It was a cool spring night in the Seattle sprawl. Houdini sat upright next to you eagerly awaiting your team's first job. His was new to what is barely considered "The big leagues", having spent the past few years pulling odd jobs for a gang in west Seattle. The chance meeting the other night and at Boomers Bar & Grill was a perfect excuse to start some real work in the shadows.

Mr. Johnson swiveled his chair back in your direction. "My security is having trouble pulling any police records on you Mr. Kraven. Exactly how much experience DO you have?" He lays the vanilla folder in which he'd been studying on his desk and planting his elbows on either side. He made a praying gesture with his hands and studied Houdini closely.

"I've never been caught sir… I always find a way to escape. Hence the nickname."

"Well enough… And you Mr. Snipes." As he turned his attention to you, "It appears that the majority of your history is blockaded and encrypted. We are having trouble getting the information that we need." He looked down and reopened the folder, glanced at the first sheet, and closed it again. "We see that you have a military back though, that is very useful."

Mr. Johnson got up and walked a few feet to a bookshelf close to his desk. "I have a file that just crossed my desk" he pulled yet another vanilla folder from many in the bookcase with barely a peek at its contents and tossed in on the desk in front of you. "It's not the kind of run I'd like to send an experienced team on. Go ahead and read it."

First I say we find out what Tina is accused of. Then I say we give my contact Linda a call at the Police station and get a good background check on Tina and her father both. We also need to talk to other family and friends, see if anybody knows of any enemies of either Tina or her father. Especially if Tina has any gambling, or drug issues where she may have some large unpaid depts. Then we should case the estate. Your man being an ex-gang member should be of good use here in maybe seeing any tale tale sings of any "gang" related activity here. I'm also very suspicious about the "payment upon safe return of her father or proof of her innocence" I mean, shouldn't her main concern be her father? Shouldn't she at the least want both to happen, not just one or the other? She is my first suspect. I want to know more about her. What do you say partner?

The ride out of Seattle was quite uneventful. Two blocks from Mr. Johnson's "make-shift" office the two of you pass Boomers Bar & Grill. The night the two of you met replays vividly in your mind:

It was bout 2 weeks ago (give or take), you had gone there for a drink to cool your nerves after a slight altercation in the local groceries parking lot. You were holding your cold beer up to your eye to nurse a shiner when Houdini sat down next to you with a crash and a sigh. He had barely made it into the bar stool due to an injured leg. You couldn't see blood but you bet it was surely bruised badly, if not cracked.

Houdini signaled tot he bartender and ordered a Mello Yellow. You remember thinking to yourself, "surely a guy limping this bad didn't half-crawl all the way to a bar to get a soft drink" Assuming that he had been mentally injured too you decided that he was definitely worse off than you.

So you scooted you bowl of bar nuts aver to him.

"Thanks friend." But as he looked up at you he winced. "Ouch, that some shiner... Hate to see the other guy."

You looked at your watch, smiled, and replied, "Yea, he should be waking up any time now. What's your story?"

The two of you spent at least 5 hours talking that night. Houdini never once ordered an alcoholic drink claimed that anything, which dulled his senses, was no good for him. You drank just enough to keep your buzz.

Apparently Houdini was working for a few gangs in the local sprawl doing odd jobs. Usually breaking and entering, a few assassinations that he wasn't proud of, and a lot of spying. That night was the closest that he had ever come to getting caught... So he decided it was time to get out.

Over the next few days the two of you became close friends and decided to work together.

Houdini had a brother in Europe that had pulled some strings to get you both a meeting with his old Johnson... Someone who offered jobs to "Talented Individuals" for those who could afford it. Basically he was a "go-between" man who took a share at the end of the day.

All those events led you to this night.

You arrive at the Whitlock mansion shortly before dark... The first thing you notice is that the property is gated, The two of you pull up to a camera interface and announce your arrival in order to be let in. A beautiful 5'2" brown haired woman then meets the two of you on the driveway.

"Hi I'm Tina, thank you so much for coming."

