Moses - Saturday, March 28th, 2071@07:19: Moses' Office, South Kingsgate, Redmond Barrens
The call to Tyr had went unanswered, but that was not unexpected. Moses had made the acquaintance of the fixer six weeks ago working a lost kid case. A case he'd solved. That case had been especially heart wrenching as the young boy was very much wanted by his family, but had been killed by a serial pedophile. The family was SINless, so the Star filed the case without so much as two minutes spent working it.
Nix had fallen asleep at the desk last night and was still there, lightly snoring when Moses awoke. Someone was sneaking around the office... or at least attempting to sneak. The rummaging through this drawers and cabinets cut through the quiet, over the snoring.
Slipping out of bed and down the hall, Moses found Tracy with a box of Crinkle-Chips™. She was not yet aware of Moses' arrival.
Full Version: IC: Introduction to the Barrens
Mouse - Friday, March 27th, 2071@20:00: Mouse's Doss, 1102 183rd St Ct E, Loveland, Puyallup District, Seattle Metroplex
PAN = active; SIN = Samantha Silver [1]
Cursing the Cose Difettose under her breath, Mouse checked her weapons one last time. Given their recent run of luck she had no intention of heading out into the night without them. The machine pistol was a comforting heavy weight in the small of her back, the holster keeping it snug against her under the jacket she pulled on against the cold. Her knives were in scabbards on the inside of her wrists and the Fineblade went between her shoulder blades. She grimly considered the need for all this extra weight, she would rather have done without it, but she would only ever need it if things were badly wrong. She would rather run than fight, if it came to a fight she wanted to be ready.
The helmet slid snugly over her head as she climbed onto her Rapier. Pulling the charging cable off she let it reel back on its spring. Judging by the gauge that lit up in AR the bike had actually been plugged in long enough to get a decent amount of juice, last night’s brownout must have been shorter than she had thought.
She ghosted out into the night, the electric bike making not much more noise than the sound of the tyres on the blacktop. She’d need to be careful where she left it but the Crime Mall was too important a location for real trouble, or so she hoped…perhaps she would find some more work there from one of the dealers.
PAN = active; SIN = Samantha Silver [1]
Cursing the Cose Difettose under her breath, Mouse checked her weapons one last time. Given their recent run of luck she had no intention of heading out into the night without them. The machine pistol was a comforting heavy weight in the small of her back, the holster keeping it snug against her under the jacket she pulled on against the cold. Her knives were in scabbards on the inside of her wrists and the Fineblade went between her shoulder blades. She grimly considered the need for all this extra weight, she would rather have done without it, but she would only ever need it if things were badly wrong. She would rather run than fight, if it came to a fight she wanted to be ready.
The helmet slid snugly over her head as she climbed onto her Rapier. Pulling the charging cable off she let it reel back on its spring. Judging by the gauge that lit up in AR the bike had actually been plugged in long enough to get a decent amount of juice, last night’s brownout must have been shorter than she had thought.
She ghosted out into the night, the electric bike making not much more noise than the sound of the tyres on the blacktop. She’d need to be careful where she left it but the Crime Mall was too important a location for real trouble, or so she hoped…perhaps she would find some more work there from one of the dealers.
Moses - Saturday, March 28th, 2071@07:20: Moses' Office, South Kingsgate, Redmond Barrens
Tracy's odd manner of standing still and staring at the wall while munching away made Moses think of a garbage picking Devil Rat. He smiled. He liked Devil Rats. Maybe I'll scare her. Give her a good spook. That'd be funny, watch her jump up and skitter off. Off. Yeah, can't have that. You want to make her feel welcome, not frightened. Try to get her attention gradually, easy now. He walked towards his desk and sat down, the air escaping from the cushions and the squeek of springs alerting her to his presence. She spun around, eyes widened like she'd been caught shaving the family cat, hands still in and on the bag.
"Good Morning."
"Hi." she replied, quietly, shy-like.
"You're not in trouble, so calm down. I was going to get a real breakfast, some nice bacon, a bowl of grits, maybe even a glass of genuine orange juice. I'd like for you to come with me, but if you want to leave now, I can drop you off wherever you need to go, I'll even let you keep the bag of chips, just for keeping me company on the drive. What'll it be?"
Tracy's odd manner of standing still and staring at the wall while munching away made Moses think of a garbage picking Devil Rat. He smiled. He liked Devil Rats. Maybe I'll scare her. Give her a good spook. That'd be funny, watch her jump up and skitter off. Off. Yeah, can't have that. You want to make her feel welcome, not frightened. Try to get her attention gradually, easy now. He walked towards his desk and sat down, the air escaping from the cushions and the squeek of springs alerting her to his presence. She spun around, eyes widened like she'd been caught shaving the family cat, hands still in and on the bag.
"Good Morning."
"Hi." she replied, quietly, shy-like.
"You're not in trouble, so calm down. I was going to get a real breakfast, some nice bacon, a bowl of grits, maybe even a glass of genuine orange juice. I'd like for you to come with me, but if you want to leave now, I can drop you off wherever you need to go, I'll even let you keep the bag of chips, just for keeping me company on the drive. What'll it be?"
Chunan - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @16:40: Village Fair Shopping Center, 515 South Meridian Street, Puyallup City, Seattle, UCAS
Thoughts of his painfully low financial reserves put aside at the promise of work, Chunan's afternoon turned up, his run bringing on the endorphins that raise his spirits even higher. Puyallup City is a hick town compared to Kowloon City; in fact, to a native born son of the latter this area is downright rural. As he runs, he looks off to the distance of Downtown Seattle. The sky scrapers cry out to him with the promise of a proper urban environment for Parkour.
He logged 10km just getting to the Village Fair Shopping Center. While exhilarating, he'd burned a lot of calories today and his stomach was letting him know how long it had been since he'd had a real meal. Also, as he took off the sweaty shirt he realized that not only has he displaced a lot of liquids, he displaced them into his clothes... and the Underworld 93 is nearly another 5km away...
Thoughts of his painfully low financial reserves put aside at the promise of work, Chunan's afternoon turned up, his run bringing on the endorphins that raise his spirits even higher. Puyallup City is a hick town compared to Kowloon City; in fact, to a native born son of the latter this area is downright rural. As he runs, he looks off to the distance of Downtown Seattle. The sky scrapers cry out to him with the promise of a proper urban environment for Parkour.
He logged 10km just getting to the Village Fair Shopping Center. While exhilarating, he'd burned a lot of calories today and his stomach was letting him know how long it had been since he'd had a real meal. Also, as he took off the sweaty shirt he realized that not only has he displaced a lot of liquids, he displaced them into his clothes... and the Underworld 93 is nearly another 5km away...
Stormcrow - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @ 20:51: Crime Mall, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle, UCAS
The first floor of the Mall is an eclectic collection of meta-humanity. The one thing missing is the display of any gang colors, except by the Lifters and the Mall Monsters who are occasionally sprinkled into the crowd. The vendors on this level are mostly transient with their various stalls being portable or ad-hoc. Everything from snacks sold directly from an open case to various new and used mechanical parts to used weapons can be found on display. Various joy girls and boys also show their wares next to bodyguards and other service providers advertising. Stormcrow even passes a pair of plumbers with a stand.
The stairs to the second floor are not restricted, but the body laying broken at the bottom of the stairs give the message loud and clear: Enter at your own risk. The crowd on the second floor are mostly a more hardcore crowd. The vendors work from a number of more permanent stalls and rooms. Private security work each entrance way, giving potential clients a hard enough stare to keep away most window shoppers and lookie-loos.
The Office is easy enough to find as it is one of the larger permanent vendors set up in what was surely once a restaurant. A large ork in tight, black body armor sits casually on a stool at the entrance. His eyes have been replaced with one visor like cybernettic eye that hosts a single red light that lazily shifts back and forth, left to right, right to left. Almost missed in his hands is an SMG, with a long silencer nearly invisible by the active chameleon coating. His head does not move as he watches the crowd. He does not flinch when an ork with a large assault rifle and a bandolier of grenades enter the Office ahead of Stormcrow. The entire scene is surreal, like it fell out of some pink-mohawk pulp fiction.
The decor of the Office is pretty unique. There is a long bar that runs along the far wall and out to the middle of the floor making it kind of a "T" shape. There are twenty-eight stools along the bar. Seven along each of the four lengths. Along both walls, left and right, in the room are a number of booths with curtains. An AR menu displays that using the booths brings a minimum drink charge every fifteen minutes... and they are equipped with white noise generators. Staring at the booths causes the visual enhancement on his glasses to distort, causing a feeling of vertigo and initiates the feeling of a headache in the bag of his brain. The multifaceted shining glass globes that hang over each table are surely the source of that. Additionally, there are six tables with four chairs out on the floor area and finally, the AR menu advertises 3 larger rooms in the back for rent.
The ork woman at the section of the bar that Stormcrow approaches gestures to a middle-aged human male working the other side of the bar when asked about Smokey Joe. The man is average height for a human, with fading brown hair. The sides of his head are solid gray and his goatee sports two long streaks of gray. As Stormcrow approaches, he notices a dwarf walk over behind the bar with a box of various bottles of hard liqueur. Smokey Joe watches the elf approach. "Kilroy says you've done work for him before. I need a ward up before midnight. You can do that?"
The first floor of the Mall is an eclectic collection of meta-humanity. The one thing missing is the display of any gang colors, except by the Lifters and the Mall Monsters who are occasionally sprinkled into the crowd. The vendors on this level are mostly transient with their various stalls being portable or ad-hoc. Everything from snacks sold directly from an open case to various new and used mechanical parts to used weapons can be found on display. Various joy girls and boys also show their wares next to bodyguards and other service providers advertising. Stormcrow even passes a pair of plumbers with a stand.
The stairs to the second floor are not restricted, but the body laying broken at the bottom of the stairs give the message loud and clear: Enter at your own risk. The crowd on the second floor are mostly a more hardcore crowd. The vendors work from a number of more permanent stalls and rooms. Private security work each entrance way, giving potential clients a hard enough stare to keep away most window shoppers and lookie-loos.
The Office is easy enough to find as it is one of the larger permanent vendors set up in what was surely once a restaurant. A large ork in tight, black body armor sits casually on a stool at the entrance. His eyes have been replaced with one visor like cybernettic eye that hosts a single red light that lazily shifts back and forth, left to right, right to left. Almost missed in his hands is an SMG, with a long silencer nearly invisible by the active chameleon coating. His head does not move as he watches the crowd. He does not flinch when an ork with a large assault rifle and a bandolier of grenades enter the Office ahead of Stormcrow. The entire scene is surreal, like it fell out of some pink-mohawk pulp fiction.
