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

[bclements]

12:29:36 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

Tony stumbles, half falling and backtracking somewhat at a few points that don't really resemble a straight line, until he reaches his car. I never really thought I'd use a martial arts technique as a cover he thinks to himself as he stumbles forward onto the left rear corner of the car. Catching himself with his right hand, he semi-steadies himself and reaches for his keys.

Reaching into his pocket, he hits the 'UNLOCK' button on his keyfob; the audible electronic 'DING-DING' echos thru the cavernous space. He's just some drunk, pay no attention to him he thinks, as he sits down in the back seat, acting for all the world as some comic drunk while reaching for the duffel bag he has in there.

[Scrapheap]

23:29:04 Monday 08 January 2063 - 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower - 41st Floor - Max's Penthouse - Study

John unconsciously wiped his right hand against his pantleg as he watched Max flip through the files Finn had given him. Specifically, he couldn't help but stare at the shaman's hands and wonder how he'd missed the claws that tipped the pale elf's fingers. Elf? Is he an elf? Those hands...

Suddenly aware of his actions, John felt his face flush slightly in shame. He clenched his fist and gave his head a slight shake. C'mon, pull yourself together ya fraggin' idiot! Doesn't matter if he's a fraggin' dragon, he's been nothin' but straight with me so far. I've never judged anyone just on race, specially since Charlie died, so why start now? And why start with a guy who's offered to help find Nora? I should be better than this...this petty drek.

Only years of running, of hiding his reactions from opponents looking for any advantage, kept John from jumping out of his chair when Max suddenly broke the silence. "All seems like pretty standard stuff. Lets talk about what we do know and how we might go about finding Keira and Nora. Did you find out anything..."

Willing himself to focus on the task at hand, John listed patiently until Max finished with his apology about ritual magic. Giving him a lopsided grin, he said, "Nul persp, chummer. That would've been too easy anyhow, right?

"As far as another shaman, I got a close chummer who's a mage. She might know someone. I'll give her a call when we're done here. She's already helped out by doin' some astral recon on the clinic. She knows Nora, and couldn't find her or anything else outta the ordinary. She don't know Keira, but couldn't find any evidence of anyone being held prisoner, so I imagine that they've been moved...or were never there."

Max rubbed his chin with slender fingers. "Hmm. That is interesting, but I will still want to have a look for myself. Astrally, of course."

"Natch, chummer. The address is in the files and I can tell ya how to get there if needed. That ain't everything though." John nodded at the file, "That data there was gathered by another chummer. He said it was real easy ta get too; all out in the open like. He also said that those tax forms mean that this place is registered as a non-profit. My guess is so no one will come sniffin' around too close. Put everything out there, make it look like there's no money to be had, and no one's the wiser, right? But we know they're up to no good, 'cause Twiggy and Nora saw somethin' they shouldn't and Keira was snatched for just knowin' they saw."

When the older man didn't say anything further, Max leaned forward in his chair. "Yes. And...?"

"Well, Finn--that's the chummer what got us the docs there--Finn seems to think that if they had somethin' ta hide, it may be that they'd have an isolated system onsite. Who knows how hard a fragger like that would be to crack. So I looked around, and I managed to find us a couple of code-slingers willing to do the work. Thing is, I can only afford one or the other.

"First one's a kid. Raw, but good. He'll do it for 500 :nuyen: upfront and a share of any paydata on the system. The other's a little more seasoned. She's run a couple jobs for Finn. He says she's good, and that means she is, but she wants 750 :nuyen: and the same share."

"So you are saying that we need to break into this clinic..." Opening the file, Max reads aloud, "The Research for Practical Applications Clinic?"

"Right. Unless my mage chummer can scare us up a shaman, I think it's our best lead. And I think we should go tonight."

[bclements]

12:29:45 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

Ok, time for the hard part Tony thinks, taking a deep breath and rolling his head around, finally propping it upright as if he has just realized that he was sitting in the back seat. Leaning forward slightly, he gently slides the duffel bag closer to him, carefully grabs the handles, and manouvers awkwardly out of the car.

