As soon as the action starts happening on stage, Zane reaches behind his coat and pulls out a Predator. He takes aim on the guys messing with the dancer, but then spots Burn and puts the gun away, then gives Fallon a nod. Zane never has liked it when customers get rough with the girls and even though he doesn't work here, he still helps out if he think its needed. Obviously, he doesn't think Burn needs it.

Dude, no Chase, Case. No H.

Sry man... noted.

Fallon nods to Zane and tosses him a beer as he puts away the predator. " Wuzzup Zane?" he says as he continues to watch the fight brewing between his wife and the idiot patron.

"Not much, my friend. I finally finished getting my shop setup at home though. Let me know if you hear of anyone that needs a good driver, eh?"

" Well... actually. I have a friend that is looking for some experience to do a little snatch and grab." he replies. Something about the way he says that makes your spine crawl. Fallon has been known to underexagerate jobs, at the least. " I could hook you up with said friend so you can talk it over. Course that means I get my ten percent off the top. But the task in questions is rumored to be high quality nuyen..."

Zane nods his head slowly, thinking it over. I gotta get my feet wet in this town at some point, now is as good of a time as any.

"Sure. Make it happen."

Skee slaps his cards down, face-up. "Two pair... bullets over ladies." He grins as Hex tosses his cards into the muck in disgust. "Man! this is not your lucky day," Skee says, raking his winnings in from the center of the table. He peels off a few bills and presses them into the waitresses hand. He cranks up the smile to full smarm, nearly blinding the petite redhead. "Give my sorry friend here a drink and a blonde. I'll take a Hennessy long-pour and a player to be named later, sweetheart."

Skee was hot tonight. Red hot. Nova hot. It wasn't just the new suit (a burnt orange Actioneer with charcoal faded points - sassy!), or the challenging opponent (Hex was sharp enough that Skee had had to almost cut out cheating entirely), or even the money (almost). There was something else in the air - adventure. Something big was heading his way. Hopefully, it wouldn't be too big to dodge. Not that he'd want to, necessarily....

"No prob... got any friends that need a yob? This task will require at least five to six runners..." He glances over at Skee and Hex sitting at the table playing cards.

Suddenly the unmistakable sound of a skull being cracked echoes through the room as everyone turns to notice Burn standing over the unconscious moron with a small champagne bottle in her hand. " Stupid idiot..." she says before kicking the dude in the face and walking to the bar sliding the blood stained bottle across the bar. She walks around and up to Fallon leaning into him and resting her head on his shoulder.

Wall walks over and grabs both the guys and lifts them by the back of their trouser taking them out the door never to be seen again.

The waitress scurries off in a flurry to the bar and asks Fallon for the oder which he promtly makes. The blonde dancing comes down from the stage and walks right over to Skee resting a hand on his shoulder from behind, " Did I hear that some one needs a little blonde TLC?" she says with a seductive smile looking down at him.

The music cranks back up and another dancer, this one a petite little brunette with tattoos all over takes the stage and begins gyrating around.

The waitress returns with your order and actually manages to put the drinks in front of the person. " That's 30 baby... "

Hex was still staring at the cards when the scuffle hapenned, in fact he barely turned his silver irised eyes across as the scuflle went on. Sighing slighty he puffed a loose strand of hair from across his face and reached out to grab hold of his drink.

"Thats bloody twice in a row now Skee......." he smiled to himself slightly as he mouthed the words. He was sure the shaman was doing one of his 'pull a rabbit out of a hat' tricks on him, but damned if he could spot it...yet.

