Pulling into the bay, Croaker is out of the van leading the way when 4 laser sights target Bullseye. "Frack!" He says as Croaker stands between him and the amred goons.

Bullseyes continues to drive the van foward slowly while following the directions of the several armed gunmen in the building leading them deeper into the building.

"Croaker, this is one hell of a mess we got here, hope you got an idea as to how we are going to get out of it!" He says to Croaker as they continue into the building.

After what seems like forever, they reach the middle where a few black SUVs are parked and he brings the van to a stop. He sees 2 men get out and croaker also exits the van. They talk for a second and then head to the back of the van where Coaker opens the door.

There are words exchanged back and forth for a bit, but Bullseye isn't really paying that much attention as he continues to survey the layout looking for way out of the building while only catching bits and pieces of the conversation going on at the back of the van. When Croaker returns, he asks, "So where are we heading now as I know we are following them for a bit to a new local."

After arriving at the new local thats a little bit more appealing to his liking, Bullseye leaves the van parked and listens intently on the conversation taking place this time:
“Have at it, Lad. The world is your oyster.”

Firewind like a kid in a candy store went to work on Mery Deth with no hesitation and in just a little over 60 minutes had a verdict of death.

“I was right; it wasn’t the sedative that acted as the catalyst. There was definitely a foreign drug in her system though. I won’t bore you with the breakdown, but this is something that hasn’t hit the market yet.”

“Designer?”

“No. More like a combat drug, though it doesn’t effect the nervous system so much as the synaptic relay.” The tattooed face of the Hawaiian wore a quizzical expression. “Have you heard of the drugs Sixgun, or Boost? Well, amplify the effects those two drugs would have and focus it on the logic center of the brain, the problem-solving center, and the comprehension center, then as near as I can tell, you’ve got this system enhancer.”

“You figured tha’ out in an’ hour’s time usin’ college equipment, Lad? What in the Hell are you doin’ edgerunnin’?”

Firewind paused for a moment, his mouth slightly open before he continued. “Look, it isn’t difficult to tell where the drugs focus lay once I was able to combine the results of my scans with the blood work. The downside is that I only have half the equation. I can tell what the sum of it all is, but I don’t know what made it all work—I don’t have the equation, if you will.”

“But this drug killed the lass, no?”

“Or a combination of drugs yes.” Firewind glanced at the body for a moment. “Though, like I said, this isn’t something that’s on the street as near as I can tell“

“Hey,” Preacher growled from his perch. “If that cocktail made a person smarter, more capable of solving problems, an’ better able t’ comprehend problems; would it make them smart enough t’ the point of organizing the Wild Things t’ where they’d become a problem for megacorps?”

Firewind nodded, slowly at first, then more assuredly. Springed-Heel Jack paused as he considered this, then turned and faced the lot of them, his brow creasing in sudden anger.

So, we’ve go’ ourselves a bit o’ a predicamen’. The contract said t’ deliver the bird by three in the mornin’ unharmed, bu’ the drug—or drugs—she was takin’ killed her ‘fore we could deliver. Folks, we’re the fall guys now, an’ I donna like being the fall guy.”

The statement caused the room to fall silent or a moment before DigitalScribe spoke up using a tone of dawning realization.
“The package was supposed to be delivered unharmed, and instead, she dies of an overdose from an experimental drug. Let me guess; the contract was initiated through crystal palaces and glass buildings? Well, I might be pissing into the wind, but I think ol’ Springed-Heel Jack is onto something here. This is a megacorp trying to get something back and we’ve just stepped into the frackin’ grave they’re going to bury us in to cover this up.”

And with that said here it was that Croaker having dealt with the corporations before in his many years in the shadows, for the first time realized just what they had gotten themselves into.

“S*** you thinking what I am Jack” Croaker asked knowing the answer before it was given.

“Yer friend has hit the proverbial nail upon the head, Lad. I’m thinkin’ that we’re about t’ be fracked from behind without no Vaseline unless we do somethin’ about it first hand. I’m also thinkin’ that we’re no’ about t’ get paid on this one.”
With a sigh, Springed-Heel Jack looked down at his boots and swore silently to himself before looking up at everyone again.
“Every one o’ you are targets now. There’s no doubt about it. I donna know the lot o’ ya as it seems tha’ Croaker and Peacekeeper ‘ad t’ pick up some additional meat t’ replace some that was lost, but the storm ain’t the only thing blowin’ tonight. I’m afraid tha’ unless we take action, we’re all dead.”

“What kind of action?” This from Firewind

“Who is it?” DigitalScribe asked. “Who’s the employer? Arasaka? Biotechnica?”

Biotechnica is who the man works for as near as my sources can tell.”
Jack was taking notice of Scribe’s intuition.
“Now, we can still hold the meet with the contractor as he’s expecting us t’ deliver in…”
Jack glanced at the clock on the wall.
“…thirty minutes a live package. We haven’ relayed the fact tha’ she’s flat lined yet. Tha’ might give us the opportunity t’ grab the bastard an’ figure a way t’ deal with this mess if’n the lot o’ you want a piece o’ that action.”

“Finesse,” Scribe countered. “Yeah, that has finesse written all over it. Look, no offense Mr. Jack, but your organization against Biotechnica? I’m sorry, but isn’t that a bit like you taking on the Mob? If this is a leak—if this is a Biotechnica operation—this corpo has a lot to lose. You think he’ll just roll over and hand you your out? I don’t.”

Croaker’s mind racing a new fact reemerged from the evenings earlier events.

“Ok not sure if this is connected but we had a run in with a pair of cops earlier tonight. They had a warrant out for Peacekeeper on their mobile digireader and it had been placed with them by this Biotechnica place. Now why would they want her?”
Croaker paused
“Ok Jack Peacekeeper and I are in but as I see it we have 3 options open to us after we grab your buyer.
1st we combine forces and take them head on and try to destroy the corp, but that’s a big order and really depends on what type of force multiplier you got Jack with all your connections. The people here in this room, you included Jack, haven’t got the firepower to take a corp head on.
2nd we find something they want more then our heads, we get it and trade it for our lives but again we have to find that something before they find us. For that we gonna need a damn good net runner but I am sure you know more then one.
3rd we all separate, head to new city’s, take what we got and just disappear but in my experience that never works out very well and to be honest I really do not like this option as its harder for 2 people to hide then just one.”
A quick look to Jaimy to let her know he would go nowhere without her by his side.
“So Jack what do ya bring to the table as like you said we are all in this together and we are gonna have to share and share alike....”

