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

[Slipshade]

07:36:02 Tuesday 09 January 2063 – Redmond - Touristville – In a Cab

From his jacket pocket Max’s cell phone began to ring. Checking the number, he saw it was John and answered.

"Hello?"

"Still in the cab?"

"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."

Hanging up with John, he thinks to himself.

‘Best make those calls.’

[Slipshade]

07:36:32 Tuesday 09 January 2063 – Redmond - Touristville – In a Cab

Max flips through the cell’s address book and pulls up the first number…he could only hope the old Shaman was in…

A few rings later the voice of a matronly woman answered the phone.

“Hello?” She inquired

“Hello, Mrs. Greybow. I was wondering if I might speak with your husband Thomas?”

“I’m sorry Thomas isn’t in right now. May I ask who’s calling?"

“My name is Maxwell Steiner, I am a former colleague of your husbands. We worked together on a dig last year. Do you expect him in anytime soon?

“Hard to say Mr. Steiner, he is out on site again. It could be a while and he never takes his phone when out on a job. I will tell him that you called though, when he checks in. Does he have your number?”

“I believe he does, but I will give it to you anyway, just in case.”

Max gives Thomas’s wife his number and after saying his goodbye hits the next number

[Slipshade]

07:40:15 Tuesday 09 January 2063 – Redmond - Touristville – In a cab

‘Damn, things just couldn’t be easy. Without Thomas’s help, my ritual links are useless.’

The quick pickup on the other end of the phone startled Max out of his self-pity.

“Empowerment Coalition, Libby Chalmer’s office.” The woman on the other line had the practiced voice of someone that answered phones for a living.

“Sharon, this is Maxwell Steiner, I need to talk to Libby. It is an emergency.”

“Sure Max, I’ll put you right through.”

“Thanks.”

A momentary click as the line switched over and Libby picked up immediately.

“What’s the matter Max, Sharon said you had an emergency.” Libby sounded a bit flustered, but that was the way she always sounded. Max had never met someone who was as constantly on the move as Libby. She was a work-a-holic in the extreme.

“I don’t know how to say this Libby, but Keira McKay from The Respite Soup Kitchen was kidnapped yesterday.”

“Oh God Max, not Keira…are you sure?”

“Yes, I am sure. I was there when it happened. I have been trying to find her since it happened.”

“You were there?!? Are you ok?”

“I’ll live, but I need your help.”

“Of Course, what can I do?

“Well from what I have been able to find out a couple of street kids had gone to a place called The Research for Practical Applications Clinic. One of the kids got nosy and took a wrong turn at the clinic where he saw what he described as unconscious people being loaded into a van. The kids got spooked and left, but apparently not before they were seen. Later that week someone tried to nab the kids, but one got away. He hid at The Respite and told Keira what happened. She went down to the clinic and asked around, but got nothing. The next day a group of men attacked the Respite and kidnapped her.
I have seen some of the financial records that noted donations from Mothers of Metahumans as well as Humanis which I thought was a bit odd and since I knew you used to head up the Seattle chapter of M.O.M. I thought you could check into the clinic and maybe find something I could use to help find Keira.”

“I’ll do what I can…and Max, be careful it looks like whoever did this has already taken one good person, I don’t want to loose another.”

“I will and thanks Libby. Oh, before I go, you may get a phone call from the media, if you could issue some sort of statement that would be good. I want it to be hard for whoever has Keira to move her.”

“Sure Max, but you know Keira may be…”

“I know Libby, but I can’t think about that right now. I have to go. Thanks for everything.”

“Your welcome and good luck.”

With that Max again hung up this cell and thought about his next move.

[Slipshade]

07:46:45 Tuesday 09 January 2063 – Redmond - Touristville – In a Cab

It would be risky, but Max was beginning to feel like he was running out of time and he needed a way to catch up. As the cab slowly winded its way through Touristville and into Bellevue, Max punched in the last call he needed to make.

“IIN News, “Maverick” Young, whatcha need?”

“Maverick huh? Is that what the kids are calling you now?”

“Hey Max, how’ve you been?”

“Not good Marcus, but I may have a story for you.”

“I’m listenin.”

Max proceeds to let Marcus in on the events of the last 24 hours, being careful to leave out Nora, Twiggy and John’s names.

