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

[Scrapheap]

23:47:15 Monday 08 January 2063 - 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower - 41st Floor - Max's Penthouse – Great Room

His point made, John's face softened. He put his right hand on Tyler's shoulder and said, "Nul persp, kiddo. Look, I'm not much for apologies. I've wronged too many people to start now, let too many people down, but maybe I came on a little strong there.

"I know you guys are just razzin' me. I been around. Don't think it don't mean alot to me. It's just, well, I got to find Nora. I fragged things up for her so often and so bad... Anyway, I just can't let anything go wrong on this."

"I scan ya, John. Nul, worries. We'll..."

"Hoi!" Megan called across the room, looking over the back of the couch at them. "You two wanna be alone, or what? I'm sure Max'd let ya use one of his spare rooms." Though joking, she was obviously curious as to what was going on between the two. Raising her voice to be heard over Twiggy's laughter, she held up a controller and added, "Your turn, Ty."

Nodding to John, the young ganger walked over and sat on the couch, taking the controller from the elf girl. Megan watched him the whole way, a thoughtful expression on her face. After he was seated, she spared John one final glance before turning back to the trid.

For his part, John took his cell out again, deciding to try Rosa at work instead. As it was connecting, he noticed Max walk down one of the sweeping spiral staircases dressed in black and grey. He disappeared around a corner but quickly returned carrying a heavy longcoat. The call connected as the shaman approached and he waited patiently while John left virtually the same message as before. After the call ended Max explained his equipment and abilities.

"Good ta know about that healing, chummer. Hopefully we don't need it. What about these spirits? I've worked with shamans before, so I know they come in different types, right? What kinda stuff can yours do?

"Oh, and I talked to the decker and she's in. We're ta meet her at a Shell station in about 30 minutes."

[Slipshade]

24:00:00 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower - 41st Floor - Max's Penthouse – Great Room

The muffled gong of the grandfather clock could be heard from behind the study doors.

“Great that should give us just enough time to get there.” He turns towards the kids playing on the couch. “Time to go.”

Moving quickly to preempt the inevitable protests from Twiggy, Max says. “Don’t worry, just save the game and I promise you I will invite you back up again to finish it.” It wasn’t much, but these kids didn’t have much and Max wanted to do what he could, no matter how small.

Turning back to John he says. “I’ll inform you of their capabilities on the way.”

It took a couple of minutes to get Twiggy to relinquish the controller, but finally they were in the elevator and on there way towards the lobby. Max said hello to Amy when the group stopped by the security booth to pick up their weapons.

“See, safe and sound.” She gives John a wink as she hands him back his guns.

Max kept pretty quiet all the way down to the van John and company had arrived in. Tyler remained in the driver's seat as the group pulled out of One Lincoln Tower and onto the streets of Bellevue.

“Ok let me know if you have heard this stuff before or if you having any particular questions. Mages summon spirits commonly called elementals, while shamans, such as myself, summon spirits of nature. Many of the spirits share similar abilities, though no type of spirit is quite the same as another. Nature spirits have a domain of influence and are incapable of crossing into the domain of another, unless of course they are a greater form spirit, but I have yet to master the conjuring steps to summon a greater form, so their unique capabilities are irrelevant. The three types of nature spirits that will be most use to us tonight are Spirits of the City, Building or Hearth Spirits and Storm Spirits. All three of which can take on a physical form, conceal us from observation and cause confusion. Hearth and City Spirits can be set to guard a location as well as search it while City and Storm Spirits can cause fear. Storm Spirits alone can attack someone with electricity. Another type of useful spirit is a watcher. They are not very bright as spirits go, but can act as simple watchdogs.”

It is apparent that Max could go on at length about this subject, but like any good instructor he notices the vaguely bored and confused expressions that Megan and Twiggy are giving him and stops in mid oratory.

“That is just a brief overview of course.”

“Geez teach, I never thought such a wiz thing like spirits could sound so boring.” Twiggy says, eliciting a giggle from Megan.

