"Give me three guesses as to where you are?" With that said in the simple, almost playful manner of his standard greeting, he picked a bar name out of hand and threw it out there.
"Wish I could say I did. Business has been pretty slow as of late. If I pick up any leads I'll be sure to give you the heads up, though."
"Duck, Melinda is missing. Godra swears she wasn't high when she was taking care of them, like I can't see her eyes! Pharos says that Melli started talking about music and Uncle Duck playing pretty music. Is she with you? For once I'd be glad if you said yes. Not that I won't knock your sorry ass hide back to your momma's womb for taking her!"
@ Arc- One of the Howlers comes in. "Hoi, I need to drop whatever job you're doing for some breeder and fix this. Lupo's got a job for us tonight and if this ain't working we don't get paid. " He lays out a duffel bag on the table with a very solid thunk, and unzips the bag to reveal a fraggin grenade launcher.
"Hey, Arc. Sorry for yesterday. I'll be over to collect the bike soon, thank you~."
@ Khali - You're close enough to see the gang that Rabbit told you about when your comm rings. It's Sam's number.
@ Khali Sam's voice comes through clearly, I've got a job you might be interested in, 500 cred. They've got a couple of extra security spots open at one of the warehouses. It's 2 nights with maybe more if you're reliable and can keep your mouth shut. Turns out their regular security is getting spooked by all of this and a couple of their guys have quit. Let me know if you're interested because I need to let them know in the next 2 hours.<<
"I'm at Dead-Drop." you hear her say (a bar near High Issaquah) "And Phee is saying she couldn't hear no music." "She don't know where her sister went." "She went to go get Godra 'cause she figured Melli was just carrying on and when she got back she was gone." "I've got Two-Shot and Bucky out looking for her." "I'm out on the street tryin' out to find her."
@ Khali >>That's my girl. They need 2 minimum to replace the 2 that quit and would like 1-2 more with everything going on right now. I've got a couple of calls out but you're the first one I've actually gotten in touch with. It's a warehouse off of 25th & NE Park. They need guards there overnight for the next few nights because they've got a shipment coming in to big to divert to another warehouse.<< You know the area. It's a rough gang alright. But the guards there were all from that gang. A nice little racket where the corp paid the gang to make sure nothing happened. It was also very close to where the last of the groups of murders had happened. When gangers wanted out . . . . .
<< Send Message: Arc
<< Message: I'm on my way to your place right now. Need a lift to the dead drop out in H-I. I'll pay ya fifty for the one way. See ya in ten."
<<Message to: Duck
<<Message: Hoi, you're in luck, omae. I gotta shipment needs pickup on the way. This some job you working with Rack? He's coming here for his Growler any minute. Bring the cred, I'll be waitin'>>
"Might not be able to come by tonight. Have a date with an old flame. If things go well, we might be looking at something a little more interesting than a babysitting gig. If things get especially interesting and you need some back-up, though, give me a ring and I'll see what I can do."
"As if speaking of the fraggin' devil himself! I was just about to close shop." She let him in, and rejoined Arachnid in the middle of the garage.
"Whatever trip you two gots goin' on tonight, we better make it fast chummers. Just got wind of a Howler op in the works tonight. Big bang likely, let your friends know, aye?"
You hear a horn blowing loudly outside the shop and the squeal of brakes. A crash is quickly followed by opening doors and a male and a female voice cussing each other out in Or'zet.
@ Red The streets are far more crowded than usual. Especially given the time of evening. And Howlers are out in force, but they seem to be hurrying rather than loitering and looking for trouble. You get to the dead-drop and look around. Looking for the graffetti that Nicholas meant you to find. It takes a few minutes, not like it's the only graffetti there after all, but finally you spot the littel cartouche that means it's from Nick. Blow Octane death. Mook and gangers escape. No one ever dies for free. Vlad lives on! As you search out the little skips and punctuatiosn that spell out the real message your blood runs cold. Blood. Mage. Vlad. The bounty on blood mages is to high! every chummer with a weapon would gun for them! No one would risk that! But if people even thought it could be a blood mage . . . . . .
@ Arachnid, Arc & Duck You hear a horn blowing loudly outside the shop and the squeal of brakes. A crash is quickly followed by opening doors and a male and a female voice cussing each other out in Or'zet.
"So you gots a niece that needs findin', and so you're heading to the Dead Drop...ain't that a bar or somethin'? Man, you really start them young, don'tcha.." She chuckles, satisfied with her inspection and returning the SMG to the glove box.
"Aight, like I said, I gots parts that need picking up and its on the route. Tell you what, 'cause I like ya drekheads, We'll handle your niece first, then my parts. With any luck, we done and home by sundown, ya heard?"
Disguise check (http://orokos.com/roll/234761): 9d6t5 4
@ Arc You see an orc woman take a vicious roundhouse at a human that's got to be well over 6 feet by the way his head clears the top of the car. The human catches her arm lightning fast and has it twisted behind her in a blink and body slams her against her car. And then just as suddenly bends down to kiss her long and hard. When he finally looks up he throws the keys at you and says, "Worth the repair costs to get this woman's attention. I'll pick it up sometime tomorrow." Looks down at her again. "Make that a few days." She laughs at him. and they leave in her car. Good thing to because it was the one blocking your bay door.
"Don't want my blades sticking your seats and ruining your upholstery, my good lady. I'll keep you covered,"
"Don't want my blades sticking your seats and ruining your upholstery, my good lady. I'll keep you covered,"
She gave a wicked grin, adjusting her goggles on her forehead as she leaned back in her seat. Ohhh, right, gotcha. Why do I gots the feeling my upholstery is exactly where you wanna be sticking your blade, hm?"
"What's the story? They think they're old enough to fly alone again?"
"Still got room for one more at that babysitting gig?"
@ Khali Nails replies, >>Damn straight.<< The door is a solid metal. It might have been painted once, but know even the graffetti is old and flaked off. You hear a click and the door opens and an older troll sizes you up. He's wearing riding leathers and goggles and it's obvious he's impatient to leave.. "So you're part of the muscle Batty hired for me. sheesh. Obviously the woman is getting senile instead of just old. Oh well your funeral. Job pays in two days. I need muscle for two days and I'm not about to let go of cred and watch my 'muscle' disappear." As he says that his fingers reach up and do air quotes and his nose wrinkles in disgust at you. "The last three of the Ancients will be 'patroling' (more air quotes and outright animosity), inside, together I'm sure. That leaves you and one other guy on the perimeter outside. The shipment is safely bedded down for the night. You wanna get nosy as to the contents and come into the warehouse the Ancients will kill ya. They may be lazy keebs but easy cred for babysitting isn't something their gonna give up by having the shipment stolen.
@ Khali The troll gives you a ghost of a smile when you say, "I don't have to be your size to hold my own in a fight." But all he does is give a short barking laugh and answers, "Hell, I've got authorization for five more. I just can't get 'em with everything going down right now. You got someone that you trust to walk with and watch your back call 'em. They give me two honest nights of patrol & I'll pay 'em. same as you." he starts to walk you out the door. "And I do have security camera's that'll tell me whether or not you do walk that perimeter. And fair warning, anything happens to those camera's and you don't get paid. They're part of the perimeter you're protecting, and worth more than your keeb hide to me." He turns to lock the door behind you both.
She's a little overdressed for the job to say the least. It's not that the dress wasn't functional, that was rather the whole point. But suffice to say a custom tailored dress seems a little out of place for working a night security shift at some warehouse, armored or not. When she arrives at the warehouse, she rehosters her Predator at her hip so it's more visible. Just so it's obvious she's not to be taken lightly. Once she's checked her reflection to make sure she looks properly intimidating, she heads off to find Khali and whoever's paying them to keep an eye on this place.
"Bout fraggin time. Phea's really worried. You know Meli never goes no-where without her. And Phea says Meli was acting weird about the music. Like when you're on Zen." and she shoots you a dirty look.
"Hey Arc. Two-Shot's that way looking for her and Godra's south. I've got Bucky check'n drains down east." As she points she spots Arachnid, "You slotting that breeder you bring him to family business?" Zip always did hate humans.
Fast Talk (http://orokos.com/roll/234955): 14d6 53
2, 5, 2, 6, 6, 2, 1, 6, 5, 4, 5, 2, 4, 3] = 6 hits on con- fast talk
Assensing (5)
6,2,6,6,2 = 3 hits
There's no sign until almost 3am, when you barely hear a flute playing much further east and a beautifully haunting melody and laughter floats towards you, loud and raucous, and ends with high-pitched glee.
"Guns out. Now, Something has spotted us. Spotted me,"
@ Red & Khali w. At least there's nothing happening until about 3 am and a flute plays a beautifully haunting melody and laughter floats towards you from the east, loud and raucous, and ends with high-pitched glee. It's faint, but the wind and the relative quiet are enough to allow you to hear it.
@ Duck, Arc & Arachnid Godra answers you, "Don't be tellin me my bidness wit Godra an you smokin' it too. You know she don't do more then Zen offen'." "But you wanna make your sorry, uppity-ass useful 'stead a yappin' you can take east."
"Guns out. Now," Intensity dripped off his voice like a broken tap. The calm demeanor of the human had broken, which spoke to whatever it was he had seen or heard. His stance was lowered, muscles were clenching, especially around his weapon. He added, after a sort pause. "Something has spotted us. Spotted me," He added a hand motion with his empty hand, stabbing his palm forwards into the darkness.
@ Red & Khali You're joined by a human almost as big as a troll with more 'tats and body piercing than most. He looks both of you up and down with disdain and his lip curls as he sneers, "Must be gettin desperate to hire a couple fancy bits used to guardin' wageslave parties. How many party platters you saved with that bit." and he narrows his eyes and juts his chin at your piece Red. Then he gives you both a look of disgust. "You give me any trouble 'bout walkin' and your dainty little feet I'll kill you myself. I aint here for no party." and he heads off to the perimeter. He's got a heavy padded vest on as well as padded leather pants and he's packing 2 heavy pistols and an auto-shot. The night passes about as uneventfully as it can here. Although close to midnight you see what's almost certainly some kind of house fire lighting up the night sky. But here most know that the warehouse is under Ancient protection and aside from a few stumbling drunks and quite a few catcalls aimed at each of you at various times you only have to warn off a few of the homeless. At about 1am a truck drives up to the gate and is allowed in. It disappears into the warehouse and is there less than an hour before it drives out again. As the night wears on you find out your companion's name is Gerald and he and his wife are expecting a baby. Their first and he's recently lost work as a loader at another warehouse when it got raided. His wife doesn't know he's out here. He hasn't told her because she would worry and he doesn't want her stressed out right now. At least there's nothing happening until about 3 am and a flute plays a beautifully haunting melody and laughter floats towards you from the east, loud and raucous, and ends with high-pitched glee. It's faint, but the wind and the relative quiet are enough to allow you to hear it.
