Original Box Set

Alan is following leads related to a missing person’s case. She has discovered that it involves a Tong by the name of Hu. Hu’s job is to get potential targets isolate and abduct them. He finds out that Hu is targeting a new victim. With some careful planning Alan sets about constructing a trap for the abductor. Plans get laid out, but then Valentine calls. Something is up and she is needs Alan. Hopefully this won’t put a wrench in the plans. We end with Gears getting strange visitors at his warehouse. >>>>>[How did you know it was me?][I had a hint when my phone started meowing.] --Alan Parasons to Xiomara (09:48:43/5-29-79)   Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/originalboxset Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/originalboxset/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/original_box_set Email: originalboxset@gmail.com Instagram: original_box_set Twitter: @originalboxset   Music: "Spy Glass" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Sunny managed to get more nuyen for the job, but that doesn’t mean she’s going to pay it all out to the runners she hires. After sorting through the bids to take the job, she decides to bring Nemo along once more to meet with the Ramos brothers. They end up at a biker bar filled with I-Fivers, and Nemo learns just how much he’s been screwing himself out of a lot more nuyen, but will these negotiation lessons stick with him for the next job? >>>>> [You’ve caught me in a good mood today. The next time you see me I won’t be so generous.]

Sunny’s been getting back into the swing of things at her psychiatry practice. She receives a call after her last patient of the day leaves. It’s an old friend and fellow fixer. He’s got a Johnson he doesn’t feel like meeting up with, so he offers the job to Sunny instead. She brings along Nemo for backup, and he learns a little bit about the other side of negotiations. The side where all the money is… >>>>> [Listen Helen, I’m not saying you shouldn’t keep some for yourself. I’m just saying that I want to get paid.]

Gears wants to expand his influence over his neighbors in the Redmond Barrens. He’s already gained a small following of people who are protected from other gangers in the area. The turrets he keeps on the roof are armed and ready to shoot anyone trying to cause problems or get too close to the warehouse he calls home. As the leader of what some are calling Gearstown, he decides to get more people on his side through unusual means. >>>>> [I knew I should have just called in today. This is gonna take forever.]

Xio sends Nemo to see her old fixer Lomax. Nemo hope that he’ll find someone to tell him what they can about the bunraku chip stolen from the Tong. >>>>> [Looks like this model has upgraded flexibility and, uh, yeah. Pretty much everything you’d think of, it’s better.]

**June is a busy month for us over here. Instead of breaking for the month we decided to release shorter episodes so you aren't stuck waiting like Nemo and Xio! We'll be picking up our usual run time again in mid July.** Xio and Nemo experience the boredom of waiting. So much waiting… it’s hard to find things to fill the time. >>>>> [So, you’re saying you’re bored and you want something to do?]

Sunny’s been getting back into the swing of seeing patients at her psychiatry practice. It’s good to be back. Unfortunately, Nancy has some bad news regarding Xio’s upcoming surgery to put a damper on her mood. Meanwhile, Gears has been hard at work figuring out how to either steal a deck or steal the parts to build one. Unfortunately, he can only get so far while Xiomara is out of commission. So he decides to take Tracy for a spin or two around Seattle. >>>>> [Hey Grandpa. The classic car show is next weekend. Go back to your walker and your prune juice.]

Xiomara is searching for a doctor willing to operate and remove the tumor in her head. It’s not going well. The reputable hospitals and neurosurgeons won’t take her unless she has insurance as the corps pay close attention to their doctor’s time and they have to remain legit. The street docs she’s talked to either don’t have the skills or the facilities to accommodate the surgery. There’s one more doctor she hasn’t talked to yet. Xio asks Sunny to take her to Dr. Feel Good as a last resort. >>>>> [We’re having guests, doctor! Put Mr. Mathers back in the filing cabinet. I’ll spray down the floor.]