He winces slightly at the crunching noise when the two men hit the pavement outside, before whistfully lighting another cigarette, one eyebrow raised at skee's request for a woman for him. Great, losing at cards, having to make small talk and....why yes... someone pulling a gun..if only for a moment. This was certainly shaping up to be one of those days he wished he stayed in bed.

sheesh, I go away for one day and it all starts up

Masquerade walks into the G-String in a pensive mood, replaying her last conversation with Brent in her mind. "Sorry, Masque, but it's a high-stakes job, and these guys have been running for five years. They didn't want to take a chance on an unknown quantity for magical support. Personally, I think they would have done better picking you, instead of the other guy - a mediocre mage at best. You need more of a rep, though. You're going to have to suffer through some low-end jobs until people can see what you can do. And right now, I don't have any of those."

So now it's off to the G-String. Typical of her luck that the first "runner bar" that she finds out about has to be a strip club. Although compared to the bunraku parlors and other twisted entertainments of the corporate set, a strip club is comparatively tame... almost quaint. Time to see if Jaime was actually serious, and if he wasn't, there's always <shudder> the Wall, who always has a smile and a really nasty job for the truly desperate. Well, at least that last one wasn't that bad. All she had to do was lure the suit to the hotel room, where the two leather-clad trolls and the vidcam were waiting.

Masquerade seems to walk in with a mix of a bounce and a slouch. She has spikey bleached blonde hair with a pink stripe down one side. She is wearing a bit too much eyeliner and neon pink lipstick applied with less than her usual flawlessness. She wears an open synthleather vest over a black t-shirt with a popular band emblazoned on it, a knee-length plaid skirt, fishnet hose (with a small run), and scuffed jackboots. She is chewing on gum, and her eyes seem dull and slightly unfocused. Actually, though, her sharp gaze misses nothing as she scans the room, trying to spot Jaime or the Wall.

OK, I've got a really, really busy weekend here, so I won't be posting unless I can manage my time really well.

Expect something Monday. (Yes, this is a copy/paste reply. I'm lazy. )

Skee grins suspiciously at the waitress. He flashes a 50 bill in front of her face before folding it in thirds and tucking it down between the girl's ample bosom.

"Keep the change", he says with a wink.

As one thief to another, he admired her chutzpah in nearly doubling the price of their drinks. But she was far too obvious about it. The girl needed to learn a little subtlety. Perhaps she'd think of that when she went through her tips later and realized he'd palmed the 50 and switched it for a 5.

He turns back to the blonde and takes a long, slow look at her. As he's about to reply, he notices Fallon talking to another patron and gesturing in Hex's and his direction. The guy wasn't Star. Fallon didn't tolerate their kind in here asking questions. It was equally unlikely to be someone looking to make trouble with either Hex or himself. Fallon didn't tolerate that kind, either. Maybe a Fixer? Or even Mr. Johnson hisself?

"Sorry, sugar," he says to the dancer, "looks like our coffee break's just about to end. Maybe next time?" He blows her a kiss and sends her off to the next table with a lingering, but gentle, pat on the ass.

Skee gets Hex's attention before nodding in Fallon and the stranger's direction. "Friend of yours?"


Skee gave her a few bills before ordering the drinks, remember? Need me to roll a Stealth check for this one?

Oh, and sorry Grey. I missed your original post with Zane coming to our table.

Masque notices Wall walking back toward the door as she enters. He nods at her, " How's it going Masquerade? Jaime's out right now he won't be in tonite. Nice job with that little shindig I sent your way. Grab a seat, first one's on me..." He says motioning her further inside over to the bar. He nods to Fallon and and points to Masque as she walks in. Fallon looks at Masque, " What'll it be sweetheart..?"

The waitress giggles and bends down giving Skee a kiss on the cheek before twirling around and dashing off to another table. The dancer looks a little disappointed but you figure she's use to it. She moves off as well finding more sporting company in the form of a metal head in the corner with more chrome obviously than flesh.

Burn grabs a cell phone from Fallon's pocket as he fixes Masque's drink for her, " You want me to call him for your babe?" she asks.

" Yeah honey, see if he has some time to swing by and give a little convo to a prospective client. Tell 'em it won't be a waste of time. Unless I'm off tonite theres enuff talent in here tonite to easily meet his needs. Let 'em know I'll have the room ready when he gets here." Fallon replies.