Max just smiles at the two of them, realizing he had slipped so easily into instructor mode.

“Any questions?”

[SentineloftheMou...]

0715 Wednesday, January 10, 2063 - Land's End Magic Shop

Andie and the dog walk over to the park, so his four legged friend can relieve himself and then we can both go back to the shop.

It's too cold out here to do anything else anyway., Andie thinks to himself.

After playing in the snow for a while for some exercise the two start walking back to the shop.

[Scrapheap]

00:19:17 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - Heading West on NE 8th Street

As the old van squeaked and splashed it's way through the slush, John looked from Max to the gangers. Noting the glazed expression on their young faces, he spoke up. "Just one. You say that they can conceal us, right? That include hidin' us from electronic stuff?"

Twiggy actually groaned as Max opened his mouth to reply, but Megan elbowed him to silence even though she didn't look any more interested in the discussion.

After Max's explanation, John turned back around and hit the map light. Pulling out the file on the clinic, he quickly scanned through the docs looking for any details on the building's security. After a minute, he found a copy of the clinic's contract with Knight Errant. Fraggin' Ares! Got their grubby paws in everything!

After quickly reading the document, and skipping over the legal-ese, John turned back around and shoved the sheet at Max. "Hoi. You said there weren't nobody at the clinic, right? This says there's always two fraggin' guards on duty."

Before Max could reply, Tyler pulled the van to the side. "I think that's the place."

Across the street from where the van was stopped stood a large Shell station. A lone AmeriCar was at one of the pumps. It seemed that most people were avoiding the weather. "What now?" Megan asked. "Where's this decker chick?"

"Now we wait," John said while lighting a cigarette. "She's not gonna be here for a couple minutes."

[Ecclesiastes]

12:30:12 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Apartment 875, Parkewood Village Apartments, Tacoma

Drek!

Todd rubbed his forehead, then called Tony.

"Hey man. I ran into company in there, got ganged up on and booted. It happened around the camera's, so I think its safe to assume that they are being handled. If you want, I'll go back in and make sure the gates are up for you, but I don't think I'm up to make another run at those guys."

[WinterRat1]

00:25:00 Tuesday 09 January 2063- Corner of 8th and 139th Court, Petro-Chem Station

Exactly 45 minutes from the time John had spoken to Iris, he saw a girl with short, spiky hair dyed in day-glo pink and green step out of the gas station and begin walking towards the corner of the gas station. She was dressed in what was almost certainly a synthleather jacket and matching skirt, with knee high boots encompassing fishnet stocking clad legs. Over her back was slung a knapsack that looked like it could fit a deck.

Grousing to himself about the depths to which he had sunk as far as his quality of help, Finn's recommendation notwithstanding, John couldn't help but think, Great, so much for subtlety. A professional, she's not. At least she's wearing all black. Except for that neon green and pink hair dammit...

[Bastard]

12:30:02 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

Seeing one of the targets standing in the open, Marquis takes advantage. His two heavy pistols rattle off quick bursts sending echos across the garage. Still in his squatted stance, Marq lets out a second three-round burst out of both guns. Both barrels remained locked on their target, waiting for it to fall.

[Scrapheap]

00:25:01 Tuesday 09 January 2063- Corner of 8th and 139th Court, Petro-Chem Station

...she fraggin' looks like what some corper drek-head would imagine a 'runner to look like. That or somethin' off a bad trid show.

Turning to the shaman, John said, "Think that's our girl. What's she look like to you, Max?"

Megan didn't wait for him to answer before she gave her unsolicited opinion. "Her hair looks pretty wiz."

"Yeah," Twiggy added. "She's fraggin' nova! Ow!" Rubbing his arm where Megan had slugged him, the young elf watched the sythleather clad decker through the van's frosted window as they all waited for Max's reply.

[Slipshade]

00:25:11 Tuesday 09 January 2063- Corner of 8th and 139th Court, Petro-Chem Station

“Screams shadowrunner to me, or at least ganger, but then again my only reference, until tonight, has been the Trid.” Max replied looking at the girl as she scanned the Petro Station. “Stands out a bit doesn’t she? Of course look who’s talking, right?”

