As the signal of the matrix returns, Book drops a signal to Digger:
<<@Digger [Book] Checking in to verify you have received a payment from our current (soon to the previous) employers?>>

Tank reaches out for the signal of his vehicle and brings it towards the team as they head out. He looks towards System Error, "The trash truck able to return on Grid Guide or do we need to tail it? What about the rental van? I'm ready to close this out and get some shut eye."

I have some friends who will take things back to where they belong. He smiles lazily. Yeah, sleep sounds good right now..

-----

The response is audio only. Book can guess why. Yeah, account is ready to go. ... What did you do to blow the bonus?

The man picks up the line that his assistant assure him is not traceable.

Hello, he asks.

Here, comes the reply

Do they have it?

Yes, sir.

Has it been damaged?

Tiny is just about to check it.

Good. Let me know your assesment of this group when you get back.

Of course, sir. However, the man has alreay hung up. He is used to having his wishes carried out without question.

There is a knock at the door.

Come in. The man hardly raises his voice.

A servant opens the door and the ghostly apparition of a manifesting mage walks in and drops to a knee. Forgive me your Eminence. I failed to protect the statue.

Did you do all that you could, my son?

Yes, Eminence.

Then God will be pleased with your effort and your penance will be light. He smiles an angelic smile at the mage who then nods and fades away.

Book replies to the fixer.
<<@Digger [Book] The bonus is not blown. Darth Vader renegotiated the deal to a five day delay on paying the bonus to insure we keep extra silent for that long. Given the fact that he had way too much muscle and mana at the pickup, I decided not to press him to renegotiate us further into the red. Despite the games and politics, since he paid the principal balance and didn't simply air out the loose ends at the pickup, I imagine he'll pay up in five.>>

Book leans back, at that moment, the adrenaline gone, he is acutely aware of his wounds. He leans back in the seat and dozes off as Dalton drives them across town giving the downtown area a wide berth.

After Digger transfers the second 7,500 installment, he combines that with the 1,200 remaining from the expense money. He then transfers 2,900 to each of his partners. Looking at the remaining amount he muses to himself. Next time we need to negotiate a little harder up front. At least we still have a bonus incoming.

The next few days of nagging from Snake was quite a bit different. Snake was upset that there had been combat. Upset that Book had not been better prepared, had not planned better to insure all combat was avoided. The worst part is you're a voice in my head! Next time, you do the run and I'll be a voice in your head...

--------

Dalton on the other hand took the opportunity to spend some time with Beth. He was making good money now. The risk was a little high, but the tools were definitely rock solid. The drone definitely took him back to the days in the service. It was a far cry from a tank, but it felt good to be rigging the hardware. Good to be a member of a team, especially one he could support. When his enlistment went sour he started drinking. When he started drinking, he did stupid shit. When he got into trouble, his enlistment ended. It was a vicious downward spiral and he wasn't about to repeat it... and least he hoped not.

Day 1

News Channel WXCZ
Last night there was a disturbance at the High Museum of Art. Lone Star closed the area off to pedestrian and vehicle traffic for several hours. Lone Star had no official comment. A source in the security compay confirmed they were investigating potential criminal activity on condition of anonymity. More on this breaking story later.

Day 2

News Channel WXCZ
The High Museum of Art confirmed that there was a breakin last night at their facility and assures the public that the museum will reopen tomorrow.

Day 3

News Channel WXCZ
This just in. The local Catholic Bishop, Severus Marcus, has removed the famed statue that was the centerpiece of the current exhibit. He stated that he could not risk the statue falling into the hands of thieves.

Day 4

News Channel WXCZ
Something odd happened a few nights ago. It appears that a person or persons unknown broke into a local rental car facility and took several cars for a joyride. The owner said he is not pressing charges in the case as the cars were returned unharmed and in one case in better working order.

Day 5

News Channel WXCZ
This just in. Lone Star has brought the museum security company in for questioning regarding the recent roberies. More details at eleven.

