I'm sure I can find something, a motel for a couple days and then perhaps a truck stop of some sort, specially if we've got a truck around, might look out of place in a motel.

Crow heads out the door after Cash, hearing Neit's last reply before he goes. He replies on coms, <@All [Crow] I think a truck stop is perfect if we can find one near it.>

Talking to Cash as they head down in the elevator, "Thanks for the offer, but I have a pretty good library and a good source for materials. You need any backup while you gather munitions? If not, I'm gonna return home chill out and do some more summoning."

Nah, null sheen, I've got good people. But thanks for the offer. Feel free to give me a ring if you need a back up on your summoing. I hear those things can get nasty some times. It always helps to have someone with a really big gun on hand in case things don't go the way you planned.

Cash climbs in to his car and heads for home, taking his sweet time and a round about route just in case. After all, paranoia is survival instnact in this biz.

With a nod Crow goes over to his bike and dismissed the two patrolling watchers, A gun and a spirit..? I think we need to have a talk later.

He unlocks the bike and heads off into the afternoon. Time for a short summoning before I head off to Club Z... and perhaps a few others...

Cash - May 16th , 1600 - Car

After cruising for a little while and organizing some thoughts, Cash gvies Rey a call.

Hey there Rey. I've got a short shopping list I need taken care of. No rush, but some quality stuff. Wanna meet some place, or shall we do the comm-meet thing?

Shell - May 16th, 16:02 - Charlie's Apartment

Watching almost all the runners leave and just Neit staying he looks over to him.

Good to have you watching over us, as for the signal to disconnect us, well for me I'll try to get you a comm message, otherwise you see either of us bleeding... that'll be a good indicator that we've run into black IC and is all going bad. You can disconnect me by just removing my 'link from my hand, that should dump me from the trix, I'll check with Charlie about how to disconnect him and when.

Standing and then settling back onto the sofa, he places his 'link into his hand in plain sight and then slips into VR.

-----

Matrix

Stepping out of his 'link's node and into Charlie's apartment the Haiwian shirted and baggy shorted troll steps into the unfamiliar node. Placing his board upright in front of him, he looks around for Charlie

Charlie, it's Shell you here? Right whenever you are.

Charlie May 16th, 16:03 - Matrix
Frag Shell warn a body, would yah? Ready to roll?
Charlie's Icon appears in the node as a lean male elf in a black camoflage suit He studies Shell's Icon for a moment. Huh, Never figured you for a classicist. Surfer, funny. You and me are going to get along just fine. Where do you want to start? The elf makes a gesture and a swirling black cloak appears on his shoulders. Oh yeah. Who'd you get for overwatch?

Crow - Thursday, May 16th, 2070: 16:05 - Golden China

While en route home, after doubling back twice to insure he was not being followed, Crow stops off at Golden China Restaurant. Before going in he calls Regina:
<@Regina [Crow] Hey sweety. I was thinking of picking up Chinese.... and I need some more binding materials. I'm thinking a water elemental tonight. You ring those by my place and I'll bring the Chinese.>

OOC: My plan is just to subtract the cost of the materials as before and continue on, rolling for the summoning and binding next.

Heh, I can try, as for where to start well I've got the LTG address for the vet's host, but you're the lead on the hacking this'll be a nat beyond my normal actions.

Concentrating a moment a black wetsuit slowly replaces the shirt and shorts as his stealth and biofeedback filters come on line. Then a pair of goggles appear on his head as his scan and analyse programs come up too.

Charlie glances at the shift in the trolls Icon No big, I can do this... I think. I'm a little rusty so we'll start slow and steady. I figure I'll handle the tap itself. You just keep an eye out for ice, and warn me when some shows up. Ok, let's synch links and progs, I've got an exploit prog, stealth, a browser, a Data Sniffer, a decrypter and anlyzer, and a trix tracer. Most running at the top of my link. I see you got stealth, biofeed, scanners and an anylyzer. Any IC or do we need to go shopping?