Red does her best to ignore the condescension from the co-workers and assorted vagrants passing by. It's really nothing she hasn't heard before. And it's not as if any sort of reaction is going to make matters any better. For the majority of the night Red makes sure her patrol crosses Khali's at a few points. Not that they're holding hands the entire time or anything, but it's a little easier to keep the long night shifts going with a familiar face around. She does make a point of listening to Gerald, though. Not that she's deeply enfranchised in his well-being, but because it's always good to build connections when given the chance. All those SK classes on networking really stuck with her.
Around 3 when the odd noises start to come from the east, her interest is piqued. Not quite piqued enough to leave her post just yet, but she does what she can. The elf makes her way to a high point on the building to try and get a look at the direction the noises are coming from. Probably just gangers or drunks, but it's at least something to break up the monotony.
@ Red & Khali You strain to hear it. But you're certain it's there. It doesn't last long, it's gone almost as soon as you've got a good idea of where it came from. But from your vantage point on the roof you can see what rises to the sky afterwards. It's form is that of a man, but much larger and it's jerking and twisting as if it's being tortured, and then it spins gleefully and laughs once more and as it throws its head back a slit opens wide on the throat and blood drips out, and that thing keeps laughing and is gone.
"Evil, huh...how poetic.." she chuckled dryly.
"We have Fie contact!"and lets off a few rounds, the report from the weapon ringing off the plascrete walls on all sides. The FUCK are you doing, 'Rack?! He reaches his right hand over and pushes Arachnids weapon arm back down, giving him a stunned and accusatory "What the hell, dude?!" sort of look as he does.
"That thing is hunting, I can sense it,"
Assense test
1,5,5,5,6 = 4 hits
She additionally transmits to Red, "Grounds are clear. It came from east of here as far as I could tell. It really crept me out though. I'm thinking we take some extra precautions."
Khali transmit back to Red:
"Maybe. Someone could have put on the creepiest impromptu concert ever, but I doubt it. You doing ok? It was just creepy noise."
Khali is silent for several moments. She feels sick and swallows the rising bile in her throat.
"If you say you saw it, I believe you. I wasn't able to see any of that from down here. That's not just magic, chummer. That's the absolute worst kind of juju. The kind of stuff they don't teach anywhere. Did you get a recording of it?"
She responds to Red, "If that thing had come near us, then I would say we were out of our league, sister. I don't know that it was interested in us though. We need some backup for this gig tomorrow night. Know any reliable mojo-slingers?"
"Wish I did. Best I can do is put the video out there and see if that gives us any leads. Though if it turns out that wasn't something that was supposed to be seen, we're gonna be in the same boat. Can you see if your spirit pal knows what this is before I involve anyone else?"
@ Khali You feel wolf's presence strongly beside you. And you feel a warning growl from him deep in your soul. In a moment you realize that he's been there for several moments now. But the activity to the east distracted you from sensing his presence.
@ Red Gerald is badly on edge the rest of the night. He was on the other side of the building as far as you could tell, but he heard the laughter. He comes very quickly to you Red and says. "Did you here that? Do you think it came from inside the building." he stops and swallows, trying to regain his composure. "Maybe those fraggin' keebs are just messin with us you know. Seeing if they 'kin spook us ya' know." but he says it as if he's trying to convince himself.
@ Khali You feel Wolf howl. It's calling the pack. It's cry echoes in your soul. It's a call for the hunt.
@ Red He looks at her and swallows. Not at all reassured by her words. "I......", "I.......", he swallows again, "Yeah." and then he stops for a minute. "You should probably walk with someone. Safety in numbers." He turns himself to stand beside you. Straightening up, with his piece in his hand. He looks down at you and asks, "Ummm, you're good with that piece right?"
Shooty mcshootpants (http://orokos.com/roll/235779): 8d6t5 2
"huu....the hell was that, man, that wasn't normal, man! PLEASE tell me one of y'all been facing drek like that before." She frowned, eyes on the road as she bit her lip.
"And now, it's after me. Something immensely powerful. And completely evil, is planning me as its next victim. I need my gear. Home."
"Splitting our strength is unwise."
"Something immensely powerful. And completely evil, is planning me as its next victim."Her heart sunk at those words, shaking her head. "Nah man, this drek ain't good. This some mojo drek? The hell does mojo drek want with you, 'Rack? You fraggin' Awakened or summat?" Another inhale, the tobacco helping to calm her nerves. Thinking it over, she gave a short, quick nod. "My place ain't big, but I can fit you guys on the couches good enough. Strength in numbers and all that, eh?"
Casting Ice Sheet at invisible monster evil thing of doom(TM)
6,6,5,5,1,1,2 = 4 hits, two ones, 7 dice.
<<Arc.. Debt. Paid. Now.>>
<< Get me. Now...>>
Slowly, she turned her head to see the masked figure stumble against the car, in obvious distress. "No fraggin' way..." Reaching over, she shoved the front passenger door open, right next to the Masquerade. "Stay cool, chummers, I know this one." Turning to the masked person, she held out her hand. "Here, get your hoop in here, we gots to go! Buckle up, boys and girls!"
"Whatever that was, that was some mojo drek and NOT! FRAGGING! OKAY! Duck, where yo sis at? I'm takin' you straight there." By some miracle, her cigarette remained glued to her lip, but the way she was smoking it, it wasn't going to be around for long...
@ Red & Khali You hear the shots fired in quick succession, coming from the same direction as that twisted laughter. Wolf leaps for the hunt.
Khali maintains her composure long enough to send a message to Red, "It's here. We hunt."
After that, she loses herself in Wolf's presence, feeling the hot flush of adrenaline and comforting familiarity. [agility boost (http://orokos.com/roll/235902): 8d6t5 2] Wolf lends her increased speed and she hits the eastern gate of the warehouse at a dead sprint, nose to the wind.
"Vruken, hah? Bi'ce, I almost forgot about tuskers'n'inlaws. Aight...Aight....we cool..."
@ Red & Khali Gerald is non-plussed by your words, but he pulls out his weapon and places his back against the wal and starts scanning and sidestepping. "Right". You run down the alley towards where you heard the shots fire from originally. And once again you hear shots. You turn, and you see it. A nightmare beast down the street several blocks down outlined in white. It turns, and once again disappears from sight.
Despite the thing's appearance, Khali growls and charges it. She uses her trodes to activate the thermographic setting on her glasses.
She shouts to Red, "Paint that thing! I can't kill what I can't see!"
"Tuskers?" He grins with his lips really wide and says, "Pffffft! You wish you had some tusks like these."
"Its time.. for you to... pay your debts.." Masquerade mutters, gasping for the semi-freshish air. "Why.. were.. you there so soon?"
@ Khali There is Wolf's call again, howling into the night. Calling the pack, Calling the Hunt. Racing towards that thing in the street. That thing turns towards you as Wolf leaps. And for a moment you see it's smile. Even in outline the evil of that malevolent grin is clear. And then it disappears. There's nothing. No outline, no thermo, no nothing in the street where it was. Nothing anywhere. . . . . Wait . . . . that's not quite right. There is something. There. Up against the building just a block down from where you are now. The thermal signature is cooling rapidly. But, it can't cool quickly enough for you not to recognize bodies pinned against the walls. Four of them. And one of them is either a very small dwarf . . . or a child . . .
Khali skids to a stop as the thing disappears, the shock of the surrounding bodies is enough to jar her loose from Wolf's influence. She gets the familiar feeling of coming down from the adrenaline-like rush of Wolf's presence [Drain (http://orokos.com/roll/236132): 10d6t5 4 No Drain]
As she looks at the bodies she turns to Red, "This is bad. We should get back to the warehouse." Khali snaps quick pictures of the victims with her image link she before heading back.
Red nods, but doesn't say anything. She's seen all sorts of metahumans doing all kinds of awful drek for all kinds of awful reasons. But this thing, this straight up unnatural... Whatever, has her more than a little out of her comfort zone. She reviews the footage on her glasses, trying to confirm to herself what she saw was actually there... If it shows up on the footage at all.
She's right behind Khali the whole time, keeping an eye out for any more of the thing.
"hoi, Duck... Do what you can to comfort Zip, and don't let her kill you, aye? I'm gonna take one more pass through that area on the way to Rack's, in the car this time. If I see anything, you'll be first to know."
Khali checks the pictures to make sure that she doesn't know any of the victims. As they head back, Khali discusses what happened with Red.
"This is... not just bad. This is drek like I've never seen, even growing up around mages. Normal mages can't do this kind of thing, even the creepy ones. Whatever this serial killer is, it's much, much worse than anyone suspects. We're out of our league here, chummer. But I don't think we can duck it. This drek is going to keep happening. We need a battle plan."
Red is quiet for a few moments, mulling over Khali's words. "I'll be honest, I don't even know where to begin with something like that. I deal with the metahuman element. Whatever that was is so far out of my element it's insane."
She pauses for a while, but when she speaks again she sounds a little more collected, the initial shock beginning to wear down. I guess I could get talking to some talismongers or something, see if they've heard anything about critters or spirits or something on the loose. Someone has to know something."
"Wiz. One love, Skraacha. If you or 'Rack need anything, holler at me."
<<Send: Duckdown, Arachnid, Raven>>
<<Begin message>>
<<Don't open unless you're alone. I'm sorry...everyone, I'm so so sorry...>>
<<Encoded Attachment: img.jpg>>
<<Message to: Red
<<Subj: Trouble in town
<<Begin message
<<Hoi, omae. It's Arc, the street wrench monkey what works your ride. I ran into some trouble, and it's big. Big enough for the whole 'hood, you hear? Y'know that whole string of murders what be wrecking the peeps, and KE's got nothin' on it? Awakened, maan. Think I saw the drekkin' monstrosity last night, saw the vics. Need help. Know anyone who can help ID this motherslotter?
Here's proof I was there, don't open with others and when y'all are eatin'.
<<Attached: img.jpg
<<Let me know, chummer. Next tune-up's on me. Cheers,
<<End message
Way ahead of you, omae. I ran up against something all too similar last night out in the warehouse district. Check these out, see if it's anything like what you saw
>>Attachment DancingMan.avi, AlleyThing.avi
I'm still trying to find out who to talk to about something like this, but if the two of us saw it I'm sure someone else did too. Shouldn't be long before there's rumors on the streets. That's what I'm counting on at least. For the time being, I'm thinking I might pay a visit to the local talismonger to see if there's anything going on with the voodoo side of things.
<<Addressed to: Duckdown
<<Begin Recorded Message:
<<Hoi, Skraa'cha. Found someone about to dig into this drek we've fallen into. Tryin' to hook up with her and check it out. I'll keep you in the know. Peace.
<<End recorded message
<<Addressed to: Red
<<Begin Recorded message
<<No. Fragging. Way. I'm surprised you didn't see my ride with that shot you took of the thing. Or at least hear the tires as I got us the drek out of dodge. That white bit? Frost a friend of mine put on it. Fraag, if that hanging man didn't look like one of the vics too. You sure this was last night? Tch, small world.
<<All I can say is what I found with the little group I had riding along: this thing seems to mark Awakened. You got any chummers fit that bill, WARN 'EM.
