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

[banditf50]

1119 January 6, 2063 - Street Outside of Tommy Wong's

Seizing what he saw as a valuable tactical advantage Virgil pulled mana around him and shaped it into a powerful blast. I may only get one spell off before I have that elemental turns his attention this way, and Dragon has enough to worry about without enemy magic raining down on him. Gathering the needed energy took only a moment in realtime and with the enemy mage squarely in his line of sight Virgil send the blast screaming towards him.

[WinterRat1]

1119 January 6, 2063 - Street Outside of Tommy Wong's

Feeling the ground shudder beneath him, Dragon's mind screamed, ELEMENTAL!!! Earth, most likely. Risking a quick glance at Sybersnake, he wasn't sure if she could handle it. Drek! gotta get her out of here. I don't think she can take it in here getting engulfed like that.

Without looking at Tiffany, he yelled, "Get across the street quick!" That should give her some cover from the sniper. Gotta get Syber out of here before that sammy comes into play. Putting thought into action, he grabbed a hold of the injured decker and yanked, trying desperately to free her from the elemental's grasp.

[Sedna]

1119 January 6, 2063 - Street Outside of Tommy Wong's

And with his last strength -- and more he didn't know he had -- Dragon gets Sybersnake free ... just. She's clear now, for the moment, but she's injured and dazed: and she's still clutching her pack.

Hearing him, Tiffany bolts into the open to seize her arm and pull her to shelter. It's an awkward moment, tears of pain shoot into Sybersnake's eyes even through the shock and the pack almost slips from her fingers before the reporter manages to adjust to support her around her ribcage and under her other arm, hooking in the pack, and half-pull, half-drag her to the safety of the overhanging roofs on the other side of the street. Dragon hadn't thought to say anything else, but she must have noticed how that bullet came in as well. Once in sniper cover on the other side -- through the soft swirls of mana Virgil absently notes that the spirit is still helping to conceal them -- she lets Sybersnake slump to the ground behind her and is fishing for something out of her bag.

Virgil releases his spell. It shudders through him with a sense of sheer ... power, what else could you really call it? Tingling, burning, ripping through his nervous system -- and hooking itself deeply into the core of the other magician.

The casual chatting of the crowd seemed terribly loud.

Then smoke began to drift from the mage's eyes, and then his open mouth, his fingernails. In the last moment before he slumped to the ground, the raw power escaped his body as a blinding light suddenly streamed from his eyes and mouth and began to consume him from within.

In the sudden silence against the distant sirens, Virgil had a horrible moment of time to see Dragon disappear into the street, and to realise, oh Tyr, it's uncontrolled ...

[banditf50]

1119 January 6, 2063 - Street Outside of Tommy Wong's

The endorphin high brought on by the power of the spell crackling through his body waned shaply as Virgil turned his attention back to assesing the progress of the battle. He'd known when he first decided to engage the mage that the possibility of the elemental becoming uncontrolled was very real, but the threat of an enemy mage was much to dire to pass up a golden tactical oppurtunity.

A warrior must adapt and evolve. Carry out each action while adusting his tactics to the ebb and flow of the battle. Such is the wisdom of Tyr.

Looking past the scence of Dragon struggling against engulfement by the elemental Virgil noticed that Tiffany had instantly responded to Sybersnake being freed from the sinking street. Virgil had been worried that she might be wrought with panic in the chaos of the situation, but whatever fear she might've felt, her actions were with a cool resolve.

Excellent, that should get them out of immediate sniper danger for the moment. Perhaps I was too quick in questioning her character.

The panicked screams coming from in front of the restaruant caused Virgil to turn his attention to the frightened mob of people. If the elemental's destruction of the street hadn't scared them enough, the sudden collapse of the dead mage was certainly enough to push them over the edge of rationality. If that elemental doesn't decide to trapse back to the metaplanes this entire street is in serious danger.

Virgil did not see any immediate way for them to escape unless the elemental was delt with. Although even if a way presented himself there was no way that he could abandon the scene and let the elemental have it's way with the panicked crowd. Grant me strength Tyr. The strength to follow in your image..

[SentineloftheMou...]

[Sedna]

[Sedna]

1119 January 6, 2063 - Street Outside of Tommy Wong's

And then Dragon managed to claw his way out, coughing, dirt shaking from every part of him, caked into his hair, under his eyelids, somehow gotten beneath his clothes: but he was free. The rest could wait.

