The Found Arcana - Chapter 12 [IC] Options

[Gilga]

Earlier:
I bring my link to maximal defense. >> Guys this is a crazy secure location, hope your gear is safe.


I try to keep it civil, but the waiter is distracting. I have a dreamy look, and then I add "How is the Capricciosa, do you have real artichoke... I never had one before." Figuring the waiter would be extra nice if I order something expensive.
"I'll go for Pizza Capricciosa" I say feeling a bit bold though I don't have much expirience with artichoke, but there is a first time for everything.

[Tecumseh]

Before going into the restaurant, Mato takes off his suit jacket. He rolls up the sleeves of his dress shirt to make sure that his matte black arms are clearly visible.

"If there's trouble? Well, my arms are reinforced."

Once inside, his eyes drift over the staff and the clientele. It's not really his kink - actually, as best he can tell, he doesn't have any kinks - so he doesn't linger too long on anyone or anything. He does let his radar sensors give him a sense of his surroundings. He's especially curious if the walls (and ceiling... and floor...) are reinforced, or otherwise made of materials that were not typically found in restaurant construction.

He doesn't say much. He has ideas floating around but he can't tell which ones are good and which ones aren't. He eyes the elf's obvious lower arm replacement, and notes the glances that are exchanged with the dwarf.

One would think DNI would be more secure than such obvious tells, he thinks to himself. Unless they're concerned about someone eavesdropping. AM's report on their security suggests that yes, they are concerned. Or unless they want to be seen.

He snaps out of it when the cowboy comes over to greet them. The others order so Mato follows suit.

"The minestrone to start, please, with some of the house-baked bread. Then I would like to try the risotto, please. Sparkling water to drink, with a lime if you have it."

It's a lot of carbs but Mato suspects he will need the energy before the night is done. He wanted to try the bistecca, but couldn't justify the expense. (Even though he'd be writing off this meal on SIS' UCAS taxes.)

<<We're on their radar. Shall we try to call and see who answers?>>

[Jack_Spade]

<<Wait until we have eaten - would be a shame to get thrown out before desert.


But yeah, inquiring about additional services would be my next step too.>>

Bobby replied

[Thanee]

The waiter grins and nods as Tamarind talks about the egg plant.

"Yeah, it is a funny name. Doesn't even look like an egg. Not really. The cooks usually call it aubergine. And it absolutely is a great choice!"

He is happy to point out the way the real food and the artificial food are labeled on the menu.

"Capricciosa with real artichokes, absolutely!"

"So, a quattro stagioni, capricciosa, parmigiana di melanzane, minestrone, risotto, bread, water, sparkling, lime, ... anything else to drink for you guys?" he asks the rest of the team.

Meanwhile, Mato uses his sensors to get a feel for the building's structure and layout. The material used here is nothing out of the ordinary. He does notice, however, that some of the large mirrors covering the sides are likely one-way, since there is no wall behind them. Not all of them, and not the ones on the outside walls, obviously. He can also spot a few more people present in the area beyond that particular side wall.

His obvious implants are also definitely getting noticed and some appreciating looks.

[Jack_Spade]

"Eh, you know what: Bring your bouncer over there a drink as well. Always appreciate having professional security around."

Bobby replied.

[Beta]

Tamarind asks "Sparkling water, and what would go well with the eggplant, glass of house red wine? Or would you suggest something else?"

[Tecumseh]

Mato reports what he sees to the others.

<<See those mirrors on the side of the dining room? Some of the sections are one-way. There are people behind them, not walls.>>

He checks his commlink, sweeping it for unexpected MARKs.

Once the cowboy has gone, Mato figures they should make some small talk so that they don't appear too suspicious.

"Did you see that ludicrous display last night?" he asks the others. "Playoffs for the Combat Lacrosse league. The Sioux team is scrappy and resourceful, but I'm not sure how they're going to dethrone the Algonkian-Manitou Council lads this year. The AMC is rolling out of the north like a bulldozer blizzard: you can't stop it, you just have to endure it."