"Croaker," Bullseye starts, "I sure as hell hope you know what your doing man. I'm in no matter what we decide to do, although I'm game for taking the fight to them as I'm not much on spy games just to save my ass." he finishes up with a look to Croaker that he hopes he understands that he is tired of running ad is ready to take a stand.

Spiff finished up his work with his cell phone and glanced about at the crew in the van. He didn't see an obvious netrunner, but he had to ask before going to Jack for a contact. "We got a netrunner in the crew?" he blurted.

The eyes of everyone in the van quickly shot to the bullet-riddled man lying on his back, and Spiff and Preacher sighed almost simultaneously. "Whacha need?" the words floated from the holey cowboy hat.

"I got a message here I want you to post and make it look like it came from [such and such] rival gang. Then I want you to post the exact same post under the visad of several other rival gangs around here. They always steal credit for each other's accomplishments, so this should keep 'em off our back for a while." He passed Preacher the phone.

"That's easy paw'dner" Preacher smiled and grabbed the phone. **Hope this is close enough to how you specified Brom**

Spiff immediately snatched his coat from the side of the van where Firewind had tossed it when she Merry Deth started seizing. He spread out, pushing people aside if necessary to keep it out of the blood and pulled out a dry-clean-in a can. He muttered a slight apology before hand "Sorry boys and girl, but this coat is expensive." And he sprayed....and sprayed...and sprayed. He emptied the entire can in the hope of cleaning the acid rain out of the coat and keeping it from being damaged. It was far too valuable to him to do anything less.

By this point, they were moving Merry Deth to a school for further study. Spiff packed away his coat, neatly as he could, and watched as they filed into a small lab and Firewind got to work.

When the results were in, Spiff fought the urge to interject and only spoke once. After all, Jack did the same thing he did, so Spiff was useless to the discussion. It was when suggestions were offered that his mind really started blazing. Croaker started listing ideas, and Jack was confirming Scribe's brilliance, but Spiff was running the scenarios in his head and decided to play devil's advocate. Well, Spiff's advocate. When croaker finished, he spoke briskly and confidently.

"No pay ain't my game any more than the rest of you here. But if this employer is as high up as you say, we'd be wasting our time trying to fight them. If they're this good, then we've already lost. The whole pickup was a setup and they only really want to make sure that there's no evidence of the drug on the market. They don't care about 'no scratch' or any of that crap. I'm sure our meet was her father with a sniper on his head anyway. We try to grab him and he'll be dead and we'll have to book it." He coughed, and a pain shot up from his leg when the cough shook him. He winced, but continued, "I say we give them what they want. We drive to the meet, drop the girl out the back and book it out of there. This thing is better armor than what we're wearing, and the wheels will get us out of there a lot faster than my feet can. We're safest staying in and giving them the corpse. Make it look like we think we're at fault and we're too scared to ask for payment. Give them what they want and they probably won't even think we know enough to be a danger. What do ya say?"

Night City University, Medical Education Laboratory, Science Labs Building – Lower West Side – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 2:37am
"No pay ain't my game any more than the rest of you here. But if this employer is as high up as you say, we'd be wasting our time trying to fight them. If they're this good, then we've already lost. The whole pickup was a setup and they only really want to make sure that there's no evidence of the drug on the market. They don't care about 'no scratch' or any of that crap. I'm sure our meet was her father with a sniper on his head anyway. We try to grab him and he'll be dead and we'll have to book it. I say we give them what they want. We drive to the meet, drop the girl out the back and book it out of there. This thing is better armor than what we're wearing, and the wheels will get us out of there a lot faster than my feet can. We're safest staying in and giving them the corpse. Make it look like we think we're at fault and we're too scared to ask for payment. Give them what they want and they probably won't even think we know enough to be a danger. What do ya say?"
Croaker wanted politely until Spiff had finished his monologue and then replied.

“I say you’re living in fantasy land if you think they will let us just walk away. You really have no idea how the Corps work do you, Spiff. Biotechnica can’t afford to let us live whether we know anything or not, they can’t take that chance period. Corps are all about the money and this new drug once it fully hit’s the street will make them a bundle. So yeah they have no problem taking out a few runners and the fixer who hired them, to them it’s cheaper to kill us then take the chance of us leaking the fact its their drug.
So just like on the stairs at the Hole when you left Peacekeeper and Guardian behind, be a coward and run away I’m sure none of us will miss you."

Turning to Preacher, Firewind and the rest of the people gathered here he addressed them.

“Spiff here is right in one aspect, yes what we decide to do next may decide if we live or die, but is hiding out for the rest of our lives worth it. Peacekeeper, BullsEye, Jack and myself are in this to the end as they are already looking it seems for Peacekeeper anyway.
So its up to the rest of you as to what choice you make.
Stay here with us and try to save ourselves or run away with Spiffy here and for sure end up dead.
Your choice people.”

Night City University, Medical Education Laboratory, Science Labs Building – Lower West Side – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 2:38am

Jaimy rested her head on Croaker's shoulder gently, allowing them both the comfort of being close for the first time since the mission had started. It felt wonderful to be close to the love of her life, yet the pain was kicking in once again as firewind tended to her wounds. By the time she had finished, she had fallen asleep upon her mans shoulder, comforted by his presence. Jaimy smiled softly in her sleep which showed that she was at peace in the world of dreams.

Peacekeeper woke up as she felt Croaker leaving her side she seemed alert instantly. Noticing they were at their dropping point she was immediately wide awake, with no signs that she had even slept a wink. The assassin moved soundlessly to the side door where she and the love of her life would exit first as planned. Playing the numbers in her head of the odds each would face should the meeting end up in a game of wild fire. As Croaker had left the passenger seat, it was replaced in the blink of an eye with the ever watchful Preacher. Their wounds all having been mended by the wonderful med tech Firewind, they could all face the odds where such a thing to arise.

Peacekeeper remained near enough to Croaker, to show they were a team, but far enough to stay out of the way. The pair returned into the vehicle, and followed the pair of vehicles to the new location. Jaimy's mind always focusing on odds and certain things most people wouldn't notice. She knew they were at a disadvantage by numbers, but by skill they would be much closer to being at par. Their advantage was having been working together so long that they knew each others' reactions before they would occur; for the most part. Continuously playing scenerios in her mind, and mathematical problems, and accounting for weapons and speed, she plotted out several possible scenes.

