<<16.03 PM, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, West Hollywood, L.A.>>
DD laughs.
"No, that I did not expect. But it's far more interesting than golf stories."
DD leans forward, sipping the rest of her Latte Machatto, and giving Vice her best smile.
"So, is your work as interesting and exciting as it sounds?"
DD's foot "accidentally" touches Vice's leg when she crosses her legs.
Picture: DD meeting Vice
Full Version: The Divine Comedy(IC)
<<16.03 PM, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, West Hollywood, L.A.>>
"Work? Not always. Life. Definitely. I'm sure both of our lives are closer to a summer blockbuster movie than to anything else, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. How could I not love it when a walk down the block for a pair of loafers and a cup of coffee leads me here. If I didn't know better, I'd swear I was fifteen and dreaming the whole thing."
Vice glances down at the bag on the ground, the long leg next to it, then back at DD. The look and smile are unmistakable.
"Speaking of which, what'd you pick up before I so rudely interrupted your afternoon, and what are the odds I'll get to see you in it?"
"Work? Not always. Life. Definitely. I'm sure both of our lives are closer to a summer blockbuster movie than to anything else, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. How could I not love it when a walk down the block for a pair of loafers and a cup of coffee leads me here. If I didn't know better, I'd swear I was fifteen and dreaming the whole thing."
Vice glances down at the bag on the ground, the long leg next to it, then back at DD. The look and smile are unmistakable.
"Speaking of which, what'd you pick up before I so rudely interrupted your afternoon, and what are the odds I'll get to see you in it?"
<<16.04 PM, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, West Hollywood, L.A.>>
DD grins.
"That's the latest swimsuit of Zoé."
DD sends Vice an excerpt from the Zoé catalogue depicting a tiny swimsuit.
"How big your chances are to see me in it depends on your plans for today. Of course, your chances to see me out of it are 100% if you visit The Divine Comedy tonight, but I got nothing planned until this evening."
DD grins.
"That's the latest swimsuit of Zoé."
DD sends Vice an excerpt from the Zoé catalogue depicting a tiny swimsuit.
"How big your chances are to see me in it depends on your plans for today. Of course, your chances to see me out of it are 100% if you visit The Divine Comedy tonight, but I got nothing planned until this evening."
<<16.04 PM, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, West Hollywood, L.A.>>
"Let me check my schedule."
Vice slurps down the last of his iced coffee.
"That was item one. Get a cup of coffee. Number two is to go back down the street to pick up my shoes. Number three on my 'to do' list is to enjoy sight seeing in Los Angeles. I'm not seeing a lot of scheduling conflicts here, especially since I still haven't seen my hotel's pool."
"Let me check my schedule."
Vice slurps down the last of his iced coffee.
"That was item one. Get a cup of coffee. Number two is to go back down the street to pick up my shoes. Number three on my 'to do' list is to enjoy sight seeing in Los Angeles. I'm not seeing a lot of scheduling conflicts here, especially since I still haven't seen my hotel's pool."
<<16.05 PM, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, West Hollywood, L.A.>>
DD smirks, and finishes her muffins.
"This sounds like a good plan."
DD stands up, brushing a few crumbs off her skirt.
"So, what do you want to see first?"
DD smirks, and finishes her muffins.
"This sounds like a good plan."
DD stands up, brushing a few crumbs off her skirt.
"So, what do you want to see first?"
<<16.05 PM, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, West Hollywood, L.A.>>
The empty muffin wrappers and coffee cup are immediately forgotten.
"Fuck it. The shoes can wait."
He gets up, straightens his shirt, and gestures to west, and his hotel.
"I've got a sudden craving for a very cool, refreshing swim."
Definitely still fifteen. Definitely still dreaming.
The empty muffin wrappers and coffee cup are immediately forgotten.
"Fuck it. The shoes can wait."
He gets up, straightens his shirt, and gestures to west, and his hotel.
"I've got a sudden craving for a very cool, refreshing swim."
Definitely still fifteen. Definitely still dreaming.
<<20.05 PM, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, West Hollywood, L.A.>>
DD is sitting in the Range Rover Vice borrowed from his hotel, making idle conversation while they drive to "The Divine Comedy". The young hacker thinks about what Vice revealed about himself in the hotel pool earlier today - and in his bedroom after that. The man has serious modifications - lots of expensive cyberware. And some quirks - he took a ship from Hong Kong to L.A., just so he could bring his car with him. A car he isn't even driving right now - too risky she guesses.
