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

[Scrapheap]

07:23:57 Tuesday 09 January 2063 – Redmond - Touristville - The Respite Soup Kitchen

John poured himself another cup of 'kaf. Raising the cup, he blew across the hot liquid to cool it somewhat before taking a sip.

"Well, as far as the couple, start with public records. Medical records would be fraggin' great, but I don't know how much time that'd take. Somethin' that would give us any idea why they'd be "clients" at this clinic.

"For the address, just some directions. Details about the building if possible."

Looking at Iris' print-out gave the older runner an idea. "Ya know, we got an LTG number. Maybe we should just give the Wongs a call? Anyone wanna pretend to be some concerned suit from the clinic, callin' to inform them about the break-in and possible loss of personal medical-type info?"

[WinterRat1]

07:24:23 Tuesday 09 January 2063 – Redmond - Touristville - The Respite Soup Kitchen

Iris paused, tapping her finger against her cheek as she listend to John's idea, before she contributed, "Medical records are hard to get these days, what with all the ways they can be used against you. Besides, this was a research clinic. It's entirely possible that the Wongs have no conditions that required its immediate assistance. Or if it's as shady as we think, it could be an alias, any number of things. We have an address and number, and they may be a fake as well, but at least through using them we could figure out if they are a legit identity or not."

[bclements]

13:13:44 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

After having the medkit give alternating diagnoses of VITAS, pregnancy (with a 40% probablity of a breech birth, according to the readout), and some Laotian mosquito borne fever Tony couldn't even pronounce and had never heard of, he closes the medkit with a smash, making his head swim slightly. Stupid Tan Tien surplus peace of drek. Even I could program a computer better than this! he thinks as he gingerly walks over an puts the medkit back his duffel bag, along with the Semopal and katana, his pistol that had skidded under a car, and both of Marq's heavy gold pistols. After heafting that into the trunk of the Americar, he heads back for Marq.

This trip is a little tougher, but after a hard bout of nausea halfway to the car, he manages to get him in the passenger seat. Finally settled into the car, he pulls out his psec whatever they make this thing out of, I need armor like it. Not even a scratch on it! he thinks and notices a call from Todd. Hearing the message, he calls the decker back.

Hoi there, hombre. You ok? Tony says horsely.

[Ecclesiastes]

13:13:50 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Apartment 875, Parkewood Village Apartments, Tacoma

Todd jumps as his phone goes off, seeings it Tony he quickly answers.

"I'll live. Ego got brused more than anything. What took you so long man, I was gettin' worried."

[Scrapheap]

07:25:03 Tuesday 09 January 2063 – Redmond - Touristville - The Respite Soup Kitchen

John moved from the soy-kaf machine to look out of one of the kitchen's barred windows. "A'ight. Then how about you just see if you can find some directions to this address? Maybe a quick search of some public records to see if they're real people or not?"

"Weren't ya gonna call the number?" Twiggy asked around a mouthful of cereal.

"Yeah, but maybe we should wait. If we're gonna check out the address I don't want to let 'em know we're comin,' right?" Turning to look at Iris and Max he added, "Unless you think we should?"

Waiting for an answer, the old samurai looked out at the steadily falling snow. "Hoi, Max. That gal that was here with her kid yesterday...uh, Melina, right? Know how ta get ahold of her? Lookin' at this snow makes me think that maybe the Respite should be open today. Lot of fraggers are gonna need a warm place to squat today."

[bclements]

13:14:05 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

"We walked into some sort of standoff in Sea-Tac, a friend of mine and I. Got the drek pounded out of us, but they left us here. Whoever these guys are were pros; I'm lucky not to be in a chopshop right now. Sorry to tell you this, but I'm not in any shape to do that thing later on today. We can make some plans though. Thanks for trying to help us though, I owe you one.

[Ecclesiastes]

13:14:25 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Apartment 875, Parkewood Village Apartments, Tacoma

"Its cool man, more time to research. Is there anything I can do for you? I've got a doc friend I can put you in contact with."

[Slipshade]

07:26:02 Tuesday 09 January 2063 – Redmond - Touristville - The Respite Soup Kitchen

After negotiating with the cab company Max turns his attention back to the conversation between John and Iris.

