Friday, March 27th, 2071; 5:58pm; Ugly Bob's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle

Val takes a moment, steadies his aim and shoots the leader in the head. The remaining two thugs take note of the situation and lay face down, no longer engaging Val and Jon.

Inside the bar, the palming seems to go over without reaction. However, the guy underneath Hawk groans, "Get off me prick." and spits a mouthful of blood on the floor. The credstick and offer of drinks seem to have the other patrons at bay for the moment, but as he holds the gun on the thug several other patrons keep a strick eye on Hawk as well.

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 5:58pm; Ugly Bob's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Hawk

"I'm going to ask you a few questions and you are going to answer them. Failure to do so and i turn your head into a soup bowl...understand?" Hawk says stern yet quiet enough to be private between himself and the thug.

Not waiting for acknowledgment...

"Question number one. Who are you working for? Think quick, your response is being timed."

<<@Team [Hawk] Be right there, just finishing up in here. These guys sure are messy when they go down...kinda like an ex of mine, but that is a story for another night.>>

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 5:58pm; Ugly Bob's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Hawk

The thug glares at Hawk. "We ain't working for no one." He winces in continued pain. "And I appear to be with the wrong crew."

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 5:58pm; Ugly Bob's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Hawk

"Question number two. If you are not working for anyone then why are you stalking us?" Looking the thug over from head to toe...

"Yes it appears you did pick the wrong side." Hawk pokes the man in the side with the barrel of his slivergun.

"Go on, answer the question..."

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 5:58pm; Ugly Bob's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Hawk

The thug winces in pain, squirming a little. "Are you kidding? The two of you escorting the softy?"

Hawk notices that the pair of street sam from the far table have taken interest and are approaching. They do not look happy.

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 5:58pm; Ugly Bob's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Hawk

"You fraggin twit. I hired him. If anything the rest of your goons should have been after me."

Hawk stands putting his slivergun back in its holster. He offers his hand to help the fallen thug up to his feet.

"Look, call off the goons outside. I know a good street doc we can get you patched up. If you guys are cool, perhaps we can benefit each other instead of fighting. I could use a few good men. Depending on where your allegiance lies you might stand to make some nuyen out of this ordeal."

Hawk looks over his shoulder at the pair of street sams and then back at the thug.

"Friends of yours?"

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 5:58pm; Ugly Bob's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Val

Val seeing the bullet penetrate the frontla loop of one of the thugs hopes that puts the fear of god in them as far as continuing the fight. but just to make things intresting he makes sure he is in cover and takes a pop at the other two just to keep thier heads down.

<Val@team "where are you guys">

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 5:58pm; Ugly Bob's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Hawk

The thug shakes his head in a "no".

Once of the sams steps forward while the other hangs back, moving to the side to maintain a line of fire. They have no weapons in hand. "Take it outside."

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 5:58pm; Ugly Bob's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Hawk

Looking back down at the thug and reaching down a little still offering his arm as help...

"Come on you heaper, on your feet. Lets get you to a Doc."

Looking back over his shoulder at the closest Sam...

"No trouble here boss, just taking the kid here to get patched up. Apparently we had a misunderstanding."

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 5:58pm; Ugly Bob's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Ghost

He walks over to Val and drops the invisibility spell.

I'm right 'ere, mate. You need patchin'?

He looks over toward the remaining thugs and smiles.

Eve'nin, gents. I'm right glad you didn't punch too many holes in my friend here.

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 5:58pm; Ugly Bob's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle

The thug inside the bar allows Hawk to lead him out. The sams watch them leave, but do not follow. In response to the street doc, the thug nods.

Outside, the other two are slowly getting off the ground, their weapons going behind their backs. The mage fading into view causes a momentary pause. The door opens and they turn toward it, seeing their buddy come out in pretty shape.

Once outside, the wounded thug looks to Hawk. "You serious about the doc?"

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 5:58pm; Ugly Bob's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Hawk

Putting a hand up to his companions as if to singal all is ok Hawk turns back to the thug he is helping...

"I'm a man of my word. I'll take you to see the doc. From there its upto you if you want to do further business."

<< @Team [Hawk] I think we are at a true cease fire here. These guys are true amateurs. They came after us simply because of how we looked.>>

"As a gesture of good faith, my name is Hawk. Who might i have the pleasure of putting a few slugs into?"

