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

[Lobo0705]

Dark Back Alley, 8:06 AM August 2nd, 2075

Overkill moved ahead slightly and parked his bike near the end of the alley, out of sight of Stinger but able to keep an eye on Amy. The elf knew that his young compatriot could get carried away sometimes, and he was not willing to let even a criminal like Stinger be tortured by the young woman.

Not only that, but it is a bad idea to split up with Lynx actively hunting us.

Stinger coughs and then smiles up at Amy. "I am happy to speak to Valkyrie and tell her the location. Bring me to her - now before you get all cranky, I don't expect or want to be alone in a room with her. You all can be in the room at the same time. But I want the parameters of this job clearly defined, and I am only going to do that with a face-to-face."

"Besides, if I know her, and I do, she isn't going to do anything until she has everything priced out, invoiced, and a deposit made." He taps his head against the trunk of the car, the headjammer lodged in his datajack clinking against the metal of the taxi. "You've got me so I can't communicate with anyone else, so no worries about me calling for help. So let's just get this over with, yes? The faster I see her, the faster you get your chip, and I get the hell out of the Free Zone."

[Chrome Head]

Dark Back Alley, 8:06 AM August 2nd, 2075

Amy notices Overkill and activates her microphone so that he can hear the exchange with Stinger over comms.

"The thing is.. we're the ones negotiating the terms. You'll get to talk to her, once we're satisfied with everything, and we need extra details for this to happen. Once we have an agreement with her, we'll be confident that she's working with us, not just for you. Soka?"

Amy was seemingly angry, but she calmed down, showing empathy, to add "I understand you don't want to give away the exact location, but you need to tell me at least roughly where it's at. The zone, and the neighborhood. Stop wasting time, if this doesn't work out, we'll just sell you for parts, like a used drone." She said that last part with an affected concern for his safety.

[Lobo0705]

Dark Back Alley, 8:07 AM August 2nd, 2075

Stinger shakes his head. "Look, we are in this together now." He gestures at the alley with his head. "Notice the lack of chipheads in the alley, and the fact that the walls don't have great big holes in them? We're in the UCAS Zone proper now, not in the Warrens, and I'll bet you any amount of money that we are by the Bifrost if I know Valkyrie."

He shifts slightly, trying to get more comfortable. "The fact that you haven't killed me yet, combined with the fact that we are where we are means you need this chip. I'm not even trying to negotiate with you. I don't want a finder's fee, I don't want a special deal, all I want to do is give you the chip and get the frack out of the city. I'm even paying Valkyrie's fee for the protection money. What I won't negotiate on is how this meeting goes. Just like you don't trust me, I don't trust you, and I want to be in a room with Valkyrie before any more goes down. I'm not a big fan of the woman, a little to uptight for me, but once you get a contract with her, she fulfills it."

[Chrome Head]

Dark Back Alley, 8:07 AM August 2nd, 2075

Amy wasn't listening to Stinger who was just going on and on uselessly. Concentrated, she was trying to use magic directly to change his mind, but to no effect... at first. This one has a really strong mind, even injured like he is, he's still resisting. Oops, he stopped talking, I should say something.

"Listen." In the time it took for her to take a deep breath, she had had time to cast again, but this time successfully. "I don't care what you have to say. I can hurt you in ways that you can't even imagine, it's ten times worst than the most awful BTL." She knew the spell was active now, and his mind was changed. "So instead of suffering, you're going to tell me where you stashed the chip. We don't need an address, just roughly where it is."

Stinger was hesitant, but the effects of a spell like this modified your whole outlook, and there was nothing that could be done against it once it held you. "I have a flat in the northeastern part of the UCAS Zone." he blurted out. "Just don't hurt me all right? The chip is at my home."

"Good boy," she said, smiling with pride. "And don't worry, it's almost over." She closed the trunk abruptly on Stinger and walked back to the front seat.

The Bifrost Bar, 8:09 AM August 1st, 2075

Back into the room now, everyone looked expectantly at the shaman. "Sorry I took so long. You won't need to travel out of this zone, the item is in the North East. This is all we know for now."

[Lobo0705]

The Bifrost Bar, 8:11 AM August 2nd, 2075

During Amy's absence, the room was quiet. Valkyrie busied herself with work, while Jack stood silently and Grease fidgeted in his chair.

