Salvation, Making the world a better place Options

[paul_HArkonen]

1148 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

Blaze tilts forward, trying to pitch his voice so that only Alleycat can hear, "Not yet, but I have to admit, I'm better doing the fighting then the corporate" his inflection on the word showing his distaste for them, "style negotiations."

[WinterRat1]

1149 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

The ork laughs loud and long. But it is far from a mocking laugh. Call it a friendly, incredulous, yet partly admiring laugh, if so many things can be translated through such a basic human form of response.

"Lady, I don't know who you are, but you and your friends, you all got cojones, huh? You realize that we're talking about what's got to be a hundred or so of that bastard Saito's Imperial Marines, and that's not even talking the defenses of the camp itself or what they can call in, right?"

Knowing the question to be more rhetorical in nature than a genuine inquiry, Sal sits there silently and waits for the ork to continue. Chuckling to himself, the ork takes a moment to regain his composure and smiles at her. "You're crazy. The kind of crazy that gets you killed. But I like that. Cause that kind of crazy also sometimes does a lot of good in this world."

Clearing his throat, the ork says, "All right then. To business." Holding up his fingers, he ticks off his responses to her point by point.

"If you got a plan, we got the guys to help get the people back to Seattle. But we may or may not have the transportation for that kind of job, I'm afraid. We've got some trucks, sure, but if you're planning on going through the Tir...well lady, I hope you got some real smarts to go along with that kind of crazy. And as for going by water...if you've got it, we'll got with it, but otherwise we're drek out of luck there. Those are details though. For now, that service for straight up nuyen, sure."

Ticking off another finger, he continues, "Resources, it all depends what you're looking for. Sure, we got some stuff, but nothing military or heavy duty like the high explosives Mr. Cube was talking about last time I was here. And we would be willing to outfit the people, sure, but we don't really have a enough to outfit everyone in there. As far as the diversion though," he shakes his head, "that's just out of the question. I told your friend last time that we don't have the numbers or the training to be used like that, and I won't have my people thrown away as cannon fodder."

Folding his hands in front of him, he finishes, "In exchange for that, Mr. Cube, at least, indicated he'd be willing to help us on something else down the road, call it, a favor. I don't know if any others of your group are along that line of thinking, but we can work something out."

Leaning back slightly, hands still folded across his lap, he nods at Sal. "Well Ms. Johnson, I believe your people were the ones who contacted us. If we're up to date on what we discussed last time, then I believe it's on you to make us the offer, right?"

Ms. Johnson? Argh! That must be what it looks like to them, at least somewhat, since we did contact them about hiring on...Well, not that that's any significant thing, but it's different, that's for sure. Despite her initial surprise, neither her aura nor her physical self show any traces of surprise. Indeed, her attitude might almost convey that she expected to be referred to as such.

"Oh that's good, very good. Very impressive. You're not used to being Ms. Johnson, are you? But you hid it well. They probably don't even know they surprised you. Of course, that's not any real surprise, is it? After all, you're good at hiding things from everyone, aren't you? Huh. It's a wonder some days that you don't try to disguise yourself from yourself."

And then, out of nowhere, that damnable voice again...

[Sedna]

1149 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

Ignoring the voice, "Listen, drop the Ms. Johnson, please? We're on the same side for this, and if we're to pull this off, we'll all be risking our lives, side by side. Call me Sal -- that's short for Sally."

She spreads her hands, straightening: "We have a plan, once we hammer out the details here we will have a timeframe, and we'll get into details once we're both certain just exactly what you have in the way of trucks and other transportation you're willing to commit. I can understand your concern about the diversion -- would you feel better about it if one or more from our group were to join you? Because I'm not looking for anything like a full combat assault, here. You of all people will know that it doesn't take heavy armaments to make a continuing military commitment untenable. The most up-to-date information you can supply will be crucial. You use resistance tactics, and" -- striking the edge of her palm on the arm of her chair to emphasise the point -- "by Kibo I can help you make them work!"

