brock didnt like hearing there was a magical puppet as it would seem playing with them even so if papa knew the differences with his old room mates being magical he had more expierence with them than he did so he took thier presence with a grain of salt keeping a extra eye on the newcomers he takes a seat to react swiftly if needed.

Initial Meet
Standing there motionless, set to react with the inhuman speed of modern technology, Crimson hoped that this was the third part of the strange dream. Not the troll's fault I'm off schedule; who ever messed up these instructions is going to need gills! To show up to a meet off schedule was a rookie mistake. It burned her up that this would reflect poorly on her and even worse that Mr. Irons might find out.
She was grateful to the asian twins who seemed to be in touch with the client or be the clients themselves. Even after the trolls lowered their guns, she didn't relax, though she made a subtle show of doing so.

When it was agreed that they'd head over to an out of the way food stand, Crimson smoothly mounts her bike and follows the line, letting them set the pace.

Noodle Dive
Arriving at the dive, Crimson quietly maneuvers herself to be next to the now redheaded woman and one of the twins. She appears much more relaxed as she picks up the scroll invite. Ordering something inexpensive and hopefully palatable, she listens to the others, patiently waiting her turn.

He nods and smiles towards Crimson Butterfly as she slides into a chair with the rest of them. He lets the cool air run across his face drying the sweat there from the helmet and the driving.

<<@Team[Zihao]: You have our names, Zihao and Zian, and the person that referred us to help was a Mr. Huang. He's a good friend and a solid fixer we have worked with for some time. As to- >>

<<-how much we know, you've pretty much heard the entirety of it. Mr. Huang is a very trusted associate, and he's asked us to come along as a personal favor. She->>

Zian nods in the direction of Crimson with a small smile,

<< -was sent to help with any transportation needs we and you all might have so the best guess we can make is you are taking a trip somewhere? >>

He unzips the neck of the jumpsuit a little to let in some air and looks to the others to see what unfolds.

Brock listens as the twins go back and forth trying to explain the way they came to be with the others, still very creeped out how they would talk. Brock tried to imagine what would posses twins and stopped thinking better of trying to figure it out. <@team[brock]"that sounds like a very opportunistic explanation, papa siren and I haven't been working together very long. Papa It seems has the bulk of knowledge about what we are after but before we mention what we are truly after there is another job we all need to work together with to make happen. There is a run that's dealing with a extraction. We handle this together well and it goes well for all here in the future and we can move on to the real task at hand. The job for now offers 20k upon completion, if you three, crimson and the z's are null sheen than we move on to the bigger score at hand."> brock didn't know squat about what more needed to be done for the big score but if these three were to be trusted this milk run would be a great way to learn each others skills and learn to work together cause if magic and dragons were involved and other plans like the one he saw they sure as drek would need to.

<< @Team [Siren] That certainly explains why you are here. My main question, however, is about your friend, Mr. Huang, and his interest in all this. He obviously knows an awful lot about what we are into. And noone just sends someone only to help. He must have some stakes in this as well. >>

<< @Team [Siren] And what's your name, BTW? >> Siren looks towards the transporter girl as she subvocalizes the message.

<<@Team[Crimson Butterfly]: You may call me Crimson Butterfly. I'm here to make sure that you all get where ever you need to go safely and discreetly. I'm capable with just about every vehicle known to man. I also know the ins and outs of all the borders from Bellingham and Seattle to Tijuanna and Tucson. I also know quite a few places to hide just in case.>>

Turning to look the troll called Smurf, <<Run a check on me if you haven't already. Make sure you like what you see. If we're still on, I'll have more questions to find out what ride you need.>>

Brock

<@Brock [Theodore] Here are the details of the extraction. Payment upon delivery.>

Opening the data packet, an image of a studious woman leaning back on a VR submersion couch comes up first. Mara Thorne is a 39 year old pharmacist with degrees in chemical engineering, pharmacology, and neurophysiology. Her office is in the Horizon America enclave in Fun City. The housing address places it firmly within the Laguna Niguel Housing Community for Horizon.

No known family or political ties.

Brock forwards the data for papa to analyze and get started on as soon as the team can. Addressing the matter at hand <@team[brock]"well with the twin mojo crimson's knowledge of Cali and papa tech skills as you guessed it I'm the metal magnet. So with intro's being done. Like we said there is one job for us all to get done with before we move on, the pay out isn't spectacular but work is work. ">. Brock didn't like being in the dark so he only assumed the three new comers would be a bit annoyed as well, running the shadows you got used to not having all the information you wanted and ran with it. Brock pays for a extra helping of noodles . Looking over the file briefly before forwarding it to papa doing a quick search of the address <@papa[brock]"hey Witt this data file is the info for the snatch and grab , we have a local inside a horizon complex lets see if crimson knows any secret in and outs. I think info coming from you would be bet as your the techno wizo chummer."> data packet <<<<<<<<Mara Thorne>>>>>>>

Papa took in the streaming conversation from each of the team members as he sipped the tea and selected noodles from the menu. He looked the new comers over. A double-sided sword; mages. Got to have them, can't trust them.

