"I will take the day then." She smiles back and continues to weave the mana in a protective barrier around the space.

Shadow listens to Silk speak, and then looks confused as she walks a way. "Something I said," He says to her as she departs.

"Well I think that can come in handy in the infiltration part, I mean look at where the compound is, there's a forest not to far away, if she can mask then it will work out. It's another tool anyways."

"We might want to sucker some poor schlumps into driving by and starting a ruckus outside the facility while we have our eyes on it. That way we can get an idea of what the external security and response times are like. Needs to be someone or someones who are disposable and don't have any frelling clue what we're doing, though.

"Know any potential bait?"

"Not really, tell you we could just phone in a bomb threat and see what happens. personally I am for a stealthy entrance, roof top insertion and then make our way to the computer core so Father can download anything he needs. After that Grendel rocks the front of the building with as much firepower as he can muster and we get the hell out of dodge.

"Actually I was thinking more along the lines of some gangers who stop by to cause a little trouble at the gate. Nothing that would raise too many eyebrows, just enough to get their attention so we could gauge their reactions."

"If that kind of thing happens a lot, then yeah," Warpath said. "But if they haven't had a ganger problem in six months, they might take it as a warning shot. Can't be too careful about telegraphing our hand on this one. Not to mention what happens if one of the gangers gets caught an' spills the beans about someone paying him to do it."

"They're in the middle of the Barrens. I doubt if they get away without at least some annoyance on a regular basis. But it's cool. Just thought I'd offer up that idea."

Warpath nods. "'s a good idea. We just need to add that to our list of things to find out before we start anything. A probe at their security is a good idea, particularly if we have watchers in place to catch everything important that happens."

Ayo leans quietly against one wall, listening to the ideas, for the most part. Without anything useful to add, it seems silly to chime in. He is surprised at Onna's revelation, although the mask does much to cover any indication there within.

Tsulauwodige...

Immortal's been listening, silently watching. He's trying to decide if he's insane for signing on to this run, or for signing on with this group.

He's still not sure.

He absently pats down his jacket looking for a cigarillo. Frowning, he considers a moment, and dips into a small case strapped to one leg. Emergency supply. He lights one of the fragrant sticks up, taking a long drag. When they spoke of experience, he hadn't weighed in. He had already voiced his experience there. He knew this was going to be no casual game, and he still wasn't sure some of them knew that. Who was he to lecture, though? He'd live through this or die. Either way they weren't his charges.

He's already failed those he was to protect.

`I've got a guy who can get us some quality bang bang. A few actually. Personally I'd be for levelling the place entirely. Have one team go in guns blazing, while another lays charges. If we do this, we do it thoroughly. I don't want some bug living to remember my face.`

It's bad enough the things hated him anyway. Feared would probably be a better word.

`As for a distraction, I've got a few friends who'd love to raise Cain.`

"I say we get some basic recon done and compile a list of what we're going to need. We're going to want some gear reguardless of what the astral and Matrix give us. I'd say spotting gear goes on the list... what's the comm situation? I'm running a Novatech Mk IV encryption system on mine. We're also going to want something that can damage spirits, if it comes down to that. I've got a taser I nailed a elemental with once, seemed to do a descent job, though you've got to be damn close to use it," Warpath says in half a ramble. "Not much ammo on that, either."

"Ok, I am not a leader, nor do I want to be one, so if anyone has a better idea just tell me to stuff it. Grendel, Scratch, Oni, and I, will head to the facility for a physical and astral recon. Father, you stay here and dig up what you can on this place, Warpath and Ayu will you stand guard over him and Silk. Silk if you don't mind playing astral overwatch for us while we recon that would be great. My understanding of astral is that you would be able to attack any spirits because they exists on both the physical and astral plane, right? Good. Immortal, I would like it if you assisted Father in getting his contacts to do a drive by of the place so we can check out the sec response time. "

He pauses for a moment to let it all sink in, "any questions?"

"Works for me...though it's going to take us probably 6.5 more hours to finish this ward. You may have to wait on the astral assistance until we have finished."

:: Her tone is neutral as she concentrates on the Latin verses she is using to protect the space. ::

The satyr scoots to the edge of his seat as he takes a long swig from his beer. "It's probably for the best, doll. I don't think an astral recon would be the best idea right now, nor having a small army of people bumbling around outside. It'd be better for one or two people to take a quiet look at the natural and astral scenery around the place while the tin man," he points a thumb in Grendel's direction, "steals a few peeks from his eyes in the sky.

