2072: Game World, IC thread for 2072: Recruitment always open! Options

[Nightfalke]

@Emerging: Tribe / Fre∑dom, Alpha Apex
September 1, 2072 07:02:07;
Physical Location: SE Corner of 39th Ave NW and 7th St SW;
Virtual Location: Prospero's Nexus node in the Mall
BioNode: Hidden | Meta Link: Active, SIN: Alan Shepard

Alpha looks over the information and nods, sipping his virtual drink with the virtual umbrella in it. "Ares, huh? Yeah, I can see why this needs to be quiet." Alpha makes a big show of weighing his options quietly to himself, even though his mind was made up the moment Phobos spat out his probability numbers. "Alright, you've got yourself a deal. I know how critical time is, and assuming Glyph is available today, we should have her home safe and sound tonight. And let's not worry too much about reimbursement or anything, you can just owe me one and we'll call it square. Pleasure doing business with you as always, Prospero. Now, if you don't mind, I'll be getting to work."

Forcing the reality of Prospero's beachfront paradise out of his mind in favor of his stark geometric perception of the matrix, Alpha starts doing a little research on the little lost cherub whom he was tasked to break out of the warm embrace of Ares.

September 1, 2072 09:06:01;
Physical Location: SE Corner of 39th Ave NW and 7th St SW;
Virtual Location: Prospero's Nexus node in the Mall

After a little preliminary research and poking around various nodes, Alpha's Analyze thread pings at him that Glyph has logged on to the node. Taking a deep breath, and pushing his hacking thread to the background to continue to gingerly look for exploits without his direct control for a moment, Alpha allows the beach back into his consciousness. Alpha quickly composes a message to be sent to Glyph, as he tries to remember her...

@Glyph<<Hey Glyph. Looks like the great and powerful Prospero has given us a job to do today. Looks like we're supposed to break a little girl out of jail. Let's meet up and figure out how the heck we are going to do this.>>

Now, let's see... Glyph... Glyph... Is she the furry one? Oh yeah! Wait a second... What does she even do around here? Sigh... Guess I'll find out.

[ChromeZephyr]

@E:Tribes, Scrapheap
September 1, 2072, 16:23:59; en-route to salvage
PAN mode: Passive | ID displayed: SCRAPHEAP

"If it needs ta be shot, I'm okay with da boomstick. If it's up close I can beat it or chop it, whatever. And the last time I was in a vehicle playin' chicken...the light post won. So that ain't happenin'. I've got an in with the Firebreathers if shit goes sideways, maybe dey can give us a hand if we're closer to home."

[faultline]

@E: Tribes
September 1, 2072 09:05:33;
Physical Location: White Residence
Virtual Location: Prospero's Nexus node in the Mall
PAN - Active; SIN - Calliope White


Ewwwwwww, gross! fraggen program is such a damn lech.

"Fine, message delivered, now get going ugly"

A few seconds later she gets the message from Alpha, she wanders over to the shade of the palm trees and sits down.

<<@Alpha: Yes, I heard, though I didn't get any details. I had a message delivered by an agent when I entered the node. It was a bit demanding in tone and I wasn't too happy about it. When I tried to voice my issues about it to Prospero, Caliban....showed up ,the ugly little bugger said it was from him.>>

<<@Alpha:I'm up for a meet, Flesh or 'Trix? I've got an hour or two before I need to sleep.

[Nightfalke]

@Emerging: Tribe / Fre∑dom, Alpha Apex
September 1, 2072 09:06:01;
Physical Location: SE Corner of 39th Ave NW and 7th St SW;
Virtual Location: Prospero's Nexus node in the Mall

Noting the relatively quick response time from his message, Alpha sets off to find Glyph's icon in the node, composing a reply while he moves.

@Glyph<<Well, since we're both logged in already, mind as well be here. Hang tight, I'll come find you.>>

Accessing a nearby tracker agent on the node, whose icon is that of a cute cabana girl with long brown hair, a bikini top and wrap on the bottom half, and carrying a tray of drinks, Alpha has the agent locate and track Glyph's position in the node. Taking a seat on a nearby chair under the same palm tree, Alpha grabs a drink and sits down.

"Glad I could catch you on here. From your note, it sounds like you had a long night, and I don't want to make things longer by making you head out again."

Alpha takes a long slurp of his virtual frothy girly drink from the crazy straw it came with.

"So I've seen you around before, but never had the chance to work with you. Prospero said that your skills would be useful, but to be honest, I really don't know what those skills are... Personally, I'm a technomancer in communion with the Deep Resonance and emissary for the great Zero One. What that means in non-technojargon is I work hard in the matrix so you don't have to." Alpha looks thoughtful for a moment. "Or, rather, I work hard in the matrix so I can bring about a greater understanding of both sides of the world, Matrix and Material."

