Post by darkstar on Apr 20, 2006 13:45:39 GMT -5
First to arrive is the `limo' group. Tortuga pulls into the garage
driving a beat-up old jalopy that is covered in dried up mud [see
pic]. It rumbles into a parking spot, the sound of its powerful gas
engine a stark contrast to it's pitiful exterior.
As Ashi, Chain and Tortuga pile out of the engine with wheels, Monk
arrives in a brand new dark blue Audi RSQ sports car [see pic]. It
too a stark contrast to the pile Tortuga drove in.
Friendly exchanges are made as everyone makes their way to the
conference room. Ashi, being covered in his own blood, takes a
moment to clean himself up and change while everyone gathers. Seeing
his poor condition, Bang takes a moment to heal his wounds
magically. Not hindered by the presence of cyberware, Bang is able
to heal him completely without much fuss. Then tends to Chain as
well.
Moments later Hellion arrives holding a makeshift bandage, made from
a towel, around his waist, with blood already starting to seep
through to the other side. Star reassures the newly arrived that all
that can be done for Hellion magically has been done. Only time and
medical attention will help him now.
As everyone settles in and takes their favorite spots, Chain gives
the low down on the limo. "Sorry we had to leave the limo behind
Tank, but the heat was too hot and there was no way we were going to
get that thing back to base tonight. I have a friend of mine picking
it up with a covered trailer tomorrow morning. He said he would hold
it for you for a few days until you decided what you wanted to do
with it. If that's not cool, then I can call him back and tell him
to just leave it." Chain sits back in his chair, "So where should we
start? Monk you want to fill us in on what happened to you?"
"Having all been to my boat before, you know the layout." Monk takes a
seat and relaxes a bit at the safe surroundings, "Just after saying
goodnight to the security guard, I heard a noise from his direction
and just turned to see him falling dead as I was struck from behind.
A fight ensued with two invisible attackers." He sighs at this
point, "I had to pull my weapon to take them down, well one of them
at least."
Monk reaches into his jacket pocket and extracts a mono-whip, "I am
sure this is worth a hell of a lot of Nuyen, as it was apparently
bonded to the attacker that I took down." Sliding it across the
conference table toward Star, "Perhaps you can trace who it was made
by or linked or whatever. I assume since it was a weapon that it was
a weapon focus which means, unless I am missing a chapter in my
knowledge base on the Sixth world, that there is orichalcum in the
makeup of that little gizmo."
Rubbing his eyes, Monk continues, "After that, I got prints," he says
pulling out his finely crafted Elan pistol," here on the barrel. And
the attacker had a black dragon tattoo on the back of the neck."
Raising his head as if in thought, Monk adds, "And I think some of
the Knight Errant security force was in on the job or on the take.
They arrived way too quickly. Their response time should have been
minutes and it was within 30 seconds of the attacker going down.
Also, there were these twin stooges that were both actives, and the
force there doesn't keep actives on staff, so their being there is
not a coincidence I am sure. And they apparently didn't 'catch' the
other attacker that ran. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that
Kendra has the Sergeant in her pocket and keeping an eye out for me,
I would likely be killed 'resisting arrest'."
Smiling, "And how has your evenings wind down?"
With a smile that makes his countenance seem slightly more distorted
than usual, Tortuga begins his tale, "Amigo, all I wanted was to get
to mi casa and back here. I never quite made it." He looks around at
every one and as if searching there eyes for something, "This was a
well planned assault on our group, and they somehow new that you were
not with the main group, Monk. My contacts seem to think that this
dwarf is on the level, but I still don't trust him. Whoever it was
watched us while we were at the restaurant, and they knew which
routes we were likely to take to get here! They may not be able to
get inside, but I think they know we are here."
Chain clears his throat, then says, "That and Ashi found a tracking
device in the helm of the one we took with us. There's a good chance
they were able to track us back to the rail yard. We ditched the body
and the helm before we took off for the complex."
Pulling a bit of tubing out of his pocket Tortuga says, "This was on
the fuel line of the limo. Ol' Muerto here should have noticed that
the fuel line was severed, but there was some kind of magic or
spirits involved." He shakes his head, "The lady that we searched had
a dragon tattoo, a black dragon tattoo. That don't really mean
anything to me, but it is a lead on who she is." Tortuga turns to
Tank, "Anyone got any idea why someone would want to attack us?"
