Guns for Hire - Script Sixty Two

Moccasin, 3.32pm 12/11/17

As Hercaclio drove through Moccasin on route back to the ranch Alex announced she wanted to run into Mariposa before heading back to the ranch, shrugging Hercaclio pulled the truck to the side of the road & put a call through to Elodia who was a mile or two back in the repaired RV having dropped the hired hands off at San Diego IA to let her know she'd be back at the ranch before them.

Mariposa, 1.03pm 14/11/17

Over the day & a half since getting back from Palawan Alex, Skinpin, T-Bird & Vrasten put there domestics back in order, all four moved money into & from their various private & pseudonym accounts & T-Bird dropped in to Bryant & Starchman to draw up a will, unbeknown to Hercaclio or Elodia, so as to leave all his worldly possessions to the Ortega girls.

Despite T-Bird's ongoing calls for retribution for non payment of fee's they'd still made more money than ever before & with the meeting they'd arranged with Saleh Asef Kazmi on arrival back at Burfield who knew what would happen, they might even end up with the full contract value, Alex mused that Walter Deutch, the ranches accountant was most definitely going to have his work cut out creating bogus benefactor's & income for the ranches newly acquired riches, not that Vrasten & T-Bird weren't doing there best to spend it as quickly as they could.

Vrasten had spent a couple of hours visiting Mariposa's car dealers, eventually he'd spent big, big bucks, at Laura Lee's Auto Sales Mormon Avenue, far more as it happens than he'd actually intended, & acquired a brand new four door Ford Madison with fully changeable paramagnetic paint job & a top of the range anti-tamper interactive security system, in fact the sales dude reckoned the onboard personalised computer was about as close to AI you could get on the open market.

Not to be outdone & maybe in his lust for Alex T-Bird spent a couple of hours trawling the various used car lots looking for a half decent second hand campervan, eventually he found one he liked & paid up front for a six birth unit that had just come in on a part exchange, the sales dude agreed to have it delivered all spic & span in a couple of days to the ranch.

As well the new line in vehicles all spent some considerable time picking out a new wardrobe both for their upcoming meeting with Saleh & because they all liked looking pretty.

Skinpin had raised the subject of Mariusz, there'd been a letter from him & Kissy when they got back to the ranch, not begging Skinpin emphasised but it was clear they were in a bit of a mess, surprisingly Alex wasn't hesitant to act however Vrasten simply transferred $100K over to the already sizable sum Skinpin was transferring to Mariusz's account in Moosejaw, feeling slightly abashed T-Bird dropped $10K into the pot.

Larry Bryant had also dropped them a note saying that the papers were all completed for the transfer of the land title held by Helen on the ranch to Alex, Skinpin & Mariusz, with this all sorted the money was wired to Helen & the amended deeds returned to the bank for safe keeping.

Whilst they were in the mood for putting their house in order Alex stashed what armaments they hadn't ditched from their holiday in Palawan & ran a stock check on what was in the makeshift armoury, she also proudly displayed her legitimately issued California domestic rotor license that had arrived whilst they were out of the country.

Vrasten had made sure that the outstanding & retrospective back pay & pension he was owed by the NCPD had been paid into his account, the sight of its single line entry on his statement vindicated for Vrasten the long standing grudge he'd born his former employers, for a short while everything felt good with the world.

Finally Vrasten had run a couple of searches on the Internet to investigate Tabilla Lim & Dacudau Mitra, the two Palawan nationals they been introduced to when the met Saleh Asef Kazmi for the first time back in July at the Mariott Hotel, eventually he'd located them both & confirmed that as far as he could see the names given were genuine, what he couldn't find however was any link between them or anything specifically that tied them to the cause of Iska Diwata Lakan, Palawan's opposition leader in exile.

With domestic arrangements completed they headed for Night City.

The Strip, Mariott Hotel, Pacifica Central 5.37pm 14/11/17

After an uneventful drive to NC, well, except for Vrasten occasionally finding that his new AI controlled wheels had taken over control of the vehicle from him, Vrasten, ably assisted by the Madison's neural connectivity, parked the saloon in the Mariott's underground parking lot & made his way with T-Bird & Alex to the hotels reception. Having visited previously they were all aware of the hotels security protocols & views on firearms, unsurprisingly as Alex passed through the security scanners the machine pistol in her purse triggered the anticipated reaction from the security guards & she was kindly asked to declare her purses contents, smiling she offered up her weapon & in return was given a security tag allowing her to collect the weapon when she later departed the hotel, T-Bird knowing this would be the case simply didn't bother with any weaponry, Vrasten on the other hand managed to slip his snub pistol through the scanners detectors concealed in his sub-dermal pocket, this was largely helped by the considerable internal cyberware he was cursed with which helped masked the flesh shrouded pocket.