Fallon slides Masque her drink, " So Wall tells me you did a nice fine job for him last time... Well this must be your lucky day. Got here just in time, I got a friend that needs some discreet work done... interested?"

Hex and Skee can make out bits and pieces of the convo Fallon has going on at the bar. It's not hard for you two to figure out the gist of. You notice he seems to look over at you two every now and then, but your not sure if he checking the liquid quantity in your glass or trying to drop you a hint. Sublety was never his strong suit.

Masquerade turns to Fallon, the vacant look seeming to slide off her face to reveal a sharp intelligence. Her lips turn up in a slight smile as she nods. "Yes, that sounds like a job that I would be interested in." Her cool gaze follows Fallon's as she notes his attention wandering to the three men sitting at a table. "Ah. Would that be the rest of the talent?"

" Aye... the two of them I hear are quite capable, tho I know not alot about them. " He turns his attention to Case, " What about you my friend, would we be interrupting a relaxing evening if we passed a job offer in front of your drink?"

Case chuckles a bit. "Evidentally my reputation precedes me. You're just cold offering me some work."

He takes a swig of beer. "What the hell, it's been a long day. Yeah, let's do this."

When Fallon asks if Zane has any friends, he simply shakes his head. As the others seem to start getting involved with this, Zane gives them all a look, trying to get a feel for their level of skill. He doesn't speak yet. He wants to see who is in and out before introducing himself.

Fallon looks at Case, " Would you be in here if you weren't looking for a job. Unless of course you just like the atmosphere, which would definantly be a first among my customers." he chuckles right back putting another bottle in front of Case.

Burn hangs up the cell phone and slips back in his pocket, " He's sending someone right now. Should be here in bout twenty... I'll get the room ready." she says and turns heading to the doorway to the hall way that runs down the back of the stage.

Fallon looks at those up at the bar, " Hang out a sec while I go talk to these two..." he walks around the bar and up to Hex and Skee. " You boys doin aiight?" he asks. " Pardon my abruptness but I hear some good things bout ya guys and have a little thing goin on in the back room here in a while if you guys are interested in making a few nuy... otherwise I think I may be able to find out bout a good card game to get ya into. Either way it'll net ya a few cred."

Hex looks up from his drink to Fallon. He had been catching the general gist of the conversation by the bar, and a slight smile was curling at his lips as his suspicions were confirmed.

"Well to tell you the truth, I dont fancy losing any more of my meager funds....so given my recent luck I'll give the cards a miss and take a look at this job..."

Standing up, he dusts threads of tobacco from his burgundy synthleathers before slipping his cigarettes into one pocket and looking back down to Skee.

"Can't say I know any of the others that seem to be involved in this little hustle... but it can't hurt to hear the pitch eh?"

Making sure his gun is well hidden beneath his jacket (he wasn't likely to be pulling it over a little misunderstanding like the one he saw earlier.) He waits for Fallon to show them through, following with hands thrust deep in his pockets and a cigarette frirmly gripped between his teeth.

Over at the bar, Zane turns to Case and Masquerade. He gives them a nod and says, "Hello then. Perhaps it would be a good idea to introduce ourselves before our new boss gets here. My name is Zane and I'll be your driver this evening."

Fallon nods at HEX, " Good... should fill up the room quite nicely. If you guys will follow me I'll let you get acquainted with each other before the contact arrives. I'll have Speed bring you fresh drinks and anything else you may wish. " He motions for those at the bar to follow him as he moves toward the doorway across from the bar. He opens the door and those following notice a hallway about five feet wide and twenty feet long with a couple of long flourescent lights running the length of the hallway. Half way down the hallway on the right is solid Brown door made of metal. Fallon slips a key in from his pocket and you all notice the rush of air escape as the door opens. He shows inside a very large room about 30' by 40' with large chrome round table with ten captains chair surrounding it. In the corner is a small wet bar with crystal bottles of various alcohol and sifters placed next to them. The room is completely devoid of windows. A mural of a beach sunset sits on the far wall with a large plush black leather couch under it.

