[X] My Assistant

[Imladir]

Author: VegasRigged

Not even hiding her interest, at least she's not planning to steal the girl from me, either that or she's so certain shed win she doesn't mind showing her hand. Either are possible but I won't be taking chances, I'll need to come up with a card I can play to win the Decker, without showing that I'm playing against Tanya at all. That will require time and a better sense of the board in this high stakes game of chess. For now I'm still playing catch up, theirs so much I don't know about Seattle and the people I'm sparring with, but perhaps this is an opportunity to remedy that.

My continued rational thinking is encouraging though, it's about all that's functioning properly at this point, besides the apparent ability to hide my feelings of abject terror.

"Honestly, the tasks I have in mind are well within her abilities, I see no reason for us to not both emplo her services. Assuming she's willing to split her time."

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Author: Mercy Merchant

@Cynthia Arsene pops in and begins snooping around, looking for what is copying and taking the data. The sprite is careful and accurate and has not failed you yet tonight. And this will not be the first time. He reports back to you, but seems a bit......................disconcerted, if a sprite can have feelings. >>There is another Agent doing the work, cherie. Very robust and not running on either device. I have determined that a third 'link exists in this infernal system. I have not tried to get more information yet because of something else I sensed here. This new Agent is being guarded by what I am pretty sure is a powerful Fault Sprite. I will be attacked if I go farther in and am detected. What are your orders?<<


@Eva Tanya smiles and nods. "Of course we can share, but the ultimate decision is hers to make, don't you think? And it may turn out that she can work for both of us at the same time. After all, her skill set can be used from across the globe, right?"

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Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, In VR] #98

Cynthia is clearly taken aback by the presence of the sprite. It's not the first time she came across one, not of her own, but she always tried to avoid them. Tonight however...

{Infernal, eh? You got that right. But....} She hesitates for a bit {Let's try it. I'll hide you. If it works, you can go. Otherwise, we'll stop here, I certainly don't want to brawl with a Fault. Especially not a big one.}

To do that, Cynthia threads a new Resonance Veil, targeting the Fault Sprite this time. Hoping to blind her to the actions of Arsène, giving him time to work his magic. Or Resonance, whatever. This time however, she feels a bit drained by it. Whatever happens, she will have to stop soon.

In meat-space, Cynthia twitches a bit. But with no further reaction.

[ Spoiler ]

Matrix Perception (finding the Fault Sprite): 15d6t5 8
I really have to increase my limits...

Resonance Veil [5] (Blind the fault sprite, Fade): 13d6t5 5 <span class="bbc_u">13d6t5</span> 3
Limit is 5 so all successes are good to go (which is a relief...), one Fade Damage though, so 3S total for the evening.
Hopefully, this will be the last push...

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Author: Mercy Merchant

@Cynthia As you pull the Resonance Veil up you observe first hand that the third agent and the sprite suddenly and without warning slide to a different grid at exactly the moment the files blip and you find yourself still on the grid you started with. What you can see of the sprite is that it seems to momentarily look confused, but it shakes off the veil and begins snooping about, much like a bloodhound. Fortunately, you are not on the same grid and the sprite seems unwilling to leave the one it is on at this time.

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Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, In VR] #99

In the meat world, some cold sweat probably make its apparition on Cynthia's forehead when she fails to distract the sprite. With a sigh, she stops. {Ok, let's not go there. It explains the damn blips, but I really don't want to take that head-on. Not now, not for this. Stay around for now, but I don't think I'll need you anymore for tonight.}

Switching off from VR, Cynthia sits up. Looking at Tanya, she says "No way I'll take your hound on, not for this." Stopping, she looks at Marissa "Er..."

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Author: VegasRigged

the mention of international travel almost illicits a response. Does she know me and Syl are going away? Oh god, did I tell her?! No. I wouldn't, I'm far to organized and compartmentalized for that. But still, she braught it up, maybe she's thinking of leaving the country maybe, she's thinking of taking Cynthia? Maybe-

My racing thought are silenced by Cynthia waking up. I raise an eyebrow at her as she sits up "Hound?"

I glance back at Tanya "Should I ask?"

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Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #100

"Hound? Oh, it's a...an Agent. Protecting her 'link." She shrugs "I might be able to beat it, but it wouldn't be furtive at all, giving it time to shut down wireless functionalities. And it would probably hurt like hell to boot to. So..."

She seems pensive for a bit, then adds "With some time and preparations though, it can be done I think. Not easily, but possible." frowning, she amends "At least I know of some ways to do it. I wouldn't want to however. And I'm probably not good enough myself."

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Author: VegasRigged

I listen carefully, half understanding. She's talking herself down, that's not a good sign, either she isn't as good as I hoped and is admitting it, or she's short-selling her skills to stop us bidding for her help. Or she actually means what she's saying, got to remember this one has no tact like everyone else you know. Lying isn't her way.

"Interesting, what makes you think you'd have trouble?"

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Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #101

Cynthia cocks an eyebrow "Because I know what I'm talking about? You're a Mage so tell me, what would happen if you wanted to steal something from a Dragon? You may be able to know how it could be done, what would be needed, but would you be able to do it?" She shrugs "There's no shame admitting you're not good enough for something. Not doing it however, that's when you have problems."

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Author: Mercy Merchant

Tanya nods and smiles. "Completely understandable. In any case, you did very well to have found it. I would appreciate knowing what tipped you and if there is anything I can do or have done to make it harder. Maybe you can give me your impressions later. For now, I will leave you with Marisa and go find my other guests, who seem to be having a good time on the fifth circle. Ciao." Tanya nods at the three women still in the suite and leaves.

[Imladir]

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #102

"Oh uh, sure." Cynthia looks at Marissa, waiting for her.

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Author: VegasRigged

I turn to Syl and give her a little kiss on the cheek "Give us a minute? Leaving our host with my secretary is a bit of a security concern." After Sylvia steps out intake the seat across from Cynthia.

my mind is spinning like a top. What do I tell her to make her join me? I could make up a dozen plots about people coming to kill one or both of us, I could say that she's meant to help me for some magical reason, I could play the simpler more professional card and simply hire her for money and not asking questions, I-

"I think I'm having a panic attack."

WHAT! No! Don't say that!

"I want you to help me take over a series of businesses in the Chinatown Barrems, coordinate a BDSM side business and ensure that nobody finds out I'm actually not who people think I am."

Holy shit. If she says no I have to kill her. This is unbelievable. Why did I say all those things? Why doni think I can trust this foolish child? What in the hell compelled me to mention the identity bit?

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Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #103

For a long moment, Cynthia looks at Marissa, completely surprised by the difference between how she was earlier in the day and how she is now. She doesn't seem shocked by the exact meaning of the words, or even fearful. But concerned, and only reacting to the tone and obvious - even to her - distress "Are you okay? Did you take something you shouldn't have?" she frowns, then as if she had just thought of something asks "Or maybe one of your spells backfired?"

She shakes her head, not really knowing how to handle all of this. Trying to sound helpful and not condescending or whatever, she says "You should take deep breaths and a glass of cold water, it can help when you're overwhelmed like that. Or maybe you want me to call someone? Maybe your girlfriend? Oh, unless she's the one making you act like that?"

In a lower voice, she adds "I probably won't surprise you if I say I have no idea how to react to that, so if you have an idea... Oh, I also heard that a cold splash of water on the face can work wonders. A hard slap too, even if it's not really pleasant." She frowns "Yeah I'm babbling but I hope you can overcome whatever is going on, otherwise we're screwed..."

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Author: VegasRigged

I sit for a moment, looking at an indistinct point between us and trying to wrap my head around this. It's as though someone took my entire view of the world and twisted it. I'm lost in a whirlpool of thoughts and feelings, terror and panic chief among them, but logic continues to function and recalls me to the moment.

I look up and her and for once have no idea what expression my face shows. I quickly produce my commlink and check my reflection, a habit from my early youth. For once I look fairly how I feel, and that as much as a throng worries me.

"I..."

What do I say to this? I've admitted weakness, and received a demonstration of compassion, or at least a good copy of one from someone I believe incapable of advanced falsehood. How do I respond?

"Thank... You." I choke up a bit, I'm not able to think much right now, but I wonder if I e ever actually meant those words before this very moment.

"I think I'll be alright, I just haven't been... A lot has happened. I don't think I can explain right now, but I would like your help with these business ventures, and I think talking about what I know will help me drown some of this out."

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Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #104

Cynthia looks at the 'link, joking a bit "So, you decided to switch your 'link back on, eh? Told you you wouldn't last long." the smile fades a bit after a few seconds. She grabs her juice, drinking most of it while she thinks.

When she talks again, it's calmly, unfazed, as if she were talking about some shopping list "So. Just to be sure I got everything right." At each point, she raises a finger "First, you want to take over, and not amiably I suppose, businesses in what is arguably the worst area of Seattle, under the dominion of the triads. Second, you have a side business dealing into BDSM. Third, you're not who you're pretending to be." she cocks an eyebrow "Did I get all that right?"

She chuckles "All this in addition to your regular day job. You're a very busy woman." Shrugging, she adds "I suppose we can talk about it, but I don't see how I could help you regarding the BDSM stuff or the identity problem. Unless there are some 'trix footprints you'd want erased maybe? For the takeovers... Yeah, I can see why I, or someone with my...skill set shall we say... would be needed. But why the hell do you want to get involved in Chinatown? You have a death wish or something?"

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Author: VegasRigged

I have a worrying urge to say that, yes, i do in fact have a death wish, but that would only be drama for the most part. Instead I respond with simple answers.

"The Chinatown gambit is linked with the Triads, so we don't have to worry about them for a while. I want someone to help coordinate operations there, get all my business operating with a level of Matrix-based unity. I also need someone who can dig up dirt on my rivals, the sort of realistically provable dirt that makes powerful people second guess themselves or simply do what I want.

"I also need to be beyond certain the the side business can't be traced to me, especially after I transfer operation over to a new manager.

As to my identity... I don't know why I mentioned that, I really am having a nasty evening in many respects.

I'm going to get another drink."

I stand and walk to the bar, not sure what to make I bring up an ARO with recipes and go for something boozy.

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Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #105

Cynthia contemplates warning Marissa that alcohol is probably not the smartest drink to take right now, but thinks better of it. Instead, she tackles the different problems presented to her. "So first, the easiest problem: I don't care who you are, or who you pretend to be, or whatever." she sips a new mouthful of her juice "Unless you're Humanis or something like that. Obviously I'm not a meta, but I don't like those morons. However, I'd of course need to have that information to be able to do anything about it. But like I said, I don't know what I could do there. Not unless you decide to tell me a lot more anyway." She smiles, clearly amused "And just so you know, if you decide you need my help for your other...ventures... there will come a point where I'll have enough to start digging if I feel like it. So the question is not really if I will learn what you hide, but how I find out. Your call, and you have time anyway."

Despite the clear amusement in her voice, she feels...calm. Not ignoring Marissa's emotions, but not impacted. "Now, for this BDSM thing. Best I could do, would be to look into the people who could know, and see if they have anything on you. Anything they store electronically of course, I obviously can't do anything as far as meat is concerned. I would need to know more about this...business. How, where, when, and most importantly, who. But certainly not what you do there." she grimaces, apparently a bit disgusted. "With all that, I can make some checks. And even if I could tell you if someone knows more than you'd like, no one can prove a negative, so no way I'll be able to prove nobody knows."

Standing up, she fills her glass of another juice she apparently chose at random. She sits back down, and resumes after a sip "Next, for very obvious reasons, I don't feel a burning desire to poke the Triads. As everywhere, at low level, their 'trix security is a joke. But that is only true at low level: their leaders have as good a protection as any high level executives. So if your rivals are at that level..." She shrugs "And while the 'trix security of the low level gangers is drek, they are helped by the disastrous levels of Noise there are in the Chinatown barrens. If they stay there, I'd need some noise cancellation tools. Since it would probably not be enough, I'd need to not be too far. Let's just say that a walk in the Chinatown Barrens is pretty damn low on my bucket list." scowling, she shakes her head. "Finally, I don't really know what you want with this Matrix-based unity. The most I could do would probably be to give some advice on how to protect important data, but I'm no expert on that...side of things. Anyone really determined, or with enough resources, would be able to get it in any case. The only true defence is to go full analog. And that comes with a hell of a lot of disadvantages."

Tapping her lips, she pauses for a second. Then says still quite calmly, as if she was saying that the sky is blue "And what you should have realised by now, is that if you want all this, and if I agree, I'd know pretty much everything there is to know about you. It would be childplay to really hurt you. And consequently, make sure that you wouldn't be able to do it to me, not without dire consequences for yourself."

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Author: VegasRigged

She's right. I'm vulnerable. I've made myself vulnerable to an information specialist and told her all the fun things I could get up to. If she doesn't give me anything back or at least say she's willing to work with me, I'm going to have to play desperate until Sylvia or I or maybe even Sian can get to my new 'friend' here and silence her permanently. This whole honesty play could entirely blow up in my face, which would at least prove what I've always known, that lying is the best way to stay alive.

I also need something on her, something she can't get out of without getting into trouble.

OF COURSE! How have I been so blind? She's a decker, she breaks the law all the time, I could just point her out to the authorities and she would be hunted down. Mutually assured destruction aside, the nature of her work means I'll always have a card to play. For now though, I need to play it cool, hide my hand and wait to see her move.

My tone has retaken some of its professional coolness now, the familiarity of negotiating for my life is comforting, and from that inch of comfort I draw strength enough "The Barrens work is where I'd most like your advice and expertise. I want to improve matrix access throughout that neighbourhood and haven't much idea how to do that. I understand your hesitation, but I will not put you in danger of it can at all be avoided. And theirs the matter of mutual benefit. I'm asking to benefit from your talents, I'm certain you could also benefit from mine. And of course theirs money involved as well.

"I assure you though, my intentions are noble, and if you question working for me it will not be because you disagree with our course.

I lean forward in me seat, fingers laced between my knees and elbows rested in my thighs, my drink fogotten. "As for your final point I'll say this: it would be easy, with all I'm suggesting, to hurt me a great deal. I might never recover if half of what you'll learn of me where to be discovered by the public. However, releasing my every detail would be unlikely to kill me, and while I dislike bloodshed categorically, it must surely have crossed {/I} your {/} mind that as a player within the Chinatown Barrens, it is within my power to return that kind of treachery tenfold."

My tone is slipping a little with the sencerity and potential wrath, I sit back and try to collect myself again. I'm afraid, both rationally and irrationally. I'm still having trouble getting big picture at the moment, my mind is a hyperactive buzzing that barely leaves room for the strategy I'm trying to play out here. It also precludes any further pondering a on what exactly about this frustrating child has me decided that she can help, but I've spent my life studying the natural energetic currents of our world, and something about this feels right, as if she's the right one at the right time. Besides, she was kind, that has t count for something.

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Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #106

Cynthia smiles thinly "On the contrary, what has crossed my mind is that given what you told me, you're bound to step on the toes of at least one of the triads. And while I don't know much about the triads in question, I know they are not known for their...compassion. And there are other ways, one - or I, I suppose - just have to be inventive." She shrugs.

She pauses a second or two, then her tone changes when she says "Do you like fairytales? Let me tell you one. Once upon a time... There was a girl who made the mistake to trust someone she shouldn't have. Maybe she made a mistake, maybe the person she trusted changed or got corrupted one way or another. She doesn't know. What matters though is that the person tried to betray the girl. The girl heard ot it when she wanted to play a prank on that person, something they were doing quite often on each other. She didn't confront that betrayer herself, what could she have done? Instead, she did what she does best. There was a...glitch...in the record keepings of a LoneStar institution. A glitch that showed the would-be betrayer as an Awakened, marked with a bounty. Some bounty hunter was made aware of it, and did what bounty hunters do best. That bounty hunter collected the bounty when he delivered the mark, bound and unconscious to LoneStar. Now, of course, after a while, they realised there was a problem. But no one had asked any questions. And since it would have been really embarrassing to admit such a mistake... I'm told that would-be betrayer is still enjoying the hospitality of the corporation's quarters somewhere. Well enjoying... It might not be the right word though, since well... you probably know better than me how Awakened tend to be received in such fine institutions..."

Her smile is cold, almost ruthless. There is an undertone there though, certainly not pride, on the contrary she almost seems...hurt. "I really don't want to do this kind of things, but should it be necessary, I wouldn't hesitate. So if you contemplate using me and throwing me under the bus, please do us both a favour and just forget all this, and I will too. Oh and just so you know, you wouldn't be able to prove anything of what I just said. It could be just that, a fairytale. Or... Corporations can be quite helpful taking care of small inconsistencies when then don't want to be embarrassed. Who knows..."

With a sigh, she sips a mouthful of her juice, which seems to calm herself quite a bit. She looks into Marissa's eyes for a bit, a small smile on her lips, a bit depressed "Sorry if I seem rude but I have troubles associating Triads business with noble and I know most people make the mistake of thinking I'm weak or even dumb instead of just...er... Let's say thoroughly bad at all this social stuff..." she shrugs "Furthermore, once bitten, twice shy as they say..."

