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

[PraetorGradivus]

Denver Zoo, CAS Zone, 1:45 PM, September 12, 2075

Sisco looks at his commlink slots in his credstick and transfers the funds to Stone.

Less than 400 nuyen left Uncle Morty- hope there really is a payday at the end of this. Of course, if their ain't it's probably cause I'm fragged and then who cares.

Immediately after the transfer, Sisco gets Jack's message, and starts driving to the safehouse making unnecessary turns here and there to see if anyone was tailing Mr T.

[Lobo0705]

Alta Spring Apartments, CAS Zone, 2:10 PM, September 12, 2075

After making a brief stop at the bottling plant for recon, the team arrives at the Alta Spring Apartments. Good neighborhood, probably a B security zone, HTR would be about 10 minutes out. thought Sisco.

Easing Mr. T into a parking space outside the apartment building, "Last stop for the Young Paper Fan. Jack, you want to come with?"

[Jack VII]

Alta Spring Apartments, CAS Zone, 2:10 PM, September 12, 2075

"Definitely." Jack checked his gear. Still wearing his suit, he confirmed the load of his holdout and holstered it before stepping out of the van to check for anyone who appeared out of place.

[Lobo0705]

Alta Spring Apartments, CAS Zone, 2:10 PM, September 12, 2075

As Jack looks around he gets a sense of what life would be like for "normal" people. A playground that still has all of its equipment is full of children playing happily, while several mothers look on or chat with others via AR.

Several men in their late 30's are out jogging in the clear afternoon sun, their attire too tight to conceal any weapons, and they pass Jack and continue around the block.

An older man, probably in his late 60's sits on a bench, eyes closed, enjoying the day.

[Lobo0705]

Alta Spring Apartments, CAS Zone, 2:11 PM, September 12, 2075

Sisco steps out of the car, straightening his suit and nodding to Jack. Snap and Mel remain in the back of Mr. T, their attire marking them as being out of place. Mel takes Bai's hand for a moment and squeezes it. "We'll come back for you when this is over. Stay safe." Bai smiles briefly and then nervously exits the vehicle.

As Sisco triggers the door closed with a brief mental command, he sees Huiquing looking distinctly uncomfortable being left alone with the two women. Chuckling to himself, he indicates the building with a nod of his head, and Bai starts toward it, both orks flanking him.

The trio walks calmly across the street, and they receive several greetings from passers-by. Sisco has to adjust his AR as he is bombarded by apps that are interrogating his SIN and welcoming him to the neighborhood, offering free yoga classes, gym memberships, and advertising the local coffee house down the street. Jack's AR remains empty, as he remains wireless off to avoid any unnecessary complications due to his lack of a valid SIN.

Reaching the door, an image of a young, attractive elf in her early twenties appears. The holograph chirps out in a pre-recorded voice, "Please swipe your pass, or provide the apartment number you'd like to call." It awaits patiently for an answer.

[Jack VII]

Alta Spring Apartments, CAS Zone, 2:11 PM, September 12, 2075

"Apartment 305, please." Jack responded, wanting to finish this business quickly. His lack of a SIN and wireless connection made him feel naked.

[Lobo0705]

Alta Spring Apartments, CAS Zone, 2:11 PM, September 12, 2075

The pleasant voice responds, "Connecting. Please wait." The friendly face of the elf is replaced by the image of a man in his late forties or early fifties. Sunglasses cover his eyes, and his head covered with close-cropped, salt and pepper colored hair.

Tersely and without preamble, he says "Thunder."

[Jack VII]

Alta Spring Apartments, CAS Zone, 2:11 PM, September 12, 2075

Recognizing professionalism when he sees it, Jack swiftly replied, "Crash. Three to come up."

[Lobo0705]

Alta Spring Apartments, CAS Zone, 2:11 PM, September 12, 2075

The man's face is replaced by the hologram of the elven women again. "Access granted. Please either use the staircase immediately to your left, or utilize the elevator bank located in the common area."

The light over the lock turns green, and Sisco opens the door, motioning the other two inside. Jack takes the lead, debating whether to take the stairs or the elevator.

[Jack VII]

Alta Spring Apartments, CAS Zone, 2:11 PM, September 12, 2075

Turning to Sisco, Jack asked, "You want to take the stairs to the third floor? We'll take the elevator. If someone is trying to set up an ambush at either, hopefully one of us can get the drop on them."

