15:59:51 Friday, 13th January 2062 - Antioch East Marina, Parking lot
"The only thing keeping Amazonia out of that place are the Frenchies. They must have some mean motherfraggers protecting that little colony of theirs. 80k is fine. For 120k we can offer our own transports, safe house, total deniability, the works."
Full Version: IC: Evolution
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15:59:51 Friday, 13th January 2062 - Antioch East Marina, Parking lot
The young russian woman took her hands out of her jacket.
"Looking for fifty? Well then, you are not looking in right place, Mister Smith."
She gave a quick side glance to Duster.
"Fifty would be standard fee if we were doing this here. You talk of French Guiana. Whole other deal. We will not have same network over there. Everything more difficult. Weapons, tools, equipement. Very hard to get hold of special equipement we might need for job. This is not standard extraction, so it is not cheap."
Ludi folded her arms across her chest.
"If you want cheaper... maybe you have something else to offer instead of nuyens?"
The young russian woman took her hands out of her jacket.
"Looking for fifty? Well then, you are not looking in right place, Mister Smith."
She gave a quick side glance to Duster.
"Fifty would be standard fee if we were doing this here. You talk of French Guiana. Whole other deal. We will not have same network over there. Everything more difficult. Weapons, tools, equipement. Very hard to get hold of special equipement we might need for job. This is not standard extraction, so it is not cheap."
Ludi folded her arms across her chest.
"If you want cheaper... maybe you have something else to offer instead of nuyens?"
16:00:00 Friday, 13th January 2062 - Antioch East Marina, Main Dock
Smith for the first time looks uncomfortable, but only for a split second.
"You drive a hard bargain, but you state your reasons well." He pauses briefly, "Miron says your team is good, so I will agree to pay your fee. I can pay you ten percent of that now, another ten when you land in Guiana, then the rest upon completion."
He reaches into his pocket, and it is strangely obvious that he is not going for a weapon. One wouldn't expect him to draw in this situation, but he seems to go for whatever is concealed within his coat without alerting any reflexes from the negotiators or the over watch. He is either a highly trained assassin, or completely harmless. At least physically.
He retreves a small computer, or very large pocket secretary. He opens it up, plugs in a credstick, hits a few keys, rather fast for the way he is holding it. He spins it around so Ludi and Duster can see the screen reading, "TRANSFER COMPLETE" and another box reading "CREDSTICK VERIFICATION: 8,000.00
"
Smith turns it back to himself, pulling the credstick out in one movement. He closes the pocket computer and holds the credstick out to Ludmilla as if to say, "Do we have a deal?"
Smith for the first time looks uncomfortable, but only for a split second.
"You drive a hard bargain, but you state your reasons well." He pauses briefly, "Miron says your team is good, so I will agree to pay your fee. I can pay you ten percent of that now, another ten when you land in Guiana, then the rest upon completion."
He reaches into his pocket, and it is strangely obvious that he is not going for a weapon. One wouldn't expect him to draw in this situation, but he seems to go for whatever is concealed within his coat without alerting any reflexes from the negotiators or the over watch. He is either a highly trained assassin, or completely harmless. At least physically.
He retreves a small computer, or very large pocket secretary. He opens it up, plugs in a credstick, hits a few keys, rather fast for the way he is holding it. He spins it around so Ludi and Duster can see the screen reading, "TRANSFER COMPLETE" and another box reading "CREDSTICK VERIFICATION: 8,000.00
"Smith turns it back to himself, pulling the credstick out in one movement. He closes the pocket computer and holds the credstick out to Ludmilla as if to say, "Do we have a deal?"
16:00:25 Friday, 13th January 2062 - Antioch East Marina, Main DockAs Smith stated the mode of payment, Ludmilla simply nodded in a curt fashion. She had been ready to go down to 65, so getting what she had actually asked... well, it made for a swell day.
“Very well Mister Smith.� she said, reaching for the credstick with her left hand, which she immediately handed to Duster.
She turned back to their new employer.
“If you can hand over what information you have on target, we will start job as soon as we can.�
“Very well Mister Smith.� she said, reaching for the credstick with her left hand, which she immediately handed to Duster.
She turned back to their new employer.
“If you can hand over what information you have on target, we will start job as soon as we can.�
16:00:10 Friday, 13 January, 2062 - Antioch East Marina, Main Dock
Smith fixed in his sights, Sugar subvocalizes on the net:
"If he had meant for us to come out of this alive he'd have talked you down some, Ludi. We should plan our own exfil."
By now Sugar has learned that shadowrunners never forget corporate treachery...
Smith fixed in his sights, Sugar subvocalizes on the net:
"If he had meant for us to come out of this alive he'd have talked you down some, Ludi. We should plan our own exfil."
By now Sugar has learned that shadowrunners never forget corporate treachery...
A few feet away from Smith, Sugar could clearly see Ludi.
When he spoke, her head tilted a bit to the side. Even throught the scope, he could feel her listening to him.
She nodded once... altought he wasn't sure if it was because she had heard him, or agreed with him.
When he spoke, her head tilted a bit to the side. Even throught the scope, he could feel her listening to him.
She nodded once... altought he wasn't sure if it was because she had heard him, or agreed with him.
16:00:20 Friday, 13 January, 2062 - Antioch East Marina, Main Dock
Smith says, "Very well. I will have a package on the target waiting on your plane.
"I will have a limo take you guys to a charter plane at the Oakland air port. This will allow you to bypass security with all of your, ah, 'equipment.' It can leave whenever you guys are ready, but remember, I need the target kidnapped before next Saturday, and held out of circulation until Tuesday, at which point you can release him. Again, I wish no harm to come to him.
"The same people who put me in contact with you, also gave me a listing for a fixer in Guiana, named Bala. If there is anything you need upon arrival, you can arrange with him, but I would prefer you bring everything you think you will need onto my plane."
He seems to have wrapped up, but then, as if he forgot something, he adds, "You may have to access a high security location, so bring all the equipment you would need for that."
Smith says, "Very well. I will have a package on the target waiting on your plane.
"I will have a limo take you guys to a charter plane at the Oakland air port. This will allow you to bypass security with all of your, ah, 'equipment.' It can leave whenever you guys are ready, but remember, I need the target kidnapped before next Saturday, and held out of circulation until Tuesday, at which point you can release him. Again, I wish no harm to come to him.
"The same people who put me in contact with you, also gave me a listing for a fixer in Guiana, named Bala. If there is anything you need upon arrival, you can arrange with him, but I would prefer you bring everything you think you will need onto my plane."
He seems to have wrapped up, but then, as if he forgot something, he adds, "You may have to access a high security location, so bring all the equipment you would need for that."
16:00:35 Friday, 13 January, 2062 - Antioch East Marina, Main Dock
As Smith launched himself into what seemed like a well rehearsed speech, Ludmilla's face went from “professionally neutral� to “professionally pissed off�. Alright; maybe pissed off was a little strong. But then again, Ludi's emotions were known to be pretty far off into the extreme of things.
Creases appeared in her forehead, and after an obvious sigh, she decided to rub the bridge of her nose.
“Not good.� she simply said, once Smith was done.
“I beg your pardon?�
“We need minimum of 24 hours before we can leave, but we need all information on target now.� said Ludi, punctuating her last statement by stabbing her palm with her finger, a few times.
“We will be able to study target as we get ready.�
Smith took a breath in, obviously getting ready to retort something, before Ludmilla cut him off.
“I need number to contact you. When we are ready for pickup, I will call you with place and time.�
As Smith launched himself into what seemed like a well rehearsed speech, Ludmilla's face went from “professionally neutral� to “professionally pissed off�. Alright; maybe pissed off was a little strong. But then again, Ludi's emotions were known to be pretty far off into the extreme of things.
Creases appeared in her forehead, and after an obvious sigh, she decided to rub the bridge of her nose.
“Not good.� she simply said, once Smith was done.
“I beg your pardon?�
“We need minimum of 24 hours before we can leave, but we need all information on target now.� said Ludi, punctuating her last statement by stabbing her palm with her finger, a few times.
“We will be able to study target as we get ready.�
Smith took a breath in, obviously getting ready to retort something, before Ludmilla cut him off.
“I need number to contact you. When we are ready for pickup, I will call you with place and time.�
16:00:41 Friday, 13th January 2062 - Antioch East Marina, Parking lot
"Make sure he puts the final payment in escrow with your fixer here in CalFree. We don't want to risk non-payment after a job well-done."
"Make sure he puts the final payment in escrow with your fixer here in CalFree. We don't want to risk non-payment after a job well-done."
16:00:46 Friday, 13 January, 2062 - Antioch East Marina, Main Dock
Smith is taken back, and he waits to make sure Ludi is finished this time.
"I do not understand, ma'am. I stated that you can call me when you have your gear ready," he looks seriously confused. "I just wanted you to know, that the target is needed to be taken within seven days from now, but you can leave at any time you see appropriate to complete the mission."
He watches Ludi's face for any changes, then continues, "As for information on the target now, I do not see the need for that. There is nothing you can find on the man here, that you cannot find in Guiana. I will hold onto that information until I know your team has fully committed to the mission."
Smith is taken back, and he waits to make sure Ludi is finished this time.
"I do not understand, ma'am. I stated that you can call me when you have your gear ready," he looks seriously confused. "I just wanted you to know, that the target is needed to be taken within seven days from now, but you can leave at any time you see appropriate to complete the mission."
He watches Ludi's face for any changes, then continues, "As for information on the target now, I do not see the need for that. There is nothing you can find on the man here, that you cannot find in Guiana. I will hold onto that information until I know your team has fully committed to the mission."
16:00:45 Friday, 13th January 2062 - Antioch East Marina, Parking lot
Bubba always hated the waiting game... his attention span never lasted for too long. As the team waited in their positions Bubba paced around and kicked rocks while occasioanlly scanning the parking lot. For what seemed like an eternity to Bubba, he finally heard the communication begin with Smith and Ludi.
Surprisinlgy Bubba's full attention was on the conversing going back and forth and especially the money mentioned.
"We needs more monies, he gotsa bargains... this jobs much biggers den a simple kidnappings..."
The negotiating seemed too simple, even for a Troll. Smith was too willing...Bubba's hunch told him that the Shasta run was a joke compared to what is in store for them on this job.
Bubba always hated the waiting game... his attention span never lasted for too long. As the team waited in their positions Bubba paced around and kicked rocks while occasioanlly scanning the parking lot. For what seemed like an eternity to Bubba, he finally heard the communication begin with Smith and Ludi.
Surprisinlgy Bubba's full attention was on the conversing going back and forth and especially the money mentioned.
"We needs more monies, he gotsa bargains... this jobs much biggers den a simple kidnappings..."
The negotiating seemed too simple, even for a Troll. Smith was too willing...Bubba's hunch told him that the Shasta run was a joke compared to what is in store for them on this job.
16:01:32 Friday, 13 January, 2062 - Antioch East Marina, Main Dock
Never in her life had Ludmilla liked having people tell her what to do. She had washed out as an officer mainly because she never listened. What short supply of patience she possessed for others, Smith was quickly grinding it down to a nub. The russian woman craved a smoke, and for a brief moment, she almost reached for one. Fortunately for Smith, she quickly remembered that with the flick of her lighter, Sugar would put a single 7.62 round inside the Johnson's head. It would be somewhat entertaining, but rather bad for the team's finances.
Again, she rubbed the bridge of her nose, nodding as the Johnson spoke. Her patience was wearing thin, and it showed.
“Da da da. I need you to put final payment in..... escrow� she said, struggling with the word “with Miron. That way, we have guaranteed you will not... how you say.... short change us in end. I you can do this, then we will start job right now. If not, then you can take money back and give job to someone else.�
She shoved her hands back inside her jacket, making quick eye contact with Duster.
Never in her life had Ludmilla liked having people tell her what to do. She had washed out as an officer mainly because she never listened. What short supply of patience she possessed for others, Smith was quickly grinding it down to a nub. The russian woman craved a smoke, and for a brief moment, she almost reached for one. Fortunately for Smith, she quickly remembered that with the flick of her lighter, Sugar would put a single 7.62 round inside the Johnson's head. It would be somewhat entertaining, but rather bad for the team's finances.
Again, she rubbed the bridge of her nose, nodding as the Johnson spoke. Her patience was wearing thin, and it showed.
“Da da da. I need you to put final payment in..... escrow� she said, struggling with the word “with Miron. That way, we have guaranteed you will not... how you say.... short change us in end. I you can do this, then we will start job right now. If not, then you can take money back and give job to someone else.�
She shoved her hands back inside her jacket, making quick eye contact with Duster.
16:02:58 Friday, 13 January, 2062 - Antioch, East Marina, Main Dock
Duster had been content to simply be a part of the scenery, letting Ludmilla do all the negotiating. It was good, letting her be point'man' on this one. A good way to show heightened trust in a newer teammate. And, despite her obvious (at least to him) stress, she was doing well. But now, now was when things could get dicey. Now, Duster might just have to take a more active role. From the team's perspective, they were just covering their own ass...ets, but a Johnson could take this as a sign of distrust (especially if said Johnson was planning on being untrustworthy). Not only that, but most Johnsons don't show up completely alone, and if this one was planning something nefarious, well, the shit might just hit the fan, and the lead might just hit him or Ludmilla.
So, still silent, Duster begins focusing himself, ready to call forth one of his famous bursts of strength, as he shifts his shoulderblades slightly, to feel the reassuring presence of his weapon of choice.
Duster had been content to simply be a part of the scenery, letting Ludmilla do all the negotiating. It was good, letting her be point'man' on this one. A good way to show heightened trust in a newer teammate. And, despite her obvious (at least to him) stress, she was doing well. But now, now was when things could get dicey. Now, Duster might just have to take a more active role. From the team's perspective, they were just covering their own ass...ets, but a Johnson could take this as a sign of distrust (especially if said Johnson was planning on being untrustworthy). Not only that, but most Johnsons don't show up completely alone, and if this one was planning something nefarious, well, the shit might just hit the fan, and the lead might just hit him or Ludmilla.
So, still silent, Duster begins focusing himself, ready to call forth one of his famous bursts of strength, as he shifts his shoulderblades slightly, to feel the reassuring presence of his weapon of choice.
16:01:38 Friday, 13 January, 2062 - Antioch, East Marina, Main Dock
"Oh, yes. Yes. Yes, definitely. That can be arranged," Smith says to Ludi's request, as if dumbfounded that he did not think of that ahead of time. "I will transfer it as soon as you guys are on the plane. Sound like a deal?"
