Axel glances around before pulling the tarp off of the luggage cart that he paid an exorbitant 5¥ for in the parking lot. Laying somewhat haphazardly on the cart are a pair of drones, mostly matching MCT-Nissan Roto craft, one sporting a shiny new Ares Alpha that still displays faint tooling marks where the break-in hasn't had time to do its work. Doug, the stalwart Doberman tracked drone crouches awkwardly at the foot of the cart. Mirroring Taipan, he pulls a 10mm socket wrench from his toolkit, and sets to work.
He listens to the others as he sizes up the cases and his drones. The pair of roto drones have a mercifully flat profile, and fit into the cases without too much fuss. Axel loosens the retaining clamp on the Ares Alpha's weapon mount cradle, and slides the rifle out, setting it carefully on top of the drone from which it was extracted.
The Doberman is another issue. Though not much more than tank-like tracks with a CPU and weapon mount, the profile is much taller and more awkward. With about 4 minutes of well-practiced work, he manages to free the weapon mount's turret from the body, and arrange the wheels in two neat stacks. He places the boxy body of the drone in the final case, arranges the wheels around it, finally laying the treads on top of the arrangement in a manner reminiscent of folding a hand towel on a bathroom counter. He glances around the crates, double-checking his work. Almost as an afterthought, he withdraws his bulky Morrissey Alta from his Ares Victory: Rapid Transit armored coveralls, and tosses it into the bin with the drones. He fishes around one of the pockets in the jumpsuit, checking that the Fly-Spy, Raecor Sting, and Narcoject One are still secure in their Universal Mirror Material lined pocket. His own AR feed confirms zero signal leakage from the pouch.
Finally, he checks the settings on his RCC. After tapping on the actual keyboard in meatspace, he flips the lid closed with a thunk, secure in the knowledge that he'll know the moment the cases are disturbed, and that the cases look to all the digital world like camera equipment.
He finally stands back up from his crouching position, and stretches his back out with an audible pop. "Null sweat. My little pets are as snug as they'll ever be. Hey, did someone say something about Yuzu?"
(( RCC Config: Clearsight Autosoft rating 4, Targeting Autosoft rating 4 (Steyr TMP), Clearsight Autosoft rating 4, Wrapper (make the drones look like camera equipment), Virtual Machine running Signal Scrub and Smartsoft rating 3 ))
Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
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Drew Buddy
- Posts: 1488
- Joined: Sun Oct 30, 2011 7:06 pm
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Reiya reluctantly hands over her crossbow, giving the “coyote” the eye: he’d better not abscond with her prized weapon. She snorts at Mick’s question. “I do mana, not fire, and that’s a little much to light your cigarette.” She softens the refusal with a smile. “Better luck next time.”
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Mick twists their mouth into a rictus of low stakes adolescent dejection, squeezing their lips together and scrunching them off to one side, pulling the ork's pert nose along for the ride. "One'a these days, I swear!" The adept's snotty squish-face softens to a grin as they say to Reiya, "Thanks anyhow." Mick makes brief eye contact with the shaman to confirm the levity of their short back-and-forth and mostly comes back certain that Reiya at least hates them no more now than she might have before. And in the ork's experience, not losing ground with someone counts as progress.
Seemingly amused with the interaction-- or maybe at the interaction-- Noah leans forward and furnishes an ancient Zippo, half-eaten by rust and emblazoned with the emblem for some military unit Mick's never cared enough to hear of. The ork leans forward and accepts the light, drawing a deep breath into their lungs. "Thanks again, slick. You keep bein' this helpful and I'm gonna have to assume you're waitin' to stick a knife in my back." The slightly muffled words ride out of Mick's hopefully-pleasant smile on diffuse cotton balls of pale blue smoke.
Seemingly amused with the interaction-- or maybe at the interaction-- Noah leans forward and furnishes an ancient Zippo, half-eaten by rust and emblazoned with the emblem for some military unit Mick's never cared enough to hear of. The ork leans forward and accepts the light, drawing a deep breath into their lungs. "Thanks again, slick. You keep bein' this helpful and I'm gonna have to assume you're waitin' to stick a knife in my back." The slightly muffled words ride out of Mick's hopefully-pleasant smile on diffuse cotton balls of pale blue smoke.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Noah looses a low whistle and pats the Samsonite case containing Axel's minions. "That's some sweet kit, omae. I know you're probably stressing about parting with it, but rest assured-- I greased the luggage handlers so they'll treat these cases like they were full of Dunkelzahn's china." He jerks a thumb over his shoulder.
Axel follows the man's gesture, which leads to a primitive vending machine. A variety of colorful bottles are secured behind a pane of frosted plexi, most labeled in Kanji. Atop the vending machine is a plastic caricature of the machine's mascot: a chubby cartoon frog carrying a parasol. The frog appears to be skipping through puddles, as evidenced by the hiragana symbols by his feet (げろげろ!) Below a row of Kanji and Katakana characters is a slogan in broken English: Yuzu, Lemon, or Pomegranate! It is for drinking, the divine adventure! A row of multi-color LED's pulse happily along the perimeter of the plexi front.
"There's a dining car," Noah says to Yung. "It's so-so, but they do a mean fry-bread with cinnamon."
The coyote appraises the group with a squint. "I think that'll do." He exhales a plume of Alpaca smoke. "When we get to security, just nod, smile and let me do the talking. I've got everything in place. If anyone asks you a question, just play the dumb tourist. Everyone ready?"
Axel follows the man's gesture, which leads to a primitive vending machine. A variety of colorful bottles are secured behind a pane of frosted plexi, most labeled in Kanji. Atop the vending machine is a plastic caricature of the machine's mascot: a chubby cartoon frog carrying a parasol. The frog appears to be skipping through puddles, as evidenced by the hiragana symbols by his feet (げろげろ!) Below a row of Kanji and Katakana characters is a slogan in broken English: Yuzu, Lemon, or Pomegranate! It is for drinking, the divine adventure! A row of multi-color LED's pulse happily along the perimeter of the plexi front.
