IC: Distant memories Options

[Silverspur_2020]

Picking the lock with ease... the door swings open to reveal rows and rows of filing cabinets with people quietly walking amoung them as though it were a library

[Mysterio]

Hmmm, I don't need to go through every file, just a personnel list. I'll bring that back to Ace, see if he recognizes any names
Codec went over to the card catalogue and pulled open the first drawer "A-C"

[Silverspur_2020]

The greedy man leans forward, giving Seeoh a leering look that she really doesnt want! "You got a deal hunny, and if there is anything else I can do for you!" he casually opens a draw next to him.... and pulls out the amount required on several certified credsticks. "anything else?"

[Rakshasa]

Cool afternoon air swept through the hair of the Irishwoman and the Orc as the Bonneville hummed along the coast road back toward the farm.

Eighty thousand was a pretty good side deal for the Team and the short call to the little decker had clinched the deal. Ahead, the welcome sight of the rutted farm track meant the pair could finally take it easy for a few hours at least. A few hours before they all had to meet, once again, with their Client, Mr Kitao.

[Mysterio]

After finsihing the manifest download to his deck and answering Flip and See-oh's interesting question, Codec jacked out and looked briefly around the farm to see if Ace had returned.
I'll just let him know what I think and see fi he recognizes any of the names on this list...

[Rakshasa]

With Bluebird cared for and sleeping, Flip considered the next move. "Mr Kitao should be pleased I think." The Orc munched on a sandwich.

The Sorceress looked up at him, pausing in the repair of her jerkin. "That remains to be seen. He'll not take too kindly to our letting Rosa know where the Ship sank, I'm thinking."

"Then we won't tell him, will we." Flip stood up. "Any more soycaf?"

"On the stove." Seeoh snagged the cotton and pulled it tight, cutting the end with her teeth. "Course, we could give him the same intel… for free."

"I don't think he'd mind too much that we'd used the intel for our own ends. After being in the ocean for, what, nearly two days, it'd be almost useless. Besides, seeing their product on the streets would be another blow to the 88s, which could only be good for Mr Kitao."

The pair debated the point for a few more minutes before gathering the rest of the Team and heading into the City to see their Principal once more.

[Silverspur_2020]

As usual the resturant where Mr Kiteo did his bussiness was open, with the unusual amount of security at the door. Two human heavies looked the group up and down as they approched, Flip could tell that he was getting the serious attention. "Good afternoon... Welcome to Lotus house, I am afraid you are going to have to check your guns at the door before you enter. Do you have a reservation?" The pair came across as being very polite, but everybody could tell that this was for appearances and that without hesitation they would plug anybody that made a mess of this place.

[Rakshasa]

Flip considered this new approach. To his mind they had never had this amount of pro-active security at Mr Kitao's favourite meeting place and the Team had never been required to disarm, that much was certain.

He shrugged and nodded to the rest of the Team who hesitantly divested themselves of their firearms before they all entered the premises.

The restaurant was exactly the same as before, well laid out and empty. Mr Kitao never seemed to do business when there were Patrons around. He sat, flanked by yet more bodyguards, at his usual table and the Runners assembled in front of it.

"I am pleased to confirm that the subject has been neutralised, as per your instructions." Flip inclined his torso in respect, but remained ready for the double-cross he felt sure was about to materialise.

The rest of the Team, standing quite still, caught the tension in the Adept's tone and stance. If trouble was brewing, they would be ready when it boiled over.

[GunnerJ]

(OC Note: This takes place just before everyone goes to the meet.)

Ace pulled the van up on the sidewalk across the street from the Lotus House. As everyone got out, he unjacked to say, "I'm staying behind. Nothing for me to say in there, anyway."

Seeoh, noticing that the engine was still idling, asked, "Why?"

Ace hesitated before answering, "Hopefully you won't find out. Just... got a bad feeling about this." Seeoh shrugged. Probably just thinks I'm being paranoid as usual. I hope I am.

Bluebird was still sitting in the back when everyone had left. Damn, how did I end up trusting her of all people with all that dreck? "Hey... if you're going with them, or even if you're not... just remember what I told you, ok?" With that, he jacked back into the van.

