<@Brett> [Date: Sunday, Feb. 28th. Time: 11:00 a.m. Location: Granbia-Solda, the Hotel] <@Brett> [Yesterday you went to the weapons' fair, where you saw weapons! Woot. Also there you met Dimitri Nazarenko, a MMO fomori who wants Alysha dead for getting his brother killed in Tanigia.] <@Brett> [But you also met Michael Rowlins, another VA employee based in the West Europe branch, responsible for "the easy countries", according to Alysha. Which makes one wonder what he's doing in Granbia. Apparently he has something important to tell Alysha that necessitated him coming out here on purpose.] <@Brett> [To that end, you're meeting his crew for lunch at an English pup later today.] <@Brett> [Meanwhile, you're all in the common room of the hotel. Alysha and Shiho are still in their room.] <@Brett> [Start!] <@Brett> ( And brb ) * Sonia is lounging in the common room, hood down to show off her new hairstyle: bright blue cornrows, hanging slightly off thet back of her head. She exhales upwards. "Meetings, meetings, and more meetings." * Montana stands nearby, stashing weapons under his jacket. He looks like he always does, hat and everything. "'s pretty much the job, yeah?" * Sonia sighs and says, "That's not a good thing." * Montana shrugs, but it doesn't look like he disagrees. * Sonia sucks in her lip a moment as she pulls a sonic device out of her hoodie, messing with it a little, then she says, quietly, "Skin feels tight today." * Montana looks at Sonia, concerned. "Do some mods?" * Sonia nods and says back, "Last night. If I'm going to keep being forced to go toe to toe with... magic... needed to go under the hood." * Nigel is in the common room and poors himself some some tea, adding a bit of milk and sugar. He looks over at Montana and Sonia. "Either of you want a cup?" * Montana blinks over at Nigel, then shrugs. "Sure." * Sonia shakes her head. "Never liked british tea." (Gah, back) * WeightofTaki is now known as Gordo * Nigel pours Montana a cup and brings it to him as he goes to sit down. * Montana takes it. "Thanks." He sniffs at it, takes a tiny sip, and then goes to get some sugar. * Sonia adjusts her sunglasses and stays lounging. "Doing well, Nigel?" * Gordo returns from the bathroom, still muttering about not trusting strange bartenders when they something is over 180 proof. <@Brett> ( orz. back ) * Montana grabs about five cubes of sugar and drops them in his cup of tea, then makes with the stirring. * Nigel raises an eyebrow at Montana and shakes his head and goes back to sipping his tea. * Montana sips, then adds a sixth sugar cube. <@Brett> [Alysha emerges before long, wearing a black pantsuit. She's let her hair grow longer since Jan., and is now wearing it straight, just past her shoulders. "Hey guys. Ready to go?" <@Brett> ] * Gordo isn't drinking tea so much as hot water with honey and lemon in it. "As I'll ever be today." <@Brett> [Incidentally, the weather's been getting warmer. You are pretty far south, after all.] * Sonia stands up slowly, pushing her hood up. * Sonia says, dryly, "Your chariot awaits. Whatever that means." <@Brett> [Alysha grins. "Some day I'll have you actually drive me in a chariot. We can wear togas."] * Nigel shakes his head. * Sonia shrugs. "If it's drivable, I can drive it." * Montana looks past Alysha. "Where's Shiho?" he asks around tea drinking. <@Brett> ["Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, Shiho won't be with us. I've sent her on an errand."] Good on 'er. * Nigel shakes his head. "Must be one hell of an errand to get her to agree not to accompany you to a potentially dangerous meeting." <@Brett> "Well, that's why I'm bringing you guys, right?" * Nigel nods. "That is what I hear." <@Brett> [Alysha motions to the door. "Shall we?"] * Montana nods, has another sip, and sets his over-sugared sugar tea on the table. He opens the door and gestures for people to head out! * Gordo stands. <@Brett> [Time: 12:00 p.m. Location: Downtown, outside the Wellington.] <@Brett> [You arrive at the Wellington, an English pub on the corner of a relatively busy street downtown. There's quite a few office buildings down here, and a doughnut shop too!] <@Brett> ( Hmmmm... Well, gimme a sight check :D ) (Mind or body?) <@Brett> ( Mind ) * Nigel nods as they approach the pub. "Well this will be a refreshing change, won't it, Gordo?" 2d6+7 * Dicesuke rolls 2d6+7 for Nigel and gets a natural 3 for a result of 10. (...I'm DRing that crapy thing on general principle) 2d6+7 * Dicesuke rolls 2d6+7 for Nigel and gets a natural 11 for a result of 18. Aye 2d6+5 * Dicesuke rolls 2d6+5 for Gordo and gets a natural 9 for a result of 14. 