"No, I mean what does she LOOK like." John says pointing to his eyes.

"Oh, right. Pretty normal I guess, other than that hair and those clothes. She has some headware, but nothing out of place that I can see."

[Scrapheap]

00:25:35 Tuesday 09 January 2063- Corner of 8th and 139th Court, Petro-Chem Station

"A'ight. Wait here."

John opened the van door and almost stepped into a puddle of slush. Smiling to himself, he stepped over the puddle and shut the door. Making sure his jacket was opened far enough for quick access to his Manhunter's, he triggered his wires and stepped around the van.

Checking for traffic, he jogged across the street. Slowing to a walk as he approached the girl, he kept his hands visible. He actively watched the area as he walked across the lot. Stopping about 2 meters from where she stood trying to look casual, he reached up to remove his smoke.

"Iris? Name's John. Ready?"

[WinterRat1]

00:25:55 Tuesday 09 January 2063- Corner of 8th and 139th Court, Petro-Chem Station

Turning towards him, she blows a bubble, from 20th Century bubble gum apparently, pops it, and chews loudly. "I know. Finn told me what you look like so I'd recognize you. I'm ready to go if you are chummer, let's get this show on the road."

If she's nervous, she's doing a good job of hiding it... John thinks to himself, as she stands there, waiting for his response.

[grendel]

12:30:02 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

The first three round burst catches the target on his left shoulder and chest, heavy rounds tearing through flesh and shattering bone. Shock pushes the figure backwards, his eyes empty and staring as the second burst cuts through him. Blood sprays across the wet concrete as he collapses into a heap, his weapon clattering from his hand.

[Scrapheap]

00:27:51 Tuesday 09 January 2063- Corner of 8th and 139th Court, Petro-Chem Station

John eyed the girl up and down silently for a moment, making no effort to hide his disapproval of her outfit. Looking her in the eye, he raised an eyebrow and asked, "You sure you're ready? I thought you said Finn told you what we was up to?"

Iris stared right back, the only outward sign of possible nerves or uncertainty was a slight shift from one foot to the other. Of course, that could have also been from the fact that it was cold and she was wearing a short skirt. In answer to his question she simply blew another bubble and let it pop loudly.

Sighing quietly to himself, John motioned for Tyler to swing the van around and pick them up. Sure you're ready, girl. Maybe had a couple easy runs, made some easy cred. Nothin' to it, right?

He took a deep drag off of his cigarette and angrily flipped the butt away, making sure that it was the opposite direction of the pumps. What the frag am I doing? Raiding a corp front with a carload of fraggin' kids, a decker not much older, and a parazoology consultant who probably saw his first fraggin' firefight yesterday! I'm gonna get them all fraggin' greased.

As the van started towards them, John reached into his jacket and pulled out the envelope containing what remained of the pay from his last job. Fraggin drek! Was that only 2 days ago? Or was it 3? Seems like 30. Whatever, hope I ain't wastin' this for nothin. With a glance around to make sure that no one was taking an unhealthy interest in them, he slipped Iris the envelope. She quickly pocketed it as he said, "There's the upfront. I don't know how much Finn told ya, or how specific he got, but if you haven't had a chance to check out this place on your own I got a file of the drek Finn collected. You can go over it on the way.

"By the time we get there, I want your thoughts on the place, plus your best guess on where our isolated system would be located according to the floorplans."

Iris popped another bubble and continued to chew her gum loudly. "IF such a system exists."

As the van pulled up, John could plainly see Twiggy with his face plastered against the side window. Iris, obviously shocked to see someone so young, turned on the older man. "What the frag, mister? This some kinda field trip, or what?"

Giving her a half-smile he said, "Nah. That's Twiggy. He's the muscle on this job." Leading her around the van and opening the side door, he continued, "That's Tyler driving, and Megan's next ta Twig. And this is Max."

