With the team arrived at Schaeffer's apartment, MacFinley, dims the lights and a holo projector beams its images into life showing a series of satellite images of a lush, jungle area, with a concrete and dirt compound in its midst. The compound is milling with vehicles, most of them para miltary, and men in combat fatigues.

Suddenly the voice of a middle aged man, familiar to the Frenchman and Cobalt, sounds from an intercom.

"Hello my shadowrunner friends. Cobalt, Frenchman, good to see you again. I am Henrik Schaeffer for those whom I have not made acquaintance with yet. But let us get down to business.

The images you see are satellite photos of a narcotics and BTL dealer's base of production and operations, one of what the old world termed drug lords, now dealing mostly in electronic vices such as BTL and even the odd 2XS chip.

I have a package that I want delivered to the leader of this group, one Carlos Guillermo Mendez. You may scan the package if you wish, but please do not open it. The package is likely to illicit a hostile response, so no matter how you get in, you will likely have to fight your way out.

I will have another shadowrunner rigger fly you in by chopper, and take you out as well. How you actually get into the compound and back to the chopper safely is for you to determine.

We will give you access to our satellite feed so you can monitor them and do your own surveillance. Beyond that you are on your own besides the expense allowance.

The compound is located in the southwest area of Ecuador, near the Peruvian border. It is lightly populated and consists mostly of jungle, and a fair number of awakened critters, so be on your guard.

Now, I am sure you have questions, so please, ask away."

Scarlet leaned forward again as she was watching the holo listening to what was Schaeffer's voice coming form the speakers. She took not of the working names, shadow names for lack of a better word, of the two men and put them into memory.

She saw the dense jungle and compound area with its vehicles and troops milling around. AS Schaeffer talked the job seemed pretty straight forward. Get in, deliver the pachage and get out. Problem was the package was going to stir up a drek storm making getting out real interesting.

With a rigger provided they were getting in and out of the area. Left to our own devices to get into and out of the compound. Wonderful. Well at least I can say I've never bee to central America before. She thought dryly.

When it was opened up to questions a few popped to mind. "Mr. Schaeffer is this Mendez know you and is he expecting a package from you?" She paused for a second. "Also will we have admin level or at least security level access to the satellite so we can use it to its full potential for this run." She continued to sit forward waiting for outer questions and or a response from Schaeffer.

Schaeffer listens intently while Scarlet speaks and then answers in a polite, calm tone of voice, "Mendez and I have a bit of a history. I won't go into details, but if you dig hard enough you might be able to find out anyway, though personally I discourage meddling with my personal affairs... but I know how you shadow types operate, so... C'est la vie.

To answer your question though, no, he is not expecting a package, and as I said, the contents of the package will make him quite angry. He will certainly try to kill you. You will not want to waltz in the front door, as they will remove your weapons from you, and you will need them. However this is your specialty not mine, so I leave such machinations to your devising.

As for the satellite, I'm afraid that's impossible. The satellite is Ares property, and monitors a number of things of our interest, not just mendez. You will have access to the Mendez feed, but nothing else. I highly recommend you do not try to access the satellite, it will likely result in your death, and will terminate our contract and any further business we may have together."

Scarlet simply gave a knowing smiled when Schaeffer mentioned about digging into his past and about how their "type" was. You better believe it. No one hops into doing business without checking up on who they are working with or for. I have no doubt that you have already done your share of digging into our pasts. I don't think we would be here otherwise. She thought as she looked to the others.

When the topic turned to the satellite the smile that she wore turned to a slight smirk. "Understood. Can't blame a girl for asking." She simply stated as the smirk left her face as she continued. "As for the package does it need to be delivered directly to him? I'm guessing that we cant just leave it in his doorway to be found at his convenience."

Realizing something she stopped a she looked at the others knowing that they probably had their own questions. "Sorry to keep talking. I get a question in my head and it generally comes out quickly." She gave herself an admonishing shrug as she looked back to Schaeffer. It was then that the ring and pinky finger on her left hand displayed a muscle spasm. If anyone had seen it, the fingers twitched slightly. It seemed as if it went unnoticed to the redheaded woman.

"No worries mate, we all got questions," Shaea said to Allison. Turning to the projector, she asked, "Do you have any idea what kind of magical security he has? I rather dislike going in blind like a drekking newborn."

Schaeffer continues, "It is our understanding that magical protections are very limited, though there may be a shaman on the compound. Aside from that they do have some awakened critters as pets, though nothing too powerful. What you need to worry about most is their raw firepower. Assault rifles, machine guns, SMGs, they have them all. They may even have some rockets, so you had best come prepared to fight while you run. Their hacker presence is next to nill, so you may be able to disable a lot of the heavy weaponry, I don't know.

If you look at the images, you'll see 4 small towers. There's a machine gun on each of them, manned. But like anything these days, it can be hacked, so that's likely where you'll come in Scarlet.

But no, the magical threat will be small. It's not possible to detect via satellite camera, and I know that Mendez is not very keen on any kind of magic, but that doesn't mean he doesn't keep a shaman on staff for security purposes. You'll have to do your own scouting when you get there to determine that though."

The Frenchman listened patiently for the girls to be done with their few questions, all important and very much related to what he believed where their strength, but misplaced considering the priority of information.

M. Schaeffer, a few important questions come to my mind regarding this run. First and foremost, it is a dangerous mission, how long do we have before the package needs to be delivered, and to be more precise, how long before we must leave for Ecuador, and how long we have there to deliver the package?
Secondly, how big is the package? And when and where do we get possession of it?
Last but not least, you're sending four people to a potential gunfight against a paramilitary group, and a crooked one at that. What sort of money do you have in mind regarding our preparation for the run? The sort of equipment needed for this kind of runs doesn't come cheap as you must know.

