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[budoka05]

Posting Rules

Just like almost everyone else on the board I'm using Redjack's posting structure.

All your posts should begin with a time/date stamp in orange, detailing location, time, and date. Underneath, in italics, add your PAN mode, hidden, active, or passive, in dark grey.

- - "Speech color=cyan or light blue, optionally enclosed in quotes" (note: Quotes very recommended!)
- - <Coms (subvocal) color=violet>
- - <Coms (Text) color=yellow or orange>
- - Thoughts color=darkkhaki and in italics
- - Memories, flashbacks, dreams color=green and in italics

[budoka05]

"Don't you suppose that there will be immensely skilled people who just want to work for money?" opined Eyez. Ghoster took a sip of his palm wine savoring the complex tastes. "I still can't believe used to drink synth-a-hol instead of this. Yeah, the thought crossed my mind, but yet, here we are. Like there is an extreme appeal for these people" tapping the paper dossier in front of him "to help others, to stop suffering and to extinguish worldly abuses."

"I doubt it. Every person we've recruitment never really bought our 'holy' mission." Eyez replied. "If I had my choice, I would stick my head in that whiz-bang contraption to pass on my skills to the loyal amongst us. In today's world, shared belief only comes in the almighty Nuyen."

Ghoster had heard this objection before and sighed. "Yes, I certainly understand the point. But unless you can swing around every piece of weaponry known to metahumanity, we're going to need someone else. End of story."

Ghoster polished of the rest of his drink and beckoned his associates at an adjoining table. Standing up, Ghoster jokingly chided Eyez, "Now remember, I still expect you to make contact with Kano and get him interested. I don't want your feelings scaring him off. That's my job!" Eyez smirked, "Thank goodness I can pass the buck to you!"

[pbangarth]

Sometime in 2072, Oshodi-Isolo District, the hell-hole called Lagos.
(PAN: hidden)

Yazata ran his fingers through his dark, curly hair. They came away dripping with sweat. He had survived the most pernicious deserts, yet this humid pit drew water out of him like nothing else ever had. For the thousandth time he wondered why he stayed here.

"I too question your wisdom, Angelic One. Your place is not here. You belong in a palace, where one of power is recognized and rewarded for his talent."

"Spare me the lectures, will you. I summoned and bound you to my service, not to annoy me incessantly with your temptations. My quest has led me here. This is where I serve it, till I know where next to go."

Yazata opened his refrigerator and took out another bottled water. The electricity had been good the last few days. Everything was still edible. He looked out the window and studied the night lights of the Amulet Market through the plasteel bars. Like so much of this city, the Market never slept. He would soon need some work. Money was running short, and he was running out of binding materials. Well, there was always something in this city that needed a little righteous attitude adjustment. The trick was to get paid for it.

He laid out the materials he needed for the ritual. The Lodge was cleansed and ready. A long night awaited Yazata, but this time, he hoped the Invoking would take well. "Prepare, Guardian. Tonight, I make you a Great One of your kind."

"All the better to serve you, Master." Was that a smirk somewhere in the spirit's voice?

[budoka05]

Caring the medicines from the car, Ghoster ambled in to the Sisters' clinic. Faces were friendlier than a month ago. When Ghoster started the medicine donation program, he was met with much skepticism and suspicion. If it hadn't been for the female spirit the Elders assigned to him, he would probably getting treatments for combat scars.

Since then, Ghoster slowly began inquiring who were the allies and enemies of the Sisterhood. Besides the frightened housewives and children, there weren't many who supported the order. The Sisterhood's form of justice of absolute retribution made many enemies. However, there were some. Local shamans, neighborhood communities, tribal business associations had all established good ties. Today, Ghoster looked for one in particular.

Spotting him in the treatment room, Ghoster opened his mind to the astral. Sure enough, the man in ill-fitted clothing was not a man at all. Ghoster returned to his normal view of the world and walked over to him.

"Mr. Afrika, I presume? My name is Nicholas Burrows, or Ghoster. I need your help. Several of my friends are being abducted before I can help them move out of the city. They are families and new immigrants from other parts of Africa. I am helping to relocate them before the city corrupts them and forces them to turn into criminals to survive. Would you be willing to help us?"

