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

[WinterRat1]

1026 January 1, 2063 - Jungle Jim's Junkyard (now under no ownership)

The other two gangers' eyes widen. "Boss, that's a lot of jing! Forget the slitch, we can always find another!"

Barking at them to shut up, the leader just squints at Cao Jaan. "200, eh? You must really want to help this biff. Make it 300, even split for me and my boys, and you got a deal."

[Madda_Gaska]

1026 January 1, 2063 - Jungle Jim's Junkyard (now under no ownership)

Okay, so it should've been less for a first offer...

Jaan considers this for a moment, the inclines his head slightly.

"As you wish."

That's nearly half my cash, but at least it saves any trouble.

Jaan hunts through several pockets, pulling out 300 nuyen.

[Bearclaw]

1107, January 1 2063 - Auburn Center Mall

Smiling, Klaus takes the envelope and says, "Yes Mr Madison, we have a deal. I shall contact you every 24 hours with an update."
"Please don't be offended by this question, but I must ask. What is your limit on expenses? Sometimes problems can arise that can be smoothed over enough nuyen. At what point do I say 'I'm sorry, but that's more than my employer is willing to pay'?"

[paul_HArkonen]

0902 January 1, 2063- Blaze's Doss

Ok got my gear and from what i can remember i'm not going to be tossed out immediately for bringing this. Sliding it out of its holster Blaze checks over his Predator, more times than I can count holding this has saved me from Geek the mage. As James always said, "the first thing to being an effective shadow shaman DON'T LOOK LIKE ONE" well its proven true many times, I think. Adjusting it Blaze slides the gun into a holster hidden under his arm where he could easily reach it but it won't be easily spotted. Well let's just see what happens with this shall we. It's still bugging me though who the drek is this woman?

0905 January 1, 2063- Below Blaze's Doss

Stepping into the small parking lot below his home Blaze walks over to his bike Such a sweet ride, and it shouldn't stand out too much, although its too bad that traffic will prevent me from really opening up the throttle Sliding into the seat Blaze snaps on his helmet and starts the engine. It always takes me forever to get into downtown Seattle I might as well start now[/COLOR]

1130 January 1, 2063- just outside of Miner's Landing

Max always said the first rule of shadowrunning was to show up early to the meet and check out the place, well here I am. Wandering around the outside of the building Blaze works at making a mental note of where the exits are and where the roads lead out of the building. After wandering about for a few minutes Blaze slides his senses over to the Astral Plane. Almost immediately the City's cars and buildings blur together, but the people, wow, around here there is actual happiness. coming from the people wandering about enjoying their holiday, waling their holiday drinks from the night before off. The emotions of the area permeate his sight as Blaze focuses in on the building and its inhabitants, so many happy and, I assume, smiling people. allowing his vision to go back to the physical world Blaze watches the entrance for nearly 20 minutes taking note of the people who enter, trying to discover who this Mysterious woman might be. After exactly 20 minutes Blaze walks into the building.

1150 January 1, 2063- Miner's Landing

Entering the building Blaze looks around for a moment then turns to the Matre d', "I'm here with margret Party of two, I know I'm slightly early and I apologize but do you know if our table is ready?" As he speaks Blaze slides his hand into the pocket of his long coat, fingering the edge of his bug scanner.

[WinterRat1]

1026 January 1, 2063 - Jungle Jim's Junkyard (now under no ownership)

The leader looks at Cao Jaan funny, like he can’t really believe that he actually accepted the deal. After a moment or two, he grins. “OK chummer. You got yourself a deal. You want her that bad, you can have her.”

Motioning to the goon with the knife, knife boy creeps cautiously forward, putting away his knife in the process. He stops within a few feet of Cao Jaan, who tosses him the money. Knife boy catches it, counts it, and yells back, “It’s all here boss!” like he’s surprised that Cao Jaan actually paid up and didn’t jump him or something.

