A Time for Secrets

"I wouldn't worry too much about it." Ashe responded, not bothering to user her own sub-vocal mic.
"I have the resources now to put out a hefty bounty of my own. I don't doubt for a minute that LT would be willing to back that play. So, it's not much fun claiming a bounty when you won't live to enjoy it." Ashe finished. There was no smile on her face this time, as she was quite literally deadly serious.
"Besides, they would have to be quicker than you, or me, and a better combatant than you, or me. Add LT in to the mix, and that makes for a fairly hefty challenge. And if we consider that Eleanor is on our side, then they would also have to be quicker and better than the jet, and any drones on site. Good luck with that one." Ashe added, the grin returning to her face again. She liked overwhelming odds, when they were in her favor that is.

Kesslan merely nodded. "To be honest, when I split with Aztechnology, I did not expect to.. wind up with an actually good employer. Not that Aztechnology was quite as bad to work for as everyone seems to make it out to be, but in the end even to them I was just property." he commented. "I'm still not sure how Watashi pulled off what he did to clear all that up, but it seems they are permanently off my trail, and the SIN he destroyed can be replaced if I go to the NAN or some other friendly place." the shifter glanced around again for a few moments before adding "Though to be honest, once this job is done I'll likely see of Watashi still needs my services. He's done more for me than anyone else has so far..." another pause as he realizes how that might sound to LT and Ashe "Not that I mean that as a slight against you two...but if I'm going to wind up as some corp or rich person's pet I could probably do worse."

"Security mode clearance Tiamet Omega 1,3,A" LT said after parking near the red hot rod, and the bike... He joined his teammates immediate teammates patting his cornrowed hair due and licked his left most prominent tusk. "Going to need a place to get my hair done starting to frizz up" he says looking around and listening to his surroundings

Looking around General area and looking for street cameras, Sensors and such... vision enhancement +2 intuition 3 perception 4 = 9dice = 0hits

Listening for dangers intuition 3 perception 4 = 7dice = [url= http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3045522/]3hits[/url]

Ashe asked their opinion of the new guys "Hmph Got the skills i suppose but i think we should keep us an inner circle or designate i mean..." He thinks "Forget it" and lets kess finish talking... As kess speaks he mentions being hunted or turned in by the others. LT Cocks his head and spreads his legs shoulder length, squaring his shoulders with the shifters, puts one right troll sized hand on the shifters shoulder. Then looks him dead in those Cat like eyes of his... "Listen leader man WE! are a team, anybody turns you in gonna have me after them, and i don't let up... I wont stop till they pay... You heard? and I'm coming to get your sorry hide outta where ever it is they take you. So you can help me get'em, and they cant take both a' us understood... Partner!" He Grumbled the last part was Holding weight in his voice, rumbling like low gray skies... He looked back at Ashe "Here for you too toots far as I'm concerned we been through a lot together and i consider you guys close to me..." He folded up his arms and turned his back. "And that's all i got to say bout that particular subject..." It was clear how he felt even with his I'm a Bad Ass attitude...

OCC: Back in the futur:

Gripper comes with a full cup of tea back to Sieg. Giving him the cup, Greifer looks bored on the field, leaning back against the car, a foot pressed against its side. Hey Sieg, what's your business in all of this? I'm a driver and can be a little bit of a con man, if necessary. I know, we also have this Mind-Mage and this sweeper, so I assume she is also some kind of con woman or infiltration specialist.

Greifer turn his head to Sieg, taking a small sip of the tea.

Now you. It should help a little bit to figure out what's Kesslan plan with us new guys.

Larzarus wrote:

OCC: Back in the futur:

Gripper comes with a full cup of tea back to Sieg. Giving him the cup, Greifer looks bored on the field, leaning back against the car, a foot pressed against its side. Hey Sieg, what's your business in all of this? I'm a driver and can be a little bit of a con man, if necessary. I know, we also have this Mind-Mage and this sweeper, so I assume she is also some kind of con woman or infiltration specialist.

Greifer turn his head to Sieg, taking a small sip of the tea.

Now you. It should help a little bit to figure out what's Kesslan plan with us new guys.

Sieg takes the cup of tea Hmm well..im good that climbing building travel around on them..parkour i think they call it...im laso good at sneaking into places...im good witha gun and decent with my fists..thats about it really

(OOC Does Greiger know Sieg is awakened?)

