Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:34 AM, Oswald's GTS Tower, "Sky-pod," hanging approx. 80m above Redmond
<<Did someone say distraction? Jovan could probably get his watcher to spook the guys. If you need something more visceral, how about a 16-foot armored blimp coming down to street level and releasing a massive cloud of smoke and a hail of bullets? I'll ping Jovan and see if he's up. He doesn't seem to be chiming in on our vocal frequency...>>
<<@Jovan URGENT: The boys could use a distraction in the hotel. Dropping a spook on the gangers ought to keep them occupied. At the same time, apparently our man on the ground, Ferret is having difficulty moving our quarry into his van. An Earth Spirit could be just what we need. I dunno, it's your mojo.>>
With that message sent, Oswald started backing toward the hotel from the site of the crashed motorcycle, still keeping his eyes and gun trained on the area where Ferret was struggling to get their guy squirreled away.
"I can get a bit more distance here in case I need to break one way or another."
Full Version: IC: Post or Die
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Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:34 AM, the coffin motel
With one eye on the stairwell, Thirty slips into the hallway and whisks Kanjin out of its scabbard. He makes three swift strokes with the tip of his monomolecular sword; two vertical, down the left and right sides of the window, and one horizontal at the bottom. Lifting his arm up straight overhead, he uses the flat of the blade to tip the glass inward, causing it to fall and shatter on the hallway floor.
To Professor, he whispers urgently, "No, you first, I'll cover the hall!" The sword goes back in its magnetic bottle, and he shifts the Predator back to his right hand and points it at the stairwell. He crouches in front of the window so that Professor can use his back as a step in order to reach the ledge. While Professor goes through, Thirty counts heartbeats, hoping against hope that the gangers will not come up the stairs.
With one eye on the stairwell, Thirty slips into the hallway and whisks Kanjin out of its scabbard. He makes three swift strokes with the tip of his monomolecular sword; two vertical, down the left and right sides of the window, and one horizontal at the bottom. Lifting his arm up straight overhead, he uses the flat of the blade to tip the glass inward, causing it to fall and shatter on the hallway floor.
To Professor, he whispers urgently, "No, you first, I'll cover the hall!" The sword goes back in its magnetic bottle, and he shifts the Predator back to his right hand and points it at the stairwell. He crouches in front of the window so that Professor can use his back as a step in order to reach the ledge. While Professor goes through, Thirty counts heartbeats, hoping against hope that the gangers will not come up the stairs.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:34 AM, the coffin motel
Fuck! Now I get to see what the ground is like. Professor holsters his weapon and focuses his energy to be more nimble. Oh, this does not feel good! He clambers through the window, or at least tries. his holster snags a moment on a shard of glass, and as he tries to compensate for that he pushes through the window and over the ledge face first, rather than feet first.
No time to try to adjust, he decides to go down face first and turn at that ledge below. He takes a moment to focus his concentration, 'cause this is going to be hairy. The rough wall is a real help, and the climb down seems way easier than the window exit.
Fuck! Now I get to see what the ground is like. Professor holsters his weapon and focuses his energy to be more nimble. Oh, this does not feel good! He clambers through the window, or at least tries. his holster snags a moment on a shard of glass, and as he tries to compensate for that he pushes through the window and over the ledge face first, rather than feet first.
No time to try to adjust, he decides to go down face first and turn at that ledge below. He takes a moment to focus his concentration, 'cause this is going to be hairy. The rough wall is a real help, and the climb down seems way easier than the window exit.
The biker may be unconscious and unarmed, but Ferret isn't taking any chances. He rolls him onto his stomach and binds his hands behind his back with a heavy duty plastic tie-wrap. He thinks for a moment, then adds a second one just in case. Feeling a bit more comfortable, he mentally safeties his MP and slings it over his shoulder.
Then, with a grunt, he rolls the biker back onto his back and lifting him up under his arms starts to drag him towards the back of his van.
Halfway there, he pauses to catch his breath. He opens another AR window and sends a quick command to the van's dogbrain. <<Pull forward two meters.>>
Then, with a grunt, he rolls the biker back onto his back and lifting him up under his arms starts to drag him towards the back of his van.
Halfway there, he pauses to catch his breath. He opens another AR window and sends a quick command to the van's dogbrain. <<Pull forward two meters.>>
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:47 AM Downtown Seattle Near Redmond Border
The cabbie listened to the elf through a slightly parted window. He nodded to him to get in and yelled back at the old man,"Why don't you walk to the barrens you Fraggin screwball!"
The man in the long coat through up his arms,"Hey you! Daisy! I wasn't finished with this guy!" His voice seemed pretty forceful for an old guy. The driver pulled away from the curb, still yelling at the man being left in his dust, even though the morning traffic and crowded streets would have made it impossible for the man to hear him.
You still have a much to learn pup.
With that the spirit was gone. The cab driver began speaking without even turning around, obviously elbows deep in AR,"where to my friend?"
The cabbie listened to the elf through a slightly parted window. He nodded to him to get in and yelled back at the old man,"Why don't you walk to the barrens you Fraggin screwball!"
The man in the long coat through up his arms,"Hey you! Daisy! I wasn't finished with this guy!" His voice seemed pretty forceful for an old guy. The driver pulled away from the curb, still yelling at the man being left in his dust, even though the morning traffic and crowded streets would have made it impossible for the man to hear him.
You still have a much to learn pup.
With that the spirit was gone. The cab driver began speaking without even turning around, obviously elbows deep in AR,"where to my friend?"
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:36 AM, the coffin motel
The footsteps crept up the stairs. Professor's small body awkwardly slid out of the window to a small ledge between floors. He managed to lower himself down from it and drop to the ground intact. The window was on the opposite side of the building than he had entered. The street on this side had no parking, but it looked much the same. There was another entrance to the motel, but this one had a door pieced together out of sheet metal. In the hall upstairs, Thirty stared down the aisle to the stairwell. One ganger peeked around with a heavy pistol in hand.
Oswald watched the scene from above like a reporter doing the traffic. An accident on the street. Someone who was clearly not a paramedic on scene, struggling like hell to heft the large biker into his van. With all the moving around, the blimp is beginning to draw attention now, but so far just gawkers in the street. From his new vantage point he can see the backside of the motel where Professor just plopped onto street level.
Jovan Arrives back in the festering background of glow city's astral space. The blimp has moved and so have the watchers. the man with the tin leg is being pulled by a mundane with his own shadowy machines floating in his body. The other watcher is following a man out the front of the motel, and he seems to be accompanied by two friends.
While Ferret drags the heavy bag of meat across the broken ground, His newly acquired, and recently activated comm gets a new voicemail.
The footsteps crept up the stairs. Professor's small body awkwardly slid out of the window to a small ledge between floors. He managed to lower himself down from it and drop to the ground intact. The window was on the opposite side of the building than he had entered. The street on this side had no parking, but it looked much the same. There was another entrance to the motel, but this one had a door pieced together out of sheet metal. In the hall upstairs, Thirty stared down the aisle to the stairwell. One ganger peeked around with a heavy pistol in hand.
Oswald watched the scene from above like a reporter doing the traffic. An accident on the street. Someone who was clearly not a paramedic on scene, struggling like hell to heft the large biker into his van. With all the moving around, the blimp is beginning to draw attention now, but so far just gawkers in the street. From his new vantage point he can see the backside of the motel where Professor just plopped onto street level.
Jovan Arrives back in the festering background of glow city's astral space. The blimp has moved and so have the watchers. the man with the tin leg is being pulled by a mundane with his own shadowy machines floating in his body. The other watcher is following a man out the front of the motel, and he seems to be accompanied by two friends.
While Ferret drags the heavy bag of meat across the broken ground, His newly acquired, and recently activated comm gets a new voicemail.
QUOTE (Red-ROM @ Sep 2 2010, 06:58 PM) 
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:47 AM Downtown Seattle Near Redmond Border
The cabbie listened to the elf through a slightly parted window. He nodded to him to get in and yelled back at the old man,"Why don't you walk to the barrens you Fraggin screwball!"
The man in the long coat through up his arms,"Hey you! Daisy! I wasn't finished with this guy!" His voice seemed pretty forceful for an old guy. The driver pulled away from the curb, still yelling at the man being left in his dust, even though the morning traffic and crowded streets would have made it impossible for the man to hear him.
You still have a much to learn pup.
With that the spirit was gone. The cab driver began speaking without even turning around, obviously elbows deep in AR,"where to my friend?"
The cabbie listened to the elf through a slightly parted window. He nodded to him to get in and yelled back at the old man,"Why don't you walk to the barrens you Fraggin screwball!"
The man in the long coat through up his arms,"Hey you! Daisy! I wasn't finished with this guy!" His voice seemed pretty forceful for an old guy. The driver pulled away from the curb, still yelling at the man being left in his dust, even though the morning traffic and crowded streets would have made it impossible for the man to hear him.
You still have a much to learn pup.
With that the spirit was gone. The cab driver began speaking without even turning around, obviously elbows deep in AR,"where to my friend?"
