Nothing's Free in the Free Zone (IC), Adventure 1: Broken Star Options

[Jack VII]

UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:30 PM, July 29th, 2075

Jack slid into the booth next to Grease to give him a clear view of the entrance and the dance floor, leaving the opposite seat for Overkill. Figuring the decker was probably going to go VR soon, there was little need for him to have a good view of anything in the here and now. Grease's text message popped up in Jack's display and he answered with a nod, figuring it didn't really need a response. The ork kept his eyes on the entrance and dance floor, looking out for Paul and anyone taking an undue interest in them. Of course, he couldn't quite help himself from ogling some of the more provocative dancers, he was only metahuman, after all.

Satisfied with his scan, Jack got up from the booth and navigated his way to the bar. Tapping his commlink, he selected three synthvezas; a small ARO popping up over his head indicating his order. Tacking on a 5 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) tip for prompt service, Jack was served in less than a minute and headed back.

As he returned to the booth, a voicemail notification from Amy popped up in his AR view. Transferring the three mugs into one hand, he tapped the voice-to-text feature of his commlink and read the message. Replying, he typed:

<<@Amy [JustJack] Sounds good. We're in the Hub working our lead. Nothing new yet. Stay safe.>>

Jack plunked down the beers in front of his comrades, a form of nightclub camouflage which would hopefully allow them to blend in a little better.

[Always Overkill]

Overkill, UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:30 PM, July 29th, 2075



Drave looked down at the swill his comrade had ordered him; it was sad what passed itself off as beer on this continent. He sighed and made no mention of it, he would want a fresh one when he was done anyways. So he politely took the offering and thanked Jack for his trouble.

He saw the message from Amy pop up in his AR and responded.
<<@Amy [Overkill] "Well done, meine liebling; but I don't need to remind you to be careful by yourself at this time of night in the Warrens. I don't even go anywhere alone there if I don't have to. I have a little dirty work I must do, I will be with you shortly.">>

After Drave finished the message and the first swig of his "beer", he closed his eyes and jumped into the Matrix.

Overkill appeared on the grid, his form transforming into that of an Archangel, armored for battle, wearing a long, dark cloak. His wings and armor alike are made up of swirling retro-green code. His features seem as though carved from marble, embodying the classical, androgynous look found in old angelic statues and images. He strides with grace and confidence, looking around at the Grid surrounding him and beyond. He is searching for the Club's host, and once he finds it; the files.

[DrZaius]

UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:30 PM, July 29th, 2075

Noting Overkill go into the Matrix, Grease nurses his beer and keeps his eye on the door. He messages Jack a quick note on tactics for how he'd like to approach the interview of Paul.

<<@JustJack [Grease]: I think your idea of acting as muscle is working; this bouncer seems pretty spooked so far. I think it would make sense to have me conduct the interview; it's unlikely a mobster's bodyguard is going to chime in with other questions. I am sure you have questions you would like to ask; just message them to me and I will ask them so the mark isn't the wiser.>>

Grease reaches into his jacket again, this time to check the balance on his credstick. With his other hand, he removes his microskimmer and places it on the floor under the table, hidden from view.

Better safe than sorry. If he runs, I'll be able to track him easier with 2 drones than 1.

[Jack VII]

UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:32 PM, July 29th, 2075

The message from Grease pops up in Jack's image link. Rather than screwing around with his comm, Jack simply gives Grease a thumb's up. The ork crosses his arms and looks around menacingly, adopting the image of a bodyguard for a caporegime.

[Always Overkill]

Inside the Club QXT Host, UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:32 PM, July 29th, 2075


Spotting the Club QXT Host, Overkill flies over to the front of the building and onto its Grid. Once there he goes inside and activates Browse; a small green beacon of light begins to lead way through the club to the security footage files. He sees Patrol IC in the form of bouncers, and the club is filled with VR patrons. Overkill stays wary despite the distracting surroundings, this is too easy, keeping an eye out for trouble and any IC that may be showing him too much interest.

