Tax Evasion

GM: Hek
Players: Miko
Synopsis: Johnson hires Miko to retrieve data that proves fraud, and kill corporate consultant facilitating tax fraud against the UCAS, framing the killing to look like a suicide.
Date: 4, July, 2074


East Ridge - CHROME! - Conf. Room 2

While small, the conference room can seat 8 humans (3 trolls), leaving standing room for up to four more people. A square obsidian desk sits in the center of the room, surrounded by chrome self-adjusting stools. The table houses an LTG, as well as a power point and mini-bar. There are no security measures in this room, other than standard locks on the door and very, very thick walls.

Obvious exits (Current location: CAS Sector):
Out…………………… <O>

Word circulates around the shadows, upon the lips of fixers and other information brokers who skim a few nuyen off of the finders fees that come along with aligning talented operatives with those in need of them. A meeting is taking place in the number two conference room at CHROME! The Johnson is looking for an individual who is comfortable with getting their hands dirty to do what needs to be done. Interested parties should arrive at the appointed time.'.

Miko emerges though the door from the nightclub and enters the conference room.
Miko has arrived.

The Johnson is right of a trid show, down to his regulation issue dark grey suit with the UCAS flag pin on the lapel. The man's straight back, closely cut hair and unsmiling lips show all the hallmarks of a military background spent doing whatever his country might ask of him. Apparently at this moment, she has asked him to be here in this conference room, standing behind the high backed executive chair. "Thank you for coming." The words are pleasant and formal, delivered because protocol demands them, not because the man is particularly pleased to be here.

Miko heads into the room dressed in a suit not unlike his but instead of a normal blazer style jacket its longer to her thighs in a longer jacket style. She looks like shes going to an office meeting more than a job where shooting will be involved. She looks at him a second then nods to him "Thank you for inviting me. What did you need done?" Her tone polite as she sits acrss from where he stands.

The Johnson nods towards the door, and a large ork who had been leaning against the wall unnoticed, secures the deadbolts on the door to keep out any interlopers. A casual wave invites Miko to take a seat, and then man sits at the head of the table. At his side rests a white noise generator, which he activates. The audible hiss soon enough fades into the background as the mind filters it out. Meanwhile, the ork settles into a chair at the far end of the table and seems to doze off.
Preparing his presentation, the Johnson fetches a cord from the electronic device in the center of the table and connects it to his datajack. "As I am sure you are well aware, tax day has come and gone. Millions upon millions of good, patriotic citizens and their employers followed the rules and paid their fair share to keep this great nation of ours on sound economic footing. Yet there are always those who feel that they do not need to contribute, that they can skirt the edges of the tax code and deprive the Treasury of hundreds of million of nuyen." Various charts appear on the wall, projected from the console in the center of the table. They are mostly line graphs showing revenues of the UCAS over the last five years. A specially telling, red line that keeps rising shows 'uncollected taxes'.
"Well, this Fourth of July we are going to deliver the message that tax evasion will not be tolerated. Now we cannot do anything about the big boys, the Triple A megas." A scowl creases his already dour countinence. "But that is not my department. What we can do is deal with the smaller players, the B tier corporations who feel that they are above the law like their bigger brothers. This man.." An image appears on the wall, it looks like a passport photo that shows a dark brown skinned, Aztlan national. "Jorge Martinez Rodriguez, is a /financial consultant/.." The Johnson makes air quotes with his fingers. "..specializing in structuring tax regimes for middle tier corporations. For the last three years, he has assisted Aztlan based corporations and their subsidiaries operating here in Denver escape nearly five billion dollars in taxes."

Miko nods slowly watching the little show about taxes. "And you want me to…what? Get records of him doing this?" She can already assume he wants them dead but shes not about to say that out loud

The Johnson's scowl fades as he continues explaining the situation. "Having completed his yearly rounds here in Denver, he is getting ready to return to Atzlan. However, the UCAS DoJ currently has one of the corporations that he has been assisting under indictment. While we know that he will never willingly cooperate with the investigation, his lack of cooperation will not hinder the prosecution of the corporate malfeasance." The man interlaces his fingers in front of him, his tone somber and serious.
"Martinez Rodriguez is staying at the Burnsley Hotel in the Aztlan sector of the metroplex. Encrypted inside his head is all of the data that the UCAS Attorneys Office needs to successfully prosecute the corporation's board of directors and seize the corporation's assets." The man unfolds his hands so that he can open the stainless steel briefcase on the table next to him. From it, he retrieves a plain looking black box, about the size of a pack of cigarettes. "This box, connected to his datajack, will allow you to extract the contents of his headware memory so that you can copy it to the computer in his suite." The man reaches into the case again and pulls out a datachip. "This datachip contains the suicide note in which he expresses his grief over having to conceal the crimes of so many, and his inability to live with himself. The kind of inability that will lead him to throw himself off of the roof of the hotel, after getting particularly bent out of shape on large quantities of novacoke.." A large, ziplock bag of which the Johnson produces from the case and sets on the table.

