0105 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
Alleycat quietly passes a chip and hardcopy file to Tin Star, murmurs to him the same explanation she gave the others, while she waits for the shaman's first rage to slip away a little. After a couple of minutes of talk, the sudden drum of her fingers on the table falls into an equally sudden silence.
"Puyallup, I know a little," she says softly, gently. "What do you know of your cousin, Blaze, that we could use to find her?"
Full Version: Salvation
0105 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"I don't know half as much about her as I'd like to." Raching into a coat pocket Blaze pulls out the picture of her. Showing it to Alleycat she can see an attractive blond standing about 5'9" 140 lbs. "She's magically active, hermetic I assume, although she could be a shamen. She worked at Universal Omnitech and has since about 6 years ago. Her full name is Melissa Walker. That's all I know about her. Thank you very much for any help you can offer."
Turning back towards Alvalanche Blaze's face reverts back to its bussiness mode. "Paying for it should be reletively easy, and provide them with profit incentive, give them something like 50
, or so, per person they extract ,and a bonus of, what, 5 K, if they can help render the building inoperable? Does that seem reasonable to everyone?"
"I don't know half as much about her as I'd like to." Raching into a coat pocket Blaze pulls out the picture of her. Showing it to Alleycat she can see an attractive blond standing about 5'9" 140 lbs. "She's magically active, hermetic I assume, although she could be a shamen. She worked at Universal Omnitech and has since about 6 years ago. Her full name is Melissa Walker. That's all I know about her. Thank you very much for any help you can offer."
Turning back towards Alvalanche Blaze's face reverts back to its bussiness mode. "Paying for it should be reletively easy, and provide them with profit incentive, give them something like 50
, or so, per person they extract ,and a bonus of, what, 5 K, if they can help render the building inoperable? Does that seem reasonable to everyone?"
0105 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"I don't think we should pay them per person, but rather per truck. 500 nuyen per truck, 1k if they provide a driver for the truck. If each truck carries about 15-20 people, we'll make anywhere from 500-1000 per truck. If they decide to go another way with transportation, we hammer that out later. Oh, 5k to take out the camp seems fine to me.
"So, shall I call Mr. Fan and let him know about the change in personell?"
"I don't think we should pay them per person, but rather per truck. 500 nuyen per truck, 1k if they provide a driver for the truck. If each truck carries about 15-20 people, we'll make anywhere from 500-1000 per truck. If they decide to go another way with transportation, we hammer that out later. Oh, 5k to take out the camp seems fine to me.
"So, shall I call Mr. Fan and let him know about the change in personell?"
0106 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"Wait a moment, Avalanche," says Alleycat, leaning forward a little on her chair. "Mr. Fan gave us an open schedule on this. I want to get it done at least as much as any of you, but at the moment we don't know a lot besides that there might be a change in personnel, and that you might have gotten an outside group involved. I hadn't realised that all of us had agreed to that --" her voice takes on an uneasy edge "-- just that you would look into it." She folds her hands in front of her, appears visibly to settle into herself. "You also said something on the phone beyond that we lost Durin, something about Durin agreeing to get something for us, and at his own expense? Did he say what that would be, or how we could go about picking it up? I'd like to know what we can and can't rely on."
Her fingers lace and unlace. "Dice, perhaps, yes, if we think we'll need more people than we have? although I'm not sure about that either. Certainly we need to know exactly how our plans are changing before we contact Mr. Fan ... and I still think we've got a few too many unknowns to tell Mr. Fan all our plans." She cocks her head at the relatively silent CASan: "I'm going to assume you'll speak up if there's something you don't agree with?"
Alleycat sat back. "We have two things in front of us. One's business, one's personal, but they're linked. Since Blaze was ready to charge right out of here to look for her, and since he's a crucial part of our team, I think we'd all be happier if we can quickly pool our resources after this meet to find Blaze's cousin. It'll be easier to work through business if Blaze knows for sure that we're going to help him afterwards, that we're also a team outside the meet. For sure, it'll be much easier to concentrate on business once she's found."
She reaches out her right hand: "Blaze," she says gently, "may I borrow that photograph from you? Just for a moment, to scan it in." When she says that, Avalanche notices the other new addition to her attire: a trim wrist computer/scanner whose texture blends almost seamlessly with the gloves.
"Wait a moment, Avalanche," says Alleycat, leaning forward a little on her chair. "Mr. Fan gave us an open schedule on this. I want to get it done at least as much as any of you, but at the moment we don't know a lot besides that there might be a change in personnel, and that you might have gotten an outside group involved. I hadn't realised that all of us had agreed to that --" her voice takes on an uneasy edge "-- just that you would look into it." She folds her hands in front of her, appears visibly to settle into herself. "You also said something on the phone beyond that we lost Durin, something about Durin agreeing to get something for us, and at his own expense? Did he say what that would be, or how we could go about picking it up? I'd like to know what we can and can't rely on."
Her fingers lace and unlace. "Dice, perhaps, yes, if we think we'll need more people than we have? although I'm not sure about that either. Certainly we need to know exactly how our plans are changing before we contact Mr. Fan ... and I still think we've got a few too many unknowns to tell Mr. Fan all our plans." She cocks her head at the relatively silent CASan: "I'm going to assume you'll speak up if there's something you don't agree with?"
Alleycat sat back. "We have two things in front of us. One's business, one's personal, but they're linked. Since Blaze was ready to charge right out of here to look for her, and since he's a crucial part of our team, I think we'd all be happier if we can quickly pool our resources after this meet to find Blaze's cousin. It'll be easier to work through business if Blaze knows for sure that we're going to help him afterwards, that we're also a team outside the meet. For sure, it'll be much easier to concentrate on business once she's found."
She reaches out her right hand: "Blaze," she says gently, "may I borrow that photograph from you? Just for a moment, to scan it in." When she says that, Avalanche notices the other new addition to her attire: a trim wrist computer/scanner whose texture blends almost seamlessly with the gloves.
0106 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"We're not commited to anything as yet, so don't worry about that. However, there is no doubt in my mind that if we want to rescue as many refugees as possible, we will need outside help. We're talking hundreds of people, we simply can't transport them all. We could hire rigger, but they'd be far more expensive. No, the MPA is willing to transport them, and they're not exactly a profit organization. They'll want to be paid for the manpower and the trucks, but they won't feel the need to make a whole lot of money off the deal. The sweet side for them is the fact that the refugees are being freed.
"As for Durin, all he said was that he would deliever the "stuff" wherever we told him to. He didn't define stuff. Naturally, we can call him and find out what stuff he got a hold of. Anything he can't bring that we need. we'll ask the MPA.
"So, we have three posible calls to make here: one to Dice, one to Durin, and one to Mr. Fan. I'll ask this one last time: do we want to hire Dice? If no one has any objections, I'll give him a call. He'll just take Durin's share of the run."
"We're not commited to anything as yet, so don't worry about that. However, there is no doubt in my mind that if we want to rescue as many refugees as possible, we will need outside help. We're talking hundreds of people, we simply can't transport them all. We could hire rigger, but they'd be far more expensive. No, the MPA is willing to transport them, and they're not exactly a profit organization. They'll want to be paid for the manpower and the trucks, but they won't feel the need to make a whole lot of money off the deal. The sweet side for them is the fact that the refugees are being freed.
