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Redjack
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:25:14; I-5 south of the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle

Cynic follows Aeryn out the driver's side door. He sees the ganger hit the ground. Looking back towards the rear of the truck for his spirit on its remote service attacking gangers, he feels the sudden *pang* of the summoner's link to his spirit being broken; That could only have happened if the spirit was dispatched from this plane of existence. Aeryn let's fly two shots on the ganger, both finding their mark and sending him into unconsciousness.

On the other side of the truck, Zion breaks into a run towards the rear of the truck, crouching and watching for threats he makes it 3/4 of the way. In AR, he sees the feed from Lynx as she runs along the top of the trailer. With her clear line of sight, she moves considerably faster. Reaching the end of the trailer, light from oncoming cars spoil most of her vision. She can make out that the car is stopped and all four doors are open, then she is flying through the air and Zion sees her fly from the trailer into the path of an oncoming car, smashing into the windshield with a thud and a crash. The car begins braking and veering, the driver obviously surprised, as it passes Zion.
Thanee
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:25:15; I-5 at the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle
Aeryn; PAN = hidden [Skinlink, Datajack]; SIN = Selina Seymore (not broadcast)

Aeryn stops for a moment, filtering out the noise of the traffic, in order to hear what is going on.

When she notices that there must be several figures and bikes behind the truck - wondering how they must be cramped behind it to avoid being seen - the elf commands the van to drive at full speed backwards for about ten meters or so, right over them, ignoring any autopilot safety routines.
Saytr
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:25:15; I-5 at the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle
Zion;PAN=HIDDEN[LTG] SIN=Gabe Moore(Hidden)

Zion seeing the Truck with the doors open and hearing all the commotion recognizing the threat behind the vehicle and the voices he can determine he will be out matched. instead he chooses to pull one of his grenades and suprise the group with a bang then take care of the rest with his Ingram.
Redjack
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:25:16; I-5 south of the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle

The big truck lurches backward, all safeties disengaged, ramming into the car, a few bikes and two gangers not able to get out of the way in time. Their screams can be heard now that Aeryn's sound filters are engaged.

On the other side of the truck, despite having no experience, nor skills throwing, Zion falls back on his military training for the basic operation of grenades. He pulls the pin and chucks the grenade under the trailer towards the car. For a brief moment, the utter stupidity of that act sends a shudder up and down his spine. He has a vision of all 8 tires blowing off the trailer, leaving it stranded in the highway until impounded by Knight Errant. With that impound, his rep goes right down the toilet with the rep of his teammates. To make matters worse, the truck lurches backwards towards the destination of the grenade.

Cynic hits the ground along side the truck, suddenly realizing that not only is he in the ground on a interstate, in the dark, a tractor-trailer on one side and lanes of passing traffic on the other, but he swears he sees a grenade bouncing towards the rear of the truck; Away from him, but in direct line of sight.

Then the explosion happens.
Saytr
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:25:16; I-5 south of the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle
Zion;PAN=HIDDEN[LTG] SIN=Gabe Moore(Hidden)

Zion seeing all this play out in what seems like slow motion mouths to himself Oh Drek!!!!!!
Redjack
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:25:16; I-5 south of the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle

Zion spins, feeling the impact of metal fragments embedding in his armor. Cynic closes his eyes and ducks, feeling a sharp ting of pain as a metal fragment slices his ear. Aeryn sees the flash behind the track and all feel the concussion wave as the grenade explodes, followed by the car's gas tank. More screams can be heard from the remaining gangers, all pretty much decimated at the ankle by the searing fragments from the grenade.

Thanee
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:25:16; I-5 at the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle
Aeryn; PAN = hidden [Skinlink, Datajack]; SIN = Selina Seymore (not broadcast)

"Wow!"

Aeryn stops the truck and drives it forward once more, away from the carnage. Then she slowly moves towards the end, holding her gun ready to shoot any threats.

< [Aeryn] Everyone alright? Papa Smurf, you there? This is becoming quite the commotion... maybe you could do something to cover it up? Traffic cameras? Emergency calls? >
Saytr
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:25:16; I-5 at the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle
Zion;PAN=HIDDEN[LTG] SIN=Gabe Moore(Hidden)

Zion recovers from the shaking the shell shock from his brain and stands up awaiting blast of gun fire to come his way, he levels his ingram and rushes the remaining force behind the truck in a attempt to catch them off gaurd and finish off who ever is left. Wow I hope that doesnt happen again

responding to Aeryn <@team[Zion] "whopps.">
Redjack
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:25:18; I-5 at the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle

<<@Team [Papa Smurf] I have it on good authority this exact scene is being reported in seven different locations right.... now! Man. Can you all blow some stuff up!>>

The truck stops, then lurches forward as the trio run to the back of the trailer. Zion is the closest arriving first. Aeryn and Cynic arrive on the drivers side. Two gangers are smashed into the hood. Both are alive but in great pain. Another ganger is on each side of the car, their feet and ankles gone.
Thanee
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:25:18; I-5 at the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle
Aeryn; PAN = hidden [Skinlink, Datajack]; SIN = Selina Seymore (not broadcast)

Aeryn isn't exactly happy with all the carnage, but she cannot help it now. Averting her gaze from the mutilated bodies, she looks to the back of the trailer to see if the door is still closed and whether there is some sign of what has made it so slow during the drive, leaving the gangers to Zion and Cynic.

