The Battalion is the local dive bar. The sign outside is a holographic projection of an old US military tank battalion rolling through what was likely some part of Germany. Once you're inside the smell of two day old smash, cigarettes and who knows what assaults your nose. There are a few booths along the eastern wall, the bar is along the western wall and the towards the back wall is an old pool table that actually works.

Barrage, the owner and barkeep is an older man in his mid 40's to early 50's. Hard to tell these days and he doesn't make it any easier, being fit and a pair of large chromed cyberarms. A bald man with a missile tattoo starting in the back and ending just above his forehead. He has a ginger red goatee and a pair of data ports behind his left ear.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:09, Wed 02 Oct 2019.

Prodigy would walk into the Battalion, with the others in tow, and oddly did not give her usual small wave to Barrage. Instead she just walked to her usual spot, dropped her pack on the table and sat down.

Barrage looked up from the bar, raising his head a slight bit to Prodigy as he dried a mug before placing it back. He grabbed a can of slam from a cooler below him and slid it towards some poser near the end of the bar.

Back in the back of the Battallion a trio of boosters are shooting some pool, drinking and being loud.

Around the rest of the room it seemed pretty dead, a couple tables were full, including the table next to where you usually take a seat.

The walk to the Battalion wasn't long but only as friendly as things could be in the southern slums of Night City.  Gargoyle walked along casually with his sledgehammer propped up on one shoulder keeping to sub-vocal small talk with Prodigy.  Anyone that gave Prodigy more than a cursory glance caught the glare of an over protective brother from him.

He frowned at the reminder that Prodigy was near a decade younger than him.  It made him feel old, which is funny for a guy in his mid twenties.  She was smarter than him and seemed to have her shit together.  But she was forced to grow up fast just like he was in the Combat Zone.

Maybe being back down south wouldn't be as horrible as he initially thought.  It was a good reminder not to get soft.  Did he get a little soft being in a downtown street rat?  He wasn't sure, but the scenery and luxuries were definitely better.
__________

Entering the Battalion directly behind Prodigy, Gargoyle gave the bartender a polite nod and followed her to her table and sat down, resting his sledgehammer propped up against the table.

He knew the place, well he did ten years ago but it didn't look like it had changed much.  Only back then he was a nobody street thief named Tommy.  He hoped no one recognized him from the old days because he was a troublemaker back then.  Well, he was a troublemaker now as well, but a little more discerning about his fun these days.

After sitting a moment he pulled off the earpiece he'd been using to hear Prodigy and looked at the battery indicator on his phone and shut it off.  "Conserving battery," he said to her as he put the phone and accessory back in his inside jacket pocket.  "If we're gunna be running together a while, I should probably try to score a mastiod commo to make this whole talking thing easier.  I think that's the most I've used my phone in a couple months."

He pulled a small wad of bills from the same inside pocket and after counting it he frowned.  He didn't remember having so little cash on him.  He'd need to fix that quick if he wanted to eat.  He asked Prodigy, "what's good?" and then immediately shook his head.  He was already used to just talking to her and having her talk back through the ear piece.  He laughed at himself quietly and then slid the eighteen eurobucks over to his new friend.  "Nevermind, you figure it out.  That should be enough to get us something to eat and drink."  If nothing else she would know what's good these days.

Prodigy finally looked at her hands, which were shaking as the realization that she had killed not one, but multiple people. It hit her hard now that she was sitting down, and relaxing and actually had a chance to think. When she was trying to help everyone escape, or even walking through the streets of the Combat Zone her mind did not have a chance to dwell on it, but now.

It was him sliding the money over to her that jar'd her back to him. To listening to him. She started to say something, then noticed his earpiece wasn't in his ear. She cocked her head to the side, before she realized after all that time his battery may have died. She sighed, then nodded. Taking the money, she went up to the bar.

Barrage looked up from the cleaning he was doing "Where ya been? It's been like a week."

At the mention of being gone a week, that brought a look of startlement from her! Then she swallowed hard as the look on her face grew more sullen. He could see her hands were shaking, worse then when she first showed up at his door. Still, she managed to point to her ears, then made a talking motion with her hands. Showing she'd talk to him through to his commo like usual.

Once setup up, he could even hear the trembling in her voice.  Then she paused for a moment.  That's likely when it became obvious, there might be a bit of blood, grease from the doors and elevator shaft, and other dirt all over her and her clothes.

Barrage looks at you, taps on his ear piece. He shrugs his shoulders at Prodigy's comments and respond out loud "Them's the breaks kid"

She audibly sighed out loud, unsure how to take that statement before replying.  Then she considered for a moment.  There was a good thing, at least, and she managed to see it.

Speaking of Gargoyle.  She said, holding Gargoyles money in her hand tightly.

He shrugged again, grabbed a couple glasses from under the bar and filled em from the Smash on tap. "On me." As he slides them over. "What ye want to eat? Same shit as usual. And it's still just a shitty"

She smiled at the free drink.  Then after a moments thought, she shrugged about the food.

Sitting at the bar, Blanquito watched the comings and goings with interest. Well, as much interest as he could muster these days. Unemployment had its perks, he got to spend his days here, but had its downsides, he mostly nursed a couple of drinks to make them last for the day.

He looked over his shoulder as a kid he had seen before entered. Not being particularly bright, he could still follow her gestures to the bartender. So Barrage was indeed some kind of fence. Or maybe not. He did tend to read too much into things sometimes.

Barrage caught him looking. Blanquito decided to smile at the bartender. Worst thing, those shiny arms would throw him out. Best case, maybe Barrage would read too much into the smile and give him a free drink.

Gargoyle watched as Prodigy walked to the bar and then very quickly realized he wasn't going to follow the conversation.  Now he knew what it must have been like for others in the corp compound when he and her were talking.  He laughed at himself and shook his head.

After a moment he wiped his face with one hand, and grumbled to himself.  He was tired and wanted something flat and cushy to lay down on.  Yeah, food and a nap sounded good.

While he waited for Prodigy, he turned his attention to the boosters in the back playing pool.  Quietly he watched and observed there game and antics trying to decide if they were jut kids having fun or some hard nosed bastards blowing of some steam.


OOC:
19:58, Today: Gargoyle rolled 22 using 1d10+15 with rolls of 7.  Awarenes/Notice focusing on the boosters in the back playing pool.

In reply to Gargoyle (msg # 13):


You recognize the boosters as part of the Piranhas, they just like to have fun and are relatively low threat if you leave em alone. They seem to be having a good time in the back, setting small wagers on shots and who can drink the most....

In reply to Blanquito (msg # 12):

Barrage looked over at Blanquito, raised a glass to ask if he needed another? Meanwhile he took Prodigy's cash and put in the order for the food. "It'll get over to your table when it's done."

Blanquito smiled. 'Well, I won't say no!... Keep'em coming and if you have a job that needs doing, I'm here...'

He threw this line to the bar in general a couple of times each day. Maybe someone, some day, would bit and would be in need of something getting done...

 Prodigy said with a meek smile and nodded. She would then grab up the drinks and carry them over to the table with Gargoyle.

She'd set one in front of him, and took the other to her seat and sat down. After a brief awkward silence she would then pull out her small tablet and pen. -Barrage said the drinks were on him. All we had to pay for was the food. Got us both a burger and some fries.- She then shows him the note, and passes back any change if there was any.

From outside the bar there is the distinct whine of AV engines in descent mode, followed a few moments later by the different, but no less distinct sound of them powering up for liftoff before fading away.

The Salaryman entered The Battallion with the same calm demeanor she'd exhibited throughout the recent ordeal.  Whatever dust and dirt may have managed to get on her suit seemed mostly gone and her exterior self was as put together as her interior once again, though she still seemed to be favoring one leg, so she obviously hadn't gone through any miracle transformation.

She moved with purpose to the table where Prodigy and Gargoyle were and gave the pair a shallow bow of greeting before taking a seat herself.

"I do not yet know to whom we are indebted for our recent train fares, but I may receive word if one of our fellow passengers locates the proper party to which a thank you card should be sent if so wished."  The Salaryman informed the pair, forgoing the etiquette of preamble and small talk, which she wasn't very good at anyway, and getting her primary piece of business out of the way.

Gargoyle took the drink happily and raised it to Prodigy, "to surviving another day in hell," and then took a drink.  "How you holding up?  I didn't notice it til you got up but you looked a little shaky on your way to the bar."

And in the asking he realized the futility of the complicated question without comms.  "Sorry, got too used to just talking to you."

Thankfully Salaryman walked up in time to keep him from feeling too awkward about it.  Once her heard what she had to say about there previous predicament, he nodded, "yeah I'd love to send them a thank you gift for the hassle."  He then gestured to a free chair, "might as well pop a squat."