[Mysterio]

Not having to had the chance of telling Ace about the list or the missing video sequence, Codec was getting alittle impatient. he didn't want to tell him with everyone else around. He kept quiet on the ride to the restaurant. I hate this, I really do he thought. You never know if the Johnson will frag you big time
The guards at the front door asked the team to disarm before entering. They eyed the decker's deck sack and Codec, feeling very scared, clung to it as tightly as he could. luckily nothing was said as he passed through the entrance and followed the rest of the team inside.
They met Kitao at his table where Flip became their unofficial spokesman
"I am pleased to confirm that the subject has been neutralised, as per your instructions." Codec through him a sort of puzzled look
That has to be the most formal thing I've heard him say this whole time... but not thinking any more of it, the decker simply nodded in agreement

[Silverspur_2020]

Kiteo looked at the group with a serious look on his face. "Very well, I am pleased to see that you did the job to a high standard as well", he then choose the more western formality of holding his hand out to Flip to shake seeing as he had been nominated team leader. taking out a black briefcase he clicks open the locks and out of it he takes a certified credstick for each of the runners and hands them over individually.

"I have only one more predicament that I would like you to help me with, and then unfortunatly I am going to have to conclude our bussiness. I have been told by some friends of mine that they are looking for a rigger they belive to be with your team. He goes by the name of Ace. I have been asked to offer you an extra 10k a piece to tell us where they can find him, now I am merely a middle man in this but from what I understand if you dont take this generous offer then they cant garentee that they wont just take him anyway."

[Mysterio]

Codec took his credstick and quickly pocketed it, but where and how he'd spend his share was far from his mind at the moment.
Ace? what would they want with Ace? This has something to do with the CCTV footage and stuff! And now he wants us to tell him where Ace is?
Codec glances at the other members of the team and begins to disect them, one by one
Flip...he wouldn't rat him out. he seems pretty honourable...but the money, money talks....See-oh...the witch..I never trust those razzle dazzle people, but she seems okay....Bluebird...she'd do it in a heartbeat I bet! Wouldn't she? I wouldn't...though 10K isn't too bad...

[Silverspur_2020]

Codec sees the decker looking nervous and shuffling his feet... he doesnt say anything, but gives Codec a brilliant smile...

[Drain Brain]

For a moment, Flip heard nothing from the room, as Kitao's request sunk in. Then he was falling back into a memory...


**
Oli Patterson, gang-banger, tough guy and general thug of the parish was alone. He was not often this way, being as how the gang was his extended family, but tonight they were off boozing - a passtime he was not fond of. He'd been to the dojo and spent most of the evening there - a weeknight, so his dad was working, and mom would be home looking after the little sister. Pretty standard. Unfortunately, the "standard" was about to get rough.

The memory is fuzzy, but it's a sure thing that it was the fateful day the ork's powers manifested for the first time. As he walked back through the streets of the Docklands he thought he'd be safe - his joggers and tee-shirt, his sneakers and the fashionable bandana - none of these spoke of his gang affiliation. He'd be safe on any turf, surely.

Not so.

That night was the one night when White Lightning was out on the razzle, running other gangs' turf. Normally, any meta worth the name wouldn't go anywhere near them, but this time the call was theirs. The young, immature Flip noticed them at the end of the alley, but didn't twig to the danger until the war cry went up: "Light-NING, Light-NING!"

He ran. He didn't know how far he'd have to go to escape them, and he knew that the unfamiliar territory could be his undoing at any moment. The skin-headed humans were practically breathing down his neck as he rounded a bend - and found that he'd run out of road. Slowly he turned, a symphony of ominous sniggers accompanying the movement, to be faced with the gang.

He dropped his bag and licked his lips, moving into the ready stance as his teacher had shown him.

"Looky here," said the largest human, probably the leader, "The baldric wants to fight us. Think he'll hurt me?"

The gangers laughed with their front man. Casting his eyes around for an escape rout, young Oli noticed his shadow growing on the floor. Since the river-lights weren't moving, that meant he'd been surrounded - yet the gangers' levity slackened. Concerned, he risked a glance behind him.

A mamoth of a man stood there, grimacing. Well over six feet tall, the human could well have passed for an ork in silhoette - wide, tanned shoulders abutted a powerful barrel chest, greying hair and beard shrouding their apex. The figure cracked its knuckles and growled.

A deep ultra-basso voice spoke out, thick Irish brogue fairly assaulting English ears.

"I think you boys might want to re-considder this. Leave the lad alone. We don't want a repeat of last month's escapade."

Flip looked back to the gangers, sure that he was about to die. The leader however looked a little hesitant. He made up for it quickly with a scathing retort: "Fuck you, Shamrock, we'll do what we like!"

A fight was inevitable. Flip could feel the adrenaline coursing through him. The giant irishman reached behind him, a wicked hook-thing appearing in his hand. "Time for you and Mr Gaff here to have a little talk, darlins..."

