[Csjarrat]

____Scawire____
The two policemen look at one another, look at the scanner, then back at you.
"Sir, your SiN is invalid. You've got precisely 30 seconds to tell us who you are and where you are going before we arrest you and take you down to the cells for the night.
Now get talking"
The drone moves around the side of the two policemen, getting quite close to you.
You see it's mechanical arm deploy from its body, the "hand" end looking suspiciously like a taser.

[Scawire]

Mantis puts on a face of shock as he addresses the officers. Did I not just over hear how that last person you talked to had a similar problem. I heard you say this scan had been working up all last week. Maybe you need to fix it or something. I'm Chris McDougal I work as an investigator. I know I am not dressed the best for this part of town but there is no way I'm getting on my bike again with out armor after the crash I just had. If you want you can even check my SIN and see for yourself I was just in a crash. Mantis run through a few more options as he hopes the Coppers will think over what they had just said to the last person they had talked to. Mantis was happy he was able to catch the last few comments the officers had just said when he was walking up.

With more bad luck today Mantis wishes he could just rip the faces of these copper and get on with the day but his logic is starting to kick in and he knows that would ruin any chance at having a job waiting for him at the pub

[Csjarrat]

____Scawire_____
Con or negotation (2) test please, your choice. you're at -3 (wrong dress code -2 and they are suspicious -1).[spoiler] depending on skill you choose, you can get some +'s to your test. see p130 SR4a (eg supporting evidence for con.)[/spoiler]

[spoiler]6d6.hits(5)=2[/spoiler]

[Scawire]

Mantis notices that this is not going good for him the next thing he has on his plate is a quick spell the aid him on getting past these cops. Mantis was never really good at talking his way out of problems which is one of the main reasons he learned this spell in the first place. Mantis does his best not to make an noticeable moves as he gathers the mana around him and starts his spell. Oh I hope this one works I'm glade I never got into having to make movements or say any words to cast my spells or the jig would be up. With his plan in mind Mantis cast a influence spell on the cop with the SIN reader.


[spoiler]
Influence R5 (I read on the forum here the drain P or S is based on the total Magic rating if you need prof I could try and search for it after this post)

Opposing test Sorcery + Magic  VS Will (Counter spelling if applicable)
Sorcery 5 + Magic 3 - Stun dmg (3) -1 = 7
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4132067/ 1 hit
EDGE RE-ROLL Failed dice 6
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4132069/ 0 hits
Drain 5/2 +1 = 3
Logic 7 + Will 5 + daredrenaline 1 = 13
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4132072/2 hits 1Stun dmg = 4 stun

MESSAGE
This Reader is not working his story is backed up with facts let him pass

Counter to Spell WILL
[/spoiler]

[Csjarrat]

[spoiler]
Spell resistance: 3d6.hits(5)=00 hits[/spoiler]
The policeman stares blankly at the scanner:
This bloody thing is knackered. Right. I'm doing you for breach of the peace as described under The Lord Protector's public nuisance act. This offence carries a 60NY on-the-spot fine and will appear on your SiN as a police caution for affray. You may appeal the order in a court of law within 60days. Failure to accept this order will result in your arrest. Do you understand the terms of your offence as described here today?
The other policeman stifled a smile as the terms were read out to you.

[Scawire]

Mantis has a mental sigh of relief as he accepts the fine. Yes sir I will accept the fine. I am sorry I will try and get over the fear of riding my bike with out racing armor. Sorry that I caused you any trouble. With that said Mantis starts to think about what could have happened. I'm glad plan C cut and run didn't come up. I was going to have my Mr Slicer hack the cops system to erase the last 3 SIN checks, run around a corner turn invisible, summon a spirit to influnce the coppers to go a different way, then put a physical mask spell on myself so I could still make the meeting. Last I would of summoned used that spirit to erase my magics aura sig. Dam that could have gone wrong on too may places.

 Mantis head is pounding even worst now the bad a$$ spirit plus a quick spell can really come back on you with force. Mantis waits until the officers let he go then he heads for his meeting. Now I wonder what the lead I got has lead me into with this Run.

[Csjarrat]

The two policemen smirk at one another and the drone's arm re-folds back into it's chassis.
<<please deduct 60NY from your total cash>>
You get the idea that that wasn't exactly a one-off for them.
They walk off down the street towards the carpark, leaving you to your own devices. Your AR feed directs you further down the street to Pave. A well dressed doorman stares at you as you approach, clearly unimpressed by your fashion sense.
You can make out some of the clientelle through the window, beautiful girls sat at window tables drinking cocktails. You can make out jazz music leaking through the window and open doorway.
The whole place reeked of class and money, their dresses alone would be more than your average wageslave's monthly earnings.

