Saturday March 15, 2070; 10:13; Spade's Doss, Edge of Downtown, Seattle

The past few months had been lean ones for Spades. Since he'd parted ways with his running team he'd begun to wonder if the jobs they were offering up were better than the none he was finding. He'd made contact with an elusive fixer who worked mostly out of the Puyallups and only took meets in the Matrix: Kilroy.

The beeping of his com woke him from his post-cram induced semi-coma. Looking at the time, he'd slept nearly thirty hours. The beeping was a waiting message from Kilroy:
<<@Spade [Kilroy] Meet me at The Virtual Bender, noon. I may have some work.>>

Saturday March 15, 2070; 10:30; Puyallup City, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle

Following his spirit guide, Ramses had found himself in Seattle some months back doing some work with Jack Logon. Jack is a paranormal investigator who solicited Ramses assistance in checking out an abandoned warehouse. Turned out it had been the breeding ground for some sort of insect spirits. Bad astral background and the like, but in the end it earned Ramses a good rep with Jack.

Jack had since introduced Ramses to Tina Runningbear, Talismonger.
Funds running low, Ramses quest to secure additional funding led him to Kilroy. Well known in the Puyallups, the reclusive fixer never met face to face, always using the matrix for his meets. Jack had, however, spoke well of the fixer and had offered to make the connection for Ramses. That contact came in the form of atext message a few minutes ago:
<<@Ramses [Kilroy] Meet me at The Virtual Bender, 11am. I understand that you are looking for some work?>>

Saturday March 15, 2070; 10:30; Puyallup City, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle
Ramses;PAN=hidden[LTG] SIN= Baruti Mshai

Sitting in his study, Ramses awakens to the soft chirping sound of his commlink. Wiping his sleeve across the corner of his mouth, mopping some drool, he fumbles for his glasses which he finds still propped on the top of his head. He was burning the midnight oil reading the ancient texts again, hoping the cypher key would come to him like an epiphany in his dreams. Often he finds himself more receptive to the advice from BuBu, his mentor spirit, when he borders on the edge of exhaustion. Last night, working late at his desk in his two room apartment he fell asleep yet again during his studies. BuBu was oddly silent during his slumber.

Without thinking he stumbles into the shower still blurry eyed and groping for his morning coffee when it dawns on him Kilroy was asking him to meet in the virtual world. Bloody 'ell! Well, too late now. The waters running. He steps into the shower with a exaggerated sigh, the hot water washes away the fatigue and his muscles begin to relax. Cramped and sore from his awkward sleep the pulsing hot water rejuvenates his spirit. Grabbing some clothes and another cup of java he's ready to begin the day.

Not being very fond of today's gadgets and gizmos, he reluctantly attaches his commlink around his wrist, yearning for a simpler age of hand shakes and face-to-face meetings in place of all this virtual mumbo jumbo. Unfortunately, it would seem to be his fate whenever dealing with the virtual world, much like mixing oil and water, his body would not tolerate it well and left him with a sense of vertigo. He was after all, a creature born of magic - a dwarf, and a experienced practitioner of Egyptian magic. An unlikely partner of technology if ever there was one.

Taking a large sip from his cup and then a deep meditative breath he launches himself into the virtual world. His icon is Anubis, a man with the head of a Jackal - once known to be the god of the dead, standing upon a chariot lead by two mummified horses. Young Pharaoh Tut steps upon the chariot and hands a parchment to Anubis, who reads it allowed. Spurred on by Anubis the horses rear upwards and sprint away hastily, it takes only moments before they arrive at their destination....The Virtual Bender.

Saturday March 15, 2070; 10:15; Spade's Doss, Edge of Downtown, Seattle
Spades;PAN=passive; SIN=Sam Gorret

Spades jumps up shivering slightly, the after effects were ALWAYS hell after cram. But damn if it wasn't a good way to break the boredom of sitting at his house alone. Shapes played in the corners of his vision his eyes darting this way and that until he noticed what was making that unearthly noise. His commlink, one sigh of relief and a roll later and he was looking at the screen trying to focus.

<<@Spade [Kilroy] Meet me at The Virtual Bender, noon. I may have some work.>>

Shit, what time was it? 10:15? What a crash! He'd been out all day yesterday... Nothing like a good sleep before slipping on his game face, and a job! Fuck yes! He was so bored sitting around the house listening Sinthcore and doing cram every once in a while, not to mention his stores were running a little low.
Ever since JinkxX66 got busted Spades had been without a reputable dealer on his block for some time now; not to mention, no job means no income, no apartment, no cram. This was a welcome sight, but he'd been through the hoops this could be anything or nothing special. Well, Spades had time, as he walked to his kitchen and set up the coffee maker with some potpourri soykaf he'd gave up trying to figure out what it tasted like... As he did he yelled, "Trid, on! Urban Brawl match up schedule." He was greeted with the pop-fizz of the trid screen turning on and scanning channels as appropriate. Well before the mystery soykaf finished heating up, the trid set on one scrolling tv channel that had the listings of todays listings, yesterdays scores, and tomorrows scheduled matches. Boring! What else can I do... Aw, hell, might as well seem like I have a semblance of timing, might as well get there early.

He grabbed his trodes from his bedroom as he sipped his coffee, and went back downstairs to sit on the couch while he prepared to get into VR. He'd been in VR maybe a dozen times, one time he was stupid enough to go into VR standing up and was at the virtual club for a couple of hours which he gotten him rather stiff legs afterwards. He was pretty close to all thumbs when it came down to open Matrix meetings, he was still trying to get adjusted, but no time for that now. Spades put the trodes on his head, and set up for VR, and then there was a blast of shifting shapes and it seemed as though he had been thrust into the virtual world with a slingshot flying forward until he came to an abrupt stop two seconds later. He was greeted by and open field with a large blank sign with a spot to ask questions. He manifests a piece of chalk in his persona's hand and writes "Virtual Bender" in the line. The sign shifts and a portal appears next to it, the sign points an arrow at the door. Spades persona walks through the entrance and is thrust in another direction toward some area he was pretty sure was exactly where he needed to be... So simple. Time to party!

Saturday March 15, 2070; 10:58; Virtual Bender, Somewhere in the Seattle Matrix

The persona of Anubis steps through the shimmering wall of electrons that marks the entrance to the Virtual Bender. He is whisked across cyberspace to a node unknown and steps through into something out of Alice's imagination.

The room is hazy and has an earthy, underground feel to it. Several meters away to his right, a long bar stretches off into the haze. Roots hang down from the ceiling and the bar appears to be of some thick, ancient and slightly warped wood. The edge is a thick rounded edge, smoothed by hundred of years of patrons leaning on it as they drink. The bartender wears a large, striped top-hat and looks like a cat standing on his hind legs.

A number of patrons chit-chat at the bar: A knight in full armor, Marilyn Monroe, some lizard-man hybrid, several variations of techno-boys/girls themed personas, etc.. Down the center of the room, various sized tables hold yet notable figures. The wall to the right is an ever changing wall of pure code.