The trip had taken them across town and she observed the streets taken, and what was nearby. Searching high and low for extra enemies. Her mind slowed when she noticed they had arrived in the college district. It was a neighbourhood she had always enjoyed visiting, and one she knew quite well. Her mind was at ease and she stepped out of the vehicle behind Croaker once again. She paced around the far wall of the room plotting, thinking and clearing her thoughts. In little over an hour, the cause of Merry Deaths' odd way of death had been revealed. The woman was only half paying attention until Preacher's words were spoken.

“Hey,” Preacher growled from his perch. “If that cocktail made a person smarter, more capable of solving problems, an’ better able t’ comprehend problems; would it make them smart enough t’ the point of organizing the Wild Things t’ where they’d become a problem for megacorps?”

In the moment such words had been spoken she thought to herself that perhaps Merry Death was simply attempting to test out the new drug, and a spy had noticed the effects. She would have been able to organize the Wild Things, and who knows how high it would boost a persons intelligence and how long would the effect last? Would the effects be permanent? Questions continued to dart through her mind as she listened subconsciously to what was being said in regards to their lives. It was old news that Peacekeeper's life were on the line, for it had always been so as a known bounty hunter/assassin.

Croaker was talking to Jack again, this time more intense than any of their previous conversations. It meant she should pay close attention to what was happening.

“Ok not sure if this is connected but we had a run in with a pair of cops earlier tonight. They had a warrant out for Peacekeeper on their mobile digireader and it had been placed with them by this Biotechnica place. Now why would they want her?”
Croaker paused
“Ok Jack Peacekeeper and I are in but as I see it we have 3 options open to us after we grab your buyer.
1st we combine forces and take them head on and try to destroy the corp, but that’s a big order and really depends on what type of force multiplier you got Jack with all your connections. The people here in this room, you included Jack, haven’t got the firepower to take a corp head on.
2nd we find something they want more then our heads, we get it and trade it for our lives but again we have to find that something before they find us. For that we gonna need a damn good net runner but I am sure you know more then one.
3rd we all separate, head to new city’s, take what we got and just disappear but in my experience that never works out very well and to be honest I really do not like this option as its harder for 2 people to hide then just one.”
A quick look to Jaimy to let her know he would go nowhere without her by his side.
“So Jack what do ya bring to the table as like you said we are all in this together and we are gonna have to share and share alike....”

The woman's eyes shot to those of the man she loved, and she nodded to confirm that she would not leave his side, nor would she allow anything to happen to him. Her heart leaped with joy as she smiled to the man at her side. She moved closer to the pair who spoke business and she stood firmly beside her man. The woman listened to Spiff's words about running away.

"No pay ain't my game any more than the rest of you here. But if this employer is as high up as you say, we'd be wasting our time trying to fight them. If they're this good, then we've already lost. The whole pickup was a setup and they only really want to make sure that there's no evidence of the drug on the market. They don't care about 'no scratch' or any of that crap. I'm sure our meet was her father with a sniper on his head anyway. We try to grab him and he'll be dead and we'll have to book it. I say we give them what they want. We drive to the meet, drop the girl out the back and book it out of there. This thing is better armor than what we're wearing, and the wheels will get us out of there a lot faster than my feet can. We're safest staying in and giving them the corpse. Make it look like we think we're at fault and we're too scared to ask for payment. Give them what they want and they probably won't even think we know enough to be a danger. What do ya say?"

The fantasy related plan had given her an idea. The bounty hunter turned to Croaker placing her hand on his forearm. A faint smile playing across her lips "What if we disguise a healthy 'merry death'. Have ourselves a bug to figure out everything that happens there. The rest will keep in touch and not be too far, but far enough to not be noticed. Everybody would keep in contact and we'll see what we can do to get more information within the walls. I could dress myself up as merry death, and take her place, disguise my voice to match hers. It wouldn't take much in order to pull it off." she shrugged off the rest of her idea and she waited patiently for a reply from either Croaker or Jack.

Night City University, Medical Education Laboratory, Science Labs Building – Lower West Side – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 2:37am
“You, Jack,” Frankie boldly began. “Will meet with your contact as scheduled with the package ready for her close-up in the back seat where she can be seen. Play at negotiations, or whatever. You’ll buy us time while Croaker leads a team to a nearby Biotechnica facility with Net access. Pick up a ‘runner, or have Preacher do it—doesn’t matter so much as fingerprints are left on the Biotechnica Datafortress.” Here, DigitalScribe paused as though gauging the success behind his next toss of the dice. “Meanwhile, I get the story out on the wire that sources have just leaked information concerning a new designer drug by Biotechnica and are offering the formula to the highest bidder. Your contact is sure to get wind of this, and if not, you can have one of your men keep their ear to the radio and interrupt your negotiations with the news. This helps put pressure on the contact to pay up quick and get some PR in motion to cover this fiasco up. Maybe we incite pressure from his boss that takes us out of the crosshairs and turns the lions on their own.”

Jack shrugged. “OK, we got four plans, except you forgot, Lad; I ain’t goin’ t’ the fight, so...” he turned and looked at Spiff, having obviously picked out one of his own from the group. “The negotiator’d ‘afta be that bloke. Any more bright ideas?” Whether the fact that DigitalScribe had just outed himself as a media bothered Springed-Heel Jack or not was undeterminable.

As Croaker waited for a reply from Jack, or Spiff, he had a bad feeling that something or someone was going to put a wrench into any sort of plan to deal with the situation. How right he was as Jack decided he would do a Spiff and try to back out of really helping them Then before Croaker could tell Jack to go to hell Scribe had brought up his idea. Croaker could not believe what he had just heard; Jack was pretty much telling them he was going to stay in the shadows and to hell with the rest of them.

“OK, here’s a bright idea for ya Jack…Frag you! Ya wanna play ghosti ghosti go right ahead, but you’ll do it without Peacekeeper, me and my Tribe brother.

Now here’s my take on this, Scribe’s plan has merit but for one or two issues. First, sending Spiff to the meet could be a bad move as he is liable to try to save his skin by turning us all in. I have never trusted him and, as he showed at the Hole, he’s a coward, and cowards only worry about themselves.” Croaker made sure as he said that last part he was looking directly at Jack. “Second, as far as taking a run at the Biotechnica facility—well I hate to say it, oh, Mr. Ghosti, but we do not have the fire power among us to succeed. Give us the services of Piper there, show me we can trust you by doing so, and we might have a chance to pull off this heist. If not then the three of us are walking away, your call Jack.”

There was a moment of silence while the renowned fixer stared at the nomad. It wasn’t Jack that spoke first, however. It was The Piper.

“Lad,” the dangerous man said in a very low voice. “No one speaks like that t’ Springed-Heel. No one.”