The decor of the Office is pretty unique. There is a long bar that runs along the far wall and out to the middle of the floor making it kind of a "T" shape. There are twenty-eight stools along the bar. Seven along each of the four lengths. Along both walls, left and right, in the room are a number of booths with curtains. An AR menu displays that using the booths brings a minimum drink charge every fifteen minutes... and they are equipped with white noise generators. Staring at the booths causes the visual enhancement on his glasses to distort, causing a feeling of vertigo and initiates the feeling of a headache in the bag of his brain. The multifaceted shining glass globes that hang over each table are surely the source of that. Additionally, there are six tables with four chairs out on the floor area and finally, the AR menu advertises 3 larger rooms in the back for rent.
The ork woman at the section of the bar that Stormcrow approaches gestures to a middle-aged human male working the other side of the bar when asked about Smokey Joe. The man is average height for a human, with fading brown hair. The sides of his head are solid gray and his goatee sports two long streaks of gray. As Stormcrow approaches, he notices a dwarf walk over behind the bar with a box of various bottles of hard liqueur. Smokey Joe watches the elf approach. "Kilroy says you've done work for him before. I need a ward up before midnight. You can do that?"
Bob - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @16:25: Bob's Office, The McGuire Building, NE 85th St & 128th Ave NE, Touristville, Redmond District, Seattle Metroplex
Twig had cleared the door and was no longer in line of sight. Mikey stops, holds for a second then steps to the side. Twig has returned to the doorway, a slightly confused look on his face... even more confused when a 30# cat jumps through the doorway, grabs the gun from his mouth with its hand and bounds over to Bob's desk. As all eyes are one the cat, it sets the gun down and fades away.
Twig shakes his head as if unbelieving the last few seconds. After a moment of staring at Bob, "You'se mentioned a deal?"
Twig had cleared the door and was no longer in line of sight. Mikey stops, holds for a second then steps to the side. Twig has returned to the doorway, a slightly confused look on his face... even more confused when a 30# cat jumps through the doorway, grabs the gun from his mouth with its hand and bounds over to Bob's desk. As all eyes are one the cat, it sets the gun down and fades away.
Twig shakes his head as if unbelieving the last few seconds. After a moment of staring at Bob, "You'se mentioned a deal?"
Mouse - Friday, March 27th, 2071@20:55: Crime Mall, 136th Street East & 122nd Avenue East, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle Metroplex
The ride across the Puyallups is always with perils; tonight, with the Mall open, doubly so. Every predator and scavenger within miles of the Mall knew it was open tonight and that people with nuyen would be in transit; a few would never make it.
Up Waller Road E, across 112th St E and back down criss-crossing streets proved to be a fairly safe route. It avoided the "Z" rated areas as much as possible. She only have to avoid one gang induced ambush. Luckily, they hit the trio of bikes ahead of her giving her warning enough to circle back.
As she closed in within a block of the Mall, which was fairly well lit up given all the lights within and vehicles outside, AR began to light up safe routes on the and direct her to parking. The gangers directing traffic parking and collecting her 10¥ parking fee almost made her feel like she was at a Mall downtown.
It wasn't until she began approaching the entrance where two heavily armed and armed trolls stood watch over the crowd coming and going that things began to really diverge from "civilized" areas. The "customers" heading into Mall are undoubtedly the bottom end of meta-humanity. Gangers, pimps, prostitutes, dealers and users. Weapons are common and the smells of various narcotics, stimulants and the sweat of dozens of metahumans permeates the air.
Making her way inside, the sea of people continues. Working down past the joy boys/girls, love potion dealers, purveyors of ancient artifacts and other junk dealers, she find Fin. His way in this world is selling reloaded ammunition. Standing a bit over one and a quarter meters tall and mostly hairless, he looks more like some freaking child struck by an aging disease than some storybook plump, wide, bearded dwarf. A pair of teenage ork girls stand on either side watching the crowd and generally protecting Fin's space. Both girls hold a pair of sticks, one of them looks like she gets the far worse end of practice matches in and around her face. On his portable table, Fin has a couple of ammo boxes, a fairly fancy reloading machine and a number of plastic bags of supplies.
Mouse had bought from Fin several times and he'd once inquired about her working bodyguard for him, though his offer of pay was pretty substandard.
The ride across the Puyallups is always with perils; tonight, with the Mall open, doubly so. Every predator and scavenger within miles of the Mall knew it was open tonight and that people with nuyen would be in transit; a few would never make it.
Up Waller Road E, across 112th St E and back down criss-crossing streets proved to be a fairly safe route. It avoided the "Z" rated areas as much as possible. She only have to avoid one gang induced ambush. Luckily, they hit the trio of bikes ahead of her giving her warning enough to circle back.
As she closed in within a block of the Mall, which was fairly well lit up given all the lights within and vehicles outside, AR began to light up safe routes on the and direct her to parking. The gangers directing traffic parking and collecting her 10¥ parking fee almost made her feel like she was at a Mall downtown.
It wasn't until she began approaching the entrance where two heavily armed and armed trolls stood watch over the crowd coming and going that things began to really diverge from "civilized" areas. The "customers" heading into Mall are undoubtedly the bottom end of meta-humanity. Gangers, pimps, prostitutes, dealers and users. Weapons are common and the smells of various narcotics, stimulants and the sweat of dozens of metahumans permeates the air.
Making her way inside, the sea of people continues. Working down past the joy boys/girls, love potion dealers, purveyors of ancient artifacts and other junk dealers, she find Fin. His way in this world is selling reloaded ammunition. Standing a bit over one and a quarter meters tall and mostly hairless, he looks more like some freaking child struck by an aging disease than some storybook plump, wide, bearded dwarf. A pair of teenage ork girls stand on either side watching the crowd and generally protecting Fin's space. Both girls hold a pair of sticks, one of them looks like she gets the far worse end of practice matches in and around her face. On his portable table, Fin has a couple of ammo boxes, a fairly fancy reloading machine and a number of plastic bags of supplies.
Mouse had bought from Fin several times and he'd once inquired about her working bodyguard for him, though his offer of pay was pretty substandard.
Bob - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @16:25: Bob's Office, The McGuire Building, NE 85th St & 128th Ave NE, Touristville, Redmond District, Seattle Metroplex
I was careful not to spook these two knuckleheads as I picked up my revolver and slid it back in the holster at my side. Trying to think fast, I decided to let them stew a moment or two longer as I sat back down in my chair. After the stunt they just tried to pull, I'd give 'em my 2 nuyen when I was good and ready. The springs in the chair weren't what they used to be, and they protested as I leaned back and propped my feet up on my desk. The bottle on my hip didn't protest one bit as I took a long, satisfying swig. Ah, good Irish whiskey. Makes everything seem better. I didn't bother to offer these two clowns any.
Ok, enough stalling. Time to set the hook and reel 'em in.
"You boys have a problem. You need to find Mitch and get him to pay up. If you don't, you're in trouble with your boss. Barging in to my office, making threats to me, you decided you were gonna make this my problem too. God help me, we're in this together now. So here's what we're gonna do. You're gonna give me the dirt on Mitch. I'm gonna find him for you. You're gonna get the money Mitch owes your boss. You're gonna give me a cut of the money you get from Mitch, say, 20%. Everyone wins, everyone's happy. Whaddya say, huh?"
I was careful not to spook these two knuckleheads as I picked up my revolver and slid it back in the holster at my side. Trying to think fast, I decided to let them stew a moment or two longer as I sat back down in my chair. After the stunt they just tried to pull, I'd give 'em my 2 nuyen when I was good and ready. The springs in the chair weren't what they used to be, and they protested as I leaned back and propped my feet up on my desk. The bottle on my hip didn't protest one bit as I took a long, satisfying swig. Ah, good Irish whiskey. Makes everything seem better. I didn't bother to offer these two clowns any.
Ok, enough stalling. Time to set the hook and reel 'em in.
"You boys have a problem. You need to find Mitch and get him to pay up. If you don't, you're in trouble with your boss. Barging in to my office, making threats to me, you decided you were gonna make this my problem too. God help me, we're in this together now. So here's what we're gonna do. You're gonna give me the dirt on Mitch. I'm gonna find him for you. You're gonna get the money Mitch owes your boss. You're gonna give me a cut of the money you get from Mitch, say, 20%. Everyone wins, everyone's happy. Whaddya say, huh?"
March 27, 20:57
Stormcrow - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @ 20:57: Crime Mall, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle, UCAS
Stormcrow; PAN = Active [LGT, Glasses (Not Worn), Earbuds]; SIN = None, Public Profile = Stormcrow
Stormcrow pulls up a stool at the bar and sits down across from Smokey Joe before answering.
"I can do it, though in that little time it isn't going to be that strong of a ward. The spirits only allow so much power through to the astral plane at a time in one place, no matter how many people are working on it. Personally I can ward an area of about 250 cubic meters at a max, but that's still a pretty good sized area.
What I'd need to know is where the ward would be needed, right down to which walls, or whatever, the ward needs to be placed on. If the deadline is hard at midnight I can just barely make what the hermetics would term a force 3 ward if the location is very near by. Otherwise it depends on travel time, but most likely a force 2.
Of course the other thing I'd need to know, if my offer is acceptable, is what the compensation is going to be for my efforts."
Stormcrow leans in and settles one elbow on the bar, setting his chin into his hand and gazing at Smokey Joe with an unworried expression on his face as he awaits a reply.
Stormcrow - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @ 20:57: Crime Mall, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle, UCAS
Stormcrow; PAN = Active [LGT, Glasses (Not Worn), Earbuds]; SIN = None, Public Profile = Stormcrow
Stormcrow pulls up a stool at the bar and sits down across from Smokey Joe before answering.
"I can do it, though in that little time it isn't going to be that strong of a ward. The spirits only allow so much power through to the astral plane at a time in one place, no matter how many people are working on it. Personally I can ward an area of about 250 cubic meters at a max, but that's still a pretty good sized area.
What I'd need to know is where the ward would be needed, right down to which walls, or whatever, the ward needs to be placed on. If the deadline is hard at midnight I can just barely make what the hermetics would term a force 3 ward if the location is very near by. Otherwise it depends on travel time, but most likely a force 2.
Of course the other thing I'd need to know, if my offer is acceptable, is what the compensation is going to be for my efforts."
Stormcrow leans in and settles one elbow on the bar, setting his chin into his hand and gazing at Smokey Joe with an unworried expression on his face as he awaits a reply.
Mouse - Friday, March 27th, 2071@20:55: Crime Mall, 136th Street East & 122nd Avenue East, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle Metroplex
PAN = active; SIN = Samantha Silver [1]
Mouse sidled up to Fin's space, moving through the crowds of people as if she wasn't there. She was reluctant to consider asking him for work but until Nora came up with another errand or two it was either that or back to Fort Lewis to lift some cred from the soldier boys. That had its dangers though, at least the Mall had a semblance of civilisation. Things kicked off here on a regular basis and violence was a way of life but it was rare that anyone shot each other...too much chance of it hitting the wrong person...hitting the wrong person here could mean something worse than getting shot yourself.
"Fin..." she waited for his grunting response "you still hiring? I need some cash to see me through the week. And before you ask, I'm not up for working on my back so it'll have to be something else!"
