OOC: Charisma(5) + Negotiation(1) + Bargaining(2) = 1 hit

Wow... Coulda bought two and been better off there.. C'est la vie et vie est une grande vache!

From what I understand, my client has access to a small magical group. The group attempted a ritual tracking and a few ritual spells, as well as tasking spirits. They turned up nothing.

There is the possibility that the child is dead, but my client would like to know for certain.

MagPye - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:07:00 - Finnegan's, Tacoma

MagPye will run is right index finger around the rim of his glass as he speaks about the magical rituals.

<< @Nix [MagPye] Clarification you wish for 12k to 13k upfront money and the 100k to stay the same, or do you wish me to get as much an increase I can get on both amounts? >>

That is one of the many possibilities that the victim is no longer on this plane, but is something that can be found out.

MagPye will glance at Nix for a brief moment, then return his gaze to the lady.

Nix - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:07:20 - Finnegan's, Tacoma

<<@MagPye [Nix] I need 2-3k per spirit binding you guys want me to perform as preparation. I also need 4-5 hours per summoning. You also should know I can't transport all of us off this plane so be careful about promises along that line. That said, I'm all for getting everything we can.. I leave that play in your hands.>>

A ritual team failed? I was hoping some half baked amateur had been contacted for ritual magic. Something is telling me to stay home on this one...

MagPye - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:08:20 - Finnegan's, Tacoma

My lady your request of our services, has some blank areas, such blank areas drive up costs at our end. Let us begin at 20k upfront money and 120k end money.

Eyes - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:08:30 - Finnegan's, Tacoma

Aiden sat at the stool at the bar, split between the conversation he was maintaining with Pete and the meeting going on between Nix, MagPye, and the AmerInd Ms. Johnson. It wasn't too hard to split the sounds, especially when he used the Sound Filters in his earbuds to tone the other background noises out of the picture.

So, a ritual team failed locating the kid that way. And it is going to be hard as hell to pick up a trail after three weeks.....but if I can get access to the last point place the kid was at then I can maybe, just maybe, get a read on what happened that day.

MagPye/Nix - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:08:40 - Finnegan's, Tacoma

5 net hits on opposed Negotiations test

We both know that 100K is more than an excellent price, and the blank spots will be filled in once you agree. All the information I have withheld so far is in the interestes of protecting my client's identity.

Transportation being arranged is also going to save you otherwise potentially enormous cost and effort, but I think I can arrange for 20K up front if we have a deal?

MagPye/Nix - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:08:50 - Finnegan's, Tacoma

so the Gadje woman does have the sand for bargaining, this is feeling much better to me at least.

MagPye's smile broadens.

Ok it is a deal. Please fill in the blanks then.

MagPye await her responses.

Nix - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:08:50 - Finnegan's, Tacoma

The 100k is fair, though the proof will be in the pudding on this one. If we actually pull this off I sure hope there's a bonus for performing miracles.

The deal sealed, Nix sits quietly and listens for Virginia's additional details.

MagPye/Nix - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:09- Finnegan's, Tacoma

Very well. The name of our client I will give you on the trip over. Rest assured though that it is of no one of prominence or strong political affiliation. He is an employee of a PCC software firm. He's asked that his personal matters be kept close as long as possbile. I'm sure you can understand this.

The victim is his 5 year old son, kidnapped three weeks ago from their home. It wsa the two of them only in the home. The client is magicallly active and capable, and had samples of his son on hand, but numerous tracking attempts failed.

After becoming frustrated by the security forc,e he hired a reputable detective out of the PCC to come to the Ute region. After a weeks investigation, the detectvie has dissapeared.

Any other questions, or would you like your flight information?

Nix - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:08:50 - Finnegan's, Tacoma

"Let's start with the flight information. We have some preparations to make prior to leaving the territory."

MagPye - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:08:50 - Finnegan's, Tacoma

MagPye will nod at Nix's words, and seem to be a abit distracted

<< @Nix [MagPye] Is it time to let the rest of the team know a deal has been struck?>>

Can we get any data on the detective that came up missing also?

MagPye/Nix - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:09:20- Finnegan's, Tacoma

Virginia taps a few keys on her commlink and forwards her number to Nix and Magpye.

