Chapter 2: Regrouping After Meeting with Dashiell

[CoyotesLuck]

{Bone Biter}

Bone looks to Skye and pulls out a key he found in his pocket. The Dwarven tween put it there when his cred stick and wallet were lifted. " Skye, does anyone else know where this locker key works? The kid who lifted my cred stick and wallet planted it on me."

{Pacman}
"What was that? Last I checked pickpockets didn't leave keys like some deranged tooth fairy. Anything marked on it?"

[CoyotesLuck]

{Pacman}
Pacman shakes his head like he's trying to slosh his brain into higher gear, or a dog with an odd smell in his nose. "oh, Rev. Sorry for the random change of topic.. Do you know anything about 'The Pretty Panzer' or 'Hangar six'? If I remember right they may be bars a rigger might be able to make connections with the sort of pilot who would have or get the plane and false flight plans we would be looking for."

[Ozgood13]

{Bone Biter}

Bone shows the key to Pacman: " Hey, all I know is that this key was not in my pocket until the kid bumped into me. I have a strange feeling the kid's handlers are trying to set me up. It looks like a general-use locker, as you would use it as a drop-in metro slot. I do not want to split up right now, but some of my mom's ashes were in the wallet the kid lifted. We have until Pandora returns to her meat, but this can wait. If it is a setup, the longer I delay, the more whoever is behind this can lose interest in me."

Bone turns to Headstone, adding, " What do you think?"

[archolewa]

Baby Blue

"Hope you don't feel bad about getting hooked," says Baby Blue, though her eyes never leave Pandora's lights. "Someone who can swap your wallet for a key is good. Very, very good. Didn't know anybody who could pull it off. So, congrats. You look wealthy enough to be worth a master's time."

[Gremlin]

Skye

Baby Blue

"Focus on Simpleton. Rough ballparks should be fine for expenses. Lot easier to get expenses covered, or walk away, if we can say we'll probably lose money on this job otherwise, and we only need order of magnitude for that," says Baby Blue.

"Well then, let's make sure to calculate the worst case scenario when run those numbers are run. Just chartering a plane with a pilot that can get us where we need to go while also looking the other way when they find out about our 'cargo' is going to be expensive as all hell. Then there's at least one van for the actual extraction, and it can't just be a regular rental unless someone has a good fake SIN. Because that drek isn't going on my SIN. Then there's tranqs and whatever we want to use to keep the target under control for the whole flight," Skye says, making no effort to hide her irritation. "I don't want to have to do this job and end up with less nuyen than I started with."

{Bone Biter}

Bone looks to Skye and pulls out a key he found in his pocket. The Dwarven tween put it there when his cred stick and wallet were lifted. " Skye, does anyone else know where this locker key works? The kid who lifted my cred stick and wallet planted it on me."

"The fagin I was following calls himself G.H., for 'Good Humor', because he's just funny that way. Turns out he can astrally perceive so he's probably a physical adept. Since he made me, I talked to him and he seemed reasonably amicable about getting your token back to you," Skye replies to Bone Biter. "He told me the kid who nicked your stuff is called Mudge, and Mudge is very good at what he does. Mudge likes to leave something behind -- for practice? Ego? Because he can? In any event, I don't think it's personal and G.H. didn't tell me what Mudge left. So I couldn't tell you anything about that key for sure, but I'd guess it's a locker at the metro station where he nicked you."

[Juramenta]

{Headstone}


Headstone’s eyes widen as Bone Biter pulls out the key. He takes a deep breath, calming himself, before pulling out his bug scanner to sweep for any surprises. If the scan comes up clean, he speaks.
"This Good Humor drek doesn’t seem to be winning any popularity contests with his little workers. That key could lead to something that burns him, or at least gives us some leverage. Worth checking it out, but make sure you’re back in three hours if you can. Skye’s been made, so we’re on their radar now. Drek happens, just double-check your surroundings while you are out there, and you should be good." Headstone advises Bone Biter.