[PraetorGradivus]

Alta Spring Apartments, CAS Zone, 2:11 PM, September 12, 2075

"Sure Jack. No problem".

Sisco made sure his Ingram was secure behind his back, under his jacket. The sling showed with the suit jacket opened, which was a dead giveaway that he had something under his jacket, whether it be a gun or satchel or whatever, so he buttoned up. Hopefully, the extra bit of time to open the jacket wouldn't be the death of him.

This is how you bit it Uncle Morty, going up a bunch of stairs. Of course it was your 'never use an elevator cause it's a deathtrap' philosophy that made you use them. Can't say your wrong about the deathtrap thing, but when your numbers up, it's up, no matter what precautions you use.

[Lobo0705]

Alta Spring Apartments, CAS Zone, 2:11 PM, September 12, 2075

Sisco headed up the stairs cautiously. looking for anything out of place. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, he arrived at the third floor. <<@Jack [Sisco] Seems all clear, Jack.>>

Receiving the message, Jack pressed the button for the elevator, giving Bai a reassuring nod as they waited. The doors opened, and Jack was glad he didn't have his 'reflexes on, as a small gaggle of children rushed out of the elevator, brushing past them, almost knocking Bai over. The adult with them, from her age some sort of nanny, smiled and muttered a quick apology and headed out after them. Jack and Bai entered the elevator, and soon arrived at the third floor. Exiting first, Jack cleared the hallway, and started to follow the signs leading him to apartment 305. Arriving at the door, he waited for Bai to catch up before he motioned him to the side.

[Jack VII]

Alta Spring Apartments, CAS Zone, 2:11 PM, September 12, 2075

<<@Sisco [JustJack] Alright Sisco, meet us at the door. They're expecting three. Don't want them too jumpy.>>

Jack waited for the other ork to arrive and then knocked on the door.

[Lobo0705]

Alta Spring Apartments, CAS Zone, 2:11 PM, September 12, 2075

The door swung open, revealing a short hallway that led to the apartment. Looking down, Jack and Sisco spotted a grizzled dwarf, about 5 foot 2 in height. His clothes hinted at expensive tastes, and the sunglasses he wore were the latest style. The Predator on his thigh was custom made, the smartlink SOTA.

"Hoi. Bring the client inside. Don't be alarmed by Dallas back there, he's a little less trusting than I am." The dwarf threw his head back toward the interior, where a tall thin human leaned against the wall. His Browning was out, although not held in a threatening manner for now. Sisco noticed that the tattoo on his right forearm marked him as ex-CAS military.

The dwarf took out a scanner from a drawer and waved it over Bai. "The name's Brass, and we'll be your babysitters for the next few hours. Stay away from the windows, and do as we say, and we should get along just fine. Dallas, call it in to Tara."

Seemingly satisfied that he detected nothing on Bai, he turned back to Sisco and Jack, waiting til he got a confirming nod from Dallas. "Alright, arrange payment with Tara, once we get confirmation from her 'yen is in the account, we are golden."

[Jack VII]

Alta Spring Apartments, CAS Zone, 2:11 PM, September 12, 2075

Jack nodded, appreciating the professionalism. "Sure thing, Brass."

The ork mentally accessed his commlink and sent a message to Tara, wincing as he transferred the funds. Jack sure hoped this run was going to pan out.

<<@Tara [JustJack] On site. Appreciate the effort, the pair appear as professional as I expected. Transferring the nuyen now, please confirm transmittal to contractors | Payment Attached>>

"I just sent Tara the dinero, although I understand that you will want confirmation from her." Turning to Bai, he finished, "Alright amigo, just follow any instructions you get from these two and we'll be back soon enough."

[Lobo0705]

Alta Spring Apartments, CAS Zone, 2:11 PM, September 12, 2075

The response from Tara came back quickly. <<@Jack [Tara] Transaction completed Jack, I'll let Dallas and Brass know. A pleasure doing business again.>>

A moment later and Dallas spoke for the first time, his drawl distinct enough that the origin of his street name became clear. "'Yen is in the bank. We're on the clock now.

Brass extended a hand to Jack, shaking it firmly, "You've got until this time tomorrow, after which we can certainly renegotiate, or we'll part ways. If the job is what you say it is, the kid will be safe as a babe in his mother's arms."