“So I need you to look into this place and tell me what you find. Oh and I even got you a small interview with Libby Chalmers, the Head of the Empowerment Coalition, lined up. Give her a call and let her in on anything you have. You find anything and you let me know. I will do the same, but like the last time, leave my name out of it. If you head over to The Respite drop my name to Melina and she will give you any information that she can”

“No problem Max, I’ll get Keira’s name and picture out on the airwaves and see what I can dig up on the clinic.”

“Be careful though Marcus.”

“Hey you know me.”

“Yah, I know you. Be careful.

Max hung up the phone and again laid his head back down against the seat.

Things were starting to move and Max just hoped he could keep up

[Slipshade]

07:55:51 Tuesday 09 January 2063 – 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower

Approximately ten minutes later the cabby pulled into the valey parking entrance on Max’s Home. Bruce the doorman, bundled against the cold rushed over to open the taxi’s door allowing Max to exit after he had inserted his credstick into the cabs pay receptacle.

“Morning Mr. Steiner.” Bruce said with a smile, his cheeks flush from the cold. “Frightful weather today isn’t it.”

“Morning Bruce and yes it is.” Max drops a few bills of corp script into his hands as is proper.

“Thanks for the Urban Brawl tickets, my daughter and I had a great time.”

“Glad to here it. If I get any extras again, I will let you know.” Max replied hurriedly as Bruce opened the down to the luxury high-rise.

Security let him pass without any checks, it was a nice perk of owning a space in One Lincoln Tower, you never get stopped going in or out. Before he knew it the elevator doors to his home swished open before him. Stepping out a bit tentatively he had the sudden fear of walking into his home and finding a group of Knight Errant police waiting for him on his couch, but there was no one there.

Max knew he didn’t have a lot of time, so he quickly made his way to his bedroom to gather the things he needed. Stripping off the clothes he had worn the night before he stuffed them into a gym bag along with his Remington Roomsweeper. He may need them later and wanted to keep them near. He dropped the secure long coat over the top of the bag, so he wouldn’t forget it.

08:51:02 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower

After a quick shower he donned the form fitting body armor again, but this time he put on his best charcoal grey, pin-stripped Armante suit over the top and tied his hair back with a gold hair clip, that matched the pair of gold cuff links on his sleeves. A red and black power tie finished off the corporate look he was going for. While checking himself in his mirror Max noticed a red flash out of the corner of his eye. Someone must have called while he was in the shower. He pressed the listen button on the machine and John’s voice emanated from it.

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

Looking at the time stamp Max saw that it was just five minutes old. He quickly grabbed the duffle bag and jacket and headed for the door grabbing his Mortimer greatcoat along the way.

It took him not more than a minute to get back out the door and with little traffic out on the streets he spotted John’s van quickly enough. Waiting for a couple of cars to pass he walked across the slush covered roadway to the van and opened the door.

“I think we should take my car. We want to look the part of a couple of corporates and pulling up in this van just won’t look right. Why don’t you pull into the garage and we can take my Westwind.”

[Scrapheap]

08:52:22 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower

"Hoi, Max. Yeah, I know this van ain't too wiz, but it is unmarked. Only thing about takin' your car is it could be linked to you if we was spotted. Your call though, chummer."

[Slipshade]

08:52:32 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - 6 Bellevue Way, One Lincoln Tower

"Could we swap the plates on the van with the plate on my car...temporarily of course? Besides, look at me. It isn't like I don't stand out. I will be easy to identify no matter what we do."

John chuckles a bit at Max's statement. "True, you sure about this?"

"Yes, I think so. Hopefully nobody will run the plates, besides I may be spending some time away from Seattle soon anyway, so I am not to worried about it."

John still looks skeptical, but nods in agreement.

Max heads back inside while John pulls the van away from the curb and into the parking garage.

Meeting up a couple of minutes later Max opens the trunk of his Westwind and they load there gear into it. Soon after they are pulling out into the street.

[WinterRat1]

09:25:00 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - Skylight Towers Condominiums, Bellevue

About five minutes before their meeting, Max and John arrived at the address Iris had provided. After introducing himself as 'Mr. Jones', they had been shown up without a fuss by the security guard at the desk, who didn't even look up as John set off the metal detectors.

Apparently the Wongs have some pull here if they can get the guard to ignore procedure like that the samurai noted to himself.

