"Hello, all," came a bright voice from the telecom's speakers.

"Now that we're all here," Lothan said. "Let's get down to business. The job is a fairly simple snatch and grab on some cargo coming into the metroplex by truck. It belongs to Ares Macrotechnology, and information from our employer indicates that there will be some modest security protecting the shipment."

"What's in it?" Silver Max asked.

Lothan shrugged. "The Johnson felt that was on a need-to-know basis-"

"-and we don't need to know," Max concluded, nodding for the troll to continue.

"We need to hit the truck after it gets into the metroplex, then deliver it to a location in Redmond specified by our client. Since it is coming into the plex via the East Road, our best shot is to get to the truck while it's still in Redmond, before it reaches Bellevue."

"It's headed for the Ares facility there?" Liada asked. Lothan nodded.

"Sounds simple enough," Silver Max said.

"The cut is five thousand nuyen each upon successful completion of the run," Lothan said, looking around at the runners. "Time is somewhat limited, since the shipment arrives in two days. That gives us less than forty-eight hours to confirm the details and set up the run." He looked around at the assembled runners. "Are we all in agreement on the terms?"

"Seems like you've got more muscle than you need," the Street Deacon drawled laconically, looking at G-Dogg and Orion.

"I think a little extra firepower is prudent," Lothan replied, "but you're welcome to opt out if you're feeling crowded."

The Deacon shot Lothan a thin-lipped smile that made Kellan's blood go cold. "It's your money," he said.

"Any other comments?" the troll asked. "Very well. Here are your assignments. Max, the truck should be a standard Ares cargo hauler."

"Manned?"

"Yes, but with rigger controls. So we're going to need you on-site to drive it once it's secure."

"No problem," the dwarf said. "Am I running interference before that?"

"Surveillance," Lothan said. "I want your drones to track the truck's progress to the target location we choose. I also want you to scout out the route and pinpoint the sites where we can take the truck with the minimum of witnesses and trouble." The rigger nodded, the silver baubles in his braids glinting.

"Jackie, my dear," Lothan said to the telecom. "Your job will be to cast your nets and gather all the information the Matrix has to offer about this shipment. Verify the information from our Mr. Johnson and find out what you can about the security we'll be facing."

The cute cartoon face shifted into a girlish pout. "Is that all?" she asked. "Lothan, I thought this was going to be interesting. That doesn't sound like a challenge."

"You never know until you try," the troll said, "and you are not allowed to make things any more 'interesting' than they already are, okay?"

"Spoilsport," the decker said with a spritely laugh.

"Liada," the troll continued, ignoring Jackie's persona sticking out her tongue on the monitor, "I'd like you to do astral reconnaissance of the route, just to be sure there aren't any surprises. Then I'd like to discuss the coordination of our magical offensive and defenses with you."

"All right," the elven mage said, looking vaguely bored. "So are you going on this little run with us, then?"

"Absolutely." Lothan replied in a tone that made it clear that he didn't trust any of them to handle things without his supervision.

"G-Dogg," he turned to the ork bouncer. "Is I-90 currently claimed by anyone?"

G-Dogg opened his mouth to reply, but Orion spoke up from the opposite side of the room.

"The Rusted Stilettos and the Red Hot Nukes both claim it," the elf said, "but neither of them has got much of a hold on it from what I've heard."

Lothan looked to G-Dogg for confirmation and the ork nodded. "That sounds about right to me," he said. "I think the Stilettos are probably the contenders, since Glow City is so close to the highway and nobody really wants their territory along 202."

"Yeah, but the Nukes are the ones with the bikes," the elf countered, "and they've been making their way further down the highway from Hollywood lately."

Lothan addressed G-Dogg. "I want you to find out about their recent activities," the mage told him. "See if we're likely to have any trouble with them." Then he turned to Orion. "Do you think you can find out anything from your contacts?"

"I can ask around," the elf said.

"Do so, but discreetly. And that warning goes for the rest of you, too. I don't want word of this job getting out. Even though our window is short, I don't want our target to be forewarned."

"We'll meet again tomorrow at the same time," Lothan said, "to review the plan and adjust it if necessary. Unless there are any other questions?"

"Um, yeah," Kellan said, glancing around the room. "What am I supposed to do?"

Lothan smiled indulgently. "I have something special in mind for you, Kellan," he said. "Since, as I understand it, most of your contacts in Seattle are here in this room, I have chosen a very special role for you in our little drama. You can stay here tonight, if you wish, and we'll get to work early tomorrow." Liada snorted, which Kellan did her best to ignore. She nodded.

"Okay," she told the troll.

"Don't worry, honey," Jackie Ozone's voice said from the telecom. "Lothan's not the ladies' man that he once was, though it's true what they say about a man with some experience!" Her persona rolled her large eyes and giggled girlishly. Kellan saw Lothan's bushy white brows draw together, and she would swear that the big troll blushed.

"I'd say we're done here," he said, hitting a key on the telecom pad with a blunt finger. The screen suddenly went dark. Liada and G-Dogg chuckled softly as the runners got to their feet and said their good-byes before heading for the door. Orion and the Street Deacon had nothing to say before they made their exit, although the others lingered for a moment to talk.

"So," G-Dogg asked Kellan. "You crashing here tonight?"

She glanced at Lothan a moment before responding, and the troll mage said, "I assure you, Kellan, despite Jackie's childish jibes, you have nothing to fear from me. There's a guest room where you can stay, and the door locks, if it makes you feel any better."

"Guess so," she said turning back to G-Dogg. The ork nodded and punched her gently in the arm before he left.

As the other runners showed themselves out, Kellan's phone rang.

" 'Lo?" she said, and the spritely voice of Jackie Ozone greeted her.

"Lothan's okay," the decker said, "but watch your back anyway."

"Thanks," Kellan said in as neutral a tone as possible. "I will."

"Here's a number where you can contact me." Kellan's phone beeped as it received the data. "Give me a buzz if you need anything. Welcome to Seattle," Jackie said with a laugh. "Be seeing you." Then the decker hung up. As she closed her phone and put it away, Kellan realized that she hadn't asked Jackie how she'd gotten her number.