03-Apr-2071, 21:44:55, Puyallup, Seattle

Stray is relieved when the meet starts to conclude without breaking out into violence, and climbs in the van again once the others are inside their vehicles.

03-Apr-2071, 21:45:02, Puyallup, Seattle

Nuke pulls the door shut behind him after sliding into the van.

<<The hostage situation is my biggest concern, actually. That, and still not having anything concrete on where these cats are. Hopefully something on the others will lead us to them, though. Suddenly really tempting to try to join forces with the folks from in front of the Chelsea, at least for a little while.>>

The hacker slumps in his chair as he drifts back into the GridGuide system, looking any fresh activity from the fake van IDs, or from the fake admin account that created them.

03-Apr-2071, 21:45:20, Puyallup, Seattle

The fake account has been busy trying to track several vans - vans whose IDs was manufactured by the same fake acocunt that is now searching them, and could very well fit all the same single van that was used in the kidnapping. All the results came up empty though - no such ID has been linked to the GridGuide system since the day of the kidnaping, when the van disappeared into Puyallup.

03-Apr-2071, 21:45:17, Puyallup, Seattle

After everyone is loaded, Jasper has the "girls" head back in the direction of the Laundromat while they work on a plan.

<<well, lets see, the hacker is probably the hardest to find. I'd say this Toby guy sounds like the weakest link. Also, we don't know what kinda time table these guys are on or what they're tryin to accomplish. Has Kelborne or United oil been hit with blackmail? These guys gotta be sittin on this girl, waitin for somethin to happen. >>

03-Apr-2071, 21:45:22, Puyallup, Seattle

<<Not sure. Think I've got something, though.>>

At the sight of someone potentially checking his backtrail, Nuke takes a moment to respoof his own AccessID, then sifts through the logs, while an agent runs off to track what is probably a spoofed AccessID.

03-Apr-2071, 21:45:45, Puyallup, Seattle

The user is currently not active, but he has set some programs to inform him as soon as any of the IDs are sighted - that much Nuke can tell. It looks not like a backtrail check, but like a real search for a van using one of those IDs.

The Access ID is of course spoofed, but if one spoofed a sighting of that van one could track the agent that would be running for its master.

03-Apr-2071, 21:45:55, Puyallup, Seattle

<<Let me know if you need a hand,>> Jasper drops hot into VR.His Icon appears as a hunter in a camo vest and hat. his agent, "J.D.", looks like a scragely junkyard dog and stands at his side scanning for threats. He grabs the images of the two street sams and the names, and starts trolling for any info he can find.

03-Apr-2071, 21:45:57, Puyallup, Seattle

Frustration subconsciously furrows Nuke’s brow. His persona is annoyed, convinced that someone has compromised their network, but nothing has turned up any evidence of who that might be. Instead, he’s got an agent, dutifully monitoring the GridGuide system, looking for a slew of fake AccessIDs.

After a few seconds of watching the city’s traffic flow, he picks a car headed into Auburn and spoofs a command to the GridGuide system to register one of the flagged fake AccessIDs, then tasks his own loyal minion with tracing the agent’s report back to the user who planted it.

03-Apr-2071, 21:46:05, Puyallup, Seattle

Through a number of nodes Nuke's agent manages to get a fix on the other hacker's location - "Lindberg", a cheap motel in Tacoma, catering to people headed for or coming from the airport. A step up from a cubicle, but a baby step at that at best.

Jasper digs up some information as well. Toby the Troll and Slicer both haven't been seen since a few days by any of their usual contacts. Someone is griping that Slicer ows him some money still. Toby has had a colored history, ex-metroplex guard, fired after a violent confrontation with his superiour - he claims it was racism - and started doing merc work, drifting into shadow work. He got his nickname from some old sim where a Troll named toby was the star. Slicer started out as a gang member in the Puyallup, in the short-lived "Shadow Samurais", who got cut down by a mob-sponsored gang coalition when they were getting too cozy with the Yakuza. Slicer got out in time, and started doing more ambitious work. The Shhadow Samurai's old turf is now held by another small-time gang, the "Treshers".

03-Apr-2071, 21:46:05, Puyallup, Seattle

On finding the motel, Nuke sits up for a moment, just to get out of VR for a few seconds.

"Got a hit on an airport motel called the Lindberg, out near Sea-Tac. Want to go take a ride and check it out? I'm going to do some snooping to see what else I can find that might have been watching the place for the last 48 hours."

Still in AR, he pulls up a directory of other businesses around the Lindberg, looking for anything that might have a security camera pointed at the motel.

03-Apr-2071, 21:46:05, Puyallup, Seattle

There's a few security cameras in the motel itself, but they are likely hacked and stuffed with an agent. The security camera of the stuffer shack across the street might be hacked too, since it's obvious. But maybe the display commlink in the window has a camera that's running.

