[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:40pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Horse Trot Ranch]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

Once everyone but Angel had piled into the van, and Riot drove off of the FCC property, Kreskin spoke up again. "Okay, couple of things... " Kreskin turned in his seat to try to face everyone. He still wasn't sure if Riot could hear, or not, but figured it was worth a shot. "I'm kinda new to this Runner-culture thing, so I'm not gonna make a big deal about this - just some suggestions about basic criminal etiquette... For example, I suggest we don't bite the hand that feeds us. I also suggest that we leave Ares out of this, since the J mentioned that he did not want them tipped off about B's disappearance. I don't think we should sniff around the mob, until we have something solid to go on. Whether they are linked B, or not, they won't appreciate our interest in their affairs - and there is a good chance that connection has nothing to do with the job. Lastly, if we contact these Runnettes, keep in mind that they're not the bad guys and they almost certainly were not the masterminds behind this. Their reputations are good - probably better than ours - and if I had to guess, I'd say the body-snatching wasn't their idea. They probably agreed to a job, through an anonymous Johnson, and didn't get the details until their reputations were already on the line."

He turned to face forward in the van, again, and added,"You catch all that, Riot?"

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:33pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Horse Trot Ranch]

Hafiz looks puzzled at Kim's question. "I am not sure I understand, Miss. Do you mean the closet in which the servers are housed? We do everything via wireless connection, so there are no consoles or the like to be seen."

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 5:04pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Horse Trot Ranch]
Kim: PAN = passive | Fake SiN = Angel Snow

"Not really, I meant the room where the guy is in who should have come into action when those three women came into view of the camera."

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:42pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Horse Trot Ranch]
Riot | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Jim Smith

Popping back into reality, Riot responded, "I did. Looks like Hardpan is actually pretty close to here. I'm taking us there now. Hey Wolf, anything we should do...or not do...to help fit in an this Sioux Amerind bar?"

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:33pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Horse Trot Ranch]

"Oh, no," Hafiz says to Kim. "We have no dedicated spot for that. A few guards who patrol the premises, but no main place that they stay. They cycle through the video feeds periodically, but we have had few problems like this in the past. The guards who were here last night are no longer on shift, as they work the overnights."

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 5:04pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Horse Trot Ranch]
Kim: PAN = passive | Fake SiN = Angel Snow

“Well, call them to ask if they talked to any of the guests at around 5 in the morning will you? I also would like pictures of all the guests that were here last night and I’d like you to check if they’re all still here.”

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:33pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Horse Trot Ranch]

"I will contact them again, but we did go over things with them when they were still on site. The infiltrators apparently timed their attack to coincide with the patterns they discerned in the men's trips through the ranch. No other people were ever spotted outside of their rooms."

"As for your request for pictures of our guests, that's just something that won't happen. Our guests do expect a certain level of decorum and discretion."

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:42pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Horse Trot Ranch]

"Stay outside. I take Kreskin."

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 5:05pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Horse Trot Ranch]
Kim: PAN = passive | Fake SiN = Angel Snow

“Don’t bother. I guess you won’t let me talk to any of them either then. Just check if they’re all still here will you.”

<<Angel@Riot - All done here.>>

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:42pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Horse Trot Ranch]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

Kreskin nodded to Wolf. He still wasn't sure how he was going to jander into a runner-bar and start asking questions, without getting shot for his trouble, but he felt a little more confident knowing that Wolf would be on hand if things got nasty, and that he would probably be the only piece in play. That would give him a little more room to slow-play the situation, before getting to the point of his visit. He wondered if this place, Hardpan, was going to be as exclusive as the 5x5.

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:43pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, Traveling to Handpan]
Riot | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Jim Smith

"Ha, ha. Very funny Wolf. But your words to have some merit. If shit goes down, I won't get caught in the crossfire. But if shit goes down, I'll be able to lob some flash and smoke grenades in to cover your escape. So Kreskin, what name does this runner team go by? Maybe we should come up with a team name? Anyway, I'm going to start probing this commlink. That means I'll be in VR, so while I can hear you via my earbuds, message me for a faster response."

