<<@Team [3L1] GridGuide has us at 17 min. out. We'll be there in 10. Lock and load, chummers.>>
"If there's one thing to remember, don't flinch when they attack. Achak is right, they may look like normal people, but they aren't. We'll be sticking together for the most part, but just keep that in mind; it might save your life."
Achak was covered in his body armor, and spinning his club like a dreidle. Definitely not the subtlest attire he could have come with.
"I have a concern. I asked 3L1 to eavesdrop on some comm chatter for the building's security. They spoke in Japanese and Cityspeak. If the Yakuza tipped us off to this score, and there are Yakuza in this building, then that begs the question of why we were not formally invited or hired (instead of just tipped off) or given the cooperation of the security staff. My money is betting that this is a Kanaga-gumi holding and that the Kenran-kai are making a play for it.
In the early 2060s, the Redmond Barrens were controlled by the Nishidon-gumi. I was just a young smuggler at the time; acting as look-out for border runs back and forth between the Barrens and Salish-Shidhe. We did some business with Nishidon. In the confusion following Crash 2.0 - 10 years ago last month, can you believe it - Nishidon attempted a coup. It failed miserably and he committed suicide in the aftermath to avoid whatever punishment awaited him. The remnants of his organization were cast off into Puyallup as the Kenran-kai, but ever since then they have been looking to take back their old territory in the Redmond Barrens from the Kanaga-gumi, who inherited it. I think this is Kanaga-gumi club and that the Kenran-kai either want it back or want to make Kanaga look bad.
There's another prospect, perhaps even less pleasant. The newborn vampires could be the Yakuza themselves. I mean, why else would be getting this tip from a third party? How else could you explain the building security being so oblivious? Or, if they're not oblivious, then why in the world are they still coming to work? Who goes to work in a building with two or three vampires present?
...besides us."
The Bulldog pulls in close to the building, next to the basement access grate, shielding the team from any curious passerby's.
<<@Team [3L1] End of the line, chummers.>>
"I have a concern. I asked 3L1 to eavesdrop on some comm chatter for the building's security. They spoke in Japanese and Cityspeak. If the Yakuza tipped us off to this score, and there are Yakuza in this building, then that begs the question of why we were not formally invited or hired (instead of just tipped off) or given the cooperation of the security staff. My money is betting that this is a Kanaga-gumi holding and that the Kenran-kai are making a play for it.
In the early 2060s, the Redmond Barrens were controlled by the Nishidon-gumi. I was just a young smuggler at the time; acting as look-out for border runs back and forth between the Barrens and Salish-Shidhe. We did some business with Nishidon. In the confusion following Crash 2.0 - 10 years ago last month, can you believe it - Nishidon attempted a coup. It failed miserably and he committed suicide in the aftermath to avoid whatever punishment awaited him. The remnants of his organization were cast off into Puyallup as the Kenran-kai, but ever since then they have been looking to take back their old territory in the Redmond Barrens from the Kanaga-gumi, who inherited it. I think this is Kanaga-gumi club and that the Kenran-kai either want it back or want to make Kanaga look bad.
There's another prospect, perhaps even less pleasant. The newborn vampires could be the Yakuza themselves. I mean, why else would be getting this tip from a third party? How else could you explain the building security being so oblivious? Or, if they're not oblivious, then why in the world are they still coming to work? Who goes to work in a building with two or three vampires present?
...besides us."
"Are we certain this building does indeed harbor the vampires we seek? This will be a dark day if we have been misled into doing the petty work of some..." the words ooze like pus from an infected wound, "...gangland hitsquad."
<<@Team [Achack] We have a complication. The basement is flooded. There are generators perched on top of old washing machines to keep them up off the ground, plus some precarious wiring hanging from the ceiling. Going through the basement involves a chance of electrocution.>>
<<Conversely, this could be an opportunity. If we knock out the generators we might be able to shut down the club. That would alert security but might also clear the site of innocents. Less potential for collateral damage that way.>>
<<@Team [Stake] It's flooded here too; no heat signatures, except for the generators. My guess is that's it's been flooded for a while. Sister, anything showing up on the Astral?>>
<<@Team [Third] The astral is clean. Are we certain this isn't a trap? How do vampires fair against electric shock?>>
"Sister, you ready to enter the club from the basement? We're going to need your sight to make sure none of our targets are trying to hide themselves among the innocents."
<<@Team [Sister Rebecca] I'm spotted. Guard in stairwell. Evading.>>
"If you must. My name is Noboru." Stake pretends to be agitated, but as he speaks he's mentally calculating just how quickly he can take the bouncer out.