PAN = active; SIN = Samantha Silver [1]
Mouse sidled up to Fin's space, moving through the crowds of people as if she wasn't there. She was reluctant to consider asking him for work but until Nora came up with another errand or two it was either that or back to Fort Lewis to lift some cred from the soldier boys. That had its dangers though, at least the Mall had a semblance of civilisation. Things kicked off here on a regular basis and violence was a way of life but it was rare that anyone shot each other...too much chance of it hitting the wrong person...hitting the wrong person here could mean something worse than getting shot yourself.
"Fin..." she waited for his grunting response "you still hiring? I need some cash to see me through the week. And before you ask, I'm not up for working on my back so it'll have to be something else!"
Moses - Saturday, March 28th, 2071@08:40: Moses' Office, South Kingsgate, Redmond Barrens
Moses goes to the little kitchenette for the apartment, turned office and begins to gather together components for breakfast. He pulls out a package of BacOyn; A bacon like product, it tastes like bacon, anyway. The packages of grits and powered eggs have a list of ingredients the likes of which Moses could barely pronounce, no less identify. He does find a pint of real orange juice, his weekly ration given his budget.
For Tracy, the food is a banquet. She eats without knowing the difference and cleans up any left overs. Nix eats quietly, the dynamic of a third person causing her to withdraw socially. Always a timid introvert, she does not deal well with change or working through that change. As Moses is amused watching Tracy clean up, Nix quietly slips out.
A quick check with FindMe™ on his com (which both he and his sister subscribe to) shows that she is at home this morning. She has an apartment at 16400 NE 91st Street in the Good News Apartments. The largest gang between Touristville and English Hill, the Warlords, run the building and a number of the gang members live there as well. While not a member of the gang, she has a deal with them. She takes in street kids and lives under their protection, she provides magical healing to the gang and is engaged to one of the lieutenants, Big-Rob.
As to Tracy, her only reply earlier as to where she would like to go brought her to tears with an answer of, "I've got no place to go."
Moses goes to the little kitchenette for the apartment, turned office and begins to gather together components for breakfast. He pulls out a package of BacOyn; A bacon like product, it tastes like bacon, anyway. The packages of grits and powered eggs have a list of ingredients the likes of which Moses could barely pronounce, no less identify. He does find a pint of real orange juice, his weekly ration given his budget.
For Tracy, the food is a banquet. She eats without knowing the difference and cleans up any left overs. Nix eats quietly, the dynamic of a third person causing her to withdraw socially. Always a timid introvert, she does not deal well with change or working through that change. As Moses is amused watching Tracy clean up, Nix quietly slips out.
A quick check with FindMe™ on his com (which both he and his sister subscribe to) shows that she is at home this morning. She has an apartment at 16400 NE 91st Street in the Good News Apartments. The largest gang between Touristville and English Hill, the Warlords, run the building and a number of the gang members live there as well. While not a member of the gang, she has a deal with them. She takes in street kids and lives under their protection, she provides magical healing to the gang and is engaged to one of the lieutenants, Big-Rob.
As to Tracy, her only reply earlier as to where she would like to go brought her to tears with an answer of, "I've got no place to go."
Chunan - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @16:40: Village Fair Shopping Center, 515 South Meridian Street, Puyallup City, Seattle, UCAS
Chunan; PAN = passive [wireless, earbuds, goggles, subvocal mic]; SIN = Jonathan Wong (broadcast)
Chunan's stomach was reminding him again just how forgetful he'd become about eating meals. Through his Kung Fu studies, Chunan had learned to harness his qi to augment his body. Amongst the abilities he'd developed was being able to draw sustenance from spiritual energy, which meant he only needed eat once per day now. Unfortunately, it meant that he sometimes lost track of when his last meal had been, something his stomach liked to remind him of at the most inopportune moments.
Stepping back into the Village Fair Stuffer Shack, Chunan stowed his respirator and grabbed a couple bottles of Electrosoy™ and a packet of Rediheat Stirfry™. He paid the clerk, shoved his stir fry in the ancient microwave, and chugged one of the bottles to replenish the fluids and electrolytes he'd lost during his run. After considering how drenched he'd been after his run, Chunan had decided that since he had the time, he'd walk to Underworld 93 and have his meal along the way. It would also give him time to think about where he was going to hide the shopping bag of smelly laundry when he got there. I'm sure I can find a nice, deserted rooftop to stash my clothes. I certainly can't afford to lose them at this point. And I don't think there are many others in Puyallup who travel the rooftops like I do.
Grabbing his stir fry, Chunan thanked the store clerk and headed out into the waning twilight to find out what the universe had in store for him this night.
Chunan; PAN = passive [wireless, earbuds, goggles, subvocal mic]; SIN = Jonathan Wong (broadcast)
Chunan's stomach was reminding him again just how forgetful he'd become about eating meals. Through his Kung Fu studies, Chunan had learned to harness his qi to augment his body. Amongst the abilities he'd developed was being able to draw sustenance from spiritual energy, which meant he only needed eat once per day now. Unfortunately, it meant that he sometimes lost track of when his last meal had been, something his stomach liked to remind him of at the most inopportune moments.
Stepping back into the Village Fair Stuffer Shack, Chunan stowed his respirator and grabbed a couple bottles of Electrosoy™ and a packet of Rediheat Stirfry™. He paid the clerk, shoved his stir fry in the ancient microwave, and chugged one of the bottles to replenish the fluids and electrolytes he'd lost during his run. After considering how drenched he'd been after his run, Chunan had decided that since he had the time, he'd walk to Underworld 93 and have his meal along the way. It would also give him time to think about where he was going to hide the shopping bag of smelly laundry when he got there. I'm sure I can find a nice, deserted rooftop to stash my clothes. I certainly can't afford to lose them at this point. And I don't think there are many others in Puyallup who travel the rooftops like I do.
Grabbing his stir fry, Chunan thanked the store clerk and headed out into the waning twilight to find out what the universe had in store for him this night.
Friday, March 28th, 2071; 18:42; Hardwire's Doss
Even though it was lying slack on the n-th hand armchair in his apartment, Hardwire was sure his meat body sported a pretty dumbfounded expression for a second. "Creative" communication methods were the norm in the circles he frequented, but the seeming ease with which the construct had materialized in front of him, only to drop an enigmatic message and leave again, surely was anything but normal.
Gathering his wits again, he mentally pulled aside the rendered fabric of VR to analyze the pure code of his mysterious visitor. What he saw both answered questions and raised new ones: Hidden deep in seemingly random carrier data were the telltale signs of a resonant being, a Courier Sprite. If this Athena knows the Resonance as it seems he does, why does he want my help..."He?" Vague memories of a female avatar at The Black Hat came up, again adding some parts to the sparse puzzle.
In the end there was only one way to find out, and when the analysis of the two AROs came back empty, there was no reason to postpone the promised challenge any longer...<<Accessing "ARO: TeamNet control code"...routing established...>>
Even though it was lying slack on the n-th hand armchair in his apartment, Hardwire was sure his meat body sported a pretty dumbfounded expression for a second. "Creative" communication methods were the norm in the circles he frequented, but the seeming ease with which the construct had materialized in front of him, only to drop an enigmatic message and leave again, surely was anything but normal.
Gathering his wits again, he mentally pulled aside the rendered fabric of VR to analyze the pure code of his mysterious visitor. What he saw both answered questions and raised new ones: Hidden deep in seemingly random carrier data were the telltale signs of a resonant being, a Courier Sprite. If this Athena knows the Resonance as it seems he does, why does he want my help..."He?" Vague memories of a female avatar at The Black Hat came up, again adding some parts to the sparse puzzle.
In the end there was only one way to find out, and when the analysis of the two AROs came back empty, there was no reason to postpone the promised challenge any longer...<<Accessing "ARO: TeamNet control code"...routing established...>>
Devil Cub - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @21:30; 9910 192nd St Ct E Puyallup Barrens, Puyallup District, Seattle Metroplex
Meta Link w/Vector Xim; PAN = passive; SIN = Robert Running-Bear (broadcast)
Meta Link w/Renraku Ichi; PAN = hidden [glasses, earbuds]; SIN = none
After eating his soypaste and krill dinner, Devil Cub considered his options. If The Mall was open tonight, it'd be the best possible place to find Darren. And if it wasn't then he would more than likely be at The Retirement nearby.
Devil Cub let himself go, quickly checking the astral plane around his house to see if there were any surprises waiting outside for him before heading to his garage. Better safe than sorry as I've no desire to tangle with the Chulos again. Finding the area clear, Devil Cub climbed into his GAZ and, on his second attempt, managed to start it up and drive to The Crime Mall.
Upon arriving, he double checked that his comlinks were running the way his brother Xwaamá had instructed him to set them before heading towards the door, wondering where he'd be able to find Darren at tonight.
Meta Link w/Vector Xim; PAN = passive; SIN = Robert Running-Bear (broadcast)
Meta Link w/Renraku Ichi; PAN = hidden [glasses, earbuds]; SIN = none
After eating his soypaste and krill dinner, Devil Cub considered his options. If The Mall was open tonight, it'd be the best possible place to find Darren. And if it wasn't then he would more than likely be at The Retirement nearby.
Devil Cub let himself go, quickly checking the astral plane around his house to see if there were any surprises waiting outside for him before heading to his garage. Better safe than sorry as I've no desire to tangle with the Chulos again. Finding the area clear, Devil Cub climbed into his GAZ and, on his second attempt, managed to start it up and drive to The Crime Mall.
Upon arriving, he double checked that his comlinks were running the way his brother Xwaamá had instructed him to set them before heading towards the door, wondering where he'd be able to find Darren at tonight.
Bob - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @16:25: Bob's Office, The McGuire Building, NE 85th St & 128th Ave NE, Touristville, Redmond District, Seattle Metroplex
Somewhere in his confusion, Twig is still able to form enough thoughts to realize that the deal isn't in his best interest. He approaches the desk, less confrontational and not quite with all his cocky swagger, but still as one in control. "How'se about you'se find Mitch and we'll be convinced you're not really him?" he pauses a moment. "Or does ya want us to redecorated?"
Somewhere in his confusion, Twig is still able to form enough thoughts to realize that the deal isn't in his best interest. He approaches the desk, less confrontational and not quite with all his cocky swagger, but still as one in control. "How'se about you'se find Mitch and we'll be convinced you're not really him?" he pauses a moment. "Or does ya want us to redecorated?"
Stormcrow - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @ 20:53: Crime Mall, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle, UCAS
Smokey Joe weighs the statement then pulls a plastic box from beneath the counter. "Here's a kit previous mages have used to create the ward. I'll pay you 150
to ward the two rooms. All I care about is stopping watchers... and since I need you to have out and alert security if the wards are breached, you can belly up to the bar on the house - assuming, of course, that you stay sober."
Smokey Joe weighs the statement then pulls a plastic box from beneath the counter. "Here's a kit previous mages have used to create the ward. I'll pay you 150
to ward the two rooms. All I care about is stopping watchers... and since I need you to have out and alert security if the wards are breached, you can belly up to the bar on the house - assuming, of course, that you stay sober."