Thsi is my contact information. I can have your plane ready out of a private airstrip in North Everett within 6 hours of your call. Our client would prefer you to be ready within a day. Two at the most. I've been authorized to give you an incentive of an additional 5K up frot if you can be ready to go within 12 hours.

The plane is a private company plane. The airstrip where you'll be landing will also be private. In essence, customs will not be an issue, as long as you keep it discreet.

The detective's name was , is , Charlie TwoFeathers, based out of Pheonix. I have his contact number for you, although from what a source tells me, the device is either turned off or destroyed, as he can't locate it over the matrix. But it may be a place to start for you. I also have a holopic, as well as the matrix address for his business.

She forwards said informaion to both commlinks as well.

Nix - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:10:00 - Finnegan's, Tacoma

<<@MagPye [Nix] Yea, we have several decisions to make here.>>

Nix quickly recalculates his summoning plans. No sense holding up the entire team because he failed to plan accordingly. Ok, if I summon three small spirits I could be ready in twelve hours. Wait....

"Just to be clear, the additional five K brings the total to one O' five, right?"

Virginia smiles and nods.

Correct. That would be paid to you at take off. Naturally our client is very much interested in expediting this matter.

Nix - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:10:30 - Finnegan's, Tacoma

Nix dials up the signal rating of his PAN until he picks up Caliph's PAN, but leaves it in hidden mode. With Aiden visible across the room, he is the farthest away. "We will need a moment to provide a departure time and the size of the team."

Nix provides the back outline in a text with minimum details. He encrypts the message and sends it to the team. Given the fact the entire conversation could easily have been recorded with a laser mike he's not worried about giving anything away.
<<@All [Nix] 100k with 20k upfront. 5k bonus if we leave in 12 hours paid upfront. Trip is to the Ute territories of the PCC. A detective from Phoenix has gone missing in the search for a male child missing three weeks. Father *appears* to be a nobody. No contact from the kidnappers. We have transport in and out, we are on our own for local transport. Everyone in? Thoughts?>>

Eyes - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:10:50 - Finnegan's, Tacoma

The message blinks across Aiden's contacts, after a momentary pause for decryption sequence, and he gives it a little thought before responding.

Hmm...this has a very fishy feeling to it, but the 'yen is a very nice counterpoint to it....and the chance to best another detective on his home ground is incentive as well...

{@All [Eyes]:Sounds good to me. I can be ready within the shorter timeframe, I don't have much to pack and bring with me.}

Nix - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:11:00 - Finnegan's, Tacoma

As Nix awaits a response from Caliph he files an order with Yin Ching's Talismongery. Time is short and he has quite a bit of summoning to do when he gets out of here.

Caliph - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:13:00 - Outside Finnegan's, Tacoma

<<@All [Caliph]: Ready to go immediately. Money sounds good. I have a van converted for offroad if they can get it there, and I'm very familiar with that part of the world. Need some specifics from the Johnson so I can start planning. Get the answers from the Johnson and fill me in face-to-face. List of info needs follows (@Attachment: infolist.txt)>>

Info needs:
1. Departure airport and time; arrival airport and time.
2. Map coordinates of kidnap location.
3. List of forged documentation/passports/etc. we will be provided with
4. Map coordinates of detective's house and office.
5. Any local contacts or guides we will link up with.

MagPye - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:13:00 -Finnegan's, Tacoma

<< @All [MagPye] plane will ready out of a private airstrip in North Everett within 6 hours of your call. Other information more than likely will not be given until our shoes are on the ground in PCC.>>

Caliph - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:13:10 - Outside Finnegan's, Tacoma

<<@All [Caliph]: I say again. Can the plane fit my truck? Are they providing us with documentation? No go unless I have some answer on whether they're giving us documentation or I will have to provide it myself. Any map information I will compromise, they can tell us on the plane. By the way, whose call?>>

MagPye - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:13:30 -Finnegan's, Tacoma

How large of a vehicle can the airframe transport, up to truck?

Will any documentation be provided?

Can the map information be provided on the airframe in route?

