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

[Jack VII]

Quebec Parkway, Commerce City, 9:03 PM, July 30th, 2075

"I think that about covers it, Mr. Johnson." Jack replied, pausing briefly before offering one final opportunity. "Although, if you feel that your level of exposure is too high, our decker is quite talented. He managed to pull almost all of the video feeds attached to the report with little trouble. If he could gain access to a device attached to the Lone Star Host, he could pull the files we need without your fingerprints anywhere close to it. We'd just need access..."

[DrZaius]

Quebec Parkway, Commerce City, 9:03 PM, July 30th, 2075

Well, he already hates me. Speaking over his shoulder, Grease pipes up for the first time during the meet. "It strike you as odd we were able to make this amount of progress in the amount of time we had? We're not police by any stretch, and I think we've got footage of the shooter in what, 3-4 instances already? I know you said that you felt these cases weren't being investigated adequately, but this seems beyond the pale. This screams of inside job to me. We've only got info on Bradshere, but he can't have coordinated a conspiracy across an entire sector like this. Cop-killers tend to get justice handed to them the fastest. I think your initial guess that this went high up was right. Who would be in charge of an overall investigation related to the death of an officer? Not the detectives on the scene, their boss?"

[Lobo0705]

East 72nd, Commerce City, 9:05 PM, July 30th, 2075

Ramirez looks bemused by Jack's request. "Please don't take this the wrong way, but I barely know you. So while I appreciate you helping me out here in return for compensation, I am not going to hand you or your friend unrestricted access to the Lone Star host."

Ramirez thinks a moment before answering Grease. "Your success in this area confirms my suspicions that the conspirators have help inside the Star. As you said, if one had been this poorly followed up, I would suspect negligence. This many points to corruption. It is hard to answer your specific question, depending on what level boss you are looking for. The immediate head of Homicide is Major Harvey Brown. Above him are only the various district commanders and then the assistant chief and chief himself. I'm going to hope that this goes no higher than Major Brown."

[Jack VII]

East 72nd, Commerce City, 9:05 PM, July 30th, 2075

Hearing the answer he fully expected, Jack replied, "I had to ask. Granted, we would have been professionals about it and not snooped around, but your point stands. We'll simply rely on whatever you can turn up while we look into the rest of the murders. In any event, if we can locate and turn-out Lynx and his crew, they may be able to finger someone."

[DrZaius]

East 72nd, Commerce City, 9:05 PM, July 30th, 2075

Grease adds, "If we manage to bring Lynx in alive, he'll probably clam up. Otherwise, if it is a conspiracy inside the police department he probably won't last long in prison."

[Lobo0705]

East 72nd, Commerce City, 9:07 PM, July 30th, 2075

"If you manage to bring Lynx or any of the other culprits in, you'll need to get them to me. I can arrange to have them brought to the ZDF where they will be held in protective custody until the trial."


The taxi is fast approaching Mccormick's, and Grease and Jack think quickly to see if they've missed anything before they drop off their Johnson.

[Lobo0705]

New McCormicks Seafood House, Commerce City, 9:10 PM, July 30th, 2075

As Grease pulls into the parking lot, Turbine, on the instructions of Amy and Overkill drive on past. Amy receives a mental communication from her spirit, "None in the Astral followed you. You may call on me twice more before sunup." and then the voice fades from her head.

Grease stops the taxi, and Ramirez steps out. "Watch your backs," he says, "and I'll get the info I can to you tomorrow night." He walks inside the restaurant as Overkill activates the bug scanner again. <<@Jack and Grease [Overkill] All clear. At least we can be sure Ramirez wasn't bugged.>>

Parking Garage, Commerce City, 9:30 PM, July 30th, 2075
Grease and Jack are quiet on the ride to the parking garage on East 60th. There, Grease pauses momentarily as Jack exits his vehicle and gets into Turbines' waiting car. The young driver pauses his latest story long enough to say hello to Jack and ask, "Where to now boss?"

