"Rumour control might be required. Meet at Garland's ASAP." Mark had just willed the message out form his internal commlink when the next one hit the shelves right as his eyes were registering that Tempty and the annoying dwarf where not moving his way.

"Can't go into boy's room!Ensure he behaves..."

'Oh drek man! Now I am pissed off too...' Mark's simple mind registered the obvious as he hasted to the toilet. As soon as he passed the doors his gut feeling became a dragon claw that was ripping his insides. The place was too quiet!

'Correction! NOW I am pissed off!' With wide eyes the troll stayed as silent and immobile as he could trying to register what he was seeing. His eyes danced about the room looking for windows and possible locations the dwarf was hidding. He was already thinking of sending a second message out. His fists where flexing and curling into balls but things were almost getting to a point where he now liked them. Talking was now becaming a fading option and the next one up was his kind of biz: Removing obstacles...

His eyes narrowed into a slit as he registered what was happening here.

Rochy:
::Missouri Mule needs 2x4 to get attention. See what will happen if you do something really-really that stupid. The pet Rock shows him a future of him sitting at a table with the wall troll and firestorm and a brief look at worms crawling all over his body.::

Jack throws a invisibility spell and the Pet Rock gives him a 2x4 blow to the head. This knocks the spell to off and drops Jack into a corner dazed and hurting as a wall troll walks In,

[OOC] Thank you slacker. Live or die .... It has been fun

The troll's eyes narrowed down on a foot portruding out of a toilet cubicle. With apprehension he approached expecting a trap. Seeing the dwarf knocked out cold did not make him feel less suspicious.

"Oh wot kind'a lame-ass trick iz dat?" he said as he bend down and grabbed the colars of the dwarf giving him a shake to wake him, while keeping his spurs exit points right under the dwarf's neck. A few shakes later he realised the dwarf was indeed unconcious!

Using his hands as a cup he carried over some cold water. With the troll's huge palms the quantity would do the trick in waking Jack.

Jack sputters to consciousness.
::can you not just tell me instead of knocking me out::::Jack is thinking I should never have gotten out of bed this morning::::Jack is thinking on how to make little rocks out of a big ones. Then he realises he is going to get it.::
Rocky;
::if I had a Hammer, I would Hammer in the morning, Hammer in the evening, HAmmer you all over.::

Jack looks up and up at the wall troll and says :thanks, I owe you a beer." He then cleans up and drys himself off and leads the way to the booth with Tempty. He sits down meekly, pulls up the clubs electronic menu and orders 3 pitchers and 2 glasses. He turns off all electronic gear { eyes, ears and commlink}. He is not paying attention to crowd, security of even the ladies at the bar. He knows when his Pet Rock is mad at him and He is in BIG trouble.

Celia nearly choked with laughter when her watcher spirit reported that Jack had fainted, although her version of the information came as:

::He made glow. The glow went bright. He fell down!:: By that interpretation, he had somehow botched a spell and knocked himself out. She was really starting to feel bad for the dwarf.

Eventually he came out with the troll, a bit wetter than the average patron, and much more docile. Snake seemed more amused than she expected him to be at this - perhaps he knew something she didn't? ::Well, at leassst now he looks less likely to tick them off. I feel bad for him already.::

With the three of them back at the privacy of the table Mark was having a bd, confusing day. Should he be happy that they avoided any serious confrontation and things where finally looking cooperative? Or be annoyed that he didn't get to slash and squish stuff? He decided the former was better for business. There was still the issue of Wang-Chi to be resolved.

"Ooooow-key. Let uz try from de top again. Jack why didya com'in'ere n' talk to us specifically?"

Rocky:
::trust is a two edged sword::
Jack is starting to think again, I called Wang Chi at about 0300 to warn him that someone was looking to hurt him and his team. I heard a lot of violence over the commlink. The commlink went dead. Went to stuffer shack and found a crime scene and lonestar. Reporters were talking about you as a caped crusader. I offered to help the LT at the scene. He said a thrillgang got wasted by some professionals.
Lt. said that 15 mins before the holdup until lonestar got there the surveillance system was down. No bodies of the professionals was found. The Lt said that the professionals used only pistols.I remembered Lady Firestorm was part of his business and very good with pistols. Came here to ask if she knew if he was OK.

Mark realised that it was a good thing the dwarf was still breathing. They were all in trouble.This was just the life insurance Jack needed. THat is, as long as he was telling the truth though and he wasn't just the naive bait for some bigger pedator after Mark or the others.