<<Talismonger? You mean those hoops what deal in mojo'n'drek? Makes sense they'd be up to stuff. I got nothing too pressing here. Need a ride?
<<End Recorded message
Before she even gets a response, she shoots a message off to Khali.
Got a lead. Seems like we're not the only ones who ran into that thing last night. If you're up for it, head over to my apartment. We're going to be asking around to see if anyone else knows anything.
Satisfied, she zoomed out of her street, making it to Red's apartment building in no time. She pulled up outside, honking her horn twice. While her hoodie and jeans were....relatively clean, she was a mess. Stray hair lay strewn in a wild bedhead where her goggles and headband didn't hold it, and scuffs of diet were on her cheeks and arms. Quite acontrast, likely, to the pretty Red...
Red comes out of the apartment in short order. She's well groomed at least, but it's not hard to tell she didn't sleep particularly well the previous night. The elf slides into the passenger side door. She gives a brief smile as her eyes flit around the vehicle before focusing on the driver. "Good afternoon," she says with a sort of politeness that's just barely concealing surprise.
He opened another message for Arc. "Give me a word if you need me,"
"Aight, just point the way, omae. This the one what be with you last night? Fraag, man, this is bein' a small world, because I'm telling ya, chip truth, that when you took that shot were were Right. Fragging. There. Slotter nearly claimed a fifth vic but we gave it the one-two and pissed it right the drek off. I"m telling you, omae, this 'hood's been gettin' nothin' but whack, whack, and more whack by the day, and we ain't knowing nothin' bout it? Man, that some trog drek, know what I'm sayin'?" the short human was talking quickly, traces of frayed nerves denoting the reason for the behavior. Her grin lingered as she made a turn, realizing she had a quick message.
It was clear that the Ford Americar seemed to have as rough a night as its driver immediately upon looking in. Each of the seats were marred with dirt and a tad bit of damp, and an odd admixture of smells were still faintly permeating the interior's air. If one's olfactories were good, they'd itentify traces of gunpowder, tobacco, zen, and vomit. Lovely. Flipping a polite grin, Arc allowed herself a low whistle as the well-dressed lady slipped inside. "Whoo, good afternoon to ya too~" She glanced at her, and then again at the elf that slipped into the backseat. She almost did a doubletake, as she could swear that she was merely a disguised Arachnid, but held her tongue. Making sure they were both situated, she shifted gears and drove off.
"Aight, just point the way, omae. This the one what be with you last night? Fraag, man, this is bein' a small world, because I'm telling ya, chip truth, that when you took that shot were were Right. Fragging. There. Slotter nearly claimed a fifth vic but we gave it the one-two and pissed it right the drek off. I"m telling you, omae, this 'hood's been gettin' nothin' but whack, whack, and more whack by the day, and we ain't knowing nothin' bout it? Man, that some trog drek, know what I'm sayin'?" the short human was talking quickly, traces of frayed nerves denoting the reason for the behavior. Her grin lingered as she made a turn, realizing she had a quick message.
@ Red, Arc & Khali You find several talismongers listed. When you've read between the lines you narrow your choices down to Frederick Rimefire located in southwestern Ft Lewis and Dr Robert Tatsami in Snohomish. Both claim guest lecturer status at several well know conferences as well as consulting work. Dr Tatsami is also published. But Rimefire's rates for consulting work are about a third less. Either way, you're in for a drive. But at least it's not all the way to MIT&T or the University of the Salish-Sidhe.
Khali smiles at the nervous human. "I'm Khali, thanks for the lift. There is something terrible out there. But I'm reasonably sure we can kill it. We just need to find someone to make it hold still long enough. The worst it can do is kill us," she finishes with a decidedly wolf-life grin.
"I've got an address for one Doctor Tatsami in Snohomish. Hopefully we can get a little information about the situation at hand from him. There might be a consultation fee, but I'm willing to foot the bill if need be. Here, I'll forward the address to your car..."
Arc laughed. Loudly, abrasively, with just enough hint that she was forcing it, but a laugh. "Bahaha! Just kill us. I never got keeb humor, I swear. Ah, where are my manners? Name's Arc. You do standup?". She shook her head, trailing off before rounding a corner, listening to Red.
"I've got an address for one Doctor Tatsami in Snohomish. Hopefully we can get a little information about the situation at hand from him. There might be a consultation fee, but I'm willing to foot the bill if need be. Here, I'll forward the address to your car..."
In a blur of all the events that had happened last night, Masquerade wasn't exactly sure how she got there, she might not have ever really left, as she slowly sits up from the back seat of the ford americar as it went down the street. She rubs her eyes, glancing at Arc. "Did.. you find something?" she asks still quite tired and hardly rested from her back seat napping.
She was still dressed like she was last night, but her mask was cleaned at the very least. Though the rest of her was still in shambles. Focusing for a moment, she places her hands onto her face, and slowly spreads them back shifting her facial structure to not look so terrible anymore. Rather minor change really.
In a blur of all the events that had happened last night, Masquerade wasn't exactly sure how she got there, she might not have ever really left, as she slowly sits up from the back seat of the ford americar as it went down the street. She rubs her eyes, glancing at Arc. "Did.. you find something?" she asks still quite tired and hardly rested from her back seat napping.
I only counted four bodies. Did someone survive that thing?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"WOLF'S BALLS! Have you been there the whole time?"
Red gets a little more comfortable now that they have a plan, but shoots bolt upright when an unfamiliar voice comes from the back of the car.
Taking a long pull of her cig, the miles were chipped down at a good clip before they finally went into Snohomish. It wasn't too long before they arrived at their destination, the car pulling up to a curt stop as she put it into park. "Aight...Red, I'm assuming you be doin' the whole talky talky biz, wiz?"
"Word man! You know I can't come-up with that kinda scrip! An hiring shadowrunners! You have lost your damn mind. Now, tell me everything. What's got you wanting to hire the spray & pray guys. We'll talk. I'll help. Just not that kinda help.
@ Red The young troll woman at the counter smiles at you and asks, "Do you have an appointment?". She is covered in runic tats. and her dress is half tie-dyed ensemble and half purple sparkles.
"That sounds like a plan. Though I wouldn't mind if any of you wanted to give a little back-up. It's not as if I know the first thing about what it is we're going after, after all."
@ Red, Dr Tatsumi does take a few walk-in clients. If the problem sufficiently interests him. If you'll tell me the problem you wish to consult with him on I will talk to him. It usually takes a few minutes and you are more than welcome to take a seat, or to browse around in the shop." The shop is spacious and well appointed. The heady and pleasant aroma of herbs fills the air, and there's a wall of small drawers labeled reagents reminiscent of an old apothecaries shop. It also carries an excellent library and datasofts.
@ Red She smiles at you pleasantly, unfortunately her troll features don't make that much better than her normal appearance. "Thank you Ms White. I'll speak to the Dr. I'm afraid it'll take a few moments as he is in consultation right now. But I will be able to at least give you an answer regarding whether or not he'll see you."
[Office of Dr. Tatsami, Snohomish, WA 2:00 PM]
The little human overheard the troll's response to their inquiry, and that they were asked to wait. Her jaw hardened, her pacing growing more agitated. Likely it was due to the atmosphere of the place, being a lot more..."academically" inclined with all the weird mojo stuff, but Arc was moving antsy before too long. Idly picking up bits and bobs here, she took a glance over the the elf, Khali, who actually seemed to be interested in stuff, and Red, reading a magazine like some hoity-toity rich type.
Frag, just how girly can you get?! Letting out a sigh, Arc meandered through, glancing over at the front desk in wait for an answer to their goose chase, eventually bumping into Khali as she held up some curio. "...This is some weird drek, man...don't tell me you actually make sense of this stuff?" She eyed it curiously, even slipping on her goggles to take a look at thermographics and details. "I mean...it don't mesh with modern tech or nothin'..what do you expect to use this stuff for, eh?" Her voice carried, probably a little more than intended, but could easily still be her inside voice...if barely so.
Khali shrugs in response to Arc's questions. "I grew up around it. It just feels... natural." She reaches out to touch the piece that Arc held up, then snatches her hand back.
"That one has some silver inlays. Lots of foci do. You'd be amazed at what some mojo types can do with a simple earring. Some let them blast away stronger than they should, and others let them keep throwing spells when other folks would have passed out. That's the problem with magic, it's all about misdirection. Appearances mean very little."
@ Arc & Khali The troll clerk steps forward then, the bracelets softly bangling on her wrists. and says, "Indeed it is. That sword is a unique piece custom crafted for Simeon Faerrel, The Black Wizard. Made of a unique blend of silver, platinum, orichalcum and stainless steel it's crafting process included layering it with several incantations and foci to increase both it's physical strength and it's ability to channel magic as a foci in and of itself. The Black Wizard used it in combat against several creatures including ghouls. Made by a master-craftsman in the image of the Sword of Goujian discovered in 1965 on an archealogical dig in China it is the pride of the doctors private collection." She smiles at you as her hand gracefully indicates the sword and then she points to a small picture beside the sword. "There you can see an image of him wielding the sword."
>>Five figures! Man you're fragged! Ain't nobody got that kinda cred! But, since you're asking for it. AQ73697BD95789 Pretty Boy Floyd. But think four or more times 'bout asking omae. Because killing you isn't ta kindness he'd do you <<
'Fine, at home, grabbing protection of different varieties. Planning on fetching the bike, but if you'd prefer the backup, I can be there as short as the fuse on that troll from.. you know when~ Arachnid.'
>>I just talked to ZIp. She done knocked the drek outta Godra and kicked her out. She can't even talk about Meli, an when I tried to ask about where she's making arrangements she cussed me out an hung up. An I done already talked to Mik. He'll help you kill whoever done this, null sweat bro. GS45281KF65117.<<
>>I tried calling Zip. She ain't answerin' And don't you go messing things up with my new boyfriend. I ain't giving you his code and you ain't talking to him!<<
>>Yo Duckmate. I just saw the trid. I'm sorry man, we were almost there. My master is sending me away to cleanse me of the taint so that it can't find me. When I come back, hopefully in just a day, we will hunt it and kill it.<<
"I couldn't decide if you were lost or just plain stupid coming onto Ancients turf. But then, you gotta figure an ugly trog like you gotta be both. So here's your chance to smarten up. Leave."
Arc's expression turned from confused curiosity to simply straight out confusion, trying to make sense of what the elf was talking about with little success. Her eyebrow seemed permanently raised as she turned the bauble over, noting the silver inlays. Finally concluding that she is unable to actually understand how the drek it works, she replaced the object on the shelf, letting out her breath in an exasperated sigh. "Y'dont say...so what you're sayin' is you can't really know what mojo is about unless y'know mojo, aye? Frag, no wonder y'all Awakened don't get trusted."
With a sigh, she placed her goggles about her forehead, shrugging. "Get me a machine or some compounds any day, those I understand. Nneehhh....oh, hello~" She peered into a glass display stand of some kind of short sword. "Now this...what's this doing in a mojo shop? Ain't this some museum piece or some drek?"
