Book returns to his body. "Ok. Same as it was, lets get it." He disregards his gut telling him that the area is too heavily warded. Overkill is a sign of the paranoid.

Tank raises a hand. "Security is just too light. Run down neighborhood.. Just one guard watching porn. There should be cameras at least. We need a view inside. We need to scout the buildings on the perimeter."

"Now who's being para-" Book pauses in mid-sentence, then frowns. "Ok. Perhaps you have a point. There is an inconsistency. There is a lot of warding. Too much not to be augmented by some cameras at least."

Tank moves the fly-spy into a wider pattern, starting with the school, then moving around the buildings bordering the airport. "I'm searching the neighborhood first." He turns to System, "Can you start scanning for wireless signals?"

Book nods in agreement, then steps out of his body to begin a search of the surrounding buildings as well.

Tank notes multiple drug sales near the neighborhood and then spots a group of people dressed in dark clothes. Each is sporting a yellow bandanna and a blue tatoo. A young troll is beating an older human senseless in the circle.

At the last second, he spots two figures in obvious military garb sighting in on the warehouse. The ork is looking through a set of binoculars and the human is running through a cleaning routine. Tank recognizes it as a sniper checking his gear.

-----

Book's trip to the astral doesn't reveal anything new other than a weak magical presence in the housing project. A young human girl is drawing mana around her while a male ork and a female human are arguing in a near-by room. As he storms over to her location, the mana crystalizes into a simple invisibility spell. Book gets a feeling of frustration from him but relief from the girl.

-----

System pipes up and says, "Uhh, guys. There is a bubble of no wireless inside those buildings. Not a low quality wireless signal. It's either active and/or passive denial.."

Tank outlines the duo in TeamNet. "System: Got two for you." He ponders a moment. Thinking like a trickster is something new to the former tanker. I need to find out who the rival gang is. I have an idea.

Book finishes his rounds. Nothing. He returns to his body ready to move on in and get this over with. As he starts to open his mouth, he notices TeamNet. He closes his mouth without a word, pauses a moment, then speaks. "What do you got?"

"Snipers. What did you find?"

"Nothing else of consequence."

Tank nods. " We need some intel. We need to know if the local gang is paid off. We need to know what those guys support and comunication protocols are."

"We need secrets."

Tank nods again. "Yea. We need their secrets."

The shaman steels his gaze and in turn his resolve. "The hard way is quicker." Tank looks at the shaman, unsure of the change overtaking the normally non-violent teammate. "I need one of the snipers. Once I.... relieve him of his secrets, then we'll have those answers."

After looking over the area, Book turns to System. "Gonna need you to take over their coms. We need to monitor their communications. Before we take them down, we need to make sure that we don't bring double the smoke down on us. I could read one of them from a distance, but the power of spell required would probably alert them."

No sooner is the request made than a dwarf with a pickaxe appears near System. He disappears in decreasing resolution as a peculiar yet familiar song fades with him.

... it's off to work I go ...

System pipes up, "He should have something in a minute. So, what's the game plan once we have info on these two? Wait, getting a feed."

System flips two virtual gems to his teammates which become AR windows. One shows the view from cybereyes and imposes a bit of vertigo as the subject moves his head. The other is a chat window apparently from the other.

<<@ %^8#24 [9~`23#4] You sure the scramble algorithm we picked up is working?>>

<<@ 234%53 [23$$%4] You don't see the gang on our ass do you?>>

<<@ 314159 [2817#] Yeah, I know, I know. Just, I want to get paid for watching the place and not geeked for being on the wrong turf. I don't like working without the whole team.>>

<<@ 5%5^55 [09^&3#] Tell me about it. But we've got to pay off their medical bills somehow. Besides, Tinman will be back from that solo run soon and then you'll be drinking with the ladies again.>>

<<@ ##3444 [#@67&] What exactly are we looking for and are you going to be ready with the mojo when it comes?>>

<<@ $$5%% [*88**#] The J said that another team will be along eventually to extract some cargo from that building. And you know I've got the mojo, I just don't exactly know what my last trip out there gave me.>>

<<@ $#33#% [&678#] You mages have a weird way to 'upgrade'. Did I mention that?>>

Book listens to the feed then speaks. "Magical; I wish I had that magic fingers spell. It would be REAL helpful right now." Tank starts to speak, but Book continues. "In any case, we should strike hard and fast. Then I'll extract their secrets."

