Shadowrun - Chapter FIve - Welcome to the Sprawl

[Maxx]

"Never leave anyone behind if they're in the opposition,"  Bishop said.  "Revenge may be expensive and a dish best served cold but it still has a way of sneaking up on you and biting you on the ass.  Say goodnight Gracie."

The sound of the assault cannon was drowned out by the sound of the truck's ammunition load exploding.

[Micula]

Kahlia had started to move as Bishop finished his first half of the sentence. She cartwheeled to the side as the cannon blast rocketed past her slamming into her upper shoulder. The armour deadened a lot of the impact but enough got through to make her scream and fluff her landing. As the ammunition exploded, she slid to a halt on the road, hopefully shielded from view by the explosion.

The force of the blast sailed into Alyss and Bishop, knocking the girl backwards. She managed to keep her feet as her sponsor's voice sailed into her ear.

"Wirejam.. move that sweet, fuckable arse of yours and get me that information."

"I've gotta ditch this thing!" She said to Bishop, glancing in the direction that Kahlia had gone. "While I'd love to spend time making sure that she didn't follow, once its out of my hands, it's not my problem!"

[Maxx]

"I'm in no condition for a marathon,"  Bishop said, trying not to wince as he levered himself up onto one knee.  He took a few seconds to try to reacquire his target and rose to his feet when he failed to do so.  "So either this is a slow walk or we hijack a vehicle."

[Micula]

"We're not too far from our destination, hijack would be more time consuming than walking!" Alyss noted as she stared around at the nearly empty streets. She checked the small memory crystal, relieved to see that it was still in the secret compartment of her jacket.

"I did get some of your gear out of the truck!" She said as she pulled some of the ammo she had grabbed and handed it to him. "Sorry for bringing those two down on you!"

[Maxx]

Bishop looked at the small bundle of munitions.  "A dozen mini grenades and half a belt of AC ammo.   I suppose it could have been worse.  I could have been carrying a full load.  The C-12 will just burn but if I'd been carrying the mortar rounds, there would be a hole the size of a football field in the street right now."

In the distance a siren could be heard, the distinctive 'pwee-pwee-pwee' of Doc Wagon.  "Looks like you friends had insurance,"  he said, wondering if the trauma team would arrive in time to save the ork.  He doubted it.  There generally wasn't much left after he shot somebody.  Still the ork hadn't flatlined, otherwise the siren wouldn't have been so high pitched.  They used a lesser tone when it was just body retrieval.  "Let's haul ass,"  he said.  "If you're in the way of a pick-up, Doc Wagon has been known to clear a path using full auto."

[Micula]

"So let's not hang about while they arrive!" Alyss tapped him on the shoulder and pointed. At first cursory glance, the alley was a dead end, yet nothing was as it seemed on these streets. She led the big guy through the concealed arch and into the alley beyond. From hellishly small rooms in the cramped buildings on either side, the cries of the destitute, the desparate and the dying sounded. On the strets around them walked those that had fallen lower than even the SINless shadowrunners that they were. Haggard looking girls stared with hungry eyes at the duo, yet none came close, they had all heard the shooting and explosions.

"This way takes us round the back!" Alyss said in a soft whisper as she stepped over the mouldering corpse on the floor. "I don't recommend touching anything with bare hands!"


Kahlia waited until the two had left before returning to her guard. "You'd better not be dead my champion!" She murmurred as she reached over to check his vitals and slap a medical patch on him.

[Maxx]

"You think this is my first time in the sprawl?"  Bishop asked.  "I grew up in shit like this.  Don't worry about me and if you come to a dead end, I'll make us a new door.  I just hope we don't pick up a few devil rats.  They're attracted to the smell of blood and they're damned quick.  They won't be trouble but they'll be annoying and I'm short on ammo.


There was a pulse.  God knows how the Queen's Champion's heart was still beating.  Four of his ribs were exposed and it looked like the flesh of his chest had been rudely shoved out of the way like half formed clay.  It was likely only the orkish constitution that was keeping him alive.  His people and the even tougher trolls were often used in places where they were required to absorb astonishing levels of damage.  There was still a danger but the fact that he had survived this long was a positive sign.  With Doc Wagon only seconds away, the Queen's Champion might yet live to serve.

