As the last of the runners filter into the warehouse, the doorman is heard muttering to himself, as the Johnson finally stops cleaning his glasses and sets them on the bridge of his nose.
He surveys the motley crew before him carefully before he says a word.
"I appreciate you coming on such short notice..." he says in a heavy Spanish accent. Judging from his features you'd guess the human man would be in his late fifties.
"I am going to be as forthcoming as I can be. I managed to offend some powerful men when I was younger and they have finally come to my doorstep. I stole three items of importance from them and I need you to retrieve them for me. For reasons I cannot delve into, I cannot go back to my homeland in Spain to retrieve them myself, therefore I will pay you well to get them in my stead."
Mr. Johnson removes his glasses once more and begins to polish them once more.
"I will provide you the addresses of the safehouses where I concealed the items, as well as a drop off point. I will pay you 30,000¥ each, upon your return to Seattle. Do you have any questions?"
Full Version: IC: Iberian Impasse
Rei frowns in thought. 30k each for us to go pick up some junk from his own safehouse? Something is not right...
"Are the safehouses secured and we'll be expected to break into them? Or are they places you own and can give us codes to get us in?"
"Are the safehouses secured and we'll be expected to break into them? Or are they places you own and can give us codes to get us in?"
"I can provide you with security codes into the locks that protect the goods. I haven't been to these places in a while, so some things may have changed. One of the safehouses is an apartment in Gijon. I can give you my apartment key, but if the building security has been upgraded, you'll have to bypass it."
[ Spoiler ]
Your offer is reasonable – if the items are still in those locations and have not been discovered by your enemies.
I propose that you pay us 10,000
each, up front – as a show of good faith – and 50,000 for each item we successfully return, which we will divide among ourselves.
Mr. Johnson stammers as his payroll may have just jumped by 50,000¥.
"You want more?" The Johnson pauses in his polishing to look up at Chris. "I don't have any more I can offer you... I stretching it as is..."
The troll doorman walks over to the table and closes his grip on the Johnson's shoulder. "Your terms are acceptable. Are there any other questions you need answered?"
"You want more?" The Johnson pauses in his polishing to look up at Chris. "I don't have any more I can offer you... I stretching it as is..."
The troll doorman walks over to the table and closes his grip on the Johnson's shoulder. "Your terms are acceptable. Are there any other questions you need answered?"
"Just the facts. Data on the locations, anything we need to know, give it to us now."
One of Raven immaculate silky black eyebrows climes on her face.
Why is the troll talking for the Johnson.
For the the first time since she has gotten there something unexpected happened.
Okay, lesson learned, things are not what they seem.
"I take it where on our own for transporation?"
Why is the troll talking for the Johnson.
For the the first time since she has gotten there something unexpected happened.
Okay, lesson learned, things are not what they seem.
"I take it where on our own for transporation?"
The Hispanic Johnson sets a chip on the table. "On this chip are the addresses for the three safehouses where the items are kept, along with any security codes that I possess for my security measures. The fourth address is the delivery point, rather than having you try and bring the items back to Seattle."
Turning to Raven, the Johnson nods. "You are correct. I am not able to provide you with any means of transportation, so I will leave those arrangement in your group's capable hands."
Turning to Raven, the Johnson nods. "You are correct. I am not able to provide you with any means of transportation, so I will leave those arrangement in your group's capable hands."
Worried he might not have a reason or job in this group Dead End speaks up. "So this is a stealth mission, or are you expecting we will have competition for these items?"
Rei thinks for a moment, then adds another question for the Johnson, "Our money will be ready for us at the drop point? Sorry, I'm not willing to give you your stuff on the good faith that you'll have our payment when we get back."
Chris takes out his pocket secretary and taps furiously at the screen for a few moments. Pushing it across the table towards the Johnson and retrieving the chip, he says; “This is the Matrix location of an anonymous message account and my public encryption code phrase. This type of account is double-blind, very discrete and secure. I check and delete messages twice a day. You may contact me at this location; the number for my phone is there also – the phone is less secure and I recommend that you don’t use it except in extreme circumstances. Please enter your contact information – preferred method first and then an alternate method. If you do not have a secure means of contact get one within 24 hours and send it to that location."