"If this joint is protected by a bunch of bug-infested guards, the more people we have checking the place out, the more chances they'll have of spotting us. Remember, these damn things are fraggin' smart. I think you're underestimating just how smart they can be. They're not just going to tilt their head if they catch a whiff of one of us and wander away.

"Besides, if any one does get spotted while trying to pull this off, they need to get their hoops outta there pronto rather than even thinkin' 'bout sticking around and putting up a fight. The last thing we want is some toasted spirits setting off every alarm they have before we even have a chance to get near the place."

Scratch's gazed fell back on the elf as he continued. "That said, it'd probably be best if Grendel did his thing while you and Onna pose as a couple just looking for a place to make-out should security come by. You look like you have enough chrome in you to get everyone out safe should the drek hit the fan, and her... unique talents... will help doubtlessly come in handy should that happen to.

"Or if Onna'd rather stay here and work on this ward they're throwing up, I could probably take her place. It's really up to you guys. I just don't think it's wise to have, what, five different people anywhere near the site. It's way too dangerous at this stage.

"'Course, I could always take Onna or Silk's place here and help out with the ward if they wanted to go instead. I'm frosty either way."

"Sorry, I should have said this earlier, we would all be going in Grendel's RV. That way we could get a look via whatever drones he could send up. My intent was not for us to walk around and be obvious. Silk or Ona, I would like to have one of you on site with us to get a good look up close and personal, since your the mages. Your expertise is what is going to matter. So if Scratch can stay and help with the ward somehow, that would be good. Unless your a mage Scratch but I didn't think you are."

"I'm hip. Just don't say I didn't warn ya if whichever one decides to go astral gets geeked."

Warpath nods. "Sounds like a plan to me. Be careful, guys... can't you magic types look through fiber optic scopes with your third eyes or somethin'? I used to know a mage who pulled that stunt a few times to look around without bein' seen. Hell, I knew a rigger that set up a fiber optic periscope in his van just for that purpose. If you've got the gear, it's worth thinkin' about."

He settles down to wait for everyone to leave before he starts planning defense strategies for the apartment.

Glancing at each of the individuals assigned to the recon team, Grendel turns and opens the door. After a quick look up and down the hall, he heads towards the fire stairs again. Surveillance and data windows shifted and closed in his vision, information being sequestered away until he could act on it further. The Bison idled at the curb, waiting for him.

Sliding into the command couch, he switched over to the hardwired deck. At his command, the central MFD blanked from its default status display before throwing up the UCASGS topographical map covering the area of the facility. Although capable of resolution in the 1:2500 range, he stopped the zoom at 1:10000. The smaller scale would give them an idea of the possible approaches to the facility. Drone surveillance would fill in the details, which would be available as required.

The initial plan calls for the Wolfhound to do a fast flyby at NOE and 500m range, keeping behind cover for the most part except for a few quick looks to determine the airborne posture of the facility. If he didn't detect any heavy duty air search radars, then he'd move the Condor in on a slow, looping trajectory that would bring it within 200m of corporate airspace. Simultaneously with that, he'd move the Bison out from its hull down position to see if the EW suite couldn't pick up any transmissions.

Once the rest of the recon team is mounted up, he closes the doors and heads out.

Shadow grabs his coat and a couple of extra mags for his heavy pistol. He follows Grendel out of the apartment and into the Bison. Once the rigger is situated he slides into the seat next to him.

"So," he says quietly, "what do you think."

Reaching out to the comm panel, the elf isolates the team on the primary frequency and moves himself and Shadow up one.

"I'll have a better picture after the recon. So far, the only thing we're short of on the team is matrix support. Other than that, I have every confidence that we can complete this mission within assigned parameters."

"Well that inspires confidence. This team seems certainly capable, I am just a little worried about the bugs. I don't buy the invulnerability story, but I have no doubt they are dangerous. Ideally I would like a little more solid intel on them."

Grendel's mental shrug is not copied by his physical body.

"If it bleeds, it can die. According to Scratch, I can make them bleed. Therefore, I can make them die. Just looking at the gunmen of the team I can see that we have enough ordinance to successfully undertake a scorched earth tactic if required."

Back inside the apartment, Warpath waits for those leaving to leave and places his case on the table. He clicks the latches at either side and opens the case to reveal a padded interior stuffed with weaponry. He pulls out out a heavily modified Ares Alpha before closing the case again. He slots in a heavy clip of ammunition with red "x"s on the sides and settles the weapon across his knees in place of the case.

"Alright, where you guys want to set up?"