Jack held up a hand to stall his gun’s action and The Piper slowly lit a cinnamon-scented cigarette while continuing to eyeball Croaker from beneath the brim of his fedora.

“Frag me? That’s rich comin’ from the bloke tha’ fragged the gig as I set it out from the beginnin’. I say no’ t’ get the cops involved an’ within an hour of contractin’ you an’ your team has the cops chasin’ ya through the city streets. I say no’ t’ bring the media in—“ Jack flung an arm out at DigitalScribe, though his rigid face still faced the nomad. “—an’ you bring a media int’ the scene. You’re done, Lad. Ain’t no one gonna trust you t’ work should you continue t’ cross me. I make n’ break the likes o’ you on a daily basis. You are no’ in power here, Boy. Apparen’ly you forgo’ tha’. I gotta give it t’ ya though. You got balls the size o’ friggin’ melons, but brains the size o’ a walnut if you think you can walk on me, let alone call me a coward.

“You forget yerself again, Boy, an’ R.E.O. Meatwagon’ll be scrapin’ yer corpse out of a gutter.” The fixer turned abruptly from looking at the nomad to the beautiful bounty hunter. “Where’d you fin’ this bloke, Peacekeeper? More so, what’re you doing stuck t’ his arm like tha?”

Jack then shared his gaze with each of them as though challenging them to speak against him again. With The Piper and the two soldiers he brought with him behind him, it was very likely that he held a superior position. It took Croaker’s entire being not to respond to Jack’s taunt with more angry words, and he felt Jaimy shift uncomfortably on his arm, fully aware that she was caught between loyalties.

“He’s a good man, Jack,” Peacekeeper responded, iron in her tone. “If a little bull-headed.”

Croaker knew the situation was quickly spiraling out of control, and though he wanted to forget this run had ever started even he knew there was really no running away. His bluff with Jack clearly had not worked and now it was even clearer he had to pick a side. With Biotechnica apparently already gunning for Jaimy the choice was clear. Turning to her he placed his hand on hers and spoke quietly to his lover.

“It’s OK Peacekeeper. As much as I hate this, we have no choice but to side with Jack. I love you and don‘t want to see you dead.”

With a last look at her he gave her his best smile and a cocky wink he turned to speak to Jack, but Frankie beat him to it.

“Jack,” DigitalScribe interrupted using a congenial tone. “You’ll have to forgive Croaker. He tends to get a little emotional when he doesn’t get his way, and he has a view on bravery that is a bit archaic.” The media held up a hand to forestall any response from the nomad while he looked around at the crew he’d tailed most of the evening. Taking a deep breath he smiled a friendly smile and went on. “Croaker didn’t necessarily invite me and Guardian along, Jack. We kind of forced it on him. All the same, we’re now involved—we’re all involved. Look, Croaker, you’d be a damned fool if you tried to go it on your own. You don’t think Biotechnica wouldn’t track you, Peacekeeper, and Bull’s Eye down? They need to protect their reputation, their investment, and their future. They’ve got the money, the connections, and the guns to make your life very short. You’ve been touting care and love for your tribesman and your input, but you walk, and you’re as good as signing their death warrants.

“I think I’ve got you, Spiff, pegged as well. You’re a front man, a P.R. rep, not a gunman. I think Croaker’s wrong about you, especially since you have probably already realized what kind of future awaits you should you decide to walk away from this.”

DigitalScribe sighed, “What I’m trying to say is that unless we come together—whether it be my plan, or one of the others—we’re all going to die at the hands of Biotechnica, nameless, faceless.”

“Nice speech,” The Piper drawled. “Now I get t’ make one thing real clear: I don’ leave Jack’s side.”

“Don’ think tha’ while the lot o’ you are playin’ yer games that I’ll be sittin’ quiet, smokin’ a cigar an’ playin’ with a couple o’ birds. Someone’s gotta work towards cleanin’ up the mess afta.” Jack intoned quietly.

“I’m in,” Firewind interjected from where he stood looking down at the body of the poor girl. “Doesn’t matter what plan is enacted; I’m in. If a corporation did this—killed this girl, even through the use of an experimental drug—I want to burn them. Not to mention, I’d like to keep breathing so I can burn them again and again in the future.”

Spiff thought carefully about his strategy. To him, this was just another tough meet with an aggressive guest. Spiff stepped into the space between the line of his group, and Jack and Piper. His eyes did not leave Piper's hip until he was standing there with his arms out. The words that preceded his entrance were "Whoa! Calm down everybody." They weren't the most calming, but with the right tone, they would collect attention to him and at least give him the opportunity to defuse the situation. He turned to face Croaker.

"Look, I don't care what you think of me, or what you think of Jack, but this gig ain't about making friends." He dropped his hands and took a second check on Piper. "Let's face it: there are not nearly enough guns here to take on a Corp blind, but Scribe's idea has merit. If I make the meet, which I'll happily do with a bit of firepower behind me, and you all do a sneak and peek in their systems, we may well be able to get some information to hit them in the future. I'm all for it, and just to prove it, since it's late we should sleep after this. I have a friend over at the Red Lantern in the East Marina. I'll buy some drinks tomorrow. Let's meet there in the morning. Then you can tell us what you've got."

Spiff sighed and turned to Preacher. "My phone please?" He flipped it open after the cowboy had tossed it to him, and closed a few times before continuing, still flipping it. "The only raw point is that, not only do we not know what location to start at, but we don't even know which Corp to start at.” He sighed and turned back to Jack. "I know you need to clean up our mess back there, but with Preacher's help I may well have taken care of that. Can you help us here? Maybe guide Preacher and our 'search' team in the right direction? I'm gonna be tied up at the meet, so the search there is out of my hands. I'll be perfectly happy with just our wheelman here...Bullseye was it? Sounds terrifying enough. The rest of you can cover Preacher with the more dangerous job."

The way Spiff remembered their original meet, Bullseye would be the least surprised with Croaker's actions. Someone close to Croaker was surely the only worthy candidate to 'cover' Spiff. Since Peacekeeper didn’t appear prone to leaving his side, Bullseye was the next best option. He opened his phone again and looked at the time, taking a second to glance again at Piper and ensure he didn't have a gun to his head. "There's not much time to go, so let's get out of here. I'll see you guys tomorrow unless you want to continue the name calling. After all, it's clearly not doing us any good." Spiff turned back to Jack to see if his employer would confirm the plan.

