The Found Arcana - Chapter 9, The last Tarot card Options

[Beta]

Tamarind and her agent started the process of checking their links and all of the items in their PANs for marks. Meanwhiel she is scowling, not worrying about schooling her expression because she knows that is the least of the ways that the spirits have to sense her emotions. After a moment she dumps some of her thoughts out to the team.

<<Why should we believe this spirit? She could be diverting us from our job for her own motives. She has already admitted that she is now working for someone else. Maybe what she says is true, and there is another way to complete the job. But maybe she is taking the opportunity to get us to not complete the original job as described. I like this Muse more than our employer, but liking has nothing to do with completing a deal.>>

<<It is not apt to be pleasant, but I think we should talk with our employer before we change our course so dramatically>>

[ Spoiler ]

Matrix perception to check for marks
Matrix perception for marks: 11d6t5 4

[Tecumseh]

<<It is possible>> Mato allows. <<But I think it goes deeper than that.>>

<<Remember how Tara said that Mel was "the closest thing we have to a leader" and that "she inspired Vala to create the cards". I have to think that Mel is the one puppeteering all of this. I think she's pulling Vala's strings, and is probably the one that set this all in motion in the first place.>>

<<And maybe our strings are being pulled too. But that's our job: we dance to get paid.>>

[Gilga]

Tamarind, there are no marks on your equipment or other hints of foul play. As far as you can tell, none of it is currently compromised. The notable exception is the burner link. It has a nonstandard operating system, meaning someone took the time to reprogram it, which might explain the information one of the parties had about you.

Meanwhile, Bobby receives a message from Andrew: >> Mr. Walker, Hi. Yes, there are some disputes that we, unfortunately, inherited. I'll let you know if there is anything that directly affects you.

Bobby can spot the guards crushing one by one from the after-effects of whatever drug they took before. He can also see Big Stank accompanied by an old bearded man with white hair and a black plain suit arriving at the building in an old model of a Ford Americar. The car is plain, and the man also seems old by the rate he moves. Big Stank's accompanies him holding his hand and helping him out the stairs. In a very gentleman and polite manner, which he never expected the arch-ganger to possess.

Perhaps this is his expert for a second opinion?

The building looks like it is being watched; there are multiple watcher spirits four or perhaps five that he can effortlessly spot - and they all watch the building. For the time being they did not spot Bobby, but his freedom of movement is limited due to their scrutiny.

[Jack_Spade]

After Rachel contacted Bobby, he took a moment longer to look around but then returned to the car, so he could take part in the conversation. Catching only the tail end he said:

<<I'm thoroughly confused now. What Mel is saying, contradicts directly what Vala has told us. One of them therefore didn't tell us the truth about what they want to happen.>>

Bobby recited the precise job:

"As to what I need from you guys. You take the card, and when you are ready my people would spread the romour. Then all the power-hungry mages of Seattle would be after your card. You need to hold on to the card, only to lose it to a specific unreputable individual. If you lose it to the wrong people, you have to make them lose the card within a short period. Again, I don't want anyone examining the card too closely or they might solve my puzzle, and then the mystery is gone.
Once you lost the card to the intended mark, I would pay you the promised 50K."

and:
"Well, for once, you played with all my previous Tarot cards despite these odds. So I expect you to play with this one as well. In this case, you are a step higher in the food chain, and the compensation is a bit bigger, but the dangers are the same, really. Second, Nightmare is not incompetent; he got all the previous cards for a reason. In the first card, you even stole his hostage getting us all worked up, but he gets the job done. "


So, to me this looks like a clear deviation from what we are supposed to do.>>

[Beta]

Tamarind suggests to Mato <<time to turn off the burner link, there is something odd about it that I'm not sure I understand, it could be tracing us or even passing along more information. No marks, but I don't know what all it does.>>

Then to keep things going with the spirits while the team talks online, she asks "Vala very specifically said that to get paid we needed to get the card in Nightmare's hands. Or whatever it has. Get the card to Nightmare, anyway. Without it being examined too carefully. Now. you are saying that convincing Nightmare that the card was destroyed may be just as good, and that you can convince her to pay us anyway. I'm sure you can see why we would have some confusion about how this change would be accepted, when she didn't tell us originally that was an option. I'd like a bit more understanding about what has changed about the situation that makes this a reasonable option to Vala, or what Vala held back from us that means that she would have accepted this all along."

