Fastball o/` The Way o/`

[Huitzil]

"I don't think we should split up. Too many things could go wrong. People are after us, and if they catch us 2 or 3 at a time, we're going to get fucked. Whatever we do, rush to Ouruboros, or wait and go to Alabama, I think we ought to do it together."

[Bjorn]

"Actually, two groups is best, I think.  Strength isn't our, uh, strength here to begin with.  Given what we're up against, picking off a group of five probably wouldn't be much harder for them.  Smaller groups are less noticeable, and, frankly, stealth is our best option."

Bjorn considers, and then says, "Okay, if we're going to split up, I think the obvious candidates for going to Alabama are Archimedes here and myself.  Me because they know me, and Rez for the same, plus the whole point now is to put them in contact  with the Oracle.  Drac and Paul are out because the refugees won't know 'em, which will be nervous-making.  The wolf here..." Bjorn shrugs.  "It'll work either way.  I think it'd be best if he went to Gibraltar, since scouting will probably take more manpower, though."

[Huitzil]

"I suppose you might be right. But I just met some people who can watch my back for the first time in a while, and I don't want to just leave half of them behind."

[Dracos]

"Two groups is best, but I dislike the groups.  While you raise a valid point about myself and Uns being unknowns, Gin isn't.  More specifically, if we go, I can't hide shit if necessary and it's putting two of our "We know how to fight and are carrying all the equipment" in the same group going the safer route.  We hope no shit happens, but at the same time, I'm not going to be able to sneak crap through customs, Gin is Gin, and Huitz is out like a light with just a few tries.  That's not a lot of accident insurence.  I suggest myself and Rez and huitz.  Bjorn, you and Gin should be fine.  Gin was known by them anyway as he was there with you the whole damn time.  This way if something happens we at least have a little accident insurence for both squads to help them escape."

Dracos

[Huitzil]

"Hey now, nobody ever said that just because I have a superpower, it's the only thing I can use."

[Dracos]

"Huitz, unless you have a magic pocket or know kungfu, don't whine about being classified like that.  You are coming with me either way."

Dracos

[Ginrai]

Ginrai shrugs.  "I'm okay with going to either place, though I do think that my wolf form can be useful in checking out the place in Gibraltar."

[Dracos]

"Gin, a wolf is going to attract attention in Britain.  It might be useful, but I think having Rez along would be more useful."

Dracos

[Rezantis]

"Well, the way I see it . . . three people should be going to Gibraltar, two to Alabama.  Nobody goes alone, for obvious reasons.  Gin and Uns should go to Gibraltar, for the reasons Bjorn and Uns just listed, and obviously Bjorn goes to Alabama . . ." Rez trails off, "And I suppose my ability to smuggle stuff puts me as a key element in our planning here."

[Bjorn]

"Be that as it may," Bjorn says patiently, "the whole point of this exercise is to put the Oracle in contact with the Workshop refugees, and l'il ol' Archimedes is our Oracular go-to.  Unless, somehow, you give me a way to reach the Oracle, do introductions, etc, etc, then hehas to come with me.

"I think his ability to smuggle things is secondary, at least as far as scouting goes.  If you guys get in a position where you need weapons, well, you're up shit creek already.  Stealth, remember? You shouldn't need to be armed until we actually try to move in."

[Bjorn]

<Rez> "Well, I really need to give you her new email anyway."
<Bjorn> "What about the uplink?"  
<Rez> "Dialup.  Someone has to go with you, though, so either me or Drac."
<Bjorn> "I've already said why I think you're a better option than Drac in that regard, so...."

[Bjorn]

More IRC discussion that I can't be bothered to novelize properly.  Deal.

