Living in the Shadows: IC, Jan 8th-14th Options

[DeliciousD]

11:15:53 Tuesday, 09 January 2063 - The Emporium, 8047 Fall City Road, Redmond, Seattle

"I'm starting to think I don't have a clue," Joslyn replies with a frown "You see that kid's eyes? All white...looks kinda young for disturbing cyberware."

He continues to help Remy pack up

"Do you know anything about that tracking device, reckon we could we follow the signal if we stuck it in with the cooler? We could even give your pretty lady friend a heads up about it...throw a bit more fuel on the fire, see if anything lights up."

[grendel]

09:44:35 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 - 35010 Von Schilling Way, Renton, Seattle

"Pain is weakness leaving the body," replied Kovacs, his own chest rising and falling as a result of the exertion. He passed her a bottle of water, drinking deeply from his own.

"Wednesdays are arm days, plus sparring. It's a tough workout so don't try and keep up. Do what you can and we'll increase the intensity when you're ready."

Kovacs led the way back to the workout studio, stripping off his running gear until he was in just his compression shorts and t-shirt. Mac admired the play of muscles in his back and legs as she walked behind him.

An hour later found Mac gasping and blinking sweat from her eyes. Her shoulders and biceps were on fire as she followed Kovacs through the routine. He was relentless, moving from set to set, exercise to exercise with only enough of a break to swallow some water or to wipe away the sweat that poured from their bodies. When he finally called the last set over, Mac flopped on her back, wheezing. She was heartened to see that he was winded as well, lifting his arms over his head and taking deep, but controlled breaths.

"All right, sparring. From the way you move, you've had some training so we won't need to start out at square one. As soon as you're ready, I'll introduce you to Sam."

[Mach_Ten]

11:16:42 Tuesday, 09 January 2063 - The Emporium, 8047 Fall City Road, Redmond, Seattle

"Do you know anything about that tracking device, reckon we could we follow the signal if we stuck it in with the cooler? We could even give your pretty lady friend a heads up about it...throw a bit more fuel on the fire, see if anything lights up."

"Naah, Danny had me fetches it over to a friend alreddies, Chummer scanned it and said basic'ly it's too new, new hot to track.
But I was finking of either calling her up.. fer a date y'knows .. or just to sez we seen da guys she wuz after."
Remy considers the possibilities with the tracker
"Dat fings no use to us, may as well chuck it on da cooler .. can eider try an' follow da kid and watch da fireworks
but I finks his 'parents' would see us too quick.. or follow Xade, buts dat Nolan feller looks kinda fugly, ya scan ?"

[Vegas]

10:07:12 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 - 35010 Von Schilling Way, Renton, Seattle

Mac shrugged against the floor before she sat up as the discussion of her past training came up and she continued to rise up to her feet.

“It’s more like protect your own ass kind of training, mostly self-defense. Lot of good it did me the other night, hmm? I suppose I need a better instructor.”

She moved before him, squaring off, sweat still spilling over the curves of her bare skin.

"Go easy on me at first, ok?"

Her attacks showed promise but room for improvement as she had an almost street quality to her fighting skills. She often would choose inefficient moves, or overextend her attack, leaving her vulnerable. Mac was however much stronger in her evasion of attacks, able to dodge and sidestep most of Kovacs' advances and attacks.

[grendel]

10:28:06 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 - 35010 Von Schilling Way, Renton, Seattle

Kovacs watched with a critical eye as he sparred with Mac, keeping his speed down to seventy percent and his power down to about sixty percent. This was her first time and it was still only practice. Her training clearly showed, a Krav Maga style he found familiar and well suited to fighting in the shadows. Hers seemed optimised towards defense, though, she spent most of her time sliding past his strikes, turning them aside and moving in and out of range. Her attacks were less coordinated, linear strikes aimed towards vulnerable targets like the groin, solar plexus, throat, and head.

He kept her at it for half an hour, evaluating and making notes about areas to focus on, before calling a halt.

"All right, that's enough for today." They grabbed a drink of water, and then he lead her through a series of cool down stretches that ended with them seated cross legged on the floor.

