Al
Him again, great, well he thinks he's god's gift to the sewers so I guess I can over charge him again.
"What can I do for you omae," he asks with only a slight hint of mocking contempt.
Full Version: IC: Extradition
As Avie gets in the car, he says, "Well, seems our new mate Raven is a drinker, so I thought that it might help turn the tide on our talks."
Sebastian whispers to Al as they approuch "I'll follow your lead, since I'm not good at this kind of thing."
"What can I do for you omae,"
"I'm Sebastian! and I also have money, but I haven';t been here before. and I have everything I need, thanks." Sebastian has his backpack on, fully loaded. his Igram smartgun X is in the waterproof case, which is in turn rolled up in the winter camo, and then shoved in the backback. the Ammo box is rolled up in Sebastian's spare cloths and shoved in a quadruple layed plastic grocery bag.
He is smiling. of course
"What can I do for you omae,"
"I'm Sebastian! and I also have money, but I haven';t been here before. and I have everything I need, thanks." Sebastian has his backpack on, fully loaded. his Igram smartgun X is in the waterproof case, which is in turn rolled up in the winter camo, and then shoved in the backback. the Ammo box is rolled up in Sebastian's spare cloths and shoved in a quadruple layed plastic grocery bag.
He is smiling. of course
"So I'm guessing you here to...um...sell me girl scout cookies then, is it," he asks chuckling at his own cliched sense of humor, wondering himself what was going through the kid's head.
"Well you need something, fine, if not, why don't you just move along."
"Well you need something, fine, if not, why don't you just move along."
Dock 27 1134 11/6/70
"Now friend, you gon' talk thattaway ta my chummer here - who meant you no harm nor offense in any manner whatsoever - well, you gon' talk that way you best have a smile on yer face.
"Now it so happens I DO need somethin' - a troll-sized extendable riot shield, ta be exact, an a set o' lock picks, er, NOT troll-sized if'n ya please. An we need 'em 'fore sundown. Now what'll that set us back?"
Turning to Sebastian, Al queries - "Ya don' need them bullits we wuz talkin' 'bout?"
"Now friend, you gon' talk thattaway ta my chummer here - who meant you no harm nor offense in any manner whatsoever - well, you gon' talk that way you best have a smile on yer face.
"Now it so happens I DO need somethin' - a troll-sized extendable riot shield, ta be exact, an a set o' lock picks, er, NOT troll-sized if'n ya please. An we need 'em 'fore sundown. Now what'll that set us back?"
Turning to Sebastian, Al queries - "Ya don' need them bullits we wuz talkin' 'bout?"
"Eh, We're meeting Raven in a bar anyway. Wouldn't want to ruffle feathers on the docks by bringing our own booze into an establishment down there."
Patch speeds off to the Fisherman's Warf.
Fisherman's Warf 0930 11/6/70
"Well doesn't this place look pleasant." Patch walks into the Fisherman's Warf expecting it to be a complete dive. Just inside the door he turns to Avie and whispers, "So which one is Raven?"
Patch speeds off to the Fisherman's Warf.
Fisherman's Warf 0930 11/6/70
"Well doesn't this place look pleasant." Patch walks into the Fisherman's Warf expecting it to be a complete dive. Just inside the door he turns to Avie and whispers, "So which one is Raven?"
Fisherman's Wharf 0930 11/6/70
"I honestly don't know, and between the amerinds, and the other runners, I've met too many Ravens to do a quick Matrix search. But I think I know one way to find out." Avenger motions to Patch to have him follow as the human sits down at a table and calls over the nearest waitress.
Once she comes over he asks, "Do you know who Raven is?" He flashes her about 50
cash for the answer. "Tell him we'd like to buy him a drink."
"I honestly don't know, and between the amerinds, and the other runners, I've met too many Ravens to do a quick Matrix search. But I think I know one way to find out." Avenger motions to Patch to have him follow as the human sits down at a table and calls over the nearest waitress.
Once she comes over he asks, "Do you know who Raven is?" He flashes her about 50
cash for the answer. "Tell him we'd like to buy him a drink."
Al and Sebastian
Dock 27 11.7.70 1135
"Ah, yes an extendable riot shield, a particularly interesting piece of hardware, I think I might have on in the warehouse, and for your lock picks I've got those right here," he pats his coat pocket. "Can charge you the going street price for the set, since I know your good for the cash and I've made a bit of money off you, so we'll say 250 for those," he pauses looking like he's making a mental calculation," and we'll call it an even 450 for the troll sized extendable riot shield."
"As I said I've got the lock picks on me, thier new, and I can get the shield for you in about an hour, you can pick it up here, or I can drop it off for you somewhere."
Avenger and Patch
Fisherman's Warf 11.7.70 0935
"E's over there," she says extending her hand for the money.
The man know as Raven sits quietly at the bar. He is human, with vitually no cyber, save a cybernetic arm, and looks like he's lost more bar room brawls than he's won. But this is not to say the man didn't look tough, his skin was leathery and calloused, he was covered in large scars including one that runs from the top of his forehead, down to the bottom of his chin, right through his left eye. He wears no eye patch over the hole were his left eye used to be, which leaves a deep black hole in his face. His other eye was a brilliant blue that blazed with madness. He looked just crazy enough to take big risks but sane enough to survive. Sitting next to him was a young woman who seemed to be talking with him about something. She was fair, and looked very familiar to both Avenger and Patch
Dock 27 11.7.70 1135
"Ah, yes an extendable riot shield, a particularly interesting piece of hardware, I think I might have on in the warehouse, and for your lock picks I've got those right here," he pats his coat pocket. "Can charge you the going street price for the set, since I know your good for the cash and I've made a bit of money off you, so we'll say 250 for those," he pauses looking like he's making a mental calculation," and we'll call it an even 450 for the troll sized extendable riot shield."
"As I said I've got the lock picks on me, thier new, and I can get the shield for you in about an hour, you can pick it up here, or I can drop it off for you somewhere."
Avenger and Patch
Fisherman's Warf 11.7.70 0935
"E's over there," she says extending her hand for the money.
The man know as Raven sits quietly at the bar. He is human, with vitually no cyber, save a cybernetic arm, and looks like he's lost more bar room brawls than he's won. But this is not to say the man didn't look tough, his skin was leathery and calloused, he was covered in large scars including one that runs from the top of his forehead, down to the bottom of his chin, right through his left eye. He wears no eye patch over the hole were his left eye used to be, which leaves a deep black hole in his face. His other eye was a brilliant blue that blazed with madness. He looked just crazy enough to take big risks but sane enough to survive. Sitting next to him was a young woman who seemed to be talking with him about something. She was fair, and looked very familiar to both Avenger and Patch
"Thanks for the tip, but would you mind asking him and his friend to join us at the table? Tell him we're paying for the drinks."
Dock 27 1135 11/6/70
When Sebastian shakes his head in the negative, Al grunts, "Done an' done. Reckon I'll pay ya now, take the picks, an' head up ta Dirty Dick's over by Dock 23 an' wait fer yer guy ta show with the shield." Al sends Flash Y400 from his commlink, and then hands over a Y100 certified credstick and Y200 cash, then extends his hideously burned right hand - "Pleasure doin' bizniss wi'tcha once again.
"C'mon kid, yer buyin'."
As they walk the several dreary blocks to Dirty Dick's, Al secretes his new lock picks in the handle of his knife.
