[1312, August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup - Second Floor, right by the NERPS Vending Machines]
Grinding gears. The sound pissed Boone off royally. It seemed like every machine he dealt with anymore was either put together by morons, or was purposefully designed to grind his goddamn gears. In this case, considering his present location and circumstances, he was inclined to suspect both.
The vending machine whined and choked, belts slowly wearing loose and gears grinding - grinding - until the whole shambling travesty of consumer engineering feebly died out with a sputter mid-dispensation. The dwarf sighed, planted his face in his palms, and aimed a boot at one of the sturdier portions of the machine's frame. The dull thump of a can dropping into the retrieval chute filled him with grudging relief, but not enough to noticeably improve his mood.
It was a tall, hefty can in gaudy pastels, labeled "Liquid Refresh-Mint" in a big loopy font. He cracked the drink open with a satisfying hiss and slammed back a good third of the viscous contents in one go. The wasted troll junkie slumped against the nearby wall shook his head in disbelief. "Dunno how the frag you can drink that drek, Boonie."
The dwarf cast a sidelong glare at the kid. "I like mint. So sue me."
"Yeah, sure. 'Mint'. S'toof-paste inna' can."
Boone choked back a laugh despite his mood. "I'm surprised you even know what toothpaste is, Jits."
The humor of the comment slowly dawned on the kid, his mouth gradually widening in a caricature of idiotic glee, revealing a set of black and ruined teeth. A bizarre, creaking laughter started pouring from him in sporadic spurts as his feeble frame rocked and shuddered with simple mirth. The old dwarf shook his head in wonder, but smiled for the first time all day.
Truth be told, he'd had precious little to smile about. His early morning's scavenging had been a complete bust - a few pieces of obsolete-twice-over junk he might be able to pawn off with a bit of luck, and a banged up knee. No lasting harm done, but enough to make his leg ache with every step. Just his luck that damn support beam decided to rust all the way through, today of all days.
And of course, that fancy pump mechanism he had spent the past few days repairing for a prospective client was now worth exactly squat thanks to some other enterprising bastard beating him to the sale. "Probably a slip-shod piece of garbage slapped together from sawdust and spunk. I'd bet good money it'll fail within the month. Sniping bastards. They'll get the sale for the goddam replacement too, just wait and see."
With a thoughtful grunt, Boone went back to slurping noisily at his thick, syrupy beverage. The vending machine's recalcitrance had been just one more annoyance in a long string of recent misfortunes. Somehow even the refreshing taste of liquid toothpaste wasn't doing much for him today.
He needed a break. He needed one badly.
Fortunately, you can get almost anything in the Crime Mall with a bit of luck.
~Umi
Full Version: Tribes [2075: Game World]
[1312, August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup - Second Floor, right by the NERPS Vending Machines]
Yes, you could find anything, and see just about anything as well. Leaning against the barrier that lined the edge of the promenade, his face between metal slats and his arms hanging off the chipped plaswood railing, Boone could stare across the open space directly across to the other side of the second floor, and down onto the main floor. The view up to the third level wasn't as good from here, but in some ways it was better. He'd lost count of the pockets he'd seen picked, looking up at this angle.
Down on the main floor were dozens of improvised tents, shacks and huts doing thriving trade, all packed into the space between the old storefronts, where the really flash wares were generally to be found. He saw tricks being turned in alcoves between stalls, beatings taking place in plain sight, and all manner of contraband changing hands with the fast ferocity of calls and puts on a commodities trading floor.
But crime was cheap in the Crime Mall, and it wasn't until glancing across at the other side of the second floor that Boone caught the break he was looking for - something that might be worth something to someone. A pretty elf girl threw a bowl of hot soup on some thug in a long black coat, and he decked her. Then he widened his gaze and saw the man was part of a team - they all wore the same black coats, and two of his friends were struggling to control someone big, black hood over his head. He was a big guy, or an ork, and fighting hard if artlessly, kicking up enough fuss that the gray ash dust that covered the men's coats swirled up around their heads.
Once the soup victim got back on task, though, they were quickly able to steer their victim away, and he saw them move down about thirty meters and disappear into one of the cesspits that passed for restrooms in this place. Just before they disappeared, however, he watched the elf girl get up and try to follow. But almost as soon as she did, someone emerged from the crowd and dropped her with a clout behind the ear. He wondered if she had just fallen victim to an opportunistic mugger that had seen her lose her wingman. But then he noticed that the woman who'd hit her, though not wearing the same black jacket, had the same model of respirator hanging loosely around her neck in exactly the same style the others had.
Yes, you could find anything, and see just about anything as well. Leaning against the barrier that lined the edge of the promenade, his face between metal slats and his arms hanging off the chipped plaswood railing, Boone could stare across the open space directly across to the other side of the second floor, and down onto the main floor. The view up to the third level wasn't as good from here, but in some ways it was better. He'd lost count of the pockets he'd seen picked, looking up at this angle.
Down on the main floor were dozens of improvised tents, shacks and huts doing thriving trade, all packed into the space between the old storefronts, where the really flash wares were generally to be found. He saw tricks being turned in alcoves between stalls, beatings taking place in plain sight, and all manner of contraband changing hands with the fast ferocity of calls and puts on a commodities trading floor.
But crime was cheap in the Crime Mall, and it wasn't until glancing across at the other side of the second floor that Boone caught the break he was looking for - something that might be worth something to someone. A pretty elf girl threw a bowl of hot soup on some thug in a long black coat, and he decked her. Then he widened his gaze and saw the man was part of a team - they all wore the same black coats, and two of his friends were struggling to control someone big, black hood over his head. He was a big guy, or an ork, and fighting hard if artlessly, kicking up enough fuss that the gray ash dust that covered the men's coats swirled up around their heads.
Once the soup victim got back on task, though, they were quickly able to steer their victim away, and he saw them move down about thirty meters and disappear into one of the cesspits that passed for restrooms in this place. Just before they disappeared, however, he watched the elf girl get up and try to follow. But almost as soon as she did, someone emerged from the crowd and dropped her with a clout behind the ear. He wondered if she had just fallen victim to an opportunistic mugger that had seen her lose her wingman. But then he noticed that the woman who'd hit her, though not wearing the same black jacket, had the same model of respirator hanging loosely around her neck in exactly the same style the others had.
[1313, August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup - Second Floor, right by the NERPS Vending Machines]
Thoughtfully swilling a few more mouthfuls of menthol-infused semifluid, Boone weighed the issue in his mind. He firmly believed that successful scavenging relied upon two major qualities - being able to see value where others do not, and taking the time to think about how best to extract that value, or whether it's even worth the trouble. Plenty of eyes sharper than his own must have noticed that little kerfuffle - though not many of them belonged to people who placed any real value in the event. People getting manhandled every now and again was just another fact of life at the Crime Mall.
He focused his thoughts into sketching a half-ordered list of details. "Four movers. Coordinated, planned ahead. Goods undamaged. A heavy load, can't get too far even with a way out. Why the hood? Easier grab, or limiting exposure? Why make the pickup here? Making a point? Just not very bright?"
He ran a gnarled hand through his ragged mane of dark hair, grumbling quietly while Jits babbled hazily to no one in particular about squeeze tubes and the various forms of wisdom and amusement to be found within. "Alright, angle it. The girl's a doormat, be gallant, press for a reward? Maybe has friends relieved to see her and baghead safe. Or maybe just a worthless idiot. Either way, hood's worth something to someone, else why nab him?"
The noise and bustle of the mall carried on around him uninterrupted as he hummed and hawed the matter over a few times. "Eh. No harm in giving things a closer look. If they seem easy pickings, jump the claim; wary, cut a deal; wise, get stepping. Worst case, walk away no poorer."
Having finally decided, he hitched up his belt a bit and turned to take his leave. "Hey, Jitsie, I need to go see a man about a horse. Dunno when I'll be back, so try not to let your head drift too far away until I see you again." With a knowing wink at his dazed but bemused pal, he set off at a loping trot to head home, drop off his unsold wares, suit up for work, and hopefully get back before the trail goes too cold.
~Umi
Thoughtfully swilling a few more mouthfuls of menthol-infused semifluid, Boone weighed the issue in his mind. He firmly believed that successful scavenging relied upon two major qualities - being able to see value where others do not, and taking the time to think about how best to extract that value, or whether it's even worth the trouble. Plenty of eyes sharper than his own must have noticed that little kerfuffle - though not many of them belonged to people who placed any real value in the event. People getting manhandled every now and again was just another fact of life at the Crime Mall.
He focused his thoughts into sketching a half-ordered list of details. "Four movers. Coordinated, planned ahead. Goods undamaged. A heavy load, can't get too far even with a way out. Why the hood? Easier grab, or limiting exposure? Why make the pickup here? Making a point? Just not very bright?"