"Noboru, huh? Listen, omae, I know Noboru, and you sure as shit ain't him. Thanks for the tip and all," he says gesturing toward the credstick, "but maybe you outta just get going, huh?"
<<@Team [Sister Rebecca] Hostiles ascending stairs have been temporarily halted. No contact with objective. Orders?>>
<<@Team [Achak] Three more down. Where is Gadreel?>>
<<@Team [Stake] Cut the power and search for the vampires. I'll be done here soon.>>
<<@Team [Stake] 2 out of 4 guards down. Status?>>
<<@Team [Achak] Bec he's about three, three-and-a-half meters from the top of the stairs. Elijah, anything you can hack?>>
"Who the frag is up there? You know who you're dealing with here?"
Sister Rebecca sees the man's shotgun waver for a second. If it's from the weight, or from his indecision is unclear, but he replies, "What the fuck you talking about 'vampires?' This is fuckin' Yak turf, not some infected sinkhole, woman. And right now, you're in priority housing, wiz?" His last words are spoken with a bit of uncertainty, but he still fails to make use of either of his weapons.
"Your 'lord' means nothing here, gaijin. The spirits of my ancestors surround me, and they give me strength. Who told you this was a hole for the infected?"
A moment later, before Becca has a chance to respond, he barks something in Japanese.
<<@Team [Stake] He just shouted to his men to hold fire. Stay alert, but try to convince him to help us.>>
"Show me,"
"What, that? Those are not like the fangs on the trids," he says harshly, but the shotgun dips low, and he does not immediately place it back on target. "Intruder, I do not know what you think that proves, but . . ." his words trail off.
<<@Team [Stake] Use wood on the corpse. Explain what you're doing to the guy, we don't want him to panic and shoot you. The body should still react to wood piercing the flesh. That'll probably convince him.>>
<<@Sister Rebecca [Stake] Has your spirit detected any signs of the last vampire?>>
"We need the ears," he says to Sister Rebecca, jutting his chin toward the skewered vampire. "For the bounty." Kneeling down next to the vampire, he pulls the ear away from the head and gives Sister Rebecca a look to request her help. "Stay away from the blood," he advises.
<<@Team [Achak] Resuming the plan at 6b. Have a spirit scout the third floor. I'm on point, Sister Rebecca watching my back. Elijah, you're on 6c.i. Keep the Optic X-2 scouting from above, and the Rotodrone on standby for quick movement to cover the bottom floor entrances.>>
"I have found the demon spawn, but its dwelling is a dark place, tainted with the cries of lost souls. My magic falls on deaf ears here."
<<@Team [Achak] Advancing up the stairs, per Leliel's directions. Stake, are you bringing up the rear or are you staying in reserve?>>
"Can you confirm that she's the vampire?"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry,"
"If it is truly forgiveness you desire, then come forward and receive it. There may still be room left in the kingdom of heaven for you in these brief moments before the end."
"Surprised to see something like that in a place like this. I can hardly imagine that it's real, but there's only one way to find out. Let's pack this lady up for Mr. Abbey. Let's get some clothes on her, just in case she's a watercolor. I presume it's still raining outside."
"Sister, it is entirely possible - even probable - that the painting itself was stolen and it is by our actions that it will be returned to its rightful owners.
"But let us say, for the sake of discussion, that this painting was lawfully owned by these vampires. Is it not His will that led us here, to purge them? Is it possible to steal from those He would have us kill? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Here is our just reward.
"Samson struck down thirty Philistines and stripped them of everything. So may we, in the service of the Lord."
<<@Team [Sister Rebecca] Eli, any sign this girl had an active link?>>
<<@Team [3L1] I've got two outbound from the backdoor. Engage?>>
<<Attachment: Rotoshot1.png>>
<<@Team [3L1] Negative on any commlinks up there. Pretty dead. I've got you cleared for evac.>>
<<@Team [3L1] Negative on any commlinks up there. Pretty dead. I've got you cleared for evac.>>
Looking to his companions, he asks, "Ready?"
<<@Team [Achak] Fourth floor clear. Ready to evac. I suggest Sister in the front, then Stake with the painting, then I can take the rear.>>
"I got a condo not far from here. The water's hot, and the food prepper's full, so we can clean up, get a bite, and good night's sleep before the meet tomorrow. Unless there are any objections?"