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:45pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, Traveling to Handpan]

<<Riot@Mark Longfeather - Thank you sir, for your tip about the Black Cats. We've also encountered an ex-fixer known as Falcone. Every hear of him? Does he have any enemies in town?>>

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:43pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Horse Trot Ranch]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

"The 'Black Cats'. Longfeather mentioned that he knew them by reputation - a good reputation. Might be cool to have a name like that at some point. It'd make things a lot less personal, anyway."

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:43pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, Traveling to Handpan]

"What funny?" Wolf asked, not waiting for an answer before he turned tp Kreskin.

"If Falcone target, may not know who they have, may not know Ares come after them. We use that."

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:43pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Horse Trot Ranch]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

"Oh, and no matter how badly the drek hits the fan, I would not throw a grenade into a runner bar."

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:43pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, Traveling to Handpan]
Riot | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Jim Smith

"It's gotta be something really cool! I'll think about it. Good luck in Hardpan chummers."

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:43pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Horse Trot Ranch]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

Kreskin considered Wolf's suggestion. "They might not. It'll be a good ace up our sleeve, in any event, but if they're pros, they're probably not going to roll over on the job just because a megacorp is involved. One way or another, everyone works for a mega, and I'm sure Ares knows enough not to begrudge the deniable assets, and to go after their employer, instead - that's basically what we're doing. We'll see how it goes. I'd like to avoid tipping our interest in B if at all possible."

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:43pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Horse Trot Ranch]

"Use if have to." Wolf shrugged. "Ares not after us if he dies."

(no need to repost)

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:43pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, En Route to Hardpans]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

Kreskin looked back at Wolf. "Hey, you still got that knife you found?"

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:43pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, En Route to Hardpans]

"Yeah, I got it. Might be calling card, might be nothing."

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:43pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, En Route to Hardpans]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

Kreskin nodded. "Agreed, but its a liability if anyone recognizes it. Let's leave it in the van."

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:43pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, En Route to Hardpans]

Wolf tossed the knife (gently) into the back, near Riot. "Wanna check it out as a possible calling card?"

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:45pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, En Route to Hardpans]

The Hardpan is already in full swing. Outside the beat of heavy bass reverberates through the ground beneath your feet. Most of the cars in the parking lot are four by four jeeps which obviously see a lot of use on back hill roads common in the outer extremities of the Sioux sector where the border patrol is thinner. Looking into the wind, you see the Riverside Cemetery’s well-kept lawns and silently thank any greater power you believe in that you are upwind from the sewage treatment plant. One odd thing you do notice is, despite the obvious popularity of the bar, there is no bouncer.

Entering the bar, the reason for the lack of bouncer becomes quite apparent. With the exception of you two, every single person in the bar is a Sioux Amerindian. Wildcats rub elbows with faces and reputations that you’ve heard whispered through the shadows. The bartender is an imposing woman who looks like she has probably seen it all and bought the t-shirt. Her cyber-eyes focus tightly on Kreskin, even as her lip takes on a heavy curl of discontent. Behind the bar, a large “No Smoking” sign hangs clearly.

[In the Van]

<<[Longfeather]@Riot - Falcone had a name in the shadows of Seattle. Here he's just one more corporate entity.>>

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:45pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpans]

Wolf looked round the bar steadily, not lingwring on anyone in particular Whilst he was undeniably proud of his heritage, he had a lot of respect for the Wildcats. Turning his head somwhat towards Kreskin he said quietly "First rule, don't piss off the Wildcats. Second rule, you pull a gun in here, I'll put you down myself."