Quick walked into The Battalion and gave a little smirk toward one of the boosters playing pool. Quick didn't know the choomie, but let him figure that out. It was really just a way to take in the room without looking around like a total greenoid.

Quick's eyes did make out the person who fit Gargoyle's description from what Cytherea had told him. So the medtechie sauntered by that table on his way to the bar, and gave the man a slight nod before passing by the table.

Leaning in on the bar, Quick gave a similar nod to Barrage. "Burger and fries, if you don't mind." Quick requested. "Soy is fine for both if that's all you got. And something archaically good to drink, like Soviet beer." The medtechie slipped a 20 euro credstick across the bar. "I'll just grab a seat over here."

Having placed the order, and hopefully squelching any eyes that lingered on him too long, Quick sat down at a table next to Gargoyle and the others. "Cytherea said that maybe I should check in with her running mates if I hadn't heard from her in a couple of days. She had me hold onto a little something for her."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:29, Thu 07 Nov 2019.

Barrage gathered up the cred-stick, nodded as he went back to work. A couple minutes a young girl in a low top, short skirt and high heels walks over to the table sets down the food in front of each of you and a beer for Quick. She winks and walks back to the bar to talk to some dude at the end of the bar that looks a bit small but seems to make her laugh...

Prodigy looked at Gargoyle a moment, cocking her head to the side. She would hold up her drink to his toast and toast him back. Then when he was done speaking, and they were done toasting, she would write him another note. --Don't feel awkward that you can't hear me. I can still communicate, so just talk to me like normal. It will just take me longer to respond.--

Then she thought about his question, and finally wrote more. --Not good. Always thought about what it would be like to kill those that killed my family. But today...I actually did kill people, for the first time ever. I just don't....-- The note just stops suddenly, ending in a small squiggly line that drifts off.

She just looked at her food for a moment as it was sat in front of her. Letting the note just sit there seemingly unfinished for Gargoyle, and by default TheSalaryMan to see.

Overrider limps into the bar with a blood soaked bandage on his right leg.  He waves off the look from Memphis, the current bouncer and moves up to the bar.  He puts an Armlite 44 on the counter, grips towards Barrage.  Hey boss.  Crazy Jane in yet?  he says gesturing towards his leg.

The Salaryman was not a gun toting psycho ready to go aggro on anyone and anything.  If anything she seemed highly reluctant to fight and willing to let those more demonstrably adept at such things do what they were good at while she herself did her best to keep out of the way.

Still, it was not out of some sort of soft hearted nature, or an unwillingness to get her hands dirty.  Her outlook on things was much too stark for such sentiments, too black and red.

Therefore it was probably not very helpful when she offered up her sentiments to Prodigy in the vulnerable sort of state she was confessing to be in.  "It might be useful to remember that everything must balance.  What is bought must be paid for, what is sold, must be collected on."  The Salaryman said.  You can not create something from nothing, and you can not always purchase as much of a something as you might want, which can mean not everyone gets as much as they would like.  It might help to think of life as one such commodity, and to break your recent experience into a simple series of transactions."

Her attention then shifted to the man who sat down.  She listened to what he said and gave him a nod.  "I do not think we have heard from her either since we last saw her.  She did not mention any arrangements for what she gave you to me, but she might have to someone else."

When the food is dropped off he answered the waitress' wink with a smile and then watched her walk back to the bar with an appraising eye.  He smirked and gave a short quiet laugh when she got back to her friend at the bar and then nodded approvingly.  Her friend might not look like much but he seemed be doing just fine despite it.  Quietly to himself he wished them the best of luck.

He then gave Prodigy a look, and then shook his head and looked at some thing else.

Even with the minor visual distraction Gargoyle was still paying attention to the women at his table and what they were saying.  Poping a fry in his mouth he shrugged and nodded along with Salaryman's sentiments on the economics of life and death.  "I think that's a li'l colder than I'd put it, but survival isn't always about feelings."  He looked back at Prodigy, "it's about being able do the math and making it work while the world is raining shit on you.  And in that regard you did just fine.  You got us out.  And those cranked up boosters you killed were perfectly fine with the idea turning us into chunky salsa.  You saved more people than you killed from that shit show today.  Put that on the scale and that matters."

He popped another fry in his mouth and then unzipped his armor jacket and hoodie, peeling the two garments off as one and hanging them on the back of his chair.  That pretty much left him wearing a light gray tank top and a few easily visible tattoos.  Gargoyle may not be a muscle-headed gang banger but he was certainly fit.

A glance or two told Quick that he was paying attention, but he hadn't said anything that made him more interested in the man than Cyntherea's name.  Instead he focused on his burger and got in a few bites in while letting Salaryman do the talking.

The fries weren't soy, which wasn't a surprise. Potatoes were just as cheap, and while they may not have a shelf life like what a little water and a plastic package could give soy, some creds could be saved by shipping the potatoes quickly and avoiding paying for the extra processing. It was the kind of stuff you learned growing up in an arco.

The burger wasn't soy either, which was a surprise. Sure, it was a clone of a clone of some bio-spliced meat that had been chemically enhanced to taste like beef, but when Quick bit down into the juicy goodness, he could taste the char on his tongue. His taste buds approved.

The Soviet beer tasted like roasted wheat and gunpowder. It went down smooth with a strong, lingering aftertaste. Something about the aroma reminded Quick of methedrine. It was like the echo of a memory of a flashback.

"I am guessing combat zombies," Quick said, keeping his voice low enough not to broadcast past the two tables. "Dead Boys always wanna weaponize the local filth. Either by sticking an electrode in their brain, or some chemical concoction. What I got ain't electronic, and that's not my specialty. Though I haven't analyzed it yet. Thought I should talk to you nice choomies first. Cy, she patched me up once after a nasty run in with some Blood Razors. I would like to do good by her."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:00, Mon 11 Nov 2019.

She managed to give both TheSalaryMan and Gargoyle a genuine smile. She still shook a bit, but the smile was enough to show that their words made an impact.

Then she looked towards this...Quick. He'd said a couple things that caught her ear. She would cock her head to the side a moment, before writing him a note. --Are you talking about some vials she grabbed while we were stuck in that building?--

Quick nodded at The SalaryMan's words. Noticing the scribe board, he nodded to Prodigy as well. "She didn't mention any building. Or make a peep about your last run. But yeah, that is what she gave me."

Quick looked around at everyone gathered, his eyes rested on Gargoyle. His was the name Cytherea had given, and Quick suspected that these were his crew. Cytherea must have been edgerunning with them. Quick wasn't sure how tight the crew was though.

"For now, it looks like you hit the lottery. I can hand them over as is, or I can see about analyzing them for their little secrets."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:51, Wed 13 Nov 2019.

"We'll not be able to put an accurate valuation on them without actually knowing what, exactly, these assets are."  The Salaryman noted.

--We didn't run together. We were all taken at the same time to the same place against our wishes and I lead them all out. Was not a good situation.-- Wait, this 16 year old girl lead a bunch of possibly seasoned runners out of a bad situation?

--Anyway. I agree with Salary Man. We need to know what that stuff is before we decide how to deal with it.-- She also wrote, in another paragraph.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:52, Thu 14 Nov 2019.

As the four of you speak among yourselves, one of the occupants of the table next to you stands up, walks over to you and hands Gargoyle his phone


"Yo, chom... it's for you. Hand it back when you finished,'kay?"

His attention shifts to the rest of you as he sizes up his options on getting his phone back...

Apparently he was hungry as he didn't stop to breathe between bites into his burger.  While Quick seemed to appreciate the food when he got his, right now it was just fuel to Gargoyle.

When the 'choombata' from the next table came over and held out his own phone, he set down the remaining third of his burger and grabbed a napkin or two to wipe his hands off.  He eyed the stranger for a moment taking in his appearance, and then shrugged and took the phone giving the guy a nod.

After making a quick gesture to his 'crew' to keep the chatter down he answered the Johnson on the other end of the line, "I'm listening."


OOC:
18:14, Today: Gargoyle rolled 23 using 1d10+15, rerolling max with rolls of 8.  Checkin' out the 'choombata.'
This message was last edited by the player at 02:17, Sat 16 Nov 2019.

The Choombata had a feline make over, twitching tail and whiskers and all... But other than that he seemed pretty annoyed that he whomever wanted you on the phone and not him...


As you respond, the voice on the other hand began to speak slowly. Their voice androgynous with an English accent that was far too practiced...

"Say nothing, only listen. When I ask for an answer you say Yes or No, nothing more. Warehouse 214, Wellborn Street. West 31st Street. If you desire employment be there at 2 AM. The work is dangerous but rewarding and brief. Shall I expect you?"