Miko nods slowly and just listens now that deadly force is involved. Shes fairly sure some notes about security will be coming up soon

The charts disappear and are replaced with a map of the Aztlan section of the Denver metroplex and a few images of the outside of the Burnsley Hotel. "As I am sure you aware, the Burnsley Hotel is the premiere hotel for visitors to the Aztlan sector. Needless to say, security is extremely tight and the privacy, safety, comfort and security of the guests is of the utmost importance to the staff, and the local law enforcement providers. The target is staying on the fourth floor of the hotel, in room four twelve. A room has been arranged for you as well, but we will need a SIN to associate with the reservation. This SIN will obviously be checked upon entry and exit of the property."

Miko nods again "Sounds fair. But would a four story fall kill someone?" Shes pretty sure people survive falls of that height.

The man stares blankly at Miko and lets silence hang in the air between them. The quiet hum of the fan inside the projector melds with the static hiss of the white noise generator.

Miko smirks abit "What? I mean you wanna OD him thats one thing but that glass they use on over the third floor is tempered, no way hes gonna break it on the way out and you cant open them usually. And even if he did 4 stories will likely not kill him. Sure he would die a few hours later but throwing someone off a balcony tends to attract attention…you know forensic attention especially with corporate guys who have enemies."

The Johnson interlaces his fingers again and leans forward ever so slightly over them. "If I wanted to discuss the particular challenges of the operation, I would have stayed in my own office and invited my risk management team. Instead, I am sitting here in the conference room of some drek eating nightclub on the edge of the fucking Denver Warrens, talking to you and offering you twenty five thousand nuyen for your expertise in overcoming the challenges inherent in an operation of this caliber."

The Johnson, sensing a lack of resistance to the amount offered, unfolds his hands and plucks the cord out of his datajack. The light in the projector winks out and the images disappear from the wall. "If there is nothing else.." He closes the briefcase and as the locks on it *click* shut, the ork seems to stir from his slumber.

Miko nods "No theres nothing else. Ill handle the job."

The ork and the Johnson depart from the conference room, leaving Miko to put in a commcall to John. The man is very excited to hear from her, even if she only seems interested in talking about another man.. one Jorge Martinez Rodriguez. The name is not immediately familiar, but when Miko brings up tax consulting and the Aztlan government, it seems to register with John.
"Oh yeah, I /know/ that guy. He was a conference a couple of years ago, trying to network and line up business. Selling tax management services, at a government conference. You believe that drek?" John goes on to rant about the corporations and their reluctance to pay taxes, but eventually comes back to the matter at hand. "Now that you mention it, I did see him at the dinner with this really hot elf.. Well, no hotter than you. Actually, not even as hot as you." He assures Miko, betraying his feelings for her. "She was WAY out of his league. He might have paid for her."

Miko chuckles abit into the comm, she kinda likes john even if he gets abit chatty for her "Hmm good to know, Thanks john. How about we get some dinner next week? I feel bad only calling you over things this, That italian place up town, my treat" She says this cheerily and hangs up after setting that up wanting to keep him sweet on her, cant have him deciding that shes just after him for info.

Colorado and Colfax-Aztlan Side

The border checkpoint gives way to a rather uninviting neighborhood. Not the kind of welcome one might expect to what should be Denver's cosmopolitan midtown. The area is barren in the immediate vicinity of the guard posts, and when eventually buildings do start to flicker into being they are rather uninspired and sparse.

The transition to city dwellings is quick however; as space is at a premium. The sector planners won't allow the presence of a hotspot like the checkpoint to curb development, and so have thrown up a series of cheap box like flats in small high rises of about thirty stories. The benefit of the strong ACS presence here is obvious: despite the lowly status of the area, it does seem to keep the vagrants off the street.