[Scawire]

Mantis looks inside then decides he best change what he has on the best fastest way is to cast a spell but he is already sporting a major headache. Ok this should work I hope. With a bit of a risk to giving him an even worse throbbing head he decides his best bet it to summon a spirit until sun up. See how 6 hours of his drug was used up on a useless Greg he still can feel it's effect so best not waste his 1700 nuyen. Mantis puts out a mental call to the spirit world and stretches his will out with his words in order to get a Man Spirit to show up.



 [spoiler]
(Wudu'aku lasts 8 hours via page one thining 2 hours have not passed since he left his pad to get to the pub, If I'm wrong drop the last 2 dice as normal.)
Force 3 Spirit of Man w/ Physical Mask
Summoning (man) 3 (5) + Magic 3 + Wudu'aku +2 - 1 for stun (4) = 9
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4133005/ 2hits
VS
Spirit of Man Force 3
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4133006/ 2 hits

Drain 2x hits = 4
Will 5 + logic 7 + daredrenalin 1 = 13
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4133008/ 3 hits 1 stun  = 5 stun
[/spoiler]

When Mantis feels the pull of a spirit he can't seem to grab the spirit into the physical world and he gets he psyche pulled into the spirit realm going the pain in his head.

Drake on a stick first the Greg gives me a royal kick in the head then the law no doubt on some mission from the Queen to kick a Scot when he is down, and now the spirit realm is giving me troubles. Mantis takes a sigh to try and deal with his growing anger. One last move to make the Johnson happy if this fails I'm walking in with the armor on or I'll put it in a coat check room. Mantis decides to do the spell himself he did want a spirit to have to concentrate to keep the thing going but nothing and I mean nothing is working right for Mantis today .... Well ok plan B worked at least I didn't have to use up too may letters in the alphabet.

Mantis first makes sure the coppers can't see him he then grabs a SMALL chunk of mana from his surroundings and casts a TINY physical mask spell on himself of a Ork in a designer suit.

[spoiler]
Force 3 Physical Mask

Spellcasting 5 + magic 3 - stun (5) 1 = 7
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4133021/ 3hits

Drain f/2 +1 = 2
Will 5 + logic 7 + daredrenalin 1 = 13
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4133029/ 5 hits
[/spoiler]

Mantis was able to gather the mana and cloak himself in a physical mask spell making him self blend in better with the up scale crowd. Now if he had done this a few minute earlier he could have saved himself a 600 Y fine. Oh well live and learn.

Mantis then tells the door man about his meeting.

[Csjarrat]

Certainly sir, your two other colleagues are waiting for you in the bar area. We'll have your table prepped shortly. Feel free to charge a drink to the Smith tab and I'll take you to the table shortly.

[spoiler]I'll give it an hour or so for you guys to RP your first contact if you want, no pressure if you don't.[/spoiler]

[Scawire]

Mantis walks over to the group gives them a small bow but all he can really think about is the splitting headache he has. Bikes hate me, Spirits hate me, Spells hate me, I know the Queen hates me I'm a Scot after all. Oh Well lets see what kind of cash this job is throwing my way. I burnt my self over 5 grand on that Spirit that hates me, hey it's me Mantis Love me. Mantis doesn't really say much he just grabs a seat looks around at the group and starts rubbing his head. I need troll sized pain killers..... I do have stims but that is only if the Drake hits the fan big time. Mantis waits to see if anyone wants to chit chat, if not he just keeps to himself and doesn't order anything he just doesn't think it will mix well with his mana back lash he is spotting.

[Raiden]

Hax just sips his water while checking  the news on the latest vr games coming out through his comm.

[Csjarrat]

After a short while the well dressed doorman returns to you, calling you by name and taking you down the long corridor and up the stairs to the VIP area with two other men, looking similarly out of place and as befuddled as yourself..
The VIP area was decorated in a rich modern style, low lighting and clean lines the order of the day. You just knew that every fitting cost a fortune, yet it was entirely empty aside from one table.
An expensively attired gentleman sat at the head of the table, puffing on a large cigar, watching each of you intently as you maneuvered into your seat as guided by the doorman-cum-waiter.
He re-adjusted his suit jacket, delving into an inside pocket to retrieve his cigar case, offering each of you a cigar before opening his mouth to speak.

