Salvation, Making the world a better place Options

[WinterRat1]

1206 January 5, 2063 - Back room at the Big Rhino

The ork nods at Avalanche's first request, but breaks out laughing at his second one. "Mr. Avalanche, I'm afraid you overestimate us slightly. Explosives alone will be hard enough to get, but doable, although if you were expecting military grade I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. As for heavy weapons, we're a resistance group, not a professional army. Miniguns, rocket launchers and the like are a bit beyond us right now. We may have the odd heavy weapon lying around, but if you're expecting a serious arsenal you may need to scale your expectations down just a little bit."

Turning serious again, he says, "But I will do what I can about your requests. Now, in return, I'd like you to see about letting us hold on to the refugees. Beyond that though, since I understand that may be beyond your control, straight nuyen works just fine, but we can arrange for a discount on the overall price if you can provide some of that in gear and equipment. Also, a discount on services such as your own or other members of your group would be heavily considered as well."

As the discussion rolls on, Blaze switches to astral vision and scans the opposition. Both the troll and the ork have some cyberware, and the elf...the elf is curiously...normal. Just normal. The troll and ork show some signs of tension that would be expected at a meeting such as this, but nothing too unusual. The elf...is just normal, calm and level. Hmm...interesting...wonder what his deal is... Blaze wonders to himself.

Pushing himself back from the table, the ork concludes, "If you have no further objections or points to make, perhaps now would be a good time to adjourn so we may discuss this offer with our higher ups. Do you have any further you'd like to discuss before we say goodbye for now?"

[Shev]

1207 January 5, 2063 - Back room at the Big Rhino

Avalanche nods thoughtfully. "I wasn't hoping for too much in the way of heavy weapony. We aren't equipping an army ourselves, and we may end having no need for explosives or heavy weapons at all. That said, it is good to know that we might be able to have the benfit of some equipment that can't easily be smuggled across the border."

"I think that's about all I have for now. How about we meet again tommorow, same time same place?"

[WinterRat1]

1207 January 5, 2063 - Back room at the Big Rhino

The ork nods, and stands. "Agreed. Give the same password to the bartender and he'll let you back here." Motioning to his companions, the three of them exit the room, and the restaurant.

[Shev]

1207 January 5, 2063 - Back room at the Big Rhino

Avalanche makes no move to get up after the ork and his friends left. "Well, that was informative. I suppose I can fill the group in tonight." Avalanche turns to Blaze. "Did you check them out on the astral?"

[paul_HArkonen]

1207 January 5, 2063 - just outside the Big Rhino

"Yeah, they seemed on the level, the Elf is a mage of some sort, and equal to me, other than that, he seemed a little overly calm, but some Hermetics can get that way." Now that we may have some back up it's time to report back in. "I think we can trust them, now shall we see what offers the rest of the team wants to make?"

[Shev]

1207 January 5, 2063 - Back room at the Big Rhino

Sitting back in a his chair, Avalanche nods. "Yes, of course. We'll tell them all about the meeting tonight when we meet again at Blinks. Until then, I'm going to shake down my fixer and see if he knows anyone else in the area we can work with."

Getting up from his chair, Avalanche tosses Dice a :nuyen: 1000 credstick. "Thanks for the cover, chummer. I don't think I'll take you along for tommorow though, unless you don't mind getting paid. From the looks of things, I won't have to worry about those guys geeking me unless I did something to earn it."

"Hey, null persp, omae. You change your mind, you lemme know. Oh, if ya need and extra gun for th' job, gimme a call then, too."

"Of course, Dice."

The three head out of the bar, and go their seperate ways.

Time to see if Zig's got some connections behind the bamboo curtain...

[Shev]

1229 January 5, 2063 - An apartment above Key to the Future

Avalanche heads straight for the vidphone as soon as he walks in the door. Stifling a yawn, he punches in the LTG of his fixer, Zigzag.

A second later, Zigzag's face appears on the screen. It would have been a perfectly normal face but for a large black tattoo of lightning etched on one cheek, which brilliantly contrasted his albinism. Birds of an abnormally pale feather.... Avalanche smiles inwardly. He made the joke to himself every time he saw Zig. I'll have to share that with him someday.

