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

[SentineloftheMou...]

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

"I would be willing to invest in one unit for now. However, my commitments for this batch are getting high, and I don't want to make a promise to you I can't keep, Jack. I'll have a better idea how many units will be generated latter this month"

Andie gauges Jack's response this statement, "If you have patience with me I do plan on running another batch after this one has been completed and I can commit to giving you the first completed unit to the debt."

Andie thinks about everything he will need to make this move work. "At the very least I will need to move into the place and have the workshop equipment installed with any needed renovations to accomplish this completed by the end of this month, so I will be able to continue working without interruption on other things or any special orders. Do you feel this can be accomplished to everyone's satisfaction??"

"Unless", as the idea occurs to him, "you can offer me a better deal, Jack??"

[WinterRat1]

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

Halting abruptly at Tiffany's statement, Dragon nods sharply. "All right then. How long will it take for the medkit to finish processing and kick in?"

Still scanning the street for targets, his gaze shifts upwards to look for the sniper, while part of his mind scans the radio frequencies for any new units that may have been dispatched at the reports of magic use, gunshots, and an elemental. However, he still finds a moment to flash a quick smile at the reporter. "Got it all on tape, huh? Not bad. There's your story for the day, eh?"

Checking out the upper floors and roofs, trying to locate the sniper, he thinks, Man, we really need to get Virgil a radio. "Hang in there Syber, let the medkit process and Virgil get over here, then we'll beat feet."

Slow hooped mage. Get over here slowpoke!

[Sedna]

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

"No, that's my story for the po-lice, if they try to nail you for instigating this," says Tiffany coolly, almost pulling Dragon away from his scan of the area. He was fairly sure he'd narrowed down the building ... "Unless you'd prefer her face splashed all over the evening news?" Something beeps in her hand and she nods to herself: "Got it. Let's roll."

Then, as if something had just occurred to her, she glances back at the alley mouth. "Can you walk on your own, Virgil?" she asks in a low, focused voice which makes it to Virgil's ears and not much beyond. And then she adds, more urgently, "Will they be able to trace your signature?"

[Sedna]

1339 January 8, 2063 - Land's End Magic Shop

"I am taking a lot on faith here, Andie." For a short, irrational moment, Andie feels as if he's let the other down. "I think you will be able to put more of yourself into your work than you are willing to admit."

A short pause. Andie tries to think what to say to this.

"Let us put it this way," the fixer says quietly. "For a single unit of orichalcum, I could put you in touch with all the people you need for your warehouse project and arrange for the initial renovations to be done by the end of this month, per your supplied plans and your supplied equipment; and have that building background check done; and pay you besides five thousand nuyen now and twenty thousand nuyen later -- which should more than cover your service charges -- but only if you give it to me at the end of this circulation. This would include all standard renovation materials such as drywall and carpeting, but not special items such as fireplaces and wood panelling.

"If I have to wait until the end of your next circulation, the bargain changes. Significantly."

[SentineloftheMou...]

1339 January 8, 2063 - Land's End Magic Shop

"All right, Jack. I'll agree to that. One unit for the work done you just described. Is it a deal??"

[WinterRat1]

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

Holding the Guardian under his jacket but still in his hand, Dragon briskly walks to the girls. "Can you stand?" Sybersnake nods painfully, and Tiffany bends over to help her up. "Medkit scan's taken care of for now." He nods and replies, "We're getting out of here then."

Motioning to Virgil to follow them to the car, Dragon hustles over to the car, keeping a close eye out for any trouble. En route, he says to Tiffany, "Good thinking with that camera. Glad you're on board with us."

"Yeah well just don't make me getting shot at too much a part of our relationship, ok?"

Arriving at the car quickly, Tiffany helps Sybersnake into the backseat, while Dragon goes to the trunk and opens it slightly, placing the Franchi Spas-22 shotgun in easy reach for a rapid draw.

