Noon, 3 February 2072, Ikeja, Africa
(PAN:passive)

Yazata laughs. "'Like'? I can't wait to hear the details."

"Indeed. Dealing with magic is usuaully...a challenge. And thanks for the suggestion Ghoster, I could use a snack."

(PAN:active, default signal)
Ghoster makes an order for the raw beef platter via AR and quickly receives a confirmation. The meat would taste well and fill his stomach, although like any non-metahuman flesh it would do little for his actual dietary needs.

"So I take it this will be a somewhat less than willing extraction. I can see why you're offering as much as you are."

Ghoster replied, "Absolutely, this extraction will not be friendly. How hostile will depend on how charming you are." Ghoster gave a mischievous smile.

"In addition, there is another aspect of this mission. The location the target will be at might present opportunities. My employers are willing to pay 20,000 Nuyen and upwards for retrieving or performing said opportunities. If you find yourself in a situation in which you must make rush decision and cannot negotiate the details, we will guarantee at least 20,000 Nuyen."

Noon, 3 February 2072, Ikeja, Africa
(PAN:passive)

"Lots of money, heavy reinforcements outside the extraction location, 'opportunities'. Whhaaat are we getting innnntooooo....?"

Ambalo smiled even wider, enough to see his enlarged lower jaw, and the sharp, canine teeth occupying it. This was getting real interesting, real fast. Just like the good old days working for the Red Hatchets, his former mercenary unit.
"Sounds like you need some real professionals. I'm glad I came."

Noon, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Africa.
(PAN: Hidden)

Kano so far had only seen two people enter the restaurant that piqued his interest but he doubted they were the only two coming to the meeting. Maybe others had arrived early. Something about the person in the large cloak made the hairs on his neck stand up. If your going you might as well... Kano approached the restaurant and presented himself to the woman standing out front. He didn't bother smiling, even with his extensive dental work, seeing a troll smile usually sent people running for cover or for a larger gun. Usually a bazooka.


"I'm here for the Graystone party."

Noon, 3 February 2072, Restaurant Front Door, Ikeja District, Africa.

Approaching the hostess, Hammer gets a whisper of a happy memory, but it passes quickly.

"Hello sir! Please follow me. The Graystone party is this way!" She said cheerfully. "My name is Yareen, and please do not hesitate to ask if you need anything."

In lowered voice, she continues, "I hope my friend helped you out last night. I heard it was quite a ruckus!"

Coming to the back room, Hammer and Yareen see T'Chau opens the door to let them in.

"Mr. Hammer! So glad you could join us. Please have a seat. I'm treating for the lunch and I suggest you spare no expense."

"Let me make introductions. This fellow in the armor is Ambalo, and seated next to him is Yazata. They are also here to talk about the job offer."

"Once you've heard about the job, we can talk about the event last night."

Noon, 3 February 2072, Ikeja, Africa
(PAN:passive)
Ambalo looks over to Kano as he approaches. "Checking out your team mates ahead of time? Saw you out there earlier. Oh, and, good to meet you."

Noon, 3 February 2072, Ikeja, Africa
(PAN:passive)

"A man of caution. Excellent. Pleased to meet you, Hammer." Yazata rises and shakes the hand of the newcomer. "Hints from our host suggest we are in for an interesting time should we accept this job."

Noon, 3 February 2072, Ikeja, Africa

As introductions went around, the raw beef platter came. The smells of the accompanying sauces mingled, the beef, and the cooked lamb became a fragrant musky aroma.

After introductions, Ghoster repeated the information already covered about the job.

Noon, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Africa.
(PAN: Passive)

Kano thanked the woman after she showed him to the table. He scanned the room using both normal and thermographic vision. The hostess probably wasn't human, neither was one of the people seated at the table. Distended jaw, pale skin...Ghoul... Kano scowled and drew his twin Cavalier Deputies and slowly placed them on the table before maneuvering his considerable bulk into the one of the sturdier looking chairs. His hands rested over the two revolvers, "I would say its a pleasure to meet you but I don't know you and I have no reason to trust you. Now I came here to listen to a job offer. If the money and the reasons are right we may have ourselves a working relationship."