Nix - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:13:30 -Finnegan's, Tacoma

<<@All [Nix] After we give the fixer notice, the plane will be ready within six hours. With the bonus to leave in twelve hours I say we set the time now at twelve hours and then begin our leg work. >>

MagPye/Nix - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:13:40 -Finnegan's, Tacoma

Perhaps two small cars or one large van or truck. It's a sizeable cargo plane with accomodations for passengers.

As far as douments and IDs, that isn't part of the client's package he's offering. I can provide you with some of that, for a fee of course. I'll offer you a discounted rate of course. I can also provide you with some local mapsofts if you need.

I've arranged for a local to be available if you need a guide. He's service will come at a cost of course, but nothing unreasonoable. He's also caucasiun, so you'll have less issues interacting with him thatn some others may bring.

Once we land in Provo, our client would like to meet with the team personally, at his home ,where the kidnapping took place. As this is his son, he would like to be very hands on. He wants to know the progress of the investigaion, and he can answer your questiosn directly as well.

Do try not to offend him however. Remember that he is the one paying your bill.



She says it with a smile, but it doesn't reach her eyes. It's quite clear that Virginia has dealt with less-than-professional runners before, and doesn't want a repeat .

MagPye/Nix - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:14:00 -Finnegan's, Tacoma

"Of course", Nix replies matter of factly. In his mind, a true professional would never have reason to insult a Johnson. Perhaps a reason to kill them occasionally, but never insult them.

"I am interested in establishing a quasi-local ID. Makes things much simpler in my experience". I hope we have the same idea of what a discount is.

<<@all [Nix] Caliph, how do you feel about a local guide? >>

"You said Johnson is awakened. Is he hermetic?"

Caliph - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:14:10 -Finnegan's, Tacoma

<<@All [Caliph]: Local guide is a good idea. Best to keep them at arms' reach and keep them away from the client and the Johnson. I will get on the horn with some people and see if we can arrange one of our own. Don't agree to one of their guides yet; if we need one, best to make it on short notice.>>

MagPye/Nix - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:14:00 -Finnegan's, Tacoma


Let me know how many of you are lookign for IDs. I'll need pics to tie to them of course. I'll make up finger prints, unless you'd like your own tied o the temp SIN for whatever reason. I'll give you 25% off the going rate.

The client is a shaman, of what totem I do not know.

Caliph - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:14:20 -Finnegan's, Tacoma

<<@All [Nix] I know the expense is a little higher, but I'm thinking one good ID and one throw away. This run is big time.. we are crossing borders and may need to try to slip across a border. A throw away will never work for that. We may also run into issues where we need a throw away... >>

OOC: I'm thinking R3 and R1 each. That's 12k in IDs, 5k in summoning materials, 6k in lifestyle. That leaves us 2k in expense money. Is that enough? Is anyone a hacker?

Caliph - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:14:20 -Finnegan's, Tacoma

<<@All [Caliph]: Roger on that one. Already have a good ID. Just need a visa for the PCC and a visa for the CAS. Just need a throwaway PCC SIN. I have the info available for transmittal to the ID cooker.>>

OOC: Caliph's current fake SIN has a complete suite of biometrics (since any biometric check would pop up his Criminal SIN without it). He only needs a fake vehicle registration/permit and a fake visa, both at rating up to 4, as high as conveniently available. He ain't about to trust the Fixer or the Johnson's ID cooker with the biometric info needed to make another good fake SIN.

OOC: Virginia is a fixer, not the Johnson

MagPye - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:15:20 -Finnegan's, Tacoma

<< @ALL [MagPye] I want a two ID's one a throw away, and the other that will hold up well. I willing to give her what she needs to make the ID's as strong as they can be. >>

Nix - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:15:45 -Finnegan's, Tacoma

"We'll need four throw away IDs, one for each of the team. We" gesturing to MagPye and himself, "will also need a good, local ID that will hold up to moderate scrutiny. We will be ready to go in twelve hours. Can your people put the IDs together in that time? We will be taking one van with us as well."

He reaches out, shakes her hand, collects the deposit, stands up, wipes his glass down and leaves with MagPye.

MagPye - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:15:55 -Finnegan's, Tacoma

MagPye will nod at Nix's words. Get up and give a slight bow to the lady. Pick up his hat and place it on his head at a slight tilt. Run his finger across his mustache to put it into place.

It has been a pleasure meeting you Madam.

