The Found Arcana - Chapter 12 [IC] Options

[Gilga]

"Most people call me AM, short for Amy Maka."

[Jack_Spade]

"Robert Crow. But you can call me Bobby. We arrived only recently in the Denver area - had to leave Seattle pretty urgently. Since we are new here, we investigated a bit who is the most well regarded for the jobs that we are most suited for.
Your and the name of your band came up. So here we are."
Bobby looked at Mato if he wanted to introduce himself.

[Tecumseh]

Mato still isn't sure about the line of inquiry. Getting closer to Susan is not the same as getting closer to the Cats. The fact that the Cats aren't recruiting doesn't surprise him. People who help manage a crew may also manage other crews as well. Mato felt like they were getting added to Susan's stable.

"Dirk Magnum," he says, using his fake UCAS SIN. He still thinks the situation could go sideways and doesn't want to leave a trail behind. Of course that horse might have already left he barn since AM and Bobby are using real names, or at least parts of real names.

<<What's our angle?>> he asks the others. <<Are we tacking into he wind here? How does this get us where we want to go?>>

[Gilga]

>> No idea... I want to talk to these cats see if there is any wiggle room or at least give us closure if it is already a done deal. We might also make a bit of extra coin on the way.

[Jack_Spade]

<<I'm aiming for any form of contact with the Cats. Even an image of one of them could be used for a spirit search - provided they leave the warded area.>>


Bobby continued:

"So I understand, you are in the market to manage another band. What are the rates and conditions we are talking about - or should we come back some other time to talk about that in a more private setting.

Also, if you are interested, please contact the cats and let them know about us. Nothing's more embarrassing then meeting in the field and working at cross purposes. That's how accidents happen. If I've learned anything on this job, it's communicating clearly within your team at all times or risk loosing it all."

[Beta]

Tamarind was glad that Mato was streaming visuals and sound through his cyberware rather than carrying a drone, even if direct feeds were always a bit disorienting -- this woman sounded like she might have spotted the drone and had questions. She seemed very in her element in this role, observant, careful, in control.

It was only when the bar owner mentioned that she had the opposite of a problem with the male gender, and Tamarind felt a tiny stab of disappointment, that she realized she'd been quickly developing a bit of a crush on the woman. Stop that, you! she admonished herself. You are far too old for crushes, it isn't professional, and besides which you know you'd never do anything about it and just drive yourself to depression obsessing about it. Plus for now she is the opposition.

To distract herself, she sent made sure that her delivery drones were keeping up an overwatch pattern, so that she'd be warned of vehicles that might be coming to the bar. It didn't seem out of the question that the bar owner would contact the cats, who might run their own surveillance. More likely to send spirits or project astrally, give their talents, but she observed what she could. After a moment she thought to scanning for running silent devices, too.

[Thanee]

"Surely you know how this works. There are no rates or conditions, or anything like that. It's not like we are making a contract here. I'm the middle-person. It all depends on the jobs and the clients, and every one is different."

Susan leans on the bar as she continues.

"But let's put that aside for a moment. Clearly, you seem pretty obsessed with the Black Cats. You constantly try to direct the conversation into their direction. I am not new at this, I know how this works. So, why aren't you straight with me. What is it about them that interests you so much?"

[Jack_Spade]

Bobby looked puzzled: "You don't take a fixed percentage for your service? How does that work? Are you getting paid directly by the clients?
I wouldn't say that I'm obsessed with the Black Cats. I told you that we asked around about them and they were described as pretty formidable. I'd like to talk to them and see what's fact and what's fiction about them."

[Tecumseh]

"We're new to town, not to the game," Mato chimes in.

"As Mr. Crow said, we are recently out of Seattle, which has its own culture and its own way of doing things. Out of respect for local customs, we're trying to get the lay of the land here.

"The Black Cats have a good reputation, and our recipe closely mirrors theirs." He considers his black matte cyberhands. "Not entirely - we have some tricks up our sleeves - but they're a good model. If they can be successful then so can we.

"So that's our angle. Imitation, the sincerest form of flattery."

[Gilga]

"Funny you guys are so impressed by them... I mean they got mojo I'll give them that, but they are weak on the trix... kind of why I thought there is room for us."

[Tecumseh]

"As I said. Tricks up our sleeves."

Mato gives a sly smile over the tricks/trix double meaning.

[Gilga]

"Exactly!" she says with a smirck.

[Thanee]

Susan replies to Bobby: "Of course, I take a cut. But not out of your pocket. That is for the client to cover."

She listens to what you have to say about the Black Cats and finally lets out a small sight.

