Eklipse
While keeping your vigil on the rooftop you see a message arrive.
<<@Gunther: I am glad to hear this search may end with her being found alive. I have been able to find a way to help you in your search. I have redirected an asset to your area and have managed to "lose the paperwork" so you should have his aid for sometime. I wish I could do more. MR>>
Attached to the message is number and a name - Fleet.
Full Version: Deep Vengeance...
Fleet
The flight has been less than comfortable but every time you start to feel ungrateful you feel the images of your cell in Germany explode across your consciousness. All around you is the gear as promised by Magda. You're still not sure what her angle was but so far all she's asked is for you to help a friend in Seattle and she'll see about getting you out from under the corp's thumb. She was still cagey around how you were found in the prison and why they extracted you. You suspect she doesn't know but you never know with corp types. They go to training centers to work over runners like you.
You feel the cargo plane come to a stop and hear movement outside. You stand and stretch working out the kinks as the back cargo door opens and you see a a worker enter with a crew behind them. You feel the urge to say something harsh upon seeing his skin and face but once again a surge of disorientation passes through you.
COURTESY GOES FARTHER THAN BILE
You feel your mouth open and hear your voice.
"Thanks for the flight all. Let me get out of your way and let you work."
You exit as the dizziness passes and watch as they unload the vehicles Magda provided. You had checked them over before they were loaded in Germany and all the mods had been done as you requested. Seeing the array of resources at your disposal you feel your brain itch to jump in and start driving but you push it aside and wait for them to finish. Your pull up an AR window and look over the information she provided. A club in Seattle called the Looking Glass was where you were suppose to head as soon as you got your gear settled in and unpacked. You pull up the site connected to the club and quickly see the parade of gene expression scroll by - a Changling bar it seems.
The flight has been less than comfortable but every time you start to feel ungrateful you feel the images of your cell in Germany explode across your consciousness. All around you is the gear as promised by Magda. You're still not sure what her angle was but so far all she's asked is for you to help a friend in Seattle and she'll see about getting you out from under the corp's thumb. She was still cagey around how you were found in the prison and why they extracted you. You suspect she doesn't know but you never know with corp types. They go to training centers to work over runners like you.
You feel the cargo plane come to a stop and hear movement outside. You stand and stretch working out the kinks as the back cargo door opens and you see a a worker enter with a crew behind them. You feel the urge to say something harsh upon seeing his skin and face but once again a surge of disorientation passes through you.
COURTESY GOES FARTHER THAN BILE
You feel your mouth open and hear your voice.
"Thanks for the flight all. Let me get out of your way and let you work."
You exit as the dizziness passes and watch as they unload the vehicles Magda provided. You had checked them over before they were loaded in Germany and all the mods had been done as you requested. Seeing the array of resources at your disposal you feel your brain itch to jump in and start driving but you push it aside and wait for them to finish. Your pull up an AR window and look over the information she provided. A club in Seattle called the Looking Glass was where you were suppose to head as soon as you got your gear settled in and unpacked. You pull up the site connected to the club and quickly see the parade of gene expression scroll by - a Changling bar it seems.
He stretched, once, as the crews finished unloading the last of his equipment. He'd even ended up tipping them, when a gesture to flip on of them off had trigged the 'gratuity' subroutine on his public commlink instead. Damn the Dragon! he curses internally, and winces as the flood of images of the tiny cell in the German prison slammed through his consciousness again. Bracing his hands on his knees for a minute, he panted quietly, catching his breath, glad that the pilots had already chocked the plane and wandered inside with the workcrew.
Glancing down the row of vehicles, his blood sang. His. Breaking out the electronics kit he'd kept within eyesight ever since he'd purchased the items back in Hamburg, he subscribed the scanning devices to his commlink and ran over the vehicles, the gear, and even himself with painstaking detail, dealing with any irregularities that surfaced with a detached but destructive bent.
Satisfied for the moment, at least, he loaded his personal gear onto the bike and climbs aboard, almost instinctively transferring his consciousness into the vehicle. The tarmac around him came alive with overlapping feeds from radar, audio, visual...windows for the scanning subroutines on the other vehicles crowding for his attention at the edges of his sight. Feeling his body rock as the gyro unit spun up and leaned the bike off its kick stand and into a standing position, he overlaid he addresses of his local garages onto a map of Seattle, spinning out a brief script to help each vehicle randomize it's route and keep an eye out for tails, splitting them up between the various locales, and mapping a separate route for himself to each of the locations before moving on to his hotel. He'd need to check each one before he'd feel comfortable enough to try and sleep off some of the jetlag.
Later...
Showered, scrubbed, and dressed in a freshly purchased set of 'casual gear', he tromped down the steps of the mid-range 'extended stay' hotel, heavy boots echoing on the thin plascrete steps. He slipped into the bike and kicked himself into motion, headlights cutting the darkness before he merged onto the major thoroughfare, heading for the Looking Glass that Magda had mentioned.
Parking a bit down the way from the club itself, he sweeps over it with visual and electronic senses, trying to avoid looking at the clustered groups of freaks trailing out the door. Waiting in line was torture, and when one of the club-goers slammed into him accidentally, probably a kid but who can tell, he spun around, words of Allah's obvious judgement against the freak's soul tumbling from his lips-
BEAUTY IS ONLY SKIN DEEP. EVERYONE IS BEAUTIFUL ON THE INSIDE
"No, no problem at all. Would you like a piece of gum?' He turned back to the line, the odd, muted wash of neutral emotions that accompanied one of the breaks flowing through him. He knew he was angry, that hadn't gone way, but it was a dull, colorless emotion, devoid of any anguish or depth...like looking at a 2D black and white image through a fuzzy glass window.
As he finally reached the front of the line, he watched the bouncer size him up. Managing to avoid the obvious comments about the simian-looking man's relationships to the the equally degenerate Africans, he waiting patiently while the man, man? looked him up and down, watching the expression twist when he saw the prayers of the Koran engraved in the hobgoblins tusks.
"We require all patrons to always observe the traits of Courtesy and Respect for the other club goers. Is that going to be a problem?" Fleet caught sight of the two ridiculously large pistols, carved with those self-same traits, tucked into shoulder holsters in the bouncer's jacket.
"Not at all," he answered cheerfully, thankful that the corporate conditioning was useful for that, at least. He struggled up to the bar, constantly changing directions to avoid the worst of the whirling maelstrom of twisted flesh crowding around him, and practically had to yell the fake name he'd been given. He assumed it was fake, Magda had told him Eklipse was a black operative, much like Fleet, and Fleet knew he, at least, would never use his real name. Not in a place like this. Settling back against the bar with some odd cocktail of fruit juices that the bartender assured him did not contain alcohol or pork, he waited for the man he was going to be helping for the next foreseeable future to arrive.
Glancing down the row of vehicles, his blood sang. His. Breaking out the electronics kit he'd kept within eyesight ever since he'd purchased the items back in Hamburg, he subscribed the scanning devices to his commlink and ran over the vehicles, the gear, and even himself with painstaking detail, dealing with any irregularities that surfaced with a detached but destructive bent.
Satisfied for the moment, at least, he loaded his personal gear onto the bike and climbs aboard, almost instinctively transferring his consciousness into the vehicle. The tarmac around him came alive with overlapping feeds from radar, audio, visual...windows for the scanning subroutines on the other vehicles crowding for his attention at the edges of his sight. Feeling his body rock as the gyro unit spun up and leaned the bike off its kick stand and into a standing position, he overlaid he addresses of his local garages onto a map of Seattle, spinning out a brief script to help each vehicle randomize it's route and keep an eye out for tails, splitting them up between the various locales, and mapping a separate route for himself to each of the locations before moving on to his hotel. He'd need to check each one before he'd feel comfortable enough to try and sleep off some of the jetlag.
Later...
Showered, scrubbed, and dressed in a freshly purchased set of 'casual gear', he tromped down the steps of the mid-range 'extended stay' hotel, heavy boots echoing on the thin plascrete steps. He slipped into the bike and kicked himself into motion, headlights cutting the darkness before he merged onto the major thoroughfare, heading for the Looking Glass that Magda had mentioned.
Parking a bit down the way from the club itself, he sweeps over it with visual and electronic senses, trying to avoid looking at the clustered groups of freaks trailing out the door. Waiting in line was torture, and when one of the club-goers slammed into him accidentally, probably a kid but who can tell, he spun around, words of Allah's obvious judgement against the freak's soul tumbling from his lips-
BEAUTY IS ONLY SKIN DEEP. EVERYONE IS BEAUTIFUL ON THE INSIDE
"No, no problem at all. Would you like a piece of gum?' He turned back to the line, the odd, muted wash of neutral emotions that accompanied one of the breaks flowing through him. He knew he was angry, that hadn't gone way, but it was a dull, colorless emotion, devoid of any anguish or depth...like looking at a 2D black and white image through a fuzzy glass window.
As he finally reached the front of the line, he watched the bouncer size him up. Managing to avoid the obvious comments about the simian-looking man's relationships to the the equally degenerate Africans, he waiting patiently while the man, man? looked him up and down, watching the expression twist when he saw the prayers of the Koran engraved in the hobgoblins tusks.
"We require all patrons to always observe the traits of Courtesy and Respect for the other club goers. Is that going to be a problem?" Fleet caught sight of the two ridiculously large pistols, carved with those self-same traits, tucked into shoulder holsters in the bouncer's jacket.
"Not at all," he answered cheerfully, thankful that the corporate conditioning was useful for that, at least. He struggled up to the bar, constantly changing directions to avoid the worst of the whirling maelstrom of twisted flesh crowding around him, and practically had to yell the fake name he'd been given. He assumed it was fake, Magda had told him Eklipse was a black operative, much like Fleet, and Fleet knew he, at least, would never use his real name. Not in a place like this. Settling back against the bar with some odd cocktail of fruit juices that the bartender assured him did not contain alcohol or pork, he waited for the man he was going to be helping for the next foreseeable future to arrive.
Eklipse stands in a dark corner, the shadows drawn tight around him. His dark fur works to his advantage and his polo shirt, cut-off cargo pants and even his flip-flops are both UV-absorbing and black. He has been standing there a while.
He watches the partygoers around him. His eyes dart around looking for the S-K employee or his girlfriend.
Not here. Good. No sign of Katja either. Should I text her? She is pretty but she is not my Heidi.
His gloomy thoughts are broken by the sight of the hobgoblin 'dancing' erratically across the room to the bar. He seems tense, uncomfortable and on edge.
Ja, me too.
Moving with a fluid grace, the night elf peels himself from the wall and follows the hobgoblin across the dance floor. Several dancers, both male and female, rub various appendages or parts of their bodies against him as he dances past. He declines several invites, from innocuous to embarrasing, while keeping his attention on the uncomfortable-looking ork metatype.
He orders a beer and then turning to the hobgoblin says with an almost too bright smile, "Guten Abend Herr Fleet. Magda sends her regards and hopes zat all your toys arrived safely and in good working condition."
