IC: Snatch and Grab, A B/E mission Options

[Sphynx]

Loki seemed to care less as he floated through the crowds. Not like the look was that much different than when he walked through them. At least this way people looked him in the eye a bit more since most people never noticed the lack of legs due to the long duster he wore. His arms were the usual give-away, the sleeves just looked empty when they hit things or people. He came into the room, grinning like a fool at the guard, a 'dare me' written on his face, then sat down at the table with the rest of the team.

He nodded when the man spoke. He linked into the pre-arranged channel that the team used and through his transducer sent the message to the rest of the team. "Louvre eh, hope the payout is worth the risk, but I'm up for it."

[Aes]

<Pump him for more information,> Ms. Johnson ventured over the transducer. It was only the second time she had used the radio this evening, so she doubted anyone would break through the encryption for a good few hours yet if they were trying. <I have no qualms against trying, but the more dangers we know of, the more bargaining chips we have when payment is negotiated.>

Try as she might, she could not entirely suppress a pang of contempt at Wraith. She had seen the man do it before, which was why she were prepared for it. But to flaunt your use of awakened abilities to make others like you still seemed only one step short of brainwash to her. It was a fair deal to use it when need dictated, but another matter entirely to use it on the crowd on the dancefloor below to boost your ego in her opinion. No matter. In here, it would be useful.

<I don't know with the rest of you, but it'll be a long while yet before I need to worry about being able to pay my bills. He'd better make it worth our while to tangle with the Louvre security.>

She smiled breifly. <Isn't it close to your anniversary soon, Ariel? Should we worry you'll leave something on their front desk?>

[Sandoval Smith]

John steepled his fingers together, leaning forward with an intent look on his face. His curiosity was definetly piqued. A ruby, and a journal. From the Louvre. _That_ certainly made it interesting. A man of simple tastes indeed!

Although the the expression on his face was friendly, with the corners of his mouth turned up in a not quite smile, he didn't blink as he looked the Johnson in the eye. "How much is the retrieval of these items worth to you, and are they on public display, or in storage?"
------------------

[ Spoiler ]

If he needs to make any etiquette or negotionation rolls, let me know

[BishopMcQ]

"These items are currently on display in the Joconde collection. It is a unique collection studying the work of the Master himself. As for payment, I was assured that you are the best. Shall we start the negotiations at seventy thousand euros each? Of course, once you are inside there will be millions available at your fingertips for the effort of picking it up."

The clear undertone of a British accent that has spent too much time on the continent, washes through his words.

[Ecclesiastes]

Wraith was thankful that he'd trained his body language to a point that his surprise didn't show through. He'd seen some tough jobs in his day, but this was... wow. Over the comms, he silently transduces, "Is this guy for real? I mean, we're good, but this is the Louvre."

"Sir, I hope you realize what you are getting us into. This isn't something to be taken lightly, so we won't even continue talking about this unless you honor us with something a little more to our simple tastes. One hundred thousand, each. Half up front. Agree to that and we can continue."

[Aes]

Ms. Johnson took this moment to chirp in. Her voice was subdued and unassuming. She had no intention of being remembered as a leadership type when they left the room.

"What my associate means to imply," and she were surprised he hadn't. Joconde was not commonly used anymore. Even most of the custodians at the Louvre had referred to it as the Mona Lisa collection last time she visited the place. "Is that you are asking us not only to enter the most heavily guarded museum in Europe, but also to collect an item from their most closely guarded collection. I had intended to visit the museum myself during opening hours before it is returned to its owners at the end of the month."

She let her gaze run over everyone in the room. Hopefully it'd make it clear to the others that this information was intended for them as much as being a bargaining chip for later.

"If we are to bring in specialized equipment, we will have precious few nights left to work in, so I am certain you have some sort of plan in mind?"

She had seen some of the works before. Leonardo DaVinci were one of the few european artists her professor in University had not held in contempt, and she always jumped on any oppertunity to study his works up close. Pouring herself a glass of water from the pitcher, she settled back into her chair. That should be enough that Warith would at the very least let her know over the radio if he were treading water in regards to where they were going.

[Sphynx]

Loki maintains his silence. He doesn't care about the money so much, though it's nice bonus, he cares about the heist. He switches to Astral Perception to observe the strangers in the room, quietly noting their auras and storing the data in his brain as well as some notes to help his memory into his PocketSecretary. <Who is this 'Master' he refers to?>

[Aes]

Ms. Johnson fought down the annoyance. She thought she had just made it perfectly clear by indicating the Mona Lisa collection, but it would seem not. <Leonardo DaVinci. They are having a big exhibit until April 30th in the Louvre where several of his works are lent to the museum from private collections.>

She kept her eyes on the other Johnson in the room, waiting for him to continue.

<Incidentally, it also means that if any of you snag an item that just happens to be sitting around near the book and gem, it'll have so much heat on it there's no way you'll be able to fence it off.>

[BishopMcQ]

"One hundred thousand it is. I do not have the cash on hand but if you give me an account number I can arrange for an electronic transfer."

Sitting alone in the room, surrounded by professional thieves and murderers doesn't seem to bother the Johnson. Either he's done this in the past or he is confident that you won't hurt him. He turns his attention to Ms. Johnson and continues.

"I wouldn't presume to tell you how to complete your job, I'm sure your professional opinion and knowledge would more than suffice. Though I would pass through the exhibit and the rest of the museum laying out my shopping list and noting the security systems. There is a computer systems specialist in Marseille who would be available for the job if you think that his assistance would be required, otherwise I would see what I can find to control the magical security in the museum and limit external responses."

[Shadow]

"So that's it, the ruby and the book. Do you have a time fraim you want these things buy?"