"I appreciate it guys." Kesslan says earnestly. "Anyway, lets do what we came here to do and we can worry about what else pops up when it happens..." he trails off a moment, pulling up the photo that LT had manage to dig up that had come from around here and started trying to compare it to his present surroundings. People, vehicles and other things wouldn't likely still be here, but buildings and other more permanent things would be. From there he could try and figure out where the picture had been taken from and see if he could find any security cameras and the like that might actually have video from around the same time period. Granted without a hacker with them right there they would probably have to resort to bribery, but he wasn't exactly above such tactics. "Not sure what the best method would be, though maybe Ashe could work her charm and talk to a few people, see if they recognize the guy in the photo?"

Not far from where she had put herself behind the concealing bark of some trees, Specter could make out two of the other runners. They seemed to be sharing some drink from cups. Hopefully it was coffee. Either we’re all at the wrong place or we will get fetched sometime soon, she thought. It doesn’t make much sense to stay here all alone. At this point, a trap would simply not make sense. So the albino girl got back onto her bike and let its engine start. She drove towards the two men and the van obviously slowly, so they had time to notice her. No need to startle them.

Once there, she stopped the engine again, smiled at the men charmingly and said: “Hello. Lovely morning, isn’t it?” She got off her bike, then she added with a wink: “Yesterday you haven’t seen the best of me.”

LT Nodded Agreement to kess's statement and added "Could use that Newb "Mind Mage" right about now huh?" he said while flexing the pointer and middle finger of both his massive hands. LT thought he was a little hauteur then he preferred, but LT was a hood gone Merc how likable could he be. He smiled briefly at that... "Ashe think you could smooth this one over or you want me to shake it out of them?" he said cracking his knuckles in anticipation of catching some wreck. He'd not taken anything down or out or apart, accept trees since their encounter with the UCAS military and he was way over due for some release but he took it in stride one thing LT new how to do is hold his head...

Hell Lil'Tiamat was Just happy to be outside the small compound they'd set up He said nothing else just patted his cornrowed hair a little bit and licked his left most prominent tusk, while Leaning on the street lamp they were under...

As Kap was gliding down the side of the road on his skates, full backpack on his shoulders, he spotted a knot of people by a van near the appointed AR marker on his goggles. He slowed down and approached slowly, recognizing the others from the meeting the day previous.

He quickly went through re-introductions and formality's as needed, and declined a cup of tea (if offered).

Kap sat on the grass, removed his skates, and put on his boots before going back to the group and joined the conversation. He piped up at Gripper's question, "I do a little of this, a little of that, a jack of all trades sort, though nowadays I'm just a bartender. I used to lead a group of shadowrunners in Seattle back in the day, where I was usually the hitter- close combat stuff, though none of that ninjay crap you get over here- and also did a little bit of stealth killing," he said patting the quiver of arrows clipped to the outside of his bag.

Viking still sleeping.....................

There where a light, blinding but warm. Even if it seemed to be reachable with the hand it still was a bit out of reach, so Viking started running towards it. He did not feel like running at all, more like floating, when his feet reach the white and shiny ground the undersides felt the warmth of the ground, he just saw that his clothing where changed and his footwear disappeared, but that did not bother him, he was still running toward the light. His newly gained White linen shirt and white linen trousers where feeling light like a feather. You could tell it felt like Valhalla, but how could someone describe Valhalla has anyone ever returned from there to tell.

................................sleeping on.

Darkon wrote:

So the albino girl got back onto her bike and let its engine start. She drove towards the two men and the van obviously slowly, so they had time to notice her. No need to startle them.

Hearing the noise of an engine, Greifers hands moved slightly to his Ingram which was hanging from his shoulder. He moved around calm to look into the direction of the noise. Partly to himself, partly to Sieg he ask: Who the frag is this? One of Kesslans group or some kind of trouble? In case that it's just a lost traveler or so, Greifer hide his weapon behind his back, still ready to swing it into his hands. It was a nice morning and Greifer didn't feel the need to start a senseless fight and so put up his 'I'm-just-a-tourist-who-doesn't-want-any-trouble'-smile he used very often when he traveled through europe. Greifer also turns his face slightly to the side, so that he can be sure that Sieg will understand him. Do you know her? If not and she isn't send from Kesslan to pick us up, just smile and let me do the talking.