She's absolutely sincere. What she chooses to do, she will do well.

"But regretfully," she continues, shifting the tone slightly, "any favours volunteered by Mr Cube will now have to be a personal matter between you and him. When we succeed in this, I think we are committing ourselves to a reasonable maximum."

And Sal stretches back comfortably, too firmly settled into this negotiation to -- just now -- hear whoever-it-was as anything more than an irritation ... but also in a position to unnoticeably flick on her answering machine if the voice shows any sign of interrupting necessary information again.

[WinterRat1]

1150 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

She sounds sincere. Very sincere, in fact. But sincerity alone isn't going to help anyone, and it's certainly not going to stop people, maybe a lot of people, from getting killed in the process of this op. Calmly, the ork asks, "How many people are we talking about moving? If you're on the level about getting those people out of there, then we'll get as many trucks as it takes to get them out of there. But like I said, if you want something in terms of sea or air, your drek out of luck with us. As far as a diversion, yeah, having one or more of your people along would probably go a ways to convincing my superior our people won't be used just as cannon fodder."

He grins, a toothy grin, and adds, "Not that we don't trust you or anything. But as a show of faith..." Of course, they both know perfectly well that trust was the issue. Sure, they were out to make the world a better place, but even then, you just couldn't trust people these days, no matter what they were trying to do, right? Or could you?

"So personal favors with Mr. Cube aside, now that I've answered your question, it's still on you to answer mine. What are we talking about here in terms of nuyen?"

[Sedna]

1150 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

"The bargain would be in three parts," begins Sal. "The first part should be on a per truck basis, to be acquired in the San Francisco region, each truck to come with a driver willing to cross NAN borders. Of course, if you happen to know of a handy freighter or Ares Dragon which could be volunteered into service --" she smiled "-- and know persons capable of operating it, we could alter that basis." She's still leaning back as she steeples her fingers again: "Then again," she begins thoughtfully, "if you're willing to take part of your payment in kind -- specifically, in what you could salvage of Saito's trucks ...?" She lets that hang for a moment. "Because I'm thinking that a competent and soon-to-be dominant guerrilla group would have some very detailed information on deliveries in the area, and might have some interest in acquiring resources for their own long-term use ...?"

"The basis of the second part would be access to your information and supply lines, initially so as to operate on a mutual equal-information basis with respect to all information concerning the camp, and later in helping us to smuggle small arms and very basic demolitions and, if at all possible, a Matrix-linked datatap into the camp."

"The basis of the third part would be your assistance with diversion at the crucial moment, with your people working directly with Blaze here" -- she tilts her head slightly, what might have been an ironic, understanding, oddly gentle glance behind the red lenses, that somehow takes him instantly back to that moment at the all-night cinema,

[paul_HArkonen]

1150 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

Up until this moment Blaze's gaze had been piercing, as he studied both the auras and physical bodies of their "partners". As Alleycat glances at him his features soften slightly, as if she is once again able to temper the steel that are his emotions. He softens for only a moment, just long enough for Alleycat to catch it, but not enough for their "partners" to take a major notice of it. When they look to him he is once again cold steel, his gaze iron behind his lenses.

I don't know what kind of distraction she is expecting from me, but at least I can provide support for the men with me.

[WinterRat1]

1152 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

The ork closes his eyes for a moment, apparently thinking. His aura shows signs of introspection and consideration, then quickly flashes to resolve. "All right, since you seem determined to avoid the first offer," with a smile, he adds, "not that I blame you, then here's my initial offer. For the first part, 4K, plus rights to whatever vehicles and equipment we find in the camp. The second part, the information will be free provided it is on the basis of a mutual exchange between us and you, with a 1K 'retainer' for the smuggling, to be negotiated on a case by case basis depending on the item in question and the proportionate risk to our people. As far as the third part, 15K, with the understanding that my people will be following the orders of your man there." He gestures to Blaze , then leans back again. "So what do you say?"