Riding the elevator up to the correct floor, they got off, and arrived in front of the apartment door. Knocking politely, Max cleared his throat as the door opened to reveal a middle aged asian woman with glasses and conservative corporate garb standing in it.

"Hello Mrs. Wong. My name is Mr. Jones, from the Research for Practical Applications Clinic. We have an appointment I believe?"

"Yes yes, come in, come in," she replied in crisp, precise english. Showing the two of them to the sitting area, she goes to prepare some tea in the kitchen while calling out something in an oriental language neither of them can understand.

A few moments later, a middle aged asian man with glasses comes out and shakes their hands firmly. The strength of his grip is a bit surprising, coming from an obviously corporate individual who has the air of an intellectual about him to boot.

"My name is Robert Wong, and this," he gestures to the woman in the kitchen, "is my wife, Marina." Smiles and polite greetings are exchanged, before he continues, "I understand that you gentlemen are from the Research for Practical Applications Clinic. Before we continue with this discussion, may I see some identification confirming your affiliation with them please?"

[Slipshade]

09:30:00 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - Skylight Towers Condominiums, Bellevue

Panic gripped Max.

‘Stupid, why didn’t I think of that.’

He took a quick second to gather his thoughts. To cover his uncertainty up he did the only thing he could think of and said…

“I’m sorry Mr. Wong, but that is something that I cannot do. I am an outside investigator. My firm was hired by The Research for Practical Applications Clinic to look into the accident at their offices. They are worried that someone in their employ may have been behind the incident and wanted an outside entity to investigate the matter. What I can do is give you my employer’s card and you can verify my identity that way if you wish.

Max reaches into his pocket and hands Mr. Wong his business card that reads:

Maxwell Steiner, PhD
Private Investigator and Paranormal Specialist
LTG# 566-541-1635

“Though I believe the clinic did call to inform you of our visit today.”

He gives Mr. Wong a reassuring smile and waits for the man’s reaction.

[Scrapheap]

09:30:00 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - Skylight Towers Condominiums, Bellevue

John opened his mouth and almost stepped forward, a line of bull-drek at the ready, when Max started speaking. Hiding his surprise, he remained silent standing in a military "at ease" pose a few steps behind the shaman. Though the explanation given seemed plausible enough, the old runner watched in awe as Max then gave the guy one of his personal cards!

What the frag is he doin!?! Too late to do anything about it now. Well, maybe it'll work...

[bclements]

13:25:44 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

Leaving Marquis to recover in the car for a bit, Tony slowly and gingerly gets out of the car to look around the area of the firefight. The cold helps jog his mind as he moves about the garage. Drek, I was out for damn near half an hour by the psec's clock, and our stuff was still here. Very odd, and worth more than a glance. And I'm going to be nothing but bruses here in a bit, might as well get it over with.

[grendel]

13:32:18 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

Keeping to the edges of the parking garage, Tony can clearly see the damage of the recent battle. The cement walls are scarred from richochets, shallow divots blown out or bright smears of lead left behind. More than a dozen vehicles show damage from the blast and overpressure of the concussion grenade launched by one of the subgunners. Oddly, though, none of the car alarms are sounding anymore.

Five bodies lie on the pavement, blood pooling black about them. The four Japanese individuals who opposed the Red team are spread in a shallow arc, bodies contorted in death. The fifth is apart, the man that Tony and Marquis saw sheltered by the woman. A faint blood trail leads away from the body towards the line of nearby cars.

Weapon at the ready, Tony eases forward, eyes and ears alert for a sign of possible ambush. His paranoia, though warranted, is unecessary. The woman lies slumped on the pavement, half in and half out of a green Ford Americar. Blood drools from a pair of bullet holes in her shoulder, and Tony can see her chest fluttering with rapid, shallow breaths. Even without medical training he can tell that she is in shock and will die soon from trauma and blood loss.

[bclements]

13:33:58 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

Holy Drek Tony thinks. He's seen people shot like this (and worse) before, but none of them lived over it. This isn't my day, but her... he thinks to himself as he reacts.

Running back to his car, feet slapping on the concrete and head swimming in harsh objection to rapid movement from the punishment he's taken, he wrenches open the back door. Pulling the medkit back out of the bag, as well as a trauma patch Trauma Patch? That drek costs... half of him thinks. NEVERMIND THAT, she's gonna die because you weren't good enough to save her the other half overules...

