[SquirrelDude]

bnc took the food gratefully. Feinkost Käfer wasn't exactly something that reminded her of home, as the simplest Käfer stuff still cost roughly four times as much as she could afford - and eight times as much as she wanted to. But still, she couldn't deny that something as simple as an ä gave her kind of a warm feeling, after living more than a year in the UCAS. The bananas made her even happier than the letter. Seeing that Gerhard had chosen each runner's favorite dish, she decided to remember what he himself ate, to maybe pay him back his efforts another day.

When their Johnson asked about problems, she hesitated. Only when he insisted, she decided to open her mouth. Before the words poured out, however, the memory of a schooltime that ended so abruptly when first Dmeyk, then Krestov came into her life, flashed up; and speaking to their Johnson about the issues felt a bit like telling on Anna. So instead, she said: "No, I don't think there's a problem. No one is going to risk the run or their chummers' lives without consulting with their team, or be unfocussed."
She resisted the temptation to cast a look at Anna. Instead, she dug into her banana muesli.

Slobbertooth took a sip of soykaf before answering the Doctor's question. "I'm not too worried right now, but we don't really have the tech or personnel for any complex B&E actions which I figure are going to be necessary. We're going to need to be proactive about getting information so that we  have time to clean up Johnny Threefingers mess and get what we need"

[Jack_Spade]

Schmitt nodded to bnc: "Good, I'm glad to hear that.
To Sloober he said: "I see. I think I might be able to find you some drones to help you out with that.

Anyway, the next part of this operation is a bit boring, except for those parts that might turn out terrifying.
As I mentioned yesterday, this whole heist hinges on us being able to find an copy Zola's security override key, from here on out called Zola's SOK. Stealing his SOK without him noticing will be very hard, but the good news is, I was able to track down the man who made it.
It's in fact a small pendant he wears around his neck in the form of a Spanish dublone. Not only does it contain a security RFID chip but the relief of the coin works like a QR-Code. And as if that wasn't enough it's electrical resistance is measured every time it's laid on the scanner. If any part of this SOK doesn't fit, the system will react with a security response to check up on the wielder. Good news: No system is perfect and Zola is the kind of person who hates to be checked by security. From what I heard they are actually giving him a second chance to use his key before they react. That might become crucial for our success.

There is a rumor that Zola semi regularly receives escort ladies from a specialized agency called Belladonna. That might be a way to get someone close enough to him to copy the necessary elements of the SOK. Mike and Kite will be in charge to built the necessary sensor unit.
And while we are at it, we can try and find more information on his two bodyguards.

I'll be out again to collect further information, but you can reach me over my commlink."

Schmitt said and stood up to depose the remnants of his linguine and salmon in lemon sauce. 

[Crossbow]

Flatline barely looked at the food, he was seething inside and when the opportunity came with the Johnson's invite, he took it.

"Yes sir, there is a problem.  We have as our Matrix specialist an unstable freakshow who can't seem to keep her mouth shut.  She seems quite capable in her element, but every time there is a hint that she has an opinion to offer on the other people who are working this mission with her it is a nuclear freaking meltdown.  She has some kind of of issue with with Anna, and seems determined to push her until she catches a fireball for her trouble.  She has also made me a target of her outbursts, this is a person we are supposed to trust covering our backs.  I realize I am new to shadows, but I am capable in my job and I am a team player, all I am asking for is that all of the people in the job get on that page and act like professionals."

He looked straight at the hacker, "I am not trained in mental health, but you need to get some, or get medicated, or both.  I don't know about the others, but this is too big a job for me to have to worry when the next time you are going to pop off is."  When he finished his speech he sat back, looking ready to fight, but not relishing the idea.  He was definitely keeping an eye the bigger guys that he knew had worked with bnc before, in case they were feeling protective.

[Jack_Spade]

Schmitt listened, but held a hand up towards bnc to indicate not to react at once.
"I see. I was afraid that this would happen when I combined an existing team with new additions.

Before I say anything more I want you all to know that I'm not interested in assigning blame to anyone. To be a successful shadow runner you need a strong personality and those clash sometimes. You are all here because you have rare and valuable talent.

