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

[RdMarquis]

@E:PL UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:38; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]
SIN: Spencer Lovett, PAN: Hidden

The adept had expected a backdoor out of the pumping station. An unexplained watercraft was awfully convenient. Mordred made sure the others are off and running, then followed. Time was short. They had to take any way out available. When they were inside the sub, he checked on their charges. "Monsieur Collot. Are you and Luc alright?"

When he was satisfied that both were fine, Mordred grabbed his commlink. <<Argent, we have a situation, here. We're at Clearwater, but the people who were supposed to meet us are just plain gone. We are being pursued and attempting to make our escape.>>

[RdMarquis]

@E:Tribes
September 1, 2072 22:28 Approx 600m from the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup
SIN: Iwakura Lain, PAN: Passive

There were some things technology couldn't quite fully replicate. Morgan had seen Desert Wars footage and recordings of gunfights. They paled in comparison to the gore and chaos that had been created.

"No. Don't you dare panic." Morgan gripped her seat hard. She could come to terms with the violence around her later. "Accolon." There was no attempt at disguising the shakiness of her voice. "Look out for Sprogget. They may have something defending that node." Her black clad knight sped off. The technomancer alternated between the tacnet and smartgun display. Target number 1. Just like last time, but pull the trigger twice.

[Aria]

@E:PL UK / All
[May 21st, 2072, 19:06; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]

The mini-sub is cramped and claustrophobic and Luc’s whinging isn’t helping any of your nerves. Still, you are out of that eerie complex and currently bobbing along under the surface of the reservoir, hopefully undetected. The helpful mapping software onboard hasn’t suggested there are any sort of secret underground escape routes that all these Clearwater lot could have disappeared down and the map that Monsieur Collot mysteriously received certainly doesn’t show anything useful.

Mordred’s communication with Argent is crackly as the signal transfers through the thin layer of water above the sub, even assisted by the booster system in the uplink.

<<I see. Well at the moment there’s not much I can do to assist you directly. If you can get yourselves to Bristol I can arrange for you to get out on a ship. Bear with me, I will contact our employer and determine what they want you to do with the Collots>>

The pause is interminable but then eventually she comes back

<< I have spoken to our employer, although you are technically free of your contract you can’t very well leave the Collots now so I will arrange for transport out of the country. Assuming you are all willing to extend your contract beyond the immediate pursuit the client has authorised additional payment at the same previously agreed rate in addition to travel expenses. Although they have other locations nearer there are none that are as easy to get to than Chicago. I know that sounds a long way off and you will need to penetrate the CZ but it actually represents the least observed location...>>

The merits of going to Chicago aside that just leaves you with the small problem of how to reach Bristol…

[RdMarquis]

@E:PL UK
[May 21st, 2072, 19:06; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]
SIN: Spencer Lovett, PAN: Hidden

Startled, Mordred bangs his knee against the inside of the craft. "Damn!" He winces, glaring at the commlink. "I'm not going to ask you to repeat yourself." He taps the speaker controls. "But I think it's time Gemeaux and Tsubaki were part of this conversation." The adept rubs his leg. "First, the obvious questions. Are you absolutely sure that is the best option, and can you offer evidence to that fact?" His tone is more genuinely inquisitive than accusing. And there was no way he was leaving the Collots to fend for themselves. Mordred knew from bitter experience what abandonment felt like.

He turned to his comrades. "I can't ask you to come with me if I agree. This is...the next worst thing to hell on earth." The adept knew something of Chicago's history, both from his own research and the occasional files Morgan gave him. Ares had, of course, focused on its role in containing the menace, but there was no disguising what the city had become. Nor what had happened to its people.

"What's the quickest route to Bristol? And whatever we decide, we need supplies and time to recuperate. At least to get that far." There was one other matter he had been neglecting.

Time is short. I would it have been done on the date of your birth, but you were not ready. Now, you are at least adequately prepared.

Okay. When I have the chance, then.

[Notsoevildm]

@Virtual Scream / Cat
[September 2, 2072, 10:00, 524 7th Street Northeast]
PAN: Active, SIN: Moll Flanders (Fake SIN Rtg 4), System: 2, Signal: 2, Response: 2, Firewall: 2

Cat only has a few minutes to take in the details of the virtual reality space. The reality filter must be top notch to deliver this level of detail. Still she has to move her head slowly to stop the scene from glitching on her corrupted link.