Slamming the door behind him remember, he's just that drunk. Pay more attention to the guy pointing the gun at you he breaths silently to himself, as he staggers forward a step, opens the drivers door, and sits down hard, gently setting the duffel bag down half a second after slamming down into the seat. Swaying back and forth while leaning out of the car, he finally slumps over and collapses forward back out of the car, trying to appear as if he's passed out after a bender.

Play times over Tony thinks after laying there for a moment. Carefully unzipping the bag and removing his Semopal and katana from the bag, he removes the items slowly, trying to make as little noise as possible.

[Slipshade]

23:32:15 Monday 08 January 2063 - 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower - 41st Floor - Max's Penthouse – Study

Max did not notice John’s reaction to his hands. He was to lost in the paperwork before him to notice much at the time.

After inquiring about John’s input, Max listens to his assessment of their situation.

“Well I can’t make heads or tails of the finances, but your friend is right about the clinic hiding something. They have none of their specialists or doctors listed. I mean what kind of clinic doesn’t advertise the type of services and care they can provide.”

He shuffles through a number of sheets before finding the one he wants and putting it on the table facing John.

“I did however notice a number of interesting contributions from a number of sources including Humanis Policlub. I may know a few individuals that would want to know that there money is going to some very shady people. They may even be able to help with some background on the company, but I won’t be able to get in touch with them until tomorrow, so that leads us to your solution. “

Max knew he would have to make some hard choices after the unexpected turn his life had taken, but he hadn’t expected breaking and entering to be one of them. He knew now that it was a definite possibility, but wasn’t ready just yet to make that leap. He had to find Keira, but he would try it his way first if he could.

“Make the call to your friend John. I would prefer to do this somewhat legally if I can. If that way is blocked, then we can do it your way. While you make your call, I will try finding the clinic astrally.”

Max again waits for a confirmation or question from John before removing himself from behind his desk and walking to one of the large leather sofa’s in the study and laying down. It was odd separating himself from his body. The world was no longer overlaid as the physical world slowly faded from his view and his astral presence hovered over his body.

[Scrapheap]

23:35:50 Monday 08 January 2063 - 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower - 41st Floor - Max's Penthouse – Study

John slid the sheet Max indicated closer and read while the shaman continued to speak. When the other man finished, he looked up and pointed at the list of contributors. "This seems fraggin' weird to me. Humanis is on here, but so's a buncha more meta-friendly groups. Seems wrong that they'd be giving money to the same place, right?"

Handing the sheet back, he continued. "I'll call my friend, but even if she can help, we're gonna step into the shadows at some point, chummer. These fraggers aren't just gonna give Nora and Keira back; we'll have to take them."

Max stood and started over towards one of the large couches. "Maybe so, John, maybe so. Look at it this way though: the longer we can avoid that step, the better. If something went wrong who would find our friends?"

"A'ight, Max. I'll call her. Good luck findin' the clinic. I'll be out in the living room when you get back." Turning, John exited the study, closing the dark wooden door behind him and leaving the shaman to his search. On his short walk to the main living area he pulled his phone out of his jacket and dialed Rosa's private number. I can't remember if she was goin' back to LA tonight or not. Frag, I hope she's home...

[grendel]

12:29:30 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac Public Host

Todd slips between the two agents, slamming his skateboard into the decker's icon. At the last second, a swirling shield of energy coalesces around the decker as he tries to block the attack. The maneuver only partially works. Todd can see a tear in the decker's icon, a discontinuity that leaks electric blue blood. His elation turns to dismay, though, as the first agent pivots and locks on to his icon. The glittering blue saber in the construct's hand whistles through his icon, and a haze of pain and interference spikes through the link. Todd falls back, blocking to the front with his skateboard. Unfortunately the second agent has him bracketed, striking home with its attack program. The virtual world of the matrix de-rezzes as his persona crashes, leaving him shaken and alone in the darkness of his apartment.

[Bastard]

12:29:48 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

Marquis watches Tony stumble in and out of his car, from his hidden location behind the pillar. What an odd fellow, but if it works... the mechanic thinks to himself. The garage is cool, somewhat protected from the weather, but his adrenaline going and his armor keeping him more than warm.