He watches the partygoers around him. His eyes dart around looking for the S-K employee or his girlfriend.
Not here. Good. No sign of Katja either. Should I text her? She is pretty but she is not my Heidi.
His gloomy thoughts are broken by the sight of the hobgoblin 'dancing' erratically across the room to the bar. He seems tense, uncomfortable and on edge.
Ja, me too.
Moving with a fluid grace, the night elf peels himself from the wall and follows the hobgoblin across the dance floor. Several dancers, both male and female, rub various appendages or parts of their bodies against him as he dances past. He declines several invites, from innocuous to embarrasing, while keeping his attention on the uncomfortable-looking ork metatype.
He orders a beer and then turning to the hobgoblin says with an almost too bright smile, "Guten Abend Herr Fleet. Magda sends her regards and hopes zat all your toys arrived safely and in good working condition."
He caught the figure out of the corner of his eye, something making the man stand out. Maybe it was the fact that he fit in so well but turned down all the offers, maybe it was just the sense of one professional to another in a crowd full of cattle.
"Guten Abend," the hobgoblin says in return, without glancing over. The language sounds almost mechanical through the tusks, probably a low level of fluency provided through some sort of crash VR instruction course. When he does turn to glance at Eklipse and gets a full, up close look, his eyes widen in surprise and he begins to cu-
A PROFESSIONAL IS A PROFESSIONAL IN MIND, BODY, AND MANNERS...
"Excellent idea for staying out of sight," he says smoothly, offering a hand to the furry elf. And please, assure her that everything arrived safely and in order. Not to be too forward," he says, with a smile that might be just a bit forced, "But is there somewhere we can talk in private?" Behind him, his hair ripples through a number of additional colors, a sort of muted rainbow sheen, the uncomfortable runner's attempt to fit in.
"Guten Abend," the hobgoblin says in return, without glancing over. The language sounds almost mechanical through the tusks, probably a low level of fluency provided through some sort of crash VR instruction course. When he does turn to glance at Eklipse and gets a full, up close look, his eyes widen in surprise and he begins to cu-
A PROFESSIONAL IS A PROFESSIONAL IN MIND, BODY, AND MANNERS...
"Excellent idea for staying out of sight," he says smoothly, offering a hand to the furry elf. And please, assure her that everything arrived safely and in order. Not to be too forward," he says, with a smile that might be just a bit forced, "But is there somewhere we can talk in private?" Behind him, his hair ripples through a number of additional colors, a sort of muted rainbow sheen, the uncomfortable runner's attempt to fit in.
Eklipse smile widens at Fleet's startled reaction. His appearance often gave him that small momentary advantage over an opponent, although the hobgoblin's features were also rather unusual and his otherwise professional attitude showed that he hadn't been that surprised.
Some sort of ork metatype. Not as unusual as some of the surged here at the club, but still it's good to know the old Nightcrawler routine works.
"Of course! I vill get us a booth. Mr Bobo has them swept regularly for bugs and discretion is his middle name."
He turns to the barman and gestures vaguely with his beer in the direction of some booths against the far wall, which are mostly empty despite the club being busy. He leans over the bar in hushed discussion and then slots his credstick to hire the booth.
He leads the way to the booth, the sound dropping in volume as they enter it's dampening field. Eklipse sits on one side of the booth, takes a sip from his beer then sets it aside.
"From what Magda tells me, you are a rigger. This would certainly be a useful addition to our operation." He rubs his arm where the drone had tagged him subconsciouly. "We recently had an encounter with some drones, so I am painfully aware of how effective ze can be."
Note to self: remember to inform Widget that we have a new team member if he seems on the level. Be diplomatic about it.
"Now, how much do you know about ze current operation?"
Ha, 'operation'. I wonder if he knows I have gone rogue.
Some sort of ork metatype. Not as unusual as some of the surged here at the club, but still it's good to know the old Nightcrawler routine works.
"Of course! I vill get us a booth. Mr Bobo has them swept regularly for bugs and discretion is his middle name."
He turns to the barman and gestures vaguely with his beer in the direction of some booths against the far wall, which are mostly empty despite the club being busy. He leans over the bar in hushed discussion and then slots his credstick to hire the booth.
He leads the way to the booth, the sound dropping in volume as they enter it's dampening field. Eklipse sits on one side of the booth, takes a sip from his beer then sets it aside.
"From what Magda tells me, you are a rigger. This would certainly be a useful addition to our operation." He rubs his arm where the drone had tagged him subconsciouly. "We recently had an encounter with some drones, so I am painfully aware of how effective ze can be."
Note to self: remember to inform Widget that we have a new team member if he seems on the level. Be diplomatic about it.
"Now, how much do you know about ze current operation?"
Ha, 'operation'. I wonder if he knows I have gone rogue.
<double post>
Back in his home, Zerone mulls over the results of the mission. While he is happy that the people responsible have been dispatched, he is disappointed that they could not come to some form of nonviolent solution. He had underestimated the bloodthirst of some of his companions, and noticed with some dismay that the hands of those he had put to sleep joined the pile of those harvested from the deceased. Still, the beauty of Free Will is the freedom to embrace His Will or eschew It. He has made his choice, and he stands with Him. Zerone prays that He will stand with him as well.
However, a more pressing concern for the elf is his inability to affect the tools of Man---the dreadful drones that harmed his friends. Thankfully, Sister Isabela was there to destroy them, but Zerone is not satisfied with having to rely on ravmalakhim in that situation. As a guardian theurge, he must be able to shield his friends.
He begins composing a message to the Reverend, including a list of magical goods he humbly asks the his friend to acquire. He then remembers his friend, Mr. Fat Man. The mage and his ravmalakh---rather, shen---showed restraint where others might have turned to violence. He might follow a different faith, but it appears to run parallel to His Will. He adds a request for the Reverend to consider assisting his friend in finding magical gear as well...
However, a more pressing concern for the elf is his inability to affect the tools of Man---the dreadful drones that harmed his friends. Thankfully, Sister Isabela was there to destroy them, but Zerone is not satisfied with having to rely on ravmalakhim in that situation. As a guardian theurge, he must be able to shield his friends.
He begins composing a message to the Reverend, including a list of magical goods he humbly asks the his friend to acquire. He then remembers his friend, Mr. Fat Man. The mage and his ravmalakh---rather, shen---showed restraint where others might have turned to violence. He might follow a different faith, but it appears to run parallel to His Will. He adds a request for the Reverend to consider assisting his friend in finding magical gear as well...
Fleet seems to settle fairly comfortably into the routine of 'private, discrete booth for talking biz', none of the nervousness one normally saw with corporate assets stepping into the shadows for the first time.
"I am. Our mutual acquaintanss was kind enough to pro'vid me with some goodss, so I don't think does'll be a problem any more. I should be able to handle transportation for the team as will, unless you've got more then five trolls." A hint of Arabic mixed with the tusks serves to slightly slur some of his words as he references up the age old joke about stuffing trolls into Mercury Comets.
"As for the job, all I know is that I'm suppased to halp you in whateveh it is you're working on. You're welcome to giff me whatever details you deem neccessary. It would be helpful to know, however, if there's a hacker on the team already?"
"I am. Our mutual acquaintanss was kind enough to pro'vid me with some goodss, so I don't think does'll be a problem any more. I should be able to handle transportation for the team as will, unless you've got more then five trolls." A hint of Arabic mixed with the tusks serves to slightly slur some of his words as he references up the age old joke about stuffing trolls into Mercury Comets.
"As for the job, all I know is that I'm suppased to halp you in whateveh it is you're working on. You're welcome to giff me whatever details you deem neccessary. It would be helpful to know, however, if there's a hacker on the team already?"
Eklipse's grin fades to a genuine smile.
He is rather a strange fellow. He should fit in just fine.
He pauses for a moment, taking a drink from his beer as he sorts his thoughts.
How much to tell him. Hmm, nothing too far from the truth. In fact, as close as possible is probably best.
"First of all, you need to know zat this operation is totally off ze books. If we get into trouble or get arrested, the company will at best declare us rogue operatives. At worst, well...use your imagination. And do not forget zat our CEO has a rather long memory, ja. I assume you were aware of this before agreeing to meet with me but just vanted to be clear."
He pauses a moment, to let that sink in before continuing.
"Second, ze operation itself involves locating a missing operative. I vill mail you her details."
He cocks his head sideways focusing on the unfamiliar AR of his new commlink and forwards the file on Heidi he had received from Magda. He decides not to forward the information Cypher found on the clinic's node.
Need to know. He doesn't need to know that right now. Although maybe we need to get his blood cleaned too. Time for that later.
"Zere we go. She vas investigating ze activities of ze local yakuza. We are aligned with a party zat is actively working against zese scumbags. Frau Widget is our contact with them. She is also a rigger and has been providing some support ad interim. She will likely want to check you out, so I hope your cover is clean."
"Third, ze team. Zere are no trolls on ze team although Herr Fat Man is rather plump. We do have a decker. He goes by ze name Cypher. We extracted him from a facility on our first mission. He is also an ork. Ayo is a shifter or surged adept like myself, not totally sure. He is a combat specialist. Zerone and Fat Man are our magical support."
That should be enough for now. Wait, the new guy, Breeze.
"Oh ja, and ze englander Breeze. We just extracted him from a clinic zat we can now access ourselves. Not sure of his capabilities yet. He does know his way around a maglock and seems to like ze ladies."
He sits back, swirling his beer in the bottle and taking a drink.
"So, anything I missed? As I said Frau Widget and most likely Cypher will vant to check you out before velcoming you on board. I vill of course vouch for you."
He is rather a strange fellow. He should fit in just fine.
He pauses for a moment, taking a drink from his beer as he sorts his thoughts.
How much to tell him. Hmm, nothing too far from the truth. In fact, as close as possible is probably best.
"First of all, you need to know zat this operation is totally off ze books. If we get into trouble or get arrested, the company will at best declare us rogue operatives. At worst, well...use your imagination. And do not forget zat our CEO has a rather long memory, ja. I assume you were aware of this before agreeing to meet with me but just vanted to be clear."
He pauses a moment, to let that sink in before continuing.
"Second, ze operation itself involves locating a missing operative. I vill mail you her details."
He cocks his head sideways focusing on the unfamiliar AR of his new commlink and forwards the file on Heidi he had received from Magda. He decides not to forward the information Cypher found on the clinic's node.
Need to know. He doesn't need to know that right now. Although maybe we need to get his blood cleaned too. Time for that later.
"Zere we go. She vas investigating ze activities of ze local yakuza. We are aligned with a party zat is actively working against zese scumbags. Frau Widget is our contact with them. She is also a rigger and has been providing some support ad interim. She will likely want to check you out, so I hope your cover is clean."
"Third, ze team. Zere are no trolls on ze team although Herr Fat Man is rather plump. We do have a decker. He goes by ze name Cypher. We extracted him from a facility on our first mission. He is also an ork. Ayo is a shifter or surged adept like myself, not totally sure. He is a combat specialist. Zerone and Fat Man are our magical support."