He really must like that car.
Vice has money and taste - at least with regards to women and cars, or so DD thinks. They had made a short stop on the way at an electronics shop, so Vice could pick up a sim module for her later show - DD smirks, she has made an impression on him.
DD sends a short message to Jake, detailing what she has found out, and that she'll present Vice to him once they are there, and reserving a slot on stage in the Inferno.
"I think you'll like Jake."
You both like women very much.
DD is sitting in the Range Rover Vice borrowed from his hotel, making idle conversation while they drive to "The Divine Comedy". The young hacker thinks about what Vice revealed about himself in the hotel pool earlier today - and in his bedroom after that. The man has serious modifications - lots of expensive cyberware. And some quirks - he took a ship from Hong Kong to L.A., just so he could bring his car with him. A car he isn't even driving right now - too risky she guesses.
He really must like that car.
Vice has money and taste - at least with regards to women and cars, or so DD thinks. They had made a short stop on the way at an electronics shop, so Vice could pick up a sim module for her later show - DD smirks, she has made an impression on him.
DD sends a short message to Jake, detailing what she has found out, and that she'll present Vice to him once they are there, and reserving a slot on stage in the Inferno.
"I think you'll like Jake."
You both like women very much.
<<2005, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, PCC>>
<Music Cue: Glenn Frey – Smuggler’s Blues>
‘Yep. Not on vacation anymore.’
The 4 ton SUV weaves through evening traffic, headed for the earthquake ravaged core of LA. The windows and sunroof are open, and the collar of his shirt blows in the breeze.
Two handguns sit in the center console, removed from their holsters for ease of access during the drive. A lot of little pretenses have been cast aside in the last few hours.
“I like what I saw of his place. Makes it a safe bet that we’ll find some common ground somewhere. If we hate each other, I’ll be sure to make a good show of getting thrown out.�
<Music Cue: Glenn Frey – Smuggler’s Blues>
‘Yep. Not on vacation anymore.’
The 4 ton SUV weaves through evening traffic, headed for the earthquake ravaged core of LA. The windows and sunroof are open, and the collar of his shirt blows in the breeze.
Two handguns sit in the center console, removed from their holsters for ease of access during the drive. A lot of little pretenses have been cast aside in the last few hours.
“I like what I saw of his place. Makes it a safe bet that we’ll find some common ground somewhere. If we hate each other, I’ll be sure to make a good show of getting thrown out.�
<<2006, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, West Hollywood, L.A., on the way to The Divine Comedy>>
"A good show?"
DD raises an eyebrow, wondering what Vice means by that.
The club's security should be good enough anyway.
"A good show?"
DD raises an eyebrow, wondering what Vice means by that.
The club's security should be good enough anyway.
<<2005, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, The edge of Downtown, Los Angeles, PCC>>
<Music Cue: Glenn Frey – Smuggler’s Blues>
“Of course. Common courtesy. If he decides to have me thrown out, I’ll make an ass of myself on the way out, so the crowd can point their fingers and say ‘that’s the bad guy’. Eventually, I'm going back to Hong Kong. He’s gotta live here and run a club.�
The glitter of Hollywood fades into the rubble of Downtown and he leans on the gas.
“You didn’t think I meant I was going to fight club security, did you? Getting tazed would put a damper on what’s turned into a pretty good day.�
<Music Cue: Glenn Frey – Smuggler’s Blues>
“Of course. Common courtesy. If he decides to have me thrown out, I’ll make an ass of myself on the way out, so the crowd can point their fingers and say ‘that’s the bad guy’. Eventually, I'm going back to Hong Kong. He’s gotta live here and run a club.�
The glitter of Hollywood fades into the rubble of Downtown and he leans on the gas.
“You didn’t think I meant I was going to fight club security, did you? Getting tazed would put a damper on what’s turned into a pretty good day.�
<<2007, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, Downtown Los Angeles, on the way to The Divine Comedy>>
DD laughs.
"You never know... but I doubt there will be such a scene, even if you don't hit it off."
The young woman studies the changing scenery. The area they are travelling through isn't the best of Los Angeles, but they should be safe enough - if Vice's implants are as good as they should be, they would be even safer.
"But the day's not over yet - it has just started."