Time moves on, even if you aren’t conscious enough to notice. Xio last escape attempt didn’t end well. Since then, she’s been kept in a medicated fog to keep her from hurting herself and others. For the first time in weeks she’s awake enough to know she’s still trapped in the psych ward, and immediately makes plans for another escape attempt. This time around, unbeknownst to her, she has some help. As long as she doesn’t ruin things by taking hostages. >>>>> [I’m back in town. Glad you’re still in town. I have an extraction job I’d like to hire you for. A discreet rescue mission. Meet me at Volunteer Park this Thursday at 4pm. I’ll give you the details then.]

Alan and Ody- sorry, Nemo, head over to Gears’ warehouse squat in Redmond to get his assistance in identifying the piece of bioware and defusing the bomb attached to it. They find a lot has changed since they last visited, but change is frequent in a lawless place like Redmond anyway. Alan wants to head to the Underground to seek out a talismonger willing to provide information on a particular spell he’s interested in learning. He doesn’t want to go there alone, so Alan and Gears come along to take advantage of the underground market. >>>>> [Pineapples! Pineapples for sale! Come get your pineapples, on sale today only!]

As Xio struggles to escape from the psychiatric hospital she’s trapped in, a lot’s been happening in the outside world. The last message Alan received from Odysseus said that he’d found important evidence for Alan’s investigation into illegal bunraku parlors. But now Der Biergarten has burned to the ground and Odysseus isn’t answering his calls. Alan begins his search for his friend, but does Odysseus want to be found? >>>>> [I'm sorry; the number you have reached is not in service, or temporarily disconnected. The number you have reached is not in service at this time. This is a recording.]

Things have taken a turn for the worse for Xiomara. She was caught by Knight Errant when her body ran through a security checkpoint while her mind was trapped in the matrix. The few times she’s come conscious haven’t made things any better, just more bloody and confused. She’s only concerned with escape, to break away from her captors and run to freedom regardless of the consequences to her own body and the safety of those around her. >>>>> [I knew we shouldn’t have reduced her medication. Someone bring the chair! We need it now!]

Xio’s almost settled in to her new apartment. After weeks of jobs followed by weeks of health problems Xio finally has time to dig into the massive amount of data she scored from her hack on Aegis Safeguard Securities a few months back. As she organizes the recordings of Lucky Lucciano’s place her deck malfunctions. When she tries to figure out what went wrong, she discovers that the glitches cause far more problems than she ever thought possible.   >>>>> [Freeze! Stand down and stay where you are! What the hell is she doing? She’s going straight for the gate. Dylan, stop her!]

Armed with the names of some high level Tong, Odysseus seeks more information about them from his friend Chris, a former Blue Lantern. The risk may be too great to go after them immediately, but at least he’ll have a better idea of what he’s getting himself into in order to find out what happened to Yi. >>>>> [Joey. Come on man, you gotta let this go before you’re in too deep. I’m saying this as your friend, you aren’t going to win in a war with the Tong. Especially on your own.]

Season two kicks off with Odysseus teaming up with Alan Parsons to find out more information on several missing persons. Detective Parsons believes that the man Odysseus helped bring in may not only be the key to finding Yi Kong, but can also expose a bunraku crime ring. The same one that killed his client several months ago. They have to get into Knight Errant’s downtown office and past the guards into the jail in order to get the information they need from Paul Lee. With Alan’s connections, that should be no problem. Just as long as Odysseus keeps his cool surrounded by a swarm of cops.   >>>>> [Are you kidding me? Who the hell talks for food and an extra phone call? You know, I’m just going to say that we did. I ain’t getting’ paid enough to put this drek request on the chief’s desk.]

