Los Locos Basement
Saturday 08/16/70 15:15:00

Paddy had certainly done a thorough job of packaging Naguel's body; even if a shedim spirit somehow managed to possess the remains, the most dangerous thing it could possibly take hold of would be a stray fingertip. But of course, it was now Carla's job to unwrap the bloody pieces and search for any intact cyberware. Using some of the bandaging from the medkit, Carla wrapped a long piece of cloth over her mouth and nose to make a makeshift face mask. And since the medkit didn't appear to have any rubber gloves, she wrapped a layer of bandaging around her AR-gloves to keep them (relatively) clean.

The most useful pieces were most likely to be found in the head - cybersensory organs, cranial commlinks, datajacks, etc. To minimize the tedium, not to mention the amount of disgust she'd have to subject herself to, Carla tried to identify the head pieces by their shape and feel before actually unwrapping them. It didn't always work, and Carla ended up poking and prodding dozens of pieces of flesh and bone with her scalpel only to wrap them up again without having found any treasure.

It turned out that Naguel was wired to the bone - literally. Shredded neural wires were embedded in much of the muscle tissue, artificial alloys were grafted onto the bone, and there were a number of organic materials that Carla couldn't quite identify, but she definitely knew they weren't natural parts of any meta-human.

None of those items were of any value though, and it took quite a while until Carla found what she was looking for. As she expected, Naguel's eyes and ears were artificial and seemed to be of pretty decent quality; if they didn't have any useful information stored in them, they could at least be sold as spare parts.

After a gruesome two hours, Carla rewrapped the last piece of Naguel's body and tossed it back into the garbage bag. On the floor next to her was a very small pile of all the valuable equipment she could find. "This is all I could get out of him," she remarked to Krait, "But I wouldn't recommend touching any of it until I get a chance to sanitize it."

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac
Saturday 08/16/70 15:15:00
Krait – Mission Moustage
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (proxy), Metalink hidden (Signal 3), Moai offline

Diving into the full virtual reality of the wireless matrix, the first thing John commanded his Agent to identify Kenichi´s matrix service provider indicated by the comcodes last three letters ‘scb’. A whole matrix search for ‘scb AND “matrix service provider� AND seattle’ turned up 11 results for ‘Sucky Cock-Blower’, an adult mock-version of the popular action sim-series Suki Redflower, as well as Seattle Community Board, Soccer Club Bothel, Sustainability Center Bellevue or Socialist Christian Brotherhood, among others, until he finally filtered the Sea-Com-Base out of the mass of information and connected to the MSP´s public node.

Externally, the node was sleek and beautiful. Unlike some commercial nodes, it was not festooned with aggressive advertising agents and icons. Once inside the public access sales node, however, the visitor encountered a really upscale, high-tech mall metaphor. Although a lot of traffic was going in and out of the main doors, once people enter a particular shop, they sort of fade out.

After hanging out in the public area for a short while, the elf had learned from his Agent´s Analyse read-outs, that every shop represented a unique service plan. Individual customers were instantaneously transferred to customer service sub-nodes, so that customers were never put off by the appearance of a crowded "shop." There also was an employees only door at the far end of the mall. That was what they had to probe - but it was easy for the script hacker to spend the three hours hanging around, changing access ID and iconography from time to time, because of the heavy traffic in the main mall.

After three hours of observation, the Agent had found an un-patched security hole and the technician got ready to exploit it for security access. After spoofing his access ID once more and tinkering with his own Icon a bit, he analyzed node again. While he did not notice an Alert or Databomb, the node was encrypted, though the encryption did not hold more than 12 seconds against his hacker software and high-end com.

Los Locos Basement
Saturday 08/16/70 15:15:00


Jack sat on his cot and began working with his comm link. It was slow going to be sure. After some time analyzing his mapsoft, he grunted with satisfaction. Next the hard part, searching the matrix for further information. He just didn't have the skills to mine the data havens in the way that Frank could but he did manage to find one obvious and hopefully useful bit of information.

Jack texted his findings to the rest of the team:

Dis is my mapsoft of da bottleneck area. Note da apartment marked in red. Dat building is tall enough so dat we could spread out a few people on da roof and watch all da likely routes dat Kenichi might use. Da building uses a company called Bloch for its security provider.

After the texting Jack addressed Paddy. "Could ya maybe take a second and verify da tactical info on dat last transmission?

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac/SCB MSP Node, Seattle Local Grid
Saturday 08/16/70 15:15:13
Krait – Mission Moustage
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (proxy), Metalink hidden (Signal 3), Moai offline

A fairly bland human person in modern, but unobstrusive, cowboy-style clothing -hat, duster, boots, sunglasses, moustache- entered the service node through the Employees Only door into a service hallway. He was met by two anime-like fox-people, a very sexy female in front, and a slick male fox-dude behind her. Their demeanor was polite but firm as they blocked John´s path. His Agent easily noticed that the node was on active alert. The female was scrutinizing the cowboy carefully - almost as though she was checking out how hot he was. The boy fox was less obviously, but none the less analyzing his icon, as he spoke.

Fox-Dude: "I'm sorry sir, but we seem to have a glitch in the portal. You know the procedure."

Outside the Los Locos Basement
Saturday 08/16/70 13:13:50

Conall watched his employer walk back to the basement. He simply stood there, on the sidewalk, debating what to do... which actually, when you got down to it, wasn't much. The job was still in the intel gathering portion, meaning that there would be very little for him to do. Sure, he could physically scout places... but that would do very little for them. After all, beside a name, they had drek to go on. The more he thought about it, the less he felt “concerned� with the task at hand. He was honor bound to do his duty, which in this case was to follow Carla's orders, but his feelings concerning the entire case had started to slowly shift. He didn't feel pressed by time anymore. He had felt for Esmeralda, when this had all started. He had felt for an innocent woman in danger. He wanted to save her; to rescue her; to become a hero. But now, after weeks had passed... the young elf knew all too well that the odds werent in their favor anymore. They'd never find her; at least, not alive. Someone had gotten hard on seeing the nun, decided he wanted her for himself, and gotten her as a toy. If she wasn't dead by now, the mental scars would probably never heal.
Conall turned to his sister, giving her something of a sad smile.


“Let's go.� he said, nodding his head towards the bike.


And as much as he didn't want to admit it, the state his sister was in worried him a lot more than the fate of some woman he had never even met. His mind wasn't on the mission anymore.


Handing the gear bag to Etain, he got unto his bike and fired it up. They've go by the flat, drop everything, and head out. Conall couldn't stand the barrio anymore. He couldn't stand the dirt and muck they had to live in, day in, day out. He could feel the city's taint creep in not only into his own mind, but into his sister's. He had to get her out of here. He had to get her out fast, before it was too late.

Marla's, Elven District, Downtown Seattle
Saturday 08/16/70 15:33:50

Sprawled in a rather comfortable plush armchair, Conall watched steam rise from his cup of tea. It wasn't anywhere close to being as good as what they served back home, but it was the best thing he had gotten, ever since setting foot in Seattle. After about an hour of walking around Downtown's Elven District, Etain had dragged him into some artsy coffee shop. The place smelled of wood and coffee beans, and every single availible spots on the walls were covered with painting. Most of them, Conall didn't get. Too artsy, he guessed. Etain kept smelling her cup of coffee, craddling it her hands as if it was the last source of heat in the world. She kept smiling with every breath, which brought a smile to Conall's lips. For a moment, he forgot about everything else. He forgot they couldn't go back home. He forgot they weren't simply on some trip out of the estate. He forgot about the mission. At that very moment, it was just Etain and him, sitting in some trendy coffee shop.

“What?� said Etain, from over he cup.

“Nothing.�

She laughed, sitting back into her own plush chair... which didn't match with his own. Matter of fact, everything was sorta mismatched in the shop.

“This isn't half bad you know� said Etain, nodding toward her cup.

“Yea, I know. I was thinking the same thing.�

He looked out the large window that made the entire front of the store.

“Neither is this place.�

“Well, its not home...�

“I know that brother...�

“But its not half bad...�

She sighed, taking a sip of her coffee again, and pulled her commlink out.

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac/SCB MSP Node, Seattle Local Grid
Saturday 08/16/70 15:15:16
Krait – Mission Moustage
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (proxy), Metalink hidden (Signal 3), Moai offline

The cowboy-icon cast the simulation of an unconcerned look at the fox-dude, whom John assumed to be a security-hacker.

Cowboy: “Of course, we are all just doing our job – no need to feel sorry!�

Even while he spoke this phrase –really just to stale enough time- his Agent effortlessly grabbed the male icon´s Access ID and confirmed it´s identity as a user with security clearance, who was currently analyzing his icon in return.

Sec-Hacker: "Thank you for understanding sir. We'll see you and that big old agent of yours after you exit and repeat the log-on procedure...Per our SOP, of course."

