You are soon joined by Findlay, sweating, wearing white sports wear and carrying a squash racket. ”Well that was fast and efficient. What it lacked in subtlety it made up for in expediency,” he says taking a seat at the table.  Reaching across the flat plastic surface, he picks up the optical drive. ”So much fuss about this thing, wonder what’s on it?” he asks absentmindedly.

Choose one:

Option one “All in”: ”No matter. The C-suite is calling this run a successful job interview and is willing to make an offer that puts you on the roster. A place in the corporate family, a suite in the skyraker, expense account, steady paycheque,” he says. ”Should we get someone from HR in to discuss your offer?” This sounds like a good deal, roof over your head and solid pay. Hell you might even negotiate Doc Wagon coverage, but maybe there is a way to get a better deal…

Option two “Double or Nothing”: ”But that is of no consequence. There is still the small matter of Church and his team.” he explains. ”Considering the information we hope to gain from Cranmore we might have a line of inquiry that you could pursue on our behalf. Much like the last job, we would want an asset that remains deniable.” Take a chance on a second run and get a better offer from Wuxing if you come through for them. If you blow it, you may blow the whole deal.

Rachel was about to answer and sees Findlay come in.
" Squash huh? Anyway if I go all in I would have to speak to HR privately. As far as plans, my coworker, we need to see what we do with Wuxung first. "

Michael considers a moment and slightly nods towards Findlay. He says, “I would prefer the all in option #1 Mr Findlay. “  However, as my coworker stated, I would be more interested in the fringe benefits of the company. I hope we can work well together to our mutual satisfaction. What say you Mr Findlay?”

Rachel smiles. " it likes like we will need separate HR reps. '

Ideally you come to an agreement OOC.

There is only one offer on the table, it’s the one you agree to when you choose one option. As soon as you choose, the other possibility never existed.

After coming to an agreement with HR about his employment and status within the company. Michael considers for a moment. “So, what’s the next step?”

Do you both agree on option 1 or option 2?

@GM Michael would take option #1. He would be more interested in a steady income and access to magical resources and knowledge than trying to gamble for a better deal.

I assume at this point the original 16k nuyen payout for the run has been paid out and split evenly between the four runners; 4k nuyen each? Is this correct?


This message was last edited by the player at 03:57, Fri 15 Dec 2023.

We both want option 1

Just in character, Rachel doesn't  want to share her past with anyone yet. She has to share it with HR.

I am not saying do anything in pms a Chinese wall to indicate separate rooms is fine.

”You’re looking for certain assurances,” Findlay says to Firebird. ”I can appreciate that. You can have the room and I’ll send a representative down from HR. Michael and I can walk the department, I’ll give you the lay of the land.”

Option one. Take Middle Lifestyle. You pull in ¥60,000 a year (net). You have an apartment in the skyraker, all of your bills are paid by the company. You have access to the armoury, magical libraries and shamanic circles.

Major purchases (like foci and fetishes) are still your own problem but if you need any smaller peices of mundane equipment, assume you have it.

Rachel sighs. " assurances yes but not just for me for Wuxing as well. My past is a feral Dragon's Hoard. Thank you. "

Rachel smiles.

Michael replies to Mr Findlay. “I appreciate you taking the time to do that Mr Findlay. I am curious as to what my job responsibilities will be while working here and possibly receiving more mage training and advancement opportunities while working here.”

When the representative arrives, Rachel clears her throat.
" Let's see. I faked my death a few years ago after I found out the Corp, I was raised in was trying to blood sacrifice my entire maternal line including me and my sisters to bring some Ancient Being back under their control. I used to be Raquelle
Angelique Costa-Trastamara de LA Vega of Aztechnology. If they ever find me they will want to hunt me down."

@Michael Happy to help out a new hire" Fidnlay replies walking you through the faciilty. "I'm no magician, so I can't really say much about mage training. Maybe you want to talk to our operatives in the metaphysics operations department."

@Firebird The HR representative joins you as requested. A petty young woman with dark hair and hazel eyes in a pencil skirt. "That's a very strange way to introduce yourself. Are you feeling ill?" she says looking at you like you have three heads exploding from your neck while making a note on her datapad.

"I was practicing efficiency. Like I was taught in my Corp school. I was Pyramid on LA. Till our overlords on Aztlan heard about my maternal bloodline being descended from a member of the House of Trastamara mating with a Phoenix. "
Rachel sips her coffee.