"That's a damn good question," Hellion speaks up. "I want somebody's
blood. I don't take well to being shot." Hellion grits his teeth as
if trying to calm himself down. "I'm beginning to think we underbid
this job."
"Tortuga, you said that you had one of your assailants with a Black
Dragon tattoo as well," Monk asks. "Then that would put these people
definitively as the same group. That speaks of resources and
determination from what I am seeing."
Nodding to himself in thought, Monk perks as he considers Hellion's
statement, "I don't think they are related. The timing would be all
wrong. I think this is someone that we have hit in the past or that
has a grudge against one or more of us for some reason. But the job
itself is likely clean, or as clean as any job can be." Tapping his
finger on the table, "In fact, the short turn around on the timing of
the job speaks more for it being unrelated than anything else."
"Whether they are related or not, I think we should be ready for
anything," Tortuga says. With an eerie smile, "I ain't got no problem
with this dwarf, but if it turns out he has somethin' to do with the
attack, I don' think he's gonna be able to hide." Looking to Ashi and
Monk, "Anybody know of any 'dragon gang' or anything. Maybe one o'
you computer guys can maybe find something out about them." As he
finishes, Tortuga gets up and says, "any body want somethin' to
drink?"
"Yeah, grab me a cold one would ya ambre'," Chain says.
With a smile, Monk looks at Tortuga, "Scotch on the rocks, please."
Nodding graciously to Tortuga Ashi replies, "A cup of Junmia Ginjo
please." Which every one knows is Ashi's favorite Sake. "The symbol
means nothing to me." Ashi pauses to yawn, "I start a search before I
turn in."
"Monk, this mono-whip... did it come from the one that you took down,
Bang asks. "If it is, and that person is dead, there won't be any
signatures on it to track, as all signatures associated with an
active fade almost immediately after death." Bang looks away and
sighs at the thought. "Well I guess it doesn't matter since you
already know who the whip belonged to anyhow."
Monk smiles at Bang, and nods, "That is true. However, if the person
weren't active and it was a locking focus placed by another awakened,
then the trail would still lead to them, yes?" Moving the whip
slightly with his finger, "And you could," looking at Bang and
Star, "determine what type and how powerful a focus it is. It is, I
would imagine, not something you could commonly find and thus we
might be able to track down who made it for whom and what such."
"Yes that is true," Bang says as his eyes begin to unfocus for a few
seconds. "Well it isn't bonded to anyone at this time, and it
definitely a weapon focus, but I wasn't able to assence it's exact
power," Bang says as he shrugs his shoulders. "It's power is less
than six I can tell you that much. Perhaps Star could tell you more.
I could have my talismonger examine it and see if she can recognize
the design, but I'm not sure if we will have enough time before we
need to leave for New York."
Still standing, Tortuga says, "Monk, I know you don' wanna do this
job, but I think now is not the time for us to be acting separately.
I think you ought to come with us, and then if it is a trap, we got
you there to back us up. If it ain't the Job will at least distract
the wootang dragon clan that is attacking us here. All the way in
New York is a good place to be if the people are lookin' for us here,
listo?"
"I would have to agree with ya on that one Tort," Chain says. "New
York, if anything, might be a good place to lay low for a spell until
we can figure this thing out.
Looking over the group Ashi says, "Yes, New York does sound like a
good idea. Hopefully it will give us some time to piece things
together."
Smiling Monk adds, "I agree, and with Hellion somewhat the worse for
ware, my skills would be useful. I will join the run."
"The only thing that happened here tonight was a rocking van outside
in the alley," Tank says. "I agree that New York will be a good place
to lay low." Shaking his head, Tank looks to Chain and adds, "Are you
sure your friend can get the limo tomorrow?"
"Yeah, early in the morning. It's going to cost us two grand, but
otherwise it's a done deal. He specializes in recovering of
vehicles," Chain says with a crooked smile. "Unless of course he
meets any resistance or if the heat is still on, at which case he
won't touch it."
Tank pulls out his matrix deck and jacks in, still sitting in the
conference room.
