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

[DrZaius]

The Rusty Bar-rel, UCAS Zone, 2:00 PM, July 30th, 2075

"That seems reasonable. It will take a few minutes to hear back from the Real Estate Agent. Additionally, Jack has a meet he needs to get to, so we have to factor that into our planning. If it's too late I'll go on my own and try to gather the information myself."

"From a coordination standpoint, we could start consolidating vehicles. I am able to transport us all in either of my cars. Additionally, if any of you need a ride someplace, I can pick you up in my cab and transport you where we need to go. I don't want something silly like not having a car trip up the investigation."

[Jack VII]

The Rusty Bar-rel, UCAS Zone, 2:01 PM, July 30th, 2075

"I can see pros and cons to splitting up. I feel we're fairly safe right now if we use the buddy system unless we're going somewhere particularly dangerous. At the same time, I don't think we're going to solve this thing in a day, so if a combined approach makes sense, so be it. Considering how you described the neighborhood Manuel lived in, I'm not sure if there is going to be a way for the two of you to be there without possibly tripping alarms and burning our play." Jack said, indicating Amy and Overkill.

Jack called up his map feed and opened an invitation so that his companions could view it. "The Manuel house is here," the ork indicated, an ARO bouncing around briefly on the image. "It's actually only about a mile from my meet tonight. There are also two other incident sites nearby to Manuel's that we haven't checked out: Hawthorne and Wright."

"Here's my offer: we all head over to the location of the Wright incident while we still have some light. Grease and I will stick with you unless we get a call from the real estate agent. If so, we split and head over there. Either way, I'm going to change into one of these outfits when it gets close to 1700," Jack said, holding up his bag of clothes, "Grease can do me a favor and drop me off at my meet. Once I'm done, I can head back and meet up with the rest of you and we can tackle the Hawthorne location."

[DrZaius]

The Rusty Bar-rel, UCAS Zone, 2:10 PM, July 30th, 2075

Looking down at his commlink, Grease nods at Jack. "Hmm, maybe we'll go to the house first- we've got a meet there at 3."

Reading the rest of the comm, his grin turns to a frown. "Hmm, it says the Real Estate Agent is looking forward to meeting us. I guess that makes sense; people don't tend to show their own houses. Overkill, Amy- are you sure it was the widow you saw? I want to make sure we're talking to the right person, if she ends up being there."

He pauses to finish the last of his beer. "Most of the play still works; we can scope out the interior of the house, look for any clues to see if Manuel was involved somehow before he got hit. We may be able to pinch his personal comm if it's lying around and try to have Overkill pull some data off of it."

[Jack VII]

The Rusty Bar-rel, UCAS Zone, 2:10 PM, July 30th, 2075

"Like they say, no plan survives first contact," Jack chuckled. "So mi amor and I are going to head over to the Manuel house around 1500. I imagine we can spend about an hour there if we're going to make our house hunting look real. After that, considering how close the Manuel house is to my meet, I may just show up there early. There isn't a lot of detail about the Wright incident. If y'all do head out there, maybe you can find something about it in the newspaper from the following day that might help zero in on the location. I'm not all that great with a computer, but I may be able to spend the hour before my meet looking for Tribune articles on the murders, I don't think we've attempted that avenue yet."

[Chrome Head]

The Rusty Bar-rel, UCAS Zone, 2:10 PM, July 30th, 2075

Amy nods, understanding that a consensus was forming. "Yeah that all sounds good."

[Jack VII]

The Rusty Bar-rel, UCAS Zone, 2:10 PM, July 30th, 2075

Looking at Amy, Jack said, "Once we get done with this Manuel business, I do think we should probably start sticking together as much as possible. There's no telling what kind of tracks we may have been leaving during the short time we've been investigating this thing."