As the fox-dude replied, John cast a look on his female companion, as if appreciating the sculpting of her luxurious curves. Under his SOTA Analyze utility´s scrutiny, she turned out to be a mid-rated Agent running an Analyze routine on him, a Watanabe Electronic Kitsune IC.

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac/SCB MSP Node, Seattle Local Grid
Saturday 08/16/70 15:15:26
Krait – Mission Moustage
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (proxy), Metalink hidden (Signal 3), Moai offline

John arched his bushy, virtual brow as a gesture of concern and took off his hat, as he firmly looked the fox-dude in the eyes. His moustage twitched, as he considered his options, then his lips curled into a sympathetic smile.

Cowboy: “I see your point and you are right, but time is scarce, so I´m going to let you in on something, that I really shouldn´t share! If you would just listen a few seconds ..�

He could tell, that the security hacker was reluctant to hear the stranger out, but he had also made him curious.

Fox-Dude: “You have ten!�

In the world of direct neural interface and simulated senses, that was more than enough. He leaned in on the other icon, to create some sense of privacy and intimacy, that wouldn´t have any actual effect outside of the company employee´s mind.

Cowboy: “I am an undercover matrix operative of the UCAS Marshal Service in persuit of a dangerous criminal. This hacker has used his exceptional abilities to infiltrate several MSP servers and harm many unwitting customers.�

Three seconds gone, seven to go. The facial expression of the animated fox was mixed.

Cowboy: “I have obtained information pointing at this terrorist posing as one of your premium account users in order to infiltrate the SCB network. Now a virtual search warrant in accordance with Grid Overwatch Devision Matrix Protocol Safety Act 108 is about to be signed by a federal judge and sent to your company´s head quarters. As you know these things take time, with all the workload caused by the virtua-cinetic phenomenon ...�

Six seconds - the sec-hacker´s opinion was about to sway in his favour.

Cowboy: “... but I need to take action asap, to track down and apprehend this technomancer before he escapes and causes any more damage!�

Seven and he was in the sack. The hard part was done. Every professional security operative had some basic anti-con training, but it was no match versus the elf´s superior social skills.

Marla's, Elven District, Downtown Seattle
Saturday 08/16/70 15:36:01

It wasn't long before Conall's own commlink was buzzing with a list of 7 forwarded listings for places that had caught Etain's eyes. Sure it wasn't anything like "home," however she wasn't even sure there would ever be a "home" to go back to at this point. Better they establish a new and more comfortable start here in Seattle instead of the pair of them tripping over one another all the time in a ratty barrio apartment near the church.

"I particularly like the one about half-way down the list, but I think we should save it for last."

Truth be told the three bedroom brownstone was just a few blocks from the small café the twins currently sat in, but the listing gave Etain a feeling of hope. Hope. Something she was convinced she wouldn't feel for a long while yet. She wanted to be certain that the place was as perfect as it appeared in the listing, so weeding out the others first made the most sense to her so that when she stepped inside the brownstone, she'd know instantly if it was "the one."

She set her now nearly-empty cup back on its saucer and her amber eyes moved to her brother's face.

"What exactly is the proper protocol for looking at houses anyway? Do we call the realtors, or should we just drive by a few of them first?"

A genuine smile pulled at the corners of her mouth and it reached all the way up to her eyes where the small laugh lines formed at the corners of her eyes. It didn't take Conall long to catch a glimpse of his sister's face and he felt a bit more of the tension he'd been holding dissolve away. He rose to his feet and offered his sister his hand before pulling her up to standing.

"We make it up as we go along Sister."

Jack's Apartment, 10th St., Burien
Sunday 08/17/70 12:15:00

Jack stood up and looked at Frank.

Off in da matrix la la land, he thought. Hope he’s gettin’ some good stuff on dat Kenichi fragger.

He surveyed the hideout with equal parts of nostalgia, disgust and duty.
Nostalgia for his years spent with the Grand St. Grinders
Disgust at the nasty basement now made worse by Paddy’s attempts at dissection
Duty toward Frank who was in theory helpless and oblivious to the meat world around him. Of course, [bJack[/b] didn’t buy that for a minute
Disgust and duty wrestled for a few moments, but then disgust won out. He needed a shower and what passed for a real meal and some real rest before the next leg of the job. For years he had'nt given a second thought to never sleeping in the same place one day to the next. Now he was starting to change. He really wanted to go back to his apartment even though he had lived there less than a week. It was his new home.

“Hey Frank,� he said, “I’m checkin’ outta dis drekhole. Ya know where ta find me if ya need me,� he said, pointing at his comm link.

He gathered up his gear, new and old, including his bloody clothing. He concealed what he had as best he could. He then climbed the stairs, jammed some refuse between the door and the jam to make it slightly harder and louder to open.

Dat aughta slow someone down just enough ta give Frank a fightin’ chance, he thought.

He took a good long look around to make sure he wasn’t being observed leaving the gang hideout. He spotted an ork and a dwarf wearing los locos colors nearby. He pulled up his mapsoft and plotted his way home. He could have called a cab and made his trip home in 10 minutes but then some cabbie would remember giving an ugly ork a ride to a specific location in Burien. By walking home, he was just another down on his luck tusker walking through the barrio and off to some other neighborhood. Beside that, he liked to walk. As he set out the ork followed Jack, but he wasn’t going to worry unless he tried to follow him all the way home.

As much as possible, he stayed to the north of 200th until he came to the residential areas of Normandy Park where he maintained a northwesterly direction. At this point the ork dropped back and returned to the barrio.

At the turn of the century the areas of Burien, Normandy Park and Des Moines had been bedroom communities for airport workers and others that worked in Seattle or Tacoma proper. In this respect they had not changed much. Now they served the same purpose, even if they had taken on more of a corporate feel with gated enclaves and apartment complexes for the suits and wage slaves, replacing single family dwellings. There was still a veritable maze of short curving streets and cul de sacs to confuse the unprepared traveler. With his map Jack navigated all of this with relative ease, while avoiding the major freeways and highways, where a lone pedestrian would have stood out to any passerby. As he walked he checked to see if he was being followed every 5 minutes.

After about half an hour, he turned northeast on Sylvester road and picked up his pace hoping to reach 10th avenue SW before any vehicles passed him. He did. Now he made his way uphill through more residential areas until he reached 160th Street. Turning east he looked downhill to see the busy airport and the train hub at Tukwilla beyond.

He crossed the street and made his way to his apartment. The entire walk had taken about an hour. Once inside the apartment he put down his bags and looked around. Four rooms altogether, kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathroom. It wasn’t much but Mr. J had told him it was his for as long as he could keep up the payments.

“And dat’s what dis is all about,� he said to himself, “keepin’ up da payments, ya know?�
He gave thought to the past two days. What if he had managed to keep his appointment with the bartender? What kind of job would that have been? Would it have paid more, or less? Would he have fallen in with the same sort of decent seeming team? He had to admit that even the Tir nobles weren’t such bad sorts despite Paddy’s arrogance and Etain’s drug addiction.

He shook his head and organized his new equipment and put it away in his footlocker and closet. As he put away his new clothes he shook his head and said, “Magic clothes, who’d a thought?� Then he showered until his hot water ration was expended. He threw on his best hotel bathrobe and flip flops, making sure to drop his light pistol into the pocket, then spent the remainder of the evening considering the ambush and watching trideo. During that time he ate the best meal he could whip up on his low budget.

Promptly at 10:00 p.m. he went to bed with his Ares predator tucked under his pillow. After 8 hours of exhausted, dreamless sleep he awoke refreshed and ready for another day in his new existence. He put on his workout clothing and after 100 each jumping jacks, push ups and sit ups he went for his customary 30 minute run. He hated carrying his light pistol in a fanny pack, but he couldn’t afford a concealable holster for it yet. He showered again and ate breakfast, cold cereal and breakfast bars, washed down with water. Then he split up the remaining hours of the morning watching the Sunday news programs and considering the ambush.

Perhaps I should get in touch with da Slav? He thought. Maybe he’s got some useful info. Na, I’d have ta pay him and who knows if he could keep a secret. Frank’s gonna run it all down. Just wait for da call.

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac/SCB MSP Node, Seattle Local Grid
Saturday 08/16/70 15:17:00
Krait – Mission Moustage
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (proxy), Metalink hidden (Signal 3), Moai offline

When the security Hacker offered to leave his Electronic Kitsune IC companion at John´s disposal, the elf declined, stating that he didn´t want to stretch his resources and also urged him, not to do anything out of the routine, that the target terrorist TM might notice. He thanked the fox-dude and reassured him, that he would restrain his research to the fake user´s account. Content, that the SCB employee would leave him alone, the shadowrunner planted a tap in the node, to intercept, decrypt and record all traffic coming to and from Kenichi´s com through the MSP´s system and started the tracking utility, which had located it´s mark in less than a minute.

