Blackjack smiles at Jester and bows her head slightly.

Joli's face flickers with a smile. "Nice to meet you."

Having arrived at the meet just as the last of the group was gathering, Bloodmoon had just taken a few minutes to study the faces of the Japanese who appeared to be the hosts. Also taking note of the multiple camera's surrounding the building, she finally approached the small crowd assured that this was not a Triad setup - too professional to be the Chinese ganger's style.

"Hoi chummers," she says walking up with a smile, "looks like this sidewalk's the next chill place to be. Sorry to have kept ya waiting."

Johli - Sebastian nudges at your neck. "Psst...just wanted to let you know, there's a pair of fire salamanders wrapped around that building. Pretty hefty, actually. Might be stronger then you..."

All - Your host almost rushes over as he sees Bloodmoon arrive, bowing hastily and urging everyone towards the building with the kind of expectant urgency of someone looking for a bolt of lightning from the sky. He urges everyone indoors, and through the deserted lobby of an apparently well-to-do corporation. The two burly Asian gentlemen accompany the group, standing discretely behind the group and helping to herd them into two elevators.

The elevators open up to a reception area, done in stylish wood paneling and plush carpeting. The general decor seems to be a match between traditional Japanese and a more modern style, probably the same type favored by most Japanese corporations to set different cultures at ease. There are two desks which look to be receptionist stations, but both are unmanned at this time of the morning.

The gentleman urges everything through, still moving quickly. A digital clock on one of the receptionists desks reads 6:03.

The room beyond is large, probably 10m x 10m, and dominated by an oval conference table with a divot in one end. There are 20 or so leather office chairs spaced around the table, each set in front of a small console station set into the surface of the table. Each station contains a keyboard, viewscreen, and standard jackpoint. The divot at the head of the table has a slightly larger chair.

As you file around the table you're startled to see that the chair at the head of the table is occupied by another Asian man, sitting almost preternaturally still with his fingers steepled. He gives as small smile as you file in, and moves to stand as the group is seated.

"I apologize for calling all of you here on such short notice. With the exception of some, this is very short notice to be called for work. Thank you for responding in such a professional manner."

"Time is short, gentlemen and ladies, so I will be brief, contrary as it may seem to standard tradition." He smiles at the small witticism, the smile somewhat predatory despite the narrow and perfectly aligned teeth.

"We require a container of optical chips, approximately .75 metres by .33 metres by .07 metres in dimension. It is being held at a fairly well guarded location in Snohomish. The building is guarded by a fence approximately 2 metres tall, topped with monor wire, which surrounds the five acre location. There are two entrances to the facility, both guarded by hardended guard posts and gates with ram barriers. The building sports heavy defenses, including approximately a dozen active and armed guards at any one time, paranormal guard creatures, and a full security system. We need the case in our hands in 72 hours." As he speaks, a basic diagram of a large mansion appears behind him, spinning across all three axis' slowly, and the bullet points of what he's saying appear on the small screen in front of each of you.

"Now for the interesting part..." He gives another small smile.

"We had a team that took this job two days ago. Mr. Lee," he indicates one of your number, still looking slightly groggy, "was part of that time. Approximately 7 hours ago, that team was assassinated by a squad of assets numbering at least 6. Mr. Lee would be happy to provide you with whatever additional information that team may have researched in preparation for this run, so you have a leg up on your legwork, as they say."

"We are willing to pay each of you 30,000 nuyen to retreive the case of chips from the indicated location within the specified time span. Fail to get the case or return it in time and you receive nothing. Should you succeed at this task, we are willing to pay each of you 20,000 nuyen for each member of the squad of assets that disabled our team that you are able to hunt down and kill within 7 days after returning the case. After 7 days, you will be paid for those you have found, and the job will be over. A message needs to be sent. We do not care how the killing's are carried out, simply that they are done, and that it is known that they are dead."

"If you accept the first portion of this job you will accept the second. It is an all or nothing arrangement."

"Are you interested?" He leans back in the seat, steepling his fingers and going still again as he awaits the responses from around the room.

Joli steps slightly forward, clearing her throat as she moves. "Are we operating under any sorts of restrictions on how we get the case? Does this need to be low key and subtle?"

