[Aria]

Requiem watched as Tanya manipulated the AR interface

"We could do with 'eyes on' surveillance during the day as well as 'out of hours'... I don't know the area well, is it mainly residential?  Commercial?  It will make a difference to our approach although I'd hazard a guess that we don't want to take the extended time for a social engineering exercise and that we'll try for a team insertion after dark.  It's not that big but two buildings makes for a lot of extra area to search unless we can narrow down our target.  Perhaps one of our hackers can provide us with more intel on the likely location of offline storage...?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya nods.  "I am looking at the various AROs for the area to see if I can determine just that.  I would think that the area is more commercial, but cannot be certain until I can finish looking about whether this is a small business area or something else."  She motions to the map display.  "Do you  have any personal knowledge of this area?  I would still like to pay the area a visit it the day.  I would like that to be discussed when we all meet again.  What do you mean by not recommending a social engineering exercise?  I had actually hoped to pay a direct visit to the main building to see what sort of physical security is present and see if I can lift a security badge or employee ID.  I can duplicate the badge and ID here to use and it might be easier than a covert approach.  It could be that one of the employees is susceptible to my charms and will take me on a date, making the lifting job that much simpler.  And I totally agree that it would help if we knew where in the building we need to look.  I am hoping that Kumiho can get the information we need."

Tanya turns to Mother, "If Kachina is not in any direct danger, I can stay up and watch over her.  That would allow you to go home and get some rest."

[Aria]

"Fair enough...I take your point about the social engineering, if we can achieve our goal without firing a shot then so much the better!"

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya nods.  "I would much rather avoid violence unless it is absolutely necessary.

[Lighthouse]

"That is a good idea Tanya...both getting some rest and lifting a badge. You have been a wonderfull host. Good night."

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya smiles at the other woman.  "Thank you, Mother.  It has been a pleasure.  I am sure that we will have lots of time to talk.  Perhaps we can work together to get a badge or card.  She looks at the only other conscious person still in the room.  "So, Requiem is it?  Do you mind small talk while we wait for Kachina to return to her body?  What do you do for a living?  I steal things and live off the largesse of my family.

[Aria]

Requiem nodded,

"Small talk isn't exactly my forte, although you might have thought I'd have managed it by now...for a living?  Well I suppose in essence I do this...wait around for things to happen and then react.  To live though, well for that I teach at a dojo in Redmond.  The Firefight martial art to be precise, do you know it?  It marries the precision of Tai Chi with the slightly less esoteric fire arm..." and he indicated the Light Fire strapped to his wrist "and a dose of old fashioned trid style Gun Fu..."

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya shakes her head.  "No.  I am afraid that I have no experience in martial arts.  I have heard that it is great exercise, though, and have often considered trying to learn.  Do you think it is too late for an early-thirties woman to start?"  She looks closely at the man and says, "And what do you mean when you say "by now"?   You do not look that old, but I have to confess I do not know much about Elves except that they are supposed to live a very long time.  Perhaps you just need someone to make you feel young." 

She turns her attention back to the map in front of her and smiles.  "Requiem, come look at this.  The area of 209 100th Street in Bellevue is right across the street from a large park.  Hmmmm.  The Ballet Bellevue is right there as well.  I wonder if there are any shows in the next couple of days that we can use as a cover.  You look pretty dashing in a tux.  Would you be interested in seeing the ballet?  Tanya pulls up the ARO for Ballet Bellevue to see if there are any performances in the next couple of days.

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya looks closer at the ballet ARO and chuckles.  "Hey, Requiem.  Bad news if you wanted to wear that tux and take me on a date.  It seems that the Bellevue Ballet is a school, not a performance center.  Still, there is a performance of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" that the school is putting on in the park.  Should be good based on the write up of the school.  We could still use that as a cover to go see what the place is like at night.  Still want to see it in daylight as well.  Want to take me?  I am buying two will call tickets in my name.  Hmmm.  The advert indicates informal dress, so your tux can stay in the closet.  Should not take too long to get there from here so we can leave at about 1730 and still make it for the curtain."

Tanya glances at the man near her.  "You do know that you do not have to stay and watch Kachina, right?  I can handle it; I am pretty much a night person anyway.  There is an unused spare bedroom if you would like to get some rest for a bit."

Tanya crafts a text message for the team and programs it to go out at 1000.  <Team.  Tanya.  Not sure if it is all too helpful, but here is what I have so far.  I have located the site of the buildings and have attached an ARO of the location.  It seems to be in a nice white-collar neighborhood, with some residential and commercial properties near.  There is a large park across the street that we can perhaps take advantage of.  I would like to recommend a day-time and a night-time recon of the building to get an idea of what the area is really like.  One of the things I am thinking of is a direct approach during the day to see if I can determine some of the physical security assets.  I would like to try to get access to an employee ID badge and/or security card that I can copy.  There is a ballet school almost right across the street from the target buildings.  They are putting on a performance of "A Midsummers Night Dream" in the park and I have purchased two tickets for will-call.  If we are agreed, I can use the performance to help cover my night recon of the site.  There is a shopping mall just to the north of the park that we can meet at this afternoon.  The adverts for the mall recommend "Barny's" as a good place for great down home cooking.  I might need to get a definition of that term, but am willing to try it out as a place to gather.  If no objections I recommend 1500.  Also, just a reminder for anyone willing to go on my morning run.  I start from the hotel at 0930 and will go about 6-7 miles as it is my light day.  Anyone is welcome.  I am sure that Kachina will put out additional information after she returns from her astral recon.  For the time being, Ciao.>

