Shifting her truck into drive, Lucky heads out into the crowded street. How much longer can I really trust Mancuso anyway? We're partners... for now. We're partners for as long as it takes him to find a use for me. I think it's time I end our little alliance. I need Raist. Lucky heads toward the outskirts of downtown and her small third floor apartment. It's been awhile since she's been here but it's also probably the least watched out of all her residences, perfect for what needs to be done.
Disarming the security system, Lucky walks in and scans the room carefully. Satisfied that nothing's changed in the past month, she walks into the back room. Sitting down on the bed, she crosses her leg and summons a low force Spirit of Man. As the figure materializes, she imprints her mental command upon it.
Find me Nathanial Majere. Tell him that Lucky needs to speak with him. Lucky watches as the spirit darts from the room and then sits back, her legs crossed, waiting.

The wait is a good solid hour before the astral form of Majere appears within the room. An important fact that, since the apartment was well warded.

Good evening Lucky my dear. You called?

He seemed to be enjoying him self tonight.

Lucky stands, her perceptions open to the Astral.
Good evening, Nathaniel. Thank you for coming so quickly. I hope I didn't pull you away from anything too important? Lucky smiles and steps into his embrace, kissing him passionately.

Nathaniel kisses her back, deeply, savoring the astral impression especially.

Nothing I can't get back to. I take it this is about something important?

Yes. Very... I want Julian Mancuso dead and I need your help to do it. Lucky stands back a step and gazes levelly at Raist.

He smiles.

Oh that is wonderful. What did you have in mind. When, for that matter?

I don't know what you know of New Orleans mob politics. You know Sinn, so you must know a little... and knowing you, I'd say you know more then you'd let on. So, first off.. Sinn's in police custody. Second, he was behind a car bomb assassination of Erik Weisler, a sottocapo within the Koslowski family. Third, Julian Mancuso is the one that ordered the hit. Unfortunately, Julian didn't plan on Sinn leaking that particular piece of information to me before he was arrested. Julian was hoping to pin the assassination on the Voodoo Posse and create a larger rift within family. I'm going to help him out with that. I want him killed by a ritual spell, something that points directly back to the Posse. Julian won't expect it, he's too busy congratulating himself on a hand well played. But, he's also not a man to be trifled with. When he's hit he'll need to be hit hard. There won't be a second chance. What's your price?

Hmmm... a price on ritually assassinating your boss, and making it appear as if someone else has done it. Can you really put a price on that?

For starters, I would need to know when you want this done? I would also need to know if you want it done any special way, or simply dead.

I want it done by tomorrow night at the latest. The family needs to be on full alert and panicked. They need that extra stab that proves to them that anyone can be gotten to. Lucky sits back down on the bed, flipping her hair over one shoulder.
As for how, it needs to look like voodoo magic and it needs to be painful... call me petty, but I want the bastard to suffer for what he did to Eric. Lucky's chin comes up, it's obvious she's expecting some kind of comment from Raist about her relationship with Eric and equally as obvious that he shouldn't say it.

Oh I have the perfect thign in mind actually. Something quite gruesome, that only a voodoonista could possibly come up with.

By tomorrow qill make it quite a rush. I suppose it goes without saying that price here is not a matter of money?

Lucky nods and smiles. When is your price ever money, Nathaniel? She stands and crosses back over to him, slipping her hand over his shoulder and pulling him down to kiss him again.
Now, tell me... what should I expect?

My dear Lucky, do you peek at Christmas presents as well ?! If I told you ,then you owuld have to work hard at feigning suprise. I would not do that to you.

Lucky laughs. Very well, have it your way... something tells me you always do... She steps back, sliding her hand down his arm as she does.
Do you have to go right away?

It wouldn't be very gentlemanly to plot and run , now would it? I can stay.

It may giveme some more time to come up with an appropriate price.

Did you have some sort of entertainment in mind while I wait?

Lucky just smiles. I had something in mind...

The next few hours with Nathaniel are very enjoyable. Astral liasons are everything they say and more. He has not set a price yet however.

While I'm around, is there anything else that you will be needing my assistance in? These astral jaunts, though enjoyable, can be difficult to schedule properly.

We break ground on the Hellfire next week, we were able to move up our time table after the building commissioner and I were able to talk through a few of our differences over dinner. Lucky smirks ruefully Thanfully, this means we're still on track to open October 31st. Lucky pauses and lights a cigarette, blowing it out of the side of her mouth.
There is one other thing... along the same lines as what I've asked you to do for me with Julian. The Voodoo Posse's time has come. They're no longer needed and now are nothing more then a poisonous snake let loose in our garden. I want Midnight and her crew gone, something I am not naive enough to believe I can do on my own. I need your help, and the help of Lilith to end things. I know that I am asking you to do quite a lot, but I believe you know that I always pay my debts. Will you help me?

