2326 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

Finally. Now that the others have agreed we can get to the meat of the run.

As Mr. Fan moves to leave Durin sits up.
"Yes, do stay a bit longer Mr. Fan."

Durin then turns to address Lady Chen,
"How’s about you reveal the info on that chip lassie?"

2327 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7


Avalanche nods in agreement. "If you don't mind, Mr. Fan, I would also like to have you present while we go over the information provided."

Avalanche looks expectantly at Lady Cheng.

2327 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

"Just a moment..." Cheng slotted the chip into the p-sec, tapped a few keys, and (after a brief virus-scan) quickly copied the data into a blank directory in the secretary's optical memory. A quick series of tapped commands brought up the relevant copied files, and Cheng examined them briefly to see what information Mr. Fan had provided to them. With a wry half-smile, she commented, "Interesting."

"What? What's interesting?" demanded one of the others.

Before replying, she slipped the chip out of the p-sec and passed the micro-computer to the dwarf. "Well, see for yourself."

2340 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

After a few minutes, each member of the group had scanned the relevant data. Mr. Fan’s data was brief and to the point, but reasonably complete nonetheless. A summary of the file revealed the following information.

Subject: Alexander Wong
Height: 5’11
Weight: 190 lbs
Metatype: Elf
Nationality: Mandarin Chinese
Birthdate: 3-26-2040

A picture of him shows a fairly handsome, well built male elf, with slightly long, floppy black hair in the style typically favored by Asian ‘j-pop’ stars and dark brown eyes. In the picture he is smiling and holding the hand of a little girl next to him. They’re both making slightly silly faces and holding an ice cream cone in their free hands. The caption on the picture is labeled “Target and his sister.”

Underneath the photo of the target in the file is a brief description, complete with picture, of the place Alexander is being held. Apparently this photo was taken from a brochure, because there is a smiling group of metahumans standing and waving in front of a sign labeled, “Redwood County Center for the Protection, Education, and Relocation of Metahumans.” If it wasn’t taken from a brochure or propaganda piece, then the metahumans in the picture really are happy to be at the center. All a matter of opinion…

The file goes on to place the center about 45 miles north of the city of San Francisco proper. It also notes that there is approximately a platoon sized force of Imperial Marines assigned to the camp, which is five blocks by five blocks, and is entirely contained within fences and guard towers, ostensibly to ‘protect’ the metahumans from rampaging human mobs. The camp was officially opened about three weeks ago, and almost daily 'deliveries' of metahumans are made, making an accurate popluation count difficult, if not impossible.

Supposedly, there is a metahuman-run government within the camp, with human ‘advisors and support personnel’ to ‘assist’ the metahumans in their education and adaptation to ‘normal’ society. The entire place is supposedly self-sufficient, with business districts and everything. A nice, happy little enclave for all the happy little metahumans.

After finishing their examination of the data, one by one, each of the members of the group looked up at each other, waiting for everyone else to finish.

2344 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

After everyone has finished reading Blaze looks around at them. "Well now don't they all look happy, some how I doubt that anyone there is as happy as that. We're looking at an Imperial platoon we may be in for a difficult time taking out the entire camp." pausing to think to himself However I will do anything I can to eliminate this concentration camp and protect our team, and the people inside. "I have to ask because I just don't know about our team's strengths, are any of you demolitions experts, or even demolitions amateurs?" In his mind Blaze was already beginning to form a rudimentary plan and was taking stock of his options.

2345 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

"I have a feeling demolitions amateurs might not remain such for long," said Alleycat quietly, drawing on the cigarette, exhaling a soft wisp of smoke. She had taken only a brief glance at the optical reader. "Blowing up such a place, by itself, would not generally be adequate to render the camp ‘inoperative’ and prevent it from being used for this purpose in the future." Unknowingly, her voice had taken on almost the exact tonality with which the words had been said previously. "Still, such skills have a way of arising when they are needed, and can be discussed at a later time.

"What I would wish to know now is more about what you yourself know of this person, Mr. Fan. Not how tall they are or what race, but what they are like, what you remember of them personally."

She shrugged. "If, that is, it is of any importance to you that this person's extraction be made with the minimum amount of psychological trauma to them?"

2345 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

Mr. Fan looks at Alleycat strangely. "I have never met your target. I am simply contracted to arrange for his escape and safe return. However, it would be my presumption that all due care should be taken to ensure his safe return with a minimum of trauma to him. After all, it would seem to be fairly redundant to preserve his physical health at the expense of his mental and emotional health, would it not?"