"As for Durin, all he said was that he would deliever the "stuff" wherever we told him to. He didn't define stuff. Naturally, we can call him and find out what stuff he got a hold of. Anything he can't bring that we need. we'll ask the MPA.
"So, we have three posible calls to make here: one to Dice, one to Durin, and one to Mr. Fan. I'll ask this one last time: do we want to hire Dice? If no one has any objections, I'll give him a call. He'll just take Durin's share of the run."
0106 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
Blaze slowly slips out of his anger and focuses back on the team. Handing over the photograph he remarks "Sure, but make sure you don't tear it, I'd like to keep it."
After Avalanche and Alleycat's discussion he pipes up again.
"I'd like to bring Dice in, if for no other reason then as having another firing arm, and someone to look more threatening towards oponents. Plus as a dwarf he can help with the inside work. I don't know that we need to tell Mr. Fan our plans at all, at least not till we've finished.
"As for Durin, call him up and ask what 'stuff' he has for us, and ask where he wants us to pick it up."
Blaze slowly slips out of his anger and focuses back on the team. Handing over the photograph he remarks "Sure, but make sure you don't tear it, I'd like to keep it."
After Avalanche and Alleycat's discussion he pipes up again.
"I'd like to bring Dice in, if for no other reason then as having another firing arm, and someone to look more threatening towards oponents. Plus as a dwarf he can help with the inside work. I don't know that we need to tell Mr. Fan our plans at all, at least not till we've finished.
"As for Durin, call him up and ask what 'stuff' he has for us, and ask where he wants us to pick it up."
0106 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
Alleycat handles the photograph with care as she quickly scans it in, then returns it with an apologetic smile: "Thank you."
Then, looking up: "If y'all think we need another person on this team, I'll trust your judgement ... and I think the chemistry might work better between you, Avalanche, and this Dice in any case," she added with a little laugh. "So that'll be one 'for sure' call, with a second to Durin to find out just exactly what he has arranged for us. Maybe do those two first, before we figure out where else we go from here. Because whatever else," she said with a glance at Tin Star, and now a bit of the weariness finally showed in her voice, "it sure doesn't look like the two of us are taking off tonight after all."
Alleycat handles the photograph with care as she quickly scans it in, then returns it with an apologetic smile: "Thank you."
Then, looking up: "If y'all think we need another person on this team, I'll trust your judgement ... and I think the chemistry might work better between you, Avalanche, and this Dice in any case," she added with a little laugh. "So that'll be one 'for sure' call, with a second to Durin to find out just exactly what he has arranged for us. Maybe do those two first, before we figure out where else we go from here. Because whatever else," she said with a glance at Tin Star, and now a bit of the weariness finally showed in her voice, "it sure doesn't look like the two of us are taking off tonight after all."
0107 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
Family, however extended, was something that Steele knew meant a lot. So he could understand Blaze's concern for his cousin. He takes it all in, and brushes a hand along the tarnished old star upon his belt, the Ranger's badge, a symbol of his own family's heritage. He taps the badge, looking to Alleycat.
`The way I see it, you're right, we won't be leaving tonight. It's probably for the best, it'll give my man more time to arange us some decent credentials come border cross time.`
He turns his grey gaze to Blaze.
`Whatever help you need, I'll provide. Don't need to worry about compensation. A guy's gotta feel like he's done some good from time to time. As for our employer, I reckon he can stay in the dark for now. If he's got concerns about how we go about things, he can call us. I'd think a man who hires outside the regular channels probably is better off not knowing all the details.`
Family, however extended, was something that Steele knew meant a lot. So he could understand Blaze's concern for his cousin. He takes it all in, and brushes a hand along the tarnished old star upon his belt, the Ranger's badge, a symbol of his own family's heritage. He taps the badge, looking to Alleycat.
`The way I see it, you're right, we won't be leaving tonight. It's probably for the best, it'll give my man more time to arange us some decent credentials come border cross time.`
He turns his grey gaze to Blaze.
`Whatever help you need, I'll provide. Don't need to worry about compensation. A guy's gotta feel like he's done some good from time to time. As for our employer, I reckon he can stay in the dark for now. If he's got concerns about how we go about things, he can call us. I'd think a man who hires outside the regular channels probably is better off not knowing all the details.`
0107 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
Looking over to Tin Star Blaze smiles. "Thank you, I truly apreciate your help. I agree, personally, I don't think that we need to keep Mr. Fan up to date with all of our activities."
Looking back over to Avalanche Blaze continues, "Avalanche, I think the best thing to do right now is for you to go ahead with the calls you need to make. While you do that Tin Star, I, and Alleycat if she's willing, can start looking for Melissa. Unless we have something else we need to do first?"
Looking over to Tin Star Blaze smiles. "Thank you, I truly apreciate your help. I agree, personally, I don't think that we need to keep Mr. Fan up to date with all of our activities."
Looking back over to Avalanche Blaze continues, "Avalanche, I think the best thing to do right now is for you to go ahead with the calls you need to make. While you do that Tin Star, I, and Alleycat if she's willing, can start looking for Melissa. Unless we have something else we need to do first?"
0107 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
Listening to Tin Star, Alleycat nods in acknowledgement, and is about to jack into her computer ... looks a bit startled when the Melissa timeline suddenly moves up to now, but adapts quickly. "Maybe ... did we have anything else for briefing on the CFS front first?"
She realises then that she's overtalking Blaze, and sits back, waiting for him to finish first. Then she nods again: "Yes, I'm certainly willing, but could we maybe make a final decision right after Avalanche's call to Durin, decide how exactly we're going to deal with the Metahuman People's Alliance, as opposed to how much help and resources we can expect from the camp itself? And maybe one of you can try and make something out of that IR weather satellite imagery? I was hoping it might give enough to identify utility lines, things like that --" Alleycat spreads her hands in a bit of a helpless shrug "-- but that kind of thing is a bit beyond my abilities. Just so we do get those points covered, once and for all.
"And then -- shift this meet to how we're going to go about finding Melissa?"
Listening to Tin Star, Alleycat nods in acknowledgement, and is about to jack into her computer ... looks a bit startled when the Melissa timeline suddenly moves up to now, but adapts quickly. "Maybe ... did we have anything else for briefing on the CFS front first?"
She realises then that she's overtalking Blaze, and sits back, waiting for him to finish first. Then she nods again: "Yes, I'm certainly willing, but could we maybe make a final decision right after Avalanche's call to Durin, decide how exactly we're going to deal with the Metahuman People's Alliance, as opposed to how much help and resources we can expect from the camp itself? And maybe one of you can try and make something out of that IR weather satellite imagery? I was hoping it might give enough to identify utility lines, things like that --" Alleycat spreads her hands in a bit of a helpless shrug "-- but that kind of thing is a bit beyond my abilities. Just so we do get those points covered, once and for all.
"And then -- shift this meet to how we're going to go about finding Melissa?"
