[4.4] Side Track

Gibs and Castien find themselves outside the Court Tavern. The troll bouncer pointed them toward a taxi. The massive vehicle looked like it fell out of a 1950's movie set in old New York City. The gold body was polished to a gleam. It reflected bright street lights. As they came closer the interior dome light flicked on, while the driver widow rolled open. "Heys there macs. You my fare for the night?" the driver asked. In the driver seat appeared a scruffy dwarf. He wore a brown heavy wool jacket of a dull green shirt. He kept a golf cap low on his brow, almost hiding his eyes. His brown long hair appeared neat, and almost his the rig cord as it snaked up the right side of his head. His facial whiskers looked like they hadn't been touched in about three days. A faint floral soapy scent wafted out his window. "So what is it? A bachelor party? Who's da lucky guy?" he asked while inspecting them, "Your buddy in there, booked this charter for a couple hours."

The dwarven cab driver looked at the possible passengers. "Cat got yer tongues? Not real talkative sorts are you?" he asked while gesturing at the rear doors, "The charter is paid, so you might as well get in." Round restarts the car and unlocks the passenger doors. "So fellas, where am I taking you? Wasn't there supposed to be a third person?"

Gibs will give Round the address of the warehouse. "Take us here, it'll be a quick stop." Gibs burps as he slides into his seat. Why am I still sober!? Damn cyberware!

Round pulls the cab up to an area near the warehouse. "I'm fairly certain this is the best I can do. My navigation application is... a little confused." he said, "Am I close? Does anything look familiar?" GM: Maybe Gibs is experiencing something else. He would still get the alcohol buzz. He could get his drunk on, if that is something he would blatantly pursue. Gibs could decide to team-tag with Striker, and then sleep off whatever it is that is affecting him. Let his player, McHuff, enjoy his vacation. Or not, his choice.

GM: Speaking of Striker, considering what he's had a chance to do, he would notice the cab. He would be able to pick a vantage point, and then see Gibs and Castien. Maybe catch a glimpse of Round, though he never gets out or leaves the cab.

Striker tilts his head and gets up. Interesting, didn't expect them to be in a car.  Taking a moment to sort the surprising twist of the car, Striker begins to plot a point and path to intercept the car. Putting out his lighter and putting up his hoodie, he rushes to the point and tries to whistle and wave to get the driver's and passenger's attentions. 

Round has a decent idea where his passengers are trying to reach. While stationary and unsure about parking, Round spots the individual. "Uh oh, what's this?" he said while he triggered his car's active security. Actuators and devices engage without being exposed. "Anybody you know?" he asked while glancing back to his passengers through an energized screen.

Castien had remained quiet for a while now, much longer than he normally is. He tends to get this way before a mission, silent, mentally preparing himself for what could possibly go wrong, and how best to stop that from happening. He was finally shaken out of his trance-like state when the cab driver nervously asked them about the hooded figure in the road with, what is that, a lighter? Whatever, Castien thought, It must be some drekhead high on something. Shouldn't be too much trouble with this thing's security. "Doesn't look like it to me, but try not to hit him if you can, the guy's probably high or something" Castien tells the cab driver.

"Fantastic... I can wait until he gets closer, or we can go around the block." Round said, as sinister grin grew on his face. He caught himself. "Ohh. That's not professional of me. Anything to protect my passengers, right?" he said, while he watched a charging meter on his dashboard.

Striker notices no change in the cabs path and shakes his head.  Takes out his commlink and calls Castien, "Hey I'm right in front of you with a lighter, why do you guys have a cab?" 

Castien's commlink shows Qing's number. "Are you sure you don't know who that is?" Round asked, while he watched the hooded figure in the mirror.

"Hold on a sec, we do know him," Castien says to Round. Both relieved, and a small bit annoyed, Castien responds to Striker, "Why the hell did you disappear on us? We got work, get in. Gibs and I will brief you on the way, it's not too complicated, so don't worry." He signals for Round to stop and let Striker in.

GM: Round is already in the know. He is aware with what the charter entails. This is a good chance it take stock. Who is loaded up with what? A lot of stuff is still in the warehouse. Round can still stop there.

Responds to Castien with, "Look, lets just say I was with a with one woman who knows how to throw a punch and another with some...interesting toys.  Its not my fault it takes a bit of time.  Also this is Striker, and I'll be using this commlink  from now on...my other one got a bit hot" He snickers to himself, I am telling the truth...hahaha He sends the texts through his commlink, he checks his pistol to see if its loaded.  He hides it and checks his knife to make sure its still secure.   He turns the lighter off and just waits for the cab, with a grin on his face.  Obviously in a better mood than he was the last few days. 

Gibs' window slides down as the cab pulls up to the curb. He raises an eyebrow at Striker's rare smile. "You have fun? Where's our troll?"

Striker grins, "I could have had more fun, let's just say I've had my spirits raised.  As for the troll...how to put this, she left.  I halfheartedly tried to stop her, but just ended up wasting some energy and didn't really try and stop her.  I basically let out some frustration, but she was free to leave.  We also could have made more of an effort to speak with her, but it was a tough situation.  I'll tell you more after the job.  Also gangs are a lot smarter than I thought." Half way through his update his grin was replaced with an apologetic shrug. "So what's up?", he asks as he tries to get in the cab.

Gibs unlocks the door and slides over. "I hope she finds what she's looking for, she might just tear this city apart, otherwise." ... " Time to get paid, Striker.  We're meeting our fourth on 5th avenue, by the fireworks gallery."

Gets in, "This is going to be one long night, good thing I've been sitting on my butt last few days. " Striker starts to focus himself, getting himself ready to handle the job. "What are the details?"

Gibs gives Round a sideways glance. "I'm sure we'll go over everything again when we get where we need to be. There are a few things we still need to hash out anyway."

Round wheels the big ass yellow cab toward the entrance ramp for the freeway. The tail lights obscure as merges into the traffic flow. GM: Looks like a good place to close this chapter. Now to move onto the main action.