"There's a dining car," Noah says to Yung. "It's so-so, but they do a mean fry-bread with cinnamon."
The coyote appraises the group with a squint. "I think that'll do." He exhales a plume of Alpaca smoke. "When we get to security, just nod, smile and let me do the talking. I've got everything in place. If anyone asks you a question, just play the dumb tourist. Everyone ready?"
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Mercifully, any breakfast-adjacent comments go flying over the decker’s head, as she’s currently engrossed in watching Taipan’s peace tie, the process of building such intricate knotwork that serves as functional decor. “WOAH. OJI’S HAD PRACTICE. YOU COULD DO THAT PROFESSIONALLY.” The comment is at least half genuine in her appreciation for the handiwork, even with this sentiment buried under a mountain of immature implications.
Her own weaponry, by contrast, warrants none of the same care, Mouse eager to pass off the cases as though they were something inherently shameful. The B&E gear fares somewhat better, with at least some respect for their value as tools, even as they’re packed away, hopefully not to see daylight until their final destination. Of course, the deck isn’t going anywhere, Mouse simply wrapping its digital signature with metadata befitting an Erika Elite: a basic-slitch embedded comm befitting someone as intentionally unremarkable as herself.
Noah’s reassurances that everything is under control warrants a skeptical once-over of the coyote. “SO, ACT LIKE A BUNCH OF OUT-OF-TOWNERS WITH NO IDEA WHAT WE’RE DOING?” She glimpses over her teammates once more, nodding along as she seems to weigh the merits of this plan, “I THINK WE CAN MANAGE.”
Her own weaponry, by contrast, warrants none of the same care, Mouse eager to pass off the cases as though they were something inherently shameful. The B&E gear fares somewhat better, with at least some respect for their value as tools, even as they’re packed away, hopefully not to see daylight until their final destination. Of course, the deck isn’t going anywhere, Mouse simply wrapping its digital signature with metadata befitting an Erika Elite: a basic-slitch embedded comm befitting someone as intentionally unremarkable as herself.
Noah’s reassurances that everything is under control warrants a skeptical once-over of the coyote. “SO, ACT LIKE A BUNCH OF OUT-OF-TOWNERS WITH NO IDEA WHAT WE’RE DOING?” She glimpses over her teammates once more, nodding along as she seems to weigh the merits of this plan, “I THINK WE CAN MANAGE.”
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Reiya nods her readiness almost eagerly. She’s not really worried about security, and all that talk of cinnamon rolls has made her hungry. And fry bread? She’s in.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
“Estoy listo patrón” Yung pipes up, “And man, I’m usually more of a noodle guy, but frag me if some crispy bread soaked in oil don’t sound good for some reason.”
He produces a deck of cards from his coat pocket, cuts it and slides it back together in a faro shuffle. “Frankly, I couldn’t think of a more chill thing to do than head to Reno for some of the best gambling in the world, eh? Always heard it was something that just couldn’t be missed.”
He produces a deck of cards from his coat pocket, cuts it and slides it back together in a faro shuffle. “Frankly, I couldn’t think of a more chill thing to do than head to Reno for some of the best gambling in the world, eh? Always heard it was something that just couldn’t be missed.”
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Noah scratches his chin. "Reno's a bit of a tourist trap. Lots of Nipponese pilgrims looking for vice. It's not a bad place for smugglers, truth be told." He laughs abruptly. "But if you like gambling, our trek across the border should satisfy your cravings."
Another announcement blares over the PA in a multitude of different languages.
"We'd better get going," Noah says as he lifts one of the cases.
Another announcement blares over the PA in a multitude of different languages.
"We'd better get going," Noah says as he lifts one of the cases.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Mick, recognizing a rare spot where they can actually contribute without killing anybody, crouches down, lifts a stack of two cases, and moves to follow the coyote's lead.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Noah leads the group through the station's foyer and main concourse, squeezing past tourists, commuters and Ute Nationals. Most of the crowd pays them no mind, save a few disdainful looks from obviously wealthy tourists and a pair of Tir dignitaries. Far above the tiled floor are large holographic displays of various Ute cultural icons, historical events, and mythology. The team floats through this sundry cross-section of meta-humanity, assailed by scents, sights and sounds that are times quite foreign.
The security checkpoint is a gauntlet of various scanners and desks framed by plasteel barricades and manned by Ute military. The uniforms are conservative: gray slacks, gray military shirts and khaki armored vests. Most of the officers forego helmets, likely to allow their long, braided hair to fall unencumbered. There are very few sidearms to be seen, though it seems every officer is outfitted with a stun baton. A line of passengers snakes out from within the bowels of the checkpoint.
Noah stops just before a line of amber LEDs embedded in the floor. He grunts as he sets the suitcase on the floor and scans the checkpoint. The coyote's gaze goes distant for a moment and his hand twitches, presumably operating his commlink in AR. His task finished, Noah takes a seat on the suitcase and sparks up a fresh Alpaca.
One of the Ute officers squeezes their way past the line of people waiting to check in and approaches the group; upon closer inspection, a young woman. Her features are in line with those the team have come to associate with the Ute people: a mocha complexion, high cheekbones and a pronounced brow. She receives Noah with a sort of informality that borders on collusion. "Checking in, then?" She speaks softly, but her voice seems to penetrate the din of the crowd.
Noah grins. "That we are. We're in a bit of a hurry too... you see we're headed to a funeral in Reno."
The Ute officer's expression offers no response. "Well if that's the case, I suppose it wouldn't be right to subject you to advanced screening."
"Oh, I don't want to impose," says Noah. He shakes his head melodramatically. "Also, I should mention that my friends and I all share a rare and extreme sensitivity to radiation. Those cyberware scanners and metal detectors-- they're hazardous to our health."
