Alf leans back in his chair with his pipe and looks thoughtful... "well, the way I figure it, its one of two things... there's an upper class bordello where you might find this women, slap bang in the middle of Eighty-Eight terratory... or there is always the docks, dont forget that ships always have womens names!"

Of course, `Lady Jane' didn't have to be a person; she, or it, could easily be a thing. And Alf was right, ships were often called by a female name; why else would sailors invariably refer to their vessel as `She' all the time. A high class prossy seemed less likely. Mr Kitao would have known if that was where this run would lead and, surely, would have said something.

The cool night air along the coast road leading back to the farm cleared the Druid's mind, as she'd expected. Somewhere in the distance a sound, elongated by Doppler effect, of something like a fox singing in the night made the girl's hair stand up on the back of her neck. Not from fear, oh no; but the sure knowledge that her Totem agreed with her.

Back at the Alder farmstead Seeoh let herself in quietly, but being obvious about her return. She didn't wish to disturb anyone but, with Bluebird about, it paid to be `up front'. The morning would be time enough to explain what her City contact had said.

Arriving at the turning to the Greasy sends a mental signal to his deck and the van turns onto the dirt track and heads up to the farm buildings. Backing up to main buildings, Greasy's just got the ramp down and about to start unloading the drones when he hears the bike coming up to the house. Quickly ducking into the van he plugs into the deck to check the sensors and then relaxes as he recognises Seeoh on the bike.

Well that was lucky.... damn the limits of meat senses, ah well I guess Ace would have warned us if it wasn't friendly.

Unplugging and climbing out again Greasy waves at Seeoh and as she pulls up suddenly thinks I bet she won't want the drones in the house.... damn "Heya Seeoh, erm... I guess I'd better find somewhere else to tinker oughtn't I...."

Looking around at the rest of the buildings Greasy heads over to one that still seems to have most of a roof and a decent sized doorway. Once inside plugs his deck in again and brings the van over and starts unloading the drones. Once they're all inside he unplugs and gets his kit out and starts stripping the two machine guns off the rotor drones and then fitting them into the empty turrets of a wheeled drone and the other into a vectored thrust drone.

Finishing up he heads back over the the house and drops a quick email to Slim asking for information about Ace, Seeoh, Flip, Codec and Lady Jane then close up the phone and wanders in to see what's up with th others, totally forgetting yet again that he's now got grease stains covering his hands and arms.

"Heya'll miss me?" then heading over to Ace he offers to take over so Ace can sort out anything he needs. If so he settles down and plugs both hima nd his pocket sec into his deck and loses himself in the drones for a couple of hours til he hopes Slim will have got back to him.

Mopping his brow with a towel, Flip extends a hand toward his opponent.

"Thanks for that. It's been a while - I came over from the UK about six months ago and I only just got a chance to get back into the swing of things! Used to hang around in chinatown a lot, slummin' with the gang, y'know? Picked up a lot of skills, or so they tell me. I'd be interested in extending my scope of opponents too - you got any regulars in here that might be up for the occasional bout?"

"Yer damn right. I don't want oily parts dirtyin up our nice clean kitchen table." Watching the dwarf heading for the barn. "And wipe your feet when you come back in!"

The conversation was bound to have woken the rest of the house, so Seeoh made no bones about swilling water into the kettle and setting it on the still hot stove, then busying herself preparing a plate of sandwiches and a couple of mugs of soycaf. In the outer rooms, she could hear some stirring, so she got three more mugs off their hooks. Nothing like a hot mug of soycaf to wake you up.

When Greasy finally reappeared Seeoh glared at him, "Soycaf on the table if you want it and.." She lobbed a small jar of green goo at the man, "..Swarfega for that damn grease. And you wash before you sit at this table, or else!" The Irishwoman grinned at the rigger, disarming the `And no arguments' tone of her voice.

Codec gives a half arsed snicker at the clown "Maybe so, but that doesn't matter" he sits next to the clown at the bar, "I understand you're the man with the connections. That cute little barkeep there said that if I needed to know anything 'bout anyone, you'd be the person to talk to..." Codec downs his virtual drink, hoping that this dim witted character can help him out, as long as Codec keeps buttering him up

Shameli sits on a chair to catch his breath again... "Well chummer , theres always plenty of people around here that like a good scrap! but I would watch yourself... theres a few who arnt keen on metas around here - no offence! and as we dont get many around here they may not take kindly to you being here, espeically if you can kick their arse like mine! but there will usually be someone here to spar with... or failing that to just work out!"