He looked at Tempty to ensure she shared his feelings and then opened his mouth, "Right. First of all de 101 on street survival. If yer not from around'ere and ye don't know de streets, try n' keep diz rulez in mind for yer next enounterz: You don't trust anyone. De less ya talk de less ya'r in danger. So next time think more and talk less. "

"But now ya haf talk'd. And now ya'r in trouble. 'Ere's de deal. If what ya say iz true, den ya re in it wheder I ; you; or anyone else likez it. See, if what ya say iz true den de chum dat wantz to hurt Wang Chi and'eez palz will want to hurt dose who know. Rulez of da streetz an' all."

" Now say dat I or da pretty lady 'ere do know dis Wang chummer. Let dis be a theoretical scenario, like a stoo-pid trid show. If some drekhead comez in our yard and wags his mouth'bout knowing all dis plus knowing dings we'ave done in de past den de streetz haf very few rulez for dat. All of dem add up to one thing dough. Wordz should never reach oder earz...Bad fer buzinez. So ya do some rumour control ensuring dose who know stop knowing..." the troll winked at this, "...and dose who started de rumourz realise de mistake. And never do it again."

"Dat's good fer buzinez."

He drank a good gulp of his booze letting the info sink in and allowing Tempty for some extra wisdom additions.

"Back ta our stuff now. How did som'out-a-town hill-billy dwarfie like ya get to know dat dis Wang Chi and his palz'are in danger? An'why de frag da ya keep callin'me a caped crusader man? Do I look like de kind that dashes into telephone booths ta wear a cape n'mask and help old ladies cross da streetz? Trust me I ain't dat holy man!"

Looking back at Tempty he smiled, "Unless da old lady speakz da NuYen-ish fluently n'all...hahaha!"

Inside the bar, Taku is surprised to see that nothing special is happening. He was prepared to face a crisis or some critical situation, but the place is crowded and loud and seems absolutely normal.

There is also no sign of Tempty or Mark in the bar and Taku decides to go ask the bartender. On his way there he sees Mark's tusks in a corner of the bar. Tempty is in front of him in the booth and Taku really doesn't understand why his presence was then required. Where's the threat?

He doesn't see any reason not to walk to them and then finally notices the little dwarf sitting with them. Taku recognizes him as one of the paramedic who were responsible for saving his mother's life a few years back! What a shock!

Taku decides to go in and join them. He'll first evaluate what is going on before mentioning his past experience with this individual. He doesn't understand how such a good man could cause worries in any way.

Mark breaks in laughter just before Taku is close enough to meet and that frankly pisses him off - what the heck did they call me for, to present me with a common friend and have a laugh??

"Hey Tempty; Hammer; may I join you?"

"Hoi chummer! Dat wos fast! D'ya fly 'ere?" Mark's laughter died fast seing Taku. His voice went a bit more serious although he was still trying to maintain the all's-well attitude for bystanderds and onlookers. "'Av'a seat. Thingz'r are a bit rocky at da moment..."

Mark lets the adept sit and leaves the talking to the other three, glad than he can be relieved of the spokeperson position now that it was not just Tempty shotting glances at Jack on the table.

Bliah, tlaking! Keep at it and I might get used to it man! That stinks! The mouth should be used for eating not talking...Oh, which reminds me...

Interupting the conversation the street sam decided he had spent to much time without food, "D'ya need anything chummerz? We gott'arselvez some alchool an' I'm about ta get someting ta eat..."

As soon as he can find a waitress, Mark orders a healthy dose of sandwiches and pretzels, and then another one for him. He then goes back in silence as he tries to calculate how much he has already spent...

Rocky:
:; Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.::
Jacks thinking:
:: Did Celia set me up as a stalking horse? Should I tell The Wall or Lady Firestorm? I am between a rock and a Hammer. What should I do?::
As the beer arrives, Jack pushes a full pitcher to Hammer and pours a glass for Tempty and Himself.

"I don't feel much like drinking at the moment..." Tempty says, frowning slightly. "Lets get down to this. You were following us, which was a bad move, since we don't like having nosy people in our private matters. You are going to tell us everything you know about Wang Chi, and why he would tell someone like you anything about us. You are then going to tell us why you felt it was a good idea to follow us around. I want to like your answers, and you want me to like your answers too, is that clear?" the red head asks the dwarf.

Taku quickly realises that the issue is quite serious. Extremely serious actually. Someone was following us and knew a little too much. That someone was that dwarf who saved his mother by the looks of it.

He was quite curious to see how a paramedic would know Wang Chi so well as to go out to stick his nose everywhere like he did.

It also reminded him that Wang Chi had dissappeared. He had forgotten about the whole thing because of the unexpected fight in the Stuffer Shack.

What the drek is going on? What happened to Wang Chi? Who's that little guy and what's he doing following us around?

