[Mercy Merchant]

Cynthia arrives in the cyber room to find a middle-aged woman waiting there for her.  The woman nods to you.  >>Hello.  I am Barbara.  You said that you wanted to talk?  I am listening.<<

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 11th, 2075 - OTR Host, Private Room #312] #137

<<Hi, I'm...er...>> frowning, Cynthia seems pensive for a moment, and quite a bit...flustered. <<Didn't think about that sorry, I'll have to find something. I'm not sure giving my real name would be a good idea at this point...>>

She shrugs, and continues <<And before anything else, are you in {this area}, or along that axis? Because if you are, you'd better expect some visitors. The really unfriendly kind. Unless you happen to sell ammo I suppose...>>

The {this area} is of course to be replaced by the current estimated location of the mercenaries (or what Cynthia supposes is the mercenary group)

[Zen Gypsy]

Bryant nodded at Vlad, "She is engaged Vlad, and that's something that you have to try to respect.  These past two days are likely to shake up a lot of things for her,  put things into perspective, cause her to question herself ... she's lost friends today, co-workers.  You wouldn't want to play off of that, at least you don't seem that type to me."  He shrugged, holding his unlit slim in his right hand, tapping it against his thigh as he took another sip of whiskey.

He chuckled. 

"Though who am I to say, B.'s pissed at me, thinks I am going to hurt Rowe, when what I am terrified of is how bad Rowe's going to hurt me when she finds out who and what I am."  He raised his glass towards Vlad, "Hard men, hard life, eh my friend?"

[Mercy Merchant]

@Cynthia   >>Well, it seems pointless to deny who I am.  Hmmm.  What is this axis and why do you think it means company coming?<<

@Echo   Vlad nods even as he looks sadly into his glass.  "You are right, my friend.  I will not intervene in her relationship with another.  Perhaps fate will intercede for me.  But you are right, hard men and hard life."

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 11th, 2075 - OTR Host, Private Room #312] #138

<<Why do I think it means company? Because I dug beyond the smoke screen of gang activities and I have footage of what I think is the group of mercenaries that is after you looking for something or someone. Someone that I believe to be you. And dropping a lot of bodies while doing it. I can be mistaken of course, since I won't know until tomorrow for sure, given that said footage needs cleaning. But if you're in the area, or what I believe to be their projected path... Well... I suppose I'll know sooner than that... It's alright if you don't want to say where you are, I understand why you need to be cautious. You can just check by yourself, I don't mind.

But well... if I'm right, you may want to check fast. They don't seem to want to spend the night hunting. I suppose I could say you don't have anything to lose by believing me but...>> she shrugs.

[Mercy Merchant]

@Cynthia   The avatar of the other woman sits in silence, the expression on her face stoic, but wavering at the corners of the mouth.  She nods.  >>Thank you for the warning.  I must tell my companions.  Will you be here or can I contact you by the com code you provided?<<

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 11th, 2075 - OTR Host, Private Room #312] #139

<<Use the code, I don't how long you will take so I won't wait here, I'd be bored to death. Just so you know however, I was planning to head to bed when you answered. It can wait a bit, but...well...it's a nice bed...>>

[Mercy Merchant]

@Cynthia   The avatar nods.  >>Thank you very much for your help.  I will be back in touch with you.<<  The avatar disappears as Barbara leaves the room.

@Echo   You are interrupted again, this time by the door banging open.  As you turn your head, your eye catches Vlad's hand moving to his desk before it stops.  Barbara rushes in, excitement and worry warring for supremacy on her face.  "My God!  Boss, Vlad, something is happening.  Something bad.  The person I went to see sent me some information on the supposed gang war that is shaking this part of the city."  Vlad nods and opens his mouth to say something but Barbara cuts in.  "I know you are going to say something like it is all blown out of proportion, but it isn't.  At least not all of it.  The larger picture is just a smokescreen to hide the fact that a group of well armed military types is moving from one gang territory to the next one, as if they are searching for something..............or someone.  Right now, it appears that they are on an axis that is headed this way.  Right here."

[Zen Gypsy]

Bryant set his empty glass down on Vlad's desk, "B., why would we think you're blowing it out of proportion?  You've proved yourself time and again over the past day or so, and I trust you to separate the signal from the noise.  So if you say these Merc's are on the move, I believe you, the question is, how much time do we have before they get to Vlad's territory?"

He stopped, looked at Vlad, "We've got the semblance of a plan formulated, if we moved on it now, we might be able to divert the shit show that is coming your way.    These people are looking for Rowe, they need that code she got off the courier, we move her, they could skip your turf.  You know as well as I, if we bring these guys to your doorstep, some of your guys, some of your family, are going to be at risk, and I can't ask you to sacrifice them."