[bclements]

12:29:48 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

Tony gets the assualt rifle and sword out. No fragging way am I going to be able to carry both of these thru these cars he thinks to himself, and sets the katana down gently on the deck of the parking garage. Holstering his pistol, he silently checks the magazine on his rifle. No gels, nice he thinks, and rolling into the strap on the rifle, he snakes off, dragging himself prone by his elbows and hips thru the underside of the cars parked next to his car.

Whoever this is, their getting my dry-cleaning bill Tony thinks, as he slugs thru the water-ice-and-IceMelter mixture that makes up the edge of the parking garage; the chilled mixture seeps thru his clothes as he pulls his way thru it.

[grendel]

12:30:00 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

Crouched against the cement wall of the parking garage, Tony has an angle on most of the participants in the stand-off. Not much has changed in the minute it has taken Marquis and him to get into position. Both sides appear to remain locked in a stand-off, unwilling or unable to be the first to pull the trigger. As Tony watches, one of the standing figures turns towards where he and Marq are waiting. She's wearing a dark crimson jumpsuit and a secure longcoat, with an HK 227 submachinegun slung beneath the coat. The weapon is held ready, the modular Vltor stock nestled into her shoulder, but muzzle down for the moment. Tony is struck by the delicate beauty of her face, though, and its calm, almost serene expression.

[WinterRat1]

23:37:00 Monday 08 January 2063 - Research for Practical Applications Clinic - Astral Space

Shortly after finishing his discussion with John and launching his consciousness into astral space, Max was zipping around with the speed of thought. Flying past several watches, spirits and other magicians, Max kept a wide berth from anyone who even remotely looked like they might be out for trouble.

A couple minutes later, an eternity in astral space, he found what he was looking for. Bingo! Looks like John's directions were on. Way to go chummer.

Carefully, he scopes the place out, not quite venturing inside just yet, lest he give himself away. When he's satisfied that no one was watchinng him astrally, nor were there any nasty surprises inside, he zipped through the building, taking a quick tour of the place.

Interestingly enough, there were no nasty astral surprises, nothing remotely shady or dark. The place was cold and sterile, but nothing significantly worse than what he'd experienced working in the labs back at the university. By their very nature, after all, research places were supposed to be cold and logical.

Still, something didn't sit right with him. He felt a vague hint of oppression, as if even moving through astral space itself was a bit...difficult. Like moving through molasses, although that might be an extreme way of putting it. No, the place just felt...disconnected maybe, like it wasn't as alive as it should have been. Almost as if it was more distant from the astral than another place.

That doesn't make sense though. How could a place be more 'distant' from the astral than another? thought Max. Yet despite his inability to completely analyze and understand the problem, he was wise enough to know that by no means did it mean the problem did not exist. There was definitely a problem here, nothing recent that he could discern, and covered up quite well, but all his astral senses screamed at him that whatever it was, it was something very, very bad indeed.

23:35:09 Monday 08 January 2063 - 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower - 41st Floor - Max's Penthouse – Study

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, to use an old 21st Century expression, John was muttering into his cell phone. Unfortunately for whatever reason, he just couldn't get through to her. The only thing he could do was leave a message, which he was about to do when his phone rang, indicating an incoming call.

Reasoning that he could always call Rosa back, he switched over just in time to hear Cheryl Lin saying in her flat, monotone voice, "John Standard. Haven't talked to you in a while. You too rich to need a job or are you interested in some cash?"

A loud incoherent scream, followed by something that sounded vaguely like, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" shocked John into action, and he charged into the main room, popping his cyberspurs on the way.

Expecting the worst, he instead saw Twiggy with his head buried in his arms, pounding the ground with his fist, apparently grieving over his sudden and unexpected loss to Megan in the latest version of Urban Brawl 9, or whatever the hell the series was at. She was being anything but a gracious winner, while Tyler was sparing no effort in rubbing it in.

"For chrissakes! I thought something happened to you clowns. Keep the fragging noise down, would ya! You want us to get busted or something?"

