16:55:01 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - outside the Paradigm Shift, Touristville

If a very brief question: before she lets it slide over to the voicemail (but allows it to play in her ear nevertheless. Call it curiosity.)

16:55:11 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - outside the Paradigm Shift, Touristville

As she expected, the voicemail is polite, brief, and to the point. "Rescheduling will be no problem my lady. Perhaps Thursday night instead? I will pick you up at The Last Drop per our earlier arrangement, but..." he pauses a bit, as if uncertain, but when he continues, she can almost hear the smile in his voice. "If I may press my luck, would it be acceptable to you to meet at 19:00:00? I look forward to hearing from you, and have a lovely evening."

With that, the voicemail ends.

16:55:50 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - outside the Paradigm Shift, Touristville

Apart from a short nod to the troll Alleycat lets the shaman take the lead in the face-to-face interaction, even as she's wondering: Will I still be in town, Thursday? I don't even have the information yet to say yes or no. Tuesday will tell.

16:55:50 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - outside the Paradigm Shift, Touristville

"Yeah." Catching Klaus's look at Alleycat he motions towards here, "This is a friend of mine, she's been working with me on finding Melissa, and I figured an extra gun or pair of hands is always useful in the barrens."

He steps forward, but let's Klaus take the lead.

16:56:13 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - outside the Paradigm Shift, Touristville

Looking at Blaze, Klaus says, "I got a lead, someone I can talk to who might know where Melissa is, but he wants to meet with you first, check you out, see if he thinks you're on the level. You all right with following me to meet him?" He then turns and nods at Alleycat, and extends a hand politely, saying simply, "Klaus," by way of introduction.

16:56:13 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - outside the Paradigm Shift, Touristville

"Tazie," she answers and utterly becomes in the same moment, teenaged street scrapper with just a hint of shyness (but who can take care of myself, thank you very much), extending her right hand in answer with a reflexive grin and setting firmly aside the awareness, as his own engulfs it, that the troll could probably break her in half if he wanted to. Behind her one-way opaque black shades, she's staring at the big troll curiously and with just that bit of bravado that comes of trying to be much, much older than you really are. "Hope it's okay by you that I'm here to help cover your backs? I guess he didn't clear it with you first."

16:56:48 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - outside the Paradigm Shift, Touristville

Nodding, Blaze indicated that he and Tazie would follow the troll's lead. The only problem, as it turned out, was that he didn't have a car. Really, none of them did. Since they couldn't all fit on Blaze's bike, it was decided that the three of them would take a cab to their destination, a small out of the way bar in Redmond where Klaus had arranged to meet with a guy he said might know something about Melissa.

As they drove in the somewhat less than pristine cab, Blaze couldn't help a small, internal wry grin. Ah, the glamorous life of a shadowrunner...

17:11:36 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond

After a brief cab ride, they arrived at an even more seedy and disreputable bar named, interestingly and appropriately enough, icky's. It was only upon closer inspection that it was apparent the 'M' had burned out, and apparently Micky (or whoever the bar was named after) didn't care enough to have it fixed.

Dirt, grime, and various assorted liquids colored the floor, and there was practically a carpet of discarded napkins, food, and other random items on the ground. Obviously the term 'health code' had been relegated below even the level of 'weak suggestion' to 'running joke'.

Looking around, Blaze decided that calling this place a seedy bar was an insult to seedy bars everywhere. The only good thing was that there appeared to be a fairly scarce clientele, and if anyone was interested in their business, they were doing a good job of keeping it to themselves.

Taking a seat in a back corner, Klaus checked his watch and indicated that they should wait. "He said he'd be here at about 17:15:00. You guys want anything to drink?"

Neither Tazie nor Blaze really wanted anything, but they figured it'd help their cover. None of them, however, chose to partake of the open bowl of beer nuts nestled comfortably and lopsidedly in a giant crack in the middle of the table.