Bang breaks his silence at the mention of a `rocking van'. "A man who
wouldn't cheat for a poke don't want one bad enough," Bang says in
his familiar southern drawl impression. "What do you mean a rocking
van? In the complex? In the alley? When?" Bang asks in his normal
voice, the hint of concern evident in his tone.
Having jacked into the matrix, Bang's questions go unanswered by Tank.
"Shit, the only thing that the camera's could see was a van
rocking." Tortuga looks at Tank, "Don't some of us specialize in
breaking into places and not getting noticed. There could have been
spirits or other magic mumbo-jumbo watching us when we left. And
before anyone says anything, a little paranoia is a good thing in
this line." With that Tortuga turns around and walks out to go get
drinks, mumbling obscenities in Spanish as he goes.
"Tortuga has a good point. I know this may be foolish to ask," Chain
gives Star a sidelong glance, "but, has anyone done an astral recon
of the complex?"
"Very good point. Considering our relatively low profile, until now
apparently, I considered the compounds remote location and integrated
security adequate precaution. It appears as though we may need to
implement some new security protocols for our daily travels. I can
sweep the facility," Ashi says, standing up from his seat, then
leaves.
Once Tortuga returns and passes out the drinks, Star breaks her
silence, suddenly responding to the inquiries. "Bang is right, there
are no longer any signatures in the whip. We can ask some associates
about the Orichalcum used in its making.
As Tortuga sits down he takes a drink of his beer. The rest of the
six-pack is at his side attached to his belt by the one empty ring.
"We did not see anything unusual when we scouted this place," Star
adds. "In the streets, there was nothing unusual before we left" she
glances at Hellion," But we were distracted. I am sorry that magic
can do nothing more for you."
Star fingers the tubing, "There are traces here... a spirit of the
city...it was stressed and excited...it is stronger than us... we do
not know this spirit before now, but we will know it in the future...
there is nothing more here." She lightly tosses the tubing towards
Tortuga.
Tortuga picks up the tubing. "Pinche hechicerÃa! Endriagos de negros
y aparaciones de sabotaje! Madre de dios!" Tortuga looks at Star and
says, "Gracias Dama de la Luna. I wish that you could see more, but
its what we got."
Star smiles incomprehensively at the color of his exclamations. "You
are welcome," she replies to that which she can surmise the meaning.
"That reminds me Tort, weren't you going to ask Star or Bang about
some kind of magic sticky stuff," Chain asks.
Ashi returns with a couple of radios in hand. "Here you go," handing
one of the radios to Tank, "In the event something is amiss, I will
let you know." Ashi heads out to scout the area.
"Star, could you take a few and do an astral recon of my boat and
ensure there is nothing nasty waiting there for my return... and
perhaps there was some spells cast there that might have left a
signature or something." He turns to bang, "I need to talk to bang
for a second, but I think it would be wise if he went on this astral
jaunt with you if you can wait for him to come back..."
Leaving the room with Bang, they head towards the security control
room.
After a few moments, Bang returns to the conference room and finds a
comfy chair to sit in. "Alright I'm ready when you are Star." Bang
reclines the chair back in a relaxing position and closes his eyes.
After a few seconds his eyes pop open quickly and he sits
up, "Someone watch our bodies while we are out...just in case," Bang
adds nervously, then leans back and closes his eyes again.
Apparently finding something amusing about Bang's antics, Star
stifles a rare giggle before closing her eyes. A look of complete
serenity overcomes her countenance for a brief moment, her body
relaxes and she is already gone from the room. Only a few moments
seem to pass before her spirit returns. Her eyes snap open, a
momentary flash of silvery light before they dim to their normal
pale grey.
Without pause she begins, "We did not recognize any auras at all.
There were not any to be seen. In fact there was nothing much
beyond some small toxic spirits in and around the water." She looks
at Monk, "Your boat was devoid of ay traces of signatures or auras
or forced entry. We, "and she seems to include Bang in the plural
this time," checked twice. Since you say that your attackers were
invisible, we can only guess that the caster erased any trace of
their weavings."