Dirty Dick's Fine Food and Spirits 1145 11/6/70
The raw wood plank flooring of Dirty Dick's has enough cracks and crevices that the piss and puke of its besotted patrons can never really be cleaned away, and the resultant stench is almost enough to gag most people, but neither Al nor the hairy collection of human and ork longshoremen and sailors seem to notice. Once they have staked out a pair of gunfighter seats in the corner and have big plastic steins of watered down Grolsch Draft in front of them, Al sends a text message to Gore, Patch, and Avenger - Our preparations complete - good to go by 1300 - already near docks with gear - 10-4 1900 at dock 3. Gore, you owe me Y50.
Stowing the commlink, Al pulls out a deck of cards - "Ya play poker, kid?"
When Sebastian shakes his head in the negative, Al grunts, "Done an' done. Reckon I'll pay ya now, take the picks, an' head up ta Dirty Dick's over by Dock 23 an' wait fer yer guy ta show with the shield." Al sends Flash Y400 from his commlink, and then hands over a Y100 certified credstick and Y200 cash, then extends his hideously burned right hand - "Pleasure doin' bizniss wi'tcha once again.
"C'mon kid, yer buyin'."
As they walk the several dreary blocks to Dirty Dick's, Al secretes his new lock picks in the handle of his knife.
Dirty Dick's Fine Food and Spirits 1145 11/6/70
The raw wood plank flooring of Dirty Dick's has enough cracks and crevices that the piss and puke of its besotted patrons can never really be cleaned away, and the resultant stench is almost enough to gag most people, but neither Al nor the hairy collection of human and ork longshoremen and sailors seem to notice. Once they have staked out a pair of gunfighter seats in the corner and have big plastic steins of watered down Grolsch Draft in front of them, Al sends a text message to Gore, Patch, and Avenger - Our preparations complete - good to go by 1300 - already near docks with gear - 10-4 1900 at dock 3. Gore, you owe me Y50.
Stowing the commlink, Al pulls out a deck of cards - "Ya play poker, kid?"
"I haven't, but I can learn..." Sebastian says, pulling up a pocker manual, are shareware poker aids from the Matrix. The information scrolls past his cybereyes and he tries to soak it all in.
"Well here we go then," Al growls, shuffling the deck faster than the eye can follow. "Seein' as how this's yer first time an' all, we won't play fer no stakes till ya got the hang of it."
Once Al realizes that Sebastian already knows all the official rules, he starts to teach him ways to cheat by palming cards or manipulating the shuffle, explaining that "It ain't no proper thing ta do to a chummer, but ya ain't always playin' yer chummers, now are ya?"
After about half an hour, Al says, "You'll fergive me fer askin', kid, but is you speakin' English offa chip? Makes no diff'rence ta me nohows - jist wonderin' if yer from 'round these parts or whut, seein's how yer so damn smart 'bout some things but, uh, well, a bit off yer game, shall we say, in others."
Once Al realizes that Sebastian already knows all the official rules, he starts to teach him ways to cheat by palming cards or manipulating the shuffle, explaining that "It ain't no proper thing ta do to a chummer, but ya ain't always playin' yer chummers, now are ya?"
After about half an hour, Al says, "You'll fergive me fer askin', kid, but is you speakin' English offa chip? Makes no diff'rence ta me nohows - jist wonderin' if yer from 'round these parts or whut, seein's how yer so damn smart 'bout some things but, uh, well, a bit off yer game, shall we say, in others."
"Err... well... about poker, I got information coming from the matrix, its telling me the rules. And a program tell me the odds of getting certain hands depending on what i currently have, plus I can watch your body tempurature with these eyes, and that tells me a lot, things that don't show in your body language... and umm... no. I'm not from around here," Sebastian finally manages
Al purses his lips and cocks his head in brief contemplation of Sebastian's reply, then starts nodding and quietly concedes, "Fair 'nuff, fair 'nuff," and then in a more characteristically boisterous growl, "HELL - 'tain't my place ta pry anyhow. I got no complaint wi'thca kid, none a'tall."
A few hands later - "I heard o' lots o' guys usin' headware ta crunch odds - nathcerly pro joints don't allow it - but that thermo stuff...my body really heat up if I got good cards?"
A few hands later - "I heard o' lots o' guys usin' headware ta crunch odds - nathcerly pro joints don't allow it - but that thermo stuff...my body really heat up if I got good cards?"
Avenger and Patch
Fisherman's Warf 11.7.70 0940
The waitress, who looks like she'd seen much better days, walked casually over to Raven and his lady, telling them something that's inaudible in the crowded bar. It was nearly ten in the morning but the party never stopped around these parts. The pair stand, walking over to the table at which the two beconing strangers sat, and made thier introductions.
"They call me Raven, you k'n call me cap'n if ya like, but raven's just fine wit me," he sits down, "oh we'res muh mannors, this here's Vivian, she goes by thu name Vivi."
His one remaining eye seems to look both of you up and down at the same time, you never realize how much of a refrence two eyes gives you as to which way a person is looking until you see someone with one.
"Now since you boys are buyin' I've already taken the liberty of addin' my tab ta yours, cheers," he says "boys" so that it sounds like "buys".
"I spose you fellah have a job fer me and one a you's is the one I talked to earlier, so what due ya need from ol' raven and crew?"
Al and Sebastian
Dirty Dick's Fine Food and Spirits 11.7.70 1230
A man walks into the bar holding a large flower box. He walks nodescriptly to the bar, asks the bar tender a question, then walks to your table.
"I've got a package for you, it's gift wrapped for easy transport."
Fisherman's Warf 11.7.70 0940
The waitress, who looks like she'd seen much better days, walked casually over to Raven and his lady, telling them something that's inaudible in the crowded bar. It was nearly ten in the morning but the party never stopped around these parts. The pair stand, walking over to the table at which the two beconing strangers sat, and made thier introductions.
"They call me Raven, you k'n call me cap'n if ya like, but raven's just fine wit me," he sits down, "oh we'res muh mannors, this here's Vivian, she goes by thu name Vivi."
His one remaining eye seems to look both of you up and down at the same time, you never realize how much of a refrence two eyes gives you as to which way a person is looking until you see someone with one.
"Now since you boys are buyin' I've already taken the liberty of addin' my tab ta yours, cheers," he says "boys" so that it sounds like "buys".
"I spose you fellah have a job fer me and one a you's is the one I talked to earlier, so what due ya need from ol' raven and crew?"
Al and Sebastian
Dirty Dick's Fine Food and Spirits 11.7.70 1230
A man walks into the bar holding a large flower box. He walks nodescriptly to the bar, asks the bar tender a question, then walks to your table.
"I've got a package for you, it's gift wrapped for easy transport."
"Not so much good cards as.... Lets say when you are bluffing. If it looks like I am about to call your bluff or fold, there is just enough suspense that your body tempuration... shitfs. If you aren't bluffing then there is no change. Other little mannerisms. Like your tounge is slightly warmer then the rest of your mouth, so I can't faintly see what its doing inside, your mouth, and there are some patterns there. Plus I can film every plan you make, play it back again and cross anaylze for patterns... if I want to cheat I can zoom in on your eyes, and then when you glance at your cards take a picture of them reflected in your eyes, so I know what cards you have... lots of little tricks like that." Sebastian explains. He seems to find great joy in doing so, not so much as for winning, but rather the souce of his enjoyments seems to be in finding and exploiting faults in the game.
Dirty Dick's Fine Food and Spirits 1229 11/6/70
Sebastian's reply launches Al into a seemingly uncontrollable fit of wet, gurgling coughs. Damn, these shadowrunners is sumthin' else! "Consarn it, boy, fer somun ain't never played before you done picked this li'l ol' pastime up righteous quick. Took to it like a barn cat ta varmints. Here I am playin' the cards, an' yore playin' me! Gon' hafta watch myself a damn sight closer frum..." Al stops in mid-sentence as a non-descript man approaches.