He ran a gnarled hand through his ragged mane of dark hair, grumbling quietly while Jits babbled hazily to no one in particular about squeeze tubes and the various forms of wisdom and amusement to be found within. "Alright, angle it. The girl's a doormat, be gallant, press for a reward? Maybe has friends relieved to see her and baghead safe. Or maybe just a worthless idiot. Either way, hood's worth something to someone, else why nab him?"
The noise and bustle of the mall carried on around him uninterrupted as he hummed and hawed the matter over a few times. "Eh. No harm in giving things a closer look. If they seem easy pickings, jump the claim; wary, cut a deal; wise, get stepping. Worst case, walk away no poorer."
Having finally decided, he hitched up his belt a bit and turned to take his leave. "Hey, Jitsie, I need to go see a man about a horse. Dunno when I'll be back, so try not to let your head drift too far away until I see you again." With a knowing wink at his dazed but bemused pal, he set off at a loping trot to head home, drop off his unsold wares, suit up for work, and hopefully get back before the trail goes too cold.
~Umi
[Early Afternoon August 4th 2075; Crime mall, Puyallup]
"Drek, slow da fuck down chica.. We'll getz him back. He one a' us and another tusker at dat. Take me to the spot tha' Steamer go' nabbed at soka?"
Placing the taser into the girls hand he makes sure she grabs ahold of it, before letting her lead the way to where Steamer was grabbed " dis be a bit betta den Ramen, just don't go hittin me, k?".
As he ran, the DNI connection to his 'link was running fast, information spitting out quickly as he quick fired messages off and loaded up his smartlink's targeting software, connecting it to the SMG in his hands.
@Cam<<Text message sent: Null Sheen, gonna see if any friendlies are here to assist. See if you can send a ride for us back, and messaging your girly now>>
@Briar<<Text based message: Needing some matrix over watch. Steamer has been nabbed, need any RFIDs he may have pinged as well as his Comm and Kettle's Comm. May be disabled but worth a shot, as well if you can find any cameras showing te second floor that are matrix enabled. Needle in a haystack I know, but his life may depend and drek. Thanks in advance.>>
@Nimbus/Oyl<<Text based message: Steamer nabbed, Kettle injured. Cam enroute to you with injured chica. Following up and attempting to retrieve him. May be just random grabbing, may not. Perhaps patrols&tribe should be warned?>>
[1354, August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup]
Within moments, the Hispanic ork's commlink was pinged by an all-members flash from the compound's command center. It notified the tribe of the abduction and instructed any Mechanicals in the vicinity of the Crime Mall to link up on Frizzen.
Within moments, the Hispanic ork's commlink was pinged by an all-members flash from the compound's command center. It notified the tribe of the abduction and instructed any Mechanicals in the vicinity of the Crime Mall to link up on Frizzen.
[1312, August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup - Second Floor, by the tonkotsu ramen stall]
The heavy leather jacket was too big for the little girl with stringy blond hair, and the plastic ramen bowl now completely obscuring her face was too big for her tiny hands.
She had to be careful - this stuff was so good a girl could forget where she was. Just a few ticks ago there'd been some sort of commotion nearby, but she'd been too engrossed in her feast to notice. Now, though, she couldn't help but notice as an elven woman dropped like a sack of bricks right in front of her.
Glancing up, but not directly up, the girl saw another woman standing above the victim. She wore a black jacket, and her tummy had just a slight hint of a bump. She held a pipe in one hand, a bit of blood on it. She dropped the pipe, straightened her clothes, and moved off into the crowd.
But as she adjusted her shirt and jacket, a folded sheet of paper fell to the floor.
The little girl had the discipline to wait until the elven lady had gotten herself up and taken off before reaching over and palming the document.
The heavy leather jacket was too big for the little girl with stringy blond hair, and the plastic ramen bowl now completely obscuring her face was too big for her tiny hands.
She had to be careful - this stuff was so good a girl could forget where she was. Just a few ticks ago there'd been some sort of commotion nearby, but she'd been too engrossed in her feast to notice. Now, though, she couldn't help but notice as an elven woman dropped like a sack of bricks right in front of her.
Glancing up, but not directly up, the girl saw another woman standing above the victim. She wore a black jacket, and her tummy had just a slight hint of a bump. She held a pipe in one hand, a bit of blood on it. She dropped the pipe, straightened her clothes, and moved off into the crowd.
But as she adjusted her shirt and jacket, a folded sheet of paper fell to the floor.
The little girl had the discipline to wait until the elven lady had gotten herself up and taken off before reaching over and palming the document.
[1318, August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup - Second Floor, by the Tonkotsu Ramen Stall]
With the scrap of paper firmly in her hand, the little blonde girl ducked back into the safety of the depths between a couple of the stalls. Here at least she could remain in relative secrecy amongst crates of wares, supplies or other items while she read over the slip of paper, relishing in the feel of it between her fingers. Because of her connection to Callen, if she remained in the near vicinity of the ramen stall the regulars would leave her alone to do some of his business and the unaware troublemakers would be in for a surprise if they bothered her. Either way she was content to be left alone.
She brushed a strand of dirty, blonde hair from her face as her blue eyes darted from side to side as they scanned the paper. She pulled the oversized jacket she wore tighter around her as she chewed on her thumbnail, the scrap of paper clutched tightly in her one hand as she raised her eyes slightly to back to where the Elven woman had once fell and watched to see if anyone came around. Random beatings, kidnappings and the like were inevitable in the Crime Mall, but occasionally someone came looking for answers. Maus decided to keep her hiding spot and wait to see if anyone came and decide if they were worth passing the information on the slip of paper to.
With the scrap of paper firmly in her hand, the little blonde girl ducked back into the safety of the depths between a couple of the stalls. Here at least she could remain in relative secrecy amongst crates of wares, supplies or other items while she read over the slip of paper, relishing in the feel of it between her fingers. Because of her connection to Callen, if she remained in the near vicinity of the ramen stall the regulars would leave her alone to do some of his business and the unaware troublemakers would be in for a surprise if they bothered her. Either way she was content to be left alone.
She brushed a strand of dirty, blonde hair from her face as her blue eyes darted from side to side as they scanned the paper. She pulled the oversized jacket she wore tighter around her as she chewed on her thumbnail, the scrap of paper clutched tightly in her one hand as she raised her eyes slightly to back to where the Elven woman had once fell and watched to see if anyone came around. Random beatings, kidnappings and the like were inevitable in the Crime Mall, but occasionally someone came looking for answers. Maus decided to keep her hiding spot and wait to see if anyone came and decide if they were worth passing the information on the slip of paper to.
[1319, August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup - Second Floor, by the tonkotsu ramen stall]
The paper was some sort of convoluted flow chart. Mostly a printout, but a lot of handwritten notes filling in bits of info. All the entries were what appeared to be names, followed by pairs of dates. Each one branched out to several more, and so forth, filling the large page with small print. As the flow grew too wide, some branches were allowed to drift off one side of the page or another as one primary line worked its way from the top to the bottom of the chart.
The paper was some sort of convoluted flow chart. Mostly a printout, but a lot of handwritten notes filling in bits of info. All the entries were what appeared to be names, followed by pairs of dates. Each one branched out to several more, and so forth, filling the large page with small print. As the flow grew too wide, some branches were allowed to drift off one side of the page or another as one primary line worked its way from the top to the bottom of the chart.
[1325, August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup - Second Floor, by the Tonkotsu Ramen Stall]
Maus wrinkled her nose as the paper meant nothing to her, however she was shrewd enough to assume that with all the names and dates that the paper contained it would be of value to someone. The question of who that might be eluded her for the moment. Content to sit there unbothered for a bit longer, she picked up the bowl she had set beside her and finished the remaining broth.
She struggled for a moment to do some math in her head, contemplating how much money she had left on her credstick without flashing it for fear of drawing attention to herself. She thought about the week ahead of her, when Callen would pay her next and decided she could forgo dinner tonight if she wanted another bowl of delicious ramen. Besides, if she was going to have to sit here and wait a while longer anyway... She stuffed the piece of paper she had been holding deep into one of her pockets before zipping it closed in order not to lose it.
With her decision made, she picked herself up from the darkened corner slinging her backpack over her shoulder and slid her way back in line to wait for another bowl.
Maus wrinkled her nose as the paper meant nothing to her, however she was shrewd enough to assume that with all the names and dates that the paper contained it would be of value to someone. The question of who that might be eluded her for the moment. Content to sit there unbothered for a bit longer, she picked up the bowl she had set beside her and finished the remaining broth.
She struggled for a moment to do some math in her head, contemplating how much money she had left on her credstick without flashing it for fear of drawing attention to herself. She thought about the week ahead of her, when Callen would pay her next and decided she could forgo dinner tonight if she wanted another bowl of delicious ramen. Besides, if she was going to have to sit here and wait a while longer anyway... She stuffed the piece of paper she had been holding deep into one of her pockets before zipping it closed in order not to lose it.
With her decision made, she picked herself up from the darkened corner slinging her backpack over her shoulder and slid her way back in line to wait for another bowl.
