Lucky nods to the big man. Paulie... Good to see you again. Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck... breathe, Lucky, m'girl.. just breathe..
Composure Test

Paulie nods and walks to the back of the truck. Another man gets out of the passenger side. This one is holding what looks like a tazer. Paulie opens up the back of the truck.

Gumbo is lying there in the back, unconcious, a third man sitting next to him, guarding him.

Composure test.

Lucky takes a step back, her face still calm.
Composhure Test

Oz speaks as he walks up to the van. I took the liberty of having a few of our decker's go through Erik's associates system just in case. What they found was a still active link,leading to this hacker. I expected you to find him in better condition Paulie. What happened?

Paulie shrugs. He was like that when we found 'em Oz. I seen a guy that got hit by black ice once. Looked just like that. Bleeding out the ears and everything.

Now Oz looks angry. Wonderful. Get him to Tell Paulie. I want him fixed. By tonight.

Paulie nods and moves quickly, closing the door to the van and getting ready to leave.

Lucky, find out what you can about this decker. He goes by the handle 'Gumbo' apparently. I want to know what he was doing in that system.

I know this guy, Mr. Ozlowski. He's a small time runner. The kind that will take any job if the cred is good. He's brash and he has no manners. He's the kind of low rung decker you bring in when you need a deniable assest, Sir.
Lucky surveyed the beached whale of the decker lying out in the van. All she could spare was a look of out and out contempt.

Find out what he knows. Find his contacts while Paulie gets his brain patched. Go to who ever introduced you if you need to. Toss his place. Find out why he was there. Take Rock if you think you'll need back up.

Rock puffs up a bit at that.

Uhh.. .yeah Luck, Yeah whatever ya' need.

Lucky's right Oz. I seen dis guy before. He worked with us on that thing on the boat. Us an Sinn, way back when, ya' know. Ya' just can't trust runners Oz, ya know. I mean both those others from that job, we had ta' take care of too. Ya' think ya' know a guy, ya know.

Rock just stands there for a minute, apparently done. Oz looks at him , as if trying to figure out exactly what he is.

Rock and I will take care of it, Mr. Ozlowski. Lucky turns her attention from the poor, pitiful form of Gumbo back to Oz. Is there anything else, sir? Lucky's mind is purposfully blank, empty of all but the current situation. There's really no telling of what Theo really is capable of.

No, not at the moment Lucky.

It's late, get some rest. You're going to have a long day ahead of you tomorrow.

Thank you, Mr. Ozlowski. I will. Lucky nods and turns to Rock. Rock, why don't you swing by the 'Strike in the morning and we can go from there... assuming, of course, that you don't have other responsibilities. Lucky gives Oz another respectful nod... a sort of "Not-Stepping-On-Your-Toes-and-Taking-Your-Guy-Just-Trying-To-Do-My-Job" sort of nod.

Yeah sure Lucky. I'll see you in the morning. What, like 0900?
Get some sleep . Sweet dreams Luck.

Rock smiles.

That will do fine, Rock. I'll see you then. Lucky smiles and actually gives Rock a quick hug and kiss on the cheek before giving a final nod to Oz and then heading out.

Back in her truck, Lucky heads back towards the 'Strike.
Frag it all to hell and back! Goddamnit! Gumbo.. you IDIOT?! How many times did I warn you? What are they going to find when they scan his systems? How many deckers they already have on it? Okay...so, I wiped my information from Sinn's system.. used Terry for that. Hope he doesn't talk. Breathe, Lucky... breathe. The first thing you need to do is find a way to tie Gumbo to the Posse. That would be easy if I could involve Sinn... okay, so maybe Sinn starts using Gumbo... passes along the contact information to his pals in the Posse. They start using him as a deniable asset, somone they can burn later. It makes sense, but there's no proof... other then finding him in Eric's friends' system. So... if I can take down one of the Posse... I could plant Gumbo's contact info in their 'link, offer that up. Might work. Hmmm..
Lucky is once again calm by the time she reaches the Strike. She checks on Dante and double checks the security footage of the club for the night and then checks the bar and liquor tally, making sure the numbers match.
Gonna skin Roberto's hide one of these days... damn, if the regulars don't love him though... they should. He giving away drinks fraggin left and right. This has gotta stop. Lucky pulls up Roberto's AR and sends him a quick invoice for an estimate in free alcohol given away that night, noting that she will be deducting the amount from his paycheck. He'll be in here crying about it tomorrow, but maybe it'll at least give him pause before he pours me into the poorhouse.