The clown smiles..."of course im the man with the connections...I am THE MAN!"

Shameli sits on a chair to catch his breath again... "Well chummer , theres always plenty of people around here that like a good scrap! but I would watch yourself... theres a few who arnt keen on metas around here - no offence! and as we dont get many around here they may not take kindly to you being here, espeically if you can kick their arse like mine! but there will usually be someone here to spar with... or failing that to just work out!"

"Interesting," Flip said as he sat next to the man and fished a high-energy drink out of his bag, "There's a lot of racism back home, but it's a lot more ethnic than you see over here - less meta bias, you know? No humanis over there. But I suppose it's more common in the lower levels. When I was a kid I ran with an all-ork gang, you know? But then the big-boys took over and I grew up - you can't fight the big groups - the Yaks, the Mafia and the Tongs. I suppose it's the same over here, though - I assume this is Triad territory, being Chinatown, so I'm surprised - I always thought they were a more friendly bunch than the Yaks or family men, as far as race went. You get a lot of them in here?"

"Of course you are," says Codec, "but you know what, I'm looking for some info on a lady, a lady associated with a fairly well known gang, you don't like that sort of trouble though, I'm sure..."

Shameli smiles... "As far as the major groups go, they are fairly tolerant...From what ive seen they tend to not mind as long as you dont start making trouble on their turf... then its fairly equal between all races and metas, you make trouble, you die!" and with that he laughes with a gunuine smile... "As far as getting Triads in here, we get a few but they tend to just run a protection racket around here. And I have to be honest, they are good at it... reasonable money and they look after us. Once a guy beat up our last secretary... we told them and they left the guy with looks that would make a troll look handsome, and tied him to the back of one of those remote trucks that travel around the country....once in a while someone steps out of line around here...and they happily sort it out! we have a bit of respect for them, after all, they arnt some punk gang!"

The clown just laughs at Codec, "I make the trouble around here! and I finish it!" So after baiting him a little more Codec tells him what hes looking for so he can see the clowns reaction, and after the usual insults... "well sounds like the name of one of those ships those triad types just bought... real fast, not much out at sea would keep up with one of those motha fraggers! knowing them they will be used for some cargo hauling between here and south america"

With his head hanging like a scolded schoolboy Greasy catches the green goo pot "Yes, ma'am". It's almost believeable until you notice the grin on his face and the twinkle in his eyes.

"I know what you mean, I think. Well, thanks for the workout, I'd best be on my way. Maybe see ya sometime." Flip headed for the changing room and a shower before he donned his street togs and hauled ass for the farm. - Casting an eye over the faces on the streets as he went, looking for anything that might, to his tutored gaze, be a Triad hot-spot.

The Chevy's throaty engine fairly purred in the dawn air as Flip headed out of the City once more. By the time he got to the farm, the smell of fresh baked bread was wafting through the open door and instantly reminded the Orc that he hadn't eaten in nearly eight hours.

"Where's my food woman?" He said in a bad approximation of an Irish brogue as he clumped across the porch.

Seeoh looked up from turning scrambled eggs in a skillet on the stove and grinned. "Sure, it'll be on the table as soon as you've wiped yer feet and washed yer hands!"

Flip carried out the former and chose to ignore the latter. "Don't need to. Had a shower at the dojo not half an hour ago." He got a plate of eggs, a large wedge of buttered bread and a short dismissive snort from the Irish woman. He grabbed a fork and started to feast.

"I didn't find out much though. Aside from a little in the way of gossip. Seems like the Triads run a protection racket over in Chinatown and they're fairly well respected for keeping up their end of that deal, in pretty grisly ways. To miss quote an old TriD remake, `We wouldn't like them when they're angry.' How about you guys? Get anything?"

Seeoh glanced up as she served out more eggs and buttered bread. "All I got was that Lady Jane's either a whore or a ship. And No, Oliver Phillip Patterson! You cannot go checking all the brothels in town!"