DD laughs.
"You never know... but I doubt there will be such a scene, even if you don't hit it off."
The young woman studies the changing scenery. The area they are travelling through isn't the best of Los Angeles, but they should be safe enough - if Vice's implants are as good as they should be, they would be even safer.
"But the day's not over yet - it has just started."
<<2007, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, Downtown, Los Angeles, PCC>>
Wrapped in 4 tons of high performance, leather upholstered, off road battering ram, Vice seems undisturbed by decay of the neighborhood. He doesn’t drive over debris in the road or through standing water, stop for stop signs, or do any more than slow down for red lights, but there’s no nervousness about it.
“True enough. There’s still plenty of time for today to keep getting better.�
He swerves to avoid an abandoned car, burnt out and overturned in the middle of the street.
“And plenty of time for it to go to hell.�
Wrapped in 4 tons of high performance, leather upholstered, off road battering ram, Vice seems undisturbed by decay of the neighborhood. He doesn’t drive over debris in the road or through standing water, stop for stop signs, or do any more than slow down for red lights, but there’s no nervousness about it.
“True enough. There’s still plenty of time for today to keep getting better.�
He swerves to avoid an abandoned car, burnt out and overturned in the middle of the street.
“And plenty of time for it to go to hell.�
<3:30pm, day 2>
Everyone in on the previous work the night before gets an IM.
<<Jake>>
<<Okay, meeting at my place, 9pm. We're going to talk about what's next, and what each of us wants out of the windfall from last night. Be there, or not, but Mei's probably gonna cook.>>
Everyone in on the previous work the night before gets an IM.
<<Jake>>
<<Okay, meeting at my place, 9pm. We're going to talk about what's next, and what each of us wants out of the windfall from last night. Be there, or not, but Mei's probably gonna cook.>>
<<3:30 PM on the way to Vinnie's Steaks, LA>>
<<Jake>>
<<I'll be there, I'm on my way to spend three quarters of the money from last night right now, so I'd definitely be up for more if something interesting popped on the cyberdeck. Mei cooking would just be the icing on the cake.>>
<<Jake>>
<<I'll be there, I'm on my way to spend three quarters of the money from last night right now, so I'd definitely be up for more if something interesting popped on the cyberdeck. Mei cooking would just be the icing on the cake.>>
<<7:00, Day 2>>
<<Jake>>
<<Make sure Giles knows. Portia took off with him a couple minutes back. I'll be there... or I'll be late. Depends on how long it takes me to fall asleep after this.>>
Dancer sets his alarm to an hour before he has to be there, rolls over, and goes back to sleep.
<<Jake>>
<<Make sure Giles knows. Portia took off with him a couple minutes back. I'll be there... or I'll be late. Depends on how long it takes me to fall asleep after this.>>
Dancer sets his alarm to an hour before he has to be there, rolls over, and goes back to sleep.
Portia is standing outside the Comedy, on the sidewalk, wondering if she'll be able to see Celeste approach. It bothers her that she's not to call him Celeste in front of the others- she has a difficult time lying. However, he has requested that she keep his real name a secret, and it is certainly possible.
She feels slightly awkward, hoping that her sweater conceals the bulletproof vest Dancer bought her, and made her promise to wear. It feels scratchy and strange against her skin, stiff where she is used to the soft caress of cashmere or silk. Dancer... he's an interesting one, she thinks. And that keyboard he bought her, how kind, how wonderful. It will be nice to play again, and if Jake meant what he said about giving her a position entertaining in the club... it would be like having a bit of her life back.
She hugs the semi-sheer, soft white sweater around her and taps her toes against the pavement. She doesn't like the feel of these new jeans, either- so tight, but they were the most modest thing she could come up with in that store. It's a bit of a new look, but she has kept as much of her old style as possible- her emerald pendant tucked beneath the vest, tight to her skin, her pearl and silver bracelet, and the scrap of faded blue ribbon holding her hair back in its customary ponytail. Idly, Portia wonders what she would play, in the bar, and if she would sing, drifting off in her thoughts.
She feels slightly awkward, hoping that her sweater conceals the bulletproof vest Dancer bought her, and made her promise to wear. It feels scratchy and strange against her skin, stiff where she is used to the soft caress of cashmere or silk. Dancer... he's an interesting one, she thinks. And that keyboard he bought her, how kind, how wonderful. It will be nice to play again, and if Jake meant what he said about giving her a position entertaining in the club... it would be like having a bit of her life back.