"Is that so?" The officer cocks her head to one side. "Do you have documentation from a physician that I can see?"
Noah's hand is already inside his pea-coat. "Why yes, I do. Here are our medical records."
The officer steps closer to Noah and the exchange is brief, but in this close proximity the team can easily make out the wad of bills that Noah passes to her. She quickly pockets the cash. "Well this seems to be in order," she says, her gaze never leaving Noah. "If you'll follow me, I'll personally escort you through. This way, please."
Noah hops to his feet and scoops up the suitcase. He pauses to turn and flash the team a devilish grin. The man clearly enjoys his work.
The security checkpoint is a gauntlet of various scanners and desks framed by plasteel barricades and manned by Ute military. The uniforms are conservative: gray slacks, gray military shirts and khaki armored vests. Most of the officers forego helmets, likely to allow their long, braided hair to fall unencumbered. There are very few sidearms to be seen, though it seems every officer is outfitted with a stun baton. A line of passengers snakes out from within the bowels of the checkpoint.
Noah stops just before a line of amber LEDs embedded in the floor. He grunts as he sets the suitcase on the floor and scans the checkpoint. The coyote's gaze goes distant for a moment and his hand twitches, presumably operating his commlink in AR. His task finished, Noah takes a seat on the suitcase and sparks up a fresh Alpaca.
One of the Ute officers squeezes their way past the line of people waiting to check in and approaches the group; upon closer inspection, a young woman. Her features are in line with those the team have come to associate with the Ute people: a mocha complexion, high cheekbones and a pronounced brow. She receives Noah with a sort of informality that borders on collusion. "Checking in, then?" She speaks softly, but her voice seems to penetrate the din of the crowd.
Noah grins. "That we are. We're in a bit of a hurry too... you see we're headed to a funeral in Reno."
The Ute officer's expression offers no response. "Well if that's the case, I suppose it wouldn't be right to subject you to advanced screening."
"Oh, I don't want to impose," says Noah. He shakes his head melodramatically. "Also, I should mention that my friends and I all share a rare and extreme sensitivity to radiation. Those cyberware scanners and metal detectors-- they're hazardous to our health."
"Is that so?" The officer cocks her head to one side. "Do you have documentation from a physician that I can see?"
Noah's hand is already inside his pea-coat. "Why yes, I do. Here are our medical records."
The officer steps closer to Noah and the exchange is brief, but in this close proximity the team can easily make out the wad of bills that Noah passes to her. She quickly pockets the cash. "Well this seems to be in order," she says, her gaze never leaving Noah. "If you'll follow me, I'll personally escort you through. This way, please."
Noah hops to his feet and scoops up the suitcase. He pauses to turn and flash the team a devilish grin. The man clearly enjoys his work.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Mick will be damned if they aren't starting to like this degenerate.
The ork catches Noah's eyes, gleaming and wild and impish, and cannot help but be drawn into the mischief inherent to the team's gambit. Mick had never been one to fall into anxiety at times such as these, and finds the coyote's obvious pleasure in his subterfuge both natural and familiar. Perhaps it's the ork's lifetime of doing things the wrong way, of not bending and breaking the ways the world expects them to, of not pretending to be someone they're not and throwing their life away falling in line with a society they hate. Whatever it is, an incalculably deep vein of rebellion runs through them, coloring everything they do and-- perhaps even more so-- everything they refuse to do. Mick returns the coyote's delight at pulling the wool over these wageslave-fascists' eyes, mirroring his devilishness, and moves to follow closely behind.
The ork catches Noah's eyes, gleaming and wild and impish, and cannot help but be drawn into the mischief inherent to the team's gambit. Mick had never been one to fall into anxiety at times such as these, and finds the coyote's obvious pleasure in his subterfuge both natural and familiar. Perhaps it's the ork's lifetime of doing things the wrong way, of not bending and breaking the ways the world expects them to, of not pretending to be someone they're not and throwing their life away falling in line with a society they hate. Whatever it is, an incalculably deep vein of rebellion runs through them, coloring everything they do and-- perhaps even more so-- everything they refuse to do. Mick returns the coyote's delight at pulling the wool over these wageslave-fascists' eyes, mirroring his devilishness, and moves to follow closely behind.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
The motley group moves through security with ease, bypassing all the stations along the checkpoint. The procession draws some jealous glances and muttering from irked passengers but those just seem to inject more jaunt in Noah's step. At the end of the checkpoint, through a gate in the barricade is the departure platform. The Ute soldier deposits the group and vanishes back into the gauntlet.
The Sierra Express is a giant, sleek silver needle floating uncannily about a foot from the track below. The sunlight that pours through the hexagonal skylights above bathes the aerodynamic hull, lending the appearance that the train itself is glowing. Seamless windows are installed along its considerable length, tinted in a color that makes them blend with the chromed appearance. Even the doors are flush with the body, one of which currently stands open. Inside can be seen plush crimson carpet and ironwood accents with gold trim.
A pair of porters milling about notice the sudden arrival of the group and scurry over. Noah confers quietly with the two young Ute men and they both nod enthusiastically. Again there is an exchange of bills. The porters carefully gather the team's luggage and jog down the Sierra's length.
"We've got the suite," Noah says with a smirk. "Spared no expense for Kiyoshi and his omae. The trip is only a couple of hours, but why not ride in style?"
Behind them, other passengers have cleared security and are moving toward the train.
Noah grins and gestures to the shiny, levitating needle. "Shall we?"
The Sierra Express is a giant, sleek silver needle floating uncannily about a foot from the track below. The sunlight that pours through the hexagonal skylights above bathes the aerodynamic hull, lending the appearance that the train itself is glowing. Seamless windows are installed along its considerable length, tinted in a color that makes them blend with the chromed appearance. Even the doors are flush with the body, one of which currently stands open. Inside can be seen plush crimson carpet and ironwood accents with gold trim.
