[Agleaca]

Angus walks up to the atzlaner "Hello, Im McCogni's man, I look forward to doing business with you." He waits and assesses each runner at the meet. He meets the gaze of Vangaurd and nods back. After that he moves his gaze outward for any new arrivals or threats and waits for the meeting to commence.

[WillAsher]

Ravener smirks at the brash elf (Forty), not at all offended by being called a freak before glancing around he diverse group. 'Watch the sky' he hears murmured on the wind as a raven caws from a nearby tree.  'Ravener, decker' he states as he meets each persons gaze in turn.  Two trolls, two humans, and a pair of elves...this could be interesting. 

'Hataałii' he mutters, mostly respectfully to the obvious Native American shaman.  Hopefully she won't be as bad as some of the shamans he dealt with in the NAN...

[Beta]

Watching the others introduce themselves respectfully, Forty mentally kicks herself.  “Frag me but I have drek for brains!  This isn’t the barrens, they don’t do all the fronting here, I should have figured that out.  And I should have boosted my willpower before summoning a spirit, might not have ended up with this fragging headache.”  She thinks that her mind’s ear catches a mocking cry from Bolt, laughing at the dumb ground-walker.

“Smart-ass spirits.  But it has a point--come on, smarten up Forty!  This is going to take more than swagger.  Stop thinking about what you’ll do with the pay, and make sure you just get the job.  So, what else have I missed?” She looks around at the group gathered there, and realizes “I should be trying to figure them out.  Some of those names, I’ve heard them somewhere … no, read them—Needle net!  The Spirit Witch, that jumped out at me when I saw that description, and Vanguard, I pictured him looking blockier, like a Van, and Ravener looking more like a raven, although maybe there is a touch of that to him?”

“What else, come on, pay attention.  Vanguard has a drone following him, OK, he’s probably a rigger.  Spirit witch speaks for itself.  One of the trolls is weird, skin is too smooth, I should figure out what is up with that.  Ravener is a walking distraction, what’s he trying to distract us from noticing?  That was sight—sound?  None of the voices seemed too odd, nothing much there.  Wait, smell, frag me-- I’m not in the barrens anymore, it is safe to breathe fully, why wasn’t I doing that?”

With that Forty takes a deep breath while activating her heightened sense of smell.  “First see if anything smells off, but better get everyone’s scent before we leave.”

Then before she thinks it through, she blurts out “So who brought the frisbee?  Cause that would [U}totally[/U] be enough to make this group look innocent if any cops came by, right?”  Even as she chuckles out loud at her own joke, she’s cursing herself out internally “Shut up Forty, just shut the frag up!”

[Jayde Moon]

[Sunday, 207506021458L]

Th man smiles as the group makes its way up to the table.  Despite the puckered scar on his cheek, he has a charming look to himself, and his casual dress is comforting.  Perhaps that is all calculated on his part.  He takes a moment to look at each of you, his gaze seeming to take you in without being 'critical.'  He actually grins when Forty makes her quip about the frisbee.

"Good afternoon," he says, a hispanic accent just noticeable.  "I'm glad you all could make it out.  Don't worry too much about who sees us here, this is a good spot for me."

He pulls out his commlink and taps the view screen.  Odd for a Johnson to be manipulating his commlink directly, but it keeps his wireless vulnerabilities down.  As he put it away, you become distinctly aware of a faint hum emanating from the picnic table and he beckons you all to step little closer, as he pulls a clipboard from a bag.  On it is a single sheet of 'paper.'  He slides a finger across the top and then sets it on the picnic table, easily seen by each of you.

It begins to run through a slideshow.  A rather... gruesome... slideshow.  The pictures were taken in a cubicle farm of some sort.  Blood spatters are everywhere and several bodies lie on the floor, dead by varied and vicious wounds.  Some look like bullet holes, others have gashes and tears.  It's hard to know how many dead bodies there are, but in the pictures shown, the most perceptive amongst you see at least fifteen separate corpses.

"These were taken yesterday at the Shiawase Towers in Tacoma, south of the docks.  As you can see, it is a brutal attack.  What I ask of you is something simple to say, though likely not easy to accomplish.  Find the culprits and stop them before they strike again.  It is likely that these men have an agenda beyond simple massacre in the Shiawase Towers and I fear that if left unchecked, they will cause more harm.  If you can do this for me, I am happy to pay you 9,000¥ each for your troubles."

He stops then, letting you take your time to consider his words and the pictures.

