Salvation, Making the world a better place Options

[Sedna]

1247 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Zerikolopoli's

"Get one fragging hell of a lot more information on the person we're supposed to be rescuing than we currently have? and get it before any of us leaves? Know as far as possible exactly who's involved behind the scenes? Get all the information our temp-allies have for us? Know our escape route -- and know our alternate escape route? Know exactly what each of us is going to be doing, beyond scoping out the place? I've got some ideas, but our resources keep changing on me."

She sighs.

"But first of all, Tin Star, get that retainer as untraceable as possible -- not the sticks from the Johnson. Cash would be ideal; a different certified credstick less so, but adequate.

"Second: obtain some miniaturised radio equipment with scramblers, from somewhere. Borrow, beg, anything. We'll get one of them smuggled inside the camp and one of them smuggled to you, Tin Star -- but everyone outside the camp should always have one accessible, even though we aren't going to be using them until we're ready to act.

"And third ..." She trails off thoughtfully, studying the table, letting the waiters divest themselves of large group platters of rice and souvlaki and spanakopita. After they are gone, she remains still for a good few minutes longer, her head bent: then raises it suddenly. "Gentlemen, we all know this would go much better with a boat. So what can we find out, on the QT, about obtaining one ... however temporarily?"

[paul_HArkonen]

1247 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Zerikolopoli's

Blaze smiles slightly, "Yeah I'll see about getting the radios, but a boat, this quickly, might be harder to finagle. I just don't have the contacts to work."

[Sedna]

1247 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Zerikolopoli's

"True, that -- but ask around anyway. Both of you. As well as transport, we just might discover another location that needs freeing." Alleycat looks thoughtful then: "Did our allies say anything before about the stipulation for bringing the detainees back to Seattle? I thought for sure they'd try for some reassurance that we're not running slaves."

She chews thoughtfully the stuffed pastry-like dumpling variant she'd speared from the main platter. "Tin Star, what all am I eating, here? I'd like to be able to order it again."

[Digital Heroin]

1247 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Zerikolopoli's

`I've never much had a problem with being left to my own ends a while.`

Border patrol, always lonely duty when the numbers are stretched thin. When it's the Azzie military on the other end, then you're all the more on your own. He doesn't even bother with mentioning that he knew not to bring tracable cash. He knows crime, knows how it works.

`Sour beef and dumplings, Z's makes the best in the city. Though I reckon I'd recommend the mixed grille, that is if you've got the stomach for squid.`

[Sedna]

1248 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Zerikolopoli's

If Alleycat's eyes were visible behind the red lenses, they might have narrowed; and for once she didn't smile. He didn't acknowledge anything I said other than the direct question, and he doesn't much care whether he's in contact with the rest of the team or not. He states it as though the only issue were his ability to function out of touch, ignoring completely that we might need to contact him -- to work with him. He knows what he's doing with regards to the credstick, but he really doesn't care whether the rest of us know that he knows; and there's nothing he said before that would make it obvious. I'm thinking maybe he was military, but if so, it was maybe low rank (where you avoid volunteering for anything that isn't in your self-interest) and for sure long stretches alone; and maybe he's been on too many of them to remember how to work with other people.

You should talk, "Alleycat".

I'm forcing myself, okay? We're supposed to be working as a team here. That means I've got to find a way for us all to stay at least periodically in touch, and all of us recognise that that's important. That means they've got to know for sure that I can do what I say I'm going to do. That means if someone asks me to do something, I've got to acknowledge, out loud, to them, that I will do that thing. We're still a ragtag collection of individuals, not nearly enough bonded yet for silent understandings to work. That's already expressed itself, in how many people up and vanished. So we've absolutely got to take into account that we aren't yet a team, but that we're working toward becoming one -- and that means that like all of us, I've got to make sure I say relevant things out loud, even if they seem obvious to me.

Otherwise we're screwed before we begin.

[paul_HArkonen]

1248 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Zerikolopoli's

Blaze can see that the meeting is begining to wrap up. Taking a moment the other two can see his focus slide out for just a short while. Even behind his yellow lenses they can see that he's shifted his focus.