Any more of those freaking tank guys come, we'll see how they take a shotgun blast dead on. Then we'll see if they can shrug it off. Punks. Where's Virgil anyway?

Tensely, the three of them wait by the car for Virgil to arrive.

[banditf50]

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

Continuing to scan the astral plane for any evidence to suggest that the newly freed elemental had decided not to return to its home plane, Virgil's gaze fell upon the form of Dragon staring at him from the position of the car across the street. Dragon's aura showed the sharp pangs of a cool anxiousness sinking in as the adrenaline rush brougt on by the ambush washed over him.

Virgil knew that it was time to clear the scene. There would be no way he would have enough time to clear the astral of the remnants of his socery before the SFD and possibly the Star cordoned off the entire street. It would also be tactically unwise for him to stay behind because his companions would need his help in case this was not the end of Sybersnake's new friends. It would probably take any cops who showed up some time before they called in a mage, the confusion of his signiture mixed with the opposing mage would also be beneficial.

This is about as clear of an escape moment we we're going to see. Virgil thought as he vaulted himself from the alley and began darting across the street as fast as was tactically reasonable, confident that the embrace of the city spirit was still enveloping his form.

[Sedna]

1400 January 8, 2063 - Land's End Magic Shop

"One unit at the end of the current circulation for the work I just described," specifies Jack Solomon, and waits for Andie's confirmation.

[WinterRat1]

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

Virgil arrives at the car a few moments later, breathing a little hard, but not overly so. Without breaking his scan of the street, Dragon asks, "Ready to roll? What about the astral signatures you're leaving behind?"

Virgil shakes his head. "No time to clear them out. Hopefully they just won't be able to examine it in time. Or deem it worthwhile to track us down. Sybersnake?"

"She's in the car. Tiffany's administering a medkit to her. She also got the sniper shooting us on camera." Virgil raises an eyebrow as he looks at Dragon. "Thinks fast on her feet, doesn't she?"

"Told you we'd be doing good to have her along." Dragon takes one last look around, and satisfied he won't be needing the shotgun anytime soon, closes the trunk.

"Maybe. Where to now?"

"Beats me. Let's get in the car and go. We can decide once we're clear of the area."

Hopping in the car, they quickly leave the area, driving swiftly, safely and as unobtrusively as possible away.

[Sedna]

1125 January 6, 2063 - Street of Tommy Wong's

A couple of people in the crowd mark him, one person exclaims, most never see him at all. Virgil isn't stopping to take names. When he gets to the car he opens the door, slides in, slams it behind him ... and turns to see Dragon by the trunk, just putting aside the Franchi Spas which, he suddenly realised, must have been aimed at him a moment earlier. Sudden arrivals might be ill-advised in the wake of ambush, he thought in the moment of ice clarity that followed.

The two women were in the back seat, Sybersnake looking very pale and small, Tiffany frowning a little as she stared at the screen of her wrist computer/phone. That upholstery was going to be a total write-off.

There was no "if" about it, there would be complications from this. It was just a question of degree. Would Lone Star find it worthwhile to do a full forensic investigation? Virgil tried desperately to remember if he'd heard of any impending budget crunches or crackdowns. If it was just business as usual, there was just a chance they might slip through the cracks. And who was gunning for Sybersnake, and why? Quixote, whoever you are, I hope you can keep Julia safe just a little longer. If we try to get to you now, we'll bring trouble right to your doorstep.

A soft beep brought them all to instant combat readiness before Virgil recognised it as being the medkit's signal of completed medical assessment. Tiffany's frown had deepened as she studied the screen, but she quickly set it to print off a thin spool of paper and handed it to Dragon as the nearest, before applying the customised injection to Sybersnake. The Latina gave a soft sigh, and drifted off into a slight doze. Dragon tried to read it without taking his eyes from the road and everywhere in his vicinity, failed, passed it to Virgil, who shifted from the astral long enough to read it. "I don't understand," he said at last.