A pair of porters milling about notice the sudden arrival of the group and scurry over. Noah confers quietly with the two young Ute men and they both nod enthusiastically. Again there is an exchange of bills. The porters carefully gather the team's luggage and jog down the Sierra's length.
"We've got the suite," Noah says with a smirk. "Spared no expense for Kiyoshi and his omae. The trip is only a couple of hours, but why not ride in style?"
Behind them, other passengers have cleared security and are moving toward the train.
Noah grins and gestures to the shiny, levitating needle. "Shall we?"
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Yung approaches the open doors, raising his arms out wide palms facing the hexagonal skylights. He turns on a heel to face the rest of the crew, continuing his stride backward. “Drek man, and here I thought I was gonna have to change. Nah, nah, this is my style.”
He pulls his arms in as he passes through the threshold, once again spinning around. “I gotta say meng, you know how to roll. Got style, got class, only Dunkelzahn knows how you ever end up hitched to a sarariman like Kiyoshi.”
Yung flops down on the velvet sofa bench running along the side of the train opposite the doors. He flicks his glasses up to rest atop his spiked dreadlocks, appraising the rest of the crew as they make their entrance. “Would be nice to get a bit of rest in such a comfortable place, especially after riding eight hours in Axel’s slitch. But man if I ain’t a bit curious about the amenities, eh?”
He pulls his arms in as he passes through the threshold, once again spinning around. “I gotta say meng, you know how to roll. Got style, got class, only Dunkelzahn knows how you ever end up hitched to a sarariman like Kiyoshi.”
Yung flops down on the velvet sofa bench running along the side of the train opposite the doors. He flicks his glasses up to rest atop his spiked dreadlocks, appraising the rest of the crew as they make their entrance. “Would be nice to get a bit of rest in such a comfortable place, especially after riding eight hours in Axel’s slitch. But man if I ain’t a bit curious about the amenities, eh?”
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Mick, on the other hand, hates it. Never has the ork felt so fundamentally out of place, so fundamentally alien. The posh trappings of the train exude to them and air of spare us your poor, your tired, your huddled masses yearning to be treated with basic fraggin' human rights. And what's worse, Yung seems to feel at home in this detestable environment.
Turning to Noah, Mick grumbles "Liked it better back at the bar."
Mick steps aboard hesitantly, suspicion laced through every filthy footfall as the ork tracks dirt across the plush carpeting, contemptuously twisting their feet with each stride just to sully the thing on the outside so as to reflect how sullied and reprehensible it is in its conception. The sooner they got off this fragging thing, the better.
Mick takes a seat a good distance away from Yung, eyeing him with almost as much doubt as they do their surroundings.
Turning to Noah, Mick grumbles "Liked it better back at the bar."
Mick steps aboard hesitantly, suspicion laced through every filthy footfall as the ork tracks dirt across the plush carpeting, contemptuously twisting their feet with each stride just to sully the thing on the outside so as to reflect how sullied and reprehensible it is in its conception. The sooner they got off this fragging thing, the better.
Mick takes a seat a good distance away from Yung, eyeing him with almost as much doubt as they do their surroundings.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Noah studies Mick. For a moment-- just a moment-- the carefree, devil-may-care veneer is replaced with a look of sober understanding. He blows a raspberry with his lips. "Man this is just hoity-toity crap. Come on, let's go to the observation car. You can get a good look at the canyons when we pass them." Noah slows a beat as he passes Mick. "And they have cold beer."
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Mick stands eagerly, glancing sidelong at Yung, and prompts, "Lead the way, chummer."
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Moving through the station, eyes up, shoulders back, it was as though the decker shoved her more neurotic, anxious temperament somewhere deep down and slathered it in the well-practiced veneer of pretending-to-belong. The second her boots sink into the luxurious carpet of the train, however, the facade seems suddenly flimsier.
The sheer opulence of the car is clearly a lot to take in, being probably the ritziest meatspace locale she’s ever wormed her way into. "AND YOU’RE SURE WE WON’T HAVE ANY DISTURBANCES THERE? NO BUSYBODIES WONDERING WHO LET THE RABBLE INTO THE CLASSY CAR?” Sheer chutzpah and cold hard cash took them this far, but of the scruffy lot, only Yung and Noah look the part.
Mouse visibly blanches at the mention of more alcohol, the sense memory still fresh from her last (and first) attempt at social drinking. Instead, she eyes the cushier fixtures of the train, its plush furnishings a far cry from the utilitarian and outright hostile public transit to which she's accostomed. “IF THAT'S THE CASE, I'LL BE MAKING THE WORLD’S BOUGIEST FORT. A wicked little grin crosses her lips with this declaration. Manic pixie childishness be damned, at least for the next few hours, she'll have an expensive new plaything at her disposal. The only thing left for the decker is to disassemble it and rebuild it to her liking.
The sheer opulence of the car is clearly a lot to take in, being probably the ritziest meatspace locale she’s ever wormed her way into. "AND YOU’RE SURE WE WON’T HAVE ANY DISTURBANCES THERE? NO BUSYBODIES WONDERING WHO LET THE RABBLE INTO THE CLASSY CAR?” Sheer chutzpah and cold hard cash took them this far, but of the scruffy lot, only Yung and Noah look the part.
Mouse visibly blanches at the mention of more alcohol, the sense memory still fresh from her last (and first) attempt at social drinking. Instead, she eyes the cushier fixtures of the train, its plush furnishings a far cry from the utilitarian and outright hostile public transit to which she's accostomed. “IF THAT'S THE CASE, I'LL BE MAKING THE WORLD’S BOUGIEST FORT. A wicked little grin crosses her lips with this declaration. Manic pixie childishness be damned, at least for the next few hours, she'll have an expensive new plaything at her disposal. The only thing left for the decker is to disassemble it and rebuild it to her liking.
