If the team chooses to follow Idol’s way, go on to the next scene.

If the PCs wind up in this scene, the team decides that Luz’s argument has some merit to it. Maybe C-squared won’t be saved, but Petrochem’s resources can make sure that more people aren’t hurt.

Yeah right.

Even the densest player should realize that Petrochem cannot be trusted to fill their part of the bargain. The team might have some intricate plot involving playing the two sides off one another, but make sure that the players know that they’re dealing with fire here.

Mr. Luz will respond personally if the PCs call the number provided by the digital player. He will set up a meeting place of his choice (a small café on the outskirts of the corporate zone, or something of the sort), although smart players will do some haggling so that they don’t blunder right into an obvious ambush. Luz will be flexible with the location, but he won’t walk into a trap, either. Remember, this is the dark future. Everyone is as paranoid as Fox Mulder here, and no CORPSE will trust an edgerunner, or vice-versa.

Everything should go smoothly. But then, this should have been simple from the start. As the team arrives at the trade location, their employers show up.

As you head toward the appointed rendezvous, you are flagged down by none other than Idol. Frack, he saw you first. Or maybe he somehow got tipped off as to the whole deal. This fixer does not have a history of being backstabbed, and it doesn’t look like he’s going to start now. Blake is with him.

"Hey chombattas! Nice to see you again, neh? I guess you got sidetracked, but if you’ve got the goods, I’ve got the time."

Go away, Idol. We couldn’t get the sample.
Idol gives you a cold, disbelieving smile. "Now I know that that’s not true. If you burnbrains managed to screw up a simple grab like that, you’d be dead by now. You don’t seem to remember the importance of this little job. I could see you backing out of this deal if it was just for me, but you are needed by the streets. These are people of your own kind. Now I know you ain’t gonna turn your back on us, right?"

Idol, we’ve got a plan up our sleeves.
The fixer smiles coolly and shakes his head. "Not to insult you gatos, but don’t try to match wits against these boys. Frack, even Blake and I don’t like to dance with the devil. Petrochem makes a living screwing over punks like you and me. Trust me, it’s better to just give me the plague and let my contacts do the work."

How do we know that you’re not trying to screw us over?
"You choobs are dense enough to trust Luz over one of your own?"

Idol, we’ve made a better deal; or Idol, we’re going to kill you now.
Idol’s face goes dark as he adjusts his shades. "No bushi no bu burnouts. Look around you."

Have the players make average aware/notice checks; success means that they notice that one person per member of the team is subtly advancing in on the PCs. In addition, Blake is moving through the crowd towards Idol.

"You can do this your way, but I don’t plan on letting you sell us out without a fight."

Idol’s Goons:
These are punks and former gangers drawn off the streets. But they’re good at what they do. There are three types of goons in this group: solos, gangers, and nomads. In addition, Blake will join in if he’s needed. Idol will back out with his contacts if things go badly, but he and Blake will be pushing especially hard to nab the sample before Luz does. Half the group will be gangers, and the other half will be evenly split between nomads and solos.
Stats:
INT 6 REF 8 TECH 5 CL 7
ATT 6 LK 4 MA 5 BODY 7
EMP 5
Cybernetics:
Processor, Level One Kerenzikov Reflex Boosts, Left Cyberoptic (Low Lite), Wolvers (Gangers) or Big Knucks, Light Skinweave (solos)
Skills:
Rank/Family/Combat Sense +6, Athletics +4, Brawling +5, Pistol +4 (Solos +6), Rifle +3 (Nomads +6), Melee +6, Streetwise +2, Intimidate +4, Aware/Notice +4
Equipment:
Light Armored Jacket, Nova 338 Citygun* (Solos), Kendachi Monoknife (Gangers), Nomad .357 Automatic** (Nomads), Assorted Streetgear
Combat Scores:
Initiative: +8, Solos +15
Stun/Death Save: 7
Body Type Modifier: -2
Nova 338 Citygun (#Shots 7, ROF 3, DAM 3d6, REL VR): +16
Kendachi Monoknife (DAM 2d6--½ SP vs. hard armor, 1/3 SP vs. soft armor, REL VR): +14
Nomad .357 Magnum Automatic (#Shots 30, ROF 2, DAM 2d6+3, REL VR): +14
Armor: Arms/Torso 14; Solos--Head/Legs 12, Arms/Torso 19

Idol won't stick around for the battle, knowing damned well that combat isn't his thing. But he will come back to haunt the PCs if they take out Blake and the other combatants.

