[Shadowrun] Chapter 1 - An Unexpected Request

[Mysticsage]

"Oh, my detective so we meet again." He whispered barely under before experiencing his second bought of whiplash for the night and starting awake all of a sudden. As the car came through the U-turn and eventually came to a stop. "Not my preferred way of waking up thank you very much Sparky. I Had only just gotten to the good part too." He glanced around to get a better bearing on his surroundings while he moved his seat up. trying to curb his attitude from his earlier outburst chocked back the fact that this kind of attitude would normally get a response from the elf. But he had gone to far earlier, so he bit his tongue. He needed a driver and while he wanted to ask if he learned to drive in a bumper car or if his foot was glued to the gas pedal. He needed a transporter and there was something to be said for having a driver with no brakes. That type of driver even the elf knew was a rarity and their complete disregard for their own well being said something to Sparky's character

"So Mr. No Brakes, where are we and who are we looking for?" he asked trying to roll the kinks out of his now swore neck.

[pringerbeam]

     Roland continued to look around the pickup point. "Well we are at something colloquially called 'the meet' and looking for 'the employer'" Roland emphasized the terms with finger quotes before leaning his seat back slightly and taking a more relaxed pose.  "Eh, as these kinds of jobs usually go it's usually the sketchiest motherfucker you see that happens to be your point of contact.  So keep your eyes out.  Shinji said they know the car so they will come when they come.  Now it's just up to us to wait things out.  Hopefully we don't have to wait too long.  How was the nap by the way?  You said something about a detective,  Were there pink fuzzy handcuffs too?"

[Mysticsage]

"You know for a man who loves his chrome you sure are banking on what you think to be a kind heart to not poke at that raisin you call a soul." he said poking him in the chest for emphasis. It was an empty threat not even meant as a warning since the words did not even reach his eyes." As for my sleep it was fine," he paused, "For the most part I was having a nice dream thank you very much. And for your information handcuffs are not my style thank you very much I'm far to flexible for that kind of thing." Obfuscate the fact that sparky had overheard his Zephyr's dreaming with a bit of information overload. One of Zephyr's sepecialties. He must be really more worn out then he thought to allow himself to talk in his sleep. His rude awakening had caused his heart to race with adrenaline there was no more current need for sleep.

Her face along with other scenes from his past still floating at the edge of his mind he momentarily slapped his checks to dispel them. Sparky while being a wise ass had answered his question about the type of person he could imagine to expect. This drop was far from the standards of the Manzoku but was still the most common even for his organization and past experience. "So how bullet proof is this baby?" He patted the passenger door, "In case this job is meant to be our bodies delivered to the morgue that is. He fished for something in his jacket pocket cursed under his breath, "You got a way I can link my comm with the car? I'd prefer to create some noise on the Matrix while we just sit here if you follow my logic. Then Mac can at least keep an eye out for anything off."

[pringerbeam]

     Roland laughed.  "HaHA!  Oh man, sorry about that... you reminded me of someone I once met with that soul comment.  As for the car, sorry but I don't trust anyone but Mac really when it comes to messing with my tech."  He patted the dashboard a few times before running his hand over the display behind the steering wheel.  "El D here has seen me through enough nasty firefights that I don't trust anyone mucking around with him."  He rapped the knuckles of his left hand against the driver's side window.  "After I lost the windshield I decided to replace all the windows with reinforced glass.  Should be able to handle most small arms fire.  Also had the doors themselves internally reinforced with a bit of extra armor plating to keep things nice and even.  You know how it is, got to make sure that you are protected from all directions.  Can't count on people only shooting at the windows.  Also, bullets are killer on the upholstery and I didn't want to spend half my paycheck every job having to replace the seats."

[Mysticsage]

"I think I get what you mean. I'm without most of my usual gear at the moment and I feel like I'm rather naked without them." Zephyr took a tiny rubber band outside of his pocket and began combing his acid green mane into a large bushy pony tail. "I normally have proper armor and a few more weapons. For now all I have is my typhoon," he said patting his pistol. "He's the best for closing distances. I've had to refurbish another of things at the moment so my usual kit is rather limited." He let out a small sigh, "Now I won't even be able to stay in my own bed until I can cleanse my apartment. Oh well, I've gotten paid tonight so I suppose that is worth something and this will get us closer to doing what needs to be done."

