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

[Lobo0705]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 5:35 AM, September 12, 2075

"Now that we are here, let's check the place out." Snap looks at Mel and Jack, "Can you get Grease's drone up and running?"

Mel nods, cranking the music up in her ears as she extends the cord from her datajack. Singing under her breath "....to the danger zone....gonna take me ridin' to the danger zone..." she connects to the microdrone and affixes two treble clefs to the drone's icon. Withdrawing the cord, she opens her hand, releasing the insect-like drone into the air. Sisco lowers the window, and the Fly Spy zips out into the early morning air.

"Jack, I think you need to be our physical eyes and ears in there." Concentrating, she reaches out and lays her hand on Jack's shoulder. He again can feel the flow of mana leaking into his bones, and feels a bombardment of sensory input. It almost overloads his brain before he is able to bring it under control.

Closing his eyes, he can feel the presence of other life forms, insects, birds, rats, and metahumans. Steadying himself with his good arm, he takes a minute to adjust. "You should now be able to sense the presence of others close to you." Snap leans back wearily in her seat, her own vision almost double with the strain of sustaining the two spells on Jack. Mel puts a steadying hand on her shoulder, and concentrates on the drone for a moment.

"I'm routing the drone's video feed to you now." The team can see the aerial view of the factory appear in their vision, the building sprawling for hundreds of meters along the river. Fencing surrounds the building itself, but huge gaps in the fencing allow entry to anything smaller than a Ares Riotmaster. The parking lot is empty except for the occasional derelict car, and a single forklift that sits like a funereal gargoyle over a graveyard of broken and rotting pallets.

[Lobo0705]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 5:40 AM, September 12, 2075

Satisfied that there is no immediate threat outside the building, Jack eases himself out of Mr. T and begins to move through the quiet early morning light toward the fence. Slipping through a gap in the fencing, he walks across the courtyard, the drone still sending its feed through his 'jack.

Although there were no signs of any danger, he still felt naked on that long walk across the parking lot, the factory looming up over him, the plexi-glass windows black and cavernous. He kept jumping at shadows, trying to get used to the extra senses that Snap had given him, and several times he caught himself about to draw and fire at movement out of the corner of his eye, only to realize it was a large rodent that the mystical power allowed him to perceive.

He reached the factory without incident, and concentrated, trying to use his altered senses to "see" if there was anything beyond the door. Sensing nothing, he heaved on the door, the hinges making a hideous squealing sound as he opened it. Wincing at the pain in his shoulder, he entered the factory, finding himself surrounded by broken and disused bottling machines. He could hear a low chittering off in the distance, but his altered senses didn't pick up any life forms near him.

[Chrome Head]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 5:40 AM, September 12, 2075

Snap followed along, but at a distance, waiting for Jack's hand signal at every corner. Her concentration was all on maintaining the spells, and she used what was left of her alertness to passively observe her surroundings. Old industrial buildings were a sad sight, especially in the astral, and she didn't dare open her third eye yet, for fear of what she might see.

[Lobo0705]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 5:40 AM, September 12, 2075

<<@Mel [JustJack] There is a lot of open space in here, I could use an extra set of eyes. Can you get the Fly Spy in here?>>

Mel obliged, sending the little drone through the door Jack held open, letting it zip up toward the high vaulted ceiling and begin a quick circuit of the room. Jack watched the feed, nodding to Snap, thankful that the elf had backed him up. The drone hadn't detected movement, although there appeared to be a motionless humanoid form about 40 meters to the east of their position.

Jack and Snap began to move cautiously through the facility, heading toward one of the doors the Fly Spy had found for them. There were four of these, two of them stood open, while the other two were closed. The nearest took them directly past the form spotted by the Fly Spy, and Jack tightened his grip on his SMG. His senses weren't picking up any life forms, so he was not surprised when he found the lifeless body of an old man, his body laying up against the wall.

His face, what was left of it, was almost peaceful, and his arms rested at his sides, although his fingers were missing. A quick search of the body found nothing of value on him at all, whatever he owned had been stripped away by human scavengers even as his flesh had been by the non-human ones.

The door to the office was just 2 meters away, and although it was closed, Jack still could not feel any life forms nearby.

[Jack VII]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 5:40 AM, September 12, 2075

Jack paused, silently invoking a prayer for the dead man, hoping the crimes committed against him were post mortem. Gathering himself, he gestured to Snap to cover him while he checked the office. Moving to the side of the door, the ork reached out and tested the knob, checking to see if the door was unlocked.

[Lobo0705]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 5:40 AM, September 12, 2075

The handle turned slowly, and the door moved easily inward. Jack checked the interior, but nothing stirred. The room had been ransacked long ago, the contents gone or strewn about the floor. A single desk was still in the room, along with a shelving unit that had collapsed against the far wall.

One chair was smashed, and the scorch marks on the cement flooring seemed to indicate that it had been used for fuel. The other, although the padding had been torn away, possibly for use as bedding by one of the other denizens, still seemed functional, and looked like it would support someone's weight, although Jack did not want to press his luck.

