Living in the Shadows: IC, your run might be over... Options

[Sedna]

16:55:01 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - outside the Paradigm Shift, Touristville

If a very brief question: before she lets it slide over to the voicemail (but allows it to play in her ear nevertheless. Call it curiosity.)

[WinterRat1]

16:55:11 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - outside the Paradigm Shift, Touristville

As she expected, the voicemail is polite, brief, and to the point. "Rescheduling will be no problem my lady. Perhaps Thursday night instead? I will pick you up at The Last Drop per our earlier arrangement, but..." he pauses a bit, as if uncertain, but when he continues, she can almost hear the smile in his voice. "If I may press my luck, would it be acceptable to you to meet at 19:00:00? I look forward to hearing from you, and have a lovely evening."

With that, the voicemail ends.

[Sedna]

16:55:50 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - outside the Paradigm Shift, Touristville

Apart from a short nod to the troll Alleycat lets the shaman take the lead in the face-to-face interaction, even as she's wondering: Will I still be in town, Thursday? I don't even have the information yet to say yes or no. Tuesday will tell.

[paul_HArkonen]

16:55:50 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - outside the Paradigm Shift, Touristville

"Yeah." Catching Klaus's look at Alleycat he motions towards here, "This is a friend of mine, she's been working with me on finding Melissa, and I figured an extra gun or pair of hands is always useful in the barrens."

He steps forward, but let's Klaus take the lead.

[WinterRat1]

16:56:13 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - outside the Paradigm Shift, Touristville

Looking at Blaze, Klaus says, "I got a lead, someone I can talk to who might know where Melissa is, but he wants to meet with you first, check you out, see if he thinks you're on the level. You all right with following me to meet him?" He then turns and nods at Alleycat, and extends a hand politely, saying simply, "Klaus," by way of introduction.

[Sedna]

16:56:13 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - outside the Paradigm Shift, Touristville

"Tazie," she answers and utterly becomes in the same moment, teenaged street scrapper with just a hint of shyness (but who can take care of myself, thank you very much), extending her right hand in answer with a reflexive grin and setting firmly aside the awareness, as his own engulfs it, that the troll could probably break her in half if he wanted to. Behind her one-way opaque black shades, she's staring at the big troll curiously and with just that bit of bravado that comes of trying to be much, much older than you really are. "Hope it's okay by you that I'm here to help cover your backs? I guess he didn't clear it with you first."

[WinterRat1]

16:56:48 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - outside the Paradigm Shift, Touristville

Nodding, Blaze indicated that he and Tazie would follow the troll's lead. The only problem, as it turned out, was that he didn't have a car. Really, none of them did. Since they couldn't all fit on Blaze's bike, it was decided that the three of them would take a cab to their destination, a small out of the way bar in Redmond where Klaus had arranged to meet with a guy he said might know something about Melissa.

As they drove in the somewhat less than pristine cab, Blaze couldn't help a small, internal wry grin. Ah, the glamorous life of a shadowrunner...

17:11:36 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond

After a brief cab ride, they arrived at an even more seedy and disreputable bar named, interestingly and appropriately enough, icky's. It was only upon closer inspection that it was apparent the 'M' had burned out, and apparently Micky (or whoever the bar was named after) didn't care enough to have it fixed.

Dirt, grime, and various assorted liquids colored the floor, and there was practically a carpet of discarded napkins, food, and other random items on the ground. Obviously the term 'health code' had been relegated below even the level of 'weak suggestion' to 'running joke'.

Looking around, Blaze decided that calling this place a seedy bar was an insult to seedy bars everywhere. The only good thing was that there appeared to be a fairly scarce clientele, and if anyone was interested in their business, they were doing a good job of keeping it to themselves.

Taking a seat in a back corner, Klaus checked his watch and indicated that they should wait. "He said he'd be here at about 17:15:00. You guys want anything to drink?"

