[bmoham]

<<Armadillo Bar: 2072.10.01 Midnight Saturday - Noon Sunday >>

After the initial panic recedes, Jack encourages Rozalie to re-open the bar for the last few hours of the night. He contacts some of the Armadillo's riggers and asks them to deploy a couple of drones and send the feeds to his comm link. Then he settles himself at the front of the door to keep a lookout for trouble and try to formulate a plan.

Over the next few hours he turns the problem over in his mind and bounces ideas off of a few of the more level headed and seasoned members of the Armadillos. He could retaliate, but honestly Carlson is the one who started things. That's why there's the rule about not hacking people at the bar! Jack's sure everyone knows that, but he's not surprised one of the new kids would try something stupid. Carlson was probably nervous. Why didn't I realize how scared they all were? Some of these folks actual have familes that kept them away from this sort of trouble. 
Jack suppresses the stab of envy he feels at the thought of being raised by a family - even in the barrens -  and goes back to working the problem. Simple retaliation would be a mistake. There are too many 405s to kill all at once, so that would start a gang war that the Armadillos would loose.
Maybe if I can keep the incident quiet enough, it can end here. Smith has a silver tongue. Maybe I can get him a private talk with the head of this set, and we can call it even.

When the last of the customers leaves Jack raids the bar's stash of longhaul and continues to devote his attention to watching for trouble. As he walks the area around and inside the bar he plays out attacks from every conevable angle and how to move things around to make the place more defensible.  A table shifted here, a window redone there. Would make it more impressive looking too. Less likely to have trouble if the place looks like it's ready for trouble.

By noon on Sunday Jack reviews the dossiers on each of the 405s that was in the bar and has formulated the beginnings of a plan.  Get the head of the set alone before word spreads up the chain, and convince him to leave things as they stand. We hacked them- they dump-shocked the whole crew - it's done.  Jack has a bit of a feel for the guy by now.
Would Intimidate work best? Etiquette? Negotiation? Do I need to kill him quietly and have the next guy in line take over before pitching the deal?

As each person arrives, Jack thanks them for coming and gets them some food and a drink. When the last person he's expecting arrives, Jack shows the group to a private room in the back and explains what he knows about the situation and his idea about how to fix things. "So, I can't give you guys much for this. Anyone who agrees to help I'll give 100 nuyen right now. I can probably swing another hundred once this is wrapped up, but that's about it - at least until I get paid again. I burned through most of what I got from the last run already. But the Armadillos would owe you a favor, and that's not nothing. We run a pirate server, so I could get you some software dirt cheap.* Maybe a tacsoft or something? Would be handy for other jobs." You can already hear his disappointment as he finishes "I know some of you have other work, and the money ain't great. No hard feelings if you're not interested. Lunch is on the house for coming by and I wish you the best. But I need to get this issue settled before I can do anything else." Jack really doesn't seem to expect many people to agree to help, but it's pretty obvious that he'd appreciate it.

intuition 4 +char 2 =1 bought hit (judge intentions)  to have gotten a read on the guy in charge based on the interactions Jack saw in the bar
Intuition 4 + Seattle street gang knowledge 4=2 bought hits to know the guys rep or more generally how this sort of things has been done in the past.
Any info the other Armadillos can put together [jack would have data-search 4 + browse 6 + hot sim 2 + feng shui 3 =15 dice on an extended test to dig up information alone, and if his agent assists him it  would net another die.- presumably there are others who are at least as good or better and they could cooperate to get 20+ dice easily]

* pirated software is 10% of cost, but its rating degrades over time - Unwired p94.

[DireRadiant]

Killer-B, Skraacha Control Section Seattle Underground <<2072.10.01 17:49:30>>

The halfer nodded and smirked, "Understood. Save my crudeness for the appropriate people. Don't worry, I have something very sophisticated in mind, cultured even. I just need your attendance in case of crudeness."

"I'll let you know when the face to face will be then?"

[Gaius]

Jenever's Trailer - Seattle <<2072.09.30 11:32:27>>

"It´s Jenever from lovely Leeuwaarden in Friesland you will miss something."

Jenever follows him to the door and leans against the frame still holding his glas. "Listen Vegas the offer sounds good and there is no doubt I will do it. Just let me know when you are back. Will send the feet to you as soon as I started to watch her. Got some nice drones to do this job.” He takes a big sip again and looks at Vegas. “Nice that you came by. Have a nice trip.”