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 5:58pm; Ugly Bob's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle

The guy chokes out a, "Stitch" The other two, beginning to realize they will not be joining their leader introduce themselves as Fingers and Booger; The latter has snot drizzling out his nose and continually wipes it off with his sleeve.

As everyone stands around getting acquainted, a couple walk up, see the corpse and hustle back towards their vehicle.

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 5:58pm; Ugly Bob's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Ghost

Shit. Are we taking on refugees again? That was a bad idea the first time around.

Tell me about it. Remember that time back in Cuba?

You mean ... with the old team?

Forget I said anything.

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 5:58pm; Ugly Bob's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Val

Val stands up and puts his pred away. "what a shot." he looks to hawk and ghost for reassurance. looking over the dead thug he sees that they aren't a real issue. "how about we get to going." the russian still very much coming out while he talks still a little tipsy frrom the booze.

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 5:58pm; Ugly Bob's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Ghost

"Not a problem, mate." Looking to Hawk he adds, "You good?"

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 5:58pm; Ugly Bob's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Val

Val looks at the unfortunate head shot, then to the other three "what were you guys expecting to get from us?" obviously not thier boss shot thats for sure he thought to himself. Val then leaned over the dead guy to disarm him. he still needed to get Stump some kickback for fronting him his current gear.

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 5:59pm; Ugly Bob's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Hawk

Hawk calls out to the patrons scuttling away...

[raised voice] "Don't mind our friend here...he had the headbuster hot sauce. The rest of the food is rather enjoyable."

"What a shot." comes from his Russian friend.

Hawk looks down at the near headless corpse...

"Not all that pretty, but certainly effective. Doubtful you'll get any answers out of him." Hawk says with a smirk.

Val turns to Hawk..."You good?"

"Yeah I'll be fine. I'm going to take my new friend Stitch here to see the doc and get him patched up. I'll catch up with you guys in the morning right?"

<<@Team [Hawk] Give me a ring later if plans change about the meeting.>>

Hawk leads the wounded thug to his motorcycle, disarming the anti-theft as they approach. Directing a semi private question to Stitch as they walk...

"My buddy had a good question...what did you guys think you were going to get from us?"

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 5:59pm; Ugly Bob's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle

One of the other guys answers Hawk, "Certified cred... Maybe something we could pawn." He pauses a moment till the team looks at him, "Something to pay the bills for another day."

Val meanwhile is able to lift a twenty year old Predator II off the dead thug and a very low end com.

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 5:59pm; Ugly Bob's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Ghost

Damn. Life should be worth more than that.

You mean like the payoff we spent after w...

Shut up! You really are a bastard, you know that don't you?

Kiddo, haven't you figured out that I'm you. Your conscious or something like that.

. . . .

"Alright then. Let's go mate." He motions for Val to follow him.

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 5:59pm; Ugly Bob's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Val

Val slips the old com and even older pred into his jacket a lot of buldges in his clothes now. "yeah lets get out of here, i don't want anymore attention then we already have."

Poor slots trying to get a few bucks only to turn into getting a few holes shot into thier friends, god who where those other two that were looking for me the other day and who the hell was that trog that helped me

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 5:59pm; Ugly Bob's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Hawk

Hawk and Stitch drive off on the Indian Pathfinder heading to see ol' Doc Phin...

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:20pm; Ace Hardware Coffin Motel, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Val & Ghost

The duo make their way to the coffin motel, leaving Hawk & Stitch at Doc Phin's.

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:30pm; Doc Phin's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Hawk

Half an hour later and Hawk has transferred Stitch to Doc Phin and is again sitting astride his bike in the alley. Doc promised to take good care of the young man... and not to charge you too much.

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:20pm; Ace Hardware Coffin Motel, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Ghost

What a dump.

Hey, we don't live much better. Perhaps he's down on his luck?

"You good here or do you want some backup?"

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:20pm; Ace Hardware Coffin Motel, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Val

Val look at the coffin shack at thinks a friend inside might prove useful. getting off the bike Val checks out the surrounding area before walking in. "sure doesn't hurt to have some help just in case"

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:20pm; Ace Hardware Coffin Motel, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Ghost

"Got ya covered."