Xiomara Shadowrun Narration One: Glitch Hey chummers! Season two is right around the corner, and as we lead into it I’ve finished one more narration piece for your listening enjoyment! After Xiomara’s initial hospital visit at the end of last season, she found out that the reason for her deteriorating health is a tumor pressing up against her data jack. We catch up to her at the doctor’s once again, this time to have the tumor biopsied. The results will determine what options she has to treat it, but with the glitches getting more frequent and severe, she doesn’t have a long time to wait.     Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/originalboxset Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/originalboxset/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/original_box_set Email: originalboxset@gmail.com Instagram: original_box_set Twitter: @originalboxset Music used courtesy of FreeMusicArchive.org: Prairie Mountain by Ryan Andersen; Gullwing Sailor by Blue Dot Sessions; Breakdown by Art of Escapism Sound Effects courtesy of FreeSound.org by: focusbay, spazmaniandevil, pfranzen, DineoMichelle, simpsi, devilfish101, ferguido, J1987, zehmx, cemagar, tuberatanka, ebcrosby, TRNGLE, templeofhades, lth-stp, embracetheart, inspectorj, yoyodaman234, julien-matthey, In.Sintesi, ranne-madsen, ftpalad, n-audioman, samfk360, griphen, nickyg11p, KIZIL SUNGER, fumiya112, oldschool, fastson, Ricmorth, KrisBenoit, qubodup, volivieri, DiscoveryME, dotY21, banjoboy, shall555 (Stephen Hall), yzhamua, klankbeeld, evsecrets, georgisound, Anthousai, drotzruhn (Alexandra Drotz Ruhn), 170084, muses212, rafaelawho Legal Disclaimer: The Topps Company, Inc. has sole ownership of the names, logo, artwork, marks, photographs, sounds, audio, video and/or any proprietary material used in connection with the game Shadowrun. The Topps Company, Inc. has granted permission to Original Box Set to use such names, logos, artwork, marks and/or any proprietary materials for promotional and informational purposes on its website but does not endorse, and is not affiliated with Original Box Set in any official capacity whatsoever.

Hello again!   Long time, no post! I’ve finally had time to continue my audio mixing practice before we start Season two in February. Here is part two of the Odysseus milk run. He’s with his team transferring a shipment of guns from the warehouse they’re stored in to where the trade is going to happen. I recommend relistening to part one so the flow of the narrative is better. Thank you for your patience, you’ll be getting more podcasts from us very soon!   ~Cassi   Sound effects and clips provided through freesound.org by: klangfabrik, moniquekruger, czarcazas, rickaldo09, danelle150055venter, dster777, billcanada, exacom, klankbeeld, crop-circles, taniyatsu, jaava73, blimp66, goingnowhereeatingthings, peridactyloptrix     Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/originalboxset Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/originalboxset/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/original_box_set Email: originalboxset@gmail.com Instagram: original_box_set Twitter: @originalboxset

Hello all!   With Season One of our actual play podcast wrapped up and Season Two beginning in January, I wanted to take the time in between to get better at audio mixing. For the next several weeks, I'll be posting short narrated episodes as I complete them, so they may not be as regular as our actual play episodes. I want to make sure that they are the best I can make them, and each time improving on the quality of my work. With that said, if any of you audiophiles out there have any feedback and suggestions on how to hone my audio mixing skills (preferrably through Audacity as that's what I'm working with), I'd greatly appreciate it!   ~Cassi     Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/originalboxset Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/originalboxset/ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/original_box_set Email: originalboxset@gmail.com Instagram: original_box_set Twitter: @originalboxset   Sound effects and clips provided through freesound.org by: klangfabrik, blimp66, cropcircles, klankbeeld, taniyatsu, organicmanpl, mshahen, jaava73, cedarstudios, pgi, and eflexthesounddesigner  

Xio’s back in Seattle, trying to ‘go back to the source’ and get her head checked. After a nine day wait she’s finally able to get to the cyber doc, but it’s hailing, the rental car’s autopilot won’t risk driving in that weather, and she’s in no shape to get there by herself. So, she calls up a friend to help her and they head south to Ft. Lewis. >>>>> [How the hell is she still in the Matrix. Where’s her cyber terminal? Does she have a deck with her? We’ll need a stronger sedative. Kim, go get the horse tranquilizer.]