While his com started logging the Johnson´s movements, John had his agent look up Kenichi´s customer-files in the MSP´s database, looking for any interesting information, like SIN, full name, physical address, bank account connection-profile, maybe even his backup storage with mailbox, contact info and possibly personal files. It was very possible, that this was a fully anonymous account with maximum privacy, payed for by certified cred, but it didn´t hurt to check. Even if SCB didn´t hold any personal information provided by the user, it was most likely that there would be some kind of connection-profile, for internal use at least, that might help to supplement the tracking by i.e. telling him, what restaurants Kenichi frequented, etc.

TRC Physical Culture School, Week 3, Ulster, Tir Na Nog
Sunday 08/17/68 14:15:00

Pushing once more, Conall felt his arms almost lock up from the effort. His entire body was shaking and he felt like he was on fire. Something was biting at his muscles, making him grunt in pain. Releasing the tension in his elbows, he suddenly felt his body give up on him. His face connected with the dirt ground a lot harder than he had expected... as if he had fallen miles to earth. When he exhaled, his breath blew dirt in his face.

He tried pushing himself back up, but a heavy boot pushed him straight down.

“Are you finished, Cadet O'Neill?�

His face pressed hard into the dirt, Conall grunted. He wanted to roll over and kick the instructor's legs from under him. But his body was beaten out. He just couldn't.

“What? I'm sorry cadet, I can't hear you? You wish to quit?�

Once more Conall tried to put himself back into the push up position, ignoring the instructor's weight on his sore back.

“Sir no sir!� Conall yelled out, as he pushed as hard as he could.

He managed two more push ups until his arms started shaking from under him.

“Are you sure about that Cadet O'Neill? A few miles and you're all shaky! What sort of soldiers do you think we need? You awakened type think you're sooooo special.�

Getting to his level, the instructor screamed in his face. All around him, Conall could feel the other cadets stare at him. He was the only awakened in the group... and one of the few pure bloods. Ever since he had started, the instructors had pushed him twice as hard as anyone. He guessed they were trying to make a point... Either they weren't going to show any favoritism; or they wanted to push him further than everyone else, because they knew he could go further.

“YOU'RE NOT SPECIAL CADET! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?! YOU'RE A PIECE OF SHIT, JUST LIKE EVERY ONE ELSE! NOW PUSH CADET, PUSH!�

Once Conall was finally done, he painfully struggled back unto his two feet. He couldn't wait to take his boots off. Everything told him they were covered with blisters. Nevertheless, he stood at attention as best as he could.

“So Cadet O'Neill, you still think you're such hot shit?�

Conall stood, staring straight headed of him.

“I can't hear you cadet, speak up!�

Conall cleared his throat once.

“Sir Yes Sir!�

Standing at attention, Declan was next to him in formation. Conall didn't see his mate, but he heard him choke a laugh down. The instructor's eyes became two slits. Being an unawakened human probably made his blood boil. The punch the man gave him broke his nose. Conall broke his leg a second after.


The Twin's House, Elven District, Downtown Seattle
Sunday 08/17/70 14:15:00

Conall raised his hand to cover his eyes from the glint of the sun. He couldn't quite feel it's warm, since the greenhouse environment was controlled... but it still felt somewhat reassuring. Pulling himself from the lounge chair he had fallen asleep in, Conall rubbed his nose. His father had quickly paid for the surgery to get it fixed, only a few days after he had broken it at the academy. Thinking back on it, Conall couldn't even remember how many scrapes and scars his father had paid to get removed. They weren't proper marks for a proper gentleman. Unfortunately for the O'Neill patriarch... he couldn't be there to fix up his only son anymore. Conall took a deep breath. Etain had found the very best flat they could've ever hoped for. It wasn't anything like what they had taken for granted, back home, but it was better than nothing. A three story brown stone, with a nice greenhouse garden on the roof, a garage out the back. The bloc looked nice enough, if you were really into old looking stuff, vines, and the odd sighting of a dwarf. But now, they were approaching something close to civilized living. No staff to cater to their every needs though... They'd have to make dues with a Renraku Manservant Drone. At least, it was polite.

The place apparently belonged to an old Danish couple, who were having some sort of midlife crisis. From what he had understood, not that he had been listening really, they owned flats all over the world, and were presently somewhere in Switzerland. And so, they had their place up for lease. A very convenient thing for the twins, since it meant the place came fully furnished. All they had to do was try real hard not to break anything... and they couldn't paint any rooms. Which was all fine by Conall. As long as the exercise room in the basement was his, he didn't care much.

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle
Sunday 08/17/70 21:00:00

The stench of dismemberment had only gotten worse over the past few days.
But this was where Carla's early evening text had instructed everyone to meet up.
They were all there - the impossibly handsome elf twins; their polar opposite the Neandarthalic ork, defying type with his business suit; the ever-capable tech, always full of answers but clearly oozing with secrets.

Conall still could not believe his oath to their lady Johnson had allied him with an ork.
Etain had been planning on trying to score this evening, and that was getting to be all she could think about.
Jack was pleased he'd found a place that would fix up and clean his favorite suit for a minimal charge.
And Krait kept blinking his eyes, trying to see the three metahumans as they were, instead of the persistent images of a wolf, a fox, and a bear - all gray - that kept taking their places.

Right on time, Carla entered the room. At the top of the stairs, the now-familiar shadow of the troll St. Pierre blocked the fading summer twilight.

The nun/doctor/Johnson closed the door.

"I've been talking to my employer. He has information. Kenichi will be leaving town for an indefinite period tomorrow."

To Krait, it was clear the gray parr---the WOMAN---was struggling to maintain a commanding persona, but he could see her continuing to wear around the edges, as she had been from the moment he'd met her.

But on the surface, she looked at the team with an expectant glare, waiting to hear their plan.

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac/SCB MSP Node, Seattle Local Grid
Sunday 08/17/68 21:00:24
Krait – Kenichi-Napping Conspiracy Club
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (proxy), Metalink hidden (Signal 3), Moai offline

While Ms Johnson spoke, John lit a new smoke on the last one and squeezed the old one into the nigh overflowing pocket ash tray. His eyes darted back and forth, seemingly judging the reactions of his teammates, but actually trying in vain to catch a clear glance at the little girl´s figure at the edge of his field of vision. She had been there at least since noon, though the elf had felt watched a long time before that.

While he drew up a movement profile for their target during the last 30 hours, the hacker had searched the matrix for information on any hints linked to it, none stop. Looking up the businesses he passed, collecting pictures of the roads he travelled, compiling profiles on his contacts, etc., etc.. sifting through all of this data, even filtering it and putting it together in a comprehensive structure, was no trivial task though, and non that the one-time exec had completed at this point. In fact it felt like he had lost himself more in the seas of information, then learned anything useful, but at least he would have the data available on his com for a much faster search on specific details later.

As much as the former burn-out liked that information overflow, the hours of sleep-deprivation and anxious concentration where taking their toll.

What did the bird just say? The elf actually had his auto-recording ears make the woman repeat her line, like a parrot, rather than straining his mind, to just remembering what was spoken seconds ago. Focus!

Frank: “Focus ...�

He looked up into the inhuman faces, silent for a moment, before he coughed himself again and spoke to the group of metahumans.

Frank: “If our target is only available in the next hours, we have to focus our efforts on a simple swift plan!�

He hated simple plans!

Frank: “Do we know exact time and means of the targets departure?�

Kenichi never seemed to leave high-security areas, but that at least made his otherwise random routs fairly predictable when passing through south of the elven district. Meaybe they could set up an ambush there.

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle
Sunday 08/17/70 21:00:30

"He and three companions will be on a flight out of Sea-Tac tomorrow evening at 10:00, bound for Havana."

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle
Sunday 08/17/70 21:02:00


Jack punched in the number for the fixer. An annoyed eastern European voice answered.

“I am Slav, who are you?�

“Jack, an old Japanese business associate advised dat if I needed something in Seattle you was da guy to call, ya know?�

“Ah yes, I’ve been waiting to hear from you. Here is deal, I do not like voice calls. I hang up now. You text me request and I answer same way. Understand?�

“I got it.�

The signal went dead. Jack typed in his request:

<<Need 30 rounds heavy pistol stick and shock>>

<<Not problem. 288. At 5 pm meet Billy at Stuffer Shock on Prospect Way in Tacoma.>>

<<I’ll be there.>>

Jack thought, Dat’s lucky, I was headin’ to Tacoma anyway.

He walked to the Burien transfer station and boarded the next bus bound for the Tacoma mall. He carried his suit in a grocery bag, hoping to find somebody who could clean and repair it while he visited the shops.

During the ride he looked for appropriate businesses on his commlink. One caught his eye, Jobanek’s Big and Tall: Dry Cleaning and Tailoring, metahumans a specialty. It was right across the street from the mall.

More dumb luck, Jack thought.

Traffic was good. By 2 pm Jack found himself walking through the doors of Jobanek’s Big and Tall. A wizened ork, with gold colored spectacles stood behind the counter.