The street rose up in front of him. It took no astral vision to see that. Someone in the crowd screamed again. In a moment it would plunge down again upon Dragon. No, not upon him; its attention had never been on him, not completely. It was looking -- if "looking" could be said to be the word -- straight at Sybersnake. The curve of its overhanging body shifted, moved slightly toward the two women.

A visible tremour ran through it, through the ground. The earth shrugged under Virgil's feet, causing him to stagger a little. A few people in the crowd fell down.

Its attention shifted again, this time straight at Virgil. Then it plunged into the earth -- and vanished.

[banditf50]

1119 January 6, 2063 - Street Outside if Tommy Wong's

Virgil's got a sick feeling in his stomach as he watched the earthen beast turn it's attention towards the area where Tiffany and Sybersnake had taken cover across the street. While he couldn't not realy trace the "gaze" of the elemental, Virgil knew that it's attention was sighted only on Sybersnake. It was crystal clear that this hit team was here for her, the elemental had probably been commanded to ambush her and Dragon just happened to be close enough to bear some of the brunt of the elemental's engulf attack.
Knowing that there was no way the two women would be able to mount a defense against the magical creation Virgil felt mixed sensation of relief and dread when the beast turned it's lifeless glare onto to him.

This elemental is pretty strong, it has to know that I am the one that killed it's summoner. It also has to know that if it chooses to stay on this plane that I am the only being present that poses a signifigant threat to it.

The milliseconds ticked by in an agonizing eternity as Virgil prepared to mount a defense against the onslaught he was sure was coming any instant. And then as soon as the gaze began, the elemental broke off and retreated from Virgil's astral vision. Franticaly scanning the astral plane for the burning signiture of the elemental beast Virgil hoped beyond hope that it had just decided to return to it's home plane. By Tyr we could use a stroke of favor at this moment.

Feeling the adrenaline causing a slight tremor in his hands all Virgil could do was watch, and wait.

[SentineloftheMou...]

1215 January 8, 2063 - the prospective place downtown

"I am interested in the property", Andie says sincerely to the agent. "I currently have about 9,000 nuyen for the down payment now with more available to me at the end of the month if that is acceptable." Andie gauges the agent's reaction at this point.

"And I would be interested in your help with changing the zoning of the building and the construction help from your friend, assume they are reliable.

Do you think we can reach an agreement on this??"

[WinterRat1]

1119 January 6, 2063 - Street Outside if Tommy Wong's

Gasping for air, Dragon pulled himself out of the ground. I swear to God, I hate getting engulfed! Fragging drek eating son-of-a-slitch! I did my part keeping its attention occupied at least. Virgil better be ready to fry its hoop when it comes back.

Looking around, he saw the earth elemental look at Sybersnake and Tiffany , then Virgil . Then it vanished. Frag! Where did it go? Glancing back at the crowd, Dragon’s gaze locked in on the cyberguy, apparently still caught off guard by the rapid turn of events. Well screw the elemental, he’s Virgil’s problem now. I better take care of this bad boy before he gets a chance to come into play. For that matter, I better take my own advice and get clear of the sniper too.

Walking across the street and leveling the Savalette Guardian in his hands in the appropriate two-handed Weaver grip, Dragon let the crosshairs in his eye fix themselves in on his target. The red crosshairs from his smartlink linked the gun to his body, helping him hone in on the target, while the rangefinder in his eyes marked off the range. As he moved across the street toward cover, towards the sniper and inside his firing zone, he locked in on the razorboy and fired off a pair of rounds.

[SentineloftheMou...]

1330 January 8, 2063 - Land's End Magic Shop

After adding a little magical energy into the circulation and monitoring its saturation into the mix Andie continues to monitor its progress.

Nothing left to do for the moment but to sit back and watch.

Andie finds the telephone and calls Jack Soloman. "Hi Jack. It's Andie. How are you doing? Say, I need a favor. Can do a background check on a piece of property for me downtown? Past tenants, real estate taxes, the real estate agent's rep, current zoning, etc.

I'm thinking of buying the property, but the deal seems too good to be true. Think you could help me out?"