"Oh, yes. Yes. Yes, definitely. That can be arranged," Smith says to Ludi's request, as if dumbfounded that he did not think of that ahead of time. "I will transfer it as soon as you guys are on the plane. Sound like a deal?"
16:01:44 Friday, 13 January, 2062 - Antioch, East Marina, Parking lot
"Plane won't leave without confirmation from your fixer that the nuyen are there... Relax everybody, you're all doing fine."
"Plane won't leave without confirmation from your fixer that the nuyen are there... Relax everybody, you're all doing fine."
16:01:44 Friday, 13 January, 2062 - Antioch, East Marina, Main Dock
The words flowed out of Ludi's mouth as if she was an extension of Kliko.
"To make clear; plane will not leave ground until money is with Miron.�
She gave Smith a curt nod, making it quite clear they were finished; that there was no room for discussion.
“Good. Now we call you when we are ready.�
The words flowed out of Ludi's mouth as if she was an extension of Kliko.
"To make clear; plane will not leave ground until money is with Miron.�
She gave Smith a curt nod, making it quite clear they were finished; that there was no room for discussion.
“Good. Now we call you when we are ready.�
16:03:03 Friday, 13 January, 2062 - Antioch, East Marina
The Range Rover moved from the parking lot grinding and crushing the gravel beneath as it rolled toward the East Marina docks. It was perhaps somewhat bulky during parking maneuvers but Kliko liked the intimidating effect the SUV's raw mass used to have on people.
"Pick-up time chummers." Kliko exclaimed as the big SUV turned on the East Marina's quayside.
17:06:44 Friday, 13 January, 2062 - Kliko's workshop
Sharing meals with the people you worked with helped the bonding process. The downside was he had an angry ork woman back home complaining he was just 'not there' to see his spawn grow up. It also gave him some time to get the wheels in his mind spinning while the chaos of take away food flooded his otherwise orderly workshop. 'First things first'
16:35:12 TEXT MESSAGE SENT [DAVID>>>ANNA] >>> Sorry sweetheart, an emergency came up at work. One of the rigs broke loose from their anchors. They're currently transferring me there. Hope I will be back in ten days or so. Love, David.
"Ok, team. We're on a tight budget and even tighter timeschedule for this job. That means we need ideas and we need them quick. Now to be frank I did a quick looked up Kourou on the matrix and it appears to be some backwater French protectorate only good for training mercs in jungle warfare and shooting satelites into orbit. My 2 nuyen are the scientist is involved in this satellite bizz and my gut feeling tells me this is an inside job. You know one scientist having his colleague kidnapped to take the lead in that directors pet project... Now lets put up some plans on the whiteboard and see how creative we can get."
Walking over to the whiteboard Kliko dots down a '1. eight-day jungle hike' in green markings. Not very creative nor subtle, but what did they expect from the ork veteran?
The Range Rover moved from the parking lot grinding and crushing the gravel beneath as it rolled toward the East Marina docks. It was perhaps somewhat bulky during parking maneuvers but Kliko liked the intimidating effect the SUV's raw mass used to have on people.
"Pick-up time chummers." Kliko exclaimed as the big SUV turned on the East Marina's quayside.
17:06:44 Friday, 13 January, 2062 - Kliko's workshop
Sharing meals with the people you worked with helped the bonding process. The downside was he had an angry ork woman back home complaining he was just 'not there' to see his spawn grow up. It also gave him some time to get the wheels in his mind spinning while the chaos of take away food flooded his otherwise orderly workshop. 'First things first'
16:35:12 TEXT MESSAGE SENT [DAVID>>>ANNA] >>> Sorry sweetheart, an emergency came up at work. One of the rigs broke loose from their anchors. They're currently transferring me there. Hope I will be back in ten days or so. Love, David.
"Ok, team. We're on a tight budget and even tighter timeschedule for this job. That means we need ideas and we need them quick. Now to be frank I did a quick looked up Kourou on the matrix and it appears to be some backwater French protectorate only good for training mercs in jungle warfare and shooting satelites into orbit. My 2 nuyen are the scientist is involved in this satellite bizz and my gut feeling tells me this is an inside job. You know one scientist having his colleague kidnapped to take the lead in that directors pet project... Now lets put up some plans on the whiteboard and see how creative we can get."
Walking over to the whiteboard Kliko dots down a '1. eight-day jungle hike' in green markings. Not very creative nor subtle, but what did they expect from the ork veteran?
"The mores I works with yous da mores I sees da outdoors Klikos..." Bubba says with a smile. "Maybes we needs to find out who Bala is firsts and what he knows abouts "High Securities Locations" in da areas."
Maybe it had something to do with the time spent with the team and not feeling like an outsider. Bubba seemed more involved and more able to focus in the planning session. And who knows maybe a seeminlgy big slobby-dumb troll was not so dumb after all; however, the big slobby part, no help there.
Bubba ponders for a moment then continues... "Ever since we gots back from Shastas I beens watching Troll Meets Wild and Troll Shaman in da Woods, i learneds a lots, but dos we really have to do da woods? I means how muchs does one of the securities natives makes? A nice little bonuses ought to gives them a reasons to drives us in withouts dem seeing a things?"
Maybe it had something to do with the time spent with the team and not feeling like an outsider. Bubba seemed more involved and more able to focus in the planning session. And who knows maybe a seeminlgy big slobby-dumb troll was not so dumb after all; however, the big slobby part, no help there.
Bubba ponders for a moment then continues... "Ever since we gots back from Shastas I beens watching Troll Meets Wild and Troll Shaman in da Woods, i learneds a lots, but dos we really have to do da woods? I means how muchs does one of the securities natives makes? A nice little bonuses ought to gives them a reasons to drives us in withouts dem seeing a things?"
17:10:24 Friday, 13 January, 2062 - Kliko's workshop
"Yeah, natives. That's definately something we gotta look into. Chances are they hate them Frenchies as bad as they might hate us, perhaps this Bala guy can talk us into that, I'm not sure. We should see him, once we get there alright."
"I was thinking of heading inland for 2 days with zodiacs or kayaks or something. Then establish a base camp somewhere upriver and say 5 clicks inland. I can't imagine any native people living around there... We could take the zodiacs out to sea and establish a camp at Devil's Island. I don't think there people living there."
Noting down '2. holiday from hell @Devil's Island' at the workshops whiteboard. "So who's next?, we need ideas crew."
"Yeah, natives. That's definately something we gotta look into. Chances are they hate them Frenchies as bad as they might hate us, perhaps this Bala guy can talk us into that, I'm not sure. We should see him, once we get there alright."
"I was thinking of heading inland for 2 days with zodiacs or kayaks or something. Then establish a base camp somewhere upriver and say 5 clicks inland. I can't imagine any native people living around there... We could take the zodiacs out to sea and establish a camp at Devil's Island. I don't think there people living there."
Noting down '2. holiday from hell @Devil's Island' at the workshops whiteboard. "So who's next?, we need ideas crew."
17:10:24 Friday, 13 January, 2062 - Kliko's workshop
With one combat boot propped up agaisn't the table, Ludmilla yawned. It wasn't out of boredom, at least, not entirely. For the past few days, she had been having a hard time sleeping. Lana had gotten a nasty cold, which kept her up most of the night. There was that, and the fact that Ludi spent so much time with her new team... that a guilty conscience made sure she didn't sleep well. Digging a cheap plastic lighter out of one of her pockets, she tried lighting a smoke; to no avail. As Kliko and Bubba started to lay out the situation, she cursed and shook the lighter a few times.
After a few more curses, she stuck the cigarette behind her ear.
“If we do not know who were are taking, it is hard to say who comes for us.�
Ludi frowned a bit rubbing the temple next to her datajack.
“We have two options, once we have target. We can be on move, or we can stay somewhere.�
Her combat boot slipped off the edge of the table, connecting with the floor as Ludi's chair came back on all fours.
“We can move around city with van, we can move around sea with boat, or in river, or we can move in jungle. I do not know much about jungle, so I do not like it. Around city... I not like it either. Too many people around if something goes bad. Water is good. At sea, target can't escape, but we can't escape if someone comes for him. River is good to.�
She bit her lower lip, thinking for a second.
“I think river is best. We have chance of going into jungle if we want, and moving around fast on water. The problem with jungle is that we do not know it. Many things are not on maps. Many things we might discover. �
With one combat boot propped up agaisn't the table, Ludmilla yawned. It wasn't out of boredom, at least, not entirely. For the past few days, she had been having a hard time sleeping. Lana had gotten a nasty cold, which kept her up most of the night. There was that, and the fact that Ludi spent so much time with her new team... that a guilty conscience made sure she didn't sleep well. Digging a cheap plastic lighter out of one of her pockets, she tried lighting a smoke; to no avail. As Kliko and Bubba started to lay out the situation, she cursed and shook the lighter a few times.
After a few more curses, she stuck the cigarette behind her ear.
“If we do not know who were are taking, it is hard to say who comes for us.�
Ludi frowned a bit rubbing the temple next to her datajack.
“We have two options, once we have target. We can be on move, or we can stay somewhere.�
Her combat boot slipped off the edge of the table, connecting with the floor as Ludi's chair came back on all fours.
“We can move around city with van, we can move around sea with boat, or in river, or we can move in jungle. I do not know much about jungle, so I do not like it. Around city... I not like it either. Too many people around if something goes bad. Water is good. At sea, target can't escape, but we can't escape if someone comes for him. River is good to.�
She bit her lower lip, thinking for a second.
“I think river is best. We have chance of going into jungle if we want, and moving around fast on water. The problem with jungle is that we do not know it. Many things are not on maps. Many things we might discover. �
17:11:15 Friday, 13 January, 2062 - Kliko's workshop
Leaning back in his chair, Sugar tapped his fingertips on the table as he listened to the team's ideas. In the time they'd spent togetther he'd grown fond of the efficiency of his new compadres. Especially the ork veteran and even the adept. Sugar still preferred to keep Duster at a distance, but much of that hostility subsided as he concentrated on enmeshing himself into the unit, reasoning: "deal with it or walk," and he needed the cred.
Beating a slow rhythm, he asked, "On the move or stationary, how do we keep the package from bolting or getting himself or us hurt?" He let that question hang for half a breath. "We could keep him tranq'ed..." Sugar cut himself off when he thought about hauling 150 or so pounds of dead weight if they had to stay mobile.
"What about Kourou's slums? I took a look at the geography on the matrix and it looks like we could lay low and even stay mobile without much attention. Close to the docks and not far from the airport, plus we could fade into the jungle from there if we need to." He had stopped tapping. "I just think that if we're gonna go into this with only one eye open we should put ourselves in a position for maximum flexibility."
The real leather of his jacket creaked as he crossed his arms. Sugar was not a fan of the jungle but he'd come a long way since his youth in LA. Time and experience had made him tough; resilient. Either way he was sure he could handle any direction the team chose.
Leaning back in his chair, Sugar tapped his fingertips on the table as he listened to the team's ideas. In the time they'd spent togetther he'd grown fond of the efficiency of his new compadres. Especially the ork veteran and even the adept. Sugar still preferred to keep Duster at a distance, but much of that hostility subsided as he concentrated on enmeshing himself into the unit, reasoning: "deal with it or walk," and he needed the cred.
Beating a slow rhythm, he asked, "On the move or stationary, how do we keep the package from bolting or getting himself or us hurt?" He let that question hang for half a breath. "We could keep him tranq'ed..." Sugar cut himself off when he thought about hauling 150 or so pounds of dead weight if they had to stay mobile.
"What about Kourou's slums? I took a look at the geography on the matrix and it looks like we could lay low and even stay mobile without much attention. Close to the docks and not far from the airport, plus we could fade into the jungle from there if we need to." He had stopped tapping. "I just think that if we're gonna go into this with only one eye open we should put ourselves in a position for maximum flexibility."
The real leather of his jacket creaked as he crossed his arms. Sugar was not a fan of the jungle but he'd come a long way since his youth in LA. Time and experience had made him tough; resilient. Either way he was sure he could handle any direction the team chose.
17:49:26 Friday, 13 January, 2062 - Kliko's workshop
"Flexibility sounds good... we should hold our options open yeah...
I was thinking of aliaschipping him Sugar. I mean, why move around deadweight when he can walk by himself? I mean, did you ever see a corp scientist without a datajack? Should make our job a lot easier to. We'll take some tranquilizers, IV-equipment and fluid bags with us just in case. Better yet, we'll have him carrying it around until the chip burns out." 'You're just a fragging genius chummer!'
"We should also bring along a zodiac with outboard engine. Waterways really are the easiest way to move around there. We can go either way, hiding in the inland jungle or skirt the coast and setup a hide-out in Cayenne. This Kourou-town is just to small to setup a reliable safehouse by the looks of it."
"As for the rest all we can do is presume we'll have to extract our target from someother corp compound and take all the gear we think might be usefull with us... one thing is for sure. We don't want to get caught butt naked in a backwater region like French Guyana..."
Picking up another of the take-away cartons and sitting down somewhat more relaxed on the edge of his bench he continues.
"if we really want to play it safe. We take our target to a waterfront safehouse in Cayenne first and setup a hidden cache of survival equipment and camouflage full suits somewhere upriver. If we're compromised, we pick up our stuff, make it for the zodiac, retrieve the cache and disappear in the jungle right?"
"I mean that way we get to enjoy the comforts of a shelter above our heads and we're still good to go when the shit hits the fan.
Now, I'll prepare a list of stuff I think might be usefull for the cache and make arrangments for the zodiac. Ludmilla, I want you to get us some mapsofts of this French Guyana. Sugar, you get us some linguasofts and a rookie-merc personafix. Anything goes really as long as the persona is somewhat dull. Duster, you're the one to arrange or the IV field-kit, tranquilizers for the kit and fluid bags, lots of fluid bags. Remember, we might have to hydrate this fragger for half a week so take that into account.
We meet again here, packed and ready tomorrow 15:00 sharp.
Gentlemen, Ludmilla" nodding in her direction, "dismissed."
"Flexibility sounds good... we should hold our options open yeah...
I was thinking of aliaschipping him Sugar. I mean, why move around deadweight when he can walk by himself? I mean, did you ever see a corp scientist without a datajack? Should make our job a lot easier to. We'll take some tranquilizers, IV-equipment and fluid bags with us just in case. Better yet, we'll have him carrying it around until the chip burns out." 'You're just a fragging genius chummer!'