Mr. Johnson turns toward Dead End. "How you conduct the job is up to you. The items have been safe for several years now, but there are interested parties hunting for them. Stealth is secondary to speed."
With Rei and Chris raising questions about payment, the troll speaks up: "I can assure you that Mr. Johnson here," he says with a vice like squeeze to the Hispanic man's shoulder, "Will be waiting for you. I will give you an added bonus...if he is not here with your payment when you arrive, you will be contacted at your account as you request. Within 24 hours. I will make arrangements to get you your money, plus I will give you this man's name and address, so you might do some further 'negotiations'. Are the terms satisfactory?"
With Rei and Chris raising questions about payment, the troll speaks up: "I can assure you that Mr. Johnson here," he says with a vice like squeeze to the Hispanic man's shoulder, "Will be waiting for you. I will give you an added bonus...if he is not here with your payment when you arrive, you will be contacted at your account as you request. Within 24 hours. I will make arrangements to get you your money, plus I will give you this man's name and address, so you might do some further 'negotiations'. Are the terms satisfactory?"
Rei leans back with a satified smile on his face, "I'm good."
He levels his eyes on the Johnson, giving him a don't mess with me look.
He levels his eyes on the Johnson, giving him a don't mess with me look.
After retrieving the pocket secretary and tapping briefly on the screen a few more times, Chris passes the device to the other elf, announcing: “Ladies first. Here is my name and phone number, please enter a name and number you can be reached at within 4 hours. I will contact you within 4 hours to confirm a secure meeting tomorrow morning. If I don’t contact you within 4 hours you may assume that I have been compromised. I can not stop you from trying to contact me after that time, however I would strongly advise against doing so.”
Displayed on the screen is simply: Chris 2206-73-4896
Displayed on the screen is simply: Chris 2206-73-4896
Rei glances at Chris, "We just got the job and you are already expecting trouble? I'm loaded and ready to go, if you want me to come along with you for some protection I can."
Chris smiles at the irony, and turns his gaze toward the man in the stealth suit; “Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, expect the unexpected, and assume nothing.” “Old wisdom, but still valid.” Chris gestures toward the snipers to make his point.
"Agreed, that is why I made my offer. It still stands if you want it."
"Merci, we shall discuss it before we leave."
Rei perks up at Chris' last comment. "Ah. Yes. Leaving... One thing you should all know, when we leave, there will be a small gang war going on outside. I overheard a conversation on my way in about it, seems that one group wants this warehouse as its turf. I'm not sure if they plan on waiting until we're all cleared out or if things will start before then. Just be careful on your way out."
Raven glances at the number, "thanks". She nods to him. As he takes it away she fervently tries to commit the number to memory by repeating it over an over in her head.
"Well as the man said, speed is primary. Lets get our money and get out of here."
"Well as the man said, speed is primary. Lets get our money and get out of here."
"As the gray matter in the room seems to be ok with the deal I will follow suit."
"I will need to make a stop by my place for a few extras before we leave"
"I will need to make a stop by my place for a few extras before we leave"
Raven quickly resites her number to whoever is interested.
"It's a throwaway so don't sweat it if it gets over heard."
"It's a throwaway so don't sweat it if it gets over heard."
Rei gives out the number to his disposable phone, his regular phone is only for a select few to know. "Right then. Where should we meet up later to arrange for travel? Does anyone know a good rigger or smuggler that can sneak us over the boarder, or perhaps someone in customs that can bypass us through security checkpoints?"
Chris enters the number into the pocket secretary, then clears the screen and passes the handheld to the next member of the ‘team’, adding;
“Any information should be regarded as confidential and could be used against us. I will arrange a secure meeting site and matters that do not concern Mr. Johnson can be discussed at that time.”
Again, the display reads: Chris 2206-73-4896
“Any information should be regarded as confidential and could be used against us. I will arrange a secure meeting site and matters that do not concern Mr. Johnson can be discussed at that time.”
Again, the display reads: Chris 2206-73-4896
Eren watched his payment increase in complete silence, betraying little except what he was looking at, sizing up in case the drek went flying.
