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SoyKaf Adict
02:15; Stuffer Shack - Geraldine St. & Holcomb

He checked his clock... He wasn't quite sure when he had left Simon's place.

Well, I'll call him when I'm outta here. Focus on this Troll... He looks like he's got somethin' to prove. Shootin up this place is not gonna look good on my record if he decides to go pokin' me. Lets go check out that new SoyKaf...

McKinney walks slowly the best route to the SoyKaf to get his daily fix, once he gets there he checks his comm again, but no messages, so he pours himself some coffee.
gobogen
02:17; Stuffer Shack - Geraldine St. & Holcomb

McKinney moves away from the machine with a cup of boiling SoyKaf.

The troll was now at the cash register with a plastic bag filled with Stuffer Shack goodies. The woman in front of him is obviously nervous as she hands over a credstick from under the counter. The troll doesn't even look at it and makes a motion with his index finger to indicate that he demands more. The woman is trembling in fear. I.. We.. can't afford anything else. P-please take what you want in the store.

The scene has caught almost everyone else's attention in the store and they're all sort of staring without bringing attention to them, trying to pretend that they were minding their own business.

The troll's answer comes in the form of banging the counter with his massive left fist, about to yell.

McKinney catches movement from about 30 feet behind the large ganger. The young employee in yellow was approaching silently with a double-barrelled shotgun.
SoyKaf Adict
02:18; Stuffer Shack - Geraldine St. & Holcomb

McKinney motions to everyone silently waving his arms in a "back away" gesture. He pulls out his Ceska from the holster, moving for the nearest cover.

I'd be in a pinch if I hadn't decided to don my jumpsuit... Too bad I left the helmet in the car... At least I've got my Ceska. That kid is gonna see a meatpie of a fist connect with his face before he'll even get close enough not to cause some collateral damage to the clerk... And I don't know the first thing about being sneaky in this suit.
Lets start this my way...


He throws his cup of coffee in the best arc he can chuck towards the Trolls face, or general area. It'd keep the kid away, allow the cashier to duck out, and hopefully make the big troll a little more focused on him.

"Hey drekbreath! toothbrush section is this-a-way!"

He ducked behind an aisle as a barrier.

gobogen
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:18; Stuffer Shack

The SoyKaf cup hits against the counter at the level of the legs of troll, which are spared from the spilled content. With this and the ill comment he just made, McKinney definitely got the full attention of the troll who doesn't intend to kid around, as evidenced by an angry growl. Who ya 'tink ya are frag-head? Ya's not getting away wit' 'dis.

From behind an aisle, McKinney hears the troll moving towards his position at a rapid pace.
gobogen
The troll ganger reaches McKinney, who was suddenly frozen in the face of imminent combat. The troll, finding such an easy pray, puts all his weight in throwing his giant fist towards the human's face, confident of breaking it in tiny pieces. At the last moment, the runner comes back to his senses and dodges the left-handed blow which instead hit the shelves right where his head was. The troll lets out another growl and his face shows both surprise and rage. The cashier is heard screaming.
SoyKaf Adict
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:18; Stuffer Shack
McKinney

Right when the zombie was about to reach out and grab him he jerked to the side and flung himself out of its grip. Then he came back to reality as the scene had been all too familiar... But now it was a meaty troll with bloodlust on his mind, not a zombie.

Get a grip, and get the frak going EatMe! He said to himself as he jumped back to his feet.

His mind raced with ideas flooding back to him after a moment of nostalgic terror. He deftly reached for a grenade in the pouch at his side, releasing the pin and dropping it to his feet as he ran away down the aisle towards the end.

"Hey, your boots are untied!" He called out, hoping this troll was as simple as he thought.
gobogen
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:18; Stuffer Shack

Two loud noises are heard in succession in the Stuffer Shack, and probably even one block down. Right before the flashbang that was dropped by EatMe goes off, a 12-gauge shotgun blasted nearby. The store then lights up very brightly, accompanied by a dizzying buzzing.
SoyKaf Adict
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:18; Stuffer Shack
McKinney

At least his eyes were averted from the massive nova of light that just came out of the krill-filler aisle. He turned around once he rounded the corner, pulling out his Ceska Black Scorpion to help EatMe stave off the Behemoth's bright ideas of attempting to follow him. Not to mention, the shotgun noise wasn't from him.... Then he remembered, the shop boy! He took aim at where the Troll was when he left him and waited for his balance to catch up with him.
gobogen
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:18; Stuffer Shack

EatMe stops running and turns back to look at the victims of his grenade. He notices the shopboy holding the shotgun, standing dazzled behind the troll who throws a kick at him. The young man gasps as he loses his breath and his balance, also likely blinded by the earlier flash. The troll then turns to face EatMe, who's already aiming at him with a large pistol.
SoyKaf Adict
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:18; Stuffer Shack
McKinney