As Ramses looks around, a striped tail shimmers into existence just off to his left at face level. To the side of the tail, a large toothy smile opens in air. As it reaches its full size, the remainder of the Chesire Cat materializes. "You're new here... I assume you need a table.. Perhaps a dog biscuit?"

Saturday March 15, 2070; 11:55; Virtual Bender, Somewhere in the Seattle Matrix

Spade's persona steps through the shimmering wall of electrons that marks the entrance to the Virtual Bender. He is whisked across cyberspace to a node unknown and steps through into something out of Alice's imagination.

The room is hazy and has an earthy, underground feel to it. Several meters away to his right, a long bar stretches off into the haze. Roots hang down from the ceiling and the bar appears to be of some thick, ancient and slightly warped wood. The edge is a thick rounded edge, smoothed by hundred of years of patrons leaning on it as they drink. The bartender wears a large, striped top-hat and looks like a cat standing on his hind legs.

A number of patrons chit-chat at the bar: A man sized Godzilla sits with Dilbert, while a ninja stand alone watching others in the room. An unknown, rather ugly young woman in a dominatrix outfit with a name tag "Monica" holds the lease of a 50 something male human in his underwear and an even uglier, short haired woman about the same age as the man. Further down the bar, a cartoonish woman with highly exaggerated proportions talks to an elf in priestly garb. Down the center of the room, various sized tables hold yet notable figures. The wall to the right is an ever changing wall of pure code.

As Spade looks around, a striped tail shimmers into existence just off to his left at face level. To the side of the tail, a large toothy smile opens in air. As it reaches its full size, the remainder of the Chesire Cat materializes. "Your new here. Let me guess... You looking for someone...? Or just anyone?"

Saturday March 15, 2070; 11:55; Virtual Bender, Somewhere in the Seattle Matrix

Spades is a little taken aback by the gamut of socially awkward patrons, he sighs with the thought, I honestly should've expected this, still they're... Spades shoves himself to the side as he expects some sort of attack from the tail that appears next to him, but as he turns left the "full" form comes into view. Spades lets down his defensive stance as he turns his whole body towards the floating cat.

He sizes the cat up, not expecting too much of it, but forms could be deceiving in any size in the Matrix. "Well that should be obvious, maybe if I were a little bit more straight off the bus from loony land I'd frequent this place proper." He looks around as he talks, scanning the motley crowd realizing that his Mr. Johnson was somewhere in the crowd, and the larger realization that he might just be one of these oddballs also dawns on him. I seriously hope he's not Dilbert, or I'm out of here... I'm gonna do some cram and cry myself to sleep.

As he thinks he remembers his conversation, "Yeah, I'm looking for Kilroy, you ever heard of him?"

Spades had chosen something suitable for his name along the lines of his persona, not having time to construct him personally, he got his old hacker teammate to run it up in code. A silver faceless and amorphous human with a large spade that spread across his face, the bottom connecting flat at the chin, and the sides stretched to the ears. The rest was proportioned out appropriately, very sleek. Somewhat hero-ish but it worked well enough. As he waited in anticipation of what the cat had to said, he caught himself praying in his mind. Please let it not be Godzilla or Dilbert, or submissive boy, or... Anyone pretty much here. Except toon girl... She'd be -- AHHHH, he's a he! I think, man some questions need to be answered right now!

Spade - Saturday March 15, 2070; 11:55; Virtual Bender, Somewhere in the Seattle Matrix

The Chesire Cat begins fading down to just a pair of floating eyes and ears as Spade starts speaking. When he mentions Kilroy, the eyes blink out of existence then the smile reappears to his left. "Oh, yessss... We know Kilroy. The smile closes and the mouth also winks out of existence.

The cat's tail then flicks around Spade's shoulder, as though it was sitting on his shoulder. Looking to his other shoulder, Spade sees the smile reappearing. "Hold on."

The room blurs are though he was moving across the room at light speed. A moment of vertigo later and he finds himself at a table against a short wall. A cartoon figure with a long nose is peering over the wall, his hands resting on the wall, but his mouth and the rest of his body obscured by the wall. The cat seems to have disappeared again.

"Spade. Thank you for coming. I understand you are looking for work?"

Spade - Saturday March 15, 2070; 11:55; Virtual Bender, Somewhere in the Seattle Matrix
The Spade/Spades

Spades could deal with the whole rushing back and forth, but not so many times in such a short time, good thing there was no virtual lunch to virtually throw up. He looks around for the cat but stops short knowing that it was a waste of time. He looks up at the figure on the wall, stopping himself short of making the outburst in anything other than his mind. I knew it, I knew he was some crazy, AHHH-- I do anything for gigs nowadays it seems... But at least he's not Dilbert, I can work with this...

"In a manner of speaking, Kilroy huh? Should've guessed the term. Yeah, I'm looking for a job, if you can tell me what your job is, I'll see if I can do the job. Though, jobs mean payment, and somehow I don't think I'm the only one doing this job. So while we're waiting for my possible companions, assume I'm in for the mission... What would we be doing exactly?"

Spades assumed the no-nonsense route, better not to beat around the bush with this guy, the sooner he could get out of this freakfest the better and back to good 'ol augmented reality, or maybe just some trideos... No cram though, he'd already had enough of a "trip" to last him a while.

Saturday March 15, 2070; 10:59; Virtual Bender, Somewhere in the Seattle Matrix
Anubis/Ramses

Light streams by the persona of Anubis as he makes his way to The Virtual Bender, swirling and circling about him faster and faster as if he'd fallen into the proverbial rabbit hole. His arrival, which seemed to take an eternity, is announced by him stumbling forward into a large misshapen root hanging from the ceiling and falling to the ground. "Right, sorry about that. I'm fine, we're all fine here. "ello luv, how are you?" Fighting the awkward sensation of the room spinning and the disorientation from his journey he takes a minute to focus and gathers himself to his feet. Looking around he's fascinated by the strange assortment of eclectic characters assembled, only too late does he notice the big flashy grin full of teeth.

What the duece!

Contorting his body to dodge the vicious bite that was poised to take off his head and waving his arms to ward off the attacker he flails about and trips over yet another root landing him firmly on his backside. Peering over his raised arm shielding him from his would be attacker he gazes out to see the remainder of the Chesire Cat materialize. "You're new here... I assume you need a table.. Perhaps a dog biscuit?", it inquires.

As if it were possible the head of Anubis blushes and looks around at the patrons to see if anyone had noticed. He stands, dusting himself off, and addresses the cat, "I only have two words for you my good man, TIC TAC! Now go along please I'm here to see Kilthrob. Um no, make that Robroy. Yes. Hmmm, nope not quite right. Rhymes with boytoy? Ah got it, Kiljoy! Yes that's it, I'm here to see Kilroy

Remembering the last trip in VR he made, Ah, yes this is going much smoother than last time. I must be getting the hang of it

Ramses - Saturday March 15, 2070; 11:00; Virtual Bender, Somewhere in the Seattle Matrix

The Chesire Cat's smile fades as the image of Anubis stammers to find Kilroy's name. "You should really lay off the drugs, recreational or otherwise...." The cat's tail then flicks around Ramses' shoulder, as though it was sitting on his shoulder. Looking to his other shoulder he sees the cat's eyes, but no smile.