"Came through just now as a text message," said Tiffany absently; she had returned her attention to the screen.

"But this gives the street name of the sniper? And it says the team was hired by Saedar-Krupp?"

[SentineloftheMou...]

1400 January 8, 2063 - Land's End Magic Shop

Andie responds to Jack's question to seal the deal, "Correct. One unit at the end of the current circulation for the work I just described."

[Sedna]

1400 January 8, 2063 - Land's End Magic Shop

"Done," says the fixer, in a peculiarly satisfied voice. The connection breaks off. And even through Andie's general satisfaction at how the deal turned out, at how much he was able to get out of it: a hollow feeling in his stomach, the warm breeze from the circulation raising a sudden cluster of goosebumps at the nape of his neck and running down his spine: What am I getting myself into?

[SentineloftheMou...]

1400 January 8, 2063 - Land's End Magic Shop

Andie returns to the back of the shop to check on the circulation; making any needed adjustments.

well, at least that's been taken care of. I'm going to have to maximize the output of this batch though. My debts seem to keep going up....

Andie settles in for the rest of the night on his stool; watching gauges; making adjustments; adding magical energy when needed.

[banditf50]

1126 January 6, 2063 - Pulling Away from Tommy Wong's

Dragon eases on the gas and pulls away from the curb as fast as possible without looking guilty. No time to worry about who sent the hit team. Intel doesn't mean a thing if we don't clear this area now. Dragon thinks to himself as he takes a few turns to put an angle on any potential shadows.

"Drive until you think we're not being followed, then head to the third block of Sacremento Avenue, far south end of the Redmond Barrens. I have a place we can lie low there." Virgil cooly instructs Dragon, "unless you'd rather head somewhere else."

Turning his eyes back to Tiffany and the sedated Sybersnake, Virgil inquires, "Is she stable?"

"She's not gonna die on us. She'll need some stitching though."

"I'll tend to her when we reach a safe location. Keep your eyes out for any followers. We'll be entering an area where traffic is non existant, so they shouldn't be able to stay too close."

Turning his attention back towards Dragon, Virgil keeps focused on forming a contingency plan. "I'm going to slip to the astral now and keep an eye above us. If the situation heats up and I get delayed I'll be able to find my body at the safehouse."

Nodding sharply in understanding Dragon stays focused on the road, quickly taking another turn. It's good to be working with a proper soilder again.

Closing his eyes Virgil feels the tingling sensation of his mana form slipping away from his meat body. Rising above the car he joins the city spirit he'd summoned earlier, who was now hovering in space awaiting further instuctions.

Thank you kindly for your help earlier, you surely saved our lives. I must call upon your services further though, until I am confident that we are safe..

Confident that he still had the backing of the city spirit if needed Virgil proceeded to scan the astral plane for any signs of hostile trackers.

[Sedna]

1150 January 6, 2063 - arriving at the safehouse

Dragon doesn't see the acknowledgement by the city spirit to the shaman, what might have been called a bend of the head, had the spirit had any such definable anatomy. He does see the swirl of papers beside Virgil tighten into an almost distinct form, and then drop to the ground as the shaman closes the car door. The roads get progressively worse as the small group rattles on toward the address the shaman had given. Rattles? wonders Dragon in a moment of complete disjunction, absently securing the shaman's body in his seatbelt with his free hand, while taking his speed that crucial klick under the speed limit when his awareness picked up a vehicle with Lone Star lights come up behind him and then pass him without stopping. That'll kill the damage deposit for certain.

Amazing what strange things enter the brain when running for one's life ... or the life of someone one cares about.

The reporter too is mostly silent, tapping her computer at regular intervals, frowning over what she's reading. At one point she does look up: "I hope this place of yours has a decent change of clothes. Otherwise you're going to have to go shopping." After a moment it sinks in that she does have a point: as a public figure, she really can't go out on the streets looking like she does. And Selina's ... but she is alive, and that was what counts.

