"I'm listening."

4 hits

Tell me what you know about Vic and where I can find him. I'll drop a couple hundred back your way. You go back inside and forget you have a phone and we'll wander off and forget you exist. How's that for a good deal?

Vic the Snake is low rent fixer who came out of the Redmond Barrens a few years ago. He has one redeeming quality: Money talks and he favors working with runners who's morale thermometer is inversely proportionate to the paycheck involved. Billy actually did a job two years ago for Vic roughing up a guy who refused to pay off a bet from an Urban Brawl game.... breaking a leg, actually. Vic wasn't happy that the leg was still attached afterwards and never called on Billy again.

"He's at the Diamond Club in Columbia tonight. Well under two meters, greasy hair and a gold tooth on top in the front. Always wears a damn leisure suit like you see in those cheesy remakes of trids from the last century..."

The tooth was new, but that sounded like Vic. Memory serves that Columbia is a low rent district in central downtown not too far away.... Diamond Club must be a strip club knowing Vic.... Probably full of buck-toothed rejects from the Barrens if his tastes still held as well...

Thanks chummer, sorry for the arm bar. I'll keep you in mind when I 've got some more work that could use an electronic hand.

Billy slides Ice 300 and gives Sledge the "let's go" head jerk as he walks towards his bike.

Fraggin' Vic. Like hell I'll be talkin' nice ta' that fragger. He'll be cold on the ground so he can't send anyone else my way afterwards unless I really like his answers.

Billy climbs on his Diablo and runs a quick security check on it as he fires it up, and brings up directions for the Diamond Club.

Saturday March 2nd, 2070; 23:54:48; Leaving Event Horizon Parking Lot, Kent, Downtown District, Seattle

Ice accepts the money, nods and beats a hasty retreat back into the bar. Sledge growls at the hacker as he zips away then turns back to Billy with a hearty laugh. He mounts up his sled and awaits the next leg of the night's journey.

As Billy pulls up the map he notes the most direct route to the Columbia neighborhoods is back up the I-5, roughly half an hour away.

Taking a circuitous, avoiding I-5, Billy heads to the Diamond Club, taking a look at the place when he arrives.

Sledge, we'll play this the same way. Go in first, since Vic won't recognize you scope the place out. Get a lap dance while you're there to fit in.

Billy takes some time to describe Vis in detail so that Sledge can spot him.

3 hits

Saturday March 2nd, 2070; 24:06:09; Diamond Club, Columbia, Downtown District, Seattle

The duo work their way north, past Seatac, keeping to the side streets and avoiding the interstate. Given a little time, it appears they will able to make it to their destination without incident.

Well over halfway there a message beeps in on Billy's com:
<<@Billy [Ice] Look Chummer, you paid me and you didn't have to so I'm gonna be fair square up with ya. I couldn't let you surprise Vic then have it lead back to me. Any case now we're even. Good luck with whatever your problem and if you need any work done that falls in my expertise, let me know.>>

<<< In all honesty Ice, I figured you would. Business is business, although I wouldn't have dropped your name. I appreciate the heads up. Just tell me this; does he know about my partner, or just me?>>>>

<<@Billy [Ice] Actually we only discussed you. >>

<<<Appreciated. Will be in touch.>>>
Bedlam sends Ice another 100.

Well if I get killed in an ambush, I sure won't be needing it. And if I have to take the balance out of Vic's hide, all the better.

<<<[@Sledge} Bedlam - You cruise on ahead. I need you there about 10 minutes ahead of me. Vic knows I'm coming, but nothing about you. Best to have a an on the inside to cover my back when the drek goes down.>>>

As Billy sends his messages, he reflects on the Diamond Club. While he'd only been there once, the bouncers seemed like the type that a bribe would probably get his weapon in through the door.... and the girls who danced (can you call what they do dancing?).. well, they're are the bottom of the barrel.

Sledge rumbles away, but not without sending a reply:
<<@Bedlam [Sledge] What is my budget on these dances? Oh and can you front that budget?>>

He also receives a reply from Ice:
<<@Bedlam [Smurf] '55 Jackrabbit was really a '67 Ford Bison. Still working on more information.>>

Billy forwards Sledge 100 nuyen, and slows his bike down.

