IC: Post or Die, Lifelines, and deadlines Options

[Saint Sithney]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:07 PM, Oswald's Rover, East Redmond

The blimp's visual sensors couldn't see anything in the mangled wreckage of the former parking lot turned auto-graveyard, and the radar couldn't make out anything distinct. "We're a few minutes away from the building now, but I'll do what I can to hurry us along if you've got eyes on the guy inside the building. I just don't want to leave my Tower on auto-pilot. It doesn't dance half as well as I can make it. The fact that I've got to drop my signal to try and patch Acme has already got me flinching."

On that note, Oz subscribed himself to the First Aid kit now attached to Acme's upper arm and kicked it into gear.
<<@Yacht Club: I think he's got Lupus. I've started him on an IVIG drip. Let me know if his condition doesn't improve.>> Medicine fired and forgotten, Oswald turned his attention quickly to the SUV, plotting the course to the crash site and beginning the approach, before switching swiftly back to control of the waiting blimp.

"Oh, and I meant to mention this earlier, but there's not really any tall buildings in Redmond as far as I can tell. There's a few arcologies in Bellview and there's downtown, but neither of those places will be friendly to this kind of work. I sure hope these Viper creeps aren't based out of some place with real security. Let me check my logs to find an approximate position for where that bird of theirs took off. That's probably our best bet for a first stop on this tour."

[Sephiroth]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:07 PM, Oswald's Rover, East Redmond

"Interesting. I too would like to know where that helicopter flew in from. However, there is a moderate chance that it took off from the same place as where their magician is hiding, which may not be in Redmond. If it flew low above the rooftops, could it not have evaded your sensors until it was close enough for you to identify it?"

While he was speaking, Jovan silently sent further instructions to his watchers accompanying the blimp and the crash survivor, respectively. Go join your companion who is tailing one of our targets. And you who is tailing the survivor, report. What is he doing inside the building? Where is he attempting to go?

[Acme]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:05 PM, Ferret's van, Redmond


Acme just nodded to Professor. He felt like it, that was for sure. He patted around his jacket for the patches he usually carried for times like this, but he had to make sure they were going into battle if he was going to use them; the last thing they needed right now was him being all hyped up and passing out just before the battle actually began. It was this patting that he didn't actually have something to snark about as Professor was sticking the monitor wires to him. "We got any word when we're lighting this firework?" he asked.

[Saint Sithney]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:07 PM, Oswald's Rover, East Redmond

"Well, as far as I'm concerned, you're living proof that anything is possible, but that machine's got eyes that'll see a rat run across a fence at six miles. It's worth a closer look if the man in the store turns out to be a bust, but I'll see if the chopper's flight path doesn't lead us to the mage. He's made himself a priority, that one."

[Red-ROM]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:08 PM, Oswald's Rover, East Redmond

Oswald reviewed the data he had on the chopper. From where it popped up on the radar, it must have taken off about two blocks south of Twisters. Nowhere near the direction Jovan was asking about. Like Jovan himself, their mage was not on the front line.
Jovan's watcher, on the other hand, was practically at ground zero. Your man was by the front of the building until the explosions outside. Now He has moved deeper into the building.He's telling people to get lost and crouching behind something. He seems to be waiting for something.

[J. Packer]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:11 PM, Elliot's Restaurant, Pier 60, Seattle

Waiting two beats, Amber called up a quick search on her comm for what a 'Mome' might be. The results were unhelpful. She waited two beats to see what the blond woman would do in response to the man's sudden, disconcerting departure.

[ Spoiler ]

If she stays seated, Amber will give her another few seconds to react before joining her at her table (Impulsive, yes, that's her). If she leaves as well, Amber will shadow her.

[Sephiroth]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:08 PM, Oswald's Rover, East Redmond

You have no idea, old man. If you could live long enough to see me reach twice your age, I would show you just how possible things can get.

Oh? Does he appear armed, either with a handheld weapon or strategically placed shadows in his aura, like in his arms? He switched his attention to his second watcher, which was currently joining its fellow eyes in the store. When you arrive at the designated building, scout the place out thoroughly. Tell me how many people are inside, the basic layout, and anything else pertinent about it.

Jovan now mentally turned to his air elemental. I await more information before I give you your last task. In the meantime, do I presume correctly that you have not seen the aura of the man you were first searching for since you lost sight of him? If I do, tell me: if you were in his place - that of a member of an independent paramilitary group - and you found that three or more of your companions had just been killed, would you attempt to shadow their killers for information and later tracking, or would you flee the area and regroup with the rest of your team?