03-Apr-2071, 21:46:21, Puyallup, Seattle

Confident that he's found what he's looking for, the fingers on Nuke's replacement arm twitch slightly as he falls back into hot sim. The persona running in his local commlink sits idle as he swaps to one running on the nexus to brute force his way into the node of what looks like a cheap commlink on display in the Stuffer Shack window.

03-Apr-2071, 21:46:37, Puyallup, Seattle

Nuke has no trouble hacking into the commlink - a cheap knock.off of a cheap brand, to be exact - and take it over. The image quality is not as good as a security camera offers, but good enough to keep the motel entrance under surveillance.

03-Apr-2071, 21:46:37, Puyallup, Seattle

After a few seconds of checking out the motel, inspiration strikes. Nuke uses the cheap commlink's antenna to snoop into the signal being sent out from the security camera. After a few seconds of decryption and a half second of sorting, a second AR window, showing the view from the Stuffer Shack security camera joins the view from the display commlink.

<<Nice place. If you're looking to cheat on your wife with someone you picked up at a stoplight. This camera is shit, though. J, can you get a rotodrone in the air to take a look around before we get there? I'm going to see if I can find my way into something with some more signal strength, so I can snoop around for their wireless traffic.>>

03-Apr-2071, 21:47:15, Puyallup, Seattle

There's no sign of Cheryl's simrig sending anything nearby. Encrypted traffic is there - several feeds.

03-Apr-2071, 21:47:15, Puyallup, Seattle

After some poking around, it becomes obvious that the car Nuke selected at random is a rental that has only been in the lot for a little less than 2 hours. And there's still no sign of Cheryl's persona. But what he does find is encrypted wireless traffic, which is always encouraging.

The nexus is great for a lot of tasks, but when it comes to raw power for a single dedicated one, it doesn't hold a candle to his own commlink, so he creates another dummy admin account in the car for his commlink's persona's spoofed AccessID, then logs off the one he initially hacked. After entering the system with his freshly created legitimate admin account, he deletes the hacked one and removes any trace of it from the access log.



Confident that he's covered his own tracks, Nuke sets about digging into the flurry of wireless signals.

03-Apr-2071, 21:48:25, Puyallup, Seattle

Nuke manages to identify the encrypted traffic - one is from his target, the hacker he is tracking, three others do not seem related to it, but may also be involved in clandestine machinations.

03-Apr-2071, 21:46:41, Puyallup, Seattle

Jasper was elbows deep in different nodes when Nuke hit him up.

<<yeah, I can get Rosie in the air, but I gotta keep her high and outside. If we get any cred outa this I gotta get me another roto for surveilance. I've been diggin up some dirt on Toby and Slicer. Toby's old metroplex guard with a chip on his shoulder, and slicer is some Ninja ganger gone runner. Both of 'em have been off the map for a few days.>>

with the new Intel, Jasper sets course for Tacoma. He also Pulls up a street map of the Lindburg hotel and looks for access in and out to major roads or docks, choke points, and any nearby buildings of interest.

03-Apr-2071, 21:47:20, Puyallup, Seattle

The Sea-Tac airport is the dominant structure nearby - not too close, but its surveillance might be covering the airspace closer than in other parts, to detect collision hazards for planes early on, so air surveillance is limited, unless with a good hacked ID.

Access to and from is easy - it's a motel serving the airport - so choke points are rare and probably would have to be created artificially. Traffic jams could be an issue during the day, but not at night.

03-Apr-2071, 21:48:25, Puyallup, Seattle

<<That fits the pattern. They grabbed the girl just shy of 48 hours ago, so during the final prep, and for the last two days, they'd have been laying low. They sound like a pair of real laughs to party with, too. I'm still trying to pinpoint where in the motel he is, though. The hit on this hotel might be a red herring if he's really, really careful.>>

Nuke flips his attention back to the intercepted camera feed to look around the exterior of the hotel, then swaps to the commlink camera to get a slightly different perspective.

03-Apr-2071, 21:48:35, Puyallup, Seattle

There's nothing suspicious that Nuke can see. A man is entering and trying to hide his face from the camera, but he is with a young woman and given the differences between her rather skimpy and punk clothes, and the suit he is wearing, it's a paid arrangement.

03-Apr-2071, 21:48:35, Puyallup, Seattle

Nuke’s eyes fly open, as he snaps out of checking out the foot and data traffic around the hotel.

�Knew we forgot something. Need to see what I can dig up on Test Screen.�

The agent is sent scuttling off into the matrix in search of anything that can be found about Test Screen. Meanwhile, the hacker returns his own attention to the node he’s tracked back to the Lindberg.