Taku had his typical severe look on his face. Concentrated and ready to take action.. within a split second's notice. The story the dwarf was to tell should answer his questions though.

Jack downing his first beer of this hour. Dear Lady: "I am not following you around. Im trying to find out if Wang Chi is ok.Wang Chi is a friend and fellow explorer. We hunt rocks together. We were introduced remember."

"Chummer, 'ow da ya know'ee's missin'or dat someone iz 'unting'im? Iz dere anything more dan just loozin'your connection to'im yesterday night? " Mark's voice was a bit more impatient this time.

"I vaguely remember you, so its possible that we were introduced, but I know that the other part is Drek, you were following us, otherwise you wouldn't have known what went on last night, and you certainly wouldn't be calling Hammer a caped crusader. So spill, give it all. How did you know where we were, and why were you following us. Full Disclosure is your only ticket out of here."

Jack sees this is not making Hammer or Tempty happy with his lack of information.
"In the last day or so I have been hearing some rumors about some people looking for Wang Chi and from the descriptions what looks to be the rest of you. The strongest rumor came from a mutual acquaintance at a Talismonger shop, where i was buying and selling rocks. This person claimed to be an old acquaintance of Wang Chi with important information that he needs. The information being that some bad people are hunting him>possibly because of some run that he just pulled off. Already having heard some rumors of such , also wanting to confirm the acquaintance was in fact a friend of his. I got on the commlink with him at approx 0300. When I mentioned the acquaintance name to hin , he said"Acquaintance , eh? Hmmm." I then heard gunfire and violence. I then pulled up his last location from his commlink and went there with the aquaintance. We checked the scene out. Based on the info at stuffer shack , I remembered Tempty and decided to come here. I have not determined if that was a good idea, yet. We decided to meet at this club tonight at 2000.\to meet Tempty. "

Something tells me that if I ask the aquaintance's name he is gonna refer to my advice of not giving names and I might just kill him here and now... Mark mused to himself and nodded at the dwarf's words...The steps to take were clear.

a)Verify Tzaz's words
b)Meet that aquantaince and follow the trail of rumours
c)Eliminate any mention of the Hammer and any threats to his rep or health.
Note: Perhaps the Caped Crusader might prove helpfull in throwing some bloodhounds of Mark's trail...Poor chummer gets the blame; not bad as Plan B...

Now if Wang Chi comes out of it unhurt that would be an added bonus...

The troll mentally checked his commlink's time and noticed something that send his gut doing summersaults . "Ya mean dat aquaintance of yourz's in'ere? NOW? Damn man we could all be in trouble!"

The Hammer had to master all his willpower so as not to jump up and start looking around. He had not seen anything suspicious and yet that mystery man or woman was in here! Man that spelled trouble with a capital T in the troll's books.

It seemed as good a time as any to introduce herself now; no sense in getting everyone in a frenzy searching for her.

Besides, it seemed amusing at the time to pop up a moment after their revelation.

Celia rose from her place at the bar and make a casual walk over to the booth that everyone was occupying. She she got closer, she was able to make out some matching details from the kids story to them, albeit at a guess. If they're linked to Wang Chi, they might be the runners who pulled off the one stunt that I'm investigating. I might be able to make something from this if I'm careful.

::Just don't try to be cute and dance around them like Jack.::

She wouldn't dream of it...

Now she was by the table, smiling and doing her best to look all happy at meeting some friends. "Did somebody mention my name? That's so sweet of you; I hope it was something nice."

Taku reflects on the situation. What the hell is going on? This is getting out of hands, with everyone knowing more than us. I really don't like this. Good thing they called me for backup. How did we get so careless all of a sudden? Is this all Wang Chi's fault? I thought he was a real professional...unlike the dwarf and ms. stalker.

Taku keeps a steady poise. He's not trying to show any emotion in particular, but he seems again very focused. He's not the kind of guy to talk often, keeping remarks for himself and speaking only when he has something to add. It is the case right now.

He nevertheless makes room for the arrival of this new person to the conversation, looking confused as well as annoyed. He gets up, lets her sit in the middle of the bench, and sits back down, all without a word. He can't help his cold attitude towards strangers.

Rocky:
:: The worms crawl in ..the worms crawl out..they play pinochle on your snout ::
Jack:
::Celia sure moves like a snake? She would be great to hold onto and dance with::
::Taku reminds him of a Tir Tairngire Paladin::
::I am no longer the stalking horse. Now did these people hurt Wang Chi or are they going to help?::

Celia finds room made for her and takes it daintily, keeping the appearance of belonging just fine with all that are together. "Thank you. Now, I believe we all have a common interest at the moment. That's Chi's 'birthday' yesterday."

