Page 18 of 29
Re: 010: Off to The Deeps
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2025 12:33 am
by terrymixon
So noted.
You don't draw attention until Walt does.
Re: 010: Off to The Deeps
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2025 12:37 am
by terrymixon
helvorn wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 5:21 am
terrymixon wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2025 5:01 pm
helvorn wrote: ↑Wed Feb 19, 2025 5:11 am
William will start out by appropriating one of the broker bots and setting it to look for medium sized hospital chains and medical supply companies that might be cash strapped and open to significant investment. He himself will hire a high powered but discrete law firm to aid him in unraveling the business affairs of the count.
Roscoe (the one on the ship) can handle that for you. None of the local hospital chains or medical supply companies are overflowing with cash, but one in particular--Raven's Hawk Medical Services--a low-cost clinic setup that has a rundown hospital and a dozen clinics is really on the ropes. It has declared bankruptcy and is in the process of being liquidated. Well, about to be in the process as the auction for the assets is set for later today.
One the medical supplies side, there are some businesses that are doing poorly, but they don't have much to offer for your needs. The equipment is terrible, and the reviews are awful. If you wanted to buy one, you would need to approach one. A random selection on the choices gives you one that seems very shady and might even be a way a criminal organization launders money. That would be Nevil Medical Devices. If you want one that is less shady, but still crappy, Tester Services might fit the bill.
William will set up an appointment with Tester Services for the next morning if possible. He will attend the auction and bring a certified check or such to satisfy buying the place.
Appointment set. Note: You can't get a certified check without an amount. You'll need that first.
The auction is a stuffy affair. Corporate types look to be circling like vultures. There are three lawyers representing various interests there for the bidding. All of them eye you when you stroll in.
The auctioneer--a pudgy, balding man--smiles.
"Can I help you? I'm afraid the licensing department is two floors up. This is a business auction."
Re: 010: Off to The Deeps
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2025 12:38 am
by terrymixon
joertexas wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 4:38 pm
terrymixon wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 1:26 amThe lock on the door clicks open and the door opens slightly. It seems damaged. A closer look shows a poorly wiped-off boot print on the door.
Jaelah ducks under the tape with a practiced motion, as she's forgotten how many times she's done this. She stops at the doorway and scans the apartment, recording everything for later reference. That done, she steps inside and looks for anything that is out of place.
The place is wrecked. Everything is out of place. The furniture is all cut up and sometimes broken into pieces. Everything you can see from the doorway has been ransacked.
Re: 010: Off to The Deeps
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2025 12:40 am
by terrymixon
Tiglath wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 6:06 pm
Garvin will back up William for the time being.
He'll source some local clothing (that he can upgrade to something business/smarter) and transport (grav taxi cab?) so he blends in.
Clothing acquired. Count yourself in on the post I sent for William.
The lawyer types have that organized crime air about them. They are not your normal shysters.
Re: 010: Off to The Deeps
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2025 12:54 am
by Thumper
When you play a bit at the bar, you'll get some dirty looks from some rough types, but they don't stop you. When you start to set up in the back, three of them will zero in on you. The largest of the three jerks a thumb at the front door. "Scram."
Walt holds up his hands in surrender then says as he collects his cards:
”Well ok. Ok. You guys don’t like poker around here? Some kinda law against it?
Re: 010: Off to The Deeps
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2025 12:58 am
by ateno
Thumper wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 12:54 am
Walt holds up his hands in surrender then says as he collects his cards:
”Well ok. Ok. You guys don’t like poker around here? Some kinda law against it?
"Hey i'm just playing here."
Arkar
Re: 010: Off to The Deeps
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2025 1:57 am
by Tiglath
terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 12:40 am
Tiglath wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 6:06 pm
Garvin will back up William for the time being.
He'll source some local clothing (that he can upgrade to something business/smarter) and transport (grav taxi cab?) so he blends in.
Clothing acquired. Count yourself in on the post I sent for William.
The lawyer types have that organized crime air about them. They are not your normal shysters.
