[Poindexter]

Yup, this is where I'd come if I wanted to ambush and murder a few sad sacks. Ian takes in the whole area from the backseat of the newly air freshened americar. The hell are we even doing this for? This has nothing to do with the job. Fuck it, at least you know this is a set up. He loads and double checks the weapon on his rotodrone before settling it back into his bag, running on silent mode. He reaches over and takes the button from Bookworm's hand. "Thanks, Book." he says, nodding in appreciation at the new team member, who at least seemed to be taking the whole thing seriously, as though her life were in jeopardy. I guess big guy over there is just so used to getting punched in the head, that everything kinda looks like a fist now, and none of it really matters. Poor fuck. Chewed up and spat out. His mind is busy sending a few messages as he steps out of the vehicle.

<<@Team [Hopeless] I'm gonna leave this drone in the trunk. Error, can you give me a mark on the car, so i can pop it open if need be? Also, Book, if you happen to notice a fire spirit or a cantankerous cowboy type while you're astral, don't worry. They're with me.>>

Then, flipping his little mental switch from the matrix to the astral, he reaches out there as well.

"FRIENDS! Come to me, for I fear I will need you near me very soon."

[rednblack]

After jacking out long enough to crawl down from the storage container and grab the pin from Bookworm's left hand, Breeze returns to his perch and goes limp once again.  For the next twenty, or twenty-five minutes -- it's sometimes hard to tell when he's jacked-in -- everything seems as it should: drone activity down near the airport, the occasional fast-approaching icon of a small plane, but nothing that sets off the alarm bells.  When Breeze first notices the two drones approaching from the southwest, the thing that sticks out to him is that they are not running silent.  Second, he notes that they're both Flying Eyes, which seems gratuitous. 

<<@Team [Breeze] I've got two Fly Spies out of the southwest.  I'm going to try to mark one of them to see where we stand.>>

Before Breeze can carry out his plan, though, he sees four new icons come on the scene, all from cars approaching from the north.  Ghost, I hope that's Error, Breeze thinks and composes another message.

<<@Error [Breeze] That you coming on the scene, chummer?>>

[JackVII]

[20APR2075 2050 | The Party Pit | College Station, TX | CAS]

As Bookworm slipped the bonds of the physical world, the dwarf's astral form separated itself from her body. Floating above her prone shell laying against the storage container, the mage assensed the area around her. It was infused with low-level, lingering emotional content that was almost certainly tied to all of the partying that had occurred in the area. Most of the auras tied to the things surrounding the area had a positive vibe, although the occasional slashes of negativity lingered here and there... there were clear signs of violent fighting in the pit area and some of the more enshrouded areas at the edge of the pit likely played host to rape at one time or another. But fortunately, there were no signs of any hostile spirits.

She did, however, see Hopeless' spirits. The mage was never particularly comfortable around spirits. Bookworm had neglected that area of study while at A&M and that gap in her knowledge base always bothered her. In turn, she projected that uneasiness onto spirits she encountered. Assensing them, she identified the spirits as a Spirit of Fire and a Spirit of Man. The fire spirit had a vaguely feminine form in the Astral; its eyes and aura flared briefly before settling down in a sulking manner. The Spirit of Man, on the other hand, tipped his hat courteously, like an old-fashioned cowboy.

Nodding to the two astral forms, Bookworm oriented herself and started a spiral circuit of the area, making sure to give the airport a wide berth. There was no telling what kind of astral defenses had been put in place there. The dwarf chose to fly just under the tree canopy, figuring it would let her spot any threats more easily, but keep herself out of reach of any dual-nature threats. Flitting about the area, the only auras of interest she picked up appeared to be from small mammals, probably coyotes. Satisfied that there were presently no astral threats, the dwarf returned to her body. Standing up and stretching, Bookworm received the warning from Breeze.

<<@Team [Bookworm] Area is clear of astral threats, from what I can tell. I'm not the best at hiding, so I'm going to duck inside this storage container until the rest of the party shows up. You still have my burner, right Hopeless?>>

[JackVII]

[20APR2075 2050 | The Party Pit | College Station, TX | CAS]

Sliding her devices into Silent Mode, Bookworm considered her next move. Before stepping into the storage container, the dwarf took a moment to spot the icons of the drones Breeze had mentioned. With her AR overlay enabled, she mentally reached out and locked onto the two icons, a small white targeting reticle appeared and began to rotate around each icon as the commlink brought them into focus. Running a quick diagnostic of each icon, the mage was somewhat surprised to see that one of the icons was not what it appeared to be.

<<@Team [Bookworm] Watch out folks, one of those Flying Eyes is actually a Roto-Drone. Someone is up to no good...>>

With her message sent, the dwarf fully ducked into the storage container.

