it's simple. I've got some nano paste. Just spread it on your temples, then slot the chip in to your commlink. I suually set a timer. Then sit back and enjoy.

Cat digs in to her small back pack, coming up with said nano paste and a chip in it's case, and hands it to Smoke.

Have you ever used nano paste before?

A virgin on a Cal hot level lesbian porn chip. This should be interesting.

No, I haven't. Smoke smiles and takes the nanopaste jar from Shadowcat, looking it over and reading the label.
What are you doing? You would be leaving yourself at her mercy! This is utter insanity! Who is this woman that you would trust yourself so completely within a matter of hours?! This is not like you, Naerdiell. Not at all. I insist that you take precautions, at the very least!
Of course, my love. Spirit of Man, watch over me. Protect me from all who would harm me. Does that satisfy you?
Hardly. The woman is a mage herself. Do you think that a simple spirit would stop her if she had the werewithal to truly hurt you?
Smoke stops and places the jar atop the coffee table.
If I were to immerse myself in this chip... I would be cut off from the real world completely?

No, that only happens with beetles. It would take ovver primarily , but you can concentrate to push it away. Of course, you can also just turn it off. If you would prefer , I could go and make my self busy somewhere else. You could always summon a spirit or two as well if you're concerned.

No, ... I would prefer that you remain with me. I do not know what could happen with a chip and I would feel better if I knew someone was with me. If that is all right?
Smoke relaxes back against the couch cushions and picks up the nanopaste jar again.
Naerdiell, you take this risk upon you at your own peril. Please, be cautious, my love. I would die if something were to happen to you.
I will be careful. But, I left home to experience the world. I will not be denied this opportunity. Besides my time will come soon enough. We both know that.
Smoke hands the jar to Shadowcat. Would you?

Of course.

Cat walks over and takes te jar.
I understand what it means, allowing me to do this. Trsting me. You have a strong sense of honor.

Cat leans forward, paste on both fingers, gently rubbing it on to Smokes' temples.

Eitehr that or you'vegot some sort of ace up your sleeve, and you're confident enough now that you think you can kill me quicly if something goes wrong. I wonder if she's realized yet that I can't see the astral plane. There could be spirits hovering all around her. I've got to be careful with this "girl"

There you go. Now just sit back ,set the timer, and hit 'play'.

Cat steps back, giving Smoke a little space.

Smoke smiles and lays her head back on the pillow. With her free hand she sets the timer on her commlink, giving her half an hour. With her other hand, she presses play and lays the commlink down on her stomach.
There's something delicious about not knowing. She seems so kind, but what if she's not. I wonder if this is how my victims felt before I ended their lives. Something to note in my journal tonight... if I live to see it. I do like her though. I think I wouldn't want to kill her.

Taking a moment to scan her commlink to check the play time, Cat takes the time to set up a 20 minute play, and samples a chi of her own. She finishes hers a bit before Smoke, and waits for her to finish up . Once they've both finished,Cat smiles.

Hope you enjoyed that. I'll find a place to get some rest. I have some work I need to catch up on, and you'll probably want to play with that a bit more. Or just get some sleep.

Cat heads up to the "guest bedroom", following the house's AR.

Oh, by the way, if you want to relocate eventually, I could probably make some "Creative paper work" and give you the deed for this place. Might be a nice way to earn a little extra cred.

Trevor spots a lone mage standing around the area near the warehouse. A quick check on the astral reveals at least one spirit. I will have to return the favor my dear Calypso. Hmm, I believe my little friend will help this immensely. Beast, come.

A beast spirit on the appears on the astral in the form of a giant bat.

Go and attack that mage's spirit. Kill it if you can.

Yes, master.

Once the attack begins in ernest, Trevor uses his mist form to move right up to the mage and makes his attack.

Trevor
Your fangs sink into his neck. He's about to scream but then just kinda moans quietly. You can tell hes in pain. You're nearly drowning in his blood. Soon you pull your teeth back and rip out the side of the mages throat. He falls to his knees, then flat on his face. Your spirit returns.
It is done master.
You begin to hear footsteps, sounds like 4 men. Coming in your direction, but not quickly. You return to mist form and escape quietly, your spirit dissolves into the astral.
ShadowCat

Cat holds up a finger for a moment to hold the conversation. She first engages her IC systems, and activates her armor, snooper, and attack programs. She then answers the call, wondering how anyone ahs the number she has yet to give tto anyone.