Neither Tazie nor Blaze really wanted anything, but they figured it'd help their cover. None of them, however, chose to partake of the open bowl of beer nuts nestled comfortably and lopsidedly in a giant crack in the middle of the table.

After several minutes and increasingly fewer sips of a liquid slop all of them refused to acknowledge as beer, they noticed a nondescript looking asian man walk in the front door. Of medium height and build, he moved with an easy grace that made a mockery of the nondescript jeans and battered jacket that, in conjunction with his shaved head and dark brown eyes, attempted to make him look nondescript.

Quickly, Tazie could tell he was anything but. He's been trained, and good too. He moves too smooth, too natural, for it to be anything but. Whatever else he is, he's no mere informant, that's for sure.

Sure enough, a quick glance into the astral by both Blaze and Tazie revealed that their 'informant' was indeed Awakened. Sitting himself down easily across from the group, he nodded once at the group politely and introduced himself. "You may call me Mr. Cao. If I may have your names, and if you would state your reasons for wanting to meet me, we can get this show on the road."

[Sedna]

17:11:58 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond

"Tazie," says Tazie after only a moment's hesitation, not glancing around to confirm the exits so loud that it was warring with her and the shaman's outfits. "Blaze is the one you want to talk to. I'm just here to try to help him find his cousin."

[paul_HArkonen]

17:15:38 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond

Blaze shrugged, "I'm Blaze, you're here to talk with me and Klaus actually. We're here to discuss my cousin, a young woman, we hear you might know something about her."

Blaze leans back slightly in his seat, careful not to put any real pressure on the back of the chair as he's not sure it would hold any weight.

He makes a slight show of checking people around them. However, as his head turns his eyes, hidden behind his shades, remain focused on Mr. Cao, studying his aura.

[Morgannah]

22:51:07 Thursday 04 January 2063 - Outskirts of El Infierno, Los Angeles, CFS

There was something dark and slightly sad about the crumbling, war-torn streets of Old El Infierno. The graveyards of abandoned cars and checkered teeth patterns of boarded up windows were an eerily familiar sight, reminding her of not-so-distant times. A bit of a frown played across Cosmo's lips as she navigated the battered Accord, all too mindful of the slinking, predatory shadows that sometimes followed "tourists" after dark.

[grendel]

22:52:11 Thursday 04 January 2063 - 42200 Blackridge Court, Outskirts of El Infierno, Los Angeles, CFS

The building is a burned out husk, eight stories of soiled concrete pillars and steel I-beams slowly rotting away in the industrial smog of the Los Angeles basin. No lights shine within, although the block still retains power to some structures. Cosmo takes a turn around the block, scanning the wreckage lining the streets as well as the upper stories for signs of surveillance or ambush. There was enough movement on the street, scavengers and squatters, to give her a moments pause, but none of it appeared as a direct threat to her. Parking across the street, she scanned the area one last time before sliding out of the car and heading towards her rendezvous.

Climbing the wide stone stairs outside the building, Cosmo ghosts through the front entrance, keeping in the shadows. Off the street, now, she sees that a circle of chemlights has been laid out on the ground floor, the faint green glow illuminating half a dozen figures. As Cosmo approaches, the first steps forward, revealing herself to be a slim woman, no older than sixteen. She's dressed in an unmarked khaki jumpsuit, her blonde hair pulled back into a simple ponytail.

"I am Kald," she says softly, her white eyes gleaming in the pale illumination. "Have you brought the items?"

[WinterRat1]

17:16:13 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond


"There's a lot of cousins out in the world, and I'm sure quite a few of them are female. Could you be more specific please? In other words, who is she, what does she look like, and convince me that you really are her cousin, and that you're not looking for her for any nefarious reasons."

[Morgannah]

22:52:35 Thursday 04 January 2063 - 42200 Blackridge Court, Outskirts of El Infierno, Los Angeles, CFS

Interesting choice of third party, she thought to herself, eyeing this evening's Kald. Young, barely a woman, really, but there's nothing childlike about the way she looks out at the world. What happened to make you so distant, I wonder?