He then turns to Skye.
"A real SIN’s the safest bet for chartering a plane, but I get it if no one wants to flash their legit ID on a run like this. I’ve got a fake that’s really cost me big, so it better be worth the nuyen if I need to use it." he chuckles.

Finally, he addresses Pacman but keeps it open for the whole crew.
"For the meet, I say we keep it fast and focused. Although, I am thinking about name-dropping Simpleton. If what they’ve said is true, this is simultaneously an audition of sorts to see if we’re ready for the big leagues. Showing we do our homework could tip things in our favor, both in how they see us and when it comes to haggling over nuyen.

As for where to hold the meet, they already know Pandora’s part of the crew, and thus likely know where we crash. Our strength is in these fortified floors and the locals keeping their eyes out. Looking at the parties we throw, hiding from the public is not exactly our thing. So, why not show some hospitality and invite them here? I’ll welcome them inside, do the usual checks, let them do theirs, and then hand them over the counter-offer Pandora will tally up for us. Once they start talking nuyen, Pacman takes over to handle negotiation talks. After that, I'll show them the door, and we can get to work. Sounds good, or anyone got a better plan?" he suggests while glancing around the room, reading the reactions of the crew.

[shaidar]

{Revs}

{Pacman}
Pacman shakes his head like he's trying to slosh his brain into higher gear, or a dog with an odd smell in his nose. "oh, Rev. Sorry for the random change of topic.. Do you know anything about 'The Pretty Panzer' or 'Hangar six'? If I remember right they may be bars a rigger might be able to make connections with the sort of pilot who would have or get the plane and false flight plans we would be looking for."

Revs perks up "Yeah, I've been Hanger 6, a while ago. It's a pretty straight up place. I've heard of The Pretty Panzer and I know of another place, Spector's Speedway."

Finally, he addresses Pacman but keeps it open for the whole crew.
"For the meet, I say we keep it fast and focused. Although, I am thinking about name-dropping Simpleton. If what they’ve said is true, this is simultaneously an audition of sorts to see if we’re ready for the big leagues. Showing we do our homework could tip things in our favor, both in how they see us and when it comes to haggling over nuyen.

As for where to hold the meet, they already know Pandora’s part of the crew, and thus likely know where we crash. Our strength is in these fortified floors and the locals keeping their eyes out. Looking at the parties we throw, hiding from the public is not exactly our thing. So, why not show some hospitality and invite them here? I’ll welcome them inside, do the usual checks, let them do theirs, and then hand them over the counter-offer Pandora will tally up for us. Once they start talking nuyen, Pacman takes over to handle negotiation talks. After that, I'll show them the door, and we can get to work. Sounds good, or anyone got a better plan?" he suggests while glancing around the room, reading the reactions of the crew.

Revs smiles "You're right, if this is an audition, then we need to be audacious. Let's let him know we know who he is, and bringing him back here is a great idea. If he knows all about us then this place isn't secret and it means that we don't have to expose another place to his knowledge, and we have home turf advantage. I'm going to spend the next three and a half hours chasing information on this shadow airport, possible pilots, flight routes and refuelling stops. I'll also see what I can find out about chartering an aircraft. I still think a tilt-wing rotor craft is our best bet. They tend to be less fuel efficient than an airplane, but I have some skill in flying them and they are VTOL so we are not reliant on a runway." He looks around the room "That's a long list, anyone fancy helping me out? Some of the places I'll be going to are rough, in fact my father has forbidden me from visiting The Panzer." he grins.

[archolewa]

Baby Blue

"I can go with. I'm no stranger to rough places," says Baby Blue. "And my memory means you won't need to worry about taking notes or anything. Just give me a minute to write down Pandora's directions for whoever's staying here."

Baby Blue will disappear into her room, and come out a moment later with some paper and a pen. She jots Pandora's directions down word for word in a precise, small script, and puts it next to the smiling decker.