There is a message on Book's comm.
"Reservation Confirmation would like to confirm that your payment for delivery has been recieved. Also, we have a question about your bill."

-----

Cut Scene

Staring out the window the man with the green eyes, dark hair and aquiline nose sighed. The sun rises and sets. My superiors are angry with my decision to cover up the theft but as they don't want bad publicity it will simply disappear. He looks at his newest aquisition and smiles. It truly is as exquisite as I though it would be. What next, what next?

He notices that his reflection is clear in the unmarred glass. Turning to his left, Marsden, give the glass cleaners a gift and invite them to a nice restaurant.

Will there be anything else, your Eminence?

The man smiles. In a half scolding voice he answers, I do not need that honorific right now. No, that is all for the night. Wait. Did you receive the assesment on the latest group.

Yes, sir. The two of them hired a young ork hacker. I would rate them very high on future efforts.

Very good. Have the bonus sent and give them a little something extra.

As you wish.

Five days since the run and everything seemed good. Book spent the first two days sequestered in his apartment, behind the ward. The magical residue of his spells and summonings could be used by a very powerful mage to track him down, but his lodge would serve to greatly hinder those efforts.

The news reports had been all over the place. He had even wondered if the group responsible simply took the statue back to the museum, seeing as how they were obviously affiliated with the Church in some way, shape or form. His curiosity did not cause him to leave his lodge or go anywhere near the museum though. There was a mystery here though and soon he would begin making some subtle inquiries.

<<@Digger [Book] Question? What question?>>

Hey there, kid. Looks like in addition to your agreed upon bonus, the J threw in some extra 'yen and tickets to the opera. You got a hankerin' for some culture there or is your soldier friend deciding to grow up a bit? He laughs at his own joke. Seriously, y'all must have impressed them. Come down to the Cube sometime and let's chat.

<<@Digger [Book] Tickets to the opera and extra yen...? Not sure if I'm ecstatic or terrified.. Actually, I've heard Tank prattling some Latin poetry. I think he will enjoy the opera more than I will. We'll be down tonight. What night is the opera?>>

------

<<@Tank [Book]We should go the The Cube tonight. Pick me up at eight. No escorts.>>

------

Tank rolls out of bed to great the early afternoon and stumbles across the room to 'the kitchen' and begins making a hang over express. After downing it, he picks up the message from the shaman. "Thank you lord! I'm going stir crazy."

He'd been keeping to the apartment since the run. He was pretty good about keeping quiet, but sometimes when you drink your mouth talks all on its own.

He crawled to the shower and worked on transforming back into a human. It would take a while, but Tank was dedicated to the task.

Looks like next week on the opera.

-----

The Cube is up to it's normal standard of insanity; however, the rather large bouncer waives Tank and Book into the club, much to the dismay of several attractive women standing in line.

Book walks past the bouncers, nodding as goes. He then turns around and grabs onto Dalton, who had stopped to start talking up one of the lovelies in line. "Business" is the only thing he says.

Tank looks to the shaman. He's awful damn bossy... Hell, the only thing he did was summon a few spirits to drag the statue out.. I took care of the guards outside and in. Think when this is done, perhaps we discuss a chain of command....

The duo make their way through to the bar looking for the diminutive owner. Dalton, smiling and nodding at the habitués and newcomers alike. Reaching the bartender, Book orders a sparkling water and then proceeds towards Digger's office.

Digger smiles and waves the two of them in. Come in and sit down. I have no idea why but your employer sent the 5K that you negotiated plus another K and three opera tickets. Looks like things are up for you. If you don't need anything else, get out there and spend some money on my drinks. The roguish grin says it all. Digger is in a good mood that won't be denied.

Dalton gives a "Bu-Yah!" as Digger provides the additional details.

Book notes the ticket count, "Three tickets. Looks like System is about to become a regular member of the team." He turns t to say something to Dalton only to find the face is already taking Digger's order to heart.. and liver.