2346 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

Exuding a calm emotion of caring Blaze continues on, undaunted by Alleycat's gruf dismisal of his question, "Mr. Fan, perhaps a better question, if you know that is, is how much emotional trauma has the target experianced in the past? I just mean if this person has seen as much pain and such as I and my fellow runners likely have then emotional damage is not nearly as big a concern, however, if he is a total civilian what we take for granted might create permanent damage." And that is something I will not allow to happen to this person, any more than has already been done at this camp.

2346 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

"What I would like to know, Mr. Fan, is if the target's sister is at the camp in question. If so, the target may not be willing to leave without her, and things become...complex." Avalanche studies Mr. Fan's face intently, waiting for a reply.

2346 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

I have never met your target. I am simply contracted to arrange for his escape and safe return.

Truth or not? Or, as so many times, a half-truth, appearance concealing full disclosure? There was something else there, she'd stake her life on it, she would be staking her life on it: but it was beyond her, here and now, to tease it out.

And that other one, with the tinge of violence, he thought she'd rebuffed him: but at least he had shifted his line of questioning. We've all accepted. For better or for worse, we're stuck with each other until this is done. We'll talk through our abilities later, but I'd rather not give this Johnson any more information than I absolutely have to.

She shifts back on the chair, cigarette held loosely in her hand, still poised, still accepting. At least one other person in the room will pick up the small spot of nerves behind the tight focus ... although she hopes it won't be Mr. Fan. She's gone as far as she dares. All she can do now is watch, and listen, and observe, and try to learn from reactions to the others' questions.

2348 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

Looking at Blaze, Mr. Fan calmly answers, "He is a total civilian, as you can see from his file. He graduated only a year or two ago, and I believe has zero exposure to the kind of life that is led by those present."

Sipping his tea, he returns Avalanche's gaze calmly, easily. "To my knowledge, his sister is not present at the camp. Whether she is or not, your contract is for the target. Of course, his sister, if she is there, will fall under the secondary objectives. But she is not your direct concern. However you feel it is necessary, you are authorized to use your professional judgment to get him out and back to Seattle, regardless of the extraneous circumstances that may be present."

Slowly drawing his gaze across the assembled team, his glance seems to linger, just for an extra second or so, on Alleycat. Then the moment passes, and he smoothly addresses the group, "Is there any further assistance I can give you?"

Did he look at me just a little longer? Or am I just being paranoid? This guy's definitely been around the block, I'd put money on it. He's smooth, too smooth. What's he up to? Or is he really just this professional? So many questions, so few answers... Alleycat's thoughts ran through her mind, before shaking herself out of questioning mode and back to observing.

2348 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

To his knowledge, hmm? Why does that worry me... Avalanche shrugged the feeling off. Never trust the J, but don't just assume he's wrong either. Maybe his sister really IS at another camp. Hopefully, he won't demand that we find her...

"Well Mr. Fan, I think that's about all the questions that I have at least." Avalanche looks around at the rest of the group.

Listening to the way Mr. Fan describes the issue of the target's sister possibly being in the camp, he can't help but have a thought roll through his head. This sounds almost like an extraction, rather than a rescue mission. Something about that doesn't sit too well with him. Sounds like they may be delivering the man into worse hands than he's in right now, but he's not voicing the concern, in fact he's rather quiet.

2350 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

Rising to his feet, Mr. Fan nods graciously. "It seems there are no more questions. Very well, I will take my leave now. Good luck to you in your endeavors."

He quickly exits, leaving the five members of the group to sit, get to know each other, and figure out where to go from here.

2351 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

"Somewhere else, perhaps?" Alleycat finishes the cigarette, letting the ashes trickle onto the floor, and stubs it out against the table. "This place makes my skin crawl."

2350 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7


Avalanche shrugs. "All I need is some good food right now. I'm starving, and I seem to have missed out on the refreshments. I know a good place to talk biz that has a decent grill."

2350 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

Blaze nods, "I'm good with that, if you give us the address we can meet there in like an hour or so."

2350 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

"Works."

2350 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

Durin watches the table scorch and the last curl of smoke rise from the elf's cigarette. Not exactly a stereotypical green elf here.

"An hour dependent on the distance, that is."

He extends his hand toward Lady Cheng.

