Tanuki "Op wasn't in Huangdi in a technical sense." Red Eyes took a sip from his beer. "A PanO melt rig got too close to the exclusion zone between Youxiong and the Arkhangelsk border. Prowler minefield did a number on the melt rig but there was still crew onboard and stranded. A rescue operation was then launched. With JSA throwaways for the extra deniability." Red Eyes was explaining Operation Weasel. An op Saito was very much apart of that consisted of a platoon of keisotsu butai with tokusetsu butai support. The high speed, low drag types Red Eyes referred to earlier would be him, another ninja, and three shikami. The rescue was successful along with the task of Saito and his team recovering the melt rigs survey data. It wasn't an entirely bloodless op though. A few security personnel and one technician had to be removed to get the survey data. Saito eyes told him that the mercs weren't carrying anything blatantly obvious on their persons. It was harder to tell if they had anything hidden though. Knowing the reputation of those from Ikari it's safe to assume they had something hidden on their person. Izing Lounge and Gallery Samira wrapped up her dinner and crossed back over the walk path to the Izing. Kenn and/or Mewcular could easily meet up with her and take in the exhibits or partake in some of the less than legal (in other parts of the Human Sphere) menu of drugs and alcohol. The after dinner crowds hadn't truly filtered into the gallery but the traffic was starting to increase steadily by the minute. The info Samira got from those at the Son & Sons Diner were on point. An eccentric mix of individuals were moving their way between the exhibits. Tweaks, a few Chimeras, more than a few Praxis scientists, and even an uplifted pig in a large custom biomorph that resembled a bipedal boar (with golden tusks). [For those that accessed the Izing menu they have quite the selection: Nitrocaine (Corebook), Toque-Farra Spines (Nomads), Mess (Nomads), Glavar Powder (Nomads), Bounce (PanOceania), Yangwater (Yu Jing), and a special one day only offering of Socar Nine-Packs (Tohaa).]
"Ah, yes. Thanks for jogging my memory," Saito gives a casual salute of the beer bottle in the direction of Red eyes before taking an actual swig of beer. "So, the question I'll just ask to dismiss the elephant in the room. Is this going to be a good reunion or a bad one for me?"
Tanuki A few of the mercs smirk. Red Eyes takes a pretty large gulp from his beer. "We didn't exactly come looking for a fight tonight." He looks Saito up and down. "You scared of something?" That you came out as omae. These mercs had no respect for Saito. The one with the cybernetic arm started to crowd Saito's space. "Scared of a few Ikari boys I bet. You sure this guy was spec ops?" "100%. Maybe he just doesn't want to hurt our feelings." Red Eyes responded. The rest of the mercs laughed.
Kenn waited patiently for either Mew to call back or for Samira to let him know she was moving towards the spot they'd meet. But he was getting to wonder what the rest of his group was doing? Since he hadn't heard back from him for a good while he was starting to worry. Edd: "You shouldn't need to call them again." His newly cemented Geist chimed in. Kenn: "Just make sure I'm on our secure communications." Edd: "Very well...patching you in now." Secure communications line: Kenn: "Hey team? Is everyone alright? You males and females have been quiet for a good while. Does anyone need medical attention or backup?" Secure communication line closed: Kenn: "Well I hope somebody heard that and answers back."
Samira stands looking at the menu oif the Izing Lounge and Gallery and trying to measure the customers, but most didnt seem out of the ordinary and probably not a place the young runaway would stay if she wanted to hide with all the different visitors and tourists. On the secure communication channel: As its going to be evening soon i want to move on to the contacts i got starting with Madame Clancy or does anyone have a better idea? Kenn if you want to join me, i am standing in front of the gallery. Or does anyone elde want to come, too? Sending a ping with my location, so Kenn can find me.