@ Arc & Khali The troll clerk steps forward then, the bracelets softly bangling on her wrists. and says, "Indeed it is. That sword is a unique piece custom crafted for Simeon Faerrel, The Black Wizard. Made of a unique blend of silver, platinum, orichalcum and stainless steel it's crafting process included layering it with several incantations and foci to increase both it's physical strength and it's ability to channel magic as a foci in and of itself. The Black Wizard used it in combat against several creatures including ghouls. Made by a master-craftsman in the image of the Sword of Goujian discovered in 1965 on an archealogical dig in China it is the pride of the doctors private collection." She smiles at you as her hand gracefully indicates the sword and then she points to a small picture beside the sword. "There you can see an image of him wielding the sword."
@ Arc, Khali & Red The young troll steps back, again with that soft jingle of her bracelets and turns partially to encompass Red in her message also. "The Dr will see you as soon as he's done with his current referral, although he said he could only afford you a few minutes of his time. The mage he's currently with will need additional help and the doctors afternoon will be spent with him. But, that said, since he's only able to give you a few minutes the initial consult fee will be waived and he'll let you know his fees if additional consultation is required."
Knowledge - Local Gangs (http://orokos.com/roll/237473): 8d6t5 5
@ Arc, Khali & Red The young troll steps back, again with that soft jingle of her bracelets and turns partially to encompass Red in her message also. "The Dr will see you as soon as he's done with his current referral, although he said he could only afford you a few minutes of his time. The mage he's currently with will need additional help and the doctors afternoon will be spent with him. But, that said, since he's only able to give you a few minutes the initial consult fee will be waived and he'll let you know his fees if additional consultation is required."
"We may need something like that sword.. "
"I see a runt-ass trog who ain't smart enough to know he's not welcome. And lil Mik knows better than to bring your kind around here for business."
<<@Arc [Duckdown] Yo, my shit fell through. No luck here. What's going on on your end?>>
Masqurade blinked at the stream of words coming from Arc's mouth. Moving up closer, she decides to attempt to do the most sensible thing, and place her finger on the ex-ganger's lips. "Shhh" she commands,[/color]
"Ah.. Doctor Tatsami, Its good to meet you, but since your time is precious, we'll skip the fluff and get down to brass tacks. In short, we've seen some drek. A creature so utterly vile, that its scream is enough to make one regurgitate. Perhaps you know something of a creature that laughs as it kills?"
"Hey, Silver, stand down man. The trog ain't meaning no harm. He be lookin' fer help just like he said. You think you're the only one that lost someone man. Take a look at him. That little girl that was killed was his NIECE. Blood is bond, word omae. My girl told me they spent all night lookin fer her, they were lookin' fer her man, an she still got kilt. You're brother man, he was grown. Tell me what chance she had, you had of stopping that thing."
>>Bro, when you get done talkin' ta Mik you need to go pick up mama. She wanna see Godra personally. An then after that she wanna see Zip.<<
<<Message to: Duckdown
<<NOT FRAGGIN' MUCH. Waitin' on some hoopla what got here before us, all hoity-toity probably with some mojo theory drek nothin' compared to the fraggin' stuff we gotta deal with. If you free and wanna wait with me, I'll link my location for you ta trace or whateva. HOLLA
<<Attached: Arclink.avi
[Redmond Barrrens, Seattle, Ancients Turf, 2:20pm]
Duck waits till it has gone around a few more times before speaking again. Once the tiny little spliff comes his way one last time, he holds it in one hand, looks up at Silver with a look of death on his face and says, "Best believe, when we get this motherfucker, you're gonna be in on it, wiz?"
After finishing up with Silver, Duck and Lil Mik stroll down the street together. "...I aint got no dough. .....Now you know I been runnin' for a few months now and you probably done heard I can swing my shit, so here's the deal; I need twenty five g's and I'm willin to work off the debt with interest. I know yall mugs got some work that needs doin that yall might not want pointin back at ya, or at least you're gonna sooner or later. I also know you probably aint got that kinda jing on you personally, so you're gonna have to go through your boy before you know anything. Just, hit me back when you know something, wiz?"[/color]
@ Khali, Red, Masquerade & Arc As you enter the room it's a spacious well appointed office filled with shelves, books, a few knick-knacks and several plants. A short, round, balding man looks up at you through his glasses. "I'm Dr Tatsami. Pleased to meet you. I've had something extremely important come up and I'm afraid I won't be able to give you more than a quick consult. So it will help if you are able to briefly describe the nature of the problem and any Awakened descriptions that lead you to believe that the problem involves magical misuse."
>>PL55125DF77468 Theresa en I be going to Zip's this afternoon. I told Kip you'd be calling.<<
<<@Arc [Duckdown] Thanks but not just yet. Ummmmm, I hate to bug you for a ride again, especially after never having given you the fifty I promised you yesterday, but I need one. Once ya lose the rest of the crew, holler at me, wiz?>>
<<@Arc [TransferFunds] ny50.00>>
@ Khali, Red, Masquerade & Arc The professor busies himself with running the program to enhance the images, and as soon as he gets it running he straightens up. "That'll take several minutes to load and enhance the image. In the meantime you can tell me as much as you felt, heard, saw & assesnes." You hear a knock at the door. and the professor say's,"Come in." The man you saw earlier as he came out of this office re-enters the room. The professor nods to him and says, "I'd like you to meet a mage that is currently working on this problem. I believe your information could be valuable to him. Mage Turnstall." he says looking up at him. "I'd like you to meet several others that encountered the creature last night." He turns to you all and then pauses, "I'm afraid I must admit to a gross lack of manners. I'm afraid I don't know your names." He pauses then looking at each you with an eyebrow raised.
Arc fidgeted during the exchange of words, visibly wincing and biting her lip as the images were put on painfully large and detailed display, relieved when they were minimized to work. She seemed to zone out for a moment, her cybereyes whirring a bit as she pulled up a message she received...
Sending that off, she blinked, perking up and stepping forward after Masquerade said her piece, giving a nod of agreement. Clearing her throat, she did her best to be proper (http://orokos.com/roll/237870): 4d6t5 1, but clearly wasn't used to the idea. "Ah, yeah...hi, prof, I'm assuming you don't do street handles, so my name's Lauren. What she said is pretty much right, though she kinda forgot one small drek of a detail: we spotted her in this thing's grasp, hanging her upside down in the air like a fraggin' rag doll. I was there with two chummers of mine...one was Awakened, and he was wiggin' out just by the presence of the thing, and this cat don't wig out for nothin'. He felt marked by it too..said it spoke to him or somethin' and described it as 'pure, complete evil' or somethin'...All I knows is, the laughter chilled even me to th'bone, it seemed to come from all around, and only a sick twisted mind displays its..." she cleared there throat, feeling a lump form. "..prey like that..especially a little girl..." She stopped, taking a step back and looking around self-consciously.
@ Duckdown >>Ummmh, hi, ummh, nah man but my brother does. Ummmh, hey listen, I'm sorry about Meli man. I mean, who the fuck does that. Kill a little girl like that. I mean, can't be no real man do a thing like that. ummh yeah. Ummmh, yeah, you need a ride I kin call my brother. We kin swing by an pick you up an all. Agg is gonna be busy wit her sister an Zip an all that anyway. Ummmh yeah, so you wan me to call him an pick you up or something?"<<
<<Message to: Duckdown [Arc]
<<Null sweat chummer, thanks for the jing. It coulda waited though, you got good reasons for it. Ride? I'm in Snohomish with the prof and the others. Looking like a real crew formin', omae. I'll ring you up once I'm back down in the Barrens. Where you need to go?
@ Khali, Red, Masquerade, Arc & Feathers The professor listens to you're descriptions and grows almost gleeful. "You're job just got a little easier!" he tells Feathers excitedly. "A blood mage does not mark his victims. Or at least he doesn't mark them that way." he says as he straightens up."If the thing that appeared in this video is marking it's victims, it's an evil spirit working through a mage. And that gives it a very specific vulnerability."He looks at all of you again and then singles out Khali. You said your mentor spirit responded to it. Feathers said the same thing. Can you tell me more?" He listens intently.
When she's done descriing her impression and Wolf's responses he nods, And then he turns to Raven. "You say he marked you, and that he tasted you. Any possibility that the mark is to bring you into his fold of followers?" his eyes are boring into you for your answer, watching for any sort of prevarication.
Looking at Feathers he says, "We still need more mages capable of handling the creature and keeping it occupied while others kill the mage. But, this start makes me hopeful. Far more hopeful than my consults with Bernie have made me."
<<@ Arc [Duckdown] How long do you figure it'll be before you can get home alone, and get cleaned up? I can meet you there.>>
Red furrows her brow for a moment. "Just so we're clear, you're saying that this creature is being directed by mages to commit these murders, and that the preferred way of dealing with it would be to assassinate the mages? I'm not saying I disagree, it's just some very interesting new information and I'd like to make sure we're all on the same page."
Satisfied, she gave a smirk and nodded to Tatsami's note of positivity. "Aight, that I can work with..mojo squad to run interference topside, geek squad below." She cracked her knuckles. "This fragger's gotta pay~"Hearing that he turns to you Arc and says, "That's one. What about the rest of you?"
<<Message to: Duck
<<Dunno how long this meet'll be, but doubt more than two hours. Short of a rinse, doubt I'll get much cleaner. Your water still down where you at? Frag, did ANYTHING work before I set up shop, omae? if the timing's tight, you can borrow my drek. I'l let you know when over...just no fingering the goods, aight?
<<Attached: door.exe
@ Khali, Red, Masquerade, Arc & Feathers The professor finishes listening to Raven and . . . . . . . .
Then he turns to the rest of you, listening to your answers. "I need to teach Feathers some things to aid him in this. Specifically a ritual that will bind the creature for a short time to enable you to try and kill it. The biggest problem is getting it to that location. The ritual takes some time to prepare and perform. So it won't be possible to go to wherever it shows up and perform it there. By binding the creature you will have a much easier time focusing fire to try & kill it. That will also give those who's job it is to kill the mage their only opportunity to do so. My home can accommodate all of you if you wish to accompany us. It might be helpful to have someone or even several some ones who understand magic able to perform this ritual. Who would like to accompany us?"
Hearing that he turns to you Arc and says, "That's one. What about the rest of you?"
@ Khali, Red, Masquerade, Arc & Feathers The professor finishes listening to Raven and . . . . . . . .
Then he turns to the rest of you, listening to your answers. "I need to teach Feathers some things to aid him in this. Specifically a ritual that will bind the creature for a short time to enable you to try and kill it. The biggest problem is getting it to that location. The ritual takes some time to prepare and perform. So it won't be possible to go to wherever it shows up and perform it there. By binding the creature you will have a much easier time focusing fire to try & kill it. That will also give those who's job it is to kill the mage their only opportunity to do so. My home can accommodate all of you if you wish to accompany us. It might be helpful to have someone or even several some ones who understand magic able to perform this ritual. Who would like to accompany us?"