[budoka05]

2 February 2072, Oshodi-Isolo District

A spirit kept himself cloaked and observed. From the looks of it, the man and spirit were preparing for a ritual. The spirit's message would have to wait until their ritual was done.

[AzureusJake]

Night Time, 2 February 2072, On the border between Victoria Island and Ikoyi Island, Lagos, Africa.
(PAN: Hidden)

The first thing to notice about the room was the smell; something, or more likely, someone, had died in the room. They had also vomited on the floor and shit themselves. The door frame was cracked and part of the top was missing. The door itself didn't even fit in the frame properly, but there was a massive dead bolt on the inside that held the door shut and should keep all but the most persistent intruders out. The bed was a joke. A mattress with a mysterious brown stain in the middle sat on the floor surrounded by the splintered and rotting remains of the bed frame. There was a window with and incredible view of the brick wall next door. The ceiling and floor both had deep gouges; a brave, solitary, light bulb hung from the ceiling. The refrigerator had a massive dent in the freezer door, which hung open, melted ice dripping down the front and staining the already damaged wood floor. A thick black mold grew around the drains in both the makeshift kitchen and in the bathroom, never mind what the toilet looked like. The cabinets had no doors, the shower didn't even have a curtain and there were no chairs, just a steel crate set up in front of a very old looking trid set. There wasn't even a proper closet, just a close line with a few hangers that looked worse for wear. Kano surveyed the room as he tested the creaky floor and set down his duffel bag.

This is the problem with renting to trolls. The thought made the corners of Kano's mouth turn up ever so slightly. He shut the door behind him as best he could and locked the bolt. He was tired. First, there was the ever so exciting landing at Mohammed International Airport, just as the fuel reserves bottomed out on final approach, some drekhead in a shiny new Gulfstream had nearly clipped them as he careened past. After scraping the paint off the nose of the Gulfstream with the Skytrain's tail, Duster had brought the plane skipping to a halt in the swamp just past the tarmac. The local "emergency" crew had been kind enough not to shoot them and it had cost Kano quite a bit of his remaining nuyen to arrange for a tow and fuel for the Skytrain. Kano left Duster to supervise his aircraft and after bribing one of the guard patrols and retrieving his "baggage", Kano found the nearest Hawala and exchanged the rest of his nuyen for a voucher and a pocket full of naira.

After all that, waving down a ride had been relatively easy. The danfo looked terrible and the smoke was nauseating but the roof was missing and that allowed enough space for Kano and his bag, but that was it and the driver was none to pleased. At least until Kano dropped 300 naira in his lap and told him to drive to Victoria Island. They got most of the way there before driving into a firefight between locals and the driver took several rounds to the chest. Not being one to waste money, Kano had retrieved his naira and headed south on foot. Several bribes later he'd found this lovely hotel between Victoria Island and Ikoyi Island and they even accommodated trolls.

Some accommodation. Kano checked the fridge first, finding only an empty water bottle and a moldy, half-eaten sandwich inside. Throw them both out, he unplugged the fridge and lay it down sideways in front of the door. Then he hung up his coat and unpacked his equipment, stacking most of it on the metal crate. Taking one last look around the room, decided it was as safe as he could make it for the moment and gingerly lay down on the bed. There was a creak of protest from the floor and the tortured springs but it seemed sound enough.

Damned jet lag. Nothing to do now but get some sleep.

[pbangarth]

Nighttime, 2 February, 2072 Oshodi-Isolo District, Lagos
(PAN: Hidden)

Yazata calmed, focused and centered himself with holy phrases. The candles burned and the incense tossed wisps of fragrance through the room. He began.

He called the mana and shaped it, mentally wrapping strands of astral luminescence about the form of his bound Guardian spirit¹. The spirit was strong willed, and Yazata had to press with all of his own desire and strength of will_². Not enough³. This was becoming a habit these days. The force of the rebounding mana nearly knocked Yazata out⁴. "How fortunate, Master, that I am already bound to you and you have such resistance to the mana. I am glad you survived ... this time."

"So am I," Yazata responded, and then he saw the astral form of the waiting spirit. "Oh no."