Chris... You requested background info on the family and grounds. I'm assuming you called for that on the way there and your contact at Lonestar HQ will fax it to you as soon as they have it. I also need to know what you drove (I left that open in the story above), Houdini rode his Aurora. You can have drove whatever you like.

Tina will escort you into the mansion or around the grounds for a short time (daylight's fading), and will answer any questions to have to the best of her ability.

Before it gets too dark I wanna get a good look at the parameter walls/fences. What other types of security do they have on the property? Anything other that just camera's? Obviously I'm gonna ask about tapes, although I'm sure they show nothing, just as I'm sure the cops have already seen them. If the property is not to large, and it is possible, I would love a ride around the parameter to actually see the fence/wall for anything suspicious. Why would the body be missing? Has there been a ransom? I want to talk to all personnel on the property. Ask about any unusual activity on the night of, or before the disappearance.

Only other thing would be about Ghost, to most people he just goes by Aaron, or Mr. Snipes. Ghost is generally just reserved for his "alter-ego" while on the most covert of missions and wearing his Skull Suit. Also, Ghost is the type that does not talk much of his past, especially the three years he was a part of Spectre 7. In fact, even his police contact, the widowed wife of an ex-member doesn't even know the name of it. She just knew it was very covert, and very classified. Only a select few even know the name of the group. Also, somewhat like you character, it will be very rare the Ghost enjoys even more than one drink due to limited senses. Also, he's not like me in the way of his humor. He has one, but he is not the clown that I am. Takes the job and his skills very seriously, but in no way ever flaunts his talents. He tries his best to fit into society by seeming like an average Joe. In fact, if ever asked what he did in the military, his answer would most likely be "a clerk", or "administrative assistant to a General". You know, something real lame.

The ground's not very large for a mansion... Tina dosn't mind if you look around, if fact she's happy to hear it.

"Dinner'll be served in about half an hour, then the cook leaves for the night." With that she turns and heads inside.

- You take note of the security cameras on the grounds (with the little daylight left plus your experience, they're easy to notice). They cover the properties boundary completely, but not within or the driveway. There's a few camera's outside the house, but you notice the grid has many holes. You're guess is that anyone getting as far as the house would be seen at the gate or fenced area.

You were told that Mason was last scene lying in the driveway but Tina hasn't shown you where yet. By the time you make your way back to the driveway it's too dark to see much. The trees on the property block what little light that makes it through and flashlights wouldn't be much help.

Houdini's standing next to you surveying the property and elbows you gently, "Come'n Aaron, I'm starved."

You make a note to review the video logs and follow Houdini in.

Tina's leaving the dining room as the two of you are entering. "I'm sure the two of you have a lot of questions, but you'll have to wait until morning, I've been called by my fathers lawyer to take care of some estate business." She tells you where the two of you will be staying (there's 3 guest rooms on the first floor, whether we want to share or sleep separate is up to us). "I'll be in around midnight and we'll talk tomorrow and I'll give you both the detailed tour."

With that she heads out. Your dinner's on the table and the maid follows her shortly.

Sitting down for dinner you receive a message from your source in Lonestar that the Whitlocks have no real enemies or history of violence. All the family ever really dealt in is contracts and banking.

Houdini looks down at his plate and his eyes light up "OOOHHH! Filet minion... This is awesome..."

Well, as long as Houdini is up for it, I recommend we spend a good part of the night working. One of us should start on the tapes and the other (which I would prefer be me) take a stroll outside, making good use of my stealth skill, and my eye, and ear cyberware. My main point of concern would be the west side of the property. If somebody is getting in, it is happening over there, with all those trees and a graveyard, I would expect there to be the least amount of light over there. Downside here is I only brought my Armante suit, so I guess I'll be hoofing around in that, oh well. Also, since this is 2050 and there as been the "awakening", it wouldn't be too uncommon for this to be some sort of creature. So some large amount of raw meat would be in order. Place it in the darkest, unprotected area of the driveway, pick a good spot to monitor it and wait. I'm certain the kitchen will have something that will work just fine. Also, I just noticed we have no way to communicate with eachother (radio's and such), so we need to rustle something up until our characters can purchase something. Also, I get the impression, all the "help" has gone home for the night, so if nothing happens over the night, we need to question the help first thing in the morning. BTW, I have no intention of monitoring the house, or property all night, the two of use will need to get some sleep. If we find nothing tonight, we're sure to have a big day tomorrow.