"Oh and the name's Durin, I'll be your dwarf for this run," he says with a half chuckle.

2350 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

Cheng gifted Durin with a warm smile in response as she shook his hand. "I'm called Cheng. It's a pleasure to meet you." She reached past the stubbed-out butt to retrieve her p-sec from the table and looked over at Avalanche.

"So. What's this place you're proposing?"

2351 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

Looking directly at Alleycat as he speaks, Blaze replies in a tone that says he means no offense to the dwarf, "I believe that introductions and skill overviews can wait till we reach the new site. Otherwise this might be a long night." as he speaks Blaze continues thinking to himself Perhaps this woman is not as green as her aura suggests, or perhaps I just had it coming, its been a while and I did jump the gun there.

Avalanche raises his eyebrow at Durin. "I know my albinism makes me rather tall for my metatype, but I'm suprised you didn't realize you won't be the only halfer here."

Standing up to his full height of 5'3", he looks at Lady Cheng. "The name of the place is Blink's Bar. I'm on good terms with the owner. We can get a meal and a nice, quiet back room. It's near the Redmond Barrens, but not too close. It's on the corner of 45th St. and Earst Ave. Oh, you can call me Avalanche. Pleasure to mee you, Miss Cheng."

2351 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7
Blaze just shrugs, "Oh well, Name's Blaze" looking away from Alleycat and towards Lady Cheng, "And it looks like we've elected you to be the head of our little group." pausing just slightly to let the slight sarcasm seep in Blaze continues on, "I'll meet you guys at Blink's likely outside till you show up Avalanche."

With that Blaze stands up to head out of the club. 30K, that's enough to finance a small run, although I'll need Max to get in contact with some of his people. After this run I can rescue Melissa and get back to my quest. Leopard please help me in this noble endever.

2352 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

"Please wait?" Alleycat unfolds herself quickly to move after Blaze, but when he turns she half freezes, reaction to the sheer suddenness of his movement; and slowly takes a half step back, her hands slightly away from her sides and open. "I do not know this part of the city. May I go with you?"

2353 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7


"If anyone else needs a ride, I have a bit of room in my excuse for a car. Otherwise, I'll meet you all outside Blink's."

Avalanche starts to head out the door and down the stairs to retrieve his weapons and leave.

2353 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

Blaze smiled at Alleycat, "Sure, I can give you a ride, although it will be a cab ride, No personal transportation sorry. If that doesn't bother you though I'll be happy to accompany you."

2354 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

"Wait -- Avalanche, you seem to know where you are going, and you said you had some space. Cabs can't be frequent out here. Do you have room for the two of us?"

Alleycat glances over at Blaze, her head slightly tilted, her hands spread wider apart in an almost shrug: Is that okay?

2354 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7


Blaze just shrugs, "sounds fine with me," looking over at Avalanche, "If that's ok with you."

2354 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

"Null persp, chummers. Be warned, however: my ride is a Volkswagon Electro. You know, the econocar. Be prepared to be rather familiar with each other."

2355 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

Alleycat smiles her thanks at Avalanche: "Our guns certainly will!"

Then, with a glance at Lady Cheng, the smile playing about her lips becoming light, warm, teasing: "Oh, do you want to say it, or shall I?"

2355 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

`If y'all don't mind a ride in the bed of a truck, I've got room.`

The one they asume is a cowboy pushes off of the wall he'd been leaning on, heading the way of the door.

2355 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

Smiling broadly at Alleycat Blaze speaks jokingly, "Familiar is fine with me, if it doesn't bother you." Looking over at the "cowboy" "thanks but I'll pass on the truck bed."

2356 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

"That's certainly kind of you, sir," says Alleycat to the one who had just pushed off the wall, in a tone that suggests she means it, "but since Avalanche already has us covered, that only leaves -- 'our dwarf for this run' -- did you have your own transportation? And you, Miss Cheng? Are we all covered for getting there, now?" A slight stress on that last word. "Did any of you have anything you were planning to do before the chip copies and advances get handed out?

"Because I'll admit" -- she swallows hard -- "that grill sure sounds good!"

2356 January 4, 2063 - Paradigm Shift, Room 7

"You mean that old 'Is that a gun in your pocket' line?" Cheng flashed teeth in a tight smile as she replied. "Fortunately, I've no worries in that department. I've got space enough for Durin and a few more, if need be."