As he heads back into the club, Book sends a message to Bolo, his talismonger.
<<@Bolo [Book] Looking for a sustaining foci or two. Health, possibly illusion. What's if any are available?>>

Dalton on the other hand works his way through the bar. His first pass to is determine if any of the ladies currently on his list are present and if not, find a new one to add to the list....

Dalton finds Beth among those in the club. She is drinking what looks like scotch but her friend is nowhere to be seen.

-----

The response from Bolo comes a few minutes later. <<Just caught me. I'll look into that and get back with you in couple of days.>>

-----

Dalton's AR lights up with a light green bear dancing its way across his vision. It bows to him and says, Your young ork friend says hello and to not be a stranger.

Book's AR gets a similar treatment with the bear being replaced by an anthropomorphic computer from another age.

Dalton slides in by Beth. "Well hello. Fancy meeting you here. Sorry I've been off-grid for a few days, I had a job. Transporting some sensitive cargo." He had considered walking on and casting his hook a little wider, but there was something about the gorgeous elf that drew him in; Captivated him.

As the coms light up with System's signal, Dalton drops a reply.
<<@System [Tank] Having a drink at the Cube. Say, we just got tickets for the three of us to go to the opera as well as the payoff. Including a small bonus. --[Connecting Book]-- We should all have a late lunch tomorrow to discuss it.>>
-----
<<@Bolo [Book] No problem. No rush. Just putting out feelers and getting an idea of what's available and what the going rate is.>>

He makes his way to the bar and finds an empty seat at one end. He no more than orders the microbrew of the month, than the outdated computer invades he coms. He pauses a moment trying to find a humorous reply. Before he is able to reply, he is connected to TeamNet™ with Tank.
<<@Team [Book] Late..? Already planning the hang over? System did he mention the bonus or opera yet?>>

Yeah, I scanned your comms. What's up with the opera tickets? And how exactly does the employee know about me? Anyway, late lunch sounds good to me.

-----

Beth smiles at Dalton. Do you need a moment?

Dalton smiles at Beth. "It seems that way. Can I buy you a drink?"
<<@System [Tank] Well, they did see you climb out of the truck at the drop off... >>
He looks back to Beth. "It's been a really long week, I know I need a drink..."

Beth smiles back at Dalton. No, thanks though. I was about to call it a night because I have to work tomorrow. Call me tomorrow night? She doesn't seem her normal self.

-----

<<@Tank[System]Point taken.>> If it were possible for a computer to blush, System's ridiculously out of date avatar, was doing a good job.

"Sure thing." Tank replies to Beth. Taking it as a queue he rose again, "I'll call you tomorrow afternoon."

He gave her space and time, watching her depart the club before looking for his next.... breakfast guest.
-----------------
Book on the other hand was already working his way towards the door. The crowd wasn't his scene, he preferred a small group. He liked cooking and studying. A few people around when he was doing either is ok, but not a crowd.

The evening passes and a bright day dawns over Atlanta. Around 10:00 Book gets a call from Bolo. I have a lead on some things you might want. Drop by sometime.

Tank played the night for what it was worth. He ended up cosing up to a rather dull, but attractive brunette. They ended up at her place (he was drunk, but not too drunk to think this one through) and in the middle of the night he made his way back to his apartment. She had been an enjoyable distraction, but nothing more.
----------------
Book on the other hand awoke with the sun. He had some research he was engaged in on the essence of spirits of man written by an elder shaman at the University of the Sioux Nation. When the call came in, he was long past ready for a break.

He made his way out to the street, a physical mask spell obscuring his true visage as he did every time he came or went from his doss. His paranoia about the secrecy of his home had been reinforced by the death of Lucias, his former fixer. The fact that he had a part in that by sharing some of Lucias' secrets about Don Venedica was reminded to him by today's trip. He remembered how Lucias had double-crossed him in payment the last time he'd sought foci. I should have just contacted Bolo then...