“How may I help you sonny?�

“I need some work done on my suit.�

“All right, let’s see it.�

Jack produced the suit from the sack and placed it on the counter.

The old ork gave Jack a knowing glance. “Sonny, that looks like blood to me.�

“Yea, some Humanis goons tried to rough me up last week, ya know?�

“Only too well, sonny, only too well. You don’t get to be my age without a few unpleasant encounters. Looks like this will need a bit of mending. I tell you what, come back around six and I’ll having it looking good as new.�

“How much?� Jack asked.

“Well this is a pretty nice suit, even if it is corporate issued. How about 30?�

Jack appreciated the tailor’s savvy and transferred the funds. “I’ll see ya at six.�

Jack checked his bus schedule and found that he had time for a one hour tour of the mall. It had all of the types of stores one might expect to find in a mall. For Jack this was a scouting expedition, he was already spending far more than he should on this shopping trip. Having made notes on his commlink of the stores he might be interested in visiting in the future, he boarded his bus and made his way to the designated stuffer shack. He purposefully got off three stops farther than he should have, then walked down a side street and doubled back to the Stuffer Shack.

Upon entering he saw a greasy haired young human working the counter.

Billyfor certain, Jack thought.

“You look like a Jack to me,� the teenager declared.

“You might say dat.�

“You look a bit hungry, how about a hot dog?�

“Sure, how much?�

“ 288 sound fair?�

“Dat better be a tasty hot dog.�

“I think you’ll be satisfied sir,� the young clerk said as he started preparing the hot dog. “What would you like on that?�

“You got spicy brown mustard and kraut?�

“I think you know I do sir,� the teenager said, while putting a small package on the counter. He then added the condiments to the hot dog. “That’ll be 288.�

Jack transferred the money, picked up his package and began to eat the hot dog as he left the store. It was indeed a tasty hot dog. Three bites later it was gone.

Already Jack liked Tacoma. The working class nature of the neighborhood meant there were a lot of orks and trolls around.

While riding the bus back to the mall a text came in over Jack’s commlink.

<<Meet at hangout in barrio tonight 2100>>

Once I get my suit back, I’m only gonna have three hours to make it to the meeting, Jack thought.

He arrived at Jobanek’s right on time.

“Well, well, well young man, I think you’ll be quite pleased with the results.�

The old ork held forth a cheap garment bag and unzipped the front so Jack could examine the suit.

“Dat looks good sir, thank you.�

“Wonderful. Please drop in again.�

I’ll be back. Not many places make ork clothes, ya know?�

“Only too well, sonny, only too well.�

With that Jack left the store and caught a bus to Burien. After arriving home, he examined his purchase from the Stuffer Shack then placed it with his other ammo.

He changed into his good-as-new suit and with a spring in his step set off for the meeting. He arrived about five minutes early, but the twins and Frank were already there. The stench of the place was overwhelming. He was sure the gangers would not be happy that their hideout had been turned into an impromptu morgue run by an incompetent medical examiner.

He took his place among the elves. Soon the doctor, followed by St. Pierre, arrived. She seemed worn down. After closing the door she made the following announcement:
"I've been talking to my employer. He has information. Kenichi will be leaving town for an indefinite period tomorrow. He and three companions will be on a flight out of Sea-Tac tomorrow evening at 10:00, bound for Havana."

Jack furrowed his shaggy brows and contemplated a moment.

“Dat’s good news,� he said. “Now we got a where and when. Better yet, airports pretty much only got one way in for the passengers traveling by ground vehicle. All we got to do is pick our spot and set up a ambush along that one way in to the terminal.

I figure Frank could hijack one a them remote controlled taxis and have it block the road. That’ll make Kenichi and his pals have to stop. One a the other elves could have a spirit nearby concealing me and Paddy. Once the car stops, we break cover and shoot out the front windows. Then we stun the passengers, take Kenichi to the new van the doc picked up and hightail it to a prearranged location. At which point the extraction of information will begin.

We’d need to have our van waiting with a view of the turn into the road to the airport and follow Kenichi’s car. Dat way they won’t be able to back out and we’ll have our get away vehicle handy, ya know? Whaddya think?�

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle
Sunday 08/17/70 21:12:00

No sooner had Jack spoken his mind than Frank said, “Don’t forget about Kenichi’s visit to the izakaya. I think we’ll have a much better chance of grabbing him there than on the way to the airport. We don’t even know how he plans to travel to the airport, so we can’t be sure that any ambush we plan will actually succeed.�

Paddy chimed in, “We do know that he’ll be paying a visit to the izakaya and that means he’ll be afoot when he comes out the door. I’d rather not have to stop a vehicle in addition to grabbing a target.�

Jack furrowed his brows, deep in thought. St. Pierre stood by Carla trying not to look too upset about the condition of the hideout. Carla and Etain listened to the discussion with dispassionate interest. Jack could tell that the young elf woman was jonesing for another dose of whatever got her off. Of course, he couldn’t remember what that was to save his life. Just as well since he didn’t really care to know what this beautiful smoothskin needed with drugs anyway.

Bringing his mind back to the actual topic, he agreed with the elves. Then said, “I been on the other end a stuff like this a lot a times, ya know? Here’s what I think we oughtta do. First off, me and Paddy go ta da place tonight separately and scope it out. I kinda want ta know da lay a da land before I start havin’ ta fight on it, ya know. Plus we need ta get a idea a what they got for security, mechanical, electronic, meat and magical. I figure we’re da best ones ta figure dat stuff out, ya know?�

“Meanwhile, Frank can find out as much as he can about da place from da matrix, just basic kinds a stuff, not da secrets of their inner workin’s. He and Carla could also get a head start on setting up a location for da interrogation.�

“I got me some heavy pistol ammo dat I’m willin’ ta share out. Dis stuff should take out dat Kenichi fragger and not kill him, ya know? As for his bodyguards, they’ll have to be taken out with da maximum force available. When I worked for Mr. J, anybody messin’ with him was ta be killed, period. Don’t expect dat dis guys bodyguards will act any different.�

“So if we can all agree ta this, I say we get started now. We can meet here again tomorrow at 0800, ta share info and make final plans.�

Having said his piece, Jack stood back and waited to see what the elves thought of his plan. He was, after all, just a hired gun. In the end he would follow whatever plan they concocted. He just hoped that Paddy’s military training would suggest something reasonable. It then occurred to him that shadowrunning was not a very reasonable occupation.

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac/SCB MSP Node, Seattle Local Grid
Sunday 08/17/68 21:13:00
Krait – Kenichi-Napping Conspiracy Club (ex-lawyers against lethal force)
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (proxy), Metalink hidden (Signal 3), Moai offline

While they started discussing their options, John started sweeping everyone present for bugs - signal-scanner in one hand, non-linear junction detector in the other- without commenting on it. At the same time, he commanded his Agent to search for information relevant to their plans, starting with the location. After the troll St. Pierre had stooped his head in with a crimpy nose, he had offered him a smoke and lit another one for himself. Don´t smoke that much. When the discussion reached the question which of them would stake out the area, the tech dramatically raised an eyebrow in objection. Perceptiveness and blandness basically where his only true talents, besides law and some social competence, at least as far as he would say. Besides he was probably the one best suited to check for technical security measures. Before addressing this point, something more important came across, as the ork mentioned lethal force. The elf shook his head and spoke in a low and calm voice with a bitter and brittle undercurrent, lending his words just a bit more pathos, to address the conscience of their leader, the doctor.

Frank: “Again I must voice my severe objection to lethal force. Moral qualms aside, ...� he sent a well-placed side-glance to the good doctor, “stun-weapons are in my opinion, just as effective against metahumans, if not more for the added effect of shock and disorientation. We will only run into problems, if the targets are equipped with highly illegal and very uncommon pain-editor bio-implants. A man who faces only passing out and losing his job won´t fight as hard as one in fear of his life. The star won´t come down on kidnappers with as much force as on killers, same will be true for most inofficial, local authorities. All this is secondary however, when considering the possibility of another shedim-encounter. I have witnessed two in the course of this investigation and I´m not particularly fond of the thought to open the door for another one!�

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle
Sunday 08/17/70 21:13:30

"Well I ain't well versed in all dis Shedim mumbo jumbo, ya know? Maybe a crash course for da benefit a da dumb ork might be in order." Jack said, pointedly staring at Frank.

"As for da non-lethality, well you pony up some options and I'll gladly use them. It ain't like I'm packin' gel rounds for every weapon I got, ya know? And dis sticky shock ammo ain't cheap or easy ta get. We're lucky I scored as much as I did as fast as I did. And while we're on da subject, da only way I do non-lethal damage when fightin' hand ta hand is with a weapon, like my baton. If I connect with my arms or legs you're in for some serious hurt."

Looking at Carla, he said, "In da end it's your show doc. You tell me what ta do and I'll do my best by you."

