"Oh yeah...that's Kingsgate Rioters territory. Not too bad guys. Don't mind race, as long as you're irish, or look it enough. Shouldnt' be too hard to talk to them if it comes to it."

02:31 Approaching safehouse
PAN: Hidden Model/OS: Custom ACC: Imagelink, Soundlink

Irish? Oh yeah, I got shamrocks growin' outta my ass...

<<Sounds like you better run point with those guys if we run into 'em. Okay, we're rolling up on the pick-up point now...where ya at?>>

"I'm down at the door. Poked Flame, but don't know if he's going to actually get up to join us. Oh wel...he can come in spirit if he feels like it." Hearing the van pulling up, she headed outside to hop inside. "Alright, off to fun times."

02:31 safehouse Area
PAN Passive Model/OS One of those would be handy

<<I'm almost into the UV node, give me about three quaters of an hour and I will be able to give you my full attention, in the interim if you need anything just comm.>>

02:32 Outside safehouse
PAN: Hidden Model/OS: Custom ACC: Imagelink, Soundlink

<<Scratch that, Comedian. No way we're gonna endanger you by bothering you while you're in that deep. Just let us know when you're out - no way we'll be to all the way to Kingsgate by then anyway. Sahara's got your meat covered. Take care of yourself in there.>>

2:32 Safehouse
Pan: passive

Running down the stairs like a train out of a control Flame comes to a stop by Whizbang and the door. "You didn't think I would miss this did yah, shortcake??" Other his shoulder he has his backpack and his gun is tucked in the small of his back.

02:32 Safehouse
PAN: Passive Model/OS: supermodel, on the catwalk, baby

Comdeian's voice comes across the wave, it seems somewhat flat and uninflected, though whether that is to cover up emotion, or becasue there is no emotion behind it is difficult to tell.

<<I thank you for the sentiment, but if I cannot crack a UV node with the possiblilty of interruption then I do not deserve the ability to crack it in the first place. I trust you not to comm me for something trivial, and in turn, please trust me to turn on my answerphone if recieveing a comm becomes dangerous. I hope we are on the same page?>>

hoo-gah, Sahara alone with lil ole me. Shame I haven't the Hez to do anything about it really, I must remember to edit her into some porn some day.

With that happy thought Dave gets back to work.

<<All right, Comedian, your call. Read you four-by-four, and will call if we need anything.>>

02:59:21 On the way to the Barrens
PAN: Passive MODEL: Fairlight Caliban OS: Novatech Navi
ACC: Cybereye image link; Shades imagelink; Step-van dash display

Nathan watches in the rearview as first Whizbang and then Flame pile into the van. He snorts when Flame, instead of taking a seat in the far back with Chopper, squeezes in between Janie and Whizbang in the middle seat.

Whizbang makes some sort of face and slips off the middle seat to the back to sit with Chopper.

Nathan grins and moves the van out when everyone is settled.

<< All right. Asp, why don't you bring Flame , Whizbang and Comedian up to speed. >>

If Asp chooses to speak rather than transmit on the comms, Nathan will patch his van's sensor feeds carrying audio and video to Comedian if the hacker can spare any time to browse.

The Barrens. A place Nathan avoids whenever possible. But not one he is unfamiliar with. He plots a course along the freeways, taking exits and entrance ramps when he or one of the others spots what could be a go-gang. Better safe than sorry, right?

Soon, with less trouble than he'd feared, the van takes a turn that leads into the neighborhood where they'll find Minnie. And hopefully get a lead on the Johnson's man, byteSIZED.

Taking Cadence's cue, Asp turned in his seat and faced the others. Seeing Flame there, he was glad the elf was now well away from Sahara.

"I guess you guys were pretty busy with the ward and all, so you may not be up on our progress. Thanks for the hard work, by the way. Anyhow, we two fairly promising leads. One involves some sort of virtual role-playing game the target spends a lot of time on.
"Geez - what kinda loser spends all his time playing a computer fantasy game?
"Anyway, we're waiting to follow up on that nonsense until Comedian is done with whatever it is he's up to.
"Our other best lead is the target's favorite whore, name is Minnie. We got a last-known on her out in a hotel in Kingsgate - that's where we're headed now. Whiz knows that part of the plex, so we'll be leaning real heavily on her once we get there.
"One other thing, we found some muscle outside the target's apartment with a neat little hole right between his eyes - so let's not underestimate this gaming geek.
"Now where's that pizza?"

Comedian - Haxxor L33t
3.01.21 - UV node / Safehouse
Pan Passive, sat linked, Model clean tasty corporate.

<<Well, I'm in now, so pretty soon I am going to find out if the IC noticed me. Should be out with the files I need in about 15 mins or so, but if you see my ears start to bleed you may want to gently lean the satlink on my arm a few degress to cut my connection, Sahara.