"Oh chill out old timer. The guy owns a friggin penthouse! You think he doesn't have a few loud parties up here every once in a while?" Megan called back mockingly.

"You kids got no friggin respect. Why I oughta..." What he ought to have done never quite made it out, since the kids quickly turned back to the trid, ready for the rematch, and before he could say anything, Cheryl's voice rang through the phone loudly, "John! Are you there? John! What happened? Is everything all right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine...just some...local neighborhood punks making noise and being pains in the hoop, that's all."

Megan turned around and stuck her tongue out at him, and despite the fact that he must've had something like 30 years on her, John stuck his out right back at her, causing her to burst into giggles. It was immature and all, but he couldn't help it. Lousy friggin kids, no respect for their elders these days. Someone oughta...

Once again, what someone 'ought' to do never quite cleared the threshold of thought, because Cheryl's voice smoothly answered, "Well if that's settled, you haven't answered my question. Are you interested in scoring some nuyen?"

[Scrapheap]

23:36:22 Monday 08 January 2063 - 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower - 41st Floor - Max's Penthouse – Great Room

John retracted his spur, the quarter-meter of sharpened steel sliding home with a 'clack.' Still shaking his head at the ganger's antics, the old runner turned away from the trid and booming sound-system and walked a short distance away before answering his usual fixer's question.

"When don't I need money, Cheryl?"

The fixer's accented voice sounded less than convinced. "I don't know, John. I hadn't heard from you in a while..."

"Yeah, well sorry 'bout that, chummer. I got back from that last job you got me and ran right into some personal bidness. Still tryin' to put that to bed. But," he added quickly, before she could interrupt, "I'm always on the lookout for a little cred. Give me the specs and we can go from there."

Frag it! I'm not at the point where I can turn away work, and I'm startin' to get low on nuyen, but I can't stop lookin' for Nora. I hope I don't have to turn this down...

[Slipshade]

23:45:56 Monday 08 January 2063 - 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower - 41st Floor - Max's Penthouse – Study

Concluding his surveillance of the clinic Max dejectedly returned to his body. As his spirit self returned to his body, the surrounding room slowly came into view. It was an odd sensation wanting colors return to your vision as the dead walls lost their inky darkness. It was almost like watching a traffic sign come into view on a dark highway at night. If not for the feint glow of the wooden furniture, the emerald and gold illumination of the potted plants and Max’s own aura the room would have been pitch black in astral space. But as Max opened his eyes his two worlds merged seamlessly into one. John had left the room. The study doors were closed, though he could still hear the sounds of the young gangers playing the latest trideo games.

‘She wasn’t there.’

He had held out hope of finding Keira at the clinic, but it was empty. Worse, he knew that something horrible had happened there, very possibly to her and to Nora. John was right, sooner or later he was going to have to do something he didn’t want to do in order to find her. There was nobody else that could at the moment. Tomorrow he would try to find help, but tonight he was going to have to go into that clinic. Information was there and he needed it.

Max removed himself from the couch and pushed open the study doors quietly. The kids didn’t even notice him at first and John had his back turned and was conversing with someone on his cell phone. He waited quietly until John was done with his conversation before speaking.

“She wasn’t there.” He said, his voice monotone. “In fact at the moment no one is. Your right John, we need to get into that clinic and now is as good a time as any. Tomorrow I can call a few people to help, but right now it is just the two of us and hopefully one of the deckers you mentioned before. I am not going to sugar coat this John. Something very bad happened there and whoever is behind this has gone to great lengths to cover it up. We need to go as soon as possible. The kids can stay here tonight if you are worried about their safety while we are gone. In fact you can crash here too when we are done if you like. I have a guest room down the hall. “

[WinterRat1]

23:36:50 Monday 08 January 2063 - 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower - 41st Floor - Max's Penthouse – Great Room

John can hear the smile in Cheryl's voice as she answers, "Now that's what I like to hear John. How about lunch tomorrow, say noon at Lee Chee Garden Downtown, at 5th Avenue West and Elliot Avenue?"