Darbis "Patch" Hummels
[Early afternoon, Sunday 4th August, 2075; The Crime Mall]
Darbis tried to stroll through the Crime Mall as though he was a regular, displaying his Predator openly on his hip and his Enfield AS-7 slung over his shoulder; but knew that anyone giving him serious attention would find him that he was of place. He had only been in Seattle for less than a week, and was still trying to learn the lay of the land.
Swimming in a sea of criminality, Darbis had to remind himself why the Crime Mall had seemed like a good place to check out. If he was going to follow through with his intentions to set up shop as a street doc, he had to know the local market: what meds were hard to come by, going rates for the competition, who has what turf already staked out. He knew he was hedging his bets though; he still needed to find the Mechanicals, a local gang recommended to Darbis by his friend Muller as a good group who stays under the radar. He had heard their compound was somewhere in the Puyallup Barrens, but he had had a few loose ends to tie up upon arrival before conducting his search.
Considering grabbing lunch, he walked out of a shop featuring pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to see an altercation between a woman with an ork companion and a group of men all wearing black jackets on the level below; though few others seemed to notice, and those that did paid it little attention. He saw one of the men in black jackets put a bag over the ork's head and begin to drag him off with the help of a few of his accomplices, and the woman trying desperately to fight them off. Darbis started to make his way through the throngs of people to get over there, but was a long way off and had to take an escalator just to get down there. The woman was then knocked off her feet by one of them, and when she tried to get back up, was put back down immediately with a quick blow to the head from someone Darbis recognized as not dressed like the others. By the time he made the scene, it was already over; the group having dragged the ork away, the woman limping off. He followed close behind, gaining on her despite his diminutive legspan.
Darbis paused his advance as she approached her friend, listening as she was trying to tell him what had happened, and then watching as she barely took a moment to catch her breath before starting to lead her comrade to the area the abduction had taken place. He could clearly see she needed medical attention, and decided it was time he intervened.
Darbis approached Frizzen and Kettle holding his Docwagon Bag out for them to see, "'Excuse me," he said cautiously to Frizzen, not wanting to startle the already wary ork, "Name's Patch. I saw what happened from upstairs; your friend there took a few nasty blows back there. Mind if I take a look, make sure she's shiny?"
[Early afternoon, Sunday 4th August, 2075; The Crime Mall]
Darbis tried to stroll through the Crime Mall as though he was a regular, displaying his Predator openly on his hip and his Enfield AS-7 slung over his shoulder; but knew that anyone giving him serious attention would find him that he was of place. He had only been in Seattle for less than a week, and was still trying to learn the lay of the land.
Swimming in a sea of criminality, Darbis had to remind himself why the Crime Mall had seemed like a good place to check out. If he was going to follow through with his intentions to set up shop as a street doc, he had to know the local market: what meds were hard to come by, going rates for the competition, who has what turf already staked out. He knew he was hedging his bets though; he still needed to find the Mechanicals, a local gang recommended to Darbis by his friend Muller as a good group who stays under the radar. He had heard their compound was somewhere in the Puyallup Barrens, but he had had a few loose ends to tie up upon arrival before conducting his search.
Considering grabbing lunch, he walked out of a shop featuring pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to see an altercation between a woman with an ork companion and a group of men all wearing black jackets on the level below; though few others seemed to notice, and those that did paid it little attention. He saw one of the men in black jackets put a bag over the ork's head and begin to drag him off with the help of a few of his accomplices, and the woman trying desperately to fight them off. Darbis started to make his way through the throngs of people to get over there, but was a long way off and had to take an escalator just to get down there. The woman was then knocked off her feet by one of them, and when she tried to get back up, was put back down immediately with a quick blow to the head from someone Darbis recognized as not dressed like the others. By the time he made the scene, it was already over; the group having dragged the ork away, the woman limping off. He followed close behind, gaining on her despite his diminutive legspan.
Darbis paused his advance as she approached her friend, listening as she was trying to tell him what had happened, and then watching as she barely took a moment to catch her breath before starting to lead her comrade to the area the abduction had taken place. He could clearly see she needed medical attention, and decided it was time he intervened.
Darbis approached Frizzen and Kettle holding his Docwagon Bag out for them to see, "'Excuse me," he said cautiously to Frizzen, not wanting to startle the already wary ork, "Name's Patch. I saw what happened from upstairs; your friend there took a few nasty blows back there. Mind if I take a look, make sure she's shiny?"
[1331, August 4th, 2075; Puyallup Barrens - Approach to Boone's Squat]
The trip home had been uneventful up until the last leg. Midday was a good time for avoiding devil rats and other critters, but a bad one for avoiding lunch hour traffic, and in the Barrens, thugs are always hungry.
Boone lived in a set of disused maintenance tunnels accessed via an ancient storm drain cover in the back of a trash filled alleyway. He liked to joke to himself that he lived on Easy Street, because his little underground hovel fell almost exactly on the boundary between an E Zone and a Z Zone.
He turned the corner that would take him down a final, winding one-way street that had long since stopped hosting vehicle traffic. Almost immediately he pulled down the brim of his hat and pivoted on the spot to walk briskly back the way he came. Ordinarily, few people came this way - there were more convenient routes to and from anywhere worth going. Today, a small pack of Chulos were prowling around what amounted to his front stoop.
He quickly put several hundred yards and a few buildings between the unexpected visitors and himself before stopping. He sighed in annoyance, making up his mind on the spot. There were other routes he could take. They were just less... pleasant.
Ten minutes later, dripping with a thick foul sludge from the ribcage down, he pressed doggedly through a painfully small hole in the concrete wall of an old maintenance tunnel. Turning right, he padded uncomfortably down a cramped and noisy electrical shaft, spilling out a moment later into a roughly square room with a high ceiling. On the righthand wall was a rusted ladder leading to the street above via a small manhole cover; on the lefthand side was a trash filled nook set into the wall; while straight ahead a large arched tunnel sloped away downwards, echoing strangely.
Boone tromped over to the nook, carefully picking through the junk and garbage that concealed a square metal covering set into the floor. It swung open easily, and he dropped down into a dark but clean passageway, the trapdoor falling closed behind him.
From here it was a straight shot to his front door. This was his "garden path", so to speak - a long narrow corridor with a pair of false doors that lead nowhere hugging the left wall, and a not-so-grand entryway twenty feet dead ahead. Without even having to think, he stepped to avoid a pair of tripwires low to the floor of the tunnel, before walking up to his "front door".
He ignored the prominently placed maglock card reader and paused to fish out his housekeys, digging through three or four pockets before finding the right carabiner. The first lock was hidden behind the card reader itself, accessed by pivoting the entire casing outward on a set of hinges. The second was set into the base of the reinforced door, almost invisible just beside the scuffed but sturdy metal frame.
Once inside, with the door double-locked behind him, Boone bolted for the shower. It was icy cold, but at the moment he didn't care. He made a mental note to get around to draining that damned access shaft, but for now he was happy just to be getting other people's drek out of his pants.
~Umi
The trip home had been uneventful up until the last leg. Midday was a good time for avoiding devil rats and other critters, but a bad one for avoiding lunch hour traffic, and in the Barrens, thugs are always hungry.
Boone lived in a set of disused maintenance tunnels accessed via an ancient storm drain cover in the back of a trash filled alleyway. He liked to joke to himself that he lived on Easy Street, because his little underground hovel fell almost exactly on the boundary between an E Zone and a Z Zone.
He turned the corner that would take him down a final, winding one-way street that had long since stopped hosting vehicle traffic. Almost immediately he pulled down the brim of his hat and pivoted on the spot to walk briskly back the way he came. Ordinarily, few people came this way - there were more convenient routes to and from anywhere worth going. Today, a small pack of Chulos were prowling around what amounted to his front stoop.
He quickly put several hundred yards and a few buildings between the unexpected visitors and himself before stopping. He sighed in annoyance, making up his mind on the spot. There were other routes he could take. They were just less... pleasant.
Ten minutes later, dripping with a thick foul sludge from the ribcage down, he pressed doggedly through a painfully small hole in the concrete wall of an old maintenance tunnel. Turning right, he padded uncomfortably down a cramped and noisy electrical shaft, spilling out a moment later into a roughly square room with a high ceiling. On the righthand wall was a rusted ladder leading to the street above via a small manhole cover; on the lefthand side was a trash filled nook set into the wall; while straight ahead a large arched tunnel sloped away downwards, echoing strangely.
Boone tromped over to the nook, carefully picking through the junk and garbage that concealed a square metal covering set into the floor. It swung open easily, and he dropped down into a dark but clean passageway, the trapdoor falling closed behind him.
From here it was a straight shot to his front door. This was his "garden path", so to speak - a long narrow corridor with a pair of false doors that lead nowhere hugging the left wall, and a not-so-grand entryway twenty feet dead ahead. Without even having to think, he stepped to avoid a pair of tripwires low to the floor of the tunnel, before walking up to his "front door".
