[Triskavanski]

"I've been, busy." Masquerade growled. Her voice this time tried to mimic a few of the traits one would have from heavy smoking, while also continuing with the whole werewolf theme a lot of the others had going. "Whats the job? She glanced around looking across the bar, filing away the information on who was there and who wasn't.

[SnowDragon]

Arachnid powered the bike right on behind them, almost gliding in their slipstream a bit of a safe distance back... A quiet, relaxing ride, almost, time to calm, and to think, to reach out with one's senses and touch the astral plane, with nothing but the sound of wind to join the grumbling growl of the Growler's engine beneath him. Mentally running over his equipment without touch. Three magazines, plus one for the electronically activated Colt, plus suppressor. Four switchouts for fifty-kay-zapper. He wouldn't need any of it, One of Duck's extended family must've done the runner again... He really ought to offer his services once in a while... Although... Maybe watching him trying to stab someone hour after hour wasn't the best environment for someone up and coming to the world.

He verballed a message to Duck on the drive, voice to text, just so the man was spared the wind blowing he found so comforting. "What's the story? They think they're old enough to fly alone again?"

[Poindexter]

As his friend starts up his newly repaired dirtbike, Duck opens up the rear door to Arc's Americar, tosses his helmet inside, then sits down and slowly but firmly closes the door behind him. He was raised to be respectful of other people's things, especially when those people are helping you. He looks up at Arc through the rearview mirror expecting that "what the hell" kinda offended look that breeders give ya when you sit in the back seat and is pleasantly surprised to not see it. "And she know about Trogs In Cars! It's so nice to chill with people that understand this shit! Just before they drive off, she says the funniest shit Duckdown has heard all month.

"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?" 

Duck is stunned. His jaw hangs open in wonderment as the car begins rolling out of the garage and on to the city street, past the wreck. Arc never even looks back or acknowledges the joke, playin it cool and watching traffic as she drives. It's maybe a block and a half before the circuits in his head connect all the way and he busts out laughing. "Oh shit, girl! You make breeders everywhere look good, just by bein you!"

"What's the story? They think they're old enough to fly alone again?"

Forming up his goblin persona again, Duck fires back at him, <<@Arachnid [Duckdown] Just Mel this time, so it'll be easier. Zip just hit me up maybe 20 minutes ago, so I really don't know shit just yet. Gonna get the details from her when we show up, wiz?>>

[SgtBoomCloud]

The ork's burst of laughter and exclamations from the back seat brought out a devious grin from the human, purple eyes glancing back at Duck through the rear view mirror.  "Hahaha, null sweat, omae.  One of these days y'allr gonna need to explain to me why you be callin' us breeders.  I never got that drek.  Like, you think we frag up like rabbits or summat?". Sighing, Arc rocked her head to the music, fingers drumming on the wheel as she rounded a corner.  Her mind wandered, eyes and driving limbs going through the motions as she frowned, concerned about impending events to come.

Frag it, Lupo, what ARE you up to?  You're not one to start drek just cause... She was evidently worried, brow furrowed as she drove.  A car zoomed by aggressively, snapping her back to reality as she snarled, rolling down her window and barking out a string of obscenities in Or'Zet in vague reference the driver's mother as she stuck a finger in the air.  Grinning, she came out of her funk, checking on the Duck in the mirror briefly.

Finally, after a few moments, the Dead Drop appeared on their right, and she casually pulled up to park the vehicle.  Blipping up her link, she sent a text message to Arachnid, using her warrioress persona.  <<Arachnid:  you're gonna wanna stick your bike a good distance away...I doubt calamity drek would happen, but let's just trust that I have a....loud security system~>>. Killing her ignition, she turned back to Duck.  "Aight, we here.  Lead the way."

[Landmine]

"Still got room for one more at that babysitting gig?"

Khali gets the message on the way to the warehouse and replies, "I'll check in and let you know."

@ 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 grits her teeth at the troll's insults but is determined to remain professional, "I don't have to be your size to hold my own in a fight." That was maybe less professional than I intended...

She takes a breath, "I'll keep your goods safe. If you still need more bodies, I've got a friend that can be here quick."