Nearly an hour later, in casual native-wear and with his own face, he was walking into Bolo's shop.

Tank's hangover is normal - but what is normal anymore?

-----

Bolo's shop is awash in activity. The too perfect faces of young men and women draped in "street" clothes, give away their corporate background. Bolo smiles at Book and grins as two of the young women decide to buy an extremely overpriced dreamcatcher. She goes on to extol the virtues of it's protective powers. After they clear out of the store she motions Book toward the back room and asks, How have things been?

As Bolo motions toward the back of the store one of the two corp girls runs back in the store and asks for another dreamcatcher. Go on back, I'll take care of this in a minute.

Dalton rolls out of bed, crawling on all-fours across the room to the kitchenette. He pulls himself up to the counter and begins mixing a hang-over express. I gotta quite this..
------
"Good." Book replies, "Very good."
He then nods to Bolo, ignoring the wanna-be's and other sycophants, taking the direction and heading to the back room.

Dalton hears and feels a solid rhythmic pounding in his head. Light and sound are not being friendly today.

-----

Book passes through a weak ward as he passes through the beaded curtain that Bolo has put over the back area.

The back area is far less cluttered than the main portion of the shop and simultaneously more real. The most interesting feature is a grandfather clock covered with a moon and stars.

A few minutes later Bolo comes in. I turned on the auto-clerk for the next few minutes. The pretenders won't know the difference and the regulars will know that I am back here talking biz. So, you wanted either a health of illusion focus? She paces the packs of crates for a few minutes before reaching in and pulling out three small objects. A miniature statue of a woman with child. It could be the Virgin Mary or Isis. The second is a bracelet that shimmers with various colors. The third is a ring of pure silver. Low health, moderate to low illusion and moderate health respectfully. These don't come cheap but I figure that you already know that. She smiles and glances up at Book.

Dalton swallows the concoction, returns the floor, cursing the day of his birth and makes on all fours towards his bed.
----------
Book gently presses through the ward. Recognizing that she created the ward he muses, Bolo is coming to her own.

After she enters and presents the items, he looks each one lovingly over. "I am surprised. I had not expected you to have these on hands...." He pauses a moment before looking his friend in the eye with a gentle smile, "You are full of surprises today. He looks the items over again, sensing the power of the ring. "This one interests me."

Bolo smiles in return. I assume you mean the ward? Yeah, I have been working on that for a while now. It just seemed appropriate somehow. I didn't actually have these on hand - they were passing through the area and the final buyer agreed to let me show them before taking delivery. I've done enough work for ... this client ... in the past that they owed me one.

Glancing at the ring, she smiles. I actually know of the craftsman who made this one. The reputation is nothing but good. What would you like to know about it?

Book continues to fondle the ring, then looks back to Bolo. "Since you know the lineage of the ring, the big remaining question seems to revolve around my ability to come to an equitable financial arrangement." He winced a little inside, She found them a little lot quicker than I expected. Checking his account balance, he braces for her figure.

The ring is around 30 grand. I could probably let the figurine go for 8.

Book sets the ring down and looks back to Bolo, "I am very interested in the ring, but that amount is currently beyond me. I might have more work lined up that might put it in reach however." He looks over at the statue. "Regrettably, that statue will do little good for my needs."

Bolo smiles. Like I said, it was passing through and the buyer owes me a favor. I'll have something else eventually. Now that I know you are in the market, I'll keep my ears open. You want me to ask around?

-----

The Atlanta Opera welcomes you to tonights performance of The Marriage of Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Tonights performance will be sung in the original Italian; however, electronic translations to seven different languages are available. Please allow the house to access your PAN with direct ordering information.

The three of you find yourselves in back-left of the floor aisle. They are not great seats but very good ones. The first two Acts pass without incident. A porter delivers a handwritten, gold leaf note that says, Good help is so hard to find. I look forward to working with you again. Please feel free to enjoy the rest of the opera.

