Spiff had spent a lot of time that morning mulling over what he would order for a drink. A girly drink would get him even less respect from Croaker, he was certain, but a more macho drink would look odd in the eyes of the club. He didn't visit the club all the time, but when he did, he was a big hit with the girls because he would show them interesting mixed drinks they hadn't tried. Truth be told, Spiff didn't really care what he was drinking today. He'd just as soon drink water if the group was appropriate. His only concern was to avoid the back-alley drinks that could get you toasted in one small glass. The regular stuff wouldn't bother many people in small doses, especially if he spent an hour or more at this club, which he already knew would happen.

By the time he reached the Red Lantern with Scribe, Guardian, and Preacher, he had made a clear decision, but the thought was unimportant until the waitress took his order. When the door opened, another important factor took his eye. His crew was missing. Well, Reverend was there, but the rest were nowhere to be found. From the looks of things, though, as Reverend didn't acknowledge his entrance, it was clear to Spiff that his lieutenant wanted to stay off the radar and would meet with him after, being his eyes and ears outside the table while the deal went down. He couldn't blame Reverend. There was a lot of fire coming down on the group, and he didn't want to be associated with it either. He chose to ignore his lieutenant as well until the meeting was over.

alf the group had taken seats against a wall, and even Croaker in his gawdy attempt at a power move had taken the chair from the head of the table and turned it so he could still sit with his back to the wall, and still be in charge. Spiff didn't care anymore. It was enough hassle keeping his own skin without blood on it. Just keep the kid from firing at your head again and all is well Spiff was frustrated with the whole situation. When the group had finished arriving, Spiff gave the waitress a wink and ordered his drink. He ordered a "Colorado Bulldog". It didn't sound girly, and anyone who knew what was in it wouldn't call it a girl's drink, but it tasted much like Chocolate Milk, or Mocha Coffee. It was a plan to please both groups. He ordered a proper meal, as it was becoming clear he would only have one today. He'd have to get used to it. The longer he stayed off the radar, the longer he'd be surviving with one meal a day, and one hotel a night. It'd be bothersome, but not unlivable.

**caught up**

When MDK arrived, Spiff recognized him. Corporate Assassin was the word that rung in his mind. He knew what it meant. But he thought it would be entertaining to let the crew get all uptight over the new arrival. He didn't know Lightning, but hey, that's how it went. Anyone off the radar worked for him. Spiff had been sitting in his chair patiently after his spat with Croaker, but he had kicked up his feet onto the table out of a sign of both Whatever! to Croaker and I'm just an idiot, no danger to those who might be watching the group. There was no logic to sitting with your back to the whole dadgum bar and trying to look dangerous in the process. To be honest, there wasn't a whole lot of logic of having your back to the wall either. Anyone with a decent gun just needed someone inside giving them your locale to blast through the wall behind you. You wouldn't even see it coming.

His chair teetered unsteadily on it's hind legs as Croaker once again spread his mane at the newcomer. Fortunately, Peacekeeper had information for them, as she came away from looking at her phone. It was good to have, and would come in handy. He waited patiently until everyone else was done to speak. Unfortunately, this took longer than expected. His drink had arrived, the waitress taking a sip before handing it to him an nodding at the flavor while the others were still talking. He had continued relaxing with his legs propped up until all was quiet...well, as much as a strip club gets quiet.

"Croaker's in charge, yes, but what I don't know only hurts you. So I'd advise everyone to keep me as informed as possible. The more I know, the better I can help." Spiff took a sip of his drink before continuing. He turned his attention directly to MDK. He wanted it blatantly obvious what he was doing to the newcomer. After all, it was blatantly obvious everyone else had their hands on their guns, and Spiff didn't need that. That's what Preacher had offered to do for the day. "So, Mr. Corporate Assassin. Does that mean you kill people for the Megacorps, or that you kill people in the Megacorps. Before you answer though, I should probably warn you that the former means we'll have to shoot you, while the latter means you'll be of great use." He was, of course, teasing, but he wanted to see what reaction he would get.