"Fear not, for this one has patiently waited for you to do yourself injury. It only wishes to speak with you."

In a shaky voice, the addled man called to it, "Speak, then." He ached to sleep yet another Drain off.

[ Spoiler ]

I don't know what level of Background count there is in this place. I hope, being close to the Amulet Market, this may be one of the few places in Lagos where the BC is nil. Let me know if I am wrong, and I'll pay for it as you see fit, budoka05.

(1) Re-Binding Test with Invoking: Magic (5) + Binding (6) = 11 dice ==> 1 HIT
(2) Use Edge to re-roll misses = 10 dice ==> 3 HITS ==> 4 hits Total.
(3) Spirit Opposes F X 2 = 10 dice ==> 6 HITS !!!!!!!
Drain (6 X 2) X 1.5 = 18S
(4) Drain Resistance WIL (5) + LOG (5) + Focused Concentration (2) + Focus Will (2) + Centering (2) + Centering Focus (3)
= 19 dice ==> 9 HITS

This is almost a given for me. Every conjurer I have played on DS paid heavily on the first conjuration.

[Faraday]

Dusk, 2 February 2072, Abandoned Warehouse Closet, Surele District, Lagos
(PAN: Hidden)

It's quiet...like usual. Ambalo awoke to the crack of fading light that was the door to his quiet little closet. The day was fading and he could hear the light and distant thrum of the city beyond, smell its burning refuse, its ash and dirt and sweat. He quietly arose and packed up for the night, adjusted his tattered clothes and lined coat from his usual shifting sleep, and donned his latex mask, ready to make for the streets and buildings of Lagos, the city he now called home.

He checked his money pocket. Gotta have to see if Two Star has any work available, not much naira left. At least I got a nice meal that other night. Ambalo starts to slowly rasp a metallic hand on the concrete wall as he ponders the event...
The girl can't be more than 5 and yet there she is, miserably standing near the street, her "man" right at her back in case she tries to run. Ambalo makes to look like he wants to buy the merchandise and gets closer to the pimp, wanting to deal in a nearby alley. As soon as he's in striking distance with few angles to witness it, his tomahawk is in his hand and flying straight through the unsuspecting man's neck. No time to even notice what had killed him. Ambalo gives the girl all the naira the pimp had. "Get out of the neighborhood, tell no one what has happened. Make a new life if you can." As soon as she's gone, he bags up the corpse and makes off like he intends to sell it for parts. He takes his prize back to Surele and butchers the meat, taking his fill and then leaving the rest for whatever denizen of the district happens upon it.

Bet it's all gone by now. There's never a scrap of my kills left when I leave them out here. Probably the other ghouls. Ambalo could smell them even now. Their scent stays in places, although your average human wouldn't notice. Making sure his combat axe and bow were snugly in place on his back and giving the tomahawk on his hip a testing wiggle, he made for the door.

[Darquewing]

Evening, 2 February 2072, Warehouse bordering the Ikeja and Ifako-Ijaye divisions
(PAN: Hidden)

"Well this is no good at all. Goin' to be a hassle to replace when it comes time." Solo slid out from under the Beast, grease and mud streaked across his arms and face. "Right then... The secondary motor coils are good for now, but it'd be a corker if they hold another three thousand miles. Wynona, will you check the ship time on replacement parts? I know we ain't gettin'em here, and I don't wanna try takin' Rover on any long trips."

"All ready done.", she chirped back, "There aren't any after market manufacturers for it, sweetie, but there are a number for the Sororitas. We can buy those, strip the mountings, and machine the old mounts to fit."She was running internal diagnostics and simulations for the new part, info splaying across the screens. Solo stared at the data while wiping the grease off his hands with a shop towel.

"This looks like it might solve the high temps we get from runnin' heavy loads." He called up his account info, staring at the nuyen balance. Sure nuyen wasn't worth much in Lagos, but it was good to have it handy for just such an occassion. While the account window was closing, he walked over to the bay door, feeling the breeze cool the sweat on his face and watching the pink sun slowly starting to set."Go ahead and order'em, princess. Better to have'em here before the weather turns bad."