0107 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
Tin Star shifts to look over said sattelite imagery, grimacing.
`Sorry, but I don't know walls from wires on something like that. I'm more of a hands on type of fellow.`
He taps at the pack of cigarillos in one of his pockets, considering. He needed to cut back on the damned thigs.
`As for the search, we're gonna have to go physical for that. Who is it noticed she was gone?`
Tin Star shifts to look over said sattelite imagery, grimacing.
`Sorry, but I don't know walls from wires on something like that. I'm more of a hands on type of fellow.`
He taps at the pack of cigarillos in one of his pockets, considering. He needed to cut back on the damned thigs.
`As for the search, we're gonna have to go physical for that. Who is it noticed she was gone?`
0108 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
Alleycat shoots a quick, quirky smile at Avalanche as if to say, I tried. Before he places the calls she adds aloud: "How soon do these contacts of yours need to have an answer?"
Alleycat shoots a quick, quirky smile at Avalanche as if to say, I tried. Before he places the calls she adds aloud: "How soon do these contacts of yours need to have an answer?"
0108 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"I'm not sure, I was contacted by a different family member who told me about the extractoin. I put out the word to my contacts about it and one of them just called back to let me know that she had slipped her handlers and was now loose in "the Barrens" he didn't know which ones."
"I think I can be faster doing an astral search, but I'm not sure I'll be able to pick her Aura out of a crowd, or heck, even her physical body out of a crowd, but I'm going to try."
"I'm not sure, I was contacted by a different family member who told me about the extractoin. I put out the word to my contacts about it and one of them just called back to let me know that she had slipped her handlers and was now loose in "the Barrens" he didn't know which ones."
"I think I can be faster doing an astral search, but I'm not sure I'll be able to pick her Aura out of a crowd, or heck, even her physical body out of a crowd, but I'm going to try."
0109 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"Would you even be able to recognise her, astrally?" asks Alleycat, her hands spread out apologetically.
"Would you even be able to recognise her, astrally?" asks Alleycat, her hands spread out apologetically.
0109 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"I'm meeting the contact tommorow, er, make that today at noon. It would be good to have an answer by then. If there's nothing else, I'll make the calls to Durin and Dice."
"I'm meeting the contact tommorow, er, make that today at noon. It would be good to have an answer by then. If there's nothing else, I'll make the calls to Durin and Dice."
0109 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
Alleycat gives a short nod of her head toward Avalanche, accepting and confirming his suggestion, as she waits for Blaze's reply, the rest of her body hunched a little into itself. Her body language almost cries out, I hate being the bearer of the depressing news, but we've got to be realistic about this ...please?
Alleycat gives a short nod of her head toward Avalanche, accepting and confirming his suggestion, as she waits for Blaze's reply, the rest of her body hunched a little into itself. Her body language almost cries out, I hate being the bearer of the depressing news, but we've got to be realistic about this ...please?
0109 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
Avalanche walks to the telecom, and punches in Dice's LTG number. It only rings twice before the street sam picks up.
"Well, good t' see that you ain't callin' at three no more, Ave. Whatcha want?"
"Remember how I told you I'd call if we needed any help with this run I was on? Well, guess what: a dwarven street samurai on our team just bailed. Meaning we have a very...special...spot on the team to fill. Interested?"
The muscular dwarf chuckled a bit. "Well, thass a pretty 'portant shoe t' fill, eh chummer? What's th' pay like?"
Avalanche told him.
Dice aised an eyebrow. "Not too shabby. Well, I'm in. I take it ya'll want m' to cover you at tommorows meet then?" A single nod from Avalanche answered his question. "Got it. 11:45 at th' Big Rhino. See ya then."
Disconnecting the call, Avalanche made another call to Durin. Yet again, a dwarf's face filled the screen. "Durin, it's Avalanche."
"Hey there, Avalanche. Listen, sorry I couldn't make it, it's just that..."
"You don't have to tell me chummer. All we need to know is what exactly you have for us, and where you are able to deliver it. Can you fill us in?"
Avalanche walks to the telecom, and punches in Dice's LTG number. It only rings twice before the street sam picks up.
"Well, good t' see that you ain't callin' at three no more, Ave. Whatcha want?"
"Remember how I told you I'd call if we needed any help with this run I was on? Well, guess what: a dwarven street samurai on our team just bailed. Meaning we have a very...special...spot on the team to fill. Interested?"
The muscular dwarf chuckled a bit. "Well, thass a pretty 'portant shoe t' fill, eh chummer? What's th' pay like?"
Avalanche told him.
Dice aised an eyebrow. "Not too shabby. Well, I'm in. I take it ya'll want m' to cover you at tommorows meet then?" A single nod from Avalanche answered his question. "Got it. 11:45 at th' Big Rhino. See ya then."
Disconnecting the call, Avalanche made another call to Durin. Yet again, a dwarf's face filled the screen. "Durin, it's Avalanche."
"Hey there, Avalanche. Listen, sorry I couldn't make it, it's just that..."
"You don't have to tell me chummer. All we need to know is what exactly you have for us, and where you are able to deliver it. Can you fill us in?"
0109 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"Not persay, but, I would be able to recognize that she's awakened. There's only about ... what 3% of metahumans who are awakened. I can pick out awakeneds from the astral, materialize by you guys and lead one of you to the person." Blaze responds.
"It will take a fair amount of time, but like I said I'll give anyone who's willing to help my share of the pay."
"Not persay, but, I would be able to recognize that she's awakened. There's only about ... what 3% of metahumans who are awakened. I can pick out awakeneds from the astral, materialize by you guys and lead one of you to the person." Blaze responds.
"It will take a fair amount of time, but like I said I'll give anyone who's willing to help my share of the pay."
0110 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"Leaving only, what, fifteen thousand or so persons to sort through?" says Alleycat, but her words hold no sting. "And that's assuming she's out in the open at all. Odds are, she won't be. It's winter, she's obviously bright, if she's on her own she'd be trying to get in out of the weather asap, and if she's not she'd be under cover as well. Detailed building by building search in the Barrens ..." Alleycat gave a small, apologetic shrug "... that would take a lifetime."
At Blaze's expression she holds out her hands quickly to forestall any explosion: "Wait! I said I knew something of the Puyallup Barrens. Your cousin: you said she was extracted, so odds are really good she'd stand out like a sore thumb. People there know who's new in the area, and who isn't. Let me ask a few questions first, narrow it down a little?"
"Leaving only, what, fifteen thousand or so persons to sort through?" says Alleycat, but her words hold no sting. "And that's assuming she's out in the open at all. Odds are, she won't be. It's winter, she's obviously bright, if she's on her own she'd be trying to get in out of the weather asap, and if she's not she'd be under cover as well. Detailed building by building search in the Barrens ..." Alleycat gave a small, apologetic shrug "... that would take a lifetime."
At Blaze's expression she holds out her hands quickly to forestall any explosion: "Wait! I said I knew something of the Puyallup Barrens. Your cousin: you said she was extracted, so odds are really good she'd stand out like a sore thumb. People there know who's new in the area, and who isn't. Let me ask a few questions first, narrow it down a little?"
