T-Town, A game in Alabama Options

[fistandantilus4....]

<<<<@TINMAN, Flash[MITNick] So we're on the same screen, you're moving out of the deck, correct? Might have an issue if we hand the deck over with what our employer might consider "malacious code".>>>>

[ludomastro]

<<@ All [Tinman] Malicious Code?!? How rude! I'll be hitching along with the new wireless-deck you purchased. Where to?>>

Now fully in the city, the team is free to contact the Johnson at their leisure.

[Redjack]

He smirks at the mention of the trid. As Chester joins the conversation, Flash wonders about MITNick's plans to include the mage...
<<@Team [Flash] Think we're still working on both those angles.>>

Flash inhales deeply as they reach the outskirts of the city, Home crap, home.
<<@Tinman/MITNick [Flash] As long as it pays and we walk away from it... I'm game>>

[fistandantilus4....]

Alright Flash, why don't you ring Mr. Johnson then. I don't think he likes me.

MITNick really just doesn't feel comfortable interacting with anyone in any way that doesn't include the matrix. The so called "Real" world always seems a little soft, a little off to him, like the resolution is set too low. Instead he busies himselfwith the deck.

[ludomastro]

As the matrix link is established the team is treated to a black cube for a trid image. The audio; however, is clear. Do you have the goods?

[Redjack]

Flash nods to the hacker.
<<@Johnson [Flash/Team] We have the package. How would you like to perform the exchange?>>

<<@MITNick [Flash] So, do we bring the rest of the team into this? We are gonna need magical support at the least. In any case. Time to move Tinman to a new home.>>

[fistandantilus4....]

<<<@Flash[MITN] Depends. If they trust enough enough to walk in and handle their cred, I say you and I go you. I can handle the geek speak,and you can get us outta there if things get royally fragged.

That leaves the mage outside, where the Johnson can't be sure to have an eye on 'im. That makes him dangerous. A little insurance incase he decided lead might be cheaper or somethin'. Can't be to safe, eh?>>>>

[ludomastro]

<<@ Flash/Team [Johnson] I assume you are familiar with River Road park. Tonight at 0400 hours.>>

The kids asks, "We got time for some grub, first. I'm starving. Not to mention, I could get in a few more levels on Halo 17."

[fistandantilus4....]

MITNick nods, checking the time.
Sure, but let's keep it ta' drive thru fur now. Cash only and stay off line. J works for a tech corp, so who's to say that they might not try to track us down before the drop. Pays ta be paranoid. Believe me.

Then we wait.

[ludomastro]

The wait is rather boring - especially with the kid in the back asking for a challenge on this or that ultimate game. Eventually time for the drop rolls around.

[Meriss]

Steve bobs his head in time to the music he "liberated" from a five and dime a few years ago and hid with his uncle's help. He notes the time and decies to speak up.

"So, we gonna get this show onna road or what?"

[ludomastro]

The team finds themselves at the drop location in the nearly abandoned park. Surprisingly, this park is lit and there are a few people milling around. More than a few appear to be playing Miracle Shooter™ or ShadowLARP™ so the idea of a group of people meeting here wouldn't automatically tip off the cops. However, getting "shot" here wouldn't cause them to react until after they saw blood either.

The troll from the first meet stands beneath a tree near a park bench.

[Redjack]

<<@Team [Flash] Not sure if I like the location or hate it. Whichever, it is what it is.>>

Flash strolls across the distance to the troll with a swagger of one born to the streets and perhaps more confident than cautious, almost as if daring someone to mess with his bad self. "Quaint location. Come here often?" The question comes across with mild amusement; Something to lighten the mood of the payoff exchange between two people in the shadows.

[fistandantilus4....]