"Did the Daughters' say anything?" Solo had just come back from taking a group of girls out of Lagos and up north into Bokobaru. Often with what compensation they can give, advice and knowledge are sometimes offered as well.

"Oh, not much. Just yabberin' on about the weather being rubbish.", he replied, starting to pull the bay door down and turn on the perimeter lights. "Said we best be ready for a storm..."

[budoka05]

Nighttime, 2 February 2072, On the border between Victoria Island and Ikoyi Island, Lagos, Africa.

The dwarf sniffed the ground and realized the troll went to a block ahead. She stood back up to get her bearing, only to find a spirit standing before her.

"You shall leave the troll alone!" boomed the spirit. The form raised two appendages. One brandished electricity, the other fire.

The dwarf sneered back. "Why don't you help some poor prostitute and leave the troll to me, eh?"

The spirit pointed both appendages at the dwarf. "You were warned!" A jet a lightning and a jet of fire issued forth and struck the dwarf.

"Is that the best you have?!" the dwarf laughed as she crossed both arms in front. Hands blistering, the dwarf charged and connected with the spirit.

===

The noise of the fight echoed across Victoria island.

[budoka05]

Nighttime, 2 February, 2072 Oshodi-Isolo District, Lagos

If I may, I can help alleviate your fatigue., said the spirit. The spirit raised his hand and casted.

[ Spoiler ]

I'm going with standard background count. There will be plenty of time for worse areas (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
6 stun healed

Shaking his head, the spirit straightened itself. "Yazata, my clan know of your great purpose and your good works. We seek your aide with our efforts to bring peace and justice to the people. If you accept, you must contact this man." The spirits produced a card. On the card, it had a comm-code and read:

Ghoster, Fixer, Negotiator, Translator, Public Notary

"Further contact must be made through him. I thank you for your time, and I sincerely wish you will join us."

Nodding to the great form spirit, the speaking spirit departed and dematerialized.

[budoka05]

Dusk, 2 February 2072, Abandoned Warehouse Closet, Surele District, Lagos

Upon exiting, a little girl comes running up to Ambalo. "Good sir! I saw you and bad man. You beat bad man, helped my friend. Please take this!" She produced a business card. It had the commcode and read: Ghoster, Fixer, Negotiator, Translator, Public Notary.

"He does good work too! Needs same people!" She said enthusiastically. "Must go now! Bye bye!" The girl disappeared around a corner.

[pbangarth]

Nighttime, 2 February, 2072 Oshodi-Isolo District, Lagos
(PAN:Hidden)

"Uhhh... thank you!" Yazata hoped that got through before the spirit departed.

He considered the messages the spirit had brought. Both the obvious one and the hidden, mysterious ones. The obvious one was potentially a job offer, exactly the kind he was looking for. "See, Guardian, there is a reason for me to be here!"

"Apparently so."

"There is no need for you to wait, you may go now." *astral popping noise as it disappears*

The hidden messages were intriguing. Someone knew of him and his work. Who? Even stranger, how did this spirit manage to heal Drain with a spell? Yazata was sure this was impossible. Yet he did feel much better, and not in the way his Resist Pain spell made him feel better. He actually could move and act as if he were barely hurt. Better check this out.

(PAN: active)
<<@Ghoster: I hear work for peace and justice is available. I am interested. Willing to meet. Await particulars.##Yazata>>
(Pan:passive)

Now for some healing sleep. He summons a small watcher, whose Drain would be trivial to handle, and instructs it to warn him of danger (described in his standard speech to these things) and wake him just before it ends its service. One more like that would cover the night.

[crizh]

2 February 2072, Ifako-ijoha District

Afrika awoke early, Izoduwa had cast the bones the night before and confirmed that today was the day. The portents had been building for a week now, long enough for some hurried preparations to be made. He had tapped the great trees of the sanctuary and collected their life-sap in preparation to bind many spirits to help him with the tasks ahead. Time was short and he had not the time to prepare as well as he would have liked. Still he had the raw materials to adapt if the storm clouds that Izoduwa saw were real.

