Shadowrun
Shadowrun Play => Play-by-Post => Topic started by: Csjarrat on <10-29-13/1531:56>
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Players:
Sillasion- Street mage
Teafo- Magic Investigator
Lumen- Combat Adept
Scawire- Mystic adept
Welcome to CH3 chummers, glad you made it!. please refrain from posting here until i've got updated char sheets up and your story nubs sorted.
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Sillasion playing as Syberix
== Info ==
Street Name: Syberix
Name: Kai Grundmeier
Movement: 10/25, Swim: 5
Karma: 0
Street Cred: 0
Notoriety: -1
Public Awareness: 0
Human F Age ??
Height 5'9" Weight 140
Composure: 11
Judge Intentions: 10
Lift/Carry: 4 (15 kg/10 kg)
Memory: 7
Nuyen: 1,009 (without starting Nuyen)
== Attributes ==
BOD: 3
AGI: 2
REA: 3
STR: 1
CHA: 6
INT: 4
LOG: 2
WIL: 5
EDG: 3
MAG: 5
== Derived Attributes ==
Essence: 6
Initiative: 7
IP: 1
Astral Initiative: 8
Astral IP: 3
Matrix Initiative: 7
Matrix IP: 1
Physical Damage Track: 10
Stun Damage Track: 11
== Active Skills ==
Animal Handling : 0 Pool: 3
Animal Training : 0 Pool: 3
Archery : 0 Pool: 1
Armorer : 0 Pool: 1
Artisan : 0 Pool: 3
Assensing : 3 Pool: 7
Astral Combat : 1 Pool: 6
Automatics : 0 Pool: 1
Blades : 0 Pool: 1
Clubs : 0 Pool: 1
Computer : 0 Pool: 1
Con : 4 Pool: 10
Counterspelling : 4 Pool: 11
Cybercombat : 0 Pool: 1
Data Search : 0 Pool: 1
Demolitions : 0 Pool: 1
Disguise : 0 Pool: 3
Diving : 0 Pool: 2
Dodge : 1 Pool: 4
Escape Artist : 0 Pool: 1
Etiquette : 4 Pool: 10
First Aid : 0 Pool: 1
Forgery : 0 Pool: 1
Gunnery : 0 Pool: 1
Gymnastics : 0 Pool: 1
Hacking : 0 Pool: 1
Heavy Weapons : 0 Pool: 1
Infiltration : 0 Pool: 1
Instruction : 0 Pool: 5
Intimidation : 0 Pool: 5
Leadership : 4 Pool: 10
Locksmith : 0 Pool: 1
Longarms : 0 Pool: 1
Navigation : 0 Pool: 3
Negotiation : 4 Pool: 10
Palming : 0 Pool: 1
Parachuting : 0 Pool: 2
Perception : 1 Pool: 5
Pilot Ground Craft : 0 Pool: 2
Pilot Watercraft : 0 Pool: 2
Pistols : 3 [Semi-Automatics] Pool: 5 (7)
Riding : 0 Pool: 2
Shadowing : 0 Pool: 3
Spellcasting : 4 [Manipulation] Pool: 9 (11)
Survival : 0 Pool: 4
Throwing Weapons : 0 Pool: 1
Tracking : 0 Pool: 3
Unarmed Combat : 0 Pool: 1
== Knowledge Skills ==
Alcohol : 2 Pool: 6
Bars and Clubs : 4 [Bar Games] Pool: 8 (10)
English : 3 Pool: 7
French : 3 Pool: 7
German : N Pool: 0
Italian : 1 Pool: 5
Magical Theory : 2 Pool: 4
Underworld : 2 Pool: 6
== Contacts ==
Aarón Desideria (4, 4) -Spain- : Club Owner
Jean-Luc (5, 5) -France- : Fixer
Keks (4, 4) -Germany- : Talismonger
Stu Stulington the 22nd & 1/3 (5, 5) -England- : Black Market
== Qualities ==
Computer Illiterate
Distinctive Style (10 pts) (Extensive Tattoos/piercings and Green&Purple Libery spike Mohawk)
First Impression
Magician
Mentor Spirit (Adversary)
Poor Self Control (Braggart)
Signature (Upside down cross)