Off the record -
Hey man, the map looks fine. Got the point across very well I thought. Also, if it's supposed to be like a moonless night, or cloud coverage or anything that would render my low light eyes moot. Forget that plan, we'll just case the house and tapes together.

So you take up temporary residence in the wooded area south of the graveyard... You were able to find a few extra fresh steaks in the kitchen and stack two in the driveway, in the spot least likely to be monitored. To your left is the graveyard; it's lit well (to you) by the moonless, but yet starry, sky.

Houdini's lounging in the living room; taking advantage of a boring situation. He's currently monitoring the surveillance records on the Whitlock's 127" Plasma TV. He said he'd flicker the driveway lights if he found anything. All of which could be done by remote on the couch.

You're beginning to hope that Houdini's more active in a fight than he appears to be on while on duty. You're also hoping that he stays awake and doesn't miss anything on those tapes.

Nothing happens up until 1:00... the meat is sitting in the driveway untouched... Although far from rotting you doubt it'd be good eaten. Although a few people have walked past the property on the sidewalk, none showed interest in jumping the fence or even caring about your side at all. If you're to be active and alert come morning you decide that it'd be best to go in

You wander back to the house and make your way to the living room. Houdini's still in the same spot watching 3 security feeds and an old episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in the top left corner with the sound turned off.

"It's nice to know you're taking this seriously." You remark from behind him. Hoping to startle him into straightening up... But he just lounges there.

"I am... The two windows on the right are the last two feeds to watch from the other night. They're playing at X2 speed. The one at the bottom left I aimed at your hiding spot out there, so I'd know if you had company." He leans his head back at smiles at you, "That's why you didn't sneak up on me."

"Find anything?"

"Nothing useful from the day Mason Disappeared. I have him and Tina walking down the driveway from the garage and disappearing into the blind spots along the way to the turn-around by the pool... I'm guessing that's where Mason collapsed because the camera was aimed at the front of the property that day." He taps a button on his remote, Buffy and the live feed flick off and the two recording stretch out to take up the new room. "About 1 minute after they disappeared from view Tina ran all panicked like back into view and into the house."

"See anything else?"

"Apparently the motion detector on the property are set extremely sensitive at night, they record what I guess are slight tremors almost every night (they're not armed during the day). Mainly around the graveyard and house."

I'm ready for bed if you are. What's the plan for tomorrow?"

Well, I guess we get a much better look at the property. My main point of interest is the graveyard. I want to look for any recently disturbed ground here. This way we could see if anybody is tunneling (or anything worse). Then we question all the staff for the usual stuff. I don't just mean the staff from that night, I mean any staff that has worked here at all for the past month or two at least. We need to know if anything strange has been going on here. We also need to talk to the neighbors. I am sure that this cannot be an isolated occurance. I'm not saying anybody else has a story this severe, but somebody should at least have heard some noises. Also, while we are out, I need to stop by some shops and pick up some stuff (the other e-mail I sent you), I also want to go grab my truck, my skull suit, and my shotgun. Tonight may get interesting.

Houdini rocks out've his spot on the couch and stands up, stretching. "Then it's set, we'll get some sleep, and Employer permitting, we'll go shopping in the morning and stock up. The staff should be here in the morning so we can question them, and it'll be easier to search the grounds in the light of day"

The two of you retire to seperate rooms on the 1st flour shortly after 1AM. You fall asleep quickly (All the sitting around outside must've bored you sleepy).

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You wake up to a loud bagging from above... You roll your head to one side and glance at the alarm clock.

"2:10 AM"

You sit up and slowly shake off your remaining sleep... You then get up and step out into the hallway. Houdini is lightly snoring in the other room.

The loud banging is continuing above you, it sounds as if someone is banging on the floor.