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:45pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

Kreskin laughed and said, "Who do I look like?" while opening his jacket as though to show Wolf he was unarmed. He was armed, of course, but his weapons were very well concealed. He seemed pretty casual, as they entered, then he noticed the all-Sioux crowd and wondered if they had been slightly misinformed. If this was a runner hangout, he figured his best bet was to try to fit in as best he could (being non Sioux). He tried not to let his discomfort show as he and Wolf made their way to the bar, with most of the eyes in the room on them. He also tried to hide the fact that he was taking a quick scan of the room - on the off chance that three or four women were sitting in booth wearing masks like the ones from the video. The two runners saddled up to the bar and Kreskin nodded at the bartender, who he could tell had already made up her mind that she didn't like him.

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:45pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

Kreskin was not nearly as confident as he looked. He was out of his element, and the deck was stacked against him, but he knew how important it was to keep it together. He wasn't used to drawing this much attention in a crowd. He usually blended in pretty effortlessly, but that wasn't going to happen here. This place certainly didn't match his expectations for a runner bar. He expected a lot more diversity, for one - more orks, trolls, robots, spirits, maybe a dragon or something. He also expected the patronage to keep to themselves a bit more, but he could almost feel their stares on his back. It was going to be tough to ask questions without alerting every Sioux in the shadows to his interest - which would probably give the Black Cats the advantage, whether they decided to lay low or come after his team. He absolutely expected anyone with any information to side with the Cats, over some strangers. Any plans he had made in the car - although, to be honest, they weren't very good anyway - had been thrown out the window. It was time to improvise.

Smiling at the bartender - which was a little unnerving since her cybereyes glared back at him and she had made no attempt to offer him a drink, or anything - he produced a credstick, seemingly from thin air, twirled it once between his fingers (in an attempt to get her to look at anything other than him), and gently set it down on the bar, before saying, "Two of whatever my chummer, here, is having." He patted Wolf on the shoulder, trying to give the impression of a friendlier relationship than the two of them actually had.

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:43pm | Cyberspace, in the back of the Van]

From the outside, the commlink node looks like the tall, stylized warrior common to Ares iconography. You begin your probe of the defenses, careful to stay back a ways and ensure that the system is unaware of your analysis.



[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:45pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]

The bartender, her cybereyes narrow, turns to Wolf. Her face shows her uncertainty about him, traveling with this pinkie. "What can I get you?" she asks.

The room is full of amerinds of various stripes, but no clusters of women. In fact, it's probably three men to every woman in the bar, right now. Not a tribal mask in sight.

(temp removed to give Wolf a chance to respond)

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:45pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]

"Two beers, no trouble. Wolf replied evenly, not bothering to look around again. He was however listening intently, if someone made a move, he intended to be ready

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:45pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]

She pulls two beers at a nearby tap and sets them down in front of you both. Addressing Wolf she asks "New here? Must be..." and gives Kreskin a pointed glance before returning her attention to Wolf.

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:45pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

Kreskin nodded when Wolf added the bit about 'no trouble' and was about to speak up when the bartender handed over their drinks, but when she shot him a look and turned her attention back to Wolf again, Kreskin just shrugged and took a sip of his beer, instead. He spun on his stool to get a better look at the room. He didn't see anyone who looked like they might be the Black Cats, but he wasn't sure he'd recognize them if he did unless they were all sitting by themselves. He saw some guys playing darts and considered leaving the bartendress to Wolf and seeing if he could ingratiate himself over there, but thought better of it. He decided to sit tight, and see how Wolf did. If he was needed, he could speak up, but if not, he'd just enjoy the drink and try to look like he was a likable guy once you got past the color of his skin.

Saturday April 9th 2072 445pm Denver Sioux Sector The Hardpan"]

"Yeah, just passing through." Wolf agreed.

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:46pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]
Riot| PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Jim Smith

<<Riot@Kresking - How's it goin' in there? Getting shot at yet?>>

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:46pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

The ARO for Riot's message makes Kreskin smirk, he casually pulls out his comm and types back a quick message. While he's clearly distracted, he is able to keep his eyes vaguely on Wolf and the bartender.