Tank shakes his head. "Let's play the gang route. We need to distract the locals and play the chaos."

Book grimaces. "Time is against us."

"Strength of the opposition is against us more."

Book retains his grimace. Tank's point is valid. "It's gotta be fast. What's your plan?"

The former tanker rubs his chin. "Not really got much of a plan beyond that. Cause some chaos by mixing the gangers up, bring in the other gang."

Book smiles. "Check this: If these guys are here and avoiding the local gang, then they're not paying for the privilege. The locals aren't gonna be happy about that. The easier plan is for us to get in good with the locals, rat out these two, assist with taking them down and dig the secrets out of their minds."

"But if this goes bad, then its us against the gang... And I'm betting you're sending my ass in there alone?"

We've danced this dance before. "Yea, but the crossfire of two gangs could be REALLY bad."

Tank nods, but still contradicts the shaman. "Worse than one gang turning on us?"

"Ok, try this angle. Who's gonna be easier to motivate to assist us? A gang whose turf has been encroached or a gang we're asking to start a turf war?"

Tank raises a hand to object, then stops. "Point taken. Ok. Local gang then. Yellow bandanna. Blue tattoo." He turns to System. "We have a name for them? Any details?"

"Northport Irregulars is my best guess but the gang situation here is fuzzy at best. I don't have a lot of good data to go on. The police files are a mess. It's not the Star here, the locals are called the Tuscaloosa Metro Area Police or TMAP. They can't find their ass with both hands and a head start. Sorry, but we're flying a hair better than blind on this one."

-----

<<@ %^8#24 [9~`23#4] The Irregulars are about ready to make their move.>>

<<@ 937%%6 [234$54] So the Yellow Dogs are going to be occupied for a while. Why do we care again?>>

<<@ $$334$ [#4%%63#] We don't get geeked when they are fighting over turf.>>

<<@ 8**7#2 [~`4] So are we going to die waiting on the other team?>>

<<@ %^8#24 [9~`23#4] Look, omae, we get paid either way. Just wait and watch.>>

Tank snaps his fingers after he has an inspiration. With a devilish smile he turns to System. "Sounds like the two gangs are about to mix it up anyway. What say we- and when I say 'we', I mean 'you', hack their com-links and put foe markers on these guys for both gangs?"

Book looks over at the team's driver. "That is pretty inspired. Though I should probably should make sure the mage goes down. We should move into position." With that, the shaman pulls his hood over his head and activates the chameleon suit. Tank does the same. Then the duo head out.

"Alright, here goes."

A pair of fox-ninja slips through the AR toward the various gangs. The ninja slice through the substandard comms and give System power over the AR.

<<@ Team [System] Done. I'll switch on targeting as soon as you give the word. Be careful out there.

-----

Tank and Book slip through the partial light with ease. The ork looks up at one point but his gaze doesn't linger on the pair. They find themselves within short distance and can soon hear footsteps coming right for them!

Both slowly turn, trying not to give away their position anymore than it might already be compromised....

A mixed group humans, orks, a couple of trolls and an unusually tall dwarf file right past the duo. As they try to be as still as possible Tank steps on a stick.

One of the gangers looks in his direction but doesn't focus on Tank so much as the team behind him.

In a loud whisper he calls to the others in the gang, "Oye! Miren alla."

The group drops and begins pulling weapons.

Some days I should just keep my ass in bed. Tank ceases moving and hardly breathing. This is suddenly far from the best place to be. He spools his smartgun camera feed to a datafile. I may need a bargaining chip later.

Book holds as well, knowing they are about to be downrange of a fire. He focuses his attention on the duo that will soon be sending fire this direction. The only consolation is that the gangers just put themselves between us and the mercs. Knowing that the gangers are currently less threat than the mercs, he prepares spell defense for them.

Tank pulls his fly-spy back overhead. He uses it to better asses their own, current tactical position.

