[Phylos Fett]

[spoiler=@Runt]"I'll take you up on that ride. I'm still getting used to this town."[/spoiler]

[Xabulba]

@RuntJ1:
 1) Access ID;  S1tz6066
2) Matrix Attribute: Firewall; 3
3) Matrix Attribute: System; 3
4) Is there a databomb attached to the node logon? No.
5) Is the node encrypted? No.
6) Is Analyze running? No.

J1:
 1) Access ID;  <Unknown>
2) Matrix Attribute: Firewall; 5
3) Matrix Attribute: System; 5
4) Is there a databomb attached to the node logon? Yes.
5) Is the node encrypted? Yes.
6) Is Analyze running? Yes.

OP:
 1) Access ID;  Bertinelli Electronics #3
2) Matrix Attribute: Firewall; 4
3) Matrix Attribute: System; 5
4) Is there a databomb attached to the node logon? No.
5) Is the node encrypted? No.
6) Is Analyze running? No.


"The only other information I have is 20,000 units have been shipped and will be arriving by cargo plane This coming morning" "Now our patron and I shall take our leave, contact me on this comlink ID  'S1tz6066'" Mr. Johnson says as he gets up and motions for the patron to follow him out.


What does the group intend to do?

[kirk]

Runt steps to the side to let them leave in peace. While he stands ready to back a play if one of his group intends it, his main goal at this point is to get to the Black Dragon Tavern and see if they've any decent hurlg. Oh, and to have a quiet and hopefully secure planning session with his group.

[Mirikon]

Iceblade nodded to the Johnson and the patron, and then stood. "I've got a car, but it isn't really anything I'd take on a run, besides the fact that it is leased under my fake SIN. We may want to rent a van to take care of transport for the run itself." Looking the others over again, he tossed them the location of the Black Dragon. "Before we leave, we might as well do basic introductions. I'm Iceblade, and I'm a combat mage, possession tradition. I'm alright with the smooth talking, but I'm no replacement for a real Face."

[jonathanc]

Xinzhi watches the two men exit the room impassively, then slowly turned her head towards Operator. "I guess you're with me. I hope this bar is all it's cracked up to be." she says, then slowly rises to her feet.

Xinzhi is about 5'6" tall with a wiry build and almost preternaturally defined muscles, where you can see them. Her skin is extremely pale, almost translucent, and her eyes are pink with dark red pupils. She's dressed in loose long pants, dirty sneakers, a tight black t-shirt and an unzipped UCLA hoodie. Her hair is dyed a bright electric blue, but her eyebrows and eyelashes are shock white.

"You can call me Xinzhi. I resolve problems. Usually violent ones. One thing you should know about me is that I'm not a morning person."

[kirk]

Runt tips his hat and bows slightly. "Charmed, ma'am, and Ah shall strive to see that Ah never disturb your good morning's sleep."

Standing upright, he looks around at the group. "Ah have a van, but Ah'd rather not have to get rid of it if'n things go peculiar. The point is that if'n any of you'ns need, Ah've transport to this... Black Dragon Tavern, Ah believe it was.

As to what Ah bring to the table, Ah dance with drones and the matrix. Occasionally Ah repair things that have been broken. And once in a while Ah can provide a ride for a friend in need."

[Operator]

"If it is not owned by the Dragon Mother, then it is an improvement."

Operator rose to his feet, sliding the chair underneath the table. His height advantage over Xinzhi was tenuous, about two to three inches at best, and his sense of fashion didn't rank much better - a lined coat, loose tan khakis, and a dark olive green shirt. While not exactly dressed to impress, the Asian male and his clothing were clean.

"I'm Operator, and I also handle problem solving. I can talk a little more of that once we've relocated."

[Mirikon]

"All right. Then I'll drop off my ride and meet you all at the Dragon. In the meantime, why don't we all try and reach out to some of our contacts, and find out who runs protection for this warehouse. Might be good to know if we're stepping on anyone's toes before we start."

[kirk]

Runt steps to the door, opens it, and nods to Xinchi to precede him. "After you, ma'am."

When (if) she passes through, he then looks at Grimm. "Come along if'n you're comin' with me."

[jonathanc]

Xinzhi is surprised at first by Runt's gallantry, but smiles politely and steps through the door. "Operator is with me. Lets hope this job goes well; I never want to see the inside of this place again."

[Mirikon]

"You'll get no argument from me there, my dear."

And with that, he slipped out of the bar, heading for a nondescript sedan parked not far away. He got in, and drove off, heading towards the nicer parts of the sprawl.

