[Day: Wed. Feb 1st. Time: 10:00 a.m. Location: Tanigia, near the old Bosnia/Montenegro border] [A few days later, you're in flight! Same jet, lucky you. I guess. You're heading to Zenica. And in case anyone's wondering, currently on TV is the Tanigian version of Married with Children. It's in Tanigian, so you probably can't understand it.] [Gordo's flying! Alysha's working on holocomputer! The rest are wherever!] [Start!] [Alysha's grinning more madly than usual as she types away.] * Montana is sleeping! He tends to do that a lot on planes. His hat is over his face, but at least he's not snoring - yet. * Gordo does piloty things like making sure the wings don't fall off. * Shiho is reading a light novel in Japanese. She's wearing a black skort and a heather grey T-shirt, and, as always, has her gun on one hip and her sword on the other. * Nigel has a laptop out. He's tapping away at some sort of document. He has a pile of papers on his lap, which he flips through occasionally. ( A skort! ) (A skort!) [Alysha speaks: "Zenica! A small, beautiful city built on the banks of the Bosna, surrounded by mountains. Gonna be a little cold there."] * Shiho looks down at her bare legs and sighs. "Right, I'll change before we land." ["It's an industrial city, too. Big on steel production, and lately one of the biggest manufacturers of Tanigian military equipment."] Always nice when they're civilized enough to keep the runway clear. * Sonia looks over her sunglasses a moment, then shifts. "Coulda told your girl that a little earlier, yeah?" [Alysha, for the record, is also wearing a sko.... skirt. A black one, to go with her business jacket. (Skorts are awesome practical, in my opinion.) ["Heh. Well, to be honest, I didn't know we were going there until this morning."] [She claps her hands, probably because Montana's sleeping. "Listen up! We've got an important job to do."] * Montana jerks awake. "Buh? Wha?" His hat falls off of his face, and he frowns and picks it up. "What?" [And with that she connects a cable. The TV show is replaced by what's on her screen: a blond caucasian man in his early thirties. His hair's slicked back and he's wearing a business suit. "Meet Stanley Mason. Born May 2071, died August 2101. Occupation: Arms dealer." She grins. "Morning Montana."] * Gordo pipes the image up onto a "redundant" display up on the cockpit. ["Mister Mason worked for VA in the Eastern European sector. Our sector." She grins. "My predecessor. Most of the contracts we've been forming have been so easy because he did all the preliminary work."] Mornin'. This why you woke me up? ["Thing is, Melnik Military and Ordinance was operating in this area before VA came along. They consider it their private territory. So when Mason started getting too successful..."] * Sonia mms and says, "The way of the world." Should I be expecting a warm welcome? * Brett nods. "Incidentally, I got an e-mail last night from a Nikolai Nazarenko, of MMO. (oh jesus I just realized what that acronym'd to) He'd like to meet this afternoon and talk business."] ( Alysha does that. :P I just call it like I see it ) * Nigel looks over the top of his laptop at Alysha. "Right. Well I find it always helps to have the dead on your side..." Right then. [Alysha grins.] ["There's no proof, of course. Maybe Mr. Nazarenko is serious. So I went ahead and arranged to meet him."] All right. We'll do our best to keep you from gettin' dead, 'course. Any info on him? You just bounce from one trap to another, don't you boss? ["We have every right to deal in Tanigia, and Mason was one of ours. We don't buckle from scare tactics."] * Shiho grins. "Kind of makes you want to take the entire territory from those bastards, huh?" ["He has an office here." She brings up a map of the city and highlights the 26th floor of a 30-floor building. "And MMO has liscensed a bot-producing factory here." She zooms in on another part of the city, full of industrial-type stuff. "Incidentally, he's got a shipment scheduled to go out soon. A very important one. With Serbians."] [She grins at Alysha. "That's exactly what we're going to do."] * Montana leans forward to look at the map. "So, how you plan on doing that, ma'am?" If this doesn't end with the boltheads shooting at us, I'm buying us all a round. ["A two-part operation. I'm meeting Nicolai here for lunch." She highlights another high-rise, where there's a restaurant on the top floor.] ( NiKolai ) ["It's a private meeting; there won't be any bystanders in the way. Shiho, you're with me. Bring your gun, but not you're sword. They're going to confiscate it when they search you anyway."] * Nigel