Deep Vengeance..., ...is the Daughter of Deep Silence Options

[JxJxA]

Clearing his throat somewhat anxiously, Zerone decides to venture forth a question to Widget concerning the work.

"Um, I'm sure you are aware of the...the...hmm..." Zerone's face takes on a quizzical expression as he searches for the right word, thoroughly confused with having to juggle three languages at once. He snaps his fingers reflexively when he comes up with the right word.

"Bloodshed! Uh, I mean, the bloodshed involved in the videos we all received. I wanted to know how we are supposed to help stop the...uh...bloodshed."

[Notsoevildm]

Eklipse raises an eyebrow at Zerone's question and bares his white teeth with a menacing sneer.

"If the yakuza are the reason I...we are here, then there is going to be a lot more bloodshed before we are finished."

[JxJxA]

I wish it wasn't so hard to juggle all of these different languages, Zerone thinks to himself while Eklipse is talking. He hears a gentle chuckle in the back of his mind just before Follower responds to him.

Rejoice, my friend, if juggling languages is the greatest challenge you face this day. I suspect from the characters in this fellowship that the road ahead leads to hardships. Take heart, though, and stay true to His teachings, and you shall persevere.

After hearing Follower's words and Eklipse's reply, Zerone answers the latter's comment.

"I would hope that we first seek a peaceful resolution. Open minds can lead to changes of heart."

Not to mention that planning a war within a place of peace just seems wrong, he adds mentally.

[Buddha72]

All
Widget cranes a neck to the entry room her face openly quizzical as the other runners fail to enter and introduce themselves. Her expression remains clouded by confusion as she turns to address Zerone. As she speaks the fluid tones of the Elven language fills the room - her voice rich and powerful as she speaks, clearly her training in the tongue formal and complete.

"Do not let your heart be troubled brother, I greet you and promise safe passage from this place and no burdens shall I place upon your heart when we part ways."

Shaking her head at the apparent reluctance of the other runners to enter and be known, she looks to a group of small drones and they begin to move as one mass and begin to slide the paper door closed.

"Offer expired folks - better luck next time. Collect your things and please leave."

She waits for the door to close completely before looking to the gathered runners. Her eyes empty for a moment - sure sign of her interacting with AR objects. Her voice is back to English sprinkled with the tones and accents of the streets, she speaks with a slightly distracted air.

"Ok well I am only semi-fucked at this point but I guess most of my rent is better than none." With a long suffering sigh she snaps back into herself. "You should have all received a message explaining the intent of your future employer. This person is looking to kick the local Yaks squarely in the nuts. The recording you saw was their idea of heavy petting."

She slowly but smoothly reaches into a pouch on her utility style belt and withdraws a certified credstick for each person present and sets in the center of the table.

"That's the promised 5,000 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) for showing up and listening to be me babble like a highly trained parrot." A look of need passes over her face at the sight of the collected wealth. "Your future employer has access to information about several sensitive operations the Yaks have going on in the area and they wish you to fuck them all up. I am your link to this Mr. or Mrs. Jay Jay. I can pass information back and forth as needed and before anyone asks I am being paid to keep this person a tidy collection of matrix nodes and nothing more so I am as clueless as you on who they might be."

She takes a sip of tea and seems to struggle to find a comfortable way to sit at the low table.

"As for how violent this all will get...........some of that is yours to control though I can tell you when you kick someone's teeth in they tend to kick back so unless you're all the prime runners no one's heard of - eventually the Yaks are going to try to separate you from your internal organs or see how long it takes to bleed out from 30 or 40 bullet holes but then the money is suppose to make that all shiny." Her face takes on a lopsided grin at the talk of being paid to be roughed up. "This Jay Jay is willing to pay you 5k per successful job to start - and they define successful as whatever Yak establishment that is the target being non-operational as in no more nuyen for them. They are willing to hear requests for additional funds to address operational issues that come up - whatever the hell that's suppose to mean."

She takes another sip of tea.

"Any other questions?"

[WearzManySkins]

Kat listens to what Crippler says studies his body as Crippler speaks.