During his offer, Blaze has been studying the auras of the three closely. The ork is calm and thoughtful, but seems to have no deceit in mind beyond the desire to get the most for his people as possible while giving up the least, typical for a negotiation, and certainly nothing unusual. The human looks almost bored, but only the naked eye. To Blaze's astral sight, he appears to have coiled, controlled violence lurking beneath the calm exterior.

No surprises there, he's probably the muscle, and he's staying ready in case things go wrong quick. Still, best keep an eye on him, even though it doesn't look like they're planning anything

And the elf, as before, looks perfectly, absolutely, and utterly, boring and mundane.

[Sedna]

1154 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

The calculation is so intuitive that it flashes into Sal's mind almost before she's aware of having made it.

"Start with the third part," she says. "15K is acceptable within that understanding, providing you provide your own armament. Depending on what you can tell me of resource specifics tomorrow, it's possible there might be an additional member of our team by your side during that diversion, and I'll leave it up to the two of them which one of them is to be in charge. It's understood that some of the people within the camp will be also assisting you in this -- at least, both you and I will be helping them to be able to do so -- so you'll be providing appropriate armament for them as well." A quirk at the corner of her mouth: "Self-interest all around."

"For the second, I'm amenable to mutual exchange of information as we each acquire it. Again, we have here a situation of mutual self interest." She pauses. "Primary items we're hoping to get into the camp are medical supplies and basic needs we'll be bringing with us. Secondary is one or more secure means of communication as well as a Matrix datalink. Third are the specific items the people inside the camp will need to be able to assist you with attaining their own freedom. Given that we aren't looking or going to be looking at bringing in anything off the charts, or indeed anything that isn't in their direct best interests -- I think you should suggest an "all-inclusive" sum here and not a case-by-case basis, don't you?"

"Finally," Sal leans forward, "for the first part. It's understood that whatever you manage to retrieve from the camp is yours, no question, but neither we nor the drivers will be assisting you. After all, we'll already have our hands full! We do reserve the option to retain a single vehicle from the camp for our own purposes, and we'll similarly reserve the option for a few small items of our choice, nothing that can't be carried on that single vehicle. I mention this only to cover in case one of us should happen to pick up something while in the camp. Please do understand that we'll be trying to get people out, not hunting around for loot! However" -- and here her tone shifts slightly, just as sincere, the slightest bit more dangerous -- "if our man here" -- she indicates Blaze -- "or any one of us encounters and has to battle magical opposition, we also lay claim to any proceeds directly related." Just that quickly, the slight edge to her voice evaporates. "Like most moderately crazy people" -- the quirk turns into a grin -- "we'd generally prefer to sidestep or entirely avoid any such encounters, of course."

"Given all this, I'd suggest 200 nuyen per truck or bus with driver, and a 1K bonus for any truck or bus capable of carrying more than 20 people. It's understood between us, of course, that we'll try to get as many people on these vehicles as is reasonably possible, and that if we take care of the border arrangements, your drivers will be willing to drive them to Seattle."

Once again she settles back, head cocked: "You said earlier that you'd have to confirm this with your people, so we'll have a 5K retainer ready for you, say, at this time tomorrow? The balance, of course, will have to await task completion ... but we can settle the details of that transfer tomorrow as well."

[WinterRat1]

1156 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

The ork takes a moment to consider her offer, then counters, "15K for the 3rd part is acceptable to us both, as well as the clarifications you just laid out, so we'll assume that's set. As for the second, say 2K then for an 'all-purpose' inclusion, but we reserve the right to renegotiate in exceptional circumstances."

