<<@System [Book] Thanks.>>

<<@Tank [Book] Got an issue. Need some physical security consultation. [- GPS ARO -] I've attached my location. This one is personal.>>

He places his hand back on Bolo's shoulder. He thinks to give her details, then realizes he has no idea if the place is bugged. "Let's go get a cup of soycaf." Mom always says, good conversations always occur over a cup of coffee... Too bad coffee is hard to find and so expensive...

"Just lock up for a little bit and we'll step out and grab a cup."

============

Dalton wrinkles an eyebrow. These mystic guys are always 'in time'. Pah! "Ok. You know where I'll be soon enough."

Unceremoniously, he rises and heads into the building to locate a viable entrance point through one of the warehouse doors and a viable place to park his ride. He also looks with a mind to either a room nearby he can secure or space he can construct a room in the warehouse area.

When Book's call comes in, he frowns. I've got things I need to do... But I'm gonna need his help before this is done and he is pretty good about pulling the job out of fire.

<<Book [Tank] On my way. >>

She dries her eyes and stands up almost as if she is on autopilot. "Coffee would be good. I can do that. Let me get my purse."

Once ready, she allows Book to lead her out.

Not far down the street there is a little shop specializing in soycaf.

-----

Shortly after leaving the shaman's tent Tank is able to easily find an old maintenance bay with a rolling door and a disused office. Neither is clean but both are free of other squatters.

Traffic is intense as Tank drives across town. The light rain falling doesn't help speed or visibility. He is able to reach Bolo's shop around 45 minutes later.

As she gathers her purse, Book summons a short term watcher. "Watch over this storm, quietly alert me if anyone enters while we are gone." The old man then escorts the talismonger down the street to the soycaf shack. He opens the door for her, motioning for her to enter and follows her in.

With the motion comes forth another short term watcher on the astral. "Wonder about in sight of me. Let me know of anyone who takes a sustained interest in us."

A few minutes later they are sipping soycaf-mochas. "My team is now involved. We'll know soon if there is an issue with your matrix node and one of my team mates is inbound." The old man takes a sip, smiling to reassure her. "Tell me more of these men. Surely the did not just threaten to kill you without offering some way into their graces? Something they wanted or wanted you not to do?"

She just shakes her head and looks at Book. "I ... I have to confess that I did something stupid. I borrowed money from Death's Hand and I can't pay it back. They are looking for the money that I don't have. I don't know what to do. I'm sorry that I dragged you into this."

Now the truth comes out.... His elbows on the table, the old man cups his hands and leans his chin on edge. "Let's worry about that later. I'm here how. How much did you borrow and how much do you owe?"

"I borrowed 30 grand but now I'm in for about 50." Her head drops again. "How am I supposed to pay that back?"

The watcher begins flagging Book from the corner of his vision. It is hovering over a couple who are looking from Book to the crying Bolo and back.

The old man extends a finger and begins tapping it on his lip as he thinks. He notices the watcher garnering for his attention, then the couple. "First thing you need to do is to relax; Calm down." The old man turns to the staring couple and stares back, till he shames the couple into minding their own business.

He then turns back to the distraught talismonger. "I won't even ask why you would do such a thing. We are here now, time to deal with the present. How much can you come up with?"

"That's just it. I don't really have anything. It's all go ...." She coughs and tries - poorly - to hide her wayward sentence.

"What I mean is, I can only come up with about five grand right now. If you buy that sustaining focus then I'll have more. I think I can let it go for thirty grand but I have a line on a buyer if you can't make that."

She starts twisting her hands and the tears begin again. "Oh, what am I doing. I would normally try to give you a discount and now I am playing hardball with you. I just ... I just need the money."

Book listens as Bolo continues to slowly add details. He considers making her an offer on dealing with the thugs.. But she did get herself into this and I have enough enemies at the moment. He continues to ponder as she continues. This is a side of her he was not used to seeing. "I guess you have some choices to make. I could simply buy the focus from you and you could pool that towards getting these sharks off your back while you put the rest together."

He takes a sip, letting that soak in. "My team could mediate to work out an arrangement that is more amicable."

Again he pauses, taking another small sip before continuing. "Or as a last resort, we could work to simply erase your marker. The latter choice could bring unforeseen repercussions though. So you have options. What is your preference?"