"Close your eyes," instructed Kovacs, resting his hands on his knees and closing his own. "Focus on your breathing. Your breathing is the interface by which we can affect the autonomic nervous system. Controlling your breathing allows you to control your heart rate, your response to pain, things which normally lie outside your ability to affect. Try and focus on breathing with your whole lungs, let your entire chest expand and contact. Pause after you inhale to allow your body to use the oxygen. Inhale. One. Two. Exhale. One. Two. Inhale. One. Two. Exhale. One. Two. Concentrate on the rhythm, let it fill your mind. Feel nothing but the air rushing into your lungs. Hear nothing but my voice as we concentrate. Let your body relax as you breathe."

[Vegas]

10:36:32 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 - 35010 Von Schilling Way, Renton, Seattle

Mac was riding the endorphin high she always got after a great workout. Her muscles burned from fatigue and her breathing was labored. After stretching she instinctively pressed the soles of her feet together and drew them tighter to her hips as she closed her eyes as instructed.

Her heartbeat echoed in her ears, threatening to drown out Kovacs’ voice. Her shoulders rose and fell as she controlled her breathing, slowing everything down, rhythmical breaths in and out as she fought to listen to his voice. Calm and authoritative, there was something about it that drew a soft smile to her lips as she continued to breathe, feeling what her Yogi always referred to as Zen.

The more she focused on her breathing, the more the drumbeat of her heart quieted in her ears and she became more acutely aware of the other noises in the house around them. The electronic hum of the appliances from the kitchen, the wind against the windows and mainly the sound of Kovacs’ breath, in sync with her own in a slow and steady rhythm.

Her eyes fluttered open slowly and she looked up at him through her lashes and held his gaze in silence.

[grendel]

11:09:48 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 - 35010 Von Schilling Way, Renton, Seattle

Kovacs' gaze was empty, his mind focused on some internal horizon. The flat stare of his cybereyes unnerved Mac, and she glanced away, her eyes traveling the room. They lit on a small wooden chest tucked away in the far corner. It was about sixty centimeters long, and half that high, stained a dark cherry and closed with a very modern looking padlock. It piqued her curiosity as it seemed at odds with the austerity of the rest of Kovacs' house.

He was present when she glanced back at him, humanity once more inhabiting his gaze as he smiled back at her.

"Shower," he said, "then lunch."

Mac couldn't agree more. He let her go first, waiting for her to step out of the shower and offering a towel. As she wrapped it around her body, drying off, she once again couldn't help but admire the play of muscles beneath his skin as he stripped off his workout clothes. She'd rarely met someone so comfortable in their own skin, he wasn't hesitant or awkward being naked around her. She finished drying off before going in search of her bag full of clothes.

11:28:36 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 - Big Mike's Sub Shop, 7040 Travertine Path, Renton, Seattle

"I like to support local business," explained Kovacs, holding the door for Mac as they walked into the small restaurant. She shrugged, her curiosity born more out of a desire to understand his daily routine rather than a question of selection.

[Vegas]

11:33:11 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 - Big Mike's Sub Shop, 7040 Travertine Path, Renton, Seattle

“And here I thought you just liked to eat.” Mac chided with a smile as she slipped by him. She was greeted by the warm rush of humid air and the delicious scent of baking bread. As they stood in line, she realized just how hungry she actually was after their workouts and reading the digital menus as they waited wasn’t helping.

She turned her back on the line as it snaked forward slowly, stepping backwards as it moved, and looked up at Kovacs.

“So… Are most days going to be like today?”

[grendel]

12:02:38 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 - Big Mike's Sub Shop, 7040 Travertine Path, Renton, Seattle

"The day's not even half over," replied Kovacs, gesturing Mac ahead in the line. "But, yes, the days are pretty much like this. I prefer my workouts in the morning, others that I've ran with prefer midday or evening workouts. But every day we train. As soon as your weapons are ready we'll be doing firearms training, usually a couple of hours a day. And we get to read up on the latest corporate machinations, gang movements, what the Mafia and the Yaks and the Triads are up to, as well as the trade journals to see what the state of the art is in intrusion countermeasures and detection devices. We'll hit the streets eventually, I'm sure you know what kind of maintenance a social network requires."

They'd reached the head of the line. Kovacs waited patiently while Mac ordered, a bit slower due to her unfamiliarity with the place. But they weren't in any rush, their next event was back at the house anyway. He planned on walking her through gear setup and making sure everything they'd bought at The Emporium yesterday fit correctly.

When the young girl behind the counter looked expectantly at him, he ordered his usual turkey bacon club on wheat. He paid for both meals, and Mac found them a table for two in back, as private as they could get in such a small shop.