0110 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"That's fine, in the mean time I'm going to head out to Redmond and see what I can find there, or at least what I can dig up there. You've got my number if you find anything please call, and I promise if I find her, or at least a good lead I'll let you know so you can stop searching."
Standing up Blaze slides his shades up and begins to walk out of the back room.
"That's fine, in the mean time I'm going to head out to Redmond and see what I can find there, or at least what I can dig up there. You've got my number if you find anything please call, and I promise if I find her, or at least a good lead I'll let you know so you can stop searching."
Standing up Blaze slides his shades up and begins to walk out of the back room.
0111 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"Wait," Alleycat says again. Her voice is very quiet, but it falls into a moment of stillness while Avalanche is listening to something extended on the other side of the phone conversation.
When she knows she's caught the shaman's attention, she stands up. She's not that small, not standing; but she is dwarfed against the CASan behind her. "I don't have your cell number. You don't have mine, either. We never shared them yesterday -- in part because we broke up so suddenly." She slumps back onto her chair, but doesn't take her attention from the shaman. "How long have you been looking for her already, without success? This isn't a case of just keep looking 'till you find her. We will find her -- but not by just charging in. You've already proven that to yourself."
She sighed then. "We're going into areas where cell signals are shaky and that can be trouble if you don't know your way around them -- we have no other way of getting hold of each other. You'll have no backup. Tin Star wants to help you too; but we haven't even figured out how we can each --" more than a slight emphasis on that work "-- help you, let alone how we can work together on this."
With a small tilt of her head she indicates Avalanche: "At least let's give it another ten or so minutes? Say, until 1:30? That way we can coordinate how we can all work together to find her --" another pause, another distinct emphasis following "-- quickly?"
"Wait," Alleycat says again. Her voice is very quiet, but it falls into a moment of stillness while Avalanche is listening to something extended on the other side of the phone conversation.
When she knows she's caught the shaman's attention, she stands up. She's not that small, not standing; but she is dwarfed against the CASan behind her. "I don't have your cell number. You don't have mine, either. We never shared them yesterday -- in part because we broke up so suddenly." She slumps back onto her chair, but doesn't take her attention from the shaman. "How long have you been looking for her already, without success? This isn't a case of just keep looking 'till you find her. We will find her -- but not by just charging in. You've already proven that to yourself."
She sighed then. "We're going into areas where cell signals are shaky and that can be trouble if you don't know your way around them -- we have no other way of getting hold of each other. You'll have no backup. Tin Star wants to help you too; but we haven't even figured out how we can each --" more than a slight emphasis on that work "-- help you, let alone how we can work together on this."
With a small tilt of her head she indicates Avalanche: "At least let's give it another ten or so minutes? Say, until 1:30? That way we can coordinate how we can all work together to find her --" another pause, another distinct emphasis following "-- quickly?"
0111 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"I've been looking for her for about three days, but that call was letting me know about more specific whereabouts, so the answer is about 10 minutes. But yes, I'm willing to wait another 20 minutes and you have my deepest thanks for you help, and my apologies for my slightly rash behavior. You have no idea how much I need to find her."
"I've been looking for her for about three days, but that call was letting me know about more specific whereabouts, so the answer is about 10 minutes. But yes, I'm willing to wait another 20 minutes and you have my deepest thanks for you help, and my apologies for my slightly rash behavior. You have no idea how much I need to find her."
0112 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
Alleycat smiles a slightly tired smile at him, acknowledging, noting absently that Avalanche was still on the phone. Thus far, the few words she'd overheard had been less than informative. Stealing a fry from his plate, she turns back to Tin Star. "I'm thinking you'll stand out there a bit too," she says dryly, "so unless you two think that would be useful, I'd suggest you work mostly to establish your credentials for San Francisco until Blaze calls you in as backup ... Unless you know anyone in Redmond?" she asks doubtfully, almost as an afterthought.
Then her body goes completely still. After a few moments, she tilts her head at Blaze: "Did I understand you correctly before, Blaze? You said a family member had mentioned your cousin's extraction to you, but you didn't know all that much about her? Does your cousin know of you at all?" Again she tries to forestall the strong emotions in the shaman: "I mean only, what's going to be her reaction, if she sees you first, and you're like this? After all, if she's just slipped her extraction team, and she's been living in the Barrens ever since ...? If she doesn't know you, well, wouldn't you try to run, in her shoes?"
Alleycat smiles a slightly tired smile at him, acknowledging, noting absently that Avalanche was still on the phone. Thus far, the few words she'd overheard had been less than informative. Stealing a fry from his plate, she turns back to Tin Star. "I'm thinking you'll stand out there a bit too," she says dryly, "so unless you two think that would be useful, I'd suggest you work mostly to establish your credentials for San Francisco until Blaze calls you in as backup ... Unless you know anyone in Redmond?" she asks doubtfully, almost as an afterthought.
Then her body goes completely still. After a few moments, she tilts her head at Blaze: "Did I understand you correctly before, Blaze? You said a family member had mentioned your cousin's extraction to you, but you didn't know all that much about her? Does your cousin know of you at all?" Again she tries to forestall the strong emotions in the shaman: "I mean only, what's going to be her reaction, if she sees you first, and you're like this? After all, if she's just slipped her extraction team, and she's been living in the Barrens ever since ...? If she doesn't know you, well, wouldn't you try to run, in her shoes?"
0112 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
A weary smile apears on Blaze's face, as if he's realizing how crazy he must sound to everyone else. "I don't know what her reaction will be, I know, well knew her. I haven't seen her in years, but I do know certain things that I can say to her, talk to her about that will calm her down. I, aparently, still look like i used to years ago, I think I can calm her down. And even if I can't I'm at least going to find her and protect her."
I don't care if she tries to kill me. I'm going to find her and protect her.
Gazing absently at Avalanche Blaze's thoughts are still only on his few remaining family members.
"I don't expect you to understand why I'm acting so irationally about this, just know that my life has been dificult and I've vowed to help any family that I still have."
A weary smile apears on Blaze's face, as if he's realizing how crazy he must sound to everyone else. "I don't know what her reaction will be, I know, well knew her. I haven't seen her in years, but I do know certain things that I can say to her, talk to her about that will calm her down. I, aparently, still look like i used to years ago, I think I can calm her down. And even if I can't I'm at least going to find her and protect her."
I don't care if she tries to kill me. I'm going to find her and protect her.
Gazing absently at Avalanche Blaze's thoughts are still only on his few remaining family members.
"I don't expect you to understand why I'm acting so irationally about this, just know that my life has been dificult and I've vowed to help any family that I still have."
0112 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
Alleycat nods in understanding, echoed by Tin Star. A quick glance in the dwarf's direction confirms that the information, whatever it is, is still incoming. "One thing I can do for you here and now, while we're waiting for Avalanche," she says. "If you'll excuse me? This won't take long."
With that she jacks into her wrist computer, assimilation and transference of data, easy adaptation of a small piece of coding she'd developed yesterday. "There," she says, jacking out after only a minute or so and sliding the reprogrammed chip into her gloved palm: "If anyone's mentioned anything about what happened on the Matrix, this will pull it up, or at least tell us where to look further. I don't have this system wireless yet. Actually, it's still pretty pitiful," she adds with a wry, self deprecating grin. "But for this purpose it will do," she finishes. "So all we need now is a jackpoint ..."