There is a glint of hope in her eyes as she answers. "If you want the focus, that would be the best start possible. But do you think that we can work out a better arrangement on top of the sale?"

The distraction of maintaining the spell was now starting to annoy Book. It's times like these that I wish I had a plethora of sustaining foci. "What are you proposing?"

"Well, if you buy the focus for thirty, that will be my orginal debt. Do you think we could we negociate the remaining twenty down from there?"

The glint of hope seems to be growing. It now would be better described as a glimmer.

That glimmer seems to be based upon his account balance and that caused him to wince, only the physical mask kept Bolo from seeing that. "So you're proposing that I pay full street value, then convince my team to get in the middle of a mess of your making?" The statement had probably came out a little more harshly than he had intended, but the truth is the truth.

"If we intercede, even just to negotiate, the team is going to incur expenses; Missed opportunities, out of pocket costs and a threat potential, just to name a few. I consider you a friend and I want to hep you out, but we have rent to pay also and this is what we do- professionally."

He takes another drink to think this through a little more.

"I need more details. Why did you borrow the money? And how did the debt hit 50k? What were the terms you agreed to?"

Bolo drops her head in embarrassment. She seems horrified when Tank asks about what she used the money for. Swallowing hard she continues, "OK. I have family in desperate need of medical care and I had to do something. I thought I had a sale lined up so I took the worst terms for the most amount of money. When the sale fell through, I got hit with some serious interest."

She slowly lifts her head again and says, "I'm sorry that I asked too much of you and others. I'll take whatever help I can get."

Another wince. Health care for a family member. Snake was happy. It had a secret, but it wanted more.

"Alright. Give me the five and the focus and we'll have a discussion with your lenders. I can't guarantee you won't still owe them fifteen, but we should be able to convince them to use a kinder, gentler approach. When do you expect to see them again?"

Her face lights up with near wonder. She almost screams, "Thank you, thank you, thank you! I don't know how to repay you. Oh, Book, you're a life saver."

Regaining a small bit of her composure, she continues, in a quieter voice, "Here is the information they gave me. An ARO is pushed from her avatar to Book's."

Book looks over the information on the ARO. Truth be known she got herself into this scrape. He finishes his drink, timing to Tank's arrival. He heads out as the cruiser is pulling down the street, opening the back door for Bolo before climbing in the front. "Hey Tank. I need you to sweep her place. Check for bug, listening devices, etc. I'm not sure they will go to that much effort, but better safe than sorry."

Without a word, Tank starts with Bolo. He parks by the coffee house, pulls a ball cap down on his face and heads down the street. After Bolo unlocks the door, he slips in, cap obscuring his face. He then ducks to the side, pulling his mask over his face before beginning. "Keep the store closed for a few minutes."

Tank is quickly able to check the place over. He finds a few RFID tags from random products littered around the store and a few that look like they might belong to Bolo. Ultimately, the store appears clean.

Bolo looks anxious as Tank sweeps the area and as soon as he relaxes she asks, "Did you find anything?"

About the same time, System sends a text message directly to Book.

<<@ Book [System] Looks like they have a trace on her bank account. If she tries to pay out or gets money in, they know when, how much, and from (or to) where. That's all I can find.>>

Tank shakes his head. "Looks clean." He pulls off the mask and heads towards the door, stopped to question Book. "Anything else?"

"No." The shaman replies. "Thanks. Wait. Yes. We need to make a delivery and try to negotiate a change in terms."

"I assume you mean 'aggressive' negotiations?" Tank smirks.

"I hope not. We will make a significant payment. That should smooth things over."
<<@System [Book] Thanks>>

Book looks over the contact ARO again.

As he reviews the ARO again, Book finds a contact number "for emergency use" and a dead-letter matrix account. One of the goons - the big one - apparently goes by the name Mad Dog.

Book decides to play it chill for now.
<<@Team [Book] Tank - Place a camera overlooking the floor. System - Can you link a video feed from that into TeamNet?>>
He then talks to Bolo, "They will be back in two days to collect. I will return then and meet with them. Keep your 5k in your account. I will need the foci." He proceeds to collect it while Tank places the camera.