DRKH0R5E sweeps into the room with a smile on his horse's head. He is wearing black riding boots with silver spurs, tan jodphurs and a tweed jacket with a black riding helmet perched on his head. He takes her hand and plants a chaste if slightly slobbery kiss on it before retreating to the desk and perching nonchalantly on it.

"I see you survived the scream mostly intact. But you should really do something about that liver in your lap, you know."

...

"Well, that's good to hear. I do hope your friend can do the deed. Now to the business at hand. I must say a job well done, despite the circumstances. And I hear that Reed Caspa's concert was quite the success to boot."

He holds up his hand and a purse appears. He drops it gently into her hand.

"The remainder of the amount, in full. Perhaps next time I will find something a little more challenging for you. This is, if you are up for it, my dear?"

[Fairy]

@E:PL UK
[May 21st, 2072, 19:06; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]
PAN=Active; SIN:Nina Okada

"Chicago? Why Chicago?" Tsubaki frowns, "Chicago isn't exactly a safe place for technomancers, or anyone else, at all..." The woman doesn't seem convinced.

[karhig]

@Virtual Scream / Cat
[September 2, 2072, 10:05, 524 7th Street Northeast]
PAN: Active, SIN: Moll Flanders (Fake SIN Rtg 4), System: 2, Signal: 2, Response: 2, Firewall: 2

After a brief exchange of pleasantries with DRKH0R5E, Cat apologises for the liver and mentions her plans to have a 'friend' fix up her commlink. Taking note that DRKH0R5E is aware of her actions and movements after she completed her actual job for her, she demurely places the bag of coin inside her handbag.

"Of course. As pleasant as it is to be paid to go visit clubs, I'd hope I can be more useful than just that. Keep in touch Mr DRKH0R5E, I hope we can continue to be mutually beneficial for each other."

Despite the elaborate get-up, Cat senses DRKH0R5E is the kind of man who appreciates efficiency and simplicity in his business life, and so doesn't linger. After a gentle hand shake she makes her own way to the front door and logs off immediately once outside.

OK, now to work out where to meet Dubstep.

After obsessively reviewing, and dismissing, about 10 different locations for the meet Cat rapidly realises she has no idea what the parameters are for a suitable place to meet a potentially criminal hacker. She's saved from any potential social faux-pas when Dubstep's message arrives.

<<@Dubstep: Sure, sounds great. 1pm? See you there!>>

Cat spends a little more time searching around the matrix to check out where Hai Fuk Noodle House actually is and discovers more than a couple of posts suggesting it doubles as a brothel at night, despite pretty good reviews of the lunch menu. Oh great, so either this is a test, or I gave a very low impression of myself last night!


@Virtual Scream / Cat, Dubstep, Dante
[September 3, 2072, 13:15, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: Active, SIN: Moll Flanders (Fake SIN Rtg 4), System: 2, Signal: 2, Response: 2, Firewall: 2

Cat arrives at Hai Fuk Noodle House fifteen minutes late because the taxi driver argued with her about not wanting to enter triad territory. In the end he agreed for only a 15% price increase, but she made a note not to use that 'Seattle wide' taxi firm again.

Wearing washed out jeans, a tank top, red leather jacket and matching boots, her steam punk 'work' bag and blond pixie hair she quickly surveys the inside of the noodle house. Seeing Dubstep sat with a stranger the thought of this being a set up briefly crosses her mind as she crosses the room, but she dismisses it as a foolish fantasy. Dubstep really didn't seem like the type.

"Afternoon, sorry I'm late. Taxi drivers!" The final exclamation is spoken with the certainty that anyone would understand her situation. Remembering her manners, she gestures to the seat next to the stranger. "May I join you?"

[Aria]

@E:Tribes
September 1, 2072 22:28 Ambushed near the Freedom Mall, Puyallup

Spring

Tweak lurches the van around you again and suddenly you are at the back of the group again…at least the reassuring bulk of Scrapheap and his shotgun is between you and the rust bucket bearing down on you all…oh crap! You watch as a hinged plate in the roof of the Americar swings out with a clang and the unforgettable profile of an AK hinges out on a pintel mount…you really do not want to be at the back any more!