She cast a thoughtful look at Blaze, catching the tone behind his words easily enough. Maybe he's just being picky, but... best to keep an eye on that one. His mood's abrasive, and that could spell trouble later.

0100 January 5, 2063- Blink’s Grill

After settling the driving arrangements, handing out copies of the chip and advances, the six runners began making their way out to Blink’s Grill. Splitting up and going their separate ways, taking care to avoid being followed, they rendezvous a little more than an hour later.

First to arrive is Avalanche’s car, with Blaze and Alleycat in tow. Walking in, the first thing that is obvious is that it is a very meta-friendly bar. Orks and trolls sit shoulder to shoulder with elves and dwarves (as much as such a thing is possible). There are very few humans, but there doesn’t seem to be any particular prejudice against them either. Despite the late hour, the place is reasonably busy, turning a decent crowd, and the staff are kept busy bringing food and drinks to the various customers. On the trid is a replay of the latest Seattle Sonics game, but only a few patrons are paying any attention. The rest are busy attending to their food or the conversation. A few glances are thrown at Blaze and his flashy style, but everyone assumes he’s with the cute elven girl walking next to him.

With a nod to the elf standing behind the bar, Avalanche motions to the backroom with a tilt of his head, and a questioning eyebrow. The elf nods casually but deliberately in response, and the three of them head back.

A minute later, the elf comes back with some menus, and asks, “How many will it be today chummer?” With a quick smile, Avalanche replies, “We’re expecting three more. An Asian woman, another dwarf, and…well let’s just say you’ll know him when you see him.”

“I’ll send ‘em back when I see ‘em. You wanna wait for the grub or you wanna place an order now?”

The three look at each other, and Alleycat speaks up, “We may as well wait, to avoid attracting unnecessary attention to our presence back here.” The others nod in agreement, and the elf replies, “Well then share yer menus. I’ll come back for yer orders when they’re all here.”

With that, he turns and heads back out into the crowd.

About five so minutes later, the shorter dwarf and a tall, attractive Asian woman walk into the grill. The woman draws several appreciative stares from the male patrons, some of which are shortly after elbowed with a hard shot to the ribs by their female companions. Suitably chastened, they quickly return the focus of their attention where it belongs…sneaking in a few sidewise glances where safe, of course.

The elf behind the counter catches their eye and directs them to the back with a toss of his head. Before they can get there, however, the room stops cold.

Walking through the door is what can only described as someone…out of place here, and most certainly not with anyone here. Tin Star janders through the door, and seeing Durin and Lady Cheng , moves to follow them. All eyes follow him, and more than a few suspicious and derogatory comments are made about ‘that guy who must be a Humanis sympathizer, cause who else would dress like that’?

As the three of them walk through the front door, Durin mutters darkly, “So much for subtlety.”

They all sit around the round table in the small, crowded back room, glancing at the menus. A few minutes later the elf comes back, takes their orders, and quietly leaves. Finally, Lady Cheng sits up straight, folds her hands on the table, and says, “All right then, shall we get down to business?”

0101 January 5, 2063 - the back room at Blink's Grill

Initially, she looked at Avalanche. "May I presume that we have no need of electronic countermeasures here?" At his affirmative response, she continued.

"If no-one has reservations, I would suggest we start with introductions of ourselves and our capabilities." Lady Cheng leaned her well-muscled frame forward in her chair, placed forearms on the table, and glanced around at those in the room. Her ice-blue eyes, nestled within the epicanthic folds most commonly seen amongst those ethnically Chinese, studied each of them in turn. As none of the others seemed inclined to immediately interrupt, she interlaced her fingers on the weathered tabletop and began.

"My name, as most of you undoubtedly heard, is Cheng. I have substantial skill with both decking and rigging. I can fly rotored and vectored-thrust aircraft, pilot a boat, drive a car under less-than-ideal conditions, and command any weapons which any of those vehicles might possess. All of these are skills which might find use by the time we complete this tasks, and I have the cyberware to compliment my talents. I have some passing knowledge of demolitions, aikido, and pistol-use, though I'm by no means an expert in any of those three. I also speak a number of languages, Japanese among them, without need of chips."

She smiled gently, as though to invite the others to contribute. "So. Who's next?"

0102 Ja0nuary 5, 2063 - the back room at Blink's Grill

`Y'all can call me Tin Star...`

Steele speaks up after Lady Cheng introduces herself. He produces a small leather pouch from one of his pockets, extracting from it a hand rolled cigarillo and a lighter as he speaks.