[SnowDragon]

He nodded his head, as if Duck could even see it as a reactionary response to reading and understanding the message. He could almost feel the beat of Arc's car as it shook quite literally the music she pounded through the Americar's speaker system... and even the stream of non-english cussing that might've made a sailor blush had they been in range to hear it. And, eventually, he could see the brakes come on the straight stretch of road. He also got and quickly read Arc's message, via that little warrior princess tripe she always displayed as, and instead of responding with words, Arachnid doubletapped his transmit, beeping their comms twice as an acknowledgement. He pulled up the Growler much earlier than that large car, about twenty metres or so back.

He parked it up, threw down the kickstand and slid off it onto the footpath, eyeing off those around them. He could see it from here, Arc was distinctly on edge about something, or somewhere, where something was about to go down in a big way. Surely, the Howler op wouldn't be here, would it? He keyed them both up, on proper auio this time, no fancy persona or anything. Just them and his voice "I'll keep you covered~"

[ismilealot]

@ Feathers It's a long walk to the bakery. But this early in the morning more of the traffic is pedestrians on legit business and not looking for trouble. As you listen to the news the international news is beginning and >>Mitzuhama stocks are expected to rise following their CEO's announcements regarding their replacement of it's European head. The reports regarding crops in South America are mixed after the last hurricane and it's uncertain what effect that will have on both the long and short term investment floor. In sports news the scandel regarding Gillina Chavez-McElroy is continuing to dominate the sports world as some call for his resignation. National news continues to drone on about the upcoming elections in the Tir and it's expected effect on current trade negotiations with UCAS. And in local news . . . . . . . << (Above you hear an eagles cry, lonely and bereft.)

@ Masquerade "Oh, we're planning on playing cowboys tonight, and doing a little bit of cattle herding. You might be able to do a little bit of cattle duty if Prince Charming still needs one on his crew."

@ Duckdown When Zip sees you she charges through the traffic towards you. "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. She catches sight of Arc behind you and says. "Hey Arc." but hurriedly, with none of the usual posturing. She points north down the street, "Two-Shot's that way looking for her and Godra's south. I've got Bucky check'n drains down west." As she points she spots Arachnid, "You slottin' that breeder you bring him to family bidniz?" and spits on the ground in his direction. (Zip always did hate humans.)

@ Arachnid You notice 2 of White Serenity's members watching both you and Bucky from a respectful distance. Just as clan teachings expected of them. "Be the river." the words of your mentor echo in your head. That short saying stood for a much deeper teaching, and evidently these two understood it.

@ 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.

[Tamesh]

An ARO in the corner of Red's vision lets her know the job's good to go. She gives a silent cheer before punching the warehouse's coordinates into her motorcycle and letting the bike do the rest of the work.

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.

[Landmine]

@ 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.

"Fine. You've got two of us then. You got a commcode you want us to call if anything happens?"

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.

Khali waves Red down as she gets to the property. Then does a double take as she notices Red's dress.

[Poindexter]

Duckdown puts on his big friendly "Uncle Duck" smile as he steps out of the Americar onto the street outside of the Dead drop, smoke bellowing out of the door behind him. He's still got half a spliff in his hand as he does. Zipline and a few of her people are hanging around outside, looking nervous. "Whaddup, ZIP!" He bellows out as he raises his long skinny arms above his head. "Aight, fill me in. Where we looked already? Where Phea at? How long Mel been gone now?"

"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.

He keeps the smile, but narrows one eye a bit. 'Bitch, I done smoked more with you, at your place than anywhere else in the entire sprawl. How you even gonna be actin all high post over some fuckin zen now, huh? Aint you the one that linked me up with Nuts in the first place?"

"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.

Whoa! I aint know Zip and Arc knew eachother. Small frakkin world.

"Hey, don't stress 'Rack there. He's good people. This trog right here would have a lot more bullet holes in him if it weren't for that goofy lil breeder over there watchin my back, wiz?"

He listens carefully to all the details Zipline lays out for him.

[ismilealot]

@ 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.

@ 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." You scour the streets all night getting further an further away. But there's no sign of the little orc girl. That is 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.