The leader nods, as if he isn’t really too surprised by this. “All right boys, deal’s a deal. He held up his end, we’ll hold up ours. Let’s go.” Turning to Cao Jaan, he adds with a grin, “Nice doing biz with you chummer. Enjoy your new friend.” With a leer, he then turns his bike and slowly pulls away, the other two hopping on bikes that they’d apparently left a bit farther down and roaring off after him.

The woman tries to pull herself to her feet again, finds that she can’t, and begins crawling towards Cao Jaan. After a few feet, she collapses face down in the dirt and does not move.

[WinterRat1]

1107, January 1 2063 - Auburn Center Mall

Mr. Madison smiles at Klaus’s acceptance of the deal. “24 hour updates is good. You are authorized to spend a maximum of 4000 nuyen in expenses with no questions asked. After that, you will be requested to justify any additional expenditures.”

Answering an unasked question, he continues, “I trust your professionalism will not abuse this arrangement, therefore I am willing to give you the tools you need to get the job done to my satisfaction. Is this arrangement satisfactory to you? If it is, I believe this concludes our business.”

He looks at Klaus expectantly.

[Bearclaw]

1108, January 1 2063 - Auburn Center Mall

Klaus nods "Yes sir it does. You will hear from me by this time tomarrow, barring emergency."
Turning and walking away, Kluas heads towards a restroom, meanwhile calling Norman again on his cell "Hey Norman, got time to pick me up where you dropped me off? Not sure as to the destination yet. 45 minutes? OK, see you then."
Finding the restroom, Kluas steps into the hadicapt/meta sized stall, drops his pants and sits on the stool. He then opens the folder, putting the credsticks into his pocket and examines the rest of the contents.

[WinterRat1]

1108, January 1 2063 - Auburn Center Mall- A Toilet Stall

Inside the envelope, Klaus finds a credstick for 2000 nuyen, another for 500 nuyen, a small cannister very cold to the touch that most likely contains the material link preserved inside, and a datachip. Everything that Mr. Madison said would be there. There is nothing else.

The next stall over, the disgusting sound of someone taking a very large, very loud, and a second later, as the shink hits, very smelly dump assaults Klaus's senses.

[Bearclaw]

1109 Jan 1 2063 - Auburn Center Mall

Klaus stuffs the chip and the canister back in the envelope, puts that in the inside pocket of his jacket, puts the credsticks in his front pants pockets and flushes. He stops to wash his hand, and heads to the You Should Not Eat So Much booth on the food court, for a troll sized order of General Tso's chicken with white rice. There he contemplates purchasing a pocket secretary, so he can read the chip. He's needed one, but he decides to wait as he may need the money for other things.
He heads out front, and fires up his heavy English Briar pipe. The heady aroma of brandy mixes with the tobacco smoke, instantly bringing on a state of relaxation, and thoughts of a fireplace on a cold winter night. Thoughts of Inga, an old girlfriend who shared that cabin with him start dancing through his head until he sees Norman pull into the parking lot.
Coming back to reality, Klaus lets the pipe die, drops it into the overcoat pocket, and climbs into the cab. "Hey Norman, long time no see. I think I'll just head home. I guess the Sonics are playing the Knicks tonight. What do you think?"
And with that Norman is off and running.
Fourty-five minutes later, Klaus gets out of the cab, pays another eighty nuyen and heads upstairs to his flat.
Firing up the telcom, he grabs a bottle of water, a note pad and pen and an empty ash tray. Slotting the chip in the telcom, he kicks back in his oversized armchair with the remote in one hand and the pen in the other, and the pipe clamped in his teeth. The chip opens the first document on the chip and Klaus begins taking notes.

[WinterRat1]

1151 January 1, 2063- Miner’s Landing

The hostess looks at Blaze and smiles. “Certainly sir. I believe your party is already here. Please follow me.” Grabbing a menu, she turns and starts walking towards the table. Blaze is nearly shaking with anticipation. Who knew his name? What would they want? Where had they been all this time? What the heck was even going on? All these, and so many more questions besides.