With a terse, "Hold on.", the room blurs are though he was moving across the room at light speed. A moment of vertigo later and he finds himself at a table against a short wall. A cartoon figure with a long nose is peering over the wall, his hands resting on the wall, but his mouth and the rest of his body obscured by the wall. The cat seems to have disappeared again.

"Ramses I presume? You come very highly recommended."

Spade - Saturday March 15, 2070; 11:57; Virtual Bender, Somewhere in the Seattle Matrix

Kilroy replies to Spade, "Yes, my name comes with a little history.... and I couldn't use the name without a matching persona image. Now, about the job. I'm assembling a team to do a little work for a client. I don't have the specifics except to say that he is in the corporate world. He is a new client, but brings with him the potential for reoccurring opportunities. This meetings is something of an..... interview, if you will."

The icons sits silently for a moment. The rest of the bar seems hazy, conversations going on around seem to fade away and while not totally silent, there is only a little ambient noise preventing that.

"I'd like for you to tell me the role you see yourself filling for a team."

Spade - Saturday March 15, 2070; 11:59; Virtual Bender, Somewhere in the Seattle Matrix
The Spade/Spades

Spades mulled around the meaning of Kilroy's name and possible background, but somehow he didn't think "Matrix icons and interesting personas" was going to be his high suit in trivia. He dropped the idea, even as the crowd seemed to die out around them, but stay there... This place just gets weirder by the second.

"I'd like for you to tell me the role you see yourself filling for a team."

Suddenly he realized the first introduction to the Shadows was helping out the group to which he was formerly associated, he'd never actually applied for the job; It just fell into his lap. The only thing he could think of was what he came about doing in the rag tag group prior to his current predicament.
"Well..." He stalled with an indecisive word to help him collect his thoughts while simultaneously attempting to keep his composure bland like he was trying to mull over SO MANY lists. "First off I'm the liaison between Mr. Johnson and the group's interests. I make sure the group is content with their salary, and make sure Mr. Johnson isn't trying to be unreasonable... Which nine times outta ten in this business they have something up their sleeve. Really, the only thing I do for Mr. Johnson is make sure his rep and standing in the facility we meet in stays pristine." He pauses, not wanting to dominate the conversation, and also wanting the information to sink in while he attempted to read an otherwise stoically hidden face for hints as to if he needed to add some fluff, but then again it was the Virtual World, he himself didn't even have a face to read. "To sum it up, I work the details between Mr. Johnson and the runners, I have trained in the use of firearms, but most of my talents lie in the social area of expertise."

He waited. This wasn't a job he could pass up. He didn't know if there would be more. He waited, what seemed like minutes were only fleeting seconds slowed down to a crawl, he was glad he didn't have an expression to read, this was like a two pair low, ace high. There was more running on the hope the other would fold soon. Whether Kilroy had the already express interest of adding him to the party anyway and letting it be known, or he was gonna sit and sweat it back on his couch, otherwise he kept a dead pan silence. Relax, this will all pan out, sounds like a cakewalk. I've never worked corporate before, wonder if it's anymore prestigious, more money involved... Definitely. Though, most corps don't seem like they have the middle guy in mind. Hell, we're Runners, we're not even the middle guy, we're somewhere close to the middle guy's foot. I'd better be extra careful all this is riding on rep and it could get bumped up big time or get smashed.

Ramses - Saturday March 15, 2070; 11:01; Virtual Bender, Somewhere in the Seattle Matrix

"Ramses I presume? You come very highly recommended."

"All right mate, that's me. Ramses that is", reaching out and offering his hand to shake. Not quite knowing if the cartoon can even shake hands he tentatively shakes one of Kilroy's fingers instead. He retracts his hand quickly unaware if he's breached some sort of protocol, reaching instead to the bridge of his nose as if to adjust something. "Right, very well. Highly recommended you say? Too kind, really. Mr. Logan's been known to gild the lily from time to time, snort. He lets his laughter trail off as he pans the room for a chair and pulls up opposite the short wall at the table.

"Yes, well we had a run in with some nasties, Jack and I that is. Bug spirits and all, quite tenacious wankers they are you know. Jack, right smart bloke he is, comes up with a plan and we gets them in a crossfire. Quite a mess it was, and a bit touch and go for a while, but fate smiled upon us and we won the day." For a moment Ramses is lost in thought, reliving the exaltation and pride in their achievement, then a touch of sadness overcomes him. Returning to the present, "Being new in town and all, Jack says you'd be... the...er man to see, pardon the expression, if I would be needin any work."

Ramses - Saturday March 15, 2070; 11:02; Virtual Bender, Somewhere in the Seattle Matrix

"Well I don't think that you will find such otherworldly horrors as those, but you will find magical security forces that need to be dealt with."

The icons sits silently for a moment. The rest of the bar seems hazy, conversations going on around seem to fade away and while not totally silent, there is only a little ambient noise preventing that.

"You will be meeting the Johnson for this run today, seven o'clock tonight at the Fire Cracker in Puyallup City. I'm still working through the details of how many runners there will be on the team. If everything works out, I'll secure a face later today." He pauses a moment before continuing, "I can generally get any gear you might require, untraceable and at fair price. I also specialize in matrix work. Do you have any questions?"

Spade - Saturday March 15, 2070; 11:59; Virtual Bender, Somewhere in the Seattle Matrix

"Excellent. I have an opportunity for you today. The Johnson will meet you at seven o'clock tonight at the Fire Cracker in Puyallup City. For my part, the Johnson pays me a fee directly and I direct to him capable runners. I also have a number of connections and can acquire most gear you may need, perform matrix work and make other connections. Of course, all of this comes at a price and rare items will take time. Questions?"

Ramses - Saturday March 15, 2070; 11:03; Virtual Bender, Somewhere in the Seattle Matrix

" I've got the job then? Cor blimey, well if that ain't The Mutts! Fire Cracker you say? Hmm", the form of Anubis scratches between the ears for a moment, " Very well I'm sure I'll find it. I'm rather good at finding things you know. " Ramses begins to stand and extends his hand, " Pleasure meeting you sir, if I think of anything I'll you a ring. Hmm, don't believe I have that number though, would you mind?" Unsure of what to do with his extended hand he lets it fall to the wayside and waves a salute to Kilroy. He turns to leave then spins about, faster then he intended to because he's still facing the exit, "Right. Now, who should I inquire about at the Fire Cracker?"

Saturday March 15, 2070; 12:00PM; Virtual Bender, Somewhere in the Seattle Matrix
The Spade/Spades

"The Pullayup, huh? Well, I imagine that's the place to be if you want out of the way and out of sight, not so much on the quiet end... Heh, the Fire Cracker sounds like a pretty 'bangin'' place. All right, thanks for your time Kilroy. I've got two questions though before I leave."

Spades stood up looking around at the faded conversations around them as he spoke.