Obvious exits (Current location: Aztlan Sector):
Free Trade Zone <FTZ> Colfax Ave <W> The Burnsley Hotel <BH> Colorado Blvd. <S>

The area immediately in front of the hotel is run in an orderly and efficient manner. Valets move vehicles away from the entrance with efficient precision, and the bell staff helps the guests into the hotel with the same orderly efficiency. On the surface it is good customer service. On a more practical level, it reduces the likelihood of a vehicle born IED taking out any of the VIPs who frequent the establishment.
The SIN check is equally smooth, with the bell captain verifying Miko's identity in an almost apologetic way, while knowing that she of course appreciates the extra steps taken to assure her security. Extra steps taken under the watchful eyes of multiple security cameras covering the approach from all directions. Soon enough she is through into the lobby and on with her mission.

The Burnsley Hotel - Lobby

The lobby of the 'Burnsley' spares no expense to impress its guests that they are about to enjoy one of the most luxurious hotels in the city. The floors are made of marble and covered in front of the leather couches and chairs by genuine Persian hand woven rugs. Exotic palm trees arch over the lobby from their planted positions in the marble floors. Rare tropical birds, flit from the branches of smaller trees placed in delicate gardens along the walls, offer a chorus of little chirps as background noise.
The walls of the lobby are mirrored, offering an infinite expanse of apparent space. At the entrance of the lobby there is a beautiful Aztech type rock arch with hieroglyphics etched within the stone, telling a story of an ancient place of rest and recovery in the jungles. It's placed very typically of a chem-sniffing and/or cyber-scanning device. Passing through it also offers a slight tingle of the skin as the astral barrier is penetrated.
Ahead in the lobby there is a wide marble counter with a well stocked list of employees with high credentials to ensure the clients every need are taken care of. Each employee has a flatscreen computer monitor to quickly check in their customers and to call over a bellboy to take luggage up to the appropriate room.
From this lobby a hallway leads off to the right which offers access to the elevators, as well as the first floor rooms in that direction. Signs inform that in that direction there is also a swimming pool, and a physical fitness gym. Another hallway which leads off to the left offers access to more elevators, as well as the first floor rooms in that direction. Signs on that hallway inform that in that direction there is a restaurant, as well as a gift shop.
(+lhelp is available here)
Contents:
Miko [Player] [IC]
Obvious exits (Current location: @tel #1482):
Out <O>

Miko doesnt mind the cameras and SIN check. As far as the world is concerned shes just a corporate employee who had to change to the oldest profession. She heads to the Hotel Bar, orders a cowboy and waits for the man knowing he will do what all execs do and look for a girl downstairs. Shes in a slim black cocktail dress with wrapped heels looking very unlike a runner now and more like a high priced call girl with her hair down and loose with light makeup.

In the worlds oldest profession, some things are as predictable as the sunrise. Chief amongst them is that a business man on a trip, left to his own devices, will find his way down to the nearest available bar on the off chance that an attractive woman might be there. Not as predictable is whether or not that man will have a shadow, like Jorge Martinez Rodriguez does. At first glance, the two of them could be brothers. Two human males with dark complexions and well tailored suits. Though the shadow definitely pays deference to his charge, hanging back a few steps and carrying himself with a decidely more alert demeanor than Mr. Rodriguez.
"A cabernet." He instructs the bartender as he settles down onto a stool at the bar. The man is more relaxed than most, and he does not give Miko the sort of direct attention and acknowledgement that most men would. His companion gives her the same professional once over that he gives everyone. Apparently satisfied with the situation, he pats Jorge on the shoulder and mutters something into his ear. Receiving a nod, he leaves the man at the bar and settles down at a small table a dozen or so feet away.

Miko watches the man and then looks at his bodyguard. The bodyguard most likely wont be watching them in the room so it shoudnt be too much of a problem. But he will have to be watched. She smiles at Jorge with a soft smile and a practiced alluring look thats half 'pay me' and half 'protect me'. She may work security jobs but shes done enough private detective work to know how to handle herself in jobs like this.

The lobby bar is a subtly busy place for those who know what they are looking for. On the surface, it is a waiting area for people who are going to be having dinner in the restaurant. For those whose diets are of the liquid variety, or who can survive on smaller portions, it is a place for them to unwind and socialize. To the trained eye, it is a shark tank for a small handful of working girls, and boys who make their living trading their bodies for nuyen.
Miko manages to blend in with the latter group, the effort easily accomplished with the help of the tight fitting dress and genetic blessings that she has been gifted with. Subtle innuendo morphs into more blatant flirting and then borderline rauchiness as Jorge makes it known that he has more than enough discressionary income to afford the best, while expressing his regrets that he cannot party alone and that he comes as a package deal. Himself, and the other man, the bodyguard, who watches the crowds with the professional attentiveness of someone who takes his job seriously.