Ol' Scratch finally makes it to his hooves after finishing off his beer. Before heading downstairs, he decides to raid Shadow's fridge but is a little disappointed that he doesn't see anything decent to drink therein. "Bah."

He then turns to address those staying at home. "Good luck, guys. See you in a bit. And Father, if you don't find any maps of the facility, call and let us know. I'll have Grendel drop me off at this one place I know and I'll see what I can dig up. Icy?" While waiting for the old man's response, he grabs his jacket and puts it on.

Once the answer's in, he heads downstairs and slips inside Grendel's ride. "Nice. These wheels must have set you back a couple hundred bucks, huh?"

Grendel cuts from his conversation with Shadow directly to the Bison's internal comms.

"Yeah, just about. I got it at discount."

"I'll start searching when I return to my own establishment. I will contact you as soon as possible. I'll also dig up any information on bugs that I can get my hands on." He rises to his feet, making ready to leave. He looks around for a moment with a puzzled expression, "Oh!" he comments, recalling what he wanted to say. "If anyone wants to follow up on the possibility of getting others to strike the location prior to our actions, I know a person you should talk to. Any takers?"

Just before Scratch disappears out the door, he bobs his head back in.

"Tell ya what, let's hold off on that idea until we get this initial recon job over. If we think we still need more information, we'll give that guy of yours a try. How's that sound?"

Ayu settles down just to one side of the main apartment door, checking to verify LOS on the windows and other doorways into the rooms where the two mages sat while warding.

His hands are crossed at the wrists in his lap, obviously heavily modified heavy pistols gripped in each hand.

"Works for me. Goodnight all. I'll be in touch when I have more information for you all. If you need me, you know how to reach me." With that, Father bows once to the group, and then once alone to Onna before following the Satyr.

Exiting the building and seeing Scratch climb in the back of Grendel's vehicle, Father walks up to the driver's side window, knocks on it, and waits for the vehicles internal sensors to verify him and Grendel to say anything. When he does, Father responds, "Give an old man a ride or am I getting a taxi home?"

"Of course, Five, hop in."

Grendel unlocks the driver's door, allowing the older Japanese man access to the Bison. The seat is empty, of course, as the command couch is situated behind it.

Smiling as he enters, and surprised by the empty driver's seat, Father shakes his head and hops in. Giving Grendel the address of his working apartment, he makes himself comfortable and waits patiently.

Approximately ten minutes after our intrepid runners have left the sanctity of Shadow Manor, Scratch apparently caught something outside one of the windows.

"Whoa whoa hey, stop the bus!" he coughed out with his drink-ruined voice. "I need to pick something up. It'll only take a minute."

Grendel disengages the torque couplings to all wheels simultaneously and brings on the brakes to the limit of the wheels' traction. The Bison comes to a rapid silent halt. The rigger scans the immediate area with a critical eye as he unlocks the passenger side sliding door for Scratch.

"Cool. I'll be right..." the satyr holds up a single digit as his last word drags on for a beat, "...back."

Hoping out of the door, Scratch watches for traffic as he jogs across the street and disappears into a rather seedy-looking cornershop. He emerges a minute later with a brown paper bag and makes it back to the oversized van, then hops in.

"Thanks, man. Just wanted to get a little liquid fuel if ya know what I mean." With a wink to the comatose body in the backseat, he pulls out a large bottle of Wild Turkey. After unscrewing the top, he's about to take a swig from it when he pauses and holds the bottle up in everyone else's direction. "You guys want a drink?"

Once the satyr has remounted, Grendel pulls out into traffic again, headed towards their target.

:: The warding takes a significant amount of time, but during that time, Silk discusses the job ahead of them, her tone light and conversational despite the heavy subject matter. ::

"Once we get the warding done, both Onna and I will probably need a bit of rest. I will conjure up a hearth spirit for us to help keep watch and maybe Onna can help me find some watchers to place as watch dogs."

"Warpath...you will have to be the firepower, and will need to be lookout until we can complete this ward, after that, the spirit and watchers will be able to do lookout so we can all relax a bit then."

"So...never took on bugs before?"

Shadow politly declines the offered drink, "Sorry, Scratch. I don't drink when I am working."

The satyr simply gives a shrug. "Like I said before, it's always nice to be nice." He snuggles back into his seat and chugs back a few swallows as he waits for Grendel to get the group within range of the facility.

After a few moments, Scratch seems to have a bit of an epiphany. He turns his head to look at Shadow again.