Before Sal can ask what 'exceptional circumstances' are, the ork shrugs. "Your man Cube came in talking about high explosives. Smuggling C12 is a bit different than a medkit. Just in case something crazy like that comes up again, I'd want to reserve the option to renegotiate. Barring anything extreme though, a 2K retainer for what it sounds like you have in mind should be fair, given that we'll probably be making numerous trips to smuggle numerous things. As for the first, I'll go with everything you say except the price. Make it 300 per vehcile with driver, and we're good. I assume that the 1K bonus is PER truck or bus capable of carrying more than 20 people, yes?"

He leans back and folds his hands. "And as for the 5K retainer tomorrow, same time and place, that's fine by me. So, what do you say?"

[Sedna]

1157 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

"Yup, we're on the same 'base with the bonus. And among the stuff we think people inside the camp will need to help us out, we'll try to keep the C12 to an absolute minimum." Sal stands up, holding out her hand: "I think we've got a deal. See you here tomorrow, then?"

[WinterRat1]

1157 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

The ork nods his head and rises as well. "Tomorrow, same time." Then he and his two bodyguards exit, leaving the team alone in the back room.

[Sedna]

1157 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

Sal lets out a long breath, almost a sigh, and her shoulders visibly sag a little. "Dice, thank you," she says. "I guess he's later even than he thought he'd be. You've got his LTG, of course?"

It's a very dwarfish look Dice gives her. "Of course."

" 'K, then. You'll let him know what's up with here?"

Dice nods: "Can do. Need anything else?"

"Your LTG," she says, but she's shaking her head at the same time, "Besides that, not for now, but we'll see how it goes. When's good to reach you?"

The dwarf laughs. "Spend as long as I have in th' biz, you don't got no bad times for good news."

After a moment Sal smiles: "Got it. Talk to you when I talk to you, then." The dwarf nods again, and walks out.

"Blaze, Tin Star," she says then, leading the two of them toward the front door of the small eatery, "we've got to talk. Got a preferred place that isn't here?"

[paul_HArkonen]

1157 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

"I'm afraid I don't have anywhere really good for it, but I may know one place. How much anti snooping protection do you feel we need?"

[Sedna]

1157 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

Sal shrugs. "Got any idea how few people even care? 'Course, it's the one who does who'll burn you ..."

[Digital Heroin]

1158 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

Quiet as always through the negotiations, Steele had pretty much been a non-entity. Hide in plain sight, and people let you know things. As far as business went, he was sure he could trust the deal they'd just made, but he couldn't be so sure that these people wouldn't buckle under pressure. Resistance is only as strong as those who provide it. Still, he knew this was their best course of action.

`If'n the two of you don't mind, I know a man who owns a few places we can get some food, an' talk a spell.`

Funny, the guy who never seems to eat during meets, is offering a restaurant for a quiet talk. Then again, Steele's got a hankering for some definitly un-Texan food.

[paul_HArkonen]

1158 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

"That's fine, it's probibally better than my place anyway."

[Sedna]

1158 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

Sal grins. "Lead the way."

And then, cocking her head in Blaze's direction: "Did you take a cab again?" Turning slightly to include Tin Star: "That 'back of the truck' offer still open?"

[Digital Heroin]

1158 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

A pearly white smile crosses Tin Star's features, and he nods.

`Offers always open. Would probably be best if we all took the same ride anyway, less conspicuous.`

With his drawl, he pronounces every syllable of the last word alone, making it seem more like four.

[paul_HArkonen]

1159 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

Blaze shakes his head apologetically. "Actually I have to pick up my bike, which is how I got here by the way," tossing a jokingly angry look at Alleycat. "I can meet you somewhere and join you in the truck, or you can tell me where to meet you. It's your call, I don't know how private you want to keep your meet site."

[Digital Heroin]

1159 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

`It a'int no worry.`

He produces an old fashion business card for a greek restaurant about a half hour from the Rhino. Th erestaurant's part of a fairly sucessful chain, with locations in places that'd suprise some people. Mainly because Z likes to keep his ears out and about in the city.