[Gilga]

I think, why would someone physically call this joint, don't they have a Trix menu for reservations/deliveries like most other businesses I know. "Just mineral water... I want to keep my focus on the cheese. " Not saying the other part of the sentence "and forget about the trap". Not entirely sure which half meaning I wanted to add to this half phrase but I actually ordered a pizza with real cheese, so it feels reasonable to say. At any case, I find it amusing. Which reflects on half a smile that I give while not staring at the waiter (well only a little). What can I say, parts of me just loves getting into uncomfortable situations and I am pretty sure there really is a trap.

When Mato reports his findings I give him the eagle gesture not wanting to say anything incriminating in a place that might as well have other hackers. It means that I'll dig into it. The next thing is to find an excuse to leave briefly and I get just the natural opening when Bobby speaks about sports. I... actually need to go to the toilets..." I say apologetically and look at Tam offering her to join. The plan is to see how close they are going to follow me, and if the toilets are private enough for a quick clairvoyance spell that would allow me to look around unnoticed, and unhindered by walls or physical security.

[Thanee]

"Chianti always works," the waiter replies to Tamarind. "A glass of red then?"

He raises an eyebrow at Bobby's request. "Bouncer? This is still a restaurant, not a club. Okay, well, fair enough, I get that we are a little in-between here."

While AM (possibly together with Tamarind) is heading for the restrooms (which offer the typical amount of privacy, of course; no sidewalls with large mirrors here), he heads off to the bar and comes back a moment later with five shot glasses of tequila. At the same time, the dwarf gets up and also walks over to the table, pulling a chair from nearby to sit down with you. Since you are not all there, he does not touch the drinks, yet, but he does get right to the point.

"A good evening. You can call me Ramses. Thank you for the drink. While we are all friends here, let me ask you a question.
How comes that you are in possession of something that belongs to a very good friend of mine? Surely, there is a good explanation for that."

[Beta]

Tamarind almost misses AM's hint, but after a moment she clues in and goes along, mumbling something about making sure she has grease off her hands.

[Jack_Spade]

Bobby replied with a nod: "I'm Bobby. You'd have to clarify two things first:
What item are you talking about and who is your friend?

Because if it is what I think what it is and who you are talking about, we would be happy to answer - provided you do the same.

So, are we talking about a comlink?"

[Thanee]

Ramses gives you an acknowledging nod. "Yes, a commlink. Mr. Belenkiy's commlink. You understand that it is very unusual for someone else to have it."

[Gilga]

With Tamarind on watch, I enter the booth and seat. I assense the surrounding for possible watchers and if I don't find anything out of the ordinary. I risk a a clairvoyant spell allowing my vision to wander out of my eyes and into the restaurant exploring these private Rooms Mato was suggesting and the vicinity. I am not entirely sure what I am expecting to find, but I am genuinely curious due to the elevated level of matrix security. I mean, nothing says I have things to hide like a massive firewall.

[ Spoiler ]

I buy 3 hits for Cryptesthesia F3 - (allowing for tetra chromatic vision +3 to perception), then I have 13 dice for perception and I buy 3 hits (the maximum of the F3 spell). It allows moving the point of view within a 30 meter radius from the caster. Range is force * magic *10 meters radius - so 5*3*10 =150 meters - I don't feel like it should be an issue unless the restaurant is very big.

[Thanee]

After making sure that she is in the clear, AM can see into parts of the building with her spell, the main restaurant (she also sees that the dwarf has moved over to your table at that point), kitchen, restrooms, storage rooms, but the more interesting parts are warded off. That area covers about a quarter of the whole building.

[Jack_Spade]

Ramses gives you an acknowledging nod. "Yes, a commlink. Mr. Belenkiy's commlink. You understand that it is very unusual for someone else to have it."

"As it happens, we'd prefer to find Mr. Belenskiy so we can give it back to him. You wouldn't happen to know where he is?
As far as we know, he is in trouble and needs all the help he can get."

[Thanee]

"It's the first thing I hear about that. Not that I say you are lying, but do you got anything solid to back that up? I mean, I cannot exactly call him to ask if he is okay right now," Ramses asks. "And why is it you are looking for him, and not his employer? You do know, who that is, right? Of course, you do."

He becomes a bit more serious. "If it turns out that he really is in trouble, you can definitely count on some help from here. As I said, he is a very good friend And I do not want him to come to harm. But I do need more than just the word of a stranger on that."

