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Post by Wheels on Jul 13, 2006 19:01:47 GMT -5
Wheels had put in his two cents worth earlier, but the new Decker, BB? Was that her name? seemed to be putting a lot of faith in his decision. It also looked like he was the swing vote here and despite what he'd said earlier, he was kind of toeing the line. Quick could go either way but was leaning towards doing Dom's bidding, and Quick had pulled Wheels into this drek. But the rest of the team seemed to be leaning the other way. Hmm...
Bobby leaned forward with a gleam in his eye, and was about to speak when there was a knock on the door. Looking towards the door, his mouth still open to speak, Bobby waved Mao to open the door revealing Henri standing outside. Bobby hadn't really been introduced to him yet, but the magician had tried to help him out at the Jack-O-Lantern and that counted for something. He WAS supposed to be joining the team after all. Bobby waved him in to a chair as he continued. "As much as I appreciate the situation that we are in, being down gear, and going in blind and all, I am actually going to vote the other way. I say we take the Job!!" Freddy and Widow both started to talk at once, and Pelch leaned back in his chair smiling like a lunatic. Mao just shook his head, and Henri, who was just about to sit in his chair looked up confused at the sudden commotion.
"Wait, wait, wait...Lemme finish..." Bobby spoke up quite loudly as Quick stepped into the room closing the door behind him. He'd heard the noise and had come to see what was going on. "There are a bunch of reasons that I think we should take the job," Bobby said, sitting back down in his chair and indicating that everyone else should as well. "I'll try to list them, but they are in no particular order. First thing is, we are all trying to build reps for ourselves right? For whatever purpose that rep will serve you in the future, whether you want to get out of the biz or get better paying jobs in the biz or whatever. If we pull this off, not only is the cash reward great, but the reps we'll have will LET us pick and choose our jobs.
Next. We are a relatively new group, pulled in from a bunch of sources and yah we are learning to work together. Being new, I don't think that we can afford to turn down any jobs at this point. We might not get any more chances.
We are trying to learn to work together as has been pointed out numerous times. The fastest way to learn is by doing. Ever hear of the expression 'Trial by fire.'?? The fastest way to learn is by making mistakes and learning from the mistakes. Problem is, in our business, a mistake means jail, or worse for you and probably your chummers. But thats a risk that we all face every single time we choose to take on a job. If you weren't prepared for that eventuality, whatever your motivation to start shadowrunning in the first place, then you have no business running the shadows. Death is part of our occupation ladies and gentlemen, and the sooner you accept that, and the likelyhood that you will die doing it, the further along we will be. Our focus will shift from 'do we want to do this job?' to 'How are we going to do this job?'. I think not taking a job because we are 'afraid' is drek!!" Bobby slams the fist on the table to accentuate his point. It looks like Bobby is warming up to his subject and he gets out of his chair to begin pacing beside the table, his bearded head just barely above the table top itself.
"The next thing is, we are actually getting pretty good at scrapping by. It's one of the things that is carrying us right now. Now I am not saying that I'd like this condition to continue forever, but so far we've had a bit of luck-some good, mostly bad, a bit of experience and a bit of cooperation. As far as I can tell, thats only going to get better. The key is learning from our mistakes. I know we don't have a lot of time," Bobby says holding up his hand to Widow as she was about to interupt him to make the point of needing to train and rebuild, but he continues. "but the longer we take, the more chances that the bad guys are going to get us. Just because we don't take the job, isn't going to stop them from trying to get us. Dom's brother already knows who we are...Think he's going to stop trying to get us, since we are associated with Dom? Think that insect shaman is going to lay off, just cause we don't take this job? Frag, I don't give a rat's ass about marks that I am working against. 'Oh, they are tired today. I guess I won't blow up their doss then'." Bobby mimicks a little childs voice as he says this last part, drawing a snicker from Pelch and several stern looks from others in the group.
"Ahem...As I was saying. Even if we don't take the job, these other players, including Dom, KD&A and Ace aka the NAN, aren't going to suddenly drop their interest in us. Hell, by now, even the Spikes are probably looking for us. I say we might as well be TRYING to earn some nuyen for all the Drek that is going to be coming our way."