<Bjorn> Okay.  So we're pretty much agreed that I go to Alabama.
<Ginrai> yeah, since you know them
<Bjorn> I think we've also agreed that Huitzil and Drac should go to Gibraltar.
<Ginrai> not sure about Drac
<Bjorn> Okay, fair enough.
<Rez> Huitzil should go to Gibraltar, Bjorn should go to Alabama.
<Bjorn> But we do all think that it should be two to Alabama, and three to Gibraltar?
<Rez> I think Ginrai would be more use going to Gibraltar.
<Rez> Yes, definitely.
<Bjorn> Okay, I agree about Ginrai.
<Rez> I also think Drac would be more use in Gibraltar than I would.
<Rez> Being like, ya know, I have nfi what I'm doing. ;)
<Bjorn> Ditto.  Also, the Workshop refugees don't know him, so I think he's a liability for Alabama.
<Rez> Well, not necessarily.
<Bjorn> Hm?
<Rez> They'll probably recognize him as the voice-that-was-yelling-down-about-the-gas-tap.
<Bjorn> Ehh.  I wouldn't bet on that.  I'm not sure I'd recognize his voice.
<Bjorn> Besides, I'd rather not have Bridgett around with the guy who's carrying her mother's eyes around.  ^^;;
<Rez> You raise -quite- a valid point.  ^^;;
<Bjorn> But there's no question they'd know you better than him.
<Ginrai> heh
<Bjorn> But, I can see why Drac would want you to go to Gibraltar.
* Bjorn shrugs.
<Ginrai> though this would mean that are weapons would be limited
<Rez> Yeah.
<Bjorn> But, frankly, if Rez is going to Gibraltar, it might just be best if I went alone to Alabama.
<Rez> See, they can't really take the uplink without me going.
<Rez> OTOH, we're not sending you alone anywhere.
* Ginrai nods
<Ginrai> what's the reason for having Uns going to Gibraltar?
<Rez> Ginrai: Workshop inmates don't know him.
<Rez> They know me, and they know you, so if anyone goes with Bjorn it should be you or me.
<Rez> The thing is.
<Rez> If we -fly- to Alabama.
<Rez> We'll only be like a day behind anyway.
<Bjorn> Well, yeah.  But that's a day short on scouting, and it means hauling a big group to the refugee town.  That's more likely to a) panic them, and b) draw attention.
<Rez> Hm?
<Rez> No.
<Rez> I mean you and I fly to Alabama.
<Bjorn> Ohhhhh.
<Bjorn> Yes, I agree with that.
<Bjorn> It might be two days, but yeah, we won't be far behind.
<Rez> Like, we fly out of Sacramento, and send the other guys to fly out from another airport.
<Bjorn> Ah.
<Bjorn> Yes.
<Bjorn> Very workable.
<Rez> BTW, if they go through London, I'd rather not.
<Bjorn> Oh?
* Rez must say: I am -leery- about flying straight to Gibraltar.
<Bjorn> I mean, Heathrow sucks ass, and is very tight on security, but...
<Bjorn> Ah.
<Rez> Pure paranoia, fly through Paris.  You speak french.  :P
<Bjorn> Hrm.  Or we could go to Madrid.
<Bjorn> Either works, though.
<Rez> Madrid might actually be better there.
<Bjorn> Madrid gives us the option of land, air, or sea.
<Rez> Exactly.
<Rez> Hm.
* Rez might see if I can set Relm to finding good routes to Gibraltar for us, too.
<Bjorn> Good plan.
<Rez> She's better at it than we.  <_<
<Bjorn> Maybe she can buy some airmiles with Everquest 2. ;)
<Rez> Heh.  Heh.  Heh.
<Bjorn> If we're really lucky, she can hack the reservations so that it looks like we made them a couple months in advance.
<Bjorn> That will help a lot with the tourist disguise.
<Rez> I didn't think of that.  A Good Plan.
<Bjorn> Okay.  So our current plan is: Unseen, Ginrai, and Dracos fly to Gibraltar via London from, say, Los Angeles.
<Bjorn> Rez and I split off earlier, fly to Alabama via Sacramento, and contact the Workshop refugees.
<Bjorn> From there, we'll fly to Madrid, get to Gibraltar somehow, and meet up with them.
<Bjorn> Is that right?
<Rez> Sounds like a plan.

[Dracos]

Dracos sighs, "Oh well, not the first time I played tourist.  Huitz, Gin, we are tourists.  College goons.  We're going to see the rock of Gibraltar because it's spiffy.  Understand?" Dracos glances specifically at Ginrai.

Dracos

[Huitzil]

"I suppose I could be down with that, but I'd still prefer sticking together. Anything else we need to decide?"

[Rezantis]

"Well, actually, you guys could go to Madrid and drive south, and we could go via London."