The answer to all those questions…resided in a middle-aged woman. At least, it appeared that it would start there. Waiting at a table, seated facing him so that she watched him approach was a human woman who appeared to be in her late forties or early fifties. Her hair was a light platinum blonde, and she had obviously aged fairly well. Whether that was thanks to money or good genetics was uncertain, but the results were unmistakable.

“Here you are sir. Enjoy your meal.” The hostess places the menu on the place setting in front of Blaze, who sits. At a smile and wave from the woman across from him, the hostess takes her cue and departs.

“Are you hungry Richard? Have you eaten yet today? You should try the house special for a drink, it’s quite good.” Casually making conversation without even remotely hitting on business, she ordered for both him and herself when their waitress arrived. Continuing to chat with him about the weather, Seattle sports teams, and everything but what he was here to talk about, Blaze started to get frustrated…

[Madda_Gaska]

1027 January 1, 2063 - Jungle Jim's Junkyard (now under no ownership)

Jaan moves to crouch next to her. He glances over her injuries, looking for evidence of broken bones.

"Hello, I'm Cao Jaan. Can you speak?"

Now, we just need to get you back to the warehouse. Should I tell the Sickles about these guys though? If I do then there may be trouble, but they said they'd do this again. Happy new year indeed!

[WinterRat1]

1028 January 1, 2063 - Jungle Jim's Junkyard (now under no ownership)

Jaan's medical knowledge is insufficient to properly assess the extent of the woman's injuries. What he was able to discern was that she was unconscious. That was about it. Cursing his ineptitude, he carried her back to the warehouse. Once there, he knew he needed to do something about her injuries. He cleaned off the blood as best he could, but he couldn't determine exactly what to do next.

And of course, he remembered to bring the toilet cistern back with him.

[Madda_Gaska]

1044 January 1, 2063 - An abandoned warehouse in the Redmond Barrens

Jaan, realising the futility of continuing to fuss, makes her as comfortable as he can in a corner of the old gents'. With her comfort assured as best it can be, he sets about the cistern and the broken toilet with a purpose, a hammer, and two screwdrivers.

[WinterRat1]

1144 January 1, 2063 - An abandoned warehouse in the Redmond Barrens

The toilet now works. Sort of. The water doesn't really look like water, and there's a 50/50 chance it'll flush or flood, but technically, it works. Jaan makes a note to self to get himself some real tools if he's going to keep up this do it yourself thing.

[paul_HArkonen]

1201 January 1, 2063- Miner’s Landing

Looking accross the table at this woman who pretends to know him by using a name, that for him, has long been dead, Blaze begins to anger. "I don't know why you insist on calling me Richard, as I said over the phone my name is Blaze, Richard was a kid who died in the streets years ago after his parents died. Don't use that name. We both know why we're here, and as pleasant as this small talk is, I'd like to get to the real discussions. I'm truly interested in two things first off, how is it that you know the name of that child, who are you connected to that knows of that name? And secondly what do you have about the murder? If you're worried about something you can use this," sliding out the bug scanner just enough so that she can see it Blaze conitinues, "to check our table and the like. But whatever the case, I would like the answers now." At then end of this he turns to his meal and begins to eat.

[WinterRat1]

1202 January 1, 2063- Miner’s Landing

The woman gives him a sad smile. She has a far away look in her eyes, like she's remembering something. Slowly, she sets aside her glass and her plate, and rests both her hands palm down on the table in front of her.

“I’m sorry Richard. I’m not trying to toy with you. It’s been such a long time since I’ve last seen you…it's so good to just sit and talk with you.”

Blaze’s anger dims slightly to confusion. Seen me? What the heck is she talking about?