"I've got a package for you. It's gift-wrapped for easy transport."
"Well that's right thoughtful of ya, friend," Al says, accepting the package. "Much obliged ta yew and yer boss." It occurs to Al to tip the man, but then he remembers that that would mean eating nothing but soykrill until Gore paid him back, and it was getting on towards dinnertime. So he simply turns back to Sebastian, ignoring the fellow, and reshuffles the cards.
Sebastian's reply launches Al into a seemingly uncontrollable fit of wet, gurgling coughs. Damn, these shadowrunners is sumthin' else! "Consarn it, boy, fer somun ain't never played before you done picked this li'l ol' pastime up righteous quick. Took to it like a barn cat ta varmints. Here I am playin' the cards, an' yore playin' me! Gon' hafta watch myself a damn sight closer frum..." Al stops in mid-sentence as a non-descript man approaches.
"I've got a package for you. It's gift-wrapped for easy transport."
"Well that's right thoughtful of ya, friend," Al says, accepting the package. "Much obliged ta yew and yer boss." It occurs to Al to tip the man, but then he remembers that that would mean eating nothing but soykrill until Gore paid him back, and it was getting on towards dinnertime. So he simply turns back to Sebastian, ignoring the fellow, and reshuffles the cards.
Fisherman's Warf 11.7.70 0941
"Yes indeed. We do need your services. I'm the man that called you, and let's just say we have a mutual friend. Call me Alpha, and if you don't mind, we'll dispense with the pleasantries. We need transport down to CFS lands, unnoticed. Cargo is us, 3 more people, and some personal gear. You think you got something that can handle that?" Avenger tries his hardest not to completely stare at the black hole in his face as he talks to the man. He also looks the lady up and down and wonders why she looks familiar. He takes a snapshot of the both with his cybereyes and e-mails it to his "home" account which is rerouted through plenty of others.
"Yes indeed. We do need your services. I'm the man that called you, and let's just say we have a mutual friend. Call me Alpha, and if you don't mind, we'll dispense with the pleasantries. We need transport down to CFS lands, unnoticed. Cargo is us, 3 more people, and some personal gear. You think you got something that can handle that?" Avenger tries his hardest not to completely stare at the black hole in his face as he talks to the man. He also looks the lady up and down and wonders why she looks familiar. He takes a snapshot of the both with his cybereyes and e-mails it to his "home" account which is rerouted through plenty of others.
Avenger and Patch
"Aye, I can do that, ya say five people and some gear, anything that's lible ta get us in trouble, Mr. Alpha, and also what were you thinking in the way of compensation?" The swarthy old sea dog, leans back in his chair and russles some mucus up from the back of his throat, spitting it uncerimoniously onto the hard synth-wood floor.
"Aye, I can do that, ya say five people and some gear, anything that's lible ta get us in trouble, Mr. Alpha, and also what were you thinking in the way of compensation?" The swarthy old sea dog, leans back in his chair and russles some mucus up from the back of his throat, spitting it uncerimoniously onto the hard synth-wood floor.
"Trouble? Highly unlikely. We'll be packing some working gear on this trip, if you know what I mean, but nothing traceable or being hunted. But we will actually make it very easy for you and prepare shipping papers or a working visa for legal transport under the radar, docking, and unloading of cargo. Unfortunately there's not a large market for boat rentals of this size, so you were our next choice. Basically all we need is for you to drive your boat, and we should take care of the rest. How's 2500 sound? That's 500 a head for the long taxi ride. Now if you're operating an unregistered boat that has to fly under the radar... this may pose a problem, and I hope you would be professional enough to understand that we may have to pursue other venues."
"You know..." Sebastian says after another few hands, "I think I've got a pretty good lock on the Ace of Spades with my smartlink...."
"Weeeeeellll now," Al throatily chuckles, rising delightedly to his new friend's challenge, "You done showed me some stuff so far, no doubt about that. An' I'm all for it, bein' as I know you never gon' use such gimmicks on a chummer in a real game, but ol' Al thinks ya may jist be gittin' a mite big fer yer britches there, boy."
As he speaks, he is shuffling the cards with remarkable dexterity, and then suddenly lays down the deck and spreads the cards in a smooth line across the table. "Awright, kid, you find that ace o' spades an' I'll keep alla yer weapons spotless clean fer a year!" As Sebastian opens his mouth to reply, however, Al holds up a hand of caution - "But if'n ya miss, you'll be buyin' the beer till we got the li'l missy under wraps an' is rich an' happy back here in tha Emerald City."
As he speaks, he is shuffling the cards with remarkable dexterity, and then suddenly lays down the deck and spreads the cards in a smooth line across the table. "Awright, kid, you find that ace o' spades an' I'll keep alla yer weapons spotless clean fer a year!" As Sebastian opens his mouth to reply, however, Al holds up a hand of caution - "But if'n ya miss, you'll be buyin' the beer till we got the li'l missy under wraps an' is rich an' happy back here in tha Emerald City."
"Deal, on one condition," Sebastian doesn't hesitate for a second, "I said I got a pretty good lock not perfect, so if its within 2 card of the one I pick, its still counts, Deal?"
Hrrm. Who knows what all those new-fangled cyber gadgets can do? Maybe I should....naaaaaah. "Yer on, kid. Fire away!"
Avenger and Patch
"Well that's almost the cost of fuel for a decent trip, an' just where were you boys planing on Ol' Raven takin' ya."
"Well that's almost the cost of fuel for a decent trip, an' just where were you boys planing on Ol' Raven takin' ya."
If Sebastian was familiar with the act of closing his eyes, he would have closed them as he reached into the deck. 8 of clubs. 3 of hearts, and 6 of spade above. 2 of spades and ace of dimonds below.
"well," He says, grinning sheepishly, "I'm buying. But it was definately worth it."
"well," He says, grinning sheepishly, "I'm buying. But it was definately worth it."
With a deft flip of his finger, Al flips the whole line of cards over, revealing the position of the Ace of Spades.
"Well, kid," he consoles, "Look onna bright side - not only is Grolsch the best tastin', most satisfyin' beer on this here planet of our'n, but it's also the cheapest! I have never been able ta unnerstand how they git them premium hops an' malts an' glacier waters inna Stuffer Shack cooler case fer so cheap, but damned if they don't. Oughtta git a freakin' Nobel prize, cats 'at run that outfit." If Al was a much bigger guy, you could say he growled, but since he was small, with a thin, hoarse voice, its raspy, gravelly quality made it essentially a snarl - if there was such a thing as an amicable snarl.
Putting away the cards, he hauls his commlink and a chip from his pocket, puts the chip in the 'link, and lays it on the table. These are followed by the maps he showed everyone at the Sombre Cafe.
"Anyway, kid, I had me some thoughts on some ways we kin narrow our search fer the li'l missy afore we even git down there."
"Well, kid," he consoles, "Look onna bright side - not only is Grolsch the best tastin', most satisfyin' beer on this here planet of our'n, but it's also the cheapest! I have never been able ta unnerstand how they git them premium hops an' malts an' glacier waters inna Stuffer Shack cooler case fer so cheap, but damned if they don't. Oughtta git a freakin' Nobel prize, cats 'at run that outfit." If Al was a much bigger guy, you could say he growled, but since he was small, with a thin, hoarse voice, its raspy, gravelly quality made it essentially a snarl - if there was such a thing as an amicable snarl.