Quick leaned back and took a long gulp of his Soviet brewski. He flexed his shoulders in a relaxed gesture. "Sure, I can scan the stuff. I got the E-Quip for it. I'd need some time in a private room. Or I can take it back to my place in the Zone and do the duty."

Quick let the others think about it. Meanwhile, he watched as the Kitten Kind approached with the phone. That reminded Quick that he was currently without cell service. Some chromer had jacked his phone and Quick was waiting on a few more Euro before getting a new hookup.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:09, Tue 19 Nov 2019.

Gargoyle looked at the motley crew of misfits in his company and then visibly shrugged answering the caller, "yes."  After which he waited to see if the line would go dead or if there was more to be heard.  He didn't know what anyone else potentially had in mind, but this fixer needed some action to put cash back in his pocket.


OOC:
19:37, Today: Gargoyle rolled 24 using 1d10+15, rerolling max with rolls of 9.  Awareness/Notice on the caller and his background noise.
I'm leaning hard in that Awareness/Notice crutch of mine.
But there are worse crutch skills to have.

A figure enters the Battallion and stops just inside it's doors.  He is a black male, somewhere in his early twenties you would guess, wearing a variation on a suit, far from anything that might be considered "classical".  He eyes the room briefly before moving towards the bar, his medium frame gliding easily past tables, chairs, and other patrons.  One might think he is going to get himself a drink, but there is the slightest of nods towards Barrage, then this man makes a detour to one of the tables where a group sits eating, discussing, and having phone conversations.

This man looks at each face in turn, seems to consider something for a moment and, when he is apparently satisfied, nods, then deigns to speak.  "I hear from a 'liable source, that you's Cho's 'ave 'ad some sorta trouble recent.  Wakin' up where you shouldn't, findin' all sotrt'sa random info, then 'scapin' outta some ware'ouse.   My 'liable source says you's might wanna find out wot 'appened and why.  Same source tells me I could maybe be of some 'elp," he says in a voice (with an accent you cannot quite yet place) that carries no further than the table you all are sat at.

Before any can answer, however, he continues.  "Sure me source says there'd be more of you's, but there's no denyin' it's you's alright," he finishes with a small shrug, and waits for a reply.  His gaze briefly stopped on Quick, as if he was deciding something, but it didn't linger, simply moved on.

Barrage looks up from Overrider to the guy that just walked in, nodded slightly as his attention turned back to Overrider "Haven't seen her in a few days. Might haps a Badge got her. Might talk to Mouse over there see if he's got any knowledge for a doc. Might cost ya though." he points to a small man sitting at the edge of the bar. You know him as a regular fixer who seems to have a few connections.



As you answer you here an audible click as the line goes dead.


That cat standing a couple feet back, closer to his table watches Gargoyle with interest as he waits to see if his phone is returned. You can see a bit of trepidation in his twitches as he seems scared. His eyes dart to the new man who approached the table and he quickly sits down.

Prodigy knocked on the table lightly to get Gargoyle's attention, then looked at him and shrugged as if to ask him what the call was about.

The Salaryman waited for Gargoyle to complete the call.  It was brief.  No room for negotiation, so perhaps an offer generous to not require it, or conditioned in a way to make refusal not really an option.

She hoped for the former.  There'd been too much of the latter lately for her tastes.

When the new gentleman approached she looked up at him and gave him a moment of study.  If she drew a conclusion based on her observation it didn't show in her expression.

Once Gargoyle had handed back the phone and the cat had left, she gave the stranger a nod.

"Your source may be right."

"'Bout which part?" came the immediate response, not harsh or challenging, simply matter of fact.  Although he already knew the answer (he'd been told, after all), still, it was good to hear things confirmed.  In a world where information was increasingly slippery and controlled, knowing you actually knew something was worth a lot, in and of itself.

Overrider picks up the Armlite 44 and moves over to the fixer.  Mouse.  I find myself in need of a medic.  What is the going rate?

In reply to Overrider (msg # 41):

Mouse looks up to overrider as he finishes his drink, a sly smile crosses his face "Being you work here, i'll only charge you a 50 euro's finder fee. Over on 5th is a Ripper, discreet, he'll charge you like 200 Euro's for a quick patch up. If you want the good drugs, he's got those too, but that'll cost extra. Supply on the street is a bit low."

"Both, probably."  The Salaryman answered Chi.

Chi gave a small nod as an initial response to the answer, then grabbed a nearby chair and sat himself in it.  "Well, 'sumin' that probs is a full fledge 'yes', I think I'll intraduce meself.  Name's Chi, though you's can call me Chilli," he said by way of introduction, and at that, any one taking a proper look would notice that there are little ice designs on his clothing.  Nothing ostentatious, just small patterns that blend in well with whatever he is wearing.

Prodigy looked between SalaryMan and Chi, she would give him a critical look when he sat at her table. More and more people were coming to her table. Some invited, some not. Finally she just gave a sigh, shook her head, and looked towards Gargoyle. As she waited for Gargoyle's response, she would still watch this 'Chi' critically.

After the phone connection was cut, Gargoyle seemed to contemplate the object in hand that had interrupted his meal for a few moments.

Before he answered any questions, he got up out of his chair and walked the phone back over to the cat at the other table.  He set it down, where it could easily be collected and gave the exotic a polite nod, "sorry choom', I guess Johnny didn't have my number."

Returning to the groups table he sat down and took another bite of what was left of his burger.  "Work," he finally answered those with the questions and then he took a swig of his smash.  "Late night meet and greet with a Johnny to see what's what.  Usual cloak and dagger bullshit."

Gargoyle was starting to appreciate Salaryman's brevity with the new faces.  It seemed to him that she was perfectly capable of talking shop without talking shop.  It also told him that she was very likely the sort that can keep to the talking points and probably wouldn't bullshit someone she trusted or was working with.

Making his social assessments to himself, from the outside it looked like he was just watching the play-by-play of the bar.  And he was watching most everyone he could see, even outside of their little growing band of misfits.  People watching some call it.

Even keeping quiet, he gave Chi a polite nod when he introduced himself.  And occasionally his eyes wandered back to the tart passing time as the bar's waitress.  He was a little particular about mixing business and pleasure, unless pleasure was the business, and right now his food was his pleasure.  So instead of jumping right into saying every thought he wanted to share, he went right back to cleaning his plate.

Syren steps inside the door..stopping..taking a moment to just look around, letting his eyes adapt, old habits dieing hard and he almost smiles to himself since they no longer need to, scoping out the clientele, the atmosphere, even the bar itself, taking a quick breath and letting it out slowly, making his way to the bar. Finding a space, he waits..not setting his amp down yet, his guard up, having been jumped from behind before and not in the mood to have to go thru it again as he waits to see if his limited fame has preceded him.

The Salaryman considered Gargoyle's statement for a moment, then the people around.  Finally she decided to wait until he was finished with his meal when he would likely share more details.  It might be impolite to press the issue otherwise, and time was not a significant expense at the moment.

OOC:
19:08, Today: Gargoyle rolled 9 using 1d10+7, rerolling max with rolls of 2.  Raw Tech at GM suggestion.
19:08, Today: Gargoyle rolled 16 using 1d10+8, rerolling max with rolls of 8.  Raw Emp at GM suggestion.

54 News:

In reply to Syren (msg # 47):

The various denizens of the bar seem to not have noticed Syren or at least no one seems to recognize him.

Setting his amp at his feet and resting an elbow on the bar,  Syren is careful to keep his hair away from everyone's drinks, watching the bartender work, trying to get a read on him, hoping the man will let him set up and play, feeling the need to share his music, even as he keeps his ears open to anything..and to anyone, that might serve him as another way to make some scratch, the down time between assignments always leaving him with a bit of an itch..
This message was last edited by the player at 21:06, Mon 02 Dec 2019.

In reply to Syren (msg # 52):

Barrage looks up from his position in the bar, his eyes study Syren a moment as he gathers up a glass and walks towards him "What ye want chum?"

He smiles at the man, the simple greeting more than he's gotten some places before.."a warm place to play..to share my music with others..is there a spot like that here? with the house getting a share of whatever I make, of course"

He's much prefer to be on the payroll, but he's found that offering to play for tips, and to give the head guy a cut, works better for getting hs foot in the door..

Barrage shrugs his big chromed out shoulders and points towards the corner "Ye get shot I ain't paying for it and you'll be cleaning it up. So ye better be good chum"

He can't help but smile at that, holding out his hand to the man "Challenge accepted"

Barrage reaches out, his large chromed hand enveloping Syren's hand. Perhaps this wasn't a good idea as he gives it a squeeze, Syren can feel a large amount of pressure as the cold steel slowly crushes his hand. Barrage relaxes though before any damage is actually done and turns back to what he was doing.