She hugs the semi-sheer, soft white sweater around her and taps her toes against the pavement. She doesn't like the feel of these new jeans, either- so tight, but they were the most modest thing she could come up with in that store. It's a bit of a new look, but she has kept as much of her old style as possible- her emerald pendant tucked beneath the vest, tight to her skin, her pearl and silver bracelet, and the scrap of faded blue ribbon holding her hair back in its customary ponytail. Idly, Portia wonders what she would play, in the bar, and if she would sing, drifting off in her thoughts.
<<2055, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, Inferno, backstage>>
DD just left the stage, toweling off and guzzling down some sport drink after her act on stage. Not her best performance, but not shabby either. Some augmentation is looking more appealing though.
The hacker is idly checking on her cybereye display how many people logged on to her SimSense feed during the show, and how many tips she got while pulling on parts of her cowgirl costume again - more suited for the meeting in 5 minutes - and wondering how the meeting between Jake and Vice went.
DD just left the stage, toweling off and guzzling down some sport drink after her act on stage. Not her best performance, but not shabby either. Some augmentation is looking more appealing though.
[ Spoiler ]
The hacker is idly checking on her cybereye display how many people logged on to her SimSense feed during the show, and how many tips she got while pulling on parts of her cowgirl costume again - more suited for the meeting in 5 minutes - and wondering how the meeting between Jake and Vice went.
<<2051, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, Divine Comedy, Downtown, Los Angeles, PCC>>
“Vice.�
The man shaking Jake’s hand is unrecognizable when compared to the poppered up, manic social butterfly that spent close to a grand buying other people drinks the night before. The party drugs were left in the hotel room safe. The guns were left in the truck.
In their place is a palpable sense of confidence and control. The only commonality was the lack of socks and the shriek of the cyberware scanner.
“Nice place. Interesting neighborhood. I’d imagine it keeps the worst of the annoying tourists away, and it definitely adds to the mystique.�
The sim module continues recording.
“Vice.�
The man shaking Jake’s hand is unrecognizable when compared to the poppered up, manic social butterfly that spent close to a grand buying other people drinks the night before. The party drugs were left in the hotel room safe. The guns were left in the truck.
In their place is a palpable sense of confidence and control. The only commonality was the lack of socks and the shriek of the cyberware scanner.
“Nice place. Interesting neighborhood. I’d imagine it keeps the worst of the annoying tourists away, and it definitely adds to the mystique.�
The sim module continues recording.
"Jake. Nice to meecha..." He shakes firmly, but not a real crunching grip, it seems he's not in the mood to test a guy.
"So, what kind of sexy lies is DD spreading about me?"
"So, what kind of sexy lies is DD spreading about me?"
DD. Interesting.
"Nothing too crazy. Mentioned this was your place, and that you're something of an LA legend. She also hinted that you might know a person or two who's got some problems that would be best handled by private security people, like myself. Can't really file any of that under being sexy lies, though. On second thought, I guess the legend part could be a sexy lie."
The slow smirk spreads.
"What'd she add to what you'd already figured out about me?"
"Nothing too crazy. Mentioned this was your place, and that you're something of an LA legend. She also hinted that you might know a person or two who's got some problems that would be best handled by private security people, like myself. Can't really file any of that under being sexy lies, though. On second thought, I guess the legend part could be a sexy lie."
The slow smirk spreads.
"What'd she add to what you'd already figured out about me?"
<<2045, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, Inferno, backstage>>
Pura rolled into the Comedy early, carrying her black sports bag containing her body armor, vest, gun, and blade. She was wearing a pair of khaki cargo pants and a blue tank top that showed off a pale expanse of ripped abdominals. Viewed from behind the tank top also exposed the top portion of a very highly detailed pair of wings tattooed on her upper back, and apparently continuing downward from the gap between her pants and top. Only Jake, DD, and Mei would know that the wings ended just above her bottom.
The changeling told Steve that Jake and Mei had invited her up to their place and then she headed in, moving to the elevaator.