Stephen sighed and chuckled as he slid the first twenty into the cabbie's slot. "And if I knew everything I wouldn't be on your path, would I?" he replied in a whisper in his native language. He knew he bulled into the situation and jumped to a conclusion, but then again so would his totem, wouldn't he? He leaned back into the seat and looked into the astral for a bit, aiming his sight at the man shaking his fist. "So where you want me to go, oh Great Trickster?"
He turned his head back after looking at the man. <Aqua>"Just keep driving, I'm getting sent a destination."</Aqua> He held up his comm to cover the fact he was talking to his totem, as there were still a few people weirded out by shamans talking to the spirits.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:36 AM, Oswald's GTS Tower, "Sky-pod," hanging approx. 80m above Redmond
<<Emergency exit, eh boys? I'll walk you back to the parking lot.>>
With that, Oswald piloted the blimp toward the other side of the building to scope out the cars.
<<Emergency exit, eh boys? I'll walk you back to the parking lot.>>
With that, Oswald piloted the blimp toward the other side of the building to scope out the cars.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:37 AM, the coffin motel
Ferret hauls the biker into the back of the van and dumps him unceremoniously between his scooter and the workbench. Frag me, I'm outta shape.
Plotting a route back to the motel, he feeds the directions into the van's dog-brain. The van didn't like the crappy road conditions or lack of Gridlink, so would only creep along in low gear, but he wanted to be on the move. He could almost feel hidden eyes watching him. It would not be long before they worked up the courage to come out of their lairs to see what they could scavenge or steal.
<<@Throgg: You ever heard of 'The Block Cutters'. Seem to be operating out of a coffin motel at [location]. One of them just had a bit of an accident, pranged his bike. If you or one of your boys is in the area, you might just get to it before the locals do.>>
Now that he was safely back in his van, he takes the time to examine the biker more carefully, removing his helmet and checking him more thoroughly for injuries. Then he puts him in a reasonable approximation of the recovery position, given the tight quarters in the back of the van and the fact that his arms were tied behind his back.
He climbs back into the front and sags into the driver's seat with a sigh. <<Target bagged and tagged. On my way back to the motel.>>
Ferret then turns his attention to the biker's commlink. He slaves it to his own 'link and plays back the message. Hmm, I wonder if he ever activated that fake ID.
Ferret hauls the biker into the back of the van and dumps him unceremoniously between his scooter and the workbench. Frag me, I'm outta shape.
Plotting a route back to the motel, he feeds the directions into the van's dog-brain. The van didn't like the crappy road conditions or lack of Gridlink, so would only creep along in low gear, but he wanted to be on the move. He could almost feel hidden eyes watching him. It would not be long before they worked up the courage to come out of their lairs to see what they could scavenge or steal.
<<@Throgg: You ever heard of 'The Block Cutters'. Seem to be operating out of a coffin motel at [location]. One of them just had a bit of an accident, pranged his bike. If you or one of your boys is in the area, you might just get to it before the locals do.>>
Now that he was safely back in his van, he takes the time to examine the biker more carefully, removing his helmet and checking him more thoroughly for injuries. Then he puts him in a reasonable approximation of the recovery position, given the tight quarters in the back of the van and the fact that his arms were tied behind his back.
He climbs back into the front and sags into the driver's seat with a sigh. <<Target bagged and tagged. On my way back to the motel.>>
Ferret then turns his attention to the biker's commlink. He slaves it to his own 'link and plays back the message. Hmm, I wonder if he ever activated that fake ID.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:37 AM, the coffin motel
Safely on the ground, Professor prepares himself magically for potential combat. He feels the energy course through is body, and the world seems to slow down. He scans the area for gangers who might be coming around to flank them as they exit the window and draws his pistol quickly. This is the slippery slope, isn't it, kid? Shoot first to save your life. How long before 'Shoot first', period?
Safely on the ground, Professor prepares himself magically for potential combat. He feels the energy course through is body, and the world seems to slow down. He scans the area for gangers who might be coming around to flank them as they exit the window and draws his pistol quickly. This is the slippery slope, isn't it, kid? Shoot first to save your life. How long before 'Shoot first', period?
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:37:03 AM, the coffin motel
Professor scans the area with gun in hand and the buzz of magic in his nerves. There's an Alley to the right of the building that leads back to the front. The back door hasn't burst open with gangers yet, but the loud pop of a gun upstairs definitely has his adrenaline going.
Thirty has what seems like an eternity to line up his shot as the ganger pokes his head around the corner. He uses this time to aim at the gun instead of center mass. The bullet follows orders to a tee, and smacks the pistol just above the safety, sending it flying from the man's hands. The man jerks back into the stair well screaming,"Shit man! what the fuck do want!?"
Ferret, finally situated in the van, gets a better look at the target. A muscular black human, The man is wearing decent clothes and some gold chains and rings. with the helmet off, he can see the bruising and bloodying of the face from the crash. He's unconscious, but breathing. Logging on to the mans comm, Ferret sees the new ID has been loaded onto the datachip. He checks the voicemail waiting on his MSP. It was a young woman's voice with loud music in the background<<Hey J , They trashed the place pretty bad, and pounded me some too asshole! I don't think they found what they were looking for. What am I supposed to do with this place? The Rusties got trashed and they're looking for blood too. If you're dumping this place and starting over, you better take me with you. >>
Jovan watches the three men in front of the motel load into some kind of vehicle. Their auras are full of fear.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:48 AM Downtown Seattle Near Redmond Border
Acme looks back at the man on the curb from the magical plane. He is surprised at what he finds, the man is glowing bright, and crawling in the awakened virus of the ghouls. The hazy shadow about the face must be a mask, no there's more. cyberware? The eyes have been replaced. There's no answer from the great spirit, who must be enjoying himself at Acme's expense yet again. So many lessons have been "sink or swim". It just wasn't his path to learn something in a straightforward manner.
Professor scans the area with gun in hand and the buzz of magic in his nerves. There's an Alley to the right of the building that leads back to the front. The back door hasn't burst open with gangers yet, but the loud pop of a gun upstairs definitely has his adrenaline going.
Thirty has what seems like an eternity to line up his shot as the ganger pokes his head around the corner. He uses this time to aim at the gun instead of center mass. The bullet follows orders to a tee, and smacks the pistol just above the safety, sending it flying from the man's hands. The man jerks back into the stair well screaming,"Shit man! what the fuck do want!?"
Ferret, finally situated in the van, gets a better look at the target. A muscular black human, The man is wearing decent clothes and some gold chains and rings. with the helmet off, he can see the bruising and bloodying of the face from the crash. He's unconscious, but breathing. Logging on to the mans comm, Ferret sees the new ID has been loaded onto the datachip. He checks the voicemail waiting on his MSP. It was a young woman's voice with loud music in the background<<Hey J , They trashed the place pretty bad, and pounded me some too asshole! I don't think they found what they were looking for. What am I supposed to do with this place? The Rusties got trashed and they're looking for blood too. If you're dumping this place and starting over, you better take me with you. >>
Jovan watches the three men in front of the motel load into some kind of vehicle. Their auras are full of fear.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:48 AM Downtown Seattle Near Redmond Border
Acme looks back at the man on the curb from the magical plane. He is surprised at what he finds, the man is glowing bright, and crawling in the awakened virus of the ghouls. The hazy shadow about the face must be a mask, no there's more. cyberware? The eyes have been replaced. There's no answer from the great spirit, who must be enjoying himself at Acme's expense yet again. So many lessons have been "sink or swim". It just wasn't his path to learn something in a straightforward manner.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:37:05 AM, the coffin motel
Thirty grins, satisfied that his aim was true, and hoping that the gun's former wielder will realize the shot could just as easily have gone through his eye. Loudly, so that it can be heard outside as well as by any other people hiding in the stairwell, Thirty yells back to the disarmed motel resident, "We're leaving; if you want to live, don't frag with us!" While he is yelling, he holsters his Predator and begins clambering out the window and down to the street below as best he can.
Once on street level, he nods to Professor and starts heading for the alley that leads back to the parking lot.
Thirty grins, satisfied that his aim was true, and hoping that the gun's former wielder will realize the shot could just as easily have gone through his eye. Loudly, so that it can be heard outside as well as by any other people hiding in the stairwell, Thirty yells back to the disarmed motel resident, "We're leaving; if you want to live, don't frag with us!" While he is yelling, he holsters his Predator and begins clambering out the window and down to the street below as best he can.
Once on street level, he nods to Professor and starts heading for the alley that leads back to the parking lot.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:38 AM, the coffin motel
Professor nods back and heads for the alley as well, keeping the back door covered as they pass it, and keeps it in view till they round the corner.
He whispers to Thirty, "Sounds like you stalled them well up there. Ferret reminds us to check the Ford Americar... something covered in the back seat."
Professor nods back and heads for the alley as well, keeping the back door covered as they pass it, and keeps it in view till they round the corner.
He whispers to Thirty, "Sounds like you stalled them well up there. Ferret reminds us to check the Ford Americar... something covered in the back seat."
