Nothing's Free in the Free Zone (IC), Adventure 2: A Dish Best Served Cold Options

[Jack VII]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:04 AM, September 12, 2075

Fingering the trigger of his SMG, Jack was really considering geeking Huiquing right there. The guy was no saint. It would even be somewhat inline with the way true professionals would carry themselves. But it would be in cold blood and the ork had no real proof that Huiquing was any worse than any of the other Triads in town. He let his conscience get the better of him.

"Suǒyǐ, nǐ pángbiān yǒu méiyǒu gěi wǒmen tígōng, chúfēi wǒmen tóngyì bāngzhù nǐ. Nǐ wènle hěnduō guānyú xìnyǎng hé xìnniàn bù huā hǎo. Zhège zěnme yàng, 100000 zài qiánmiàn, zhè jiāng shì xīnchóu wǔ tiān. Rúguǒ wǒmen chénggōngle, 100000 de gèng duō, wǒmen kěyǐ cǎiqǔ liǎng gè xiàngmù dì jiàzhí, cóng nǐ de fángzi. Wǒmen tiāo, bù wèn rènhé wèntí."

[Lobo0705]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:05 AM, September 12, 2075

Huiquing ceases his chanting with a wry chuckle. "Wǒ shòuchǒngruòjīng, nǐ juédé wǒ suíshēn xiédài nàme duō qián duì wǒ de rén." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a silver credstick.

"Wǒ tōngcháng bǎoliú yīxiē qián zài shǒu, yǒu 15000 duì zhège. Tā de yīqiè wǒ dū zài wǒ shēnshang."

Straightening his coat, he finishes, "Zhìyú nǐ de tiáojiàn de qíyú bùfèn, wǒ tóngyì. Èrshí wàn, ér liǎng gè xiàngmù cóng wǒjiā de pínghéng. Cóng biǎomiàn shàng kàn nàxiē nǐ yào lái bǎi zài shǒuwèi tōu."

[Jack VII]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:05 AM, September 12, 2075

<<@Team [JustJack] OK, looks like the final offer is a 15K advance on the credstick, the balance of the 200K on completion, and our pick of two items of value from his house. In exchange, we rescue his son and somehow put him back in power. Thoughts?>>

Normally, Jack enjoyed negotiations, but having to play as interpreter using a chip somehow made the whole process way more onerous.

[Chrome Head]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:05 AM, September 12, 2075

<< @Team[Snap] We don't even know what that job means, when is it truly over? And once in power, he might change his mind about paying us. We're also in a zone we don't know, no one's got our back. I wouldn't do it, it's too dangerous. >>

[Melpomene]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:05 AM, September 12, 2075

<<@Team [Melpomene] Jack, when you say "...somehow put him back in power", is that you editorializing, or does he not actually know how that can be done? Here's my feeling. I'm usually not an assassin. I was completely fine with the smash-and-grab, and was much less comfortable with killing him. If it's killing him or not get paid, I'll suck it up and pull the trigger. I'm not so worried about him reneging...there's a lot of honor involved here. We saved his life, and if we rescue his son, I don't think he'll backstab us. I'm for the rescue, but I'm incredibly concerned about the "putting him back in power" business.

Mel looks directly at Jack, and speaks out loud.

"Does he have any clue what that entails?"

[Jack VII]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:05 AM, September 12, 2075

Jack mentally nodded, appreciating Mel's composure.

<<@Team [JustJack] I imagine putting him back in power is going to involve identifying who put the hit on him and returning the favor. So far, he claims he doesn't know who has it out for him. Snap's spell bears that out. Aside from the other Triads, when Grease was digging at the bar, he turned over some rumores about Huiquing possibly being an informant or something to that effect, so could be someone within his own group.>>

Jack paused to see if Huiquing made any indication he understood what Mel had said. Hell, if he speaks English, this whole thing would go a lot easier. After a second, once he remembered the spell Snap had cast, he asked Huiquing directly, "Nǐ liǎojiě tā ma? Nǐ huì shuō yīngyǔ ma?"

[Lobo0705]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:05 AM, September 12, 2075

Huiquing although he seems to have disregarded Mel's statement when she spoke it, responds to Jack with a tentative nod.

"Yes, I speak English, a little." Thinking a moment to formulate the words, he continues. "It is much easier for me in Chinese."