Temporary base of operations, The Barrio, Seattle
Sunday 08/17/70 21:13:45

The young human woman turned to Jack. "The points Frank makes seem quite valid and practical. I don't claim to be conversant with the relative effectiveness of lethal versus non-lethal force, but the point about the shedim cannot be overlooked. While possession is a rare occurrence in general, our incidence of the dead rising has been one hundred percent since we began this affair. And I can't imagine anything more likely to disrupt our plans. I would strongly recommend taking Frank's advice, though of course if your life is in danger and there is no other way..."

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac/SCB MSP Node, Seattle Local Grid
Sunday 08/17/68 21:14:00
Krait – Kenichi-Napping Conspiracy Club
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (proxy), Metalink hidden (Signal 3), Moai offline

Krait: “Our patron provided us with a small stash of 9 mm gel-ammo and pepperpunch-capsules, as well as a hand full of either in 6 mm. I also have a taser on top of that. For close combat, as I recall, everybody´s equipped with shock-gloves. I case things get ugly and we have to evict some of these damn corps-squatters, I´d be happy to handle your shotgun, as I´m actually not very good with anything but longarms.�

While he replied, the techno-fairy checked his Seattle-Emergency-Services Map-Soft and supplemented it with the data his Agent collected, as it came in.

Krait: “So if everything goes smooth –which it won´t– I´d suggest the following scenario, any deviations, we´d have to compensate for on the fly. We wait till the target get´s into the bar.� He pointed fingers at the elven combat mage, “Bike in sight of the entrance, play with your com to act busy, you can use the camera neutralizer or keep your helmet on.� Then the ork and the female elf, “back of the van,� the doctor, “driver,� and finally himself, “co-pilot.�

He gave everyone a second to voice any complaints, while he took another drag from his cigarette.

Krait: “After they went in, we block their parked vehicle with our van, I´ll get out and act as if I´m fixing something at the engine. Very simple, very suspicious, but so is any other approach. Once they get out, some roaring bike-engin and a flipped finger could maybe provide some distraction. Could as well start a smoke, to give the impression, that you are not about to move very soon. One of the bodyguards will check me out and try to get rid of the obstacle and I´ll try my best to down him. Same time, the back of the van opens and the biker starts moving to go for the second guard and the grab. I will help out as good as I can, but try to stay out of the brawling to deal with the matrix side. The ladies are there for back-up and support. Easy, simple, sure to fail – we will have to patch the holes as they appear, I fear. As for the scouting, I suggest I will also have a look to check out the technical stuff. The ladies can find and prepair a nice home-away-from-home for our party – maybe put some warding in place.�

The compulsive planner was not at all happy with this, but it was the best thing that came together on the fly and they still had some time to improve it. A con with him impersonating the dead latino would have been nice, but he wouldn´t take the very high risk, that their target had learned of his Hispanic assassin´s untimely departure.

Temporary base of operations, The Barrio, Seattle
Sunday 08/17/70 21:14:45


Jack furrowed his brows in thought then replied to both Carla and Frank. "100 percent, isn't dat kinda high? What these shedim things got against you anyway? Frag, if dat's da case then I'll roll light, but I'm bringin' back up just in case, ya know?"

"Thanks for da reminder about da shock gloves Frank. I plum forgot I had them. So much new stuff ain't easy for me ta keep track of, ya know? I ain't too sure about being stuck in da back a da van. Maybe I should be da one checking out da engine, you can be sure nothin' will get fixed dat way. And when da guard asks me what's wrong, you can be sure my answer won't make no more sense then a clerk working a triple shift at a Stuffer Shack. Also dat gives me more mobility and options for da fight, ya know?"

"As for my shotgun, I'll bring it along for da ride. Ya got your choice between solid slug or shot. I'd choose da solid slug, unless ya know for sure you're taking on a soft target. If dat pepper punch is shotgun ammo, feel free ta use dat instead. I know I would."

Temporary base of operations, The Barrio, Seattle
Sunday 08/17/70 21:14:47

Some of the others had been interested to hear their leader's reply to Jack's blunt query as to the shedims' interest in her. Those watching saw clearly her relief when the ork immediately moved on to a different topic. It was clear she wasn't going to move to revive the issue.

Near izakaya, Seattle, International Destrict/SCB MSP Node, Seattle Local Grid
Sunday 08/17/68 23:32:00
Krait – izakaya-investigation
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (proxy), Metalink hidden (Signal 3), Moai offline

After they had agreed what to do and where to meet, John left the barrio. Taking extra care to to lose any tails and making an intermediate stop at a restaurant´s rest room, to scann for bugs, he made his way to his hotel-apartment. He did not perceive any shadows, but had the distinct feeling, that someone or something was following his every step. Once in his personal hide-out, the elven face changed his looks and outfit as good as he could to cover his features and bland into the tourist crowd. With this week´s favourite androgynous style and his face and hands covered by twinkling, star-shaped shades, surgical mask with kissing red lips mouth and examining gloves with glued on plastic diamonds, he headed out to the international district. He packed no armor or arms except the taser, but the camera-neutralizer worn around his collar would ensure additional privacy.

On the ride he screened the latest data-search results and started checking out the target-area from the tech-side. The virtual storefronts where covered in creamy jade and decorated with the typical animated statues so common in this part of the matrix. There was a lot of data traffic. The bar´s node boasted a high rating firewall and three active databombs to discourage tempering.

John easily blended into the crowd, as he scouted the area around the bar. He wasn´t sure whether the bouncers noticed his interest in the place, but felt quiet secure, that they wouldn´t perceive him as out of place in general and would probably discount him as an interested potential customer. The area was well kept up if a bit old and dingy, All first floors in this neighborhood were commercial space - mostly restaurants and drinking places, with some other entertainments, and some Asian specialty shops. Above street level there was a mix of residential and office space. 2070's International District was almost all Japanese, with a smattering of Filipinos and, on the fringes, some Southeast Asian ethnic groups. The Japanese were a good mix of the service providers, residents, and other Japanese that came here for a taste of home. There was also no shortage at all of non-Asian shoppers and diners. It was a fairly bustling place. Occasionally he would see obvious Yakuza, though not sporting swords, and expensive -though not always tasteful- cloths. Street crime in the area was reportedly unknown, that was because the Yaks control the streets for the entire district - though more by threat than by actual feet on the street, Any other criminal denizens of the place would be people on good terms with the yaks. They themselves had actually been known to do business in this bar. No Lone Star presence except what were presumably traffic drones and Lone Star would respond reluctant, and might even check with a yak official first!

The place set mid-block, occupying what appeared to be the first two floors and basement of a blocky 4-storey building dating back to maybe the 1940s, like much of the neighborhood. Buildings to either side were flush with it, so no side alleys. There was a back alley, however, running the width of the target block, with a metal door easily big enough for a troll or a medium-sized crate -keypad and thumbscanner maglock- leading into the back of the bar. Hanging from the front eaves of the place was a row of long narrow tapestries, each sporting a Japanese letter. They fully obscured the front facing, although people could easily brush past them to get to the sliding front door, - there was probably a roll-down grate installed above it. Off to the side in front there was a stairway leading down to a basement entry, human-sized, no external lock visible. In mid-block directly across from the place is a small ten cramped spaces pay parking area, completely enclosed by surrounding buildings, which was enclosed by an automatic bar and covered by metal-cased cameras. There was a concealed wifi micro-camera, mid-level firewall, on the wall across the street that seemed to be focused at the front, and the same set-up in the back alley. There was a big sumo-looking guy that stood on the street 's in traditional Japanese service person garb -tabi, leggings, tunic- with a cheesy grin and ingratiating attitude bowing obsequiously to everyone and shouting out things at passersby in Japanese. Anyone approaching got the tapestry pulled aside and the door opened with a gusty Japanese greeting, echoed by a chorus of same from inside. This guy was clearly packing but the little guy, who did not appear to be armed, which occasionally came out and chatted with the big guy, looked more dangerous. Both carried mid-level comlinks. The izakaya´s clientele appeared to be mostly Japanese sararimen, sometimes accompanied by non-Japanese that appeared to be co-workers. But occasionally John saw people go in that didn't look like sararimen, though all were dressed unobtrusively and acted subdued.

John tried to get a good grasp of escape-routs from the target area, both for feet and wheels, two as well as four. He also tried to gather information about any violent incidents in the area the old fashioned way, but people that talked to him didn't know much. People that look like they knew more made friendly chat but revealed nothing of use. He had found no official media record of violence in or around the club either, but then it was very clear that the Yakuza imposed a news blackout on that sort of thing. On non-media boards he could find talk of various beatings and minor mob dust-ups around the neighborhood, but nothing about the izakaya itself.

Seattle International District, sidewalk in front of izakaya
Sunday, 8/17/70, 23:50:00


Conversation between the team continued until it was decided that Jack, Frank, and Paddy would separately visit the izakaya and reconnoiter to the best of their abilities. The next morning at 0800 sharp the team would reassemble at the gang hideout to formulate a final plan for extracting Kenichi and then extracting the needed information to affect the rescue of
the nun.