"The drek keeps getting deeper as we go anyways. Take Ace and the NAN backers and the whole Lair thing. They know its bugged, we know its bugged, hell, everyone knows its bugged. That don't mean that the NAN thru ACE Tomato isn't going to try and throw their hat in the ring as a player here. They've already tried to turn us to their side once..." Widow colored here slightly, but kept quiet to let Bobby finish, her lips pressed together in a tight frown. "So, add them to the stack. Then we got Nestle. Who knows if they are officially backing Tony or not. We have no way of determining that. But what if they are? What if they are behind Tony? Or what if they are behind the Insect shaman that tried to fry our hoop? That could make sense. Maybe Tony is off on a personal vendetta against Dom and Nestle is using his little adventure to quash Dom's interest in them. The Shaman and company watch his back without him actually knowing about it. Add a player. Them hitting us makes sense that way too. The timeline about Dom checking out Nestle's operation coincides with him bringing us online as a corporate resource. It's not that big of a stretch to link us to that. Maybe we were slotted to make the run on Nestle and they are being pre-emptive...
But you know what? All that drek don't matter. It don't matter right now who the BIG players are, cause we are just little players. We only need to worry about the little players that are aligned against us. We got some tough and immediate opponents and they aren't going to let us walk away. Even if we try. I say, we at least be earning our keep, as much as i know we need the R&R..." Bobby pauses for breath as he'd been talking steady now for a good 10 minutes. "My other thought is, why don't WE break the job being offered to us, down into smaller jobs??" That way we get job, the nuyen and the rep of being able to handle stuff that should be well above our current level. I am of course, assuming that we WILL complete the job..."
Bobby plops down in his seat, and doesn't notice the slight gleam of awe in BB's eyes as he takes his place beside her. "Thats my two more cents anyways, but, whatever you decide Widow, thats what we're doing. Part of the burden of leadership, I am afraid."
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Post by wolflet59 on Jul 14, 2006 10:14:04 GMT -5
No dissagrement there - I think Wheels has hit the best option.. We are all thinking along the same lines
We all agree that smaller jobs would be better, so we can concentrate and do them thoroughly. It doesnt stop us from taking the whole contract, but we will have to make sure that Dom is fully aware that ithe bigger picture will be investigated piece by piece. Like a jigsaw, there are bound to be links to the other parts...
It is another way of approaching a problem - do we spread ourselves thin and do the whole lot slowly - leading to all sorts of problems... weve tried that, and got fried. or take each piece and complete that part in a professional manner....
Widow doesnt want to take on the whole job and stretch ourslves to breaking point. As Wheels says, we can concentrate on the pieces and we CAN still take the whole contract.
That gets my vote - the whole pie, but slice by slice.
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Post by Pelch Gobwit on Jul 16, 2006 4:02:41 GMT -5
Where Widows fear to tread.
Widow looked at Wheels, "Very well. Everyone that voted says we should accept the job. We are doing so despite my reservations. Now, since I seem to be getting a vote of 'No Confidence' the next question that has to be raised is should I continue as leader? I was not officially assigned as leader by Dom or the group. This makes my current position ambiguous. Given that I seem to be the only one with serious drawbacks to our current plan I think we need to reconsider my position. I only continued in the role of leader during the previous emergency until the run was completed. That run is now over. Since it appears that the group wishes to go in a direction that I have little confidence in, then perhaps it would be better if the group was to select a new leader."
Pelch laughed, "So how many would be leaders of men, " He smiled at Widow, "and transvestite woman do we have trying for the job. I'll tell you for one, I don't want to try to lead this bunch of banana heads around. I have a full time job wiping the drool off Mao's chin."
Mao adjusted his hat, "I could become the leader, but then no one would team with Pelch. Someone has to babysit. You others can fight it out for leadership."
Pelch smiled, "Elections huh? So which of you is going to shoulder the burden. Speak up? How much will you pay for my vote?"
BB looked confused, "Pay? You mean you would sell your vote?"
"Sure." Pelch stated calmly, "That's healthy, it's good for business. Since no matter who gets elected we are all going to get screwed anyway, I figure I might just as well get mine up front and make some cred."