The office had one window, facing out over the parking lot, and Jack peered out through it, keeping to one side to avoid being seen. No one was in view, for now.

[Jack VII]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 5:40 AM, September 12, 2075

Jack sent a message back to the team.

<<@Team [JustJack] There's a small office that might work. Fairly defensible. One body found so far, stripped of gear and apparently nibbled on. Not sure if animal or... something else. Moving to check the rest of the building.>>

The ork motioned for Snap to continue following him, seeking to clear the rest of the perimeter. Once concluded, he would work on the interior, thankful for the feed from the Fly-Spy.

[Lobo0705]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 5:55 AM, September 12, 2075

Fifteen tense minutes passed as Jack and Snap went from office to office, checking them for any signs of life. One by one they cleared them, each in a greater state of disarray than the last. Still, the damage had the look of squatters stripping the offices bare than that of combat. They found two more bodies, each one in similar states of decay. Each one was similar to the last, ragged clothing, no shoes, and nothing of value.

The Fly Spy moved from rafter to rafter, scanning the floor with thermographic as Jack moved from room to room with Snap close behind. Finally, convinced that the building was empty, Jack messaged back to the others, <<@Team [JustJack] The building is clear, no one here but us.>>

[PraetorGradivus]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 5:15 AM, September 12, 2075

Sisco thought to himself, If the Yanks knew I was from Atlanta they'd just say I was naturally prejudiced against Pepsi because Coca Cola is headquartered there. And maybe there was a grain of truth there- Uncle Morty did work for them as a driver as a screen to his real profession- but, in all honesty, Coke just taste better. Anyone who thinks otherwise has defective taste buds. The only reason to feel sorry this plant is closed down, is all the poor slobs that don't have a job that could be making something if this was still an ongoing operation. Well, neither here or there as Uncle Morty used to say.

<<@Team[Sisco] Hey Jack, you want Mel and Me to bring in the White Paper Fan now...or do you you want to come all the way back and do it together?>>

[Jack VII]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 5:55 AM, September 12, 2075

<<@Team [JustJack] Sounds good, Snap can take up position in the first office we found. There's a window there, so she should be able to work her mojo if needed.>>

Jack retraced his steps back to the van, feeling a bit more confident now that he had been able to put his eyes on the place. Opening the sliding door, he said, "Alright, let's go."

The ork lead the rest of the team back to the first office they had searched. "Most of us are pretty beat, so let's grab some shut-eye for a few hours. Mel, can you keep the first watch? Let's say two hours? With the drone and Mr. T, we should be able to get a decent view of the area. Snap. can you ask one of your spirits to guard the facility? Once we grab at least a little rest, we'll need to talk about getting the kid."

<<@Team [JustJack] It goes without saying that we need to keep an eye on Huiquing, too. Make sure he doesn't go after any of our weapons.>>

[Melpomene]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 5:55 AM, September 12, 2075

"Yeah, no problem. Who's taking second shift...just so I know to wake you up after my two hours."

Mel set up her deck on the desk, and took out her electronics kit. Knowing that she'd have to take the deck off-line to repair it, she'll not start repairs until after her shift is over.

She'll continue to monitor the fly-spy, while keeping an actual eye on Huiquing.

[Lobo0705]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 5:55 AM, September 12, 2075

Safely ensconced within the office, the team prepared to get a little rest. Snap dropped her extra-sensory enhancements on Jack, and reached out to the Astral, bringing a willowy spirit of Air to her side. As the spirit arrived, the temperature in the room lowered a few degrees. "We will be resting, wake me if anyone intrudes astrally in this room."

With a hollow, funereal sound to its voice, the spirit spoke slowly, "Yes mistress", and vanished back to the Astral. Jack attempted to get some rest, laying on the floor near the desk. Snap leaned up against the corner, closing her eyes and meditating. Sisco lay down as well, but tossed and turned. Every time he closed his eyes, all he could see was that child's face, and his broken, lifeless body.

Huiquing, meanwhile, sat in the corner, and pulled up an image of his son on his 'link. Mel watched him carefully, making sure that he never went live on the Matrix, and after a few minutes the older Chinese man succumbed to exhaustion and fell asleep.

[Melpomene]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 5:55 AM, September 12, 2075

Mel sat back in the slightly-creaky office chair, her deck in front of her, her Crusader II just to the deck's right, the barrel aimed toward the door. She stopped moving, and cracnked up the sensitivity of her cyberears. She could hear five distinct heartbeats, including her own, as well as corresponding breathing patterns. She could tell that Snap, Jack, and Huiquing were asleep, while Sisco was struggling mightily. Clearly something was keeping him from a sound sleep.

She looked at the decrepit office and shook her head, smiling ruefully. Can't get enough of this 'Runner lifestyle.