Miko smiles at him when he picks her up as the most attractive of the girls. The japanese elf knows how to work it when she has to and has played this gambit before. She chats him up abit about a few vapid things trying to make him think shes just some airhead hooker, smart enough to not seem like a total idiot but dumb enough that he feels superior to her. She brings up that the guard would just ruin the fun, types like him are always stopping people from having fun. But if he really wants him involved it will be extra. She doesnt obviously talk price but she implies it.

The ruse works and soon enough the trio are in the elevator, out of the elevator, and then walking down the hallway on the fourth floor. The bodyguard might not be coming into the room, but he will be standing outside of the door. A door that Jorge leaves unlocked as he escorts Miko into the small living room of the suite. It is a typical setup, with a couch and a couple of chairs and a coffee table that are all arranged to encourage the occupants of the room to enjoy the view out of the window, where mountain peaks rise up in the distance beyond the sky scrapers of the FTZ.

Miko goes to his room with him pressing against him softly and clinging to his arm with a smile up at him. Sometime she actually finds being a short elf better though. Alot of humans seem to enjoy the more fictional idea of an elf she fills out, small and frail looking instead of tall and condescending. She goes into the hotel room and looks around with a smile, giving the rich guy the one thing all rich men seem to want, she acts like shes in awe of the room he has giving him all the time he needs to brag.

After procurring more alcohol from the wet bar, Jorge predictably brings up the subject of the novacoke. The Johnson was apparently one step ahead, having had access to the man's dossier and notes entered into it by a DEA agent a couple of years ago. Given that hookers and blow go hand in hand, the man is not at all surprised when Miko has some of it.
The cocaine has its typical affect. Combined with the alcohol, it makes the man aggressive and not at all interested in small talk. He wants what Miko has implied she is going to give him.

Miko gives him an actual once over…then a twice over in bed to tire him out wanting him in a drunken drugged sleep. Shes lucky she has low scruples on that end of things and this is better than shooting a place up. Once hes out she checks his datajack and plugs him in to download the info having a heavy pillow ready to muffleh im if he does wake up.

The think about stimulants like cocaine is that they are not condusive to things like sleep. In fact, only large amounts of alcohol administered over a considerable period of time are enough to get Jorge to finally pass out. It seems like he has only just passed out, barely giving Miko enough time to connect the data decryption box to his datajack, before the sound of the front door is audible.
"Party's over." The voice of the bodyguard carries through the apartment, followed by some apologetic sounding sentences in Spanish. Probably the man apologizing to his employer for kicking his companion out.

Though she might be dainty, Miko is strong enough to drag the unconscious, dead weight of the target out of the bed across the bedroom towards the living room. That is how the bodyguard finds her, half naked with the immobilized body of the man he is supposed to protect. To say that he does not look happy would be a major understatement. The unhappiness and surprise quickly morphs into anger.

Miko looks at the guard with a look of fear "we need to get him outside. He wanted novacoke and started blacking out. He needs air. I have some magic I can help!" She puts on her best 'oh shit I dont wanna get in trouble help me!' look at him looking for all the world like a call girl out of her depth

The bodyguard seems deaf to Miko's appeals and explanations about what is going on, and what her intentions are. "Get away from him!" He commands her in that authoritarian voice that security contractors are trained in. The man looks wary as he approaches her, peripherially aware of the mention of magic and trying to recall all of his training about how to most effectively deal with the Awakened. Falling back on his training, he does the first thing any bodyguard is supposed to do. Secure the principal.

Miko drops the guy towards the table and gets away from him heading towards the wall putting on a good terrified look "please let me help…If this gets out I wont be able to work here anymore…" Begging him as she tries to get away quickly since she didnt bring any weapons.

"I do not give two shits about where you can or cannot work." The Hispanic man growls at Miko as he kneels down next to Jorge, keeping one eye on the elven prostitute. "Get the fuck out of here, now!" That authoritian voice returns as he feels around on the man's neck for a pulse while muttering into his radio. "I need a medic in room four twelve, immediately."

Miko just leaves grabbing her clothes and taking the blackmail info. If they dont plan to pay her for the info she can always sell it to a fixer later

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