Garvin neural comms William
"I'm floatin' as your security seein' as you're on yer Jack Jones.* The three "briefs" present are mob lawyers which means they're filth an' as bent as a bottle o' crisps. If I 'ad to present an operational profile for 'em I'd say that they 'ave neither morals nor scruples and therefore if leaned on, after a bit of instinctive an' indignant legal posturin' , will fold like a wet Collace chip wrapper. Er... not that tunin' up lawyers is the sort of thing that you should even 'ave any assosciation with an' o' course what I've just laid out is based on absolutely no personal experience whatsoever... mostly. Mind you, if we do "disappear" one of 'em then if the the local "Firm" cotton on they'll get nervous... an' might even get nervous enough to start "sanitizing". Now that's leverage in itself but I'd say it's a tactical position we want to go to as part of a properly laid out caper".
"I'll 'ang about indoors to give you some cover an see 'oo I can see. Got meself an "everywhere" cover as a local grav cab. Shout if you need me".
He then posts the same update for Arkar and Walt making himself a "strategic reserve".
(OOC: * Trans service. To be on your "Jack Jones" = to be alone).
Re: 010: Off to The Deeps
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2025 2:01 am
by joertexas
terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 12:38 amThe place is wrecked. Everything is out of place. The furniture is all cut up and sometimes broken into pieces. Everything you can see from the doorway has been ransacked.
"See what you can find here. I'll start in the bathroom, and then her bedroom. Make sure you look for places where something could be hidden." Jaelah uses her enhanced vision to look for hides, such as bottles with hidden compartments and the like, in the bathroom and bedrooms.
Re: 010: Off to The Deeps
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2025 2:06 am
by terrymixon
ateno wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 12:58 am
Thumper wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 12:54 am
Walt holds up his hands in surrender then says as he collects his cards:
”Well ok. Ok. You guys don’t like poker around here? Some kinda law against it?
"Hey i'm just playing here."
Arkar
“Yeah, the law of getting your ass kicked. Out.”
Then he looked at Arkar.
“You want to play? Pony up and go to The Bearskin Rug and buy in.”
Re: 010: Off to The Deeps
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2025 2:11 am
by terrymixon
joertexas wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 2:01 am
terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 12:38 amThe place is wrecked. Everything is out of place. The furniture is all cut up and sometimes broken into pieces. Everything you can see from the doorway has been ransacked.
"See what you can find here. I'll start in the bathroom, and then her bedroom. Make sure you look for places where something could be hidden." Jaelah uses her enhanced vision to look for hides, such as bottles with hidden compartments and the like, in the bathroom and bedrooms.
The place has been professionally tossed. You find the remains of places that once hid things but they’ve been smashed open. After an hour, you are confident there is nothing here.
You’re about to report that to Roscoe when you glance out the window and see a pair of local security officers scurry from one building to another.
Re: 010: Off to The Deeps
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2025 2:13 am
by joertexas
terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 2:11 amThe place has been professionally tossed. You find the remains of places that once hid things but they’ve been smashed open. After an hour, you are confident there is nothing here.
You’re about to report that to Roscoe when you glance out the window and see a pair of local security officers scurry from one building to another.
"Oops, we're about to have company. Let's go." Jaelah leads the way into the hall, checking to make sure no security types are there before she steps out. She makes note of a couple of the apartment numbers on the way.
Re: 010: Off to The Deeps
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2025 2:22 am
by helvorn
terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 12:37 am
helvorn wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 5:21 am
terrymixon wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2025 5:01 pm
Roscoe (the one on the ship) can handle that for you. None of the local hospital chains or medical supply companies are overflowing with cash, but one in particular--Raven's Hawk Medical Services--a low-cost clinic setup that has a rundown hospital and a dozen clinics is really on the ropes. It has declared bankruptcy and is in the process of being liquidated. Well, about to be in the process as the auction for the assets is set for later today.