The screen is black. You here a low dismal voice on the other end.
Is this the one I here about called smoke?
Very well. Im afraid I cant tell you my name due to the lack of security on my end of this line. But I have a job for you. If you're interested, And I think you will be. Would you like to hear what it is?

I'm listening, but you're going to have to tell me a few things first. I'm tired of dealing with mystery people. How did you get this number for starters. It was just created. Secondly, so you have anything to do with the Johnson we just spoke with. I'm not in the mood for games.
Cat puts the voice-out put on Speaker so that Smoke can hear, but not the voice In-put. She's not quite ready to let this new Johnson know the whole situation.

Yes, Im the one who sent him to fetch you for a job, but it appears his lack of compitance is going to cost him. I got the number from him. Im with the organazation, The Black Lodge. He has led you to expose our plans. Now many people or going to do everything they can to stop us. You, had no way of knowing. So thus, you or your comrades are not at fault. The job I would like to hire you for is to make an example out of Calypso, by any means neccessary. Price can be discussed in person if you like. And if this job is done well, then there could be a place for you here. Are you interested?

Frankly, at the moment, I'm not looking at joining up with any group. As for Calypso though, yes I am interested. It will be expensive though. For one, there are three vehicles that need replacing. Our costs will reflect that. The mages guarding him will be removed I assume?

What's your offer?

Well, it appears three of them have already been removed. The other three have been pulled out. Well, your vehicles will be replace, just let me know what they were. And ontop of that, I will play you and your team 10k each. Does this suffice?

Provide for the cost of the vehicles. Estimate 15K each. I can find Smoke, but the other man is your problem. Since you're group already tried to kill us once, I think we;re going to have to ask for al ittle more in pay, to dissuade any more attempts at thinking you can get a better price. 15K each, and half up front. I'll give you an account number you can transfer mine to. Deal?

Roll charisma+ettiquite+3 considering you were almost killed for his cuase.

6,5,4,3,2,5,5,1,3,2= 4 net sucesses.

Very well, 15k. Now can we talk bussiness?

Smoke

Alright then. Let's go over some of the finer points. First, to conclude negotiations, that's 15K for the vehicles, and half up front for the job's pay. That's before I move a muscle, because as I said, frankly I don't trust you, and need some sort of assurance that you're not just baiting me to come out.

As fo Calypso, I need information on him. Who is he? What does he do? Is he magically active, and if so, how strong is he? Does he have other assocaites w'll have to worry about. This is all information you should have access to, and is very necessary to ensure my trust enough for me to hunt him down.

Trevor reassumes human form some distance away. Hmm, I am going to look a bit conspicuous covered in blood aren't I? Though it was nice to send one of them out of this world. Trevor trembles a bit from the essence of his victim and wonders where he can find a woman who is interested in sex. I need to find someone who is weak minded enough to give me new clothes and not ask questions. He begins walking toward the nearest bus station keeping to the shadows. He comes upon a young man who is about the right size and frowns. This young man is tripped out on BTL chips. He knocks the young man out, dumps his chip bag on the ground, and dons his clothes. Doubtful that the youth will remember him anyway, he casts Alter Memory on him to alter his memory and gives him the impression of an ork from a trid show he saw recently. The bloody clothes are stuffed into the chip bag and Trevor continues on to the bus stop.

I must remember to have someone teach me a spell to clean up the mess. It would be much easier.

ShadowCat
Of course.
Your com beeps. 7,500 is added to your balance.
Now as for Calypso. Hes around 37 years of age. Hes not really a higher up member of our society, but he is exceptionlly strong. As for a mage, hes around a 5th grade initiate. Hes also skilled on the Matrix. As for that I didnt pay much attention too. I can gather how strong in just a few minutes, Ill interview the few memebers that knew him, and even fewer that cared for him. Hes only been involved with us for about a year. Before that, no one is sure where he came from. There was a rumor that he resided in Denver for a short while, and some say he was in the Renraku Facility when it shut down. He's seen battle. Dont under estimate him.

I won't. We will also need the 15,000 for vehicles. He is on the move. Any information that you have as to his destination would be helpful. I assume the mages have already been removed. Wil lthere be anyone else with him that you know of?

If he was, he would have been dead by now. He did like to frequent a bar called Sin Bin. Its a bar front, and a house of Ill repute in the back. You could start your search there.
As for the 15,000, you'll get that when the jobs done. Your vehicles will be replace as soon as possible.

The 15k is to replace the vehicles. Again, I simply don't trust you with my mode of transporation. I can send you a receipt if you;d like.
Other than that, that's all I need.