Careful as he can not to let his expression change, to let on any worry or discomfort, seeing the shoe of dominance, of what could have happened as what it was, accepting it as it's not the first time, and wasn't even that much of a surprise.

His hand freed, Syren heads over to the corner indicated and sets up, setting his stuff behind him and uncasing his guitar with a practiced ease that show reverance as well, plugging it into the amp after plugging the amp in and firing it up, tuning his instrument as well as showing off a bit, the piece one well practiced tho seeming freeform, melodious in it's way, a chance as well to check out the acoustics of the room.

While waiting for Gargoyle to finish his meal and let them in on whatever else the voice on the other end of the phone might have told him, the Salaryman looked over to the musician setting up for a performance.

She wasn't sure if live music was typical at this bar, but there didn't seem to be a stage or the like, so it seemed unlikely.

Still, it could be useful.  While whatever that needed to discuss likely wasn't sensitive in nature, the background noise the guitarist could bring might be useful in letting even the mundane details potentially go unheard.

Assuming the music wasn't so loud as to prevent conversation altogether of course.

A couple of the boosters in the back of the room stop their game of pool long enough to give Syren a listen.

Syren smiles at the way his music sounds, his fingers dancing over the strings, playing a variation of an old, old..well at this point ancient blues riff that his parents had turned him onto, the music darkish but rich, definitely not typical of someone that looks like him, but bucking the typical is a big part of him..

OOC: 15:05, Today: Syren rolled 23 using 1d10+13 with rolls of 10.  play instrument.

In reply to Syren (msg # 61):

As Syren begins to strum the strings, few turned to look at him. But as he turned into full playing, the whole bar went silent and turned to look at him playing. Even if it was not their flavor of music, this chum could play, the notes sprung off the guitar with surprising ability.


16:28, Today: Mister Green, on behalf of Syren, rolled 10 using 1d10 with rolls of 10.  10's Reroll.

Total of 33....

Prodigy would finish her sandwhich and fries off with a licking of her fingers after the food was gone. Then she would look around the table a moment, then back towards Gargoyle. When he was finished eating she'd finally write him a note but left it on the table for the other to see. --When's this meeting?--

Gargoyle finally finished his burger, and started in on his fries.  "The John wants to meet us, whatever 'us' consists of."  He gave both Quick and Chilli a nod suggesting they would be welcome.  "the meet is in the warehouse district at 2 AM and the work is supposed to be dangerous but rewarding."

He then gave a terse chuckle, "but aren't they all?  Edgework is edgework.  The John sounds all business and no humor, prolly been doing his job for a while.  But we got a while to chillax and get our shit together."

Gargoyle didn't pay the rocker much mind until he started playing his music.  Blues wasn't his usual go to for music, but it was the great granddaddy of everything he did like.  It didn't take long for him to start toe tapping under the table along with the rocker's jam.


It took him a bit to realize Overrider came into the bar a little while after they did.  If the late late night show was going to be dangerous, a dedicated shooter might not be bad to have.  Assuming he had any interest.

The Salaryman turned an ear towards the musician as he settled into his craft.  She wasn't knowledgeable about such things, but she did have enough sense to recognize that the guitarist probably could be doing better than playing in a Zone dive like the Barrage if he knew a proper A&R man.


With Gargoyle finished, she took note of what he revealed about the phone call.  "Do we have a specific location?"  She asked.

Quick had an appreciative look on his face. "Music's good. Reminds of a time in Bolivia. Not the country, Bolivia. A bar named Bolivia. Or maybe it was B. Olivia's. It was a great bar."

Quick let the music put that warm feeling into his bones, and finished off his food and drink. Feeling good, he ordered a pitcher of Sangria for himself and all the other edgers that had copped a squat together. "I'd be happy to join in on this run. Sounds like a decent job."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:10, Sat 21 Dec 2019.

Getting no real response from any of the others seated at the table, Chilli nodded to himself ever so slightly, and simply leaned back in his chair to take in the surroundings.  He ignored the one staring at him intently, and made as if he was casually glancing around the place.  His eyes took in everything and, of course, the scruff who walked through the door.  He paid that one no more mind until he heard the man start to play.  Impressive.  Even got Chilli to tap his foot to the beat.

It was only when the one on the phone deigned to speak when he was done eating, that Chilli refocused.  'John'?  'Meet'?  'Warehouse District'?  Dangerous but rewarding'?  What was all this?  Was he talking about the warehouse they escaped from?  Was this 'John' someone who could tell them more about what happened?  Chilli's face was a mask of neutrality, but inside, he was frowning.  He took note of who spoke next and what was said, but he had a question of his own.  "This enythin' to do wiv events of earlier?  Seemed to me tha'was the point'a bein' 'ere," he asked and said, that slight trace of an accent just peeking thorough.

At least Quick sat at a table near them, but this Chi guy sat at her table without even asking. Then he just, acted like she didn't exist. A small noise of discontent at that escaped her. Finally she wrote Gargoyle a simple note. --I'm game.--

Syren smiles as his fingers dance, seeing and hearing the reactions he's getting, deciding to take a chance, beginning to sing as well, the words those of a song again learned from his parents, one he used to sing to his sister on nights she'd had nightmares, activating the tech in his throat as well, adding a special richness to what he sings, accompanying himself in a way, a tale of a warrior and his travels..

(OOC: 21:41, Today: Syren rolled 17 using 1d10+12 with rolls of 5.  singing.)

Most of the bar slowly went back to their business as Syren continued his work. The "cats" at the table next to Gargoyle and crew did drop some cred chips at the feet of Syren for his work. While is voice was so-so, the fingers on the strings were absolutely magical.

"Thanks..and I take requests"

Stopping performing for the moment yet not casing up his guitar, Syren leans it carefully against his amp once it's turned off, heading back over to the bar, ready for a drink, not just because he's thirsty, but something he's learned a long time ago, spending a little where he plays ios a good way to get asked back, his eyes once again taking in those around him, just observing with practiced eyes as he waits his time to order.

Prodigy watched Syren for a moment, but then turned her attention back to Gargoyle. Her writing was getting a bit sloppy, probally the drinking but that's beside the point. She still managed though. --Want me to see if Barrage has some spare communicator things you can barrow?--

"What sort of communicator things?"  The Salaryman asked.

--I have a Radio Link in my ears that allows me to communicate since it only needs subvocal communication. Just like the phone splice I was using with Gargoyle.-- Prodigy wrote on the note.

Between french fries Gargoyle answered what he could, "I dunno Chilli, yall now know exactly as much as I do about the meet and greet.  For all we know that lab rat shit show was the audition.  Or it was something else."  He shrugged, "I'm not sure it matters a whole lot now that said lab has been infected by the ecosystem that is the combat zone."

He stroked the stubble on his chin before running his hand around to the back of his neck, and started rubbing at it, getting a feel for the tension he was carrying there.  After a moment he brought his eyes up to Prodigy, "comms would be good.  Crash space would be good.  The phone splice worked, but it isn't ideal.  It's not efficient."

--I got crash space, but it's only got room for me. I'm small.-- She wrote him, then pointed towards the back indicated she actually stays, here. Maybe.

After passing off that note she was already writing another. --I'll ask Barrage if he has something we can barrow, at least for the meet.--

The Salaryman nodded at Prodigy's issue and workaround.

"If we know exactly where the meeting is we might be able to pull data on the property, assuming it's not in the combat zone."  She replied to Gargoyle in regards to her previous question to him.

As she spoke she produced a chip player from her bag, and then reached into her right sleeve and pulled out one end of an interface cable which she connected it to.

"Which might give us information."  She continued as she pulled out a second interface cable from her bag along with a mastoid style comm unit which she plugged in before slotting the other end of the cable into a jack hidden behind her right ear.

"Or it might give us nothing other than knowing our mysterious would be employer knows a spot where there's no working cameras or other surveillance likely to be occurring."

The Salaryman then tucked the comm unit into the breast pocket of her jacket.

"I've got it set to scan,"  She informed Prodigy in regards to the unit.  "so go ahead and start transmitting, and it should lock in.  The chip player should then start relaying the transmission.  The speaker in the chip player isn't much, but it's better than nothing."

Prodigy cocked her head for a moment, watching Salaryman set up all of the gadget's, then place them down. Looking up to her a moment, she'd listen to what she said, then looked back at the chip player. It would likely take a second but soon her voice came through. >Beats writing things down. My hand was hurting. But isn't making all the neat stuff my job?< She gave a smile, happy that there was a way for her to actually communicate now.

The Salaryman looked down at the chip player, then shook her head in reply to Prodigy.

"I produced nothing.  I simply leveraged existing assets to increase productivity though a short term ad-hoc solution.  The cost benefit ratio is currently sustainable but not if we're to maximize our returns in regards to long term projections."