" Make yourselves at home... the table has matrix connection you'll notice digital keyboards on the surface. The room is protected against eavesdropping. No cameras, microphones, or any other survellience will work while you are in here. I'll leave the door open until my friend arrives. If you need anything hit the button here on the wall and you'll get me at the bar." he says pointing to an intercom.

Zane pauses a moment outside the door to give his Van a stand-by command. He moves inside and takes a seat, waiting for the others to do the same.

Case, an amused smile on his face, grabs his beer and wanders into the room, sitting down at the table. He pulls out a pocket secretary, and it beeps to life.

Skee bows with an exaggerated flourish at the door. "Ladies first", he accedes to Masquerade, his words peppered with just a hint of venom. Hoo-boy...they keep getting younger, he thinks. Is this one even out of high school yet?

Upon stepping into the room, Skee freshens his drink and grabs a seat mid-table. After a moment adjusting his collar, he pulls out a deck of cards and starts doing a few one-handed card tricks with his left hand (the one with the fox paw print tattoo) as he speaks.

"'Name's Skee. Smoke and mirrors. Palm and switch, load and ditch." He holds the deck face-up, revealing the queen of hearts on a starlit black background. "Want it gone?" He gives the deck a quick shake. The queen disappears from the face of the card, leaving only stars twinkling on the painted night sky. "It's gone..."


Skee'll assense everyone while getting a drink.

He'll set his Inc. Reflexes focus up when he adjusts his collar (5 dice for the Sorcery test, 5 Willpower and 5 Spell Pool for the Drain).

Need a roll on the card trick?

Lastly, the disappearing queen is a Trid Entertainment spell (5 sorcery + 5 Spell pool + 2 Totem on the spell test, 5 Willpower on the drain).

(BTW, how should we do rolls? Do we post them, or do you?)

You guys can post them, I trust ya... for now

Ya don't need to roll for the easy stuff when we get into combat then you'll need to actually role otherwise all the other stuff is pretty simple.

Case is non-magical, with some serious amounts of cyber, mostly headware. There's bodyware, spread evenly throughout him, and that's about it. He's feeling amused and intruigued.

Using NSRCG dice roller.

Assensing tests (5 dice vs. TN4, assuming no other modifiers or masking):
Hex: 20 05 05 04 01 (4 successes)
Case: 09 05 03 02 02 (2 successes)
Zane: 21 17 05 05 01 (4 successes)
Masquerade: 04 02 02 02 01 (1 success)

Inc. Reflexes -
Sorcery (5 dice vs. TN5): 15 03 03 02 01 (1 success)
Drain (10 dice vs. TN4): 09 09 05 05 05 04 03 03 02 01 (6 successes)
Skee goes to Light stun. The sustaining focus is successfully activated.

Trid Entertainment -
Sorcery (12 dice vs. TN(Int + 1 for light stun)): 17 09 07 05 05 03 03 03 02 02 02 01 (success varies, but everyone should find it at least mildly entertaining )
Drain (5 dice vs. TN2): 10 08 05 02 01 (4 successes)
No additional drain.

Masquerade smiled and introduced herself when Zane did. "I'm Masquerade. I handle the magical end of things."

She shrugged and walked into the room with a cocky bounce to her step after Skee's flourish, although she noted the slight edge in his voice, frowning inwardly. She observes the others, but doesn't assense them... yet.

Skee's assensing reveals that Masquerade is in good health, has no cybernetic implants, and is awakened. There is little emotion from her right now, only a rather dispassionate concentration as she observes the others.

She smiles a dimpled smile and introduces herself again. "I'm Masquerade. I specialize in infiltration and other jobs requiring a light touch. Whether it be with spells, spirits, or old-fashioned fast-talking, I can get the job done."