The Troll seemed surprised, but the targeting reticle through his optical SmartLink made it's head have nice red corona on it. He had instinctually switched over to burst fire. The chill that had run down his spine, to cause shivers down his body was gone... He had control now. He fired a volley in the direction of the troll's horned head, side-stepping afterwards to the safety of an endcap to use as cover.
gobogen
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:18; Stuffer Shack

McKinney's burst fire hit the side of the troll ganger's head. His large body fell to the ground and he was heard swearing, obviously very hurt.
SoyKaf Adict
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:18; Stuffer Shack
McKinney

In light of the situation, he breathed heavily, smiling if not for the fact that he had brought a full grown troll to his knees, but the fact that he still had his aim.
And despite his want to run or finish the enormous trog off, he surprised himself by the quickness of his choice of actions. He spoke out from behind the Señor Crispy™ tortilla chip end cap.

"Troll, you realize I was just meant to stall you before the Star showed up, you should be realizing right about now that this is a bigger drek pit than you meant to step in. If you want to keep this rumble going be my guest. But you got enough time to hobble out that door before loud sirens and flashing lights start brightening up this place."

He kept his Ceska Black Scorpion pointed at his side of the aisle and backed away from it, giving him enough space if he started to hear the troll charging toward him. He knew that it was more than likely someone hit the PanicButton™ by now, whether the Star was coming or not, he didn't really know... But he knew that the troll may be thick skulled... Well, a little less now, but any dumb ganger knew that Lone Star didn't play nice with the riff-raff.
gobogen
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:18; Stuffer Shack

You ain' tellin' ME what ta do, drek face. There was rage in the troll's voice.

He stands up holding a heavy pistol in his right hand, aiming it. McKinney has just the time to react before being shot at. The troll is bleeding from the side of his head, and he seems a bit off balance.

SoyKaf Adict
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:19; Stuffer Shack
McKinney

So, apparently he was that dumb... Oh well, this one was ending with one of them pushing up daisies...

...And it sure as hell isn't me.

He was glad he had moved back some, he sent another two bursts out after the troll, seeing as he hadn't gotten the hint he'd go for more bullets hitting more area to slow him down. The bullets spewed out in a stuccato rat-tat-tat rat-tat-tat. He crouched low behind the aisle after taking cover only allowing his arm and the left part of his head to jut slightly from the setup so he could get a glimpse of what he was aiming at.
gobogen
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:19; Stuffer Shack

McKinney's shots hit the big troll in the belly and the left shoulder, going right through his jacket. Blood splashed as the troll went down for good. There was silence in the store for a moment, with two bodies laying motion-less on the ground at the other end of the aisle. The whole thing hadn't lasted more than 30 seconds from the time coffee was spilled near the counter.
SoyKaf Adict
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:19; Stuffer Shack
McKinney

He had a sudden realization, what if the ganger was in fact part of the local gangs? He looked past the troll, the teenager was clean out...

Drek, this is gonna be on my hoop if I got this pimple-pushin' newbie can't take a hit!

McKinney ran over to the teenager first, hurdling over the fallen behemoth. He checked his vitals.

Other thoughts went through his brain as he checked pulse, breathing, and dilation of the kid's pupils.

The troll could have been hustling for protection money... He hadn't noticed too much of how pushy the troll was being-- Just that he was being a right cod to the cashier. Better check his jacket for symbols, and that pistol he was packing could always be useful, but marked.

He did what best he could to help the kid get patched up if he needed it, something told him the boy had at least one broken rib, with the power of the kick he received. McKinney didn't have his medical kit handy, so other medical services could take care of him. At this point he didn't want anyone to get any more antsy. He spoke in a clear voice while it was still quiet.

"It's nullsheen folks, this troll's down for the count. But I need the store manager over here by me, soon."

Even after all was said and done, he was still breathing hard, his adrenaline had sky-rocketed and he was still coming down off the rush, he'd forgotten how amazing it felt. He smiled to himself, thinking.

As long as there ain't no fraggin' zombies I'm loving my job already.
gobogen
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:20; Stuffer Shack

Total silence in the store for a few seconds. Then all the customers more or less quickly got up and left. EatMe receives a few scared looks, but most of them just avoid eye contact. The only two other employees (the cashier and a teenager girl who hadn't been seen before) are still in the store, not sure whether to fear him or to trust him. The cashier decides to approach EatMe, and looks for the bag the troll has been holding. She gets it and holds - the bag is a bit bloody by now but she doesn't seem to pay much attention at the troll... nor the employee for that matter. I.. I've already called the cops, oh and an ambulance for RJ. Wha.. what the hell was that? Why did you do this to us? The aging woman looks like she's both angry and about to collapse emotionally, but doesn't start crying after all.
SoyKaf Adict
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:20; Stuffer Shack
EatMe McKinney

He thought about it a moment, he hadn't known exactly why he had done this... Through everything he felt, he judged it was mostly because nobody needed pushing around, and just because the troll was stuck in the bad part of town doesn't mean he had to bring it with him. He cleared his mind for a second, and then spoke his peace.