As the first rays of the sun broke through the canopy of his arboreal retreat he was already well on his way to finishing the rituals of physical and mental enhancement that the ancestors had taught him in the overworld. Six minor shades were bound and each was paid with a fragment of his own spirit to sustain the magics he wrought upon himself. Until the sunlight faded on the last day of this year they would remain in the overworld maintaining the protections he sought from the storm to come.

It wasn't a foolproof plan, should another mage sever the links the magic would be gone and his payment along with it. Still it was better than nothing and a whole lot better than being poked in the eye with a sharpened stick.

[ Spoiler ]

Binding 6 Force 1 Spirits. Bind each to long term service, sustaining one spell each.

Increase CHA (11 Hits), Increase WIL (10 Hits), Increase Reflexes (15 Hits), Deflection (13 Hits), Combat Sense(12 Hits) and Astral Armour (14 Hits).

All at Force 12 so hits are capped at 12. Buying hits for the Drain.

The sun was high in the sky when the first case of the day came in. She had been beaten pretty badly and had been hiding in the bush all night. The Daughters had found her and brought her in but it was too late for Magical Triage. Izoduwa bound her wounds and stitched the shallow cuts in her face, only time would tell if they would heal true. She would need several days of bed rest before the Daughters could move her. He didn't ask where they sent women like this, he knew they would never tell a man, even one they trusted, which was for the best, if anyone came looking for the woman he had no answers to give them, even under duress.

It was a long day and Afrika was getting jumpy waiting for the other shoe to drop. When Ghoster showed up and made his pitch it was a relief.

"Mr Ghoster, I have been expecting you. What can I do to help with your problem?"

[Faraday]

Dusk, 2 February 2072, Abandoned Warehouse Closet, Surele District, Lagos
(PAN:Hidden)

Ambalo silently accepted the card and then ambled along the catwalk leading down to the first floor and the exit. The drek is a kid doing here? The locals are usually too scared of this district to even cross the border. Must have either been paid real well or she's serious about this. He looked at the card as he walked out the door. Well, can't hurt to look into this, maybe I can even get some scratch. He walked to the north towards Mushin district to find some matrix connectivity and check the small unit that held his more important gear.

Evening, 2 February 2072, Mushin District, Lagos
The streets were busy at this time of night. Mostly people going home from a long day in Ikeja, but there were plenty of merchants out still as well. Mushin was relatively safe as long as you didn't do any dirty business there, the Awori being very particular about everyone following local sharia law. Carrying weapons wasn't an issue as long as you didn't look like you'd use them, so Ambalo just walked calmly to a small studio apartment he rented for keeping his more pricey and sensitive gear. The place was pretty small and bare, but it was quiet, secure, and even had a semi-decent matrix and electric connection. He shot off a couple messages.
(PAN: active)
<<@Two Star: I hear someone named Ghoster is hiring "good people". Hear anything about him?##Steelfist>>
<<@Ghoster: A little girl tells me you're looking for problem solvers. I happen to be one. Contact this commcode if you wish to meet and discuss particulars.>>##
(Pan:passive)

After that, he opened a floorboard in the closet and got out his Heavy Milspec armor and Ares Alpha assault rifle, inspecting their condition and cleaning as needed, awaiting any responses.

[AzureusJake]

Nighttime, 2 February 2072, On the border between Victoria Island and Ikoyi Island, Lagos, Africa.
(PAN: Hidden)

Kano had slept through artillery bombardments, firefights and bombing runs but something about Lagos was keeping him awake. He'd read that there was a high magic background count here but he didn't think he'd be able to taste it in the air. As a matter of fact he could smell ozone and that was new in the last few minutes.

He opened his eyes and saw an unearthly glow reflected on the brick wall outside the window.
Damn magic. He grabbed his coat and adjusted his revolvers so they sat comfortably. Kano shoved the refrigerator out of the way, unbolted the door and headed out into the Lagos night. When ever magic gets involved somebody always gets hurt. Might as well be me.

