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

[Morgannah]

19:57:16 Friday 05 January 2063 - Trade Winds Hotel, Los Angeles, CFS

Clear.

Nodding to herself, she strides from one end of her tiny room to the other, tucking bare legs beneath her as she settles in beside the dingy bed and uses her disposable phone to place one last call.

"Tino? Yes, it's me. New phone. No, I'm sorry .. just a rough day. How are you?"

This post has been edited by Morgannah: Nov 12 2005, 07:20 AM

[grendel]

19:57:34 Friday 05 January 2063 - Trade Winds Hotel, Los Angeles, CFS

"Bella, signora, those days come to everyone. I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is I know who your employer is. The bad news is he left me another binder for you."

[Morgannah]

19:58:42 Friday 05 January 2063 - Trade Winds Hotel, Los Angeles, CFS

Cosmo sat up straighter, instantly alert.

"Did he drop it off himself or through an intermediary? What time did this happen?" She paused, forced a smile, and continued more pleasantly. "That's good news on both counts, Signore. Perhaps you are able to discuss this later on this evening?"

[grendel]

19:59:04 Friday 05 January 2063 - Trade Winds Hotel, Los Angeles, CFS

Drago laughs.

"Of course, bella signora, you may stop by any time tonight and we can discuss this at length. I'll have a glass of merlot waiting for you."

[Morgannah]

19:59:37 Friday 05 January 2063 - Trade Winds Hotel, Los Angeles, CFS

"Ahh, words after my own heart, Tino. I will see you tonight."

Cosmo let out a long breath as she stalked toward her duffel, mentally trying on and throwing off a dozen outfits until she settled on one for the evening. Dress, gun, and knife were laid across her tiny bed, accompanied a few seconds later by shoes, silver jewelry, and a baffling assortment of other silky garments. The thought of changing again and going out was almost enough to put a smile on her face; it was still a game she enjoyed, after all, even if she'd be playing with a heavier heart this time.

Rest first, though. You're no good to anyone if you can't stay sharp..

22:15:06 Friday 05 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

The creature that floated through the restaurant's sparkling archway represented the very best of Cosmo's work. She was stunning, of course, with the same cascading blonde waves that she had come to enjoy so thoroughly this week. The scant black dress she'd chosen for the night suited her perfectly; a simple sheath with just enough movement around the hem to draw attention to shapely stocking-clad legs and razor-sharp stilettos.

All meticulously chosen to draw the attention away from her face, naturally, though some care had been taken in that respect as well. A pair of large, lovely, and impossibly blue eyes stood out from a face that shone as pale as the moon. It was all her, of course, though all but the keenest eyes would be able to notice. She smiled easily now, or seemed to, as she glanced about the dining room for her dear host.

[grendel]

22:19:31 Friday 05 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

Drago was expecting Cosmo. But he wasn't expecting her. It took him a minute to realize that the delectable creature in black was the operator he was scheduled to meet. Catching her eye after a moment, he beckoned her over, sparing a wink for the dusky haired latin maid seated next to him.

"Ah, bella signora, it is good to see you again. May I introduce Magdalena, a very dear friend of mine who's going to go get me another mojito."

He leaned over and whispered something into Magdalena's ear, kissed her cheek, and sent her on her way with an affectionate pat to one well rounded cheek. Smiling, he offered Cosmo the seat across from him as well as the glass of merlot already poured.

"You look ravishing tonight, signora."

[Morgannah]

22:20:48 Friday 05 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

Cosmo watched Magdalena slink off toward the bar with no small amount of amusement before turning sparkling eyes to her fixer.

"Grazie, Signore. In my professional opinion, though, I'd say you have a much better chance at being ravished this evening than I." She lifted the delicate glass in salute, a dimple peeking out of one cheek.

"Tino, I am impressed."

[grendel]

22:21:25 Friday 05 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

Drago chuckles heartily.

"Signora, I wouldn't dream of taking advantage of someone as young and impressionable."