LeFey

Accolon flies into the ether to protect Sprogget but you are more concerned with keeping your seat as the mono wheel turns over on its side to complete the steep turn back up the hill towards the marauding bikers. As you swing past your target your reticule signals a tentative lock and two darts going flying. The angle coupled with the trying to judge the mono’s speed make it an uncertain prospect compared with the point blank shot on your first target. In the rush you can’t honestly say if they connected but the target disappears from view, at least temporarily…

Scrapheap

After summarily dispatching the sorry punk by the car you turn your attention back along the street to the rust wagon with the roof gun…behind you you can hear Spring urging you to get on the back of his scooter…

Sprogget

Slamming the firewall with a burst of code you are surprised when it yields, it must have been deliberately puny, and you find yourself standing on a desert atoll with an azure sea lapping at your feet. There is a sudden rush of motion and a misshapen form erupts from the sand dune. It’s a moderately powerful agent program that immediately demands a password from you whilst simultaneously launching a spray of sand at you which whirls past you and swoops back along your back trail…well you did want them to be alerted to your location and a trace will do just as well…

Tweak

Ahead of you the three bikers ahead split, the two crotch rockets heading for the pavements whilst the Harley seems to want to go head to head with you…even a bike as big and ugly as that, with a big ugly orc on the back to boot, will get pancaked across your front and probably won’t even slow you down! Rammin’ time! You barely flinch, barely, when fire from the pillion rider on the left hand bike stitches its way across your windscreen but it is enough to distract you slightly and the Harley slips by on your left at the last second.

The tacnet red highlight over his image does little to erase the frothing manic grin from view as he goes past. At the last moment you see that his right hand is wreathed in some kind of aura…fragging magic, and lunging the van over you almost, almost evade the strike that impacts the front wing. Your world lurches as the spike of pain caused by the SIM overload flashes through your left side…

Spring

Turning away from Scrapheap at the sound of a massive impact ahead of you, you can see a menacing Harley fast bearing down on you. On its back a triumphant figure in a customised heavy armour jacket grins as he flexes a bare fist that just now put a significant dent into the side of an armoured van…

[phlapjack77]

@Virtual Scream / Dante, Dubstep, Cat
[September 2, 2072, 13:15, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1

"No. Do not join us. Go away before..."

Dante had begun speaking without looking up to see who he was addressing. He hasn't finished his dismissive response when he glances up and notices to whom he is speaking. His voice trails off, and his jaw stays open for a millisecond before snapping shut. His eyes are fixed on Cat, looking her up and down openly while he considers his next move.

"Please, have a seat. Dubstep, is this your friend?"

[Machine Ghost]

@E:Tribes, Sprogget
September 1, 2072 22:28; Ambushed near the Freedom Mall, Puyallup
Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(3), Command(1), Edit(1), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Spoof(1), Stealth(3), Shield(1), Tacsoft(2), Simrig(1)
CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Hidden; SIN: Paul Brickhill (R3)

The firewall falling over so easily is a surprise given what Sprogget knows of the capabilities of Fre∑dom.
@self:Way too easy.  Either they want to down play their capabilities this far out, or it's a ploy to lure trespassers to where they can be dealt with more effectively.

Seeing the elevated threat level from the mobile junker, as it deploys the AK, then the same for the magic wielder on the Harley, Sprogget is barely aware of LeFey firing at the original shooter.
@self:Drek!.  Roof gun behind and mage ahead!  Plus 2 more bikes.  Well nothing I can do about any of that immediately.  It looks like I should get there before the Harley gets to Spring.  Need to leave room when going past him and Scrapheap.  Don't know if Spring can deal with Mr Iron Fist there, but better try to leave him LOS to try.  For right now let's see if we can speed up getting some outside attention!

That trace will report where I am, but not who or why.  Lets' see about speeding things up.  I'm logged in, so no need to hold on to this Exploit CF.  There should be a connection from here to security at the mall, if for nothing more than sending that trace report.  All right Mr. agent, what channel do you use to report those trace results?
Sprogget focuses on the agent icon, trying to discern how and where the trace result will be sent.  The link jumps into focus.
@self:Ah!  There it is.
@trace report target: <<Freedom and Mechanicals members under attack by Spined Drakes gangers 28th and S. Meridian -- Sprogget>>

@self:Let's see if that lights a fire where it will do some good.  Now to see if I can do anything about Iron Fist.

