[JackVII]

[20APR2075 1735 | Pugger's | College Station, TX | CAS]

"Wonder if anyone would be open for a little gambling action..." Bookworm said.

<<@Team [Bookworm] OK, if this is one plan, we need to make sure we have a strong contingency for getting out of there. Remember, it's basically one way in, one way out. On the north side, we might be able to stash a car there as a possible escape route. With that said, Error's probably going to be the star of the show tonight, so it might be difficult extracting him if the cop's show up out of nowhere. What are you thinking, Error?>>

[rednblack]

"Yeah. He used to be a professional fighter. Gonna give a free lesson tonight nearby, actually."

"Wiz," Jen says, equally as dispassionately.  "You'll have to forgive me, but I don't really follow sports."  She gestures at the bar around her before adding, "I know, I know.  Wouldn'ta pegged you hens for a bunch a sport fans either, to be honest.  Anyway, enjoy the beer.  I'll be back by in a bit."

[Poindexter]

<<@Team [Bookworm] OK, if this is one plan, we need to make sure we have a strong contingency for getting out of there. Remember, it's basically one way in, one way out. On the north side, we might be able to stash a car there as a possible escape route. With that said, Error's probably going to be the star of the show tonight, so it might be difficult extracting him if the cop's show up out of nowhere. What are you thinking, Error?>>

<<@Team [Hopeless] I like the getaway car idea, but I kinda like flight on foot a little better. Better to blend in with the broskis, y'know? A planted car is gonna draw attention.>>

"Wiz," Jen says, equally as dispassionately.  "You'll have to forgive me, but I don't really follow sports."  She gestures at the bar around her before adding, "I know, I know.  Wouldn'ta pegged you hens for a bunch a sport fans either, to be honest.  Anyway, enjoy the beer.  I'll be back by in a bit."

"Yeah, me neither. Honestly, I don't even know what kinda wrestling he does. I just got hired on to help plan and promote the event. Thanks for keeping on top of things for us, Jen.""

[JackVII]

[20APR2075 1735 | Pugger's | College Station, TX | CAS]

"Jen? I hate to ask this, but I'm getting tired leaning against the booth here. Can I get a booster seat?" Bookworm asked their hostess.

<<@Team [Bookworm] Well, if hoofing it is the option, I'm definitely not going to be on-site. In case anyone missed it, I'm barely a meter tall and that makes me pretty terrible at running. With that said, I can hang out in a getaway vehicle somewhere off-site and meet the team for an extraction at the end of the utility servitude on the north end of the area that leads out to the street if everything goes to drek. While you may be able to run with the college kids, most of you don't look like college kids>>

Before anyone could respond, the dwarf sent another quick message.

<<@Team [Bookworm] Oh yeah, I need someone to try to smuggle this booster seat out for me>>

[reyjinn]

<<@Team>>
<<Yeah, no need to stir up the Star needlessly. If we can sneak in the area and get eyes on those buggers and then get the frag out is good enough for me. Having the Star keep those guys busy for a while is an optional extra, right? Have we heard anything about this car that Error was trying to lock down for us? No use arguing about the positioning of a non-existent getaway vehicle.

[rednblack]

[20APR2075 1735 | Pugger's | College Station, TX | CAS]

"Jen? I hate to ask this, but I'm getting tired leaning against the booth here. Can I get a booster seat?" Bookworm asked their hostess.

"Sure thing, hon," Jen says in that warm southern fashion that doesn't betray even a hint of sarcasm.  "I'll have that right out for ya."

All the activity on the comm is beginning to take its toll on Error, as another ping comes through that pulls him away from the fanboys.

>>Incoming Message
>>Sender: Cyrus
>>Message: Star's on me.  Driving while ork.  Hella fraggin' pigs out here, chummer.  Let you know when I'm back on my way.  If u don't hear from mein 5, assume I got pinched.

[JackVII]

[20APR2075 1736 | Pugger's | College Station, TX | CAS]

Bookworm took another sip of her beer. She knew she was going to probably have to slow down soon. She could drink plenty of people twice her size under the table, but there was little good that would come from getting hammered before a run.

<<@Team [Bookworm] I'm trying to be optimistic here. If we don't have wheels, we may need to consider other options. I wasn't just joking about not looking like college kids. If the Star does break up this party, you're probably going to be their top priority over the college kids. Most adults hanging at college keggers are dealing... or worse>>

[Elektrycerze3]

Finally, Error sends a message to the group: OK, I'll try to do it. I think they have wheels, so maybe I'll ride them there. But if hell breaks loose there, I won't just let the kids get in the crossfire.