"I agree John, it would be best to have a look at the location before calling. If the location is legit I know someone that may be able to talk to them without drawing to much attention to us. He is in the media and an inquiry about the explosion and possible lost records won't look to odd coming from a reporter. As for Melina, she should be in soon. She told me she would be here to open up, so I would imagine that the weather has slowed her down a bit."

Max pulls out his pocket secretary and opens up the address book. He jots down on address and phone number on a sheet of paper and hands it to John.

"Here is her number and address. The phone only works sporadically, so if she doesn't show in a little bit give it a try. If the line is down, it may be a good idea to send one of the gangers over there to see if she is ok. Just in case."

[WinterRat1]

07:27:39 Tuesday 09 January 2063 – Redmond - Touristville - The Respite Soup Kitchen

"We can help run the place while you're gone," Tyler speaks up, and is interrupted by Megan, who interjects, "As long as you come back for us when you're done."

In the meantime, Iris had gone over to the wall and jacked in; surprisingly enough, the place had Matrix access. A few brief moments later, she walked back and announced, "They seem real. The address and ID checks out, they live in a nice condo in Downtown Seattle."

Scribbling stuff down on a piece of paper, she adds, "I didn't get any personal information on them, that would take time for an actual search. But I checked the residents list of the condo apparently located at this address, and the Wongs turned up. It was so easy I'd find it hard to believe they're anything but legit, it was the equivalent of looking them up in the phone book."

"So who's going to go talk to them?" Twiggy asked, looking at John just as Iris hands the samurai the paper with directions to the condo.

[Slipshade]

07:27:39 Tuesday 09 January 2063 – Redmond - Touristville - The Respite Soup Kitchen

"The way I look at it we have only two real choices for making contact with the Wongs. I can either contact my friend and he can interview them, or one or both of us can go speak to them in person. The problem with the later is two-fold. First problem, John and I are fairly recognizable people and second, we may not want to let anyone who is funding the clinic in on who is asking questions about them. Both ideas have their drawbacks."

[bclements]

13:14:28 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

"Thanks, my medkit thinks I'm pregnant, but I don't think its anything a bottle and a nap can't cure. Did the decker you ran into do anything odd? They used non-lethal rounds...why the hell would you come to a standoff with gels? Why not the real thing? Tony thought to himself.

[Ecclesiastes]

13:14:30 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Apartment 875, Parkewood Village Apartments, Tacoma

"Well, he was running some hard core agents as backup. I tore into him and those things tore right through my connection. I think I managed to dump him before they got me, but I'm not sure. If I were you, I'd get the heck outta there. If you need a place to crash, you're welcome here.

[bclements]

13:14:40 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

This kid is worth his weight in gold. Tony thinks to himself. I'm getting out of here as soon as I stop seeing double jefe. Thanks for the room offer, but I've got a place to hole up for a bit. You want to meet up later on this evening, say around 2100 or so?

[Scrapheap]

07:29:12 Tuesday 09 January 2063 – Redmond - Touristville - The Respite Soup Kitchen

John took the address and directions from Iris, looked them over and stuck them into his pocket. He then listened to Max as he lit a cigarette.

"I really think one of us needs to talk to them, Max. Your friend may not know what ta ask. Drek, they may not even agree to be interviewed, 'specially if he mentions the clinic."

"Who says they'd talk to you either, old-timer?" Megan asks from the other side of the table. "And if the building's anything like Max's you probably couldn't sneak in anyway."

But if I got in I could make them talk to me... Shaking his head at the thought, John looked to Iris. "She's right; I'd need a way in. You think you could put an appointment into the building's log? Like a heating tech visit? Anything to get me past security and inside the Wong's condo?"

"Maybe. I wouldn't know without trying. But, John..." Iris looked the old runner up and down. "I hate to say it, chummer, but you don't look much like a tech of any kind. Sorry."

"How 'bout a retired tech?" Megan whispered loudly to Tyler, causing him to smile and shake his head.

Giving the girl a flat look, John turned back to the others. "Well, frag. What then? What about you, Max? Maybe we should talk to them. Pose as suits from the clinic. I could go as your security. We could even call first, ask to meet, set up a time, all legit-like. What do you think?"