[Scrapheap]

23:37:04 Monday 08 January 2063 - 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower - 41st Floor - Max's Penthouse – Great Room

"Works for me. See you then."

As the call ended John slowly lowered his hand, still holding the phone. He began to stare at a painting on Max's wall, lost in thought.
I don't know if that was such a good idea. Cheryl's just starting to send some work my way, and real runs too. If I can't make that meet tomorrow I could really frag things up, but I may have to...if any of this pays off and we get a lead on Nora.

With thoughts racing over how much he's let his niece down, and how he's about to jeapordize his current meal-ticket, John catches Max's reflection in the painting's frame. Quickly putting the cell into his pocket, he turns to the pale shaman just as he starts to speak. "She wasn't there. In fact, at the moment no one is..."

Listening until Max finished, John had just opened his mouth to reply when Megan practically sprinted up to them. "Oh, no! No fraggin' way! We're all in this together, a'ight? 'Sides, you need us there. Twig knows his way around the place and..."

"Hold yer fraggin' horses!" John cried, nearly shouting to be heard over the young elf. "Nobody's going nowhere yet. Just calm down." Putting his large hand onto her shoulder, he added in a quieter tone, "Nobody's trying to leave you behind here, OK?"

When she nodded, however reluctantly, he turned to Max. "OK, we go tonight. I was gonna go with the decker Finn suggested, unless you think we should use the other...or both?"

[Slipshade]

23:38:22 Monday 08 January 2063 - 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower - 41st Floor - Max's Penthouse – Great Room

"That is fine by me. You know more about this sort of thing than I do."

Max knew nothing about this sort of thing.

"Any tips on what I should bring or what type of clothing I sould consider changing into? All I know about breaking and entering is what I have seen on the trid."

He gives John a weak smile.

[Scrapheap]

23:38:59 Monday 08 January 2063 - 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower - 41st Floor - Max's Penthouse – Great Room

Returning Max's smile in what he hoped was a reassuring manner, the older runner said, "Nul persp, chummer. If it's as empty as you say, then we'll be fine. As far as what to wear, the trid probably ain't too far off. Dark, not too fancy, armored if possible. Nondescript is the word of the day. If they catch us on a security camera, we don't want to give 'em nothin' to go on.

"Speaking of, you are, uh, ...a pretty unique lookin' guy. You might want to get somethin' to cover your face and hair. Ski mask or scarf and stocking hat.

"Now, as for what to bring, I'd say anything you think will help. Not to state the fraggin' obvious, but guns help. If you need somethin' to cast your spells, like a focus or something...bring it. If you know first aid and you got a kit...bring it too."

John pulls his phone back out of his jacket, and begins to go through his pockets for the decker's number that Finn had given him. "I'm gonna call this decker. See when she can meet up. Why don't you go get your gear? When you're ready, we can go over how we want to go about this. It'll also help if you give me some idea of what you can do. Spells and spirits and drek like that."

Finally locating the number, John waits a second to see if Max has anything to add before punching in the decker's number and putting the cheap cell to his ear.

[Slipshade]

23:55:18 Monday 08 January 2063 - 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower - 41st Floor - Max's Penthouse.

Still not sure if it is a wise idea to bring the kids along Max decides to drop the subject for now. If John thought it would be ok, then he would trust him. He had to.

“Right. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Max says and walks towards one of the spiral staircases. He makes sure to avoid walking in front of the Trid and blocking it from the young gangers view.

Heading up to his bedroom, he pulls out his form fitting body armor and this time makes sure he grabs the hood and gloves that go along with it. He then grabs a charcoal grey sweater and some black loose-fitting gym pants and a pair of old dark grey sneakers. After changing, he retrieves his Remington Roomsweeper and the four clips of ammunition from its lacquered case in his nightstand.

He returns downstairs and remembers to grab his secure long coat, it would be much less noticeable than the Mortimer. When he is ready he returns and again waits for John to finish his phone conversation.

When he is done, he informs John of what equipment he is carrying.