`We'll wait on outside for ya, that'll avoid us gettin' hastled about a reservation.`

[Sedna]

1159 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

Glancing from one to the other with a "what did I do?" expression as they approach the parked pickup, Sal opts for the back by the simple expedient of hopping into it. "Mainly because I can crash in the back," she says apologetically, "if only for a few minutes. It's been a disgustingly early morning. Blaze, we'll meet you there, then?"

[paul_HArkonen]

1159 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

Blaze nods, "I know exactly what you mean. I'll see you there."

Blaze turns and walks over to his bike's parking spot. Sliding in the keys he revs the engine once and then peals away towards the resteraunte and the sight of the meet.

As he leaves he dials Max's number on his cell. "Hey, Max, It's Blaze."

(continued on Lits IC)

[Sedna]

1225 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

But even though the pickup bed is at least as comfortable as the coffin of a few hours ago, she isn't able to fall asleep, not quite. She knows what that means. Part of her mind is cataloguing turns, stops, once an on-ramp: fitting the kinetic sensory information into a gradually building picture of the Seattle in her mind -- but that's purely a matter of instinct, it's entirely possible she could have done it in her sleep, had she needed to. Another part of her mind is reviewing and sorting the events of the previous hour, to make them her own and to learn from them. In her case, the old cliché is true enough: her first training had been in how to learn.

But again: that wouldn't have been enough to hold her awake.

She's in potentially hostile territory, but she's never really stopped being there, not since -- Enough, no need to go back there: enough to say that she's slept in hostile territory before, to the point where if such ability hadn't been almost second nature, she'd have died from sheer lack of sleep years back. Well -- a couple of years, anyway. So that wasn't it.

No -- she's gone on last reserves and beyond, she's shrugged down two and three all-nighters back-to-back, she's gone so far out of any kind of standard wake-sleep pattern she's no longer sure she ever had one -- come to think of it, that's entirely possible -- wake up out of a sound sleep, with physical and mental faculties fully on-line.

But.

She knows it then. Really, she's known it all along. One refuge, one reliable space when not even her own body, her own physical being, had been reliable. Skills learned, and then the harsh discovery that her own body hadn't the ability to perform them as she remembered performing them: for the second time in her life, now. Even the basic morning routine, culminating with the sun salutation, still leaves her too often trembling in physical exhaustion. It shouldn't be beyond her ability but -- it is. But she'd been prepared for that, once again she's working her way out of that, and if the Ancients connection panned out, she'll be able to tap a reliable steroid market again, or maybe make her own. She's absolutely fed up with her current state.

What she'd not been prepared for, not at all, was a sentient presence inside her own thoughts. With the ability to violate her barriers at will, without even any perception of resistance. It's wrong on so many levels she doesn't even know where to start. It's -- it's wrong. Just leave me alone. Is that too much to ask?

Apparently, it was.

So, Alleycat, this isn't something within your control -- but at least it doesn't want to kill you and it doesn't want to capture you, at least not yet. And it did shut up when it knew I was willing to risk the radio signal out to record what the frag I was in the middle of at the time.

So what are you going to do about it?

She hasn't the foggiest.

The truck's pulling in somewhere, and Alleycat pulls out of her drifting trance. We're here ...

[WinterRat1]

1235 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

As if on cue...

"Violate? That's so...evil sounding. Really now. Just because I want to hold a civil conversation with you, which I might add, has been quite impossible to this point, you think that I'm violating you? Honestly! And I stopped talking to you because you were being quite the difficult one. So don't act as if I'm to blame for all this! Maybe if you'd stop being so hostile and suspicious of everyone and would just listen for a change, we could handle this like nice, mature adults. What do you say?"

[Sedna]

1235 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - The Big Rhino

Alleycat's too tired, really, to react: and anyway she'd been half-expecting it. Good to know, at least, that this thing could be goaded in predictable directions. Now that that's established, why not. Did you bother asking what I want?