Obviously, Wang Chi's birthday was not yesterday (unless it was a very bad day for him), so that meant one of two things.

a) Celia (otherwise known as Ms. Stalker) was a complete nutcase,which made a pair of nuts for the team to deal with.
b) She was referring to Wang Chi's disappearance.

"Now, we're all good friends, so we're going to make it up to him for forgetting, or I'll bop some heads for being so rude to our friend. Anyone know something he'd like for his special day?"

She reached for the pitcher of ale and peered inside. Obviously, from the look of dissappointment and distaste, she doesn't like ale or whatever it was.

"Dunno'ow ya'eavezdropped blondy, but ya should'av 'eard da 'ole ting. We're past pleazantries n' ettiquette now...'ow about ya tell us why ya think Chi or his chums are in danger? See things 'ave already been said 'n lines a've already been crossed and am sure ya understand our distressin' but also annoyin' position?"

Talking - more talking! Ghost gime me strength! She seems a bit more on the "talk the talk" kinda thing. What does this mean? Are we being set up in Tempty's own yard?, Mark was almost bitting his glass of beer as he drank. He went silent for a moment as if mulling over what he tasted or what the newcomer had said.

Comlink message flared on Taku and Tempty.

'First a mouthfull of talk and no walk and now ms pro talks the talk. Are we being set up in our home yard so as to show ourselves and gather in one spot? If anymore delays I will walk and come back with reinforcements. I am getting itchy...'

OOC: If I know from our previous run that Taku has a normal handheld commlink or phone I am not sending him this message now. It is gonna be too obvious.

Tempty sent a mental reply to the other 2 runners:
This is bad, they know about the job, but of the people that know about the job, I know they didn't find out from the Johnson since he would know how to contact us, I know they didn't find out from Garland, since he'd tell me, and he wouldn't let anything go down in the club. They also didn't find out from us. It leaves only the people we hit. That means this lady is most likely working for our target and her johnson probably wants pay back. Can you tell if she has any Mana? Or the dwarf?

Out loud:
"Look lady, we want to know who hired you. Tell us and you'll make it out of the club alive, otherwise, well, I'll just have to leave a big tip for the cleaning staff."

Celia arched her brow at Tempty; it seemed she was getting the first reply. "Very well then, I'll make it clear and basic for everyone. I'm looking for him because I want information, just information. I don't need the runners or the know how, just information of a select nature. My interests never asked for more than that. Now, as it turns out, he dissappeared shortly into my mulling about, so I'm concerned partly for my pay and partly for your friend. As a rule I'm not the cruel hearted sort - I don't like things getting messy, and this got bloody messy without a touch from me. I know the lot of you are having your nerves batted around like the latest AR game, but if you'd quit thinking yourself the best of the best, you might consider the possibility I'm a friendly rival, and not a hang-woman. Hell, at this point I might just be a friendly companion as far as finding Chi. That's up to you, in the end."

She lifted her purse up into view on the table and set it in front of her. One hand stayed on it. "Now, as a possible incentive, I happen to have something that I think belonged to Wang Chi that was found at the shack scene. There are three ways for you to get it, four if you get crude and wet about it. Provide me with the information I wanted from Wang Chi if you happen to know it, pay for it, or have me help you find Wang Chi. And if it turns out to not belong to him, then you have my help for free if you'd like as consolation."

There it was, on the table, blunt and as straight to the point as she was likely going to get. It was a crazy offer, pretty much. But then again, the world was a crazy place. The Dwarf was crazy (no offense Tzaz ), and this woman possibily crazier still.

But what if she had something that could really help in finding Wang Chi?

The Hammer' s movement was a bit too fast for his liking and, judging from reactions acrross the table, probably for everyone. He flipped his hands in the air too fast. He was relieved a window of opportunity was finally given. Unfortunately his body jolted with all the stress build-up before going back to relaxation. Equally unfortunate was the fact that so did his wired reflexes! He then shrugged his shoulders in an unspoken apology.

"I cannot say I dissagree. Here'z de way I see things go. We split now. Far as I am concerned I am kinda'appy with rezultz. But obviously not'appy with whot I foun'out."

"You guyz came clean...least fer today. We will meet again ta'morrow. We will sort out a place dat's soka with all. And if we are still'appy ta'morrow too, den we work ta'geder ta sort it out. Dis givez us som'time to cool our headz off and re-think our actionz. How'z dat for a plan? I pers'nally will not continue dis discuss'n'ere'n'now. Too much been said fer my likin' ...".

The troll was already up and smilling as he passed his eyes from person to person waitting for responses.