Xio continues to seek out answers for the increasingly disturbing glitches where she’s trapped in the Matrix, unable to control and jack out. She’s willing to look for anything that can help, or at least how to keep it from getting worse. Her search leads her to the Horizon hospital on the isle, to the mental asylum ward to meet with a man who failed to control his ability to access the Matrix. >>>>> [“Hello, Miss Norris. If you’d like to follow me to room three, the doctor will be in shortly to take a look at,” the vet assistant looked at her chart, “Cat, is it? Ah, I thought it was a typo.”]

After Sunny was a no show, and her altercation with the AI Nancy, Xio decided that it was time for a vacation. She went to the island to stay with Sitting Eagle and his family. There are questions that need answers, and if Xio can’t get help finding them the glitches she’s been experiencing may get worse. >>>>> [You must return to the source. It is the only way to bring you peace.]

Odysseus has untangled himself from the drama between Nick and Jessica. At least for the moment. He’s back on track, following up on the disappearances of Yi Kong and several other women at the hands of what looks to be a werewolf. It’s Friday night and he’s heading to Howl at the Moon to see if he can find Pauly, the creep he’s heard may be the one responsible.   >>>>> [I think I found someone who can help out your friend. She’s a professor or somethin’. Definitely out of our league, mate. Anyway, I told her someone’s interested in werewolves and I guess she likes talkin’ about ‘em. Told her you’d give her a call to set up a meet.]

Odysseus has a problem on his hands. That problem’s name is Jessica Lucciano. She has no desire to see her husband, but Odysseus insists that Nick will be able to help keep her safe. He’s not a good liar, and if pressed Odysseus would not be able to keep a secret this big. So he’s off to find Lucky, and practices very carefully the words he should say to stay on the mob boss’ good side.   >>>>> [Sunny, I got a message on my phone. Some guy being cryptic about one of the Enclave’s safe houses. You know anything about this? Have a listen, I think someone may have hacked my app.]

We finish up Gears’ downtime as he takes some well-deserved R&R. He indulges in his new drug of choice, and invites his roommate to join him on an astral adventure. Then it’s back to business, as he needs to expand on his collection of drones to be more valuable to potential Johnsons.   >>>>> [Was any of that real? Did any of that actually happen, or was it some kind of shared dream? When can we do that again?]

Gears learned that his Camaro has a unique and dangerous onboard computing AI during his trip to Chicago. But there was more mystery over the person who modified his car, and what he was trying to accomplish. The AI may also have some form of consciousness. Or, according to the records he’s found, the car may actually be possessed after all.   >>>>> [Target risk analysis processing. Threat level 7. Elevating security measures.]

Gears has been trying to find out more about the history of his car for a while now. Through tracking down the list of previous owners, he’s traced its origin back to a mod shop in Chicago.  With no new jobs coming from Sunny, he has the opportunity to find out who made this demon car what it is, and why.   >>>>> [The car’s outside. If this is a trap I’ll make sure the whole Enclave knows who has the data chip. I’m not going down on my own.]

Sunny is missing, leaving Xio and Alan stranded with their captive, waiting. Xio decides to take matters into her own hands and drives into downtown to visit Sunny’s office. She hopes to find some clues as to her whereabouts, but her office is locked up and no one’s home. Well, if you don’t count Sunny’s digital assistant, Nancy.   >>>>> [The frag? Which one? You sure? Mother fra-, okay. Just sit tight, don’t get in his face, but don’t let that fragger go either, you got me? I’ll be there soon to take care of that drekhead. No one tries a hit on my buildings.]

Alan has secured Zufar al Tahir and is on his way to turn the man into Sunny. She’s not answering her commlink though, so Alan needs to find some place to sit on their captive until he hears from her. Only she never calls back, and when he tries again Sunny’s number is disconnected. Fearing that they may not get paid, Alan and Xio try to find a way to get in contact with her.   >>>>> [We’re sorry, but the number you have reached is not in service at this time. Please check the number or try your call again later. Thank you. Goodbye.]

