IC: Striding the Soul's Edge Options

[Panzergeist]

Loki remains silent as he gleefully contemplates the possibility of fencing the boat itself and making big nuyen off it.

[BishopMcQ]

Jake sniffs at the smoke and wrinkles his nose.

"Straight from the Stuffer Shack eh? If you are going to kill us slowly with something that putrid, could you at least buy a decent brand?"

But as far as business concerns, how big is the cargo? Are we dealing with the entire ship's manifest or a couple of crates? Also are there any specific precautions that need to be taken with it, ie refrigerate the organic components, highly fragile et cetera?"

[WinterRat1]

Nameless gives a grim smile as he thinks about how glad he is that Diesel and Steel are on his team. They should enjoy the carte blanche policy. Not really my style, but it's always interesting watching those two go to town. Could be fun, open season on whoever's unlucky enough to own that boat. He glances at Diesel, knowing that the big troll had to be salivating at those three magic words: Collateral Damage Irrelevant. Nameless shakes his head slightly in amusement as he pictures the boat owners waking up to whatever Diesel and his toys have done to their boat. Suckers...

[Fenris]

"Eh, cargo's a total of 6 shipping crates. Nothing organic, nothing that needs special treatment besides the standard 'Don't shoot don't break' rules. It's explosives, some c12 and guided rockets."

He plucks the cigar out of the corner of his mouth, furrowing his brows as he looks at it for a second, and sticks it back, giving Jake half a glance, a bit confused. "They taste just fine to me, what're you yakkin' about?"

"Anywho, the only thing we know about security on the boat is that they've got at least one mage boosting travel speeds with spirits. They actually won't leave Vladivastock until Tuesday, they're cruising at ridiculous speeds with that damn magic boost. There will be at least 50 crew members, and however many people they brought along as guards, probably no less then 15-20.

The warehouse is here on the Tacoma docks, Pier 96, like I said. We know they've only got a dozen or so guys running guard duty there. No confirmation on magical support, but the guards are sporting assault rifles and light sec armor. They're not messing around here, guys."

[Panzergeist]

Loki whistles appreciatively at the mention of all those guards. "This will require some great tactics. Those guards are likely to be pretty well-trained and cybered too. We'll need some way to combat their superior numbers. Do you think you could hook us up with some knockout gas?"

[WinterRat1]

Nameless raises an eyebrow at Vinnie's estimates of the guards, and their capabilities. Geez, it's a small private army over there. And we're only getting 20K apiece? Hope we can negotiate that up a bit. Already he's thinking about how to get past them.

[Fenris]

"Knockout gas? Yeah, sure, I could get some, but it's gonna cost ya. In fact, I know a box that just fell out of the back of a truck. I could getcha 20 doses or so within a day or two.

I don't know about training, but I know most of them aren't heavily cybered. The worst you're looking at is a couple of SGL's and some eye mods."

[Joker9125]

"Collateral damage irrevelant eh?" :Diesel says with a big grin: "Is anything in the crates water sensative? Just in case a rocket should accadentally go off in the side of the boat."

[Medesha]

Steel smiles at the idea of taking on an army. "I'm sure we can handle it. I like the idea of knockout gas, though." She reflects. "And rockets."

"Anyway, Vinnie, it sounds like a lot of fun, all things considered." She gives him an innocent look. "So we'll take the 20k each now - that's the half up front, right? And we'll get the other 20k each after successful completion."

[WinterRat1]

Nameless can't help but chuckle a little inside, listening to Steel and Diesel. Ok maybe we won't be going around them. Sounds more like right through them. Oh well, it should be interesting either way...And way to go Steel, negotiating for double? I like that. I like that a lot...

[Fenris]

Vinnie spends a moment choking on his cigar, and you're not sure after it's over it he was actually choking or just laughing.

"Nice try, toots," he says with a grin, "but I've got a few more braincells then that left. I'll give you each 9500 upfront, and the other 10500 upon delivery. Capice?"

[WinterRat1]

Nameless glares at Vinnie. He may not be that dumb, but he sure ain't that bright either. If he thinks we'll take this for what he's offering, he's got another thing coming...I hope.

Looking over at Steel and Jake, he wills them to turn this clown down. Come on guys, turn this fragger down. I ain't so hard up I gotta start taking raw deals like this one.

[Medesha]

Steel glances around the room for a moment before settling her gaze on Vinnie again. "I dunno, Vinnie, that's a lot of danger for a small return. I'm not sure everyone will be on board for that much - and that means a lower chance of success." She smiles. "Can we get half of it in Vinnie credit?"

[Buddha72]

Iblis leans forward and whispers into Steel's ear. "See if he's willing to set us up with a buyer for the boat if he can't swing any extra nuyem. We could use it to off-set the crap pay on this run." She gives her shoulder a friendly squeeze and as she resumes her former position gives Vinnie a slow wink.

[Medesha]

Steel nods and turns back to Vinnie. "And can you set us up with a buyer for the boat? There's a slim chance we won't destroy it utterly."