Suprigingly, the till isn;t as off by as much as Lcuky expected. Running the cams again, she sees that he's been paying for a number of drinks himself, albeit later. A number of them are for good looking girls, but more than a few are for regulars that aren't quite VIPS, and of course, a number of the made men. He seems to be breaking even though, as they all seem to tip him well.

Hmm, the boy has good business sense at least. Lucky redacts the email and the invoice. We'll see how it goes from now on.
Lucky takes a look at the AR clock, noting the time. Okay, so thanks to the Long Haul, I'm not going to be sleeping any time soon. If Oz and Crew think I'm out, this would be a good time to start tying up those loose ends.
Lucky sends a quick AR message to Genievive at the Emerald. G. I'm sorry for the timing, but I have an issue that needs to be resolved immediately. Looking to pay top cred. Please get back to me as soon as you can. L.S. Lucky snaps shut her commlink and sets the autosave function, then quickly downloads her new OS program. While she waits for it to finish, she takes a look over the clubs' books.

The response comes from within 5 minutes.

Available at all hours. Tell me what you need. matrix or meet for discussion?RSVP

Matrix meet. You pick the host. Will need two accomplished combat deckers, one demolitions expert and one weapon specialist. Will discuss details at meet.

Ten Minutes. Link

Lucky finishes the OS download and then runs a scan to make sure none of the original information has been corrupted. Once that's finished, Lucky runs another Spyware scan.
I'm sure Ter is smart enough to embed his 'Ware carefully, if he does have any in there, but you never know.

Ten Minutes Later
Lucky is waiting in the private reserved Matrix host. Her icon is simple and straighforward. It resembles her as she appears in life. The only difference is the tipped fedora that shadows her eyes.

The meet site is essentially a black room. There is the sense of walls, although they can't be seen. The floor is hard, there's a pair of wooden chairs, and a circular wooden table, above which sits a small lamp.

Genevieve's icon appers precisely on time, coming in the room just behind her chair. It's a simple business woman's icon. An emerald green suit , ,skirt and jacket combination, hair done up in a twist, a notepad in hand. The only thing that stands out is the completely blank face. Anonymous.

Here we are. I understand that you're in a bit of a rush, so let's get down to it.

Thank you. As I mentioned before I need two accomplished combat deckers, one demolitions expert and a weapons specialist. I would prefer runners that are unaffiliated or unknown to the Family. I understand that in this kind of town, that can be difficult to come by and as such I'm willing to pay more.
This job will be two pronged. I will need the combat deckers to infiltrate and extract as much information as possible from a system that is currently under alert. Secondly, I need the physical runners to obliterate a standing structure located in a B zone neighborhood. I need all of this done within the next few hours. Is this something you can do and if so, what kind of price tag am I looking at?

I know a few people that are able to handle immediate work. They can do this. I'll need a few more details before I can provide an accurate price tag however.

First, this structure, in what way is it important? Is it a building? A home? A business? Will there be persons on the premises, and if so, how are they to be handled?

Secondly, for the matrix attack, the depends on ths system. You said an active alert. What type of security are we talking about? Countermeasures, oppposition hackers, etcetera.

First, the structure. It's a private residence. I'll have the address for you once negotiations are complete. From my intel, I believe there will be an elderly woman home at the time in question. She will need to be a casualty in the explosion. Second, the Matrix attack. The system will be on full alert with a compliment of most likely no less then two deckers going through the system with a fine tooth comb. I don't care what happens to the deckers, with the exception of a decker with an icon resembling a giant gorilla. If the combat deckers manage to flatline that particular individual, there will be a bonus payment. I want any and all uncorrupted data copied and downloaded to a data chip and then I want the system trashed. Data bombs, viruses, however your people want to handle it... fine. I just want the system dead in the water. As far as any countermeasures in place, that I cannot tell you. I can tell you that the system itself belonged to a competent hacker.

