When the team gets away, AM turns off Huge's biomonitor.

AM would never admit to being responsible - not even to herself. Psychologically, she does not even feel like it is her doing, it is Iktomi. She is Iktomi. As Bobby placed it, someone that wires explosive charges to the matrix invites the catastrophe into his life. Either Huge makes very poor dead man's triggers - but gets to live. Or he makes good dead man's triggers and is about to meet his maker. Part of AM hopes that the building does not go off, while another part of her just wants to see the world burn. Once it is evident what happened she would prise Iktomi, and being free of matrix manipulations he would text.



Our ancestors did not gain any respect for being benevolent, nor did they get respect for being aggressive. Aggression without strength is meaningless, riding into losing battles against foes with superior technology is stupid. Only by unleashing Maka's wrath in the great dance, we were elevated as equals in the eyes of the Anglos, and in our own eyes. We became proud again and learned to trust the Wakan Tanaka to guide our lives. Weakness has its consequences, this is the lesson of Iktomi.

AM spoofs the reboot and Huge's biomonitor dutifully complies. But... no boom. It's likely that the explosives (if there are any explosives) need a more active affirmation of Huge's demise, rather than just a device that's offline temporarily. Going in through the shop's host could be another viable approach that sidesteps Huge's PAN, should the need arise. But, for now, Huge is alive.

Some messages start trickling in.

Seraphina: <<Good news! We think we have a match on where the Elektro ended up. We combed through every camera we could find headed north on 202. There's a small industrial strip along the Sammamish River that has some cameras where we have a 95% match.>> She shares an image of where you just visited. <<We lose track of the Elektro when it goes into the parking lot behind this building so we're not entirely certain which business it is associated with, but common sense suggests that the auto body shop is more likely than the dance studio. Perhaps the car was 'borrowed' from the shop? It's worth checking out.>>

Then from Jhonney: <<Good news! It's a slow Sunday and the guy I talked to needs some nuyen for a Valentine's Day present. We have some fast results on the explosive analysis. Here's the recipe.>> He shares it, which is a more-detailed version of what Mato's olfactory sensors had been able to produce. <<No chemical markers, so this didn't come from the UCAS or pass through any reputable dealers. My guy says that this is a common recipe used in mining. His professional opinion is that it was smuggled across the border from the Cascade Ork tribe. Orks, explosions, a natural fit.>> An unfortunate joke in light of Mato's fate, but AM never mentioned Mato so, in his defense, Jhonney didn't know.

<<Good work - consider your bill for this month to be alleviated by 2.5k. I know who lives there.>>
Bobby refrained from telling them that their work was obsolete now. Better to provide some positive feedback for their next job.

He then keyed in the commcode he had just received and CCed the team:
<<Hello Grinder. You probably don't know me, but I'm one of the people whose premises have just been bombed on your order. Since this is supposed to be a message from on high, I'd like to learn what exactly it is that your committee members wanted to impart to us. The message we got consisted only of one, albeit extremely loud word.
Is this about the incident with Nightmare's lieutenant Carn-Evil?
I'd appreciate a candid response, considering the good relations our team had so far with the Red Hot Nukes.>>

Jawsey had braced himself for the explosion, and the accompanying guilt, then did his best to hide his relief when it didn't happen. He didn't disagree with AM exactly, but he'd just drank the guy's beer, it would have felt improper to have been complicit in his death.

He let out a small beer burp as quietly as he could, then suggested "Could we swing by the Street Doc? What Bobby said about her didn't entirely inspire confidence, I'd like to make sure that she is still focused on the job, besides getting an update and maybe seeing Mato."

"After that, let's invite the people who helped clean up and repair to come back for pasta. I could have it ready it half an hour, but it will be better if we make it more like an hour. It won't do anything to help Mato or get revenge, but it hopefully helps cement some friendships. Now is not a time to let people drift away."

"Iktomi seems to like Huge." she concludes without giving many details. Definately, let's go check on Mato.. She thanks Jhonney for his effort, and is a bit worried not to hear from Andrew. He is the voice she prefers talking to, and she personally likes him. She comments "I don't feel a particular need to avenge Mato, but I do want to reach a status quo where bombing SIS is not something one would do without talking to me first. We run a business here, and are generally good sports and cooperative - there is no need for wars. Mutual respect, and everything. Jawsey, do you think you can introduce me to Urubia?