nods. "Yes well... That sounds like a good idea. Lunch worked out so well last time." ["Montana, Nigel, your job is to break into Nikolai's office. I want you to find the activation codes for those bots. He's bound to have them."] Ch. Fine. * Nigel shrugs. "As you say, miss." ["Sonia, Gordo, I want you to find the snipers Nikolai will undoubtedly have waiting for me. You can use Sonia's sonics to find them. Once you take them out, take up a sniping position and wait for my signal," she snaps her fingers. "But don't shoot Nazarenko. I want Shiho to be the one to take him out."] ["Don't you kill him either," she says to Shiho. "Just hurt him. A lot." She grins, "We'll show them we can do scare tactics too."] * Sonia taps a finger on her chair. "Need to know more about the area layout. Snipers can be quite a ways away." Two things miss, do we have a plan for if they don't attack us, and if and when things do turn pear shaped, Shiho and I might not manage to get away with just winging him. [She brings up the map again. "The restaurant's way up on the top floor of this building. There's only a couple of spots they could be waiting at.] * Shiho opens her mouth to speak, frowning, but the upset expression drops when Alyssa says not to kill Nikolai. "As long as he's trying to kill me," Shiho says quietly. "I won't hurt him if he's not attacking me." ["It's not a question of if. They will try."] [[As for Nikolai, I'm sure Shiho can handle him." She grins.] * Sonia gives a slight glance to Shiho, away from the map, and a smile flicks across her lips before she looks back. "Just trying to figure out if I'll need to make a custom rig or not." I'm not much for the free climbing. ["Any other questions?"] Yeah. Do you know where his office is located? I'll certainly do my best, and I'll defend you with my life. I'll say right now that my hand-to-hand is my weakest combat ability and my swordfighting's my strongest. But if you think this can work, I'm in. [Alysha blinks at Montana, then pulls up a map. "Here," she highlights the 26th floor of a30-floor building. "Like I said."] ["Of course it'll work." She grins. "There's no other option."] (Oh, must've missed that. :D) * Montana nods, rubbing at his stubble. ( Suddenly a giant flying razor bursts through the window and shaves Montana's stubble off! ) ( Can FF when you're ready ) (NO! The source of his power!) (*the stubble regrows instantly) (I knew I could count on you, stubble!) (Yes, it is a fine time for FF.) (As long as Sonia can actually get from place to place with the sonics on, or can build a wide range sonar rig!) ( Then I need Montana and Nigel and logbot in #MC5-2 and Gordo and Sonia in #MC5-3 ) [Alysha says, "Well then, if there's no more questions, I'll be wearing a comm unit. Nigel, call me as soon as you have the codes." She looks at the others. "It's important we don't act before then, in case he's got safeguards in place. I want those codes."] [FF! Suddenly Alysha and Shiho are outside a the skyrise with the restaurant. A sign out front advertizes the place as some sort of high-class Russian restaurant, but Shiho can't actually read what the name is. (yay, I don't have to make one up).] [Time: 12:30 p.m.] [Alysha threw a trenchcoat on over her skirt suit, and is carrying a thin briefcase full of boring stuff like documents.] ( Still need Nigel in #MC5-2 >.> ) * Shiho changed into black slacks and a black turtleneck, with a dark leather jacket on over. As ordered, she left the sword behind and is only carrying her gun. (He got distracted by trying to make ginger lemonade.) ( Ewww. ) (It's actually super refreshing if done right.) (And noooow he may be pinging out?) (I can't join?) (Oh, there he is. Hrm.) ( Oh, this gonna be fun for me :P ) (You're the one that split us up! :P) ( It seemed like a good idea at the time ) [Alysha grins at Shiho. "Shall we?" She heads in.] * Shiho walks just behind Alysha, silent and wary. (Can I spy on the other channels?) ( It's up to them, I don't mind. ) (Sure, go ahead!) [You enter the building. It's good a nice wooden interior with several potted plants. Two men in black are waiting next to the elevators as Shiho heads to them. One holds up a hand and syas something in Ukrainian.] [Alysha responds, also in Ukrainian. The man shakes his head and says something else, and Alysha sighs. "Knew this was coming," she says, handing over her briefcase and holding her arms out. One of the MiBs flips through the briefcase while the other pats her down for weapons.] [They finish with Alysha, then turn to Shiho.] * Shiho opens her jacket to show her gun, then holds out her arms