Alleycat nods in understanding, echoed by Tin Star. A quick glance in the dwarf's direction confirms that the information, whatever it is, is still incoming. "One thing I can do for you here and now, while we're waiting for Avalanche," she says. "If you'll excuse me? This won't take long."
With that she jacks into her wrist computer, assimilation and transference of data, easy adaptation of a small piece of coding she'd developed yesterday. "There," she says, jacking out after only a minute or so and sliding the reprogrammed chip into her gloved palm: "If anyone's mentioned anything about what happened on the Matrix, this will pull it up, or at least tell us where to look further. I don't have this system wireless yet. Actually, it's still pretty pitiful," she adds with a wry, self deprecating grin. "But for this purpose it will do," she finishes. "So all we need now is a jackpoint ..."
0112 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
As Avalanche looked at Durin the other dwarf looked distinctly uncomfortable. Scrounging around in some pockets, he answered, "Uh...well I was able to make some connections that could get us a few trucks, food and medical supplies, some weapons, and explosives. I can cover that part, it's the least I can for bailing on you all, although how much I can put up is limited..."
Asking the obvious question, Avalanche replies, "Thanks chummer. No hits to your rep as far as I'm concerned. What can you grab us?"
Looking a bit better, Durin replies, "I can grab you guys a regular pickup truck and a semi, although you'll have to pay for the vehicles if you don't bring them back in working order. They're on rent, ya know? Couldn't afford to buy 'em out right. As for the supplies, I can get enough of all of them for us, so say food, medical supplies, weapons and explosives for about 6. Sorry I couldn't grab more myself, but if you need more than what I could grab, let me know and I'll tell my contacts. But you'll have to pickup the tab for any extra stuff beyond 6 people's worth."
Smiling, the decker says, "Sounds good. It's nice to get some good news. What about the border forgeries?"
The dwarf samurai looks around from side to side, and answers, "I couldn't afford those. I can hook you all up with some people who can make you some that should get you guys through, but it'll cost, and I can't afford to pick up that much. I'm sorry." He hesitates, and continues, "So you just want what I could get, free of charge as stated, or y'all gonna want more and pickup the balance?"
As Avalanche looked at Durin the other dwarf looked distinctly uncomfortable. Scrounging around in some pockets, he answered, "Uh...well I was able to make some connections that could get us a few trucks, food and medical supplies, some weapons, and explosives. I can cover that part, it's the least I can for bailing on you all, although how much I can put up is limited..."
Asking the obvious question, Avalanche replies, "Thanks chummer. No hits to your rep as far as I'm concerned. What can you grab us?"
Looking a bit better, Durin replies, "I can grab you guys a regular pickup truck and a semi, although you'll have to pay for the vehicles if you don't bring them back in working order. They're on rent, ya know? Couldn't afford to buy 'em out right. As for the supplies, I can get enough of all of them for us, so say food, medical supplies, weapons and explosives for about 6. Sorry I couldn't grab more myself, but if you need more than what I could grab, let me know and I'll tell my contacts. But you'll have to pickup the tab for any extra stuff beyond 6 people's worth."
Smiling, the decker says, "Sounds good. It's nice to get some good news. What about the border forgeries?"
The dwarf samurai looks around from side to side, and answers, "I couldn't afford those. I can hook you all up with some people who can make you some that should get you guys through, but it'll cost, and I can't afford to pick up that much. I'm sorry." He hesitates, and continues, "So you just want what I could get, free of charge as stated, or y'all gonna want more and pickup the balance?"
0113 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
Avalanche frowns. "No border forgeries? Drek. Well, I'll discuss this with everyone else, and give you a call back sometime, most likely within 24 hours. Bye." With that, Avalanche ends the call.
He turns to the group. "Ok, Durin says he got us few trucks, food and medical supplies, some weapons, and explosives, enough for six people. I'm not sure exactly what kinds of the above he's gotten. Something tells me he doesn't know himself."
"As for border forgeries, null scan there. He can direct us to people who can get us some, we'll have to foot the bill for the forgeries themselves."
"So, what are we doing about this cousin of yours, Blaze?"
Avalanche frowns. "No border forgeries? Drek. Well, I'll discuss this with everyone else, and give you a call back sometime, most likely within 24 hours. Bye." With that, Avalanche ends the call.
He turns to the group. "Ok, Durin says he got us few trucks, food and medical supplies, some weapons, and explosives, enough for six people. I'm not sure exactly what kinds of the above he's gotten. Something tells me he doesn't know himself."
"As for border forgeries, null scan there. He can direct us to people who can get us some, we'll have to foot the bill for the forgeries themselves."
"So, what are we doing about this cousin of yours, Blaze?"
0113 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
Blaze sighs, "well, to be blunt and useless, find her. On more of a planning note, I don't know, my thoughts were that I could run Astral recon, checking for people who are awakened at the same time you guys comb through meat stuff. Alleycat can work through her contacts or experiance in Puyallup to check out that area while I do a search in Redmond."
Sighing to himself in exasperation more than anything. "but that was as far as I'd gotten and I realize it isn't that helpful. The main thought that I had was that rather than necessarily using phone comunication, I could mark, mentally, your auras, and use astral space as my own little phone line."
Shrugging to himself, "It won't help much with the actual recon, but it does help with the lack of communication."
Blaze sighs, "well, to be blunt and useless, find her. On more of a planning note, I don't know, my thoughts were that I could run Astral recon, checking for people who are awakened at the same time you guys comb through meat stuff. Alleycat can work through her contacts or experiance in Puyallup to check out that area while I do a search in Redmond."
Sighing to himself in exasperation more than anything. "but that was as far as I'd gotten and I realize it isn't that helpful. The main thought that I had was that rather than necessarily using phone comunication, I could mark, mentally, your auras, and use astral space as my own little phone line."
Shrugging to himself, "It won't help much with the actual recon, but it does help with the lack of communication."
0113 January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
A knock sounds at the door, and Blink pokes his head in. "Hey chummers. You guys decide what you want to order yet?"
Orders are quickly placed, including drink refill requests, and a few minutes later, the bartender comes in with a tray of food, and planning is temporarily put aside for a few moments while faces are stuffed. After a few reasonably quiet minutes, where the only sound is chewing and chugging, they get back to the discussion at hand...
A knock sounds at the door, and Blink pokes his head in. "Hey chummers. You guys decide what you want to order yet?"
Orders are quickly placed, including drink refill requests, and a few minutes later, the bartender comes in with a tray of food, and planning is temporarily put aside for a few moments while faces are stuffed. After a few reasonably quiet minutes, where the only sound is chewing and chugging, they get back to the discussion at hand...
0113 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"Well," says Alleycat slowly, "first I'll ask the loan of your jackpoint to send off these knowbots, Avalanche." She holds out the chip to him. "What they turn up might give us another clue where to start. Of course, I did this quick and dirty -- you've already seen what I'm using! -- so if you want to spruce them up a bit, go right ahead."