[Yok]

Henway observes the rest of the group as they arrive, but does his best to remain impassive.  Gots ta act like a pro if ya want ta be treated like one, he thinks.  Fortunately, the Johnson keeps the explanation simple, and the images paint an adequate picture of what happened.  He seems remarkably nonplussed with the carnage, as disturbing as the slideshow might be.

If dis was a gang beef, I'd say ya stepped on someone's turf that ya shouldn't, or someone is makin' a play for your biz.  He looks over the assembled group, then nods seemingly to himself as if he has made a decision.  He's not difficult to read for those that are skilled at doing so.  For those with an ear for accents, he's obviously from New York.

If da rest of ya can track dem down, I'll make sure dis don't happen again.  Ya don't get some payback, word gets around dat yer weak and den everyone wants a piece of yer biz.   He looks down at his shoes, then shrugs.  Least dat's how I see it.

[Beta]

If dis was a gang beef, I'd say ya stepped on someone's turf that ya shouldn't, or someone is makin' a play for your biz.

If da rest of ya can track dem down, I'll make sure dis don't happen again.  Ya don't get some payback, word gets around dat yer weak and den everyone wants a piece of yer biz.   He looks down at his shoes, then shrugs.  Least dat's how I see it.

Forty steps over to the massive troll, and offers a fist bump.  “Sounds like we had the same teacher, and ain’t she a bitch?”  In the process, Forty tries to get a fix on the troll’s scent, but finds herself thinking “Frag, did he JUST get out of the shower?”

Stepping back to look at the pictures more closely, she continues “Vicious.  I agree with my new friend, that looks like making a point, not necessity.  You don’t kill that many people, so many ways, spread out like that, just to cover your tracks or fight your way out—that much death draws more attention, had to take more time.  Either dumb, vicious, killers, or someone cocky enough to think they can poke a mega and get away with it.  Dangerous to go after them, either way.”

*Oh!* She steps towards the Johnson and gives him a shallow bow (in the process trying to catch his scent, and again mostly being frustrated) “NOW I understand the group you have gathered here.  Not really a job for the Boy Scouts, is it?”  Stepping back to let others get a closer view of the pictures, she mumbles “Are the Boy Scouts even still a thing?”

Tapping the chopstick package against her thigh, she thinks over what she’s seen, whether it matches the style of any of the criminals she knows about, whose territory they would be in currently, and who she should try to mind-link to in order to improve their negotiating position.

[obidancer]

Those photos were horrifying, and they brought back the memories of her tribe after being annihilated by the Pueblo Council. She had tried to forget about those images that flashed in her head. Waking up battered only to witness the people you cared for were massacred for the sake of Corporate power...

She very briefly scanned the group to see who would be ready to negotiate but  quickly decided she needed to take charge. It wasn't her first rodeo and until she knew the others better she couldn't make any assumption.

Lucian, you know we are dealing with dangerous people here. It's not a simple heist or extraction. We're talking finding cold blooded murderers and, well, retaliate... Death doesn't come cheap, it would be disrespectful for the dead. You're hiring a top notch team for sure, including three Awakens -a very precious commodity in this world, to handle with care - and more muscles in two men than I've seen in an entire team of runners. The way I see it 9k per head is in the low range for what you are asking. Almost half of that can be spent just on the ritual to invoke a powerful spirit to assist us. That same 9k will barely cover the expensive electronics of our rigger's toys should they get damaged; and needless to say you must know how much heavy weapons costs should we need it.
You also know hunting down those men will have ramifications. That's what we do, it's fine, but high risks, high pay.
So I trust 12k per head and an extra 10k for the team expenses and collateral seems reasonable.

[Turkish]

VanGuard peers at the images being presented, just like the rest of the chummers who've been summoned here.  He takes note of as many details as possible in the images and cross references it with anything that he may have heard in the numerous channels available to him as well as his knowledge and experience of how the known criminal elements tend to operate.  His attention to the images scrolling by on the commlink is broken by the words spoken by Forty, but he waits to speak until after someone a bit more skilled at negotiation steps up to handle the Johnson.

"This.  This is horrific.  Then again, there is a lot that is unsaid and unknown.  For all we know, these chummers could have been doing horrible things and had it coming.  Needless to say, security is going to be tight and they are not going to just let us just waltz in to investigate. Kachina is right, 9k each is not enough to cover the risk involved.  I would be persuaded to undertake this job under the terms which she has just proposed."

Pausing for a brief moment, VanGuard turns his gaze towards Lucien as he awaits the counter-counter-proposal.  Hopefully the new terms are not too high for this chummer, but I know that often these Johnsons have much deeper pockets than they let on to.  Three awakened and two, presumably mundane (although one never knows for sure) Trolls, is a lot to bring to bear and the drones ain't cheap either... nor is the 'ware.  At the end of the day, no matter how large of a drek sandwhich this job may be, I need this fragging payout....