Defensive IC? Nah, upgraded firewall's about the limit of my 'link defences. Most of my hacking is cracking copy protection, and that rarely fights back too hard. the surfer shrugs Otherwise I got a few toys, can have about another 4 or so running before they start fighting over system resources and degrade a bit. Anyhoo take your pick got browsing tools, command utilities, editors, encryption algorithms, armour for me, some sleepy juice for aggressors, decryption, bomb disposal, weak point detections and spoofing available, it's a pick and mix selection.

Charlie rubs his virtual hands together Okay, we should be fine between the two of us. Just keep a low profile and we'll be in the nu. I'll sync my link to yours and we'll get this party started. You show me that vet's node. It won't know what hit it. Shell recieves an AR message, Comm synch requested, Allow or Deny?

Comm Synch Accepted

Vet's node's over this way

And setting his board as though in the waves, the surfer lies down on it and starts paddling towards the node once he sees Charlie ready to go.

Cash - May 16th , 1600 - Car

Rey smiles and nods. Why don't you come out to the boat? Pops and I were about to go out, we can talk there. Say, pier C-42 in an hour?

Can you make it a half hour? That was what we'd agreed on chummer. On a bit of a time crunch here.

Crow - Thursday, May 16th, 2070: 16:05 - Golden China

A silky voice on the other end of the line answers. Of course. I'll see you when you get here. The call disconnects.

Perception Test (Auditory) then, roll for your summoning and binding. We'll make adjustments according to your perception roll.

Cash - May 16th , 1600 - Car

For the briefest second, Rey's face falls and an unreadable emotion flickers across his features.
Sure thing, Cash. I'll see you in 30. There's a slight pause, in which you hear another voice and then the phone disconnects.

You can make a Sense Motive roll to try and determine Rey's emotional state.

Sense Motive Test

I don't like this. Rey ain't like that. What the frag.... Time for a little insurance.

Cash keys up his commlink again, this time placing a call to Sunny.

Hey Sunny m' man, I got some side action going that I'm lookin' to wrap up tonight, and could use a hard boy like your self stading beside me for a hopefully friendly meet. You interested?

OOC: Rolls...

No problem, dude. When and where?

Out by the wharf. I'll send you location and the boat name. Actually... how 'bout "Stew's"? It's a little soup shop down by the wharf. Meet me there in 20. I've got a meet with a contact that's seeming a little sketchy, and I've got another project I'm working on that I could use another hand on anyways.

I'll even forward yeah 5 large for tonight. Work for you?

I'm in. Know the soup shop, even though it's never been my favourite kind of restaurant. I'll bring along some pistols, guess we don't need more firepower.

Smiling to himself on the thought of earning 5k so easily, he thinks about his father's restaurant. That's gonna be for dad.

Yeah we'd better not. See you there, don't be late.

Cash disconnects and speeds up a bit to make sure he has time to make the soup shop meet, and still get to the boat on time. He strolls in quickly, ordering two cups to go of a simple chicken soup, and sits to wait for Sunny.

Crow - Thursday, May 16th, 2070: 16:20 - Heading away from the Golden China Resteraunt

Pulling away from the curb, something nags at the back of your mind. Something someone said... something SHE said. Regina. "I'll see you when you get here..." Get here. That meant she was already there. Which would be great, if you could remember ever having given her a key.

Pulling up to your building, you can see a light flickering from behind your curtains and the movement of shadows. The astral seems heavy tonight, heavy and charged... almost like syrup poured on a power line.

Cash - May 16th , 1600 - Car

Exiting Stew's with the soup in hand, you can't help but notice the large crowd gathered at one end of the pier. Their voices carry through the still, humid air.
... no way they're ever going to be able to tell...
Can you get it? ... did anyone call 911? ... sharks got to this one for sure.
From somewhere in the distance you can hear the faint blaring of a siren, the sound slowly gets closer.