He will then leave with Nix.

Eyes - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:15:20 -Finnegan's, Tacoma

{@All [Eyes]: The throwaway is fine with me, I have my own high grade fake. I will also need a visa and passport for the PCC that can be tied to my fake, though I can look into getting one on my own in the time before our departure....also when you guys leave I will clear the area of any biological residue, as per procedure. Meet at the usual twenty after the meeting?}

MagPye/Nix - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:15:55 -Finnegan's, Tacoma

Forward the necessary pics and identifiers and I'll have those IDs ready by the time you take off. Everything else will be prepared, and I will forward you your flight information in six hours.

Gentleman.

She looks pleased with her self both for wrapping up her business and being able to say that she'd have everything in place in such a short time. A woman pleased with her work.

Caliph - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:15:20 -Finnegan's, Tacoma

<<@all [Caliph]: I take it yall are wrapping up in there? Gotta give me some heads up, people...>>

I'm hurrying like hell in my brain, but outside I casually get up from my spot an 'yawn,' mostly to see if the Troll in the bar has shifted position any. Glance around, grab a cigarette, and find someone walking away from the bar to jog up to and grab a light from (and, coincidentally, get out of the line of sight of the windows)

Hook around back to my car, check on the fixer's vehicles. Hop up into it, and pull out.

Pull around the block a little to the street on the other side of the bar and pull up at the intersection and put my hazard lights on. Pop the hood of the vehicle and tinker around in there, keeping an eye on the bar.

<<@all [Caliph]: In place for exfil.>>

Caliph - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:15:20 -Finnegan's, Tacoma

So far the Fixer's van has only moved forward half a block, after rolling on autopilot when she went in to the bar. The troll, the fixer, and her guard are still inside, apparently waiting for the team to move out first.

Nix made his way to his bike after the meeting acting as though he did not know the other team mates. He knew they'd clear the scene.

He made his way to Yin Ching's Talismongery and collected the supplies. It felt good to have a little yen to toss around.

Back at his apartment he went right to work, there was not time to spare. The summoning of the fire elemental was nothing if not text book, but something went horribly wrong in the binding. Nix struggled and fought against the defiant spirit. He was sweating profusely as he saw it failing. He poured everything he had and more and still the elemental slipped away to the astral.

He sat in the circle for several long minutes. Exhausted. Drained. Emotionally bankrupt. Yet another failure to rack up with his long list, his marriage topping the list. He drug himself to his bed and laid down. He set the alarm and drifted off. The run hadn't even begun and he was failing.

When he awoke two hours later he looked to the clock. Over half his time was gone, he had nothing to show and he was still tired. He sat on the edge of the bed, tried to calm himself and made a call this time to a spirit of man. It came grudgingly, but the effort was visible in the sweat dripping from his forehead. He knew that to try and bind it now would not be his best plan. There was not enough time to bind two more elementals, not of any size anyways. The spirit would just have to wait. The binding ritual would have to wait. He set the alarm again and drifted off once again.

He had changed the alarm to music his time, not that damn buzzer. It gently brought him back to the conscious world instead of thrusting awake like a shotgun blast ripping apart its target. He had also put his thoughts of his wife and her pain in the ass new husband out of his mind for the moment. For now, he was back in command.

Looking to the waiting spirit, "Let's do this." There could no failure this time. He could not meet the team empty handed. Could not tell them that they had misplaced their faith. From the offset of the binding ritual, he put his very soul into it. It was put or shut time and he refused to fail.

When he was completed, he felt as though he had had a good work out. The endorphins coursed through his body, but he was successful. He had a considerable number of services from this spirit. Hopefully it would make up for earlier.

He packed the unused binding materials in his pack, Hopefully we can find a location where I can use these locally. Time to take a trip....

MagPye - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:15:20 -Finnegan's, Tacoma MagPye will go out to his Comet, run it thru a check out, and then remove his hat and unbutton his jacket. He will then get in his car and drive away to his place of residence.

Once there he will pack his gear into some large grey duffle bags.