[Jack VII]

Parking Garage, Commerce City, 9:30 PM, July 30th, 2075

"Hoi, amigo," Jack replied to Tony. Hopping into the backseat, Jack looked in the rearview mirror at Amy and Overkill. "Head back to the shop? I can brief you once we get there. We need to grab some shut-eye before our next bit of biz..."

[Chrome Head]

Parking Garage, Commerce City, 9:30 PM, July 30th, 2075

"Yeah we should head back and get some sleep. Maybe we could stop on the way and get Nic' something for his hospitality. What does he like to drink?"

Amy gives instructions to Tony for the way back and where to stop on the way. She pays him 50% more than what would be his normal rate, in return for his availability at a moment's notice tonight, and for keeping their business for private. "With the quality of your driving, expect me to call on you again in the future and to be always well compensated, Turbine."

[Lobo0705]

Parking Garage, Commerce City, 9:30 PM, July 30th, 2075

Turbine winks at Amy as he accepts the payment. "Anytime, pretty lady, anytime." He smiles at her, and continues, "Now sit back and relax while I get you guys some drinks and then drop you on home. Did I ever tell you the story of when I had to get a guy to his bookie to delivery payment on the vig he owed? Would have been a normal ride if it weren't for those cockatrices..." As Turbine launches into his next tale, Jack, Amy, and Overkill sit in the back, planning their next move.

[Jack VII]

Parking Garage, Commerce City, 9:30 PM, July 30th, 2075

"Nic's not really much of a drinker, but he loves to get his hands on tech... anything he hasn't seen before. We might be able to fit in a bit of antique shopping for him before this is all said and done." Jack said in response to Amy's question.

[Chrome Head]

Parking Garage, Commerce City, 9:30 PM, July 30th, 2075

"Oh I wouldn't know what he'd like then. I'll let you two do the shopping."

[DrZaius]

Commerce City, 9:30 PM, July 30th, 2075

Tooling around Commerce City for a bit, Grease looks for fares to pick up just in case he was followed. He pens a quick message to the team to get their input.

<<@Team[Grease]: Going to grab a few fares, as discussed. Are we going to the park tonight? Anything else we should do before tomorrow?>>

[Jack VII]

Somehwere between Commerce City and the Aurora Warrens, UCAS Sector, 9:35 PM, July 30th, 2075

All of the team's commlinks lit up simultaneously, meaning there was a good chance Grease had just sent a message. "I got it," Jack said as he replied to Grease's message.

<<@Grease [JustJack] We're going to bunk down at Nic's. Park is still a go. I think the only thing we're going to do is catch some shut-eye. Meet us at Nic's around 0300?>>

[DrZaius]

Commerce City, 9:37 PM, July 30th, 2075

Seeing the message light up his display, Grease responds reflexively. Darting in and around traffic, he simultaneously is having a heated discussion with a cousin who has called his commlink. His fare in the back is absolutely terrified.

<<@JustJack [Grease]: Sounds good. See you there.>>

[Lobo0705]

Grease's Apartment, 1:00 AM, July 31st, 2075

After an hour or two of driving people around the city, Grease heads back home, parks the taxi, and heads inside.

He grabs a quick snack from the refrigerator, wolfs it down, and then lies down and tries to get some shuteye before the nights festivities. It feels like he had barely gotten to sleep when his alarm began blaring, waking him up at 1:00 AM.

While still lying in bed, he sends his senses shooting through the Matrix to find their way into the sensor housings in his FlySpy over at the Manuel house.

<<As always, it is a little disconcerting to find his physical senses pushed to the background, and to experience the world through the metallic limbs and electronics of a machine. Still, that soon goes away as he spreads his wings and begins to fly. His sensors pick up no movement around him, and the darts our from underneath the couch and hovers in the living room. His thermal sensors quickly allow him to determine that the ground floor is clear, and so he goes about his business of seeking a way out. Flying to the kitchen, he looks for the obvious, some sort of animal door, but he isn't that lucky. He then makes a circuit of all of the windows, but with the heat wave, they are all shut and the central air is turned on. His wings buzzing faster with frustration, he moves upstairs, the heat signatures showing him that Mrs. Manuel and her child are still in their beds, but the upstairs shows as little promise for escape as the downstairs. Flying back down to the living room, he sits on the couch trying to figure out his next move.>>

