Partners in (fighting) Crime -- CRIME PLOT CATCH ALL PART 2

[zauneyete]

WHO: Anyone interested in cleaning up the MEAN STREETS of NEO TOKYO
WHAT: Catch-all log for cleaning up (or making more of a mess of) Neo Tokyo's crime scene! Refer to the OOC post here for details. Neo Tokyo's current social and political climate can be found under the World / Setting section here.
WHERE: Neo Tokyo
WHEN: Throughout the Month of June
WARNINGS: Kaiju Violence (akin to pit fighting); death; criminal activity; drugs etc, please let me know if you need me to update the tags!


As the base in Tokyo has gotten back to rights, someone has made sure to put recruitment posters back up for a specialised subsection of an anonymous Neo Tokyo security agency! Feel free to assume that's where most of the directives come from. Characters can also visit the Security Agency HQ (A small office) where they can get more information from Silco about the plot or learn about the side quests available!

People are free to use this log or their own for open and closed starters. Please feel free to treat this like an open log! However, if you'd like to contribute to the quest chain or setting changes, please remember to eventually submit your links and a summary in the First Header so I can send them to the mods to progress the crime plot!

For June, the following quests are available; In addition to Street Fighter III and Be Prepared, the following additional quests are available to progress the crime plot:

Best Bang for your Buck
One of the more well-off CEOs in Neo-Tokyo has a reputation of working closely with one of the most infamous (and untouchable) politicians in the city. The politicain himself is difficult to corner or get close to, however, the CEO is marginally more available. Or at least, his business is aways hiring, and they contract several services such as cleaning out to small businesses. He also has several close associates known for frequenting many of the clubs in Neo-Tokyo as well, and they are easy to speak with, especially when indulging in drink or drugs.

Outsiders will need to get information about him from either his associates or fellow workers, where they can find him. He’s a bit notoriously difficult to find, but after investigating, Outsiders will be able to find out that he frequents the Underground, or rather – a string of clubs and fighting rings run not by legitimate businesses, but Crime Syndicates. It seems our CEO isn’t as squeaky clean as one would think. Outsiders will need to stalk this CEO to find out more about where he goes, as well as his dealings within the underground.

LILITH would be appreciative to know who he is meeting and what it is about, but it is up to Outsiders whether they share this information with LILITH, or if they report it to the “agency”, or both.

Hissy Pit
LILITH has obtained information from previous investigations that there are money-laundering schemes that seem more far-reaching than just in Neo Tokyo, and include both local businesses paying protection fees as well as outside entities that are investing in Neo-Tokyo’s criminal enterprises. They aren’t certain of how far it goes, but rumors suggest it may be spreading to other crime-friendly locations, like Las Vegas. Getting information is trickier, as Outsiders will need to obtain information while infiltrating an Underground Fight club to do so. Information suggests that they use kaiju they’ve stolen to fight not only other kaiju, but other promising human fighters, and earlier in the nights, the unfortunate. Either those that owe a debt, a captured rival, or snitches. (You are free to use common and small Kaiju from the TDM as fighting Kaiju in your threads! Maybe a few rift-corrupted beetles?)

Outsiders are asked to infiltrate this dangerous den and obtain information by any means necessary. Saving civilians in the meantime is desired, but may not be possible. Outsiders are encouraged to attempt to keep a low profile during this operation if at all possible. Outsiders are also strongly discouraged (but not prohibited) from using their powers if they end up in the ring. Tipping the organizations off can lead to the underground to either move, or disappear entirely and a new scheme could crop up in the meantime.

LILITH would appreciate any information turned over to them in regards to these connections, as well, but it’s entirely up to the Outsiders if they want to provide that information to LILITH, the “agency”, or both!

Comments

REPORTING

[zauneyete]

Please go ahead and link your threads! Please provide a short summary so I can submit it to the mods to continue this player plot!

[photosympathies]

hopefully this is not too late

So Vash and Taryon met up with a guy called Marek at a local bar and quickly get talking. Winning him over, Marek seems bemused by their tomfoolery and offers them a chance to do a job for him. In it they're supposed to meet up with a third source and either convince him to part ways with something or they have to take it from them. We're handwaving the actual stealing part if that's okay. Taryon uses an invisibility spell on Vash, meaning he can sneak in undetected and pilfer a small crate. Inside are miscellaneous kaiju parts that they eventually bring back to Marek, solidifying their use in the man's books.