[WillAsher]

'You got more than a few pics for us?  Copies of forensic data, access to camera feeds from around the attack site, or any of the files Shiawase has already collected?  Are we going to be trying to do this under Shiawase's nose, or can we expect some amount of cooperation?  If we have to dig all that up, from a corp already on high alert, you are talking about a lot of heat and risk.  I don't like the thought of the scum who did this getting away, but this job looks to be a bit more difficult than a simple extraction.'  Ravener tries to keep his tone flat and reasonable.  He doesn't feel comfortable turning the job away, but this job doesn't look like it is going to be any sort of milk run.

[Beta]

Forty had made vague plans to mind link with others to coordinate negotiations, but the opportunity to do it in a natural sort of way just never came up—and Kachina has hit all the key points without them discussing it.  So she falls back to her instincts, and simply goes on the offensive--hopefully being ‘bad-cop’ will make Lucien more willing to give ‘good-cop’ Kachina what she is asking for.

“Frag this!  I know I’m a dumb thug, but give me a minute and even I can see a set-up.  New group, lowball offer, nothin’ up front, nothin’ to make us think we’ll ever be able to collect from you if we did take the job – you don’t even want us to take this, do you?”

Forty makes a show of looking around the park “That is why we meet here, right?  Long distance camera, pics showing you met with runners, but nothing close enough to hear the discussion.  Then you can claim you hired us and we just failed at the job, and you keep the money?  Is that your game?”

She crosses her arms and scowls more than her usual.  “You got an offer to make us think you’re serious, or should I go find a fragging Frisbee?  And I better hear the words ‘Everyone gets paid, living or dead’ in there somewhere--you want us to go after killers, don’t go thinking that’s going to get you a discount at the end.”

[Yok]

Henway raises a massive fist and extends it to accept the proferred fist bump from Forty.  As the others begin negotiating with Lucien, he takes a step back, looking around the park at nothing in particular.  As Kachina's explanation of the costs and risk involved with the work required winds down, his gaze fixes on the top of his boots, where it remains as each of the others adds their own comments.

When Forty goes into her rant, he looks up, blinking for a moment and then nodding in agreement.  When she winds down he pulls himself up to his full height and looks down at the Johnson.  Seems ta me dat da rest said dere piece, but just so's we're clear, here's what I see.  Ya want us for wetwork ta stop more o' yer crew from gettin' geeked.  Now we can prolly track down dem dat pulled da trigger, but den dem dat paid 'em just hire more and you still got da same problem, scan?

He looks around for a moment to consider his next words.  So what ya really need is for us ta do is whack da killas and den follow da money and hit da guy doin' da hirin' on da other end o' tings, no?   Seems like dese folks got da right idea, da pay needs to be right for da job.

[Turkish]

After Forty's tirade, VanGuard takes a step back to a more defense stance and quickly glances over everyone present and eyes a couple places to dive to if drek goes sideways.  Not realizing that he had been holding his breath, he relases a sigh as Henway seems to be helping steer the dynamic back towards a postive direction.

"The Troll has a point.  This is a whole can of worms."  VanGuard leaves a pregnant pause, then turns to Kachina.  "You seem to be more adept at negotiating terms than I am, so I will defer to you.  However, whatever terms we agree to here, unless you think otherwise, should be strictly for the stated job: find and eliminate the people responsible for Shiawase Towers."

Glancing back towards Lucien, "Whatever we uncover about who pulled the strings on this group is extra; if you want us to pursue that person or group or what have you, that will require a new contract."

Finally, turning his attention back to the assembled group, "I trust that we will be able to come to a mutually beneficial agreement here?"

With that, VanGuard takes a couple steps backward to allow Kachina to continue discussing terms with Lucien.  He issues a few commands via AR to the other Fly Boys.

VanGuard commands Fly-Spies #1 & 2 to begin canvassing the park and the exteriors of the surrounding buildings to look for anyone that appears to be obvserving the meet.

[Jayde Moon]

As they begin to speak, Lucien listens.  As Kachina makes her points, he strokes his chin, considering her words.  VanGuard and Ravener's points are considered as well and he seems about to speak when Forty opens her mouth.  As she speaks, he frowns.

"I must say," he begins.  "I did not expect to be insulted by someone who doesn't even have a name worth mentioning when someone offers to open a door to the shadows for them."  He shrugs and turns his attention to Kachina.  "It is only my respect for Manny and how he speaks of the 'Spirit Witch' that I do not walk away right now."