"Gangs are not stupid, amigos. That suit or my HK cost more than their gear combined. If we are not stupid, if we are smart, we will make it out fine."
"Gangs are not stupid, amigos. That suit or my HK cost more than their gear combined. If we are not stupid, if we are smart, we will make it out fine."
Dead End Speaks up "Well if any needs to get a hold of me just page me at (insert number here), I respond quickly to pages"
"So whats the plan, when do we move out?"
"So whats the plan, when do we move out?"
"Lets just get out of here," Raven said, kicking her self back from the table.
"It's going to be a long trip as it is, its best to get started right away."
Raven pulled her coat down to arrange it comfortably as she stood. She walked around the table to the troll, "I'll take my gun now."
"It's going to be a long trip as it is, its best to get started right away."
Raven pulled her coat down to arrange it comfortably as she stood. She walked around the table to the troll, "I'll take my gun now."
The Johnson and his troll overseer watch blankly as the runners exchange contact information and ready themselves for work.
When Raven walks over to the troll, the enormous metahuman smiles a toothy grin, as he pulls it from a satchel he had tucked around his back. Holding it gingerly by the barrel, he points the gun butt first at Raven.
"Untouched, as promised."
When Raven walks over to the troll, the enormous metahuman smiles a toothy grin, as he pulls it from a satchel he had tucked around his back. Holding it gingerly by the barrel, he points the gun butt first at Raven.
"Untouched, as promised."
Rei stands and bows to the Johnson, then turns and heads for the door. As he gets to the door, he puts his hand on the doorknob and turns to the group. "I'll be in touch."
He then pulls the hood of his suit up over his head and disappears from sight as the Rutheniums kick in. The door opens and is gone.
He then pulls the hood of his suit up over his head and disappears from sight as the Rutheniums kick in. The door opens and is gone.
After pocketing the pocket secretary Chris takes the still silent bug scanner from the table, turns it off and slips it back into his bag.
“I could use a lift out of this neighborhood, if someone wouldn’t mind.”
He approaches the ‘doorman’ and accepts his pistol. As he holsters it, he says; “I believe you have a little something extra for me?”
“I could use a lift out of this neighborhood, if someone wouldn’t mind.”
He approaches the ‘doorman’ and accepts his pistol. As he holsters it, he says; “I believe you have a little something extra for me?”
Raven nods to the giant and heads for the door. She slips the large pistol into its holster and walks out the door backwards. Still holding hte door open she says to Chris,
"Yeah, I can give you a lift where ever."
"Yeah, I can give you a lift where ever."
Dead End gets his gun from the troll and walks out side. He takes a good look around and walks across the street. He finds himself a pole or wall to lean on and pulls out his cell phone.
"Ya, Is this crazy Taxi? Ya I need a ride, why the hell would I call you if I did not need one. And send one of those wagons, I'm a big fracken troll."
"Ya, Is this crazy Taxi? Ya I need a ride, why the hell would I call you if I did not need one. And send one of those wagons, I'm a big fracken troll."
The troll looks down on Chris and smiles. Motioning to one of the guards at the rear of the warehouse, he continues to study the seemingly self-appointed face of this motley crew of runners.
A man in a black suit stepped forward with a briefcase. The troll popped the latches on the briefcase and pulled out several certified credsticks. He slid each stick into a pocket computer an authorized the transfer of funds to each one. With the fistful of credsticks in one large hand, he pointed the bundle at Chris.
"I'll leave it to you to distribute these appropriately..."
A man in a black suit stepped forward with a briefcase. The troll popped the latches on the briefcase and pulled out several certified credsticks. He slid each stick into a pocket computer an authorized the transfer of funds to each one. With the fistful of credsticks in one large hand, he pointed the bundle at Chris.
"I'll leave it to you to distribute these appropriately..."
Chris scoops up one handful of credsticks, then another, and drops them into his duffel.
“Thank you, I will.”
Chris shoulders the bag and hurries out the door to the car and the (im)patiently waiting elf. “That’s the car that nearly ran me over… probably safer inside of it than outside though…” he thinks. He watches her plug the cable into her skull and says; “The Southcenter business district, near the south end of SeaTac – if it’s not too much trouble.”