== Spells ==
(Tradition: Black Magic, Resist Drain with WIL + CHA (11))
Area Thought Recognition DV: (F÷2)+2
Bind DV: (F÷2)+1
Compel Truth DV: (F÷2)-1
Increased Reflexes (Limited) (Self Only) DV: (F÷2)+2
Levitate DV: (F÷2)+1
Makeover DV: (F÷2)
Manabolt DV: (F÷2)
Stunball DV: (F÷2)+1
== Lifestyles ==
Street 1 months
== Armor ==
Lined Coat 6/4
+Flashlight
+Survival Kit
SecureTech Forearm Guards 0/1
SecureTech Shin Guards 0/1
== Weapons ==
Fichetti Security 600
+Concealable Holster
+Quick-Draw Holster
+Silencer
+Spare Clips
+Spare Clips
+Spare Clips
+Stock
+Laser Sight
Pool: 6 ( DV: 4P AP: - RC: 1
Unarmed Attack
Pool: 1 DV: 1S AP: - RC: 0
== Commlink ==
Disposable Commlink (1, 0, 0, 3) x3
Novatech Airware (3, 4, 3, 3)
+Novatech Navi
+Agent Rating 3 [Analyze 3, Armor 3, Attack 3, Browse 3, Command 3, Copy Protection 1, Edit 3, Encrypt 3, Registration]
== Gear ==
Ammo: EX-Explosive Rounds (Light Pistols) x10
Ammo: Regular Ammo (Light Pistols) x30
Ammo: Stick-n-Shock (Light Pistols) x60
Ammo: Tracker Rounds, Stealth Tag (Light Pistols) x30
Biomonitor
Certified Credstick, Standard x5
Earbuds Rating 3
+Audio Enhancement Rating 3
+Select Sound Filter Rating 3
Fake SIN (Train Girl) Rating 4
Fake SIN (Sandra Fürbach) Rating 4
Fake SIN (Katrin Wittenbrink) Rating 4
Gecko Tape Gloves
Glasses Rating 4
+Flare Compensation
+Image Link
+Vision Enhancement Rating 3
Medkit Rating 6
Medkit Supplies
Psyche x3
Smart Pouch System, Combat Load Vest
+3xSmart Pouch System, Ammunition Pouch
Standard RFID Tags x20
Stealth Tags x20
Sustaining Focus (Health) (Bonded Foci) Rating 2
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Lumen playing as Knives
== Info ==
Street Name: Knives
Name: Miles Britt
Movement: 10/25, Swim: 5
Karma: 17
Street Cred: 2
Notoriety: 3
Public Awareness: 1
Human Male Age 26
Height 1.7m Weight 70kg
Composure: 7
Judge Intentions: 5
Lift/Carry: 10 (75 kg/50 kg)
Memory: 7
Nuyen: 750
== Attributes ==
BOD: 5
AGI: 4 (6)
REA: 4 (5)
STR: 3 (5)
CHA: 2
INT: 3
LOG: 2
WIL: 5
EDG: 3
MAG: 5
== Derived Attributes ==
Essence: 6
Initiative: 7 (
IP: 1 (2)
Astral Initiative: 6
Astral IP: 3
Matrix Initiative: 3
Matrix IP: 1
Physical Damage Track: 11
Stun Damage Track: 11
== Active Skills ==
Animal Handling : 0 Pool: 2
Animal Training : 0 Pool: 2
Archery : 0 Pool: 5
Armorer : 0 Pool: 1
Artisan : 0 Pool: 2
Automatics : 0 Pool: 5
Blades : 6 [Knives] Pool: 13 (15)
Climbing : 1 Pool: 6
Clubs : 0 Pool: 5
Computer : 0 Pool: 1
Con : 0 Pool: 1
Cybercombat : 0 Pool: 1
Data Search : 0 Pool: 1
Demolitions : 0 Pool: 1
Disguise : 3 Pool: 6
Diving : 0 Pool: 4
Dodge : 4 Pool: 9
Escape Artist : 0 Pool: 5
Etiquette : 0 Pool: 1
First Aid : 0 Pool: 1
Flight : 0 Pool: 4
Forgery : 0 Pool: 5
Gunnery : 0 Pool: 5
Gymnastics : 0 Pool: 5
Hacking : 0 Pool: 1
Heavy Weapons : 0 Pool: 5
Infiltration : 3 Pool: 9
