Black Rain in the Shadows of Seattle, 2060 (Inactive)

Game Master Tilnar

"Well..." 0nyx replies slowly, "There's quite a cache of weapons still hidden that we didn't want to carry out. There's a strongbox with a couple of astral imprints of objects we're supposed to find, but which were gone. Not sure if Figment left any clues or erased the feeds he pulled."

The man, Tai, pauses a moment, then nods, "I will use the opportunity to make a call," he says simply, and then takes a few steps away from the rest of you.

....

At 0nyx's question, Figment smiles, "I got the data. Reckon we didn't need to leave it there for others. Debated fakin' something, but figured there was no use."

”I don’t like it,” Raptor says. ”It’s like working for two bosses, but their goals are sure to collide at some point. It doesn’t sound like we have much of a choice for the time being, though.”

Figment says, "I reckon it'll be even worse when we're supposed to go meet the leader of their enemies."

"We've got no way of checking in with Themselves before proceeding?", asks Danny. He shrugs. "Probably not"

"I gave Tai a heads up that we'll need to talk to the Skulls. But that cache spoils the pitch. I think we need to tell him about it. Make a deal for the triad to guard it, or ship it out of the area. I've got an address we can use as a drop."

"Our Johnson won't be impressed if we go back now with the little we've learned. Maybe when we get a quiet moment ....

"So if the guns are there, what's missing? The statue and the gold? Anything else?"

"Yeah, the art and cash are gone. What's wrong with the wep cache? You think that's gonna big a big surprise in this neighborhood? Mr. J didn't ask us to get any weapons out. We got the info we came for and a little more. Might be good to let them try to find it, see how good they are at their jobs," 0nyx suggests.

"Imagine they suss the cache. How do we look? They can't have that getting into the Skulls hands. If they think we're holding out, we go on the naughty list."

”They know we’re working for a Mr. Johnson?” Raptor asks. ”They gotta respect that we can’t let them take the cache while we’re on the job. Or maybe I’m being foolish...”

"And what are we gonna do if they decide to take it? I don't have a problem with trying, but we might not be able to stop them"

"My point. " Jay affirms Danny's comment. " And if we're going to operate around here, we've got two options. Stay neutral or throw in with the winner. Looks like the triad's going to win. If we can get the Silver Ring to let the weapons stay here under guard, or transfer them to my drop, then we keep them for our Johnson, and we don't align with either side, but we look good if the triad wins. If the triad takes the guns, well then, we still might recover the gold and statue. "

"The weps aren't our problem, besides the one Mr. J asked us to get. Do what you think is right, Jay. The other things are gone gone. We'll track 'em down using the vids Figment pulled. I don't like the Triad doing their own investigation, if that's what they're saying. We should pull the empty strongbox outta there. It's got astral fingerprints of the targets all over it. We don't need competition in the shadows. They need to stay in their lane." 0nyx scowls in the direction of their watchdog.

Raptor nods in agreement.

"Maybe we offer to 'help'"

Danny makes air quotes with his fingers.

"Easy for things to go missing when that's happening"

"If the Silver Ring is gonna look inta this, they're gonna. We should keep Tai close. One of us should always be on him for improved collaboration." A smile at Danny. " That way we know what he knows. I'm hoping the triad's got some video of the crew that boosted the house. I'll explain that the strongbox can be traced back to our Johnson. That gives us a reason to take it with us. Not a lie. Could have Mr. J's signature too. Oh shit. Could the guns have J's sig too?"

"Probably not. Fingerprints, maybe, but Mr. J. is too smart for that," 0nyx opines.

Figment nods, "I reckon so. Though I thought she said the pistol grip was custom-fit, so that'd be an issue if we hadn't grabbed it."

0nyx gives their watchdog a swift, searching look. "What's Tai like?" she asks Jay.

Figment nods, "I reckon so. Though I thought she said the pistol grip was custom-fit, so that'd be an issue if we hadn't grabbed it."

Jay cocks his head and nods. "Good. We won't go back empty-handed. "

0nyx gives their watchdog a swift, searching look. "What's Tai like?" she asks Jay.

"Quiet. Serious. He's some kind of enforcer for the Silver Ring. And he's recording everything."

"Great." 0nyx grimaces. "Well, we're not doing anything wrong. Any chance we can get out of here and look at the evidence alone?"

"If he'll let us. I'll stay, if he insists on one of us remaining behind"

Tai calls from behind you, "Sorry to interrupt," then walks forward to join you. "I am afraid that my team will be delayed. It seems that we've finally pinned down the old dwarf, and are working to decapitate the snake. That unpleasant situation may be fully resolved within the next hour or two, and so, it is... all hands on deck, as they say."

He pauses a moment, then says, "I'd imagine a group of Shadowrunners would be a help in our little endeavour. I realize that you are already on the clock, but I could offer you fair compensation if you'd care to join in? We could also discuss the case of your missing items and break-in on the way and afterward."

