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Post by NoOnesShowMonkey on Aug 25, 2010 18:58:21 GMT -5
[20:47 - 04 March, 2069 - Lazy Axel bar in Tacoma, back room and lounge]
The Johnson stands as Sterling enters, but refrains from interrupting the newcomer. Arc, Butts and Clint can feel an immediate tension in the air between the Johnson and Sterling as their personalities vie for elbow room.
Waiting for Sterling to complete his address, the Johnson opens with a diplomatic envoy of his own: 'Ah, the fourth of our engagement has arrived at last. How embarrassing it would have been to have four chairs on your side of the table and only three of them be filled!'
Gesturing for Sterling to sit as the drinks are being served, the Johnson continues. 'I was notified of your tardy arrival, no need to worry yourself over formalities. These gentlemen here, I am sure, can be made to understand that such things are... trivialities.' Something about the edge in his voice sets the room squirming.
'To bring you up to speed...' The Johnson lays out quickly and efficiently the aforementioned payment options and conditions.
'So what say you, gentlemen?' The Johnson has by now regained his seat at the opposite side of the table and his hands have returned to the practiced pyramid shape, his brow finding the comfortable furrows to crease his otherwise immaculate complexion.
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Post by drzaius on Aug 26, 2010 10:11:32 GMT -5
[20:47 - 04 March, 2069 - Lazy Axel bar in Tacoma, back room and lounge]
Clint nods curtly at the Johnson, giving his answer.
"Unless my new acquaintances have any more questions or objections, I'm game. Let's hear the 'particulars' you referred to earlier to help us get this job done."
He leans back in his chair and raises his new glass to Sterling, taking a sip and waiting to hear the rest of the group's answer.
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Post by segwaycop on Aug 26, 2010 13:20:07 GMT -5
[20:48 - 04 March, 2069 - Lazy Axel bar in Tacoma, back room and lounge]
No objections here. I'm ready.
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Post by phatgdog69 on Aug 26, 2010 21:37:11 GMT -5
[20:48 - 04 March, 2069 - Lazy Axel bar in Tacoma, back room and lounge]Sterling smiled half to himself - the sense of being in control was intoxicating and he was sure he had everything in the palm of his hand. It helped that this Mr. Johnson wasn't particularly forthcoming as it was. "Now, I apologize if I missed anything else my compatriots here may have discussed with you, but I think we can work something out here"Sterling took a moment to let the moment build before continuing. "I think we can all agree that your offer is quite generous and I don't think I'm being presumptuous in saying that we appreciate it. Given the clearly high value and priority of the drones, I think it would be fair to ask for a percentage of the fair market value of the drones to reflect that. As they are probably prototypes, the closest equivalents would suffice..say, 15%?""Of course, that might be a bit hasty, as I, myself, am not much of a drone expert - and yet I can tell there is more to this than the information in the contract so far. If you could tell us a little more about your employer and the purpose of these drones, I think we could better prepare for this mission and improve both turnaround time and safety of your merchandise..."He was clearly proud of himself, but he didn't take much of a look at what his compatriots were thinking. Sorry guys, curse of being ballsy. Negotiation roll with 3 successes to get more information out of Mr. Johnson ~and~ more money. Never thought I'd put my client and contract training to use here first...
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Post by NoOnesShowMonkey on Aug 27, 2010 1:03:24 GMT -5
The Johnson's mouth falls agape a moment, his pearly white teeth gleaming in the dim light. All tension in his face floods out for a moment's pause. Before even a heartbeat passes, the slack disappears. His eyebrows arch and then narrow, and his countenance shifts into something reminiscent of a coiled tiger. 'The difference between good business and outright theft is a very fine one. Let's call this a feather that you can put in your cap.'Standing, the Johnson looks to his two security team members and they come to flank him. Shifting his gaze to each team member individually, he continues. 'If you believe that your best course of action at this juncture is to acquire these goods and then ransom them back to their rightful owner, I will not be the one to tell you that it is a bad idea. I admire the entrepreneurship. I am, however, not in the market for this kind of bad business cum cowboy.'The Johnson buttons his suit jacket and grips the back of his chair. His chronometer is excruciatingly expensive, manufactured with zero-g materials processing and studded with diamonds. 'The best I am prepared to offer you is a twenty percent retainer - fully five thousand nuyen - and a promise that if you walk away with my employers goods, you will do me no harm. In fact, you only add to my job security. I do not mind a recursive cycle, so long as there is a bit of cream for skimming.' |
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Post by phatgdog69 on Aug 27, 2010 9:18:32 GMT -5
[20:49 - 04 March, 2069 - Lazy Axel bar in Tacoma, back room and lounge]
Sterling swallows his pride, his words - and his stomach, which had really seemed to make its way all the way up to his throat. Which, he was pleasantly surprised, was still intact. He bowed with an honest graciousness, as a man who admitted his defeat.