[WinterRat1]

1119 January 6, 2063 - Street Outside if Tommy Wong's

Dragon grinned to himself as both rounds landed right on target, hitting the samurai square in the chest. Bingo! Body armor or not, that should put him down for the count! His grin quickly faded as the samurai didn’t move. Didn’t step back, didn’t fall down, didn’t flinch, didn’t move. The only sign that he was even hurt was a grimace that was almost a flinch, but not quite. Blood did seep from the holes that the bullets punched into him, but other than those two facts, if he wasn’t damn sure he’d hit the bastard, Dragon wouldn’t have thought he’d done any damage what-so-fragging-ever.

Son of a slitch! Are you fragging kidding me? Those shots would’ve dropped, should’ve dropped, most people! Drek. Clearly this fragger is gonna take a little more effort to put down than I thought. One thing’s for sure, these guys sure aren’t the junior varsity. But aw hell, what the frag did I expect, tangling with S-K and all? It just isn’t my week, I fragging tell you…

[Sedna]

1335 January 8, 2063 - Land's End Magic Shop

"Oh, I think I might be able to do something there," says Jack Solomon, a tinge of dry amusement in his voice. Andie had no viewscreen on his wristphone, but he could almost picture the other polishing his spectacles, as he had on that single previous occasion when Sara had introduced him to the fixer. "This is for that shop you want to open?" It was only half a question. The first time he'd been introduced, Andie had had the feeling that there were few secrets between his teacher and the fixer, and this seemed to be another confirmation of it. "How long did they give you before finalising the deal, the usual 48 hours? Do you have a copy of the agreement? Yes? Can you fax it over?

"Oh," and the voice now sounded almost embarrassed, "I know we have never talked about this before, but there is the question of a fee. Balance in all things, you understand. So since this is a first negotiation, why don't you begin by telling me what you would consider fair for such detailed research, and we will go from there?"


1119 January 6, 2063 - Street Outside if Tommy Wong's

Now the other was aware of him, already moving toward him, and Dragon had to think quickly what to do next. Tough as nails, obviously. Almost certainly some cyber under that coat, or else ...

Never mind the "or else". I've got to keep thinking that he's just another soldier like me, or else I'm fragged before I begin. Let's start with being grateful that at least he's not a troll. For sure I can get off another couple of shots before he gets here, but I'm not sure anymore if they'll do much good, not unless I really nail him somewhere sensitive. Can I take him down quickly? Can I at least keep him busy until Virgil's recovered a bit from that spell? There can't be that much time left before the sirens get here ...

[paul_HArkonen]

1349 January 6, 2063 - Caveman Kate's

As Blaze aproached the building, he could pick out who belonged and who did not. The few people who stood out were those who were dressed like him, bright colors and Tres Chic dress. Kaveman Kate's was a fine establishment, but it wasn't a bright flashy club, it was a sports bar.

Walking in through the large front doors Blaze gains an almost double take from the few people in the bar. Walking towards the bar he nods towards a few of the people staring at his bright red coat.

Right at 3:00 Max walks through the door. Max was a well built tall human. His face had three scars across the front of it, each from a different run gone south. Now through with his years of running the shadows Max sets up runs for various people, and is the father figure in Blaze's life.

Max imediately spots Blaze and heads over to him. Standing from his seat Blaze gives him a hug, just like the son he feels like he is.
"Hey Max, it's been a long time since we actually did the face to face thing. How've you been."
"It sure has kid, I've been alright, doing this, doing that, running my bussiness. What's up, you sounded like something was bothering you over the phone."
"Well, I've been trying to figure out what to do about this for the past few days, and I've decided to talk to you about it. I've found some of my family, my aunt and my cousin. I found out when my aunt contacted me about trying to help my cousin. And I know she's on the level, she knew me by a name I haven't used in a long time."
"That's great, so why are you down about it?"
"The problem is my Cousin was aparently picked up by an extraction team, and I don't even know who the employer was. This all happened about two weeks ago. I'm currently earning some money, about 30 K I hope, but I'm not sure that will be enough to hire a team to track her down.
"And even if it is, I don't know what I'm going to do with her after I find her, whether I'm going to give up my crusade, and likely leopard's gifts, or ask her to join me, or what."
"No, don't give up, not until you find and punish the people who left you homeless, and unless she asks about it don't offer for her to join you. The best thing, kid, I think, is for you to help get her back on her feet, legitimately. Help her, get her phone number, talk about the good old days, that sort of thing. She's family, don't ask her to join in your crusade, try your hardest to keep her world pure."