2d6+6 * Dicesuke rolls 2d6+6 for Montana and gets a natural 3 for a result of 9. (I'll DR it.) 2d6+6 * Dicesuke rolls 2d6+6 for Montana and gets a natural 7 for a result of 13. * Nigel pauses for a minute. "Hold on a tick. Where're those friends of yours? They aren't in the pub." * Gordo rubs his eyes. "They got a back room or something here?" <@Brett> [Alysha blinks and peers at the windows. "I don't think? It's a small place."] * Nigel shakes his head. "I don't like this." <@Brett> ["Me neither," Alysha says. "Can't I get a break for once?"] 2d6+7 * Dicesuke rolls 2d6+7 for Sonia and gets a natural 7 for a result of 14. * Nigel shakes his head. "'swhat we're trying to avoid, miss. You getting broken." * Gordo stifles a chuckle. * Montana smiles a bit. "When're they s'posed ta meet ya?" <@Brett> ["Now. Could be their late. It's not like he could call."] (I HAVE SENSES YAY) * Nigel shakes his head. "Maybe we should wait before heading in. It's probably best to not be where you are expected to be at the moment." * Montana nods in agreement. <@Brett> [Alysha nods.] <@Brett> [And so you wait!] <@Brett> [And wait.] * Gordo looks around for the people we're waiting for, or anybody else suspicious. <@Brett> [And wait.] * Nigel starts looking around cautiously. "If your mates don't show up soon, though, perhaps we should start investigating." <@Brett> [Until 12:37, when Alysha says. "Yeah, they're not coming."] * Sonia nods and says, "Should send someone in." <@Brett> [Alysha nods. Then her head swivls to Montana. "How about it?"] Yeah, all right. Yer the best at this we've got. * Montana checks the door real quick to make sure it's not wired to explode. <@Brett> [It's not! There's actually people inside, too. Just not the ones you're looking for.] * Montana opens the door and walks in. <@Brett> [The pub EXPLODES!!! with cheers. They're watching a soccer game and some dude just scored.] * Montana looks up at the score, noting which teams are playing. Which one is everyone cheering for? 2d6+4 * Dicesuke rolls 2d6+4 for Montana and gets a natural 9 for a result of 13. <@Brett> [Great Britain vs. Argentina. Britain seems to be drawing the cheers.] * Montana takes a walk around the area, looking more closely for anything or anyone out of the ordinary, including security, and then ducking into the back rooms for a quick check. * Sonia shrugs as they wait outside, looking over at the others a moment before saying, "When were we going to do what we actually came here for anyway." <@Brett> [Alysha blinks. "Do what?"] * Gordo rubs at his eyes. "Stand around like grunts while her ladyship cut a deal, wasn't it?" * Montana mentally shrugs and heads back out to meet the others. You know. Actually sell weapons. Ain't nothin' much goin' on but a soccer game. Britain's winnin'. Football, and go us. * Nigel perks up and heads over to the window. "Yeah? What's the score?" <@Brett> ["We've got an appointment with one of Thane's daughters tomorrow," Alysha says. "My other appointments got messed up, what with the planecrash and all."] Three ta one, just scored a goal. * Nigel grins. "Eh... Argentina's rubbish, they are. Wish we could have a pint and watch the game." He sighs, "But duty calls, I suppose." <@Brett> [Alysha looks towards Montana. "No sign of Michael?"] * Montana shakes his head. "Sorry, ma'am." And no way to get in contact with him? <@Brett> [She sighs. "Okay... Given that he didn't give me any contact information, who knows how to find him?"] * Nigel shakes his head. "No way to get a hold of his mobile?" <@Brett> ["I've got his number," Alysha says, "But somehow I don't think he's likely to answer."] <@Brett> [Nevertheless, she pulls out her phone.] Worth a shot, can at least tell him we're still alive. * Sonia shrugs. "I know a guy I can call in that can figure this stuff out. Otherwise, I go walking." * Nigel shrugs at Gordo. "If he is, that is." I've still got too much of a headache to deal with somebody else trying to kill me today. <@Brett> [Alysha starts to dial Michael's phone, then stops midway. "Hmmm.... Gordo, give me your mobile."] * Montana grins and slaps Gordo on the shoulder. "Awww, I'm bettin' someone disagrees." * Gordo hands Alysha his phone and then pats a different pocket. "If there is such an idiot, he's getting a worse one." <@Brett> ["Thanks," she says, and dials the number.] <@Brett> [Seconds later she hands it back. "No answer. Big surprise."] * Nigel nods. "Well... what's plan B, then?" He takes a peak back in the window to catch the score. * Gordo puts it back