Chapter One: Redundant Code

[MacFear]

Fearghas shoots @Mulpa a quick message via the contact information he has for the dwarf after Yu's rundown while "the Hoff" adds her two cents.

>>I can't speak for the rest of your team, but local jobs with at will employment, even with a non-compete clause, sound like a fair deal for our line of work. Maybe too fair? I don't much like her comment about diversity, though. The government doesn't exactly have a stellar record with such issues. You or any of the rest of the team have any issues needing addressed?<<

MacFear has listened to Yu and Hoffner and watched their mannerisms, and he begins to form a

(Four Successes. Ill find our OOC thread and find figure out rolling SR dice on the forum properly)
If successful, MacFear wants to determine if he can trust the Hoff at least as far as he can throw her or how much further. Secondly, he'd be interested in knowing if anyone has intentionally lied to him or twisted the truth up to this point.

of them.

"Those aren't unagreeable terms," He responds to Mrs. Johnson, "One might even be concerned that they're exactly the sort stipulations with which people in this line of work feel comfortable. Why do you need us, Mrs. Hoffner? It doesn't seem like you have any difficulty finding...subcontractors."

[Muppet Man]

"Oh, Hoff, she is a good source of income for me. But this crew, we're not local, you know?" Zip says. For all that Bushwack can tell, she is not surprised at all by Shrike's arrival.

For his part, Shrike takes in the divers crowd divided on the north with actual patrons, and the "biz" happening on the southern edge. The runners they are meeting with seem like legit pros. A scuffle would be messy all around.

Some people don't take long to make a first impression. Hoffner is a player, she has some power and wants more, that is plain as the sulfur in the rain. But she knows the rules: if you're going to burn someone, you don't do it lightly. Her diversity comment was the closest to shady she came, and MacFear can read between the lines on that one as easy as the next troll, but there's something other than bold racism going on.

Yu is as easy to peg as well: he is a pro through and through. He speaks a version of the truth know around the world as "talking business".

And he answers MacFear: "The core members of your team performed our introductory offer with beyond adequate performance. We will have a new task in two days. This will be a human resources acquisition. We will provide preliminary details if you are interested, as well as our offer and terms. Who should we transmit the details to?"

Hoffner looks MacFear right in the eye and holds it for a moment before repeating the same maneuver on Mulpa. "I need resources, local resources connected with the area and connected within communities we cannot reach. Yes, that means I chose a team with trolls and elves and dwarves because they have trolls and elves and dwarves, that aspect the of team is extremely valuable to us."

[MacFear]

MacFear shoots @Mulpa a second text after Yu and Erika finish speaking.

>>I think we can trust this Johnson, so much as you can trust any Johnson. You and your teams call, although I’m still somewhat concerned about her Meta interest. Should I have her send you the details, or does the team have questions?<<

[Wraith]

Location: Bar Neleus, Tacoma (Seattle Metroplex)
Condition: Not too bad

The troll 'sam and the rigger both momentarily glance at Wraith as she walks across the room. The impression is one of professional interest: know the potential threats.

Wraith will offer a brief nod to them as she moves past, acknowledging their presence in an at-least neutral manner; though the foxelf does her best to keep an eye out on everyone, her attention does return to their pool game once in awhile. '<Omoshiroi>... never played that game, though it doesn't seem to be overly complicated,' she speculates, rather underestimating how the game works.

It doesn't take the young woman long to notice the awful scent coming from the kitchen, wrinkling her nose for a moment before reducing the sensitivity of the olfactory implant. >> I would advise eating anything on the menu that is fried, I can smell how bad the oil is from here.<< Wraith sends out via the text channel.

"<Dare mo byoukide wanai koto ni odoroita>*," the foxelf mutters under her breath, the upper set of ears folding back against her hair, looking like a black smear.

OOC Comments

(Translation: "Surprised that no one is sick.")

