The Team:
Chang - Longest team member and most experienced shadowrunner. A Chinese Wujen detective in the service of the Jade Emperor. Currently dealing with the discovery of a past life as Magistrate in ancient China... a ghost hunter with imperial backing who lost his family to the spirits of the night. Also a part time member of the Black Lotus Triad and beloved (mostly) partner to their leader, Meng Poh.
Tex - Chinese Cowgirl Gun-Fu Orc. Former Lone Star detective currently wanted for the murder of a hero cop 'Snart Jnr'. Also the current protector of the Tacoma Orc Underground. Shoots from the hip and tells it how it is.
Zero - Mysterious Japanese infiltration expert and superb sniper. Has a connection to both the Yakuza and at least one megacorporation. Occasionally suffers from severe paranoia.
Professor - Powerful Mage, former Professor at the University of Seattle, recently the meat puppet for a powerful shadow spirit Despair. Believed dead by his team mates, he is currently under the care of Papa Brogan, shaman for the Spirit of Seattle.
Prim - Sister of Clips, a team member recently killed in battle with Despair. From the Tir, a Social Adept and rebel at heart. Determined to protect her family, she had come to Seattle to find Clips. Unfortunately, she has arrived too late.
Zombie - Street Racer, Rigger and Decker, Zombie is a creepy new addition to the team. Bitten by ghouls, carrying the infection inside her, Zombie shuts the world out with her biker leathers, helmet and belligerent attitude
Valkyrie - This heavily-cybered Nordic warrior was a mafia enforcer, but has since left their service to try and rediscover who she is. With no memory of how she became the chrome warrior that she is, Valkyrie now seeks the answers that only the shadows can bring.
Scene 1 - An Imperial Appointment - Morning Day Three
Chang knelt on a cushion in his small room. In front of him, the spirit of his honoured ancestor carefully brewed a special tea on a small portable stove. In the background, Chang could hear the noise of the team waking up and preparing for the day. Zero was complaining about the accommodation and the food, Chang's apartment a far cry from his original abode. Tex was sniping back, the orc offering accommodation at the Tacoma Orc Underground as an alternative, knowing full-well Zero's thoughts on that dark, musty location. Prim had arrived, her voice clear and crisp, easily bringing the two back down the earth. No Zombie, but perhaps that was for the best. She still hadn't taken her helmet off in the last two days, and something about her manner disturbed the Chinese Wujen monster hunter. Prim was talking about recruiting extra muscle with Zero, but by know Chang had stopped paying attention.
Across from him was a large full-length mirror. In the reflection sat Magistrate Zhong Kiu. While he had kept it concealed from the others, Chang was struggling to find balance with the 'other'... soul that rested inside of him. Zhong Kiu was much more than a past life remembers, he had come back almost fully formed and more than a little demanding of his modern self.
"Listen to me Chang. When I discovered what had occurred to my family, I knew the creature responsible by the seven signs of extirpate as outlined in the red branch scrolls. Where are your copies of these scrolls Chang? How can you be so poorly prepared? Do you remember nothing?"
The older Chinese.. reflection berated Chang continuously. Always judging him, pushing him. Chang had considered discussing it with Meng Poh... but an unformed fear had preventing him from seeing her. Sometimes the internal discord with Kiu was incredibly disorientating, and Chang knew that he would eventually be distracted at a crucial moment and his fellow team members would suffer the consequences.
As the ceremony was completed, the Jin Yi Wei appeared. These were the personal bodyguards of the Celestial Jade Emperor.
"He will see you know Chang"
And then Chang spirit was gone.
Later, Prim entered the room to fetch the strange Chinese Wujen to discuss tactics. His body remained, but he was clearly no longer here. Chang was facing the mirror, upon which he had written in blood, 'Gone to see the Emperor, keep my body safe'.
Prim sighed heavily and returned to the main room.