[Jack VII]

Alta Spring Apartments, CAS Zone, 2:11 PM, September 12, 2075

Focusing on Brass, Jack replied, "Appreciate it, hombre. If I need to get in touch with you, should I go through Tara?"

Jack didn't have any other questions, but wanted to make sure he knew how to contact the two-man crew in case of a serious frag-up.

[Lobo0705]

Alta Spring Apartments, CAS Zone, 2:11 PM, September 12, 2075

Brass walks over to a table and rummages around in a bag. Removing two cheap commlinks, he types a number into it and throws it to Jack.

"Use that in case of emergencies, the number in there matches this one." He holds up the other 'link.

[Jack VII]

Alta Spring Apartments, CAS Zone, 2:11 PM, September 12, 2075

Jack nodded silently, turned the commlink off, and slipped it into his suit jacket. Turning to Sisco, he said, "Let's go."

[PraetorGradivus]

Alta Spring Apartments, CAS Zone, 2:11 PM, September 12, 2075

Before leaving Sisco turns to Dallas and says,"Stryker IFV recon unit- saw some action against Atzlan. Keep up the good fight."

Sisco then follows Jack out the door.

Wonder what made me be forthcoming Uncle Morty? I guess it's that old Hood blood rearing its military addicted self.

[Lobo0705]

Bottling Plant, CAS Zone, 2:45 PM, September 12, 2075

After the team dropped off Bai, they decided to head to the bottling plant to conduct a little prepwork. Jack thoroughly scouted the facility, happy with the number of ambush points they could use for the meet, unhappy with the 15 or 20 squatters they'd have to move if they wanted to keep them out of any crossfire.

With Sisco being the only one with a valid SIN, he bought lunch from the local Stuffer Shack, filling, but tasteless, despite the new flavoring additive. Mel spent some quality time with her deck, replacing circuitry fried from the attack outside Vandermay, and, while not perfect, had it almost fully functional again.

Eventually, Sisco's alarm went off, and he said, "Time to go grab the gear. Everyone in Mr. T - we're off to O'Roarke's again."

O'Roarke's, CAS Zone, 4:15 PM, September 12, 2075

At this time of the day, only the hardcore drinkers were out, leaning precariously on stools or slumped in chairs. The synthhol flooding their system and taking their minds of the dreariness of the day. As the team entered the bar for the second time in 24 hours, Sisco saw the familiar form of Stone lounging in the back.

"Good to see y'all. I like prompt customers."

[PraetorGradivus]

O'Roarke's, CAS Zone, 4:15 PM, September 12, 2075

"We'd have been here earlier except thieves had broken into my house and stolen everything except my soap, shower gel, towels and deodorant. Dirty Bastards."

Sisco signaled the barkeep for a shot of whiskey flavored synthhol- not that it tasted any different than bourbon, scotch, vodka, tequila, you name it synthhol....

[Lobo0705]

O'Roarke's, CAS Zone, 4:15 PM, September 12, 2075

The barkeep passed the drink to Sisco, and sent another, more expensive one to Stone.

The dwarf lowered his voice slightly, and said "Everything's out back, including your precious baby. Send your van around, and I'll help you load it."

Sisco send a quick message as a heads up to Mel and Snap, and then began piloting Mr. T remotely as he and Jack followed Stone out the back door.

There were two crates, the smaller of the two stacked on top of the larger. "Your baby is in the bottom one, door's unlocked. All the rest of the stuff is in the top." Sisco bent down and inspected his drone, making sure there were no scratches in the casing, and giving it a fond pat on the "head". Jack, meanwhile, opened the smaller crate, and inspected all the contents, making sure they were all there before nodding toward Sisco.

"A pleasure doing business. Come back anytime."

[PraetorGradivus]

O'Roarke's, CAS Zone, 4:15 PM, September 12, 2075

Everything lookin good Uncle Morty. But I must be losing my touch- Stone didn't even flinch at that gawd awful pun.

"The pleasure is all ours- enjoy the rest of the night."

[PraetorGradivus]

O'Roarke's, CAS Zone, 4:25 PM, September 12, 2075

Sisco drives back to the bottling plant making unnecessary turns to see if they were being tailed.

"Hey Jack, what time do we figure on setting the meet for? I'd prefer after dark. Less chance they'd spot the doberman whever we hide it. Additionally, I figure we leave Mr T running... getting run over by a van is never good to one's constitution, if it comes to it.