He ignored the prominently placed maglock card reader and paused to fish out his housekeys, digging through three or four pockets before finding the right carabiner. The first lock was hidden behind the card reader itself, accessed by pivoting the entire casing outward on a set of hinges. The second was set into the base of the reinforced door, almost invisible just beside the scuffed but sturdy metal frame.
Once inside, with the door double-locked behind him, Boone bolted for the shower. It was icy cold, but at the moment he didn't care. He made a mental note to get around to draining that damned access shaft, but for now he was happy just to be getting other people's drek out of his pants.
~Umi
[Early Afternoon August 4th 2075; Crime mall, Puyallup]
Looking up and down at the man infront of him, Frizzen eyed him warily. "Only gots a few minutes, whatz in it fo' you?" he quickly asks, the sound if a round chamfering in the smg being highly audible.
Kettle needed medical attention for sure but they were in a rush, and nothing is free in the barrens, ever. He did say he saw what happened though... he thought to himself.
Fine, jus' be quick and do it as we move ya? Pay in cash after we done, you can tag with us if a want o' send ya contacts." The ork says as he keeps Kettle moving until they reach the spot Steamer was grabbed, letting the doc work as they go.
" "Hey Kettle, when we get there I'll see if we can drum some paydata up on Steamer, maybe some friendlies saw some drek or even just a street rat lookin' for a payday, soka? This outtie tries anythin, use tha zapper I gave ya an' shout out fo' me, k?".
[August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup - Second Floor, by the Tonkotsu Ramen Stall]
The little blonde girl was quickly rewarded for her choice to get more ramen both by the ramen itself as well as the return of the Elven girl she had seen earlier who had been taken down by the other woman. This time however she was in the company of well-armed Ork who was obviously loaded for bear. She carried her ramen bowl with two hands, careful not to spill any of its steaming contents as she stepped carefully closer towards the Elven girl. Her eyes glazed over for an instant as she took a bite of the ramen and spoke to the pair around a mouth full of noodles.
“Friends or Foes?”
The little blonde girl was quickly rewarded for her choice to get more ramen both by the ramen itself as well as the return of the Elven girl she had seen earlier who had been taken down by the other woman. This time however she was in the company of well-armed Ork who was obviously loaded for bear. She carried her ramen bowl with two hands, careful not to spill any of its steaming contents as she stepped carefully closer towards the Elven girl. Her eyes glazed over for an instant as she took a bite of the ramen and spoke to the pair around a mouth full of noodles.
“Friends or Foes?”
[1358, August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup]
Kettle responded to Frizzen's instructions by nodding as best she could while still holding her face still for the dwarf medic. She was down on one knee so that he could reach.
When Frizzen mentions the taser he loaned her, she hefts it in acknowledgement - and drops it to to the floor with a clatter…for the second time since he'd given it to her.
Kettle responded to Frizzen's instructions by nodding as best she could while still holding her face still for the dwarf medic. She was down on one knee so that he could reach.
When Frizzen mentions the taser he loaned her, she hefts it in acknowledgement - and drops it to to the floor with a clatter…for the second time since he'd given it to her.
[Early Afternoon August 4th 2075; Crime mall, Puyallup]
"S'all dependin' lil' chica. You see wha' happened here? If ya did dere's somethin' in it for ya'z"
With a sigh, Frizzen grabs a strip if durable fabric and attaches it to the taser through an eyelet, looping it around the elf'a hand. "Ya know wha? How about ya just jab it inta someone if drek hits da fan? It still discharges ifn ya do that".
[1358, August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup]
Her treatment complete, the elf woman said a quiet thank you to the helpful dwarf, and then with her eyes offered heartfelt gratitude to her ork gangmate. She stood beside him as he spoke to the dirty little blond girl, though she kept an eye on the dwarf, mindful that he also may have seen something.
Her treatment complete, the elf woman said a quiet thank you to the helpful dwarf, and then with her eyes offered heartfelt gratitude to her ork gangmate. She stood beside him as he spoke to the dirty little blond girl, though she kept an eye on the dwarf, mindful that he also may have seen something.
[Afternoon, August 4th 2075; Tribal Compound, Puyallup]
Deck Settings (Attack: 3 Sleaze: 6(7) Firewall: 5 Data Processing: 5)
Programs running: VM, Exploit, Baby Monitor, Sneak, stealth
Seeing room suddenly break out into a general hustle of activity surpassing what was already present, Revenant sees a good number of people checking their commlinks.
He decides that perhaps he can try and find a way of making himself useful. "Is everything okay? Any chance you all need some help? Be nice to do off the books work rather than pay for those meds and repair work..."
[August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup - Second Floor, by the Tonkotsu Ramen Stall]
Maus wrinkled her nose as she swallowed her ramen, making sense of their auras as she tilted her head slightly to one side. She thought Frizzen looked familiar, at least that she had seen him before here at the mall. As she realized the Dwarf was with them as well, hidden from view by the bulk of Frizzen as Kettle thanked him she took a small step backwards, the hot broth of her ramen splashing on her wrist which caused her to curse softly under her breath.
”Might have seen the girl who knocked her to the ground,” she nodded to Kettle in the process before continuing. ”She dropped that pipe over there.” Maus gestured to a pipe that had rolled under one of the empty crates near the ramen stall. She left out the information about the piece of paper the woman had dropped in the process, carefully calculating its value based off what the generic information about the pipe-wielding woman would fetch her.
Maus wrinkled her nose as she swallowed her ramen, making sense of their auras as she tilted her head slightly to one side. She thought Frizzen looked familiar, at least that she had seen him before here at the mall. As she realized the Dwarf was with them as well, hidden from view by the bulk of Frizzen as Kettle thanked him she took a small step backwards, the hot broth of her ramen splashing on her wrist which caused her to curse softly under her breath.
”Might have seen the girl who knocked her to the ground,” she nodded to Kettle in the process before continuing. ”She dropped that pipe over there.” Maus gestured to a pipe that had rolled under one of the empty crates near the ramen stall. She left out the information about the piece of paper the woman had dropped in the process, carefully calculating its value based off what the generic information about the pipe-wielding woman would fetch her.
[Early Afternoon August 4th 2075; Crime mall, Puyallup]
Knowing where this was going, and appreciating the kid's shrewd sense of biz for the info, Frizzen breaks out a smile. "Mighta? Hmm, would one fiddy help ya remember more?"
He walks over to the place where the pipe was and picks it up giving it a look over.
"And how about anotha tusker like me dat was wid 'er?"
And, the grin growing broader, Frizzen looks at the dwarf. "And any chance ya saw more than ya first said chumma, like ya said, you saw it happen.."
Nothing drops down the price of info than multiple sources. Supply and demand, supply and demand...
[August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup - Second Floor, by the Tonkotsu Ramen Stall]
Maus nodded, and decided at that point Frizzen could be trusted, at least with more info about the woman. Besides one-fifty would buy a lot of ramen, and from the looks of it she needed it more than the Dwarf.
”Didn’t see another you around, but the woman who took out your girlfriend there, she was dressed in black I remember her jacket. She had a bit of a belly, you know like when you’ve eaten too much ramen?” Maus dropped her head and smiled a bit sheepishly knowing she had her second bowl in hand herself. “Or maybe she was just out of shape… Or pregnant!” She tucked a dirty piece of hair behind her ear with one free hand.
”She took off that way.” Maus pointed in the general direction she had watched the lady in black disappear into the crowd.
Maus nodded, and decided at that point Frizzen could be trusted, at least with more info about the woman. Besides one-fifty would buy a lot of ramen, and from the looks of it she needed it more than the Dwarf.
”Didn’t see another you around, but the woman who took out your girlfriend there, she was dressed in black I remember her jacket. She had a bit of a belly, you know like when you’ve eaten too much ramen?” Maus dropped her head and smiled a bit sheepishly knowing she had her second bowl in hand herself. “Or maybe she was just out of shape… Or pregnant!” She tucked a dirty piece of hair behind her ear with one free hand.
”She took off that way.” Maus pointed in the general direction she had watched the lady in black disappear into the crowd.
[Early Afternoon August 4th 2075; Crime mall, Puyallup]
Drek, so looks like not much of a lead on the guys who took Steamer, but odds were they were working with the slitch who hit Kettle upside the noggin. He pulls out his cred stick and hits the transfer option, transfer 150¥ to the girl.
"Thanks kid, any chance ya gots a real good look at tha slitch? If ya can help me find her or ID 'er then it's another 500 fo ya'z. Plus I can get ya some betta food fo ya den Ramen. Gotz ourselves a nice kitchen back at the mechanical's crib, and we rememba those dat help us out."