Very well.

As to the first, I assume in this case there will be no security on hand. You want the building it's self and any persons within flatlined. Two men should be able to handle the job easily enough, but understand that I am requisitioning talent on the basis of the information provided. Anything out side of these parameters is not taken in to account. The cost for a rush job will be $15,000, for a professional pair that will get the job done. I'll need to know your time limit on both operations.

As to the second, assuming there are "no less that two", I would recommend a three to four man team. Three at the minimum. Flat lining competent, on alert hackers in an unknown system is dangerous work. For something this highly dnagerous, on very short notice, I would not be able to get the necessary talent together for any less than $10,000 each, , with an additional 5-10 thousand for the head of your icon target.

These are my prices, plus my 20% handling charge.

Is there anything else you feel you need to add in the way of information or requests as to how the jobs are handled?

Your prices are acceptable. The information I have given you is everything as far as I know. As a good faith gesture... the system the attack will be targeted on belongs to a local decker, a man named Gumbo. Gumbo has found himself the enemy of a powerful man within the Koslowski Family. I would not expect Gumbo to be seen anymore after tonight. The residence is his as well. I'll leave it to your discretion on whether or not you choose to relay the connection to your team but, as I said, as a good faith gesture... I'm telling you. Does this change anything as far as our deal is concerned?

No, all I need now is the time frame, and the payment transfer. I assume that I can reach you at this number still?

I need this accomplished by 8 a.m. and yes, this number is still good. Lucky makes the transfer, inwardly wincing at the drop in her account balance.
Going to have to set Shannon up with a few more clients...

5 hours then. How many combat deckers are you authorizing?

At your suggestion, I've paid the fee for four. Let me know if there are any ... challenges.

They'll be dealt with if there are. You'll hear back from me soon.
if there's nothing else...?



Seeing that Lucky is finished, Genevieve's icon moves away fro mthe table, then exits the room. An option button appears before Lucky to delete this meet site completely, and a count down timer. All she has to do is say "yes", and the site will be completely deleted in 5 seconds.

Lucky hits Yes and then logs out of the 'Trix. Well, that's taken care of. Time to clean up my own tracks. Lucky quickly goes back through her own commlink, deleting all AR messages from Genivieve and the history cache.
Stretching out, she sends a quick message to Cesar/Apollo. Hey babe. I'm going to be preoccupied with biz the next few nights. Take your fights and put down 5K for me on your match with Juan. For you to win, of course. Stop by the 'Strike and let me know how you're doing. Need anything?

The reply comes back 10 minutes later. Just some decent fights. The odds are crap on the ones I'm getting now.

Working on that, Apollo. Gotta crawl before you can walk. A few more Vice Nights at the Arena and I should be able to talk Le Croix into upping the ante.

Ending the conversation with Apollo, Lucky turns her attention back to the technological mess at hand. What to do about Gumbo, specifically? God, I hate owing Nathaniel this much... unfortunately, he's the only one I know that can do what I need done. Lucky summons a small force Spirit of Man.
Spirit, find me the one known as Nathaniel Majere. Tell him that Lucky requests his presence yet again.
Lucky sighs as the spirit slides off into the astral. God, it's tempting to bliss away, right about now.... don't even think it, Lucky m'girl.
Lucky instead heads for her liquor cabinet and pours herself a stiff drink.

It's a long wait this time. But twenty minutes later, he arrives. This time though, it's a knock at the door, not an astral presence. He knocks, Lucky sees him on the cam, then he lets him self in.

Lucky my dear, I'm flattered. Plotting so many deaths just to have more time with me?