Now bnc, you are likely familiar with basic mediation techniques. I ask you not to see this as manipulation but as an honest attempt to solve the issues presented here.

Flatline, I have to ask you not to use pejorative language to describe your grievances. Those don't help to overcome differences but create them.

bnc, without going into why - since I'm sure you had your reasons to do what you did - can you understand and relate why Flatline is annoyed and concerned about your behavior, his emotional language notwithstanding?

You are the youngest member of this team and I understand you are under double pressure to both ascertain your status and capabilities within a new group with a new dynamic but also to do your demanding and dangerous job. I know what you are capable off and to what length you went to keep your teammates safe, but the others don't. It is only natural to want to prove ourselves to our peers, but in doing so it's all to easy to go to far and infringe on their competences.
And you should know best of all that there are few things more annoying than being permanently corrected in your own field.

We judge ourselves by our intentions but others by their actions.

Now, without resorting to insulting language, what do each of you wish the other would change about their behavior?

[gilga]

Yael quietly ate her Sushi enjoying the raw fish. Real quality fish were a rare delicacy for her.
They were divine and considerably better than fake food. "Just like the real thing" was in
fact nothing like the real thing, but most were too poor to ever know it. 
She eats her fill quietly and sensually enjoying it letting the others do the talking.

She is a bit surprised when Flatline says his piece, she thinks "It seems that nobody in this group
takes me seriously, all they see is a damsel in distress". She places her sticks on the table
and finish chewing, her last byte when finally speaking up. "It is unethical for a doctor to publically
blame people of mental illness. bnc is a proffessional and and I trust her. As for our personal relationship,
it is honestly none of your buissness. I am a shadowrunner - not a damsel in distress. I did not harm a psycopath trying to rape or murder me.
I can gently handle a skinny chick trying to get under my skin. "

To Schmitt she said "Please, your intentions are good but you are still our employer. 
We should work on our social dynamics on our own as you wont be there when our ass is on the line.
And saying a bunch of PC things - will not really solve the problem."

[Jack_Spade]

Schmitt shook his head: "As your employer it's my responsibility to recognize and correct problems that might impact the quality of your work.
My aim is to resolve this quickly and effectively with a minimum of drama. I'd rather invest myself now as arbiter than later as damage controller.

And this is not about political correctness but about respect. Or rather the lack thereof, as you just mentioned yourself."

[Volker]

Thanks for waiting
When Flatline spoke up, bnc was just about to reply something dreadfully bnc-ish, when Dr. Schmitt indicated her to hold it for a moment. bnc leaned back, carefully listening now. It seemed that he held some kind of authority over her. At least, until he finished speaking.

"Jesus, are you fucking serious? Ya, well, you could put it that way: I am quite familiar with 'basic mediation techniques'. I guess, more than any of you. Go, look for how much it achieved. To answer the question: yeah, I can - quote - understand and relate why Flatline is concerned and uses pejorative language to describe his grievances. And I don't want him to cozy-talk me. This outburst was the first real thing I heard from him. At least now I know what he's thinking. I'm not easily pissed at being called what I am. I'm pissed at being pseudo-psychoanalyzed by people who read a mediation handbook and now believe they can fix problems by voodooing on about why they are under pressure after their baby kitten died and mommy left daddy at an early age. You know, Freud was proved wrong a century ago.
Now, to talk of solutions. If I have to work with oversensitive mimosas instead of professional shadowrunners, I can do you the favor and talk and nice and cosy to you, Dr. Thyme, until you choke on reciprocal-respectful language. I still find it difficult to grasp that you are all ready to break laws, take lives, steal and fake, but get all whiny when someone's not talking nice to you. Where I come from, people say what they think, straightforward. And I think it's good: it's fast. It saves a lot of energy in deciphering cryptic messages. It's efficient.
Now, if you please, gentlemen, it seems our damsel here is indeed the one who actually can handle a skinny chick trying to get under her skin. So please leave our language to ourselves, and tell me whatever special treatment you need to guarantee your emotional health is stable enough to keep that damn run working. I'll adapt and make it easier for you to keep your water."
She leans back in her seat, and adds: "Thanks for the bananas."