That should be enough for now. Wait, the new guy, Breeze.
"Oh ja, and ze englander Breeze. We just extracted him from a clinic zat we can now access ourselves. Not sure of his capabilities yet. He does know his way around a maglock and seems to like ze ladies."
He sits back, swirling his beer in the bottle and taking a drink.
"So, anything I missed? As I said Frau Widget and most likely Cypher will vant to check you out before velcoming you on board. I vill of course vouch for you."
He nods as Eklipse speaks, again, seeming very familiar with the process and somewhat more at ease because of it.
He chuckles slightly at the comment about the dragon, that apparently being universal enough. "Right, crunchy and taste good wiff ketchup."
"So, seven members pluff myself, that shouldn't be a problem. I'll haff to coordinate things with this Widget, since it soundff like we'll be working in the same space. Good to haf so much magical support. Are Cypher and Widget available now? I'ff spent the last 16 hourff on a plane, I'm admit, I'm ready to work."
He chuckles slightly at the comment about the dragon, that apparently being universal enough. "Right, crunchy and taste good wiff ketchup."
"So, seven members pluff myself, that shouldn't be a problem. I'll haff to coordinate things with this Widget, since it soundff like we'll be working in the same space. Good to haf so much magical support. Are Cypher and Widget available now? I'ff spent the last 16 hourff on a plane, I'm admit, I'm ready to work."
Looking Glass
As if summoned by the mere mention of her name - Widget strolls off the lift to the upper floors and apartments. Dressed in club gear down to the elaborate structure of braids and metallic make up. As she makes her way across the open floor of the club the air around her grows dense with AROs. You watch her deftly handle the flood and the meat world interactions going on around her. She pauses to kiss cheeks and briefly hug a wide assortment of Changlings as she makes her way to your table. She seems completely at ease with the people and the surroundings. When she plops herself down at your table her hair is rippling in dark blues and greens like a waterfall.
"Howdy gents - I got a message that we had a new face here so imagine my surprise at seeing you two snuggled up at a booth."
Her smile is radiant and infectious as she motions in the air bringing up an AR window and promptly orders a drink from the bar. She swats the interface away when done and listens as Eklipse introduces a new runner to the team. She never asks more than his name, what he can do and whether Eklipse vouches for him. She asks nothing of their past associations or why he's here now. She smiles and shakes hands with Fleet.
"My Uncles always stressed leaving shadows where they were unless someone offered to turn on the lights. Eklipse says you're ok and that works - if there's a problem later well then that's between him and the rest of the group."
She winks as she pumps Fleet's hand like an earnest door to door salesman. She leans back and swipe her hand in a lazy arc in front of herself. A series of windows open up in AR and you see her begin to scribe messages with her pinky finger in each - one after the other. She pauses briefly to pose for a small drone that flies up from her hair and takes a snap shot of her - its little flash popping as it captures the image. She pens the last message then waves the windows away upon which the promptly collapse back into nothingness. A server drops off her drink which she sips.
"People should be trickling in."
Breeze
Your commlink chirps alerting you to a new incoming message from Widget. Imbedded in the message is a image of her waving and smiling from a booth in what looks like a club of some sort. She is done up and to the nines.
<<@Breeze: DING! Times up - get your ass down here to the Looking Glass for that drink and meet some new friends.>>
Emilio
An icon flares to life in your visual field - a new message from Widget.
<<@Emilio: You should head down to the Looking Glass for a little gathering and having a life outside of work.>>
Cypher
An agent sends you an alert that an new message has arrived from Widget.
<<@Cypher: Hey we have a gathering happening here at the Looking Glass or you can log in and be here virtually if that's easier. We have a new member of the band - thought you might want to look over his gear? Let me know.>>
Fat Man
The small machine in your pocket startles you as it shakes violently. You withdraw it fearing it has been damaged or is broken to see a small icon. You wrack your brain and recall it means something like new call or report or something. You enter the key strokes and a message flares to life before your eyes.
<<@Fat Man: Evening - I wanted to ask you to come on down to the Looking Glass and meet a new friend. There's music, food and drink so join us!>>
Zerone
You have spent the time studying the formulae and can feel the new knowledge rest within yourself and your mind. The foci work as the Reverend promised though your brief meeting with him still troubles you. When you had arrived they all seemed to be in the process of packing to move. You offered to help but the Reverend declined and assured you it was nothing more than a lease falling through. He gave you the items you requested and let you know he would be difficult to contact for the next few weeks while they moved to their new church. The whole exchange seemed forced and awkward - not things you associated with the congregation. Your fretful reminiscing is interrupted by the alarm of an new message arriving - a note from Widget.
<<@Zerone: I hope this note finds you well. I am hosting a small party at the Looking Glass and would be delighted if you could attend. We gather now with intentions of greeting the dawn. I await your reply.>>
As if summoned by the mere mention of her name - Widget strolls off the lift to the upper floors and apartments. Dressed in club gear down to the elaborate structure of braids and metallic make up. As she makes her way across the open floor of the club the air around her grows dense with AROs. You watch her deftly handle the flood and the meat world interactions going on around her. She pauses to kiss cheeks and briefly hug a wide assortment of Changlings as she makes her way to your table. She seems completely at ease with the people and the surroundings. When she plops herself down at your table her hair is rippling in dark blues and greens like a waterfall.
"Howdy gents - I got a message that we had a new face here so imagine my surprise at seeing you two snuggled up at a booth."
Her smile is radiant and infectious as she motions in the air bringing up an AR window and promptly orders a drink from the bar. She swats the interface away when done and listens as Eklipse introduces a new runner to the team. She never asks more than his name, what he can do and whether Eklipse vouches for him. She asks nothing of their past associations or why he's here now. She smiles and shakes hands with Fleet.
"My Uncles always stressed leaving shadows where they were unless someone offered to turn on the lights. Eklipse says you're ok and that works - if there's a problem later well then that's between him and the rest of the group."
She winks as she pumps Fleet's hand like an earnest door to door salesman. She leans back and swipe her hand in a lazy arc in front of herself. A series of windows open up in AR and you see her begin to scribe messages with her pinky finger in each - one after the other. She pauses briefly to pose for a small drone that flies up from her hair and takes a snap shot of her - its little flash popping as it captures the image. She pens the last message then waves the windows away upon which the promptly collapse back into nothingness. A server drops off her drink which she sips.
"People should be trickling in."
Breeze
Your commlink chirps alerting you to a new incoming message from Widget. Imbedded in the message is a image of her waving and smiling from a booth in what looks like a club of some sort. She is done up and to the nines.
<<@Breeze: DING! Times up - get your ass down here to the Looking Glass for that drink and meet some new friends.>>
Emilio
An icon flares to life in your visual field - a new message from Widget.
<<@Emilio: You should head down to the Looking Glass for a little gathering and having a life outside of work.>>
Cypher
An agent sends you an alert that an new message has arrived from Widget.
<<@Cypher: Hey we have a gathering happening here at the Looking Glass or you can log in and be here virtually if that's easier. We have a new member of the band - thought you might want to look over his gear? Let me know.>>
Fat Man
The small machine in your pocket startles you as it shakes violently. You withdraw it fearing it has been damaged or is broken to see a small icon. You wrack your brain and recall it means something like new call or report or something. You enter the key strokes and a message flares to life before your eyes.
<<@Fat Man: Evening - I wanted to ask you to come on down to the Looking Glass and meet a new friend. There's music, food and drink so join us!>>
Zerone
You have spent the time studying the formulae and can feel the new knowledge rest within yourself and your mind. The foci work as the Reverend promised though your brief meeting with him still troubles you. When you had arrived they all seemed to be in the process of packing to move. You offered to help but the Reverend declined and assured you it was nothing more than a lease falling through. He gave you the items you requested and let you know he would be difficult to contact for the next few weeks while they moved to their new church. The whole exchange seemed forced and awkward - not things you associated with the congregation. Your fretful reminiscing is interrupted by the alarm of an new message arriving - a note from Widget.
<<@Zerone: I hope this note finds you well. I am hosting a small party at the Looking Glass and would be delighted if you could attend. We gather now with intentions of greeting the dawn. I await your reply.>>
Emilio starts heading to the Looking Glass.
Eklipse grins a foolish grin, shaking his head at the vision before him. He raises his hands in surrender, shrugs and orders another beer.
"Frau Widget, I must say zat you are looking particularly stunning tonight. Is zere some special occasion I should be knowing about. Your birthday perhaps, or just enjoying ze spoils of our recent endeavours?"
"I vould ask you for a dance, but I am feeling somewhat underdressed. If you would not mind keeping Herr Fleet company for a short while, I will excuse myself and change into something more appropriate. I should be back by ze time ze others arrive."
"Frau Widget, I must say zat you are looking particularly stunning tonight. Is zere some special occasion I should be knowing about. Your birthday perhaps, or just enjoying ze spoils of our recent endeavours?"
"I vould ask you for a dance, but I am feeling somewhat underdressed. If you would not mind keeping Herr Fleet company for a short while, I will excuse myself and change into something more appropriate. I should be back by ze time ze others arrive."
Fat Man grins at the mention of food.
<<@Widget: I'll be right down exclamation mark>>
He heads down to the looking glass, picking out the familiar auras of his friends despite the confusing mass of AROs his goggles insisted on displaying in the physical world, along with one new one.
"Widget, Eklipse, it is good to see you again. And you," he says, turning to Fleet and offering a handshake, "must be the new friend Widget mentioned. I am glad to see you; I go by Fat Man."
<<@Widget: I'll be right down exclamation mark>>
He heads down to the looking glass, picking out the familiar auras of his friends despite the confusing mass of AROs his goggles insisted on displaying in the physical world, along with one new one.
"Widget, Eklipse, it is good to see you again. And you," he says, turning to Fleet and offering a handshake, "must be the new friend Widget mentioned. I am glad to see you; I go by Fat Man."
With his friends troubles at the forefront of his mind, he does his best to write a quick reply to Widget.
<<@Widget: Thank you very much for the invitation, Sister Widget. I will be there, and look forward to seeing you and the others again.>>
He thinks about asking her about his concerns for the church, but decides against doing it over the commlink. He will mention it to her in person instead.
He dresses as best as he can for the occasion, taking his nicer dress clothes and wearing them over his body armor and under his coat. He also takes his various foci just in case he encounters trouble. He uses the bus, taking as direct a route as possible. He when he reaches the door, he bows politely to Mr. Bobo, and then makes his way through the cacophony of club lights and noise to the table.
"Greetings, my friends," he says, bowing politely to them all. He does his best to hide the concern weighing upon him. When he spots the stranger at the table, he extends a friendly hand to the new member.
"I don't think we have met before. My name is Zerone."
<<@Widget: Thank you very much for the invitation, Sister Widget. I will be there, and look forward to seeing you and the others again.>>
He thinks about asking her about his concerns for the church, but decides against doing it over the commlink. He will mention it to her in person instead.