"Think GridGuide could point me in the direction of that club? And if you don't do meat-body meetings, how am I supposed to trust you to patch what I need through to me? I mean no offense, omae, but I just met you and... well, technically I haven't even met you yet."

Ramses - Saturday March 15, 2070; 11:04AM; Virtual Bender, Somewhere in the Seattle Matrix

The arm of the icon comes over the wall to shake the hand a Anubis. The other hand presents a business card that simply says 'Kilroy, You have problems, I have solutions.'. When Ramses takes the card, his system registers it as a contact ARO. "When you get to the Fire Cracker ask Jimmy, the bartender, for Mr Johnson. He's see that you are taken care of."

Spades - Saturday March 15, 2070; 12:01PM; Virtual Bender, Somewhere in the Seattle Matrix

The eyes of the icon seem to brighten as it answers. "GridGuide™ will be able to get you to the bar... The other journey is going to require a little more faith though. I don't meet flesh side. Ever. The last time that happened, well, it wasn't pleasant ... but that is a story for another time and a legend I'm sure you can learn about on the street. I hope this won't be a deal breaker?"

Saturday March 15, 2070; 12:02PM; Virtual Bender, Somewhere in the Seattle Matrix
The Spade/Spades

Spades mulls this over a second. You need this job, you just got to trust some people sometimes... Sometimes.

"No, it's just unfortunate, some times life presents some interesting situations. I guess I'll let legends present themselves at a later date, I have to get ready for the run at the moment. Can I message you back via my comm or was that a counter-trace line?"

He waits for his answer a moment and then says his goodbyes, walking to the door of the freak club and passes through his portal logging out of VR.

Saturday, March 15, 2070; 12:04PM; Spade's Doss, Edge of Downtown, Seattle.
Spades; PAN=Passive; SIN=Sam Gorret.

Spades sat on his couch, he twisted from side to side cracking his back trying to loosen himself up. He got up from his position popping a few more bones as he got up walking to the kitchen. Emerging from the kitchen with a new pot of coffee. Mostly his situation was whether he wanted to risk driving himself into Pullayup or giving a taxi a REALLY big tip to take him down there. I'm probably going to lose the taxi as soon as I get there, if I even get one. What about gangs? Pullayup has 'em, just wish I kept up with info on the turf I'd be passing though. Spades sipped his now cold soykaf with a dissatisfied grimace while he pulled up an AR interface and looked up information of GridGuide and locations involving the name The Firecracker in Pullayup.

Sam - Saturday March 15, 2070; 12:48PM; Sam's crappy little apartment, Somewhere in Seattle

It had been weeks since a real job and the shitty little side jobs Kilroy had been sending over was beginning to make Sam think she'd fallen from graces. The remaining 3/4 of the nasty Soyoritto® sat on her plastic plate staring at her with the same disgust she had for the pitiful excuse for sustenance. The beep of her comlink broke her from the staring contest she would have eventually lost with her lunch.

<<@Sam [Kilroy] Kid - I got a little something to make up for that bodyguard thing last Friday night. Nothing in the scan told me his wife was banging two of her students and set the kids up so as to collect his life insurance policy. By the way, thanks for not losing it and whacking the wife when she tried to improvise. That would have been a little messy to explain....
Anyway at seven o'clock tonight be at the Fire Cracker in Puyallup City.
--> Incoming video feed flagged ->mage0012<-
--> Incoming video feed flagged ->fodder0797<-
Here are the two others I've currently lined up for tonight's gig. This is a corporate gig so the pay should be good. The client is new, but his basic scan checks out. I've not worked with either of these guys before, but their scans check out and they have fairly solid recommendations. Let me know if you have questions.>>

She has worked for Kilroy for six months. Like everyone, she's never met face to face. Never met anyone who has met him face to face. Seems there has been a Kilroy working fixing runners in the Puyallups for nigh on a decade and a half now. In the early sixties, he had a nasty run in with the Yakuza. Word is he died very messy. Then around '65 he resurfaced, working solely virtually. Took quite a while to gain traction but in the last six months he has been picking up runners by the handful and seems to have his fingers in more and more runs, in and out of the Puyallups. Some say this is a copy cat. A few even think he's a ghost in the machine given his knack with infiltrating systems. The two video files he provided in fact both look like they were provided by security cameras from either an apartment building or hotel. The one thing she does know, unlike some of the other scrubs out there arranging runs, he pays. Sometimes better than others, but the work at least keeps coming in.

Saturday March 15, 2070; 12:49PM; Sam's crappy little apartment - Puyallup Barrens, Seattle
Samantha "Sam" Rodriguez;PAN=hidden[LTG] SIN=Roxanne Vega

Sam scowled as she read the text from Kilroy. She was still fuming over last week's run. The femme fatale of that venture should have bought the farm, and it took great retsraint for Sam to refrain from selling it to her. Sam was seriously considering blowing Kilroy off, but the acrid Soyoritto® smell threatening to turn her stomach inside out was telling her that she needed the job.

Ughhh... I can't eat any more of this shit!

Sam tossed the remains of her lunch out the window for the stray cats in the alley. "Have at it, guys!" she yelled to the scrambling feline horde below. At least a dozen cats of all colors, shapes and sizes quickly devoured the smelly morsel.

<<@Kilroy[Sam]Hiya, Kilroy. It's hard to stay mad at you for last week. I tried but I just had to let that one go. 7 p.m. at the Fire Cracker. I'll be there. Any special instructions for contacting the client? >>

Spades - Saturday, March 15, 2070; 12:14PM; Spade's Doss, Edge of Downtown, Seattle.

Having gotten an updated LTG from Kilroy, Spades browsing on the matrix yields an address for the Fire Cracker from GridGuide and some basic information from the Chamber of Commerce: Neighborhood Bar

Ok, perhaps the publicly available information is slightly less than helpful. He is able to determine that Puyallup City is on the northern edge of the Barrens and enjoys a "D" security rating from Lone Star. That rating of course being up from the "E" & "Z" in other parts of the Barrens.

Saturday March 15, 2070; 12:49PM; Sam's crappy little apartment - Puyallup Barrens, Seattle

Kilroy's reply is short as it sometimes turns out to be:
<<@Sam [Kilroy] See Jimmy, the bartender. Ask for Johnson>>

Sam - Saturday March 15, 2070; 12:50PM; Sam's crappy little apartment - Puyallup Barrens, Seattle

Sam could match Kilroy for tearsness, and raise him a notch. She was normally the queen of verbosity, but she took it as a challenge to try to beat him at his own game.
<<@Kilroy[Sam] Thanks. TTYL>>

With plenty of time before the meet, Sam put on her workout outfit: black bicycle shorts, sports bra, ankle socks, and sneakers. She gathered her touseled hair into a ponytail secured by a pink scrunchy. She clambered down the fire escape to the alley behind her apartment sending most of the stray cats for the hills. The few that were not feral remained to watch her with silent interest. There was a fair amount of open space for a workout, despite all the clutter. The air had been warmed by the midday sun, so her skimpy attire was not as out of place as it might seem in March.