Afterwards, she will check, if there is anything to inflate those tires for emergency situations like this.

< [Aeryn] Already? It's only like half a minute that this started... Well, I guess we should get out of here then, though I would really like to know whether this was random or planned... but the longer we linger, the easier they will have it to follow us. We ain't exactly got a stealthy rig here. Just do what you can to keep them off our tails for now, if there is anything you can do about that. ... Where's Lynx? >
Saytr
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:25:18; I-5 at the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle
Zion;PAN=HIDDEN[LTG] SIN=Gabe Moore(Hidden)

Zion looks relieved that the trailer didnt combust into flames along with any street cred he might gain from this run. He double checked to make sure all the gangers were gone, If they were moving and groaning he would do double taps to ensure they didnt follow them again. he didn't care much for gangers, they had no class. he they were sold out these guys wouldnt know by who anyways they seemed like thugs looking for a quick score to zion. although he wondered if this was even thier territory, if not then whos was it and why where they there. before he could get distracted he went about doing his previous business with dispatching the gangers. He would tend to Lynx when he was sure the threat was gone.

<@team[Zion]"Aeryn she went aerial and landed into a oncoming car that almost clipped me as it passed. She should be on the shoulder somewhere inside the car.">
Redjack
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:25:18; I-5 at the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle

Zion looks at the ganger on the ground and squeezes off two rounds ending the young man's misery.

Papa chuckles.
<<@Team [Papa] Not sure you got it... I'm reporting this exact scene in seven different locations.>>

Aeryn is unable to focus on the message. Just as it comes in, a cyclone drops on her head. Luckily, she is able to twist out from under it. Cynic instantly recognizes the spirit of air illuminated in the headlights of on coming traffic.
Thanee
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:25:18; I-5 at the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle
Aeryn; PAN = hidden [Skinlink, Datajack]; SIN = Selina Seymore (not broadcast)

< [Aeryn] Oops... Sor... > "Waaah!"
Cedric Rolfsson
Thursday March 20, 2070; 04:25:18; I-5

"What the frag?!?"

Cynic was a little shaken by the grenade, even in the worst bust ups with his old crew grenades weren't common fare, then to turn and see the air elemental appear shocked the exclamation. At least this he knew how to deal with.

He hauled himself to his feet and held himself tall, and raised his left hand palm out towards the spirit attacking the elf chick. He drew in his will, focused his being into a sharp edged blade, a weapon to drive the spirit from this plane and spoke the words of the banishment.

"Elements unbound avaunt, be gone!"

He threw his powers against that of the elemental and it's summoner.
Redjack
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:25:18; I-5 at the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle

Cynic stood tall for a shining moment, locked in a force of wills with the spirit. Lacking the loyalty of a binding or that of many services the spirit resists only a split second before vanishing like a light breeze. In the chaos of dealing with the spirit, Cynic and Aeryn paid little heed to the ganger on the ganger before them. His feet now hamburger from the grenade, he presented little appearance of a threat.

His friends dying and probably himself, he summoned all the mana he could muster and released a stunball of legend screaming as the mana literally lit his hands on fire. Given the poor state of his body, the initial scream was the only sound he made.
Redjack
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:25:19; I-5 at the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle

As the wave of mana rolls over Cynic and Aeryn, both fall from the incredible force of the ganger's last act. Zion, looking over the hood of the car, sees his comrades drop. At this point, he is not aware of why.
Saytr
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:25:19; I-5 at the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle
Zion;PAN=HIDDEN[LTG] SIN=Gabe Moore(Hidden)


Zion sees Aeryn and Cynic drop but hears no gun fire or blasts of any kind. He immediatly takes cover beside the trailer and scans the area for any potential threats ready to spray what ever took out his comrades.

<@Team[Zion] "Papa can you scan what took Aeryn out from team Net? and location?">
Redjack
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:25:20; I-5 at the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle

<<@Zion [Papa] I got nothing, but you will be seeing pretty lights real soon. You need to either clean it up or cut and run.>>

From his vantage point against the trailer on the opposite side from where the others went down, Zion couldn't see squat. In AR, a camera becomes active. From the level, Zion imagines it is a smart-gun camera. The image presented is a ganger on fire. The fire appears to be on his hands and reflecting from the fire is a silver ring on his left hand.
Saytr
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:25:20; I-5 at the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle
Zion;PAN=HIDDEN[LTG] SIN=Gabe Moore(Hidden)

Zion sees the ganger still smoking as he rounds the corner double tapping anything that moves besides his teammates. He goes to drag all the members of the team to the cab of the truck before attempting to drive the Semi.

Zion asseses Each member of the team before moving them to the semi, Doing what he can to help each team member. Zion noticed the ring on the members finger from the Smartgun video and uses one of his knifes to remove it from the gangers scorched hand. placing the ring in one of his vest pockets and continues to try to move things along.