She shifts in her chair. Removing her shoes, she tucks her feet under her, finding some comfort in her new position. "Now, if you still want to do this?" she cocks an eyebrow, and seeming to see something, continues "You say I could benefit from your talents, but while you have some idea of mine, I don't have much on yours. I suppose I can't trust the trids, but it doesn't help much to know what you could do for me." she frowns "What I'm really curious to know however, before we talk about what I could get from this, is why you feel your intentions are noble."

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Author: VegasRigged

Fairy-tales? Really? I mean she's a kid, but really? God i wish i could be back in the corporate world where things made sense. She's baring her teeth, so am I, time to de-escalate the situation. She thinks she can bring me down with a few phone calls, let her think that, I have to double down at this point.

"So we are both worried about getting double-crossed. I think we can safely say that neither of us wants the other as an enemy, and since we're pretty well entwined at this point, lets try not to become enemies.

"As for talents I can affect peoples moods, lift thing into the air, blast people around and summon spirits to complete basic tasks for me. Any of which are useful if people want to kill you."

The details of her story are a little disturbing, are theirs a part of me, even as I sit here, that wonders if she is the reason I was arresting by Wuxong. If so, I'll need to be extremely careful how i kill her and how I cover myself for any retaliating. It's going to be a long war of mutually assured destruction, and hopefully we can get things done while we're trying to get the upper hand on the other.

[Imladir]

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #107

Cynthia laughs lightly "I have a feeling that I would need those kind of services if I agreed to work with you, not otherwise you know... I don't have any enemies. Or I don't have any enemies I'm aware of. But should I work with you - I don't work for anyone, I work with someone - I guess it would come quickly if the triads ever hear about me..." she shrugs "I don't try to be difficult, but well... I suppose to you I am, it's a gift I have... I don't really need what you can do - for now at least. And I don't even need nuyens. Now don't misunderstand, it's always nice to have more, but I don't need them.

She pauses, frowning, pensive for a couple of seconds, eyes in space. "Or maybe I would, depends..." she shakes her head, looking at Marissa again "Anyway, since you told me what you can do, and I'll suppose it shows some trust, I'll hear you out and we can talk about what I would get out of our...association...at a later point. For now, tell me, why are you presenting your...goals... with the triads' businesses as noble?"

Amused, she smiles "I'd tell you you don't need to tell me too much if you think it would compromise your operations, but we're past this point, aren't we? But... well... tell me what you're comfortable with, and we'll go from here."

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Author: VegasRigged

"My efforts in the Barrems are in large part humanitarian. My businesses pay their employees fairly, treat them with respect and in a little while I intend to provide food and clean water to as many people there as possible. I'm not fool of course, I know such efforts will be met with resistance, hence my desire to enlist a good decker and stay a step ahead of the competition. I'm sure your aware that most, if not all, of what I've told you today in information I would have rather kept to myself."

Why did I get into this? I suppose my instincts decided if she couldn't manipulate on a personal level she would be willing to work with someone who could. I may have assumed practicality, or compassion, which given her reaction of my panic attack, which is thankfully subsiding, that compassion was fairly accurate. Hopefully this little admission will put her on my side.

I also have another option, if she isn't willing to help me, or decides to throw me under the bus, I have the Laes with which to erase this conversation from her memory.

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Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #108

Cynthia's eyebrows raise quite a bit "Really? I find this difficult to believe to be honest, humanitarianism in our time? I could believe there's some part of it in your goals, but there's something you must expect out of it, isn't it?"

She smiles "I'm pleased you think so highly of my capabilities even if you have absolutely no proof. I may be able to give you what you want for a while; however there will come a time when the competition as you say will be the heads of the triads. I obviously never tried, but I assume that if they were easy marks, they'd have lost their position a long time ago. How do you intend to handle this?"

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Author: Mercy Merchant

OOC: I like the way you two are playing off against and with each other. Let me know when you think I should bring Tanya back in. Do not get me wrong, I am not trying to shorten your interaction. I really like it.

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Author: VegasRigged

"Your right, there is an alterior motive to my altruism: Loyalty. I can order them on pain of death to fight for me, but they will only be loyal for as long as they think I'm the most dangerous person around. Now if I treat them fairly, give them something to fight for and a sense that I would fight for them, they will pour their hearts into every task I ask of them. This does mean I must be cautious what I wish for, but I am so capable.

"As to defeating the triads I'm afraid I must dissapoit you. I do have a plan, more then on actually, but I will not be discussing battle strategy in public, or with someone I'm just getting to know."

I smile somewhat apologetically. 'She can't really have thought I was just going to spill my master plan like some old school super villian. No, but her concerns are reasonable regarding the triads. Taking them down will require a few very specific tools.'

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Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #109

Cynthia shrugs "Fair enough. That's not your average motivation... And as such, it raises another question: why do you want to have an army to fight for you?" she doesn't seem shocked really, but clearly surprised.

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Author: VegasRigged

I choose not to contain a slight snicker at this question. My expression is condescending, no question, but in a 'that's so cute' kind of way. The expression quickly passes for one of contemplation. "Why do I want an army? Well first their not just an army, their a functional society, or they will be. As for why I want them... Let me put it this way: Nobody gets anything they haven't earned, most people don't get what they have earned, when I've earned something worthwhile and someone decides they don't want to give it to me I'll tell that person I mean to take what mine, and they will say 'you and what army?' And I will have an answer."

I take a moment to look forwar to that. Being able to strong arm the powerful into coming through on our deals.

Returning to the moment I consider my new friend "Now I think it's my turn to get a few honest answers." I fix her with a scrutizing look for an almost uncomfortable length of time "Tell me about you decking. What can you do, and roughly how do you do it? I understand theirs some expensive tech involved."

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Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #110

"Uh... I expected you had a more fun goal with that army than to be able to say to others they could go frag themselves..." she sighs, a bit disappointed.

After a sip of her juice, she answers "Decking is expensive yeah. The best decks are at almost a million a pop. And to be at least decent, you need a 'deck at something like 200k. It's a bit more expensive if you want an implanted one, but at those costs, it doesn't change much and it has a lot of advantages so it's a nice investment... As for what I can do..." she shrugs "Pretty much anything you can think of when you speak about hacking. If I understand right, contrary to how mages work, a hacker can do everything there is to do: snoop around in a host, track people with their wireless stuff, access camera feeds, intercept communications, etc. The only difference is in our capabilities. For example, don't expect me to infiltrate the main host of KE." she laughs, amused "But if you want to get a nice parking place in downtown, I can hack a Host to get you one."

She frowns, cocking her head, pensive for a couple of seconds "One point you'd be interested in would be my capacity to find data on the 'trix. It's difficult to assess fairly, but I'm reasonably good in that department."

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Author: VegasRigged

"Don't underestimate the careful use of power. It may seem trivial or immature, but when survival depends on mutually assured destruction, one need to be able to destroy."

'Not unlike this little alliance we are building now. We can each ruin the other and until an upper hand is gained we will smile and work together.'

"How much was your deck, and would you look for an upgrade? I don't think decking KE will be necessary any time soon, but it's good to strive for greater things.as for gathering information, yes. Emphatically yes. I will likely have a list quite soon. Also, what do you know about the deeper workings of the matrix?"

This is a blind question. A friend of a friend in school said he had been doing deep matrix dives to work on a host. He tried to explain it but I'd been distracted and barely understood, perhaps I can learn more about it now.

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Author: VegasRigged

Ooc: that was not out loud, I ended the out loud part and started a thought right next to each other. The single quotes was in her head.

[Imladir]

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #111

"If you say so. Seems pretty bleak to me to run after power with only destruction in mind." Cynthia shrugs.

"Anyway, I'm not looking for a deck no. Not useful at this point, and nuyens would be best spent elsewhere. Not sure where to be honest..." she frowns "If I agree to go in the chinatown barrens, I'd need something to deal with the Noise to be able to stay efficient. I know what would be nice, but we're not there yet. As for the deeper workings of the 'trix..."

She cocks an eyebrow "That's a very open question... Like What do you know of the deeper workings of Magic... Do you mean GOD? The grids? IAs?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

I takes me a moment to remember that GOD is the grid over watch devision, but while I'd like to know more about any and all of those, what I really want to know is "How do hosts work. Not just the surface operation, but the basic programming that makes them tick."

Ooc: not sure if Cynthia has experience with this, but what Eva is getting at is the deep runs into the sort of technomancer world under the standard systems of the matrix and hosts. It's discussed in Data trails but not the other books."

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Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #112

Cynthia cocks an eyebrow "Oh, you mean Hosts' Foundation? Yeah, I know a bit about it. It can be really fun to go in there. As long as you restrict yourself to low level hosts, here too. Or mid-level ones from time to time, but it's a lot more dangerous. Of course, what you find there is much more interesting, but it's a hell of a lot more dangerous too."

She scowls "Of course, there are some not fun at all, but..."

[ Spoiler ]

Hosts Foundations are not restricted to TMs (in fact, anyone can go along with a decker with the right program) , that would be the resonance realms.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

Good, she knows what I'm talking about. Maybe this can work.

"I'm glad to hear it, I had an old friend try to explain them to me. I understood that the foundation is important, but not really how or why, so I hope we can talk about that further, however, we have left our party without us for a while now and you've barely met Sylvia. Why don't we discuss this another time?"

I'm calmer now, ready to get back to the task of partying, and maybe even enjoy some of it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #113

"We can." she smiles a bit "But you know, you still didn't make me want to work with you. I figure you'd like to see to that before we join the others, unless you prefer to wait and think about it?"

She taps her lips a few seconds, and adds "I don't want to pressure you, but I have another job coming. In addition to the one for Tanya. And... Well, I can't wait too long before I give an answer you know. So if you want to think about it, could you let me know before we leave? Not that I wouldn't work with you after that, but the other job will have priority until it's finished. Shouldn't be too long given what I was told but, well... Some jobs tend to involve more than advertised."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

"I suppose I'm tired of trying to convince you. If you don't think making powerful allies is of any value, or have so much fun with your games that real excitement doesn't appeal, or have no desire to improve people's lives, then we have nothing in common and would make poor allies." I stand and finish my drink, then check the club ARO for the location of my party "If any of those things do appeal to you, you have my number. If it's something specific that would Pique your interest, I'd like to hear it."

This whole negotiation was a bit of a train wreck, I do want her to work for me, though I'm sure she'll prefer to work 'with' me like all the others. I should have dug into her background, I should have known more coming in. I won't get away with this mistake too many times, I hope it won't cost me here. Once I get home I'll need to manage some damage control regarding what I've admitted to here. Fortunately the real plan is still hidden.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #114

Cynthia laughs a bit "Oh I love challenges, and I do have real excitement from time to time. You propose powerful allies, but the triads as enemies. Unless you're far more powerful than you let on, I don't think even you would believe that to be a fair exchange. You say you will improve people's lives, but for selfish reasons: you do it to earn their loyalty and have them become your army. To them, would it be anything more than changing one master for another? With the added twist of hypocrisy? Anyone can make promises, what would make yours better than the triads?"

She sighs "I know, I'm difficult to convince. And believe it or not, I'm not doing it to piss you off, but I have the luxury to choose my jobs, and that's something I intend to do carefully. I know that in most cases, you'd just wave nuyens, and it'd be done but I need more than that. I don't think I'd be the only one and for those like me who would want more than nuyens, do you think anyone would believe in you, in your goals, with what you told me? Right now, it's have the triads as enemies by getting people under their foot to have an army to achieve unknown goals you may not agree to. In my place, would that make you dream? When you love challenges, there's something very important, at least if you want to stay alive: know your limits, and roughly where you're going." she shakes her head "I know my limits, and I know I certainly can't afford to piss the triads off. Even with your help. For something I know nothing about. Were the situation reversed, would you find something in what you said, the necessary spark, that would make you want to take those risks?"

Standing up, she finishes her glass, and puts it on the table "Maybe it's possible, I don't know... Maybe anyone would find me too cautious. Maybe you'd love to jump in the unknown. And yes, I'll admit it's exciting. But there are limits, and what you said up to now is insufficient for me, you'd have to share more. Even if that seems to be your problem I guess, like my being such an introvert may be mine." she shrugs "Well, all this is true regarding the triads, but I could work on your other stuffs if you still want it. It would be a start, a way for you and me to learn how to work with each other. A way for you to be more comfortable to tell me more about this triad job. Maybe to make your dream, my dream or at least to want to be a part of it, who knows? It's your choice anyway. Like I said, you can take some time to think about it, while we go back to Tanya."

With a small smile, almost apologetic, she adds "But I won't run after you for this. You got me once with the concert, but it won't work many times. Not for serious stuff like that anyway. You have to convince me, not the other way around." she groans, almost amused "But well... At this point you probably think it'd be easier and faster to just find a hacker who'd want nuyens and be done with it. Can't say you'd be wrong to be honest... But would it be better than someone who believes in what you want to achieve?"

Unless Marissa has anything to add, Cynthia will go find Tanya, avoiding any other people who would want to talk to her as long as she can pretend it's not her they're talking to.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

There are many thing I would like to say, but none are worth saying now. I'll have to work harder on this one. Her caution has made her all the more appealing as an information hub operator. If I can bring her in she will be very valuable indeed. It might frustrate me for now, but her reservations are valid and she's thinking long term. Both admirable qualities.

For now though, I finish my drink and center myself before walking with her out into the rest of the club to find our party. The noise builds back up, but this time theirs a barrier between me and it, I'm no longer overwhelmed and I can focus.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno] #115

While Marissa seems more comfortable in the crowd, it's the complete opposite for Cynthia: once again, she seems unsure, ill at ease and unable to react appropriately when approached. She doesn't appear to be rude voluntary, but be it from her obvious stress, her lack of interest or simply because she doesn't know how to handle such things, she may often be perceived as such. In fact, she manages to react relatively appropriately when asked about Tanya - even if she doesn't say anything interesting - but she completely fails to do it when men (and women?) take an interest to her.

On the way, she doesn't quite hide behind Marissa, but she's not far from it. She's obviously very relieved when she reaches Tanya's group.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

Tanya is standing with Marie and Tom on the fifth circle balcony overlooking the dance floor, where a madness seems to have overtaken the dancers. It is a swirling mass of people, seemingly separate and disparate. No real pairing lasts more than a few seconds and the music itself seems to encourage random pairings that come together and dissolve in time to the beat of the very techno rock blaring from the speakers. A number of the dancers are in some state of undress, which does not bother anyone on the floor. In fact, there are three small groups of people who are completely naked and participating in some sort of orgiastic release of emotions. Here, too, partners are exchanged at a quick pace, no one seeming to stay coupled together long before someone taps in and swaps spots.

Marie's hair is mussed greatly from its earlier neatly coiffed state and her blouse is buttoned unevenly. Both she and Tom are breathing hard from the exertions of being recently on the dance floor and perhaps..............

All three have drinks in their hands and Tanya salutes both of you as you come up to them. Marie wobbles a step closer, but you see it is from a broken heel on her shoe and not from being drunk. She has to almost yell to be heard above the music. "Oh, this is so much fun, Miss Coulter. Thanks ever so much for inviting us. Have you been down lower than this in the club? Tom and I were thinking of heading off to the sixth circle to see if it is even better than this." She leans closer and you can see the excitement in her eyes. "I am afraid that I have been quite naughty so far tonight and hope that you do not hold it against me."

[Imladir]

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno] #116

Looking at the crowd, like someone at a zoo looking at animals in their cage, Cynthia reaches Marie, Tom and Tanya. She doesn't seem disgusted, but very clearly unmoved and not interested. Frowning, she says "I think I'll wait in the suite, this is not for me."

She smiles lightly at Marie "But please, don't worry about me. I'll easily find stuff to do."

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Author: Mercy Merchant

@ Eva Tanya watches as Cynthia walks off, a slight frown on her face. This changes to a smile as she looks at her remaining guests. "The sixth circle is a bit more.....................sensual than any of those above it. Are you willing to risk being approached by random people who will offer to have sex with you? You do not have to accept."

@Cynthia Once back in the suite, you can pour another glass of juice if you like. Your 'link pings with a message from Roger. >>Hey there. Roger here. The guy you marked? I was thinking about you and thought I would send you a note to see how you are doing.<<

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Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - Dante's Inferno, VIP Suite] #117

After a slight detour to the restroom, Cynthia gets comfortable in "her" chair with a new glass of juice, and slips back into the Matrix. She first checks if she has any answer from Barbara, then replies to Roger.

>>Hi. I didn't forget who you are you know. I'm fine and I have a bit of free time if you still want some help to look into Bogotá.<<

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Author: Mercy Merchant

>>Good. And yes, I could use some help. I have been digging into what went on and there are some surprises and a lot of roadblocks. I have my agent still looking about but I am wiped. Do you want to meet tomorrow? I have to say that I am damned sure that there is something fishy going on down there.<<

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Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - In VR] #118

<<It may be possible, sure. I don't know when though. My future maybe possible employer is "thinking about it", and I gave her until the end of the evening to decide so until she does, I'm not sure when I'll be free. I don't think she will decide tonight, but you never know...