You mean like you're paying them to Mancuso? he winks , amused.

I can help you weaken the Posse, yes. Of course, some of them you'll have to take out on your own. But I can help you stay alive until then. But you'll have to trust me to let me do things my way. There will be a few things that I will need you to do, and I'll need you to simply do them, and not ask questions. Nothing that will make you betray your loyalites as well. As for my price with that, I can tell you that now. When all is said and done, I want Midnight. Do we have a deal?

Lucky sits quietly for a moment, thoughtful and calm. Finally she nods. When she speaks, her voice is calm but cold. It's obvious that Raist's playful 'banter' has wounded Lucky's sense of loyalty.
Julian believes he is better then me. He is the sort of man that will take whatever leverage he can find and use it to his advantage no matter the consequences. I am unwilling to wait and see just what those consequences are.
If you are concerned that I would betray our alliance so quickly, then perhaps you should think of why I would do so.
As for Midnight, what you want with her is your business. If you help me, I will do as you ask and will not question you. Lucky stands, her face once again all business.

I tease Lucky, it's what I do. I would know if you harbored treacherous thoughts against me, worry not.

Ahh... if on;y I were here to truly taste you. You're always so exquisitely spicy. We will have to meet in the flesh soon.

I have a few plans for the Posse as I have said. Your Julain will be dead by tomorrow night. Even Midnight will be wondering if one of her people did indeed destroy him.

Lucky's eyebrow rises but she says nothing to his comments of her motives, simply nodding. When he speaks of "tasting her" her shoulders relax and she eases into a more hospitable posture.
I will be in Seattle soon, once this is over. Perhaps we can meet then. I'll be in touch with you regarding the Posse. She kisses him again, perhaps a touch lighter then before but still passionately.

Nathaniel enjoyst he sensation, taking her in his "arms" and contuing the kiss for some time. Eventually he pulls away again.

Oh no need to wait my dear, do not worry. I'll begin with the Posse as soon as mancuso is finished. Between then, I'll see you shortly. I am in New Orleans. Until time as I name my price, simply consider ita very large debt.

Lucky returns the kiss and then steps back and nods, smiling. I can only hope that this is worth the price later. Really, I can only hope I live to see later...
You are here? In town? Well then... don't be a stranger. You know how best to reach me. She smiles again and slips her jacket back on. I should go. I have quite a lot to do. Like plotting how to reveal all of this to Oz without rousing his suspicions.

Enjoy it while it lasts. It can be so hard to find good intrigue these days.

His astral form departs from the apartment.

Lucky smiles ruefully and casts a glance around the room. She casts Sterilize and then sets an auto-call for the apartments' maid service.
Leaving the apartment complex, she heads for the 'Strike. On her way, she decides to stop by Lucien's shop. Most likely, Lucien won't have any useful information, but if Oz is having me watched... if anyone is having me watched, really... at least it makes it look like I;m still on the hunt. Besides, I'm out of summoning materials anyway...

Winding her way through the twisted maze of shops and halls, Lucky finally steps into the warmly lit interior of Lucien's shop. She smiles when she sees the man behind the counter.
Bonsuir, Monseuir Lucien.

The mature man behind the counter looks up and smiles. Bein soire mademoiselle. Comma tele voius?

Lucky returns the smile halfheartedly.
Tres mal, Monsieur Lucien, but thank you for asking. I'm looking for more summoning materials, actually. I've gone through my supply rather quickly. I was also wondering what you had in regards to voodoo and ritual spellcasting, as far as texts are concerned, I mean.

Studying the opposition? Very prudent. I have quite a few texts naturally. Looking for anything in particular, or just some of the details involved in the casting? Like most rituals, it simply varies in it's trappings by tradition. But they are quite interesting.

Lucky is quiet for a moment. How much could he know? How much would he tell? I have a feeling a man like Lucien stakes his honor on his reputation, but then again... to be wrong...
Let's say I had heard about groups such as the Voodoo Posse and other voodoo krewe's and was wary of what kind of power they had to call on. Where would I look? What would I look for? Lucky keeps her face blank, her interest on the display cases in Lucien's shop.

Well there's very little you could do on the short term, besides get behind a very powerful ward. There is a metamagcial technique referred to commonly as "fluxing" that can temporarily disrupt the astral link formed by ritual sorcery. But it's only a temporary reprieve Im afraid. Standard techniques of counter spelling and shielding work as well, but are of course made much more difficult by the fast that you're defending against mutltiple spell casters at once.

