Contract: Poetic Justice

[snowy happy]

"Thanks," I say, wondering if I'll be alive to return.

I've always felt sick around packed crowds of people, and this time is no different.

[Benzo]

Trying to keep your composure as you pass through the throngs of people, you walk the expanse of the airport (made considerably easier without luggage) and soon find yourself seated and waiting patiently for your flight. Looking at your ticket as seating onto the plane began, you are pleasantly surprised to find yourself seated in 2B; A business-class seat.

[snowy happy]

Hm, business class. Better then sitting in a cramped seat packed into a row of others like a sardine in a can. Secret agents deserve comfort, right?

[Benzo]

As you make yourself comfortable for the long flight ahead, it isn't too long before the large airbus slowly pulled away from the terminal building and began its race down the runway, then lifting for the initial ascent into the skies. The flight attendants and other crew tend to their duties dutifully for the duration of the long flight, the trip only being disrupted for a short pause as the vessel refueled for the remainder of the trip.

Before long, you hear the pilot's voice come over the speakers as he announces your initial descent into Thailand. Keeping the message short, he informs the passengers of the local time [2:23 AM] and ends with a typical comment of a 'enjoy your stay' mannerism.

[snowy happy]

(Where's the capital in Airbus? Huh? Where? HUH?)

I look out the window, observing the beauty of Thailand. I wonder how the mission will go (being my first and all).

[Benzo]

Observing the calm tranquility of Bangkok's view against the night sky, you exit the plane upon landing and slowly but surely make your way through to the curb pickup. Made easier due to the lack of activity this... early, technically. You soon spot a taxi with a well dressed local standing beside the vehicle, a sign with Mr. King boldly written on the front held plainly before him.

[snowy happy]

(Is it my taxi?)

[Benzo]

(Nah, Stephen King is stopping by the airport, coincidentally. Jokes aside; Yes. When you work in public and not on a government-sanctioned contract, you'll typically be given a fake name to adopt. With the cosmetic mask in the Shop, you can control these aliases and actually create different personas to hide your trail. Witnesses and how an Agent performs during contracts tend to earn them infamy and become more recognizable as a threat, be it to crime lords or various governments across the world. Thus, hiding your tracks comes in handy.)

[snowy happy]

(Wow, Stephen King! Can I have your autograph?!?!)

I approach the taxi and the man, introducing myself as Mr. King.

[Benzo]

Keeping the introduction simple with his thick accent, he lets you into the vehicle similarly to the first driver had back at HQ. After running around the side to get behind the wheel, he pulls off from the airport and begins heading for the dock.

"Not far, about 5 minute out." He says to you after a short moment of silence. "Gear under passenger seat; Big bag, grab it."

[snowy happy]

I look in the specified area and find exactly as described: a large bag.

[Benzo]

Opening the large duffle bag, sure enough you find your silenced P226 and a large combat knife, along with your standard AGE earpiece and matching camera-pin, two modified bundles of ammunition for a total of 32 shots, and your handy lockpicking tools. Looking up, you can almost smell the water as you approach the docks, your driver checking back on you as you get your gear ready.

[snowy happy]

I slide on the earpiece, load up my pistol, and pocket my knife. I'm ready.

[Benzo]

Pulling up to the dock, you could see a small crowd of just over dozen or so people waiting to climb onto the waiting passenger vessel. As the taxi pulled to a stop, the driver jumped around to open your door and hand you the duffle bag. With a quick farewell, he then leaves you on the dock as he pulls away into the distance.

Climbing onto the small ship, you find yourself seated with several 'high class' couples judging by the arrange of expensive clothing and pungent cologne filling the air. Luckily, you aren't on the ship for long before you pull up to another dock, though much more lavishly decorated than the last. Standing before you, the grand sight of the Himmapan Resort rises against the night sky, a decent amount of people and staff still walking about despite the late hour. Checking your reservation, you see that AGE has paid for a two night stay.

[snowy happy]

So two days to do my job? Should be sufficient, taking into account what my actual mission is.

Anyways, I start staring at the resort in awe, taking in the glamour from the high-class building.