Anyway, I didn't yet check what I found in the afternoon, but are there some areas you'd like me to check specifically? Wait, I'm stupid, I'll check now.>>

Cynthia grabs the file Sherlock compiled in the afternoon / start of the evening, and quickly reads through it to get an idea of what is going on in Bogotá.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

The file from your sprite is fairly complete. The synopsis at the beginning is fairly clear. A large bomb had exploded in the government district of Bogota, Colombia, killing scores of people. The toll at the time the report was generated stood at 87 dead and over 200 in the hospital, 45 of those in critical condition or worse. Among the dead are the country's Finance Minister and his bodyguards. A revolutionary organization called FARC has claimed responsibility, calling for the public removal of all who would stand in the way of developing Colombia's vast natural resources. Apparently, the Finance Minister had been opposed to approving some sort of deal that would allow a company called Liston Pharmaceuticals to build some sort of facility in the country. The minister had been an influential adviser to the President and the deal was apparently as good as dead. The Deputy Finance Minister has come out publicly in opposition to his former superior.

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Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - In VR] #119

>>Ok, up to date now. So Liston paid someone to assassinate the finance minister and have him replaced by his deputy. I don't know much about politics and corps practices, but isn't that pretty standard stuff? At least in Bogotá, I suppose they don't use bombs everywhere, too many questions to answer, but in Bogotá... So... I suppose that I should dig into this Liston Pharmaceuticals and the deputy to see the fishy part?<<

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Author: Mercy Merchant

>>I knew you were smart the first time I saw you. Send me a message in the morning..............say tennish?<<

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Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - In VR] #120

>>Sure, will do. 'night.<<

This done, Cynthia will first look for updates on the situation on the home front - most notably to see if she can find why the Colonel left early. To do this, she'll dismiss Arsène, and have Sherlock perform the search. It's nothing too difficult which is perfect since she doesn't want to compile it at a high level, and right up his alley.

While Sherlock starts its own search, she will look into some data havens she knows which specialise into corp data and/or political powers: she doesn't expect to find the graal there, but some basic data on this Liston corporation, as well as the deputy himself, and hopefully, some leads to exploit to get more.

This is quite exciting (well, to her at least...), and she intends to profit from this for a while. However, she must be cautious, and regularly makes sure that no one is playing any game with her, carefully checking after each notable operation that she's not marked and/or followed. She really doesn't want to draw the attention of someone capable to kill hundreds of people just to get one person to herself. She pays all the more attention to all this since once again, she probably isn't the first one to think about all this. Furthermore, the corporation itself might have put some traps here and there to convince people like her to drop the matter. Or drop, period.

This run is just a preliminary one: she will exploit her most promising/dangerous leads in the morning. Now, it's just a way to pleasantly spend time, and get a head start for later.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

The local news feeds are all covering stories about gang violence breaking out in several parts of the city,, most notably the Barrens and the districts adjacent to there. Vids of burning vehicles and barricades closing off streets are rolling on every channel, along with estimated death and injury counts that seem to increase every couple of minutes as new information comes in from various hospitals.

There is some public information on the trix about Liston Pharmaceuticals. They are apparently a small firm known for developing and producing cheap medicinal drugs in out of the way locations. They have listed facilities in Africa and South America and the UCAS. The UCAS facility was recently in the news when a group of criminals managed to get past all the security and raid their warehouse.

The former Finance Minister of Colombia has quite a lot of press coverage. He had been an outspoken opponent of foreign corporations coming in to exploit a cheap labor market and had been very vocal about the recent application of Liston to build a facility there, pointing out the corporation's poor record for safety in other South American countries.

These public files attract lots of visitors, but you do not detect any marks on you.

[Imladir]

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - In VR] #121

*Woh, Seattle becoming a war zone... Yeah, no wonder he had to leave. I wonder what has set that off though... But I can't go snoop around there so... Guess I'll have to rely on Sherlock. I wonder if the Chinatown barrens are concerned...*

Cynthia will let Sherlock dig a bit more into all of this, mainly to get a list and locations of the gangs involved, to check if the Chinatown barrens are involved, and what are the reasons behind this "global" violence. More importantly, what are the real hotspots which are at the origin of this, and where did the gangs took advantage of the confusion. Fortunately, this can probably be found with a simple chronology of the events. Which should help to find the cause of all this activity anyway.

*So, nothing important in the public files for Liston. Nothing surprising there. Would be disappointing in fact... There are two points I should look into though, two maybe possible leads. First, this raid on their UCAS warehouse, and second those poor records of employment. But first...*

Cynthia checks with Tanya's and Marissa's ARO to make sure that they are still somewhere deep in the club: it wouldn't do to miss the fact that they came back... She doesn't care where they are and what they are doing, not even if they are still together, as long as they're not back.
If all is right, she will start to dig a bit more. First regarding the robbery, which should have at least some not too hidden/protected details. That is not to say that she will get to the bottom of it right now, but she should still be able to get a bit more on the subject without too many risks. The same should hold for the employment record, but she'll do that a bit later.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

"I prefer to be selective with my partners, and suspect that, while I might enjoy the such carnal pleasures physically, I'm not likely to let myself off guard among so many strangers. Do you intend to join them?"

I'm looking down at the groups with focus and interest. My lovely little secretary just got in on that and here I am being a stick in the mud. I know I'm right, I know if I went down there I'd end up feeling out of control and hating it.

However, Tom and Merie getting into it with strangers could be a concern if someone gets leverage on her, though it might also be useful if I can get a recording.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

@Eva Tanya shakes her head and laughs. "No, not me. There are already too many pictures of me here tonight and I do not need to provide even more fodder for the gossip vids. I think I will actually just let Marie and Tom go have their fun. There is an MM cover band on the eighth circle that is pretty good. If you like her songs, you should at least give them a try. But feel free to mingle a bit. Ciao."


@Cynthia For now, the other AROs of your group are nowhere near the suite, leaving you free to dig a bit. A bit less than a year ago, the UCAS branch of Liston Pharmaceuticals was targeted in a raid by persons unknown. This would have made little news at the time except for the fact that the facility was the storage repository for half of the nation's stockpile of anthrax. The company was very quick to deny that any of the dangerous toxin had been stolen, but some sources continue to claim that to be a lie and that the government is complicit in some sort of cover up.

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Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - In VR] #122

*Anthrax? What's that? Uh, ok. Wait, it can be used as a bioweapon?* Cynthia pauses for a few seconds, as she thinks about this. And recalls what Tanya told her earlier. *Maybe it's nothing but...*

She stops her search for the moment, and instead sends a message to Tanya >>I suppose you know about Bogotá?<<

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Author: Mercy Merchant

@Cynthia A silence stretches out and you almost think she did not get the message. >>I watch the news feeds, Cynthia. Why do you bring that topic up?<<

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Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - In VR] #123

*Yeah... Good question... She talks about a plot involving bioweapons and I see one on the first thing I look into... Drek, I'd bet most corps have stuff like that squirrelled away...*

>>Uh... I'm being paranoid, sorry. Forget it, I'm probably too tired to think straight.<<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

>>Tell me what you think. I am interested. What about Bogota?<<

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Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - In VR] #124

>>Uh... If I'm not paranoid, this is really not the way I'd like to discuss this, you never know who might be snooping around... Give me a sec'.<<

Cynthia will go to a Host she knows that offers private meeting rooms. Private, discreet and confidential meeting rooms. There, she'll take a room and send Tanya the required information to allow her to join. Once Tanya is there, Cynthia, sited in a comfortable sofa, speaks. Not too unsurprisingly, she seems completely at ease here, in control. With no trace of the awkwardness she showed earlier.

>>It may be overkill but if I'm right, I'd much rather be safe than sorry. And if I'm wrong, well, you now know of at least one way to meet discreetly on the 'trix... So. One of the programs I'm working on detected the bombing in Bogotá earlier in the day, so I kept an eye on it. As I was digging a bit into it, I found what I believe to be the reason for the bombing. Nothing too difficult to get, and nothing I can prove. But I do believe that Liston Pharmaceutical planed the bombing to assassinate the Finance Minister, to replace him by his deputy. Which they probably bought some time ago, given that he seems much more reasonable. As far as they're concerned at least.

Anyway. When I looked into Liston Pharmaceutical I noticed a robbery some time ago, where Anthrax was not stolen. Given what you told me earlier about bioweapons, I couldn't not see a link... Maybe there is none, but if there is, it would be best to stop there and reconsider my...approach...of the problem...<<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

Tanya's matrix avatar is a crystal warrior and she seems a bit.............uneasy?..............as she walks into your private room. >>Yes, I am very interested in the connection between Bogota and Liston Pharmaceuticals. It would be nice to have more information on the company and it apparent controlling corporation, Sampson Industries. I do see the link to the assassination and am concerned that this will clear the way for Liston to move into Colombia. I have good reason to believe that a quantity of anthrax has been removed from Liston's facility in the UCAS to be sent elsewhere to be mutated and weaponized. I do not know enough. It seems like the opposition is always a step or two ahead of me and that is disturbing. Can you find out more and what would you need from me to help?<<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - In VR] #125

Cynthia nods. >>I can try to find out more yes. As for what I'd need...<< she frowns pensive. >>I'd need to know what you know. Or well, maybe I don't need it, but it would help. A lot. First, if you're lagging behind, it would be stupid for me to take the time to find stuff you already know. Second, it would help me to measure the opposition, and adapt my strategy to it. And third, the more I know, the more I'll be able to find new elements. For example, now I can look into this Sampson Industries, which I didn't yet find.<<

She pauses for a couple of second, then adds >>What would help, is if I had some support.<< she looks in space for a moment >>I never worked with someone else, but on this... I think it would help quite a bit. The good news, for me at least, is that I already know someone who's looking into this. In fact, the other job I told you about would be to help this person looking into Bogotá.<< she smiles thinly >>The bad news is that I have no idea for whom he looks into this.<< she shrugs >>And I only met him today. He made a good impression, but I can't be sure of course.<<

[Imladir]

Author: Mercy Merchant

The crystaline avatar laughs. >>I do know more, but not as much as I would like, and I am not entirely certain if my information is correct or up to date. I would appreciate knowing more, but do not know how much to reveal.<< The woman pauses, as if in thought, then nods as much to herself as to you. >>Alright, I will tell you more. Perhaps it is enough to get you further ahead. Sampson Industries is a shell corporation that controls a handful of other, smaller companies and corporations. One of these is Liston. The board of directors of Sampson consists of six people, three highly placed members of the Yakuza and three mid-level suits from Renraku. I had managed to turn one of the Renraku men and he was helping me from the inside. I say was because he was removed from the board a couple of months ago and because he is now dead. He was an early casualty of the violence yesterday. He had arranged for some of the anthrax and some rather incriminating documents to be sent to me via a rather complicated series of couriers. He must have tipped his hand somehow because some mercenary soldiers killed him and his family, killed the people of the courier service, and killed the courier, retrieving the case. Story over, right? Not so much, as it seems. For some reason, these same people assaulted the hospital where the bystanders from the initial attack had been taken. Their target seems to have been a young woman who had been holding the dead courier in her arms when she was shot and wounded. My very great supposition is that the case is trapped and the courier gave some sort of code to this woman and the mercenaries want her so she can give them the code. She is on the run, but with help, as the bullets that hit her have apparently rendered her paralyzed from the waist down. It is widely believed by KE that she is currently in hiding with the man who rescued her from the hospital and at least one other person.<<

>>Now, how this ties into Bogota? Still not sure, but there are just too many coincidences for me to accept. Liston is at the heart o this, I am sure. Well, Liston and Sampson Industries, and whoever controls them. I believe that Liston is going to use its scientists to modify the anthrax to be effective against certain targets, in this case anyone who is not human. I consider this a significant threat and am working tirelessly to stop them. I have............associates that are aiding me, but could use your expertise. If you are willing to help. You may talk to this friend of yours, but I urge caution. These people do not play for fun and have already demonstrated that they are more than willing to kill innocent people.<<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - In VR] #126

Cynthia seems surprised. >>Oh? So there's a link there too? Hum, you'd like to meet Rowena then I suppose, to know what the courier told her? By the way, the man who helps her is called Benoit Christianson. And the other person is a woman by the name of Barbara. I don't know if either of those names are real ones, but it doesn't really matter I guess. They worked for a PI business called Raleigh's Investigations up to yesterday when it was hit, at about the same time the courier was attacked. I know Barbara's comcode if you want. In fact, I already sent her a message, but since it was just a warning and nothing much, she didn't answer. But if I have more to say, she may be interested. Given their situation, I suppose they'd welcome any offered help... I stopped looking into that after I sent my message though, it was getting boring to be honest. I can try to get them to reach to me if it's useful.<<

Cynthia shrugs, and adds >>Knowing what the courier told Rowena would just be one piece of the puzzle though and I suppose you'd want the suitcase too. The mercenaries have it, or left with it at least. They could have given it to someone else since then for all I know. No idea who, much less where, they are though, I didn't care so I didn't look into it. But now... What do you want to look into first? Liston Pharmaceuticals and Sampson industries, or the home front with the mercenaries? Reaching out to Barbara wouldn't take much time but it'd be impossible to look into the corps and the mercs at the same time of course.<<

Pensive, she taps her lips >>I think it would be a fair bet that BB are looking at the mercs situation. I don't think they'd want to hide forever, and taking out the mercs would probably be their best option. And I think Barbara is tech savy enough to find some data by herself. So the best bet would probably be for me to reach out to Barbara, as an intermediary to the one supposed to get the suitcase. Maybe if your...er...friend...from KE had some data on the mercenaries to "share", I could send that along? That way, Benoit and Barbara would be able to effectively focus on the mercs, maybe with a bit of support from me, while I dig into the two corps. Would that work for you?<<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

The avatar pauses then seems to come to a decision of sorts. >>My KE "friend" is very much involved in this, but unfortunately from the wrong side. I strongly believe that he is in the pocket of one of the Sampson board members and have been angling for some proof that I can use to get him to give us some information. I have not given up on that angle, but I like your idea of reaching out to the others and trying to help them. Can you make that your first priority? After that, I think I need to know more about Colombia than I do.<<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - In VR] #127

Cynthia shrugs >>Uh ok, no information from KE then. Without more information or help to give them I don't know if they'll want to reach out though: they may think it's too risky, but I can try.<<

Thinking about it for a second, Cynthia composes a message to Barbara, and sends it >>Hey Barbara. I sent you a message earlier but I've come across more information regarding your situation. And I'm with the intended recipient of the suitcase Benoit tried to secure. I'd like to talk to you, so you'll find attached the logins for a discreet room in a secure host@. Or you can choose another one if you want, I don't mind. Let me know, maybe I can help.<<

Once this is done, she says >>Ok, done, I can only wait for her now. I'll do the serious stuff tomorrow, when I'm fresh and at 100%, but I can continue my preliminary search now I suppose. Unless there's something in the club?<<

She takes advantage of the pause to check on Sherlock, to see what he found on the cause of the gang wars going on in town.

[ Spoiler ]

@ The room is a different one from the one Cynthia and Tanya are in. She won't involve Tanya for now, you never know.

Regarding Sherlock, it was that:
<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote">Quote</div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Cynthia will let Sherlock dig a bit more into all of this, mainly to get a list and locations of the gangs involved, to check if the Chinatown barrens are involved, and what are the reasons behind this "global" violence. More importantly, what are the real hotspots which are at the origin of this, and where did the gangs took advantage of the confusion. Fortunately, this can probably be found with a simple chronology of the events. Which should help to find the cause of all this activity anyway.</blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

The file from Sherlock is not as extensive as you might like it to be, but he is still looking.

>>Chinatown Barrens: There is always violence associated with this cesspool of humanity. The KE has no official presence there and matrix activity is hard due to spots of extreme noise. The periphery of the area is accessible but little beyond that. This is definitely a place where eyes on the ground is your best intelligence source.

>>Gang Violence: Many of the gangs throughout the city seem to up in arms over something. The notable exceptions seem to be the Downtown and Fort Lewis districts. Rumors abound at the cause, but the most common one is that the Yaks have declared war on all of the smaller gangs, or some slight variation of that. As a result, gangs are throwing up barricades and roadblocks all over the city and terrorizing anyone silly enough to try to transit their turf.

>>Hotspots, Local: There does not seem to be any real source of the gang violence and no one place that is worse than the rest.

>>Hotspots. Global: The current spot seems to be Colombia, where riots are taking place after the assassination of the Finance Minister. Widespread looting and burning of buildings and cars seems to be the norm. A calm spot seems to exist in the area of the building housing the offices of Liston Pharmaceuticals, where heavily armed mercenaries are providing a haven for people to gather in safety. They apparently are well armed and not afraid to use their weapons.

You do not immediately receive a response from Barbara.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - In VR] #128

Cynthia doesn't expect a quick answer from Barbara, so she doesn't mind. In fact, she's not even sure she'll get an answer at this point. After a second spent reading the data collected by Sherlock, she resumes her conversation with Tanya.