[Vegas]

12:08:01 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 - Big Mike's Sub Shop, 7040 Travertine Path, Renton, Seattle

Consciously, Mac grabbed the seat with her back to the rest of the shop, letting Kovacs have the better vantage point. She already knew he’d never stop scanning and watching the place anyway. She picked at the stray pieces of lettuce that had escaped her sandwich while she digested all that laid before her in the days and weeks to come.

“So, do you ever take a day off? Do anything that’s purely just for fun?” She quirked a brow still trying to unravel the layers of mystery that wrapped around the man sitting across from her.

“I mean, the other night at Linda’s studio, day off, or were you working there too?” Her eyes glittered with curiosity mingled with a pinch of desire as she pressed to find out more of what made Kovacs tick.

[DeliciousD]

11:20:42 Tuesday, 09 January 2063 - The Emporium, 8047 Fall City Road, Redmond, Seattle

"You worry too much Remy," Joslyn tells him with a grin "If Xade and Nolan are looking to follow that weird kid, why would they think we're following them? We'll ask for something in exchange for the setup so they think our business with them is done...I'll ask about my chummer Romano, you ask for a date."

He places the last piece of equipment in the box and checks the time

"Okay, you call Xade and set it up, try to get them round to the shop before that weird kid turns up, I'll go grab the tracking device and meet you back there."

Joslyn orders a cab back home, once he gets there, he grabs the tracking device and his pistol in it's holster then hurries down to his car and drives as fast as he dares back to Danny's.

[grendel]

12:11:16 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 - Big Mike's Sub Shop, 7040 Travertine Path, Renton, Seattle

"No," he replied, a hint of sharpness in his tone. "No days off."

His features, though, softened after a moment. "But there's always room for fun. At least, you should always try to take a moment and enjoy yourself when you can. Too often we're too busy to do so, but when the time comes, seize the opportunity."

Kovacs pauses to take a sip of his drink, his brow furrowed. Mac gets the impression that he's searching for the correct way to frame the answer to her question.

"The other day was one of those times. Emily and I are...well, it's complicated. In its simplest form, I'm a rope top and she's a rope bottom. We scratch each other's itches without engaging in any relationship dynamics."

[Vegas]

12:16:51 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 - Big Mike's Sub Shop, 7040 Travertine Path, Renton, Seattle

Mac nodded in understanding not only of boiling down his kink into the barest and simplest of terms she was well familiar with, but more importantly that of emotional separation.

“Trust me, I get it.”

She’d been living her life with that emotional distance since she was twelve. Twelve, when her mother chose drugs and an asshole over her own flesh and blood. Thinking about it caused Mac’s hands to clench into involuntary fists. Keeping her relationships at arms length is what had allowed her to process what she did for a living along with her past without too many visible scars. Mental ones however, those were a completely different story.

She forced herself to relax and downed the rest of her water to give her a few extra moments to clear her head. She chose to focus on her immediate future, the routine that was about to consume her life and the dawning realization there wouldn’t be any time for Wayne anymore. Having that decision taken out of her own hands per se caused an invisible weight to lift off her shoulders.

She balled up what was left of her sandwich into the wrapper and focused her attention on Kovacs across the table and flashed a teasing smile.

“So I suppose I’ll just have to be sure to remind you to have fun every once and awhile. I’d hate to see you turn into Baendyrmal’s clone.”

[grendel]

12:20:07 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 - Big Mike's Sub Shop, 7040 Travertine Path, Renton, Seattle

Kovacs chuckled, finishing the last of his sandwich. "Don't worry, I've always got plans for a bit of fun up my sleeve. It's something I learned a while ago."

He crumpled up the wrapper, and wiped his hands on a napkin.

"Baen's problem isn't that he never stopped to have fun, just that he never had anything else that he enjoyed doing. Metal working is his life. When he got into the business it was only in an effort to make money to save his parent's farm and the family's forge. But then people started finding out about his blades and how good they are and business took off. Which is great, until the shadows catch up. They killed his parents, burned the farm down. Did it with blades he'd made and sold. Now the one thing he ever loved, the only thing he's ever done, will always remind him of his parents' death."

Kovacs shrugged, glancing out the front window of the store at the traffic moving past on the street. "You're right, though. I should call Emily and see if she's free this week."

He looked back to Mac. "Finished?"

She nodded, standing and drawing on her coat. Kovacs mirrored the action.

"Good. I want to introduce you to another friend of mine. The one who's going to find us some work."