Kano listened to Ghoster explain the details of the job and ordered something expensive off the AR menu, all the while keeping his eyes on the ghoul. " For what your offering I'm willing to take the job...with conditions. I have two rules: One, I require your reasons for wanting this job done and two, I reserve the right to walk away from the job at anytime. On a more personal note",Kano pointed one of his massive digits at Ambalo, " I have serious problems with ghouls. No matter how noble their intentions. If that's a deal breaker, I am willing to walk away right now."

Noon, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Africa.

(PAN: Passive, signal skinlink only)

Ambalo sighed and sat back, considered placing a readied hand on his rifle and making the skinlink connection, but decided against it. He actually didn't feel particularly threatened by Kano, and it would be bad form to have a shootout at an otherwise cordial meeting.
Figures there'd be at least one of 'em here. Stupid of me to let my guard down like that. Might as well see if this guy will at least see some reason.

"And I'm not too fond of people like you, who simply discount a person who has the choice of killing others to survive or letting themselves die and choosing to live. Yeah, I'm a person, despite the fact that those UN bigots say otherwise. You don't look like you've seen much hard times, so I take it you haven't needed to kill much, if at all, for a paycheck. Does killing to eat seem so much worse than killing to get a few nuyen? And no, before you ask, you don't look like a fresh steak to me."

He took a glanced over to Yazata. "Same goes for you. In fact I really only... sustain myself on the scum of metahumanity. You probably don't need me to tell you there's an endless supply here."

Noon, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Africa.
(PAN: Passive)

Kano glared at the ghoul, "Considering I usually shoot ghouls on sight, I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt. I have a very bad history with ghouls. And killing for a paycheck is just one of many reasons I've had to take a life. Killing to survive is something I can sympathize with and as long as you don't try to make me dinner, I won't use you as target practice. Just don't expect us to be friends.

Noon, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Africa.

Ambalo glared right back. Not giving an inch.
"Good enough. To repay the courtesy, you might like to know that you'd need bigger guns than that to scratch me."

He then began on his raw beef platter.

Noon, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Africa.

While T'Chau stood ready to pounce everyone, Ghoster simple chuckled at the exchange.

"Hammer, although I understand hesitance toward ghouls, you should know that Ambalo saved a child prostitute from her pimp just yesterday. I have a reliable eye-witness. He is a well-intentioned individual like yourself." Ghoster then gives a quick smile to Ambalo. "Although it is certainly not a deal-breaker, you may leave if you find working with Ambalo too objectionable"

"To address your conditions, I will certainly tell you what is happening, but you will want to stay on this mission. This individual my employers want you to extract is a child killer."

Ghoster took a sip from his glass to let that set in.

"Truthfully, a family murderer, but mainly children. To the best of our intelligence, this individual has been taking families for some sort of experimentation. Some of my men have already found some of the missing families' bodies. We find them dissected and mutilated with meticulous methodology."

Ghoster set down his cup, and his face turned deadened, "If you need to confirm my story, there are eye-witnesses who are scared for their families."

"But, I don't mean to be melodramatic! If you take on this job, you will have the opportunity to stop this, earn gratitude of my very powerful employers, and take of yourselves financially."

Ambalo was not overwhelmingly moved by whatever crime the target had committed, after a while of merc campaigning he'd gotten used to killing a lot of folks for all kinds of reasons. He'd seen a lot of people kill for a lot less than his going rate, and the occasional psycho was a bit more than occasional in his line of work. "Seems an awful lot of trouble to bag a guy like this instead of just plugging him with some rockets. Money's pretty good, though, so I ain't complainin'."

He finished a swallow before starting. "Ya see, that's the kinda guy I'd love taking a bite out of. Irony and social justice of predatoring the predator aside, people like that have this...flavor to 'em. Maybe it's just me. Anyway, I can promise I won't partake. You probably already know I'm strictly business on a mission, though, considering you also found out who I am, Ghoster."

Noon, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Africa.
(PAN: Passive)

Kano's face twitched at the mention of unnecessary experimentation on children and he felt a familiar cold rage well up inside him but he kept his visage calm. "All right I'm in, ghouls or no. I can only assume that you want this mage alive because you need information from him but is there minimum number of piece you would like him in. If he starts to cast on me I'm going to remove bits, like fingers and thumbs." Kano gave a slight nod in Ambalo's direction and took a big chunk out of his meal.Child killing...I would love to deliver this mage scumbag in a plastic bag, breathing but sans arms and legs.