[Notsoevildm]

@E:PL/Chi Town/Copperhead
[July 9th, 2072, 00:26; Cortland St, overlooking the river, CZ, Chicago]

"Protect da kids." hisses Copperhead while fumbling in her pockets. She pulls out a stimpatch and presses it against her neck.

Fatigue slips from her and she feels her head clear as she moves away from her team-mates towards the ghoul leader. Her shamanic mask flares into life as she moves, the chorus to ToxicTrog's 'Poison' dripping softly from her forked tongue.

Best if I'm not near them in case something else responds to my summoning.

As she pounds across the broken concrete, a vicious little serpent slips out from the remains of a burned out car, easily keeping pace with her.

Find their leader. Keep him bussy until I get there.

The little serpent hisses assent and slithers off at astral speeds. Trailing after it, Copperhead slips her staff out of its pocket and spins it in her hands to extend it to its full two-meter length.

"You shoulda left well alone, Snag. I'm coming fer ya and dis time I is gonna finish you."

[Aria]

@E:PL UK / All
[May 21st, 2072, 18:38; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]

Argent doesn’t look overly concerned about your caution, you have a feeling it was expected

"I understand your reticence. Chicago has a bad reputation as being a lawless hellhole and I won’t try and convince you that isn’t true. But is the kind of lawlessness that provides a good hiding place for those that don’t want to be easily located. My understanding is the Stillwater group has a number of enclaves, communes, call them what you will, scattered around. You are in the European one, there’s one here in Seattle, Chicago, and then one in the South Americas and another in the Middle East. These last two are both in the middle of active war zones and I believe that tips the balance in favour of some underfed gangers and the remote possibility of contact with the bugs, don’t you agree? They probably have another in the East but they didn’t mention that as a possibility.

Chicago has umpteen possible smuggler routes leading to it, and whilst most of them have been abandoned they also are probably the only legitimate way to get goods to the CZ and as such the authorities turn a much blinder eye to them than you might expect. I can get you on a cargo ship from Bristol to the UCAS and arrange for a pick-up there to get you to the shore of Lake Michigan.

I’m not able to help you with a route to Bristol unfortunately but if you’ve stirred up a hornet’s nest down there I suggest you make it to a population centre as fast as you can. But you know your business better than I, that is why you are there and I am sitting in my comfortable office, non?

If you agree to this I will ensure you are well recompensed. If not I will need to arrange for some other runners to pick up your package but that will take some time to organise"

[Notsoevildm]

@Virtual Scream/Cipher
[September 2, 2072, 08:00; Ares Seattle General Hospital]

As Cipher mentally reaches out for his medical records, his senses are assaulted with sounds, smells and images. He sees corporate drones walking purposefully down corridors or gathered in meetings. He hears snatches of conversation about earnings, losses, profit margins. He is an airconditioning unit, a rail-mounted security drone, a body floating in a tank. The last experience reminds him of the giant figure that filled his mind with data, a broken body that may once have been a man.

His breakfast threatens revolt as he pushes the sounds, smells and images away. With some difficulty, he focuses his mind on the data stored in the band around his wrist.

<<Name: John Doe. DoB: 00-00-00. Condition: Heightenened cerebral activity consistent with technomantic ability. Subject shows signs of recent neural oveload consistent with unregulated simsense use or exposure to black IC. Treatment: methylphenidate atomoxetine and broad screen antiviral/antibiotic. TRANSREQ : HIVEMIND // AUTHCODE : X24557>>

[Notsoevildm]

@Virtual Scream / Gossamer
[September 1, 2072, 12:22, Argent's ‘link node]
PAN: N/A, SIN: None, Response *, Signal *, System (5), Firewall (4), (Analyze, Scan, Decrypt, Exploit [5, inherent], Stealth [6, inherent], Armour, Browse, Encrypt, Medic [6, ergo, optzd])

Slater's smile is grim.

<<@Gossamer[Slater]: Sorry, darling, but it's still in there. And a pretty gruesome icon of a human torso at that. Can see why you don't want to go back. Good news is that like the house node, it seems to be dormant but...>>

He hesitates as if looking for the right words.