This drek is getting expensive

Saturday March 2nd, 2070; 24:18:00; Diamond Club, Columbia, Downtown District, Seattle

<<@Bedlam [Sledge] Boss - This is the cat's ass. Anytime you need me to do this, let me know. I'm available.>>
The thought of the girls at the Diamond Club and Sledge invokes mental images on par with Halloween 37.

Saturday March 2nd, 2070; 24:26:30; Diamond Club, Columbia, Downtown District, Seattle

Having taken the slow, but steady route to the club, Billy now has it in his sights down the street. Even this late, the parking lot is full. Memory serves that it is open when the sun is down and closed when the sun shines.

The neighborhood is a commercial one with such fine establishments as hotels (by the hour), book and toy stores (of the adult variety only) and a pair of greasy spoon restaurants. The buildings are somewhere around half-again older than Billy and each have small parking lots (as opposed to street side parking).

Well looks like my night's getting more interesting. Shouldn't have left in such a hurry. Should have brought a couple mini cams or something. 'Get in a hurry, get sloppy. get sloppy, get slopped.' Need to slow down, assess the situation.

<<<@ Sledge[Billy] Our man on the scene? Any back up with him>>>

Billy parks the bike in the lot, keeping his helmet on as he slowly settles it inm still running it's sensors on his HUD. he keeps a watch both on the bike's sensors, and with his own eyes, still concealed by the helmet, for anyone paying an inordinate amouont of attention to him.

Vic knows I'm coming so I can probably count on a goon or someone keeping an eye out for me. but where? Bum on the street maybe? door man?

Carefully, still obstensibly pulling off his gloves, Billy looks around, watching for someone making a discrete call, or watching him as he 'unloads' his gear.

Saturday March 2nd, 2070; 24:27:45; Diamond Club, Columbia, Downtown District, Seattle

<<@Billy [Sledge] Just finished the first lap dance. Let me say, wow! Your boy is here. He appears to be in with the two bouncers and they're packing.>>

A look around the parking lot and Billy is not finding anything out of place or anyone watching him.

Billy moves around to the back of the strip bar, looking for another entrance. Places like this will have their alarmed fire entrances, but they'll also have a service entrance or two, often enough propped open with a rock since people have to pass in and out so often.

Saturday March 2nd, 2070; 24:29:06; Diamond Club, Columbia, Downtown District, Seattle

Billy parks his bike and begins to move nonchalantly around the side of the building.
<<@Billy [Sledge] Hey boss. Not sure what you're doing, but one of the bouncers just headed to the back.>>

drek

<<<[Sledge] Acknowldged>>>>

Billy first pokes his head arond the corner, making sure there are no cameras around back to give him away. Then he looks for something that would be appropriately long and heavy for delivering a quick blow to the head. Finding one or not, he positions himself next to the back door, on the right side where he could come in quickly.

Saturday March 2nd, 2070; 24:29:27; Diamond Club, Columbia, Downtown District, Seattle

Billy is not so lucky are to find a crow bar, lead pipe or anything of the like. He does find sizable piece of a cinder block. He moves beside the back door and lies in wait. It is only a moment or two before the door begins to open.

http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=1350079

Saturday March 2nd, 2070; 24:29:27; Diamond Club, Columbia, Downtown District, Seattle

As Billy moves into position the door begins to open. Ready to use his cyberarm to thump who ever is coming out the door, Billy instead sees the barrel of a pistol in his face. Some days you just can't catch a break.

Whoa! Hey, drek there chummer! Wanna put that piece away huh?
Billy holds his hands open, up where they are, a look of dumbfounded shock on his suprise, going cross eyed looking at the barrel of the gun cross eyed.

By Dog I am having the worst luck today. A fraggin bouncer got the drop on me![/i]

Billy chuckles nervously, trying to defuse the situation somewhat, and loosen the bouncer's grip on that hair trigger.

