The Unseen Servant forums

{Revs}

Charybdis Richelle wrote: ↑Tue Aug 27, 2024 2:06 pm
When the waitress leaves, Dashiell looks back at Desdemona and nods. She reaches into the pocket of the overcoat on Dashiell's chair and pulls out a small electronic device. She switches it on and then sets it on the floor in the left rear corner of the room.

“I know the Eye has its own white noise generator and jammers,” Dashiell says, “But I suppose I must confess to a certain edge of paranoia myself. In matters such as these, I prefer to use my own. If you do as well, feel free to set them up, and then we can come to the reason I invited you to be my guests this evening."

Revs glances at Pacman and Baby Blue.

"I've no more precautions to add, Mr Dashiell. I'm ready to get to business whenever you are."

shaidar wrote: ↑Tue Aug 27, 2024 3:20 pm {Revs}

Revs glances at Pacman and Baby Blue.

"I've no more precautions to add, Mr Dashiell. I'm ready to get to business whenever you are."

{Pacman}
"We are in a venue that prides itself on holding our privacy and safety to standards equal if not greater than their food and ambiance. I believe we are satisfied with the aggregate of the protections in place." Pacman shifts from sitting back casually to leaning forward attentively. "You and your employer have spared no expense on us so far. The table is yours, so to speak, to tell us about your proposition."

shaidar wrote: ↑Tue Aug 27, 2024 2:32 pm {Revs}

Revs settles on ordering a small selection of Mexican vegetarian appetizers, then follows that with a main course of surf and turf: scallops and shrimp with a filet mignon (cooked medium), a medley of brocolli, green beans and asparagus, and waffle fries. For dessert he goes looking for some Ukrainian (or Russian) options, choosing a fruity Syrniki if available. He finishes up with an extra strong cup of black coffee with plenty of sugar.

During the meal he watches the bodyguards with interest, but is careful not to stare, and does his best to engage in the conversation on topics he knows about.

{GM}

Dashiell is quite skilled in conversation. He slides out topics of interest and does an excellent job of noticing when the others are interested or when they are lost. He scaffolds the conversation to provide background for unfamiliar topics that appeal to the table without sounding condescending. He practices active listening and almost seamlessly shift the discussion to focus on topics his guests find interesting.

{GM}

If Dashiell is surprised by a group who was too paranoid to send in two-thirds of its membership and that had one member who abstained from eating in an establishment as well-known as the Eye would refrain from providing their own electronic protections, he shows no sign of it.

"Very well, Mr. Packard, Mr. Revutsky, Miss Li, let’s get down to business." Dashiell leans back in his chair and folds his hands in front of him, with his index fingers pointing upwards, making a steeple. "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."

Dashiell pauses a moment before continuing. "However, this particular package has a name." He pauses again briefly to let this sink in. After a moment, he adds, "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.”

Charybdis Richelle wrote: ↑Tue Aug 27, 2024 10:26 pm {GM}

If Dashiell is surprised by a group who was too paranoid to send in two-thirds of its membership and that had one member who abstained from eating in an establishment as well-known as the Eye would refrain from providing their own electronic protections, he shows no sign of it.

"Very well, Mr. Packard, Mr. Revutsky, Miss Li, let’s get down to business." Dashiell leans back in his chair and folds his hands in front of him, with his index fingers pointing upwards, making a steeple. "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."

Dashiell pauses a moment before continuing. "However, this particular package has a name." He pauses again briefly to let this sink in. After a moment, he adds, "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.”

"Acquire a specified live cargo and deliver it safely to Houston. There are some details in this that could prove problematic." Pacman holds up fingers one at a time as he lists off the following items. "Is the live cargo currently free range or in captivity? Are we provided with route information and logistics support or are we intended to improvise? Is there local support in Houston? Is the live cargo to be released following the conversation? Are there other interests that seek to acquire or destroy the live cargo prior to delivery?" Pacman does his best to dryly run through the logistics of this without showing any deep unease about the proposed gig.

{GM}

“The live cargo is as free range as a Texas prairie chicken,” Dashiell says. “The route and logistics are up to you. My principal did not want you to feel railroaded and overly concerned by oversight. He has some experience in dealing with shadow operatives and their inherent paranoia. Frankly, my client believed you would feel less like a sitting target if you were the only ones who know the details. Houston, that’s all you as well. The only interaction you should have with my principal is when you deposit the package in the hands of his representative at the drop-off location.”