She will also put on her plated armor vest, and tuck her gun in a shoulder holster under the vest. She slaps her goggles on her head, slips 2 flash paks into her pockets, and grabs about 40 Nuyen.

[Juramenta]

{Headstone}

"Rough and forbidden? Count me in. Sounds like my kind of spot." Headstone grins.
"As for the aircraft, I’d trust you over any hired hand, so let’s go with what you can handle best. Tilt-wing? Guess we are going in style, but whatever gives us the edge. Once we’ve got the intel, we’ll shoot it over to Pandora. No sense in making her job estimating costs harder than it needs to be. Shall we head out after everything here’s been squared away?" he responds be then looks around in the room and realizes Pandora needs someone to watch her.

''Without BB watching Pandora, it's probably best if I stay behind. What was it again? Red light means janking her right out?'' Headstone is already expecting BB to correct him as he looks into her direction after he says it.

[Gremlin]

Skye

"Just because Simpleton almost certainly already knows where we live doesn't mean he already knows the layout inside," Skye comments. "I mean, he might already know that if he sent a magician to scout us astrally. It's not like we ever felt the need for astral security before and setting up a permanent astral barrier would be expensive. But why give him more information on us than necessary? Just because a viper knows where our den is, is no reason to invite the viper inside. Just my opinion."

Skye gets up and starts to head to her room. "Decide what you want. I'm going to make a phone call."

[Stirling]

Tears in the Rain

Taking time to listen in to group conversations, she balances on one foot in the corner, palms touching and steepling her fingers, poised in quiet contemplating.

Having lived all her life in the Seattle urban ghettoes, the most exciting and daunting thing is leaving the city to travel elsewhere.

"Anyone been to Texas before?", she pipes up after her silence.

[Ozgood13]

{Bone Biter}

Bone turns to Baby Blue and speaks, " Thanks for the info on G.H. and Hudge. I want the wallet and cred to stick back, but I do not want to jeopardize this run initially." Bone turns to Skye and adds, "Can you keep an eye on me? I have some pocket money for the metro. I want to go back and see if I can locate Mudge. I will not harm, as I do not want to draw attention to myself and the team. I will look into the lockers in the Metro if the key opens anything there."

Bone pulls on his long coat and does not carry any weapons except his fingernail knife and, of course, his combat knife, which is strapped to his left calf in a secure sheath.

Bone again tells Skye, "Keep your eyes and ears on me from a distance. This is just a recon." With this, Bone sets the timer on his watch to two hours to be back in time.

With this, Bone walks out the door to the Metro, keeping his head on a swivel, and back to the Needle area.

[Stirling]

Tears in the Rain

Listens with interest to the multiple conversation threads. Lots buzz in her head but within the group, wiser heads for planning dynamics exist. Her base 'Shadowrunning' experience has been 'robin-hooding' the rich to feed the poor (and herself) and exercising her 'social justice' on those street brutes and corp executives that bully and control others.

"Hmmm ..." Bone Biter being both picked and pocketed is unusual. She wonders if that was just a random act or a more targeted provocation.

If she still has access to the bike she used earlier, she will turn up at the bus stop and offer BB to ride shotgun. Otherwise she will catch the bus too.

[shaidar]

{Revs}

While Baby Blue goes to get her things, Revs makes contact with Beamer (private thread), then catches up with her.

"My contact is going to meet us in 20 at The Comets Tail. We'll take my bike."

[archolewa]

Baby Blue

"Alright." Baby Blue slides her goggles over her eyes. "Let's be J's."

[Juramenta]

{Headstone}

Pacman, from your professional view. Revs agrees, while Skye disagrees and I do not want to go through a entire new vote. What's your take? Headstone asks before picking up the secretary in order to call Fallstaff and make reservations for the second meeting.

