- Gas is at $2.74 per gallon
- Stop bitching I'm not doing my job right, when it was one of your cow-orkers who messed up
- Made it through the basic class, barely
- It's a child free weekend!
- Have a good night
List Day
Rain
It's been a warm couple of weeks. Not as hot as some places, but warm. The kind when you walk outside for a mile, then come in and drink water. Your clothes start sticking to you. That kind of warm. Days I should be going to the gym, instead of walking outside. But I love walking out in the fresh air. Noticing the changes to the neighborhood.
Anyway, it's been warm. Today? Cool and cloudy. I walked around the block and was rained on. Not a drenching rain, but just enough water to know your wet. It was awesome.
20.49 mile
Still at the Bar
(This is something that should have been posted ages ago.)
Sipping his drink DB watches Bunny.
"You say that if I sell this, my world crashes down around me. So that is the Con selling the coin. You are also insinuating that keeping the coin will give me some sort of precog abilities. My question is what are you getting out of this? Will I have you around all the time? We have quite a history and perhaps the fact that I put a bullet in your former bodies brain-pan, may have you playing some sort of long con on me. What guaranties do I have that you aren’t playing me for some long con?”
"Maybe that's the problem, there is no con." She looked down. "Maybe I get the satisfaction of doing some good in the world. Take my advice." She shrugged. "Don't take my advice. In the end it's all on you."
"Yea, about the spirit." She flicks you a card. "Good luck with that." She gets up and leaves.
You watch her go and realize she's stopping and talking to Lara Croft.
DB leans against the bar and switches his view of the world. The bar was busy, lots of bleed over of emotions, but from the two women talking he picked up resentment. Not sure which one of them. Both of them are magically active. Great, just his luck. He switched his view back to normal and watched Lara approach in the mirror.
She was wearing a Little Black Dress TM from the Armonty collection. The matching clutch was armored as well. She had well defined muscles that spoke of someone working out often.
Lara sat at the empty spot and ordered a drink. She turned to him and said, “The table will be ready in 15 minutes.”
"Gotta love these fancy restaurants, when they schedule you for a specific time, they are precise." DB answered.
"Precision is good."
He noticed Lara was looking anywhere but at him.
"Look, we may be counterparts but that doesn't mean we can't be civil to each other." DB said.
"I am being civil. We're having drinks, we're making small talk. What more do you want?"
DB suppressed a sigh. She was going to be tough. He quickly did a media search on her and started a datafile. Lara Croft, professional bodyguard. Employed for the past three years by the Countess. Working on her PHD in ancient history. Proficient with the Gladius. Youngest of four children, three older brothers. Mother died when she was six. Confirmed Physical Adept. Joined the military at 17.
“So how is it working for a countess? Being in our line of work it must be nice to have a steady employer.” He asked.
She looks at you with a raised eyebrow. "She's pretty easy. Lots of travel."
"Travel is a nice perk."
"Yes, it's nice. Do you travel often?"
"Not nearly as often as I would like." He paused for a sip. "The biggest issue is that I never get to enjoy the location when I get there. It tends to be get in and then get out quickly, type of trip.”
She laughs. Goes back to searching the mirror and says, "Seen one museum. You've seen them all."
DB watched her for a second and realized she was searching the mirror for signs of danger. He doubted she would find anything.
"Same with Cathedrals. Although there is something to said, about a leisurely stroll through a museum just to take in the sights and expand ones knowledge of the world".
"They tend to blur together after a while. Working currently?" Lara asked.
“Being self-employed means you are almost always working.” He answered easily.
A couple of times, she opens her mouth to say something but stops.
"Although I am off the clock for the next, glances at time 10 minutes.” He said, leaning into her space. She didn’t move.
"What are you offering me for 10 minutes of my time?"
"Just to sit, relax and chat. Some time away from business." He replied.
"Isn't that what we're doing now?"
"Exactly. So when you aren't traveling to exotic locations and acquiring relics for the Contessa what do you like to do?"
"I read books. Old ones." She said, taking another sip. "What do you do for fun?"
"Well, to be honest, it is kind of embarrassing. I like to go out and perform street magic for donations. Don't really need the Yen it brings in but I enjoy doing it.” He said. "I've never really been much of a reader, what have your books taught you?"
"I've learned in the past 300 years, the world has really changed. If you go back even further, 400 years ago. Those people can't even begin to marvel at the world today. Deep down, we're all the same, just trying to get by until tomorrow. So tell me Mr. Benedict, do you believe in time travel?"
"Do I believe in time travel? A month ago, I would have said 'no it is not possible'. Due to some recent events I'm not so sure." He paused. "Have you ever had an experience with Deja Vu and were able to change an outcome?"
She shook her head. “Events? Like what?” Lara tilted her head quizzically.
"Lets just say I've had some pretty serious moments of Deja Vu recently." He replied.
“How many would you say? One? Two?” She asked, turning towards him.
“Two or three.”
“That many?” She looks up and to the left. "Any headaches?"
"None that I've noticed."
"Any dreams that seemed real? But you woke up in bed?"
"Never woke up in bed after a dream like that. Dozed off once though."
"Do you have it with you?" She asked.
Before he can answer, she looks up and to the left. "Your table is ready. They're waiting for you."
DB smiled. "I hope I don't look that stupid.”
She looked him in the eyes. "It means there is hope for you."
She looks at the doorway.
"Perhaps we should schedule another dinner or coffee for just the 2 of us and continue this conversation?"
She keeps her eyes on the doorway, but nods. She flicks you her commlink number.
DB finishes his drink, stands and heads through the door.
Declaration of War
Drift wanted to reach out and throttle Miguel. He was refusing to see the big picture. The woman before them was a threat. No matter where they ran, so far only Aztland was the only country ejecting head cases. Going home to Aztland wasn’t an option, they’re not friendly to either of us. And besides it wasn’t enough, eventually nowhere would be safe. Machines would take over, and the world will burn.