“As for the rest of the information,” Dashiell shakes his head, “I’m afraid I haven’t been provided with those details.”

Dashiell nods his understanding. "I understand your concern," he says. "I do. I will answer what I can, but that won’t be much. I must admit I have few specifics to offer. My client prefers to keep things on a need to know basis. And in this case my principal seemed to think I needed very little in the way of hard data. The only detail that my client has provided me with is the name of the package to be delivered – well, that and a picture. And I do mean that literally – a picture, an old-fashioned, two-D image, not even a holopic.”

He takes a sip of his brandy. “I would venture to say that my principal does not anticipate any sort of outside interference. He’s always played straight with me before. He’s perfectly capable of hiring outside assets to handle wetwork or to teach a lesson. I know. I’ve handled that for him more than once. But he’s always told me up front that is the case. He wants me to broker him the right pros. I’ve been working with this client for well-over a decade, and he’s never crossed me.”

“To be quite frank,” Dashiell says, “I wouldn’t have called you if I didn’t think you were up to the task. I am always looking for new talent. No one starts as a prime runner. I’ve had my eye on your team for some time now. This is the first run I have felt reasonable to toss your way without too much risk to my client, my reputation, and yourselves. Do this well. Handle yourselves like professionals, and I will have reason to send you more… complicated… contracts.”

{Revs}

Revs nods as Pacman asks the questions, and listens intently to Dashiells replies.

"I have a couple of further questions. Firstly, what are the timescales for the operation? My other question is that from your description so far I'd infer that the target is not a juvenile, but can you confirm this?"

GM}

Dashiell nods. “Let me answer your latter question first,” he says. “I don’t have detailed information such as its birthdate, as I said. But from the target’s image, I can assure you that the package is an adult.”

He takes another sip of his brandy. “Now as to your timescale question, there is no major rush on this delivery. As long as the package arrives within ten days, it will still retain value to my client." Dashiell pauses to be sure everyone is paying attention. "However, as they say, `Time is nuyen.' The sooner the package is delivered, the more value it will hold for my client. Therefore, I am prepared to offer you a bonus for rush delivery the specific details of which I can get into if you are willing to consider this assignment rather than turning it down on principle.”

Baby Blue

Baby Blue's eyes get hard. Real hard. Her voice is cold and clipped. "Let me guess. Your client thinks she's cute, and just can't *stand* the thought of them being separated any longer than necessary. Her desires, of course, are less than important."

{GM}

“Honestly, I have no idea,” Dashiell says. “My principal didn’t say, and I didn't ask. All he said was that he wanted to have a civil discussion with the target upon delivery, and therefore, making sure it arrived intact was paramount. He didn’t want the conversation to be tainted by its anger over its handling. He insisted I find a team who could handle the package with care and not damage it.”

He shakes his head. “However, my knowledge of this client gained over the last decade or so would suggest your speculation inaccurate, Miss Li. My principal is not often taken to flights of fancy. He is a businessman, pure and simple. I can’t imagine him spending the kind of nuyen he’s offering on something as frivolous as a tryst. My assumption – with all of the usual disclaimers about making assumptions kept firmly in mind – was that he wished to offer this package a business opportunity. Though why he would wish to do so if the package has expressed reluctance to entertain such an offer is a caveat I cannot work out myself.”

Dashiell picks up his cup and swirls the last of his peach brandy in his glass before continuing. “However, you are right about one matter,” he says. “The target’s willingness to undertake this journey with you is not important in the least.” He finishes the last of his brandy and sets the glass down on the table.

“If that aspect of the business at hand is too troublesome for you or your team to handle, Miss Li, please tell me know before this discussion goes any further.”

Baby Blue

Baby Blue taps out an order for apple juice and milk, but does NOT send it just yet. Just in case this Dashiell doesn't handle rejection well. "We'll move someone who wants to be moved. We don't kidnap. Certainly not on such minimal information."

{Revs} says nothing and just stares at his coffee.

{GM}

Dashiell raises his left eyebrow. “If my client were looking to deliver a willing person,” he asks, “why would he need to hire a team of shadowrunners? He could simply purchase plane, train, or bus tickets and be done with it?”