He lowers his voice conspiratorially.

"If, however, she's planning on taking advantage of me, who am I to say no?"

He chuckles again, sipping from his own glass, before pushing another black plastic folder across the table to her.

"Anyway, here is what your employer left for you."

[Morgannah]

22:22:17 Friday 05 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

The bane of her existence.

Laughing softly to conceal a near-physical reaction to the ominous black binder, she sipped carefully from her glass and winked at the laughing Italian.

"It would be your duty, me amico, in that case. You wouldn't want to hurt her feelings, after all."

Cosmo lifted the folder and smiled, feigning indifference as she flipped through its pages. Her voice was light and casual, as though she was asking after a mutual friend and not the man who had turned her world upside down .. someone for whom she would gleefully return the favor as soon as the opportunity presented itself.

"Mm, grazie. What can you tell me about him, Tino?"

[grendel]

22:23:02 Friday 05 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

Drago takes a drink of water, glancing surreptitiously to the left and right before answering.

"He's young. Dark hair. White eyes. He's what they call otaku, a child of the matrix. I don't know his tribe, he was dressed in business attire, and he had a pair of bodyguards with him. Says his name is Kald."

The binder is the same, but the instructions inside are different. Instead of blueprints and a list of serial numbers, this time there is an unmarked plastic maglock keycard, several high resolution digital images of an enclosed bed Ares Roadmaster cargo vehicle. Behind that is what appears to be a block wiring diagram for the installation of some kind of electronics. And then, the ubiquitous latitude and longitude.

[Morgannah]

22:24:16 Friday 05 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

The stream of curses that ran through her mind right then would have made a pirate blush. Out of respect for Tino, however, she kept her face impassive and nodded slowly.

"When did he drop this off?"

Her fustration was not at an end, however, as she glanced through commercial stills from an Ares matrix site. Just a normal Roadmaster with plans for attaching a .. box to the nav system. Cosmo flipped the keycard about her fingers, nodding again when a business card fell into her lap.

Motel 8? Wait, Otaku?

"How much can you tell me about the Otaku?"

[grendel]

22:26:19 Friday 05 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

Magdalena choses that time to reappear with Drago's mojito, and he sips from the drink with a thoughtful expression on his face.

"They call themselves the children of the matrix. They're organized into tribes. No one really knows along what lines they divide themselves, but it's uncanny how they seem to know who belongs where. I don't know much about them, but they're rumored to have unique abilities inside the matrix. Supposed to be able to deck without programs, to be able to infiltrate UV systems, move like ghosts in the machine. Not sure how much of it I believe, but I know they do exist."

He pauses for a moment to sip from his drink again.

"You know who you should talk to? I've got a friend who does a lot of work online. Goes by the name of Oracle. You'll have to go to a virtual meeting, though, he doesn't do any face to face, but I can set it up if you're interested."

[Morgannah]

22:28:24 Friday 05 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

Cosmo smiled companionably at Magdalena and refused to be put off by her re-appearance. Healthy suspicion rose to the surface of her mind, however.

"Grazie. Very much so, though I might need a bit of coaching first." She paused as well, sipping her merlot, considering how to proceed. The world of the Matrix was almost as much of a mystery to her as the unseen Astral but at least she had a chance at learning a bit about the former and had been meaning to do so for a while now.

"Hmm. How much would we be looking at to set up a workable 'deck? Nothing fancy, of course," she winked and sipped again, "but adequate for a novice?"

[grendel]

22:29:47 Friday 05 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

Drago shakes his head.

"Expensive, at least twenty thousand. And a week to get things right. There are easier ways of setting things up, though. UCLA has an excellent matrix lab."

[Morgannah]

22:30:03 Friday 05 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

She suppressed a shudder at the thought of leaving her body unattended with so many complete strangers nearby, much less in a "lab" of any sort.

Twenty thousand in exchange for some peace of mind? It's a deal at five times the price .. but .. frugality first.