Once inside the hotel & with time to kill they ordered drinks & took a table in the hotels principle bar where they could keep an eye on the coming & goings of the hotels lobby.

The Strip, Mariott Hotel, Pacifica Central 6.54pm 14/11/17

Just before 7.00pm all three approached the hotel's reception to ascertain Saleh's room number, slightly confused by what Alex was asking & disturbed by T-Bird's leering attention it took the front desk clerk a minute or so to retrieve the information requested, Alex declined her offer to put a call through to room Saleh's sixth floor apartment suggesting they were a little early so they'd finish thier drinks before disturbing Mr Kazmi.

The Strip, Mariott Hotel, Pacifica Central 7.19pm 14/11/17

As the half hour neared Vrasten & Alex headed for the stairs whilst T-Bird remained as back up in the lobby.

As Alex &Vrasten reached the sixth floor T-Bird reported that there was some interference on the comm's, probably all the bloody concrete & steel as well as the hotels own secure systems.

Reaching the sixth floor both made a note of the ever present camera's that littered the hotels public areas, Alex didn't really have a problem with this but it did make Vrasten cringe slightly as he recalled his first visit to the Mariott & the origin of Mariusz's oft repeated phrase 'No witnesses'

Six floors below T-Bird reported nothing of interest.

Casually walking along the corridor Alex & Vrasten smiled politely to several hotel patrons presumably heading for the lifts & a night on the town or maybe a quiet meal in one of the hotels excellent restaurants.

As they neared room 641 both stopped in their tracks, the door to Saleh Asef Kazmi's room was ever so slightly ajar.

Going no further Vrasten again employed his cyber enhanced hearing abilities along the length of corridor to either side of room 641, other than the sounds of sex & TV nothing was amiss.

Alerting T-Bird that there maybe an issue T-Bird returned to the front desk & asked the receptionist to buzz Mr Kazmi's room to let him know his guests were on the way up, eager to terminate her conversation with T-Bird she quickly made the call but advised that nobody was picking up.

Stood in the corridor outside of the room both Alex & Vrasten could hear the phone ringing, knocking gently on the door Vrasten called out a greeting, nobody answered.

Realising that they were being recorded on the hotels CCTV neither wanted to simply walk into the room to be accused of doing something they weren't, besides they both were suspicious that Saleh had set them up & fuck knows what he might have left for them behind the unlocked door.

For a moment Alex & Vrasten debated whether to just walk away however curiosity & $25,000,000 were just to big a temptation, Alex dialed the hotel main telephone number & asked to speak to security.

A couple of minutes later two uniformed & taser equipped goons stepped out of the lift & paced towards them. Quickly Alex & Vrasten play acted as concerned potential business associates of Mr Kazmi explaining they were here for a 7.30pm meeting but on arrival they could see the door was open, nobody was answering their knock & the hotel receptionist was telling them that nobody was answering the phone. Whilst all this was explained Alex ensured her best assets were causing a distraction whilst Vrasten started waving about his Californian bounty hunter permit suggesting they were actually going to interview Mr Kazmi in connection with an investigation, between Vrasten's bullshit & Alex's cleavage the security guards weren't quite sure which way to turn.

Clearly trying to reestablish control, Officer Lucero, as his hotel photo ID card announced him to be, asked Alex & Vrasten to stand aside & prepared to enter the room, wincing slightly in expectation of the opening door triggering a detonation Alex & Vrasten dually obliged, when officer Lucero pushed the door open & nothing happened they were almost disappointed. As Lucero entered the room his colleague, Officer Villanueva found himself trying to control both Alex & Vrasten who were purposely keeping him off guard, from inside the room Lucero nervously suggested Villanueva better call the night manager immediately & maybe the hotels resident trauma team although he wasn't sure what the latter could do, hearing this Vrasten announced he had a medical background & pushed his way past Villanueva as he called for back up, Alex immediately followed him rendering the hotels security guard impotently protesting.

In the lobby T-Bird continued to listen to Alex & Vrasten's updates, moments later he confirmed that what he assumed was the night manager was entering the lift accompanied by a couple of other uniformed goons.

The Strip, Mariott Hotel, Pacifica Central 7.39pm 14/11/17

Entering Saleh's room Vrasten & then Alex could see the back of Saleh's head poking above the back of an expensive but comfy looking wing back chair, across the room the wall mounted flat screen TV continued to quietly broadcast a repeat of classic 1966 Gilligans Island, Season 2, Episode 27 - Ghost a Go-Go.

As Vrasten went through the motions of checking for vital signs, of which there were clearly none, Alex deftly palmed the envelope that was balanced on saleh's knees as it slid to the floor using Vrasten's pandering as cover, wary of leaving any finger prints Alex made sure she kept her evening gloves on, efficiently she folded the envelope & slipped it inside her jacket.