Putting away the cards, he hauls his commlink and a chip from his pocket, puts the chip in the 'link, and lays it on the table. These are followed by the maps he showed everyone at the Sombre Cafe.
"Anyway, kid, I had me some thoughts on some ways we kin narrow our search fer the li'l missy afore we even git down there."
"Sounds good," Sebastian says, gratefull to be moving on.
"What kind of things?"
"What kind of things?"
Al lights up a fresh Lucky. "Awright, pal, here's tha deal. That li'l ol' briefin' I gave this mornin', well, all o' that was good info, an' I stand by it, but I don' mind sayin' I tailored it a bit ta suit my agenda. Ya see, like I made no secrit of, I reckon time in some hoity toity cafe was time wastid, whin we could be onna boat movin' towards the li'l missy while we all jawed it up - cuz shore as my ma coulda been a star, the li'l missy is either movin' away from us, or gettin' ready fer us. An' at the same time, tha competition's gettin' a head start on us. Furthermore - we got us a crucial window here - there's a blizzard comin' in in 'bout four or five days frum now big enough to git both sides ta pull back from their frontline posishuns! That means till Tuesday or so, we got only light snow an' only light military presence - ideal. After Tuesday, we got a blizzard on a winter mountaintop - not ideal. We we's especially gotta git a move on.
"So I jist concentrated on gittin' sum consensis t'wards gittin' us onna boat, which meant talkin' about a general insertion route, an' leavin' finer points fer later. An' I think we got us a good plan. I still say we debark in Humboldt Bay, take 299 east, and then get a feel fer things local-like afore headin' north on California 3 from Weaverville. Now I warn't gon' go no further till we's onna boat, but seein' as how we's essentially jist sittin' 'round in a circle jerk here, pardon my French, and seein' as how ya gots such a good head on yer shoulders, an' 'specially seein' as how ya got yerself a way o' seein' things in a tot'lly diff'rent light 'an I do, well I reckon I better put'cha ta work with me on this.
"So the point where my plan diverges frum this mornin's spiel is 'at we don' take 3 into the valley itself. Lookee here," Al's tobacco-stained forefinger traces the line of the valley on a topographical map, "There's the valley I briefed us on, an HERE is the exack locayshun the li'l missy wuz at early yestiddy mo'nin'. As ya kin see, that's way t'other side o' the line o' peaks 'at walls in the east side o' the valley. So goin' inta the valley means, inna first place, exposure in tha open, an' inna second place, we gotta take this here dirt track straight OVER said ridgeline. Fact is, the missy's last known location wuz closer ta I-5 then the valley itself! But I din' wanna say that an' have some hotrod thinkin' we'd jist cruise straight up thattaway - Ma Guthrie din' raise no sons fool enough to set foot on THAT road - ev'rythin' I said about Highway 3 bein' dangerous gon' go triple fer I-5.
"But lookee here - we kin go up 3 - either as medics in some serious four-wheelin' veehikles, or on horses - an jist south o' tha valley proper we kin fork ta tha east up this here Gazelle-Callahan Road. Now this road will git us within 11 miles o' the li'l missy without us havin' ta use I-5. Goes throuh a little berg called Gazelle, an' then I traced a series o' back roads gits us right up to within a mile o' her last co-ordinaytes.
"Now, unless we git us some new info betwixt now an' there, that last spot we got 'er at 'as gotta be our startin' point ta try an' pick up 'er trail. Take a look - it's a mountainside inna middle o' nowhere - not like we kin rely much on people-oriented 'tective work, leastways we can't count on that, though never know who we'll find up there.
"So that's tha sekkind phase o' my insertion plan, an' I'm all ears if someone gone' map out a better one. But inna meantime, there's sum things we kin stay busy with.
"One of 'em is that the location we's talkin' about is not only the middle o' the Tir CFS war zone, it borders up 'gainst the private realm o' the great dragon Hestaby. In fact, she claims ever'thin' within 40 miles o' Shasta Dam, which defnitely covers our targit zone - an' you kin bet the Tir forces, at least, are payin' attenshun, since she's on their Council o' Princes. Now I ain't rightly studied up on her yet, but I done already found me some good sites, though they's a bit old. We could shore use some good info on goin's on with her, 'specially as they regards the specific areas we's gon' be operatin' in.
"'Nother thing - them co-ordinaytes is jist about a stone's throw from a sizable cave. Maybe they IS the cave, and maybe it's jist nearby an' only a co-inci-dence, but I got some bites on some old 20th century cult usin' it, an' I reckon we best find out more about it, too. I done followed up a little more muhself, an' it seems one wacko group or another been usin' that cave fer one form o' unholiness or t'other till the very moment the big she-wyrm announces control over tha area - long about 2053. I know this all is more up Gore's alley, but he's busy summonin' up demons or some such nonsense, an' I ain't inclined ta bother 'im.
"Sumpin' else ya might be interested in is findin' out jist how bad the wifi coverage is down that way. They say tolerable bad. Now, along them lines, I wuz thinkin' this - the Star says they's got ears up fer her headware signal surfacin' again, an' that's all well an' good, as it's in they's int'rests to let us know about that. But if yew wuz ta feel around down that way an' find some area where the coverage wuz actually good - say on some roads or in tha small little towns around there - then we could map out a fair ta middlin' picture o' where she CAN'T have gone, cuz if she'd gone there they'd picked 'er up. By process of eeliminayshun, we might kin narrow her routes down, or else even rule out veehikle use, an' if'n she's on foot, I kin easily work out the furthist she coulda got in that terrain from the startin' co-ordi-naytes.
"So jist fer, starters, an' only if'n yer so inclined, we could be searchin' on the cave - name o' Pythian Cave, or on Hestaby an' 'er realm, or narrowin' the missy's path through a dee-ductive wifi scan. An' it wun'n't saprise me nonw if ya got some idears o' yer own. If ya wanna stay busy, you jist name yer poison."
"So I jist concentrated on gittin' sum consensis t'wards gittin' us onna boat, which meant talkin' about a general insertion route, an' leavin' finer points fer later. An' I think we got us a good plan. I still say we debark in Humboldt Bay, take 299 east, and then get a feel fer things local-like afore headin' north on California 3 from Weaverville. Now I warn't gon' go no further till we's onna boat, but seein' as how we's essentially jist sittin' 'round in a circle jerk here, pardon my French, and seein' as how ya gots such a good head on yer shoulders, an' 'specially seein' as how ya got yerself a way o' seein' things in a tot'lly diff'rent light 'an I do, well I reckon I better put'cha ta work with me on this.
"So the point where my plan diverges frum this mornin's spiel is 'at we don' take 3 into the valley itself. Lookee here," Al's tobacco-stained forefinger traces the line of the valley on a topographical map, "There's the valley I briefed us on, an HERE is the exack locayshun the li'l missy wuz at early yestiddy mo'nin'. As ya kin see, that's way t'other side o' the line o' peaks 'at walls in the east side o' the valley. So goin' inta the valley means, inna first place, exposure in tha open, an' inna second place, we gotta take this here dirt track straight OVER said ridgeline. Fact is, the missy's last known location wuz closer ta I-5 then the valley itself! But I din' wanna say that an' have some hotrod thinkin' we'd jist cruise straight up thattaway - Ma Guthrie din' raise no sons fool enough to set foot on THAT road - ev'rythin' I said about Highway 3 bein' dangerous gon' go triple fer I-5.