"My apologies, gracious host - your savvy is most impressive, and I have indeed....learned something."
He retakes his seat cautiously - it took a remarkable amount of control to not let his mask crack.
"I certainly meant no insult nor implication of theft - we will return your property with the utmost care and speed. I believe I speak for my team when I say that we most thoroughly agree to your terms without question...."
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Post by milkrun on Aug 27, 2010 15:23:19 GMT -5
Arc widens his eyes for a second and then holds his hand to his head rubbing his temples.
"I agree to your terms Mr. Johnson. Please forward us the relevant information so that we may begin with our work."
<<Arc @ Clint>>
<<Howdy John Westwood, pretty quick on the draw are you? That's quite a bit of hardware you got up that sleeve. I've got some myself truth be told and I'm not too bad on the Matrix either. I'm Arc. Any other skills you may have cowboy?>>
<<Arc @ Sterling>>
<<Donald Sterling, it's always nice to work with kindred blood. I'm Arc and I'm a bit of a hacker. What do you do exactly? >>
<<Arc @ Butts>>
<<Nice meeting you Omae. I'm Arc and I'm a bit of a hacker. What do you bring to this little party?>>
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Post by phatgdog69 on Aug 30, 2010 13:06:52 GMT -5
<<Sterling @ Clint, Butts & Arc>>
<<I hope you don't mind my rude entrance, but I was led to believe that you all were in need of a negotiator and good public image. And, of course, that there was some money to be made. Don Sterling, attorney at law. I have been doing this side job for awhile now, so I'm pretty sure I can be of some help. Mr. Arc, I see you're rather quick with that commlink of yours - whichever one that may be, of course.>>
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Post by drzaius on Aug 30, 2010 14:10:45 GMT -5
[20:50 - 04 March, 2069 - Lazy Axel bar in Tacoma, back room and lounge]
<<Clint@Team>>
<< Nice to meet'cha. Seeing as we're going to be working together, makes sense to let you know what I'm decent at, so we can figure out how we're goin' to get these drones back. I pride myself on being quick on the draw, but I can also talk my way into someplace, if need be. Plus, if things get hairy, I'm pretty decent at drivin' a getaway car.>>
Clint gives a small wave to the table to indicate he sent the last message.
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Post by segwaycop on Aug 30, 2010 14:25:46 GMT -5
[20:51 - 04 March, 2069 - Lazy Axel bar in Tacoma, back room and lounge]
<<Butts @ Team>>
<<Short intro here. Name's Butts. I've been an extremely private detective for years now. I'm confident in my skills and in my contacts. If we need leads, if we need someone followed, if you need punched in the face, I'm your man. It'll be a pleasure doing business with you gentlemen, I'm sure.>>
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Post by NoOnesShowMonkey on Aug 31, 2010 10:40:53 GMT -5
[20:51 - 04 March, 2069 - Lazy Axel bar in Tacoma, back room and lounge]
Nodding, the Johnson lets go of the chairback. 'I am glad to know that these terms are amenable. I shall inform my employer that a team has been assembled and they shall issue a decrypt for your datadisc. Expect information within the half hour.'
Turning, the Johnson makes a quick gesture with the flip of his fingers and the security detail move to flank him close. Two operators exit, but not before leaving the Johnson turns and addresses the party one last time.
'While I admire what I called your 'entrepreneurial spirit', such headstrong ambition is not always the most healthy of choices. Know that you are being watched carefully and should the lessons learned this evening prove for naught, there will be... consequences...'
Turning his head towards the door, the Johnson takes to leaving. At the slightest indication of his intention, his two remaining security detail wordlessly fall into step. None of his operators had so much as blinked as far as anyone could tell - cold and professional, they were likely augmented and were obviously well versed in their profession.
In the vacuum left in the Johnson's departure, the group becomes suddenly aware of the dimly lit room's emptiness but for the certified credstick laying centered on the table, haloed in a pool of dim light.