She passes along to the team <<She is claiming that her employers may be stealing the card roughly now, and replacing it with an illusionary fake. Any signs of int rusion yet? If we don't go with the revised plan, then we need to either stop that switch, or get it away from her employer.>>

[Tecumseh]

Mato switches the burner link off.

He waits for Tara and/or Mel to respond to Tamarind.

He's not opposed to the idea of intervening, but he and Tamarind are in a poor position to do so. Bobby is a wrecking ball on his own, but even might get overwhelmed by superior numbers. Mato and Tamarind weren't that far away - maybe a dozen kilometers - but with weekday afternoon traffic that could take anywhere from 15 minutes to 30 minutes.

<<As I see it, we can either save Stank and then convince (or prevent) him from destroying the card. But then we basically have to sell him out to the Halloweeners somehow. This is the job we were hired for but I don't know if there's a way to do it on the down low. We'd be making some serious enemies, both in Stank and Mel's team.>>

<<Or we can let Mel's employer steal the card, then destroy the decoy. Maybe Vala is satisfied, maybe not, but this one's easier to do indirectly. That keeps the both the real and metaphorical heat off our backs.>>

[Gilga]

Mel responds thoughtfully to Tamarind The thing that has changed in the situation is that Big Stank has the card, and another mage is making a move on the card. You are in an art gallery talking to me, and I am not sure that you are in a position to prevent the theft, and I don't think Big Stank can prevent it, given his lack of magical assets. Yet, I gave you a better chance to follow that direction because now you have the information that something is going on and are free to act on it for good or ill.


I also offered you another favor, providing that completing Vala's offer may be difficult in the current situation. I offered you an alternative endgame which I think would be accepted by Vala given my previous interactions with her. All in all, I'd say that I have been very helpful and shown you a lot of goodwill - not because of the way you treated me in the past which was appalling but to form a better future relationship in the future.

[Beta]

"Oh, I admit we were rude to you the first time we met. Vala rather set things up for a confrontation, I think? And you are right that you are being most helpful. That doesn't for certain mean that you are being truthful. I'm not a good manipulator myself, but I know that the best are good at being so helpful, helping people along to the desired conclusions and actions. I'm not saying that you are doing that, I'm just saying that I don't have a good way to know if you are doing that. Unlike you, I can't just read your emotional state from your aura."

"So back to the usual human dilemma of who to trust, based on deduction, intuition, and of course our innate biases."

<<OK, we have to decide quickly, try to stop this supposed theft, or go for plan B where we manipulate the destruction of the fake card. Raven, any chance that you'd be able to spot this theft going down?>>

[Tecumseh]

Mato nods along with what Tamarind is saying.

"Yes," he agrees, "there are certain members of our organization that are more passionate than others." He smiles wryly. It seems like a fair euphemism. "I would imagine that you are familiar with this as well," he says to Mel and Tara, alluding to Vala's capricious nature.

"But let us have cooler heads prevail in the end, shall we?"

This is a nice thought, but the reality is that the decision is largely out of his hands.