*** Sunny - May 16th, 1600 - Car***

From somewhere in your rearview mirror the familiar sight of flashing red and blue almost stops your heart. You hold your breath, praying that its not you they're after. For one long, lingering moment it seems like the cop is slowing down, ready to merge into your lane... before he whips his car around a barricade and screams down the freeway, another two black & white's and an ambulance not far behind.
Still trying to catch your breath and slow your heart rate, you turn into the Stew's parking lot five minutes later. From where you are, you can see Cash sitting on an outside table, his fingertips tapping the wrought iron top impatiently. Past him you can see the trio of cop cars and the ambulance parked haphazardly at the end of the pier.

Feeling a bit more jumpy than usual, and always sure that some information you might not want, is better than no information that you end up needing, Cash keys up his glasses. He zooms in with the vision magnification, bringing up the low light to get a better look at tonight's business.

Cash - May 16th , Stew's Soup Bar

OOC: Perception Roll (Visual)

Intuition 4
Perception 4
(S)Visual 2
Glasses Vision Mag 2
= 12
6 hits

Cash - May 16th , Stew's Soup Bar

Using your vision magnification to zoom in, you're able to just discern a man in a yellow firefighters' uniform hook a pale form in the water. As its dragged on shore, you can see that at one time it was either a troll or an ork. Most likely a troll. The body is nude and shark-bitten. One arm is completely severed below the elbow. A dark stain covers one side of his chest. It looks like it could either be bruising or the result of a close encounter with a heavy pistol. The face is swollen, disguising its features. A ragged, purple scar runs down the left side of its face and one horn is sheared almost at the skull.
The firefighters close rank around the body and soon a flickering yellow police holo is put in place around the scene. Less then a minute later, media drones descend... hovering just out of range of the KE patrol skimmers circling the scene.
With the police holo up, it's impossible to see what's happening beyond. The holo must project some kind of jammer signal.

Cash -Thursday, May 16th - 1600 - Stew's

Cash takes a quick pic of the face, and body, as well as the persons around the scene, and logs it away.

Never know when this sort of thing might be handy. Look that guy up later.

Where the hell is Sunny? This is gonna cause a whole mess of traffic.

Crow - Thursday, May 16th, 2070: 16:20 - Outside Crow's Doss

Pulling up to the curb, Crow tries to shake the feeling that something is wrong. He conjures up a pair of watchers as his paranoia begins to kick in...

To the first: Go inside my apartment, tell me how many people are there.

To the second: Circle the block and determine if there are any magically active people. Come back and tell me where they are and what they are doing.

He keeps telling himself, It's nothing. She just got a key. None the less he begins to scan the area visually and astrally for things out of place...

It becomes obvious that the cops are on the pier for some other reasons than to prey on honest shadowrunners, a thought that makes Sunny feel comfortable. He checks his Desert Eagle a last time before he leaves his car and heads over to Cash.

Hoi chummer! Everything's fine?

Cash -Thursday, May 16th - 1600 - Stew's

As good as they could be when you have to call in a partner for body guarding I suppose.

So here's the action; have a meet wit ha contact of mine, a 'friend' who's good at getting a hold of much needed pieces of merchandise. I was on my way to pick up one of those needed pieces, and he had an unexpected issue of tardiness, and seemed very worried when I insisted we have our business handled promptly. It may be absolutely nothing, but I'm not a big fan of chances.

Besides that, I'm working on something else that can pay big money, which is what I need this merchandise for tonight. Tonight's work is probably just a first step, but things could go bad, so I could use another hand near by just in case. I'll give you more details later, when there isn't so much blue around.

The rendezvous we're on the way to is an associate named 'Rae'. An ork, the kid of my old fixer, new to the biz. He should be the only one there. We're meeting on his boat. Even if something does go down, and I'm hoping I've just got over worked nerves, I'd prefer he make it out ok. Breathing yes, walking optional. But for now, just play it cool. Got it?

Cash smiles after the quick "game plan" talk. Hopefully this will just be easy money for Sunny, and give Rae a bit of a heads up that his business partner doesn't like things to change last minute. Hopefully.