<@Papa[zion] "You got a program or something that can run the rig, I have no experience driving these things.">
Redjack
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:25:30; I-5 at the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle

Zion double-taps the other bodies for posterity, then does a quick check of his team mates finding them bruised and unconscious. Pulling out his knife, he quickly removes the ganger's finger and pockets the ring before putting a team mate over each shoulder.

<<@Zion [Papa] 10-4 good buddy. I have user level access to the truck at the moment. That's enough to get us moving.>>

As Zion climbs into the cab, positioning his two remaining team mates into the sleeper, Papa starts the truck rolling forward.

<<@Zion [Papa] I'm gonna put the hammer down before 5-0 reaches our 20 and rides up our backdoor.>>
Redjack
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:25:45; I-5 at the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle

Aeryn shakes her head trying to clear the grogginess from her brain. Of course, her head still feels like someone took a baseball bat to it. She then sees Zion slap a patch on Cynic's neck, causing the young mage to stir. As the big rig shifts gears, she realizes that not only are they in motion, but she is not currently in control.... Nor is there shrapnel of a car hit by a grenade, nor the bodies of the dead gangers.

<<@Team [Papa] Found it! A bounty was put out on the truck tonight to I-Fivers. Trying to figure out who issued it now.>>
Saytr
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:25:45; I-5 at the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle
Zion;PAN=HIDDEN[LTG] SIN=Gabe Moore(Hidden)

Zion looks at the others as they get up and checks to make sure they are coherant and brings them up to speed on what Papa Relayed via TeamNet.
Zion checks his Sliver gun and redies it as he takes up position once again in the passenger seat in the cab.
<@Team[Zion] "Thanks for the heads up and distraction Papa, If you can get me the address of the guy who issued the warrant i would be willing to pay him a visit. Aeryn, Cynic think you can tell me about what the hell happened back there and what the hell is this.>
Thanee
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:25:45; I-5 at the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle
Aeryn; PAN = hidden [Skinlink, Datajack]; SIN = Selina Seymore (not broadcast)

"Head hurts... thanks!"

After a moment of getting fully back and figuring out the missing links from the time she was passed out, Aeryn remembers something...

"So, Lynx didn't make it? Damn! Why does it always have to be like that? ..."

"You didn't get her commlink, or did you?"

< [Aeryn] Hey Papa Smurf! Can you do something about Lynx commlink? It should still be hooked up to the teamnet. Guess we do not want traces to ours lying around there, when the clean-up crew comes along... >
Redjack
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:26; I-5 south of the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle

<<@Team [Papa] Comlink wiped. Traffic ahead looks clear. About half an hour till we're in Renton. Another 15 to Auburn, another 15 to Puyallup City and another 15 or so to the Mall... If we can keep our current speed up down I-5, we can shave 10-15 off the top, but we still ain't gonna make the Mall by 5am. 5:30 is the best we can do.>>
Thanee
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:26:00; I-5 south of the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle
Aeryn; PAN = hidden [Skinlink, Datajack]; SIN = Selina Seymore (not broadcast)

Aeryn sends a text message to Lon's com, to inform him about the delay.

< @Lon [Aeryn] Hey, Lon! We got into some serious trouble here on the highway. The truck sustained some damage, but we managed to pull through and get rid of those punks. The downside of all this, however, we won't quite make it on time. It will be 5:30 most likely. >
Redjack
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:27:00; I-5 south of the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle

<<@Aeryn [Lon] Five-thirty isn't quite five now is it? Wait. Did you say damage? What kind of damage?>>
Thanee
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:26:00; I-5 south of the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle
Aeryn; PAN = hidden [Skinlink, Datajack]; SIN = Selina Seymore (not broadcast)

< @Lon [Aeryn] Hey, it's not our fault, that we got such a slow rig, that doesn't even have runflats, on such a tight schedule now, or is it? Miracles havn't been on the checklist. Cargo's fine, don't worry, but the truck is even slower than it was to begin with. >
Redjack
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:27; I-5 south of the Hwy-104 exit, Seattle

A bump can be felt by the passengers in the truck.
<<@Team [Papa] One of those blown out truck tires shredded and finally fell away. We're running on a wing and a prayer boys and girls.>>

<<@Aeryn [Lon] Run-flat tires huh? Perhaps I should look into those... Ok. Just get that truck here: Cargo intact. See you then.>>

Cynic does an astral sweep and finds it clean. His spirit arrives and takes up its patrol as ordered. The narcotics of the stim patch coursing through his system, Cynic can't fall asleep.

Thursday March 20th, 2070; 04:55; I-5 between Renton & Auburn, Seattle

Cynic & Aeryn doze off as the stim-patches wear off, leaving Zion by his lonesome to finish the run. Unbeknown to him, Cynic's bound spirit watches over them from the astral.