Blackjack looks down, her hair hiding the saddened expression on her face, and begins shining the carpet to the side with the front sole of her right boot while balancing on her left leg. Softly, she says, "Do we have to kill them?"

"No restrictions on how you acquire the case. In fact, collateral damage will be bonused. However, understand that it will draw more antagonism from the owners.

Unfortunately, my dear, the 'assets' must be killed to provide proper the proper message. We cannot lose control of a situation."

"Can you tell us who the owners might be?" Joli's voice barely carries the distance of the room.

"Is there any information about the team of assets that struck down your previous group or about any matrix-security at this estate?

"The facility is owned by Michael Versuvio. He is known to have links to organized crime and the Mafia family here in Seattle.

As for the team that struck our previous assets, all we currently know is that they will be in town for at least another week, and that they have been retained by certain members of organized crime in Seattle. Beyond that, we have as much information as you do."

Blackjack stumbles over her words at first, trying to find the right ones, finally, she faces the man addressing everyone, saying, "I.. I can't - I mean I won't - because it's wrong. Killing in self defense is one thing - when there is no other way, but killing for money... that's just wrong! I'm not a murderer!"

"Nice to meet you all. Hoepfully we'll get this show on the road soon."

"Organized crime?" Evans finally speaks after remaining silent the whole meeting. "How... what makes you say that? Perhaps you can be a bit more specific? pardon, but 'organized crime' is very... broad. I believe we qualify as that as well."

Evans wondered about Blackjack's ourburst. They had hit the other runner team, so they were killers too. But two wrongs don't make a right, eh? He eventually just decided to keep his thoughts to himself.

"Johnson-san," Bloodmoon joins in, using the polite address of an employer, "I first want to thank you that you have sought us out for undertaking this job. There are many in this city that are capable and we appreciate your offer - especially as the primary goal seems to be particularly well guarded from what you have already shared with us. Furthermore, I understand your desire for retaliation against the loss of your first assets - however, would the elimination of the opposing team send the correct message? For as you have alluded, they are outside retainees, and hardly worth much to the parent organization beyond the duties they fulfill. Thus, their elimination would not serve your purpose of sending a message as might a more direct application - such as the destruction of this marvelous house after the retrieval of the objective."

Yamakazi gives Bloodmoon a slight nod, acknowledging here as she speaks.

"The message I intend to send is to potential retainees, as opposed to the members of the employer organizations themselves.

And by organized crime, I mean the Mafia, such as it is in Seattle.

And Miss Blackjack, I truthfully care little exactly who kills the assets, as long as they are killed. If you are unwilling to undertake the jobs, and unwilling to let others on your team undertake the jobs while working with you, my associate will be most willing to show you to the door."

"Sounds good, I'm in."

Eric's gaze passes over to Joli, Sebastian and Evans. This sounded much more visceral than he had intended to do, but with them at his back he was sure he could do it...especially if Sebastian was his backup.

Nothing like a pocket-sized dragon to even the odds between a thief and a security team.

Blackjack sniffs, holding back the urge to cry. She looks at the Japanese man and says, "I can help you get back the case, but I can't participate in any murders. Murder is wrong. I'm a decker. I go into computers."

She looks down and says softly, "I can help track down the team... I guess."

Blackjack's stomach turns at what she just agreed to, but she manages to hold it in.

Joli lets the brief confusion pass pver her features as Blackjack struggles with taking the job. In the short silence that follows she replies. "I'm in." She seems to shrink back into the walls afterwards.

"I'm in, though I believe that choice was already made for me." Evans allows himself a subtle grin, then reclines back in his chair. Seeing blackjack in that state wiped the grin clean off. Guess he really didn't get to know her very well back when they dated.

Should I say something to her? Probably not...I'd just make matters worse.

Inside himself, Eric does his own happy dance when Joli agreed for herself and Sebastian. He needed the money for this job to pay for a few months of vacationing in Italy. Here's to hoping he lived that long, and with Evans along he couldn't be in better hands medically speaking.

"I'll do it."

After listening to Yamakazi's offer, Tombstone rubs his chin thoughfully, taking a few moments to compose his reply while still listening to the others. Finally, he looks up and speaks.