in his pocket. (s/peak/peek. I am so tired.) <@Brett> [Alysha folds her arms. "Hmmm. I don't know. I don't know how to get in touch with him." She sighs. "Unless anyone has any ideas..."] * Sonia frowns and says, "I just told you." <@Brett> [Alysha nods to Sonia. "Alright. Go ahead."] We have a way to get in contact with your next appointment? <@Brett> [Alysha blinks. "Thane's daughter? Why?"] * Gordo shrugs. "Just feeling a bit off about the whole thing. Wouldnt be so good if we keep missing meetings." * Sonia pulls out a cell and pushes a series of buttons, holds it to her ear, and waits for a few. <@Brett> [Alysha nods. "I can contact her if necessary. It's not something I want to do though. Looks bad. Besides, that's not til tomorrow."] (I hate to say this, but I think I'm going to have to bail at 11. I'm exhausted and I'm running on very little sleep.) * Sonia nods and says, "It's me." Pause. "Not social." Pause. "I know." Pause. "Maybe later." Pause. "Fine." Pause. "Michael Rowlins." <@Brett> ( Meep. Alright ) (Sorry. It's been a rough day.) * Gordo nods. "It's your call." 2d6+4 * Dicesuke rolls 2d6+4 for Sonia and gets a natural 7 for a result of 11. * Sonia hangs up, then gets a call a few minutes later, "Yeah." Pause. "Thanks." Pause. "No." Pause. "Next time I get a chance. I'll bring a box." * Sonia then closes the phone. "Got a hotel address." <@Brett> [Alysha grins. "Good. Let's go."] * Nigel raises an eyebrow. "I don't know what you just promised, but let's not waste it." Eh. Just a weird guy. * Montana nods and heads for the vehicle or whatever they came in! * Sonia shrugs and side-glances at Nigel. "Old jokes." * Gordo assumes it's a van and gets to it. <@Brett> ["A box. Weren't you listening?" Alysha follows Montana. "Boxes have many uses."] * Nigel cocks his head to the side and shrugs. "That they do... " <@Brett> [Time: 1:30 p.m. Location: The Sunny-Side-Up Hotel, a hotel on the other side of the city.] <@Brett> [Supposedly Michael Rowlins is staying here! According to a dubious Sonia source.] <@Brett> [It's a fancy enough place, at least as good as the hotel you're in.] (I bet it specializes in awesome breakfast.) <@Brett> ( It has an egg breakfast it calls Eggnado that's nationally reknowned.] ) <@Brett> [Alysha hops out once Sonia stops the car. "This is the place."] Alright... * Nigel nods and gets out as well. "Let's hope we're not about to find a body." <@Brett> [Alysha takes a step towards the hotel. As if waiting for her to make her move, several police cars arrive, along with an ambulance.] * Montana gets out of the car. "Yeeeah," he says, and then... oh, huh. That's never a good sign. <@Brett> [Several policement rush into the hotel, while a few wait outside to keep the crowd at bay. Alysha frowns. "Oh hell."] * Montana takes one look at the police cars and glances around, taking in any additional escapes besides Sonia behind him. * Nigel nods. "I shouldn't have said anything." <@Brett> [Shortly after, EMTs rush out with two body bags, and a third guy on a stretcher. Alysha rushes towards him, shouting at the police in a foreign language when they try to stop her.] * Nigel heads forward with Alysha in case he needs to shoot somebody who tries to shoot her first. * Montana heads for the ambulance, too, as that's not the police. * Gordo hangs back a bit, never a good idea to get in the cops way. <@Brett> [Fortunately, nobody does! If they did this game would probably be over. The cops let her through eventually, figuring it's more trouble to fight her than to let her have her way, and Nigel and Montana get through too on account of being with her.] * Sonia , in the meantime, decides to just try and go past all the craziness and get into the hotel. <@Brett> [The guy one the stretcher is the Hispanic guy. He looks hurt pretty bad, shot and cut. But he is breathing, and he is conscious.] (Gonna go around if I have to!) Ooooh, that ain't good. <@Brett> [Sonia's blocked by policemen!] (aroooound) <@Brett> [Alysha grabs his hand. "Jiminez! Hey, Jiminez!"] <@Brett> [Jiminez grimaces as he looks at her. "J-Johnson. Th-they knew."] (HE SUMMONS DEMONS) * Nigel moves his gaze around. "Who are 'they'?" (Nigel: FINALLY something I'm used to!) <@Brett> [Jiminez's eyes roll back into his head. An EMT brushes Alysha aside as he and another load Jiminez into the ambulance. You can see them preparing a defibulator as they close the door.] <@Brett> [Meanwhile Sonia gets to the back of the hotel. No cops here, yet.] <@Brett> ( Actually, better do that in another chan ) <@Brett> ( #hotel ) * Montana shakes his