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:48 AM Downtown Seattle Near Redmond Border
Acme let out a thinking noise as he looked at the old man disappearing in the distance. That was a guy to look for in the future, especially since they met around his apartment. For all Acme knew, the old man was either one of the better-held together ghouls or some sort of carrier. He shook his head, Coyote was jerking his tail again it seemed. "Was he supposed to be that game? I'm only asking for a direction here, as you're the one who said I should follow you..."
Acme let out a thinking noise as he looked at the old man disappearing in the distance. That was a guy to look for in the future, especially since they met around his apartment. For all Acme knew, the old man was either one of the better-held together ghouls or some sort of carrier. He shook his head, Coyote was jerking his tail again it seemed. "Was he supposed to be that game? I'm only asking for a direction here, as you're the one who said I should follow you..."
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:48 AM Downtown Seattle Near Redmond Border
No, I wanted you to hang out with the boring cab driver. It's okay, I think we'll see where the trail has been before we find out where it goes. looks like east.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:37:32 AM, the coffin motel
Oswald covers his two teammates as they traverse the alley to the parking lot. They see the Three gangers in the armored buggy. One hanging in a ghetto box built on the side, and one manning a weapon mount that he has just attached an assault rifle to. Jovan is slightly distracted by the appearance of the two awakened men emerging from the alley.Ferret's van pulls in about the same time the Ganger starts the truck.
No, I wanted you to hang out with the boring cab driver. It's okay, I think we'll see where the trail has been before we find out where it goes. looks like east.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:37:32 AM, the coffin motel
Oswald covers his two teammates as they traverse the alley to the parking lot. They see the Three gangers in the armored buggy. One hanging in a ghetto box built on the side, and one manning a weapon mount that he has just attached an assault rifle to. Jovan is slightly distracted by the appearance of the two awakened men emerging from the alley.Ferret's van pulls in about the same time the Ganger starts the truck.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:37:35 AM, the coffin motel
Now they are pulling an armored vehicle against us. It just gets better and better. Professor ducks behind the crumbling corner of the motel, peeking through some weeds that once were a decorative shrub. Ferret is rolling into the parking lot. Good, the numbers on the ground are equal. Then there's the airforce. Oswald will be up above us somewhere. Professor opens himself to the astral to see if the new guy Jovan and his spirits that Oswald mentioned are in the neighbourhood. "I'm looking for the astral cavalry Thirty. Give me a moment to see what's on our side."
Now they are pulling an armored vehicle against us. It just gets better and better. Professor ducks behind the crumbling corner of the motel, peeking through some weeds that once were a decorative shrub. Ferret is rolling into the parking lot. Good, the numbers on the ground are equal. Then there's the airforce. Oswald will be up above us somewhere. Professor opens himself to the astral to see if the new guy Jovan and his spirits that Oswald mentioned are in the neighbourhood. "I'm looking for the astral cavalry Thirty. Give me a moment to see what's on our side."
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:48 AM Downtown Seattle Near Redmond Border
Acme nodded. If the game was afoot, they could get to it from the beginning of the path. It wasn't as quick as the end, but perhaps this was all just part of it. "All right, east if you please," he replied to the cabbie, settling in the back of the seat while still staying with his astral sense up. He needed to hunker down, put his nose to the scent as it were. Just because he had a sense of humor didn't mean he had to screw around with this.
Acme nodded. If the game was afoot, they could get to it from the beginning of the path. It wasn't as quick as the end, but perhaps this was all just part of it. "All right, east if you please," he replied to the cabbie, settling in the back of the seat while still staying with his astral sense up. He needed to hunker down, put his nose to the scent as it were. Just because he had a sense of humor didn't mean he had to screw around with this.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:37:38 AM, Oswald's GTS Tower, "Sky-pod," hanging approx. 80m above Redmond
As the parking lot came into view, the gang vehicle was like a beacon waiting for him.
<<Thirty, you'll need to inform these men that they're already dead, or I'll have them find out the hard way. Maybe they've heard of BDLL. Could be helpful for explaining our presence.>>
"Hmmmrrr... What's the use of a god complex if you never get to decide who dies..."
As the parking lot came into view, the gang vehicle was like a beacon waiting for him.
<<Thirty, you'll need to inform these men that they're already dead, or I'll have them find out the hard way. Maybe they've heard of BDLL. Could be helpful for explaining our presence.>>
"Hmmmrrr... What's the use of a god complex if you never get to decide who dies..."
Friday, September 11, 2071, 10:16 AM Downtown Seattle
"Kind of vague my friend, But the meter is running, so knock yourself out." the cabbie continued to make mindless chit chat that Acme is pretty sure he isn't even listening to himself. His aura is a textbook shade of boredom. The directions are coming in fast and random like a beagle on a fox hunt, south, east, south again. Traffic was horrible and the chase was slowed to a crawl as they hit downtown proper. Acme's mentor was growing impatient as he had to wait for the flesh bodies to catch up. The cab finally rounded the block to a sky rise hotel called the Golden Lion executive suites
Its about time. You're lucky I like you pup. The coyote stood in the Astral like the white stag leading the young shaman to his destiny. But the sense of mockery in this visage was palpable. I have led you to the water, but I cannot make you drink. I imagine you can find ways of entertaining yourself here regardless.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:37:38 AM, the coffin motel
Professor spots the Astral projection of, what he can only assume is his new team member, sizing him and thirty up as they round the corner. a small watcher spirit hovers over the buggy.
"Kind of vague my friend, But the meter is running, so knock yourself out." the cabbie continued to make mindless chit chat that Acme is pretty sure he isn't even listening to himself. His aura is a textbook shade of boredom. The directions are coming in fast and random like a beagle on a fox hunt, south, east, south again. Traffic was horrible and the chase was slowed to a crawl as they hit downtown proper. Acme's mentor was growing impatient as he had to wait for the flesh bodies to catch up. The cab finally rounded the block to a sky rise hotel called the Golden Lion executive suites
Its about time. You're lucky I like you pup. The coyote stood in the Astral like the white stag leading the young shaman to his destiny. But the sense of mockery in this visage was palpable. I have led you to the water, but I cannot make you drink. I imagine you can find ways of entertaining yourself here regardless.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:37:38 AM, the coffin motel
Professor spots the Astral projection of, what he can only assume is his new team member, sizing him and thirty up as they round the corner. a small watcher spirit hovers over the buggy.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 10:16 AM Downtown Seattle
Acme tuned the driver out within the first ten minutes of the talk. He was sure that half the looping around was just so Coyote could jerk him around again, payment for not showing up in the spirit. Payment indeed as the dragging around cost him nearly a hundred including his bribe to get away from the ghoul. As he walked out of the car, his eyes still on the astral, he smirked seeing the old coyote waiting on him. "Somebody better call there's a stray dog on the loose," he said with a chuckle. He looked around the hotel, trying to sniff out the magical trail that his totem would be pointing out.
Acme tuned the driver out within the first ten minutes of the talk. He was sure that half the looping around was just so Coyote could jerk him around again, payment for not showing up in the spirit. Payment indeed as the dragging around cost him nearly a hundred including his bribe to get away from the ghoul. As he walked out of the car, his eyes still on the astral, he smirked seeing the old coyote waiting on him. "Somebody better call there's a stray dog on the loose," he said with a chuckle. He looked around the hotel, trying to sniff out the magical trail that his totem would be pointing out.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:37:38 AM, the coffin motel
Professor isn't sure what he sees in the astral. "Thirty, we have astral company. There's a little watcher spirit hovering over the truck, and... something else. I'm going to try to figure that out. You guys deal with the mundane drek in the truck. If whatever it is comes after me, I'll be busy."
Professor isn't sure what he sees in the astral. "Thirty, we have astral company. There's a little watcher spirit hovering over the truck, and... something else. I'm going to try to figure that out. You guys deal with the mundane drek in the truck. If whatever it is comes after me, I'll be busy."
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:37:40 AM, the coffin motel
Thirty hunkers down at the mouth of the alley, gun in hand once more. After Professor gives him the go-ahead, he peeks out and calls to the gangers, hoping they can hear him over their buggy's engine. "Sorry for the intrusion, fellas, but we're looking for a friend of ours, and we had a tip that he was here. Turns out he isn't, so we'll be leaving now. If you'll just head back inside and let us pass, we can all live to see another day. Whaddya say?" He ducks back into cover fully to await their reply, which he suspects will be gunfire.
Thirty hunkers down at the mouth of the alley, gun in hand once more. After Professor gives him the go-ahead, he peeks out and calls to the gangers, hoping they can hear him over their buggy's engine. "Sorry for the intrusion, fellas, but we're looking for a friend of ours, and we had a tip that he was here. Turns out he isn't, so we'll be leaving now. If you'll just head back inside and let us pass, we can all live to see another day. Whaddya say?" He ducks back into cover fully to await their reply, which he suspects will be gunfire.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:37:40 AM, the coffin motel in astral space
Having already taken a relatively large (in astral space, anyway) amount of time familiarizing himself with his surroundings, Jovan prepared to take action if necessary. Concentrating again on one of his many sets of mental formulae, he reached out with his mind into astral space and summoned an air elemental to him. Pay attention to those three in that lifeless shell. I'd like to avoid a fight, but if they continue their violent behavior for much longer, knock them unconscious.