<<Jake>>
<<Hey, I'm in...can I leave a bag of my stuff up in the loft?>>
Pura rolled into the Comedy early, carrying her black sports bag containing her body armor, vest, gun, and blade. She was wearing a pair of khaki cargo pants and a blue tank top that showed off a pale expanse of ripped abdominals. Viewed from behind the tank top also exposed the top portion of a very highly detailed pair of wings tattooed on her upper back, and apparently continuing downward from the gap between her pants and top. Only Jake, DD, and Mei would know that the wings ended just above her bottom.
The changeling told Steve that Jake and Mei had invited her up to their place and then she headed in, moving to the elevaator.
<<Jake>>
<<Hey, I'm in...can I leave a bag of my stuff up in the loft?>>
QUOTE (Shalimar @ Nov 14 2008, 09:59 AM) 
<<2045, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, Inferno, backstage>>
<<Jake>>
<<Hey, I'm in...can I leave a bag of my stuff up in the loft?>>
<<Jake>>
<<Hey, I'm in...can I leave a bag of my stuff up in the loft?>>
<<Sure. Gimme a minute and I'll let you up.>>
<<To the subscribers from last night>>
<<DD, Mei, Alice, Portia, Pura, Dancer, Gilles, Easy, and everyone else who's name escapes me at the moment, meet over at the elevator. We're headed up.>>
"Come on up, Vice. If DD's got you talking to me, you get to sit in on this for the first few minutes."
<<DD, Mei, Alice, Portia, Pura, Dancer, Gilles, Easy, and everyone else who's name escapes me at the moment, meet over at the elevator. We're headed up.>>
"Come on up, Vice. If DD's got you talking to me, you get to sit in on this for the first few minutes."
<<2056, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, Inferno, backstage>>
To Jake:
Gotcha, Boss.
DD pulls on her boots, and strides over to the elevator area, running her hands through her hair while she changes its color to green.
To Jake:
Gotcha, Boss.
DD pulls on her boots, and strides over to the elevator area, running her hands through her hair while she changes its color to green.
<<2056, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, A few blocks from the Divine Comedy>>
Dancer curses as he gets the message from Jake. They'll be waiting for a bit... or maybe... Dancer hums as he sends Jake a response.
<<Jake, I'm running a little late. Head on up, and open a window, will you?>>
Dancer curses as he gets the message from Jake. They'll be waiting for a bit... or maybe... Dancer hums as he sends Jake a response.
<<Jake, I'm running a little late. Head on up, and open a window, will you?>>
<<Alright, but don't take forever.>>
Gecko is already leaning against the wall in a shadowy corner next to the elevator when everybody else arrives.
He nods to DD with an odd upward jerk of the chin and slides into the car after the rest of you. His cameleon coating is not active for the first time since you finally met him but the hood of his muted jumpsuit is pulled up and obscures almost all of the young orc's features.
He follows you all in silence.
He nods to DD with an odd upward jerk of the chin and slides into the car after the rest of you. His cameleon coating is not active for the first time since you finally met him but the hood of his muted jumpsuit is pulled up and obscures almost all of the young orc's features.
He follows you all in silence.
<<2056, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, Purgatory, Divine Comedy>>
"I'll be sure to stay out of the way."
"Wonder what the hell I just walked into the middle of."
Vice shrugs his shoulders, adjusting his sport coat, then follows the ork bartender to the elevator. He makes brief eye contact with each of the elevator's occupants, watching the interpersonal dynamics.
"I'll be sure to stay out of the way."
"Wonder what the hell I just walked into the middle of."
Vice shrugs his shoulders, adjusting his sport coat, then follows the ork bartender to the elevator. He makes brief eye contact with each of the elevator's occupants, watching the interpersonal dynamics.
<<2057, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, Inferno, backstage>>
DD smiles at the people present, winking at Vice while she leans against a wall of the elevator. She's wearing part of her costume from her performance still - cowboy boots, top and hotpants.
I wonder what's up.
DD smiles at the people present, winking at Vice while she leans against a wall of the elevator. She's wearing part of her costume from her performance still - cowboy boots, top and hotpants.
I wonder what's up.
Pura glides fluidly over to the elevator, a full looking sport's bag tossed casually over her shoulder one handed. The glide seems effortless as if she wasn't carrying something big enough to fit a body in...well, a compact body at any rate. For those who had spent time downstairs in hell, or in any strip club, it was obvious that she was much more graceful and smooth than any of the girls working in those places, meaning she probably had a lot more than the usual grace of elves going for her.