-----

Cut scene

The bishop sits in his private both on the right and enjoys the opera. His retainer motions to the seats where the team are sitting and whispers, They are the ones, emminence.

The bishop pulls a note from his coat. Very good. Give this to them at intermission.

As you wish.

Book replies to Bolo, "The ring is right down the line of what I am looking for. I am continually impressed by your connections." He pauses a moment then finishes, "Now that I know the price range I'm looking at and you ability to get a hold of it" he winks, "I'll let you know when I'm closer."

He thanks her for the time and finishes the meeting with small talk before taking his leave.
--------------
Mid-afternoon Dalton finally pulls himself back into the world. After he gets some food into his system and becomes fully coherent he heads out. Today's task is a new comlink.
--------------
The day of the opera, Tank picks up his two teammates and heads out. Book insures that each have appropriate clothing with his Fashion spell. Once inside, Book is amazed that of the three, Dalton actually enjoys the opera.
--------------
When the note arrives, Book shows it to the other two. He decides its times to take a look around and shifts his perceptions to the astral and looks to see what, if anything, is waiting there.

Book is greeted by a bright collection of auras. The orchestra has a few Awakened among their ranks. There are watcher spirits flying around everywhere. There are even a few low force spirits guarding their masters. The Opera has several high force spirits overseeing the entire affair.

Looking around the room, Book finds the expected assembly of spirits. I was really hoping to leave here early. Unlike many other shamans, Book just isn't one of the artsy-fartsy types. He much prefers to sit back with a good book and a good beer.

Dalton on the other hand finds himself taken back to his childhood. Even though the opera is in Italian, it reminds him of the culturing his mother strove to instill in him as a youth. She made him take classic guitar lessons and learn to read Latin poetry. He despised her for doing it and then missed it when she was gone. He engrossed himself in the song of the moment, closing his eyes thinking of the one time his mother had taken him to see an opera.

He was nine at the time and hated it at first. By the second act, his mother was crying. While he didn't understand it at the time, it was one of those things that stuck with him and showed him a new side of her. She was always a deep person. Always striving to learn more, to embrace fine arts. To be a better person.

Sitting there, watching this opera, he reconnected to that moment. Reflected on the lessons she tried to teach. While he had not become the man she might have wanted him to be, he was proud of the fact his team specialized in non-lethal methods. The weight of his whiskey flask in his pocket suddenly felt like the weight of the world in his pocket. His mother hated how much his father drank and after she died he drank even more. Dalton, twelve at the time, would then sneak the bottle after his father passed out..

Sitting there, the fat lady singing, Dalton reflected deeply on his life. The successes and the failures. The woman who had most shaped who he was and whose absence had most shaped who he had became. I need a drink

As the opera ended and the lights come up in the auditorium an trio, two humans and an ork, slid out of their seats and into the isle. The only marking of their passing a few tears and a whiskey flask.

The next week passes in relative quiet for the group. The sound of the comm sallies forth around 1900 one evening.

The message is from Digger. Hey kids, I have something you might be interested in. Come down to the Cube later tonight.

As the trio leaves the opera, Book keeps looking all around. Getting in the vehicle without having further contact, he feels as though they missed something or failed in some test.

The ride home is quiet as Dalton is caught up in the fleeting memories stirred up by the opera and Book remains focused on replaying the evening and the sole contact. He looks the paper note over again, Good help is so hard to find. I look forward to working with you again. Please feel free to enjoy the rest of the opera.
--------------
As the days pass, Dalton splits his time between the Fire Cracker, Beth and The Cube. He doesn't miss the fact that that he isn't working and the days pass in mostly a lull for him. He was already planning to head to the The Cube when the message comes in from Digger.
--------------
For Book, the passing days without further contact nag at him. They pass slowly as he tries to occupy his time reading... studying. When the call comes in from Digger, he is ready hours early, pacing until the time to meet Tank and System.

