Finding nothing on this strange man that Ace was looking Codec gives up trying the obvious places.... and things that when he has the time he may need to be a bit more inventive!



Heading over to Sturdy's diner they pull up in the carpark of this rustic old building... from the outside it looks like it should be condemed, with spray paint and gun shot holes in the walls. but going on inside it turns out to be a fairly nice local place to eat dispite what the area is like!

After jacking out, Codec heads over to the diner. He enters to find Flip and Ace inside. "Uh...hey...um...where's the rest of the group?" Codec asks, though deep down he has a hunch that something has gone terribly wrong.
Codec takes a seat and orders a cup of coffee from the waitress.

"It seems this is the group." Ace left the implication hanging. "Well, there's one other... I don't know if we can trust her though."

"oh..." is all Codec manages to say. he hands Ace a sheet of paper with the information about a girl that he found ni the matrix. " I dunno if this is what you wanted but it's the best I could find on such short notice." While Ace looks it over, Codec continues..."Uh I did manage to buy a program to use for our...er...job. It'll be ready tomorrow and I will pick it up. It is designed to keep any alarm or distress calls contained for a few minutes..actually...uh..about five minutes. N..n...now I know this isn't a big window of op..opp.opportunity but I'm going to try and talk to someone about that." Codec, feeling a little proud of what he accomplished, be it small, sits back and enjoys his coffee.

"Yeah... everything went pear shaped. Damn troll nearly blew us all up. And this bird - she was a watchdog set on us by Kitao. Keeping an eye on us, you know?

"Anyway - to business. We haven't got long now and we need to formulate some plan of action. Let's eat first, then we can head on out and discuss things in private."

The gang all get food [ooc: skimming that part in favour of roleplaying... feel free to whack it back in if you want to chat there] and retire to the van for a planning sesion.

"Okay. Ace, you wanted to see about getting the controls amended on this beast, right? How long and how much? Codec - are you going to be running overwatch through the 'trix for the run? If so, how long will it take you to teach me to plant the bugs? I don't know too much about electronics - I saw someone splice a dataline tap into a Tandy store's 'trix connection once, but I doubt I could do it again. Lastly, what do you think we should do about our little bird here?"

He faced her.

"Sorry doll... we just need to be democratic here..."

"I'll be coming along and handle security on their grid. The program I bought will keep their security net from getting ahold of...company...I'll have it within a day or two. Uh, do we have an idea when we're going?"

Ace scratches his head. "A rigger adaptation would cost anywhere between 5000 and 6000 nuyen, depending on how well we can talk it down. Would've been useful to have that Chinese dude, but, well, some troll's grenade didn't think he was important. I'm thinking it may be something that'll have to wait until we finish the job. But anyway, if we have five minutes, will that be enough to get to the 'brain' of the installation?" He turns to Codec, "If we can get there, could you keep the security down for longer?"

"I might. Once I get this program I'm going to take it to somebody who just might be able to help. I've got about a gran stashed away so that'll help me out a bit."

[ooc: *pictures old lady in tartan slippers stashed away in Codec's closet...]

[ooc2: My bad about the overwatch question - forgot it was an isolated system...]

"Okay then, looks like playing with our new toys will have to wait until we're done. Now, [ooc: We had seven days, I'm thinking we've wasted two? Correct me if I'm wrong... could be one...] we've got about five days until Kitao's deadline. We were expecting to have to shop til we dropped but now there's a few less of us, what shoudl our priorities be? Do you both think we can still pull this off or do we need to find additional personnel? And do you think we should tell Kitao? We might be able to arrange something for the dead men's shares... since I don't know if they had any next of kin, we might as well try to nab it for ourselves and put it in the "roadmaster kitty.

"And while we're on the job subject, what do you guys think of me trying to get a security job there? Might help..."