Mouse - Friday, March 27th, 2071@20:55: Crime Mall, 136th Street East & 122nd Avenue East, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle Metroplex
Fin gets a smile that quickly fades back to a neutral expression. Gesturing to the two ork girls, "I've glad plenty of protection tonight... Perhaps next time?" The girl with the bruises gave Mouse an exceptionally dark scowl. "I do have some high quality reloads for sale..."
<<@Mouse [Angelous] I just made it to the Office. Come on up when you get tired of shopping and mingling.>>
Fin gets a smile that quickly fades back to a neutral expression. Gesturing to the two ork girls, "I've glad plenty of protection tonight... Perhaps next time?" The girl with the bruises gave Mouse an exceptionally dark scowl. "I do have some high quality reloads for sale..."
<<@Mouse [Angelous] I just made it to the Office. Come on up when you get tired of shopping and mingling.>>
Chunan - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @17:51: Underworld 93, 4819 96th Avenue East, Puyallup District, Seattle, UCAS
The meal, the walk, stashing his clothes... all a much needed diversion from the past few days. The promise of a job gives him a new focus. As he approaches the '93, he can hear, no feel, the beat of the opening band warming up. Headlights from a few vehicles beginning to arrive can be seen, the closer he gets.
Walking across the parking lot, he feels the eyes of several locating around parked vehicles watching him; A Lone Star Patrol car sits on one edge of the lot, a pair of heavily armed patrol officers leaning against it with assault rifles. They appear to be ready for a rough time.
Reaching the front doors, an elf is checking IDs while a troll stands towering behind her. Both are dressed simply, but fashionably. Several dozen people are in a line while a second line is almost empty. A pair of attractive elven women are talking to the maître d', standing in the second line. She dismisses them, sending them to the back of the first line as Chunan approaches.
The meal, the walk, stashing his clothes... all a much needed diversion from the past few days. The promise of a job gives him a new focus. As he approaches the '93, he can hear, no feel, the beat of the opening band warming up. Headlights from a few vehicles beginning to arrive can be seen, the closer he gets.
Walking across the parking lot, he feels the eyes of several locating around parked vehicles watching him; A Lone Star Patrol car sits on one edge of the lot, a pair of heavily armed patrol officers leaning against it with assault rifles. They appear to be ready for a rough time.
Reaching the front doors, an elf is checking IDs while a troll stands towering behind her. Both are dressed simply, but fashionably. Several dozen people are in a line while a second line is almost empty. A pair of attractive elven women are talking to the maître d', standing in the second line. She dismisses them, sending them to the back of the first line as Chunan approaches.
Devil Cub - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @22:06; Crime Mall, 136th Street East & 122nd Avenue East, Puyallup Barrens, Puyallup District, Seattle Metroplex
The Crime Mall, a place of street legend even in the fairy land that is Seattle. For residents of the Puyallups, it is less legend and more Disney Land. Unlike amusement parks in the civilized world though, this one is sometimes nearly impossible to get to. Devil Cub plotted a course through the Barrens. Everything seems on track until he turns the corner to find a trio of cars lengthwise across the street at the end of the block. Luckily, he was going slow enough to already had shifted into reverse when the gangers started coming out of the building on either side of the street. Some days you are the hunter; some days the hunted.
The Crime Mall, a place of street legend even in the fairy land that is Seattle. For residents of the Puyallups, it is less legend and more Disney Land. Unlike amusement parks in the civilized world though, this one is sometimes nearly impossible to get to. Devil Cub plotted a course through the Barrens. Everything seems on track until he turns the corner to find a trio of cars lengthwise across the street at the end of the block. Luckily, he was going slow enough to already had shifted into reverse when the gangers started coming out of the building on either side of the street. Some days you are the hunter; some days the hunted.
Bob - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @16:25: Bob's Office, The McGuire Building, NE 85th St & 128th Ave NE, Touristville, Redmond District, Seattle Metroplex
I could tell that these bozos meant business. Not the sharpest tools in the toolkit, but dangerous like a slamhound that's set on your trail and keyed to your pheremones. It didn't seem like my standard negotiating tactics were getting me all that far with them. Recording this whole procedure was second nature to me by this point. They might find out exactly how good I was at finding people.
"Ok, ok, I find Mitch for you. You see how good I am at finding people, the right people, you understand? Then maybe in the future you throw some work my way, when you want to find other people who can't be found?"
I was starting to regret this. They say never to negotiate out of desperation, but tell that to my landlord when I'm behind on the rent. Like I currently am.
I mentally cursed my summoned spirit. This guy could make things go so smoothly for me, all kinds of tricks he could pull on these lowlifes to help me get what I wanted. But no. It had never been easy with the spirits. Not since HE died, anyway.
I could tell that these bozos meant business. Not the sharpest tools in the toolkit, but dangerous like a slamhound that's set on your trail and keyed to your pheremones. It didn't seem like my standard negotiating tactics were getting me all that far with them. Recording this whole procedure was second nature to me by this point. They might find out exactly how good I was at finding people.
"Ok, ok, I find Mitch for you. You see how good I am at finding people, the right people, you understand? Then maybe in the future you throw some work my way, when you want to find other people who can't be found?"
I was starting to regret this. They say never to negotiate out of desperation, but tell that to my landlord when I'm behind on the rent. Like I currently am.
I mentally cursed my summoned spirit. This guy could make things go so smoothly for me, all kinds of tricks he could pull on these lowlifes to help me get what I wanted. But no. It had never been easy with the spirits. Not since HE died, anyway.
Chunan - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @17:51: Underworld 93, 4819 96th Avenue East, Puyallup District, Seattle, UCAS
Chunan; PAN = active [wireless, earbuds, goggles, subvocal mic]; SIN = Jonathan Wong (not broadcast); Public Profile = Chunan
Ah, Underworld 93. Never have I been to a more wretched dance club of scum and villainy. I must be cautious.
Sizing up the crowd, Chunan decides he should wait in the first line. As attractive as the second line is, Kilroy specified I talk to the bouncer, not the maître d'. Hopefully making contact with Mitch will not prove too difficult. I really need this work.
Chunan joins the back of the first line and attempts to blend in with the crowd, completely oblivious to the stares he's receiving because of his highly (un)fashionable clothing.
I feel a lot more relaxed after stashing my knives. Weapons make people stupid. And they tend to piss of bouncers.
Chunan; PAN = active [wireless, earbuds, goggles, subvocal mic]; SIN = Jonathan Wong (not broadcast); Public Profile = Chunan
Ah, Underworld 93. Never have I been to a more wretched dance club of scum and villainy. I must be cautious.
Sizing up the crowd, Chunan decides he should wait in the first line. As attractive as the second line is, Kilroy specified I talk to the bouncer, not the maître d'. Hopefully making contact with Mitch will not prove too difficult. I really need this work.
Chunan joins the back of the first line and attempts to blend in with the crowd, completely oblivious to the stares he's receiving because of his highly (un)fashionable clothing.
I feel a lot more relaxed after stashing my knives. Weapons make people stupid. And they tend to piss of bouncers.
Bob - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @16:26: Bob's Office, The McGuire Building, NE 85th St & 128th Ave NE, Touristville, Redmond District, Seattle Metroplex
Twig nods. Somewhere in his neanderthal brain he is pleased enough with the outcome. He turns and heads for the door once again, sans Bob's pistol this time. In a moment the duo are gone leaving Bob trying to figure out who the hell Mitch is. Of course, if they knew better, the whole missing persons thing would never have happened in the first place...
Twig nods. Somewhere in his neanderthal brain he is pleased enough with the outcome. He turns and heads for the door once again, sans Bob's pistol this time. In a moment the duo are gone leaving Bob trying to figure out who the hell Mitch is. Of course, if they knew better, the whole missing persons thing would never have happened in the first place...
Chunan - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @17:58: Underworld 93, 4819 96th Avenue East, Puyallup District, Seattle, UCAS
Minutes pass slowly, very slowly. Three more VIPs and their entourage have went through the second line, while no one has advanced in the first line. Checking the time, Chunan realizes he's about to be late.
Minutes pass slowly, very slowly. Three more VIPs and their entourage have went through the second line, while no one has advanced in the first line. Checking the time, Chunan realizes he's about to be late.
Bob - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @16:26: Bob's Office, The McGuire Building, NE 85th St & 128th Ave NE, Touristville, Redmond District, Seattle Metroplex
I was happy to have those two scumbags out of my office. I let myself revel in my "victory" for a moment with a satisfied smile before reality hit me like a ton of bricks. I had work to do, if I wanted to keep my legs intact. I wasn't much of a dancer, my specialty was the cheek-to-cheek with the local bar tabletop, but I didn't think having my legs broken by those two clowns would improve my chances.
After finding my coat and grabbing my hat, I quickly commanded the spirit to tail those two thugs and report back to me where they went. I also set my agent to browsing the building directory, seeing if he could find me any information on tenants named Mitch. Figured if those knuckle-draggers were looking for him here, he might have left a datatrail tied to this location. Me, I was headed to find a bar. I had a dance card to fill.
I was happy to have those two scumbags out of my office. I let myself revel in my "victory" for a moment with a satisfied smile before reality hit me like a ton of bricks. I had work to do, if I wanted to keep my legs intact. I wasn't much of a dancer, my specialty was the cheek-to-cheek with the local bar tabletop, but I didn't think having my legs broken by those two clowns would improve my chances.
After finding my coat and grabbing my hat, I quickly commanded the spirit to tail those two thugs and report back to me where they went. I also set my agent to browsing the building directory, seeing if he could find me any information on tenants named Mitch. Figured if those knuckle-draggers were looking for him here, he might have left a datatrail tied to this location. Me, I was headed to find a bar. I had a dance card to fill.
Mouse - Friday, March 27th, 2071@20:55: Crime Mall, 136th Street East & 122nd Avenue East, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle Metroplex
Mouse frowned at Fin
"Come on Fin, I'm not oldschool like my Dad. The Ruger you sold me is caseless and I don't want the weight of all that brass slowing me down. Besides, reloads? I know you've got good stock, I'd rather pay a bit extra for knowing the round will work like it's supposed to..."
She turned to move off
"And your muscle is looking a little frayed...I'll be around if you need me once the next rowdy punter has finished them off!"
She slipped back into the crowd before they could choose to escalate the matter.
<<@Angelous [Mouse] Sounds good! I don't suppose you've got anything going on have you? Dad found the last credstick I'd stashed and he's pissed it up the wall, I'm getting a little desperate!>>
She didn't like asking for help like this, and she didn't want to sound like a whining child, but if she didn't put some food on the table in the next couple of days nobody else was going to! There had to be something better than lifting cred of the soldier boys...
Mouse frowned at Fin
"Come on Fin, I'm not oldschool like my Dad. The Ruger you sold me is caseless and I don't want the weight of all that brass slowing me down. Besides, reloads? I know you've got good stock, I'd rather pay a bit extra for knowing the round will work like it's supposed to..."
