Max I: Beauty and the BeaZT

January 2, 2076
Tondo Manila, Thursday

Nobody cared for the residents of the derelict neighborhood of Tondo, not even Wuxing who owned the City of Manila want to bother. Half the neighborhood's ruined by flames that happened during New Year's eve. Walking around, it just seemed like nothing happened last night. Everyone was busy fixing their homes, trying to recover from what happened. You see it in their faces, behind the smiles and laughter was hopelessness.

You see them children running down the narrow streets, playing or perhaps they successfully pickpocketed someone somewhere. You see old men drinking, or betting on a cockfight. Old habits die hard, it was 2076 and still cockfighting was a thing for the residents of Tondo. The smell of burnt wood, metal, and flesh still linger in the air and for the residents of this neighborhood, that was better than usual.

You received the job on your commlinks, from a burner most probably. You recognize this is how Manila's third shadowrunner faction operates. Why they called you, specifically, you're not aware of but a job is a job. You were asked to meet at an old chapel in Tondo.

The small chapel surrounded by makeshift box houses survived the flames last night.

Murri Cie'lago

The people around Tondo, doesn't seem to mind you. They are already preoccupied with barely living to mind a stranger in their turf like you. It was not unusual for hooligan looking characters to come and go around this parts. As much as they don't mind you, you tried to 'mind' them anyway. Looking around, you notice that almost everyone was sick, not just sick of living, they are really sick. Your heightened hearing caught the sound of coughing every now and then and when you look at them, the children are mostly malnourished, almost everyone's skin are pale. Some people are tending the burns in their bodies. As you observe, a male troll holding his prized cock(a rooster) approaches you.

"Bago ka rito? (Are you new here?)" He asked.


Carter (Delta)

Carter arrived soon after. He saw Murri being approached by a troll. As opposed to people's reaction to Murri, many noticed Carter or more specifically, his Hurley. They whisper to one another.

Diwa

Commuting around Metro Manila was hell but Diwa is used to it. On the way through the PUJs (Public Utility Jeepneys) she overheard two wage slaves talking about the fire in Tondo last night. They were gossiping about the news. According to them, nobody died during the fire and that the fire was due to a candle left unsupervised. Also, they were praising how the government acted fast to stop the fire.

She arrived at the meetup place right after Carter arrived in his bike.

Carter

You learn that the roosters are not real roosters, they're animatronics. Other than that, nothing unusual like commlinks and wireless headphones. The roosters near you looked at you including the troll's.

---

Murri

You were able to provide aid for six people. They thank you in return and tried to offer you some food in return, mostly soy products like soykaf. You were able to heal their wounds. You made some positive impression in this part of Tondo. One thing you noticed though while caring for them is that you were not able to rid them of all their disease. The people are afflicted with something you are not aware of.

Listening to heartbeats you didn't pick up varying heart rates from the people, nothing unusual they are busy with their own business. The troll's calm too. You did however hear soft heart beat like sound from a place where you normally wouldn't: the ground. It was soft and barely noticeable for anyone even for you but you managed to hear it.

---

Everyone

"Ah." The troll made an awkward smile as he stroke his rooster.

"To tell you the truth, not many here are still into religion. I barely go to church myself." The troll briefly looked at Carter then at Diwa then back at Murri.

"Friends of yours?" He asked.

"Well, whatever it is you're here for, best do your business fast." A threat or a friendly warning? You couldn't tell. He looked at Carter's Hurley then back at Murri.

"Mainit sa mata 'tong kasama mo. Alanganin lagay niyo." He said in a hushed voice.
*For Carter who relies on computer programs this meant: Your fellow's hot on the eyes. You're an obstruction.
*For Murri and Diwa this means: Your fellow's gonna be a target of a lot of malice in this place. You'll end up in a bad situation if you stay too long.

You remember, the meeting time's 10:00 AM. It's now 9:55 in the morning.