[Always Overkill]

The Rusty Bar-rel, UCAS Zone, 2:10 PM, July 30th, 2075


"That was actually Helmuth von Moltke who said that about plans, Jack. But as far as this plan is concerned, we all seem to be on the same page." Drave stated with a grin, finishing his current beer, wondering if they had time for another.

[Lobo0705]

Jack and Grease, Manuel Residence, Leyden Street 2:55 PM, July 30th, 2075

After settling on a plan, the group decided to split once more. After settling the tab, they headed out the door, Jack and Grease to embark in the luxury of Grease's BMW, while Amy and Overkill hopped on his bike.
Grease put his cab on autopilot, and had the vehicle follow them, and parked it around the corner from the Manuel house - a short walk for Jack to take to his meeting with Honeypot, but still far enough away so as not to attract undue attention.

After gliding through the traffic of the UCAS zone, Grease and Jack arrived at the Manuel residence. Standing outside the home, making some adjustments with her 'link to the AR display of the sign, stood a dwarven woman with reddish-blonde hair, cut in a short bob. Her dark suit was well made, and showed some tailoring, allowing her to appear professional with just a bit of sex appeal. Grease's BMW glided into the driveway, and the two runners exited the vehicle.

The dwarf quickly approached them, giving them a quick once-over, and said, "Hello gentlemen, I'm Brandy Simmons - very nice to meet you."

Amy and Overkill, Tasty Burger, Holly and E.56th, Commerce City, 3:00 PM, July 30th, 2075

Overkill and Amy step off of the bike in the Tasty Burger parking lot. The franchise sign blasts out in audio and video a non-stop assault of advertising, from Tasty Fries, Tasty Burgers, Tasty Soychix Cubes, and other associated t-shirts and kids' toys. They enter the building and see a fairly standard layout for this type of establishment, booths and tables in front, counter in the back. One of the booths near the front looks much newer than the others, the smell and grime of the cooking oil not yet having time to etch itself into the plastic frame and cushioning.

The eatery is not busy, it being too late for lunch and too early for dinner, with three patrons sitting at various tables. Only two people are behind the counter, both girls in their early twenties, busy cleaning and preparing for the dinner rush.

[DrZaius]

Jack and Grease, Manuel Residence, Leyden Street 2:55 PM, July 30th, 2075

Smiling a huge smile, Grease grabs Jack arm and walks forward with him to meet Brandy. "Brandy- so nice to meet you! I'm Henry, and this is my Jo-Jo. We can't wait to look inside! Honey, look at that curb appeal!"

Grease seems ecstatic at the house, looking at the fixtures and cooing over the various landscaping features.

Grease pouts, and tells Brandy, "We've only got about an hour before my Jo-Jo has to leave; do you want to give us the tour? We have so many questions!"

[Jack VII]

Manuel Residence, Leyden Street, UCAS Sector, 2:55 PM, July 30th, 2075

Seeing that Grease opted for the flamboyant and excitable stereotype, Jack decided to assume a more conservative persona, both to counterbalance Grease and to require a bit less of a performance. "Now Henry, don't let your excitement get in the way of your senses," the ork said, turning to Simmons. "Pleased to meet you Ms. Simmons. I hope you don't mind me saying that haircut looks great on you. What can you tell us about the house?"

GEAR

[ Spoiler ]

Actioneer Business Clothes (W)
Horn Rim Glasses w/Flare Comp, Image Link, Vision Enhancement (2) (W)
Earbuds w/Audio Enhancement (3) (W)
Hermes Ikon (5) w/Subvocal Mic
Bio-monitor (W)
Standard Credstick
Internal Air Tank (3) [Alpha] (W)
Muscle Replacement (2) [Alpha]
Skilljack (4) [Used] (W)
Skillwires (4) [Used]
Smartlink [Alpha] (W)
Handblade [Alpha]
Wired Reflexes (1) [Alpha] (W)

Active Skillsoft: Disguise (1), Running (3), Sneaking (4), Unarmed Combat (4)

[Chrome Head]

Amy and Overkill, Tasty Burger, Holly and E.56th, Commerce City, 3:00 PM, July 30th, 2075

On the way there, Amy asks Overkill how they should go about it. "Wanna do the usual? We pretend to be PIs and you talk first?"