Everything hit slow-motion then, as the two "sides" began to move. The Irishman batted Flip to the side and charged, a furious bellow issuing forth. For the first time, Flip noticed the young girl who must have been standing behind him - struggling to hold upright a battered-looking Bonnevile motorcycle older than some adults Flip knew. Back at the fray, the Lightnings were circling.

Something snapped inside Flip. How dare these scumbags come after him? And how dare he put this man's life in danger by not defending himself? He rushed into the fray.

All around, the gangers seemed to be moving as if stuck in treacle. He could see each move they made clearly and dodged the majority of blows - although those that landed true were almost unfelt. Undaunted, he tore into them with righteous fury.

Seeming like minutes, but in actuality moments later, sirens sounded - and getting closer by the second. The gangers - like trids of prairie dogs - raised their heads as one to the noise, then scattered with more energy than they had persued. By the time they were out of sight, the sirens were deafening... then all was silent.

For about two seconds.

Then the young girl burst out laughing.

"They never get any smarter, pappy..."

The ork was shaking, nursing bleeding knuckles, when the hulking man came over. "First fight?" The ork shook his head, earning a grunt from the man. "Then you need practice. Shoulda been easier for you, just them few. Still... they've been causin' havoc around here these past weeks, and the enemy of my enemy is my friend..."
**
**
Older now, the maturing Adept was fast friends with the girl, Seonid. Her father - the dock worker - had saved his hide, but the girl had ended the fight with the magic of a fledgling sorceress. It was true that the enemy of an enemy was a friend, but although she was not of his gang, they looked out for one-another... because, it turned out, the enemy of my friend is my enemy.
**


Back in the moment, Flip looked around to the sorceress, their eyes locking. Even as Codec shook in his peripheral vision, his focus crept into Seeoh's soul and knew that she too remembered their little motto. "Enemy..." she mouthed to him. He returned his attention to Kitao.

"Mr Kitao," Flip started, "That is an interesting proposition." Flip shrugged his shoulders and threw his hands into his coat pockets. As he continued speaking, he surrepticiously thumbed on the transceiver residing within, hoping that Ace would have the brains to be swithced-on and listening.

"I realise that I shouldn't speak for the rest of the team - nobody voted me leader - but I for one have an issue with your request." He didn't await a response. "For my personal honor, I'd be dis-inclined to give up Ace. Whilst I realise that this may put you at an inconvenience, I assure you that this is no slight against you or your organisation. I have pride in my work and my team-mates and would no more hand them off to an unknown party than I would run to the Triads about our recent escapade. We have been running together for some time now and Ace has proven himself to be a strong friend, pulling all of us out of trouble at one time or another. I realise that whoever wants Ace will come for him anyway, but in spite of your offer - and with apologies if it puts you out of pocket - to simply turn him over would be both grossly unprofessional and dishonorable, and whats more, I couldn't bring myself to do it..." he glanced once more at Seeoh, "...for the enemy of my friend is my enemy, Mr Kitao."

[GunnerJ]

Taking one last sensor sweep, Ace jacked out to see if there was anything the machine was missing that his bare eyes could catch. It happened, rarely but enough, with Stinger-armed infantry that Ace had made a habit of it. The first thing he heard was Flip's voice, made tinny through the tranceiver: "...my personal honor, I'd be dis-inclined to give up Ace. Whilst I realise that this may put you at an inconvenience..."

Ace blinked. The thoughts were too surreal to belive, that not only was he right, not only was paranoia for once justified (elation!), but the hammer was falling now (horror!), and the people set up to betray him were not going to sell him out (complete shock!)

The urge to flee was strong, but, "...the enemy of my friend is my enemy, Mr Kitao."

That was it. They were finished. They'd never leave the Lotus alive. And all because of him. No... not on my goddamn watch!

Yakuza were subtle, but not enough to "wait and see" after what Ace really wanted to do: to smash into the windows of the building and use the insuing chaos to get everyone out. That was sure death. But even without any guns, his van could still be a weapon, as Treesong had learned. Ok, fake an escape, then circle back for a possible rescue, or to smash any hostiles. The one flaw here was that Ace wouldn't know what was going on if he was rigging. He swore to hook the tranceiver up to the VCR interface later, and took the van away manually, making as much engine revving and tire screeching as possible. A distraction might help, and then it would be totally unexpected when he came right back. Right by the window, where everyone can see; that's it, honk at traffic to make more noise, just get the attention off of... of my friends.