[Benzo]

Staring at the beachside entrance with respect for a long moment, your thoughts are interrupted by a light voice suddenly filling your ear.

"Greetings, Agent Stellerjay. AGE has provided you with a first tier reservation, allowing you access to the general areas and limited access to the second floor. Cross is currently staying in the third floor penthouse." She explains, pausing for a long moment before continuing. "As you recuperate from the flight, I can dig up information on possible accidents Mr. Cross may be able to experience, if you please."

[snowy happy]

"Uh, please do."

[Benzo]

"Understood, Agent." your Guardian says diligently. "When you are ready to enter, approach the front desk and give them your reservation, and they will show you to your room. You should have no fear of the entrance security so long as you don't act conspicuously; Guests of five-star resorts don't want to go through the hassle of intrusive security even if it means risking safety. Oh well."

[snowy happy]

"Alright, got it."

I enter the resort, walk towards the receptionist, and give them my reservation papers.

[Benzo]

(I know it's a bit dull/slow building up, but I do hope you plan on giving me a bit more subsistence once the action starts rolling.)

Approaching a young woman in a light colored kimono with your reservation in hand, she looks over them quickly with a nod, then handing you them back with a room key and a smile.

"Enjoy your stay at the Himmapan Resort, Mr. King. Your complimentary kimono to access Resort services and facilities will be waiting in your room." Motioning with her head, you are approached by a well-dressed young man as he grabs your duffle bag without warning and motions for you to follow.

"Your suite is just down this wing, if you would follow me sir." As he led you down the beautifully decorated hall, you make note of the various people you pass, most of which appeared to be guests wearing plain white kimonos, though a few darker colors could be spotted as you walked.

"The kimonos work as the Himmapan's version of a guest pass." the Guardian voice in your ear quietly chimes in. "The tiers appear to be white and black for guests, and red for various resort staff. While not required, most guests prefer a kimono over having to display their ID."

As she finished, you find your guide opening a door marked 218 and revealing a lavishly decorated hotel room, traditional Thai ornamentals displayed everywhere. Setting your duffle bag on the bed, your guide leaves you with a nod, shutting the door quietly behind him and leaving you to your thoughts. Hanging on the closet knob, you see your traditional white kimono.

[snowy happy]

(Yeah, I will. It usually depends on the amount of material (that I can utilize) you give me.)

I explore the room a little bit, checking out the furniture and ornaments. It's a nice place if I've ever seen one.

I recollect myself and think of my mission, knowing that I should probably check out more parts of the resort if I want to learn my way around. I fit on the kimono and set out of my room.

[Benzo]

Fitting around you comfortably, you exit the room with the appropriate clothing in place and begin exploring the east wing of the Resort. At one end of the large hallway, you see a grand flight of stairs leading up, a couple in white conversing while leaning on the railing of the mid-floor landing. Outside the windows, you can see lush jungle almost hugging the building, faint sounds of wildlife echoing through an opened pane.

[snowy happy]

I observe the lush vegetation for around a minute, taking in the beauty of Thailand.

Alright, back to business. A good sign of Mr. Cross's presence would be bouncers or guards, so I should sneak around and see if I see any of those and work it out from there.

[Benzo]

Heading up the stairs to the second floor, you see another general hallway, so to speak, as it couldn't be further from typical. Seeing a collection of white and black clothing, you venture further until it opens into a large livingroom-like area. Down one hallway with an opened center overlooking a large fish tank, you see a couple Resort staff patrolling each side; Clearly the resort security, the bulges at their waistlines only lending credence to the thought.

Watching a dark robed guest disappear around the corner, it becomes obvious that this is where the tier 1 guest boundary ends. As you look down the hall for a moment, you see a man walk past wearing simple jeans and a black shirt, headphones hanging loosely around his neck. Though he doesn't match the target description... One of Cross's roadie's?

[snowy happy]

I observe the man walk by, then assess my situation.

If I'm not allowed to access those secured areas, I have to find a way to gain a higher level. Maybe I could follow that Cross guard?