[budoka05]

The streets were busy at this time of night. Mostly people going home from a long day in Ikeja, but there were plenty of merchants out still as well. Mushin was relatively safe as long as you didn't do any dirty business there, the Awori being very particular about everyone following local sharia law. Carrying weapons wasn't an issue as long as you didn't look like you'd use them, so Ambalo just walked calmly to a small studio apartment he rented for keeping his more pricey and sensitive gear. The place was pretty small and bare, but it was quiet, secure, and even had a semi-decent matrix and electric connection. He shot off a couple messages.
(PAN: active)
<<@Two Star: I hear someone named Ghoster is hiring "good people". Hear anything about him?##Steelfist>>
<<@Ghoster: A little girl tells me you're looking for problem solvers. I happen to be one. Contact this commcode if you wish to meet and discuss particulars.>>##
(Pan:passive)

From Two Star<<@Steelfist: Yeah, I know of Ghoster, but I haven't heard about hiring. He was a Special Projects VP at CrossApplied before the Crash. t He pays well for jobs, but he's funny about who he chooses. You want me to fix ya up?>>

An hour later, another message came in:

<<A little girl? I'm already impressed, and I've yet to meet you. She's an excellent judge of skilled and well-intentioned individuals. I'm arranging a lunch meeting tomorrow to discuss particulars, and I invite you to join us. I'll be sending you the address shortly.>>

[budoka05]

Evening, 2 February 2072, Warehouse bordering the Ikeja and Ifako-Ijaye divisions

Blasted gangers! Eyez cursed. Missed Kano at the airport, Eyez could not believe his luck encountering two gun fights on the way to the airport. Still, Eyez had enough time to reach Solo before the day was out.

Eyez pulled his motorcycle to the garage drive way as Solo was about to close the door.

Raising both hands in a friendly gesture, Eyez said, "Hey there chummer! Still open for business? Well, not this business" Eyez pointed to his bike. "The Daughters recommend you as a good driver and shooter, and I've got a job offer. I work for a man named Ghoster who's hiring. I don't know the particulars, but I've been sent here to give you his contact info. Interested?"

[Darquewing]

Evening, 2 February 2072, Warehouse bordering the Ikeja and Ifako-Ijaye divisions
(Pan:passive)


Solo was almost done closing up, contemplating the words Adesina told him. "Daughter or not, that shaman always manages to put me on edge.", he thought, when Wynona interrupted his thinking.

<<Someone's coming up the drive, sweety.>>

Solo lifted the bay door back up as the chap on the bike raised his hands. He didn't know if this guy was trying to get over on him or not. Either way, Solo didn't have his guns on him, but the sight of the Vigilance auto-cannon on the Roadmaster might make him think twice about trying something foolish. He hoped...

"G'd evenin' mate! The name's Solo. Good to know ya'.", he said like a shop owner greeting a new customer. "Good thing ya' don't need that bike fixed. I'm crap with 'em. I can drive and shoot well enough, though.", Solo quips as he walks out to shake hands with Eyez. "I guess the Daughters are tryin' to help me get work that I can actually live off of."

<<They pay him just fine. He's just being a brat.>>

Once Eyez gets to the business at hand, Solo drops the light-hearted canter. "Ghoster, huh? You actually caught me at a good time. I just finished a job, and haven't lined anything else up yet. Let me get his info and I'll see what he has to say."

[Faraday]

Evening, 2 February 2072, Mushin District, Lagos
(Pan:active)

From Steelfist<<@Two Star: Already got a job offer, but thanks. Mostly just looking for info on a prospective employer. Still, if things go as I expect them, I may have a proposition for you that'd give us both something we want.>>

Upon receiving the comm from Ghoster:

From interested party<<@Ghoster: Just FYI, if the address is somewhere in the Victoria District, I will require private transport to arrive in person. The security in that area would not likely approve of my appearance on the street and I would not want to draw undue attention to a potential employer.>>
(Pan:passive)

[budoka05]

Evening, 2 February 2072, Warehouse bordering the Ikeja and Ifako-Ijaye divisions

"Good drek! Here's his digits" Eyez reaches into his pocket and produces Ghoster's business card.

"He's arranging a lunch meeting tomorrow with a bunch of potential people for the job. Give him a ring!"

Turning back, Eyez stops midway.

"I'm getting some weird comm-traffic during your convo, any idea what that is?"