[Lobo0705]

Inside the Club QXT Host, UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:32 PM, July 29th, 2075


The Archangel Overkill flies through the QXT Host, his form fitting right in with the press of other Personas dancing to the same music their physical counterparts were. Some of the Personas here were from people sitting in their living room, enjoying the physical sensations through their link to the Matrix.

Overkill preferred it this way, no sweat, no smell from the spilled beers on the rug, just clean points of light and data swirling together. He lands on the second floor, and nods to a bouncer as he calls up a virtual menu, ostensibly to order up one of the virtual delights available in QXT. In reality, he uses the opportunity to discreetly touch the rail of the bar and send a small tide of 1's and 0's scuttling away, burying themselves under the code that gave QXT's Host its visual exterior. They burrowed in, and in but a few seconds time, they returned to him, bearing a small cube. He touched it, examining it for boobytraps, but found none.

Touching the cube, more 1's and 0's flowed from his finger into it, outlined a set of wings formed from the numbers themselves. Having marked the cube, he moved once more to manipulate the virtual item, but as the 1's and 0's flowed over the cube, searching for an opening, they turned from green to red, and Overkill could feel a searing hot pain as a brand was burned into his wings in the shape of a large "Q".

At once, the Patrol IC, who had been wandering the club looking for unwelcome visitors, turned their attention to him. As he prepared for action, he could see a back door open, and another burly humanoid figure emerged, holding a branding iron with a red-hot "Q" at the end of it. He looked across the dance floor at Overkill, and started to move toward him.

[Lobo0705]

Inside the Club QXT Host, UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:32 PM, July 29th, 2075

At the approach of the hostile IC, Overkill turns and vaults across the railing onto the dance floor. Dashing between couples who have stopped dancing to enjoy the show, he furiously stabs at the cube again with his finger. The binary code spirals around the cube again, this time completing its sequence, and the cube opens up into a piece of paper, covered with symbols. The IC, completely unbound by the laws of physics, simply runs across the open space, stabbing at Overkill with its branding iron.

Overkill sidesteps, and spins around behind the IC, but not before slapping it on the arm, transferring a glowing green snake, two 1's forming the fangs that sink deep into the IC's arm, starting to dissolve it. Overkill uses the distraction to wave a hand, and an ancient tome appears, along with a quill that moves by itself, furiously scribbling the symbols from the file onto the pages. Overkill dodges another attack by the IC, and then looks over to see if the copying is complete. Drek! The symbols are all wrong! He rips the pages out and has the pen start over - but the distraction is enough for the IC to close the distance, and Overkill howls in frustration as another Q is burned into his wings.

[Lobo0705]

Inside the Club QXT Host, UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:32 PM, July 29th, 2075

Out of the corner of his eye, the Archangel Overkill sees a new form appear from the doorway that the brand-wielding IC came from. This one carries a pair of daggers, each one with a glowing red disc at the bottom of the hilt. He leaps across the void, scattering the dancers as he bounds toward Overkill. Now outnumbered two to one, Overkill curls his hands into fists, and brings them together. He then slowly pulls them apart, and between them forms a huge two-handed sword, the 1's and 0's forming intricate scrollwork along the blade, a weapon worthy of a Teutonic Knight of old. The IC works in tandem, darting and feinting, trying draw him off guard. Overkill is hampered by being forced to keep himself between them and the book as it continues its job copying the file.