"But lookee here - we kin go up 3 - either as medics in some serious four-wheelin' veehikles, or on horses - an jist south o' tha valley proper we kin fork ta tha east up this here Gazelle-Callahan Road. Now this road will git us within 11 miles o' the li'l missy without us havin' ta use I-5. Goes throuh a little berg called Gazelle, an' then I traced a series o' back roads gits us right up to within a mile o' her last co-ordinaytes.
"Now, unless we git us some new info betwixt now an' there, that last spot we got 'er at 'as gotta be our startin' point ta try an' pick up 'er trail. Take a look - it's a mountainside inna middle o' nowhere - not like we kin rely much on people-oriented 'tective work, leastways we can't count on that, though never know who we'll find up there.
"So that's tha sekkind phase o' my insertion plan, an' I'm all ears if someone gone' map out a better one. But inna meantime, there's sum things we kin stay busy with.
"One of 'em is that the location we's talkin' about is not only the middle o' the Tir CFS war zone, it borders up 'gainst the private realm o' the great dragon Hestaby. In fact, she claims ever'thin' within 40 miles o' Shasta Dam, which defnitely covers our targit zone - an' you kin bet the Tir forces, at least, are payin' attenshun, since she's on their Council o' Princes. Now I ain't rightly studied up on her yet, but I done already found me some good sites, though they's a bit old. We could shore use some good info on goin's on with her, 'specially as they regards the specific areas we's gon' be operatin' in.
"'Nother thing - them co-ordinaytes is jist about a stone's throw from a sizable cave. Maybe they IS the cave, and maybe it's jist nearby an' only a co-inci-dence, but I got some bites on some old 20th century cult usin' it, an' I reckon we best find out more about it, too. I done followed up a little more muhself, an' it seems one wacko group or another been usin' that cave fer one form o' unholiness or t'other till the very moment the big she-wyrm announces control over tha area - long about 2053. I know this all is more up Gore's alley, but he's busy summonin' up demons or some such nonsense, an' I ain't inclined ta bother 'im.
"Sumpin' else ya might be interested in is findin' out jist how bad the wifi coverage is down that way. They say tolerable bad. Now, along them lines, I wuz thinkin' this - the Star says they's got ears up fer her headware signal surfacin' again, an' that's all well an' good, as it's in they's int'rests to let us know about that. But if yew wuz ta feel around down that way an' find some area where the coverage wuz actually good - say on some roads or in tha small little towns around there - then we could map out a fair ta middlin' picture o' where she CAN'T have gone, cuz if she'd gone there they'd picked 'er up. By process of eeliminayshun, we might kin narrow her routes down, or else even rule out veehikle use, an' if'n she's on foot, I kin easily work out the furthist she coulda got in that terrain from the startin' co-ordi-naytes.
"So jist fer, starters, an' only if'n yer so inclined, we could be searchin' on the cave - name o' Pythian Cave, or on Hestaby an' 'er realm, or narrowin' the missy's path through a dee-ductive wifi scan. An' it wun'n't saprise me nonw if ya got some idears o' yer own. If ya wanna stay busy, you jist name yer poison."
As soon as Al mentions the poor reception, Sebastian drops online for some AR shopping while listening to Al give him the rundown.
"Well," Sebastian says after some consideration, "I am going to need to think about this. I'll order you a round as I do." Drops into full imersion and sets to work on his newest project. 15 minuets later Sebastian pops out of full imersion when his eyes register a Curior enter. Sebastian pings him the eletronic recent for the package.
"Here you are sir," the Curior says, obviously not completely comfortable with his delivery.
"Thank you!" Sebastian says, tipping him 10 cash. The Curier hurries out.
Sebastian opens up the box, removes one item from the styrofoam pellets, then closes the box again and pushes it across to Al.
"A present for you"
"Well," Sebastian says after some consideration, "I am going to need to think about this. I'll order you a round as I do." Drops into full imersion and sets to work on his newest project. 15 minuets later Sebastian pops out of full imersion when his eyes register a Curior enter. Sebastian pings him the eletronic recent for the package.
"Here you are sir," the Curior says, obviously not completely comfortable with his delivery.
"Thank you!" Sebastian says, tipping him 10
cash. The Curier hurries out. Sebastian opens up the box, removes one item from the styrofoam pellets, then closes the box again and pushes it across to Al.
"A present for you"
Gores motel 12:30 11/6/70
Gore stands firm looking at the figure reathed in flames, a sheen of sweat is visible on the trolls face as he looks at the elemental.
"i bind you to my service, i bind you to my will... do you obey?!!!!!!"
the elemental replies
"yes, master"
Gore untenses, staggering back slightly he sees a message on his link and replies
Gentlemen, i shall be ready to leave for 4pm onwards, and ill be touting some serious magical muscle, what time should i meet you at the docks?
REgards
Gore
Gore sends this to all the team
Gore stands firm looking at the figure reathed in flames, a sheen of sweat is visible on the trolls face as he looks at the elemental.
"i bind you to my service, i bind you to my will... do you obey?!!!!!!"
the elemental replies
"yes, master"
Gore untenses, staggering back slightly he sees a message on his link and replies
Gentlemen, i shall be ready to leave for 4pm onwards, and ill be touting some serious magical muscle, what time should i meet you at the docks?
REgards
Gore
Gore sends this to all the team
Al's eyebrows do a double axel with full reversal. Well tie my hands and dip me in gator droppings. Kid's all right. Either feels sorry for me having to use this piece of crap commlink with its miniature viewscreen, or else he wants to show me something that viewscreen ain't never gonna show nohow. Right neighborly, that.
"Well thank ye kindly, pal," he says, planting his Lucky as always in the left corner of his mouth and using both hands to carefully unravel the 'trode receptors. Well I wasn't raised to forget my manners, and damned if a little queasiness is gonna make me offend my new chummer. Still, he sure enough ain't familiar with these here parts... "Reckon I'm up fer any ol' ride you wanna take me on. One thing, though," Al goes on, taking a meaningful look around the place at the unwashed assortment of roughnecks, cutthroats and miscellaneous other miscreants that make up Dirty Dick's clientele, "This ain't hardly the sorta locale 'at you an' me both wanna be takin' leave o' our senses at the same time.
"Now, Gore ain't gon' be ready till fourish anyhows, it 'pears, an' its a hop, skip 'n' a jump ta Chez Al, so if youse got any vee-arr action in mind, I suggest we repair to my private villa."
"Well thank ye kindly, pal," he says, planting his Lucky as always in the left corner of his mouth and using both hands to carefully unravel the 'trode receptors. Well I wasn't raised to forget my manners, and damned if a little queasiness is gonna make me offend my new chummer. Still, he sure enough ain't familiar with these here parts... "Reckon I'm up fer any ol' ride you wanna take me on. One thing, though," Al goes on, taking a meaningful look around the place at the unwashed assortment of roughnecks, cutthroats and miscellaneous other miscreants that make up Dirty Dick's clientele, "This ain't hardly the sorta locale 'at you an' me both wanna be takin' leave o' our senses at the same time.
"Now, Gore ain't gon' be ready till fourish anyhows, it 'pears, an' its a hop, skip 'n' a jump ta Chez Al, so if youse got any vee-arr action in mind, I suggest we repair to my private villa."
Fisherman's Warf 11.7.70 0943
Patch listens to the banter back and forth between Avie and Raven. Very well set up...And that's my cue. "I believe Mr. Raven that my friend's price is fair, but you seem to disagree. I have a counter offer for you then. You see I come by way of Ark Grueli." At this point Patch produces the pouch containing the coin from Jack and tosses it in front of Raven. "I believe that should more than cover the cost of the trip."