Turns to face Zerone as he introduces himself, pans up and down looking him over.

Turns slightly as Eklipse speaks of bloodshed, Kat gives a brief smile.

As Zerone speaks of a peaceful resolution, a bemused expression comes across Kats face, his left ear twitches slightly.

Turns his full attention to Widget's words, looks down briefly at the cred stick placed in front of him, then follows her movements as she places the cred sticks to each member.

Turning to look directly at Zerone, "I guess each of us has our experiences with bloodshed, no offense, but yesterday I dealt with more bloodshed than was in ten such images. I was performing surgeries and emergency care on 30+ recipients of an attack by Almos 20,000 sponsored hate group. I was a front line elite combat medical specialist in several mercenary companies, in many combat operations and locales. To me what the Yakusa in those images is a light days work. Every job I hope that my skills are not needed, but it seems my hopes are always to no avail. So I never expect a peaceful resolution. I just plan for Murphy and all his kin to be on hand."

At Eklipse with a whiskered smile, "Good then I can use my skills, maybe I will be challenged, in mopping up after the bloodshed."

Facing Widget, left ear twitching, "In my years of cleaning up after tactical and strategic operations, nothing works better than large amounts of excessive force when dealing with those that think they are Billy Bad Asses. As for separating body organs or only 40 bullet holes, I fix that in my sleep with a hang over. 5k is lower than expected, but does that mean body parts are up for grabs?" Right ear twitches, and whiskered smile appears on his face.

"Now that I may have shocked a few here, remember I will normally not be doing the killing here, just taking care of business on my part to make up for underfunding."

"As for what I might need depends on what my fellow teammates resolve into a plan of action."

Kat picks up the cred stick and places it in his shirt pocket.

[JxJxA]

Zerone's face immediately lights up when he hears Widget answer him in his mother tongue---or, at the very least, the only language his creators programmed into the in vitro development tube. He visibly relaxes at the sound, and nods thankfully to Widget.

When Kat addresses his advocacy for peace, he pays attention for a moment before his eyes look past the entire group and a blank expression settles over his face.

Worry not about his words, my friend, as they are more to reassure himself and raise himself above the others. I have offered to guide you along His way, and so long as you keep Him in your heart you need not fear succumbing to the sinister ambitions of your creators.

Thank you, Follower.

Of course, my friend, Follower warmly replies.

Zerone returns his focus towards the group in time to catch Widget's expression as she passes the credit sticks. Without hesitating, he hands his credit stick to her at an inconspicuous moment.

"Please, my sister, take this," he says softly in Sperethiel, "I know what it is like to struggle to make ends meet. I have enough to pay my rent this month, and I hope that this helps you meet yours."

[Notsoevildm]

Eklipse picks up one of the credsticks and slips it in his pocket. He looks Widget square in the eyes.

"I received an item along with the request to attend this meeting. I would know the fate of the item's previous owner. If the yakuza were..." he swallows seemingly struggling for words, then continues with a feral look on his face, "...involved, then I will take your money and will execute your tasks with extreme prejudice."

He glances menacingly around the room for emphasis, a feral grin pulling at his lips as his eyes meet those of Doctor Kat.

[UmaroVI]

Fat Man picked up one of the remaining credsticks.

"I, for one, can accept payment for shedding Yakuza blood in good conscience."

He paused for a moment and turned towards Kat.

"I agree with you about the use of force. It seems to be all that people like these Yakuzas understand. However, I would prefer not to be involved in organ trafficking, if you do not mind."

[Fenris]

With an expression that is fairly inscrutable thanks to the mask, Ayo scoops up the proffered credstick and slips it into an interior pocket.

To, Kat, he gives the barest nod.

"I don't care what you do with them as long as we're splitting the profits."

He eyes Widget for a moment, actually blinking in surprise as Zerone hands the credstick back to their contact.

"Enough for me, I think, although I may come back for more if there's a target that's particularly...challenging. What're the list of locations?" The gravelly voice sounds slightly amused, and a bit eager for anyone with exceptional perception.