Great! We get to be backup.

It's not the end of the world.

No, I was thinking that you could should him in the back.

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:21pm; Ace Hardware Coffin Motel, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Val

Val takes a minute to organize his thoughts what the hell is this place? why would i have a room clear over here. Val steps towards the entrance hoping to find some sort of answer but from a coffin shack, he doubted it especially if it was like the one he was staying in currently. He just needed any answers that might make him remember who he was and why he was in a dark alley and again his thoughts went to the Troll who helped him, did I know the troll and why would the Troll help me. all these thought ran through his head in the moments it took him to get off the bike and head towards the entrance. once inside he would hopefully know a little more. Looking behind him for a moment he waited for Ghost to follow him in. "here we go" he wispered under his breath. once inside he looked for what would be the check in.

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:30pm; Doc Phin's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Hawk

Hawk walks back to his bike putting on his helmet as he approaches. Getting on the bike he gets re-attuned to the enhanced vision.

"Ok Stump, lets look into releiving some bad guys of their good stuff."

Starting up the bike, Hawk loads his Seattle mapsoft and plots his destination: Red-E-Stor at 166th Ave NE and NE 92nd Ave. As the software plots a relatively safe route to the destination, Hawk pulls out of Ol' Docs place.

"Looks like papa's going shopping."

Val & Ghost; Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:23pm; Ace Hardware Coffin Motel, Redmond Barrens, Seattle

The duo head inside the dilapidated building, Ghost noticing that the front windows are boarded up and several punks are loitering around the entrance (security of sorts). An old woman sitting at a desk watches as the duo pass. She snickers and shakes her head. "Don't you two make too much noise or I'll be kicking you both out."

This hall was cheaply assembled with some sort of framing and plywood sheets. The ceiling is obviously the original structure; Much higher quality. They reach the door. It is a cheap, thin door; Much like one would find to the bathroom or bedroom in mass produced housing. The room beyond is just under 3m deep and just over 1m wide. The 'bed' is in fact a cot from a shelter or red-cross station and there are no linens, save a well used comforter that it is best not even to dwell on what made the stains on it. There is no bathroom attached to the room and the cramped space quickly leads one to realize that you don't do much socializing in this room.

Hawk; Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:36pm; Red-E-Stor at 166th Ave NE and NE 92nd Ave, Redmond Barrens, Seattle

Five minute trip from Doc Phin's to the Red-E Stor is uneventful. A first pass by the Red-E-Stor yields the following information: The storage units are two rows, front and back, maybe a dozen deep on each row. There is no lighting in the area and it is encircled by a chain link fence, with two rows of barbed wire across the top. A small office sits at the gate entrance to the lot; It is about 3m square. A total of four cars sit on the street within 1/2 a block of the entrance. They are all older model cars.

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:23pm; Ace Hardware Coffin Motel, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Ghost

Is she talking about us? With ... him?

I believe so.

That ... that is just ... You know what? I want a drink.

We're working, remember?

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:23pm; Ace Hardware Coffin Motel, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Val

not knowing what to think or even to say in response to the old hag at the window Val continues to check out the room. why here? another dead end?
val looks around the room a little more closely trying to find anything he can as to why he would be staying here. looking at Ghost val "think you can help me look for anything in here, i mean anything" val then goes back to looking for any clues.

why did i come here what was here for me and why do i not remember this place. maybe the old lady knows anything probably not but worth a shot at this point.

they still had a job to do and that felt a little more important right now because he was now in debt to Stump for a little cash that he didn't want him to have to call and collect anytime soon. Val was hoping to find anything useful here. maybe the roof had a little better perspective.

Val & Ghost; Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:24pm; Ace Hardware Coffin Motel, Redmond Barrens, Seattle

Val easily finds the stairs to the second floor, finding it much the same as the ground floor. There appear to be doors to eight small rooms. Roof access is not apparent.

Hawk; Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:37pm; Near Red-E-Stor at 166th Ave NE and NE 92nd Ave, Redmond Barrens, Seattle

The Red-E Stor office appears dark and there are no windows facing the street, leaving more answers than questions about any possible occupants, or not.

Red-E Stor sits on what would be the north-west corner of the "T" intersection. Immediately to the south of the storage units is what once was a nice apartment or condominium complex; Perhaps some half a dozen decades ago. There is no access to the complex from 166th ave to the complex.