"We should also bring along a zodiac with outboard engine. Waterways really are the easiest way to move around there. We can go either way, hiding in the inland jungle or skirt the coast and setup a hide-out in Cayenne. This Kourou-town is just to small to setup a reliable safehouse by the looks of it."
"As for the rest all we can do is presume we'll have to extract our target from someother corp compound and take all the gear we think might be usefull with us... one thing is for sure. We don't want to get caught butt naked in a backwater region like French Guyana..."
Picking up another of the take-away cartons and sitting down somewhat more relaxed on the edge of his bench he continues.
"if we really want to play it safe. We take our target to a waterfront safehouse in Cayenne first and setup a hidden cache of survival equipment and camouflage full suits somewhere upriver. If we're compromised, we pick up our stuff, make it for the zodiac, retrieve the cache and disappear in the jungle right?"
"I mean that way we get to enjoy the comforts of a shelter above our heads and we're still good to go when the shit hits the fan.
Now, I'll prepare a list of stuff I think might be usefull for the cache and make arrangments for the zodiac. Ludmilla, I want you to get us some mapsofts of this French Guyana. Sugar, you get us some linguasofts and a rookie-merc personafix. Anything goes really as long as the persona is somewhat dull. Duster, you're the one to arrange or the IV field-kit, tranquilizers for the kit and fluid bags, lots of fluid bags. Remember, we might have to hydrate this fragger for half a week so take that into account.
We meet again here, packed and ready tomorrow 15:00 sharp.
Gentlemen, Ludmilla" nodding in her direction, "dismissed."
Bubba, still sitting, looks around as the team scurrys in different directions with their assignments. He looks at Kliko, shrugs, and quietly says, "I guess i'll gets the donuts..." he then heads out the door and saddles up on his chopper.
"Jungle essentials yes, donuts, can't go without them. Bubba is it ok if I pick you up tomorrow morning at Frank's? I guess I need some help with hauling around the zodiac and outboard engine if I find one." 'bugger, can't have Bubba feel useless to the teams effort'
17:55:22 Friday, 13 January 2062 - Kliko's Workshop
The team has discussed everything about the job, travel plans and considerations, packing lists and what not. After the long evening, and too much Bubba odor, they disband to do some legwork on their own. The plan is to meet again on Sunday Evening.
Off they go to search their computers and matrices, pump their contacts for information and other benefits, and pack their clothes, undergarments, armor, gear, weapons, and in one person’s case, a few dozen bags of Donettes mini donuts, of various flavors.
SUGAR
“Hey�
“Wassup. Need a favor.�
“What else is new?�
“Besides your delightful demeanor?�
“Meh.�
“Can you take a look at a video file for me? I need you to identify someone.�
“Sure. I will see what I can do.�
“Thanks.�
“Well?�
“Where is it?�
“Huh? I got it.�
“Well, link it over to me stupid.�
“Oh… hold on…�
An audible sigh can be heard from Live Wire, as he awaits for Sugar to log into his computer, and send him the file.
“What are you doing- rewriting the matrix? Send it already.�
“I am! Hold on,� Sugar tries to quiet his contact down while he concentrates on uploading the file to the email. Attached. Sent.
“Finally. I will see what I can find.�
Click.
With some shoulder shrugs, a few pops, a quick neck roll accompanied by more popping, Sugar then gets to doing his own work on the computer. Fingers on the keys, eyes on the screen, mind ready to take on the entire digital world.
He begins with the general information found on Google, Wiki, Shadowland, Rompus and Dangle. French Guiana politics, history, culture, news, and of course, soccer.
While those sites seem to have some good information, Sugar finds a small book about “Californians in the South Americas.� It is less serious, a little frat house, but easier to retain for both of those reasons. In it’s pages of nonsense are good rules, titled Customs, to foreign travel. For example, Custom #11 says, “Don’t drink to the excess of a black out,� and Custom #12 which reads, “Don’t ridicule soccer, especially when in combination of Custom #11.� This should not be a problem, for Sugar, but he might want to relay it to his team, as most Californians think soccer sucks.
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He also finds some good information on the government page of French Guiana. Well, at least he believes it is good information, because there are a lot of words and links, but it is all in French. Unfortunately, Sugar did not see the link for Spanish.
However, the CFS Government page holds much of the same information, but more geared for Californians wishing to travel to French Guiana. Following a link for “Travelling Abroad/Aztlan, Amazonia and South Americas/French Guiana, Sugar finds all the information he needs. Cultural history, politics, local sites, tourist spots, local laws, embassy locations, a what to do and not do list, etc., etc., etc.
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Now off to his own business. He searches the ‘trix for French Guiana soccer leagues, teams, matches, and tickets. While the World Cup season is not in season, he finds that it is midseason of the FAG, the Football Association of Guiana. Not only that, but next Saturday evening, the top two teams, Le Moisi Fromage de Maripasoula and Le Poisson de Combat de Cayenne, both undefeated at 10-0, face off. Tickets are only? 200 euros? What is a euro? Isn’t everyone on nuyen? Sugar is thoroughly confused, but finds a button that says, “Translate to Nuyen.� Whew, only 4 nus. That is not bad at all.
Sugar ponders how he could sway the team to see some of the sites they may never have a chance again to see. The Centre Spatial Guyanais, Emerald Jungle Village, Musee Departemental, or a local sporting event. How could they pass this up? His mouse floats over the purchase button, his finger floating over the right mouse button…
BUBBA
Packing makes Bubba tired. And hungry. Too bad all his Donettes are packed. He scrounges through his kitchen mess and all of the cabinets, which are empty of dishes and instead filled with half eaten boxes of sugary kids’ cereals. Guessing that will do, Bubba tries to grab a box of Sugar Puffs, but his large bumpy troll hand knocks all the boxes out onto the counter, spilling Lucky Charms, Trix, Trix with Berry Bubbles (marshmallows), and Cap’n Crunch with Crunch Berries all over the floor. At first Bubba snorts in disgust, not at the mess, but at the lost food that will definitely bring more ants, roaches, rats and other critters, cause it isn’t going anywhere until they come and get it. Then Bubba’s eyes widen, a crooked yellow toothed smile starts to form, dropping a small dab of drool on the spilled cereal.
“Jackpot!� Bubba found a hidden stash of a Hostess Variety pack! The apartment complex rumbles as Bubba jumps up and down twice, but being in a poor part of Clyde, and in California, his neighbors believe it is an earthquake. Partially due to the amount of shaking, partially due to their stupidity, but mostly due to their drug addictions. Bubba grabs the large box of Cupcakes, Suzy Q’s, Ding Dongs, HoHos, Sno Balls, Twinkies and the ever glorious Zingers. They are not donuts, but they will do in a pinch.
The giant flops down on the family sized bean bag couch he uses as a chair, due to many structural failures of normal home furniture. He pulls the first individually wrapped snack cake blindly from the family size box. Ding Dong. Gone. He looks at the computer screen, the desktop wallpaper of course being the Frank’s Donut menu. He grabs another package blindly. Zinger. Delicious. Smile. Bubba opens his Water Cat matrix browser and enters “Bala� in the search bar.
He searches the matrix, until he believes it can be searched no more. A third of his Hostess Variety Pack gone, and all he knows about Bala is a silvery tropical fish.
Maybe JJ knows something.
“Hey, Bubba.�
“You knows a guy names Bala?�
“No, can’t say I do.�
“Okay.�
“How abouts French Guiana?�
“Never heard of … him… either.�
“No. What goes on there?�
“Oh. The country? Life. Like here I guess. Anything in particular you want to know?�
“Yeah. Like sciences and technologies and stuffs. What dey makes, where dey makes it. Faculties and stuff.�
“Oh, you mean science facilities. I don’t know much of that stuff, Bubba. I recommend you check out some websites. I will email some to you.�
“Tanks JJ! You’re da best!�
After getting a big lead from his contact, Bubba checks his email, donthidethedonuts@shadowland. He enters his complex l33t password: d0nut. No links yet. He waits while eating more snack cakes and playing Bubble Shooter on the computer. The game is very difficult and soon Bubba is too frustrated to play anymore, so he checks his email again.
“Booyah!� he exclaims, as JJ came through like always. Kliko is going to be extremely pleased at this wealth of information Bubba has found. He follows each link finding complex sites. Rockets, spacecraft, medical advancements, futuristic transportation and vehicles. It is all overwhelming. Then Bubba has a great idea. He copies the links into a new email and sends it to Kliko@shadowland with the following note: Kkliko, I fined tuhese siktes.
Dammit. Bubba then decides he has the greatest idea ever! He searches the matrix for “largwe keybnoards.�
He finds one called the Home Computer Keyboard by Jitterbug. Success! Bubba is having a great night on the computer, he may give Bubble Shooter another try. It may finally be his day.
Unfortunately his luck has run out. His box of treats is completely empty, making Bubba sad.
Normally this would tell Bubba it is time for bed, but not tonight. He is motivated by his earlier successes. He searches, after many failed attempts, for donut shops in French Guiana. His best result is from the matrix phone book with a list the goes on for pages, divided by cities. Frustrated by the long list, and realizing he does not know if he will be staying in Kourou, Bubba will just have to play it by ear. He is somewhat satisfied though, that it seems there may be quite a few donut shops in every city, but what kind of donut shops do they have?
He enters “excoticv diounuts� as his best attempt into the search bar. It takes a while but he finds things that make him tear up with joy. Fruit filled pastries topped with chocolate, cherry or apple syrup or powdered sugar, donuts topped with hot fudge, tropical candied fruits, or nuts. He is now entirely too excited to sleep. He links the page to Franklin in an email titled “BHusuiness uideas.�
LUDMILLA
Ludi sits in her Honda-GM 3320 from the meet, ready to do a little legwork, knowing she could contribute to the team with her plethora of contacts of various backgrounds. She does not want to go home, cause she does not wish to work around her family.
Putting the car into gear, she accelerates out of the parking lot, onto the road back towards old Highway 4. She dials Afrim’s number, hoping he knows it is all business tonight.
“Hi Ludi. It is nice to hear from you.�
“Hey Afrim, I need to ask a favor of you.�
“Anything.�
“I have a picture and an audio recording of a gentleman. I want to see if you can identify him.�
“Sure. I will see what I can do. Can you send it to my shadowland account?�
“Definitely. I will send it later tonight.�
“Or we can meet tonight.�
“Not tonight, got a lot of work to do.�
“Another time then.�
“Definitely.�
She makes a call to Alec as well. The conversation is similar to the previous one. There may be one other guy who can help. She calls Miron and sets up a meet. 2200 in the parking lot at Lenny’s in North Concord.
Now coasting down Highway 4 at a modest 70 mph, Ludi calls another contact.
“Hey, want to grab a drink tonight. Business of course,� knowing Morris always wants a reason to get away from the wife and kids. That, and he could always use a drink.
“Sure, let me get permission first – Hey honey,� he says to his wife. “Need to meet a contact tonight. Will be back before midnight.� There is some muffled nagging, but it is cut off by Morris returning to his phone call.
“Where and when?�
“How about shortly, at the Red Rhino?� The Rhino is a hip place, with a bunch of punks, bad service and over priced food and drinks.
“Make it Fallout’s and I will be right there.�
“Fallout it is.�
She takes the split to stay on Old Highway 4/Main Street of Brentwood, heading to Fallout in Oakley, which her GPS is kind enough to direct her. She cruises down to 55 under the advisement of the 45 mph signs. She makes another call using her OnStar hands free device standard on the 3320.
“Hello?�
“Hey Mill, it’s Ludi.�
“Hey. What’s up?�
“Can you meet?�
“Tonight?�
“Yes, if you can.�
“What about?�
“French Guiana.�
“Oh. Okay. Can we do it tomorrow morning?�
“Sure. What time?�
“How about we grab some breakfast at the local greasy spoon?�
“Greasy spoon?�
“Oh. Still not familiar with some of your English terms.�
“I know what a greasy spoon is, I just don’t know why someone would name their restaurant after it.�
“It isn’t the name, it is a term for a mom and pop style diner, that are generally a little dirtier than your bad part of town’s Lenny’s or Tiger’s, yet their food is generally better.�
“I like Lenny’s.�
“Okay. Lenny’s in Empire around six?�
“Fine.�
“Is it?�
“Is it what?�
“Is it fine? Is it okay?�
“Yes. Fine. Okay. Wait. Did I say something wrong?�
“No. Never mind. I will see you tomorrow morning. Good night Ludi.�
“Bye.�
Cruising through the business section of Brentwood, Fallout is now only “One point two miles away,� so says the overly friendly female voice with a hint of a strange accent. “Shut up you dumb bitch,� Ludi tells her as she selects the Voice Off selection. Now she can call Roland in peace.
“Hello.�
“Hey Roland, it’s Ludi.�
“Yeah. What can I do for you?�
“Some friends and I need some shots.�
“For what?�
“Travel.�
“Okay, to where?�
“I tell you in person.�
“Okay. The shots will depend on where you are going.�
“But you have them there?�
“Possibly. I will need to know where you are going to be sure. And may have to do some research.�
“French Guiana.�
“Huh?�
“French Guiana. Did I say that right?�
“Yes. Okay. I will get to work on this. How many?�
“I don’t know? I thought you knew.�
“No. How many people?�
“Five. And one is huge. He might need two or three of each.�
“Okay. Some I might have to buy a whole vial which may only be good for 24 to 48 hours after opening. And they can be expensive.�
“Fine.�
“Okay. I will get to work on what you need. When do you need these by?�
“Soon. We can come by tomorrow.�
“Okay, some may take longer or be more expensive to acquire. When is the latest?�
“Latest? Oh, Sunday or Monday? I call you back.�
“Have your friends bring any medical or shot records they keep, or at the very least, they should have some idea of what shots they have had.�
“Okay.� There is a small click.
“Alright, take care, Ludi. Ludi? Hello? Okay, bye then, I guess…�
The black 3320 glides into the parking lot of the strip mall where Fallout’s Pub is located. It slides smoothly into a space, two rows away from the other four cars. The engine’s sexy purr goes silent, the LED headlamps go dark, and the car blends into the night.