**this is going to be a lot of interaction so I kinda have to stop here

The Red Lantern – East Marina – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 12:12pm
Spiff took a sip of his drink before continuing. He turned his attention directly to MDK. He wanted it blatantly obvious what he was doing to the newcomer. After all, it was blatantly obvious everyone else had their hands on their guns, and Spiff didn't need that. That's what Preacher had offered to do for the day. "So, Mr. Corporate Assassin. Does that mean you kill people for the Megacorps, or that you kill people in the Megacorps. Before you answer though, I should probably warn you that the former means we'll have to shoot you, while the latter means you'll be of great use." He was, of course, teasing, but he wanted to see what reaction he would get.
As his drink arrived, he turned his gaze to Spiff and his question. He wasn’t sure if the man was joking or not. In any case he smiles slightly as he picked up his drink from the table with his left hand.

“If you know so much about me then you already know the answer,” he said then took a sip of his drink, “if I worked for the Corps then I wouldn’t be here. “

He sit the glass down and looked around at everyone, “I hate the Megacorps and I am here because I was told someone needed some help sticking it to them but good. So can we stop the f**king bulls**t and get down to business or should I just walk now?”

He hoped they would can the posturing and get to the plan, he doubted they would let him walk out now having already heard mention of their location. He turned his attention to Croaker and raised an eyebrow waiting on the decision.

The Red Lantern – East Marina – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 12:13pm

Peacekeeper, after dishing out her information, decided to keep quiet and to keep a close eye on her rival. Since she started in the bounty hunting business, MDK was her biggest rival, though she thought herself the better of the two. Yet she would never say or do anything to reveal she thought this way. In her line of business one would get killed for what she had already done to MDK. Jaimy knew that he would love to put a bullet through her head at the first given chance. Now she would have to watch her every word, every step, and every breath she took.

The woman allowed the men to discuss the events, and have their egos speak for them. No matter how things happened, she would have to keep a close eye on how things developed. It would indeed be a task and a half if MDK had trained himself the way she had. When she had time alone with her lover, she would speak to him of what troubled her. Nobody would notice if anything troubled her for she had always been the best at hiding her emotions. It was her job to forget emotions when on the job. If she got attached to her subject, then she failed as a bounty hunter.

Jaimy sat back and listened in silence, her hand idly upon her gun, but only because of her rivalry with MDK. Otherwise she wouldn't need to be close to her weapon. With him around, she would have to step gingerly and listen twice as much at what was said. Listen for hidden meanings, and search for clues to if he still wished a death sentence for her having wiped out his targets. As silent as a mute, she listened to the words being exchanged over the table. Her gaze falling only upon MDK and Lightning.

The Red Lantern– Upper East Side – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 12:10pm
Croaker had not really said much of anything since he had replied to MDK about who was in charge. His hand on the SMG the whole time the big Nomad knew that the assassin was aware of the fact that 1 or more guns were surely pointed at him.

Though MDK had not acknowledged that fact out loud Croaker could tell by his posture that should things go down badly, it would be a matter of who was fastest in the end. Instead Spiff brought the semi standoff between the two to a head with his next words.

"So, Mr. Corporate Assassin. Does that mean you kill people for the Megacorps, or that you kill people in the Megacorps? Before you answer though, I should probably warn you that the former means we'll have to shoot you, while the latter means you'll be of great use."

Croaker’s heart stopped, his finger tightened on the trigger, his smart link targeting reticule positioned itself on MDK’s face......

“If you know so much about me then you already know the answer, if I worked for the Corps then I wouldn’t be here. I hate the Megacorps and I am here because I was told someone needed some help sticking it to them but good. So can we stop the f**king bulls**t and get down to business or should I just walk now?”

Croaker watched as the man finished his reply, turned his attention to the Nomad and raised an eyebrow as if waiting for Croaker on the decision.

Croaker exhaled, forced his heart to restart, and took a leap of faith, removing his hand from under the table. Placing both elbows on its wood surface, he interlocked his fingers and spoke.

