Parvati gives Blitz a very understanding nod.


"Don't worry mate! I have being coy down," with a smirk on her face, "Hell, it's what I know best. Oh, I would Like to get there 20 min early if possible, Blitz."


She then goes into a slight meditation and prayer to prepare her mind for whats to come.

As the group packs, Ayuda sends the large black case floating towards Blitz's van.

"I assume you'll want at least basic protections up, right?"

Ringo looks at Blitz. "Well boss, the only thing about these really low profile locations is that along with their defensibility comes a lack of matrix access. I can hook up via satellite or cellular link, but that makes things a bit more complicated. So moving there is fine, but I'll have to do it the hard way; either that or deck from a random bolt hole. So it's a question of physical security vs. decking effectiveness. I'm fine with either so it's your call which you want."

Turning to Parvati, he says, "Directions and info on the place will be on the public net. Once we relocate, I can grab it for you easy."

Packing up the rest of his stuff, still massaging his aching temples, he announces, "Ready to roll. Whenever you decide which you prefer, I'm ready to go Blitz."

Parvati smiles at Ringo

"Do you need help carrying anything?"

Then picks up her stuff to load it in the van.

Ringo smiles back. "Nope, I'm good." Picking up his stuff, he follows Parvati into the van.

Parvati puts her items in the van then steps back with a tilt in her head so that Ringo can get in.

"You're a bad bad man," Krein shook her head, although there was a trace of laughter in her voice. Shepard chuckled, tracing the cracks on the workbench while he waited for the ultrasonic bath to finish. He'd been surprised, at first, at how resistant the crewman was to his questions. When he learned that it was Sandoval's outfit, though, he understood. It didn't stop him from prying what he needed to know out of the man. In the end, he'd made him suck on the barrel of the Hi-power before putting a JHP through the back of his head. Hence the visit to Krein's shop.

"You say that as if it were a bad thing."

The stocky woman shrugged, the muscles along her shoulders and arms shifting beneath the aramid weave shirt she wore. Shepard first met Krein when she was a Staff Sergeant in the CAS Rangers. She'd been a hellion back then, and even after an Azzie boobietrap left her with a synthetic lower left leg she was still someone to be reckoned with.

"You know me, just a sucker for bad men and bad situations."

Shepard laughed. The ultrasonic cleaner beeped, the status LED on its cover switching from amber to green. Lifiting the lid, he carefully extracted the pistol's slide and lower receiver from the liquid bath. Krein handed him a towel and he went to work wiping away the last of the fouling from the weapon.

"Speaking of bad men, how's Richie doing these days?"

She made a face. "Stupid slitch is getting fat. I told him that he'd better get his hoop over to the gym or I'd divorce him."

Shepard tsked. "You always were the mothering type. It's why he married you in the first place."

"Oh suck me, chrome king."

"My, my. You kiss your son with that mouth?"

"No," Krein grumbled, "he won't let me anymore. Too embarrassing to have mom hanging around. Kid's so handsome, though. He's got all these little skirts nosing around after him. Smart, too, one of the best in his class."

Reassembling the pistol was as natural to Shepard as breathing. The recoil spring and guide rod snapped into place, and he mated the slide to the lower receiver with just the barest whisper of metal on metal. Working the action a couple of times, he fed a clip into the magazine well and sent the slide forward one last time, placing the weapon in battery. Tucking the pistol back into its holster, he wiped down the workbench before folding the towel and handing it back to Krein. She blinked in surprise at its weight, peeling back the top layer to reveal a slim certified credstick.

"Thanks, I appreciate the help. Take care of your family."

"Watch your back, friend."

Outside, Shepard paused only to lite a cigarette before sliding behind the wheel of his vehicle. The comm unit buzzed to itself as it completed the digital authentication and he waited for the call graphic to clear. Ten seconds passed before the answer icon blinked to life. Neither he, nor Damascus passed visual components of their transmissions.

"Go."

"I'm in Chicago. The Skytruck landed here after dropping off the target outside Detroit. It's Sandoval's outfit."

"Can you verify the target is in Detroit?"

"No. I'm on my way there now." Shepard pulled out into traffic.

"Sandoval know we're involved?"

"Unknown. I didn't leave my informant in any condition to answer questions about us."

"I'll keep the lid on this end. Call me when you reach Detroit."

"Roger."

"Out."

"Alright, I am thinking we are all loaded up. What ees the destination?"