[Dakka Fiend]

[September 1st, 2072, 16:24:09; en route to salvage]
Renraku Sensei: Hidden, SIN: nope

Guess he's got a point.

Hesitantly, Spring decides to start with the obvious.

@sp³: <<Well, as you've already seen, I can summon what you would call spirits, though I'm still working on the finer points of that. As for fighting, >>

I run, sneak, squeeze into holes. Damn, I don't wanna sound like a coward.

<<... well I prefer to make use of my surroundings. Not 'fraid to use my fists or my pistol.>>

With that he pats the shoulder holster on his left side.

Turning to Sprogget, he adds And no, I don't sing and so far haven't tried charming rats with my harp.

Spring audibly exhales, not used to introducing himself.

Charming rats with an instrument, most stupid idea ever.

[faultline]

@E: Tribes
September 1, 2072 09:06:01;
Physical Location: White Residence
Virtual Location: Prospero's Nexus node in the Mall
PAN - Active; SIN - Calliope White


"Wecome."

Glyph said to Alpha as he appears and sits down near her in the shade of the same palm tree.


"No longer than usual, just my normal guard/patrol schedule. I'm naturally nocturnal, so I get assigned the graveyard shift."

She says while Alpha takes a sip of his drink.


"Ah...cool. I got some of that technojargon, I may not be a techie, but i'm around enough of you to pick stuff up, I'll let you know when you've said something that goes over my head. As for me I'm an enforcer, though my skills lie mostly in stealth, I am trained in some combat."

She starts to say something, stops cocks her head slightly to the side looking a bit pensive then turns back toward Alpha and continues.

"My...change, gave me a certain...gift,I guess you could call it, that helps me in certain...interactions with others."

"So, you said something about breaking a little girl out of jail?"

[Nightfalke]

@Emerging: Tribe / Fre∑dom, Alpha Apex
September 1, 2072 09:06:01;
Physical Location: SE Corner of 39th Ave NW and 7th St SW;
Virtual Location: Prospero's Nexus node in the Mall

"Wow. Like, literally nocturnal? Not by choice like some of these chip-heads who act like they are allergic to vitamin D? Good to know, but also might put a crimp in our plans."

Alpha smirks and nods when she gets a little pensive. "Everybody has their own little secrets. As long as you know what you can and cannot do, and we can plan for it, null sweat on my end."

In reply to her last comment:
"Well, not "jail" jail, per se. She wants out of her hum drum corp life. And it is our job to, at the very least, make her disappear, and at the most get her to join up with the Freedom Tribe."

"But, of course, here's the catch: We need to get this done quick. Tonight, if possible. So while you're sleeping the day away, I can start to bust my way into whatever nodes are in between our target and her freedom. Once the sun goes down, you can get on your way to physically busting her out."

[faultline]

@E: Tribes
September 1, 2072 09:12:29;
Physical Location: White Residence
Virtual Location: Prospero's Nexus node in the Mall
PAN - Active; SIN - Calliope White


"Yeah, not by choice. I, uh... am also allergic to the sun."

Glyph says a bit sheepishly, she then brings her arms up and spreads her hands gesturing to everything around her

"This is the closest I get to enjoying the sun anymore. I can still function during the day, but I'm not at peak performance I guess you could say."


"No, no. I wasn't keeping anything back, I just wasn't sure how to explain that ability of mine."

She says with a slight hint of embarrassment in her tone of voice.


"That sounds reasonable, we plan, I sleep, you hack, and I go get her tonight. Can you reach the corp's nodes from here or do you need to be closer? What information do you...."

Glyph breaks off her sentence, and her face shows a bit of puzzlement before she speaks again.

"Hmm weird, just got a message with no sender name. It has an address for a bulletin board, and says the girl would be waiting for us. Shall we go talk with her then?"

[Aria]

@E:Tribes / Mechanicals
September 1, 2072, 17:25:27; Tacoma

Sprogget, Scrapheap & Spring

Despite your fears the journey north has been uneventful, pleasant even away from the ash covered grime of Puyallup. The sun is filtering weakly through the murk and there is even some warmth to the air. Skirting Puyallup city you cross the river, avoiding the desultory go-gang that you see racing in the distance. It’s still early enough that the real predators haven’t come out for the night, preferring the shadows to the bright late summer sun. At this rate even your return journey should be uneventful.