The elf had tried to make conversation, but each time Valkyrie had halted him with an upheld finger.

When Amy arrived and made her announcement, Valkyrie nodded. "That does lower the cost. So, we are thinking a mage, a rigger, a samurai and possibly a few underlings. Total billable time will be about two hours, that's transport to the location, pickup and then transport back. For safety I think that means a team of 6, including magical support." She runs a few numbers, and presents a new ARO.

"Total bill is 6,000 nuyen, plus expenses should combat occur. A 25% deposit is required up front. When do you need the team assembled? I can have them here in about an hour."

[Jack VII]

The Bifrost Bar, 8:11 AM August 2nd, 2075

Jack cursed under his breath as soon as Valkyrie mentioned a deposit. Pushing himself off the wall, he nodded at Valkyrie and said, "I'll go get Mr. Moneybags, if that's okay."

Exiting the room, Jack gave the muscle a professional appraisal while he headed for the door. Walking through the front door, the ork spotted Grease's car and approached the trunk, figuring the rigger would pop the trunk once the car's sensors picked him up. When nothing happened, he slammed his fist into the trunk. "Open up, you fragged up bucket of bolts!" When the trunk still refused to open, Jack leaned forward and grabbed the lid to try to force the compartment open. Putting all of his strength into the effort, the ork was caught off-balance when the trunk popped open and slammed him in the forehead.

Blinking stars out of his eyes and cursing, Jack reached into the trunk and manhandled Stinger out, slamming the trunk forcefully behind him. Putting his right arm around his shoulder, the ork jabbed his left fist against the decker's rib cage and said, "We're going to head in for a little chat with Valkyrie, hombre. Don't do anything stupid, you really wouldn't want anything to pop up between us." With that, Jack lead Stinger to the door of the Bifrost.

[Lobo0705]

The Bifrost Bar, 8:15 AM August 2nd, 2075

Stinger walks slowly next to Jack, making sure not to make any threatening movements. "I've got no problem, we're finally doing what I've been asking."

The two enter the bar and walk past security, and the duo enter the room. Stinger extricates himself from Jack's friendly embrace, and nods to Valkyrie in greeting.

"Ok," says Stinger, now we can get down to business. "What have I missed?"

Valkyrie flips the ARO so that Stinger can view it, and he looks satisfied and then says, "Just to clarify, your team escorts us to the location, I hand the product over to these gentlemen, and then they go elsewhere, and I go back with you."

[Lobo0705]

The Bifrost Bar, 8:15 AM August 2nd, 2075

Grease pipes up, "Once we verify that the item is the one we are looking for."

Stinger pauses for a moment at the interruption, and then nods, "Of course, of course. Now, I'd also like to engage your services to get me out of the city once the deal has been concluded, but I understand that time is pressing, so we'll discuss that once we get back after the pickup."

"As to the matter of payment," he rolls up his sleeve and a portion of his arm opens, revealing a hidden compartment. He removes a credstick from within, and hands it to Valkyrie. "Please go ahead and deduct the deposit from there, I'll furnish the balance of the payment upon my arrival back at this location."

Valkyrie smoothly takes the credstick and slots it into her 'link, and then hands it back to Stinger who puts it back inside his arm, closing the compartment with a mental command. He seems to finally relax for the first time in hours. "I don't suppose you have any painkillers do you? My head is killing me." He looks over at Jack as he rubs the goose-egg sized lump on his skull where the ork hit him earlier.

[Lobo0705]

The Bifrost Bar, 9:00 AM August 2nd, 2075

The team waited impatiently for the next 45 minutes, wit Grease becoming more and more comatose as time went on.

What a time for the pendejo to come down off his high thought Jack. Pacing, he gave Grease a quick nudge to wake him up. Grease's head came up sharply, and with a quick yelp of pain he put his had to his temple.

Stinger sniggered, "I've seen that look quite a bit. Somebody needs his medicine. Remind me not to go in the car you're driving."

Valkyrie looked up from the work she was doing and scowled, shook her head, and went back to work.

Grease felt like his head was going to explode as he slumped in his chair, the chirping in his head as a message came in made him moan. <<@Team [Overkill] We've got company, multiple cars coming in.>>

Amy instantly communicated with her spirit, "Are there any hostile spirits in the area?"