As they drive and the various emergency frequencies traffic continues to flow through another part of his awareness -- another, undecipherable coded burst on the DocWagon channel -- the traffic is getting lighter and lighter, until at last they are the only vehicle on the street at a time approaching noon. You'd never know it here. In sharp contrast to the place they had left only a few minutes earlier, this part of Sacremento Avenue is utterly empty.

You could be killed here in broad daylight for a pair of high fashion running shoes, and no one would pay any attention.

"This way," says the shaman beside him, indicating a particular doorway, as another part of Dragon's awareness registered the moment of return and conscious movement. No need to ask the question. If Virgil had spotted anything on their tail, he'd have said so. Behind him Tiffany struggles a little with the back door, which seems to have skewed on its frame, before the two of them get it open and half walk, half haul Sybersnake up the concrete steps.

Virgil pauses before entering, aware that to do so will automatically dismiss the spirit unless he gives it a continuing service.

[banditf50]

1151 January 6, 2063 - Virgil's Redmond Safehouse

Please remain here and fighten away anyone who enters this alley. Virgil issues the final command before he crosses the threshold of the old fire door and assists Tiffany in hauling Sybersnake up the flight of dirty concrete stairs to the second floor of the what Dragon guessed must've once been a shop of some type.

The top of the stairs opened onto a narrow landing where Virgil punched a short code into an older model maglock placed next to a grey security door. He'd secured the apartment shortly after arriving back in Seattle, but purchasing his larger residence in Touristville had not left enough cash to finish fortifying this place as he would've liked. Still, Virgil believed in security through obscurity. To help keep any potential squatters away Virgil would occasionaly summon a low force city spirit merely for the purpose of sending it to stir up some noise around the building's exterior. Just as thiefs choose the easy target, so do squatters choose the less haunted area to flop.

The door opened into an apartment that was noticably larger than the standard ghetto safehouse that Dragon had seen. The place was reminsciant of a day when a store owner would also buy the space above his buisness. A small living room housed a worn couch and an older model telecom with space for a space for a twin sized bed in the far corner. A window across from the entrance gave a view of Sacremento Avenue and beside that window opened a cramped kitchenette.

While the furnishings were humble to the point of being sedey, the place was clean. One thing that Virgil could not stand for was filth. Guiding Sybersnake towards the bed Virgil heard Dragon close the security door and take a quick glance out the front window.

"I am going to apply some healing magic to her now. We need her to be as coherent as possible to help piece together the situation. Why don't you and Dragon start going over intel and think about gathering some new clothes."

Shifting his focus back to the wounded latina Virgil placed his palms onto her shoulder and began drawing the surrounding mana into her wound. How differnt it feels to gather magic to heal instead of destroy . .

The sounds of Dragon and Tiffany conversing in hushed tones receded into the backround as Virgil focused his concentration on the gathering magic.

[WinterRat1]

1158 January 6, 2063 - Virgil's Redmond Safehouse

Sitting in a chair that gave him a view of the window without making him a target, Dragon began thumbing shells into the Franchi Spas combat shotgun he'd brought inside. Raising an eyebrow at the sight, Tiffany chose not to say anything, probably realizing that given the events of the last hour or so, it was better safe than sorry.

Clearing her throat, she opens up, "So what do you think?"

Shaking his head somberly, Dragon answers, "Street name of the sniper. May be legit, maybe not. Team being hired by Saeder-Krupp? That I believe, especially given Sybersnake's story. What I want to know is, how reliable is your source, and why did they fill you in?"

Glancing over at Virgil who was tending to Sybersnake, the two of them shared a quick glance, to which Virgil nodded his head ever so slightly. Looking back at Tiffany, Dragon continued, "Furthermore, it's pretty obvious that we're in a bit deeply now. Where do we go from here, and do you still want in on this? This may be a story like I promised, but it might come at a steep cost. If you want to walk now, I won't hold it against you, or as a statement against our...budding friendship." The last two words brought a cynical, yet friendly grin to both reporter and mercenary.