“Thank you, I will.”
Chris shoulders the bag and hurries out the door to the car and the (im)patiently waiting elf. “That’s the car that nearly ran me over… probably safer inside of it than outside though…” he thinks. He watches her plug the cable into her skull and says; “The Southcenter business district, near the south end of SeaTac – if it’s not too much trouble.”
"No not at all, so when are we leaving?"
Raven revs the car as she starts it. The tires start to spin nearly instantly in the muddy lot. She uses the mirror to navigate in reverse before spinning it around and slamming the gas.
She doesn't seem to pay to much attention to the road as she drives, mor curious about her passenger.
Raven revs the car as she starts it. The tires start to spin nearly instantly in the muddy lot. She uses the mirror to navigate in reverse before spinning it around and slamming the gas.
She doesn't seem to pay to much attention to the road as she drives, mor curious about her passenger.
Rei heads directly for his bike, still parked two blocks away. Once there, he quickly changes back into this street clothes and stuffs the stealth suit back under the seat of his Aurora. Moments later, he heads out into the city night, towards home to kill time while he waits for everyone else to setup a meeting.
Chris’ knuckles whiten as he tightly grips the nearest firm structure – the edge of the seat on one side and the door-assist handle on the other. “Perhaps I was wrong – if I were outside the danger would be past; inside the risk persists until I exit…”
“I should think…” he says as he struggles to fasten the seatbelt, “that we should be in route to Europe within 72 hours – sooner if things go well.” He mentally adds; “If we survive this ride…”
“Have you ever met any of the others?” He asks in a conversational tone.
“I should think…” he says as he struggles to fasten the seatbelt, “that we should be in route to Europe within 72 hours – sooner if things go well.” He mentally adds; “If we survive this ride…”
“Have you ever met any of the others?” He asks in a conversational tone.
"No, I was running with another team," she paused as she swerved around a barricade. The car jumped as the back wheel lost contact with the ground.
"But uh they split on me."
You mean HE split on you girl.
"72 hours is a long time, it would be nice to go sooner. The J, whichever one that was, did mention there would be competition."
She swerved again, sending the contents of the car to the right side.
"You know any of them?"
"But uh they split on me."
You mean HE split on you girl.
"72 hours is a long time, it would be nice to go sooner. The J, whichever one that was, did mention there would be competition."
She swerved again, sending the contents of the car to the right side.
"You know any of them?"
“No, I’m… new in town.” He says, thinking “A car crash is not the way I want to die…”
“I usually work alone or,…” he adds “more precisely, my support team is usually at a distance.”
Chris involuntarily gasps at another life-threatening turn.
“I usually work alone or,…” he adds “more precisely, my support team is usually at a distance.”
Chris involuntarily gasps at another life-threatening turn.
The sports car barreled onto the nearly empty freeway. The ride started to smooth out as it was mostly gradual turns and strait lines to the airport.
"Cool, this should be good then, you sound like you know what your doing, and the rest of the crew seems uh competent."
"Cool, this should be good then, you sound like you know what your doing, and the rest of the crew seems uh competent."
Still waiting for the Taxi and keeping any eye out for the gang members, Dead End makes another call. This time to his Fixer, Just johnny.
"Hay johnny, I need a large duffel bag that can block weapon detection systems with some sort of lock on it. How quick can you get something like that for me, and how much?"
"Hay johnny, I need a large duffel bag that can block weapon detection systems with some sort of lock on it. How quick can you get something like that for me, and how much?"
Chris takes advantage of the now smoother, but still dangerously fast ride to call the Frenchman. Unable to get an answer with the intercom trick he settles for leaving a message: “Jacques, something interesting has come up, give me a call.”
With his fixer out of contact Chris turns his attention toward the driver; “We shall see about the others, as for me, I haven’t taken this sort of job before – especially under these conditions.” He begins digging through the duffle bag, extracting a credstick. Examining the numbers he smiles, and then digs out three more. He slips two of them into a pocket then offers the others to the driver; “I have your advance, would you care for it now?”