>>Not to be an alarmist, but it looks like events are spiralling out of control... Your Yak friends are trying to crack down on all the small gangs in town. There's shooting everywhere, except in Downtown and Fort Lewis. Maybe Chinatown too, but I'm not sure, there's too much noise for me to be able to get much from here. And it's pretty damn hot in Bogotá too, except near Liston's offices. A suspicious mind would think that given the firepower there, they were expecting troubles like that. I wouldn't be surprised they're fanning the flames in fact.<<

She then sends a small message to Marissa >>The Yakuzas seem to be attacking all the other gangs in town. Mainly the small ones, but you may want to check your...interests.<<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

The crystalline avatar stands still then nods. >>I am watching the news feeds but would like to get your impressions of what is happening. I am not sure it is spiraling out of control as much as some one trying to control some violence. Can you determine if anyone is behind this?<<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - In VR] #129

>>I have a... an agent... looking for more, but I suppose I can go myself too.<< Cynthia seems to hesitate a moment>>Is that important? If you'd like quick results, I'd need to take some risks...<< Half-joking, she concludes >>If I faint, you'll have to carry me out...<<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

Tanya's avatar shakes its head. >>No, I do not want you to take risks that might bring you into danger. This is important, but not important for that......yet. There may come a time, though. Right now, I am still fishing for the answers and a bit in the dark. I do not like being in the dark. I appreciate what you are doing. What sort of remuneration would suit you? I know that money does not seem to be your driving force so is there anything else I might offer you?<<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - In VR] #130

Cynthia smiles >>Oh I'm not talking about that kind of risks. Shouldn't be too bad, don't worry.<< in a whisper, she adds >>I hope...<<

She resumes in a normal tone >>And it's exciting. There's nothing I like more than knowing stuff anyway. As for "remuneration"...<< she pauses, considering, and resumes with a shrug >>Maybe I'd need that money for something that would make me much better at what I do. Not something I'm eager to do but... I don't know, we'll speak about it later, it's not urgent anyway. I'll let you know when I have more.<<

With a smile, she exits the room and the Host. She'll have to hope that her luck holds... Wait, as a good luck charm... Cynthia slips out of VR long enough to drink half her glass of juice, then goes back in. There, she grabs the latests finds of Sherlock. Once she has everything, she dismisses him, to compile him at a higher level. And... Well... Maybe taking this sip was a good idea. Maybe she should always have juice with her. Nah, probably too expensive... Anyway. Sherlock arrives once again, but this time, much more efficient, and eager to please to boot.

Accompanied and assisted by her sprite, Cynthia will roam the Matrix to look for information regarding the situation both here and in Bogotá: she wants to identify the players, the causes and initiators of the troubles and the real objectives. If she can, she'll want to get an idea for the possible evolutions of the situation in the following hours. Of course, she doesn't do all of this blindly, but takes advantage of what she knows of the situation up to now. In addition, despite the noise, she will try to find the 'links of some of the Yaks in the streets: hopefully some of them are engaged in a firefight somewhere which should help locate what she needs. And on their 'links, she hopes to find more direct information, especially on what are their instructions, and who gave those.

[ Spoiler ]

Data Sprite [6] (Compiling, Defense, Fade): 11d6t5 5 <span class="bbc_u">6d6t5</span> 0 <span class="bbc_u">13d6t5</span> 2
Yeah \o/
Juice powa! No Fade, and five services.

[Imladir]

Author: Mercy Merchant

Sadly, no matter how much you search on the matrix, you find no links between the Yaks and the violence in the city other than rumor and innuendo. And even that is sketchy at best. The most common rumor involves a highly placed Yak lieutenant, someone close to the Oyabun, who is spreading money and guns to some "favored" gangs to support a large-scale take over of the city's gangland at the expense of its competition in the triads and Mafia. Surprisingly, the KE seems to be staying out of the fighting for the most part, focusing on maintaining calm in the Downtown District. Appeals for help from the local populace are getting very little attention from the command structure, although some of the neighborhood commands are doing their best to keep the peace where they can.

You get slightly better luck in Bogota, where your sprite uncovers a message link between the Liston building and several of the country's lawmakers. It seems that the Liston CEO, William Jennings, is currently in the city and has taken direct control of his mercenary forces. At a hurried press conference, he is asked about why these men are in Bogota in such numbers and why they seem to be better armed than the police or army. Jennings' response is that he had been warned about possible FARC actions against his company and had hired specialists to protect his interests. "It is entirely evident now that our preparedness is paying off big dividends for the company, but more importantly, for the law-abiding citizens of this great city and country. We stand ready to assist the local and national authorities in any way." When asked if there was any truth to the story that Liston men were guarding the President and his top advisors, Jennings affirmed only that his security staff were ready to help in any way asked. When you examine the message traffic, it is pretty obvious that many of the top government officials were in the Liston compound and under close security.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - In VR] #131

Cynthia is a bit disappointed she didn't find much regarding the violence in Seattle. Not to surprisingly if she went looking with wrong assertions, but still... This doesn't feel too important now. Sure, to the targeted gangs it is. Or innocents in between. But right now, gang activity doesn't really matter. The news regarding Bogotá are much more interesting however. She finds probable that while the officials are under the protection of Liston, it may not be exactly what they wanted...

Being immune to the distance component of noise, she will keep Sherlock there, with instructions to find which government officials aren't in Liston's custody. She considers for a moment asking him to look at the last messages sent by the officials in said custody, but feels it's too much of a long stretch: if he finds some, good, but it would take to much time and energy for probably nothing. She will however, in conjunction to the search for free officials, ask him to look at any real opposition Liston could face. Maybe this opposition could be useful later? Or maybe something could be done to organise this opposition?

As for her, she will concentrate on the local situation. By cross-referencing data about the targeted and aggressor gangs with maps and their known (or supposed) alliance, she will first refine her impression regarding the Yak lieutenant. If the data seem to support this first impression, she will dig deeper into the identity and activities of this lieutenant. She's particularly interested in finding links between him and the colonel: she doesn't think for one moment that KE would let this play out if someone high up in the chain of command wasn't involved. And given what Tanya said, the colonel seems the more likely culprit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

I've been on this balcony watching the orgy below for a little while now. My party is scattered and I'm tipsy, more then I'd have preferred but it's already been a long night. Its a strange time to asses, but the gears in my mind have no interest in the undulating masses below me. They only care about winning.

I need to confide more in Sylvia, but before I can I need to know more about her background: who exactly does she work for? What agenda does her employer advance? Why does she find me so attractive? Does she really?

Then theirs Marie and Tom. His business will be useful if I can keep him safe, but I need some way to engender their undying gratitude. Perhaps I can arrange to have them attacked by gangers then rescue them, perhaps I can bring investors to him, perhaps inviting them here was enough? Unlikely, but it should contribute.

Tanya. I'm still not clear on her, she likes me, but she's got a wall between her and the world and I'm still on the 'everyone else' side. I won't be able to fix that until my little empire of crime becomes a fixture in the city.

Cynthia. I called it out of the gate. She has what she needs, she doesn't need the risk of my ambition, but won't risk my retribution just to screw me over. I dislike my safety relying on such a balance, so I'll have to either lay her low and be her only option, or prove I'm the 'good guy' and win her trust. I'll probably do both.

For now the music is getting in my head, but it has a place there now. A home and it can grow from my head out into my extremities. I'll head up to the less hedonistic floors and find Sylvia. I ow her a dance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

I take a moment on my way up to call Ni Ni. If the Yakusa are making a move I need to know if I should be in the streets. I also need that better disguise before i start making a spectacle.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

@Eva Perhaps not unsurprisingly, you get an almost immediate message back from Ni Ni. >>Thank you, Marisa. Yes, there is a lot of activity just now. Gangs are on the verge of tearing each other apart, but for now, most of the violence seems to be in the minds of those reporting the events. My direct information is that most of the smaller gangs are buttoning up, just in case. Barricades are closing many streets, but little real violence is happening. I have no idea where the vid shots are coming from. My superiors are advising us to keep low. I would offer the same advice to you.<<

You find Sylvia in a lounge on the first circle. She is sitting by herself, nursing some kind of drink. At first, you can observe her without being seen and you notice that she seems completely at ease, although her head keeps turning, never really looking in the same place for long. While you are watching, she is approached twice by men and once by another woman. You cannot make out what is said, but they all leave, apparently disappointed.


@Cynthia You set your sprite on his missions and return to the Seattle matrix. You are looking at the various gangs and their known turf areas and can overlay a map of known enemies and friends and where the fighting is taking place and you reach a startling realization.........all of it is wrong. The overlays provided by the news feeds are wrong. They are close enough that they ALMOST match the "official" KE data base. Almost. Once you tumble to one thing, you can find others. The largest of the glaring errors include reports of gang violence between allied gangs or in areas that really do not have any sort of gang presence. it is like someone is trying to blow this all out of proportion.

The Yak lieutenant shows up on your scans in several places, most notably as a "reliable confidential source" for the information being broadcast.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - In VR] #132

Far from finding this "revelation" disappointing, Cynthia is excited by this new development. But first things first.

She sends a message to Marissa >>False alarm, sorry. At least concerning the violence side of things.<< and to Tanya >>No violence in the streets. I'm looking into it. Nothing important yet regarding Bogotá.<<

After that, with quite a bit anticipation, she goes back to her hunt to find the truth in all this scheme. All of this feels like a smoke screen, a diversion. Now that she knows it, she should be able to look past it. That, plus the identification of the lieutenant should hopefully allow her to get to the bottom of it. As long as she makes sure that the lieutenant's name isn't used as part of the smoke screen that is. Filtering all the reported violence that feels wrong, she looks at what's left with an eye on what the Yak could gain from all this, personally for the Yaks themselves, or for Sampson Industries. It could also be a way to hide mercenaries operation in town?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

@Cynthia There is a lot of video and interview material to sift through, but you can clear the chaff from the wheat after a bit of digging, There does seem to be a pattern to what you think to be the real evidence of violence. It seems that the real incidents of gang violence start in one place and move out from there, almost like it is moving from neighborhood to neighborhood, leaving death in its wake. You see one vid up on the feed for a few minutes before it is taken down. It was purportedly shot by a resident of a neighborhood and shows a score of heavily armed men moving from building to building as if searching for something. The vid catches a group of armed gangers approach the men, only to be gunned down. People are dragged from buildings and questioned, although most of these are let go. The vid is apparently from some sort of micro drone and it zooms in close to try to pick up some of what is being said. Unfortunately, there is too much noise in the area to make out any details. A good cleaner program might be able to handle that problem.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Sunday June 09th, 2075 - In VR] #133

When she gets the pattern, she performs a small victory dance. Then watches the footage *Woh, that's some serious drek... And I'd need a cleaner, frag. I don't have this decker drek. Wait maybe Roger? Hopefully he's not asleep yet.*

>>Hey, you awake?<< while she waits for the answer, she sends to Tanya >>Got it on the home front. Drek like yesterday I think. Want details?<<

After a bit of an hesitation, she sends to Barbara >>I hope for you that you're not in the vicinity of the attached points. You or anyone you care about. And do you ever answer your messages? I don't like monologues...<<

After that, she tries to follow what she supposes is a mercenary team to get more footage, she saves on her 'link for later treatment. If Roger answers, she sends >>Could you clean the files I send you? Like as soon as possible? Please?<<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

Monday 10 June 2075 0205 Dante's Inferno VIP Suite

You get a response from Tanya quickly. >>You have to be kidding, right? Who can sleep in this place? What did you find?<<

And then from Roger, too. >>Sure I am still awake. I have been looking into the Bogota line and have found some oddities there. Wow! Where did you get this footage? These guys look like professionals. I can try to clean it up a bit. Maybe have something by the time we meet at ten. Still coming, right?<<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

Her romantic loyalty troubles me. We've know each other less than a week and already she's acting like we're monogamous. Perhaps its just a tonight thing, or those three weren't what she wanted. Makes no matter at the moment, I need to get the ball rolling on the Chinatown situation, and that means another call and then getting rid of this phone.

Sian. I need eyes and ears on the ground, and she will know whether backup is needed. Sylvia may prefer to stay and party, but I suspect that she will be more eager to get back into the fighting, where the real action is. I'd like to make an appearance of my own, but unless a matrix search can get me some custom armor in the next few minutes, I'll be going in my scarf again.

Never enough time in the day.

[Imladir]

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - In VR] #134

Cynthia first answers to Tanya >>In Seattle, all the reported gang activity is a smoke screen created by a Yak lieutenant and intended to hide mercenary activity. They're looking for something or someone, leaving a trail of bodies behind. I should know what or who tomorrow, in the morning. Probably too late to help at that point since I doubt this will be going on that long, but you never know. As for Bogotá, there a riots in the streets, but the situation is stable around Liston's offices. They were "protecting" almost all the local government. I'm looking to see if there is any organised opposition or officials that are not yet enjoying said protection, but I have nothing much for now. I'll have to stop soonish though, it's late, I'm tired, and if I continue too long I'll make mistakes. And my bed is calling anyway...<<

Then she replies to Roger >>Of course I'm coming. And this, is what is going on in Seattle right now, but I'm tired, my bed is calling and I'm not yet at home so... I looked a bit into Bogotá too, we can compare tomorrow.<<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

Monday 10 June 2075 0206 Dante's Inferno Seattle

@Eva A cursory check of your group's AROs indicates that Tanya is still on the eighth circle, Marie and Tom are on the sixth, and Cynthia is in the VIP suite on the first. Perhaps sensing your presence, Sylvia turns to see you watching her and smiles at you as she stands up. A curious look passes across her face as she waits for you.


@Cynthia >>Hmm. Do you know the Yak's name? Would it by chance be either Phil Tanaka, Obi Shinosetsu, or Aki Watanabe? Those are the names of the Yaks that sit on the board of Sampson Industries. And very interesting about Colombia. You are doing good work and I am very glad to have met you, Cynthia. Do you need me to arrange to have you taken home?<<

The name the Yakusa lieutenant had provided to the press is indeed Phil Tanaka.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - In VR] #135

>>It's Phil Tanaka yeah. Happy to help, it's fun. And it's okay, I have my car to get home. I'll be on my way now in fact, I'll contact you tomorrow when I know more. Around ten for the mercenaries goal tonight, and probably around noon for Bogotá.<<

Cynthia gets back in the meat world with a grunt. Rubbing her eyes, she stands up and finishes her glass. Frowning, she sighs, and decides to send a message to Marissa too >>It's getting late and I'm tired so I'm off to bed. You know how to contact me if you want something.<<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

I know my distraction is showing a bit as I send a message to Sian and walk over to Syl. I lean in close, bringing our bodies almost into contact and whisper "If you want that dance, it's now or never."

Some part of me senses greater truth to this statement, as though this truly is our last chance to dance. Part of me wants her to refuse, to spare me the loss of a last time, the gears are eager to get to work, they warn that such frivolities are likely to endanger those I've sworn to protect. I hope Sian gets back to me soon, and I hope she says she doesnt need me, and I hope that she says she does. Why did I let myself get interested in someone? I really don't have time for this conflict of feelings.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

Monday 10 June 2075 0207 Dante's Inferno

@Eva Sylvia's smile seems to falter a bit at your words. "Why now or never? Are you leaving me? If so, frag the dance and take me home so I can fuck us both silly. If you are not leaving me we can still frag the dance and go home, where I can make love to you like I hope no one ever has before. Or, of course, we can stay here and get that dance and fuck later. It is up to you."

Sian's response comes in while Sylvia is talking to you. >>You are always welcome here. I am hearing reports of something going on in the city, but there is no gang violence here that is more than usual.<<


@Cynthia As you are departing the club you get a message. >>Hello. This is Barbara. I am sorry for not answering your earlier message, but we are a bit nervous here. I am interested in a meeting in your cyber room, unless it is now too late.<<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - Outside Dante's Inferno] #136

Cynthia is surprised to get an answer from Barbara, she wasn't expecting one anymore at this point. >>Err... Sure, give me a minute, I have to get to my car.<<

Once out of the club, and the ARO removed and handed back to the staff, Cynthia will get back to her car, giving it the instruction to get her back home. Once done, she slips back into VR, hopefully for the last time today, and enters the room for which she gave the logins to Barbara.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

"Things are moving faster then I'd expected, we may not get a lot of time off before the vacation, so for now, I'd like-."

Sians message stikes a new tone and stops me in my tracks, for a moment Sylvia get to see my real face, the gears turning as they work out a problem. I had not doubted that trouble and gang war meant trouble for my new business, now I've not only learned that my business is in no danger, but that their is no gang violence. The gears go into overdrive, I haven't had a puzzle like this in far too long! Someone is enacting a plot over the city, faking a gang war and I don't know who, what or why! Perhaps it will be a fun evening after all!!

My voice is excited now, contained and quiet but undeniably excited "Someone is faking a gang war in the Barrens and we need to find out who and why. Lets get back to the Suit, we'll need the other two to help us."

I cast a wistful look at the dance floor then turn and head to the suite, texting Tanya as I do 'somethings going on in the city, interested?'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

OOC: For now, we will move the trix chats between Barbara and Cynthia to the Echo thread to give it good continuity. All other Cynthia posts can still go to the Eva-Cynthia thread until such time as we decide to combine both. I hope that this is acceptable. And I just saw Eva's post, so we may be joining the threads sooner than later. LOL Such fun!


