Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac
Monday 08/18/70 08:13:30
"Well, I'm glad your friend prospered against this SOS organization."
She was silent for a moment.
"So even though they knew you were no longer with your old gang, they invested lives and resources in attacking them, just to hurt you?"
Full Version: Hitting Bottom - First Wave
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Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac
Monday 08/18/70 08:14:40
Jack considered how much of his former life he wanted to reveal, which meant he took some time before answering.
"Well me killin' da SOS leader, Shagrat was his street name, happened on my first job with Mr. J, ya know? He came ta da gang looking for local muscle cuz he figured da SOS wasn't ta be trusted, ya know? I guess ya could kinda call dat job my interview. As soon as we left dat job, I was workin' for da corp. Da SOS really couldn't get ta me at dat point, so they had ta go after my friends in my old gang. Most a dem was other metahuman types, so they were fair game to da SOS.
Anyway, me and Shagrat had a bad history and Billy was part of dat. All da more reason ta go after my old gang.
And hey, da Sons of Sauron are, ya know, orks. It ain't like orks are known for being brainy, ya know?"
"So Doc, it kinda occurs ta me dat you and Etain was supposed ta be findin' a place for us to have our conversation with our friend from the izakaya. Did you gals get dat job done?"
Monday 08/18/70 08:14:40
Jack considered how much of his former life he wanted to reveal, which meant he took some time before answering.
"Well me killin' da SOS leader, Shagrat was his street name, happened on my first job with Mr. J, ya know? He came ta da gang looking for local muscle cuz he figured da SOS wasn't ta be trusted, ya know? I guess ya could kinda call dat job my interview. As soon as we left dat job, I was workin' for da corp. Da SOS really couldn't get ta me at dat point, so they had ta go after my friends in my old gang. Most a dem was other metahuman types, so they were fair game to da SOS.
Anyway, me and Shagrat had a bad history and Billy was part of dat. All da more reason ta go after my old gang.
And hey, da Sons of Sauron are, ya know, orks. It ain't like orks are known for being brainy, ya know?"
"So Doc, it kinda occurs ta me dat you and Etain was supposed ta be findin' a place for us to have our conversation with our friend from the izakaya. Did you gals get dat job done?"
Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac
Monday 08/18/70 08:14:46
"I am sorry to say we did not. But since it was her mischief that caused us to miss our commitment, it is tempting to help ourselves to her beautiful new digs. Right. Like that would work, with her drug-addled friends liable to show up at any time. But it strikes me that we'll want a place to go to ground fairly near the International District. Had you thought of general location?"
Monday 08/18/70 08:14:46
"I am sorry to say we did not. But since it was her mischief that caused us to miss our commitment, it is tempting to help ourselves to her beautiful new digs. Right. Like that would work, with her drug-addled friends liable to show up at any time. But it strikes me that we'll want a place to go to ground fairly near the International District. Had you thought of general location?"
Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac
Monday 08/18/70 08:15:11
"Well, even if it is her fault using a runner's house is a bad move. I got lots a stories bout us havin' ta track down runners dat double crossed us and it was pretty easy ta find where they lived.
I didn't do no work on dis end a da plan, since I thought you two was handlin' it. Now, I'll pull up my mapsoft and try ta put some effort inta finding a place kinda close ta da work site."
Monday 08/18/70 08:15:11
"Well, even if it is her fault using a runner's house is a bad move. I got lots a stories bout us havin' ta track down runners dat double crossed us and it was pretty easy ta find where they lived.
I didn't do no work on dis end a da plan, since I thought you two was handlin' it. Now, I'll pull up my mapsoft and try ta put some effort inta finding a place kinda close ta da work site."
Ohio Ave S & Diagonal Ave S, near International District, Seattle, Sea-Tac/SCB MSP Node, Seattle Local Grid
Monday 08/18/68 19:16:21
Krait – Kenichi-Napping Conspiracy Club
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (proxy), Metalink hidden (Signal 3), Moai offline
While he waited, John drew up the recordings of the inspection of fake swift wind delivery uniforms he had improvised. They might have been enough to deceive a casual inspection, but he was very sure that he could not count on the bodyguards failing to notice the inconsistencies that he himself was very aware of. The AR presence was a bit better, but still easy far from fool prove. On his way to the meeting spot, he had thought of other possibilities, to obscure these shortcomings. A swd employee who supplemented his uniform with irregular pieces of civilian clothes –of the correct, Wuxing associated corp vogue brands of course- would raise less eyebrows then one, whose standard issue shirt had the wrong emblem. In this way, he tried to hide the most glaring flaws in his forgeries. He also gave some thought about which angle of perception would be most favourable for him, when he dealt with the security detail and, pulling up his senseware recordings from the van, also determined as closely as possible, how much he could lower the window of the driver´s door, before they would get a good look at his disguises weak points. Once the gel ammo started flying, all this would be less important but they had to keep up the illusion as long as possible, to retain the element of surprise. He still was not sure if they should use these fake uniforms at all.
