-Streets of Seattle-
Steam's search, as with many forays into the matrix, turns up dozens of hits. After a few moments of sifting through them, however, one area shows up as notable for the relative lack of news coming out of it. Peoria, Illinois is a small metroplex primarily involved in shipping, but a couple of small news outlets have posted articles on the controversial appointment of Captain Erickson to Event Horizon after the quiet but sudden ushering out of his predecessor.
-Elmer's Dive Bar & Eatery, interior-
The roughly two dozen clientele pay little attention to most of the runners drifting towards 12C, though once a feathered Naga enters even several of the group watching urban brawl turn and stare. More than a few hurriedly turn around and try not to have seen anything, though the beer spilling over a glass in one waitress' hands is only one among many who've forgotten what they were doing when Aaliyah entered.
The door to 12C is a simple faux-wood panel sliding arrangement with a worn metal handle bolted to one side. A pad like those on many maglock passkeys rests midway up the door, though the door opens with only a little resistance from the aged motors.
Just beyond the wall is the quiet signal of a high-end commlink sporting a strong firewall (rating 6).
-Elmer's Dive Bar & Eatery, private room 12C-
The door opens into the far end of a rectangular room. A respectable space with the same general architecture as the rest of the building makes up the more lightly-decorated room, though the spray-plastic siding is less than a year old. Inside is a much more realistic plastic table styled to look like a 2060s craftsman-style wood table. The chairs in this room are the same general brand as the general eatery, but like the rest of the room only seem to be a few years old. A long lounge furniture stretches against the near corner of the table.
At the far end of the table sits a clean-shaven, slightly broad-shouldered human with a squared jaw. His double-breasted business suit is formal, but also gives little indication as to how armored it actually is. He looks each runner over as they enter. He tenses on spotting Chikage, but then settles back into his stoic pattern. A few feet to his side is a heavy metal door with AR warnings identifying it as an emergency exit.
Standing behind him is an ork with slightly slimmer than standard physique but a similarly formal style with his navy-blue double-breasted suit. The holster for a machine pistol rests on his hip, though the ork's hands remain held straight at his sides. He gazes at each runner as well, and after a slight delay his fingers begin tapping against his sides.
As the team enters, he smiles and gestures to the table. As they begin sitting, he gestures to his ork companion and whispers.
To those with audio enhancements:
The French whispered is not noticeably masked. "Send line one, and have some service brought in for the auditioners."
The ork taps a few fingers against his trousers, and his commlink signal shifts from Hidden to Active, then transmits to the eatery's node.
The human smiles. "Honored guests, thank you all for joining me today. First, I invite you to enjoy a meal from the establishment, my employer will be covering your orders." A few moments later and a waitress enters and distributes water and menus.
Unless something directly involving her arises, she takes orders and departs, then returns a few minutes later with the orders and departs again.