After several minutes and increasingly fewer sips of a liquid slop all of them refused to acknowledge as beer, they noticed a nondescript looking asian man walk in the front door. Of medium height and build, he moved with an easy grace that made a mockery of the nondescript jeans and battered jacket that, in conjunction with his shaved head and dark brown eyes, attempted to make him look nondescript.

Quickly, Tazie could tell he was anything but. He's been trained, and good too. He moves too smooth, too natural, for it to be anything but. Whatever else he is, he's no mere informant, that's for sure.

Sure enough, a quick glance into the astral by both Blaze and Tazie revealed that their 'informant' was indeed Awakened. Sitting himself down easily across from the group, he nodded once at the group politely and introduced himself. "You may call me Mr. Cao. If I may have your names, and if you would state your reasons for wanting to meet me, we can get this show on the road."

17:11:58 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond

"Tazie," says Tazie after only a moment's hesitation, not glancing around to confirm the exits so loud that it was warring with her and the shaman's outfits. "Blaze is the one you want to talk to. I'm just here to try to help him find his cousin."

17:15:38 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond

Blaze shrugged, "I'm Blaze, you're here to talk with me and Klaus actually. We're here to discuss my cousin, a young woman, we hear you might know something about her."

Blaze leans back slightly in his seat, careful not to put any real pressure on the back of the chair as he's not sure it would hold any weight.

He makes a slight show of checking people around them. However, as his head turns his eyes, hidden behind his shades, remain focused on Mr. Cao, studying his aura.

22:51:07 Thursday 04 January 2063 - Outskirts of El Infierno, Los Angeles, CFS

There was something dark and slightly sad about the crumbling, war-torn streets of Old El Infierno. The graveyards of abandoned cars and checkered teeth patterns of boarded up windows were an eerily familiar sight, reminding her of not-so-distant times. A bit of a frown played across Cosmo's lips as she navigated the battered Accord, all too mindful of the slinking, predatory shadows that sometimes followed "tourists" after dark.

22:52:11 Thursday 04 January 2063 - 42200 Blackridge Court, Outskirts of El Infierno, Los Angeles, CFS

The building is a burned out husk, eight stories of soiled concrete pillars and steel I-beams slowly rotting away in the industrial smog of the Los Angeles basin. No lights shine within, although the block still retains power to some structures. Cosmo takes a turn around the block, scanning the wreckage lining the streets as well as the upper stories for signs of surveillance or ambush. There was enough movement on the street, scavengers and squatters, to give her a moments pause, but none of it appeared as a direct threat to her. Parking across the street, she scanned the area one last time before sliding out of the car and heading towards her rendezvous.

Climbing the wide stone stairs outside the building, Cosmo ghosts through the front entrance, keeping in the shadows. Off the street, now, she sees that a circle of chemlights has been laid out on the ground floor, the faint green glow illuminating half a dozen figures. As Cosmo approaches, the first steps forward, revealing herself to be a slim woman, no older than sixteen. She's dressed in an unmarked khaki jumpsuit, her blonde hair pulled back into a simple ponytail.

"I am Kald," she says softly, her white eyes gleaming in the pale illumination. "Have you brought the items?"

17:16:13 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond


"There's a lot of cousins out in the world, and I'm sure quite a few of them are female. Could you be more specific please? In other words, who is she, what does she look like, and convince me that you really are her cousin, and that you're not looking for her for any nefarious reasons."

22:52:35 Thursday 04 January 2063 - 42200 Blackridge Court, Outskirts of El Infierno, Los Angeles, CFS

Interesting choice of third party, she thought to herself, eyeing this evening's Kald. Young, barely a woman, really, but there's nothing childlike about the way she looks out at the world. What happened to make you so distant, I wonder?

"Of course I have, Kald. Would I have come otherwise?"

Cosmo smiled companionably but left no room for an answer. Did they all have that name? A title perhaps? Officer? Lieutenant? She scanned the other half-lit figures, curiously assessing their movements, wondering what sort of society they'd formed together (or with help?) and committing it all to memory. This was her fist glance of these strange children in a group and an opportunity that could not be wasted if they were to have future dealings.