It sits there, still and quiet. A small burst of light, red and circular ignites inside. An perfect metallic click is barely audible as the sport car’s door opens, releasing the athletic figure of a woman’s body. It’s own perfection is unfortunately hidden under the latest trend in personal armor. A large hat rejected from the films Fargo and Red Dawn, hides the woman’s beautiful dark hair, and a light cloud of grey smoke emanating from her mouth. The car door closes behind her, with a soft thud, sealing the leather interior from what the night might bring.
She spots a gold, or goldish, well, kind of rust colored mini van, that belongs to Morris. It is parked directly in front of the entrance of the strip mall bar, which is the only business open at this time. She slowly walks toward the door, arriving just as she has finished the cigarette.
Opening the door she spots Morris sitting at the far end of the bar, an empty shot glass in front of him, and half empty 22 ounce glass beer stein. Scanning the room, she spots only one other customer, and he is sitting at the near end of the bar, and very, very drunk. Ludi walks over to where Morris is sitting, and grabs the seat next to him. The bar is your stereotypical dark Irish pub, long wooden bar, a few tables along the side, and a place where men go to drink. It reminds Ludi of the bars from old American cop shows she used to watch in Russia as a kid.
The bartender is promptly at her service, “What’s your poison.�
“Chopin. Rocks.�
The bartender hesitantly looks at his display shelf behind him, but after a few seconds, spots the young lady’s selection on the high tier shelves. He grabs a large lowball glass, fills it with ice, then pours the fine vodka filling the glass three quarters.
He hands the glass to Ludi, who in accepting it, rises it to the barkeep with a lowering of the eyes and a one quarter smile. She takes a look at Morris who is now watching her as she takes a decent sized drink and sets the glass down.
“Fine Russian vodka? You don’t stray much from the stereotype do you?�
Though the vodka is actually Polish, most people assume it is Russian, so Ludi sees no need to argue, or let people know she prefers one not of the motherland.
“Yeah, very good. You try?�
“No, no. I think I will stick with good ol’ whiskey and beer.� He takes a long drink from his dark amber colored beverage. Then he cuts the small talk, “So. What do you need?�
“I am heading out of country on work, and I need to know some things in case the job does not go as planned, or is a set up.�
Morris signals the bartender, pointing at the bar with his finger and making a circle around his drinks. “Okay. Where are you going.�
“French Guiana. I need safe houses, contacts and any information you can provide on Intel Ops and capabilities there and in the surrounding area.�
“By surrounding area, you know you mean Amazonia, right?�
“Yes.�
The bartender returns with a second glass of beer for Morris, a shot glass, and a bottle of Wild Turkey. He fills the shot glass with the whiskey. He looks at Ludi and says politely, “Ma’am?�
“Yes?�
“Did you want another?� he says defensively, seeing she did not understand that his first question had already asked this.
She looked at her drink, noticing it was only half full now, “No. I am fine.�
He smiles and goes back to his position, standing behind the center of the bar with his arms crossed, scanning the room.
“I will look into it. When do you need it by?� Morris drinks his bourbon down, followed by a long swig of beer.
“As soon as possible. I think we plan on leaving tomorrow or the next day.�
“I will see what I can do. You want it digital or archaic?�
“Want what? What?�
“Want me to drop you the information in an email or on a flash drive, or would rather have the good old manila folder filled with papers?�
“Flash drive is fine.�
“Anything else.�
“I call you if there is.�
Ludi pays the tab, and hastily makes her way out of the bar. Next stop, Lenny’s in North Concord.
The black sports car sits idling in the back of the Lenny’s parking lot. Ludi is constantly scanning the parking lot for Miron, but unfortunately, he seems to always have a new, or at least a different, car. Normally some tunes from Nuclear Buttercup would help pass the time, but she needs all her senses to locate Miron.
Finally, a beat up Ford Americar hatchback pulls into the parking lot. Instead of parking up front, it comes to a stop in the rear. Must be Miron. Ludi exits her vehicle, lights another cigarette, and leans up against it, watching the multi colored Ford. Not until a sedan rolls into the parking lot, parking at the other end, does Miron emerge from his car. From the passenger side, another man emerges, but stands by the car as Miron walks towards Ludi.
“Good evening,� he says in Russian.
Meeting him about the midpoint between their vehicles, Ludi replies, “Yes. It is.�
“How can I help you this time?�
She smiles and replies, “Many ways. First, I will send you an email later, containing the images of a man I need identified. I also need some locations of safe houses and contacts in French Guiana.�
“That’s it?�
“That is it.�
“When do you need this information by?�
“Tomorrow evening, Sunday by the latest.�
“I will see what I can do.�
They both turn and walk towards their respective cars. After a few steps, Miron turns back to Ludi and says, this time in English, “Be safe, Ludi.�
Ludi arrives home to an disapproving Aunt Zina. She diffuses the situation to the best of her abilities so she can send out promised emails. Then it is off to bed, so she can get up for an early meet at another Lenny’s. She quickly falls asleep, thinking of who the hell would want to eat at a place called Greasy Spoon?
Saturday morning, Ludi is scanning the menu and decides she wants the Grand Slam Scramble. So many great choices, so few breakfasts. She is on her second coffee, when Millard arrives right on time. He is ready to ask for a table when he spots Ludi in the back corner booth.
“Are you ready to order,� asks the waitress/host.
“Yes,� says Ludi.
“In a minute,� Millard says at the same time.
The waitress smiles in confusion. Ludi gives the waitress her order, compelling Millard to be quick. She leaves to execute the order and the two get down to business.
“I need any information you can provide me on French Guiana. I could also use some contacts, information on Intel Ops in the surrounding areas, and their capabilities.�
“I will get right on it.�
They enjoy a delicious breakfast, catching up and the standard small talk. Ludi still does not understand why someone would eat at The Local Greasy Spoon. She gets the bill and heads home.
KLIKO
After the party disbands, Kliko sits and tries to concentrate on French Guiana. Then he starts going through some of his old military papers, pictures, and other various documents. After that he gets to work on the computer.
South and Central America has always been hot spots for guerrilla warfare and mercenaries, but after the coming of the 6th world, it seems that way just about everywhere. Now it has taken to the sprawls in the form of shadowrunners.
As soon as Kliko starts searching the space program of French Guiana, he locates a wealth of information. The Kourou site is off shore on what is known as Devil’s Island. Kliko finds link after link, and news article after news article about Halley’s Comet. Everyone, or at least every megacorp, wants to land on it as it comes around on it’s second pass around Earth. It is the new space race. The 1980s had the race to the moon, and now the 2060s have the race to Halley’s.
With a hint of what the mission will affect, Kliko continues to dig through cyberspace. He discovers the Kourou site is owned by a company called Proteus AG. They are not a triple-A megacorp by any means, and in fact seem to be in their infancy when it comes to the field of aerospace. Proteus AG built itself on heavy industry, specializing in aqua-technology.
The Kourou site itself is called the Proteus Arkoblock. It is one massive building, its mirrored glass walls stretch 20 stories above the islands, encapsulates the entire main island and stretches across the smaller two. There are also an undisclosed amount of lower levels that include underground as well as underwater laboratories and facilities. The underwater section also contains living facilities, with views of the shallow ocean floor and all its sea life. Kliko says out loud, “The kids would love this!�
In fact, he finds that the Arkoblock is essentially a self-containing colony. It is a partial underwater version of an arcology. Everything one could need to live and work is available on the islands. The Proteus Arkoblock has living quarters, fitness centers, offices, laboratories, a mall, a casino, food courts, five star restaurants, movie theatres, and its own defenses.
Kliko searches for more information on the defenses, but there is no specific details besides what Proteus AG states on its website: “Self-sufficient and highly secured.� However, Kliko can spot some security measures in a few of the photos online. Kliko can see three rocket turrets atop the buildings roof, and from their placement, he can guess there are a total of around six to eight. He also spots a few security guards, who look to be wearing basic armor jackets and carrying submachine guns.
Well, he thinks, we can handle them, if we don’t get blown to bits by the rockets.
Lastly, Kliko gets to searching tourism in Kourou and French Guiana in general. He finds the Centre Spatial Guyanais, the space museum in Kourou which also tours old launch sites, as the main attraction. Also he finds guided boat tours down the Kourou River, snorkeling and SCUBA diving classes in the reef, hiking trails including around Petit-Sault Lake, and your local shops in Old Kourou, as well as the downtown area.
Cayenne, the capital, holds many more tourism opportunities, including the Emerald Jungle Village, Carnival, Chinatown, cathedrals, botanical gardens and various museums and shopping areas.
The team has discussed everything about the job, travel plans and considerations, packing lists and what not. After the long evening, and too much Bubba odor, they disband to do some legwork on their own. The plan is to meet again on Sunday Evening.
Off they go to search their computers and matrices, pump their contacts for information and other benefits, and pack their clothes, undergarments, armor, gear, weapons, and in one person’s case, a few dozen bags of Donettes mini donuts, of various flavors.
SUGAR
“Hey�
“Wassup. Need a favor.�
“What else is new?�
“Besides your delightful demeanor?�
“Meh.�
“Can you take a look at a video file for me? I need you to identify someone.�
“Sure. I will see what I can do.�
“Thanks.�
“Well?�
“Where is it?�
“Huh? I got it.�
“Well, link it over to me stupid.�
“Oh… hold on…�
An audible sigh can be heard from Live Wire, as he awaits for Sugar to log into his computer, and send him the file.
“What are you doing- rewriting the matrix? Send it already.�
“I am! Hold on,� Sugar tries to quiet his contact down while he concentrates on uploading the file to the email. Attached. Sent.
“Finally. I will see what I can find.�
Click.
With some shoulder shrugs, a few pops, a quick neck roll accompanied by more popping, Sugar then gets to doing his own work on the computer. Fingers on the keys, eyes on the screen, mind ready to take on the entire digital world.
He begins with the general information found on Google, Wiki, Shadowland, Rompus and Dangle. French Guiana politics, history, culture, news, and of course, soccer.
While those sites seem to have some good information, Sugar finds a small book about “Californians in the South Americas.� It is less serious, a little frat house, but easier to retain for both of those reasons. In it’s pages of nonsense are good rules, titled Customs, to foreign travel. For example, Custom #11 says, “Don’t drink to the excess of a black out,� and Custom #12 which reads, “Don’t ridicule soccer, especially when in combination of Custom #11.� This should not be a problem, for Sugar, but he might want to relay it to his team, as most Californians think soccer sucks.
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He also finds some good information on the government page of French Guiana. Well, at least he believes it is good information, because there are a lot of words and links, but it is all in French. Unfortunately, Sugar did not see the link for Spanish.
However, the CFS Government page holds much of the same information, but more geared for Californians wishing to travel to French Guiana. Following a link for “Travelling Abroad/Aztlan, Amazonia and South Americas/French Guiana, Sugar finds all the information he needs. Cultural history, politics, local sites, tourist spots, local laws, embassy locations, a what to do and not do list, etc., etc., etc.
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Now off to his own business. He searches the ‘trix for French Guiana soccer leagues, teams, matches, and tickets. While the World Cup season is not in season, he finds that it is midseason of the FAG, the Football Association of Guiana. Not only that, but next Saturday evening, the top two teams, Le Moisi Fromage de Maripasoula and Le Poisson de Combat de Cayenne, both undefeated at 10-0, face off. Tickets are only? 200 euros? What is a euro? Isn’t everyone on nuyen? Sugar is thoroughly confused, but finds a button that says, “Translate to Nuyen.� Whew, only 4 nus. That is not bad at all.
Sugar ponders how he could sway the team to see some of the sites they may never have a chance again to see. The Centre Spatial Guyanais, Emerald Jungle Village, Musee Departemental, or a local sporting event. How could they pass this up? His mouse floats over the purchase button, his finger floating over the right mouse button…
BUBBA
Packing makes Bubba tired. And hungry. Too bad all his Donettes are packed. He scrounges through his kitchen mess and all of the cabinets, which are empty of dishes and instead filled with half eaten boxes of sugary kids’ cereals. Guessing that will do, Bubba tries to grab a box of Sugar Puffs, but his large bumpy troll hand knocks all the boxes out onto the counter, spilling Lucky Charms, Trix, Trix with Berry Bubbles (marshmallows), and Cap’n Crunch with Crunch Berries all over the floor. At first Bubba snorts in disgust, not at the mess, but at the lost food that will definitely bring more ants, roaches, rats and other critters, cause it isn’t going anywhere until they come and get it. Then Bubba’s eyes widen, a crooked yellow toothed smile starts to form, dropping a small dab of drool on the spilled cereal.
“Jackpot!� Bubba found a hidden stash of a Hostess Variety pack! The apartment complex rumbles as Bubba jumps up and down twice, but being in a poor part of Clyde, and in California, his neighbors believe it is an earthquake. Partially due to the amount of shaking, partially due to their stupidity, but mostly due to their drug addictions. Bubba grabs the large box of Cupcakes, Suzy Q’s, Ding Dongs, HoHos, Sno Balls, Twinkies and the ever glorious Zingers. They are not donuts, but they will do in a pinch.
The giant flops down on the family sized bean bag couch he uses as a chair, due to many structural failures of normal home furniture. He pulls the first individually wrapped snack cake blindly from the family size box. Ding Dong. Gone. He looks at the computer screen, the desktop wallpaper of course being the Frank’s Donut menu. He grabs another package blindly. Zinger. Delicious. Smile. Bubba opens his Water Cat matrix browser and enters “Bala� in the search bar.
He searches the matrix, until he believes it can be searched no more. A third of his Hostess Variety Pack gone, and all he knows about Bala is a silvery tropical fish.
Maybe JJ knows something.
“Hey, Bubba.�
“You knows a guy names Bala?�
“No, can’t say I do.�
“Okay.�
“How abouts French Guiana?�
“Never heard of … him… either.�
“No. What goes on there?�
“Oh. The country? Life. Like here I guess. Anything in particular you want to know?�
“Yeah. Like sciences and technologies and stuffs. What dey makes, where dey makes it. Faculties and stuff.�
“Oh, you mean science facilities. I don’t know much of that stuff, Bubba. I recommend you check out some websites. I will email some to you.�
“Tanks JJ! You’re da best!�
After getting a big lead from his contact, Bubba checks his email, donthidethedonuts@shadowland. He enters his complex l33t password: d0nut. No links yet. He waits while eating more snack cakes and playing Bubble Shooter on the computer. The game is very difficult and soon Bubba is too frustrated to play anymore, so he checks his email again.