<<@Gossamer[Slater]: Let me put it in context. Argent's house node is pretty sophisticated for what it does, but it's still a basic computer system. The control system in that sexy little chassis of yours is way more complex and well, the virus seems to be taking up way more of your system resources. Sizewise you are looking at a factor of two or three in raw gigapulses. Most of that seems to be data but it's bady fragmented and some is encrypted. I've tried deleting all of it and just parts of it but it seems well, unwilling to leave. Look, you're welcome to some space in my link, if you'd rather not be in Argent's but until we can find out how to get rid of it, you're stuck.>>

He shifts his attention to Argent.

"Is is safe to surf the matrix from here so I can go looking for a solution?"

He leans in conspiratorially and lowers his voice to a whisper.

"The Crush's matrix access is a bit shit, so I'd be able to work faster from here. I'd also like to take another look at the virus. Work out what the hell it is and what it's doing."

"I heard that knife-ears" grunts Cutter.

"Well, it's the truth. We're lucky to have power more'n five days a week, never mind matrix access."

"Boys, no squabbling on my yen. Use the den. I'll keep the kids out of your hair. You keep the corps out of my node. Deal?"

The elf grins and gives a mock salute.

"Yes, ma'am."

<<@Gossamer[Slater]: You coming along for the ride? Or do you want to stay here and take a closer look at the virus?>>

[Notsoevildm]

@Virtual Scream, Alex Bianchi
September 2, 2072, 12:43; Not quite the Barrens
Renraku Sensei: Passive | SIN: Jimmy Delfino (Fake ID, Rating 3) (Re 2 - Sig 4 - Fi 2 - Sys 2)

Alex peers around the corner of the boarded up apartment block and spots the beat up car sitting in front of the main entrance. The building is a C-shape and he is on the right hand end of the C, looking into the central parking area. There are no other cars in the lot and no other immediate signs of life beyond a big devil rat sniffing around a pile of rubbish in one corner.

Alex scans back and forth along the apartments one floor at a time. As he reaches the third floor, his vision enhancments flag up a change in light levels from the second apartment on the left. He focuses his attention on the boarded over window and yes, there is definitely a light on inside and the moving shadows indicate that someone or someones are moving about inside.

<<Third floor, second on the left.>> confirms Harvey in his ear. <<I got two, no three, active commlinks there. I can't hack them but can let you know if they move. You be careful.>>

[Dakka Fiend]

@E:Tribes
Spring
September 1, 2072 22:28 Ambushed near the Freedom Mall, Puyallup
Renraku Sensei: Hidden, SIN: Steven Brokvich (fake R3)

What the? S'not f...

Stupid kid! Ever hear anything bout fair?!

Fragging snot!

One long second he can do nothing but look at the huge gun pointed in his direction. Without taking his eyes off it, he asks Scrapheap with a shaky voice. Wanna hop on? I really don't feel like hanging round...

Tweak
[Inside the Van]
Novatech Airwave: Hidden, SIN: James Teems (fake R3)

Heh, Im gonna wipe that smug grin right off your stupid face. Dafuq?

A wild hail of bullets from one ganger sends sparks right over several of the vans sensors, momentarily confusing the young boy. Just as the van was about to impact the Harley, it swerves - and misses. Almost simultaniously the sinside of the van rings like a bell being struck by its clapper.

OUCH!

The same systems that translate toughts into control signals also take the damage the van takes and translate it into pain. As damage reports - non-critical for now - pop up in Tweak's view, he focuses on the ganger who has just hit him, hit HIM!

Fucker used his bare hand, his glowing ha...

<<@jailbreakers: Harley's a mage!>>

Spring
Pelling his eyes off one set of trouble, Spring turns just in time to see another one heading his way.
Uh-oh.

[JxJxA]

@E:PL UK / All
[May 21st, 2072, 18:38; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]
PAN - Active ; SIN - Maximilien Danton

Gemeaux sits next to his now filthy and scuffed suitcase. He absentmindedly plays with a silver lighter, his skin itching as the tiny claws of invisible nicotine demons scratch at him. He pulls off his respirator and chameleon mask. Sweaty locks of a once well-groomed coiffure tumble down onto his face. He rubs his forehead with his free hand while he mulls the possibilities.

"If it gets me out of this God-forsaken country," Gemeaux says with a grin, "then I am in. After all, I am a professional operative. I do not leave jobs unfinished.

