[Zen Gypsy]

As Vlad disconnected the call, Bryant swiped the route from his PAN to Barbara's, "There's the route our friend Vlad wants us to follow to his location, he's asked us not to deviate without contacting him."  He shrugged, tapped out a slim and let it dangle from his lips, "Having us followed, vehicle's tagged, or he's a control freak, could be all three, could be a test, either way, best we play his game for now."

He let her drive in silence for a while, holding the unlit slim in the corner of his mouth, as the klicks rolled by, he began to piece it together, "Ok, so Raleigh gets a retainer from a Renraku exec, to retrieve a package.  Unfortunately we don't know if the exec was working on the side, or doing his job for the corp.  A second party, originally in possession of said package, gets Jacob's courier service to carry it to a meet spot where Raleigh is supposed to pick it up."  He paused, stroked his chin, "What was the sequence of their progress B.?  Exec's residence, Courier's office, Washington Rec, our Office, Hospital, Rowe's apartment?"

"So now they have a physical package, lifted from Jacob's during the Washington Rec extraction, but they need a verbal confirmation or keyword from Rowena to confirm the package.  Datalock?  They hit Rowe's apartment, but even if she were dealing with this solo, they haven't contacted her, given her an ultimatum, or themselves a way to meet.  I have no idea what our next play is going to be B., we've got to lure them out, find out who they are, what they want."

[Mercy Merchant]

Rowena speaks weakly from the back seat.  "They would have a hard time trying to contact me.  My 'link was in my purse, which is inconveniently still at the food wagon.  No way to get to me."

Barbara also nods.  "Makes sense.  Anyway, here is the timeline as best as I can put it together.  Corp exec, courier office, Washington Rec, our office, hospital, Rowena's apartment..  Make any sense to you?  And just my two nuyen, but I would think we need to get Rowena some serious rest time and then try to figure out what our next step is.

[Zen Gypsy]

Bryant nodded, "Yeah, rest and regroup.  That's about the best thing I've heard all day, just one more obstacle, cutting a deal with Vlad to make sure we don't get in too deep with the Vory."  He paused, leaned his head back against the head rest, ran both his hands through his hair, pushing it back from his brow.

"Then we can plan in the morning, I still think our best move is getting our pursuers to expose themselves, but that means putting ourselves in a position that would draw them out."  He turned, looked to B., "Think if you analyzed what Rowe overheard you could make sense of it, tie it to the project or package somehow?"

As he spoke, he focused oo Barbara, steadily driving towards a meeting with a representative of one of the most violent criminal organizations in Seattle, her hands were steady, her eyes focused.  He reached over to her, squeezed her shoulder reassuringly, "You know B., you keep calling me boss, but you've more than pulled your weight today.  Hell, you've done more of the ground work than I actually have.  Raleigh would ..," he paused, caught himself, the tough old ork had to have pulled his ass out of that particular fire, "... I'll have Raleigh up your paygrade when we get this situation sorted out."

 

[Mercy Merchant]

Barbara gives you a look then goes back to driving.  "Thanks, Boss.  I don't know how you do it if this is your life all the time.  I have been scared shitless for hours now.  I thought this was a simple PI gig, you know.  Following cheating husbands and wives and such.  Now it is a whole lot different."  She nods her head toward the back seat, where Rowena has drifted off to sleep.  "Now, she amazes me.  I think I might be stark raving bananas right now if I had been going about my day and was now paralyzed for life.  I would be screaming and yelling and angry at everything and everyone.  Don't know how she does it and don't know how you do it."

"I could try to make some sense out of what she knows, sure.  Give me a chance at it after we settle down and I will do what I can."

Barbara pulls the car into the designated parking garage and goes to the second floor as directed.  A white van flashes its lights and three men climb out an open side door.  Two are armed with submachineguns while the third appears to be unarmed.  They wait for you to pull up but appear to be alert.