“Booyah!� he exclaims, as JJ came through like always. Kliko is going to be extremely pleased at this wealth of information Bubba has found. He follows each link finding complex sites. Rockets, spacecraft, medical advancements, futuristic transportation and vehicles. It is all overwhelming. Then Bubba has a great idea. He copies the links into a new email and sends it to Kliko@shadowland with the following note: Kkliko, I fined tuhese siktes.
Dammit. Bubba then decides he has the greatest idea ever! He searches the matrix for “largwe keybnoards.�
He finds one called the Home Computer Keyboard by Jitterbug. Success! Bubba is having a great night on the computer, he may give Bubble Shooter another try. It may finally be his day.
Unfortunately his luck has run out. His box of treats is completely empty, making Bubba sad.
Normally this would tell Bubba it is time for bed, but not tonight. He is motivated by his earlier successes. He searches, after many failed attempts, for donut shops in French Guiana. His best result is from the matrix phone book with a list the goes on for pages, divided by cities. Frustrated by the long list, and realizing he does not know if he will be staying in Kourou, Bubba will just have to play it by ear. He is somewhat satisfied though, that it seems there may be quite a few donut shops in every city, but what kind of donut shops do they have?
He enters “excoticv diounuts� as his best attempt into the search bar. It takes a while but he finds things that make him tear up with joy. Fruit filled pastries topped with chocolate, cherry or apple syrup or powdered sugar, donuts topped with hot fudge, tropical candied fruits, or nuts. He is now entirely too excited to sleep. He links the page to Franklin in an email titled “BHusuiness uideas.�
LUDMILLA
Ludi sits in her Honda-GM 3320 from the meet, ready to do a little legwork, knowing she could contribute to the team with her plethora of contacts of various backgrounds. She does not want to go home, cause she does not wish to work around her family.
Putting the car into gear, she accelerates out of the parking lot, onto the road back towards old Highway 4. She dials Afrim’s number, hoping he knows it is all business tonight.
“Hi Ludi. It is nice to hear from you.�
“Hey Afrim, I need to ask a favor of you.�
“Anything.�
“I have a picture and an audio recording of a gentleman. I want to see if you can identify him.�
“Sure. I will see what I can do. Can you send it to my shadowland account?�
“Definitely. I will send it later tonight.�
“Or we can meet tonight.�
“Not tonight, got a lot of work to do.�
“Another time then.�
“Definitely.�
She makes a call to Alec as well. The conversation is similar to the previous one. There may be one other guy who can help. She calls Miron and sets up a meet. 2200 in the parking lot at Lenny’s in North Concord.
Now coasting down Highway 4 at a modest 70 mph, Ludi calls another contact.
“Hey, want to grab a drink tonight. Business of course,� knowing Morris always wants a reason to get away from the wife and kids. That, and he could always use a drink.
“Sure, let me get permission first – Hey honey,� he says to his wife. “Need to meet a contact tonight. Will be back before midnight.� There is some muffled nagging, but it is cut off by Morris returning to his phone call.
“Where and when?�
“How about shortly, at the Red Rhino?� The Rhino is a hip place, with a bunch of punks, bad service and over priced food and drinks.
“Make it Fallout’s and I will be right there.�
“Fallout it is.�
She takes the split to stay on Old Highway 4/Main Street of Brentwood, heading to Fallout in Oakley, which her GPS is kind enough to direct her. She cruises down to 55 under the advisement of the 45 mph signs. She makes another call using her OnStar hands free device standard on the 3320.
“Hello?�
“Hey Mill, it’s Ludi.�
“Hey. What’s up?�
“Can you meet?�
“Tonight?�
“Yes, if you can.�
“What about?�
“French Guiana.�
“Oh. Okay. Can we do it tomorrow morning?�
“Sure. What time?�
“How about we grab some breakfast at the local greasy spoon?�
“Greasy spoon?�
“Oh. Still not familiar with some of your English terms.�
“I know what a greasy spoon is, I just don’t know why someone would name their restaurant after it.�
“It isn’t the name, it is a term for a mom and pop style diner, that are generally a little dirtier than your bad part of town’s Lenny’s or Tiger’s, yet their food is generally better.�
“I like Lenny’s.�
“Okay. Lenny’s in Empire around six?�
“Fine.�
“Is it?�
“Is it what?�
“Is it fine? Is it okay?�
“Yes. Fine. Okay. Wait. Did I say something wrong?�
“No. Never mind. I will see you tomorrow morning. Good night Ludi.�
“Bye.�
Cruising through the business section of Brentwood, Fallout is now only “One point two miles away,� so says the overly friendly female voice with a hint of a strange accent. “Shut up you dumb bitch,� Ludi tells her as she selects the Voice Off selection. Now she can call Roland in peace.
“Hello.�
“Hey Roland, it’s Ludi.�
“Yeah. What can I do for you?�
“Some friends and I need some shots.�
“For what?�
“Travel.�
“Okay, to where?�
“I tell you in person.�
“Okay. The shots will depend on where you are going.�
“But you have them there?�
“Possibly. I will need to know where you are going to be sure. And may have to do some research.�
“French Guiana.�
“Huh?�
“French Guiana. Did I say that right?�
“Yes. Okay. I will get to work on this. How many?�
“I don’t know? I thought you knew.�
“No. How many people?�
“Five. And one is huge. He might need two or three of each.�
“Okay. Some I might have to buy a whole vial which may only be good for 24 to 48 hours after opening. And they can be expensive.�
“Fine.�
“Okay. I will get to work on what you need. When do you need these by?�
“Soon. We can come by tomorrow.�
“Okay, some may take longer or be more expensive to acquire. When is the latest?�
“Latest? Oh, Sunday or Monday? I call you back.�
“Have your friends bring any medical or shot records they keep, or at the very least, they should have some idea of what shots they have had.�
“Okay.� There is a small click.
“Alright, take care, Ludi. Ludi? Hello? Okay, bye then, I guess…�
The black 3320 glides into the parking lot of the strip mall where Fallout’s Pub is located. It slides smoothly into a space, two rows away from the other four cars. The engine’s sexy purr goes silent, the LED headlamps go dark, and the car blends into the night.
It sits there, still and quiet. A small burst of light, red and circular ignites inside. An perfect metallic click is barely audible as the sport car’s door opens, releasing the athletic figure of a woman’s body. It’s own perfection is unfortunately hidden under the latest trend in personal armor. A large hat rejected from the films Fargo and Red Dawn, hides the woman’s beautiful dark hair, and a light cloud of grey smoke emanating from her mouth. The car door closes behind her, with a soft thud, sealing the leather interior from what the night might bring.
She spots a gold, or goldish, well, kind of rust colored mini van, that belongs to Morris. It is parked directly in front of the entrance of the strip mall bar, which is the only business open at this time. She slowly walks toward the door, arriving just as she has finished the cigarette.
Opening the door she spots Morris sitting at the far end of the bar, an empty shot glass in front of him, and half empty 22 ounce glass beer stein. Scanning the room, she spots only one other customer, and he is sitting at the near end of the bar, and very, very drunk. Ludi walks over to where Morris is sitting, and grabs the seat next to him. The bar is your stereotypical dark Irish pub, long wooden bar, a few tables along the side, and a place where men go to drink. It reminds Ludi of the bars from old American cop shows she used to watch in Russia as a kid.
The bartender is promptly at her service, “What’s your poison.�
“Chopin. Rocks.�
The bartender hesitantly looks at his display shelf behind him, but after a few seconds, spots the young lady’s selection on the high tier shelves. He grabs a large lowball glass, fills it with ice, then pours the fine vodka filling the glass three quarters.
He hands the glass to Ludi, who in accepting it, rises it to the barkeep with a lowering of the eyes and a one quarter smile. She takes a look at Morris who is now watching her as she takes a decent sized drink and sets the glass down.
“Fine Russian vodka? You don’t stray much from the stereotype do you?�
Though the vodka is actually Polish, most people assume it is Russian, so Ludi sees no need to argue, or let people know she prefers one not of the motherland.
“Yeah, very good. You try?�
“No, no. I think I will stick with good ol’ whiskey and beer.� He takes a long drink from his dark amber colored beverage. Then he cuts the small talk, “So. What do you need?�
“I am heading out of country on work, and I need to know some things in case the job does not go as planned, or is a set up.�
Morris signals the bartender, pointing at the bar with his finger and making a circle around his drinks. “Okay. Where are you going.�
“French Guiana. I need safe houses, contacts and any information you can provide on Intel Ops and capabilities there and in the surrounding area.�
“By surrounding area, you know you mean Amazonia, right?�
“Yes.�
The bartender returns with a second glass of beer for Morris, a shot glass, and a bottle of Wild Turkey. He fills the shot glass with the whiskey. He looks at Ludi and says politely, “Ma’am?�
“Yes?�
“Did you want another?� he says defensively, seeing she did not understand that his first question had already asked this.
She looked at her drink, noticing it was only half full now, “No. I am fine.�
He smiles and goes back to his position, standing behind the center of the bar with his arms crossed, scanning the room.
“I will look into it. When do you need it by?� Morris drinks his bourbon down, followed by a long swig of beer.
“As soon as possible. I think we plan on leaving tomorrow or the next day.�
“I will see what I can do. You want it digital or archaic?�
“Want what? What?�
“Want me to drop you the information in an email or on a flash drive, or would rather have the good old manila folder filled with papers?�
“Flash drive is fine.�
“Anything else.�
“I call you if there is.�
Ludi pays the tab, and hastily makes her way out of the bar. Next stop, Lenny’s in North Concord.
The black sports car sits idling in the back of the Lenny’s parking lot. Ludi is constantly scanning the parking lot for Miron, but unfortunately, he seems to always have a new, or at least a different, car. Normally some tunes from Nuclear Buttercup would help pass the time, but she needs all her senses to locate Miron.
Finally, a beat up Ford Americar hatchback pulls into the parking lot. Instead of parking up front, it comes to a stop in the rear. Must be Miron. Ludi exits her vehicle, lights another cigarette, and leans up against it, watching the multi colored Ford. Not until a sedan rolls into the parking lot, parking at the other end, does Miron emerge from his car. From the passenger side, another man emerges, but stands by the car as Miron walks towards Ludi.
“Good evening,� he says in Russian.
Meeting him about the midpoint between their vehicles, Ludi replies, “Yes. It is.�
“How can I help you this time?�
She smiles and replies, “Many ways. First, I will send you an email later, containing the images of a man I need identified. I also need some locations of safe houses and contacts in French Guiana.�
“That’s it?�
“That is it.�
“When do you need this information by?�
“Tomorrow evening, Sunday by the latest.�
“I will see what I can do.�
They both turn and walk towards their respective cars. After a few steps, Miron turns back to Ludi and says, this time in English, “Be safe, Ludi.�
Ludi arrives home to an disapproving Aunt Zina. She diffuses the situation to the best of her abilities so she can send out promised emails. Then it is off to bed, so she can get up for an early meet at another Lenny’s. She quickly falls asleep, thinking of who the hell would want to eat at a place called Greasy Spoon?
Saturday morning, Ludi is scanning the menu and decides she wants the Grand Slam Scramble. So many great choices, so few breakfasts. She is on her second coffee, when Millard arrives right on time. He is ready to ask for a table when he spots Ludi in the back corner booth.
“Are you ready to order,� asks the waitress/host.
“Yes,� says Ludi.
“In a minute,� Millard says at the same time.
The waitress smiles in confusion. Ludi gives the waitress her order, compelling Millard to be quick. She leaves to execute the order and the two get down to business.
“I need any information you can provide me on French Guiana. I could also use some contacts, information on Intel Ops in the surrounding areas, and their capabilities.�
“I will get right on it.�
They enjoy a delicious breakfast, catching up and the standard small talk. Ludi still does not understand why someone would eat at The Local Greasy Spoon. She gets the bill and heads home.
KLIKO
After the party disbands, Kliko sits and tries to concentrate on French Guiana. Then he starts going through some of his old military papers, pictures, and other various documents. After that he gets to work on the computer.
South and Central America has always been hot spots for guerrilla warfare and mercenaries, but after the coming of the 6th world, it seems that way just about everywhere. Now it has taken to the sprawls in the form of shadowrunners.
As soon as Kliko starts searching the space program of French Guiana, he locates a wealth of information. The Kourou site is off shore on what is known as Devil’s Island. Kliko finds link after link, and news article after news article about Halley’s Comet. Everyone, or at least every megacorp, wants to land on it as it comes around on it’s second pass around Earth. It is the new space race. The 1980s had the race to the moon, and now the 2060s have the race to Halley’s.
With a hint of what the mission will affect, Kliko continues to dig through cyberspace. He discovers the Kourou site is owned by a company called Proteus AG. They are not a triple-A megacorp by any means, and in fact seem to be in their infancy when it comes to the field of aerospace. Proteus AG built itself on heavy industry, specializing in aqua-technology.
The Kourou site itself is called the Proteus Arkoblock. It is one massive building, its mirrored glass walls stretch 20 stories above the islands, encapsulates the entire main island and stretches across the smaller two. There are also an undisclosed amount of lower levels that include underground as well as underwater laboratories and facilities. The underwater section also contains living facilities, with views of the shallow ocean floor and all its sea life. Kliko says out loud, “The kids would love this!�
In fact, he finds that the Arkoblock is essentially a self-containing colony. It is a partial underwater version of an arcology. Everything one could need to live and work is available on the islands. The Proteus Arkoblock has living quarters, fitness centers, offices, laboratories, a mall, a casino, food courts, five star restaurants, movie theatres, and its own defenses.
Kliko searches for more information on the defenses, but there is no specific details besides what Proteus AG states on its website: “Self-sufficient and highly secured.� However, Kliko can spot some security measures in a few of the photos online. Kliko can see three rocket turrets atop the buildings roof, and from their placement, he can guess there are a total of around six to eight. He also spots a few security guards, who look to be wearing basic armor jackets and carrying submachine guns.
Well, he thinks, we can handle them, if we don’t get blown to bits by the rockets.
Lastly, Kliko gets to searching tourism in Kourou and French Guiana in general. He finds the Centre Spatial Guyanais, the space museum in Kourou which also tours old launch sites, as the main attraction. Also he finds guided boat tours down the Kourou River, snorkeling and SCUBA diving classes in the reef, hiking trails including around Petit-Sault Lake, and your local shops in Old Kourou, as well as the downtown area.
Cayenne, the capital, holds many more tourism opportunities, including the Emerald Jungle Village, Carnival, Chinatown, cathedrals, botanical gardens and various museums and shopping areas.