The Probe IC moves first, lunging at him from the right, while the other IC comes from the left, one dagger high, the other low. Overkill simply steps between them, spinning and connecting with both, delivering short gashes across the chests of the two IC programs. Undeterred, their digital minds unaffected by fear or pity, they close again. I just have to hold them a little longer, he thinks as the quill is nearing the bottom of the page, and then the book and quill vanish - it is done! Time to go! He vaults over the rail, making for the doorway, his wings allowing him to glide to the door. As he reaches it, the Probe IC cuts him off, stabbing at him wildly with the brand again. With a pirouette, Overkill punishes the IC for its lack of discipline, and takes the hand holding the brand off at the wrist, pushing the IC out of the way. Just as he reaches the door, he feels something hit him in the back, the force of the blow carrying him through the door of the Host and out into the Matrix Proper again. He turns to look at the IC, doing a quick diagnostic - everything seems to be okay. He did not like the way that the IC smiled at him from the doorway, unable to follow him through the Matrix. As he switched his view from VR to AR and came back to his physical senses, he could hear a clang as the dagger that had been lodged in his back hit the virtual ground.

This is not good.

[Lobo0705]

UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:32 PM, July 29th, 2075

As Overkill's eyes open, the drone zipping around in the rafters spots Paul coming in through the door, transmitting an alert to Grease. The bouncer is alone, and wipes his forehead with his sleeve, and walks to the bar.

The microdrone follows him as he forces his way through the crowd to reach Lisa, and although the noise is too great to hear what is said, it seems he asks a question, and Lisa shakes her head before getting back to the business of pouring drinks.

Paul turns around, looking for Grease trying to see where he is through the throng of dancers.

[Always Overkill]

UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:32 PM, July 29th, 2075

Drave breathed a small sigh of relief. But it was brief and he knew it, he was surprised at the strength of the Host's encryptions, there were not many files that had given him so much trouble; and its IC were no joke, he had the MARKs to prove it. He knew they didn't have much time. "Der teufel wird los sein,"

He looked down at the beer that his friend had bought him, Jack had managed to drink half of it in the time Drave had been in VR. He sent a message to the waitress, choosing a German import from the AR menu. He then quickly uploaded the security footage and panned through it to find the appropriate time index and reviewed it in his AR.

<<"I have the footage we need, Meine Freinde,">> he transferred the files over to his friends, highlighting the time of the murder, and accepted the fine German Lager from the waitress. He paid and tipped her, and took a hearty drink from his bottle. <<"But we may want strongly consider keeping our conversation with herr Candle relatively brief, there might be some complications.">> Even as he said that, he was already checking through his Blitzdrive to find what damage the IC had done.

[Jack VII]

UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:32 PM, July 29th, 2075

Complications? Jack thought, Wonderful...

When he noticed Paul in the AR visual feed Grease had provided, he yelled over the music, "I'LL GET HIM!" Jack stood up and wove his way through the crowd to Paul. Tapping him on the shoulder, he leaned in and said loudly, "This way, Mr. Candle. My boss is waiting." turning without waiting for a response, the ork walked back to the table and motioned for Paul to sit next to Overkill. As the bouncer took his seat, Jack leaned in again and said loudly in Paul's ear, "Let's all be gentlemen here and keep our hands on the table."

Jack sat down in the seat opposite Paul and placed his hands on the table.

[DrZaius]

UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:32 PM, July 29th, 2075

<<@Overkill [Grease] Got it. Will be snappy.>>

Examining his fingernails with affected disinterest, Grease looks up as Paul sits down.

"Getting your story straight while we waited?" Grease smiles thinly. "I wouldn't bother, I think I've demonstrated I know more than you'd think about what has taken place here. However, my employers are.. thorough, and are interested in hearing from an "eye witness". So, Mr. Candle; why don't you tell us what you saw that night? Please be sure not to exclude any detail, however trivial it may seem."

Grease pauses for affect.

"My report out to my employers will depend heavily on how honest I think you are being with me."

Give them enough rope to hang themselves with..

Using the DNI line attached to his Rigger Command Console, Grease sends a quick command to his Fly-Spy on overwatch.

<<Attempt to find subject [Highlighted Metahuman, Video File #192]. Stay within current building. Do not approach closer than 10 meters. Attempt to remain undetected. Stay frosty.>>

[Lobo0705]

UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:33 PM, July 29th, 2075

Sitting at the table, Paul turns an even whiter shad, his face now luminous in the blacklights.