[Saytr]

Crippler standing in the room just listened, He knew his place and only moved from his standing spot to walk towards the Table and collect the Cred stick. "I am paid to hurt people and to my admiration I do it very well. No one ca ID me if they can't use thier eyes ever again." Crippler took one of the many open seats after pocketing the cred stick. "I am here to earn my money." His rough form and voice matched his very rough exterior. Crippler was Build like a shit brick house, The form fitting body armor under his vest showing every muscle bulging fighting to break out of the clothing. After Widget's intitial breif and continued to explain the situation he just leaned back in the seat which protested to hold him in it and listened to every word everyone had to say.

[Fyndhal]

Twist listens to Widget's spiel, then listens as the others discuss it. After a few moments, she leans forward and takes the credstick. Leaning back, she addresses the elven woman again.

"I have to be honest. The work is welcome, and the choice of targets is perfect. I owe those bastards and aim to make the pay. It sounds like Mr. Jay has pretty much the same idea, so we can work together, with one caveat -- No more invasions of my personal space. That's off limits and a fast way to my shit list. Please include that in your report." As she says this, all of Twists normal relaxed and at ease manner is gone, and she looks serious, almost furious. Only for an instant, though, then she slides back into her act.

When Kat mentions "selling parts", she blanches a bit, but says nothing.

[Buddha72]

Zerone
You watch as open shock passes over Widget' face that quickly disappears behind a pleasant half smile as she takes the cred stick and tucks it away. Pitching her voice softly to you as she replies.

"My thanks and please consider this a payment for a future favor."

Your commlink alerts you in an incoming message and the header simply says Widget. As you access the icon a message scrolls out.

This is my info to reach me - I am a decent rigger and drone operator though my strength lies in matrix based endeavors.

Eklipse
Widget shifts uncomfortably at the shift in your tone as her eyes stop seeing the room around her.

"I have a note about that and it reads as follows: The path I set out before you will lead to the answers you seek."

She once again snaps back to herself and looks at you.

"Sorry for the cryptic shit but if it helps the person who arranged this job for me has a solid rep who dealing with Jay Jays who keep their end of the biz clean."

Twist
"Will do - again sorry if I stepped on anyone else's toes but I was paid a little extra to make it more dramatic and I need the nuyen."

Widget's face flares up pink as she speaks and but she keeps her voice steady and her gaze even.

All
A small moment of silence passes as Widget finishes the last of the tea in her cup then resuming speaking.

"Ok so it seems like everyone is on board with the job though there are some questions on how you all play together but frankly that is none of my business. Here's the info to contact me." A small alert pops you asking if you want to accept an incoming message to your commlink. "I am available 24/7 for each job you start until you complete it. If you're not on a job then no guarantees I'll pick up so we're crystal on that. I am being paid a little extra to verify the completion of each job so make sure you give me enough run time to do so so we all get the extra clink. I am going to assume all of you can access AR if not then read over someone's shoulder or hit me up for a hard copy after but personally get the fuck out of your cave and plug in." Her voice is light but scornful at the last part.

An image begin to form in the AR just above the table - it appears to be a shipyard of storage containers with one in particular is lit up and highlighted.

"The first "fuck you slanty eye bastards" target is a mobile production lab for high end street drugs. This container is moved each day to a different area of the shipyard and occasionally is actually shipped out to resupply or do special requests. This operation is not officially tracked by the Yaks and was someone's personal little nuyen farm. I suspect like I hope all of you do that it belonged to the late Mr. Yamamoto. The Jay Jay does not care what you do with the contents of the lab, the people that work there or the equipment other than make sure it no longer makes money."

The image pulls back slightly and highlights the two containers under it.

"The following two containers is the living quarters for the "staff" which means grandma chained to the bunsen burner. The other is the muscle for protecting the lab. There is believed to be a group of 6 to 10 people assigned to guarding it, 1 of which is going to be Awakened. Our boss will pay an extra 1k per right hand of the people watching over this place which is delightful in it's own special gruesome way but hey nuyen spends the same no matter how you get it. A small note left hands are worth nothing so everyone pay attention when harvesting this crop."