"None Mistress."

The next message did not reassure the team much, <<@Team [Overkill] Looks like three, no four guys, all dressed in body armor, but not armed. They are walking toward the bar.>>

Valkyrie looks up. "My team is arriving now, we await only one more, and then we can leave."

Amy and Jack looked a little more relieved, and there was an audible thump followed by a cry of pain as Grease's head hit the table. "Perfect", mumbles Jack.

The Bifrost Bar, 9:15 AM August 1st, 2075

The door opens and the tall red-head beckons the team to come with her. "Good day," says Valkyrie. "Herr Stinger I will speak again with you shortly."

The team leaves the room and walks downstairs, where they see three humans, an ork and a dwarf finishing the straps on their body armor, each emblazoned with "Valkyrie Industries" on the back. A sixth member, an African-American female, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit was making preparations in the corner of the bar. Amy watched as a spirit of fire appeared in the Astral, hovering over the woman's shoulder.

The ork, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed hulk, came over to the team, and pulled up a map of the UCAS Zone. "Alright, where are we going?"

Stinger points to a spot on the ARO, and says, "Right there, 27 Cherry Street, in Hudson." The ork looks over to the female in the suit, who makes a brief motion with her hand, and the spirit vanishes.

The ork nods, points to Stinger, and says "You are with us, the rest of you, you are following?"

Grease nods and winces, and Jack says, "Yes, give me your commcode so we can communicate."

The ork sends it over, "Call me Hammer," and shakes Jack's hand in a vise-like grip.

"Jack. Let's keep this simple, no?"

The ork nods. "That is the plan." He turns to the rest of the team and says "Let's roll!"

"Not so fast hombre, Stinger comes with us. You can ride in front and behind us if you want, but we aren't letting him out of our sight until this is over."

Stinger starts to protest, but Hammer cuts him off with a look and holds his earpiece. "Very well. Stay behind me and in front of the other car till we get there."

Grease, Jack, and Amy walk outside to the taxi, and watch as Valkyrie's team gets into two different cars, Hammer in one with the mage and one other guard, and then the other 3 into a second vehicle. Grease wobbles his way over to the taxi and puts it on autopilot, following the lead vehicle out of the parking lot. Jack pushes Stinger into the back seat and keeps a close eye on him, while Amy sits shotgun. As the taxi pulls out onto the road, Overkill's bike follows at a discreet distance.

[Lobo0705]

27 Cherry Street, 9:45 AM August 2nd, 2075

The three vehicle convoy arrives and park outside the house. Stinger turns to the others and says, "Ok, are we ready?"

Valkyrie's team exits the vehicles and spreads out, the woman dispatching the spirit inside the house to look for intruders. After a moment, she nods, and Jack receives a message.

<<@Jack [Hammer] The house is clear. Let's get this done.>>

Jack, Amy, and Stinger exit the taxi and walk to the door. Grease offers lamely, "I'll watch your guys backs from out here."

As the group reaches the porch, Stinger says, "I don't suppose you are going to remove this, are you?" , tapping at the headjammer. Jack looks askance at him, and Stinger sighs. "Fine, I'll have to do this the hard way." He opens the concealed compartment in his arm again, and pulls out a tool kit. Expertly he opens the case on the lock on the door, and bypasses security. The door opens, and Hammer is the first through the door with one of his team, only allowing Stinger to enter after he has checked out the house.

Stinger brings Jack and Amy inside and through the living room to a work area. Computer components are strewn everywhere, and he reaches down onto a workbench, and opens a hidden compartment. He removes a chip from inside it, and hands it to Jack. "There you go. Can you verify that so our business can be concluded?"

[Jack VII]

27 Cherry Street, 9:45 AM August 2nd, 2075

Jack frowned at Stinger before turning to Amy and nodding.

He sent a quick message to Hammer. <<@Hammer [JustJack] Going comm silent to check the chip in case I don't respond.>>

Taking the chip, he pulled out his Hermes Ikon and disconnected it from the Matrix, turning it into a simple data reader with a small screen. The ork pushed the chip into his commlink and waited as the device confirmed the presence of the chip. Accessing the chip's memory, the ork scrolled through the various files on the chip, paying particular interest to any video and audio files it contained. Having no way to authenticate the files, he spent a moment trying to determine if there was anything out of place with the data Stinger was providing.