"I would have to tour the facilities beforehand. What else would we have in the way of options?"

[grendel]

22:30:53 Friday 05 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

"There are private locations as well, cubicles to be rented by the hour similar to a coffin motel, full access as long as you bring your own deck or your own set of trodes. Or, you could try and arrange the services of an info broker or decker of your own, to take you along as a hitcher."

[Morgannah]

22:32:35 Friday 05 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

Trodes might just be the cheapest way to go, but .. Cosmo nodded slowly, unconsciously smoothing her hair.

"The trodes, then. Could you also round up a list of these points of access, for your usual fee, of course?" She smiled charmingly and pulled a folded sheet of paper from her handbag, handing it to Tino with a playful wink. "I've prepared this as well, if you don't mind another order, Signore."

[grendel]

22:33:02 Friday 05 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

Drago glances over the list as he takes another sip from his cocktail. Magdalena stares around the restaurant, making only a cursory effort to conceal her boredom. The heavyset fixer nods to himself as he mentally ticks off items on Cosmo's list.

"It's going to take some time for this gear, signora, possibly as much as three or four days. The list I can have for you almost immediately, and the trodes will be three hundred. If you'd like to wait, perhaps have another drink?"

[Morgannah]

22:33:44 Friday 05 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

"It will not be necessary to procure everything at once. Transport, the list, and those trodes are my priority and I'm willing to pay top dollar to get mobile again. As for the rest," she pauses, half-smiling at Magdalena, "I am able to wait a short while."

"Take your time, Tino. I've probably skipped a meal or two today so if you don't mind, I'll bring my drink to the bar and order there."

[grendel]

22:34:11 Friday 05 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

"I'll pass the info along to Mario, who's tending bar tonight. Expect it within the hour."

Drago tips his glass to Cosmo before draining the cocktail and reaching for the battered case of his Quantum data unit in order to process her request. Magdalena sighed, sorting noisily through her purse for a compact to check her impeccable make-up with.

[Morgannah]

22:34:52 Friday 05 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

"Grazie, I will not keep you any longer. Please, enjoy the rest of your evening and forgive my interruption."

Cosmo inclines her head and smiles at the pair before rising gracefully and turning to make her way toward the bar. She waved the menu away with a wink and ordered the evening's special along with a plate of bruschetta and another glass of merlot.

23:41:18 Friday 05 January 2063 - Il Grano Restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

The meal was as delicious as she knew it would be; she had developed a passion for scallops during her time at the School and found that this evening's slightly piquant butter sauce highlighted their tender sweetness to perfection. The privacy she had been afforded made dinner that much more enjoyable, allowing her to pen a few notes while she ate. Cosmo smiled at Mario as he placed two take-away boxes in front of her .. one would hold the eye-boggling amount of pastries she had ordered in place of dessert and the other, she surmised, contained the trodes.

She took a deep breath, finally handing a folded sheet of paper to the bartender as she slotted her credstick. The tip she left was generous, to say the least.

"Would you see that Signore Drago receives this? Grazie."

It was a short letter, penned in one of the elegant cursive scripts she'd perfected some years ago:

[grendel]

00:01:01 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Trade Winds Hotel, Los Angeles, CFS

The LED readout on the bedside table sent a slight shiver down Cosmo's spine as she remembered another digital time in the not so distant past. The hotel room was dark and empty, filled only with the hollow sounds of the city outside. With a sigh, she knelt by the small efficiency fridge to put her leftovers in.

[Morgannah]

00:01:03 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Trade Winds Hotel, Los Angeles, CFS

Four days, twenty three hours, and one minute, she grimaced, closing the tiny fridge with much more force than necessary, and what have I learned?

Cosmo stalked across the hotel room, needing to move, to act, to give her body something to do while her mind waded through puzzles that only grew more and more complicated as she tried to pull them apart.