"I'm all for going to the meet but the way I see it is I'm more useful hackin’ the corp. Trust me, getting’ in their datafortress ain't goin’ ta be easy and getting’ somethin’ they obviously don't want gotten at will be twice as difficult." Preacher stated thinking through the plan "Now I got the whole attempt to negotiate our way out of this but what’s stopping them from promising to spare us and then turning around to shish-kabob us? As much as on our own we don't have the resources to take them there might still be a way. No one goes through life climbing the ladder without making some enemies. And as the old saying goes the enemy of my enemy is my friend. As much as I like Scribe's plan it's still not considering the size and power a corp has. Now I've got a few contacts that owe me a favor or two and I'm sure you guys have a few that owe you. The point: if we cash in on the favors and contact the enemies of Biotech then maybe we'd be better able to make it out of this in the longer scheme of things."

“No, Bull’s Eye stays with me," Croaker calmly stated that one word easier then he had ever before even knowing the possible consequences of it. “Not gonna happen Spiff, ya see Jack’s right about one thing, if Bull’s Eye, Peacekeeper, and I walk away from this there’s a good chance we’re dead. I can‘t let that happen. Call it morality; call it a sense of warped honor, hell call it fragging chivalry for all I give a s***. I have run these streets for many years and have done some things to make a buck that I will never be proud of.

“Jack, Scribe’s plan could work, but not at our current state of equipment, so if you’re willing to get us gear’d up that, at least, will show me that we can trust you for now. If you can do that Jack then the 3 of us are in.” Turning towards Spiff, Croaker offered one alteration to the fixer’s plan. “You and Preacher can do the meet like I said. Bull’s Eye and Guardian, with his and Scribes ok, stay with me.”

With that Croaker turned back to Jack, “OK, Jack. Where too now?“

Springed-Heel Jack began to chuckle and momentarily ducked his head as though he were embarrassed by the sudden outburst. It was calculated, to be sure, but it was disarming enough that when he raised his head again, the grin still present, Firewind felt he could release the breath he was holding.

“Sure,” Jack sniffed. “I got some stash tha’ might be useful, bu’ you’re misconception o’ my ready inventory is flatterin’ all the same, Lad. Put together a laundry list an’ I might be able t’ fill it given some time. Dependin’ what the items are yer lookin’ fer, of course, an’ how much money the lot o’ you is willin’ t’ front. But this ain’t no corporate party tha’ we ‘ave a couple weeks t’ prepare fer. You’re right, Lad, in tha’ any who try t’ walk away from this are likely meat fer the grinder. It may take a few months, bu’ this Biotechnica bloke’ll flatline ya sooner than later whether ya join the fight agains’ ‘im tonight, or run with yer tail tucked ‘tween yer legs…speaking o’ cowards.

“Like it ‘er no’, we’re in this together. Listen to yer media mate, Zero. We all ‘ave skills suited t’ spices o’ life…some o’ us jus’ use our ‘eads a little more’n our gun. You chose your way, don’ make the mistake o’ tryin’ t’ force it on other people cause no’ everyone bends.”

“We covered this already,” Scribe sighed like a parent dealing with fighting children. “So, the lot of us should take Spiff’s offer for the drink to heart only turn the clock a bit and get that right now. We’ll create a list of what we’re going to need after we nail down the just of the plan, and give you a call Jack. You can tell us what you can do for us then.”

“The meet is in less than a half hour. We haven’t the time to screw around,” Keahi reminded them with an icy tone. He was fed up with the pissing match and if The Piper hadn’t been guarding Jack, and Peacekeeper guarding Croaker, he’d likely have sedated both men so that the rest of them could have civil conversation.

“OK,” Frankie sighed again and parted his hands. “You’ve got to see reason, Croaker. It looks like everyone is up for the basics of my plan, so there’s just the ironing out of the details left to do—and the contingencies to put in place as per Preacher’s suggestions—but the roles are all wrong.

“Spiff needs someone who can drive along for the ride with him. I think he was dead on in suggesting Bull’s Eye. Preacher has some Net experience so he’s better suited for the lab run. Guardian and I need to split to get the word to our sources, so we can’t be included in either run, and Jack obviously needs to being working his magic in order to make sure we all have time to enact our plan. As I see it—and correct me if you see a better idea—this leaves Spiff alone with Bull’s Eye, Croaker, Preacher, and Peacekeeper making the lab run, Guardian and I off to Hollywood (figuratively speaking), and Jack taking his crew and getting to work. Four different teams working towards the same objectives.

“Where’s the meet, Jack?”

“J-Town, the Gazebo.”

Scribe tilted his head to the side in distaste. The Gazebo was where “The Claw”, a ‘borg serial killer, had left the bodies of most of his victims before he’d been slain by C-SWAT. “OK, so J-Town is only ten minutes from here if traffic plays out. That gives us ten minutes to finalize the plan, and no time to pull anything together as far as extra gear goes with Jack, am I right?”

The fixer nodded while tucking his hands in his jeans pockets. Frankie glanced over at Guardian and shook his head slightly. How in the world did I go from watching the scene to running the scene? he thought as he looked to everyone else in turn. “Well, the clock’s ticking, folks.”

Night City University, Medical Education Laboratory, Science Labs Building – Lower West Side – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 2:40am

Night City University, Medical Education Laboratory, Science Labs Building – Lower West Side – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 2:40am
Croaker for sure did not like the position of trust he found himself in. Though Jack was right, the Nomad still felt he, Jaimy and Bullseye even on their own, could find a way to beat the corp. He did not want to need the Mob Boss fixer, or be in his debt but really in the end he had no choice, yet he did have a twist to play.
Scribes voice broke into his thoughts bringing him back to the present minute.

"OK. You’ve got to see reason, Croaker. It looks like everyone is up for the basics of my plan, so there’s just the ironing out of the details left to do—and the contingencies to put in place as per Preacher’s suggestions—but the roles are all wrong.
Spiff needs someone who can drive along for the ride with him. I think he was dead on in suggesting Bullseye. Preacher has some Net experience so he’s better suited for the lab run. Guardian and I need to split to get the word to our sources, so we can’t be included in either run, and Jack obviously needs to being working his magic in order to make sure we all have time to enact our plan. As I see it—and correct me if you see a better idea—this leaves Spiff alone with Bullseye, you, Preacher, Peacekeeper, and Firewind making the lab run, Guardian and I off to Hollywood (figuratively speaking), and Jack taking his crew and getting to work. Four different teams working towards the same objectives.”