Thursday March 20th, 2070; 05:30; Crime Mall Parking Lot, Puyallup Barrens

As the truck limps towards the Mall, a number of gangers, mostly on Growlers and other dirt bikes take up escort. As they pull into parking lot of the Mall, Zion sees Lon leaned up against a sedan. There are five small delivery trucks as well and a number of guys waiting. Lon shakes his head as the truck approaches. Once it stops, he steps up. When he reaches Zion, he calls out. "Glad you made it. I guess this means the combat pay clause has been invoked?"
Saytr
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 05:30; Crime Mall Parking Lot, Seattle
Zion;PAN=HIDDEN[LTG] SIN=Gabe Moore(Hidden)

Zion sees Lon walk up to the rig and the gangers as they approach. Thinking more trouble until he notices they are keeping thier eyes on the surrounding area and not the cargo. watchin Aeryn and Cynic pass out from the effects of the Stim patch Zion Knows he is probably going to have to wait with them until they wake up from thier stun induced coma.

Thursday March 20th, 2070; 05:30; Crime Mall Parking Lot, Puyallup Barrens

Zion steps out of the cab slinging his ingram and with a outstreched arm to shake Lons hand. "Be glad we didn't make you pay life insurance, There is some cosmetic damage but nothing a little TLC can't fix. You know any information on the who might have put a Bounty on this Truck? I would like to pay them a visit."
Redjack
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 05:30; Crime Mall Parking Lot, Seattle

Lon walks around the rig and looks at the shrapnel that are the truck tires. Zion notices that only one tire remains on the trucks rear passenger side... out of four. Lon shakes his head and turns back to Zion. "Ok. Run flat tires... I'll also look into the ambush. I got two more runs over the next couple of weeks. Same route, except I'll provide the transportation up next time. Interested? By the way... Where is the rest of your crew?"
Saytr
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 05:30; Crime Mall Parking Lot, Seattle
Zion;PAN=HIDDEN[LTG] SIN=Gabe Moore(Hidden)

Zion does the walk around with Lon and listens to what he has to say. "Well i would be very interested in the two other runs if the Nuyen is right. If Aeryn and Cynic are still asleep they are in the cab of the truck. I am very interested in who would use the gangs to get these loads and not just another team." Looking at Lon Zion leads him to the cab of the truck again. "If we could recieve our payments please i would like to let our Online support go, Plus i need to get these guys out of here they had a run in with some mojo." Zion calls T for a pick up for Aeryn and Cynic and himself.

<@T[Zion] "Hey boss can i get a pick up at the crime mall parking Lot for Three.>
Redjack
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 05:30; Crime Mall Parking Lot, Seattle

Lon smiles, "Good. Take a couple of days to recuperate and I'll have some work done to the truck. As to the gangs; You are from out of town aren't you? Every syndicate in town uses gangs. And where do you think most lost runners earn their stripes?" Zion receives an ARO of certified cred. 10,000 nuyen.gif worth. Turning his head back to the truck, "I guess the hazard pay was invoked."

<<@Zion [Transporter] Yea. I have the tally for the night and damages. 4,000 nuyen.gif when all is said and done. Be there in thirty.>>

Thursday March 20th, 2070; Zion's Apartment, Time Track Apartments, North Puyallup

A newer, imported sedan pulls into the parking lot and up to the cab of the truck half an hour later. Despite the time that has passed, Cynic and Aeryn are still passed out, no doubt the combined post effects of not only the magic but also using a stim-patch to temporarily counter it. Zion is able to load them into the back seat and join the transporter in the front.

Zion transfers the funds when the team is dropped off at his doss and the transporter heads out for some much deserved sleep of his own. Aeryn on the couch and Cynic with a blanket on the floor, Zion is able to unload all his gear and finally crash in the comfort of his own bed.

The loss of a teammate is nothing new to this crew, they've lost several since forming up and lost other before becoming a crew. This latest loss does give them one more shared tragedy, one more link binding them together. Not knowing a relative for Lynx, they end up splitting her 1,500 nuyen.gif ; 500 nuyen.gif apiece.

Around lunchtime, one by one they awaken, the blinds and curtains not really keeping out enough light to allow them to sleep the entire day away.
Saytr
Thursday March 20th, 2070; Zion's Apartment, Time Track Apartments, North Puyallup
Zion;PAN=HIDDEN[LTG] SIN=Gabe Moore(Hidden)

as Aeryn and Cynic slowly wake they smell fresh coffee being brewed and see two plates of soy egg burritos sitting in front of them. Zion comes walking out of the kitchen with his own plate and coffee in hand. "rise and shine its only noon." he says as he waves for Aeryn to move her feet. "I got us out of there after you guys passed out. I paid the Tranporter and divied up the dough,." Zion went on to explain the offer Lon gave him and the payments. also about the money split between the three of them for Lynx's share. "I don't konw about you guys but i would like to find out who was the one who put a hit on the truck and maybe pay them a visit to ensure the next two loads go unharmed and we don't cause any more damage to any more Rigs in the future. Its a shame Lynx but thats the shadows for you and we all know it can happen to anyone of us on these runs. I would like to propose maybe a mutual meeting place besides my Apartment that we can all use here in seattle to meet up and use as a base of location, if you guys would like it doesn't have to be classy it can be a shabby place just somewhere we split the costs shouldn't be to much. 500 Nuyen a month for a low rent place.