"No offense, Mordred," he adds somewhat apologetically, "but England is definitely not my style."

[RdMarquis]

@E:PL UK
[May 21st, 2072, 19:06; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]
SIN: Spencer Lovett, PAN: Hidden

"None taken." The adept begins changing his clothes. Over the body armor, he puts on a new hooded jacket and jeans. "I had no intention of returning after this." Some people got sentimental about their birthplaces. Go figure. There hadn't been much worth remembering in the UK, and that was doubly true now. Home was back in the UCAS. It had been since he was five years old. In any case, his namesake had actually made war on England during that bygone age. "Then it's settled. We accept your new terms. But how are we to find the commune in Chicago?"

[Slacker]

@Virtual Scream: Dubstep/Cat/Dante
[September 3, 2072, 13:15:23, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: Hidden, SIN: Jo Datsik (Fake SIN Rtg4), Response 6, Signal 5, System 6, Firewall 6, (Analyze 6, Armor 3-Ergonomic, Attack 4-Ergo, Biofeedback Filter 6, Browse 6-Ergo, Command 6-Ergo, Disarm 3, ECCM 3-Ergo, Edit 6-Ergo, Exploit 6, Scan 6, Spoof 3-Ergo, Stealth 6)

Secondary PAN: Active, SIN: Jo Datsik(Fake SIN Rtg4), Response 3, Signal 4, System 4, Firewall 4, (Agent 3, Analyze 4, Browse 4, Edit 4, Tacsoft 2)


Dubstep's mind had already shifted towards how best to handle the new business arrangement with Dante. He began rattling off the various pieces of the 'Scream he'd gotten (lake of blood, human ear, lung, finger and several meters of small intestine) when the two of them were interrupted by Cat's appearance.

"Well speak of the devil. Yeah, this is she. Cat let me introduce you do Dante my new...partner." He says the last word with a little hesitation making it sound almost a question. But he bulls on through introductions. "Seems like this 'Scream thing is pretty wide spread. My friend here thinks there may be some profit in it for us. What do you think?"

[ChromeZephyr]

@Virtual Scream, Alex Bianchi
September 2, 2072, 12:43; Not quite the Barrens
Renraku Sensei: Hidden | SIN: Jimmy Delfino (Fake ID, Rating 3) (Re 2 - Sig 4 - Fi 2 - Sys 2)

"I see 'em." Alex took the commlink out of his pocket and switched it's mode to Hidden, making sure to keep Harvey's connection subscribed. "Going silent."

This has got to be one of the dumbest things you've done yet, Bianchi.

He looked down at the assault drone just behind him. "Keep close to me," he muttered quietly. "Trying to go in quiet, so activate your...stealth...protocols..or whatever you have. Shoot only if fired upon. Gel rounds only, unless I specify otherwise." Hope it got all that...

The P.I. slipped the Manhunter out of it's holster, keeping his finger off the trigger to avoid activating the laser sight, then crept towards the doorway while keeping an eye out for any movement from the boarded up window.

[karhig]

@Virtual Scream / Cat, Dubstep, Dante
[September 2, 2072, 13:16, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: Active, SIN: Moll Flanders (Fake SIN Rtg 4), System: 2, Signal: 2, Response: 2, Firewall: 2

Quick social arithmetic darts across Cat's mind. Hesitance around his use of the word 'partner'. Obvious unfamiliarity between both Dubstep and Dante. A slight undertone of something bordering suspicion or hostility. Dubstep never mentioned a partner before. Definitely a very new collaboration. Let's play this professionally.

With a slight dip of her head Cat extends a hand for Dante to shake, "Pleased to meet you, any friend of Dubsteps, as they say." Lifting the chair so as not to scrap the feet along the floor Cat folds herself gracefully into the seat next to Dubstep's new partner before addressing them both, careful to spread her attention between the two.

"I'm sure you'd both know more about this virus than I would. As you know, my specialities lie far away from the digital. Perhaps your friend will stay with us for lunch and we can discuss how he thinks we can profit from the scream? I think I promised to buy Dubstep lunch if he got the damn thing of my 'link. Dante, I'll happily extend you the same hospitality if Dubstep thinks this plan of yours can earn me the Yen back."