>Same thing.< Came Prodigy's voice over the speaker, as she stuck her tongue out at SalaryMan. It was obvious that her previous statement was not meant to be serious.

"I gotta comm." Quick said, tapping his jaw to indicate that it was of the mastoid variety. It had come in handy in more runs than he cared to admit.

"Got a little bit of crash space too." Quick offered. "It's in the Zone. Just a little apartment. But it can fit a few. Especially if we grabbed some crash pads along the way."

Quick tilted his head. "If we got time, I could analyze that other stuff as well." He took a look a Chili. "Kinda big. You might want the couch."

Chilli took in Gargoyle's words and thought on it for a second or two, before nodding imperceptibly.  For anyone who didn't know, that meant he was in.  It would be nice to follow up on the particulars of the details Snapper gave him, but a job was a job, and that was something they all seemed to be in need of.

Chiili then turned to Quick as the man spoke, and again nodded.  This time, it was firmer and more emotive.  "Many thanks an' much a'preciated.  Couch will do fine," he said by way of reply.

"Prodigy, can I borrow the notepad for a sec?"

Once he had it he jotted down the address for Salaryman, or at least what passed for one.  "Thanks", he returned items to their owner.


This message was last edited by the player at 23:03, Sat 28 Dec 2019.

--The com is mostly so I can communicate with you all easier, but it also helps when we're all out there doing stuff to.-- Prodigy pointed out to Quick primarily, but everyone in general. --Also, I'm Prodigy. I'm your resident Techie, Cyberneticist, and Engineer. Need something fixed, I can do it. Need a cyber-bit redone, I'm yer gal. Need to escape a building, as these guys found out I can handle that too.-- All this knowledge bundled into a small sixteen year old girl. Right.

--Sure Gargoyle.-- She passed off her notepad.

The Salaryman nodded her thanks to Gargoyle.

She then closed her eyes for a moment as she went digging for information.

In reply to The SalaryMan (msg # 86):

Happy Holidays everyone. 50 IP to everyone
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:50, Mon 30 Dec 2019.

The Salaryman took a moment to open her eyes and jot down the words "no current official occupants" on the notepad below the address Gargoyle had written down.

She then went looking for anything else.

In the back of the room two of the boosters begin argueing over something at the pool table. You will see Barrage make a few steps towards them and clear his throat a bit and both of the boosters back down quickly..

The Salaryman apparently finished whatever she was doing as her eyes opened and her attention came back to the people around the table.

"In regards to the meeting location, there might be a relationship between the company the property is registered to and the mystery person on the phone, but if there is I do not have adequate information to offer speculation on such a relationship.

It is more likely the location was chosen due to being discreet.  There is unlikely to be any concerned third parties to witness the discussion."  She offered, which was perhaps not completely reassuring but was more than what was known before.

Prodigy was listening to everything the SalaryMan was spinning, but said nothing at first. Finally, after considering everything she finally spoke through the device SalaryMan put together. --We should see if that one wants to come.-- Came her voice as she pointed to Overrider.

"Do you think he will need convincing?"  The Salaryman asked.

She had no issues just going and asking, but if there was any reluctance, her marketing savvy was rather non-existent.

Prodigy shrugged. considering SalaryMans question. --Not sure. He seemed easy to deal with when we were trapped together. Cannot hurt to ask.-- Came Prodigy's voice over the device.

Quick sat quietly and listened to the conversation as it came across his commo, thankful that he had been tuned into the frequency. It was good to know that a Prodigy was in the technology business and that the others included seemed to have every other area covered for a good edgerun. If this warehouse didn’t turn out to have a few hardnoses in hiding just waiting to empty a few bullets into their packages, it might just turn out to be a sweet run after all.

With a nod the Salaryman got up and walked over to Overrider.

She offered him a polite bow of greeting, but apropos of her social skills, got right to business.

"Apparently some portion of our shared experience on the train has had a potentially positive return on investment.  There is an opportunity available if you would like to pool your time and ability with ours as capital towards this business endeavor."  The Salaryman informed him.

Overrider, had been sitting, not moving for a while, starts a bit when SalaryMan speaks to him.

Sorry, running maintenance routines on my weapon.

He unplugs his pistol and turns to the netrunner.  How much time and how profitable are we talking?

"Unknown.  There is a 2 a.m.conference scheduled to discuss the client's needs and, presumably, to negotiate those details."  The Salaryman told him rather plainly.

I can do that.  Our last jaunt cost me time and money.  I do not want to be a plaything for the corps.  Whoever is negociating, try to get somethings upfront.  Something we can walk away with.

The Salaryman gave him another shallow bow.
"Please join us when you would like."

With the business concluded she returned to the table.  She did not know if Overrider was finished with his maintenance task so she found no problem leaving him to his own devices.

When SalaryMan was back, and hopefully had the device reconnected again so she could talk. --What did he say?--

Realizing what was left of his fries were starting to get cold, Gargoyle made a point of finishing up and cleaning his plate.  And he chased that down with the dregs of his bottle of smash.  Finished he leaned back in his chair using a couple napkins to clean his face.

He was glad to see Salaryman go talk to Overrider.  The solid food in his belly was starting to make him want a nap.  Considering where he woke up earlier this morning he wondered when his last proper meal was.

He finally decided to actually look at his skinwatch and check the date and time.  Unfortunately depending on what he was doing or who he was hanging out with the days kind of already blurred together for him.  He might remember the date and time he last looked at his watch.  But being a Fixer, his schedule wasn't exactly chiseled in stone like most blue collar people.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:57, Sun 12 Jan 2020.

"He has agreed."  The Salaryman replied.

It was approaching about 4 PM, September 29th, 2020.

"Once we have gathered, we should arrange for a working group to form an advance team and do a site visit in preparation for our meeting this evening."  The Salaryman suggested.

Overrider comes over from his place at the bar.

I would like to look at the site. I suggest we do that soon to help in the planning.  I would not send too many as we are scouting and not looking for a fight.

Once Syren was finished with his set, Quick waved him over and offered to buy him a beer. “That was some strong music, my man. Join me for a drink as my way of saying thanks.”

--I could go with you. Look at the building for unorthodox escape routes, which as you all saw I'm good at.-- Her voice came through the speaker on the table again. --Will also allow me to see the security too. Can learn a lot about a places security even from a distance.--

Chi was pretty much listening to what was being said, but there was something formulating in his mind.  The clipped toned, Corp-Speak one said she had done some digging through her data-pad (Chi was going to assume she was some kind of Net Head), but he did wonder just how much information she could pull from her dive.  However, he did not want to seem like some douche by asking her to use to her device (besides, she was already using it, it seemed), so he excused himself and went to find a terminal.  Perhaps he could find some additional information.  Perhaps that info might be useful ... or not.


[OOC: Sorry. Should have done this earlier.

12:06, Today: Chi rolled 21 using 1d10+16 with rolls of 5.  Library Search.  Looking for any information on the location, area, who owns the building, any plans or schematics, etc.].

Overrider nods. We should leave soon.

He turns to SalaryMan. Can you scan for any low level stuff in the area?  Perhaps find some security cameras that might be useful if we could watch?

The local terminal Chi walked up the payment slot to side that had the looks of someone trying to "Fix" it recently, graphiti covers the sides and around the monitor. but it does look fuctional. Sliding his chip card in to pay for the data services, Chi is able to start pulling up some information.




Data terms cost $1 credit/minute to use.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:30, Mon 20 Jan 2020.

[OOC: 22:36, Today: Chi rolled 20 using 1d10+12 with rolls of 8.  Streetwise.

I held off on adding Research, just in case.  Also, how many mins did it take, and I'll debit the creds based off of that].

In reply to Chi (msg # 111):

It took you only 7 minutes to complete the required task....

OOC: 15:45, Today: Mister Green rolled 7 using 2d10, rerolling max with rolls of 6,1.

Chi slipped back to the table and into his seat.  He nodded once at the newcomer, but said nothing for now as conversation went around the table.  Once there was a decent lull, he sat forward a little and matter of factly laid out what he had learned.  "Sure, place is d'screet, but yous 'ave to wunda why meet there in'a first place.  Plenny of other places jus' as 'screet.  So, who is this person on'a ovva end of that phone?  Did they jus' pick the first ran'om strangers they saw?  Could this be some possible set-up or trap?"  Chi stopped there with a small shrug.  Didn't matter if no one had any answers, it was enough that he always had questions.

Gargoyle sat scratching his head and thinking.  "I'm not above being cautious but Johnny is a corp.  They tend to go for the more spy movie cloak and dagger bullshit style of meets.  Most my street level contacts are a lot more casual.  Meet for lunch in a diner.  Hook you up at my club.  Come to the bar early for a drink.  Et cetera, et cetera.  With the corp Johns sometimes it's a control trip.  Sometimes they like theatrics.  Who the fuck knows."