[Mercy Merchant]

Vlad is standing and using his 'link, talking quickly in Russian.  He looks at you when he is finished and shakes his head.  "No, my friend, it is too early.  We do not have people in place to protect her and you.  Not enough time to plan.  It is better that we have a good plan than only a half-assed one, no?  I am getting people together that will take you to safety.  I will put my best men on it and get all of you out.  I cannot abandon those here that look to me for protection, but I can get you away.  I hope that you are not going to make a big deal about it?  Remember that her safety is a high priority."  Vlad looks at Barbara and some sort of non-verbal communication passes between them.  B sucks in her breath and opens her mouth to say something but closes it.  Vlad nods and comes around the desk, heading to the door.  "Come, my friends.  There is much to do and little time to do it."

[Zen Gypsy]

Bryant shrugged, "We knew that it would come to this, I only wish we would have had more opportunity to prepare."  He paused, "Time waits for no man, yeah?  Two things though Vlad," he reached out holding up two fingers.  "One, where are we being taken for safety, and two, if you can do anything for Rowe, make it happen.  If you need to hang me out to dry, do it.  I can keep these merc's occupied, distracted, if I have to.  If it'll buy her time."

[Mercy Merchant]

Vlad nods and looks at you closely.  "I have safehouses elsewhere, but what about a change in plans, eh?  We have an advantage over the other gangs these people have hit tonight.  We know they are coming and can prepare.  We wanted to meet them, then let's meet them.  Rowena is as safe here as anywhere else and if you stay, I would not have to send some of my best men to protect her.  Why not stay and show these bastards that foreign mercenaries are no match for the Vory?  Well, for the Vory and you.  Think of it; we can fight them and take a prisoner or two."

[Zen Gypsy]

Bryant stood up, and reached out to clasp his hosts hand, "I would be up to such a task, but are you sure we can pull this off without risking your own bratva my friend?  Remember our plan was to lure the mercs to the Devil's turf, and thereby allow the mercs to weaken their forces so we could then exploit that weakness."

He frowned as he continued, "Now the mercs will be hitting us, hitting you, your family, putting your family at risk, your sister.  Should you wish to cut me loose, limit your losses, I will understand.  If you choose to fight, I will be in the trenches beside you, back to back if it comes to that.  But we need to find a way to funnel them to a location that leaves them vulnerable, and limits their ability to out maneuver your men.  You said if you were searching for some one you would use drones, do you have access?  We may need eyes in the sky before this is through."

[Mercy Merchant]

Monday  11 June 2075  0310  Vory Safehouse  Seattle


@Echo   Vlad nods.  "It is different plan, yes?   But I think we are harder than mercenaries.  We have equipment and weapons, too.  And we have secret weapon.....you.  Say yes and I will roust the men and we will be ready for them.  But is not good to get overconfident.  These mercenaries are well trained and it will be hard to channel them where I want them, so we have to be ready for surprises.  And as for risks?  We take risks every day when get out of bed.  Besides, if we win, we can have pick of neighbors who will want to join us.  Maybe."  He laughs out loud, interrupted by someone calling on his 'link.  He pauses to answer in Russian then looks at you.  "Men are organizing.  I have body armor for Rowena and Barbara, although hers might be very tight in the chest, if you know what I mean.  And some for you, too, if want.  Now, let us go downstairs.  I want more than popgun in my hands when we meet these bastards.  And we will wake nephew from VR nap.  He is good with drones, too.  Maybe not best, but he is young yet.  My sister's kid."


@Cynthia   Your 'link receives a message from Barbara just after you crawl into bed.  >>We are sticking it out and waiting for the mercenaries to come try to get us.  I hope that we can make it, but I wanted to thank you......just in case, you know.  If you are still with that contact, tell him that Rowena knows the code, but none of us can figure it out.<<

[Imladir]

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 11^th, 2075 - Cynthia's apartment] #145

With a grunt, Cynthia checks her 'link. After a tired sigh, she answers <<No problem. Good luck.>> a yawn is clearly audible <<I'll tell the contact, sure, but we figured that out a while ago you know. As most of Seattle in fact. But since we are at the just in case phase...you may want to record said code somewhere safe. It could be the difference between...>> there's a pause of a good ten seconds <<Let's say it's important. Anyway, good luck. Ho and maybe it will help you if you want to fight them...>> Cynthia sends a copy of the footage she got.

With a grumble, eager to finally sleep, Cynthia sends a copy of Barbara's message (stripped of all metadata, headers, etc.) to Tanya.