[Zen Gypsy]

Bryant got out of the car, he kept his hands well away from the shoulder rig that held his Crusader.  He walked over to the three men, keeping his hands in clear view the entire team, "Bryant Champagne, Vlad I assume?"  He extended his right hand to the unarmed man as he continued speaking, "Barbara's my partner, she's driving, and our third is Rowena, injured from a confrontation with unknown assailants.  We've got prescription meds for Rowe, and a duffel with my gear.  Am I transferring it to the van, or are we following you in the car?"

His PAN was running the linguisoft that Barbara had gotten them, listening carefully for any back and forth between the Vory in their native language.

[Mercy Merchant]

Neither of the two armed men say anything, but they seem to scan you with a wary eye and move just enough to not allow the third man to block their line of sight or fire.  The apparent leader of the three men steps forward and speaks good English but with a heavy Russian accent as he takes your hand.  "Yes.  Vlad.  Is nice to meet you, maybe.  Depends on what drek you have brought to my doorstep.  But that is for later.  For now, we must transfer you to the van.  I hear that girl is in wheelchair and cannot walk, so bring first and put chair in van then get bag.  Car is to be sent back to doctor.  So far, you are not followed, but that is only as good as men watching can tell, yes?  So maybe.  Please hurry.  Is nephew Mikail driving van."

Barbara climbs out of the car and you briefly note that Vlad's eyes scan her figure appreciatively, but that the two gunmen just glance at her and keep scanning the area.  B opens Rowena's door and helps you transfer her to the van before getting the chair from the trunk as you grab your duffel.  Within a couple of minutes, all of you are in the van and it drives off, one of the gunmen riding shotgun and the other staying in the rear to watch you and Barbara.  Vlad nods at some unseen voice and looks at you.  "Is OK.  Still no one seems to follow you.  We are clean and away.  I ask that you wait until in safe place to say much, although you can say thanks."

[Zen Gypsy]

The man's forthright manner, and off handed comment about thanks somehow ingratiated himself to Bryant, he merely nodded as he got into the van.  He slipped in beside Rowe, and secured her chair.  "Then I will say thank you, your assistance is appreciated.  There's a plas-foam container in my duffel, contained within is a bottle of '55 Scotch from the Tir, I would be more than happy to open it and share a drink with you at the conclusion of our business."

He nodded towards Barbara, and squeezed Rowe's hand, "To be clear that business is assuring the safety of my two associates and myself while we investigate the events of the day."  He watched the men in the van for a reaction, but pushed himself back into the seat, gently cradling Rowe's hand in his as he watched the sprawl slide by.

This was Vlad's show now, and while we did approach the situation with caution, he had to trust that the Vory would act with their own best interest.  They didn't have enough information as of yet, to weigh their options, or risk a double cross.

[Mercy Merchant]

Vlad raises his eyebrows and you know you have his attention.  He gives you a huge smile and says, "I am Russian and my veins are more vodka than blood, but I have lived here for some years and have developed an appreciation for other nectars.  I would be happy to share your Tir scotch."  He waves his hands at your next words.  "Yes, yes.  We are clear on need for making safe you and your companions.  I already guess who you are from news feeds.  Much death follows where you go, but you will be safe with me."

You notice that the buildings you are passing are getting more derelict and realize that you are crossing into the Barrens.  The van eventually pulls up to an open garage door and enters.  You see three additional hard men standing about in different areas, all focused on the van.  Vlad gets out and motions for one of his men to approach.  "Ivan here can take your companions to their rooms.  Bring your scotch and talk with me, please."

[Zen Gypsy]

Bryant nods at Vlad, turns toward the van and removes his duffel, setting on the garage floor.  He bends down, rummages through it and pulls out a styro-plast container, battered but serviceable.  He looks towards B. as he walks past her towards Vlad and his, presumed, office.  He grabs her elbow and whispers, "Keep your piece handy, just in case.  Whoever wants us was able to walk past Errant at Mercy, stay with Rowe, I'll be back ... soon."