<<@Sister Rebecca [Nevermore] Hey, n00b. Not really my area of expertise, but I may be able to dig something up. This a paying gig, or one of those favor for favor things? Gimme a few ticks.>>
Elijah pilots the van into the basement parking, and the team puts their weapons and head gear in black bags before exiting out the back. Stake slots his passkey at the elevator, and again at the door, and then the team is inside his condo. Achak has been here before, made many pre-run plans, and post-run celebrations in the living area, but this is Sister Rebecca's first time inside. the living room is well laid out, though not terribly big, and Stake -- starting to get a little groggy -- points out the necessaries, as he heads to the kitchen to grab some water. "Toilet, sheets, my room -- Sister, you can stay there tonight. Achak and I will bunk on the couches. Trid, kitchen, obviously, umm, oh frag," Stake retches in the sink, and turns on the faucet before falling to the floor, unconscious.
"He took a combat stimulant, this is the aftermath. You might call it the wages of sin, or you might call it the price we pay to survive doing the work we do."
"If you don't want the bed, we'll put him there on his side."
<<@Sister Rebecca [Marcus] Request for information denied. Remember "good" sister, "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord which will stand." I worry that I have sent you out as a lamb amongst wolves. Request Information: Dossiers on each Lost Brother. I hope that I have not stretched your abilities too far. Report to Saint Mary's at attached location for urine testing on Monday morning. I will process your request for spell formula at my convenience, and if granted, it will be waiting for you at the above location. Go with God, for we are watching.>>
<<Attachment: Saint_Mary's_Church.pin>>
"Mr. Achak, Ms. . . .?"
He introduces himself graciously to Sister Rebecca, inquiring into her name as well, and with the etiquette of a previous age, he refrains from offering his own hand until or unless Sister Rebecca offers hers first.
"Rebecca, if I may call you that," Mr. Abbey says, "I am unfortunately unaware of your culinary preferences, but I have a full kitchen in my employ if you would like say, a chicken sandwich, Montecristo, or a light soup? Please, it would not be any trouble at all."
"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it appears as though the painting you brought in was equipped with a stealth tag. I'm assuming you were unaware of that, Achak? Regardless, it's been disabled now. On the other hand, I am pleased, and quite a bit surprised to say that it is indeed an original Manet. This particular piece was last in the National Museum of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires, prior to all the troubles with Amazonia way back when. It's been missing now, for nearly forty years. As you can imagine, I think that this would do quite well at an auction, and as always, I am pleased that you thought of me. The one point of contention might be a claim of ownership by Argentina, but they're really in no position to contest what we do up here in a more civilized locale. If I may ask,how would you like to proceed here? I would be happy to buy it outright, if you would allow me the pleasure."
"Sister would be more appropriate, sir. And the food you've offered will do. Thank you."
"That sounds like far worse news for you than for us. Should anyone follow that tag, it will lead them here, not to us.
"As for the Painting, I'm afraid it's not for sale. We took it so that it may be returned to it's rightful owner. Now, assuming that you are able to help us find said rightful owner, and there's a reward for it, you may share in said reward. But again, I'm sorry. This is not about profit. It's about setting things right."
Ms. Killarney exits the room, and he continues, "How many did you dust, Achak? Anything off about the run?"
"Perhaps it may be sold to a worthy bidder - one that will be an appropriate steward for such a piece - and then a portion of the proceeds tithed to the Church and other charitable organizations."
"We found three vampires. Two adult males and a young girl. She was repentant and did not resist. If anything, she seemed to welcome it. The were all newborns, uncontrolled and undisciplined. The apartments were a horror, and the zekes' lack of restraint was on display everywhere. Some victims had nails in the base of their skulls. To lobotomize them? Or immobilize them for future consumption? I don't know. Some were decapitated and then bled dry into buckets. Again, the purpose of this is unclear. A vampire generally prefers to eat fresh, especially if they can drain essence simultaneously. What value buckets of surplus blood would have to them is beyond me. They had collected all of the victims' personal possessions in a big bucket. I grabbed it. The mix of victims struck me as odd. Most looked like Barrens residents, but some of the clothes looked like they might have been mid-level corpers. Perhaps it was just a cross-section of people who might be found in the club downstairs on any given night, or maybe some of these victims were intentionally targeted. If so, that would suggest a level of higher level of organization than newborns could be expected to provide. The presence of the painting would suggest that too. How would an ancient painting - with a stealth tag - find its way into the hands of newborns? They certainly hadn't owned it for 40 years themselves. And most newborns aren't even concerned with such things. For them, life is all about the thrill of the hunt, and the rush of feeding. It's not until they mature that they turn their attention to earthly matters. The little girl seemed to appreciate the painting, it must be said, but one could hardly imagine that she had acquired it on her own."