[Lobo0705]

Manuel Residence, Leyden Street, UCAS Sector, 2:58 PM, July 30th, 2075

"Thank you, Jo-Jo - may I call you Jo-Jo? If you'll follow me, I'll show you around. As you can see, it is a nice neighborhood, plenty of kids on the street, if you have any children or are planning on adopting."

She leads the two of them up the stairs, and knocks. The door opens and a young latina opens the door. "Hello Ms. Simmons. Come on in. I'll get out of your way."

Brandy thanks her, and motions to Jack and Grease to follow. "I have sent you the info on the home, in the meantime, here is the living room over here." She points to a large room, nicely furnished, with carpeting, although a section of the carpet is torn up in a 6 by 6 area. "Lots of room, and the owner will be putting in new carpet in the next week or so." The young latina has moved off upstairs, and you can hear a door close.

"If you gentlemen will follow me into the kitchen?"

[Always Overkill]

Amy and Overkill, Tasty Burger, Holly and E.56th, Commerce City, 3:00 PM, July 30th, 2075



"You did Fantastisch at the Stuffer Shack," Drave replied, filled with confidence in his young comrade. "Why don't you take the lead on this one? Same story as usual."

[Jack VII]

Manuel Residence, Leyden Street, UCAS Sector, 3:00 PM, July 30th, 2075

"Jo-Jo is fine. It's Henry's pet name for me, but I've grown fond of it." Jack takes in the living room and sighs, "Do the furnishings come with the house? Such a shame about the carpet, it went so well with the room." Squatting down, the ork asks, "This seems too small for water damage, which I am sure you would have disclosed. Do you mind explaining? It would certainly set my mind at ease."

[DrZaius]

Manuel Residence, Leyden Street, UCAS Sector, 3:00 PM, July 30th, 2075

Ignoring Jack's question, Grease begins to wander, moving away from Brandy. "We could put the chaise here, the throw there.. Where does the bar go? Is that hardwood? Does it go upstairs as well?" his voice fades as he wanders into a different room.

[Chrome Head]

Amy and Overkill, Tasty Burger, Holly and E.56th, Commerce City, 3:00 PM, July 30th, 2075

Amy feels some pride at the praise and smiles. "All right then."

They enter the fast food joint and Amy goes to talk to the nearest employee, first looking at her name tag. "Hi Claire, is the manager around?"

[Lobo0705]

Manuel Residence, Leyden Street, UCAS Sector, 3:02 PM, July 30th, 2075

Brandy calls out to Grease "Um - yes that way is the kitchen, take a look at the appliances - all are in good condition" She turns back to Jack, "I'm not sure what happened there, but I can tell you there was no water damage."

[Lobo0705]

Amy and Overkill, Tasty Burger, Holly and E.56th, Commerce City, 3:00 PM, July 30th, 2075

"Good afternoon and welcome to Tasty Burger." Claire smiles at Amy, and says, "Miss, I am the assistant manager, the store manager will not be here until 4:30. Is there something I can help you with?"

[Jack VII]

Manuel Residence, Leyden Street, UCAS Sector, 3:02 PM, July 30th, 2075

Jack wandered over to the window and noted the broken pane. "...and this? I assume this would be repaired before we discussed terms?" With a look of disappointment, the ork asked Brandy, "Who might be able to answer some of these questions? If there are undisclosed issues with this house, it could make a pending sale problematic." Scratching his nose, Jack continued, "As excited as Henry seems, he loves his cars more than anything. If there is one thing I have learned from Henry's... hobby, it is that you need to know the history of something before you buy it. Is the owner available to answer questions to which you may not know the answer? Such as this... and this?" The ork points at the window and floor.