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Post by phatgdog69 on Sept 1, 2010 11:53:31 GMT -5
[20:53 - 04 March, 2069 - Lazy Axel bar in Tacoma, back room and lounge]Sterling, not one to wait much, stands and retrieves the credstick and datacard. He looks them over as he takes a walk around the room, surveying it. "Well," he starts in, "I don't expect to make much of this card - though you, Arc, may have better luck."Sterling tosses the card to Arc and pulls out his own credstick. After a quick transfer, he motions to the others. "Alright, don't be shy - we'll split the retainer now and work it out if we need to pick up any equipment along the way."He thinks for a few moments - finding some wild drones in a city this large, and in 3 days, would likely prove to be particularly difficult. People, not robots, were his specialty and he was having some trouble working out this puzzle....he was fairly certain the others had something to offer. Well, at least it wasn't any Matrix nonsense like last time... "So, I'll admit, I don't know a thing about drones - so if anyone has some experience in the subject, please, enlighten us."Sterling evenly distributes the retainer payment: 2500/4 = 625 nuyen each
Perception check: 3 hits
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Post by NoOnesShowMonkey on Sept 1, 2010 18:48:33 GMT -5
[20:55 - 04 March, 2069 - Lazy Axel bar in Tacoma, back room and lounge]<<Unknown @ Sterling>>
<<The disc is ready for you now.>>
<<Decrypt complete...>>
<< 114 Series Semi-Autonomous Control Unit >>
<< Using a series of parallel proccessed decision matricies tied into multichannel sensory inputs...
[the technical jargon becomes impenetrable for several paragraphs]
Prototype units AVLR, MLRS and BHM have passed trials for their motive systems, navigating simple and advanced decision making tests.
[Information removed]
...suggest transport to main R&D for further trials and post-op design modifications.
[Information removed]
...units have been fitted with high signal, encrypted EWR, IR and laser communications units. Problems related to the auto-harden sequence have been resolved.
[Technical jargon resumes].>>
The plans will take some serious effort to study and decode from their current engineer-speak. The amount of data is overwhelming, but certainly not comprehensive.
Important pieces of information at first blush include that each unit has a modified tracking module slaved to their communications suite. Access IDs for these units are included.
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Post by phatgdog69 on Sept 10, 2010 10:44:59 GMT -5
[21:01 - 04 March, 2069 - Lazy Axel bar in Tacoma, back room and lounge]
Time passes, and little progress is made. Sterling rubbed his now-creased brow - this was always his least favorite part of the process.
"Alright, let's review - we have specs, images and access IDs - and a tight timeframe. It doesn't look like any of us are particularly skilled with drones, either."
He was a little frustrated at having to go over this again. Not the fastest on the take, this lot, but not the worst at least. Still, maximizing progress at the front was key. He took a deep breath -
"If any of you know somebody - a rigger, tech or whatever - who can read this drek and help find something, speak up and call them. First up, everybody start checking the 'Trix for any news, video, reports - anything on these things. If we can get a location, we can start talking to people. Butts & Arc, you two are certainly the best at scouting this out. On that end, Clint & I can provide backup and a second set of eyes. Clint - you got any serious sensors on that car of yours? If not, we may have to pick some up on the way."
Sterling really didn't want to have to call Lucas, so he held out hope that they could get their info without him.
"We don't know how long they've been gone, so it would probably be safe to assume we'll run into other "entrepreneurs" along the way, let alone whatever defenses these things have..."
Translation - be ready for things to inevitably go South, so I can stand out of the way. Planning was key, and Sterling figured that if he could be more successful in herding the team this time, there wouldn't be any...."complications"...
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Post by NoOnesShowMonkey on Sept 13, 2010 8:46:35 GMT -5
[21:11 - 04 March, 2069 - Lazy Axel bar in Tacoma, back room and lounge]
Sterling is able to locate over a thousand news stories and blurbs about drones! Apparently, they are going to replace factory workers in Auburn and Tacoma! We have nothing to fear from drones, as they function in relation to simple laws! For example, a drone may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm! How could this possibly be bad?!
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Post by phatgdog69 on Oct 22, 2010 11:36:05 GMT -5
[21:25 - 04 March, 2069 - Lazy Axel bar in Tacoma, back room and lounge]Time passes and little to nothing is accomplished. Sterling was tired and frustrated - so much time to do so little. He'd much rather have gotten this over with quickly and be spending this evening with Lily instead, rather than sitting in some frelling drek bar in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of neanderthals. His patience finally gave in. "Apparently you lot haven't worked this kind of job before, so let me make things particularly simple and abundantly clear - its not just pay at stake, but reputation and lives of the most important sort - ours. Now you may not value it, but I certainly do, and I will be very certain to make sure nothing happens to that. I will tolerate no delays or failures, and I expect some results by this time tomorrow - I certainly will provide. Have I made myself clear?"7 successes on mental intimidation, resist with intimidation+willpower
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Post by NoOnesShowMonkey on Mar 6, 2011 10:36:28 GMT -5
Sterling leaves the bar in disgust, unable to countenance any further delays. Having lacked a cohesive plan, the group breaks up and the Johnson is forced to find another set of problem solvers.
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