Her daily routine consisted of various exercises she gleaned from years of childhood gymnastics competition: a gift from her mother. Her other diversion, chess, was an interest she shared withher father. Both of Sam's parents were gone now. After 15 minutes of strectching and 45 minutes of gymnastics, Sam's body was coated in a sheen of sweat. She mopped her brow, and then began her cool down exercises: 15 minutes of calesthetics she learned from her father.

As Sam finished the workout, the boldest of the alley cats, a black and red long-haired female she called Sassy, wrapped around her feet, and began purring loudly.

"Hiya, Sass. What's shakin'?" Sam said as she scratched between Sassy's ears.

Sam - Saturday March 15, 2070; 2:19PM; Sam's crappy little apartment - Puyallup Barrens, Seattle

The water was never very warm in the shower, but at this time of day it was freezing. Sam stuck her big toe into the stream of water, to check the temperature.

Brrrr! That's COLD!!! I guess that's the price I pay for sleeping until lunch time.

She braved the frigid water. There were no shortcuts either. Due to the extreme temperature, it took twice as long as normal to get the shampoo out of her hair.

Sam sat on the bed wrapped in an over-sized bath towl shivering. She rubbed her arms and legs to get some warmth back into her cold extremities. The goosebumps slowly subsided. Then she padded over to the nightstand, grabbed a brush, and began the process of styling her hair. As she brushed her long, dark tresses, Sam began to formulate a plan for approaching this eveing's meet.

Sam - Saturday March 15, 2070; 2:21PM; Sam's crappy little apartment - Puyallup Barrens, Seattle

Sitting on her bed thinking, Sam sees an incoming message. Its from Scrimp. He'll be by at 6:30 to pick her up. She would need to be careful how she played the game with Scrimp. Too far one direction and Scrimp would feel like he was being played. Too far the other and she would find herself backed into a corner.

Ramses - Saturday March 15, 2070; 6:40PM; Fire Cracker, Puyallup City, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle

Ramses looks up and down the neighborhood street, several cars parked along the curb and a few people walking going about their business in the early evening. The Fire Cracker sits on the corner of the street, its entrance facing to the west. Looking at the sign he doesn't get it at first, the realizes the flame on the sign sits atop a cracker, like a saltine.

A Saturday night, well over a dozen people are already in the bar. The AR is a bland, off the self sculpted program. While most of the patrons are human, there is an ork and dwarf bullied up to the bar.

Sam - Saturday March 15, 2070; 6:25PM; Outside Sam's crappy little apartment - Puyallup Barrens, Seattle

Sam crawled down the fire escape to the alley below. The previous tennant had the door to the apartment welded shut from the inside as a sort of makeshift security system, and she hadn't really seen the need to replace it. She retrieved the mesh bag she had used to lower her gear down from the window above.

Sam rolled out her sleek, midnight blue Suzuki Mirage from it's hiding place behind the upside-down dumpster while she waited for Scrimp to arrive. She was decked out in her tightest black jeans, the ones that really revealed her curves, but not offensively so, and a bright red, sleeveless t-shirt which didn't quite cover her navel. She eschewed her usual biker boots in favor of a pair of black leather cross trainers. Her mother's gold locket with heart-shaped pendant was the only jewelry she wore. She had her long brown hair down, covering her noticeably pointed ears. She pulled a pair of black leather, fingerless riding gloves out of the bike's small cargo compartment and put them on. The hold-out pistol she had hidden on her person was hardly noticeable, and when she added her long coat, currently in the mesh bag draped over the bike's seat, it would be nearly undetecable. The laquered wooden box containing her father's chess set, her Ares Predator IV, helmet, and spare clips were also in the bag.

Sassy appeared at Sam's feet, wrapping her self around her legs and purring loudly. The alley cat wrinkled her nose as she got a whiff of Sam's rose scented perfume. It was the cheap MegaMart brand, but it was subtle, yet sweet, and Sam really liked it. Apparently Sassy didn't.

Sam might have business after the meet, and she didn't want Scrimp to have to hang around and wait for her. And no one would want to have to walk home in Puyallup alone. Scrimp pulled up next to her just as she finished applying a touch up coat of pink lipstick, using the bike's mirror to see what she was doing. She walked up to him and gave him a friendly hug.

"Do you want me to ride seperately, sweetie? I might have biz after dinner and I don't want to put you out."

Saturday March 15, 2070; 6:40PM; Fire Cracker, Puyallup City, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle
Ramses;PAN=passive[LTG] SIN= Baruti Mshai

As Ramses entered the bar a familiar scent of swill and baccy assualted his senses, images of home and times of his youth long since past came to mind. Been quite some time since I got pissed on a bender. A chuckle escapes as he remembers what had happened that night as a result, some crackin' slapper took him home for a roger only to get snookered and left on the street without his wallet. Quite a pickle that was, bloody 'ell.

He pans the bar looking over the collection of patrons assembled thus far for the evening, stopping at the barman. That bloke must be Jimmy Making his way to the bar he notices the dwarf and ork and raises the dog shaped head of his umbrella and curtly nods as he takes a seat. He motions to the barman to get get his attention. " All right mate? You be Jimmy, eh? Can I have a lager please?"

Spades - Saturday, March 15, 2070; 12:57PM; Spade's Doss, Edge of Downtown, Seattle.

After his search for information came belly up besides Lone Star stats, Spades had closed down his AR. Once he'd gone back in his room and set up his attire for the night's meeting, he let his mind wander. He thought of Shackles and if The Firecracker would be anything close to it, even though he wouldn't know the people there. Downtown was all he'd known besides Auburn, it was hard to tell that the Pullayups would be anything but bad news from any conversations he piece together from his memories. He had decided to risk it and take his own vehicle to the bar, it wasn't flashy it was practical and clean, that's all he needed. Spades had plenty of time before their meet, he jogged a good 10 blocks in some old athletic clothes from his "moving days" to pass a couple hours.

Spades - Saturday, March 15, 2070; 2:20PM; Spade's Doss, Edge of Downtown, Seattle.
After he got back he took a cold shower to cool off, and put on his "meet-and-greet" suit he hadn't worn since the last run of his first group. Lucky for me this thing won't ever go out of style. He checked himself twice in the mirror, still a good fit though he didn't know why it wouldn't be. Then it was off to Shackles, if not to see how Lalia was doing he also wondered if she knew anything about the Pullayups. Long shot, but it was more of a social call anyway, he got in his blue Mercury Comet and set down to his old workplace.

Spades - Saturday, March 15, 2070; 2:55PM; Shackles, Downtown, Seattle.

Spades makes his way through traffic. Being the middle of the afternoon, it is light. Checking his watch, he had plenty of time. The crew wouldn't be arriving until three as the club didn't even open until four. Sitting waiting in the parking lot, he sees Lalia pull up and park her Nissan Rabbit. As she crosses the parking lot, she notices him get out of his car and approach her.

"Sean! How are you?" She smiles, genuinely happy to see him.