Darkon wrote:

Once there, she stopped the engine again, smiled at the men charmingly and said: “Hello. Lovely morning, isn’t it?” She got off her bike, then she added with a wink: “Yesterday you haven’t seen the best of me.”

There was a second of uncomfortable silence until Greifer was able to put her words into the right context. Ah, she's the sweeper girl from the mall. Just to be sure Greifer asked for her name, also he didn't see any reason why someone should try to impersonate her. Kesslan or at least Ashe would see through that in seconds.

But after Greifer heard the right name, he relaxed and loose his shoulders a little. Nice to meet you. Hopefully this time it's your real face, sweepy, hm hm. He smiles friendly about her new nickname. She has asked for it, with her introduction in the mall.

Kap wrote:

He quickly went through re-introductions and formality's as needed, and declined a cup of tea (if offered).

I'm slowly running out of tea. And apparently also out of cups. Just one second... Greifer vanishs inside the van and return with two filled cups with tea, announcing:Last round, gentleman.

You may be carefull with this one. Greifer adds when he give Kap his cup. It got broken in a nasty crash up there in Hamburg, fixed it so far, but, yeah, you never know.

“Yes, this is my real face. Paranoia or not, one should trust teammates.” She took the tea and gave a ”Thank you,” in sperethiel, chuckling about the new nickname.
She sniffed at the tea, the hot steams aroma filling her nostrils. “Smells nice.” She took a sip. “Good stuff,” she exclaimed with a grin. “Does anyone have an idea where Kesslan and Ashe are?” Again she chuckled. “The Viking is snoring on the field over there.” She pointed at it. “Just in case the others arrive by T-Bird, we should run and wake him up.” An amused wink accompanied her statement. Specter was obviously in a good mood. But she did not forget to secure herself to all sides with looks and pointed ears.

Perception, visual, audio. Int3+log3-1Distraction=5d (5d6. hits(5)=1)

Note: I believe I remember that the picture was of him actually at the counter of the convenience store, paying. So we know where he was. That store still exists, and is across the street from us.
"Ok, tell you what. I'll head inside and buy something. My commlink is on record, so I'll just point it at the cameras inside. Can you guys get the lay-of-the-land out here? Once we get a feel for what the neighborhood is, and what kinds of cameras there are out here, we might be able to start digging up info from the other cameras? Maybe trace him back to where he came from?" Ashe said, pausing for input. She knew that her suggestion would have been the first thing Watashi would try. But nodes and physical locations were not even remotely the same thing. It takes physical recon, sometimes, to find the right cameras to track down. And Watashi was, shall we say, handicapped in that respect.
That said, there was a very good probability that he had already tried to get cheaper help to track down cameras for him, and hadn't had any better luck.

While drinking the last drop of tea out of his cup, a small icon on the screen from his glasses indicates a new message from Pretschlov. A quick touch on his comm and the message opens into his field of vision. So it's true. Rich guy with a bunch of top hackers hired a bunch of runners. Obviously to do something all the hackers aren't able to do... I really should ask Elenor about the spacesuit again...

"Sounds as good a plan as any at this point." Kesslan admits. He certainly didn't have any fantastical ideas of what to do next. This sort of thing wasn't his strong point but he would at the very least make the best of it. As a result he decided to start 'hunting around' for any potential exterior cameras that might have some sort of overwatch on the convenience store entrance. That at least in and of itself would be relatively easy to determine since only so many buildings faced the store or had positions where a camera would be likely to have an angle on the entrance while being pointed inadvertently that way as well. That of course didn't guarantee it would be possible since they may even be out of luck and spotting cameras was a little tricky these days considering how small they'd all gotten. None the less he decided to slip on his sunglasses an see if their built in visual enhancements couldn't do him some good. With his glasses on he started scanning the various buildings, spending time now and then to use the built in magnification to zoom in on likely areas he thought might have a camera while he waited outside the convenience store. If that failed.. well he supposed there was always doing a little door to door.

OOC: How do you want me to handle this Gala? Just one roll? AN extended test?

