Chapter 2: Regrouping After Meeting with Dashiell

[Charybdis Richelle]

{GM}

As Bone Biter is explaining to Headstone and Tears why he was late in grouping up with the rest of the outside part of the team, all three of them, and Skye who is currently manifest because she was talking to Headstone, see Baby Blue, Pacman, and Revs step out of the doors at the main entrance of the Space Needle.

As the group from the meeting step outside, they likewise see the rest of the team a little south of the fountain at Space Circle drive, talking and keeping an eye on an ice cream vendor in a sidecar attached to a motorcycle. A small line of ragtag street rats, boytoys, and joy girls wait in line in front of the cart.

[shaidar]

{Revs}

Revs is glad to see the group outside. "I'll message Headstone to see if it's safe for us to approach."

He moves out of the flow of people and sends a message to Headstone:
- Is it safe for us to approach, or do you want us to regroup elsewhere? -

[Juramenta]

{Headstone}

Headstone nods at Skye, fully supporting her plan. "I get it, Skye. You’re not wrong, something’s gotta give. You do your thing, follow him in the astral. Let’s see where this drek calls home. We’ll work out a plan to handle it later. You’ve got my full backing on this."

Turning to Bone Biter, he listens to the ork’s situation with a serious expression.
"Skye’s already on it, my chummer. She’s got eyes on the big fish, but we’ll keep an ear to the ground for your wallet. Can’t make promises on the hair, but we’ll give it our best shot."

As soon as he receives Revs' message, Headstone pulls out his secretary and taps a response. - It’s clear. Come on over. We’re posted up just south of the fountain. Let’s refrain from vital info until we are back at base, unless there is something that needs adressing right away? -

[shaidar]

{Revs}

On receiving Headstone's reply he sends back:

-Nothing immediate, but we do have a time sensitive situation-

He turns to Pacman and Baby Blue."Headstone says it's safe. Let's go."

He starts to head over to the others, but does wait for Pacman and BB to make sure they are coming.

[CoyotesLuck]

{Pacman}

Once on public streets outside the Needle, Pacman keeps watch for any tail or surveillance thats not the routine Lonestar overwatch for the area. Pacman sends a quick voicenote to everyone on the team "The band has a gig offer but the venue's promoter is pissed that we didn't approve their proposed setlist on the spot. Head to the studio so we can walk through the songs they want us to play ASAP as they need to know tonight if they have to book someone with a different vibe." While walking, Pacman makes a point of dropping searches for chords and lyrics for 2050's Pac-Rim surf rock.

Pacman heads out on a longer circuit loop to get to "the studio" and tries to pass through areas where Lonestar may have astral security active to reduce the odds of a tail he cannot hope to see.

On entering HQ, Pacman rushes into the room and blurts to whoever is there ahead: "Omae, this is some slotting drek and it's going to get worse before it gets better."
Pacman throws himself into a seat and taps at the table nervously while waiting for whomever is the last to arrive.

[Charybdis Richelle]

{GM}

Pandora continues to keep watch until everyone makes it home, periodically updating the various groups on the other’s progress. When Pacman steps in, Pandora sits up straight, opening her eyes for just a moment. “Breathe, Pacman. Everything looks clean. Everyone else is good. They’re about ten minutes out.” Then she leans back again and closes her eyes.

The team all makes it back home with no issues other than Bone Biter needing to bum a ride. Since the pickpocket lifted both his wallet and SIN stick, he has no way to pay for his Metro fare.

Once there, everyone gets their desired snacks, drinks, or other necessary comfort items. Pandora sits up, jacks out, and refills her Fizzy Goo before settling back in her seat. She leaves her deck sitting on the table, just in case anyone needs her services. "What's Tox? The mixed messages you sent me have me worried."

[CoyotesLuck]

{GM}

Once there, everyone gets their desired snacks, drinks, or other necessary comfort items. Pandora sits up, jacks out, and refills her Fizzy Goo before settling back in her seat. She leaves her deck sitting on the table, just in case anyone needs her services. "What's Tox? The mixed messages you sent me have me worried."

Pacman rubs his face with his hands and leans back in his chair. Facing the cieling but eyes still closed " Johnson wants us to kidnap someone and haul them fast to Houston. One of our party at the meet was clear that we had an issue with live cargo and I noted that others in our team stated similar previously. He was... look, when i am actually paying attention to someone I can get a decent read on whats going on behind the mask. Dashiell wants the job done but also wants it to be *us* for some reason. It is not our style or speed of work, fuck dragging ass to fucking Texas is how many borders to cross in a ride we do not have... but telling him flat no.. I really do not want to find out how much heat will be coming down on us." Pacman sits up and straightens up. "We have a few hours from when we left the Needle to message Fallstaff a location for a follow up meeting or.. to send a very polite sorry but no thank you and vanish for a while."