[Slipshade]

07:30:05 Tuesday 09 January 2063 – Redmond - Touristville - The Respite Soup Kitchen

"Your right it would probably be best for me to go. Lets give them a call and try to set up a meeting with them. Maybe even inform then about last nights events and tell them that we are trying to piece together some of the records that were lost in the "accident." What do you think?"

[Scrapheap]

07:30:27 Tuesday 09 January 2063 – Redmond - Touristville - The Respite Soup Kitchen

"That's exactly what I was thinkin.' Iris, you willing to play along? Call the Wong's ta set up the appointment? It'll sound more official if an "admin" calls."

Taking a drag off of his cigarette, John fished his cell and the variety of numbers he'd been given out of his pocket. "When do you want to do this, Max? You wanna go before or after you make those calls? Like I said, I could go with you if you want, long as it's not around noon. In the meantime, I'll call Melina and see if we need to go pick her up."

[Slipshade]

07:30:51 Tuesday 09 January 2063 – Redmond - Touristville - The Respite Soup Kitchen

"I would say we set the meeting up early, like 9:00 or 10:00am if we can. That way you have the option of coming along and it should give me time to head home and make myself look more corporate as well as make my calls."

Maybe he was just being paranoid, but the more he thought about it, he liked the idea of having some muscle around if things went bad.

"It may be best for you to come along anyway. If the Wongs are working for the clinic in any way, they may try to set us up.

[Scrapheap]

07:31:19 Tuesday 09 January 2063 – Redmond - Touristville - The Respite Soup Kitchen

Iris snapped her gum (which she must have started chewing when John was looking out the window) and stood. "Sure thing, boss. Lemme set up my gear."

Moving back over to where she'd left her deck, the young runner pulled out a head-set, connected it to the deck, and put it on. "I'm gonna set it up so the call will be harder to trace. It won't be foolproof, but it'll look a little more mysterious to the Wongs when their telecom reads 'unknown caller.' It may give the illusion of being more secure, if they don't know any better."

She got comfortable, gave her gum a snap, and jacked-in. As her body slumped and her fingers began to move across the keyboard, John turned to Max. "We'll both go, as long as the Wongs say it's OK to meet before I have ta go. You'll have to do most of the talking though, with our original idea of me bein' your security detail."

As Max mulled that over, the older runner added. "Nul persp, chummer. You'll be great. Your cab should be here any minute, right? I can give ya a call with the info when our girl's done."

As if on cue, one of the other gangers stuck his head in the door. "Hoi. There's a cabbie out here that says someone needs a ride?"

"It's for me," Max replied. "Tell him I will be out directly. John, I will wait for your call. In the meantime I will make myself more presentable and make the calls to my contacts. Good luck."

John nodded and watched as the pale elf exited. He then turned his attention back to Iris. He finished his smoke and had just ground-out the butt as the decker suddenly began to speak.

"Mrs. Wong? Good morning, this is Linda from the clinic. Yes, ma'am, that is correct: The Research for Practical Applications Clinic. How are you this morning? Good, good.

"I'm afraid that I have some unsettling news. There was a security breach here at the Clinic late last night and many records were lost. Because of our unique system, it is not possible that any personal information was stolen during the breach. However, we will need to recreate our records. Would you be willing to meet with our representatives this morning, say at 9:30?"

[WinterRat1]

07:34:13 Tuesday 09 January 2063 – Redmond - Touristville - The Respite Soup Kitchen

Mrs. Wong hesitates uncertainly, before she slowly says, "9:30...OK...I think that should be fine. I'll have to call my husband and tell him to come back from work, this sounds important and I think that he'll want to be there as well. I'll tell the guard to expect you. Who should I tell them is coming?"

[Scrapheap]

07:34:33 Tuesday 09 January 2063 – Redmond - Touristville - The Respite Soup Kitchen

Iris smiled. "Thank you for your assistance in this matter, Mrs. Wong. Tell your guard to expect a Mr. Jones at 9:30. He will be accompanied by a member of our security detail."