[pbangarth]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:07 PM, Ferret's van, East Redmond

Professor scowls as the readings from the medkit come through. No change to Acme's condition. <<@Acme: Sorry, chummer, the medkit is a bust. The drain went deeper than the machine can reach. Do you have any stimulant patches?>>

[Notsoevildm]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:08 PM, Ferret's van, East Redmond

Ferret climbs back into the driver seat of the van and checks around to make sure everyone is okay. Strawberry still looks on the point of bolting, Acme is pretty banged up and Thirty is on death's door. The Prof is fine but is cursing at the medkit and Rusty just gives him a weary look.

He pulls away slowly, his mind spinning. I never thought it would be like this. Keeping his eyes on the road, he addresses Rusty.

"I'm going to drop you off with some of my pals in the Crush. So I hope you don't have any bad blood with them."

Heading towards the parts of the Barrens controlled by the Crimson Crush, he puts out a call.

<<@Throgg: Hey buddy, I finally got a line on some real shadow work. However, things have gotten a bit heavy and I got some people here I need to keep safe for a bit. Can I drop them off somewhere for you and your boys to look after till the coast is clear?>>

[Acme]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:07 PM, Ferret's van, East Redmond


The shaman waves off the medkit. "Those things never work right," he groans out, sitting up. "And yeah, I do... *kaff* but I think we should wait till the actual heat goes down before using them, or with my luck... they'll wear off in the middle of a firefight."

[Saint Sithney]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:08 PM, Oswald's Rover, East Redmond

Chopper lit out of Glow City as far as I can tell. What's the word on the guy in the store? Are we going to take him out ourselves or wait for the others to catch up? I feel like we've just had a demonstration as to how action and reaction stack up in this little dispute.

<<@Yacht Club: Me and Jove are going to the store to pick up a Viper. You guys need anything while we're out? Like maybe a tag eraser? But seriously, you guys should either get to the business at hand of finding Bigs while we keep these fools busy, or you should help us, in case this army of assholes really wants to show up for a fight.>>

[Red-ROM]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:10 PM, Oswald's Rover, East Redmond

Jovan listened to his Servant of air as his watchers scouted through the department store, Hmm. I believe he was in the flying craft, now that you're asking. If I were such a man, and my compatriots were of equal skill, and I watched them destroyed. I would probably flee, and seek a more advantageous situation.
Jovan heard his wathcers report. The man was holding a large weapon. The store was mostly two large rooms filled with shelves. One, most likely being the shopping area, and the other a receiving area. The watcher described smaller rooms that sounded like lavatories and fitting rooms, maybe a break room. It counted twenty two other people in the store either running or hiding.

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:10 PM, Ferret's van, East Redmond

Rusty thought about Ferret's proposal,"I used to pay those guys protection in my old neighborhood years ago, I doubt they even remember me. You think we should drop your ork friend at a hospital or something?" Strawberry tapped Acme on the shoulder,"I got some N-BLow if you want it. It'll pick you right up."
Throgg hit Ferret back quick <<Your friends got some rent money?>>

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:11 PM, Elliot's Restaurant, Pier 60, Seattle

The woman sat very still after the man took his leave. A waiter almost stopped, but turned away as if realizing she was busy.
<<Mrs Johnson@ Oswald:I have made contact with the vipers. They have a seperate transaction with Big Daddy, we've agreed to a truce. They'll get the goods from us after they're recovered. In return they'll stay out of the... hold on they're calling now >>
Amber could hear the woman talking quietly to herself. Must be a built in comm. She couldn't make out what she was saying. It was short. She was mostly listening.
<<Mrs Johnson @ Oswald: Ok, you guys know how to make friends. My contact isn't making any garuantees about the guys on the ground, but he says he'll stick to the agreement. Also, he tells me that Lonestar is sending a show of force to keep this in check, so don't stick around there too long. How are things on your end?>>
After a few seconds on the phone The woman glance over her shoulder towards The curious dwarf. Her eyes were glimmering steel with no iris or pupil. Her face was almost as expressionless. She was unflinching in her stair as she analyzed the only other woman in the restaurant sitting alone

[pbangarth]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:07 PM, Ferret's van, East Redmond

<<@Oswald: We're on our way to your location, via a drop-off for our non-combatant guests. Things are getting too dicey for them.>>

Professor writes a note on a scrap of paper from his pocket. (Archaeologists have archaic technology readily at hand.) It contains contact info for his friend Nandi Sivalingham, an urban anthropologist in Washington. He hands it to Strawberry.