Monday 08/18/68 19:16:21
Krait – Kenichi-Napping Conspiracy Club
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (proxy), Metalink hidden (Signal 3), Moai offline
While he waited, John drew up the recordings of the inspection of fake swift wind delivery uniforms he had improvised. They might have been enough to deceive a casual inspection, but he was very sure that he could not count on the bodyguards failing to notice the inconsistencies that he himself was very aware of. The AR presence was a bit better, but still easy far from fool prove. On his way to the meeting spot, he had thought of other possibilities, to obscure these shortcomings. A swd employee who supplemented his uniform with irregular pieces of civilian clothes –of the correct, Wuxing associated corp vogue brands of course- would raise less eyebrows then one, whose standard issue shirt had the wrong emblem. In this way, he tried to hide the most glaring flaws in his forgeries. He also gave some thought about which angle of perception would be most favourable for him, when he dealt with the security detail and, pulling up his senseware recordings from the van, also determined as closely as possible, how much he could lower the window of the driver´s door, before they would get a good look at his disguises weak points. Once the gel ammo started flying, all this would be less important but they had to keep up the illusion as long as possible, to retain the element of surprise. He still was not sure if they should use these fake uniforms at all.
Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac
Monday 08/18/70 08:16:20
"So Doc, lookin' at dis map a da I district dat Frank cooked up for us, it looks ta me dat east Marginal way is gonna provide da best getaway route. Da way I figure it we should plan on catching Marginal way south bound and try ta get lost in some a da factory or warehouse areas off ta da west. Or if we get a good jump on da Yaks we just keep goin' south and catch da 5 or da 405 and wind up in Auburn or Renton or Federal Way, ya know?
I figure Paddy can ride behind us and act as a rear guard.
Maybe we don't stop at all. Maybe while you drive, Frank can question da target, while I sit with dem lookin' intimidatin', ya know?
If you got some wheels, we should drive up dat way and check out the routes and whatnot. Whaddya say doc?"
Monday 08/18/70 08:16:20
"So Doc, lookin' at dis map a da I district dat Frank cooked up for us, it looks ta me dat east Marginal way is gonna provide da best getaway route. Da way I figure it we should plan on catching Marginal way south bound and try ta get lost in some a da factory or warehouse areas off ta da west. Or if we get a good jump on da Yaks we just keep goin' south and catch da 5 or da 405 and wind up in Auburn or Renton or Federal Way, ya know?
I figure Paddy can ride behind us and act as a rear guard.
Maybe we don't stop at all. Maybe while you drive, Frank can question da target, while I sit with dem lookin' intimidatin', ya know?
If you got some wheels, we should drive up dat way and check out the routes and whatnot. Whaddya say doc?"
Jack's apartment, Burien
Monday 08/18/70 15:50:00
Jack's commlink buzzed. The signal had a Renraku tag. He looked at Carla. "Sorry Doc, I gotta take dis call."
"Yeah, dis is Jack."
Carla could make out a voice on the other end of the call but not the words. The voice had a faint German accent.
"You're sure Snyder? You checked da body and everything?"
Brief reply from the other end of the call.
"Thanks for lettin' me know."
Jack turned off the commlink and turned toward Carla. "Dat was a guy I used ta work with. He just called ta let me know my old boss is dead. Mr. J. is dead." Jack's voice was hollow and his throat had a kind of dull, dry pain in it. "I'm off da team Doc. Sorry ta leave ya hangin' but I gotta tie up some loose ends and make some travel plans, ya know?"
"Yes Jack, I know," Carla replied.
Jack quickly turned and walked up the stairs before Carla could see him cry. Once outside, he leaned against the building and sobbed. "Mr. J is dead, Mr. J is dead, Mr. J is dead, Mr. J is dead, Mr. J is dead, Mr. J is dead."
He caught his breath, wiped the tears from his face, and started walking back to his apartment. He didn't bother to look for people tailing him. He walked forward like an automaton, up the hill toward Burien. Once he arrived at his apartment, he sent a text to the Slav.
<<<Need one way ticket to Oakland. Prefer plane but other fine. Soonest available.>>>
The reply was almost immediate.
<<<4:30 p.m. Cargo flight out of McChord.
5,000. Ask for Sgt. Jessup. Payment, half now and half to Sgt. Jessup.>>>
Jack sent the 2,500. Then he called a cab.
"I need a 3:45 p.m. pick up at dis address," he sent the information.
The he hooked his commlink into his trideo and looked at pictures. Berlin, Tokyo, New York, Bangkok, Moscow, Seattle, Mexico City. As he watched tears streamed down his face. The memories of his life of service flashing by before him. They were an endless parade of what had been good in his life.
Before he knew the time had passed, he heard a horn honking outside his apartment building. He transferred the last of his money onto a credstick, then pushed his commlink onto the floor. He took a deep breath and smashed it with his right foot. The final image on the trideo was a crimson sunset in Honolulu..........
Monday 08/18/70 15:50:00
Jack's commlink buzzed. The signal had a Renraku tag. He looked at Carla. "Sorry Doc, I gotta take dis call."
"Yeah, dis is Jack."
Carla could make out a voice on the other end of the call but not the words. The voice had a faint German accent.
"You're sure Snyder? You checked da body and everything?"
Brief reply from the other end of the call.