He reflects inward toward the Knowing. Harvey, wake up, its show time. Mr Huang? Who or what is he? How is he connected?

<<@Team [Papa] Mr Huang sent you here without details? Once we vet Mr Huang, we'll provide complete details. Of course, there will be a non-disclosure, but I'm sure you expected that. Until then, we need to see each other in action and figure out how to work together as a unit... thought perhaps finishing each others sentences may be a bit much. Brock lined out a team builder for us, of sorts. An extraction. Once completed, we brief and move on to the real objective. Sound Agreeable?>>

<<@Crimson [Papa] You got access to a t-bird or an Osprey? We need to make up time & distance on the next step.>>

Looking over the extraction details, they seemed to have the basics covered, but pretty light on everything else.
<<@Team [Papa] Brock - Is the extraction hostile or willing? Any recommendations on where/when to extract her?>>

Slurping a noodle, the troll looks around the table at the eclectic group. Not really as strange as a fox and a pair of pixies though...

<@papa[brock]"didn't mention it, no relatives or family mixed in she is just a pharmacy geek from the sounds of it. I am imagining she doesn't since they didn't mention her expecting one ill double check though.">

Sending a message to theodore<@theodore[brock]"does the mark expect pick up or will she be unaware of the entire situation?">
brock wondered about the horizon housing complex immediatly the entire group would look odd in a corp setting. Maybe not crimson but brock, papa, and the twins certainly would.

Papa

He is connected to this the way so many mortals are, greed and personal interest. He was contacted by an Agent of the Huntsman in the darkest hours and promised knowledge in exchange for the service of mortals who would meet the task. Whispers in the shadows of Mr. Huang attempting to bind something.

The breeze that flutters through your mind turns cold as your dark companion talks of whispers.

Brock

<@Brock [Theodore] The target is unaware. Let me know when the job is done and I will have the buyer contact you with delivery and payment information.>

Brock raises and eye brow at the mention of not having a drop for the target until its done. Forwarding the message to papa. Brock awaits t see if it raises any questions as to what is needed done next.

The twins eating style was another oddity of their obvious connection...chopsticks holding noodles lifted to lips at the same time, bowls lifted in unison to drink. They exchange a glance as the details...or, rather, the lack of details are passed out to the team. At Papa's question, the twins give a synchronized nod.

<<@Team[Zian]: You're obviously welcome to check out Mr. Huang, I don't think you'll find anything to give alarm. I'm sure he has his own stake in this, everyone always does, but he knows we wouldn't intentionally->>

<< -screw over a team or not do our best when performing a favor for a valued friend and business associate. We completely understand your need to check us out and ensure your own safety or that of your employer. As to the trial run, just let us know when and what you want to do. >>

They reach for tea and take a small sip in unison while keeping their faces friendly and open.

<@Mr. Smurf[Crimson Butterfly]: I don't own one personally, but I can make sure we have access to one. And when you feel like working the kinks out of whatever devious plan you're working on, give me a ring with the specifics for transport. I'll pick what we need and let you know if you miss a spot.>

Greed is an emotion I can understand and mitigate...

Making quick work of the bowl of noodles, the troll sips his tea in silence as the team continues to break the ice.
<<@Team [Papa] I don't expect I will find anything on My Huang, formalities must be observed though.>>

<<@Crimson [Papa] Perfect. Once the background and trial are out of the way, we'll move forward with that.>>

<<@Team [Papa] Unwilling extraction of Mara Thorne. 39 year old pharmacist. Office is in the Horizon America enclave in Fun City. Home at Laguna Niguel Housing Community for Horizon. Anyone have experience with either location?>>

<< @Papa [Siren] Afraid, no. Never been there. >>

<< @Team [Siren] You probably want to know a bit about us as well. I'm the team's so-called 'Face'. I'm awakened, as you certainly will have noticed. My combat abilities are mediocre at best. I do have some magic that helps, but that's about it. So don't expect too much from me, if things are getting rough. Not a fan of it, either. I prefer to pursuit peaceful solutions, if there are any. I'm aware, that sometimes there is no other choice, however. >>