"Of course I have, Kald. Would I have come otherwise?"

Cosmo smiled companionably but left no room for an answer. Did they all have that name? A title perhaps? Officer? Lieutenant? She scanned the other half-lit figures, curiously assessing their movements, wondering what sort of society they'd formed together (or with help?) and committing it all to memory. This was her fist glance of these strange children in a group and an opportunity that could not be wasted if they were to have future dealings.

What use would they have for computer parts?

And why them?

That thought dogged her all the way to her crusty Honda and all the way back. For a man that left no detail unobserved and knew things about her that she'd barely realized herself, this group either revealed something about her or something about .. him.

She smiled at the girl again despite the cold reception, offering the handtruck.

"Should I bring this to your friends?"

[grendel]

22:54:08 Thursday 04 January 2063 - 42200 Blackridge Court, Outskirts of El Infierno, Los Angeles, CFS

Kald steps back, the shadows lengthening around her face. She gestures towards one of the other figures, a quick flick of her hand. Cosmo can see that this one is older, more the usual operator stereotype. He wears a black tac vest over his jumpsuit, with an Ares Alpha slung muzzle down across his chest. An Ares Predator III rides in a thigh holster, balanced on the opposite leg by three magazines for the Alpha. He takes the handtruck from Cosmo, retreating back into the shadows of the room. Kald steps forward again, holding out a black plastic folder that Cosmo has grown to hate.

"This is your next tasking. It is time sensitive, so please read all of the materials as soon as possible."

[Morgannah]

22:54:58 Thursday 04 January 2063 - 42200 Blackridge Court, Outskirts of El Infierno, Los Angeles, CFS

If these odd children weren't so bloody fascinating, I'd ..

Cosmo cut that thought off, unfinished, and did her best to ignore that damned folder. Her smile grew somewhat cooler.

"And if I refuse? Will your soldiers take me away now?" She shifted subtly, wondering if the girl knew as much about her as their employer.

"How many more "taskings," Kald, before this is over?"

Of course it's a test, but she doesn't have to know that ....

[grendel]

22:55:33 Thursday 04 January 2063 - 42200 Blackridge Court, Outskirts of El Infierno, Los Angeles, CFS

"Hercules did twelve labors before being released from his obligations," replies Kald, "for you we have only six. All considered, we thought it was a fair bargain for your freedom."

She spreads her right hand to the side again, fingers open, and the tension growing in the four figures behind her eases.

"And no, Ms. Richards, my soldiers are not here to take you back to the stasis chamber if you refuse to continue to work for us. At this point you know too much of our operation to be permitted to live. They are here to kill you if you refuse."

Kald blinks, once, dropping her hand back to her side.

"Now, is there anything else?"

[Morgannah]

22:56:17 Thursday 04 January 2063 - 42200 Blackridge Court, Outskirts of El Infierno, Los Angeles, CF

Cosmo laughed, a genuinely rich sound that seemed completely at odds with the open threats of a moment before. Stylish sunglasses were tipped partway down her nose as she winked at Kald.

"Kill me after such a sizeable investment? Interesting."

She grinned, dimples and white teeth flashing, and pushed her glasses back in place, not needing a blink to switch gears.

"There is one thing. A favor, if you wouldn't mind."

[grendel]

22:57:42 Thursday 04 January 2063 - 42200 Blackridge Court, Outskirts of El Infierno, Los Angeles, CFS

"You of all people should understand the sacrifices necessary when dealing with operational security. Losing you would certainly be a waste of resources, but losing the entire project is unacceptable. What is it that you are asking for?"

Kald waits patiently.

[Morgannah]

22:58:19 Thursday 04 January 2063 - 42200 Blackridge Court, Outskirts of El Infierno, Los Angeles, CFS

Completely unflappable. Amazing.