You are all standing around, very bored, waiting more or less patiently for the "event" of some sort that Kesslan was clearly making you wait for. The Tea was running low, and Viking's deams were no longer exciting enough to keep him sleeping. All in all, this was turning out to be one of the biggest wastes of time you have done, except that you were paid quite well so far to be doing this, and have every expectation of further pay.
While you were waiting, and each of you were glancing around meaningfully, wondering when the T-Bird, or Step Van was going to show up with Kesslan and the crew, something that cannot possibly be described in any other way than a "Beautiful" elven man appears in the field, just in front of Viking. Unfortunately, "appears" is the most accurate word to describe the situation. He wasn't there before, and he is there now.
He is wearing a very fashionable Japanese cut suit, tailored to fit him perfectly. Anyone looking at it would come up with a different price, depending on their experience, and for all of them, their number would be in the "Very Expensive" category. You can't see his shoes, but you suspect that they match. His hair is blond, long, and flowing. His eyes are deep blue, and striking. He smiles in your general direction, such that each of you feels he is actually smiling directly at you. His total appearance is so beautiful, it is hard to imagine that he is entirely natural. He seems more the type of "perfected" Elf you would find on an adult rated Simsense.
"Good afternoon. Please call me Watashi. I am here at the request of Kesslan in order to keep you occupied for the time being. Kesslan is on route, and will be here as soon as is reasonably possible; he wishes to convey to you his deepest regrets at his tardiness." Like Eleanor, the voice that is ushered forth from this creature of inhuman beauty is strikingly multi-tonal. It fits the "Beautiful" persona perfectly, and has the surprising effect of drawing your attention to him.
All: Will(3) test. Viking: your Willpower test is 5.
Failure: You lose your capacity to resist any request of his.
Success: You retain your capacity to resist.
"In Kesslan's absence, I have been authorized to offer a slight competition between you all. There will, of course, be a reward." He continues, smiling. "Please, gather around, so that I may describe it." He says, beckoning to each of you.

Willpower 2 + Edge 2= 4
1 Hit

Kap cocks his head slightly sideways looking at the slender elf, admiring his attire, and speaks softly,
"A competition, eh? I'm a gambling man. What does the winner get? What do the losers have to do?"

Putting an emphasis on losers, Kap stops speaking and stares, unblinking, at ethereal being in front of him. In the back of his mind, he knows full well he is being put on, hes seen most of the tricks in the book, but he just...can't...look...away...

Will 3: 1 hit

Anything is better than waiting in this outback. Greifer nudge himself away from the car and starts collecting the empty tea cups to put them back into the car. When he went near to Sweepy he wispers,
Hey Sweepy, can you take a look at this guy with you astral view or whatever you call it? My Radar didn't pick up anything and usually I see alot with it.

Greifer waits a short moment for her answers and then starts to approach this Wasabi person. During that he himself take a closer look at this new guy.

Visual to see if Watashi is a) armed and b) for hints, like footprints, indicating where he came from and c) Thermovision: Visual: 4 hits

OOC@Gala: Tell me, when I have to roll seperatly for each a,b,c.

Gala wrote:

All: Will(3) test. Viking: your Willpower test is 5.
Failure: You lose your capacity to resist any request of his.
Success: You retain your capacity to resist.

Viking was woken by a Man standing just a few meters from him,
My Watcher did not warn me that there is someone new in the field? Interesting.
He stood up while listening to the man's words some of the others joined them on the field, but most where looking towards the new arrival , but one of them looked time to time to Viking as she could see him. "Must be Awakened" he said half amused to himself and joined them while still holding up his spell.
While moving closer Viking took Look in the astral plane at the new arrival and the new team members, especially of the one's he had never seen before. To be just sure he even activated his suits Masking abilities.

Gala wrote:

"In Kesslan's absence, I have been authorized to offer a slight competition between you all. There will, of course, be a reward."

He had reached the others at the time The Handsome elf had finished his speech, so just for some harmless fun Viking decided to speak up while standing right next to the team, one test on his own, who would see him just a few metres from themselves.
"Why not. We have not a lot of other thing's to do, so what do you want to compete in? Not gona take part in Karaoke, not a fan of this past time."
Viking could clearly see the Grin on some faces, but others .....

Specter saw that elf appear. Out of nowhere. Her suspicion was aroused at once. Although not only that. Her blushing was furious on her pale, white skin.

Larzarus wrote:

Hey Sweepy, can you take a look at this guy with you astral view or whatever you call it? My Radar didn't pick up anything and usually I see alot with it.

