"I don't know it was some porn star type name. Candi, or Bambi, or Trixie- something like that."
Unfortunately, the guy claims not to know any real details about the girl, nor does he have any idea about any hotels where Billy might go.Not even a first name of the girl? And he obviously has a number or whatever for Billy if he left him messages. I was just thinking he might have different contact info for Billy than what we got from the sister
Yeah you scared them off before they could do any real damage to van- you did shoot one of them, so they probably won't be coming back.
I make sure everyone knows what Leo passed on about Lonestar being on it's way.
"Time to go". Hoss will start heading out.
<From what I saw of the damage to the van before, did it look drivable still?>
Hoss quickly comms to everyone "Lets go" and heads out to the van. I'm not going to have my pistol out visibly but it will be in hand if needed.
You soon hear back from Gets.
"Hoss, you bastards might want to take care of any business there toot sweet. I just scanned the Lone Star network, they've just received multiple calls from your building, reporting heavy gun fire. Lone Star's on route with a Fast Response Team. I'm not sure how "fast", fast response will be in that neighborhood, but I wouldn't take a lot of chances.
What the f### have you guys been doing over there? You've burned through a entire clip already."
<reply> "Once a runner... you know old habits die hard Chummer"
Enoch gives another quick scan of the apartment, but doesn't turn up anything additional that might be useful (at least you've got a couple of leads). However, with Lonestar en route with an FRT team you know it's time to move quick. You hoof it down the stairs and out the front doors. On the way out you scan for trouble, but things look clear. Graul is clutching his shoulder from a minor wound. You make it to the van. It doesn't look like the punks had much time to do any real damage. The runflat tires are pretty tough, and the worst of it is cosmetic (spray paint). You can hear sirens in the distance, and they are quickly getting louder. It's go time.
You jump in the van.
Spoiler for Hoss
Ok, if Mr. Neighbor didn't give Graul anything else (Although he Must have had contact info for Billy at least, no?), he still asks Leo if he can tap into any communication for Billy and try and find some evidence of a girlfriend and perhaps a short list of hotels in the area.
...so, maybe we can get some info from the rehab clinic without incident?...
We can always hope- and I don't think it would take as long for the Star to get there so diplomacy is probably best. - I'm right behind you.
"Some bad news Chummers. Gotta Stratos 9 drone inbound and it might have made us already. No doubt the FRT is getting the feed."
For PHD
Spoiler for Hoss
"Some bad news Chummers. Gotta Stratos 9 drone inbound and it might have made us already. No doubt the FRT is getting the feed."
For PHD
** spoiler omitted **
it may be a good time to remind ourselves that we ARE legal, have SINs, are working for a corp, and are on a licensed, legitimate job. worst case scenario here is we get "no billed", we were acting in self defense, after all. no need to try and slip into the shadows. be cool, chummers...
Hoss works to swallow his gut feel and instead holsters his pistol and doesn't fire at the drone... he mutters something under his breath about "old dogs..."...
However, fleeing a crime scene and leaving multiple corpses behind could get you in some big trouble regardless of whether it was self defense in a crappy neighborhood.
it may be a good time to remind ourselves that we ARE legal, have SINs, are working for a corp, and are on a licensed, legitimate job. worst case scenario here is we get "no billed", we were acting in self defense, after all. no need to try and slip into the shadows. be cool, chummers...
|
However, fleeing a crime scene and leaving multiple corpses behind could get you in some big trouble regardless of whether it was self defense in a crappy neighborhood.
"look, we're on solid legal ground here, we may be questioned and brought to the station for a little bit, but Lone Star isn't going to cry too hard over a few wasted Lycans, frankly."
i light a smoke and lean against the van, waiting for the LS ground team to arrive...
However, fleeing a crime scene and leaving multiple corpses behind could get you in some big trouble regardless of whether it was self defense in a crappy neighborhood.
"look, we're on solid legal ground here, we may be questioned and brought to the station for a little bit, but Lone Star isn't going to cry too hard over a few wasted Lycans, frankly."
i light a smoke and lean against the van, waiting for the LS ground team to arrive...
So is the plan to wait for Lone Star then? That seems to be Rick's plan.
So is the plan to wait for Lone Star then? That seems to be Rick's plan.
Well, it's against Hoss' nature, but he'll wait and see how it goes, letting the ex-badges do the talking.
Lone Star soon arrives on the scene ready to do it up. Armored FRT troopers swarm the building, and you find yourselves being asked to spread em by burly troopers with automatic weapons.
The rest of the day is wasted as you are taken down to Lone Star HQ for questioning regarding the incident.
You are required to give statements, show id, weapons permits, and jump through other hoops. Fortunately, Rick and Enoch both are ex-star and know the ins and outs of the corp.
[ooc] Enoch and Rick you can each make Etiquette checks (corp). You get 2 bonus dice to the check for being ex-star. You can also each make a Lone Star knowledge check, each success from that check can add another dice to your etiquette check.