What use would they have for computer parts?

And why them?

That thought dogged her all the way to her crusty Honda and all the way back. For a man that left no detail unobserved and knew things about her that she'd barely realized herself, this group either revealed something about her or something about .. him.

She smiled at the girl again despite the cold reception, offering the handtruck.

"Should I bring this to your friends?"

22:54:08 Thursday 04 January 2063 - 42200 Blackridge Court, Outskirts of El Infierno, Los Angeles, CFS

Kald steps back, the shadows lengthening around her face. She gestures towards one of the other figures, a quick flick of her hand. Cosmo can see that this one is older, more the usual operator stereotype. He wears a black tac vest over his jumpsuit, with an Ares Alpha slung muzzle down across his chest. An Ares Predator III rides in a thigh holster, balanced on the opposite leg by three magazines for the Alpha. He takes the handtruck from Cosmo, retreating back into the shadows of the room. Kald steps forward again, holding out a black plastic folder that Cosmo has grown to hate.

"This is your next tasking. It is time sensitive, so please read all of the materials as soon as possible."

22:54:58 Thursday 04 January 2063 - 42200 Blackridge Court, Outskirts of El Infierno, Los Angeles, CFS

If these odd children weren't so bloody fascinating, I'd ..

Cosmo cut that thought off, unfinished, and did her best to ignore that damned folder. Her smile grew somewhat cooler.

"And if I refuse? Will your soldiers take me away now?" She shifted subtly, wondering if the girl knew as much about her as their employer.

"How many more "taskings," Kald, before this is over?"

Of course it's a test, but she doesn't have to know that ....

22:55:33 Thursday 04 January 2063 - 42200 Blackridge Court, Outskirts of El Infierno, Los Angeles, CFS

"Hercules did twelve labors before being released from his obligations," replies Kald, "for you we have only six. All considered, we thought it was a fair bargain for your freedom."

She spreads her right hand to the side again, fingers open, and the tension growing in the four figures behind her eases.

"And no, Ms. Richards, my soldiers are not here to take you back to the stasis chamber if you refuse to continue to work for us. At this point you know too much of our operation to be permitted to live. They are here to kill you if you refuse."

Kald blinks, once, dropping her hand back to her side.

"Now, is there anything else?"

22:56:17 Thursday 04 January 2063 - 42200 Blackridge Court, Outskirts of El Infierno, Los Angeles, CF

Cosmo laughed, a genuinely rich sound that seemed completely at odds with the open threats of a moment before. Stylish sunglasses were tipped partway down her nose as she winked at Kald.

"Kill me after such a sizeable investment? Interesting."

She grinned, dimples and white teeth flashing, and pushed her glasses back in place, not needing a blink to switch gears.

"There is one thing. A favor, if you wouldn't mind."

22:57:42 Thursday 04 January 2063 - 42200 Blackridge Court, Outskirts of El Infierno, Los Angeles, CFS

"You of all people should understand the sacrifices necessary when dealing with operational security. Losing you would certainly be a waste of resources, but losing the entire project is unacceptable. What is it that you are asking for?"

Kald waits patiently.

22:58:19 Thursday 04 January 2063 - 42200 Blackridge Court, Outskirts of El Infierno, Los Angeles, CFS

Completely unflappable. Amazing.

She inclined her head gracefully, implying that she understood all too well.

"The Kald I spoke with, day before last; I spoke harshly to him and without understanding. Offer my apologies?"

Still smiling as she switched tactics yet again, Cosmo plucked the folder from the younger woman's hands and turned back toward the road, neither expecting or needing an answer. The suggestion was enough.

Shades of years past followed her back to her borrowed car. She'd been younger then, with a simple blonde ponytail of her own, walking from a beat-up old building to a car. Of course, she'd also been escorted by her knight.... A bittersweet smile played across her lips as she could almost feel his fingers threading through hers, the deep, reassuring music of his voice as it teased the soft places behind her ear. What she wouldn't do to feel that again!