Lucky smiles and hands Nathaniel his drink of choice... well, maybe not 'choice' but one that he seems to enjoy nonetheless.
Well you know how it is, Nathaniel, when you're on a roll... Lucky kisses Nathaniel hello and then crosses back to her desk, sitting on the edge.
It seems that loose ends seem to be unraveling all over the place lately. Right before Sinn planted the car bomb that killed Eric, he contacted a decker known as Gumbo. This decker managed to help Sinn infiltrate Mr. Weisler's associate's security, but also managed to get himself caught in the process. Unfortunately, this Gumbo also knows a good deal about me, and my dealings with Sinn, and conversations I had with Sinn the night everything went down. Lucky sighs and rubs at her temples, trying to ease the headache that's been threatening all day. She takes a sip of her whiskey.
Gumbo is now in the custody of Jack Ozlowski's henchmen, and probably seriously wishing he had never been born right now... which, means that he'll talk. If he says the wrong thing... well, it could put a cramp in my plans. Therefore, I need him taken care of. Now... or as close to now as possible. I've already made plans to wipe out any data he holds on the Matrix, and to destroy any physical materials he might have. The only thing left to do now is remove the source. I already know you can do it... the question is will you?
Lucky sits back and watches Nathaniel expectantly.
I really don't like this. I don't like owing him this much, or letting someone like him hold all the cards... but, right now, Lucky m'girl... you're what they call "over the barrel"... nothing to do but grit your teeth and muscle through. When all this over, you can sort out what to do about him. In the meantime, play it safe and take care of what needs to be taken care of.

"In the custody of his 'henchemen' ". Oh Lucky that is beautiful. I assume you're looking to point the finger at someone else. The Posse again, or another "stooge", to use your slang?

Lucky smiles halfheartedly. Good to see someone still has their sense of humor. The plan is to make this look like part of the Posse's ongoing "revenge" agenda. I'm planning on planting information on members of the Posse later, that shows they knew of Gumbo and Sinn's working relationship. Granted, the deckers I've hired to destroy his Matrix system are a touch out of the SOP for the Posse, but anyone can hire deckers... Lucky takes another sip of her drink, and scans the AR surveillance feeds again.

OOC: Checking for anything unusual in both the physical club and Lucky's Matrix security. Do you want me to roll for Perception or anything like that? Just an aside, Lucky does have the Electronics group at 5, so she's no slouch in that department...

Throughout the club, the made men alway in attendance are a lot more tense, even at this late hour. It's not uncommon for men in their position to hit places in the wee hours of 3-4 am, meaning that in thier minds, this would be prime strike time against them. Other than that, nothing out of the usual. Knowing what t olook for, Lucky does manage to spot Nathaniel's body guard Jackson in the club.

So two rituals in one day then. Very well, I can handle that . I seriously doub that this "Gumbo" has anything in the way of magical defenses that will slow me. Do you have a link?

I don't. I never spent any actual physical time with the man. I assume you're capable of symbolic linking? I apologize, I know it will make things more difficult.

Much, actually. Good to see that you've been boning up though. I assume you have something of him? A picture perhaps? Or even his home address, so that I might collect something my self?

You do of course owe me for this one. I won't insult your honor with details. You understand a debt, and we'll leave it at that.

You don't have to tell me I owe you, Nathaniel. I understand a debt and I understand what incurs one. And yes, I have a picture and an address, though you'll need to move quickly if you plan on entering his home. A demolitions expert and a weapons specialist will be blowing it and Gumbo's elderly mother to kingdom come very soon.

He peaks an eyebrow, apparently suprised at Lucky's heavy handed maneuver. He smiles. Well then I had better get going, hadn't I? Why don't you transfer over that picture in case I don't get there in time.

I'm sure you'll know when the deed is done.

He sketches a quick but formal bow to Lucky ,and leaves the room, leaving a link for a pic download to his commlink.

Lucky smiles as he leaves and then transfers Gumbo's picture to the link.
How is it that I can stay calm around the likes of Oz but lose it around him? God, the man is infuriating.
Checking the clock, Lucky sighs and goes back to work. The first item of business is taking care of the books from the previous night and banding the bundles of cash that go to Mancuso and those that go back to her accountant.
At least this gets to go back into my pocket. Lucky thinks ruefully as she pockets her share. Even with all of the chaos going down, Julian will still have my ass if this isn't to him on time. One thing's for damn sure... I had better not have to go collecting this week. Those that owe me are not going to be liking life if I do.
Next, Lucky hits LS Productions for a little one-on-one time with a few clients. At least with the time difference, I can schedule them in the early a.m. Makes it a lot easier to coordinate. By the time that little chore is finished, Lucky can hear Dante stirring in the other room.
Time to get the little man ready for the day...