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Post by wolflet59 on Jul 16, 2006 9:37:06 GMT -5
This isnt a vote of no confidence - unless there is some dissagreement, youre still up there taking the flack.. the only adjustment is that we would like to take on the whole job -
But in simple steps, just like you wanted.. If we cant eventually solve the whole job, then so be it.. but Dom has to be made aware of that, again just like you figured.. You can still err on the side of caution - that too gets my full backing...
this way we kan keep half an eye on the glittering prize.. and you keep us from being stupid. win-win all round whaddaya say Guv?
Freddy winks at Widow - he had just outlined what she had wanted all along - go slow, training, smaller jobs to get the team together... and also what Wheels suggested - go for the prize, embrace the dangerous bigger jobs, get the rep..
She could keep the right direction going - still in charge to make sure they diddnt just charge straight in. And now with a team in full agreement !
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Post by Pelch Gobwit on Jul 17, 2006 3:47:22 GMT -5
OOC: Pelch, "HO HO HO, it's not going to be that easy. Better get some nominees up and get that vote done. "
Widow looked at Freddy, "You say this is not a vote of No Confidence, but it is, for BOTH sides. This is not what I wanted. What I wanted was to NOT take on this job at all. I was willing to put it up to a vote, and I did. I think you are all taking on more than you can handle. How would a failure with several people dead look on your reputation sheets? In my point of view how would it look on MINE as the leader? You want me to be responsible for something that I have stated up front that I think will fail miserably? You see I have NO CONFIDENCE that the groups luck will hold forever, everyone else is inclined to push that luck. Unfortunately, the lure of fame and money has colored your judgements dangerously in my opinion. Will it be any consolation if I get to say later, 'I told you so'?" Widow stood up and paced the room.
"You see I don't want your deaths on my hands because you guys are greedy for credit you may never get or reps you may never have because you take the wrong risks. I have NO CONFIDENCE in this plan, not even in piecemeal steps. Now I am willing to back a leader that DOES think they can pull this plan off. I'll be overjoyed if the leader can. I'll do the best job that I can in that respect. I WILL NOT lead the group into this situation, when I think their chances of survival are so slim. I have NO CONFIDENCE that this group can pull off the next job, even in small segments." Widow suddenly stopped and looked at Freddy,
"Now let's look at the leadership problem from your side. You're going to give me the power to LEAD on a plan I don't like? That's not a smart move. I'm biased already. I'm defeatist and that is going to color whatever judgments I will make. I will be too cautious and you guys don't WANT caution. You want to take risks, but I see those risks as unacceptable. My remaining as leader under those conditions is UNFAIR to all of you and it is unfair to me. You will want someone with a POSITIVE attitude leading. Someone who is fully supportive of the plan and WANTS to make it work. You want someone you can have CONFIDENCE in. Someone that is leading the group the way it has proven by vote that it wants to go. It could make all the difference in the success or failure of your run."
Widow smiled a predatory smile, "You see you can't escape it. You can't take on a plan I don't like and then tell me to lead you through it. You have to step up and take FULL and COMPLETE RESPONSIBILITY for this plan yourself, win or lose. I'm not going to ALLOW you to hide behind me and tell me to lead you through something I think is a big mistake. Since Wheels, Pelch, Mao and you all believe you CAN pull off this slicker than snail snot plan, then you are going to have to PROVE it by making the judgements and doing the planning! Are you feeling confident enough NOW in your plan that you will step forward and make it work the way YOU WANT IT TO? Show me the CONFIDENCE Guys and stand up and run your OWN plan. Let's get those eager leader volunteers up here right now! Will it be Freddy, Quick, Wheels, or Henri?"
Widow went to her chair and sat down and looked at Freddy and Wheels over steepled fingers, "I will support fully and loyally the leader that takes on the job. I'll do the best within my abilities to make the run a success. More than that, is way too much to expect of me under these circumstances. Now since Mao and Pelch have both declined to lead, and BB has given her vote to Wheels I suggest we get down to getting a leader ready to speak with JJ. She will be showing up soon. I believe due to my bias I will abstain from voting for a leader at this time, since I don't think we can pull off this next run anyway. " Widow sat back with a vicious smile.