She turned to move off
"And your muscle is looking a little frayed...I'll be around if you need me once the next rowdy punter has finished them off!"
She slipped back into the crowd before they could choose to escalate the matter.
<<@Angelous [Mouse] Sounds good! I don't suppose you've got anything going on have you? Dad found the last credstick I'd stashed and he's pissed it up the wall, I'm getting a little desperate!>>
She didn't like asking for help like this, and she didn't want to sound like a whining child, but if she didn't put some food on the table in the next couple of days nobody else was going to! There had to be something better than lifting cred of the soldier boys...
Moses - Saturday, March 28th, 2071@08:45: Moses' Office, South Kingsgate, Redmond Barrens
Moses smiled at the girl reassuringly. He wasn't in a position to take care of her, and the sleep he got overnight only reassured him of that fact. The two of them got in his car and headed towards his sister's place. The ride was relatively uneventful, though the conversation with his Sister less so. He had convinced her to take Tracy in for the time being, in exchange for a small sum of money each month. There she'd get an education and a chance, both of which were far more then Moses could offer the girl. The departure wasn't some movie-like dramatic scene. The girl barely knew Moses, and he had hoped that she never would. His line of work was far too dangerous to let little girls run around in.
Moses smiled at the girl reassuringly. He wasn't in a position to take care of her, and the sleep he got overnight only reassured him of that fact. The two of them got in his car and headed towards his sister's place. The ride was relatively uneventful, though the conversation with his Sister less so. He had convinced her to take Tracy in for the time being, in exchange for a small sum of money each month. There she'd get an education and a chance, both of which were far more then Moses could offer the girl. The departure wasn't some movie-like dramatic scene. The girl barely knew Moses, and he had hoped that she never would. His line of work was far too dangerous to let little girls run around in.
March 27, 20:58
Stormcrow - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @ 20:58: Crime Mall, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle, UCAS
Stormcrow; PAN = Active [LGT, Glasses (Not Worn), Earbuds]; SIN = None, Public Profile = Stormcrow
Stormcrow thinks on the offer for a moment and then shugs. "That's a fair wage for a simple enough job, though if things get hairy for some reason and you need me to help out security I'll expect a bonus. So which two rooms do you want warded? The main bar and a back room, or somewhere else entirely? I'll tell you now that with two rooms it will only be a force 1 ward on each, but that should be plenty to keep out watcher spirits if that's all you're worried about."
Stormcrow opens the box and looks at the kit, noting the few necessities the job required were in fact there. "This kit should do fine for setting the ward, and then I'll take you up on your offer of a seat at the bar, though I suspect that I'll be sticking with cola tonight until you're done with me."
Stormcrow - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @ 20:58: Crime Mall, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle, UCAS
Stormcrow; PAN = Active [LGT, Glasses (Not Worn), Earbuds]; SIN = None, Public Profile = Stormcrow
Stormcrow thinks on the offer for a moment and then shugs. "That's a fair wage for a simple enough job, though if things get hairy for some reason and you need me to help out security I'll expect a bonus. So which two rooms do you want warded? The main bar and a back room, or somewhere else entirely? I'll tell you now that with two rooms it will only be a force 1 ward on each, but that should be plenty to keep out watcher spirits if that's all you're worried about."
Stormcrow opens the box and looks at the kit, noting the few necessities the job required were in fact there. "This kit should do fine for setting the ward, and then I'll take you up on your offer of a seat at the bar, though I suspect that I'll be sticking with cola tonight until you're done with me."
Chunan - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @17:58: Underworld 93, 4819 96th Avenue East, Puyallup District, Seattle, UCAS
Chunan; PAN = active [wireless, earbuds, goggles, subvocal mic]; SIN = Jonathan Wong (not broadcast); Public Profile = Chunan
Toggling the time on in his AR goggles, Chunan quietly exclaimed a colourful epithet. "Shit!" I'm going to be late for my meeting. I guess there's no help for it. I have to tempt the wrath of the bouncers.
Stepping out of line, Chunan proceeds between the lines, removing and stowing his respirator. Putting on his most disarming smile, Chunan approaches the bouncers.
"Néih hóu, omae. I'm here to see Mitch."
Chunan; PAN = active [wireless, earbuds, goggles, subvocal mic]; SIN = Jonathan Wong (not broadcast); Public Profile = Chunan
Toggling the time on in his AR goggles, Chunan quietly exclaimed a colourful epithet. "Shit!" I'm going to be late for my meeting. I guess there's no help for it. I have to tempt the wrath of the bouncers.
Stepping out of line, Chunan proceeds between the lines, removing and stowing his respirator. Putting on his most disarming smile, Chunan approaches the bouncers.
"Néih hóu, omae. I'm here to see Mitch."
Bob - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @16:28: Bob's Office, The McGuire Building, NE 85th St & 128th Ave NE, Touristville, Redmond District, Seattle Metroplex
The spirit, still in the form of a house cat, smiled an impossibly large, Chesire-like grin before bolting through the closed door, fading away at the instant it should have face planted into the door. Bob knew the spirit knew that this remote service would forfeit all other services it owed.
The agent returned after only being gone for a very short time.
<<@Bob [Agent] No "Mitch" found in the building directory.>>
It seems it won't be easy...
The spirit, still in the form of a house cat, smiled an impossibly large, Chesire-like grin before bolting through the closed door, fading away at the instant it should have face planted into the door. Bob knew the spirit knew that this remote service would forfeit all other services it owed.
The agent returned after only being gone for a very short time.
<<@Bob [Agent] No "Mitch" found in the building directory.>>
It seems it won't be easy...
Mouse - Friday, March 27th, 2071@20:56: Crime Mall, 136th Street East & 122nd Avenue East, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle Metroplex
Fin scowled at the underlying insult of the quality of his work sending her off with several vulgar hand gestures even before the additional insult was leveled. One of the ork girls could be heard as Mouse slipped into the crowd calling out a challenge and an insult regarding infections in Mouse' private areas before the noise of the crowd drowned her out.
<<@Mouse [Angelous] Not at this moment... but this is the Mall. Come on up and let's see what shakes out before the night is over.>>
Fin scowled at the underlying insult of the quality of his work sending her off with several vulgar hand gestures even before the additional insult was leveled. One of the ork girls could be heard as Mouse slipped into the crowd calling out a challenge and an insult regarding infections in Mouse' private areas before the noise of the crowd drowned her out.
<<@Mouse [Angelous] Not at this moment... but this is the Mall. Come on up and let's see what shakes out before the night is over.>>
Moses - Saturday, March 28th, 2071@10:15: Moses' Office, South Kingsgate, Redmond Barrens
Arriving at his sister's apartment, Moses found Big-Rob in his boxers eating a bowl of Choco-Carmello-Puffs® while his sister was making a similar breakfast for about 6 smaller children. Big-Rob is everything his name says he is. Standing around 6' 6", his arms are corded muscles augmented by cyberware making him stronger than the strongest unaugmented human ever hoped to be. Reflex augmentation also made his crazy fast, luckily, Big-Rob had mellowed considerably since becoming involved with Moses' sister.
Tracy had taken the transition well enough. A few faux tears in the beginning gave way when she realized Moses would not be swayed. By the time the visit was over, Sis had Tracy helping with younger kids and Big-Rob had geared up for a day in the life of a ganger in the Barrens.
Back in his car and pulling out of the lot, he got a call from Nix. Her voice was a little uneven.
<<@Moses [Nix] There are some gentlemen here inquiring about your services.>>
Arriving at his sister's apartment, Moses found Big-Rob in his boxers eating a bowl of Choco-Carmello-Puffs® while his sister was making a similar breakfast for about 6 smaller children. Big-Rob is everything his name says he is. Standing around 6' 6", his arms are corded muscles augmented by cyberware making him stronger than the strongest unaugmented human ever hoped to be. Reflex augmentation also made his crazy fast, luckily, Big-Rob had mellowed considerably since becoming involved with Moses' sister.
Tracy had taken the transition well enough. A few faux tears in the beginning gave way when she realized Moses would not be swayed. By the time the visit was over, Sis had Tracy helping with younger kids and Big-Rob had geared up for a day in the life of a ganger in the Barrens.
Back in his car and pulling out of the lot, he got a call from Nix. Her voice was a little uneven.
<<@Moses [Nix] There are some gentlemen here inquiring about your services.>>
Stormcrow - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @ 22:05: Crime Mall, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle, UCAS
Chalk, sand, salt and other less identifiable elements were in good supply in the case Smokey Joe had passed over. Whoever had stocked the case at least understood the basics of warding. Smokey Joe took Stormcrow to the back area where two simple meeting rooms were created. Inside, a cheap but serviceable table and a number of chairs, several troll sized, dominated the otherwise bland room.
Time being of the essence, Stormcrow immediately went to work on the task at hand. An hour later he emerged from the first room, the simple, but effective, ward in place.
Chalk, sand, salt and other less identifiable elements were in good supply in the case Smokey Joe had passed over. Whoever had stocked the case at least understood the basics of warding. Smokey Joe took Stormcrow to the back area where two simple meeting rooms were created. Inside, a cheap but serviceable table and a number of chairs, several troll sized, dominated the otherwise bland room.
Time being of the essence, Stormcrow immediately went to work on the task at hand. An hour later he emerged from the first room, the simple, but effective, ward in place.
Chunan - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @17:59: Underworld 93, 4819 96th Avenue East, Puyallup District, Seattle, UCAS
The elf at the door looks ad Chunan as he walks up the VIP lane. As he smiles at her and states his intent... she smirks. "That slug is getting desperate." She gestures towards the far side of the building and then takes an arm, gently moving Chunan to the side as a limousine pulls up.
Around the side of the building, Chunan sees a small number of people gathered: 3 human men, an ork and a dwarf. All wear dark, nondescript clothing. Two of the humans and the ork wear similar long coats. As Chunan approaches, one of the humans call out. "Entrance is around front."
The elf at the door looks ad Chunan as he walks up the VIP lane. As he smiles at her and states his intent... she smirks. "That slug is getting desperate." She gestures towards the far side of the building and then takes an arm, gently moving Chunan to the side as a limousine pulls up.
Around the side of the building, Chunan sees a small number of people gathered: 3 human men, an ork and a dwarf. All wear dark, nondescript clothing. Two of the humans and the ork wear similar long coats. As Chunan approaches, one of the humans call out. "Entrance is around front."
Bob - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @16:35: The Swaney Club, Lebrea Ave. & 128th Ave NE, Touristville, Redmond District, Seattle Metroplex
If those two dirtbags thought that Mitch lived in this building, chances are that he did, at one point. I set my agent to digging through datatrails left at the building, seeing if it could uncover anything.