Eyes - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:45:30 -Finnegan's, Tacoma

Aiden sat back and waited for everyone to leave the place, the fixer and her two guards in tow. Then he waited around for another twenty minutes or so, just in case, sipping at his beer and making small talk with Pete. As he stood up and began to leave he released the mana he had been building up steadily into the room, a destructive wave that wiped out all of the tiny strands of DNA and organisms free floating around the room, letting it go with a simple "Purgare" whispered under his breath. He offered a small smile to Pete as he left, walking almost directly to his bike from the bar and taking off back to his doss, watching casually for anyone that may have followed him from the bar.

Back at his place Aiden started to back up his things, stopping to think if he had any cases to deal with before he left town, but then he remembered he hadn't had a case in the last month. This run was only thing that was going to pay his rent this month, and by the amount that was coming maybe a couple more in advance.

Packing was easy, simply tossing some extra clothes, his intrusion tools, and his ammo in a bag along with his Crawler drone. That was it; he didn't need to bring along his library materials, any of his books, or his random esoteric doodads. Besides those, he had everything else he owned on his person or in the bag on his shoulder. It was actually kind of sad, but who really needed material possessions anyways?

With that, Aiden typed out two really quick messages, one to Equilibrium and the other to Sprocket. His magical group was the closest thing to friends or family that he had in Seattle and they were the only he people he could trust his apartment and office with. He asked them check in the place while he was gone and that if he wasn't back in two weeks to try and locate him magically, and if that failed to disassociate themselves with his memory. His simple goodbyes sent out, he turned on some soothing WizTrance and settled into a light nap to rest before the flight to Phoenix.

Nix/MagPye - Wednesday 11 April 2070 - Doss - 2200

There's a beep at the commlinks as a file packet arrives. Opening the packet, the AR displays a map of the seattle area, highlighting one of many private air strips in Everett. There's along with it passenger information, consisting of lpics of each of the team members along with their new pseudonims.

Estimated time of take off is 0400.

Nix sends a text to Caliph:
<<@Caliph [Nix] Pick me up last if you will. I'll be ready to go. Take off time is 0400. Attached is the address in Everett >>

Caliph - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:20:00 -Finnegan's, Tacoma

12 Hours? What the hell am I gonna do for 12 hours?

Watch as all the people from the meet leave... play the waiting game with the undercover bodyguard for a few minutes as we both try to be the last to leave, looking nonchalant the whole time. Eventually reach an unspoken compromise, and leave more or less at the same time. Of course it's fairly silly, the meet went well, but we've gotta keep up appearances. Coulda swore he winked at me as he left....

Toss my bag in the shotgun seat, and now I'm packed. Get in the van and drive a bit down the street, towards Everett. Pour out a tumbler of corn from the still hidden over the motor on the rear wheel, couple rocks from the fridge in the back, and sit back and enjoy it for a minute.

Text to Raul, my smuggler buddy, to see about arranging for some 'oh-shit' transpo: <<@Raul [Caliph] - Oye, vato, remember that God knows what you're doing, and he is displeased... But, I don't... What's up, man? Know anybody running out of Salt Lake in a week or two, who may be able to arrange some just-in-case transport?>>

Text to Wise Man Colorado (near Albuquerque): <<@Colorado [Caliph]Chief, I will be back in the Southwest soon, near the Northwest end of the Navajo country. I will not be able to visit you, but do we have any tribesmen or guides around the Salt Lake City area with whom I could meet?>> - Of course, if he gets it within a week I'll eat my hat...

Roll down to an outfitters and buy 6 cases of ready-to-eat meals, and stuff them in the back of the truck. Clean out the truck a little, for the white people to sit in. I guess they want me to drive 'em around, too.

To the team: <<@All [Caliph], hey, if yall need a ride, hit me up with a bus stop where I can pick you up.>>

And spend the rest of the time till I go and pick 'em up practicing with my AK and Alpha - mostly working on simulated/VR target acquisition drills, reloading, and firing from various positions. Throw down another tumbler throughout that, and work for a few on refilling and recalibrating the still.

MagPye - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:20:00 -MagPye's-Puyallop/Tarislar

<<Caliph [MagPye] You might want to pick me up first, I am in Puyallop/Tarislar. Bus Stop? ah the humor, He He He. I am sending you the closest place we can meet. When you get there, I will be there as you arrive.>>

MagPye will put is SMG underneath his jacket, by a sling, he will adjust the sling to the correct length which will allow him to use it quickly. He will put extra clips along the inside lower edge of the jacket in the back of it. He will touch each weapon and run a quick status check on each.