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Post by gremlin on Jul 17, 2006 10:45:37 GMT -5
Henri sits and listens to both sides of the argument not quite sure what it's all about, having missed the start of the meeting and most of the previous job. "What exactly are we talking about here? I thought our next job was to prevent the hit on our Mr Johnson. What's all this about the NAN, Nestle & this Ace group or company?" Then, addressing Widow, he asks "Why don't you think we can pull off this next run?"
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Post by Mao on Jul 17, 2006 23:58:42 GMT -5
Mao continued to lean back in his chair and his hat covering more than half his face.
"I just want to make it clear...I'm not in it for the credits. The way you talked about the contract earlier Widow...sounded to me like in a slap in the face...thus I responded in the appropriate manner. It seems to me that me and Pelch"
"You mean Pelch and I don't you?" Widow levelled a finger at Mao...
"No clue what relations you two are having...but sure. Anyhow...as I was saying...we both are more interested in doing jobs than "leading" at the current time. As it stands Widow was the one that took the onus of taking the initiative to step up to claim the leadership position. I personally think that is a step in the right direction. She also has voiced many of my concerns...largely one of them being the fact that this team is in fact...not a team."
Mao nodded his head in the direction of Quick and group.
"You lads are under a different set of orders that supposedly should 'compliment' our jobs...that still means you dance to your own set of tunes...and hell...I never liked dancin anyway..."
"Cept maybe if a lady was doing so naked in front o me..."responded Pelch with a wide faced grin.
Mao could only shake his head and smile.
"Back to my point at hand...I agree with Widow's take. My vote falls along her idea of doing the small things...which semi fit in with what Dom wishes to accomplish. But any decent runner knows that accepting a job means following it to the letter...so unless Dom can change the conditions matching what Widow has said...it'll be a no go for me. You can't be doing a mission with everyone's hands on your throat. I'm a gambling man...but even I know when the odds are unfairly stacked and need to be..levelled out."
"I like the idea of dishing out some 'payback' as to the leaks and who's coming after us. Why not offer 'services' for the mission that we are suited for then Widow? If Dom's lads believes the mission can be pullled off...then perhaps they can do so of their own free will? Dom isn't in..so no clue if anyone has any power to change the conditions of the contract he wanted us to originally do..."
"That was my long winded version of my reasoning behind my vote and my stance towards supporting widow."
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Post by Pelch Gobwit on Jul 18, 2006 3:07:52 GMT -5
...except when I don't support you. "
No one seemed to get a chance to answer Henri because Mao spoke his piece and before anything else could happen their was a loud thump as Pelch hit the floor! Pelch had watched Mao talking and then had fallen out of his chair laughing, "HO, HO, HO! HAH, HAH, HAH! HAR, HAR, HAR! I can't believe I just listened to the most weaselly statement since Krass's last election! Widow flat out tells ALL of us that she don't support our decision as a leader. She makes it clear as crystal that one of us needs to step up and be the leader if we won't accept her direction for the group! Sheesh Mao, clean the fragging potatoes out of your ears! The lady, and I use that term loosely, says she don't like the plan, didn't MAKE the fragging plan, and so doesn't want to be responsible for said STUPID, MORONIC, IMBECILIC, RETARDED PLAN! Another words she challenged us to step up and make it work. Now she told us that TWICE! I don't need to hear you guys skipping like a bad DJ's record over and over because you refuse to accept her decisions! Now listen closely you hat tipping beetle brain, we got a choice. We can call or we can fold, betting boy!"
Pelch looked at the group with some amusement, "As far as I recall WIDOW has NEVER said she even supports a partial plan. That was Freddy's idea as I recall. You guys need to start remembering who said what. The main reasons is if you get a good idea you might want credit for it."
Pelch looked at them semi-seriously with a half smile that was bitter, "OK Widow says if we go with our plan she don't want to be responsible for it because we might all end up dead with NOTHING to show for it. I'm down with that. Makes sense. Why should she be held accountable for some lame-brained notion we came up with? Got to side with her on that. So it's put up or shut up time. Someone has to either OWN this plan or we all admit the Widow's right and we do it her way even if none of us agrees with it! The NuYen stops here, weasels. Either carry the ball or go sit on the bench! Well I'll be fragged if I let a WOMAN tell me I ain't got the guts to stick with my decisions!"