[Lobo0705]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 10:00 AM, September 12, 2075

It had been a quiet couple of hours for the team. Mel, Snap and Jack had all been dozing since around 8:30, while Sisco paced. As the day grew brighter outside, he saw more and more movement out of the window, but it all appeared to be harmless vagrants wandering out to get their fix for the day.

After what seemed an eternity, Huiquing awoke, rubbing his eyes and holding his head a little as he rose too quickly. Sisco sent out a quick alert to the rest of his team, bringing them to consciousness. As the team slowly stretched and came alert, Huiquing spoke haltingly, "We have two hours before my son is due to leave his school. What information can I provide to help you?"

Jack, still a little groggy, had a message flashing in his retina. Opening it with a thought, he read it quickly.

<<@To whom it may concern [K.Dakak @Klein, Smith, and Johnson] I have received your voucher and gone to see Mr. Moss. I will be representing him in his pending case. He has authorized me to withdraw his retainer from his own funds, and issue a refund of your initial retainer of 500 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) . Your voucher is attached. He also instructed me to send you a personal message, "See you on the other side.">>

Seeing the bags under Sisco's eyes, and the stiff way he is pacing, Snap walks over and lays her hands on his chest, concentrating for a moment. Sisco can feel the pain subside after a few seconds, and only a dull ache remain. Nodding his thanks, he rubs his chest absently.

[PraetorGradivus]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 10:00 AM, September 12, 2075

Hearing Huiquing's comment got Sisco to thinking:
What information do we need? Hmmm. And what would Uncle Morty do to minimize the threat here. The shell game...that's it. Uncle Morty was always good at hiding the ball anywhere but the shell that you pointed at.

"After we leave here, I suggest we have Huiquing call a discreet motel and reserve a room for three days using his commlink from some public place then put it offline. Whoever is after him probably has a decker keeping tabs. They'll waste manpower checking where he made the call from and manpower watching the motel that we'll never arrive at. While they're wasting time, we pick up the kid and deal with whoever is keeping tabs on him."

[Melpomene]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 10:00 AM, September 12, 2075

"That's a good idea, Sisco."

<<@JustJack [Melpomene] So on a side note, what are we going to do with Grease's drones? I can't keep hacking them, and transferring ownership is more than a little risky as well as a pain in the ass. I don't want to abandon the tech either. Do you have a way to get in touch with Grease? Is that even a good idea?>>

[Jack VII]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 10:00 AM, September 12, 2075

<<@Mel [JustJack] His lawyer just buzzed me, but I don't think we want to try to route messages that way. If it gets to be too much of a thing, I guess just shut them down and we'll carry them with us.>>

The big ork nodded. "Good plan. Once we get that squared away, if we can spot junior's comm, we can probably get a message to him as well. Just so he doesn't get scared when a big ork shows up to extract him."

[Lobo0705]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 10:01 AM, September 12, 2075

Huiquing spoke up at the exchange, addressing Sisco. "Hǎo zhǔyì. Wǒ hěn lèyì bāngmáng."

Sisco nodded, sending a quick message to the rest of the team <<@Team [Sisco] Paper Fan likes that idea too.>>


Huiquing stays silent a moment longer, before turning to Snap. He speaks in a clipped, almost stilted tone. "I've noticed that you are skilled in the magical arts. We have used the Awakened in our interrogations before, do you have the ability to know if someone is lying? Once we get my son, I have several people I can reach out to, and if we could know if they were turned or not, it would help very much."

[Chrome Head]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 10:01 AM, September 12, 2075

Snap had no intention of giving that man any more information than needed, but, of course he had a good idea. "Magic or not, I need to see their reaction in person to tell whether they're truthful. But yeah, I can help with that."

[Lobo0705]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 10:01 AM, September 12, 2075

"Understood. We will have to arrange the meetings carefully, somewhere you can observe them unseen, but public enough that they won't attempt anything should they be turned. But we can deal with that after Bai is safe."

Turning to Jack and Sisco, "Are we ready to get my son? Do you have a fix on where he is?"

[Melpomene]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 10:01 AM, September 12, 2075

Mel was about to speak up, but figured that she should let the people who could actually speak the man's language do the talking.

<<@Team [Melpomene] I have a fix on the son. He's on the campus of Vandermay Academy. I will exload an ARO of the campus. Once we are close enough, I should be able to pinpoint his exact location.

[PraetorGradivus]

Uncle Morty would say we're walking into a trap. He'ld also say the best way to deal with a trap is spring it. What's life without a little excitement...neh?

"I guess I am going to be as ready as I'll ever be. Let's get the show on the road."

[Jack VII]

Old Pepsi Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 10:01 AM, September 12, 2075

Jack had been largely quiet. Nodding in agreement, he said, "One thing. We're heading to a school. Non-lethal munitions only. Does anyone have a problema with that?" The ork gathered his gear and made ready to depart.

[PraetorGradivus]

"I only have one clip's worth of gel rounds... hopefully we wont need it. And I guess hand-to-hand is always an option."

[Melpomene]

Mel nods, mentally tallying her non-lethal ammo.

"No problem here."