Commlink Message (not to the newcomers obviously): 'Need to do some reasearch before we meet the duo again. We are in trouble."

Celia returned her purse to it's proper position as she mentally dismissed the watcher spirit - listening to herself in mental double talk was a bit awkward. ::Well, at least they're not going to kill us immediately.::

::I liked the part of "crude and wet about it".:: Snake replied.

She made note of 'The Hammer's' twitching, and made a mental note to watch out for trouble out of him. It's trouble like this that makes me realize how truly dangerous everything is...hopefully I won't have to deal with it.

First, however, was to hear what everyone elses replies to the proposed break was.

"let me get this straight. You want to meet tomorrow for a second meet and check out our stories. it seems to me we all have different agendas. I want to help Wang Chi. Lady Firestorm, the wall, and the Paladin want to protect themselves. And Lady Snake wants information." I am a Tir Tairngire paramedic. I am here to find/help Wang Chi, I come to seattle about every three months for a union meeting, buy/sell some rocks and drink a few beers while watching the dancers. Im in the phone book..name is Jack Jewell from Myst Tir Tairngire. A neutral place for me would be an empty wooded park"

Man something tells me this guy IS for real....I don't know what is worse....A true set up or him actually being for real!!!

While waitting for the rest to voice their opinions Mark could not help but staring at the dwarf; for once wishing he could read minds like mana-flingers did...

Celia made sure she had paid for all drinks of her own before leaving the club, a mental curse for not bringing a jacket at this later time coming out as she started walking down the way. For the moment, she was more interested in thinking than getting a taxi.

[/I]We're all to meet elsewhere....at <inserted when we 'decide' on a spot> to talk this over again. What that really means is that they want to kill me, or just look up information...or ditch me, they could try that.[/I]

::More likely the first two. This is hardly one of those 'high school prom' moments where you're shorted for a prettier pair of breasts and ass.::

::Well you're certainly acidic - what got your tail in a knot?::

::I was expecting more cooperation for the incentive of finding their partner - apparently emotions don't run as deep as I thought. Maybe I should have taught you to alter emotions after all.::

Celia gave Snake a mental pat, ::You should teach me much much more. but that takes time for now/::

With a little more thought out in that fashion, the lady that walks finally stops to summon a taxi...for home.

Jack deduces that this meeting is over. He turns on his commlink and gets his number out. I can be contacted from 1145-1215 each day for 3 days. He then gets up and goes and gets his gear. He walks back to his luxury motel..the coffin one.

"Well, whatz yer take on dis den? Or do you wanna do dis elsewhere tomorrow just in case we got us more eavezdroppers? Place seems brimmin' with dem!"

Mark's humour ha dall but left the troll's face. His mind was already making a list of who to call and waht to ask and saving it in his commlink'smemory.

Jack wakes up in his spacious coffin. Spends the morning buying a few things. Turns on his commlink between 1145-1215. In the afternoon he goes to the largest forested park and walks the grounds. Goes to the bar/stripper clubs that night and then returns to a different coffin Hotel nearest park. Ask for a luxury suite..the troll sized coffin.

Not long after, Taku amd Mark were outside Garland's heading for it's parking lot. Something had cheered the Troll's mind momentarily and a huge grin had appeared in his face, "Welcome to de best 'n most secure conferance room in dis drek of de sprawl chum!"

The Street Sam had stopped in front of a beast of a Harley bike. Riding the vehicle Mark had not lost his smug grin, "Even comez with a custom built white noise generator. Let alone it's mobile so no stationary bugz can overhear us."

To stress his point the Hammer started the bike demonstrating he had customised it to simulate the loud noise the ionfamous bikes of the previous century made. The troll shouted for the phys-ad to climb up. As soon as Taku though gave him the intented target of their journey the troll lost his mirth.

"Now listen'ere. We are in a tough spot and I suggest we do dis by de book man. De less we each know of our personal info de less a liability we each are to each oder. Let's ride a bit around the sprawl and den I will drop ya somewhere to pick some public transport to your joint. I don' t wanna know yet...You understand right?"

For the good part of the next hour the two men rode around the illuminated streets of the sprawl, Mark's engine sound drowning out their conversation and plans.

(for the sake of the post)

For all that the taxi was to take her home...Celia needed a few extra components for her plans: Candy.

"Stop here for a minute would you? I'll only be a moment."

Chocolates, rainbow JellySoys, hard candies and suckers galore. Then there was the small kit for creating your own flavors of candy with some soy (and other assortments).

A little while later, she was home. She paid the Taxi driver and took herself over to the quiet little building she called home. True, it was near the shadier parts of town...but that was useful for business.

And so she went inside, and put away her candies.