09:00:00 Saturday, 14 January 2062
Roland calls Ludi early Saturday morning.
"You are not gonna like this."
"You cannot get us the shots?"
"No, there are a lot of them, and costly."
"How much?"
"Well... some of you guys may already have it, but the Hep A and B will cost you about 200 each, with boosters, Tetnus/Diptheria and Typhoid will cost around 50 each, and Dengue Fever 100 each. That is the cheap stuff."
"Cheap?"
"Yeah, the Yellow Fever is only good for a short amount of time, and very hard to get. I got an offer from a vendor for 3 grand for the vial. Rabies shot will be difficult, but I recommend it if you plan on being out in the jungle. That is 1000 each and you will have to stick each other with the boosters at 7, 21 and 28 days."
"Okay, I will tell my team."
"Let me know about that Yellow Fever. The rabies you can get by, most people in military services have gotten that one."
"Okay."
Throughout the day, the others teammates call their contacts. There are no hits on who Mr. Smith is, none on the Intelligence Operations in French Guiana, or mercenary groups. Not too much help from the contacts except for getting the shots lined up. Basically the teams own matrix searches provided the most information, until Miron calls Ludi with some more information.
He gives her the name of a contact in French Guiana, Chupa and his contact information.
Roland calls Ludi early Saturday morning.
"You are not gonna like this."
"You cannot get us the shots?"
"No, there are a lot of them, and costly."
"How much?"
"Well... some of you guys may already have it, but the Hep A and B will cost you about 200
each, with boosters, Tetnus/Diptheria and Typhoid will cost around 50 each, and Dengue Fever 100 each. That is the cheap stuff.""Cheap?"
"Yeah, the Yellow Fever is only good for a short amount of time, and very hard to get. I got an offer from a vendor for 3 grand for the vial. Rabies shot will be difficult, but I recommend it if you plan on being out in the jungle. That is 1000
each and you will have to stick each other with the boosters at 7, 21 and 28 days.""Okay, I will tell my team."
"Let me know about that Yellow Fever. The rabies you can get by, most people in military services have gotten that one."
"Okay."
Throughout the day, the others teammates call their contacts. There are no hits on who Mr. Smith is, none on the Intelligence Operations in French Guiana, or mercenary groups. Not too much help from the contacts except for getting the shots lined up. Basically the teams own matrix searches provided the most information, until Miron calls Ludi with some more information.
He gives her the name of a contact in French Guiana, Chupa and his contact information.
10:03:04 Saturday, 14 January 2062 - Kliko's Workshop
The same question kept pondering through Kliko's mind again and again. 'Where the frag am I supposed to find this heavy duty model Zodiac?' Sure, they were common enough for merc- and military operations, yet a few were available for the civilian markets. And those were highly over-priced while they were at it.
He'd decided to drop to zodiac acquisition and head-on with the remaining supplies on his list which we're fixed soon enough through his former dealer. He picked up Bubba to grab a soykaff and donut from sheer frustration and to keep him company. Besides, they had to re-work the camouflage setup on his custom-fitted helmet anyway. Wouldn't hurt if Bubba could edit the links he dropped in his mail-account too. It appeared the giant had been pretty busy last night by the look of the timestamps. Now if only he could make some sense of them defunct links...
The same question kept pondering through Kliko's mind again and again. 'Where the frag am I supposed to find this heavy duty model Zodiac?' Sure, they were common enough for merc- and military operations, yet a few were available for the civilian markets. And those were highly over-priced while they were at it.
He'd decided to drop to zodiac acquisition and head-on with the remaining supplies on his list which we're fixed soon enough through his former dealer. He picked up Bubba to grab a soykaff and donut from sheer frustration and to keep him company. Besides, they had to re-work the camouflage setup on his custom-fitted helmet anyway. Wouldn't hurt if Bubba could edit the links he dropped in his mail-account too. It appeared the giant had been pretty busy last night by the look of the timestamps. Now if only he could make some sense of them defunct links...
14:22:09 Saturday, 14 January 2062 - Kliko's Workshop
Donuts and soykaff was one thing, getting Bubba ready and packed for this job another. They spent the morning picking up supplies in a surplus depot Drake had set them up with. Discussing the jobs particulars while scrounging the equipment they were looking for, Bubba and Kliko found their inner child awaken as if let loose in a big toys store.
"We're screwed if he's in that arkology. It's likte 20 stories high, straight from the water. Skiffs aren't renowned for their stability and even with a stable platorm and grapple gun that's going to be a hell of a climb....
...I don't really want to think about going in guns blazing. They got like six to eight rocket turrets spread out over the arkologies exterior. The guards won't be a challenge, but they will just as easily blow us out of the water once we head out with them damned rockets."
With their kit collected they set out back for his workshop and finish the new camouflage scheme for their helmets. Not to mention packing their kit in neatly arranged dufflebags, pre-sorted and tagged with their individual call signs for the run.
Donuts and soykaff was one thing, getting Bubba ready and packed for this job another. They spent the morning picking up supplies in a surplus depot Drake had set them up with. Discussing the jobs particulars while scrounging the equipment they were looking for, Bubba and Kliko found their inner child awaken as if let loose in a big toys store.
"We're screwed if he's in that arkology. It's likte 20 stories high, straight from the water. Skiffs aren't renowned for their stability and even with a stable platorm and grapple gun that's going to be a hell of a climb....
...I don't really want to think about going in guns blazing. They got like six to eight rocket turrets spread out over the arkologies exterior. The guards won't be a challenge, but they will just as easily blow us out of the water once we head out with them damned rockets."
With their kit collected they set out back for his workshop and finish the new camouflage scheme for their helmets. Not to mention packing their kit in neatly arranged dufflebags, pre-sorted and tagged with their individual call signs for the run.
15:12 Saturday, 14 January 2062 - Sugar's apartment
Sugar pulled another grenade from the cardboard box on his left and wrapped it in wax paper, settling the grenade from one hand to the other as he twisted the ends closed. Carefully, he placed the gift wrapped g-nade into a heavy cardboard tube then placed a tin cap over the top and held it up to his cybereye. Rotating the dirty, greasy tube he checked the seam below the cap to check for moisture, knowing that fuses can be "funny." Satisfied, he put it alongside his other pyrotechnic presents lined up inside a wooden crate on his right. Against one wall he had leaned a duffle bag and a rucksack containing all the kit he'd need for 2 weeks. All of his canteens had been filled, all magazines loaded, and everything strapped in place for transit- the only thing left was the pyro and he was ready to go.
"In the meantime,"Sugar thought to himself, "I'm gonna watch a few soccer matches."
Sugar pulled another grenade from the cardboard box on his left and wrapped it in wax paper, settling the grenade from one hand to the other as he twisted the ends closed. Carefully, he placed the gift wrapped g-nade into a heavy cardboard tube then placed a tin cap over the top and held it up to his cybereye. Rotating the dirty, greasy tube he checked the seam below the cap to check for moisture, knowing that fuses can be "funny." Satisfied, he put it alongside his other pyrotechnic presents lined up inside a wooden crate on his right. Against one wall he had leaned a duffle bag and a rucksack containing all the kit he'd need for 2 weeks. All of his canteens had been filled, all magazines loaded, and everything strapped in place for transit- the only thing left was the pyro and he was ready to go.
"In the meantime,"Sugar thought to himself, "I'm gonna watch a few soccer matches."
Bubba ponders what Kliko is saying and after thinking for a minute says "Why dont we's swim or dives in. We can get in da buildings under da waters. Or maybe we can get some security guards uniforms toos. Dey must have a lots of securities... we could be new recruits. We coulds come up through the waters and change. We needs a deckers to get security personnels infos and maybe they can alters da system with our images?"
"Ah probably a dumbs idea, lets just put bombs on da building and watch it crumble." Bubba snickers.
"Ah probably a dumbs idea, lets just put bombs on da building and watch it crumble." Bubba snickers.
17:33:23 Monday, 16 January 2062 - Doc Roland's "Laboratory"
Four days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
The team gathers and Roland's office to get some shots and supplies. After a few jabs in the shoulder muscles, and one underhanded into the tricep, most everyone's pain is over.
"Alright, just keep rubbing those shots in and that will work the medication in. Alternate heat and cold tonight and that should take care of any soreness. The one I put in your off hand shoulder was the Tetnus shot, which tends to stiffen up the muscle, sometimes up to five or six days."
He walks over to a large cabinet with glass doors and a pad lock. He pulls a handful of pill bottles from the shelf. He sets the first one in Ludi's hand, "This is just Motrin. Take for any muscle discomfort from the shots."
She looks at the bottle labeled 100 pills 800 mg Motrin, and pockets it. He then refills her hand with a smaller bottle labeled "Loperamide." "Take that one if you all have any stomach discomfort, and this for," he hands her a similar amber bottle and is cut off by Bubba.
"Whats you means stomachs discomfort?"
"If you get the shits, take that one. This one, take for nausea." Roland places a second bottle labeled "Rifaximin," in Ludi's waiting hand.
"Now. I have a small bottle for each of you. Each contains ten pills. Take one now, then one once a week, while overseas, and for four weeks after you return. This is for Malaria." He hands everyone a small cylindrical amber bottle labeled "Doxycycline."
"Make sure you wear plenty of sunscreen, as you will be more sensitive to sunburns with all the meds."
"Now. Sugar. You said you are willing to give Bubba and Duster their booster shots? Let me show you how."
Roland has Sugar inject both Duster and Bubba in the shoulder with a syringe of normal saline. "Just like you are throwing a dart, nice, smooth and quick. Not too gentle, not too hard."
He give explicit directions to Ludi, Kliko and Sugar how to store and transport the Rabies shots as the other two work up their nerves to take the "big shot."
"Alright. Last one guys. Who is first?"
Bubba and Duster point at each other.
"Alright, common big guy," Roland leads Bubba into the back room.
"Now turn around and drop you pants. This one goes in the gluteus maximus." This gets a chuckle from Bubba, as he knows that is another word for ass.
"Yous nots gonna gropes me right?"
"Uh... no. I am a doctor not a priest. All right now, relax. It will only sting a bit. On the count of three. Ready?"
Bubba nods, trying to think of donuts instead of horse needles.
"One... two-"
"Yeahooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow!" Bubba's cry echos through the office.
"Not too bad?" Roland asks, afraid for his life.
"You lied to me." Bubba pulls up his pants, gathers his dignity and walks out into the main room.
"Next!"
"Frag that!" Duster says.
"Me do it, you do it!" Bubba exclaims.
Shortly after, Duster exits the exam room, limping a bit and cussing under his breath.
08:19:55 Tuesday, 17 January 2062 - Frank's Donuts
Three days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
It took the team a while longer to collect all the gear they wanted for the mission, but they did better than they expected. Everything on the list is ready to go, sitting in the back of two Range Rovers in the parking lot. Everything except the Zodiac, which the team was unable to acquire.
Duster strolls in, or hobbles. Still fighting off the shot in the rear from yesterday. Well, you couldn't expect him to be there at 8 am sharp in good health, what would you expect in this condition?
The team enjoys a sugary breakfast, and Bubba stockpiles a paper grocery bag full of donuts.
Around 0845 an extended black SUV limousine pulls into Frank's parking lot. This is your ride. Hopefully it can carry all your equipment.
09:58:20 Tuesday, 17 January 2062 - Martinez Charter Air Port
Three days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
Bypassing security, the limo pulls up to a beautiful Leer Jet. Talk about business travel in style.
The chauffeur helps you unload the bags, crates and miscellaneous luggage, as two of the plane's crew load it onto the belly of the plane. Another crew member escorts you onto the craft. Leather seats, top of the line trideo, matrix access, mini bar. This Johnson really knows how to woo his clients. And you thought because he didn't buy you dinner he didn't like you.
On one of the tables, set up like a booth in a diner, lies a manila folder, next to a laptop computer. Kliko quickly takes a seat and flips through the folder. He reads the file on one Heinrich Hausmann.
Four days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
The team gathers and Roland's office to get some shots and supplies. After a few jabs in the shoulder muscles, and one underhanded into the tricep, most everyone's pain is over.
"Alright, just keep rubbing those shots in and that will work the medication in. Alternate heat and cold tonight and that should take care of any soreness. The one I put in your off hand shoulder was the Tetnus shot, which tends to stiffen up the muscle, sometimes up to five or six days."
He walks over to a large cabinet with glass doors and a pad lock. He pulls a handful of pill bottles from the shelf. He sets the first one in Ludi's hand, "This is just Motrin. Take for any muscle discomfort from the shots."
She looks at the bottle labeled 100 pills 800 mg Motrin, and pockets it. He then refills her hand with a smaller bottle labeled "Loperamide." "Take that one if you all have any stomach discomfort, and this for," he hands her a similar amber bottle and is cut off by Bubba.
"Whats you means stomachs discomfort?"
"If you get the shits, take that one. This one, take for nausea." Roland places a second bottle labeled "Rifaximin," in Ludi's waiting hand.
"Now. I have a small bottle for each of you. Each contains ten pills. Take one now, then one once a week, while overseas, and for four weeks after you return. This is for Malaria." He hands everyone a small cylindrical amber bottle labeled "Doxycycline."
"Make sure you wear plenty of sunscreen, as you will be more sensitive to sunburns with all the meds."
"Now. Sugar. You said you are willing to give Bubba and Duster their booster shots? Let me show you how."
Roland has Sugar inject both Duster and Bubba in the shoulder with a syringe of normal saline. "Just like you are throwing a dart, nice, smooth and quick. Not too gentle, not too hard."
He give explicit directions to Ludi, Kliko and Sugar how to store and transport the Rabies shots as the other two work up their nerves to take the "big shot."
"Alright. Last one guys. Who is first?"
Bubba and Duster point at each other.
"Alright, common big guy," Roland leads Bubba into the back room.
"Now turn around and drop you pants. This one goes in the gluteus maximus." This gets a chuckle from Bubba, as he knows that is another word for ass.
"Yous nots gonna gropes me right?"
"Uh... no. I am a doctor not a priest. All right now, relax. It will only sting a bit. On the count of three. Ready?"
Bubba nods, trying to think of donuts instead of horse needles.
"One... two-"
"Yeahooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow!" Bubba's cry echos through the office.
"Not too bad?" Roland asks, afraid for his life.
"You lied to me." Bubba pulls up his pants, gathers his dignity and walks out into the main room.
