[Netzgeist]

Monday February 15, 2072; ~18:10, The Edge, Elven District, Seattle Downtown, UCAS
Eliza Gebb, PAN = Passive (Meta Link), Hidden (Major); Broadcasting Ada Byron SIN rt.4

After calmly finishing her dessert, with a contempt face, Ada congratulates Dancer on her taste: "Oh, dear, that was amazing. I need to thank you for the advice."

She raises from her seat, look at the one's who are still at the table, and smile to them: "It was a delightful meeting. I'm glad to meet you all. Now, if you excuse me, there's some work that I shall do." That being said, the woman goes out.

Monday February 15, 2072; ~18:30, Wylie's Gala Inn, Seattle Downtown, UCAS
Eliza Gebb, PAN = Passive (Meta Link), Hidden (Major); Broadcasting Ada Byron SIN rt.4

The walk home was pleasant, but uneventful. Not even ten blocks separated The Edge from the Wylie's Gala Inn, at 4th Avenue and Pike Street. As soon as she enters her apartment, Eliza's PAN calls all the door bolts to be closed and the windows screens to isolated the place. There's some work to be done.

After changing into some more comfortable clothes (that wouldn't wrinkle as she lays on the sofa), she pulls the retractable cable that is plugged into her datajack and plugs it into Major, her special commlink. Operating through AR, she sends an encrypted message to Danielle's commcode ("If there's nothing impeding you right now, contact me as soon as possible. Send the time and node where we can meet to my dummy commcode, since this one will be unavailable for a few moments. Kisses.") before turning off the wireless feature of the Major commlink. Then she plugs the datafile Leather Face gave her on it.

Time to see what's possible to learn about the goal.

[Kylen]

Monday February 15, 2072; 18:30, Jackson's Home, Everette, Seattle
Jackson; PAN = Passive; Broadcasting Roan Linth, RT4

Leaning back in his chair, having eaten a good meaty sandwich, the delivery boy grinned. "Thank you for your timely response, boss. I have been approached with a job, and would like to know if you knew anything about this man..or if you knew anyone who might." he said, nodding to the Triad leader with respect, sending the details to him that Iron sent to him. "One of my teammates said he worked for a Japcorp on some reality show, but I wanted to see if I could get more info on him. Also on the location we're hitting. Don't want ti cause any trouble for my wonderful benefactors, after all." he continued, sending the location on as well, but not the rest of the job info.

[StarManta]

Monday February 15, 2072; 18:30

Ling looked off into the distance, as if searching for a memory on the horizon. "James Marsh... No, I don't think I've heard that name before. I can check around, though." He downloaded and saved a copy of the press release photo and the names attached. "What sort of information on the location are you seeking? I don't believe we have any business dealings in that area, if that's what you're asking."

[StarManta]

Monday February 15, 2072; ~18:30, Wylie's Gala Inn,4th Avenue and Pike Street, Elven District, Seattle Downtown, UCAS

Major reported the contents of the datastick

Code: [Select]

Autosender [Program (Agent)]
Message [Encrypted]
Message Recipient A [Encrypted]
Surveillance Photo 2.10.72 16:03 [Image]
Surveillance Photo 2.10.72 16:40 [Image]
Surveillance Photo 2.11.72 01:04 [Image]
Surveillance Photo 2.12.72 08:01 [Image]
Surveillance Photo 2.12.72 11:03 [Image]
Surveillance Photo 2.12.72 16:20 [Image]
As it listed the contents, it displayed an alert that a program on the datastick (the agent by the name of Autosender) was requesting permission to run. A lesser commlink would have simply allowed it to run, but Eliza's customized interface was a little less carefree.

All files had been copied to the stick around 11AM the same day. No data bombs were detected. The agent was loaded with a low-level Encrypt program and a high-level Stealth program.

[Netzgeist]

Monday February 15, 2072; ~18:30, Wylie's Gala Inn, Seattle Downtown, UCAS
Eliza Gebb, PAN = Passive (Meta Link), Autistic (Major); Broadcasting Ada Byron SIN rt.4

So that's it: for the look of things (surveillance photos?), it smells of blackmail. But why just imagine when you can be sure?
It's not just curiosity; it's the power that comes in knowing what you're doing. Eliza needed to know the contents of the message that someone was paying 28 thousand nuyen to send anonymously. The girl rejected the agent permission, and prepared herself to work.

Assuming a more comfortable position, the girl mentally switches Major to operate from VR. The same mental command also disables the protections that, in legal sim module, would be impossible to put down. Now she dives into Virtual Reality at digital speed, her synapses lighting up due to being so close to raw information. If you needed to work, might as well enjoy it!

Her persona stood next to the message icon. The icon she is using for her own seems like a woman with electronic paths running through her skin. The silicon woman reached for the encrypt message.