Her face turns thoughtful, almost ... hungry. "Blaze, will you also be using watchers for communication?"
"Well," says Alleycat slowly, "first I'll ask the loan of your jackpoint to send off these knowbots, Avalanche." She holds out the chip to him. "What they turn up might give us another clue where to start. Of course, I did this quick and dirty -- you've already seen what I'm using! -- so if you want to spruce them up a bit, go right ahead."
Her face turns thoughtful, almost ... hungry. "Blaze, will you also be using watchers for communication?"
0114 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
Blaze's face shows just how stupid he feels he's been being. "Actually I hadn't even thought about trying to ask for help from Watchres or spirits. I'm not particularly good at conjuring, but a watcher or two shouldn't be too hard to whip up."
Glancing at Alleycat's face Blaze continues on, "but it looks like you've gotten an Idea on something we can do. Do you, or is this just my hopes getting ahead of me again?"
Blaze's face shows just how stupid he feels he's been being. "Actually I hadn't even thought about trying to ask for help from Watchres or spirits. I'm not particularly good at conjuring, but a watcher or two shouldn't be too hard to whip up."
Glancing at Alleycat's face Blaze continues on, "but it looks like you've gotten an Idea on something we can do. Do you, or is this just my hopes getting ahead of me again?"
0114 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"Just the usual, by way of assigning watchers in advance to each of us and having them carry messages between us as needed. And you'd probably be able to use a city spirit or three to narrow the parameters of the search somewhat, once we know enough about where not to look ... But I don't think I could call most of it even a hope, yet."
-- and the sudden bleakness in Alleycat's voice etches worn shadows into what had been, until that moment, a very young elven face.
"Just the usual, by way of assigning watchers in advance to each of us and having them carry messages between us as needed. And you'd probably be able to use a city spirit or three to narrow the parameters of the search somewhat, once we know enough about where not to look ... But I don't think I could call most of it even a hope, yet."
-- and the sudden bleakness in Alleycat's voice etches worn shadows into what had been, until that moment, a very young elven face.
0114 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"well we'll heave to make due with just one city spirit if we go that method, but I can work on the watchers. Do you want to split up and head out to look now?"
Blaze's face shows his concern for the age now aparent on Alleycat's face.
"and I'm sorry for the stress I realize this is causing, but you have no idea how much your help means to me."
"well we'll heave to make due with just one city spirit if we go that method, but I can work on the watchers. Do you want to split up and head out to look now?"
Blaze's face shows his concern for the age now aparent on Alleycat's face.
"and I'm sorry for the stress I realize this is causing, but you have no idea how much your help means to me."
0114 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
Avalanche takes the chip from Alleycat. "As soon as we adjourn, I'll send these out."
Avalanche takes the chip from Alleycat. "As soon as we adjourn, I'll send these out."
0115 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
As quickly as it had come, as Alleycat turned to thank Avalanche it was gone, leaving only the memory of something that might not have been after all.
"All right," she says softly, "we know what Durin can supply, and we know we're going to be taking him up on some of it at any rate. Wasn't a time restriction on it? No?" Glancing at Avalanche for confirmation, she nods then: "so we can take him up on this later, no harm done -- and we can set up our own arrangements for things in the meantime, if we prefer that. You've already called in the new guy, so bring him in on our next run meet, same time, night after we find Melissa?"
She's going at a blistering pace, but now she pauses long enough for everyone to catch up, waiting just long enough to get something resembling a confirming nod from each person there.
"Next, phone numbers. Here's mine. Avalanche? Tin Star? Blaze? We'll skip the new sam for now -- Avalanche, you'll be our contact with him if something changes." She goes around the small circle again until each person has a reliable means of contact with the others on the team.
"Next, Melissa, what we can each do, now. Avalanche, you'll follow up on what's on the chip, anything you can dig up over the Matrix? Tin Star, you'll be establishing your cover for the run into CalFree, but if you happen to know someone who might know something? Blaze ... well, I can't stop you from doing this the hard way, but I'll suggest that you're going to need your energy for when we do manage to narrow it down. Get some sleep," she says gently. "I'll do the physical tracking, Avalanche will be on-line. We can give you what we have as soon as we have it."
"So we'll want another meet soon about that, oh, say around 11, over breakfast? Does this place serve breakfast? Just quickly, to outline where we're each at with our parts, maybe for Blaze to conjure each of us a watcher. You're meeting your other contact at noon, right, Avalanche? At the meet, can you try to stall a final decision for a day? Do you need backup?" She glances at Tin Star and then at Blaze, who looks like he might be about to say something.
As quickly as it had come, as Alleycat turned to thank Avalanche it was gone, leaving only the memory of something that might not have been after all.
"All right," she says softly, "we know what Durin can supply, and we know we're going to be taking him up on some of it at any rate. Wasn't a time restriction on it? No?" Glancing at Avalanche for confirmation, she nods then: "so we can take him up on this later, no harm done -- and we can set up our own arrangements for things in the meantime, if we prefer that. You've already called in the new guy, so bring him in on our next run meet, same time, night after we find Melissa?"
She's going at a blistering pace, but now she pauses long enough for everyone to catch up, waiting just long enough to get something resembling a confirming nod from each person there.
"Next, phone numbers. Here's mine. Avalanche? Tin Star? Blaze? We'll skip the new sam for now -- Avalanche, you'll be our contact with him if something changes." She goes around the small circle again until each person has a reliable means of contact with the others on the team.
"Next, Melissa, what we can each do, now. Avalanche, you'll follow up on what's on the chip, anything you can dig up over the Matrix? Tin Star, you'll be establishing your cover for the run into CalFree, but if you happen to know someone who might know something? Blaze ... well, I can't stop you from doing this the hard way, but I'll suggest that you're going to need your energy for when we do manage to narrow it down. Get some sleep," she says gently. "I'll do the physical tracking, Avalanche will be on-line. We can give you what we have as soon as we have it."
"So we'll want another meet soon about that, oh, say around 11, over breakfast? Does this place serve breakfast? Just quickly, to outline where we're each at with our parts, maybe for Blaze to conjure each of us a watcher. You're meeting your other contact at noon, right, Avalanche? At the meet, can you try to stall a final decision for a day? Do you need backup?" She glances at Tin Star and then at Blaze, who looks like he might be about to say something.
0115 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
Thankful for the help Blaze gives Alleycat a nod. "yeah, that makes sense, although I could likely give you guys each a watcher for the evening before I go to sleep. If you guys want me to."
Thankful for the help Blaze gives Alleycat a nod. "yeah, that makes sense, although I could likely give you guys each a watcher for the evening before I go to sleep. If you guys want me to."
0116 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"But they are sharply time-limited, no?" Alleycat shakes her head. "I don't know that we could find out anything to act on that quickly. Even with these guys' resources --" she grins "-- takes time. We'll update each other at the breakfast meet, at 11, and we'll pick up the watchers from you then. If this place doesn't serve breakfast, anyone got any good ideas on where?"
She hesitates, then tilts her head at Avalanche: "That's still an hour before your meet ... will you be able to stall them for another day?"
