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[5e IC] It Started at the Belmont

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Poindexter

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« Reply #300 on: <10-06-14/2156:58> »
Checking an ARO for the time as he makes a final sweep of the house to make sure he didn't forget anything, Hopeless announces from the other room, "Auction ends in six minutes! High bid is seventeen five! Do i hear higher!"

"Can we trade the Beemer for another set of wheels? Seems like we might need that more than the money at the moment. Unless we want to stand around waiting for the campus bus with booksacks full of shaman's best friend."

"Wait a couple of minutes, might have a better deal on the car. And I called dibs, don't you respect that, omae?

"You got a good point, ma'am. Hey Error!" He yells back from the other room. "See if you can get an Americar or something shitty in trade for this Beemer. Something with clean plates on it. If you can line that up, you can keep it when we're done."

I can't believe I'm being talked down to by a suit who believes in "dibs."

>>Send Message
  >> Contact: Jimbo
    >> Message: Got another offer of seventeen five. Auction ends in five minutes.


>> Send Message
  >> Contact: Yellow Cab College Station
    >> Message: Need a cab for 2 passengers at (Unsafehouse Address) Pickup ASAP.

« Last Edit: <10-07-14/0328:04> by Poindexter »
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JackVII

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« Reply #301 on: <10-07-14/0837:51> »
[20APR2075 1608 | Team Safehouse | Crowley | College Station, TX | CAS]

Feels like a trading floor in here... Bookworm thought as Error and Hopeless tried to negotiate their deals. She thought she was getting the picture now. The target was the research-grade deepweed in the Magical Studies Lab. The team had been burned and were liquidating what they could. There was no telling what happened to the other members. So what does the RF have to do with all of this?

In the midst of the activity, she said, "Alright, I'm about to call up a cab for Breeze and me. Where are we going: The Easterwood Airport Bar or Pugger's?"
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Poindexter

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« Reply #302 on: <10-07-14/1442:23> »
In the midst of the activity, she said, "Alright, I'm about to call up a cab for Breeze and me. Where are we going: The Easterwood Airport Bar or Pugger's?"

Still moving through the house, he shouts his answer, "Just don't use yellow cab! And give it another...Five minutes before you call em, alright?" Then, stopping in a doorway and making eye contact with Bookworm, "Let's do Pugger's. My SIN probably wont hold up at the airport." Before disappearing again for one last sweep, he turns his attention to Error once more. "You ever been to pluggers? Shit! I mean Pugger's!"
« Last Edit: <10-07-14/1459:20> by Poindexter »
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JackVII

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« Reply #303 on: <10-07-14/1445:35> »
[20APR2075 1610 | Team Safehouse | Crowley | College Station, TX | CAS]

"Sure thing," Bookworm replied. "Good call on Pugger's. Considering all the underage Greeks that get in there, I doubt they care all that much about a fake SIN passing through. If we leave before 10, hopefully we'll be out of there before the students get done pre-partying."
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reyjinn

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« Reply #304 on: <10-07-14/1811:58> »
Breeze stuffed the last of his stuff into his backpack and set it down near the front entrance, "Alright, I'm good to go."
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JackVII

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« Reply #305 on: <10-08-14/0937:28> »
[20APR2075 1613 | Team Safehouse | Crowley | College Station, TX | CAS]

<<@CheckerCab [Bookworm] Need a pick-up for two at 4549 N. Country Court, Bryan, TX>>

"Alright, I sent for a cab." Bookworm announced. "Can we talk about what we're planning for tonight? I have to prepare some of my spells ahead of time and it would be nice to know what I might need."
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rednblack

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« Reply #306 on: <10-08-14/1146:40> »
Saturday, 20th APR, 1725, 2075

Pugger's.  It's like the whole idea behind a name like that is you can't say it without smiling, or maybe think something vaguely sexual, but whatever it's charm, it seems to be lost on Hopeless and Error.  It's a railroad style building, much longer than it is wide, with tables near the front and booths in the back, AROs everywhere depicting an over-sexualized vaguely goblinized metatype dressed up like a pig in some short crinoline skirt.  In VR "Pugger" descends on the pair and invites them to seat themselves, before launching into the daily specials.  It looks like they've got about another half hour to take advantage of the ¥5 pitchers and half-priced appetizers.  She recommends the soy wings covered in something called >>Pugger's Sauce<<.  A few of the bigger tables are taken up by groups of young humans, all with solid jaw lines and shiny datajacks, who seem a little curious about Error's presence and the bag he's carrying.  There are a couple arcade portals on the east wall, and some miniature basketball hoops which are being used by a trio of young ladies sporting Alpha Nu tank-tops and good quality pleather sandals.   