MITNick stands, as usual, a bit behind the Action Hero, as he's come to think of Flash. All the people running around with seemingly real, or less seemingly perhaps, gives him the willies. He keeps the shotgun on his shoulder, the deck in his hands. Nervously, he considers searching everyone in the area to see who really is playing Miracle Shooter, but decides that he'd feel better not really knowing, and just assumes that there are people near by who will begin playing for keeps if The Thing goes south. He settles instead for keeping the deck in front of most of his vital areas, wishing it were big enough to protect his Sniper-Happy-Sized dome of a head.

Some witty remark almost escapes his lips as Flash makes his little quip, until he realizes that the side kick usually sits back and does side kick stuff .... which is far too often getting shot. MITNick briefly looks down to make sure he isn't wearing a red t-shirt.

[ludomastro]

The troll seems a bit taken aback by the question but quickly recovers and smiles. "Not terribly often but I find the locals ... add some flavor." He gestures to those playing Miracle Shooter™. "Given the way your ... sidekick is holding my property, I would assume you are not here to double-cross me." He produces certified credsticks as if performing a magic trick.

"A bit old-fashioned but useful for those of us not playing a game."

He sets the credsticks on a nearby plascrete picnic table and motions for the deck to be put down beside them.

[Redjack]

Flash grins and takes another looks around the park. He's far enough out of 25th Avenue Maulers not to be too concerned, but just paranoid enough to look anyway. After Johnson speaks he motions to the hacker. "Double crosses do horrible things to one's reputation and then there is always someone, some where who crawls out of the hole and extracts revenge for the double cross. We'd rather just shoot straight and do business again." He ends with a cheesy grin.

He lets MITNik recover the cred sticks as well, knowing that he is the one who needs free hands the most at this stage of the game.

[fistandantilus4....]

MITNick makes the switch, conspicuosly setting the deck down at the same time he picks up the cred sticks.
OK, so the whole "same time" bit might be a little over the top, but so is this drek. These guys could seriously be on the trid..
The trade made, MITNick pockets the sticks, taking a tip from Flash and leaving his hands free. He takes a couple of steps back, to cover Flash for his withdrawl. Better to have his eyes on Johnson from a respectable distance so that Flash can actually safely turn his back to the man, keeping up the modicum of decorum, and covering MITNick's back at the same time.

[ludomastro]

The Johnson nods and picks up the deck. Without further preamble he pulls a cord out of his suits and jacks in to the deck.

"It would appear that everything is in order. You didn't copy anything but you did access the file. Were you satisfied that it was simple data?" The J's face is unreadable.

[fistandantilus4....]

Data's data. We're paid for the hardware anyway, so it ain't no matter anyway.

[ludomastro]

"Discretion is often the better part of valor. I'll remember your thoughts on the subject. Good day."

With that the troll turns and walks away.

A quick check shows that the cred sticks have the agreed upon amount.

[fistandantilus4....]

The sticks in hand, MITNick turns, moving towards the van. He's got the cred, which means that for the moment, he's the "precious cargo." Flash will cover him. The guy's good. MITNick keeps the pace 'brisk' but not too quick. There's still plenty of time for a back stab.

[ludomastro]

A kid runs up to the group points a bright, neon green gun at MITNick and pulls the trigger. He then runs off yelling about 500 points.

Several older folks in the park laugh and point.

[fistandantilus4....]

MITNick growls, siltenly vowing to hunt the kid down and nil his score, then delete his account, and subscribe him to tranny tentacle octagenarion porn, and link the 'choice' sites to all of his social blog sites. He keeps moving to the van... while he scans the kids commlink.

[Redjack]

As the exchange occurs, Flash is watching the surroundings and Johnson. Would do no good for the both of us to focus on the money and die in a double cross.

As the kids runs towards the hacker, Flash relaxes, slipping his hand around the grip of the SMG under his jacket. His focus goes to the kids and the toy, physical and virtual. As the moment passes, he makes a quick scan around the park again.
<<@MITNick [Flash] Anything to that? Have you been tagged?>>

[fistandantilus4....]

<<<@Flash[MITN]Dunno. Already checkin' him though.>>>
Riiiight that'swhy I'm scannin' him...yeah..