Pelch glared at Wheels, Mao, Quick and Freddy, "I for one am more than willing to put my foot where my mouth is. How long have I been living on the street? My life expectancy is for drek anyway unless I can make a big score. Looking at you bunch I don't have any qualms about you all taking a subterranean vacation permanently if I can make a killing in the process. I don't see much in any of you that makes me worry about you taking a lead pill with complications of the heart if I can get rich off it! I'm FOR the plan and unless ONE of you BIG DOMES wants to step forward and OWN this fragging plan then I'll fragging lead you all and spend your lives like fragging URINE to make myself rich! Now you all got that? So if you want to avoid me telling your hoops where to go and what to do in DETAIL, and expecting it to be done the way I FRAGGING want then you better jump in and show me what your made of!"
Widow smiled with that predatory smile, "Now that's the leader for this plan. The worlds DUMBEST, UNEDUCATED BOOB. I suggest you all take him up on that offer."
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Post by gremlin on Jul 18, 2006 17:40:40 GMT -5
Henri looks at Pelch for a second, then "Frag that for a game o' soldiers! I think it's safe to say none of us wants a leader who'll sell us to our enemies! I might be willin' to step up...if someone tells me what this plan is and if someone'll tell me who the other players are besides Tony."
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Post by Mao on Jul 18, 2006 19:10:51 GMT -5
"Nice o speech there bucket o dung but you weren't listening you see? You're just trying to take credit for what I've just said. What widow said makes sense and I'm all for it. She suggested the idea of doing small things did she not? Freddy just continued to elaborate widow's original idea. We're in the thick of things now whether we choose to or not and trying to "score" won't happen when folks are trying to get you killed at every turn. I've always chose solo operations and I shall continue to do so at this rate since you folks look at money above all else. So if you're saying the vote is suppose to be a "fold or call" at this point, I'm folding. But I can tell you now since we do not have any contract "right now in this instance" so if I don't see things go anywhere near what I've said earlier I'm going to walk out and take my chances solo and elsewhere."
Mao gets up off his chair and stands up going to the counter for a drink.
"Bunch of sorry ass greed filled pissants should be led by the king of them all...so Pelch...I can see why you just voiced it when you just earlier said you didn't want a turn in leadership."
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Post by Pelch Gobwit on Jul 19, 2006 3:23:42 GMT -5
OOC: Pelch, "I'm having a lot of fun Mao-baiting today. Nothing REALLY personal here Mao. Just killing some time until the others get a chance to vote or make their preferences known. " Pelch looked at Mao ignoring Henri and the rest of the group. "Now I KNOW why they call you Mao, your head is stuffed full of straw! Your street name should be 'hay mow'. Didn't I see you in the Wizard of Oz? Oh, if you only had a fragging brain. NO, IDIOT, Widow did not suggest doing it a piece at a time!" He looked at the others smiling, "See? I told you I have a full time job keeping this dunderhead straight! The first thing I'm going to do when 'I' become leader is assign him a NEW BABYSITTER!"Henri spoke up yelling, "I just said you are not going to BECOME the LEADER, you tired, uneducated, Hitlerized, sod! All I need to know is the answers to my questions!"Pelch yelled back, "You expect me to give you the fragging answers? Some leader you'll fragging make! You don't even have a clue to what you're volunteering for, but you can fix it, Right? Are you by chance a member of the Krass political system? Now old 'hay mow' threatened to fold out and run away. What will you do about that? Loosen his hat around his pointy head, so that he can get some oxygen to the brain and start thinking again? Maybe you ought to make him your running mate!" Pelch looked at Mao, "Now why don't you just make it clear to everyone without all the double talk. Make it easy so even I can understand it. Let's try just one 'Yes or No' question for Mao without any of the Gray areas. This way we may actually KNOW what he wants to do. Show some guts, make a fragging decision and stick with it!""Do you think Widow should stay leader?"