Jack was pleased with the progress the team was making on the mission. He returned to his apartment, via bus, and got to work making himself ready for the scouting expedition.

Might as well get used to this rolling light drek, he thought. He pulled out his Hammerli 620s, his Ares Predator IV and his ammo box and took them to the living room. He replaced the regular rounds in all of his Hammerli clips with gel rounds. Then he replaced the regular rounds in one of his Predator clips with stick and shock. He let out a heavy sigh as he jammed clips into each of the pistols.

He took another clip for his Predator from the box, this one with a red dot, denoting explosive ammo. “I ain’t gettin’ caught short if the drek hits the fan like back on Thursday night. Frag dat.” he muttered to himself. “Frank can kiss my hairy ork butt if he don’t like it.”

He changed out of his suit and into his new “magic clothes,” placing the Predator in his pants, in the small of his back. Then he donned his armored jacket, placing the Hammerli in the right hand pocket, and spreading the clips in various other pockets. He looked himself over in the bathroom mirror. Frag, he thought, even a rookie cop can see I’m packin’, although in truth, Jack’s perception skills were good enough spot most concealed weapons and his estimation of the average rookie cop was vastly overrated.

He took a deep breath and stepped out into the night. He walked to the transit station. The next light rail train departed for downtown in 20 minutes. Jack sat down and pulled up a news cast on his commlink. After enduring 18 minutes of excruciatingly boring local news, the train arrived. He boarded the last car and took a seat close to the emergency exit. The other passengers didn’t pay him much attention. Good, he thought, just another dumb ork on da train. Dat’s how I like it.

He settled in for the ride, which was about half the time of his wait at the station. He got off near the sports arenas and walked briskly to the so called International District. More like Japantown, he thought. Ain’t nothin’ international ‘bout dis place at all.

As he approached the izakaya, he monitored the traffic on his commlink. The place offered the standard Japanese fare, lots of fish and rice bowls. Sushi and sake could be obtained here, but the customer better have a fat credstick. There was plenty of gaijin alcohol to be had and a small selection of gaijin food, again the customer better have a fat credstick. No ork cuisine here, he thought. He flipped the commlink to team mode and began to really look the place over.

He immediately noticed that with the exception of traffic drones, there was no Lone Star presence in the area. Who needs da Star when ya got da Yak, he thought.

The parking lot was small, only 12 spaces, and enclosed on three sides by buildings, forming a sort of courtyard. There were shadows formed by the izakaya and the other buildings. The vehicles parked in the lot would affect where the shadows might actually be darkest but Jack had a good idea where to go to get the most out of the dark.

The big man at the front door wore traditional Japanese servant’s garments. He was loud and boisterous and probably packing. As customers entered he drew a curtain back for them. Boisterous sounds issued forth from the izakaya, echoing those of the big man at the door. A small well dressed man made infrequent visits to the front door and conferred with the big barker. Jack marked him as probably a more serious threat than the big man. He didn’t quite know why, but he knew to trust his instincts.

Looking across the street, he spotted a camera trained on the front door. He also marked the windows that he would use as a sniper to cover the front door and parking lot. He turned around and noticed the stairs down to some sort of basement. More places for trouble, he thought.

He strode on and went round the block to walk down the alley. He saw one unmarked freight door in the back, also monitored by a camera. He continued on and returned to the front of the building. He gave the entrance one more look then turned back toward the sports arenas.

Bet I didn’t even see half a what I should have, he thought.

Seattle International District, sidewalk in front of izakaya
Sunday, 8/17/70, 23:50:10

One thing Jack did see was the pair of Japanese men that appeared in his path on the sidewalk. They looked like they were in their 30s, but the ork knew they were probably older. Japanese aged well.

They wore good suits, conservative except for the shades of their silk shirts and the tastefully gaudy patterns on their ties. Subdued bling. And the hilts of wakizashi not very well hidden under their jackets.

Whatever their blood, their voices said they were born and raised in North America.

"Good evening, sir. We represent the neighborhood committee. Can we be of assistance?"

Seattle International District, sidewalk in front of izakaya
Sunday, 8/17/70, 23:50:15

Jack stopped, relaxed and scratched his head.

"Yeah, I'm new ta dis 'plex, ya know? Maybe ya could point out da way ta da nearest light rail station with southbound trains. I'd kinda like ta get home before it gets much later, ya know?"

Two in front a me, Jack thought. How many more waitin' in da shadows? Frag, dis justs get better and better.

Seattle International District, sidewalk in front of izakaya
Sunday, 8/17/70, 23:50:19

The Japanese man smiled generously. "We can do better than give you directions, my friend. Please let us offer you a ride to the station."

Jack heard an expensive-sounding engine pull up into his blind spot.

Seattle International District, sidewalk in front of izakaya
Sunday, 8/17/70, 23:50:21


Jack glanced left at the sedan, then looked at the wakizashi toting Yak hoods.

"Dat's real nice my little nisei friends but my moms always told me ta never take rides from Japanese strangers."

He then turned and ran north up the street as fast as he could.

Seattle International District, sidewalk in front of izakaya
Sunday, 8/17/70, 23:50:22

The lead yakuza cursed - it started as a mutter but quickly escalated to a guttural roar - "Ba-ka yarooooOOOOOO!!!"

As he jetted by the car, Jack noticed that it was filled with what a lot of pros he'd known referred to as yak-juniors, baby ninja, or yaka-gotchies - young guys with heads sloppily shaved, pathetic attempts at facial hair, and loose white cotton track suits. The shiny sedan tried to follow him in reverse, but it was no good in the traffic, and soon the driver gave up ground to invest in a u-turn.

Seattle International District, several blocks northwest of izakaya
Sunday, 8/17/70, 23:50:52

Seeing the kiddies in the sedan Jack poured on the speed as he heard the cursing of the lead Nisei. He purposefully did not cross the street to avoid the heavy traffic.

Jack did not bother to look back until he reached the corner. At that point he saw the sedan caught up in traffic and executing a sloppy u-turn. That cost the junior crew some precious moments that he used to his advantage by passing through some parked cars and making for a distant alley.

The narrow alley was filled with dumpsters. Jack weaved through them like soldier on an obstacle course. At the end of the alley, he glanced back to see the baby Yaks pouring out of the sedan. They ran after Jack like urban sprawl players on a slow motion replay.

Jack had two thoughts, you'd think dat people wearin' track suits could run a little faster. Glad dey wasn't ridin' bikes, I woulda never gotten away.

He continued sprinting for three more blocks, turning at each corner. He saw that the baby Yaks were nowhere in sight so he slowed to a jog taking another corner. He spotted a working class bar and stepped inside.

Jack's Apartment, Burien
Monday, 8/18/70, 02:00:00

After a quick glance to make sure he had really lost the baby yaks, Jack slipped into the bar. I reeked of cigarette smoke and other odors less savory. He spotted a back exit, but made his way to the bar, which surprisingly was empty, since all of the patrons were seated at tables or booths.

With raised eyebrows the bartender asked, "What can I get for you pal?"

"I'd like a virgin bloody mary with extra tabasco sauce, ya know?"

Moments later Jack was tossing back a fairly expensive, spicey V-8

"Dat hit da spot," Jack said, as he paid for the drink.

He then ambled to the back exit and stepped back into the night. He pulled up his mapsoft and found the nearest bus stop. Luck was on his side, his pursuers were nowhere to be seen and he was right on time to catch a bus connecting the the southbound light rail.

Once he was back at his apartment, he put his extra clips and Ares Predator away, then slept in his clothes with his Hammerli under the pillow.

0800 meetin'. Dat's gonna be mighty early after dis night. he thought.

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac/SCB MSP Node, Seattle Local Grid
Monday 08/18/68 08:00:54
Krait – Kenichi-Napping Conspiracy Club
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (proxy), Metalink hidden (Signal 3), Moai offline

Once the japs tried to corner Jack, things went down pretty fast. Before John could move much closer, the ork sprinted away with tremendous speed and the conspicuous car started an ill-fated attempt to catch up with him, which was quickly ended, with the vehicle jammed in traffic regurgitating a group of young, asian men -shaved to stubble heads, lots of gold chains, and white cotton track suits, plenty of small blades and pistols- that couldn´t hope to catch up with the athletic metahuman on foot, either. After a few seconds, the ex-bodyguard was around a corner and out of sight. The elf apparently fell into the same mix of fear and fascination, as the majority of the pedestrians around, while he took careful note of the yakuzas reaction to this intrusion on their turf.

He also prepared to send helpful information his team-mates way, but his quick escape left little to do for him. So he used the time, to scan the junior yak´s car and comlinks. The young guys' comms were all in hidden mode, but still easy to find without much trouble. They all had pretty low ratings, but lots of expensive bells and whistles - low on security but very high on flash - lots of dick-waving and chica-scoring garbage ready to go on their PANs for when they were "off duty."