“Ok thanks to Jack we have a target locale, now we need a plan to get at it, here’s what I think. With it only having a single road in and out it will be damn near impossible to approach that way. Even if its not electro monitored with cams and motion sensors there are sure to be guards stationed at some point on it. Seeing as how both I and Bulls Eye can pilot both Helicopters and Vertical thrust aircraft we avoid the road and come in from behind the target by air using an AV-4 or something close to it. If no 4 we get a hold of a helo and go in that. Now assuming we get such air transport we hung the ground using nape of the earth technique and pop up hopefully out of nowhere dead center of the target. We then land or repel down onto the target building and hit them fast and hard.”

A slight pause to catch his breath and take a drink from his glass and he continued.

“Now of course my plan hinges on having an AV-4, a helo or some other air transport and that’s where you come in Spiff, between you and Jack if anyone can get us such a transport its you and he. So tables open, Spiff any chance of getting one.”

With the basic’s of his plan on the table he awaited the others thoughts and suggestions.

The Red Lantern – East Marina – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 12:12pm

The name of the dangerous looking ninja type rang a bell. Guardian had been warned of MDK from a number of sources including the NCPD. Even though Guardian wasn't exactly operating on the wrong side of the law (if it was even possible to follow it to the letter), he wasn't very comfortable around the police either. Due to the illegal businesses of most of his clients, he'd been interrogated a number of times about various crimes the clients had allegedly committed around the city and outside it.

Not taking into account his more or less wild youth, Guardian himself had only been accused of unlawful actions only once. It had been a pitiful attempt by a power hungry sergeant on the rise. Frank had only been doing his job protecting a suit from a samurai. Of course the fact that the Corp hired assassin had died due to a massive loss of blood caused by a sword-cut halfway through his body had raised some suspicion. And the Kendachi found on the scene hadn't really helped either.

Fortunately for Frank, he'd made a really good friend with another Night City Police Department detective 18 months earlier. Danny "Greyhound" Mendelovitz had been working undercover trying to track down a black clinic and a graverobber ripper-doc, who was apparently making good business by killing and cutting to pieces ronins who came to his theater to get some enhancements. Some smaller corps or booster gangs like the Steel Slaughter Slammers or the Sinner N' Saints apparently were very interested in the gear removed from the solos.

But the croaker had had a former copper watching over his back and the pig had made a positive id on Greyhound. Together they'd set the sergeant up and planned to neutralize and slice'n dice the man. Fortunately for Mendelovitz, his former colleague had been laid off from service for a reason. The man had been fully hooked 'dorphs and in his euphoria jammed his op. Danny, unsuspecting, had been totally unaware of the self-made ronin preying on him.

And luckily for the lawman, Frank had happened on the scene and with his professional skill immediately spotted the would be junkie assassin immediately. Afterwards he'd given a lot of thought to why he had risked his own life to save an unknown man. It was not like him or anyone else in Night City where everyone had only one priority - his or her own survival. It was a harsh place to live in despite all the modern hi-tech gizmos and gadgets helping the everyday life. But saved the man's life he had (without any real risk to his own, he might add) and still had no real reason why.

But the strangest thing about the whole incident was that the two men had become friends immediately. Be it due to them both being more of the old-school types or not, but the friendship had lasted throughout the years as a close one. If Frank had a big brother, he'd want one just like Danny.

So when the big, black bodyguard found himself in trouble he couldn't handle - arrested by the NCPD -, it was Danny who came to his rescue and vouched for him. The old dog of a police had to put his own career on the line to save Frank's ass and he did so without a second thought. And it had been the Greyhound who gave Guardian the heads up of MDK too. Just in case. For one never knew when the two of them might meet on the street on the opposite sides. And nothing kept a man alive better than information. It sure had saved Franks behind on more than one occasion.

The asian was just like he looked - dangerous. A ninja, an assassin, a killer for hire. Everything Guardian despised. Sure, he wouldn't blink an killing a man in defense - his own or a client's. But killing for money was something he would never do. That's probably why he never had too much money. Protection business didn't pay nearly as well as termination did. But that was ok to Frank. He made a living. And now he would make a few e-bucks keeping Scribe alive. He knew he didn't have to worry about MDK in that sense. At least not right now. The man didn't have a reputation of being reckless and foolish, but a real professional who made his kill without being shot himself. Hell, it was better that way if one wanted to make a name. Getting killed didn't give any reputation. Just like getting one's customer zeroed in a bodyguard's line of business didn't either... or at least not the right kind.