Leaning forward, Max extended a gloved hand to help the young decker into the van. "Hello, Iris. Glad to have you onboard."

"Hoi," was all she said as she climbed in. John closed the door and then got into the passenger seat. As Tyler navigated the vehicle back into the sparse traffic, the old runner turned in his seat to continue and handed Iris the folder. "Here's the file. One last thing. How are you with security systems? I can handle the odd maglock, but not much more. Other than that, just let me know if you got any questions."

With that, he lit a smoke and waited for the inevitable: everyone to start talking at once.

[bclements]

12:30:03 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

Still crouched down at the wall, Tony flinches a little at the rapid fire booming bursts that echo around the level of the parking garage. Barely making out a figure from the group punched backwards towards the south wall of the garage, he guesses that Marquis got off a good shot. Well, he did say he wanted action yesterday. Tony thought as he tried to peer thru the dense grey smoke to see if anyone was left alive.

He was barely able to make out the man and women that started him on this situation: they were both prone on the floor, and Tony was unable to tell if either were still alive. No one else seemed to be looking or (more importantly) aiming in either direction.

Not able to see anyone aiming at either him or Marquis, and not wanting to open fire for the drek of it, Tony settles for switching the Semopal to fully automatic fire and waits for something to happen. Let’s let Marq pick them off. I’ll keep ‘em busy if something happens

[Slipshade]

00:30:00 Tuesday 09 January 2063- enroute to Practical Applications Clinic

“Once we get there I will take another run of facilities in astral. Maybe find those two guards the dossier says are supposed to be there.” Max says once they are safely on the way. “Then I will call a city spirit to help conceal us as we make our way closer to the facilities, but once we get inside I am going to have to summon another spirit to help conceal us again, which means we will have no magical cover for a few seconds. How can we rectify that?”

[Bastard]

12:30:03 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

As the firearm hits and tumbles across the cement, Marq scans the smoke filled garage for the next target. Both pistols stay even in his hands, lying in wait for their next victim.

[Scrapheap]

00:32:04 Tuesday 09 January 2063- enroute to Practical Applications Clinic

"Well," John said, turning from Iris to Max, "we may not have to worry about that once we're inside. I got an idea."

Smiling slightly, Max leaned forward. "Anything you care to share with the rest of us?"

"Yeah, spill already." Twiggy growled, wearing a grimace that John assumed was supposed to be "hard." In reality though, it looked like a cross between "near-sighted" and "constipated." Megan reached over and smacked him in the back of the head. "Ow! What was that for?"

"Just cause. What's this idea, old-timer?"

Shifting fully sideways in the van's seat, John reached up and removed the smoking cigarette from his mouth. "A'ight, now some of this depends on if the guards are where I think they'll be, which we'll know after Max scouts the place again. Lookin' at the floorplan, it looks like there's a security desk by the front doors. Twiggy?"

Rubbing the back of his head, the young elf answered, "Yeah, I think that's right."

"Good. If that's right and they're at the desk when we get there it'll go down like this: Megan and Twiggy drop the rest of us off a couple of buildings down from the clinic. Max calls a spirit to cover us and we sneak to the front doors. Then, me or Iris works on openin' the doors. Iris?"

The decker looks up from the documents long enough to say, "Long as it ain’t locked up like Fort Knox I can get us in nul persp." With a snap of her gum, the girl returned to the file, though it was obvious she had at least one ear open.

"Wiz. When the doors open Max zaps the guards. If they need further motivation to stay down, I'll give it to 'em. Just me. If for some reason we can't open the doors, or if we set off the alarm or somethin' Max just zaps 'em right away. We can break down the door if we have to. Once the guards and the station's secure, Tyler will stay to watch them and the cameras and stuff. Hopefully they got some radios or somethin' we can use to keep in touch.

"At this point, me, Max, and Iris will find the computer room. Even though the guards are down, we still need to be as fast as possible. Just assume we've already been made. No tellin' what kinda response time Knight Errant has to this place. I mean, with only 2 fraggin' guards they can't think it's too big a risk, right? Maybe, maybe not. We don't take the chance and find out.