so they can pat her down. [They do that, one of them moving to take Shiho's weapon.] * Shiho remains stone-faced. [They finish with Shiho, taking her gun and gesturing towards the elevator. Alysha steps in.] * Shiho follows Alysha! As she does. [Alysha hits a button and the elevator zooms to the top floor in no time. It opens to a nice looking restaurant. There's a bar on the left side, but the right and far walls are nothing but glass, giving a great view of the city. The tabels are round, irregularly placed and covered in beige cloths.] [There's no customers, only a waiter, a cook, and four men in black standing about 10 ft. away from a table in the center. There sits a man with long black hair and a thick mustache, sipping coffee.] [He looks up as the elevator dings and grins, saying in heavily accented English: "Ah! Ms. Johnson, so nice to see you.] * Shiho scans the outside view and takes in the room. [Shiho can see much of the city and the mountains beyond from here, her view only blocked by three skyscrapers.] (Are the roofs on a good level and distance for snipers? Just to be thorough.) ( Yep! ) (Oh, those are the ones the others are checking out. Duh.) [Alysha steps forward. "The pleasure's all mine, Mr. Nazarenko."] [He smiles. "Please, call me Nikolai." Then he gestures before him. "Come. Sit! We have much to discuss." There's only one chair. Shiho's out of luck.] [Alysha takes off her trenchcoat, hanging it over the back of her chair as she sits down.] * Shiho wasn't planning on sitting anyway! She stands behind Alysha and to the right. [Nikolai leans forward. "I must confess, I was surprised to hear of an American arms dealer in this country. And a woman at that!"] [Alysha grins. "Which part? That I'm American or that I'm a woman?"] ["Both. And you look so young... Very impressive."] ["I'm flattered." She doesn't sound that flattered....] ["But you know, I'm not the first American to operate in this region, Nikolai."] ["Hmm, yes," says the Ukrainian. "A Mr. Manson preceeded you until a few months ago. Same company, I understand. Shame about that accident..."] ["Yeah. Shame."] [He frowns. "You seem apprehensive. Understandable. I tried to negotiate with Mr. Manson, too. Unfortunately, he wasn't very receptive. I'm hoping things will be different between us, yes?"] [Alysha grins. "Yes. I fully expect things to go differently."] ( Honestly I thought this would be a lot more interesting than it's been going. Sorry :x ) (That's okay, I can just watch the others.) [He grins. "Glad to hear it. So... He's what I'd like to offer: We'll keep you informed of any potential contracts in exchage for, mmm, 15% of the income you get from the sales in this sector."] [Alysha whistles. "15%. You're not even trying, are you?"] [There's a sudden stillness in the room. The MiBs look nervously to one another.] ["Alysha..." begins Nikolai. Alysha corrects him: "Miss Johnson."] ["Alysha," says Nikolai more forcefully. "Let me put this in a way your simple American can understand, you stupid fucking bitch." He starts to stand.] [He leans over the table. "Eastern Europe belongs to MMO. We don't like competition. I am being extremely generous in allowing you to opperate here for a measily 15% of your profits."] * Shiho moves up to stand next to Alysha, hopefully blocking her from view of some of the MiBs. ["I'm guessing Stanley Manson didn't agree to your terms, huh?" asks Alysha. She's still grinning, which seems to be infuriating Nikolai.] ["No, he didn't. And you can see what happened to him."] [Alysha grins. "Nikolai. Let me make you a counter offer."] ["How about you convince MMO to pull out of this region, and I don't tear your company apart?"] [Nikolai stares. The MiBs slowly draw pistols, but then he suddenly throws back his head and laughs.] ["Stupid bitch, you're in no situation to be making demands. Do you really think your one, unarmed body guard can take down all of my men? Even if she could, my snipers would blow a hole through your head."] [He smirks. "That's right, I got snipers watching this place. You never stood a chance. So what will it be? 15%... No, 30% of your profits? Or do they find your bodies in the Bosna tomorrow morning?"] ( I'm never splitting you into 3 groups again ) (Hey, I feel wanted!) ( Though... really it was 5, you all split up :P ) (Best way to cover more ground!) (That's okay, I'm very uncomfortable protecting Alysha by myself anyway.) (Sorry, you gave us two targets and a tight timeline!) * Shiho touches her comm. ~Thanks, Sonia. How's the other objective?