[Melpomene]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:05 AM, September 12, 2075

Mel cleared her throat.

"Thank you. I will let my comrade here continue to lead this conversation, as I only got the highlights of what you had already said. But may I ask...does your son live with you, or with someone else?"

[Lobo0705]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:05 AM, September 12, 2075

Huiquing tilts his head and listens, taking a moment before he answers. When he responds, he does so to Jack. "Bai stays at the Vandermay Academy." He continues, speaking slowly in an effort to be understood. "He is coming home today to go to an event with me."

Flipping open his commlink, he checks the time. "He sleeps late. I think he will be here at noon."

[Jack VII]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:05 AM, September 12, 2075

"Sounds like you're going to have to cancel your attendance." Jack quipped. "Zài nǐ kàn lái, shuí shì bèihòu tōuxí?"

<<@Team [JustJack] I just asked him who he thought was most likely to blame for the attack. Maybe we can get an idea of what we're likely up against.>>

[Lobo0705]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:05 AM, September 12, 2075

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Jack's comment puts a ghost of a smile on Huiquing's face. "Wǒ zuì dānxīn de jīnsānjiǎo. Wǒmen de zǔzhī yīzhí zài péi lǜ de shíjiān zuì zhǎng, wǒ huì rènwéi tāmen jiāng shì zuì yǒu kěnéng de. Dànshì, wǒ wúfǎ jiāng zìjǐ de zǔzhī nèi wúshì qítā chéngyuán, jǐnguǎn tā shì duì sānshíliù gè yuè xuānshì zhī yī"


Stopping himself, his lips set in a line, he begins again, more slowly this time. "The Golden Triangle is a fierce rival. They have much to gain in any attack against us. It is dishonorable, but I have to say it is also possible it is one of us. The men who were waiting in the driveway and shot at us were part of my own security team." He mutters a few choice words in Chinese, low enough that Jack and Sisco are only able to make out a few expletives, and then he continues.

"I cannot say who else was in the house, so it is possible that they were bought off by the Golden Triangle." Looking expectantly at Jack, he finishes, "Should I take this to mean we have an agreement?"

[Jack VII]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:05 AM, September 12, 2075

"Not yet," Jack replied in English. "Let's say it was someone inside the White Lotus. If you had to guess, who is most likely responsible?"

Jack wasn't sure if Sisco had installed audio pick-ups in Mr. T, so he went ahead and sent the rigger a message.

<<@Sisco [JustJack] Didn't you say you had connections with one of the other Triads? May want to ping them and see if they have any idea about this attack.>>

[PraetorGradivus]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:05 AM, September 12, 2075

<<@Jack[Sisco] I've had some dealings with the Golden Triangle. Want me to hit them up after we secure the team?>>

[Jack VII]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:05 AM, September 12, 2075

<<@Sisco [JustJack] Probably a good idea, our guy seems to think they're most likely the ones who set up the hit on him. I think it might be someone inside his group. Best to play it safe either way.>>

Sisco's comment about securing the team reminded him of how sore he was from wrenching his shoulder going over the monowire fence. Definitely need some rest...

[Lobo0705]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:06 AM, September 12, 2075

Huiquing thinks about Jack's question for a moment. "I would say that it would either be Ong Jianyu or Guang Zhao. Both are in a position to gain prominence within the Triad should I be removed." He continues in halting English, "I do not think either is my friend, but I do not count them as enemies. At least yet."

[Jack VII]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:06 AM, September 12, 2075

<<@Team [JustJack] Anyone changing their mind? I'm leaning toward doing it. If we can pull it off, we have the best shot at maintaining our reps and getting the best payout. Grabbing the kid should hopefully be easy, taking down Huiquing's opposition... probably not.>>

[Melpomene]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:06 AM, September 12, 2075

<<@Team [Melpomene] I'm definitely in for a rescue. Once that goes down, assuming we're still alive, we can probably check our status and go from there.>>

[Chrome Head]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:06 AM, September 12, 2075

The young shaman from the Warrens was always willing to go on an adventure, but the stress of the situation -- and the headaches were certainly not helping -- was making her less confident this time around.