"Nice to see you again DD, I like your costume...was that what you were wearing for your set?" the Changeling asks, smiling at the hacker.
"Nice to see you again DD, I like your costume...was that what you were wearing for your set?" the Changeling asks, smiling at the hacker.
<<2057, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, Inferno, backstage>>
"Or not wearing."
DD grins while the elevator is rising to the loft.
Yeah, I should invest in some biomods.
"Or not wearing."
DD grins while the elevator is rising to the loft.
Yeah, I should invest in some biomods.
When the elevator hits the loft, it's obvious that Mei's been busy, as even before you can see in, the heavenly aroma of something cooking fills the car. She's in the kitchenette, in her customary desert-pattern camo BDU's, a brief tanktop, and a double shoulder holster supporting a pair of Manhunters. "You jus' in time, take wha' you wan'. " she says indicating the spread she's laid out.
[ Spoiler ]
A smile lights up Easy's face at the smell of some real home cooking.
He puts out his nicostick and eases up near the front of the line.
He puts out his nicostick and eases up near the front of the line.
<<2142, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, Parking Lot, Divine Comedy, Downtown, Los Angeles, PCC>>
The black truck shudders to life, started by a remote command from Vice's commlink. Backup lights flare in the night for a moment before it lurches backwards out of its' parking space. Two party goers hurl epithets as the Range Rover nearly hits them. Their obscene gestures are lost on the pilot program as it makes its' way to the garage, skidding to a stop in front of the roll up door.
The black truck shudders to life, started by a remote command from Vice's commlink. Backup lights flare in the night for a moment before it lurches backwards out of its' parking space. Two party goers hurl epithets as the Range Rover nearly hits them. Their obscene gestures are lost on the pilot program as it makes its' way to the garage, skidding to a stop in front of the roll up door.
<<2145, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, Parking Lot, Divine Comedy, Downtown, Los Angeles, PCC>>
<<Certainly beats spending all your surgical time in psychotropic aggression amplification therapy.>>
The doors creak open as Vice emerges from the elevator.
"So, Gecko. There's something going on here that everyone but me seems to know. What the hell have I gotten myself into?"
<<Certainly beats spending all your surgical time in psychotropic aggression amplification therapy.>>
The doors creak open as Vice emerges from the elevator.
"So, Gecko. There's something going on here that everyone but me seems to know. What the hell have I gotten myself into?"
<<2145, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, Parking Lot, Divine Comedy, Downtown, Los Angeles, PCC>>
Gecko slips gracefully out of the elevator on the heels of the tall, brash human.
Search me, Jake's usually very professional but he seems wound pretty tight about this human trafficking, organ-legging deal. DD I've worked with before, she's seems to be keeping her head better than Jake. She seems frivolous and shiny but she's got moves and she can shift it up a gear when the heat is on. The others I don't know but they all seem skilled despite their lack of caution. Dancer worries me a little. He's wound even tighter than Jake, I have no idea what he's going to do next so I'd rather be standing somewhere else for the time being.
He looks Vice up and down speculatively.
You'll forgive me, but you strike me as the sort to be easily, ah, distracted in a brothel. I ain't much for smooth-talkin' neither, best I can manage is to stand next to you and look discretely threatening. Do we have any sort of game plan here? I'm just muscle if things go sideways really.
Gecko slips gracefully out of the elevator on the heels of the tall, brash human.
Search me, Jake's usually very professional but he seems wound pretty tight about this human trafficking, organ-legging deal. DD I've worked with before, she's seems to be keeping her head better than Jake. She seems frivolous and shiny but she's got moves and she can shift it up a gear when the heat is on. The others I don't know but they all seem skilled despite their lack of caution. Dancer worries me a little. He's wound even tighter than Jake, I have no idea what he's going to do next so I'd rather be standing somewhere else for the time being.
He looks Vice up and down speculatively.
You'll forgive me, but you strike me as the sort to be easily, ah, distracted in a brothel. I ain't much for smooth-talkin' neither, best I can manage is to stand next to you and look discretely threatening. Do we have any sort of game plan here? I'm just muscle if things go sideways really.
<<2146, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, Parking Lot, Divine Comedy, Downtown, Los Angeles, PCC>>
Vice opens the rollup door, walks up to the truck, and tosses the rifle case into the back seat, within easy reach.