The house is built into the side of a hill, with the lower side and 2 car garage at the back of the lot on an alley. An AR message directs you round the back where axc4mr Alexia Chalmers opens up. She’s a dwarf of no obvious ancestry. Possibly some Native American, some Anglo, maybe Filipino, probably other. Beautiful without being 'gorgeous' and certainly not enough to distract you from the task in hand. The garage contains the posted Peng You, next to it a brightly coloured JackRabit, obviously customized for a dwarf. When she sees there are more than one of you she surreptitiously reaches for a shotgun by the side of the door but is careful not to make any threatening moves.

“Comeon in then. Just so you know I’m recording you right so no funny stuff!”

The pickup is a drab colour with a lot of dirt, 'almost' urban camouflage. There are some bullet holes, although not in any of the glass, that account for the unit being down, but certainly nothing to draw unwanted attention until you can get it back to be patched. One round has clearly penetrated the cylinder so it’s not going anywhere under its own steam…it’s a miracle that it made it back here from wherever it got shot…

You are hurried in your negotiations as about twenty minutes in you all receive a message from Spindle

<<@S/S/S: Where are you at the moment? I need you to swing by Fre∑dom on your way back and get Doc White. Looks like Anna is going in to labour and I want the doc on hand.>>

Concluding your deal it’s time to hit the road again…you just now have the dilemma of time versus safety…the more direct and faster route that picks up the 512 carries significantly more risk…

[Nightfalke]

@Emerging: Tribe / Fre∑dom, Alpha Apex
September 1, 2072 09:15:22;
Physical Location: SE Corner of 39th Ave NW and 7th St SW;
Virtual Location: Prospero's Nexus node in the Mall

"Yep. Just spotted the message. Let me send a sprite to check out the node before we jump right in."

Pushing the external stimuli away for a moment, Alpha Apex reaches deep within himself and taps into his connection to the Deep Resonance. Taking deep breaths, he sends out a call along the pathways of Resonance to those who would listen. To anyone watching, it almost looks like he is a monk chanting softly to himself, head bowed and hands steepled in front of his face.

Oh, denizens of the Deep Resonance, heed my call for aid. Oh, denizens of the Deep Resonance, heed my call for aid. Oh, denizens of the Deep Resonance, heed my call for aid.

A purple worm about the size of a 20 oz bottle of water, with many small yellow eyes, pixellates into view in front of Alpha, and looks up at him, eyes blinking randomly.

"Thank you for coming to my aid in my time of need little one. Zero One thanks you for your service. Enter this node, and observe what you find. We will be along shortly."

The worm blinks his eyes in a very specific pattern, and disappears into the Matrix.

After a moment, Alpha says "Everything looks ok, let's head into that node and see how we can make someone disappear."

Alpha transfers to the new node, and immediately the little worm spins and looks up at Alpha's icon, its little eyes flashing and blinking rapidly. It almost reminds you of a little terrier frantically sniffing a newcomer into his house. Each newcomer into the node gets the same treatment.

[ChromeZephyr]

@E: Tribes, Scrapheap;
September 1, 2072, 17:42:00; axc4mr's place
PAN mode: Passive | ID displayed: SCRAPHEAP

Scrapheap wiped the sweat from his eyes after pushing the derelict truck up onto the trailer behind the truck. What was it that poppa always said? Ain't very smart, but I can lift heavy things? Yeah. He had left the negotiations to Sprogget and Spring, since one look at him after he took off the motorcycle helmet had made Alexia flinch and reach for the shotgun again. He had managed a slightly less horrific smile and after that had kept outside, ostensibly to keep an eye on the vehicles, until they had needed the vehicle loaded. Just another dumb trog here for muscle, that's all... he thought, bitterly. After putting his glasses back on, he noticed the new message from Spindle.

<< @s^3: Should I give my guy a call, see if I can maybe get an escort down the freeway? Or do we take the backroads and hope that Anna hasn't popped before we get the doc back? >>

[Machine Ghost]

@E:Tribes, Sprogget
September 1, 2072, 16:52:28; driving through Tacoma
BioNode: Hidden | CMT Clip: Passive; SIN: Hugo Wright

from Aria axc4mr post

Sprogget has been chatting a bit with Spring and Scrapheap, trying to get a feel of what they are like.  Spring has continued to be mostly uncommunicative, though he did show some enthusiasm about blues and his harp.  Scrapheap has not been as closed, but he has been somewhat distracted probably with watching for trouble, and picking the best path through and around the bike traps on the streets.  That last has improved some, as the group got closer to the destination, but at the same time, being further from comfortable territory finds everyone trying to grow even more eyes in the back of the head than usual.

