[Csjarrat]

Holy crap, that is a lot of money. No way is that right for one day's work. I haven't earned a fraction of that even with all my runs put together...
Turning to face a confident, strong looking Alex, Flea's Radio scanner AR overlay showed Alex's commlink node broadcasting loud and clear. Setting that node as the destination for a message, Flea mentally willed a push message into being, dictating the text via thought into the AR window. 
//Matrix Push Message v1.0.2b// from node://<unknown node>// Alex, it's Flea. I haven't got your commcode so had to resort to a push notice. That is a *huge* sum, I think this is a suicide run and that they don't actually expect to have to pay us (did you get the whole *very risky* thing?!) can you see if you can get an advance payment as a "goodwill statement" and find out what the hell they want us to do for that kind of cash? also, who the fakku are "the corporation"??//End message//

[Ren]

As i assumed, still not saying anything, just BS. I don't know what she expects... Puppeteer thought. But as the elf reached the payment, his mind went numb for a moment. One and a half million? It took some time to process the information but by the time it sank in, he already knew this couldn't be true. They just simply don't give that amount of money for any kind of job that takes not even a single day. And though the possibilities that might be opened up with that kind of money made his head swim, he dragged himself back to the situation at hand.
Still looking at the astral, he checked the aura of the elven woman. Together with her expression and body language, it should give enough hints about her honesty and sincerity.
Assensing: INT(5) + Assensing: Aura reading(5) + Mentor bonus(2) (12d6.hits(5)=3)
Judge intentions: CHA(7) + INT(5) (12d6.hits(5)=5)
Sense motive: CHA(7) + Negotiation(1) + Empathy(3) (11d6.hits(5)=6)
note: i wasn't sure which of the last two apply so i rolled both

He then took the two steps to take the paper with his name from the table. He took another look at the woman, from a different angle, while doing this.

[Gustovness]

Why do I get the feeling I'm going to have to kill this bitch eventually?

Trickster nudged Cuco from behind. He whispered into Cuco's ear, a serious tone in his voice.

"She's playing our game. We both know our game is no fun when we're the mark."

Cuco shuddered. Few things scared him more than his mentor spirit discarding his jovial nature for a serious and solemn one.  He knew it meant trouble was around the corner.

"Yeah but it could be fun... besides... what's crazier? Risking this big payday? Or ensuring a slow and boring death of old age by sitting this one out?"

Trickster let out a chuckle, "Fair enough, omae, but keep your eyes open on this run... else the joke might be on you...

Cuco nearly shit himself at the sound of his mentor's warning.

[JDA]

Alex agrees that this does sound like a suicide run. Thats alot of money, and theres no way that they plan on paying it even if we survive this run. But I'm not in a position to disagree as i don't believe they will simply allow us to walk away. Wait.. I have an idea
Alex gives a look that implies she is recalling something, trying to clear the cob webs and then in her best attempt to con this woman.
Yes, that was right, It's fuzzy but 1.5 mill. does ring a bell. Now What about the cash advance that we discuss as we'll need that to finish equiping us for this run. Especially for this run based on the cobwebs.

[Gustovness]

What the hell? Didn't she already say that we supposedly agreed that there would be no upfront payment?

A sharp cackle and, "Oh we absolutely have at least one mark on this trip now!!"

Cuco fought hard to hold back an outward burst of laughter.

Shut up! We have nothing to work with yet.

Oh, I have something, and as soon as I see an opening you're going to take it...

Cuco betrayed an outward smile.

[AffreuxLex]

-- Ren --

I used Sense Motive since it's a trained skill whereas Judge Intentions would probably be a more generic thing.

You watch the woman carefully as she speaks, paying special attention to the inflections in her voice and the way she holds herself.  She doesn't appear to be outright lying but she does seem to be holding something back.  As you scan her aura, you can tell that she is generally healthy and her essence is lower than your own even though you are unable to detect any cyberware.   Her aura holds an air of confidence and she is not awakened.


-- JDA --

The woman holds her hand up to her mouth but is unable to stifle a slight giggle.
Yes, yes.  Very well then.  I shall supply you with a single platinum credstick before you leave here.

[Csjarrat]

Please forgive me for highlighting some obvious flaws in this plan so far, but if I've heard you right, we're traveling on a "business trip" where only one of us actually has a suit, and you've given us less than 1hr 15mins to get all the way across Seattle to our respective homes to pick up our kit in rush hour traffic and make the return journey in time to smuggle our working gear across international borders with no provision of a clean SiN, fixer or a safe house on the other end?
As if that whole pile of crap wasn't enough, on top of all this, you're telling me I came voluntarily along to have my brain screwed with and yet I left my bike downtown?