@Eva Your ARO guide shows that Cynthia is near the exit of the club. Her ARO signal suddenly goes out, indicating that she has probably turned it in as she is leaving. Tanya's signal indicates that she is still in the eighth circle auditorium listening to the MM cover band. Marie and Tom are still on the sixth circle. Sylvia gives you a sad look then nods. "We can return there for our wraps, but none of our companions are there. Our hostess is on the eighth circle and your friend Cynthia is leaving the building. What is going on?"


@Cynthia You slide into the car and go to VR, gliding across the city in an instant to the cyber room. (Go to Echo)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

'Damnit. Now I'll have to call her too.'

What's the play here. I had been planning to interview Merie and Tom tonight, and Tom is likely to be valuable in the future. However this situation is almost certainly time sensitive, as creating a Media smoke screen is almost always a cover for some kind of operation elsewhere. Finding out what's really happening will be key to understanding the information structure of the city.

We enter the Suite and I turn on the three large screens to separate broadcasts of the news on the Yakuza movements.

I watch them carefully, analyzing every shot and word for signs of falsehood.

After a moment I ask Sylvia "What do you think?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

Sylvia shrugs her shoulders as she considers her words. "My people are telling me that most of this is just so much drek. Almost every incident we are looking at or listening to has been crafted from lies. Most of the gangs listed are not warring with anyone. They are, however, hunkering down in preparation for something. Barricades are blocking many streets and channeling traffic. There is a bit of truth to it all, but it makes no real sense. My analysts are telling me that there have been some real gang casualties in some sectors. Here, let me send you what I have been given." Your 'link pings with a note from Sylvia. >>I love you even if you cannot return that. You are special.<< There is an attachment that contains a map of the area with several interactive overlays. Once you have accepted the document, she says, "OK. The basic map I sent you is of the entire area involved in the reported gang war. The first overlay is of the neighborhoods reported to be affected and the next is of the neighborhoods where some action has been taken by the gangs, such as barricades, increased security patrols, etc. Now, the next overlay is interesting. This is where there has been actual violence, but it would seem that it is all from one source. A band of well-trained and exceptionally well-equipped military professionals has moved into each of these areas and done significant damage to the gangs there, and some to civilians that happened to be in the wrong place. It seems that these people were asking questions but no one will say what the questions were. Some footage from personal drones has made it out but it seems that the news feed people are keeping a lid on all of them as 'not substantiated' data. You can see where these incursions start in a wide base and narrow into some sort of cone, with a couple of branches off to the sides? We believe that these guys are looking for someone and each territory they go into narrows their search pattern. As of now, they seem to be arrowing in on one axis of advance. Strangely enough, although there are a number of news pundits comparing this to the gang wars between the Yaks and the Mafia and the internal war the Triads put themselves through, none of the major crime syndicates seems to be involved in this. The lone exception seems to be that one of the paid advisers to the news channels is a mid-level Yak lieutenant by the name of Phil Tanaka. Also note that there is no mention of the Chinatown Barrens in all of this. What are your thoughts?"

[Imladir]

Author: VegasRigged

I brush off the note for now, i need to be focused on figuring out whats happening an how I can benefit from it. "So we have a mercenary team hunting someone and making a lot of noise, and a media smokescreen to cover it. Now I'm in favor of these mercs failing purely on the basis of their disturbing the peace. I'd very much like to get this person or persons the mercs are looking for and help them get further off the grid. We need a car, our own car that is hard to track and directions to where these marcs are now. Can you arrange that while I say my goodbyes to our hostess?"

I guess I'll be going into the lower levels after all. At least I am confident she's on a level where everyone is more or less clothed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

As you start off, you get a note from Tanya. >>Sorry I did not immediately answer your message. I know things are happening and am very interested. Do you have some information that I can use? I am still in the MM concert, but I can leave.<<

Sylvia nods as she walks with you. "I can get us wheels. Do you want the vehicle here or should we pick it up somewhere else?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

To Tanya "Sylvia and I are going to investigate further, you may join using you wish but it might be dangerous.'

To Sylvia "Whichever is more discrete."

I'm still thinking of contacting Cynthia, she probably has useful information already, but with what we've got here on the map overlays I suspect we can find the mercenaries and while I don't think she's clever enough to sell us out id rather avoid appearing to need the help after she's been so blasé about all of this.

In the mean time I head deeper into the club to find Merie and Tom.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - OTR Host, Private Room #312] #140

Cynthia sends a small message to Tanya >>I know I said I'd com around ten tomorrow but Barbara answered, I thought you might want to know. Nothing really interesting for the moment, but it wasn't bad either.<<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

@Eva >>I am leaving the concert and will be on the first circle in a few minutes. We should tell Marie and Tom that we are leaving. They may stay as my guests for as long as they want to.<<


@Cynthia >>Thank you. I am leaving with Marisa and Sylvia. Have you been careful? It would appear that these people are not fooling around.<<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - Cynthia's car, Seattle] #141

>>Yeah well... I hope? I talked to her in a private host and I didn't give any information about me. Or you for that matter. In case they get caught you know. But more than that... Well, I'd have to drop the matter entirely to be safe so...<< after a small pause, she adds >>I'll have to find a cool nickname though. I'm bad at this...<<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

>>Well, you seem to be doing very well, so far. I hope that you do not quit because I think we have a future together. Still bored?<<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - Cynthia's car, Seattle] #142

>>When I said I was bad at this, this was a reference to the "nickname finding task". I always spend at least an hour when I create a new character for a game, so for myself... Anyway nope, not bored, but tired. Long day, stressful day, and snooping around can be exhausting. Especially trying to conquer your fortress-like defences... I didn't hold much after all.<<

Which reminds Cynthia that Sherlock is still snooping around in Bogota. On the way to her house, she'll review what he found since she last checked. He won't be able to keep going much longer anyway, since she will have to let him go before she goes to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

I bring on Tom and Merie on the ARO and go to them, the sooner I tell them we are leaving, the sooner the leaving will happen. Then we can get to work.

To Tanya I respond 'On it. Sylvia is bringing a car around.'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

@Cynthia >>Well, I have had some help in designing that system. Some very good help. You were able to identify a couple of weak spots and I do appreciate that. Maybe we can try it again some time. Rest up and contact me later in the morning.<<

Sherlock has actually worked up some good intel. It seems that most of the senior politicians, to include the nations president, have taken Liston Pharmaceuticals' offer to help secure them during the "problems", as they are being referred to. Several of those that had shared the Former Finance Minister's ideas about allowing foreign corporations in general, and Liston in particular, to set up facilities in Colombia have been killed in the rioting that seems to have swept the nation. The top military commander is missing and this has thrown the army into confusion. There is a good indication that much of the police force in Bogota is sympathetic to the FARC point of view. The Liston CEO and his guests are apparently sitting in safety in side the armed compound the Liston mercenaries took over early in the fighting. There are reports of scattered fighting near the compound, but nothing seems to have been able to breach the walls. The latest news is that Jennings has personally appealed to the FARC leadership to stop the bloodshed and is attempting to broker some sort of cease fire.

@Eva You find Marie and Tom on the sixth circle in some sort of play room. As you enter, you see Tom kneeling behind another woman and fucking her with great gusto while Marie is standing over both of them dressed in some sort of Dom outfit. She is softly stroking both people with a short whip, running it up and down their sides as they pant and thrust. She is telling them in no uncertain terms what she wants them to do and how to do it and both Tom and the other woman are calling her mistress and obeying her commands.

[Imladir]

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - Cynthia's car, Seattle] #143

>>I don't doubt it at all. The main weak spot is probably the...blinking...of the files on the second 'link when the agent and sprite hop from one grid to another while encrypting the files. It doesn't tell what is going on, but it certainly indicates that something is going on. By the way, I'm sending you the main points of what I already found about Bogotá. I suppose that by noon tomorrow, the city, and probably the country, will be in Liston's pocket.<<

Cynthia takes a couple of minutes to organise Sherlock findings, highlighting the main points, and send the resulting file to Tanya.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

I wait at the edge of the dungeon, presumably with other eager onlookers, and send a quick text to her, asking to talk when she has a moment.

This display is unexpected, and potentially very useful. If I can move her into the professional business of Doming then I can move my efforts to my more central goals. Also, noting Tom's natural submissiveness, and the fact that both of them have jumped in so willingly, I have to assume they are both experienced and while this tells me about them personally, it does not tell me whether I can trust them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

@Cynthia You send the file and receive a thank you. The rest of the ride back to your place is uneventful and you can finally crawl into bed and put the past hours behind you as you fall asleep.


@Eva Marie starts a bit as she gets the text and looks around the small gallery of onlookers. The upper portion of her face is concealed by a mask but her mouth forms an O when she sees you watching her. Turning back to her fiance and the woman he is having very public sex with, Marie gives them instructions to keep going until she gets back then turns to walk to a small table with a pitcher of water. She motions for you as she pours a glass and takes a drink. The visible portion of her face is a bit red as you approach her. "Miss Coulter. This is.......is.....quite a surprise. I really do not know what to say. We wandered in here and watched as someone was.......was doing this sort of thing and, well, it just seemed the thing to do after the other people left. I really did not know I could............well, could be like this. Or that Tom would be so into being submissive. That is the fourth woman he has had sex with here tonight, counting the one upstairs. I am so surprised that it does not bother me to watch him do it." Here, she blushes a bit more. "And I really enjoyed him watching me have sex with another man. But this is even more fun. He just does what I tell him. And so do the others. When one woman finishes, I just ask for a volunteer and some woman steps out of the watchers and strips to my command then fucks Tom. Some man gave him a pill of some sort that keeps him hard. It is just so amazing. I am having the time of my life. Thank you so much for inviting me here."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

She's perfect a bit soft. Her timidness will have to go, but otherwise her usefulness to me is all but assured.

"I'm glad you are enjoying yourselves. I just needed to tell you that something has come up with Lady Malisart and she has requested that Sylvia and I join her elsewhere. She encourages you both to stay as her guests and I agree. I look forward to talking about this further but is is rather urgent. Now don't let me keep you from your fun."

I'll give her about thirty seconds in which to say her thank you and goodbye then I'm going to make a few unmistakable steps towards the door and head out to the car.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

Marie blushes again and nods before walking back over to Tom and the woman, who have not stopped fucking the entire time. She passes her whip across both and uses it to gently spank the woman. As you leave, you notice that several of the watchers appear to be very turned on by watching this display. You hear the woman give a moan of ecstasy and Marie cracks a bit, saying, "Alright. Enough for you. Pull off of him and get dressed. Who is next?"

You hear several women cal out but then move out of earshot as you climb the ramp back to the up to the next level. By the time you are back on the first circle, your ARO guide tells you that both Tanya and Sylvia are at the entrance. When you approach, they hold out their arms for the attendant to remove the AROs. Tanya looks at you. "Everything alright with Marie and Tom?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

"They are enjoying themselves considerably. Let's go." I hand off my ARO tag and follow Syl to the car. Once were in I astrally perceive to confirm that we are alone then cast detect enemies to be on the safe side. Once I'm confident we are unobserved I fill in Tanya on the media smokescreen and the actual events around the city while we head towards the last reported incident of the mysterious mercenaries.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - Cynthia's apartment] #144

With a yawn, Cynthia tosses her clothes in the laundry and starts brushing her teeth, thinking back to the day. Not the way she expected it to go but... Not bad, considering. And fun at times. Of course, it could quickly become dangerous but as long as she takes some precautions, she should be ok. She wonders what happened to Barbara. Maybe she was wrong after all, and they are safe. Or they just don't need her help. She probably should have thought of a good nickname though. Especially if she continues doing that stuff, no way she will introduce herself as Cynthia. Or Lauren, she hates the name. She doesn't want anything too catchy. Or pretentious. Or girly. Something neutral, maybe even a bit funny?

Rinsing her mouth, she stops, looking at the mirror. *Hey, what about... Karma? Hum, I don't know... It was Karma... Karma will get them* Cynthia chuckles, squirting water all over the sink. She cleans the mess, amused, puts her nightie on and climbs in her bed *Could be fun... It was bad luck! No! It was Karma!* she laughs quietly *Yeah, there's stuff to do that way, I don't know, might be...too much? I'll ask them tomorrow.*
Still thinking about it Cynthia starts her reboot, scheduled to end at nine in the morning to be able to go for a quick jog before she meets Roger.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

Monday 10 June 2075 0310 Sylvia's Car Downtown District Seattle

@Eva The car waiting for you is not much more than a normal large, but not ostentatious sedan...................on the outside. Sylvia offers motions for you and Tanya to take the rear passenger seats as she climbs into the front. As the car pulls away from the club, Sylvia hits a lever of some kind and spins her seat about so that she is facing you. As she fiddles with some controls in the arm of her seat, a holo projection appears in between you. The view is the city map that shows the progress made by the mercenary force as it carves its way through one small gang at a time. Tanya takes a deep breath and seems to sigh. "I could use one of these in my car. Just who are you, anyway?"

Sylvia smiles in the dim light. "Come now, don't let's play coy. You know full well I am the assassin you hire to do your dirty work for you. And now I know, too. It took me a while to put it together, but I finally tumbled. Well played, though. I almost did miss it. You are quite good at using cutouts. But that is neither here nor there, right now. The question is what are we to do?"

Your astral perception indicates that you are indeed not alone..............that there is another presence in the car, but not an enemy. Maybe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

"Hush, we are observed." I let my phisical form slump back and astrally project to more clearly identify the astral occupant of our vehicle. If I don't recognize them I'll demand their identity and if the refuse to give it I am likely to use force.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

Sylvia keeps her focus on the projected image as she says, "That should be Greta, but take a look just to be sure. Her avatar is a kid." Sure enough, as you sink into the astral, you see that the astral figure of a young girl of about ten years old is moving so as to seem to be sitting between you and Tanya. She smiles and waves at you, then blows a bubble with the gum she is chewing.

[Imladir]

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - In a...dream?] #146

Cynthia snaps awake. She's sitting in a chair. A comfortable one. In...an office? The desk in front of her is quite impressive, cluttered with AROs showing a family. She...knows them... Or not? Maybe, just the woman? She rubs her eyes for a moment, wondering what she's doing here. And why she can't remember who this woman is. Standing up, she goes to the window behind the desk to look outside. At first, she doesn't recognise what she sees. But on the left, there's Lake Washington. Somewhat on the right, she sees the top of the Needle. From the looks of the buildings... Could she be at the University of Washington? What is she doing here? Wait...

Frowning, she looks again at the AROs. She's pretty sure it's that woman's office. Reaching out to the Matrix to check her hunch, she realises that...there's nothing. No connexion. As if there were no Matrix. There should be, she can see the AROs just fine. There's no Noise either. There's...nothing? Cold sweat forms on her forehead. Fear. Dread.

Suddenly, the door opens. It's the woman. Someone in the corridor calls out to her.
- "Professor Freed?"
- "Yes Jane?"
- "Don't forget you are having lunch with Alan Wyatt? From Mitsuhama?"
- "Yes of course, thanks Jane."

Professor Freed. Professor Margot Freed. Head of the Matrix Science Department. Tanya introduced her yesterday. Wait, was it yesterday? The professor closes the door, and smiles at Cynthia. She cocks an eyebrow, and as she gets to her chair behind her desk, she asks "So?'. Cynthia swallows anxiously "So..?'

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

I give her a thorough assensing and return to my body "Fine. So Tanya, is this true? You've been employing my partners aptitude for violence? If so it's fairly fitting that we are approaching some real violence together, you'll get to see her work first hand. I've been quite impressed thus far."

As i talk I manipulate the map and start calling up specifics of the gangs in the area, most importantly their leadership and if I can how much damage the mercs have caused.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

@Cynthia Professor Freed folds her hands on the desk. "So have you decided to talk to me about what you do and how you do it? You know this secrecy thing is wearing a bit thin. I want to help you, I really do. But you have to help me a bit in return. Well, actually, you have to help me first, but we will trade help. Will that make it better?" The woman leans forward a bit and her eyes seem to get closer together. "Let's start with the night we met. Do you remember that? You were a guest of Lady Marisart's. Now, certainly you remember her. You should. You killed four people that night and put her in a coma that she may never come out of. You do remember killing those people, don't you? Now, I think that it was something that happened while you were out performing unlawful acts on the matrix, but I wish to hear that from you. You were there. It was only three weeks ago.Talk to me. Quit pretending that you keep forgetting everything every night and have to live the day over and over. You are safe here. Nothing can get to you here because you cannot access any of your sprite friends or the matrix. But if you help me, I can arrange for you to have some limited access. Would you like that?"


@Eva Tanya nods. "In a way, yes. I have arranged for her to remove some particularly troublesome people. I am already fully aware of how dangerous she can be, but I have only seen vids, not live and up close, so this will be a good experience." She watches as you manipulate the holo and add details. "Well done, Marisa. I am impressed with your skill set, too. Will you be directly helping tonight or acting in a support role?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - In a...dream?] #147

Cynthia's eyes bulge like a toad, as she stammers "I... What? But! But... How... Wait..."