Once completed, the duo leave.

<<@ Book [System] Done.>>

As the duo leases, Bolo sends them away with some homemade cookies and an outpouring of thanks.

The duo finds the next day uneventful. They receive an somewhat cryptic note from System.

<<@ Team [System] Taking a trip to the Realms. If I don't see you in a few days, come get me.>>

-----

The evening of the first day as Tank is framing in his living space, Sticks walks in. "Coyote is ready for you now. Come with me for your vision quest." He is holding a robe and some foul smelling liquid in a cup.

Book looks to the note and the unfortunate timing of it. Looks like we'll deal with this without matrix support.

During the quiet day, Book binds his new foci. I might just need this tomorrow. After the three hour ritual, he spends the rest of the day reading a book and taking some R&R.

=========

Dalton look from the frame to the mystic to the frame and back to the cup. Great. First day here and I'm gonna let crazy guy poison me.

He puts the tools back in his cruiser and locks it, then follows Sticks. "So... What's with the cup o' suff?"

Sticks just smiles as he says, "This will aid you on your journey to the spirit world."

He continues heading for a dark part of the building that Tank knows is at least partially flooded.

Unsure about the situation, the normally unflappable adept decides it is time to add his own feed to team net. He links his com signal through the cruiser in case the lower levels conflict with his ability to link up with the outside world. He then puts his fly-spy aloft, following them. The audio and video feed streaming to Teamnet. "Smells kinda damp down here. This gonna be a swimming test?" Regardless, he follows.
=====
Across the city, Book sees a second AR window open up on team net. He sees the AR signature of Tank and the drone switching between the camera and thermographic sensors, as the lighting requires. Now what?

The old man says nothing but grins at Tank's question. Once they reach the lower level, a tent comes into view. The smoke curling up from the center area smells sweet and slightly of peppermint. Sticks drinks a big gulp of the foul smelling liquid and offers the cup to Tank. Once Tank takes the cup, Sticks begins to strip down to bare skin.

"Those who seek the blessings of Coyote, come forth and submit yourself to his tests."

Sticks then enters the tent.

Dalton raises an eyebrow as Sticks starts stripping. This ain't turning out to be my type of party

Eric, watching the feed, erupts into laughter imagining the things going through the adept's mind right about now.

None the less, Dalton takes a swig of the nasty concoction. "Whew! Tastes like Greasy Eddie's engine block hooch." He turns control of the drone over to Book, proceeds to strip to his boxers and follows the crazy man into the tent. I wake up feeling like the Dingle-Sisters had their way with me, someone is gonna get seriously frelled up.

The Dingle-Sisters having been the stars of Rocky Horror Picture Reunion 2065.

Once inside the tent Tank finds Sticks seated cross-legged on the floor cover with some type of animal skin. At fist glace, his instinct to assume synthetic but it feels real. The smoke billows up from the fire pit and the peppermint smell is maintain by a bundle green herbs placed in the fire. The bronze fire pit keeps the coals from spilling everywhere; however, touching it would obviously cause a burn. Despite the heat he feels on his face Tank is calm.

Sticks erupts in a song of an unknown language with his hands held above his head. After a few minutes he ceases and folds his arms.

"Are you ready, young one?"

Tank hears the voice as if it is as the end of a deep tunnel. He notices that his body is over there while he is here. Standing near him is Sticks in traditional Amerind garb.

"We need to be going, young pup. Let us not keep Coyote waiting."

Not sure if it is the effects of the drink, the smoke or just his senses playing tricks on him, Tank decides sitting is the best option at this point as well. He closes his mind for a moment, afloat in the calming feeling that has washed over his body. No runs here. No dead fixers... Just a crazy black guy in his underwear.... Why doesn't that seem to both me? Who cares? The song brings his focus back to the room.

On the other side of the city, Book has put down the novel and has begun taking notes, tagging time slices of the video.

Looking side to side, Dalton tilts his head, wondering if he is in some sort trip going bad. He gets up and heads over to Sticks that is talking to him. Ok. Where are the hidden cameras? This is and episode of PunkED!... Right?

"Let's go young pup. Grab my arm.