"It was really a gut reaction, something I've had drilled into me, I was trained to help those in a bad situation... This was a bad situation. The troll was the enemy, so I took it upon myself to divert his attention so everyone else could flee or..."

He looked at the woman, then decided he was going into details too much. Instead he decides to keep it simple while he took the pistol of the dead body, and studied the ganger's jacket for gang symbols.

"Ma'am, sooner or later someone won't be pushed around by these idiots, you have to expect that stupidity gets you killed... So does inaction. You live in a world where nobody cares about the little people, but I do. Sorry I helped..."

He got up, he wasn't expecting a pat on the back or a 'thank you very much kind sir for bringing my bag back,' what he was expecting was an undertone of relief that one less ganger was around, but no... He'd wasted his time and bullets keeping nuyen in hands that needed it. He was pissed, but not at them, just the state of things in general. He makes a brief comment as he walks past her, he listens for the Star sirens to pick up in distance to give him an idea of his time frame.

"I'm gonna need the data disks for these cameras, the Star don't need to see my face, or any of you to remember it. Understand?"
gobogen
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:20; Stuffer Shack

EatMe spots easily the big circle sewed in the back of the ganger's jacket, as well as the white colors. This symbol of a target must definitely be what the Bully's Eyes use, he thinks. They are a downtown gang known for their multi-racial profile and large numbers. Actually, they aren't that influential, and are rumored to be a training and recruiting squad for Chinese Triads.

He also looks over the injuries of "RJ" rapidly, and determines that the boy is quite hurt, but not in danger of dying. He probably has a broken rib or three, and likely internal bleeding as well. It would take weeks for him to get back in shape, but he'll be okay.

"I'm gonna need the data disks for these cameras, the Star don't need to see my face, or any of you to remember it. Understand?"
--I'm sorry, but I can't help you on this one. We employees don't know how the security works in the store.


The woman seems to mistrust the man before her, a cold-blooded killer.
SoyKaf Adict
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:20; Stuffer Shack
EatMe McKinney

He was starting to get very irate, the thought of Star having his face on file gave him no qualms this had to be done.

"I don't have time to debate here, ma'am I'm running out of time. RJ will survive, I hadn't anticipated he would try to help, I wanted everyone to get to safety. Judging by the sound of the sirens and the nearest medical facility being in downtown Tacoma, maybe 3 minutes out. He'll find breathing a bit hard but as long as he stays still and breathes short and shallow he'll be fine... Do what you can, because no one else will, and I can't stay. At least tell me where the security station is so I can do it. Justice is blind, and so is the Star, they don't care who the culprit is as long as they have some one to throw in jail, when was the last time the Star actually did any good around these parts? They sure don't lock up any of these slots."

gobogen
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:21; Stuffer Shack

She was obviously being careful with her words, "I wish I could help you, but I'm just an employee. I'm glad RJ can make it, and you should probably get out if you want to make it too."

The other employee was still there, listening to it all, and she came close and whispered to EatMe "All that stuff is controlled on the matrix, but they only check the tapes when they have to. I hope that helps."

EatMe could hear the sirens of the police cars, coming from the distance.
SoyKaf Adict
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:21; Stuffer Shack
EatMe McKinney

"I guess I'll have to get some friends to deal with that.

He looks at the second employee and nods in thanks, then he bolts to his Honda Spirit. He hoped he'd have time to make it, he started up the car and pulled out of the parking lot with speed, though on the road he kept it to the speed limit to not attract attention, and sped away back over to PartyTime's house. Even though it hadn't been more than a couple minutes, he'd figure that was the easiest place to back track to and hang out while the adrenaline kicked out of his system. While he's driving every now again and when he's at stop lights he creates messages to both Amok and PartyTime.

<From: EM Pete {Eraser} To: Amok>
<<So, I got into a little trouble, and whenever you're done, can you get on the Matrix and clean a Stuffer Shack's surveillance data for tonight? It's the one at Geraldine St. and Holcomb. I need it done ASAP.>>


<From: EM Pete {Wakey, Wakey} To: PartyTime>
<<So it took less time than expected, and I'm really needing a place a lot closer than home to sit down and get the shakes out. I hope you're awake, because I'm coming over if I don't get a reply from the fry-cook hacker.>>
gobogen
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:23; On the road

EatMe manages to escape before the police is near the store, seemingly undetected. When he puts down the weapon he had just taken from the ganger, on the seat next to him, he observes that it's an old model of a Predator. It appears to have quite a history, but it's likely still in working condition. A simple laser-targeting device is attached on top of it.