“…As for Magic, I am very adept at conjuring spirits of all types, though I have a very good report with the spirits of the city. I can render someone or a group of people either unconscious or severely hurt, though I would prefer the former. I am also especially good at detection spells. I can detect living things to a radius of about eighteen meters as well as see and here things in other locations that are in that same distance. I can cause you to float, confuse and addle people and equipment and see through astral barriers. I am also what you would call dual-natured. I can see in both the physical and astral realms at the same time. And in case things go really badly I can heal to some degree, though it is not really my forte. That is about it for me.”

[bclements]

12:30:00 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS
From his vantage point crouched at the corner of the last parking spot on his row, Tony thought that he had made it into position without being noticed. Upon seeing the women turn, he was struck at first by how she looked. Wow, she's way too calm to be in a Mexican standoff. And I haven't heard from Todd yet... was his last conscious thought as his body started reacting predictably to being seen by someone with a gun when he didn't want to be seen.

Still dripping wet and freezing from slugging thru the cold water, he wrenched the Semopal around into a ready position, and calmly yells out from his covered position "Let them go, and you won't end up like your decker." Big bluff, but you never know.. he thinks, as he waits for a verbal or nonverbal answer from the group.

[Bastard]

Upon the sudden command given by Tony, Marquis is ready for action. Crouched with his back against the pillar, which the party is on the other side, he rotates around, his left hand extended, wielding the gold Guardian. His right arm is parallel, mirroring the left arm below. From it also points the barrel of a golden heavy pistol, identical in almost every way. This leaves him on his left knee and right foot, and his body almost at a 45 degree angle, peaking around the cement pillar.

Marq waits for Tony, or the party to take the first shot. He doesnt know how much longer he can hold off the adrenaline, so someone better shoot, and fast.

He can see Tony a few meters ahead, and to the left, and wonders He better not be thinking Mexican standoff...

[grendel]

12:30:01 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

The woman pivots to face Tony's call, her body bladed, weapon held at low ready. The expression on her face doesn't change. The moment stretches, silent and tense. All Hell breaks loose.

The gunfire from both sides is nearly simultaneous, with the Red forces leading by a microsecond. It is the time measuring life and death. Heavy pistol rounds snap across the space separating the two groups, while the shotgun booms once. The second subgunner pivots and drops to one knee, firing off a 30mm air-timed minigrenade from his underbarrel launcher. The last thing Tony and Marquis see before the projectile detonates is the woman, sprinting to the northwest, submachinegun blazing into the remaining Blue forces. Then the entire seven meter lane of the parking garage is filled with choking black smoke.

[WinterRat1]

23:38:59 Monday 08 January 2063 - 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower - 41st Floor - Max's Penthouse – Great Room

While Max is off getting ready, John punches in the decker’s number, and a few moments later, hears a feminine voice reply, “ Iris here.”

“ Iris , name’s John . Finn told you to expect my call?”

“Yeah he did chummer. So I’m taking it that you wanna hire me? Since you’re a chummer of Finn’s , let’s make this simple. Tell me if you agree to my terms, and if so, when and where you want me to be.”

A bit naïve perhaps, and not so experienced at this, but she is saving time and cutting to the chase, and since time isn’t something I seem to have a lot of these days, maybe she’s doing me a favor…

[Scrapheap]

23:40:45 Monday 08 January 2063 - 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower - 41st Floor - Max's Penthouse – Great Room

"Your terms're fine, Iris, or I wouldn't be callin' you."

"Uh, yeah, chummer. Ok. So, when and where."

John had to think quickly to come up with a meeting place that wasn't too far out of their way. Now that they had decided to move, he wanted to waste as little time as possible. "Petro-chem station. Shell, I think. Corner of 8th and 139th Court. Let's say 45 minutes? We'll be in an unmarked van."

"Got it. See you..."

"Hold a sec. I assume Finn gave you some idea what we're up to here, right? So you know that you need to show ready to rock, right? Anything you think you could need, you bring it. We can always leave extra drek in the van."

"I said I got it, chummer. See you in 45." With that, the line went dead.