She moves her hand and slides the image to the side and begins listing out pay outs.

"In addition they are occasionally "volunteers" for new blends and varieties of drugs on site usually no more than 1 or 2. Jay Jay will pay 10k per if they are removed unharmed and alive. Any questions?"

[Notsoevildm]

Eklipse
Widget shifts uncomfortably at the shift in your tone as her eyes stop seeing the room around her.

"I have a note about that and it reads as follows: The path I set out before you will lead to the answers you seek."

She once again snaps back to herself and looks at you.

"Sorry for the cryptic shit but if it helps the person who arranged this job for me has a solid rep who dealing with Jay Jays who keep their end of the biz clean."

Eklipse can feel his teeth clenching at the cryptic reply. He lips twist in a visceral sneer but he keeps quiet as she continues with her spiel.

When she finishes, he speaks up, "Vun question: only ze guards are to be killed? Ze 'grandmas' as you call them are to be set free, yes?"

He waits for her response and for any other questions about the run from the others, then adds in a voice used to getting it's way, "I have two additional requirements. Ze costs, zey may be taken from my share of ze payment. I need a fake ID and a place to stay. Ze first does not need to be extensive en ze latter does not have to be fancy, although a space big enough to exercise in would be preferred."

[JxJxA]

Upon hearing Widget's words and reading her reply, Zerone smiles shyly and nods thankfully to her.

He listens to her message, shifting uneasily when hearing that their employers would pay extra for harvesting hands. He starts to wonder if he has the stomach for this form of work. Once he hears that their employers are also interested in rescuing people from harm, he visibly perks up at the thought, and is instantly thankful that the employers had the foresight to add incentive to saving innocent bystanders caught in the middle of the Yakuza's operation.

"This may prove to be a most worthwhile opportunity to practice your abilities."

"Really?"

"Yes, so long as you have faith in His words and your strength of spirit. Remember, my friend, you are judged by your actions. I can sense your apprehension concerning the blatant bloodthirstiness of these companions. Instead of worrying about the potential for violence, think of this as a chance to curtail the others' excessive use of it."

"Um, is there a place that the...uh...Johnson wants us to take rescued volunteers?"

[UmaroVI]

Fat Man closely studied the image, focusing on creating a clear mental image of the container. While thinking, he pulled a pack of spicy soysticks and started going through them absentmindedly while Zerone and Eklipse spoke and were answered.

"Do you know what time of day they move the container?"

After Widget answered, Fat Man decided to put forward an initial suggestion.

"If I might humbly suggest the beginnings of an approach, since we know the appearance and approximate location of the container, either myself or Zerone should be able to summon a spirit capable of magically tracking it down. We could go to the shipyard at night, beseech a spirit to divine the laboratory's current location, prepare ourselves while the spirit searches, and then ambush the guards. Also, we should probably take at least one guard alive, even if we aren't being paid for it, in case they have any useful intelligence."

[Fyndhal]

Twist stares at Widget for a moment after hearing her "apology," then shrugs and visibly relaxes. She listens to the exchanges between the others, and the set up for the job and then appears to be lost in thought.

After Fat Man's words, she nods to him and says, "I like that approach, but I think we need to start planning further back. We know there are at least three standard cargo containers involved in the operation. We know that one is the lab and the two are 'living' areas for guards or 'volunteers.' We know that the Lab container is moved daily, either within the yard or placed on a Train, Ship or Bus to be taken elsewhere for purposes unknown, but assumed to be special projects and/or resupply. Question: do the other two containers ever move, outside of logistic moves necessary for the yards business, if that? That leads us to our first bit of research: Figure out how to predict and/or intercept container movement. I think it'd be great for the guards to get alerted that something bad was happening in their lab, and have them rush off to where it is supposed to be only to find out it's not there. That's one for you hackers.