“Ok fair enough Frankie but lets add a twist to this little scenario of yours Biotechnia wants Mery Deth that’s a given. They want her alive that’s pretty much also a given. If Spiff and Bullseye show up with a dead Mery Deth the meet could very well explode into a gunfight, the real trick as I see it, is to keep Mery Deth “alive” as long as possible to them.
Jack as they hired you, to hire us you call them, tell them we are running behind schedule, roughly 15 minutes, the reason why is up to you.
Frankie using your Media contacts get the word out as fast as you can to the Wild Things that Biotechnia is behind the snatch and Mery Deth is to be traded to them in the next half hour, give whoever you use the location to give to them. As the Wild Things also don’t know she’s dead, they are surely pounding the pavement looking for her and are armed to the teeth. Lets use one enemy against the other to equalize the odds a little bit more in our favor. Hopefully the Wild Things get to the meet first and raise hell giving us the excuse to not make the meet until later this morning or better yet tommorrow night. Then Biotechnia or Jack contact one or the other and Jack tells them due to the fire fight we had to abort and set up a new meet.
This should give us enough time to hit the lab and maybe get some hard Intel on the corp. that Spiff and Bullseye can use if needed at the meet. Also that will give Firewind here time to see to the wounded and maybe a quick resupply.
Spiff, you and Bullseye head out now but go slow, Frankie will call you and give you a heads up on the meet’s status after we see if the Wild Things will beat you there or not if they do, abort and head for wherever Jack wants you. If not, make the meet at the delayed time and play it as best you can. We need to make a call on this quick, like Jack stated time is not on our side right now so let’s try to buy us some. Jack we can't stay here much longer we need a place to lay low long enough to get set, got one for us?"

Night City University, Medical Education Laboratory, Science Labs Building – Lower West Side – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 2:40am
(OOC: If my modification to Scribes plan is oked will give Jack a quick supply list which I will send to you Brom in PM. Everyone if you have a need PM it to me so I will pass it on.)

Spiff walked over to the hospital bed while Croaker talked, found a space where he could squeeze onto it beside Merry Deth and hopped up. He motioned Firewind over as Croaker finished his speech, pocketed his phone and took off his glasses. He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. When he opened his eyes again, he looked at Croaker with sullen, tired eyes.

"Look, Croaker, I like you." He spoke with a heavy voice; the night was getting to him. He motioned to Firewind to (continue if he's already started) get to work on his leg. "I'd love to say that you're a smart guy with a great idea, but I can't say that here. You either haven't been listening, or you just haven't caught up yet." He put his sunglasses on and looked at Jack.

"I already cleaned up our mess..." He paused to let it set in before continuing. "That means the Wild Things are toast. They won't be bothering us anymore." He turned back to Croaker. "However, that also means that we can't be asking for their help at this point." He looked at DigitalScribe.

"Now, I don't like the idea of you taking off to get the word out but I'll trust you this evening because you got your boy there to trust me. I still owe you the repairs on that camera, but remember that won't happen if you hang us out to dry." Spiff motioned to Preaher to come closer so Firewind could get to work. "Now let's finish ironing out the details while Firewind takes care of us. If we try to delay our meet by even the slightest bit, and then we turn in a dead package, there is no chance of making it out alive for any of us. So let's get the heck out of here instead of chit-chatting about nonsense."

Night City University, Medical Education Laboratory, Science Labs Building – Lower West Side – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 2:40am
“Yeah I heard ya Spiff but here’s a question for ya, did you single handily kill all the Wild Things to the last man, seeing how a bunch of them came at Preacher and I, I rather doubt it. For arguments sake let’s say you did, well then putting the word out to them costs us nothing but words. But if some survived your ‘divine wind’ then they’ll be pissed and by using that anger we can bye some time. You have your role in this so let us worry about the rest.”

Croaker turned away from the Fixer for but a moment before facing him dead on.

“Oh and as far as trusting you, think again, if we did not need you I would kill you cold for leaving Peacekeeper and Guardian alone at the Hole. Now where were we”


Night City University, Medical Education Laboratory, Science Labs Building – Lower West Side – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 2:40am

He was brief, and complete in his answer to Croaker. "The Police have raided the Hole and those who are left are either dead or arrested. Preacher just helped me put the word out that it was a rival gang hit. It's already done, and we don't even know if this is Biotechnica or not."

Night City University, Medical Education Laboratory, Science Labs Building – Lower West Side – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 2:40am
Croaker looked to where DigitalScribe was standing then once again over to Spiff.

“Well ya heard the man Frankie, the Wild Things are done but ya know what, put the word out anyway ya never know it could pay off. Oh and Spiff sorry to tell you this but there’s no time for Firewind to look atcha leg, you and Bullseye need to get going the meets in 10, you don’t want to miss it now do ya.”

Night City University, Medical Education Laboratory, Science Labs Building – Lower West Side – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 2:40am

The young bounty hunter listened carefully to the buzzing of conversation that surrounded her. Every bit of information was crucial to remember in this moment, so they didn't end up messing anything up in their plan. Nodding occasionally, she smiled softly as her leg was much better after being properly tended to for her injury. Calmly she remained by her love's side listening intently to the plan and nodding to him to show her approval of the plan. Words were not needed in such a time as this, for her mind was moving a million times a minute.

A mask of serenity shielding her features from being read as she stood near her man. The plan being thrown towards their boss, she waited for the orders to be carried out. Jaimy had half imagined she'd have been the one disguised as Merry Death, yet slightly disapointed she waited eager to know their final plan of action. When it had been decided her silence had been broken as she spoke words that none of them wished to hear. Drawing in a deep breath she asked calmly "Should this mission fail, what is our back-up plan going to be, so we can all make it out alive, or at least raise the chances of us all coming out alive, with as little injuries as possible." she fell silent. She knew her place was not to speak in the presence of men discussing business. It was frowned upon for a woman of low stature to discuss plans of war with men. However, she was no mere woman, she was a bounty hunter who was stronger than most men that she knew.

As Peacekeeper asked her question Croaker turned to answer her.

"Right now Peacekeeper there is no back-up plan this either works or it does'nt. If it does not work I think its gonna be a short life with all of us on the run."

Giving her one of his cocky smiles to show her he was determined to see her and himself safe in the end, he again turned back to face Jack and Piper awaiting the mobsters response to his idea and request for ammo, grens and silencers.....