head, notices Sonia's missing, and says, "Goin' ta find Sonia," and heads off to find her. <@Brett> ( Okay then. ) * Nigel stays with Alysha, because someone has to. (Should I join, too?) <@Brett> [Alysha sighs. "Well that's just great."] <@Brett> ( Yes. ) * Nigel nods. "Any idea who he was talking about?" * Gordo stick with Nigel and Alysha. "He say something?" <@Brett> [Alysha shakes her head. "No... And that worries me."] * Nigel nods to Gordo. "Apparantly, 'they' knew. Whoever 'they' are." Well, that's nice and vauge. * Nigel nods and puts his arm around Alysha in a protective manner while he looks around for any snipers or other such dangerous people. "C'mon, Miss. Let's get you away from all the guns that aren't ours and see if we can figure this out." <@Brett> [Alysha nods and follows... Or is led by, rather, Nigel.] Under cover some place where it's harder to get a shot. * Nigel heads away from all the cops and such and looks for such a spot. <@Brett> [There's a small outdoor lounge area not far from the hotel that has tables and chairs. That works!] * Nigel heads there, then. "Was Mr. Rowlings in that group? Did you see him?" (s/Rowlings/Rowlins) <@Brett> [She shakes her head. "No, but there were two bodybags and one of his security detail, so it's a good bet who was in the bags."] Ugh, I need a ... I need to not be still feeling that hang over so I can get a drink. * Nigel nods. "I'm sorry, Miss. We should have come here sooner." <@Brett> [Alysha frowns as she takes a seat. "Not like we could have known." She folds her hands, propping her elbows on the table. "Okay... We know lots of people want me dead. What sort of information could a West Europe operative get a hold of that he can't talk to me over the phone about? That someone's willing to kill him for."] <@Brett> [She lets her hands drop. "And if it's someone who wants me dead, why not just come for me directly?"] * Nigel shakes his head. "Maybe it's someone who doesn't want you to change your plans." Trying to wreck you slowly? Somebody's right angry at you. <@Brett> [Alysha nods at Nigel. "That's possible." She thinks. "One area Michael's responsible for is Germany, technically, although we've never really sold anything there. Mr. Vollenstein has some problems with the government."]] <@Brett> ["Still," she says, "It's in his area. It's possible he uncovered something to do with the Germans, or even Zukunft."] <@Brett> [She frowns. "But that's just speculation, and I'm not sure I like jumping to conclusions like this."] * Nigel thinks for a moment. "Would he have kept that information anywhere? I could try to hack in and find it." * Gordo blinks at Nigel. "From here?" * Nigel shakes his head. "Not from here. I'm not that good, but from a more relavent location." 2d6+10 * Dicesuke rolls 2d6+10 for Montana and gets a natural 7 for a result of 17. <@Brett> [She shakes her head. "I don't know. Maybe? He wouldn't if he was careful. But then again, he checked into a classy hotel and was found by his killers easily enough."] Ah good, I thought you were going to turn out to be one of those spooks from the movies with the heads like the back of a Scotland Yard lory. <@Brett> [Alysha raises an eyebrow at Gordo.] All full of antenas and could hack anything from anywhere. What? * Nigel nods. "Ah no. Not quite." <@Brett> ( Nigel is secretly Ten ) (*shakes a box in front of Nigel) (Well he has ten-likeish abilities that he is not aware of. But uh... not those abilities) (I'm pretty sure I have to bail. I'm pretty close to face planting keyboard.) <@Brett> ( K, we'll end soon anyhow ) (Okay. Just assume Nigel uh... is there until no one else is.) (G'night Dre.) (I'll head to bed. Goodnight.) <@Brett> ( Night ) Well, whoever's behind this, we'll do our damndest to keep you safe. <@Brett> [Alysha smiles. "Thanks. I'm counting on you."] * Gordo nods and looks around for threats and/or Monty and Sonia. <@Brett> [Gordo spots neither!] <@Brett> ( I am trying to end this soonish ._. ) (No worries, I'm mostly awake.) There's just too many unknowns right now. <@Brett> [Alysha nods. "Yeah. And I have so many enemies." * Gordo snorts. "Think a list of the people not trying to kill you might help?" 2d6+10 * Dicesuke rolls 2d6+10 for Montana and gets a natural 11 for a result of 21. 2d6+6 * Dicesuke rolls 2d6+6 for Montana and gets a natural 9 for a result of 15. <@Brett> ( Actually I'm just gonna call it in here. ) (Alright.) <@Brett> [Alysha smiles. "Well, you and my other security detail, the rest of VA... that's pretty much it."] <@Brett> ( Aight, I'm calling it here. ) <@Brett> [End!]