Scene 2 - Coffee, Chrome and a Job Offer
Prim arrived at the SoyBucks. The cafe was already crowded with suited wage slaves enjoying their Venti, Non-Fat, No Foam, No water, 6 pump, extra hot, chai tea soy-lattes. Prim ordered a green-tea soy-latte and looked for her contact. Towards the rear, with her back firmly against the wall, sat a tall, blond, clearly cybered Nordic woman. Her face was vaguely recognisable. The good little wage slaves expended effort pretending to not notice her. It was almost amusing.
Prim, wearing her steampunk coat and thus clearly also not a wage slave, sat opposite her.
"Valkyrie?"
"Prim?"
"We need someone for a B&E. One night, tonight and then the job's completed. Heard you were in the market, are you interested?"
"What's my take?"
"A share of 35,000 nuyen. Seven person team"
It was a bit low, but for just a day's work? It was ok. At least with this 'run under her belt, her reputation in the shadows would build and more, better paid jobs would become available.
"Sure. High violence or low key?"
"Low key. 15,000 nuyen bonus if they never know where there. I've got a 'no kill' rule. Are we good?"
"Yes, I prefer precision"
"Good" Prim smiled
"Excuse me citizens! Could I interest you in some soymuffins? We have Blue Berry Muffins today! With super-real-like Blue Berries!"
Prim looked at the annoying waitress with an icy stare, and soon she was gone.
"What does it feel like to have real arms?" Asked Valkyrie.
Prim was startled for a second. "I don't know. I never really thought about it before"
"It’s just, well, I don't remember..." Valkyrie drifted off, leaving an awkward pause.
After a moment, "Well, let's get going. I'll call you a bit later and we can talk gear and the plan. 'k?"
"Ok" thought Prim as she left the coffee shop, "maybe all shadowrunners are a bit strange. It’s not like the weird Chinese mage, the uptight cyberninja or the Chinese Cowgirl Orc were any less... different. Clips must have kept some unusual company in the shadows."
Scene 3 - Information Offered - Day 3
Zero paced around Chang's small apartment. The Chinese Wujen was meditating in the only bedroom in this place and Prim was out recruiting muscle. As team leader, Zero should be planning tonight's run, but he really wanted Prim around the bounce ideas. All he had was the tusker, Tex, just sitting there, cleaning her guns and watching old neo-western reruns on the trid. As a Japanese citizen who had grown up in the warm embrace of his corporation, it was weird to be in such continuous close contact with an orc. Japan, of course, had no one inflicted with the dread mutation. Afflicted citizens were treated at medical facilities in the Philippines.
When is comlink buzzed, it was a relief.
"Moshi moshi"
"Ahhh, Zero-san. It is me. It was good, the other night, like old times. Except how much my head hurt in the morning. Ahhhh..."
"Yes, don't tell me you want to go drinking again?" Zero knew the importance of giri, but with the run on tonight.. it would be difficult to spend time with his friend.
"Ahhh... not tonight. I remember you were asking about the Mitsuhama Cavilard Centre. Someone else was talking to a buddy of mine about the same place. Why are you so interested in that place?"
"My friend, I am completing a run against them tonight. Just between you and I of course"
"Hey, no problem, I understand. Anyway, this gaijin was talking to my buddy, but lucky for you, my buddy doesn't know so much. But they were mostly after a particular person..."
"And?"
"Sorry, I know I am distracted. It’s my son. His school fees are so expensive. *sigh*"
"I didn't even know you had a son"
"Ahh... I do not talk much about him. He is a good boy. One day he will be a successful salaryman."
"You don't want him to join the Yakuza like yourself?"
"No, never. This life is no life. But the fees, I fear the worse"
"How much does it cost?"
"5,000 nuyen every year. His fees are due soon and I worry I will not be able to pay them"
"It’s fine. I will send you a credstick with that amount on it."