<<@Agent [Bob] Dig around, take some time. Go back through anything you can find, financials, delivery orders, security footage, anything.>>
I knew my ass was hanging in the wind with this one, so I headed as fast as possible to my local watering hole to get my head straight. I had 2 things in common with the patrons of the Swaney Club - we all loved rhythm and blues...and we were all fed up with wage slaves. As I pushed through the door and entered the smokey, dimly lit interior, it seemed a good idea to get some help from someone who might be able to lend a hand. I pulled up a stool next to Angelo, occupation: barfly, and used the bar's AR menu to order a drink for both of us. Meanwhile I got in touch with someone I hadn't seen in awhile.
<<@Delores [Bob] Hey beautiful, it's been a long time. I need a favor, what can you find out for me about someone who probably used to rent a room in the same building as I have my office in, name of Mitch Long. This guy's probably not clean, might be involved with someone named Big Lou somehow. And I need it quickly, otherwise I'm gonna get to see how good the service at Our Lady of Mercy is.>>
The drinks arrived, and I toasted Angelo before saying hi to my old friend Jim Beam.
If those two dirtbags thought that Mitch lived in this building, chances are that he did, at one point. I set my agent to digging through datatrails left at the building, seeing if it could uncover anything.
<<@Agent [Bob] Dig around, take some time. Go back through anything you can find, financials, delivery orders, security footage, anything.>>
I knew my ass was hanging in the wind with this one, so I headed as fast as possible to my local watering hole to get my head straight. I had 2 things in common with the patrons of the Swaney Club - we all loved rhythm and blues...and we were all fed up with wage slaves. As I pushed through the door and entered the smokey, dimly lit interior, it seemed a good idea to get some help from someone who might be able to lend a hand. I pulled up a stool next to Angelo, occupation: barfly, and used the bar's AR menu to order a drink for both of us. Meanwhile I got in touch with someone I hadn't seen in awhile.
<<@Delores [Bob] Hey beautiful, it's been a long time. I need a favor, what can you find out for me about someone who probably used to rent a room in the same building as I have my office in, name of Mitch Long. This guy's probably not clean, might be involved with someone named Big Lou somehow. And I need it quickly, otherwise I'm gonna get to see how good the service at Our Lady of Mercy is.>>
The drinks arrived, and I toasted Angelo before saying hi to my old friend Jim Beam.
Bob - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @16:35: The Swaney Club, Lebrea Ave. & 128th Ave NE, Touristville, Redmond District, Seattle Metroplex
<<@Bob [Agent] Instructions understood. Please upload Exploit Toolkit.>>
The bartender working today at The Swaney Club was someone Bob didn't recognize, but that wasn't uncommon. The owner paid for shit so the wait staff averaged two weeks before moving on. The current lost soul looked like he is on a work release program from somewhere. Late 30's human male, a little shorter than average, way under weight and two arms full of prison tattoos. Bob had to be concerned about hepatitis just from proximity; good thing alcohol kills germs.
Angelo looked like he'd been nursing drinks since lunch; not wasted, but there is a glaze forming on his eyes. Bob had to wonder how Angelo could afford his chosen occupation. If Bob had to guess, he would assume that Angelo had retired from one of the branches of the UCAS military.
The name Big Lou bounced around in Bob's head. He knew that name. As Delores began to reply, he was already remembering.
<<@Bob [Delores] Sweety, so good to hear from you. After what you did finding my sister and saving her, you need but call. I show seven Mitch Long's in the greater Seattle area. Four with valid SINs, two with criminal SINs and one without a SIN. The SINless Mitch was listed in a group of SINless kids Santa Claus visited last Christmas. Probably not him. Could be another SINless person not even in my results. If so, you already know how hard he'll be to find. Another question, could Mitch Long be on a fake SIN or simply an alias? The possibilities are endless... How are you and he and Big Lou all involved?>>
A little over a year ago, Delores' sister Regina disappeared at a rave. Delores and the police had been looking for her for nearly a week before Delores contacted detectives. Bob wasn't the first, nor even the second choice. It was another two weeks before he was engaged and by then Delores was pretty nearly broke and one step short of being out of hope. The trail had led to local gang known as La Diablo Sexeristo and ended there. Bob found her three days later. The gang had her in a house where they pimped her out, using drugs and BTL to control her. Regina was in and out of therapy for the better part of nine months before taking her own life. Delores had taken an interest in Bob, seeing him as some sort of dark hero who had found her sister despite lack of nuyen, leads and hope. Delores chooses to ignore Bob's drinking, hygiene and lack of any other heroic qualities.
As he swigs down the drink, Bob holds the class back looking at the dark liquid. Big Lou is a mobster. A little protection, a little money lender and smuggling of vices, particularly alcohol, to avoid the taxes.
<<@Bob [Agent] Instructions understood. Please upload Exploit Toolkit.>>
The bartender working today at The Swaney Club was someone Bob didn't recognize, but that wasn't uncommon. The owner paid for shit so the wait staff averaged two weeks before moving on. The current lost soul looked like he is on a work release program from somewhere. Late 30's human male, a little shorter than average, way under weight and two arms full of prison tattoos. Bob had to be concerned about hepatitis just from proximity; good thing alcohol kills germs.
Angelo looked like he'd been nursing drinks since lunch; not wasted, but there is a glaze forming on his eyes. Bob had to wonder how Angelo could afford his chosen occupation. If Bob had to guess, he would assume that Angelo had retired from one of the branches of the UCAS military.
The name Big Lou bounced around in Bob's head. He knew that name. As Delores began to reply, he was already remembering.
<<@Bob [Delores] Sweety, so good to hear from you. After what you did finding my sister and saving her, you need but call. I show seven Mitch Long's in the greater Seattle area. Four with valid SINs, two with criminal SINs and one without a SIN. The SINless Mitch was listed in a group of SINless kids Santa Claus visited last Christmas. Probably not him. Could be another SINless person not even in my results. If so, you already know how hard he'll be to find. Another question, could Mitch Long be on a fake SIN or simply an alias? The possibilities are endless... How are you and he and Big Lou all involved?>>
A little over a year ago, Delores' sister Regina disappeared at a rave. Delores and the police had been looking for her for nearly a week before Delores contacted detectives. Bob wasn't the first, nor even the second choice. It was another two weeks before he was engaged and by then Delores was pretty nearly broke and one step short of being out of hope. The trail had led to local gang known as La Diablo Sexeristo and ended there. Bob found her three days later. The gang had her in a house where they pimped her out, using drugs and BTL to control her. Regina was in and out of therapy for the better part of nine months before taking her own life. Delores had taken an interest in Bob, seeing him as some sort of dark hero who had found her sister despite lack of nuyen, leads and hope. Delores chooses to ignore Bob's drinking, hygiene and lack of any other heroic qualities.
As he swigs down the drink, Bob holds the class back looking at the dark liquid. Big Lou is a mobster. A little protection, a little money lender and smuggling of vices, particularly alcohol, to avoid the taxes.
Chunan - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @17:59: Underworld 93, 4819 96th Avenue East, Puyallup District, Seattle, UCAS
Chunan; PAN = active [wireless, earbuds, goggles, subvocal mic]; SIN = Jonathan Wong (not broadcast); Public Profile = Chunan
He should have anticipated this. It had been at least a couple of weeks since the universe had last tested his inner tranquillity. The encounter with the Shàng Yìyuàn Nánzǐ running-dogs should have tipped Chunan off that today was going to be a trial.
Adopting a straightforward stance, Chunan continues to approach the gathering. "The bouncers sent me back here. I have an appointment to see Mitch."
Chunan; PAN = active [wireless, earbuds, goggles, subvocal mic]; SIN = Jonathan Wong (not broadcast); Public Profile = Chunan
He should have anticipated this. It had been at least a couple of weeks since the universe had last tested his inner tranquillity. The encounter with the Shàng Yìyuàn Nánzǐ running-dogs should have tipped Chunan off that today was going to be a trial.
Adopting a straightforward stance, Chunan continues to approach the gathering. "The bouncers sent me back here. I have an appointment to see Mitch."
Bob - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @16:35: The Swaney Club, Lebrea Ave. & 128th Ave NE, Touristville, Redmond District, Seattle Metroplex
I downed my shot as I read the response from Delores. The drink kicked like a mule going down, and would hurt even more when it eventually came back up. Synthahol was all I could afford these days, and my liver was fighting with my kidneys for who could complain the loudest. Good thing new organs weren't hard to come by, if you weren't too squeamish. I wasn't. If any of Angelo's stories had any truth to them, he might could help out in that department. I never knew how many of his stories to believe, but then again, I didn't care. It seemed all he had left were his stories, and I wasn't going to take that away from him.
I quickly sent a reply to Delores. Might as well get started, these three days could disappear like yesterday's paycheck if I wasn't careful.
<<@Delores [Bob] Great work. Could you get me any known contact information on those six Mitch's? Not the last one, the kid. But the others, anything you can dig up on 'em that might tell me where to find them would help. The one I'm looking for might be involved in clubs or anywhere that sells alcohol. Better you not worry your pretty head about how we're all involved. Just business as usual.>>
The Swaney Club's dim interior and quiet music helped calm my nerves. The bartender being new was a good thing, I didn't like it when a bartender gets to know me too well - reminds me that I spend too much time here. Waiting for Delores to get back to me, I figured I had some time and ordered another drink. I thought about Delores some. She had nice legs, long legs. I was a sucker for long legs, and she had a pair I wanted to shinny up like a native looking for coconuts. I figured she would never go for a schlub like me. Six-time loser and stuck with a pair of metal hands to boot. Best to just keep my thoughts on the job.
<<@Agent [Bob] Yeah ok forget it. I need you to start combing the listings in Seattle for nightclubs and any place that sells liquor, see if they have any Mitch Longs listed as owners or employees or anything like that.>>
I downed my shot as I read the response from Delores. The drink kicked like a mule going down, and would hurt even more when it eventually came back up. Synthahol was all I could afford these days, and my liver was fighting with my kidneys for who could complain the loudest. Good thing new organs weren't hard to come by, if you weren't too squeamish. I wasn't. If any of Angelo's stories had any truth to them, he might could help out in that department. I never knew how many of his stories to believe, but then again, I didn't care. It seemed all he had left were his stories, and I wasn't going to take that away from him.
I quickly sent a reply to Delores. Might as well get started, these three days could disappear like yesterday's paycheck if I wasn't careful.
<<@Delores [Bob] Great work. Could you get me any known contact information on those six Mitch's? Not the last one, the kid. But the others, anything you can dig up on 'em that might tell me where to find them would help. The one I'm looking for might be involved in clubs or anywhere that sells alcohol. Better you not worry your pretty head about how we're all involved. Just business as usual.>>
The Swaney Club's dim interior and quiet music helped calm my nerves. The bartender being new was a good thing, I didn't like it when a bartender gets to know me too well - reminds me that I spend too much time here. Waiting for Delores to get back to me, I figured I had some time and ordered another drink. I thought about Delores some. She had nice legs, long legs. I was a sucker for long legs, and she had a pair I wanted to shinny up like a native looking for coconuts. I figured she would never go for a schlub like me. Six-time loser and stuck with a pair of metal hands to boot. Best to just keep my thoughts on the job.