"I'm not to keen on trusting her, but if we really need it, maybe we can convince Kitao to let her work for us? I don't know. Looking for outside help seems to be something we'd have to handle on our own at this point. If we run to our boss whenever something goes awry, he may start to question our capabilities... I'd like to make a good first impression."

"As for getting a job there, I don't know. Firstly, it depends if they're hiring, secondly, how thourough a background check would it take? Pretty hardcore, I'd guess. We might be able to pay to fake one, but how long would it take for them to make their decision? And if you don't get the job, we'll have wasted time and money." He shakes his head. "It's a clever enough idea, but I don't think it would work."

"You're quite right - the whole hiring process would be too long, and I'd be easily implicated at the end. What I was proposing was to try. Get all the way up there and ask at the door, you know? That way someone gets a good first hand look at the layout and, if they're lucky, gets taken to the security office to be turned down... You see what I'm getting at?

"I understand your reasoning, though, it may well be needlessly risky. So what about hiring extra hands - do you think we need them? I'm willing to try for this ourselves, alone, but if you guys want extra hands beyond Bluebird here, I'm willing to go looking..."

"Don't worry, Codec, you'll be safe... I'll look after you. And Ace will be ready to get us out, wont he? Which reminds me - Ace, are you coming in, or playing wheel-man?"

"Well, I'm not too terrible with a pistol-- I went through basic training like everyone else-- but I'm not exactly useful with it. I think it'd be better for me to watch the van and the outside area while you and Codec... and the woman, I guess... take care of business inside. If we can get some tranceivers, I may even be able to warn you of events outside."

"Yes - communications gear should be a priority. I am thinking it might be an idea to contact that gang we just helped out - they said they had some contacts for gear, so we might be able to sort something out.

"What's the cash situation?"

"well I got some money, I'll need to use it to see about modifying the program I'm picking up tomorrow. As for weapons use....uh....I'm...well....not too bad I guess...."

"Well, we got 2000 from the gang. Also, didn't Kitao put some cash forward?"

OCC: sorry ive been quiet....dumpshock went down for me yesterday and ive been generally busy as well!

IC: Bluebird sits with her drink quietly watching whats going on, "look, ive just lost the biggest job thats fallen in my lap for a while... I am more then happy to help you guys if you want me, I am good at my job and I know I could be of use!" taking anther sip she looks around, from what I have seen you have spent the last two days preparing....you now have transport, and a little money, the question is how are you going to use them?" looking directly at Ace she smiles....."Im sorry but I don't remember your name, but do you have any drones? they may be useful for checking out the surrounding area. It may be worth looking into getting some"

"For the amount of capital we have, that's a little out of our league, pet, unless you want to cough up a few thou for the kitty...

"No, it would be wisest to concentrate on the esentials. We need four ear-bead transcievers - whether micro or with headsets. The latter is probably cheaper. Codec, you need to check over the gadget Kitao wants installing. Make sure it's all in order and that it is what we are expecting. I need to cop for some gel rounds and a couple of empty clips - how are the rest of you for armament?"

"I wish I had that kind of money to add to the kitty!! -does this mean I am part of the team then or what?! because if so, I want my rifle back so I can go and do something that pays for my time... if not, then I want my rifle back!" Bluebird says bluntly.

"You appear to have been accepted, pet, so I guess it's alright for you to have it back. Here..."

He handed the rifle back to the woman, butt first.

"You realise, of course, that we'll be keeping a close eye on you though - nothing personal.

"So, any more shopping needs before I call the gang?"

Watching Bluebird get her rifle back, Codec suddenly feels very uncomfortable. "Uh...I d..d..don't think I need anything." he stutters meanwhile never taking his eyes off of Bluebird and her rifle

As soon as she gets the rifle back she goes through her militery type procedure of checking its all still in working order before putting it back in its golf club style bag. "Of course I understand its nothing personal! I wouldnt expect anything less if I were to work with professionals"

"Very well. Now, I'm a little short of contacts this side of the pond, so I'll be going back to talk to that gang, who say they can arrange some gear for us. Is there anything you need? Or would you prefer to go through a regular fixer of your own?"