The decker paused a beat before adding, "Don't worry, Mrs. Wong. We'll take care of everything. Mr. Jones will see you at 9:30. Have a nice day."

[Bastard]

13:20:51 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

Marquis stirs a bit in Todd's car, his only awareness is the heavy ringing in his ears. His hand swats the air at nothingness, but what he perceives to be the source of the noise.

consciousness slowly creeps upon Marquis in the form of a throbbing headache. It feels like a bad hangover while still being drunk, in addition to being hit in the face with a badmitten racket, or other obscure sports equipment.

[bclements]

13:21:08 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS
"Welcome back to the living," Tony says after seeing Marquis stir. "How do you feel?"

[Scrapheap]

07:36:02 Tuesday 09 January 2063 – Redmond - Touristville - The Respite Soup Kitchen

Tapping one final button on her deck, Iris shuddered and reached up to remove the cable from her datajack. She turned to the others as she wound the cord to her headset. "All set, boss. You and 'Mr. Jones' will check in with the building's guard at 09:30. Mrs. Wong seemed a little nervous, but I get the feeling it had more to do with the situation than with my performance, if you know what I mean."

John nodded. "Yah, I do. Don't worry none, girl. You did a real wiz job. I almost believed it myself." He gave his watch a quick glance before continuing. "A'ight, we got about 2 hours. I gotta call Melina and Max and then get cleaned up. Iris, are you gonna hang around or what?"

"Well," she paused while packing gear into her knapsack. "If you don't mind, what I'd really like is to be dropped off at Loveland Quinn's. I'm having trouble figuring out the isolated system and I'd really like to go over it with Finn. The way it reacted when I jacked-in, well, I just don't get it. It was like there was nothing I could do." She trailed off and stared into space for a second. "Uh, anyway, if anyone knows what it was it would be Finn."

"Fair enough. It'd be cutting it pretty close if I was to take you. Too close." John turned to Tyler.

The young ganger finished his bottle of soy-cola as he stood from the kitchen stool. "I'll go see if our ride's around." As he walked from the room, John could plainly see where the kid carried his Predator, not only from the tell-tale lump but from his body-language as well. He made a mental note to show him how to conceal it better.

"You want us to go too?" Twiggy asked around a mouthful of cereal, as Iris got up and motioned that she was going to go after the rest of her stuff.

"Nah. I don't even want Ty to go. I think you guys'll be needed here. Send a couple of chummers to take her to Finn's." He pulled his cell from a jacket pocket. "I gotta make some calls. You guys know how ta get breakfast started?"

"Nah, but we'll figure somethin' out. Go ahead and make your calls, old man." Megan stood and grabbed the younger elf by his collar. "Go get a couple of guys ta help in here, Twig. We gotta get started."

Dialing the number that Max had given him, John was surprised as the call was connected almost immediately. A short, loud burst of static was followed immediately by a couple of thumps and a mumbled, "Piece of drek." When the line cleared he heard a woman's voice. "Yes? Hello?"

"Melina? It's John Standard. We met yesterday. Is everything OK?"

"John? Uh, yeah it's fine. What do you need?" He could hear Trancer in the background ask who was calling, followed by a shush from Melina.

"I'm down at the Respite right now. With the drekky weather and everything I'm afraid that the place'll be fraggin' swamped today. Were you gonna come in today? The kids could really use your help. I could send someone over ta get you?"

"We were just getting ready to leave, John. We'll be there in a few minutes; we don't live far. See you soon."

John hit the 'end' button on his cheap cell and quickly dialed Max. He took a sip of tepid 'kaf as he waited for the call to connect. With a click, he heard the rich voice of the shaman. "Hello?"

"Still in the cab?"

"John? Yes, travel is very slow this morning. How did it go?"

"Wiz. Iris set it up for 9:30. I'll swing by your place in an hour or so. That give you enough com-time?"

"I think that should be sufficient to make the calls I have in mind. I will see you then. I'll tell security to expect you."

Returning the cell to his jacket, the old runner stood and drained his cup. Figuring that the Respite had to have a stash of toiletries for the squatters that needed them, he decided to clean up here as opposed to going back to the Co-op. He just hoped that he could make himself presentable with what was available.