Last edited by Molly on Sun Dec 12, 2021 3:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Mick smiles at Mouse, whose oddness they find profoundly and increasingly endearing the more they get to know her. The ork feels a pang of longing in their chest to engage in such childishness as building a cushion fort in a swanky high speed suite, but they don't know how to act on it. Their own childhood had been rent from them in an explosion of gore, and as far as they could tell, no roads led back to Rome. Mick's appreciation of the decker is aspirational and threaded through with a boundless, hardly-comprehended grief.
Their legs refusing to stop moving after Noah even at the suggestion of a more intoxicating activity, Mick manages to say to Mouse, "Gotta build a fort before you can hold it down, right? Careful you don't build it too nice or I might storm it for treasure when I get back."
Their legs refusing to stop moving after Noah even at the suggestion of a more intoxicating activity, Mick manages to say to Mouse, "Gotta build a fort before you can hold it down, right? Careful you don't build it too nice or I might storm it for treasure when I get back."
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
The observation car is a bit less ostentatious than those preceding it. The floor is a patchwork of reclaimed wood planks, oiled to a glossy finish. An eggshell wallpaper adorns the cylindrical walls, patterned with silver fleur-de-lis. On one side of the train is a massive viewing window, stretching from floor to ceiling and nearly the length of the car. Placed in front of the window is a series of cow-hide sofas. A small bar is located directly across the car from the window, manned by an elderly Ute man in a dark suit.
A few passengers have already found their way here: a middle-aged Caucasian couple obviously on holiday and dressed in civvy clothes and a pair of stern looking Nipponese men in armor.
Noah slows as he enters the carriage, his eyes flicking to the Nipponese. Their armor is some kind of composite Karuta-- lots of plates in strategic places affixed with kevlar. They both wear open-face Kabuto helmets of a similar material. Each man carries a wakizashi at the hip, though they are peace-tied like Taipan's weapon. A crest of a waxing moon over a spread lotus blossom adorns their torso armor. The two Nipponese soldiers regard the team coolly, though one nods at Taipan as he enters.
"Imperial army," murmurs Noah quietly. "Could be Saito's men, returning from leave." He clears his throat and re-adopts his carefree demeanor, striding purposefully to the small bar.
A few passengers have already found their way here: a middle-aged Caucasian couple obviously on holiday and dressed in civvy clothes and a pair of stern looking Nipponese men in armor.
Noah slows as he enters the carriage, his eyes flicking to the Nipponese. Their armor is some kind of composite Karuta-- lots of plates in strategic places affixed with kevlar. They both wear open-face Kabuto helmets of a similar material. Each man carries a wakizashi at the hip, though they are peace-tied like Taipan's weapon. A crest of a waxing moon over a spread lotus blossom adorns their torso armor. The two Nipponese soldiers regard the team coolly, though one nods at Taipan as he enters.
"Imperial army," murmurs Noah quietly. "Could be Saito's men, returning from leave." He clears his throat and re-adopts his carefree demeanor, striding purposefully to the small bar.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Yung stands after watching the rest of the crew enter the train, registering the standoffish look from Mick as they head to the observation car with Noah. He pops up from his seat and casts a glance at Mouse, a slight frown of disapproval as he shakes his head. "Hermana, maybe we should find our room first, eh?.” He says, his frown changing to a half smile.
Yung follows Mick, Noah and the rest of the crew to the observation cart, a palpable feeling of tension among the group as the soldiers are identified. Yung hesitates for the briefest of moments before flanking Noah on his way to the bar, “Maybe you can let us know our suite number yeah? Seems a little crowded here.”
Upon arriving at the bar Yung lifts a finger to catch the attention of the Ute bartender. “Two espresso omae, and I hear you have some of the best cinnamon fry-bread, maybe a couple orders of that too, can someone deliver that to our suite?” Yung asks, turning his gaze to Noah.
Yung follows Mick, Noah and the rest of the crew to the observation cart, a palpable feeling of tension among the group as the soldiers are identified. Yung hesitates for the briefest of moments before flanking Noah on his way to the bar, “Maybe you can let us know our suite number yeah? Seems a little crowded here.”
Upon arriving at the bar Yung lifts a finger to catch the attention of the Ute bartender. “Two espresso omae, and I hear you have some of the best cinnamon fry-bread, maybe a couple orders of that too, can someone deliver that to our suite?” Yung asks, turning his gaze to Noah.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Noah looks over his shoulder at Yung, his expression equal parts incredulity and disdain. "Espresso?" His countenance screws up into disappointment as he watches the elderly bartender beginning to work an espresso maker. "Pour some chocolate liqueur in mine, I guess."
The two Imperial soldiers retire to a couch at the far end of the carriage, one carrying a sake bottle. They seem to have lost interest in the curious assembly of misfits and are talking amongst themselves.
Noah's head swivels back to Yung, seemingly satisfied that the Nipponese are erstwhile occupied. "The what now? Oh, the suite?" He lifts a hand and points to the door opposite the one they just came through. "Head down that way, it'll be the first cabin you see. It's called the Humboldt Cabin, I think. If anyone asks, your name is Noah Caldurro. I suppose you're handsome enough to pass for me." The grin that follows has Yung questioning whether it's narcissism at work or flirtation.
The bartender places a pair of porcelain demitasse cups on the bar top. Noah slides a plastic chit across the surface of the bar. "Points," he says. "Please. And two beers."
The two Imperial soldiers retire to a couch at the far end of the carriage, one carrying a sake bottle. They seem to have lost interest in the curious assembly of misfits and are talking amongst themselves.
Noah's head swivels back to Yung, seemingly satisfied that the Nipponese are erstwhile occupied. "The what now? Oh, the suite?" He lifts a hand and points to the door opposite the one they just came through. "Head down that way, it'll be the first cabin you see. It's called the Humboldt Cabin, I think. If anyone asks, your name is Noah Caldurro. I suppose you're handsome enough to pass for me." The grin that follows has Yung questioning whether it's narcissism at work or flirtation.