Ramses - Saturday March 15, 2070; 6:41PM; Fire Cracker, Puyallup City, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle

The bartender pulls a lager from the tap and sets it down in front of Ramses. The glass is about a pint, the liquid inside has a reddish tint and a short head. A bowl of popcorn also sits on the bar. "Four nuyen" is his only reply as he begin pulling another draw for a man sitting two stools down from Ramses.

Sam - Saturday March 15, 2070; 6:42PM; Fire Cracker, Puyallup City, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle

Scrimp lights up as Sam refers to him with the pet name. He starts to argue about how she should ride with him, but she is able to easily convince him to bring his own bike.

The ride out of her neighborhood and north into Puyallup City is uneventful. Scrimp takes Sam on a maze of a route, no doubt to avoid the various gangs holding sway between her apartment and the bar. Eventually he leads her onto South Meridian. Once they cross under the 512, she noticed a definite improvement in the quality of the streets and the buildings. Not so much that she feels like she's downtown, more like the difference between neighborhoods where no maintenance is done to neighborhood where basic maintenance is sometimes performed.

As they arrive at the bar, they see several cars parked along the curb and a few people walking going about their business in the early evening. The Fire Cracker sits on the corner of the street, its entrance facing to the west. Looking at the sign she doesn't get it at first, the realizes the flame on the sign sits atop a cracker, like a saltine.

A Saturday night, well over a dozen people are already in the bar. The AR is a bland, off the self sculpted program. While most of the patrons are human, there is an ork and two dwarves bullied up to the bar. The place is noisy with everyone competing to speak over the noise of everyone else.

Sam - Saturday March 15, 2070; 6:42PM; Fire Cracker, Puyallup City, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle

Sam does in fact recognize one of the dwarves at the bar from Kilroy's video. At least some things are looking up today. The name tagged in the video was: Ramses

Sam - Saturday March 15, 2070; 6:44PM; Fire Cracker, Puyallup City, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle
Sam;PAN=passive[LTG] SIN=Roxanne Vega

Sam set up the chess board on a table in the corner, while Scrimp, who flat out refused to let her buy, fetched drinks from the bar. With the probability of work looming, she had asked for a diet Coke. She didn't need a buzz if there was business at hand. Sam lovingly set each piece on the cloth travel board she kept in the carry case. The antique set had been her father's. The pewter chessmen were finished in gold and silver rather than the traditonal white and black motif.

Men! This is my gig... I was going to buy HIM dinner for coming along...

Sam looked over the bar's patrons. As she scanned the dwarves bellied up to the bar, she thought she recognized the distinctive look of one of the other runners from the video files Kilroy had sent. The dwarf, Ramses, was dressed in a twill vest and sports jacket, reminiscent of the outfits some of her professors wore at the University of Washington. Even though it was not raining today, he also carried a strangely ornate umbrella with him. She didn't see "fodder0797" anywhere yet.

Scrimp returned with her glass of soda and a bottle of that cheap, local beer he liked. The cock-a-leakey soup would be out from the kitchen in a few minutes. Sam held out her hands, which hid one pawn each: one gold and one silver. She instructed Scrimp to pick a hand, and he chose the right, which contained the silver pawn. Silver was technially the white side so he would go first. She had taught him to play a few months ago so at least he knew which way the pieces moved... sort of. He led as he always did with one of his "horses".

"Sweetie, why do you make that same move that all the time?" she asked him.

Saturday, March 15, 2070; 2:56PM; Shackles, Downtown, Seattle.
Spades;PAN=active[LTG]; SIN= Sam Gorret

For a moment he actually thought that he was just about to go on duty as bartender with how familiar the setting was. Lalia standing there, early like he was... She was a damn decent boss, and a damn decent friend. Shackles definitely had seen better days though, she hadn't changed much. He liked that his unplanned arrival was a welcome sight, he missed the old place anyway. He smiled, raised his arms in a hug gesture as he walked toward her.

"What can I say life just isn't the same with out cards or booze in my hands."
He gives her a big hug, and then continues.
"'Sides that, doing great! What about you? Business going alright? You need me to cover a shift?"

He smiles bigger, half way joking, half way serious.

Spades - Saturday, March 15, 2070; 2:56PM; Shackles, Downtown, Seattle.

Lalia returns his hug and cocks an eye at the offer then waggles a finger is stern, friendly way but with a big smile. "We each should know our limits." She then turns and starts walking towards the back entrance of the bar, waiting at first to insure he is walking with her. "So, I put your name out to a few contacts. Anything ever come of that?"

Ramses - Saturday March 15, 2070; 6:43PM; Fire Cracker, Puyallup City, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle

Ramses shifts his perceptions to the astral. The dark bar becomes a little less dark and each of the people become overlayed with a swirl of colors. As he goes from aura to aura he makes several notes. First, he is able to discern a basic emotional read off of everyone. This in itself is something of a success. Cyberware is light in the four people he notes having ware. Three of the people in the room have some measure of magic potential: A guy playing pool, very weak magic. Potentially undeveloped or even unaware. A guy drinking at the end of the bar whom Ramses is unable to determine a strength on and an elven woman who just came in a minute or two ago. Her magic is about equal to Ramses own. There are no spirits in the room.

Sam - Saturday March 15, 2070; 6:43PM; Fire Cracker, Puyallup City, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle

A few of the patrons take note of Sam's chess board. A physical board, as opposed to an AR one, is a rarity these days. Scrimp is pretty oblivious to the fact that they are here for anything more than social hour. A few months on, he was beginning to think he had chess mastered. Ah, the notions of fools...

The dwarf, Ramses, is looking around the room slowly scrutinizing everyone in the room. Most everyone else is mingling, drinking and talking.

Saturday, March 15, 2070; 2:56PM; Shackles, Downtown, Seattle.

He walked quickly to catch up with her, coming up akimbo so he could talk to her in view.

"And yet you have so much trouble referring to me by my other name. Heh."

As they walk up to the door, he holds it open for her, giving a cursory look behind them as a consolation to his slight paranoia of returning to old haunts and if anyone found out... It'd be trouble. He talked as he quickly scanned the area.

"Yeah, ship pinged the 'dar, Matrix goon Fixer. Oh yeah, and the cram dealer in my complex got himself perished."

Spades - Saturday, March 15, 2070; 2:56PM; Shackles, Downtown, Seattle

In response to the comment about names, she turns her head and sticks out her tongue. "Yea, yea. Much easier on coms, Spades. Especially since I knew you before you were Spades...."

She continues to listen then adds her thoughts. "You should give up the cram.. That crap will get you killed quicker than running.. And the fixer, yea he's a bit different, but he's got a solid rep... unless you're tight with the Yakuza."

As they reach the door she turns to Spades and asks, "Since we're not open yet, I take it this is more than a social call?"

Spades - Saturday, March 15, 2070; 2:57PM; Shackles, Downtown, Seattle

Spades snaps out of his cautious trance, and looks back at her, a sheepish smile over his face as he scratches the back of his head.