There were a lot of things Frank could've asked and said about the "mission" and the target location Peacekeeper mentioned. But he didn't. It wasn't exactly his problem how the group was going to accomplish what it had been hired to do. Naturally, should every suggestion be really foolish, he would have to speak up. If not directly, then through DS. But right now, Guardian would simply keep on observing the people around the table and in the joint in general. Always ready for action. It was - after all - what he'd been hired to do.

The Red Lantern – East Marina – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 12:10pm
Firewind frowned as he turned his attention away from the new arrivals and listened to Croaker’s plan. He was happy that the nomad had decided to bury the hatchet with Spiff, but at the same time, the man’s plan was based on them landing transportation of a rather high-profile nature. The medtech didn’t really think it prudent to make too much noise in their current situation, but he wasn’t a tactician—had never thought of himself as one aside from the occasional game of chess. So, with the scowl on his tattooed face, he settled back in his chair and listened to the discourse.

Preacher slowly shook his head, but remained quiet as well. He’d been ‘runnin’ for a long time and not once had he ever ridden in an AV, or a helicopter for that matter. There was a fuel shortage looking on the horizon, all of the market analysts were predicting a serious jump in avgas prices, and major airlines were stockpiling. The cowboy wondered whether he should voice this opinion, but he was pretty sure those who paid close attention to the news would have this knowledge, so he too remained quiet.

Scribe, on the other hand, was never really good at remaining quiet. It came with the gig. Sure, he knew when to let the interview talk, but he was an opinionated S.O.B. and as such, he generally liked to speak his mind, and in this case, though Croaker was “in charge”, he wasn’t leaving anything to chance.

“Croaker, buddy,” DigitalScribe smiled disarmingly and leaned forward. “I’m going to be really impressed if we can come up with that kind of vehicle-play, really impressed indeed. I’ll admit, we’re going to need transport, but…” the media turned his attention towards the fixer and raised his eyebrows at the sharply dressed man. “Dazzle us, Spiff. Please.”

The Red Lantern – East Marina – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 12:10pm

The Red Lantern – East Marina – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 12:12pm
“If you know so much about me then you already know the answer, if I worked for the Corps then I wouldn’t be here. I hate the Megacorps and I am here because I was told someone needed some help sticking it to them but good. So can we stop the f**king bulls**t and get down to business or should I just walk now?”

Croaker watched as the man finished his reply, turned his attention to the Nomad and raised an eyebrow as if waiting for Croaker on the decision.

Croaker exhaled, forced his heart to restart, and took a leap of faith, removing his hand from under the table. Placing both elbows on its wood surface, he interlocked his fingers.
Mae saw Croaker relax ever so slightly and when the placed both elbows on the table taking it off of the gun he no doubt had under there, MDK brought his right hand up from his side and placed both his arms on the table. He picked up his drink again, this time with his right hand and took a sip showing about as much trust as he ever would to people he just met, as Croaker began to speak.

“Ok thanks to Jack we have a target locale, now we need a plan to get at it, here’s what I think. With it only having a single road in and out it will be damn near impossible to approach that way. Even if its not electro monitored with cams and motion sensors there are sure to be guards stationed at some point on it. Seeing as how both I and Bulls Eye can pilot both Helicopters and Vertical thrust aircraft we avoid the road and come in from behind the target by air using an AV-4 or something close to it. If no 4 we get a hold of a helo and go in that. Now assuming we get such air transport we hung the ground using nape of the earth technique and pop up hopefully out of nowhere dead center of the target. We then land or repel down onto the target building and hit them fast and hard.”
As Croaker laid out the plan, Mae noticed the big guy they called Guardian apparently doing just what his name implied, obviously a bodyguard because he simply stood and kept an eye scanning for trouble. MDK’s gaze paused on the bodyguard for a moment as if sizing him up then went back to looking at Croaker. He had no doubt the man had noticed his attention, he had made it obvious, and the corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly in amusement. He wondered if he made the bodyguard nervous, he often had that effect on people especially bodyguards who had someone to protect.