"Once we find the computer room Iris'll do her thing. If somethin' goes wrong, we can always just fraggin' yank the hardware and crack it later. When that’s done we get out fast. Iris, lemme see the plan for the ground floor."

Shuffling through the file, she hands him the sheet with a creaking of synthleather. "Megan, Twig, your job is real fraggin' important, so listen up. You're both our main lookout and get-away. Once we're inside I need you to take the van and go down this side street," John held up the sheet for them to see, tracing a path with his finger, "turn the van 'round, and wait at the corner. Park back enough so you can just see down the street. You watch and see if anyone comes down the street. I'll give you my cell so if you see anyone you call Max's cell. Number's programmed already. When we're on our way out we'll give you a call. Pull around to the curb, right out in front. We'll meet you there."

"What about me," Tyler asked without taking his eyes off of the road.

"You make sure the guards don't get free. Watch the security monitors. Listen to their radio. That sort of thing. We'll grab you on the way out. Just keep your jacket's hood up and try not to look up at any cameras. Also, anything on ya that's considered colors, take it off. Don't want them to come lookin' for the rest of the gang, right?"

John took a deep drag off of his cigarette. "That’s it. Just remember that if the drek hits the fan and lead starts to fly, you gotta worry about yourself. If everything gets fragged, I want you guys to run. Max, Iris, and me can take care of ourselves.

"We'll stop just outside the industrial park for a weapons-check. Then I'll remove the van's ID and Max here will scout. If it looks good, we go. Anybody got any questions?"

[Slipshade]

00:40:15 Tuesday 09 January 2063- Practical Applications Clinic – Industrial Park

Tyler slowed the van to a stop just outside of the industrial park containing Practical Applications Clinic and hopefully a clue to what had happened to Keira and Nora. The constant driving that Tyler had been forced to do had at least gotten him used to the snow and he remembered to brake early to avoid sliding.

Max had listened to John’s plan, but remained silent.

‘…when the doors open Max will zap the guards…’

Other than the men that had attacked the Respite this morning Max had never used his spells to hurt anyone, let along ambush a pair of unsuspecting guards just doing their job. He hoped that his astral scouting would conclude as it had earlier in the evening with no guards to be found.

The truck came to a stop and John jumped out to take care of the vans plates and other modes of identification. Max leaned back in his seat and tried to calm his rapidly breathing heart. Slowly he felt his spirit separating itself from his physical body and he drifted through the roof of the van and towards Practical Applications.

It would appear that lady luck had abandoned Max again as the glowing figures of the two guards lit up the astral space of the lobby.

‘Poor bastards.’

Max took another quick fly through of the entire building, to make sure he didn’t miss anyone else before returning to his body and informing the rest of the team of his findings.

[WinterRat1]

00:42:06 Tuesday 09 January 2063- Practical Applications Clinic – Industrial Park

After zipping through the clinic once again, to his disappointment Max discovers that the file was right, there are two security guards sitting on duty at the desk in the front lobby, munching on donuts and coffee, watching the trid, and generally living the life that all security guards in similar positions aspire to.

Other than that though, it's the same as his last pass through, the rest of the building, particularly the astral, is quiet.

Returning to his body, he opens his eyes and reports, with John nodding calmly, like he expected this.

He probably has, he's done this how many times? I feel like I'm in a trid here, is this what being a runner is like?

Popping her gum, Iris looks up at John and says, "All right boss, here's the scoop. I doubt the electronic security will be that tough, just some cameras and some maglocks. If we keep our heads down and don't have any identifying marks on our clothing, we might not even need to take them out. If you want to play it safe though, we can disable the cameras from the receptionist desk in the front lobby where the guards are. That won't solve the problem of the cameras in the front lobby, but I can erase those."

Nodding, John asks, "What about the isolated system, where do you think it is?"