Getting up, Cynthia stands behind her chair as if she wanted to put something between her and the proferssor, completely lost. "I was her guest yes, but... Technically, I was Marissa's guest, and Marissa was Tanya's guest. But... I didn't do anything illegal in the Matrix! Just some research! And...and I left the club alone, before them, how!? Wait, did something happen on the road? No, it's not possible!"

Calming down a bit, Cynthia tries to consider things logically. *Ok, if she lies... Why? What could she get from me? I'm sure she has some 'mancers working with her already. What does she expect? If she says the truth... No impossible, killing anyone? How could I? Err... Ok, I suppose that in the right conditions I could but... She knows about the sprites... She knows about me being a 'mancer... And I sure as hell didn't tell her... Wait, if this really happened as she said, if we already had this conversation...*

Frowning, Cynthia asks "If what you say is true, you must have some recordings right? Some proofs?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

The professor shrugs and reaches for one of the drawers in her desk, bringing out a small box. Placing the box on the desk she opens it to display a set of recording chips. "Yes, Cynthia, I have recordings. Every day I record this conversation. This is the twenty-third one, see?" [She removes one of the chips and slots it into a player. You hear your voice and hers go through a conversation almost exactly like the one you are having now. She lets it run a bit then swaps the chip for another. Same thing. And again. And again. "The first was yesterday, then the day before, and so on. I have to do this every day for you. Then you start to believe and then you just go silent. Then you pretend to forget it all while you sleep. But it has to stop. I am running out of time, Cynthia. The KE want you badly for those deaths. I was asked to help them in the investigation, but you are not giving me anything to work with and I do not know how much longer I can put them off. I have already told you that they want to take you to a different sort of facility and.....................experiment..............on you. Do you remember that? People like you are more feared than mages in some ways. Do you really want them to strap you down and open that mind of yours?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - In a...dream?] #148

Cynthia listens to the first recordings, mouth agape. She sits back down, a bit heavily. By the end of the recordings, she has her head in her hands. When Freed mentions the experiments, she puts her feet on the chair, hugging her knees. With an almost whiny voice, she says "But I really don't remember anything! I..."

She pauses, and looks in Freed's direction, or maybe at the window? After a while, she says, with a distant tone "I... What do you need?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

"I suppose a bit of both." I bring up the images of the gang leaders whose people have been affected by the rampage "These are our real goal. Each of them has to maintain reputation by getting back at the mercenaries, if we can get them all working together and with us then we become both the uniting force, which serves me personally, and the team that got it done for a lot of people. In short, we'll gain some fame in circles that don't currently know who we are or care."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

@Cynthia Professor Freed smiles. "Now, see, isn't that better? Half of the battle is deciding what the right thing to do is. And clearing this whole thing up is definitely the right thing to do. Now we both know that you somehow managed to use the matrix to kill four people and put Tanya Marisart into a coma. I just need you to admit it for the record and tell me how you did it. After that, I will see what sort of liberties I can let you take......perhaps even a bit of time on the matrix? Would you like that?"


@Eva Tanya considers your words in silence, but Sylvia gives you a strange look. "Not sure that trying to rally the other gangers to support us will be the best move. For starters, I think the effort to find them and convince them that we are serious will take longer than the targets will have. One of my associates is monitoring the advance of the mercenaries and they are just about...................here on the map. Now, there is some odd activity right here, which is a territory of a smallish Vory Bratva. It seems that these gangers are preparing to make a stand and one of the soldiers there lit up the facial recognition program as being our missing shooter from Washington Rec and Mercy General. The odds are pretty good that we have found our targets. If so, they have less than an hour, perhaps forty minutes tops, before the mercenaries get to them."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - In a...dream?] #149

Cynthia answers rather forcefully "Of course I would!". She stops and seems desperate "But I really don't remember... Can't I pass some lie detector or something? Maybe some kind of spell or something?"

She shakes her head, apparently hopeless "I can't say I did... I can't even say I didn't... I don't want to believe I did, but I really, really don't know." her tone become a bit more firm when she adds "And I certainly won't confess something I have no memories of ever doing. Especially since it's something I don't feel like I could have."

She shakes her head, distate clear "Don't misunderstand, I'm not saying I'm always...err...I have never gone places i wasn't supposed to be in. Or done stuff I wasn't supposed to. It's par for the course after all. But killing four people? Leaving Tanya in a coma? I don't believe it."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

I nod once. "Then we go after the Mercenaries directly. I'd still like to take them alive if possible, after tonight a lot of people will be willing to pay to get their hands on one of these guys."

If we can find out who these mercs are and who they are working for it's not just the gangs that will give us anything to avenge their fallen, it's also corps or the Government wanting answers and probably law enforcement- of course!

"Tanya, the gentlemen who came to the club with you earlier, how well do you know him?"

[Imladir]

Author: Mercy Merchant

Tanya chuckles and shakes her head. "Not nearly as well as I would like. I was hoping to make some progress in that area tonight, but all of this sort of distracted him. I know that he is married to the daughter of his boss at KE and that I feel that he is very, very dirty and in the pocket of the Yakuza, but I have no real proof of that as yet. Why?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

"You may have the opportunity to get closer to him now if you can give him one of these guys. A sort of 'thinking of you' for spies kind of gift. Think he'd like it?"

I continue to manipulate the map and track their movements, then bring up the image of their supposed target and read though his file.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

Tanya shrugs and nod. Your perusal of the file of one Bryant Champagne does not take too long. He does not really appear to exist before a short while ago when he became a partner with a former Lonestar operative by the name of Raleigh Quentin and formed Raleigh Investigations. The two have worked mostly low profile cases for those who cannot really afford some of the higher-priced firms. Beyond that, there is little information on the man at all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - In a...dream?] #150

"Look, I know you probably don't want to believe me. Frag, were I in your place, I wouldn't believe me either. Probably." she shrugs, fatalist "But there has to be a way to get to fix all this right?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

"Alright, so Sylvia I want you to work on how best to ambush these guys, I'm not so familiar with this area as some. Tanya, find out what you can about KE patrols and see if anyone else is gunning for these guys, I'm going to make a few calls and get us some extra backup."

I summon a spirit of air and call Sian again. If we manage to get these guys we are going to need a way to transport them and this sounds like the perfect use of my new ganger friends.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

@Cynthia Freed frowns. "This is not the way to earn liberties, Cynthia. The deaths were witnessed by a man by the name of Roger, who has been helping the KE. As a hacker, he is being help as your accomplice and will likely go down for the murders as well, but I think that he did not have anything to do with them.....that it was all you. I have enough knowledge of how a TM can act to know that I do not have enough knowledge. You can help yourself, and Roger, if you just tell me the truth. Otherwise I am afraid it is an operating table for you as the KE doctors run their experiments. There is just so much we do not understand about TMs that people like you are automatically suspect. So, what is it to be? Confession and then a long time talking to me, or the operating table and a lot of horrible experiments?"



@Eva Sylvia laughs. "I am not so familiar with this part of town either, dear. But I can use the drone feeds to help predict a good spot to try to help our targets."

Tanya nods and adds, I have been in touch with a ranking KE officer and he has expressed frustration that they are not allowed to interfere just now. The unofficial excuse given is that they are waiting to see how many gangers are wiped out. The real reason seems to be that someone is confusing the issue and has paralyzed the KE from inside. Whatever the reason, the KE forces have been told to stand by but not move in."

>>Marisa. So good to hear from you. Are you in danger? What do you need me to do?<<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - In a...dream?] #151

Cynthia stays silent for a while, shuddering when Freed talks about experiments. The more she thinks about all of this, the calmer she becomes though. "So, we seem to be at an impass right? No matter what I say, you won't believe me. Of course, it seems a bit far fetched. I don't blame you for not believing on the first day. But one would believe that after having been told for days the same thing, you'd think that maybe, just maybe, there were some truth in what I said. And you'd tried to check. With a lie detector, drugs, magic, whatever. But no. Oh no." her tone drips of irony when she continues "She's a Technomancer, we know nothing of Technomancer, so they must be evil. Right?"

She snorts "Yeah, much better than trying to understand, right? You know, had you asked me, I'd have said that trying to understand would have been the job of a Professor. That's what I get for never having set foot here, see how much I don't understand about universities."

With a small laugh, she looks at the window "So tell me, what happens after our discussions? Do you lock me with your rats, maybe with Roger?" Suspiciously, she adds "Maybe after having me dosed with whatever drug that can make me forget of the day? I don't see why you would, but don't find any other reason you would do all this."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

"Thank you Tanya, that is very useful. If we take one of these men, that would make our little ploy here more likely to succeed. Eggs in different baskets as it were."

"Syl, if we can hit them before they make their intended targets we'll have an easier time taking them alive."

>>I am in some danger, but nearly so much as those who threaten me. I need you to gather a few vehicles and soldiers, good able men who will take their money and not ask questions- I'll pay what they want. Very soon I'm going to want you to get these men and vehicles to a location in this neighborhood (sends vague gps) pick up a few packages and make them dissapear for a while. Can you do all that in the next-<<

"Syl, how long till we intercept?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

@Cynthia While examining the university grounds, your catches a curious anomaly.........or rather, your brain does. You think that you might have just seen a man and woman walking across the yard of one of the buildings. While this may not be unusual under normal circumstances, you are pretty sure that you had seen the exact same couple walking the exact same path a few minutes earlier, when you first came into the room. From behind you, you hear Doctor Freed stand up from the desk and sigh. "Now, dear, what would I have to gain with drugging you to forget things. No, I am here to help you, but I am running out of time. Now look, you are working yourself up into a state of paranoia and confusion. I am preparing a small dose of something that will help you sleep. Please take it and I will have the nurse take you back to your room. We will talk later, but please remember that if you do not give me the information soon, I will have no option but to turn you over to the KE inquisitors."

She brings you a glass of liquid and puts it in your hands before walking to the door to summon the nurse. There is a large potted plan next to you or you can drink the liquid.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

@Eva Tanya nods. "Yes. I suppose that I could arrange for my KE contact to pick up a package we leave for him. My only real concern is that neither he nor I know how far the suspected rot goes in the KE, or how high."

Sylvia gives you a grim look. "It will take us about twenty minutes to get to the combat zone and my source tells me that the gang in the immediate vicinity of the mercenaries is apparently allowing them free passage. That would mean that they will be in the target area in about five minutes. We cannot intercept them before the fighting begins." Indeed, your holo projection is being updated as she speaks and you see that she is correct in her assumption.

>>Not sure about the men, Marisa, or the cars, for that matter. But I might have an idea. Are you involved in the psuedo gang violence that the news feeds are full of right now? You know that is a hoax, right?<<

[Imladir]

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - In a...dream?] #152

When she notices the anomaly, Cynthia frowns. But forgets about it as soon as Freed speaks again, puting it down to the couple going around a building or something. Absent-mindedly, she takes the glass, looking into it.

With a bitter laugh, she says "I accuse you of drugging me, you deny it, and give me some drugs. If that's not irony, I don't know what is." she shakes her head, then adds, grumbling "I might as well take it, better sleep than listen to you..."

As soon as Freed has her back turned, Cynthia gifts the plant with some water *Sorry plant, but better you than me.* Once she's done, she puts the glass on the desk, and gets back in her chair. *Now, I just have to make her believe I've drank this drek...without knowing how long it should take... And finding the right moment to take off... Easy... I hope I'll get my link to the 'trix as soon as I'm out of this fragging office. If I get out of this mess, I'll learn some hand to hand combat, promise...*

As time passes, Cynthia tries to give the impression that she's dozing off to anyone or anything who might be watching, while paying attention to anything she might hear: when Freed comes back with the nurse, she tries to judge if they're expecting her to be sleeping or if it should take a bit more time, and reacts accordingly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

Freed walks over to you as a male nurse enters the office, pushing a wheelchair. The professor looks at the empty glass and then to the nurse. "I keep thinking that she might develop a resistance to the drug, but she has not yet. Get her back to her room and secure her there. Things are happening elsewhere and we need to be moving on this. Might not have enough time to get everything I want. We have to know what this bitch knows and what she might have told the meddling Marisart woman. She has Important friends, with a capital I, and I can only keep her off the scent for so long. I hear that she just will not stop asking questions. We might need to take some direct action."

The male nurse mutters something noncommittal then bends over you to lift you into the wheelchair. He makes a particular effort to place his hands on your chest and cops a feel of your breasts as he does. The professor is either not paying attention or does not care as she says nothing to him about his lack of professionalism. He straightens and moves behind the chair, pushing you to the door. Once in the hallway, your almost closed eyes see an amazing sight. The hallway extends only about five feet to either side of the doorway, enough to give someone inside the room the impression of a normal hallway beyond the door. In fact, the paneling gives way to bland gray paint then opens into a large room that closely represents a sound stage from some trivid production. In effect, the office you just left appears to be nothing more than a trid set. You arte wheeled to a small room that appears to be a real cell, but you pass another with a man inside that resembles some guy you met once in a cyber cafe. Was Roger his name? Maybe. In any case, the bruises and welts on his face do not help his visage any and you might be mistaken. The man manages to croak out a few words as you go past in the chair. "Hey, shy girl. Stay strong, yeah?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - In a...dream?] #153

*Hey, bitch yourself. Frag... So there's really something. Drek, I really have to get away from this.*

As the nurse makes sure to get a nice and complete feel of her breasts, Cynthia tries to stay impassive. Well, she succeeds, but would like nothing more than place a nice kick in some sensible parts of his anatomy *I can't believe it, you're doing this to me? Frag, I almost feel bad for you if the only breasts you get to feel are my "not quite existing" ones... But just you wait, fraging asshole, just wait. I'll get you.*

In the...hallway...Cynthia is astonished by the efforts that went into making all of this. *This becomes weirder by the minute. What did I get myself into...*

As she passes Roger's cell, Cynthia's thoughts still for a moment. *Well, at least, finding Roger will be easy. Getting out of here though... I'll have to wait until he removes me from that chair. Hey asshole, see that kick I was talking about? It may be coming sooner than you expected. It will be a glorious moment of "Knee, meet balls.". Ooh... Come and get it.*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

As he approaches the cell that you are sure is your temporary home here, you see another man in the uniform of a guard approach with a tray in his hands. The "nurse" wheels you into the room and you feel a sharp sting in your arm and the faint sound of someone talking to you, but you cannot make out the words before blacking out. Then, from out oif the darkness, you hear a different voice. "Good, you finally took steps to avoid the first drug. Doing so will allow you to help yourself out of here and avoid a terrible miscarriage of justice in the future. What you are living right now is but a phantasm of that future...............a possibility. i can show you the path and will guide you as far as possible, but at some point, I will not be able to go any further and you will need another to help you finish your task. This may be a dream to you, but I assure you that it is dangerous and you can die here or, more likely, remain in this place, trapped in your own mind. Are you willing to take a chance?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - In a...dream?] #154

As Cynthia notices the second man, she can't help but be less than pleased *Drek...* She doesn't even have the time to try anything that she feels the sting.

When she hears...Someone...speaking, she keeps silent for a moment, completely lost, not knowing at all what is happening, why it is happening. Nor, for that matter, where it is happening. Finally, she exclaims "What? That's not a dream, it's a nightmare! There's no company I like more than my own, but there's no way I'd want to be drooling in some hospice with nurses groping me or worse. But who are you!? Frag, where am I, and what is going on?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

Monday 10 June 2075 0350 Somewhere in Cynthia's Mind
"It is good that you can question things. As to what is going on, that is a more difficult question to answer and to even begin to understand what I say, you have to suspend some disbelief in what you know of reality. Right now, you are in an alternate reality, one related to but not the same as where you originated. I am a spirit guide and will help you get out of here, if you will let me. This is a chance for you to become a bit more than you were, but at a risk. There are two options before you and you may accept either. The first is to opt out of this "dream" and return to your known reality, no different than when you entered this one and no wiser as to the existence of this place. You will simply wake up and continue life as it was before and the days spent here will never have happened. The other option is to remain here and learn more about yourself. This is a risky option, as you may be hurt and may not survive, but if you succeed, you will be better and stronger in what you do. I should have said that you have three choices. The last one is to make no choice and do nothing. This choice will leave you here in this reality, where these people intend to send you to be experimented on, to plumb the depths of what you are. These experiments may be enough to leave you in that drooling state. Now, I am a patient spirit, but you do not have much time to decide."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - In a...dream?] #155

"A spirit guide? Frag, that's what I get for interacting with a mage..." Cynthia sighs, shaking her head. She stays silent for a moment, thinking back to what was said. "Wait... That's not the kind of spirit you are... This is about Resonance, not Magic. Are you a sprite? Or an AI maybe?"