"Oh, heya Ave. What's scanning?"

"Not much, Ziggy. I'm working on that last bit of biz you set up for me yesterday. Thanks for that, by the way. I was starting to get bored of shopwork."

The fixer's eyes crinkle as his (in)famous smile splits his face. "It was null persperation, Ave. Thought you might like it."

"I will, but I'll like it more the more I get paid. Which is why I'm calling, actually. I wanted to see if you knew anybody in CFS who operates against Saito in his own territory. Rebel groups, Rangers, anybody who doesn't mind working with shadowy types. You got anything for me?"

[WinterRat1]

1229 January 5, 2063 - An apartment above Key to the Future

It takes Ziggy all of one second to reply, "Nope. Absolutely nothing. You want help there, you're on your own. If you're going there though, do me a favor and kick that rat bastard Saito in the nuts for me, will ya?"

[Shev]

1229 January 5, 2063 - An apartment above Key to the Future

"No problem, Ziggy. See you later."

Avalanche sighs as he turns off the tridphone. Well, it was worth a shot...

[Shev]

0051 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar

Avalanche walks towards Blinks with eagerness. He had skipped dinner, and his stomach isn't thanking him for it. A halfer special would really hit the spot. Man, I've got to go to the gym more often if I keep eating like this...

He opens to door to the hangout and nods to Blink. The elf nods back as Avalanche heads for the back room. Sometimes, if Blink gave a certain signal when a newcomer came into the bar, one of the orks by the dart board would swagger up to them and take any weapons they found off of the customer for the duration of their stay. This happened until the customer became a regular, or was vouched for by a regular. It kept violence in the bar down to a minimum. Of course, Blink knew what Avalanche was packing anyways. A Predator III, a taser, and his cyberdeck, all under his long coat.

Shutting the door behind him, Avalanche settled down to wait for the others.

[paul_HArkonen]

1257 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar

Blaze walks into the bar, supressing a huge yawn. Stepping through the front entrance the tails of his red coat swirl around him from the wind. Looking around for his rather distinctive teammate Blaze walks towards the owner, Blink. As he aproaches Blink instantly remembers Blaze's bright red long coat and shades. Gesturing towards the back room Blink just sort of shakes his head. Wandering into the back room Blaze tries to stifle another yawn.

"Hey Avalanche, you get any new info about our new possible contacts?"

Seeing the slight change in Avalanche's Aura, and facial expression Blaze retracts his statement almost imediately.

"Don't worry about it. How do you suggest we put this forward to the rest of the team?"

Sitting down as he speaks Blaze's manner makes him look almost menacing. Perhaps it's something about the tired way his body moves, both too smoothly, and also in the calm way of one who's expecting combat. He looks and feels like a hunter, out for his prey.

[Digital Heroin]

Early Morning, January 5, 2063 - Renton

When Steele gets to his apartment, tossing his coat over the back of the second hand couch, and his hat on the table next to his telecom unit, he considers a moment. He's got borders to cross the next day, and a long haul with potential passengers to smuggle. Sneaking across borders isn't up his alley, he's more used to defending them, but he knows someone who might be able to help a little. After the call he'll see about getting some shuteye, maybe put in a call to Greenly.

Settling on the sofa, he takes up the keyboard to his computer, and sets about composing a short e-mail. Nothing fancy, just a 'call me.' Duffy'd never been keen on unsocilited calls, so Steele respected the decker's wishes, and instead dropped him a line, and settled in with a lukewarm beer and a re-run Urban Brawl match until the call came in.

[Sedna]

1504 January 5, 2063 - Durin's apartment in the university district

"What the -- oh bloody hell," as Durin slowly registers that at some point he had fallen asleep over the drafting table, sometime after he had completely lost track of time. This will never do. How'm I supposed to afford a proper ancestral axe when I can't even stay awake long enough to design one? And I was going to do something -- oh right, place some calls.