Zion waits for a second them pulls out the silver ring that he carved off the Gangers hand and held it infront of him looking at Cynic "Don't suppose this is worth anything? It was on the gangers finger that took the two of you out." Zion places the ring on the coffee table and waits for a reaction from the two while starting to munch on his own lunch.
Thanee
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 12:07:11; Zion's Apartment, Time Track Apartments, North Puyallup
Aeryn; PAN = hidden [Skinlink, Datajack]; SIN = Selina Seymore (not broadcast)

"Thanks! Glad there hasn't been any more trouble. That was quite enough, really. Yeah, too bad about Lynx. Didn't really know her, but she didn't deserve that. If we can figure out who did that... didn't Papa want to look into that? As for a safe place, I might know a few, and I know someone who can get us a place like that for rent as well. She doesn't really come cheap, though."
Saytr
Thursday March 20th, 2070; 12:07:11; Zion's Apartment, Time Track Apartments, North Puyallup
Zion;PAN=HIDDEN[LTG] SIN=Gabe Moore(Hidden)


Zion looked to Aeryn as he passed the ring over to Cynic. "We can check in with Papa later and see if he finds anything, Lon said he would look into it as well but i would like deal with the problem if possible, I don't want to have to look over my shoulder ever time we do a run for Lon if he is having people put hits out on his jobs for what ever reason, We get rid of his competition we might have a easier time on future jobs for him, Plus he might thank us for getting rid of a nuisance." After finishing his burrito and soy coffee he stands up to stretch. "I am going to do my daily routine you guys are welcome to stay, I am going to have a talismonger look at that ring if you are stumped on it Cynic. Might be worth something. I will split it with you guys even thirds, Maybe use it to get that pad we are talking about." Zion looks at Aeryn to Cynic after some more stretching "I would like to keep it low rent and even distance for all of us to get to easily.
Redjack
Thursday March 20th, 2070; Zion's Apartment, Time Track Apartments, North Puyallup

As the team discuss their plans and eat a meal together, they are also able to catch up on the world in general. Several news stories stick out to them:

- Brigadier General John E. Darcy arrived in Seattle today, assuming command of Joint Task Force Seattle (JTFS). At a press conference following the general's assuming command, he and Governor Brackhaven announced a new commitment of cooperation between the city of Seattle and the JTFS.

- Yellow Cab announced a major software upgrade aimed at countering a number of recent events where some of their auto-cabs were taken on joy rides after their systems were compromised.

- Knight Errant announced a new, get tough on crime policy with Operation Street Sweeping. They will be targeting areas with high levels of violent street crime and sting operations are being planned now.

- Eye witnesses are being sought in connection with a violent attack on I-5 last night. No video is available, but the Knight Errant crime lab announced that in addition to assault weapons, explosives were used in the gang on gang confrontation. Several innocent bystanders were killed in crossfire.

- Du-Mochini has announced a recall of their Texta-Soy line products, serial number #436546456 -#43696000, due to contamination.


Zion's auto-kitchen beeps an alert. It seems he has some Texta-Soy packets in that serial range.
Saytr
Thursday March 20th, 2070; Zion's Apartment, Time Track Apartments, North Puyallup
Zion;PAN=HIDDEN[LTG] SIN=Gabe Moore(Hidden)

Zion hears the beep and in his AR he assigns the kitchen to throw away the the texa-mix, trying to remember the last time he ate the stuff.
"innocent bystanders my ass." in regards to the I-5 attack knowing that Papa streamed the video to several locations to buy time and not hearing any other confrontations on I-5 he could only assume that they were talking about thier run last night. luckly Zion took care of any surviving members of that so called rival gang. leave no loose ends Zion takes a note to look into the JTFS and any current activities that might make problems in the foreseeable future. Also he might have to relocate if KE started to run sweeps through his current area of residence. KE has to make a strong image taking over for LS but street sweeps in those areas are going to start serious confrontations

<@papa[Zion] "Hey papa have you got anything on that hit last night and who issued the bounty?">
Redjack
Thursday March 20th, 2070; Zion's Apartment, Time Track Apartments, North Puyallup

<<@Zion [Papa] I'm a little stumped, but if we was to bet I'd lay odds on the Vory given some of the side chatter going on. The Eye-Fivers are sure pretty pissed off at whole deal. Seems you all put a full twelve of them under. They are trying to find out your names, offering a little cred for that as well.... Not enough to tempt me though.>>
Saytr
Thursday March 20th, 2070; Zion's Apartment, Time Track Apartments, North Puyallup
Zion;PAN=HIDDEN[LTG] SIN=Gabe Moore(Hidden)