"Achak, Sister, to whom does Jerusalem belong? This painting here, 'La Nymph Surprise' is of Edouard Manet's secret love, and to him it belongs. But he is no more. Following him? A private collector, maybe 2, in the fifth world the painting belonged to the people in some socialist democracy, and then it belonged to the Corporate Court, which is no more. Arrojo is in power now, but he never presided when the painting was in Argentina's hands. Does it belong to him? Does it belong to the Argentinians? Perhaps, but I believe even your Jesus said something about casting pearls to swine. The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes is no more. What was not taken in the troubles with Amazonia was certainly plundered by Arrojo's regime and pinned on the troubles with Amazonia. I am of 3 opinions on what you could consider a rightful owner. 1, the legal descendant of Edouard Manet. 2, Arrojo's regime in Argentina. And 3, the man, woman, or institution with the most nuyen. It's not poetic, but it's true. What, may I ask, is your reason for taking such an interest in this piece?"
"It's one thing to profit from the estate of a vampire when you do not know who they have stolen from. It's another when it's such an identifiable piece, especially one with such cultural heritage. But as you say, el Museo is no more. The country is divided against itself and there can be little hope of finding a rightful owner. As such, we may have an opportunity. Perhaps it may be sold to a worthy bidder - one that will be an appropriate steward for such a piece - and then a portion of the proceeds tithed to the Church and other charitable organizations."
"I personally know the curator at the Hong Kong Museum of Art, as well as the Denver Art Museum. I would be happy to open lines of communications should you find the arrangement to be up to your standards. Of course, the SAM would also be viable, and would keep this beautiful piece a little closer to home, should you ever choose to visit again. The money, of course, will not be so good, but I'm sure a proper tithe could be arranged."
When the mention of a steward came up, things once again became local enough for her to follow along. "I like the idea of a steward. A trustworthy person, a man of honor, one who will indeed put proper effort into locating the rightful owner." Completely unaware of the social faux pas she is committing, she turns to Achak and asks him bluntly, "Is Mr. Abbey here such a man?"
"Yes." She clears her throat to give her time to adjust before continuing. "Vampires are not my area of expertise, but nothing about the events of last night felt right."
"Yes, Mr. Abbey would be a trustworthy guardian." He turns to Duncan, and speaks a little more slowly in a listen to me and read in between the lines manner. "Mr. Abbey, may we impose upon you to act as the steward a little longer? We trust your ability to find the rightful owner and to negotiate the pertinent details with everyone's best interests in mind. You will, of course, receive the appropriate consideration once the divestment is complete."
Achak smiles, hoping this is ambiguous enough to satisfy Sister Rebecca yet clear enough to give Duncan some direction. If not, he could clarify later via comm. Separately, he wonders whether he used the word "divestment" correctly.
"There is something quite unsettling about this find. Mercer's team had a similar acquisition before they went underground, or God willing, that's where they are now. I was not privy to the sale, but antiquities is a small world. I believe the piece was an early medieval pieta found in the Aurora Warrens in Denver."
"Yes, Mr. Abbey would be a trustworthy guardian. Mr. Abbey, may we impose upon you to act as the steward a little longer? We trust your ability to find the rightful owner and to negotiate the pertinent details with everyone's best interests in mind. You will, of course, receive the appropriate consideration once the divestment is complete."
"You do a me a great kindness, Achak. And, Sister, you honor me with the forthrightness of your question. I will happily recuse myself if you wish to discuss the matter further, but I would be honored to steward the painting, as well as make inquiries into any number of possible homes for its placement.
"Is there anything else that I may do to be of service?"
"Please stay on touch, Achak, and Sister Rebecca, it was a pleasure to meet you. Please pass along my greetings to Stake as well."
"And be careful, please."
"Mercer is a hunter, like us. He has a team of four working out of the CAS. More of a sword than a scalpel, if you catch my meaning. He's been in the game for a long time, which doesn't happen unless you're good. But he's also been off the grid since mid-August. Could be he's laying low, but he never really struck me as the vacationing type. He likes the work too much. I hadn't heard about Mercer's score before he went underground. The parallels with our situation are distressing. We should be on our guard."
"There are a dozen Corrolltons in the UCAS and CAS, but I'm guessing Duncan meant the one in Texas. Mercer and his crew operate out of Dallas-Ft. Worth. We should check in with Stake to see if he managed to chase down anything. We'll also need to redeem our trophies from last night, but that will have to wait until tomorrow when municipal offices are open. Then we can pay out Elijah and use the funds to underwrite our next steps. Maybe go to Dallas."