Wind
I'm glad I walked today. The wind was amazing. It was cool enough I didn't overheat. I even got the joy of chasing after my hat.
1000 Words
It's a good thing he makes good BBQ.
Hello...
It's January 17th. How did it get to be so late? Considering the last time I posted was in November, time does fly.
So New Year, new me? Not so much. I'm back to the gym and trying to eat less. It's worked in the past, so it stands to reason it should work now. Just gotta remember the whole, eat less part.
Christmas and New Years was good. I think on the whole, everyone got pretty much what they wanted. Not sure on what they needed, but wants was a thing.
I would say: I'll be better about posting, but that's a promise I can't quite bring myself to make. So, I'll be here, just not on a schedule.
Before Dinner Drinks
Not sure what was going on, DB watched bad trideo until it was time to get ready for his dinner meet. The hotel and text was disturbing, but they could wait.
He arrived at Le Pier about 30 minutes early. Sometimes it was good to scope out the location beforehand. The bar was full of waiting people. DB didn’t even bother to try and look at the dining floor, instead he went to the bar. Lucky for him, someone walked away from the counter leaving him a space. Next to a pretty woman. This was his day.
He said down and ordered his vodka drink.
“Would you like to hear a story?” A familiar voice asked.
DB froze. Bunny. But how? She was dead and her spirit was haunting him. “Sure, let’s hear this story.”
“You sell the coin. And two weeks later, your world crashes down around you.” She took a sip of her drink.
The bartender brought his drink over and left.
DB took a large swallow. “How much?”
Bunny blinked and leaned into him. “An obscene amount.”
Usually he’d enjoy a beautiful woman hanging on him, but with her? They had too much bad history for any of that.
“That’s pretty cryptic. Care to share any details?” He asked.
"Care to tell me how I died?" She replied.
DB narrowed his eyes, thinking of the last time he saw her in person, then he shook his head.
“No. That would be giving you something for nothing.”
World crashing? It sounds like she was just trying to stir up trouble. “Yea, I’ll take my chances.”
She laughed. “You don’t believe me. Fine.” She shrugged. “Give me a number.”
“Three.”
She shook her head. “Too easy.”
“17” He swallowed half his drink.
“The man behind you will get a call and have to leave.” She pointed towards a table a couple meters away. “The woman in green will excuse herself and not come back. The man with the red tie will order a martini. A woman in a large fur coat will demand to be seated right away. The couple three tables over, will be engaged.” She leaned in and touched his arm. “He was going to wait until dessert, but he can’t wait to ask her. The bartender will ask if you want a refill.”
Things started happening like she said it would. He plucked the small bug she had planted on him from his sleeve and tucked it in her cleavage.
He let her drone on. There was merits to keeping the coin. Course, the same could be said for selling it. It was done and gone. The bartender brought him another drink.
List Day
- Gas is at $2.85 per gallon
- There was no one at the coffee shop, it wasn't open yet
- I need to rake the back yard. The leaves are piling up
- Dreamed about snow last night
- What do you mean, you're going to send me more?
- The clock on the wall is still an hour ahead. I keep looking at it and thinking, that much closer to going home. Not
- I've already done that, if you'd checked your email you'd know
- Dude, I don't know, I don't deal with that
- Have a good evening
1000 Words
Wards
DB woke about his normal time of 1000. Instead of heading out to the plaza to do some busking, he went to BC's place. There was more room for him to work there. He altered his features and drove over.
The workroom was large; he put the coin in the middle of the room. An hour and a half it took him part way to finishing his ward. He was careful to get the sigils just right. At some point, he realized Lilith – his mentor – was leaning against the wall watching him.
“What do you think of Bunny? Can I trust her?” BC asked.
“I wouldn’t.” She seemed bored.
“Do you think the coin and Bunny are evil?” He asked trying to get more insight.
“I don’t think they’re evil, just used for bad intentions.” She didn’t point out he was asking the wrong question. Lilith would leave him to figure that out on his own. Sometimes fate was a harsh teacher.
Once he finished the ward, she looked it over. “I’d add a time element.”
Lilith drew a sigil he’d never seen before. It hung in the air while he copied it.
“Should I just sell this coin?”
Lilith smiled, her delicate fangs showing. “Think of all the things you could do it with. Think of power. Think of the danger.” She never did give him a solid answer.
Another hour and he the wards were completed. The sigils glowed with magic. His magic.
“Are you sure you should be doing this?” Lilith asked. “It’s dangerous, messing with time.” She stopped.
“I need to know.” He said.
“How many times have you done this?”
“Once.” He paused. “I think. I don’t know I’ve been getting some strange things.”
Lilith shook her head, but said nothing.
He stepped over the chalked sigils, careful not to disturb them. His world changed.
He was at the party meeting the Countess again. Time was flowing slowly. He felt a hand on his shoulder and a voice whispering in his ear. “She’s judging you. She doesn’t think much of you. You barely have a high school education. I can make you amazing negotiator. All you have to do is grab the coin.”
BC’s hand started sliding towards the coin, but he didn’t touch it. Shaking his head, he stepped out scuffing the ward.
“How long was I gone?” BC asked.
Lilith shrugged. “Not long at all, less than a minute.”
“How can I thank you for the help?” BC said with a sly smile.
She reached out and ran her hand over his chest. “I’m sure you’ll figure something out.”
An hour later, BC broke the ward down completely. He altered his features, and left to go back to DB’s house. Sometimes it was a pain in the ass to maintain two houses. However, the benefits made it worth it.
DB checked the time. He had about five hours before his dinner. Checking his email, he found an attachment from BC. A floor plan for a hotel. Odd, he didn’t remember sending it.