<<Mr. Smurf[Crimson Butterfly]: If time is of the essence, how long do you want to spend on this get-to-know-you? I'll need to know when to order the transport and where it's to be headed if you want to leave immediately. Otherwise, it'll be couple of days, maybe a week after, before leaving town. And the destination is also key if you want wheels on the ground there. As for my word to you bloods, if my family isn't put out by your plans, I'm yours.>>

<<Team[Crimson Butterfly]: I'm not a fan of carrying heavy either, but I can if need be. I've no mystic powers, but I can be your>> she says, nodding to Papa, << backup singer in the matrix.>>
<<Team[Crimson Butterfly]: As for Horizon, I've never been inside either personally, but I can get us close without being spotted and I've a good idea of their general security procedures. Are we going to continue this conversation here? I understand if there's a bit more research to be done before we're friends so what's the next move?>>

Crimson asks, leaning back and paying too much attention to her mediocre noodles, to give her interviewers a bit of privacy.

Brock realized they had just been discussing the entire situation via com sitting silently at a noodle shop, might seem obvious we were up to something. "Thanks for the noodles chummer" brock pays for his meal finishing the so called tea and noodles <@team[brock"agreed we have a short notice place to stay for the week. After that you will rely on your own means for a dos. We can continue our conversation there. As for a time line I wasn't given one but speed is always of the utmost importance when dealing with extractions.">. Brock looks at papa who invited him into thier home and then being destroyed. If they were going to be working together there had to be some trust. <@papa[brock]"I have a place you can stay it isn't much but it's in a alright part of town and with your skills maybe you can get me some decent access to the matrix, I know your pad was destroyed so if that young gal needs a place she is more than welcome as well, the last thing I want to do is put someone out n the streets..">

His noodles finished, Papa pours another cup of hot tea and sits back looking at the small cup appearing even smaller in his large hands. Next time we look for a restaurant that has 'troll sized'.

<<@Crimson [Papa] I understand your concerns, though I am less concerned about transportation waiting for us at our destination than I am about transportation to get there. Let us start with aircraft capable of border crossing without the appropriate visas. In due course we will provide additional details.>>

<<@Brock [Papa] Perhaps for now we should stay with the bolt hole. We need to insure that we don't bring anyone... or anything home with us that could compromise it.>>

<<@Team [Papa] My knowledge of magic extends only so far as years of professional exposure rather than anything hands on; Siren speaks for me implicitly in all things magical. For the team, I will be providing a TacNet and additional node security for all connected nodes.
My initial research says that Mara is probably a researcher, given her plethora of advanced degrees. Quite specifically, she is part of a team that created the chemical side of an addiction cessation treatment that recently went to market. The area where she lives has a pretty high security rating. I propose several things: (1) Physical recon of the neighborhood, (2) Astral security assessment of the neighborhood and (3) acquisition of her calendar either by (a) electronic infiltration or (b) social engineering. We should have an opportunity to exploit the Horizon business practice of community service by their employees. Given her most recent research project recently going to market, she is undoubtedly due for said service. Thoughts?>>

Rising from his seat, the slim twin with the blue shock of hair stacks his dishes neatly, a quick glance triggering the payment subroutines to pick up the tab for anyone at the table that hadn't already paid for their food.

He gives a slight bow to the group, standard Asian for "I don't know what your rank is compared to mine yet", and moves to exit with his brother.

<<@Team[Zian]: Why don't we start with getting a hold of her schedule, if you can, Papa. That will make the rest of the planning infinitely easier. Then my brother and I can->>

<< -take a look at the magical security we might have to deal with. If we can get exposure to her in a social context when we might be even be able to get a better idea of who she is and find an easier way to extract her. When would you like the information regarding the awakened protection she might be under? Just send us an outline and we will get to work on it. >>

He stands and gives a similar bow to the gathered runners. He kicks up the helmet into his ready hands and slides it onto his head as he makes his way to the waiting motorcycle. Sliding on to it and waiting for his brother to slide in behind him.

<<@Team[Zihao]: Here's how to reach us. >>

Brock accepts the twins digital offer. Making his way to his gopher, looking around the table before leaving. <@team[brock]"with the twins making thier exit and crimson heading to arrange travel how about a quick drive by the area tonight to check out some of the community projects in the area around horizon?"

Papa watches as the twins make their exit.
<<@Team [Papa] Agreed. With her schedule we can narrow our options; I will advise.>>

As Brock moves next, Papa gestures for him to hold. Looking to the team's new rigger, the troll considers the vehicles at hand as the three of them follow out of the shop. "You have something other than a bike nearby?"