As Tank grabs Sticks' arm he feels like he is being squeezed sideways and then he can see the sky. It is clear. At least it passes for clear these days. Soon, he finds himself in a grassy clearing surrounded by a forest. There is a large, elaborate tent offset from the center of the clearing with pure white smoke coming from it. The flap is open and Sticks is gesturing toward the opening.

-----

Although still recording, Book is left staring a the limp bodies of the two men.

Tank follows with a wide eyed amazement. This is one trippy trip!

He looks to the sky and stands for a moment then around to the forest. Finally, he approaches the tent and follows Sticks in.

=========

Book becomes concerned when they collapse, staying only as he here's the gentle hissing of snake. Secrets. Yes, this is something different.

As Tank bends down to enter the tent he is left with the very immediate feeling of being alone. Sticks is no where to be found.

Close to the center of the tent but on the opposite side of the fire is a dog-like animal much larger than most un-modified dogs. Despite the completely animal appearance there is a human-like intelligence behind the yellow eyes.

The coyote speaks, "I am Coyote. How are you known, pup?"

"I- Uh- Tank. Most people call me Tank." As long as this trip doesn't turn into spiders and gore, I want more of that stuff

The large dog-like creature - Coyote, Tank reminds himself - tilts his head to the side and almost grins. "Tank. An unusual name for an unusual person. Tell me: however did you come up with the idea to flatten the commandant's house? That was a good one. It was the one that brought you to my attention."

Coyote sits back and waits for Tank's response.

"He- Wait, how did you...?" He then remembers this is just a drug induced hallucination. "Yea. He was a dick. Look, I'm a bad guy. I've done lots of bad things, but he KNEW there were women and kids living in those *abandoned* buildings.... and he sent us in with orders to clear it. I fired rounds into those buildings. Tank rounds. And I rolled that sixty-five ton tank right on through.... I figured turn about was fair play to roll it into his house as well."

"Ah. Nevertheless, you could have killed him but you opted to destroy something of value in his place. You are less evil than you believe. Nevertheless, you do well not to fool yourself - all have that capacity.

Coyote pauses for a moment to allow the words to sink in. Then he smiles - for lack of a better word.

"Now, it simply won't do for a trickster to be tricked. Even by himself. What you see around you is real. At least as real as the Astral Plane (as you mortals call it) allows it to be. You may ask me any question you would like."

Perhaps he is mistaken but Tank would swear that Coyote is almost smirking.

Tank is beginning to come to grips with the fact that this is real... or at least his current reality. He listen to Coyote. When queried, he responds. "Why am I here? What is it that you can do for me? Or I for you?"

"Right to the point. I suppose warriors never change. You must learn to be crafty - tricky if you prefer - for that is the way of those I choose. I would bestow my wisdom if you would have it. From time to time, I will ask you to resolve something to the benefit of the weak or to humble the proud. Will you place this requirement on yourself? Will you do so willingly? I will have none who would chaff under my care/command."

The last word in his speech is more felt than heard. There is more than 'care' and less than 'command' in the word but enough of both to make the concept a bit confusing.

Coyote sits up and waits for Tank's response.

Dalton rubbed his chin. Surely not something I was expecting, but neither was I expecting to be here... Where ever here is.

He looks into the eyes of the coyote, gleaming and glistening despite the lack of a light source to reflect off of them. "I've never really been the toe-to-toe type of guy and I sure as hell hate to see the little guy get the shit kicked out of him." He rubbed the stubble on his chin again. "Book's always trying to get me to read more and get smarter. I've always thought wisdom was better than reading types of learning. Sure. What's first?"

Coyote grins. "You'll know."

Coyote and the tent seem to fade away and Tank sees Digger chained to a chair taking to a man in shadow. The shadow seems to want information that Digger doesn't have. It could be his imagination but the links in the chain appear to be a mix of paper, electronic files, smoke and other nonsensical things.

Tank finds himself waking up in the tent with Sticks sitting, staring at him.

"Welcome back, pup. You'll learn what it all meant in due time. Just learn to listen."

Sticks picks up a jug of water and offers it to Tank. "Drink up. You'll have one hell of a headache tomorrow."

-----

Book sees the other man wake up. He leaves the tent and returns with water. Several minutes later, Tank wakes up.