He notes the lights of SeaTac not too distant, and wonders what it will be like to fly overseas. “I’ve never been to Europe before…”
With his fixer out of contact Chris turns his attention toward the driver; “We shall see about the others, as for me, I haven’t taken this sort of job before – especially under these conditions.” He begins digging through the duffle bag, extracting a credstick. Examining the numbers he smiles, and then digs out three more. He slips two of them into a pocket then offers the others to the driver; “I have your advance, would you care for it now?”
He notes the lights of SeaTac not too distant, and wonders what it will be like to fly overseas. “I’ve never been to Europe before…”
"Sure, going to need it to get a ticket or however we transport. I mean we are on the WestCoast, were going to have to go a long way to get to Spain." She takes the sticks and slips them into her pocket.
The car comes to a screaching halt.
"I think this is your spot."
The car comes to a screaching halt.
"I think this is your spot."
Chris looks around, not recognizing the surroundings – the streets are well-lit, and it should be safer than the middle of a turf war. “Yes, thanks. This will do nicely.”
As he gets out he ducks his head back in; “I’ll call you within 3 hours.”
He closes the door, shoulders the duffle and watches the car screech away.
A jet roars overhead, descending; “Ah, SeaTac is in that direction…”
Chris begins walking, on the look-out for a place to get a bite to eat and a public telecom.
As he gets out he ducks his head back in; “I’ll call you within 3 hours.”
He closes the door, shoulders the duffle and watches the car screech away.
A jet roars overhead, descending; “Ah, SeaTac is in that direction…”
Chris begins walking, on the look-out for a place to get a bite to eat and a public telecom.
Why is it everyone in this buisiness is waiting to get shot. Probably from cold hard experience.
Not really having anything to do to prepare Raven pointed the car back to her apartment to wait for anyone to contact her. Once there she turned on her Trid and ran a search on Biathlon events near Spain in the next week. The Spanish Alps are pretty close....
Not really having anything to do to prepare Raven pointed the car back to her apartment to wait for anyone to contact her. Once there she turned on her Trid and ran a search on Biathlon events near Spain in the next week. The Spanish Alps are pretty close....
Eren stood, walked to the door and strapped on his arms. The heavy pistol went in a holster on his right hip, the SMG slung under his left arm, the hold-out pisol on the back of his left thigh, and the AR in his hands. He grabbed his duffel bag and headed out to the car.
He called up one of his old friends back home.
"Enrique, hello, it's Eren. Yes. I'll be back in the area sometime soon. Yes. We should meet up, no?"
"Indeed we should, hombre. It has been a long time. If you need anything while you're in the area, just let me know. The Guardia have kept out of our area since your little operation - you put the fear of Lenin in them, amigo."
"I will see you soon."
Eren hung up the phone and drove back to his apartment and waited.
He called up one of his old friends back home.
"Enrique, hello, it's Eren. Yes. I'll be back in the area sometime soon. Yes. We should meet up, no?"
"Indeed we should, hombre. It has been a long time. If you need anything while you're in the area, just let me know. The Guardia have kept out of our area since your little operation - you put the fear of Lenin in them, amigo."
"I will see you soon."
Eren hung up the phone and drove back to his apartment and waited.
OOC: The post within the spoiler is flavor and fluff, you are welcome to read or ignore it as you choose…
Chris calls the team members one by one;
“This is Chris. The meeting is at the SeaTac Holiday-Hilton, the Anderson conference at 9:00 am. The hotel security policy is very strict, bring only weapons that you have permits for or are willing to surrender. Do not discuss anything outside of the conference. Have a pleasant evening.”
[ Spoiler ]
Chris calls the team members one by one;
“This is Chris. The meeting is at the SeaTac Holiday-Hilton, the Anderson conference at 9:00 am. The hotel security policy is very strict, bring only weapons that you have permits for or are willing to surrender. Do not discuss anything outside of the conference. Have a pleasant evening.”
Ravens eyes opened. She rolled her head over, the clock blinked angrily. It was 5 am.
4 hours till the meet.
Her body was deliciously tired and tingly from her unscheduled exercise. She looked over at the still sleeping boy. He was in her Calculus class if she recalled. She had ran into him at Pagliachi’s when she had gone out for dinner and he seemed nice.