Night City University, Medical Education Laboratory, Science Labs Building – Lower West Side – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 2:40am
Firewind had noticed the injuries the others had sustained, but at this point in time he was more concerned with ironing out the details of the plan. The petty pissing match between Croaker and Spiff irritated the Islander, and had he been honest with himself, he’d have realized that this was part of the reason he hadn’t set about performing first aid on any of the wounded yet. Now, here they were, so close to the time of the Meet, and they were still pinching pretties. To the medtech, Croaker had balls the size of a wrecking ball, but no common sense, while Spiff had some sense, but not enough credibility to get his angle heard. It was a dead end street, and DigitalScribe had worked his way right out of it like a pro. The only way to get this dead meat resuscitated was if the man who had brought them all together in the first place actually took charge again. At least that’s the way it appeared to Keahi, and apparently, Jack felt the same way.

“Enough o’ this quibblin’ s***e,” the prominent fixer growled, decidedly slicing his hand through the air to end all conversation and bring the attention back to him. “I donna think I’ve seen a team o’ edgerunners on the verge o’ implodin’ in the whole o’ my rather illustrious career. You lads ‘ave got t’ pull it together, er the lot o’ you er gonna end up as spare parts.”

Jack began to count items off on his fingers while The Piper remained casually dangerous behind him and to the right a bit.

“First off; aces o’er kings is sayin’ tha’ we’re dealing with Biotechnica. They’re the ones who go’ the power t’ develop somethin’ like this, an’ there the ones tha’ ‘ave the mos’ t’ gain from a drug like this. ‘Sides…” the fixer grinned broadly. “I ‘ad one o’ me netrunners doin’ a little research while you was out doin’ everythin’ tha’ I says no’ to, an’ the contractor is a major player in the Biotechnica ball club.

“Secon’: we ‘ave no way o’ knowin’ jus’ ‘ow effective Spiff’s plan was. The Wild Things aren’t jus’ some pansy ass group o’ drugged out freaks slappin’ their monkeys t’ some porno braindance. They’re the s***e on the street right now. Tha’ drug that fragged the bird ‘elped put ‘em in the high an mighty category as near as my sources can tell. So, I wouldn’t count them out o’ play jus’ yet, Lad. Ya’s countin’ the chicks ‘fore ya get paid.

“Third, being the truth in Spiff’s assessmen’ tha’ we show up late fer the meet with a bag of meat, an’ whoever does the delivery is dead. Hell. You show up with the dead bird an’ the delivery boy’ll be killed.

“Fourth. Fourth bein’ tha’ Croaker seems t’ feel I got arms stowed away fer Christmas that I can afford t’ give out fer free, an’ tha’s just no’ the case. I don’ sit on my nethers when I got merchandise, Lad. That’s a surefire way t’ end up cuffed an’ calling some big psycho girlfrien’ in the lockup. No’ my style. Roundin’ up explosives an’ silencers could take anywhere from hours t’ days dependin’ on who’s working righ’ now an’ who’s partyin’. So, as much as I ‘ate t’ say it; I ain’t yer pretty, big, shiney, bloody savior.

“Five,” Jack shook his head. “There ain’ no exit plan, cause yer either in it all the way, or yer dead. Hell! Even bein’ in it all the way could end ya. Myself included. Make no mistake. This is a megacorp we’re dealin’ with ‘ere, an’ we step sideways when we should be waltzin’ an’ it’s over.

“So what do we do, Jackie-boy, you ask? Well, I put it out there fer ya t’ take control o’ yer own destinies, but ya jus’ showed me tha’ I turn the lot o’ you loose without direction an’ yer likely t’ blow up ‘alf the city on yer way t’ the morgue, so ‘ere’s the now:

“The media an’ his bodyguard’ll do as ‘e suggested. Get us plugged in t’ the Big Eye so we can flaunt public humiliation as our shield should it come down t’ it. ‘Ow long’ll that take ya lad?”

Scribe shrugged noncommittally, “Anywhere from hours to days, Jackie-boy. Depends a lot on who’s working, and who’s sleeping.”

The fixer eyed the handsome face for a moment with a cold stare for throwing the phrase back in his face and then nodded. “Fair enough. Meanwhile, the mess o’ you should get yerselves prettied up, find a hole t’ lay low an’ plan yer Biotechnica assault. I’ll be workin’ t’ get information through my sources on jus’ where we need t’ hit t’ get the mos’ valuable information possible so as we ain’ jus’ shakin’ our booty un’er our kilts, but actually ‘ave the sausages t’ prove we’re men.

“Spiff’ll ‘ave t’ work ‘is contacts t’ get you outfitted as I’m gonna be as busy as a schoolboy in a Catholic Rectory goin’ up agains’ Biotechnica’s information network.

“It ain’ gonna be easy, lads and lasses, ‘cause once you miss tha’ meet in…” Jack looked at his watch and then back up at the group. “Ten minutes, or so, Biotechnica’ll be huntin’ you. Hey, Piper?”

“Yeah?”

“What’s it you expec’ people t’ do once they know you’re comin’ fer them?”

“Run, an’ hide.”

Jack peered at the lot of them through narrowed eyes. “Run an’ hide, people. Tha’s what Biotechnica’ll expec’ you t’ do, an’ tha’s jus’ the image you wanna presen’ until we ‘ave the needed information t’ lord it o’er them. Then, we’ll take the fight t’ them when they leas’ expec’ it.”

Firewind found himself nodding. He felt the irritation he’d been experiencing subsiding now that someone had definitely taken charge once more, and had delivered defined direction. He had to admit that though he’d said he was in, he wasn’t too keen on the impromptu assault on a megacorp’s secret lab.

“So, kiddies,” Jack continued. “Get t’ a place where you can ‘old up fer a bit an’ get fixed up. I got Peacekeeper’s cell number so I’ll call when we ‘ave our mark. Oh, an’ t’ show tha’ I am a nice guy, I’ll pu’ the body on ice in case we need t’ bring the bird back ‘round in the future…fer whatever macabre reason.”

Night City University, Medical Education Laboratory, Science Labs Building – Lower West Side – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 2:47am

Night City University, Medical Education Laboratory, Science Labs Building – Lower West Side – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 2:47am
As Croaker listened to Jack’s thoughts on the matter of what to do next he was both happy and pissed.
Happy that Jack agreed with him about the Wild Things yet pissed off as Jack seemed to agree with Spiff on all the rest. Fine, if that’s what Jack wanted then by all means I will use Spiffie boy
“OK Spiff ya heard Jack we need the following..
1st a place to crash as I don’t have the contacts and don’t know of one 2nd a new set of wheels, preferably another van, as we need to get rid of the one we have as it will be up on the cops ‘look out for list’ soon. 3rd we need a resupply of ammo, grens and at least 3 silencers for the SMG’s that Preacher, Peacekeeper and myself are carrying.
Think ya can handle that Fixer”

Turning to Jack once again he spoke to the Mobster in a calmer tone of voice

“Ok Jack thanks for the ice we will be waiting on your call. Hopefully with Spiff’s contacts as you say we will be ready to hit the target you name. Good luck on your end. Ok everyone lets get rolling the longer we’re here, the easier it is to be found. Bullseye once again your driving so get the van started while Preacher and I transfer Mery Deth to Jack’s vehicle.”