Into the lone digital landscape, a voice is heard, just as the woman starts juggling with data. "Initiate Cryptanalysis".

Initiate Cryptanalysis test = 3 (Electronic Warfare) + 5 (Decrypt) + 2 (Hot Sim) + 2 (Encephalon 2) + 2 (Math SPU) = 14 dice
First test: 14 dice = 3 hits, no glitch
Second test: 14 dice = 5 hits, no glitch  -        8 hits so far
Third test: 14 dice = 5 hits, no glitch     -        13 hits so far
I think that's enough (could have beaten an encryption level 6); if it's not, tell me then I will keep rolling.

[Kylen]

Monday February 15, 2072; 18:31, Jackson's Home, Everette, Seattle
Jackson; PAN = Passive; Broadcasting Roan Linth, RT4

"A little of both, sir. Wanted to make sure I wasn't going to be screwing with any Triad business. Any information would be wonderful, and I'll pay you back in double the favors. The pay's not great on this one, but I can feel a door opening." Jackson told his underboss, smiling. "If I swing this right, it could mean better business for you and me. So, floorplans, guard rotation, fake entrance IDs, anything you might be able to swing with out getting in to much trouble. Don't want to lose my favorite higher up, neh?" he said with a smirk.

[lwcoyote]

Monday February 15, 2072; ~18:10, The Edge, Elven District, Seattle Downtown, UCAS
PAN Status=Passive
SIN Status=Jenna McIntyre

With the table breaking up, 'Jenna' decides to make her way home as well. Standing, she offers those still remaining a careful smile. "Good luck, boys and girls. I'll see you all at twenty-two hundred." the elf comments, before easing away from the table, and heading out.

Stepping out of the resteraunt, 'Jenna' gazes around for a moment cautiously. As she does this, she messages the local taxi service for a cab, then briefly reviews Ironclad's e-mail. James Marsh.. Herman Mills. Neither name seems familiar. I'll have to send out a few feelers, I think. she ponders to herself.

After several minutes, the cab she orders arrives, and within another fifteen minutes of struggling through traffic the cab drops her off in front of her apartment building. After paying her bill, and leaving a tip, the elf steps out of the cab and into her building; at the same time, sending a message to her home cpu to increase the temperature and start a pot of coffee.

Monday February 15, 2072; ~19:00, Apartment of Jenna McIntyre, Auburn District.
PAN Status = Passive
SIN Status = Jenna McIntyre

After a shower and a change of clothes, into something much more comfortable, Leigh settles into the ultra-comfortable beanbag chair that she has in her living room, in front of the plasma television. Commlink in her lap, the elf wears a pair of image-link glasses rather than the contacts, which were begining to strain her eyes.

After a moment of thought, Leigh composes several messages; the first, addressed to Lieutenant Tallows, KE, and signed off with the name Jenna.

Salutations, girly! How're things at Home? Hoping you have some time to chat with an old chummer... looking for some information. @home, you know how to contact me.

(Note: the first referal to Home in the post to Lieutenant Tallows is refering to the Precinct she works at)

The second message goes out to someone named Kasey, this one signed 'Dancer'.

Omae. Looking for some info, will pay the usual rate. NeoNet on 19th. Anything interesting? Also: James Marsh, Herman Mills. Drop me a line.

Finally, the last message, somewhat more familiarly written, to a 'Daniel', from Leigh.

Hey bro, hows home and the little ones? Yeah, I know, you're thinking I usually come to you for information, and I'll admit this time isn't much differant. Sorry! What do you know about a couple of gents, Herman Mills and James Marsh; they were with Mitsuhama a few years back, but looking for more recent. Pass on love and hugs to Grace and Anthony, and say hi to Gloria for me. Will have to do lunch next week, right? Thanks!

(Daniel being her brother Contact, Grace and Anthony being his kids, and Gloria his wife, whom Leigh rather dislikes )

Messages sent out, Leigh sighs and settles back, resting her head against the sopha and closing her eyes. Havn't dealt much with NeoNet or Mitsuhama, so I feel like I'm walking around in the dark here. Hope this goes well.. a nexus seems like it would be fairly well guarded. Interesting group, though. That Talon guy is cute, if a little on the flirty side. Ada too.. she thinks, then chuckles softly to herself.

Re-opening the map in her image-link, Leigh frowns to herself in thought as she studies it. "Not familiar with the Ork Underground much, but I think I've been to that military hangout... hopefully I'll run into Blackjack and he'll guide me to  the meeting place.." the elf murmurs to herself, thinking outloud as it were.

