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

[Lobo0705]

Mr. T, CAS Zone, 9:55 PM, September 12, 2075
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"Very good. Let us then get off the streets and to Hung Lao's compound, where we can interrogate this Pàntú and go from there." Huiquing seems more confident with each passing minute.

Hung Lao leans forward to Sisco and says "Head to the corner of Layton and Clarkson, the entrance to my compound is there."

Turning to Jack, he answers the ork's question, "I believe that cutting the head off of the snake will be sufficient. With Li Guang dead we should be able to put this matter to rest."

[Chrome Head]

Mr. T, CAS Zone, 9:55 PM, September 12, 2075

"Sorry to bring this up, but if one of the men you keep close to you as bodyguard was compromised, how can we know that the men at the compounds are not? How do we know that compound is safe?" Snap asks Hung Lao.

[Lobo0705]

Mr. T, CAS Zone, 9:55 PM, September 12, 2075

"I understand your concern. However, the men currently at the compound are men who I have known for years. I have enough confidence in them to risk my own life. If you do not wish to come to the compound I understand, but we need a base of operations from which to plan our attack, and it is well fortified."


Amber speaks up, "In addition, between the two of us, we should be able to quickly interrogate each of the men there just to be on the safe side."

[PraetorGradivus]

Mr. T, CAS Zone, 9:55 PM, September 12, 2075

"I think that covers it for now. Can I have the coordinates. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can get the unpleasantness that is Li Guand over with"

[Melpomene]

Mr. T, CAS Zone, 9:55 PM, September 12, 2075

Mel sighs, pops the access panel on her deck, and begins another repair session.

[Lobo0705]

Huang Lao's residence, Layton Street, Chinatown, 10:25 PM September 12, 2075

Mr. T arrives at the front gate of Hung Lao's residence, a piece of real estate that lacks the magnificence of Huiquing's, but what it lacks in charm it makes up for in security. The gate is guarded by two Triad members with automatic weapons slung over their shoulders, and Sisco spies a Steel Lynx lurking inside the grounds, the heavily armed and armored drone providing overwatch over the proceedings.

Hung Lao speaks to the guards, allowing them access inside the grounds, and it is a short trip to the main entrance. Hung Lao and Amber hurry Huiquing inside, and the team follows them into a spartanly furnished home. The only nod to decorations are weapons and armor from different periods of history arranged on the walls with AR displays denoting their lineage.

Ushered into a meeting room, the team sits around the table, and Huiquing and Hung Lao sit at the head.

"We must now determine our next move. The prisoner is currently being moved to an interrogation room. As soon as he awakens, we can question him - you of course will be there if you wish. Turning to the ork, Hung Lao says, simply let me know your ammunition requirements, and I will have one of my men supply you with some. How else can we help you?"

[Jack VII]

Huang Lao's residence, Layton Street, Chinatown, 10:25 PM September 12, 2075

"Xièxiè," Jack replied in thanks. "9mm rounds for an SMG, APDS and ball ammo would be preferred." Doing a quick mental calculation, he finished, "100 rounds total should do it."

"As far as our next move, we need to figure out if we're going to go hunting or try to lure him into a trap. I don't know anything about this guy, so I'm not sure what the best course of action would be," the ork looked thoughtfully at the two Triad leaders.

[PraetorGradivus]

Huang Lao's residence, Layton Street, Chinatown, 10:25 PM September 12, 2075

Just like a carpet-baggin' Yank to think just of himself. Right, Uncle Morty"

"I'll be needing some ammo too. 9mm caseless SMG ammo, preferably APDS and Stick-n-Shock- but whatever you have. Mel, Snap, y'all need any ammo? Nevermind, Snap, you probably don't even have a gun under them clothes."

[Melpomene]

Huang Lao's residence, Layton Street, Chinatown, 10:25 PM September 12, 2075

Mel shakes her head. "My only ammo expenditure was one sliver round into the gut of your prisoner. No need to impinge on your hospitality for that. Thank you for the offer."