[Lobo0705]

27 Cherry Street, 9:50 AM August 2nd, 2075

Jack spends several minutes checking out the chip. Searching through various video files, it appears that this was all Stinger promised and more.

There are videos of Lynx meeting with two different individuals at various locations, and credsticks change hands several different times. Both are wearing suits, but could not be more different from one another.

The first looks like an ad for the Fortune 500. His suit costs more than Grease's car, and everything from his hair to his perfect smile says corporate money. Jack fast forwards through the vid quickly, and a gold credstick changes hands - it is hard to say which smile is more predatory, that of the corporate goon or the assassin's.

The second man is much rougher in appearance, and clearly not at ease dealing with Lynx. His eyes are everywhere buy Lynx as they speak, as if nervous about simply being there. His suit says "off-the-rack", and a scar on his left cheek shows he's seen some action as he hands Lynx a data chip. Lynx gives the man a mock salute and laughs as he walks away, leaving the man clenching his fists in apparent frustration or anger.

There are other photos on the chip, a quick scan shows the relevant ones to be of Lynx and Falcon meeting with members of the Los Mags, although there is no video to go along with the photos.

While Jack is watching the videos, Stinger has grabbed a bag and been collecting various things from the house.

Jack finishes looking at the chip, turns to Hammer and says, "This seems to be what we are looking for. We are good."

Hammer nods, turns to Stinger and says, "Ready?"

Stinger pats the bag and says, "I've got most of what I need, I can buy the rest when I get where I'm going." He pulls the headjammer out and says, "If you do get Lynx, put him in the ground for me - it will be much safer for both of us."

Hammer's team escorts him out of the house and to their cars, leaving Jack and Amy to follow them.

[DrZaius]

27 Cherry Street, 9:50 AM August 2nd, 2075

Seeing Hammer and his team speed off, Grease lets out a big sigh of relief. The doors to the cab pop open, allowing Jack and Amy to enter. Jack appears tense- as if he's waiting for the other shoe to drop. Grease asks, "Are we good?", he gets a brief nod and grunt from Jack.

<<@Overkill [Grease]: Meet us down the street and 2 blocks up; I've got the beemer parked there.>>

19 Ash Street, 9:53 AM August 2nd, 2075

Speeding away from Stinger's house, Grease arrives in front of his other car, and quickly starts transferring his equipment. Seeing what he's up to, Jack and Amy shrug and do the same. Once all the equipment and the rotodrone are in the cab, Grease taps his RCC a few quick commands and the cab speeds off.

"Jack, why don't you have Overkill check the disk."

Jack hands Overkill the disk, who carefully slots it into his deck.

Rubbing a small imperfection off the paint of his car, Grease rubs the bridge of his nose between his eyes. "So, we should probably hole up somewhere for a few hours and get some sleep. Before we do, we should probably discuss as a team what our plan here is." Waiting while Overkill checks out the disk, he continues. "We should probably have this conversation in transit." he adds, getting into his car.

Overkill sits in the front seat, still fiddling with his deck.

In the driver seat, Grease turns to address his passengers. "As I see it, that disk Overkill is checking is worth 60 large, if we want to go that route. It proves conspiracy, and it proves who is responsible for the attacks. My question to you is; do we want to go after Lynx and Bradshere for the other 60, or walk away while we're ahead? A lieutenant in LoneStar is probably pretty wired, and could cause us all trouble down the road."

[Jack VII]

19 Ash Street, UCAS Zone, 9:53 AM August 2nd, 2075

Jack took a deep breath before adding to the conversation. "Assuming Lynx and crew are tracking Stinger, we're hopefully clear for the time being; Hammer and his goons can deal with them if they manage to find him. The one thing we probably need to make sure of is that Stinger didn't leave any goodies behind. There's no telling what else he might have been hiding in that arm of his."

"As far as the data, I think we should have Overkill run searches on the images to see if we can't get IDs on them. Just based on the story the pictures tell, it seems like some corp Johnson, probably with connections to the Los Mags, paid Lynx to take out Lone Star and someone at the Star provided him with the details to make the hits, just like Stinger said."