Book watches the scene continue to unfold over the fly-spy. Sticks words convinced the shaman that more than met the eye was in play here... and snake is hissing in the background of his mind.

------

"For the moment, I know enough to know there is something to do." He takes the drink and tries to shake the grogginess off. He looks around for the fly-spy he knows is somewhere. "There is a certain dwarf we thought was dead that needs some help."

------

Book jerks up in his seat, no longer distracted by snake.

------

Tank gets up, heading for the door, calling back to to Sticks. "I'll be back soon. Now I'm curious, but there is something I must do."

Grabbing his com and his clothes, he reflects on what he's just seen.

"No one can last forever. Everyone breaks eventually." The grizzly, old, ork sergeant barked at the troops. He paced a few steps before continuing. "They will come at you in ways you cannot even imagine. The best you can hope is that you will be rescued before you break." He turned and looked sternly at the troops. "Once you do, they will probably kill you. If they don't, you'll surely wish they would have." He turned and began to pace again as he spoke. "Your duty is to make every attempt to escape. You will not accept aid, nor comfort from your captors."

The scene played in his mind; It had made an impression. Right now it drove him to action even if he had no plan.

Sticks smiles a wise smile as Tank leaves.

He quickly finds himself in his vehichle heading toward ... where exactly was he headed? He wasn't sure but he now began to think about it. He contacts Book and convinces the shaman to head over to the Cube with him.

-----

Book is somewhat surprised by Tank's call but the lure of secrets unknown proves a pull greater than the shaman can resist. In short order he finds himself at the Cube.

If Digger had died that was one thing, but I don't leave a man behind. Dalton turned the driving over to the cruiser's auto pilot.

When everything is falling apart, go back to the beginning. Go back to the start.

For Dalton that means the Cube.

------

Book wasn't sure what to make of Tank, but the shaman has a very small circle; One of those in that circle needed his help. He knew someday the shoes might change feet. Digger always does seem to be getting himself in over his head.

On the ride between Book's neighborhood and the Cube, Book asked the adept about the morning. I swear that sounds like a meta-planar trip!! Book is baffled. If his suspicions are true, he's very glad Tank chose not to oppose Sticks and now understands why the gangers have not removed him themselves. No doubt they have tried.

As they arrive at the Cube, neither is sure what they will find.

Given the violence, the Cube is quiet. Normally, quiet at the Cube is cracking at many clubs; however, it is truly quiet. The normal bouncer notices Tank and Book and looks around as if expecting a third person to follow behind. He opens the door and motions them in.

"Get the bastards who did this. Digger may have been a bastard too, but at least he was our bastard."

The club is virtually empty with a few people milling around looking lost. Book recognizes a few of them as employees.

While Tank proceeds in, Book stops at the bouncer. "Who is managing the bar now?"

"Nobody knows. We all got these weird comm messages to report for work that were signed by The Management. Not much else I can tell you. LS isn't gonna let us open until they finish their investigation, whenever the hell that will be."

Book is somewhat surprised as this is the most he has ever heard the bouncer say at one time.

Book looks past the bouncer to the people milling around. "If you're not allowed to open.... Who are they?"

Tank meanwhile meanders into the bar and looks around. He has it in his mind that he will just find a clue, like in the Sherwick Holmer, Investigator! sims. His eyes pass over each person, staff or patron as if one of them will have a hidden sign "Next clue here".

With a sly grin, the bouncer adds, "Just cause we can't open doesn't mean we can't interview does it officer?"

Book returns the bouncer's smile, "Carry on." Then the shaman proceeds on into the bar, straight to the bathroom and into a stall. There, he calls for the most powerful spirit of man he dares. The spirit of man rises from the toilet in power and fury. Book wrestles the nearly indomitable spirit for several long seconds. He begins to loose control of the obstinate spirit. Their battle of the wills draws heavy on Book, forcing the shaman to his knees.

The spirit takes the form of a troll bouncer, reaching out with its long arms to strangle the shaman for his impudence at having summon the spirit to this realm. Finally, Book is able reach up and grab the troll's hands and push them apart. His hands never actually touch the spirit's, the power of his will instead pushing them apart. Book finally is able to stand and stares down the spirit. "I have a task that I require of you. Simply one. Find Digger"