[Lobo0705]

Nic's Knacks, 3:00 AM July 31st, 2075

Turbine had dropped the trio off a block or so away from Jack's home, and they had quickly walked the remaining distance with no trouble. As they got home, Kevin was sitting on the floor of the living room, looking off into space as he surfed the Matrix, and Nic was sitting in a chair he had cleared off, with an intimidating shotgun in his hands. Jack had given him the all clear on the way in, so they were met with only a smile instead of buckshot, and each person quickly went about their business.

Amy checked in on Sam, making sure she was asleep, and then lay down next to her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before trying to nod off herself. Overkill rolls his jacket up into a ball, lays down on the floor and uses it as a pillow.

Nic says, "I know you guys have stuff to do later, Jack, get some sleep. I'll keep watch for now, and I'll wake you at 3:00." Jack nods gratefully at the old troll, and lays down on the floor across the room from Overkill, and quickly falls asleep.

Several hours later, Nic shakes Jack awake, and says, "I'm going to turn in now. Stay safe."

[Jack VII]

Nic's Knacks, Aurora Warrens, 3:00 AM July 31st, 2075

Jack stretched and tried to work the kinks out of his neck. Patting the troll on the shoulder, he replied, "Thanks Nic. I owe you... well, a lot. I appreciate the help, grab some Zs, amigo." Standing up, he approached Overkill's ersatz bed and nudged him with his foot, making sure the elf wasn't sleeping with his hands on any weapons. "Rise and shine, Overkill. I'm going to go and wake Amy up."

Jack slipped into his bedroom and quietly walked over to the mattress. Amy and Sam were both sleeping deeply. Not surprisingJack figured, this place is probably a step-up from their normal doss. Jack tapped out a quick text message on his commlink and then squatted down next to the two sleeping figures. Softly but insistently, the ork tapped Amy on the shoulder. As he saw her waking, he sent the message to silently alert her that it was time to wake up.

<<@Amy [JustJack] It's 0300, Amy. Time to wake up. Didn't want to wake Sam.>>

With lightning quickness, Amy snatched Jack's wrist, her eyes darting around for threats. The ork pointed to Sam's still sleeping form and whispered something about not waking the child up. As Amy gained awareness of the situation, she relaxed her grip and nodded. Jack stood up and exited the room as quietly as he entered. Returning to the front, he noted Overkill had readied his gear and was set. Jack returned to his temporary bed, put his boots on, and grabbed his SMG.

[Lobo0705]

Grease's Apartment, 1:00 AM, July 31st, 2075

<<After doing another circuit of the house, Grease decides that his only way out is through the duct tape over the bullet hole. Maneuvering his drone into position, he begins using the legs of the FlySpy to try and peel back the tape. After several minutes of failed attempt after failed attempt, he takes a different tack, this time trying to cut a hole in the tape. The tape starts to give way, but it is excruciatingly slow work, and almost half an hour passes before he is able to make a big enough hole in the tape to squeeze the drone through. Even with him jumped into the drone, it is a tight squeeze, and it takes every ounce of skill to try and extricate the drone from the house. Finally, the drone busts free of the house, and zooms off into the night sky, as Grease turns control of the drone back over to the Pilot program. >>

Opening his eyes and looking at the clock, he groans, decides to get one more hour of shuteye, and then a quick shower. By 2:45 he is dressed and on his way out the door, taking his BMW out of the driveway and speeding over to Nic's.

He sent a quick message to Jack as he pulled into the driveway, and waited for the others to come outside.

[DrZaius]

Nic's Knacks, Aurora Warrens, 3:02 AM July 31st, 2075

The gunmetal grey BMW, (it's face very similar to a Shark's) idles in a satisfying way in the driveway of Nic's Knacks. Grease is jacked in, feeling the power of the engine, the thirst for more petrol (he can tell his stomach is only 2/3rds full), and the thousands of noises and lights surrounding him, both large and small, each being taken in by a different one of his sensors.