He steeples his fingers before him, thinking. “If you object to kidnapping, which is among the mildest of activities any shadow team can be expected to perform, may I ask, what sort of jobs are you willing to accept? I can think of none that would involve such minimal risk to an individual, given that ‘unharmed’ is among the terms and conditions.”

He shakes his head. “No matter. If you are unwilling to accept this venture, you are free to go. I wish you luck in the shadows. I fear you will need it.”

Charybdis Richelle wrote: ↑Wed Aug 28, 2024 8:13 pm {GM}

Dashiell raises his left eyebrow. “If my client were looking to deliver a willing person,” he asks, “why would he need to hire a team of shadowrunners? He could simply purchase plane, train, or bus tickets and be done with it?”

He steeples his fingers before him, thinking. “If you object to kidnapping, which is among the mildest of activities any shadow team can be expected to perform, may I ask, what sort of jobs are you willing to accept? I can think of none that would involve such minimal risk to an individual, given that ‘unharmed’ is among the terms and conditions.”

He shakes his head. “No matter. If you are unwilling to accept this venture, you are free to go. I wish you luck in the shadows. I fear you will need it.”

{Pacman}
Pacman taps in an order for a coffee with a splash of bitters and a dash of cayenne. Shifting back to giving Dashiell his full respectful attention, "In the shadows, the desire to maintain certain personal ethics and desire for profitable work do sometimes run crossways of each other. In this case, some of our team have a reluctance to acquiring live cargo that wishes to remain free-range, as opposed to live cargo that needs liberated from an unfriendly cage. Would it be possible to know the proposed weight of credits that would be offsetting that reluctance and have, say six hours from when we depart this venue, to discuss amongst ourselves and send a simple cypher for yes vs no? I neither want to insult the courtesy you and your patron have shown us nor do I want to agree to complete a job if some of the team's sentiments would be a liability to that completion."

{GM}

Dashiell steeples his hands, leans back in his chair, and stares at the ceiling for about a minute; then he finally sits up straight and nods.

“This situation is exactly what concerned me when I saw that only a third of your crew had accepted my invitation,” he says. “However, six hours is a reasonable time frame, and it does allow me time to research to form my second and third teams if necessary. One of the advantages that you have, one of the reasons I chose to recruit your team is that – from every resource I have available, you do function as a team. That you wish to respect the wishes of one of your crew is admirable. A divided team, quite frankly, can really – excuse my street language – frag the Hades out of an otherwise simple run. So, yes, I will give you the time you have requested.”

“As for the remuneration, my principal has authorized me to pay you 5000¥ each as the base pay for this assignment. Earlier, I mentioned a bonus for timely delivery of the package in good condition. If the target arrives within 7 days, there is a 1000¥ bonus. If it arrives in 5, there is a 3000¥ bonus. If it arrives within 3 days, you will receive a 5000¥ nuyen bonus. Each, of course."

Dashiell drums his fingers on the table for a moment. This almost seems idle, save for his completely erect posture. After a few seconds, he steeples hjs finger again. “Should you decide to accept, that will require a second meeting. I won’t give you the name or the image over the Matrix. Given the issue we are facing, I would really prefer to meet with the whole crew – save, maybe, for Pandora. I understand she rarely meets anyone in the real. Given her history, I quite understand her reluctance. But I do not want any further delays.”

“Having seen the extremes to which this team exhibits a, shall we say… self-protective… nature, I would suggest that should we meet again to go over the particulars, we meet in a location of your choice.”

Desdemona shakes her head. “That’s not a good idea, Si…” As before, she cuts herself off after the short ‘I’ sound. “Sir. We are not…”

Without turning to face her, still watching his three guests, Dashiell says, “That will do, Dez. You have given me your warning. I am choosing to ignore it. Yes, I know that puts me at risk, but from their dossiers, I believe they would meet in good faith." He pauses to be sure it is obvious that the next words are for his guests rather than his bodyguard. "So, should you accept, consider well where you would feel comfortable enough for the whole team to meet with me. I will, naturally, be accompanied by Dez and Spiff. No one else will join me or even know of my intentions. Can you agree to that much without authorization…” He shakes his head. “No, that’s not the right word… the validation, I suppose, is more fitting, of the rest of the team?”