You need to start talking before we start walking, because I don't feel like working with an outfit that does this to it's "employees"

//Matrix Message protocol 1.0.2b//Joey, this is getting seriously weird, she's trying to palm us off to the Caribbean league for a mega-money run. you got anything on her yet?//End Message

[Gustovness]

Cuco shot a message over to Alex:

Yo, Casino, stress how important it is that we get a little more time for prep... I really need to swing by my place to get my hat and all.

[AffreuxLex]

The woman leans back and closes her eyes while she thinks.  Almost a full minute of silence passes before she opens her eyes and leans forward over the desk with her hands folded together in front of her face.

My dear Flea, I was under the impression that this kind of nuyen bought professionalism.  However, since you feel you lack in certain areas, the corporation has decided that we will provide whatever goods or services you require for a nominal price.  In our original time table, we provided 10 full hours from wheels down to wheels up.  In my calculations that would work out to about 150,000¥ per hour.  Since you have decided that you require more time to prepare, the corporation has agreed that we will delay the outgoing flight until you are ready.  For any hour or portion thereof in which the flight is delayed, we will reduce our payment by the appropriate amount.

She lowers her arms and leans forward while making no attempt to disguise a sneer full of contempt.

Please, take all the time you need to prepare.  This will not affect the return flight time.


-- Csjarrat --

// Encrypted message incoming
// Autodecrypt enabled - Protocol 1.0.2b

>> Sorry Omae, either no one has heard of her or I get outright stonewalled.
>> Got one lead I'm checking out though.  Get back to you in 10.

>> Joey


-- JDA --

// Message incoming

>> Everything is fine here.
>> Sounds like a fun trip.
>> I am fine.
>> Enjoy the sun and sand.

>> Mark

[Gustovness]

Wow what a bitch.  This is why I wouldn't last a single day in the corporate world.

Cuco couldn't keep his mouth shut.

"I guess you're new at this whole Johnson thing.  Let me let you in a little secret... Shadowrunners don't punch a time card. We do piece work.  If we agreed to 1.5 mil, that's the deal.  Any problem that comes up with us leaving an hour later is time that we, as professionals, will have to make up in order to complete the mission.  You said it yourself, the price is non-negotiable."

Cuco stood up and turned to leave the room.

"I gotta get my stuff and I'll be coming right back to catch my flight.  If you'd rather not have me, you know how to reach me."

He stopped at the doorway and looked over his shoulder.

"... and as nice as my team seems to be, we all just met each other, so we're going to need that platinum credstick split four ways between us.  I'm not letting a stranger hold your good faith payment."

Cuco trying to sell his indifference to taking on the job or not: Con 1 + CHR 5 + Mentor Spirit 2 - Wounds 1 = 7 (7d6.hits(5)=3)

[Csjarrat]

//Matrix Message protocol 1.0.2b//Cuco, Wait a minute//End Message//

Never breaking eye contact with the elf, Flea rose to her feet, drew her gun and slammed it into the table, leaning forward menacingly.
I am not your "dear" anything you pointy eared russian bitch-whore! How dare you insult our professionalism?
The only one showing any amateruism here is you. 'Runners live and die by their kit, and here you are, trying to rush us onto a plane for a high risk-high reward mission with barely any more kit than we're stood in. Why?! You've had total control over the past 12+ hours of our lives so why the sudden rush?
I take it you either want us to die, get caught or do such a half-assed job that you don't have to pay us?
This whole thing stinks, so here's how it's going to be.
We will accept the job on these following terms:
We will give you the ten hours for 1.5million, because as you said, that is non-negotiable.
The ten hours will run from wheels down to wheels up as you specified, but that outbound flight will not take off until we're sat on that plane and that return flight will be changed to meet the ten hour window.
We will go into this job fully equipped, with an aim to complete the objective fully.
You will provide transport for us to achieve this and you will provide an advance of 25k each from the total payment sum to allow for this.
If you dont like it, we walk. You need us more than we need you

[Ren]

When the Johnson mentioned professionalism, Puppeteer’s eyes flared for a moment. He waited for Cuco and Flea to finish, then addressed the woman in a deceivingly calm voice, as if to accentuate the angry outburst from Flea.
"I totally agree with her, with a small addition. You give us a general outline of the tasks to be done. No specifics, no names or places, mind, just the type of the task. Before we decide to do it."

[Gustovness]

Cuco pushed forward a message to the rest of the team:

I'm getting a head start on getting my stuff and coming back.  You guys let me know what's up and I'll be right back.

[Csjarrat]

//Quick reply:Matrix Messaging protocol 1.0.2b//Rly? It's a looong walk back into town..She might lay on some wheels for us if you wait a second//End Message//

[Gustovness]

Quick reply//: roger that, I'll wait outside.