Tuesday, April 6th, 2064 - 4:00pm

Jake, Diesel, and Iblis - Calls go out from the boat, but only a few come back to Seattle, and nothing seems out of the ordinary. One and a half hours later there's a beep on Iblis's telecom, indicating a file received.

Opening it up, you find the information you asked for. Security schedule is light, with ten men on guard on the upper deck, and 2 more in a control center a few levels down from the bridge. Schedules show another dozen men on the security crew sleeping or off duty, and a twelve hour rotation. They're armed with pistols and assualt rifles, although there's a notation that unless ordered, the guns are loaded with gel rounds to prevent damage to the boat.

Lastly, there's a brief paragraph that goes into far more details on the coolant system of a cargo frieghter then you were ever interested in, but it looks like things are set up to provide your distraction when necessary.

Moe - Schnell pauses as they reach the end of the tour, casting an appraising eye over you.

"So, am I up to code? Vinny mentioned you might be worried."

Nameless looks up from where he's been working on and modifying the disguises. "How's it going Jake? Did we get the info we've been looking for?"

"Nameless, it looks like we're set. We have our distraction and the info on the security team. Have everyone look it over, I'm going to try and get Moe on the phone and find out how the boat looks."

Jake feels the cold tingle down his spine as he walks through the ward into the sideyard. Resting the earbud in place, he places the call to Moe to get a status report.

:: Moe's phone jingles with an electro-techno beat and she smiles wide as her hand slips into her pocket. Lifting one finger to her host, by way of indicating she needs a moment, she triggers the phone and places it against her ear. ::

"Ho, boss-man. Jus' gettin' the skinny on da boat. Looking good...should do the trick."

:: Knowing her voice will carry to his ears, she gives Schnell a wink as she waits for Jake's response. ::

"Sounds good, is he on-board with our timeline?"

:: Moe is curiously silent as she racks her brain for what the timeline actually is. ::

"Uhhh...an' dat woul' beee......"

"Okay hon, I think the partying is getting to you, we need to be about three hundred miles out to sea before the sun rises on the ninth. That gives him under fourty-eight hours to get ready."

"Righ'..I knew dat, jus'.....testin you. Anyway, hang tigh' a moment."

:: Pressing the phone to her breast, she makes eye contact with Schnell. ::

"Hey luv, you t'ink you coul' 'ave us t'ree 'undred miles out before sunrise on da ninth?"

Schnell takes a moment, obviously doing some calculations.

"You'll have to be ready by 9pm on the 8th. Are you guys just looking for a lift out, or are you going to want a ride back? And are you looking for fire support or just a taxi?

It's going to affect my fee, of course." he says as with a wink.

:: Moe smiles before turning away and pressing the phone to her ear once more. ::

" 'e can do it, if we're rea'y by 9pm da night b'fore. Also, 'e wants ta know if we's wanting a two way trip or one way...also, do we wan' 'im as fire suppor'?"

Nameless nods. Putting the finishing touches on the uniforms, he prints out the relevant data and begins distributing it to the other members of the team. He then sits down and begins committing it all to memory.

"Moe, are you going to be able to handle the vessel once we have taken control to get us to a safe harbor? If so, then we only need a one-way ticket. And I think we have enough fire support already, anything that Diesel can't kill is probably beyond what any of us could possibly expect."

"I've neva driven a boat b'fore...it's best ta assume we'll need 'im for dat as well."

"Find out what his rate will be, for a days' work."

:: Moe cups the phone with her hand as she moves over to Schnell. ::

"Ok...We'll be hijackin' another vessell and I'm guessin' tha' drivin a boat is no' exactly tha same as a drivin' van, so we migh' need ya ta pilot da target back to a secure spo' fer us. How much ya t'ink tha'll run us?"

"5k for the run, and driving their boat back will be another 2. It'll cost you another 2 if I'm fighting."

He tosses the numbers out casually, inspecting something near the above deck navigation station.

:: Back to the phone, Moe relays the info. ::

"7 large...'e says anotha two to figh', but wif Big D, I don't t'ink tha'll be necessary."

"Offer him 5k inclusive, plus a 2k bonus if he can get us aboard the target without being noticed. And you're right, we won't need him for the fight."

:: Moe sighs. ::

"Look boss...dis is a tad unprofessional, back an' forth like dis..you jus' wanna talk to 'im direct?"

"Poiché vuoi bella."