The bartender places a pair of porcelain demitasse cups on the bar top. Noah slides a plastic chit across the surface of the bar. "Points," he says. "Please. And two beers."
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Mick grins, cocks their eyebrows at the barman, and adds, "Man after my own synthacardium-- two beers here while you're at it." The ork is pretty sure that Noah had meant for the beers to be shared between them, but the ork had also always possessed a deep and abiding fondness for escalation.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Thoryne barely notices the opulence of the train as he follows the team toward the viewing car. Or, more specifically, it doesn't register to him that others might view the setting as such. If anything, the smell of hardwood polish and upholstery spray tang of his childhood spent in lonely corridors, or beneath the billiard table commanding armies of action toys, waging tiny wars while his parents entertained guests with myriad extravagant parties or waged their own verbal wars with one another in the times between. A memory of his mother, weary with constant pleading for him to keep off the couches, surfaces as he eyes Mouse burrowing like her chosen moniker into the deep, soft folds of displaced cushions with child like indulgence. Good girl. he thinks, smiling genuinely at her obvious pleasure. An odd girl, but an endearing one, and free spirited in her way. He was glad of her irregular playfulness and saw her personality as a boon to morale on this crew.
The tighter confines of the busy refreshment car, however, had him feeling a bit like the bull in the proverbial china shop. His presence at the bar was likely to annoy arriving patrons eager to place an order, and having noticed the imperial soldiers he decides conflict avoidance may be the better part of valor in this case.
"Hey chums...I'm gonna grab us that table over there. Do a troll a solid, and put me in for a mug of lapsang souchong, biggest one they got. With a double dark rum."
Slapping the bartop, he turns without waiting for a reply and strides to at an open table, choosing a seat with a clear view of the train car, making sure his massive body is clear of the aisle.
The tighter confines of the busy refreshment car, however, had him feeling a bit like the bull in the proverbial china shop. His presence at the bar was likely to annoy arriving patrons eager to place an order, and having noticed the imperial soldiers he decides conflict avoidance may be the better part of valor in this case.
"Hey chums...I'm gonna grab us that table over there. Do a troll a solid, and put me in for a mug of lapsang souchong, biggest one they got. With a double dark rum."
Slapping the bartop, he turns without waiting for a reply and strides to at an open table, choosing a seat with a clear view of the train car, making sure his massive body is clear of the aisle.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Yung takes the espresso from the bartender, nodding as it arrives and inhaling deeply. "Much thanks amigo, and on second thought, I think I'll wait for the fry-bread here, no rush."
He nudges Noah with his elbow "You might like it yeah? If not, maybe someone else wants to give it a try." Yung reaches his hand into one of the interior pockets of his great coat, producing a small black box with smooth corners. He opens it to reveal a pair of earbuds, placing one in each ear. "Time to catch up on the news, eh?"
Yung takes his espresso and moves away from the bar, meandering in the direction of the soldiers, but making sure to maintain enough of a distance to not draw their attention. His gaze settles on the passing scenery outside the train, after a couple of minutes he slides his glasses down over his eyes. All the while trying to listen in on whatever the soldiers might be discussing.
(( Perception obviously, earbuds with audio enhancement rating 3 ))
He nudges Noah with his elbow "You might like it yeah? If not, maybe someone else wants to give it a try." Yung reaches his hand into one of the interior pockets of his great coat, producing a small black box with smooth corners. He opens it to reveal a pair of earbuds, placing one in each ear. "Time to catch up on the news, eh?"
Yung takes his espresso and moves away from the bar, meandering in the direction of the soldiers, but making sure to maintain enough of a distance to not draw their attention. His gaze settles on the passing scenery outside the train, after a couple of minutes he slides his glasses down over his eyes. All the while trying to listen in on whatever the soldiers might be discussing.
(( Perception obviously, earbuds with audio enhancement rating 3 ))
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
For a moment, Taipan suspects that a few of his companions have taken Noah's instruction to act like a bunch of dumb tourists somewhat too literally until, of course, he realizes that they aren't feigning anything at all. He might have smirked, had his nerves allowed him. In truth, he was feeling a bit out of place himself. Smuggling and greasing palms and "acting natural" just weren't thing's he'd ever had to do, and they chafed at the well-worn neural pathways of rule following and corporate protocol.
Though he doesn't show it, Taipan's hackles rise a hair as he locks eyes with the Imperial soldier. Eager not to invite further attention, he returns the man's nod before breaking his gaze, careful to make the gesture deep enough to be respectful yet shallow enough to be unremarkable.
Taipan watches Noah swagger up to the bar followed by several other members of the group. He gives an exasperated sniff and shakes his head slowly. Kocking back a few at the 24 Happy Hour was one thing, but this was an active op. Taipan considers admonishing the group, but suspects that the ensuing argument from trying to keep Noah and Mick from being mutually poor influences on one another was just likely to draw attention. Besides, they'd gotten this far, and it was hard to argue with results.
He lopes up to the bar and claps a hand softly on Noah's shoulder. "So far so good," he murmurs quietly before ordering a hot black tea, which he takes to the table where Thoryne is seated (more because it provides a good view of the train car than because the troll is seated at it), along with the troll's own beverage. He sets it down on the table and settles down himself, nodding to the troll in greeting.
Though he doesn't show it, Taipan's hackles rise a hair as he locks eyes with the Imperial soldier. Eager not to invite further attention, he returns the man's nod before breaking his gaze, careful to make the gesture deep enough to be respectful yet shallow enough to be unremarkable.
Taipan watches Noah swagger up to the bar followed by several other members of the group. He gives an exasperated sniff and shakes his head slowly. Kocking back a few at the 24 Happy Hour was one thing, but this was an active op. Taipan considers admonishing the group, but suspects that the ensuing argument from trying to keep Noah and Mick from being mutually poor influences on one another was just likely to draw attention. Besides, they'd gotten this far, and it was hard to argue with results.