Very well then. Im assuming you want it now?
Your com beeps again, 15k added to your balance.

Thank you. Where shall I contact you for the remainder once the job is finsihed?

Oh, and I should be able to find Smoke. The other though, you are on your own for.

We have his number, or atleast his last know. Would you like it?

Arigato. It owuld make things much more expediant. Anything else

Yes, when you find him. Make it painful before he dies.
Sends the number to you.
And do try to be quick. Well, good luck. Disconects.

Cat turns to Smoke. Well it seems we have us a spot of work to do. Are you in?

Smoke

Smoke is once again dressed in her silks and gauzy cowl, her red hair the only part of her showing.
She nods and slides a hand along Cat's arm. If you think it's safe... not a setup... I'll do it. What about the other? The man?

There's always that chance, and it certainly isn't safe. But we have enough cred to replace our vehicles, and up front pay for taking out the man we already want dead. Plus I'm still tracking him

Cat winks, then pulls up the stealth tag she had on Calypso, and compares it to a map soft to see where he is.

The car appears to be parked at the warehouse. You remember it driving away, but when you replay the tracking. It appears the vehicle turned around.

send the fly that was on the car to the warehouse to investigate, while I go over it's recording near the point it turned around.

Smoke leans over Cat's shoulder, looking at the map.
What does it say?

It says the car went back to the warehouse. I'm looking to see what happened when it turned around.

Just simply turned around. No abrupt stop, or anything. Simply made a U-turn and turned around.

Go over the recording then, starting at the end, then the beginning, and see when the guy got out, or the door opened. Also checking it's sensor logs for any incoming or out going com singals, such as accessing the matrix or taking a commcall.

No calls were made. He did get out of the car, and has yet to re-enter. The car is still running. Has been for 12 minutes and 43 seconds. Some classical music is playing on the sterio

Smoke... I can't believe I'm saying this ... but can you get us another auto cab? have it come a few blocks away and wait. We don't have a lot of time to be buying vehicles just at the moment.

Send the fly spy around a bit to look for heat signatues. Also looking for any other vehicles still warm in the area. Maybe he's meeting another team or something.

Start hacking his car's computer. Running Stealth, exploit, and analyze at the moment. Going for admin access. Keep my cam running to watch around me.

Smoke nods and picks up her commlink.
Hello, Autocab? Yes. 1506 West Magnolia. Yes. Two persons. Multi-fuel please.... I don't like the environment and I want to speed up global warming. Thank you..goodbye.
Smoke walks back over to Cat and sits at the couch.
Done.

Cat smiles, bemused. Good girl. I like the way you think

OK, I've got his car. I think I have a plan forming here. Let's go get our cab.

Cat gathers her things quickly, explaining the plan on the way.

It had been designated to go to the Sin bin, then changed its location back to the warehouse.
It was accessed at 12:09(just after the meet went sour)
Two Interior cams. One in the rear veiw mirror, and one on the back window.

As your doing this, your com alerts you of an outgoing call from Calypsos phone.

Cat runs her stealth and a sniffer program ,keeping silent tabs on the comm call. Multitasking, she inserts a program error, to be triggered, to disable the car's safety system, and another to key in and disable the locks. Finally ,she inserts an encryption program and a data bobm rating 5, which will all engage on her signal to the car. Then she cleans her trail, removing the logs of her actions, hiding the folder with her admin access, and inserts and hides her rating III Black IC, keyed to attack anyone but her that attempts to access the autopilots actual systems, not just giving it comands to drive places.

Along the same lines, she sets her self admin access, and hides it ,then rearranges the other system priveleges , so that anyone else that has admin access now will still THINK they have the admin rights, but in effect cannot go against her admin commands.

Essentially ,she's rigging the car so that she can take control of it ,and lock him out of it's systems, and lock him inside, and filling it with death traps if he tries to hack it himself, while also forcing him to decrypt it first.

On the drive over, she starts hacknig the cab's OS for it's source code, so that she can create a duplicate OS within the system, and hide the orignal, so that she can create a virtual machine, or "dummy" OS within the car, so that if he tries to hack it, he's hacking a fake. All she'll have to do is build in a forwarding system so that his legit commands will still tell the car where to go, until she tells it otherwise.

Smoke watches for a moment then wanders off to another part of the house. From where Cat sits, it sounds as if she's talking to herself.

listens w/ audio buds rating III +Select Sound filter.

Once Smoke's done with her own little chit chat (or whatever ), Cat calls out. You about ready there chica? We have us a fool that needs killing.