Thinking for a second, Jack said, "If we could somehow get all three of them in the same place at the same time, we could score the remainder of the fee if a law enforcement presence also happened to be there. I just don't know how we would pull that off."

"All I know is that I need some sleep. I'd settle for a coffin hotel if we can find one out here."

[Chrome Head]

27 Cherry Street, 9:50 AM August 2nd, 2075

"Awesome!" Amy smiles at the announcement that they've successfully completed half of her very first job. Her enthousiasm reveals how much of a rookie she is, and also, to some extent, her young age.

"As to go for more or not, I want us to take care of Lynx, no matter what. He's after us, and I won't mind being paid to get rid of our own enemy. It'll be good for our rep, too, shows that we can get the job done to our Johnson's satisfaction. The last part, arresting the dirty cop, well I'll just say that I'd like to do it, risky as it may be it's the right thing to do. But I won't be mad if you chummers lean the other way."

The shaman remembers that she has a spirit on duty, and quickly changes its command. "Hey chief! Just watch over us now, keep an eye out for threats in either plane, and try not to show yourself, all right?"

"I'm sort of on a high right now. You know, from all the stress and it all turned out okay tonight? Still, I guess I'd need to get some rest too."

[DrZaius]

19 Ash Street, 9:53 AM August 2nd, 2075

"There are still some open areas we need to figure out. First and foremost, if we want to go after both, how can we setup an ambush that's most likely to be successful for us? Could we play them off of one another? Can we get the ZDF to come in and scoop them up?"

Grease pauses, yawning. "Do we even need to? Could we just show this tape to the ZDF authorities, the tape from the club, and have them question Bradshere. Remember- if we setup Bradshere, it's entirely possible he'd show up with an entire precinct." He grins. "Then we'd end up cutting into our own paycheck if we ended up having to shoot our way out; it's all the same pool, after all."

He turns to address Overkill. "Sorry for fake-murdering you earlier, by the way. You played the part perfectly. Stinger sung like a canary, and we didn't even have to rough him up!"

Yawning again, he focused back on the road. "I agree though; we need to crash. We should setup a meet with Ramirez for tonight to pass this info along, then get some rack time. There's a no-tell motel up ahead we could check into that should be pretty safe." He looks at Amy in the rear view mirror. "I think we did well tonight. But I think we should deliver at least half of the goods. If we're going to try to setup an ambush on Lynx or Bradshere, we should make sure Ramirez knows they're responsible. Otherwise, if we all end up biting it he's back at square one and we didn't help at all. Always try to think of the customer!" He grins, speeding up down the road.

[Jack VII]

19 Ash Street, UCAS Zone, 9:53 AM August 2nd, 2075

"If you know a place around here, let's grab some shut eye. I don't think anyone on Lynx's crew has tagged this car yet." Jack said as he transferred all of his larger weapons to the black duffel bag on the floor board of the back seat. Given the size of the sports car, it barely fit.

Nodding his head, Jack responded to Grease. "I like the idea of the ZDF doing half of our job for us, I just don't know how much they're going to believe us over the word of a Lone Star Lieutenant. Sure, the video is pretty damning, but the blue line is pretty thick and the paramilitary guys are going to be closer to the cops than us. On top of that, my contact is low-level in the ZDF and we only know each other socially. But I could probably come up with something that made sense for him to at least take a look at the chip. Hell, it could mean a promotion for him."

Pausing, Jack continued, speaking to the others in the car "But I feel like this job got a little more personal than the few jobs I've done in the past. I've never done anything cat and mouse like this. It's usually just 'go here, steal that' or 'go here, keep this guy not-dead' kind of stuff that's over within 24 hours. Lynx has taken shots at your friends and started a riot in our community. I got my venganza for Truck fragging with my friends, so if you all are okay with walking away as far as Lynx is concerned, we can."

[DrZaius]

19 Ash Street, UCAS Zone, 9:53 AM August 2nd, 2075

Grease nods. "Despite how I may act, my conscience is not completely mercenary. If we can come up with a good plan to take Lynx and Bradshere down without undue risk to ourselves, I am willing to help." Making a quick left, he continues. "If you think the Warrens is safer, that's fine by me. I know the UCAS sector best, so that's where I'm most comfortable. I'd like to meet with Ramirez regardless; he may have some advice on what we can do going forward, given that we know what we're up against now."