He will secure his residence and go downstairs to the local Cafe, once there he will greet those there.
Greetings, and peace be with you

He will sit down at a table of other Rhomanies.
Greetings and how is your night so far?

When a waiter comes to him.
Assam Tea please, hot, with no sugar or dairy products, and a pastry if you have any left.

He will sit here drink tea, eat pastries and speak to those here in English and Rhomany. Discussing things of interest to the Rhoma and of the Gadje affecting the Rhoma.

Eyes - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 18:03:45 -The Dark Eye, Tacoma

The music changed as Aiden's selection of WizTrance ran out and the player moved into WizPunk selections that he had on his comm. The heavier beats and pulsing rhythms stirred Eyes from his nap, drawing him out a peaceful dream involving a slinky air slyph and one of the more 'interesting' metaplanes he had visited. I must remember to return there the next time I get a night to myself.

Looking at his already packed equipment and thinking of the hours lying ahead with nothing to occupy his interest except for the books all around his doss and library full of music. Might as well make use of the time I have to get prepared for this trip out of town. Rising from the comfy couch that doubled as a nap post he crossed to one of his many shelves loaded with books and grabbed a beginner's course book on Spanish that he had picked up about four months ago but had yet to get to in his readings.

Stifling a yawn, Aiden returned to the couch to begin reading, the usual filler of his many unoccupied nights, and started in on the course work, stopping only to send back a return text to Caliph.

{@Caliph [Eyes]: You can pick me up here. [GPS Coordinate Attachment] Just give me a text before you head this way and I will hurry down.}

Hola...

@rob -

Caliph - Wednesday 11 April 2070, 16:20:00 -Finnegan's, Tacoma



Caliph - Thursday 12 April 2070, 01:00:00 - Driving around Seattle in his van

Aaah. Prepared. Wonderful feeling. Took a nap, drank some booze, refilled my still, everything. Drink a quart of water, just because that corn makes the temples feel new and exciting when one wakes up... But the sleep regulator works too; I'll be good for days, and another nap on the plane...

Cleaned up the van a bit, too; stowed my cot and laid out the bench seats.

Plan my route out on the mapsofts, with the GridGuide™ traffic predictor, and get ETAs for the various locations.

Text to the group: <<@All [Caliph]: Alright, on the road, making my rounds to pick you guys up. Pickup schedule follows, meet me outside. (@Attachment: Schedule.pkg)>>

And roll to pick the kiddos up.

Eyes - Thursday 12 April 2070, 01:01:00 - The Dark Eye, Tacoma

Aiden set the beginner's spanish book down on the side table of his apartment, standing and stretching his stiff limbs as he let a couple of phrases roll off of his tongue.

"¿Dónde tomó usted el niño? (Where is the kid?).....Yo le mataré. (I will kill you.)....Usted es rodeado. (You are surrounded.)....¿Dónde está el cuarto de baño? (Where is the bathroom?)....¿Quiere usted volver a mi lugar? (Do you want to go back to my place?)"

His pronunciation could use some work, but that could be worked on another time. At least he could get by with the basics for now.

When is comm buzzed with the new message from Caliph, Aiden practically jumped over to where it was sitting next to the couch, opening up the message and then quickly sending a reply back to his teammate.

{@Caliph [Eyes]: Alright. I will be ready at my appointed place. See you soon.}

With that Aiden quickly pulled on his long coat, holstering his Hammerli in the shoulder rig and throwing his bag up on his shoulder before stepping out of his trusted office and apartment, setting the alarms and security measures behind him. A quick glance with his sight] confirmed him that his library's wards were still in place.

The bus stop Aiden chose was a little over two blocks away, so he arrived there in a little under 5 minutes moving at a brisk walk. He kept his perception wary the whole time during his walk, his eyes checking each patch of shadows and every stoop and hole he passed. It was unlikely for there to be any real violence around here, he lived in a semi-peaceful part of Tacoma, but one could never be too cautious.

Setting his bag down next to him, Aiden pulled his Hammerli from its holster and kept it in his hand in his lap as he waited for Caliph to arrive.