Within 30 seconds of sending the comm messages, EatMe receives a reply from Amok. <<Amok @ McKinney : Hey, I'll check this out right now since it's urgent. Got bad news though, message coming up. >>

One minute later, a second one comes in. << Amok @ McKinney and Simon : I finally traced our two friends. It seems that they've been taken out. Not sure by who just yet, and I can only hope it's not related to our business. I need to investigate more, but we'll have to adjust our plans somehow. I've contacted Sonic about it too, but he hasn't answered me just yet. It seems that the two of them were hit, likely by professionals. A car crash has been reported a few hours ago. Two bodies were found and brought out of the burning car. It seems that they had been shot dead in the car before the fire, one bullet in the head, and one in the heart. The description of the car and bodies matches them. Be careful and try to lay low. I'll be on all night trying to sort this out. >>
SoyKaf Adict
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:23; On the road
EatMe McKinney

That's what I need to hear, "lay low," wish I'd have known that sooner and shooting up a Stuffer Shack would've been off the menu.

He texts back with some difficulty, while trying to drive the streets of Tacoma.

<From: EM Pete \{Re:Re: Eraser}\ To: Amok>
<<This is bad news, we haven't even ran the mission and already we have the negative effects of a Johnson selling us out, go figure. You need a ride from where you are? I'm gonna be heading to PT's house, we need to rethink and re-plan our strategy...>>


It didn't make sense, at least about the Johnson selling them out, but who else knew about it? Sure, they might've gotten sloppy casing the building, but professionals don't work the drek jobs. This was called in early, which meant either they'd been slotted for dead, or this was way over their expertise threshold. Either way, EatMe had a bad feeling about this job, and most of him wanted to sack it and curl his tail between his legs, the other part wanted him to avenge his would-be partners in crime. He thought a good bit about it while he weaved his way towards PartyTime's doss.

Bad news... Serious bad news.

Redjack
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:23; Simon's doss

The message from Amok arrives unseen and unnoticed by Simon who is engrossed in the binding of a fire elemental. He's not even twenty minutes into a four hour ritual at this point and focused on the task at hand.
gobogen
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:23 - 3:00; Near Simon's doss

<<Amok @ McKinney : Police is at the Shack, but they won't find any trace of you, no worries. The system didn't have much security around it and it let me right in. You can thank me later smile.gif Oh and I'd like a ride, sure. >>

In the car, Amok starts digging more information about the incident that took away their two partners, not really responding to any conversation. The two of them reach Simon's doss after driving through light traffic and light snow.
SoyKaf Adict
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 02:23 - 3:00; Near Simon's doss
EatMe McKinney

The benefit to snow, the smell died, nothing but bland cold air filling the nostrils instead of chemicals and filth. Something about Seattle just never was quite clean, like blood on an assassin's hands. Never would come off even if the telltale signs were gone. Seattle itself had its secrets of those dead and dying by unseen, unknown bullets, put into unknown graves. Holden and Esteban would be joining them.

"You figure out anything yet?...

After a reactive shake of his head, EatMe knew Amok was in deep concentration. He didn't bother with any other comments until they arrived, but the thought of their deaths gnawed on his conscience the whole ride there. When they actually pulled up in front of Simon's doss he texted him.

<From: EM Pete/ {Roost}/ To:PartyTime>
<<We are at arrival point, I've got A here with me outside. It's cold... Hurry up and open the door!>>


gobogen
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 3:00; Near Simon's doss

<< Amok @ McKinney+Simon : I hacked into the police record of the incident and it's not very interesting. It was definitely murder followed by a fake car crash to get rid of evidence. But they have no suspects for now and probably won't do much about it. I doubt they can find any link from them to us. As per who did this ... I have no idea and no way of finding out. >>

Friday, March 7th, 2070; 3:03; Near Simon's doss

Still no answer back from Simon. Amok has "woken up" from VR in EatMe's car, saying he can't find anything else.
SoyKaf Adict
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 3:03; Near Simon's doss
EatMe McKinney

He sat there, happy he had enough fuel to leave his car in idle, but this was getting to feel like hours. Once Amok had returned he at least had someone to talk to.

"Welcome back to the land of the meat-bodies. That text was discouraging, gotta say this mission is looking pretty grim, and still no word from PT... That's worrying me, stay here, I'm gonna see if I can't ring him.

He left the comfort and warmth of his car, when he opened his door a gust of positively unfriendly cold washed over him. He clutched at his jumpsuit, but it was to be no better insulation than it already was as he closed the door behind him.

This is ridiculous, if PT's dead, this mission is scrubbed and we're going into hiding... What the hell am I saying? This is one of my first runs and drek already hit the cooling unit? We're in way over our datajacks here... Wait, I haven't even suspected he's a sound sleeper, maybe he sleeps through his alarms... Maybe.

As EatMe clutched onto the warmth and his small vestige of hope, he walked up the stairs to PartyTime's door and rang the bell a few times hoping the sooner he opened his door the better... He was freezing his manhood off out here.
gobogen
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 3:04 Simon's doss

Right outside the door to Simon's apartment, EatMe McKinney(and his manhood..) is stung by the snowy wind gusts, hoping to get a quick answer.