Running back to the Americar, brain seemingly a half step behind the rest of his body as his footfalls ring and echo from the hard surfaces of the garage, he slaps the patch over her heart after undoing a couple of the catches on her blouse yeah, that's what the directions said and attaches the 'trodes of the medkit onto her and I swear to God himself, if your dog brain comes up with VITAS again, or anything other than 'GUNSHOT, DO THIS..., I'm going to hurl you off of this deck and you better pray, PRAY you have a 'chute

[bclements]

13:35:15 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

After selecting 'English' from the language options, the medkit goes thru its analysis routine, while Tony rips open an antiseptic wipe from the 'kit and cleans his hands.

The Victim has a gunshot wound. In order to stabilize him/her, perform the following actions, as well as calling for emergency services that can provide trauma surgery. Please enter your LTG code on the keypad for a list of providers local to your area...

Well, the dog brain comes thru. Just my day for having the correct answer, though... he thinks, tearing open the numbered plastic and plasticized foil packages to reveal an spray bottle of some kind (antibiotic, according to the package), a couple of heavy absorbant pads, a telescoping articulate plastic wand, and two long, sticky woven plastic bandages. Gently and firmly, in turn according to the medkits directions, he applies the various items to form a makeshift bandage and splint that keeps pressure on the wounds while keeping her arm from moving, protected by the antibac spray.

Turning his attention toward the woman again, after entering the LTG code in and getting a good variety of hospitals along with the ubiquitous emergency number for DocWagon, he says to the woman "Hey, you're going to be ok. You got a DocWagon contract? How did you end up here?"

[grendel]

13:35:27 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

The woman's eyes flutter, and her mouth moves as if she is attempting to speak, but nothing coherent emerges. Her body shivers almost uncontrollably, and she drops something onto the concrete floor of the garage. At a glance, it appears to be some kind of medical device, a compressed air injection gun.

[bclements]

13:40:51 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

"Drek," Tony says, seeing no response from the woman and the injector? gun? thing that flashed a green LED from its barrel fall from her grasp.

Thinking as quickly as his recaltrecant head would allow, Tony pointed his finger at the woman and said "Don't die on me yet. We'll get you out of this." Running to Marq's car, with his now stiff muscles joining in to become a duet of aches singing merrly thru his body, he yanks open the door and pulls it into a parking spot close to his Americar. And a paltry excuse for transportation it is, compared to this he thinks to himself as he kills the old Caddie.

Now for the hard part he thinks, striding over to his car and gently opening up the passenger door. "Chummer, I've got to move you, just in case I've got to leave quickly; you aren't in any shape to drive yet, and I'd hate to leave your car here," Tony says to the semi-comatose man in the car. Lifting him gently out of the seat, Tony carries him over to the Caddie as his joints and bruses added a disharmonic melody to the tune his muscles and head were loudly singing.

Sweating in the cold from the exertion, he gently places Marquis in the back bench seat of the car, laying his guns under the floorboards away from view. "Don't try to drive for a bit. If I have to leave before you're OK, I'll check on you. Your guns are under the seat," he says to his injured comrade. Locking the doors and placing the keys in Marq's hands, he walks back over to the gunshot-riddled woman, hoping that she's still alive.

[grendel]

13:42:03 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

Only the shallow rise and fall of her chest tells Tony that she still lives, her eyes are open and staring. In the dim light and excitement of before he didn't notice, but now he sees that they're cybernetic replacements. High quality replacements, implanted with obvious surgical skill. The irises are a vivid crimson, unnerving in their empty gaze. Her lips flutter, and she inhales a ragged, uneven breath.

"Tell them...tell Massada...we failed...Red Queen...."

[WinterRat1]

09:33:14 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - Skylight Towers Condominiums, Bellevue

Robert takes the card and glances down at it, and holds it for a moment, thinking. Then he says slowly, almost to himself, "Maximillian Steiner...I've heard of your boss. He was a Professor at University of Seattle Washington, wasn't he? Brilliant man. I wonder why he's in the private investigator business these days? Perhaps he's freelancing more as a consultant than an investigator in the way I typically think of it...yes...that's probably it. I wonder if he's changed much since I heard him speak at a University function several years ago? I didn't have the chance to meet him then, but perhaps in the future..."

