IC: The Alicia Marks Affair Options

[TinkerGnome]

As the conversation continues, the littler bouncer comes in. The Johnson gives him a nod and he nods back. The Johnson addresses Chip's question. "I believe you have met my associate, Tony," he says and the newcomer waves. "He will be available if you need things like chips or whatever. Keep him posted of your progress, and when you have more information on the whereabouts of Ms. Marks, we will discuss an expansion of the contract for other "services". "

[Fu-Man Chu]

Syl

Speaking up for the first time since meeting their employer, Syl's manner of speech carries with it the tone of some experience. "Prior to accepting your offer, as gracious as it is, I would like to bring some things up. May I ask who it is that seeks the location of Ms. Marks?"

"Also, it is customary in these dealings that a portion of the reimbursement be provided up front - is 50% acceptable to you? And likewise, is there an expense account for . . . supplemental expenses that may be accrued in the job? Something on the order of 50% of the total payment? This of course is limited to reimbursement for charges directly related to the search efforts."

[Sphynx]

Billy

Once the chip is handed to Billy, he downloads it onto a computer he has hidden on his inner forearm, beneath his Forearm Guards, and hands the chip over to Chip. He then plugs a wire located on the computer to the datajack located in his wrist. "Thank you sir, we'll begin investigations immediately. A pleasant rest of the evening to you.", he says as he starts sorting through some of the data, standing before the Johnson does.

[Glyph]

Rent

Rent raises an eyebrow as Billy stands up. "Hey, let's settle all of the details first. After Tony gets us some copies of the chip, we can all coordinate our efforts."

He turns back to the Johnson. "I am assuming that Silhouette was right about a retainer. Standard practice and all... If she was, then I'm in. But an expense account would be a good idea, too. We can ask around and do some snooping, maybe lean on a few people, but bribes and buying information sure won't come out of our own pockets."

[snowRaven]

Chip

Remaining seated, he takes the data chip and plugs it into his datajack.

"My associates seem to have a point, sir. It would be easier for everyone involved if we had the capital for potential bribes and related expenses. It should, after all, be in everyones interest if we find miss Marks as soon as possible."

[TinkerGnome]

The Johnson raises an eyebrow. "I can offer you two large upfront for operating expenses that might arise. The balance will be available when you have found Ms. Marks or a week has passed. As for who is looking for her, that would be me."

Tony leaves and comes back a few minutes later with a handful of blank chips. He slots them one at a time into the terminal and transfers data. When he's done, he tosses a chip one to everyone, including the original.

[snowRaven]

Chip

"Thank you, sir. We will keep Tony up to date on our progress, and don't worry - we will do what we can to find miss Marks for you."

Chip rises and puts his hand out toward Mr. Johnson.

"You have my word."

[Ecclesiastes]

Angel nods to the ammount offered, though its a little offhanded, he seems more interested in going over the data provided.

Looking up at Tony, Angel says, "You mind if we hang out and form a plan of action, or do you want to open the place back up and we could go elsewhere?"

[TinkerGnome]

After a while, the Johnson gets up and leaves, nodding to Tony as he heads out. Tony nods back and hangs out, waiting to be needed. As Angel asks about the room Tony shrugs. "You guys can have it till close. That'll be 'bout two."

It is currently about 11:30pm.

[Ecclesiastes]

Angel nods. "Thanks Tony. You wouldn't mind giving us some privacy would ya? Thanks."

As Tony turns to leave, a glow comes over Angel, an almost heavenly one. For a moment you even think you see a halo appear above his head.

"Hey Tony, you're telling us everything you know about the situation right? Cause we need to know everything. Just make sure you keep us informed, eh?"

[TinkerGnome]

Tony turns and nods. "Ain't much to tell, you know. Boss's brother's daughter went missing an' all we can find out about where she been is some rough parts of town. Ain't got no clue what she was doin' down there, but even them folk'd leave her alone if she tole' em who she was an' all."

[Fu-Man Chu]

Syl

Taking the chip, Silhouette is a little caught off guard when the "halo" effect appears above Angel. Perhaps it was a trick of the light? Not likely. . . Still, Tony's response was surely interesting - who is this Johnson that his neice would have to worry about the rougher parts' "folk'd leave her alone if she tole' em who she was an' all"?

[Sphynx]

Billy

"Well hell, this data is crap. The only thing it tells us is that she's a NovaTech stooge, a very high-up one. At the age of 24 she's the 3rd highest ranking member of the Educational Software Division. And that she disappeared on the 7th after visiting 'The Cave'. Don't suppose any of you has the skillz to hack into the system and find a bit more about her via the SIN? Would love to find out what sort of project she's working on, but I suppose Uncle Nova won't share tha with us."

"Two really options I can see. One would already have been done, visiting 'The Cave', and seeing who saw her last. I can't imagine that nobody's done that yet. The other is to visibly snoop and let the street know we're looking for her, it might draw out her capture, though our survival rate drops the more obvious we become... Third option I see is a killer, not the wisest option, and that's to go to her office in NT, and see what she was working on, so we can get a lead on who might be after her."