With both Lund and Trollface in the (multiple) hands of Dr. Feel Good and his scaly associate, Sunny has finally managed to rest. But it does nothing to lighten the oppressive weight of the data chip she carries. Sunny feels the walls closing in around her tighter than the body drawer she slept in. If Lund’s wrong, at least they can still turn him over. If he’s right though, it’ll be time for her to lay low for a while. >>>>> [Oh, how exciting! Did you hear that, Mother? Not one, but TWO patients in need of my medical expertise. Oh, I do hope that I get to do surgery. No! Not like that! Not doing whatever I fancy like with my children outside. I mean delicate work. PAID work, Mother. Dr. Lewis, would you kindly clear that body off the other table? We’ll need the space and I don’t want our guests thinking they’ve come to a chop shop. Oh! I should put my face on. They’ll be here any minute now!]

With Carston Lund barely conscious in the back seat, Sunny and Trollface drive off into the night to turn him over and get paid. Lund begs for his life, which they would normally ignore. He claims that Corp puppet masters are really in charge of the Enclave. And he can prove it. They don’t have much time, and Sunny must decide whether to assume that he’ll say anything to live or trust that there is much more going on than she bargained for.   >>>>> [Doesn’t anyone get shot when the sun’s out anymore? Third time this week someone’s woke me up to see the doctor. Maybe I should get a night clerk so I can get a full night’s sleep.]

The runners have fallen into the darkness below the Loblaw’s after Sunny’s trap failed to capture Carston Lund. Instead, he set a counter trap of his own, leaving only Trollface on the surface to stop their target from escaping. Sunny and the others have to find their way through the underground back topside. Before they can catch their breath though, the second part of Lund’s trap activates. Sunny, Maddie, Odysseus and Pollux have very little time to decide how to escape before what lurks below finds them. >>>>> [I need a body. I’d make one myself but I can’t bring more heat down on me. It’d be nice if it was fresh, but at this point I’m not picky, I just have to have it before 6 tonight. I have a meeting with someone and I need to make an example of them.]

As Alan and Xio track down and capture Zufar al Tahir for Sunny, she’s hired more runners to help her trap the last piece of the arson conspiracy. A meeting’s been set up with Carston Lund in a rundown part of Tacoma under the guise of high paying job. He thinks he’s being hired as an explosives expert for a team of runners. In reality Odysseus, Pollux, and Maddie are there to make sure he can’t slip away. With Lund and al Tahir both caught, Sunny and Trollface will be able to cash in big time. >>>>> [Wanted: High end B&E Prime with experience overriding electrical and fire control systems. Demolitions a plus. Must be willing to travel and available for long term job, four to six weeks under the radar. Documents will be provided. Use the ‘Interested’ icon to submit your Enclave ID and work history for review. Approval will be sent to the chosen runner within 36 hours.]

Alan and Xio are hard at work tracking down their quarry. After a long day (and night) of legwork, they’ve narrowed down the possibilities to a small number of outliers that don’t match up to the fake IDs they have for Zufar al Tahir. They are in day two of their 48 hour window, but Xio seems to have an idea of who made the IDs. She has his Matrix handle, and if they can find the creator they may be able to convince the person to tell them which ID al Tahir will be using for himself, and which are the decoys. They have a long way to go, and a short time to get there before their window of opportunity closes. >>>>> [I have no record of your ticket purchase, Mr. Shubert. That’s the strangest thing. Let me see your ticket, please. And do you remember your confirmation number? This is the first time I’ve ever seen an error like this. Not to worry, Mr. Shubert, we’ll honor your ticket. I’ve updated the logs to add you back into the system. Enjoy your trip.]