Patch listens to the banter back and forth between Avie and Raven. Very well set up...And that's my cue. "I believe Mr. Raven that my friend's price is fair, but you seem to disagree. I have a counter offer for you then. You see I come by way of Ark Grueli." At this point Patch produces the pouch containing the coin from Jack and tosses it in front of Raven. "I believe that should more than cover the cost of the trip."
The swarthy sea captain's eye lights up. He takes the coin and looks at it in quiet reverence, "Do you know what you have here my friend, nevermind that, when do you want to set sail. I can be ready as soon as this evening around seven, got ta get me crew together and prep The Storm Crow."
"If you don't mind, I'd like to take a look at the boat. I'd like to see exactly what we're dealing with." The human gets ready to stand and pay the tab.
"Aye, you'll want ta come down ta dock 3 in order ta see tha boat, I'll be there loadin' the crew and instructing the cargo."
"Great... you can give me the tour, I'll follow you there."
"Sounds good Al," Sebastian says. He zips up his coat, carfull packs the reamindure of his order in his backpack and then pays the tab.
Raven standing from the table, eye still fixed on the coin, "Aye, we'll be leavin' now if ya don't mind, so if you'll follow me gentlemen."
Both Raven and Vivi walk out the door, pausing to make sure thier new employers were still folowing.
The drive was a short one, The Storm Crow was docked along with the other commercial fishing boats that called the Seattle Port home. She looked to be superficially in bad shape with rust and barnicles painted on, albiet very realistically.
"She don't look like much boys but she's a fine old ship, an' perfect for clearing customs and check points, one word about not enough ice and the ol' boys that do the checks suddenly loose all desire to check the lower deck," he says leading the two runners onto the shrimp boat.
"An' don't cha be worryin' bout how fast she'll move along the water neither, Papa Doc keeps her engine in very good shape along with making a few 'modifications' shall we say to make her get along that much faster," a tall black man, moves out from inside the cabin at the mention of his name, he moves so quietly that unless one were specifically listening for footfalls, none would be heard.
"Ow ya doin' mon, day call me Papa Doc, you must be da boys dat Raven said we'd be transportin'," he waves a grease covered hand.
Raven leads the two down into the bowls of the ship which were suprisingly large compared to the size of the boat's exterior, there was enough room in the lower cargo hold for an SUV along with maybe a smaller compact car. The insturment room was equipped with all mannor of high tech gear including a wifi transmitter hooked up to a satelite dish. The captain's quarters, which looked more like a closet was the only room not shown to the two, and raven passed it off as "not much to see anyhow.
Both Raven and Vivi walk out the door, pausing to make sure thier new employers were still folowing.
The drive was a short one, The Storm Crow was docked along with the other commercial fishing boats that called the Seattle Port home. She looked to be superficially in bad shape with rust and barnicles painted on, albiet very realistically.
"She don't look like much boys but she's a fine old ship, an' perfect for clearing customs and check points, one word about not enough ice and the ol' boys that do the checks suddenly loose all desire to check the lower deck," he says leading the two runners onto the shrimp boat.
"An' don't cha be worryin' bout how fast she'll move along the water neither, Papa Doc keeps her engine in very good shape along with making a few 'modifications' shall we say to make her get along that much faster," a tall black man, moves out from inside the cabin at the mention of his name, he moves so quietly that unless one were specifically listening for footfalls, none would be heard.
"Ow ya doin' mon, day call me Papa Doc, you must be da boys dat Raven said we'd be transportin'," he waves a grease covered hand.
Raven leads the two down into the bowls of the ship which were suprisingly large compared to the size of the boat's exterior, there was enough room in the lower cargo hold for an SUV along with maybe a smaller compact car. The insturment room was equipped with all mannor of high tech gear including a wifi transmitter hooked up to a satelite dish. The captain's quarters, which looked more like a closet was the only room not shown to the two, and raven passed it off as "not much to see anyhow.
"A fine looking ship captain." Crap for show, but looks like she's got it where it counts. Patch zips off a message to the rest of the team.
"The ship isn't much to look at, but it's big enough to soot our purposes. Raven says he can be ready by 7 tonight. Is that enough time for everyone? If it is meet at dock 3 at quarter to 7 tonight. The name of the ship is The Storm Crow.
-Patch"
"The ship isn't much to look at, but it's big enough to soot our purposes. Raven says he can be ready by 7 tonight. Is that enough time for everyone? If it is meet at dock 3 at quarter to 7 tonight. The name of the ship is The Storm Crow.
-Patch"
Dirty Dick's 1335 11/6/70
"Well alrighty then, let's hit the road." Al heads for the door, knowing Sebastian will pay the tab in AR without breaking stride.
Hun's building/Al's place 1350 11/6/70
For the second time, Sebastian is led though the mildewy maze of the run-down tenement and into Al's flooded domicile, finding the door once again left ajar, despite Al having left all his gear all over the rat-gnawed sofa.
There is still a place cleared on the bed for Sebastian's own gear. Al clears a space for them on the sofa by transferring things to the rickety coffee table. He plops down and says, "Take a load off pal. We got us five hours ta kill. I'm gon' rustle us up some vittles in a minit, but if'n it's alla same ta yew, I prefer VR on an empty stomach...That is," he says, holding up the 'trodes, "assumin' there wuz sumthin' specific ya wanted ta show me..."
"Well alrighty then, let's hit the road." Al heads for the door, knowing Sebastian will pay the tab in AR without breaking stride.
Hun's building/Al's place 1350 11/6/70
For the second time, Sebastian is led though the mildewy maze of the run-down tenement and into Al's flooded domicile, finding the door once again left ajar, despite Al having left all his gear all over the rat-gnawed sofa.
There is still a place cleared on the bed for Sebastian's own gear. Al clears a space for them on the sofa by transferring things to the rickety coffee table. He plops down and says, "Take a load off pal. We got us five hours ta kill. I'm gon' rustle us up some vittles in a minit, but if'n it's alla same ta yew, I prefer VR on an empty stomach...That is," he says, holding up the 'trodes, "assumin' there wuz sumthin' specific ya wanted ta show me..."
"There is indeed," Sebastian says, grinning like the fool he is. "Let me know when you are ready."
As soon as Al gives the ok he finds himself falling towards a pinprick of light. That target rapidly grows in size untill it is a sizable chunck of earth, obviously CG, but still in amazing detail. Al Slows down in his decent slowly, untill he finds himself standing outside a large cave in the mountain. A patch of reality derezes, and then reforms into Sebastian's persona.
"This is, to the best of my ability, a 3D map of the terran that we are looking at. We can zoom to virtually any size, to get a good feel for the terran before we actually land. Its not perfect, but my research WAS exhaustive... and exhasuting...." Sebastian says. Then he grins again. "Think it will be useful?"
As soon as Al gives the ok he finds himself falling towards a pinprick of light. That target rapidly grows in size untill it is a sizable chunck of earth, obviously CG, but still in amazing detail. Al Slows down in his decent slowly, untill he finds himself standing outside a large cave in the mountain. A patch of reality derezes, and then reforms into Sebastian's persona.
"This is, to the best of my ability, a 3D map of the terran that we are looking at. We can zoom to virtually any size, to get a good feel for the terran before we actually land. Its not perfect, but my research WAS exhaustive... and exhasuting...." Sebastian says. Then he grins again. "Think it will be useful?"