Brock catches papa's motion to hold up nodding he posts up next to the sitting troll across from crimson. Using his sleeve he wipes the noodles left on his stubbled face from not shaving, the house that used to exist had his toiletries now scattered amongst the remains from the old house. Waiting for the response brock knew they would have to stop by the safe house to drop any weapons, if they were doing a recon drive by a nice area they couldnt afford to be pulled over with weapons.

With a nod from the back of the bike, Zian tucks in close on the modified speedbike as the twins jet away into the darkness. En route, social engagements are re-scheduled, a date with the girls postponed, and a note sent to the most honored mother that the boys would be working on a special project, and would have their typically random "working" hours for the next few days.

Arriving back at the garage, Zian triggers the concealed entrance as Zihao revs the bike and darts into the narrow space, coming to a quick stop with enough force to push the bike up and onto it's front wheel for a moment. With an affectionate tap on his brother's helmet, Zian dismounts and tucks his helmet away, motioning for Gan to join him as they stepped into the ritual space next to the boy's equipment area, the slim, white form coiling around his master's arm and shoulder as Zian begins moving materials down to practiced spaces just outside the circle.

He nods to Zihao as he comes in from finishing the clean on the bike, the general search for tags and bugs done, the bike cleaned of anything that might leave a trail from one location the twins had been to back to another. A light touch, arm on shoulder, and a broad grin as Zian settled down at the edge. He'd start the summoning series first, giving Zihao time to complete his divinations on the team. He calmed himself, drawing in a breath and beginning the series of breathing techniques that would allow his body to better focus the damaging effects of the mana he'd be channeling.

Looking over to his brother and making sure everything was in place, he sat at on the ground next to a low table. Opening the drawer he pulls out a small hand crafted pouch which he empties into his other hands as old coins spill out and gather in his palm. Gen pushes through to this existence and settles on his shoulder, his long neck laying against his chest as he looks over the I-Ching coins. Drawing a deep breath he reaches out and meshes his senses and thoughts with his companion as he recalls each person they met tonight.

Time to seek what lies next and see who they will be....

He enters the trance and seeks the threads of their fates, he feels his body begin the motions of casting the coins and feels Gen's mind sharpen and aid him in understanding what was going to be shown - the coins rarely spoke clearly or openly as he attempted to see the designs of destiny.

Zihao

Your hands feel the weight of the coins pressing into them. The metal has been worn smooth on the edges from use and passed down from generation to generation. Calming your mind, you feel the trance slide over you. The coins fall from your hands a collection of solid and broken lines representing the stagnation and constant change of each aspect. They rise and fall again and again, each impression leaving hints of their destiny.

First, the woman, Siren, the creative daughter stands within the field, reaping a decayed harvest. Symbols conflict back and forth, making little sense. Her destiny is shrouded behind layers of fiction and lies.

Second, the technologist, Papa Smurf, the bound son locked within the gorge, darkening the light. A great knowledge is trapped under the guilt of past mistakes. Darkness fills his body and mind, spreading out from him, creeping into every corner of the globe. He holds the key to your master's desire and can share it at great cost to you but none to himself. Immeasurable wealth and death surround him, waiting for a choice.

Third, the hammer, Brock, the arousing son stands with the army, division sways them. Action must be tempered with teamwork or risk polarization and opposition. A river of blood flows forth from him, coating the youth on the streets. Anger must be tempered to forge the blunted knife into a razor sharp sword. He is solid and unrelenting. The Great Wall not the soldiers upon it.

Fourth, the driver, Crimson, the bound daughter stirs the cauldron, the wanderer abides. A new beginning is established but the traveller waits patiently. She surrounds herself with people that can be left in an instant. Nothing is permanent, they are stopping points upon the journey. Fear keeps her from seeing the truth. She walks among a graveyard of boats and cars to awaken screaming in her bed. Look to the mirror.

Outside the Noodle Stand
Looking at Papa questioningly, "Just my bike and some eyes. What're you thinking?"

Brock standing with Papa and crimson shoots out what he know about the mostly horizon owned area of fun city <@team[brock]"Fun City overall is a white-washed history lesson and amusement park, The Tustin and Irvine areas have seen a lot of new construction recently, also The area was a historic haven for Humanis and Human Nation policlubs. If only we could use some of them to get inside horizon some way to get the scientist.">

Brock looks from crimson to papa " I don't know about Papa but I think the three of us need to go around fun city."brock winks at crimson.

Zihao and Zian
Going over the meanings and arrangements in his head from the coins, he looks over to see his brother involved in calling and binding what spirits would aid them in the days ahead. He smiles at the thought of doing something, anything dangerous - the rush of adrenaline and the flood of feeling that comes from pushing the edge. He opens up a new message with a thought and begins a message to Mr. Huang.