`I'm a cool hand under fire, and these irons aren't just fer show. If I'm not the fastest gun this side of Tuscon, then I've yet to meet my superior. That don't mean I can't hold my own up close, or that I can't go to the rifle if need be also. Skill aside, I've got some experience dealing with bigots, though contrary to what those of you just out in the bar might have heard, I ain't one myself. Simply put, I blend, and I reckon given my recent, and likely public in the recent circles, unemployment, I may have reason to be down the way of the Free State.`

He put the cigarillo to lip after speaking the most he's said since any of them have seen him, and lights it, taking a deep draw off it.

0103 January 5, 2063 - the back room at Blink's Grill

Just as well we arrived in ones and twos and threes, for what little that's worth. Taken together, what else could we possibly be than up to no good?

Alleycat laughs quietly to herself upon hearing Lady Cheng's question to Avalanche, but not at Tin Star's self-description of blending. This one doesn't seem to say much, but he is a crowd-player, his words are well-chosen and to the point; and she'd picked up the subtle self-confidence born of an utter faith in one's own competency even before. Few better ways to camouflage one's own abilities to vanish in a crowd than by deliberately choosing to stand out at all other times.

What she's not at all certain about is what he means by "have reason to be". Something there, she thought, which could spell potential trouble.

But she'll wait, once again, to hear what the others deem valuable.

0105 January 5, 2063 - the back room at Blink's Grill

Avalanche stands up breifly. "As you all know, my name is Avalanche. If you've ever been to Shadowland, you might have seen me as Ice Cube. I lurk more than I post, however. I'm a decker, but I can more than hold my own with a pistol, and I've got the 'ware to keep me on par with most of the goons we might encounter. I'm also a bit of a tech wiz, and I know my way around a maglock. Like Miss Cheng, I speak Japanese. However, given my appearance and metatype, I don't think I would get as good a response as she would."

Avalanche sits back down.

0105 January 5, 2063 - the back room at Blink's Grill

Looking around at each person as they speak Blaze decide's to introduce his specialty now, "as I said before name's Blaze, I'm a Shaman, Leopard for those of you who have a little knowledge of the subject, I specialize in combat magic, although I can whip up an ok heal spell, and do alright on my own in the astral. In terms of meat abilities, I got nothing. I know plenty about corp security, Lone Star and Downtown Seatle, although the latter will likely go to waste here. I speak a little japanese, enough to understand them, if not enough for them not to shoot me just for butchering the language." After speaking Blaze slides back into his seat, sliding his shades up over his eyes. Now that we've got that done we can work on figuring out how to get this done, and how to help out Melissa. Looking over at Alleycat, wondering to himself what exactly her specialties are.

0110 January 5, 2063 - the back room at Blink's Grill

Now it was just her.

"I think maybe I can back all of you up," says Alleycat slowly. "I can shoot a gun, but probably not as well as Tin Star. I'm not a rigger and I'm almost certainly not as good a driver as Miss Cheng, but I know my way around a few vehicles. I'm currently deck-challenged and I certainly won't be as good at things electronic as Avalanche, but I'm not entirely helpless around computers. I can watch over someone gone astral, and have some idea what to look for and do if things go wrong. I'm not any great spades as a fighter, but I won't be a liability.

"I've got some familiarity with patching people up, and with fixing 'ware. I've also got a bit of knowledge in blowing things up. Especially myself." She laughs. "I'm reasonably fluent in Japanese and Korean, and I will be able to be accepted if I need to be.

"I might even have an idea of a plan for how to go about getting the boy out and at least one of us deep in without them noticing he's gone, at least, as soon as I run through a copy of that chip." She glances at Lady Cheng. "Did you have a chance to get them ready?

"One thing I can't be for you, though: and that's your dwarf for this run. Oh, and I go by Alleycat."

She smiles, and takes a deep swallow of water to quiet the threatened growl from her stomach. I wouldn't particularly mind it if the waiter arrived back now with one of those huge free-for-all assortment plates.

0110 January 5, 2063 - the back room at Blink's Grill

"Yes. Fortunately, that's one thing that traffic lights are still good for," Cheng quipped. She retrieved her p-sec and a handful of optical chip-cases from her coat's inner pocket, skimming each chip across the table towards its recipient. "I don't think any of us have had the time to thoroughly study the information we have, so I suggest we start with general strategies."

