[S.Miles]

Richter chuckles, as Luz pulls him close. "My, my. Do not get too hasty, mylady." He winks and listens to her words. That does not sound too good. And the Ancients don't look too happy either.
"Let us see, what we can do there... But I must inquire you to accompany me, as I just arrived on scene and am not fully aware of the situation. I bet we can find a way to handle this situation like civilized people." The question for his gun is answered with a light pat on his coat. It is hard to see, wether there is anything beneath it. Probably nothing too big.
Now as Luz can inspect him more closely it becomes obvious, that nothing about his appearance or behavior fit down onto this street. He would fit perfectly into the heart of Downtown or the nicer restaurants. His whole body language speaks of coming out of a golden cage. But nothing in his face hints at the disdain and mistrust the "low lifes" usually get from those born with a silver spoon in mouth.
Richter pauses for a moment, straightens his hair and then starts to walk in the direction of the Ancients, propably expecting his lady companion to follow him. The smile on his face still is unrocked and the five gangers do not seem to frighten him at all. Maybe Torrent sent someone who had absolutely no clue about this world? Let's just hope his tongue is as silver as the cutlery he uses.

[All4BigGuns]

As the older 'gentleman' starts walking toward the assemblage of Ancients, Cutter refocuses his aim and says over subvocal comms, sending directly to Luz <<Say the word if he does anything hinky, and his skull will be ventilated.>>

[8-bit]

Ghost sees a new comer just waltz right up to Luz as if he owns the place.

What the hell? Who the fuck is this guy? This plan has seriously gone to hell

Recipient: Team
Sender: Ghost

Luz; I don't know who the hell this new guy is, but if this meeting starts going south, just say the word and we'll get you out of there. Everybody ready to go? This does not look good so far.

[All4BigGuns]

Transmitting to Ghost:

<<I've got the new guy in my sights. Just waiting to see if he helps or hinders.>>

[Aria]

[Saturday September 14th, 2075; Outskirts of Tarislar, Puyallup, Seattle]

The tension is palpable as the well dressed stranger approaches the wary and decidedly hostile gangers.  Their guns aren't precisely trained on Richter and Luz but the body language screams the usual mix of mad bravado and fear that is seen in gangers the world over.  This lot have the confidence of being part of a huge and powerful entity but out here they are alone and they know it

The apparent leader strips the re-breather off his face to reveal an interesting mix of facial scarring and nanotats
 
"That's close enough fraggers!  This is our road, don't recall anyone asking permission to use it..." 

[S.Miles]

As soon as the gangers leader shouts his warning, Richter stops, raises his hand apologetically and lowers his head ever so slightly.
"I am sorry, gentlemen. We did not see you before, as the ash is really messing with our sensors. But now, as we met you, I am sure we can find a deal that benefits both partys and allows us to continue our journey through your.... turf." He smiles friendly, lowers his hands slowly and waits for the leader to react. Usually he would expect a waytoll of sorts. But maybe, repairing the bikes would be enough...
<<Mylady, do we have a budget to pay for inconveniences like this? Is there a way to ask Monsieur Oblique directly?>> This text is sent to any commlink, Luz seems to be using. If there is no identifiable 'Comm, Richter stays silent towards her.

[JackVII]

[14SEP2075 1025 | Cirque de l'Ombre Caravan| Puyallup]

Harrier maintained his steady hover. He had been surprised as all Hell when the taxi pulled up out of nowhere, his drone net somehow missing it. He felt a little better when it did not detonate in a ball of fire, but rather dropped off a charming looking gentleman. Grabbing the ARO feeds Luz had offered up, the dwarf was delighted to hear the man actually spoke proper English. Well, this is taking a turn for the better, the dwarf thought to himself, listening in as the conversation continued, but I sure as Hell hope he hasn't spent too much time in London over the past few years...

Checking that his sensor lock was still active, the rigger maintained his position, waiting to see what was going to happen.

[Lusis]

Luz saw Richter's icon call and accepted it in time to recieve his message.
>>I'll check. But if these cabrones want a tribute, we'll want them to escort us. If it's their road they better guarantee we won't be fucked with. Only then will we help with their mechanical problems<<

Luz then contacts Oblique about forwarding a payment and adds, "we have an option of passing peacefully with more security or being the target of a 9 hour gun battle. Your choice if a couple extra nuyen isn't worth a quiet ride."

