Neo-Tokyo, streets - 04/24/2008 – 2130

Kambei smiles after he terminates the call, they definitely have the most love for this city of anyone I've ever known. It's almost like I'm rediscovering Neo-Tokyo through their eyes.

He changes into a pair of jeans, throws on a t-shirt and grabs his leather armor lined jacket. It's not ideal but it's the closest I got and I don't want to stand out like a sore thumb. Kambei the suddenly laughs to himself. This is pretty much how I was dressed when I was trying to blend in with the zoku.

Having lost his initial paranoia after his recent job, Kambei doesn't bother carrying heat and heads out with just his knife just like any other red blooded man.

He puts a little extra on his way to the subway station just to get there a little quicker. No need to see what'll happen if those two are waiting there long in those outfits.

Neo-Tokyo, streets - 04/24/2008 – 2205

At the subway station, a number of "punks" hang around. For the average sarariman it might look like a gang is marking their turf, but Kambei spots the difference clearly. Those "punks" don't show the attitude of a gang-type zoku. They are a bit too spread out, and split up. They do not feel dangerous either, they lack that edge, that hidden rage many gang members have even if they enjoy themselves. And their clothes are too clean, and too new. Students out to "slum".

Aoi and Ayaka fit right in, and are currently talked to by a group of boys in ripped jeans and leather jackets with so much metal on them they must be triggering scanners at 20 meters. When they two girls spot Kambei, they wave and smile, which causes another girl nearby, with heavy white makeup and dark clothes, to sneer, and the boys to frown.

Kambei also notices, getting closer, that a number of drones are watching the subway station - more than usual, and varying models, and that two security guards are also visible right in the middle of the area - to calm possible fears of passengers, no doubt.

Neo-Tokyo, streets - 04/24/2008 – 2205

Sure does seem like a lot of security for a subway station. This must be a regular thing.

Kambei puts his arms around the girls and gives them a hug. “You two are looking fantastic,� he says, “definitely a sight to see after 72 hours of straight work.�

He looks around at the group around her – sizing them up – while masking his disdain for little corp boys that think they are hard enough for the streets. “So are these your friends?�

Neo-Tokyo, subway station - 04/24/2008 – 2205

Aoi and Ayakawa beam at Kambei's compliment, and, sticking close to him, shake their heads in unison "No, we met them here, but we go to the same university." The four young men - not even 20, probably - don't like hearing this, sizing Kambei up, looking for corp logos, or other signs of wealth or employer.

They dislike it even more when it becomes obvious that the two girls are focusing their attention on Kambei, to the extent that they might as well be invisible. And Aoi's comment that the Rathole might be dangerous, but the two would be safe with Kambei all but enrages them.

Neo-Tokyo, subway station - 04/24/2008 – 2205

Kambei lets the girls cozy up to him, putting his arms around their waists. The only signs of wealth to anyone who looks would be his cybereyes - not blatantly obvious, but noticeable as cybernetics - and his high quality though not designer clothes. Kambei would rather do without most of the attention flashing your wealth brings.

After spending a moment enjoying the future corphead's jealousy he says, "so, you want to wait for anyone or you want to head down?"

Neo-Tokyo, subway station - 04/24/2008 – 2215

Aoi and Ayakawa shake their heads, and giggle. "Let's go down!" The four boys follow, but keep enough of a distance so Aoi and Ayakawa can't hear their grumbling, and remarks about the three in front of them. They don't seem to expect Kambei to hear them either - their remark lack that challenging undertone particular to such "accidentally overheard" slights.

Aoi sends a map file to Kambei. For a supposedly scret club, the map supports quite a lot of nav systems flawlessly, and provides detailed instructions in AR. A maintenance door - the chains holding it close long since cut it seems - the path leads through an abandoned tunnel. The floor is covered with signs of human activity - countless wrappers, cigarette stubs, or other trash. Kambei's low light vision suddenly picks up movement ahead - a very large rat glares at them from about 10 meters away, mouth dripping white fluids - apparently, the milk drink carton someone passing through must have dropped wasn't empty. The rat doesn't show fear, contrary to Aoi and Ayakawa, who gasp and squeal.

Neo-Tokyo, subway station - 04/24/2008 – 2215

Kambei tells the girls to stop a moment and moves them gently back behind him, “hold up, that thing might have rabies. Give me a second.�

He looks around the tunnel for a second and grabs a few likely projectiles and flings one at the rat trying to get it out of the way.