Instruction : 0 Pool: 1
Intimidation : 0 Pool: 1
Leadership : 0 Pool: 1
Locksmith : 0 Pool: 5
Longarms : 0 Pool: 5
Navigation : 0 Pool: 2
Negotiation : 0 Pool: 1
Palming : 3 Pool: 9
Parachuting : 0 Pool: 4
Perception : 4 Pool: 7
Pilot Ground Craft : 0 Pool: 4
Pilot Watercraft : 0 Pool: 4
Pistols : 2 [Tasers] Pool: 8 (10)
Riding : 0 Pool: 4
Running : 0 Pool: 4
Shadowing : 3 Pool: 6
Survival : 0 Pool: 4
Swimming : 0 Pool: 4
Throwing Weapons : 3 [Throwing Knives] Pool: 9 (11)
Tracking : 0 Pool: 2
Unarmed Combat : 0 Pool: 5
== Knowledge Skills ==
Area Knowledge: London : 3 Pool: 6
Bars and Clubs : 2 Pool: 5
English : N Pool: 0
Gangs : 2 Pool: 5
Knives : 2 Pool: 5
Magical Threats : 2 Pool: 4
Security Design : 2 Pool: 5
Underworld : 2 Pool: 5
== Contacts ==
Armorer "Freddie Jones" (3, 3)
Blades Dealer "Jimmy Hughes" (3, 4)
Micky "The Mugger" Maxwell (1, 1)
Pub Owner "Ol' Nick" (2, 2)
== Qualities ==
Addiction (Mild) (Tobacco)
Adept
Ambidextrous
In Debt (15,000¥)
Made Man
Poor Self Control (Braggart)
SINner (Criminal) (Miles Britt)
The Warrior's Way
== Powers ==
Attribute Boost (STR) Rating: 3
Improved Ability (Combat) (Blades) Rating: 1
Improved Physical Attribute (AGI) Rating: 2
Improved Physical Attribute (STR) Rating: 2
Improved Reflexes 1
== Lifestyles ==
Knives' Pad 3 months
Comforts: Low
Entertainment: Low
Necessities: Middle
Neighborhood: Low
Security: Middle
Qualities: Easy-Going Landlord [1LP]
Hasty Exit [2LP]
Security Conscious [2LP]
Network Bottleneck [-1LP]
Pest Magnet (Rating 1) [-1LP]
== Armor ==
Form-Fitting Full-Body Suit6/2
+Biomonitor
+Fire Resistance 2
+Nonconductivity 4
Mortimer of London: Greatcoat Line6/5
+Chemical Protection 2
+Color Changing
+Insulation 2
+Concealable Holster
SecureTech Forearm Guards 0/1
SecureTech Shin Guards 0/1
SecureTech Vitals Protector1/1
== Weapons ==
Cavalier SafeGuard
+Hidden Gun Arm Slide
+Smartgun System, External
+Laser Sight
Pool: 11 (13) DV: 5S(e) AP: -half RC: 0
Ceramic Knife
+Gecko Grip
+Personalized Grip, Melee
Pool: 14 (16) DV: 4P AP: - RC: 0
Ceramic Knife
+Gecko Grip
+Personalized Grip, Melee
Pool: 14 (16) DV: 4P AP: - RC: 0
Ceska vz/120
Pool: 8 DV: 4P AP: - RC: 0
Cougar Fineblade Knife, Short
+Gecko Grip
+Personalized Grip, Melee
Pool: 14 (16) DV: 4P AP: -1 RC: 0
Cougar Fineblade Knife, Short
+Gecko Grip
+Personalized Grip, Melee Rating 2
+Weapon Focus
Pool: 16 (18) DV: 4P AP: -1 RC: 0
Grenade: Flash-Bang
Pool: 9 DV: 6S (10m Radius) AP: -3 RC: 0
Grenade: Flash-Pak
Pool: 9 DV: Special AP: - RC: 0
Grenade: Gas
Pool: 9 DV: Chemical (10m Radius) AP: - RC: 0
Knife
+Gecko Grip
+Personalized Grip, Melee
Pool: 14 (16) DV: 4P AP: - RC: 0
Knife
+Gecko Grip
+Personalized Grip, Melee
Pool: 14 (16) DV: 4P AP: - RC: 0
Knife
+Gecko Grip
+Personalized Grip, Melee
Pool: 14 (16) DV: 4P AP: - RC: 0
Knife
+Gecko Grip