@Nimbus/Oyl/Briar/<<Text message sent: Seems to be a team, several men who grabbed Steamer, a woman (either out of shape or possibly pregnant according to a street rat) who hit Kettle. Going after with several who noticed. May need some float ¥ after to pay them, got basics covered though for now.>>
[Tommy Andrews (Hothead), , August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup]
Seattle is definitely not Chicago. At least Tina has been better without the extra bad spirits bothering her. But she's been concerned with settling down in a regular place, actually making roots. I know she remembers having Mom and Dad around with regular clean clothes, meals and friends, so I've been trying to settle myself, but I HATE washing dishes and waiting tables. And of course Travis is just so damn CALM about everything. You'd think he's never had a bad moment in his life. Well just beause we are triplets doesn't mean we are the same. I like action! I like living on the edge! I don't want predictable! Well I certainly don't want to loose Tina or Travis, so here I am getting rid of some of my extra energy by exploring this Crime Mall. I heard people talking about it, and I've finally found the time away for those two "stick in the muds" to check this place out. Maybe I can find work here to get them off my back regarding not making any money. I mean Travis doesn't bring in any real nuyen either. Yeah, but he's trying at least and I'll admit I'm really not.
So, what's so special about this place....
Seattle is definitely not Chicago. At least Tina has been better without the extra bad spirits bothering her. But she's been concerned with settling down in a regular place, actually making roots. I know she remembers having Mom and Dad around with regular clean clothes, meals and friends, so I've been trying to settle myself, but I HATE washing dishes and waiting tables. And of course Travis is just so damn CALM about everything. You'd think he's never had a bad moment in his life. Well just beause we are triplets doesn't mean we are the same. I like action! I like living on the edge! I don't want predictable! Well I certainly don't want to loose Tina or Travis, so here I am getting rid of some of my extra energy by exploring this Crime Mall. I heard people talking about it, and I've finally found the time away for those two "stick in the muds" to check this place out. Maybe I can find work here to get them off my back regarding not making any money. I mean Travis doesn't bring in any real nuyen either. Yeah, but he's trying at least and I'll admit I'm really not.
So, what's so special about this place....
[August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup - Second Floor, by the Tonkotsu Ramen Stall]
Once again the little blonde girl nodded as she looked up at Frizzen. Most of the street kids had heard of the Mechanicals, and to get a front door invitation would be a boon to a little girl like her so she agreed to help. She squeezed her eyes shut as she tried to remember every detail she could of the woman who had hurt Kettle. Once she opened her eyes again she immediately reached for her backpack and withdrew a small paper sketchbook and a few pencils. Using one of the crates as a table she started sketching furiously, trying to coax forth each and every detail she could remember of the woman in black for the few moments she had seen her.
She deftly ripped out the page from her sketchbook and offered it up to Frizzen. While it wasn’t a Michelangelo by any means, it did resemble the woman in black, at least as Maus remembered her.
”They call me Maus by the way.”
Once again the little blonde girl nodded as she looked up at Frizzen. Most of the street kids had heard of the Mechanicals, and to get a front door invitation would be a boon to a little girl like her so she agreed to help. She squeezed her eyes shut as she tried to remember every detail she could of the woman who had hurt Kettle. Once she opened her eyes again she immediately reached for her backpack and withdrew a small paper sketchbook and a few pencils. Using one of the crates as a table she started sketching furiously, trying to coax forth each and every detail she could remember of the woman in black for the few moments she had seen her.
She deftly ripped out the page from her sketchbook and offered it up to Frizzen. While it wasn’t a Michelangelo by any means, it did resemble the woman in black, at least as Maus remembered her.
”They call me Maus by the way.”
Darbis "Patch" Hummels
[August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup - Second Floor, by the Tonkotsu Ramen Stall]
Darbis let the girl complete her deal with Frizzen before offering his own story. She looked like she could use a meal containing something other than Ramen.
"I didn't see how it began; I was on the third level and quite a ways off. But I saw em brawlin, your folk and a group all in black jackets wearin respirators... fashion statement? Then throwin the bag over your man's head, and the young lady here getting knocked unconscious. Shame I couldn't get here sooner. They took him that way." He said, pointing in the direction he had seen the attackers go.
"As far as payment, null perspiration, chummer, this one's on me." Darbis then cocked a quick grin. "Or if you really insist; you can always buy me a round."
[August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup - Second Floor, by the Tonkotsu Ramen Stall]
Darbis let the girl complete her deal with Frizzen before offering his own story. She looked like she could use a meal containing something other than Ramen.
"I didn't see how it began; I was on the third level and quite a ways off. But I saw em brawlin, your folk and a group all in black jackets wearin respirators... fashion statement? Then throwin the bag over your man's head, and the young lady here getting knocked unconscious. Shame I couldn't get here sooner. They took him that way." He said, pointing in the direction he had seen the attackers go.
"As far as payment, null perspiration, chummer, this one's on me." Darbis then cocked a quick grin. "Or if you really insist; you can always buy me a round."
[1342, August 4th, 2075; Puyallup Barrens - Boone's Squat]
"Alrighty. What am I nabbin'?" Boone stood buck naked, toweling off vigorously. "Usual scrappin' gear enough?"
Lazily trailing his towel across the floor, he walked around the room a few times, eyeing various objects in their respective spots on shelves, in toolboxes, or in haphazardly wedged into precarious piles. "Restraints", he murmured aloud, then crossed over to the far wall to dig through a small box of assorted things.
"Might need a couple surprises before I need these, actually." He set the metal handcuffs down by his rucksack, then started pulling bags and containers away from the corner of the room behind a standing unit of metal shelves. Kneeling down to reach, he pulled a secure metal box from deep inside a vaguely squarish hole low in the wall.
There were a handful just like it scattered around the room in hidden nooks away from anything delicate or structurally important - each of them contained a small bit of explosives of one variety or another. Despite being the largest one, this particular box was the least volatile of the bunch. Boone grabbed one each of the three non-lethal grenade varieties nestled lovingly within before carefully returning it to it's proper place.
Everything else was business as usual - a nice big gun, a nice thick armored jacket, a handy medkit, a backpack stuffed with basic survival gear and tools, and some personal electronics. That and a pleasantly warm and dry outfit of rugged tarp canvas and flannel, and some stompy steel-toed boots.
~Umi
"Alrighty. What am I nabbin'?" Boone stood buck naked, toweling off vigorously. "Usual scrappin' gear enough?"
Lazily trailing his towel across the floor, he walked around the room a few times, eyeing various objects in their respective spots on shelves, in toolboxes, or in haphazardly wedged into precarious piles. "Restraints", he murmured aloud, then crossed over to the far wall to dig through a small box of assorted things.
"Might need a couple surprises before I need these, actually." He set the metal handcuffs down by his rucksack, then started pulling bags and containers away from the corner of the room behind a standing unit of metal shelves. Kneeling down to reach, he pulled a secure metal box from deep inside a vaguely squarish hole low in the wall.
There were a handful just like it scattered around the room in hidden nooks away from anything delicate or structurally important - each of them contained a small bit of explosives of one variety or another. Despite being the largest one, this particular box was the least volatile of the bunch. Boone grabbed one each of the three non-lethal grenade varieties nestled lovingly within before carefully returning it to it's proper place.
Everything else was business as usual - a nice big gun, a nice thick armored jacket, a handy medkit, a backpack stuffed with basic survival gear and tools, and some personal electronics. That and a pleasantly warm and dry outfit of rugged tarp canvas and flannel, and some stompy steel-toed boots.
~Umi
[1400, August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup]
Mentally cataloguing the details from the accounts of the girl and the dwarf, Frizzen took the sketch in his hand and turned to lean over the railing to gather his thoughts for a moment.
Darbis and Maus watched as he studied the drawing, and then suddenly shifted his gaze down to the bustling ground level. Following his sightline, they saw what he saw - the woman from the picture, maybe a hundred meters away, making her way in their direction.
And then, as if feeling three sets of eyes on her, she looked up and spotted them.
Mentally cataloguing the details from the accounts of the girl and the dwarf, Frizzen took the sketch in his hand and turned to lean over the railing to gather his thoughts for a moment.
Darbis and Maus watched as he studied the drawing, and then suddenly shifted his gaze down to the bustling ground level. Following his sightline, they saw what he saw - the woman from the picture, maybe a hundred meters away, making her way in their direction.
And then, as if feeling three sets of eyes on her, she looked up and spotted them.
[1100, August 4th, 2075; Puyallup Barrens]
Monkey woke slowly in his cramped squat, kicking away a curious devil rat that had found its way into his nest. The squat was impossible for most metahumans to access, the stairs long ago collapsed, but that didn't keep out the wildlife. It was worth it for privacy, though.
Hell of a vacation - that last party had been something else. He'd had a little cred from his last job, and was taking a little time to recoup before he picked up another. But the drugs were gone, and what cred he had left would barely cover replacing them. Time to look for work, and hopefully stock up on pharmaceuticals at the same time.