As he drove, he put in a call to Shannaleth, first to let her know he was meeting some companions at the bar shortly, and secondly to find out if she'd heard anything about the warehouse they'd been asked to raid.

Forty-five minutes later, a cab lets Iceblade out in front of the Black Dragon Tavern.

[kirk]

Assumption: Grimm is following/with Runt. reserving the right to edit based on Grimm deciding to do otherwise.

The small (for a troll) figure in white suit and Panama hat points to a brown step van that has "Standard Security" in magnetic letters on the side. "Allow me to make introductions. Grimm, this is mah chauffeur, transportation, Hoke, and inside you'll meet Beauregard, mah hound. Hoke, Beauregard, this is our guest, Grimm."

As we enter the van, Grimm will see a modified GM-Nissan Doberman. It has a grappling attachment at the front, painted to resemble jaws. There is presently no weapon in the weapons mount. Obviously, this is Beauregard.  Looking around he'll see the front seats have been modified to be comfortable for trolls. There are two long benches, one on each side. Behind the driver's seat is a rigger's cocoon, again somewhat larger than normal.

"If'n you'll pahdon me, ah prefer to operate from mah throne. We can talk over the matrix, though, while we go. Feel free to set yohself in any seat that makes you comftable."

Before entering the rig, Runt removes three small drones from his pockets. Two, he sets against the cocoon where they cling securely. The third, a dragonfly, flies to a bench where it sits with fans running, obviously ready to cope with any movement the van makes. He then enters the cocoon and attaches all the straps, then closes the lid firmly. With that, he enters the matrix in VR and begins a series of tasks.

instructions to van "Hoke, connect to the grid and take us to the Black Dragon Tavern." He uploads the coordinates to the pilot of the van. "Stop in unloading to let Grimm and me out, then park as close as you can within the constraints of the grid and standby for further instructions."

Next, he makes certain his systems are in record, and sends a message to Grimm. "I noticed you didn't speak up at the end. So, what's your story, sir?" He makes a note to review the response in his recordings. Time to do some dancin' with the light.

"The first thing," he thinks to himself, 'is to learn how things should work. I need a little learnin." With that he compiles a Tutor sprite that can teach him retail logistics, especially for Aztechnology electronics distribution, while the van makes its trip.

Compile R6 Tutor sprite, CF Knowsoft (Retail Logistics [professional]), option CF Knowsoft (Aztechnology Electronics distribution system [professional]), option CF Knowsoft (Retail electronics statistics [academic]).

Compile (4) + Resonance (6) + Hotsim for Matrix test (2) = 12 dice. Compile Tutor sprite. (12d6. hits(5)=4)

Int (4) + Resonance (6) = 10 dice to resist fading. Resist fading on tutor sprite compile. (10d6.hits(5)=1) Ouch.

Pause for GM response. I need to know the sprite's compile roll - if I'm going to get any services - and how hard that fade is going to hit before I use the Tutor.

[jonathanc]

Xinzhi quickly exited the "restaurant" and led The Operator to her motorcycle. It was cheap but functional. She waited just long enough for him to get situated on the bike before taking off, her heightened reflexes guiding the bike through the traffic-choked streets of Los Angeles until they arrived at the  Black Dragon Tavern.



OOC: Just trying to move us along to the second meet point; if The Operator has any actions before we get to the bike, I can edit.

[Operator]

Operator departed from the establishment, following Xinzhi to her bike. He crouched slightly, keeping a low profile as Xin whipped through the streets. Behind them, Wannabe's slipped out of sight and into the darker recesses of his memory.

Upon reaching the tavern, Operator slipped off of the bike and brushed some errant dust from his shoulders. "I'm feeling better already. In fact, I'll even buy the first round of drinks."

[Mirikon]

Iceblade stepped out of an alcove where he'd been waiting. Nodding to the others, he smiled at Operator's comment. "I'll hold ya to that, Operator." He opened the door and led everyone inside. Most people, when they entered the Black Dragon for the first time, had to do a double take to make sure that there wasn't an AR overlay over the whole place. The entire bar was done up in a Tolkein-esque tavern style, the kind that seemingly every fantasy sim or game visits at least once or twice. The staff were all dressed in costume, and if anyone bothered looking in the astral, they'd see that every last one of them was awakened to some degree (there were even a couple free spirits in the building).

A grin on his face, Iceblade said, "The owner and I go back to the old country together. She has a private room where we can talk without trouble." He led the way, nodding or chatting to the various staff members, most of whom greeted him well enough. Seems he was a regular here. Only reason he ever showed his face in Wannabe's was to find work.