Business, girl. If it's time-sensitive you have to start moving. Daydreaming doesn't do you any good, remember?

Sighing softly, she slips back into the car to peruse the contents of the inevitable black folder that had come to symbolize everything she was coming to hate about this city of angels.

23:00:14 Thursday 04 January 2063 - 42200 Blackridge Court, Outskirts of El Infierno, Los Angeles, CFS

The pictures were grainy, black and white surveillance images shot at medium range but with above average resolution to the camera. The faces shown were young, and could have mirrored for the face of the girl she'd just been talking with. Except for the eyes. Text, printed in plain black Courier font at the bottom of the sheet, spells out her mission: 16:00 Friday 05 January 2063 / N34 4.13 W118 13.8 / Terminate with prejuidice

17:16:23 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond

Blaze nods, "I can't prove to you that I mean her no harm. I can only offer you my word. Her name is Melissa, she looks like this," Blaze pulls out the picture of Melissa that his aunt gave him. "I know that, at least as of last night, she had escaped and likely hidden here in the barrens. She's the only family I really have, so I hope you can help me find and protect her."

17:16:58 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond

Looking at the photo nonchalantly, Mr. Cao gave no indication, astral or otherwise, that he knew the girl. "Maybe she ran because she wants to stay hidden. If she wanted your help, why didn't she ask you herself?"

17:16:58 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond

"Because, to be honest, she probibally doesn't know I'm alive. I'm here to find her, protect her from whatever she ran from, and then let her decide what it is she needs to do. If she chooses to go back to the corps," his voice showing disdain and a touch of hatred, "so be it. I'll try to convincer her otherwise, but just knowing she's alive and safe will be enough for me."

Blaze pauses, and then adds one more sentance, "I need to find and protect her, if I lose more of my family when I could have saved them... I'm not sure what I'd do."

17:17:39 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond

"Why are you so sure she needs your help? What's she running from that has you convinced without your help, she's not going to make it? You mentioned going back to the corps. Is there a corp involved in this, and if so, why wouldn't she turn to them for help? More to the point, what makes her so special that people are after her in the first place?"

Although he doesn't look hostile to their cause, it's clear that Cao won't be suckered into giving anything away just yet.

17:18:08 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond

Obvious questions, some that Blaze has encountered before, some that he has not. It's just as obvious that he's already built up a paradigm in his mind, probably cored in a past traumatic experience. Based on that past experience, there's things he's taken so deeply for granted that he'd rather revise what's in front of his eyes than revise his beliefs; even if he himself ends up doing just as much damage in the name of what he sees as "good" as what he seeks to fight.

Not her problem.

"Maybe she doesn't," Tazie says, drawing out the words a little like she'd heard the students doing. "Maybe her corp would be the best thing for her, but near's I know, she's out of touch with everyone; she's lost, and maybe she's hurt. Mostly he just wants to know she's okay, talk to her, help her if she needs it. After that, let's see what she thinks is best for her, not you," turning to Blaze; "and also not you," turning to the new guy. "Once we've got that straight, go from there."

17:19:01 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond

Mr. Cao nods at Tazie. "Sounds reasonable. But you still didn't answer my question. Who's after her, and what makes her so special that people are after her in the first place? I don't want to lead anyone into the wrong kind of trouble without having a better picture of it first."

And with that, he hints that he is starting to lean towards helping them, if only ever so slightly.

17:19:01 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond

Blaze picks up on Tazie's slight shot at him and flashes briefly with anger. However, realizing that if nothing else that comment may help him find his cousin he merely files it away for later, rather than acting now. "Who's after her, I don't know for sure. However, I do know that either her 'parent' corp, or one trying to steal her away, has been after her recently. As for why she's special... well, I know she's awakened, which is more than enough for every corp out there to try and sink their claws into her. Beyond that I don't know of a reason why she'd be any more valueable than everyother mage out there."