Sunny has 48 hours to catch Zufar al Tahir before the brains behind the arsons skips town and disappears for good. She needs to get through the information they gathered from his home and figure out what ID he’s using out of the five active SINs he has to choose from. She hires Alan and Xio to get the job done. They don’t have much time, but Sunny is confident that if anyone can find al Tahir, it will be those two.   >>>>> [That’ll be 5.50. You want a couple scratch offs? Sure, there a nuyen a piece, how- what is that, someone’s actually calling? Hold on a sec, Silver… Hello, Stuffer Shack.]

Life doesn’t seem to slow down for Odysseus. The more he takes on the less he seems to get paid. In fact, helping Jessica stay safe and hidden from her mother, Mrs. Van Zant, is costing him a good amount of nuyen. There are plenty of ways to settle a debt though. Some being more pleasant, some being more profitable, but they’re always dirty. >>>>> [What do you mean they’re all dead? And she got away? Well you need to put more people on the street and get looking for her. I’d try her lawyer first, that slitch blocked me with injunctions. She might know where Jessica is.]

Sunny’s hired on Xio and Odysseus to help her get into al Tahir’s home. Xio to break in, Odysseus to get them out if things get difficult. The window of opportunity to find the accountant who stole from the Enclave is closing. Al Tahir is going to get out of the city with enough money to buy a new identity. If they don’t manage to find what she needs, the whole investigation may fall apart. >>>>> [>System: Elevator 3A0425 @ Fukishima Arcology has gone offline @ 15:46.System: Elevator 3A0425 @ Fukishima Arcology has come online @ 15:47.

We all make mistakes, but leaving your deck on after a data heist from a Corp shouldn’t be one of them. Unfortunately Xiomara had to find out the hard way when rent-a-cops came to arrest her just as she was moving into a new place. But she’s not too worried. She’s got Kuma close at hand and an active deck that the cops didn’t think to shut down before transferring her and her stuff to the Jackson building for questioning. While the goons in uniform play their good cop/bad cop game, Xio is busy hacking their office. She just needs to keep them distracted for a little while. What better way to do that then by giving them all the information they ask for, and a lot more they didn’t?

While Gears and Odysseus discover the connection between Jessica and Mrs. Van Zant, Sunny is closing in on the person who planned the string of arsons. She knows Zufar al Tahir used the fires to collect the insurance money. She knows that he’s about to skip town if he hasn’t already. Sunny needs to find out where he’s headed, but first she needs to find a way to get into his arcology residence without causing a scene. >>>>> [“ Devon. Devon. Eat your macaroni and cheese, Devon.” :: Goat bleating. :: “Macaroni and cheese is good for you, Devon.” :: More bleating. :: “Eat your macaroni or you don't get any dessert.  Is that what you want to have? Your dessert taken away? Cause I’ll do it, Devon.” :: Bleating intensifies. :: “Fine then. Have it your way. I knew I should have programmed your cybernetic larynx to speak English instead of goat. I have no idea what he’s saying, do you Mother?”]

Gears and Odysseus got the jump on the organ grinders who’ve kidnapped Jessica Lucciano. They have a chance to take out a few Tong as well. But as much pleasure as that brings to Odysseus, he needs to find out why Jessica is so important to them and how he can stop them from finding her again. This means he needs someone alive to interrogate… >>>>> [“Hey Sung, you going to be working late tonight?” “Yea, got one that fell down the rabbit hole and Mr. Tu wants the hardware in his head. Why?” “Figured we could get a beer after shift is all.”]

Odysseus and Gears have just finished handing off Lino the rat to Nick Lucciano. They went to Der Beirgarten to celebrate, but before they can even finish their beers another job lands in their laps.   >>>>> [Yes, Mrs. Van Zant, we picked it up. How long do you want us to sit on it? Til morning? Yeah, I guess we can do that. I’ll put it in storage.] [Oh god, I hope he’s not a pervert. I don’t want him watching me if I have to astral project in this dirty van.]