<<@Agent [Bob] Yeah ok forget it. I need you to start combing the listings in Seattle for nightclubs and any place that sells liquor, see if they have any Mitch Longs listed as owners or employees or anything like that.>>
Mouse - Friday, March 27th, 2071@20:56: Crime Mall, 136th Street East & 122nd Avenue East, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle Metroplex
Smiling a little at the crude attempts to call her back, Mouse disappeared into the crowd. She needed to make her way up to Angelous, he always had a much better view of things from his perch, and if he couldn't see of a biz opportunity going on in the mall then there was bugger all chance of Mouse finding one alone...
<<@Angelous[Mouse] Great, I'm on my way up...will you square it with the muscle? I don't particularly want to get caught trying to sneak in! Another night it might have been a challenge but not tonight heh?>>
Smiling a little at the crude attempts to call her back, Mouse disappeared into the crowd. She needed to make her way up to Angelous, he always had a much better view of things from his perch, and if he couldn't see of a biz opportunity going on in the mall then there was bugger all chance of Mouse finding one alone...
<<@Angelous[Mouse] Great, I'm on my way up...will you square it with the muscle? I don't particularly want to get caught trying to sneak in! Another night it might have been a challenge but not tonight heh?>>
Stormcrow - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @ 22:05: Crime Mall, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle, UCAS
Stormcrow; PAN = Active [LGT, Glasses (Not Worn), Earbuds]; SIN = None, Public Profile = Stormcrow
Taking a few minutes between wards to refresh his energy, Stormcrow headed back out to the bar area and ordered a cola from Smokey Joe before returning to the back to ward the second room.
Closing the door, he slowly and carefully drew a boundry line at the base of the wall all the way around the room, then drew simple pictographs of crow feathers on each wall, and in the center of the floor and ceiling. Finally he placed the weighty cube of the wardstone on its table in the back corner of the room and bound one of the crow feathers he carried to it with a leather thong from the kit. Preparations complete he sat on the ground cross legged before the wardstone and began to truly draw in the power for the ward. While his movements in preparing the room had been a sort of moving meditation the stillness was required to draw the bulk of the power though to create the ward and focus it to fit within his prescribed pattern. Calling on his spirit menor Crow, Stormcrow began to form the astral shape of the ward to match the physical pattern, beginning with the floor, then the walls and finally the ceiling. When he was done the boundries of the room glowed softly to his astral vision, with brighter patches matching the chalk patterns he had inscribed and the glowing cube of the wardstone sitting in it's corner. On the whole the preparations and setup of the ward took just over an hour and around 10 minutes after eleven Stormcrow returned to the main room of the bar to let Smokey Joe know that the wards are both up and to see about getting another soda and some food.
Stormcrow; PAN = Active [LGT, Glasses (Not Worn), Earbuds]; SIN = None, Public Profile = Stormcrow
Taking a few minutes between wards to refresh his energy, Stormcrow headed back out to the bar area and ordered a cola from Smokey Joe before returning to the back to ward the second room.
Closing the door, he slowly and carefully drew a boundry line at the base of the wall all the way around the room, then drew simple pictographs of crow feathers on each wall, and in the center of the floor and ceiling. Finally he placed the weighty cube of the wardstone on its table in the back corner of the room and bound one of the crow feathers he carried to it with a leather thong from the kit. Preparations complete he sat on the ground cross legged before the wardstone and began to truly draw in the power for the ward. While his movements in preparing the room had been a sort of moving meditation the stillness was required to draw the bulk of the power though to create the ward and focus it to fit within his prescribed pattern. Calling on his spirit menor Crow, Stormcrow began to form the astral shape of the ward to match the physical pattern, beginning with the floor, then the walls and finally the ceiling. When he was done the boundries of the room glowed softly to his astral vision, with brighter patches matching the chalk patterns he had inscribed and the glowing cube of the wardstone sitting in it's corner. On the whole the preparations and setup of the ward took just over an hour and around 10 minutes after eleven Stormcrow returned to the main room of the bar to let Smokey Joe know that the wards are both up and to see about getting another soda and some food.
Chunan - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @17:59: Underworld 93, 4819 96th Avenue East, Puyallup District, Seattle, UCAS
The human glares at Chunan. "Don't sneer at me you uppity little shit; Perhaps you need a lesson in manners...?" The others look to Chunan, a couple of smiling at the prospect of the dogs being let loose... Some days it just doesn't pay to get out of bed.
The human glares at Chunan. "Don't sneer at me you uppity little shit; Perhaps you need a lesson in manners...?" The others look to Chunan, a couple of smiling at the prospect of the dogs being let loose... Some days it just doesn't pay to get out of bed.
Bob - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @16:36: The Swaney Club, Lebrea Ave. & 128th Ave NE, Touristville, Redmond District, Seattle Metroplex
<<@Bob [Agent] Commands received. Executing.>>
And with that, the agent heads out into the neon jungle in search of the information.
<<@Bob [Delores] I'll put some packets together for you this evening.>>
Bob - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @18:12: The Swaney Club, Lebrea Ave. & 128th Ave NE, Touristville, Redmond District, Seattle Metroplex
Time passed slowly, but it seemed to have passed quickly. Four drinks, perhaps five was a better way to mark the passing of time though. Patrons had come and gone. Currently, a middle aged, slightly balding human in a well worn suit is sitting next to Bob. The man is nursing his third drink and silently walling in his own sorrows.
As Bob sits there, the agent returns.
<<@Bob [Agent] 2 results: 1) Mitch Long, waiter at McCormick and Schmicks, Lake Union; 2) Mitch Long of Tacoma robbed a liqueur store three months ago. He was released 9 days ago.>>
<<@Bob [Agent] Commands received. Executing.>>
And with that, the agent heads out into the neon jungle in search of the information.
<<@Bob [Delores] I'll put some packets together for you this evening.>>
Bob - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @18:12: The Swaney Club, Lebrea Ave. & 128th Ave NE, Touristville, Redmond District, Seattle Metroplex
Time passed slowly, but it seemed to have passed quickly. Four drinks, perhaps five was a better way to mark the passing of time though. Patrons had come and gone. Currently, a middle aged, slightly balding human in a well worn suit is sitting next to Bob. The man is nursing his third drink and silently walling in his own sorrows.
As Bob sits there, the agent returns.
<<@Bob [Agent] 2 results: 1) Mitch Long, waiter at McCormick and Schmicks, Lake Union; 2) Mitch Long of Tacoma robbed a liqueur store three months ago. He was released 9 days ago.>>
Mouse - Friday, March 27th, 2071@20:59: Crime Mall, 136th Street East & 122nd Avenue East, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle Metroplex
The stairs to the second floor are not restricted, but the body laying broken at the bottom of the stairs give the message loud and clear: Enter at your own risk. The crowd on the second floor are mostly a more hardcore crowd. The vendors work from a number of more permanent stalls and rooms. Private security work each entrance way, giving potential clients a hard enough stare to keep away most window shoppers and lookie-loos.
The Office is easy enough to find as it is one of the larger permanent vendors set up in what was surely once a restaurant. A large ork in tight, black body armor sits casually on a stool at the entrance. His eyes have been replaced with one visor like cybernettic eye that hosts a single red light that lazily shifts back and forth, left to right, right to left. Almost missed in his hands is an SMG, with a long silencer nearly invisible by the active chameleon coating. His head does not move as he watches the crowd.
The decor of the Office is pretty unique. There is a long bar that runs along the far wall and out to the middle of the floor making it kind of a "T" shape. There are twenty-eight stools along the bar. Seven along each of the four lengths. Along both walls, left and right, in the room are a number of booths with curtains. An AR menu displays that using the booths brings a minimum drink charge every fifteen minutes... and they are equipped with white noise generators. Staring at the booths causes the visual enhancement on his glasses to distort, causing a feeling of vertigo and initiates the feeling of a headache in the bag of his brain. The multifaceted shining glass globes that hang over each table are surely the source of that. Additionally, there are six tables with four chairs out on the floor area and finally, the AR menu advertises 3 larger rooms in the back for rent.
Angelous is sitting alone at the bar; about 1/3 of the sits have occupants. Though his back it to Mouse he raises a hand with a little wave as she approaches. When she sits, he looks over. "What's shaking? I've got a line on a few jobs, though it may take a while for them to come to fruition. Get a drink while we wait."
The stairs to the second floor are not restricted, but the body laying broken at the bottom of the stairs give the message loud and clear: Enter at your own risk. The crowd on the second floor are mostly a more hardcore crowd. The vendors work from a number of more permanent stalls and rooms. Private security work each entrance way, giving potential clients a hard enough stare to keep away most window shoppers and lookie-loos.
The Office is easy enough to find as it is one of the larger permanent vendors set up in what was surely once a restaurant. A large ork in tight, black body armor sits casually on a stool at the entrance. His eyes have been replaced with one visor like cybernettic eye that hosts a single red light that lazily shifts back and forth, left to right, right to left. Almost missed in his hands is an SMG, with a long silencer nearly invisible by the active chameleon coating. His head does not move as he watches the crowd.
The decor of the Office is pretty unique. There is a long bar that runs along the far wall and out to the middle of the floor making it kind of a "T" shape. There are twenty-eight stools along the bar. Seven along each of the four lengths. Along both walls, left and right, in the room are a number of booths with curtains. An AR menu displays that using the booths brings a minimum drink charge every fifteen minutes... and they are equipped with white noise generators. Staring at the booths causes the visual enhancement on his glasses to distort, causing a feeling of vertigo and initiates the feeling of a headache in the bag of his brain. The multifaceted shining glass globes that hang over each table are surely the source of that. Additionally, there are six tables with four chairs out on the floor area and finally, the AR menu advertises 3 larger rooms in the back for rent.
Angelous is sitting alone at the bar; about 1/3 of the sits have occupants. Though his back it to Mouse he raises a hand with a little wave as she approaches. When she sits, he looks over. "What's shaking? I've got a line on a few jobs, though it may take a while for them to come to fruition. Get a drink while we wait."
Stormcrow - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @ 23:10: Crime Mall, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle, UCAS
The second room warded, Stormcrow emerges and returns to the main area of the bar. The seats at the bar are now mostly filled, only a few openings. A considerable number of the tables and booths are also occupied. Everything from the garden variety wannabe's to some seriously scary looking customers. Smokey Joe is working the bar with a trio of bar backs. He nods to Stormcrow, but otherwise continues serving the crowd.
The second room warded, Stormcrow emerges and returns to the main area of the bar. The seats at the bar are now mostly filled, only a few openings. A considerable number of the tables and booths are also occupied. Everything from the garden variety wannabe's to some seriously scary looking customers. Smokey Joe is working the bar with a trio of bar backs. He nods to Stormcrow, but otherwise continues serving the crowd.