Jake rolls his head on his shoulders once clockwise. This was taking longer than he expected, hopefully direct communication with the boat-rigger would be faster. Hearing the change of hands for the phone, he refocuses his attention to the conversation.

"Schnell, the name's Jake. I'm Li'l Moe's employer for this one. You've got the details of what we need. I can toss five your way for taxi service, and piloting the target back to a safe harbor. There's an extra two, if you are able to get us side by side without them knowing that we are crashing the party."

Schnell gives Moe a wry grin at the abrupt shift, and slides his tongue across his upper teeth contemplatively.


"Pop the bonus to three and you gotta deal. I'll slide you guys in there quieter then a man sneaking home from his mistresses' slipping into bed at home."

Stretching a little bit, Nameless gets up, goes to the soykaf machine, and makes himself cup of kaf. Returning to the main room, he points to the cup and then quizzically to the other members, inquiring if they want one as well.

After grabbing some extra cups of kaf for those who do, he goes back to work memorizing the layouts of the ship.

Jake comes back into the house, the smell of soykaf beckoning him. It's never as good as the real stuff, but it's here now... He pours himself a cup in the same green mug as before.

"Deal made. Go over any other details with Moe and I will see you tomorrow night at nine o'clock. Have a good day."

Hanging up the phone, the strigone heads into the living room and sits down across from Nameless. He picks up the papers with the ship layout and resumes the process of memorizing them.

"We've got a ship, leaves tomorrow night nine o'clock. We need to be ready around eight."

Nameless looks over at Jake. "Disguises are ready to go. Don't know how good they are, best I could do on the info I got. Should be decent enough to pass a casual inspection at least though."

Leaning back in the chair, Nameless works out a crick in his neck. "So what do we gotta do between now and then? You got a more specific briefing for us, or are we pretty much just set?"

"For the most part, I think we're set. Steel needs to pick up the stuff from Vinnie--neurostun et al, but otherwise I think we're set. I want to have a meeting tomorrow around ten to cover our bases one last time. I think bagels would pair nicely with a strategy session."

Nameless grins. "I get the hint. OK, I'm on bagel duty tomorrow. Until then, I guess it's my favorite part of a run." He grimaces. "The sit and memorize endlessly part."

Yawning, he leans back in his chair, rubs his eyes, and picks up the papers again. "And that means it's back to work..."

Steel says, "I'll pick the stuff up before the meeting tomorrow then. I have no other preparations to make."

Jake looks over to Diesel trying to assess his weight.

"Hey, Diesel. I can almost guarantee that you weigh twice as much as me. Can you go by the S-Mart and pick up about forty meters of rope with a tensile strength high enough to support your weight. I've got some grapple line at the house but I don't know if it can hold you. Once that is done, everyone should probably relax and get some rest. I have a feeling that tomorrow is going to be fairly long.

"Steel if you've got time, I wouldn't mind a few rounds of sparring in the back just to go over the forms before I use them again tomorrow."

"You got enough climing gear for the rest of us, boss?" Nameless asks.

"I've got enough grapple line for everyone to go up but I can only get my hands on three harnesses. How many harnesses do we need? I don't have one that will fit either Diesel or Moe."

"Aight boss" Diesel says casually as he heads to the door "Anyone need anything while im making the trip?"

"I have all I need," Loki replies.

Nameless looks over at Jake. "Mind if I borrow some climbing gear then boss?"

:: Moe spends a few more hours familarizing herself with the boat, and working out the details of the plan with Schnell, then excuses herself back to her van. Once inside, she sets a preprogrammed route to take the long way home as she puts in a call to Sade. ::

"Ho Cap'ain! Miss me luv?"

"Not a problem, Nameless."

"Aight then" Diesel says as he walks out the door

Diesel drives of and reurns an hour or so later with the ropes harnesses and a sackfull of about 20 soyburgers

"I figured we could use some brain food for the plannin session. Hey boss man I got someting I need ta ask ya. Whats plan B? I know what my plan B is but I dont think itll work for the rest of ya."

Moe - "Moe, me fav'rite munchkin, how be ye?"

Diesel - The trip to the S-Mart is uneventful, other then one of those random street trash gangs that always assume big is stupid and slow. 3 broken arms, half a dzone busted ribs, and a concussion later, they were educated. It's easy and fun!

"Missin' ya! Heya...we're pullin' a Jolly Roga on da high seas inna day or so an' need a safe 'arbor ta stash our plunda...you know a good spo'?"