Simon is very concentrated on his task, and even though he's paying more attention to the Ether than to sound waves, the buzzer rings long enough for him to finally notice that someone's at the door.
Redjack
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 3:06 Simon's doss

Latin. He always struggled with Latin and now is no exception. As he recited the words of the binding ritual, his mind drifted to Anita Gernowich. He sat two rows behind her in Latin the semester he went to MIT&T. Even now he could hear the buzzer telling him class was over...

His mind snapped to the present, almost messing up the final verses of the current step. He reached out for his comlink as he stepped around the circle to make the alteration in the chalk for the next sequence. Looking at the com, the door monitor showed McKinney outside his door. Making a PAN connection to McKinney's com he sent a quick text before setting down the com and returning is concentration to the binding.

<<@McKinney [PartyTime] Come in. Stay outside the circle, unless you want to be turned into a Krispy Stix©.>>
SoyKaf Adict
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 3:06 Simon's doss
EatMe McKinney

There he was, worrying like an Elf over her hair... Or perhaps he should stow those comments. PT was alright but he was talking about some circle... EatMe waved Amok up from the car, and then thought of a few things while he kept the door open.

"Hey, take the keys out and lock the doors before you come in! And be quick about it!"

He held the inner door open, fairly certain that the longer he kept it open, the more annoyed PT was going to be.

Once Amok scurried up the stairs, EatMe closed the door and then finally got a good look at the "circle" PT was talking about.
Redjack
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 3:07 Simon's doss

From the outside, PartyTime's apartment building looked like any another building. It was a small, two-story building with four apartments. The outer door had a security lock that opened at the beckoning of the inhabitant's comlinks. It did so at Simon's request.

Stepping through the entryway, Eatme finds the inner hallway in good repair. PartyTime's apartment is up on the right. As he approaches, there is a click as that door unlocks as well. Pushing the door open, he sees something that could only appear in the sixth world.

A fire elemental hovers within a magic circle that has been drawn in chalk on the hardwood floor. Braziers of fire burn in seven cardinal points around the circle and PartyTime stands across the room. The elemental strains against invisible bonds and lashes out towards Eatme crashing into an invisible barrier, fire licking as if rolling off a window.

PartyTime mumbles a word of power and the elemental turns its full attention back to the mage. The elven mage gestures to a small L-shaped couch in the corner, "Be seated. I have a ways to go yet." He then turns his attention back to the elemental.

Redjack
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 5:06 Simon's doss

The fire elemental had been pretty feisty, but Simon is no smuck when it comes to summoning & binding. The contest of wills was a back an forth, but the circle was correct, the brazier properly stocked and the binding formula properly executed. In the end she yielded a small number of services and Simon allowed her to return to the plane of fire.

Once she was gone, he turned on the apartment lights and blew out the candles and extinguished the fire in the brazier. EatMe was munching down the last of his third protein bar and looking extremely bored with the whole wizard thing. Simon glanced at the messages on his com and then addressed his team mate, "Estaban and Holden are dead? I think we need to scan if either of them pissed anyone off enough to take them, and everyone around them, down. Or if the facility is on alert that will also be pretty telling."
gobogen
Friday, March 7th, 2070 4:55; Vamp's Apartment Building, University District, Downtown

For Vamp, the night is still young. Coming back from a somewhat popular goth dance club called Perversion, he and Alyssa are walking up the stairs to his apartment, eager to make the fun continue. The sun wouldn't come up in several hours and they would have the early morning to enjoy themselves. And for them to enjoy themselves, it means that some pretty disturbed activities would be involved. At this moment, Vamp's commlink beeped with a message labeled as urgent. It was coming from Sonic, a beginning fixer who had met with him a couple of weeks ago.

<< Sonic @ Vamp : Vamp, I got a problem with one of my teams. They lost two members and we're not sure what happened. They'll need backup anyway. Pay's 4k on completion, job's a data steal. Has to be completed in the next couple of days. Are you in? >>

Friday, March 7th, 2070 4:55; Sweeper's Apartment, South Everett

After an uneventful Thursday, Sweeper is soundly asleep on Friday morning when he is awakened by the sound of his commlink, indicating an urgent call.

<< Sonic @ Sweeper : Sweeper, I hope you're available. Got a team who lost two members and we're not sure what happened. They'll need backup anyway. Pay's 4k on completion, job's a data steal, right in your area of expertise. Has to be completed in the next couple of days. Are you in? >>
Carny
Friday, March 7th, 2070 4:55; Sweeper's Apartment, South Everett

<< Sonic @ Sweeper : Sweeper, I hope you're available. Got a team who lost two members and we're not sure what happened. They'll need backup anyway. Pay's 4k on completion, job's a data steal, right in your area of expertise. Has to be completed in the next couple of days. Are you in? >>

Sweeper's eyes opened, and scanned the small apartment. It was remarkably spartan, only a couple of futons, one of which he was laying on, a cheap trid, a soy processor unit, and heating unit. Nothing he couldn't leave behind in a heartbeat, if it became necessary. No attachments. He sat up, and ran a hand over a shaved skull, dark eyes staring at the wall opposite, noting for the nth time the tiny network of cracks in aging plaster.