While keeping up polite small talk, Cat quickly scans the menu. Catching the eye of the waitress she smoothly calls her over to order lunch.

[Slacker]

@Virtual Scream: Dubstep/Cat/Dante
[September 3, 2072, 13:16:47, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: Hidden, SIN: Jo Datsik (Fake SIN Rtg4), Response 6, Signal 5, System 6, Firewall 6, (Analyze 6, Armor 3-Ergonomic, Attack 4-Ergo, Biofeedback Filter 6, Browse 6-Ergo, Command 6-Ergo, Disarm 3, ECCM 3-Ergo, Edit 6-Ergo, Exploit 6, Scan 6, Spoof 3-Ergo, Stealth 6)

Secondary PAN: Active, SIN: Jo Datsik(Fake SIN Rtg4), Response 3, Signal 4, System 4, Firewall 4, (Agent 3, Analyze 4, Browse 4, Edit 4, Tacsoft 2)

"Yeah. That's what we were meeting about. Dante here has a piece on the scream on his 'link that I need to get rid of too. Why don't you both give me your commlinks so I can take care of that bit of business first. Then we can all start on a nice level playing field,." Dubstep says with a smile.

He mentally sends Cat a message via his commlink. <<Sorry about springing this on you. He approached me while I was waiting and I have to admit that having some muscle would be useful in figuring this out.>>

"While I'm working. Why don't you go ahead and order some food up and we can talk about all this once i'm done. It should only take a few minutes."

[ChromeZephyr]

@E:Tribes, Scrapheap;
September 1, 2072 22:28 Approx 600m from the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup
PAN mode: Hidden | SIN displayed: Eric Jones

The rage boiling in Scrapheap's gut flickered for a heartbeat at the confused, almost sad look on the street kid's face before he collapsed against the car and slid to the debris-strewn street. Then the rattle of another barely-running car pulled his attention up from the corpse back the direction they had come from. He scowled, rolling his shoulders as the hinged door popped up and the AK came out. He waved a hand irritably at the scooter behind him.

"They'd jus' run us down, I weigh 'smuch as that bike does. Get movin', I'll give 'em somefin' to worry 'bout." He racked the slide on the shotgun again, ejecting the spent shell into the street.

Might be seein' ya sooner'n I thought, Momma. He brought the shotgun up to his shoulder and aimed down it's length, letting the fires of his anger burn away the fledgling tremors of fear in his hands. "C'mon, shitstains, let's see'f ya can bring me down. Ain't no one done it yet."

[phlapjack77]

@Virtual Scream / Dante, Dubstep, Cat
[September 2, 2072, 13:17, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1

These two foreigners would need some looking after. Dante considers for a moment before he hands over his commlink. After all, what other choice did he really have? Meanwhile he could send a message to his fixer, ask about these two.

<< @JiuJiu [Dante] : I need some background information on two runners, Dubstep and Cat. Anything you have, but most importantly what their rep is in the shadows.>>

"Yes. My hope is that if we can collect many of these pieces of body that are on commlinks, we can sell them. So the work will be to collect these pieces and find out who would be willing to buy them. As for buyers, finding one could be started by finding out where these pieces came from in the first place. Or something like this."

Dante pauses a moment as the waitress returns with the food. He orders a few more beers in Chinese - why not, the beautiful woman was paying after all.

"Just gathering the pieces itself could be very good for money. We charge a fee for this removal service."

[RdMarquis]

@E:Tribes
September 1, 2072 22:28 Approx 600m from the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup
SIN: Iwakura Lain, PAN: Passive

<<Sprogget, you okay? What are you->> LeFey fails to suppress a yelp as she grabs the frame of the monocycle. She leaves the question unfinished. There was a much bigger problem. Her conversations with the tribe members made it clear they had little defense against magic. Even a single mage could be a huge threat, all on his own.

<<You've all heard the old saying, right? We might need to make that guy a priority target.>>

Doubtless they have, my pet. Shadowrunners entered the public eye (and media) approximately two decades ago. The interest in their subculture has shown no signs of waning since.

<<Not the time or the place!>> She whirled around. No time to contemplate this shot. They were moving too fast. Morgan fired the moment the reticule flashed red. Then it informed her the magazine was empty. Hurriedly, she ejected it and fumbled for a new one.