[Chrome Head]

Amy and Overkill, Tasty Burger, Holly and E.56th, Commerce City, 3:00 PM, July 30th, 2075

"Maybe. My name is Lara Bell, and this here is my colleague Mr. Heinrick. We're private investigators looking into a murder that occurred in this establishment over a week ago. I'd like to speak with employees who saw what happened. Could you tell me who was working during lunch on July 18?"

[Lobo0705]

Manuel Residence, Leyden Street, UCAS Sector, 3:05 PM, July 30th, 2075

Brandy looks a little disconcerted, but answers smoothly, "My understanding is that either the window will be replaced, or a credit issued on the sale of the home to replace it, should the sale go through immediately. That particular window is very large, and so getting a new piece of glass for it is expensive. I can certainly understand your curiosity, but I have disclosed all information required by law in the state. Mrs. Manuel is home, I can ask if she would be willing to answer your questions, if you would like."

[Jack VII]

Manuel Residence, Leyden Street, UCAS Sector, 3:05 PM, July 30th, 2075

Jack raised an eyebrow at Brandy's unwillingness to disclose. She's probably in the right, he thought to himself, but damn if it wouldn't make me concerned if I actually wanted to buy this house. Figuring his main goal here was to buy Grease more time, the ork replied after a pregnant pause, "I don't think that's necessary at the moment; she has you here for a reason after all. Let's take a loot at the rest of the house before we decide if we need to speak to the owners. Let's take a look at that kitchen. New appliances you said?"

[Lobo0705]

Amy and Overkill, Tasty Burger, Holly and E.56th, Commerce City, 3:05 PM, July 30th, 2075

Claire looks ill at the mention of the murder. "Um, I was working that shift. I can answer your questions - it happened right there." She points at the newer looking booth.

"Officer Hawthorne was here as usual - he comes in every day and gets Soychix Cubes and fries - anyway, he was here maybe 5 minutes a van pulled up outside. The door opened, and an elf got out, sunglasses, short black hair, and wearing a trenchcoat. I remember the trenchcoat since it was so hot that day, I thought it was weird." Claire stops, and says, "Do you mind if we sit down, I don't feel so good."

[Chrome Head]

Amy and Overkill, Tasty Burger, Holly and E.56th, Commerce City, 3:05 PM, July 30th, 2075

"Yes of course, please." They sit in the nearest booth and Amy waves at the other employee. "Excuse me, miss? Could you bring us a glass of water, it's for Claire."

Giving Claire a minute to get over the initial wave of emotions, Amy turns to the team's computer geek, "Hey, could you make a quick check to see if we have any image fitting that description?"

Then, when Claire seems to be better. "I know it's difficult, but this could be really useful to us. Do you remember the firearm that was used? Could you describe it to us?"

[Lobo0705]

Amy and Overkill, Tasty Burger, Holly and E.56th, Commerce City, 3:07 PM, July 30th, 2075

The other girl, Jane, by her name tag, brings over a cup of water for Claire. She smiles and takes a sip.

In the meantime, Overkill makes a few motions with his fingers, and has the image of Lynx appear on the table. The image is clear on his face, and the rest of it is blurred, so as to avoid showing exactly what context it was lifted from.

"Is that him, Fraulein?"

Claire nods, taking another sip of water. "That's him. You can't see it from that angle, but he has a tattoo of a Chinese or Japanese character on the back of his neck." Shaking her head, she says, "I can't really remember what it looks like though. He just walked up to Vic and said 'Excuse me Officer' and then pulled out a gun and shot him in the face. It was so loud - it was an automatic weapon of some type, it sounded like a buzz saw." The girl starts to cry, and manages to choke out, "After he shot Vic, he stood over him and just kept shooting, for what seemed like forever, and then without another word just walked out the door, and got in the van. Excuse me." Claire gets up and runs for the bathroom.