"Ahh, you are very generous to your old friend Zero! Domo Arigato! Now, this gaijin, he was looking for a Neon Fever. A decker. But my friends know that Neon Fever is dead. He completed a run against Cavilard, and Mitsuhama sent a team to deal with him. They blew up his apartment. Only his girlfriend survived. Maybe, just maybe, the gaijin says, she has the data given to her by her Neon Fever."
"What was the girl's name?"
"Karen Whisper. But I know something my buddy didn't. Karen Whisper works as a dancer at the Cutting Edge. Her dancing name is Queen Conchita."
Zero quickly ended the call and updated Prim when she returned.
Scene 4 - The Cutting Edge - Early Night Three
The Cutting Edge was a disreputable bar in downtown Seattle. This sleazy bar employed hostess/dancers, all with some form of obvious augmentation.
Prim took Zero, Tex and Valkyrie with her for this mission. If this Karen Whisper had data, even if there was only a slim chance that she did, it was worth a quick run.
When the team entered the bar, Zero quickly made himself at home. His rich clothes and refined manner virtually screamed 'Junior Jap Corp Executive Slumming it Tonight'.
Prim kept out of the spot slight while scoping out the club. In a way, her steampunk gear almost allowed her to fit in with the obvious cyber-fetish scene.
Tex stood out in her cowgirl gear and orc appearance. While she had been allowed in the club, her non-human appearance gained her more attention than she would normally like.
Prim asked about Queen Conchita and was told that she would soon be on stage.
Sure enough, the Queen was soon on, dancing out to some classic Mercurial beats. Queen Conchita was sporting some serious cyberlegs, silver and chrome. They were new. It appeared that Karen Whisper did not survive the explosion which took her boyfriend's life intact.
Prim waited until the dance was over and paid extra for a private show with the Queen.
Prim was lead down a dark hallway to a small room by a large troll in a second-hand, poorly-maintained suit. "No touchin', k?" he grumbled.
After Prim settled, the Queen entered the room. Some light music, Concrete Dreams, played in the background. The Sasquatch lead singer's deep bass voice gently caressed the room.
"You’re a bit overdressed", Queen/Karen whispered in a voice which could have only been considered seductive by a overly drunk salaryman.
Waiting to be sure they were along, Prim replied "Actually, I'm here on business. It’s about Neon Fever, your boyfriend.
Karen went completely still, like a rabbit in the headlights. "Who are you with? Are you with Mistuhama?"
"No, I'm not. I'm here to help you. The people looking for you think your boyfriend gave you some important data. If you sell the data to myself and my associates, we can make sure they leave you alone."
Karen paused and considered, her eyes restlessly flickering to the door. Licking her dry lips, she replied, "Ok, but I need 2,500 nuyen. It’s enough to get me a ticket to Chicago. I've got family there, maybe I can start a new life."
"Deal. Do you have the data now?"
"No its at home. Give me your number and I'll call you"
"I could take..."
There was a knock on the door. The large troll peered in. "Queenie, sum men are askin' for ya. They look like corp men. Whats ya want ta do?"
Karen turned even whiter. "Keep them busy Wilson, I've got to go"
"Sure thing girlie" The troll headed back to the main club area.
Zero was enjoying the club. This was much better then spray-painting some truck with the that Zombie freak. Zero had spent freely, and the hostess had responded.
Tex was off to the side, none too impressed with this saloon. Then in the crowd she saw something which froze her.
Just for a moment, she saw a stranger who looked, no it couldn't be, like the Professor. But he was dead... wasn't he?
The moment lasted less than a second and then the Professor was gone, if he had ever been there at all. Tex was on edge, it had only been two weeks since the night at the Church.
But something else did get her attention. Where the Professor had been moments before... now stood a suit. The Hispanic suite dressed like a wage slave, but the way he moved spoke of combat training.
Valkyrie had also spotted the suit heading for the back hallway and she moved to intercept.
At first Valkyrie tried to make a scene and slow the suite down. This must the guy asking around town about Karen Whisper.
At first Louis Rodrigo was annoyed with the interruption. “Out of my way chika!”