The Cube is at a more frenzied pace than ever. It even takes the normal bouncer about fifteen minutes to notice the trio and wave them to the front of the line. Two Lone Star Officers in uniform are sitting near the front eying the crowd near the stage where a svelte elf sings while two shapely orks sing backup. The Cube - always at capacity - is running well over what most bribed fire inspectors would consider acceptable. Apparently, Digger has done it again. He somehow booked one of the best new acts in the music scene.

The trio mills toward the back and is assaulted by the smell of differing perfumes and the order of body and sweat. The private Matrix node that is the Cube is overwhelmed by the amount of AR spam flying in from every corner. Despite repeated advertisements for different drugs - both chemical and electrical - the Lone Star Officers don't seem to care.

Digger appears from nowhere and grabs the trio and herds them toward his office. Even with the door closed it is hard to hear. At least the AR spam is gone.

Glad you could make it! Isn't Trinity great?!? You wouldn't believe the bribes I had to pay to keep them from shutting me down tonight. Digger almost seems giddy, if that were possible for the dwarf. There is someone I want you to meet. He has a job offer for you but he is a bit different so don't go sideways on me. He opens the door and admits a human male in a suit. He reeks of law enforcement.

Good evening ... Gentlemen. The word comes with some difficulty. You can call me Lieutenant Johnson and I have a job offer.

Impressive crowd. Book thinks as they approach. The beat of the music from within permeates the very air and causes Book to begin moving to the beat. Dalton also begins to gyrate as they move through the crowd. He smiles, making eye contact and even momentary conversation with the throngs of beautiful women waiting to enter. Book keeps pushing him along before any of their escort have time to take offense. By the time they reach the mountainous troll currently acting as the front door, Book is done serving as chaperon. If the troll had not recognized them and ushered them in so quickly, he was going to tell Dalton that.

As the AR spam increases, Book simply turns his com off while Dalton turns up the filters. For Dalton, the smells of the club are a familiar smell. They are comforting and tell his subconscious he is in his element. For Book, the feeling is the opposite. The closeness of all these people makes him feel uncomfortable and he breaths an audible sigh of relief when Digger appears, directing them to his office.

Digger smiles a knowing smile when Digger mentions the bribes, "Why do I think that they pale in comparison?"

As the duo turn to face the lieutenant, almost in unison they raise an eyebrow. It is Book who speaks first, "Good evening Lieutenant Johnson. Please. Tell us more."

Digger smiles back at book and rubs his thumb into his first two fingers when the bribes are mentioned.

Lieutenant Johnson smiles. I will keep this short. Digger will you be kind enough to wait outside? Digger complies. Now. I have reason to believe that the son of my Captain is responsible for a string of burglaries in my patrol area. Also, to be blunt, I am tired of his crap. I want information that will point the finger at his son. It must not be traced back to me - that must be clear up front. If you can ... find ... evidence that links the Captain himself to the drug trade, then I will ensure that you receive a favor in the future. Otherwise, the pay is three grand now with the balance of seven when the work is done. This is for the whole job, not each. Also, I need this done by the end of the week. Do we have a deal?

As the corrupt bureaucrat weaves his web of sin and death, Book's stomach bottoms out. I'm gonna turn that little dwarf into a friggin' toad.... Then I'm gonna quicken the spell.

A little more devious and a lot more a child of the streets, Tank sees opportunity in the words. Having a Police Lieutenant owing a man a favor would be a good thing to have.. Tank, bolstered by the prospects, attempts to parley up the ante. "Ten. That's a very respectable start. You've come to us 'cause we have a rep for getting things done and getting them done in a crunch... But expenses run high on these jobs and the cost of not spending the money in the right places... Well that leads to less than perfect results. Assuming everything is straight forward, closer to perfect results is closer to twenty. Seeing as how we are friends and all, with favorssss on the table, we are definitely willing to cut the profit out and work for fifteen."