If the Frenchman could be charming, he also knew when to go straight to business. He had to show his efficiency to both the Johnson and his co-runners if he wanted to be accepted as the leader. His team... Yes he could see that happen.

Schaeffer responds, "The package is small, and can easily be carried in one hand. As to when, there is no timeline, though I don't want you going on vacation or anything. Mr. MacFinley will give you the package before you leave.

As for the gun fight, most of these cartels do employ former military, but the majority of them don't have much more training than a good security guard at any megacorp. The equipment is high grade, yes, but as for his henchmen, I don't think you will need to worry too much. If you can disable most or everything with a wireless signal, then you should be good.

Mendez has never had anyone try to infiltrate his camp to my knowledge. Down there the locals know better than to mess with the cartels, and even the shadowrunners tend to work for them, rather than against them, as they tend to pay better than the governments and corporations. He will not be expecting this, which is another reason his reaction will be so... angry"

You can almost sense Schaeffer's wide smile on the other side of the intercom.

The Frenchman smiled too, they were pretty much hired to play a practical joke on his enemy. The Frenchman kind of liked this idea actually.
Very well. We still need to discuss founding. Maybe you can put us in touch with an Ares guy that can get us some of your gear without too much hassle. But before we talk about that I have one import question regarding Juarez. I understand it's not a hit mission, but chances of a firefight are there, shod we make sure he stays alive or would his dismissal accepted as collateral damage?

Schaeffer responds, "A good question. I would prefer that he not be killed, but if he tries to kill you, you have a right to defend yourselves. If it can be avoided however, leave him alive. I want him to live with what I am about to do to him."

Scarlet listened to the questions and answers still not hearing an answer to the question she posed before this current round. Since they had been told that the package was indeed a small one her previous question needed to be asked again. This time she was hoping he would answer it.

"Mr Schaeffer, Does the package need to be delivered to him personally? I'm guessing that you don't want us to just leave it on his doorstep for him to find at his convenience."

Schaeffer answers, "Ahh yes, my apologies, my dear. Yes the package needs to be brought to him personally."

Scarlet raised her eyebrows as she nodded. The movement caused the finest of lines to appear across her forehead as the job just got even more dangerous.

"So this is basically a B&E job but instead of appropriating something we're making a delivery followed by a firefight once the package is delivered. This should be interesting. She said matter-of-fact tone before asking another question.

"I have another question. You mentioned previously that you will have a rigger on hand once we get down there to ferry us in and out of the area of operations. How will we be getting down to Ecuador itself. We'll be needing to take equipment that most nations would... She paused for a second. "Frown upon harshly. Will transportation there also be provided? Providing a possibility of avoiding customs or less thorough look over that some cred can buy?"

"That is correct", replies Schaeffer, "We will provide transport to Ecuador, and my ties with the government will allow you to enter without worrying about customs. The Ecuadorian government feels the same way about Mendez as I do, though they don't know the specifics of my plan."

Shaea listened as Allison and the Frenchman asked their questions. Some of them she would have asked, and some she hadn't thought of. Since they were so keen to talk, she certainly wouldn't stop them. She took another sip of her Pelagos and listened to Shaefer's response to Allison's most recent question.

Scarlet nodded in approval at Schaeffer's response. That was one thing that they didn't have to worry about. Trying to carry illegal gear no matter what licenses one has is a bad idea. Schaeffer's influence and social connections looked as if they would come in handy.

She looked at the Frenchman. He had already broached the subject of cred for this job. They were being asked to do quite a bit. Infiltrate a compound with significant vehicle presence and paramilitary force. Deliver a package to the target. Said package will most likely incite a negative, bullets start flying, response. Escape the now mad man and his forces and get back alive. All this to be done in a foreign country. She raised an eyebrow wondering if 25k and a 15k expense account was worth their hides.

Let's hope the sweet talker brings up the topic of payment again. 25k is a good payday but this Schaeffer's has plenty of cred. Besides they were amateurs and he knew it. She thought to herself.

The Frenchman caught the Elf's look and send her back a confident wink, as if he knew what she was thinking, or just because of the pretty sight she was giving him.

His eyes went back staring at the screen and their Johnson.

Thank you M. Schaeffer. We'll handle the remaining details with your acolyte here, but before that we must address the elusive subject of our compensation. We've had good business in the past and am sure the satisfaction has been mutual. You know our skills and I will not insult your judgement by trying to negotiate what you've offered for the completion of the mission, which I believe is of 25,000 Nuyens each.

However, preparation for this specific event - its odds, its dangerous location, its terrain - will require some important expanses. Where our opponents lack training and skills, they compensate with number and firepower. For the four of us to retain a good tactical advantage, we need to make a difference with not only our expertise but also the quality of the equipment we'll use against them or our environment.

I therefore request the amount of 7500 Nuyens per head, and if I'm sure we'll have to put some of our own money in that, our salary will compensate for it. Of course if you could arrange for us having access to some of Ares well known warfare equipment, as previously mentioned, we could negotiate that amount.
I am also asking that the four full salaries will be paid no matter who makes it back from the run. The team will take care of re-distributing some of the money to close-ones and/or relatives.

If those terms are acceptable we should be on our way soon. I'd like a chat with your rigger as I have some questions and maybe request as what kind of transportation can be used. And M. McFinlay will give us last minutes details, I'm sure.

The Frenchman kept his eyes fixed on Schaeffer through the screen. The video conference put him at a disadvantage as he couldn't smell the person he was negotiating with missing important clues as to what he was thinking, but Schaeffer had been pretty fair and straightforward in his previous deal, and his demand not outrageous, everything should be fine.

Negotation

Using Edge to reroll non-success