Flip listens to her response, then stands up.

"Okay. Do you guys want to see if you can find us a bolt-hole for after the run goes through? We need a base of operations and somewhere to hang low if the shit hits the fan. I'll head back to the school and see my brother orks... get what I can. Bluebird, want to come with?"

"Finding a place to hide won't be too much trouble for me. But..." He thinks about the various clearing procedures Rhet requires to admit people to his little bunker, "Maybe I could arrange something."

Rhet wouldn't be able to let any of the team hide out in his own place, but he might know other safehouses or hideouts. Ace gets out his phone and calls Rhet up, reflexively saying "No, this is not a secure line, sorry..."

"Theres nothing I need, unless they happen to have some serious sniper rifles going, or maybe some ultra fine pistols.....Sure, I'll come with you. Never hurts to meet new people!"

and with that she stands up with Flip

Codec speaks up "w...w...well if anyone there, say decker sperhaps, have any juicy programs, attack or defensive, that'd be great" Worrying that he might look too desparate Codec kinda tries to look at ease, but is obviously not.

"Alrighty then... You guys give me a call when you've found some digs, yeah?"

He led Bluebird out the back of the van and onto the street where he hailed a cab. Within fifteen minutes they were back at the school. A thought struck him then, as he made his way past the watchful eyes of the ganger sentries to the "leader" he recognised from before.

"Hey, man, how's tricks? Look, we want to take you up on your offer of finding some gear for us, but first I gotta ask - Our chummers who bought it here, you still have their bodies? We need to search them for some... things... which are critical to the rest of the team..."


Yeah yeah, I just want to loot the bodies... resale value or decent gear... either way could be useful... Hmm.... geeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaar.....

The ganger smiles and says "Sorry... we had to clear this place of evidence in case the star turned up chummer, but we can still help you with the gear...waddya want?" and he sits back in his chair before lighting a fat cigar....

"Some basic stuff, really - I need four radios, some gel rounds if you can get them... At least one silencer for a heavy pistol and anything you can get me in teh way of non-lethal grenades. I know that's quite a shopping list, but I'll take what I can get. The only really important thing is the set of radios. I could go buy them myself, but we ideally need gear that can't be traced."

D'oh! Should have thought of looting the goddamn bodies before! Curse my crappy brain!

He smiles in a way that makes you wonder what he's thinking... "I can get hold of all of that stuff for you, I can get you four subvocal mics at a cost of 1500. I will do you two silencers for 500 and if you buy in bulk I can get you a two hundred rounds of ammo for 300 and as for the grenades...." He leans over and spends a minute or two wispering to a shorter troll stood next to him.... this other troll looked like a clever guy, but no less threatening with this capped tusks and well toned body... " we can do you flash-paks for 150, concussion grenades for 20 each. or IR smoke grenades for 40 each." Taking a rest to take a puff of the cigar he carries on "I can get you everything except the grenades today if you need it now, but the grenades we may need a couple of days for... when do you need them?"

"Okay then..." Flip did some quick mental arithmatic, "That makes a baseline of twenty-three hundred for the radios, silencers and ammo. As for grenades... we'll take three flash packs, three concussion and three IRS. That's another, what, six-thirty? I've only got sticks in even hundreds, so you'd better make that six concussion - we'll round up to an even three-kay. Sound good?
"While I'm on such topics, though, you don't happen to know anyone that deals in computer gear, do you? What are they called, "Deckmeisters?" A good local weapons dealer wouldn't go amiss too, since I need to get my hands on some aftermarket mods..."

Flip's fingers touched on something in his pocket, and he drew it out - three small optical chips.

"And maybe you guys might be able to shift these? They're Beetles, I think... original owner won't be needing them anymore... Might be worth something."