Two hours later, he got a text from Miz Johnson. “I’ve got the hotel security. I’m ready when you are.”
What was going on?
At the Party
DB took a long hot shower. He shaved and pulled out one of his black silk suit. He spent the rest of his afternoon watching bad trideo.
At 18:55, the limo showed up. The driver, James, got out and opened the door for him. As usual, Mrs. Latham was not there. He rode in silence to her house.
“Darling, you look amazing.” He said kissing her cheek.
“Thank you.” She smiled.
They made small talk on the drive to the Seattle Art Museum. Tonight’s opening show was on ancient Rome. DB smiled. More information for him.
Columns and vines decorated the room. The wait staff was dressed in togas, carrying trays of champagne and finger foods. Crowds of rich people looking at the display before the public even got the chance.
People came and went, chatting with Mrs. Latham about business. DB kept half an ear on the conversation, while letting his mind wander. She excused herself and left him alone.
“Quite the display, isn’t it?” A man in his mid-thirties approached DB.
DB looked around the room. “Yes. Nice to meet you. Dirk Benedict.” He held out his hand, while quickly doing a social media check on the man before him.
“Anthony Keddis.” He shook DB’s hand. “Call me, we should do lunch sometime soon.”
DB smiled. Information started filling his commlink. Anthony Keddis, president of Widgets Inc. More information about Keddis’ company filled his feed. Married. Two kids. Boring wage slave. He nodded. “I’ll do that.” Keddis sent him a digital card and left before Mrs. Latham came back.
Together they walked the display, coins, jewelry, textiles, and scrolls. One of the scrolls caught DB’s attention. Janus.
DB stared at the scroll, wishing desperately he could read it. The HUD said the scroll talked about the day of the life of an acolyte. How long he stood at the scroll, he couldn’t say.
“It’s not the one you want.” A woman’s voice cut into his thoughts.
DB stiffened, it was her the woman from the house. He turned and smiled.
“And where would be the one I wanted?” He asked. Quickly he did a social media check on her.
“Safely tucked away.” She answered.
Information started pouring in. Lara Croft. Aid De Camp to Countess Isabel Santora. “Maybe I can find it.”
“Maybe I should kill you and take the coin from you cold dead body, but the Countess doesn’t like that idea.” She replied.
DB swallowed. “I don’t like that idea either; maybe I should be talking to your boss.”
Lara pursed her lips and nodded. “Come with me.”
She put her arm through his and led him to another room. She spoke in rapid Italian to an older woman. She released his arm and stepped back.
“Hello. I am Countess Isabel Santora.” She looked him up and down. “You’re the one that has been vexing Lara. Keep up the good work.” She took his arm and strolled up the aisle. “We should do dinner. Tomorrow night?”
DB nodded.
They continued up the aisle for several more meters. Lara joined them. Her smile was brittle. “Dinner at Le Pier at 2000.” She sent DB a reminder. “Anything else?”
The Countess shook her head. “Thank you.” She smiled broadly at DB. “Until tomorrow.” She then took her leave.
DB went in search of a drink. The line at the open bar was a bit long. DB found himself next to Joel Winestead. Joel obviously had a few too many drinks. It took a few seconds, but DB recognized him. Misti Davenhert’s consort.
“Quite the night isn’t it?” DB said.
Joel nodded. “I’ll be glad when it’s over, so I can take this monkey suit off.”
“How is Misti doing?” DB changing the subject.
“Pretty good, she has a meeting with NeoNet tomorrow.” Joel hiccupped.
DB smiled. “Hope things go good.” He filed that piece of information. He ordered a Vodka drink for himself and a slow Gin for Mrs. Latham.
He found her chatting with other board members. They stopped once he showed up, which was somewhat annoying, but understandable.
The end of the evening found them both in the limo. DB ran his hand over her knee, pushing a bit of magic into the caress. He was very pleased when she shuddered. They made out like teenagers until her house.
James opened the door, and offered his hand to Mrs. Latham. She got out of the car, but her hand out to stop him from getting out. “James will take you home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Confused DB stayed in the car.
The Run - Part 2
He went back to bed and slept until 1000. He showered and got ready to go spend the morning busking in the plaza. At 1230, he headed up to the coffee shop. Again, Miz Johnson was waiting for him. She was dressed in khakis and a polo shirt with NeoNet embroidered on it. She handed him a shirt just like hers. BC changed his shirt in the middle of the shop. She also handed him a commlink.
He thumbed the ID. It came up as Roger Kennedy. A picture of his alter ego linked. The PAN was linked to hers, listing her as Pamela Martin.
“Now we wait for the trigger to happen.” She told him.
He nodded. Waiting was the longest part.
20 minutes later, she looked at him. “The drives was blown. We’re on.”
Together they went to his car. She punched in a downtown address not far from where they were into the navigation unit.
They leave the car carrying tool kits. They head up to the sixth floor. Glass doors with Fast Date on them.
As they enter, the receptionist looks at them. She looks slightly nervous. “Hi, can I help you?”
“Hardware support, we’re here to replace the faulty drive.”
She looks relived. “Good, one minute while I call Paul.”
A couple of minutes later a smartly dressed man comes out. “Glad you’re here. It just suddenly stopped working.” He directed them to a palm reader. All the while keeping up a conversation.
Pamela palmed in, then turned and winked at him. BC stepped up and palmed in. Paul led them down the hall to another door. This time only he palmed in.
They stepped into a cold room, with bright overhead lights. The room was huge. It must have taken up half the floor. He led them to a rack towards the middle of the room. “Here it is.”
Pamela starts working on the server, while Paul hovered. BC herded him back from her. He started asking questions. “I need more information on the event that caused this.” Paul looked at him. “Can you let me know if there was any data spikes or abnormal activity?”