[Vegas]

12:21:31 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 - Big Mike's Sub Shop, 7040 Travertine Path, Renton, Seattle

A chill ran through her as Kovacs told Baen’s story and she was grateful for the excuse to pull on her jacket. The faintest twinge of something else ran through her and she couldn’t quite put her finger on just what it was.

“You lead, I follow. Seems like it’s going to be this way for a while.”

She started for the front door, aware of Kovacs pacing just a step behind her.

[grendel]

12:32:47 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 - westbound 405 out of Renton towards Downtown, Seattle

Kovacs slid behind the wheel of the Range Rover, firing up the heavy diesel and pulling out into traffic. He took the onramp to the interstate, heading towards Downtown. The sun was doing its best to peek through the heavy clouds, and pieces of the city sparkled beneath its light, snow glittering like chrome.

"You may be training with me now, but don't forget our ultimate destination: you as a capable operator. Even now, don't rely on me to catch everything. Keep asking questions, keep your eyes out and your senses alert. You might catch something that I miss. Moreover, you might ask the question that I didn't think to ask. We'll cover this in more detail when we get your weapons and I start teaching you CQB. Close Quarter Battle."

He explained the acronym before Mac had a chance to ask. "No days off, huh?" she said instead.

"No days off," he confirmed.

[Vegas]

12:38:03 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 - westbound 405 out of Renton towards Downtown, Seattle

Mac nodded her understanding and acceptance. “Got it.”

Her eyes scanned up the highway, moving occasionally to glance in the side mirror as they drove on. She popped a piece of cherry bubblegum in her mouth as the silence between them on the road was becoming comfortable in its repetition.

“What kind of work are we going to be able to do while I’m still training,” Her voice finally broke the silence and the riot of thoughts running through her head. “And what am I going to do about my other job.”

[grendel]

12:47:11 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 - Miner's Landing, Pier 63, Downtown, Seattle

"Is there something about your other job that needs to be taken care of?" asks Kovacs. Mac chews her bubblegum, uncertain as to how to reply. A day ago she was contemplating killing Wayne. That thought was still present, but somehow seemed less attractive now that she's had a chance to calm down and think about it. She needs to be rid of him, but the best path to that goal remains shrouded and unclear.

"Yeah, but I'll handle it. I'll just need some time."

Kovacs nods. "There will be time in the training syllabus for you to take care of personal business. As for the work we can do, it will run the spectrum, we'll just have to be choosy about the jobs since we're only a team of two."

He pulled the Range Rover into one of the parking lots that served the Downtown restaurant walk area. Before heading out, he palmed the flash pak off his belt as well as the Cougar fineblade knife, stashing them in the center console.

"Weapons check," he replied to Mac's questioning look. "Permits, even fake ones, are specific."

Together they stepped out of the truck, Kovacs leading them along the waterfront walk to Pier 63 and the faux rustic longhouse building that housed Miner's Landing. Bypassing the line in front of the maitre d's podium, he took the stairs to the bar on the second floor. The lunch rush didn't reach into the bar, and it was just before happy hour, meaning only half a dozen other patrons filled the vast space. Mac followed Kovacs to the bar and spent the better part of five minutes examining the voluminous list of microbrews they offered before simply ordering the same pint that he had.

She sips carefully when it arrives, finding it fruity and hoppy and not altogether unpleasant even if she preferred mixed drinks. After a couple of minutes, an elf stands from one of the back booths, exiting the bar quietly. Kovacs motions to Mac, and they make their way through the maze of tables to the same booth, joining an older, well dressed gentleman who regards them cooly over the rim of his coffee mug.

"This is an unexpected pleasure, Kovacs."

"We were in the neighborhood," the taller samurai replies. "Zeyda, this is Mac. She's going to be working with me now. And work is the nature of our visit."

Zeyda arches an eyebrow in something like surprise, his glance towards Kovacs penetrating. Something unspoken passes between the two men before the fixer turns his gaze to Mac. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mac. I've been working with Kovacs for quite a few years now. Hopefully, you and I will have the same tenure."

[Vegas]

12:48:23 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 - Miner's Landing, Pier 63, Downtown, Seattle

Mac smiled at the introductions, not ignoring the moment that passed between the two men. More questions for another time, right now she was all charm.

"The pleasure is all mine Zedya, and I can only be so lucky to create a similar, profitable, relationship in our future." 