The more successes the smoother all this goes for you.
i tell old homicide case stories, ask after jerry, explain that we were "just looking for a lead for our client, but, well, lycans will be lycans, and they didn't take kindly to some of my team, tried to make something of it, and, to be honest, i'm much happier being here explaining this to y'all than having a decidedly one sided conversation with the coroner..."
Lonestar Knowledge 8d6.hits(5)=3
Etiquette 7d6.hits(5)=2 2d6.hits(5)=0 bonus dice (no ones)
Cooperate as much as possible but not to put the team at risk.
Together Enoch and Rick manage to smooth take their way through Lone Star. They agree not to bother filing charges and chalk the murders up to self defence. However, given the amount of carnage (3 dead and 2 in critical condition and another 3 injured), they give you a pretty stiff warning. If you end up in more trouble, they will have to hold you.
Calls are placed to Emerald Investigations, and police reports regarding the incident are sent to your employer.
Jessica Baron is on your commlinks and wants to know "What the f~$@ is going on?"
"well, you see, um, yeah. we're heading to the clinic now. touch base when we have something solid"
...ok, gents, let's see if the rehab clinic will shed some light on our quarry's whereabouts...
Ms. Baron spends several minutes expressing her obvious displeasure about the incident at Billy's building, but lets things go for now, so that you can keep going on the case.
The next morning you head for The Lake Washington Retreat in Media Hill. The place has substantial security. There is a fence around the green manicured grounds and a gatehouse with a security checkpoint blocking the entrance.
How would you like to proceed?
Has Graul heard anything back from Leo regarding his requests?
Leo contacts Graul the next morning.
"Thanks to you I had to spend a good chunk of last night looking at bad porn sims. I got a few names though. These three "ladies" starred with Billy in several sims just before he went into rehab- Cindi Starr, Jada Black, and Mina Wang. Of the three, it looks like he's done the most work with Cindi Starr. I'm forwarding her address. It's a Bellevue address as well, but the neighborhood's a lot better. You might also try catching her at work. She works for Hollywood Simsense Entertainment. I'm also sending you a list of 9 hotels that are reasonably close to Billy's residence. By the way Ms. Baron told me to tell you that Ms. Avalon wants a progress report. Ms. Baron wants you guys to forward your billing logs for yesterday. She said to bill for the time you were forced to spend at Lone Star HQ."
Case # 143205A
Progress Report 1
Billable Hours = 4 investigators @ 9 Hours
Expenses = informant fees 200, equipment usage 50.00, vehicle repairs 400.00, Information search services 6 hours @ rate.
After having met with the client it was decided the best course of action was to start at the search subjects last know whereabouts. We proceeded to the Newcastle neighborhood. The subjects building was found. The building itself was apparently under the "protection" of a local gang the Lycans. We proceeded to gain entrance through negotiation with the building superintendent on the pretense that we had papers to serve to one of his tenants.
Upon gaining access to the building we climbed up to apartment 306 as the elevators were out of service. There had been recent violence on the floor as indicated by bullet holes in the wall. We continued cautiously to the apartment.
The superintendent gave us access to the apartment but upon opening the door we found the apartment occupied by members of a the Lycans. These virulently anti-meta gang members were not predisposed to conversation and shots were traded resulting in the gang members being neutralized.
We then proceeded to search the apartment for any clues that could forward our search when we were notified that our transportation was being vandalized and there were more gang members entering the building.
In the meantime one of the detectives was canvasing the neighbors to gain further information on earlier events.
The other gang members attempted to block our exit from the premises and an altercation ensued with only minor injuries to the investigators. However Lonestar was called and we had to spend time with them smoothing things over and misdirecting in order to maintain the confidentiality of our client.
The result of our first day of investigations were:
The search subject was involved in an altercation with members of the Lycan gang over monies owing, in the course of the altercation shots were fired and the subject fled the scene.
Members of the gang then took up residence in the apartment in the hopes that the subject would return, which had not yet happened.
We were given a few additional leads which we will now follow up on, the results of these further leads will be reported in the next progress report.
Investigator Karlsen
Emerald City Investigations
I say lets not spend too much effort here if we get nothing. Instead let us follow up on the information Leo got.
Graul flashes Leo back "You mean a good chunk more than you Normally do? ;-) But thanks buddy, you da man"
Graul simply nods to Enoc's opinion, the 17 yrd old being slightly distracted by the mention of several of his favorite sim stars and the possibility of meeting another one of them soon.
Lake Washington looks like it would be a waste of time. I say lets check either the hotels or the co-star.
Lake Washington looks like it would be a waste of time. I say lets check either the hotels or the co-star.
Try the co-star first, people on the run tend to go where they feel safe...
"Well, going by what the neighbor said, I say we check Cindi first, then Jada and Mini in that order. How do you guys wanna go in? What you think our approach should be?"
Graul's order makes sense to me. I say we go in fairly low key, get a feeling of how the ladies feel about Billy first then play off of that. If there is concern for him stress we intend Billy no harm and that we just want to make sure he is okay.
Given the building Billy was living in and the gang he did business with lets first try to determine their feelings about metas. It may be best if Graul and I fade into the backgroud as much as possible just keep our eyes and ears open.