[Joker9125]

At hearing we might not destroy the boat utterly, Diesel gives a heavy sign and begins to think of any weapon he has that caint be clasified as a WMD. That means the rocket launcher and HE grendades are out and the assault cannon might not be the best thing to bring either.........I always knew the concussion grenades would come in handy for something and thiers awlays close range. At this last thought Diesel shows a tusky grin.

[Fenris]

Vinnie tugs the cigar out of his mouth and peers at it thoughtfully. "Yeah, alright, I can do half in 'credit' for whoever wants it. As for the boat...you'd have to keep it stashed somewhere out of sight for at least a week after the hit, but I could get you a buyer after that. I'm telling you now though, I'll need some info on the condition of the boat before I can give you a good guess on the prices we're talking. And if I set up a buyer, having to back down would injure my reputation. Do you want me to set it up?"

[BishopMcQ]

"Vinnie set it up. We'll get back to you as soon as we can with details on how the ship looks. In the meantime, I'll take the upfront section of our payment and we'll get out of your hair. Call it 35K in nuyen and 31.5 converted to credit."

Alright team, people that don't want credit we can get full nuyen for but we are closing down negotiations.

"I presume you will get in touch with us, after you have sorted out how much the gas that 'fell off the truck' will be. Steel will be in touch with you if we need anything else."

With that, Jake picks up the papers from the desk and waits for Vinnie to hand over the credsticks.

[Fenris]

Vinnie takes a moment to plug a certified credstick into a reader on the laptop, and makes a few notes in a PocSec. He hands you the credstick, the display reading 35k.

"The gas'll run ya 1200. Gimme two days, and then send somebody around with the cash."

Vinnie waves everybody out of the office as business is concluded, still puffing on the cigar stub clenched between his teeth.

[WinterRat1]

Nameless glides out of the room, a bit uncertain as to what just happened. Did we just get hired to take on a ship full of Yakuza goons for a lousy 20K per? And what is the deal with this Vinnie credit? Is that supposed to make up for the difference? Huh. I wonder what the others think. Oh well. I trust that Jake knows what he's doing. Either way, it should be interesting.

[Buddha72]

Iblis rises from the wall she was leaning against. "See ya Vinnie, it's been..........................well, you know." With a little jaunty wave heads back out to the parking light and her tricked out Vespa. She pauses before putting her helmet on. She nods towards Jake. "Back at my place then?"

[BishopMcQ]

Jake smiles reassuringly at Nameless.

"Don't worry, the run will pay off in the end."

Glancing over at Iblis,

"yeah, let's go over the pre-lims, catch a few winks, and get down to business."

Alright Moe let's roll on out we have a party to crash, and 72 hours to arrange it. Everybody head back to the ranch.

[WinterRat1]

Nameless grins at Jake. "S'ok chummer. I trust the crew's got it under control. I'm a little surprised that we ended up taking the job for that pay, but I figure we'll make it worthwhile." He snickers. "Besides, I guess it gives Diesel incentive not to blow the thing sky high. We may yet make a nice profit out of it if we can take that boat. I'm interested to see your plan."

In response to Jake's knowing smile, Nameless just shakes his head. "You ain't let us down yet, so I'm guessing you won't this time out." He claps Jake on the shoulder as they head to the vehicles. "So let's get it done bossman. I'm looking forward to seeing what you got up your sleeve."

Together they walk towards the vehicles and drive off into the night, to the safehouse that awaits and the job ahead.

[BishopMcQ]

Climbing into the van, Jake ruffles Moe's hair.

"Take us home please."

As the city moves past us, the different neighborhoods flash by like cartoon characters, over done and larger than life. Each section trying to scream out its own appeal. Finally winding into a part of town that boasts plants and small cottages. The area has a strong Elven feel and pull up to a small house tucked at the end of a street with a long driveway along the side.

Once all the vehicles are back at the house, Jake nods to each person as they enter. He stops Loki on the way in.

"The wards I put up around here awhile back are just about dead. Can you and Katie put up a fresh batch? When that's through we can get down to business."

Jake then follows Iblis into the house.

"Hey hon, how would you feel about a little more matrix time? I'm curious if you can get access to the Global Positioning system satellite network...if we can find our mark and push her a degree or two off, it will get herout of the main shipping lanes and make our job a half-step easier as we know how to find her and she will not know how to get here. Also can you get Moe to do a quick scan of the vehicles to make sure we're clean? I'm going to catch a quick shower--and no you can't join me, sorry bunny."

Instructions given, Jake heads for a shower and a quick nap.

[Blitz]

:: After pulling in to the garage, Moe pulls out a bug scanner and completely checks over first the van, then heads over to the remaining vehicles. Though she had kept a good eye on the vehicles, you never know when someone with talent and rhutheniums might choose to make your job more interesting. ::

:: Once finished, she breaks down the condor drone and double checks it's systems to make sure it will be in top performance for the next time it's required. Afterwards, she spends about 2 hours going over the van, reprograming some of the well used photovalic stored images into new and unseen variations. ::

:: Still in the van, she settles into her seat and yawns a bit before responding to the group. ::

"Give me 3 hours while you put up wards and such. That way I can keep watch when everyone else crashes out."