One the medical supplies side, there are some businesses that are doing poorly, but they don't have much to offer for your needs. The equipment is terrible, and the reviews are awful. If you wanted to buy one, you would need to approach one. A random selection on the choices gives you one that seems very shady and might even be a way a criminal organization launders money. That would be Nevil Medical Devices. If you want one that is less shady, but still crappy, Tester Services might fit the bill.
William will set up an appointment with Tester Services for the next morning if possible. He will attend the auction and bring a certified check or such to satisfy buying the place.
Appointment set. Note: You can't get a certified check without an amount. You'll need that first.
The auction is a stuffy affair. Corporate types look to be circling like vultures. There are three lawyers representing various interests there for the bidding. All of them eye you when you stroll in.
The auctioneer--a pudgy, balding man--smiles.
"Can I help you? I'm afraid the licensing department is two floors up. This is a business auction."
He replies to Garvin via link.
"These are pretty poor businesses not suited for much beside money laundering or drug trafficking. I'm not surprised that the criminal element is present. See if you can scan their thoughts if possible."
William puts on his best snooty look.
"I am the Count of Vincenzo here for the auction. And you might be...?"
Re: 010: Off to The Deeps
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2025 3:00 am
by Tiglath
helvorn wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 2:22 am
He replies to Garvin via link.
"These are pretty poor businesses not suited for much beside money laundering or drug trafficking. I'm not surprised that the criminal element is present. See if you can scan their thoughts if possible."
Garvin replies
"Take a guess why this is "scumbag central". Right, while you "Lord it" I'll play the gutter game. I'll run interference on your lot an' I'll see if "a cat among the pigeons" shakes anythin' loose while I tap into one of 'em".
He will then pull down his working man's cap and set his comm to "Daytime Entertainment" (toggling his own pre set "moronic" filer) and, if possible, get himself a "cheap seat" as near as practicable for Telepathy ranging.
He will then settle in for the duration apparently paying no attention to the proceedings (in the guise of someone's lift) but reading the surface thoughts of one of the "mob" lawyers.
He intends to gather information using Read Surface Thoughts (on #2) but, based purely on a personal dislike of the unprofessional brutality of "mobsters" and a very specific dislike of their lawyers, he'll cheerfully use Suggestion to "help" two of the lawyers (#1 and #3) into a bidding war over whatever he deems to be the worst item (that William doesn't want) as soon as the opportunity arises during the auction. If it happens to be one or two lots before William's preferred lot so much the better.
Re: 010: Off to The Deeps
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2025 3:07 am
by Thumper
terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 2:06 am
ateno wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 12:58 am
Thumper wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 12:54 am
Walt holds up his hands in surrender then says as he collects his cards:
”Well ok. Ok. You guys don’t like poker around here? Some kinda law against it?
"Hey i'm just playing here."
Arkar
“Yeah, the law of getting your ass kicked. Out.”
Then he looked at Arkar.
“You want to play? Pony up and go to The Bearskin Rug and buy in.”
Walt-
”There a real game there? Point the way to this place…The Bear Rug? I’m just as happy to win there as here.”
Re: 010: Off to The Deeps
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2025 3:22 am
by ateno
Thumper wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 3:07 am
Walt-
”There a real game there? Point the way to this place…The Bear Rug? I’m just as happy to win there as here.”
"Well Bud, I suppose we will go there, these guys prob don't get a cut of the winnings here are are pissed new guys wanna play. Let's take our money from here."
Arkar
Re: 010: Off to The Deeps
Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2025 1:31 am
by terrymixon
ateno wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 3:22 am
Thumper wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 3:07 am
Walt-
”There a real game there? Point the way to this place…The Bear Rug? I’m just as happy to win there as here.”
"Well Bud, I suppose we will go there, these guys prob don't get a cut of the winnings here are are pissed new guys wanna play. Let's take our money from here."
Arkar
That place, once you get the directions to get there, is fancier with beefier bouncers. It feels mobbed up even before you get to the front door and get the arm block from a bouncer.
"We're full."