Paul’s eyes went distant. “There was a spike in activity, but it was within normal parameters. Do you think that was the cause?”
“Anything is possible, it could have been hackers.” He replied.
“Roger, I misplaced my 12 pin connector. Do you have one?” Miz Johnson asked.
He made a show of looking in his kit. “No, but I think have one in the car.” He turned to Paul. “Can you escort me back out so I can grab it?”
Paul looked between the two of them. He seemed to be debating something in his head.
“Relax Paul, I understand you are here for security. I don't want you to get into any trouble for letting me run around on my own. Quick trip to the door and then we'll be right back". DB said soothingly. "I know you don't want to have people running around the premises on their own."
Paul looked at him and nodded. “It will be only a few minutes right?”
BC smiled reassuringly. “Quick as a bunny.”
They left the room. Once BC was out of the offices, by the elevator, he turned himself invisible and watched the room. Paul stood by the receptionist desk, chatting with her. After several minutes, he started getting agitated. He started towards the server room.
BC knew he waited long enough. He dropped the spell and came running up to the door. He hoped he gave Miz Johnson enough time. Yanking the door open. “I got it.”
“Great, let’s get back.”
“I need a drink first.” BC said still stalling.
Paul sighed but said nothing while waiting. BC made a show of drinking two glasses of water, and then he nodded.
The trip back was slightly faster.
BC’s small talk kept Paul busy while the replacement of the hard drive went on.
“We’re at the longest part, transfer of data.” Miz Johnson announced.
After what seemed to be forever, Miz Johnson said they was up and running. Paul looked distant again and then smiled.
BC turned to Paul. “I need your thumb print on this form showing you witnessed custody of the hard drive for the forensic report.”
Paul gave it willing. “Do you know how long it will take?”
BC looked at Miz Johnson. She shrugged and said “About 48 hours for a complete turnaround.”
Paul started herding them out while complaining about how his night was ruined.
BC drove them back to the coffee shop. Miz Johnson gave him a certified cred stick. BC gave back the commlink and they parted company.
The Run - Part 1
BC stepped out the car. He pulled the bag with him and stumbled into the house. A thumbprint later, and he was falling into bed.
His alarm went off an hour later. The short nap reduced the pounding in his head from a roar to a dull thud. BC opened the bag and looked at the coin. He itched to grab it, but the memory of its force kept him from doing it. Instead, he closed the bag and put in a safe location, under his mattress.
A quick shower later, he headed out to the coffee shop. Pulling into the parking lot, he spotted Miz Johnson’s motorbike. She was early, but then so was he. BC ordered his typical and went to her table.
“Miz Johnson?” He asked making it sound like he didn’t know who she was.
She looked up at him. “BC?”
He nodded. “Nice to meet you. What can I do for you?”
She smiled. “I’m looking for someone to be charming. Are you charming?”
“I’m as charming as can be darlin’.” He drawled. Then it hit him. She was a spitting image of Misti Davenhert. Frag, his might complicate things with Ms. Latham.
She nodded. “The pay is 5K. Still interested?”
BC thought about it for a nano-second and then nodded. “Work is work.”
“Good.” She took a sip of her cup. “The target is a company called Fast Date. I need you to provide a distraction.”
“Sounds easy enough. Anything else?”
“We’re going in as a repair team, so know your stuff.”
BC frowned and shook his head. “I don’t know drek about computers.” Sure he used one every day, but knowledge? That was for the techs, not him.
She sighed. “You’ll need to know a couple of basic lines. Things like ‘we’ll know more once we get it back to the labs’, and ‘hackers’, and ‘anything is possible with technology’.” She took another sip. “I’ll also need picture of you.”
BC smiled. His features changed to dark hair, silverish eyes, and more tanned skin. “I’ll use this face.”
Miz Johnson looked surprised. “That’s pretty wiz!” She looked at him for a second, and then said she was done.
BC’s features when back to his normal ones. “Anything else?”
“Figure we’ll meet up here again at 1300, until the actual run time.”
“It’s a date.” He laughed.
He went back to his place and pulled up some data on Fast Date. It seems it was the premier dating site of Seattle’s elite. Five thousand a month for dues. He logged into dark net to see what the decker community had to say about Fast Date. Rumor has it there is a lot more data traffic for a "dating site” and they have about half a floor of servers. BC shrugged anything more than one was a lot for him. More reading showed there was debate as to who really owned the data. Some say it is Mituhoma, while others think it a data store for NeoNet. Great, upset the yaks or Villiers. Maybe he should have asked for more nuyen.
Just for kicks, he tried to pull up any data on Miz Johnson. Ten minutes later, he found quite a bit of information. Her real name was Hailey Davenhert. She graduated high school at 11, and went to University of Seattle, graduating at 15. Rumor has it the triple AAA corps all want her, but she seems to be content living at home with her mother. She seems really, really good with computers. Mutters of her being a techomancer have been bandied about, but nothing has been proven. He checked dark net and found a couple of posts to the anti-GOD boards. He wasn’t sure what or who GOD was, so he searched on it, and found it was the Grid Overwatch Division. He could live with that. A little anarchy was good.
He checked his chronometer. 1930. Even with the pounding headache, he changed into his party clothes and headed out the club.
He crawled into bed about 0230. Sleep came right away. Dreams came and faded away, except for one. He was at a party. Only this one was different, the clothes were old. Toga party type of old. The room was large and made of stone. Light was from oil lamps and doors? Not something, he could see. He found himself walking down a stone corridor. He ran his hands along the rough stone. Something was calling him. He could feel it in his chest. After walking what seemed to be forever, he came into a bedroom.
An old woman lay propped up on the bed. Old was an understatement. Her wrinkles had wrinkles. “I knew someone would come.”