Noon, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Africa
(PAN: Passive)

Solo, opens the door to the resturant, looking over his shoulder at "Rex", to make sure it is okay. He has the turret doing basic sweeps of the area, the anti-theft system up, and a couple of Boys around it. 100 Naira a piece should keep it safe for a bit. He is carrying his pistols, two Predators in low-slung holsters and two Hammerli's, one under each shoulder.

Solo comes up to the hostess of the resturant, giving a slight tip of his black aussie fedora, which is adorned with gator teeth, "G'day Miss. I'm here for the Graystone party. Please excuse my tardiness. I almost come a gutser on the way here. I've got my ute parked down the road a bit. Don't think anyone would have a fit over it do ya'?"

3 February 2072, Ifako-ijoha District

He slowly awoke to discover he was already up, dressed and doing rounds in his human form.

You were tired so I let you sleep and got on with checking our patients. We yet have an hour to meet with Mr Ghoster.

Izoduwa's explanation of the circumstances was not entirely unusual, the Spirit often undertook tasks while Afrika slept. He thought he could taste some sort of breakfast, perhaps scrambled eggs, but having a full tummy was no substitute for actually eating. Never mind, he had work to do.

They took the form of a great eagle and Izoduwa hid them from mortal eyes and ensured that they had a following tail wind. They were in the vicinity of the restaurant within minutes, it took a little while to find suitable raw materials, they eventually were forced to call on an Ancestor that knew the area and something about it's construction to find a derelict building made of good reinforced concrete.

Afrika borrowed a talent for sculpture from one of the Ancestors that had agreed to help with this task. He then cast magics that allowed him to shape the concrete of the structure as if it were plasticine. Within minutes he had sculpted two dwarf-sized gargoyles. They were hollow inside to keep their weight down and had strangely long arms and big hands for their size, all the easier to manipulate human tools, and their wings were carefully articulated to fold up neatly when not in use.



The two Great Ancestor Spirits possessed the newly crafted shells with ease and under the concealment that Izoduwa provided stationed themselves on rooftops near the restaurant where he could call on them at a moments notice and they could keep an eye on things.

He retook human form and Izoduwa covered his modesty with an Illusion and used another to disguise their astral form as something less unusual.

The sun was by now quite high in the sky and with no watch to guide him he suspected that he may be on the late side and hurried to the appointed place.

He greeted the hostess politely.

Good day, I am Afrika, with the Greenhorn party, I believe I am expected, if slightly tardy. I am afraid my watch does not exist...

He tried to smile winningly.

12:15 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(PAN:passive)

The emotions running rampant in the room give Yazata's astral sense a marvellous light show. He wonders how he lights up at the description of their potential target. Keeping him alive if he falls under their power might be as difficult as capturing him in the first place.

"If there is anything I can do to stop this... experimentation... on children and their families, I will be happy to oblige. Learning as much as we can about what this mage does will be distasteful but necessary to any plan we develop. That along with what skills, allies and powers he has.

"I also assume that there is a good reason why the heavy support you would provide outside the extraction location is not sufficient or appropriate to do the task itself. I am curious to know your reasoning behind hiring outsiders such as ourselves to do it."

That marvellous woman (?) must be nearing, he can feel her even through the closed door. "More prospective team members?"

12:15, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos

As Solo approaches Yareen, he can't help feeling many wonderful emotions rising up in him. When Afrika approaches, he gets the feeling something is trying to boost his spirits but failing.

"Hello Gentlemen! Come right with me. Mr. Ghoster is expecting you."

Giving a long look over both individuals, Yareen said with excitement, "My my! I've never met anyone like you two before!" She composed herself and continued, "my apologizes. My name is Yareen, and if you need anything please don't hesitate to ask."

As the 3 approached the back room door, Ghoster raised his hand to pause the conversation. "I will address your questions in just a moment. We have some new arrivals."

"Solo and Afrika, I am pleased you could make the meeting. Please have a seat and order anything you'd like. This meeting is reimbursed."

When Solo and Afrika seated themselves, Ghoster made introductions and re-iterated the information about the job that had been discussed. Ghoster also clarified that 80,000 Nuyen plus bonuses was the paid amount per person.

