[The Wyrm Ouroboros]

>>>>>[ First, Cobalt Marie (not 'Cobalt Marie's') isn't a place to 'try'; you're either in or you're there on sufferance.  Second, I was never in; other things to do, and I'm not the sort of mover and shaker that they prefer.  Third, what information I had on their location is two decades out of date, and considering they never stayed in the same place more than six weeks, I'd say that it's pretty stale.
          Analysis indicates they're still in business, though. So if you want a place where - sorry, Iceblade - the real movers-and-shakers go to actually relax and/or do serious business instead of having a photo op pressing flesh and kissing babes, do some research and dig it up. It'll still be out there somewhere. ]<<<<<
          -- The Wyrm Ouroboros (01:00:00/12-24-2074)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[Indeed. However, we're talking about how you break into those circles, Wyrm. And the easiest way to break into the circle is to get noticed while they're at one of the more public functions, and get them to bring you in to the private functions, as I said. You don't just decide to join the private clubs where the movers and shakers go to relax. You have to be let in, usually on the recommendation of a current member. Which means you got to get yourself an invite somehow. So for people looking to move up, public clubs are the place to start.

Actually, a good amount of business goes on in some of the VIP areas of the public clubs, such as the private rooms in Infinity or Hell in Dante's. Security is good, and the only people who can get in are on 'their level', and there's no cameras or recording devices allowed. Makes for a relaxed atmosphere. Compared to the trouble of leading the paparazzi to the door of a private club (since avoiding them is an even bigger hassle), it is much easier on them. And you can approach them easier under guise of a party than you can in the private club where everyone goes to their secluded alcoves for quiet discussions. Getting the introduction is the hardest part of turning a mover and shaker into a contact, after that, if you have the skills and resources, showing them why they'd like you to be in their entourage is easy.

I had it easy, to be honest. Even before the revolt, I had memberships in several private clubs in Seattle. 'Tir noble' still counts for a bit when you're trying to get into places legitimately. Afterwards, being in Seattle, and playing the 'exiled nobleman' card, I was able to get a bit of attention, and people brought me in. My side business helped make me popular in those circles, and being able to procure samples of certain delicacies from home was always helpful. Remember, there are few true friendships at the 'mover and shaker' level. You have to show how you're useful to them.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (03:33:22/12-24-74)

[Kot]

>>>>>[I was just on the phone with my mom (it's Christmas in the old country). You'll get some extra fine Polish Christmas food, for getting my rear end out of that mess. And believe me, it will be all natural. She lives in a green community, in the middle of an half-awakened forest. Good thing to know some things never change.
I've got a second knife (I took a few bullets to get it), and just holding it makes me feel sick. It's probably worse than the first one. And it seems there's more than one group, this guy had a blue leaf tattoo on his palm, as did two others whom I managed to identify. This is way bigger than I thought.]<<<<<

--NiSayer (04:33:22/12-24-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[Could be different chapters of the same organization, especially since the group in Seattle has been hurt bad. If you'll take the knife to a local office of the DIMR and tell them I sent you, you'll be paying off a favor I owe them. I'd make the delivery myself, but being in Pensacola right now means you'd have to get it to me here first, and I don't feel right having someone carry tainted artifacts across borders unless they've got experience doing it.

Also, I just sent you the location of a cache I use sometimes when I need to lay low, along with the security codes. No weapons on site, but there's food and water to last a couple weeks, along with a shower and a few sets of clothes. Oh, and if you can, take a couple pieces of one of those guys you killed to pay off the physical security. There's a ghoul by the name of Maria who keeps an eye on the place for me. She's also in charge of keeping the wards up. You'll probably want to get rid of the dagger before you meet her, though. She gets twitchy around things like that. Don't worry, she's second generation, so not contagious.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (16:19:22/12-24-74)

[Kot]

>>>>>[Thanks for the stuff. I really needed that. Never knew Ghouls can be that much fun to be around. Well, another "fact" goes down the drain. I didn't get her any "takeout", but I gave her the location of that guy who tracked me. I'll have to keep this goddamn thing for now, even if it stinks like a mass grave (seen one, smelled also, so I know what I'm talking about). They seem to have most big outfits monitored. A few people I know are on the job, and they don't know it's me (otherwise I'd be dead by now, or worse).
I know they're sending spirits after me, but it doesn't seem to work. It's not the blade, because they still have spirits popping out in places I know. People are starting to get annoyed by it, you can see that in chat rooms all over the city. Knights are also interested. I'll finish my dinner, and head out. Something is not right. I need to see someone, whom I trust with my life, and it's a hell of a trip. If anything happens to me, my agent will post some stuff for you. If I manage to scrape some cred from my shadow assets, it will be a job for anyone who can pull it off. I won't have any matrix access most of the way, and I'm starting to think they'll hire someone who can track me finally. So, over and out. See you in a few weeks, hopefully...
Wish me luck. I am going to need it.]<<<<<

--NiSayer (19:57:05/12-24-74)

[All4BigGuns]

>>>>>[I don't really trust my vehicle armaments to be all that effective against spirits from what I've seen and been told, but if you have any contacts that can arrange for some heavier armaments to 'fall off the truck' like maybe a Firelance and some plating for depleted uranium smart armor, I could see about running interference on those nasties for you.]<<<<<

--Wheeler (00:17:54/12-25-2074)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[If NiSayer is off the grid already, that won't help him any. However, the fact that he's been able to get this far means the magical group in question probably doesn't have a workable ritual sample they can use against him. Meaning that as long as he stays under the radar, he should be safe, even from spirits for a while. Because you have to know where to send spirits on their services. That is actually the best way for a mundane to fight against a mage he can't see. When he turns up someplace and gets back on the grid, that'll be the real test.