[Poindexter]

<<@Team [Bookworm] Area is clear of astral threats, from what I can tell. I'm not the best at hiding, so I'm going to duck inside this storage container until the rest of the party shows up. You still have my burner, right Hopeless?>>

<<@Team [Hopeless] Indeed. I'm gonna turn her on around a quarter till.>>

<<@Team [Breeze] I've got two Fly Spies out of the southwest.  I'm going to try to mark one of them to see where we stand.>>

Sounds like bullshit to me. Glad Breeze is on it.

<<@Team [Bookworm] Watch out folks, one of those Flying Eyes is actually a Roto-Drone. Someone is up to no good...>>

<<@Team [Hopeless] Good work, Book. If it needs to go down, I can do it.>>

I knew it. Are we doing this again? So be it. Some, if I require you to burn, melt, or immolate anything this evening, that rotodrone will most likely be the target.

Seeing the cars full of bros start to empty out, Ian makes his way toward the crowd, hoping to blend in and go about his business un-noticed. He's really only looking to blend in with the crowd and look like one more head here to see the legend give some lessons. Before joining the group, he changes the electrochrome on his jacket to match the color, pattern, and general theme of the group. He's got his helmet in his A&M shoulder bag, but hopes he's not going to have to put it on, as that will single him out from the crowd. He's also worrying about messing up his disguise. it's not a great one, no better than an amateur could do with dollar store cosmetics, but he feels confidant that he wouldn't be recognized by a casual onlooker.

Now it's just a matter of waiting, blending in, and keeping all three sets of eyes open. If everything goes well, we'll be walking outta here in about an hour with no one any the wiser.

[rednblack]

The college students park their cars in a loose semi-circle around the pit, and pile out rowdily.  It appears as though the group has done a little pre-gaming, though they tear into the kegs something fierce right away.  Bookworm immediately does a head count and is pleased that they settled on two kegs; it looks like this group will tear through one before ten, and then where would they be? 

Error does his best to tear the students away from their cups, as he starts the demonstration.

<<@Team [Breeze] Looks like I fragged up, chummers.  Mark didn't take, and it looks like he's wise to us.  Plan?>>

@Hopeless,

Breeze also sends a private message to Hopeless

<<@Hopeless [Breeze] The mark is a little mustache.  Looks like our good pal Big Daddy has come back around for seconds.  I'm gonna do what I can.>>

[JackVII]

[20APR2075 2100 | The Party Pit | College Station, TX | CAS]

Bookworm stared at the ARO message burning fiercely in the corner of her display. Well frag, she thought, there goes any chance for this part to go smoothly. Huddling against the inside wall of the storage container, the dwarf sent a message to the team.

<<@Team [Bookworm] Now that both parties are witting to each other's participation, maybe we should contact them directly and establish some sort of detente? Do we know if we are working at cross-purposes? Either way, if they know we're here, I'm tempted to go Astral to cover us>>

[Poindexter]

<<@Team [Breeze] Looks like I fragged up, chummers.  Mark didn't take, and it looks like he's wise to us.  Plan?>>

<<@Hopeless [Breeze] The mark is a little mustache.  Looks like our good pal Big Daddy has come back around for seconds.  I'm gonna do what I can.>>

<<@Team [Bookworm] Now that both parties are witting to each other's participation, maybe we should contact them directly and establish some sort of detente? Do we know if we are working at cross-purposes? Either way, if they know we're here, I'm tempted to go Astral to cover us>>

THIS motherfucker again?!

Despite the butterflies in his stomach starting to go berserk and the adrenaline bubbling its way through his system, Ian stays cool on the outside, holding a red cup in one hand, nodding his head to the music from one of the car stereos, and making small talk with the other dudes here for the "party". He sends off another message before speaking to Terrance in the astral again.

<<@Team [Hopeless] We're not letting this creep walk out of here again, but the lady does have a point. Lets try and parlay with him, see what he wants here. Breeze, let him know we're willing to chat, but make sure he knows on no uncertain terms that if he fucks with us, losing another 6k to replace a second rotodrone is going to be least of his problems. If he's amicable, try and work something out with him, but keep looking for his getaway car as well. I'll do the same. Book, you do what you feel is appropriate out there. Just keep in touch as best you can; We got your back. And great ghost Error, I hope you don't touch that rifle unless we're getting shot at.>>

[JackVII]

[20APR2075 2101 | The Party Pit | College Station, TX | CAS]

About to dip into the Astral, Bookworm received the message Hopeless sent to the team. Slightly confused, she mentally connected a few dots and formulated a return message.