Across the street, houses set back from the street. No one is outside on the street near those houses, but down 92nd ave a small group of youth can be seen loitering.

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:37pm; Near Red-E-Stor at 166th Ave NE and NE 92nd Ave, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Hawk; PAN=Passive; SIN=Marcum Curst

Sitting on his bike facing West at the interesection of 166th Ave and 92nd Street, Hawk turns north and slowly passes by the Red-E-Stor on his left. As he drives by he begins to cycle through normal, enhanced and thermal imaging looking for security features and possible guards...including dogs. About one hundred twenty meters up the street Hawk pulls a U-turn and parks on the west side of the street facing south looking at the entrance of the storage facility. Hawk toes the kickstand down on his bike and rest there for a moment.

With mere thoughts he sets his commlink to actively scan and self log wireless nodes in the area. He also changes all security features on his 'linked equipment to Skinlink access only. Leaving his helmet on but opening the mirrored visor he dismounts his bike. Setting the security features, he slowly yet with a purpose walks south towards the Red-E-Stor. Bringing up any AR displays in the area Hawk double checks to make sure his comm is set to passive.

Another sixty meters south and Hawk is standing before the gates of the Red-E-Stor facility. He gives the facility front a good look-over scanning for signs of security sensors inside the compound. With a satisfactory nod after about fifteen to twenty seconds Hawk walks upto the small office looking for a sign posting normal operating hours.

"Hello? Anyone home?" Hawk calls out to anyone that might be in the office.

Relax old man and breathe. Not everything in life has to be complicated. This is going to work out smooth.

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:24pm; Ace Hardware Coffin Motel, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Val

Val looks around seeing nothing of intrest on the ground floor or the seconde floor "well i guess this was a waste of time." looking at Ghost. "lets head out and see how hawk is doing on his end, i want to ask the lady downstairs how long the room was paid up to and if she has anything useful to say before we go though." Val starts to head to the lady at the window at the front desk "excuse me, how long was my room paid up till? also did anyone come looking for me or asking about me?"

Val & Ghost; Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:25pm; Ace Hardware Coffin Motel, Redmond Barrens, Seattle

"You're paid up until morning.. and no, no one is looking for ya. Should they be?"


Hawk; Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:42pm; Near Red-E-Stor at 166th Ave NE and NE 92nd Ave, Redmond Barrens, Seattle

Hawk came in from the north, passed by the Red-E Stor turned around, passed it again and parked back north of the site. So far, he is able to execute his plans without impediment.

Reaching the office and calling out, he finds the office empty. He does however stir up the trio of guard dogs inside the fence who race up to the gate snarling and barking. Lucky for Hawk, the fence and gate are in good repair, keeping the dogs at bay.

Val Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:25pm; Ace Hardware Coffin Motel, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Val

"thank you." Val says to the window lady then sighs in dissapointment he had a look like he was expecting something more and looks at ghost "a waste of time sorry, lets meet up with Hawk and see what we can do before it gets to late."

<Val@Hawk "so how is your ganger friend? did you want to tag up and see about scouting our work area?">

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:25pm; Doc Phin's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Hawk

Sitting on his bike outside Doc Phin's place, Hawk contemplates just how much its going to cost to fix up his new buddy Stitch. A soft beep audible only to himself alerts him to incomming message...

<Val@Hawk "so how is your ganger friend? did you want to tag up and see about scouting our work area?">

<<@Val [Hawk] Doc Phin says he should pull through fine. He seems to be a tough kid. I am going to see about liberating some gear for use with our mission. If you guys want to tag along we can swing by our work area after.>>

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:25pm; Doc Phin's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Val

Val sees the message alert in his HUD pop up with a incoming call. subvocally he responds to Hawks call <Val@Hawk " sounds good, where you want to tag up? you guys know where i can procure a vehicle without having to pay for it. we need a set of wheels untracable to us if we are going to hit the supplly guy stump mentioned i would hate to have to be shot at while on the back of a bike"> Val then looks at Ghost "Hawk wants to see about some supplies, after that i think we are going to check out the job site. if you don't mind riding me to him we can then do what we need to and get paid hopefully."