"Kinnnndddd of business and pleasure, really. Besides knowing your schedule and wanting to sit down and grab a beer with my favorite boss, I was also wondering if you knew anything... about the Pullayups? Any gangs on the way to Pullayup City and the like."

He wanders in after taking in the nostalgic sights, and closing the door behind him.

"You know, same ol', same ol'."

Spades - Saturday, March 15, 2070; 2:58PM; Shackles, Downtown, Seattle

She giggles, almost a girlish giggle as the pair of you head through the storeroom. "This is Seattle and the Barrens are gang central. Every half a dozen blocks in Puyallup City has a different gang. Then you have the various go-gangs between here and there. Hell, just going south you'll being going through I-Fiver territory. Any specific gang you looking to find... or avoid?"

Spades - Saturday, March 15, 2070; 2:58PM; Shackles, Downtown, Seattle

Spades smirks, not sure what particular thing she's laughing at though.

"Well, it's not like I've ever had unfriendly relations with a gang before, I just want to be on the safe side and make sure I don't start any time soon. Mostly going for gangs that I should be particularly aware of when I'm in their territory to proceed full speed or with caution... And when the hell did you put this wiz sound system in?"

This place was getting newer, he kinda missed the old feel...

Sam - Saturday March 15, 2070; 6:45PM; Fire Cracker, Puyallup City, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle
Sam;PAN=passive[LTG] SIN=Roxanne Vega

The soup arrived piping hot from the kitchen. The aroma was heavenly, and Sam's stomach began to rumble in anticipation. She hadn't eaten anything since that lousy Soyaritto. And most of that went to the alley cats.

Sam captured Scrimp's queen. He has left the piece exposed...again.

"Let's eat before the soup gets cold. I'm starving.

Saturday March 15, 2070; 6:48PM; Fire Cracker, Puyallup City, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle
Ramses;PAN=passive[LTG] SIN= Baruti Mshai

Ramses takes the tall glass of lager from the man and pays him 5 yen on his AR display. Lifting his glass in salute, "Cheers, mate" , he takes a long slow draw letting the thick dark carbonated liquid slide down his gullet soothing his parched throat. "Ah, a fine beverage if ever there was one. Now Jimmy, if I was to meet a gent named Johnson where would he be?"

He listens intently to the barman as he gives directions to the back room and at the same time shifts his visual perception to the astral. He swivels about on his bar stool and pans across the patrons currently in the bar noting much is as expected with only two exceptions. The git at the end of the bar obviously masking his talent, and an attractive young female who just entered moments ago with her brother. Cheeky little monkey she is. Tsk tsk, she'd be the death of me. Ah, I've seem to have caught her eye. Well, who could blame her I've always had a way with the ladies. Smiling he lifts his glass in salute to the young maiden and takes another drink. Right well, all in due time. Work to be done. Ramses stands and gathers his jacket and umbrella intending to make his way to the back room.

Sam - Saturday March 15, 2070; 6:48PM; Fire Cracker, Puyallup City, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle
Sam;PAN=passive[LTG] SIN=Roxanne Vega

Sam tries to be lady-like while eating her soup. It wasn't much, but it tasted like real chicken in there, and she was very hungry. She let a few slurping noises escape as she eagerly devoured the soup. Scrimp didn't seem to take notice, or maybe he didn't care. He was drinking his soup out of the bowl.

The dwarf in the fancy get up was staring her way. He had a strange look on his face, as if he was gazing into her very soul.

Wonder what he see's in there?

He raised his glass in a toast to her, as he noticed he'd been busted. She smiled at him, and raised her diet Coke in return.

"Scrimp... I think that old dwarf dude at the bar might be one of my professors. I'm gonna go say 'Hi' and get us another round of drinks. I'll be right back."

Sam strolled gracefully across the room, and walked up to the bar. The guy playing pool totally missed the cue ball, as he was staring at her, and not paying attention to the game. She walked up next to the dwarf that Kilroy had tagged as Ramses. She flagged down Jimmy for another diet Coke and a beer for Scrimp. As the bartender went to get a beer from the cooler, Sam turned to the dwarf, winked and said "Hi. You don't know me... yet. But I think we have a mutual... friend."

Spades - Saturday, March 15, 2070; 2:59PM; Shackles, Downtown, Seattle

She grabs one of the bar aprons off the wall pegs as she passes by, "I'd take the long way around. Word is that the I-Fivers have something going on near SeaTac today. Not sure what it is, but you know... when word gets around before hand, it usually involves heavy ordinance." There was something about the the way she said 'ordinance' that causes most guys to need a trip to the men's room to clean up.

She stops before heading out onto the floor. "The AR has been completely upgraded as well. I assume you'll take the 405 south instead. The Hellhounds stand out, so unless you make yourself a target that should be null sheen. Star enforcement near Auburn is obviously high, stick the the 405 and you should be fine. That will bring you into Puyallup City. I'm just not up to speed on all the street gangs down there. Where did you say you are going again?"

Sam/Ramses - Saturday March 15, 2070; 6:48PM; Fire Cracker, Puyallup City, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle

Scrimp remains at the table, oblivious. He's just happy the beating at chess has ended. The rest of the patrons, besides a few admiring Sam's assets, ignore the runners. Jimmy passes the drinks across and tags your persona for the bill. The tab system at the bar is a simple AR program that creates a small tab that attaches to a persons persona. For those people in the bar running in hidden/stealth/no coms, a cash and carry policy is in effect.

Saturday March 15, 2070; 6:50PM; Fire Cracker, Puyallup City, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle
Ramses;PAN=passive[LTG] SIN= Baruti Mshai

Ramses carefully folded the jacket over his arm and reached for the umbrella when he noticed the young lady had come to the bar asking Jimmy for another round of drinks. Did she just wink at me? Get to know you better? Oh I do say a bit randy aren't we? Behave... When she mentions a mutual friend it finally dawns on him...

She's a lady of the night, a prostitute!

Yes, in the old days they used lines as such meaning their mutual friend was Jackson or Grant or some other dead president pictured on money. A way to proposition a potential customer without the social awkwardness of being blunt. Right well, it all makes sense now. The other chap must be her handler. I've been here once before, as the saying goes "Fool me once...". Ramses pictures himself waking in the gutter the next morning without a quid to his name.

Shaking his head hoping to dispel the illusion that it just might be worth it he turns his attention to the slapper. "'ello luv. Hmm? Oh you don't say? He reaches up and adjusts his glasses as he gives her one more look over, "Sorry lass, I've no time for a shag. I'm here on business luv, perhaps I'll look you up after for a poke and a we. Wouldn't that be fun?" The last comment was more for himself, turning and making his way past the other patrons he headed for the back room not waiting for a reply from the right sweet tart.

Sam - Saturday March 15, 2070; 6:50PM; Fire Cracker, Puyallup City, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle
Sam;PAN=passive[LTG] SIN=Roxanne Vega

Sam was a bit flabbergasted by Ramses' response. She hadn't intended to make a pass at the old bugger, but somehow he took it as one anyway. Sam seemed to have that problem quite often.