“What can I do for you?” BC asked.
“Water.” Her voice was a whisper.
BC found a basin with a stone cup. He poured her a glass.
She spilled more than she drank, and handed him the cup back. “Are you here to take it?”
“Do you want me to take it?” He countered. “I’m not a thief here to take things that aren’t mine.”
“Have you done the rites?”
“I apologize but I haven't been taught the proper rites, perhaps you can teach me.”
She gestured towards the side of the room. Suddenly a table appeared in a pool of light. DC moved to the table and started studying the scroll. The lines of text. A test of Might – prove yourself worthy in battle. A test of Wits – prove your skill. Purification Rite – you must bath in the ‘blood of the lion’. Three tests.
He woke with an overwhelming urge to pee. Grabbing his commlink he did a voice memo with as many details as he could remember.
Am I Late?
Research
DB opened the car door for Miz Johnson. She got in and pulled out her haul, three cred sticks and the coin.
DB took the cred sticks and thumbed them. 20K on the sticks, he slotted 10K for himself and gave the rest to Miz Johnson. Pulling out a driving glove DB took the coin from her.
“What happened?” Miz Johnson asked.
“We kicked ass. It went pretty smooth.”
She turned towards him. “Dude, you're bleeding. I don't think that was smooth.”
DB smiled. “Magic has it's cost and no one died. I consider that smooth. Before you go, when did I contact you?”
Miz Johnson pulled up her texts on her commlink. “Looks like three hours ago.”
DB nodded. “Great. I’ll contact you if I have any more work.”
She got out of the car and walked away. DB barely noticed as he grabbed BC’s commlink. It was almost an exact match of the one he was wearing, but slightly more banged up. He checked the time. Three hours ago, BC texted her asking for a meet. Frag! What was going on?
DB punched in the address to his other place. The coin was warm even through the leather.
His commlink buzzed. Incoming call from Mrs. Latham.
“Hello Beautiful.”
She was not looking at him, but something off screen. "DB, darling, I'm sorry for the short notice. But the..." as she looks at you she stops. "You look horrible. Are you alright?"
"Magic ritual went bad, it looks worse than it actually is. A few hours of sleep and I'll perfectly fine.” DB said smoothly.
“Good.” She nodded. “Anyway, I have a black tie gala tomorrow night at the museum. Care to escort me?”
"It would be my pleasure, what time and where should we meet". DB asked.
"I'll have the car pick you up at 7."
"I will be well rested and ready." DB replied. "Hope you have a lovely day." He reached up and turned off his commlink.
He pulled an RFID blocking bag out of the glove compartment and shoved the coin and glove into it. He punched go and closed his eyes for the trip.
BC stepped out the car. He pulled the bag with him and stumbled into the house. A thumbprint later, and he was falling into bed.
DB took the cred sticks and thumbed them. 20K on the sticks, he slotted 10K for himself and gave the rest to Miz Johnson. Pulling out a driving glove DB took the coin from her.
“What happened?” Miz Johnson asked.
“We kicked ass. It went pretty smooth.”
She turned towards him. “Dude, you're bleeding. I don't think that was smooth.”
DB smiled. “Magic has it's cost and no one died. I consider that smooth. Before you go, when did I contact you?”
Miz Johnson pulled up her texts on her commlink. “Looks like three hours ago.”
DB nodded. “Great. I’ll contact you if I have any more work.”
She got out of the car and walked away. DB barely noticed as he grabbed BC’s commlink. It was almost an exact match of the one he was wearing, but slightly more banged up. He checked the time. Three hours ago, BC texted her asking for a meet. Frag! What was going on?
DB punched in the address to his other place. The coin was warm even through the leather.
His commlink buzzed. Incoming call from Mrs. Latham.
“Hello Beautiful.”
She was not looking at him, but something off screen. "DB, darling, I'm sorry for the short notice. But the..." as she looks at you she stops. "You look horrible. Are you alright?"
"Magic ritual went bad, it looks worse than it actually is. A few hours of sleep and I'll perfectly fine.” DB said smoothly.
“Good.” She nodded. “Anyway, I have a black tie gala tomorrow night at the museum. Care to escort me?”
"It would be my pleasure, what time and where should we meet". DB asked.
"I'll have the car pick you up at 7."
"I will be well rested and ready." DB replied. "Hope you have a lovely day." He reached up and turned off his commlink.
He pulled an RFID blocking bag out of the glove compartment and shoved the coin and glove into it. He punched go and closed his eyes for the trip.
BC stepped out the car. He pulled the bag with him and stumbled into the house. A thumbprint later, and he was falling into bed.
How it Went Down
Bunny is pointing at the wall, it's in here.
DB is opening the safe. (lock picking three successes)
Bunny looks beyond DB and hisses, "Stay out of this bitch."
DB opens the safe, when a female voice behind him says, "I wouldn't do that if I was you. I don't know what it promised you, but I can tell you how it will end. With a bullet to your head."
DB paused for a breath, and then grabs the coin. Bunny explodes. (Resist 12 Stun magic and willpower (takes 5 stun)) Where there was, Bunny was a copy of you.
"You shouldn't have done that."
DB turns invisible and runs from the house. Makes it back to the car.
DB woke up in the car before going into the store. Last thing he remember was a warrior woman dressed in blue and red, saying it was too early for him to be awake. She then motioned and he was here.
He goes astral again, and goes back to the house. He could tell what house he needed to go to before he got close. A bright ruddy red light glowed brightly. Next to the red is just as bright, is a blue/white woman. DB paused on the stairs, about half way up. He listened.
“You’re not going to get away this time.” DB recognized the voice from a podcast he had listened to a couple of days ago. Who was it? Gwen Anderson. A self-reported Gatekeeper.