" I am Raquelle Angelica Costa-Trastamara de la Vega. One of the few descendents of the House of Trastamara and one of the few people in this world descended from a Phoenix. I thought Wuxing as a corporation should know they are signing on someone Aztlan wants to sacrifice. "

“I’ll be sure to do that Mr Findlay. There is another matter that you may have an answer. I was planning to craft alchemy compounds and maybe foci as a side hustle during my downtime. Would the company be interested in buying and selling magical materials from me?”

@Firebird. ”Ok…” she seems to reply automatically, maybe buying some space to think by filling the silence. ”Listen, I’m going to level with you. That sounds pretty far-fetched. Absolutely insane in fact. If I take that to my boss, they’re going to send you for a full psych shakedown, or straight out the door.” Tapping a few more details into her datapad, she looks up and asks ”What is it worth to you to make this conversation disappear from the corporate record?”

@Michael. ”Ok…” he seems to reply automatically, maybe buying some space to think by filling the silence.  ”Listen, I’m going to level with you. Wuxing would prefer to leave that kind of artisan creativity out of our dealings with our operatives. What you do on your own time, and, I must emphasize, with your own resources, is your own business.” Stopping at the door to what seems to be a magical library, he adds, ”Unless you come up with something very cutting edge. Maybe then we can talk.”

“Hmmm. I appreciate your candor, Mr Findlay. I was wondering where limits of the company’s generosity were. I’ll be sure to keep my personal projects at home off the books.” Seeing the door before them Michael asks, “What are the rules to using library materials? Is access restricted to company business only?”

In reply to Michael (msg # 192):

" Let's just say I am not insane and I pay you off with money I don't  have. And Aztechnology finds out Wuxing has someone who is their citizen and someone they want to sacrifice. Now, as my training has taught me this will either result in. A shadowraid to get me or Aztlan declares war on what is left of CFS and the Imperial Japanase state. What would happen to you for not letting your employers now."

@Firebird. ”The Empire is here precisely to deter Aztlan,” she says, her frustration showing through before she gives a look that clearly says she can’t believe that she is even having this conversation. ”Listen, Ms de la Vega, there is no way I am bringing this to Mr Findlay without some kind of proof other than, frankly and please take no offence, your half formed ramblings. Did you perhaps suffer a head injury during that last run?” she asks, showing genuine concern for a company asset’s health and welfare.

@Michael. ”I’m glad we understand one another. Now, the library is at your disposal of course. We feel that investing in our operatives is investing in ourselves,” Findlay replies. ”The library is at your disposal as is access to tutors which we can arrange for a nominal fee.”

In reply to Mr. Johnson (msg # 194):

She pulls out a ID stick from inside her arm.

" This is my old ID stick. It should give you all the info you need to confirm the confirmable of what I have said. But if you think you shouldn't tell your employer any of this then lets keep it between us beuatiful."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:38, Mon 01 Jan.

“I am interested in learning more about the metaphysics and metamagics associated with magic and growing in these areas. Does the company offer initiation trials? Also, are the fees for tutors and training standardized or are they different for each teacher depending on skill and expertise?”

@Firebird. ”Beautiful?” she says…

Manipulate. 20:58, Today: Mr. Johnson, on behalf of Firebird, rolled 8 using 2d6+1 ((2,5)). weak success

…suspiciously. Taking the ID stick, she holds it against her clipboard. ”Keep the compliments. If what you say is true…” the wheels are turning and she sees the potential for advancement if she can bring something useful to the executives.

@Michael. ”Case-by-case of course,” he replies. ”Depending on whether we need to seek outside support or if we have someone on payroll. We would want an opportunity to vet any outside organizations that you wished to be initiated into. Merely to ensure their interests were not contrary to ours of course.”

" Of course that only is the provable elements. Like my identity and when I faked my death. And how I got my current identity. And there is some internal emails about blood sacrifices. "

“That sounds fair. I had hoped there would be a group internal within the company. In the long term I am interested in becoming a geomancer mage for the company, so I will need to develop and hone my skills and knowledge accordingly. If you wouldn’t mind looking into this matter for me I would appreciate it.” Taking a quick look around the library. It appears this library is quite extensive. I’ll be spending a lot of time here. he thinks to himself.

Returning his attention back to his boss Michael asks, “What are your goals Mr Findlay, so I may better help you? I assume you still want Church and his crew found if possible? If so is there any new data on him and his crew that wasn’t already in the dossier file you gave us earlier that might point us in the right direction to finding him?”

Michael pauses a moment with the game of 20 questions to gauge Mr Findlay’s response.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:39, Fri 05 Jan.