She held up her index finger. "First, are we going to attempt either of the two additional tasks our employer has mentioned? I'm in favor of both, but if we go that route additional planning will be necessary."

"Second..." The next finger joined the first as she enumerated. "Regardless of whether or not we take on the additional tasks, we'll need transport both down to and back from Cal Free. Taking what we need with us will make planning easier, but it will be difficult to take any substantial quantities of supplies with us via airport or the bullet train that goes through the Tir. We also need to keep in mind that the Nipponese occupation forces may be" -- she quirked an eyebrow upward to emphasize the point -- "somewhat irate with us after we sneak or bust people out of their little community center. That makes the standard avenues of transportation out of Cal Free risky. I have a possible alternative to the usual means of transport, but I'd like to hear everyone else's thoughts on the matter first."

0112 January 5, 2063 - the back room at Blink's Grill

"And third: how would it change consideration of the first and second points if I were to take the boy's place in the camp for a couple of days or a week without anyone noticing?

"But first, sorry -- but like I said, I'm deck-challenged at the moment, and I'd like to study what's on the chip first, so I can answer you intelligently. Would any of you have a pocket computer I could jack into?"

0110 January 5, 2063 - the back room at Blink's Grill


Blaze nods slightly at Lady Cheng's suggestions, "I don't know much about it, boarder guards aren't much trouble on the astral, but we could try to go into CalFree with a tbird of some sort, or with a rotocraft, enough cargo/passenger room in either to pick up the target and as many people as possible. And yes i'm in favor of both shutting this place down and Evacing as many people as we can, who want that evac. That's my two cents, in terms of actual planning I can't do much to help with that other than astral recon."

Looking over at Alleycat "I can't help you with the deck, or computer, sorry."

0111 January 5, 2063 - the back room at Blink's Grill

Cheng glanced sideways at Alleycat. "Would a pocket secretary do? I've got some fiberop cabling you should be able to use for linking into the data."

In her image link, as she waited for Alleycat's response, she called up the information that had been on the datachip. The knowsoft link went through the router's subroutines into her headware memory, searching out the particular files and bringing them into her field of vision.

0111 January 5, 2063 - the back room at Blink's Grill

"Works. Thank you kindly."

The datajack at the base of Alleycat's skull had been virtually unnoticeable until she proceeded to take Lady Cheng up on the offer, flipping up the optical screen so her access could be visually monitored, then hooking herself in to examine the information on the chip with the promised cables. Looks like she's already scanned it for worms and viruses, she notices with relief.

"'Fraid I don't have my deck actually on me at the moment, so I can't scan the files. Maybe I can use the advance to get a p-sec of my own," says Avalanche with a small smile.

There is a timid knock at the door, and Avalanche calls out "Who is it?"
"It's, er, it's me, Avalanche," Blink says through the door.
"Come in."
Blink enters the room, blinking a bit more often than one would expect. Hence, his name. There are rumors abound of him being an ex-shadowrunner, but Avalanche has always had a hard time seeing the jumpy, nervous, and shy elf as a 'runner.

Blink is also fiercely protective of his glass bottles. Go figure.

"Have you, ah, decided what you want to eat?"
"Yeah, just get me my special."
"Your special?" asks Alleycat with a raised eyebrow.
Avalanche smiles. "Half pound cheeseburger with cheddar and blue cheese. We call it the halfer special."

Blink turns to regard the other runners in the room. "What can I get for you, er, gentlemen and ladies?"

0112 January 5, 2063 - the back room at Blink's Grill

A moment's glance at the menu allowed Cheng to pick out her selection. "I'll go for the bacon cheeseburger, with crispy fries on the side. If you've got any spicy barbecue sauce, could you just throw a bunch of that on it as well? The burger, that is, not the fries. And to drink... how about a large glass of Tir Mist?"

The greenish soft-beverage was one of the Tir's more popular exports, despite some detractors hanging the label of "elf piss" on it. The fact that the sweet concoction was heavily caffeinated only heightened its appeal for her.

0112 January 5, 2063 - the back room at Blink's Grill

"Make that two halfer specials, and I'll risk the elf piss," Alleycat grins, then returns her attention to the chip.

0112 January 5, 2063 - the back room at Blink's Grill

Blaze looks over the menu briefly, picking out a similar order to Lady Cheng's, "I'll have the Bacon Cheese burger with no tomatoes and ketchp with no mustard. Since it seems to be popular tonight I'll try out the Tir Elf Piss."