+Personalized Grip, Melee
Pool: 14 (16) DV: 4P AP: - RC: 0
Knife
+Gecko Grip
+Personalized Grip, Melee
Pool: 14 (16) DV: 4P AP: - RC: 0
Knife
+Gecko Grip
+Personalized Grip, Melee
Pool: 14 (16) DV: 4P AP: - RC: 0
Unarmed Attack
Pool: 5 DV: 3S AP: - RC: 0
== Martial Arts ==
Kung Fu
++1 die on parry melee Defense Tests
Two Weapon Style
== Gear ==
Agent Rating 4
+Copy Protection Rating 4
+Registration
+Analyze Rating 4 [Copy Protection 4; Registration]
+Browse Rating 4 [Copy Protection 4; Registration]
+Encrypt Rating 4 [Copy Protection 4; Registration]
+Pilot (Mirage) Rating 4 [Copy Protection 4; Registration]
+Edit Rating 6 [Copy Protection 6; Registration]
Ammo: Taser Dart (Tasers) x60
Autopicker Rating 5
Certified Credstick, Standard Rating 5 x3
Contact Lenses Rating 2
+Flare Compensation
+Low Light
Custom Commlink OS
+Firewall 5
+System 5
+Response 5
+Signal 4
Datachip x20
Earbuds Rating 3
+Audio Enhancement Rating 3
+Spatial Recognizer
Fake License (Glasses) Rating 4
Fake SIN (Charles Rutherford) Rating 4
Fake SIN (Nigel Pebblebottoms) Rating 4
Gecko Tape Gloves
Glasses Rating 4
+Smartlink
+Vision Enhancement Rating 3
+Vision Magnification
+Image Link
Grenade: Flash-Bang x2
+Grenade Plugin: Gecko
Grenade: Flash-Pak x2
+Grenade Plugin: Gecko
Grenade: Gas x2
+Grenade Plugin: Gecko
+Neuro-Stun
Keycard Copier Rating 5
Maglock Passkey Rating 3
Maglock Sequencer Rating 4
Medkit Rating 6
Medkit Supplies x4
Nanite Smoke x40
Nanopaste Disguise (Small Container) x2
Plastic Restraints x50
Scent-masking Cigarette x40
Smart Jammer, Area Rating 3
Smart Pouch System, Combat Load Vest
+Smart Pouch System, Ammunition Pouch
+Smart Pouch System, Smart Canteen
Standard RFID Tags x20
Stealth Tags x20
Stimulant Patch Rating 5 x5
Tranq Patch Rating 6 x5
Trauma Patch x5
Weapon Focus (Bonded Foci) (Cougar Fineblade, Short (Main Hand)) Rating 2
== Vehicles ==
Suzuki Mirage (Racing Bike)
+Vehicle Sensor
== Description ==
Knives is a smaller than average human but appears tough and wirey. He is usually seen in his Moritmer of London Greatcoat with a collared shirt and black tie underneath. His hair is cut short and geled to spike up and his deep brown eyes draw people into them.
== Background ==
Knives came into the employ of The Clerkenwell Family at the ripe young age of 19 after his best mate Jimmy signed up and has slowly been climbing up the ladder ever since. His aptitude for knives and sneakery set him apart from the other wiseguys and he was able to secure the position of "Mademan" after only five years of service. Since then Knives has headed up many "protection contacts" on behalf of the Clerkenwell Family as his talents lent well to "collections and enforcement". Thanks to his advancements within the family he was able to afford his own flat on the north side of Brixton.