John also analyzed the local grid-guide node, which as usual had only a mid-level OS. No databombs, and they couldn't afford to police it with a monster firewall - just enough to keep kids out. They kept it safe through massive redundancy of monitoring systems, so that any problems could immediately come to the attention of admins with serious mechanical override powers. A serious hacker could pretty much have his way with it for quite a few seconds. But then, if they caught one, the ex-lawyer knew pretty well, that they would fine them for the estimated cost in productivity of stopping all those vehicles and workers - which adds up quick! In the court, John could easily deflect these problems, but the amount of attention messing with the Guide would bring down on them, meant it was only an emergency option.

For several minutes, more troops arrived in the area - a lot of milling about and cursing, talking on comms, guys being waved off in this direction or that - they were clearly organized, but definitely not with any sort of practiced precision. Search of the neighborhood took several minutes to really get underway, and it didn't calm down until an hour or so later when everyone's adrenaline had dissipates.

At that point, the elven technician left the scene. Spotting no tails or tracing devices, he relocated to a nice coffin-club, to retire to full vr and probe a junior yak´s com, to secretly gain admin-access. In the morning, he made his way to the meeting-place, again looking out for tails and trackers and changing his outfit back to a more conventional look. It was almost on time, when he descended into the stanching basement and cast around a tired gaze, scanners ready in hand, to sweep his co-workers for tracing and listening devices.

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac
Monday 08/18/68 08:01:00

Jack was up at 0:6:30 to shower. He then dressed in his suit, packed his Hammerli, and walked a reverse of the path he used when he first returned home from the gang hideout.

He kept a sharp lookout for tails and other suspicious activity. He saw none until he entered gang territory, where an ork sporting gang colors started following him.

Dat's fine, he thought to himself. Anybody messes with me will probably have some gang trouble as well

He continued on his way. When he opened the door to the hideout the smell hit him instantly. After stepping back and taking a deep breath of the cleaner air outside, he descended the steps. Nobody was there but Frank.

"Morning, Frank, where is everybody?"

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac/SCB MSP Node, Seattle Local Grid
Monday 08/18/68 08:01:30
Krait – Kenichi-Napping Conspiracy Club
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (proxy), Metalink hidden (Signal 3), Moai offline

As soon as John noticed the approach of his robustus team mate, the technician started searching for tracking and listening devices with his various senses and sensors. Once the ork stepped in, the elf silently nodded his head to the greeting and shrugged his shoulders to the question, then subjected the massive meta-human to a close-up survey. Once done with his paranoid routine, the ex-lawyer spoke up to the former bodyguard.

Frank: “Let´s wait for a few minutes before dialing up their numbers. You mind ...”

He fumbled a filterless, ukranian ciggarrette out of his box, nicking it twice before putting into his mouth and lighting it.

Frank: "Something to cover the smell! You smoke?"

The face shook a another ciggarrette ut of the box, a filtered cas bland, and offered it to Jack

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac
Monday 08/18/68 08:01:40

Jack almost objected to Frank's paranoid scrutiny but decided that the elf geek had more than enough cause to be concerned regarding his teamates.

"Hey, I don't do drugs, ya know? Cigarettes slow ya down. I can't afford ta be slow." Jack said. "But thanks anyway."

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac/SCB MSP Node, Seattle Local Grid
Monday 08/18/68 08:01:55
Krait – Kenichi-Napping Conspiracy Club
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (proxy), Metalink hidden (Signal 3), Moai offline

The tech-elf nodded, as if bopping his head to an electronic rhythm nobody else could hear, then took a drag from his ukranian coffin nail and flashed the ork a broad smile.

Frank: “And slow you are not! In deed, you left those baby ninjas sucking dust, last night. However they have seen your face, so we can´t use you as planed outside of the car, unless we change your appearance in a drastic way!”

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac
Monday 08/18/68 08:02:00

"So you was there?" Jack asked, in a tone that was more statement than question.

"Dat's good. You probably got a idea of there response time and stuff like dat. Dat will be useful for tonight. I hope they fight as bad as they run." He continued, chuckling.

"You're right. I'm gonna have to stay in da van til da action really starts. What did you think of that little guy dat kept comin' out to talk to da bouncer? I got da feelin' dat he's a bad ass."

"I figure me and Paddy can wipe da asphalt with da rest a dat crew, even da actual Yaks."

"Maybe in da future I should get a disguise kit for this kinda mission. Course it ain't easy disguisin' dis much ugliness," Jack said laughing.

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac/SCB MSP Node, Seattle Local Grid
Monday 08/18/68 08:07:00
Krait – Kenichi-Napping Conspiracy Club
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (proxy), Metalink hidden (Signal 3), Moai offline

Frank: “Well I have some nanopaste disguise, but it´s 500 a shot and not easy to find, so I´d rather keep it for the nun´s extraction. So should just obscure our features and go with the original plan, only that I take the hood-job, while you stay in the back. ...”

For a few minutes he discussed his observations with the ex-bodyguard and integrated the orks remarks into a short summary of the areas relevant properties. At some point, his impatience got the better of him, though.

Frank: “... Let´s check, whether the others found a venue for our surprise-party.”

John made a point to stay silent, as he called the other teammembers, since he was actually annoyed about their untimelieness. After ringing twice, Paddy rejected the call, the two females did not do as much. That made the sript-hacker think about an alternate plan without their help.

Frank: “What in case the others don´t show up till tonight? Do we drop the job or shall we try the grab on our own – if we don´t get our target tonight, it will be out of reach. I can take the wheel, you stay in the back, but if Paddy dosn´t turn up, we´d at least have to hire some extra muscle.”

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac
Monday 08/18/70 08:09:00

"Well Frank, like I said we don't need ta waste your disguise stuff on me. I'll just hang in da back a da van til ya need me to pop out and start kickin' butt in a kinder, gentler way, ya know?"

Jack looked at the time on his commlink then at the hideout. He and Frank were still the only ones there. He could tell Frank was silently contacting their teammates and that he wasn't getting any response.

“What in case the others don´t show up till tonight? Do we drop the job or shall we try the grab on our own – if we don´t get our target tonight, it will be out of reach. I can take the wheel, you stay in the back, but if Paddy dosn´t turn up, we´d at least have to hire some extra muscle,” Frank said.

"I don't know about going on without support. I mean ain't da doctor lady da Johnson? Ain't we supposed to be finding this nun for her? Ain't she da one who's gonna pay us? I mean if she and da twins ain't gonna be here how can we know they're gonna be at da job, ya know? Frag, if she don't show by nine I say we walk. I got enough money for little stuff, but I don't see dat we should have ta hire da muscle for this job. C'mon dis ain't professional. I'm only in dis for rent money, ya know? Why should we get ourselves shot up or worse when our team ain't with us?" Jack said.

"I think we work pretty good together. If dis all goes in da drekker, maybe we should strike out together. I bet we could find other employers for our talents. Employers that don't take part in da run and leave the talent hanging at a big planning meeting. Frag, you saw what happened last night. I don't wanna sound cocky but I'm sure I coulda taken da kiddie yaks but no way could I do dat and handle da reinforcements, ya know?"

"Whaddaya say Frank?"

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac
Monday 08/18/70 08:09:45

Speak of the Devil.
Just as Jack finished speaking, the figure of their supposed employer, a pale young woman in very modest attire, appeared in the doorway.

"I do apologize for my absence, gentlemen. I have, unfortunately, been busy with another member of our little group. It seems that Ayrin's Bliss issue, a concern for some time, has come to a head. Though she has proven a huge asset until now, it seems impossible that she will be of further use in the foreseeable future. Her brother, however, is more reliable. He has been attending to her needs, but I can assure you he will be available for the upcoming action. I, also, will help in any way I can, though the local gang will not. They are an identifiable organization, and going up against the yakuza would mean certain doom for this neighborhood."

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac
Monday 08/18/70 08:11:15

"Be patient my Robustus compatriot," Frank began. "I am copying a file with our basic plan to your commlink. Please share it with the rest of the team when they arrive. I must now depart to attend to some crucial preparations before we begin our job tonight." With that Frank turned to leave.

Just then, Carla descended the stairs.

"Hey Doc, glad you're here," Jack said, with a big toothy smile. "I was starting ta wonder if dis job was really gonna keep goin', ya know?"

"I do apologize for my absence, gentlemen. I have, unfortunately, been busy with another member of our little group. It seems that Ayrin's Bliss issue, a concern for some time, has come to a head. Though she has proven a huge asset until now, it seems impossible that she will be of further use in the foreseeable future. Her brother, however, is more reliable. He has been attending to her needs, but I can assure you he will be available for the upcoming action. I, also, will help in any way I can, though the local gang will not. They are an identifiable organization, and going up against the yakuza would mean certain doom for this neighborhood," Carla said.

