"I know how to drive, and the lay of the town, but I have not driven in car chases. If something goes wrong that soon, then we may want to have a chat with our employer. Other concerns may arise when we know more about her transportation."

Rent nods at the planning going on, waiting for an opportunity to interject his own comments. "Sounds good so far. Since I'm a bit conspicuous, I'll recon the hotel with Baron, here. With a spellslinger and a sharpshooter in place, we'll be ready if the opposition tries anything as she's checking in."

He turns to Assez. "While you're checking her travelling arrangements, maybe you could find out the basics of the hotel security, so we don't run afoul of it. I am assuming that they don't check guests that thoroughly - VIPs bringing along their own protection so much of the time - but I would rather be sure."

He looks up at the rest of the group. "If that's it, then Assez can divvy up the expense money, and we can all get going."

"I don't think waylaying the driver, if there is one, is a good idea, simply for the fact that it forces one of us to interact directly with her, completely eliminating the possibility of using that person as a close contact later during the assignment.

I agree with Bear's suggestion, however, that we rotate a series of 2 tails during movement, and already have the rest on location at the hotel. Is there anyone here capable of getting into her room beforehand and installing surveillance equipment?"

He will offer up the credsticks from the employer to be divided equally among the group.

Bear shrugs, "It was just a suggestion"

Baron turns his attention directly to Bear and assenses him! (rolls of 1(x3) 3, 4, 4, 5, 7, 8)There was no subtlety to his intense gaze. Did the man have no spine at all?

"Bear! No offense shall be taken by any here when a suggestion is made with the intent of aiding the team. Speak freely and without fear." His tone is deep and powerfull, yet somewhat soft, the Voice of Command...the kind intended to both inspire and demand! "Be like your namesake and take your place in the team. There is no room for those who remain on the outside."

((OOC...he's essentially trying an untrained Leadership skill roll. I won't bother rolling against a PC though. Up to you how ya wanna play it, dude!))

Bear laughs, "We havent done anything to be a team yet, mearly discussed plans for getting a job done. And we havent even done much of that. I'm just not one to step on toes whenever possible. Now then if you want to get back to bussiness rather than bickering over who is part of the 'Team' and who isn't?"

"Anyways here's the deal, after this is over im going to scope out the dock where the package is comming in. Rent or Azzez shoudl talk to the cab company, see if they can convince them to let us take the job. Its probably as easy as saying we are hired bodygaurds and just asking to barrow a car. That way the company doesnt pay wages for a poor driver, but gets payed by Mrs. Johnson still. I'm a good driver so if you need someone to drive, I can do that. Else Azzez is probbably our man for that. Whoever isnt driving Miss Daisy should help a tail, one motorcycle and one car is probably best. Baron you should stay here at the Hotel awaiting her check-in whith whoever else isnt providing a tail. Finally when she gest here we put her into your care. After that we should come up with what needs to be done as it comes up. Best off just two of us at a time, see if we can convice her to keep one of us as her driver, offer a special rate or something."

Bear pauses, taking a deep breath. "Meanwhile we need some survalence in her room pronto, tonight perferably. Perhaps tomorrow while she is arriving at the latest. That way we can have an idea where she is going before she leaves to get there. Whats her Itinerary look like anyways?"

The provided itinerary leaves much to be desired. It is very simple. Apparently Ms. Johnson is a shop-a-holic because that's what dominates most of her days, along with some sight seeing. At night it seems that she plans to club-hop into the wee hours, then spend her mornings recuperating.

There is also a list of likely places for her to shop and visit. Most of the stores are of the clothing variety and the list of popular tourist attractions such as the space needle. The list of clubs are all of the same type, the places that are highly into dancing and pop-music. No jazz, comedy, or thrash metal clubs, just bright lights and pounding bass. The runners notice that there are a couple laces on the list that are publicly known to be for metahumans only.

About this time Bear's phone rings. Answering it, he once again hears Garrison's transducerized voice.