<<Mr. H: We have meet up with the people you asked us to help out. One of them - Papa may have something that you seek though I am not sure what it is exactly. I wanted to ask how you knew them and if you can share anything more about the driver? They all seem very odd to the coins - a lot of conflict and mixed messages but we will help them as promised as always. >>

He finishes the message then sends it off. He moves to the side of the ritual area to gather his materials for his summoning rites when Zian finishes He opens several small boxes gathering the rare herbs and incense he would need to draw to him the entities that would help him as they worked at this next job.

Zihao and Zian

A few minutes pass by before Mr. Huang replies. The alert chimes in on both of your commlinks.

<<I do not know Papa nor the rest of his team directly. His employer provided me with information that I seek. As with so many things, I received part of the information for securing your services and will receive the rest upon the completion. Should you come across a small lacquered box [IMAGE], I would be grateful for the information. The driver has deep connections with smuggling groups up and down the Pacific coast and came highly recommended by the Milanos. Keep your eyes open and remember that they can be trusted to do what is needed for their interests and the job. >>

The image shows a black, lacquered puzzle box on a small pedestal with a serial number. It is watermarked UCLA Thaumaturgical Division. A close-up of the box shows several tiny runes etched into the surface of the tiles on the box.

Zian smiles once before he dove into the breathing and meditation, focusing inward as he sent out the call. Moisture coalesces and gathers in the enclosed space, taking on a slow, wobbling circle at first, the force rapidly gathering into a whirling vortex of water and cold that pried at his lips, threatening to suck the breath from his lungs, coating his eyelashes and lips with ice crystals. He breathes out in the slow, controlled manner that he'd been taught, letting the warmth of his breath carrying into the swirling waters, carrying with it the slightest bit of his essence. Features formed, not nearly human, but recognizable enough.

You Call. I answer. What do you seek from the ever-changing flow of Life and Time?.

Zian shudders, eyes pressed closed for a moment against the booming voice in his head, and the sudden pounding headache that accompanied it. Summoning something so close to his own safe limits was always more draining, more alien and immense, than the smaller spirits he used more regularly.

I seek your service, for a time beyond the rising and setting of the sun.

With that, he began the regulated breathing that accompanied his Work, weaving the flows of his own will within those that formed the spirits presence here on this plane. Over the hours, painstaking work and effort, subtle bonds of loyalty and allegiance were slowly created. It was slow and difficult work, much more so than the temporary bindings, and materials from around the circle were swept up into the chaotic flows of water that represented the spirits form, some offered as supplication, others serving to strengthen the ties of the spirit to this plane of existence. At the end, he opens his eyes, grinning fiercely as he gives a final shout, a surge of energy flowing from him to infuse the spirit, invoking the form and power of the Elder elementals, powering the boost with his own spirit. Exultant, he watches as the spirit rapidly swells in size, easily filling the small space with the roar and rush of the water. With a groan, the sudden expulsion of energy made itself known to him, and he drops to his knees, shaking in the cold. He glances up, nodding in solemn acknowledgement as the massive spirit fades away, headed back to it's home metaplane to await it's bound compatriot's call.

With a groan, Zian stumbles back away from the circle and collapses in one corner, Gan curling close and tucking his white form along Zian's suddenly exhausted form. With a wave, Zian gives into the unconsciousness that's prying away at his senses.

Moving quickly, Zihao scoops his brother up and moves him to their room in the house to settle him in his bed to rest from the ritual. He waits a few moments to make sure his vitals are stable and he appears to be resting comfortable. He opens a link between his PAN and Zian's - transferring the message chain from their mutual friend and then attaches a file with his translation of the coins as it relates to the new runners they met. Yawning once, he closes the connection and crawls into his own bed and lets sleep take him under. When his brother wakes and is recovered he will do the same and seek a spirit to enter into a pact with - to bind for the work ahead. With a final thought he asks Gen to keep watch over them.

A few hours later his alarm goes off and he rises from his bed to still see his brother sleeping off the effects of the magic. He sends a quick note to his link let him know he would be back in the work space. He calls for Gen and makes his way there. Scooping up the supplies and laying them out he moves to the center of the sacred space and sends his will exploding outward. He sends his call deep into the planes - seeking a powerful spirit of breath and the skies. He beckons and the air in the room begins to stir. It grows in power and soon coalesces before him. It is living wind, the breath of life given form and pushes against the magic calling it here. He sends weaves of thought and mana through it as he presses his will against it.