Re: 010: Off to The Deeps
Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2025 1:32 am
by terrymixon
joertexas wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 2:13 am
terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 2:11 amThe place has been professionally tossed. You find the remains of places that once hid things but they’ve been smashed open. After an hour, you are confident there is nothing here.
You’re about to report that to Roscoe when you glance out the window and see a pair of local security officers scurry from one building to another.
"Oops, we're about to have company. Let's go." Jaelah leads the way into the hall, checking to make sure no security types are there before she steps out. She makes note of a couple of the apartment numbers on the way.
The hall is clear. You note the apartment numbers. When you arrive at the stairs, there is the sound of someone coming up. Several someones, actually.
Re: 010: Off to The Deeps
Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2025 1:36 am
by terrymixon
helvorn wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 2:22 am
terrymixon wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 12:37 am
helvorn wrote: ↑Sat Feb 22, 2025 5:21 am
William will set up an appointment with Tester Services for the next morning if possible. He will attend the auction and bring a certified check or such to satisfy buying the place.
Appointment set. Note: You can't get a certified check without an amount. You'll need that first.
The auction is a stuffy affair. Corporate types look to be circling like vultures. There are three lawyers representing various interests there for the bidding. All of them eye you when you stroll in.
The auctioneer--a pudgy, balding man--smiles.
"Can I help you? I'm afraid the licensing department is two floors up. This is a business auction."
He replies to Garvin via link.
"These are pretty poor businesses not suited for much beside money laundering or drug trafficking. I'm not surprised that the criminal element is present. See if you can scan their thoughts if possible."
William puts on his best snooty look.
"I am the Count of Vincenzo here for the auction. And you might be...?"
"Auctioneer De Silva, Your Excellency," he says with a bow.
"If you intend to bid, you'll need to provide some bona fides and provide proof of solvency sufficient to cover your bids. The latter can be arranged via a local banking entity willing to back you."
Re: 010: Off to The Deeps
Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2025 1:43 am
by terrymixon
Tiglath wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 3:00 am
helvorn wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 2:22 am
He replies to Garvin via link.
"These are pretty poor businesses not suited for much beside money laundering or drug trafficking. I'm not surprised that the criminal element is present. See if you can scan their thoughts if possible."
Garvin replies
"Take a guess why this is "scumbag central". Right, while you "Lord it" I'll play the gutter game. I'll run interference on your lot an' I'll see if "a cat among the pigeons" shakes anythin' loose while I tap into one of 'em".
He will then pull down his working man's cap and set his comm to "Daytime Entertainment" (toggling his own pre set "moronic" filer) and, if possible, get himself a "cheap seat" as near as practicable for Telepathy ranging.
He will then settle in for the duration apparently paying no attention to the proceedings (in the guise of someone's lift) but reading the surface thoughts of one of the "mob" lawyers.
He intends to gather information using Read Surface Thoughts (on #2) but, based purely on a personal dislike of the unprofessional brutality of "mobsters" and a very specific dislike of their lawyers, he'll cheerfully use Suggestion to "help" two of the lawyers (#1 and #3) into a bidding war over whatever he deems to be the worst item (that William doesn't want) as soon as the opportunity arises during the auction. If it happens to be one or two lots before William's preferred lot so much the better.
There is only one item: the business that you're here to bid on. Might not want to jack the price up on that one.
No issues finding out that they are here to pick up the business. They are supposedly separate bidders, as the law requires three bids for a valid sale, but they all work for a local crime boss called Dom Gervelis. The lawyers know he intends to use the business to squeeze juice out of the local government as a way to launder kickbacks. You also get the idea that they might have had something to do with the business going under.
Re: 010: Off to The Deeps
Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2025 3:21 am
by Tiglath
terrymixon wrote: ↑Tue Feb 25, 2025 1:43 am
No issues finding out that they are here to pick up the business. They are supposedly separate bidders, as the law requires three bids for a valid sale, but they all work for a local crime boss called Dom Gervelis. The lawyers know he intends to use the business to squeeze juice out of the local government as a way to launder kickbacks. You also get the idea that they might have had something to do with the business going under.
Garvin passes the above to William in real time via neural link.