[Deliverator]

Talon stands from the table and offers a slight bow to those remaining and heads for the door. Time to head home, gotta get changed and ready to work. Talon rings the local cab company and flags down a taxi, waiting on the curb doing a little people watching. As the cab approaches he enters smoothly, and gives his address, its in the seedy part of downtown. As the taxi pulls up, Talon pays his tab, and heads upstairs. One of these days I'll be able to afford a nicer place... if this Leatherface works out, might get me there. Talon enters his apartment, secures the door, and gets ready for the meet before the job. Not much else I can do. I doubt Tony or JT would know anything about a NeoNET facility... But I have plenty of time, I should get a workout in...

[StarManta]

Monday February 15, 2072; 18:31, Jackson's Home, Everette, Seattle

Ling thought for a moment. "Even if we don't have any business there directly, some of our friends might. I wouldn't normally do this, but I know how good your favors are, so I'll see if I can find anything. I'll get back to you if I do."

Monday, February 15, 2072; 18:33; Wylie's Gala Inn, Seattle Downtown, UCAS

Eliza's cryptanalysis first revealed the recipient of the message, one Jonas Killian. A cursory trace on the commlink ID revealed that it was registered under a well-known Horizon shell company.

A little bit later the message itself was decrypted. The message header indicated that it came from Horizon as well - but this one from the main corporation, not a shell company. Orders from a higher-up? Or at least that's what it was supposed to look like. The message was a video file. A square-jawed man wearing horn-rimmed glasses appeared in front of a full bookcase.
"Jonas, the time is now," he said sternly. "Be ready to receive the shipment tonight at 6PM. Here's the address…" The man proceeded to give an address somewhere in the Snohomish district. "This is the big one, Jonas; don't miss it."

There are more details about the video you might notice; make a Perception check if you'd like to try.

Monday, February 15, 2072; 20:00

Of Dancer's messages, the first to get a response was Kasey. Don't know about the others, she said tersely, But I've seen that Mills guy before. When I saw him, of course, his name was Mr. Johnson… One of my runners did a job for him a couple of years ago. Somewhere around the time of that press release, maybe. I seem to recall him being duplicitous as hell on details, but he did pay off in the end. You can pay me for this next time I see you."

Monday, February 15, 2072; 21:30

Daniel Stark sent back a reply a little later. Hey, I was at a dinner party, sorry it took so long to get back to you. I don't think I've heard the names before, sorry sis. Lunch sounds great, but I'm flying out on business Friday. Unless you happen to be in London next week too, we might have to take a raincheck on that. Week after, maybe? Love from the family!"

[Netzgeist]

Monday, February 15, 2072; 18:33; Wylie's Gala Inn, Seattle Downtown, UCAS

There are more details about the video you might notice; make a Perception check if you'd like to try.

Monday February 15, 2072; 18:33, Wylie's Gala Inn, Seattle Downtown, UCAS
Eliza Gebb, PAN = Passive (Meta Link), Autistic (Major); Broadcasting Ada Byron SIN rt.4

Some names spinned into Eliza's mind as she concentrated on the video: James Marsh (Leather Face), Herman Mills (His partner into doing an Urban Brawl Reality Show, according to Ironclad's research), Jonas Killian, Horizon... A lot of pieces on this jigsaw puzzle...

Without letting her mind wander too far, she kept her attention on the video.

4 (Computer) + 5 (Analyze Program) + 2 (Encephalon 2) + 2 (Hot Sim) = 13 dice
13 dice = 4 hits, no glitch

[StarManta]

Monday, February 15, 2072; 18:33; Wylie's Gala Inn, Seattle Downtown, UCAS

Eliza replayed the video, looking closely at every detail. The man was middle-aged, with slight traces of crow's feet around his eyes. His hair was a pale brunette, slicked back against his head. He appeared to be sitting at a desk, though the desk itself was out of the view of the camera. The bookshelf he sat in front of was unusual - who still uses books? In most fields they were just obsolete, especially in a new, modern corporation like Horizon. The resolution wasn't high enough to make out most of the titles of the books, but one of them, a huge tome at least two inches wide, was legible: "AAA Corporation Legalities and Precedent, 2010-2050". Sounded like something in a lawyer's arsenal.

[Netzgeist]

Monday February 15, 2072; ~18:34, Wylie's Gala Inn, Seattle Downtown, UCAS
Eliza Gebb, PAN = Passive (Meta Link), Hidden (Major); Broadcasting Ada Byron SIN rt.4

It was always a pity, but Eliza's persona took a deep breath and the digital world around her faded. The girl opened her eyes: somehow, she was always a bit surprised when she returned looking the world using them again. The horn-rimmed glassed man face was still imprinted into her visual field.

She stores a picture of the supposed Horizon Lawyer into her commlink, and then disconnects the datastick. Only then she allowed Major to reach for the wireless Matrix again.

