[gilga]

@Kynos and Athos Strawberry smiles at Kynos and say "Yes, a magically active vampire, strong enough to banish the minor spirit I had watching over Venom without much troubles. Hungry enough and far enough gone to just eat five men that were protecting Venom, without being seen by the security cameras. All it show is people getting tossed away and then drained.  There is a prize on that specific vampire of 50k, and I can pay another 50k for the task of placing Venom of a public plane that will leave Seattle to Tokyo because I really want him gone before he get himself killed on my watch

I figured any such expedition is going to need a mage, so here is a number of one that agreed to do this gig. Relatively strong for what you can get in the shadows. (She hands you Sovereign's comm)  "

[Shaman_Yuri]

Strawberry say nothing but she embrace you and gently strokes your back. When she finally speaks it is after a long moment, and she say "There is your problem sweet soul, Athos is Finnegan and so are you, if you let me look into your mind, you betray them. Just hold me and let me comfort you, this much they may forgive you for doing. Chances are that you did not have brain surgery because it would damage your essence and hurt your magic. You would have felt that interference."

"After everything that has happened, and after what you just told me, I'm supposed to give a flying hoop about the Finnegan Family?"  Still, I do as Strawberry suggests and settle into her lap.  M, Strawberry, Venom, Nagisa, Jimmy, Finnagans...none of this is making sense.

[Jack_Spade]

"Fun, fun, fun. Yeah a reliable mage would be great. The two I had on the last run didn't last long.
So, what if Venom has been turned into some kind of Renfield or even a Vampire. Do you think his relatives would want him back in Tokyo? As I've heard those Japanese aren't very keen on non-pure people.

Hey Athos, what do you say? Shall we hunt us some suckers?"

[gilga]

@Minnie Strawberry say "Yulia, do not get me wrong. I'd be happy to see you around, but the Finnegans will not give up so easily about you and you will not be happy hiding underground even if we have some sophisticated technology there. If you will want to leave them it is not going to be easy and in the meanwhile I do not want you dead."

She then say "Is there anything you want from me? Because since Venom disappeared with that Vampire his goons are just drinking all day long and somebody got to keep them drinks." Why is she working as bartender you have no idea, but unless you object just like that she will magic her clothes to something a bit more sleazy and go to the Joke.

@Athos Strawberry sighs "Just let me know if this is the case and I will figure something out. I can also provide you with some alchemy and spirit support if you need."

[Shaman_Yuri]

I feel mildly disappointed that Strawberry must go, but I know she has a tough balancing act keeping all the players in the area aligned with her goals.  Her charisma is one of the main reasons this place exists, and it only works when exercised.

"I understand.  As it is, I need to find out if Athos is okay.  My glasses were bricked by that attack.  I can only imagine what it did to someone jacked in."

[Mercy Merchant]

Athos smiles.  "Sure.  Just another link in the chain.  Unfortunately, I know drek-all about vampires.  How can they be killed or otherwise beaten?  Can they be shot?"

[gilga]

@Minnie Strawberry points you to Jack that can provide a replacement device, and say that she think Athos is going to drop by looking for you, one way or the other.

@Kynost and Athos Strawberry point you to the last known location of the attack, it is a bridge over lake Washington where where 520th cross the road. (Added to game map).
She use a small trid projector to show you the place along with AR markers of where the bodies were found. (To the shores of Lake Washington, and one body that was left at the middle of the road as if to pass a message.)

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zjW11PeDhJLw.k7WeOq69XswQ

Apparently the van itself was drowned in the lake. What evidence that remains are now on the bottom of the lake.  Strawberry grins and then asks "Can you dive?"

[Jack_Spade]

"Nope, but give me a tutor soft and a few minutes and I can fake it. Vampires aren't great swimmers, but I don't think we should go into water against a magical active vampire.
Do you have Venom's comm code? Maybe he still has some of his gear and can be traced that way.
All in all I think that mage of yours will be our best bet to track the vampire through the astral via his signature..."
Kynos looked at Athos:
"No need to look so dumbfounded. I did read a book or two about how magic works. Makes my jobs a lot easier."

[gilga]

Strawberry say "Athos, bullets are of not much use as they regenerate this drek, overwhelming power is good. Wood works, as well as wood bullets and sunlight. I do not think that our vampire is there, but I think that there examining the van at the bottom of the lake can give us some hint. Unfortunately Venom has gone dark since that event. It is only forensic from the bridge and bodies that casue me to believe that he was unharmed in the attack.  I think that the sunken van is a good place to start looking.  I got a tutor soft if you like to look for yourself, I was going to ask Yulia to check it out."

[Jack_Spade]

"You wouldn't also happen to have diving suits lying around? As I mentioned, my armorer has just taken this week to... do inventory.
Anyway, someone call that mage - the sooner we start looking the higher the chance there are still traces to be found - astral or otherwise."

[gilga]

@Kynos "Way ahead of you, rentals from Scuba-master, rented for 48 hours and will be ready for you soon."

[Shaman_Yuri]

Feeling more than a little like a third wheel I go looking for Jack to see what he can loan me until Nagi gets me back my glasses.  When I have the device in hand, I contact Athos using the throw away he'd used to contact me earlier.  At least Strawberry has already confirmed for me that he's still alive and kicking...

[Mercy Merchant]

Athos nods.  "You are much more on the ball than I am, to be sure.  I will have to read those books of yours.  So I guess it is off to the lake?"

He gives a slight start when his comm pings.  Noticing that it is Yulia, he excuses himself from the table to take the call.  >>Yulia.  Good to hear your voice.  I am at the Joke talking to Strawberry.  Looks like our next lead is at the bottom of the lake.<<

[Shaman_Yuri]

>>The Lake?  As in Lake Washington?  Glub, glub.  I'll be over there shortly and we can catch up.<<

I wander back to Nagisa's apartment to make sure she knows where I'm going and that I'll come back to see her before I leave Strawberry's general domain.  Giving her a long kiss to show my appreciation for her efforts with my glasses, I then set off to catch up with my best friend and quite literally comrade in crime.

[Jack_Spade]

"Excellent. Although I just remembered that this shiny new armor has a full chemical seal including an internal air tank for one hour. I probably won't be able to go deeper than 25m before the seals leak. But we are boned anyway if we have to go that deep to find the car.

Athos, I hope I can rely on you standing outside with a winch to haul me back out real quick if there is some hostile down there. I can't take my guns with me and I'm not that hot that I could win an under water fist fight.

But at least one thing works in my favor: The Titanium on my bones will let me sink in no time."
Kynos grinned.