<<Bobby, Raven, you're the ones with your hoops in the fire. Your necks are on the line.>>

<<Doing it Vala's way involves confrontation: stopping the theft, then crossing the Crush.>>

<<Mel's way might be accomplished with misdirection and nobody's head on the chopping block.>>

<<But you have your own consciences, and your own senses of honor, so maybe things weigh differently for you.>>

[Gilga]

Mel sighs "Do you think Tara finds it easy to understand you? She sees your aura.
How well do you think my team of extraordinary spirits negotiates in your opinion? Can you explain why you walk away with a 50k contract, and we can't get a 5k one? Why Vala only pays me superficial respect and hides me from her fellow metahumans like some dirty secret? However difficult you think you have it, it is ten times worse for a spirit. " She seems upset and passionate with her little speech, but unlike a metahuman - she regains composure very quickly.

With that, she says ...You guys are very busy, so I'll leave you with that. If you want to talk to me again just text Sandy. Don't go through the Gates, every little favor has a price with them.

[Jack_Spade]

<<Bobby, Raven, you're the ones with your hoops in the fire. Your necks are on the line.>>

<<Doing it Vala's way involves confrontation: stopping the theft, then crossing the Crush.>>

<<Mel's way might be accomplished with misdirection and nobody's head on the chopping block.>>

<<But you have your own consciences, and your own senses of honor, so maybe things weigh differently for you.>>

Bobby replied: <<I'm open for ideas - easiest way to step in would be to call Big Stank and warn him of the theft. Though I'm inclined to let it happen and take the card from the thieves.>>

[Tecumseh]

Mato needs to be cautious about addressing Mel. She has cooled down but he doesn't want to heat her back up. Still, he feels obliged to provide some feedback.

"It wasn't your price so much as your restrictions," he says candidly. "Not wishing to work with summoned spirits, for example, limits our ability to function as we usually do. And your exclusion of violence, while laudable, could have left us unprotected and exposed at a most vulnerable moment. If it had just been Ms. Tamarind and myself, unendowed with the Talent, then surely we would have accepted your proposal. But blessed as we are with the Awakened gifts of Ms. Raven and the son-of-the-shaman, there was considerable redundancy with your offering. This is not a criticism; it just a reality that many of your skills overlap with ours."

Mato bows to Mel and Tara out of respect. "Your concern about our time is very considerate of you.

"Please accept my gratitude for meeting us. And, yes, your advice about the Gates is well-received. I look forward to speaking with you in the future."

He waits to see if Tamarind has anything to add, then turns to go.

<<Tamarind and I are on our way. 15 minutes minimum, could be up to 30 minutes with afternoon traffic.>>

<<They alluded to it being easy to steal the card from mundanes. If we are going to stop the thieves, we'll need to expect - and deal with - Awakened opposition.>>

[Gilga]

@Tamarind and Mato There is a bit of traffic, but within 20 minutes, you team up with Bobby.


While Tamarind and Mato are about 10 minutes away, Bobby notices that the suspicious van's door opens and then closes, but nobody enters - well, not nobody. There is a person there invisible, though. His sharp perception catches a glimpse of distortion on the near-perfect spell. This happens almost parallel to the old man and Big Stank exiting the building. The old man politely says farewell and comments I'll study the matter. Very interesting.

[Jack_Spade]

Bobby sent

<<Right, I just saw an invisible person head in. I expect they are going to steal the card about now. I'll head over to the van and take it from them in turn - unless you all think we should stay clear of the Muse's plans.>>

[Thanee]

<< I really have no idea what we should do... but we should decide quickly, if we want to do something about it. Do you think that is the Muse's work? Could also be someone working for Nightmare, or even someone else entirely? >>

[Tecumseh]

<<Let's break it down>> Mato says.

<<Our goal is to get paid. We've been paid once by Big Stank. If we play it right, we can get paid again by Vala, or maybe even another party if we end up with the card again.>>

Mato isn't thrilled with that thought. He had been relieved to get rid of the card.

<<Vala's goal seems to be exposing Nightmare. Breaking up the syndicate is what Mayor Sonya Scholl and Kalanyr want. I wonder if they're behind this, using the card to drive a wedge between the Crush and the Halloweeners.>>

There are ramifications to this that Mato can only guess at. Is it better or worse if the syndicate fails? Is less criminal stability mean more order, or more chaos?