Staying low, DB crept up closer. Gwen was standing in the doorway, pacing towards the middle of the room. “According to you, I can’t stop it. Wanna tell me what you’re planning on doing?”
Bunny just glared at Gwen.
Gwen turned and looked back to the doorway. “He might surprise you.”
Below, DB heard the front door open. “Frag!” He hugged the stairs. Seconds ticked by and nothing happened.
Backing down slowly, DB looked around the living room. A teenage girl stood at the open door. She looks around the room. She seemed to be moving slowly. Or maybe he was moving faster.
DB watched as she closed the door. A purple dragonfly, buzzed close to him, then went back to her and perched on her shoulder.
“Boss?” she said softly. “Why am I here? This is crazy.”
The dog who had been asleep on the couch starts barking his head off at the girl. She holds up her hands and grabs the dog. He growls and she shoves him into the closet.
“Well that isn’t nice.” DB said. Pain flared through his right hand as he remembered. Her name was Miz Johnson. He was supposed to be meeting her in three hours.
Her head snapped up at the sound of his voice. “Okay, this isn’t freaky at all.” She glanced at the wall and swore. The alarm was counting down.
She pulled out a box and held it next to the alarm. He could see white sparks jumping from the box to the alarm. A couple of moments later, the alarm shut itself off.
Miz Johnson looked around the room again. Still not seeing him.
“Nice toy, now what are you doing here?” DB asked while manifesting at the base of the stairs.
“Oh God.” Miz Johnson took a step back and bumped into the wall. “Yo…” She cleared her throat and tried again. “You told me to be here at 13:13 and not to be late.”
“I told you to be here?” DB questioned.
“Yea, pretty sure it was you.” She kept looking to her left. She opened a window and scroll appeared. Calligraphy writing said to be at 18228 Oak Drive. Pay 10,000 Nuyen. “Look, I don’t mean to pry, but I’m not sure what you want me to do.”
"Intriguing, I don't remember having sent that. Funny thing is that I'm not even supposed to be meeting you for another 3 hours. And you’re supposed to be proposing a job for me." DB sized her up. She was young, and appeared to be frightened out of her wits. However, she stayed. "Can you open a safe?”
“A safe? Depends on the model.”
DB sighed. “Follow me; let’s see if this meets your skill set.” He started up the stairs.
A bright light flowed down the stairs and washed out DB. A loud buzzing started burning his ears. Each step he took felt like pins were being driven into his skin. Looking over his shoulder, DB called back. “This can be interesting.”
Miz Johnson nodded her head, but followed him.
DB approached the doorway. The purple dragonfly is buzzing in his face. Waving hand up, he pushed the dragonfly away. It came back and tried to buzz his face again.
Frustrated, DB turned to Miz Johnson. “What is your buddy trying to tell me?”
Miz Johnson seemed to be dazed. “It doesn’t like it here. There is magic here, old magic.” He could see why he picked her. One foot in the future, one in the past.
“Behind that painting is a safe. I want you to open it.” DB ordered.
Miz Johnson nodded, and she entered the room. DB watched. When Miz Johnson stepped into the room. Gwen stopped talking. Bunny screamed, either in frustration or pain, DB wasn’t sure. She went to the wall, opened the hinged painting and stood at the safe. She held up the black box to the safe and a second later, the door popped open about two centimeters.
Miz Johnson starts turning, her dragonfly is buzzing at her.
DB casts a spell at Gwen, causing her to lose concentration. Sweat popped up on Gwen’s brow. Her posture went from rigid to relaxed. Gwen groans and the spear falls to the ground.
“"Hey, Miz J, we kinda need to get going. Gwen here is gonna be seriously pissed. And strangely really satisfied." DB yelled.
Miz Johnson, looked at Gwen, and then turned back to the safe. She grabbed everything she could. She starts to back out the room, down the stairs, and out the door.
DB stayed behind to keep an eye on Gwen. Bunny was still screaming the shrill high-pitched sound. When he heard the door, DB popped down to the front yard. Miz Johnson was running to a bike parked on the street. He appeared before her and told her to meet him at the Stuffer Shack.
Gwen comes pounding out of the house. She jumped the fence and reaches out to grab Miz Johnson.
DB appears before Gwen and says, “You must have really liked that. Do you want more?”
Gwen glares at him. She takes a deep breath to clear her head. She silently watched Miz Johnson pull away. “It’s not what you think it is.”
“Then perhaps we should meet somewhere and talk about this like rational adults.” DB offered.
“I don’t think there will be any reasoning with you after this point.” Gwen touched a control on arm, and the suit she wearing changed to a jogging outfit and she took off down street going the other direction.
DB followed Miz Johnson to the Stuffer Shack. He went back to his body. He sat up and groaned. His body hurt. Blood oozed from his nose. He was cleaning himself up when Miz Johnson knocked on his passenger window. Each blow was a spike to his head.
“That was pretty wiz.” She said while pulling out three cred sticks and your coin.
The buzzing grew louder while she held the coin out to him.
DB is opening the safe. (lock picking three successes)
Bunny looks beyond DB and hisses, "Stay out of this bitch."
DB opens the safe, when a female voice behind him says, "I wouldn't do that if I was you. I don't know what it promised you, but I can tell you how it will end. With a bullet to your head."
DB paused for a breath, and then grabs the coin. Bunny explodes. (Resist 12 Stun magic and willpower (takes 5 stun)) Where there was, Bunny was a copy of you.
"You shouldn't have done that."
DB turns invisible and runs from the house. Makes it back to the car.
DB woke up in the car before going into the store. Last thing he remember was a warrior woman dressed in blue and red, saying it was too early for him to be awake. She then motioned and he was here.
