[Reminder]

Sensing the gathered runners settling down to get to know each other and planning their run, Asha excuses herself from the table to attend to business elsewhere. Before leaving, she transfers the balance of the advance payment to the foreigner.

[Csjarrat]

As Asha got up and left, Johannes gave her a nod of thanks and got comfy in the booth, diggin himself into the seats as much as he could for support.
Righto guys, I'm heading into the 'Trix, see if I can get some answers to our burning little questions. Here's my contact details if you need to get in touch
Johannes took his datajack and seated it in place with a satisfying click.
The rush of hot-sim englufed him, drowning his senses for a pico second, before he appeared and awoke inside his home node of the deck, sculpted elegantly into an elegant post-modern workspace.
Heading over to his crisp white desk, Ultra configured his deck for raw processing power. he had a lot of turf to cover and was going to need to crunch some serious data to flesh out the tenuous leads they had.
Requiring some back up, Ultra called his agent into being, loading him up to assist in the search.

//Matrix Search v1.002b//<<Search terms: -Alzmer;(tags) science, scientist, expedition, africa, recently published.>>

Using the folling setup:
Virtual machine: Browse + toolbox (+1DP and 1/2 search times) and Agent R3 in the second slot.
deck stats; 5(6) DP/4 sleaze/4 firewall/2 attack
Comp 2, int 4, hot sim 2 (8d6.hits(5)=3) 3 hits (6 limit)
The influx of data coursed through Ultra's mind, desperately trying to filter it into some kind of coherence.

He tasked his agent with the next search;
//Matrix Search v1.002b//<<Search terms: -Masai; (tags) territory, foreign relations, culture and practices, recent news.>>
agent 3, comp 3, hot sim 2 (8d6.hits(5)=2)

[Reminder]

//Matrix Search v1.002b//<<Search terms: -Alzmer;(tags) science, scientist, expedition, africa, recently published.>>

As your agent continues to work away on the second search, your first query returns results quickly, taking only a minute or two. Filtering through the data, using Alzmer as the key criteria, you find reference to 8 individuals who meet at least two of the other criteria dating from the last 5 years (filtering out entries in fields such as psychology, market research, or advanced numerology).

Results matching the most criteria are listed first
Francis Alzmer - Resident of Cape Town, Azania - Employee of Universal Omnitech -Several listed publications in the last 5 years in the areas of botany, parabotany, and advanced genetics

Achilles Alzmer (Missing) - Professional gamehunter - Last known location was leading an expedition hunting Enwontzane in the southwestern Congo Tribal lands (formerly Tanzania) - linked to several publications reported as chronicles of his adventures, most famously "In the snare of the Jabberwock" and "The Basilisk's Stare."

James Alzmer - Lead archaeologist on a dig site of alleged 4th world artifacts in Egypt

Mary Alzmer - Itinerant Professor at the University of Nigeria in Ife, Nigeria. Several Publications in the areas of parazoology.

Lauren Alzmer - Resident of Nairobi, Kenya - Anthropologist - Two publications on the genetic histories of West African Tribes.

Iris Alzmer (deceased) - Former resident of the allied German States. Several publications in the areas of High Energy Physics and advanced fuel cells

Hugo Alzmer - Graduate Student at the University of New Delhi. Single publication is a thesis on the fractal properties of quartz.

Agnes Alzmer - Current location is not listed in your search - Credited on a publication pertaining to the use of solar energy in military applications.

[Crunch]

Frenchy shakes his head. I'm afraid I don't know any Massai. Frenchy Shrugs. The advance will barely cover what we need to spend on information and equipment. But better a live pauper than a dead miser. By all means lets get as much information as we can.
Thought
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[Csjarrat]

//To:Team//<< First batch of results are in for our "alzmer". I'm thinking top three/four could be interesting.>>

<<Attached list: Francis Alzmer - Resident of Cape Town, Azania - Employee of Universal Omnitech -Several listed publications in the last 5 years in the areas of botany, parabotany, and advanced genetics

Achilles Alzmer (Missing) - Professional gamehunter - Last known location was leading an expedition hunting Enwontzane in the southwestern Congo Tribal lands (formerly Tanzania) - linked to several publications reported as chronicles of his adventures, most famously "In the snare of the Jabberwock" and "The Basilisk's Stare."

James Alzmer - Lead archaeologist on a dig site of alleged 4th world artifacts in Egypt

Mary Alzmer - Itinerant Professor at the University of Nigeria in Ife, Nigeria. Several Publications in the areas of parazoology.

Lauren Alzmer - Resident of Nairobi, Kenya - Anthropologist - Two publications on the genetic histories of West African Tribes.

Iris Alzmer (deceased) - Former resident of the allied German States. Several publications in the areas of High Energy Physics and advanced fuel cells

Hugo Alzmer - Graduate Student at the University of New Delhi. Single publication is a thesis on the fractal properties of quartz.

Agnes Alzmer - Current location is not listed in your search - Credited on a publication pertaining to the use of solar energy in military applications.>>
//END//

Diving back into the fray, Ultra hooked up the screenshot for an image search. He knew it was a longshot, but it only cost time to run, and he had plenty of that to kill.
Millions of faces, family photo's and E-news articles washed over him as the search ran its course.
comp 2, int 4, hot sim 2 (8d6.hits(5)=3) 3 hits, limit 6.

[JackVII]

Mlinzi flips open her commlink and squints to read the text that Ultra transmitted to the team. First item on the shopping list, she thinks to herself, is durable electronic paper. The elf considers the names listed to see if she had ever heard of any of the various Alzmers, either through research articles or word of mouth amongst the native populations. The only name that rung a bell was that pile of kinyezi, Achiles Alzmer. She had heard enough to know his writings should be classified as fiction. He was a desecrator just like all of the others, regardless of popular opinion. Hopefully the epilogue of his latest escapade ended with the enwontanze having him over for dinner... literally.