"Now," Ghoster continued, "I shall be able to address some of the concerns and questions. Yes we need him alive. My employers have very good reason to believe he is not working alone. We need more intelligence to eradicate whatever dastardly people are supporting him. However, my employers would not mind you ... take off a few limbs to get the job done."

Ghoster smiled briefly at Yazata, "Yazata makes an excellent point. My employers cannot send in their own assets because the defenses surrounding the target are designed for my employers' assets. The chance for failure would be unacceptably high. However, as individuals who are brought in, the target will be less prepared and hopefully caught off guard. If you accept the mission, I will be able to go into the reasoning with more depth. Hammer has certainly made his acceptance clear, but I need clarification from everyone else."

12:15, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(PAN: Passive, signal default)

Ambalo nodded to the newcomers as they arrived. He Perked up at the 80k being *per* person. "Whoa, big money going on here. This is really my chance to score, and at least I get forewarning on the catch.

After hearing the rest of what Ghoster had to say, he was pretty well sold on the idea.
"Personally, I don't like slimy bastards who butcher up kids for a good time. Really crimps my style. The money you're offering tells me this is gonna be pretty tough, but I can tells it's honest work, which is a rarity, especially here... I'm in."

Early Morning, 3 February 2072, Victoria Island, Lagos, Africa.

Consciousness comes to Noboru suddenly, and with fury, as it always seemed to when he awoke. While he could not remember the world beyond the sleeping veil he knew it was filled with violence and terror, for it had been years since his waking had come with languid pleasure. Still, he remains calm, taking a few long moments to gather himself before letting his surroundings register. He was, of course, in Lagos, in the Victoria Crown Plaza (a subsidiary of Horizon) Hotel, and this was one of the penthouse suites, on the security floor. His mouth was dry, which meant he had been drinking last night, which means that Kitty is back from her latest Grand Tour leg. the fact that he could only remember last night as a tangle of limbs and bodies was troubling, but only so much so. Security at the hotel was good, and despite his protests he knew that Horizon would have a few minders around the hotel as well. At the very least Byron will have run a perimeter check, and touched base with the hotel's own staff.

The sound of a running shower catches his ears, followed by the laughter of not one, but two voices. He grunts, and slides from under the ridiculously high thread count sheets of the King sized bed and proceeds barefoot and skyclad towards the suite's massive master bathroom. Through the steam that fills the entire room he spies Kitty and an ebony skinned companion in the shower.

Whatever had transpired in the evening, it would seem they had company. When Kitty calls out for him to join them, Noboru makes mock protest, groaning something about having a headache before finally giving in.

It was a tough life, this one he had stolen for himself.

12:17, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos

Fedora straightens himself from where he had been leaning in the shadows, straightening his hat and taking a long drag on his cigarette. All the data on the meet said that it would be interesting, and he was curious. He walks nonchalantly into the restaurant his cigarette hanging out of the corner of his mouth. He walks up to the hostess with an endearing grin on his face.

"Mr. Graystone is expecting me my dear"

12:15, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(PAN:passive)

"High danger, high pay, great evil to be vanquished. Count me in." Yazata had been drawn westwards for three years. Was this why? He would find out.

Early Morning, 3 February 2072, Victoria Island, Lagos, Africa.

Noburo was 'saved' by a phone call:

"Hey Kid! It's Vice. I've got a great job for ya! I've got a friend who's looking for top talent to take out a 'den of evil.' He's guaranteed plenty of action, like nothing else out there! Head over to his lunch meet and greet. It's a restaurant in Ikeja district. Be ready and I'll get the transportation."

Stepping toward the hostess, Fedora feels a slight calmness.

"Hello sir...oh," she said as her eyes opened. "Oh my, you are unique!" She reaches out and rubs her hands several inches away from Fedora's body. "Oh I'm sorry! I got carried away. Come right this way."

Upon entering the back room, Ghoster greets Fedora, "Ah Fedora! I'm happily surprised you were able to make the meeting. Please have a seat while I make introductions"

After introducing individual seated at the table, Ghoster began his detail-free description of the job.

"At this juncture, everyone here has heard about the job, and are clarifying their participation. However as our new arrival, your questions are welcome. If you need time to mull over the information I gave you, there is another room outside in which you can take some time to think it over."

Having listened to the job proposal Afrika wasted no time making his feelings known.