Once the tactical feed becomes clear, Tank muses. I think I now understand what a frog in a blender feels like.

Book on the other hand considers that tactics must change. This is one of those times a levitate spell would have made the plan decidedly easier.

Lacking other options, the duo stay prone and wait, hoping that if it does break out now that they don't get killed in the crossfire.

"Tengo uno en linea."

"Tira!"

The ganger let's loose with a very loud, old model Predator. The duo of opposing Shadowrunners is caught off guard but the youth is a horrible shot. Return fire begins to fall and the battle is joined.

<<@ Team [System] Heads up boys! I think I can jam the mage's gun but I can do any thing with the sam or the gangers: the stuff has no wireless. I've got an idea!>>

In the AR, twenty rough silhouettes pop up wearing gang colors behind the mercs as well as the gangers right next to Tank and Book.

"Oyen! Ambos lados!"
"Hay que ser una mintira: no tienen tante gente."

<<@ Team [System] Get out of there you daisy eaters, it's not going to hold long.>>

<<@Tank [Book] I think he means us.>>

<<@Book [Tank] We're not elves.>>

<<@Tank [Book] Even so....>>

Book takes a moment and casts invisibility to augment his suit. Realizing that the sustained spell actually would inhibit his ability to move silently, he drops the spell and calls his bound spirit of earth. Conceal us.

The duo then begin to cautiously move towards where the gangers came from.

The firestorm that results from the frenzy sends lead flying in several directions. Between the spirit's concealment and the suits, the duo is able to slip away without being noticed. The difficult part will come in trying to dodge the hail of lead.

The duo put their butts into serious motion when the lead begins to fly, deciding that being invisible and dead is still dead.

Miraculously, the duo finds they have escaped the ensuing firefight unscathed.

<<@ Tank,Book [System] That. Was. Awesome!!! Like in that trideo sim - Action Force, not the remake, the original where Major Judd ... sorry. I lost it for a second there.>>

If his voice weren't enough, the duo is treated to oversized AR troll hands giving them the thumbs up.

The is some activity at the warehouse as the sleeping guard is roused back from his slumber and heads for the central building where Book's spirit indicated Digger was being held.

Book, never the thrill seeker, is pleased only to have escaped but not to have come so close to dying in the process.

Tank on the hand is tickled to death.
<<@Team [Tank] Hell yea! Sign me up, pay me a million and give me the honeys!>>

Tank takes the lead heading for the warehouse and Book falls in right behind.

As they get closer to the building both of them are treated to a transformation of sorts. The roof panels and lights begin to move as the central building shifts around to reveal a heavily armored perimeter defense system.

The duo gets a very uneasy feeling but can't place exactly why. Somehow it is more than simply a defensive system activating.

<<@ Team [System] What exactly is going on? I have all kinds of activity but I'm not sure what I'm looking at. The signal doesn't look like what I would expect for an alarm.>>

An ancient song rolled through Dalton's head. You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, know when to run... He came sliding to a stop, reaching out an arm to block Book's advance. He crouches.
<<@Team [Tank] This is broken. There is a time to cut and run and that time is now.>>

Book looks at the adept, both their faces hidden by not only their masks but the chameleon effects of the suits. He wants to push past his teammate and rush in, his emotions running in high gear. He feels pulled in both directions; His heart pulling him forward to their friend, his mind pulling him away from this trap. He stammers silently, unable to commit either direction.

Tank senses the apprehension.
<<@Team [Tank] This is a trap and it is springing. We have no intel and we are over extended. Digger may very well be there, but he might as well be on the moon for our ability to reach him. If we are leaving this place any other way but in a body bag, we must leave now.>>

Tank leads the shaman back towards the cruiser, the spirit and the suits concealing them.

<<@ Team [System] So, uh, does that mean that we are leaving? I ask 'cause T-MAP is on its way and I would rather avoid them if at all possible. I just don't have the cash to bribe them given their going rates.>>

There are sirens heard in the distance.