She looks down, and when she looks up again, the youth seems to have faded from her a bit, replaced by age and weariness in her eyes. “I’ve been looking for you for a long time. I know you probably don’t remember me, because you were very, very small when I last saw you.”

She gazes into his eyes, pinning him in place. It almost seems surreal, that this woman should know so much about him. Or claim to, at least, he reminds himself cynically.

“My name is Margaret Smith. Your father was my brother. I am your aunt, Richard.”

Silence descends on the table as quickly as the bomb she just dropped.

[Madda_Gaska]

1207 January 1, 2063 - An abandoned warehouse in the Redmond Barrens

Jaan looks most pleased that the toilet seems almost functional.

I must be improving, it took me three days to dry my clothes after the last time I tried this!

With the repairs complete, Jaan goes back to tend to the injured woman. His smile quickly dies as he realises she doesn't seem any closer to waking than before.

Is she getting worse? Maybe I should see about getting someone to take a look at her. Should I move her, though? Oh, for an extra pair of hands!

[Madda_Gaska]

1212 January 1, 2063 - The Crimson Sickles' disused fast food joint (HQ)

Leaving the wounded woman in the care of one of the more trustworthy of the squatters- with 20 nuyen and a ration bar (and the promise of more)- Jaan had walked out to pay his 'rent' for the month and see if he could find a healer.

Paying Lump Hammer, the elven leader of the sickles, Jaan decided to see if he might be able to help.

"Happy new year, Hammer. Here's your money- and the hoping that it aids your celebrations. I'd like to ask a favour though. If I were looking for a shaman or street-doc, who would you recommend?"

[WinterRat1]

1213 January 1, 2063 - The Crimson Sickles' disused fast food joint (HQ)

Hammer grunts something that remotely sounds like Happy New Year and starts counting the money. Hearing Jaan's question, he squints and looks up.

"Hmm...street doc, eh? You be wantin a legit doc with a gen-u-ine real hospital, or just a little somethin for folks like us?"

[WinterRat1]

1215 Jan 1 2063 - Klaus's Doss

The first document comes up as Klaus takes a swig of the water. First, a picture comes up, showing a pretty human woman with a lovely smile. Her eyes are filled with life, and even through the electronic medium, display a zest and joy for life, with a deeper sense of...something...compassion maybe?

Klaus raises an eyebrow. Hmm...that's a really good picture...

Pulling up the next few documents reveals more photos from several angles. Generally, she seems to be a fashionable, but tasteful, dresser. After a few more photos, he comes to a printed text document with the following data.

Subject Name: Melissa Walker
Age: 26
Height: 5'9
Weight: 142 lbs
Blood type: A negative
Date of Birth: 09-24-2037

Along with a whole assortment of other data. Skimming through the data, Klaus pieces together the following story.

A solid overachiever, upon graduating from MIT & M with a degree in biotechnology, she entered a solid job with Universal Omnitech as a researcher. All this by the age of 20. She was married shortly after, at 21, and her life seemed set. However, she manifested magical abilities late in life at the age of 24, and the resultant trauma caused her mental condition to destabilize, even as she learned to control her powers. The company paid for her magical training, but the trauma continued to manifest in a rebellious and independent streak not previously seen.

Matters apparently came to a head recently. When her husband, David Walker was killed in a tragic accident during an experiment a week ago, she snapped, and vanished from their condoplex. The company is worried about her, and wants her safely returned so she can undergo counseling and therapy to help her deal with the shock of her husband's death as well as residual trauma from her late magical manifestation.

Klaus takes another swig of the water as he finishes digesting the contents of the file.

[Madda_Gaska]

1213 January 1, 2063 - The Crimson Sickles' disused fast food joint (HQ)

"The facilities are not of importance to me, I am simply looking for a first diagnosis at this point. Any help you might provide would be gratefully received."

Jaan gives a half bow to Hammer, and smiles.