[Silverspur_2020]

Kiteo looks past the group as he hears the van speeding off into the city, and then looks at Flip with a poker face. "I understand you are an honourable man, and for that you have a great deal of respect, more then you may realise. However, you say that you would no longer hand over one of your friends then go running to the triads about you escapades. Are you trying to blackmail me sir? because if you are I would strongly advise that you think this through and try to realise what will happen if you do go to the triads." Pausing for effect he continues with a raised voice "THERE IS NO DEATH MORE PAINFUL THEN THAT OF A TRAITOR"

Calming down almost as quickly as he had got worked up he continues, "either way our dealings must cease. Your employment was only a temporary measure after the explosion, I now have my own people to work for me on matters like this."

[Rakshasa]

Almost nose to nose they had been. It might have ended there and then in a blaze of gunfire, but their Principal had backed off as suddenly as he had risen to anger. It was time to break the dreadful silence.

"There, honour is satisfied on both sides, I'm thinking." Why do men have to be so `macho'? Seeoh knew Flip was right even as she had the thought. The bedraggled young Orc her father and she had saved that day had crept into that dark recess she admitted might just be her heart. And this was no time to end a beautiful friendship. She touched Flip's arm. "Like Mr Kitao said, they'll catch Ace, with or without our help." The Sorceress dropped her voice for Flip's ears only. "And we'll be more use to him alive than dead." Then raising it again, "Let's just take the credsticks and go on our way. There'll be other runs. "

But outside, away in the distance, the dull roar of a well known engine seemed to rise in pitch.

[Mysterio]

Watching Kitao get suddenly angry and then just as suddenly, calm again, Codec knew that this was one man he did not want to cross in any way, shape or form. Relieved as things seemed to settle down between Kitao and Flip, Codec closed his eyes as he let his heart rate slow back down to normal, only to hear the sound of the engine outside.

[Rakshasa]

With that distant roar came the realisation that, if the Team didn't vacate the restaurant pretty damn quick, things would almost certainly get very ugly.

Flip presumed that Ace was still listening on the transceiver so, more for his benefit than any honourable exit, he spoke once more.

"Mr Kitao, it would appear then that our business is concluded. Good luck in your future endeavours, we shall take our leave." The Orc gave a slight bow, stood erect and motioned to the others to back out of the place.

At the door they all paused, retrieving their weapons, What good is an unarmed Runner? and made their way out of the Restaurant, just in time to wave the charging Ace to a squealing halt.

"Going our way?" Flip called to the Rigger as he pulled open the side door and the Team piled inside the Roadmaster. "Now is a good time to make like a tree and get out of here!"

Settling herself down, Seeoh looked at her friend and smirked. "It's `make like a tree and leave , Idiot! She burst into tinkling laughter.

A certain relief, not to mention jubilation, settled on the Runners as Ace headed them back toward the farm. It had been a good, lucrative job. 80K for the cargo, plus the 10K for finding the Lady Jane and the final payment of 15K apiece meant each of the Team had made 30K .. yes, a very good run indeed.

The only thing left was to work out what to spend it on.

[Silverspur_2020]

The trip back to the farm had taken AGES! Ace had spent at least two hours zig zagging the city trying to lose imaginary tails and using every tactic in the book.... but the team gave him a break, knowing what he must be feeling right now. Thing is, they knew he had people after him, but the question remained why?

Getting back into the farm buildings they all ready their eqipment once again just in case they had been followed. Now it was just time to sort out what was going on...

[Mysterio]

Mulling around the farmhouse was driving Codec crazy. He just wanted to get paid, There were so many things he wanted to buy, not to mention some real food for his place. But first he needed to approach Ace with the list and the video clip.
Heading out to the yard he found the rigger fiddling with his gear. It was obvious to Codec that Ace was not pleased, for obvious reasons.
"uh hmm...Ace? I...uh...can I talk to you for a m...m..moment?"

[GunnerJ]

It was becoming more and more clear to Ace that at any second, he could die. It was like 1984, the bullet could come at any second. He was tweaking the Van's engine in the hope that he could make it just that much faster...

"uh hmm...Ace? I...uh...can I talk to you for a m...m..moment?"

He nearly hit his head on the hood, he jumped so much. "Whoa! It's you... ok, what's up?" The decker looked like he was trying to say something, almost straining with the effort, and Ace for once could not sympathize with his awkwardness, and wished he'd grow a goddamn spine.

[Mysterio]

Trying to muster the courage to say all that he had to say Codec just let it go. He explained the video, the manifest, showing Ace all the names on the screen then handing him a chip with all that he knew. He said that he wasn't prying, just concerned. And it all was said in one long breath.
After he finished, Codec let out a sigh of relief that it was all said, now was it done?