Charybdis Richelle wrote: ↑Thu Aug 29, 2024 12:03 am {GM}

Dashiell steeples his hands, leans back in his chair, and stares at the ceiling for about a minute; then he finally sits up straight and nods.

“This situation is exactly what concerned me when I saw that only a third of your crew had accepted my invitation,” he says. “However, six hours is a reasonable time frame, and it does allow me time to research to form my second and third teams if necessary. One of the advantages that you have, one of the reasons I chose to recruit your team is that – from every resource I have available, you do function as a team. That you wish to respect the wishes of one of your crew is admirable. A divided team, quite frankly, can really – excuse my street language – frag the Hades out of an otherwise simple run. So, yes, I will give you the time you have requested.”

“As for the remuneration, my principal has authorized me to pay you 5000¥ each as the base pay for this assignment. Earlier, I mentioned a bonus for timely delivery of the package in good condition. If the target arrives within 7 days, there is a 1000¥ bonus. If it arrives in 5, there is a 3000¥ bonus. If it arrives within 3 days, you will receive a 5000¥ nuyen bonus. Each, of course."

Dashiell drums his fingers on the table for a moment. This almost seems idle, save for his completely erect posture. After a few seconds, he steeples hjs finger again. “Should you decide to accept, that will require a second meeting. I won’t give you the name or the image over the Matrix. Given the issue we are facing, I would really prefer to meet with the whole crew – save, maybe, for Pandora. I understand she rarely meets anyone in the real. Given her history, I quite understand her reluctance. But I do not want any further delays.”

“Having seen the extremes to which this team exhibits a, shall we say… self-protective… nature, I would suggest that should we meet again to go over the particulars, we meet in a location of your choice.”

Desdemona shakes her head. “That’s not a good idea, Si…” As before, she cuts herself off after the short ‘I’ sound. “Sir. We are not…”

Without turning to face her, still watching his three guests, Dashiell says, “That will do, Dez. You have given me your warning. I am choosing to ignore it. Yes, I know that puts me at risk, but from their dossiers, I believe they would meet in good faith." He pauses to be sure it is obvious that the next words are for his guests rather than his bodyguard. "So, should you accept, consider well where you would feel comfortable enough for the whole team to meet with me. I will, naturally, be accompanied by Dez and Spiff. No one else will join me or even know of my intentions. Can you agree to that much without authorization…” He shakes his head. “No, that’s not the right word… the validation, I suppose, is more fitting, of the rest of the team?”

{Pacman}
With a quick hard look at his team mates and quick flat gesture of his hands, Pacman responds, watching closely for any tells or reaction to his words: "Thank you for your patience and understanding. I trust that our transparency in avoiding a divided team will avoid any ill will with you or your employer, yes. How do you wish us to contact you with our collective's decision?"

{GM}

Dashiell steeples his hands for just a second. Then he nods to himself. “Simply contact Falstaff however you normally do. He knows how to reach me. You may either leave the details for the meet with him or tell him what method you would like me to use to contact you for those same details.”

{Revs}

Revs looks up from his coffee "If we do decide to do this job, we will need some of the credits up front. If you know all about us then will know that we do not have the means to transport us all, and a secure prisoner, across the country. We will have to make arrangements. I ask this now for transparency, and so that if the answer is yes at our next meeting this does not slow things down any further."

{GM}

Dashiell nods. “I expected no less,” he says. “My principal has authorized me to offer you 10% upfront in certified credstick. The remainder would be paid on delivery in your choice of cash, certified credstick, or diversified corporate script.”

Baby Blue

Baby Blue says nothing, though she does swipe away the order for apple juice and milk she has keyed up, WITHOUT sending it. She watches the conversation silently, her face carefully schooled into an emotionless mask.

Mentally, she's kicking herself for opening her big fat mouth. Normally she's better about that, watching but letting the talkers do the talking. Something about this man puts her on edge. That smooth, smug confidence. Throwing around all this stuff he knows about them like it's supposed to impress them, but apparently surprised that a team with a reputation for minimal violence would have a hang-up about kidnapping. To say nothing about the dehumanizing language, and misleading euphemisms. Reminds her of that fragheap from school.

A small smile graces her lips as she remembers the satisfying crunch of that slimy coward's jaw under her fist. So worth it.