"I'm concerned about the stealth tag. Let's hope for the best but be prepared for the worst."
Someone has been here since we left.
Grab what you can carry.
Achak points at his eyes in the universal symbol for "watch", then points at the front door.
"Someone was here and it wasn't Stake. They smelled like noodles. That suggests it wasn't a vampire at least.
"We need to lay low or get out of town, or both. Stake has a bolthole and I have a couple hideouts too. We can try to get a message to him via Grotto1, which might be more secure than direct communication.
"If you have any suggestions, now's the time."
<<@Team [Stake] Where the hell are you guys. I think we've been compromised.>>
"That's not Stake," Achak says. "Time to go."
"Give him a call."
"If we can ship our gear separately, you and I can catch a suborbital out of SeaTac."
"It may come down to finances," he says after they step into the elevator and the doors close. "If we can't afford to go incognito then we'll fly commercial. We can decide once we're somewhere quiet and safe."
"Stay here and keep watch with me. Watch, and pray."
Finally he decides: "Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, please."
<<@Sister Rebecca [Saahir] Ya know, sometimes I wonder if you're a bit more of a worldly woman than you let on. CAS from Seattle is quite a hike, omae. I can get you +1 down the pipeline. Probably take a few days, 2k>>
"Let's get inside and change," he says to Sister Rebecca. Then, lower, "No need to be inconspicuous here. If anything, a display of strength might keep trouble at bay. If you want peace, prepare for war, or so they say."
"I have a squat nearby, just a block or two. It's not nice, but it's safe."
"Hoi! I could really use your help here for a second. You can place your bags in the east antechamber. They'll be safe there. My acolytes skipped out after the morning service, and I really need to prepare for tonight. Say, who's your friend?"
"Pastor Llewellyn, please meet Sister Rebbeca. Sister Rebecca, this is Pastor Llewellyn. Sister Rebecca is a coworker who is in-town for the weekend on business."
"When and where is the appointment?" Achak asks. Then, thinking that maybe Llewellyn shouldn't be listening to this part, "My best guess is we'll be departing tonight or tomorrow morning."
"Llewellyn! Get in the bathroom, face down! NOW!"
"Where's Stake??? What happened to him???" he calls out.
"I'll tell you about 'Stake' if you'll insure my safety. Your buddy out back has you covered...
<<@Achak [Rusty] You alive in there, chummer? We're backed up outside the church. Also, we got a guy in a separate van approaching. He with you, or should we geek his ass? Looks like he was gunning for the guys gunning for you.>>
He commanded the drone in the church to broadcast an ARO containing the text "Spare her. Need info. - Mercer". If they were Stake's team, they'd likely know who he was and hopefully his words would carry weight.
As she approaches, the magician takes off her ballistic mask, revealing a darker-skinned ork woman, Aztlan and Japanese by her looks. "Like I said, you got us beat. Give me your word you'll let us walk out of here, and I'll do everything I can to make it worth your while, wiz?"
Achak raises his Alpha, jumpy and hyper. "Alright!!!" he says. "You tell me what you know, then you're going to cough up as much nuyen or cyber as it takes to fix this church and pay off my boys outside!!! I don't want to kill you!!! Killing in a church PISSES ME OFF and killing on the Sabbath is EVEN WORSE!!! I forgive you for shooting me even though it really hurts because I can turn the other cheek and because I'm a NICE GUY!!!"
"I don't know, Pastor; let's ask her!!! What did I do to deserve this???" Achak has guesses about the answer but doesn't want to 'lead the witness', so to speak.
<<@Rusty [Achak] Church secure. Will find you some loot.>>[/color]
<<@Sister Rebecca [Achak] Rise and shine and give God the glory, glory. The runners' story is we stole from the Vory, Vory.>>
"I need to know what else y'all had planned cause I doubt it took a whole week's planning to set up a simple ambush."
"Ashak, Aytchak - I'm sorry son, but I have no idea how to pronounce your name. No matter. Look, Jawless here is our link to whatever group has been disappearing Hunter teams,
"What's done is done. You've got a good head on your shoulders, makin' right and saving your chums" he looks at the invisible man's corpse " - well, most of 'em" he remembers the gangers shooting the decker in the van "- one of 'em. World could use more people like you, but what the world needs takes a backseat to what I need right now, and I need to know what else y'all had planned cause I doubt it took a whole week's planning to set up a simple ambush."