Zion listens to Papa and a small smiles crosses his face at the mention of putting the 12 degenerates where they will no longer cause anyone harm. <@Papa[Zion]"Well we appreciate your loyalty i just hope their offers don't go above anyone elses. Is there anyway without causing harm to yourself or us to make a mention that it might have been a rival gang and not a team of runners? I sure would like to be able to risk driving on I-5 without them keeping a special eye out for us. If its the the Vory then make them the target and give KE and the I-5ers something to jump on, not that i want to help KE but to keep the heat off our backs. If you hear any particulars though and think it worth mentioning let us know>
Zion relays the message to Aeryn and Cynic still nursing their stunball hang over. Zion gives Papa a small payment for his troubles of 300 nuyen.
Cedric Rolfsson
Thursday March 20, 2070; Time Track Apartments; Puyallup

Cynic rolled his head and shoulders, trying to loosen up the knots from crashing on Zion's couch. He didn't bitch cause it could've been worse, wet ferrocrete under the freeway made this place look like the fragging Ritz. He took the ring and went looking for some place quiet to study the thing. The whole area of investigative magic was well outside his comfort zone, most people just looked for him to break things and heal people.

He ended up in the bathroom sitting on the sink and examining the ring. He was betting the thing was some kind of combat spell focus or fetish. He breathed himself into astral sight and began to examine the ring's aura. It was clearly a magical focus, that became clear immediately, but trying to figure out what kind fo focus was the key. The young mage lost himself in the study of the ring's aura, the shadings and shifting of the energy patterns suggesting the ring's primary use. All the magic use over the last couple of days must have paid off cause the Sight seemed extremely clear today for Cynic and it didn't take him long to recognize the pattern's similiarity to his own Health spell focus, only this ring seemed stronger, a more pure channel for mana than his own.

A health spell sustaining focus, nothing too powerful so it won't cause the Star to get all twitchy. Now let's find out what it's worth.

Cynic pulled on his glasses and AR gloves and fired up the commlink. Time to start beating the bushes. First a message to Johnny Two-Toes one of his old crew who would know what was happening with the Puyallup gangs.

[Cynic]: Hoi, Johnny, whazappening chummer? I needs to know what is going on with the gangs running in the I-5 area around Seattle. Shoot me back when you got a tic mano.

Johnny was one of Cynic's few friends still sucking smog from the old days with the DevilKids. He was a two-bit magician with a budding alcohol problem but the guy kept his ear to the ground when it came to the local Puyallup gangs. If last night's fiasco was some kind of gang war we just got caught in by accident Johnny would know.

Cynic called up Dutch's commcode. The dwarf rigger wasn't greatest friend or anything, but they'd worked a couple of runs together and Cynic respected his knowledge on how to illicitly move cargo in and out of the sprawl. He left the dwarven rigger an email requesting a call back to if he'd heard about any unusual cargo worth something if it were located on the way into the sprawl. The message was cryptic enough to interest the little technophile into finding out.

With his electronic correspondence taken care of Cynic gathered up the ring and headed back to the living room to let the others know what it was and to see if they wouldn't mind him getting his talismonger friend to give them a price for it. If it wasn't too high he'd offer to buy the other's share of the foci and replace his own with the stronger one.
Redjack
Thursday March 20th, 2070; Zion's Apartment, Time Track Apartments, North Puyallup

<<@Zion [Papa] I can seed a few forums pointing towards the Cutters. I'll also see if I can find more out about any potential Vory connections. As the the yen, you didn't have to do that... but since you did, I'm keeping it.>>

<<@Cynic [Johnny] The Spikes, that trog gang, they run I-5 south of downtown to Tacoma. The Eye-Fivers run north of downtown. Ancients and Cutters have both been known to take as they see fit on I-5, even though they don't necessarily claim any turf. The Halloweeners are a big street gang downtown who sometimes decide to play on I-5 in their turf. You looking for anything special?>>

Dutch's reply was pretty simple: He was gonna need more details. Special cargos came into the sprawl every week, though nothing world class unique like a nuke or artifact were part of any rumors.
Cedric Rolfsson
Thursday March 20, 2070; Zion's Apartment; Time Track Apartments; North Puyallup

Cynic thought about the message he wanted to compose to Dutch, he was way more dialed into the smuggling scene than the young mage hoped to be but Cynic didn't know him well enough to trust him explicitly.

Dutch: I was wondering if you heard about bounties being put on cargo coming into Seattle. I was working sec on a run, like I did for you, and someone tried to boost the cargo. We're checking it from the other side but I wanted to know if you'd heard of anyone trying to lock out the routes coming in to Seattle from the south. Last we heard there might be strings to the Vory on the deal one way or another. If you've heard anything I'd appreciate it. Mostly I want to make sure it was the cargo and not my fixer who was the issue.
Redjack
Thursday March 20th, 2070; Zion's Apartment, Time Track Apartments, North Puyallup

<<@Cynic [Dutch] That's some details. Possibly Vory eh? Sticking my neck into deals like that can get it cut off. I can tell you the Vory have been moving on the Mafia in Tacoma. Primarily around the docks. Personally, I just steer clear. You might talk to Viggo>>