I am in, the cause is just and the clinic will benefit greatly from the money. As many of you will have noticed I am a mage of not inconsiderable skill but one of my primary specialities is Counterspelling and Shielding. I presume Mr Ghoster has selected me for this reason.

Grinning at the young woman, Fedora can't help but wink. "I assure you miss, no apologies are needed. Indeed I'm flattered." He reaches up and brushes her cheek as he enters the room. "Thank you my dear."

Fedora sits down at the table and takes a look around the table. An interesting group, he muses to himself, his curiosity growing even more. He turns to Ghoster, "You left out just enough information to rouse my curiosity, how could I not be here?" He pauses as he looks around the table again, this time doing an inventory of everyones comms. "I'm in."

Ambalo noted Afrika's skills and figured it'd be good to fill in as well. "I'm not sure how much Ghoster knows about me, but I'll let you know, for what it's worth. I'm strong, I'm fast, I can even be quiet, and I don't use mojo to be that way. I happen to specialize in making holes in whatever, or whoever, needs it."

Early Morning, 3 February 2072, Victoria Island, Lagos, Africa.

He almost ignores the audible ring of his commlink, in fact he almost does not hear it given the 'link is buried in a pile of clothing on the far side fo the master bedroom, but he knew that if he did not answer, and it was one of the studio executives, that they would just send up a PA, who would of course not bother knocking, and he did not feel like having some random kid catch him in the middle of a steamy shower with his girlfriend and some random local club-girl.

Fishing the phone out of his pants, Noboru answers in audio-only mode. He hears Vice out, and clarity seeps right into his morning.

`I will be ready soon, let us just hope your transportation is more reliable than last time.` Not that is was Vice's fault. You simply cannot plan for the local forms of 'fast-transit.'

When he hangs up, Noboru considers getting his gear together right away, but decides instead that he really does need a shower, and it would be rude to ignore his guest. He does, however, make a quick call to Bobby, and gives him a rundown of the gear he would like brought up. Bobby knew how to be discreet about things, and he would leave a case in the front hall of the suite for him to retrieve.



-----

12:17, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(PAN: Hidden)

In the end Vice's transportation had not materialized, but Noboru had anticipated this, and had called Byron, asking him to bring the Morgan around and prepare for a jaunt into Ikeja. The former SAS man had taken the request calmly, and with an expert hand and surprising knowledge of the city's back roads and shortcuts had even managed to cut some time off of the already late journey. It did not hurt, of course, that the ATV was in peak condition, and that Byron was less than afraid to run through obstacles as long as they did not look like habitats.

Late to the party, but not so late as to be anything but true to his vapid Hollywood reputation, Noboru steps into the small restaurant, slipping off his mirror shades as he does so. He had erred on the side of local habits and decided not to wear a respirator for the meet, since the pollution was no worse than the industrial slums he had frequented as a teenager. He was, however, looking quite out of place with local fashion, dressed in comfortable designer clothing highlighted by the WWII American Bomber patterned Aces High jacket (a delicious piece of fashion irony, given his heritage). There is also the fact he has a katana strapped to his back, however plain the scabbard and sword may seem.

Greeting the hostess with a warm smile and a half bow, he informs her of the expectation of his host for the lunch, and in short order he joins the others, quietly entering, so as not to interrupt the meeting already in progress.

12:20 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(PAN:passive)

While listening ot the details of the job, Solo orders a thick porterhouse steak. From a cow, even. With a baked potato smothered in butter, sour cream, and all the fixin's, and a pint from the bar. Once Ghoster is done talking, Solo smiles, gesturing with a cut of steak on his fork. "And people say all the good folk have gone Walkabout! Leave it to the pikers to fix the world, right mate? Well, seein' as the work may be more... interesting than usual, I need a little extra insurance before givin' it a burl."

Solo gestures around at all the other runners at the table, "You see, all of us would be puttin' our lives on the line, which aren't worth a zack anyhow. But I need to know that any part of mine goes to where it needs to, if I cark it. If we can nut out those arrangements, then it's London to a brick that I'm in."¹

Ghoster replies, "Certainly any conditional arrangements can be made in regards to payment recipients. Since this is your first time working for me and my employers, as a sign of good will we are willing to pay 55,000 of the 80,000 up front.