Stay! Be here with me and experience this existence. Learn what dwells here! Give yourself to me and taste life in this form!

The ritual snaps into place as the spirit consents and the surge of power rushed from him - anchoring the entity here and allowing to persist beyond the rising and setting of the sun. He feels it draw deeply and the wave of exhaustion that follows weighs on his limbs.

Now be exalted! Grow into what lies within you. I release you from this limited form to something greater!

He gathers his energies and those of the spirit's, unraveling it and rebuilding it from the core of its power. It flexes and expands, drinking deep of this new well and settles into a rarefied version of itself. It radiates joy and astonishment as it slips away deep into the planes to await it's summons.

Letting his breath escape from his lungs, Zihao sags in his skin but with a smile on his features. The sweat on his skin cools as he puts the tools away from the summoning and returns upstairs to rest.

Siren

Returning to the bunker, you transition your sight into the astral. You walk the edge of the area, sweeping clear the debris and shifting object that will disrupt the flow of magic during the ritual. The distraction of Brock and Papa entering and exiting as they grab gear and drop things off is minor. A song fills your heart. Memories of warding away nightmares and pushing off the attention of zealous fans come with the song. Slowly you begin to walk the walls, singing until the echoes begin to form their own melody.

The ward takes form.

You feel the edge of sunrise tug at your awareness, that magical sense of spirits coming and going. The high of a strong performance pushes you onward, but you can feel the strain beneath it masked by the adrenaline. A short nap should clear it.

A few hours later, rested and alert, you make your way to Fun City. A drive-thru coffee cottage *A BETTER DAY IS OVER EVERY HORIZON* provides a latte and a few minutes to watch traffic coming and going from the enclave. Shuttles head out with dozens of Horizon America employees, between carpools and the occasional lone driver. Guards wave traffic in and out of the gates, with sensor nodes placed throughout the area.

The barista asks if you want your usual (a triple caff, vanilla, light foam, skim latte) or try something new today. Moving through the rest of Fun City, it's clear that Sidney's purchasing habits were drawn and primed as customized ads for new boots, a pencil skirt to match the blouse purchased three weeks ago, and more flow past you from different stores.

Halfway to the office, you see a team of people who stand out from most of the gardeners in the area. Well dressed, analysts and executives kneeling down in the dirt, laughing as they plant flowers in a new park. *BEAUTIFICATION FOR A BEAUTIFUL CITY, A HORIZON COMMUNITY PROJECT* Behind them, workers using heavy lifting drones plant trees to provide the executives some shade.

Several blocks pass by without any ads, and your vision clears instead of being inundated by sculpted AROs.

They begin again, as you approach the Horizon Americas building. Instead of shopping ads, these are meeting requests and notifications that all interviews take place in the C-wing. A directional ARO pops up to guide you to the best parking spot for that area.

Crimson smiles back at Brock. "So you boys wanna take me out? Show me a good time at Fun City? Well if I'm driving, you're buying dinner," she chuckles, flirting with the two larger runners. Picking up her helmet and gliding over to her Evo Pegasus, Crimson mounts it with a flourish. Arching her back and glancing over her shoulder, "You boys coming?" She drives away before getting a response to her double entendre.

<<@Team[Crimson Butterfly]: Meet me here and I'll have a better ride. {Coordinates Pinged} We can chat on the way in. Can you boys care for a date with a stuck up, trendy housewife?>>

<<@Mr. Smurf[Crimson Butterfly]: Give me a heads up when you want me to start looking for a trip. It'll pro'bly take a few days to get one.>>

Mundane Team

Rolling into Fun City well after midnight, the atmosphere is subdued. Few of the outlying stores are open for browsing, but the more sinful industries are in full swing. Within a few steps of leaving the SUV, AROs pop up as Brock carries a sledgehammer down the street. Warnings of suspicious activity and immediate police response force the team back into the car. Crimson drives out of the area, changing the transponders on the vehicle several times to drop the trail. Realizing that the system also recorded the Access IDs of each commlink, the smuggler suggests a change. Papa is able to quickly spoof the IDs before returning to the area.

Once back, walking around the area is almost painful as Papa's hypervigilance begins noticing and pointing out cameras. ACPS nodes positioned every twenty meters with chemsniffers, microphones and cameras. Occasionally, there are the telltale signs of cyberware scanners built into lightposts to scan pedestrians.

The enclave has an armed guard manning the gate. Approaching within a hundred meters of the gate springs up AROs stating that the area is for Horizon employees and their guests only. Unauthorized entry will result in immediate security response.