He lopes up to the bar and claps a hand softly on Noah's shoulder. "So far so good," he murmurs quietly before ordering a hot black tea, which he takes to the table where Thoryne is seated (more because it provides a good view of the train car than because the troll is seated at it), along with the troll's own beverage. He sets it down on the table and settles down himself, nodding to the troll in greeting.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Yung - Dice Rolls
"Are you going to be ----- San Jose again?"
"I don't know. Because of the ----- it is very uncertain. My ----- is spread all across California."
"Ahhh. Have you seen the ----- yourself? I have been in San Francisco and it is very -----."
"They are angry, angry we are there. Angry hospitals are full."
"California belongs to Nihon. The General knows this."
"I never thought I would be ----- civilians. I am glad to do my duty, but I worry about my -----."
"I understand. I would rather fight the military than -----, and we are so few now."
"Let us speak no more of this. It would mean ----- if we were overheard."
The conversation dies shortly after and the two soldiers drink in relative silence.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
By her count, she’s got only a few hours left to appreciate civilization, and Mouse isn't about to let little things, like the judgment of her teammates or the soundness of her own plans ruin it for her. She puffs her cheeks out at Yung’s scolding and waits until he’s passed, before gleefully snaking an arm into one of the chairs to snatch up a particularly soft pillow. She proceeds to walk with it tucked under one arm as she follows her teammates into the dining car, empowered by this act of defiance to maintain her expression of wealthy nonchalance.
Her nose wrinkles just slightly as she observes the wordless exchange between Taipan and Saito’s men. She forces the unpleasant connotations to the back of her mind as she approaches the barista, ordering herself a latte, “drowning in sugar.” Drink in hand, she cooly makes her way toward the table, settling her pilfered cushion on her lap as she takes a seat next to the troll.
“LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE A FANCLUB, OJI. HOPE YOU’RE READY TO DO A LOT OF TALKING WHEN WE ARRIVE.” She keeps her tone low, word choice professionally vague as she addresses her present company.
She moves to take a sip from her drink, but pauses briefly, caught off guard by its contents. A gentle face stares back at her from her drink, where the elderly barista has apparently poured a delicate image of a bear into the milk-foam. Her face betrays a mix of emotions, both at the degree to which she continues to be surprised by the excesses of the upper class, with so much energy and care dedicated to the creation of something so ephemeral, but also the fact that Ute sensibilities could translate into something so fragging kawaii.
Her nose wrinkles just slightly as she observes the wordless exchange between Taipan and Saito’s men. She forces the unpleasant connotations to the back of her mind as she approaches the barista, ordering herself a latte, “drowning in sugar.” Drink in hand, she cooly makes her way toward the table, settling her pilfered cushion on her lap as she takes a seat next to the troll.
“LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE A FANCLUB, OJI. HOPE YOU’RE READY TO DO A LOT OF TALKING WHEN WE ARRIVE.” She keeps her tone low, word choice professionally vague as she addresses her present company.
She moves to take a sip from her drink, but pauses briefly, caught off guard by its contents. A gentle face stares back at her from her drink, where the elderly barista has apparently poured a delicate image of a bear into the milk-foam. Her face betrays a mix of emotions, both at the degree to which she continues to be surprised by the excesses of the upper class, with so much energy and care dedicated to the creation of something so ephemeral, but also the fact that Ute sensibilities could translate into something so fragging kawaii.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
A flush creeps onto Taipan's cheeks as he considers the prospect of having to 'do a lot of talking' upon their arrival in Free Cal. If there's one thing that's certain of this run so far, it's that none of it is playing to his strengths. He shakes his head. "I'd rather not." He leans toward Mouse conspiratorially before nodding discreetly in the direction of Saito's men. "The liking of a man is not a prerequisite to showing him respect," he says softly in a gentle if lecturing tone.
He leans back again, sipping at his tea. "Besides, more germane to this scenario, failure to observe proper etiquette could lead to unwanted attention."
He leans back again, sipping at his tea. "Besides, more germane to this scenario, failure to observe proper etiquette could lead to unwanted attention."
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Mouse, to her credit, takes Taipan’s chiding tone in stride, or at least welcomes the lecture more than she had Yung’s admonitions. The mention of ‘etiquette’ is enough to draw out a breath of laughter from the elf. “DON’T GET ME WRONG. I'D PREFER TO MAKE IT THROUGH THIS TRIP WITHOUT SPEAKING A WORD.” She stares into her drink as she speaks, as though the thought alone makes for a pleasantly distracting daydream for the natural introvert.
“BUT LET’S ASSUME A SCENARIO WHERE, DESPITE OUR BEST EFFORTS, ONE OF US HAS TO SPEAK WITH THEM.” She glances back toward the remaining team members scattered throughout the dining car, as if in illustration. “WHICH ONE OF US ARE THEY LIKELY TO LISTEN TO?”
She picks up her latte, its rising steam leaving a faint trail across the bottom of her lenses, even as she returns her attention to Taipan, searching his dark eyes beyond the fog. “OR DO YOU REALLY THINK THIS IS A PROBLEM WE CAN SOLVE WITH KEIGO?” A wry smile crosses her lips, as though she’s merely sharing some dark inside joke between nihonjin, rather than a very real threat to their ‘business’ across the border.
“BUT LET’S ASSUME A SCENARIO WHERE, DESPITE OUR BEST EFFORTS, ONE OF US HAS TO SPEAK WITH THEM.” She glances back toward the remaining team members scattered throughout the dining car, as if in illustration. “WHICH ONE OF US ARE THEY LIKELY TO LISTEN TO?”