Dante is awake in the other room when Lucky comes in. He's already up playing on his Sony Playstation 7, playing Dunkelzhan's Quest III. He's damn good at the game. The silver knight is moving through enemies with great speed, trying to get back to Dunkelzhan's Lair to give him the Magic Crystal. He's beat the game twice alraedy. It's a week old. Apparently he inherited a few things from his mother as well. He sits there on the bed, not moving at all, staring at the AR display. The green streaked nanotrodes on his temples is all he needs.

Lucky sets the time limit on the game for another ten minutes and then sends an alert through the AR.
Hey, Little Man. You have ten minutes left. ~L.
Lucky jumps into the shower and lets the heat ease her muscles. Ten minutes later, she's out and dressed and pushing Dante into the shower.
Let's get going, D. Those chocolate chip pancackes wait for no one...

Awesome! I love choco-cakes!

Hey Lucky, do you think my Dad'll be home tonight?

Lucky sighs and shakes her head. Not tonight, kiddo. You're stuck with me some more... so, I was thinking tonight... we'd hit Bourbon St. and maybe one of the street arcades. Whatdya think?
Nice Luck... what are you going to do, distract him for the rest of his under 18 existence? Lucky smiles at Dante and then turns back towards her office, and lets out an exhale.
Too many irons in the fire, Lucky, m'girl. Too many irons.

Ma & Pa's Diner - 0700

Ok whiz!

Breakfast is the normal messy affair , with Dante tearing in to his chocolate syrupped pancakes with chocoloate chips in them with wild abandon. Usually he gets his shower after breakfast. Luckily, the kid is old enough to clean himself up. Lucky has a brief moment where she pictures her self in khaki's and a sweater, wit ha bag of kiddy goods, wiping his face with a handy wipe while he squirms. She shudders.

Dropping him off at school at 0800 sharp, Lucky pulls away from the curb, just as her commlink rings. It's Rock.

Hey Luck ... uh.... I got some news. Dis line safe?
Without waiting for an answer, he goes on. Da' Posse, dey took out Gumbo. Joe said he was there at the clinic, and all of a sudden it got real cold. The Gumbo jumps up off the bed, with his head still all cut up and his brain showing and everything. He said that he looked all gaunt and everything, and there was this image of a top hat on his head. He started laying in to the guys, and killed two of 'em, 'fore they started gunning 'im down. Once they started chewing 'im up, Gumbo ripped 'is own head off. Oz's mage guy sounds like it was a targeted possession. Oz is fraggin' pissed Lucky. You better see what you can find, and pronto.

At about the same time, Lucky receives a text from Genevieve
Urban renewal complete. e-Mail in progress.

Lucky listens as Rock talks, her face registering shock and a little bit of fear.
I got it, Rock. Tell Mr. Ozlowski that I'll have answers for him shortly. Lucky disconnects after Rock nods.
Perfect. Checking the text from Geniveive, Lucky can't help but smile slightly. She responds.
Understood. Waiting for e-mail.
Lucky sets the autonav system for the Naughty Kitten. Time to pay Julian one last visit... wonder who his percentage will go to later? Hmmm.. have to find out.

The Naughty Kitten - 0835

Pulling up to the Kitten, Lucky gets another text from Genevieve.
e-mail completed. Specified note not in system.

The Kitten isn't open to the public just yet, but Mancuso practically lives here (sounds familiar). It's a sure bet he'll be here today, especially after last night's triumph. Work to be done. The bouncer lets Lucky in as usual. Wonderfully, the Kitten always smells clean and fresh, instead of the bitter, soiled beer smell so often associated with strip clubs. Mancuso is a man that pays attention to details after all.

Lucky smiles at the bouncer and makes her way through the kitchen to Mancuso's office in the back. Arriving at his door, she knocks and waits.