"Wait. What do you mean 'hunters?'" the ork woman cuts in.Mercer pauses to eye her darkly. "You'll get your answers after I get mine," he says, then continues on.
Mercer ignores the comment, and eventually the ork continues. She lays out how the ambush went down while Mercer mulls over the possibilities of a murder room + Stake. It likely meant that Stake was dead by a bullet - or magic - rather than a worse fate. He knew better than to interrupt when a canary started singing, so he held his question until she was finished, but no sooner is he about to speak when Ikiryo stirs.
"We had no intel on this one, so kudos to you, chummer," she says to Mercer.
"I know more distasteful details than I want to about you, but I'm a little fuzzy on the ones holding your leash. I know what they are, just not who. Your erstwhile friend here is somewhat peeved you never clued her in to what a Hunter is," he pauses to make a sideways glance at the mage, "Bounty Hunter, though the fun part is which bounties we collect."
If Mercer is playing the good cop, or at least the coherent cop, then Achak will play the blitzed-on-amphetamines cop. "Where's Stake!!! Tell me about Stake!!! You better spill about Stake!!!" He pounds the wooden remains of a nearby pew with the butt of his Alpha to punctuate his interest in the matter.
"And I am a shadowrunner," Ikiryo says. "The reason I am hired is because I don't know who 'holds my leash,' as you say. We, at least, have a code."
Mercer nods solemnly. But it was the best alternative among a number of undesirable possibilities. He eyes Achak, not sure how he might take the news. He can practically hear the grinding of the man's teeth.
The ork looks down, unable to make eye contact with Mercer, Achak, or Sister Rebecca. "He's geeked. It was fast, but he's gone."
Ikiryo spits another glob of blood in her general direction, and says, "This will not save you."
The ork brings her eyes up to Achak finally and adds, "His TransysAvalon, that's how he's been talking to the Johnson."
<<@Sister Rebecca [Achak] Male is Mercer. The hunter from the CAS who I told you about in the car on the way back from Duncan's. The one we were thinking about going to see in Dallas. I don't know why he's here right now. Maybe he came to look for us just like we were going to look for him. I... I can't understand it all yet either. I didn't even know he was alive until a minute ago.
<<Female is the last standing member of the runner team. I guaranteed her safe passage in exchange for information and reparations. She healed your burns. I... might need the same from you for this gunshot wound before you pass out. That stimpatch won't last you long and this shoulder might be beyond repair by the time you're awake again. You only have a few minutes before it's lights out again and before my hit of Jazz drops off. We're going to be a pile of hot mess. Clock is ticking.>>
"Where's Stake!!! Tell me about Stake!!! You better spill about Stake!!!"
"He's geeked. It was fast, but he's gone."
<< @Crispy [Mercer] Didn't catch your name, but it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance anyway. I was hopin' you might be able to do me a solid and use that third-eye vision stuff on our pals here and let me know what you see. Feel. However it works. Assuming you got that gift - it ain't always so plain to tell. >>
<< @Achak,Smokin'Hot [Mercer] Y'all know anything about crackin' comms? Or got a buddy that does? All the Matrix Cowboys I trust are either dead or way out of my price range. >>
<< @Team [Mercer] ...Either way, we should move into the van and clear out of here - bound to have the heat on scene shortly, or worse. >>
"I don't want to over stay our welcome." He looks to the ork mage, "We're taking Iki here with us. I imagine you want to take Tiny. We'll take the commlinks as well, but the rest of the gear stays in order to cover damages and the hospitality of our kindly hosts here." He nods toward the gang leader. "I'm not keen to take the corpses with us, so if you want them, you gotta make your own arrangements. We'll drop you off wherever you like," he specifically avoids mentioning the other two vehicles while the gang members are present, "so long as it ain't too much trouble. Or you can make your own way from here. Up to you."
Achak looks around at the mess, and apologetically at the Pastor.
"I'm really sorry," he says, completely aware of the inadequacy of the apology. The responsibility for the church weighs heavily on him, and that it was so badly damaged as a consequence of his presence. "Once this is all over, I'll come back and make this right." It sounds so weak, but it's the best he can offer at the moment.
"Bossman there has some wiz tech in his head," he says, jutting his chin to Ikiryo. "Should be valuable." He manages to resist throwing Ikiryo's smirk back at him.
"You know you're a dead man, even if we let you live. Leaving you to the gangers is a kindness. But I want to speak plainly for a moment. I know you are working for Infected, a vampire or vampires most likely. Maybe you already know this too, or maybe you don't, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and give you an idea of what they do to their food - people they have no more emotion for than you do a soyburger at the local Belly Buster. I'll leave it to your imagination how much worse it could be for someone that has earned their ire."