He dresses as best as he can for the occasion, taking his nicer dress clothes and wearing them over his body armor and under his coat. He also takes his various foci just in case he encounters trouble. He uses the bus, taking as direct a route as possible. He when he reaches the door, he bows politely to Mr. Bobo, and then makes his way through the cacophony of club lights and noise to the table.
"Greetings, my friends," he says, bowing politely to them all. He does his best to hide the concern weighing upon him. When he spots the stranger at the table, he extends a friendly hand to the new member.
"I don't think we have met before. My name is Zerone."
Stretching once as he stood up, Cypher walked into the small kitchen of his apartment and keyed the autochef to brew soykaf and make the next meal in the schedule that was downloaded from the market. The ingredients all came pre-measured for the machine to prepare food quickly. With dinner preparations started, the hacker laid back in his ergonomic chair.
The Looking Glass node blooms up in front of him. Cypher tightens his security settings, deactivates the sculpting of the city streets, and enters the fray. Navigating the congested matrix feeds, he finds the cluster of nodes that he has active programs running in. The TacNet spools up in the background of each of their commlinks, a small icon blinking on image links to show that it is is Passive mode.
With sensor feeds from across the team, the hacker routes his voice through the table's interactive ordering system. "I am here."
He sends a text message directly to Eklipse.
<@Eklipse [Cypher] The files on Breeze were erased from the clinic system, the same way that Heidi's were. Data retrieval tools haven't found anything. Do what you will with it.>
The Looking Glass node blooms up in front of him. Cypher tightens his security settings, deactivates the sculpting of the city streets, and enters the fray. Navigating the congested matrix feeds, he finds the cluster of nodes that he has active programs running in. The TacNet spools up in the background of each of their commlinks, a small icon blinking on image links to show that it is is Passive mode.
With sensor feeds from across the team, the hacker routes his voice through the table's interactive ordering system. "I am here."
He sends a text message directly to Eklipse.
<@Eklipse [Cypher] The files on Breeze were erased from the clinic system, the same way that Heidi's were. Data retrieval tools haven't found anything. Do what you will with it.>
*Beep Beep*
*Metal Music in the background*
*Beep Beep*
Something flashes in his eyes and his own recorded voices scream out at him from his commlink
"HEY WANKER!! YOU'VE GOT A MESSAGE!!"
He stops thrashing his head up and down for a moment and looks at the message that has been waiting for him for the last few minutes, he had a script ready to set off a pre-recorded scream at him after 5 min of not answering a message. He reads the message thinking a bit, trying to remember the name, he was never good with names, then he saw the picture, his eye lit up and smiled whispering under his breath...
"Ah tha pretty lass who I owe a favor to"
He pushes his way out of the mash pit, tapping a friend of his on the shoulder as he makes his way out, his hair done up in spikes, colored purple, piercings in his tongue, his lip, ears and nose, he was wearing ripped jeans and a raggedy faded blue tank top. He walked over towards the place he left his leather jacket and looked around, he couldn't find it, he started eyeing the room, then saw it, a few tables over some guy was wearing his jacket, he turned to the troll that followed him out of the mash pit...
"Hey GT...That bloke over there is wearing my jacket...mother fucker trying ta steal...MY jacket, tha fucken nerve..."
Breezes cracks his knuckles as he walks over, taps the man on the shoulder and lets a fist fly straight at his jaw.
*Metal Music in the background*
*Beep Beep*
Something flashes in his eyes and his own recorded voices scream out at him from his commlink
"HEY WANKER!! YOU'VE GOT A MESSAGE!!"
He stops thrashing his head up and down for a moment and looks at the message that has been waiting for him for the last few minutes, he had a script ready to set off a pre-recorded scream at him after 5 min of not answering a message. He reads the message thinking a bit, trying to remember the name, he was never good with names, then he saw the picture, his eye lit up and smiled whispering under his breath...
"Ah tha pretty lass who I owe a favor to"
He pushes his way out of the mash pit, tapping a friend of his on the shoulder as he makes his way out, his hair done up in spikes, colored purple, piercings in his tongue, his lip, ears and nose, he was wearing ripped jeans and a raggedy faded blue tank top. He walked over towards the place he left his leather jacket and looked around, he couldn't find it, he started eyeing the room, then saw it, a few tables over some guy was wearing his jacket, he turned to the troll that followed him out of the mash pit...
"Hey GT...That bloke over there is wearing my jacket...mother fucker trying ta steal...MY jacket, tha fucken nerve..."
Breezes cracks his knuckles as he walks over, taps the man on the shoulder and lets a fist fly straight at his jaw.
He eyed Widget with a brief moment of distaste as she sauntered over, but the reaction was wiped from his face so quickly...artificially quickly...that only the smile is left by the time she actually greets him.
He greets each one of the runners in turn, the conditioning flickering across his mindset with every Caucasion addition, regards of race. His tone is courteous, polite, and professional, making room for those physically present in the booth, and even keying up a round of drinks and snacks, slotting his cred stick and allowing everyone to order what they like.
"Nice to meet you all, my name'f Fleet, af far as your concerned." It's delivered with a small chuckle. "I work with Eklipse, and he's filled me in on the basics. Cypher, I understand you're running the electronics end of things...what do you need from me to get me up to speed with whatever you're running? Same with you, Widget, what do you need from me so we can play nice? As for my skills, I'm focused on aerial drones and vehicles, so I should be able to fill in whatever niches Widget isn't already, and I've got a pretty good head for EW and ECW. I've also got access to a fairly well equipped automotive and aeronautics shop, so if anyone needs modifications to their vehicles or drones, we can probably get it done with the right parts. Now, all tat being said," he glances around to the assembled group, "When do we get started?"
He greets each one of the runners in turn, the conditioning flickering across his mindset with every Caucasion addition, regards of race. His tone is courteous, polite, and professional, making room for those physically present in the booth, and even keying up a round of drinks and snacks, slotting his cred stick and allowing everyone to order what they like.
"Nice to meet you all, my name'f Fleet, af far as your concerned." It's delivered with a small chuckle. "I work with Eklipse, and he's filled me in on the basics. Cypher, I understand you're running the electronics end of things...what do you need from me to get me up to speed with whatever you're running? Same with you, Widget, what do you need from me so we can play nice? As for my skills, I'm focused on aerial drones and vehicles, so I should be able to fill in whatever niches Widget isn't already, and I've got a pretty good head for EW and ECW. I've also got access to a fairly well equipped automotive and aeronautics shop, so if anyone needs modifications to their vehicles or drones, we can probably get it done with the right parts. Now, all tat being said," he glances around to the assembled group, "When do we get started?"
QUOTE (Hamagen @ Aug 14 2012, 09:38 PM) 
"Hey GT...That bloke over there is wearing my jacket...mother fucker trying ta steal...MY jacket, tha fucken nerve..."
Breezes cracks his knuckles as he walks over, taps the man on the shoulder and lets a fist fly straight at his jaw.
Breezes cracks his knuckles as he walks over, taps the man on the shoulder and lets a fist fly straight at his jaw.
Following two strides behind Breeze, Strangeglove's possible courses of action narrow conveniently when a fat metal-head stands up from the table with a shout.
Sensing his increased heart rate, Strangeglove's dreadlocks switch from their usual slow pulse to a stroboscopic red flash, and the metal-head's hollered objection is lost when Strangeglove's open-hand slap knocks the man backwards over his chair.
Breeze continued a quick assault, it contained a quick punch to the gut and an elbow to the face, the man fell down and Breeze took the Jacket from him, looking at the other people around.
"Tosser tried to steal ma jacket"
He gets up and walks over to Strangeglove as he reads the message from Widget again.
"Hey GT, remember I told about them blokes from tha clinics, ones who saved my skin? Looks like they got a job for me, lets see if they need some more muscle"
Breeze smiles as he send a message to Widget
<<@Widget: Hello Love, your pretty face is a sure fire way to make me join you at the club, I also have a friend who is looking for some work, good man, good muscle, mind if I bring him along?>>
"Tosser tried to steal ma jacket"
He gets up and walks over to Strangeglove as he reads the message from Widget again.
"Hey GT, remember I told about them blokes from tha clinics, ones who saved my skin? Looks like they got a job for me, lets see if they need some more muscle"
Breeze smiles as he send a message to Widget
<<@Widget: Hello Love, your pretty face is a sure fire way to make me join you at the club, I also have a friend who is looking for some work, good man, good muscle, mind if I bring him along?>>
QUOTE (Hamagen @ Aug 16 2012, 05:07 PM)
Breeze continued a quick assault, it contained a quick punch to the gut and an elbow to the face, the man fell down and Breeze took the Jacket from him, looking at the other people around.
Strangeglove helps Breeze retrieve his jacket, taking the opportunity to subtly relieve the would-be thief of his commlink.
Standing up, Strangeglove surveys the crowd in case the two fools have more friends, before turning to Breeze, "We goin'?"
Emilio looks the Looking Glass up on his commlink, and realizes he won't fit in so well. He decides to grab his club cloths from his trip to the AGS – some atrocity in neon pink, neon yellow, and black. It however looks like it should be under neon lights, so it has a chance of fitting in. He then drives to a near-by car park and sends Widget a text before starting to walk over.
<<@Widget: honey bunny, is there anything I should say or do to get in? I'm going to stand out as much as the crowd would stand out at the Battleship Mormon. And I so don't want to blemish my cute face before seeing your radiance!>>
<<@Widget: honey bunny, is there anything I should say or do to get in? I'm going to stand out as much as the crowd would stand out at the Battleship Mormon. And I so don't want to blemish my cute face before seeing your radiance!>>
As Eklipse makes his way back to the team's booth in his dancing clothes, he ponders the message from Cypher.
What does that mean? Is there a link between Breeze and Heidi?
He composes a message to Cypher as he makes his way through the club's distinctive patrons.
<<@Cypher: Was it only the records from Breeze and Heidi or were others also deleted? Do you know who did it - the yakuza or a third party? Danke for the information but it only seems to raise more questions than it answers.>>
Deep in thought, he accidentally bumps into one club's more radically surged and outrageously attired individuals.
"Sorry, miss, I mean sir, err.." he stammers, giving up and backing away with an apologetic grin.
Over the last few weeks while he has been living at the Looking Glass, he has been watching the locals and gradually adjusting his wardrobe to better fit in. He has noticed that less is more, particularly for the 'furry' patrons amongst the surged. So his outfit is a pair of short shorts in luminescent aqua matched to a equally bright half shirt that ends abruptly just below his ribs. His fur sparkles with glitter and his hair has been spiked up with the same treatment.
This time he does pause to respond to the various messages he receives, returning compliments and politely declining invites to get various 'things' on by explaining he has some friends to meet. He even sends a message to Katja letting her know he is at the club with some business colleagues, but that he may be free later for a drink.
As he slips into the booth next to Fleet, he grins, "Please, no comments about meine lack of attire. It seems to be ze norm for ze 'furry' crowd here."
What does that mean? Is there a link between Breeze and Heidi?
He composes a message to Cypher as he makes his way through the club's distinctive patrons.
