Stryker appeared in front of the gathering at the ranch, first as a hazy silhouette, that consolidated into his exact image. The projection of his mind did the same as his Astral body - bowed politely to Mr. Falcone, and spoke.
"
Good evening, Sir. And to your guests. I come to report on our progress and give you a more thorough update of the events. I have not discussed my appearance here with the team, because I think they don't know whom to believe. I am inclined to believe that your concern is honest, and you did not know about the ransom demand being made by a third party."
He stand firmly in mid-air, inches above the ground, smiling lightly. Stryker isn't good with 'people skills', but the one gift he has is perception. He looks at the people gathered there and judges their reactions...
Assensing (7d6.hits(5)=1)
Assensing (second attempt) (5d6.hits(5)=1)
Judge Intentions (8d6.hits(5)=3) Glitch (normal)
Regardless of the outcome he continues...
"
Mr Belenkyi was 'abducted' by a Sioux shadowrunner team called 'Black Cats'. We visited their favorite club, Hardpan, and contacted their fixer to set up a meeting, but I've decided to check some things out, because we found a few pieces of info that didn't quite fit the picture. The Black Cats are a honorable group, and apparently they don't do kidnapping or wetwork, and definitely no ransoming. So I've contacted them, and found out they were hired to extract Mr. Belenkyi and return them two days later. Or at least that's what I deduced from the conversation. The Shaman lady I've talked with assured me Mr. Belenkyi will be back home tomorrow. I do not know why they were hired, and by whom, as they couldn't discuss these things, as I couldn't possibly discuss the matter of our mission beyond the fact that we want to return Mr. Belenkiy to safety. They didn't know about the ransom demand, and I'm sure about that - she couldn't have masked her emotions, her reaction to the feather lest at the scene was proof of that." He makes a slight pause, to let Mr. Falcone digest the facts he relied.
"
We could have engaged them, but that would be unwise and unnecessary, and possibly even dangerous to Mr. Belenkiy. We know where they're located for the moment, and they know that we know. Instead we decided to pursue the other lead. Origins of the ransom note. We had a suspect - Hammerjack. He seemed to have a grudge with Mr. Belenkiy, and had the skills and resources to find out about the Black Cat's action, and try to exploit them to his own end. There is also a possibility that he hired them, but as they don't do dirty work, the death threat was by all means an empty one. Our Matrix specialist is actually bargaining with one Mr. Void, who offered us information vital to our mission. If you have any questions, I will try to answer them if I can, and then return to my body, before the team relocates... I hope they won't do that, as chasing my mortal shell across Denver would be a real royal pain..." He ends his monologue, and awaits their response.