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:25pm; Doc Phin's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Hawk

<<@Val [Hawk] I am leaving Doc's right now. The location I have is the Red-E-Stor on the T-section of 166th Ave and 92nd Street.>>

Using his limited computer skills Hawk sends a text with the mapsoft location of where he is going.

<<@Val [Hawk] ~Upload_Text/.Mapsoft_Image/.Redmond_Barrens>>

"Hey, Val, what's up?"

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:25pm; Doc Phin's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Val

Val looks at ghost "Hawk is about to check out the extra work Stump mentioned, thank you for bringing me by here i thought i would find a little something more about myself here and maybe a little something else worth the trip but it seems that this was just a lay low spot for the time being. if we can get the extra swag i think that will help us a lot. what do you say."

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:25pm; Doc Phin's, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Ghost

Meh. Whatever.

Hey. We might need this guy.

I doubt it. He seems too squishy to me.

Shut up.

"Yeah, sounds good."

Val & Ghost; Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:42pm; Near Red-E-Stor at 166th Ave NE and NE 92nd Ave, Redmond Barrens, Seattle

The duo load up to meet with their new partner. Val, not having a bike, rides with Ghost. A ride at dusk in the Barrens can be a somewhat perilous endeavor though. What should have taken them five minutes was taking them over three times as long as the local gangs are out prowling for easy prey. Some nights it is far better to avoid trouble than meet it head on. With that, the duo is now 30 seconds from reaching Hawk.

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:42pm; Near Red-E-Stor at 166th Ave NE and NE 92nd Ave, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Ghost

Lovely evening for a drive.

Then why do I feel like there is hair on the back of my teeth?

Wha...

Nevermind. Just remember that this guy on the back of the bike is expendable if this goes south. The other guy seems like he is useful.

You do know that not everyone is expendable, right?

Look in the mirror recently?

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:42pm; Near Red-E-Stor at 166th Ave NE and NE 92nd Ave, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Val

Feeling the wind rush accross his face then have hair slapping in his face, the russian knew cold from his past somehow but couldn't remember. a bike ride was one thing when the sun was still out but with every night the sun goe away and the darkness rises as the light falls in the shadows at night no one knew what to expect especially when two guys on one bike were running around town dodging shaddy parts of town and avoiding gun shots and gang turfs was just one precaution one took at night in seattle. "i really need to invest in a car" Val thought to himself as him and ghost rode through the cold night the ride that from what he remembered didn't take this long. hoping Ghost wasn't lost or just avoiding trouble from the round about way he was driving around. Val thought it might have been worth paying for the taxi just this once.

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:42pm; Red-E-Stor 'Front Gate' at 166th Ave NE and NE 92nd Ave, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Hawk; PAN=Passive; SIN=Marcum Curst

With a quiet whisper to himself...

"Dogs. Its always dogs."

Hawk itches at his side making sure his Slivergun is at the ready should he need it.

<<@Team [Hawk] Hey guys, either of you have any quiet means at taking care of a trio of guard dogs? A spell or just an ace up your sleeve?>>

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:42pm; Red-E-Stor 'Front Gate' at 166th Ave NE and NE 92nd Ave, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Val

<Val@Team "unless you want me to shoot it, i think we might have to become inventive"> Val thinks about maybe laxtive in a couple soy dogs.

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:42pm; Red-E-Stor 'Front Gate' at 166th Ave NE and NE 92nd Ave, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Ghost

<<@ Team [Ghost] I could stun them. Unless they yelp or are wired I should be able to shut them down easily enough.>>

Should we reveal that?

It's work. We have to work.

When do we drink?

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:43pm; Near Red-E-Stor at 166th Ave NE and NE 92nd Ave, Redmond Barrens, Seattle

Two random cars pass as Hawk and the team talk, then Ghost's bike eases up on Red-E-Stor. In the distance, a number of motorcycles with loud pipes can be heard getting closer.

Friday, March 27th, 2071; 6:43pm; Near Red-E-Stor at 166th Ave NE and NE 92nd Ave, Redmond Barrens, Seattle
Val

Val looks around in the distance to determine the direction theyare coming then looks to Hawk and ghost "you guys invite more friends?" then he dismounts from Ghost's bike and double checks his weapons to ensure they are loaded and ready, if not for the coming visitors then for the infiltration of the stroage yard.