<<@Cypher: Was it only the records from Breeze and Heidi or were others also deleted? Do you know who did it - the yakuza or a third party? Danke for the information but it only seems to raise more questions than it answers.>>
Deep in thought, he accidentally bumps into one club's more radically surged and outrageously attired individuals.
"Sorry, miss, I mean sir, err.." he stammers, giving up and backing away with an apologetic grin.
Over the last few weeks while he has been living at the Looking Glass, he has been watching the locals and gradually adjusting his wardrobe to better fit in. He has noticed that less is more, particularly for the 'furry' patrons amongst the surged. So his outfit is a pair of short shorts in luminescent aqua matched to a equally bright half shirt that ends abruptly just below his ribs. His fur sparkles with glitter and his hair has been spiked up with the same treatment.
This time he does pause to respond to the various messages he receives, returning compliments and politely declining invites to get various 'things' on by explaining he has some friends to meet. He even sends a message to Katja letting her know he is at the club with some business colleagues, but that he may be free later for a drink.
As he slips into the booth next to Fleet, he grins, "Please, no comments about meine lack of attire. It seems to be ze norm for ze 'furry' crowd here."
Breeze
The music pounds away and the crowd quickly resumes its frantic dancing after the hiccup of your retrieving your jacket with Strangeglove's help. You see a reply from Widget pop up while you gather your jacket and prepare to leave.
<<@Breeze: Sure. the more the merrier. I don't have any work from HR right now but heavy lifting is always somewhere in temp work and having friends to do it for you is always a good thing.>>
Emilio
You walk your way up to the club and see the surreal crowd gathered outside. Changlings and probably genespliced wannabes are clustered together in trendy club wear. The air around the establishment is filled with lurid color and images as AROs dance all around. As you approach an ARO pops in front of you along with a text from Widget. It materializes into a a small neon green orb with complex DNA strands woven in on itself. It pulses and contracts to the heavy base beats coming from inside the building.
<<@Emilio: This bunny rabbit is anything but sweet. Just follow this pass to the door and to my table. As for fitting in - well we call can't be blessed by the comet.>>
Eklipse
Widget smiles and nods as you slipped away to change outfits. Her open and radiant smile upon your return expresses her approval of your choice of attire.
<<@Eklipse: If we weren't working together I would lick you from head to toe - you look yummy!>>
Fleet
Widget nibbles at some food and takes a healthy draw on her brightly colored drink through a twisted structure you think is a straw.
"To clarify Mr. Fleet I'm support staff. I handle getting the information to you all about the jobs and I have to double check your work to make sure you get paid. I can offer logistical support - gear, garages, some area based knowledge - you get the drift. I helped out in the beginning to frankly to pad my paycheck but with you here I can resume my original duties."
She waves and hugs people as they arrive or blow kisses as the alcohol begins to works its magic.
"As now right now there is nothing in your IN box."
The music pounds away and the crowd quickly resumes its frantic dancing after the hiccup of your retrieving your jacket with Strangeglove's help. You see a reply from Widget pop up while you gather your jacket and prepare to leave.
<<@Breeze: Sure. the more the merrier. I don't have any work from HR right now but heavy lifting is always somewhere in temp work and having friends to do it for you is always a good thing.>>
Emilio
You walk your way up to the club and see the surreal crowd gathered outside. Changlings and probably genespliced wannabes are clustered together in trendy club wear. The air around the establishment is filled with lurid color and images as AROs dance all around. As you approach an ARO pops in front of you along with a text from Widget. It materializes into a a small neon green orb with complex DNA strands woven in on itself. It pulses and contracts to the heavy base beats coming from inside the building.
<<@Emilio: This bunny rabbit is anything but sweet. Just follow this pass to the door and to my table. As for fitting in - well we call can't be blessed by the comet.>>
Eklipse
Widget smiles and nods as you slipped away to change outfits. Her open and radiant smile upon your return expresses her approval of your choice of attire.
<<@Eklipse: If we weren't working together I would lick you from head to toe - you look yummy!>>
Fleet
Widget nibbles at some food and takes a healthy draw on her brightly colored drink through a twisted structure you think is a straw.
"To clarify Mr. Fleet I'm support staff. I handle getting the information to you all about the jobs and I have to double check your work to make sure you get paid. I can offer logistical support - gear, garages, some area based knowledge - you get the drift. I helped out in the beginning to frankly to pad my paycheck but with you here I can resume my original duties."
She waves and hugs people as they arrive or blow kisses as the alcohol begins to works its magic.
"As now right now there is nothing in your IN box."
Breeze
The music pounds away and the crowd quickly resumes its frantic dancing after the hiccup of your retrieving your jacket with Strangeglove's help. You see a reply from Widget pop up while you gather your jacket and prepare to leave.
<<@Breeze: Sure. the more the merrier. I don't have any work from HR right now but heavy lifting is always somewhere in temp work and having friends to do it for you is always a good thing.>>
Emilio
You walk your way up to the club and see the surreal crowd gathered outside. Changlings and probably genespliced wannabes are clustered together in trendy club wear. The air around the establishment is filled with lurid color and images as AROs dance all around. As you approach an ARO pops in front of you along with a text from Widget. It materializes into a a small neon green orb with complex DNA strands woven in on itself. It pulses and contracts to the heavy base beats coming from inside the building.
<<@Emilio: This bunny rabbit is anything but sweet. Just follow this pass to the door and to my table. As for fitting in - well we call can't be blessed by the comet.>>
Eklipse
Widget smiles and nods as you slipped away to change outfits. Her open and radiant smile upon your return expresses her approval of your choice of attire.
<<@Eklipse: If we weren't working together I would lick you from head to toe - you look yummy!>>
Fleet
Widget nibbles at some food and takes a healthy draw on her brightly colored drink through a twisted structure you think is a straw.
"To clarify Mr. Fleet I'm support staff. I handle getting the information to you all about the jobs and I have to double check your work to make sure you get paid. I can offer logistical support - gear, garages, some area based knowledge - you get the drift. I helped out in the beginning to frankly to pad my paycheck but with you here I can resume my original duties."
She waves and hugs people as they arrive or blow kisses as the alcohol begins to works its magic.
"As now right now there is nothing in your IN box."
The music pounds away and the crowd quickly resumes its frantic dancing after the hiccup of your retrieving your jacket with Strangeglove's help. You see a reply from Widget pop up while you gather your jacket and prepare to leave.
<<@Breeze: Sure. the more the merrier. I don't have any work from HR right now but heavy lifting is always somewhere in temp work and having friends to do it for you is always a good thing.>>
Emilio
You walk your way up to the club and see the surreal crowd gathered outside. Changlings and probably genespliced wannabes are clustered together in trendy club wear. The air around the establishment is filled with lurid color and images as AROs dance all around. As you approach an ARO pops in front of you along with a text from Widget. It materializes into a a small neon green orb with complex DNA strands woven in on itself. It pulses and contracts to the heavy base beats coming from inside the building.
<<@Emilio: This bunny rabbit is anything but sweet. Just follow this pass to the door and to my table. As for fitting in - well we call can't be blessed by the comet.>>
Eklipse
Widget smiles and nods as you slipped away to change outfits. Her open and radiant smile upon your return expresses her approval of your choice of attire.
<<@Eklipse: If we weren't working together I would lick you from head to toe - you look yummy!>>
Fleet
Widget nibbles at some food and takes a healthy draw on her brightly colored drink through a twisted structure you think is a straw.
"To clarify Mr. Fleet I'm support staff. I handle getting the information to you all about the jobs and I have to double check your work to make sure you get paid. I can offer logistical support - gear, garages, some area based knowledge - you get the drift. I helped out in the beginning to frankly to pad my paycheck but with you here I can resume my original duties."
She waves and hugs people as they arrive or blow kisses as the alcohol begins to works its magic.
"As now right now there is nothing in your IN box."
Breeze smiles a bit more as he receives the message back from Widget, he focuses back on Strangeglove
"Les go mate, this pretty lass named Widget wants ta meet and greet us with a new team, could be some good fun and money out o it"
Breeze continues on out of the club, lights a cigarettes and looks around, he takes out his Commlink's interface and access a map to find The Looking Glass
"I think its this way mate, doesn't seem that far, though from what I can tell we might stand out a bit"
Breeze chuckles and starts walking
"Les go mate, this pretty lass named Widget wants ta meet and greet us with a new team, could be some good fun and money out o it"
Breeze continues on out of the club, lights a cigarettes and looks around, he takes out his Commlink's interface and access a map to find The Looking Glass
"I think its this way mate, doesn't seem that far, though from what I can tell we might stand out a bit"
Breeze chuckles and starts walking
Eklipse snags a beer and grins at Widget. It almost reaches his eyes.
<<@Widget: Danke. It is by far not ze most outrageous request I have received this evening. But it is probably good zat you don't. Zis glitter has some serious varnings about 'external use only' on ze canister. Plus I do not think either of us vant to see you coughing up ze furballs, ja?>>
The shadows that normally cling to him seem, at least for tonight, to have dissipated. He chats with his fellow team-mates and watches the dance-floor with tapping feet. He reaches out a hand to the party's rigger liaison.
"Come, Widget. You must be showing me your moves. I vill attempt to not be making a fool of myself. And no licking!"
<<@Widget: Danke. It is by far not ze most outrageous request I have received this evening. But it is probably good zat you don't. Zis glitter has some serious varnings about 'external use only' on ze canister. Plus I do not think either of us vant to see you coughing up ze furballs, ja?>>
The shadows that normally cling to him seem, at least for tonight, to have dissipated. He chats with his fellow team-mates and watches the dance-floor with tapping feet. He reaches out a hand to the party's rigger liaison.
"Come, Widget. You must be showing me your moves. I vill attempt to not be making a fool of myself. And no licking!"
He carries on the conversation as people join and leave the table, occasionally allowing for dance breaks. On the surface, he appears fairly obliging and friendly, but anyone that's looking more closely in the dim light and the pounding music can see the occasional twitch and hear the stutter, sentences sometimes sounding like they're being cut off and restarted.
"That's good to know, Widget, thankff. To be clear," he says, addressing the rest of the team, "I'm not trying trying to upset the team dynamic. The way I heard it, Eklipse'ff leading the team, and I'm fine wiff leaving it that way. But what I can do is logistics and planning. My Seattle knowledge is a bit out of date, so I may be leaning on you, Widget, till I'm tied in again.
In the meantime, since, as our liaison said, there's nothing in the inbox, I suggest we figure out what we need to be ready for the next run. Cypher, I'm assuming you've been doing what you can to keep comms up and running. Is there anything people need we should be looking into picking up?
Do all our magic userff have decent armor? 'Geek the mage' is funny because it'ff true. Does the magic section need anything in the way of spellff or staffs or wandff or whatever you guys use? We've got time, there's no reason we shouldn't have every available resource at hand.
For those of you with a more of a gunpowder focus, nows the time for us to go 'locate' some of that spiffy ammo or that mod you've been putting off.