"But they are sharply time-limited, no?" Alleycat shakes her head. "I don't know that we could find out anything to act on that quickly. Even with these guys' resources --" she grins "-- takes time. We'll update each other at the breakfast meet, at 11, and we'll pick up the watchers from you then. If this place doesn't serve breakfast, anyone got any good ideas on where?"
She hesitates, then tilts her head at Avalanche: "That's still an hour before your meet ... will you be able to stall them for another day?"
0116 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"Well they're limits are in hours, not minutes, and they aren't too painful to summon, I could do the three now, and make another three in the morning if you want. If not I'll head home and see you guys here at 11 AM tomorrow."
Stifling a yawn Blaze gets ready to head out if no one wants a watcher.
"Well they're limits are in hours, not minutes, and they aren't too painful to summon, I could do the three now, and make another three in the morning if you want. If not I'll head home and see you guys here at 11 AM tomorrow."
Stifling a yawn Blaze gets ready to head out if no one wants a watcher.
0116 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"Here is good. Blink doesn't serve breakfast per se, but we could have a good brunch. As for delaying the contacts....I suppose I can do that, but it might cost us. Hmmmm.... Perhaps what we can do is all go to the meet together? We'll meet at the Big Rhino (where I'm meeting the contact) at 11, and update each other on the search then. That way we won't have to keep scrambling around, and you two could ask them whatever you'd like."
"Here is good. Blink doesn't serve breakfast per se, but we could have a good brunch. As for delaying the contacts....I suppose I can do that, but it might cost us. Hmmmm.... Perhaps what we can do is all go to the meet together? We'll meet at the Big Rhino (where I'm meeting the contact) at 11, and update each other on the search then. That way we won't have to keep scrambling around, and you two could ask them whatever you'd like."
0117 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"That works," concludes Alleycat with a confirming tilt of her head in Tin Star's direction: "The Big Rhino, at 11:00 --" she quickly checks the address, and confirms it with the group "-- byoinfo, and be prepared to back Avalanche up at his meet later. I'll take that watcher now, if you're willing, Blaze ... and if no one else wants one, I'll take the other two as well, since after all I am heading into Puyallup. Just tell it to wait with me until I have instructions for it. Can't guarantee I'll have anything for it before the meet, though."
She quickly bolts the rest of her food, as well as a few stray fries off the others' plates. "Avalanche -- can I impose on you to let me off where you did yesterday? That'll make a good starting point."
"That works," concludes Alleycat with a confirming tilt of her head in Tin Star's direction: "The Big Rhino, at 11:00 --" she quickly checks the address, and confirms it with the group "-- byoinfo, and be prepared to back Avalanche up at his meet later. I'll take that watcher now, if you're willing, Blaze ... and if no one else wants one, I'll take the other two as well, since after all I am heading into Puyallup. Just tell it to wait with me until I have instructions for it. Can't guarantee I'll have anything for it before the meet, though."
She quickly bolts the rest of her food, as well as a few stray fries off the others' plates. "Avalanche -- can I impose on you to let me off where you did yesterday? That'll make a good starting point."
0117 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"sure, I'll summon it for you."
Please Great Leopard grant me your stregnth and the aid of your followers in my noble quest.
Focusing his mind Blaze opens himself the the Leopard's gifts, weaving the strands of mana in front of him he begins to fashion a creature from it. Carving out the body of an Anthromorphic creature Blaze can feel the work sapping him. Placing the finishing touches on the watcher Blaze feels the strain break but not before giving him a monster headache and causing his vision to swim briefly.
"I want you to follow this woman and to deliver any messages she may have to me, or any other person."
The watcher begins mumbling slightly to itself about being just a lousy courier but goes to float over Alleycat's head anyway.
"sure, I'll summon it for you."
Please Great Leopard grant me your stregnth and the aid of your followers in my noble quest.
Focusing his mind Blaze opens himself the the Leopard's gifts, weaving the strands of mana in front of him he begins to fashion a creature from it. Carving out the body of an Anthromorphic creature Blaze can feel the work sapping him. Placing the finishing touches on the watcher Blaze feels the strain break but not before giving him a monster headache and causing his vision to swim briefly.
"I want you to follow this woman and to deliver any messages she may have to me, or any other person."
The watcher begins mumbling slightly to itself about being just a lousy courier but goes to float over Alleycat's head anyway.
0117 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"There's no such thing as 'just a lousy courier'," Alleycat tells the slightly feline spirit, with a brief nod of thanks to Blaze, recognising and acknowledging what this summoning has cost him; she'd been watching the entire process with an inhuman intensity. "The messenger is the single most important member of any team ... and you're far more than just a messenger. This is very important to Blaze. He's absolutely relying on you to help me to find his Melissa."
"There's no such thing as 'just a lousy courier'," Alleycat tells the slightly feline spirit, with a brief nod of thanks to Blaze, recognising and acknowledging what this summoning has cost him; she'd been watching the entire process with an inhuman intensity. "The messenger is the single most important member of any team ... and you're far more than just a messenger. This is very important to Blaze. He's absolutely relying on you to help me to find his Melissa."
0117 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
The watcher 'purrs' slightly and nuzzles Alleycat. "Gladly do I serve this one. I will do my best to assist you masters."
The watcher 'purrs' slightly and nuzzles Alleycat. "Gladly do I serve this one. I will do my best to assist you masters."
0117 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
Avalanche watches the proceedings with faint interest. "I think I'll just settle with a cell phone for now, and that picture of her. I'll see if the 'trix has anything on her that Alleycat couldn't find."
Avalanche watches the proceedings with faint interest. "I think I'll just settle with a cell phone for now, and that picture of her. I'll see if the 'trix has anything on her that Alleycat couldn't find."
0118 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"Thanks, Avalanche." It's a bit odd to the others, watching her allowing something barely visible, a shimmer in the air, to nuzzle against her wrist. The suggested image of a sleek cat responding to another of its species is almost irresistible. "I've keyed the programming to your Matrix name, but you might want to double-check my work before you toss them out. Like I said, this equipment isn't the greatest, but for now it's all I have."
Alleycat stands up: "Are we done, then? Blaze, how long do I and this one --" indicating the watcher with a tilt of her head "-- have?"
"Thanks, Avalanche." It's a bit odd to the others, watching her allowing something barely visible, a shimmer in the air, to nuzzle against her wrist. The suggested image of a sleek cat responding to another of its species is almost irresistible. "I've keyed the programming to your Matrix name, but you might want to double-check my work before you toss them out. Like I said, this equipment isn't the greatest, but for now it's all I have."
Alleycat stands up: "Are we done, then? Blaze, how long do I and this one --" indicating the watcher with a tilt of her head "-- have?"
0118 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"He should be able to help you for about the next 2 hours." Looking over at the watcher, now that Blaze has caught his breath, "thank you for aiding us, your work help is apreciated."
"Ok, I'm going to head home now, if you need me you can call, or ask him" looking over at Alleycat, "to come find me. Until tomorrow, good bye."
Standing up Blaze heads out the door, thanking Blink for the meal, and handing him some money to pay for it.