Clearing his throat, he turns back to 'Mr. Jones'. "My apologies, my thoughts tend to wander on a tangent sometimes Mr. Jones." He takes a seat and spreads his arms, claiming several sections of the couch for himself, as Max sits across from him in a cushy chair, and John remains standing at military rest. "So tell me, what can I do for you gentlemen today?"

[Slipshade]

09:33:45 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - Skylight Towers Condominiums, Bellevue

Max wasn’t sure whether to be relieved at Mr. Wong’s reaction or horrified at the fact that this man had actually seen him before. Max chose to be the former and pulled out his pocket secretary to take down anything of interest in the conversation. He immediately went into his questioning, watching the man’s aura for any signs of deception or anxiety.

“Well sir, do to the incident the night prior The Research for Practical Applications Clinic lost most of the files located on there host system. My office has been hired to help investigate last night’s events, as well as rebuild their lost case files. So my first question to you would be... Do you have any personal copies of any data files detailing your visit to the Clinic?"

[WinterRat1]

09:34:04 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - Skylight Towers Condominiums, Bellevue

"Could you be a bit more specific about which data files you're looking for, Mr. Jones?" Mr. Wong replied easily.

[bclements]

13:42:30 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

"Massada, how do I get ahold of Massada?" Tony asks imploringly to the red-eyed woman. "I want to help you, but you've got to tell me who to get to help you."

[Slipshade]

09:34:35 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - Skylight Towers Condominiums, Bellevue

“Your file only exists as a name. All other data was lost, so any information hard copy or data file would be vital to the restoration of the clinics records.”

“Why were you and your wife originally seen at the clinic?”

“Who was your primary care physician at the clinic?”

“What care was given at the clinic and who were the attending staff?”

“Did you stay for any length of time at the clinic?”

“Where you seen at any other of The Research for Practical Applications Clinics and if so which ones?”

“Where did you hear about the Clinic and were you refered? If so by whom?”

[Bastard]

13:42:15 Thursday 11 January 2063 - Sea-Tac International Airport, Long Term Parking Terminal, Seattle, UCAS

Marquis again starts to recover and regain conciousness. His eyes open to a strange world of spinning Cadillac upholstry and soft throbing in his temples. Sitting up is another hurdle to climb, but after a few failed efforts, Marq is able to sit up. It seems the parking garage was not suffering from the same ill effects as the ceiling of the car had. Using the open door for assistance, he tries to stand but finds it more difficult then he expected. Through the cleared smoke he spots Todd across the garage, medkit in hand.

Memories of the short firefight flood back into his head. With his free hand he pats down his chest looking for bullet holes and blood. He finds some hard plastic coating and a dried foreign substance and realizes it was just gel rounds. His left hand goes up to the side of his face where he now realizes is the source of the throbbing. Again he finds broken gel round reminants along with a swollen head and a lot of tenderness. Sure glad that wasnt live ammo. Where the hell did that come from?

[WinterRat1]

09:35:48 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - Skylight Towers Condominiums, Bellevue

Mr. Wong turns to look at Mrs. Wong, who smiles shyly and looks down ever so slightly as she carries a tray of tea over to them. Distributing a cup of tea to each of the men, she says softly, "Shall I look in your office for the records dear?"

Robert nods without taking his eyes off of 'Mr. Jones'. "Thank you honey. Tell me something before we continue if you please, Mr. Jones," he speaks, his aura starting to show signs of suspicion, "who is your supervisor or contact person at the Clinic?"

[Slipshade]

09:35:52 Tuesday 09 January 2063 - Skylight Towers Condominiums, Bellevue

"Thank you for the tea Mrs. Wong." Max takes a sip before replying to the questioning of her husband. 'It is delicious"

"Again, I work for an outside agency. The clinic contacted Mr. Steiner, he would be my supervisor. I was simply tasked to get as much information for re-creation of the client data base as I could. I assure you that anything said here would be held in the utmost secrecy as the reputation of my firm would be at stake if we let confidential medical records be released. As for Mr. Steiner's contact at the clinic, well that I do not know, nor is it my business to know. I would assume that someone at the clinic is in hot water for last nights incident and is trying to do damage control by putting as much of the information back together, as soon as possible, but that is simply speculation on my part. I am just here trying to do my job."

'Remember keep it simple stupid.'

Max continued to press the issue.

"The name of your attending physician would greatly speed along the process of re-creating your files and if you are in any way worried about speaking to myself, I am sure he or she would be able to fill in a majority of the information the clinic needs."