Pausing, Iris answers, "If there's an isolated system, I would guess it's in the head administrator's office. From the plans, I just don't see anywhere that it'd be most likely to be. As long as we don't set off any alarms, we should be ok."

Thankful at least that appearance notwithstanding, she appeared to be reasonably professional, John mulled the information over, firming up the plan in his mind.

While he's thinking, Tyler speaks up. "Hey, if things get fragged and we gotta run, where should we meet back up?"

[Scrapheap]

00:52:36 Tuesday 09 January 2063- Practical Applications Clinic – Industrial Park

John, fresh from removing the van's plates and disabling its transponder, stuffed his tool kit into his canvas satchel and turned to look at Tyler. "Good question, kid. How 'bout the Stuffer Shak over by my doss? It's open all night." Smart kid. He should do fine.

Turning to the decker, he continued. "We play it safe. Good call, Iris. So, we get in, disable the guards, then you take out the cameras. Then it's straight up to the admin's office. Lemme see that part of the floorplan."

He checked the sheet, committing the route through the building to memory. Handing it back, he addressed everyone. "A'ight, crew, time to lock-n-load. I'm packing gels, but I also got hot ammo in case the heavy drek starts. Remember that the best runs are the one's where no one gets fragged, from both sides. But if push comes to fraggin' shove, you can't hesitate to shove back.

"Check the action on your weapons and check your load. If you ain't sure about somethin' ask." So saying, John flipped his cigarette out the window, closed it, and pulled the Ingram from his satchel.

As soon as the grip hit the induction pad in his left palm the weapon's status flared across his field of vision. It told him that it was unloaded but reported no malfunctions. Reaching back into the satchel he pulled out two clips which he had taped together with blue tape. They were attached in such a way so that when one was empty, he could just flip them over and quickly load the other. Sliding the clip into place caused the smartlink status to change, now stating that the Ingram was fully loaded with gel rounds. Manually pulling back the bolt, he sat the sub aside, pulled the Manhunters from their holsters, and proceeded to check them in the same way.

As John was about to reholster his pistols, he noticed Twiggy and Megan. She was checking her tiny holdout pistol while he watched. Reaching back, the old runner handed the girl one of the heavy Manhunters. "Here. You'll need more firepower if you're gonna guard the van. Loan Twig your peashooter if he can handle it."

John turned back, reholstered his remaining pistol, and reached back into his bag to remove a black ski mask and gloves. He put the mask on, but didn't pull it all the way over his face just yet. Closing the bag, but leaving the top unsnapped, he slung it over his head and shoulder so that it would ride under his right arm. He then slung the strap on the Ingram over his head and other shoulder. He'd wait to open the stock until they were out of the van.

Taking a deep breath, he turned back to the others. "Everyone set? Everyone know what to do? A'ight, one last thing. Like I said before, we can't assume that we haven't been made. Ever. So once we go remember to use streetnames. I go by Scrapheap on runs. If you don't have a handle, make one up quick. Don't worry about being smooth or soundin' mean. Got it? Wizzer. Megan and Twiggy, you guys switch with Ty and me." As everyone shuffled around to their new seats, John gave Max's shoulder a squeeze on his way past. As the pale elf looked up, he gave the shaman what he hoped was a reassuring grin.

Once everyone was in place, Megan looked back at him. "All set, chummer. Just say when." Looking at the unlikely group in turn, John finally turned to the young girl. "Ready as we'll get. Let's roll."

[Bastard]

12:30:04 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

Spotting a shadow in the smoke making its way toward him, Marquis lets a few more rounds head down range. Two more three round bursts simultaneously echo through the parking garage.

[grendel]

12:30:05 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

The six rounds of heavy pistol ammo spark and ricochet off the concrete column, whining angrily in the smoke-filled lane of the garage. The target snugs his submachinegun into his shoulder, leaning out around the column. The underbarrel 30mm launcher choomps, its air-timed projectile arcing through the haze to detonate just past Marquis' position. The punishing overpressure of the concussion drives him into the concrete hard enough to leave bruises. Car windows shatter in the blast, and a dozen alarms add their shrill cry to that of automatic gunfire.