Spam, spam, porn, spam... none of the messages on Monkey's commlink were work opportunities. He left a message for Callen and got out of bed, slipping on his gecko gloves and climbing down the elevator shaft. Three floors down and he emerged into what had been the lobby of an office building before the eruption. Biting into a nutrisoy wafer, Monkey broke into a steady jog. It was a good ten klicks to the Crime Mall.
Monkey woke slowly in his cramped squat, kicking away a curious devil rat that had found its way into his nest. The squat was impossible for most metahumans to access, the stairs long ago collapsed, but that didn't keep out the wildlife. It was worth it for privacy, though.
Hell of a vacation - that last party had been something else. He'd had a little cred from his last job, and was taking a little time to recoup before he picked up another. But the drugs were gone, and what cred he had left would barely cover replacing them. Time to look for work, and hopefully stock up on pharmaceuticals at the same time.
Spam, spam, porn, spam... none of the messages on Monkey's commlink were work opportunities. He left a message for Callen and got out of bed, slipping on his gecko gloves and climbing down the elevator shaft. Three floors down and he emerged into what had been the lobby of an office building before the eruption. Biting into a nutrisoy wafer, Monkey broke into a steady jog. It was a good ten klicks to the Crime Mall.
[August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup - Second Floor, by the Tonkotsu Ramen Stall]
Maus’ nose wrinkled again as she blinked multiple times, cycling through her vision shifting over to the astral once again to try to gain a peek into the woman in black’s aura so if she saw it again she’d remember it. As soon as they were “caught” by the woman’s gaze however she locked eyes with the woman as she whispered a few words under her breath.
“Water Flow with energy, drawn from deep, within me. Pool be shallow Pool be deep, flow from me, and follow.”
As the rolling water manifested on the astral, Maus asked two favors of the spirit she had brought forth. One to follow the woman in black, and two to tell her where she came to rest in case they lost her. With what was akin to a small river bowing its “head” the water rolled off the edge of the second level and cascaded like a waterfall to the floor below and started to snake its way around the constant foot traffic and stealthily made its way towards its intended target and waited to follow.
Maus’ nose wrinkled again as she blinked multiple times, cycling through her vision shifting over to the astral once again to try to gain a peek into the woman in black’s aura so if she saw it again she’d remember it. As soon as they were “caught” by the woman’s gaze however she locked eyes with the woman as she whispered a few words under her breath.
“Water Flow with energy, drawn from deep, within me. Pool be shallow Pool be deep, flow from me, and follow.”
As the rolling water manifested on the astral, Maus asked two favors of the spirit she had brought forth. One to follow the woman in black, and two to tell her where she came to rest in case they lost her. With what was akin to a small river bowing its “head” the water rolled off the edge of the second level and cascaded like a waterfall to the floor below and started to snake its way around the constant foot traffic and stealthily made its way towards its intended target and waited to follow.
[Early Afternoon August 4th 2075; Crime mall, Puyallup]
Noticing the woman, the only real lead in finding Steamer, Frizzen starts to focus in on her with his cyber eyes. Without looking at Maus he simply asks " that the chica?". He starts a file package consisting of multiple images of the woman, relaying it back to Briar, and storing a copy in his 'link.
"Guess we do this tha old fashion way fo now. Doc, ya mind stayin 'round in case we get my chummer back an he's needin some help? Make it more worth ya while than jus' a drink."
He starts to make his way towards the woman as he awaits a reply.
[1400, August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup]
Meeting the gaze of the people above her on the second level, the black-clad woman froze for just a few moments, then turned tail and headed rapidly in the opposite direction, doing her best to disappear into the crowd.
Meeting the gaze of the people above her on the second level, the black-clad woman froze for just a few moments, then turned tail and headed rapidly in the opposite direction, doing her best to disappear into the crowd.
[August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup - Second Floor, by the Tonkotsu Ramen Stall]
Maus nodded affirmatively as she started to follow behind Frizzen as he made his way towards the out-of-work escalators that would take them down to the ground floor.
"Yes, that's her. I have a friend keeping tabs on her, for now."
Maus nodded affirmatively as she started to follow behind Frizzen as he made his way towards the out-of-work escalators that would take them down to the ground floor.
"Yes, that's her. I have a friend keeping tabs on her, for now."
[Tommy Andrews (Hothead), , August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup]
Realizing he may be premature in thinking he is safe, Tommy decides to open his astral sight and perceive both mana and real space. He has no defenses again technology, which is why he doesn't really worry about it.
Looking at his Meta Link to change the music, he realizes that Tina and Travis have sent him messages.
From Tina: Where are you? I thought you said you would take a shift at the diner today.
From Travis: Dude-will you please contact Tina...She's bugging me about you again. I'm trying to make a focus for you and if I keep getting interrupted, you'll never get it.
Sending a message back to Travis: Tell her I'm taking a break and exploring the Crime Mall for a few hours. I'll see her later tonight, if I don't get a better offer. ha ha ha.
Hoping Travis actually gets the message to Tina because he really doesn't want to deal with her right now, he decides music won't soothe him anymore, and heads for wherever he can find some cheap food. It's lunchtime, and he's not waiting for free food at the diner before eating again. I hope I can find some meat around here.
Realizing he may be premature in thinking he is safe, Tommy decides to open his astral sight and perceive both mana and real space. He has no defenses again technology, which is why he doesn't really worry about it.
Looking at his Meta Link to change the music, he realizes that Tina and Travis have sent him messages.
From Tina: Where are you? I thought you said you would take a shift at the diner today.
From Travis: Dude-will you please contact Tina...She's bugging me about you again. I'm trying to make a focus for you and if I keep getting interrupted, you'll never get it.
Sending a message back to Travis: Tell her I'm taking a break and exploring the Crime Mall for a few hours. I'll see her later tonight, if I don't get a better offer. ha ha ha.
Hoping Travis actually gets the message to Tina because he really doesn't want to deal with her right now, he decides music won't soothe him anymore, and heads for wherever he can find some cheap food. It's lunchtime, and he's not waiting for free food at the diner before eating again. I hope I can find some meat around here.
Darbis "Patch" Hummels
[August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup - Second Floor, by the Tonkotsu Ramen Stall]
Darbis considered Frizzen's offer for a moment. It would likely be a dangerous proposition to go wih them; getting their friend back wouldn't be easy, and the men in black jackets were well-coordinated. But then Frizzen mentioned that their comrade could be hurt, and so, duty calls.
"I'll go with ya," Darbis replied, "And make sure your man is ok."
[August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup - Second Floor, by the Tonkotsu Ramen Stall]
Darbis considered Frizzen's offer for a moment. It would likely be a dangerous proposition to go wih them; getting their friend back wouldn't be easy, and the men in black jackets were well-coordinated. But then Frizzen mentioned that their comrade could be hurt, and so, duty calls.
"I'll go with ya," Darbis replied, "And make sure your man is ok."
[1400, August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup]
The return trip was quick this time around, with Boone's front door now mercifully clear of unwanted visitors. He adopted his best bulldog impersonation, trotting heavily but purposefully through the lawless streets, stopping occasionally to ensure no hungry mongrels were following his scent.
Most passerby seemed to overlook him entirely - a not uncommon occurrence for a dwarf. If any bothered to size him up, they grew more wary upon eyeing the T-250 slung over his shoulder. Even if he was compensating for something, a loaded shotgun is a hell of a compensation.
Back into the mall, and back to work. Keeping busy was all he seemed to know how to do anymore. The world kept throwing Boone curveballs, and he just had to keep finding the doggedness to step back up to the plate after each new strikeout. One of these days, he honestly believed, he'd have to hit a homer. But for now, he'd be happy just to pull off a decent bunt. He started scanning the ground floor, finding his bearings...
~Umi
The return trip was quick this time around, with Boone's front door now mercifully clear of unwanted visitors. He adopted his best bulldog impersonation, trotting heavily but purposefully through the lawless streets, stopping occasionally to ensure no hungry mongrels were following his scent.
Most passerby seemed to overlook him entirely - a not uncommon occurrence for a dwarf. If any bothered to size him up, they grew more wary upon eyeing the T-250 slung over his shoulder. Even if he was compensating for something, a loaded shotgun is a hell of a compensation.
Back into the mall, and back to work. Keeping busy was all he seemed to know how to do anymore. The world kept throwing Boone curveballs, and he just had to keep finding the doggedness to step back up to the plate after each new strikeout. One of these days, he honestly believed, he'd have to hit a homer. But for now, he'd be happy just to pull off a decent bunt. He started scanning the ground floor, finding his bearings...
~Umi
[Afternoon, August 4th 2075; Tribal Compound, Puyallup]
QUOTE (Drace @ May 5 2014, 07:52 PM) 
"Is everything okay? Any chance you all need some help? Be nice to do off the books work rather than pay for those meds and repair work..."
Oyl looked Revenant over closely, particularly the cyberdeck he'd proffered with a request for program assistance...too many strangers these days, too much risk...she knew Freedom wouldn't appreciate her sending someone their way, they preferred to vet people on their own terms...