Neo-Tokyo, subway tunnel - 04/24/2008 – 2215

The rat gets hit by a projectile, and squeals shrilly, disappearing through a crack in the wall. Some snickers are heard from behind, and a "Oh, he slew a mighty rat... not quite" quip - the boys got closer again. Aoi and Ayakawa are glad the rat is gone, and ask Kambei if that was a devil rat, like from the trid.

Neo-Tokyo, subway tunnel - 04/24/2008 – 2215

Kambei doesn't respond to the college boys, he who has the ladies, has the last laugh.

He puts his arms back around Aoi and Ayaka's waist's and leads the way through the tunnel with the handy AR guides. "No, that's not a devil rat," he says a little playfully, "you'd know a devil rat when you see one. They'd be at least a meter long with big teeth and red eyes."

Neo-Tokyo, subway tunnel - 04/24/2008 – 2215

Aoi and Ayaka whistle, and seem to be a bit more afraid hearing this.

"I didn't know they could be that big..."

The two girls step even closer to Kambei, and glance at the darkness while the three walk towards the "Rathole". Kambei spots more rats on the way, not as big, disappearing when the group gets closer. It's not far to the "official" entrance, and as Kambei approaches, he's receiving AR node signals already - advertising today's special drink rates.

The bouncer at the door though looks like the real deal - not his size and frame, but the attitude, and the subtle scars of past fights. He looks the three of them over, then nods at them, letting them pass.

Inside, the club is packed already, and loud trash metal fills AR and - how retro! - the air even. Stroboscob lights turn the club's main room into a confusing plaze, and leather and metal seems to be the dress code of choice.

Aoi and Ayaka are very impressed, and tug Kambei to the bar.

Neo-Tokyo, subway tunnel - 04/24/2008 – 2215

Kambei lets himself get easily dragged to the bar and buys them whatever they want with a beer for himself.

He looks around the club and at all the effort they seem to have gone through to make the place seem like a real underground event. It's not bad really. They seem to love it.

He turns back to the girls and says, "so what do you think of this place? Worth the trip through the tunnel?"

Neo-Tokyo, subway tunnel - 04/24/2008 – 2215

"Definetly!" The two girls enjoy the thrill - like the rest of the crowd. The loud music may damage some eardrums that come too close to the speakers, but it does fit the club, and people dance wildly, with more enthusiasm than skill, but don't care. It's just a matter of time until Aoi and Ayaka will start dancing too, from what Kambei can tell - they're already whipping their feet.

Still, it's not as harmless at it may appear - Kambei spotted at least two dealers - chips probably, but maybe other drugs as well. And he knows better than to leave a drink unobserved here - he spots a disheveled young man dropping a powder into a beer, then leave the glass on a table. And among the crowd, there's bound to be some real street people - zoku, but maybe even some shadowrunners. One woman in particular catches Kambei's attention - her leathers look actually worn and mended, and cover enough to hide a few weapons. She moves smoother than a student as well, and her eyes are tracking the crowd far more than the distinctly more "dressed up as street punk" young man she is with. Probably a hired bodyguard.

Aoi's and Ayaka's accents draw some attention from a too-hip dressed and too good looking man, but he just scans Kambei before moving along.

Neo-Tokyo, subway tunnel - 04/24/2008 – 2215

Kambei sticks very close to the girls and as he hands them their drinks. Gotta make sure to keep an eye on their drinks if they put them down.

He lets the girls take the lead in what they want to do but while he stands around he draws himself up to his full height and scans the crowd like a bodyguard, intent on keeping away any would be predators.

He does pay a bit of special attention to the presumed bodyguard he saw but without making it obvious enough to tip of Aoi and Ayaka. No need to make them jealous over nothing.

Neo-Tokyo, Rathole - 04/24/2008 – 2305

The girls start to dance, dragging Kambei with them. The dancing stage is crowded, and the loud metal being played makes it appear even more crowded. But the atmosphere is if not friendly, so at least tolerant and happy - for all their dressing up as "cutting edge street punk", the people are here to party. Most of them.

About an hour into the rave, Kambei spots a group that looks like they are the real deal - zoku. At first they make not much of an impact, but just when Kambei - and the bodyguard he spotted before as well, judging by how tense she got at first - relax a bit, they start to push people around.