"If you still have even a shred of your humanity left, help me put an end to these monsters. I still haven't decided if I'm going to let the gangers have you or let you take your chances with your 'Johnson', so I'd keep the fate of those you just saw in mind as you make your decision."
"Not exactly the good friend cut I'd have expected, but not bad considering the short notice. But it's up to Achak and the Sister here if they're willing to take less of the profits in order to have the cash up front. Them and Stake are the ones that bled for it."
"You've been shot!"
"You took it upon yourself!"
"What profit is there in you being shot instead of me?!"
"I trust that your ride over was uneventful? A pleasant change to the day's circumstances. I am indeed saddened to hear of Mr. Stake's passing, and Ms. Killarney here is in the process of establishing a bequest in his name at the museum. Now. Achak, you had requested that I 'expedite' the process of finding the painting a suitable home, and I believe that I will be able to do just such a thing. I am willing to offer 110,000¥ tonight if you and your team are willing to relinquish ownership of the painting now."
"I know the plan is to get out of town as fast as we can, but I need to stay at least until tomorrow morning. I have an important meeting with a contact that I absolutely cannot be absent from. Thoughts?"
"My own personal considerations aside, I understand the position that all of you are in as well. Should you wish it, we may postpone the sale of the painting, and I could issue you a personal loan, with the painting held as collateral. Of course, I would be unable to provide a sum as nice as 110,000¥ as a loan, but if a smaller sum would tide you over in the short term, I am open to that possibility.
"Who is the contact? How long have you known them? Where is the meet? What time?" Slowing down, he explains further. "Stake got himself bagged and tagged chasing down a lead on his own. I'm not keen to repeat the process 24 hours later. We have smartlink reticles on us as surely as he did.
"That said, we may not be able to leave before the morning anyway. Let's talk with Duncan, figure out our transportation situation, and figure out what kind of time constraints we're up against. I wouldn't mind waiting until the morning myself, if only to claim the bounty on the vampires before we leave, but sometimes the decisions are out of our hands."
"We do not know where we are going in Manhattan. At the moment, all we have is the airport where the man who tried to kill us was headed to on a flight from SeaTac tomorrow. We do, however, have the runner's commlink, which we need to hack in order to answer several questions, such as the man's itinerary in Manhattan and who he intended to meet there. We do not have the skill set necessary to access the commlink ourselves; instead, we were hoping you could connect us to some talent in Manhattan who would be able to assist us while we were en route. If not, we will work with Elijah here instead, although presumably he will wish to be paid for the previous job before undertaking the next. Either way, the aforementioned loan is a prerequisite."
"Once we have hacked the commlink, we would be obliged for any assistance you can provide regarding the local security and administrative challenges in Manhattan. I assure you that we will not forget your assistance. If we successfully navigate our way up the chain, we may find ourselves in possession of other prizes such as the Manet. As impressive as it is, I doubt that whomever used it for bait chose to use the jewel of their collection. Indeed, even larger purses may await. This may be a very profitable expedition for us all."
"I reckon our needs to move about there are likely to be fairly modest. Airport, lodgings, and whatever location the 'link takes us to." Mercer presents a pained expression. "I'm not pretending it'll be easy, o'course. It sounds like getting from point A to point B, should the meetup place be across a good part of town, could have us showin' our mugs at any number of checkpoints and jurisdictions. But if you can start making arrangements to get us from here to a reasonable safe place to stay in Manhattan, we should have the last piece of the puzzle by mornin'. I suspect our stay there to be short, a day or two at most unless things go the kind of wrong you don't come back from. The three day window you offer should be enough."
"Thank you, Duncan. I believe that will be all for now. You are a generous host, as always."
<<@Megedagik [Achak] Might be taking a trip to the Rotten Apple. Know any guys or gals that direction? Coyotes, specifically.>>
<<@3LI [Achak] Payday in the morning when we claim the bounties. New task in the meantime. How much to crack the security on a commlink?>>
"How have you found Seattle, good sister?"
"I am to understand that the mission was a success?"
"So, it is just you and Achak now?"
"You won't disappoint again, will you?"
"We have good men and women at our disposal competing for an ever-shrinking number of bounties when it comes to the Infected. You are to use your position within this team to learn as much as you can about the hunter community, to establish who's aims are aligned with the Lord's, and who is collecting their silver for personal enrichment. Who, good sister, will come into our fold and live in the light, and who is lukewarm, who because they have not been either cold nor hot in their righteousness must be spat out from the body of our church." As Marcus nears the end of his rant, he becomes increasingly ecstatic, spittle forming around the corners of his mouth and falling to the table in front of him.