After getting the answer, Eyez smiles appreciatively and jumps back on the bike. "Good meeting ya!" says Eyez, and speeds back into Ikeja.

[budoka05]

Nighttime, 2 February 2072, On the border between Victoria Island and Ikoyi Island, Lagos, Africa.

The street blazed with light. An errant flame met an oil leak from a car and smoke billowed everywhere while the fight raged. The spirit bemoaned the damage while the dwarf held onto it. It had underestimated the power of the dwarf and now found itself flinging over the entire island.

Laughing, the dwarf flung the spirit into a fallen electrical power line. Shaking from the pain, the spirit flung fire and lightning everywhere. The dwarf flipped and jumped through the field of fire and landed both feet onto the spirit. Slamming into a brick wall, the spirit snapped out of the pain and realized new tactics were in order.

Crackle, crackle. Ice appeared and the dwarf howled as the heat left it's body. The spirit sucked in the heat around it channeling it into his left appendage. The dwarf retreated but jerked to a stop. The spirit saw its plan had worked and the dwarf's shoes froze to the street. "Die fiend!" the spirit yelled. It plunged its appendage's blue flame into the chest of the dwarf. Flames arose from the body of the dwarf until it was bathed in it.

The dwarf smile grotesquely. "Tell your masters that you can't save them all" she said and she collapsed.

===

The spirit entered the astral only to find two spirits waiting for it. "See our difference in power and unblock my path!". However the spirits weren't so intelligent and were dissipated before completing their attack. The spirit journeyed onward to find his target. Seeing the troll amongst the crowd now gathering, the spirit casted a mind link spell.

"Tonight was no random incident, and that dwarf was after you. You must contact this man." The spirit shared the information on Ghoster. "Go back to your rest. I will protect you tonight"
The spirit shared an image of its form and followed Hammer back to his room.

[budoka05]

Evening, 2 February 2072, Mushin District, Lagos
From interested party<<@Ghoster: Just FYI, if the address is somewhere in the Victoria District, I will require private transport to arrive in person. The security in that area would not likely approve of my appearance on the street and I would not want to draw undue attention to a potential employer.>>
(Pan:passive)

<<That will not be a problem. Our meeting is a Muslim and African restaurant in Ikeja close to Mushin. I've attached the address. When you arrive, be sure to mention the Graystone party to the host, and he will show you in.>>

[budoka05]

2 February 2072, Ifako-ijoha District
"Mr Ghoster, I have been expecting you. What can I do to help with your problem?"

"The mystic arts. I'm hoping you might help us on a few problems, actually. However, we will need to discuss particulars somewhere more private." Producing a paper map, Ghoster handed Afrika it with a restaurant clearly labeled. "Come meet me here tomorrow lunch for the particulars. If you should have difficulties getting there, for whatever, please do not hesitate to call me. My commcode is on the other side. When you arrive, mention the Graystone party to the host, and he'll show you my table. Unless you have questions, I look forward to tomorrow."

[Faraday]

(PAN: active)
<<Excellent, I look forward to meeting.>>
(PAN: hidden, signal: skinlink only)

Ambalo grinned. He had a good feeling about this meeting, although he got the impression he'd need to dress to impress. Not an issue with the milspec armor though, just a matter of covering up before getting to the meet.
For now, he'd need to kill some time, take a nap to rest up for the big day ahead, maybe make a quick route to the restaurant to make sure he knew a good way to get out of that neighborhood. He returned the milspec and rifle to their hiding place and set back out onto the street toward the meeting spot. The place probably wasn't more than 3 or 4 miles out from his apartment, meaning a bit over an hour there and an hour back. There was plenty of time to keep an eye out for good alleys to duck into and hide. He snapped shots of the best spots with his image link into his commlink. He walked within a block of the restaurant, then turned back and took a slightly different route on the way back.

[ Spoiler ]

Assuming a roll is necessary for spotting:
I figure there is "partial light" in lagos at night and probably random glare, so with low light and flare comp on, no penalty issues. Not sure if this would be an extended test or not, so I just did one roll. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)
Visual Perception Test: Intuition (5)+Perception (5)+Attention Coprocessor (3)+Visual Enhancement (3)=16 Dice==>4 HITS