Jimmy (The Blade) Hughes - Blades Dealer (3/4) - Human Male
Jimmy is an old friend from the flat complex who joined The Family not long before Knives and actually convinced him to join up. The two boys grew up aspiring to be nothing more than street thugs but once they managed to slip a butterfly knife out of some wiseguy's jacket pocket these two became fascinated by knives. Miles was always one step ahead of Jimmy in the art of wielding the blade but Jimmy had more of a knack of making connections and building a collection. It did not take long for Jimmy to put his connections to use for The Clerkenwell's and become a fairly respectable dealer.
"Ol" Nick Evans - Pub owner (2/2) - Ork Male
Ol Nick owns the local pub a block away from the flats Miles and Jimmy grew up in. The boys have known the aged Ork since childhood and have frequented his establishment on at minimum a weekly basis since they were old enough to purchase a pint. The old Ork knows his fair share about the moving and shakings of London's Underground.
Freddie Jones - Armorer (3/3) - Dwarf Male
About a year after Jimmy became acquainted with Freddie, as they often crossed paths within the semi-legal Arms and Armor business, Jimmy decided it was time. After a few deals Freddie he had earned enough trust to be introduced to Miles and the nuyen Miles was able to bring in Part of being a great knife fighter means have the best armor to protect one's self.
The Clerkenwell Family - Crime Syndicate (8/4) - Reliable Fence (20%) - 30hrs/week commitment
Miles joined up with the Clerkenwell Family shortly after his 19th birthday. His best mate Jimmy had already been a member for 8 months before he was able to sell Miles on the idea of signing up. It only took a few years for him to be noticed as an excellent "collections expert" and "protection enforcer". Miles has been granted the privilege of overseeing several protection contracts which take up a decent amount of his weekly schedule.
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Scawire playing as Mantis
Street Name: Mantis
Name: Marc McMullion
Movement: 10/25
Swim: 5
Karma: 0
Street Cred: 0
Notoriety: 2
Public Awareness: 0
Scottish Orc Male Age 29
Height 5’8” Weight 177lbs
Composure: 7
Judge Intentions: 4
Lift/Carry: 7
Memory: 12
Nuyen:??
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown
Skin: White
Attributes
BOD: 4
AGI: 3 (4)
REA: 2 (3)
STR: 3
CHA: 2
INT: 2
LOG: 5 (7)
WIL: 5
EDG: 1
MAG: 5 (3/2)
Derived Attributes
Essence: 5
Initiative: 4(5)
IP: 1 (2)
Astral Initiative: 4
Astral IP: 3
Matrix Initiative: 7
Matrix IP: 1
Physical Damage Track: 10
Stun Damage Track: 11
Active Skills
Arcana 1 Pool 9
Binding (Man) 4(6) Pool 7(9)
Electronics SG 1 Pool 9
Counter spelling (Combat) 1 (3) Pool 4 (6)
Enchanting 1 Pool 4
Infiltration (Urban) 1 (3) Pool 5 (7)
Locksmith 1 (3) Pool 5
Perception (Visual) 1 (3) Pool 3 ( 5)
Pilot Ground Craft (Bike) 1(3) Pool 4(6)
Spell casting (Combat) 5 ( 7 ) Pool 8 (10)
Summoning (Man) 3(5) Pool 6( 8 )
Unarmed Combat (Martial Arts, Praying Mantis) 5 (7) Pool 9 (11)
Con (Fast-Talking) 1(3) Pool 3(5)
Knowledge Skills
English N
Data Havens (magic) 1 Pool 3 (5)
Forensics (Magic) 1 (3) Pool 9 (11)
Lay Line Theory 1 Pool 9
Magic Rumors 3 Pool 5
Magic Traditions 1 Pool 9
Magical Groups 1 Pool 3
Magical Sites 1 Pool 3
Magical Theory 1 Pool 9
Magical Threats 1 Pool 9
Mythology 1 Pool 3
ParaBotany 1 Pool 9
Parazoology 1 Pool 9
Spirits 1 Pool 9
Talismongering 1 Pool 9
UK Magical Reagents Locations 3 Pool 5
Contacts
Contact INFO
Name: Glen Finagin
Race: Orc
Job: Fixer for the Scottish Syndicate
Location: London
Known by Mantis from: Glen has been getting jobs for Mantis for the last 6 years since Mantis moved to London at age 23.