Papa is tired, not just from the day but from life. Perhaps it is just the weight of the day weighing down his soul, perhaps something more. Silently, he rides with Brock following Crimson to her rover. As he, Brock and yet another teammate drove off to recon the neighborhood, he returns to pondering that initial thought.

Distracted as they exit the SUV, he misses the fact that Brock is carrying a sledge hammer. As the ARO alerts scream in, the gravity of the situation sinks in. Returning to the vehicle, he loads stealth and hacking tool kits on his and Brock's comlink and repurposes the agents to cleaning video and other tracking feeds as the trio make a hasty departure. Brock means well; keep telling myself that. As they exit the area, Papa spoofs the Access IDs of all systems multiple times as they put distance between themselves and any possible low enforcement response.

The return trip is less than optimal, exposing the number of scanners and sensors to contend with. The security on the enclave leaves the troll with an idea, but only a small one; the multitude of cameras raises his paranoia into the stratosphere, once again causing them to leave again. As they load up, the pair of agents resume their work, while PApa again factors a number of nodes to clean up data about their recon,

"Take us away from here." He says, his thoughts already halfway around the world.

Sidney spends some time in the shopping area, drawing in some fashion inspiration. When she sees the information about interviews, her curiosity is piqued.

This could be interesting... she thinks, as she makes her way towards the advertised C-wing, driving her car (which is colored dark-purple to match Sidney's 'likes', and also has the ID and number plate matching her current persona, of course) into the parking lot.

Fun City
Paying to much attention to driving within GridGuide and thinking about her assumed identity, Crimson misses Brock's striding from the Rover, troll sized sledge hammer confidently on his person. Diving back in the car, the trio rapidly leave the area. "Bad start to an evening and partnership. I hope there's not a third foul up; it won't be me at least..." Crimson muses as she makes sure to drive less used and maintained roads with more places to get lost, thankful that Papa can take care of their brief trail so efficiently.

Returning a little later, the team exits the car and starts across the subdued open mall. Crimson becomes worried and does her best to cover for Papa's piercing, too aware gaze. The density of scanners, particularly the cyberscans, and wandering too close to the enclave that they receive ARO warnings causes the group to cut short their scouting. She notes the location of the sensors she spotted, hoping to take away something from this unsuccessful swaray.

Moving quickly but casually back to the car, Crimson's only too happy to follow Papa's lead in leaving the the area. Once beyond the area of their suspicious activity and making sure the trail's been covered, she questions the other two, "Where to now? We've got some time before regrouping. I've a few more things I can look into or I can play backup in the matrix."

Brock strolls about lke nothing unusual, hammer hanging casually off his massive frame once noticed almost immediatly by security brock curses silently at the rookie mistake of carrying any weapon inside a AAA area. Being forced to return to crimsons suv brock silently apologizes to the other two with stuffing the hammer in the back of the suv and covering it with what ever is there to hide its being there.

Returning to the area brock keeps a look out for any obvious points of interest. Disregarding any pop up right when they appear he tries to focus on the task at hand seeing papa and crimsons reactions to the areas security measures. This was going to either have to happen with no weapons as a snatch here or they would have to catch thier prey out on one of her rare activities or lure her out. Looking at crimson at the mention of matrix support. Once well out of fun city speaks up " the place looks pretty secure, finding a way inside will be difficult unless we know someone i.side or we can get to some one who can get us inside. Other than a entry level access to a place lke this will get us nothing but in the door we need a security guys access. As for support i am strictly muscle, i think ill go crash if nothing more is needed for the moment, we need clearance to get inside that residential community to see her place which will be tough."

Siren

The ARO guides you into a parking spot and then leads you down the short walking path into the C-Wing to a small meeting room. Water, coffee and a small pastry tray sits to the left of the table. Four high backed chairs surround the table, and the virtual work surface is open and unencrypted.

A moment after you sit down, an athletic and tanned man knocks lightly before coming in to introduce himself. And so begins a string of interviews, carefully scripted from the Media Relations department of the world's largest spin-doctor corporation. You weave through the conversation, holding up the lies about your past and articles that Sidney has been working on.

After the interview is finished, during which Sidney carefully extracted some information about their target, Mara Thorne, she thanks the Horizon representative for his time and honest answers, and takes her leave.

A while later, as she is a good distance away from the parking lot already, she relates the information to the rest of the team.