He pauses for a moment, "I mainly know that she ran after her corp," once again his voice showing hatred for even the word, "showed special interest in her. I don't know exactly why, but I do know she certainly appears to be running from them."

17:19:50 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond

To Tazie it's obvious what the new guy's looking for. Near as she can tell, he's another genuine do-gooder, one of a piece with Blaze himself and the way Blaze describes this private investigator of his. If he knows anything of Melissa -- hell, cagy as he's acting, if he's actually taken Melissa under his protection -- he won't spill until he's sure he's not sending her into anything worse. The guy's nothing if not cautious.

She knows she's said the only thing that could have swayed the new guy, just a little, toward Blaze's side of the equation. Coolly she wonders if that slight sway will be enough to also balance off that sharp spike of quickly-damped anger. No way will Blaze ever forget anything that doesn't support him 100%. Even if it's for his own good.

Idle moment of almost-curiosity: wondering if Blaze will manage to talk himself right out again of the guy's help. Nothing she can do about it just now in any case. The questions he's asking are looking for specifics. She doesn't know them. Probably the new guy doesn't either: makes it fishing, like so much of what comes out of her own mouth. But this guy Klaus, he makes a career out of knowing which leads are worth following up, and for this one he's running go-between. Makes it solid enough to taste the hook just a little in order to reel in the fisherman, if you're as gung-ho on family as all that.

It's not like she'd know.

23:00:20 Thursday 04 January 2063 - 42200 Blackridge Court, Outskirts of El Infierno, Los Angeles, CFS

Blinking twice, she scans the photos again, unconsciously rubbing some residual soreness out of one shoulder.

16:00 Friday 05 January 2063 / N34 4.13 W118 13.8 / Terminate with prejudice

Her chest hurt. Really and truly hurt. Uncertain of whether it was her wounds from earlier that night that were bothering her or the half-shock of what she was being contracted to do, she was positive that she needed to rest before she could properly evaluate the situation.

No wonder so many runners turn to drink, she mused, wincing from the most recent set of injuries to her back. The seats of the Accord were far from comfortable so it took a fair amount of shifting around before she was able to focus on the road and put the crumbling streets of old El Infernio behind her.

08:46:37 Friday 05 January 2063 - Rockport Beach, Los Angeles, CFS

Rest. HA!

Cosmo sighed and ran one hand across her face, careful not to smudge the light cosmetics she'd applied a short while ago. She might have slept for a solid four hours. She'd definitely waited until the throbbing in her back had eased. She'd also be a fool to consider any moment during the last several hours "restful." Her mind had not allowed it.

Just three more after this one.

A thin paper coffee cup was raised to her lips to cover a pensive frown. And then what, hmm? Smuggle yourself back to Seattle?

Not caring to think too far ahead, Cosmo glances across the beach to approximate the latlong coordinates she'd been given, mentally checking off some of the area's more predominant features.

Rail stop. Plateau. 40-meter drop to the beach. 20-meter bank. She sighs again and tucks a fashion magazine under one arm. Pretty place.

Now if only she could bring herself to enjoy it....

08:57:04 Friday 05 January 2063 - Rockport Beach, Los Angeles, CFS

The salt air rushing up the cliffs ran its fingers through Cosmo's hair as she leaned against the railing. The morning swell here was too minimal for the surfers, but further down the beach a pair of wetsuited swimmers braved the water's contents for a morning of boogie boarding. Farther out from shore, pleasure craft and fishing trawlers dotted the gray-green water. To her left, the vast spires of downtown Los Angeles rose up behind the gray concrete expanse of LAX.

Her phone shivers with an incoming call.

Up the hill behind her, partially obscured by a copse of Bird-of-Paradise, sat the light rail station. Slowly, the corner security camera rotated out of its usual preset pattern, focussing downhill to where a solitary figure watched from the scenic overlook.

Air Freight Cargo Terminal South Hangar Ten, LAX, Los Angeles, CFS

"Is it her?" Devlin tapped impatiently on the pistol holstered at her hip.