"Those pics you sent helped a lot. I have a reliable contact in the CAS that has identified Nojibot as a fixer/Johnson type dude who organized a big data-steal in Atlanta a month or so back. But after that he did one of the best fades I have ever heard of. Couple days after the job he disappeared, no one in the Atlanta area has seen him since. Seems that there was one guy who was looking pretty hard though."

At this moment, Bear's phone's video screen displays a picture. It is the team's Johnson, the tall elf looks almost exactly the same as he did at the meet, even down to the clothes.

"This guy showed up about four days after the big run that Nojibot supposedly pulled. He tore up a bunch of clubs looking for info on Nojibot, there were a few deaths involved in his Q&A sessions with some fixers, guys he thought might have associated with Nojibot. Needless to say, this dude's rep in Atlanta ain't all that great right now, he left after three days or so, hasn't been seen since. I'll send you his pic so you can download it. Anyhow, I hope this helps you out. Do you want me to keep digging for Nojibot info, or should I move on to the pic of the girl that you sent me?"

"Any good news?"

"Move on to the girl, somehow I feel the Johnson is using her as bait. We need as much leverage as we can." Bear says to Garrison. "Thanks for the help cousin." and he hangs up.

"It only gets worse actualy." Bear says as he explains the situation. "The Johnson is using Mrs Johnson as bait for a trap."

"I had suspected that ever since Baron informed me of his lack of concern for her safety. Should we handle the job as stated, cancel the job now, or wait for an opportunity to discuss the matter with Nojibot before we consider changing our plans?"

Baron sits in the background, slipping his arms behind his head and leaning back with a smug grin.

He nods to Baron, credit given where credit is due.

"I still don't agree with your method of handling it, but it appears your suspicion is correct. My suggestion is to start moving on the recon immediately, and we simply watch for Mr. Nijbot. Our job is still to protect the mark, and if he gets too close, I suggest taking him down, non-leathally, for questioning. If he makes a hostile move against the mark, we...how do you say? Geek him. Anyone about to murder a someone isn't innocent enough for us to hesitate, regardless of what his excuses are."

Rent frowns, but doesn't seem too surprised. "Well, when a Johnson displays that level of dishonesty, he has voided the contract as far as I'm concerned. I would like to find out more before I risk simply walking away, though. Bear, did your contact give you any clues why the Johnson wants Nojibot? Or how badly? I want to know just how unstable, or possibly vindictive, the Johnson will be. It would also be nice to know why Nojibot would be interested in Ms. Johnson. But if she's moving around freely on her own, maybe we're the bait; the Johnson might let it slip to Nojibot that he's hired some hitters to get Ms. Johnson, so that he'll come out of hiding to rescue her."

Rent grimaces, then shakes his head, frustrated. "As much as I'd like to walk away from this mess with some money in my pocket and wait for the next job, I don't want to get a bullet in the back later because I didn't disentangle myself from someone's twisted game first. I say we should find out more of what's going on, then decide what to do."

"So, are we all agreed that we follow the exact wording of the job we were hired for until such opportunity presents itself to turn on our current employer and then we debate again? Unless there is some objection, I think we should get started on preparations soon. If there is no better advice, I will scour the subtle ways into town seeking any information about Nojibot and, if possible, his current motives. It would be helpful if someone can search legal travel methods for anyone resembling Nojibot. These are not small tasks and may be fruitless, but also might save us a fight. Someone should also prepare access to locations with optimal access to our pretectee."

"Shall we get started or are there any other details we must discuss?"

"Let's go with the original plan and do our legwork as normal. If we discharge at this time the reputation of all of us will plummet and work will become scarce. Do ask around about Nojibot, but we were still hired to protect Ms. Johnson. When Nojibot shows, vapture and interrogate. Let's get to it. I'm heading to the hotel as we planned."

Bear nods, "LEts go."

The team leaves Tiggy's after paying their tab and each member makes his way to Laubenstien Plaza in downtown Seattle. renown as one of the best hotels in the city, it sits in the heart of the shopping district, close to the harbor, with an excellent view of the Sound by day. It is mid-afternoon when everyone gets there.