Mae didn’t much care of that line of work, he tried it once when he was out of money and needed to eat. He found it too boring and much more difficult that his chosen profession. The problem with guarding another person’s life is you had to put your life ahead of their’s and in Mae’s opinion he hadn’t met anyone yet worthy of giving up his life. The money was decent.. sometimes, but body guarding didn’t pay enough to throw his life away.

It was more lucrative and exciting to track down your target and kill them, usually when they didn’t even know he was there. Sometimes he had to infiltrate an operation and strike from the inside; it was one of his specialties. He thought this group was so suspicious and doubtful of him thinking that perhaps he was here for that very reason; this thought again caused him to smile slightly. He turned his attention back to Croaker as he finished up his plan.

“Now of course my plan hinges on having an AV-4, a helo or some other air transport and that’s where you come in Spiff, between you and Jack if anyone can get us such a transport its you and he. So tables open, Spiff any chance of getting one.”
Mae liked the basics of the plan, but it all hinged on getting some form of aerial transportation which wasn’t usually easy to come by these days. One often needed good connections or money, or both.

“Croaker, buddy,” DigitalScribe smiled disarmingly and leaned forward. “I’m going to be really impressed if we can come up with that kind of vehicle-play, really impressed indeed. I’ll admit, we’re going to need transport, but…” the media turned his attention towards the fixer and raised his eyebrows at the sharply dressed man. “Dazzle us, Spiff. Please.”
Following the gaze of the others, he turned to look at the one they called Spiff. If he was able to get them the transportation then he was good.. very good.. but that remains to be seen. Mae just waited till they found out that information and ran the particulars he knew so far through his brain analyzing them from a tactical standpoint. He remained quiet and only sipped his drink as he waited and thought.

The Red Lantern – East Marina – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 12:12pm

"Dazzle us, Spiff. Please."

Spiff had been rocking in his seat while the others chatted. He had done what had to be done. He had to get Croaker and this MDK fellow's hatred out in the open instead of letting it pop like it had between himself and Croaker. The boy was hot-headed, to be sure, but that was what Spiff had to work with here. When Croaker had started spitting ideas, Spiff had remained quiet, but dug his phone out of his pocket. He was running the numbers on Croaker's idea. The table went quiet for a moment after, but Spiff didn't notice. He was pecking at his phone's keys. The letters weren't worn too badly by now. The phone was a relatively new purchase. He had just upgraded to make his work more efficient.

Then, Scribe had jumped in. It wasn't until his name was said that Spiff raised his head. He looked at the crowd around him, as though he didn't know them. He was startled from his work on the net. He had been looking up Croaker's numbers only briefly, before he had spent most of his time researching something else.

"It seems it's bad luck today. Even if I were that good, we're talking weeks to make that kind of deal on the streets. What's worse, is even if we get it under the radar, something that could take months, the gas purchases alone would bring us up on the scope of even those corps which we don't have on our six. Alternatively, the rental costs of such a thing, plus the bribe to keep it quiet, would be twice the cost of my other idea."

Spiff paused, mostly to let it sink it, but also to zoom in on the picture. He set his phone in the middle of the table. On it was a picture of a high powered custom sniper rifle. "We could buy one of these outright, and with a bit of work make it untraceable. The advantage here, is that even while not looking like a paramilitary organization, we can secure an entrance and exit. What do you think, Croaker?"

The Red Lantern– Upper East Side – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 12,12pm
With Scribes words for Spiff to ‘dazzle’ them, the Fixer responded.

"It seems its bad luck today. Even if I were that good, we're talking weeks to make that kind of deal on the streets. What's worse is even if we get it under the radar, something that could take months, the gas purchases alone would bring us up on the scope of even those corps which we don't have on our six. Alternatively, the rental costs of such a thing, plus the bribe to keep it quiet, would be twice the cost of my other idea."

Setting his phone in the middle of the table Spiff brought everyone’s attention to it, on it was a picture of a high powered custom sniper rifle.