"Target confirmed," replied Nightengale. Devlin turned to the remainder of her team, waiting by the pair of gray Saab Dynamits idling in the hangar.

"Move! Eyes on soonest! And don't fraggin' lose her this time, dickheads!"

Room 404, LAX Quality Inn, 5249 West Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CFS

Actual, One, they're on the roll. Heading from the hangar eastbound on Century.

Warrick rolled to his feet on his way out the door, long coat settling on his shoulders. Serpa and Motown were right behind.

Roger, One, we're on the way. Keep eyes on, track only. Do not engage unless they pop first.

08:57:14 Friday 05 January 2063 - Rockport Beach, Los Angeles, CFS

Cosmo blinks a few times, alerted by soft pulse of her phone.

Only one person has this number. What the ...?

A strand of silky coal black hair blows across her forehead as she cautiously lifts the cell phone from her purse, doing her best to seem as though nothing out of the ordinary was happening. People got phone calls all the time, right?

HA!

"Hello?"

08:57:17 Friday 05 January 2063 - Los Angeles, CFS

The familiar voice on the other end of the line is quiet and playful.

"I missed your voice. How are you?"

08:57:25 Friday 05 January 2063 - Rockport Beach, Los Angeles, CFS

She sighed again, unable to help the smile that crept across her lips. Although visibly relaxed, her nerves were taut as ever.

"Mm, I could be better." Cosmo trails off for a moment, considering something completely inappropriate as she eyes the distant surfers, her gloved fingers trailing lightly across a smooth metal railing.

"How are you?"

08:57:29 Friday 05 January 2063 - Los Angeles, CFS

A low, throaty chuckle fills the phone.

"Me? Busy. You know what they say, the Devil's work is never done. Speaking of that, what are you wearing?"

08:57:51 Friday 05 January 2063 - Los Angeles, CFS

Had she been anywhere else, doing nearly anything else, she would have laughingly continued the game. As it was, she could only let out a long, slow breath, letting her mind wander for a few moments before snapping back into focus.

"Classified," Cosmo purrs, "though I'll make it up to you tonight. You are coming ten minutes early this time.... "

08:57:55 Friday 05 January 2063 - Los Angeles, CFS

His voice is half laugh, half growl.

"Ten minutes it is, then. I'll have to call and change our reservations, though. Until tonight, then."

With a last chuckle, he's gone.

17:20:39 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond

Mr. Cao seems to think it over for a bit, then after a long silence says, "I may be able to help you. I need to ask around a bit, do a little bit of homework on my own. You got a last name I can use? Oh, and do you mind if I make a copy of this photo? I think I can give you a call back in..." he looks at his watch, then back up at them "a few days, tops."

17:20:45 Sunday, 07 January, 2063 - icky's, Redmond

An almost-glance in Blaze's direction from Tazie: yes? no?

10:33:25 Friday 05 January 2063 - Rockport Beach, Los Angeles, CFS

Ahh, this should do nicely.

Cosmo smiled slightly and nodded as she double-checked the finer points of the little perch she'd found herself. 'Close to the trail but not to close. Good view of the beach, lots of green, too. Around ninety meters, though, hmm..

After a quick mental rundown of her account balance, she picks up her phone yet again, dialing a familiar number.

"Tino, good morning! I hope it's not too early to call .. yes, a beautiful day. Bella." Her voice, soft to begin with, becomes even more hushed.

"I am sorry to say it is business again. Yes. Rifle. Silencer. A few rounds. I'm on a timetable, as well. Have I called the right man for the job?"

10:33:47 Friday 05 January 2063 - Il Grano restaurant, Los Angeles, CFS

"Bella, signora, it is good to hear from you. What you ask for, I can only provide half. Remington 950. Stop by the restaurant, the kitchen, and ask for my takeout order. You'll get the case as well as two dozen rounds. 1630 today."