After a pause of a couple of seconds, she continues "Anyway, I'll pass on the third option, thank you very much. And to be honest, I don't really like first option. Not that I'm a dare-devil... Or not much of one... I don't like to flee. And... Worst of all, here I would flee from myself right? So bring it on!" With a small hesitation, she adds "But err... Would you mind explaining what is the goal?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

"Is there really so much difference between a spirit and a sprite? They are both manifestations of will and power. But in this case and for your point of reference, I am not a sprite, but a spirit. No sprite could guide you where you need to go without suffering immense pain and perhaps complete destruction. I have been tasked to fulfill the role of guide here because as a spirit, I am not as at risk. The goal is to increase your understanding of Resonance and yourself. To effect this transformation, you will need to journey into your very self, to try to pull a bit more from you than you currently can. I must warn you yet again that the risk to yourself is considerable and should not be relegated to some spur of the moment decision. But if you wish to continue, we will do so."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - In a...dream?] #156

"Is the Resonance a form of Magic? Err... If a sprite can't go there without suffering, how come I can? Wait wait, more importantly, who tasked you to do that exactly? I'm all for taking informed decisions, but I'd need to know more for that. Like how I should call you. I think the risks - drooling and so forth - are quite clear, but what I should do in there?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

"Resonance and magic are related in several ways, although they manifest in a completely different fashion. You can go where you need to go because you are not a sprite. Same for me, although at some point, my slight similarity will prevent me from going farther with you. You may refer to me as THE ALL POWERFUL GREAT ONE. Sorry, I have always wanted to say that. Actually you may call me Gene. Beyond that I am a guide, not an answer book and you will need to discover the rest for yourself. Otherwise it is not much of a journey of discovery, is it? So no more answers on that sort of line, please. If you say yes, you will fall asleep until the drug that mean man gave you wears off and we can get started."

[Imladir]

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - In a...dream?] #157

Cynthia sighs "Ok Gene... You may want to write this book you know. I'm pretty sure it would be a hit." she chuckles, a bit nervously. She takes a moment to think about this...surprising...situation, and then says "Let's do this."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

Gene smiles at you and says, "Yesssssssss............."

The sibilant last letter just seems to drag on and on until it just suddenly stops. You are awakened by the clank of your cell door opening. Opening your eyes, you see a male nurse placing a rolling food tray at the side of your bed. The food looks about as appetizing as cardboard and you rather suspect it might taste as good, too. Widening your perspective, you see the same male nurse that copped that blatant feel of your boobs standing off to one side and a third man dressed in some sort of security guard outfit standing in the doorway. The second man smiles at you, but it is more of a leer and is certainly reflected in his eyes. "Time to wake up, dear. Professor Freed wants you to eat and walk around a bit again, today. She says that you need a bit of exercise. Eat and take a shower and I will be back to clear the plates and take you for a walk.. We will be back in about an hour."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - In a...dream?] #158

*Drek, three against little me, no way I'll be able to get away from them right now.*

Cynthia looks at the tray, then back at the men "And what professor Freed wants, professor Freed gets, right?" she smiles thinly, not really amused "I'm not sure what she sees in me that would require no less than the three of you to keep watch though. Unless you don't have anything better to do, and thought that you might as well be here?"

She cocks her head and asks "Did you fail your first year of med school to end up here?" looking at the guard, she continues "And failed KE psych evals? I didn't know you could but hey, what do I know..."

She shrugs then grimaces *Frag, why did I say all this? That'll make them want to leave me alone, sure... Maybe when they come back I could smash the food tray in the face of the first one, but I don't know what I'd do with the others... Err, maybe...*

As she looks at the food tray, apparently not convinced it's even edible, she thinks about what she could do to get out of this mess, convinces whatever she's supposed to do, it doesn't include respecting the promised schedule. *All this is not real. Well, not Meat real. But even if there's no 'trix as I understand it, it doesn't mean that there's nothing similar.* she tries to reach to the Matrix, to check if the men have a 'link she could access. *If they do, I could draw them somewhere else, and smash the fragger's head...*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

The nurses and the guard look at each other and then back at you. The man with the tray grumbles a bit as he leaves and the man in the door scowls. The nurse remaining just shakes his head. "Feeling a bit off today, dear? I will let Professor Freed know that she may want to increase your dosages. I will be back in an hour for that exercise."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - In a...dream?] #159

Cynthia grumbles, not answering. She moves a bit, finding an angle from which she isn't visible by the guard *Frag, no 'trix, nothing... Reminds me of a Foundation... Except that it's much easier getting things done there. Whereas here...* frowning, she pauses *That being said... I never even tried anything... If I fail, I'll have big problems. But if I don't... Ok... I really hope I'm not making a big mistake. But what could they do eh? Erm... Well, best not think about it... Wait, he's turning. And... now.*

As the nurse turns to leave the room, Cynthia grabs the tray and sneaks behind him, hiding from the guard for as long as possible. Once she can reach him, she tries to hit him in the head as fast as possible with the edge of the tray, followed by a hit in the face of the nurse, smashing his nose if she can but happy to just delay him and make him think about anything else than raising the alarm. Really, really hoping that it works as in a Host Foundation, where she is at least decent at this drek.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

>>Twenty minutes Sian, impress me. And yes I'm aware of the situation, thank you for the tip.<<

I look again at the map. fifteen minutes is too long to expect the target of this raid to hold out, and while their survival isn't integral to the success of my plan the completing of their mission does mean that they are likely to vanish into the night. I could also learn something from the rescued party if I can get to them in time and join the fight. I don the armored overcoat that goes with my suit and call close the air spirit, asking it how long it will take to reach the battle is it were to carry me there.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

Monday 10 June 2075 0351 Sylvia's Car Seattle

Sylvia shakes her head while you are sending your message to Sian. "Well, we certainly cannot get there before the dance starts. I guess we will be walking into a combat zone. Either of you have any ideas how not to get shot by the people we are trying to help?"

You air spirit nods her head at Sylvia and says, "Oui, cherie. What she said. How do we not have them shooting us?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

@Cynthia The nurse is a bit heavy-footed and does not hear you slide out of the bed and your ploy seems to succeed in keeping you from the view of the guard at the door, but as you raise the tray to strike you hear an alarm going off. The man is still caught off-guard and your strike catches him on the side of his head, sending him reeling back out of the doorway. However, the nurse is not caught completely by surprise and manages to raise an arm to protect his face. As he takes the blow on the upraised arm, he swings the other at you, connecting with enough force to send you back into the room. He slams the cell door and snarls at you from the other side. "Nice try. I should have remembered that from the first few days here. The thing is, though, that you cannot remember the past and we have at least learned to respond by putting cameras and microphones in your room. And now I have even more reason to hate you. Freed may have power here, but I will make your life hell when you get sent to the factory."

He laughs at you as two additional guards run up. Motioning for them to see to the still dazed guard, he laughs once more and walks away, turning back to say, "Oh yeah, you can just forget the exercise walk, I think."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

"Once we know why and where they are exactly I can go to them in astral form, manifest and tell them point blank what we intend, or at least enough of it to ensure care." I respond to both of them.

"I can also get their ahead of the car by having my spirit carry me, what the sec rating of this neighborhood? Any chance I'll be seen using magic by more then the average ganger?"

I'm formulating plans upon plans in my head, how engage and what to do next and contingincy upon contingincy. For a moment i notice the complete lack of my usual fear and uncertainty. I am getting control of this situation, and I'll be in more and more from here on out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - In a...dream?] #160

"You don't need reasons to hate asshole, that's all you're good for anyway." Cynthia stands up, rubbing her hurt butt, grumbling. *Drek. Didn't go as expected now, did it? So... Doesn't work as well as a foundation. Or maybe as a high level foundation...*

She flips the bird at the nurse, and goes to the bed "I need my beauty sleep anyway." While he leaves, she tries to find an idea for what she could do *Nothing much... especially with those cameras and microphones. But if I start looking for them, they'll probably just drug me or something.*

Sitting on her bed, she looks around, a bit depressed *Still, I may as well try. In fact...* she rubs a sore spot on her butt *let's try to not make to much waves if I can avoid it. For now at least...*

[Imladir]

Author: Mercy Merchant

Monday 10 June 2075 0400 Sylvia's Car Seattle
@Eva Sylvia nods but frowns. "That could work, but I will not be able to protect you if you do that. In any case, you need to leave now if you are going. I am getting reports of shots fired in the target neighborhood." She leans forward to look at the projection and mark updates on it. Tanya leans forward as well. "It seems like these shots are designed to get the mercenaries to enter the neighborhood on these three axis, but two lead to some very narrow alleyways. Well thought out, I would say. Do you have any drones there?"

Sylvia nods. "Several, but I had to pull them back a bit. Both sides are actively engaging in attempts to take down any drones they do not know and I have lost two already. I am told that matrix signatures are winking out in several places. These Vory guys are certainly going to give these people a fight." Sylvia remains focused on the projection but sends you a message. >>Please be careful. I want very much for you to come back safely.<<

Some Day Some Date Some Time Cynthia's Alternate Reality


@Cynthia "Hate is not productive. It clouds reason and access to the resonance. But you were wise not to eat the food. They drug it to induce a fantasy in your mind. They would never take you on a walk as that would expose their sets to you. It is all pretend and they would just make you believe you were out on a walk. At least now you are mentally free to search your inner self. Are you ready?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - Resonance Realms] #161

"Err... Yeah, that's totally why I trashed the tray on the head of those...dudes. Absolutely not because they pissed me off and I hoped to take them down to wander around by myself..."

She coughs lightly, then abruptly stops "Wait, if's that's all my subconscious... Am I not trashing myself? Frag, this is messed up..."

Shaking her head, she continues more calmly "Ok, joke aside, I didn't want to eat the food but it was not really the main point... Not that said main point got me anywhere but... Oh and would you stop asking me if I'm ready? I already decided to do it, I won't go back now. I'm sure I can't anyway. Just tell me what you can, and let's get on with it."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

I lean over and kiss her cheek, then whisper in her ear "I will." and without another hesitation I cover my face and step out of the car and into the hands of my air spirit. Its orders are to take me to the area in question and deposit me on a roof near the mercs. I then cast invisibility on myself and work to scrub my astral signature as we fly.

As we near the fighting I make not of every structure I can, getting the lay of the land and trying to determine where the Vory are hiding.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

Monday 10 June 2075 0401 Vory Neighborhood Seattle Barrens Seattle

@Echo As you walk with Vlad and several of his hard men, you hear sounds of gunfire and a couple of explosions, followed by a fusillade of fire and a large explosion. Vlad swears in Russian and says something to one of his men, who runs off. Turning his head to you, he explains. "The first shots went as planned, but the bastards are using rockets. Rockets! Who would have thought? One man down and another injured, but the plan is partly working as some of the mercs are following my men into the rabbit hole." He smiles at the sound of more gunfire and smaller explosions. "Yes! As planned. Well, partially. Four mercs down in a blocked alley with fire bombs dropped on them. The other two traps will apparently not be used. Still, it was a long shot. They do have maps and drones. And more rockets." The last was said in response to another very loud explosion. Vlad and his remaining men double their movement and head to the first of his prepared defenses.

@Eva You can see dust and debris rising from a street several blocks from where you are. The rattle of gunfire and explosions is definitely coming from that area.


Some Day Some Date Some Time Cynthia's Alternate Reality


There is an almost pained silence then Gene says, "I meant are you ready now. Some mortals are just incomprehensible. But let's get started, shall we? Please lay back and try to clear your mind of all thoughts. Yes, I know it sounds trite, but it really works."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - Resonance Realms] #162

"Clear my mind from all thoughts? Easier said than done you know..." she sighs, then sits on the bed. She moves around a bit, then takes a bastardised version of the lotus position, eyes closed, trying to empty her mind. For a moment, she thinks she's more likely to fall asleep than anything else, but that's when...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: VegasRigged

Drawing on the memory of the map I pick a building with a clear view of the third team, the one who is not intended for a trap. i drop my invisibility spell, creep to the edge of the roof and, crouching low at the lip, peek over and cast a missive illusion of an earth spirit in front of them.

ooc: with things getting properly hot, I suppose I should ask if theirs a dice app I should use. If you don't mind at home rolls I got 5 hits on a force 7 illusion. Two points of physical drain.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

@Cynthia Nothing. At first nothing. Then more nothing. Then you begin to see a glow on the horizon and race towards it. What you find is a campfire. A friging campfire. A tent is off to one side, open to the heat and a stack of firewood is piled near the small blaze. Someone is whistling from inside the tent and you can make out a form illuminated by the firelight. A man emerges by crawling backwards and stands up, bones creaking audibly. He puts his hands on his hips and bends backward a bit. "Ahhh. That is better. I am too old to be sitting on rocks like this waiting for people like you, but there it is. Somebody has to do it. I see you found me. To avoid making you mad, I will not ask if you are ready, so let's just get to it."

Gene reaches out with a hand and makes a plucking motion, as if on a guitar or base drum or harp or................well, you get the point. A shimmering strand of energy appears, stretching straight out from where he plucked it, going off into the distance in both directions. "I should not have to ask you, but do you know what this is?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - Resonance Realms] #163

Cynthia's eyes bulge from their orbits. Her mouth works silently for a moment while she details Gene, before she coughs lightly. "Nice place you have here... Much better than where I was just recently in any case." She turns around, looking at the situation, as much to see how it is as to regain some composure.

When he produces this shimmering strand of something, she frowns, looking alternatively at both directions "I hope you shouldn't have to ask because you know I have no idea what it is...". After a couple of seconds, she makes a guess "Is that a manifestation of Resonance?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

@Cynthia "Got it in one. Yes, it is resonance. If you listen to it carefully you can hear it hum, almost like music." Gene smiles then points first along one direction the resonance strand is going then the other. "One direction is the origin point, the other is the end, or utilization point. Some times it is hard to tell which is which and normally it makes no difference. I mean, resonance is just resonance, right. But we are in search of the origin point so we want to guess right the first time or we will be walking a long ways for nothing and will just have to come back and start over. Here, reach out your hand and feel the strand. Not too tightly and not too long. Tell me what you feel."

[ Spoiler ]

The strand feels like it is alive and you think you can tell which direction it is going to.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - Resonance Realms] #164

"Oh. Cool." For a couple of seconds, she stops breathing, intently focused on this "music". When she hears, it, she nods "Yeah, I hear it."

Tentatively, she reaches out to the strand of light, holding it like she would a living animal she didn't want to crush. With a tone full of wonder, she says "It feels...alive..."

She cocks her head, eyes half closed for a second. Then, as if really sure of herself, she points in the direction of the origin "The origin is that way." She stops, then adds, a lot less confident "I'm pretty sure it is, anyway. It is right?"

[Imladir]

Author: Mercy Merchant

Gene smiles. "Yes, it is alive. Resonance is one of the basic building blocks of all life. There are others, but you are here to learn about resonance. He moves a bit to settle the pack and points to one at your feet. When you point out adirection, he says, "Don't know. This is your test, not mine. If you get it wrong, we will be just be here longer and might run out of food and water, thus depriving our bodies of the nourishment needed to survive and then we die. Or more particularly, you die, as I do not really need this nourishment. So, are you sure?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - Resonance Realms] #165

Scowling, Cynthia answers "As sure as I can be without checking, given that it's my first time here"

She looks at the packs for a second, and smiles, calling to mind a cat spotting a prey "And should it be necessary, I'll just have to steal your pack right?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

Monday 10 June 2075 0408 Vory Neighborhood Seattle Barrens Seattle

@Echo Vlad nods at your words as he leads you to one of the buildings he has termed the second line. He is getting briefings as he walks through the door and the place looks a lot like a military command center, except for the number of armed women and children running around. Gunfire and small explosions are now constant and two men walk in, carrying a third and take him to a corner where a man and three women get to work on him. You also see several other wounded in the area as well as four bodies with sheets drawn over their faces. Vlad looks impassive and calm through the briefing and sends men out. He barks out some orders and three young men report to him. Turning to you, Vlad says, "We have had a report of some sort of monster appearing in the road. It seems to be interfering with the mercs so would seem to have been summoned by someone who is trying to help us. I need to know what is going on. These men have come from the area and can take you there if you want to help us identify the thing and perhaps make contact with this friendly mage."

@Eva The illusion is good, as far as illusions go, but some people are just too damned willful to believe such things. You see more then half the men in the area stop moving forward. Two begin to run away and are immediately shot by one of the others, while the rest begin firing on the fake spirit. The rest of the men are apparently unaffected and move past the thing as if it were not there.


Some Day Some Date Some Time Cynthia's Alternate Reality


@Cynthia Gene looks at you with a wry grin. "Then I will just have to watch over you, won't I? And are you sure that you have never been here before? You came right to where I was and you seem to have a passing familiarity with resonance. But come on, let's head off in the direction you pointed to. I will wait for you to change your clothes into more suitable for a long hike. I think you will find what you need inside the tent. It is a bit close in there, but it is private. But do not take too long, the nurse will be back before long."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - Resonance Realms] #166

Cynthia nods "Yes I'm sure. Unless I really have big memory problems that is, which I think unlikely. Outside of this...er...whatever it was earlier that is."