Sunny met with Detective Yumiri of Kagami Security, trading information to gain insight as to where Quickshot may be hiding. As she casts her search farther using her contacts she has to decide how much she’s willing to work with the security corps who are looking for him as well. She needs to find Quickshot first. If she doesn’t, the opportunity to learn who hired him and why will slip away, along with the payday she wants to get out of it.   >>>>> [There’s somebody else looking for Lund. She knows I’m looking for him too, I don’t think she’s made me out yet. Sounds like a Johnson. I’ve set up a meet with her, I think she’s looking to hire me on. Might be able to score some extra nuyen and get some more street cred. Of course I’m still bringing Lund in. I just want to know what she knows and what she wants.]

Following the information that Maddie provided led Sunny to the Sun Son Apartments to find Quickshot. She and Terrence (aka Trollface) break into his apartment, but their mark wasn’t there. Instead they discover another sickening twist. The death toll following Quickshot is rising, and Sunny wants to get to him before he has a chance to add to it and disappear for good. To do this, she has to take a risk and reach out for help from a dangerous source.   >>>>> [You know I have a life, right? I can’t just sit around at your beck and call dredging up data. I’ve got plans tonight. No I’m not going out, but they’re my plans and I’m not changing them for you, Trollface.]

Sunny Day has a hot date with the arsonist responsible for burning down three of the Enclave’s safe houses and holding Mr. Parsons hostage. She’s not too worried though, Sunny paid a lot of money to get on Phantom Dragon’s good side. Besides, it’s not the arsonist Sunny’s after, but rather the person who hired her. The ork woman is all too happy to give up the info in exchange for a date and a competent, pretty face to do the talking for her on occasion. With the information in hand, Sunny picks up Terrence from the job he’s on to investigate the new lead.   >>>>> [No way, A-Arron. You can’t just leave me here while the job’s half done. I’ve got all these wires crossed and still need to connect all the lines to the breaker main.] [I told you, I don’t need you anymore. I found somebody else. Yeah, it’s just business, you know? You just don’t do it for me anymore, and she’s gonna get me more than you could. No hard feelings, right?]

The culmination of the runners’ efforts is about to pay off. After tailing and spying on Lino, Gears and Odysseus are ready to put together the plan to pick him up. But Odysseus seems to have taken a liking to their mark. Will he still hand the young man over to Lucky, knowing what his fate will be? We’ll find out at the conclusion of our miniseries “How to Catch a Rat.”   >>>>> [Looks like they got him, Doc. I’m picking the fraggin’ rat up later tonight. I’ll send the rest of the money your way soon. Thanks for the help.]

The runners are learning a lot about Lino. They’ve gotten to know him quite well, and soon they’ll have a plan to pick him up for Lucky. They just need his work schedule for the week to know when his next day off is. Odysseus is following up on a lead to find his missing friend, and gets some disturbing information that connects her disappearance with several other missing persons. Gears keeps track of Lino with his fly spy and finds out what his girlfriend does while Lino’s at work.   >>>>> [I don’t even know why you stay with that loser. You can stay with me, and we won’t have to sneak around. Think about it, Bess.]

Odysseus and Gears have taken the job to pick up Lino. They have to make sure no one knows he’s gone, and that means legwork. Lots of it. They settle into a safehouse nearby Lino’s place to start watching him. They need to find out who he spends time with, where he works, and when he’s away from the watchful eye of Aegis Safeguard Securities. Gears is also helping out the previous owner of the ‘demon car’, while Odysseus is trying to find out more information on the disappearance of a friend, if she’s even still alive.   >>>>> [I don’t know who Sunny is, I just know I was going to have some company stop by. You two want some Tempo? Novecoke? I’ll let you try my latest batch for free.]