The best defense is always to keep potentiall material links from falling in to the wrong hands. With groups like the Voodoo Posse however, they don't need even that. They can use Symbolic Linking. Essentially they can use a created focus, such as the "voodoo doll", to stand in for an actual link.

Since you are standing here today, I will assume you've never been the target of ritual sorcery. So that you would know what to expect, should you be targeted, you will feel an almsot over powering sense of dread or doom. This means that the ritual is in progress, and the link has been formed. From this point on, generally you have about an hour to live.

So from that point on, your only course of action would be to find yourself a high force ward and get behind that, am I correct? Lucky's attention is completely on Lucien now.

Correct. Ideally, having one ready before hand acutally. There are a few types of spirits that can aid in spell defense, as well as foci for countering spells, and shielding specifically. You could also attempt hiring other mages to help youn in your defense.

Against a group as strong as the Voodoo Posse however, at least at full strength, there essentially is little you can do to defend your self. It would be like a child trying to ward off the blows of a full grown troll. At less than a ful circle however, there is some hope. Hypothetically of course.

Thank you, Lucien. Your information... is enlightening. I'll take whatever information you have on ritual magic, preferably anything geared more towards the voudoun tradition. Also, ... I was wondering if you have any information on a prison by the name of Blackstone? Strange request, I know...

Blackstone .... not one we speak of often.

Yes I have a few files. Blackstone prison, so named for the black granite that forms it's walls, was founded in 2031, when it was discovered that the area was a massive mana warp. No one knows why, thankfully. It's not a mana ebb, which is an absence of mana. Rather, it is a background count so horrificaly potent that it warps the very mana, rendering it virtually unusable, even dangerous. There is usalluy a "bleeding" effect from the astral plane to the phsyical realm. in Blackstone's case, feeling of anger, hurt, and overwhlming depression.

Laucien forwards a few e-books covering voodoun rituals, as well as another text on blood magic and sacrifice, called The Red Conjure Man. He forwards another text on Blackstone Federal Peneteniary. Total cost is $500.

Thank you, Lucien. There is also the matter of more summoning materials. I have been practicing quite a bit and have already gone through my supply. Do you have more of what I need in stock? Lucky transfers the $500 for the books over first, mostly to show Lucien her credit is still good.

Of course. If I recall correctly, last time ,it was enough materials for four elementals of force 3? What would you be looking for tonight?

Good memory.. Have to remember that... Fortunately, my progress has been steady. This time I would like materials for four summonings of Force 5, please.

One of each I assume? Without waiting for an aswer, he busies him self about the room gathering materials. Lucky notices that he also gathers summoning materials for the Spirits of Men, using the traditional materials of Black Magic. Something else to remember. The AR tally comes up. $2,500 for each, for a total of $$12,500.

Lucky sighs and pays the bill, mentally committing herself to a few more private "chats" with her online clients.
Thank you, Monsieur Lucien. As always, it's been a pleasure. Lucky smiles and takes the bags from his outstretched hands and exits the shop. Once outside, she again scans the walkfront and then her truck, both physically and then astrally.
I have really got to get Tori to make some security mods to this baby. I would cry if anything happened to it... or to me, for that matter.
Once inside the truck and headed for the 'Strike again, Lucky contacted Terry, the decker Cynthia set her up with.
Hey Ter, where ya at? Lucky smiled flirtatiously. It didn't hurt to flirt with the men you asked to save your ass. If they enjoyed looking at it, they usually worked to protect just a little bit more.

Terry smiled back ,a bit tired looking. It had apparently been a long night for him as well. Checking her chronometer, it was nearly 0300.

Hey Luck. Worn. Your self?

So far Terry had proven to be one of the few men Lucky's "femimine wiles" hadn't won over. He liked her, and respected her. He just diidn't seem in to her.

Oh my God, Ter... I'm so sorry. I just noticed the time. I'm so sorry. I'll make this quick. I know you must have a thousand other things going with everything that's going down but I was wondering if you could manage to download me a new OS security upgrade. With all the chaos and all the calls I've been getting... just want to be better paranoid then dead, you know what I mean?
Lucky smiled apologetically and wondered for the half a dozenth time if the rumors circulating about Terry being gay were true.

Sure luck, I've got a copy of the new Novatech Osiris right here. I'll forward it to you in a data packet. That way you can back everything up first, then laod it. Thing's got a wicked firewall.

Anything else?