Kenn: "This is it Igor." The Tohaa said with some delight in his voice. "Somebody has invited us. The moment we have been waiting for..." Edd: "Excuse me sir, it is you. Not we, not us but you. That hulking thing can be barely considered a living soul judging from what I've seen. The mental pulse on it is barely viable. Just enough to understand and obey commands. Not knowing why it is doing anything it just does it..." Kenn: "That is not important right..." Edd: "No wonder you went loony & your social skills are subpar. The only language the creature, if it can be called that, understands is pheromones. I got my work cut out of me with..." Life was easier without a Geist. Kenn thought to himself. But all things had to grow with each and iron the kinks out as the Human saying went. Well at least you could mute the thing in your head. And it couldn't read your mind. Could it? He didn't remember anyone mentioning that possibility except for certain groups on Mayanet or Archane. That was not something he was concerned with. What he was concerned was following the concordances giving to him by his new Human companion slash teammate. Hopefully he would get to interact with the other female Mew at a future injunction. Kenn: "Already then...lets follow these directions and meet our..." Edd: "You have not listened to a single word I've said have you?" Kenn: "Not a clue." And he was off to the races with Igor shoving or bumping anything Human or otherwise that was in the Tohaa's path.
Saito carries on and chuckles with the rest of them. They wanted a fight and he was going not going to be the first one to throw down. Acting like children, the thing that annoys them the most is to wear the insults like armour. Finishing his laugh, Saito remarks. "Nah, you guys are the big, bad Ikari. I doubt i could do anything to you lot." Still in his leant position on the table he gives a controlled look of casual amusement, ignoring the obvious social insult to his honour. But it did sting a bit, knowing that he probably did slice up a few of this "Red eye's" friends during that mission. Which is why the ninja is positioned in such a way to quickly draw his sidearm if things get messy. "Anyway, what's up with you guys? On leave like me?" Saito sets down his beer and raises the glass of sake and savours the flavour as he drinks. Contentment on his face. "Funny", Saito muses to the antagonistic bunch. "First day on holiday and the first thing i do is go to a Japanese bar... On Bakunin of all places. Talk about something."
As Kenn uses Igor to plow his way among the crowed main street of the Neon Jungle a side shop catches his eye. Always the curious scientific type the symbols that spelled "Beauty & Biografts Boutique" in a Human language pulled his attention from continuing on his trek to meet up with Samira. Taking time to peek in and see what the Humans of Eddie's obtrusive home were interested in. Receiving the order to clear the way for a new path Igor abruptly turned on it's heel and began to bulldoze any being in it's path at a slow brisk walking pace. Some complained while some were awed starting to record Igor and chat on Arachne forums as to what this thing was. Igor took the crowd's focus off of Kenn as he walked close behind the Chaksa. Some people did notice him but Igor was clearly stealing the show again. Which was a good thing in Kenn's mind. As the duo walked in the boutique Kenn scanned the area and noticed how there were Humans in different state of transformation. Some were plain normal while other had ears or tails. Tweaks is what Eddie said they were called. Others fully looked like their animal of choice or weird combinations of creatures. Some still had the Human form but there were those who had legs that matched their new makeovers. Faces with pointed noses, paws instead of Human fingers. If it wasn't for Eddie's talk the Tohaa would be more surprised than what he already was. Boutique Saleswoman: "Good day sir..." A lady with smooth snake skin but otherwise normal Human features greeted him with a German accent. Boutique Saleswoman: "What can I help you with?" Kenn Ta'al: "I was wondering what are your most bought graphs?" Boutique Saleswoman: "Huh? Why are you asking that?" Kenn Ta'al: "Research purposes. Trying to see what this click of Bakunin culture likes to mod themselves like the most. Tweaks, Furs, what animals or combinations do they like the most?" Kenn made sure to add the terms that Eddie used to make him appear like he knew