As discreetly as he can Error starts mentioning private lessons in a remote spot nearby. Maybe the kids would think it's their idea...

[JackVII]

[20APR2075 1736 | Pugger's | College Station, TX | CAS]

Bookworm tried to stop herself from looking over at Error but failed. Watching the ork carouse with the college kids is almost surreal. I thought this whole thing was about keeping a low profile...

<<@Team [Bookworm] That takes care of your ride. What's up with the wheels we're getting in trade for the Beemer? I'm going to need some place to hunker down close by if I'm going to be your escape plan and I'd like to at least lock the doors if I'm going to be there alone and projecting. Speaking of... Error and I are locals, but where are you two going to stay afterwards?>>

[rednblack]

20, APR, 2075  1745

"Holy shit!" Daniel says, "Like, you still do demos?!  Like, omae, me n' my boyz, we'd love it if you could do some drek like that.  I mean, the fraggin' Bear is right here," he gestures to his buddies, "Like, how chip is that?  You gonna be in town for a little bit?  I'd love to get some a my chummers in on this?"  He starts to fiddle with his commlink

Jen is along in short order with a booster seat.  It's a little on the narrow side for Bookworm, and she guesses that Pugger's doesn't see a lot of metas in general.  Still, it's better than standing on the booth's bench seat, and that sweet spot between gazing down on some shadowrunner's bald spot and looking up their nose is well worth the minor inconvenience. 

After a mind-numbing few minutes of bro-dude chatter, Error gets another ping on his comm.

>>Incoming Message
>>Sender: Cyrus
>>Message: OMW.  B there N 5

A few minutes later Error, and the rest of the team, see an early 60s model Americar pull into a parking spot in front of Pugger's a little off kilter.  It's rather apparent that the driver was not engaging any autopilot on that one.  Through the AROs and the windshield, Error sees his boy Cyrus throw up his hand from behind the steering wheel.

[Poindexter]

<<@Team [Bookworm] Well, if hoofing it is the option, I'm definitely not going to be on-site. In case anyone missed it, I'm barely a meter tall and that makes me pretty terrible at running. With that said, I can hang out in a getaway vehicle somewhere off-site and meet the team for an extraction at the end of the utility servitude on the north end of the area that leads out to the street if everything goes to drek. While you may be able to run with the college kids, most of you don't look like college kids>>

She has a good point, but hopefully, word of this will spread and there will be a lot more than just a few college kids there by ten tonight.

<<@Team>>
<<Yeah, no need to stir up the Star needlessly. If we can sneak in the area and get eyes on those buggers and then get the frag out is good enough for me. Having the Star keep those guys busy for a while is an optional extra, right? Have we heard anything about this car that Error was trying to lock down for us? No use arguing about the positioning of a non-existent getaway vehicle.

<< @Team [Hopeless] Yeah, I don't wanna kick the hornets nest neither. If everything goes right, we walk in, we look around, we walk out. No dramaclub tonight. No surprises. No one goes off book. Hey, matter of fact, you think we might should inform the cops that we'll be doing this? That way they don't freak out if they stumble onto it unexpectedly. That's either a really good or a really shitty idea. What do yall think?>>

OK, I'll try to do it. I think they have wheels, so maybe I'll ride them there. But if hell breaks loose there, I won't just let the kids get in the crossfire.

<< @Team [Hopeless] Nothing is breaking loose tonight. The four of us are cucumbers in a bowl of salsa tonight. >>

<<@Team [Bookworm] That takes care of your ride. What's up with the wheels we're getting in trade for the Beemer? I'm going to need some place to hunker down close by if I'm going to be your escape plan and I'd like to at least lock the doors if I'm going to be there alone and projecting. Speaking of... Error and I are locals, but where are you two going to stay afterwards?>>

<< @Team [Hopeless] Y'know? The more I think about it, the less I like the idea of one of us being alone in a car during this thing. That's exactly the sort of easily ambushed position i feel like we should be avoiding. Maybe Breeze is in the car with you? Doing AR instead of VR to keep an eye on the world of bullets as well?>>

A few minutes later Error, and the rest of the team, see an early 60s model Americar pull into a parking spot in front of Pugger's a little off kilter.  It's rather apparent that the driver was not engaging any autopilot on that one.  Through the AROs and the windshield, Error sees his boy Cyrus throw up his hand from behind the steering wheel.