The bouncer is unimpressed with Billy's attempts at negotiation, he does however wave the gun, gesturing towards the inside of the bar and says, "Inside"

Moving to the right with his wires kicking in, Billy snaps the cybe arm forward, spurs coming out, striking for the man's hand

The bouncer was alert, ready for action and had the drop on Billy Bedlam... and simply underestimated the speed, but more so the desperation, of one over the hill street sam tonight. He pulled the trigger, multiple times, in his mind.. Click, click, click.. but his hand did not respond. Looking down his arm, his hand was still there but it had lost its grip on the gun. Between the hand and the elbow however, Billy's spur was sticking through the arm, through the bone and his arm was just not extending straight from his body anymore. It took only a split second for the pain to register with his brain.
As his mind registered the problem, he lashed out. Raising his knee awkwardly and kicking at Billy. The attack is futile. Billy blocks the attack by raising his own knee. The bouncer realizes all too well his mistakes. It is written in his face and in his eyes. Speed is life....

The spur retracts, and Billy lashes out with a backhand, swinging for the jaw line ..
Swing for the fences
4 hits

Stumbling backwards, he brings up his good arm to block the attack.

The impact rattles the bouncer, driving throw his block and off his jaw. Not quite the TKO Billy was seeking, but visibly effective none the less. Somehow, the bouncer is still on his feet.

Driving in still, pressing is advanatage, Billy's arm comes back in again. Already at head level, he grabs the bouncer by his skull, driving his face down to meet Billy's knee.

The guards is unable to successfully defend himself against the blitz of attacks. The knee busts his lip and leaves him increasingly rattled, but somehow still conscious.

Initiative 11

Damn... this guy doesn't get paid enough for this drek

Still holding the bouncer's hair, and amazed to see him still standing, Billy yanks him up again, then slams his face into the door frame. Better to put the man under than six feet under.

The bouncer's eyes cross and he slumps to the ground.

..Clean this mess up
Billy quickly drags the bouncer out of the doorway into the back alley, dropping him against the wall, trying to hold the door with his foot just in case. He gives him a brief pat down, taking his commlink, switching it off, taking his pistol, and checking the clip, then pockets it. He glances back inside the hall before entering.

The bouncer carried one extra clip, regular ammunition for his Ares Predator IV.

Through the doorway into the bar is a hallway that doubles for a storeroom/janitor's closet. The is an industrial sink, mop and broom and a variety of supplies: Toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, cases of beer. 2 meters in, the hall turns to the left leading further into the back of the establishment.

Billy grabs the spare clip first, putting it in his back pocket, then grabs a beer, popping the top, and taking a quick swig.

<<<@Sledge[Billy] A heads up for a bouncer going 'round back would have been helpful. What's the sit w / Vic? What's his 20 and how many on him?

While asking, billy threads his silencer into his spare predator, placed at the small of his back, and checks his colt on his arm slide, and again, drinks his beer.

The beer is Meister Breau, cheap piss-water excuse for beer, but far better than tap-water.

<<@Bedlam [Sledge] He's a little on edge. Watching towards the back. The other bouncer is by the front door. One more thing: He's made eye contact with one of the customers more times than I like. I think there's a third on the payroll.>>

<<< You have a cyber eye or something you can feed me a pic or three with?>>>>

Billy checks for other routes besides the obvious back, since Vic is apparently awaiting the quick return of his stooge from there.
Gotta make this fast Bill.

<<@Bedlam [Sledge] ** Initiating video feed**>>

A nipple, then a whole breast and finally two fill the AR display from Seldge. They are perfect in size and shape as only modern body sculpting can do. As the video pans out farther, Billy nearly chokes at the site of over-used, buck-toothed skanky-excuse for a female of the species they are attached to. The video then pans around to Vic, his body guard at the door, the three dancers and five patrons in the room - including one that Seldge lingers on in the end.

*Smacks head*
SHould have seen that coming. Ok, let's see what we've got here...

Billy take a moment to get a od look at the schill Vic has in place, along with the rest of the customers and the lay out It's best to know who is where if things might get hairy, and see who might be armed, and who definitely is.

As Billy watches, Vic proceeds into the VIP lounge with a ork dancer and goes out of sight.