My personal default is heavy weapons. Traveling overseas got me lots of the little stuff, but if we need a serious can opener or something that will take a helicopter out of the sky, I don't have anything like that. I know there are some unsavory people in Seattle that have what we're looking for, and at a significant discount. I'm inclined to find one of them and take their toys.
Lastly, like I said, I'm logistics. And I'm here with a goal that goes beyond the money or just the next run, so I aim to make sure you're all here to do it with me as well. Is there anyone that doesn't have their own transportation? I've got enough vehicles scattered around the City that nobody needs to walk or rely on public transportation anymore. If we're a team, I'd rather none of us were wandering around down dark alleys in light armor, waiting to get picked off."
"That's good to know, Widget, thankff. To be clear," he says, addressing the rest of the team, "I'm not trying trying to upset the team dynamic. The way I heard it, Eklipse'ff leading the team, and I'm fine wiff leaving it that way. But what I can do is logistics and planning. My Seattle knowledge is a bit out of date, so I may be leaning on you, Widget, till I'm tied in again.
In the meantime, since, as our liaison said, there's nothing in the inbox, I suggest we figure out what we need to be ready for the next run. Cypher, I'm assuming you've been doing what you can to keep comms up and running. Is there anything people need we should be looking into picking up?
Do all our magic userff have decent armor? 'Geek the mage' is funny because it'ff true. Does the magic section need anything in the way of spellff or staffs or wandff or whatever you guys use? We've got time, there's no reason we shouldn't have every available resource at hand.
For those of you with a more of a gunpowder focus, nows the time for us to go 'locate' some of that spiffy ammo or that mod you've been putting off.
My personal default is heavy weapons. Traveling overseas got me lots of the little stuff, but if we need a serious can opener or something that will take a helicopter out of the sky, I don't have anything like that. I know there are some unsavory people in Seattle that have what we're looking for, and at a significant discount. I'm inclined to find one of them and take their toys.
Lastly, like I said, I'm logistics. And I'm here with a goal that goes beyond the money or just the next run, so I aim to make sure you're all here to do it with me as well. Is there anyone that doesn't have their own transportation? I've got enough vehicles scattered around the City that nobody needs to walk or rely on public transportation anymore. If we're a team, I'd rather none of us were wandering around down dark alleys in light armor, waiting to get picked off."
"Don't worry about me, I am quite well-insulated, as you can see," Fat Man replies with a smile.
"I recently acquired my own transportation, although it's nothing fancy. I'd be happy to give you the information on it, if you want to coordinate vehicles. Actually, now might be a good time for me and Zerone to compare what spells we know and share this with the rest of the team; it might make planning easier."
"I recently acquired my own transportation, although it's nothing fancy. I'd be happy to give you the information on it, if you want to coordinate vehicles. Actually, now might be a good time for me and Zerone to compare what spells we know and share this with the rest of the team; it might make planning easier."
Eklipse
Widget smiles and places her hand in yours. You move to the open floor and almost immediately you are ringed by AROs and holoprojections. You feel her light touch as she begins to dance with you. You quickly see her movements perfectly in-sync with the heavy beat moving through your body. There is a heavy and spicy scent hanging around her body and her face is relaxed. You think for a brief moment here and there you see her as she must look while sleeping. The energy of the floor is warm and all encompassing - dancing here for the SURGEd is almost sacred. Every face you see is happy and welcoming. After a song or two, its hard to tell since they blend from one to the other, you see ripples of colors flow through her hair. The only face that stands out for you is an older human male - Italian you think, the dark hair and complexion - behind one of the bars pauses to stare right at you.
Dressed in causal elegance that speaks of someone accustomed to wealth and all its trappings. Sporting shades that scream months of rent in the nicer areas of town on a face of clean angles. His body is well kept and portioned. The musculature is not one of a gym bunny, you see the lines of training in his posture that speaks of someone comfortable with their body and using it to its full potential. He stares unmoving and drops the shades, looks to Widget pointedly and then shakes his head no while locking eyes with you before placing them back and stepping through an employee only door.
Widget calls for a break with a fine sheen of sweat on her skin, laughing and smiling as she drags you back to the table with the others who seem to be deep in conversation. She mouths thanks as she grabs her drink.
Widget smiles and places her hand in yours. You move to the open floor and almost immediately you are ringed by AROs and holoprojections. You feel her light touch as she begins to dance with you. You quickly see her movements perfectly in-sync with the heavy beat moving through your body. There is a heavy and spicy scent hanging around her body and her face is relaxed. You think for a brief moment here and there you see her as she must look while sleeping. The energy of the floor is warm and all encompassing - dancing here for the SURGEd is almost sacred. Every face you see is happy and welcoming. After a song or two, its hard to tell since they blend from one to the other, you see ripples of colors flow through her hair. The only face that stands out for you is an older human male - Italian you think, the dark hair and complexion - behind one of the bars pauses to stare right at you.
Dressed in causal elegance that speaks of someone accustomed to wealth and all its trappings. Sporting shades that scream months of rent in the nicer areas of town on a face of clean angles. His body is well kept and portioned. The musculature is not one of a gym bunny, you see the lines of training in his posture that speaks of someone comfortable with their body and using it to its full potential. He stares unmoving and drops the shades, looks to Widget pointedly and then shakes his head no while locking eyes with you before placing them back and stepping through an employee only door.
Widget calls for a break with a fine sheen of sweat on her skin, laughing and smiling as she drags you back to the table with the others who seem to be deep in conversation. She mouths thanks as she grabs her drink.
Zerone nods and smiles, thankful to be able to do something he is familiar with.
"Of course, Mr. Fat Man. My creators designed me with combat spells in mind, but I was dis...um...disposed of? Yes, disposed of. I was disposed of before they taught me everything. Most deal with the spirit and flesh. Follower has helped me turn some of those spells into benign forms, and I learned one that can finally affect the tools of man.
"Um...with gear, I think I can use a better commlink? This one is decent for day-to-day use, but it might not be good for what we...uh...make? No, um, do! For what we do." He hands the commlink to Mr. Fleet so he can see. Once the hobgoblin is done, he takes it back and replaces it in his coat.
"I think I am wearing the best armor I can. I am not very strong, and the circumference? No, circumvent? No...circumstance! Yes, the circumstances of my birth make it hard for me to exercise. I can also call upon magic to protect me."
"Of course, Mr. Fat Man. My creators designed me with combat spells in mind, but I was dis...um...disposed of? Yes, disposed of. I was disposed of before they taught me everything. Most deal with the spirit and flesh. Follower has helped me turn some of those spells into benign forms, and I learned one that can finally affect the tools of man.
"Um...with gear, I think I can use a better commlink? This one is decent for day-to-day use, but it might not be good for what we...uh...make? No, um, do! For what we do." He hands the commlink to Mr. Fleet so he can see. Once the hobgoblin is done, he takes it back and replaces it in his coat.
"I think I am wearing the best armor I can. I am not very strong, and the circumference? No, circumvent? No...circumstance! Yes, the circumstances of my birth make it hard for me to exercise. I can also call upon magic to protect me."
Eklipse locks eyes with the wealthily dressed human. He resists the urge to wink at him.
<Command: capture image>
He returns to booth with Widget. His smile is gone.
What the hell? Boyfriend? Bodyguard? Are we working for the mafia? I know they don't have a good history with the yakuza. But I was just dancing with her, even if it was a little raunchy at times.
His mind spinning, he half listens to the discussion about vehicles, weapons and commlinks. He keep a close watch on Widget and occasionally glances around to see if he can spot Mr Rich.
Very professional this Fleet. Magda made a good choice.
"I am always interested in some of zat 'spiffy' ammunition if you can find some. I prefer SMGs, ze HK227X in particular. I also have a motorbike you should take a look at. It is a mostly stock Rapier with a few standard options. Unfortunately, ze dealer where I bought it did not have ze more exotic items such as ze changing number plates and ze hidden machine guns. Perhaps you can be helping with such items?"
<Command: capture image>
He returns to booth with Widget. His smile is gone.
What the hell? Boyfriend? Bodyguard? Are we working for the mafia? I know they don't have a good history with the yakuza. But I was just dancing with her, even if it was a little raunchy at times.
His mind spinning, he half listens to the discussion about vehicles, weapons and commlinks. He keep a close watch on Widget and occasionally glances around to see if he can spot Mr Rich.
Very professional this Fleet. Magda made a good choice.
"I am always interested in some of zat 'spiffy' ammunition if you can find some. I prefer SMGs, ze HK227X in particular. I also have a motorbike you should take a look at. It is a mostly stock Rapier with a few standard options. Unfortunately, ze dealer where I bought it did not have ze more exotic items such as ze changing number plates and ze hidden machine guns. Perhaps you can be helping with such items?"
After productively spending the time in line pumping Breeze for information about the job, the runners, and the target, Strangeglove enters the club and scans the room with the characteristic pose of someone looking for a friend (also security, exits, cameras, and hostiles).
A moment later ("What mate, do I look like I'm going to start a fight?") Breeze enters, and the duo skirt the dance floor before sliding into the booth.
A moment later ("What mate, do I look like I'm going to start a fight?") Breeze enters, and the duo skirt the dance floor before sliding into the booth.
Breeze & Strangeglove
As you make your way across the club AROs fill up the virtual space around you. You see various messages about the policy of courtesy towards the Changlings in the establishment, a few inquiries about what else is pierced or been replaced with cyber, and a few bold invitations for "companionship" later this evening or right now in a dark hidey hole of the club.
With a small shout of joy and a well lubricated smile, Widget slides across and hugs Breeze leaving a small chaste kiss on his lips. Looking over his shoulder at Strangeglove, her eyes take him in and then resettle on his obvious cyber arm. She crawls into Breeze's lap and twists around his body placing a gentle hand on the limb. She leans down and speaks directly to the limb as if it were a small pet or animal.
"Poor thing - look at you."
As you make your way across the club AROs fill up the virtual space around you. You see various messages about the policy of courtesy towards the Changlings in the establishment, a few inquiries about what else is pierced or been replaced with cyber, and a few bold invitations for "companionship" later this evening or right now in a dark hidey hole of the club.
With a small shout of joy and a well lubricated smile, Widget slides across and hugs Breeze leaving a small chaste kiss on his lips. Looking over his shoulder at Strangeglove, her eyes take him in and then resettle on his obvious cyber arm. She crawls into Breeze's lap and twists around his body placing a gentle hand on the limb. She leans down and speaks directly to the limb as if it were a small pet or animal.
"Poor thing - look at you."
Eklipse holds up a hand in a vague gesture, somewhere between a surrender and a pointed question.
What the hell? It's okay to crawl over the pierced englander and his cybered troll boyfriend but not the furry elf. Easy boy. She is just a colleague. and maybe a friend. Who's lap she chooses to sit in is none of your business and if Mr Rich decides to warn off Herr Breeze, then I for one am ordering popcorn and a front row seat.
He slumps back in his seat dejectedly, drawing the shadows tight around him like a protective shroud. He takes a long, angry drink from his warm beer. He sets the empty bottle back on the table and dials up another round. While waiting for the order to arrive, he scrolls through the messages on his link, considering some of the offers he had received while dancing but not outrightly declined.