Red nods as the professor finishes speaking. "It does make me comfortable that we have a plan now. Though I am curious. I don't have anything in the way of magical talent, and assassination is well outside of my area of expertise. Are there any other leads a more resourceful individual might be able to follow up on? I know powerful acts of magic need some sort of expensive components. Drams of something. Does anyone think I might be able to find a paper trail that leads us to our target?"
>>Yo, Duck. I dun talked to Blindside an he say you need, you got, no talk 'o payment. He say if'n you kin find this fragger Ancients won't leave enough of him to make a positive ID in this world or the next. Word.<<
The tall skinny ork is facing away from the door in his blue boxer shorts, standing in the garage with his clean and still damp hair dripping down his back. He's rocking his head back and forth to the beat of some old turkish funk concert footage trid from what looks like over a hundred years ago while ironing a pair of dark brown slacks, using Arcs workbench as an ironing board and an empty spare clip from his ingram as a makeshift iron. The bullets from the clip sit on the workbench next to him and a dark brown suit jacket hangs from an electrical wire running near him. He doesn't hear Arc when she comes in, due to how loud the music is playing.
[OOC: Song playing is http://youtu.be/OoC4qAcwtbc?t=48s]
Diguise as professor (http://orokos.com/roll/238507): 9d6t5 0 Well that didn't go as intended.
@ Red The professor nods at you "There aren't many specialty reagents unique to blood magic. And the most unique element, the fresh blood from a metahuman is sometimes our best lead, as the few blood magic practitioners we have on record have an all to human tendency to choose their victims based on their own personal prejudices, good old fashioned profiling is our best ally at finding them." He pauses and looks at you, "As this is a malevolent spirit using a mage, that does not apply.. But, there are a couple of things that they can use before they gain enough strength to be able kill and use their freshly slaughtered prey. Entrails. They still must be fresh, and it must be a large quantity. So, a slaughter house. But, Bernie and his crew are already following up that lead. They have far more powerful computers and trained deckers at their disposal to perform that search' He looks hard at you. "You will have to pardon my saying this, but, given the neighborhood you're in, and it's activities there is another possibility.." He looks thoughtful, "It's occurred to me that this creature may be the result of gang violence, or a particularly horrific crime. It would have had to involve torture. And again given the neighborhood. That torture would have had to be far in excess of the norm. And the survivor would have most certainly had to be Awakened. I say survivor, because it would most certainly have had to be during the process of murder and torture that the mage bonded with the spirit. If you can find that event, that triggering event, if it even exists, than we will have our mage, and knowing that, have a far, far better idea of where to find them." And this is something Bernie and his crew can't do, because the denizen's of your neighborhood have a very long history of hiding facts and events from the police, or any public record."
>> He say meet him tonight 21:30 at Downfall. Corner of NE 175th and 140th Ave NE. He'll holla atcha then. He say you best be prepared to tell 'im something real omae, not some hopefull "I think maybe/wannbe/could be" drek. He aint extending this offer for some half-cocked crazy fragger who's just wishful thinking.<<
"Owwoooo, didn't realize I ordered a cool drink'a water. Frag~"
"Glad the code worked. Nice threads...going somewhere nice? Frag man, that means I gotta clean up if I'm driving you...nnh, no dresses. The frag am I takin' you, omae?"
"Didn't even think someone like y'self would sport a fraggin' suit...who's the lucky lady, hm?"
Play it cool (http://orokos.com/roll/238600): 15d6t5 6
"It's not where we're going. It's who we're picking up. This is a serious VIP here and she need to be treated with respect... But, you and me gotta convince her that I'm ballin a bit harder than I actually am, Wiz? So that's what's up with the suit, and that's why you gotta look classy, but still tough, cause you gotta be my driver. Like, my hired professional driver... from the record label."
"Professional driver?!" the human spits back at him. "Motherfucker, best I got to wear is like, a blouse from forever ago and some jeans that probably dont have holes in em."
"It's gonna be ok. She don't see so well these days. Long as you wear it right, you'll look fine. You aint gotta have a suit."
All the goofy, playful rockstar "duckdown" bullshit drains out of Huey for a moment. He gets really still and answers her almost apologetically. "She's my mother. Her name is Marjory Wilson." He takes a deep breath and then exhales again before continuing. "She thinks I'm still with the band. Thinks I just got off tour and her son is successful and living the high life like she always dreamed he would." He looks the little human dead in the eye and says, "We aint bout to do nothin to make her think otherwise, aight?" Then, like someone flipped a switch, all the bluster and goofy is back in him. "Now go get your ass cleaned up so we can be on the way. I left you 6 of your nine minutes left on that shower."
[Redmond Barrens, Seattle, Arcs Americar. 4:11pm]
Halfway to his mother's house, he nonchalantly calls out to Arc up front. "Oh yeah. So, there is one more stop after this. We're going to see a high ranking Ancients loan shark about getting some funds for hunting down this thing from last night. But he's going to want some actual ideas as to what we plan to do about it. You learn anything today? I aint gonna tell him everything, but i gotta tell him somethin, feel me?"
"I managed to dig up an interesting tidbit. I don't know how useful it might be, but apparently about a month before the murder started there was some sort of local tragedy. The only survivor was a girl who went insane. Couldn't stop laughing. The vagaries make me think someone's been covering it up. Dead end? Maybe something we can act on?"That's a starting point at least. Now to find Rabbit."
"Why don't we kill the mage?"@ Masquerade The prof gives you a look that clearly says you're a little slow on the uptake, "And that is exactly what this meeting is for. To plan and to marshal the resources to kill the mage."
She asks, needing more information. More more more. Always more information. It was never enough.
@ Red You narrow your filters to only have the data from a month before the murders start and the chatter involves a kid. "Only survivor", "No relatives", "Found her laughing and laughing." "She couldn't answer a single question, it drove her insane." No mention of a name or a place. Just speculation.
"'Bout damn time. I be in here waiting an waiting for a call from my famous son an all's I gets is a ain't no nevermind. Meantime I dun lost a granbaby to that worthless piece 'o ganger trash your brother hooked up with. Get me my cane an then come an kiss your mama."
"Ummh, very good sir. We be going now?"
@ Arc As you wait in the car the catcalls and deals and gangers and just plain down-on-their-luck scene rolls by your windows. This is nothing she hasn't seen ten thousand times before. Finally she catches sight of Duck & an extremely old orc that must be his mama. Just in time she remembers she's supposed to be the driver of a celebrity paying her for her time and she hotfoots it out of the car and runs around to open the door."Drek! What was his fraggin name!""Ummh, very good sir. We be going now?""Oh frag!"
"I managed to dig up an interesting tidbit. I don't know how useful it might be, but apparently about a month before the murder started there was some sort of local tragedy. The only survivor was a girl who went insane. Couldn't stop laughing. The vagaries make me think someone's been covering it up. Dead end? Maybe something we can act on?
<<Message to: Red
<<I'll check a couple sources that /might know what the drek that could be. Ancients will talk to me, and Lupo won't start drek with me without reason with the Howlers. I can promise progress with at least one of those tonight, I'll get back to you on it. Holla
<<Message to: Duckdown
<<Hoi, so should I call you like, Mr. Wilson or something? If you need to, you can refer to me as Lauren, or Ms. Summers I guess. Drek, this is weird. Is there dinner associated with this jaunt? Ach, sorry, dont' wanna distract
"We kin go now."
After a few blocks, Duck lets out an audible sigh of relief, turns to Arc and says, "Holy fucking shit, that was rough! Ok, now we're going back to your place to change clothes before it's time to meet the shark. But first..." He reaches into the inside pocket of his blazer, removes a spliff and lights it. After hitting it a couple times, he offers it to Arc. "You fraggin KILLED it back there, girl! Master of the theater, you are! I owe you somethin HUGE!"
@ Red >>Hello Tanya, I was hoping you would be able to obtain the material components needed for this ritual while I teach the professor it's verbal & somatic components. Specifically we'll need 4 drams of Angel's Tears, 1 dram of dust from an evil crossroad, 1 uncia of iron from a prison, and 1 blessed symbol weighing at least 2 quadran's. If you're able to get that it would save time. If not I'm sure they can be obtained tomorrow.<<
@ Red There are three places, almost equidistant. One a temple, the other a mosque, and a wiccan coven that's advertising a fertility ritual of blessing tonight. But, the temple is at least closer to other places to try if it proves to be a dead end.
"I got a shopping list for the ritual. Looks like voodoo nonsense to me, but maybe you'll make some sense of it. Dust from an 'evil' crossroads, something called 'Angel's Tears,' a little bit of iron from a prison, and a blessed symbol. If either of you have either of those other Awakend's comm numbers it might be worth forwarding this their way. I'm going to try and get the holy symbol first. At least that one makes some sense."
@ Arc >>Little bit 'o breeder trash think she see what up. Think she got the right to say drek. Think she all dat cause Howlers through her a little biz so her thrice-vomited hide get ta eat. It be Howler name what keep her safe at night, an keep that piss-hole she sleep in off the target list fer every pox-slotted drek-head what need a fix. You say you null MY debt, You owe me every drop o' the sludge in your veins. Howler redemption come when we own every inch 'o the city. Not from some breeder trash think she be seeing more than the sewage she got her head down in. You think you know summpin, you come around tonight an tell it, An maybe it be enough ta keep ya in Howler territory and Howler good graces.<<
<<Come and get me. I've got a face in the howlers I can use.. >>
"Aight, we got that meet with Blindside in sum like four hours?" The lack of sleep is starting to become obvious in his posture and tone. He sits down and loosens his vest straps a bit before removing the Ingram from its concealed holster, popping the clip out, and setting it above his head on a shelf mounted near the couch. Then, he lays down, stretches out, groans loudly, and speaks one more line to Arc with his eyes closed before falling asleep. "Get me up in like, three and a half. i can jump up and walk right out the door."
He dictated a reply to the new team, indicating he'd join them for the meet tonight.
<<Message to: Raven, Red, Khali, Arachnid, Feathers, Duckdown
<<Hoi. So I'm meeting up with the Howlers tonight, following Red's lead and maybe even convincing aid...unlikely, but miracles can happing, eh? Frag. I don't expect things to go south, but this IS the Howlers we're talking about, and I would consider it extremely wiz for some support at the meet. If you're in, the meet is at Midnight tonight at the Skeleton, that bar by Sportsman park east of Touristville. I can pickup some if need. Let me know, and come armed.
"Whoa! Just read this message you sent me. Whoa, and a buncha other heads, too!" Duck smiles all tusky from the backseat, finishing off the spliff and starting on a second one. What kinda crew are you puttin together, here Arc? Red, i heard of. She's some kinda face or sum, huh? And forget about 'Rack. He aint comin. Don't ask." A short pause. "Fuck him. Don't ask. But the rest of those names, I don't know." With a mischievous and accusatory tone in his voice, "The fuck are you cookin up here, anyway girl?"