Eventually this might get passed on to Silco? Or he can hear from one of the NPCS about either the theft ( from the victim's pov ) or from Marek and their use.

[likemybooks]

Taryon and Silco find a man who is involved in the black market. Taryon poses as a new member of Silco's group looking for advice, and they learn of a trade/import that will happen soon. Taryon is invited to watch and learn with the hopes of getting more involved with business in the future.

Silco | Brimstone | OTA

[zauneyete]

o1. pit vipers

[ Fighting rings were all the same, whether they were men or monsters. Sweat, clamoring bodies, tickets and dollars shoved in the air towards bookies who were carefully counting bets, odds, and who bet how much. Collections running rife, drinks and even a few nasty shoves between both patrons and trainers alike. It's smoky, from vapes and real smokes, and the neon lighting and screens suggests that one could see the actual fights from nearly any spot within the area.

Silco is here, with an outsider. Puffing on a cigar, though his clothes have shifted to something that fits a little bit more with the rest of the patrons -- all dark colors, though his holster, gun, and even a knife or two is tucked away on his person -- and he's already adding to the smoke in the room. He looks over at whomever decided to join along with him for the evening. ]

Quite the place, isn't it? I'm not one for fighting rings, but they have always held a certain allure to a certain kind of person.

[ But you're here for a reason. Silco's here mostly to facilitate, to guide, or to shuffle through paperwork while people are distracted. Are you here to fight, or here to bring your own fighting beetle? Or are you concerned about the state of the kaiju here?

The nasty look on the face of one of the trainers, who leers at anyone who comes by, while one of his Yama-Kujira snaps and flings itself at the bars of his cage. It looks bigger, nastier. Like he's been trying to make it worse. ]

Don't get intimidated yet. We haven't even been here for an hour yet. Now, has anyone explained to you how all this works?

o2. climbing the corporate ladder

[ Outside the corporate headquarters there's plenty of security, and plenty of cameras. Corporate espionage is a little different than infiltrating a fighting ring, after all, and it requires more finesse than simply striding in. Which is why he a) isn't alone, and b) already has a pair of badges, ready to hand one over to the outsider next to him. ]

I've found, that individuals like this believe themsevles above the rest of us on the ground. Looking down on us from their glass-covered offices. People like him believe that there's nothing that can touch them.

That they will always be immune to danger. To falling.

[ A twitch of his lips. ]

Do you fancy teaching him otherwise? I'd like to see what he has in his little white tower, and what he's doing with it.

[ How has he stayed so resilient? What are his techniques? Well, even an old man can learn a few new tricks. ]

o2

[lifeprice]

[ Aki isn't sure how cut out he is for this.

He graduated and almost immediately joined Public Safety, where he used his skills (and insanity) to try and protect humanity in a quest for something better, for vengeance for what happened to his family. Nothing had mattered to him beyond that, so wrapping his mind around something that feels as pathetic as corporate espionage is frustrating and annoying - but he has a decent enough reason for doing it.

The distraction, and the fact that the place these men go seem to be around where he and Tsurumaru had their first "date", and he enjoyed the undercover aspect of it. Being able to take down an asshole seems like an added benefit if you ask him. It's not as if his moral compass is a particularly strict one, even if he might be one of the "good" guys, and he has a sense that there might be a good way of getting around the lesser evils, so to speak.

Raising his eyebrows, he watches Silco for a moment. ]

I'll investigate it. I have plans to visit one of the clubs he enjoys as well.

[ It's a date night with Tsurumaru, but Silco doesn't need to know that. ]

[zauneyete]

Oh? Happy to volunteer?

[ It's good. It's a good arrangement, because it means Silco can do what he does best, and focus on the dark side of the plan. He has little interest in actually putting himself into so much danger.

Honestly, if they can infiltrate on that end...

Well.

He can start shuffling through other work. There are plenty of other resources to tap. ]

I've found success in taking a companion. Do you have someone in mind?

Pit Vipers

[mikoshi]

[ His name is Alejandro Kimura, Nikkeijin from America. He likes fast cars, questionable men and hard fights. Alex wants an in with Vegas because he's homesick. Nevada, California? Same general area. Tokyoites have a hilarious idea of what America's like (straight outta anime/manga) which is perfect for his purposes—no one's fact checking the geography. ] Yeah, the allure of gettin' my ass kicked. [ Isn't lying. Get up to a certain point with your skills and it turns into a glass ceiling. Can't improve if you don't fail, if no one points out your weaknesses. While V doesn't want to lose, the discouragement of using his powers proves too tempting of a challenge. Just clean fists and a prayer.