0nyx glances at the rest. "You mean in taking out the Chrome Domes?" she asks Tai, to clarify. "We're not hitters, and we got no real beef with them."

Tai nods, "That was the proposal, yes. But then, I thought you were professionals that could be hired for tasks, rather than people only working for your own interests." He pauses, a moment, then says, "That certainly changes the character of this little investigation."

He shakes his head, "Unless the issue is the type of mission? I have heard that some runners have some sort of code where they won't take wetwork -- even when dealing with an unsavoury character like the leader of a go-gang like the Chrome Skulls. If that's your concern, I could certainly offer you a different sort of contract -- to serve as a diversion, or to provide overwatch, for example -- though those would be less lucrative than actively participating in the raid."

Danny looks uncomfortable. "Do we need to decide here and now, or could we, uh, talk about this between us and then get back to you?"

Jay spreads his hands. "Wet work is definitely not my line. I mean look at me. When the shooting starts, I'm just chum for sharks with guns."

Tai shrugs, "Sort of a limited time offer. Everything will be done in the next couple hours. Still, go take 10 minutes to decide, I've got some calls to make to coordinate things."

Jay huddles with the rest of the party again.

"I worked hard to look neutral in this gang war. I think the triad's coming out on top, but who knows. Not sure how our Johnson'd feel about us helping to bag the Skulls. Not sure if they'd appreciate us trying to get in good with the likely winner. It's outside our contract.

"And I don't like shooting. I'd rather stay out of the whole thing."

Figment nods, "Reckon it'll be hard to pick the brain of a dead dwarf, though."

"Steer well clear", agrees Danny. "I don't want to become some sort of sicario for anyone"

”We’ve already got a Johnson. I don’t know if we need another one,” Raptor says.

Tai steps back, "Apologies, but it seems things are starting to move faster than I'd planned. So, I need to know now if you'll be involved -- as it would be a key part of our planning."

He says, "I have been authorized to offer you each 1,200, plus any ammunition that you might use. Further, I can guarantee access to a Treat spell afterward. And, bonus structures, depending if you're distractions or joining the main assault."

He adds, "Seems more than fair for a 2 or 3 hour job."

"It does seem fair... but we are already on a job, one we should probably keep investigating. Sorry, Tai, but we can't do it right now. If we did take a job for you, we'd give it our all. I don't think we can serve two masters," Onyx ventures, eyeing the others to see if they agreed or not. "Right now, we have work to do."

Danny nods, affirmatively.

Tai shrugs, "Well, I suppose I can respect that, though I'd recommend against digging around in this area ... let's say until sunrise. Would be a terrible shame to get caught up in any crossfire."

”Sounds like good advice,” Raptor concedes.

"We should go now. Thanks for your help, Tai. Jay, you got Tai's digits in case we need to get him later?" 0nyx starts slowly drifting off in the direction of Raptor's bike.

Danny raises a hand in salute to Tai and moves away with the others.

Tai nods dismissively, "I will contact you when I am done."

When they're out of earshot from Tai, 0nyx says quietly, "Is there a place we can go to review what we've found, privately? I have a place in the Barrens, but it's nothing more than a squat, no real privacy, no defenses. Anyone else got a place?"

"I got a squat too", says Danny. "Kind of a commune, so there are other people about, but they mind their business, and it's safe.

Figment says, "Reckon either of those'd work. My place ain't in Redmond, though I'm sure we could find a quiet corner if we needed one."

Having no arguments, everyone starts to gear up to head to Danny's squat to have a moment to review the video and start some legwork.

Unless someone else was going to suggest something? Also, who's bringing whom, given the transport issue? And is anyone doing anything else?

How far is it? As before, Raptor can bring one on his bike.

I have no real idea of the geography of Seattle, but let's say it's in an abandoned factory in a run-down industrial area 2-3 miles away, so a quick bike ride, or an hour or so's walk. Happy to head straight there, personally.

Well, the "Barrens" is, literally, the entirety of the town of Redmond -- about 436 square kilometers -- (170-ish square miles). You guys are in the more northern part of the Barrens at the moment -- in Avondale (near where it bumps into Purity) -- so if your safehouse is in those areas, it'd be pretty close and easy. If it's closer to Touristville, then it'd be more like 5-10 miles (as the crow flies) -- and if it's closer to Glow City, then it's more 10-15. Of course, the roads aren't exactly easy grids and there may be gangs, etc, in the way.

Figment shrugs, "Not loving the idea of needing to ferry again, our evening calendar's about to be cleared, so I reckon we've got all the time we need."

"Don't see much of an option," 0nyx agrees. "Coulda picked up that bike from the street if it weren't for Tai and his buddies. May as well get started."

"OK.", says Danny. "'Bout an hour's walk. We might want to pick up some food on the way - no telling whether there'll be anything to eat by the time we get there."

"Sounds good," 0nyx agrees. "Hey, anyone got a phone with Stretch's number?"

0nyx gave Stretch her burner phone number but doesn't have Stretch's that I can find.