As the duo make their way back to the cruiser and quickly load up, Tank considers a better use for the approaching cruisers.
<<@System/Team [Tank] Can you forge a PANIC button alert into the T-MAP system and show it coming from inside the building?>>

Book looks over at Tank as the suggestion is mode.
<<@Tank [Book] Holy hell. That would have made an awesome plan.>>

<<@ Team [System] Sure. That's easy. Give me a minute.>>

A few minutes later, T-MAP cruisers are flooding the area and one is heading over to the compound. The security guard steps out of the building and begins talking with the officer.

<<@Tank [System] Step two. Now that the security officer is convincing him it is a false alarm, we need an alert to T-MAP from one of the corps stating one of their junior officers kidnap trace was active in the building. By the time they sort out that its bogus, they should either have him recovered or spring the trap.>>

<<@ Team [System] Having trouble punching through the firewall. Let's hope this works.>>

A few minutes later as T-MAP is mopping up the area. One cruiser heads back over to the guard area. Then two more, then a forth. They all get out and begin to slowly head for the door with weapons drawn.

Book regains his composure.
<<@Team [Book] Ok. Time to prepare for a number of alternatives. They could go in and not find him. They could find him and extract him in a police cruiser. They could extract him in a... who covers medical services around here?>>

<<@Team [Tank] Yea, but those are just the obvious ones. What about a second team? A counter attack on the T-MAP because the bad guys think they are fakes working with us? A helo based extraction? Or how about the entire facility just exploding?>>

Book just winces and continues to watch the scene play out, looking for their opening.

The officers knock on the door and the guard answers again. The standoff in the doorway is only temporary as the guard opens fire first. The lead officer goes down and the others begin to open fire. The automated defense system begins to open fire as well. One of the officers makes it back to a car - taking heavy damage - and soon there is a HTR team landing in a helo. For now it is holding back.

<<@ Team [System] We've got an issue. I tried to re-route the data stream to my ghost-com but the HRT boys are using an new encryption key I've never seen before. I think our gig is up soon. What do you want to do?>>

And again Book curses himself for not having the Magic Fingers spell.

Tank starts up his cruiser and begins easing out of the parking lot.
<<@System [Tank] Probably time to re-spoof and re-route.>>

<<@ Team [System] Done and done. By the way, I caught a high-density burst going out from the warehouse. I haven't gotten it decrypted yet but I'll see what I can dig up.>>

The trio is able to slip away without incident despite the police presence. A T-MAP officer does stop the van but seeing that no one is wearing gang colors he waves you through.

The area is dark other than the occasional street light and not all of them are working. The air is heavy with humidity and the far away smell of a rendering plant.

The cruiser out of the immediate area and the gig now up for the security forces, Book is ready to use the chaos as cover to insure that T-Map is able to recover Digger. "Look. My spirit will continue to conceal me. We need to be ready to go at a moment's notice."

Tank keeps the new combat zone in the visuals of his fly-spy while puts one of his bound air-spirits on stand by. He knows this situation may come apart at the seems any moment now.

<<@ Team [System] Hey! Something is happening. I've got signals all over the place. T-MAP is getting a "Stand Down" order from HQ and the defense system just deactivated. We've got a T-bird inbound. Check that. We have a heavily modified T-bird inbound. Luxury model with the executive upgrade package. And more than a few questionable modifications based on the lack of a signature for some of the stuff. Inbound to Digger's location.>>

No sooner does he get the information out than the team hears the whine of engines overhead.

A myriad of possible scenarios roll through Book's head as System provides his update; Each of those scenarios end in a horrid death for the team. "The trap was set for us. The defenses laid to work against our skills. Our only chance here is to turn the various forces in the area to our own ends." He turns to System. "How are the snipers holding out?"

<<[System] . .. ... ....>>

Damn! That hurt. I've got no idea what's going on. Someone kicked me in the virtual groin ... hard. Hey! Where's the 'bird going?

With his words the T-bird slides past the van and sets down at the warehouse. A large troll in a three-piece suit and dark glasses gets out and walks over to the injured officers. He makes some precise hand motions that remind Tank of a former military man. At that, two more people in non-descript suits come out of the bird and begin tending to the wounded.

A huddled figure, too small to be Digger but too large to be human emerges and boards the T-bird.