Mouse - Friday, March 27th, 2071@20:59: Crime Mall, 136th Street East & 122nd Avenue East, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle Metroplex
Mouse sat down and nervously scanned the AR menu display for something that wouldn't eat into her meagre budget too badly. The synthol would probably taste like swill and she didn't want to retch it up again - that wouldn't do any good for whatever image she was trying to scrape together...
"Er, thanks...Soda please..." she asks the barman. She turned back to Angelous "Some work would be great! Things have been a bit lean recently and you know Dad..." she left that one hanging, no need to air all her problems in such an exposed place
Mouse sat down and nervously scanned the AR menu display for something that wouldn't eat into her meagre budget too badly. The synthol would probably taste like swill and she didn't want to retch it up again - that wouldn't do any good for whatever image she was trying to scrape together...
"Er, thanks...Soda please..." she asks the barman. She turned back to Angelous "Some work would be great! Things have been a bit lean recently and you know Dad..." she left that one hanging, no need to air all her problems in such an exposed place
Chunan - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @17:59: Underworld 93, 4819 96th Avenue East, Puyallup District, Seattle, UCAS
Chunan; PAN = active [wireless, earbuds, goggles, subvocal mic]; SIN = Jonathan Wong (not broadcast); Public Profile = Chunan
Calling on his inner calm, Chunan forces himself to smile benignly. "I am sorry if I offended you, omae. The prospect of being late for my appointment with Mitch made me a little hasty." Chunan bows in the human's direction. "If you wouldn't mind, I'd prefer to postpone this particular confrontation until after I've seen him. I wait upon your decision."
Chunan; PAN = active [wireless, earbuds, goggles, subvocal mic]; SIN = Jonathan Wong (not broadcast); Public Profile = Chunan
Calling on his inner calm, Chunan forces himself to smile benignly. "I am sorry if I offended you, omae. The prospect of being late for my appointment with Mitch made me a little hasty." Chunan bows in the human's direction. "If you wouldn't mind, I'd prefer to postpone this particular confrontation until after I've seen him. I wait upon your decision."
Bob - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @18:12: The Swaney Club, Lebrea Ave. & 128th Ave NE, Touristville, Redmond District, Seattle Metroplex
The man sitting next to me looked like a two-time loser who was drinking to drown his sorrows, but his sorrows, they'd learned to swim. I didn't know if it was the drink talking or just my bad temper, but the Swaney Club was beginning to get on my nerves. Buncha drunks in this place.
My agent returned with some intel on the Mitch Longs that seemed promising. I decided to head out and go track down the Mitch at McCormick and Schmicks. A change of scenery would do me good. Anything was better than sitting here waiting to die of liver failure.
I paid my tab and pushed through the exit, out into the dusky night scene of Seattle. The air was cool and thick with pollution and alive with the noise from the streets. The sun's rays were making interesting colors through the smog as it sank below the skyline of the city. It looked like a 3-day-old bruise wrapped around a corned-beef sandwich. There was a smell to the air, that peculiar smell that happens at dusk, the transition from day to night that signals a change, a change like when onions begin to fry in hot oil.
I began to think that maybe I was hungry.
I stopped at a local street vendor on my way to my car to grab a veggie kebab. He was selling meat kebabs as well, but you never know what the meat actually is. He claimed it was real meat, which made it even more of a health gamble than spending the night with one of the ladies from the street. Juggling the kebabs in one metallic hand while holding a cup of beer in the other, I connected to the Jackrabbit's node and subscribed it, unlocking the doors and turning off the anti-theft system. Never could be too careful in this town.
As I told the car to start, I sent a command back to my agent.
<<@Agent [Bob] See if you can get me last known whereabouts of Mitch Long of Tacoma that robbed the liqueur store three months ago.>>
The man sitting next to me looked like a two-time loser who was drinking to drown his sorrows, but his sorrows, they'd learned to swim. I didn't know if it was the drink talking or just my bad temper, but the Swaney Club was beginning to get on my nerves. Buncha drunks in this place.
My agent returned with some intel on the Mitch Longs that seemed promising. I decided to head out and go track down the Mitch at McCormick and Schmicks. A change of scenery would do me good. Anything was better than sitting here waiting to die of liver failure.
I paid my tab and pushed through the exit, out into the dusky night scene of Seattle. The air was cool and thick with pollution and alive with the noise from the streets. The sun's rays were making interesting colors through the smog as it sank below the skyline of the city. It looked like a 3-day-old bruise wrapped around a corned-beef sandwich. There was a smell to the air, that peculiar smell that happens at dusk, the transition from day to night that signals a change, a change like when onions begin to fry in hot oil.
I began to think that maybe I was hungry.
I stopped at a local street vendor on my way to my car to grab a veggie kebab. He was selling meat kebabs as well, but you never know what the meat actually is. He claimed it was real meat, which made it even more of a health gamble than spending the night with one of the ladies from the street. Juggling the kebabs in one metallic hand while holding a cup of beer in the other, I connected to the Jackrabbit's node and subscribed it, unlocking the doors and turning off the anti-theft system. Never could be too careful in this town.
As I told the car to start, I sent a command back to my agent.
<<@Agent [Bob] See if you can get me last known whereabouts of Mitch Long of Tacoma that robbed the liqueur store three months ago.>>
Mouse & Stormcrow - Friday, March 27th, 2071@23:11: Crime Mall, 136th Street East & 122nd Avenue East, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle Metroplex
A dwarf and human were the primary bartenders tonight. In addition to a few slurs, the dwarf had been referred to by a number of people as Half-Shot and the human as Smokey-Joe. Several bar backs brought more disposable cups and synthohol, though every so often there would be an order from the top shelf where the bottles have legitimate labels. Several waitresses made their way through the increasingly crowded bar.
For Mouse the next two hours passed in mostly boredom. Angelous is a watcher and not very adept at small talk. Refills on the sodas weren't free, but Angelous did at least pony up for a couple. After having just driven away a lecherous little ganger snot who spent fifteen solid minutes hitting on her, an elf works his way out of one of the back rooms with an opaque, plastic box and sits in the seat beside her. His skin is tanned and his black hair is short on top and slicked in the back leading to a short crest down the back.
A dwarf and human were the primary bartenders tonight. In addition to a few slurs, the dwarf had been referred to by a number of people as Half-Shot and the human as Smokey-Joe. Several bar backs brought more disposable cups and synthohol, though every so often there would be an order from the top shelf where the bottles have legitimate labels. Several waitresses made their way through the increasingly crowded bar.
For Mouse the next two hours passed in mostly boredom. Angelous is a watcher and not very adept at small talk. Refills on the sodas weren't free, but Angelous did at least pony up for a couple. After having just driven away a lecherous little ganger snot who spent fifteen solid minutes hitting on her, an elf works his way out of one of the back rooms with an opaque, plastic box and sits in the seat beside her. His skin is tanned and his black hair is short on top and slicked in the back leading to a short crest down the back.
Chunan - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @18:00: Underworld 93, 4819 96th Avenue East, Puyallup District, Seattle, UCAS
The human stands for a second, looking like he just may let it all go before smiling an almost evil grin. "I'm Mitch... and you must be the little chink Kilroy said was coming to work security. Guess who just drew the short straw?" He pauses another second, allowing the words to sink in, even though Chunan doesn't really know what the short straw means here. He tosses an ARO to Chunan that identifies itself as a security badge for tonight. "Report to Brianna... she's at the door."
The human stands for a second, looking like he just may let it all go before smiling an almost evil grin. "I'm Mitch... and you must be the little chink Kilroy said was coming to work security. Guess who just drew the short straw?" He pauses another second, allowing the words to sink in, even though Chunan doesn't really know what the short straw means here. He tosses an ARO to Chunan that identifies itself as a security badge for tonight. "Report to Brianna... she's at the door."
Bob - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @18:12: The Swaney Club, Lebrea Ave. & 128th Ave NE, Touristville, Redmond District, Seattle Metroplex
<<@Bob [Agent] 10-4. Searching...>>
And the agent disappeared off into the yet again. Ok, it didn't really disappear into the matrix as its technically running from Bob's comlink, but the AR sculpting made it seem as so.
Pushing the start button, the cars dashboard lit up. At least as much of it as it working properly. A gentle press of the accelerator causes the car to start its forward momentum. As he rolled out onto the interstate, the electric motor strained and whined as it came up to speed. Lake Union would put him in the Downtown District. That also meant he'd have to cross the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge; SIN checks, toll road. As long as the tires hold out...
<<@Bob [Agent] 10-4. Searching...>>
And the agent disappeared off into the yet again. Ok, it didn't really disappear into the matrix as its technically running from Bob's comlink, but the AR sculpting made it seem as so.
Pushing the start button, the cars dashboard lit up. At least as much of it as it working properly. A gentle press of the accelerator causes the car to start its forward momentum. As he rolled out onto the interstate, the electric motor strained and whined as it came up to speed. Lake Union would put him in the Downtown District. That also meant he'd have to cross the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge; SIN checks, toll road. As long as the tires hold out...
Bob - Friday, March 27th, 2071 @18:43: Redmond District, Seattle Metroplex
<<CommlinkStatus=broadcast, SIN=Roger Humphrey>>
I tried to find the best route to McCormick and Schmicks, using the car's built-in GPS and map overlays of Seattle. Searching the map like a druggie digging through a dumpster, I plotted the course I felt would avoid traffic and keep me out of any strong gang-held territory. But no matter how I plotted, every route ended up going over the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge. Great. Locking in one of the glowing red lines on the map ARO, a quick wrist motion flicked it to the car's Pilot. I settled back and put my attention into eating the rapidly cooling kebabs.
The car's start and stop motion brought me out of a troubled sleep, my eyes gummed together like left-over condiments on the StufferShack tables. Peering out the windows into the deepening gloom, I saw I was stuck in a line waiting to cross the Bridge. Remembering where I was, where I was headed, I booted my good SIN onto my commlink and set it on broadcast. This SIN had cost me a pretty penny, and I didn't like to use it too often. But to get past the Bridge and even close to where I was headed, I needed something that could pass muster. Roger Humphrey should do the trick.
<<CommlinkStatus=broadcast, SIN=Roger Humphrey>>
I tried to find the best route to McCormick and Schmicks, using the car's built-in GPS and map overlays of Seattle. Searching the map like a druggie digging through a dumpster, I plotted the course I felt would avoid traffic and keep me out of any strong gang-held territory. But no matter how I plotted, every route ended up going over the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge. Great. Locking in one of the glowing red lines on the map ARO, a quick wrist motion flicked it to the car's Pilot. I settled back and put my attention into eating the rapidly cooling kebabs.
The car's start and stop motion brought me out of a troubled sleep, my eyes gummed together like left-over condiments on the StufferShack tables. Peering out the windows into the deepening gloom, I saw I was stuck in a line waiting to cross the Bridge. Remembering where I was, where I was headed, I booted my good SIN onto my commlink and set it on broadcast. This SIN had cost me a pretty penny, and I didn't like to use it too often. But to get past the Bridge and even close to where I was headed, I needed something that could pass muster. Roger Humphrey should do the trick.
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