The tall blond woman was out of her mind. But her chrome, he remembered her chrome and the memories a night almost two years ago flooded back to him.
It had been a recovery job. One of the lead researchers had been blackmailed by the mob due to his... eccentric nightly habits. Internal Security had found out that the researcher had handed over an encrypted data chip and Louis’ team had been sent in to recover Fuchi's property and clean up the mess in general. Send a message not to mess with the Megacorp.
But it had not gone well. The researcher had handed over the chip to a mid-level captain, and Louis and his team had made short work of his crew... until the blond Valkyrie had shown up. Heavily cybered, she had ripped through Louis' team with a large sword. Louis had only survived by leaping out a window while his team was killed behind him. Needless to say, Fuchi was not pleased and Louis had only just begun claiming back his previous reputation for success.
And here she was again. In a small strip club, protecting some sinless dancer. Louis knew in his heart that he had seconds to act before she ended his life.
Louis drew his Ruger Super Warhawk, the larger revolver heavy in his hands.
Tex entered the fray, waving her arms, trying to calm the situation. But Louis wasn't listening and he fired at Valkyrie point blank. Valkyrie was fast and was able to step inside the shot and push Louis arm out. The two engaged in a rapid exchange, which was ended when Tex double tapped Louis, splattering his head in front of the Nordic warrior.
By this stage, Louis's two team members also entered the combat. A fast moving ex-Tir elf, Silverthorn, began firing his Ares Sliver Gun at Tex, the needles darting through the air with lethal force. Despite unloading his entire clip at short range, the orc adept smoothly dodged every deadly needle. Only her wide-brim hat was knocked into the air by the wind caused by the fast moving projectiles. As Tex moved with unnatural grace, she aimed her own hand cannon at the elf and fired. The explosive rounds propelled the Elvan hit man backwards into a wall. Tex caught her hat and put it back on head.
Meanwhile, Zero spotted the third assailant. A stocky Asian man, he had taken cover by one the stages. Zero fired, using his hostess as human body shields! Shen, the Fuchi gun-for-hire, fired back at his attacker. Fortunately, Shen failed to hit the Japanese assassin or his female body shields as he fell to the floor looking for cover. Zero clipped Shen in return and having seen his partners fall, the company man considered retreating to the door. However, Valkyrie was faster, far faster. Running across the stage, she flipped through the air above Shen. *shick* Her 6 inch wrist blade popped out as she landed hard on the Asian company man, her blade sinking deep into his shoulder. The blow and her physical force quickly overwhelmed him and she subdued and cuffed the last remaining enemy.
Prim bought Karen and the Troll out to the main bar area. Most of the patrons and the girls had begun to scatter, and there was a serious mess where Tex had taken out two of her enemies with explosive rounds. Karen was shocked, while Wilson the troll was furious. However, surrounded with a group of obviously dangerous folks, the troll calmed down and let them leave with Karen and the prisoner.
Outside the bar, Valkyrie searched Shen and found a Knight Errant badge and an ankle-holstered Streetline Special. So these guys were pretending to work for Ares. Valkyrie didn't buy it for a second. The team drove Karen to her rundown apartment building. After walking up three floors past drunks and general trash, the team made it to Karen's apartment. Karen quickly handed over the chip in exchange for the nuyen and then left, planning to leave the Emerald City forever.
Using Karen's now abandoned apartment, Prim and Valkyrie began interrogating Shen. Shen revealed Louis past with Valkyrie. Valkyrie had thought Louis had been familiar. He had a reputation for being an enforcer for Fuchi Corp. Louis and the team had instructions to capture the girl and take her back to Fuchi Tower. They thought she might have info they needed for a run they were planning tonight against the Cavilard Centre and Mitsuhama Corp.
Shen had a brief idea of how the run was going to work tonight. Three of the team would approach the facility at 1:40 am and distract the guards while the core team would infiltrate the facility.
Prim thanked Shen and the team left him tied up in Karen's old apartment in the Barrens.