@ Masquerade Prince Charming, one of the Howlers sub-lieutants tells you, "We know who's been doin' these killings. New gang goes by White Chapel, Sunny heard' em bragging about how they gotta few mages that mean they're gonna be takin' over 'cause no one can stop 'em from doing wahteva they wanna do ta people and they already proved it." "Aint nobody commin' in an doing drek." "We're herding their members into their safe house and we're burnin' it to the ground." his eyes narrow at you. "Think you 'ken understand that Tabs?" The Howlers spend a few hours herding members. and are almost restrained in their treatment of them for them. Each of the White Chapel gang is knocked unconscious and tied up, their mages aren't nearly as good as they'd advertised. Once they've rounded them up, with the Howler gang in a loose circle around the block the grenade launcher does it's job. The house burns down, screams from the gang members are heard howling into the night as the stench of burning flesh fills the air. But the metal chains the Howlers used to restrain the gangers do their jobs and the stench of burning flesh is added to the rest of the stench here in the Barrens.

[Triskavanski]

"Well, thats that.. now out neighborhood is safe." she growls, lieing through her teeth. If any of those poor burning victims were the killer, then the killer would have been caught ages ago. She knew that it couldn't be any of the white chapel that they caught, but it was a gang of mages.

The Howlers would need to perish before she could rise up her own mafia, or this is what they would do to her men. Not a problem.. first give them false hope that they got the killer. It wasn't her intel that told them who the killer was, so she was in the clear there.

Fast Talk: 14d6 53

2, 5, 2, 6, 6, 2, 1, 6, 5, 4, 5, 2, 4, 3] = 6 hits on con- fast talk

[ismilealot]

@ Masquerade  The Howlers are gleeful seeing the house burn down. But the burning stench is enough to have them wanting to clear out. "Let's go to Banshee. First rounds on me." The next few hours are spent with the Howlers getting drunk & high and regaling each other with their exploits. A few greet you and ask where you been. Party starts getting really lively after 2am.

[Csjarrat]

feathers tutted to himself as they chatted about McElroy. He was convinced the comments had been taken out of context and hyped for someone else's agenda. Still, he'd put his head over the parapet and he should have known better in his position.
Eagle's call drowned out the beginning of the local news and drew Feather's stare upwards into the breaking dawn.
He was now sure that last night's dream had been a calling, even as the details had become foggy since waking. He needed to commune with his mentor, it had been years since he'd been called with this urgency. He'd head home as soon as he got wrapped up here and perform his ritual, hoping to commune and receive Eagle's guidance.
Unfortunately for eagle, the rent needed paying urgently too. I hear your call, great spirit. What do. You require of me?
Feathers pushed the bakery door open and joined the queue for a soycaf and something tasty for breakfast.

[SnowDragon]

The friendly smile he flicked back to Zip at her oh so clear dislike for any of his species as Duck explained his presence, but even with that, he made to make himself as small and as distance as possible from the discussion. He was here for friends, not to get involved in family politics, whatever or whomever shape they might try to take. White Serenity had enough of that going on as it was, and he just didn't have the lifetime to figure out the alliances, truces, cease fires, friends and enemies of enemies to start playing that game. Even as his eyes looked out to see the one white, and one black clothed unoffical 'uniforms' of his own clan, watching out of the situation, over everything, feeding their sights back to the elders who would figure everything out from nothing. He resisted waving, he was more professional than that.

The street search began. Every storm drain, every manhole cover, unused in scores of years and every sidewalk alleyway they checked. And they checked. And they checked. And it grew dark, and his intricatly detailed whites became more and more disruptive in the fading light. And there was still no end to the number of locations to search by the time it grew early in the morning and he had resorted to using a flashlight to see into the grates and the filth below. More than once he woke someone who didn't need to be woken. And then... that flute. While he wasn't sure if the others could see him, he held up a hand, the internationally recognised symbol for wait.

That horrible, pleasing to the ear sound. And that laughter. Arachnid drew. Those around him could hear the subtle sound of high tech material fabric being rubbed against cold metal, almost as well as they could hear the click of a safety being thumbed to off. He didn't know why. But he had. He didn't speak, he wasn't sure words could properly convey the feeling he had in his gut and in his head. Somewhere, just ahead of him, and Arc and Duck, down the road, was something awful. As awful as how good he knew that music sounded. Insidious. He reached out with those astral senses of his, this time with a target in mind. Dead ahead, the source of that music, hand still up while he reached out with the paranormal touch.

Code: [Select]

Assensing (5)
6,2,6,6,2 = 3 hits