"Thanks for lettin' me know."
Jack turned off the commlink and turned toward Carla. "Dat was a guy I used ta work with. He just called ta let me know my old boss is dead. Mr. J. is dead." Jack's voice was hollow and his throat had a kind of dull, dry pain in it. "I'm off da team Doc. Sorry ta leave ya hangin' but I gotta tie up some loose ends and make some travel plans, ya know?"
"Yes Jack, I know," Carla replied.
Jack quickly turned and walked up the stairs before Carla could see him cry. Once outside, he leaned against the building and sobbed. "Mr. J is dead, Mr. J is dead, Mr. J is dead, Mr. J is dead, Mr. J is dead, Mr. J is dead."
He caught his breath, wiped the tears from his face, and started walking back to his apartment. He didn't bother to look for people tailing him. He walked forward like an automaton, up the hill toward Burien. Once he arrived at his apartment, he sent a text to the Slav.
<<<Need one way ticket to Oakland. Prefer plane but other fine. Soonest available.>>>
The reply was almost immediate.
<<<4:30 p.m. Cargo flight out of McChord.
5,000. Ask for Sgt. Jessup. Payment, half now and half to Sgt. Jessup.>>>Jack sent the
2,500. Then he called a cab."I need a 3:45 p.m. pick up at dis address," he sent the information.
The he hooked his commlink into his trideo and looked at pictures. Berlin, Tokyo, New York, Bangkok, Moscow, Seattle, Mexico City. As he watched tears streamed down his face. The memories of his life of service flashing by before him. They were an endless parade of what had been good in his life.
Before he knew the time had passed, he heard a horn honking outside his apartment building. He transferred the last of his money onto a credstick, then pushed his commlink onto the floor. He took a deep breath and smashed it with his right foot. The final image on the trideo was a crimson sunset in Honolulu..........
Ohio Ave S & Diagonal Ave S, near International District, Seattle, Sea-Tac/SCB MSP Node, Seattle Local Grid
Monday 08/18/68 19:18:36
John – Chasing Shadows
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (proxy), Metalink hidden (Signal 3), Moai offline
It was getting late. The paranoid shadowrunner was getting nervous, checking the time every other few seconds. He scanned his surroundings attentively, his cybered up senses turned to maximum sensitivety. Still no sign of his teammates - Is it a trap – no signs of an ambush, either. [19:18:30] He surveyed the commuting crowd once again. Then, he saw something provoking a general arousal reaction. Emma! He zoomed in and double-checked, to make sure the face he had recognized was valid, but the girl had already turned around the corner. The replay of his video-recording could not confirm the match unambiguously, either. It felt like his heart was pumping pure adrenaline, now. It made no sense. What would the adopted girl from Erskin Ridge do in the Seattle Downtown District? Was it a lure? Some blinker to lead him into a trap? Your teammates depend on you! He was torn inside. Am I loosing it? Should he go – should he wait. [19:18:33]
Then he noticed a pack of coordinated armored business suits following his supposed protégé. Three norms, all male, all armed and cybered up, judging from the fast and fluid strides. The attentive elf recognized the fashion brands to be associated with NeoNet. Those must have been Lanier´s people. He set into motion instantly, sliding into shadowing mode, perfectly blending with the pedestrian tides, to tail the observation detail, fully arare of the arsenal in his baggage, in case he had to apply force to protect the little girl. Any doubts of his lucidity, any thoughts about his teammates had been washed away in a rush of stress hormones. Soon his body was lost in the crowd, soon his mind was lost in the hunt, chasing shadows in the crowded streets.
Monday 08/18/68 19:18:36
John – Chasing Shadows
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (proxy), Metalink hidden (Signal 3), Moai offline
It was getting late. The paranoid shadowrunner was getting nervous, checking the time every other few seconds. He scanned his surroundings attentively, his cybered up senses turned to maximum sensitivety. Still no sign of his teammates - Is it a trap – no signs of an ambush, either. [19:18:30] He surveyed the commuting crowd once again. Then, he saw something provoking a general arousal reaction. Emma! He zoomed in and double-checked, to make sure the face he had recognized was valid, but the girl had already turned around the corner. The replay of his video-recording could not confirm the match unambiguously, either. It felt like his heart was pumping pure adrenaline, now. It made no sense. What would the adopted girl from Erskin Ridge do in the Seattle Downtown District? Was it a lure? Some blinker to lead him into a trap? Your teammates depend on you! He was torn inside. Am I loosing it? Should he go – should he wait. [19:18:33]
Then he noticed a pack of coordinated armored business suits following his supposed protégé. Three norms, all male, all armed and cybered up, judging from the fast and fluid strides. The attentive elf recognized the fashion brands to be associated with NeoNet. Those must have been Lanier´s people. He set into motion instantly, sliding into shadowing mode, perfectly blending with the pedestrian tides, to tail the observation detail, fully arare of the arsenal in his baggage, in case he had to apply force to protect the little girl. Any doubts of his lucidity, any thoughts about his teammates had been washed away in a rush of stress hormones. Soon his body was lost in the crowd, soon his mind was lost in the hunt, chasing shadows in the crowded streets.
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