If that guy is a MMORPG geek, then I can probally get him looking for me, I'll just use nerdrage to our advantage. Anybody want to be the benefit of his wrath? I'll crack his account and give his virtual stuff away, you could probably flog it on w-bay for a few creds, that, changing his sig to "I bang hoes, ask me why", and wasting his character 20 odd times should get him good and pissed at us, specially if I can get him SIN banned for account hacking...>>>

03:02 Moving into Kingsgate
PAN: Hidden Model/OS: Custom ACC: Imagelink, Soundlink


<<That all sounds great. Let us know when you're ready, and let us know how we can help. But two things - check with us before you move - we don't want to spook him if we're closing in on his meat at the same time you work your virtual magic. And remember - it's the MEAT we need - whatever you do, make sure it gets you a location.>>

03:04 Moving into Kingsgate
PAN: Hidden Model/OS: Custom ACC: Imagelink, Soundlink

<<The J wasn't real clear, but my impression from Janie was that we need him alive. And I assume that also means we need him un-brainfried. Correct me if I'm wrong on that, Janie.>>

Moving into the traffic of Kingsgate you notice a subtle change from that of Touristville. Touristville while a place to slum for the rich has about it an air of security, here the gang signs can be seen and the pimps and other denizens are of a 'harder' quality. Along the streets and in pairs if not outright groups are youths wearing green jackets or other items symbolizing their 'colors'....these must be the Kingsgate Rioters.

03:04:57 Mobile
PAN: Passive: Sony Emperor/Novatech Navi
ACC: AR Earbud - AR Shades - AR Gloves

<<That's correct. Apparantly our little digital friend stole something of great value from Mr. J and the little guy's got his panties in a bunch about gettin it back. Since he wasn't forthcoming with what exactly this missing thing IS Im assuming he'll want to conduct the interogation himself. Can't exactly interogate a dead body.>>

03:05:20 Kingsgate
PAN: Hidden Model/OS: Custom ACC: Imagelink, Soundlink

As Cadence picked a path through the trash-strewn urban canyon floors, Asp eyed the groups of gangers, his Ares Alpha Combat Gun loose in his grip. "Whaddaya say, Whizbang? Do we make for the hotel and only deal with these kids if we have to, or do we talk to 'em first? Your call, your lead."

03:05 Safehouse
PAN: Hidden Model/OS: Custom spelled with a K


<<Okie dokie, no killie the thief. Easily done>>

3:05 Kingsgate
pan passive.

Flame had been quiet in the ride because he had bee sleeping, and little drool was coming out of the corners or his mouth. He starts to wake up as the drive into kingsgate. He gaithers his bearings as he looks out the window. He notices the gang members keeping a rather thourgh watch on the neighborhood. "How far way from the hotel, Slim? Whats the game plan? Theres what six of us. Five go in two stay in the lobby for security, the other three check out , and busdriver stays with his wheels and toys."

03:06 Kingsgate
PAN: Hidden Model/OS: Custom ACC: Imagelink, Soundlink

Dammit to hell -obnoxious keeb, Asp silently fumed. He was NOT going to let that name - Slim - stick, but now wasn't the time. "That sounds like a decent game plan to me, Flame," he answered in an even tone. "Cadence can cover the exits with the drones. I think we're real close now - it's just a question of whether we contact the local gang now, or just wait and cross that bridge when we come to it. Whizbang's call."

"Should say as long as we keep it low key, we shouldn't have too much trouble with the gangers. Probably best to keep the big guns at home. I'll volunteer to be with the lobby group incase they do decide to show up and take offense to us being on their turf."

03:07 Kingsgate
Pan:passive

Flame nods, " Right that means I go with the group up stairs to knock politely and ask for our girl or our target. Chopper is coming with me and who else volunteers." I can kinda be nice, Flame thinks to himself. Nope he couldn't this would be real interesting.

03:07 Kingsgate
PAN: Hidden Model/OS: Custom ACC: Imagelink, Soundlink

Asp nodded at Flame's suggestion. "All right, with Chopper headed up, that means me in the lobby with Whiz. Janie, a woman's touch up there might come in handy anyway. Cadence, you and your flyers have the perimeter - good chance the chica'll try to rabbit."

Asp continued to speak as he re-stowed his rifle under the front passenger seat. "Unfortunately, we got no face and no room number. Janie," he said, handing a handful of certified credsticks - the pimp's - to the little thief, "Why don't you try the desk guy soft? If that doesn't work, Chopper and I will make him a less negotiable offer."

Without waiting for a reply, the burly street-sam hopped out of the van, his glowing red eyes scanning for threats.

03:08 kingsgate
Pan: Passive

Flame gets out of the vehicle and walks towards the front door. No need to look over his shoulder he knew rioters would be watching their every move. Hopefully for them they would not interfere.

03:08:01 Kingsgate Squat
PAN: Hidden Model: Emperor/Ichi
ACC: Glasses, gloves, subvocal mic

He checked the pistol at his waist and rotated his neck around to loosen up his shoulders, and then nodded to Flame.

"Right chummer, I got your six."

He followed the mage out of vehicle and up to the building.

03:08:10 Kingsgate
Pan: passive

Flame smiles at Chopper's comments, "I feel much safer already." He checked the weight of his pistol in his pocket. Not that it was his first line of defense, but it always seemed to be nice to have. His mind ran threw the list of spells he knew and counterspelling he could do.