He then continues past Ivan and the two women, and speaks as he catches up to Vlad.  "Glasses?  After this morning, I know I need at least a double."

[Mercy Merchant]

The mobster smiles and gives a slight chuckle.  "Glasses I have.  Have a seat and let's discuss what we can do for each other."  He motions to take a seat on a chair in front of the desk he sits at.  Opening a side drawer, he pulls out two glasses and pushes them across the table to you.  "A double, I think you said?  So, what do you need and do you have some names you want us to use while the three of you are here?  I am pretty sure I know the girl, anyway.  Her face and name are all over the news feeds.  Your picture is, but no name is currently attached, but that is merely a matter of time, I suppose.  And the rather lusciously breasted woman driving your car I do not know at all.  Tell me what you need and we can work out something in exchange."

[Zen Gypsy]

As Bryant lines up the two glasses in front of him he pours a generous two fingers into each, after sliding a glass back across the desk towards Vlad, he holds his glass up looking at the light filtered through the golden amber liquid. "Name's Bryant, and before we talk business I figure I owe you thanks for your hospitality, and offering protection to me and mine.  Even if it's only for a night."

He tipped his glass against Vlad's, swirled the liquid around the tumbler, and drained it slowly, savoring the smokey hued Scotch.  As he felt the heat rise in the core of his stomach, he smiled.  It felt good to share a drink, despite the business of the day, he only wished he had a cigar.

"Unfortunately, there is not a lot of information to share.  You are a smart man, a connected man, so you'll have to forgive if I provide information you've already discovered, or assumed."  He paused, closed his eyes for a moment, and placed the empty glass back on the table.  "I work for Raleigh Investigations, partner actually.  Raleigh used to work with Lone Star, special hermetic investigations I believe.  He called me up this morning, said there was to be a hand off at Washington Rec, client informed him a courier would be exchanging a package and I was to get it back to the office."

"Exchange was to go down a little before 10 this morning, at 'bout quarter to we find that the courier's office has been hit.  Explosives, downtown core, broad daylight.  Whoever wants the package has resources.  That's when I noticed the extraction team vectoring in on the courier, three, heavily armed, and two concealed in the crowd.  I engage, down one of the three, not before the other two open up with combat shotguns on Jacobs.  The courier.  He goes down, waitress, Rowena, tries to help him up.  I engage the third man in close, he switches to a pistol, Rowe grabs his arm, takes one meant for me."

He grimaces at the memory, raises the styro clad bottle of Scotch pours a small finger into each glass, sips from his own and continues.

"Extraction team is down two members, and secures the package.  I question the trigger man that's still conscious, he confirms that they were hired out, contractors, closed cell structure only one man knowing where payment was coming from.  I end him and carry on.  Rowe gets transferred to Mercy, on a hunch I follow.  Maybe she heard something from Jacobs."

He pauses, looks up, shrugs.  "En route to Mercy we discover that my office has been hit, no further communication from my partner, no way to know whether he got out unless I can see Errant's reports.  Turns out my hunch was right, two or three vans, with a little inside help, I secure Rowena, but she's in a bad way.  As you saw.  I take her to an old friend, Aisha, on the way to her clinic, we find report of a corp exec, Renraku, killed in his private residence, we assume our employer but without checking Raleigh's files it's only an assumption.   Aisha feeds us your name, says she is calling in a marker you owe her, so now I owe her for that, and you," a wave of the hand encompasses the safe house, "for this."

"On the way here we hear that Rowena's apartment got hit, they are sending a message to this woman.  She heard something that they want, that they need, but as much as I want to put these bastards in the ground, I got nothing on them, and Vlad," he leaned forward over the desk, his black sheathed hand clenched tightly in a fist and thumped the heavy oak desk for emphasis, "I f%^king hate being put on the defensive."