Without saying more, she gets in the tent to quickly change, not paying attention to the esthetics side of things, more concerned to have suitable pants, socks and shoes, as well as a t-shirt. If there are any, she grabs a sweatshirt, and a change of panties and socks, to put in the pack in case she would need them. Once done, she gets out and nods to Gene "Ready."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

@Cynthia Gene nods and gives you an approving look. "Tarnation, girl. If I were several centuries younger I might try to see if some sort of human and...........well, whatever I really am............romance is possible. Anyone ever tell you how attractive you are?" You notice that the string of light is now almost invisible as he approaches it. He plucks it again and the string immediately lights up, pointing in a straight path forward and backward. Gene nods at you and sets off at a pace that you can easily match, using the walking stick that has somehow appeared in his right hand. "Long ways to go in a short time, so might as well be at it."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - Resonance Realms] #167

Cynthia laughs lightly "Yeah, he's called Arsène. Or well, I call him Arsène that is. But he would tell that to any female given the opportunity so..." she shrugs. "As for romance..." she snorts "I don't believe it should be based on appearances. Maybe age but even that is more a question of a...how should I say...a commonality of interests, experience, and so on, more than a simple number."

With a nod, she follows Gene at his level but the strand between them, pensive. After a while, she asks "Surely you're not alone here, right, there must be others like you? Would have been pretty lonely otherwise I suppose..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

Gene chuckles as he looks across the strand at you. "I am not from here, but am a visitor just like you. No creature can survive here for long. At least, I hope that we do not meet anything that can stay here as that would be one bad-ass creature. Your sprite friends would have already fled or died and I will be gone before long, too. You are mortal and can withstand the power here longer than we can, but even you would soon succumb to what is here. No, the real reason to get in and out quickly is not to avoid running out of food, it is to avoid being caught up and added to the resonance pool."

"But on another point, yes I get lonely at times. Are you putting yourself forward as someone willing to alleviate some of that loneliness?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - Resonance Realms] #168

"Oh." Cynthia looks around for a second, then adds "Yeah. I wouldn't mind it if the Resonance Pool grew I suppose, but I'd rather not be a part of it. Until I die anyway, after that, it beats nothing I suppose. Maybe..." she shrugs.

She walks silently for a minute or two, then talks again "Anyone could use a friend. Even you. Or me. It always amazed me however when people decided to be friends, just like that. Me, I'm more a No company is better than bad company kind of girl." she smiles "Not that you're bad company. Or I don't think you are anyway." she shrugs "What I'm trying to say is that to me, becoming friends is something that should happen, not something sought-after. And only when you know the person reasonably well."

Cynthia looks at the sky for a moment, then adds "Of course, I don't have many friends as a consequence. But when I do make friends, it is important." she lets a few more seconds pass, then looks at Gene "The main question for all this would be what happens when you and I leave this place. If we never see each other again, it's a moot point."

She laughs a bit "As it would be if you were saying this to all those that came here I suppose. Or if to you, friends are little more than acquaintances." she shakes her head "Not that I would condemn you, there are plenty of people like that and it's not a bad thing. I think. It just doesn't feel right to me, that's all."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author: Mercy Merchant

Gene shrugs. "Well, I am not sure what to say to all that. I am pretty much like you, more or less. Or so I think, without really knowing that much about you. But you did ask and I responded. To be very honest, I do not think I have ever had a friend. Where I come from, you see, it is all so....................different. And I really do not know if we will ever see each other again after this is over. I do not know much about the subject, ut cannot friendships be formed over a short period, even if the friends must separate and never meet again? Does the separation alone disband or prevent the friendship? Also, I am not sure what you mean by acquaintance instead of friend. These are words that I do not really understand the difference between."

The light of the place never seems to change, but that provided from the stream of resonance dims and Gene plucks it anew several times as you walk. Eventually, he points to a slight rise along your path in the near distance. "We have made good time. Talking seems to help that. I appreciate your willingness to talk to an old man. I think that you will find the accommodations suitable, but rather spartan, I am afraid. Perhaps an hour or so more to get there."

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Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - Resonance Realms] #169

Cynthia walks silently for a moment, pensive "I can't say I ever thought that much about it... To me an acquaintance is someone to whom you don't have any emotional attachment. You don't mean them ill or anything, but it doesn't really matter. Whereas for friends, it really matters. You're happy if they're happy, sad if they are, etc. As for the duration of friendship..."

She thinks about it for a moment "It's not that not being able to meet a friend ever again voids friendship, even if it is sad. It's more a matter of friendship takes time to build I think. Or it does in most cases probably. Who knows, maybe we already are, even if I don't know a think about you except your name, and you don't know much about me either..."

When Gene points to the rise, she shrugs "I don't mind spartan. I live spartan. Or almost spartan anyway." frowning, she considers Gene "You know, I don't mind talking to you. I don't really know why, but I don't."

She walks silently for a minute, then out of the blue asks "So, how is it where you come from?"

[Imladir]

Author: Mercy Merchant

Gene chuckles. "Thank you. I like talking to you, too."

"Where I come from? Different from here in some ways, but similar in others. We have pools of power....raw magic in its purest form. Before it gets all fragged up by mages and adepts trying to force it to be what it is not. There are pools of power laying about, some small and others as big as lakes. I am one of the Guardians there, although to be honest I have no real idea what I am guarding against. I have never really seen someone come there to do anything except research, which does not seem particularly dangerous to me. It is much like you here.....doing research to learn more about the resonance and yourself. And the land is more colorful, nicer I think. Like here, you would not be able to survive long there, but some mortals take that risk to learn more about power, much like you are doing."

As you approach the campsite, you see two smallish tents set up around a small fire pit. There is a goodly stack of firewood off to one side and you can see a bubbling pool of water off beyond the tents. "I think your tent is on the left. The pool beyond is a warm spring and you may bather there if you like, while I get the fire going and some dinner started. Promise I won't look."

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Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - Resonance Realms] #170

"Pools of power, eh... Must be quite a sight. Can't you ask someone from whom or what you're guarding those pools? Doesn't seem to be the best policy, that. Forewarned is forearmed after all. Maybe the one who "tasked" you to come here could answer?" she frowns "By the way, is it the normal procedure? Having one of you guardians guiding people like me in here?"

With a laugh, Cynthia grabs a change of clothes in her pack "Yeah, right. Not that there's much to see anyway.". While being careful not to step where she shouldn't, Cynthia reaches the spring. She gingerly puts a toe in the water and, finding it agreeable, she strips, tossing her old clothes on the side, and enjoys the warm water.

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Author: Mercy Merchant

"It is quite a sight, yes. And I have learned to not ask too many questions. And, to be honest, there are not many mortals that venture to that place.....or this, so it is rare to be tasked to escort one. And pleasant. And yes, it is a normal procedure to act as a guide. You might not find the pool in time to save yourself without one such as I to guide you. I must say that you are the...the hottest...woman to come here in a very long time. Did I use the word correctly? Sometimes I am not sure what words are current among mortals as they seem to chance so often. In any case, you are the most attractive, and nicest, I have seen."

As you relax, you notice soap and some two-in-one shampoo and conditioner are sitting on a small tray near the edge of the pool and a large towel is hanging from the branch of a small tree. The water is indeed quite relaxing, almost making you forget where you are and what you are doing. Almost.

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Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - Resonance Realms] #171

"Man, the others girls must be the stuff of nightmare!" she laughs, grabs the shampoo and starts to wash her hair "Ok, I'm kidding. And yeah, "hottest" is up to date, more or less. But I know I'm far from what men really find attractive, and I'm perfectly fine with it so don't try to say otherwise. I've never been attracted by men, nor women for that matter, so it doesn't matter. Anyway, maybe there you're not. Up to date that is." She shakes her head amused, then swears when some shampoo gets in her eyes.

Once this situation is addressed, she starts to wash herself "As for questions... How can you learn if you don't ask questions?" she snorts "You might as well be dead if you can't learn anything new, must be boring as hell..."

She rinses the soap/shampoo, and looks at the conditioner, a bit lost. With a shrug, she uses some. She doesn't use any at home, but since it's there, she may as well. As she waits patiently for at least...oh...ten seconds...for the conditioner to do its stuff, she asks "Are all of the guardians like you? Or are there some with more... I don't know, seniority or something?"

Once again, she rinses her hair, and continues "Unless you are the senior one of course. That would suck. I don't know who said it but there's a saying that goes something like if you're the most intelligent person in a room, then you're in the wrong room, seems right to me."

Getting out of the spring, she quickly dries herself, and hops into fresh panties and t-shirt "Ok, done. You can go too now, and I'll take care of...er...well, I'll watch the fire..."

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Author: Zen Gypsy

Monday 10 June 2075 0408 Vory Neighborhood Seattle Barrens Seattle

@Echo Vlad nods at your words as he leads you to one of the buildings he has termed the second line. He is getting briefings as he walks through the door and the place looks a lot like a military command center, except for the number of armed women and children running around. Gunfire and small explosions are now constant and two men walk in, carrying a third and take him to a corner where a man and three women get to work on him. You also see several other wounded in the area as well as four bodies with sheets drawn over their faces. Vlad looks impassive and calm through the briefing and sends men out. He barks out some orders and three young men report to him. Turning to you, Vlad says, "We have had a report of some sort of monster appearing in the road. It seems to be interfering with the mercs so would seem to have been summoned by someone who is trying to help us. I need to know what is going on. These men have come from the area and can take you there if you want to help us identify the thing and perhaps make contact with this friendly mage."

Bryant nodded, his face grim. He didn't not like the fact that the merc's initial teams had been equipped with rockets, explosive, and anti-armor munitions. It seemed excessive, considering that he had been operating on the assumption that they wished to extract Rowena. Could they have obtained the passcode without her, were they now more focused on eliminating any possible option for their competition to gain access to that self same data. At this point, their reasoning mattered less than their actions, and their actions were exploitable, these teams needed to be engaged, and neutralized with excessive force to shut down the operation. Quickly.

And it seemed like at least one tangential ally had access to astral resources. Bryant had never had much access to magical theory, but he knew a advantage when he spotted one. Almost absently he wished that Raleigh was here, the ork had been a hermetic investigator, had excellent knowledge of astral, and paranormal threats, as well as access to magic himself.

"On it Vlad, lets shut these fuckers down before they make it another block in, yeah?"

He shouldered his HVAR and moved his prosthetic legs with the speed and grace of an Olympic sprinter, dropping low over a retaining wall, following Vlad's men back to their location. Raleigh would have been able to trace the summoners astral signature back to their location, even as slid across the hood of an abandoned car to make cover on the opposite side of the street, he tried to recall some of Raleigh's pointers for engaging a combat mage. They needed line of site to their target, so assuming this summoner didn't perform the ritual to call the beast ahead of time, which would have indicated foreknowledge of the attack, something which even Vlad's bratva didn't have without the anonymous tip off, they had to be on site.

He effortless leapt three meters to an old rusty fire escape, and quickly scaled to the second story of a tenement, overlooking the intersection that Vlad's men indicated the mercs were engaged with the magical threat. He scanned the roof, while maintaining cover himself, both from the assault team, and from any potential snipers on the roof or any of the adjacent buildings. The use of rocket launchers and excessive force didn't preclude more subtle threats, he chided himself.

[ Spoiler ]

Visual Perception Check, ugh, what a shit roll! Visual Perception (Bratva Territory Rooftop Scan): 14d6t5 4. And then a Stealth check to remain hidden from potential shooters; Sneak Check (Bratva Territory Rooftop): 11d6t5 2. Apparently I have been abandoned by Polyhedrous, the patron saint of dice!

Logic+Willpower to resist the Invisibility Spell. Logic+Willpower vs Invisibility: 9d6t5 4.

[Mercy]

Monday 11 June 2075 0410 Vory Neighborhood Seattle Barrens Seattle


@Echo You easily leave your escort behind on the ground with your acrobatic maneuvers, arriving alone on the rooftop. You can maintain cover, but do not spy anyone in your immediate vicinity. From where you are hiding, you do hear the sounds of gunfire coming from over the edge of the building you are top of, but the edge is a good thirty feet away from your current vantage point, and getting there would mean moving across the roof with out cover or concealment.


@Eva Your illusion seems able to hold the attention of five of the mercenaries on the street below you and your invisibility spell keeps them from seeing you.

[Mercy]

@Cynthia Gene watches as you walk past. "Your hair and body smell nice. And I thought there was a saying among mortals that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Maybe you have never had anyone look at you and tell you that you are very attractive. Maybe you need to. But what do I know, In this body I am just an old guy with back problems. In my real body I am not even human. But to me, you are very attractive." He goes into his tent and roots about, emerging with a small kit bag. He nods to you and goes off to the hot pool of water. He continues your earlier conversation from the pool.

"Questions? Oh I ask questions and actually know a lot of answers, too. There is always something more to learn. Right now I am on a sort of mortal kick, which is probably why I was selected for this gig. I am trying to learn what makes your kind do things. You live such short lives that it seems a shame to waste them on killing and controlling. My life is pretty simple and a bit lonely, but it does have its perks."

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - Resonance Realms] #172

"Maybe. Maybe I'll believe it one day, who knows." Cynthia shrugs, ill at ease. "But to me, my body is just... I don't know, like a piece of hardware. Something to keep in good shape, but the aesthetics of the thing is not what matters most, it's what's inside that does. And on the aesthetics side of things, genetics took care of most of it so it's nothing I can brag about. Seems cool to be able to get the body you want though, like in the 'trix... I wonder if there are Mages able to do it... Should be fun.

She stays silent, pensive, for a minute, then says "Oh by the way, in the 'understand your kind', you should probably avoid reminding us that we won't even live a century. Well, elves excepted of course. Though you should probably avoid reminding us of that too, you know. No one likes to be reminded that in not too long, they'll be some plants fertilizer. If they are lucky. And that some won't for a long time. Yeah, best avoid that..."

She shakes her head, then shrugs "I think it explains why a lot of us try to be so controlling, to amass power, to kill or whatever. Some may hope to find a way to live forever, but most just try to leave a mark, a 'George was here' statement, that kind of thing you know. It's pretty stupid when you think about it, mark or no they'll be worm food soon enough, and at best a few centuries later everyone will have forgotten all about them. And if you want your mark to last, there are two ways: be the worst possible asshole, or a scientist who revolutionizes his domain. Since science is a group work nowadays, advancing small step by small step, even that option seems compromised. The other way... It's always possible, and what's more, it's incredibly easy to be an asshole. It has always been easier to destroy than to create. Of course, if we stuck around, we might try to create more. Even the worst asshole likes his comfort after all. But as it is..."

Lying on her back, she looks at the stars for a moment "You know, there's one group that could: the elves. After all, they're supposed to be able to live much longer. But for now, they probably still don't get it. Oh intellectually sure. But they still live on human time. They could just wait for the competition to disappear, but they want more, and they want more now, even if they have to take risks."

She snorts, amused "Oh of course, there are probably some that take the long view. But you don't hear about them. Or at least we don't, maybe you do. Or will anyway. But being in the shadows, unknown to all... That takes a toll. Everyone want to be acknowledged, the more the better. To be someone. To have done something."

She stretches a hand to the sky, looking at it for a minute and resumes in a softer tone "In a way, that's certainly why I accepted to help Tanya you know. No one will know. Or so few people that it won't matter. But I'll have done something. Something important. And even something good. At least if Tanya is right that is."

She sets her hand back on her belly, and sighs "You've gotten me all philosophical and drek..." She shakes her head, then asks suddenly "Hey, did you ever guide Mages when they did...err...whatever they do?"

[Mercy]

@Cynthia Gene steps out of the pool after washing and dries before getting dressed. He comes over to the fire and hangs his towel up to dry on the branches of a small tree. As he kneels down to see to finishing the dinner preparations, he looks over at you and says, "A lot of sense in what you say. I will avoid talking about life spans in the future. As for being noticed for what you do, there are people who will know, I suppose. But you are right that most will never know that you came in the shadows and saved their lives."

"Yes, I have guided mages, well, some anyway. It sort of depends on where they are going and what they are trying to do. Why do you ask?"

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - Resonance Realms] #173

"Because it's surprising of course. Some people conjecture that technomancers and mages are relatives, but they are far from being the majority. In fact, some go as far as saying that it's the same gene that determines if you're a mage or a technomancer, just a different expression of the gene. But those that think that I laughed at."

Suspiciously, she looks at Gene "Of course, I could just be dreaming. Or you could be talking out of your ass. But let's suppose you're not. Yes, I'm merciful like that. It could have big repercussions, in the 'trix and the Meat world alike. Hum, of course, for that, those who study all this would have to have been here. Not sure it happens often."

She pauses, then sitting up, she asks "Wait, does it mean that I can get to all the places the Mages are talking about? The ones in the trids they call the Metaplaces?"

[Mercy]

Gene is quiet and looks a bit uncomfortable. "Now, why would you want to go to those places? Are you not satisfied with your own sphere of influence?

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 10th, 2075 - Resonance Realms] #174

"Ah, so we can? Awesome!" she chuckles "I'm perfectly satisfied I love the 'trix. But I love discovering new stuff too. And knowing secrets. Yeah, knowing secrets is the best."

Smiling mischievously, she looks at Gene "See how I help you? You just have to tell me something new as exciting as that and I'll let this matter drop." her smile becomes wider "Well... For now at least..."