On the Astral, Zane shows up with some major headware adjustments. The only bodyware he has is a smartlink. Emotionally, he comes off a little excited and pleased with something.

Just for completeness:
Skee's Awakened, lightly cybered, in decent health, and excited.

Thank you all for your help with the Assensing saves me time...

You guys make yourselves comfortable when the hyper redhead comes in with drinks and sets them down on the table, " Enjoy..." She turns with a quick wink to Skee and heads out the open door when she bumps into a handsome man wearing a short leather jacket, blue jeans and a pair of very fashionable shades. In his left hand he carries a blue marble laquered sheathed Katana with a black obsidian handle wrapped in red silk.

" Excuse me madam..." he says and moves out of the way. She giggles and skips out of sight. The man walks in and nods to the rest of you before sitting laying the sword on the table before him, " Name's Shiro... when's the J arriving?" he asks nonchalantly.

Skee looks up at the newcomer, smiling amicably. "That's the 25 million nuyen question now, ain't it?".

"Yes, Fallon, when will this Mr. Johnson be arriving?"

looks like Delfyn(Hex) is MIA... shall we continue on and hope he jumps in whenever?

Fallon looks at Zane, " Very shortly... introduce yourselves, get to know each other and as soon as he arrives I'll let ya know. Shouldn't be more than ten minutes or so." with that he turns and leaves, the door staying open.

Shiro looks around the room, " So how long were you sitting in the bar before you got tagged as a runner lookin for work?" he says somehwat amused.

The redheaded waitress comes back in only to drop off a small asian tea pot and cup in front of Shiro. He nods to her and she retreats out of the room with merely a bow.

Ummm...

Ummm waiting for player interaction... less yall just going to sit there and stare at each other?

"I'm Case, and it's been a hard day. If anyone has anything interesting to say, feel free to do so."

Masquerade snorts at Shiro's question. "Well, it is a runner bar. And I imagine anyone who wears a shirt without stains on it, doesn't have a beer gut, and bathes more than once a week is probably not a customer." Obviously, Masquerade doesn't have a very high opinion of the clientele.

Her piercing gaze rakes the room. She's had enough of this awkward milling around. It's time to be direct with them. "So... we have two mages and a rigger. What do the rest of you do?"

"Aye. I've introduced myself already, I be waiting on the rest of you."

Skee blinks. Hard.

Zane shurgs, seeing no one is up for chatter. He leans back in his chair and kicks his feet up onto the table. If there is one thing he has learned in his year, it is patence.

Skee fidgets with the deck of cards. "So... how about them Screamers? Anyone catch the game the other night?"

Your small talk, what little there is of it, is interrupted when a leggy red head carrying a silver attache case walks in. She stops at the door in her black mini- skirt with a red silk blouse, low cut and very revealing. She wears a pair of cat eye glasses and resembles very much the hottie school teacher all the guys had a crush on in high school. She walks to the center of the table and lays the attache case on the table after closing the door behind you.

" Hello, my name is Morgan... My employer is looking for runners for a job that requires quite a bit of skill. We are looking for professional runners that can keep their mouth shut and be as discreet as possible. The pay for the job is quite substantial. We require at least one vehicle rigger for reasons that will become obvious later. Before I expunge the details I need to know how many of you are interested. The pay will be in the five digit range with a bonus after completion if the job goes unnoticed by the media." she says as she sits opening the case and pulling a disk out and slotting it in a slot in the table.

The table lights up in front of each of you with a screen showing a monetary amount of 40,000 A space for an account number is available.

" If those interested will please enter your acct numbers I will then get on with the briefing..." she says as she adjusts her glasses.

Zane hates commiting to a run without knowing at least a little information about it, but he needs the money and he needs the chance to prove himself. He leans foward presses his cred stick into the slot.

"I'm your Rigger."

She smiles at him, "Good..." she hits a button on the screen in front of her and data begins scrolling on your screen.