Jawsey rubs his jaw. "I ... could introduce you. I'm not sure if I should introduce you. If I have to do something to annoy her, while we deal with the current situation, I'm willing to head back to Haida Gwai, and I don't think she'd bother chasing me all the way there. The more she has a personal interest in you all, especially if she wants you for her awakened guard, the harder it might be to escape her notice? And for that matter, the two times I've dealt with her I've felt like I was fortunate that she left me the choice to leave, and I feel like some day her forbearance might end."

"But I guess, if you want to, I could? Legitimately one of the ways we might be able to end this situation is for Urubia to accept SIS under her wing, basically her deciding that we are a good presence in the upcoming glorious state of Urubiastan, and putting us on a level with some of her other pet projects. Which would argue for introducing all of SIS, and making a pitch on how we are good for the neighbourhood. I just don't trust anyone that far above us in power, influence, and intellect. At best we are like the birds that people in Bellevue try to tempt to their backyards with birdfeeders, amusing for now but you never know when that will end. At worst she has more destructive uses for us. I guess if the team thinks that trying to get her blessing is worth it, I'll help, and if not but you still personally want the intro, I'll do that."

Grinder does not respond to Bobby's message.

AM still hasn't heard from Andrew either.

You drive to the clinic to check in on Mato. The door is locked but Dr. Huxley doctor comes to the door when you knock. She's wearing bloody scrubs and her gloves (at least she's wearing gloves) are covered with a strange mixture of blood, oil, and hydraulic fluid. She takes off the gloves and disposes of them.

"Come on in," she says, locking the door behind you.

She leads you in to see Mato, who is still facedown on the operating table. His back has been stitched up but his naked hoop is hanging out.

"He's alive," she says, which is obvious enough although his skin is pretty pale from blood loss. "Operation is complete. Got the broken reaction enhancers out." She indicates a stainless steel surgical tray that's full of shattered bits and pieces of what look like microchips. "While I was in there, I was able to put in a new set. He and I had discussed the possibility about a month ago. We were just waiting for the right product to, ah, become available." She doesn't seem to be inviting questions on that topic.

"He's in better shape than he should be, honestly. His arms and legs are made out of carbon fiber, which has a high strength-to-weight ratio. The drawback is that it is fairly brittle and vulnerable to a hard, sudden impact. Like a bomb going off in your face and blasting you away like a cannon ball. Luckily, all of his limbs have thick layers of titanium armor, which is much less brittle and much less likely to crack, bend, or dent in an impact."

The good (?) doctor seems to have sobered up a bit from this morning. She's speaking lucidly and seems to have a good sense of her trade.

"His left arm got the worst of it. The basic functionality of the cyberarm is fine but some of its components are a wreck. The submachine gun, for example, is shot... no pun intended... and the sound suppressor is in pieces. The good news is that the pieces are fairly modular, so you can swap them out and put others in. The bad news is that this cyberarm has been redlined so that it needs something in the space to operate to complete the circuits and ensure the necessary power flow to the extremities. It can't just be vacant, so I stuck a cyberarm pistol in there because it fit the space in the forearm and I had one handy. Ha, handy." She seems pleased with her pun.

"Same story with the right leg. I'll consult with him when he wakes up to figure out what he might want in there to fill the available space."

When will that be?

"Tonight? Tomorrow? Tuesday? We'll see how his body responds. But when he wakes up he'll likely be deaf, or with severe hearing loss. You'll need to communicate by text or sign language."

AM says "Chasing you? Jawsey, you admire Urubia so much that you run away all the way to your homeland to avoid her temptation. She is not going to chase you, and she is not going to murder you for refusing to join her. You get fixated on her being a dragon that you fail to see her for what she truly is - an ambitious politician. She competes with mayor Sonya for influence in Redmond. Her group of equals are the other dragons and compared to them she is very modest in wealth, power, and influence.