Two thefts .. one hit .. contracted by Otaku? No, that can't be right; the Kalds are lieutenants; their soldiers are older, stronger. Khaki jumpsuits. Standard issue hints at greater organization and the hierarchy confirms it .. but who leads? A Kald in a suit is still a Kald, after all, and the binders have to come from somewhere. Server parts and Otaku make sense, sort of, but why the hit?

She paused, mid stride, an unprocessed image of crashing waves and mirrored windows hovering in the back of her mind. The cabin cruiser along Rockport Beach. N41335. An identification number?

One more thing to check into. Draw the lines .. find the connection.

Lines .. lines. Her restless pacing continued. No, a web. A Spider.. placing every thread just so. Organized. Methodical. Spirits, he could have been at this for years. But why bring in freelancers when there's an army of grunts and lieuts already in place? Why me? Someone inside knows at least as many details as my fixer did, but that was Seattle .. two years ago .. and these haven't exactly been contract negotiations, either. The timing has to mean something. Again, deliberate. Why?

She spun about, a low growl tearing through the otherwise silent room. If she knew enough that backing out on Kalds and Co. would get her killed, then why wasn't anything making any bloody sense?! Cosmo fumed, knowing that someone had made this personal by bringing her, specifically, into this crazy web; she would have been issued a jumpsuit, tac vest, Alpha, and Pred otherwise .. or been left to rot in her 'storage chamber.'

It didn't take long to make up her mind, naturally, and she was suited up and ready to go within ten minutes. One of the locations on Tino's list was within ten kilometers, a brief cab ride away....

[grendel]

00:24:33 Saturday 06 January 2063 - Hive Mind, 2033 Carver Blvd, Los Angeles, CFS

Cosmo double checked the number printed on the disposable plastic keycard issued by the registration machine on the ground floor, comparing it with the badly worn stencil on the cubicle door in front of her. 4R20. Slotting the card, she tugged open the reinforced plastic panel, grimacing mentally at the stale air that puffed out of the narrow coffin-like enclosure. It reeked of disinfectant and cheap air freshener. With a sigh, she pitched her bag in, before following headfirst.

The door closed automatically behind her, cutting out the dim hallway lighting in favor of the industrial white illumination from the glowstrips tacked along the overhead seams. The flatscreen display on the ceiling flickered to life, the welcome graphic being replaced by the ready display of the Hive Mind's host as well as the digital counter in the corner representing her current tab.

Reaching into her bag, Cosmo withdrew the shrinkwrapped plastic package the bartender had given her several hours earlier. The packaging surrendered easily to her clasp knife, and she unrolled the netlike set of trodes. Pulling out her ponytail, she ran her hands across her hair to smooth it down before cupping the interface net in her hands and settling it on her head. It wasn't that her hairstyle would have interfered with the connections, just that it was uncomfortable to lay on for any length of time. Careful not to dislodge the trode set, she unwound the datacable from its plastic storage pod and clipped it into the jack on the sidewall.

Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and activated the interface link, feeling reality dissolve around her.

[Moirdryd]

02:40 Sunday January 7th, 2063 - Cao Jaan`s Halfway House- Redmond Barrens

Feeling glad he had'nt indulged too deeply of his night out with Portia, Knight's senses came up sharp as he was addressed by the troll. He felt the re-assuring click as Rosekiss moved that all important half inch in his grip meaning she would draw and cut in a single smooth motion.

" Null persp chica, chummer of Cao's, crashing at his doss tonight. Scan?"

Knight deliberately let his voice slurr a touch, hoping his natural accent would also add to the impression he was more inebriated than the couple of shots he'd had. In the same moment as he speaks his grip is re-angling itself on Rosekiss for most efficiency and coiling knotwork patterns of power begin to form themselves in his mind. First and foremost of which comes a gentle swirl of silvery lines interlacing into themselves in an almost hypnotic fashion.

With his Stun spell ready to be unleashed Knight turns affecting a touch of a stumble, fingers still light and ready upon Rosekiss, and takes a few steps towards the doorway to the Halfway House.