"He should be able to help you for about the next 2 hours." Looking over at the watcher, now that Blaze has caught his breath, "thank you for aiding us, your work help is apreciated."
"Ok, I'm going to head home now, if you need me you can call, or ask him" looking over at Alleycat, "to come find me. Until tomorrow, good bye."
Standing up Blaze heads out the door, thanking Blink for the meal, and handing him some money to pay for it.
0119 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
"Thanks, Blaze," she adds to the shaman's back, hoping absently that the money covered all the meals, but doubting it. "See you tomorrow, 11, The Big Rhino." Without any indication of embarrassment she quickly finishes off the last few fries on Blaze's plate, then stands up with a slight stretch. "Uhm, Avalanche? Can I impose on you, as last time? And by the way, where is The Big Rhino?"
"Thanks, Blaze," she adds to the shaman's back, hoping absently that the money covered all the meals, but doubting it. "See you tomorrow, 11, The Big Rhino." Without any indication of embarrassment she quickly finishes off the last few fries on Blaze's plate, then stands up with a slight stretch. "Uhm, Avalanche? Can I impose on you, as last time? And by the way, where is The Big Rhino?"
0119 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
Avalanche gives Alleycat the address of the Rhino. "And it's no problem, by the way. Same place, right?" At a nod from Alleycat, Avalanche gets to his feet. "Well then, let's go."
Nodding goodbye to Tin Star, Avalanche and Alleycat head out the door.
The drive is even quieter than the night before, with Alleycat not trying to make conversation. Eventually, they reach her stop. Avlanche pulls the tiny Electro to the curb. "Here you go, Alleycat I'll get to work on finding anything I can. To tell the truth, though, I doubt I'll find much. And if I do...she might be in heavier drek than I'd like to casually get involved in."
Avalanche gives Alleycat the address of the Rhino. "And it's no problem, by the way. Same place, right?" At a nod from Alleycat, Avalanche gets to his feet. "Well then, let's go."
Nodding goodbye to Tin Star, Avalanche and Alleycat head out the door.
The drive is even quieter than the night before, with Alleycat not trying to make conversation. Eventually, they reach her stop. Avlanche pulls the tiny Electro to the curb. "Here you go, Alleycat I'll get to work on finding anything I can. To tell the truth, though, I doubt I'll find much. And if I do...she might be in heavier drek than I'd like to casually get involved in."
0149 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Puyallup civic centre, standing in a corner of the bus platform and generally being one with the night
"Wakarimasu, and thanks. I'll try not to, but if I'm calling you before we meet, consider it urgent." Alleycat gets out of the small vehicle with a small, almost unnoticeable stretch, hand outstretched in a half-wave as the Electro drives away. Alert to her surroundings. It does not do to be less than alert anywhere in Puyallup, even if it is the bus terminal at the civic centre. Earlier than yesterday, but you wouldn't know it by the number of people. No one Alleycat recognises, no one breaking the cautious distance all strangers leave between themselves in Puyallup at night, no one who looks like they're about to be immediate trouble if she doesn't provoke it, and she's not planning on provoking it.
"Who're you looking for?" asks the watcher.
"Ork ganger, name of Ripper," answers Alleycat quietly, in a voice pitched to reach the watcher and not much further. "Doubt she'll be around here though: it's not her turf. So I was going to start at my place, work my way out, see if I can run across any of the Terms there, or anyone else who knows where they might be hanging tonight."
"Do you want me to look for her?"
Alleycat smiles, a little sadly. "No, we'll do that faster together. What I really need from you, right now, is to be my backup. I'm counting on you to let me know -- quietly -- if there's something I need to be aware of coming close to me." She paces off the circle indicating the desired distance and waits for the spirit to give its confirmation, before stepping into its centre and going completely still, all her attention focused.
It hadn't taken Blaze all that long to conjure this one. She has the few moments of space, and her back covered. She tries to place herself within his mental frame as she repeats what she's observed, reaching out, calling, shaping ...
"Did you call me?"
Her attention snaps around -- then settles on the watcher which had been watching her back, hovering before her. Her head sinks a little. "Sorry," she says quietly. "I hadn't meant to."
OOC: And from here on, the rest specifically on the Melissa hunt shifts into Living in the Shadows.
"Wakarimasu, and thanks. I'll try not to, but if I'm calling you before we meet, consider it urgent." Alleycat gets out of the small vehicle with a small, almost unnoticeable stretch, hand outstretched in a half-wave as the Electro drives away. Alert to her surroundings. It does not do to be less than alert anywhere in Puyallup, even if it is the bus terminal at the civic centre. Earlier than yesterday, but you wouldn't know it by the number of people. No one Alleycat recognises, no one breaking the cautious distance all strangers leave between themselves in Puyallup at night, no one who looks like they're about to be immediate trouble if she doesn't provoke it, and she's not planning on provoking it.
"Who're you looking for?" asks the watcher.
"Ork ganger, name of Ripper," answers Alleycat quietly, in a voice pitched to reach the watcher and not much further. "Doubt she'll be around here though: it's not her turf. So I was going to start at my place, work my way out, see if I can run across any of the Terms there, or anyone else who knows where they might be hanging tonight."
"Do you want me to look for her?"
Alleycat smiles, a little sadly. "No, we'll do that faster together. What I really need from you, right now, is to be my backup. I'm counting on you to let me know -- quietly -- if there's something I need to be aware of coming close to me." She paces off the circle indicating the desired distance and waits for the spirit to give its confirmation, before stepping into its centre and going completely still, all her attention focused.
It hadn't taken Blaze all that long to conjure this one. She has the few moments of space, and her back covered. She tries to place herself within his mental frame as she repeats what she's observed, reaching out, calling, shaping ...
"Did you call me?"
Her attention snaps around -- then settles on the watcher which had been watching her back, hovering before her. Her head sinks a little. "Sorry," she says quietly. "I hadn't meant to."
OOC: And from here on, the rest specifically on the Melissa hunt shifts into Living in the Shadows.
0119 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Blink's Bar
Waving goodbye to the others, Tin Star stands up, the spurs on his boots jingling slightly as he rises to his feet. Putting on his hat and tossing a few nuyen on the table to cover his portion, he gently runs his fingers over the worn badge he carries with him at all times. Whispering softly to himself, he says, "Well now, been awhile since we got to go do some good out in the world, ain't it? 'Bout time we did a little something to make this world a better place I reckon."
Walking out of the back room, he turns to shut the lights and smiles softly to himself. "Yeah, definitely time to set some things straight." Closing the lights, he turns and leaves the bar, driving silently home in the night.
Waving goodbye to the others, Tin Star stands up, the spurs on his boots jingling slightly as he rises to his feet. Putting on his hat and tossing a few nuyen on the table to cover his portion, he gently runs his fingers over the worn badge he carries with him at all times. Whispering softly to himself, he says, "Well now, been awhile since we got to go do some good out in the world, ain't it? 'Bout time we did a little something to make this world a better place I reckon."
Walking out of the back room, he turns to shut the lights and smiles softly to himself. "Yeah, definitely time to set some things straight." Closing the lights, he turns and leaves the bar, driving silently home in the night.
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