"Stand aside, Miss!"  A voice called out over a loudspeaker, barely audible over screeching tires.  "This is a Doc Wagon medical emergency!"

[Micula]

OOC Typical, I had a brilliant post written and my computer throws a hissy fit and resets, losing the post. And of course I can't remember exactly what I had just written.

BIC

"Got it!" Ayss replied in a soft tone as she led them further into the rabbit warren of streets. From the darkened alleys and ruined houses, the smell of death, rotten food and hopelessness filtered through the narrow walkway.

Alyss kept her gaze and senses on her surroundings, her feet treading quietly through the muck and rubble.


Kahlia stepped back and watched as the heavily armoured crew moved in to do their work. Her gaze flicked occasionally towards the alleys and ruined buildings on either side, wondering where her quarry had gone.

"Miss Bentwhistle, I note that your champion's doc wagon contract has gone active!"

Kahlia suppressed the urge to swear as the smooth, mocking voice of Richard Delaware, her main rival, slid easily into her ear.

"it's under control.." she replied easily, lying to him as she watched the Orc be hooked up to a machine.

are you injured at all?

No.. I'm still healthy She answered, visualising the look of disappointment on his face.

but you will be coming back in? There was a sly note to his voice, Richard could never successfully hide his feelings from others. She went silent for a moment, giving the idiot hope, before she answered.

not yet. I can track them

[Maxx]

OOC:  My computer hiccuped and I lost more than half of my bookmarks....

In the distance the glow of the Rusty Nail's neon was visible, making the bar look deceptively close.  There was still a distance to travel but as they drew closer the landscape began to subtlely change.  The buildings looked less decrepit.  Some even had lights on in the windows.  This was the fringe of the Barrens, the place where civilization started to take over again.  It was only dangerous if you didn't know what you were doing or lowered your guard if you did.

"Front door, back door or parking lot?"  Bishop asked.  "My preference is in reverse order.  They get cranky if you try to take this much firepower inside."


"Ah but can you take them?  With the Queen's Champion down, perhaps you might need a little assistance and it just so happens I have an expediter in the area.  He should be arriving shortly."

'Shortly' was an understatement.  Kahlia could already see the man drawing closer on his bike.   Even at a distance she could tell he was huge, taller if not as broad as the Queen's Champion.  He pulled up beside her, lifted the visor on his helmet and smiled.

It was a smile that could be lethal in the right circumstances.  "Buenos noches,"  he said, his accent betraying his hispanic background far more than his greeting.  "Do you need a lift?"  His bike was big enough for two but it would be a dangerous offer to accept for more than the obvious reason.  Richard's expediter was riding a Widowmaker, a bike long on power and speed but short on control and with absolutely no autopilot assistance.

He carried no obvious weapons, except for what looked like a bullwhip and it blended in to the black motorcycle leathers he was wearing.  Human despite his size, he moved in a manner than suggested that he had no cyberware, which was odd for one of Richard's expediters.  Perhaps he was new.  Perhaps he was meant to fail, making Kahlia look that much worse for getting a second back-up man injured or killed.

[LadyJallyn]

'Rusty Nail (greasy spoon& bar)- Redmond barrens- Wednesday August 13th 11:39pm - Hitome Yasuda

Hitome gave the man a polite bow of her head as the Johnson slid an envelope across the table.

"Once again we thank you for being able to assist us with our trouble shooting." he replied his hands wiping away invisible filth. It was clear that the man and his expensive looking suit was out of place but out in the Barron's people really didn't care why you were there or remembered your face.

The woman nodded again her almond shaped eyes glittered in the low light. "Again it was my pleasure. It brings me satisfaction to know that the client was pleased with my consultation. I will be looking forward to hearing from you again 'Mr. Smith' if and when you find work for me."

The man grinned and outstretched his hand as he stood. He was happy to end the meeting. It was a part of his work but he despised coming to these run down rat infested hovels to conduct business. "Rest assured  Bake-Neko-san I will call if something comes up."