That's it, Ter. You get some sleep when you can, soka? Lucky smiled and ended the call. Checking to make sure the data packet make the download successfully, Lucky saves it to her commlink and makes a note to upgrade when she gets the chance.
While she's thinking about it she also places a quick text message to Tori. Knowing her, she was in the middle of 'something' and wouldn't want to be bothered.
Tor, it's time for an upgrade on the truck's security. I need it done ASAP... and I need an upgraded chem sniffer. When can I expect it done?
Lucky appreciated the tone she could take with Tori. They had a good working relationship; Lucky supplied her with what she needed to feed her new addictions and she supplied Lucky with new wiz rigger tech to keep her alive. It was a good deal.
Lucky sighed and checked the AR surveillance feeds of the 'Strike, checking in on Dante. Thanfully, he was asleep in her suite with Benny Blue sleeping beside him... well, maybe not sleeping. The telltale eyeshine on the camera indicated that Benny was very much alert and would be until she arrived home.
Ticking things off her mental to-do list, Lucky logged onto the LTG host for Lucky Starr Productions and ran through her slog of new client requests.
Let's see... yes, yes, no, no, no.. yes, yes, yes. Okay.. that will do for now. It should at least cover the bundle I just dropped at Lucien's. Oh... hmmm.. Ambar requested another 'consultation'... he's getting to be quite the repeat customer. Hmmm.. definitely yes on that one. Lucky sent a quick reply in the affirmative asking him to pick the date and time from three options and then logged off the host.
Yawning, she stretched as she turned into the 'Strike's parking lot. Only one last thing to do. Lucky sent another text message, this one to Oz.
Have the information you asked for. When and where?

Tori's reply came first. Security I can start on immediately. Will take a day or two. Chem sniffer I can get quick too.

Oz's reply was not long in coming.

The Warehouse. Now

"The Warehouse" was of course the dock side warehouse she had met Oz on the night with the smuggler's guns. The same night she'd killed one of the shadowrunners that was with them, and she'd almost seen Sinn killed for getting too full of him self with Oz. "The Warehouse" was a place where business got done. Usually nasty business.

Lucky sighed and changed direction, programming in the coordinates to the Warehouse. That finished, she contacted Jess through the AR, telling her she would be late and to feel free to crash in the suite. She would pay her in the morning. She also keyed Benny's eye cams to her comm.
Flipping down the mirror, Lucky ran a hand through her hair and straightened her collar. Even if Oz was meeting her at 3 a.m. during a crisis, he would still expect her to look presentable.
Within an all too short time frame, Lucky was pulling up to the Warehouse. She left her gun in the truck, if she needed it... she was already dead anyway and bringing it in would just be an insult.

There were three cars at the warehose waiting. Not a good sign.

Oz was waiting inside, along with Rock of course. A few of his usual men were there, including Theo. Everyone always seemed to forget about Theo. He was uninteresting to look at, just an every man sort. Lucky never forgot about him since she'd learned to view auras. Theo was a mage, and a strong one. At least a Gamma grade initiate. He just always seemd so placid and unassuming, no one ever bothered to check.

Oz was looking irritated and annoyed when Lucky walked in. No, not annoyed. Impatient. Oz was waiting for something. Lucky couldn't help but hope that it wasn't her.

Lucky, you made good time. What do you have so far?

Lucky didn't waste time getting to the heart of the matter. Knowing that Theo was a mage, didn't help... knowing he could tell if she was lying she kept her words couched in half truths and prayed her masking would hold.
Everything I've learned so far points to the Voodoo Posse, Mr. Ozlowski. One of their own, a troll by the name of Julius, was involved in a spell battle with one they percieved as one of ours, Jacob Sinner.
Around 5 o'clock this evening, Julius was found dead. The cause of death was a spell of some sort. Rumors on the street say this was the reason for the hit on Mr. Weisler. An eye for an eye. Lucky's face remains calm throughout but her eyes betray her anger.
Composure Test

Oz nods. He looks upset, but surprisingly unphased. Perhaps unsuprised would be better. He has the look of a man that expected something bad to happen but hoped, and is finding him self dissapointed.

Anything more on it, or just street rumors?

Lucky hears another car pull up out side. This one sounds larger, like a van.

As of right now, just unsubstantiated rumors, Mr. Ozlowski. I would have waited to bring you more but, I told you I would have you something within 24 hours. I wanted to make good on that promise. The sound of the van from the outside draws Lucky's attention but her eyes stay on Oz.
Oh, God... here it comes. Lucky's heart skips a beat as she waits.

The roll up door opens slowly, and a black van pulls in. Their conversation is conveneintly inside enough that they don't have to move. The van is backing in rather than driving in straight. Another bad sign.

The roll up door starts closing before the van is entirely inside. As it closes, a large ork man, one of Chuck's enforcers steps out. He looks grim.

Oz nods to him. Right on time Paulie. Nice to see everyone punctual for once. You know Lucky I assume.

Paulie nods and starts walking towards them.

Composure test