She raised her glass in a simple toast before taking a sip and regarding the fixer with a gaze that on the surface was casual and friendly. Beneath it all she was running all the angles, those she could play and those that could be played against them. She approached it like any other first meeting she'd experienced, only she dialed back any overt sexual advances, that wasn't the game they were playing.

[grendel]

12:51:43 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 - Miner's Landing, Pier 63, Downtown, Seattle

"Well you've picked a good teacher," replied Zeyda, turning to fix Kovacs with an inquisitive stare. "Although when last we spoke you claimed to be retired."

Kovacs shrugged, a gesture Mac was learning that could speak volumes. "Plans change. Sometimes the universe doesn't go along with my ideas."

A smile ghosted across Zeyda's lips, and once more Mac catches a memory shared between the two men. "Anything in particular you're looking for?" asked the fixer.

"No, but so far it's just the two of us, so if it requires matrix or magical support, unless you can field additional personnel we'll have to pass."

Zeyda consulted an old, worn pocket secretary. "I'll see what I can come up with. Might take me a day or two since most of the jobs require a full team."

"Null sheen," replied Kovacs. "I'm still getting her gear straight."

"Fair enough, then. Can I convince you to stay for lunch?"

"Thanks, but no, we've already eaten. We've got more stops to make." Kovacs slides some cred across the table, more than what's required to cover their tab. "It was good to see you again."

"You, too, old friend," replies Zeyda. "And it was a pleasure to meet you as well, Mac. I'm sure I'll be seeing you around."

[Vegas]

12:58:17 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 – Outside Miner's Landing, Pier 63, Downtown, Seattle

Mac nodded graciously and took her cue to step away from the table. She worked her way back through the maze of still empty tables and paused at an open spot at the bar to leave her half-full pint glass. She waited for Kovacs to gesture her towards the door and out towards the parking garage that held the Rover.

“So, now we wait for word from Zeyda, the day’s barely half over and I know you’ve got more up your sleeve for me today. So what comes next?”

She was eager to keep going, pushing and learning along the way. If they were potentially going to be working together within a couple of days, Mac knew she wanted to be as prepared as possible.

[Mach_Ten]

11:22:42 Tuesday, 09 January 2063 - Vehicle parking, Outside The Emporium, 8047 Fall City Road, Redmond, Seattle

"So, what angle are ya workin' here kiddo?"
Danny's question is innocuous enough but it leaves Remy floundering for an answer, he mouths at words but seems suddenly incapable of constructing the sentence he wants to.

Not waiting for him to focus Danny continues " I mean, these guys seem pretty handy, ya scan ? and I'm not seein' what you are gonna get outta this"
with a shrug he turns and closes the trunk of their gear after a half days wasted trading before walking to the drivers side door
"just throwin' this out there, I got work to do, so, if you gonna spend the rest of your days chasing ghosts pal.."
Danny turns to look directly at Remy placing one arm over the roof of the vehicle casually "well you got a choice to make, cause I needs ta find someone who helps me pay the bills, if that's you then great, if not, then drek, I need to put a vacancy sign in my shop window!"

The words are not harshly spoken, in fact it comes over as Remy is his immediate concern but the feelings of guilt for dragging his uncle into this fantasy gnaw at him.
"I gots ya Uncle Danny, it's jus' is not likes in alla dem trid movies innit... Ya don' see Sylvester Swarzenegger doin' his day job in between blowing the drek outta bad guys"

The analogy puts a smile on Danny's sun creased face "No Kid, that ya don't .. Look, lets get back to the shop, I'll get sammiches on the way over you call that hot piece and let her know to come over too, I got a plan where we can both get looked after."

At the mention of a second free lunch this week Remy perks up
"I hear dat!" he grins back "But what about Joslyn and the freaky kid ..and ..."
Danny interrupts knowing full well Remy doesn't intend to let Joslyn down.
"Call her over, then when the kid leaves with the cooler, you can bargain with her, you got a piece of that puzzle"
" an if she wants it, then you got leverage, make her pay in cold hard currency kid ! "
" if I get Joslyn right, then I'm thinkin makin her job easier'll make your job easier, scan ?"

It makes perfect sense to Remy and he doesn't know why he didn't think of it earlier, nothing in life is for free and now he knows that Xade would not trust anything she got for free either.
"Hey Danny!" He calls back as his uncle slides into the drivers seat "Which ones are tha bad guys ya fink?"
Danny looks back again, gives him a knowing wink and slams the door shut. The truck springs to life coughing black diesel fumes across the grey dirty slush and snow and he drives away.
"Drek, nuffinks simple!" Remy muses under his breath,.