<<Message to: Raven, Red, Khali, Arachnid, Feathers, Duckdown
<<Hoi. So I'm meeting up with the Howlers tonight, following Red's lead and maybe even convincing aid...unlikely, but miracles can happing, eh? Frag. I don't expect things to go south, but this IS the Howlers we're talking about, and I would consider it extremely wiz for some support at the meet. If you're in, the meet is at Midnight tonight at the Skeleton, that bar by Sportsman park east of Touristville. I can pickup some if need. Let me know, and come armed.
"I'll be there. Anything I ought to know? I'd hate to show up wearing a rival gang's colors..."
"Start talking. I'll decide if it's worth my time."
@ Arc His face turns even meaner and uglier, " 'Cept when I talk, it mean summat. It aint sewage spillin outta ugly ass breeder. You burned out whatever you mighta had between your ears long time ago you thought you 'kin come to me spittin drek outta your mouth like ta old hooker spills it outta her slot. When I say summat gonna happen, it happen. You had ta power to turn my turf inta glass you wouldn't need to come ta me frontin'. You been smarter putting your mouth down ta bone on Old Nick than commin here spittin out stupid." He looks around at his crew, "Anyone here heard anything what mean she get ta live?" he barks his laughter at that, and is joined by the Howlers barking and howling at the moon. The faces get ugly then, as they look at you and your little crew, waiting for the order to hunt.
If I have to, I'll roll knowledge gangs again. But I'm wondering what I'd know in order to blackmail those around here, or at least know what drives them into do things
>>Yo Duck, Blindside say he changing the meet. He meet you at the The Market at noon tomorrow.<<
"Huu...okay, chummers, here's the deal. We're about to talk to Lupo, head of the Night Howlers. These guys take their name seriously, and can smell fear. Just look strong, and look like you're ready to scrap if it fraggin' comes to it, but it won't. These guys aren't stupid, and won't deal with drek what doesn't look easy. When you speak, make sure you back what you say, because they don't fraggin' respect a half-hooped talk, aye? And always offer something first...never let them get a favor owed from you.." She gave a nod, a devious smirk on her face, giving a wave and stepping towards the skeleton. "Aight, let's do this drek..."
"Oil be in your brain girl. You, meetin with 'keebs."
"Oil be in your brain girl. You, meetin with 'keebs." he chuffs at you disdainfully and then spits at the ground at your feet, (part insult, part challenge, Lupo is effectively daring you to meet with them).
Lupo turns and looks at all the pack. "Howler biz is to protect they own. We hunt for the mojo spirit what do 'dis. Mermaid, Merlin you two will hunt 'dis spirit out. I want two teams protecting they bodies, both teams needs people what 'kin kill wid mana case the spirit be done followin dem. Rest o' you form teams for patrols what keep the teams with Mermaid & Merlin in de' center. That spirit be done following dem back to de bodies I want Howlers be on it like a pack. If 'dat spirit 'pear anywhere else on our turf I want de teams to get the mojo teams in on it like wolf be on prey, wiz. Howlers be on de hunt. He snarls loudly, and then lifts his head and neck back to howl loudly at the moon. The rest of the pack, taking heart at his words and his decisiveness, joins him in the howl. They begin to move away, teams forming even as they move.
"Naw. Me... I meet up with the Ancients." He fixes his cold dead stare on the giant troll for the first time since he arrived. Lupo doesn't so much as blink, sizing up the skinny bare armed ork with the long hair. After a second of silence, Duck continues. "Either the hood come together on this or the hood get fucked. Girl aint playin when she talmbout nukes and shit. That's whats really real, wiz?"
"Frag, you de ugliest Jake dem 'keebs be slottin'. Bet they make sure your face low enough your tusks make planting holes for they dandelions."
... while his tether to this world get fucked up by some decent firepower.
Knowledge - Local Gangs - dau -edged (http://orokos.com/roll/241771): 7d6h5 3
@ Arc Bonehead's finally managed to work his way next to you while you were busy watching out for your mojo-man and circling your waist with his arm pulls you hard against him, "Hey, wouldn't mind riding your rig tonight. How 'bout it."
@ Feathers Lupo looks at you and then at the M&M's, "Yeah, 6am be fine." then he roars."ARC, BONE"
@ Arc When you get to Lupo, Bonehead beside you with his arm heavily around your shoulders and a smirk on his face, Bone answers first, "Me an my girl be makin' plans together wiz." Lupo looks at you both, "You 'kin keep makin' plans. This breeder be wantin' a few spies in a few places. Arc, you rig 'im summat. Bone, you get her what she needs, parts 'en drek like that. I want it done tonight. He'll tell you what he be needin'." nodding at Feathers.
"Oh, and a cola and a Long Haul from the Stuffer Shack while you're at it..I'm gonna need it."
"This trog's with me, hoops. No arguments, I could do with his help."
Ok, lets meet here for 6am then. As for the kit, we'll need eyes and ears. How about some sensor RFIDs? microphone and camera as minimum spec? They'd stick to the underside of the grate or somewhere concealed at the entrances. It might give us a few false positives with devil rats and whatever the fuck else lives down there but its better to be on guard that sliced up by that evil fucker. If we can get most of the entrances covered, those feeds can be monitored remotely 24/7. I dare say, someone with the right skills could probably program up something to alert the observer to motion or changes in ambient sound levels, but that's way beyond my experience.
@ Feathers Lupo looks at you as he smokes his spliff and takes a long swig of his drink, smacking his lips loudly when he's done. "It be no problem ta do all dat omae. I get my people on dat right 'cha way fer you. We be havin' de best programmers what come outta sewers." And he looks at you and spits to the side of you. And then an idea clearly crosses his brain and a grin splits his face. "Bone, hopscotch crew kin take it from one o' KE's satellite posts. Way I see it, dem fraggers are owed for the botch job they dun o' dis. Blood on dey hands much as on that spirits." Then he looks you up and down, not liking all the things you've been telling him to do. "Howler blood done being spilled 'fer dis hunt. You be owing no matter how dis go down afterwards. More Howler bodies, more we be owed. You best be right 'bout how ta fight 'dis or payment be coming outta you one drop at a time. So don't be gettin' lost on de way back. You say 6am, best not be 6:05."Her brow twitched as she frowned, sighing and shaking her head a little bit. Lupo can do whatever the frag Lupo wants, but I ain't going to jail associated for that. I gon' deny any part of that! Returning to her plan drawing, she bit her lip as she accidentally crossed a wire in the design. "All this is dandy, but we don't do this, we all gon' be dead Lupo. Get with the program, or I'll start thinkin' you been shoving oil in your brain. Feathers...how many spots am I gonna be rigging up for, hm?"
Feathers leaned into the table as Lupo made his threat.
Lupo, If I'm wrong about how to fight this fucker, then drawing the remaining blood out of my drained, dessicated corpse is going to be the last thing you'll need to worry about.
This thing affects all of us, including being pretty damn bad for whatever businesses you're involved in. Don't pretend like you're doing me a personal favour here, like this is to fund my jolly little holiday;
We've all got a stake in saving this neighbourhood.
"Arc, my good lady, it's Arachnid. Would you convince your friends here to stop pointing all these nasty sub machine guns at me? And tell Duckdown I'm here, if you would. I've got something for him."
He smiled up at the troll, with a hint of innocence, reaching to his vest (And away from his exposed weapons), to the shoulder and touching his commlink, emitting a near silent beep. Speed dialing Arc. From there, he spoke aloud. "Arc, my good lady, it's Arach....
"oh, you gotta be drekking me...That's Rack..." She turned to Lupo, a leery smirk on her face. "Call off your pups, oh-mah-eh, that guy's with me."Lupo looks at Arc and sneers, "You be using all your goodwill in here girl." He looks up at Sarge and flicks his eyes towards the fight. Sarge turns his head slightly, the tats and implants pulling slightly to give him an even more gruesome appearance and then he emits an ear piercing whistle."He be maimed you be payin' the Doc." he bellows. The combatants pause for a moment paying attention to the older Howler, not an officer to be sure, but, he's been around longer than most and you ignored him with almost the same impunity that you ignored Lupo.
"Hoi, Bonehead say he gon' be getting me stuff, so let's let him do his thing. Best case, I get free parts to work with, worst he sits in a jail for a bit. It's a win-win. You don't need to go all fancy and drek. Just wait, a sensor tag and a microtransceiver's all I need...oh, and chewing gum. Gonna have to fraggin' get that..."
"Yeah, but man says he need, like thirty of em and Big Loop bout to give him five. Feathers here gon need more and I can probably get it for him come tomorrow. Least, I can get the jing for it. I aint know nobody for bulk electronics and shit though. What about you, lil miss mechanic and things? I know you got someone you go through for parts, right?"
Improved Invisibility Force 4 Cast
6,6,5,3,5,5,2. 7 Dice, 5 hits, 0 1s (Force 4 limited)
Drain Resist (F-1)
4,5,2,5,3,4,6,6. 8 Dice, 4 hits, 0 1s (Drain resisted)
@ Arc >>Yo slitch, you in luck, just got ta' cred fo' my last haul and I'm busy spending it in all the wrong places. That'll prolly take me another few hours. Hit me up then girl an I'll see about what you need. An as fo' MY van. Onliest time you see me without a set a wheels it'll be 'cause they cheated me out 'o dem on my coffin.<<
@ Arc >>Null sheen Cricket. Might even have a line on some used parts that'll save ya a bit on the cam's. I don't see a power supply in that design. If you're planning on hard wirin' it you'll need an adapter to attenuate the power more or you'll fry your parts. But, if you want to go with an independent power supply to increase placement options I can get you a button rig that'll give you a little over 2 weeks transmission time. You'll have to increase the size 'o your box a bit which means a slightly higher cost. But, you'd have to increase it potentially more for an adapter, or lose some waterproofing if you place the adapter outside of the unit and have to wire it in. Let me know what'cha want slitch and when I'm done playin' I'll hook you up.<<
"Hoo yeah, that's how it's done. Null sweat, Mr. Mojo, we'll get you set up fo'sho....eh wuzzat?"
@ Arc You hear the buzz that indicates someone at the garage door. When you check the feed it's one of the Howlers with a package. Opening the door to let him in you see that the rain is beating steadily outside. And it's cold enough to make his breath into a cloud of fog outside on the step. Coming in he's grinning. He hands you a package. "We got 9 of them, 6 are almost full sets. Damn KE's way to damn slow ta be playin' hopscotch wid Howlers!" he says pridefully and then throws his head back to let out a howl."Don't let none 'o that be going ta' waste. Sloop's doing a night 'fa them parts." he says grinning and slapping you on the shoulder. Turning he says, "I got ta bounce. Lupo say he 'spect they be up an in they place by tonight." and strolls out the door. When you examine the parts they are mostly intact. & 7 of them have a decent amount of wire with them that's been cut. The last 2 have the wiring ripped right at their entry points and it'll be some work to replace them. You'll probably need to replace their connection points as well considering how they were removed. And since they were hard-wired in they'll be need to be reconfiged for a button rig and transmitter and placed into a bigger box.