The elf girl gave an affirming nod, not taking her eyes off the elf.

Ascensing roll on Greifers request. Ascensing4+Int3=7d (7d6. hits(5)=2)

Willpower test(3) Will5+Edge1=6d (6d6.hitsopen(5,6)=1) ((Insert curseword))

I don’t even like guys. What is it with this one? Something was wrong. She knew it. Specter tried to resist with all her will. But she couldn’t. One day I will kill you for this!

“What do you want?” She asked while stepping closer on his request. Still struggling with her own fascination, she tried to sound harsh. It did not work too well though.

"Thank you, it is straining to throw my voice across the field. It is much more pleasant to have you close." Watashi says, maintaining his smile.
Game Stuff:
Viking: The Astral Body is clearly awakened. You can feel the "tug" of his request on your willpower, but as yet you are unsure as to it's power, since you would have complied with his first request regardless. Despite that you are convinced that there is magic involved, his Astral Presence, while obviously awakened, seems to be not currently using any magic. It is almost like he is dual natured. Beyond that: He is healthy, to a fault.
Oh: And yes, you Watcher did not see him approach. And as soon as he arrives in the field, your watcher warns you of his presence.
Larz: He does not appear to be armored. There are no footprints, which would indicate that you can't find them, or that he didn't walk to get there. His Thermal Signature appears to be unhampered by any thermal dampening clothing.
Ghost: That's a nice little Glitch there. Since I don't have any fun things to play on you, roll a drain resist against 2 boxes of magical drain (Shaman, so Will+Charisma, right?). Your Assensing reveals that he is awakened, most likely dual natured, and that he is healthy.

[EDIT] OOC: Sorry, hit send too soon...

"Here is what I have in mind." Watashi says, his smooth, multi-tonal voice flowing over the four of you. He reaches in to his inside-pocket of his jacket, pulling out four full-sized "Maglights". The strange contraptions that the Lone Star Beat-Cops used to use on the Seattle Streets. Mostly designed to be a blunt weapon, but equipped with a flashlight, for practical purposes. Strangely, there was clearly no possible way for the four flashlights to have fit within his well-fit tailored suit; but he pulled them out as though they fit most comfortably. He then hands one to each of you.
"If you attempt to turn them on, you will find that they work as expected." He says, smiling. He then goes on to describe a game, known in today's world as "POW", where the flashlights are the "guns" of the game, but must remain on at all times.
"And, to make sure that this game is enjoyable, I will create a physical barrier at about 100 meters radius from this spot, and inside of that physical barrier, I will affect night-like conditions. Also, if you please, turn off your cyberware enhancements, and please refrain from using magical enhancements to improve your chances of winning the game." He smiles, and nods as a few of you attempt to use your flashlights.

(Invisible Castle is down for me atm..so i wont bother to roll since i only got 3 will anyways)

As long as there no "fight to the death" involved im in

"So, please take your time to ask any questions about the game, and rules." He adds, finishing up his description of a war-like game, using flashlights as the primary weapon. As he finishes, the light around you all starts to fade, in a sort of simulated "twilight". Strangely, stars appear in the "Sky".



For those of you who don't know how to play "POW": It is a war game. The following are the rules:

1. Your flashlight must remain on at all times.
2. You are "Tagged" if someone successfully illuminates you with their flashlight. (This would take a ranged-weapon + Agility (3) test: Firearms, pistols, specialty, thrown weapons, archery)
3. You are allowed to do anything within your power to avoid being "Tagged", including running away, hiding behind trees, dodging, ducking, rolling, etc.
4. Winner is "Last Person Standing"

Kesslan spent his time waiting outside the shop 'casually' looking around he area. He'd felt certain that in this day and age of total surveillance that someone had to have recording devices that would have inadvertently caputred footage of the teams quarry. The trick of course was finding them. However after several minutes of hunting around using vision magnification and enhancements built into his sun glasses he had his potential leads.

He mentally tagged the two potential sources in his AR using his sim module and then contacted Ashe and LT over his comlink 'think I found some leads' he said, linking in the view from his AR. Not waiting for their response he then opened a line to Elanore. 'Elanore? Could you try and track who owns the parking lot and the ATM? I think they may have footage we are looking for but odds are we will have to do a little in person convincing to get them to share. Or if you think you can hack em by all means.'