"I'm sorry, were busy here...there may be work for an enterprising individual like yourself but for the moment we don't know you. You are welcome to stay and eat with us but more than that isn't up to me at the moment..."
Somewhat disappointed, although not particularly surprised the decker turned away when an AR message floated across his vision
<@Revenant [?]: If you can find the rabbit hole I'll show you the way to contact those you are looking for. S.>
[August 4th, 2075; Fre∑dom’s Host, Puyallup]
Briar stepped out of the comfort of her home turf and jettisoned herself across the matrix towards the Crime Mall to see if she could assist Frizzen in finding Steamer or his assailants. The grid was spotty in between the two locales and noise was disrupting her signal but at least there was stable matrix carrier at the mall, the shear volume of people there made it a necessity...
Briar stepped out of the comfort of her home turf and jettisoned herself across the matrix towards the Crime Mall to see if she could assist Frizzen in finding Steamer or his assailants. The grid was spotty in between the two locales and noise was disrupting her signal but at least there was stable matrix carrier at the mall, the shear volume of people there made it a necessity...
[1400, August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup]
Almost as soon as he started looking around, Boone saw a familiar face - it was the same woman that had clocked the elf girl earlier. Same face, same respirator. And now, unlike before, she was wearing the same black jacket as men that had hauled off the hapless ork.
She was headed straight toward him and in a hurry. Her eyes scanned the crowd ahead of her; she was looking for somewhere to hide.
Almost as soon as he started looking around, Boone saw a familiar face - it was the same woman that had clocked the elf girl earlier. Same face, same respirator. And now, unlike before, she was wearing the same black jacket as men that had hauled off the hapless ork.
She was headed straight toward him and in a hurry. Her eyes scanned the crowd ahead of her; she was looking for somewhere to hide.
[1400, August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup]
The first real meat Tommy found was in a dingy stall on the ground level, row after row of small lizards skewered on wooden sticks, with more roasting over an open flame behind the scroungy-looking elven proprietor.
The place looked filthier on the astral than in the physical world, and he was just debating how much he really wanted some real protein when something else caught his magically-heightened senses - a water spirit flowing among the crowd slipped right past him, going somewhere with a purpose.
The first real meat Tommy found was in a dingy stall on the ground level, row after row of small lizards skewered on wooden sticks, with more roasting over an open flame behind the scroungy-looking elven proprietor.
The place looked filthier on the astral than in the physical world, and he was just debating how much he really wanted some real protein when something else caught his magically-heightened senses - a water spirit flowing among the crowd slipped right past him, going somewhere with a purpose.
[1400, August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup]
Starting down the escalator, Maus saw a familiar face down on the level below - handsome fellow with blue wraparound shades, raging dreds, a mean soul patch, and a pair of cyberarms. Her fixer Callen had introduced them - he was some sort of courier or something.
Starting down the escalator, Maus saw a familiar face down on the level below - handsome fellow with blue wraparound shades, raging dreds, a mean soul patch, and a pair of cyberarms. Her fixer Callen had introduced them - he was some sort of courier or something.
[Early Afternoon August 4th 2075; Crime mall, Puyallup]
Drek! The slitch was running. He quickly set up his Smartlink to target her, allowing the targeting software to assist him in keeping an eye on her. The girl, Maus, has said she had a friend keeping tabs on her, whatever that meant, but he always preferred to rely on his own abilities and the abilities of those he knew. Unknown variables got ya killed.
"Sounds good.. Maus? Right? Keep up if ya can otherwise catch up an I'll get ya tha rest of ya payment."
He started to speed up, breaking out into a full run to take the woman down. Using his gun here right now would be a death sentence, but if he caught her, a good beating and maybe a few severed fingers could do to make her talk...
[Tommy Andrews (Hothead), 1400, August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup]
Lizard meat doesn't even look appetizing. He remembered a friend having pet lizards when he was a kid in Chicago. Rico would probably hit him just for thinking about eating his pets.
Deciding to keep looking for perhaps something less "real", more appetizing, he catches sight of the water spirit.
What's a water spirit doing around here? That's the first interesting/fun thing to look at. Following the spirit, running to catch up at times, Tommy decides to contact Tina as spirits are her specialty. She'll be able to tell me what they can do, and if I need to worry about it.
<<To Tina: I'm sorry for not getting back to you earlier. I didn't plan to work today and just wanted to check out some of the area. Anyway, I just saw a water spirit wandering around; what can you tell me about them?>>
Lizard meat doesn't even look appetizing. He remembered a friend having pet lizards when he was a kid in Chicago. Rico would probably hit him just for thinking about eating his pets.
Deciding to keep looking for perhaps something less "real", more appetizing, he catches sight of the water spirit.
What's a water spirit doing around here? That's the first interesting/fun thing to look at. Following the spirit, running to catch up at times, Tommy decides to contact Tina as spirits are her specialty. She'll be able to tell me what they can do, and if I need to worry about it.
<<To Tina: I'm sorry for not getting back to you earlier. I didn't plan to work today and just wanted to check out some of the area. Anyway, I just saw a water spirit wandering around; what can you tell me about them?>>
[Tommy Andrews (Hothead), August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup]
<<To Tommy[Tina]: So when you want something from me, that's when you respond to my message. Typical, I don't know why I try so hard with you. Well, you are my brother, so I love you, but you are a big pain sometimes. So why do you want to know about water spirits. After all this time, I would think you would remember something about them. But of course, you really don't listen to me do you.....>>
Reading the message from Tina, Tommy just rolls his eyes, glad Tina can't see him...Of course she just can't answer my question...she has to remind me again that I never listen to hear, never hear anything she tells me...how irresponsible I am and that I should be working or trying to find a job instead of wandering around Seattle...good thing I didn't tell her exactly where I am, she would of course never want to come here...I hope she answers my question though...
Shuffling through to the end of the message...<<...and water spirits don't like fire. I love you. See you later.>>
Wait, that's it, they don't like fire? This cheap comm, it must have eaten part of the message. I know she knows more than that. After seeing what this water spirit is doing, I should look around for a good price on a better comm link...
<<To Tommy[Tina]: So when you want something from me, that's when you respond to my message. Typical, I don't know why I try so hard with you. Well, you are my brother, so I love you, but you are a big pain sometimes. So why do you want to know about water spirits. After all this time, I would think you would remember something about them. But of course, you really don't listen to me do you.....>>
Reading the message from Tina, Tommy just rolls his eyes, glad Tina can't see him...Of course she just can't answer my question...she has to remind me again that I never listen to hear, never hear anything she tells me...how irresponsible I am and that I should be working or trying to find a job instead of wandering around Seattle...good thing I didn't tell her exactly where I am, she would of course never want to come here...I hope she answers my question though...
Shuffling through to the end of the message...<<...and water spirits don't like fire. I love you. See you later.>>
Wait, that's it, they don't like fire? This cheap comm, it must have eaten part of the message. I know she knows more than that. After seeing what this water spirit is doing, I should look around for a good price on a better comm link...
Darbis "Patch" Hummels
[August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup - Second Floor]
Recognizing the face of the woman he had seen club Kettle in the back of the head, Darbis joined the chase alongside Frizzen, moving as quickly as his short legs could carry him.
[August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup - Second Floor]
Recognizing the face of the woman he had seen club Kettle in the back of the head, Darbis joined the chase alongside Frizzen, moving as quickly as his short legs could carry him.
[1400, August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup]
Hurrying down the escalator, Darbis could hardly help but pause to look out over the expanse of metahumanity laid open to his view. Detroit was no backwater, but they didn't have anything like this.
Stretching before him was more than two eyes could take in - the floor seething with activity of a fell and questionable nature. Commerce hummed, and most in commodities that carried decades in confinement for mere possession alone. And beyond that there were the hangers-on, the camp followers, the secondary trade - he saw a woman busking with her guitar, prehensile tail banging a rusty butter knife on an overtuned plastic bucket to keep time; some sort of brothel stall with an open frontage where all the services were being performed for any passerby to see (did they cater to exhibitionists, or did people just not care?); a pair of trolls towering above the crowd in what looked like a hodge-podge of surplus military garb, matching red stars festooning their caps and shoulders - they nursed ice cream cones with their left hands while their right hands toted light machine guns; and then there was the snake charmer - yes, a snake charmer - his turbaned head swaying in unison with the five cobras lined up facing him.
And all that was just scratching the surface.
Hurrying down the escalator, Darbis could hardly help but pause to look out over the expanse of metahumanity laid open to his view. Detroit was no backwater, but they didn't have anything like this.