You're almost done examining them when you com buzzes with a message from Hrock. >>Hoi Cricket. I got you 17 full sets. I was able to get a deal on the boxes as well. Since you said you only needed them for a week I subbed in more used parts and got the cost down some more. It'll be $137 altogether. I'll stop by the shop in about an hour or two to drop 'em off.<<
@ Duck & Arc The rain and the chill make for a miserable day. But that means parking is easy to find and the food vendors aren't busy. Arc has her choice of 'kebabs, burgers, and veggie bites, and even in the rain Arc's hungry stomach can smell the grill and the savory spices as she makes her way through the market. As Duck moves through the market he notes the gang colors, the Ancients are most prominent. But only a little more so than usual given that they're currently running The Market. It's still a little early for the meet. And the spot where you were told to meet him is currently empty.
Yelena smiles at the woman and says, "For that sort of gracious tip you are more than welcome to stand under the roof of the palace and stay out of the drek. Do you like jazz? I can try to play anything you like if you have a preference. Mine is jazz, but it is not the same for everyone." She nods her head at the Ork, "Is he yours? I mean, is he with you? If so, he may also share me, but it may be crowded."
"i don't go out of my way for jazz, but a slitch can appreciate it all the same. And I ain't gon' ask you to play metal on that thing. Don't seem right. Name's Arc by the way..".
He originally had told her he wanted to handle this on her own, but she insisted on coming to get him. Rather than argue with the spunky little breeder, he just relented, choosing to save his energy for something more worth the battle.
"So... Didja ever get a pricetag on all that gear Feathers needed from last night? And speakin a last night... the fuck did we even need them fuckers for anyhow? Seem like just a buncha extra spoons in the pot, y'know? I mean, I'm sure you got a plan and things, and if keepin em secret is part of em, that's all good. You do what you gotta do, wiz? But, if secrecy aint parta the plan... He leaves the sentence open with one eyebrow in the air.
"Well, as for whats up with these Ancient heads? This meet is straight financing. Aint shit else I need from these gangers. I'm bout to put myself in some serious debt with these fuckin pixies and I might end up being on their "payroll" for a minute over this shit, but blood demands blood. That's what's real." His eyes are finally clearing out and he's starting to notice that Arc is still wearing her gang colors from last night. "You... probably shouldn't a come dipped in that Howler shit, but... they aint been beefin in a long ass time, so fuck it, right? You done eatin that nasty ass drek yet? We need to go burn one in the ride on the way to the market." At some point in the car, while rolling up some Zen, Duck asks her, "So hey, you ever hear back from 'Rack last night? This shit got a mug shook, wiz? You know if he aight?"
<<So eh ya. Me and the bois were thinkin of takin out this boogie monster thing, folk been eh calling the Barren's Ripper, cause its bad for business, ya hear. I ain't gonna be so impressively dress like the last time we met, cause wouldn't cha know it? This place is full of drek, and I ain't bout ta get my good suits ruined.So yeah, if ya interested, shoots me a line, kapeesh?>>
He watches you roll one then and looking up at the razorgirl signals her with a flick of his eyes. A signal she answers with a lowering of hers.
"A request of thirty-five k from an orc raised in this neighborhood to a keeb ganger is no insignificant request. It means he's desperate, and since he had not requested help to get his career back on track, or for better living conditions, or for revenge against the man who stole his career. But only asked for cred after his niece is murdered, it makes me think that it is indeed family business. And that he doesn't care about his pride, or the interest, because he doesn't figure on making it out of this alive. And if you're not going to live through this, either you're dead stupid and just planning on shooting anything that might be what killed your niece, or you've got the first real intel on whatever this is. Which is it? Facts, not speculation."
<<Course wes gots the intel. As it turns out this pretty little thing got herself into eh a bit of a pickle, if ya catch my drift. And now the Ripper is after her. All ya gotta do is keep it from killin her and ya getcha self a handsome reward. Fail, and well, ya don't have to worry much bout it no more, or anythin else. meanwhile the bois will be you know, makin sure it can't kill no one never again, see.
Its a win win situation in here, cause then people keep comin around mah pizza joint. Specially when we re-open it, cause currently the dough has been a bit rough, with all des killins goin on.>>
"No thank you. We can talk about trading info for some of that 35. But I doubt that anything you know is even worth 5 to me."
<<Message to: Duckdown
<<You called it. Got a number of cameras placed around here. They're nervous, and if our Intel on their former Second's dau is accurate, they have reason to be. Unless you got backup comin', the only thing that could keep them geekin us on the fragging spot is my pack of motion sensor nades in my pocket...I see more, I let you know.
//5?! for fuck's sake! where? the cops onsite yet?//
"I guess your boy Lupo was right, girl. Fuck it, right? We got enough of the hood, we ain't need everyone, wiz?"
"Thank you, Mister Duckdown. That is quite a compliment coming from you. I may be in Seattle for a short time longer. Would you be interested in a jam session some time?"
"I could actually use your help for a bit, omae. Soon as I can get these sensor boxes up to jing, I'm gonna need to plant them around the Barrens. While I'm riggin' them up, you think you can do some digging and find some good spots? Work with our chummers in on this if ya got to, but I can't do two things at once, wiz?"
Duck gives her a friendly smirk from the passenger seat. "Good spots? You mean like, sewer pipes that look like good spots for it to move through? I thought Feathers had a map of those or some shit. Speakin of Feathers... That your boy or was he one of Big Loops people? Either way, besides him, who exactly is our chummers right now, any damn way? Girl, I think this shit is you, me, and the squish vs the world. Oh wait! You got that other elf too, aint ya? The one that was pukin in your car the other night, right? What was her name? Is she down?"
>>The muck it with magic boys have evidently had a fire lit under them by some retired big wig that used to be in Fiends and Foul Majics. They were actually down at the scene and conducted some tests I've never seen them do. Every damn one of them was puking their guts up by the time they were in 10 m. of there. But, they stayed, ran the tests. And by the time they were done they were closed lipped and grim. Guy must still have some kinda pull 'cause Quauhtli was even out there and that is the laziest mother-drekker that ever rode a desk. I don't know whether to be glad or afraid. FFM will destroy this thing whatever it is. But they don't have a reputation for precision.<<
>>I closed the shop early to check it out. It has the same foul sense. And killing at daybreak like this. I fear it is getting stronger, even if it was only 1 this time.<<
Moments into her work, and the rest of the world was gone for all Arc would be aware, her purple cybereyes unblinking as she stared as her hands worked, handling the disparate components placed before her. Her mission: make a suite of sensor boxes to watch over the Barrens for signs of Smiley or his slitch using what scrapings the hood could give her. Cracking her knuckles, she flipped open an ARO to broadcast some power metal (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noZiEJgwQrc&list=PLD8B849FCA6F38AB9) to keep her focused. "Time to do this..."
Head bobbing to the dark rhythms and beats as she went to work, she pulled up her design, grabbing a sensor tag, microcamera, and a microtransceiver. Twirling the camera on one finger, she set them next to each other before starting to set up a splicing network, using a couple paper clips as framework while she snipped and ran the bits of universal connector, linking the camera and tag to the transceiver. Rubberbanding the button rig to the transceiver, she spliced a few power wires to run the whole thing, the flash of a soldering iron going to work fusing the wires together. Finally, she grabbed and flipped a metal box into the air, catching it and popping it open with a smack against the table as a particularly nasty riff on guitar echoed in the garage. Popping open a pack of gum, she tossed several pieces into her mouth, chewing for a few minutes as she pulled up her blowtorch, cutting a few holes into the metal. Spitting on the gum, she affixed the sensor tag, the transceiver's mic, and the camera to the holes she set up, using it as an epoxy to hold it all in place as she welded the paper clip framework to the box.
Satisfied with the design after several moments, she pulled out her commlink, turning the rig on and connecting it to her link. She may not be a hacker, but it doesn't take a genius to program the camera and tag to transmit their info through the microtransceiver, and then to set up a ping alert sytstem, should any notable shift in conditions occur around the box. She made not of the transceiver's commcode, starting a list of them for those she would make. Taking a step back, she thrashed a few times in a definite metalhead dancing ritual before linking up the camera's feed, adjusting the UI to list all the conditions she would need...visual and audio feed, temperature, pressure...anything that might result from bad mojo or little witches. "...Perfect...sometimes I surprise myself..." She cackled, playing air guitar as she flipped herself back to the front, closing the box and sealing it.
"One down!" Was what she said before diving back into her work, singing when appropriate, even the guitar parts at times as she replicated her initial design, the one box soon being joined by another, and another, and so on and so forth. Her list of transceiver commcodes grew as time passed on, and eventually she had a whole network of these things ready to be linked to a single commlink for constant, short term surveillance, the boxes just lacking in a proper home to snoop. As the playlist ended, she was actually breathing heavily, flipping her goggles up, surveying her handiwork with a euphoric grin and a hand on her hip. Frag drugs: it was obvious to any observer she was getting high on making this drek.
@ Johnny When you wake up sweating it's much darker. For a moment it seems late. But the clock says it's just past four. Hmmm, Tommy should be home from lessons soon. Nobody expects trolls to be anything but big dumb brutes. But, an education would change that for Tommy. Give him the future your drunken father never gave you. And The Barrens are full of trolls. It's not unusual to find one as a foreman. True it's easier to find them as gang muscle. But nothing changes unless you change it. You're buying Johnny that chance. But still, Tommy should be home by now. He's almost an hour late...........And not answering his comm. It was just a cheap model, maybe he dropped it. Still, maybe he should meet him half-way. By the time Johnny gets to the tenement Tommy's teacher is in, a woman who everyone calls Two-Bit it's an hour and a half later than he should have been home. And Tommy's never liked his lessons, always trying to cut them short, but today, he hears a troll shout of laughter, "Do it again! With the bear this time!" When Johnny rounds the corner it's to find Tommy fighting off a bear and an eagle.
@Arc <<What Rigs?>>
After going over the map with Arc, Duckdown takes his share of the devices and heads out on foot by himself. The decision had been made to split the group up to cover more ground, but to keep in contact on the comms. He spends the rest of the day, and quite a bit of the early evening installing the devices as instructed to by the little human mechanic.
<<Team>>//Guys, where are we up to with these sensors? We've got to get some eyes and ears on this fucker's route as soon as we can if we're going to get a handle on it's movements. FFM division are hot on the last victim, we're running out of time here//
<<@Duckdown [Arc], I'll take over sensor placing. You got HUZ going out there in the cold. Come back in make some soykaf, take a break>>
<<@Arc [Duckdown] It's a cold world girl. Aint no thing. I'm bout to put these last two up, head home and get some sleep. Holler at me in the morning, wiz?>>
<Arc. Olena. I need to see you. It is important. Scorp is still making noise, but need to talk to you about Howlers and these murders. I am headed your place. Is alright or should meet elsewhere?