@self:Nice to really see what some more of the sprawl looks like.  Virtual feels different, even for the 'your are there' tours.  Usually nicer in VR, but ... different ...

@self:Not learning much about 'the team' here. Hope we can act together if something nasty goes down.

September 1, 2072, 17:25:27; Alex Chalmer's, Tacoma

The map lead right to the alley no problem.  Sprogget pings axc4mr when they get to the final block, to let her know they have arrived.  Parking behind the garage, Sprogget mostly blocks the alley with the truck and trailer.
@self:Looks like that upper floor could be a workshop.  Pretty big place for one person even so.  Let's make comm easy.

BioNode: Hidden | CMT Clip: Active; SIN: Hugo Wright

...

"Comeon in then. Just so you know I'm recording you right so no funny stuff!"

@Alex: "Soothingly Easy Alex.  Just here to deal on the truck.  I did say I would be bringing a couple friends to help load.  It's way faster and easier with a few extra hands".
@self:Bit jumpy. glances at Scrapheap, @self:Guess can't blame her too much.
@self:Dwarf huh? The profile did not mention that. Looks a bit younger than I guessed from the voice.
Moving cautiously, so as to not startle her, Sprogget gets the sample package out of the backpack in the truck. Leaving her plenty of space, he spreads the contents on a convenient [and low] bench.
@Alex: "Have a look at these while we have a look at the truck, to see what it might be worth.  This is all small and inexpensive stuff.  Here is a file too {sending ARO link, with icon that morphs through several small steampunk pieces} with some other pieces, that are a bit big to just carry around in my pocket to show off".
@self:Showing the punked pieces should help relax her a bit.  Hopefully that will convince her about our 'honourable intentions'.  If she accepts the catalogue file, I should get a minimal in to her link.  My face is expected here, but the others probably could do without extra recordings of their mugs.  Do not want her to think the link was hacked either.  I'll just use a 'filter' to fuzz their faces a bit, like the camera did not focus quite right.  Getting in the link will probably tell me where any cameras and records are, if not just the commlink.
@Alex: "This is not your area, but since you do 'maker' work, you might be interested to know that a lot of info is included on the technical details of how the pieces were created.".

Leaving her to inspect the offerings, Sprogget grabs the automotive toolkit from the truck, and starts the inspection of the Peng You.  It looks quit drab beside the little Jackrabbit.
@self:If that is her usual transport, it is no wonder she did not want to be seen in this.  Not eye catching enough.

Discovering some bullet holes, fairly fresh looking given the shiny edges that are not coated with dirt like the rest of the truck, Sprogget interrupts Alex's perusal of the displayed goods.
@Audience: "Did your ex leave rather suddenly?  He might have had health reasons to want to be somewhere else.  The truck might be more broken than you thought".  Pointing out the bullet holes.

Alex: Probably pales a bit, but with that skin tone, it is hard to tell, "I didn't know about that.  He told me zero".

September 1, 2072, 17:32:02; Alex Chalmer's, Tacoma

Assisted by Spring, who turns out to have some automotive skills, Sprogget finishes the once over inspection.
@self:Drive train fairly good, frame solid, engine needs work.  Seems to have been used fairly hard, but also had regular maintenance.  I saw what could have been previous 'battle damage' repairs.  Depending how good the mechanic was, some of those might fail again, needing more work.  I can work with this.  Time to see how little I have to spend to take it off her hands.
@Alex: "The holes themselves are trivial.  I might even be able to use them for decoration.  However at least one of those hits got into the engine.  I think he was lucky to get it back here still running.  That is not the first time the truck had an unfriendly encounter either.  There are previous repairs.  I can't see directly from those what caused the damage, but the general pattern says it has been banged around some.  It is not quite ready for the junk yard, but it will need some repairs to get running again, and probably some regular TLC after.  That said, I know where to get the parts, and have a bit of time to baby it".

September 1, 2072, 17:37:43; Alex Chalmer's, Tacoma

Negotiations on price seem to be going well.  Far enough along, that Spring and Scrapheap have jockeyed the truck and trailer into position, where the winch can be used to pull the damaged Peng You up on to the trailer.  Sprogget sees an ARO pop up from the for show commlink.  Incoming high priority call, showing it is coming from Spindle, addressed to all three of the 'away team'.
@self:Spindle? To all three of us? Better take that.
Breaking off suddenly, Sprogget holds up a hand toward Alex.
@Alex: "{apologetic} Excuse me, I need to take this call".