Yes, Urubia is more powerful than us, but so is every gang in Redmond. While we can perhaps kill Carn-evil or even Nightmare and any other gang leader, there would be just three of us. We cannot fight a gang war and run a business simultaneously. If someone wants to murder us, they'll get us eventually. I believe that Huge could have killed us if he wanted - it is not that difficult when you have the element of surprise. However, we are more useful to Urubia with her dragon ambitions than we are to the Crimson Crush. This is why I think that Urubia would grant us protection, and BS would tell us to go fuck ourselves. "

Bobby shook his head: "Don't make deals with dragons. It's one of the few truisms on the street that have held through out the last 60 years.
We are in this whole mess to begin with, because a dragon is looking for more power.
Grinder isn't answering. AM, can you trace his link? Would be nice to know if we can catch him outside the funhouse somewhere."

When the good doctor explained the situation, Bobby nodded: "Alright. When he wakes up, you can tell him we found who did this to him. Gives him something to look forward to."
Bobby turned around to go back to the car.

AM chuckles when Bobby makes the never-deal with a dragon mantra "Right... and this is why all the gangs in Redmond are working for a dragon. Why do you listen to Cilches from the streets? I can trace Grinder sure."

In the doctor's office, she listens and looks at Mato a bit shocked, but it furthers her resolve. She is going to meet Urubia one way or the other, and this nonsense would stop. Killing Nightmare or Carn-evil, or Huge would not solve the problem all these things would be feel-good but deeper into the rabbit hole of endless violence.

"No-one accused the gangs of Redmond of being particularly brainy or of thinking ahead. And to be fair, there were quite a bunch of them not cooperating with this scheme. Riding the tiger is fun and all - until you want to get down..."
Bobby replied, but obviously not paying full attention as he appeared to be deep in thought.

AM stops to the side in a safe place and then tries to trace the Grinder's comlink. Before hacking, she casts the improved intuition blessing, and with her mind augmented to genius levels she then goes into hot simulation.


===
In the clinic, AM takes some comfort from the fact the doctor is installing a gun in Mato's cyber arms, and from her attempted puns. He is expected to wake up and pay if she works on his cyber - right?

Jawsey looks at Mato grimly, thinking "If that had been any of the rest of us, or one of the pizza kids, or a client, they would probably be dead. I understand wanting to intimidate someone else, but taking such a method that is so careless of life, that doesn't make me feel that giving in makes me safer. Maybe others would respond differently? Maybe they just don't understand people well? Maybe intimidating us was less important than setting off a big boom and getting away with it?"

What he says out loud is "I think I take the mayor's opinion in this situation. That overall it is better to let gangs be gangs, than to have them be an army trying to crush anyone who isn't under their foot already. Neither situation is great, but I think there is a chance to slowly evolve out of it in the latter, while with what Urubia is putting in place there is no chance for something better. Maybe I'm just influenced by my homeland, where bad as things were nobody could stand up to the government while it was backed by MCT."

"And speaking of the mayor, let's not forget that another dragon is involved there. If that dragon is opposed to what Urubia is doing, then things could get very ugly in Redmond, with little people easily crushed in the middle."

Turning to Bobby, he almost speaks, but then messages instead <<You mentioned that to take down Nightmare, we just have to take out his cauldron. Over the past few days I've learned how to make astral illusions. Whether I'm strong enough at spellcasting to fool the fire spirits watching the Jack O'Lantern I don't know, but that is my hope. Basically that I throw reagents and hopes and prayers into a potent enough spell, and work it carefully enough on positions, that we can get inside the club without being made as awakened. Once inside we may not be able to avoid being noticed as outsiders, but hopefully those commanding the slew of spirits are not right there, giving us time to act before dealing with those spirits, and maybe speed and momentum carry us into the basement. Having a bomb of our own might help, as all we have to do then is plant it and then hold the stairways long enough for it to go off and break the cauldron. Maybe strong acid would also work if we can get some? Something fast and technological, anyway. I'm not saying we do that right now, but after our worries a few days ago I started looking at how we could get in there. I didn't want to say anything until I'd had time to try it out and see how effective it is, but if time gets tight I wanted you to know of that option.>>

AM has to jump through a few hoops before she can even spot Grinder's commlink. First she has to notice it across the Matrix and then hop grids. There's some Noise involved but AM is so drek-hot as a decker when she's magically boosted that it hardly makes a difference.