Taking a moment on the astral plane Blaze studies the auras of both his companions, committing them to memory. At least I should be able to find them this way.

[Sedna]

1248 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Zerikolopoli's

But we haven't even gone over plan specifics yet ...?

No matter. Even without it being blazingly obvious in the astral, she'd know that she's lost Blaze's focus (which maybe is the only reason she isn't more uncomfortable under the shaman's steady, analysing stare); and Tin Star's been ready to leave for a couple of days now. So's she for that matter: but they're not working on nearly enough information for her taste -- and she's far less willing to unnecessarily jump into something blind than either of them. We may never have perfect information, but perfect information is a long way from what we've got.

If this doesn't work out ...

What's holding her back from the sudden urge to just disappear again, out of the world, away from this whole thing, is the knowledge that, somehow, she has to make this work -- and making it work means to make it work for all three of them. At some point she's been shifted into something of a leadership position. She doesn't mind the order-giving part -- but apparently there's a responsibility part too. Sucks beans, that.

"Okay," she says at last, knowing at least enough never to give an order that will be ignored or actively disobeyed, "Looks like we're pretty much wrapped up here for now. Tin Star, unless you want to help vet any new recruits for yourself, or unless you're going to be able to get any background legwork for us" -- she's proud of having acquired that word -- "looks like all you've got left here is the finalising of the meet with our allies, you know when and where. After that you're clear to go as soon as the ID paperwork's in and Blaze can get you a radio. Since I've still got some work to clear up on this end --" let's hope that at least one of the new guys can come up with something about this Alexander person or his sister "-- if your ID checks out before Sunday, looks like you'll be going on your own after all. If either of you comes up with a potential team member and you want me to vet them, call me. You've got my number."

Fragging hell, she's tired. And the thought translates into personality, and the personality translates physically into what's left when the energy runs out of your body and you just want to sink into the floor.

[paul_HArkonen]

1248 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Zerikolopoli's

Blinking out of his focus Blaze returned to the normal world, feeling that slight loss that the transition leaves. "Sorry, I just needed to make sure I could pick the two of you out in a crowd. Tin Star, I'm gonna need your number to let you know on the radio, and I'll giv eyou guys mine if you want it. I've found that works better than suddenly looking like a ghost in the middle of your bedroom."

Realizing his feeble attempt at humor was just further proof of his complete exaustion Blaze continued on. "It may take me a day or two to get them, but I hope not."

Turning his shaded gaze back to Alleycat he swtiched over to a different subject. "I'll know by the end of the day how we stand with my decker, in or out and conditions. I'll try to find a gun bunny to cover either you or my meat, whichever is more needed, but no promises on either account, I've found these things to be fairly hit or miss."

Decking and gun bunnies certainly aren't my spcialty. I hope Max can set me up with someone he trusts. I don't know that we truly need the gun bunny, but I think Alleycat would prefer that I had some more backup. I really should try to stay in touch with her after we finish saving these people.

[Sedna]

1249 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Zerikolopoli's

"Appreciate that, Blaze." The attempt at humour had gone completely past her, another indication that maybe after all it was a good idea to wrap up with what they had. "Got a bit of Matrixy work to do myself."

The food's far from finished, but since they've started packing it in anyway, Alleycat waves over the waiter and asks for what's left to be packed up, at the same time asking the waiter lightly for the damage -- revising it to "the bill" when she doesn't get that instant smile out of him. When it arrives, she mock-cringes -- "You'd better look at that, Tin Star" -- but she pulls out and unfolds a couple of diagonally-folded notes regardless and places them inside the padded book of a folder in which the bill had arrived. The total's close, but it's not nearly enough to cover the full bill.