No. No. Maybe. No way he tsks, flicking the messages into the trashcan at the corner of his vision.
Oh frag it! Maybe Katja will show up and I can buy her that drink I promised her. And just the drink, ja! he admonishes himself.
What would Heidi think if she was to learn you had been out drinking and dancing with other women?
What the hell? It's okay to crawl over the pierced englander and his cybered troll boyfriend but not the furry elf. Easy boy. She is just a colleague. and maybe a friend. Who's lap she chooses to sit in is none of your business and if Mr Rich decides to warn off Herr Breeze, then I for one am ordering popcorn and a front row seat.
He slumps back in his seat dejectedly, drawing the shadows tight around him like a protective shroud. He takes a long, angry drink from his warm beer. He sets the empty bottle back on the table and dials up another round. While waiting for the order to arrive, he scrolls through the messages on his link, considering some of the offers he had received while dancing but not outrightly declined.
No. No. Maybe. No way he tsks, flicking the messages into the trashcan at the corner of his vision.
Oh frag it! Maybe Katja will show up and I can buy her that drink I promised her. And just the drink, ja! he admonishes himself.
What would Heidi think if she was to learn you had been out drinking and dancing with other women?
Strangeglove, unsettled, flexes his cyberhand slightly. The whine of worn Soviet machinery is lost in the roar of the club's raucous synth-pop.
While they compare spellcasting notes, Zerone realizes that he should tell Mr. Fat Man what Reverend Hannibal had told him.
"Oh, um...Mr. Fat Man, I received word from my talismonger. He told me that he would not be available for a bit because they are switching locations due to a bad lease. However...um...I am worried that it might be more serious. I hope it is not because of me. While my soul is my own, my face is shared by others, and they might be more likely to use violence than I am. I wanted to let you know, especially since you can look into the Astral and see who hides beneath the flesh."
"Oh, um...Mr. Fat Man, I received word from my talismonger. He told me that he would not be available for a bit because they are switching locations due to a bad lease. However...um...I am worried that it might be more serious. I hope it is not because of me. While my soul is my own, my face is shared by others, and they might be more likely to use violence than I am. I wanted to let you know, especially since you can look into the Astral and see who hides beneath the flesh."
He motion's Zerone's commlink away, hooking a finger at Cypher's AR presence. "Truft me, he'll be better at this sort of thing."
Noticing Eklipse's reactions but mistakenly assuming it was because of him, he turned slightly to re-engage the man.
"Eklipse, where should we start? I'm assuming Cypher's got a few ideas for electronic upgrades, and ammo and submachine guns can be acquired from several different sources, and as I mentioned, I'm alwayf looking for a bigger, badder just-in-caffe to tuck away somewhere."
Noticing Eklipse's reactions but mistakenly assuming it was because of him, he turned slightly to re-engage the man.
"Eklipse, where should we start? I'm assuming Cypher's got a few ideas for electronic upgrades, and ammo and submachine guns can be acquired from several different sources, and as I mentioned, I'm alwayf looking for a bigger, badder just-in-caffe to tuck away somewhere."
Eklipse
You watch for any sign of anything out of place with Widget and other than her being slightly drunk she seems unaware of what happened on the dance floor. You return to the table and discreetly look around the establishment to find the man from before and spot him up on the 2nd floor ringing the club - some sort of VIP area since the stairs leading up have a chain across them and a member of club security posted at the bottom - a woman with snake scales and prominent fangs when she talks. You see him sitting with a blonde man, also human with an impressive build. He seems dressed in higher end clothes but nothing as cutting edge as the Italian. Seeing them together you are struck by the contrast - one seems the idealized natural expression of male beauty - balanced and lacking the the glare of augmentation while the blonde carries all the presence of masculinity - the power and implied threat of aggression. They seem to be sharing an intimate conversation and occasionally looking at the your table below.
Strangeglove
The first sign of security was the bouncer. His body is covered with a course black hair peeking out from his club chic attire, the collar of his shirt and the cuffs of his jacket. He quickly pats people down as they enter before directing them through an archway, clearly some sort of security scanner. A stylish name tag is pinned to his lapel identifying him as Mr Bo Bo - head of security. As he moves you can clearly the butts of two heavy pistols slung in under arm holsters, they have words emblazoned on each - Respect and Courtesy. As you arrive at the front of the line you see his feet are more like hands and he is shoeless. His whole body is clearly simian in form and structure, ape is what your brain latches on to. Just behind him is a sign that reads:
You are welcome as a guest of the Changeling community but any behavior deemed inappropriate by the management will lead to you being asked to leave with all the respect and courtesy such a situation requires.
You see other people around dressed in similar attire, you assume other members of the security staff. You look for other security measures but none seem evident. Ether there isn't anything other than people or they spent money to keep it out of sight and out of mind for the customers.
The Table
Widget moves her way across Breeze to get a better look at the limb, reaching behind her and gently pushing him back to make room for her to perch on the edge of the cushion. She places her other hand on the limb and seems to lose herself for a bit as small micro-drones creep out from her hair and clothing - about six in total as they crawl off of her and onto the arm. Each looks unique and built by hand or at least modified to the point where they bear little resemblance to their original stock appearance. She speaks but does so with a detached air like many do when interacting with VR or AR.
"When did you get this little fella? Did you have him custom built or does he come with a history?"
You watch for any sign of anything out of place with Widget and other than her being slightly drunk she seems unaware of what happened on the dance floor. You return to the table and discreetly look around the establishment to find the man from before and spot him up on the 2nd floor ringing the club - some sort of VIP area since the stairs leading up have a chain across them and a member of club security posted at the bottom - a woman with snake scales and prominent fangs when she talks. You see him sitting with a blonde man, also human with an impressive build. He seems dressed in higher end clothes but nothing as cutting edge as the Italian. Seeing them together you are struck by the contrast - one seems the idealized natural expression of male beauty - balanced and lacking the the glare of augmentation while the blonde carries all the presence of masculinity - the power and implied threat of aggression. They seem to be sharing an intimate conversation and occasionally looking at the your table below.
Strangeglove
The first sign of security was the bouncer. His body is covered with a course black hair peeking out from his club chic attire, the collar of his shirt and the cuffs of his jacket. He quickly pats people down as they enter before directing them through an archway, clearly some sort of security scanner. A stylish name tag is pinned to his lapel identifying him as Mr Bo Bo - head of security. As he moves you can clearly the butts of two heavy pistols slung in under arm holsters, they have words emblazoned on each - Respect and Courtesy. As you arrive at the front of the line you see his feet are more like hands and he is shoeless. His whole body is clearly simian in form and structure, ape is what your brain latches on to. Just behind him is a sign that reads:
You are welcome as a guest of the Changeling community but any behavior deemed inappropriate by the management will lead to you being asked to leave with all the respect and courtesy such a situation requires.
You see other people around dressed in similar attire, you assume other members of the security staff. You look for other security measures but none seem evident. Ether there isn't anything other than people or they spent money to keep it out of sight and out of mind for the customers.
The Table
Widget moves her way across Breeze to get a better look at the limb, reaching behind her and gently pushing him back to make room for her to perch on the edge of the cushion. She places her other hand on the limb and seems to lose herself for a bit as small micro-drones creep out from her hair and clothing - about six in total as they crawl off of her and onto the arm. Each looks unique and built by hand or at least modified to the point where they bear little resemblance to their original stock appearance. She speaks but does so with a detached air like many do when interacting with VR or AR.
"When did you get this little fella? Did you have him custom built or does he come with a history?"
Breeze smiles that "charming English" smile at the joyful Widget as she slides over to him and plants a kiss on him, as she moves across his lap, visibly enjoying it he grabs her hand and kisses it gently...
"How glad I am to see tha lovely lady again"
He watches as Widget's attention turns to Strangeglove and specifically his cyber arm he looks around the table nodding at each of the people.
"Hallo mates, go to see all you, this here is ma good friend Strangeglove, some of you might recognize his handsome mug from certain videos which involve a lot of..."
Before Breeze says the next words he lifts up his arms and does an air quote
"Realistic looking Special Effects'"
He looks over at the troll again and pats him on the shoulder
"ain't that right bud?"
"How glad I am to see tha lovely lady again"
He watches as Widget's attention turns to Strangeglove and specifically his cyber arm he looks around the table nodding at each of the people.
"Hallo mates, go to see all you, this here is ma good friend Strangeglove, some of you might recognize his handsome mug from certain videos which involve a lot of..."
Before Breeze says the next words he lifts up his arms and does an air quote
"Realistic looking Special Effects'"
He looks over at the troll again and pats him on the shoulder
"ain't that right bud?"
Fat Man looks a bit puzzled by Zerone's warning, but nods.
"I should be able to spot anyone who looks the same as you only on the physical plane. Let me know if I can help your temple in any way; I do understand we have different traditions, but I would not want to see a place sacred to the people here be harmed."
"I should be able to spot anyone who looks the same as you only on the physical plane. Let me know if I can help your temple in any way; I do understand we have different traditions, but I would not want to see a place sacred to the people here be harmed."
Strangeglove pulls his arm away from Widget, shifting his torso to put the arm out of reach.
"My face isn' visible in any..."
Strangeglove trails off as he sees Eklipse in the shadows, then his eyes dart quickly around the table as he takes in Fleet, Zerone, and Fat Man, his gaze finally coming to rest again on the tiny girl and her mechanical mites. Surprise is quickly replaced by something like understanding, before he bursts into laugher.
"Hahahaha."
The laughter is restrained, for him, boisterous for anyone else; nervousness concealed well enough. He turns to Fleet,
"I been working under cars for de last mont', a shopping trip would be great. I'm looking for ArmTech 'ware if you've got a line, an -18 or -6."
"My face isn' visible in any..."
Strangeglove trails off as he sees Eklipse in the shadows, then his eyes dart quickly around the table as he takes in Fleet, Zerone, and Fat Man, his gaze finally coming to rest again on the tiny girl and her mechanical mites. Surprise is quickly replaced by something like understanding, before he bursts into laugher.
"Hahahaha."
The laughter is restrained, for him, boisterous for anyone else; nervousness concealed well enough. He turns to Fleet,
"I been working under cars for de last mont', a shopping trip would be great. I'm looking for ArmTech 'ware if you've got a line, an -18 or -6."
Zerone smiles and bows his head gratefully.
"I thank you for your concern, and may take you up on your offer if my friends are in danger. I would be happy to help you and your allies as well. We might follow different traditions, but I think we both hold the same things dear."
"I thank you for your concern, and may take you up on your offer if my friends are in danger. I would be happy to help you and your allies as well. We might follow different traditions, but I think we both hold the same things dear."
Emilio follows the pass up to the door. He walks briskly and smiles, thinking,
Way better than a medical lab. That looks fun. Way better than a medical lab. No guns there. Way better than a medical lab. Woo hoo!
He waves at the bouncer, pausing to see if the pass does in fact get him in. Once waved in, he follows the pass to Widget's table.