"If your answer is YES then you had better support her plan. If the answer is NO, then you better name a new fragging leader you will support!""Now TRY to answer that question without diving out on your team when the going gets tough!"
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Post by emyaj on Jul 19, 2006 7:04:47 GMT -5
"Well I for won't follow you Peltch and as for Widow if she feels like this is a dead-mans run we would be better off not doin it then noone seems up to steppin up to lead. I for one know I am not a leader conflicts with my job and habits.I need to take care of a few things here so while you sort out this drek I am goin to take care of some things and return shortly." This said Quick gets up and heads out the door.
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Post by wolflet59 on Jul 19, 2006 7:53:53 GMT -5
There is a lot of ducking the leader going on here, because Widow does not like the idea of taking on the whole job of protecting Krass and Dom - for all the earlier reasons she stated..
We havnt even been given a contract yet - or thrashed out the details of it. And there is already a falling out amongst us. Proving her right.
Why not hear out what Dom has to say before we slit each others throats arguing about what could be..?
Then we can look at the best way of approaching it would be
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Post by Mao on Jul 19, 2006 12:54:46 GMT -5
OOC: No worries it is just all part of the game mano.
Mao with two drinks in hand passes one to Pelch.
"NO wonder your name sounds like Belch. It probably was your name until you changed it try to...but wasn't smart enough to change it so that no one would guess. Everything that comes out of your mouth stinks Belch. Why don't you try to wash it out with a drink."
Prodding Pelch in the chest with a finger, Mao smiled and gave Pelch his answer.
"My answer to that question is quite clean and simple...I support Widow as leader and am willing to follow her plan. I vote yes. There was never any double talk just you acting like a greed filled pissant as usual."
Mao chugs down the JD shooter and puts down the glass.
"And if I was ever a leader, first thing I'ld do is assign you a nanny considering why I hang around is to pick up the pieces from the mess you leave after your cockamamie plans."
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Post by wolflet59 on Jul 19, 2006 16:55:42 GMT -5
Here you go Henri.. what were up against..
Mao met this Tony guy.. Tony explains that he is Doms bro and is out to get him for deeds done way back when, after wasting Krass.
The early team have been dogged by attempts to take em out - a ganger attack, then the fireball from the insect shaman and his metal mate. both attacks knew what they were looking for, and when and where they would be
Krass - and therefore Dom have put out a contract on the Nestle corp, we believe... who we presume have ordered in some of their own teams to investigate.. maybe how tough Dom's teams are.. a recce by fire.. hit them - them being us.. - and see how we react.
We have been recruited and been given a kinda secure hidey-hole by Ace Tomatoe - who are a front for NAN - NAN dont like Krass and Seattle so now they have a good idea wh threw in their lot with Krass... weve taken the Krass corp shilling and chosen sides.
No doubt there are other vested corp interests, some for, some against Krass - and most of them can see who is on whom's side, apart from us who havnt done our homework.
So far weve scraped through..
We now have a problem in that Widow recons that scraping through will kill us in any future engagements... Wheels disagrees and thinks of it as a standard professional hazard.
I think that we have so far been probed - if they wanted to kill us then they too could have had a backstop like Quick to just assasinate us all. Tony used us to send a message.. it is like they realise we are not good enough to take them on and instead are using us as a professional channel to directly inform our employers.
We are not ready.
The big BUT is - there is a one mill reward out if we stop an attempt on Krass' life. Mao says it aint the yen.. so do I. It comes in useful, but if youre not there to spend it, what is the point.
The other concideration is that we have signed up, and it will be difficult to go down other freelance avenues.
We need to show that we are capable and professional - by succeeding, so we are caught in a dilemma regarding this major contract.. do we duck it like Widow says, or embrace it like Wheels suggests.. both have merits.....
Everyone has so far trusted Widow, rather trusting to yen... But really it is not up to us - it is up to her whether she takes on the leadership.
I said earlier we dont even know what contract Dom will offer - and I agree we are not good enough to take on Krass' security, but I dont think he would trust only us with that anyway.. so let us hear out what Dom has to say, and what area or areas he wants us to investigate
so we delay any leadership contests, until we get the facts straight.
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