@S/S/S: <<Where are you at the moment? I need you to swing by Fre∑dom on your way back and get Doc White. Looks like Anna is going in to labour and I want the doc on hand.>>

@Spindle/sp³: <<Tacoma {send address reference} Yes sir, we can certainly do that.>>
Thinking quickly, @self:Wrap this up, get loaded.  Discrete travel is about an hour, we can cut that down some, but if short-cutting brings problems, we could end up later instead of earlier.  Pass the buck at least some on that.
@Spindle/sp³: <<How fast you need doc there?  Can wrap negotiations here quick, but standard travel precautions with the load would take a full hour.  The more we cut that down, the higher risk that something will interrupt us, making us later instead of earlier.  If you are really in a hurry, we could leave the truck and trailer rig here with Spring.  On just the bikes, pushing hard to outrun instead of dodge trouble, Scrapheap and I could probably be at Mall in 15 minutes.  From there, doc could ride my bike, while I control remotely and ride double with Scrapheap.  If we keep the load, with reasonable safety, I do not see it being less than 45 minutes.  If we grab 512 with the load, if go gangers happen to be around, the truck is not going to do much running.  Assuming the go gangers are sleeping or stuffing their faces 20 to 25 minutes.  Your call boss, how close is Anna?>>
@self:Spindle knows the risks from the options.  Just give him the numbers to decide from.  He knows those are all 'best guess' anyway, and the medkit smart assistant should be telling him how soon things are likely to get interesting at home, even if he has a personal stake, he shouldn't want to risk tribal resources needlessly.
@Spindle: <<Spring seems OK, but one is not really enough with tribal resources this far from home, in unfamiliar territory -- Sprogget>>

Scrapheap: @s^3<<Should I give my guy a call, see if I can maybe get an escort down the freeway? Or do we take the backroads and hope that Anna hasn't popped before we get the doc back?>>

@sp³: <<call now, find out.>>
@Spindle/sp³: <<Scrapheap knows someone in a gang.  IF they are ready to roll, and interested in showing the colors, we might be able to arrange an escort.>>

As Spring and Scrapheap also get off the call, and hurry to start the actual load (amid a bit of mild profanity about life and timing).

@Alex: "{hurriedly}Something just came up, so I need to slot and run.  Negotiating with you is fun and good practise, but how about I throw in the data chip and mug, and we split the difference on the numbers?  You've got my contact info if something in the package is just begging for a home in your place".
@self:With the reaction to the bullet holes, I don't think she will be splashing any recordings around.  No time now to do that discrete smudging of the pix.  I'd invite her to check out the gallery at the shop, but I doubt she would be comfortable that close to the barrens.  Guessing she is living a bit below her 'standards' here, to get the space for the ceramics.

Quickly pack the rest of the samples, and put them in the truck, then assist Spring and Scrapheap getting the Peng You loaded, fastened down, and covered up, referencing the AR file that shows how to make the load look as much like total scrap as practical.  A quick but thorough inspection to make sure things are not going to come loose, or shift once moving. Verify that the monocycle is ready for rear-guard again.
@Spring: "Those extra eyes still around?".

September 1, 2072, 17:42:00; leaving Alex Chalmer's
BioNode: Hidden | CMT Clip: Passive; SIN: Hugo Wright

[faultline]

@E: Tribes
September 1, 2072 09:15:22;
Physical Location: White Residence
Virtual Location: Prospero's Nexus node in the Mall
PAN - Active; SIN - Calliope White


Glyph watches in amusement as Alpha summons his sprite and dispatches it to go check the address, and transfers over to the node when the ok was given.



Virtual Location: Obscure Matrix Node

She looks around the node taking in its bland utilitarian iconography.

"Quite a departure from paradise."

Glyph takes a seat on the floor, and looks over toward Alpha.

"So where is she?"

[RdMarquis]

@Emerging: Tribe / Fre∑dom
[September 1, 2072 09:15:22; Senlis Residence, Bellevue]
Virtual Location: Prospero's Nexus node in the Mall
SIN: Morgan Senlis, PAN: Active

Maybe "Who are you?" wasn't quite the right question. "What are you?" might have been more appropriate. With the only answer she could give being a bizarre amalgam of everything and anything Matrix. "Aria. Thank you. I'll be there." That left her with quite a bit of time. She practiced her disguise again, and examined the aforementioned bulletin board. Then she went through the motions of her mundane life, thinking. Was there another choice? "Many. Very few of them remotely productive."

Morgan nodded. "I thought as much. It has to be this."