Whichever direction the two turn, Pugger's ARO is just in front of them, leading them to whichever table they choose, a curly tail peeking out and lifting up her skirt.  All the tables and booths have interactive menus, so the two guess they'll be doing their ordering once they pick a table.  Error figures they have at least a half hour until Cyrus drops off Doc's -- now his -- Americar and bugs off back to Ork-ville.  Error and Hopeless grab seats, make their orders, and when the door dings next they turn to see Breeze and Bookworm making their way inside.
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« Reply #307 on: <10-08-14/1224:29> »
[20APR2075 1725 | Pugger's | College Station, TX | CAS]

It was almost impossible for Bookworm to miss the rest of the team, even with the tediously annoying ARO of Pugger trying to constantly insert herself into the dwarf's line of sight. After all, there weren't a whole lot of orks around here, certainly not the size of Error. Nodding as she caught sight of them, the dwarf tugged on Breeze's arm as she walked toward the booth. The decker kept his head down, which was probably a good idea given that he was still the talk of the student body.

Sidling up to the booth in which Error and Hopeless sat, Bookworm hopped onto the seat next to the ork and pointed at Hopeless. "Best to let B sit next to the wall, because he might be out for a bit. You want to share what you're planning for tonight?" Nudging Error with her arm, she punched the menu ARO hovering above the table and ordered a pitcher of synthbeer for the table.
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Poindexter

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« Reply #308 on: <10-08-14/1427:53> »
"Alright, I sent for a cab." Bookworm announced. "Can we talk about what we're planning for tonight? I have to prepare some of my spells ahead of time and it would be nice to know what I might need."

On his way out the door to catch the first cab, he throws his bag over his shoulder and turns to Bookworm before headed out the door. "Nothing serious, that's for damn sure. Some observation at most. Aint worked everything out yet. See ya at Pugger's."

-----------------

Ian had always hated taxicabs. He drove one for a couple years way back in the day to try and make ends meet and it had almost gotten him killed. Running the shadows was actually safer. That's why he doesn't blame the poor bastard driving this one when he seems shifty and suspicious as hell. If a pair like me and Error here had gotten into my cab back in the day, I woulda had a nade primed. When they arrive at Error's place, Ian turns to him and says matter of factly, "Go get whatever you're gonna need for the week. I'll wait here so the driver doesn't think we're stiffing him." While he waits for the giant to return, he sends off a message to B-Know.

>> Reply: B-Know
  >> Message: Sorry chummer, shit didn't work out with the car.


-----------------

Oh my god, this place is disgusting.

Sportsbars were one of the worst things in the world, as far as Hopeless is concerned. He hated the smell of the food, the oversexualized atmosphere, and the uber-violent sports always playing on the thousand or so AROs and screens scattered everywhere. OH GOD, and the music! In an attempt to appeal to every demographic and offend no one, they end up playing the most boring, white-washed breeder-pop bullshit disguised as rock. It's depressing sometimes. Ian orders a water and sips it quietly while he waits for the other half of the team to show up, wheels in his head turning.

-----------------

Sidling up to the booth in which Error and Hopeless sat, Bookworm hopped onto the seat next to the ork and pointed at Hopeless. "Best to let B sit next to the wall, because he might be out for a bit. You want to share what you're planning for tonight?" Nudging Error with her arm, she punched the menu ARO hovering above the table and ordered a pitcher of synthbeer for the table.

Standing up to make room for Breeze against the wall, Hopeless feels good about things. Something finally went according to plan. Granted, it was a small and easy plan, but it went off without a hitch. Everyone had arrived. For now, even a small victory such as this was enough to give him hope for the job. He sits back down and answers the dwarf's question in a low tone.

"Ok, here's what I'm thinking. Johnson told me to report any and all communication with whoever this is directly to her and let her deal with it. So far, I've done that, but here's where I start splitting hairs. She gave you no such instructions. Now on one hand, the word "bonus" was brought up at the mention of our complying with her request, but on the other... He looks around the table before continuing. "I know I, personally will sleep a little bit better at night with some first hand knowledge of who exactly is out for our heads, so... I say as far as tonight goes, we've got two options. One, we let Johnson know about everything that's gone down between us and mystery group, forget all about it, find us a new safehouse and get back to what we were hired for... Two, we stake out this party-field a couple blocks away and see who shows up. Figure out what to do from there. No bullshit, I could go either way. What do yall think?"


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reyjinn

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« Reply #309 on: <10-08-14/1454:42> »
Breeze nods his thanks to Hopeless as he slides into his spot in the corner, the hood of his Aggies hoodie still up. Reaching his hand into his backpack to plug his trodes into his deck as Hopeless goes over their options.

"I'm with you on wanting to find out who and what we are up against. Even if we don't do anything about it, it's better to know than not."
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JackVII

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« Reply #310 on: <10-08-14/1458:23> »
[20APR2075 1725 | Pugger's | College Station, TX | CAS]

Bookworm silently pondered the options presented by Hopeless. Always one to make better decisions when she enumerated the possibilities, she opened a private ARO and started thinking.

>>Bookworm's Pros and Cons

Option A: Report Fauxpless' Contact With Me To Johnson
Pros:
- In line with Johnson's intent given what she told Hopeless
- Johnson deals with the problem
- May result in a bonus
Cons:
- Johnson may not deal with the problem
- No bonus guaranteed

Option B: Handle Fauxpless Ourselves
Pros:
- Will know the problem was handled
- Could reveal more information about the job
- IT'S A MOTHERFRAGGIN' SECRET!!!
Cons:
- Shot/Stabbed/Eviscerated/Immolated/Devoured/Dead/Infected <- The last might be interesting
- Possibly wreck whatever rep I have...