Iblis pokes her head out from her room. "I'm pretty much ready for the run." Her face lights up at the sight of food as she moves down the hall to snag two burgers, pausing to plant a kiss on Diesel's cheek. "You are a complete wet dream Big Daddy D." She heads for the kitchen and her voice rings out again. "Good question, what is our "well that's all fragged up, what now?" plan?" The sound of the fridge swinging open can be heard. "Anyone want something to drink?"

Nameless winks at Iblis. "Better watch out Ibs. He might try to take you up on that and help relieve some of your, er...nighttime stress." He grins and dives behind the couch for cover as Iblis, in mock rage, chucks whatever random implements happen to be close at hand.

After poking his head out cautiously to make sure no objects of doom were going to come hurtling at him, he walks over to the kitchen. "Oh, and I'll take something to drink while you're at it," he adds.

Pretending to be upset, Iblis pretends to harumph. "You're lucky I don't boot you out right now, let alone get you something to drink." Grinning, Nameless walks up behind her and gives her a hug. "And leave the company of the best, not to my mention my most favorite, action decker I know? I'd be devastated." His tone was teasing, but definitely complimentary.

I have to say, one thing I love about Iblis is that she has a great sense of humor. Steel's a blast to be with and one of my best friends, but sometimes that dark stuff is well...pretty fragging dark. Not that she doesn't have good reason. And Lord knows I'm not Mr. Sunshine and cheerfulness, not even close. But around friends, at least, it's nice sometimes to be able to relax a bit and smile.

He is snapped out of his thoughts by a playful slap to the cheek. "Hands off buster. You're keeping the rest of the team from their drinks. Selfish jerk." She smiles at him as she deftly slips out of his hug and arranges drinks, held in random and creatively styled glasses, on a tray. With mock chagrin, he replies, "How very right of you. And how utterly dreadful of me. Allow me to repay for my past indiscretions, and assist you by carrying the drinks out."

Snorting in amusement, Iblis slides the tray over. "It's going to take a lot more than this to work off your 'past indiscretions' as you put it, No-Name. But if you insist..." she smiles and walks back into the living room. Laughing at this brief lighthearted moment before they get back to the nitty-gritty of planning the run, Nameless picks up the tray and follows her.

Moe - "Well now, little one, thar's a few places mightin be abou' whatcha lookin' fer...Thar's an i'land, jus' off da' coast a' Or'gon tha wouldn' ask na' questions. Ah'll send tha co'dinates over witha parr't."

A few moments later, and a set of coordinates arrive in a file at your LTG, with the icon of a bright red parrot with an eye patch.

:: Moe giggles as she sees the cute little icon and saves the information to her PocSec. ::

"Thanks luv, when ya 'eadin' out dis way? I'd luv anotha fishin' trip!"

Jake picks up his overnight bag as he heads down the hallway to the bathroom. With a quick verbal command his phone dials Fixx.

Voicemail...must be busy at work...

"Hey hon, it's me. Hopefully work is going well today, if you get time tonight can you drop off my gear from Africa at Ib's house. I think I'm going to need it tomorrow. Iblis sends her love. Ciao."

The mediterranean mage changes into his jogging shorts and shoes with a loose fitting shirt. Stepping out into the main part of the house, he looks over the team.

"A friend of mine is hopefully going to drop off a bag here later tonight with all our climbing gear, otherwise I will have to get it in the morning. I'm going jogging to clear my head and dash the beginnings of cabin fever. Anyone want to join me?"

Nameless stands up. "Yeah, I definitely could stretch my legs. And I wouldn't mind getting outside a little either." Shedding unnecessary gear for their workout, he adds, "Ready when you are Jake."

Jake and Nameless set out for their jog. They begin with a smooth stride that stretches out little used muscles and by the time they round the corner have found a good solid rhythm between them.

Passing through the parks and past quaint sidewalk cafes, the two muscular men draw a fair share of appraising glances. Jake waves to a few of the coffeehouse owners who are out sweeping their patios for appearance's sake. After a few miles, Jake signals for them to slow down as he turns into the wooden gates of the Sanctuary of the Inner Light.

The meditation gardens are peaceful for the two criminals. A quiet sense of reflection seems to fall over the two men who had been jovially chatting as they ran. The broad-shouldered Italian makes a deep bow to Sister Kitsune as they leave the gardens back into the hectic traffic of the afternoon commute.

Pushing a little harder on the way back, both men get back to the small two-bedroom house with loft just as the setting sun touches the distant horizon.