"Take this. Get yourself out of this hot zone to that location. Mention that the Professor sent you. She will help you start a new life. Take this shitstorm as an opportunity to turn your life around. Do it."

[Saint Sithney]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:11 PM, Oswald's Rover, East Redmond

<<Oswald@Ms. Johnson: We're almost at the site of the, ah.. mysterious explosion. By the gargling blood sounds I heard over the Professor's comm, Thirty is either dead or on his way. This happened after their helicopter crashed for unexplained reasons, but before it mysteriously exploded... and took half a building with it. Anyway, I figure you know what you're doing and all, but do you really think you can trust a snake? I'm prepared to do for the Emerald City what St. Patrick did for the Emerald Isle. On that note, the guy you met wouldn't happen to be a Magician, eh? Way I understand, Thirty was killed by a Spirit linked to a spell-slinger near your location... about 5 minutes ago. When did you set up this fork-tongue peace talk again, hmm? Watch your six.>>

Oz switched the Rover back to autopilot so that he could use the blimp's radar to scan for possible Lonestar aerial drones and to use it's eyes to watch the roads.

"We're almost there. How do you want to handle this? I don't have much by way of means to subdue the fella if we want to grab him before the fuzz shows up. Speaking of which, you might wanna scrub traces from where your spirit boffed that chopper out the sky. I don't really figure this heavily-armed merc will stay put once the cops show, so we might be able to trail him and pick him up later. I leave the call to you."

<<Oswald@Danny: Oh, Danny-boy! Ready the 2nd Kull. WP in the left bay, HE in the right. One smack does not an object lesson make.>>

[Acme]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:09 PM, Ferret's Van, East Redmond

Acme slumped in his chair, just trying to will his body to get better quicker, closing his eyes. He waved off the offer of blow, not trying to look rude for the declining. "Thanks but no," he said softly. "Only thing I take is booze; I don't know what stuff like that is going to do to the Talent. I haven't even experimented with that tempo stuff."

[J. Packer]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:12 PM, Elliot's Restaurant, Pier 60, Seattle

Okay, no time like the present, I guess...

Seeing eye contact made, such as it was, Amber stood up from her table and grabbed her wine glass before sauntering over to the lady with the crazy eyes.

"I'm sorry," she says, "if I embarrassed your dinner date, but as Mr. Top Hat and Tails has left the building, maybe I could join you? What's your name tonight?"

[Red-ROM]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:11 PM, Ferret's van, East Redmond

Strawberry took the piece of paper from Professor, staring at it like it was an alien artifact. She wasn't sure what to say, so she just shoved the paper in her pocket. As the van got under way again, she stared out the window in thought. Rusty took the break in the conversation to speak,"You know, you fellas are talkin about dumpin us off, and I still haven't seen any sign of Swagger J. I don't reckon he's in the glove box"

[pbangarth]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:11 PM, Ferret's van, East Redmond

"Yeah, you're right, Rusty." Professor replies. "He's ... in transit, in a similar situation to yours, but much safer. We're just trying to remove bystanders from the shit that is falling around us. We would deliver him to the same place we want to drop you two, once the current situation is resolved. If you feel unsure about that, we could drop Strawberry in the safe place and you could tag along with us to share in the fun."

[Sephiroth]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, Oswald's Rover, East Redmond

"Do not fret. I will ensure that he will be delivered to the car soon. How long do we have until the authorities show up?" Jovan said, smirking slightly.

Spirit. Here is your last service for me this evening. A survivor from the aerial vehicle has fled into the building close by and is currently holed up there waiting, presumably for us. We shall not disappoint him. I wish for you to incapacitate him and deliver him to the ground vehicle I am in, which will be arriving there shortly. He is armed, and may be packing significant firepower if the size of his weapon is anything to go by, so don't just rush in recklessly and see if your physical immunity can stand up to his bullets. Neither of us needs you going in and getting yourself disrupted. Work quickly, but also act intelligently and tactically. You should be strong enough to drag him out yourself, but you should also be smart enough to herd him out; I leave the choice of method to you, so long as it works.