[pringerbeam]

     "Yeah I know the feeling.  Kinda in a bit strapped for cash myself.  I prefer to have a bit of cash on hand to cover the kinds of expense that this little errand is covering.  Unfortunately the same job that put me in debt to Mac here drained most of my reserves."  Roland stretched his arms before leaning back in his seat again.  "By the way, you ain't tied to the ancients are you?  Just asking because of the green hair... and I guess the pointy ears but hey that's kinda a given."

[Mysticsage]

"Like I said before I'm largely a solo act when at all possible, most of my jobs before I got taken up with the Manzoku were directly from Minerva." he paused for a moment to explain "My mentor Owl I mean, they are mostly vision quests and the like. They can be an a rather involved spirit guide and I've always had a particular understanding and nature with spirits. Spirits always wanted to be near me ever since I awakened. So I have always had a clearer understanding of my mentor then most so they trust me with certain tasks. Of course some things required more then just my set of skills." He laughed, "I've made a number of unique friends to that end so I ended up getting additional work from them as well when they need it. Mac here would fall into that category as well quid pro quo and all that. I place high value and weight on those bonds. So to answer your question I know a number of people in a lot of places, and one or two of them may have or had ties with the Ancients. But I'm not personally a part of their organization." He took a moment to study Sparky's face in detail.

"May I ask why the worry?"

Project: build psychological profile of sparky to see what secrets he's hiding and what i can start digging out (imagine this will be an extended test done over time to get more and more stuff)

Psy test using intuition but tell me if i need to reroll with logic

Rolled 8d6 : 5, 6, 4, 4, 6, 1, 5, 4, total 35

[pringerbeam]

     Roland sighed deeply and thought to himself.  I wonder how bad I'm going to be bruised in the morning...  Tthis act is starting to wear thin...    He rubbed his side which had earlier become so intimate with the apartment's brick wall before speaking.  "I was just curious.  It's always good to know who knows who in this world and where everyone's loyalties lie.  For example:  You ask a lot of questions about the cargo for this job so for all I know you are an ancient plant here to jack the cargo and either ransom it back to the employer or just steal it for the gang.  Honestly, with your answers you are not engendering any feelings of confidence with the sly looks and word games.  What is with the cloak and dagger routine by the way?  You keep running my questions in circles and it's starting to grind on my nerves."  Roland paused for a second, thinking to himself before continuing.  Maybe it's time to tango and see if this tiger is made of paper...  "Of course, maybe that's why you are down here in the real dark places of the world in the first place.  Maybe all those secrets you seem to gleefully keep are what got your 'friend' killed.  Someone as highly connected as you claim to be shouldn't need to call on my kind of people unless it is a last resort... Unless you have no one left to turn to...  Unless everyone you claim as friend is either dead or gone..."

[Mysticsage]

Zephyr said nothing but his jaw clench and he tasted blood. "I had nothing to do with Ben's death he was a good man trying his best to make a living for his for family and I will not let you take both my name and his through the mud by belittling that effort." Zephyr was seeing red at that moment. "The one thing that I hold most sacred is my friends, so I purposely made efforts to make sure that his activities would not lead back to them. As to why I had been taking a break from the shadows and agreed to work for the Manzoku in the first place." Zephyr was fuming at this point but he kept it hidden under a calm mask keeping his voice measured. "The reason someone like Mac is willing to help when I need it in the first place is the work I put in on my end. He decided to get directly involved so I will not let you besmirch that."

"And it is that friend that is keeping me from cutting out your tongue right now!" Zephyr did a quick movement then within the space of the compact front cabin and smashed his open palm under his chin before a ball of energy exploded into Sparky's head.

casting a force 8 stunbolt

Rolled 6d6 : 6, 3, 3, 2, 2, 4, total 20

drain 5

Rolled 9d6 : 2, 6, 5, 5, 5, 3, 6, 3, 2, total 37

[Mysticsage]

using 1 edge reroll failure

Rolled 5d6 : 3, 2, 1, 6, 6, total 18

[pringerbeam]

Surprise roll

Rolled 12d6 : 1, 2, 5, 1, 4, 5, 3, 5, 5, 1, 1, 2, total 35

Spell Resistance roll

Rolled 4d6 : 3, 2, 5, 4, total 14

[pringerbeam]