12:20 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos, Africa.
(PAN: Passive)

Kano observed the new arrivals as they entered and took a seat at the table.Nice hat, pal. Something about the dark haired pretty boy who showed up last bothered him, Is that jacket real leather? The sword is a nice touch.

12:20, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(PAN:passive)
"I too am a mage, with a general spread of spells, maybe with a couple of less common information gathering tools. I am strong in all aspects of Conjuring and Spellcasting. My focus has been in dealing with hostile spirits and other astral beings."

The very generous offer up front only magnifies his concerns about the severity of the situation to be dealt with. "If there is to be some advance payment, it would be good to know the time frame of the operation. Is there time to do some acquisitions?"

12:20, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(Honeypot:passive)

Fedora takes the opportunity to light a new cigarette and take a deep drag as the others list off their skill sets, mentally noting each of them."If we're talking about acquisitions, I'd recommend a few of you get better firewalls." He flicks his cigarette to clear the ashes. "If I were bored I'd be having a great time right now." He grins at Ambalo. "Even a decoy needs a better firewall. As to the business at hand, if everyone is in, I'm interested in the details."

12:20, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(PAN:passive)

"I don't doing machines very well. If you could give assistance in such an upgrading, Fedora, I would appreciate."

12:20, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(PAN:passive)

The muscles under Ambalo's lack of eyebrows rise up on the mention of over half up front. This gig must be pretty damn hot for THAT much up front. We're gonna need to organize for this kind of operation. I guess the more things change, the more they stay the same. Ambalo thought back on his merc days of doing scouting and planning before an op.

Ambalo smiles at Fedora. It's not a pretty one, thanks to the orkish tusks and sharp ghoul teeth. "Really now? I suppose this little thing I run ain't much, though you should know I generally run skinlink on my important stuff. Like my Abiola here." Ambalo pats his rather bulky assault rifle. He then moves on to other business.

"The upfront money is appreciated, although I also wonder how long we'll have to get what we need. Considering this is an extraction with some serious firepower on our side, I already have a shopping list going. By the by, if any of you happen to need weapons or ammo, I know folks who will always appreciate new business."

Ghoster answered, "Our time frame is the next few days, but sooner the better. My employers have already accumulated extensive intelligence,, but we understand that you'll need some time to prepare."

Ghoster continued, "Since it appears that most of us are on board, I will now give a moment for any who change their minds." Ghoster then took a another sip from his cup.

Addressing those who stayed, Ghoster spoke again, "Gentlemen, I thank you on behalf of my employers for taking on this important task. Now for the grand reveal: a Shedim is your target."

Pausing for dramatic effect, Ghoster took a breath. Bringing a metallic case, Yareen stepped into the back room. Ghoster continued, "We have a device that will allow you to take it without disrupting it." Yareen opened the case on the table to reveal mage cuffs, belts, mage masks, and other restraints. "These will prevent the spirit from disrupting. As long as the body is not disintegrated, the spirit will not depart from the vessel. In addition the devices will stop the Shedim from using any of its powers, and they will disrupt any spells that it has casted. The only exception is quickened spells."

Ghoster picked up the cuffs. "To work they must be placed around a body part. Mere contact will not work by itself on the creature. Fortunately, these will do nothing to non-Shedim, so you can wear them however you like." Ghoster slipped the cuffs on and sprayed light from his finger tips.

"Please feel free to examine the equipment. We will require them back after the mission, but you are welcome to carry them with before the mission."

Ambalo considered Ghoster's words and tried to think of what he knew about Shedim.


"You mean one of those corpse stealers? Will sticky shock even work on them? I doubt any sleep poisons would do much here."

12:30 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(PAN:passive)

"I've heard they are some kind of ghostie runnin' about in parts of Lagos¹. You want with us try and bring one in? Crikey mate, I hope this team has got enough mojo to handle it. I can do a lot on the meat side of it, but I'd be more useful in the Never Never, than facin' off against anything from the Dreamtime."

Solo takes a long draw from his pint. "But, if we've got enough hoo-doo to grab 'im, I can get you in and get you back out, no worries."

12:30, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(PAN:passive)

"Shedim!" Yazata almost spits out the word. "I see now why Ahura Mazda has leading me here. I have dealing with those demons before, though I must saying, I destroy them always in the past. Never keep them alive... if can use that word.