Of course her judgment in men was awful and the fact that she even slept with the guy after talking with him for just a few hours shadowed the whole thing. How was she supposed to have relationship with a guy if she threw her body at him almost immediately. The answer? She wasn’t, and deep down she didn’t want to. She wanted to be hurt on her terms or not at all. And falling for someone meant that they could hurt her.
The dark direction her thoughts had taken ruined what ever good feelings she had from the nights activity. She slid out of bed, grabbing her robe to cover her soft white skin. She gently closed the bedroom door so as not to wake him.
She flippantly turned on the trid hoping to wash away her quickly sourowing mood. Not finding solace in the tv she hooked up her punching bag to the ceiling. Forgoing gloves she started smacking the bag. Softly at first she would hit it with combinations of lefts and rights.
Those soon escalated to full on combinations and kicks. Soon she covered in a sheen of sweat. She ditched her robe and continued to pound the bag. The hard wood floor became slippery with her sweat as she worked the bag.
Suddenly she stopped and turned.
Jason, that was his name.
“Remind me never to make you mad.” He was watching her.
He stood in the hallway with a towel wrapped around his waist. It was obvious he just came from the shower.
Angela became incredibly uncomfortable as she realized she was naked. She quickly picked up her robe and covered herself.
“Aww, I was enjoying the show.”
Her cheeks burned with shame and she quickly moved to the kitchen to hide it.
“Can I get you something to eat,” she said to him, absently taking out some soy products and throwing them in the nuker.
“Nah, I have a 7am class, Professor McCoy, you had him last year you know what a real beast he can be.”
Angela absently nodded as she made some food.
“I had a real great time last night,” Jason continued, “when can I see you again?”
“Uh, I’m going out of town for a week, there’s a biathlon in Spain I want to attend, maybe after that.”
From Angela’s shifting voice and the way she was doing her best not to look at him Jason got the idea.
“Oh, okay well I get out of here.” He left the room leaving Angela alone in her misery.
Great, just great Angel. Chase another one off.
The door closed to her apartment and Jason was gone. She let out a deep breath. Tears were on the verge of forming, close to spilling out and overwhelming her.
Just when she needed it most her Trid alarm went off. She quickly composed herself.
Ok girl, time to be Raven and get down to biz.
4 hours till the meet.
Her body was deliciously tired and tingly from her unscheduled exercise. She looked over at the still sleeping boy. He was in her Calculus class if she recalled. She had ran into him at Pagliachi’s when she had gone out for dinner and he seemed nice.
Of course her judgment in men was awful and the fact that she even slept with the guy after talking with him for just a few hours shadowed the whole thing. How was she supposed to have relationship with a guy if she threw her body at him almost immediately. The answer? She wasn’t, and deep down she didn’t want to. She wanted to be hurt on her terms or not at all. And falling for someone meant that they could hurt her.
The dark direction her thoughts had taken ruined what ever good feelings she had from the nights activity. She slid out of bed, grabbing her robe to cover her soft white skin. She gently closed the bedroom door so as not to wake him.
She flippantly turned on the trid hoping to wash away her quickly sourowing mood. Not finding solace in the tv she hooked up her punching bag to the ceiling. Forgoing gloves she started smacking the bag. Softly at first she would hit it with combinations of lefts and rights.
Those soon escalated to full on combinations and kicks. Soon she covered in a sheen of sweat. She ditched her robe and continued to pound the bag. The hard wood floor became slippery with her sweat as she worked the bag.
Suddenly she stopped and turned.
Jason, that was his name.
“Remind me never to make you mad.” He was watching her.
He stood in the hallway with a towel wrapped around his waist. It was obvious he just came from the shower.
Angela became incredibly uncomfortable as she realized she was naked. She quickly picked up her robe and covered herself.
“Aww, I was enjoying the show.”
Her cheeks burned with shame and she quickly moved to the kitchen to hide it.
“Can I get you something to eat,” she said to him, absently taking out some soy products and throwing them in the nuker.