When all is said and done, she slaps some MARKs on Grinder's commlink - a Fairlight Caliban! - and traces Grinder to the Fun House. He appears to be in an apartment on one of the higher floors. As best AM can tell, he would have a nice view. If elevation means anything in terms of favor or seniority - higher in the tower being closer to Urubia's quarters - then Grinder is very esteemed in deed.

Grinder's commlink is online and Bobby's message has been received and read, so either Grinder is ignoring Bobby or Grinder is taking his sweet time to respond.

Bobby replied: <<I have a map of the underground up to the shielded parts of the cellar. If I did this I'd use those to plant a bomb and detonate it remotely.
I have a trick do disrupt wards for me to get through in rat form. Alternatively, I'd go in for a beer, turn into a mammoth with electric aura and level the place.
Less subtle but easier. But let's brainstorm this after we've eaten. I'm hungry and angry. Not the best state for me to make decisions.>>

You return to SIS HQ. You find Cutty and Waylon still there in the middle of replacing window glass. The broken glass has all been cleaned up and the front door has been replaced. Replacing the glass seems to be an involved process, involving a heat gun to soften the old glazing to help remove it, sand paper, putty knives, and new glazing to help set the glass. Both Cutty and Waylon have dirty hands but neither of them seem to be complaining as they go about the work. They seem to have a system down where Cutty does the finesse work while Waylon assists as necessary.

The place is still cold because not all of the windows have been replaced yet, leading to some strong drafts. It's barely warmer inside than it is outside. It's midday right now, a bit after noon, and there's enough window work left to do to take the rest of the afternoon.

"How did it go?" Cutty asks, his finger tips covered in glazing compound. "What did you find?"

>>Grinder is in the funhouse, in the tower close to Urubia. Never deal with a dragon my ass, I bet they all worship her like a goddess.

On the way "Jhonney can do explosives, or we can steal some from Huge his place did not feel all that secure. I am all for lunch though. It is noon and that nasty explosion took breakfast away. Shall I order a pizza for everyone?

"Great work, guys!" Bobby compliments their helpers.
Answering Cutty he said: "Allegedly, this bomb was planted by order of committee after a vote. Urubia's gang council wanted to send us a message. Mato getting blown up wasn't exactly part of the plan, but certainly nothing they wouldn't welcome. We are currently trying to confirm if it was Nightmare who brought that introduced the proposal."

<<Speaking of which: AM can you bug one of grinder's devices, so it alerts you to his position - he can't stay holed up in there forever.>>

In the car: >> Anyone has a burner link? I do not want the bread crumb trail leading back to me.
She is also placing a Pizza order for SIS so they have something for lunch while they are preoccupied in repairs.

========
In SIS: AM enters and makes warm herbal tea, the best part of being a shaman is that she can grow these herbs and actually touch something natural. She serves whoever is interested with warm tea and biscuits, the kind they serve to clients to make it less awkward.

When they get back into SIS, Jawsey digs up his back-up link, a Sony Angel, and gives it to AM as a burner link. "I'm amazed this thing has lasted this long without needing to be replaced. I guess with you handling all the matrix stuff I've not needed to play link shenanigans."

He gratefully accepts a cup of tea in return, then spends some time giving the kitchen a thorough clean, to make sure that there is no bits of broken glass or tracked in dirt that is going to get into their cooking. This may not be the highest priority, but others seem to have a better handle on the actual repair work.

AM enters hot simulation download the software, takes a third mark, and then tries the format device action. If all goes well Grinder's link would report to the burner link its physical location.

Bobby helped Jawsey by setting the table and taking care of drinks for there guests.
Too those two he said: "Thanks again for your help. Has anything else happened while we were out? Any gangers driving by slowly to gawk?"

Cutty and Waylon nod. "Some Crimson Crush came by," Waylon says. "Pointing and laughing. Must have been pretty amusing because even Big Stank came by to give a look-see. Had himself a chuckle and then he drove off on that chopper of his."

**********

AM initiates a reboot of Grinder's device so that the bootstrap programming can take effect. Once the reload is complete, it starts pinging Grinder's location to Jawsey's Sony Angel. He doesn't seem to be moving around much at the moment. Perhaps he is sleeping, or perhaps he left his commlink in his room.