Way better than a medical lab. That looks fun. Way better than a medical lab. No guns there. Way better than a medical lab. Woo hoo!
He waves at the bouncer, pausing to see if the pass does in fact get him in. Once waved in, he follows the pass to Widget's table.
Eklipse blinks several times, slowly and deliberately, his contact lenses capturing several shots of the Italian's conversation with the blonde man.
Wish I had chosen the lenses with the magnification option. I could have got better shots. Still, maybe Herr O'Malley can tell me who they are.
He does the mental gymnastics needed to attach the best of the images to a message and sends it out to his contact in the police.
<<@Thomas O'Malley: Herr O'Malley. I noticed these two men {attached images} paying some attention to me recently. One seems to be of Italian descent. Do you happen to recognise him, or his blonde friend? And if so, would you know if they are in any way connected with Seattle's organised crime groups?>>
Fleet's question brings his attention back to the table. He almost smiles at Widget's antics and the nervous looking troll, but his funk remains.
"Logistics are not really my specialty, meine friend. I am more ze field operative. Plus, I have limited contacts here in Seattle..." he gestures at the group squeezed into the booth, "...beyond ze people around zis table. Frau Widget has helped me to acquire ze 'tools of ze trade' shall we say and Herr Cypher has provided me with some suggestions for communications in addition to eine 'spiffy' commlink."
Wish I had chosen the lenses with the magnification option. I could have got better shots. Still, maybe Herr O'Malley can tell me who they are.
He does the mental gymnastics needed to attach the best of the images to a message and sends it out to his contact in the police.
<<@Thomas O'Malley: Herr O'Malley. I noticed these two men {attached images} paying some attention to me recently. One seems to be of Italian descent. Do you happen to recognise him, or his blonde friend? And if so, would you know if they are in any way connected with Seattle's organised crime groups?>>
Fleet's question brings his attention back to the table. He almost smiles at Widget's antics and the nervous looking troll, but his funk remains.
"Logistics are not really my specialty, meine friend. I am more ze field operative. Plus, I have limited contacts here in Seattle..." he gestures at the group squeezed into the booth, "...beyond ze people around zis table. Frau Widget has helped me to acquire ze 'tools of ze trade' shall we say and Herr Cypher has provided me with some suggestions for communications in addition to eine 'spiffy' commlink."
Emilio
The ARO leads you up to the front of the line and the entrance of the establishment. You hear the mutterings and outright complaints of those waiting in the line as you cut past them. The bouncer looks over the ARO. His body is covered with a course black hair peeking out from his club chic attire, the collar of his shirt and the cuffs of his jacket. He quickly pats you down before directing you through an archway, clearly some sort of security scanner. A stylish name tag is pinned to his lapel identifying him as Mr Bo Bo - head of security. As he gestures you forward you can clearly the butts of two heavy pistols slung in under arm holsters, they have words emblazoned on each - Respect and Courtesy. As you walk past him you see his feet are more like hands and he is shoeless. His whole body is clearly simian in form and structure, ape is what your brain latches on to. Just behind him is a sign that reads:
You are welcome as a guest of the Changeling community but any behavior deemed inappropriate by the management will lead to you being asked to leave with all the respect and courtesy such a situation requires. You are immediately assaulted by noise, light and movement as you enter the building. You see a host of SURGEd bodies dancing, walking and mingling in the open space of the club.
"Read the sign and don't get her Highness in trouble."
As you enter the building you are assaulted by light. sound and movement. The club is filled with the SURGEd - dancing, drinking and socializing. As you follow the ARO more pop up around you - most are signs emblazoned with words like "Ken Doll", "Gene Joke" or "Baseline". You are lead to a table at the edge of the club and see a group gathering at a booth with familiar faces from your rescue from the clinic.
The Table
Widget jumps a bit as the limb is taken out of her grasp - almost immediately the drones tuck themselves away amongst her body as her hair ripples a bright almost painful pink from the roots to the tips. She awkwardly moves from the edge of the bench and seems at a loss where to hide herself before quickly deciding to slide next to Eklipse.
Eklipse
Widget's skin as it brushes yours is hot and clammy all at once. You see her face is flushed with embarrassment as she tries to lose herself in an ARO menu - making the pretense of ordering food to cover up the painfully obvious odd behavior on her part. You see her hands shake slightly as she touches a few choices before sending them off to the bar. You see an alert flare to life letting you know you have a reply waiting on your commlink.
<<@Eklipse: If you are in the Looking Glass those gentleman are suspected to be the owners. The supermodel goes by Jake and is or was connected to another club called Extassis owned by a wealthy piece of eurotrash by the name of Carvaggio. Rumored to be old money - he runs a very elite club for the wealthy and connected. He has a thing for rarities and oddities. The word is he provided the seed fund for the Looking Glass but who knows. They have the money hidden behind so many shell companies its a nightmare to try to figure out. Jake was one of his inner circle and we think Carvaggio does some brisk business in the shadows. The other man goes by Fixx and works as a broker in the shadows - they seem to be a team of some sort but no one knows for sure how deep that relationship goes. They work out of the Looking Glass and have a "niece" they have been raising from infancy - though no records exist of her birth or either of them fathering a child so most likely born outside of the system and who knows whose baby she is.>>
The ARO leads you up to the front of the line and the entrance of the establishment. You hear the mutterings and outright complaints of those waiting in the line as you cut past them. The bouncer looks over the ARO. His body is covered with a course black hair peeking out from his club chic attire, the collar of his shirt and the cuffs of his jacket. He quickly pats you down before directing you through an archway, clearly some sort of security scanner. A stylish name tag is pinned to his lapel identifying him as Mr Bo Bo - head of security. As he gestures you forward you can clearly the butts of two heavy pistols slung in under arm holsters, they have words emblazoned on each - Respect and Courtesy. As you walk past him you see his feet are more like hands and he is shoeless. His whole body is clearly simian in form and structure, ape is what your brain latches on to. Just behind him is a sign that reads:
You are welcome as a guest of the Changeling community but any behavior deemed inappropriate by the management will lead to you being asked to leave with all the respect and courtesy such a situation requires. You are immediately assaulted by noise, light and movement as you enter the building. You see a host of SURGEd bodies dancing, walking and mingling in the open space of the club.
"Read the sign and don't get her Highness in trouble."
As you enter the building you are assaulted by light. sound and movement. The club is filled with the SURGEd - dancing, drinking and socializing. As you follow the ARO more pop up around you - most are signs emblazoned with words like "Ken Doll", "Gene Joke" or "Baseline". You are lead to a table at the edge of the club and see a group gathering at a booth with familiar faces from your rescue from the clinic.
The Table
Widget jumps a bit as the limb is taken out of her grasp - almost immediately the drones tuck themselves away amongst her body as her hair ripples a bright almost painful pink from the roots to the tips. She awkwardly moves from the edge of the bench and seems at a loss where to hide herself before quickly deciding to slide next to Eklipse.
Eklipse
Widget's skin as it brushes yours is hot and clammy all at once. You see her face is flushed with embarrassment as she tries to lose herself in an ARO menu - making the pretense of ordering food to cover up the painfully obvious odd behavior on her part. You see her hands shake slightly as she touches a few choices before sending them off to the bar. You see an alert flare to life letting you know you have a reply waiting on your commlink.
<<@Eklipse: If you are in the Looking Glass those gentleman are suspected to be the owners. The supermodel goes by Jake and is or was connected to another club called Extassis owned by a wealthy piece of eurotrash by the name of Carvaggio. Rumored to be old money - he runs a very elite club for the wealthy and connected. He has a thing for rarities and oddities. The word is he provided the seed fund for the Looking Glass but who knows. They have the money hidden behind so many shell companies its a nightmare to try to figure out. Jake was one of his inner circle and we think Carvaggio does some brisk business in the shadows. The other man goes by Fixx and works as a broker in the shadows - they seem to be a team of some sort but no one knows for sure how deep that relationship goes. They work out of the Looking Glass and have a "niece" they have been raising from infancy - though no records exist of her birth or either of them fathering a child so most likely born outside of the system and who knows whose baby she is.>>
Emilio follows the ARO to the table. He says hello to everyone. When he gets to Strangeglove, he shakes Strangeglove's hand, saying,
"I'm Emilio."
When he gets to Fleet, one eyebrow pops up in a quizzical glance.
"Hey Fleet. Welcome back to Seattle. How was your return trip?"
"I'm Emilio."
When he gets to Fleet, one eyebrow pops up in a quizzical glance.
"Hey Fleet. Welcome back to Seattle. How was your return trip?"
Breeze looks up to Emilio and nods to him smiling as he takes another drink.
He looks over the rest of the team and laughs a bit, then his eyes wander around to give Widget another up and down and then move on to look at some of the other "talent" around the club, nudging Strangeglove and pointing at a few in particular.
He looks over the rest of the team and laughs a bit, then his eyes wander around to give Widget another up and down and then move on to look at some of the other "talent" around the club, nudging Strangeglove and pointing at a few in particular.
Eklipse puts two and two together and gets about a seven.
Okay, so not mafia. And if our lovely little liasion is in fact his 'niece' that explains why he was warning me off.
He puts a hand gently on Widget's trembling arm and leans in conspiratorily.
"Do not be embarrased lieb Widget. Ve all have our special abilities. And our quirks. However, it may be a good idea to ask Herr Strangeglove for permission to talk to his arm ze next time. He does seem to be rather attached to it, neh?"
He gives her a cheeky grin and a wink before turning back to the group. He looks over to Breeze, picking his commlink out of the AROs floating over their booth.
<<@Breeze. A word to the wise. I have seen how you look at our pretty little rigger. Be aware that she is a 'ward' of the owners of the Looking Glass. I would recommend that you keep your relationship with her strictly platonic, at least here in the club. On the other hand, if you are just looking for female companionship, there are plenty more fishes in the sea. In fact, I can hook you up with a lady with gills, or one with scales and fins if you are interested?>>
His mood somewhat lighter, he greets the newcomers and joins in the general converation again.
Okay, so not mafia. And if our lovely little liasion is in fact his 'niece' that explains why he was warning me off.
He puts a hand gently on Widget's trembling arm and leans in conspiratorily.
"Do not be embarrased lieb Widget. Ve all have our special abilities. And our quirks. However, it may be a good idea to ask Herr Strangeglove for permission to talk to his arm ze next time. He does seem to be rather attached to it, neh?"
He gives her a cheeky grin and a wink before turning back to the group. He looks over to Breeze, picking his commlink out of the AROs floating over their booth.
<<@Breeze. A word to the wise. I have seen how you look at our pretty little rigger. Be aware that she is a 'ward' of the owners of the Looking Glass. I would recommend that you keep your relationship with her strictly platonic, at least here in the club. On the other hand, if you are just looking for female companionship, there are plenty more fishes in the sea. In fact, I can hook you up with a lady with gills, or one with scales and fins if you are interested?>>
His mood somewhat lighter, he greets the newcomers and joins in the general converation again.
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