Chez Al 1352 11/6/70
Well if this kid ain't more fulla serprises than a Moroccan whoo-er's poontang! Look at the freakin' rez on that persona. Until that moment, based on the obvious combat 'ware, Al had Sebastian pegged, in professional terms, as a young sammie who'd somehow scored a ton of cyber very early in life, and was also pretty good with computers just because - well, all kids seemed to be good with this new wifi nonsense. Now he could see that he may have had his assessment reversed - maybe the samurai stuff was the sideline.
Al's own persona - like much else about him and his new friend - was the complete opposite of Sebastian's: 100% default - a featureless humanoid nothing. But he scampered about within the contruct like a kid in a candy store, looking all around him, trotting down the path a ways, circling back through the undergrowth - amazing. He takes a step into the cave - but just pitch, non-pixelated darkness. Yeah, that woulda been too good ta be true.
"Useful? Kid, this is the freakin' cat's pajamas. Now I'll be straight with ya, VR an' Al don' take too kindly to one another, but sheee-it - I kin jist sit down an' pop inta this any time I got any question 'bout our track. So jist fer gittin' us there it'll be a whole world o' useful. An' then o' course there's tactical - whinever we's approachin' a po-ten-shul trouble-spot, we's kin all git on here an' work out our plan." Al pauses a moment, then - "Awright, kid, if it's all the same ta you, it's gittin' a mite close in here. I think I'm gon' continue this li'l ol' chit-chat up top," at which point Al logs himself out and pulls off the rig.
Coming out of VR himself, Sebastian can see that Al is looking rather green around the gills - yes, more than usual. But he says no more about that. Instead, he claps Sebastian on the back and says, "I'll BET it wuz exhaustin'! Later, you gotta tell me about how far that thing extends out from the co-ordi-naytes. I ain't even gon' ask 'bout accuracy - you done proved yerself ta me as far as computers go.
"Now how's 'bout some grub?"
Al opens his refrigerator, revealing contents that stand in contrast to his filthy apartment with its six inches of standing water - the fridge is full of fresh, apparently real food. "Best eat this all up, if gon' be leavin' tonight." He tosses Sebastian a cold Grolsch and proceeds to cook up two thick Porterhouse steaks, fries thin-sliced taters 'n' onions until they're melt-in-your mouth soft, and throws together a salad.
By the time they are finished eating, it is around 2:45. "Alright kid, hate to be rude, but a gotta pay some attenshun ta this here new rifle a picked up last night. Yer free ta git some shut-eye, or watch the trid, go out, whatever strikes yer fancy. Or jist hang an' chat. But I gotta git this done."
And get it done he does. He lays out the rifle and his tools and has the crusty old rifle spic and span just in time to leave for the docks.
When 6:45 rolls around, they are off. Al looks pretty weighted down once he has his gun bag and pack on his back and hefts his gun-kit in is left hand. But the case of Grolsch still remains - "Well kid, ya kin carry that there case o' beer ta the boat fer me, or buy me a new one on the way..."
Well if this kid ain't more fulla serprises than a Moroccan whoo-er's poontang! Look at the freakin' rez on that persona. Until that moment, based on the obvious combat 'ware, Al had Sebastian pegged, in professional terms, as a young sammie who'd somehow scored a ton of cyber very early in life, and was also pretty good with computers just because - well, all kids seemed to be good with this new wifi nonsense. Now he could see that he may have had his assessment reversed - maybe the samurai stuff was the sideline.
Al's own persona - like much else about him and his new friend - was the complete opposite of Sebastian's: 100% default - a featureless humanoid nothing. But he scampered about within the contruct like a kid in a candy store, looking all around him, trotting down the path a ways, circling back through the undergrowth - amazing. He takes a step into the cave - but just pitch, non-pixelated darkness. Yeah, that woulda been too good ta be true.
"Useful? Kid, this is the freakin' cat's pajamas. Now I'll be straight with ya, VR an' Al don' take too kindly to one another, but sheee-it - I kin jist sit down an' pop inta this any time I got any question 'bout our track. So jist fer gittin' us there it'll be a whole world o' useful. An' then o' course there's tactical - whinever we's approachin' a po-ten-shul trouble-spot, we's kin all git on here an' work out our plan." Al pauses a moment, then - "Awright, kid, if it's all the same ta you, it's gittin' a mite close in here. I think I'm gon' continue this li'l ol' chit-chat up top," at which point Al logs himself out and pulls off the rig.
Coming out of VR himself, Sebastian can see that Al is looking rather green around the gills - yes, more than usual. But he says no more about that. Instead, he claps Sebastian on the back and says, "I'll BET it wuz exhaustin'! Later, you gotta tell me about how far that thing extends out from the co-ordi-naytes. I ain't even gon' ask 'bout accuracy - you done proved yerself ta me as far as computers go.
"Now how's 'bout some grub?"
Al opens his refrigerator, revealing contents that stand in contrast to his filthy apartment with its six inches of standing water - the fridge is full of fresh, apparently real food. "Best eat this all up, if gon' be leavin' tonight." He tosses Sebastian a cold Grolsch and proceeds to cook up two thick Porterhouse steaks, fries thin-sliced taters 'n' onions until they're melt-in-your mouth soft, and throws together a salad.
By the time they are finished eating, it is around 2:45. "Alright kid, hate to be rude, but a gotta pay some attenshun ta this here new rifle a picked up last night. Yer free ta git some shut-eye, or watch the trid, go out, whatever strikes yer fancy. Or jist hang an' chat. But I gotta git this done."
And get it done he does. He lays out the rifle and his tools and has the crusty old rifle spic and span just in time to leave for the docks.
When 6:45 rolls around, they are off. Al looks pretty weighted down once he has his gun bag and pack on his back and hefts his gun-kit in is left hand. But the case of Grolsch still remains - "Well kid, ya kin carry that there case o' beer ta the boat fer me, or buy me a new one on the way..."
Patch heads back out to his car with Avenger. "OK you said you needed to go to a sporting goods store and I want to go to the liquor store. After that we can stop by your place to pick up your equipment and then hang out in the PPR until we have to head to the boat."
With all preparations made, Morey drives Patch and Avie in Patch's car to the docks. "Thanks Morey. We can walk the rest of the way." On their way to the boat Patch looks at the clock on his comlink. 6:40. A little early.
With all preparations made, Morey drives Patch and Avie in Patch's car to the docks. "Thanks Morey. We can walk the rest of the way." On their way to the boat Patch looks at the clock on his comlink. 6:40. A little early.
Sebastian washes the tried blood from his ears then rests for four odd hours, soothed by the rythmic noises of Al working on his rifle.
Whem it comes time to leave Sebastian gets up, feeling refreshed.
"I've got no broblem carrything those, chummer," Sebastian says with a grin and shuffles around his gear till he can carry everything and the beer. When they reach the docks he spots Patch and Avenger and waves enthusiatically.
"Hey guys, good to see you again. We are all ready!"
Whem it comes time to leave Sebastian gets up, feeling refreshed.
"I've got no broblem carrything those, chummer," Sebastian says with a grin and shuffles around his gear till he can carry everything and the beer. When they reach the docks he spots Patch and Avenger and waves enthusiatically.
"Hey guys, good to see you again. We are all ready!"
Dock 3 1900 11/6/70
Al joins Sebastian in offering a blustery greeting to his other five teammates, as his eyes wander approvingly over what, to him, is obviously a fine smuggling vessel. Upon greeting Gore, he hands him his riot shield and says, "Hate ta repeat muhself, big guy, but that did in fact run fifty new-yen over the cred ya sent me. Wun'n't mention it, but jist a bit tapped at the moment."