Four K for what sounded like an already busted op seemed low. Still, it was money, and whether or not he chose to furnish this basement apartment, he had expenses to keep it, and the garage it was attached to.

<< Sweeper @ Sonic : I'm available. Send me the info, I'm in. >>
SoyKaf Adict
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 5:06 Simon's doss

In the midst of his chowing down, he spared time to aid PartyTime's assessment, while walking to an unoccupied couch.

"This thing must've been a slip up, it's a total 8k job... That means null sheen. Even if this place was on high alert we'd still be able to punch through with a plan... Unless this is NOT a 4k job, and we've been played for trolls in a spelling bee. Three things might've been the cause: Getting in too close, getting shown the turf up close that the local gang was guarding, or we have competition. Either way, we can't do anything now, I'm dog tired and if you don't mind lets get some shut eye and contact Sonic in the morning about the replacements, and Amok can do a trip in the Matrix and check the grid for a history of reports, Lone Star would've been updated if their was gang violence or party vs. party action. Which leaves action against them via the target complex itself being the cause of null data on any event."

It sounded straight forward to him... Cut losses and fail the contract, or keep on moving with the mission and get it done quick and simple. He wondered if the newbies were going to be as colorful as Holden and Esteban were. As much as a detachment he had to his two acquaintances, he still felt bad about their deaths, and it weighed heavy on him like a ton of concrete blocks.
Trigger
Friday, March 7th, 2070 4:53; Vamp's Apartment Building, University District, Downtown


Spin, spin, whip, skim, spin, slap, whip...

The rhythm of the floggers in Vamp's skilled hands was methodic in its own way, working along with the music playing from the speakers placed around the room. Alyssa's moans and screams worked their way into the beat as well, solo's unto themself. Vamp looked every bit the dominant goth that this sort of scene required, his long black hair slightly mussed, a slight glint of sweat on his elegant elven skin, and dressed in the forefront of club wear: tight black pants with nano styled webs on the legs, changing color based on the viewer's angle and the body heat of the wearer and a ruffled white Victorian style dress shirt with an elegant black with red piping vest over it. Alyssa by contrast though was naked on the cross in his room, her back facing him and his floggers. Sweat ran down her smooth back, probably stinging slightly in the small cuts and abbrasions present there, her black and blue hair splayed wildly across her upper back and shoulders. Her breathing was getting heavier, her body tensing less with each swing from him; she was falling comfortably into subspace. Vamp was working perfectly tonight.

Beep Beep

His comm was on the table next to his bed; it felt like it was in another world all together at the moment. Whispering a reprieve into Alyssa's ear he checked the message from Sonic, the fixer he met a couple weeks back at some dive sports bar that some of the other Ancients liked to frequent. The man had taken an interest in him, bought him a couple of drinks, and wooed him with promise of work to come. It seems that the guy wasn't all talk afterall.

<< Vamp @ Sonic : Two people dead already? And last minute? I don't quite think that 4k is going to be enough for this, 6k sounds more like it. -V

If there was one thing that Vamp excelled at, it was at speaking. 4k was just what he needed right now, and 6k would be even better since rent was coming up soon and with only a couple hundred nuyen in the bank he was almost worried about being able to make the payment this month. Almost. If nothing else the Ancients always had a job for him to do, although they never quite paid as much as the rest of the work he did. It seems that thing were starting to work out for him in the shadows and Vamp was quite pleased with that. Turning to look at the beautiful naked woman on his cross his mind returned to the business of pleasure at hand. Replacing the floggers on the rack next to the cross, he retrieved the slim bamboo cane he had got from a shop near the docks last week, a wicked smile on his face, fangs bared. The night was still young.
Redjack
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 5:07 Simon's doss

"Fair enough. I can use some sleep as well. You are welcome to continue using the couch." Grabbing a protein bar and heading towards the bedroom, PartyTime feels a lot more like Partied-Out. "Even as a 4k job, a lot more people will do a lot more for a lot less. Where I come from, we used to blow 4k on dinner. Since I've been on the streets, I've found that 4k can buy a woman, two or more if you're not choosy. And not for a night, I mean to own. People will kill for 4k and give you change back."