[Slipshade]

01:03:05 Tuesday 09 January 2063- Practical Applications Clinic – Industrial Park

Max listens intently to everything John…Scrapheap has to say. He pulls out the Remington Roomsweaper and double checks the magazine and makes sure the safety is still on. When putting on the mask of his form fitting body armor he mimics the way Scrapheap keeps his rolled up, but easy to pull down at a moments notice.

‘A code name.’ The thought was almost laughable, but Max knew Scrapheap was not joking. ‘Hmm…of course.”

“Just call me Professor, I tend to answer to it anyway. By the way…were is your doss?”

01:04:52 Tuesday 09 January 2063- Practical Applications Clinic – Industrial Park

Tyler starts the van back up and moves it into position a few buildings down from their target.

Taking a deep breath Professor calms himself and reaches out to the city, calling it to help him. Those near enough to him can see his shamanic mask begin to form. His face becomes grey, like the color of granite and odd shadows flitter around him as if shadowy wings were unfurrowing themselves around him and then they are gone. Wearily Professor lets his senses drift, seeking the consciousness that had briefly touched his own and responded to his call.

His astral sight detected a brief flicker of movement along the ceiling of the van. Peering upwards just in time to the head of a laughing gargoyle appear through the roof of the van.

‘What is it your require?’ It said with its ever-present, mocking grin.

Professor spoke out loud even though the others could not likely see the spirit in its astral form.

“I humbly request you assist my friends and I. I need you to conceal our presence until we leave your domain and then I ask you to return to this van and frighten anyone other than those you see here away. When I return, you will be free to do as you please. Is this acceptable?”

The spirit nodded in reply. ‘Of course.’

“Thank you, my friend.”

Professor had to stifle a laugh when he took his gaze away from the roof and saw the looks the others were giving him, all except Scrapheap that it.

“Don’t worry I haven’t cracked…we have the help of a spirit now to conceal us and keep the van safe.”

[WinterRat1]

01:06:00 Tuesday 09 January 2063- Practical Applications Clinic – Industrial Park

The clinic is quiet, and other than a light in the front lobby, it seems like there’s no one there. A light snowfall and a small breeze blow through the night, freezing them all as they cross the lot to the front door, but the additional camouflage is apparently unnecessary.

The two guards manning the front desk are absorbed in watching the trid and absentmindedly eating their coffee and donuts, required gourmet fare for all in the security guard profession. Stealthily, added greatly by Max’s spirit, the group makes their way to the front door, unnoticed by the guards.

Step 1, getting to the door, complete. Now all we gotta do is take out the guards Scrapheap thinks to himself as they move into position near the front doors.

[Scrapheap]

01:03:19 Tuesday 09 January 2063- Practical Applications Clinic – Industrial Park

'Where is your doss?' Nice fraggin' slip, chummer. Sure you're up for this?

"Sorry, Max. Iris. I took the others there earlier, so I guess I forgot you guys didn't know. The Stuffer Shak in question's at 11520 Avondale, near the corner of Avondale and NE 116th. I live in a housing co-op not too far from there."

01:06:23 Tuesday 09 January 2063- Practical Applications Clinic – Industrial Park

Scrapheap peered into the lobby as the two guards stared blankly at the trid. As he watched, one leaned forward and felt around for another doughnut, all without taking his eyes off of whatever show had the two so enthralled.

Ducking back around the corner, he nodded to Iris, signalling for her begin on the doors. Then he caught Tyler's attention, pointed at his own eyes and then away from the building, trying to make it obvious that he wanted him to watch the street. When the ganger seemed to understand he adjusted the ski mask and knelt in a location where he could both watch Iris work and check on the lobby as needed. Motioning to The Professor to watch him, hopefully understanding that he was to cast against the guards as soon as the doors were opened, Scrapheap snugged the stock of his Ingram against his left shoulder and waited to make his move.