"One good thing for you. Shedim hate me. This one, when it seeing me, will shower its evil on me before any of you. I will making good decoy for rest of you." He smiles grimly.

"This will taking much planning. Shedim are as cunning as they be evil. If this one is leader of organization here, then likely is a Master Shedim. Much worse. Very bad news. Only the strongest of will can even get close enough to place these things," he indicates the devices Ghoster has produced, "onto body. It give me pain to think I not destroy this evil right away. But you say, Ghoster, that you need information from this demon about others. What kind of evil works with things like this?

"This will taking much planning. I am... committed... to this hunt." Short and swarthy, Yazata may be overlooked in the throngs. But there is a steely determination in his eyes. Death will be the least feeble of excuses for failure in this endeavour.

Very Early Morning, 3 February, 2072 Oshodi-Isolo District, Lagos

Rasul pushed open the door to the shanty. Inside, Baako took a drag off his cigarette; long and slow. He appeared calm, despite what he must have heard outside a few minutes before.

Baako exhaled and snuffed the cigarette out on the table in front of him as Rasul stepped inside.

"It's been a long time, Baako," Rasul said, lowering the scarf the had concealed his face.

"It has, Rasul. Pity it could not be on more pleasant circumstances," Baako replied.

"You've only yourself to blame for that. You should have left well enough alone. I wouldn't have wasted my time with you."

"Alas, the bounty on you... It was too tempting."

"I suppose I would normally hold nothing against you for that. The greed is natural. But your men killed several others to get to me. Innocents lives. Now you owe a debt in blood to them," Rasul said as he moved closer.

Baako's hand began to twitch. "Please..." he whimpered. Yet, they both knew it was futile.

====

Rasul approached the building with some hesitancy. A lone light shone in one of the front windows. He had fought men that others would find terrifying without giving a second thought, yet merely coming to this place always gave him pause.

He reached out with a clawed finger and gave a couple sharp taps on the door. Loud enough to catch the notice of any that were awake inside, but hopefully quiet enough not to disturb the sleeping.

A few moments later, the door opened reavealing, Ata the priest. "Greetings, Rasul. What can I do for you this evening?"

Rasul grunted, "I have brought another donation, priest." He held up a cloth bag for Ata to see.

Ata nodded and motioned for him to enter. Once inside, Rasul felt, as he always did when he entered this shelter, as though a small weight were lifted from him. Inside, the building was two rooms, the small of which Rasul now stood in with Ata. Through a doorway Rasul could see the larger room, nearly filled with cots and bunk beds, each filled with a child or two of varying ages.

"Let's see what you have brought us," Ata said, stepping over to a small table. Rasul dumped the contents of the sack and various pieces of gold jewelery and loose bills of various denominations spilled on the table.

"Very nice, Rasul," Ata said, rummaging through the various items. "This will help much. We are grateful."

Rasul nodded, his attention sliding back to the other room.

"You should visit during the day, Rasul. The children would love to meet their newest benefactor."

"I... I wouldn't want to scare them."

"Nonsense, Rasul. You can pass for human so they need not know otherwise. Besides, children can see when someone cares. But it wouldn't be just for them; the visit will do you some good as well. You have come far the past few months, but you have far yet to go."

"I will think on it," Rasul replied.

12:30, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(Honeypot:passive)

Fedora takes another drag on his cigarette "Corpse Stealers, I'll let the folks with the voodoo decide if we have enough mojo for that. I'm more of an electrons and bits type of guy. Although from the sounds of it, I'd be more happy to put a bullet in it's head than take it out alive. I don't envy you Yazata if your going to be playing decoy."

<<@Yazata: I'll find you a better firewall, free of charge, wouldn't want your electronics being.... possessed now would we. Just throw some of that magic my way when the drek hits the fans. Consider it an exchange of services.>>

Fedora tips his hat back a bit and looks to Ghoster, "Speaking of experiments and defenses, what environment does this.... Shedim... Find himself in? And what, if any, physical and matrix defenses does he have?"

Replying to Ambalo, Ghoster said, "Indeed, one of those corpse stealers. Fortunately, Shedim and our target are vulnerable to any metahuman weapon at your disposal. Stick-n-shock will have a solid effect."