Having only ridden with Dutch twice, Cynic really didn't know much about the rigger except what little he had gotten on in the hours the two spent together. Dutch was pretty quiet then and didn't like to know about what the cargo was. Viggo wasn't much better though. Cynic had begun to suspect that Viggo's shine for him was more in what Cynic could do for Viggo rather than the other way around. Granted, Viggo helped Cynic out of a pinch that undoubtedly saved the mage's life, the fixer kept tabs on what Cynic owed and always asked for payment. His favorite saying is "Nothing in this life is free, boy."
Saytr
Thursday March 20th, 2070; Zion's Apartment, Time Track Apartments, North Puyallup
Zion;PAN=HIDDEN[LTG] SIN=Gabe Moore(Hidden)

<@Papa[Zion]" well do what you have to, Just keep those rumors if possible away from mentining any of us. By the way did you distort the video at all so no one can figure who we are from it?">
Redjack
10:00am, Saturday, April 5th, 2070; Cynic's Doss, 2511 8th St SW, Puyallup City
Cynic

Flush with a little yen and the promise of more work coming, Cynic comes to an agreement with his teammates over the magic ring and then heads off to his doss. Arriving at 2511 8th St SW, he pulls his bike into the garage, locking it behind him. Once, half a century ago, this had been a nice upper-middle class home. These days, after considerable variations of low quality carpentry, it is a pair of apartments. Cynic having the ground floor and a family of five living upstairs.

By the second trip to Vancouver, he had learned the fashion spell and begun to spend some time researching current trends in fashion. He then began to visit a number of the local nightspots around the Barrens: Loveland Quinn's, Bishops' Corpse, Twenton's, The Retirement, Spirit Focus and even Underworld 93.

By the third trip, he'd visited each of them once; The last one being not as pleasant as the others. He began to realize that life on the streets had just not prepared him for mingling with the beautiful people and so began his quest to watch people interacting and learn a few social graces. He also realized he needed to better understand a bit about how the shadows worked. He began to realize even more that the mafia and the yakuza are the real forces of power in the Barrens. The Crime Mall firmly in the grasp of the mafia, via the local gangs and Spirit Focus being a yakuza establishment as a pair of examples.

He'd not spent much time with the team, except on the runs over the past few weeks. He came rolling into his room at 3am this morning and was stopped by a pair of neighborhood watch guys. Rent a cops paid for by a surcharge on in his rent. Contrary to times in the past, despite being on a growler, his trendy clubbing clothes sold the fact that he actually lived in the neighborhood. Once in the past he actually had to bribe one of these same guys to get home.

He awoke this morning to the sound of his neighbors above him yelling again. A few more loud thumps was probably the old man drunk and slapping the wife and kid around. A crash sounded like someone going into or through one of the interior drywall walls.
Redjack
10:00am, Saturday, April 5th, 2070; Aeryn's Doss, 112 116th St, Parkland Neighborhood, Puyallup
Aeryn

Aeryn's ground floor apartment is small, but serviceable. While the mirage, stormcloud and doberman in the living room overtake any potential entertaining space, they are secure. Her sedan is parked in the parking lot alongside the forty-year old apartment building, but the building's contract with Lone Star at least assured that if she registered a call they would eventually show up. The fact that Lone Star was now a private security company and not the incumbent police force was not lost on her.

The Retirement is a bar near the Crime Mall that is a favorite with both mall groupies and smugglers. Almost without thinking about it, she finds herself passing a number of nights chatting with The Turk. It is obvious that he has taken a shine to Aeryn. She also discovers that when he's not having to bounce a trouble maker out of the bar, he is fairly gentle and a bit shy.

The next two runs to Vancouver go over without a hitch. Aeryn varies up the route through Seattle and is able to make contact with Margaret, the ork border agent, to schedule the team's entry into Seattle.

Working with Nancy Tall-Trees, Aeryn secures the team a safe house to use for future runs. A run down hanger in what was the Shady Acres Airport half a century ago. When Aeryn first arrives on the scene with Nancy and they are greeted by the Fly-Boys by run the down hangers; It fails the first impressions test. The lack of a matrix connection is troubling, but once she sees the inside of the facility, she is pleasantly surprised.

Nearing the end of the first week of April, Lon in currently dry for work. Aeryn rises late in the morning after doing a systems check on her drones she determines there is a problem with the stormcloud that will need the attention of a mechanic. For her aircraft, Sam used to do all the work for her. Sadly, while Mike is a wiz with ground craft, he is not an aircraft mechanic.
Cedric Rolfsson
Saturday April 5, 2070; 10:01:00; 2511 8th St. Puyallup

Cynic stretched and sat up in his bed, alone again, and glared at the ceiling.

10:00:00. This is like the ass-crack of dawn for spirits sake. Sane people don't get up this early.

He couldn't sleep with old man Plonski going through his daily exercise routine. Drek head ought to at least keep it quiet.

"Quiet down up there! Go sleep it off somewhere ya freaking tosser!"

Cynic stood on bed and pounded on the ceiling to shut them the hell up. He couldn't understand why that gal took that kind of crap, the guy did this often enough it was becoming pretty much a daily occurance. Too awake to go back to sleep he hopped off the bed and padded into the bathroom to sort things out, pausing only long enough to grab his Predator so he could put on top of the toilet while he showered off. He didn't even have to really think about doing it anymore, it had become almost reflex.