As he moved to grab the body Croaker first went up to Scribe and offered his hand. Though he said nothing he hoped Frankie would understand the gesture for an attempt to say he was sorry for not trusting the Media fully.
(I’m assuming he shakes it)
Then turning to Guardian he again offers his hand.

“Thanks for covering Peacekeeper on firescape I owe you one. We'll give you and Scribe here a ride and drop off if the two of you want it"

With his apologies and thanks finished Croaker, along with Firewind grabbed Mery Deth and proceeded to get the rest of the group moving to the van.....

Night City University, Medical Education Laboratory, Science Labs Building – Lower West Side – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 2:50am

Jason was so flustered with this idiot Croaker, he turned his head to Jack first, sucking in a cold breath and pausing. After a couple of seconds he turned back to face croaker, exhaling and closing his eyes behind his glasses. If the situation weren't so obviously tense, one might have seen it as a sigh of relief.

Spiff stared at Croaker, whose mouth kept runnning despite the facts. Still, you had to give the boy credit. When Jack turns up dry on dough, suddenly he thinks he's gonna be able to weasle it out of the lowly fixer that Jack hired. That took some cahones. So far this boy had shown a lot of balls and no brain, so Spiff gave up on being logical, and ran with the 'all balls' approach.

'Buddy buddy buddy. I know that you're a douchebag. I'm sure everyone else here knows it too. You don't have to remind us of it at every turn." Spiff stretched his arms over his head and glanced at Firewind once, just to show he noticed the lazy bum hadn't done anything to stitch up the party. Turning back to Croaker, his smile was painfully stretching the ends of his face. His teeth shined in Croaker's face, reflecting the flourescent light of the room. Power moves were Spiff's thing, and it was time to put old Croaker boy in his place. The next few words were said in a surprisingly normal tone of voice. "Frack your greedy little hands. I don't have money to be tossing at you. I said I'd buy drinks not the ammo you frackin' wasted at the 's******e' we just left. I ain't your frackin' lapdog sidearm sally, so **** my *** about your frackin' munitions. My crew's been up all night saving your a***s, the least you could do is say thanks. You can call me a coward 'til you're blue in the face panzy patty, but that don't make it the truth. I ain't got time for your pissing matches at every turn. Face facts bi***y betty, s***'s gotten rough and we've got to move past it."

Spiff's eyes shifted down behind his glasses to his phone's cabhailer. He was tempted to press it, but figured it highly possible jack could shoot him over something like that. He decided to see if he could play it off well enough not to need his own ride. He spoke again, sliding off the edge of the table where Merry Deth laid. Landing on the ground, his ankle reminded him of his fall and his face tensed up. "I'd be the first one to say 'Let's step outside and settle this with a nice 1,2,3, draw,' but unlike you, I got shot saving your little girlfriend here, so I'd appreciate a little respect." Spiff didn't specify whether 'your little girlfriend' was slang for Merry Deth or a reference to Peacekeeper because it didn't matter to him. As far as he could tell, this jack*** would've shot Merry Deth himself over a nasty comment about his unit. Either of them represented the value Spiff was getting at. He flipped open his phone and pulled up the picture he had taken at the hole while he continued talking, zooming in on the corpse lying on the pavement.

"Don't pretend that I need you little *********** to survive this mess. With the cash in my pocket I was easily able to hire the equivalent of the help I actually got in getting this girl out of the hole. What was it? 4 bullets and a knock-out drug? Everything else that brought this little girl to you was me, b***h. If you don't believe me I'll pop my clip out and hand it to you, and you can take a look at the bullet in my leg. In fact, while you're down there, you can frackin'**** ** **** too! 'Cause what the frack did you do b***h? You fired a rpg straight at my head right next to your girlfriend. You hired a frackin' media to cover the events. You apparently even got the cops involved earlier! And look at this!" Spiff raised the phone up to Croaker's face, Coyote's corpse filling the screen. "I leave one of my guys with you for five minutes and you get him shot. At least everyone that came with me is still standing here. And Firewind doesn't have a scratch on him!"

Spiff glanced at Preacher who looked to be in distinctly bad shape, and then turned his head back to Croaker. His lips were tense and, though he tried to smile, he couldn't. He felt his jaw flex and was quite certain his face was crimson with rage. I need to calm down. his thoughts raced over phrases in The Prince. Every one of them would imply that his statements here were unwise of a future ruler, but he was certain that, if Machiavelli were alive today, he would have done the same thing. When being loved and feared is not possible, it is better to be feared than loved...He was flipping chapters in his mind before he realized how little this crew was making rational decisions that would behoove him to pursue the tactics he knew best. Spiff pulled his phone out of Croaker's face, dialing his Lieutenant's number. He took in a deep breath and reminded himself of the one sentence that had done anything to shut this guy up all night.

"Now I've got no problem covering a meal tomorrow so that, even without getting paid, we don't go hungry. I can call my people and see about getting us a ride at a cheap price, but I can't pay for it. When Jack can't afford your damn munitions what the frack do you think I can do? Jack might be able to get us a decent price, but I ain't got the cash to be throwing around after you kill off my armed escort." Spiff paused, an idea floated into his mind and he wanted to savor it. "Alternatively, I might be able to find us some work that actually pays so we can get your guns and wheels, but I'm sure you'd find a reason to complain about the job or accuse me of being a coward if I did."

He looked down at the phone number on his phone and then back up at Croaker. "So the way I see it, you got two options." Spiff motioned at the crowd around him, "You can use the help that's been laid in front of you. I can do everything I can to keep us alive and keep Biotechnica off our scent. OR, you can shoot me, like you're so longing to do and kill off one of your allies in this. I'm not your enemy here, as much as you want me to be. I'm on your side, and I'd be just as ****** on my own as you." Spiff sighed and pressed send on his phone lifting it to his ear. "So what's it gonna be? Do I need to get a ride out of here in order to stay alive, or are you gonna learn that alienating your friends is a bad idea."

POST EDITED BY Tann'Talas 12/7/07