"Well, I do not know much about the Laurels but it sounds like one of us has already volunteered. In addition, I volunteer as well, so that makes two." Vanessa looks at the others that still need to volunteer.
She gives him a hard look
"Not the only one seen the lands, I've been around so how about you tell us the story, who's out to stop this, you would not have this much iron running shot gun, unless someone was out to bushwhack out trip. The more we know the better chance of us doing the job right"
Vanessa turns on her heals to Lupe, "And Venturea brings us to our next question Lupe. Please give us the full story.
"Well," Lupe says, taking a drink. "I figured you might guess it's not that easy. So there's a few things you should know I suppose. The first is that we're trading them some pretty invaluable goods. And by goods I mean... people. See them Laurels don't much like cleaning up their own s*!#. Much rather have some of us do it. So, every year we send a dozen or so cleaners up to them, and then after the year is over then come back and we send new ones. The cleaners get to live in a safer place, and we all get money and supplies, everyone wins. Second thing is, well, the city has gotten more and more dangerous. The last group we sent simply disappeared, which wouldn't be that surprising if they weren't our best men. So, you still up for the job?"
She nods her head,
"I know of the Laurels, very wealthy and powerful people, live in the lap, they say. So we walk in some hired hands. That all sounds fine, fow things I need to know. The payment is given when we drop off or later? Is that for the year to come or the year gone? Then did you send any more last year or was did they find another suppler?, next have you been in touch with the Laurels why you where a no show last year? Then how many s**t shovellers are we talking here. I want ot also know are they willing, if forced they could have jumped your men and made a run for it. Willing will be easy to control, a band in chains will be a pain if we are jumped. Last, you must have heard something, what's the word on the wind on what happened to them? any one here may know, I can have a word. Last of all, best get us the weapons, if this was a targeted take down I want weapons and maps, the guy who did the runs before if any are around I want a word with them. better still send on with us."
she says this matter of factly like she is working out a plan in her head in real time.
Frank says, "I second the request for the weapons. At the very least I will most definitely need that pistol and double the ammo load out I asked for. If at all possible I'll also take a rifle, ammo and magazines like Vanessa asked for. Just double her order."
Vanessa looks at Venturea, to Frank, then Lupe "In addition to the requests, I want a full report of the Laurels and all problems that we will face between here and there."
Lupe places his drink down for a moment and takes a quick drag.
"The payment is given as the workers enter Laurel Heights. As far as I know they're all from here, The Panhandle. And no, they're not forced, but they may as well be. Folks here don't have much money, so something like this is a worthwhile gig. We sent 13 workers last year, aged 15-47, only problem is two of them didn't return. The Laurels told us one died of disease and the other in a work related accident. "
Lupe chuckles a bit and picks his drink back up.
"Yall think we're a lot more organized than we are! We don't have much in the way of maps, and we certainly don't have any sort of reports. You're in and wastes of San Francisco, strangers. Your job is to head out there against the unknown and don't get killed. Your reports and maps are up to you. Your directions are to go north at Arguello and don't stop until their guards stop you. The plan is to head out tomorrow. I'll work with the runners to get you some weapons and supplies while you sleep. Can't guarantee we can find everything you need, but we'll try. Now what do you say? In or out?"
Mortem sets his drink down "well I'm in don't have much else to do eh "
Frank says, "I'm in."
Vanessa looks at Mortem, then Frank, "I am in as well, and if you don't have a map, we will then map it ourselves." Vanessa then looks to Venturea waiting for her response.
"Yep"
"well lupe it looks like we are all in"
"Good, glad to hear it. I'm sure the workers will be happy to have your protection as well. Okay then, head off to the Inn. It's down the road at an old wooden building. There you'll find one large room with several beds. The door is open, and your stay will be paid for with this coffee. I'll work though the night on these supplies. Let us know if you need anything else."
"Ok lets roll"
She heads off to the Inn, one there gos to the room and checks it out, then asks around in the Inn whats the local news.
[ooc]Do what ever you want guys she will be at the Inn and looking after the room, while your out and about[/oov]
Frank will head to the inn. When he gets there he will claim a bunk for himself. Frank will then see if he can find a kitchen and or stove somewhere he can cook the gecko meat.
Vanessa nods to Lupe, "Lupe, thank you for that nice pot of coffee, the sleeping quarters, and hopefully the mission." She smiles at him before accompanying the group to the Inn along with SK9.
At the Inn she also claims her bunk and chooses the most tactically available bunk, "Frank, do you need assistance? Otherwise, I will stand firewatch until last watch. I am not sure if you are like me, but I do not require much sleep to recharge my circuits and metabolize my biologics."
If Frank does not require Vanessa's help, she activates her NMEG and stands in a strategic position away from the door. Max (SK9) stands opposite from her to set up a melee/range single envelopment if the group comes under attack. Max and her stand in their positions perfectly synth still and focused unless something interrupts them or it is time for firewatch change over.