Moe - " 'ere now, luv, ah'll be out visitin' tha' lil' spot ah told' cha about in a few days...shouda' keep an eye out fer' ya?

Tuesday, April 7th, 2064 - 6:33 am

The dawn rises with the familiar spray of colors and lights stretched out through the clouds, the glow of city lights reflecting off the cloud cover giving way to the diffused sunlight breaking through the clouds.

The day before...

Steel rolls out of bed - well, off her couch - when the sun nears its peak in the sky. With a softly grumbled curse to herself she rubs her eyes and heads for the shower, praying the water will be hot. Or at least lukewarm.

An hour later she rolls the Blitzen down the stairs of the old tenement and out into the street. Her duster gleams dully in what little sunlight there was. Steel grimaces at the sky, as if personally offended by the light, and slides her sunglasses on.

The bike's engine roars to life and soon Steel is in her element, dodging in and out of traffic, roaring up behind semis and blowing past them. It's early afternoon by the time she reaches Vinnie's dilapidated office.

"I don't suppose you're ever going to move to a nicer place?" Steel asks with disdain as she lets herself in.

Vinnie looks up from his desk with a grin. "What, and scare off all my clients? You look good, babe." His breath makes his everpresent cloud of cigar smoke swirl and drift.

"Thanks. I'm just here to pick up the neurostun."

The box is soon loaded on her bike, and Vinnie gives her a nod as she climbs aboard again. "Good luck with everything. Try not to blow up the whole harbor, willya? And don't get killed."

"Are you getting sentimental, Vinnie? I'm touched."

Vinnie snorts. "You think I got another runner crazy as you? You get whacked, I got no-one to take these suicide runs on."

"Bite me."

"Anywheres in particular?"

Steel rolls her eyes and roars off, leaving the little man chuckling behind her. It's late afternoon by the time she returns to Iblis' house, hoping to catch the others there. She unloads the neurostun from her bike and tows it inside. Mission accomplished, she then grabs a bite to eat and tries to track down Ibs.

"Hey, Ibs," she says with her trademark slow smile. "Since the meeting's so early, mind if I crash here tonight? Thanks."

When evening rolls around she finds a spot on a piece of fuzzy furniture and drops off, katanas cradled to her chest.

Tuesday morning...

Steel spends a good forty-five minutes in the shower until Ibs gets Diesel to kick down the door and order her out. Steel finally emerges with wet hair and a dreamy expression on her face.

"Hot water," she mumbles to herself, then looks around. "Aren't there supposed to be bagels here?"

Groaning, Nameless rolls silently out of bed bright and early...well, except for the groaning. I hate hate hate HATE mornings...Man, it's a good thing I am in the shadows...at least I don't have to be up so early all the time...oh...then why am I up? Oh right...bagels...Let's see, me, Steel, Iblis, Moe, Jake, Loki, Diesel...1 box should do it.

The last name he thought of pops back into his head as he pulls on his pants...Diesel...better make it two boxes.

Taking an hour to clear his mind through meditation and reflection, he prepares himself for the upcoming run.

That done, he hops into his car and drives to the local bakery to pick up some bagels. Fresh ones, that it is. Bagels firmly in tow, he heads off to the girls' place, ready for a day of meetings and soon, mayhem.

Jake throws another pinch of incense on the small brazier. He breathes deeply of the cleansing fumes. Fixx is still sleeping on the bed just an arm's reach away. The beautiful German had been right, an evening at home was necessary before everything that today held in store.

The Italian warrior slowly rises to his feet and covers the slow burning coals. He pads softly into the shower, starting the coffee machine on his way in. After a few moments, Jake emerges with his hair plastered against his smooth chest and back. Taking a cup of coffee, he pours the rest of the pot into a thermos and restarts the machine.

Just before leaving he runs through his checklist, kisses his partner in crime and other things on the neck and says goodbye. Adding the second pot to the first in the troll-sized thermos, Fixx heads out.

At Ib's, he places a few mugs on the table next to the boxes of bagels along with the thermos of real coffee. He motions to Nameless covering the last few details on precise locations for the neurostun being introduced into the environmental control systems.

Waiting for the others to rouse themselves and shower, the swordsman looks across the room to his eastern counterpart.

"We still on for a little practice this afternoon before the real thing?"

The anticipation is always the hardest part. Loki wishes he could just fast-forward to the strike. "Let's do this. Let's fragging do this." He repeatedly jumps in place to work off his nervous energy. "I'm ready for this. Let's do it."