If the PCs go down, Idol and Blake will grab the goods and beat their way out of sight before Luz arrives. The two will lay low for awhile, but these two cyberpunks know their stuff well enough to dodge Petrochem. The adventure ends happily...except for the PC team. If they give up , Idol will still hear them out, probably cutting their pay but nothing else. Go on to Scene Two. If they just pass the virus on without any battle, then everything still goes smoothly. Go on to Scene Two.

Otherwise, Blake, Idol, and the goons are all out of the way by the time Luz arrives.

Luz walks onto the scene dressed as coolly as he possibly can. That is, he’s decked out in a bunch of Pacific Rim imitation fashionware that might have been cool around the turn of the century. Oh well. At least he’s carrying some Euro. Strolling along next to him are three heavy looking thugs each dressed in a midnight blue with those classic bulges under their jackets.

Luz takes a disdainful look around the area, then notes your own beat up visages. "Having a bad day, are we?"

Now’s the time for the PCs to enact whatever plan, if any, that they’ve got. Luz will pay (after some haggling) up to 50,000 Euro for the whole group in exchange the virus. Not a bad deal, either. Easily enough to cover apartment fees and kibble for a few weeks at least.

After the trade (if the trade happens), read the following to the PCs.

Luz tucks the canister safely away in his briefcase, then turns back to the dealing table. "Well it was a pleasure doing business with you. Thank you all for my next promotion." With his bodyguards following, Luz strides away.

Mr. Alvin Luz (Corporate):
Luz is your typical corporate toady. He fancies himself a big hitter, but the truth is that there are hundreds of other CORPSEs just looking to fill his place when someone caps his worthless body. You know the type.
Stats:
INT 7 REF 6 TECH 6 CL 5
ATT 7 LK 7 MA 5 BODY 5
EMP 7
Cybernetics:
Processor, Chipware Socket, Pistol Chip, Various Language Chips, Skinwatch, Mr. Stud Implant, Skinweave
Skills:
Resources +5, Aware/Notice +3, Human Perception +5, Education +7, Library Search +6 (useful for digging up dirt on the PCs), Social +4, Persuasion +7, Pistol +3, Languages (various) +3, Style +2
Equipment:
Corporate Suits, Armored Briefcase (SP 10), Credstick, Corporate ID, Dai Lung Streetmaster
Combat Scores:
Initiative: +6
Stun/Death Save: 5
Body Type Modifier: -2
Dai Lung Streetmaster (#Shots 12, ROF 2, DAM 2d6+3, REL UR): +9
Armor: Head/Arms/Torso/Legs 12

Corporate Bodyguards:
While Luz should prove no problem in combat, he’s protected by three bodyguards that might prove a little tougher. Luz will probably make a very undignified escape in the case of combat. The important thing for him right now is to get away with the goods. After all, thugs are even cheaper to buy than he is. There are plenty of freakish hulks on the streets just waiting for the big time.
Stats:
INT 5 REF 8 TECH 6 CL 8
ATT 4 LK 5 MA 7 BODY 10
EMP 4
Cybernetics:
Processor, Smartgun Link, Interface Plugs, Pain Editor, Rippers, Muscle Grafts, Level One Kerenzikov Boosterware
Skills:
Combat Sense +6, Athletics +6, Pistol +7, SMG +5, Rifle +5, Karate +5, Brawling +6, Melee +6, Aware/Notice +5, Intimidate +5, Resist Torture/Drugs +3
Equipment:
Steel Helmet, Medium Armored Jacket, Flak Pants, Colt AMT 2000, Trauma Team Card, Incredible Hulk visages
Combat Scores:
Initiative: +16
Stun/Death Save: 10
Body Type Modifier: -4
Colt AMT 2000 (#Shots 8, ROF 1, DAM 4d6+1, REL VR): +20
Armor: Head 14, Arms/Torso 18, Legs 20

Go on to Scene Three for the finale.