Neo-Tokyo, Rathole - 04/24/2008 – 2305

Kambei keeps himself between the zoku and the girls just incase they move towards them. He keeps an eye on the bodyguard and looks out for security just incase anyone decides to escalate this beyond a mere shoving match.

I guess we'll see if the security here was just for show or if they actually have some bite.

Neo-Tokyo, Rathole - 04/24/2008 – 2305

Kambei doesn't notice any security at first, but when the zoku's acts got a few students with more testosterone than common sense riled up enough to push back, the zoku suddenly act disoriented, two even hit each other, a third starts to push a wall. Then a few men wearing ripped "rathole" t-shirts show up, and take the zoku down - without excessive force, quite professionally. Good hand to hand training.

Aoi and Ayaka stare at the display, sam e as most of the other people - the club just got more exciting for them it seems.

Neo-Tokyo, Rathole - 04/24/2008 – 2305

Kambei scrutinizes the scene carefully. I wonder why they started acting confused right before the bouncers came out. He scans the crowd carefully looking for anyone else that could have been involved in subduing the zoku from range. Must have been a mage or something.

He turns away from the quickly finished zoku and back at the girls and brings them a little closer. "Wild place you guys found!"

Neo-Tokyo, Rathole - 04/24/2008 – 2305

Kambei did not see anyone that looked like he was casting a spell. He does notice several microdrones that start to leave the area, carefully using AR cover when possible - disappearing behind ARO's for those running full AR view. He also spots a few among the crowd who do not talk excitedly about the fight as most, but are looking for whatever hit the zoku as well. They seem to have no luck either.

Aoi and Ayaka beam at Kambei, pleased with his praise. "Yes. Did you see the fight? This is a thrill!"

Neo-Tokyo, Rathole - 04/24/2008 – 2305

"Yeah, it was a good fight," Kambei lies. No reason to mention that that wasn't even a real fight.

He decides to forget about whatever it was that disoriented the zoku and go back to having fun. It's not like I'm starting shit anyway, and besides, I got two lovely girls to pay attention to.

Neo-Tokyo, Rathole - 04/25/2008 – 0145

Between dancing, drinking and talking, the next hour and a half pass quickly. Kambei notices that the drones he spotted earlier are everywhere - just very discrete. They are covered by the AR enviroment, so anyone who uses the "default" setting of the club's node won't ever see them. Judging from the crowd, most fall among those. For all the "street" look of the club, the computer systems seems also top-notch - not something cobbled together from the scrapyard.

By chance he also notices the bodyguard he saw earlier alone - at first sight. From what he can tell, the young gentleman she's escorting is flirting with someone, and ordered the guard to keep some distance.

The man in the too-hip clothes is also busy, chatting up a girl that's not quite as hip dressed. She seems to eat his words - flattery, from what Kambei can hear - up.

Neo-Tokyo, Rathole - 04/25/2008 – 0145

Kambei smiles to himself when he notices the man with the bodyguard going out on his own. I never understood the idea of hiring a bodyguard and then asking them to keep away while they run around like an idiot.

Trying not to let himself get distracted from his fun, Kambei turns his fully attention back on the girls and lets loose with his drinks a little bit to relax. This place seems fairly under control, looks like I can let down my guard and just have fun.

Neo-Tokyo, Rathole - 04/25/2008 – 0245

About an hour later, Kambei and the girls are heading back home. Kambei hasn't that much time left before he crashes, after all, and there's more to come this night. The bodyguard and her charge got into a quick argument - for most around it must have looked like a lover's squabble - after the girl the man was hitting on left following an intervention from the bodyguard.

On the way back through the tunnel, Kambei spots another rat, carrying something metallic in its mouth. The rat spots Kambei, and moves to the side. Unlike the other rat he saw earlier, it doesn't seem to keep an eye on him as it avoids him.

Neo-Tokyo, Rathole - 04/25/2008 – 0245

Kambei looks a bit closer at the rat trying to see what it’s holding in its mouth, more out of curiosity than out of any sense of danger.

He does skirt the girls around it though, no sense in traveling too close to a rat that’s not afraid of people, sure sign of rabies.

Neo-Tokyo, Rathole - 04/25/2008 – 0245



Zooming in, the rat seems to carry a chip case in its mouth. The rat looks very healthy too, no signs of rabies, and rather clean. And it moves very evenly, and straight. And there's something about its eyes... they look almost artificial.