The pizza arrives from a questionable joint called "Mario's". The 'cheese' is processed to the point where it bears more resemblance to plastic than any sort of milk product. However, calories are calories and the food is warm, which is welcome given than the HQ is cold and will continue to be so until the windows are back in place. Waylon and Cutty have a system down and think they'll be done by late afternoon.

She takes a pizza slice, and offers the rest, being at SIS she fights despair and impotence - she feels the urge to kill Huge again or blow up his building just to be doing something. She is not confident that this is the right way to work, nor is killing a Nightmare in that manner. Bobby is always so determined that standing in his way is kind of like standing in front of a stampede. "Never deal with a dragon" but everything they do is dealing with a dragon, they are little plastic miniatures in this game between dragons.

She handles the Sony to Jawsey "We need to keep it away from here, I can hack it for the information when we need to."

Jawsey swallows some gummy-textured pizza, and replies to AM "Fair enough. I can go for a drive and then deposit it somewhere secure, or levitate it somewhere. I guess you want somewhere with decent matrix but not too noisy ... say somewhere not too far into Bellevue. Maybe my turn to take the car to the store, I'm sure I can find a couple more ingredients for Supper, and find a place to stash the 'link."

He checks if anyone wants to come with him, finishes gulping down his pizza, and then heads out -- taking his sword-cane, and his gun packed into a tote bag with a couple of sweatshirts, just in case he needs it on the way back.

"The Crimson Crush is as usual subtle and classy... not. I bet Big Stank also voted for blowing us up. I really want to talk to Grinder now."

Bobby got up to accompany Jawsey. The pizza had left a bad taste in his mouth and he figured they could use the time to hash out details about the magic defenses of their enemies.

After lunch, Jawsey goes off to Bellevue (and perhaps a less-processed second lunch) to hide the Sony Angel.

Cutty and Waylon return to work on the windows. They don't seem to think anything of it, nor does there seem to be any unspoken expectation that you should help. If anything, they seem to have their system down and having a third wheel would just unnecessarily complicate matters.

**********

Mid-afternoon, around 15:00, Andrew finally returns AM's call.

<<Green-san. My apologies for the delay. I am traveling. I am in Chiba right now and have just awoken. It is later than my usual hour to rise; I apologize for the delay.>>

A quick check reveals that it's about 08:00 in Chiba. AM's original message would have reached Andrew around midnight his time (if he's telling the truth).

<<Of what explosion do you speak? I am very distressed to hear it.>>

Without being able to assense him, it's difficult to tell if he's speaking the truth or just lying smoothly.

<<I will inquire about the matter, but my personal utility may be limited by distance.>>

AM is not very concerned if Andrew is truthful or not, though a trip would be a strange thing to lie about. She speaks to him but keeps it informative and professional. She'll provide the basic information he wishes and be polite, and with the distance of time more balanced and relaxed. Regardless of if she speaks to a friend or foe, the correct message for her is that the problem is a political problem rather than an existential crisis. She does not look for emotional support, but for political favor as she wants the relations with the syndicate amended.

>> Ethernal gratitude Musai-San. she'll say when the small com call is over.

Once Jawsey is away, she'll find Bobby privately. "Do you want to track Carn-evil? We have his link number, and I have traced him before I don't think he knows that I can trace him. "

Bobby replied:
<<Not just yet. Unless you want to do the same trick to him you did to Grinder. Would be quite useful to keep taps on him for extended time.
I'll send Grinder another message. If he doesn't answer till tonight, we'll have to ask the Yakuza for confirmation on the vote.>>

<<Grinder, please answer. We aren't interested in a feud with the Red Hot Nukes. But we can't comply with whatever message this was supposed to send if you don't talk to us. We have to assume, you are out for our blood - and that means the gloves are off. The spiders are always interested in intel about your gangs activities and we have damn good intelligence abilities.
From one adept to another: We don't want to go there, but if you send death and destruction our way we will respond in kind.>>

Andrew tells AM that he will find out what he can and call back in a couple hours.