Keeping that grin for a moment or two longer, Tiffany rose to her feet and began pacing the room for a moment. After a few seconds, she turned back to him and began to speak...

[Sedna]

1200 January 6, 2063 - Virgil's Redmond Safehouse

And began to speak, as that grin transformed into that universal feminine smile at male obtuseness. "I meant -- what do you think, can you find me something to change into if I go and shower now?" Dragon blinked at her uncomprehendingly, then, uncharacteristically, flushed when she added: "I'm tracking Sybersnake's blood all over Virgil's nice clean floors."

[Sedna]

1430 January 8, 2063 - Land's End Magic Shop

Work on the orichalcum, somehow find some time to write up some solid plans for the warehouse and get them to Jack Solomon by tomorrow so the fixer could get started on the renovation end of things, somehow find some time to catch more than the odd catnap. The damn circulation kept waking him up at the oddest hours -- and now he was even dreaming about it.

Who knew the engineering degree would come in this handy, this soon?

Sara paused at the doorway, one of the kids Andie had seen frequently about the store tagging at her heels. "I've just had a very interesting request," she said. "Frankly, I just don't have the time to take on that commission myself. I was wondering if you'd like to speak with him when he comes around, later today, while I watch the circulation for you?"

[WinterRat1]

1201 January 6, 2063 - Virgil's Redmond Safehouse

Clearing his throat, Dragon replies a bit sheepishly, "Err...yeah. I'm sure Virgil doesn't have a problem with you taking a shower. I don't know if he's got any clothes for you though, and I certainly don't know if there's any clothes I could pick out that would be...appropriate. Why don't you go take a shower, I'm sure Virgil at least has something you can wear, and maybe Sybersnake and I can go grab some clothes for you when Virgil's finished with her. What do you think Virg?"

Before the shaman can answer, Dragon slaps a hand against his forehead. "Wait a second! The deck! Do you think they're still tracking us down via the deck?"

[SentineloftheMou...]

1430 January 8, 2063 - Land's End Magic Shop

It was good to see Sara's face and smile with all the balls Andie was juggling at the moment. I'm glad college teaches you about staying up and doing all-nighters to complete projects.

Andie was intrigued by Sara's comment and looking at the child at Sara's heels. In a cautious tone, glancing at the kid for Sara's benefit, he says, "how interesting of a request are we talking about and who is making the request?"

Andie listens to Sara's response. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to hear what they have to say."

[Sedna]

1431 January 8, 2063 - Land's End Magic Shop

"It's a potential contract," grins Sara mischievously. "Treat it as a potential new customer. He's coming by at 1800. You don't want me to pre-vet every part of your new business for you, do you?"

Her wristphone rings again, and, with an apologetic (and slightly hassled-looking) smile, she steps back into the front room to take it, one hand automatically snagging the kid by her coat collar before she gets too close to one of the more sensitive operations.

"Hello? ..." A bit of a pause, then a short phrase in a language Andie's never heard before.

A very long pause. An air of stillness has entered the place. One of the mixtures suddenly bubbles up with a hiss, and Andie moves quickly to subdue it.

"Yes," Sara Lansing says finally, "of course I will."

The wristphone screen snaps shut. Behind Andie, another of the mixtures begins acting up, and he turns to deal with it.

All else, is silence.

[banditf50]

1202 January 6, 2063 - Virgil's Redmond Safehouse

Keeping his eyes focused on the wound that he was focusing on closing, Virgil supplied his companions with a progress report.

"She's going to be fine. I'll be able to close the wound and mend the damaged tissue, she'll probably need some rest given all the blood that she's lost, but if we have to move her again it will not harm her further."