"Ayrin's situation is unfortunate, however if we are to complete the mission we must capture our target tonight," Frank stated. "Toward that end, I am now departing to put a few preparations in place. I have left a copy of the plan for tonight with Mr. Robustus and he can fill you in."

With that, Frank departed the hideout, to perform tasks known only to him, but certainly to be of benefit to the team later. Jack was relieved that he would not have to wait alone in the hideout. Since he fell in with his new companions he had been subjected to too much boredom and too many creepy things.

"Well Doc, I can't wait ta see dis plan. We found out a lot a important stuff last night. Two mages is better dan one, but we'll still do fine tonight without Paddy's sister."

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac
Monday 08/18/70 08:11:30

"Yes...we'll do fine."
Alone in the room with the ork, the woman glanced around the room for somewhere to go, or sit, or look. But with only a toilet and the stairs out, she reluctantly sat down and looked at Jack. He instantly sensed that her hesitance was not about him, but a simple aversion to personal communication beyond business.
"Less than a month and I've...we've 'done fine' over and over. All those chances at death or worse, eventually the odds have to run out. How long did you say you've been in this business?"
Her face was calm, but her eyes were desperate for something.

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac
Monday 08/18/70 08:11:50

"Well," Jack began, "dis here is my first official shadowrun. But I did corp bodyguard work for a Johnson for somethin' like three years. Traveled all over da world on dat job. Before dat I was a member of a street gang, in Oakland, maybe kinda like Los Lobos here. So I've seen my fair share a action but not this way around, ya know?"

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac
Monday 08/18/70 08:11:59

"Three years," she repeated, almost inaudibly. "Sorry. I am just tired. Why did you leave off bodyguarding?"

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac
Monday 08/18/70 08:12:15

Jack scowled. He didn't really like thinking about why he was shadowrunning.

"I'll put it dis way, Mr. J, got sent on an assignment dat I couldn't follow him on. So before he left, he set me up here as best he could."

Temporary base of operation, The Barrio, Seattle, Sea-Tac
Monday 08/18/70 08:12:22

Carla could see from the ork's face that being left behind had been hard for him. Did that mean he was a particularly loyal bodyguard...or just particularly loyal to that specific protectee. She hoped it was the former - with each passing day her sense of her own mortality had grown sharper.

"I guess my story is similar. But it wasn't that I couldn't follow someone. More that...they could not follow me. And though I was sent here for refuge, I am not sure things aren't now more precarious than when they started. In fact, they are certainly more so."

The Twin's House, Elven District, Downtown Seattle
Sunday 08/17/70 20:37:44

Turning the engine off, Conall immediately knew that something was wrong. The alley the garage spilled into gave a rather poor view of the brownstone, but it hadn't been difficult to spot the fact that it looked like every single light in the house was on. What Conall hadn't counted on was the fact that, even with the car's doors closed and the windows up… he could feel the bass from the music. When he stepped out of the car, he could hear some of the words through the door. When he walked… well, it was more like creeping, up the stairs he could make out the lyrics. He knew the kind of music this was. He had never been to any of the trendy rave parties back in the Tir, but he was well aware of the kind of trippy music they played.

In the hallway, he walked by a few scrawny kids in baggy clothes, red plastic cups in the hands, and girlish makeup on their faces. They didn't even look at him as he pushed one out of the way. The kitchen counter was littered with beer bottles, kegs and half empty bottles of cheap sythnalcohol. Two pimply kids were making out like it was the end of the world, while another one, without his shirt, was rummaging through the freshly stocked fridge.

Conall knew very well he should have been furious. Furious at his sister for inviting strangers into their home. Furious at how mere humans were lounging around his house like they owned it. But he wasn't. At least, not yet. For the moment, he was actually too surprised to feel anything. In between two songs, blasting from the living room, the young elf could clearly hear people laughing like hyenas. He had to find Etain. He had to find her now. Odds are, a girl like her would no doubt be the center of attention. She always was.

Like he expected, he found her lounging in the living room, sprawled out on a couch. What he didn't expect was the fact she had her head in the lap of some goth looking purple hair human girl… who was lovingly running her hand into her hair… as she reached down to kiss her.

Conall wanted to scream out, but over the music, it would have been impossible. Shoving his way through a few more kids, who probably yelled out some words of protest, he made his way to the couch in a few step. The girl must have felt something because she looked up just as Conall loomed over her. For a second, she smiled at him. But, in a single blink of recognition, the smile was gone and her eyes went wide. Her hand immediately went out of Etain hair. Conall's twin, on the other hand, kept her eyes half closed, a drugged up smile glazed to her lips. Tuesday would have probably gotten up by herself if Conall hadn't grabbed a handful of her hair. The music kept blaring away, pounding inside his head and pushing against his body. Her voice muffled, he only knew she was screaming by the shape of her mouth. In a split second, she was down on the carpet, he face smashing once against the carpet.

Conall knelt to his sister's side, extending a shaky to brush her cheek. He felt his throat tighten. He felt his mouth go dry. When he touched her, when he whispered her name, she merely grunted and turned away from him. Whatever she was on… she had no idea he was there. Now Conall felt it. The anger. The wrath inside him. The feelings that had ran amok inside him the night he had killed for the first time.

His hand balled into a fist. The hair on the back of his neck rose up. Spinning around, Conall caught the boy's hand. By the look of surprise on his face, his intentions had probably not been to assault Conall. Odds are, he was just a split second away from touching his shoulder. Odds are, he wanted to talk about something. But he never got a word out. His hand was violently twisted away from his wrist, the wrist bone snapping like a twig. Conall's rage took over him. Something bestial sprung to the surface of his being, throwing all self restraint out the door. The group of partygooers that had been dancing in the living room fanned away from the scene, staring in horror as they became aware of the scene. Two of the most enterprising boys, or probably two of the drunkest, decided to intervene. Clumsily, the first one came at him swinging his fists like he was swimming through molasses. Catching both his arms, Conall gave him a swift butt of his forehead into his nose, sending him down and out before he even knew it. The second one probably realised his mistake and doubled back. Conall would have let him go. He wasn't a threat anymore. He wasn't an enemy. But it wasn't Conall standing in the living room, smashing his way throught Etain's friends. It was something else completely. Roaring like a beast, Conall jumped on the boy's back, pinning him to the floor, and wrapping both of his hands around his throat.

He squeezed and squeezed. He squeezed until the kid started to burry his nails into his wrists. He squeezed until the kid started to turn purple. He squeezed until he saw the life starting to flicker out of his eyes. And he stopped.

Looking up, Conall realized he was now alone. All four kids were passed out on the floor… either from the pain, the lack of oxygen to their brains or a serious concussion.

Slowly, Conall stood back up, staring at his hands. Blood from the tiny cuts around his wrist were spilling blood into his palms. They started shaking. His entire body started to quiver and jerk.

"What am I…"

The next song started.

The Twin's House, Elven District, Downtown Seattle
Sunday 08/17/70 23:11:24

A few hours later, Etain was deep asleep, tucked under the covers. Conall was standing a few feet away from the bed, watching Carla's back as she finished packing her small doctor's bag.

She spoke over her shoulder.

"Unfortunately, there isn't much I can do, Paddy. Your sister has an incredibly high dose of opiate running in her veins..."

Carla snapped her bag shut. This time around, she turned and looked at him.

"She'll sleep until tomorrow. The crash from the drugs will be tremendous, so you might want to be there when she wakes up."

Carla blinked a few times, her eyes suddenly avoiding Connal's.

"I… I'll come back tomorrow morning to see how she's doing."

As she walked passed by him, Conall caught her arm. She froze on the spot, her eyes darting up toward him.

"Thank you mam'. If there's anything you ever need... I am, again, in your debt."

He held her for a moment too long, only letting her go when he realized how uncomfortable she was getting. She pulled her arms tightly around herself.

"That's kind of you Paddy" she said politely, and excused herself.

He pulled a chair next to his sister's bed.

How was it that things always turned for the worst when life seemed to be getting a bit brighter?

Ohio Ave S & Diagonal Ave S, near International District, Seattle, Sea-Tac/SCB MSP Node, Seattle Local Grid
Monday 08/18/68 19:13:00
Krait – Kenichi-Napping Conspiracy Club
PAN Icon offline, Custom hidden (proxy), Metalink hidden (Signal 3), Moai offline

Leaving his teammates and the Bario behind, the elven Hacker went to some cozy and safe coffin club in his usual paranoid manner, to probe for an emergency admin backdoor to the Izakaya´s local Grid Guide Node. He spent about 7 hours to prepare the exploit that he didn´t really want to use. After some other preparations, he went to the predetermined meeting spot near the international district and waited for his teammates, to turn up.

"Yeah Doc, da past can have a funny way a comin' back to bite ya on da ass, ya know? Like on my first job with Mr. J, I killed dis scumbag leader from da SOS. Ta get even da policlub went after my old gang, even though I was workin' for da corp when I done in their leader. My friend Billy handled it all right. Da SOS in Oakland were in sorry shape after dat."