[Aria]

@E:PL/UK
[May 21st, 2072, 16:07:22, Exeter Airport]

Gemeaux, Mordred & Tsubaki

You settle back once more into luxury – you could get used to this! – the leather seats of the Rolls Royce Phaeton envelope you with infinite softness. The gaze that Lady deBathayre rakes across all of you as you climb in is anything but soft but her smile is inviting

“So, how may I be of assistance? And please, in this time of obfuscation and intrigue, call me Ether, not my real name of course but there is power in names is there not?”

Little Luc takes one look at her and promptly wriggles free of his father and into her lap

“Ah, little one, you make me feel old…do you not find that?” This from someone who barely looks into her late teens and certainly younger than all of you…

[Aria]

@E:PL/Chi Town/Copperhead
[July 8th, 2072, 23:16:32; Blackwater, CZ, Chicago]

You scramble through a broken wall and breathe a sigh of relief as your thermal sight detects trace heat that you are reasonably certain comes from your charges. Crossing the street in a stooped run you briefly consider whether it might be safe to contact Requiem and Stitch. The gunfire seems to have halted abruptly so hopefully that’s a good sign…?

Hunkered down by a burnt out truck in an alleyway you finally find Katie and Jon, apparently unharmed although you can see the start of shock in the erratic movement of their eyes. What is not such good news is that they are still limned in the glowing golden AR overlay and in the distance you can see the incandescent stab of a search light from the hovering VTOL as it begins to sweep the area…

[ChromeZephyr]

@E: Tribes, Scrapheap;
September 1, 2072, 17:41:21; axc4mr's place
PAN mode: Passive | ID displayed: SCRAPHEAP

Hope Zippo's awake...and Janie hasn't got his head spinnin' on whatever shit she's smokin' this week.

<< @Zippo: ¡Oye, hermano! You up? Need to know if you and few of your vatos can ride shotgun with me and a couple of my new tribe. We gotta get a truck back to home, no time to take the safe ways 'cause the jefe wants us to pick up a stitcher for a soon-to-be mama. Can you help?

@s^3 "Dropped him a line, we'll see what shakes out."

[Dakka Fiend]

@Emerging: Tribe | sp³
September 1, 2072, 16:50:03; driving through Tacoma

Spring was getting more nervous the closer they got to their destination. It didn't help that his clanks had left a few minutes ago.

Little good they did us, haven't seen anything the entire drive. Guess I'll do without them til we head back.

Looking out of the window, he wonders what the æther looks like and whether he'll ever be able to see it himself and almost misses their arrival.

Come on, don't doze off like a kid on an excursion. Think of it as enemy territory, stay sharp.

Alex' hospitality, while reminding him yet again of how far he is from home, still makes him smile a bit.

Guess I'm not the only one who doesn't make new friends easily.

While Sprogget shows off his creations to Alex, Spring almost runs to the battered Peng You.

Hmm, I've seen worse. let's have a look inside.

He sticks his right pinky into one of the bullet holes in the car's hood, whistles and says Somebody really didn't like the paint job, eh?

Not waiting for an answer, he opens the hood and shines his flashlight into it to take inventory. Not a big fan of cabling either.

As Sprogget comes near, he points at a plastic with a bullet hole smack in the middle and adds Think I've seen a compatible one just a few days ago.
...
Crawling out from under the car, Spring seems truly relaxed for the first time since their journey had started. Spending time with tools in your hands and grease on your face feels right, whether you're in Tacoma or Puyuallup.

Trying not to overdo it, he chimes in now and then as Sprogget negotiates with Alex, but can't hold back when he hears her initial price. Come on, I've seen cars in better shape, inhabited by rats!

...

Sure, bet on my cous to bring something up when I start to like this gig.

He listens with hanging shoulders, thinking of the last time a new tribe member was born, the way all the single women - and some guys, too - had gone baby-crazed and started to treat him like one for a while.

Frakking great

Knew this was coming; didn't think so soon.

September 1, 2072, 17:41:03

Back to mostly silent, Spring assists in securing their haul. A little surprised by Sprogget's question, Spring answers Oh, they left a while ago. Didn't think we'd need them here. Was gonna get some again for the return trip.

... but it pours. Maybe the trip back isn't so boring...

I could also call a more powerful clank, but I'd rather keep that to if we really need it.

If only cous didn't run with his pre-historic toolset, Id actually be able to learn something from him...

[Aria]

@E:Tribes,
September 1, 2072, 17:42:00; driving through Tacoma

Sprogget

After what seems an eternity, particularly given the time it takes to load the pickup and hurriedly finish up your negotiations (at the cost of some of your bargaining power), you finally get a response from Spindle

<<@Sprogget: Nah, don’t rush back, I’d have sent a runner if I thought it was that urgent. I’d guess that she’ll drop sometime in the next two to three hours so don’t take any unnecessary risks getting back here.>> Now he tells you!