03-Apr-2071, 21:49:43, Puyallup, Seattle

Nuke’s Agent doesn't take too long to search for information about Test Screen. He is a hacker known for "working from home" - he doesn't physically tags along with anyone, he doesn't even meet anyone in the flesh. Very good at penetrating systems and surveillance, but not very gifted with vehicles, according to some "botched job" report. His icon in the matrix is an old flatscreen with arms and legs. He was last said to work with a team, but no details are known.

03-Apr-2071, 22:00:38, Puyallup, Seattle

Jasper cruised up I-5 Paralleling the Airport on his left.A sea of airport businesses lay in the valley of buildings between him and the tarmac, and in that sea lay the Lindburg hotel. He's heading for 154th street, a small road that cuts back around the north side. The air traffic at SeaTac is under lock and key , and more importantly , constant surveillance.
<<We're in a tough spot here ya'll, our only advantage is surprise, we can't take any chances. a drone outa place in the air could raise the hackles of airport security, and the hacker is probably in full surveilance mode his own self. He's probably got his peepers in every cam on the block. what about gettin one of those hookers on the horn and let us piggy back her comm into hotel? I think we're gonna have to work on foot here. unless we can get a little closer and find something suitable to hack for air support. >>

03-Apr-2071, 22:01:09, Puyallup, Seattle

<<<We could dress up as guests and walk in ourselves instead of piggybacking on someone else. That might be less obvious than sending in drones if the hacker's looking for such, and we'd be in place if things start.>>>

03-Apr-2071, 22:01:14, Puyallup, Seattle

Nuke opens his eyes again.

"I like the idea of walking in as guests, but I wanted to be sure he was actually there before we move in on him. From what I'm finding about this guy, he tends to work remotely, completely seperate from his teams, so she's probably not at the hotel. But if he is, we can probably figure out where she is once we've got him.

03-Apr-2071, 22:01:26, Puyallup, Seattle

Jasper winds south through the neighborhoods a few blocks back from the main strip where the airport hotels are.

<<Well, if 'ol gal or guy ain't in the building, I could fashion a pretty good radio jammer, and he or she would be outa luck when we make our move. Of course, thats assuming we've got his frequency located >>

03-Apr-2071, 22:01:29, Puyallup, Seattle

<<Pinpointing his room is definitely one of the hard parts. I'm looking for ways to do it without invading anything he's keeping tabs on, though it's looking like I might have to take control of the Stuffer Shack across the street to look through the last few days of security logs.>>

03-Apr-2071, 22:01:45, Puyallup, Seattle

<<<Can't you sniff out where he is by checking the different data streams?>>>

03-Apr-2071, 22:01:53, Tacoma, Seattle

More fiddling. More signal strengths are measured and compared.

<<Pretty sure he's in the upper row of rooms, but I'll have to get into the place to pinpoint what room he's in. So, who wants to check into the No Tell Motel with me?>>

Nuke fishes out the silenced Predator.

03-Apr-2071, 22:02:41, Tacoma, Seattle

<<<I can do that. What's going to be the cover?>>> Stray was quick to volunteer - after all that hacking and drone stuff she was only too glad to do something physical.

03-Apr-2071, 22:03:11, Tacoma, Seattle

Jasper looped a block with Charlene and pulled to the curb on the emptiest street he could find. He took shelly back up the street to see if they were tailed.

<<I don't think anyone is gonna ask, but I'd reckon it aint yer honeymoon. Trick is how ya gonna snoop around without lookin suspicous.>>

03-Apr-2071, 22:03:17, Tacoma, Seattle

Nuke shakes off the VR shivers as he double checks his gear.

"Should be easy. Walk up, check in, then look awkward and lost as we wander around like we can't find our room. Once I pinpoint which room he's in, we're in business."

03-Apr-2071, 22:03:32, Tacoma, Seattle

<<<Shouldn't we use some sort of disguise?>>>

03-Apr-2071, 22:03:42, Tacoma, Seattle

<< A duisguise wouldn't hurt, but you don't want to look suspicous either, 'ol Nuke might get a few looks in a fake moustach. >>

03-Apr-2071, 22:03:49, Tacoma, Seattle

Nuke checks the contents of his bag again, confirming that he's got his electronics kit, spare Predator mags, dry socks, clean drawers, a toothbrush, his tag eraser, an optical tap, the microtapper drone, and a bundle of plastic restraints. He glances back and forth between the other two occupants of the van, then relays the image of the nervous man in the suit and his tastefully tacky "niece" checking in.

"As long as we wear sunglasses and make a point to not look right at any of the cameras, we should look like all the other patrons.

03-Apr-2071, 22:03:49, Tacoma, Seattle

"We should change clothes into something less street-style and more traveller style though." Stray scrolls through some advertising nodes until she finds a cheap clothing shop.