his way about the mothership and thus make people more likely to believe that he was part of the ship's background. Boutique Saleswoman: "Oh the curious type. Well we get many species of creatures chosen even the...weird ones." Kenn Ta'al: "What is weird to you?" This was Bakunin, Eddie told the Artichoke. A place were one person's weird was another's normal. So asking what do you consider weird instead of what is weird would be better at keeping up the perception of being a native. Or at the very least had lived on the ship for awhile. Boutique Saleswoman: "Bugs and the sort. Reptiles is one thing. As you can see it fits some people." She turns around showing off her exposed skin which was alot with the outfit she was wearing. Boutique Saleswoman: "But Insects have creepy aspect about them. Have you ever seen The Fly?" Kenn Ta'al: "Not recently." Did she mean an actual fly or perhaps a movie called that? Boutique Saleswoman: "Well just think of someone doing that to themselves. It is frightening just thinking about it." Kenn Ta'al: "Point taken. So what about something that everyone loves? Including yourself?" Boutique Saleswoman: "Oh that is easy, cats of course. Even wild ones are beloved but it is the domestic kind that is king or queen of the graft game." Kenn Ta'al: "The most common answer among the people I've asked." The reason for this conversion wasn't just to state Kenn's curiosity but also to practice his attempts of pheromone distribution to subtlety affect Humans. Make them more talkative or at ease. Plus it would help strengthen his damaged hair blossom through regular use. Boutique Saleswoman: "I should say so. After all as the old Bakunin saying goes, If it lacks make it a cat." Kenn stared at the biografted Human for a few seconds pondering the phrase that was just uttered to him. Kenn Ta'al: "One would think that with the health state of the furry critters on this ship people would have an aversion to them." Boutique Saleswoman: "Perhaps that is part of the charm of a cat. Beautiful & cuddly while deadly at the same time. That duality of cuteness and danger wrapped into one package." Yep the people on this ship where crazy. Kenn Ta'al: "Well while I'd love to stay and look around I do have an appointment to keep with someone else." Boutique Saleswoman: "Oh...Perhaps you can drop back in sometime? I'd love to show you around and answer your questions." Kenn Ta'al: "Perhaps so. I'll be sure you call on you Miss...?" Boutique Saleswoman: "Mylinda. It means beautiful serpent." Kenn Ta'al: "Appropriately named." Mylinda: "Oh thank you. You're sweet." The Germanic woman beamed at his compliment. Mylinda: "Before you go what did you do to get that look? What animals or hybrids did you order?" Kenn Ta'al: "I couldn't tell you Linda. I'm not sure of the combination myself. Been a long time since I made myself look like this." Most Humans haven't seen a Tohaa before. Eddie's words came up once again. Therefore by Ed's statement Kenn would try to see how long he could make other think he was a bio-modded Human instead of an alien. Mylinda: "Oh ok. I was just wondering. I've never seen someone like you before. Can I take a picture of you? I love to view people's biograft work and yours is so unique." Kenn Ta'al: "I don't know..." Mylinda: "Oh please hold still this will only...done!" Kenn Ta'al: "Done?" Mylinda: "Yes. Thank you sir I...Oh...I don't know your name sir." Kenn Ta'al: "Its Kennedy. Just Kennedy." It was best to be polite to keep the peace. Mylinda: "Ok Ken. Here is my number. Call me! Bye!" And with that the smooth scaled skinned female walked away to take care of another customer. Leaving the Tohaa shocked at her actions. Edd: "Well now...it seems you acquired a female Human's number. From Human customs & traditions it means she is interested in you possibly for mating relationship." Kenn Ta'al: "Mate?!" The Tohaa mental spoke out as Igor lead the way out of the boutique. Kenn Ta'al: "Why would she...think I'm Human." The Artichoke mentally slapped himself. Of course that is what he wanted the stranger Humans to think he was. Edd: "And thus she finds you a unique specimen..." Kenn Ta'al: "Igor make the way clear. We wasted enough time. Edd, find Sammy's location." The Tohaa uttered over over a secure connection. Edd: "It can't understand you. At least not well enough." Kenn Ta'al: "I don't care. Humans have their quirks & I have mine! At least I don't reconstruct my form to the extreme like a number of people here."