The circular tower is 15 stories tall, each room has a small balcony that sticks off the side. The lobby is high ceilinged and very nicely upholstered. To the left is a huge old reception desk. Occupying a quarter of the room, there are clerks aplenty, answering phones and helping visitors. It doesn't take more than one look to see that the desk also comes equipped with two Knight Errant security guards, both wearing the most fashionable lines of designer body armor. A look around the lobby also spots at least two more guards. To the right is the entrance to a high class bar called the Laubenstein Gallery. The rest of the lobby is filled with overstuffed chairs and couches and some generic sleepy-time old-folk music is being piped in through hidden speakers.

The doorman, a middle aged human, notices the group of you. "May I help you gentlemen? Are you here to check in, or do you have any luggage?"

Baron addresses the doorman with a calm, sterile demeanor. He looks hism over quickly, assensing him briefly, just to see if he's mundane and/or augmented.

"I am allready checked in, my good man." He produces his passkey to prove his point. He steps through the door, nodding politely, and casually but briskly makes his way to the elevator. While waiting for the elevator, he assenses the KE guards (5, 5, 5, 1, 3, 2, 2, 1, 7 and 10...oughta be good for 5 successes on any not masked). He allso checks for any wards. Once in the elevator, he presses the button for the floor his room is on and makes his way to it. He looks for any security cameras (1,3,3,4,4,5) then enters his room He immediately draws shut any open curtains and waits for his companions (any that came along) to follow. Once all are in he starts with checking over the room for any surveilance devices: bugs, cameras, etc. He goes so far as to remove lightbulbs from the sockests and checking the sockets, unmaking and remaking the beds, unscrewing anything that opens relatively easily like the telecom reciever, etc., and checking with sight and touch. A thorough search.
(Using police procedures as a supplimentary skill in the search if allowed...those rolls boldfaced for easy exclusion if not. 5, 5, 3, 5, 3, 1, 8, 10, 14. He has vision mag 3 if that helps.)

Rent smiles and flashes his room card, then ambles behind the others. While Baron rummages around the room, Rent sits heavily in one of the chairs, his thoughts brooding. Catching Nojibot and going from there sounded good at the time, but he is worried that the Johnson might have his own people waiting in the wings - and that their orders might be to finish everybody off. He resolves to keep an eye out, not just for Ms. Johnson, but to see if anyone is tailing them.

Kull similarly proceeds, listening to the feelings of all those around.

[1,2,4,5,9; yes I will rampantly empathically sense pretty much everything]

Bear follows Rent up to the room, paying attention to everything in detail. When he gets to the room, seeing that Baron has taken care fo the hard work he sits down and waits for someone to speak.

Assez steps into the room, glancing around to take in the setup before turning to the group.

"Alright, now that we're here, we need to know the general layout of the room, as well as the location of the mark's room. Does anyone have general surveillance equipment for her room? I regret that isn't standard equipment for me. If we don't have that, we need to acquire it, and get her room setup immediately.

Also, someone needs to check out what part of her itinerary that we know, including the pier and likely routes here. Kull, perhaps? "

Baron fails to find any sort of spying devices in any of the places he looks. The guards in the lobby were fairly chromed. Off the top of his head, Baron would say they packed wired reflexes and dermal armor, the cyber in their eyes and heads probably means a smartlink system also. The area behind the desk is warded, probably offices and such...as well as the hotel safe. Security cameras are positioned in many places...inconspicuous, but noticeable. Enough of both not to stick out among the decor, but also visible enough to give guests a sense of well-being when they spot them. There are many in the lobby as well as some in the hallways out side the rooms.

Kull get a fairly bored sense out of every one working at the hotel, it seems to have been a slow day. The other members of the team seem confident that they have decided on a course of action and are acting on it. There is a slight nervousness, probably stemming from the worry that this whole thing could be a screw-job.