[snowRaven]

Chip

Scanning over the contents of the chip, Chip seems to be slightly shaken. He sits quiet for a little while, seemingly lost in thought (he doesn't even notice Angel glowing) and then he looks at Billy.

"I might be able to find out a little bit more about miss Marks' life at the Company - at Novatech, that is - but I can't guarantee quick results, I'm afraid. Apart from that I can start searching the matrix for more info as soon as I can get my gear from home. Speaking of which, I don't suppose anyone has access to a secure illegal jackpoint I could use?"

[Fu-Man Chu]

Syl

"Well, I suppose the most efficient way to handle the search for Ms. Marks is for us to cooperate and work together - after all, there's no bonus to any one of us for locating her. But I've only worked with Chip here before. Would you all agree that it is in our mutual best interest to pool resources?"

[Sphynx]

Billy

"Of course, how stupid of us.", Billy says with a grin, "I guess introductions are in order. Everyone calls me Billy, I'm a gadgets guy. If you need something fixed, altered, broken into, from Toaster Oven to High Security Maglock, I'm the man. I also seem to have a Doctorate in Medical Science. Not real sure how good I am as an Investigator, but when the time comes when we need into something/somewhere, I can get us in.", the childish looking Elf continues grinning as if he'd just been bragging about his latest new toy.

[Ecclesiastes]

Angel

"Call me Angel. I'm your magical support."

[Voltaire]

Vincent

Vincent watched the proceedings unfold and began to feel more comfortable. This wasn't so different from the Business Negotiation classes he had taken at the Academy. After he recieves the chip, he slots into his Pocket Secretary and spends a few minutes scanning the contents in silence. When the others begin the introductions, he clears his throat and leans forward in his chair.

"My name's Vincent, Vincent Jones. You may call me Vince if you so desire. My background and training are largely corporate, but my talents extend beyond the boardroom. If we needed someone to investigate the situation at NovaTech - it's physical offices, that is, I would be qualified to do so, though as Billy pointed out this is a dangerous course of action. I would also be willing to follow up any leads on the street, though I must confess I am not familiar with the Seattle area."

[snowRaven]

Chip

"Pleasure to meet you all — most people call me Chip. I do alot of computer work, and though I wouldn't call myself a decker really I have experience with decking; specifically data searches. Apart from that my abilities can be anything that fits on one of these."

Chip reaches behind his ear and extracs a chip, holds it up for a moment and then plugs it back into one of the many ports there. Then he smiles.

"I think you can guess how I got my name."

[Fu-Man Chu]

Syl

"Well then, it is a pleasure to your acquiantances. I'm Sylhouette, with a "y" thank you! - though I respond to Syl. As for me, my main area of expertise takes place in the Matrix."

"Now that we've made introductions, and I assume we all agree to cooperate for our mutual benefit, may I propose we move our discussions elsewhere . . . so as to not inconvinience our kind host?"

[Ecclesiastes]

Angel shrugs. "You know a place?"

[Glyph]

Rent

"Name's Rent, and I've done a bit of bodyguarding work. You get to know the hot night spots and the local rumormill in my job. If she's out there, we'll find her... I've got friends in low places."

He nods at Syl's suggestion. "Yeah. Let's find a place that isn't such a dive. Plus, I don't like leaving my gun with strangers any longer than I have to."

As they are heading out the door (with the advance, presumably), he turns to Billy. "By the way, maybe we shouldn't write off checking out the Cave. A smooth street operator checking things out discreetly is a hell of a lot better than a bunch of corp thugs in suits trying to browbeat the locals. It sure wouldn't hurt to check it out, anyways."

[Sphynx]

Billy

"Well, perhaps it's time to split up then... I don't see much else needing to be discussed at this moment, we all know what we have to do, perhaps we should just decide to meet up somewhere in a couple of hours while the computer nerds hit the matrix and the rest hit the Cave looking for scraps to pick up on. If neither produces any leads, we can make plans to hit a certain mega-corp and try to get some info there....", Billy says after a bit of contemplation.

After a bit, he asks Chip in private. "What are those chip things you got there? I have one of those holes as well, but have never used it or have any idea what it's for really....", he says as he points to his own multi-slot chipjack.

[snowRaven]

Chip

"Sounds like me and Syl are in charge of matrix searches. So, does anyone have a good place to meet up?"

To Billy he says in a low voice:
"It's Billy right? These chips are called skillsofts - they're... well, basically you just plug a chip and you know how to do something, but the technology is really quite complicated. If you have the right cybernetic systems installed you can use preprogrammed skillchips to be almost anything - a martial artist, a marksman, a racecar driver, an athlete; you name it.
"So, how did you get the jack?"

[Ecclesiastes]

"I'll head over to The Cave with you guys. Maybe the angels will have something to tell me about the place. And I'm sure the Lord can help get the Truth out of people."