The nosferatu now took a moment to turn his attention elsewhere. The target was being taken by some newcomer, and then there were these two unidentified Awakened fellows. It would be a wise course of action to hide from those two until he could ascertain their identity and astral ability. Perhaps the human Oswald knew something about why they were here-
Oh shit.
His aura changed moods as he suddenly became quite alarmed. He didn't like what had just occured to him. There were two possibilities with the identities of these two. Either they were unknown agents that he had not yet encountered, an Ares strike team perhaps, or they were his teammates. Teammates that had arrived on the scene after sleeping through the night. Teammates that were both Awakened, as he had earlier suspected. One of whom could actually see him now. Oswald may have summoned them; perhaps he had found something. He hoped that they were not truly his teammates. His earlier planning was now teetering on the edge of oblivion.
Jovan stared back at the man looking at him now. He waited for any signs of comprehension in the observer. Maybe, just maybe, this one was dull-witted or ignorant enough of auras to not recognize what Jovan was. Maybe, just maybe, his plan could be saved.
Having already taken a relatively large (in astral space, anyway) amount of time familiarizing himself with his surroundings, Jovan prepared to take action if necessary. Concentrating again on one of his many sets of mental formulae, he reached out with his mind into astral space and summoned an air elemental to him. Pay attention to those three in that lifeless shell. I'd like to avoid a fight, but if they continue their violent behavior for much longer, knock them unconscious.
The nosferatu now took a moment to turn his attention elsewhere. The target was being taken by some newcomer, and then there were these two unidentified Awakened fellows. It would be a wise course of action to hide from those two until he could ascertain their identity and astral ability. Perhaps the human Oswald knew something about why they were here-
Oh shit.
His aura changed moods as he suddenly became quite alarmed. He didn't like what had just occured to him. There were two possibilities with the identities of these two. Either they were unknown agents that he had not yet encountered, an Ares strike team perhaps, or they were his teammates. Teammates that had arrived on the scene after sleeping through the night. Teammates that were both Awakened, as he had earlier suspected. One of whom could actually see him now. Oswald may have summoned them; perhaps he had found something. He hoped that they were not truly his teammates. His earlier planning was now teetering on the edge of oblivion.
Jovan stared back at the man looking at him now. He waited for any signs of comprehension in the observer. Maybe, just maybe, this one was dull-witted or ignorant enough of auras to not recognize what Jovan was. Maybe, just maybe, his plan could be saved.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:37:43 AM, the coffin motel
While Thirty is talking the gangers down, Professor considers this new astral problem. As he does so, a spirit appears beside the unknown, a spirit of the air by the looks of it. Professor concentrates on the unknown one, focusing his concentration to overcome the confusing shifting of the being's image. Where had he seen something like this before? His memory is prodigious. All he has to do is drag the right memory out of all the others.
Ahhhh.... here comes something .... Holy shit! But...
While Thirty is talking the gangers down, Professor considers this new astral problem. As he does so, a spirit appears beside the unknown, a spirit of the air by the looks of it. Professor concentrates on the unknown one, focusing his concentration to overcome the confusing shifting of the being's image. Where had he seen something like this before? His memory is prodigious. All he has to do is drag the right memory out of all the others.
Ahhhh.... here comes something .... Holy shit! But...
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:37:45 AM, entrance to car park of coffin motel
As Ferret is contemplating what to do about the message from the biker's lady, the van turns into the parking lot. Ferret looks around, hoping to spot the Professor and Thirty.
Frag, I don't even know what they look like.
Then he notices the gangers in the armored buggy. More worryingly, he sees the assault rifle in the pintle mount. Grabbing at the steering wheel, he jams on the brakes.
<<Guys, I got a problem back at the motel. There's a bunch of gangers in the armored car and they got a big-ass machine gun on top of it. Ozzie, you still floating around up there. I sure could use some more of that air support.>>
As Ferret is contemplating what to do about the message from the biker's lady, the van turns into the parking lot. Ferret looks around, hoping to spot the Professor and Thirty.
Frag, I don't even know what they look like.
Then he notices the gangers in the armored buggy. More worryingly, he sees the assault rifle in the pintle mount. Grabbing at the steering wheel, he jams on the brakes.
<<Guys, I got a problem back at the motel. There's a bunch of gangers in the armored car and they got a big-ass machine gun on top of it. Ozzie, you still floating around up there. I sure could use some more of that air support.>>
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:37:50 AM, alley next to coffin motel
Thirty peeks out from behind his cover to get eyes on the buggy again, and replies to Ferret over the comms, <<I'm trying to get them to back down. If they open fire, assume that has failed, and act accordingly.>>
Thirty peeks out from behind his cover to get eyes on the buggy again, and replies to Ferret over the comms, <<I'm trying to get them to back down. If they open fire, assume that has failed, and act accordingly.>>
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:37:57 AM, entrance to parking lot, coffin motel
<<Roger that, Thirty>> replies Ferret, slipping the van into reverse and checking his mirrors. At the same time he pulls up an AR window, and starts juggling programs and pinging the area for active and hidden nodes.
<<Roger that, Thirty>> replies Ferret, slipping the van into reverse and checking his mirrors. At the same time he pulls up an AR window, and starts juggling programs and pinging the area for active and hidden nodes.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:37:53 AM, the coffin motel in astral space
There it was. A flash of emotion through the metahuman's aura. Surprise, shock, and perhaps a bit of fear. He had been found out. It was possible that this one had been unable to discern the fact that Jovan was a nosferatu per se, but he obviously had noticed the signs of HMHVV. Jovan's plan was falling to pieces, and the situation was starting to fall out of his control. He needed to act as soon as possible. It would be highly prudent to contact the Ghoul Liberation League about this Professor, if indeed this was his teammate, but that would have to wait until business was done here and he could return to his body. For now... much to Jovan's chagrin, a warning - how foolish! - would have to suffice.
Jovan raised an astral finger to his lips in an expression of silence, nodding his head in the direction of the other Awakened newcomer. "'Mind your speech a little, lest you should mar your fortunes.'"
There it was. A flash of emotion through the metahuman's aura. Surprise, shock, and perhaps a bit of fear. He had been found out. It was possible that this one had been unable to discern the fact that Jovan was a nosferatu per se, but he obviously had noticed the signs of HMHVV. Jovan's plan was falling to pieces, and the situation was starting to fall out of his control. He needed to act as soon as possible. It would be highly prudent to contact the Ghoul Liberation League about this Professor, if indeed this was his teammate, but that would have to wait until business was done here and he could return to his body. For now... much to Jovan's chagrin, a warning - how foolish! - would have to suffice.
Jovan raised an astral finger to his lips in an expression of silence, nodding his head in the direction of the other Awakened newcomer. "'Mind your speech a little, lest you should mar your fortunes.'"
Friday, Septamebr 11, 2071, 9:37:55 AM, the coffin motel in astral space
Professor gets the gist of the message. Threat ... be quiet. Well, now is that any way for a teammate to talk? He makes sure his intentions are crystal clear in the emotional channel. "If you are our teammate, Jovan, then you have nothing to fear. Your threat is unnecessary and does not have the desired effect. I have been threatened by worse things than you, in worse places than this. If I am to die, then so be it, but I will not submit to your domination. It is my job to share information with my teammates, and I will do so if necessary. You have my word that I will treat you as any other teammate, and fight for and with you. I expect the same from you. If this is not acceptable, then let us deal with it now, rather than later."
"Thirty, our friend in astral space wishes to remain anonymous. He has reason to fear being known for what he is. If you want more info, I have it and will share, but he seems threatened by my having seen him. Right now some caution may be in order, if for no other reason than to keep the peace." He waits for a response from each of them.
Professor gets the gist of the message. Threat ... be quiet. Well, now is that any way for a teammate to talk? He makes sure his intentions are crystal clear in the emotional channel. "If you are our teammate, Jovan, then you have nothing to fear. Your threat is unnecessary and does not have the desired effect. I have been threatened by worse things than you, in worse places than this. If I am to die, then so be it, but I will not submit to your domination. It is my job to share information with my teammates, and I will do so if necessary. You have my word that I will treat you as any other teammate, and fight for and with you. I expect the same from you. If this is not acceptable, then let us deal with it now, rather than later."