Hitmone stood as she watched the man leave giving him a polite bow as he left before seating herself back down in her corner booth. Her jade green eyes swept over the eatery and gave her plain view of the door and the rest of the establishment, while also providing her the luxury of having a brick wall at her back and side rather than the grimy glass encased in metal bars and mesh wire that most of the edged seats boasted as their 'fine' view points.

The waitress that came to ask for a refill on her tea was an ork. She looked up at the woman and nodded including a please as well as a thank you. Once the woman was out of sight Hitome opened the envelope and was pleased to find after some gentle fingering though the envelope five thousand nuyen. That was a good thing. It meant rent was paid for the month and the rest of the money she made at the club would used as nest egg or to buy something she wanted if she felt like splurging.

Content with the contents she slid the envelop into the inner pocket of her secure jacket and sipped her steeped tea.

 

[Micula]

"why thank you for the assistance Richard!" She replied as she sized up the man on the bike. "How lucky for me that you just happened to have an expediater on route!" There was no obvious sarcasm to her tones, yet the thought was there. Trust Delaware to attempt to step up a notch using her back.

"I'll take a lift!" Kahlia answered the biker as she stepped forward, knowing the risks but accepting them anyway. It wouldn't do for the company to be informed that she'd turned down an assist. She ran eyes over the man's bulk and wondered. If he was meant to balls it up, she'd make sure that she lived long enough to take Delaware down with her.

"You know what we're after?"


"I agree on that!" Alyss moved to the edge of the the parking lot and checked that no one was in sight, before stepping back into the shadows. With a well practised movement, she ran her good hand through her long glossy hair, changing the colour instantly from mindnight black to violent neon blue. Using the same tactic she had employed against Bishop, she altered the look of her clothing and movements, leaving behind the furtive manner she had employed in the back streets she was now brazen, confident and sexual. Had Bishop not seen her change, he could have been convinced that she was someone completely different.

"My guy should be in the main bar!" She glanced over the deceptively calm parking area, making sure that it was safe to cross. and if he's not, I'm going to kill the fucker After another sweep, she headed across the lot and went for the back door.

[Maxx]

"Only in the vaguest terms,"  the biker answered, pulling away from the curb.  "I'm not high enough up the food chain to know exactly what is happening.  My instructions are to go where you tell me and do what you tell me, more or less.  I guess Mr D didn't think I needed more information than that. I'm a leg breaker, pure and simple.  I'm just more effective than most."


"If he's not, I'll bet there will still be ten guys happy to see you,"  Bishop said.  "I'll be out here, since coming in will cause too much attention.  Be quick though.  My eye is starting to swell shut and I want to get home and put some ice on it."

The bar reacted the way bars full of men and beer always reacted when an attractive woman walked in.  The buzz of conversation barely paused but several heads swiveled and at more than one table she was briefly the main topic of discussion.  It was a masterful example of hiding in plain sight.

[LadyJallyn]

'Rusty Nail (greasy spoon& bar)- Redmond barrens- Wednesday August 13th 11:43pm - Hitome Yasuda

Hitome sat sitting her tea at her empty booth as she watched the new comers enter. If nothing it was always interesting to sit in such places and study social interactions with the Barrens folk. The latest new comers were different than the other barflies however. One was mildly cybered but the other she saw from out of the grimy window was heavily cybered and his aura also let her know that he was hurt. She sipped her tea calmly wondering if the large black man would enter.

[Maxx]

Bishop chose a spot that gave him a little a clear view of the window.  He'd be able to see the muzzle flashes if gunfire erupted.  He might not be able to save the girl but he'd certainly be able to make somebody's life miserable.  He'd also be able to more around to cut her off if she decided to hightail it out the front door without paying him.  He reloaded the mini grenade launcher and reholstered it.  He wanted to be ready in case the night wasn't over.