Satisfied with information provide thus far, the group splits up once
more to go off and do their individual tasks, agreeing to meet back
in the conference room in an hour. At the designated time, everyone
returns to the conference room to make a final report and finalize
plans before getting some rest.
driving a beat-up old jalopy that is covered in dried up mud [see
pic]. It rumbles into a parking spot, the sound of its powerful gas
engine a stark contrast to it's pitiful exterior.
As Ashi, Chain and Tortuga pile out of the engine with wheels, Monk
arrives in a brand new dark blue Audi RSQ sports car [see pic]. It
too a stark contrast to the pile Tortuga drove in.
Friendly exchanges are made as everyone makes their way to the
conference room. Ashi, being covered in his own blood, takes a
moment to clean himself up and change while everyone gathers. Seeing
his poor condition, Bang takes a moment to heal his wounds
magically. Not hindered by the presence of cyberware, Bang is able
to heal him completely without much fuss. Then tends to Chain as
well.
Moments later Hellion arrives holding a makeshift bandage, made from
a towel, around his waist, with blood already starting to seep
through to the other side. Star reassures the newly arrived that all
that can be done for Hellion magically has been done. Only time and
medical attention will help him now.
As everyone settles in and takes their favorite spots, Chain gives
the low down on the limo. "Sorry we had to leave the limo behind
Tank, but the heat was too hot and there was no way we were going to
get that thing back to base tonight. I have a friend of mine picking
it up with a covered trailer tomorrow morning. He said he would hold
it for you for a few days until you decided what you wanted to do
with it. If that's not cool, then I can call him back and tell him
to just leave it." Chain sits back in his chair, "So where should we
start? Monk you want to fill us in on what happened to you?"
"Having all been to my boat before, you know the layout." Monk takes a
seat and relaxes a bit at the safe surroundings, "Just after saying
goodnight to the security guard, I heard a noise from his direction
and just turned to see him falling dead as I was struck from behind.
A fight ensued with two invisible attackers." He sighs at this
point, "I had to pull my weapon to take them down, well one of them
at least."
Monk reaches into his jacket pocket and extracts a mono-whip, "I am
sure this is worth a hell of a lot of Nuyen, as it was apparently
bonded to the attacker that I took down." Sliding it across the
conference table toward Star, "Perhaps you can trace who it was made
by or linked or whatever. I assume since it was a weapon that it was
a weapon focus which means, unless I am missing a chapter in my
knowledge base on the Sixth world, that there is orichalcum in the
makeup of that little gizmo."
Rubbing his eyes, Monk continues, "After that, I got prints," he says
pulling out his finely crafted Elan pistol," here on the barrel. And
the attacker had a black dragon tattoo on the back of the neck."
Raising his head as if in thought, Monk adds, "And I think some of
the Knight Errant security force was in on the job or on the take.
They arrived way too quickly. Their response time should have been
minutes and it was within 30 seconds of the attacker going down.
Also, there were these twin stooges that were both actives, and the
force there doesn't keep actives on staff, so their being there is
not a coincidence I am sure. And they apparently didn't 'catch' the
other attacker that ran. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that
Kendra has the Sergeant in her pocket and keeping an eye out for me,
I would likely be killed 'resisting arrest'."
Smiling, "And how has your evenings wind down?"
With a smile that makes his countenance seem slightly more distorted
than usual, Tortuga begins his tale, "Amigo, all I wanted was to get
to mi casa and back here. I never quite made it." He looks around at
every one and as if searching there eyes for something, "This was a
well planned assault on our group, and they somehow new that you were
not with the main group, Monk. My contacts seem to think that this
dwarf is on the level, but I still don't trust him. Whoever it was
watched us while we were at the restaurant, and they knew which
routes we were likely to take to get here! They may not be able to
get inside, but I think they know we are here."
Chain clears his throat, then says, "That and Ashi found a tracking
device in the helm of the one we took with us. There's a good chance
they were able to track us back to the rail yard. We ditched the body
and the helm before we took off for the complex."
Pulling a bit of tubing out of his pocket Tortuga says, "This was on
the fuel line of the limo. Ol' Muerto here should have noticed that
the fuel line was severed, but there was some kind of magic or
spirits involved." He shakes his head, "The lady that we searched had
a dragon tattoo, a black dragon tattoo. That don't really mean
anything to me, but it is a lead on who she is." Tortuga turns to
Tank, "Anyone got any idea why someone would want to attack us?"