Slowly he shrugged his hoodie and jacket back on and the adjusted the set of everything.  "Johnny knew enough to somehow call the neko over there and ask for me."  He then waggled his own flip phone at the group, "I got a phone.  It's paid up.  If I actually knew the guy my phone would have just rang like normal people.  Again, movie spy craft power trip."

--Maybe he tried, but couldn't because you shut it off from using it for to long for me to have some way to communicate then a pen and paper.-- She said through the speaker on the table, however she was smirking at what she said.

"I can try."  The Salaryman replied to Overrider.

She closed her eyes and began seeing what she could find.

In reply to The SalaryMan (msg # 116):

The Salaryman continued to work, surveying her options.

In reply to The SalaryMan (msg # 118):

Make me a Luck roll plz.

The SalaryMan rolled 7 using 1d10+5 with rolls of 2.  Luck.

>.<

As you jack into the local data network and surf over to the area, the area itself is very bleak with little traffic in the area and no shops or camera's online. Given the amount of traffic in the area, you'd be surprised if this area of the city is connected at all...

The Salaryman surveyed the net for a moment.

In reply to The SalaryMan (msg # 122):

Emerging from the trance-like state of being one with the digital world, the Salaryman shook her head.

"There is little in the way of a connected presence in the area.  Primarily it is only those data terms which are still functioning.  If there is a Net presence it is either kept offline when not in use or is hidden or disguised somehow."  She explained.

Overrider nods.  It is good to know.  I had some hope for come cameras in the area that you might be able to tap into to monitor the area at the meeting time but...  He gives a slight shrug and turns to Prodigy.  Ready to have a look at the area?
This message was last edited by the player at 14:33, Wed 05 Feb 2020.

She nodded to Overrider, and grabbed up her backpack putting it on. --You have a communicator?-- She asked him, over the speaker that SalaryMan provided.

Overrider taps the mask where his jaw would be to indicate he had a mandible implant.  100? he asks for the frequency band?  We can go lower if we stick together. Say 28?  Splitting up I would feel safer at the 100.

--100 in case we need to split up.-- Prodigy said with a nod.

Then she looked towards Gargoyle giving him a thumbs up, as she moved to join Overrider.

Quick knew that if he stepped out in front, that he might only be in the way. He was here to provide medical support. So Quick hung back and listened intently to his comm.

At the mention of his phone, Gargoyle reflexively opens the thing and checks for messages.  "It's not off, we just burned though a good chunk of battery with your phone splice earlier.  Thirty percent charge."

Gargoyle stands and picks up his sledge, ready to go.  "Yeah, lets check it out.  They picked the location, so they know it real well or they've already scouted it out.  Hell, they might have someone lurking right now to see if we do our homework before the meet."

Phoenix walks into the bar, glancing around before he takes a seat.  He doeks not look worried, or hurried, almost like he could have been born in this joint.  He appears of average size and build, wearing generic brand jeans, work shirts over t-shirts, work boots, mirror shades, and a denim jacket.  Appearing in his mid- to late thirties, with short, wavy brown hair, intense brown eyes, under thin, arched eyebrows, framed by a face like an eroded cliff, haphazardly put together from disparate features that make it seem almost cruel and arresting.  A smile crosses his face, making the viewer wonder if it improves his features, or makes them less inviting
He is dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt, work boots, and a thick, denim jacket that could be armored, and probably hides a weapon or two.  He sits at the bar, ordering a bourbon on the rocks, and one of the bar's infamous greasy cheeseburgers.  He then turns around on the stool, seeming to listen to the music, though his eyes can be seen taking in everything around him.

The Batallion had it's usual locals around the bar. A trio of boosters were in the back section playing pool, drinking smash and getting a bit loud. Sitting at one of the tables, jacked into the network sat Arcade working on some bit of programming or something else... Mouse leaned against the bar, chatting up the help, while Barrage cleaned a couple of glasses before he approached Phoenix.

Barrage had started to speak, but nodded at Phoenix's order, grabbing a bottle from behind him and a glass from below the bar, pouring two fingers lengths worth of bourbon. There he turned and headed towards the kitchen window, turning in Phoenix's order. Leaning back against the shelving in the back he took to watching as he waited for the food. About 10 minutes later, Barrage sat the burger down in front of Phoenix "30 Credits."

With a nod of thanks, Phoenix slips Barrage cash to cover the food, then turns to face the rest if the bar as he eats and sips his bourbon.  Having made so many deals on the behalf of his employer over his years in a suit, he is unsure if he has ever been in here before.  It could be any one of several dozen bars ge has frequented in the past.
Admittedly, he finds the ambiance intriguing and the clientele interestjng.  Perhaps he could find some work, at least of a temporary sort.

Is it still the same crowd?  Or have they moved on?

The Salaryman sat at the same table where Overrider and Prodigy had left her.

There was a cable plugged into the socket behind her ear as she spent the time waiting for the pair to return reviewing various information.

Barrage runs the credits for Phoenix and nods to the man. "What brings ya in choomba?" As he slides the credchip back to Phoenix "I know it ain't the food." Barrage, though he hadn't given his name yet, was a large man, with chromed out arms dressed in a tank-top that said ARMY across it. He poured himself a shot of whiskey, shooting back as he leaned back against the bar shelves looking at Phoenix.


OOC: It is more or less the same folks as listed before. The "Party" had left and some should be returning shortly. Others were still sitting in the bar.

After scanning the crowd for a couple of minutes, his eyes lingering on the youthful+looking asian woman with the plugged-in 'trodes, he turns back to Barrage and regards him with an infrequent smile.  Don't you know?  I'm here for the ambiance, he responds.  Even with the smile that crinkles the corners of his eyes, and the quipped joke, his voice seems to lack the humor he seems to want to get across.  After a moment, the smile fades.  I am not as good with the jokes as I used to be.
He takes a sip of his bourbon, feeling the liquid burns it way down his throat.  I am looking for a way to supplement my retirement check.

In reply to Phoenix (msg # 137):

Barrage nodded to Phoenix before he spoke up "Well Mouse at the end always seems to have his nose involved in something. As long as it doesn't come into my Bar I don't care." he offered with a nod towards the little man towards the end of the bar before he poured himself another shot. "Arcade over there" he points to the kid jacked in the corner "Can find something for ya. But that one there" pointing to Salaryman "She's new, had a few friends. Odd call came in and they all got up and left. Maybe they got some work for ya. Careful though looked pretty shot up last time they came walking in. But same rules, you bring trouble here an you'll have trouble from me too. Understand that Choomba?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:04, Fri 04 Sept 2020.

Thanks for the info, he says after listening to Barrage, and taking a couple of bites.  I will check with them after I've eaten.  As for bringing trouble here, I prefer to think of myself as a problem solver, not a problem-causer.  He gives a mirthless chuckle.
Looking at the man, Barrage might notice that some of the few wrinkles around his eyes might be tiny surgical scars.  I'm called Phoenix, by the way.

"Well don't solve any problems here or I'll have to solve one of my own. Can call me Barrage, Choombata" Barrage's tone serious and never waiving as he moved along the bar to rinse the glass he was using before hanging it up. You could tell already he was serious and being that this bar is the nicest bar on the street, others took him serious as well.

With a gust of cold wet wind the front door to the Battallion opens, sound of acid rain can be heard as it comes down in a downpour. The acrid smell reaches you as some individuals make their way into the bar.

Phoenix smiles again.  Hopefully, there won't be any problems you need my help to solve, Barrage.  He raises his burger in a mock toast, and begins to eat it in earnest.  He continues to look around:  Mouse at the end of the bar, Arcade jacked into the net in the corner, the girl jacked into the net at the table, at the other patrons here and there.
He finishes his food, and his glass of bourbon before moving to the end of the bar.  He sits silently on a stool and waits until Mouse acknowledges him.  I am called Phoenix.  I understand you might know where a man can find work.

Prodigy, the older teen, walked into the bar and made her way back over to the table with SalaryMan. She then takes a seat, turning on the radio that's likely still sitting there that they borrowed from Barrage. >We're back from checking the place out. How'd thing go with you?< Came her voice over the communicator.

The Salaryman regarded the return of Prodigy and Overrider and gave them a nod of greeting when they returned to the table.

"I have not been able to gather any other useful information.  Though if you have returned with more data points it may enable a better forecast to be calculated."  She replied.

"Otherwise I believe the only option is to limit our liabilities as much as possible going forward until we are given additional information regarding the scope of this project."

Overrider waves at the greeting and sits down at the table.

The place is banger central.  I saw some Bozos so it might be their turf which is bad enough but there might be another gang there as well.  The Bozos are really bad but if it is contested turf it will be much worst.