When Vegas left he will go inside and write a message to Jack.
<<AR|VR:Jenever:: <<“Hey man, I could use some help. I need to trace an AccessID. Could you help me out with that? >> >>

[Necrogigas]

Linda's Place, Corner of Old Redmond  Road and 148th Ave NE - Redmond, Seattle <<2072.10.01 03:00:15>>

Reed mulled numbers over in his head for a moment before speaking, "25,000¥ with half up front. I know that sounds like a lot, but how much has Linda's death cost you? And how much more do you stand to lose if this is the first of many attacks? Could you really stomach seeing anymore of your girls end up like this?"

[spoiler=Negotiation Roll]
Pool: 17 ( Cha 7 + Negotiation(Bargaining) 10) Hits: 6
Roll
[/spoiler]

Armadillo Bar - Seattle <<2072.10.02 12:00:00 >>

Reed nearly cringed at Jack's public speaking skills, Good god he's a terrible speaker. If I hadn't accepted this job, I fear what this situation would've devolved into. He'd agreed to the job last night, but it seemed that Jack could use a bit of help convincing the others. He nodded to Jack, "I'm willing to help you Mr. Jack." He turned to the others, "It wouldn't hurt to get on the good side of a cabal of hackers and if we're all going to be working together then we should be willing to go a bit out of our ways for one another, within reason of course."

<<AR - Text: Jack:: You should speak with more assertion. If you aren't confident in what you're saying, then how can we?>>

[WhackedMaki]

Armadillo Bar - Seattle <<2072.10.02 12:00:00 >>

"What kind of job are you looking for it to be. Talking ain't really my thing. If you need something dead, I can probably help with that though."

[Ethan]

Saint - Seattle <<2072.10.02 13:41:16>>

Saint spent several minutes refreshing his memory about the differences between Barghests and Hell Hounds on any Matrix site that showed up in a generic search. After watching a "viral" video of called "Barghest vs Hell Hound" that showed two sleepy puppies licking each other then barking, he decides to type out a message to the crew.

(He checks his inbox first and reads the lunch meeting's summary.)

<<AR:Saint:Text:The Crew:: Hoi, chummers! Sorry I couldn't make it to lunch, but in exchange I got a lead on a job. What do you guys know of Barghests? Anyway, forwarding the materials to you all. We're going to need a Paranormal Hunter's License to start with, but it's 2,000 for each one we bring in. Mr. Smith might be able to raise that a bit further. Let me know.

Attached Files: Incidence Reports>>

[DiscoDwarf]

(@DireRadiant: still waiting on Turgan's answer to my post)

HardBoy - Armadillo Bar - Seattle <<2072.10.02 12:01:00 >>
HB visibly perks up at the mention of a tacsoft. Amongst the things that he'd ditched when he dropped the merc job, that was one of those things he missed the most. Having extra eyes and ears was so convenient, and made coordination that much easier. Drek, that thing would be awesome to have again, especially if I run with a crew[/color]. The idea of having a collection of hackers owing you a favor was not without merit either. He could pick up and decrypt some enemy communications, but real hacking was beyond his ken, and with everything running on the Matrix, there were no doubt about the usefulness of that favor.

"Jack, count me in, and don't worry too much about the money." He grins sudden, showing that discomfiting row of fangs he has for teeth. "The 405s are rich kids, I'm sure we'll find something interesting... 'along the way'."

[DireRadiant]

HardBoy, Big Rhino Seattle <<2072.10.01 17:49:47>>

Turgan shrugged his shoulders in answer,"Depends on the weather, projections point to maybe Tuesday, Wednesday be good. But I need someone along because the Skraacha boys are a bit low right now. You're about as good as two of them, and lighter, so it works out better too."

[bmoham]

Above the Armadillo - Seattle <<2072.09.30 11:32:27>>
Jack is stretched out on a beat up old mattress immersed in a full VR session of Miracle Shooter when a message scrolls by in his peripheral vision.

<<AR|VR:Jenever:: <<“Hey man, I could use some help. I need to trace an AccessID. Could you help me out with that? >> >>

Jack's VR avatar takes cover behind a large tree as he sends back a quick reply
<<text: I'll take a look. Send me what you've got>>
When the access ID arrives, Jack initiates the trace in the same peripheral screen and keeps Amazonian Hunting Safari front and center. In about a minute, Jack replies with the following
<<text: Easy enough. It's transmitting from Club Vegas in Puyullap. Why?>>

As he sends the message, a poisonous viper drops onto his avatar from a tree. Son of a...
Jack abandons his slain avatar, shifting his focus fully to the access ID for the first time. wonder who this is...