"So remind me again why we're all along for the ride? From what you were saying back at the doss, we were all just going to sit in here while our coffin-boy here," he paused for a moment to pat one of Grendel's legs, "checked the scene out with his toys. Why's that take, what, four of us?"

Warpath shakes his head. "Nope, but I've tangled with enough spirits to know the general score. The whole flesh puppet thing is kind of different, but who knows what percentage of each we'll see." He pats the loaded out assault rifle. "If the other kind don't have any sort of magical protection, I think I can kill 'em pretty well."

Shadow mimics the Satyrs shrug nearly perfectly.

"Well, it would be nice to see this place with my own eyes, that's why I am here. Grendel can do a lot with his drones, but nothing replaces the Mark I eyeball. Your hear cause you are tough, and can kick allot of hoop. So if we get into trouble, you get us out. Plus I figured you would want to come along to see the place as well. Hey, I said I wasn't a leader, I just offered a plan and you guys followed it."

Scratch sort of points a finger at the Night One and does the trigger-bang motion. "Gotcha, hoss."

He turns to watch the scenery race by as they continue along the way. "Yanno, if Grendel doesn't spot any major problems from the sky, I guess I could take a quick low-profile look on the magical end by shucking my skin and jumping to the other side. At least if I run into something we don't have to worry about one of the skirts getting hurt. I could probably hold off one or two bugs long enough for you guys to get away, then zoom back to your flat after an hour or so to jump back into this chiseled masterpiece." He gestures at his body. "I just didn't feel good about sending one of the girls in, especially since neither of them seemed to have experience with pest control."

He takes another long swig from his bottle as the conversation continues.

"That sounds like a good idea. Uhm your not carrying anything they can send spells back through are you?"

"Pfft. Of course not. But if something does go down or you guys think something's going on, don't hesitate taking off if I'm not back. I'll check back at your doss after an hour or two and if I don't see you there, well, I'm pretty sure I can hunt you guys down if I need to.

"But let's wait and see what his eyes in the sky pick up before we go that route."

Father chimes in, "I'm just along for the ride. I've got some of my gear, and I figured if there was the chance ....." he grins devilishly. "I figured it was also a good show of teamwork if I hopped a ride back to my place. A drive-by on our target was just an ..... added bonus."

"That or you don't own a car. Either or, eh?" Scratch flashes a genuine smile.

The drones come back, filling Grendel's mind with images of the facility. He confirms all the data already provided on the map you were given, plus a few extra details. The wall surrounding the facility seems to have small protrusions on the top of it, spaced apart every few meters along its length. Each of the light posts in the parking lot are topped with a high grade camera and a medium sized box. Grendel then spots them. Three handlers walking massive dogs around the building. They look like huge black mastiffs, except for the ridge of spikes along their spine and the glowing red eyes.

Grendel puts the images up on the inboard display screen and Scratch's eyes go wide...

Ol' Scratch leans closer to one of the consoles and taps the screen a few times, indicating one of the hounds. "Can you zoom in on this a bi... thanks. Yeah, just what I thought." He sits back and looks over his shoulder again. "Barghests. It had to be barghests. Oh, how I loathe those pikin' things."

He gets more comfortable and looks at the screen again, sighing deeply. "At least we know these fraggers have some major livestock to play with, so that much of Young's story checks out. Won't be able to tell if they're infested unless I take a closer look, though. You guys think it's worth the risk? I'm pretty sure I can stay outta sight, but you never know."

While waiting for the reply, he taps the screen a few times, apparently indicating the small protrusions on the wall. "Can you get a detailed zoom of these things while you're at it?"

It should be instantaneous. His request should simply flow through the network, accessing the Condor's magnification system if I do not override it, and receiving the necessary information. Audio communication is so...wasteful.

Grendel pauses in his manipulation of the electronics warfare interface, dialing in the image enhancement on the Condor's sensor package. He isolated the wall on a separate display screen for Scratch. BattleTac symbology overlays the main screen, vectors and paths indexed by time stamps and unit identifiers, target coordinates highlighted in yellow, ingress and egress paths marked by blue dashed lines, terrain features winding across the display in green.

Scratch leans a little closer to the screen. Doing his best to hide what he's about to do from both Father and Shadow, he reaches into his jacket and pulls out a pair of reading glasses and holds them in front of his eyes. Despite the fantastic magnification, a disgusted snort finds its way out of the man-goat's nostrils just before he tucks the spectacles back in his pocket.

"What in blue blazes are these things? I can't make 'em out on this blasted screen."