Neo-Tokyo, Rathole - 04/25/2008 – 0245

Kambei's curiosity overrules his good sense and he says, "hold on a sec, this is kinda weird." He steps behind the rat since it doesn't seem to be paying attention and tries to step on its tail to hold it in its track.

Neo-Tokyo, Rathole - 04/25/2008 – 0245



Kambei is fast, but rats are not his usual targets. Faster than he had thought possible the animals whirls around, dodges, and starts to run. He is sure the rat did not see him - but then he spots another rat watching him from a beneath the remains of a take-out food carton.

Neo-Tokyo, Rathole - 04/25/2008 – 0245

"Stupid rats," Kambei mutters. It's not worth my trouble and I'm gonna pass out pretty soon. "It's probably nothing, lets get out of these tunnels." Kambei hangs back a bit behind the girls so he can watch their backs just to be on the safe side.

Neo-Tokyo, Rathole - 04/25/2008 – 0255

Kambei can almost feel the "undercover" rat watching him until he and the duo reach the exit to the regular subway station again. From thre it's just a short trip to Kambei's apartment - not that much traffic at that time of the day - or night.

Neo-Tokyo, Rathole - 04/25/2008 – 0255

Kambei wonders about the rats on the way home. Maybe later when I’m better at hacking I can go back there and see if they are still around…

Once back home he puts on some music and sends a message to the front desk to be as helpful to Aoi and Ayaka in the morning as they can since he’ll be passing out for the next dozen hours.

Once their night is over Kambei lies in bed, smiling at his good fortune as he watches the minutes tick away towards six o’clock, as the Long Haul’s effects slowly drip away and he falls into a deep sleep.

Neo-Tokyo, Kambei's home - 04/25/2008 – 2155

Kambei is woken from his indirectly drug-induced slumber by a call from Rattler. The hacker sounds as cheerful as ever - he must be in a good mood.

"Good Morning, Kambei! Remember that favor I spoke of?"

The icon looks around in Kambei's flat, or appears to do so, as the hacker asks, poking his snout in various AR-places, changing the AROs to visually react to that on some occasions.

Neo-Tokyo, Kambei's home - 04/25/2008 – 2155

Kambei looks around him drowsily, vaguely disappointed that he is alone. He yawns loudly before answering, "hey, for once it's you that's waking me up. What do you need?"

Neo-Tokyo, Kambei's home - 04/25/2008 – 2155

"It's a simple job."

Rattler grins. "I always wanted to say that."

"Jokes aside, I need something transported from one point to another. Discretely, and safely. Tonight. There's some risk, from what I gather, or I'd not ask you, and it involves some infiltration, but no stealing. The package is small, so no car is needed, a bike will do fine. Opposition may include a kuri or two of the Yakuza. Oh, and can you swim?"

Neo-Tokyo, Kambei's home - 04/25/2008 – 2155

"Of course I can swim," Kambei exclaims, "what do you take me for?"

He sits up in bed and swings his feet onto the floor, "so how hot is this package exactly? Not that I won't do it, but just need to know."

Neo-Tokyo, Kambei's home - 04/25/2008 – 2155

Rattler twirls around.

"It's hot enough to require a dedicated courier, and a couple of decoy drop offs to throw off pursuit. But it's not hot enough to really bother the big guys - you won't see Red Samurai going after it. But for a kuri or two, it's a matter of saving face - they lost the bidding war, so to speak, and I hear one oyabun was promised the item in advance by one of his underlings..."

Rattler gives Kambei not much chance to let that sink in, continuing.

"The other party are russians. Not the Vory, or if they are they have buried their connections very deep. Probably renegade EVO. Due to the nature of the package, a physical delivery is needed, so we've set up a meeting on the "Petrograd", a russian freighter currently in Tokyo harbor. They are expecting a courier, several in fact, but the real one will be you. Here's the code to transmit during the meeting. You can say any strange haiku if you want while transmitting it - the other couriers all got haikus as "codewords". Just in case anyone observes you, as slim as the chance is."

Rattler transmits a data file containing the code to Kambei as he speaks.

"Now, how you get on board, and off the ship, I leave up to you, you're the expert there. The package has to be dropped at "Hiro's Yatai", using this code."

Rattler transmits another piece of code.

"Oh, and try the ramen special there while you drop the package of, divine taste, I tell you!"