(and fom there.....I'm not telling. lol. Just in case I get a home invasion).

Having left Taku to continue his journey home by public transport Mark the Hammer found himself under a bridge pissed off that once again he was beeing hammered by rain. The subtle irony of the situation was currently escaping the Troll's mind as it was working in overdrive with the issues at hand. He was mentaly typing furiously his ToDo list in his commlink's notepad.

A few moments later and having added the physical adept's comments, the troll started making calls. First a message went out, Urgent Meet. The recipient was a difficult contact, one that would probably cost some nuyen or a big favour, but it would be a well worth spending.

The reply came in a few minutes right after the Hammer had finished his second brief call letting another friend know he would be dropping by her "shop" of sorts: two hours.

'Pleanty of time' he mumbled as he made yet a third call.

"Hey babe. Can you do a little hocus pokus 'n sort us a secure line? I got som'bad news and som'bad news..I need you ta come up wiith som'good news for me."

Not one to dissapoint, a concerned Zelda secured a little conferance for them where Mark spilled the beans on the situation. She was the resource he had put the most trust in and by the end of their conversation he was not dissatisfied.
"Gimme a call before 11 tomorrow Zelda with as much as you can get. Thanks again babe, your help is priceless..."

Mark started his bike and with a muffled curse he went into the rainny streets again. It wasn't his getting wet that really pissed him off. It was the acidic contents of the rain that sometimes got dangerously high and would mar the shinning surface of his dermal plating. Good thing he was also meeting someone who could help him with that too. He pressed the vehicle forward enjoying it's roar. The night was still young...

The next morning found the Troll snoring in one of his less important safehouses. The mental alarm went off in his head a few times before he actually got up. He rushed through his morning chores as he had already noticed the messages waitting for him.

For the next two hours the troll had gone through various mental states. Shouting at somepoint and screaming himself mad with results, while another time he was rubbing his hands together in satisfaction and menacing glee. He counterproposed plans and modified his ToDo list more than once. By 11 o'clock and as he was coming to the end of anything he would have known for today he had mixed feelings. He knew much more than he knew yesterday and yet again he still felt in the dark.

'Oh well we are at least getting somewhere now and perhaps no need for deaths is required yet', he thought almost as soon as he went back to the final conversation at hand with Zelda:

"Ok, call Taku and bring him in our little chat. Time to make some plans. Oh and in case I forget; make sure you transfer all this to Tempty as well. She is laying low but I suggest we keep a secure line of information back to her in case something does happen to us. It is obvious we are not gonna have fun with this case..."

The three shadowrunners continued their brief discussion for a while. This time it was planning though they discussed and not intel gathering. Roughly at 11:45 they were ready and it was time to give Jack a call.

12:05 and the Hammer was once again being hammered. He had just subscribed his PAN to a local public node. Wading through commercials flying around him in full glory AR he used the public comms service dialling Jack's number.

He didn't even leave the dwarf to greet him, "Looks like we're in business. The place suggested is cool. Meet there after closing hours; 24:00 tonight. Any supsicious gatherings of people who shouldn't be there and I walk; might even leave a few bullets as a parting gift. Soka?"

IC: Jack gets the 1200 noon phone call and confirms the midnight meet. He then turns off his commlink. He looks around the large open air building where the meet is going to take place. He changes into his working clothes and then proceeds to scope out the area. At dark he summons a watcher spirit with scout orders.
OOC:force 1 spirit 6,3,6,5,1,2 DV=1
IC:Jack is thinking that Tempty will be gunning for him, Hammer will be talking and Taku and celia are an unkown.
Put the Dummy [clothed] on the park bench with the walkie talkie and find a tree Blind at aprox 500m Throw invisible on
OOC: force 4: 4,5,1,3 DV=1,5,5,5
IC:Wait for everyone

Celia woke from a dream that could only be one thing.....a desperate need get a house pet.

::You wouldn't want one of those - they just make messes.::

She was still too groggy to really argue with her mentor. Rising from bed in a robe of silky red, she entered the kitchen to prepare herself some breakfast. It was past dawn; that meant that Duncan, who had been summoned to keep an eye through the night, had already left.

He hadn't bothered to clean up all the candy and chocolate wrapper from his binging either. It was almost everywhere in the enamel-floored area! Celia could only sigh with resignation. If there was one thing Duncan had never been, it was a neat person.

"Damn it...I should get one of those cleaning bots or something. Ah well."

She was awake enough to summon a low level spirit, a would-be sprite, to go clean up the mess. "I'd like all of [B]Duncan's surprises dealt with if you could. You can have what candy he didn't manage to eat, or some soy if you really want."[/B]

The spirit didn't speak. It simply nodded and get to work. Being about knee height made the scurrying about almost amusing to watch, but she was still a bit groggy.