<<@Duckdown [Arc] sax player coming to my place. If see a boom in the Barrens you can have my car. Peace, Skraa'Cha>>[/color]
shooting unsuspecting target (http://orokos.com/roll/249825): 9d6t5 1
2 points of damage from the gun, 15 stun damage from nacrojet.
Diguise as Jimma (http://orokos.com/roll/249866): 9d6t5 3
Perception (http://orokos.com/roll/249915): 8d6t5 3
Bluff (http://orokos.com/roll/249917): 15d6t5 5
<<@Johnny [Don_Simply_Don] Ya, I getcha. Just needed ta tidy up the place, ya know? Every thing is set, come and meet me at.. (2525 NE Park Dr)>>
Feathers smiled as the official message came over the comm and mentally dictated a reply.
//Good to hear from you, yes, that is accurate. Could we arrange a VR meet later this afternoon to talk in greater detail?//
Nbungu contacts you again at 13:17 >>I have obtained all the resources for the ritual save the Angel's Tears. Those should be delivered to my shop sometime this evening. The cost prohibited me from obtaining more than one vial. Everything else I have been able to give you 2 full sets of per instructions.<<//You're a star, thanks Nbungu. How much are they? might be able to have a whip around for the extra if its not astronomical..//
>>Mage Turnstall I have been in the field and have been able to assess the situation. I have begun maneuvering to put things into place to try and avoid a full scale intervention and its associated costs. I should have a professional in place to track and kill the mage tonight. I need to know what resources you are bringing to bear on the beast itself.<<Sitting back in his slightly damp smelling room, he idly flicked through the days news with a herbal tea as he waited for the meet. Spot on 5 his music and newsreading was minimised with the incoming AR call.
Sunday 02:12 :
@ Arc The alarm pings for sensor S2, and the feed shows a small, very thin eleven girl in rags walking towards it and then climbing out of the sewers. The one good shot of her face shows the eyes blank and empty.
@ Feathers Nbungu's reply is prompt, >>They are indeed expensive my friend. 1k for the vial. Although it grieves my soul to it's core that the tears of tortured children is a commodity at all.<<I'd rather it weren't either but we need it for this binding ritual if we're going to have any chance of performing it well. If we need more, is it only price that stops us acquiring it?
The reply from the FFM agent is terse. >>Not much that isn't pure speculation. But we have been able to determine that the most likely target is a young mage currently living in the sewers. The triggering event is consistent with what could be expected and corresponds with the most likely timeline. Conventional brute force searches of known blood mage tactics and resources have drawn a blank. Thereby confirming this event as the triggering event and target.<<I mean no offence as I say this, but you'll need a lot more than one operative if you're planning on getting into the sewers. We scouted it out in the astral this morning and it was strong enough to repel four of us easily. That's not counting the ghouls and critters that live down there as well. They won't be happy to see outsiders. What's the current plan and timescales?
<<@team>>//Just seen this delayed transmission from sensor 2, looks like we've got a possible on this one, or at least a lead. Ask around, perhaps someone saw her or has a name {Video clip attached}//
MORNING, ANYONE HOME? I'm supposed to meet a girl named raven here. Jimma sent me Johnny notices the open garage door and heads toward it. He looks around for a moment and notices the slight human woman with the tools in her lap. Wait a second those aren't tools?! Jeeze lady i don't mean no trouble but it sure as drek looks like you're ready for it
<<@Feathers (Arc), 6:03 AMI think I have an idea, and Its not one with a happy ending I'm afraid, I'll hop in a taxi and be over soon.
<<Am aware of that clip. Saw it live as it was happening. Slitch popped up again a couple three fragging hours ago on W-4, eating something. Get to my place asap, got team here, need a plan. Any idea why ghouls would be scared to drek of this witch? See you soon
"Arc. Is Olena. I hope like coffee and pastry. Can talk?”
"Normally, I wouldn't go as far as killing the target. But then again, my normal jobs aren't direct combat like this. However, I don't think we would be killing her at all, I think all we'd be doing is putting a disaster to rest. In otherwords... I doubt she has enough humanity for it to even be a question if we should or should not kill her."
That one over there says you are in charge of this trap we are springing. What the plan? We have any defenses, can we make any, or is this the kind of thing that needs done in the open to work? Never did have a head for mojo. I'm all ears partnerfeathers extended a weathered and wrinkled hand and shoot the new face's hand
<<all>>\\It happens tonight, prep for a hard night. We will beat this thing. <<location attached>>After getting Feathers message Merlin had messaged him back >>I got the time & place from Lupo. We be there prof, null sheen.<< and then messaged the Howlers. >>Prof says it's going down tonight so polish you tusks and put you best suit on.<< He spent the afternoon with his little family. His vrukhan tried to hide her worry, just as he tried to hide his and they took the baby on a short walk before they went home and got reacquainted with each other. Holding his baby girl in his arms he kissed her and then told his Vruk, "This don't work out you two go to you mama's. She'll help you so's you can finish you schoolin' I be proud my vruk be a librarian. You finish an be what you can be." He kissed her then, and put his hand in his pocket to rub his foci. It was an old "shooter" marble, his great-grandfathers. When he was really little he used to pretend it was a crystal ball, and his dad had given it to him a month before he got shot. Merlin had hung onto it ever since, now he just hoped it was enough.
@ Arc >>Tell Hrock to add a bag of roasted grasshoppers and he's got himself a deal. <<
@ Feathers Your comm chirps, >>Fallon here, word from F&FM is stage 1 is tonight. Message me a time & place and I will be there.<<
<<Channel Bravo Initiated. Participants invited: Arc, Lash, Masq, Feathers>>
"Hoi, witch team is getting in position. Designate one who'd like to keep in touch with me so we know how well things are going either side."
Leadership? (http://orokos.com/roll/253423): 11d6t5 2
Raven was actually with the group of spell slingers. She'd seen the ritual once before, and memorized it and its parts, and was no running the instructions though her head as she attempts to do what she could and direct the ritual the best she could..
"Lets not give this thing any more blood. If they want to stay there.. let them. We'll use them later."QuoteLeadership? (http://orokos.com/roll/253423): 11d6t5 2
<<Channel Bravo. Participants invited: Arc, Lash, Masq, Feathers>><<Channel Bravo. Arc, Lash>>
<<Lash>> Arc, Feathers is a bit indisposed now. Him and his mojo slingers have started their little dance. Don't want him bein distracted now. Masq is also shuttin down a little. Maybe the gravity of the situation is just now sinking in. That leaves yours truly as your prime contact. Things are quiet here for now. They are setting up the ritual and we are still clearing the area for whats to come. You make sure to watch your back down there though, and i don't just mean from the ghouls neither. You know what to expect from ghouls and ganger thugs, but I've yet to meet a dandelion eating assassin as friendly and giving as Yelena. On second thought it pity her if she does try anything with you. Kick some ass down there. Johnny out.
@ Arc & Yelena Sarge listens and then says. "Youve got the sensor net in place. Good. Bone & I have strike groups in several key places so that we can be as mobile & responsive to whatever tactic she uses. We've also got maps wif what we know of the sewers so that we know some of the terrain and every step we take in there isn't one big fragged up surprise. You wanna trust an Ancient with your back, we ain't placin' flowers on your grave." Bonehead looks at you Yelena and says, "Stay outta our way. I even think you're double crossing us or putting me & mine at risk and you're dead." He turns to look at you Arc and sneers, "That sensor net better work.
@ Arc & Yelena The bugs are tenacious in their biting frenzy and Arc prepares to throw the grenade. The comm message is almost lost. It's from E3, one of the Howler groups, >>We've spotted her! We're going to kill this mother-fraggin' slitch!<<
Yelena feels the heat of the exploding grenade and spares a momentary thought for her beloved bike. Shaking her head, she says, "Thanks, Arc. You saved life of Yelena Petrovna. I not forget. Do we have time for medkit or do we need move now?"
<<Channel Charlie (Arc, Lash)>>
"Lash, witch and friends coming your way and fast, watch your hoop. Drek, this thing tore through three trogs like paper, we are on the way"
Sam catches Raven alone after the cheering has stopped. "You work well and accomplish much for one of such limited resources.You have helped put down a true threat to this neighborhood.May I ask what your goals are? And what you intend to do next? " She listens intently. You know that you are being interviewed for something. What you can not guess.
@ Arc & Yelena The next few days are a hazy drug induced dream of nurses and doctors and treatments and dressing changes. But each day sees you awake for longer and feeling a little better, and Anna, the disgustingly cheerful dwarven nurse you have today tells you, >>You two are going to rehab. tomorrow. Doc wants you out of bed and moving. And your POA is going to be there to oversee the start of your treatments.<< But before you can ask any questions you hear, >>Code Blue room 415-1.<< She rushes out, and the drugs take you back to dreamland waiting for answers.
@ Masquerade Sam looks at you steadily, "I see. I'm also interested in making sure things like this, and other atrocities don't happen. If you truly are invested in making sure that atrocities don't happen, and can look beyond yourself and to the needs of others. I may have a job for you, and perhaps eventually a career.
Yelena laughs at the concept of people in the Barrens having that sort of money. "OK. So if get some part of money for mage and can only get one thing, then Yelena and Arc pitch in to get rigger thing for head. Yelena can wait to go where Tsina Molovna is. Not as important now. I saw many people come to fight mage and monster because they live there. Yelena not live anywhere and wants that. At least for a while." She tries to remember conversations. "I not remember about therapy, but glad to leave here. I need practice with guns and I am wanting a smoke and some vodka very much."Arc gave a little laugh at the elf's strange concept of therapy, shaking her head. "I kinda doubt the nurses here would take kindly to alcohol and gunfire in their rehab ward, aha. But I get what you mean: I'm killing for a good smoke right about now." She put a hand to her forehead, pressing in a little bit, backing away with a little cringe as she realized she used her metal arm. This is gonna take some getting used to...
Yelena laughs. "Arc, Yelena lived in small detention cell then small prison cell for years. Your place cannot be bad as those places. And the company is much better."
>>Mage Turnstall and Johnny Lash, I'm hoping to meet you Friday or Saturday morning to ask you to investigate the activities of a club that has come to my attention. Suffice it to say that if you are willing to undergo this task pay would be modest, but you would be doing all of the Barrens, and potentially all of this region a deep service. Mage Turnstall, with regards to your request for information on your two companions they are at Harborview Medical Center for Research and Advancement. In the Dunkelzahn Building, floor 15, room 1534 beds A & B. I will alert the staff to your name to allow you entrance.<<
Yelena puts her hands over her face. "Arc, if Yelena cannot shoot or play, then what is she? Have to start from nothing again." She lowers her hands and shakes her head. "Still, maybe try too hard. Maybe Arc has better way." She tries to follow her friend's beat and finds that it is easier to flex the muscles if she is not concentrating on a specific song. She begins to put a humming music to the movement of her fingers as she plays the imaginary sax.
After a while of free-form practice, Yelena stops to rest her fingers. She lifts a hand to blow a kiss to her human friend. "Thank you, Arc, was good idea." She pauses a bit then adds, "Can you tell me why you help Yelena? You save life when not need to.