"Go in peace, Sister Rebecca. I trust I will hear from you soon."
<<So, my question: who benefits? 9 times out of 10 you work your way to motive, and you find the rest. Why would the Kanaga-gumi be working with Zekes?>>
"Tell me truly, Sister, is this Marcus a Pharisee? A man who would tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but he himself is not willing to lift a finger to move them? A man who would shut the door of the kingdom of Heaven in people's faces? A man who would remove the speck in your eye without removing the log in his own?"
"Mind if I ask what exactly the church means by 'with them'? 'Cause I ain't got no inclination to read scripture and sprinkle Holy water at these abominations."
"A soldier of God's will. Tell us, Sister, how does God inform you of His will?"
"You have taken a vow of obedience, yes?"
"As Christ was obedient even unto death, your are obedient to your superiors who stand in the place of God, no? So, what then would you do if you were ordered to kill us?"
"I had no idea Nori was any good in the Matrix. Seems strange: you'd think there would be more nuyen in slicing IC than there would be writing new stories. Or maybe a girl needs a cover story.
"We should let her tag along."[/color]
<<@Mercer [Achak] She may be a mole, but at least she's not a backstabber.>>
Seems strange: you'd think there would be more nuyen in slicing IC than there would be writing new stories. Or maybe a girl needs a cover story.
He sighs. "But you are not here to give the recruitment pitch, and despite what other motives you may have had forced on you, you are here to help solve the vamp problem. So long as we are agreed on that purpose, I think we can move forward and leave the rest of this nastiness behind us for now."
"Alright, Sister, it sounds like you're with me then. Would you ask an angel to guide our way? Perhaps St. George would be willing to watch over us."
<<@Team [Achak] Getting a bit of chatter from the party out front. One of them referred to "Ms. Pachis". Nori, can we run that down to see if there are any hits? There's a suggestion that she's not pleased that she had to come down. The guy said "she" so I presume he's talking about Ms. Pachis, but it could be another female we haven't seen yet.>>
<<One guy asks, "So, is it true?" Another voice answers, "Yes. Whole team. Why the frag else would you be here?" Sounds like we might have backups to the team we aced, or semi-aced if that dumb trog Rusty let that drekhead get away. Oo, what's this. The voice that asked if it was true just said, "Whip" something something "hoop".>> >>
<<Having the whip would certainly make it easier to climb the beanstalk.>>
Achak asks Mercer for a Fly Spy to bring with him, then slips out into the light rain.Mercer nods, then calls one of the drones down to meet the Adept as he circles the building, picking a spot that provides sufficient cover from prying eyes so as not to give the sneaking man away. He marks the position with an ARO, then reaches into his pockets and retrieves a small selection of RFID tags that he hands over as well. "Stealth, for tracking things of interest" he says as he indicates the two smallest ones, "Camera," as he indicates two button shaped tags, "Ultrasound," as he indicates the last two. "Just in case you come across some things that are worth keeping an eye - or ear - on."
<<@Team [Achak] Getting a bit of chatter from the party out front. One of them referred to "Ms. Pachis". Nori, can we run that down to see if there are any hits? There's a suggestion that she's not pleased that she had to come down. The guy said "she" so I presume he's talking about Ms. Pachis, but it could be another female we haven't seen yet.>>
<<@Team [Sister Rebecca] What's the whip?>>
He arrives at the fire exit, confident of his successful infiltration. <<I'm in position. Nori, can we nix the fire alarm? It would deafen me up something fierce.>>
Nori looks over to Mercer, staring out the open window with Vera laid across his lap. She bites her lip before asking, "Last I met the good sister, she was fighting free spirits, err, 'banishing demons.' How long's she been in the vampire hunting game?"The grizzled old Hunter turns his head from the window he's looking out to face the decker. "By my count, 'bout 48 hours" he says, smiling briefly before turning back to his window. He ponders her condition the previous day at the hands of a spirit and thinks that perhaps Infected are a better pursuit for the grenade wielding Woman of God - not the least reason of which would be that Infected were far more deserving of the title of "Demon" than any Free Spirit he'd yet met. Of course, he could count them on one hand and still have three fingers to spare, so he'd have to reserve judgement for now.
"By my count, 'bout 48 hours."
<<I'm going to try to hide in the supply closet. Nori, can you get the lock? If not, I'll do it.>>