"We could buy one of these outright, and with a bit of work make it untraceable. The advantage here is that even while not looking like a paramilitary organization, we can secure an entrance and exit. What do you think, Croaker?"

Croaker looked at the picture and found himself looking at a pretty good piece of hardware. Very familiar with rifles of that sort the Nomad had to admit he would not have minded owning one, but he could not see how one gun could get them in or out of the target. Bringing his thoughts into words he posed just that question.

“Ok yeah it’s a good piece of hardware but explain to me how one gun will get us in, much less out, of that facility alive”

The Red Lantern – East Marina – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 12:14pm

Spiff took in a deep breath, and let it out slowly. There was no sense getting hot-headed here. He thought about it for a moment before responding. "The sniper can provide cover fire, drop guards at the gates, et cetera. We could go in fast and quiet."

The Red Lantern– Upper East Side – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 12,12pm
“Ok yeah it’s a good piece of hardware but explain to me how one gun will get us in, much less out, of that facility alive”
Croaker watched as Spiff took in a deep breath, and let it out slowly.

"The sniper can provide cover fire, drop guards at the gates, et cetera. We could go in fast and quiet."

“True a very good sniper could do that, but the longest shot ever made was a little over a mile and a half, on a clear day, no obstructions and from a height of 11 stories. With the bullet traveling downwards, the wind at its back, it managed to hit its unarmored target with just enough force to kill him. We try that against an armored guard at the target and all we will do is set off alarms big time.
Considering the remoteness of the target and how important this drug, money wise, is to the creators of it. I would bet even money that there are installed cams, motion detectors and hell probably radar, at least covering out to two miles around it, for damn sure on the road leading in. If you know someone who can make that kind of shot, get him in here, as I know I ain’t that good.”

Pausing now to take a deep breath himself he continued.

“So aircar is out, Sniper is out, ok what about a Helo, we grab one at a small field, one big enough to carry 5-6 of us and we go in that. What about you MDK you’ve dealt with the corps, know where we can grab one?”

The Red Lantern – East Marina – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 12:14pm

The Red Lantern– Upper East Side – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 12,12pm
Mae had been listening intently while he ran the plan thus far through his mind. He liked Croaker’s basic outline and thought it might work.. IF they could get the transportation they would need.

"It seems its bad luck today. Even if I were that good, we're talking weeks to make that kind of deal on the streets. What's worse is even if we get it under the radar, something that could take months, the gas purchases alone would bring us up on the scope of even those corps which we don't have on our six. Alternatively, the rental costs of such a thing, plus the bribe to keep it quiet, would be twice the cost of my other idea."

Setting his phone in the middle of the table Spiff brought everyone’s attention to it, on it was a picture of a high powered custom sniper rifle.

"We could buy one of these outright, and with a bit of work make it untraceable. The advantage here is that even while not looking like a paramilitary organization, we can secure an entrance and exit. What do you think, Croaker?"
Mae raised an eyebrow as he looked at the gun that Spiff showed them on his phone’s display. He nodded, it was indeed a fine weapon something he would love to have but he didn’t see how it helped them when what they needed was a way in.

Ok yeah it’s a good piece of hardware but explain to me how one gun will get us in, much less out, of that facility alive”

Croaker watched as Spiff took in a deep breath, and let it out slowly.

"The sniper can provide cover fire, drop guards at the gates, et cetera. We could go in fast and quiet."
Mae sat back and took a sip of his Scotch reveling in the smooth taste that burned down the back of his throat. He had to agree with Croaker, the fixxer was not thinking clearly, but he kept his opinions to himself especially since the Nomad was laying out the holes in the fixxer’s plan even now.

“So aircar is out, Sniper is out, ok what about a Helo, we grab one at a small field, one big enough to carry 5-6 of us and we go in that. What about you MDK you’ve dealt with the corps, know where we can grab one?”
Mae looked up from his drink to catch Croakers eye, he pondered the idea for a few seconds as if thinking of his contacts, he shrugged before speaking.

“Maybe,” he smiled slightly, “I’m no Fixxer but I got some contacts who might know something.”

He paused to consider and then slowly stood up and very slowly reached into the inner pocket of his long leather duster and pulled out his cellphone.