The next few hours are singularly frustrating. Every last person he can think of is either away at classes, or on business, or away from their phones for one reason or another. "They were here earlier, but ..." He's sick of hearing "but". He's down to the end of his rope when he finally hears ("but don't tell him you heard it from me") that Krager would be at his usual table in a couple of hours. Good guy to talk to, if you could ever find him. The human was positively transparent. Could be right in front of you, and you'd never see him. Of course, that made him an exceptional information broker and go-between for the Bigio Powers That Be. For Durin though, it was more often sheerly frustrating.

Predictably, when he arrived at the bar, there was no sign of Krager. As he sat down at the usual table, the waitress approached with a stein of beer. "But I didn't order anything yet?" wondered Durin aloud.

"I did," came the voice across the table.

Durin jumped, almost dropping the flagon. Drek, how he hated that. "How long have you been sitting there?"

Krager shrugged. Somehow the words "average" and "bland" just seemed inadequate when it came to describing him. "I heard you wanted something?"

"I have to meet with Gianelli today. I need some info. Can you arrange it?"

"I take it you took the run then?" asked Krager. "That could be bad ..."

"How did you ...?" Durin gave it up. Considering how extremely bland Krager was, how no one ever seemed to notice him, for all Durin knew Krager might even have been in the meet room along with the run team. "I'll need info on smuggling truck cargos across borders. Probably also some weapons and explosives," Durin added almost as an afterthought.

"Which borders?"

Durin gave him a look. "North American borders."

The human shrugged again. "I'll see if he'll see you. Of course, late as it is ..." He wisely trailed off at seeing Durin's expression. "Expect a call," he said finally, and got up.

Durin would have sworn he'd never taken his eyes from the man, but somehow Krager had managed to vanish into the crowd anyway.

Frag, I hate it when he does that.

[Sedna]

1955 January 5, 2063 - an Italian restaurant in Tacoma

Durin was not late for the meeting Krager had arranged with him. He'd been hoping to speak to Gianelli. That one of the man's lieutenants had taken the meeting instead did not bode well. It would not do to be late, not this time.

He knew he wasn't the most sensitive codger in the barrel. Most of the time, he didn't care. He had a goal in life, a Mission with a capital mannaz. Sure, there were some things he needed to do along the way to raise the funds, establish the foundations: but they were just inconveniences, things he'd deal with and get done while keeping his eyes fixed on the Big Picture.

This time, the vibes were strong enough that even he couldn't blind-shoulder them.

"Ah, Durin," began the man. Durin had already forgotten his name, even though Krager had told him. He could probably have remembered it if he wanted to, and it probably had latched in there somewhere in the gray cells. Truth was, he didn't really want to. "You're looking for some supplies for that run you took over from Johnny."

"Transportation, border crossings, weapons, med supplies," Durin added, struggling valiantly to keep the half-growl from his voice.

The man nodded. "We can probably arrange for some of that. Of course, you'll not be going with them."

Durin blinked. "What?"

"We need you here to follow up on a couple of things, jobs you did earlier, that kind of thing."

Durin stared, still trying to think how to protest when the man rose from the table: "Is that all, then? Just leave the details with Julio here, and we'll take care of it, COD."

He was already gone before Durin got out a "But ..."

Other words would follow, later; and a desperate planning how to get out of this. Frag it, this wasn't fair. He needed that run! And dwarves weren't supposed to be quick-witted, more along the lines of being able to see through a brick wall in time, as the Underground saying went. Just give him time, and he'd ...

For now though, well, he'd gotten the supplies for the team ... but he himself was screwed.

[Shev]

0059 January 5 - the back room at Blinks

Avalanche shifts uncomfortably under the studious stare of Blaze. Avalanche knew a bit about shamans, and the near-wild look in this one's eyes made him uneasy. The awkward silence fills the rooms like thunder.

Where the frag is everyone?! Maybe I should just call Blink in here and order without them. At least food will give him something to look at besides me...