Scrapheap

You connect with Zippo easily enough and by the sounds of it the Firebreathers are just waking up for the night.

<<@Scaps: Ya want us to come and babysit? Sure we can do that, we haven’t been down the 512 in a while, always happy to mix it up with Them! They deserve a good thrashing after last time and if coincidently you make it home safe then that’s a bonus right? :-)>>

Cheeky sod, you know that behind the banter he’s got your back but that he’ll have to sell this to his gang to get them to help out someone who isn’t showing the colours.

Spring

In the bustle you seem to have been largely ignored, bloody adults, you knew how much that heap of drek was worth and Sprogget almost didn't make it out with his trousers. Being out here makes you slightly uncomfortable despite telling yourself otherwise… being out of your comfort zone back with the tribe or the anonymity of the barrens. Everything seems brighter out here, and not just that hideous jackrabbit!

[Machine Ghost]

@E:Tribes, Sprogget
September 1, 2072, 17:42:00; driving through Tacoma
BioNode: Hidden | CMT Clip: Passive; SIN: Hugo Wright

from Sprogget Scrapheap Scrapheap Spring E:Tribes

Spindle: <<Nah, don’t rush back, I’d have sent a runner if I thought it was that urgent. I’d guess that she’ll drop sometime in the next two to three hours so don’t take any unnecessary risks getting back here.>>

@self:Great! He could of said that first time.  There was no need to rush.

@SP³: <<Ok all, we just got demoted from Doc Wagon HTR to taxi.  Scrapheap, if you can tell your bud, thanks, but maybe next time without hurting feelings, we can take the slow way home, with a stop at the mall.  Unless you figure we would be safer with them, and potentially in the middle of some biker tag.  Don't want you owing any extra favours for this.>>

...

Spring:"Oh, they left a while ago. Didn't think we'd need them here. Was gonna get some again for the return trip".

@Spring: "{learned older brother mode}See, that shows what I said earlier about needing to know.  We can't see your spirits unless they want us to, so you need to tell us when they leave.  If you know ahead of time how long they will stay, telling that is even better.  You're right, they were not really needed for talking to Ms Chalmers.  Knowing who and what is doing the watching can be important just in case of surprises though.  We did not know who might have been in the house, or around the corner.  For things we are used to, there should way less problems here.  Thing is, we are not used to her area.  There could be different problems we do not know about".

Sprogget opens an extra AR window again, to do the data searches for good paths and trouble avoidance on the way to South Hill Mall, with the extra input from the discrete travel knowsoft, and the consideration of avoiding spots that might be stirred up from the trip here.

@Spring: "{approving}Good work on the inspection.  I think we can safely add some skill with vehicle repair to your play list.  You seemed quite at home crawling around under the P.Y. {normal} Me, I'd much rather jack it up some, and use a rolling cart.  Or send a drone on remote.  When I've got the choice.  If this 'transport' breaks down, I can fix it, but you could probably get eyes on any problem underneath faster than I could.  Knowing that, I could send you to look while I did something else.  But if I don't know you can, I don't know to ask either.

{confiding/equals}That starting price from Alex was high.  I don't know if she really thought it was worth more, before we showed the decorations or not.  Either way, you've got to expect people to try for more.  Don't mean you have to let them get away with it.  I think you surprised her a bit though.  Coming from a 'kid', sounding so sure of yourself, seemed to distract her a some.  Made some of the rest easier for me.  {hurriedly}Now don't scowl at that kid tag.  Being treated like a kid is a serious pain. Been there, done that, used the ragged Tee to clean a drone.  {big brother lecture}But sometimes it can be useful.  You can get underestimated.  With people thinking of you as a kid, sometimes you can 'be' a kid, and get away with things you wouldn't otherwise.  Sometimes you can learn stuff too.  Some people just don't notice kids, or don't figure they can hear and think.

{disgustedly}I could have got the price down some more, but let myself get rushed when 'Uncle' called.  Another example of incomplete information.  He did not tell us enough to make the right decisions to start, and it cost a bit.

A bit of advice there.  If there's time, ask an extra question of two.  Getting started in the right direction can save way more time than getting started sooner, but in the wrong direction.

We might have gotten an even better price if I knew ahead of time that you know some about dickering.  Then we could have worked together on getting a better deal.  Knowing what the people around can, and are likely to do, is important.  {curiously}Do you always run solo?  Don't you work with anyone that you trust to have your back, because you know they will do the best they can, and you know what they can do, and they know what you can do"?