:: Blitz chews on her bottom lip, a sure sign she's thinking, then nods to Ringo. ::

"Sounds like a motel it is, it's more important to get the data than remain completely secure. Everyone, load up, bring what you need to work. Clay, set the security system as we leave."

Off in the distance, you hear the bells of the Cathedral of St. Jude. It's now 1800.

Ivan surveyed the seedy two story motel that Ringo had picked out. The building was old, probably pre awakening. The wooden frame was chipped and painted over with a myriad of different colors.

The big troll climbed out of the van surveying the area. Beside the local btl dealers and the like he didn't see any immediate problems.

After helping the team to unload and set up in the new place for Ringo, Parvati looks at over to the one that is in charge and then over to Ivan

"Well, let us get this show on the road. I need to get to this meet so we can get everything in order and get the hell out of this city."

after saying that Parvati grabs her purse with what little she know she needs to survive with and starts heading to the car.

Looking back at Ivan

"Well, love, you coming?"

"Dah, I am right in back of you."

After arriving at their new location, Ringo sets up his deck, complete with display screen and speakers so that the others can monitor his progress and communicate with him via Matrix.

Turning to Clay and Blitz, he says, "OK, I'm going in. Blitz, I'll head for the Archon first, since that's going to be the heavy stuff. You can monitor me here and pull me out if it gets too hot. But at least this way, if we're lucky enough to have the luxury of time, you can sort of pick and choose anything of interest you want me to follow up on. Scan?"

The others nod their understanding, and without further ado, he turns and jacks into the Matrix.

Ayuda works quietly, stripped to the waist and sweating as he moves around the room, scrawling odd symbols on strips of paper, pasting them to the floor, walls, and doorjambs.

A little while later, Ringo jacks out, flush with the exhilaration of a reasonably successful run. Turning to Blitz, he says, "I got something, but it'll take time to decrypt it. I'm going back in in a few hours; I set up a security account that will allow me to get back in for more, but for now, let's see what we've got."

After about 30 minutes of decryption, he pulls up a summary of what he's got on the screen and shows it to the group. "Here's what I've got so far. It's some pretty scary stuff, from what I can tell. What do you think, and what do you want me to go for on the next time in? There's only so much I can grab, so anything you can tell me to narrow down what I'm looking for would be really helpful." He looks expectantly at Blitz as the following data comes up on the screen.

:: Blitz's face seems to darken with every word that passes through her synapsis. ::

"That's what we want. I also want to make sure it's nearly impossible for them to continue with the project. That means we need to find out where the research data is stored, where the prototypes are stored, if anyone has been implanted with this warped system yet and who the main thinktanks behind the idea are. We'll need to nab everything and either get enough blackmail material on the scientists to keep them from ever moving forward, or we'll need to take out the key people. I also want enough proof from their systems to give a nice little PR boost to anti-Novatech interests."

Ringo nods. "So essentially, you want us to," he says as he begins counting off on his fingers,

"1. Find and grab the reseach data
2. Find and grab the prototypes
3. Find and grab anyone outfitted with the prototypes
4. Find and grab any of the scientists/inventors behind this
5. Shut down all facilities associated with this
6. Stop all personnel involved from continuing their involvement with Archon
7. Nail Novatech with a PR hit as well

In short, stop the company from ever making forward progress in this project both now and in the future. Did I hear that all correctly boss? And if I did, the question I'd want to know the answer to is, where exactly do you plan on starting?"

"That's the idea. Prioritize as follows. 1. ALL Prototypes 2. Reseach data 3. Shut Down Facility 4. Extraction of Key Scientists 5. PR smear if applicable, or we'll just sell this whole kit off to another corp."

:: Blitz look over those still in the room, a determined and almost excited expression on her usually dour face. ::

"Unless of course you don't think you can handle the tasks on hand."

Ayuda chuckles softly, still in the midst of the complicated warding ritual.

Ringo shrugs. "I got no worries. I do gotta ask though, besides me digging up more info, which I'll do in a few hours when the alarms settle down but before the security passcodes I set up expire, what's after that?

"After that, you get a break. We'll all poor over the data we get, the more you can pull about the building layout and security the better. We'll decide how best to grab what we need, destroy what we don't and get out alive enough to collect a well earned paycheck."