Lucky Nick Lucciano hired Sunny to put a team together and grab Lino. He wants it done with no witnesses and a full day without anyone noticing he’s gone. He wants to make sure he has a lot of ‘quality time’ with the man who sold him out. Sunny had a hell of a morning that started at 4 AM and has continued to go downhill from there. She gets in touch with Gears and Odysseus and they agree to meet at a Soybucks to find out about the job and negotiate their payment.   >>>>> [“I think there’s another personality forming. I sit down to watch the tri-vid, and next thing I know I wake up surrounded by barbecue takeout. Ribs, chicken, bones piled up. I’m a vegetarian, I don’t even eat soymeats. This has to be someone else in my head doing this.” “I think that you had another blackout, Ann. We’ve talked about this. That diet isn’t healthy for you, and if you don’t take your medication you’ll most likely continue to have blackouts. Not eating meat isn’t going to transform you into an elf.” “But I AM an elf. I was supposed to be an elf. I’m trapped in this ork body!” ::I’m going to need a drink after this.::]

A little time has passed since the runners worked with Lucky to find out who sold him out to his mother-in-law. They’ve had a bit of down time, waiting for the next job to come along. Sunny’s been keeping busy with her day job, and gets an early wakeup call from an inebriated Nick Lucciano. He’s got the money to make sure Lino the rat is picked up and delivered to him. Money he got from playing blackjack at the Palisades, and people are wanting to win back some of their losses…   >>>>> [Hey. Hey you. Hold my spot, I gotta go make a phone call. Quit your bitchin’ Tommy, I’ll be back to take the rest of your money in a minute… fraggin’ prick. Come on, Doc. Answer your god damn phone.]

As the runners start making the most of their downtime, one member of the team is still hard at work. Xiomara decided not to wait, and prepared herself for a run on Aegis to grab the footage on Nick’s home security along with whatever pay data she can score to help cover her tracks. Little did she know she’d be hitting it up right after the super wiz IT wagers just got their caffeine fix… We’ll see who’s more on top of their game, Xio or the ladies covering their A.S.S.   >>>>> [Hey, anyone else getting a weird pop up? I think my deck might be bugged. It says I’m trying to access the archives, but I’m not.]

There’s a whole lot of mystery that still needs to be unraveled, a rat that needs catching, and things that need stealing. But how much sleep are you willing to sacrifice for it? Some are more willing than others in the group it seems. Lucky Nick Lucciano convinced Gears and Odysseus to stake out Lino’s house in suburban Everett. They realize that Aegis Safeguard Security may be keeping an eye on their mark as well. As they wait the neighbors call in an eye sore complaint over a maintenance van blocking parking spaces to their friendly Knight Errant patrolmen. Meanwhile Sunny manages to get a few hours rest before meeting her first patient of the day.   >>>>> [Hey guys. This Van Zant slitch is a lot more connected than we thought. If we just get the data for Lucky, it’s gonna get back to her. I think I’ll need to plan a full data steal to cover it up.] [Holy drekballs! Did you see that thing?! A fraggin’ jet was in our drive thru lane!] [Just a little more frill on the collar. Make the tutu a little brighter. Damn BooBoo, you are the cutest little pup I’ve dressed up yet. Drek I better get going, can’t keep the doc waiting.]

Nick is showing off his guns when they find someone playing games with his head, leaving out his late wife’s red lipstick. While he’s trying to figure out who’s been rifling through her stuff, Odysseus has to decide whether or not to come clean over his deal with Mrs. Van Zant, the mother-in-law who wants him to take Nick out for good. Alan helps the investigation by using his magical talents to look for astral signatures while Gears keeps an eye on everyone, and Xio tries to figure out where the security camera recordings are stored.   >>>>> [You don’t just hug someone who admitted they were supposed to kill you, Nick. That’s not how real life works.] [Aww yeah, let’s see what Xio is up to... Now let’s fly over to Pollux… I’m pretty sure I can be a fly on the wall and listen in on Sunny and Alan… Just buzzing by, don’t mind me.] [You can keep the 500, just don’t call me Ody-boy ever again.]