10:34:17 Friday 05 January 2063 - Rockport Beach, Los Angeles, CFS

"Hmm." Cosmo paused, her lips pursed as she considered her options.

"Do you mind if we put a hold on that for a few moments? Yes, I'll call back to confirm. You really are the best, Tino. Thank you."

The phone flipped shut with a barely discernable 'click' and stayed that way for a while as she gave serious thought to what she was about to do. The decision was not an easy one but she could not afford a close-range hit. Not a kilometer from Malibu Beach and at four in the afternoon.

She sighed and dialed another familiar number, disliking the fact that business might overlap with her personal life so quickly.

"Hello again."

You're a fool to be doing this, you know. He should not be involved with these people. At all.

"I was wondering if you'd be able to help me with something." Cosmo laughed softly and shook her head, her smile turning somewhat bittersweet. "No, I wish that was all I needed but it's work this time. Things .. have gotten a bit complicated ...."

10:34:22 Friday 05 January 2063 - Los Angeles, CFS

"Complicated, eh? Wait one."

A series of clicks sounds over the line, followed by a brief blast of mindtearing static before Caska's voice returns. It sounds subtly wrong, though.

"All right, we're secure. Go ahead."

10:34:30 Friday 05 January 2063 - Rockport Beach, Los Angeles, CFS

"Short of explaining everything, and there is not enough time for that, suffice it to say that I'm obligated to work for a certain group. I'm on a timeline and at a dead end with my current resources.."

Spirits, woman, slow down..

"anyway," Cosmo takes a deep breath, "I need a quiet, long-range solution to finish this job safely and my only in-town source is dry. Do you know anyone that might be able to help me find something?"

10:34:33 Friday 05 January 2063 - Rockport Beach, Los Angeles, CFS

Quill, playing comm monitor, threw up a line of text in Caska's vision.

Danger, Will Robinson, danger!

Caska switched.

Shut it off.

And was back again, lips curling into a snarl because Quill was right.

"Details: smart? Penetration an issue? Specific range? Weight limited? Abandoning the weapon in situ?"

10:34:42 Friday 05 January 2063 - Rockport Beach, Los Angeles, CFS

"Smart is best. Range: around 100 meter sweet spot. Weight isn't an issue. Abandonment .. I can work it into the plan or not."

Cosmo frowns as she considers the black and white surveillance photos. Kids, for the love of ....

"Penetration is a non-issue."

10:34:45 Friday 05 January 2063 - Rockport Beach, Los Angeles, CFS

"How soon do you need it?"

Are you seriously planning on breaking off from here to arm her? Tell me you're joking right?

Caska glanced over at Quill's supine form.

Look, minimal impact. My ride is just a click or two back, gear's in the trunk. I'll be gone forty minutes tops.

10:34:53 Friday 05 January 2063 - Rockport Beach, Los Angeles, CFS

"As soon as possible. Where can I meet you?"

10:34:56 Friday 05 January 2063 - Rockport Beach, Los Angeles, CFS

Caska was out the door of the van at a dead run.

Santa Monica Promenade, north side parking garage, thirty minutes.

He switched before Quill could say anything.

Look, I know you think I'm thinking with the cock, but she's an operator. She's low risk. We've done background work on her. It's minimal danger to opsec.

You are thinking with the cock. She's a risk because she's distracting you. And she's under surveillance. You know she is, you reviewed the tapes! If we go down for this, I'm going to personally kick your hoop.

Fine. Look, we'll talk when I get back. Tell Vegas she needs to be available as well. We'll sort it out. Now just back me on this until I'm clear.

10:35:02 Friday 05 January 2063 - Rockport Beach, Los Angeles, CFS

Not bothering to respond, Cosmo closes off the call almost as quickly as Caska and takes a long look around to clear herself before dialing again.

"Tino, hello. I'm going to have to cancel my order but I will call again soon. My apologies."