"Don't worry so much about the data on the projects now. What we need are mostly security protocols, security obstacles and equipment requirements to secure what we are grabbing...like if we need some unusual storage device etc. If possible, you might want to set up a way to run matrix overwatch with less difficulty. The more eyes we have on the situation, the more time we'll have to deal with the unexpected."

Parvati tells Blitz her and Ivan are on there way to meet with the fixer, and then gets on her way there. As she walks in she takes a good look around to make sure she is aware of all around her, for those just incases. Fliping her hari across her should to see if she can make eye contact with this said fixer.

The address provided turns out to be an Army/Navy surplus store named Urban Riggers. The faded posters taped to the front windows advertise hunting knives and camouflage web gear. Inside, heavy duty shelving rises from floor to ceiling, stacked with all manner of combat and survival clothing and equipment. In the center of the store, behind a stained plastic counter, is a heavy-set ork wearing subdued urban BDU pants, a stained black t-shirt stenciled with ARMORED CAV on the back, and jungle boots. He smirks openly at Parvati, eyeing her up and down.

"Lingerie section's in back."

He nods respectfully to Ivan, though.

Ringo plugs himself back into his deck, and after a little while, plugs himself back out, the following summary of the data he could gather showing itself on the screen of his deck for the team to see.

"Security Layouts. We need to know how the buildings are laid out, the infrastructure as best as possible and what security systems and protocols being used. Also, you said that they rely heavily on surveillance, do you think that you can run matrix overwatch and make sure they see nothing but a nice quiet evening?"

Parvati looks deep in the orks eyes as she steps forward to him sighing.

"I called earlier and was told you might be able to help me find some things. And Lingerie is not one of them." getting more business in her tone of voice she then adds, " It looks as though I did come to the right place, but if I am mistaken", looking back at Ivan Parvati smiles ans turns back again, "Maybe you can point us in the right direction."


At that she stands there and sets her purse on the counter and looks down to act as though she is shopping.

Lingerie, sheesh, I hate being in the face role sometimes. Considering I know how to use all this crap and effectively. Parvati thinks to her self.

"Easy, easy, don't get your panties in a twist. If it's for sale here in Motor City, I can help you find it. Now, what might it be that you're looking for?" The ork grins wryly.

Ivan does his best with the deadpan look. Noticing the Ork, but not reacting to him. He keeps one eye on the little one and the other on the store and the front.

Parvati looks at him and replys with a serious look in her eyes as her Irish accent flows off her tongue,

"I am here to make first contact, I might need to find gear for some possible employee's of mine and do not know what they have at hand: ie.. arms and what not. Since, this is something you say you can do can I keep you as my so called "fixer" here in motor city and give you a list as they give me there needs if they have them and have me or my associate here get them as they get in. I like to keep all of ducks in a roll if you know what I mean."

Ringo looks at Blitz. "Would you want me running security from onsite or from a separate location? The former would be easier matrix wise, but introduces the obvious problems of not getting shot, the latter is harder to deck but at least I won't be getting shot at...well, unless I hose up."

"It's your life, so it's your choice. I would of course like you in the most effective position possible, but if your ability to survive is not up to par, a dead decker is of less use to me that a mediocre, yet living decker."

Ivan casually takes an over sized twinkie out of his pocket and carefully peel the plastic back before popping the whole thing in his mouth like a pill.

The heavyset ork chuckles, folding his scarred arms across his chest.

"Well, I suppose if it ain't too much trouble I can help you out. You already got my number, so just call and leave a message with whatever it is that you're looking for and I'll see what I can arrange. Any ideas on how soon you'll be needing whatever it is you need?"

Pavarti looks at the oversized orc and smiles

"You will be hearing from me with in 24 hours with my needs and desires. Cheers"

And at that she turns to exit the store front with a sway in her step as her hips rock side to side.

Still sweating from the recently ended ritual, Ayuda looks around the room, satisfied with the level of protection. He glances at Blitz, aching a brow.

"What's next, boss?"

"You brought her with you?" Shepard's voice was mostly neutral, but Damascus could still read the notes of incredulity in his subordinate. He smiled to reassure him that he wasn't crossing any lines, but his eyes remained icy.

"It's good that you don't trust her. But you should at least trust my discretion. I'll keep her under wraps for as long as it takes us to complete our mission. Is everything set up?"

Shepard nodded, indicating the floor of the warehouse with a gesture.

"The vehicles are stocked with weapons and supplies, ready to roll whenever. I've got two teams out now doing recon, plus our code monkey in the corner, there. I don't like the setup, though. Why is he here? I thought he was working against Novatech?"