[CoyotesLuck]

{Headstone}

Pacman, from your professional view. Revs agrees, while Skye disagrees and I do not want to go through a entire new vote. What's your take? Headstone asks before picking up the secretary in order to call Fallstaff and make reservations for the second meeting.

"On what part?" Pacman laughs tiredly then watches Headstones reactions as he itemizes: "Dashiell is a big enough fish that I am feeling like a tiny worm on a big frakn hook. The run has a long trip into an unknown city with an unwilling passenger. The team has some underlying conflicts that could get ugly when things go hot.. Oh, and pickpockets leaving keys is old Grimm's fairytale level strange." Pacman rubs the shaved side of his head. "I am most worried about the key sidetracking people we need and second most concerned about folks feeling pushed outside of their comfort. It's the kind of stress that blows runs and gets chummers arrested or shot. But like it or not, I know we have to get at least this one run done for Dashiell or we might as well get drunk and play Russian Roulette."

[Gremlin]

Skye

"I don't know why Bone Biter is so freaked out about that key," Skye says as she walks back into the room, ignoring the other part of Pacman's comment. "I told him G.H. said this Mudge kid does that kind of thing all the time, Biter isn't being singled out. I bet when he opens that locker it just has a note that says 'Ha ha, got you sucker' or something like that."

Skye takes a seat in the well used leather recliner, aka 'the comfy chair', and folds her legs into a lotus position. "I guess I better check up on Biter before he thinks I just brushed him off. Mudge must have really got into his head if he thinks he needs astral security to open a locker." Skye rolls her eyes. "Whatever. I did my own background check on Simpleton with someone I know. I'll fill everyone in when we're all back."

She waits a moment in case anyone has anything to say, then sends her astral self back to the Needle metro station.

[Juramenta]

{Headstone}

Headstone smiles, noticing how his earlier questions and suggestions got lost in the back-and-forth of the conversation.
"Not exactly what I was getting at, but you’re right. Distractions can derail things fast. It’s why I originally wanted Pandora to hold off on her findings at the start of the meet. But we’re all free thinkers, and different opinions come with the territory." He shrugs, then adds, "Once we’re ready to move out, I’ll give the crew a recap. That’ll get everyone back on the same page."

Turning to Skye, he continues:
"I’ll be taking your advice and arranging the meet at the Comet’s Tail instead of our base. The place doesn’t have a weapons check at the door, which I prefer. It’s got decent spots for a meeting, and I don’t expect many guests. Even if there are, they’ll probably be drunk. The music’s loud enough to keep conversations private. Plus, it’s not some snobby joint where most of us feel out of place."

He sport a little grin when he says:
"As for Good Humor, I’m with you on the drek, but I’ll put 10 nuyen on that key meaning something more than just a joke."
But then continues in a more serious tone after suggesting a friendly little wager to Skye
"I doubt the dwarven drek’s made many friends with his little runners. My guess? Mudge could be dumping incriminating data on G.H. all over the place, hoping something sticks. When it comes to Bone Biter, I want his head fully in the game, not wondering where that key leads while we’re on the run. So, even if we handle G.H. after the job, it’s best he spends the next few hours figuring this key out. Once he’s back, his focus will be where it needs to be."

Picking up his secretary, Headstone looks back both Pacman and Skye.
"I’m gonna contact Fallstaff and get this set up. After that, I’ll get the basics ready and grab the supplies needed for the kidnapping part of the run. I can finalize the rest of the plan once we get the additional intel from Simpleton. That way we can immediately move out after the meet and get this run done in under 3 days. Unless either of you wanted to lead that part of the run?" he says leaving the offer hanging, giving room for either to step up if inclined before he sets things in motion.

[Charybdis Richelle]

{GM}

Headstone dials Falstaff. The line connects, but as it always does, the screen remains dark. Since Headstone initiated the call, the line remains nearly silent as well; no one speaks. The only sound that carries into the room is the almost inaudible clicking whine of dataline scanners ensuring that the line remains secure from the Falstaff’s end.