"Next!"
"Frag that!" Duster says.
"Me do it, you do it!" Bubba exclaims.
Shortly after, Duster exits the exam room, limping a bit and cussing under his breath.
08:19:55 Tuesday, 17 January 2062 - Frank's Donuts
Three days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
It took the team a while longer to collect all the gear they wanted for the mission, but they did better than they expected. Everything on the list is ready to go, sitting in the back of two Range Rovers in the parking lot. Everything except the Zodiac, which the team was unable to acquire.
Duster strolls in, or hobbles. Still fighting off the shot in the rear from yesterday. Well, you couldn't expect him to be there at 8 am sharp in good health, what would you expect in this condition?
The team enjoys a sugary breakfast, and Bubba stockpiles a paper grocery bag full of donuts.
Around 0845 an extended black SUV limousine pulls into Frank's parking lot. This is your ride. Hopefully it can carry all your equipment.
09:58:20 Tuesday, 17 January 2062 - Martinez Charter Air Port
Three days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
Bypassing security, the limo pulls up to a beautiful Leer Jet. Talk about business travel in style.
The chauffeur helps you unload the bags, crates and miscellaneous luggage, as two of the plane's crew load it onto the belly of the plane. Another crew member escorts you onto the craft. Leather seats, top of the line trideo, matrix access, mini bar. This Johnson really knows how to woo his clients. And you thought because he didn't buy you dinner he didn't like you.
On one of the tables, set up like a booth in a diner, lies a manila folder, next to a laptop computer. Kliko quickly takes a seat and flips through the folder. He reads the file on one Heinrich Hausmann.
09:59:30 Tuesday, 17 January 2062 - Martinez Charter Air Port
Three days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
'Should have asked 160k by the looks of this J's budget' seating himself in the synth leather chair right next to the laptop Kliko scans for the remaining credstick while flipping through Hausmann's file. 'Show me the money!'
"Ludmilla, call your fixer to verify whether he got the money alright, otherwise we're good to go." 'This fragger better not be stationed at this Arkology of Devil's Island...'
Three days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
'Should have asked 160k by the looks of this J's budget' seating himself in the synth leather chair right next to the laptop Kliko scans for the remaining credstick while flipping through Hausmann's file. 'Show me the money!'
"Ludmilla, call your fixer to verify whether he got the money alright, otherwise we're good to go." 'This fragger better not be stationed at this Arkology of Devil's Island...'
Bubba's mouth drops open as he enters the plane... he looks around googly-eyed and then plops himself onto his two-seats. He then starts fidgeting and pressing any buttons and switches he can reach from his seats. 'JJ would be impressed; I wonder what this does...'
10:00:00 Tuesday, 17 January 2062 - Martinez Charter Air Port
Three days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
Kliko is already scanning the Hausmann File while the others board and get situated. He doesn't even notice Bubba flopping around his seat, like an epileptic elephant, pressing buttons, pulling levers, mashing controls.
SNAP! Oops. Bubba guesses that whatever object he was toying with was not supposed to go the way he was forcing it. Oh, well. On to the next shiny button.
Duster sits lotus style in one of the over sized seats, lost in thought, or at least trying to give the appearance of such.
After verifying the money transfer, Kliko gets back to business, ignoring the troll's antics, his mind as focused as Duster is pretending his is.
Ludi and Sugar find their places on the plane, sitting comfortably, but somewhat awkwardly on the high class jet.
A voice comes over the surround sound system of the plane. Chkt - "Good morning ladies and gentlemen, I am Captain Nathan and will be your pilot on today's flight. Please have your seats and we will be lifting off shortly."
Ludi and Sugar get comfortable, Kliko ignores the announcement, deep in his studies, Duster remains still, Bubba does not.
Shortly after, the plane accelerates and elevates.
The Hausmann File:
Heinrich Hausmann is a German national born in 2034 with a BSE in electronic engineering from Aachen University of Technology, four years of advanced studies at Astrophysics Institute of Potsdam, currently employed by Proeteus AG, unmarried, no living family members.
God dammit.
Excellent grades and employee evaluations, through his entire career. Won a national science prize in Germany during his senior year in college. Currently assigned to Proteus' Arkoblock at Iles du Salut, French Guianna.
Sweet chocolate Jesus.
There is s photo of Hausmann in the file, and he looks like a simple enough target. Mid-twenties, short, skinny and very frail looking.
Bubba will probably break this twig
...
Three days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
Kliko is already scanning the Hausmann File while the others board and get situated. He doesn't even notice Bubba flopping around his seat, like an epileptic elephant, pressing buttons, pulling levers, mashing controls.
SNAP! Oops. Bubba guesses that whatever object he was toying with was not supposed to go the way he was forcing it. Oh, well. On to the next shiny button.
Duster sits lotus style in one of the over sized seats, lost in thought, or at least trying to give the appearance of such.
After verifying the money transfer, Kliko gets back to business, ignoring the troll's antics, his mind as focused as Duster is pretending his is.
Ludi and Sugar find their places on the plane, sitting comfortably, but somewhat awkwardly on the high class jet.
A voice comes over the surround sound system of the plane. Chkt - "Good morning ladies and gentlemen, I am Captain Nathan and will be your pilot on today's flight. Please have your seats and we will be lifting off shortly."
Ludi and Sugar get comfortable, Kliko ignores the announcement, deep in his studies, Duster remains still, Bubba does not.
Shortly after, the plane accelerates and elevates.
The Hausmann File:
Heinrich Hausmann is a German national born in 2034 with a BSE in electronic engineering from Aachen University of Technology, four years of advanced studies at Astrophysics Institute of Potsdam, currently employed by Proeteus AG, unmarried, no living family members.
God dammit.
Excellent grades and employee evaluations, through his entire career. Won a national science prize in Germany during his senior year in college. Currently assigned to Proteus' Arkoblock at Iles du Salut, French Guianna.
Sweet chocolate Jesus.
There is s photo of Hausmann in the file, and he looks like a simple enough target. Mid-twenties, short, skinny and very frail looking.
Bubba will probably break this twig
...
10:11:00 Tuesday, 17 January 2062 - Smith's Business Jet, in flight over the East Bay
Three days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
Sugar and Ludi watch Kliko as he scans through[/color]h the file, and searches the matrix using the computer provided, and makes more curses under his breath.
In the file Kliko also finds a page with a Proteus AG letterhead. Some of the information at the top of the page, and certain sections of the type have been blacked out before being printed or photocopied.
At the bottom of the page is a note reading:
Hausmann rarely if ever leaves the Block. His time is spent in the telemetry lab (which is in the above ground section of the facility on Royale) or in his own quarters (in the underwater section of the arkoblock). He has little social interactions with others at the Block. Every day he takes two laps around the jogging trail on Devil's Island around 630 am every day. He also has a personal drone that goes with him everywhere, that is somewhat of a pet. It looks high tech, but has no obvious weapons, and seems to act as his only friend.
Three days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
Sugar and Ludi watch Kliko as he scans through[/color]h the file, and searches the matrix using the computer provided, and makes more curses under his breath.
In the file Kliko also finds a page with a Proteus AG letterhead. Some of the information at the top of the page, and certain sections of the type have been blacked out before being printed or photocopied.
QUOTE
The Arkoblock is said to be located on Devil's Island, but it actually spans all three of the Salvation Islands, which are all owned by Proteus AG. The islands are located 15 kilometers north of the city of Kourou.
The complex itself consists of a single massive building, extending some twenty stories above the islands themselves and spanning the distances between them. Where it reaches the cliffs on the eastern side of the islands, the building extends over the edges, down the cliffs and below the turbulent surface of the Atlantic Ocean. Another three to four floors of underwater labs and living facilities fan out between and beyond the islands, extending over a kilometer along the shallow sea floor. The underwater wing of the arkoblock is primarily used for storage and aquatech research labs, while the upper section is where the majority of the aerotech labs and construction facilities are found. Most employee quarters are located along the massive, slablike outer wall of the building, facing away from the islands and providing a spectacular view out over the Atlantic. Some residents prefer underwater views, and so maintain apartments in the submerged portion of the building.
Other facilities outside the main Arkoblock building occupy the remainder of the islands' surfaces. Ile Royale, the largest of the three islands, is where the actual rocket launch pad is located. Ile Saint-Joseph contains the arkoblock's docks, hanger and helipad - the only legitimate entry points for outsiders - and is the most heavily guarded of the islands. Devil's Island itself is largely unused, except for a three kilometer long jogging trail and small fitness center.
At any given time, there are usually two roving three-man security patrols on Saint-Joseph, and one such patrol on each of the other islands. Another three-man unit is stationed at each of the following locations: the docks, the hanger, the launch pad, and at each entrance to the arkoblock itself (one on each island). Proteus also has three security mages stationed at the arkoblock, though only one is on duty at any given time.
Motor launches travel from Kourou to the Proteus complex each day at dawn and dusk for the benefit of those employees who need to visit the mainland for some reason. Trips other than the two daily runs can be scheduled by special request, though this is rarely necessary; most Proteus employees are happy to remain in the Arkoblock rather than visit Kourou. Air trips are only made by special arrangement, and are usually reserved for facility executives.- Brian Schoner, Proteus AG, VPHR
The complex itself consists of a single massive building, extending some twenty stories above the islands themselves and spanning the distances between them. Where it reaches the cliffs on the eastern side of the islands, the building extends over the edges, down the cliffs and below the turbulent surface of the Atlantic Ocean. Another three to four floors of underwater labs and living facilities fan out between and beyond the islands, extending over a kilometer along the shallow sea floor. The underwater wing of the arkoblock is primarily used for storage and aquatech research labs, while the upper section is where the majority of the aerotech labs and construction facilities are found. Most employee quarters are located along the massive, slablike outer wall of the building, facing away from the islands and providing a spectacular view out over the Atlantic. Some residents prefer underwater views, and so maintain apartments in the submerged portion of the building.
Other facilities outside the main Arkoblock building occupy the remainder of the islands' surfaces. Ile Royale, the largest of the three islands, is where the actual rocket launch pad is located. Ile Saint-Joseph contains the arkoblock's docks, hanger and helipad - the only legitimate entry points for outsiders - and is the most heavily guarded of the islands. Devil's Island itself is largely unused, except for a three kilometer long jogging trail and small fitness center.
At any given time, there are usually two roving three-man security patrols on Saint-Joseph, and one such patrol on each of the other islands. Another three-man unit is stationed at each of the following locations: the docks, the hanger, the launch pad, and at each entrance to the arkoblock itself (one on each island). Proteus also has three security mages stationed at the arkoblock, though only one is on duty at any given time.
Motor launches travel from Kourou to the Proteus complex each day at dawn and dusk for the benefit of those employees who need to visit the mainland for some reason. Trips other than the two daily runs can be scheduled by special request, though this is rarely necessary; most Proteus employees are happy to remain in the Arkoblock rather than visit Kourou. Air trips are only made by special arrangement, and are usually reserved for facility executives.- Brian Schoner, Proteus AG, VPHR
At the bottom of the page is a note reading:
Hausmann rarely if ever leaves the Block. His time is spent in the telemetry lab (which is in the above ground section of the facility on Royale) or in his own quarters (in the underwater section of the arkoblock). He has little social interactions with others at the Block. Every day he takes two laps around the jogging trail on Devil's Island around 630 am every day. He also has a personal drone that goes with him everywhere, that is somewhat of a pet. It looks high tech, but has no obvious weapons, and seems to act as his only friend.
'drek' , "Ludmilla, can you take a look at this? By the looks of this we've got an arkology to infiltrate." handing over the manila file " You think we can skim this arkology's sensor array with a large skiff?" Jacking in the jet's wireless matrix acces Kliko starts browsing for a Kourou weather forecast."
10:12:30 Tuesday, 17 January 2062 - Smith's Business Jet, in flight over the East Bay
Three days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
Kliko finds the information on the matrix, confirmed by other sites as well. Humid. Hot and humid. The wonderful forecast for the next 365 days in Kourou.
Three days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
Kliko finds the information on the matrix, confirmed by other sites as well. Humid. Hot and humid. The wonderful forecast for the next 365 days in Kourou.
10:25:17 Tuesday, 17 January 2062 - Smith's Business Jet, in flight
Three days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
Ludmilla and Kliko had been jabbering over a matrix trid-projection for the last 10 minutes straight. "So it can be done?"..."Yes I know it's going to be rough ride in those wind-conditions, but frag, I can handle rough seas. I can't dodge incoming rockets... Nobody said it was going to be easy... Yes, I can guarantee your safe-pickup right there. We'll put out an anchor on a long line and some chain, no problem..."
Turning from the trid-projection back to the team. "Aye, crew. This is how things will go down tomorrow, we hi-jack two Proteus employees on leave in Kourou-city and snatch their access badges. We match the badges with two of our team members who take the motor-launch at dusk the evening before we make our attempt. The remaining team babysits the two Proteus employees in the mean time, so our people in the arkology should find it safe to catch some sleep in their respective badge-owners appartments."
"We set out at night making a wide-arc for our approach from the Ocean-side of the arkology. Choppy seas there should help us avoid detection from the arkologies sensor array" nodding at Ludmilla for confirmation, afterall Ludi was their teams Electronic Warfare specialist.
"In the early morning we anchor of the arkologies cliff base right here. Now sea conditions near the cliff's base look impossible, but the anchor should prevent us crashing into those rocks here and here." Pointing out some rocky outcroppings at a picture of Devil's Island. "Our people inside the ark start their morning jog at 0600, prepare a fixing point for a rope slide and continue to jog until they identify our target... Then they make a second lap in the opposite direction, matching pace such they end up near the rope's fixing point for their second rendez-vous."
"They subdue the target, move him off the trail, tranquilize him, scan him for Doc Wagon bracelets and tracking signals, throw the rope as far off into the sea as possible, we setup a rope-slide from the boat, slide down and get the frag out of there. Sounds like a plan aye."
"Any questions?"
Three days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
Ludmilla and Kliko had been jabbering over a matrix trid-projection for the last 10 minutes straight. "So it can be done?"..."Yes I know it's going to be rough ride in those wind-conditions, but frag, I can handle rough seas. I can't dodge incoming rockets... Nobody said it was going to be easy... Yes, I can guarantee your safe-pickup right there. We'll put out an anchor on a long line and some chain, no problem..."