[Aes]

Ms. Johnson drained her glass of water and regarded everyone in the room pensively.

<Presumably before the exhibit ends at the end of the month. The money's good and the challenge sounds interesting. I'm in. Just make sure that it's him that pays the tech specialist and not us if we take him up on his offer.>

[Shadow]

<Well I was actually thinking it would probably be easier to hit it during transport when it leaves the museum. But if the time frame is to short to do that...>

[Ecclesiastes]

"And I assume you'll be paying for the Decker. Something like this should have had one join up from the get-go."

[BishopMcQ]

"I would prefer delivery by the end of the month if possible. That would leave you twenty-five days starting tomorrow. Will that be sufficient? As for the decker, he will be compensated according to his needs. I can provide contact information for him, though I would suspect that he will want the first meeting to be somewhere on his own "turf" since there are more of you than him."

[Sphynx]

Loki nods, 25 days to break into the most secure building in europe, to steal some of the most valuable items on the face of the earth, a piece of culture, priceless, irreplaceable, and for the cost of under a million euro total. For the first time, the dwarf speaks up after having held his piece long enough. "Sir, may I ask, why the original and not a copy? Seriously, these priceless items aren't even sellable, and anyone caught with them will be hunted down and taken down. As a shaman, I assure you that the astral signature of a Relic, and that is what something so well known is, is easy to track down, and whoever gets these items will have all of about a day to enjoy them. I mean, something from that age, that everyone and their mothers, even in the ghetto of the lowest sprawls, knows about, will be what some refer to as 'beacons' on the astral plane, begging to be found. I don't mind getting the items, as long as I'm rid of it within 2 hours of it's acquisition, but you're begging whoever it is that wants the items to be caught. You can't even replicate these things anymore, sure, physically you could do it, but not spiritually. The reason they became such revered pieces of art in the first place is because of the signature placed on them by their creator. De Vinci had a strong personality, and imbued himself on this art, which is why his art, though less attractive than other art, became so desireable and valued. His death itself enhanced the spiritual level of the art, even back when it was a mundane world. I apologize, I suddenly realize I've just rambled like a college professor, but do you understand what I'm saying? My worries isn't about if we can do it, that's an inevitability. But is it really worth it to you?"

[BishopMcQ]

Turning his attention to Loki there is a sense that the Johnson almost might be more comfortable in a university than a boardroom. That impression was strengthened by a quick smirk at the mention of a college professor.

"His reasons are his own, but I have been led to believe that my benefactor and your employer needs the original journal for the reason that you mentioned. Because it is a relic, the power imbued there within is very important and cannot be duplicated with a copy. The ruby I believe fulfills a similar need. Its connection to Da Vinci is tenuous as it was never in his possession. In fact it was set in a ring that belonged to a man connected to Da Vinci only through speculative writing.

The exhibit has the primary display with the art of the Master himself, and a subset of pieces that get wrapped up in the mystique surrounding fictitious organizations and connections that Da Vinci was believed to be a member of. Historians have refuted such claims, and it is really more of a curiousity than anything else."

[Aes]

"But that still does not answer the question of where to store the items so they are not tracked down within minutes of being stolen. Will a sufficiently warded or otherwise protected location within reasonable distance of the Louvre be provided for a drop-off?"

In her mind, Ms. Johnson cursed at herself. She had promised herself she'd let the others do the talking, but they seemed to miss the important questions at the oppertune moments.

"I've little doubt that we can remove the items from the place if we set our minds to it; but holding on to them - possibly for days - after the gendamerie put every single mage they can get their hands on to track the astral signature is another matter."

[BishopMcQ]

"The risk of tracking is understood, but you must realize that I cannot be at your beck and call at any hour for the rest of this month. If you are able to give me a twenty-four hour notice in advance of when you plan on acquiring the items, I can make a storage site available and I will be ready within two hours of you having the item in your possession to take them off your hands. Will that be sufficient?

It is certainly not my desire to see you harrassed by the gendarmerie in their quest for the safe return of such objects. I had been told that your group was the best and I hope such reputations were well earned."

[Shadow]

"Well I think it is somewhat obvious that any plan we would come up with for stealing something this high profile would include handing the item off as quickly as possible. We cannot know how quickly, or in what way, nor can we ask you sir to provide us with a way, untill we have laid out a plan."

[Whizbang]

The Louvre? Sheesh...and he had been thinking the Tower of London would be a challenge. And that was just for those pretty baubles that they put on display for the tourists and amatures...he diidn't even want to think about the protections on the real deal. But taking not one,but tow items from The Mona Lisa collection? That seemed akin to just asking to be caught. But...it had been awhile since the last time the group had seen a proper challenge. If they could pull this off, they'd pretyt much have established that they could go anywhere and do anything.

[Shadow]

<Ok Wraith, take the job, and lets get started, I think we have all the info we need. And if we have any other questions we can always call him.>

[Ecclesiastes]

<Check.>

"Alright. We'll do it. I guess all we need is your contact information then and we'll be in touch."

[BishopMcQ]

"Thank you. I, of course, still need the account number to wire the funds to and our negotiations will be completed."

The Johnson reaches into his coat and pulls out a high-end Renraku pocket secretary, slim and sleek. He transmits the contact information to Wraith, awaits the number and after confirming the wire transfer he leaves.

Sounds briefly inundates the room as the door is opened, before a calm quiet again takes form in the silence that follows.

[Aes]

Ms. Johnson scanned the faces of everyone, then decided to trust to the transducer still.

<Trust the Johnson to deal straight, or should we find a place of our own to start sorting out the details?>

[Whizbang]

"If the Johnson isn't dealing straight, we're boned to begin with." Lleu commented once the Johnson in question was gone.