[Jack VII]

19 Ash Street, UCAS Zone, 9:53 AM August 2nd, 2075

"Let's try to set a meet with Johnson for later tonight, maybe 2000 to 2200? Grab some shut-eye out here in the meantime and maybe Overkill can have one of his programs do a search for information on the people in the video Stinger gave us. Then head back to the Warrens to drop off excess gear and re-equip before heading to the meet." Jack said, finishing it off saying, "Not all of us have clothes stashed out here at a friend's house."

[Lobo0705]

19 Ash Street, UCAS Zone, 9:53 AM August 2nd, 2075

Overkill pockets the chip. "I'll transfer the data to my deck when I get home, and set up my Agent to run searches. I can use some sleep too." He yawns and stretches his arms.

<<@Ramirez [Overkill] We have made significant progress. Would like to meet between 2000 and 2200 tonight. Contact me to work out the details.>>

"I will see what Herr Ramirez says, and will let you know immediately once he contacts me."

[Jack VII]

Somewhere in the Hudson Community, 9:55 AM August 2nd, 2075

"Sounds good, Overkill, keep us posted. We all agreed to go grab a room at a motel around here? If so, let's do it." Jack said, looking forward to some sleep.

[Chrome Head]

Somewhere in the Hudson Community, 9:55 AM August 2nd, 2075

"Yeah a motel is nice."

"No matter what happens, I want to get to Lynx. He's the one who messed up the rally and shot me. He's the one making it possible for the drugs to reach the Warrens. He's hurting so many people, I just have to put him down... Or I can settle for putting him behind bars."

[Lobo0705]

The Bedford Inn, 10:10 AM August 2nd, 2075

The car pulls up to the hotel, and the team piles out, slowly making their way inside. Grease is rubbing the bridge of his nose, and all show signs of fatigue. The Japanese man at the counter accepts the 100 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) for the room and hands the passkey to Jack, who leads his weary party down the hallway to room 138.

The room is dingy but not filthy, with two queen beds and a small bathroom, it is far bigger than any room you would get in the Warrens. One advantage to being out here in the sticks, thinks Jack.

Overkill takes a moment to insert the chip into his deck, and starts fiddling with it. After a moment, he is satisfied. "Amy, can we have your spirit watch over us so we can all sleep? Or do you think it is better to have a watch?"

[Jack VII]

The Bedford Inn, 10:10 AM August 2nd, 2075

Jack yawned as he stretched, "Honestly? It's probably better to have someone keeping watch, but I gotta say, I don't think Grease or I are going to be reliable watchmen. If we can setup a reasonable watch between spirits and drones that would let us rack out for eight, that would be ideal. Try and get comfortable and see to yourselves."

Sitting down on the edge of one of the queen-sized beds, he removed his boots. While probably not the best idea given their current circumstances, his feet were hot and damp from the earlier ambush at the Arsenal. The last thing the ork wanted was to pick up some kind of fungus or infection. Walking into the bathroom, Jack briefly turned the shower on to wash off his feet and dry them with a towel. Grabbing two threadbare washcloths from the sink, he shoved them down into his boots to try to absorb some of the remaining moisture. His pants and jacket he would have to tend to at a different time.

[Lobo0705]

The Bedford Inn, 10:10 AM August 2nd, 2075

Overkill pulls out his drone from his pocket, opening the window a crack and letting it fly outside. "I can add this little fellow to the watch. Also, I think I can use an actual shower, does anyone mind if I go first? " Seeing no real objections, Overkill goes to the bathroom and the hiss of the water is soon heard, along with murmurs of German as Overkill quietly sings to himself in the shower.

In about 5 minutes the elf emerges looking a little refreshed, but although his skin and hair are clean, his clothes are still rank from wearing them in the August heat. "Not much of an improvement, I'm afraid." Shrugging his shoulders, he checks on his Agent's progress briefly, and lays down on the bed that Jack is on. Similar to Jack, he has left his socks and shoes off.

"I see you must have served, my friend? My old sergeant drilled it into our heads about proper foot care." Overkill smiles wryly as he remembers. "He was a mean old bastard, but one of the best I served with in the Bundeswehr."