"Sounds like? Sounds like you have no real clue what you're talking about." and with that Codec stands up
Though that makes sense. It does sound feasible
"But thanks anyways." and with that Codec leaves the bar. Man I want to rearrange that ugly icon!!! Codec thinks. Codec fumes over the very thought that he probably could have dumpshocked that user so bad, taught him a lesson or two, but Codec knew that that would be just asking for trouble. Trouble he didn't need. Hopefully that user would forget all about him after a few highs using BTL's and such.
Making his way towards the virtual docks. There is a big boat not parked in the virtual water, but stationed on the land with a door in the front. Codec read this to be the main docks information area. He goes inside and is greeted by a very poor icon of, what he assumes, is to resemble a pirate from days of old.
"Ar matey, what be you needin'?"
How lame is this? Codec thinks "Uh yes. I'm awaiting a shipment. It was to my understanding that the transport was to arrive today. the Lady....um...Lady...oh what is it called... Lady jane, that's it! Any news?"

The icon's eyes open wide for a secound, before regaining composure and settling back as if nothing had happened. "No matey... We dont have any ships of that name round ere... but then again we're only as good as the records we keep!"

Slim leaves a message on Greasy's phones.."hey man, did some sniffing around... I havent found anything, but a friend of a friend of mine recons the Triads just got some fancy new ships. Could be something to do with them? anyway, cathya later!!"

"I see, are you sure you haven't heard of anything? I mean, it would mean alot to me if you have."Codec holds up a gold coin, worth 500 "I understand that at times, some information may have been kept off the record

The icon reaches out and grabs the coin and bites into it (his deck running programs to see if the accounts are valid) and then he puts it in his pocket (indicating account transfer). "Lady Jane, I don't know exactly which ship it is... but I did hear the name mentioned by a Japanese looking land lubber, it sounded like on of those fast ships they use for smugglin and stuff..."

Whilst washin Greasy sends a message back to Slim "Thanks chummer, 'nother one I owe you, oh and any chance of a discrete dig into whether Lady Jane is one of those Yak ships? Thanks again, catch ya later!"

Shoulda thought about boats.... hmmm the docks, should be enough drones about to hide Albatross and have a look about for a boat called Lady Jane.... Hmmm better check what the others are doing, no point treading on feet

Finishing up and then wandering out towards the smells of food, he looks round the table "Got word back from one of my contacts, he's very discrete and he heard from a friend of a friend that it might be a boat that the Yak recently bought. No luck on a person called Lady Jane yet though. I was thinking that with the drone traffic around the docks I could probably hide one of mine in the mass and have a look about for the boat.... if it is one of course. Whatcha'll think?"

Then plops into and chair and starts munching away....

Bluebird wonders in from having cleared the gutters and fixed the roof up. Clomping accross the room in her boots in a very un-ladylike fashion she makes herself comfortable and looks around at everyone sat down..."Well I can happily say that ive had no luck at all! I just want some action.." looking over at Ace sat quietly in the corner... she continues "how about you flyboy? got anything of interest?"

Jacking out momentarily, Codec adjusts to being back in his meat body.
"Uh...a boat sounds right, there's nothing on the official records down at the main docks, but that doesn't mean something isn't around."

With this final confirmation from the little decker, Flip could see it was time to take stock and form some sort of plan.

"Our employer's brief was, I seem to remember, merely to ascertain what `Lady Jane' meant. Well, it appears that we have done that. Lady Jane is probably a ship. Probably a smuggler's vessel, which is probably tied up at the Seattle docks."

"Not just one though." Seeoh pointed out. "And she's fast. Probably a hydrofoil or something. Easy to handle, even at high speeds, and the foils mean she'd have plenty of cargo space."

Flip looked at the girl. "How come you know so much about boats?"

"Me fath was a lighterman and both o' his brothers were sailors. It was interesting, OK?" Seeoh glared at the Orc, daring him to make fun of a girl who never played with dollies. 'Cept when they were useful for sticking pins in.

"Herrumph! Yeah, well. A hydrofoil maybe. But either way, Mr Kitao wont be satisfied with just `Lady Jane is probably a smuggler's ship.' We need to find out more."