<<@Team [Grease]: I'm outside. Party time.>>

Gear:

[ Spoiler ]

Essy Motors Dronemaster RCC
BMW 400 GT
Fly-Spy
Fly-Spy 2
Microskimmer
GM Nissan Doberman "RHex" (in trunk)
Ares Light Fire 75 with 2 regular ammo, 2 gel ammo clips (on person)
Ingram Smartgun X with 2 regular ammo, 1 gel ammo clips (in trunk)
Colt American L36 with 2 regular ammo clips (in trunk)
Actioneer Business Clothes
Glasses w/smartlink
Micro-transceiver
tag eraser (in car)
Metalink Commlink (Slaved to RCC)
Cram, 1 dose (on person)
Novacoke, 1 dose (in car)

[Chrome Head]

Nic's Knacks, Aurora Warrens, 3:00 AM July 31st, 2075

Amy had fallen asleep quickly and as is her mentor's habit, he visited her in her sleep through dreams.

The shaman finds herself in the middle of a great urban park. Looming skyscrapers can be seen in the distance and the shadows they cast reaches even this haven of grass and trees. In front her lies a paved path that she follows forward towards what seems to be a fortress made of dirt. As she reaches the entrance, she marvels at the flows of magical energy that glisten around the huge mound. As she steps inside, she is swallowed up and feels immediately safe and welcome. The warmth and presence of her mentor spirit near and around her is comforting. Then in front of her appear the faces -- no, rather the auras -- of people she nevertheless recognizes immediately. Sam. Kevin. Hubert. Chomsky. Drave. Jack. Even old Nic and the rigger Grease. Just as this great spirit of protection doesn't take a fixed shape to interact with her apprentice, it is also not one to use words to express ideas, but speaks rather through impressions and emotions. And the message couldn't be more clear. Watch out for these people. Care for them. Protect them. "I swear I will remain vigilant, my dear friend. Belive me, I..."

Amy is startled and reacts vigorously and with alarming speed at Jack's light tap on her shoulder, looking around and assessing whether a threat is present. Jack hasn't expected this and takes a step back, whispering softly "Sshh, don't wake her up" and pointing to the child in her arms. Becoming aware of the situation, Amy calms herself down and nods in agreement, gently going around Sam and out of the room.

In the bathroom, she freshens up by throwing water in her face and then joins the others in the living room. "I'm good to go anytime."

[Always Overkill]

Nic's Knacks, Aurora Warrens, 3:00 AM July 31st, 2075


Drave groaned as he got up off the floor. He had slept on many floors, and worse, but that didn't make pain it caused any lessened. Seeing that the 3AM had rolled around, he began to gather up his gear, and once he had finished he looked over to Jack, asking "Do you happen to have any coffee around here? I am entirely certain I am going to need it."

[ Spoiler ]

Proteus-AG Blitzfurhen "Lightning Drive" Cyberdeck (Renraku Tsurugi)
-Cyberprograms
-All Common and Hacking programs, Agent 4
-Mapsoft- Denver
Armor Jacket
Armor Vest
SCK Model 100 w- Gas-Vent 2 (W)
-90 Rounds of Explosive Ammo (3 Mags)
-60 Rounds of Stick and Shock (2 Mags)
-30 Rounds Standard Ammo (1 Mag)
Ares Crusader 2 w- Suppressor (W)
-80 Rounds of Standard Ammo (2 Mags)
-80 Rounds of Stick and Shock Ammo (2 Mags)
-40 Rounds of Explosive Ammo (1 Mag)
Streetline Special (Ankle Holster)
-12 Rounds of Standard Ammo (2 Mags)
Earbud- Audio Enhancement 1, Spatial Recognizer
Fake Sin 4 (Wilhelm Krieg- A Dutch Immigrant and freelance contractor who works Matrix Security in the tech industry.)
-Cybernetic Augmentations
-Bioware Augmentations
-Firearms & Ammo (to possess them)
-Firearms & Ammo (to carry them)
-Cyberdecks & Programs
-Communications Devices
Fliegegeheimagent x1 (Fly Spy)
Bug Scanner 5
Area Jammer 3
Directional Jammer 5
Flash Pak x2
Trauma Patches x2
Stim Patches 3 x4