[Micula]

Alyss ran her eyes over the clientele once before she spotted him. Her guy was sitting on his own in the far corner, an exasperated look on his face. With deliberation she bought a drink and headed across the bar, smiling at one or two of the patrons as she did so. As she navigated the tight spaces, her eyes fell on the girl drinking tea on her own.

way to stand out girl she thought as she passed the table with only the barest glance. Her eyes taking in the details in one look.

"Well finally!" The man snapped as Alyss sat opposite him and placed the drink on the battered surface. "I've been killing time in here for an hour!" He placed a closed fist on the table, holding the credit stick before her.

"Well?" Alyss reached into her coat and pulled the small crystal from it's hiding place.

"Is that the amount agreed?" She nodded at the credit stick and held out her hand. "I'll check it, if you don't mind!"

"Knock yourself out!" He placed the stick into a reader and the numbers flashed across the screen.

"There's some missing!" She said in a cold, hard voice. "I was promised thirty for this!"

"If you got it here in time... you are..."

"Still on time, its not my fault you arrived early. I promised by midnight, well it's quarter to. I want my promised cut." Her hand around the glass tightened, if there was going to be a fight, she wanted to be ready.


"We've lost some information and we need to retreive!" Kahlia replied, her hands on the man's waist as they moved away from the scene.

"I'm guessing they'd be close to their destination by now." She felt the breeze buffet her as they hit the centre of the thoroughfare. "If not they'll have reached it." She tapped him on the right shoulder, indicating that he should take the next right.

"There's a runner hang out on the edge of the barrens, you know it?"

[Maxx]

"The Rusty Nail?  Yeah, I know it."  The biker chuckled.  "I know it well.  Are we looking for hard copy or is this information inside somebody's head?  It'll make a difference.  Who are you, anyway?  Mr D didn't give me a name.  He just gave me a location and told me to pick up a company asset that would be grateful for the ride.  Are you grateful or was he just getting my hopes up?"

[Micula]

"Hard copy!" Kahlia answered his first question. "It was an on-site extraction, no evidence that the girl was a decker. So she'll have it with her." She wondered at his jovial manner, quite unlike her champion's businesslike tone.

"As for who I am." She smiled before handing out her formal identification. "I'm known as the 'Queen'! and yes I am grateful for the ride." only in the sense that I'm not walking, if Richard sent you to total me, I'll be quite unhappy


Her contact saw her knuckles tighten on the glass and leant back. "You don't want to cause a scene now do you?"

"That all depends!" Alyss stood and walked to his side of the table. She casually draped her frame around his. "on what they all see!" She pressed her body against his, drawing amused and envious glances from around the bar, and held a thin tube against his side. "What I have here darling, is very potent but slow acting poison." She leant closer and her lips brushed his ear, "I stick you with this and you walk around for a bit before dropping dead. It may take days for the poison to work." He tried to pull back but her body pressed him into the chair.

"Now be sensible and pay me what you owe." Her voice was low and husky, her knee sliding easily between his legs.

"We can be friends then.." 

The man gulped and reached for the credit stick, with several swift movements, he amended the amount and Alyss smiled. "There now, that wasn't so very hard was it!" She moved slightly, her knee sliding against his crotch as she pulled back and stared at him.

"You can get out of here now!" She handed him the crystal, gave him a brief kiss before letting him up. The man got to his feet and stared at the girl before composing himself and heading for the exit.

prick she thought contemptuously as she watched him leave.

[Maxx]

"The Queen, eh?  Hearts, spades, diamonds or clubs?  It'll make a difference on what you'll be expecting from me.  I know you aren't the Wild Queen.  I've met her.  She's a scary lady.  Sexy as hell but scary."  He drove past the Rusty Nail, checking the parking lot before turning around, as if changing his mind about not stopping in for a drink.  "Speaking of scary, is buddy over there the one that took your last escort apart?"


Bishop watched the bike for a second, long enough to dismiss it as a danger or elevate his watchfulness.  He almost ignored it but looked again.  Looks like she found some more back-up.  He debated just blowing them apart but decided that, given his condition, a two on one fight would not go in his favour.  He reached for a cigar, didn't find one and finally stepped out of the shadows towards the bike.