[PraetorGradivus]

Huang Lao's residence, Layton Street, Chinatown, 10:25 PM September 12, 2075

"I guess that's that then. Except, well, I don't suppose you guys have a machine gun and a gyro mount harness that I could borrow to take out our target. Probably too much to ask or, but heck, the worst is that you don't have one. Silly daydreaming. Back to
Jack's question- what info can you provise us?

No, Uncle Morty, I am not planning on stealing heavy weapons from a Triad. I'm crazy, not stupid.

[Lobo0705]

Huang Lao's residence, Layton Street, Chinatown, 10:25 PM September 12, 2075

Snapping his fingers, Hung Lao calls outside the room, and a young Triad soldier steps in. Relaying Jack and Sisco's requests in terse Mandarin, he dismisses the soldier and turns back to the team.

"I'm sorry, we do not stock gyro mounted heavy weaponry. In general it isn't necessary, and draws more attention from Knight Errant than it is worth. He shall return soon with what we can do as far as your ammunition requests."

Remaining standing until Huiquing sits, Hung Lao then takes a seat. "Li Guang maintains a place within our security structure second only to myself. He has at least two bodyguards on him at all times, and his residence, while not as well defended as mine, does boast some significant security."

Taking out his commlink, he proceeds to pull up some video in AR, displaying it to the team. "Here he is, the last time he arrived at my home." The security feed is from the many cameras located on Huang Lao's property, and it shows a Mitsubishi Nightsky pulling up through the gate, and a younger Chinese man step out, escorted by two bodyguards. From the footage he appears to be about 1.8 meters tall, and in good shape for a man in his late 30's. The two bodyguards both are human, and bulk larger, one with an obvious cybernetic right hand. It is possible the whole arm is cybered, but it is covered by his suit.

"It would of course be easier to take him on the move than in his home, but he must know by now that both Huiquing and I have survived the ambush at the factory, and will not be taking our calls."

[Jack VII]

Huang Lao's residence, Layton Street, Chinatown, 10:25 PM September 12, 2075

Jack sighed. He hated trying to take a fortified location. "I take it Li Guang isn't the type to get his hands dirty is he? I'd really like to take him outside his fortified position, but since he didn't show up at the meet between the two of you, I doubt he would show up if we tried to set a trap for him."

Jack scratched his chin and rubbed at his eyes. He still needed more sleep. "Does he have any habits we could exploit? Drugs or prostitues,? Any vulnerabilities... family, maybe?" The ork really didn't want to get family involved in the deal, but the Triads tended to be pretty ruthless.

[Lobo0705]

Huang Lao's residence, Layton Street, Chinatown, 10:25 PM September 12, 2075

Huang Lao shook his head. "Li Guang does not carry the hits out himself. He is no stranger to killing, but he prefers to let others do his work for him since his rise to his current rank."

He continues to manipulate the dossier in front of him, "No drugs or BTLs, you cannot rise through the Triads and still be addicted to those disgusting habits." Pausing for a moment, "He is a widower, and his position affords him much money and little time. I would not be surprised to find out that he uses a few joytoys."

"He also has a son, Hyatt, who is 7 years old, and certainly is a point that can be used to apply pressure." Hung Lao looked at each of them, waiting to see their response. Huiquing was silent, although he looked troubled, probably thinking of Bai.

[PraetorGradivus]

Huang Lao's residence, Layton Street, Chinatown, 10:25 PM September 12, 2075

With a look of profound sadness in his eyes, Sisco replies, "Adding children into the equation never turns out well. While I don't mind giving Li Guang his due, I'd prefer not playing around with the life of his son if at all possible."

Uncle Morty, why does this keep coming up, and how much penance must I pay?

[Jack VII]

Huang Lao's residence, Layton Street, Chinatown, 10:25 PM September 12, 2075

Jack was disappointed to learn that Li Guang actually had a child. He was hoping for a negative response. Still, it was ultimately up to the team to decide how to go about accomplishing their objective. So far, most didn't seem to have the stomach for that kind of work, which the ork felt was a positive. The run was already fragged up enough as it was, no reason to add innocent blood to the list.

[PraetorGradivus]

Huang Lao's residence, Layton Street, Chinatown, 10:25 PM September 12, 2075


After few seconds of silence, Sisco add,"Do you perhaps have a diagram of his compound? Even just a rough overview wiould be helpful."