03-Apr-2071, 22:03:57, Tacoma, Seattle

"If we're cleaning up, we're going to need luggage and to get dropped off by an airport cab, and no one's going to mistake me for anything other than a kid from the sprawl. If we come as we are, we can hop on a bus that will drop us off out front, walk up, and check in with just a pair of backpacks. Doesn't look like the kind of place that's too discerning about broadcasting SINs either.

03-Apr-2071, 22:04:16, Tacoma, Seattle

"But the hacker might be more suspicious of a few street people getting lost than jetlagged travellers."

03-Apr-2071, 22:04:23, Tacoma, Seattle

Jasper parks "Shelly" on the street perpendicular to the street the van is parked on, and scans the area both physically and electronically. He doesn't have much input on which disguise would be better.

<<Anything imparticular you want me doin while yer in there? basic overwatch? create a diversion? grab some soy nuts and grape drink from the stuffer shack?>>

03-Apr-2071, 22:04:32, Tacoma, Seattle

"Basic overwatch should do. Be ready to grab him if he rabbits, but take him down gently. He's no good to us dead. And he might not be a he."

The disguise issue is rolled around again.

"Yeah, that makes sense. Just have to grab a garment bag or something to go with the gear. J, any sign of anything around here that might be open this late?"

03-Apr-2071, 22:04:35, Tacoma, Seattle

Jasper pulled up an overlay ,on the map he had up, of the businessess nearby. He hadn't really paid attention to store hours on the way in.

03-Apr-2071, 22:04:35, Tacoma, Seattle

There are several shops catering to tourists or late-shifters at the airport, finding a few travel bags is no problem.

03-Apr-2071, 22:04:38, Tacoma, Seattle

Jasper picked out the store furthest from the hotel,<<Looks like this place, Traveler's, is almost 24 hours. Kinda tourist pricey, but it fits the look, and I got "Bud" here if our bird flies the coop, be it rooster or hen. I'll give 'em the same dance 'ol Cheryl got. >>

03-Apr-2071, 22:20:15, Tacoma, Seattle

15 Minutes later Stray had purchased the cheapest travel bag, a tanktop with a gobrock band holo-logo on it and the cheapest jacket the shop had. With her leather jacket and shotgun stuffed in the bag she did look like a backpacker, of sorts. "'k. I am ready."

03-Apr-2071, 22:20:20, Tacoma, Seattle

Work jeans are easily replaced with knock-off fashion jeans. His heavy leather riding jacket is replaced by a similarly bulky, but much lighter synthleather fake. Both replaced articles join his work backpack inside a larger, freshly bought bag. The boots and the hooded sweatshirt stay. The sunglasses stay. The bandana stays. The big heavy pistol remains stashed in its' concealed holster, under the aforementioned hooded sweatshirt.

As he wanders through the shop, Nuke sorts through the list of discount flights that have arrived at SEA-TAC in the last two hours and picks a choice destination for two kids on a budget to be coming back from, then forwards Stray some information on the chosen city. "Let's go bag us a Test Screen."

03-Apr-2071, 22:20:30, Tacoma, Seattle

Stray nods. "Yes, let's.", then she stops. "Oh..." The adept goes and buys a troll-sized travelbag, rolls it up and stuffs it in her bag with a big grin. <<<Just in case we really want to bag Test Screen.>>>

10 Minutes later they are in front of the motel.

03-Apr-2071, 22:25:00, Tacoma, Seattle

Jasper took the shopping time to Vid capture a couple logo's on vans and trucks in the area. and get some decent angles on the Hotel. He put "Shelly" on the main strip, International Blvd., a block down. A lot of traffic, but a straight shot to the highway. "Charlene", he found a spot for up the side street, poking just the front out at the next intersection.

As his two associates prepared to head in, he patted nuke on the shoulder and smiled"Ya'll look as cute as kittens. I'll be hangin with Charlene for the show. And I got to thinkin. either a ya'll wanna take 'ol Harry with ya?" He pulls the Smartlinked Ruger lovingly from his holster.You can barely make out the steel spindles that extend from the sides for self propulsion. "He makes a good door guard."

03-Apr-2071, 22:25:09, Tacoma, Seattle

The offered revolver disappears into Nuke's backpack.

"I'll see what I can do."

As part of his final ready checks, the hacker confirms that his utility agent is loaded for bear and ready to pounce at a moment's notice.

"So, we check in, get lost looking for our room and wander the motel listening for his signal. Once we find it, I spoof the door open, we subdue him, then we'll see where the trail leads us next. That sound right?"

Assuming no one objects, he climbs out and begins walking towards the motel, hoping that the rain will mask how new his clothes and bag are.

03-Apr-2071, 22:25:15, Tacoma, Seattle

Stray cracks her knuckles. "Yeah. Simple, and easy to follow."