What the frag is wrong with this guy? Does he think he's some kind of comedian or what?

"In your dreams, professor. " she said to the randy dwarven perv. "Let me start over for the sake of clarity. Hi, you can call me Sam." She stook out her hand to shake with Ramses. He reluctantly returned the gesture. He seemed to be wary of her trying to pick his pockets or something equally paranoid.

Scrimp appeard to be a little concerned by the dwarf's body langauge, and he started to get up. Sam waved him off with a quick "it's cool" gesture.

My friend's name is Kilroy..." she revealed to Ramses in a low, guarded tone so Jimmy could not overhear.

Spades - Saturday, March 15, 2070; 2:59PM; Shackles, Downtown, Seattle
Spades;PAN=active[LTG] SIN= Sam Gorret

Spades looked at Lalia with a praising grin.
"Wow, you sure know your way around. I'd imagine there are countless other gangs in Pullayup City. I guess I-405 is the way to go, thanks for the info.
Ordinance, huh? Sounds like some big time shit I don't want anything to do with if I'm tryin' to keep my nose clean, unless it has anything to do with the run I'm doing, heh.
I would stay for a drink but I have to heading down to get to my meet on time. Maybe after all is said and done I'll snap by for last call and we can trade stories?"

He gives an award winning smile and after they say their goodbyes heads for the door. Ready to get on the 405 South to his big break.

Spades - Saturday, March 15, 2070; 3:00PM; Shackles, Downtown, Seattle

As Spades complements Lalia, she playfully punches him in the shoulder. "Thanks... But you know how it is working here. People talk, I hear things." As she walks across to the bar, she continues to listen. He finishes as they reach the bar. "Yea, catch me up on what you're up to."

They part with a hug and she heads off to start her shift.

Spades - Saturday, March 15, 2070; 3:45PM; Shackles, Downtown, Seattle

Her intel about Auburn was definitely correct. By the time you reach there, the highway is shut down. Seems the Star had a run in with a go gang. Two shelled out cruisers and about a dozen bikes, as well as pieces of their former riders, litter the highway. Spades has no problem making it through... just time...

Spades - Saturday, March 15, 2070; 5:05PM; Shackles, Downtown, Seattle

A lot longer than it would have taken Spades arrives in Puyallup City. A news report flashes across his news feed. Details are sketchy, but there was a big mess on the 405 a little over an hour ago. Several dozen civilians were killed when a security company engaged a local go gang. Witnesses report the gang was trying to take out a pair of limos. Witnesses also complain about excessive force in the security company response.

Team - Saturday, March 15, 2070; 6:50PM; Shackles, Downtown, Seattle

Having parked and checked out the area, Spades enters the Fire Cracker. The bartender directs him towards the back, there he finds a male dwarf and young woman just moments ahead of him entering the room. Jimmy follows behind with a pitcher and three (clean) glasses. He sets them on the table. "Johnson should be here pretty soon." before returning to the front.

The room is 6m square with a round table ~1.5m in diameter sitting in the middle of the room. Four chairs are arranged around the table. A troll sized chair sits in the far corner. The pitcher and glasses are the only thing on the table. A white noise generator is running under the table. Everyone also notices that the walls must be wifi inhibiting as their connection to the outside world is cut. There are two entrances. The one you just came through and another directly opposite it.

You don't even get an opportunity to introduce yourselves before that other door opens. A man, definitely a rent-a-cop, looks into the room. He has an MP-5 at the ready, though not threatening. He hesitates, surveying the room, before entering, looking around again and signaling with his arm an all clear to the hallway.

Another man, obviously your Johnson, nervously enters the room. He looks across the room and smiles a hesitant smile as he steps in, clears his throat and declares, "Hello. I... I am am your Johnson."

Saturday, March 15, 2070; 6:51PM; Shackles, Downtown, Seattle
Ramses

Sitting at the table with his hands folded in front of him, Ramses steals a glimpse at the other two occupants that are in the room wondering which one is supposed to be the face for the meet. An awkward silence settled in after a stammering Johnson introduced himself that made him even more nervous, if that were even possible. Hoping it wouldn't be the elven tart who was prone to propositioning people with her introductions Ramses decided to break the ice, " Alright then? The name's Ramses. As he stands and offers his hand in friendship, " Well met sir. Kindly have a seat and lets get on with this." Not knowing everyone's name he chooses to let them introduce themselves, casually switching his perception to the astral while the focus is on the others.

Saturday, March 15, 2070; 6:51PM; Shackles, Downtown, Seattle
Spades

When Spades entered he immediately assumed a cordial demeanor, giving a nod and a smile to both occupants as he headed towards his seat. He was about to introduce himself but when the door opened, he paused mid descent into his chair as the armed man surveyed the room when his head popped through the door. Finishing his priorities of placement in his chair as the Johnson walked in through the door. Spades' was stunned silent by this informal and oddly somewhat emotional Johnson, while all others had been cool, calm, and collected. This one looks like he's, frightened, fidgety, and... Spades was intent on seeing if this was some sort of act, while he would've been the first one to introduce himself; he had forgotten in the sake of seeing exactly what the deal was. Not wanting to fall out of etiquette, though, he remembered his manners and introduced himself.

"Mr. Johnson always a pleasure, my alias is Spades. I hope we can help with whatever seems to be bothering you."

From there he focused his eyes on the very attractive elven women who hadn't spoken up yet, he hoped she would speak up soon, as his attentions were more on what the Johnson intentions were, after a little bit he changed the focus on which his eyes were, between the other three occupants of the table.

Sam - Saturday March 15, 2070; 6:51PM; Fire Cracker, Puyallup City, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle
Sam

Sam listened to the perverted dwarf introduce himself, followed by "fodder0797".

"Fodder's" kinda cute, for a human. Fodder... I gotta ask Kilroy what he calls me....

"You can call me Sam, Mr. Johnson. Excuse our impatient collegue..." she said giving, Ramses a scolding stare. She followed that up with smile at Mr. Johnson that could make snow melt at the South Pole. She continued in a subdued, dulcet tone.

"I'm sure our 'representative' has informed you of our.. umm... capabilities. How may we be of service?"

Saturday March 15, 2070; 6:51PM; Fire Cracker, Puyallup City, Puyallup Barrens, Seattle

As the team makes their rounds introducing themselves, Mr Johnson adjusts his red power tie.
@Spades
"Yes. Your man spoke very highly of each of you." As he pulls out a chair, "Please. Have a seat." He then sits as the team does.

"Let's get down to business shall we?" As Johnson talks, the rent-a-cop stand near the door, his eyes obscured by his glasses. "There will be a package, larger than a bread box smaller than one of these chairs, that I need intercepted. The couriers must exit the scene alive and healthy. The job occurs within three days and pays one thousand nuyen for each of you upfront. If you succeed with that, there will be two more opportunities of the same nature. The pay increases to fifteen hundred and two thousand, each, for the subsequent packages. If this is acceptable, I will provide greater details." As he sets about talking about the run, his suit mentality takes over and he appears now to be more in 'his element'.