<<[Kreskin] @Riot: Null persp, man. We're shiny. Wolf's got this. Bored?>>

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:46pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]
Riot| PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Jim Smith

<<Riot@Kreskin - Like you wouldn't believe! While the matrix has its uses, I enjoy RL action much better. Looks like this is going to be a tough nut to crack. Is nice to put one's skills to the test though. Link me a feed of the bar, want to see what you're seeing.>>

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:46pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]

She grunts by way of reply and moves down the bar to help another customer. The bar has basically returned to normal, with no more than the occasional glance over at Kreskin and Wolf.

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:46pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

<<[Kreskin] @Riot: Ain't waving a camera around in this place. Wait, what nut? What skills?>>

Kreskin's eyes go a little wide at the bar.

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:46pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]
Riot| PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Jim Smith

<<[Riot] @Kreskin: You can use imagine link to send me a feed breeder. And don't worry, I'll let you know if I find any goodies.>>

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:46pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

Kreskin wasn't sure, but he had a bad feeling Riot was either hacking into the bar, or into the comm he found - or maybe into the FCC. Either way, he wasn't thrilled with the idea, but was too busy to babysit. Still, at least he wasn't itching to use that grenade launcher.

<<[Kreskin] @Riot: Just remember what I said about not biting the hand that feeds us. You're the boss, but if I can't trust your calls, I can't work with you.>>

He then leaned over to Wolf, speaking low to avoid being overheard - but not bothering to use comms or anything. "Idle hands are the devil's playground. The van is getting restless, already. You on top of this, or do you want me to speak up?"

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:46pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]

Wolf took a long pull from his beer before he answered, also pitching his voice low. "You need the restroom. Take your time."

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:46pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

Kreskin nodded, "If you say so." He then stood up, took another big swig of beer, and walked off towards the restroom, wondering what Wolf had up his sleeve.

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:46pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]

Wolf watched Kreskin go, watching to see if anyone followed him. Raising his glass, he drained it, then waved the bartender over.

"I'll take another."

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:46pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]

The bartender hears your request and pulls another one. Setting it in front of you, she asks, "Okay, now your friend's out of the way. What really brings you here?"

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:46pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]

"Need to talk to the Black Cats." Wolf held up a hand before the bartender could interject. "I know, I know, you never heard of them. Just give them my comm code. Needs to be today.". Grabbing a napkin off the bar, he scribbled down his code and left it sitting on the bar between them.

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:46pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]

She sweeps the napkin up with a bunch of shells on the bar, but unlike the shells, the napkin goes into the pocket on the apron she has tied about her waist. "I'll see what I can do for you," she says, and heads back down the bar to serve another customer.

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:46pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]

Wolf turned his back to the bar, stuffing one hand in a pocket as he examined the decor and finished his beer.

<<@Kreskin [Wolf] We're done, time to roll.>>

When Kreskin returned, Wolf finished his beer, leaving a 100 yen credstick on the counter along with the empty glass before heading back out to the van.

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 4:46pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]
Kreskin | PAN = passive | Fake SIN = Cody Demasi

Kreskin emerged from the bathroom, and followed Wolf out the door, with little more than a smile and a nod toward the bartender. Once they were safely back in the van with everyone else, he asked, "So...?"

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 5:05pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Horse Trot Ranch]
Kim: PAN = passive | Fake SiN = Angel Snow

“Oh Hafiz, is there a smoke alarm in the room or can you think of any other reason a guest would smoke in the bathroom?”

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 5:02pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]

"We wait, check other leads and stay alert" Wolf replied, reaching over to grab his kit bag. Pulling out his katana he propped up against to the door before settling his crossbow across his lap.

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 5:05pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Horse Trot Ranch]

"Indeed," Hafiz says to Kim. "We ask that our guests smoke out of doors if they must. The rooms are so hard to get clean after a smoker has been in them. I suspect that Mr. Belenkiy was trying to avoid setting off the smoke detector, though they are usually not so sensitive as to go off from cigarettes."

[Saturday April 9th, 2072 | 5:02pm | Denver, Sioux Sector, The Hardpan]

You pile back into the Van. Riot is still in VR, and Doc sits at the ready.