Jack devotes 1 IP to the trace and 2 to the game, but should still accumulate successes quite quickly, since the trace takes initiative passes.
[computer 4 + track 3 + feng shui 3 + hotsim 2 - target's stealth program]  (10, 1 IP). Succeeds if the stealth program is 2 or lower, I think.

Then a data-search on the ID: datasearch 4 + browse 6 + hotsim 2 + fengshui 3 =15 dice.

[sway]

Killer-B, Skraacha Control Section Seattle Underground <<2072.10.01 17:49:30>>
Benny nodded and responded in his native tongue, "As I said, I've got your back, Doc. Just drop me a line with the when and where of your meet, and I'll be there, assuming I'm not dead or dying elsewhere at that time, of course."
 
Having already started to turn to leave, Benny paused momentarily at the chop-shop's door, "By the by, I'm thinking about getting some of those wage slave wires. I just did a job with this new crew and it kind of got me thinking I need to expand my horizons a bit. So, if you come into a set or something, let me know."


Unnamed Dive Bar - Ork Underground, Seattle <<2072.10.01 22:33:00>>
The way back to his place from Zeke's chop-shop, Benny had stopped at a local dive bar for drink, when Jack's message came in over his line. Well, that's convenient. Guess this saves me having to call him for a favor.

AR | I'm basically free, so I'll be there tomorrow. However, I'll drop that modest fee offer of yours if you could do me a solid in return. I need information on a dirt-napped drug/biotech smuggler, possibly even an organlegger, who went by the name of 'Alvarez'. I may have dealing with the guys who put him out of business, and I'd really prefer not be flying into that sort of situation blind. Anything you can dig up would probably be useful, and then you could keep your cash and just consider us all squared-up.


Armadillo Bar - Seattle <<2072.10.02 12:05:11 >>
Benny rolled up to the Armidillo on his chopper but didn't really say much when he entered, other than shooting Jack and the others present a casaul Or'Zet 'what-up', as it were. However, when Jack spoke up about the pay, Benny perked up a bit, and apparently not too concerned about others present hearing, replied in English. "Like I s'ed to ya yesterday. You can keep da nyuen, if you don' mind pullin' that intel I told you 'bout."


Armadillo Bar - Seattle <<2072.10.02 13:42:09 >>
Benny glanced at the message from Saint. Which one was that again? Oh yeah, Mr. Eight-Ways. Since he figured everyone else present was getting the same message too, Benny didn't feel the need to comment on it, but honestly he was beginning to feel exasperated. Potentially murderous bio-smugglers for Zeke' some richboy, hacking, ganger-wannabes for Jack; and now some vicious paracritters on the line from this Saint guy.  In earnest, Benny had never been so flush with job offers. Then again, he'd also never heard of there ever being a recession in the shadows either. Nonetheless, Benny responded.

AR | A bit tied up at the moment with Jack's business, but I do have a general bounty hunting license. It's not paracritter hunting specific, but if your job involves an actual posted bounty on the beasties, I should be able to at the very least have a temporary permit issued on my license. Might have to grease the wheels a bit though. What's the time table on this? 

[Ethan]

Saint - Seattle <<2072.10.02 13:43:32>>

<<AR:Sway::Soonest. I'm gonna head to the area now, see if I can talk to the lady that got hurt. The message was sent to other people, don't know how many, so we may have competition. Tell everyone there that, will ya? Barghests, or even Hellhounds, operate in pairs usually so it could be 4000 nuyen for the both of them alive.

We're gonna need a "Seattle Metro Paranormal Hunter License", if you can add that to your bounty hunter license I'll split half of the cost.>>

[DiscoDwarf]

HardBoy, Big Rhino Seattle <<2072.10.01 17:51:15>>

Skraacha a bit low? Well that's good to know. HB made a show of "consulting his agenda" for a second before answering Turgan. "Tuesday or Wednesday? Because that ain't leaving much time, though I doubt I'll have something keebing me busy for them next four days." He pondered a second more, staring into the remains of his so non-Jewish ribs as an haruspex would peer into entrails in search of a mystical answer. Hell, 1.000 for basically sitting down and being a nanny sure sounds interesting.