"I don't have any moral qualms about the job. Even the runners, I don't have a problem with. Normally, I feel a sense of solidarity with fellow freelancers. But not when they start taking out hits on other runners. I have a problem with your offer, though. These guys took out one team before they even did the job... they're going to know we're coming, even if they don't know exactly when or how. And we're being given an "all or nothing" offer to retrieve something that might not even be there?"

Tombstone shakes his head. "No. I am not getting into a brutal firefight at an organized crime figure's fortress, when my getting paid depends on factors that are outside of my control. The amount is... acceptable... even for the extremely high level of danger, but for any run, you get an advance. That goes doubly for an alert target and the possibility that the item won't be there. Normally, you get half of the amount up front, but as a sign of my respect and professionalism, I would settle for 10,000 up front. A small gesture of trust, to offset the enormous amount of trust that we are placing in you in accepting this potentially lethal assignment."

He smiles ruefully. "I hate to be obstinate, but taking the job offer as it now stands would hurt my reputation more than declining it would. If we have reached an impasse, though, then be assured that you can count on that same professionalism to ensure my silence on any details that have been divulged here."

Yamakazi listens through Tombstone's commentary, nodding as he finishes.

"I agree that an advance would not be inappropriate, and 10,000 is acceptable. I assume this is agreeable to the rest of you?" He glances around the room, looking for affirmations or denials.

Blackjack nods in agreement. Even if this job involved murdering some people, as long as she didn't have to pull the trigger, she'd be able to sleep after a few nights.

Nodding in agreement to Tombston'es statement regarding the professionalism of the outside assets's actions, Bloodmoon likewise agrees to the ork's assessment.

"This job certainly is of high risk and your offer of 30,000 nuyen is reasonable for such an aquisition; however, as my collegue has stated, there are several factors that are already out of our control - one of which is that the opposition already knows the goal of our actions. I would like to request an addition fee to offset these liabilities that would be a guarantee were we not able to accomplish our primary goal - which, according to the present terms, would net us without any compensation for our time and effort. I suggest 14,000 nuyen upfront that is unconditioned upon the success of our efforts for our services for the 7 days - 2,000 per day retainer fee as it is. The 30,000 and bonus would be subsequent payment for the success of our mission."

Screw that! Sebastian's voice resounds through Joli's head. She struggles forward again, keenly uncomfortable being back in the attention of the Johnson. "I don't mean to be rude but I want half now and then half when the job is finished. I don't know you from Adam so I prefer to keep this a standard arrangement. Sorry."

Sensing Joli's discomfort, Eric leans forward to draw himself into Yamikazi's attention.

And away we go...I hope I don't regret this later

"I must agree with the lady. You have set aside some of the formalities due to the pressing nature of this meeting, therefore I will set aside some of my own. I'm sure you are familiar with the standards business practices with deniable assets, half now and half when the task is completed. Non-negotiable."

In for the penny, in for the pound...

Yamikaza glances at Bloodmoon as she speaks, waiting patiently.

"I am not in the habit of paying for failure or less then acceptable performance. It's bad business, and I do not intend to start now. However," as his gaze shifts to Joli and Evan, "I am conversant with the 'standard' agreements of this type, and I will be willing to advance the aforementioned half."

"Assuming," and his gaze roams the room again, "That you agree to the terms as laid out at this point. I assure you, gentlemen and ladies, this job will be difficult, and time runs short even now."

Why the hell did he just look at me? I didn't say anything. Do I have something on my shirt? Maybe my hair's messed up, or maybe-...

A lopsided grin forms on Jester's face. "Half now then. Half when we deliver the package. Sounds good to me."

Realizing that she wasn't going to be able to sway the Japanese's mind in this limited time setting, Bloodmoon is sufficiently satisfied with them newly proposed terms to concede. "Very well, standard agreements then."

"Well, since that has been agreed upon. Can we have our initial payment and a copy of the information you have? That will facilitate us getting on with our respective days, as I am sure you have much better things to be doing than rubbing elbows with day to day criminals."

Eric looks around the room for any complaints or further needs of the Johnson.

Yamikaza motions to the slim Asian man that met you at the door, and he produces a handful of certified credsticks and a sliver of silicone in a small plastic case.

He hands a credstick to each person, sans Lee, and sets the chip down in front of Eric.