Book couldn't decide if Dalton was just schizophrenic and occasionally let his other personality just come out to play or if the drunk times are just a clever act. In either case, he realized they screwed up and could not turn down the offer. That would be a death sentence. They already knew too much. The only question now if how to gain enough leverage on the Lieutenant to either insure they all stay alive or he disappears... Much like Lucias did. He turned, looking for the cops response.

The Lieutenant looked a little uncomfortable. The dwarf warned me that you drove a hard bargain. He strokes his chin for a moment. Ok, you have a deal. He hands over a chip and adds, The starting point. Without another word, he turns and walks out.

Digger comes back in and asks, So, what are you doing for the Lieutenant? He looks nervous himself.

Book turns Tank as the Lieutenant leaves, about to speak as Digger joins them. Instead he speaks to the dwarf, "What in the world was that?" He is a little cross over the situation and seeing the dwarf ill at ease confirms at least some of his fears. "We are deniable assets. Since when did that include expendable as well?"

Digger almost looks hurt by the accusation. Hey, look. I was thinking that he needed information about his precinct - I never thought that he would come after you guys. But when he asked me to step outside. Digger looks defeated. Look, he keeps the worst off my back with the Cube, the least I can do is make introductions when he asks for them.

There is a pause where is looks like Digger is going to be sick. Defeated he adds, Look, just tell me what you want and I'll make it happen.

Tank is insure about the conversation. Right now he's pretty pleased with the outcome.

Book on the other hand feels a little vindicated. He knows at least enough that he has to keep from alienating the fixer as well. "He has delusions of grandeur and has decided that we are the means to that end. First question is: How straight a shooter is this guy? Will he stick by the deal or will he consider us a liability when its all said and done?"

With that Tank catches up to Book's thinking, at least thinking past the payoff. "Awe holy hell... I nevr even considered-. How do you get a leg up on a guy like that?"

Book turns to Tank, "Everyone has skeletons.... Everyone." He then turns back to the dwarf to get the answers to his questions.

It appears that System has melted back into the shadows of the office.

Digger shrugs. Well ... I suppose that you all saw the lively trade in chemical and electrical courage out there tonight. The good lieutenant and his boys have been known to organize a few things before. As far as your other question, he has also shot straight with me. However, I don't suppose that I would have heard of those that he doesn't deal fairly with now would I? He pulls at the collar of his shirt. That's all I know.

There is a knock on the door. A large troll slides into the compact office and whispers (poorly) to Digger The fire inspector is here.

Digger turns to the group and says, You may want to slip out the back. I'll keep in touch. He turns and follows the troll back toward the front of the club.

The duo listen as the dwarf elaborates on his dilemma. Book thought that the dwarf was better connected and would have had more information, but takes the Digger at his word.

Book nods as Digger follows the troll toward the next bureaucrat requiring a bribe. Tank thanks him, "Thanks Digger. We'll look into this and get back with you."

Tank then turns to his two teammates. "Shall we make our exit?" As the trio walk for the door he continues, "I'm thinking we start by hitting the grid for information on this kid-"

Book interjects, "We should start by feeling the waters on our Johnson first. Before I cross a bigger fish, I want to make sure that the fish we are working with is not gonna frell us over. I have a few contacts to work. I suggest that you do the same Tank." Turning to the ork, "System, if you can discreetly check the matrix blogs and shadow sites for some details on this guy. We need to now who he is. Being a public figure, he should be easy to get the basics on... And what's on that chip?"