[Sedna]

0100 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar

Almost on the stroke of the hour Alleycat enters the room, having spoken quietly to Blink on the way through the bar. She's wearing almost exactly the outfit she had the day before, the only differences being that she's replaced the diamond arm lacings with drivers' gloves, and that she's carrying a somewhat worn excuse for an attaché case.

To Blaze, she looks disgustingly rested.

She nods to them in greeting, and hands each of them a chip and a hardcopy file from the case. "General area and route information, with summaries," she says as Avalanche looks a question. "And weather satellite imagery, if any of you can make anything of it. Were you able to make anything of those LTGs I sent you, Avalanche?"

[Shev]

0100 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar

Avalanche groans inwardly. "No, Alleycat, I haven't had time. I spent most of it lining up contacts and meeting with them. Which reminds me, when more people arrive, I need to go over what I found out. After I do that, though, I can deck in on the telecom over there and do some cautious sniffing. I can keep track of the convo in here through the camera on the telecom null persp. Sorry about that, it's been a full day..."

[WinterRat1]

0102 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar

A few minutes later, the telecom in the room rings. It's Kurukami. She looks a bit distressed and annoyed, and her voice quickly shows her frustration. "Hey chummers. Something big came up. I'm not going to be able to make it tonight. I'll check in with you all when I've cleared it up. I'm really sorry about this." Her tone is harried and rushed, and her abrupt disconnect is an emphatic close to her quick blurb of information.

Before Avalanche can even walk away from the telecom, it rings again. This time it's Durin. Looking a bit embarassed, and more than a little bothered, he says, "Hey guys...uh...I was able to line up that stuff I said I would that we needed...but there's a problem...I'm not going to be able to go with you all. A marker got called in, and I can't back out of this. Just tell me where you want the stuff sent, and I'll get it there. It's on me, by way of apology for having to bail on you all like this. I'm really sorry everyone. Hit me back at this number when you know where you want the stuff."

The rapid barrage leaves Avalanche in a momentary state of shock. Before he can even reply to any of this, a knock on the door sounds and Blink pokes his head in. "Hey chummers, having a good night? Are you all ready to order, or ya wanna wait for your friends?"

The irony hangs in the air.

[Digital Heroin]

0107 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar

Steele enters a short while afterthe others, dressed down from what he'd been wearing the night before. He was in travel clothes. Simple, faded jeans, work boots, and a flannel shirt. He still wore a good old stetson, but his pistols weren't evident. They were packed with the rest of his gear in the bed of his truck. No need to be carrying at the moment, since he expected to leave straight from here to the border. He can sense the tension in the air as he walks in, and he looks to those that are there.

`What's the deal?`

[WinterRat1]

0107 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar

Before anyone can answer, a phone rings. Everyone scrambles to see whose it is, before Blaze finally figures out that it's for him. Walking off into the corner of the room, he flips it open and says, "Yeah."

"Hey kid, that's no way to talk to a surrogate father." Despite the suddenly much more tense situation regarding the run, Blaze still smiles. Good old Max. I knew he'd watch out for me. "What's up Max?"

"Got a lead for you kid, but I don't know if it's good news or bad news."

Bracing himself, Blaze replies, "Lay it on me."

"All right kid. Word is that your cousin, she lost her extraction team. That's the good news. The bad news is that she's lost somewhere in the Barrens. I'm not sure which one, Redmond or Puyallup." What he didn't state was the obvious, that the difference between the two was bad...and worse.

"Lost track of her after that, but I heard the corp's hired an investigator, real P.I type, to locate her in addition to their crews. And oh yeah, he's magical."

Blaze's insides went cold, in stark contrast to his name. Magical wizworm looking for her in addition to their usual crews? Great Leopard, is she that important? Unbidden, the answer sprang to his mind. She's magical. She's special. They want her, and they're going to try to find her. One way or another...

Cutting through the silence, Max's voice rang in his ear. "So what do you want me to do now kid?"

[Sedna]

0107 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar

All three of the others have heard the references to Durin and Lady Cheng on this end of the line. Her head tilted in a query, Alleycat looks as though she's about to ask -- when yet another phone call comes through, this time for Blaze. Looks like it's about to be an even fuller day. Instead she turns toward Tin Star: "Seems it's fortunate we weren't given a time limit. We may need to delay our departure."