Tanuki The laughs and smirks quickly disappeared as Saito used the Ikari insults against them. "Yeah, here for some R&R." Red Eyes answered Saito. "Not at all that surprising that you chose this place first. We're creatures of habit and comfort. We stick to what we like and know." "We just like a good time!" One of the Ikari shouted and drew some attention for the other patrons. Out of the corner of Saito's eye he caught movement. It was the well dressed man he made eye contact with making his way to the exit. A message came to Saito's comlog. There was no name and no way to respond. Message: Ditch the ronin. Izing Lounge and Gallery Igor and Kenn caught up with Samira. The Haqqislamite was people watching from a comfy bench in the gallery while enjoying a glass of wine. "Kenn, and the ever lovely Igor, welcome to my realm." She motioned to the groups of people sprinkled about in the gallery. "People with too much time on their hands, too much money in their accounts, and just enough skills in the social arts to pass by as functioning members of society." Samira held back a laugh at that last remark. "Anything on the menu catch your fancy? Those Socar nine-packs are of Tohaa making are they not?" Samira shifted the conversation away from herself and over to the Tohaa.
"Were they really?" Kenn wondered to himself. He doubted as much since Eddie mentioned that Tohaa were practically unknown to Humanity at large. Then again there was the chance that this was real Tohaa cuisine. Even made by a Tohaa themselves. However Kenn decided it make be best to order something Human but he was still afraid of what the crazy people of this mothership as they called it actually ate. What might be perfectly safe in a place like PanOceania could turn out to be deadly as some chef would "spice" a "boring" dish up with a strange ingredient. Kenn Ta'al: "I don't know if these are the real thing. I'll look over the menu and might try something Human."
Samira: "You dont need to b shy. They wont poison gueats, it would be bad publicity." Samira chuckles. "As you are the only one following my invitation lets go to the establishment we got recommended. I think ths Madame Clancy could be a good source of information, if not about our target, at least more about the options runaways on this ship may have." Leading Kenn through the amusement part in the direction Madame Clancys establishment they walked through through the crowd of tourists and residents. Flashy lights advertising anything, gambling, drinking through and more enjoment. On a corner grill Samira buys 2 grilled Iguanas. Samira (handing one portion of the street food to Kenn): "Here my treat. They are speciallity on some Caravanseries."
Kenn was familiar with the Iguana being a TAG than the actual creature it was named after. Still he took the grilled lizard and decided it was worth trying a small bit to see if it agreed with his digestive system. As for that idea Kenn was weary to say the least. Still if Sam felt that this female, from what the name sounded like, knew something that could help the team then they'd have to take a chance. However, there was the off chance this lady might have been responsible in sending this girl to God knows where, as the human saying went. Perhaps an occupation or area that no person would want to be in. Igor was being kept on watch for anything and Kenn's impulse was ready to trigger a pheromone that would send the Chaksa on a melee rampage if things got out of hand. Madame Clancy was an unknown variable and in Kenn's line of work that was never a welcomed one. Unknown variables greatened the possibility of mishaps & destructive accidents. The scientist/engineer understood that well from personal experience.
"Beyond true," Saito replies after a brief pause. Taking a generous gulp of his beer this time Saito responds with, "hmmm. A good time. I heard Madame Sonja's is a great place to have a good time if you know what i mean." Saito winks at the Ikari soldiers. "Apparently tame by Bakunin standards but perfect for those who don't want to dip their feet too far into the kind of 'fun' you can have in Sunset boulevard." Saito's geist waves through payment for the check as he downs the last of his beer and sake. "Excuse me gentlemen, it was a pleasure to meet you all but i must be off. But as my parting gift the next round's on me." With that, Saito stands up and makes his way to leave as shadow pays for another round of beers to be sent out as Saito tells the waiter coming around from the bar of his choice. With that, Saito turns and bows to the soldiers despite their protects and jibes.