Gentlemen, good evening.
First of all, let me thank you for your attendance here tonight. I know you must be wondering what this is all about, and
I'd just like to put your minds at rest first of all by saying this is an offer of employment, based on your recent successes against a mutual foe.
Mr Jeeves here will be our waiter tonight and is a trusted friend. Anything we discuss at this table tonight will go no further than this room. On this, you have my word.
Whilst I do not represent any of the main "employers" in the city, I represent a group of powerful individuals who have a stake in how this City functions.
Collectively, you represent our best option to infiltrate a new entrant into our market, one who's disruptive practices and cloaked objectives has caused great worry to the established players in this City's great history.
Please order a drink, take time to study the menu. Mr Jeeves will take an order when you are ready. My clients will pick up the bill, please treat yourselves. 

The doorman (Jeeves) hands out a menu to each of you in turn, laying a napkin across each of your laps in turn, arranging cutlery on the table ahead of you in an arcane fashion. You never knew that you needed so many knives and forks for one meal.
As each of you looked around the table at the equally dumbfounded guests, Jeeves pipes up:
What can I get you gentlemen to drink this evening? The house special is a 2042 reserve Chablis, and comes highly recommended by our chef. It would complement our sirloin perfectly.
He looks at each one of you in turn expectantly, taking your answers and leaving the table.

The food menu was baffling. You'd never even heard of a Thermidor lobster, let alone seen one. Still, at these prices, you knew this was going to be the real thing. Not that soy shit with flavourings you'd grown up on.
Might as well play along and get a good feed....

Oh I am sorry, where are my manners? please introduce yourselves to one another as if we all agree on terms, after tonight you will be working as a team.
Once we have ordered, and met one another properly, we'll get down to the nitty gritty of our deal.

[Raiden]

Looking over the menu Hax recognizes some of the meals, others, He doesn't have a clue, he gets decent replicas off some of the cheaper stuff at home every now and then, still been years since he was able to actually go out and eat food like this.. *man, this brings back memories, I spent most of my spare cash on trying to get this type of life back but.. still got a bit to go. Hax Orders one of his old time favorites with a water, *Don't feel like having even a slightly fuzzy mind, specially at this type of thing,  my mind is my weapon after all, can't have it lagging.*
He introduces himself. "Well guess I will start, The names Hax, just Hax. I'm friendly enough if you don't give me a reason not to be. Here's hopes to a long and prosperous relationship for all of us.

[Scawire]

Mantis takes one of the cigars when they are offered. The cops didn't let me smoke my snuff maybe this will do the trick.  Mantis bows Thanks I think this is going to hit the spot. Not really feeling like getting plastered at this moment all though it is tempting he decides not this night. I'll get a coffee black, and a steak well done burn it if you want. Mantis hopes some caffeine along with some nicotine might calm him his head for a bit.

Mantis looks over at the group, and gives Hex a bow when he introduces himself. Then he pipes up.The name is Mantis and since we will be working together I have a bit of mystical abilities, if we work together long enouph you will learn what I can do. Mantis puffs on the cigar as he hopes the smoke will snuff out his pain. I just hope the magic doesn't always bit back like it has been.

[Lumen]

Upon entering the room Knives' eyes go immediately to the fat cigar and the beautiful bellows of smoke rolling out of the gent's mouth.  *Oh please let a cigar be on the menu.*  When the offer for such a cigar was mentioned his eyes light up and he eagerly accepts.  "Much obliged mate, they smell divine."  He takes a long whiff along the length of the cigar then lights it up, letting the first mouthful of smoke billow out with a relaxed sigh.

He sits and addresses Jeeves first.  "I'll 'ave that sirloin you mentioned, medium if you please, and..."  he looks through the drink menu for the most expensive drink with the word scotch in it then points.  "this here."  He scans the table to determine the exact number of sharp knives (none of that butter knife bullshit) within arms reach...just in case...

Knives takes a long drag off the cigar and exhales before addressing the two he walked in with, "Evenin' gents, you can call me Knives."  ,glances to the Johnson, "As long as the terms are reasonable," he turns back to the other two, "looks like I could be your muscle from the duration of our encounter."  Taking another puff off the cigar he turns back to Mr. Smith, "Looks like everyone has ordered... shall we then?"