"There's more to Detroit than just Ares, but you're right. If he was going to just hit a Novatech subsidary, why not stay in Seattle? Familiar territory, established infrastructure, resources. Why leave?"

"Too much heat. He's not going to ground after each operation, so he needs to stay mobile."

Damascus nodded. "Exactly. Which makes our job all the much harder."

"Maybe we should shift to the offensive. A feint not only can conceal the true nature of your attack, in can force an opponent to move in the direction you desire."

A thin predatory smile flashed across Damascus' face, leaving his eyes again untouched by emotion.

"What did you have in mind?"

:: Blitz turns to Ringo. ::

"Until we see what we've got to plan for, we're playing the waiting game. You gonna get those Security Layouts for us or is there a something else we're delaying for?"

Turning to his deck, Ringo pulls up what he has from the last data run.

:: Blitz scans the information as it scrolls past and her face becomes unreadable. Internally, each line inspires it's own seperate "drek", this was not going to be anything close to an easy run. ::

"No, this should do well. It's going to be a tough nut to crack. I am by no means a strategic genius, Im definately open to suggestions at this point."

Ailis answered the trid as the first soft chime was still fading. She knew from painful experience that any delay would be punished swiftly once the call was over. The small trid screen glowed to life, lighting the sculpted European lines of the woman's face with pastel colors. She shielded the trid screen with her body, muting the sound of the conversation.

"Good evening, ma'am."

"Good evening, Princess," replied Nikaido, "Are your masters available?"

"No, ma'am, they are in a meeting."

"I see. When they are done, convey this message: we have reason to believe that the individuals who attacked Cheshire are mobile and travelling beyond the area of SOGC: West. I want him to open up surveillance operations and attempt to locate them. If they are detected, localize and contain but do not engage."

Ailis nodded. "Yes, ma'am. Would you like them to call you when the meeting is over?"

"No, the usual sitrep will suffice." Nikaido shook her head.

"Yes, ma'am. Is there anything else?" Ailis was careful to keep her voice neutral.

"No. Good night, Princess."

"Good night, ma'am." Ailis watched as the commander of SOGC broke the connection. She glanced over her shoulder at the three massive figures standing motionless in the shadows, emotionless faces directed outwards while data umbilicals draped like fiber-optic dredlocks from their skulls. Turning back to the darkened screen, she gasped in surprise at the grip of icy talons. The claws, serrated on their inner side, drew blood from their grasp. Ailis willed away the pain, forcing herself to go limp as the superhuman strength driving those clawed hands lifted her from where she knelt and threw her across the room. She bounced on the bed, spreading her weight to keep herself from rolling off. FM Prime was on her before she could roll fully onto her back, the cold steel of his grasp closing around her throat while his Hellish dead eyes bored into hers.

"Sir, a message from Nikaido. She says: we have reason to believe that the individuals who attacked Cheshire are mobile and travelling beyond the area of SOGC: West. I want him to open up surveillance operations and attempt to locate them. If they are detected, localize and contain but do not engage. She does not require anything other than the standard sitrep."

Ailis relayed her message verbatim, even as her vision began to gray out from lack of oxygen. Past lessons in failure and hesitance were written on her back, and she had no desire to repeat them. FM Prime's grip lessened, allowing her to draw a full breath. His body language froze, and she knew he was communicating with the two other individuals which were as much a part of his own tactical mind as they were part of his operational team. A silent consensus was reached, and she watched as the other two, Fire and Ice, faded from the room to execute their instructions. She readied herself for what would come next. She knew her place in the SOGC organization, and what her function was in keeping FM Prime grounded in this world.

Sensing that his interface with his subordinates was complete, she reached up and lightly touched his chest, feeling the unnatural warmth from his implants. She moved slowly, careful not to arouse his autonomous reactions. Gradually, he responded to her caress and she let her breathing relax a little. She had negotiated another day. She let the pleasure of the moment take her from the darkened cave of SOGC: East headquarters.

Parvati makes a call to Blitz as soon as the car door shut.

"Alright Boss lady all is in motion on my end and so far good. We are on our way back unless you desire different."

Parvati waits for a responce then lets [B]Ivan know where to go.

Ayuda towels off from a quick shower at the run down hotel, done with the wards and ready to take a place as part of the team again, for the moment once Pavarati and Ivan return.