Vrasten knelt in front of Saleh's sitting corpse, he hadn't exactly been lying when he said he had some medical experience, he was actually an exceptionally well trained first aider from his days on the force & over the years he'd dealt with more than just a few crime scenes. That Saleh was dead was plain to see but what didn't make sense was he was still clammy, warm even, but his body was rigid as if rigor mortis was well established, from his mouth copious saliva still dribbled onto his expensive shirt however it looked as if somebody had wiped him down before departing, just below Saleh's right ear Vrasten noted a dried pinprick of blood, from the marks on his wrists it looked as if they had been restrained although there know, as Vrasten stood to pronounce that Mr Kazmi was most definitely dead the hotels night manager entered the scene.

The Strip, Mariott Hotel, Pacifica Central 7.44pm 14/11/17

When the night manager, Kristof Ackermann according to his tag, entered the apartment he immediately took control & sympathetically asked Vrasten & Alex to wait in the corridor whilst he spoke with his staff regarding what had occurred promising he wouldn't keep them more than a few minutes of their valuable time.

Affecting a understanding countenance both nodded wisely & moved back in to the corridor pleased that hotel security guard Lucero didn't seem to have noticed the missing envelope.

Whilst Ackermann made whatever arrangements he needed to Vrasten updated T-Bird on what was going down as well as Alex on what he'd spotted on Saleh's neck.

A few minutes later Ackermann emerged instructing the two additional goons who'd accompanied him in the lift to make sure nobody entered the room without his express permission until the hotel doctor & NCPD had attended.

Feigning shock at hearing this Alex hesitantly asked if that meant that Mr Kazmi's demise wasn't natural causes, slightly pompously Ackermann suggested this was a matter for him to discuss with the police. Briefly he confirmed the storey Alex & Vrasten had told regarding their attendance at the hotel before asking them to take a seat on reception & accept his apologise for any inconvenience caused & should they require anything from the bar they advise the staff that he had instructed it should be charged to the hotel, thanking him for this they headed for the lobby.

In the lift Alex resisted the urge to open the envelope conscious of the camera above them, she did however tell Vrasten that she'd had a quick peek through the open bedroom, bathroom & kitchenette doors of Saleh's room & all looked neat & tidy with nothing untoward therein.

The Strip, Mariott Hotel, Pacifica Central 8.01pm 14/11/17

Stepping out of the lift they crossed the lobby & joined T-Bird at the table he'd commandeered so as he could see as much of the hotels main checking in area & main doors, carefully Alex slipped the envelope to T-Bird under the table using the bustling Vrasten as cover, Vrasten in turn, hesitantly, handed T-Bird the keycard to his new wheels suggesting he secret the envelope as soon as possible. When T-Bird departed they ordered 'on the house' drinks as offered by Ackermann & waited for him to appear.

The Strip, Mariott Hotel, Pacifica Central 8.01pm 14/11/17

Down in the parking lot T-Bird fingered the keycard to Vrasten's new pride & joy sorely tempted to take it for a spin, fifteen minutes later after nervously negotiating his way through the anti-tamper system & having convinced the vehicles AI unit that he had permission to touch the car without fear of being terminated he simply pushed the envelope under the drivers seat & carefully closed the drivers side door. As he walked away towards the public elevator he mussed how long it would be before the car assassinated Vrasten.

The Strip, Mariott Hotel, Pacifica Central 8.28pm 14/11/17

By the time T-Bird got back to the hotel lobby Kristof Ackermann accompanied by a NCPD detective had already been & gone, the NC officer had taken contact details & confirmed their earlier statement to the hotel staff as well as making a note of their NC issued fugitive enforcement ID cards & Vrasten's former employment within the NCPD. The officer, Lieutenant David P. Cooley, promised he'd be in contact if he needed any further information but suggested should the hotels cameras confirm their storey then he saw no reason to pester them further.

With all the excitement over they decided to head over to the Hope for a few beers.

Forlorn Hope, Night City 9.02pm 14/11/17

Feeling somewhat overdressed for the Hope they sat at a free table in one of the side booths, several familiar faces grinned appreciatively at them & in particular Alex's posh frock, several unknown faces simply looked confused as to why somebody so clearly out of place would be here.

Sipping a cold beer Vrasten cringed as he listened to various comments as from those entering the bar querying the sparkly wankmobile parked outside.

With nothing to stop them they finally opened the envelope.

Inside was a single unmarked prepaid credit card, Vrasten slipped it into his palm reader & showed the screen to the others, it read $5,000,000,

"Well" suggested T-Bird, "it's a start"

For the remainder of the evening the three debated what the fuck was going on, eventually they half agreed that Saleh's murder was a warning to them not to come looking for the balance of payment & a no compromise punishment for Saleh concerning his failure to tell his patrons when the removal of Kuratong Balelang was going to take place, they were undecided however just what to do since they'd been given $5,000,000 presumably as full & final settlement.