Perhaps Gargoyle can check to see who controls that area and who is the neighbors?

>>There is some possible secondary ways out too if we need them, though not many. It looked pretty run down.<< Prodigy would add through the communicator on the table.

"That may be why the location was chosen."  The Salaryman suggested.

"The presence of one or more parties of that variety with some believed level of equity in the local resources is a deterrent to others who may be interested in our potential client."

"I believe, unless other resources present themselves which may be leveraged with the Bozos to convince them that there is no conflict of interest between ourselves and them, that we attempt to present the appearance of a strong position from which we would be negotiating should they wish to engage in such matters in any way."

After a few moments, Phoenix realizes that Mouse is too far into his cups to give a coherent answer to the question.  Even if he had heard it.  The fellow must have had a rough day.
So, he moves over to the kid in the corner, making his introduction and asking the same question.  Judging by the activity behind the netrunner's eyelids, he is either giving a few security programs a run fir their money, or in the process of being quickly and efficiently lobotomized.  Neither outcome truly effect him, so he moves on.
Seeing the suited Japanese woman now has company, and picking up the very localized transmissions of one of her companions on his wideband cyberscanner, he decides they may have something cooking.  He decides to approach them.
After a few moments of waiting for at least one of them to acknowledge his presence, he give a small smile and introduces himself.  I am called Phoenix.  I was wondering if, perhaps, you chombattas might need a little extra muscle for whatever it is you're working on.

The blonde teen looked at the interloper with a small bit of distrust, but looked at the others for a moment. A small shake of her head, and a motion to an empty chair. >>I'm Prodigy. We are not sure what the run is, yet, but extra muscle cannot hurt.<< Came her voice from over the radio sitting in the center of the table.

The Salaryman gave Phoenix a shallow nod of greeting.

After prodigy said her piece, she made her own introduction as well.

"I am the Salaryman.  As Prodigy stated, we have little information regarding the opportunity presented.  We have a time for a meeting with our client, and a location.  Prodigy and Overrider just returned from surveying this location."

Thank you, he says to Prodigy, and a small bow with, Domo arigato, to Salaryman, as he pulls out a chair that seems to have been unoccupied and occupies it.
Let me guess.  Abandoned warehouse, or other building in the combat zone.  Easily defensible, with several approaches easily watched.  Probably a secret way out if things go to shit.

Overrider's voice has an electronic tone to it from behind his mask.  It is a warehouse but the rest is off.  It is booster turf with the damm bozoes.  I would rather keep them at a distance if I need to fight them and I really do not want to fight them.

The area is watched so unless we eliminate the lookout there will be trouble.

A wicked smile crosses the former corporate man's face.  Well, you happen to be in luck.  I have connections that might prove useful.
He leans forward, placing his arms on the table, and speaks in a conspiratorial whisper.  I have connections with The Bozos.  I was in a position to do them a solid a few years ago, and we have  helped each other out a few times.  Tell me exactly what you need, and I will make a call.

>>One thing we did not take into account is if they are in with the one who's looking to hire us.<< Prodigy pointed out as her voice came over the radio at the center of the table.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:55, Sun 20 Sept 2020.

"We require, at a minimum, safe passage to and from the meeting with the client, if the location is claimed by them as the information collected may indicate."  The Salaryman stated after a moment of reflection on the sudden windfall of an offer Phoenix had just made.

Overrider shakes his head and leans back. I fucking hate Bozoes. He shakes his head again.  Working for any booster gang can be a problem.  Most are fine depending on the job but some gangs are just crazy.   SlaughterHouse, Maelstrom and the Bozoes are just fucking crazy.  Unpredictable crazy.

He looks down and shakes his head again then looks up a Phoenix.  We had better get payment up front for this.  I would not bring everyone to this meeting.  The less people brought to the Bozo's attention the better for everyone.

He gets up and walks towards the bar.  WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE THE FUCKING BOZOES!

Barrage working putting some booze in the lower cabinets, stands and steps over towards Overrider as he approaches the bar somehow aware of his approach though he could not see him "What can I get ya?" he says with his usual large smile.

Mouse at the end of the Bar whispers something into the waitresses ear as she giggles and the pair of them finish their drinks and disappear towards a back room. Barrage looks over at this, shakes his head and then back to Overrider.

>>You'll want me there. As you've seen, I have a knack of finding my way out of places when, pressed.<< Came the teens voice over the communicator, as a smirk played at her lips.

Their apparent insanity can make them.surprisingly predictable, Phoenix responds.  And it is possible to use that insanity at times.  Though, the outcome is rarely exactly what you intend.
He looks at Salaryman.  Safe passage, and a guarantee of a secure meet.  Would that be appropriate?

The Salaryman gave Phoenix a nod of affirmation.  "Yes.  I do not think expending additional resources beyond the minimum is prudent at this point.  We may need them for the actual task the client wishes to have done."

Phoenix nods as he stands up.  For this, I will need a little privacy.  I will be back as soon as I have an answer.
With that said, he heads for the restroom, unsure if it is a single toilet, or one with stalls.

Quick returned to the table with a few more pitchers of Smash for everyone. “So I saw Gargoyle wrapped up in a conversation and it looks like he might not be able to make the run. But I have the number of a fixer who could probably fill in if you are interested. Choomie used to work for WorldMedicalSource, but they had to let him go because they are in the middle of a corporate take over.”

"If he is willing to work on contingency."  The Salaryman stated with another nod.

“A chance to make some Euro is better than no chance at all.” Quick suggested. “Let me see if they’ve got a phone here and I will give him a call”

Quick headed to the bar and asked about using a phone. “I can pay for the call.”

>>Our little clan is growing.<< Mused Prodigy over the radio.

Barrage nods his head towards the end of the bar, just beyond is a wall with a couple of data terms and phones to make a quick call if you got the cred chips.

Quick used a cred chip to make the call and Smooth agreed to come and have a talk with the team. Feeling his mission accomplished, Quick returned to the table and poured himself some Smash.


“Fixer is on the way to hear the setup. He will work on contingency. It all sounds pretty straight forward.”

Smooth walked through the door with an easy gait. Upon seeing Quick, Smooth threw up his hand in greeting. Striding toward the nearby tables, he took a seat and smiled at everyone. “I am here to swing things in your favor in every way possible. Let know what I can do to help. Oh, and you can call me Smooth.”

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https://pin.it/Fu9cSBa

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This message was last edited by the player at 15:11, Sat 26 Sept 2020.

The Salaryman greeted Smooth with a nod and then filled him in on what they knew so far.

An audible groan came from both Prodigy herself, and the radio sitting on the table, at Smoothes introduction.

Phoenix returns from his excursion to the restroom, shaking his head slightly about the couple still in their stall.  He moves up to the table and reclaims his seat.  Seeing Smoothe, he introduces himself before speaking about his call.
I have good news and bad news, he says almost apologetically.  That area is not currently controlled by The Bozos.

The Salaryman looked towards where Overrider stood by the bar, then back to Phoenix.

"If we don't know what interest that might have had in the area that required their presence, I believe we will simply need to allow a sufficient margin to account for whatever that circumstance may be."

Smooth snorted at Prodigy’s reaction. Chalk it up to combat fatigue. When things went sideways, people had a habit of looking sideways, at everything.
“Phoenix, did your contact say who does call the shots in that area? Maybe we can cause the two to keep the friction between themselves while we take the meet. Or if you just want some rabble rousers for that purpose I could probably score a few hard heads.”

Turning to the others, Smooth added, “Or if you prefer a more stealthy approach, your team can ring the area wide and just set up for cover fire. I can hit the rooftop with whoever wants to range with me and I can return with the information.”
This message was last edited by the player at 22:09, Mon 28 Sept 2020.

Her voice came over the communicator on the table. >>We are not going in for a fight. We are going for a meet with a potential client. So keeping the area quiet is to our advantage. Our goal was to ensure if things went south we can get out. Don't fret though, once in the building if that happens I can figure that out.<< Then teen pointed out, adeptly.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:33, Mon 28 Sept 2020.

“I thought the whole point about earlier was that you didn’t go in for a fight but one found you anyway? And these are Bozos, they get off on violent psychotic pranks. But hey, I understand not wanting to make a bunch of noise. That’s why I suggested the stealth option, you ring the area, keep an eye out for Bozos, and fall back if needed. Instant way out, because you are never in too deep to begin with. I even agreed to take the hotspot. Worse case scenario, I get fragged and you get away clean.”

>>We scoped the building. Rooftop access from the outside is negligible if possible at all.<< She reminded everyone gathered from her mission. >>Meaning possible escape from the roof, access from it, or getting to it is not likely. Though it might be possible...<< She then considered other options. >>Many warehouses, especially old one's like this, have storm drain accesses in the floors. Most of those holes are only 18 inches or so, and only someone strong like Overrider and maybe Smooth here would be able to open it. If we have to bolt from the meeting, I hate to say it, that's our way.<<

[OOC: It should become very obvious very quickly for the new people that Prodigy, even though she is only 16, is a master of escaping places. If a way out can be found, she's able to find it.