Yamikaza bows to the group, as one would bow to a less respected but somewhat valuable retainer, and leaves the room by another, smaller door. His associate bows as well, in a much less respectful tone, and motions everyone towards the double doors you originally entered in. He guides the group back down to the lobby and out of the door, where the pollution tinged light of dawn is peeking over the sky, and the morning traffic from the sararimen and corporate drones has picked up considerably.

Once everyone has exited the building, he bows again, and turns back inside.

Two blocks away the EFC powered Opel Marauder powers up and pulls into traffic.

Jester's eyes unfocus for a second as he sends the command to his van. He turns and smiles at the group.

"Well folks, whats the plan?"

Eric looks over the faces of the rest of the team.

"Well, I'd say let's get off the street. We can talk more specifics when we get somewhere secure. Any recommendations?"

Jester puts his hands into the pockets of his coat, pushing them deep. The cool wind were chilling him to the bone, making his leg ache.

The Opel turned the corner dow the street.

"I've got a place we can use. My rides here," the van came to sudden stop right behind the old man.

"Anyone need a ride?" The sliding door on the van opened revealing a spacious interior with a large cushined bench.

Joli smiles uncomfortably. "Just give me the address and I'll meet you all there. I have to collect my car since I drove here."

Blackjack smiles a bit after seeing the van drive up.

"Yeah, me too! I don't want to leave my car here."

"I'll take the ride. I've had my exercise for the morning. Spread the address and let's go, this wind is sneaking through my coat and sending chills down my spine."

Eric shivers slightly and looks around at the other runners.

"Yeah, I'll take the ride, too. Appreciate it." says Tombstone. "And I'll see the rest of you there... we have a lot to talk about."

He has a thoughtful look on his face as he gets into the van, pondering the job that the group has just accepted, and hoping that it won't turn into a disaster like that last job he took for the Yaks did.

"Still got space? I don't own any cars, and public transport's a bitch these days." Evans says.

The group splits into the night, parting and heading out to the assigned address.

An hour or so later, cars pull up next to a large Maruader van, parked in front of a rather dilapidated looking hanger in Tacoma, near the main airstrip.

Eric looks over to the silver haired driver of the van.

"I presume we're here."

He opens the door, swings down out of the van and pulls open the broad side door for the others that took Jester up on his offer. Standing, he adjusts his satchel once again to rest behind him hidden by the long coat.

"Evans, you may want to look over Lee. Yamikazi's lapdog was looking at some kind of wrist display I think--perhaps he put a tracker inside him to ensure loyalty."

Blackjack says, "Is that what that was? I noticed the guy looking at his wrist. I thought maybe he was just checking his watch or something."

The pale thief turns to Balckjack.

"It's possible he was checking a watch, if so that would worry me more. Lee is the only survivor from the previous team and Yamikazi doesn't seem to be the type to allow for failure. A tracker is one of the more innocuous options, I certainly hope they didn't shove a cranial bomb through his nose or something."

'Ha," Jester snorts as he remote triggers the hangar door. The reinforced aluminum parted showing the spacious interior.

The interior illuminates revealing a parked Hind.

Jester's voice rolls over a PA on his van, "theres a couch in the back as well as a fridge."

He parks the van next to the helicopter. "Man," he grumbles as he eases himself out of the command chair. With a slight limp he walks over to the couch and plops himself down.

Blackjack sighs, "I was afraid of that. We should maybe get a cyberware scanner if we have to be around him. We might be able to remove it.." She folds her arms and bites her lip as she walks inside.

Lousy Yaks! This whole job stinks already! Kill this! Steal that! Fail and you die! They all must be crazy!! Well, I'm not killing anyone.

Tombstone is silently irked with himself for not noticing the Yak retainer's actions himself, but at least manages to hide his surprise at Eric's words. He frowns thoughtfully, considering the possibilities... which are not savory.

"You know, if it's a tracking device, we may want to consider the possibility that Yamikazi's lapdog might be someone else's lapdog. It makes me suspicious that the first team got hit before they even started the job. Sounds like there was an information leak somewhere."

Caught up in planning the various exits and places to take cover, Eric starts at Tombstone's comment.

"That has the resounding truth of someone else's problem falling in our laps."