"If the Eighty Eight's have taken delivery of several of these fast ships, perhaps they're planning something big." Seeoh mused.

"Or, they're planning on opening up a new business, right under the noses of the Yaks; and that's what our Employer's worried about." Flip glanced around the room. "So we do the job right for him, and find out more."

"How about me and the dwarf take a ride down to the docks?" Seeoh looked over at Greasy. "If your drones are small enough to pack into my panniers, we can get close up and you can run a surveillance from the behind the harbour wall or something? My bike will go places your van can't get to."

Flip nodded. "Meanwhile, the rest of us should keep busy. Here's what I suggest we do. Codec can get back in his element and see if he can rustle up a few things, namely - Harbourmasters' records going back over say a month. What ships have docked, and when. The name of the person that booked them in, or who's paying for the berth. If there's any chance of getting into the surveillance cameras around the harbour, that would give us intel on any comings or goings once we've identified where to look. Also, as a final thought, if and as and when we get that info, cross reference that with the makers or suppliers of those ships, to see if we can match a name to a boat that way. If you can ID the makers, even better. We might be able to access specs, maybe pretend to be a prospective buyer? That way, we should be able to learn what, exactly, the Triad wants Lady Jane for.

If we're right in our supposition that these ships are to be used for smuggling, then the people who are most likely to know what's going on are other smugglers. Now, Seattle is a haven for smugglers, and a lot of smugglers are riggers. It would be good to find out if any of them have heard anything about Triad activity in their chosen field. That's a job for Ace and Bluebird, I think. Since they probably fit with the mind set more than the rest of us." Flip gave the two a placating grin.

"Which just leaves me. So I'll stay here at the farm and keep an eye on Codec, and make a few calls. See if we can get our hands on some AOD trackers. When we know which ships we're looking for we can plop them on and hand over the codes to Kitao, hopefully for a small bonus."

Nodding in agreement with the proposed plan, Codec eagerly jacks back in and feels the sweet rush of the matrix flow throughout him. He stands at the main office where he met the pirate. This time he makes his way to the side and peaks through the window. No one in sight. He begins to slowly try to open the window to the building, hopeful that a place like this doesn't have black IC crawling around

Bluebird smiled sweetly at the silent rigger, "come on then... lets hit the bars! - I enjoy jobs like these!!" and with that she went outside with Ace and headed off to the bars down by the docks.

Ace heard Bluebird's question at exactly the moment an errant chiken bone Seeoh had neglected to remove from the broth became lodged in his wind pipe. He wanted to say that he had been watching the farm all day and to repeat that he was reluctant to get another decker involved in this, especially one as unstable as Rhet, but all he was able to do was struggle to breath.

Headless to his condition, Bluebird pulled him up by the arm led him to the door. He was too short of breath to even think about protest, and thought she was going to do the Heimlich or something.

Her words were slow and deep... "Coooommeeee.. oooon... thhhheeeeen... hit... baaarrrsssss...." What was she saying? As they got outside, his need for air gave him the strength he needed to break free and he crouched down and coughed the bone up. He spent a few seconds breathing deeply.

"Christ, why didn't you say something?" Bluebird asked.

"I was choking to death!" Ace said in a rasp.

"Then you should have pointed to your throat or something." She shrugged and started walking to the van. "OK, I know some good info sources around the downtown area, we can hit them up first..."

Point to my throat... Ace thought, Wouldn't trust you to do anyhting but cut it... But now, he was wondering about the sorceress too. Did she really forget that chicken bone?

Codec finally gets the window pryed open far enough for him to crawl through. He cautiously steps down to the floor and looks around, thinking that this may be a good time to turn on the cloak program

Chuckling to herself as she jumps into the van... Bluebird makes herself comfortable for the ride into town.


Climbing into the little cabin Codec looks around to see what he can do... looking through an old telescope he links up with the CCTV footage of the area, most of it is focused on walkways near bars to catch fights as and when they happen, but a few do appear to be looking out onto the harbor... looking around the hut there is also a set of files and pile of flags laying around on the floor.

A pile of flags? That's a little...out of the ordinary thinks Codec though in the Matrix, out of the ordinary is ordinary
He shuffles through the files on the desk for anything important.