As he turned to leave Megan said, "Don't forget to come back and get us, old man. You need our help."

John smiled yet said nothing as he left the kitchen.

[Scrapheap]

08:46:11 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower

John slowed the van to a halt near the curb, tires making a crunching sound in the snow. Looking into the lobby, he could see a number of people coming and going. Glancing at his watch, he realized that the poor weather had made the trip from the Respite longer than he had planned. Deciding that it would be quicker to have Max meet him there at the van than to go through security, he pulled out his cell and dialed the shaman's number. After a moment, he was connected to voice-mail.

"Max, I'm downstairs in the van. Come down when you get this message. It'll be quicker than me comin' up."

Disonnecting, John replaced the phone and pulled out his cigarettes. Lighting one and replacing the pack, he adjusted the mirror to check his appearance. He'd managed to shave and shower, and though his clothes were going on day 2, he thought he looked presentable. Besides, his part in this was 'security grunt.' Max was the one who needed to impress the Wongs.

He returned the mirror to it's original setting just in time to see a car slide through the intersection behind him. Shaking his head at the stupidity, he wondered if the gangers had managed to deliver Iris to Finn in one piece. He'd have to call and check in with them after the Wong's and his noon meeting at Lee Chee Garden. Hopefully they would have something for him.

Checking his watch again, John leaned over to look up at the Tower, the top lost in the grey skies and falling snow. He hoped that Max had gotten his call and was on his way down. A few more minutes and he'd have to go in. Until then though, he cracked the window a little wider and leaned back in his seat to wait.

[Slipshade]

07:31:19 Tuesday 09 January 2063 – Redmond - Touristville - The Respite Soup Kitchen

The snow was still falling as Max stepped out onto the street. He pulled his secure long coat tightly around him to ward off the chill. An Emerald City cab had slid to a stop in front of The Respite Soup Kitchen, the smoke from its exhaust mingling with the white powder of the snowfall.

“See ya around Max.” said one of the gangers watching the door. He was a big kid, bulky and awkward in that teenage sort of way, but his eyes looked old, older than what he should be. But that seemed to be the way of it out here in the Barrens. These kids had seen more in their young lives than people twice Max’s age and most of it bad. He nodded towards the kid.

“See ya and thanks for helping out. Keira would be proud of you guys.”

“Null Persp. Chummer. We look out for our own.”

The window on the emerald green, Ford Americar cab rolled down and a wisp of cigar smoke escaped from inside as one of the ugliest orcs imaginable stuck his head through the opening.

“You getting in or what? It’s fraggin cold out here.” He grunted, cigar nub dangling behind the chipped, yellow tusk on the right side of his mouth.

The youth looked ready to shoot the cabby a few unkind words, but Max cut him off.

“Yes, I’m ready.”

Max could hear the lock on the back door of the sedan pop open as he approached. Opening the back door of the cab Max ducked his head and slid into the backseat. The cab itself was musty and smelled of cheap cigar smoke, but at least it was warm. The plexiglass security shield slid down a bit allowing the crackle of the cabbies CB radio to be heard along with the rumbling tones of some new troll metal band.

“Where to?” The ugly orc said, puffing a ring of smoke into the back of the cab.

“One Lincoln Tower, Bellevue.” Max replied

“Yeah, I know where it is.” The gruff cabby slid the security shield back in place and pulled out into the snowy streets.

Max leaned his head back against the seat and closed his eyes for a moment. He was still very tired. The cot he had slept on left a number of sore muscles and kinks that would take a masseuse a week to get out. He again asked himself the question that he had repeated to himself a number of times over the last day.

‘What in the hell are you doing?’

In the last 24 Hours his friend had been kidnapped, he had been shot multiple times, broken into a medical clinic and knocked an innocent security guard senseless. Now he is planning to impersonate a corporate official with the intent on gaining illegal access to possible medical records with the help of a shadowrunner.

‘What the hell am I doing?’

‘Doing what you must, what is in your nature to do.’

Max almost jumped out of his skin at the sound of the voice and looked around the cab. Nothing appeared to be different and the cabby hadn’t seemed to notice anything out of the ordinary.

‘Must be lack of good sleep.” Max thought.