Just so you know where my maths is coming from, we've got a budget of 9,000:nuyen: - that's 5k from the ganger deal plus 500 a head that kitao gave to us up front for expenses...

"Well I can certainly put you in contact with a reliable weoponsmith... his name is Africa, used to to work for UCAS until he got caught copying the blueprints! now he makes a small fortune providing up-market high quality weopons for the right price. He is expensive, but he's the best. You can have his number and address for 1000, and just so that you chummers know, if you do deal with him...don't even insult him by trying to bargin, you wont get anywhere as he takes that as a personal insult to the quality of his work!"

With that Bluebird, who has been quiet up until now looks suddenly very interested, "so your telling me he could get hold of a Ranger SM-3?"

The troll laughs deeply...."hunny, this guy build you an entire weopons platform if you showed him the right nuyen! if he got you a Ranger... it would be of the finest quality, all the sights, personalised ivery grips and customised ammunition that would blow a hole through a small tank! but as I say, he comes at a price"

With that Bluebird looks at Flip and raises an eyebrow....

The troll continues, "as for a Deckmister....im afraid I can't help, we don't tend to get into the Matrix so im afraid I can't help there..."

"Okay mate - four kay for the gear and the contact, but that's gotta buy us assurance that this guy won't just ignore us - maybe a letter of introduction or a name to drop? That will do us, I think." He handed the troll a slip of paper. "Here's my cellphone number - give me a call when all the gear is in and we'll come pick it up - cash on delivery, yeah?"

Flip turned away, with Bluebird in tow, and made for the street. Stopping at a vendor, he bought a couple of hot-dogs - and one for Bluebird. Taking his cellular, he called Codec.

"Hey term... how's things going your end? No luck here sourcing any matrix gear, but I'm gonna head down the local radioshack and see if I can find anyone in the know... you know, put my English Charm to work? You guys found digs yet?"

"well uh...um...see...uh.." he hands the phone to Ace, "It's for you..."

Grumbling about a lack of security procedures Rhet gives him a number and tells him to call if from a payphone.

Saying goodbye to the others while they sort out biz, Ace starts the Roadmaster and heads a few miles east of the cafe to a local department store which he knows has phones outside, because nobody dares vandalise them due to the amount of security inside!

Dialing the number Ace hears prolonged ringtones as it goes through an automatic clearance routine, several years ago Rhet payed a Decker an amazing amount of money for a phoneline which would remain untraceable, the number changed every time, as did the route the phonecall took.... so it was went though numerous LTG's before connecting....

Rhet picked up the phone on the first ring "yeah, waddya want chummer? you know better then to call me on your own phone.... coz if they trace you, then they may trace me!" Ace's mind suddenly thinks of who the "they" might be...and instantly a dozen conspirices jump to mind!!

"Sorry Rhet, I just need to ask you about something...."




OCC: I have left it open for you to interact with Rhet... he will be able to find you some safe digs, but like everything in this town, it will come at a price...

Codec whispers to Ace "I do have to go home sometime. i have a program to pick up and a few calls to make, so uh anytime you wanna drop me off back at that diner, I can make it home. Thanks"

"Hey, Rhet? I appriciate your dedication to security, but I didn't know about this line. Is it always safe? Should I use it from now on?"

"Anyway, I'm on a little business, and I was wondering if you could hook my partners and I up with some safe, out-of the way lodgings. You know, somewhere out of the gaze of prying eyes. Is that doable?"

"Anything is my friend, it just depends on is it doable for the right amount of money!" and with that the decker gives a short laugh... "I can get you into a small 4 bedroom flat for 2000 if you want... its in the barrens...but nobody will go snooping around there without some serious backup!"

Ace guessed the Rhet was just ignoring his first question, for even more "security" reasons. He had it bad. Not for the first time when talking to Rhet, Ace thought, there but for the grace of booze, go I. Not that boozing was a good idea for him, either. Maybe the two vices, paranoia and liquor, balanced each other out. Who knew.