Turning from the trid-projection back to the team. "Aye, crew. This is how things will go down tomorrow, we hi-jack two Proteus employees on leave in Kourou-city and snatch their access badges. We match the badges with two of our team members who take the motor-launch at dusk the evening before we make our attempt. The remaining team babysits the two Proteus employees in the mean time, so our people in the arkology should find it safe to catch some sleep in their respective badge-owners appartments."
"We set out at night making a wide-arc for our approach from the Ocean-side of the arkology. Choppy seas there should help us avoid detection from the arkologies sensor array" nodding at Ludmilla for confirmation, afterall Ludi was their teams Electronic Warfare specialist.
"In the early morning we anchor of the arkologies cliff base right here. Now sea conditions near the cliff's base look impossible, but the anchor should prevent us crashing into those rocks here and here." Pointing out some rocky outcroppings at a picture of Devil's Island. "Our people inside the ark start their morning jog at 0600, prepare a fixing point for a rope slide and continue to jog until they identify our target... Then they make a second lap in the opposite direction, matching pace such they end up near the rope's fixing point for their second rendez-vous."
"They subdue the target, move him off the trail, tranquilize him, scan him for Doc Wagon bracelets and tracking signals, throw the rope as far off into the sea as possible, we setup a rope-slide from the boat, slide down and get the frag out of there. Sounds like a plan aye."
"Any questions?"
Bubba looks up from a book that he is reading. "What abouts da drone? Will it slides down the ropes too?"
"Nah, we'll jam it.
We're not going to lug around a fraggin pet-drone man."
We're not going to lug around a fraggin pet-drone man."
"Wells we better do mores than jam it... I know!" Bubba lowers his book and grabs the chair arms while raising in his seat and exclaims with excitement, "Lets me smash it!" Blank stairs and silence meet Bubba as his colleagues don’t seem to share his enthusiasm... speaking quietly, "I bets it will cause lots of troubles if we don’t dos more than just jams it."
Bubba then pulls the book over his face and his colleagues notice the title "Of Mice and Men."
Bubba then pulls the book over his face and his colleagues notice the title "Of Mice and Men."
"Smash it in a gazillion pieces, I don't care... Just make sure we got our mark and crew back on board before you do alright." 'Bugger the drone. A blind pet can't do shit except squelling for help... and not even that until we're way out of sensor range'
09:01:22 Local Time(04:12:30 Pacific Time) Wednesday, 18 January 2062 - Cayenne, French Guiana International
Two days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
After a short layover in Paris, Texas for refueling the jet continues its flight to French Guiana. During the 18-hour trip the team thinks they have come up with a plan. Bubba thinks he doesn't like airline food, even if it is free.
Stepping off the plane, you are hit with a warm blanket of humid air. At first you are short of breath, then your body slowly adjusts to taking in the thick wet air. Your clothes gradually start to dampen with sweat.
One of the crew members hands Kliko a credstick, "This is for your van. It is being brought around now."
On cue, a dark blue rental van pulls up. The crew members unloads your gear and starts loading it into the back of the van.
Two days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
After a short layover in Paris, Texas for refueling the jet continues its flight to French Guiana. During the 18-hour trip the team thinks they have come up with a plan. Bubba thinks he doesn't like airline food, even if it is free.
Stepping off the plane, you are hit with a warm blanket of humid air. At first you are short of breath, then your body slowly adjusts to taking in the thick wet air. Your clothes gradually start to dampen with sweat.
One of the crew members hands Kliko a credstick, "This is for your van. It is being brought around now."
On cue, a dark blue rental van pulls up. The crew members unloads your gear and starts loading it into the back of the van.
"I GOTS SHOTGUNS," yells Bubba as he quickly hops into the front passenger seat of the van. "Lets go check out dis Gala dude and grab some authentic donuts on the ways."
09:05:19 Local Time Wednesday, 18 January 2062 - Cayenne, French Guiana International
'Hot and humid alright' dropping the synth leather jacket over his shoulders, he picked up one of the bags and carried it over to the van. "Ey, soyez prudents avec ça! Casser le, et le géant vous casse." 'Fraggers should stay away from our kit in the first place.'.
He slotted the Guyana mapsofts while firing up the van's engine. The navigation systems overlay providing at least some comfort in this god forsaken backwater capital... "Let's drop our stuff off at the safehouse first... Ludmilla, you got word from our locals?"
'Hot and humid alright' dropping the synth leather jacket over his shoulders, he picked up one of the bags and carried it over to the van. "Ey, soyez prudents avec ça! Casser le, et le géant vous casse." 'Fraggers should stay away from our kit in the first place.'.
He slotted the Guyana mapsofts while firing up the van's engine. The navigation systems overlay providing at least some comfort in this god forsaken backwater capital... "Let's drop our stuff off at the safehouse first... Ludmilla, you got word from our locals?"
09:05:23 Local Time Wednesday, 18 January 2062 - Cayenne, French Guiana International
It didn't take very for Ludmilla to feel physically uncomfortable. It was her very first time setting foot in any sort of jungle envrionment. Sure, she knew how it was going to be... but she had never experience anything close to thing. The level of humidity made her feel twice as heavy as she was. She could already feel sweat rolling down her neck. She was indeed very far from the frozen stepps of Siberia.
Taking her baseball cap off she ran one hand into her short black hair, grunting in exasperation. It stuck up here and there, making her look like an angry porcupine. Even tho her cybereyes were compensating for the bright sun light, she couldn't help herself but squint. Her boots had touched the ground for about 5 minutes, and she was already hating this place. She'd have to change into a lighter set of clothes, and soon.
When Kliko spoke to her, she snapped out, hearing him but not knowing exactly what he had just asked.
"Chto?"”
He asked his question again, switching to russian.
"Oh. Da."”
She dug her phone out from her cargo pants, feeling glad she had packed a pair of shorts.
"I will make call now."” she said, dialing Bala's number first, from memory, as she ducked inside the van for some shade.
It didn't take very for Ludmilla to feel physically uncomfortable. It was her very first time setting foot in any sort of jungle envrionment. Sure, she knew how it was going to be... but she had never experience anything close to thing. The level of humidity made her feel twice as heavy as she was. She could already feel sweat rolling down her neck. She was indeed very far from the frozen stepps of Siberia.
Taking her baseball cap off she ran one hand into her short black hair, grunting in exasperation. It stuck up here and there, making her look like an angry porcupine. Even tho her cybereyes were compensating for the bright sun light, she couldn't help herself but squint. Her boots had touched the ground for about 5 minutes, and she was already hating this place. She'd have to change into a lighter set of clothes, and soon.
When Kliko spoke to her, she snapped out, hearing him but not knowing exactly what he had just asked.
"Chto?"”
He asked his question again, switching to russian.
"Oh. Da."”
She dug her phone out from her cargo pants, feeling glad she had packed a pair of shorts.
"I will make call now."” she said, dialing Bala's number first, from memory, as she ducked inside the van for some shade.
09:05:28 Local Time(04:12:30 Pacific Time) Wednesday, 18 January 2062 - Cayenne, French Guiana International
Two days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
A woman's voice answers, "Allo?"
"Hoi. This is Ludi, Smith told me to call you for any needs."
"Oui. What can I do for you?"
"Is this Bala?"
"Oui. Now what can I do?"
Ludi gives her a list of demands, which Bala says she can fill. They set a meet to pick up the equipment on the docks around noon.
Two days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
A woman's voice answers, "Allo?"
"Hoi. This is Ludi, Smith told me to call you for any needs."
"Oui. What can I do for you?"
"Is this Bala?"
"Oui. Now what can I do?"
Ludi gives her a list of demands, which Bala says she can fill. They set a meet to pick up the equipment on the docks around noon.
09:10:36 Local Time Wednesday, 18 January 2062 - Cayenne, French Guiana International
Two days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
The estimated time to target blinked in Kliko's image top-right corner. Scrolling through the mapsoft supplied routes it appeared they had enough time left to make the trip back and forth to their safehouse.
'Select destination ->Kourou safehouse'
"Looks like we got some time to kill people" 'Doesn't this van have any airco?' "We should make it to the safehouse, refresh, change clothes get some water and chow in our system before heading back to Cayenne... that is unless anybody volunteers for a morning stake-out at the docks..."
"Nah, I didn't think so either..."
Turning up the van's radio Kliko tuned in to Metis FM playing some French 'Time to Die' wannabe synth pop. It was outdated (in comparison to the real deal back home) and worst of all... the lyrics where in French.
It wasn't up to Kliko's primal taste of killer metal, but at least the linguasoft made it bearable.
Two days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
The estimated time to target blinked in Kliko's image top-right corner. Scrolling through the mapsoft supplied routes it appeared they had enough time left to make the trip back and forth to their safehouse.
'Select destination ->Kourou safehouse'
"Looks like we got some time to kill people" 'Doesn't this van have any airco?' "We should make it to the safehouse, refresh, change clothes get some water and chow in our system before heading back to Cayenne... that is unless anybody volunteers for a morning stake-out at the docks..."
"Nah, I didn't think so either..."
Turning up the van's radio Kliko tuned in to Metis FM playing some French 'Time to Die' wannabe synth pop. It was outdated (in comparison to the real deal back home) and worst of all... the lyrics where in French.
It wasn't up to Kliko's primal taste of killer metal, but at least the linguasoft made it bearable.
18:00:00 Local Time(13:00:00 Pacific Time) Wednesday, 18 January 2062 - Kourou, French Guiana International
Two days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
The team gathers in the safehouse provided by Ludi's contact, Chupa. It sits in the dilapidated ghetto of Kourou, as there is a vast difference between the business, high and middle class section of French Guiana, and the industrial and poor areas of the cities.
The place is a dump, even Bubba makes complaints of the smell. It is hardly large enough for the five of you, let alone holding a hostage. It is going to be cramped, but you guys should get by for a few days in this 800 square foot home with two small bedrooms and a single bathroom. There is an old stained mattress in each of the bedrooms, two two-seat couches in the living area, along with a small round table and three chairs. There are four small fans in the house, an old tv in the living room, and the kitchen seems to be stocked with food already. While there is only water, a few cheap sodas and beers in the fridge, the cabinets are half full of canned foods, paper plates, plastic utensils and cups, along with simple household cleaning supplies.
With all the gear needed for the mission having been acquired, even found a place not too far where you can rent a small fishing boat in exchange for canned goods - which of course you will have to repay Chupa. All there is left to do is plan and execute.
Two days remain to acquire the target (by Friday)
The team gathers in the safehouse provided by Ludi's contact, Chupa. It sits in the dilapidated ghetto of Kourou, as there is a vast difference between the business, high and middle class section of French Guiana, and the industrial and poor areas of the cities.
The place is a dump, even Bubba makes complaints of the smell. It is hardly large enough for the five of you, let alone holding a hostage. It is going to be cramped, but you guys should get by for a few days in this 800 square foot home with two small bedrooms and a single bathroom. There is an old stained mattress in each of the bedrooms, two two-seat couches in the living area, along with a small round table and three chairs. There are four small fans in the house, an old tv in the living room, and the kitchen seems to be stocked with food already. While there is only water, a few cheap sodas and beers in the fridge, the cabinets are half full of canned foods, paper plates, plastic utensils and cups, along with simple household cleaning supplies.
With all the gear needed for the mission having been acquired, even found a place not too far where you can rent a small fishing boat in exchange for canned goods - which of course you will have to repay Chupa. All there is left to do is plan and execute.
04:30:00 Local Time(23:30:00 Pacific Time) Thursday, 19 January 2062 - Kourou, French Guiana
One day remaining to acquire the target (by Friday)
It had been a long day, flying in from CalFree, picking up final supplies, haggling over prices out of principle 'man I could have made a fortune with our self-heating rations. Fella could have used the added protein alright, strictly bizz, ain't no fraggin charity chummer' before finally getting some badly needed sleep back at the safehouse after being active for the last 24 hours.
Electrical pulses whizzled along Kliko's lower spinal column moving up and making their way for his brains waking him up 'Good morning Aztlan!' in the process. Opening up the windows and doors for some badly needed ventilation Kliko woke up the rest 'what a dump, at least out in the jungle you got the ants cleaning up.' It set out to be a long day with little sleep in the next 48 hours and they were far from extracting their mark. Sure they had all the required kit to pull it off, but no solid means of gaining acces to the arkology right now.
"You know, I've been thinking. Tomorrow night is the night, so all make sure you ready and well rested, but I ain't not planning to return to this dump to hide out. Frag it, I rather face jungle-critters then the vermin in this place.... I want to use the day to test out the skiff and get some practice with grapple gun with Bubba. But we need to get two of us up in the ark and someone to guard our kit.... I don't really like the looks of this neighhbourhood. Out here we're much to exposed and ayone of these squatter kids can and will probaply sell us out..."
"Now that leavea Ludmilla and either Duster or Sugar to find a way to infiltrate the arc. Guard detail sucks big time, but we paid good nuyen for all this" nodding at the equipment lying scattered around the living room "and it would be a waste to have it nabbed by the locals."
One day remaining to acquire the target (by Friday)
It had been a long day, flying in from CalFree, picking up final supplies, haggling over prices out of principle 'man I could have made a fortune with our self-heating rations. Fella could have used the added protein alright, strictly bizz, ain't no fraggin charity chummer' before finally getting some badly needed sleep back at the safehouse after being active for the last 24 hours.
Electrical pulses whizzled along Kliko's lower spinal column moving up and making their way for his brains waking him up 'Good morning Aztlan!' in the process. Opening up the windows and doors for some badly needed ventilation Kliko woke up the rest 'what a dump, at least out in the jungle you got the ants cleaning up.' It set out to be a long day with little sleep in the next 48 hours and they were far from extracting their mark. Sure they had all the required kit to pull it off, but no solid means of gaining acces to the arkology right now.
"You know, I've been thinking. Tomorrow night is the night, so all make sure you ready and well rested, but I ain't not planning to return to this dump to hide out. Frag it, I rather face jungle-critters then the vermin in this place.... I want to use the day to test out the skiff and get some practice with grapple gun with Bubba. But we need to get two of us up in the ark and someone to guard our kit.... I don't really like the looks of this neighhbourhood. Out here we're much to exposed and ayone of these squatter kids can and will probaply sell us out..."
"Now that leavea Ludmilla and either Duster or Sugar to find a way to infiltrate the arc. Guard detail sucks big time, but we paid good nuyen for all this" nodding at the equipment lying scattered around the living room "and it would be a waste to have it nabbed by the locals."
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