[Mercy Merchant]

Vlad nods as you tell the story, apparently interested and listening quite closely.  When you finish, he tips the remaining scotch in his glass down his throat and pushes the glass back to you with a nod at the bottle. "You seem quite determined, Bryant.  I like that.  Many in your position would have gone to the KE and turned themselves in already.  I hate being on the defensive, too.  I guess it is the Russian in me, so maybe you have a bit of Russian in you?  Perhaps the first step is to find out who is after you, then you can take the battle to them.  I have a couple of good hackers that can try to probe the matrix for answers as well as various contacts I can start asking questions of.  Why don't you pour me another drink then I will take you to your room and let you get some badly needed sleep while I start looking for these guys?"

[Zen Gypsy]

Bryant smiled grimly, he found himself warming to the man, though he had no doubt he haunted the dreams of his enemies.  "Perhaps," he stated simply to Vlad's compliment on his determination, and his heritage.  He reached across and poured another two fingers for his host, pushed the glass back across the table with his own and raised his own glass to finish the last of the amber liquid.

"I don't sleep well on the best of nights," he tapped his forehead with a knuckle, "too many echoes.  Will it offend you or your men if I have a smoke tonight?  Helps me keep the ghosts at bay."  He stood up, placed the rest of the bottle on the man's desk.  "A gift.  For our host."

He looked down at Vlad, his face calm, but his smile vanished.  "Any chance I could look in on my companions before I retire?  I want to make sure they're alright, I made them a promise.  That I'd keep them safe, and that I'd put those f&^kers in the ground.  I intend to do both."

He nodded to his host, stepping back so he could stand and lead him out of his office, "I have a feeling you and I are alike, in that we don't make promises lightly, but when we do, we keep them."

[Mercy Merchant]

Vlad tosses the drink back and sucks in his breath before taking the bottle and glasses and putting them in the side drawer of his desk.  he rises to his feet and motions for you to follow him.  "I know ghosts, Bryant.  I know ghosts.  I will take you to see your companions and then we can perhaps smoke.  Do you have your own?  I am afraid that all I can offer you are horrible little things from Russia.  They could eat your gut out and smell terrible until your nose hairs are so destroyed they do not care anymore.  I will share with you if you dare or are desperate enough.  And I think you and I are very alike, Bryant.  I can be your most dedicated and loyal friend or your most implacable foe.  Either way, I never give up."  He goes silent for a moment then continues, "Um, would you know if the delectable morsel that is the woman who was driving you is married or otherwise attached?  She has struck me as someone I might like to get to know."

[Zen Gypsy]

Friend or implacable foe, a grim smile came across his face, "Let us hope it is the former then and not the latter, it would certainly be unpleasant for all involved." 

He followed Vlad through the hallway, reached a hand into his jacket and drew out the battered pack of Szczepanskis, held them out.  "They're eastern bloc, there's a street hawker cart outside our offices in Auburn, a short, broad shouldered Ukraine runs it.  We could very well be talking the same brand," he chuckled, "but I'd never notice.  Hell Vlad, I don't know how much of my lungs are my own, or synthetic, or donated organs.  Sometimes it's best not to ask eh?"

As Vlad mentioned Barbara he turned, watched Vlad closely, "Funny that.  When Raleigh brought her on, I figured it was good to have a woman with assets like that being the first thing clients would see if they came down in person."  He paused, brought the unlit slim to his lips, "Almost feel ashamed of thoughts like that, she proved herself decent at the admin, and legwork if needed, but still thought of her as eye candy, a junior partner if anything.  She's got balls Vlad, maybe more than some of the bastards who were coming after us today, she's strong, stronger than I gave her credit for.  So I appreciate you coming to me, shows respect, consideration."  He shrugged, "So yeah, she's got a fiance, Robert I think.  But she's a big girl, you show her the same respect you showed me, she'd probably share a drink with you, but if she says no it means no.  But what it doesn't mean is disrespect, or a lack of gratitude, it just means she's not interested, saavy?"