[Juramenta]

Headstone notices Pacman’s tension the moment he enters the room. Without a word, he steps over and places a reassuring hand on Pacman’s shoulder, a subtle but firm gesture meant to say: We’ve got this, my chummer. Everything is going to be alright

As the rest of the team arrives, Headstone moves to his usual spot at the back of the table, near the large monitor. His eyes scan the room, taking in everyone’s expressions. He can feel the tension hanging in the air.
When everyone’s settled, he leans forward slightly and speaks in a calm voice. "I’m sensing some serious tension here. Whatever went down, we’ll figure it out together. There is no need to stress. Just know however it may have went down, it would have been way worse if I had done the talking. So, who wants to start filling us in?" His tone is reassuring, inviting everyone to share without fear or judgment. Headstone has always been a strong advocate of believing in the capabilities of this crew and that is not about to change whatever news they might bring to the table.

[CoyotesLuck]

{Pacman}
"Oi, Rev - What were all the details of the job, I was really too focused on Dashiell himself."

[archolewa]

Baby Blue

Baby Blue closes her eyes, and recites word for word what Dashiell said (she also tries to mimic his tone, but she's no voice actor):

"Very well, Mr. Packard, Mr. Revutsky, Miss Li, let’s get down to business. In a nutshell, my client has a certain… package… that he needs to have delivered to Houston. In and of itself, that would not require a team of your diverse talents."

"However, this particular package has a name. A name which will be provided to you so long as you do not express reluctance to deliver... live cargo. In any event, my principal wishes to speak with... the package... but it has proved, shall we say… reluctant… to speak with him."

"What I need for you to do, therefore, is to… acquire this... package… and deliver it… intact… to Houston. My principal wishes to continue a relationship with the package, and because of this, he is most insistent that it arrive undamaged. If you accept this job, you will deliver the package to my client's representative to a location in Houston which I will provide. Obviously, my client wishes to keep this matter discrete – no news flashes on trideo, no Lone Star involvement."

“Is this a job you and yours would be willing to accept – if we can come to an agreement on terms? If not, then there is no reason to continue, and you are free to go.”


Baby Blue takes a deep breath. "He said more of course. I can recite the whole meeting if you wish, but that was his initial pitch. Basically, the victim is not currently held anywhere. Just going on about their life I suppose. Dashiell knows the name, and has a physical picture, but nothing else. Dashiell tried to butter us up. Say we had potential, and if we did good here, he could have fancier jobs for us in the future. Claims the victim isn an adult, and that they're not being kidnapped because they're cute, if you know what I mean. Victim needs to be gotten the client within 10 days. The faster, the better the pay. For some unexplained reason, time is of the essence."

Baby Blue takes a sip of water. "Dashiell wanted a team who would handle the victim as gently as possible. The client wants to offer the victim a business proposition. I guess his client thinks that the victim would be totally fine with being kidnapped, but better not be mean to them, or they might get a little grumpy! Then Dashiell spouted some nonsense about how if we have problems kidnapping random people off the street and dragging them halfway across the continent, then we clearly can't handle other jobs that Shadowrunners are expected of, and we'll desperately need some luck to survive. Pacman smooth talked him into giving us six hours to confer with the rest of you. He wasn't happy that only a third of us showed up, or that we refused to say yes right there, but he agreed. He also agreed to meet wherever we decide."

Baby Blue took a breath. "Oh, and he has two bodyguards. One's a hulking brute of a woman I would *not* want to get into so much as a staring contest with. Got a whole bunch of cyberware. The others a supposedly undisciplined, lazy teenage boy, but I don't buy it. Probably putting on an act. Or he really is lazy and undisciplined, but got some skill so special Dashiell tolerates his humiliating actions in front of strange shadowrunners. Magic maybe."

[shaidar]

{Revs}

Revs has been quiet since he arrived. He waits for BB to finish to speak. He doesn't sound panicked, but there is a certain tight edge to his tone.

"Kidnapping, at least of adults, was not mentioned before the meeting as a redline. We can't keep pulling new redlines out of our hoops at every client meeting we go to. We need to put together a comprehensive list we all agree to up front. Yes, basically the job is to kidnap somebody and take them to Houston. Dashiell was partly right, if we restrict our job choices too much we will end up selling cookies door to door. I thought he remained quite calm, despite certain insults. The fact that he agreed to give us time and decide the meeting spot says a lot. If I had to put creds on it I bet that Dashiell and his bodyguards are, or were, runners themselves. I'd say the boy was some kind of magician and was acting as astral security."

[Juramenta]

{Headstone}

Headstone listens carefully as Pacman, Baby Blue, and Revs lay out the situation. He remains silent while considering everything that’s been said. When everyone has spoken, he straightens up ready to give his take on the matter.
"Alright, chummers, First off, let’s not stress about what’s done. We’re still in the game, and nothing’s gone sideways just yet. This biz ain’t lost at all. We’ve got time to figure out our move, so no need to panic."

He pauses to make sure everyone’s with him before continuing.
"Revs makes a good point. We can’t keep pulling new redlines outta our hoops every time we meet a Johnson. We never crafted up a comprehensive list, so we all agree on what’s a hard no for the team upfront. We didn’t do that and kept it loose, so now we’re in a gray area where both sides got a fair argument. Ain’t nobody wrong here, just different views on how to handle the drek." he says as he shifts slightly forward in his seat with his voice taking on a more serious yet understanding tone.
"Look, I get it. This job’s skatin’ close to the edge of what some of us are comfortable with. Kidnappin’ ain’t something to take lightly, even if it’s an adult. But here’s the thing: Unlike wetwork where it doesn’t matter who handles the deed, with kidnappin’ it differs which team does the run. Knowing we don’t do wetwork already gave them a great indication the target is going to be treated well. I bet they picked us because they expect us to treat the target as humane as possible. If we don’t do the run, their next option will probably be less gentle.