He stops and rubs his eyes, "But I digress. Tomorrow... I mean in a few hours, we can talk to Sonic about replacements.". He then continues into the bedroom, closing the door and lays down. He sets the alarm on his com for 10am and fades to black.
gobogen
Friday, March 7th, 2070 4:58; Sweeper

<< << Sonic @ Sweeper : Glad to hear you're in. The job's a B&E for stealing a file from an extra-territorial research facility. Initial intel was supposedly good, the others will fill you in. I'm still waiting to hear back from them, shouldn't take long now. I'll contact you again soon.>>

Friday, March 7th, 2070 4:58; Vamp

<< << Sonic @ Vamp : I know it's not the best pay, chummer, but it's as good as it comes. You can try to work something out with the others since they've received 4k up front each already. But I need to know if you're in for 4k, cause that's really all I can offer you right now. >>

Friday, March 7th, 2070; 5:07 Simon's doss

Amok wakes up, from a sitting position. He could have been surfing the matrix or just naping, nobody could tell. Hmm? Wasn't it an 8k job anyway?

When contacting Sonic about a replacement comes up, he twitches. Oh frag, I forgot to check my messages in more than an hour! Just gimme a sec.. here.. Yeah he's answered me now. Says he's looking for replacements right now and that he's looking into the matter of Estaban and Holden.

<< Amok @ Sonic, EatMe, Simon : Keep us all in touch when you come accross any info. We're at Simon's doss right now, if you find new people they can come here after we've slept. >>

<< Sonic @ Team : Ok. I might have found two more to join up with you guys. At what time do I tell them to show up?
Trigger
Friday, March 7th, 2070 5:00; Vamp's Apartment Building, University District, Downtown

<< Vamp @ Sonic : Alright, count me in. -V >>

Slightly pissed about the pay, Vamp tosses his comm back onto his side table. He strides back across the room to Alyssa's side, his finely manicured black nails running up her side, beautiful red swells rising in their wake.

"Come down now my love, I think you have had enough," Vamp whispers in her ear as he uncuffs her wrists from the cross. She slides down smoothly, coming to rest at the elf's shins, her arms wrapped around his waist and thighs. Crouching, he lifts her as gently as possible and carries her to his bed, laying her down in his arms, one hand caressing her hair lightly. "You were amazing tonight my love. You did a great job. I am proud of you."
gobogen
Friday, March 7th, 2070 5:00; Vamp

<< Sonic @ Vamp : Good, I'll contact you soon with more details. >>
Redjack
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 5:08 Simon's doss

Simon looks to the beeping of his com and sees the message from Sonic. He vaguely remembered putting the fixer into a priority group that would beep through on sleep mode. Reading the message he takes a moment to focus, then replies.
<<@Sonic,EatMe,Amok [PartyTime] Tell them 10:15. ->Attachment: GPS ARO<- We'll meet at this Starbucks.>>
gobogen
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 5:09

<<Sonic @PartyTime : They should be there, I'm relaying the info. They go by the names Sweeper and Vamp. >>

Vamp and Sweeper both receive a short message from Sonic to inform them of the time and place of the meeting, along with the streetnames of the 3 other runners they're supposed to meet, namely Amok, PartyTime and EatMe.
Carny

Friday, March 7th, 2070; 5:15

Sweeper looked at the message from Sonic, and sent back a quick confirmation.

<<Sweeper @Sonic : Understood. >>

He stood up then, padding into the tiny bathroom, dealing with the necessary, and taking a quick shower. The good news was that this early in the morning, the building's ancient water tank still held some hot water. He tried not to think of what might be living in that water. Some things couldn't be helped. Dressing in a simple pair of black jeans, his rather battered and well-used black GI boots, and dark blue t-shirt, he checked his appearance in the cracked mirror, a faint smile crossing wide, almost craggy features.

He pulled up the coordinates on his imagelink, and planned a few routes both to and from the Starbucks, both on foot and by vehicle, as he ate a banana beef soybar washed down with a nutridrink. From the taste, the nutridrink's ingredients and intended flavor were best left a mystery.

Breakfast dealt with, he went to the closet of the apartment, pulling out two black gear bags. Both were reasonably heavy. Seating himself on the floor, he zipped open both bags, and started laying out the tools of his trade, beginning a meticulous check. It was a familiar ritual, and he lost himself in it, as much as he was ever lost in anything, outside of a full sim. The precise alignment of each piece of gear, the engineered perfection, gave him a feeling of peace as he prepared himself for the new op.




Redjack
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 9:55 Simon's doss

"No!" Simon screamed sitting straight up in bed. He'd nearly called back the fire elemental bound the night before before he realized he was safe in his bed... Well, his current bed anyway, his bed long since burned up. Everyone's probably awake now anyway and its nearly time for the meet.

He made a quick dash for the shower before anyone else could think of it and washed the cold sweat from his body. Minutes later he emerged, refreshed and ready to meet the new members. Time to get this on. He makes sure Amok & EatMe are up and going. "The Starbuck's is about eight blocks from here."

As they walk towards the door, PartyTime masks himself to look like EatMe. Looking at the pitiful illusion, he sees what a failure it is and recasts not once, but twice. Third time is definitely the charm. he thinks as he steps out, the spitting image of EatMe.

"Let's get some coffee..."
Carny
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 9:15 Sweeper's Apartment

"Time to go."