As the two work through their conversation it turns towards the Urban Brawl Game currently on the Trid. Blaze finally finds himself relax with the man he considers his father. Realizing he still needs to finish planning for the run by midnight Blaze politely excuses himself from the bar.

"Max, I do have one request. Could you try to find a group that you trust to help me find Melissa?"

"Sure kid, I can do that for you."

Walking out past the garish caveman decorations, and listening to a new woman scream in response to the Raptor's high pitched call, Blaze begins heading towards his meet.

[SentineloftheMou...]

1335 January 8, 2063 - Land's End Magic Shop

Andie on the phone with Jack Soloman: "Yeah, the real estate agent said he would hold the property for me for 48 hrs. I expect it to move fairly quickly since it's a downtown location. I'll fax over the lease agreement papers now. ...

As for the fee I can only spare 100 nuyen at the moment for this. If it costs more then I'll have to pay you back at the end of the month. What do you think? Can you help me out??"

[Shev]

1421 January 5, 2063- An apartment above Key to the Future

After crusing around the matrix aimlessly for a couple hours, Avalanche prepares to jack out. Suppose I should tend after the shop until tonight's meet. Hmmm...I think I'll check Shadowland one last time....

The man of snow and ice zips along the virtual landscape of the 'Land, checking threads relevant to CFS. When he gets to the Califronia Protectorate SIG, he stops dead in his tracks. Hmmmmm... A sheet of ice appears in front of his icon, and Avalanche carves some runic symbol into the ice. Then, he sends the PM on its way.

It isn't long before the sheet of ice came back, with writing covering it's other side. Avalanche studies it for a few minutes, then sends the sheet of ice back. Again, the sheet of ice comes back before long. Hmm, tempting...I think I'll check what Zig says just to be safe. Writing one last brief reply, Avalanche runs his commlink program. An icicle antenna comes out of the ice man as Avalanche dials Zigzag's number.

"Zigzag."

"Zig, it's Ave. I got a quick question for you: what do you know about a character named Scorpion?"

[grendel]

1422, 5 January 2063 - somewhere in Seattle, UCAS

"Doesn't take long, does he? No, I wouldn't think so. Listen close. Scorpion is an ex-runner, I knew him back when he worked a team in Seattle. He's no joke: professional, effecient, deadly. I never worked with him personally, but chummers I know who did said he didn't tolerate any mistakes. None of 'em worked with him again, but the guys on his team all made it out alive with some nuyen to boot. He headed south about three years ago, opened up some kind of bookstore in Cal Free. I got a call from him a couple of days ago looking for matrix talent and I dropped your name, figured you could use the money. Watch your back with this one, omae. He'll deal straight, but if you frag up, he'll erase you."

[WinterRat1]

1119 January 6, 2063 - Street Outside if Tommy Wong's

Yelling at the girls to head to the car, Dragon calmly kept walking back towards the car. All right, let's see how you handle a shot without your armor protecting you.

Using his smartlink to change the Guardian to burst, he raised his aim to the rapidly closing sam's throat, where there was (hopefully) no armor. Again letting the crosshairs in his eye hone in, Dragon waited until he had a lock, then let loose a burst. Easily managing the recoil, he watched the bullets fly towards their target...

[Shev]

1422, 5 January 2063- An apartment above Key to the Future

"Got it. Thanks for the info. Catch you later, Ziggy.

Avalanche ends the commlink program. Well, I guess that settles it, then. The sheet of ice appears before him again, and again he etchs runes onto it and sends it on it's merry way. I'll just wait in the Trix for the reply, shouldn't be too long...

Using this excuse to stay in the Matrix a bit longer, Avalanche browsed Shadowland to his hearts content, waiting for a reply.

[Sedna]

1336 January 8, 2063 - Land's End Magic Shop

"That is a fair bit of work you are asking, for 100 nuyen" said Jack Solomon drily. "Let's see, what would an average skilled decker earn ...?"

Andie waited for him to continue, then realised the other was waiting for him to comment. "I guess you want more," Andie said at last. "I'll have to pay you back at the end of the month, then. I'm good for it."

"Yes," said the fixer, and this time there was definite amusement in his voice. "If you go by this contract, you will also be committed to a couple of thousand in service charges here, I see, and there is no provision here for paying that at the end of the month."

"Oh," said Andie, unsure what else to say.

"Never mind, we can work around that. What were you working on currently, orichalcum?" Another question which wasn't really a question, and this time with a tinge of definite interest. "That takes quite a bit of work you are putting into it, does it not ...?"