Well, as clean as Gorilla Fists can get. No activating those extra functions. ] Sorta. But explain it to me like I'm five again to make sure.

[zauneyete]

[ Silco's single eyebrow lifts, as he speaks. Most outsiders aren't as interested in taking a beating — or they think they are invincible, and can handle anything thrown at them.

But, he seems to recognize it. His head tipped. ]

Think of it as the opening act. They toss out the debtors, the low lifes, the ones who they can toss aside. The point is to bet. There's always a spoiler — but it's no guarantee.

That's the role I've arranged for you to play. To fight the kaiju, and surprise them, when you don't end up dead in the end.

[ Simple, truly! ]

o1. FINALLY

[gorb]

( It's not difficult, tracking down Silco. He's a particular kind of man, even dressed down as he is, and Geto is clever enough at finding people. So it's entirely on purpose when he attracts his friend's attention, when he tips his head in greeting, hair falling over one shoulder as he hums in response. )

No, but it's not hard to put two and two together and figure it out. Funny, how we have to dispose of them on their behalf out there but here they're big and brave, no?

( His nails tap against his folded arms, voice tilting curiously. )

Are the kaiju drugged?

YAYYYYYYY

[zauneyete]

Depends on how violent they can be.

[ Silco says once he approached. He tipped his hand toward the bartender, ordering two of something in particular — he's always happy to ply Geto with liquor, after all. ]

Some are, some aren't. I don't think they are drugging the beetles, but that's more a recent novelty. The rest... might.

[ His eyes tip towards one particular kaiju, a beastly looking thing, like a large, very beastly creature with sharp fangs that dribbled drool as it looked out with hate at whatever it was facing off. ]

Depending on how many humans they've killed before. [ A scoff. ] Interesting that they don't fear them here, hm?

Johnny Silverhand | Revelation | OTA

[rebelsamurai]

HISSY HISSY

[While some things change, others will always remain the same.

Although Neo Tokyo appeared to be slightly better than Night City in terms of trash removal, it is still a dump. Crime is on the rise, ranging from physical assault to more terrifying incidents that Johnny doesn't want to think about. Life here is a mash-up of Night City and the worst expectations a Japanophile might have of Japan. Johnny finds it absurd, with its neon flashing lights, hologram prostitutes, and a swarm of junkies on every street. But damned if it doesn't seem all too familiar to him.

It's almost like he never left Jig-Jig Street.

He wanders through the underground maze of gambling dens and massage parlors, nonchalantly making his way to the fighting pits ahead. While he isn't interested in joining the excited young combatants heading to the viper pit, Johnny is intrigued enough to observe. The rockerboy leans on the balcony's metal railing, smirking as he looks down at the blood-covered ring.]

My kind of crowd. [He mutters before gazing towards the throng of people across from him. No one can see the faint orange gleam of his eyes as he scans the crowd. Hell, most people don't even know he has cyberware. Johnny almost looks completely organic except for his silver prosthetic. That's a huge advantage on his part, especially since he's looking for someone.]

BEST BANG | Network

[It's fuck-all-o-clock when this message rings out over the network. The message is from choom named "lastsamurai," but only a handful of people know who the hell that is. If you're one of those lucky folks, then you already know it's Johnny.]

What the fuck are we lookin' for exactly?
Some CEO's sleazy fuckin' deets? Aren't most drugs legalized and shit?
I saw a gonk having a psychotic break a minute ago after sniffing some synthcoke off a hooker's ass.

Like what's the deal there?

WILDCARD

(ooc: do you have something else in mind? Feel free to either PM me or plot with me at devillady )

@topknot

[lifeprice]

"Most" doesn't mean "all".
Any evidence of his criminal activity would be helpful. Do you have any leads?

cw: brief mention about sex workers

[rebelsamurai]

I only got one lead so far, and it's looking like this CEO is a fuckin' pervert.
He likes 'em young, that's all I'm gonna say.

Hissy Hissy

[mikoshi]

[ Looking like a chromed out freak might be preem in the intimidation department but Vincent's never cared to stand out. That he does anyways is inconsequential. His work speaks for itself.