The hotel room is fairly large, but still typical as far as furnishings go. There are two queen sized beds and couch facing a trid system. There are dressers and two well-stuffed easy chairs face each other over a short glass and faux-wood coffee table. At the end of the room opposite the entrance is a sliding glass doorway that leads out onto the room's balcony. There is also a bathroom to the right of the doorway, it is also fairly spacious and has everything you need to clean and empty yourself.

Barons phone gives out a little chirp, notifying that he has received an email. Checking it, he sees that it is from his Johnson contact.

It reads:

B,

At first your information only stirred some vague memories, but your additional message made a connection for me. Samson Nojibot worked for a small research company named Vulcan Technical Inc. V-Tech is still part of the Novatech family...although I don't belive they know that, if you get my drift. I haven't had any dealings with this company or with Nojibot myself, but he used to work with a guy named Kalem Isaacc, whom I belive is your lanky-elf Johnson. From what I have heard, this guy is very professional, I don't know what you've figured out, but I don't think that he'd be one to screw runners. Anyway, he and Nojibot had some sort of massive falling-out when Nojibot left the company and Isaacc has been trying to catch him since then. That's about all I can tell you now. I know V-Tech was heavy into cyberware research, mostly headware stuff. I can dig deeper if you want, but that'll take time, and you know how valuable me time is.

Good Luck,

Nova-J

Baron pulls out his pocket secretary and reads the message. He smiles and looks at everyone gathered.

"Well, it appears I have some more information to work with. One of my contacts came through."

He reads them the important parts, leaving out the contact's identity.

"It seems the falling out between Isaac and Nojibot has been confirmed. How much is more information worth to us, gentlemen?"

Rent looks up thoughtfully. "It depends on what kind of information your friend can dig up for us. Frankly, I'm not really that interested in all of the sordid details of how two corporate buddies had a spat. What I really want to know is just who Ms. Johnson is, and how she really fits in to all of this. Right now, we only have two parts of the puzzle - she is the third and final piece, and when we find out about her, we can begin making some sense out of all this."

"Agreed, and I'd be more then happy to pony up a couple of hundred nuyen to get that info."

"Well, then, hopefully someone else's contacts will pull through. Mine do not seem to have any information on her...at least the one. The other has not called back yet."

He puts his pocket secretary away after sending a thank you message and a request for more info, an additional 150 nuyen attatched and 150 more upon delivery of the information.

The day passes and preparations have been made as best they could. Routine had been settled. Everyone taking a 2 hour sleep on their turn, settling into that routine. Baron was calm and imperiously professional, acting as if he were in charge, telling people what to do when they already knew and the actions they had to take obvious...and, of course, imagining their resentment was loyalty and obedience. He figured if he started by telling them the things they allready knew to do, when he started giving orders for other things, their resistance would lessen...then he stopped doing that when Rent threatens to pull his tongue out through his hoop if he didn't shut up!

Rent has been feeling surly as the wait drags on. He even found himself snapping at Baron. He is good at hands-on bodyguarding; while he is good at schmoozing and sneaking, this job of guarding a client from a distance is outside of his specialty - and as a pro in his line of work, he doesn't like feeling that way. He's better when he has people and situations to bounce his reactions off of.

At least his mind is settled on Ms. Johnson's role... for now. In the absence of other information, he decides to act on the assumption that she is someone Nojibot cares for, and that Mr. Nojibot will be lead to see the team as a threat to her. Ironically, it may be the team, not Ms. Johnson, that is the bait.

He has shared that concern quietly with the others, then left the room. The rationale was that he needed to get a good idea of the dimensions and areas of the hotel, beyond what a simple building map could convey - nothing like first-hand information about the place most likely to become a battleground. Truthfully, though, he just needed an excuse to get out of the claustrophobic environs of being cooped up in a room, however luxurious, with several other people without enough to do.

Kull releaxes in the only way that seems appropriate. Utilizing the descendant of "picture in picture" he watches "Firearms of the World," The Weather Channel, and a slightly less offensive music video channel as he double-checks every aspect of his rifle. If anyone shows an interest in one of the shows, he will turn the volume up, to a level that most people can actually hear.