Between the attention co-processor and select sound filter, Wraith is able to keep an 'ear' on the main table, allowing her to take in the rest of the room without really missing much. This becomes more important when Bushwack steps up to play a round against the other troll, with the foxelf leaning forward to watch, hoping to learn more. The appearance of Shrike, and the subsequent ping has her looking up and over, then offering a nod to the other elf.

>>I did not catch his name, but he claims to represent us legally - Mulpa did not speak up to contradict, so... I suppose we have a lawyer now? I am not sure how to feel about this,<< Wraith sends in reply, turning her primary focus back to the pool game.

"I need resources, local resources connected with the area and connected within communities we cannot reach. Yes, that means I chose a team with trolls and elves and dwarves because they have trolls and elves and dwarves, that aspect the of team is extremely valuable to us."

Shifting her gaze back to the main table, Wraith maintains her neutral expression, though inwardly she is trying to determine Hoffner's motivations given that last statement. Having had considerably less overall experience when it comes to public appearances and facing discrimination, the foxelf doesn't really sense anything shady about the comment, but it does have her wondering.

>>Should I be bothered about the diversity comment?<<

[Mulpa]

MacFear shoots @Mulpa a second text after Yu and Erika finish speaking.

>>I think we can trust this Johnson, so much as you can trust any Johnson. You and your teams call, although I’m still somewhat concerned about her Meta interest. Should I have her send you the details, or does the team have questions?<<

I usually use people's preconceptions about Dwarves to my benefit. Thanks for your help. Sometimes on a run, we can use a good talker. Maybe we bring you along on the next run, and you will get some more Nuyen.

"I am liking the sound of this, but of course I will have to discuss this with my associates. Please give us a few minutes to discuss this?"

[MacFear]

I usually use people's preconceptions about Dwarves to my benefit. Thanks for your help. Sometimes on a run, we can use a good talker. Maybe we bring you along on the next run, and you will get some more Nuyen.

MacFear flashes back to his visit from a new Vory friend and thinks to himself, 'Keep Mulpa happy. Right. Whatever keeps the huge troll happy keeps me happy.'

He immediately responds to @Mulpa.

>>I used to bust skulls myself, when I was younger, but someone decided my life would be taking a different direction. What I'm saying is, I'm more than just a fast talking fomorian in a fancy suit. However, I do have certain obligations, of a type which I'm sure you understand well, and a day job. I don't get much sleep, though, so if you're paying I'm in.<<

Macfear lets Mulpa take point with "the Hoff," but he pays close attention to the conversation in case he needs to cut into the conversation quickly.

[Muppet Man]

The restroom door behind the wall at the back of the bar opens with creak then slams shut with a bang.

Nonchalantly at first, an ork dressed in a tan uniform walks by. He takes one look, sees Wraith and Shrike and freaks out and runs out the door.

[MacFear]

MacFear

(+2 Visual)
3 Hits

and (if he doesn't notice anything concerning) then returns his full attention to the discussion with Yu, Hoffner and Mulpa.

[Mulpa]

After

Perception 11+3 (Visual)

over at the fleeing Ork, Mulpa returns his attention to Yu and Hoffner.

I wonder what that Ork has to do with Wraith and Strike...

What do the rest of you think of the offer?

[Wraith]

Location: Bar Neleus, Tacoma (Seattle Metroplex)
Condition: Confused?

The restroom door behind the wall at the back of the bar opens with creak then slams shut with a bang. Nonchalantly at first, an ork dressed in a tan uniform walks by. He takes one look, sees Wraith and Shrike and freaks out and runs out the door.

Wraith doesn't immediately recognize the ork, but when he is, she gives him a brief salute. >>Let us hope that does not come back around negatively.<<

>>What do the rest of you think of the offer?<<

>> I cannot say that I like the lack of firm details, but I have worked with less. <Sore ga tegata wo shiharaunaraba ne?>* So long as I do not compromise principles.<< comes Wraiths reply after only a few moments. >>I assume you know the lawyer, Mulpa? How far can he be trusted?<<

OOC Comments

*Translation: 'If it pays the bills, right?', rhetorical.