“Let me make some calls and I will let you know.” Mae said and then flipping open his phone he began to dial as he walked away from the table to talk in peace and let the rest of the group continue to discuss other potential plans.


The Red Lantern– Upper East Side – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 12,14pm

The Red Lantern– Upper East Side – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 12,12pm
“So aircar is out, Sniper is out, ok what about a Helo, we grab one at a small field, one big enough to carry 5-6 of us and we go in that. What about you MDK you’ve dealt with the corps, know where we can grab one?”

“Maybe, I’m no Fixer but I got some contacts who might know something.”

The Solo paused then slowly stood up and very slowly reached into the inner pocket of his long leather duster and pulled out his cell phone.

“Let me make some calls and I will let you know.” MDK said and then flipping open his phone he began to dial as he walked away from the table.

Turning his attention back once again to those seated at the table Croaker opened the table once again to other possible idea’s.

“Ok while MDK makes his call does anyone else have any idea’s, Peacekeeper, Guardian, Bulls Eye, anyone?”

The Red Lantern – East Marina – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 12:14pm

The Red Lantern – East Marina – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 12:10pm
Bull’s Eye had remained quiet through the whole of the discussion, but as MDK rose up to make his call, the nomad offered up his suggestion. Whether it was the time he’d spent in prison, or the hard personality of a Zero trying to survive in a world full of Statics, not even Croaker could tell, for the man had never really spent a lot of time with Bull’s Eye when the family had been together. As a junior member of the Council, Croaker had other responsibilities than spending time with the drivers. Be that as it may, they were all that remained free of the Family.

“Croaker,” the roughneck driver said in a low tone. “Why not just take a car, or a truck—I doubt we’ll be able to get a gyro, vectorthrust, or anything similar…even if Spiff may be overlooking some aspects of the approach, the gato’s got somethin’ goin’. We’re not gonna be able to even afford the fuel necessary to handle an aircraft—hell! I’m bettin’ we’d have enough difficulty affording that lightnin’ stick. We sure as hell aren’t gettin’ nothin’ high-tech.”

“Is there anyway to determine what security they do have?” Firewind asked.

“Not without the Net, and a whole helluvah lot of luck,” Preacher drawled.

The medtech looked over at the cowboy with furrowed brow, “What do you mean?”

“The megacorps all maintain datafortresses for each of their major centers, and even their top secret laboratories have one—but they’re all protected with so much ICE there are few netrunners who can infiltrate.

“Datafortresses are what harbor all of the data for the facility. Some are maintained with AI, some are wrangled by a constant netrunner watch. So, you wanna know the e-sec and m-sec detail, you gotta get in the datafortress, an’ I don’t see that happenin’.”

“Cynical bastard,” Bull’s Eye growled. “There’s more ways than tech-ways to bring down an enemy. You wanna know what the security is like around the facility, you go to it and observe using binoculars—maybe snatch yourself a guard and interrogate the sardine.”

DigitalScribe settled back in his seat as the two men began to argue, a slight smile on his face. This group had better start learning to play well together, or Biotechnica is going to eat us alive, he thought.

“Tick tock, people,” the media said by way of bringing their argument to the end. “Tick tock. We’ve all expressed our opinions…barring MDK coming back with some miracle; what’s the plan, Croaker?”

The Red Lantern – East Marina – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 12:11pm

The Red Lantern – East Marina – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 12:14pm

“Tick tock, people,” the media said by way of bringing their argument to the end. “Tick tock. We’ve all expressed our opinions…barring MDK coming back with some miracle; what’s the plan, Croaker?”
Mae wasn’t on the phone long, he returned to the table just in time to hear Digital Scribes last words. He dropped back down in his seat and shook his head.

“No dice,” MDK said as he picked up his drink again, “my few meager contacts cant come close to anything that would be useful.” He didn’t bother apologizing since he hadn’t really made any promises about anything.

“So if nobody comes up with anything aerial,” he adds, “it looks like we might just have to do a ground assault.”

The Red Lantern – East Marina – Night City – March, Friday 13th, 2020, 12:14pm