Digging into a job details could be considered bad form, but it was worth the risk; Eliza now knows that, whatever it is that they are about to do, the repercussions are to be big.

An ARO in her glasses flashes the current hour, and tells her that just four minutes passed since she sent a message to her mother. Eliza instructs the Meta Link to redirect any message to Major. She hopes Danielle would call her soon.

[Thermo]

Monday February 15, 2072; 18:30, Ork Underground, Downtown
Dirk Blackwater; PAN=Passive SIN: Shin Shoryuken Rt.4

Dirk walked down the dirty and slick ferroconcrete steps towards the metal double doors that served as the access point to the Ork Underground. The doors were battered and scratched, easily visible under the bright sodium halide lights mounted overhead. The lights were encased in a thick metal cage to prevent vandalism. It probably wouldn't stand up to a shot from a heavy pistol, but it was more than enough to protect against rocks and bottles. Nobody in their right mind would shoot a firearm outside in the Downtown district, and anyone with a silenced weapon probably had more important targets in mind.

After reading the message about our new Johnson, he mentally checked through his contacts, trying to think if any of them might be helpful. There was always his street doc, who would have been helpful maybe 10 years ago when he was one of the prime docs in town. He was a loser now, and therefore wouldn't know squat. His snake shaman contact, Lafayette, might prove useful, as she was always a broker of secrets. Unfortunately, he didn't trust her enough to run a Johnson. She was the one to call to get dirt on the local Humanis Policlub chapter president, where there was little risk of blow-back. His gang contacts with the Skraachas wouldn't provide anything useful, at least not on the Johnson. However, they might very well know more about the tunnels below the target.

Dirk walked into the Skraacha den, pounding on the doorframe on his way in. It wouldn't really have mattered if he'd fired a Panther assault cannon at that moment due to the volume of the music. Something new from Orkman Thundermetal, if he wasn't mistaken. Sounded like a bunch of cannons fired in a tight sequence to resemble percussion, with a monster truck driving over a mountain of cars for melody. The room was empty. He thumbed the biometric lock on his locker and grabbed his weapons. He noticed the empty pizza boxes on the sofa and laughed, for there was a bitemark on the lid of one of the boxes. Looks like someone arrived late for dinner.

An albino ork ganger named Snowman walked into the room. They met fists in greeting, and he turned off the music. The whole place seemed to thrum with a life of its own even without the music, likely from the constant cars and pedestrian traffic moving mere meters above their heads.

"Oy, Snowman, I need to ask you something about the local topography. You got a couple minutes to go for a walk? Need you to help verify a couple things. There's 25 cred in it for your time, 75 more if you know anything useful."

Snowman had spent nearly his whole life in the Ork Underground, in that his albino skin simply couldn't handle the sun due to the near depletion of the ozone layer, even in Seattle's constantly overcast sky. The acid rain probably didn't help things either. There were few people who knew more about the hidden tunnels, sewers, and access points than him. He showed Snowman the satellite picture of the NeoNET nexus and asked him if he knew anything helpful about that section of the Underground. They headed off in that direction, after Snowman slotted the credstick with the 25 nuyen on it of course.

[Deliverator]

Monday February 15, 2072; 18:35, Public Transportation, Downtown Seattle
Sharp; PAN=Passive SIN: Nicholas Spikings Rt.4

Talon heads out of his apartment, locks up, and heads downtown on public transportation. Better get some work done

Talon steps off the bus a few blocks away from the NeoNET Nexus and starts walking, scanning the area for anything out of the ordinary, and any increased security presence. Doubt there will be much change this far out, but any security feeds will be checked if we are seen inside... As he comes into view of the actual target he looks for someplace he could take some time to watch and wait. Ahh stake outs... Finding an empty room in an adjacent building Talon sets up shop and starts clocking everything he can see across the street.

[lwcoyote]

Monday February 15, 2072; ~21:30, Apartment of Jenna McIntyre, Auburn District.
PAN Status = Passive
SIN Status = Jenna McIntyre

After a short nap, Jenna checks her messages; the former, from Kasey, was a bit surprising but potentially usefull. The latter, from her brother, somewhat less so. Dashing off a quick reply of thanks to both (along with mentioning it being unlikely she'd be in London next week), Leigh quickly slips into some comfortably clothing. Buckling on her Savalette Guardian under her greatcoat, the elf tucks a knife into her boot, then loads her SMG and a number of other items into a locking rucksack (list at end) before slinging it across one shoulder.

Knowing that it will take some time to get to the meeting place, the elf books it down the stairs to the parking area beneath the building, mounting up on her Monocycle and pulling out onto the street.

Notable Gear: Survival knife, Savalette Guardian heavy pistol (3 clips regular ammo), Ingram Smartgun X (3 clips regular ammo), Greatcoat and form-fit body armor