Grinder responds to Bobby, sort of. <<Room 1010. Before midnight.>>

From AM's tracing you can tell that his commlink is on the 10th floor of the Funhouse, so you can reasonably surmise that this is Grinder's room.

From your time at the Funhouse in November - and from the intel you got from Zwipe at the time - you know that the 10th floor is the top level of apartments in the building. The 11th and 12th floors are the bars and casinos and dance floors and BTLs dens, etc. The floors above that are for Urubia's use, including her rooftop garden.

Bobby smiled grimmly at the message. Forwarding it to his colleagues, he wrote: <<Urubia is keeping the peace in the funhouse - but there is no guarantee that she would have to let us go again. For that I think Jawsey is out to go to the meeting. So for the time being, I'd suggest that I meet with him alone and dial you in for a conference call. What do you say?>>

Jawsey was waiting for an order of a soy latte at an overpriced chain coffee shop in Bellevue, an environment about as different from the Funhouse as one could imagine. <<Ana Maka does want an introduction to Urubia, she and I could do that, leaving you to go meet Grinder. Our going to meet Urubia might help provide some cover to you, people might assume that we are the main reason for going there, and you are along as muscle, or something like that.>>

>>I don't like to talk about such things in the link knowing what people like me can do.
My working theory is that we have a Carn-evil problem, not an Urubia problem, so I don't think it is a trap.


If it is a trap, we should have some assurances that can do a lot of damage in case Grinder misbehaves. If we go by that route, I might be more dangerous in a car somewhere than physically in the meeting. A snake in the grass is sometimes more dangerous than a lion in the open. It is a face-to-face conversation really.

Introducing me to Urubia is a nice touch and I am still interested, can we just come whenever and she'll meet us?

<<Alright, then it's settled: I'll go there as per Grinder's invite. If I don't come out again or call you within the our, you can assume that they aren't letting me go. Better we eat something beforehand.>>
Bobby replied.

Knowing that tonight was going to be at least tense, possibly active, Jawsey got going on the pasta as soon as he made it back to SIS.

At the cafe he'd found a garbage can outside with a gap underneath it just high enough to slide the link under. Presumably it would sit there undetected for quite some time, barring Bellevue security forces doing a sweep for untended matrix devices or something else strange that they might do in Bellevue. He felt happy enough about the hiding place that he started the cooking in a good mood. Better, because he had some time he was able to look up a few recipes for ideas on how he could step up his usual sauce. He knew that he was not a super impressive chef, but he'd learned enough to be confident with basics like this. And really, a long and stressful day was going to make a meal eaten together be appreciated, no matter the details.

Once things were simmering away, he sought out AM. "Sorry about being too open earlier, over the matrix. Although my link is fairly strong, I know it is nothing to keep off someone with skills like yours, and you are not the only one out there who has those skills. It would amaze me if Urubia didn't have a few capable hackers among her devotees."

"Anyway, tonight, Bobby is willing to go in on his own, of course. The guy doesn't lack confidence or courage, but maybe he falls short in caution occasionally. What are your thoughts, do we wait out here for him, or should we all go in? We could go ahead and try to meet Urubia, get that over with before we do anything else to make that tenser. Or if you think Bobby is OK on his own and you'd rather do it later, that's fine. I might be biassed, as now that I've had time to think about it, I'd probably rather do your introduction to Urubia sooner rather than later."

"It is not secure enough. Especially when you discuss very dangerous criminals. Even speaking is not secure enough because we all carry recording devices. SIS does have a way to make us see the worst of people, and figure out how to use every device to our advantage. I think that Mind linking is the way to go if we need to say very sensitive stuff. "

She looks pensive "We'll need to be ready to get some leverage in case it is a trap. Perhaps grabbing Huge if he is not hiding too deep. I think we'll do some recon after dinner?"

Bobby tried to help Jawsey out - mainly by handing things and tasting.


Setting the table, was likewise within his abilities

AM also did her best to help.

Bobby and AM are able to help. AM knows her way around a knife and helps Jawsey slice up garlic. Bobby isn't the best with a knife but, hey, a little transformational magic to grow some claws and he's in business. Slice slice slice.