Well, I would hope that before I went to take a look I would have at least put some pants on with both my holsters still attached (the always prepared sort of thing). Either way, I'm going to quietly approach Houdini's room (gun drawn and at the ready), and try to wake him up in the quietest way possible (if Houdini makes noise that stops whatever noise is coming from upstairs see "PLAN B"). Then while he's still shaking the "cobwebs loose", I am going to go ahead without him, hoping he will follow very shortly. I'm not going to rush upstairs, but going to try to find source of noise as fast as possible while doing a sweep and clear and using as much stealth as possible. In other words, I want to get there, but I don't want anyone/anything to know I am coming.

How Ghost makes his approach -

Pants, t-shirt (the one from under my suit), both holsters and .45's (only one drawn to keep one hand free for now), no shoes (the dress ones he would have worn would be too loud), all while slowly making my way to the noise in a fashion that only several years of SF training would allow. Also hoping Houdini will catch up soon.

PLAN B: Well I guess I startled Houdini and now whatever is making the noise above us in onto us. Only thing that is going to change about how I go up there now is, both guns are now drawn and I'm going to focus a bit more on getting up there quicker. Also, I'll make sure Houdini is going to be behind me as soon as possible.

You take your guns and strap them up quietly and keep one drawn. Houdini's door is open so you slip in and try to rouse him...

No matter what you try Houdini won't wake up. The banging over head continues so you decide to go on and check it out.

The stairs only lead to one other floor, but the banging still appears to be coming from above. After a few minutes of quietly searching you find a single set of stairs leading up to what could only be the attic. At the top is a wooden door. It seems pretty old and flimsy, but the knob won't turn and appears to be locked.

The banging seems to be moving from this vantage point, as if someone was pacing back and forth while wearing cement shoes.

The wood up here seems to be more neglected than that of the rest of the mansion (probably 'cause no one ever comes up here). You judge that it could be easily broken, but is it worth the risk?

I shall kick in the door with both guns drawn and take it from there. . .

You unholster your second gun and take a step back from the door. With a swift kick the door flies open.

Immediatly the banging stops, you hear a loud terrifying scream and see a glowing apparition of old man before you with his arms spread (The scream had no apparent source). He speaks to you, and and although his lips are moving his voice seems to coming from inside of your mind...

"You must avenge my death... Help my daughter and I will try to help YOU."

With a flash of white light you're out...

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"Aaron..." A beautiful, feminine voice.

"Aaron, you alright bud?" A deeper manlier voice

You slowly open your eyes... You must be laying face up on the floor because all that you see is Houdini, Tina, and the ceiling.

You slowly sit up while holding your head, it pounds something feirce. Houdini's supporting your back while you move.

Daylight's coming in a small window across the attic. Judging by its angle you guess it's early morning. The attic is full of antiques and junk that you never had a chance to notice last night. A small maniquin stands before you with it's arms outstretched... A robe and shawl draped over it.

Tina crouches in front of you, "We've been looking all over for you, what're you doing up here?"

Time to pick myself up off the floor and spit out the words "I heard a noise last night and came up to check it out, but found nothing". Once I get a chance I'll talk the whole thing over with Houdini and see what he thinks. Not sure what the meaning of "help my daughter and I'll help you" is. I am helping the daughter, but he don't seem to be helping me, at least not yet. We need to get to talking to the help, also, while were at it. May as well check out the attic for any clues, maybe the old man had helped us, we just haven't seen it yet.

Tina gives you a "cock-eyed" stare and questions, "And you fell asleep up here?"

Houdini suddenly cuts in, "Uh... Must've been solar flares... All that cyberware plus being so tired..." He wraps his arm under yours and helps you to your feet. "This stuff happens if you're really fatigued... Think it's called Minor EMP Dementia. Give us a minute will ya? We'll be right down."

Tina shrugs and give you both an unsure look. "Yea sure... fine. The help will be here soon anyway."

And with that she disappears down the stairs.

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After a minute waiting for her footsteps to fade you turn to Houdini, "Minor EMP Dementia? Where do you come up with that crap?"

