour to drop off Sam's bike at her apartment, Spades and Sam arrived at the Crime Mall.

No sense in paying the parking fee twice.

[Redjack]

Saturday March 15, 2070; 10:05PM; The Crime Mall, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle

By this time, Ramses has reached his doss and settled into his summoning and binding rituals.

The drive across the Puyallups to drop off Sam's bike and then on towards the deserted area where the crime mall sits is uneventful. As the Mall comes into sight, no street lights illuminate the path here and the roads are not the best, but RFID tags clearly mark the path to tonight's parking area. Tonight the old Sears outlet is serving as bike parking and the Lifters have established directions using RFID tags and sculpted AR, but these are not needed. It is starting to get busy and you follow several vehicles in.

The Lifters and their ridiculous gang colors cause most other gangers to shake their head and ask why? Perhaps that is the very reason though. This gang never has to fight a real turf war, not with their backers. The may have to fight a few battle when things get rough, but they never have to fight a drawn out war.

The entrance is watched over by a pair of large trolls, a male and female. They are wearing heavy, full length jackets and while no weapons are visible, they are no doubt hidden under those jackets. They pay little attention to obvious weapons, instead stopping those openly bearing gang colors. Only the Lifters and Mall Monsters are allowed to show gang colors at the Mall.

As you proceed through first floor of the old mall. The typcial crowd is here: dealers, prostitutes, small time gun runners, wanna-be coyotes, gangsters looking to break into the big time, mafia soldiers. People are coming here to see who's out and about and to be seen. Your arrival at the escalator finds it out of service, though you've never seen it in service. In fact very few facilities in the Mall ever are. Several shops on the second floor, claimed by regulars have seen considerable rework. For example, the Office is a bar, open when the Mall is open, that is claimed by a retired smuggler.

The duo is able to find the shop where M80 Mike has set up shop. Queen's Knight is nearby, out of the way while M80 Mike negotiates a deal. As Sam approaches, the cagy old gun runner smiles. "Girl, you look more grown up every time I see you. Not sure you got anymore growing up to do."

[Gray]

Saturday March 15, 2070; 10:06PM; The Crime Mall, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle
Sam

Sam gave Queen's Knight a freindly hug. "Gracias, Cariño. You look as studly as ever. Where do you get those suits? I don't think I've ever seen the same one twice."

Queen's Knight smiled, toyed with one of the multitude of gold chains around his neck, and replied, "It's all about the look, girl. I got an image to uphold."

Sam remembered she was not alone and said, "'Knight, this is my new business associate, Spades. Spades, meet Queen's Knight: entreprenuer extrordinaire, sharpest dressed cat in the 'plex, and the second best chess player you've ever met."

[SoyKaf Adict]

Saturday March 15, 2070; 10:06PM; The Crime Mall, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle
Spades

"Pleasure, I've got quite the competition for best dressed at this party, but second best chess player?"

Spades was missing something, perhaps she was referring to herself as the first. Spades smiled either way.

"So are you our escort through the crime mall? Show us the sights? Or just another fellow shopper looking for the Ares Alpha and a suit to match?"

He chuckled, he'd been wanting an Ares Alpha for some time now, but never had the resources to back the cost.

[Redjack]

"She's a little confused about the chess ranking" he says with a coy smile, "but she is right, she is one of the top two" he adds, throwing a paternal wink at Sam.

Turning his attention back to Spades, "A bit of a wheeler-dealer myself. Trying to work a little biz round here actually." He looks over to M80 Mike, who is still occupied with a potential customer before turning his attention back to the duo. "Well Sam, as much as I know you like getting beat by me, I'm thinking you have another motive for looking me up tonight?"

[Gray]

Saturday March 15, 2070; 10:06PM; The Crime Mall, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle
Sam

Sam gave a hearty laugh and said, "Other than to set up a time for your next beating you mean? Yes, mijo. Sammy needs some ammo. Got any Stick-N-Shocks on hand?"

[Redjack]

Saturday March 15, 2070; 10:07PM; The Crime Mall, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle

Queen's Knight stifles a chuckle at Sam's reply. "Actually have a variety of calibers of that in a stash. 10mm for that Predator of your's I take it? Two clips? Three?"

Off to the side, M80 Mike appears to be wrapping up his business. Queen's Knight takes notice and looks to be ending his conversation with Sam so as to move on to Mike.

[Dirtz]

Saturday March 15, 2070; Ramses' Apartment, Downtown Puyallup
Ramses

The air was thick with the smell of incense and shadows danced along the walls. Hunched over a sandstone tablet Ramses worked by candlelight inscribing the ancient text that would bind a spirit to his will. His preparations had taken hours to complete as he pulled Heka, more commonly known as mana, and wove it into the fabric of the text he was working. Bubu was at his side guiding his efforts, though he would not help bind the spirit himself his advise had been valuable. He chose the text from the Book of the Dead that would impress the spirit and honor its heritage. Spirits were less likely to resist the ritual if they were treated with respect and honor, something Bubu had been drilling into him all afternoon. Take care not to offend and your path will be filled with less resistance. Wiping the sweat from his brow, Ramses looked over the preparations one last time to make sure everything was as it should be. Nodding in satisfaction, it was time to summon the spirit.

He centered himself and focused on the calling, mana washed over him like a warm bath. It made his skin tingle and gave him a sense of euphoria. Reaching out into the thin air in front of him pulling on the consciousness that would be Nashtuk - a spirit of air, Ramses summoned the entity to his plane. The spirit resisted his will but in the end it would obey his command. The candles flickered as a warm summer breeze floated into the room, slowly it took shape until a wispy looking crow sat opposite of him.