As the executive chef, Jawsey knows what he's doing. With the help of a couple sous/Sioux chefs, he's got things under control. The menu comes together nicely, recipes are followed, and nothing burns.

Waylon and Cutty finish with the window project. The glass is repaired and the HQ is no longer a wind tunnel. The improvement is immediate; the place is still cold but the heat from the stove in the kitchen starts radiating out to the rest of the HQ.

The kitchen smells good and is the coziest (warmest) spot in the place, so you decide to set the table in the kitchen. Waylon and Cutty are your only guests; Clive Clarke (the shoeseller) and Zwipe decline the invitation. Waylon and Cutty ask for a minute to clean up before dinner, as their hands are covered with glazing putty.

Waylon and Cutty are washing up and Bobby is setting the table when Andrew calls AM around 17:00.

<<Green-san. As promised, I have made some inquiries. It appears some decisions were made in my absence. I confess that the timing of the two - the decisions and my absence - may be related. Allow me to reassure you that things would have been different had I been there.>>

This could be a smooth lie or is could be Andrew licking his wounds that he's on the wrong end of a power play. Or maybe it's the truth; it's hard to tell.

<<My understanding is that the matter is settled for the time being. The desired message has been conveyed and no further communications are planned.>>

After AM shared that new information, Bobby replied:
<<Interesting. You could ask him if he knows who introduced the measure and who supported it. That would help me in my conversation with Grinder.>>

>>Musai-San, It is pleasing to find out that there are no more 'messages' like this but it leaves me a bit confused. What is the message exactly? I run a business here, and I land you a hand when asked to, I am helping Big Stank find his Bonita. I usually comply with anything anyone requests that I do, or at least try my best to be on everyone's good side.

So there is an issue, and someone did think that sending a bomb down my doorstep is the right way to resolve this issue. Should I leave Redmond? If not then I need to know who wants to harm us - and then I need to fix it.

The situation that I get a message every time someone is pissed off at us is unacceptable. Medical bills, new windows, new door... It is all unproductive and unnecessary expenses. SIS is a new business, and I try to keep it above the water. You know, if there is a problem I want to know about it, we are all reasonable people.

Can you find out, who orchestrated this message - under what justification, and who supported these actions? Musai-San, please I am asking from a place of friendship and respect. I can fix it, but I do not understand the politics of this organization to know whom to talk to.

When Andrew responds, his voice is clipped.

<<Green-san. As I was not present, I cannot speak to particulars such as who said what. And even if I had been, I would not be at liberty to share the details of a private conversation. I am sure you understand.>>

Andrew seems touchy about the topic. Is it because what AM asked is a breach of etiquette, or is it because Andrew doesn't know the answers and AM's questions are rubbing salt in the wound?

<<I have shared what I am able to share. I will call on you when I return to Seattle to inquire after your health. I wish you fortune in your business endeavors.>>

After AM relays Andrew's lack of additional response, Jawsey admits "Sounds like more answers will only be found in the Fragging 'Funhouse' Hopefully Bobby's meeting with Grinder will do the job, we'll see."

AM politely thanks Andrew but curses once the call is over. He was not very useful at all and did not bring new information. "Useless useless useless... Everything is so messed up" she says and wraps her face in her hands. She personally likes Andrew but he would not budge a centimeter to help her not die. Either he does not know, or he would not say in a phone call, or he simply does not care despite being very polite. Either way, she realizes that they are on their own. She takes some time to function and would use cooking as a way of escapism.

She enjoys the meal but is very worried and it is evident in the small things she eats less than usual, she drinks more coffee than usual, and feels awkward in her own body as if she wishes to be over with it already.

Bobby, on the other hand, was unperturbed by the news and tucked in with the excellent food. He knew the rules of survival all to well: Rest when you can, eat when you can, run when you have to and when all else fails, hit first ask questions later.

A small burb escaped him, when he finished his plate for the second time:
"Seems like once again the Yakuza isn't particularly useful providing protection. The more I think about this, the more I'm confused why the committee sent us this bomb. Unless everyone abstained except for the one introducing the motion, there must have been a majority for bombing us.
I can imagine that the Crimson Crush and Nightmare both would have voted against us. The Yakuza apparently abstained or where not at the table. Who else do you think is gunning for us?
Is this all about us not showing enough respect or deference?