A quick shower and the time it took to brush his teeth wasn't as good as another three hours of sleep but it was better than nothing. He pawed through his closet looking for something appropriate to wear. Nothing struck him as really what he wanted to wear so he settled for a pair of blue sythdenim jeans and a long sleeved T-shirt showing off the 2068 Seattle Outlaws combat bikers division finals run.

Course, if I don't like it later it won't be too hard to change! He thought to himself with a smile. The new spell probably wouldn't be worth much in combat but it did have some niffty perks.
Redjack
10:00am, Saturday, April 5th, 2070; Zion's Doss, Time Track Apartments, North Puyallup City
Zion


Ambushes, assassins, contracts.... Worse and worse scenarios played in the former soldier's head. He kept pushing for details about the ambush until even Papa told him that he needed to back off or he was gonna draw heat on himself. Closest they even got to real answers were the rumors that the Vory hired the Eye-Fivers.

The next two runs came and went without issue. Aeryn made a more permanent contact in the ork border agent and she varied their routes and travel times through Seattle. Milk runs, just what the team needed.

The Mall had been open twice since the first Vancouver run and Zion had hit up Kaboom both times about his special wants; Both times without success. The Mall is open tonight and Zion is hoping that the third time is the charm.

Not having decided on much else to do with his downtime, Zion had taken to spending a little time at the safe house checking things out. During that time, he got to know Baby-Boom-Boom and some of the other Fly-Boys. Baby-Boom-Boom is the sister of one of the lieutenants and fairly adept at making I.E.D.s. Not being too bad looking didn't drive Zion away either.

When not at the safe house, he spent he time riding around. At times he almost felt like a tourist. A few times he had to bribe his way down the road. Twice he had to fight his way out. Usually he just road around getting a feel for Seattle, his new home.

This morning he awoke early, worked out anxious to go to the Mall and was deciding where to ride today when he got a message.
<<@Zion [Papa] Yo Chummer! Uploading some footage. Been keeping an eye out for the Eye-Fivers. Here's a new report from yesterday. Hadn't paid any attention to the first two because I thought they were just random.>>
"And in other news, during this evenings commute, several alleged members of the infamous go-gang, the Eye-Fivers were executed in heavy traffic by a vigilantly. Amateur video is the same previous incidents. A rider in all black leathers and full-face helmet riding a similar colored 2069 Suzuki Mirage with no visible, nor broadcast registration opened fire on the young men using a small, automatic weapon before speeding off and disappearing into traffic. This marks the third incident in ten days."
Saytr
10:00am, Saturday, April 5th, 2070; Zion's Doss, Time Track Apartments, North Puyallup City
Zion


Zions heart raced. His mind mentally noting the different moves and accuracy of each shot the motorcyclist made and the sloppy moves from the gangers to defend themselves, watching to see if he could get any recognizable markings from the lone cyclist. Zion was pleased that the heat was off the team. He admitted to himself he was putting a little too much attention towards finding the slobs responsible for the eye-fivers going after their load. He needed to learn to let things go, especially in the shadows of Seattle of the metroplex.

<@Papa[Zion]" Thanks for the info chummer, guess we have nothing to worry about now with this guy on the loose. Any info on him at all.Thanks for helping me out with this. If you ever need any muscle help let me know and i will see what i can do. If your interested I am heading to the crime mall tonight to check out some special orders if you would like to head out my treat?"> Zion felt he needed to get to know some more runners in Seattle and to have someone like Papa would be a great asset to his networking to become something greater. Zion had been disappointed about the last two trips to find his particular order but was hopeful every time in the resources Kaboom had at his disposal. He really wanted to be able to not have to rely on throwing grenades to get rid of problem vehicles. In the old days he would just have his Team acquire some heavy artillery from the armory. He missed those days of just being issued everything he needed to get a job done. Those days were over though and he had a new life, free life to choose his actions and live how he saw fit.

Zion finished his work out and decided he would go to the safe house again and see Baby-Boom-Boom and maybe see if he could persuade her to maybe hang out if Papa wasn't up for it.
Thanee
Saturday April 5th, 2070; 16:12:00; Aeryn's Doss, 112 116th St, Parkland Neighborhood, Puyallup
Aeryn; PAN = hidden [Skinlink, Datajack]; SIN = Selina Seymore (not broadcast)

Aeryn spent the last couple hours to figure out how to get her Firewall program distributed to her drones, thinking a little more protection can't hurt, but not willing to shell out the three thousand for another high rating program like the one she owns already. However, while she is quite experienced with software like this, her attempts fail miserably and she has to give up eventually. Pushing that task far down on her priority list, she figures out what to do with the rest of the day. She still needed to find someone skilled in aircraft mechanics, so she starts browsing the 'trix for a nearby shop that specializes in the kind of repairs she would need, but since the search doesn't turn up anything promising immediately, her already strained patience prompts Aeryn to continue there later.

Sighing, she heads outside, taking her bike out for a spin. Didn't someone mention a race tonight? If she could only remember the specifics...
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