Thad wasn't sure exactly who he was talking to, as he picked up the gear bags, and headed for the steel-reinforced door of his apartment. It was a very nice door, possibly the best feature of the place. It wasn't new, but it was solid. Whomever had built the apartment building he lived in, over a hundred years ago, they'd probably intended a maintenance man to live in the apartment he had. The door led directly out into the underground garage those few residents who had wheels used to store their wrecks.

The Comet parked in the space just outside was non-descript, a basic grey-silver sedan. Nothing special, nothing notable. He wheeled out into the street, driving himself, rather then letting the dog-brain do the work.

He took his time driving to the Starbuck's, spending a little time driving around the neighborhood, getting familiar with the lay of the land, and the likely ways in and out of the immediate area.

The Comet got parked where he could easily check it from inside the coffeeshop, and he went inside, after making sure the concealed rig for the HK hung right, under his armored jacket. He was less worried about the Fichetti, nestled at the small of his back.

Splurging radically on a big cup of purportedly real espresso, and a few donuts, he settled in to wait for the meetup.
Trigger
Friday, March 7th, 2070 8:55; Vamp's Apartment Building, University District, Downtown

Vamp and Alyssa may have been up for another hour past Sonic's message, but Vamp felt as if he had a full night's rest, thanks to his Becoming. He needed less sleep and he needed less food than the normal man, but that surely didn't sate his need for some other things, one of which was still fast asleep on his bed. With a smile on his face and the recent memories still around him, Vamp quietly crossed the room to the bathroom. Time for his morning ritual, a quick light shower to wash off the sweat from last night's play, a simple braid done into his long black hair, polishing and caring for his artificially enhanced canines, a light layer of 'DeScorching', a high grade SPF, on his skin, and finally the replacement of his tinted and augmented contact lenses. His clothes were already laid out in the bathroom for him from the night before: sleek black, his black studded belt with its black and silver cross buckle, long white silk shirt with frilled cuffs, simple black vest, and his designer biker boots, the epitome of functional fashion. To top it all off his tarnished silver rosary went around his neck, a gift from his beloved Lilith. Dressed for the day, Vamp snuck back into the bedroom, gathering his other belongings before exiting to the living room to finish preparing. First was the larger of his two coffin guitar cases, this one holding his elegant saber weapon focus and his Ares Predator, which he removed and placed in his concealable shoulder holster. He also had his wide brimmed black fedora, which he placed inside the case with his sword; he wouldn't be needing that quite yet. He tossed on his black armored coat and leather gloves, and finally his motorcycle helmet. Exiting his apartment quietly, he locked the door behind him; Alyssa knew how to let herself out if she awoke to find him missing. His bike was parked in the lot next to his building, its sleek green coloring warning everyone who saw it just who they would be messing with if they touched it. Kicking off and out into the light morning traffic, Vamp proceed to the meeting point.

He arrived by 9:35, plenty before the meeting time. The smell of scorched soy milk and overdone coffee filled the air around as he entered the establishment. His helmet had been replaced with his hat and guitar case was in his hand, the contents secure inside its padded interior. He ordered a triple grande vanilla soy latte with light whip cream and then took a seat in the darkest corner he could find, away from the sun and with his eyes on the rest of the patrons in the shop.
gobogen
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 10:01; Starbucks, Northern Seattle

Outside, the snow that fell the day before is quickly melting. The air is cool and surprisingly dry. The street is alive with traffic, both from pedestrians and cars, as well as in the wireless world. Walking from Simon's place, him, Amok and EatMe reach the NovaStarbucks in a matter of minutes, after getting only a few hours of sleep. Coffee - even artificially flavored - will definitely feel good.

The medium-sized coffee shop is clean and well-lit. Most customers are just going in and out regularly, and others are sitting there with a small soy breakfast and an extra-large drinking cup - many of them apparently browsing in AR. Two employees are moving about very efficiently, using the machines at their disposal to produce a wide variety of caffeinated beverages rapidly. Most transactions are handled wireless to keep up the frighteningly fast pace of service. Ads coming from the matrix are omnipresent, and pop-ups just keep coming into sight.

Vamp had arrived early and has been witnessing this come-and-go from a corner where the sun didn't reach him, yet the lights were very bright in the store. Sweeper was also sitting at a table by himself when he noticed twins entering the store.
Carny
Friday, March 7th, 2070; 10:03; Starbucks, Northern Seattle

Sweeper sipped the espresso, which seemed alright, as he watched the twins come in. The thought occurred to him that most twins dropped that habit in their teens or before. It wasn't his problem, so he gave the two a once over, and settled back. Accessing his com, he smiled faintly as he edited an ARO, and set his 'public' commlink to start pulsing it amongst the other AR drivel in the area.

"RUN AMOK AT EATME VIRTUAL GAMES EMPORIUM!. IT'S PARTYTIME! Message for details."

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