Al joins Sebastian in offering a blustery greeting to his other five teammates, as his eyes wander approvingly over what, to him, is obviously a fine smuggling vessel. Upon greeting Gore, he hands him his riot shield and says, "Hate ta repeat muhself, big guy, but that did in fact run fifty new-yen over the cred ya sent me. Wun'n't mention it, but jist a bit tapped at the moment."
When at home he grabs all his gear and sorts it. He shows off his special room to Patch. He also doesn't hide his drugs. Most of them labeled in professional ready to use form. The only one that isn't sorted perfectly on racks is a big bag of deep. That he seems to just have lumped in a basket. He throws all of this stuff in a special medkit. Then he throws a bunch of weed in a little bowl in the wall. After a few thoughts to his house's pilot, a few lights flash from green to yellow to red on the wall. Out on a tray comes a big fat blunt with the tip slightly heated so a quick puff would light it. He offers it to Patch to share, not remembering if the medical man liked this stuff or not. Then he'll turn his house on complete lockdown security, and locks everything up and heads off with Patch.
later....
Avenger has a big camo backpack with things hanging down and off the sides. It's lightly framed in a black plasteel frame. He waves at his new chummers.
Here come the new guys. The mystical man might be a big asset with finding what we're looking for. The other one's kind of a spaz. I should teach him the art of meditation. He must find his center before balancing himself.
"Hoi chums, Indeed, we have a most noble quest placed before us! Let us Fight this day! this St. Crispin's day!" He bellows out laughing at himself before shaking hands with the rest of the team and introducing them to Raven and the boat they'll be riding.
later....
Avenger has a big camo backpack with things hanging down and off the sides. It's lightly framed in a black plasteel frame. He waves at his new chummers.
Here come the new guys. The mystical man might be a big asset with finding what we're looking for. The other one's kind of a spaz. I should teach him the art of meditation. He must find his center before balancing himself.
"Hoi chums, Indeed, we have a most noble quest placed before us! Let us Fight this day! this St. Crispin's day!" He bellows out laughing at himself before shaking hands with the rest of the team and introducing them to Raven and the boat they'll be riding.
"Hi Raven! Its nice to meet you! Permission to board!" Sebastian says as he walks onto the boat, and takes a quick survay, before stashing his stuff safely.
Chapter 2: Over the Bright Blue Sea
11.7.70 1900 Dock 3
The group was assembled and ready to set off, Raven had cleaned up since Avenger and Patch talked to him earlier, and he was standing, on the dock, waiting for his charge to board The Storm Crow. Sebastian comes walking up, the first of the runners to get to the boat, "Hi Raven! Its nice to meet you! Permission to board!"
Raven smiles, "Aye lad, ye be welcome on this ship, and that goes for the rest of ye's as well."
As the rest of the group walks over the makeshift loading plank, Raven falls in behind them, walking to mid ship and then stopping.
"I know that Jack sent ye, and while he and I aren't exactly on speakin' terms, I'm glad to see he's still protecting the world. Some a' his boys came down an' dropped a package for ye, I had Papa Doc and Vivi take it to tha cargo hold, which is were ye all be stayin'. Now Ifin you'll fawluh me, I'll show ye were yer gunna hole up while we make this voyage."
He leads the group down into the ship's interior, and into the aft cargo hold infront of the engine. The hold is larger than one would expect looking at the boat, and is relatively empty save a moderately sized box off to the side, a shelf, and a medkit on the wall. The floor is plasteel, along with the walls and are painted an impossibly dirty shade of grey.
"There are some pillows and cots in the forward cargo hold if yer interested, and I had Papa Doc replenish the mess hall, which is top side. That's yer box, with the things Jack sent for ye, make yer selves at home, it'll take us about a day and a half ta git to the conflict zone, an' I suspect you'll be wantin' to plan the entire way there. If ya need access ta the matrix, we've got a hard line connected to a satelite dish in tha radio room, just let me know if ya use it. We be settin' sail in a few minutes, and if ya want ta check our route, I'll be topside on the bridge."
With that he walks out of the cargo hold and disapears into some other part of the ship.
Contents of the Box
11.7.70 1900 Dock 3
The group was assembled and ready to set off, Raven had cleaned up since Avenger and Patch talked to him earlier, and he was standing, on the dock, waiting for his charge to board The Storm Crow. Sebastian comes walking up, the first of the runners to get to the boat, "Hi Raven! Its nice to meet you! Permission to board!"
Raven smiles, "Aye lad, ye be welcome on this ship, and that goes for the rest of ye's as well."
As the rest of the group walks over the makeshift loading plank, Raven falls in behind them, walking to mid ship and then stopping.
"I know that Jack sent ye, and while he and I aren't exactly on speakin' terms, I'm glad to see he's still protecting the world. Some a' his boys came down an' dropped a package for ye, I had Papa Doc and Vivi take it to tha cargo hold, which is were ye all be stayin'. Now Ifin you'll fawluh me, I'll show ye were yer gunna hole up while we make this voyage."
He leads the group down into the ship's interior, and into the aft cargo hold infront of the engine. The hold is larger than one would expect looking at the boat, and is relatively empty save a moderately sized box off to the side, a shelf, and a medkit on the wall. The floor is plasteel, along with the walls and are painted an impossibly dirty shade of grey.
"There are some pillows and cots in the forward cargo hold if yer interested, and I had Papa Doc replenish the mess hall, which is top side. That's yer box, with the things Jack sent for ye, make yer selves at home, it'll take us about a day and a half ta git to the conflict zone, an' I suspect you'll be wantin' to plan the entire way there. If ya need access ta the matrix, we've got a hard line connected to a satelite dish in tha radio room, just let me know if ya use it. We be settin' sail in a few minutes, and if ya want ta check our route, I'll be topside on the bridge."
With that he walks out of the cargo hold and disapears into some other part of the ship.
Contents of the Box
[ Spoiler ]
Al is last in line down into the hold, and lingers near the hatch as Raven makes his speech. Once Raven leaves, he steps into the hold as the others break open the crate, but pays only the barest attention to the contents. Could be some useful stuff in there, but that'll wait, he thinks distractedly, looking around the room. To anyone watching, he seems nervous, out of sorts. Not that he's about to collapse or anything - in fact, straightaway he finds a dry corner and securely stows his toolbox and gun bag in a manner obviously bespeaking someone who's spent time on ships. But then he's straight out the door without a word, pack still on his back.
We moves his small form agilely through the narrow passages and straight up to the bridge. "Beggin' yer pardon, skipper, wonderin' if I might have a word. If'n it's alla same ta yew, reckon I got plenny a cold-weather gear wit' me, an' would jist as soon camp out onna deck there. I assure ya's I know muh way round a vessel, so I knows how ta stay outta yer way, an' might could even be o' some help. But tha long an' short of it is - I'd rather be cold an' inna fresh air than cooped up inna hold. If'n it ain't too much trouble, I'd shorely be much obliged."
We moves his small form agilely through the narrow passages and straight up to the bridge. "Beggin' yer pardon, skipper, wonderin' if I might have a word. If'n it's alla same ta yew, reckon I got plenny a cold-weather gear wit' me, an' would jist as soon camp out onna deck there. I assure ya's I know muh way round a vessel, so I knows how ta stay outta yer way, an' might could even be o' some help. But tha long an' short of it is - I'd rather be cold an' inna fresh air than cooped up inna hold. If'n it ain't too much trouble, I'd shorely be much obliged."
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