He goes astral again, and goes back to the house. He could tell what house he needed to go to before he got close. A bright ruddy red light glowed brightly. Next to the red is just as bright, is a blue/white woman. DB paused on the stairs, about half way up. He listened.
“You’re not going to get away this time.” DB recognized the voice from a podcast he had listened to a couple of days ago. Who was it? Gwen Anderson. A self-reported Gatekeeper.
Staying low, DB crept up closer. Gwen was standing in the doorway, pacing towards the middle of the room. “According to you, I can’t stop it. Wanna tell me what you’re planning on doing?”
Bunny just glared at Gwen.
Gwen turned and looked back to the doorway. “He might surprise you.”
Below, DB heard the front door open. “Frag!” He hugged the stairs. Seconds ticked by and nothing happened.
Backing down slowly, DB looked around the living room. A teenage girl stood at the open door. She looks around the room. She seemed to be moving slowly. Or maybe he was moving faster.
DB watched as she closed the door. A purple dragonfly, buzzed close to him, then went back to her and perched on her shoulder.
“Boss?” she said softly. “Why am I here? This is crazy.”
The dog who had been asleep on the couch starts barking his head off at the girl. She holds up her hands and grabs the dog. He growls and she shoves him into the closet.
“Well that isn’t nice.” DB said. Pain flared through his right hand as he remembered. Her name was Miz Johnson. He was supposed to be meeting her in three hours.
Her head snapped up at the sound of his voice. “Okay, this isn’t freaky at all.” She glanced at the wall and swore. The alarm was counting down.
She pulled out a box and held it next to the alarm. He could see white sparks jumping from the box to the alarm. A couple of moments later, the alarm shut itself off.
Miz Johnson looked around the room again. Still not seeing him.
“Nice toy, now what are you doing here?” DB asked while manifesting at the base of the stairs.
“Oh God.” Miz Johnson took a step back and bumped into the wall. “Yo…” She cleared her throat and tried again. “You told me to be here at 13:13 and not to be late.”
“I told you to be here?” DB questioned.
“Yea, pretty sure it was you.” She kept looking to her left. She opened a window and scroll appeared. Calligraphy writing said to be at 18228 Oak Drive. Pay 10,000 Nuyen. “Look, I don’t mean to pry, but I’m not sure what you want me to do.”
"Intriguing, I don't remember having sent that. Funny thing is that I'm not even supposed to be meeting you for another 3 hours. And you’re supposed to be proposing a job for me." DB sized her up. She was young, and appeared to be frightened out of her wits. However, she stayed. "Can you open a safe?”
“A safe? Depends on the model.”
DB sighed. “Follow me; let’s see if this meets your skill set.” He started up the stairs.
A bright light flowed down the stairs and washed out DB. A loud buzzing started burning his ears. Each step he took felt like pins were being driven into his skin. Looking over his shoulder, DB called back. “This can be interesting.”
Miz Johnson nodded her head, but followed him.
DB approached the doorway. The purple dragonfly is buzzing in his face. Waving hand up, he pushed the dragonfly away. It came back and tried to buzz his face again.
Frustrated, DB turned to Miz Johnson. “What is your buddy trying to tell me?”
Miz Johnson seemed to be dazed. “It doesn’t like it here. There is magic here, old magic.” He could see why he picked her. One foot in the future, one in the past.
“Behind that painting is a safe. I want you to open it.” DB ordered.
Miz Johnson nodded, and she entered the room. DB watched. When Miz Johnson stepped into the room. Gwen stopped talking. Bunny screamed, either in frustration or pain, DB wasn’t sure. She went to the wall, opened the hinged painting and stood at the safe. She held up the black box to the safe and a second later, the door popped open about two centimeters.
Miz Johnson starts turning, her dragonfly is buzzing at her.
DB casts a spell at Gwen, causing her to lose concentration. Sweat popped up on Gwen’s brow. Her posture went from rigid to relaxed. Gwen groans and the spear falls to the ground.
“"Hey, Miz J, we kinda need to get going. Gwen here is gonna be seriously pissed. And strangely really satisfied." DB yelled.
Miz Johnson, looked at Gwen, and then turned back to the safe. She grabbed everything she could. She starts to back out the room, down the stairs, and out the door.
DB stayed behind to keep an eye on Gwen. Bunny was still screaming the shrill high-pitched sound. When he heard the door, DB popped down to the front yard. Miz Johnson was running to a bike parked on the street. He appeared before her and told her to meet him at the Stuffer Shack.
Gwen comes pounding out of the house. She jumped the fence and reaches out to grab Miz Johnson.
DB appears before Gwen and says, “You must have really liked that. Do you want more?”
Gwen glares at him. She takes a deep breath to clear her head. She silently watched Miz Johnson pull away. “It’s not what you think it is.”
“Then perhaps we should meet somewhere and talk about this like rational adults.” DB offered.
“I don’t think there will be any reasoning with you after this point.” Gwen touched a control on arm, and the suit she wearing changed to a jogging outfit and she took off down street going the other direction.
DB followed Miz Johnson to the Stuffer Shack. He went back to his body. He sat up and groaned. His body hurt. Blood oozed from his nose. He was cleaning himself up when Miz Johnson knocked on his passenger window. Each blow was a spike to his head.
“That was pretty wiz.” She said while pulling out three cred sticks and your coin.
The buzzing grew louder while she held the coin out to him.
Heist
"Bunny, will you be able to travel with me and not be seen?" DB asked. “Will you be able to find the coin right away?”
Bunny nodded. She pointed to the left. “The coin is that way.”
DB sighed. “I mean, once in the house, will you be able to find it?”
She nodded again.
“Okay, let’s go.” DB walked out of the apartment, without looking to see if she followed.
The parking garage was mostly empty at this time of day. One of the benefits of working odd hours. DB punched in the address to Stuffer Shack about two blocks away his target into the navigation unit. He started the car, and then turned on the autopilot. Thanks to the GRID system, he was there 45 minutes later.