<<I think there's going to be havoc either way, so let's choose the avenue that makes us some nuyen. Getting the card back keeps us in the game, but let's not kill or be killed in the process. If they swap in a dummy card then we can still do things Mel's way and make Nightmare think it's been destroyed.>>

<<So, yes, let's try to observe the swap, then intercept the card.>>

[Jack_Spade]

<<Alright, I'll go out and try to intercept the thieves.
Rachel, do you have any buff you could put on me to make he harder to detect? I can mask my appearance, but my illusions are easier to pierce in general.
For this I'd like to just hang around, masking my magic potential and then just hit them with my taser.>>

Bobby replied.

[Gilga]

- Once the van's door closes, the van drives away in the street. Its windows are backend, so it is difficult to see what is going on inside.

- At about the same time Big Stank and the old man exit the building and say their farewells.

[Thanee]

<< I can turn you invisible, if that helps... >>

Rachel then casts the spell on Bobby to render him unseen.

<< Should I quickly check on the astral, if there is anyone still in the back of that van? >>

[Jack_Spade]

<<Too late, I missjudged - they apparently already have what they came for. Though I would have expected the card to be visible on the astral. Must have pulled in again.
Let's follow the van. Carefully.>>

Bobby went to follow the car, without being obvious about it.

[ Spoiler ]

Driving (following stealthily)
Driving: 7d6t5 2

[Tecumseh]

<<Look for the bloom>> Mato recommends, even though he knows it doesn't bloom all the time.

Another decision point now, forced sooner than he was expecting.

<<But if we all follow the van, we'll be leaving Stank - and the decoy - to Nightmare. If we want to try things Mel's way, we'll need to stay here and interfere with Nightmare.>>

<<We can split up. That's more risk, but maybe more reward as well.>>

[Jack_Spade]

<<Sent drones to keep an eye on Big Stank and the Crush. We are already comitted.>>

Bobby replied switching to autopilot for a moment, so Rachel could take over.

[Gilga]

Rachel and Bobby:

- If the van notices the subtle tail, it does not make any visible sign that it does. It makes its way south toward the 520 and seems in no rush.

Tamarind and Mato:
Once you finally arrive on site, there is a standoff. A group of Halloweeners hastily painted with sloppy makeup riding their bikes and gathering strength near the building. They deploy strategically at nearby locations around the apartment complex and seem to be preparing for battle.
Each group makes many Molotov cocktails but seems tired and in no particular hurry to use the cocktails. They seem short on bikes, and each cycle has at least two riders, with some carrying a third rider.

As the minutes pass, their numbers increase to the point where the Crush is vastly outnumbered. Worse yet. Their guards seem to have a terrible headache, crushing from using a combat drug too early. They have a hard time remaining focused and appear to be slow, and while they are not backing down, it is clear that the Halloweeners have more muscle on the scene.

There is no violence yet, but the atmosphere is agitated, and it does not take much for the standoff to turn into a full-blown battle. Mato can note that Carnevil is not there, or at least the clown car is nowhere to be seen.

[Beta]

Tamarind had let her delivery drones rest while they were in the gallery, but once on their way had put them back into the air, and let's them cruise around to get a broader view than they can get just from her van. It would be good to see if reinforcements are on the way.

She makes the drone's feed available to Mato, too, then goes in search of the Kanmushi that she'd left in the card case. It may have been terminated or turned off, but she sees if she can get a ping off of it, and if she can see where it is.

[Gilga]

Tamarind's drones:
The Kanmushi is unresponsive, likely discovered already. Tamarind can see reinforcements on the way, mainly Halloweeners. Crimson crushes are not approaching the building with more force, but they are nearby.


Tiny stands on the balcony waving a card "No more attacks, if you want it, you bargain; one more step and we rip it apart." He yells in his deep and very loud troll's voice but does not wait for a response and puts the card away.