She then contacts the team, >>Hackers, I want you to stop their comms from leaving this area. They're isolated out here. Let's keep it that way...for insurance.<<

[S.Miles]

The message from Luz appears in Richter's vision, making him smile internally.
<<I was going to make sure, our contract with the Ancients did not involve any loopholes. I'm not used to working with gangers, but I know the worst kinds of contract lawyers out there... The Ancients should make this ride relatively easy, as no one wants to mess with them. Thank you for the information.>>

"We are willing to pay a passage toll for our ride down this street to the border of Puayalup. But only under the condition that you escort us so that any further members of your gang see that we payed our tolls and so that any outlaws know they would mess witht he Ancients, should they mess with this transport. What do you say?" Again he smiles warmly, starting to go some small steps towards the first of the gangers. "Ten Ancients on their feared combat bikes should be sight that installs fear in any opposition. It would be an easy ride for you and a save one for us."

[The Masked Ferret]

A figure in a business suit gets out of the train and begins walking towards the scene with the gangers. He is wearing a suit that reminds you of a mime without the white face.

After a moment of thought, he looks rather like one of the performers that are part of the caravan. As you were looking over the train, you remember him practicing his mime act. He didn't really seem all that good at it. And here he goes, walking out the door toward an infuriated gang of elven bikers.

Well, at least he is an elf. That should save the idiot for maybe five seconds or so.

[The Masked Ferret]

"Those clowns were boring. They didn't even have any good insults. It's not like I am that good of a mime, but I could tell that I overwhelmed them with my sense of style. " Mr. Pink thought. "Here I am, hired by Oblique to determine if there were any subversives on the train. I haven't found any yet, unless it is that Azzie Mariachi Singer. Except the clowns - The clowns all seem to have ties to the Haloweeners - Oblique did say that they were a cheap addition after his last group of clowns went missing." He starts walking toward the most interesting situation that he has found yet on this job - a group of Ancients who seemed to be angry for some reason. About to attack the Train angry. While that, too, would be interesting, Mr. Pink is NOT getting paid to have the train get shot up. And not getting paid is so boring.

Why would a group of clowns go missing? And why were those Clowns so pushy that I leave them alone. They didn't have to pull guns. That was unprofessional.

He continues to walk towards the confrontation.

[Ericen]

Flicker appears like it is truly painful to be forced to speak this much.

BT it appears that the problem is changing quickly outside, we may not be able to wait on this kind lady's insight on the gang of bikers who appear to be unhappy with our passing. It seems there are more people joining our ranks as minutes go by. And we might want to get into more favorable positions in case we are needed.

[8-bit]

As Ghost sees more and more people join Luz through her livefeed, he just shakes his head. We're becoming a veritable circus ourselves; this is getting a little ridiculous.

He mentally sends a text to Luz:

Recipient: Luz
Sender: Ghost

Just mark the guys who are on our side and we'll try not to shoot them. It seems like Torrent is surprising us again.

Perhaps he wasn't impressed with my negotiation with him. I guess it would make sense. As long as none of these newcomers are here to sabotage us, that's fine.

Recipients: Team
Sender: Ghost

Everyone ready if this goes south? I imagine we will know if we are fighting or not within 5 minutes or less. Stay sharp people.

[adamu]

Reluctantly, Al took his crosshairs off the lead ganger. The situation had grown too fluid to do his job right without a wider view. The more players took the stage, the more likely someone was going to make a mistake, and when that happened, there wouldn't be time for a damned lot of text-messaging before he had to shoot somebody to keep Luz safe - Luz because she was the only damned person out there he knew was on his side.

He spoke - blazes if they didn't need real voice-comms - a text: <<Joseph an' Mary inna manger, need a fuckin' scorecard out here. Don't know either one o' these new yahoos from Adam, an' ol' Al sees a weapon in either one's hand, he's gon' light the bastard up an' fret 'bout the damned keebs later. Clean the inner vessel first, jist like it says inna Good Book.>>

[Lusis]

>>Easy guys<< Luz texts to the team, as she turns to see yet another newcomer in a funny suit. Cojeme; is this guy Oblique's bagman...but then why not just wire us the nuyen?

Luz holds up a hand, indicating to the man to stop. We don't need this area getting to crowded. In case the Ancients don't want to play nice; we don't need three people in the fatal funnel...two is enough. 


Luz texts the team again, >>Keep an eye on the flankers. I can watch this group. <<