(if there's no questions) Cash climbs in to his car, signaling Sunny to follow, and drives to Rae's boat.

Sunny gets into Cash's car - every time he see the interior of a troll-sized one, he's impressed and feels so small himself. Sunken in the seat, he enjoys the ride.

Sounds good to me. If all else fails, I'll tackle Rae down and throw him over board. Haven't done this for weeks.

A grins that gets bigger and bigger shows that Sunny remembers 'the good ol' times'.

Crow - Thursday, May 16th, 2070: 16:20 - Outside Crow's Doss

The first spirit returns quickly. There is a woman, Master, and no other.

The second spirit takes a few moments longer then the first. There are three, Master, three that show the aura of magic. One sits alone in a room filled with many. The room is in another bigger room that sits 20 paces away. He drinks of the intoxicating beverage you prefer.
The other two walk together more then 100 paces away. They are whispering to one another and one is using the strange device you use to communicate with those that are not near.

The light in the window dims abruptly, replaced by the flickering light of a candle.

Cash & Grinder -Thursday, May 16th - 1600 - Stew's

Getting off the pier and onto the main road takes some doing. Rubberneckers, cops, emergency personnel and now news vans all come together to create a very effective stop-gap. A few twenties passed around help to clear a space and soon the both of you are cruising down towards the more commercial and private piers.

It doesn't take you long for you to find the pier you're looking for. The expensive looking wrought-iron gate surrounding it's entrance speaks of money and privilege... as does the serious looking human male standing outside a guard booth near the entrance.
As you approach, he turns his back casually as if there's something on the back wall that requires his in-depth attention... then the gate opens.
Driving through, you come onto a vast parking lot studded with incredibly expensive newer model cars or even more incredibly expensive "classic" cars.
Past the parking lot lies the pier itself, stretching out into a series of bays for expensive yachts and racing boats.
The water that laps placidly at the sides of the boats and dock is a startlingly crystal blue. Beautiful corral decorate the bottom of the ocean, and an astonishing variety of marine life dart here and there amongst the sea lace.
Near the first t-juntion of the pier, Rey waits. His profile is in view and he appears to be smoking.

Cash & Grinder -Thursday, May 16th - 1635 - The Pier

Cash takes a moment to point out Rey to Sunny, and looks around the area for any bodyguard types while he parks the car. He then slides his predator from beneath his seat and into his underarm holster, shrugging on his jacket as he gets out.

With a waive to Rey, he gives Sunny the heard jerk, and starts strolling Rey's way.

Now would be a great time to be able to astrally assense. Goddamnit.

As he walks up, Cash takes some time to watch Rey, watching his body language, especailly zooming in with hsi glasses to watch his eyes, and see how he reacts to Sunny's presense. Especailly watching if his eyes go anywhere else, like to the boat, or perhaps a concealed sniper.

Gettin' paranoid in your old mage man.

Cash keeps the smile on his face though, not giving anything anyway. perfectly normal meet.

Wassup Rey, how ya' been. Nice digs you and your pops have out here.

Crow - Thursday, May 16th, 2070: 17:00 - Outside Crow's Doss

Sean smiles as he locks down the bike. Despite the time Regina will cost him, he is happy for the distraction.

Paranoia the main stay of all runners, he has one of the watchers stay and guard his bike. As he walks towards his apartment, he inquires of the second: What were they discussing? Were they astrally perceiving?

Cash & Sunny -Thursday, May 16th - 1635 - The Pier

At least the long stroll up the pier gives you ample opportunity to study Rey's body language. He straightens up as he spots you coming close, tossing the cigarette into the water as he does so. His posture registers tension as he catches sight of Sunny, but strangely (or not) he doesn't appear surprised. When he faces you, his grin is genuine but his eyes don't have their normal shine. He looks tired... no, not tired. Weary. His jacket, even though you know he's still the same size, appears to hang off of him. His shoulders are sloped forward and he seems to be a smaller man.
The closer you get, the more he seems to draw himself up until when you're within 6 feet, he seems like the same old Rey.
Hey Cash! Good to see you, my man. Sorry for the delay but unfortunately, couldn't be helped. Why don't you step onboard and we'll get your ... your purchases taken care of.