[Shev]

0103 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar

Avalanche shakes his head in disgust. "No, Blink, we might as well order now. Gimme a halfer special." What the fragging drek is going on here? Two team members sudden bail? This isn't right...

Steele's sudden arrival sooths Avalanche's nerves a bit. Well, at least he's still with us... The, the jangling of Blaze's phone makes Avalanche start. Great, now I'm getting jumpy. It's almost enough to make switch on my wired. Almost.

"To answer your question, we just lost Durin and Cheng. Durin can't do the run at all, seems he owes someone something that he can't back out of. Cheng just said she couldn't make it to the meeting, no reason given.

"That said, I can make a call of my own. I know a good street sammie to replace Durin. Heck, he's even a dwarf. Lose one dwarf street sam, gain another. This particular sammie goes by the name of Dice. I can call him up if we feel "we need the muscle. He's reliable, he and Blaze covered for me when I met with some contacts about the run. That reminds me...

"I've met with some representatives of the MPA, that's Metahuman People's Alliance. They were cautious, naturally, but interested. They can supply drivers and trucks to smuggle people out of the camp, and some explosives as well. The representative made it abundantly clear that he did not want his men to be used as meatshields, so I doubt we can expect much in the way of fire support. Also, he was leery of us having to take the refugees back to Seattle. He asked me to see what I could do about having the refugees stay in CFS.

"Of course, this means a call to Mr. Fan. We can also take the oppertunity to inform him about Durin and see if Mr. Fan will fund any replacements.

"As for payment, straight nuyen will work, but the contact said any equipment we can offer will be taken as well, and any services we can offer them at a discount will be considered.

"That pretty much sums it up. So, shall I call Dice?"

[paul_HArkonen]

0103 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar

"I don't know, any idea where in the Barrens she is?"

"I didn't think so, Either way I'll find her, even if I have to comb the place astrally the whole evening. Thanks Max, I'll keep in touch."

Turning back to the rest of the group Blaze's face has taken on a truly scarry look, the focus with which he looks to the team is enough to unerve even the most hardened runner.

"Ok, what's the plan? I need to get this done but in the mean time I have something I need done, perhaps you all can help me."

I was hoping not to have to resort to it, but this team will be as good as anything for the meantime. And I have to find her before that Corp does.

"My cousin disapeared about two weeks ago as part of a likely extraction. She ditched her handlers but has now been lost in the Barrens, and I'm not quite sure which Barrens, either Redmond or Puyallup. I need her found, period, I'm willing to offer my entire cut from this run if needed but I want her found. She's magically active and being hunted, if none of you want in I'll be searching for her during the ride down. But no matter what I'm going to find her and help her."

The cold rage of Blaze's comment stilled the room for a moment, causing him to look even more focused and to create the immage of him as a man willing to die for his cause.

[Shev]

0103 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar

Avalanche stares at Blaze, totally taken aback. What the frag? How the fragging hell did this meeting get so hosed? Two missing, and now we have a wild goose chase in the Barrens? And we don't even know which Barrens!

Avalanche quickly regains his composure. His cut of the run, hmmm? Well, this meeting is pretty much clusterfragged anyways..wait! Drek!

"Blaze, I'd love to help you out. However, we need to take care of this meeting first. I've got another meeting with the rebel group's contact in 11 hours, and we need to have a response from Mr. Fan by then, as well as how we plan to pay for their help, assuming we end up using it at all. Also, we need to call Dice. Hell, he could help us look for your cousin too. Can we just settle these matters before we go charging out like a blind bull?"

[paul_HArkonen]

0104 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar

Blaze's cold attitude remains and he keeps his focus but no longer seems angered.

"That's fine she's magically active and important enough to be extracted I hope she can keep herself out of trouble for a few hours. I'm just saying that my plan is to do that as soon as I leave here, we can finish the meeting, and then I hope to be out hunting, whether in the Astral or in the flesh, perhaps both."