Turning her attention back to the group, she eyed her ARO and said, "That's a tough call, chummer. Like you, I don't really like the idea that someone might be snooping around while we're working. Plus, considering how half your team is already missing... I think this may be a mystery that needs to be resolved."

"So if we do it, what's the plan? Are we actually going to put somewhere out there? One of the reasons some of the college kids like it so much is because it's pretty remote, surrounded by trees with a few fire pits from parties past. Between the remoteness and the planes landing, you can raise a decent racket. Drek, you could probably hold target practice there and no one would care as long as you don't hit a plane." Pausing for a second, she continued, "I told them I was a rigger, so if we are going to put someone out there, it might help if they had a drone out there with them." The certain emphasis Bookworm placed on the word 'someone' suggested that she wasn't necessarily volunteering. Offering in a hopeful tone, the dwarf concluded, "I can project over there beforehand and take a quick look around if we want."
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rednblack

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« Reply #311 on: <10-08-14/2025:05> »
A waitress in knee-high sneakers, a low ponytail, and a garish Pugger's shirt brings the pitcher, 4 empty pint glasses, and a sealed water bottle comes along in short order, and introduces herself as Jen.  While it's obvious that the crew doesn't fit in here, she's very polite, asks the table if they need anything, and when the sorority girls call out to her across the bar because they need more synth-lime juice, she rolls her eyes at the table, and excuses herself.  After getting situated, Hopeless notices a message on his comm.

>>Incoming Message:
>>Sender: B-Know
>>Message: Null sheen, breeder.  Look me up when ur back in the DFW, n we'll kick it.


Hopeless pockets his comm, and the two runners facing the door notice that a group of the college boys keep eyeing the table and looking to their commlinks and nodding to one another.  They're trying to stay chill about it, but it's pretty obvious that they're interested in who's sitting down the way. 

As they discuss their plan, Error gets a message on his commlink as well.

>>Incoming Message
>>Sender: Doc
>>Message: What. The. Fuck?!?!
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« Reply #312 on: <10-09-14/0049:52> »
When the pitcher of beer arrives, Error eyes it for a couple of seconds, and then orders another right away. I'm a grown-up ork and can afford a robust pitcher for myself.

He doesn't contribute much to the discussion, just casually reminding the table that: Killing people in some forest is not part of the job description. Not that I'm against it altogether.

Doc's message startles Error and the ork unusually promptly replies: What what?

Finally, he takes a sip of the beer and plain out stares back unsettingly at the priviledged college brats.
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JackVII

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« Reply #313 on: <10-09-14/1106:17> »
[20APR2075 1728 | Pugger's | College Station, TX | CAS]

Killing? Well that went dark pretty quick, Bookworm thought to herself. "I think just figuring out who is fragging with us could be helpful. I'm not sure what it was they were going to have you do, but asking me to show up at a meet in the middle of nowhere doesn't scream 'goodwill' to me."

The dwarf stood on the bench seat and grabbed a mug. She wasn't about to ask for a booster seat, so she figured she might as well just stand up for now to have fewer problems with pouring and drinking. Grabbing the pitcher, she poured a full pint and took a deep sip. The beer was swill, but it was cold and that was all that really mattered at the moment. Pulling up a map of College Station from the Matrix, Bookworm zoomed in on an area slightly south-west of the airport, clipped it out using image manipulation software, pasted it into an ARO, and then invited the rest of the team to MARK the ARO. "Here's the area we're talking about... one way in and out by vehicle. There's an abandoned oil well in the middle of the sandpit and a pool of run-off water to the south, I wouldn't put a foot in it if I were you. Other than that, trees surround the area with oil storage containers and a small dried creek bed on the north."
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« Reply #314 on: <10-09-14/1145:51> »
The college boys break eye contact as soon as the giant ork sends daggers down there way.  With the pitcher in hand, Error takes a "sip," the kind that's a solid third of the pitcher, and fights a grimace.  He's never been able to get used to this synth drek.  Patriotism be damned, if there was one thing those Azzies could do well, it was brew a batch, and if there was one thing the CAS lacked, it was any self respect on what they poured down their gullet.  Still, cold is cold, which is about the only way to drink this stuff.  Noticing a ping on his comm, Error breaks the evil eye to look down.

>>Incoming Message
>>Sender: Doc
>>Message: Those two presents you left me in the trunk, tusker.  What the frag am I supposed to do with that?


Before Error can turn back to face the group, he notices that three of the college boys are on their way to the table, commlinks in hand.  The lead college boy has sandy hair with racing stripes shaved in the side of his head and wears an electrochromatic Hawaiian shirt, which shows the palm trees swaying in some digital breeze.  "Uh, hoi chummer," he says to the group nervously.  "I'm Daniel, and this is Cory and we call this one 'The Clam.'"  He motions to his two companions with his thumb as he talks.
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