Anyway, I'll take a quick shower and get a new pair of flats out. Keep my Go-Back in the car in case I have to get out of the fun house in my birthday suit.
Time to face the music - or at least the organ Grinder, now that we have spoken to the monkey."

"I get that big stank does not like us but why would he want to bomb us after you spent like weeks hunting his precious Bonita? I do not really understand how they operate, bomb with a drone sends an odd message - that they are too scared to just spray our house with lead or something simple and straightforward like that.

Mato's absence was clearly felt by the other SIS members, but having guests helped the dinner feel less mournful, and almost cozy and friendly. Discussion stayed mostly on neutral subjects, details of the repairs, some projects Cutty was working on at the gym, and the like. But satisfying food and human contact worked their magic, and Jawsey thought everyone was feeling somewhat better than before.

Then AM received Andrew's answers. Quickly the mood turned sombre and aggravated again. To the other points about why they were sent the message, he suggested:

"Remember, they are a "committee" now. Things don't have to require hatred, just that nobody cares enough to object. 'These triggers interfere with collections. We can't have people thinking that is acceptable. Move that we 'send them a message'. 'Seconded'. 'Votes for by show of hands?' 'Motion carries, next order of business? '". (Jawsey skimmed Robert's Rules of Order during the afternoon, and understands what that reference means now.)

"In other words, they don't have to hate us, any more than a bulldozer doesn't hate the bush in its path"

Dinner is had and it is good.

Waylon and Cutty look both grateful and hungry. Both of them eat enough for two, devouring the tomato sauce and wine. Compliment to the chef? Or is it because Cutty consists on a diet of rice and beans while Waylon is a squatter who uses a eye dropper to add flavoring to his soy?

There's some interesting conversation. The two open up a bit. Waylon is recovering drug addict (Bliss) and who was once married. Now, in addition to being an activist for the homeless, he is drug rehabilitation counselor to those living on the streets. He's been in-and-out of housing for most of his adult life. Sometimes he can string together a few months in a ramshackle apartment, but he's so used to living on the streets that at this point it just seems easier. That said, he doesn't seem to be in any rush to leave, especially after gorging himself on pasta and wine.

Cutty one had thoracic surgery after a stabbing. He's never been married but one of his ex-girlfriends is now a schoolteacher back in the Sioux Nation. He's had some success talking to some local churches to get involved in their youth programs. But the church kids aren't allowed to train on Sundays, which is why he felt comfortable leaving the gym closed today to come help you. He doesn't have enough regular (or even non-regular) customers to keep it open all the time. Eventually he would like to hire some trainers, but first the place has to break even.

Bobby nodded along to the conversation. He still wasn't sure that opening a gym in this area was the smartest move. Except of course, that that was exactly what SIS had done - and apparently it also wasn't the smartest move.

Once finished, he declared: "Alright, no time like the present. Let's get this over with. The funhouse gives me the creeps. The sooner we go in, the sooner we can get out again."

AM eats in moderation and listens in the conversations. She'll also mention being engaged, and that Iktomi had other plans for her.

She'll dress up her finest, and use the makeover spell to look as presentable as possible. Not for Urubia, but for herself, it is not every day that she may actually meet a dragon. Preparing for such a meeting AM tries to wrap her head about how Urubia's organization could possibly work. Urubia cannot be as rich as she pretended to be at the party - it was a show, a bribe, or an establishment of authority. Buy off the admiration and loyalty of people with expensive toys. She could see the temptation in it, she has been risking an arm-and-a-leg for her Erika, and after nearly dying she is still not done paying for it.

On the other hand, the matrix in its current form was new and she is very happy to live at the right time to really mess with it. She tries to remember the Funhouse and imagines it on regular days, less glamour calmer, less fancy than the Hilton but fancy for Redmond. On the roof, she has a court with spirits and other magical critters, from the little Trouble, has seen and she is handsey as in feels at liberty to stroke and pet sapient beings. Should AM allow for such an intrusion into her personal space? Perhaps not - as it sends the wrong message. A first impression is a lasting one, damn social anxiety but the use of magic means that she has everything ready before having time to think about it.