"What service would you ask of me Ramses, son of Egypt?"

Still kneeling by the tablet Ramses replied, "Welcome Nashtuk, it pleases me greatly that you have answered my call. I ask that you become my ally in time of need and bid my calling over the many days hence forth, til the moon rises full in the black night sky three times. Accept this tablet in good faith, it tells of man and spirit working side by side from a time long since past, as it will be again."

The form of the crow hopped onto the sandstone tablet inspecting the inscription, as it did Ramses stood and backed away. All seemed well, until Nashtuk turned his attention back on Ramses. The form of the crow hopped and cawed in agitation, spread it wings to hover above the tablet until its form began to change again, swiftly this time into the form of a giant fist. It struck down a powerful blow and sundered the tablet into pieces before returning to its previous form. Ramses was taken by surprise, wondering what had gone wrong.

"You honor me with your words and trinkets but insult me with that vile and disgusting thing about your waist. I will heed your calling until nightfall but no further."

Ramses gazed down at his belt buckle, then realized the mistake that had been made. It was a scarab, a mythical sign of the earth and rebirth, and as such in opposition to the realm of air. Krikee, you done bullocks this one up for good. The words from Bubu echoed in his mind, fueling his anger and disappointment. He knew this was going to fail all along

" Ask of me what I may fulfill so that I may be gone from your presence", the words from Nashtuk seethed of contempt further fueling Ramses' anger. Mana was beginning to pool around Ramses as his anger rose, unknowingly tapping the many leylines that surrounded him giving him an unnatural glow. Good, use your anger it will make you powerful. Strike him down if he will not obey you, he shall not disrespect the master! Lightning arced from Ramses fingers as his skin burned from harnessing too much mana, the pain making him grimace as his eyes focused on the crow. Nashtuk was a being of dual nature and could see the mana consuming the form that would be his master, he fought against the chains that bound him to be in his presence in fear of suffering his wrath.

...to be continued !

[Gray]

Saturday March 15, 2070; 10:06PM; The Crime Mall, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle
Sam

Sam noted 'Knight's eagerness to wrap up their conversation and move on to bigger and better things with M80 Mike, and thought it wise to keep things short. "Two clips ought to do the trick."

[Redjack]

Saturday March 15, 2070; 10:07PM; The Crime Mall, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle

Knight winks to Sam, gesturing in what must be AR before speaking to the young woman. "Two clips. 30 rounds. 250 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) if you can wait around an hour. Or for another 50 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) to have them delivered." As soon as Sam answers, Knight turns to M-80 who is available and takes his leave.

[SoyKaf Adict]

Saturday March 15, 2070; 10:08PM; The Crime Mall, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle
Spades

Spades takes a hint of what happens around him, but so much was going on that he'd fazed out everything that he was supposed to be there for, and when the transaction had been made final, he was speechless as to where to begin... Though 250 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) didn't sound half bad for two stick-n-shock clips. I guess because the market was always fluid, and it was Sam's contact, he had already hooked her up with the discount. Spades whispers as he leans slightly over towards her.

"So, charming fellow, I don't believe you needed my help here your contact seems to help out his own. 250 isn't bad."

[Redjack]

Saturday March 15, 2070; 11:19PM; The Crime Mall, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle

It takes a little more than an hour until Sam get's her package. The Mall is the same as it always is. Most places need a lot of work; The Mall was abandoned by legitimate retail outlets and property management years ago. Sanitation is near non existent. There are a few things to be said though. Several areas of the second floor are in good repair and several places in the building structure appear to have had recent repair. Someone is keeping the building standing, at least.

The first floor is low-biz. Hustlers, prostitutes, shady gun-runners and a variety of street scum roam the ground floor. The only two gang colors are the Mall Monsters and the Lifters. Members of both these gangs can be seen in groups of 4-6 intermixed with the rest of the Mall goers.

The second-floor caters to a different class of clientèle. Some have money others have street-presence. Several large trolls roam the second floor with Ingrams at hand, combat axes slung on their back and SWAT jackets. Its generally considered humorous irony that while these trolls are not truly with SWAT of any police force, they are considered Mall security.

In the center of the second floor is the Office. A bar ran by a human staring down fifty called Smokey Joe. Joe has sunk a bit of cred into fixing up the core that the Office is in. An orc sits on a stool at the entrance, a single cyber visor with a red-eye ping-pongs back and forth to the ends of the visor making him look like some sort of Cylon cross-breed. An MP5 rests in his hand and he is normally as motionless as a gargoyle. Every so often he reaches out his hand, lightning fast, to block admittance by a tourist or slug better suited to the first floor.

The decor of the office is pretty unique. There is a long bar that runs along the far wall and out to the middle of the floor making it kind of a "T" shape. There are twenty-eight stools along the bar. Seven along each of the four lengths. Along both walls, left and right, in the room are a number of booths with curtains. You know from experience that each of the twelve booths have white noise generators as well as sound dampeners. Using the booths brings a minimum drink charge every fifteen minutes. There are six tables with four chairs out on the floor area and finally, there are 3 larger rooms in the back for rent.

Sitting at the bar, Sam and Spades have milked as many drinks as they are able by the time a lithe elven woman with short cropped hair walks up. She takes a moment to scan the duo visually, then hands Sam a white, plastic shopping bag. Inside are the two clips of ammunition.