"If I collapse down Albatross she should fit on the bike, but she'd be a little obvious when I launched her. I was thinking more of having her follow us to the docks and pretend to be a news drone..... Although if she launched in the barrens it would be less obvious.... Okay let's do it, just gimme a sec to land and collapse Albatross"

Quickly jacking in Greasy sits in the captain's chair and looking over the incoming sensor information, he taps the screens a couple of times and issues the new commands. Outside Bluebird and Ace see the wheeled drone with the arm uncover itself and rumble into the outhouse where Greasy took the other drones and also spot the mini-blimp circling lower and lower until it touches down and the blimp starts to deflate.

Jacking out Greasy smiles "Okay she deflating as we speak should be ready when you are, Seeoh" Then wanders outside to check that the drone is going to it travel method properly.

Trying to pack an albatross into the panniers on the back of the Bonaville proved, as Greasy had surmised, impossible. The drone was, therefore, destined to keep pace with the pair on the bike as they made their way to the Seattle docks.

"Keep your hands low, dwarf, just around my midriff if you don't mind!" Seeoh glared at Greasy, as she cocked her leg over the gas tank and settled herself down, ramming a skid-lid over her auburn hair. A second hat wedged it's self onto Greasy's head as he clambered aboard. Seeoh kicked the bike into life and sat, hands on the bars as the dwarf's hands sneaked around her middle. "So far, so good." Seeoh gunned the throttle and the bike moved off down the track.

Nearly a half hour of speed later, the Irishwoman tooled the Bonaville onto the end of the breakwater overlooking the harbour. "This should do for a start." She said, removing her helmet. "We can see the whole harbour from here, from the mouth to the docksides."

After Ace has pulled the van to a halt outside one of the main bars at the harbours entrance, They get out and head on in... it was the typical kinda place, a barman looking bored, and a group of dead beats and lay abouts drinking the day away. Making sure that her top was showing enough (but not too much) of her chest she walks over to the bar casually and leans forward toward the barmen. "hey there, two beers please chummer... and some info if you got any!"

As Codec makes his way through the files, it finds its all fairly straight forward... its the registering of the docking and loading of all the ships that have been in port over the last month or so... Flicking his way through the files only shows one thing, and thats nothing! but then again if these guys were going to have smuggling boats they would hardly register them now would they!! The only boat that appears to be of interest is a luxury cruiser thats got a perminant birth just down the drag. Registered as belonging to one Chan Woo... who (if Codecs poor memory serves correctly) is a known member of the Eighty Eights and has made alot of money out of it!

Ace watches Bluebird work a little magic of her own and thinks, oh, very subtle, this Bluebird. Not a bad sight though... Then he shakes his head and sits down next to her, taking the offered beer. He looks around the room, his anxiety inflared by not being able to sit with his back to a wall, and looks to see if anyone interesting or suspicious is present.

handing over a cred stick worth much more then the drinks... Bluebird carries on, "So chummer, I dont suppose you could help us out could you? my friend and I are looking for some work...and you must know alot of the locals! we were looking for something that would make us some quick money. any ideas?"

Not even blinking the bartender carries on with what he's doing... "that just depends on the kind of work your looking for, everybodies hiring but it depends on what you wanna be hired for!" Leaning further over the bar Bluebird wispers into the bartenders ear, and he laughs and says "well I wouldnt go knocking on their door for work, because they only employ in-house if you know what I mean.. but they do have their own boathouse at the far end of the docks" giving a sweet smile, bluebird thanks the bartender and lets him get back to work..... and turning to Ace, she says "looks like we have a location! who says im just a pretty face?!"

I really should have got a datajack installed and learned about computers... Codec looks so comfortable... ah well...

Flip took one quick glance around the farm's perimiter and moved over to the kitchen table, sitting down. He took out his cellphone and dialled up the number for the Ork gang they had helped out before that last run.

"Hey there, it's Flip - remember, from the School War? Listen, I need to get my hand on an Activate on Demand tracking signal, do you think you might be able to help me?"

Copying down the name and the location of the yacht, Codec puts the files back in their order. He still has a feeling about the pile of flags on the floor. It just doesn't feel right He gets ready to switch on a combat program as he starts to slowly dig through the pile of flags.

"Looks like we have a location! who says im just a pretty face?!"