     It was a most peculiar sensation.  The magic rolled through Roland like walking near a static electricity generator before a jolt snapped through him much like touching said generator.  The jolt quickly faded though to a dull throb like being slapped by a particularly feisty escort.  Oh! Cindy!  I wonder what she is up to these days.  The flash of nostalgia quickly faded though and Roland began to laugh.  "BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!  Finally some spine in you!  I was wondering where the breaking point was with all your highly flaunted values and I think that I've finally found it.  Lesson time Chopstick: No matter what people say about honor, mercy, or whatever, there is always a point where they show that they are just as honor-less and savage as the rest of us.  So always skip the pleasantries and pretense and go for the throat right from the start."  Roland looked Zephyr right in the eyes before continuing.  "My points still stand.  Your friend is dead and judging by your volatile reaction here to someone who doesn't even know you, you can imagine that any enemy with half a brain would be able to tell that killing someone close to you would be an easy way to draw you out and off of your game.  Keeping secrets is like keeping raw meat in your camp.  Sure, you get rats and raccoons all the time coming to get a bite.  But sometimes bigger and meaner animals come.  Ones that will tear apart the whole campsite and everyone in it to get their tasty treat.  So before you go all 'THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE' on me, ask yourself if that is completely true.  Everyone fucks up somewhere: you, me, Mac, Chopstick obviously, everyone.  The second you think your plans and safeguards are perfect is when they crack and people die.  So get off your high horse chummer."  Roland looked around again.  "Fuck this guy is taking his sweet time."

Roland takes 2 stun damage

[Mysticsage]

"Take this as a lesson about keeping your mouth shut about things you have no understanding of." Zephyr said in a huff, "Otherwise you'll libel to have someone less merciful then me blowing your head off for less. Take that zap as a warning for you too Sparky I held back because of Mac here and because of my own principles. Keep that in mind next time you feel like insulting someone who is meant to keep you alive or with a client." Zephyr could still feel the redness in his face. He wanted to get outside and stretch his legs in order to blow off some steam. He shook the remainders of his thoughts away. He had to focus on the operation and put on his usual mask. For the sake of his job he needed to be at his best to make sure that he held up his end of the deal, a normal drop off should be easy but to ask a man like sparky specifically meant that it would probably be a bit more explosive then he expected. He could compartmentalize then vent later. He said as he let out a silent breath of air and regathering his emotions.

[pringerbeam]

     Roland sighed.  "And now we have come full circle.  You do realize I'm just doing doing the exact same thing you were at the start of this little errand.  I'm figuring out the lay of the land.  Only difference is in your case I'm not hired to shut up and not ask questions.  Look, you got to get these things out of the way now and not later when it could get you, or more importantly one of us killed.  So if whatever it is in that skull of yours that makes you play these exceedingly dangerous games stops you from seeing these kinds of things then I especially need to know that because in case you have forgotten your statistics..."  Roland lifted a hand a stuck a thumb Takumi's direction.  "They say that 90% of people that start out in the biz don't make it to their second job and wind up dead.  I intend on making sure that Chopstick here isn't one of them.  So you can throw all the tantrums you want.  It won't change the circumstances or how I act."

[Mysticsage]

"Whatever you say, but I'm not biting again. Taku will make his own calls regardless of the performances you want to put on."Zephyr saw this one coming a mile away as soon as the words left his mouth, but having an argument here like this was pointless. Sparky had overstepped a line of personal attack and he was simply trying to justify it for the audience in the backseat. His own earlier out burst did not help matters but he had nothing to gain from belaboring the point. Zephyr unlike sparky had not asked once for personal information beyond that which was offered had not once asked about previous jobs it was bad form in the first place to do so. When it had come to the run he had asked the questions that needed asking nothing more nothing less free of any kind of judgement. They were not hired for their silence otherwise their were more clear options one being the memory altering drug lase if it was so delicate a job.

But he doubted Sparky carried to make that kind of distinction and he was not going to give him the satisfaction. His own personal life was his own to judge no one else. Normally he would be unmoved by such things but the scene of Ben's face in pain was still to fresh. For the sake of his friends soul he would not be playing any further part in it. "Go in peace Ben don't let what we do here so you down. Regardless of what others want to think I have your back in this life and the next." He thought while performing a quick prayer better to not let his soul get weighed down with any more negative emotions, or else he might become some kind of monster. "Let me take the rest of your burden, so that you can focus on passing over safely."

Zephyr would be lost in himself zoned out until the mission needed him or he could regather himself