<<@Team [Bookworm] Wait, you know who is controlling these drones? This is definitely not the time given the fact that a combat drone is en route to our position, but I think you and Breeze owe Error and me a full accounting of what has occurred with this job so far. Based on your statement, I assume this has to do with the drone at the rally the other day. Which probably means the Retro-Futurists... which probably means a very low threat of anything coming at us from an Astral vector, unless I miss my mark. I'm going to leave the bulk of astral security to your spirits and head on out there with you. My spells will probably be more beneficial there than having me projecting>>

Slipping outside the storage container, Bookworm pretended to fiddle with the button on her shorts and made her way over to the keg. Grabbing a cup, she filled it from the keg and pretended to sip from it while she took in Error's performance. Opening her backpack, she pulled out her brick and sat down on it.

[Poindexter]

<<@Team [Bookworm] Wait, you know who is controlling these drones? This is definitely not the time given the fact that a combat drone is en route to our position, but I think you and Breeze owe Error and me a full accounting of what has occurred with this job so far. Based on your statement, I assume this has to do with the drone at the rally the other day.>>

<<@Team [Hopeless] Goes by Big Daddy. All your suspicions about everything else you mentioned are correct. Full account of everything coming right up, once we get back home.>>

[JackVII]

[20APR2075 2101 | The Party Pit | College Station, TX | CAS]

Trying to remain nonchalant, Bookworm sends a message to the team.

<<@Team [Bookworm] Who do you want to reach out to them? You could probably contact them using the burner commlink. I'm sure they're monitoring that number.>>

[Poindexter]

[20APR2075 2101 | The Party Pit | College Station, TX | CAS]

Trying to remain nonchalant, Bookworm sends a message to the team.

<<@Team [Bookworm] Who do you want to reach out to them? You could probably contact them using the burner commlink. I'm sure they're monitoring that number.>>

<<@Team [Hopeless] Right now, he only knows about Breeze and I'd like to keep it that way for as long as possible.>>

[JackVII]

[20APR2075 2102 | The Party Pit | College Station, TX | CAS]

Bookworm read the message and rolled her eyes. Assuming he didn't trace the icon of your other commlink, of course, she thought. Then again, neither Breeze nor Hopeless showed any sign of recognition when she had told them what the MARKs on Hopeless' commlink looked like, so maybe it was a huge coincidence.

She settled in, hoping Breeze would relay the conversation to the rest of the team. As paranoia started to creep in, she quickly scanned the icon of her burner commlink to see if it had picked up any MARKs in the interim.

[rednblack]

Content that her burner comm is clean, Bookworm shifts her attention back to Error's demo, trying not to obviously look up at the night sky.  She shifts uncomfortably on the brick, and waits for Breeze to respond to the group's messages.  Error, on the other hand, seems to be having a grand time.  Not content to simply be taught a few holds and reverses, the college boys are rushing him two or three at a time, while Error pulls his punches and strikes to avoid sending one to the hospital.  He catches a tall north African looking gentleman across his chest in a clothesline, almost gently setting him down in the dirt before kicking out blindly behind him and tripping up a very southern-looking white boy who goes down face first and comes up coughing dust.  Showing off now, Error grabs a solo cup out of the hands of an onlooker and uses his free hand to defend against two more attackers, using the body of one to shield him from the blows of the other as he takes a mighty swig.  "Your tempos all wrong," he gleefully warns the southern boy who's briefly standing again before locking the boy's arm and spinning him into one of his friends.  "First, you create an opening," he adds, feinting with his beverage hand, "then you move in."  Error grabs the young man by his shirt and rolls him across his hip to a sitting position. 

<<@Team [Breeze] Fwd://[Big Daddy] You want to parlay?  Lose the kids, and we can talk.>>

[JackVII]

[20APR2075 2102 | The Party Pit | College Station, TX | CAS]

Bookworm chuckled as Error laid waste to the college kids surrounding him. She had initially thought about making a little money on side bets, but no one was going to bet against Error and if he was willing to throw a fight, no one would believe it. The dwarf did her best not to try to pick out the drones orbiting above, but occasionally made furtive glances toward the sky. The AROs associated with the drones were still targeted in her overlay, but icons only matched the physical location of a device to a certain degree.

She stiffened as Breeze forwarded Big Daddy's message. Responding to the team, she mentally composed and sent a quick message.

<<@Team [Bookworm] I don't even know if we COULD lose the kids right now, even if we wanted to...>>

Bookworm took note of the commcode attached to Big Daddy's message and got to work.

>>The robed wizard produced the short copper cylinder from the left sleeve of her robe. Snapping it with a flick of her wrist, the squat cylinder extended into an over-sized copper spyglass, disjointed in a way that would defy the laws of physics in the real world. Putting her eye to the glass, the little mage searched the area for a particular icon. The spyglass jerked about, almost as if it had a mind of its own, and finally settled on the device icon of a commlink.

There you are... Bookworm thought, composing a message to the team.

<<@Team [Bookworm] From what I can tell, the messages are being sent from a commlink located somewhere in the vicinity of the airport, probably the terminal or somewhere close to it. No persona though, so there is a good chance the sender is using a burner commlink or has some other device to connect to the matrix.>>