[Jack_Spade]

Schmitt just sighed: "You are welcome." Ignoring the part about having read one book he continued:
"Since both you ladies assure me that you won't kill each other or Flatline or endanger the mission despite those overt displays of hostility, I'm inclined to leave it at that and move forward.

I'd like to hear some ideas how you want to secure a copy of Zola's SOK"

[Volker]

"I never intended to. And apparently I wasn't misunderstood by the one  I was actually talking to.
Speaking of, this seems to be a perfect job for Anna, doesn't it? Do you think you can forge her an identity as a Belladonna hooker? Unless she goes around destroying Zola's property, she'll be a perfect wh- mole.
Meanwhile, I suggest Kite and me make use of our drones and spy on Zola, his bodyguards, the facilities, stuff. To make up for the time Kite loses, I think I can assist them in forging the sensor. As I assume that I'll be the one to do the programming, it wouldn't do bad to involve me in the hardware stuff as well. Y'know, I read a handbook on it."

She searches Schmitt's eye for a hint of a smile on the remark. If she finds it, she'll return it.

[gilga]

Yael looked like she was considering it ... "a hooker? At least I'll get laid... I hope he is into hot stuff though."

After a short time considering it, Yael concluded "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet "
She looked at bnc and said  "I am awakened Sweetie and he is an established mage. No matter how good my acting and disguises are... He only needs a single look to determine that I am more likely to be a shadowrunner than a prostitute. You cannot do it either -  that spiderweb in your head is a dead giveaway for a shadowrunner... "

[Jack_Spade]

At the moment Schmitt didn't seem in the mood for any further banter. Instead he took out his commlink and checked something over the display:
"Ok, but be careful with your drones: Zola does employ capable people who might very well spot spy drones - at least in their vicinity. Keep it low key and stay away from the bank building for now. That one is guaranteed to have a 100m radius where every new icon is controlled.

If it should be necessary, we have the funds to bribe one of the escort ladies sufficiently to break confidence - but you'll have to find out who is Zola's favorite."

[SquirrelDude]

Slobbertooth feigned displeasure at needing to bribe an escort.

"Bribe the escort? Isn't that was Special K is here for?"

Josiah turned to Krestov with a devilish look in his eyes.

"Or would complete sentences be a bit difficult?"

[Volker]

bnc shows clear signs of disappointment at Schmitt's reactions, but decides to ignore that at the moment.
To Anna she says: "Darn, you're right. I completely forgot about that. That leaves..."
Her gaze trails over the party. "Krestov. We're gonna have to dress you up."

bnc sighs, then returns into serious mode. "I don't like the idea at all. Bribing a prostitute is a huge security risk. Anything might give her away - and we, that is, I, shouldn't forget a second time that he is able to Assense, and maybe knows spells to check on people, too.
Mr. Schmitt, in which places does Escoban have to verify his identity? To which system is the sensor unit slaved?"

[Jack_Spade]

"There are sensor arrays on every entrance of the bank, registering anything from active spells, cyberware, metal objects, chemicals and even your weight going in and out. These are complimented by similar arrays in every room.
The transponder in the SOK tells the sensor to not alert security even if cyberware and spells etc. are detected. It also works as a means to unlock the doors by placing it on the fingerprint readers.
So in essence Zola has to have the SOK with him to unlock the door from outside, keep it on him to disarm the sensors and to open any locked doors in his way.
The sensors themselves are slaved to a silent running R9 Security Host - managed by a straw firm belonging to one of Aztechnology's subsidiaries.
He doesn't as such verify his identity, except of course broadcasting his SIN. But the override key doesn't so much verify as it shuts down the security.

If you aren't in favor of bribing - which I can understand - you can always go for a personal angle or just bug the escort to get intel on his house and do a break in while he's asleep in her arms."
Schmitt replied

[Volker]

"What I have in mind: Maybe it's somehow possible to access one of the sensor. I don't know yet how heavily they are secured, but maybe someone can datatap any of the sensors. Then it should be possible to download the values to which it compares the SOK. Is there any sensor that is accessible with the possibilities we have at hand?"