[Digital Heroin]

1249 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Zerikolopoli's

Tin Star is quick enough to take up the bill when it comes, regarding it a moment. Business is absorbed, but in his usual manner he doesn't have much to say about it. He's new, green to this business, so he's handling it as any other he's been new to. Stay quiet, smile and nod, and when it comes time, act. For now he's just got to arange to have to retainer wired to a place he can get it in cash, and he's got to talk to Duffy. There's tension with the team, this he can tell, but he's never been much of a leader, or much of a team player in the past. He's a lone wolf, a straight arrow. Of course that's got him in trouble in the past.

`I'll leave y'all with my contact number. The meal's on me, 'long as you'all pitch in for the tip.`

In truth he'll leave the bill to his tab with Z, and have it taken out of his payment for the run. It's just how things work.

[Sedna]

1250 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Zerikolopoli's

Alleycat nods acknowledgement, knowing he'd see it and understand it. In the quiet way Tin Star's taken the bill, she knows he's going to take care of it in his own way. She'd held a private bet with herself that he would. (Suppressed sigh. Note to self: always ask the experts ... later.) She's vaguely curious about the protocol he'd follow after that, once he'd noticed that she'd left what was almost certainly close to the value of the entire meal; but really only for what it would tell her about him, and even that observation would be muddied by what a "standard" tip would be, under ... call them "unusual" circumstances. She wouldn't have expected it -- and that's why she's trained herself not to rely to heavily on preconceptions -- but he's got some of the same sense of "belonging" in this place as Avalanche had had, back at Blink's.

Live and learn.

"So, if we're done here, I'll see you both here tomorrow, half an hour before I've got to finalise our deal. Unless either of you comes up with a nibble you want my opinion on before then, of course. Blaze: can I catch a ride with you to the Puyallup civic centre?"

Got forty-nine minutes clear yet, fragging straight I want to get some solid Matrix stuff done first. And then afterwards I can head to the shooting range, and maybe it'll be my turn to pin up a picture. Hmm, the Teaser felt like he might be a scrapper, wonder if he knows anyone who teaches? I am so far from what I should be ...

[paul_HArkonen]

1250 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Zerikolopoli's

"Sure, might be a little tight, but I think I can manage. I'm pretty much fine with the plan as is, I'm not sure I like being 'in charage' of our friends, but I can manage. Thanks for covering the charge Tin Star, I'll pay you back at some point and I'll see you tomorrow, hopefully with a friend."

With that Blaze stood up, stretching and yawning. It had been a very long night, and he suspected the next few days and nights would be just as long. Maybe I can catch some sleep before Squall and Max call back. If not I'll need to sleep on the ride over.

[Sedna]

1301 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - leaving Zerikolopoli's

This time of day, outside the major rush hours and with the overcast mostly cleared, leaving the sky almost as clear as Seatle skies ever get, the ride is a relatively fast one. The watery sun beating on her worn longcoat, Alleycat hunches a little closer on the seat behind Blaze. If he weren't as tired as he is, she thinks he might have asked if there wasn't some better place to take her -- her place, perhaps? But the bus terminal suits her purposes particularly well, just now; and she's got to set a few things in motion quickly: so she just quickly slides off before he can think better of it, raises his visor to peck him on the cheek, and becomes quickly one with the mid-noon-hour commute. She can feel the seconds slipping away.

Where is that Matrix café I had marked earlier? They said it was around here somewhere ...

[paul_HArkonen]

1321 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - leaving Zerikolopoli's

As he slowly drives off Blaze can't help but have his mind wander.
I really should have asked if there was a better place to drop her off. And I wonder what that small kiss meant..

As he starts getting near his place his mind slips into bussiness mode.
Call Max, set up a time ot meet him, today, and tell him what I'm looking for. Call Squall, leave a message on his answering machine, because that's the only way to talk with him. Then, finaly get at least an hour or two of sleep.

Trying desperately to supress it Blaze lets out another jaw cracking yawn. Sleep would help, but he couldn't afford to sleep for too long, there was still a lot he had to do, and more than a few things he needed to figure out.