[Sedna]

1336 January 8, 2063 - Land's End Magic Shop

A couple of quick thoughts go through Andie's head. First and foremost: This isn't fair! At this rate there won't be any left when I'm done!

That one is closely followed by Does she have to tell him everything?

Then again, I haven't exactly been making a secret of this around the shop. The kids all know about the circulation, but they don't really count. But there's been other people in and out as well. I don't think Sara Lansing would have told anyone else, though. At least, I hope not.

I wonder ... just maybe Jack Solomon's not asking for this as a lump payment just for this service. Maybe he's including the loan for the service charges in the lease document into that, but that still seems very expensive. How much would a decker charge? Would he tell me if I asked him? He and Sara are pretty tight, after all. He might cut me a break.

Maybe I could talk him into something by way of opening an account? Hm, maybe I could talk him into something closer to the sale value of orichalcum against the continuing value of his services, if that's what he's negotiating for.

But I'd better be very careful about every bargain I make from now on ... and I had better learn to negotiate better.

[SentineloftheMou...]

1336 January 8, 2063 - Land's End Magic Shop


Andie replies to Jack's question about the circulation in a playful tone of voice. "That was either a lucky guess or you have been spying on me, Jack." He pauses. "Yes, it does take a long time to process such material and time is very valuable commodity to me."

Andie pauses for Jack's response and says consideringly, "You wouldn't happen to be in the market for some orichalcum, now would you Jack?"

I have to start marketing my work somehow and Jack may be a good place to start for now.

"As you probably realise from the lease contract I will need some renovation work done at the new location among other things. If you know of someone reputable to do the work then maybe we can help each other out?? A favor for a favor perhaps."

Andie gauges Jack's reaction to what he said, "Somethings in life take time to create for them to worth anything. Rome wasn't built in a day as you well know and look what it accomplished."

[WinterRat1]

1119 January 6, 2063 - Street Outside if Tommy Wong's

The rounds impacted the samurai right on the money, tearing up his face and throat. With a small smirk of satisfaction, Dragon nodded to himself. That's one down. Stupid sniper...I'd really like to get my hands on the bodies and check for some ID or anything. But that probably isn't the best move, who knows what kinda backup they have? I better get with the girls, come to think of it, in case there's some other jokers lying around out here.

Waving an arm to Virgil to come follow him, he jogs off to Tiffany and Sybersnake. Moving protectively in front of them, he says, "Let's go, hurry up. Tiffany, try to help Sybersnake. Stay behind me, and let's get to the car." Quickly he leads the way to the car, senses alert for any other threats in the area.

[Sedna]

1119 January 6, 2063 - Street Outside if Tommy Wong's

"Just a sec," says Tiffany, her voice surprisingly steady. Her outfit is soaked with Sybersnake's blood. "The medkit's still processing. Good thing for you I caught the initial bullet on tape, because all anyone else here saw was that someone killed with magic, and you started shooting. Is that sniper still out there?"

Still processing? She has a medkit with her? But --

And then Dragon realised how very little time had passed. Amazing how very much can happen in a single minute.

[Sedna]

1337 January 8, 2063 - Land's End Magic Shop

"You wouldn't happen to be in the market for some orichalcum, now would you Jack?"

"I might be," says the voice at the other end of the phone connection, reflecting, but still with that definite spark of interest. "Let us agree, between the two of us, to work in transactions in kind from now on, rather than strict nuyen.

So let us see what you have asked me to do, thus far. You have asked for a full background check on this property, including --" a distinct frown entered the voice, a suggestion of a furrowed brow, and Andie just knew the fixer had just put on his steel-rimmed reading glasses again to skim his notes "-- past tenants, real estate taxes, the real estate agent's rep, and current zoning, plus anything else that you might find interesting. You probably also want me to cover the service charges listed here, although you have not really said that yet; and finally you also want me to put you in touch with someone reliable for renovation work. Does that about cover it?"

Andie nodded, then added "Yes."

"All right. A hundred would not begin to cover that, but I think you already suspected that. What we could do is to subtract that against what we negotiate for your future orichalcum. It would also depend on how many units you wished to invest in this ...?"

"Somethings in life take time to create for them to worth anything. Rome wasn't built in a day as you well know and look what it accomplished."

Andie could hear the smile in the fixer's voice as he answered, "Indeed."