And so, breakfast was made, the spirit was fed, and then the mage was dressed.

- - -

Celia arrived at the park some time after Jack, and she could see several reasons to enjoy such an atmosphere for meeting.

It's just a shame I'm here on business and not pleasure. I think I'd to sit out here and read a book, or maybe just play with some nature spirits....probably the book.

::Maybe if they didn't try to eat your books half the time you wouldn't have that problem? Or you could summon one large, smart spirit so you wouldn't have to defend them so readily.

Celia put her attention to Snake now, and less on her surroundings. ::Why would you suggest that? I would think a stronger spirit would be upset with such a trivial request.::

Snake prodded her to focus on where she was walking - not every pet owner cleaned up after themselves it seemed, and she dodged an unsightful spot just in time. ::Simple: practice. Spirits like to have fun too, you would simply have to be careful about the more dangerous spirits and their games. I hear cat spirits enjoy giving logic puzzles.::

If it weren't for the fur, Celia would have been tempted with that suggestion, but neither of them knew of supernatural fur was as troublesome as the mundane sort.

::Well, you could try summoning a unicorn? They like laying their heads in your lap if you're the proper sort to coddle them.::

::Stop, before you make me laugh at the air! evil serpent, heh.::

Finally, She had noticed that there was someone else here - there, on the bench. It was quite a distance, but it could have been Jack....maybe.

"Please don't let it be some nutter here for the scenery, or something like that."

Ok, am going in!. The last phrase in his commlink message cracked a grin in the trolls face. 'My famous last words?' he asked himself as he strode towards the region Jack had picked.

Although feeling naked -this was the first meet he was going in with this setup- his guts had stopped complainning. He couldnt' be more satisfied with the way things had gone. In such short notice and with so little to work on, it was a miracle that he actually had useful intel on the people he was to meet.

Mark flexed his technologicaly and genetically advanced muscles and naturally ruined another glove as his right-hand spurs instinctively came out! Oh! Fer ghost's sake man! How many sets must I ruin?. He restored the metal blades within his wrist and walked towards the bench that would house the forthcoming discussion...Well at least now they match... he mentally added as he remembered that he had switched his countless sets of gloves around to get a pair that had the holes on the left hand to confuse any chummer thinking the blades would come from the left. He now had holes in both gloves!

He stopped at a twenty-five meter distance realising that both of the other persons were allready there...And nobody else! Carefully and with his eyes scanning around frantically he continued forward towards the female human and the male dwarf.

"So how many should I expect ta jump me if I do somethin'rong?" he started as he approached closely and turned to the dwarf with a smile. "I woz expetin' ya ta'ave bailed da sprawl ta be'onest...." he smile was cut short when he realised that he was making idle chit-chat to a doll dressed as a lumperjack.

With anger welling up inside him, he turned to face Celia. But something clicked inside him. This dwarf was the works! At that moment Mark knew that he would not have the strength to kill the short fellow if need came. Jack's feats of underworld gimmiks would be a real loss to the Shadow-world... There was only one way to move forward, this meeting had lost its seriousness almost before it started. The troll just hoped that he would not be the only one who saw it that way, "Oh well. Lookz like dere'z no point in callin'ya doll any more...You just lost yer uniqeness!"

Over the walkie talkie:
Welcome Hammer and Celia. Sorry for the mild deception but I am making a perimeter sweep to make sure we are not being observed. By the way Hammer...Where are your two friends? Tempty and Taku?
JAck out.

Celia didn't seem to pleased once she figured out the doll was, in fact, a doll. Fortunately, Mark had chosen to show up at least, minus shooting her, and for all that the dwarf was driving her nuts with these little gags, his voice through whatever it was confirmed he was paying attention.

Well, it's better than getting shot on the bench at least.

"Well I'm glad you're watching out for your own skin at least Jack, next time I'll remember to take my own initiative for my wellbeing when I have to meet someone in a park all by myself. Leaving a lady out here defenseless....no offense to you Mark."

She gave a nod of acknowledgement to the troll, dressed up in a nice, warm dress and jacket with yet another pair of those boots she seems to favor. They let her move freely enough it would seem. Beyond that, she has another purse of marginal size - if she's hiding anything in there that's a gun, it's probably gonna be a very tiny pistol.

"De deal goez down with me. " answered Mike to noone in particular. Pulling his leather and probably armored jacket around him, Mark walked slowly and sat down next to Jack's doll. Patting the seat next to him, he motioned to Celia.

