04-Apr-2071, 02:30:19, Motel Squat, Puyallup

After depositing the bound, naked, hooded, unconscious politician on the floor, Nuke slides the door shut, then tucks away the bulky combat pistol.

<<So, want to start with beating him with the towel rack, or by asking questions?>>

04-Apr-2071, 02:30:27, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Jasper leaned against the wall beyond the bed. He pulled a smoke from his pack, frowning at the half empty box as he considered Nuke's question. Fishing for his lighter,the white stick bobbed in his mouth as he spoke,"I never was much of an interrogator. seems to me both ways work when done right. Hell, way I figure, He's a politician. We probably won't be able to shut him up. Seriously though,I say we start talking, and we use the towel rack to keep him on topic"

04-Apr-2071, 02:30:35, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Stray nods, but focuses more on the window and door than the politician. While no stranger to violence, torturing someone just like that...

04-Apr-2071, 02:30:39, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Nuke walks over to the bound politician and taps him on the top of the head with the muzzle of his Predator. It's hardly anything that'll hurt, just enough to get his attention.

"Rise and shine, Mr Gannings. Time to testify."

04-Apr-2071, 02:30:39, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Jasper set Harry down with a good angle on Gannings. When he was sure that their guest was conscous, he started rumaging through his coveralls for usefull tools, pulling out his sauder iron, pliers, Razor knife. He really hoped this was more for show. He wouldn't admit it to anyone but he was losing the stomach for this stuff, part of the reason he skipped out on the Army. When push came to shove he could still do what it takes, but he really hoped Gannings was a talker. "I'm gonna see if this bathroom has any towels, or water for that matter, I don't want to ride around in this guys blood all night."

04-Apr-2071, 02:30:50, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Gannings is not easily cowed it seems - or putting up a good front. He blusters "Are you out of your mind? Do you know who I am? People are already searching for me, and tracking me!"

04-Apr-2071, 02:30:56, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Nuke sinks a little bit. No one ever wants to play ball at first.

”We know exactly who you are. We also know that you had men hired to kidnap a girl, then had another group of men hired to find the first group after you never heard from them. We have the girl, the first group is dead, and someone sent us to find out why you set this whole thing in motion. If you lay it all out, you can go home, and we can go away. If you don’t want to play ball, I guess we’ll just have to kill you to cover our tracks, and take comfort in knowing that the girl is safe and sound and there’s one less politician in Seattle.

04-Apr-2071, 02:30:59, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Jasper returns from the bathroom with the towel rack. It was laying on the floor and had probably already been used for something similar,"No water, but plenty of piss and shit to dunk his head in" He looks to Gannings"I've said this more times than I care to count son, but the sooner you start talking, the better we'll all feel"

04-Apr-2071, 02:31:30, Motel Squat, Puyallup

The threats seem to make an impression on Gannings, but he's not caving in - yet? "What are you talking about? Who hired you?" With a glint in his eyes he continues "You're working for my opponent, aren't you? I cna pay you more than he pays."

04-Apr-2071, 02:31:36, Motel Squat, Puyallup

"Ok. You're new at being kidnapped, so I'll let it go this time and lay it out for you. Your job isn't to ask questions. Your job is to answer them. If you do your job, you get to go home. If you don't, then we sell you for spare parts and feed the leftovers to the devil rats. So, why'd you have the girl grabbed?"

04-Apr-2071, 02:31:36, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Jasper was surprised at Gannings remarks, but he tried to keep his face from showing it. A new wrinkle seems to be developing. He was glad Nuke was staying on topic. Jasper looked to Stray who seemed to be shying away from the whole scene. It was probably detrimental to the cause, but he envied her humanity. It reminded him of a part of his soul that seemed to be missing. ,"Hey sugar, can you tear me off some strips of that sheet there"Jasper wanted to give her something to occupy her mind and also to keep their captive thinking about the consequences should he stop talking. Plus the sheet would make good gags and bandages if needed. He remembered the strips of clothing he made in that room in Texas, trying to find the strength to hold it together in front of his commander.Damn, what was I? 18? that poor bastard couldn't a been but 20 his own self...

04-Apr-2071, 02:31:36, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Stray nods and starts to tear some strips off, but can't help feel queasy about their possible intended use. Gannings seems to be more nervous now, and slightly distracted by the ripping noise, but he's made of sterner stuff than a sarariman, and snarls. "What girl are you talking about? What kind of stuff do you want to frame me for?"

04-Apr-2071, 02:45:08, Motel Squat, Puyallup

After a bit of physical persuasion, Gannings is less bellingerent, but not broken yet. "Ah... you bastard... do you think you'll get away with this? You think the current attourney can protect you?" His voice has a tinge of desperation though.

04-Apr-2071, 02:45:08, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Jasper mopped the sweat from his brow. Gannings might not appreciate the thought, but it was hard work putting the screws to a man. He was yelling now, focused like a man in battle,"Is that who yer havin yer little pissing contest with? I'll dump you both in the same coffin and let the worms decide who taste better. Now what the shit is up with the Hooker! Cheryl! The name ringin any bells?!"