“Nah, I have a 7am class, Professor McCoy, you had him last year you know what a real beast he can be.”
Angela absently nodded as she made some food.
“I had a real great time last night,” Jason continued, “when can I see you again?”
“Uh, I’m going out of town for a week, there’s a biathlon in Spain I want to attend, maybe after that.”
From Angela’s shifting voice and the way she was doing her best not to look at him Jason got the idea.
“Oh, okay well I get out of here.” He left the room leaving Angela alone in her misery.
Great, just great Angel. Chase another one off.
The door closed to her apartment and Jason was gone. She let out a deep breath. Tears were on the verge of forming, close to spilling out and overwhelming her.
Just when she needed it most her Trid alarm went off. She quickly composed herself.
Ok girl, time to be Raven and get down to biz.
Dead End:
Johnny shrugs. "Dunno. Gimme a little bit and I'll see what I can scrounge up. What kind of time constraints am I lookin at?"
Chris:
After making all the arrangements with the hotel and notifying the team of the second meet, the phone is barely idle before it rings again. The number is instantly recognized as that of Jacques.
Punching the Connect button, a tired image of the Frenchman appears on screen.
"Bonjour, mon ami. I received your message. What can I help you with?"
Johnny shrugs. "Dunno. Gimme a little bit and I'll see what I can scrounge up. What kind of time constraints am I lookin at?"
Chris:
After making all the arrangements with the hotel and notifying the team of the second meet, the phone is barely idle before it rings again. The number is instantly recognized as that of Jacques.
Punching the Connect button, a tired image of the Frenchman appears on screen.
"Bonjour, mon ami. I received your message. What can I help you with?"
“I’d like to reserve some of your valuable time my friend. Keep your appointment book open tomorrow – between ten and noon, although I’ll only need an hour or less. It will require that you leave the shop, but I’m sure you will find it worthwhile.”
The Frenchman stifles a yawn; “You are cryptic as always but I will do as you ask.”
“Thank you Jacques, good night.”
“Bonsoir.”
As the call ended Chris was forced to stifle a yawn. Replaying the day’s events in his mind he is suddenly struck by a thought – The troll… He hastily comms the front desk.
Leon answers; “Good evening Mr. Anderson. How may I help you?”
“I just remembered, one of my guests is a troll. Would you please make sure that at least one chair is decently sized?”
“Of course…” The man leans closer to the vid; “In fact, no one has reserved the other hall yet so I’ll just put you down for there – no extra charge.”
“It’s larger?”
“The ceiling is 4 meters, most of our large clients find it adequate.”
“Good, thank you. What time will security work on the room?”
“The ETech and Mage will begin preparations at 7:30. You may begin your preparations at 8:30. Kitchen staff will stock the buffet at 8:50. All hotel staff will clear the hall by 8:55, however the Mage and Technician will remain available if you require them.”
“Leon, you are an asset to your company. Thank you and good night.”
“Thank you very much, sir. Good night.”
Chris clicks off the comm and falls back on the bed, willing himself to sleep…
The Frenchman stifles a yawn; “You are cryptic as always but I will do as you ask.”
“Thank you Jacques, good night.”
“Bonsoir.”
As the call ended Chris was forced to stifle a yawn. Replaying the day’s events in his mind he is suddenly struck by a thought – The troll… He hastily comms the front desk.
Leon answers; “Good evening Mr. Anderson. How may I help you?”
“I just remembered, one of my guests is a troll. Would you please make sure that at least one chair is decently sized?”
“Of course…” The man leans closer to the vid; “In fact, no one has reserved the other hall yet so I’ll just put you down for there – no extra charge.”
“It’s larger?”
“The ceiling is 4 meters, most of our large clients find it adequate.”
“Good, thank you. What time will security work on the room?”
“The ETech and Mage will begin preparations at 7:30. You may begin your preparations at 8:30. Kitchen staff will stock the buffet at 8:50. All hotel staff will clear the hall by 8:55, however the Mage and Technician will remain available if you require them.”
“Leon, you are an asset to your company. Thank you and good night.”
“Thank you very much, sir. Good night.”
Chris clicks off the comm and falls back on the bed, willing himself to sleep…
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