"OK. It's in the barrens. So that means no one will go there unless they're looking for a fight, but it also means that we may have to fight to get there, huh? 2000 sounds a little steep for a flat that we have to bring an armed escort to get to. I think the best I could part with is 1500, and that 500 I'm leaving off is just to cover the inevitable cost of ammo. Unless I've misunderstood you in some way."

"Hmmm....ok, you got a deal. for that money the place is yours for one month, no questions asked. Go to the usual dead letter box in an hour, and you will find the address there.... leave a certified credstick in place and its all yours"

And without even the grace to say goodbye, Rhet hangs up....

Looking at his watch, Ace realises that they would have been on the phone almost five minutes had it gone on much longer... and five minutes is the time it would take to trace a call!

"Uh is everything okay...uh...with you know..getting us a place?" Askas Codec, patiently waiting to be dropped off. he's been out of the matrix way too long it feels like.

Sorry to keep ringing... taxi ride is taking a while...



Flip pulls out his cell once more.

*ring-ring*

"Codec... we're on our way back. Tell Ace we'll meet him at the diner - I'm assuming he needs some of this cash for our new flop. Also, while you're in the 'Trix, can you see if you can source another dataline tap from somewhere? We need a spare so we can - if we get caught - throw them off the scent of what we've done. Assuming it's already planted, of course. If not then we're hosed anyway."

Ace hangs up the pay phone and returns to the van. As he sits down he reaches for the usual plugs... but they're not there. Reflex action. We've got to get this baby wired, and fast.

"Who's on the phone, Codec? If you still need me to drive you home, I've got time, but I think we should meet up with Flip and the woman. I managed to talk my pal down a bit, but it's still going to cost us. He says it's secure, and knowing him, he's probably right."

Hanging up Codec turns to Ace, "It was the other two, they want to meet at the diner like before. I can go too and walk home from there. I have a few errands to do before we go about our business this week."

Heading back to the Diner everyone sits down for some soyburgers and soda to plan the next moves....

"Okay guys... I believe we're on the way to being ready. Sort of."

Flip took a huge bite of soyburger, gulping it down and folwoing up by downing almost fifty per cent of his half-litre shake in one swallow.

*burp*

"Codec - you've got programs to get, right? See what you can do about sourcing another dataline tap - of whatever standard you can get. fifteen hundred nuyen should cover that." He hands the man a credstick. "Ace, you've got our digs sorted and that's what, another fifteen hundred? So you get the same." Hands another stick over, to the rigger this time. "That leaves us with two kay for contingencies. Now, I have a proposal...

"I know someone who we can get on board, cheap, as magical backup. I don't know what kind of defences our target has, so it would probably be best to cover all the bases. I can take five hundred - the downpayment that we all got - for this person. That leaves us with the magic "fifteen hundred" spare. Any objections?"

Flip looked around at the faces of the others. He knew that he was babbling and that they probably resented this kid bossing them about, but he assumed they'd speak up if they got too pissed. Nobody said anything.

"Okay. I've got to go meet my contact then... I'll catch you guys later. Bluebird - keep an eye on these two, huh? You two? Keep an eye on Bluebird..."

With a chuckle, Flip left the diner, hailing a cab.

Looking at Flip...Bluebird says in a flat tone of voice "throwing the money around abit quick arn't you? hadnt some better be saved so we can buy some better eqipment later on?"

"Gotta spend money to make money. I think it's a good idea. A small place probably won't have mojo on it, but it pays to take precautions. Always." He thinks for a second. Am I trusting these people too much? Nothing to be done about it. He'd already thrown his lot in with theirs. "...anyway, good thinking, man."

Bluebird looks dubious...but says nothing, after all, they invited her into their party! She just keeps thinking of that state of the art sniper rifle she will get when they get paid after the run...and a fine pair of pistols to play with up close!!

Gotta trust these guys....