Hopeless looks out the front window, and with a raised eyebrow of recognition, nods to the young ork out front, raising his glass of water as he does.

[JackVII]

[20APR2075 1737 | Pugger's | College Station, TX | CAS]

Bookworm settles into the booster seat as best she can, fleetingly thinking about how difficult it's going to be to extricate herself from it. Silently responding to Hopeless she composed another text.

<<@Team [Bookworm] I don't think informing the Star is going to be a good idea. You usually have to get permits, permission of the property owner, liability insurance, and all kinds of other drek that I imagine are going to be kind of difficult for us to acquire. Plus, given how often students throw parties out there, the Star doesn't usually come calling unless someone or something is damaged. If it goes off like we're hoping, the Star won't be involved at all. If it doesn't go off as planned and people start shooting, I don't think we really want the Star to start looking into who was responsible for organizing the deal, aliases or not. As far as who's where, Breeze would have to let you know if the distance is going to interfere with his abilities. I know it's a lot easier to spot icons the closer you are... it's one reason I would prefer stashing a car closer rather than farther away if Breeze is going to be staying with me>>

Mulling the event over in her mind, she said aloud, "For the big guy's demo, we could buy a keg of Shiner. The promise of beer usually brings in even folks who would otherwise be disinterested." Catching Hopeless raising his glass to someone, the dwarf looks over her shoulder but doesn't see anyone in Pugger's who is standing out.

[Poindexter]

"For the big guy's demo, we could buy a keg of Shiner. The promise of beer usually brings in even folks who would otherwise be disinterested."

Pointing at Bookworm, Hopeless busts out, "Yes. That. What you just said. Maybe two kegs..."

[JackVII]

[20APR2075 1737 | Pugger's | College Station, TX | CAS]

<<@Team [Bookworm] Hey big guy, mention that there's going to be beer there to sweeten the pot. We'll get a keg or two before we head out there.>>

Bookworm paused, considering the plan so far. They had figured out a way to hopefully get a reasonable number of people out at the spot. If the people who were trying to frag with them were smart, they would abort whatever plan they had but might consider still trying to meet with "Bookworm" at the spot. How to bait the hook though? Trying to carry on the appearance of a casual conversation, she said, "OK, I imagine we can get a keg, ice, and a trash bag at a local store and fit it in the back of a car, especially if the big guy gets a ride from his new friends."

<<@Team [Bookworm] OK, so we've sort of figured how to get a decent number of bystanders out there to hopefully dissuade any homicidal inclinations, but how do we want to try to insure the other party shows up? They're probably going to try to contact me on my burner when they see a big group of people. Thoughts?>>

[Elektrycerze3]

<< @Team [Hopeless] Nothing is breaking loose tonight. The four of us are cucumbers in a bowl of salsa tonight. >>

<<@Team [Error] I'm not a cucumber in your bowl, omae, you're not my type.

With his bellowing voice Error draws the tables attention: Well, I'll be in town for some time, but I'm mostly busy. Next time I'm free is, like, a moth from now or so. It's a miracle I have tonight completely free...

It takes some time for the college kids to get the bright idea that they probably can persuade the big fellow to do it right now, but they get to it. Unfortunately, Error soon realizes that he fragging overplayed it and the kids are reluctant to snap his only free evening from him. On top of that, some of them have classes and homework and papers and other useless academic shit. On the bright side, some kids either are bright enough to know that their college education is not as important as playing Fight Club late in the woods, or only care for themselves and don't give a shit that it's Egor's day off. Or both. Nice kids.

Finally, having separated the true fans from the busy eggheads, and after being asked to do it for the sake of his fans, Error cuts to the chase: So, patsani, I'll go get some beer for the training and you get the cars ready. With a content grin he snubs a cigarette against his cold metal palm and leaves the kids to fight out who's going to give Egor the Bear a ride this evening. He quickly walks outside for a short talk with the new-found valet. Error sends him 5 nuyen for the troubles and when he is gone, the chromed ork checks the trunk of the car. You never know.

<<@Team [Error] If you are going to the Stuffer Shack for the beer, get me a pack of strawberry syntharettes, please? Oh, and a lighter.