Augmentations:
Wired Reflexes 1
Cerebral Booster 2
Bone Augmentation 2
Muscle Toner 1
Cybereyes 3 w- Low-Light, Thermo, Smart Link, Vision Enhancement 2, Flare Comp, Image Link, Vision Magnification. (W)
Shock Hand
Datajack w-Simrig (W)
Hermes Ikon Commlink x2 (One integrated) (W)

All wireless running silent

[Jack VII]

Nic's Knacks, Aurora Warrens, 3:03 AM July 31st, 2075

"Given your taste for beer, I'm not sure you're going to want what we have to offer." Jack chuckled. The ork pointed to a beaten-up decades old Mr. Soykaf 3000 sitting behind the counter. "You're more than welcome to give that a shot."

As Amy entered the room and announced she was ready, Jack headed outside and walked over to the driver's side window of Grease's BMW. "Morning, Grease." Jack began, "I hope you got what little sleep you could. So what's the play here? We pile in, head over to the park, you pop a drone to take a quick look-see to see if anyone is roaming the park at this time, a few of us head in, take position, and Amy whistles up a spirit to dig?"

GEAR

[ Spoiler ]

Streetline Special [APDS] w/2x Spare Clip [Regular]
HK227 [Regular] w/3x Spare Clips [Regular] (W)
Flash-Pak (W)
Armor Jacket w/CP (2), FR (2), IS (2), NC (2)
Helmet w/Flare Comp, Thermo, Trode-Net, Vision Enhancement (1), & Vision Magnification (W)
Earbuds w/Audio Enhancement (3) (W)
Hermes Ikon (5) w/Subvocal Mic
Gecko Tape Gloves
Bio-monitor
Medkit (3) (W)

Cyberware
Internal Air Tank (3) [Alpha]
Muscle Replacement (2) [Alpha]
Skilljack (4) [Used] (W)
Skillwires (4) [Used]
Active Skillsoft: [Automatics (4), Sneaking (4), Unarmed Combat (4)]
Smartlink [Alpha] (W)
Handblade [Alpha]
Wired Reflexes (1) [Alpha]

[Always Overkill]

Nic's Knacks, Aurora Warrens, 3:03 AM July 31st, 2075

Drave gave Jack a momentary look of dismay before collecting himself and saying, "Am I accurate that the cream and sugar are likewise in doubt?" He began inspecting the area for filters and grounds, realizing it was going to be a long day.

[Lobo0705]

E. Smoky Run, Aurora Warrens, 3:20 AM July 31st, 2075

Overkill finishes his coffee with a grimace, detesting the taste, but needing the caffeine. Jack sits calmly in the front seat, while Amy fidgets a little next to Overkill in the back. Grease puts the car on autopilot and jumps into the Fly Spy hovering a couple hundred meters over their heads.

<<Winging his way over the buildings, his drones sensors pick out all the holes in the walls, the caved in roofs, and dilapidated remains of this once residential neighborhood. This section of town is rough by the best of standards, and it always makes Grease glad he doesn't have to live in this shithole. Swooping down over the park, the sensors detect multiple heat signatures in the park. Making a quick circuit, and then dropping down to tree level, he investigates further.

On the north side of the park, near the apartment complex, stand three men. Their track suits all match, as do their weapons. At this range it is difficult to tell the make and model, but they appear to be some form of small automatic weapons. They are relaxing around a firepit, which currently remains unlit, and speaking in a language Grease does not understand.

Scattered throughout the park itself are several dozen other metahuman forms. Most are human, but the occasional larger bulk shows an ork or troll. All of these forms are prone, and most are motionless, although a few toss and turn.

They seem to be in three distinct clumps, one near the apartment complex, one on the east side of the park, and the other on the west.>>