"Thirty, our friend in astral space wishes to remain anonymous. He has reason to fear being known for what he is. If you want more info, I have it and will share, but he seems threatened by my having seen him. Right now some caution may be in order, if for no other reason than to keep the peace." He waits for a response from each of them.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:37:50 AM, alley next to coffin motel
Thirty's Suggestion to go back inside was met with peeling tires. The buggy skidded in place for a second as the assault rifle poured bullets into the parking lot no holds barred. Shadowy pellets rained through Jovan's astral form towards the Professor, as he and Thirty ducked back into the ally. Ferret was loading his electronic warfare programs when the lead started flying. Luckily, it wasn't flying at him yet, but the thundercloud morgan squealed forward and was swerving his way. Oswald had the best view. He had given the Ork his chance to talk while he mentally categorized the vehicles weak points; Radiator, tire, gas tank,electronics, driver. The only thing left was to point and click.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 10:16 AM The Gold Lion Hotel
Acme shelled out a small fortune to the smiling cabbie as he scanned the front of the building. No wards so far. No spirits. It doesn't mean they aren't inside. the Coyote vanished to some other plane while he tried to put this puzzle together. His astral sense was not acute enough to pick up the ghouls trail as his mentor had. While he pondered the physical security of the front lobby, another cab dropped off a man in front of him who glowed like a golden bear in the astral. Looking upon him in the flesh, he appeared as a large Amerind in an expensive steampunk suit, with bola tie and leather looking fringe. He was clearly awakened and seemingly powerful. He hadn't seemed to notice Acme, as he headed into the building
Thirty's Suggestion to go back inside was met with peeling tires. The buggy skidded in place for a second as the assault rifle poured bullets into the parking lot no holds barred. Shadowy pellets rained through Jovan's astral form towards the Professor, as he and Thirty ducked back into the ally. Ferret was loading his electronic warfare programs when the lead started flying. Luckily, it wasn't flying at him yet, but the thundercloud morgan squealed forward and was swerving his way. Oswald had the best view. He had given the Ork his chance to talk while he mentally categorized the vehicles weak points; Radiator, tire, gas tank,electronics, driver. The only thing left was to point and click.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 10:16 AM The Gold Lion Hotel
Acme shelled out a small fortune to the smiling cabbie as he scanned the front of the building. No wards so far. No spirits. It doesn't mean they aren't inside. the Coyote vanished to some other plane while he tried to put this puzzle together. His astral sense was not acute enough to pick up the ghouls trail as his mentor had. While he pondered the physical security of the front lobby, another cab dropped off a man in front of him who glowed like a golden bear in the astral. Looking upon him in the flesh, he appeared as a large Amerind in an expensive steampunk suit, with bola tie and leather looking fringe. He was clearly awakened and seemingly powerful. He hadn't seemed to notice Acme, as he headed into the building
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:37:41 AM, Oswald's GTS Tower, "Sky-pod," hanging approx. 80m above Redmond
There had been no immediate response from the vehicle below. As far as Oswald could tell, the gangers where sitting around shitting themselves. Maybe they were more interested in living than their previous actions indicated? Really should have thought of that before they decided to bunk down on the site of a nuclear disaster. Maybe they were up all night doing speed and they were on a heavy crash? More likely. They probably need another hit of courage before they march into the sea.
"Idiot gang-trash. I should probably just top them all. Save them years of pain and sadness as the cancer eats their bones. Too bad I'm not that merciful."
<<What's the score groundlings? Nobody's made a move yet. Do you want me to come down a bit and let them shoot me until they run out of bullets? They honestly have no chance here. The sooner they come to understand that, the sooner we can leave.>>
"Ho, what's this? A message? Maybe Jovan is finally respon- Wait.. Heka's dead? When did this hap- on the ride over?"
The couple hours Oswald had spent talking to Heka at the meet and on the ride home was the most human contact he could recall in years. This was unacceptable.
"Oh you sons of bitches! Heka was a drug-addled satanist who prostituted his youth and strength into the service of thieves and killers... but that's why I liked him!"
Just then the buggy below peeled out and began firing on the alley where Professor and Thirty were holed up.
"Fuck you and die!"
With that, Oswald fired a well-aimed shot at the vehicle's gas tank.
There had been no immediate response from the vehicle below. As far as Oswald could tell, the gangers where sitting around shitting themselves. Maybe they were more interested in living than their previous actions indicated? Really should have thought of that before they decided to bunk down on the site of a nuclear disaster. Maybe they were up all night doing speed and they were on a heavy crash? More likely. They probably need another hit of courage before they march into the sea.
"Idiot gang-trash. I should probably just top them all. Save them years of pain and sadness as the cancer eats their bones. Too bad I'm not that merciful."
<<What's the score groundlings? Nobody's made a move yet. Do you want me to come down a bit and let them shoot me until they run out of bullets? They honestly have no chance here. The sooner they come to understand that, the sooner we can leave.>>
"Ho, what's this? A message? Maybe Jovan is finally respon- Wait.. Heka's dead? When did this hap- on the ride over?"
The couple hours Oswald had spent talking to Heka at the meet and on the ride home was the most human contact he could recall in years. This was unacceptable.
"Oh you sons of bitches! Heka was a drug-addled satanist who prostituted his youth and strength into the service of thieves and killers... but that's why I liked him!"
Just then the buggy below peeled out and began firing on the alley where Professor and Thirty were holed up.
"Fuck you and die!"
With that, Oswald fired a well-aimed shot at the vehicle's gas tank.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:37:58 AM, alley next to coffin motel
Thirty ducks behind cover as bullets ricochet around them. Reflexively, he pulls Professor back too, and says, "Worry about astral problems later!" He keeps his head down, waiting for the hail of lead to let up so he can spring into action.
Thirty ducks behind cover as bullets ricochet around them. Reflexively, he pulls Professor back too, and says, "Worry about astral problems later!" He keeps his head down, waiting for the hail of lead to let up so he can spring into action.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 10:16 AM The Gold Lion Hotel
The shaman tilted his head as he watched the car pull up and the other hulking Amerind arrived on the scene. Looking at the man's aura and his size, he felt like a scrawny bit compared to him, as the Bear shaman's advantage over Acme was palpable. Something was going on in this place, if Coyote led him here to investigate Puffing up his confidence, Acme walked forward, keeping respectful distance with the Bear so as to not alert him.
The shaman tilted his head as he watched the car pull up and the other hulking Amerind arrived on the scene. Looking at the man's aura and his size, he felt like a scrawny bit compared to him, as the Bear shaman's advantage over Acme was palpable. Something was going on in this place, if Coyote led him here to investigate Puffing up his confidence, Acme walked forward, keeping respectful distance with the Bear so as to not alert him.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:38:01 AM, alley next to coffin motel in astral space
Shadows of metal flew through Jovan's astral form like arrows through mist, but the nosferatu was unfazed by this, engrossed in thought. So these two really were his teammates, as he had feared. But that was the least of Jovan's concerns. This person, this Ferret, or Professor, or whichever one he was, was telling Jovan that he would actually treat him like a normal person and runner. And as far as Jovan could tell, this one was telling the truth, which complicated the matter even further. Jovan was fundamentally torn. There was a part of him that wanted to believe the dwarf, that was maybe even impressed by this show of integrity. It was that part of him that had thrived in his younger years and never quite died after his ...change. Back then, he would have embraced the man before him with open arms and compassion. But things were different now. He was harder now than he was before, colder, smarter. He wasn't naive enough to think that he could ever call any of these people friend. He knew that everyone else was corrupt and dishonest. He knew that it could be potentially fatal to trust this man now. So maybe the man was telling the truth. So what? He could be a deep undercover spy for his enemies. He could be a toxic spirit tightly masking his aura against lie detection. He could be unknowingly working for a dragon. He could be an agent of the shedim, luring Jovan into a false sense of security so he could plant virus-ridden corporate spam in Jovan's commlink, burn down his home, expose him to all of Seattle, restrain and leave him in the sunlight to torture him into insanity by constantly healing him as the sun burned away his flesh, and/or stab him in the back with a bomb. For all Jovan knew, this entire operation was a secret conspiracy to murder Jovan, arranged by the Johnson or perhaps even Long Legs himself. He couldn't afford to risk his trust backfiring. But what woud that say about him, when he held honesty and integrity in such high regard? Am I really willing to fall into hypocrisy to keep myself safe? He considered that question for several seconds.
Perhaps a day will come when I am, but today is not that day. He rubbed his ethereal brow in exhasperation and annoyance at himself. 'Truly, I would not hang a dog by my will, much more a man who hath any honesty in him.'
He moved in a blur until he was beside his teammate, whom he thought was likely that Professor character. You say that you will regard me without prejudice. You say that my concern is not necessary. Yet I know just as well as you do the power of knowledge, and I will allow you this power of secrets over me no more than you will submit to my control. You strive for peace? Good, as do I. You wish us to be on equal footing? Very well. Then you have some explaining of yourself to do.