Tanuki The mercs tried to get a word in edge wise but Saito was already up and gone before anyone could of done anything. However, a few mercs weren't done with him. The one with the bionic arm and two others followed Saito. Saito caught the well dressed man making a turn down a small access corridor next to the bar. Saito turned the same corner and the man was gone. No where to really hide and the only thing of note in the corridor was the physical and AR graffiti. "Hey, we weren't done with you, spec ops." The voice of the man with the bionic arm growled. "Gonna see if Hinata was full of shit or not." One of the Ikari produced a knife. He didn't even make it a step before a necktie materialized from somewhere and wrapped around his neck. The Ikari was lifted off his feet and flailed about helplessly. The other two mercs stood there stunned before bionic arm produced a pistol. "Ah, ah, unless you want me to break his neck I suggest you drop your weapons, kick them over to my friend, and then leave." The well dressed man said with the Ikari in his grasp slowly losing consciousness. The other two waffled on their choice until they gave in. A knife, pistol, and a slammer (a cheap but devious one-use melee weapon that is jammed into a target then fires one round into them then degrades into forensically indistinctive materials) ended up at Saito's feet and the Ikari in the grasp of the very much not a business man was unceremoniously dropped to the ground. He was barely conscious. [Saito gains: 1x Knife, 1x Pistol, 1x Slammer (Nomads pg 74/78)] "He'll have a hell of a headache and that's letting him off easy." The man said as he quickly and expertly put his tie back on as he proceeded down the access corridor. The two standing Ikari picked up their compatriot off the floor. As he passed by Saito. "Walk with me." Lost Souls Kenn and Samira pressed through the crowds of Sunset Boulevard. As they did the main event began and many stopped what they were doing and looked up. The dome of Sunset Boulevard started to melt in a series of colors starting at its apex. Blazing oranges leached and mixed with red and yellow haze. Drops of violet and blue watercolors like for a paint brush sprinkled or exploded in varying sizes across the dome. Shafts of iridescent light dance across the neomaterial chrome of the boulevard. Then colors then blended and then sat together for a moment in time before the shafts of light receded, the colors faded, and the dome dimmed. The neon colors and lighting from the buildings below took over. It was 20:00 hours or night time on Bakunin. After the spectacle was over the two made their way to one of the many gaping holes dotting the edge of the boulevard and entered into one of VaudeVille's tendrils. Lost Souls was a place that one could easily miss on Deck 37. While it was one of the many dens of vice that littered VaudeVille it sure wasn't advertising itself as so back in its old life. No gaudy or graphic AR ads or even a splash of color. Today there was a few AR ads and messages but they all had to do with support for runaways and meeting times. The place was still a black box with a red lit sign. She didn't even have to change the name. Lost Souls worked for the buildings purpose in its old life and now worked in its new life. Inside it kept some of its trappings but the place would look pretty much unrecognizable to the old clientele. Samira and Kenn stood in the foyer. There were others around. Lots of young faces talking with one another at the many seats and tables. There were what looked like staff members of maybe even social service workers talking to some of them. The two of them kind of stood out. Easy enough for Madame Clancy herself to find. The madame was a sight. Her Siren Lhost was sculpted for looks and attracting attention and stares. Even under the modest clothes she had on right now the Lhost still screamed to be looked at. "How can I help you?" Clancy asked. [If anyone that wants more info on Madame Clancy it's easy to find: Clancy is a small time legend on Bakunin. Her story starts on Earth before Bakunin was ever a thing. When Bakunin came about she was one of the original members of the mothership after the issuing of the 1st Radical Bakunin Manifesto. Yes, she's old, 102 to be exact. She has seen and survived the violent intermission and phantom conflict. Her legacy mainly lies in her ideas. Her thoughts on sex work have been discussed and argued for decades. She even reached the legendary SER rank of 5.]
Straight to business: Samira: "Thank you for greeting us personly, Madame. It may save us some time. Me and my colleague have been hired by worried parents to find their missing daughter As your establishment has quite the reputation to help runaways and lost souls we hoped you may have some Information. We are looking for Loren Dixon a wealthy daughter that arrived here and vanished leaving her parents worried." Samir shares some pictures of Loren with Madame Clancy.
