[Scarecrow71]

Aishuku muddles the latest pieces of information in his mind, trying to make sense of everything.  His mind starts taking odd turns with theories about who is responsible, but when he hears Hong Kong, he really starts to wonder.
 
Hong Kong?  That can't be good.  I mean, why would someone with an escrow account thousands of miles away want to cover up the shaming and killing of an Oni here in Neo-Tokyo?
 
When he reaches the street, Aishuku will send a message to the others in the group.
 
<<@Private Chat 552375>>
<<This is not good.  We need to find someone to hack the Oni's commlink.  I am terrible with even the simplest of functions, but maybe one of you could see if she received any funky emails or calls in the days leading up to her death?  And just so we're clear, my passport is not updated.>>

[Operator]

@Private Chat 552375
"We can always roll the dice with Shadowsea. I get the impression that there is a third party who can profit from this mess, rather than any of Kusbana's immediate rivals; I'm not convinced that they could justify the outcome with the associated costs and risks."

Operator followed Aishuku out to the street, glancing towards Icepick. "I'll look you up later if I need the technical support. One last question before you go - what did Takana-san offer you for the job?"

[Kozak]

Not wanting to interrupt, but seeing the need for haste, Kozak butts in.  "Gentlemen, Lady.  Much as I would love to hear what he has to say, I think we need to get out of here.  In case you've forgotten, men with guns and body armor are on their way."

[Scarecrow71]

Aishuku turns to Kozak slightly, nodding in agreement.  He then looks at Icepick, grabbing him by the arms.

Sorry, but we cannot let you go at this moment.  Until we know for sure that you are a friend and not a competing interest, you are going to have to come with us.

Aishuku then leads Icepick to the van, depositing him in the back, handcuffs and all, before climbing into the driver's seat.

[Ympulse]

Spirit sighed inwardly, there was nothing left to be done here.

"It's time we leave. Make sure to clean up any evidence of our presence as quickly as you can"
With that he turned and closed the window, then began moving down the stairs, making sure to pick up the two cases from the rounds he fired earlier, and (assuming there are no objections from the rest of the group) left the building, making sure not to be seen by the cameras, and donned his industrial worker uniform before leaving on his Dobie.

[Operator]

Operator exhaled slowly, glancing after Icepick. It really wasn't necessary to pull the thief along for the ride, but Aishuku was offering the transportation and he had no interest in walking out of Yokohama.

"Like he said, we have no time for discussion. Give me the location of your bike and the passcode, and I'll tail behind the van. I can also leave it to be found by the JIF, but you and l would see that as a waste of money."

[imperialus]

As you push Icepick into the back of the van he gives you a shrug and gives directions to his bike.  'Thanks for the offer.  It's a black street bike about 2 blocks away.  As for payment...  Well it was enough to keep my rent paid for a while."

He turns to Aishuku and says "And here I thought we were getting so friendly."  He sits on one of the bench seats in the back at an odd angle to keep the cuffs from digging into his back and hunches forward silently.

As you drive away, you begin to hear sirens in the distance.  By picking side streets and avoiding the noise of the sirens you manage to escape the district without being noticed.

[imperialus]

July 14th 2072

You drive back to your homes in the hopes of getting a few hours sleep before attempting to arrange a meeting with Kusbana's business partner and her husband.  Operator, you send both video files to your contact hoping he can enhance them into something that will get you a clue as to the identities of Kusbana's assailants.

[Scarecrow71]

"You comfortable back there?"

Aishuku didn't really care how comfortable the guy was, he was just making small talk and making sure that the guy was still back there.

<<@Private Chat 552375>>
<<I'd like to program the van to drive itself so I can keep an eye on our package in the back.  I'm hungry, so I'm heading towards a small diner near the Hotel Hearton Higashi in Shinagawa on the riverfront.  It's populated, but should provide some cover while we discuss...things.>>

Aishuku programs the coordinates and address of the place into the van's pilot program and then makes his way into the back, kneeling in front of Icepick.

"I'm no locksmith, but if you can promise me that you're going to behave, I can see about removing those cuffs."

[Operator]

As Operator tailed behind Aishuku's van, a pair of upload bars tracked across his field of vision to make the hundred percent dash in just under fifteen seconds. There you go, Mark. Let's hope we can get some clues out of the enhancement.

@Private Chat 552375
"I would like to eat something before knocking back a few hours of rest. I'd also like to let the hacker go at the earliest opportunity; it is fortunate he is not a possessive American biker."

[imperialus]

Icepick slowly opens his eyes and looks at you raising an eyebrow:  "No, I love having pieces of metal digging into my wrists...  The pins and needles sensation in my fingers fills me with joy.  It distracts me from the intense pain in my chest."  When you raise an eyebrow at him he says "Of course I'm not going to try anything.  You have a gun, I do not." You get the impression that he isn't even able to sit up straight.  In fact the fact that you have his arms twisted at an awkward angle while he's sitting there with a broken rib or two is probably insanely painful.

[ooc]Remember Icepick is sitting at -5 dice due to a combination of physical and stun damage.  Even if he wanted to he wouldn't be able to beat up a schoolgirl.  He can't even walk unaided.[/ooc]

After about 20 minutes you arrive outside the Hearton

[Scarecrow71]

Aishuku fumbles with the cuffs for a few seconds before realizing he is not a locksmith.  He continues to kneel next to the poor bastard, almost sorry about his situation.

Sorry, friend, but I'm no locksmith.  I have no clue how to get you out of those.

After driving for a while, the van's pilot program finally beeps, letting him know they are nearing the hotel.  Once the van is near the hotel, Aishuku contemplates stopping, but he realizes that he is bleeding and reeks of tear gas.  He steps to the back of the van, ready to open the back door.

Once again, I'm sorry, friend.

He throws open the door, and then lifts Icepick up, tossing him into the street unceremoniously.  He then closes the back door of the van and speeds off at a reasonable pace, headed towards his apartment.

<<@Private Chat 552375>>
<<The package is gone.  I'm headed for rest.  Where and when are we meeting up to discuss things?>>

[spoiler]Hotel Hearton Higashishinagawa[/spoiler]

[imperialus]

Before you push Icepick out of the door Nightshade steps in and pulling the key from a pocket unlocks the cuffs and slips a stim patch into his hand.  "Try to get yourself to a street doc and get those ribs looked at.  I'm sure Operator will be in touch about your bike."

[imperialus]

July 15th 03:30 Hearton Hotel Shinagawa ward, Tokyo

As you enter the hotel lobby the dated decor matches the slightly musty smell.  The canned music of a Shamisen is piped through the lobby.  It doesn't look like anyone is on duty at the front desk.  In fact with the exception of a drunken sariaman trying heroically to navigate the AR check in counter the lobby is deserted.  The rates are posted as being 100 nuyen/night for a room with a double bed or 160 nuyen for a room with two double beds.

[Operator]

Operator pulled up next to the van as Icepick was turned loose, shooting a glance at him. "Can you ride your own bike in that condition? If not, I know a guy in the film industry whose studio has a secured parking lot. I can also offer you first aid for the trouble."

@Private Chat 552375
"Let's meet here at 11:30 AM; I need at least six hours of sleep and a long shower to get rid of the CS smell. I recommend generous amounts of soap and thorough scrubbing."