She picks up her latte, its rising steam leaving a faint trail across the bottom of her lenses, even as she returns her attention to Taipan, searching his dark eyes beyond the fog. “OR DO YOU REALLY THINK THIS IS A PROBLEM WE CAN SOLVE WITH KEIGO?” A wry smile crosses her lips, as though she’s merely sharing some dark inside joke between nihonjin, rather than a very real threat to their ‘business’ across the border.
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
An announcement sounds from unseen speakers: "The Sierra Express is now departing. Our estimated arrival time is six fourty one PM, Pacific Standard. The weather in Reno is cloudy with intermittent showers. We thank you for choosing to take this journey with us and hope you have a pleasant trip." The message is repeated in several languages.
A soft humming accompanies the announcement, which builds to a steady thrum. The team feels their stomach swim as the train rises slightly and then lurches forward, beginning to glide. Once in motion, it would be impossible to tell the train is even moving if it were not for the scenery rapidly flitting past the viewing window.
Noah sips at his beer, licking foam from his mustache. He looks to Taipan, then to Mick. "So, we staying here? Enjoying the view? Or would you prefer something a little more private?"
A soft humming accompanies the announcement, which builds to a steady thrum. The team feels their stomach swim as the train rises slightly and then lurches forward, beginning to glide. Once in motion, it would be impossible to tell the train is even moving if it were not for the scenery rapidly flitting past the viewing window.
Noah sips at his beer, licking foam from his mustache. He looks to Taipan, then to Mick. "So, we staying here? Enjoying the view? Or would you prefer something a little more private?"
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
"I'd just as soon chill here and frag with this view." The ork spares a look at the rest of the team, and follows, "But I bet you the rest of these lowlifes will want to slink away to darker corners." Mick grabs both bottles of beer from the bartop and TINKs one of them off of Noah's. "But first, to your future enterprises, may they all be disreputable."
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Noah flashes Mick a sardonic grin. "They always are. I'll drink to that." After a slug of pilsner, the coyote withdraws a pack of Alpacas and shakes one out. "Good choice on the view. I've seen it maybe a dozen times and it never gets old." He raises his hands, palms outward, as if framing the imagined vista. "Ochre canyons. Sprawling valleys. Actual, honest-to-god nature! I bet it's a far cry from what you're used to."
"This one time--" Noah leans toward Mick, but keeps a respectful distance. "I saw pack of birds-- vultures, I think-- picking a carcass clean." He shifts back to sitting upright and works on lighting the Alpaca. "It was only for a second, of course, because this train moves. But it's like-- time slowed down." Noah takes a long drag and his gaze drifts to somewhere indeterminate as his expression becomes wistful. "I think about that often. It was gruesome, sure, but..." He exhales. "It was true?"
"This one time--" Noah leans toward Mick, but keeps a respectful distance. "I saw pack of birds-- vultures, I think-- picking a carcass clean." He shifts back to sitting upright and works on lighting the Alpaca. "It was only for a second, of course, because this train moves. But it's like-- time slowed down." Noah takes a long drag and his gaze drifts to somewhere indeterminate as his expression becomes wistful. "I think about that often. It was gruesome, sure, but..." He exhales. "It was true?"
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Mick gazes out the window, taken by the notion of seeing such a wild display of actual nature. "Not a lotta true things in this world. Not when there's people around, anyway." The ork takes another sip of beer, refusing to take their eyes off the world as it goes screaming by. "I'll tell ya, I could get used to this." They gesture out the viewing window. "Soon as I save up a few nuyen, I'm the fuck outta Seattle. Gonna disappear. Somewhere there's nobody. No bullshit to clog up the works, ya know?" A moment of silence passes between them as they both gaze wistfully at the world outside. In a low voice, almost more to themself than to the coyote, Mick mutters, "Freedom.. real freedom..."
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Boise is long gone. Beyond the plexiglass viewing window lie rolling, boulder-strewn hills bright with patches of wildflowers. The prairie is vast and golden and empty. For city-slickers, it's a sobering sight. Even the Nipponese soldiers say little, watching the scenic vista flit past while deep in contemplation.
Noah flicks his Alpaca into an ash-tray. "California is a mess right now. On the one hand: that's good, it'll be it easier to get you guys in. On the other--" He trails off, looking vaguely troubled. "Just be careful, yeah? Whatever it is you guys are doing. Wouldn't want to lose my new favorite customers... or Kiyoshi." Noah barks a harsh laugh.
"What's her story?" Noah points his smoldering Alpaca at Reiya. "Looks like she belongs out here, based on appearances."
Noah flicks his Alpaca into an ash-tray. "California is a mess right now. On the one hand: that's good, it'll be it easier to get you guys in. On the other--" He trails off, looking vaguely troubled. "Just be careful, yeah? Whatever it is you guys are doing. Wouldn't want to lose my new favorite customers... or Kiyoshi." Noah barks a harsh laugh.
"What's her story?" Noah points his smoldering Alpaca at Reiya. "Looks like she belongs out here, based on appearances."
Re: Run #2 - Between The Rock and a Hard Place
Taipan peers back at Mouse, looking her over appraisingly while replacing his cup on the saucer with a delicate tink tink. He nods as if he's reached the unfortunate conclusion that she's right. Unfortunate, because she'd be better at it than I, were anyone able to look beyond appearances. A sad state of humanity in deed, though hardly a novel one.
"Point taken." He pauses, considering the mildly sardonic question while gazing back at Mouse, surprised at the spark of amusement tugging at the corners of his lips at being engaged in such a conversation with what he would have recently considered an unlikely partner. He rests a hand softly on the long grip of his katana. "This solves problems. Keigo prevents the introduction of new ones. Sometimes, anyway."
"Point taken." He pauses, considering the mildly sardonic question while gazing back at Mouse, surprised at the spark of amusement tugging at the corners of his lips at being engaged in such a conversation with what he would have recently considered an unlikely partner. He rests a hand softly on the long grip of his katana. "This solves problems. Keigo prevents the introduction of new ones. Sometimes, anyway."