"So. I am thinking we might as well skip de pleazentries and get down to de meat of it...", without letting anyone answer the troll continued as if starting a monologue, "My main itch with de deal iz not Jack any more ta be'onest...Without breaking yer rulez, how much can you tell me 'bout de job you got on Wang Chi? And just ta be on de right track: I am gonna help you guyz; I just wanna make sure we will stay on de same boat throughout dis..."

This was new for Celia, in a way. She had never been offered a seat by a troll. Then again, she didn't see them very often either.

::New things comes to those that take their own path:: Snake reminded her.

Celia took the proffered seat and went over what she could recall about her original job. "Ultimately, my people wanted me to find information on what happened to the animal liberated - Whether it went back over seas, got turned into a purse or vest, that sort of thing. They didn't ask for details beyond that, but they never really mentioned much of not finding such details - just that they wanted the former most of all." She smirked and gave Mark an acknowledging nod of her head. "Admittedly, I wouldn't put them against using extra information about those involved if I were to supply it, but it gets me nothing at this point, and I am not one for making myself free enemies. All I was expecting was information on the animal, and my search had turned towards Wang Chi...who apparently went missing the moment Jack tried to contact him. To my knowledge, those I am hired by weren't following up on me, so I don't think they took the initiative because I was meeting him. My guess is that someone else with interest in him was the problem. But, it is all a guess."

Since Mark had stated he was going to play ball..."I believe I have what remains of Wang Chi's commlink, but I am not certain. It was at the Stuffer shack crime scene when Jack and I went to investigate in our search for him. That was where we learned of you and your companions, from a rather unfortunate little boy and some disgruntled Lone Star officers. And from the resulting threats I received from your woman friend, I can't help but suspect you are involved with my search, or that she had performed a recent and sensitive action to make her nervous. Or.....you and she are not, acquainted, are you?"

::How awkward would it be, if all this misery was because she thought I was going after her boyfriend!::

Snake simply laughed, in her head.

Jack sends his watcher spirit to make a sweep of the area looking for humanoids. Jack then climbs down the tree and makes a perimeter sweep of 100 yds around the bench. He then joins the two at the bench. He turns off the walkie-talkie and puts away the doll. He apologizes again to the two but he continues to look out for Taku and tempty. He Sits on the grass listening to the tall ones talk.

(OOC: Jack puts away the doll???? This better not be an inflatable lumberjack doll!!!!!!!!!!!)


"Well it seems like Jack's happy with the arrangements and trusts me enough to come out of hiding!"

Without waitting for a reply the Hammer turned towards the only female in their conversation, "Animal eh?" professed the troll in something that could be taken as interest. "Letz get one thing straight dough...Did ya know Wang Chi from before? Yez or no? Jack called ya an aquaintance of de mana-flinger..."

Fragging knew it! Damn job gets done nice and all with only your standard minimum of hassle and plan deviation and only then it hits us....Should'ave expected something would go sour...No job goes perfectly well... Even though the troll was keeping a calm exterior with a tiny hint of an I-know-something-you-don't smile, he was mentally kicking himself around at the same time. Things were as bas as he feared although at least the people after them might not be related to these two interloppers...

It was now or never - at least if she was truthful about her lack of friendship to Wang Chi, it might work towards her goals.

Of course, it could also get her dead.

::If life had no risks, you wouldn't have a serpent in your head, now would you?::

Fair point.

"I have no ties to Wang Chi short of looking for him. I'm afraid that Jack made extra assumptions on his part. To my knowledge, however, he is definitely acquainted to Wang himself. I didn't know he had magic either, until a few strange things happened at the club and his references to how they met. As to what led me to to Wang Chi besides Jack...that would be telling, and as rude as asking how old I am."

(OOC: If it is inflatable...I'm worried about what company makes the lumberjack brand. They don't have open button mechanic versions do they? lol)

"Hmmmmm...." Mark brought his hand on his chin while he stared at the woman's eyes. He was confused and probably a bit dissapointed, that much was obvious. In the end he smiled and continued, "Soka...Well, without myself giving ya 'rude info' I can tell ya dis. I woz involced with Wang Chi in a little caper involving a retrieval. It woz a second-rate job originating from Australia. As de package woz stolen from dere in the first place I am guessing dat eider we were hired by itz original ownerz or you were hired by dem...And if indeed Wang-Chi iz MIA den there might be a third party in dis game. I don't suppose ya know what critter it iz we liberated?"

The troll stood up and started walking about the bench. His eyes would occasional dnace about the perimeter as if worried that something might show up. While waitting for an answer from either of the people with him he couldn't help but wonder, 'Well let's see how deep this story is then...The cards are on the table....better send the message out too'

Like we thought Dwarf is probably a mana flinger...