"Feel free to hop in the shower Tiffany, I cannot gurantee the relibility of the hot water, but I can manage a change of clothes."

Pushing a box out from underneath the bed with his foot Virgil revealed a worn pair of jeans and green U-dub hooded sweatshirt.

"Not high fashion but it will last till you can locate some other items. However I've not fully stocked this place yet so I don't have anything for Sybersnake to wear. Don't worry about the blood on the floor, being a bit of a neat-freak means that I have some cleaning supplies in the kitchenette. We'll wipe the place down before we leave."

Taking the clothes from the box all Tiffany could do was smile at the situation.

"Make sure you let the water run for a bit after your done to let any blood wash down the drain."

"Tiffany, dump all your old clothes in this bag too." Dragon interuppted, waving a garbage bag that he'd pulled from under the sink.

"Wow, now I am really starting to feel like a criminal." Tiffany smirked as she walked into the tiny bathroom.

[banditf50]

1203 January 6 2063 - Virgil's Redmond Safehouse

Still keeping his eyes focused on the gentle glowing now permeating from Sybersnake's wounded shoulder, Virgil finished pndering the ramifications of Dragon's recent concern. "You think that the S-K team might've have physically bugged her deck? I am the worst person to consult on these issues, but I would think they'd track her each time she jacks in with the deck."

"I don't know Virg, I wouldn't think so either. But as long as any hit team good enough to be hired by S-K is on the job, I'm considering any and all possibilites."

"Sybersnake had planned on jetting town to get her deck cleaned, but it looks to me like the sniper's round may have taken care of that for her. I doubt she'll be able to salvage any of the deck after it took a round from a high-caliber rifle."

"Good point." Dragon comments as he pulls the damaged deck out of it's satchel. The bullet had left an exit hole about the size of a bottle cap.

"Either way we are going to need supplies soon. Sybersnake will need a change of clothes and Tiffany won't be happy in my hand-me downs for long. I dont' have much in the way of food here either, so we'll need a few meals here as well."

Pausing a moment to shift his full attention back to Sybersnake, Virgil was silent a few moments before offering up a plan.

"You and Tiffany could head out for quick supply run, or perhaps just you, since the deck is probably destroyed you could stash somewhere in a dumpster. If they are tracking her through the deck, it would certainly buy us the invaluable asset of time."

[WinterRat1]

1205 January 6 2063 - Virgil's Redmond Safehouse

Dragon nods slightly. "OK, well that's two things we need to do. I don't think it would be wise for Tiffany to show her face in public just yet, since we don't want to attract attention to ourselves, and she's too visible. If she tells me her size, I can get my sister to pick up some clothes for her, and food too. I can pick up a drop at the University of Washington, since she could easily leave it in a locker or something between classes for us."

"You sure you want to get your sister involved in this?"

"Give me a break Virgil. You know as well as I do what our family's all about. She'll be fine with it, won't even think twice. And it keeps us out of the spotlight."

Inspecting the deck more thoroughly, Dragon sets it aside, admitting, "I don't really know enough to assess the state of this thing either. It's dangerous holding on to it, but I don't want to tell Sybersnake we just chucked a piece of electronics worth several hundreds of thousands of nuyen cause we weren't sure it may or may not be helping us get tracked. I think we can wait for her to come to so we can at least ask her to assess this thing herself."

Grinning, Virgil responds, "Heh, in that case, I agree. She might kill us herself if she finds we just chucked it for no good reason...without asking."

"OK, so after we get her assessment of the deck, Tiffany a change of clothes, and some food down here, what's our next move? After that friendly little visit by S-K and their friends, I'm thinking they just vaulted to the top of my "List of Things to Deal With."

Pausing for a moment, the shaman answers, "Didn't we get the name of the sniper? I think it might be worthwhile to check that out. At least we can ask around."

"Sounds good. You want me to make the call, you, or both? And while we're going to be on the phones, what else should we be asking about?"