I don't know how much standing you'll be doing for the next few hours, but if you're concerned about being out of the blast radius, I think you're safe. .
The beglian machine pistol settles into the center console as the human settles into the driver's seat.
I'm hardly one to kick dirt on anyone for hiding behind a facade of being shiny and frivolous. It's a good place to hide, especially in a city that prides itself on being shiny and frivolous. No matter how distracted I look, there is a method to my madness. You can't show up at a brothel and not, or you draw a lot of attention and get thrown out. All we have to do is blend into the crowd, watch the faces, listen to the voices, and feed the whole mess into storage for facial recognition and voice printing against whatever you all already have. After we've been there for a while, if she's there, I'll see what I can get out of Stanton. Unless something happens to completely rule her out, this is going to be an ongoing operation.
Vice opens the rollup door, walks up to the truck, and tosses the rifle case into the back seat, within easy reach.
I don't know how much standing you'll be doing for the next few hours, but if you're concerned about being out of the blast radius, I think you're safe. .
The beglian machine pistol settles into the center console as the human settles into the driver's seat.
I'm hardly one to kick dirt on anyone for hiding behind a facade of being shiny and frivolous. It's a good place to hide, especially in a city that prides itself on being shiny and frivolous. No matter how distracted I look, there is a method to my madness. You can't show up at a brothel and not, or you draw a lot of attention and get thrown out. All we have to do is blend into the crowd, watch the faces, listen to the voices, and feed the whole mess into storage for facial recognition and voice printing against whatever you all already have. After we've been there for a while, if she's there, I'll see what I can get out of Stanton. Unless something happens to completely rule her out, this is going to be an ongoing operation.
Patiently Gecko applied the theatrical glue to the inside of the latex disguise DD had customized for him in Seattle. It was actually a pretty minimalist affair that built on his natural features and changed them just enough to defeat facial recognition.
It's not much but we all look the same to you breeders, no?
The little ork grinned affably at Vice and went on.
Oh I'll be standing tonight. I'm playing your bodyguard and besides you just can't fake an interest in that sort of thing.
It's not much but we all look the same to you breeders, no?
The little ork grinned affably at Vice and went on.
Oh I'll be standing tonight. I'm playing your bodyguard and besides you just can't fake an interest in that sort of thing.
<<2148, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, Parking Lot, Divine Comedy, Downtown, Los Angeles, PCC>>
I've never had a problem telling orks apart. Elves and trolls are a problem, but only because they're all trying to look like the same shitty trid cliche.
The truck swerves to avoid a dead animal in the middle of the road.
Besides, you only call an ork girl by the wrong name once. Last time I did, I got an end table thrown at me. But that's the end of a much longer story that I'm not telling without a much bigger, drunker audience. This bodyguard thing could definitely work, though. I'm going out to have a good time, anticipating being heavily chemically altered, and brought someone along to get me out of all the trouble that my addled brain, and other stuff, gets me into. I'm seeing why you volunteered to come along. Certainly beats sitting around in the chauffeur tank outside Unlimited, waiting for DD, Pura, or Mai to call for help, or for a ride home from someplace up in the hills.
I've never had a problem telling orks apart. Elves and trolls are a problem, but only because they're all trying to look like the same shitty trid cliche.
The truck swerves to avoid a dead animal in the middle of the road.
Besides, you only call an ork girl by the wrong name once. Last time I did, I got an end table thrown at me. But that's the end of a much longer story that I'm not telling without a much bigger, drunker audience. This bodyguard thing could definitely work, though. I'm going out to have a good time, anticipating being heavily chemically altered, and brought someone along to get me out of all the trouble that my addled brain, and other stuff, gets me into. I'm seeing why you volunteered to come along. Certainly beats sitting around in the chauffeur tank outside Unlimited, waiting for DD, Pura, or Mai to call for help, or for a ride home from someplace up in the hills.
<<2239, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, El Infierno, Downtown, Los Angeles, PCC>>
The cool breeze off of the still flooded parts of Los Angeles glides over the carapace of the speeding Range Rover. The ARO green arrow floats off in the distance, guiding the truck and its’ pair of very different occupants towards the head of the famous pontoon bridge that leads to the famous establishment of the famous Judith Stanton.
Definitely need a power boat if I’m staying here.