~ ( They can probably see you doing that, y'know :P ) (Whatever, I'm talking to people.) (And I'm not being very clear about the subject either.) [Nikolai looks at Shiho, then at Alysha. "What...?"] [Alysha grins. "Nikolai... Did you really think I was so dumb that I wouldn't do any preparation of my own?"] (Alysha's standard expression is grinning!) [Nikolai's phone rings. Alysha grins wider. "You should get that."] [He keeps his eyes on her while he answers the phone. There's some muted talk in Ukranian. Then his eyes go wide. "What the fuck did you do?!"] (I now have the most horrible mental image of Alysha being a genderswapped Aaron. ^__^) [Alysha stands up herself. "Mr. Nikolai, as fun as this has been, I think it's time for you and your company to get out of my territory."] ["Go to hell, bitch!" he screams, his MiBs raising their guns.] ( I'ma need init rolls for Shiho, Sonia and Gordo ) 2d6+11 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Shiho (2d6+11) and gets a natural 10 for a result of 21. 2d6+7 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Gordo (2d6+7) and gets a natural 5 for a result of 12. 2d6+5 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Sonia (2d6+5) and gets a natural 7 for a result of 12. [Shiho, Gordo, Sonia, MiBx4] [Shiho!] [Alysha grins back at Nikolai. "Come with me. It'll be fun."] (Is the table fairly large, or small?) ( It's fairly large, enough to seat 5-6 people ) * Shiho flips the table on its side and pulls Alysha down behind it for cover. (Does that take up my action?) ( Nah ) * Shiho dashes over to Nikolai, places herself with Nikolai between her and the bulk of the MiBs, and darts a fist out in a punch. 2d6+6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Shiho (2d6+6) and gets a natural 10 for a result of 16. [Shiho punches Nikolai in the face, breaking his nose. He shrieks in anger.] [Gordo!] * Gordo snipes him some goons as having two actions and no languages is certainly the way to combat monkey. 2 2d6+7 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Gordo (2 2d6+7) and gets a natural 7 for a result of 18 14. (On two different goons) [Annnnnd 2 goons go down, just like that.] [Nikolai stares, and Alysha giggles. "Snipers? What snipers?"] (I am Gordon, Slayer of Goons.) [Oh, it's Sonia's turn.] (Is Alysha staying down?) * Sonia takes her own single shot at a goon. 2d6+8 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Sonia (2d6+8) and gets 20, a CRITICAL SUCCESS!!! "That was close. One cycle later and you'd have fit nicely into a sandwich." (YAY) ( Well ) [Sonia shoots a guy through the head.] [~Just hang onto them,~ says Alysha, as the third MiB runs for the elevator. Nikolai screams, "Get back here you scum!"] ~Hey, Alysha. We have those codes. You want me to read them to you or just hand you them when we get there?~ (Swap those) ( K :P ) [Nikolai takes a swing at Shiho.] * Montana also coms, focused on Sonia: ~We're gonna need a pick up when you get the chance, darlin'.~ 2d6+5 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Shiho (2d6+5) and gets a natural 11 for a result of 16. [And Shiho easily knocks aside his fist. Her move!] * Shiho strikes out with her other fist. 2d6+6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Shiho (2d6+6) and gets a natural 9 for a result of 15. [Shiho hits him in the gut, causing him to double over.] ( Combat's pretty much over ) ~Gotcha, M. I'll leave you two to handle these mompies.~ * Montana relays a cross-street. ~We're in the antique shop.~ [Alysha gets to her feet. "Go ahead and hit him some more if you like, Shiho."] [Nikolai raises a hand. "W-wait..."] * Shiho hits him once more. "And that's for being a disrespectful bastard to my boss. Okay, I'm done." [He falls to the ground, writhing in pain. Alysha gives Shiho a thumbs up.] ["Let's get out of here," She says, heading towards the elevator.] * Gordo comms to Shiho. ~What would the Miss want us to do with the snipers?~ Boss, what do we do with the snipers? [She shrugs. "Leave them. MMO will take care of them."] (AFK a sec to feed cats) ~Leave 'em. We're wrapped up here, can take a pick up when you're ready, Sonia.~ [Once they get to the elevators, Alysha comms, ~Good work, everyone. We've bloodied MMO's noses and shown them that we're not afraid to fight. Of course, this means they'll be gunning for us now.~ ] [She grins. ~But that's okay. That's what I want. MMO's just a front for the Russian mafia, really. We've got no tolerance for them.~] [~Anyhow, that's phase one of the plan. Let's rondevouz so I can tell you about phase two.~] ( Annnd can end when ready ) (I think I'm done) ( In fact we should end now, 'cause I gotta get up early ) [Abrupt End!]