Nearly as fast as it arrived the bird is gone. T-MAP begins mopping up the gangers as Doc Wagon arrives to tend to the wounded mercs.

Book moves over to System to insure that his friend was not injured by what ever just happened. He wasn't sure how the matrix all worked, but he tried to equate it to the astral as best he could.

Tank focuses on his surveillance. "It appears everyone is bugging out... Including the security forces." He focuses on his team mates for a moment. "I think I should run a physical recon."

Book considers the situation for a moment. "If they truly just mopped up, then the creator of the ward will have dropped the ward and scrubbed astral - otherwise it is a hard link back to him. Let me insure that is the case." Book shifts his perception to the astral, where he pulls a watcher out of the fluff that makes up the astral. A quasi-cartoonish bloodhound in a Sherlock Holmes coat, with a magnifying glass appears. Book looks off towards the facility. "Go there and look for Digger. If there is a ward, report back immediately."

System waves the mage off. "Hell of a headache but I'll be OK. Damn! I want to get a closer look at the code that did that to me. Here I thought I was pretty well covered."

-----

On the astral the bloodhound bends over and begins trotting away with the magnifying glass. A few moments later it is back with the overcoat slung over one shoulder and the glass tucked into a pocket. "Unfortunately, Watson. There does not appear to be a single usable clue in this miserable area. I shall retire to the apartment and play the violin for a bit. Otherwise it appears quite safe."

Book listens to the watcher. His morale drops with the news. He turns to Tank, "Get us home." As Tank puts the cruiser into gear and heads back for Atlanta, Book leans back to get some rest; It had been a long, stressful night.

The ride back is a solitary almost simple affair. As the kilometer markers file past in orderly rows, the team has time to think. System stretches out in the back and promptly falls asleep. Based on the low groans that occasionally escape him, it would appear that his headache is worse than he let on. Other than a brief stop where an automated truck hit a winged deer of some kind the trip is without anything memorable.

Tank selects Bolo's shop as the autopilot's destination then sits back and looks out the window, watching the miles pass.

Taking no chances, Book casts a healing spell on their hacker before he sulks back and slips into a fitful nap. We've been played. Either someone is just jacking with us or this was a test. In either case, the unknown fate of Digger and the feeling of being powerless both weighed heavily on him.

As the trio travels through the city streets the filth and beauty of the city reveals itself. The small victories and major defeats seem open to them as they drive through. They arrive at Bolo's shop without incident - unless they count the, "Your SIN appears to have an error." ticket Tank or rather his current SIN would have received save for a "small donation" to the officer's benefit bash. The trio sees the Eastern horizon beginning to lighten as they find a parking space.

Book is uneasy with something. Snake whispers that secrets are out there and he doesn't possess them when he should. Tank catches a glimpse of what appears to be a coyote out of the corner of his vision but when he looks for it, it is gone.

Stomachs rumbling, the crew sits in silence.

A quick pass by Bolo's to insure that all is well and Tank continues to the closets McHugh's for a soy-based confection of the line-produced kind.

Book awakens to the incessant whispers of snake. I know. I know. The events of the night before still fresh in his mind.

The plan for the team is to now deal with Bolo's issue and then get back to making money.

The McHugh's is alreay moving this morning. The soy-caf is hot and tastes better for some reason. Perhaps a night without much restful sleep is to blame. Either way, the smell of grease (both real and artificial) wakes up the sleeping ork who orders a beer to go with the soybacon and eggs.

Book gets a text from Bolo: <<@ Book [Bolo] I'm going to open the store today. If you're around, drop in on me.>>

An ad passes by McHugh's screen: Now reopening under new management. The Cube is back with hot drink deals and a new DJ and dance floor.

Tank speaks into the order ARO. "Soykaf, black. Sausage-egg biscuit."

Book also orders, "Mocha-soykaf. Breakfast burrito and parfait." The note from Bolo almost makes him choke on his burrito. He turns to Tank, "Better get back over to the shop. It appears Bolo is opening for business."

The sign is missed by neither of them as they head towards Bolo's. For now, Book muses, we need to shore up our resources and tie up our loose ends.