Paul starts to talk, having to yell to be heard over the music. "Well, umm, to be honest I wasn't a hero. I ducked and ran 'soon as the shooting started." His face blushes under the intense glare of both Grease and the lights.

"The cop was standing there with his date - he's been in here with her before a couple'a times. All of a sudden there's gunfire from the alley across the street, and blood everywhere. The cop falls and this regular of ours - goes by the name Argent - pulls a gun from nowhere and starts shooting back. Guess he didn't like being in the line of fire."

Casting his eyes down, he continues "That's when I headed inside - I don't get paid enough to catch a bullet."

[Always Overkill]

UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:33 PM, July 29th, 2075


Drave gave Paul a scrutinizing look as he told his side of the story; he was somewhat surprised that the guy's story matched the video.

<<@Grease, Jack: "We need to get some info on Argent; he probably had a better view of the assailants. We have about 5 minutes before I need to make myself scares; if you need more time I can head out myself and meet you at the shuttle.">>

[Jack VII]

UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:33 PM, July 29th, 2075

Jack quickly read through the text message Overkill had sent. Before he needs to make himself scarce? What the frag happened in there? he thought to himself. Not really sure what to make of it, Jack turned his attention to Overkill and simply jerked his head toward the door, unable to respond without breaking the social decorum he himself had established.

Returning his attention to Paul, he gave the man a measured gaze.

[DrZaius]

UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:33 PM, July 29th, 2075

<<@Overkill [Grease]: Understood.>>

Grease nods sympathetically at Paul's story. "Yes, yes; very few of us are paid enough for such work. Did you happen to see the shooters? See how many of them there were, race, metatype? And this Argent- I'd like to speak with him as well. Where can I find him?"

Grease watches Paul carefully, checking for signs his story doesn't line up with his unconscious facial cues.

[Chrome Head]

Amy's Apartment, Aurora Warrens, 10:45PM, July 29th, 2075

Amy walks back to her apartment and does her best to avoid making any sound coming, knowing that Sam must be asleep by now. She finds Kevin seemingly passed out on the coach. He must be in his machine world, I won't disturb him. She waves and smiles at him nevertheless, just in case he could see her. She then goes to the back and rummages through a box in which she keeps her clothes, all relatively old and in poor condition. She puts on a pair of sweat pants with a few holes in them, and arranges a scarf around her face to hide her tattoos and elf ears, also covering her mouth. She will look like any other junkie this way, she hopes, as her plan was to go into Los Mag turf and try to find where she can buy Crimson Fire.

Before leaving, Amy decides to prepare for the worse, knowing how dangerous it can get to enter gang turfs at night. With a quick incantation, the elven shaman establishes a flow of mana that will improve her stamina, reduce her metabolic rate, and protect her from physical harm to some extent. It was a routine she had gone through regularly, but this time she had trouble avoiding the backlash, and felt a weak shake go through her body. If this had happened while invoking more powerful magics, she knew she could have gotten seriously injured.

I was always told not to go out alone at night. Let's see if the spirits of the night can give me the backup I need. Sitting down on the wooden floor, Amy raises her arms and calls for help from the spirits of above and beyond. Far away, she locates the aura of a suitably strong spirit attuned to the skies. Called astrally into servitude, the spirit appears near Amy the next instant, taking the appearance of a large owl seemingly made out of water vapor and smoke. This spirit fights back at the summoning attempt, but Amy imposes her will over her, exerting herself in the process which leaves her with the beginning of a headache. "Thank you for coming to my aid tonight, oh great spirit of our ancestors." The owl-spirit replies respectfully, "At your service, shaman."

Amy then calls a taxi that could take her just outside the Los Magnificos territory, and waits for it to arrive. While waiting, she mutes her commlink and activates the vibrate function instead.

[Lobo0705]

UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:33 PM, July 29th, 2075

"I wasn't looking that way when the first shots got fired - and once they got fired I was trying to get the hell out of there. Argent would know better than me. I don't have his number or anything. He comes in maybe twice a week normally, but hasn't been back since the shooting."