[WinterRat1]

1213 January 1, 2063 - The Crimson Sickles' disused fast food joint (HQ)

Hammer looks at him funny. "Right...whatever you just said..." Shrugging his shoulders, he says, "Me and the boys usually use Dr. Bob's Quickstitch out at 15001 NE 40th Street. You catch that?"

Jaan nods. "Thank you very much for your assistance." He turns to leave, and adds, "Have a Happy New Year."

As he is leaving, Tiny stops him. "Hey...herd u wuz lookin fer a doc o somethin'. I be herin u aight?"

Jaan takes a moment to digest this before nodding. "K...well herz the thing. I nows 'is guy, hes tryin to get 'is own clink goin'. Maybe he 'elp u out, cuz he neds the biz, u now? 'Nd e be carin bout hows e does, cuz e needs the rep, ya nows? Yer chummer, youse probly wantin qua...qua...qua...za ggood schtuff, 'm I rights?"

Luckily, Jaan had been around Tiny enough to understand what she was saying. Sort of. He paused to think it through before answering.

[Bearclaw]

1430 Jan 1 2063 - Klaus's Doss

Klaus frowns as he sits down with a beer. As usual in cases where a private investigator is called in, things appear to be morally and legally murky. Has this woman lost her mind? Probably not. Is she lost and in need of help? Maybe. Was her husbands death an accident? Maybe. Well, no time like now to answer a few of the questions the file has brought up.

Klaus hits the restroom, finishes his beer, and sits down to do some real work.

Relaxing into his overstuffed armchair, Klaus reaches into the astral plane and calls for a watcher "Come to me Little Bear, I have need of your services."

I'm here. How can I help you?

"Well" says Klaus, "first, you can rest for about 15 minutes while I do the last couple of things I need to do."
With that, Kluas gets opens up the canister and removes a sample of hair. Switching his vision to the astral plane, Klaus studies the aura from the sample for 3 minutes, trying to memorize it.
Between the aura and the photo's, Klaus feels he has a pretty good picture of Melissa in his head.
He kicks back in his chair and relaxes, letting his mind float free for 10 minutes, recovering the strength he lost summoning the watcher.
When he feels refreshed, Klaus sits up and says "OK, Little Bear. See if you can find this woman."
The spirit circles around Klaus for a minute, looking at the picture he's projecting, and sniffing it, then it takes off. Klaus follows immediately behind, hoping to keep up.

[WinterRat1]

1530 Jan 1 2063 - Somewhere in Seattle, Astral Plane

After about an hour of zipping around Seattle, it was becoming increasingly clear that this Little Bear wasn't finding anything, and wasn't going to any time soon. Annoyed by the lack of success, Klaus went through his options.

I guess I could try again with another watcher, or go do it the old fashioned way. Either way, I need a new plan, because this little guy isn't finding anything.

[WinterRat1]

1415 January 1, 2063 - The Crimson Sickles' disused fast food joint (HQ)

As Cao Jaan was thinking about how to answer, a member of the Sickles walked in and asked Tiny if she and her friend would like to play cards. She eagerly accepted, and she and Cao spent the next two hours playing cards with other members of the Sickles.

As one of them was getting some beers for the crew, she turned to Cao and asked, "'Ey there, bout ur chum, ya be wantin' the name o tat doc o what? ur chum need medikal 'elp bad o wat?"

1630 Jan 1 2063 - Somewhere in Seattle, Astral Plane

Klaus had stopped following the watcher and had been cruising around in Astral space for a while. A friendly little spirit came up to him and sniffed him. Klaus absently petted it on the head before sending it on its way.

Hmm...ok, that watcher didn't turn out too well...what should I do next he wondered.

1217 January 1, 2063- Miner’s Landing

Blaze did not respond to this bombshell, instead just sitting quietly and continuing to eat. Despite Margaret's repeated inquiries as to his thoughts, he just silently sat there eating. Eventually, she just gave up and the two of them sat and worked on their meals in silence.