Wasting no time, John quickly dialed Rosa's private line. Though hoping she would pick up this time, he was not surprised to get her voicemail. "Rosie, it's me. Listen, I'm about to go visit that place we talked about earlier. Hopefully I can find somethin' on our missin' girl, but if not I'll need your help again. I got a chummer willin' to do some ritual drek to find her, but to do so I guess he needs help. Another shaman. I was wonderin' if you got anyone like that on staff here in town? Anyway, let me know."

That done, John turned back towards the main living area of Max's amazing penthouse. Megan had wondered back to the couch during his time on the phone, and now appeared engrossed in one of the games opposite Twiggy. Seeing the two young elves side-by-side, he was once again struck by the similarities in their appearance. Twiggy suddenly laughed in delight at some moved he'd made in the game, reminding the old runner that for all of their tough talk and street-wise ways these were just kids. He was surprised at the lump that formed in his throat at the thought of them in serious danger.

Tyler leaned forward to ruffle Twiggy's hair, which the young elf tried to shrug off without removing a hand from the PS2054 controller. As he leaned back, John managed to catch his eye and motion him over.

"Hey," he said quietly as his slippered feet came to a halt.

"Hoi, Tyler. Looks like you guys're havin' fun."

This brought a crooked smile to the young ganger's face, and he glanced over his shoulder at his chummers. "Yeah, we don't get ta crash in wiz places like this too much."

"Ya know, kid, I was thinkin, maybe it would be a good idea if Megan and Twiggy waited here while the rest of us went to the clinic. We don't wanna attract too much attention, so the fewer the better, right?" Thinking of the glimpse he'd gotten of Tyler and Megan together as he first went into Max's study, John leaned forward and added quietly, "She'd be safe here, kid. They both would."

[WinterRat1]

23:45:00 Monday 08 January 2063 - 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower - 41st Floor - Max's Penthouse – Great Room

Tyler looks at John for a long moment, and then finally says, “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.”

He pauses, weighing his words carefully, then continues, “Look John , we really appreciate you trying to keep us safe, chip truth. But let’s be honest here. We’re a bunch of punk gangers, and not even the big boys. We’re just another third tier gang running around Redmond that’ll be lucky to make it a couple years, if that. We could get geeked every single day for no reason at all. Hell, it happens all the time. We ain’t got nothing and nobody but each other, and we’ll be fragged if we turn our backs on one another when it counts.”

He shrugs. “Dangerous? Hell, we figured that when those corp suits came in asking questions. But it ain’t gonna stop us from doing right by Nora . It didn’t then, and it won’t now. I’m not going to insult Megan or Twiggy by telling them they’d be risking their lives coming. They knew that from the start, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.”

He glances over at Megan , who chooses that moment, for whatever reason, to turn around, catch his eye, and give him a wink and a smile, which he returns. Without looking back at John , Tyler whispers, “And neither would I.”

[Scrapheap]

23:47:20 Monday 08 January 2063 - 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower - 41st Floor - Max's Penthouse – Great Room

"Ok, kid. I tried. I ain't going to pretend I like it, but I also ain't gonna fight you over it. I can't fraggin' stop you. Like you said, it's your choice." Waiting until the young ganger turned around, John lowered his voice and spoke urgently. "But you guys go, you're part of the team, right? Everyone on the team has a job. They don't do that job, and it frags everyone. That I will stop."

"Listen, John, I..." Tyler began to speak in the same urgent whisper, but the old runner held up his cybered left hand to halt his complaints.

"Listen, you kids may think I'm some kinda fraggin' joke, and maybe I am. But you can't deny that I got the most experience outta anyone here. I'm callin' the shots on this one. Why? Cause I wanna get Nora back!"

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, John added, "You really wanna help? You'll follow my lead."

[WinterRat1]

23:47:55 Monday 08 January 2063 - 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower - 41st Floor - Max's Penthouse – Great Room

Tyler opens his mouth like he’s going to say something, stops, opens it again, stops, and then finally says, “All right John , we scan you, serious. We know you’re the guy calling the shots, and we can respect that, for real. We just give you a hard time, ya know? But when push comes to shove, you’re the man, and we recognize that.”
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