He seems earnest, if nervous.

[DrZaius]

UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:33 PM, July 29th, 2075

Grease narrows his eyes suspiciously. "Mr. Candle, since you're a person I'm sure you have a father. At some point in your life, it stands to reason you disappointed him. I imagine that made you very sad. Let me be clear and say that as sad as you were then pales in comparison to how sad you will be if I am disappointed. If you tell me everything I need to know, then I won't have any reason to trouble you ever again. But if I have to come back here, then I will be.. disappointed. You say Argent is a regular. He hasn't been back since the shooting. Who else does he talk to? Who are his friends? Who have you seen him hanging around with? Please, try and help me Mr. Candle, so I can help you."

[Lobo0705]

UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:34 PM, July 29th, 2075

"I..I.. he doesn't say much man!" Paul's voice rises in pitch. "He is always packing - always tips real good at the door to let him keep his gear. Shows up by himself, leaves by himself. Few times I've gone in the club and seen him he sits at the bar watchin' people."

His brows furrow as he is thinking. "He's a badass - I mean, on top of the other night, one time somebody bumped him and spilled their drink. Argent offered to buy another, but the guy took a swipe at him. Took Lisa till after closing to find all that guy's teeth. Maybe he's got ties to you guys or somethin' - I mean a guy like that isn't flippin' burgers, ya know? I don't know what else you want from me!"

[DrZaius]

UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:34 PM, July 29th, 2075

"Well, what does he look like then? Perhaps my associates know him by a different name." The voice is softer and more sympathetic, trying to calm Candle down to let him know they're on the same side. "Oh, and this Lisa- you mentioned her before. Perhaps she knows this Argent better."

[Lobo0705]

UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:34 PM, July 29th, 2075

"Uh, about 2 meters tall, 120 kilos. Blonde hair pulled back in a pony tail. Custom Zeiss eyes - look like just silver orbs. I think his right arm is 'ware, but I'm not sure. Lisa would know him better than me."

[Always Overkill]

UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:34 PM, July 29th, 2075


Drave noted Jack's response and looked over to the gun check line and saw that it would take him a minute, so he decided it was best he should make his exit now. Looking over to his friends, he finished his beer and sent them a message via his commlink.

<<@ Jack, Grease: "I will meet you at the shuttle. Don't be surprised when Lone Star makes an appearance. I will explain later.">>

With that, Drave stands up without a word, feigning disinterest in the details Paul was giving them; and headed off towards the exit.

[Lobo0705]

Amy's Apartment, Aurora Warrens, 11:00 PM, July 29th, 2075

About 15 minutes after her call to Mile High, a solid looking Americar pulls up in front of her. The driver rolls down his tinted, bulletproof window revealing a relatively handsome young man in his 20's. "You Amy?" he asks with a friendly smile.

Amy nods, and he opens the back door without moving from his seat. "Strap yourself in and lock the door. It's gonna be a bumpy ride this time of night, but I've got ya." he winks confidently at her. Amy slots the certified cred and 20 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) is deducted from the account, and the car pulls away smoothly from the curb. They leave Amy's house and turn on to South Tower Road. "Name's Tony - but my friends call my Turbine. Grew up not too far from here actually. I'm on my way up and out. This job is just a stop on the road, know what I mean?" he continues chatting along, as they cross Mississippi Ave and head onto Alameda Parkway.

"What's your story?"

[Lobo0705]

UCAS Hub, Inside Club QXT, 10:34 PM, July 29th, 2075


Overkill reaches the coat check, hands over the RFID tag he was provided and waits, outwardly calm, but inwardly urging the man behind the counter to hurry. He retrieves his gear, puts the guns back in their respective holsters, and heads out the door. He turns the corner and heads up Glenarm. As he is walking away, he can hear sirens approaching and then stop as a Lone Star vehicle arrives at the club. He continues to walk, slowly but purposefully, away from the club.