"For those who do not know the details about a Shedim, they are creatures from alien astral realms. The can only exist in dead bodies on our realm and otherwise fade into nothingness. They have several notable special abilities: they can drain one's life's energy, or Karma, in which to feed themselves. However, such a process takes much time. Second, the creatures have projects an area around them that will promote decay and death. A sapient creature must will themselves to enter such a field. However the field can be turned on and off by the Shedim. Our devices will shut them off. Third, they can paralyze by touch, but it takes several moments of contact to do so. Our devices will neutralize that ability as well."




Ghoster: "Precisely, capturing it is your main objective. Fortunately we have very talented magic here in this room and for your backup. I expound on that in a minute."



"Yazata, you've made some very important observations. Yes, we believe the thing to be a Master Shedim. However, we also know it has been masquerading as metahuman and has been actively masking itself. Since it continues to act covertly, it can be taken by surprise."

"Regarding its associates, our intelligence indicates a wide variety of corporate and private interests. Those interests do not know the creature's true identity. If there are, we will be sure to take care of them in the future."


"The thing has setup a base in the Western district of the city, in Alimonsho. It looks like an operating minor corporate facility, but it's anything but. It utilizes well concealed cameras at the facility's perimeter. In side the facility, there will internal surveillance that can to some degree identify intruders. Several of the doors in the stair ways and lower levels have computer controlled doors to lock in individuals. Obviously, that is where you come in."

Turning to the group Ghoster continued, "While my associate brings in the holo projector, I shall describe the layout. The physical layout of the building is straight-forward. The building has 3 floors and a basement. It's shaped in an obtuse L with a leg pointing toward the east and the other leg pointing north-west. Inside the L is a main entrance and parking area. At the L's elbow, there is loading dock and helicopter port."

"For magical security, the facility has an extensive number of wards covering the exterior. Inside, the floors are warded from each as well as many of the walls separating sections of the building. In areas surrounding the Master's Shedim's lair at the basement, there are several special wards and quickened spells that have thus far prevented a direct assault by my employer's assets. Obviously, we know there are many Shedim patrolling the inside in various bodies. Some bodies include the form of insects that appears to act as a rapid response team to an intrusion. Other Shedim appear to know how to use firearms, but not proficiently.

12:35, 3 September 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(PAN:passive)

"Mithra's chariot! There are insect spirits as well? Is there no end to the horrors this thing visits upon the world? Your maps will be very helpful. I can update them with my own ...reconnaissance?... from a distance without alerting the defenders, though the wards may block my view of some areas.

"These devices of yours. Just so we are sure, they work only once placed on the demon, yes? We will still have to deal with it and its powers until we place them on it?"

12:35, 3 September 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos

Ghoster spoke quickly, "Heavens no, they are Shedim in the bodies of dead insects. We don't know how they managed that feat, but they have the advantage of swarming in small spaces."

"Yazata, you may certainly perform extra reconnaissance, but Fedora might be more apt. We've yet to tap into their video."

12:35, 3 September 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos

Ambalo takes notes down on his comm. "Can Shedim see with other sight, your aura? This suit has a chameleon coat and can be made to release no warmth to show up in heat vision, so the only other ways to see me are through sound and my aura. Also, do you know how hard the doors are? I may be able to open them by force if needed. I also wonder what other magic defense there is. Is it really just wards and these shedim?

Oh, and I'm with Solo as far as dealing with magic is concerned. I can put an arrow through an armored car and out the other side, my Abiola can spit bullets almost as fast as a minigun, and my axes will cut through military armor, but I can't turn someone into a Gomatia."

12:35, 3 September 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos

Fedora's eyes seem to shimmer from within at the mention of a challenge. "Their internal camera's are probably accessible from outside. The internal security doors are probably segmented from the rest of the network, and may require on site work to override. First thing I need to see if I can access the node from here, or if I have to get closer."

Fedora opens an AR window and starts searching for the 'minor' corp facilities node.

12:35, 3 September 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(PAN:passive)

"Good. Controlling the electronics would be great advantage. Maybe my Spatial Sense would serving better in seeking out alternative entries, such as from underground. I don't knowing how big facility is, but if are buildings nearby, I could map the terrain above and below ground from there. Maybe is something like sewer or older construction below ground we could use. Not likely to be cameras there."