[Fairy]

@E:PL UK
[May 21st, 2072, 16:07:22, Exeter Airport]
PAN=Active; SIN:Nina Okada

Infinite softness, huh? That's some pretty nice stuff there. Happily, Tsubaki curls up. Not literally, but enough said.

Anyway, Tsubaki feels that the woman's question—the woman calls herself Ether—is best left to be answered by the individual among them who appears to have the association with. It's not very professional, or even polite, to suggest that she has the right to ask Ether for anything at a time like this. Even if it's something as simple as, "Please take us to Clearwater," Tsubaki isn't Ether's friend, after all. Ether is Gemeaux's friend, and Ether is here because Gemeaux asked her to. Speaking of friends...

"So, tell me," Tsubaki smiles pleasantly, "How do you two know each other~?" Her silver eyes connect glances to and from the woman and the Frenchman. And while she's doing the looking, in the meanwhile, she will slip a sneak-peek into astral space in Ether's direction...

[RdMarquis]

@Emerging: Tribe / Fre∑dom
[September 1, 2072 09:15:22; Senlis Residence, Bellevue]
Virtual Location: Obscure Matrix Node
SIN: Morgan Senlis, PAN: Active

"Right here." A curtain of mist flowed into the node, obscuring part of the room from view. From it emerged a woman dressed as a witch. "Are you the ones Aria told me about? From the tribe?" Her face was concealed by the brim of her pointed hat, and she stood perfectly still, watching Glyph and Alpha.

[Notsoevildm]

@E:PL/Chi Town/Copperhead
[July 8th, 2072, 23:16:32; Blackwater, CZ, Chicago]

Copperhead breathes a sigh of relief when she sees the kids are alright. She snaps her razors back in as she crouches down next to them, her large frame at least partially concealed by the burned-out truck. Seeing the nervous look in their eyes, she tries her best to soothe them.

"It's gonna be okay. Da bugs is gone for da moment. We just need ta lose dese fraggers in da VTOL now."

She fumbles in her pockets for some energy bars and passes one to each of the kids.

"Here. Eat one a dese. Da sugar will help."

She unfastens her respirator, chews off half a bar herself and takes a drink from one of her canteens. She passes the canteen to the kids and gives them her best 'it's going to be okay' smile before fixing the mask back in place.

While the kids drink from the canteen, she switches her commlink settings from off to personal and then to short.

Hopefully Requiem and Stitch got clear. Maybe I can get a message to them.

As her electronics come back online, she hisses as she sees the AR glow still around the kids.

"Frag! You is still lighted up in my AR. Jon, can you see if I'm still flagged too? And is it my 'link or something else dat's broadcasting. We is gonna need ta lose whatever dey is using ta track us."

She switches her commlink's wireless off and on a couple of times, checking with Jon each time to see if she is still flagged as 'hostile'.

[Aria]

@E:PL UK / Tsubaki
[May 21st, 2072, 16:09:15, eTher's Phaeton, leaving Exeter Airport]

As you snuggle into the seats and let yourself calm to the point where you can shift your senses to the astral you have to physically restrain youself from jumping. Even so you get some funny looks from the others.

Sitting across from you, with little Luc in its lap, you can see the aura of a small dragon, a drake to be precise. It's a far cry from the pretty young woman your mundane senses can see. Thankfully they only see the astral in their natural form...right? The aura is beautiful, in the way that a tiger is beautiful but with the promise of violence. it almost eclipses the aura of the happy little boy.

An amused female voice fills your mind, one that wouldn't have sounded out of place on a pro troll wrestler...one with a decidedly feline purr to it. Bypassing any mental barriers you might have with ease

~It's rude to stare you know?~

[Nightfalke]

@Emerging: Tribe / Fre∑dom, Alpha Apex
September 1, 2072 09:15:22;
Physical Location: SE Corner of 39th Ave NW and 7th St SW;
Virtual Location: Obscure Matrix Node

As the mist flows into the node, the little worm tenses up, sweeping its head from side to side. The worm scoot scoots up to the witch as she enters, and stares intently at her, eyes blinking furiously.

Not sure who this Aria is...but the rest checks out.
"That's us. I'm Alpha Apex, and this is Glyph. So we hear that you want out of the corporate life, and into our little tribe? I believe that we can help you out in that regard."

Alright, let's hope this little girl has done her homework, and can get me a little info about what I have gotten myself into.
"We were told that this is a job that needs to get done quickly. Is that correct? If so, we need you to be ready to move tonight. Where are you located, and can you tell us a bit about the security there?"