"That is what we know. What we can infer is trickier. There are a number of guards, some of whom 'live' in the containers. Since the number quoted is '6 to 10' that means that some days are more heavily guarded than others. Question: Do we prefer to hit them on a highly guarded or lightly guarded day? Heavily guarded means more risk, but greater damage to them, light guards means an easier job and less impact on their personnel. Answering that leads us to our next bit of research: find out how to predict the size of the guard, and preferably discover if there is an off-site meeting place for them. That's probably a surveillance job. At least one of these guards is Awakened. What type, we don't know yet. There's some more surveillance, this time for the Magic types.

"There are a number of staff who cook the drugs and are assumed to be there involuntarily. I'm sure you all know the drill, but we should assume at least some of the 'staff' may not be entirely involuntary and be prepared to deal with them as potential hostiles. That means making sure your back is never unguarded around them. The same is true for any 'volunteers' we may find there. They are more likely to be drugged out, amped up or hallucinating than actively hostile, but that doesn't make them any less potentially dangerous. Crippler and I will most likely be handling personnel issues, so just keep everything tight and keep your cool and all should be well. One thing I personally want are copies any records of previous volunteers. Discovering where and how they are getting these people as well as what they do after they are done with them are both things that could lead to future operations.

"As far as the extracurricular activities go, Mr. Jay has called dibs on Right Hands, for whatever macbre reasons of his own. We, however, have a choice. I assume we all want to keep this whole thing as quiet as possible outside Yak circles. How do we want the Yak themselves to see it, though? If the entire operation just goes away, that has one sort of impact. If the operation is hit, the Cops show up and a room full of dismembered guards and thankful rescuees end up on the evening blitz, that has another sort of impact. A third option is to close the operation, then mail the heads of the guards to a Yak HQ. How we proceed should be determined by what sort of campaign we are undertaking. Thoughts?"

As she stops, and looks around the room, a look of slight embarrassment seems to come over her. "Ah...sorry. OCS is showing."

[UmaroVI]

Fat Man listens attentively while Twist speaks.

"I can't suggest anything on the hacking end. I would note that, if we happen to know more about any of the guards, it would be possible to track them down instead. We could decide to capture one of them, interrogate them for information, and then hit the container. I'm not sure its worth the risk of someone noticing they're missing early and getting spooked, though."

"I would expect the Yakuza have a wage-mage of some kind on duty. Myself or Zerone should be able to pick them out so that we can take them down first. And speaking of violence, I have a few spells that will knock out a target without killing them - that should help take prisoners."

"I would suggest we take the hands and prisoners, but otherwise leave the area intact. I would further suggest that, along with the hand-cuttings requested by our employer, we use a bladed weapon to finish off downed Yakuza. This would make the scene resemble the nightclub enough that the Yakuza might not realize that different people hit both operations, which gives them less information. In particular, it would be good if they did not have evidence that some of us are Awakened until as late as possible."

[Notsoevildm]

Eklipse stifles a yawn. "Whatever we decide, be aware zat I prefer to work at night. I can handle myself well enough both at range or up close, so I suggest that I go in on ze ground with Twist and Crippler."

He nods to Twist. "Your plan seems solid. I have little in the way of resources to offer at ze moment. I do have a blade that would be suitable for the taking of ze hands. As zat is what is requested by our employer, I see no reason to go beyond ze parameters of ze operation. Also I see no need to make it noisy. Ze yakuza will know that they have been hit. If ze do not know by whom, that is to our advantage."

He raises an eyebrow as if waiting for questions, then continues. "We also seem to have a good mix of muscle, magical assets and matrix support. We will need some sort of transport for ze team and to extract ze prisoners. Widget, can you supply or arrange a suitable vehicle?

[Buddha72]

Eklipse
Taking a moment to refill her cup with tea from the small pot on the tray, Widget pours with a casual grace often seen in Elves as she answers you.

"There is nothing specific to the guards but I would recommend making sure they can't ID you after and dead seems to the best mindwipe in the biz but that's your call. As for the "involuntary workers" there are no additional notes about them but if you give me about a day I can make arrangements for them - something more open to free will and their choices. To be clear I am not doing this because I am the next Elven Mother Teresa - I think I can swing some more nuyen our way, I know of a group of people who are keenly interested in helping the downtrodden and abused."