Picking up the weapons and concealing them on his person, Saito bows and thanks the man before stepping into line next to him. Knowing that he was probably already surrounded and had eyes trained on him as well as just assuming that his comlog has been compromised, Saito didn't even bother trying to send any notices or warnings to the team. He was on his own and he knew it. Instead he studied the man, and made a mental note to trace the path, taking landmarks and scenery... Well, what could pass as such on a spaceship. He did however pre record a message to be sent over the tacnet should events turn south. A message that contained info plus his general whereabouts. Glancing again at his companion, he also figured he would ask about Lauren as well, if he got time with whatever was about to happen. He figured Japanese loyalists were what he would find at the end of this rabbit hole and hopefully a clue to his mysterious benefactor of weaponry.
Kenn didn't know what to do in this situation. He didn't like this madame & what bits of info his geist Edd scraped off Archane made him even more weary of her. If he had to compare her to something from his old Tohaa culture it would be a diplomat delegate. He never was comfortable around them as they seemed to always be hiding something beneath their smiles. And Madame Clancy was giving off similar vibes that had Kenn on edge even more now. At least he had Igor keeping an eye out for anything but that didn't little to calm his nerves. Thankfully Tohaa were better at hiding their feelings than Humans though there was always a breaking point for the Artichokes as well. Kenn just wanted to leave this place, find the girl and maybe keep her away from her parents depending on her reasoning. He could understand wanting to flee from people that were intent on having you be a certain way. Their ideal for what you should be. Granted sometimes these controlling measures were for good reasons but in the Dixon's case they rubbed him the wrong way like how the Madame and this mothership was doing.
Deck 34 Saito and the man, who had now revealed his name to be Gota, just walked. He didn't seem to have a place he was taking Saito. They just wandered the crowded corridors of deck 34 passing by stores, sleeping quarters, and the entrances of the Breton, Ryecatcher, and many other modules. "You always this quiet?" Gota asked. "You didn't have a problem talking it up with the mercs." Gota stopped to admire a collection of cacti. They didn't seem to belong to anyone but they were being well taken care of. "Summer grass, and soldiers both, are dreams long passed." Gota said. "From the shadows, a truth, delivered by the devil." The first saying was a common one inscribed on stones in Japanese gardens. The second one was not. That saying was reserved for a very different garden. One not tended to by any ordinary gardener... Lost Souls "Well I can tell you that she has not crossed my path." Clancy went over the pictures and any other info of Loren that Samira shared. She also shared it among her staff and some of the runaways that were under her care. "Do you know how she came to Bakunin? By herself or did she have any help? You say she comes from wealth. That's a rare thing for a runaway to have." A girl, probably 15 years old, came up to Clancy and tugged on her shirt. She was doing her best to avoid eye contact with Igor. Not like the Chaksa sought out eye contact but none the less his presence seemed to scare her. She did not communicate verbally with Clancy. It seemed she only communicated by message from her comlog. "Amanda here has seen Loren. She was with an urchin gang." Clancy sent a message to Amanda who responded. "Oh, Valentine's little gang, how surprising." The madame sighed. "Valentine Dolles, used to be one of mine, well until she had other ideas and decided that unfettered freedom was more important. Took some other runaways with her. They call themselves the Heartache gang."
Adressed at Madame Clancy: Wealth can be his own sort of prison, where people try to escape. But she had enough access to family founds to buy the help she needed to escape if nothing else. But that name, Heartache, may i assume its a gang full of girls?" Samira looks at Amanda with a smile: "Thank you Amanda, you helped us alot. Can we do something for you? Dont mind Mr. Angry Face here +points with a finger at the chaksa* He may look like he got hit by a space shuttle but he wont do anything." Looking at Kenn: "Am i right Kenn?"
Kenn "Not unless I'm threatened in any conceivable way." Making sure to stress the "any conceivable" part of his reply.