[Jack_Spade]

Bobby nodded:
"We are private detectives. The hotel owner called us after discovering his abduction to preserve the good name of the establishment. That's how we have his commlink - it was left in his room.
We took a look at it and he called this place a lot - you as it turns out.

What where you talking about?"

[Gilga]

>> This place is a fort, wards on about 1/4 of the building. I don't get anything in the Interesting stuff of this place. I say, and I take a few more moments to eliminate the spell signature in case we'll be commuting crimes in this place... no idea what kind of spells I can cast in public in Denver. When I am done, I flush the toilet and wash my hands, Thanks Tamarind for the over watch, and return to the table. "Hey there, what did I miss?"

[Tecumseh]

Mato, in a gesture of futile chivalry, stands when Tamarind and AM return to the table.

"Ramses here is a friend of Mr. Belenkiy," Mato says to bring them up to speed. He sits when they do.

"Ramses, since you know him in a personal capacity, may we ask you a couple questions about Mr. Belenkiy?"

If so, he will ask, "Is Mr. Belenkiy a smoker?" and "Does he like his job? Were there any issues at work?"

[Thanee]

"Private detectives, huh? I guess, that makes sense. But is that all you have? That is not much to go on. No hints about who might have taken him? Any other clues? Leaving his commlink behind was smart. That thing can definitely be located," the dwarf replies to Bobby.

"He is calling us, not me, specifically. We do business with Mr. Belenkiy. The specifics of which I am not at liberty to disclose."

Ramses then turns to Mato with grin. "Is he a smoker? Oh, yeah. He actually orders his special cigarettes through us. Those things are horrible, right? That smell... ugh. But he really likes them."

"I'm pretty sure he is very happy with his job currently. He is doing really well over there. As far as I know."

[Gilga]

"Did Mato stand up for us?" wow that is very polite of him. Not entirely sure how appropriate it is when the rest of the men don't do it, but oh well. He made me smile, and that distracting waiter is gone, so I feel better already - well not better because the idea of being in danger is strangely appealing but safer. Which is also good for the better part of my personality which is not an immortal Wakan Tanaka with infinite wisdom and an incomprehensible perspective...

After introducing myself as "Am" I say "Fine... but be discreet about it." I say when Ramses asks for other clues and I take out an obsidian knife, a feather, and cigarette buts each neatly packed in a small ziploc plastic bag, and place them on the table. "We found these objects in the crime scene... Have you seen any of them before?"

I carefully observe the man's body language for any sign of recognition, and would take some clue's from Mato's software as well.

[Thanee]

"Now that is a wild mix. Those cigarette's look like Belenkiy's. Can confirm that. The other stuff, no idea. But I can ask Dean. He is very good at digging up information. Where did you find them? 'In the crime scene' is not very specific," Ramses asks further. You do not think he is trying to hide anything.

[Jack_Spade]

"The knife was embedded in a bedpost

We also have a digital ransom note from the kidnappers.

Not counting your outfit here: Are there any four to five person crews in this area that might take on a job like that?
And if not, who would provide them with shelter - we don't think that they left the Denver area completely."
Bobby asked.

[Gilga]

"Did Belenkiy's has any enemies? or bad habits like gambling? Debts? new friends? Anything that in retrospect may be related to a kidnaping?"

[Thanee]

"That obsidian knife makes little sense to me. Aztlan has been thrown out and banned from Denver a long time ago by Ghostwalker. There was the attack and occupation of southern Denver by Aztechnology a few years ago in an attempt to regain their lost territory, but their forces were ultimately destroyed by the dragon and the ZDF last year. Englewood lying in ruins ever since. But Ares had nothing to do with that. So, yeah, they are still bitter, I suppose, but I just don't see the connection. And if there is a ransom note, whoever has taken him might just want the money. If so, it also makes sense that they are still somewhere in the area."

"As for enemies, I wouldn't know of any. Bad habits, apart from these horrible cigarettes, I don't think so. He's a bit of a workoholic, if that counts."

"Crews, shadowrunners, there sure are a few around. Always plenty of work here in Denver. Especially after the recent changes. I will ask Dean to look into it, maybe he has an idea. Do we know anything else about them?"

"And what's up with that feather? Koshari?"