Even as the road deteriorates, Vice continues to lean on the throttle, relying on the state of the art off-road navigation system to avoid submerged sinkholes, potholes, craters, and man-made obstacles.
When he isn’t swerving around imminent axle destruction, the human busies himself with poking around Stanton’s P2.0 node. Mild annoyance flashes across his face at the discovery that Stanton’s live feed is currently dark and her status is listed as “AFK, Sleeping�. Undeterred, he begins sorting through the most recent video blogs. The spew of celebrity gossip bores the roaming hired gun to tears as each story gets a little bit more insipid and a lot more irrelevant.
Looks like she’s got a solid misdirection campaign going. All this should direct a little attention away from her clientele by focusing it on someone else. Wonder who else is watching this place.
“Gecko, how are you at finding drones? Someone has to be watching this place, if only because they’re fishing for blackmail material. Grabbing their eyes would be great for long term surveillance.�
Aided by the expert system running in his implanted commlink, he studys Judy’s vocal inflections, facial expressions and body language, looking for anything he can use to manufacture a connection to her when the time comes.
The cool breeze off of the still flooded parts of Los Angeles glides over the carapace of the speeding Range Rover. The ARO green arrow floats off in the distance, guiding the truck and its’ pair of very different occupants towards the head of the famous pontoon bridge that leads to the famous establishment of the famous Judith Stanton.
Definitely need a power boat if I’m staying here.
Even as the road deteriorates, Vice continues to lean on the throttle, relying on the state of the art off-road navigation system to avoid submerged sinkholes, potholes, craters, and man-made obstacles.
When he isn’t swerving around imminent axle destruction, the human busies himself with poking around Stanton’s P2.0 node. Mild annoyance flashes across his face at the discovery that Stanton’s live feed is currently dark and her status is listed as “AFK, Sleeping�. Undeterred, he begins sorting through the most recent video blogs. The spew of celebrity gossip bores the roaming hired gun to tears as each story gets a little bit more insipid and a lot more irrelevant.
Looks like she’s got a solid misdirection campaign going. All this should direct a little attention away from her clientele by focusing it on someone else. Wonder who else is watching this place.
“Gecko, how are you at finding drones? Someone has to be watching this place, if only because they’re fishing for blackmail material. Grabbing their eyes would be great for long term surveillance.�
Aided by the expert system running in his implanted commlink, he studys Judy’s vocal inflections, facial expressions and body language, looking for anything he can use to manufacture a connection to her when the time comes.
[ Spoiler ]
<<2239, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, El Infierno, Downtown, Los Angeles, PCC>>
My skills as a hacker are non-existent but I have invested heavily in some cracker-jack hardware and cutting edge Agents and software. I can certainly scan the vicinity for Encrypted Data-feeds and see what falls out of them when they are given a shake. Non-invasive snooping is just the sort of electronics gig I like. We can try a little active hacking if necessary but better safe than sorry to start with.
My skills as a hacker are non-existent but I have invested heavily in some cracker-jack hardware and cutting edge Agents and software. I can certainly scan the vicinity for Encrypted Data-feeds and see what falls out of them when they are given a shake. Non-invasive snooping is just the sort of electronics gig I like. We can try a little active hacking if necessary but better safe than sorry to start with.
<<2239, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, El Infierno, Downtown, Los Angeles, PCC>>
"Didn't want to take the invasive route just yet anyway. No reason to step on our own dicks when we've got all the time in the world to do this right. Kind of curious what Stanton is up tonight, since she's not broadcasting right now. It'd kind of derail plans if she's in Portugul for the weekend or something."
"Didn't want to take the invasive route just yet anyway. No reason to step on our own dicks when we've got all the time in the world to do this right. Kind of curious what Stanton is up tonight, since she's not broadcasting right now. It'd kind of derail plans if she's in Portugul for the weekend or something."
<<2243, Tuesday, October 21st, 2070, El Infierno, Downtown, Los Angeles, PCC>>
Stop sign. Quick glance left and right. Grit teeth and accelerate.
<<DD, got a second to take a look at the wireless haze around Stanton's place? I'm getting close and I'd love to know who else is watching this place before I get out and walk up to the front door.>>
Stop sign. Quick glance left and right. Grit teeth and accelerate.
<<DD, got a second to take a look at the wireless haze around Stanton's place? I'm getting close and I'd love to know who else is watching this place before I get out and walk up to the front door.>>
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