<<@Team [Snap] I'm still leaning against it. We're in a foreign country, we don't know anyone here, and the job was supposed to be short. The extra money is tempting though, I'll be honest, so I'll go along if you're all in. One request though, no more fighting before I can get a couple hours of rest, my head is killing me. >>

[Jack VII]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:06 AM, September 12, 2075

<<@Team [JustJack] If we take the 15K, we may be able to shake loose fake SINs for those of us that need them. I guess it's a good thing the only two people we know here are both fixers. Let's take Mel's approach... we agree to get the kid and then see how we feel about the rest of it. If it looks too tough, we can try to figure out another way to get the goods.>>

Holding the credstick, Jack said to Huiquing, "We've got a partial deal. We'll help to secure your son in exchange for the credstick and a bill for 85K. Once that's done, we'll decide if we're going to help you with the rest of it. First though, we need to secure the bottling plant and some of us are going to need to rest. Is that agreeable to you?"

[Lobo0705]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:07 AM, September 12, 2075


Huiquing nodded, a curt motion, and then brought his head back up. "Yes. It is good."

Sisco, monitoring the team's messaging back and forth, was trying to relax and shake off the pain of his side and shoulder. Wonder what they will finally come up with back there.

In the meantime, he could feel a slight ache in his hip, Need to get the rear axle looked at. Mr. T is starting to get a little old on me. Still, should have time later today before things get too hairy. As the van entered an intersection, he almost ate those words, as a red Honda came barreling at him from the left.

His reflexes taking over far faster than conscious thought, he opened up the throttle on Mr. T, slewing it into a skid that swing the back of the van forward, so that they were almost heading sideways down the road. The Honda missed by about 10 meters, sailing across the intersection and screeching to a halt as it overshot its target.

<<@Team [Sisco] Hold on back there, this might get bumpy.>> With a brief effort of will he counterspun the steering column, the van skidding back the other way as he was once again heading down the street. Time to earn my pay now. He began accelerating away, pretty sure he would be able to lose the Honda before it came out of its spin. The engine raced in time with his heartbeat as he saw two more cars screech onto the road behind him, chewing up the distance between them. Well, this just got more interesting...

[Lobo0705]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:08 AM, September 12, 2075

Now that he was in the driver's seat, Sisco truly sprang to life, switching to hot-sim, where every part of him felt more alive. Seeing the two cars behind him, he accelerated, forcing them to keep up. Flashing between cars, he skidded into an alley, the back of his van bumping the building ever so slightly as it to the hair-pin turn. The pursuing cars slewed into one another, and the team could hear the hideous noise of metal on metal as they vanished from view.

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:13 AM, September 12, 2075

After 5 tense minutes had passed, the team felt it was safe to relax, no further signs of pursuit had appeared. Coming back to AR for a moment, he turned to Jack and said, "Should I head to that manufacturing plant now?"

[Jack VII]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:13 AM, September 12, 2075

"Not sure we should head there until we figure out how they found us. Anyone have ideas? Mel, any sign of drones or MARKs that otherwise shouldn't be there?"

Jack was very worried that they had been so easily found.

[Melpomene]

Chinatown, CAS Zone, 5:13 AM, September 12, 2075

After a few seconds...

<<@Team [Melpomene] Nothing out of the ordinary around us...mostly parked cars. I'll keep a virtual eye out.>>

[Lobo0705]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 5:30 AM, September 12, 2075

After 15 more minutes of driving, using all the tricks he knows to avoid anyone following him, Sisco pulls his Mr. T up outside the old bottling plant.

The sun is just beginning to show signs of its arrival on the horizon, the world around the team is a sullen gray. The area around the plant is worn down, the buildings all showing signs of age and wear, without the upkeep necessary to maintain them.

To Sisco, it is a reminder of how dilapidated a district can become once money stops flowing into it. To the denizens of the Warrens, it looks as if it were three steps up from their current home.

It is still early, but there are several vagabonds wandering to and fro from through the disused parking lots, or huddled around fires in the chill morning air.

The Matrix in this area is mostly dark, a few personas wander about near Mel, their images grainy in image and jerky in their motion, their cheap 'links barely able to connect them to the public grid.

[PraetorGradivus]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 5:30 AM, September 12, 2075

Sisco jacks out from VR and returns to the real world which in a way feels less real than being jumped in.

He drops the empty clip with Grease's stuff and takes the clip with the gel round swapping it out for the APDS in his Smartgun.

"Hopefully I won't need this- but better safe than sorry as Uncle Morty used to say."