She inclined her head gracefully, implying that she understood all too well.

"The Kald I spoke with, day before last; I spoke harshly to him and without understanding. Offer my apologies?"

Still smiling as she switched tactics yet again, Cosmo plucked the folder from the younger woman's hands and turned back toward the road, neither expecting or needing an answer. The suggestion was enough.

Shades of years past followed her back to her borrowed car. She'd been younger then, with a simple blonde ponytail of her own, walking from a beat-up old building to a car. Of course, she'd also been escorted by her knight.... A bittersweet smile played across her lips as she could almost feel his fingers threading through hers, the deep, reassuring music of his voice as it teased the soft places behind her ear. What she wouldn't do to feel that again!

Business, girl. If it's time-sensitive you have to start moving. Daydreaming doesn't do you any good, remember?

Sighing softly, she slips back into the car to peruse the contents of the inevitable black folder that had come to symbolize everything she was coming to hate about this city of angels.

[grendel]

23:00:14 Thursday 04 January 2063 - 42200 Blackridge Court, Outskirts of El Infierno, Los Angeles, CFS

The pictures were grainy, black and white surveillance images shot at medium range but with above average resolution to the camera. The faces shown were young, and could have mirrored for the face of the girl she'd just been talking with. Except for the eyes. Text, printed in plain black Courier font at the bottom of the sheet, spells out her mission: 16:00 Friday 05 January 2063 / N34 4.13 W118 13.8 / Terminate with prejuidice

[paul_HArkonen]

17:16:23 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond

Blaze nods, "I can't prove to you that I mean her no harm. I can only offer you my word. Her name is Melissa, she looks like this," Blaze pulls out the picture of Melissa that his aunt gave him. "I know that, at least as of last night, she had escaped and likely hidden here in the barrens. She's the only family I really have, so I hope you can help me find and protect her."

[WinterRat1]

17:16:58 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond

Looking at the photo nonchalantly, Mr. Cao gave no indication, astral or otherwise, that he knew the girl. "Maybe she ran because she wants to stay hidden. If she wanted your help, why didn't she ask you herself?"

[paul_HArkonen]

17:16:58 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond

"Because, to be honest, she probibally doesn't know I'm alive. I'm here to find her, protect her from whatever she ran from, and then let her decide what it is she needs to do. If she chooses to go back to the corps," his voice showing disdain and a touch of hatred, "so be it. I'll try to convincer her otherwise, but just knowing she's alive and safe will be enough for me."

Blaze pauses, and then adds one more sentance, "I need to find and protect her, if I lose more of my family when I could have saved them... I'm not sure what I'd do."

[WinterRat1]

17:17:39 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond

"Why are you so sure she needs your help? What's she running from that has you convinced without your help, she's not going to make it? You mentioned going back to the corps. Is there a corp involved in this, and if so, why wouldn't she turn to them for help? More to the point, what makes her so special that people are after her in the first place?"

Although he doesn't look hostile to their cause, it's clear that Cao won't be suckered into giving anything away just yet.

[Sedna]

17:18:08 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond

Obvious questions, some that Blaze has encountered before, some that he has not. It's just as obvious that he's already built up a paradigm in his mind, probably cored in a past traumatic experience. Based on that past experience, there's things he's taken so deeply for granted that he'd rather revise what's in front of his eyes than revise his beliefs; even if he himself ends up doing just as much damage in the name of what he sees as "good" as what he seeks to fight.

Not her problem.

"Maybe she doesn't," Tazie says, drawing out the words a little like she'd heard the students doing. "Maybe her corp would be the best thing for her, but near's I know, she's out of touch with everyone; she's lost, and maybe she's hurt. Mostly he just wants to know she's okay, talk to her, help her if she needs it. After that, let's see what she thinks is best for her, not you," turning to Blaze; "and also not you," turning to the new guy. "Once we've got that straight, go from there."