[Digital Heroin]

1321 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - leaving Zerikolopoli's

After he settles the bill, and the others depart, Tin Star hangs back a few moments, ordering a coffee, and inquiring if the boss is in. If Z is present, it might make things a bit easier alround. Duffy isn't always the easiest soul to contact, and Steele needs the creds for a border cross, and a background check come to think of it, soon.

[WinterRat1]

13:22:02 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - leaving Zerikolopoli's

A waitress comes back in a few moments, and says quietly, "He's in, and he'll see you in the back for a few if you need him."

[Digital Heroin]

13:23 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Meeting with Z

When the waitress comes back, it'll be to Tin Star busying himself with folding a copy of the bill into a little origami thing or another. With a smile and a friendly nod, he pushes back his chair.

`Thank you kindly, if you'll lead the way.`

He stands, and pushes the chair back into place, falling in behind the waitress. He knows the way, of course, but there are protocols to follow after.

[paul_HArkonen]

1351 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Home

It had been a long day, and it was only half done. As he entered the door Blaze sagged visibly, the exaghstion from the past 24 hours fully catching up with him. He shrugged off his coat and hung it up.

Stepping towards his bedroom he began calling Squall. Typing numbers he knew by rote from his may days of calling asking if he'd found anything Blaze was focused on what he was going to talk with Max about. As the call went through to Squall Blaze could hear the answering machine pick up.

"Hey, it's Blaze. I've got a few things I need to talk to you about. Give me a call back on a secure line and we'll talk."

Hanging up Blaze imediately began dialing Max. It's been so long since Max and I have been able to just sit down and talk. If I can somehow manage to stay awake for a dinner this will be good. Just me and him talking.

"What's up?"

"Hey, Max, this is Blaze. I was just thinking it's been a while since you and I have gotten a chance to just sit down and eat a meal together."

"It's been too long since we've done that. You planning something?"

Max knows me all too well "Yeah actually. How about we get together tonight for some sushi, you pick the place and I'll meet you there."

The quick pause on the other end let Blaze know that tonight would have to be quick, Max obviously already had something planned.

"Yeah, that sounds fine. How about we eat on New York time, about 10:00."

He must have a meet to broker before that, he's always been a fan of eating at a reasonable hour.

"That sounds fine. Give me a call if you don't want to eat at the regular place."

Max's response was kindly, it had been too long since they'd talked. "Sure, It'll be good to talk to you in person again. Bye"

Shaking his head Blaze set his bed alarm for 4 hours That ought to be enough time, and if Squall calls it should wake me up. It'll be good to talk to Max again, even if some of it will have to be biz.

Double checking the alarm Blaze took off his under shirt and lay down for the first real sleep he'd had since night before last. His thought before drifting off was of the two women he has vowed to protect. I have to find her and keep her safe, even if it gets me killed. And I will not let anything happen to her durning this run, I can't let the corps hurt them again.

[WinterRat1]

16:47:12 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Home

The telecom rings. Blaze rolls out of bed and answers, and is greeted with the usual static filled background that accompanies Squall’s voice. “You rang with stuff to say. I’m here, so let’s hear what you’ve got for me.” Always blunt and to the point, Squall was. Still, there were worse traits in a person, the shaman supposed. Shaking off the last remaining cobwebs of sleep clouding his mind, Blaze began filling him in.

[WinterRat1]

13:25:19 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Meeting with Z

The waitress leads him to the back, where a nondescript looking Greek male is sitting at a plain, unassuming table with a cheap .99 nuyen tablecloth covering it. A plate of chicken and potatoes is pushed off to one side, and the whole surface of the table is covered with receipts. Looking up at their arrival, Z gestures to a chair a small distance from the table, opposite from himself, and says, “Ah, if it isn’t the Star.” He chuckles a little at his joke, and asks as Tin Star seats himself, “What can I do for you today?”

[Digital Heroin]

13:25:19 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Meeting with Z

Tin Star takes up the chair, twisting it about so he can sit and rest his arms on the back. A meeting with Z has never been an overly formal affair.