Yes, there were other "assets" involved besides your face... "It's a secret to everyone." Leaning closer he asks, "What did you tell him? And, er, how do we know this info's trustworthy?"

The phone (as usual) was picked up on the first ring by Afrika, the guy who held the negotiations.. "Well Omae, it may take time but it can be done... give me a few hours and I will ring you back" So at that Flip assumed the matter was in hand.


It turns out you learn something everyday! - having approched the flags with his virtual shotgun at the ready, as soon as he touched the pile of flags it turned into a small communications program! turns out that in old days (maybe even more then a century ago!) they used flags to commicate! As Codec pokes through the flags each one has a different meaning, one is for GPS signals (for the ships that have trackers on), another is for radio traffic, the bright red flag is the emergancy channel, and there is a blue flag indicating Lonestar/coastguard ships.

"I simpley told him that I was going to be out on the town soon with some of my girlfriends and I would make sure he was introduced to them all! - it may be a lie, but knowing how most men think with whats between their legs, its sure to get a responce!" Bluebirds methods may be questionable, but they do get results!

Getting out her phone once they have left the bar... Bluebird calls Greasy to let him know what was found out... but as Bluebird is making the call... Ace spots a van that looks dimly familer, he knows hes seen it before several times recently, and this naturually arouses suspicion.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Codec shuts down the communication system No need to call anyone from here Codec wishes he had a tap like the one they used for the last run, but no need to stay here. Codec slips out through the window and closes it behind him so no one would no he was here. At least getting in the next time will be easier
Codec jacks out and pulls the file with the yacht registry for this Chan Woo onto his screen. He sees Flip on the phone and waits to show him what he's got.

"OK... before we go anywhere else... could you name two locations you might like to visit over the next hour or so? Because I think we're being tailed, and I'd like to test that suspicion..."

Bluebird looks suprised...and makes a point of not looking around. "Well to be honest I was only going to suggest we check out that warehouse and then head back to the farm... but if we are being followed I dont think either of those to places are good!"

Leaving the Dwarf to play with his drone, Seeoh decided to take a walk down along the breakwater toward the beginning of the dockside proper. At this time of day the place was alive with activity. Derricks were swinging to and fro, loading and unloading cargoes of who knew what from who knew where. Unlike the activities in the 20th century, the ships alongside were of every shape and tonnage, from old tramps to spectacular tri-marans, from ancient fishing smacks to ornate cabin cruisers. The whole place was a mariner's delight. Not to mention the smugglers.

"Two dogs and a couple o' soycaf ta go" The Irishwoman plonked nuyen on the counter of the mobile eatery and waited. The edibles arrived and she nodded thanks, starting back along the groin, munching a dog.

"It's certainly worth looking at - I'll call Seeoh and Greasy and let them know where to look."

Flip turned away as Codec slunk back into the matrix and pulled out his (oft used) phone again. He dialled the first number.

"Hey there Fox... tell greasy to take a look down the end at the private berth - a yacht registered to some slag named Chan Woo. Let me know what you dig up..."

With little else to say on that matter, he hung up and dialled again.

"Bluebird - how are things going at your end? Any news? I have a cross-reference for you - private yacht registered to someone named Chan Woo, who may or may not have a Tong link..."

Bluebird listened to the Ork quietly... before saying, " well I think we can go one better then that, we have found that our numbered friends have a warehouse at the edge of the port entrace, its along with the high value buildings... so its gonna be well protected. Bad news is though that we have some unwanted attention to deal with before we go any further!"

After having put the phone down on Flip... she turns to Ace and says... "why dont you head accross town while I make my way back via the tube, and you can see if they are following then"

Jacking into the deck and taking control of the drone, Greasy was awash with the familiar feelings of being lighter than air and see the world at his feet. Hiding the drone in the usual crowd of floating news, patrol and courier drones the mini-blimp just looked like another news drone. Satisfied that the drone was in position he starts the scan across the marina for any boat with Lady Jane as it's name or in fact for anything that looked suspious.... well more than normal.

Seeing through the drone's sensors and he again realised that this is living.... how can people survive with the pathetic metahuman senses? Ah you just gotta survive with the best you got I guess

Seeing Seeoh starting to move of Greasy sends a quick mental command to send a message through his intercom to her "Seeoh if you need me just phone or speak near here and I'll hear ya" It sounds sort of like Greasy but with a metallic ring to it....