Tank sends the cruiser back towards the shop. He takes a second to focus on the feed from the doberman's video feed.

The doberman's feed shows a darkened shop. The vibration, heat and other sensors are active and all displays are within normal limits.

Shortly before the cruiser arrives at the shop, the doberman shows a pair of legs at the door. A sign is covering the upper torso and face. A moment later, Bolo opens the door and steps into the shop. She turns on the lights and begins activating the AR system as the cruiser finds a parking space.

"Thanks for coming. I have a group meeting today and I'm expecting a client to pick up an order. I really need the money."

Tank replies over the doberman's speaker, "No problem-o. It would be best if we moved the doggie to a less visible location. If you can't control the time, then at least control the ground."

<<@Team [Tank] We should anticipate a pipe-bomb if these fools somehow think Bolo was involved in the sting.>>

Book nods.
<<@Team [Book] You two stay here and I go inside.>>
Book casts a physical mask on himself. His form shifts to a small ork in a nondescript maitenance uniform. He exits the cruiser, walking away from the shop, down the street around the block and into an alley. He reemerges looking like Bolo . This out to throw a wrinkle into surveillance. He walks directly to the shop and inside moving towards the back and out of sight before dropping the mask. "I will stay out of the way. We will no doubtingly have a visit sometime today. We will use the video footage to hopefully change the scene from confrontational to positive. It may be a little rude up until then."

Book sits back in a old, sturdy, wooden chair in Bolo's back office. He took a moment to admire the natural wood of the chair; The arm rest is thin, but sturdy, round and smooth. The back consists of four planks cut nicely and meeting at the ornate top cross bar. He sat up straight in the chair and activated his com's AR interface. Immediately, the old world charm of Bolo's office is suddenly accented with the control interface from the com. The shaman reaches out, grabbing the floating video feeds from the drone, the vehicle and Tank's cameras inside and outside the shop. He then reaches out to the icon that represents the TeamNet, turning it slightly so that it glows, denoting it is active. "I have a plan."

The shaman's words lit into Dalton's ear like a splash of rum hitting a glass of fuzzy cola causing the adept to smile. Sitting in the seat behind the driver's seat in his cruiser, caddy-corner across from the ork hacker, he had been waiting for that melody. Finally.

Book continued. He had had quite some time to ponder this; He now hoped he had got the counter forces correctly figured out. "The motivation of the sharks was to start by getting a foot in the door - the loan - and use that to expand their ground. The reporters and cops have thrown a wrinkle into that; A bit wrinkle. Problem is right now they probably think Bolo had a part in that. We have to convince them they were wrong about that." He had walked across the room to the water dispenser while he talked and fetched himself a drink before continuing. "They will have to set an example. We have to stop that. They probably won't talk to us until we prove ourselves worthy of sitting at the table; Stopping them will buy that seat.
Tank - I need eyes 360. When they get here, you're gonna have to talk to them about a trade. We have a secret they want."

Tank activates the camera on the doggie and the camera facing the door in the shop as well as the two cameras outside the door showing both directions approaching the door. He moves his fly-spy to the rear exit. In all cases, he establishes angles that show the rooftop as well as the street.

Book continues, "System - Where are you with the trace on the monitors that are on her account? And any luck on a TeamNet from the coms of the thugs from yesterday?"

System's response is a little slow, "You looking for the thugs with guns, the thugs with colors, or the thugs with badges from yesterday? Or are you looking for the thugs from ... how long ago that were trying to tear up Bolo's shop? Man, I need a nap."

Book replies, "That would be the thugs who are monitoring Bolo's bank accounts. You know, the sharks who lent her money?"

System seems to come out of the fog he has been in. "Yeah, I did get a little bit on that ... then hit a brick wall. All the standard tricks - disposable comms, rotating servers, masking programs - just very well done. Now that I think about it. Too well done. Let me check something and get back with you."

As the young ork finishes his thought the bonafide Bolo comes walking in the front door.

"Glad to see you. I hope we don't have any trouble today. I've got to get ready for my client. Do you guys mind acting like security for a bit?"

She bites her lip in a way that shows she is not nearly as confident as she sounds.