What do we have in the way of surveillance gear? Maybe we should watch remotely or even place a bug or tracer to watch what happens when we leave.
I don't want consecutive days of violence if we can avoid it both the boss and Lonestar would be difficult to smooth over.
"Graul, just remember, we're on a job, so refrain from asking for autographs if you can..."
i give graul a big wink and a smile while saying that, patting him on the shoulder (may have to tip-toe a bit ot do that though...)
The next morning is a Saturday and you drive to Cindi Starr's residence. on 108th Avenue in Beaux Arts Village. It is a well to do residencial neighborhood that borders Lake Washington. The streets are lined with trees and there are many small parks with things such as, tennis courts and even swing sets.
Cindi Starr lives in a semi-detached townhouse. Her driveway has a single car garage. You don't see any cars in the driveway.
Graul can't help but begrudgingly agree with Enoch's reasoning but sincerely hopes he's wrong so that he will actually get to meet some of his favourite starlets in person.
As Rick makes his quip the young troll ruefully grins in embarrassment that his feeling s are so readily apparent.
As they pull up to the seemingly empty house Graul says "Hold on guys, gimme a minute and I'll check it out" The huge mage sits comfortably in his chair as he closes his eyes and begins to concentrate
Feeling slightly guilty like a peeping tom Graul nevertheless tells himself that this is a job he's doing and he promises himself that he'll be professional. Still, he can't help but feel a small guilty thrill at the thought of 'going into' the gorgeous simstar's house.
When using detection spells, the more hit you score the more you tend to perceive. Their range is Magic x Force in meters (max 25m for Graul).
Clairvoyance 10d6.hits(5)=3
Drain:8d6.hits(5)=2
Spoiler for Graul
You scan the house, the first floor seems deserted except for a few cats. Though the furnishings are stylish, neat and tidy. Upstairs you see a woman in the ensuite bathroom attached to the master bedroom. She is in front of a mirror using a hairdryer. She is wearing silk bathrobe. She has a rather sad look on her face. Her right eye is swollen and blackened.
Graul can't help but begrudgingly agree with Enoch's reasoning but sincerely hopes he's wrong so that he will actually get to meet some of his favourite starlets in person.
As Rick makes his quip the young troll ruefully grins in embarrassment that his feeling s are so readily apparent.
As they pull up to the seemingly empty house Graul says "Hold on guys, gimme a minute and I'll check it out" The huge mage sits comfortably in his chair as he closes his eyes and begins to concentrate
Feeling slightly guilty like a peeping tom Graul nevertheless tells himself that this is a job he's doing and he promises himself that he'll be professional. Still, he can't help but feel a small guilty thrill at the thought of 'going into' the gorgeous simstar's house.
Graul has an immediate sense of sympathy which goes out to the woman. A wave of pain passes through him as he has a flash of memory of his mother and his abusive father. The memory dissipates any temptation the young troll might have had linger his gaze and he moves on scanning the rest of the house for sign of anyone else. He will also be on the lookout for anything which might indicate Cindi's views on metahumans.
If he doesn't see anyone else he will end the spell and report what he's seen to his companions.
You don't see any sign of any obvious anti metal human material around the house. Nor do you see any sign of any other current occupants besides the woman. She seems to live alone based on what you see in her home.
Graul has an immediate sense of sympathy which goes out to the woman. A wave of pain passes through him as he has a flash of memory of his mother and his abusive father. The memory dissipates any temptation the young troll might have had linger his gaze and he moves on scanning the rest of the house for sign of anyone else. He will also be on the lookout for anything which might indicate Cindi's views on metahumans.
If he doesn't see anyone else he will end the spell and report what he's seen to his companions.
I suppose we could just, you know, knock?
"After the last cluster fnck I just wanted to be sure..." Graul says somewhat defensively
"I wasn't saying anything, you were right to scan ahead, my friend. I only recommended we knock on the door as your recon revealed it may be safe to do so."
I pat the youngster's shoulder reassuringly...
Mollified, Graul shrugs and says "Ok, but maybe Enoch and I should hang back at first, just in case. Or, if you guys think it's best, I guess we could just, you know, stay in the van or something." It is obvious though that he hops his second suggestion is not taken up.
I'll assume that you all leave the van, but that Rick and Hoss lead the way, while Graul and Enoch hang back a little.
Rick walks up to the door and knocks. A moment later a message flashes on his PDA, and he sees it's from Ms. Starr. It says, "Who's there?"
Hoss is mostly keeping an eye out for trouble. He's content to let the "young'ns" take the lead for now... Besides, he's still getting used to being "out of the shadows" and he's not comfortable in the light...
rick takes a quick pull from his pony flask of "firewater"
Rick sends back on his PDA...
"Ma'am, Rick Roe, Emerald City Investigstions. We are following up on a missing person's report. Could we have a moment of your time?"
You hear the woman's voice reply gingerly of her PDA.
"Uh Okay, but can we just talk over our PDA's I'm right in the middle of something right now."