With the rest of the names not ringing any particular bells, she opens up her text application. Grinding her teeth at the though of having to deal with this particular contact, Mlinzi tries to keep the text short and to the point.
[Spoiler=Mlinzi's Comm] <<@FreeAfrique [rohorafiki]Jambo Dez. Ever run across Univresal Omnitech?>>[/spoiler]

[Reminder]

//Matrix Search v1.002b//<<Search terms: -Masai; (tags) territory, foreign relations, culture and practices, recent news.>>

About fifteen minutes after your own search completed, your agent reports the completion of it's search

You find much conflicting information as to exactly what territory the Maasai currently control. Different sources have wildly differing opinions on what tribes control exactly what territory, but after sorting through the results, the best estimates seem to put the beginning of their territory within about 25km of 37.8 degrees east longitude. While they control a vast stretch of territory, they are not a numerous people, and therefore the land is lightly populated.

Their relations with other tribes and cultures has changed markedly in recent years. Following the Mount Kiliminjaro incident, they have become increasingly insular to most groups, and outright hostile to anyone they associate with corporate interests. They associate little with any outsiders; even other tribes which share a similar viewpoint (such as the Gikuyu) receive at best a neutral reception, as opposed to being welcomed openly.

Over the course of the past three months, they have been blamed for several terrorist attacks, most notably the destruction of a clean water reservoir near a middle class district in Nairobi, and the abductions and subsequent execution of the all members of a licensed mining operation 50km north of their currently controlled territory. This second incident is confirmed. While these incidents may or may not be the work of a small group within the general population, all foreign interests have been officially warned to stay clear of Maasai controlled lands due to safety concerns.

[Csjarrat]

//to:team//<<Right guys, those co-ords match up to the estimated borders of Masai territory. From what I gather, they are openly hostile to corp interests, I assume that will extend to us too.
I take it we all know how to defend ourselves? Let's have a crack at a shopping list and I'll see if we can get some kit ordered for pick-up tomorrow. Anyone know any good mechanics in the area?>>

[JackVII]

Mlinzi taps a quick reply to Ultra while he remains in VR.

<<@Ultra [rohorafiki] How reliable are the reports that they are hostile to corp-backed interests? Any documented incidents?>>

The elf knew reports of tribal exploits were often sensationalized as standard operating procedure by corporate-controlled media.

[Crunch]

I can fix most things given the right tools. Frenchy smiles wryly. It's hard to tell what we'll need with as little information as the suit gave us. He shakes his head. Survival gear certainly, supplies, camp security. We need to inventory what we have.

Thought
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[Csjarrat]

<<Yep, there are a few, how much of it is smoke and mirrors is anyone's guess. Looks like they don't even get on with their neighbours too well, even the ones that share a similar attitude. We'll just have to prepare for the worst>>

[JackVII]

Mlinzi reads Ultra's response and nods her head. The decker seems like he's familiar with the propagandist approach most media takes in the 2070s and seems appropriately skeptical. At Frenchy's suggestion, she pipes up.

"I do not have much, but I am fairly self-sufficient." Toeing the backpack under the table, she continues, "I have a full pack with enough provisions and supplies to last me about a week in the bush. I'm a good hand with my bow and have a few specialty arrows designed to take down large game without killing them."

"I guess we also need to discuss our capabilities if we are preparing a full inventory. I do magic."

[Bewilderbeast]

Alexander flashed Mlinzi a grin. "Mojo, huh? I've been accused of that myself. I prefer the term raw animal magnetism, though." Reaching under the jacket of his suit, Alexander pulled out a pager-style, belt-clip commlink and began typing out a message using the miniature keyboard. "I can take care of myself in a firefight," Alexander said, eyes on his commlink but speaking to the group. "but I'd prefer it not come to that. I'm not really equipped for an extended stay in the bush, though. If anybody knows a good place to get survival gear around here, I'd appreciate it."

Alexander didn't trust these people enough to openly say that all he really had to his name was his suit, his 'link, and his gun. He did have some other resources at his dispsoal, however. Clicking send, he sent the following message to Isaiah:

>>> Isaiah, I'm in deep now with that friend you introduced me to. Know anything about or know anybody in the Maasai? Could help me stay alive.

It was a long shot, but Alexander learned during his short "stay" with Isaiah that the neo-anarchist groups often recruit from disaffected tribal kids. It was possible, given their mutual anti-corporate interests, that the Maasai and Isaiah's cell had worked together or at least knew each other.

[JackVII]

"I tend to leave the animal magnetism to... others." Mlinzi responds somewhat cryptically. "But I do have some of the land's resources at hand. Probably most important to you all, I have the capability to speed the body's ability to heal itself."

[Crunch]

I'm a good mechanic, a passable shot with a rifle and the best driver you've ever seen. Frenchy smiles as he brags. Boats too. It's all in the reflexes really. I know my way around the bush and speak English, Arabic, French and Swahili. I'm not unknown as a bullshitter either. He darkens a little. As for gear I have my off road bike and my Ruger, but not much else. If I could afford more I probably wouldn't be working for Asha again. She plays too many little power games to be reliable. Eventually she'll play a game at the wrong time and it will get someone killed. He pauses as if thinking and continues in a more contemplative tone. If we decide on a cover I may know a man who could produce supporting documents. It wouldn't be cheap though. A hunting expedition would give us an excuse for the firepower and transportation.

Thought
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