CUT SCENE

The Kingsgate Manor Hotel, designed in a 1920's motif must have been very regal at onetime but, the ravages of time and change have altered it to its almost dilapitated state. The lobby is spacious and the once red velvet furniture is faded, torn and stained. Hookers and lowlifes of all sorts wander the lobby floor in a zombie like manner...chipheads.

The cage the deskman sits in is obviously a later addition to the frontdesk. The bolts holding it into the desk are old but the fitting is irregular to the fine work the desk once was. The desk man sits leaning in his chair as he watches trideo on a small set. His hair is greasy and in need of cutting, the wife beater tee shirt he wears is stained.

03:09:17 Mobile
PAN: Passive: Sony Emperor/Novatech Navi
ACC: AR Earbud - AR Shades - AR Gloves

:: Janie grimaces at the rather disgusting specimine of human life she's supposed to charm. Suppressing a shudder, she heads up to the cage and runs her eyes along the cage looking for any weakness in case her winning smile failed to do the trick. ::

"Hey chummer, lookin fer Minnie. She got a job and I get to be her lucky fraggin chauffer."

:: Janie takes one of the smaller denomonation cred sticks and taps it on the cage to get his attention, and if he's not incredibly stupid, indicate the prize for the right answer. ::

03:10:00 Kingsgate Hotel
Pan: Passive

Flame leans against the wall near the steps and the elevators waiting for Janie to get the info on target. He tries to look bored as he exams the lobby. A thought came to his head. He slowly moves from his position towards Slim. Quietly he says to Slim, "Slim, we should see if Busdriver can cover the back with one of his toys. We can make sure nobody gets out that way and we don't any surprises."

03:10:03 Kingsgate Squat
PAN: Hidden Model: Emperor/Ichi
ACC: Glasses, gloves, subvocal mic

Chopper nods impassively and continues to glower around the room, playing the role of the big-bad-steroid-laden-ork-knuckledragger to Janie's 'face' role. He subvocalizes Flame's request over the team-network.

"Cadence it might be a good idea to see if we can get eyes on the back alley of this drek hole in case our target decides to bolt. Maybe a drone or something, if not then maybe Asp.

03:10:05
PAN: Hidden Model/OS: Custom ACC: Imagelink, Soundlink

Not that damned name again! Asp screamed internally, reminding himself yet again that out here in the field was not the time. Voice even, he replied to the mage, "Yeah, up in the front seat I asked him to cover that before we offloaded. Chopper's confirming it over our net right now. Are you connected?" Asp asked, red-ember eyes scanning the elf for commo gear.

"By the way," he added, "I guess you missed the initial meet-and-greet, but our rigger goes by Cadence, and I'm Asp," the bald sammie said, extending a big hand.

3:10:10
Pan: Passive

Flame nods and shakes Asp's hand, "Null sweat, Slim. I knew you were one smart cookie. I'm connected with this cheap gizmo, but I hate to sound bossy so I didn't want to send it over the network." With that Flame walks away as if nothing else transpired. He moved to his old position by the stairs and the elevators and leans against the wall and starts picking at his teeth.

03:10:15

Asp shook with frustration as the slippery elf walked away from him. I freaking know I'm smart, you keeb. What I want is for you to....Asp forced the thought to the back of his mind. They were in the Barrens, on a job, hanging out in some sort of beetle-house - this was the sort of distraction that got good people killed. Back at the house. Once we get back to the house...

The greaseball looks up at Janie "Who the frag is minnie?...you got my attention but I need more than a name all you...all the joytoys look the same after a while. His hand grasps the credstick but doesnt yank it.

03:10:20 Kingsgate beetle-den
PAN: Hidden Model/OS: Custom ACC: Imagelink, Soundlink


Overhearing Janie's conversation from across the room with his enhanced hearing, Asp cursed to himself for not getting a physical description of the girl from that broke-dick pimp. But then he remembered something the one whore had said to Chopper - You're a mighty big boy to want Minnie.

He stepped across the vermin-infested foyer and loomed behind Janie. "She's real small. Out of Yardie's stable."

Name: Cadence Strange McShane; Archtype: Rigger
03:12:03 Kingsgate, Minnie's Squat
PAN: Passive MODEL: Fairlight Caliban OS: Novatech Navi
ACC: Cybereye image link; Shades imagelink; Step-van dash display

Nathan is reluctant to show the kinds of goodies he has in the van to the street trash blowing up and down the street, but he figures the low-profile van is anything but low-profile here in Kingsgate. So he preps the drones as he finds a parking space likely to let him have a more or less private deployment. In just a couple minutes two roto-drones are thrumming away, one taking a position monitoring the back alley and the other taking a higher view, tagging and tracking various meta-folk on the street. Couldn't hurt to keep an eye out. He engages the van's anti-tamper circuits and sits back to watch the various feeds, focusing chiefly on that from Asp's eyes.

<< Right. Two birds, up, up and away. The van's hot, so be sure to say the magic word before coming back in. ##Link: Magic Word## >>