After a couple more beers & small talk with a couple of known faces & having left a message for one of the FH's regular netrunners to give them a call they called it a night & allowed Vrasten to drive them back to his West Beach apartment happy to head back to Mariposa the following morning.

The Apartment, West Beach, Night City 8.14am - 14/11/17

Over coffee the following morning T-Bird watched a fifteen second report concerning the apparent murder of a Jordanian business man in the Mariott Hotel the previous evening.

Uzzit Farm (AKA Wildgoose Sanctuary) Mariposa 2.17pm 15/11/17

Pulling off the Forty-nine & then W Whitlock Road & on to the dirt track leading to the ranch all three stopped talking when they spied the nondescript Black four door sedan parked in front of the house, drawing up along side it the drivers door was wide open & the key was still in the ignition, apprehensively & fingers itching they made there way to the open kitchen door.

Inside the kitchen was a scene of domestic bliss, Elodia, assisted by the girls, was busy rustling up a near feast of spicy empanadas, on the radio Skynyrd's 'One Day at a Time' quietly played.

Sat at the table was a white guy in a cheap suit smiling as Letica poured him a fresh cup of coffee,

"Alex, T-Bird, Vrasten, hell, good to see again, Jeez you guys were so right about Elodia's cooking, it really is to die for"

From across the kitchen Elodia clucked like a mother hen as compliment after compliment was thrown one after another.

"Hell, I don't need to tell you guys do I, you get this every day of the week, it's no wonder your hips are starting strain Alex"

Alex, self consciously adjusting her jacket, Vrasten & T-Bird to stare wondering just who the fuck this shithead was.

Uzzit Farm (AKA Wildgoose Sanctuary) Mariposa 2.19pm 15/11/17

Still smiling the stranger hooked a chair away from the table with his foot gesturing for them to sit down,

"Say Paloma honey, do you think you could fetch three more cups so as I can share a coffee with my friends"

Eagerly the younger of the two Ortega girls giggled & obliged.

T-Bird suppressed his anger, who the fuck was this to waltz in here, his home, & talk to the girls like he was their favourite uncle, little fucker.

Before any of the three could voice any objections to this the stranger suggested they maybe take their coffees outside & enjoy the winter afternoon sun.

Uzzit Farm (AKA Wildgoose Sanctuary) Mariposa 2.24pm 15/11/17

Outside the suit held up his hands in mock supplication,

"OK Miss Price, fella's, just figured it was easier for all if I spun a tale or two to make everybody feel just a bit more at home so to speak, my name is Lynch & you gentlemen, Miss Price, are attracting attention in all sorts of interesting places"

Handing Vrasten a buff coloured envelope & gesturing he should open it he continued to talk reminding them of various nefarious activities that in some circles would undoubtedly incur a long stay in a small cell.

Inside the envelope were a half dozen or so images & captured CCTV images, even a copy of the photograph of T-Bird posing with Kuratong Balelang in Palawan,

"Nice photo that Mr Ryder, tasteless, but nice none the less"

For the following half hour or so Lynch talked, almost lectured, about the principles of democracy, the need for world certain powers to police the lawlessness that if left unchecked could topple the world into chaos & the necessity for people to pay their taxes.

"By the way I hope yesterday's events weren't to vexatious but whilst in principle the United States of America whole heartily approved of the removal of such despots as Mr Balelang it equally could not allow foreign nationals to abuse the freedom granted to them, by the way I assume you did manage to collect envelope that was left behind at the hotel"

Alex's knuckles flexed as the blades within pricked her flesh, instead however she asked Lynch if there had been more than a single credit card in the envelope, smiling he confirmed that indeed there had been but alas unpaid taxes, death duty, hotel bills, it all has to be paid.

After yet more rhetoric Lynch eventually suggested that having raised their respective heads above the parapet it would be difficult to return to anonymity & loose what was really a beautiful place to live however with the right friends & a little bit of back scratching life could return to what passed for normality.

Alex, not one to be cowed looked Lynch in the eye,

"What if we don't want to help ?"

Lynch looked her in eye, smiled & shook his head,

"Miss Price, maybe I didn't quite make myself clear, I wasn't calling for volunteers"

As this sank in Lynch handed them a near blank business card, on it was a telephone number.

"I'll see myself back to my car now, let you think matters through, I'll be in contact soon to discuss how we take this forward, by the way I hear Ecuador is nice this time of year."

As he turned to walk away Alex hollered out,

" Rewind the tape a sec there Lynch, you want me to go where & do what ?"

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