She looks around the table with raised eyebrows seeing if anyone else needs a refill before placing the pot back on the tray.

"Again I feel like I have been pretty upfront about trying to make this a mutually beneficial relationship - I can create any fake ID you want the biggest question is how good and what do you need attached to it. Are you looking for a Joe Smithers who can rent movies down the street or a Jacob Myers who is licensed to carried a concealed firearm? I can also see about a place for you to crash."

Zerone
Letting Eklipse decide about what he wants in IDs she turns her attention to you.

"There is nothing here about where to take or what to do with them. As I mentioned earlier I know a group that bleeds profusely from the heart and see if they have any interest in taking them in as well."

Fat Man
Looking with obvious confusion at the door where the other runners who failed to join the meet were.

"Assuming you still have some in the group that can work the matrix - that would be your best bet. I have nothing on the schedule of the containers movements."

All
Widget sits quietly while the team talks back and forth, sipping her tea and keeping her features neutral. Her expression perks up at Eklipse's question and she answers with a lop-sided smile.

"Can you believe I'm also a rigger and driver for the odd job here and there. Say the word and I can provide transportation to and from in a discretely armored and armed vehicle. I can also provide drone support if needed. I would ask for a cut of whatever you all scavenge from the lab."

[Notsoevildm]

Eklipse's demeanor seems to soften a little. He gives a lopsided grin and holds up the certified credstick he had picked up earlier. "My funds are a bit limited at ze moment so it vill have to be Mr Schmidt who can rent ze videos for now."

"Ah you are a rigger, not a hacker. Vell, unless there are objections from ze others, I think we can come to an arrangement to cut you in on the proceeds. But we will need to find a hacker. I am not so keen to have images of myself falling into the hands of the yakuza.'

Looking at Dr Kat and then Ayo, he adds, "Some of us do rather to stick out in a crowd."

[Fenris]

Ayo tilts his head slightly, nodding towards Widget again at Eklipse's words.

"If she can make fake ID's she must know the Matrix. The less people we bring in, the better. And yes," you assume stretching of the mask is some sort of grin, "some of us are more noticeable than others."

He gives a bit of a sigh, and looks around at the group. "I've seen this before, all this planning. This is ridiculous. For most of us, this isn't personal, it's not a campaign, it's a series of jobs. If I don't get another job from this person after this is done, I'll find another Johnson. We don't need intelligence, or recon, or to plan for future missions. We're not being paid for any of that."

He nods again at Widget. "She has drones, let her find the cargo container tonight in the docks. We kill the guards, deal with the workers, destroy the labs, free the prisoners, cut off the hands. Why does it need to be any more complicated than that? We have magic, we have guns, we have muscle. This handful of unsuspecting guards and drug lab factory workers doesn't require days of work and planning. Every hour we spend planning just means we get paid less for the same amount of work. We all know the "plan" will fall apart when we get there anyway."

[UmaroVI]

Fat Man considered Ayo's words carefully.

"I think you are right, we should move quickly and this job, at least, sounds well within our capabilities. I do think finding the crate with spirits would be the quickest way to locate the crate ... although perhaps I am biased towards my own way of solving problems."

[Notsoevildm]

"Then let us do it tonight. I for one have no other plans for zis evening. Assuming ze location is current, then I suggest we rendezvous near the shipyard at midnight. Herr Fat Man can do an astral recon while the rest make a discreet entry ideally through or over ze perimeter fence. Hmm, through is better if we need to get prisoners out. Widget can you secure our comms and handle any cameras as well as picking up ze prisoners? Does zis approach work for everyone?"

[UmaroVI]

"That sounds good to me, but I'd suggest we let my spirit find them before we go past the fence. No need for us to be waiting around inside. Other than that - midnight it is."

[Fyndhal]

Twist looks at everyone in turn, then simply nods. "So be it. 'Play it by ear' always works out well."

"So, we roll up to the docks, sneak over to the container, lay waste to the guards, claim our trophies, and get out. I can do that. Where are we meeting; I need to go get my gear and make preparations."