Shadows of metal flew through Jovan's astral form like arrows through mist, but the nosferatu was unfazed by this, engrossed in thought. So these two really were his teammates, as he had feared. But that was the least of Jovan's concerns. This person, this Ferret, or Professor, or whichever one he was, was telling Jovan that he would actually treat him like a normal person and runner. And as far as Jovan could tell, this one was telling the truth, which complicated the matter even further. Jovan was fundamentally torn. There was a part of him that wanted to believe the dwarf, that was maybe even impressed by this show of integrity. It was that part of him that had thrived in his younger years and never quite died after his ...change. Back then, he would have embraced the man before him with open arms and compassion. But things were different now. He was harder now than he was before, colder, smarter. He wasn't naive enough to think that he could ever call any of these people friend. He knew that everyone else was corrupt and dishonest. He knew that it could be potentially fatal to trust this man now. So maybe the man was telling the truth. So what? He could be a deep undercover spy for his enemies. He could be a toxic spirit tightly masking his aura against lie detection. He could be unknowingly working for a dragon. He could be an agent of the shedim, luring Jovan into a false sense of security so he could plant virus-ridden corporate spam in Jovan's commlink, burn down his home, expose him to all of Seattle, restrain and leave him in the sunlight to torture him into insanity by constantly healing him as the sun burned away his flesh, and/or stab him in the back with a bomb. For all Jovan knew, this entire operation was a secret conspiracy to murder Jovan, arranged by the Johnson or perhaps even Long Legs himself. He couldn't afford to risk his trust backfiring. But what woud that say about him, when he held honesty and integrity in such high regard? Am I really willing to fall into hypocrisy to keep myself safe? He considered that question for several seconds.
Perhaps a day will come when I am, but today is not that day. He rubbed his ethereal brow in exhasperation and annoyance at himself. 'Truly, I would not hang a dog by my will, much more a man who hath any honesty in him.'
He moved in a blur until he was beside his teammate, whom he thought was likely that Professor character. You say that you will regard me without prejudice. You say that my concern is not necessary. Yet I know just as well as you do the power of knowledge, and I will allow you this power of secrets over me no more than you will submit to my control. You strive for peace? Good, as do I. You wish us to be on equal footing? Very well. Then you have some explaining of yourself to do.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 09:38:04, alley next to coffin motel
Oswald's shot has a dramatic effect on affairs at the coffin motel. Professor figures that should keep the gangers busy, so he stays attuned astrally, while hiding like a mouse, of course. You pick interesting times for negotiation and debate, Jovan. Very well, I am Professor. I am in this business to find one who framed me for theft and murder and destroyed my career as an archaeologist. The one I hunt is powerful, rich and cunning, and will not hesitate to kill me the first chance he gets. This knowledge of me is a real threat to me, and I share it with you to put us in balance, though I do not know what threatens you other than the light of the sun.
Oswald's shot has a dramatic effect on affairs at the coffin motel. Professor figures that should keep the gangers busy, so he stays attuned astrally, while hiding like a mouse, of course. You pick interesting times for negotiation and debate, Jovan. Very well, I am Professor. I am in this business to find one who framed me for theft and murder and destroyed my career as an archaeologist. The one I hunt is powerful, rich and cunning, and will not hesitate to kill me the first chance he gets. This knowledge of me is a real threat to me, and I share it with you to put us in balance, though I do not know what threatens you other than the light of the sun.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 09:38:04, coffin motel
No one heard it over the hammering of the ganger's assault rifle. A lone bullet from Oswald tore through the truck below, tearing in one side of the gas tank and out the other. The bullet blasts off the ground back into the underside of the truck. A few sparks are met with the escaping fuel and the tank explodes. Fire and shrapnel are sent high into the air. The hulking remains of the vehicle are ripped in twain. The men aboard are nothing more than flaming debris themselves. The crew on the ground struggle to shield themselves from the blast. Even those on the astral plain are nearly blinded by the smoke and flames.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 10:18 AM The Gold Lion Hotel
The tall native enters the lobby with a nod from the doormen. As his follower enters, the doorman approaches," I see you haven't checked in sir. can I assist you in some way? All our services are on our Matrix site, but if you prefer a real life interaction we will be more than happy to accommodate you"
No one heard it over the hammering of the ganger's assault rifle. A lone bullet from Oswald tore through the truck below, tearing in one side of the gas tank and out the other. The bullet blasts off the ground back into the underside of the truck. A few sparks are met with the escaping fuel and the tank explodes. Fire and shrapnel are sent high into the air. The hulking remains of the vehicle are ripped in twain. The men aboard are nothing more than flaming debris themselves. The crew on the ground struggle to shield themselves from the blast. Even those on the astral plain are nearly blinded by the smoke and flames.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 10:18 AM The Gold Lion Hotel
The tall native enters the lobby with a nod from the doormen. As his follower enters, the doorman approaches," I see you haven't checked in sir. can I assist you in some way? All our services are on our Matrix site, but if you prefer a real life interaction we will be more than happy to accommodate you"
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:38:07 AM, Oswald's GTS Tower, "Sky-pod," hanging approx. 80m above Redmond
<<Oh shit! Hahahahaha! Oh shit! Oh shit! Did you see the guy in the back go flying!? Hahaha heh! ..Oh! ..Whew...>>
Oswald took a moment to put out a large cloud of smoke from the blimp's smoke projector.
<<Okay. That should have woken some nasty people up! You boys better stop pulling pud and make a break for Bellview! Take the southwest road. My map says it's a quarter of the distance compared to the northern road you took to get here. Also, there's a hospital on the map down there. Maybe you can give Heka's body over to them to buy yourself some good will? I'm sure he'd think fondly on the idea of his black heart pumping blood through some poor, diseased kid's chest. I'll head north and draw attention away from you. Cutting coms and blasting out of here in 20 beats. I'll re-establish our link in say 15 minutes. Objections?>>
<<Oh shit! Hahahahaha! Oh shit! Oh shit! Did you see the guy in the back go flying!? Hahaha heh! ..Oh! ..Whew...>>
Oswald took a moment to put out a large cloud of smoke from the blimp's smoke projector.
<<Okay. That should have woken some nasty people up! You boys better stop pulling pud and make a break for Bellview! Take the southwest road. My map says it's a quarter of the distance compared to the northern road you took to get here. Also, there's a hospital on the map down there. Maybe you can give Heka's body over to them to buy yourself some good will? I'm sure he'd think fondly on the idea of his black heart pumping blood through some poor, diseased kid's chest. I'll head north and draw attention away from you. Cutting coms and blasting out of here in 20 beats. I'll re-establish our link in say 15 minutes. Objections?>>
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 09:38:04, coffin motel
Professor pulls himself back to the physical and answers Oswald. <<Works for me. Should start calling you Thor-shot.>>
"Waddaya say we take a quick look at that Ford Americar as we get out of here, Thirty?"
Professor pulls himself back to the physical and answers Oswald. <<Works for me. Should start calling you Thor-shot.>>
"Waddaya say we take a quick look at that Ford Americar as we get out of here, Thirty?"
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 09:38, coffin motel
Thirty marvels at the smoking wreck that was once the buggy. It's a good thing that crazy old codger is on our side, he thinks. Over the comms, he says, <Good thinking, Oz. We'll do that.> It wasn't the burial Thirty would want, but a hospital morgue was probably better for Heka than rotting on the streets of the Barrens, or wherever else they might dump his body.
To Professor, he nods, and says, "Let's, but we better be quick." As the two of them walk across the parking lot, Thirty sees the sorry state of his own car, and he adds, "You have any idea what happens to a spirit when its master dies? Because my car is shot to hell, and Heka's Shin was looking good when we left it. If that spirit isn't still guarding it, I wouldn't mind trading up."
Thirty marvels at the smoking wreck that was once the buggy. It's a good thing that crazy old codger is on our side, he thinks. Over the comms, he says, <Good thinking, Oz. We'll do that.> It wasn't the burial Thirty would want, but a hospital morgue was probably better for Heka than rotting on the streets of the Barrens, or wherever else they might dump his body.
To Professor, he nods, and says, "Let's, but we better be quick." As the two of them walk across the parking lot, Thirty sees the sorry state of his own car, and he adds, "You have any idea what happens to a spirit when its master dies? Because my car is shot to hell, and Heka's Shin was looking good when we left it. If that spirit isn't still guarding it, I wouldn't mind trading up."
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 09:38, coffin motel
Ferret abandons his plans to stream troll porn to the gangers commlinks as soon as the lead starts flying. He kicks the van into reverse but only makes it a couple of meters before the buggy explodes into flames. Jesus H., what have I got myself into. And how many more bodies are there gonna be before this run's over?
<Prof, Thirty, follow my van and I'll lead you out. Most of the gangers around here know my 'colors' and hopefully won't shoot at us. I've also got a lead on this guy's lady friend. Don't know if she's one of BDLL's crew, but it shouldn't take me long to track her down. Do you want to pick her up on the way, or wait until we see what this guy has to say for himself first?>
Ferret abandons his plans to stream troll porn to the gangers commlinks as soon as the lead starts flying. He kicks the van into reverse but only makes it a couple of meters before the buggy explodes into flames. Jesus H., what have I got myself into. And how many more bodies are there gonna be before this run's over?