As far as vehicle armaments vs. spirits, if you have a LMG and either APDS or SnS ammo, you should be fine, as long as you can hit them. A really high Force spirit will shrug that off, but if you're facing a spirit that tough summoned by magicians just to chase you, you are already dead, and just don't know it yet, because ritual magic will be incoming. So if the LMG doesn't work, get the hell out of dodge as fast as you can, and get a mage to put wards over you.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (03:39:22/12-25-74)

[All4BigGuns]

>>>>>[Yeah, but it made a good excuse to see if someone could arrange a Firelance to fall off the truck.]<<<<<

--Wheeler (12:55:07/12-25-2074)

[Smiley]

>>>>>[Oh, Ice, you know me better than that! When did I ever bring ruin to a party? Although, I suspect the ambiance will be tense a little, at least at first. I heard the nobles still drek their pants when I visit the Tir! Hahaha! It's hilarious since I made a point not to get involved in Tir politics. Well, at least concerning that Rinelle business. I ever took out only two Tir nobles, a baron and a duchess (which will not be named here) and it had something to do with adultry! Hahaha!

And there are many ways to get entry in all the nice private club but ultimately, it all comes down to convincing a current member to get you an invite. There are still many clubs I don't have access to in the areas I operate, but in Seattle, they are very few if none at all. And no, I don't provide invites to strangers I meet on networks, no matter what their rep says.]<<<<<
     -- Smiley (11:02:54/12-26-74)

[Mirikon]

>>>>>[I figured as much. Mother just wanted to be sure I passed on the message. The party will be on the 16th, as I said, at the family estate outside Malek'thas. You and Autumn are both on the guest list, though getting there is your affair. I doubt you of all people will have trouble with that, though.

As for myself, I am a member of every club worth mentioning in Malek'thas, Cara'sir, and Seattle, but I also don't provide invites to people I don't know personally. On that score, it is no different from dealing with organized crime outfits. If someone you bring in causes embarrassment, then that reflects poorly on you, and can jeopardize your own standing. However, if you bring in 'guests' when playing Mr. Johnson, that's another story.

Personally, when I need to contract out for something I can't touch myself, I always use Club Penumbra. Makes young punks think I'm new to this, which means I have a leg up on them if they try something stupid. If I give them repeat business, the meet moves to less cliched venues. And yes, there are jobs I can't, or won't, get directly involved with. Usually where I am acting as a middleman for someone who needs a healthy separation between them and the action. Which is why I keep an eye on young runners that show promise, like Predator, Card, and Murphy. Plus, if I ever need another gun for a run I'm actually working, I already have a file full of names that have proven themselves ready to draw from, without the need of reaching out to the local fixers, and spreading info about the run unnecessarily.]<<<<<

--Iceblade (11:31:22/12-26-74)

[All4BigGuns]

>>>>>[I appreciate the compliment about me showing promise, Iceblade. No idea on how old Card is, so unless he's older than I am, I suspect that I'm probably the oldest of the three of us you mentioned specifically.]<<<<<

--Predator (22:01:08/12-26-2074)

[Smiley]

>>>>>[Me, I'm literal skeleton key in the Seattle area (only exceptions are mob hideouts). I've also got membership in some of the important (at least the ones I consider important) clubs in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Tianjin, London and the FDC (but shhhhh). Doors have recently opened in Paris and Manaus and I'm working toward having the necessary contacts in Denver and Atlanta.I didn't even bothered with the clubs in Cara'Sir and Malek'thas, not because they're not worth it, but because the ones I would need membership have apparently a nobility title requirement.

That reminds me that very often, when a rich asshole wants to impress me with his connections when meeting for a contract, invites me to one of those private and selective clubs. None of these narcissistic scumbags ever check the member's list. The look on their faces when I walk the front door and someone runs towards me to take my jacket off with a "Mister Chan, always a pleasure to see you visit. Will you sit at your usual table or shall I make one of the private rooms available to you?", it's fraggin' priceless! Hahaha!

And keeping a list of potentially useful talents is indeed a good idea. That's why I made a point to not to take out the competition unless necessary during my career as an international contract killer. Now most of the guys I spared during those runs now works for me, grateful that I didn't take their life! Well, I guess the generous salary I give them also helps with their gratefulness! Hahaha!]<<<<<
     -- Smiley (22:52:09/12-26-74)

[All4BigGuns]

>>>>>[Now you're just bragging, Smiley. And after saying that you won't give invites to those you meet here. Cruel, cruel man.]<<<<<
     --Predator (22:54:30/12-26-2074)

[Smiley]

>>>>>[The key word was "strangers". But yes, I'm not gonna lie, I do love to brag a little. Hahaha!]<<<<<
     -- Smiley (23:01:40/12-26-74)

[All4BigGuns]

>>>>>[Was joking, Smiley, but you seem to be taking it in good humor. Hehe.]<<<<<
     --Predator (23:06:19/12-26-2074)