[Aria]

"That is why I avoid small talk, I end up revealing more than I had intended..." Requiem mused wryly to himself "I may look like I'm in my mid twenties but, and this is without any expensive leonization treatments, I'm nearing sixty years old!  Ask yourself, have you ever seen an old elf?  If you have consider the implications of that!  As to the ballet, I'm more than happy to accompany you, tux or otherwise.  The dedication to dance isn't too dissimilar from that required for martial arts after all and I guess I can deal with the pushy ballet mums if it comes to that..."

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya Looks at Requiem.  "You seem pretty fit for being almost sixty.  That martial arts training must help; I will have give it a try.  I am not much into firearms, though, and my experience with guns of almost any kind is limited to a dart pistol and a grapple gun.  Is there another style to train in that does not use guns?"

"And thank you for stepping up to take me to the ballet tonight.  Shakespeare never gets old and I have seen "Dream" a number of times.  I do hope that this school can do it justice." 

Tanya sends herself a copy of the open map with the location of the Return Safe buildings marked, then flicks her hand to sweep away the visual map before turning to her companion, "No telling how long we will have to wait for Kachina to return.  If you are going to wait with me, would you like something stronger than water.  The bar in the living room has a variety of offerings and I can always call room service if it does not have what you want.  We can swap stories of our past exploits, although I dare say that yours are likely to be far more interesting than mine.  I think that you will find me to be a very good listener."  The British-born thief smiles at the Elf.  "Alternatively, that chair should be quite comfortable and I can leave you alone if my nattering bothers you.  We are still in the getting-to-know-the-team mode and I would hate to be stepping all over your private space."

[Lighthouse]

Mother walked into her apartment and sighed. "Thank the Loa. Why didn't you answer my text?" she said to Terr0r lounging in a thrift store recliner. Mother took her gun and her commlink and sat them on the coffee table.
"I tried to stick it to those hoity toity bitches just like you suggested. They gave me a run for my money. Rich people can afford good matrix security. Also someone grabbed your datatap." said Terror taking a sip of cheap soybeer.
"I know. I noticed it was discovered that's why I was worried. Remember as much as I enjoy a good laugh at the expense of the Bourgeoisie I don't want to lose you because of it. You know I met someone recently who makes me think... She was born into money and has chosen a life in the shadows. It's strange. I kind of like her. Anyway how can you drink that stuff. I have a bottle of Bacardi Reserva Limitada under the sink." said Mother sitting opposite her on the couch.
"I thought the rum was for your rituals?" asked Terr0r.
"Rituals and good news. You being alive is good news." said Mother.
Terr0r got up and grabbed the bottle and two chipped glasses.
"To the revolution." said Mother tapping her glass with Terr0r.

[obidancer]

Kachina opened her eyes, slowly feeling the motor functions of her body come back to life. Tanya and Requiem were still there.
I hope I didn't make anyone wait for too long. The neighborhood is pretty  busy with life, but the building has very minimal human presence. I spotted two Watchers, entities born from a Mage's mind. Quite a powerful one, from what I can tell. The Watchers themselves aren't much of a threat, but if they spot anything unusual, their creator will know. 

Kachina stood up, stretched a bit and drank some water Tanya had previously offered. She looked at the Trid representation of the Building and the area. Let's do some reckoning tomorrow during the day. It's late. Let's continue with what we planned tomorrow.

She read the message Tanya had send and smiled. 1500 will be perfect.

[Mercy Merchant]

Tanya looks at Kachina.  "it was no problem.  I have never really been around people that could do what you do and I have to say that I am impressed.  So do these watchers only cover the astral or would they see me if I was walking on the roof?"

"But here I am taking up your time and you must be tired.  I am sure that you would rather put the information out to all of us and not just me.  Look, if either or both of you are too tired to get home on your own I would offer the spare room for one of you and the couch really is quite comfortable.  Otherwise I will just head off to bed as it has been a very long day."

She waits to see if either or both of them will crash for some rest.  If so, she will show them to the unused bedroom and get some spare linen for the couch if needed.  Once everyone is either settled or gone, Tanya goes to the master bedroom and undresses.  She sighs at not having Petra in the bed with her but there will be other nights.  As she climbs into bed she sets her link to wake her at 0900 and checks on her brunch reservation for her and Petra for 1130.  Her mind considers the group of people that she has just met and she smiles as she falls asleep.

[Aria]

After discussing the merits of various martial arts techniques with Tanya, and pointing out that Firefight was as much about being aware of your surroundings as it was about firearms, Requiem left to pick up his bike and return home for a rest...

"See you tomorrow.  I'll pass on the run but you are welcome to swing by the dojo afterwards if you're interested?  I'll be there before coming to the meet in Bellevue for our scouting session..."