`Been a little while Z, thanks for the tip on this one, she's big. big enough I'm going to need some new credentials, something with enough beef to get me across a few potentially unfriendly borders.`

A plain white human with more than a bit of redneck in him isn't exactly Tir friendly. Then again he's thinking a little more roundabout journey.

[WinterRat1]

13:26:09 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Meeting with Z

Looking up at him with a familiar, friendly irritation, Z grumbles, "Details my American friend, details. You are always so short with your words. I must have details to know how to respond to you. Be more specific in your requests, please. Which borders? Any specific things these credentials must have? Will there be cause to examine any particular aspects of them closely? Come come, let the words flow and paint me a picture of your desires."

[paul_HArkonen]

16:47:12 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Home

Blaze begins speaking slowly, trying to clear his sleep fogged, and deprived brain. "I've taken a job to shut down one of Saito's camps." Shaking his head Blaze's voice regained some strength as his brain slowly woke up. "We lost our teams decker and are in need of another one. You could most likely do all of your work from where you are right now, and anything else we could set up for you so you wouldn't have to leave.

Squall's silence could only be described as stunned. "I know this seems blunt but you're the best Decker I know and we kinda need one." Shaking his head to try and further clear it Blaze gave Squall a minute to let his rapid delivery sink in. "You'd be paid of course, although I can't tell you how much right now, but it should be in the 10 k range. If you're even going to consider it I need to arrange a way for you to meet, even if it's electronically, with the rest of the team." The world had finally begun to clear itself up to Blaze. "So, you interested?"

Squall's voice was hard to read over the static on the line, but the words could be heard clearly. "I can't help you, at least not on short notice like this. I've got other things that I have to do. I'll assume that you have at least a few other things you need me to do."

Blaze sighed slightly at the news. You know I really ought to know better than to expect him to be able to do that like this. Squall's always liked to really look things over before committing, must be the crazyness of the past few days, throwing me off.

"Yeah. As if I hadn't asked enough of you I have a few things I need. I still need a decker, if you know anyone trustworthy who you think can accept a job this quickly please let me know. I also need to know if you can connect me with a set of 4 radios with at least some encryption. The other is I need some information about an individual." Blaze began running down the list that Alleycat gave him to try and find out.

edited per the PM

[WinterRat1]

16:47:52 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Home

“Four radios with encryption I can do. The level of encryption we’re talking about though, will influence how fast I can get them. Any specifics on that? As far as another decker, I’ll look into it for you, but I’d recommend going through other channels on this as well. Any info I should know as far as passing along the job to them? And now, what’s this information you’re looking for on a person?”

[paul_HArkonen]

16:48:05 Saturday, January 6, 2063 - Home

"I've never been reallly good with technology so I'm not sure exactly. I know it needs to be enough to offer some level of protection, but I don't think we need it encrypted heavily enough to fool someone like the CIA. If that helps any... "

Taking a breath Blaze shook his head once again, clearing the last of the cobwebs out of his head. "I'm already working on trying to find someone through other routs, but since you're the expert I figured I'd ask."

Slight static crackled through from the other end, but Blaze could still hear Squall's breathing over the line. "As for the information... I need as much background as you can get me on three individuals. The first is Mister Alexander Wong, he's a 22 year old Elf from China, he's currently held in a concentration camp in Cal Free. I need background and, mainly, a reason why someone would pay me to break him out. The second is his sister, same thing for her."

The static was getting slightly louder again, perhaps Squall adjusting the encryption on the call. "That should be do able, but it's going to take some time, and some money. You said you had a third target?"

Blaze continued on finally truly awake. "The third is my Johnson. Called himself Mr. Fan and met us in the Paradigm Shift I'd like to know who he works for and what his, or his employer's, connection to the target is."

"You know as well as I do that Johnson's like their privacy. I can try but I make no promises, and it's going to cost me some for that, so I'll likely need you to pay for some of it."

"Thanks, and I know. Let me know when and if you find anything."

The line went dead leaving Blaze groggy but awake. I'm not gonna be able to get back to sleep, so I might as well get up.