He just shrugs and replies, "She took it, didn't she? You want to tell me what really happened?"

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You tell Houdini your story. All the while he just stands a listens wide eyed.

When you finish he comments, "Are you sure your steak was fully cooked last night?"

"Stop being a smart ass. I'm quite sure this really happened."

"Sorry man, it's just kind'a far out." He slowly walks over to the far window and stare's out into the front yard of the grounds. "Well, if it's true what he said then Tina's innocent. Maybe if we believe that, or act in that fashion then clues will pop up for us?"

"It's up to you Aaron, you want to walk the grounds, question the help, or go shopping first?"

You stop for a second to think, "Let's check around up here for a few minutes."

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(want to shop first or question the help? They're just starting to arrive, it's 7 in the morning. Any nearby store will be opening soon too)

Lets go pick up any of the supplies we need. Give the help a chance to all get here and wake up a bit themselves. We need them fully alert while questioning them so they don't miss anything. First thing in the morning would most likely be a bad idea. If you want, I'll spring for a big lunch, we'll get all the help together and talk and eat. It'll open a friendlier atmosphere, maybe loosen a few lips. Also a good chance to see how they react to eachothers questions and answers, might pick up on something that way too. What do you think pal?

Awww.. the joys of shopping...

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The two of you get back around 10:00 AM. Upon request Tina calls them for lunch in the dining room (on her). The lunch goes smoothly and no one has much to tell about the afternoon Mason disappeared. Only the cook and the maid were on duty (security logs will confirm they were the only ones on the grounds).

The cook was in the kitchen (Building maintenance logs will confirm that the fridge was opened and closed a few times during he occurance, and the stove was on).

The maid was upstairs. No witnesses but she came running DOWN the stairs when Tina ran in to use the phone and they were together from then on).

after lunch the cook and maid clean up as everyone else goes back to their normal jobs, thanking Tina and the two of you on the way out. After you're alone Houdini asks; "Has Tina showed where he was laying yet?"

No she sure hasn't, we need to get than info from her.

Tina guides you both outside through the garage and describes the conversation and events leading up to Masons disappearance. everything she says matches up to want the both of you already knew and witnessed through the security tapes.

The three of you wind up in the area of the drive that you staked out last night.

You look up the driveway and then quickly back down it...

"What's up Bud?" (Houdini)

You scratch your head; "I don't remember picking up that meat I used as bait last night... But it's gone now."

Houdini looks over at Tina, "Would the help have picked it up this morning?"

"I got it at 3 AM last night and drove all the way into the garage... I don't recall anything being in the drive."

While the two of them are talking you here a rustling in the bushes next to the garage. When you glance up you see what appears to be an old man in a jogging suit.

You blink your eyes and shake your head quickly, but upon second glance he's disappeared.

You climb out of the hole next to the pool and brush the dirt off your arms. Houdini follows, a little worst for wear; you figure he'll need to see a doctor soon.

Tina is waiting next to the pool, sitting on a foldout chair. She stands and rushes over when she see's you.

"You both OK?!"

"Yep." You reply.

"Nope" Houdini replies. Then he collapses next to you and rolls over on his back. "I need a breather." His shirt is stained with blood and has a clean slice through it from the monowhip he was up against. "Good thing that Ghoul wasn't very good with a whip."

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All-in-all Tina properly thanked you both for your services and invited you back at any time (you both made a good impression on her).

Mason's remains will receive a proper burial. DNA matching will help in putting the other remains back in their proper places.

The cavern under the mansion will be filled in with both dirt and cement in certain places... The thought of that place existing frightens Tina but she'd never sell the family home.

About a day after leaving the grounds your paranoia fades (return all attributes to normal)

The payment for this run was sent to your Johnson (15,000 total = 3,000 for your Johnson, 6,000 each for you and Houdini)

Houdini will be in the hospital for a week or so, but it doesn't have him down. Your wounds are healing nicely by themselves (go ahead and heal yourself). This run has you thinking about getting a DocWagon Contract (hint hint :-)