With just a short drive to the Santa Monica Promenade, she takes her time heading back to the road, subtly changing her appearance before she clears the treeline. A miniskirt is lengthened to appear more modest. A conservatively-stylish jacket covers a snug vest and sheer blouse. Long hair is pulled into a tight chignon at the nape and shaded glasses become clear and respectable with the barest thought.

Cosmo smiles and slips into her little silver BMW, exchanging knee-length boots for a pair of irridescent snakeskin stilettos.

Now I should be right on time....

10:57:16 Friday 05 January 2063 - Parking Structure 2, Santa Monica Promenade, Los Angeles, CFS

As Cosmo's sleek red BMW pulls into the ground floor of the cement structure, the Condor II trailing half a kilometer behind alters course to the North.

Riding in the lead of two Saab Dynamits, Devlin switches inputs on her display. The vehicles were cruising the primary arteries of Hollywood in essentially a holding pattern, waiting for their surveillance assets to give them a vector.

C'mon, Nightengale, gimme eyes on.

Wait one. replies the decker, sleazing past the security controls around the surveillance cameras in the parking garage. A grainy black and white image fills Devlin's screen. It flickers rapidly as the decker cycles through datafeeds to find the target vehicle. Finally it settles on a second floor corner, looking roughly southeast. Cosmo's BMW is backed in to a spot mid way up the ramp. Devlin nodded, her smile stark and gleeful.

All right, lets move. Perimeter sweep, eyes on, but do not engage without my order.

Paralleling the two Saab Dynamits were a pair of older, dirtier vehicles. The GMC MPUVs paced the two sports cars, behind by three or four minutes. Their overhead surveillance assets, though, kept the Dynamits in sight at all time. Warrick expanded the map view in his display, overlaying the digital course data provided by his vehicle's computer as well as Wash's network.

Santa Monica? he asked.

Affirmitive. They're receiving feed from the area, looks like a parking garage. No sign of the target yet. The rigger echoed his display across the team's BattleTac interface. Warrick frowned, numbers running at speed through his mind.

All right. Keep it close, we move when they move.

11:02:43 Friday 05 January 2063 - Parking Structure 2, Santa Monica Promenade, Los Angeles, CFS

Caska pulled into the turn lane, signalling to make the left hand turn into the parking garage. Traffic snarled in front of him and his lips compressed to a thin line. Only three minutes remaining on his schedule. He switched up to the tactical net.

Still clear?

Yes. Drones in the area but they're not on you. This is still a bad idea. Quill answered. Karnak cut into the rant.

One, Four, someone's in the system already. Unknown threat. Authorized but not official.

Caska's hands froze on the wheel, numbers spinning down around him. He heard those words in his mind again If you want to be making moves on the street, have no attachments, have nothing in your life you can't walk out on in thirty seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner. The heat wasn't around the corner, though, it was here already. A horn blatted behind him, and he made the turn.

Four, One, crash the host.

One, Four, system going down now.

One, Two, 5-0 is going to be on you inside of a minute. I hate to say I told you so. But I told you so.

Shut it off, Two, and get ready to clear me out.

Caska accelerated up the ramp, switching nets. He turned the corner as the call connected, noting the BMWs position before calmly passing it on his way up to the next level.

"As much as I do love to see you, this is going to be a blind handoff. Gear will be up a floor, beneath the car next to the northwest stairs. You've got surveillance on you, don't ask how I know but I do. Recommend you ditch whatever you can soonest, and scan the rest."

11:02:56 Friday 05 January 2063 - Parking Structure 2, Santa Monica Promenade, Los Angeles, CFS

What do you mean the system just when down? Devlin felt that bad cold feeling start at the base of her spine. Something more was going on here.

11:02:56 Friday 05 January 2063 - 4005 Pier St, Santa Monica Promenade, Los Angeles, CFS

Local PD just got a call for security system crash, north parking structure, Santa Monica Promenade. ETA one minute.

Warrick acknowledged Wash's call silently, scanning overhead for an approaching drone or helicopter. His eyes were flat and unreadable. The situation had suddenly become remarkably complicated.