04-Apr-2071, 02:45:08, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Gannings was panting too, but the outrage that anyone would even claim not to know of this important election, and the candidates, fuels his anger. "Yes, and he paid you for this, didn't he? What lies did he feed you?"

There's a glint in his eyes, barely noticable, but also some other emotion "Her name's not Cheryl."

04-Apr-2071, 02:45:48, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Jasper had a sudden, sinking feeling that maybe they weren't working for a Pimp after all. This could get complicated. All he could do now was try to get whatever information he could,"Fuck the name, I want the story. Maybe If you enlighten me, I can find your friend and ask him some questions too."

04-Apr-2071, 02:47:21, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Gannings looks away when he answers "She's my daughter, I want her off the streets."

04-Apr-2071, 02:47:27, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Nuke mentally stumbles in shock for a moment, then recomposes.

<<Looking into it. What the hell?>>

The images he has of Cheryl are superimposed over Gannings' face, looking for commonalities. After a few seconds, a mental light bulb turns on and he begins searching for older photos of Gannings, which might predate the most recent facial sculpting.

04-Apr-2071, 02:52:30, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Nuke's search remains inconclusive - no surprise, given the fact that Gannings has had some surgery in his early 20s, and that it is very likely that Cheryl received extensive cosmetic surgery since she's working as a callgirl. There is some ressemblance visible when comparing their eyes, but then both have cybereyes... comparing their DNA would answer the question.

04-Apr-2071, 02:47:30, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Discipline. years and years of discipline. Thats all that kept Jasper from caving. He ignored the text from Nuke for now, as he tried to keep his arms from shaking. He screamed louder now, He had to be sure,"Bullshit! If that was true, why would we have to torture it out of you! If you aren't going to take this seriously, I'm getting my gun"

04-Apr-2071, 02:47:35, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Gannings snarls back "You know my career would be ruined if it got out that I have an illegitmate daughter working as a whore."

04-Apr-2071, 02:47:45, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Jasper had hoped it wasn't true.Speechless, he walked over to pick up his gun while he mentally texted to Nuke,

<<Well, that's our answer I guess, now what?>>

04-Apr-2071, 02:47:49, Motel Squat, Puyallup

<<Grab a medkit and pull a blood sample to compare with the girl to verify his story? Scumbag played ball so we should probably let him go. He'll get his in a few weeks.>>

04-Apr-2071, 02:47:54, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Jasper lowers his voice to a more cordial level,"Well mr. Gannings, that's all we needed to know. I wish we could have resolved this in a more civil manner. I'm goin to grab a medkit out the van."

04-Apr-2071, 02:48:54, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Gannings glares, but does not answer.

04-Apr-2071, 02:50:23, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Jasper returned with the kit and went to work on gannings. It wasn't hard to collect blood. Gannings had lost a good amount. Jasper was a little impressed with himself. the last few times he tried this, he had killed the person in the process. He didn't really have the finess for this. Of course he's getting older, and his puches don't have the pop they used to.

"ok Gannings, no permanent damage. We'll have to look into this daughter story, but if it'll help you sleep better, we ain't out to mess with yer career. I could give two kitten shits about the election.Oh, and next time you want somethin taken care of like this, Hire some proffesionals alright?"

04-Apr-2071, 02:55:20, Motel Squat, Puyallup

If looks could kill - well, without tool lasers overloaded as in "Enter the Bright" - Jasper would be dead now, but the politician nods. Smart. No sense in riling your kidnappers up if there's a good chance they'll let you live. Jasper has his sample, and comparing the DNA is just a doc - or a good medkit and some AR skill help - away. One could even use one of those "Make sure it's YOUR kid your paying for" kits from a drugstore.

Stray feels rather torn about the whole job, and a tad confused about all those twists and turns, but tries not to let it show, guarding the door with her shotgun ready.

04-Apr-2071, 02:58:30, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Jasper packed up the medkit and his tools, <<You folks ready to squeel tires?>> He thinks about leaving this guy behind alive.

"No loose ends Sargeant Lee. That's rule one" a pistol barked, and a boy fell to the dirt floor in a slump."They always come back to hang ya"

"Sir, yes Sir" Sgt. Jasper Edward Lee responded.

I'm too old and too tired. He wants me that bad, he can come get me. He sliped the hooker an extra 60 and told her to take good care of his friend. "He's had a rough night"

04-Apr-2071, 02:58:39, Motel Squat, Puyallup

<<Let's get the fuck out of here. If he's lying, I'll get dealt with later. Still don't like that he waited until now, when he's running for office, to get his little girl off the street, though. Want to ask him about it before we leave?>>

04-Apr-2071, 02:58:43, Motel Squat, Puyallup

<<Nah, I don't give a shit. I got a new question. Are we workin fer a pimp? or some rival baby kisser playin us like fiddles? and hell, at this point, I just want to get paid. Fuck the questions.>>

04-Apr-2071, 02:59:59, Motel Squat, Puyallup

<<Job's done, that's what counts.>> Stray is still unsure about the whole job, but resolves to put it behidn her once she has gotten paid.
<<Where do we meet the Johnson?>>

04-Apr-2071, 03:00:09, Motel Squat, Puyallup

<<Kind of want to talk to Cheryl before we talk to the Johnson, so we can check her DNA without him looking over her shoulder. We can also find out whether she knows, and lay it all out for her rather than have the pimp use it to fuck with her later.>>

Not waiting for an answer, Nuke pulls up an AR window and starts his nexus persona on tracking the wireless signal from Cheryl's simrig.

