Ledger

Overview

Real name unrevealed — goes only by “Ledger.” A smuggler and information broker (and, as of Session 09, part of the “management” at the Blacktop Saints’ camp, handling dealings with outside camps for the Saints and the Pacifica Confederacy) who first surfaced in Session 04 as Fix-it-Felix’s life path enemy — a former client of Felix’s from a job years ago that went badly wrong. Carries a physical ledger book with its own nameplate (a family heirloom — “his father’s favorite son, much preferred over” — the rest of that thought never finished). Sharp dressed, drinks at the bar until close, pays by wrist-scan. Recognized Broker on sight, greeting him by his real name — Chad Van Patten — and naming Escalante as his employer, unprompted.

Known Facts

• Years ago, arranged a smuggling job through Felix — described at the time as “simple, illegal, routine.” The cargo turned out to be biological samples, hotter than advertised
• Felix’s crew quietly backed out when they realized the danger; Ledger didn’t, or couldn’t. The deal exploded, several people died
• Spent the following three years in prison; lost his contacts, his wife, custody of his kids, and his dog. Had his cyberware forcibly stripped “one at a time” as an inmate
• Believes Felix knew the cargo was hotter than advertised and said nothing — this resentment is the reason he reached out now, framed as “making amends”
• Since release: rebuilt from scratch — new ledger, new wife, new dog — but downgraded circumstances (South Town, described dismissively by his own associates as a “wing ding hovel”)
• Runs with the two Duke Boys now, or at least drinks with them; not fully trusted by them (“doesn’t look completely comfortable around the two of them”)
• Contacted Felix via an old agent number under the name “Ledger” — Felix recognized it immediately
• Arranged a meet at Crystal Lily in the University District; came with information as a peace offering
• Recognized Broker on sight and greeted him by name — “Chad Van Patten” — and correctly named Escalante as his employer, unprompted; told him he has “a bright future ahead” and that “several people have their eyes on you.” How Ledger knows this is unexplained
• Named Martin Gorsky as owing him 500 EB from an old arrangement, and offered a tracer location on him in exchange for collection — “however you have to get it,” pound of flesh explicitly on the table
• Gave the crew the location of the sewer entrance behind Nexus Mods / Enderman’s where Martin (and The Calling) could be found
• Paid in full: the crew returned with 1,000 EB (double what was owed) collected from The Calling; Felix handed over the agreed 500 EB at Crystal Lily and Ledger considered the debt squared (“I guess we’re square, Felix”)
• Parted amicably — “here’s hopin’ I see you never,” delivered without hostility
• Session 08: contacted again, this time by phone, for intel on the Blacktop Saints ahead of the crew’s planned race — genuinely surprised to hear from Felix again (“I can’t say I was expecting to hear from you ever again, really”), but obliged anyway. Described the Saints as practical road-builders and toll-collectors who love cheap synth beer and struggle to find takers for their “danger races”; confirmed the Duke Boys are Blacktop Saints members allied with the Pacifica Confederacy. Felix was openly skeptical of his motives afterward, telling the crew not to trust him
• Session 09: revealed to be working at the Blacktop Saints’ camp itself. He describes himself as “part of management,” there “on business for the Pacifica Confederacy and the Blacktop Saints Union,” and specifically handles dealings with outside camps. The Duke Boys take all newcomers to him first. He was sitting at the camp the whole time Felix called him for intel in Session 08 (“Little did he know, I was sitting here the whole time”)
• Works from a desk set up outdoors under an awning, sipping a drink. Carries “myriad nameplates” to place on any desk he runs into “to let everybody know exactly who I am”
• Openly suspicious of the crew’s reasons for visiting (“I’m looking for reasons not to be suspicious about you all”), but let them go race after Mr. Zip’s Persuasion roll. Considers the crew “even Stevens” after they cleared Martin Gorsky’s debt to him
• Specifically wanted to talk to Felix, who stayed hidden in the car. Invited him to come by and “catch up about old times” over synth mint juleps

Relationships

• Fix-it-Felix — former client, life path enemy; debt now settled, but the underlying accusation (that Felix knew and said nothing) was never actually addressed
• The Duke Boys — current drinking buddies / loose associates
• Martin Gorsky — old debtor, now assimilated into The Calling
• Broker — recognized him on sight as “Chad Van Patten” of Escalante; connection or source unknown
• Blacktop Saints / Pacifica Confederacy — works for both as “management” at the Saints’ camp, handling outside camps
• Baby Girl — the orbital engine the crew wants sits in the camp he helps manage; whether it falls under his authority is unclear

Open Questions

• Does he still believe Felix betrayed him? He never got a real answer this session
• Is he actually done with Felix, or is “here’s hopin’ I see you never” foreshadowing? He’s willing to help when called, at least, and now wants a sit-down
• What does he do now, work-wise, beyond old debts and bar tabs? Partly answered in Session 09: management for the Saints/Pacifica, dealing with outside camps
• Does he suspect the crew is after the engine?
• Would he be open to a deal on the engine, as Broker hopes?
• How does he know Broker’s real name and employer?
• What is his own real name?
• How much can his information about the Blacktop Saints actually be trusted?

Appearances

• Session 04 — First appearance; met the crew at Crystal Lily; revealed as Felix’s life path enemy; traded Martin Gorsky’s location and debt for payment; paid off and parted ways
• Session 08 — Contacted by phone for intel on the Blacktop Saints; obliged despite Felix’s continued distrust
• Session 09 — Found running “management” at the Blacktop Saints’ camp; questioned the crew through the car window, suspicious but satisfied enough to let them race; asked for Felix