Codec is back at the virtual dock area. He hops on his virtual motorcycle and begins to travel down the docks. Most of the spots for boats appear empty but Codec can see a floating green light in place where real boats are docked in the meat world. Upon touching the light it changes into a floating piece of paper. Just a permit to be at the docks. Nothing else.
He continues on. Maybe if this guy is so rich and powerful, he'll be having a hookup to the Matrix from his canoe...

Feeling the fresh sea air running around his ultralight frame Greasy finds no ships bearing the name Lady Jane, but from where he is can see the high security boat houses further along the shoreline... zooming in on the objects in question he can see where the extra money gets spent when using on of these places. Monofiloment razor wire fence, plenty of security cameras and a few drones for good measure.... and thats just what he can see!!

As Codec wonders along the virtual dock he sees an icon that does look different, its the green glow indicating that there is a vessel on that birth... but it also has a padlock over the glowing light and a line of flags that lie on the vitual floor gradually disappearing into the floor... this looks like it could well be the vessel hes been looking for.

Clever. The Irishwoman thinks, hearing the tinny voice of the dwarf as she wipes sauce from her lips. Turning casually to watch the blimp as it trundles through the air, one of many, she has to admire the method of catching intel. Just in case a closer inspection is called for, she follows the Albatross at a discrete distance, seeing it hesitate, briefly, far down the line of boat sheds. As it glides slowly back toward her she sits on a broken pallet, unwrapping the second dog, and vocalises at it.

"Whaddya make of those sheds dwarf. Worth a closer look? Or shall we wait for back-up?"

"I dunno Seeoh.... There's some serious security over there.... monowire, drone of the unfriendly variety as well as guards.... I'll see if I can snoop a bit more without attracting any attention. I'd not like to break in there without some of the much heavier drones about."

The drone then drift slowly away in a seemingly unconnected path that just happens to take it closer to the sheds and Greasy strains the sensors to pick up every megapulse of data he can about the guard positions and anything to do with the buildings.

Woo, that's some heavy drones in there.... wow! wouldn't mind one of those, ah if only I'd listen harder to those cryptology lectures, ah well maybe if we go in, which would be bad, I can get rid of the rigger and just take 'em.... hohum better concentrate more..... if I can just get a look through thos doors.... ahhh not really possible without being more obvious.... damn!

Taking note of the number where this icon is docked, Codec jacks out of the matrix and turns to Flip, relaying the information that he's found.
"and...and...I'm going back in to try and crack it..."
Back on the docks Codec approaches the lock, careful that he doesn't set off any IC, a hairpin appears in his hand and he uses it to try and crack (hack) the lock

Stood there for what seems like hours, Codec slowly starts feeling around for the pins inside the lock and one by one lifts them into place, until he hears the soft click of the lock as it unlocks... Open the lock of the glow a gangplank appears to take him on board, and as he steps on.. he realises that on this cybership is a FRAG load of grey ice! Whoever owns this ship certainly doesnt want uninvited visitors!


Leaving Ace to see if he can loose this tail of his... Bluebird wanders down the dock to see if she can get a look at this boat house, seeing Seeoh from a distance she makes a point not to acknowledge her... because if they do have a tail, the last thing she wants to do is get her in trouble to. Sitting on a bench she tries to look casual as she looks around the dock for any sign of this ship....

The line of sheds in question, far down the harbour, so far as the road was concerned, seemed only a hundred yards or so away from where Seeoh was seated. Although she had spotted Bluebird in the distance, she knew that it wouldn't do to show they knew each other.

Instead, Seeoh toyed with the idea of doing her own brand of checking. Covered, she hoped, by the apparent act of eating the other dog, she steeled herself, entering that trance like state which would allow her to perceive what she could on the Astral plain. There was every chance that the sheds would be well guarded from a magical point of view, given what Greasy had already found out was the case in the meat world.

Wary of any active spells, spirits or wards, Seeoh let her perception wander toward the sheds, ready to withdraw at the first sign of danger. It wouldn't do to let the owners know they were under surveillance.