"Nothing to see here,"  he said.  "Package has been passed on."

[LadyJallyn]

'Rusty Nail (greasy spoon& bar)- Redmond barrens- Wednesday August 13th 11:45pm - Hitome Yasuda


Hitome's attention drifted back to the man and woman in the bar. What looked like an intimate encounter was actually a source of great interest to her. There was no lust coming from the man but fear. The woman herself was quite displeased thought she could bit make out the conversation the tension between the two was quite intense.

Beside her at the bar a louf chous of laughter and a playful shove send a man stumbling into her table her tea cup fell from the table but she caught it only losing part of the contents but the plain white cup did not hit the floor and shatter.

The drunkard stood up and she looked at the man for a moment with calm eyes as he muttered an apology before stumbling towards the bathroom.

[Micula]

"Spades!" She answered as they pulled up before the big guy. "Well that's him!" She said, pulling herself from the back of the bike as they rolled to a stop.

"Nothing to see here," She glanced up as the black man spoke directly to them. "Package has been passed on."

"I see!" She glanced over the man's shoulder. "I take it your partner's in there?"


Alyss' eyes had flicked to the disturbance at Hitomi's table and she noted the reaction of the drunk with interest.

neat trick she thought to herself as she picked up her drink and slowly walked across the bar. Through the mesh and glass door, she could see Bishop and the biker who had throttled her earlier and she continued walking, heading over to Hitomi's table.

"Do you mind if I join you?" She asked, mindful of the need to pay Bishop, but at the same time, unwilling to face that bitch again.

[Maxx]

"I wouldn't call her a partner,"  Bishop said.  "More like an employer.  She's paying me to keep her safe and I intend to do that, right up until I get paid, so you can either sit out here and wait or ride on.  If you go inside, you'll have to abide by there rules, not just mine."

The biker stood up.  He was over seven feet and towered over Bishop, who wasn't by any means a short man.  "I know the rules,"  he said.  "I've played by them before."  He obviously didn't find Bishop particularly intimidating.  "People usually end up playing using my rules though."

"Careful, big man,"  Bishop said.  "If I start to feel threatened, I start blowing things up and I'm really good at it."

[LadyJallyn]

'Rusty Nail (greasy spoon& bar)- Redmond barrens- Wednesday August 13th 11:47pm - Hitome Yasuda

Hitome looked up at the woman and shook her head. "I do not see a problem with that. The place is starting to get crowded. Please feel free to have a seat if that is your desire." She replied her voice as calm and soothing as midsummers night breeze.

[Micula]

Kahlia glanced at the big guy and then over to Bishop. "Easy!" She said to the biker. "This guy took out my champion, he's no slouch!"  She looked up as the door to the Rusty Nail opened and a man walked out. She watched him approach, intriqued by the angry gleam in his eyes as he crossed the carpark and headed in their direction.

"He doesn't look happy!" She noted as the man came closer, his face clearly showing his displeasure with something. She watched as he walked past them, before turning back to the Rusty Nail.

"Let's go and have a talk!" She said finally, as she turned and headed towards the bar.


"Thanks!" Alyss briefly glanced out of the window before taking the offerred seat. She could see the figure of Bishop talking to the biker that they had dealt with before. She watched as her contact walked out past them, suppressed a mad chuckle and looked at the girl.

"I haven't seen you around here before!"

[LadyJallyn]

'Rusty Nail (greasy spoon& bar)- Redmond barrens- Wednesday August 13th 11:48pm - Hitome Yasuda

Hitome politely smiled as she reached for a napkin to dab the spilled tea from her finger tips "Perhaps it is a case of fate has not deigned for us to meet until this evening or perhaps it is just circumstance. Seattle is a large city and often we pass people without a second glance. My name is Bake-Neko." She replied "It is a pleasure to meet you. Are you here for business or pleasure?"

[Micula]

"Wirejam!" She responded with a small smile of her own as she traced a small pattern over the glass in her hand. "I was here for business, but that's all dealt with!" She glanced out at the other patrons and sighed. "and I just need to finish my drink and then I can head home!" once I'm sure those two are gone