And yeah, you gotta deal with her creepy way of communicating. lol]

Smooth nodded. “As mind-warped as they are, and willing to do almost anything to one-up each other by trying to create the ultimate prank, the Bozos are too full of themselves to get down into the storm drains. It is a good exit strategy.”
This message was last edited by the player at 23:10, Mon 28 Sept 2020.

As I said, The Bozos aren't claiming it, choomba.  It's a pretty transitory area.  My guess it's the Red Chromes.  You know, the militant, gun-nut, skinheads who don't generally like people with deep tans, if you know what I mean.
He gives a small smile.  The Bozos may be crazy, but, as long as you can take a joke, you can usually get along with them.

"Unless our potential client has failed to conduct adequate market research before staking their position, it does not seem like it would be a wise investment if the chosen venue is as volatile as speculated."  The Salaryman proposed.

"Adequate conveyance to the location and a sufficient show of force should be the maximum level of resources we need to commit to this venture.  Otherwise our own potential net margins are unlikely to be worthwhile in the long term, and the client as a potential business partner will have proven themselves too risky a party to engage in such a joint enterprise with."

Overrider comes back over from the bar when he hears this.  You are fucking crazy.  This is not the Julliard.  Bozo jokes kill.  That is funny to them.  They do like to terrorize their prey before killing them.

He looks at the rest of the group.  I would really not send many to this meeting.  The less people that the Bozos know the longer their lives.  I would say send a face and the muscle with the corp.  Let the face negotiate the deal and make the decision if need be.

Phoenix turns to Overrider.Did you not comprende what I said.  The Bozos don't claim that area as their turf.  It belongs to the Red Chrome Legion.

As the edgerunners discuss their options, the front door opens, a waft of wet damp air fills the bar. Hard rain can be heard outside as a tall lean man with a prosthetic rubber hand steps in, shakes off the water from his coat and walks across the bar. He makes a nod towards Barrage before he sits down across from Arcade. He pulls out a cred stick from his inner coat, slid it across the table to Arcade who just came to notice the man. Nodded and slid back a data card to him with a slight smile "Enjoy". The man took the data card, got up from the booth, took a walk over to the bar and ordered a bit of Smash.

The man at the bar talking with Barrage a bit and then Mouse when he returns from the back restrooms, a few moments later the young waitress also makes her way out as she seems to be fixing her clothes a bit. Those with enhanced hearing can over hear the conversation with Mouse "Heard a rumor that that someone is hiring a large number of guns for a raid on a Night City Corporation. No Canal Zone Veterans. Apparently needing radio link."

Having cleaned himself up Riot put himself together and tossed on his far more comfortable clothing...jeans so patched that it was arguable if there actually was any of the original jean material still part of them, a mismatched pair of what might have passed for last centuries Chucks, a t-shirt that was a size too small and clung to his wiry frame and a rain coat that had also been patched into being more like the length of a duster that was a bit too large for him.  The long hair he looked like it had never seen a straight day in its life and the pseudo locs he had going on were pulled back and held into place as if Medusa had tied back her snakes.

He had a slight smile on his lips when he opened the door to The Battalion knowing that he needed to keep his ears open and eyes peeled for any additional work that could come his way.  When he stepped forward and headed to the bar it was easier to see he had a satchel on but underneath the coat.  Old wax impressed looking heavy canvas.  The type that was used by medics back in the Great War...for those who even knew what that was. Nodding to the bartender when he waltzed up he pointed to the cheapest beer he could stomach and afford on his limited cred, "One of them."

It took Badge and Artemis a while until they arrived at the Battalion. Since he didn't know what to look for, he let her take the lead (pronounced like beat, not like bet). The battalion was just like he had remembered it, a smoky place with testosterone so thick in the air you could almost touch it. He was glad he was wearing his civilian clothes, so he hoped he'd be just one more guy and blend in.

Artemis looked pretty happy being there.  She loved places like this, even if she personally hated drinking. Life was already wildly out of your control, and she saw no reason to degrade that further.

She dumped her helmet into her pack once she got inside and sat at a table. The armored jumpsuit and bow on her back may look a little odd, but she was here to get hired. Plus she just liked jump suits.

She headed up to the bar and ordered her favorite non-alcoholic sports drink "Panther Punch.". She actually hadn't had any alcohol what-so-ever until she'd had some celebratory champagne at 19. It had blown her expectations way out of whack. Plus, she wasn't a fan of blurring her edge at all.

She gave a respectful nod and wave to Riot before pulling up a chair, making sure no one took the other one for Badge. She was tough but no solo got through every job unscathed. She'd been mostly lucky, but she knew Riot was a competent MedTech and didn't try and gouge her. You always wanted to be nice to your the choom with the scalpel.

She gave a respectful nod to Riot. "Hey Riot. You just here for a drink or looking for work as well?"

Taking his beer with him over to Artemis' table he offered his usual tight smile.  It wasn't that he didn't like people, he seemed to love to interact with people, but his mind either before or after they had crammed a load of neuralware into it just seemed to see the world in a different way.  Maybe it was like the Netrunners who found being jacked in more alive than not but if that was true then the only time Riot was alive was when he was elbow deep in blood, guts and tissue.

Sitting down he nodded as he raised the bottle in his spiked glove clad hand, "Both.  Just spent three solid days monitoring a patient.  Need something sour to help me shake the proverbial slime off myself and see if anything else is up.  The pay is good patching up NCPD's Psycho Squad but we all have bills and needs that go beyond what a normal paycheck covers."

In reply to Riot (msg # 188):

"I hear that, choom. This is Badge, though I guess you may have run into him before.

We're both in the same boat. I've put a word in that I'm looking for a job. Hopefully they'll have one or we'll get lucky and run into a recruiter, though who knows what we'll get from a walk in."

Artemis had slipped a note to the bartender, and a reasonable tip.

Barrage offered a nod to Artemis when he picked up the cash laid out with the note in it. Continue to clean out the glass he was working on, he moves on down the bar, leaning in close to the small skinny man that seems to be keeping the server busy, whispering something. The guy smiles and nods, gives the server girl a light smack as he gets up and heads towards the rear of the bar and through a rear exit that definitely isn't for customers.

"Not in person no," Riot shook his head and tipped the top of his bottle towards the man in greeting.  The short chuckle was another signature of his that Artemis was used to, "I meet most my people first time on a nice sterile table or on the street bleeding out while drek is still falling down.  An if he's been shot or beat up he hasn't come through my doors yet."

Badge stayed close to Artemis and watched but was silent otherwise. She seemed well connected, and maybe, just maybe, there was a job in there somewhere. Maybe he was that lucky.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 09:50, Sun 23 May 2021.

Mouse makes their return a short while later, weaving his way through the chairs and few folks in the room he slides up to the table, looks at Artemis and takes a seat next to Badge. Still considerably smaller then Badge, but Artemis dwarfed him. In a low, almost squeaky voice "Here's the deal, I get you a job, I get a fee, ten percent is the usual. I got a couple things lined up."

"Sounds great.... except I just agreed to a job, so I'll be busy for the next day or two.

Sorry, friend... uh.. who are you? I don't think we've met.

If this is long term and you still need help when I'm done, that's another story."

Mouse crinkles his nose a bit "They call me Mouse, you need it? I can find it. For a fee of course." Not waiting for a response, he shoves himself out his chair and makes his way back to his spot at the bar, orders a drink and waits for the waitress to come back so he can keep her occupied for a bit.

Riot watched the back and forth between Mouse and Artemis with a wary eye.  Still Mouse would be a good individual to find things if he needed and now that he knew who he was he could always ask him later.  After he buzzed off thanks to Artemis telling him she'd already accepted a job he tipped his bottle towards her, "Congratulations on finding work.  If anyone gets hurt and your crew doesn't have someone to patch them up you know where to find me."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:41, Mon 24 May 2021.

Before he headed off, she spoke up. "Cool Mouse. I'm Artemis if you didn't know.
If nothing else, I've got a shopping list of stuff I can't find anywhere, so once I get paid for this job, we should talk anyway."

To Riot she replied.

"I may have a job lined up right now. I put in a good word for you already. I feel a lot better with a decent patchman on a tough job. You ready to run at a moment's notice? She should let me know if there's an opening for you.

Otherwise, hey, next time."

"I always carry my kit so I can run light if I needed to go now.  Otherwise if I've got a little time I can grab my iron and my surgery kit for worse issues." remarked Riot as he watched the retreating figure of Mouse.