System Error takes a deep breath. I don't know what Digger has against wireless but that office might as well be a coffin as far as I'm concerned. The chip. Hmmm. Let me borrow a commlink. Taking Tank's without comment, he slots the chip and while his eyes glaze over, he comments. Appears to be a datafile on everything the good Lieutenant has found, dug up and fabricated on the son. Known associates, meeting times, dealers, suppliers etc. He pauses for a minute and then adds, You know, I get the feeling that this may be more about who gets a bigger share of the drug trade than his supposed beef with the boss. I'll give this a second go later and let you know if anything else comes up. As to the other, you'll need to give me a day, maybe two, before I have something good. I get the feeling that I will have to take extra care and may need to use some less traveled routes to get the information. He seems to twist in a non-existent breeze. No offense, but I need to jet.

Two days later, System Error's calling card comes to visit, literally. The too real program is an anthropomorphic Jack of Spades. Please come by the Cube around lunch. Your friend is hungry and has information. The cards then shuffles itself into a previously non-existent deck of cards and disappears from view.

-----

Lunch finds System Error waiting in the parking lot of the Cube with bags of real ribs and some real soda. He is moving stiffly and has a black eye. He gets in the vehicle but doesn't explain his injuries. Instead he launches into an explanation of his findings.

Anyone would be hard tasked to follow my tracks so I can share without worry. The good lieutenant has a positive public record. The basic matrix site for the Star makes him out to be the local hero - all the pomp and circumstance you would expect for someone like him. If you dig a little deeper into the layers, he has a few complaints from SINers that have been explained away as misunderstandings. After parking tickets and the like were taken care of. That sort of thing. A little deeper reveals that his internal jacket shows complaints of lack of discipline, failure to take command in an emergency, subordination, and overstepping his authority. He pauses to rub his knee. I took a look at a few shadow sites as well I got what I could. It appears that my initial read was correct. He has a history of working both sides of the law. Protection and drug deals mostly. No prostitution that I could find, though he enjoys a freebie now and then. I didn't find any shadows and his shadow rep seems solid. If he says it we can probably trust it. System takes a moment to clear his throat, eat another rib and down it with soda.

His boss, on the other hand ... what can't I say. Decorated for this, that and the other - a real public relations hero. However, the shadow world tells a different story. There is no proof of anything that can be tied to him directly, of course. The word is that this guys sets up runner teams against corp sec. or other teams for fun. Then holds bets on the outcome. He runs it all - prostitution, drugs, hard core BTL ... even slavery - if the reports are true. He pauses for a moment. I want this bastard. Even if the lieutenant is evil, he isn't this slime. Honestly, I think the kid is more of a patsy. I don't think the lieutenant has the balls to go after this guy directly. He swallows another gulp of soda before continuing, The kid appears to be small time in his dad's organization. The chip had most of what I found on him and nothing jumped out at me.

It is obvious that this has taken a toll on System and he leans back into the seat awaiting a response.

For Dalton, the next two days of downtime give him too much time on his hands. The very next day he finds himself at the Cube. By some unknown blessing he is able to get himself and his companion du jour into his ride and initiate the auto-pilot to get home.

Yesterday was a little different. The guilt set in. He had not wanted to go out drinking. He'd not wanted to end up in bed in another nameless encounter.

This morning was yet another day. He'd woken wondering if the day would be another decent into a glass or if he'd actually resemble a human today. When the call came in from System, he clung to the message as if a guardian angel had sent it. He had a reason to stay out of the bottle.. at least for a few hours.
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Book's dilemma while waiting is similar to Dalton's, just not nearly as extreme. Always a loner, Eric mixes well enough when he chooses to, he simply just doesn't like very many people. The day after meeting the Lieutenant, he wakes up early and heads out. He walks through two different malls, observing people. Towards the end of each day he looks for a pub. Friendly places with micro-brews and pool.

The first day is a wash. Nothing and no one new. The second day however has potential.....
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Sober for a day when he picks them up, Tank is taken aback by System's appearance. He looks like I usually feel...

Book is the first to reply, "That is great. Looks like we are full well a go without having to go into uber-paranoia mode. Guess its time to start our surveillance of the kid and figure out how much of our work he has done for us already-"

Tank injects, "Ok, I gotta know... What happened to you?"