Cash & Sunny -Thursday, May 16th - 1635 - The Pier


Sounds good. Rey, this is Sunny. Sunny, Rey. Sunny's an associate on some business.

I assume you've got everything set to go? I won't keep you long. Been busy Rey? Ya' look beat.

I will not laugh at puns. I will not laugh at puns I will not ...

Charlie - May 16th, 16:03 - Matrix

Your black cloak swirls and settles around your electronic form. The bright, neon sun of the Matrix environment seems more real then anything you might see outside. You can actually feel it's heat soaking into your limbs, your skin. Azure water laps at your ankles while data packets masquerading as colorful fish dart by.

The water and beach are abuzz with activity. Icons of every shape, form and color either float, drift or fly by. The incongruity of what you see is startling. Standing on a lifeguard stand is a figure in full medieval Japanese samaurai regalia, nearer the beach is a Roman Centurion with spear and shield in hand. A large group of American cheerleaders crosses one corner of the sand, disappearing into a dune and followed closely by a teenage boy with a megaphone and a bad case of acne.

Shell waits impatiently in the water, paddling to keep from drifting with the current.
You coming or what?

Crow - Thursday, May 16th, 2070: 17:00 - Outside Crow's Doss

The spirit closes its eyes and from behind the lids an unearthly purple light glows. When it speaks, its voice echoes as if its coming from a distance.

Their is an older one, a male. Human. His aura is blackened in his head and in his arm. He speaks.
..."Security is lacking. It should be easier then we initally thought."
There is a younger one. His aura shines brighter. He is frightened. He does not speak but watches. He allows his vision to wander to the astral for a few moments at a time.
I am sorry, Master, but I cannot hear what is being said through the electronic device.

Cash & Sunny -Thursday, May 16th - 1635 - The Pier

Rey nods a greeting at Sunny and gestures towards the boat. Everything's ready to go.

Crow - Thursday, May 16th, 2070: 17:01 - Outside Crow's Doss

Sean puts the watcher on patrol at his apartment and then enters. As long as the duo decide not to mess with Sean, he lets them be as well. He quietly closes and locks the door behind him, the watchers will let him know if there are any problems he missed.

Cash & Sunny -Thursday, May 16th - 1635 - The Pier

After you.

Cash smiles and follows Rey on to the boat, making sure to admire the 'vessel' obviously. Always good to compliment the host. Especailly without actually doing it so they wouldn't have to play modest.

Cash & Sunny -Thursday, May 16th - 1635 - The Pier

Sunny nods to Rey when Cash introduced him.

Wow, the guy had some hard nights, it seems.

He waits until their host and Cash entered the boat before he follows, looking around for any sign of suspective individuals. Nodding to himself when everything seems to be calm, he goes on board.

Charlie - May 16th, 16:03 - Matrix
Charlie looked out across the digital waterfront, he shrugged and jumped in after Shell I'm right behind you, where's this vet?

Crow - Thursday, May 16th, 2070: 17:15 - Crow's Doss

The watcher spirit nods at your commands and disappears from view, swirling into the astral.

Approaching your door, the soft sound of jazz greets you. The music is low with a deep bass beat that thrums through the composite wood. The AR links to your comm and beeps its approval, automatically unlocking and opening the door.
Inside, the apartment is dark except for the flickering light of a candle on the table. The music is louder now and there's a faint smoky scent to the air. The smell is pleasant, reminiscent of vanilla and woodsmoke.
From the darkened doorway of your bedroom, a feminine voice speaks.
About time you got home. I've been waiting. You can hear the smile in her words and the soft sound of silk slipping over skin as she moves closer.