"That's a damn good question," Hellion speaks up. "I want somebody's
blood. I don't take well to being shot." Hellion grits his teeth as
if trying to calm himself down. "I'm beginning to think we underbid
this job."
"Tortuga, you said that you had one of your assailants with a Black
Dragon tattoo as well," Monk asks. "Then that would put these people
definitively as the same group. That speaks of resources and
determination from what I am seeing."
Nodding to himself in thought, Monk perks as he considers Hellion's
statement, "I don't think they are related. The timing would be all
wrong. I think this is someone that we have hit in the past or that
has a grudge against one or more of us for some reason. But the job
itself is likely clean, or as clean as any job can be." Tapping his
finger on the table, "In fact, the short turn around on the timing of
the job speaks more for it being unrelated than anything else."
"Whether they are related or not, I think we should be ready for
anything," Tortuga says. With an eerie smile, "I ain't got no problem
with this dwarf, but if it turns out he has somethin' to do with the
attack, I don' think he's gonna be able to hide." Looking to Ashi and
Monk, "Anybody know of any 'dragon gang' or anything. Maybe one o'
you computer guys can maybe find something out about them." As he
finishes, Tortuga gets up and says, "any body want somethin' to
drink?"
"Yeah, grab me a cold one would ya ambre'," Chain says.
With a smile, Monk looks at Tortuga, "Scotch on the rocks, please."
Nodding graciously to Tortuga Ashi replies, "A cup of Junmia Ginjo
please." Which every one knows is Ashi's favorite Sake. "The symbol
means nothing to me." Ashi pauses to yawn, "I start a search before I
turn in."
"Monk, this mono-whip... did it come from the one that you took down,
Bang asks. "If it is, and that person is dead, there won't be any
signatures on it to track, as all signatures associated with an
active fade almost immediately after death." Bang looks away and
sighs at the thought. "Well I guess it doesn't matter since you
already know who the whip belonged to anyhow."
Monk smiles at Bang, and nods, "That is true. However, if the person
weren't active and it was a locking focus placed by another awakened,
then the trail would still lead to them, yes?" Moving the whip
slightly with his finger, "And you could," looking at Bang and
Star, "determine what type and how powerful a focus it is. It is, I
would imagine, not something you could commonly find and thus we
might be able to track down who made it for whom and what such."
"Yes that is true," Bang says as his eyes begin to unfocus for a few
seconds. "Well it isn't bonded to anyone at this time, and it
definitely a weapon focus, but I wasn't able to assence it's exact
power," Bang says as he shrugs his shoulders. "It's power is less
than six I can tell you that much. Perhaps Star could tell you more.
I could have my talismonger examine it and see if she can recognize
the design, but I'm not sure if we will have enough time before we
need to leave for New York."
Still standing, Tortuga says, "Monk, I know you don' wanna do this
job, but I think now is not the time for us to be acting separately.
I think you ought to come with us, and then if it is a trap, we got
you there to back us up. If it ain't the Job will at least distract
the wootang dragon clan that is attacking us here. All the way in
New York is a good place to be if the people are lookin' for us here,
listo?"
"I would have to agree with ya on that one Tort," Chain says. "New
York, if anything, might be a good place to lay low for a spell until
we can figure this thing out.
Looking over the group Ashi says, "Yes, New York does sound like a
good idea. Hopefully it will give us some time to piece things
together."
Smiling Monk adds, "I agree, and with Hellion somewhat the worse for
ware, my skills would be useful. I will join the run."
"The only thing that happened here tonight was a rocking van outside
in the alley," Tank says. "I agree that New York will be a good place
to lay low." Shaking his head, Tank looks to Chain and adds, "Are you
sure your friend can get the limo tomorrow?"
"Yeah, early in the morning. It's going to cost us two grand, but
otherwise it's a done deal. He specializes in recovering of
vehicles," Chain says with a crooked smile. "Unless of course he
meets any resistance or if the heat is still on, at which case he
won't touch it."
Tank pulls out his matrix deck and jacks in, still sitting in the
conference room.