On the drive over, DB thought about what he’d look like at once he got to Renton. Taller, slightly pudgy, and graying temples. His face became slightly rounded and his eyes went from blue to brown.
Satisfied with his new look, DB put the car into manual drive and drove by his target. A long narrow house, the same as the others on the sides. A couple walked by, holding hands. Two houses down a woman was mowing her lawn using a push mower, instead of a drone. He drove over to the Stuffer Shack.
DB parked at the far end of lot. Closing his eyes, the worldview changed as he went astral. The people in the lot was a riot of colors with some dead spots.
DB ignored everyone and went back to the target house. He walked through the door with no problem. Inside was an empty house, complete with a dog sleeping on the couch. Very boring wageslave. Upstairs DB found Bunny in the office.
She pointed at the wall, “It’s in there.”
Wall safe. He could deal with that. A second later, DB was back at his body. Opening the door to the car, he went into the Stuffer Shack. Luckily, they had a small selection of doggy treats. Grabbing one at random, he went to the check out.
The cashier was a young woman with neon purple hair and a nose ring. She eyed the Doggy Snaps and smiled at him. “My dogs love those. What type of dog do you have?” she asked while reading the RFID tag.
“It’s a hellhound puppy named Delara.” DB used a certified cred stick to pay the four nuyen.
The clerk looked at him strangely, but wished him a good day as he left.
DB walked the two blocks to the gray house. He waved at the woman still mowing her lawn. He walked up to the door and pulled out his maglock passkey. It slid effortlessly through the lock. A small chirp and the light went green. DB opened the door and a small barking dog greeted him.
Bunny nodded. She pointed to the left. “The coin is that way.”
DB sighed. “I mean, once in the house, will you be able to find it?”
She nodded again.
“Okay, let’s go.” DB walked out of the apartment, without looking to see if she followed.
The parking garage was mostly empty at this time of day. One of the benefits of working odd hours. DB punched in the address to Stuffer Shack about two blocks away his target into the navigation unit. He started the car, and then turned on the autopilot. Thanks to the GRID system, he was there 45 minutes later.
On the drive over, DB thought about what he’d look like at once he got to Renton. Taller, slightly pudgy, and graying temples. His face became slightly rounded and his eyes went from blue to brown.
Satisfied with his new look, DB put the car into manual drive and drove by his target. A long narrow house, the same as the others on the sides. A couple walked by, holding hands. Two houses down a woman was mowing her lawn using a push mower, instead of a drone. He drove over to the Stuffer Shack.
DB parked at the far end of lot. Closing his eyes, the worldview changed as he went astral. The people in the lot was a riot of colors with some dead spots.
DB ignored everyone and went back to the target house. He walked through the door with no problem. Inside was an empty house, complete with a dog sleeping on the couch. Very boring wageslave. Upstairs DB found Bunny in the office.
She pointed at the wall, “It’s in there.”
Wall safe. He could deal with that. A second later, DB was back at his body. Opening the door to the car, he went into the Stuffer Shack. Luckily, they had a small selection of doggy treats. Grabbing one at random, he went to the check out.
The cashier was a young woman with neon purple hair and a nose ring. She eyed the Doggy Snaps and smiled at him. “My dogs love those. What type of dog do you have?” she asked while reading the RFID tag.
“It’s a hellhound puppy named Delara.” DB used a certified cred stick to pay the four nuyen.
The clerk looked at him strangely, but wished him a good day as he left.
DB walked the two blocks to the gray house. He waved at the woman still mowing her lawn. He walked up to the door and pulled out his maglock passkey. It slid effortlessly through the lock. A small chirp and the light went green. DB opened the door and a small barking dog greeted him.
Datafile
Two hours to kill. DB checked his messages. Miz Johnson. He hit play.
"Hoi, this is Miz Johnson. John told me to call you about some work. Give me a call back."
DB smiled. A paying gig is what he needed. He hit call back to start the process.
Miz Johnson answered after the second ring. They set up a meet for 1600 at a coffee shop that was local to both of them.
Four hours until the meet.
More research on the Janus Coin. Lots of pictures of two headed coins. He found a group on Magicnet, who called themselves the Gatekeepers. They claimed there was a magic coin out there that helped the holder remember things from the past and gave glimpses into the future. DB looked at Bunny thoughtfully.
An hour into his search, the comm unit dinged. Cypher sent a datafile on Kelan Rogers. DB started studying. 32 years old. Divorced. Lives in a house in Renton. Project manager for a construction company. Makes 48,000 Nuyen per year. Two speeding tickets. Totally boring. Chances are Bunny's stuff was at the house in Renton. A satellite view of the location showed a minor street with row houses. Maybe there was a roommate. He'd have to chance it.
"Hoi, this is Miz Johnson. John told me to call you about some work. Give me a call back."
DB smiled. A paying gig is what he needed. He hit call back to start the process.
Miz Johnson answered after the second ring. They set up a meet for 1600 at a coffee shop that was local to both of them.
Four hours until the meet.
More research on the Janus Coin. Lots of pictures of two headed coins. He found a group on Magicnet, who called themselves the Gatekeepers. They claimed there was a magic coin out there that helped the holder remember things from the past and gave glimpses into the future. DB looked at Bunny thoughtfully.
An hour into his search, the comm unit dinged. Cypher sent a datafile on Kelan Rogers. DB started studying. 32 years old. Divorced. Lives in a house in Renton. Project manager for a construction company. Makes 48,000 Nuyen per year. Two speeding tickets. Totally boring. Chances are Bunny's stuff was at the house in Renton. A satellite view of the location showed a minor street with row houses. Maybe there was a roommate. He'd have to chance it.
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