Stretching before him was more than two eyes could take in - the floor seething with activity of a fell and questionable nature. Commerce hummed, and most in commodities that carried decades in confinement for mere possession alone. And beyond that there were the hangers-on, the camp followers, the secondary trade - he saw a woman busking with her guitar, prehensile tail banging a rusty butter knife on an overtuned plastic bucket to keep time; some sort of brothel stall with an open frontage where all the services were being performed for any passerby to see (did they cater to exhibitionists, or did people just not care?); a pair of trolls towering above the crowd in what looked like a hodge-podge of surplus military garb, matching red stars festooning their caps and shoulders - they nursed ice cream cones with their left hands while their right hands toted light machine guns; and then there was the snake charmer - yes, a snake charmer - his turbaned head swaying in unison with the five cobras lined up facing him.
And all that was just scratching the surface.
[1400, August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup]
The spirit's otherworldly aura stood out brightly from the chaotic mass of Crime Mall denizens. Tracking its progress, Tommy next tried to figure out what it was doing.
It made an abrupt change of course, and jumping up on a packing crate to better see along the line of its new direction, he saw some minor fracas about fifty meters away. A woman in a black jacket had bumped into some unsavory characters, and was quickly trying to soothe ruffled feathers and move on. As she did so, she kept glancing back the way she'd come.
Following her gaze, Tommy saw a big ork hustling down an escalator, his eyes locked on the distant woman. The tusker's aura was riddled with the black striations that marked him as a street sam.
The spirit's otherworldly aura stood out brightly from the chaotic mass of Crime Mall denizens. Tracking its progress, Tommy next tried to figure out what it was doing.
It made an abrupt change of course, and jumping up on a packing crate to better see along the line of its new direction, he saw some minor fracas about fifty meters away. A woman in a black jacket had bumped into some unsavory characters, and was quickly trying to soothe ruffled feathers and move on. As she did so, she kept glancing back the way she'd come.
Following her gaze, Tommy saw a big ork hustling down an escalator, his eyes locked on the distant woman. The tusker's aura was riddled with the black striations that marked him as a street sam.
[1400, August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup]
As his target approached rapidly, Boone's mind raced. "So, they're still around - figured they might be. Okay, uhh... drek. This one doesn't look talkative at the moment. Trail 'er I guess. Just need a... uh..."
The dwarf whirled around, looking desperately for something he could use. He quicky settled on the nearest thing at hand - a collection of tables populated by thirsty shoppers chugging down invigorating soykaf or soul-deadening booze, as suited to their immediate needs and tastes. He picked a passing waiter, a human gal closer to his own height than most, and stopped her dead in her tracks with a winning smile and an even more winning credstick.
"S'cuse me miss, I'm thirsty as a fish in an oven, simply can't wait, give ya 20 nuyen for that big ol' drink you're carting." The girl blinked from under her mussy brown bangs in surprise and shot him an inquisitive look, but the combination of Boone's best bargain-grin and cold hard cash for minimal effort was a hard deal to beat.
"Sure, chummer." She took his credstick with a bemused smirk and handed him a large tumbler of hurlg. "Lemme go serve this table real quick and I'll get your credstick back to you."
The waitress bustled off to her other customers while Boone turned and set off at a trot, making a show of drinking deeply and not looking where he was going. He spotted his quarry over the foam-soaked rim of his glass and made for a point slightly in front of and to the side of her. At the last minute he sped up and tripped - he hoped convincingly - running head-and-hurlg-long into the lady kidnapper's side and falling flat on his back.
"Oooh, that smarts!" Boone gazed up from the floor with a look of pain mingled with shock and embarassment. "Oi, chummer, you okay?" He pulled himself into a sitting position, wiping the booze out of his hair and grabbing up his hat from the ground. "Oh, drek, I'm so sorry. Damn! You're sopping wet! Hang on, I'll go get some napkins or something..."
~Umi
As his target approached rapidly, Boone's mind raced. "So, they're still around - figured they might be. Okay, uhh... drek. This one doesn't look talkative at the moment. Trail 'er I guess. Just need a... uh..."
The dwarf whirled around, looking desperately for something he could use. He quicky settled on the nearest thing at hand - a collection of tables populated by thirsty shoppers chugging down invigorating soykaf or soul-deadening booze, as suited to their immediate needs and tastes. He picked a passing waiter, a human gal closer to his own height than most, and stopped her dead in her tracks with a winning smile and an even more winning credstick.
"S'cuse me miss, I'm thirsty as a fish in an oven, simply can't wait, give ya 20 nuyen for that big ol' drink you're carting." The girl blinked from under her mussy brown bangs in surprise and shot him an inquisitive look, but the combination of Boone's best bargain-grin and cold hard cash for minimal effort was a hard deal to beat.
"Sure, chummer." She took his credstick with a bemused smirk and handed him a large tumbler of hurlg. "Lemme go serve this table real quick and I'll get your credstick back to you."
The waitress bustled off to her other customers while Boone turned and set off at a trot, making a show of drinking deeply and not looking where he was going. He spotted his quarry over the foam-soaked rim of his glass and made for a point slightly in front of and to the side of her. At the last minute he sped up and tripped - he hoped convincingly - running head-and-hurlg-long into the lady kidnapper's side and falling flat on his back.
"Oooh, that smarts!" Boone gazed up from the floor with a look of pain mingled with shock and embarassment. "Oi, chummer, you okay?" He pulled himself into a sitting position, wiping the booze out of his hair and grabbing up his hat from the ground. "Oh, drek, I'm so sorry. Damn! You're sopping wet! Hang on, I'll go get some napkins or something..."
~Umi
[1400, August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup]
Most of what the cunning little man had to say ended up being directed at the woman's back. He had barely gotten a muttered, "Whatever…forget it," from her, and she never broke stride.
But watching her go he could tell one leg of her trousers was good and soaked, and one boot had stepped squarely into a puddle of the stuff. For a short while, she'd be that much easier to track.
Most of what the cunning little man had to say ended up being directed at the woman's back. He had barely gotten a muttered, "Whatever…forget it," from her, and she never broke stride.
But watching her go he could tell one leg of her trousers was good and soaked, and one boot had stepped squarely into a puddle of the stuff. For a short while, she'd be that much easier to track.
[August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup]
Recognizing a familiar face below on an intercept trajectory with the woman in black, she slowed her pace from trying to keep up with Frizzen to fire off a quick message.
<@Monkey [Maus]: Trying to keep tabs on a girl down below, dressed in all black, respirator around her neck and slightly pregnant. Any chance you've got eyes on her from where you are? A few bucks for you if you can stop her or at least slow her down till some friends can talk to her...>
Recognizing a familiar face below on an intercept trajectory with the woman in black, she slowed her pace from trying to keep up with Frizzen to fire off a quick message.
<@Monkey [Maus]: Trying to keep tabs on a girl down below, dressed in all black, respirator around her neck and slightly pregnant. Any chance you've got eyes on her from where you are? A few bucks for you if you can stop her or at least slow her down till some friends can talk to her...>
[August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup]
Monkey receives Maus's message and shoots one back, typing old-school. He scowls as he does so, pissed that his cheap trodes broke last night.
<@Maus [Monkey]: Noted and logged. I'll keep an eye out.>
Once the message is sent, Monkey scans the crowd. It's evident he's looking for someone, but behind his wraparounds the target of his gaze isn't obvious.
Monkey receives Maus's message and shoots one back, typing old-school. He scowls as he does so, pissed that his cheap trodes broke last night.
<@Maus [Monkey]: Noted and logged. I'll keep an eye out.>
Once the message is sent, Monkey scans the crowd. It's evident he's looking for someone, but behind his wraparounds the target of his gaze isn't obvious.
[Approx. 1400, August 4th, 2075; Crime Mall, Puyallup]
"Tsk, such rudeness", Boone muttered softly, before collecting himself up off the floor and smirking inwardly. "Not a bad start, even if I am half a mess myself. Still, I've smelled worse today!"
He walked off to return his glass and retrieve his credstick, casually watching his mark slip further away through the crowd. "Let me tell you, miss, that hit the spot! Although, can I snag a few napkins? Little too hasty downing it, as you can see!"
He let loose a good-natured peal of laughter as he mopped at his face and jacket. A few of the surlier patrons nearby glanced at him in annoyance, but no significant attention came his way, and he quickly set off across the floor to get a better vantage point. Wherever his target was headed, he wanted to see which way they turned as they left the area - assuming he hadn't lost too much time already.
~Umi
"Tsk, such rudeness", Boone muttered softly, before collecting himself up off the floor and smirking inwardly. "Not a bad start, even if I am half a mess myself. Still, I've smelled worse today!"
He walked off to return his glass and retrieve his credstick, casually watching his mark slip further away through the crowd. "Let me tell you, miss, that hit the spot! Although, can I snag a few napkins? Little too hasty downing it, as you can see!"
He let loose a good-natured peal of laughter as he mopped at his face and jacket. A few of the surlier patrons nearby glanced at him in annoyance, but no significant attention came his way, and he quickly set off across the floor to get a better vantage point. Wherever his target was headed, he wanted to see which way they turned as they left the area - assuming he hadn't lost too much time already.
~Umi
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