Bang breaks his silence at the mention of a `rocking van'. "A man who
wouldn't cheat for a poke don't want one bad enough," Bang says in
his familiar southern drawl impression. "What do you mean a rocking
van? In the complex? In the alley? When?" Bang asks in his normal
voice, the hint of concern evident in his tone.
Having jacked into the matrix, Bang's questions go unanswered by Tank.
"Shit, the only thing that the camera's could see was a van
rocking." Tortuga looks at Tank, "Don't some of us specialize in
breaking into places and not getting noticed. There could have been
spirits or other magic mumbo-jumbo watching us when we left. And
before anyone says anything, a little paranoia is a good thing in
this line." With that Tortuga turns around and walks out to go get
drinks, mumbling obscenities in Spanish as he goes.
"Tortuga has a good point. I know this may be foolish to ask," Chain
gives Star a sidelong glance, "but, has anyone done an astral recon
of the complex?"
"Very good point. Considering our relatively low profile, until now
apparently, I considered the compounds remote location and integrated
security adequate precaution. It appears as though we may need to
implement some new security protocols for our daily travels. I can
sweep the facility," Ashi says, standing up from his seat, then
leaves.
Once Tortuga returns and passes out the drinks, Star breaks her
silence, suddenly responding to the inquiries. "Bang is right, there
are no longer any signatures in the whip. We can ask some associates
about the Orichalcum used in its making.
As Tortuga sits down he takes a drink of his beer. The rest of the
six-pack is at his side attached to his belt by the one empty ring.
"We did not see anything unusual when we scouted this place," Star
adds. "In the streets, there was nothing unusual before we left" she
glances at Hellion," But we were distracted. I am sorry that magic
can do nothing more for you."
Star fingers the tubing, "There are traces here... a spirit of the
city...it was stressed and excited...it is stronger than us... we do
not know this spirit before now, but we will know it in the future...
there is nothing more here." She lightly tosses the tubing towards
Tortuga.
Tortuga picks up the tubing. "Pinche hechicerÃa! Endriagos de negros
y aparaciones de sabotaje! Madre de dios!" Tortuga looks at Star and
says, "Gracias Dama de la Luna. I wish that you could see more, but
its what we got."
Star smiles incomprehensively at the color of his exclamations. "You
are welcome," she replies to that which she can surmise the meaning.
"That reminds me Tort, weren't you going to ask Star or Bang about
some kind of magic sticky stuff," Chain asks.
Ashi returns with a couple of radios in hand. "Here you go," handing
one of the radios to Tank, "In the event something is amiss, I will
let you know." Ashi heads out to scout the area.
"Star, could you take a few and do an astral recon of my boat and
ensure there is nothing nasty waiting there for my return... and
perhaps there was some spells cast there that might have left a
signature or something." He turns to bang, "I need to talk to bang
for a second, but I think it would be wise if he went on this astral
jaunt with you if you can wait for him to come back..."
Leaving the room with Bang, they head towards the security control
room.
After a few moments, Bang returns to the conference room and finds a
comfy chair to sit in. "Alright I'm ready when you are Star." Bang
reclines the chair back in a relaxing position and closes his eyes.
After a few seconds his eyes pop open quickly and he sits
up, "Someone watch our bodies while we are out...just in case," Bang
adds nervously, then leans back and closes his eyes again.
Apparently finding something amusing about Bang's antics, Star
stifles a rare giggle before closing her eyes. A look of complete
serenity overcomes her countenance for a brief moment, her body
relaxes and she is already gone from the room. Only a few moments
seem to pass before her spirit returns. Her eyes snap open, a
momentary flash of silvery light before they dim to their normal
pale grey.
Without pause she begins, "We did not recognize any auras at all.
There were not any to be seen. In fact there was nothing much
beyond some small toxic spirits in and around the water." She looks
at Monk, "Your boat was devoid of ay traces of signatures or auras
or forced entry. We, "and she seems to include Bang in the plural
this time," checked twice. Since you say that your attackers were
invisible, we can only guess that the caster erased any trace of
their weavings."
Satisfied with information provide thus far, the group splits up once
more to go off and do their individual tasks, agreeing to meet back
in the conference room in an hour. At the designated time, everyone
returns to the conference room to make a final report and finalize
plans before getting some rest.