He lets that sink in a moment and then continues.  "Your concerns are noted and so I am willing to make an agreement.  I will pay you ten thousand each and offer to pay half of any major damages up to two thousand five hundred.  Any damages beyond that will be chalked up to incompetence and I do not see why that would come out of my pocket.  Any expenditures that you incur are part of working the Shadows, you know this, Spirit Witch, but I am willing to offer six thousand of the total payment up front. I might have been inclined to offer more, all around, but my mood is ruined.  A shame, it is such a beautiful day."

His gaze remains on Kachina as he allows her to respond to his offer.

[Turkish]

With Lucien's focus off of VanGuard, he takes the opportunity to interdict himself between Forty and Lucien.  "Forty. Please sit with me a moment." VanGuard points to a bench about two meters away from the group.  "We need to talk.  Now."

VanGuard walks side by side with Forty, as they make their way quickly to the bench. With a quick gesture, he commands the drone off his shoulder to hold position and to feed him video of the group continuing their negotiations.  In a quiet but stern voice, "I do not know your story or how you came to work in the shadows, but there are rules that must be followed in the meets with Mr. Johnson. First and foremost, respect and discretion are paramount. I do not expect anyone to trust me or any other chummer standing here, but I do expect a shadowrunner to respect the decorum that is expected at a first meet.  Second, if you keep bulldozing negotiations like you did earlier, word will spread and you will find yourself unable to be find work and your business associates may stop associating with you.  Look, if you have worked in the shadows at all before, then you should know that all Johnson's make the morsel on the hook as enticing as possible, usually by withholding pertinent information.  This is nothing new and in no way means that this is a setup.  That said, it very well could be, that is just one of many "perks" of being a runner.   It is usually best to not make enemies, unnecessarily. Do we have an understanding?"

If Forty takes a seat, then VanGuard will too.  Otherwise he will position himself to be between the group and Forty.

[Beta]

Her name?  He dared slight her name? 

Forty could feel that cold fury settle in her--he would pay for this, the only question was degree.  She could ...

Her pain-train of thought was interupted by Vanguard stepping in front of her.

"Forty. Please sit with me a moment." VanGuard points to a bench about two meters away from the group.  "We need to talk.  Now."

Forty  activates her heightened reflexes as instinct prompts her to strike the interloper down so that she can get back to the business of settling scores.  She hears Bolt screeching encouragement for vengence in her thoughts.

Then she hears her sister's sigh pass through her head "Oh Forty, not again."  Sylvia sounds so weary.

Forty grinds her teeth in frustration, but answers her thoughts "Fine, sis, I'll listen to this man, vengeance is no less sweet for some anticipation.  But his machines do not need to listen too."  She flicks out the weaker of her preparations and brushes her left thumb along the inscribed chopstick as she briefly clasps one of his hands--and hopes he'll accept the mind link.

The below assumes that Vanguard accepts the mind link, and for that matter her touch.  If it comes down to it, she rolls 12 dice for a touch attack.  If the magic doesn't work out they'll have a quiet but out-loud discussion on the bench.

He leads her to a bench a few steps away as his voice rings in her mind.  His mental voice is stern, surprising to her for someone with antenna sticking out of his arm.

"I do not know your story or how you came to work in the shadows, but there are rules that must be followed in the meets with Mr. Johnson. First and foremost, respect and discretion are paramount. I do not expect anyone to trust me or any other chummer standing here, but I do expect a shadowrunner to respect the decorum that is expected at a first meet.  Second, if you keep bulldozing negotiations like you did earlier, word will spread and you will find yourself unable to be find work and your business associates may stop associating with you.  Look, if you have worked in the shadows at all before, then you should know that all Johnson's make the morsel on the hook as enticing as possible, usually by withholding pertinent information.  This is nothing new and in no way means that this is a setup.  That said, it very well could be, that is just one of many "perks" of being a runner.   It is usually best to not make enemies, unnecessarily. Do we have an understanding?"

She objects, of course.  But he's so fragging calm and logical!  Mind speech saves having to breath, cuts out stammers and stops and slow downs to enunciate--and just feels so immediate to her--so that when the magic fades after a minute he's lead her to the point where she can whisper to him "I read the situation all wrong, I am such a dumb thug."

She goes to stand up, then sits back down, touches his shoulder and says "Thank you.  Now, please find out if we can get into the facility, or at least around the outside--I want to see if I can pick up any scents."   And speaking of, she attempts to fix Vanguards scent in her memory.

Forty will stay quiet for the rest of the discussion, trying to convince the Thunderbird side of her about this choice.  But has something to say when it appears to be winding down.