He looks over the plans that Ringo has laid out, he whistles softly.

"It's locked down tighter then a steel drum. It's going to be a pain going in there. We've got a couple of options though. From what I see here, the host is isolated, so we either need to put a decker onsite, or get ahold of some Novatech personnal and 'convince' them to help us. Once we get inside, we've either got to move through completely undetected, or be ready to destroy everything we come across, including blast doors, walls, and security guards. To be safe," he looks up to catch everybody's eyes,

"I'd say try for stealth and plan for firepower."

"We've got both a decker and a 'personnel' specialist," he says with a small grin at Pavarati, "So the options are open."

"Pavarati, it would be helpful if we could have someone on the inside, or at least some keycodes or a keycard. How do you feel about hunting up a few of the local bars that cater to Novatech employees?

Ringo, what's your thoughts on going back in for some kind of roster of employees?

Clay and Ivan, anything else we need to bolster defenses at our fallback position? And anything else you'll need to operate at full efficiency while we're here?"

Parvati looks and smiles "Not a problem, just line me up transportion and time and I'll take Ivan as protection."

"Clay, you've got the Americar, see if we can't stuff Ivan in the trunk or something." Ayuda gives the troll a small smile to show the joke.

"Pavrati, while you're out, if you also got an equipment contact in the city already, we're going to need at least some basic supplies to deal with the security. We'll definitely want an array of antidote patches for whatever's out there, since the labs rely mainly on chemical defenses. Also, rebreathers and probably diving armor for the best protection against inhaled and contact vector toxins, for six people. It's a little clunky but the last thing we want is for team members to drop the first time we get gassed. Full body form fit with chem seal would be good, too, assuming we have the cash. Get us prices, and we can get you the nuyen.

Ringo, it looks like you're going to have to go onsite to run overwatch like Blitz wanted. Anything you need to be combat ready? I assume you've got weapons and armor already? If not, let the young lady know before she leaves.

That's got an insider job to deal with the outer layer of security, our decker to deal with the area denial and door locks and such Ivan and Clay to deal with the physical security, myself for the magical security, and Blitz for transportation into and out of the site, as well as external surveillance and backup. We'll have gear and drugs to deal with the chemicals.

Alright Pavrati, see what else Ivan, Clay, and Ringo need, then head out with the boys for transporation and protection. Set up the equipment buys, and slum around a bit to see if you can find the corporate bars and hangouts.

Ringo, we're definitely going to need that information on the employees at the facility. Do what you need to do to get that, and as soon as you're done, I'll scrub the wards and the astral and we'll find another bolt hole.

Hey Blitz, now that we know what we're doing and how, what kind of physical recon can we get of the location before we start? It would be good to know things like employee and guard schedules, Knight Errant partols in the area, and maybe some of the other locations around the city Knight Errant is watching, too, in case we need some sort of initial distraction.

Don't forget, everyone, alpha frequency until the Boss-lady changes it up, and if things go FUBAR, we're falling back to our warehouse bolt hole, and we may have to go to mobile operations if it gets bad after that.

Any questions?"

Ringo rubs his chin thoughtfully, and then asks, "Can you be a little more specific on what you want regarding the employees? Just a list of names and positions, or do you want more detailed data regarding their employment histories, internal reviews, stuff like that? It makes a difference, because obviously the more detailed I go, the harder and potentially messier it gets."

He shrugs. "Doesn't much matter to me, that's what I get paid for. But if we don't want to raise any red flags, we may want to think about it."

Clay glances at Ivan, who shrugs his shoulders, then looks back at Ayuda. The troll interrupts whatever acerbic comment the teacher was formulating with a clap on the back that probably leaves a bruise.

"I'll ride in back, comrade."

The slim man motions to Parvati.

"Looks like you've got shotgun, then."

Pavarti nods and thanks god things are now in motion. She takes the list and gives a call to the new so called fixer she meet. As she rubs her forehead in concentration,

"Hello, this is Parvati we spoke earlier I have a list of a few things I need, as she loads the list in.. I need prices and times if I can get all of this."

She pauses and waits for the answer as she heads to the car to get in shotgun.

Ayuda shakes his head to Ringo.

"Should be no need for that kind of personal information, just names, positions, home addresses. We just need someone high enough to have clearance through most of the security system. Once we're inside we've got you inside, security shouldn't be as much of a problem, but we need to get past the initial layer of security."