Feels good to work with Johnny again. Actually work with him, his own agent in his own body, not as a digital ghost haunting his psyche. ] Time to work your charm. [ Johnny's charisma is off the charts. Better for him to waggle that silvertongue while V hangs back, acts as the urban ninja. If a person of interest shows up, he can disappear into the crowd with Optical Camo and tail them for a while, or take them down non-lethally, question them somewhere more private. If shit gets dicey, well...he can take care of that too.

The trick is to be far enough from Johnny so they're not linked, but also close enough he doesn't lose Johnny. Easier than he thought it'd be—it's like a six sense now. Knows exactly where Johnny is even when his sight's off him.

His Kiroshis flash red, holo connecting to Johnny via a private channel. Almost like slotting the Relic. Almost, but not quite. ] You want to tag 'em and bag 'em, or are we gonna have a nice chat first, best of chooms?

[rebelsamurai]

[A smile curls onto Johnny's lips once V comes in through the holo. This is their first real mission together, huh? Johnny is no longer the Ghost of Christmas Past anymore. Nova!]

"Let's have a nice chat first to make sure this is worth our while. The intel we learned about this guy wasn't very direct."

[Johnny replies while scoping out the crowd a bit more. He could already spot a few threats scattered about through the endless throngs of people. There's one dude with a Glock in his jacket and a crowbar in his left hand, and another gonk with a giant fucking hammer strapped to his back. These motherfuckers remind him of the Animals through and through, except they're Asian with glowing face paint on. It's kind of surreal, especially since the dudes look all look roided out.]

"Even on another damn Earth, people can't lay off the steroids." [Johnny mutters under his breath.]

"V, we got some heavy security out here. I'm thinking Mr. CEO is somewhere nearby."

hissy

[zauneyete]

[ Silco seems to materialize from the crowd. Out of nowhere, like a specter coming out of nowhere, all sharp edges, he comes up next to Johnny like it's a natural thing. ]

I'm not surprised. It's an unruly group, isn't it?

[ Silco looks a touch high-class in this space, in his trimmed vest and cut suit, but he still navigates it like he's a natural. Pit fighting was something he used to watch back when he'd been young. Back then, there had been a reason for the betting, the building of a reputation.

It's much different now, to be trying to topple it down from the inside. ]

Isn't it interesting how we had no idea this place even existed? Until recently?

[rebelsamurai]

[Leave it to Silco to nearly cause Johnny to jump out of his skin. He didn't even hear this bastard slither over towards him. There were no threat warnings in his peripherals either. This motherfucker really appeared out of thin air, didn't he?]

Shit. [He gives the old codger an annoyed glare.] Ever thought about puttin' a bell on your collar? You're going to scare the hell out of someone with that ugly mug of yours.

[Grumble, grumble.]

Yeah, I do find it pretty interestin' that we had no idea this shit ever existed. Kinda makes you wonder, huh?

@chocobo

[mesospheric]

Habits. Times and places most likely to see him at. Let the camera do the rest.

[rebelsamurai]

Habits, habits...

[He mutters while looking through some of the information they have on this CEO. The guy seems to frequent gambling dens a lot, which is a given, but he always ends up at a hostess club afterwards--]

Oh! Well, this fucker has one clear habit. He likes pretty women; the younger, the better.

I'm talking hostess club types.

Taryon Darrington | Redemption | OTA

[likemybooks]

Information Gathering

[The previous Taryon-Silco teamup went well, even if Tary needed some support in how to sneak a listening device onto a person. He's a friendly, naive face that serves as a mask for the obvious shady folk working behind the scenes. Why not try it a second time?

Although Tary needs some reassurance that definintely no serious laws are going to be broken and this is all for a good cause. It's not like he's being sent by Wildemount's biggest crime syndicate to eradicate an infestation of monsters in the depths of a platinum mine; the ethics of this mission weighs less heavily on his mind.

Taryon isn't dressed for subterfuge: he's wearing a new leather jacked with the back embroided with "LEATHER LADDIES" in neon colors and flourishes on the text. He really, really wanted to look the role of a Hollywood action hero tonight, guys. Why would he put so much effort (and pester his boyfriend who is a master with thread and needle) in his new outfit if he doesn't wear it on special occasions? It's also perfect for an everyday patron entering a bar where one of their targets frequents.]