Headstone looks around to read the room before continuing.
When it comes to our rep with the Johnsson. Their kind are used to difficult negotiations. They ain’t lookin’ for pushovers. If we say no, that’s part of the biz. He’s gotta be used to it. And if we do take it and pull it off, he won’t be complaining if the end result’s clean. Runners like us are hired to get the job done, and a Johnson worth his nuyen knows the game. He’s gotta respect that." he says as he glances around the room, making sure he’s still got everyone’s attention. "With a crew this big, nine strong, there’s bound to be some clashin’ views and convictions. That’s just the way it is. We didn’t hash this out before, so we’re in the grey zone. But that’s why we’ve got to decide together. The only way forward is a vote, chummers. We put it to a vote and whatever the outcome, we all abide by it. No hard feelings, no second-guessing. We’re a team, and that means rollin’ with the punches together."

He leans back in his chair, his expression still calm. "So, let’s focus on right now. We’ve got a job on the table that’s pushin’ some boundaries. We gotta decide if we’re in or out. But whatever we choose, we stick together, handle our biz, and keep movin’ forward. That’s how we survive in this world. Do we all agree?" he asks making sure all are on board before moving further.

[shaidar]

{Revs}

Revs seems to relax a little as Headstone talks.

"I think a vote is a good idea. How about we start by voting on kidnapping adults as a valid option in general. Then, if that passes, we can discuss this specific offer, possible logistics, and the price they are offering and vote on it."

[Charybdis Richelle]

{GM}

Pandora sits up straight, listening to what everyone says. She doesn’t bother turning to face whoever is speaking as she tries to make a point of doing when she herself speaks to someone. A light smile crosses her face when Baby Blue starts reciting Dashiell’s words verbatim. As the discussion continues, her brow begins to furrows and the corners of her lips begin to pull down. Still, she says nothing.

About halfway through Headstone’s speak, the decker cocks her head to the left and narrows her eyes a little. “Excuse me,” she says, so softly that most at the table have a hard time catching her words over Headstone’s, but it doesn’t matter. She doesn’t wait for anyone to respond before taking the loose data cable from her deck and snicking it into place in the datajack on her left temple. She closes her eyes and leans back in her chair; her fingers begin softly tapping across her keyboard.

Pandora remains this way while Headstone finishes his speech and while Revs seconds the call for a vote. Then she sits up straight, unplugs the cord from her jack, and opens her eyes. Her eyes go a little wide, and her mouth forms a wide O. Her tongue darts out of her mouth and wets the center of her bottom lip before disappearing again.

“This is not related to a general vote,” she says, “But it might matter for the latter. The skaters from Emory came through. They were able to give me the skinny on Dashiell.” Her eyes narrow a bit and the lines on her brow deepen. She turns towards Headstone’s spot at the table. “You want it now, Boss? Or after the vote?”

[Juramenta]

{Headstone}

Headstone nods thoughtfully, even if Pandora cannot see it.
"Alright, Pandora, good work. But let’s hold onto that for a sec.
We’ve got to handle this vote first. If the crew decides against the job, then the info doesn’t matter anyway. But if we’re for it, your intel could be key to planning the next move. So let’s get the vote locked down, and then you can spill the data. Sound good?"

[Charybdis Richelle]

{GM}

Pandora shakes her head when Headstone says that her intel doesn’t matter if they don’t take the job, but she doesn’t answer yet. She waits until he asks if his plan sounds good. Then she nods. “Alright,” she says. “After the vote, then. But it will matter even if we refuse.”

[Ozgood13]

{Bone Biter}

Bone pulls out a small pen knife he uses for cleaning his nails (it is not listed on the character sheet as non-lethal). He starts to clean his nails and relaxes, waiting for Skye to become alert in the meat.

[Ozgood13]

{Bone Biter}

Bone says, " I am in! We have to get it right, as I don't want this to go south for us."

[shaidar]

{Revs}

"I vote yes to the inclusion of kidnapping in our repertoire. It doesn't mean we have to automatically take every kidnapping job, just that we won't exclude it outright and we can assess each job on it's merits."

[CoyotesLuck]

{Pacman}
" This isn't something abstract. I am telling you, the guy smiled nice and was selling that he is patient and understanding but there was a lie hiding in that. He has was not abstractedly frustrated that he had to find a different team, there was more to it and I think it matters what Pandora found on the drekhead before we get too solid on what we will or will not do in abstract. Part of 'the biz' is that we are expendable assets and can be erased to tie up loose ends if we are not useful. I do not like the idea of kidnapping, fair enough. If Fallstaff was asking if we were interested and we had other options, I would say no without a second thought... I don't think Dashiell is someone we are safe to tell no unless we plan to ghost and go to ground somewhere else."