<Prof, Thirty, follow my van and I'll lead you out. Most of the gangers around here know my 'colors' and hopefully won't shoot at us. I've also got a lead on this guy's lady friend. Don't know if she's one of BDLL's crew, but it shouldn't take me long to track her down. Do you want to pick her up on the way, or wait until we see what this guy has to say for himself first?>
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:38:30 AM, Oswald's GTS Tower, "Sky-pod," hanging approx. 80m above Redmond
<<Alright, if you drop Heka at the clinic, do make sure to scrub him a little. Comlink etc. Ferret, you'd maybe know if they're the type of place to ask questions and take DNA samples. He might even make it back to his next of kin. I don't know... Hurm*cough* I ah.. By the way... Sorry about the explosion and all. I sometimes forget that my cannon is activated by murder thoughts... And.. uh.. just wanted to say... airstrike inbound. Haha! *cough* Naw.. just kidding. Anyway, see you boys on the other side!>>
With that parting word, Oswald cut off his and the blimp's wireless completely and gunned it the hell out of there. Once he was up to speed, and a good kilometer or two north of the hotel, he popped the smoke projector on for a second and banked right to create a distinct smoke trail leading in that direction. Then he eased back left, further and further, until he was headed north and west toward Sonomish. Lowering his altitude as he went, until he was headed toward the bay on a medium-low trajectory, he pressed on at maximum speed. He hoped this speed would allow him to scoot over the bay far enough to lose sight from the land, then turn around, and head north back to his warehouse. It had been a long night, and he was sick to death of sitting in this air-coffin. He just had to keep one eye on the altimeter and one eye on the radar and pray that no one took offense to a fast mover.
<<Alright, if you drop Heka at the clinic, do make sure to scrub him a little. Comlink etc. Ferret, you'd maybe know if they're the type of place to ask questions and take DNA samples. He might even make it back to his next of kin. I don't know... Hurm*cough* I ah.. By the way... Sorry about the explosion and all. I sometimes forget that my cannon is activated by murder thoughts... And.. uh.. just wanted to say... airstrike inbound. Haha! *cough* Naw.. just kidding. Anyway, see you boys on the other side!>>
With that parting word, Oswald cut off his and the blimp's wireless completely and gunned it the hell out of there. Once he was up to speed, and a good kilometer or two north of the hotel, he popped the smoke projector on for a second and banked right to create a distinct smoke trail leading in that direction. Then he eased back left, further and further, until he was headed north and west toward Sonomish. Lowering his altitude as he went, until he was headed toward the bay on a medium-low trajectory, he pressed on at maximum speed. He hoped this speed would allow him to scoot over the bay far enough to lose sight from the land, then turn around, and head north back to his warehouse. It had been a long night, and he was sick to death of sitting in this air-coffin. He just had to keep one eye on the altimeter and one eye on the radar and pray that no one took offense to a fast mover.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 09:38, coffin motel
Professor surrenders his worry about whether Jovan accepted his revelation as proof of loyalty, and considers Thirty's question a moment. "If they're bound, they get a chance to go free, and stick around if they like. I'm not sure whether this one was bound to Heka or just summoned. In any case, it's likely the spirit is gone, and the car is free for the taking. That's assuming Heka didn't put any other defenses on it as well. When we get close to the bus depot, I'll check his car out astrally to be sure."
Picking through the debris, organic and inorganic, Professor goes to the Americar. It is locked, and he smashes a window and gets a door open to look at what is in the back seat. He carefully lifts the cover. to see what is hidden.
Professor surrenders his worry about whether Jovan accepted his revelation as proof of loyalty, and considers Thirty's question a moment. "If they're bound, they get a chance to go free, and stick around if they like. I'm not sure whether this one was bound to Heka or just summoned. In any case, it's likely the spirit is gone, and the car is free for the taking. That's assuming Heka didn't put any other defenses on it as well. When we get close to the bus depot, I'll check his car out astrally to be sure."
Picking through the debris, organic and inorganic, Professor goes to the Americar. It is locked, and he smashes a window and gets a door open to look at what is in the back seat. He carefully lifts the cover. to see what is hidden.
QUOTE (Red-ROM @ Sep 8 2010, 06:46 PM)
Friday, September 11, 2071, 10:18 AM The Gold Lion Hotel
The tall native enters the lobby with a nod from the doormen. As his follower enters, the doorman approaches," I see you haven't checked in sir. can I assist you in some way? All our services are on our Matrix site, but if you prefer a real life interaction we will be more than happy to accommodate you"
The tall native enters the lobby with a nod from the doormen. As his follower enters, the doorman approaches," I see you haven't checked in sir. can I assist you in some way? All our services are on our Matrix site, but if you prefer a real life interaction we will be more than happy to accommodate you"
Friday, September 11, 2071, 10:18 AM The Gold Lion Hotel
Acme tilted his head in confusion, but still tried to keep his eyes on the other shaman before he disappeared. He wondered at first how the doorman knew but then... Ah yes, the wonders of the technological age; the hotel probably did some stupid system where they flagged your status if you reserved a room or not. He just decided to fall back on old standards, that all Amerinds looked alike to everyone.
"Ah, you're right I haven't checked in," he started. "I'm here to meet my cousin, the one that just passed by. He didn't mention anything about this having to check in, we're family and a guest of his so he didn't think we needed to make any new accomadations to our PANs or anything like that. I can fix that up at the desk if need be." If this talk made him lose his trail...
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 09:38, coffin motel
The smoke is still thick. Burning wreckage was strewn across the lot, but the smell of burning plastic and charred metal was nothing compared to the smell that assaulted Professor as he busted the window on the old sedan. The smell of rotten death nearly knocked him over. Muscling through it, he pulled back the blanket. What he saw was the remains of a man, or maybe a woman, strapped to the bench seat and eaten to the bone. The seat and floorboards were covered in dried blood. The body had been here a while. Thirty could hear the whine of motorcycles on the far side of the building. Most likely his friends from the hallway heading out the other door. Ferret is busy calling the mystery lady back to track her down. She finally picks up,"Hello?". He starts to trace her comm as she waits for him to say something.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 10:19 AM The Gold Lion Hotel
The Large native in the synthleather suit turns as he hears the conversation behind him. He watches the interaction with some interest. The doorman listens to the elf questioningly as he tells him he's related to the human before him. It's possible, he thinks, but But is it likely? He notices the big man has stopped,"Sir, is this a visitor of yours?" the doorman raised his voice just a little to make the distance.
The man stared at Acme for what seemed like a long cold winter. His eyes seemed to go in and out of focus for a minute. Finally, he broke into a smile, and ran his hand through the top of his dark black hair,"Of course, how forgetful of me, do I need to register him?"
The doorman quickly turned from nervous to relieved,"No sir, we can tag his comm, and his face from the cameras, and add him to your room. No need to trouble yourself"
The smoke is still thick. Burning wreckage was strewn across the lot, but the smell of burning plastic and charred metal was nothing compared to the smell that assaulted Professor as he busted the window on the old sedan. The smell of rotten death nearly knocked him over. Muscling through it, he pulled back the blanket. What he saw was the remains of a man, or maybe a woman, strapped to the bench seat and eaten to the bone. The seat and floorboards were covered in dried blood. The body had been here a while. Thirty could hear the whine of motorcycles on the far side of the building. Most likely his friends from the hallway heading out the other door. Ferret is busy calling the mystery lady back to track her down. She finally picks up,"Hello?". He starts to trace her comm as she waits for him to say something.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 10:19 AM The Gold Lion Hotel
The Large native in the synthleather suit turns as he hears the conversation behind him. He watches the interaction with some interest. The doorman listens to the elf questioningly as he tells him he's related to the human before him. It's possible, he thinks, but But is it likely? He notices the big man has stopped,"Sir, is this a visitor of yours?" the doorman raised his voice just a little to make the distance.
The man stared at Acme for what seemed like a long cold winter. His eyes seemed to go in and out of focus for a minute. Finally, he broke into a smile, and ran his hand through the top of his dark black hair,"Of course, how forgetful of me, do I need to register him?"
The doorman quickly turned from nervous to relieved,"No sir, we can tag his comm, and his face from the cameras, and add him to your room. No need to trouble yourself"
Friday, September 11, 2071, 10:19 AM The Gold Lion Hotel
Acme swore a bit in a whisper of Apache through his teeth, still maintaining a congenial smile. He was hoping that the other guy wouldn't get alerted to his presence because of all this, but it had happened and he'd just have to roll with it. He wasn't surprised at the Bear shaman's initial expression however. He'd seen that glassy look a hundred times from other Awakened and knew that he was checking out his aura. Acme's aura was powerful with one just ready for the deeper mysteries, dressed in a full-body coyote-skin headdress and older clothing.
He grinned to the Bear, a hint of worry in his eyes that made them flash amber quickly. "Ah, I told you we should have checked the desk first, cousin," he replied. He walked forward with the doorman's blessing, dusting off his coat a bit. "Coyote knows I cause enough trouble without us forgetting their rules."
Acme swore a bit in a whisper of Apache through his teeth, still maintaining a congenial smile. He was hoping that the other guy wouldn't get alerted to his presence because of all this, but it had happened and he'd just have to roll with it. He wasn't surprised at the Bear shaman's initial expression however. He'd seen that glassy look a hundred times from other Awakened and knew that he was checking out his aura. Acme's aura was powerful with one just ready for the deeper mysteries, dressed in a full-body coyote-skin headdress and older clothing.