<< @Team [Siren] Ok, I got some infos here, which I managed to obtain. Mara Thorne is an R&D researcher and regular team leader. The fluid hierarchy is such that a rank in the company is hard to put on it, but she has collaborated successfully with the executive teams. She's currently working with the AR integration team on a multidiscipline approach to Anxiety and Phobia treatments. Mara is a very private individual, most weeks. She has a reputation of being cordial but distant during her off hours, understandably so, since her work can be very stressful and focuses on the inner struggles of the mind and body. She will be at the Beautification Project for the next two days, so this might offer some opportunity to approach her. >>

Tuesday August 2, 2072 -- 1500

The sun crawls past the zenith as members of the team work and sleep away the exhaustion of their tasks. By midafternoon, everyone has finished and reconvened in the eastern reaches of San Bernadino. The squat bunker has room for the vehicles in the corner. A tarp covers an irregular pile behind Brock's oversized truck.

Zian slips off the bike from his customary, close position with his brother, exchanging looks as he realizes exactly which building is blinking in the "Address reached" ARO. He steps into the cramped space, only partially successful in schooling his features as he glances around the bare interior, devoid of even the most basic amenities, gaze flicking across the cots shoved in one corner, and coming to rest on the chemical toilet, it's lurid blue colored plastic construction the only spot of color in the otherwise uniformly bland concrete box.

"We didn't manage to turn up any more information about the target, but it's not really our speciality. Hopefully some of you had more luck? Thoughts at this point are that we still need to do an astral check on her residence, and find out how accessible she is via Matrix. We can handle the astral check, I'm assuming Papa and possibly Crimson will be handling the more electronic side of things? That said, we'll call somebody and see what we can do about-"

"-finding better accommodations in the meantime. Do you have specific needs for where we work out of? Level of security, matrix access or any other considerations we should be aware of."

Zihao pulls the bike in after his brother, pausing for a moment to take in the space and finding a place to park his vehicle. He looks around and seems at a loss and where to sit without commandeering someone's actual bed. He opts after the moments hesitation to stand near the cots while talking.

"So we can help with crowd control or if the situation is right control of the target though it needs to be finessed to keep people unaware of what's happening. Are we going with a bold as brass approach and just black bagging her then stuffing in her the white kidnap van with no windows or were we looking for something more smoke and mirrors? Where they don't know she is gone before it's too late to do anything about it?"

Early Tuesday AM
Crimson drops Brock and Papa of at their truck and gets the coordinates to meet them at in the afternoon. Driving back to her personal safehouse, she sends a few messages and checks with the family if they've any interesting tidbits on Horizon's security or vulnerabilities.

<<Mr Iron[Butterfly]: Hey Boss. Just wanted to know if you or the family had any stake in a Mara Thorne, pharm and bio researcher for Horizon. Don't know her sugar daddy to be.>>

<<{BCC}Samson, Mikey, Leo[Crimson]: Hey fella! I'm on an independent vacation and wanted to know if you've any skinny on Horizon's personal fuzz? Any backstage passes? Let me know if your're interested in some dough or a bit of gravy.>>

<<Shia, Vanessa[Esmeralda]: Hi gf! Gotta client that wants 24/7 for then next few days. Still on for Fri! Ciao!>>

Making sure she's not being followed, Crimson pulls into a small, unremarkable warehouse in a row of small, unremarkable warehouses. Letting security know it's her, she pulls into the building and parks her SUV. She gives it and her bike a once over, checking tire pressure and other regular maintenance. Task finished, she tiredly stumbles to bed, pulling off her riding gear and armor before falling into bed and she's unconscious in less than a minute.

She tosses and turns the entire time, wracked with nightmares and getting very little sleep. Waking up to her alarm, in a sweat and tangled in her blankets, she rolls out of bed groggily. She cleans up a bit, but over the counter pills and strong black coffee do nothing for her mood or headache. Gearing up, she grabs her bike and heads out.

Safehouse/bunker Tuesday afternoon
Crimson arrives, pulling up next to the other cars. She dismounts and sends her car around behind Brock's truck, hiding it from the street. She keeps her shades on, even after she enters the concrete structure. She nods to the others and leans up against the wall near the door.

"I think it'd be best if we picked up our date on the sly while she's in transit. It'll take more timing, but there's much less security, whether she's got a private car, rides the company bus, or has a chaffuer. It'll also give us more of a head start if we do it right."

Crimson

With the wall against your back, you can feel the echoes of the nightmares in your stiff muscles.

<<Butterfly [Mr Iron] We have interest in any information about her research you can pass along, but no personal stake in her well-being.>>

<<Esmerelda [Vanessa] See you then!>>

<<Crimson [Leo] I heard a rumor that they use AIs to do their matrix security, but Mikey's always mouthing off about crap like that. No passes chica, but if you have some dough to spread around we can get you access to a few options. No guarantees on how long they'll work, depends on what part of the hive you hit with a stick.>>