"Alright. You seem decent enough, and I have a feeling that you might be worth my time. I cannot really promise anything, but I shot them a quick message. Maybe, if one of them can spare some time, she'll come over."

In the meantime, Tamarind is watching everything closely through her drones. At some point another truck pulls into the parking lot, and an amerindian couple heads over to the bar. Just some regular patrons as it seems. They greet Susan upon entering before looking for a free table.

Scanning for hidden icons, she can actually make out three within the bar. There is one right at the counter, and two more at a table in the far back corner, where two guys are sitting with some drinks and talking.

[Jack_Spade]

Bobby sent a quick message to AM
<<That's our chance - can you tag her device quickly and find the device she is contacting? I'll distract her.>>

"I'm looking forward to it. While we are at it, I've got some more questions." He paused to let Susan send her message
"We had to leave most of our gear in Seattle - any good places to restock on hardware and magical stuff around here?"

[Beta]

Tamarind sends to the team >>A couple just came into the bar, completely non-suspicious seeming Sioux man and woman. But the timing would line up with Black Cats being nearby and coming to check out what all of this is about, so I'm suspicious no matter how they look. Could one of you check them out in the astral? Make sure I'm not being fooled by a Mask spell or whatever? Also, at the back of the bar there are a couple of silent running icons, from what video Mateo has shared I think it is those two guys sitting at a table. Might not mean anything, but letting you all know.<<

[Gilga]

AM frowns slightly at the request, she has her share of manipulation but she is uncertain if she wants to flex her trix muscles just yet. She excuses herself for a moment to the restrooms and begin working her trix magic. She is waiting for a burner link to come online so that she hacks it as Susan makes her call and perhaps identify the target device. Her attention is entirely focused on Susan's vicinity.

[Thanee]

AM cannot find anything other than the hidden icon that Tamarind also noticed.

It does not really surprise her that much, though, as Susan said she "shot them a quick message", which likely means that it was already done before she mentioned it.

[Jack_Spade]

Bobby turned discretely around and glanced toward the newcomers, checking them out on the astral, before turning his attention back to Susan

[ Spoiler ]

Assensing: 12d6t5 3

[Thanee]

There is nothing alarming about the two entering the bar. Just some normal people, not awakened, no cyberware.

Susan explains, that she will try to get them a job pretty soon, but points out that it might take a week or two before that happens. It's not like shadow jobs come in on a daily basis, and it also needs to be something fitting to try out a new team. Then she excuses herself as she also has other customers. She promises to let you know if there is a reply, or her message was enough to get one of the Cats come in.

[Jack_Spade]

Bobby nodded: "Thanks, here is our number, call us if something comes up."

To the team he sent: <<I'm afraid AM has to hack her device a bit more thoroughly, so we can hit on the location of the cats.>>

Bobby finished his drink and nodded indicating for the others that he was ready to go.

[Gilga]

>> Lets see if the Cats arrive... we can follow them. AM looks at Mato... "you any good with pool?"

[Tecumseh]

"I am good!" Mato admits. "I have a feathery touch and a discerning eye. I've heard of folks who have smartlink-enabled cues. If I had that I could calculate some fancy trajectories with my math SPU. Like a sniper, but for snooker."

<<But if we're going to hustle someone, it really should be at darts>> he adds privately via comms. <<I am the Robin Hood of darts.>>

He stands and goes to look for an open table. If all are occupied, perhaps there will be a chalkboard that serves as a waitlist.

<<Tam, we're going to hole up for a while and wait. Do you want to come in or are you happy out there?>>

If there's a menu, he looks to order snacks like peanuts or popcorn.

[Gilga]

AM says plainly without a hint of apology "I was pretty bad in my old body... in this one, I am not sure I have the finesse." and then adds but you can show me... unless of course you want to play darts.

[Jack_Spade]

"Sure, let's give it a try."

Bobby replied, online he said:

<<Am I to understand from this, that you are not going to try and hack her commlink?
We are losing time here - if they are guarding their prisoner, it could be quite a while until one of them shows up here. I know hacking has its risks, but we are opening ourselves up to getting traced and background checked ourselves. Seattle is big, but we are pretty distinctive. Give them an hour or two through their own connections, and they'll know exactly who we are and what we are about.>>

[Tecumseh]

<<Who is to say that he's still a prisoner or that the Cats still have him? There was never any ransom demand. I still think a corporate extraction is a plausible explanation, which means that he could have been handed over already. For all we know, Belenkiy could already be hard at work for his new overlords.>>

<<And I'm not particularly worried about being traced. Either they find out that we're good at what we do, or, if they find something to take offense, what are they going to do? Start a fight?>> Mato's expression suggests this would be a solution, not a problem.