04-Apr-2071, 03:05:23, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Nuke doesn't take long to track down Cheryl - the girl's currently in her appartment, though as he can see through a hijacked gardener drone there's a rough looking ork inside as well - one of her pimp's thugs maybe, acting as security and guard.

04-Apr-2071, 03:01:20, Motel Squat, Puyallup

"Lets load up, I want to get some distance here, I think nukes already workin on the where to's " Jasper pulls his fat gut up into the van ,"come on bud, we're ridin in charlene" The doberman climbs down the side of the pickup truck, nearly invisible, but as he makes his way into the van, he turns into a shaggy brown dog. At least as close to one as reuthinium polymer can get.

04-Apr-2071, 03:01:30, Motel Squat, Puyallup

Stray follows Jasper inside, planting herself into a seat - not relaxing yet, though, she still has the shotgun ready. She blinks at the sight of the dog-drone turning into a drog but does not comment. Neat Trick.

04-Apr-2071, 03:01:43, Motel Squat, Puyallup

The Predator disappears back into its' nest after Nuke has regained his seat inside the truck. The results of the User Trace are transmitted to Jasper, while the nexus maintains it.

"Yeah. Found her. Looks like Dolemite's got one of his no-neck's guarding her, so we might have to get a little tricky. If we can get her to duck into the can, we should be able to get a few minutes of chit chat to sort things out. If not, the goon might have to get dealt with."

Insight flashes, and Nuke begins digging through the logs of his own medkit, looking for the diagnostic data from when they subdued Cheryl.

04-Apr-2071, 03:03:01, on the road, Puyallup

Nuke starts sorting through the diagnostic data. It's not a full medical examination down to the cellular level, of course, but he has readouts from all her implants, including her biomonitor.

04-Apr-2071, 03:03:01, on the road, Puyallup

"So I don't follow politics real close. I figure I don't vote ner pay taxes, so it aint no nevermind ta me, but this story aint got enough pictures fer me. Where's girly's mom in all this? Does Chica know about her daddy? Seems to me you can pay a hooker to disapear way easier than hiring mercs to nab her. I feel like a que ball, just knockin things around while someone is slammin a big stick up my ass."

04-Apr-2071, 03:03:09, on the road, Puyallup

"Yeah. Not a big political pundit either. Really, this is my first time dealing with politicians, and I've never worked anything else where I felt compelled to kill everyone involved. Hopefully she can shed a little light on what's going on, we can get paid, and we can be done with all these maniacs."

04-Apr-2071, 03:03:15, on the road, Puyallup

"So, what's the plan?" Stray asks "Find her mother?"

04-Apr-2071, 03:03:22, on the road, Puyallup

"Hopefully it doesn't come to that. With luck, she should be able to tell us enough about dear old Mom to fully sort this thing out."

The medkit finishes the comparison. Nuke is genuinely surprised by the result.

"I thought he was shitting us. Guess she actually is his daughter. Wonder who else knows. She certainly didn't and I don't think he wanted that to change. He just wanted her off the field for his campaign."

Convenient. If she can prove she's his daughter, his life insurance should pay out and she should inherit all his loot.Makes starting over easier.

04-Apr-2071, 03:04:32, on the road, Puyallup

"so we head to the girl for a chat? or we take what we know to her Pimp?" Part of Jasper wanted to get paid and get this over with, but part of him felt like there was something sticky goin on. He answered his own question"I'll head for the girl, we'll have a chat, maybe it'll clear something up"

04-Apr-2071, 03:04:44, on the road, Puyallup

"Certainly can't muddy things up any more. Looks like Gannings had a one-nighter with Cheryl's mom 20 years ago, and she raised the kid on her own. Someone probably tried to blackmail dear old day over his little bundle of joy, so he had her kidnapped to get her off the street and away from anyone who might use her to embarass him."

Nuke leans back in his seat, staring blankly out the window.

"Wonder if the pimp knows what he's got."

04-Apr-2071, 03:05:03, on the road, Puyallup

"He might try to blackmail Gannings once he knows."

The van is close to leaving the barrens now.

04-Apr-2071, 03:05:09, on the road, Puyallup

"He can't be that stupid. He knows that the only reason he is visiting his driver in the hospital rather than the morgue is that the original crew chose to spare her. He's in way over his head, and trying to push back is just going to get him flattened."