Jovan spoke now to the watcher standing guard outside the Rover. Look alive. We have some uninvited guests on the way, who may have Awakened resources in their repertoire. Keep an eye out for any sign of astral activity that is not linked to me. Under no circumstances is anyone permitted to look at my aura, understand? Notify me immediately if you see astral forms approaching that are not mine.

<<@Professor: We should be able to take care of ourselves well enough. No one is going to be taking me down anytime soon, at the very least, and in any case I've no desire to deal with that newcomer Acme's prying Eyes at the moment. What's the situation with the guests? If that jumpy one, Crew I believe, has fled your location, it may be necessary to retrieve him before dropping off the others. We don't need his loose end floating about as an anonymity hazard.>>

[Notsoevildm]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:10 PM, Ferret's van, East Redmond

Rusty thought about Ferret's proposal,"I used to pay those guys protection in my old neighborhood years ago, I doubt they even remember me. You think we should drop your ork friend at a hospital or something?"

Throgg hit Ferret back quick <<Your friends got some rent money?>>

Ferret looks over at Thirty, a worried frown on his face, and then up to Rusty.

"I wish we could, but my contacts don't exactly deal in the sorta drugs that make you better if you know what I mean. Main thing now is to get you guys safe. I'll get my buddies in the Crush to escort you out of town to the address the Prof gave you."

<<@Throgg: Looks like I just need a taxe service for two and a nursemaid for one. I got a bag of dope from Beetle for upfront payment and I'll cover any extra costs myself once we square up this run. If that works for you, gimme an address where I can drop off my passengers and patient.>>

[Acme]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:12 PM, Ferret's van, East Redmond

Acme curled up on the floor, trying to focus his recuperation as soon as he could. Let Professor deal with the worried gangers; talking seemed to be as much his forte as the shaman's, so he hoped things would take care of themselves. If they didn't... He slipped a stim patch out of his inner pockets, flipping the plastic covering around in his fingers. He hated using this thing, was always afraid of just making things worse. But he was hired to do a job.

[pbangarth]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:12 PM, Ferret's van, East Redmond

"Good deal on the Crush helping out, Ferret. Thanks." Professor continues monitoring Thirty.

[Red-ROM]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:12 PM, Elliot's Restaurant, Pier 60, Seattle

Okay, no time like the present, I guess...

Seeing eye contact made, such as it was, Amber stood up from her table and grabbed her wine glass before sauntering over to the lady with the crazy eyes.

"I'm sorry," she says, "if I embarrassed your dinner date, but as Mr. Top Hat and Tails has left the building, maybe I could join you? What's your name tonight?"

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:13 PM, Elliot's Restaurant, Pier 60, Seattle

"A name for the evening? Do I look like a prostitute?" The woman gestures to the vacancy left by the man and his top hat."You know the waiter would have brought your wine, for future reference." The blond woman had the posture of an obelisk. She stirred her tea as delicately as a geisha, but with no flourishes of movement,"So what has piqued your curiosity, and brought you to my dinner table?"

[Red-ROM]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:13 PM, Ferret's van, East Redmond

<<Throgg@ Ferret: Sounds good, we'll try the dope, then figure what you owe us based on the quality. Here's a watering hole [address] I'll be at in 30. I'll let the slots there know your coming>>

As vehicles rolled out, the air spirit slipped into the Shop and Save. He watched the man for a few moments, mulling over the possibilities. Taking him alive was the goal, and suffocating him until he passed out seemed like the best option. The mercenary felt a breeze on the back of his neck and the racks of clothes beside him began to flutter. As he spun to meet the threat, he was enveloped in a miniature whirlwind that took his breath away. He couldn't think fast enough with the lack of oxygen. As he tried to lift his gun, his vision narrowed into one tight spot and he was out. The spiraling winds carried the body out to the parking lot as onlookers screamed in confusion and terror.

[J. Packer]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 8:13 PM, Elliot's Restaurant, Pier 60, Seattle


"Oh no, I never meant to imply that - though, striking girl like you, you'd probably make a small fortune... - anyway, no, it's just this game we all seem to play, isn't it? Who will I be tonight. You can call me Kitty, for right now at least."

Amber takes a seat opposite the woman. "I'll admit it, I did flirt a little with your quirkily-dressed friend back there, but what piqued my interest was hearing tell of a need for, was it 'team members' I believe?"