Stamping his feet in the cold and wet to drive some sensation back into his toes he looks around for another payphone and pulls the small white card from his pocket and sets off across the icy street.
The call rings for three short tones and Remy almost hangs up as a lump rises in his throat and then it connects "Hello?" a female voice.
"uhhhmm Hi ! .. this is Rem.. Rembrandt.... uhhh .. from the pawn shop ...Danny's Pawn shop ... uuhhh ... is dat Shade ?"

[grendel]

11:24:19 Tuesday, 09 January 2063 - Vehicle parking, Outside The Emporium, 8047 Fall City Road, Redmond, Seattle

"Rembrandt. From Danny's Pawn. Ah, yes, I remember you. What occasions your call?" Although her voice is airy and distant, scratched by whatever encryption algorithm she's using, Remy's mind fills in the subtle shades of tone needed to convince him that she really does remember him from their brief meeting this afternoon. He rubs the suddenly damp palm of his hand on his pants.

"Uh, I...ah, I've gots information for you abouts the guy you was asking about yesterday."

"Indeed. I thought perhaps you knew more than you were letting on."

Her tone has turned kittenish, and Remy shifts uncomfortably in the narrow comm booth. "No...well, not then...I mean, now, yes, but...." He gropes for an appropriate way to relay the message before finally blurting out "I can't tell you on the phone!"

"I see. Perhaps a meeting at the pawn shop again? Say around noon?"

Remy exhales a breath he doesn't know he's holding. "Noon is good. See you soon!"

He waits for a reply for a moment before realizing he's listening to an empty line. Hanging up the receiver, he heads towards where his bike is parked, sending Joslyn a text as he goes.

Xade will be at the pawn shop at noon.

[grendel]

13:00:48 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 – Outside Miner's Landing, Pier 63, Downtown, Seattle

To her surprise, Kovacs tossed her the keys to the Range Rover.

"Tours," he said. "I'll take you around Downtown, then into Redmond. Then we've got one last stop to make before dinner."

Mac shrugged, climbing into the driver's seat and adjusting the mirrors for her sightlines. Kovacs leaned over and showed her the recessed panel beneath the dash.

"This is where our illegal electronics hide out. The first rocker switch cycles the spoof chip so that it computes a new vehicle ID. That keeps us anonymous on the Grid Guide network. The second one is to change our license plate. Always cycle the spoof first, because the vehicle ID is formulated into the license plates. If you change the plates first, any Lone Star cruiser who interrogates the truck is going to spot the discrepancy."

"Got it," said Mac, clicking the first and then the second switch. A green telltale momentarily glowed to life each time.

"All right, cut across on Madison Ave and turn left on First Street." Kovacs gestured generally in the direction he wanted her to take and she eased the truck out of the parking lot. Surprisingly agile for its size, the Range Rover was still more massive than her bike by an order of magnitude, and it took some getting used to. Especially in the downtown traffic.

"This is pier 59," said Kovacs, "it's home to Freddie's Salmon Eatery. Underneath the Eatery is a black market clinic that treats any patient. All you need is nuyen. If you're in a dustup, it's a great place to get patched up, but don't loiter. The Star knows about it and it's one of the first places they check when a run goes down in the area."

Mac glanced at the colorful facade, noting the name and location. She turned the truck onto First Avenue.

"That's the Seattle Federal Building, and its basement is linked into the Ork Underground. The restaurant next to it is The Big Rhino. Good ribs." Kovacs pointed to a squat, five story masonry structure, blocky and bureaucratically stolid.

"Club Penumbra's down here on the corner. Used to be the place to go. Now, if someone wants to meet there, ditch the job. No one serious about the business meets there anymore."

[Vegas]

13:05:31 Wednesday 10 January, 2063 – Outside Miner's Landing, Pier 63, Downtown, Seattle

Mac did her best to split her attention between getting used to being behind the wheel of Kovacs’ truck, paying attention to traffic and most importantly not missing out on the vital information he was sharing.

“I didn’t think anyone went to Penumbra anymore outside of posers and tourists.”

She shrugged as she moved in and out of the traffic, avoiding the beater boxes and slow mom-mobiles but avoiding anything too erratic as she still got the feel of the vehicle.

“So places like today, better locations for meets or is that more on the terms of the person providing you the job?”