He's there. We should wait until someone leaves and gives us a spot near him. [He leans over to whisper to his partner in crime for a moment before grinning and waving at the nearby waiter. Soon enough, there's two seats next to the business associate, his dress shirt slightly unbuttoned to deal with this summer humidity while he nurses a beer.]

Fighting Ring

You know... [He glances at their yama-kujira in the reinforced cage: their entry for the Law Vegas pit fight circuit.] I feel a bit bad about sending animals to their deaths. [Quickly adding:] Even if they exist to kill us all and herald a terrible end for humanity.

[Someone has never been to a fighting ring. Though nobles deny enjoying something so base and crass, most young men with a respect for violence sneaks into a cock or dog fighting ring. Taryon has only enjoyed the deaths of devils and pirates - creatures that were directly trying to kill him. These common kaiju weren't trying to gore him in the moment.]

Anyway, what are we supposed to do? Cheer on our entry? Wander around during the rest of the compenetion?

oo1, information gathering.

[photosympathies]

( You know who's not going to judge Taryon for his super cool, super awesome jacket? The blonde, bionic-armed individual beside him, also wearing the very same thing. Gone is Vash's signature red coat - with the tiniest of pangs, but it will be back once they're not on their super cool mission - instead he too is a proud member of the Leather Laddies. It's a great name, no one better tell them otherwise.

He takes his seat beside his friend, glancing over at the man they're supposed to be getting closed to, interest evident even though his eyes are mostly covered by the burnt orange of his glasses. They need to get close, he knows that much. What better way than to get someone loose-lipped with drink? )

Drinks for my friend here! ( Loudly, and mostly to the bartender, but their associate looks over at the noise and Vash grins wide and bright. ) Howdy, partner. You too?

[likemybooks]

[It's a tragedy that Astarion isn't here to complete the trio, but his skills lie with stalking and spying, not socializing in a pub and charming strangers in a nonsexual manner. Thus, the two blond idiots are here. No one could think these loud visitors were here on a mission.]

Something light, please! [Wine is his signature drink. If he's going to spy on someone, a cocktail will do.

The associate beside Vash looks down at his half-finished beer and shrugs. A free extra pint won't hurt, and these loud young men might get distracted partway through the night and leave him alone.]

002 Fighting Ring

[mesospheric]

[ Cloud had signed up for this for, well, the money mostly, but the prospect of busting a civilian or two out of this racket wasn't a bad plus. He'd expected something peculiar to come out of kaiju fighting rings, and he wasn't disappointed. The yama-kujira really isn't all that far removed from the local wildlife in the grasslands, just... bigger. Much bigger.

The chatter of his erstwhile companion cuts short his idle wondering. ]

Pretend like this is exactly where you want to be.

[ This guy... felt like a genteel sort. Someone ill-suited for grimy places like this. And yet... ]

Pretend like you really want to be friends with the high-rollers. We want an 'in' with the management, and the high-spenders are one way to get close. Better hope your entry is in fighting shape.

[likemybooks]

[This is why Taryon was usually sent to expensive bars to gather information. He still (to his frustration) comes from a privileged background and is obviously out of his environment in a gritty concrete fighting hall with the minimal levels of lighting to ensure no one is fumbling around in complete darkness. Fortunately, Cloud is here to provide useful ideas.]

So you want me to act like I'm obviously here to rub elbows with upper management, which I technically am, but make it so it's for selfish purposes and come off as annoying?

[He strokes his chin.] Yeah, I think I can do that.

informaTION!!!!

[zauneyete]

[ Silco does indeed actually lift an eyebrow at the 'LEATHER LADDIES' jacket. He can't help it. He actually almost says something, opens his mouth, and then closes it. You know what, actually? he's not going to get into that. He can make the fool of himself in that.

Silco, in contrast, is dressed sharply, like he fits in with the rest of the ne'er do wells among the black market. Sharp, modern, all black. There's a black patch over his eye to conceal it and keep them from recognizing him on sight, or knowing what his most recognizable feature is. Gloves on his hands, he slides one blue eye in Taryon's direction. ]

Remember that he's going to need to be manipulated to open up. You're just here because you're learning the ropes. Make mistakes, ask innocent questions.

[ A beat. ]

And don't get insulted when I tell you to be quiet, just quiet down for a minute or two, and then forget yourself again.