He grinned to the Bear, a hint of worry in his eyes that made them flash amber quickly. "Ah, I told you we should have checked the desk first, cousin," he replied. He walked forward with the doorman's blessing, dusting off his coat a bit. "Coyote knows I cause enough trouble without us forgetting their rules."
QUOTE (Red-ROM @ Sep 10 2010, 05:06 AM)
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 09:38, coffin motel
Ferret is busy calling the mystery lady back to track her down. She finally picks up,"Hello?". He starts to trace her comm as she waits for him to say something.
Ferret is busy calling the mystery lady back to track her down. She finally picks up,"Hello?". He starts to trace her comm as she waits for him to say something.
Frag, I need to keep her on the line just a little longer. Around him the drab grey concrete motel and the burning buggy are replaced with gleaming silver and bright primary colors as he switches to full hot-sim. Neurons racing, he loads programs and juggles files at the speed of thought. He pulls a file out of his memory and plays the first seconds back through the biker's commlink:
<<Hey babe...>> says the biker's recorded voice before Ferret cuts it off.
With one virtual eye on his trace program, he quicly cuts and pastes other segments of the audio file. Let's see, if I take 'I'm gonna' and 'comm' and add 'hit you up'. Damn, no 'pick'. Okay drop the 'up' and change the H to the G from 'gonna'.
The final clip is a bit rough but the poor signal quality down here in the Barrens might cover it up. He feeds it through to the biker's commlink:
<<I'm gonna...comm...g..it you>> It's not perfect but the best he can do on the fly. Come on Trace!
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 09:38, coffin motel
Just for a second or two, the gorge rose in his throat. Then the old habits and training took over. Yucatan, after the killings started and before he got out. Mumbai, after the riots... and the devil rats. Professor started to catalogue the characteristics of this cadaver.
Sex: look at the ventral arc of the pubis, and the subpubic concavity. This one is easy.
Stature: estimate from the lower limbs. Not too important... have the whole cadaver here anyway. Just take a look.
Age: tough to do on the fly. Take a guess from the long bones. Maybe the ends of the ribs, if any are showing, look for smoothness of ripples, or accumulation of arthritic deposits. Get a decade, anyway.
Cause of death: where are the cut marks, breaks, bullet holes?
What ate the body: tooth marks, defleshing cut marks
Material goods left with the body: Any?
As the old pattern of behaviour took over, Professor's stomach settled. He used to see himself as outside this world, looking in to dispassionately analyze events. Now.. now he is part of it... making things like this. And he's starting to get used to it.
Just for a second or two, the gorge rose in his throat. Then the old habits and training took over. Yucatan, after the killings started and before he got out. Mumbai, after the riots... and the devil rats. Professor started to catalogue the characteristics of this cadaver.
Sex: look at the ventral arc of the pubis, and the subpubic concavity. This one is easy.
Stature: estimate from the lower limbs. Not too important... have the whole cadaver here anyway. Just take a look.
Age: tough to do on the fly. Take a guess from the long bones. Maybe the ends of the ribs, if any are showing, look for smoothness of ripples, or accumulation of arthritic deposits. Get a decade, anyway.
Cause of death: where are the cut marks, breaks, bullet holes?
What ate the body: tooth marks, defleshing cut marks
Material goods left with the body: Any?
As the old pattern of behaviour took over, Professor's stomach settled. He used to see himself as outside this world, looking in to dispassionately analyze events. Now.. now he is part of it... making things like this. And he's starting to get used to it.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 09:40, coffin motel
Ferret fumbles through his programs and gets the audio clipped together,<<I'm gonna...comm...g..it you>>
The trace is nearly completed as she continues to talk,<<What? Come get me? You serious this time? Are you high or something? This place is a mess, I don't think I'm opening up tonight. Ted-E is dead, and I feel like shit anyway.>> The woman seems to be waiting for a response, and Ferrets got her coordinates.
Professor examines the remains in the old car. A male, roughly 5'6". The bits of hair seem to be salt and pepper, putting him in his late 30's to mid 40's. The edges of flesh remaining show the tell tale patterns of a human jaw, but with sharper teeth, there are other lacerations that are too nondescript to explain. there is no sign of personal possessions or clothing, just a cord running under the seat and back around his neck and midsection, and another around his legs. It suggests that he was alive and probably unconscious when placed in the back seat. The cause of death however has been hidden by the fact that most of this mans outer flesh is gone or mutilated, unless of course he was eaten alive. In that case the cause is fairly obvious.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 10:19 AM The Gold Lion Hotel
Acme's new found cousin waves him over and leads him to the elevator with a smile. Once inside, his face becomes gravely serious"What is your business here? Are you following me?"
Acme can feels the magic being summoned against him. The mana around him seemed to to be gripping him with a million fingers.
Ferret fumbles through his programs and gets the audio clipped together,<<I'm gonna...comm...g..it you>>
The trace is nearly completed as she continues to talk,<<What? Come get me? You serious this time? Are you high or something? This place is a mess, I don't think I'm opening up tonight. Ted-E is dead, and I feel like shit anyway.>> The woman seems to be waiting for a response, and Ferrets got her coordinates.
Professor examines the remains in the old car. A male, roughly 5'6". The bits of hair seem to be salt and pepper, putting him in his late 30's to mid 40's. The edges of flesh remaining show the tell tale patterns of a human jaw, but with sharper teeth, there are other lacerations that are too nondescript to explain. there is no sign of personal possessions or clothing, just a cord running under the seat and back around his neck and midsection, and another around his legs. It suggests that he was alive and probably unconscious when placed in the back seat. The cause of death however has been hidden by the fact that most of this mans outer flesh is gone or mutilated, unless of course he was eaten alive. In that case the cause is fairly obvious.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 10:19 AM The Gold Lion Hotel
Acme's new found cousin waves him over and leads him to the elevator with a smile. Once inside, his face becomes gravely serious"What is your business here? Are you following me?"
Acme can feels the magic being summoned against him. The mana around him seemed to to be gripping him with a million fingers.
Friday, September 11, 2071, 10:19 AM The Gold Lion Hotel
Acme followed quickly before the ruse was discovered. His thoughts turning to what the place would have to do with the Ghoul they saw earlier, he was hit from surprise from the other shaman's look and his spell. Acme tried to get up a quick defense up in time, but it was too weak for the force of the spell. He grit his teeth, struggling against it but to no avail.
"Rrrgh... Not following you persay," he replied. "Cy... Coyote directed me here, he said I was supposed to investigate... a ghoul's trail, what he was doing, it started here... You... just happened to be here, thought you'd know something.."
Acme followed quickly before the ruse was discovered. His thoughts turning to what the place would have to do with the Ghoul they saw earlier, he was hit from surprise from the other shaman's look and his spell. Acme tried to get up a quick defense up in time, but it was too weak for the force of the spell. He grit his teeth, struggling against it but to no avail.
"Rrrgh... Not following you persay," he replied. "Cy... Coyote directed me here, he said I was supposed to investigate... a ghoul's trail, what he was doing, it started here... You... just happened to be here, thought you'd know something.."
Friday, September 11, 2071, 9:40 A.M., Redmond
Ferret's trace finally gets a lock. But he can't just hang up or the woman will get suspicious. Well maybe he could, reception down here can be spotty at best, but he's in his element now. One more quick edit then. Let's see, I've got 'night', 'comm' and 'babe', just need 'to', hmm 'hit you' is close.
He plays the new clip: <<I'm...comm...ing...up..t.you.night...babe>>, then breaks the connection from the biker's comm but keeps his Trace program running on his own.
<<Gents, I've got a lock on our biker's lady friend. Did you find anything interesting in the americar? Another body. No, I don't need the details, ew! I suggest we get out of here before the bikers, or worse, come back. I'll take us out past the hospital so you can drop off Heka's body. Anyone got someplace quiet where we can talk to this fella, or do we swing by his girlfriend's place first?"
He pulls up a map of Seattle and plots a course that will take them out of the barrens, avoiding the more dangerous parts, then to the hospital Oswald mentioned and finally to the biker's girlfriend's location. He transmits the route to the rest of team, then blinks grey reality back into existence.
Ferret's trace finally gets a lock. But he can't just hang up or the woman will get suspicious. Well maybe he could, reception down here can be spotty at best, but he's in his element now. One more quick edit then. Let's see, I've got 'night', 'comm' and 'babe', just need 'to', hmm 'hit you' is close.
He plays the new clip: <<I'm...comm...ing...up..t.you.night...babe>>, then breaks the connection from the biker's comm but keeps his Trace program running on his own.
<<Gents, I've got a lock on our biker's lady friend. Did you find anything interesting in the americar? Another body. No, I don't need the details, ew! I suggest we get out of here before the bikers, or worse, come back. I'll take us out past the hospital so you can drop off Heka's body. Anyone got someplace quiet where we can talk to this fella, or do we swing by his girlfriend's place first?"
He pulls up a map of Seattle and plots a course that will take them out of the barrens, avoiding the more dangerous parts, then to the hospital Oswald mentioned and finally to the biker's girlfriend's location. He transmits the route to the rest of team, then blinks grey reality back into existence.
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