"Yanni... alright, color me interested. Don't think anything else should come ub anyhow. Just to be sure though, three questions first: where am I going, where am I embarking from, and what's the name of the guy I'll be working with?"

HardBoy Armadillo Bar - Seattle <<2072.10.02 13:43:11 >>
As they are getting into what they should do about the 405s, HB also receives Saint's message.

AR : Saint :: Omae, we're kind of in a bind here. How 'bout you come to the Armadillo and help us out? Then we can talk about your thing. Besides, we might be dealing with hell hounds, so magic subbort would be good. As for Barghest, don't know much, big dogs, but at least they don't breathe fire.

[Ethan]

Saint - Seattle <<2072.10.02 13:44:04>>

AR:HardBoy::Yeah, I think I'll join you guys there after all. Somehow, I feel like things are about to get interesting for us all.

Saint - Seattle <<2072.10.02 13:58:32>>

Saint showered and shaved, putting on his body armour then the cleanest t-shirt and jeans he could find. He chooses his lighter lined coat. He stores his trust FN 5-7C in its own concealed holster, carrying a clip of Stick-N-Shock inside and a spare clip of Ex-Ex stored with the holster.

Before leaving for the bar, Saint closes his eyes and slows down his breathing. He decides to call a cab.

He summons a Force 4 Spirit of Man with the Innate Spell Stunball.

Summoning Test (Summon 3, Magic 4) (7d6.hits(5)=2) - 2 hits

Force 4 Spirit of Man (4d6.hits(5)=0) - 0 hits

Saint sends the Spirit to the Astral to wait until it's needed.

[DireRadiant]

Linda's Place, Corner of Old Redmond  Road and 148th Ave NE - Redmond, Seattle <<2072.10.01 03:00:32>>

2Fresh pales, and waveringly responds, "25 large... I... I can't."

He stands up, rubbing his face once, "Time to leave, thanks. "

Waiting at the door, he holds out a box "Linda won't need these anymore, and you can have this for your trouble."

The box contains 50 doses of eX.

[bmoham]

Jack - Armadillo Bar <<2072.10.01 22:33:00>>

AR | I'm basically free, so I'll be there tomorrow. However, I'll drop that modest fee offer of yours if you could do me a solid in return. I need information on a dirt-napped drug/biotech smuggler, possibly even an organlegger, who went by the name of 'Alvarez'. I may have dealing with the guys who put him out of business, and I'd really prefer not be flying into that sort of situation blind. Anything you can dig up would probably be useful, and then you could keep your cash and just consider us all squared-up.

Since Jack is focused primarily on watching for trouble, it takes most of the night for him to finish a datasearch on Alvarez the Seattle smuggler. 

<AR| I’m sending a file with the information I found. See you tomorrow>>

Armadillo Bar - Seattle <<2072.10.02 13:43:11 >>

<<AR – Text: Smith::Thanks for the tip and for the help.>>

Jack isn’t just relieved when everyone agrees – he’s clearly a bit surprised as well “Well, uh, thanks. So what do you guys thing about the plan? I found the home address of the head of the subgroup of 405s that came by here. He goes by Junior "Basset" Delaney, and stays at 11250 Southeast 6th Street in Bellevue. We did a pretty good job with last week’s home invasion, so maybe we try that routine again?
A couple people can go by, all casual like, and scope the place out. Maybe keep an eye out for when he’s there alone. When we’re ready I can shut down any security system the building has. Then we can go in, talk to him, and leave. Either Mr. Smith or I can take care of the talking.
It will go smoothest if we can get in and out without anyone seeing us. We might want to wear masks or something too, just to be sure.

In the meantime, I’ll open up a tab at the bar for you guys. When you’re not busy, you can come by here, hang out and keep an eye out for trouble. The manager’s name is Rozalie.  I’ll let her know you guys are available if the 405s show up. I haven’t slept since they came through last night, but eventually I’ll need to.


Datasearch on 'Alvarez' the smuggler:
Browse 6 + datasearch 4 + fengshui 3 +1 die from agent assist=14 dice. Buys 19 hits on the datasearch before I run out of dice.
Agent – browse 3 + agent rating 3 = 1 hit to assist the first 3 rolls – then it runs out of dice.