While the others head off to cook and stay in the room,
Venturea sits in the Inns main room, She dos not ask for a drink of water but dos not touch it. In stead she looks around what the notice board and locals in. Then she takes a seat by the fire if there is one and waits lissons to whats being talked about.
Mortem will walk around the town as he is interested on how people have changed in the time he has been asleep ans it trying to find some other simians to see what kind of world has become for them
At the inn some travelers come and go throughout the night. Most of them pay little attention to Frank cooking the Gecko meat. Some chatter about the recent dust storms down south or viable sources of food in the area. Venturea listens on as the simple people chat about survival nonchalantly. Vanessa and SK9 guard the room in the night, making sure that no one attacks.
Mortem wanders the street and may be surprised to find that there are none others like him in the area. What's even more strange is that they don't seem alarmed by his appearance, yet they seem to shy away from him wherever he goes, as if his presence threatens them.
"Good Mornin!" Lupe says, sipping his breakfast whisky.
"I did some work last night, managed to get my hands on some guns and ammo. Here are bags of supplies for each of you. Unfortunately the coffee didn't quite cover the expenses, but if you like I'll just deduct a bit from this job. After the job is complete, you'll each get 200 quarters."
Lupe hands a heavy green rucksack to everyone.
"When you're suited up, meet us at the North Gate."
Gloc. 9mm Autoloader
30 x 9mm bullets
Backpack
Canteen
fire starter/tinderbox of some kind
mess kit
15 x .44 caliber bullets
15 x .45 calliber Bullets
Backpack
Bed roll
Multi tool
Rope
Riot Gear (Light Armor)
Backpack
Water skin
Hat
HK G3 7.62mm Assault Rifle
Iron sights
20 x 7.62mm Nato
Backpack
Bullet Proof Vest (Light Armor)
Canteen
Portable Water Purifier
Chemical Kit (Alchemist Kit)
Mess Kit
Multi-Tool (Thieves Tools)
Takes her bag and slots the shells into her gun belt and gun.
She checks each one.
The back pack with her other stuff in she places by her side.
"Ready, North gate, we will be there"
She looks to the others has they get ready.
Frank field strips the Glock and checks it out. Then he cleans it and loads it. Satisfied that all is ok with it he attaches it to his weapon belt putting the spare ammo in a cargo pocket.
Frank would have turned the gecko meat into jerky and found something to wrap it up in. Frank would put that with the rest of his supplies in his backpack. Putting his backpack on, Frank would join the crew at the north gate.
She uses Psionic Repair On all she is given, so it is all fixed and working. She then dos her gun, dos a had twarl and slips it back into her holster. Clicking the strap back that locks it in place.
"Well folks you know what to do, a heads up, if I say the word, buckaroo get ready for a fight. If a say the word banzai attack. These are our key words, We have guns but lets not was a shot, if you can take something out in any other way, do it."
She looks around
"Mortem. your good with high ground, that's yours, Vanessa you and K9 are our scouts, up front with them K9 ears and nose. Frank your our flanker, if we hit a block you and Mortem find a way around it and take em out from behind. Me and Vanessa will hold to give you time. If we meet others let me do the talking, I'm good with working out what others are thinking. Those are our base roles, but use you wits could be things we don't know out there."
Her kit on she heads off for the gate.
Vanessa receives her gear bag, "Thank you Lupe, the mission pay is fine with me. We will be there after we are ready. Oh one more thing Lupe, has the G3 and other weapons with sights have been zero out? If not can we have a few rounds and a range to zero the weapons with sights?" Then she looks around, "I guess that is only me with adjustable sights."
Vanessa sees Venturea fix her gear with Psionic Repair and replies, "We don't mind being scouts but any chance can you please repair my gear as you did yours? Thanks!" Vanessa smiles, "As for fire discipline, I do not fire in automatic unless it is to keep heads down for group maneuvering or it is within point blank range so all rounds will start at the lower gut and as the barrel rises the last shot will be in the head. Otherwise, I will have the selection on semi-automatic or the E position on the selector when engaging. Besides your accuracy goes up significantly firing in semi-automatic mode and you can accurately shoot up to 45 rounds per minute." Regardless if Venturea repairs her gear, Vanessa also cleans up the gear to the best of her ability and what is available.
she holds her hand out for her kit and fixs it.
"The rule out here, one shot, one kill, there ain't not big shop selling new shells, so make every shot count, head shots always work."
Vanessa nods, "I will shoot whatever target is presented to me but yes headshots are final especially through the mouth because the bullet will travel to the base of the skull and the beginning of the spine killing the target before hitting the ground."
"Good, then we should be fine, well here we are"
Mortem nods indicating he is ready for travel he moves up next to Venturea and speaks to her in a low voice "Venturea, can you tell me...ehm you said that there are more simians around but as i looked about the village they acted as if i was to be feared..why is that you said you dated one. I was hoping you could shed some light into this..."
Vanessa is ready to go once Lupe can answer if the HK has been zero or not.
She nods as Mortem talks.
"I noted that last night, strange, there use to be a few here, and you say they are acting odd around you. We can ask around, find out what is behind this"