C 4 L 3
Name: Luke Greenwood
Race: Elf
Job: Talismonger / Drug Dealer, has been laundering money for the Scottish Syndicate for many years now
Location: London
Known by Mantis from: When Mantis was looking for magical gear in London Glen told Mantis to go see Luke Greenwood, ever since then Mantis has been upgrading his magical gear from Lukes shop. With a some candy (Drugs) on the side.
C3 L1
Spells
Powerbolt: Type: P Range LOS Damage P Duration I DV (F/2)+1
Stun Bolt: Type M Range LOS Damage S Duration I DV (F/2)-1
Heal: Type M Range T Damage:NA Duration P DV (Damage Value)-2
Improved Invisibility: Type:P Range: LOS Dmg N Duration S DV (F/2)+1
Physical Mask: Type: P Range: T Dmg N Duration S DV (F/2)+1
Influence: Type M Range LOS Dmg NA Duration P DV (F/2)+1
Animal Sense Type M Range T Dmg NA Duration S DV (F/2)-1
Control Animal Type M Range LOS Dmg NA Duration S DV (F/2)+1
Lightning Bolt (Limited)
Tradition Hermetic Drain Will +Logic = 13
Adept Powers
Improved Reflexes R1
Critical Strike R2
Qualities
Positive
Mystic Adept
Martial Arts R1
-Kung Fu (Praying Mantis) +1 Unarmed Combat, Blind Fighting
Negative
Addiction (mild) Snuff
Allergy (Uncommon, Mild) Bee Stings
Lost Loved One (Wife, Jennifer McMullion)
Mania (Uncommon, Mild) Pyro Mania
Media Junkie (Mild) (Always looking for new magic related news, and rumors.)
Prejudiced(Specific, Outspoken) (Royal Family) (They are rich and they are not the Scottish Royal Family).
Lifestyle
Apartment # 504
Conforts: Squatter
Entertainment: Squatter
Necessities: Low
Neighborhood: Low
Security: Middle
Cost 1,700 / Month
2 months paid for
Cyberware and Bioware
Bioware 1.0
Cerebral Booster R2
Enhanced Protein Exchange, PuSHeD
Enhanced Protein Exchange, Daredrenaline
Genetic Optimization (Logic)
Muscle Toner R1
Armor
Lined Coat 6/4
Form-Fitting Half-body suit 4/1
Stealth Suit
(Bike Racing Armor w/ Ruthenium Polymer Coating. 4/7
Bike Racing Helmet w/ image link and flare compensation 1/2)
Clothing 130 nuyen worth
Total 10/5 or 9/10
Weapon
Unarmed Attack 5S
CommLinks
AR Gloves (Green Leather)
Subvocal Mic
Trodes (baseball cap)
Commlink
Name: Butler 2.0
NovaTech Airware
Mangadyne Deva (OS)
FireWall 6
System 5
Response 5
Signal 5
Sim Module (cold)
Customized Interface
Optimization (Analyze)
Programs
Agent R3 Name: Mr Overwatch
-Analyze R6 w/ Optimization R3, Ergonomic, Copy Protection R6, Registration
-Armor R5 w/Optimization R2, Copy Protection R5, Registration
-Attack R5) w/Optimization R2, Copy Protection R5, Registration
Analyze (Erogonomic, Optimization R1) R6, Copy Protection R6, Registration
Browse (Optimization R1) R6, Copy Protection R6, Registration
Command (Optimization R1) R6, Copy Protection R6, Registration
Edit (Optimization R1) R6, Copy Protection R6, Registration
Encrypt (Ergonomic, Optimization R1) R6, Copy Protection R6, Registration
Purge (Ergonomic, Optimization R1) R6 , Copy Protection R6, Registration
Scan (Optimization R1) R6, Copy Protection R6, Registration
Stealth (Ergonomic) R5, Copy Protection R5, Registration
Agent R3 (hacked) Name: Slicer MD
-Unrestricted Agent
-Analyze R6 Optimization R3, , Copy Protection R6, Registration
-Browse R6 Optimization R3, Ergonomic, Copy Protection R6, Registration
-Exploit R5 Optimization R2, Copy Protection R5, Registration
-Stealth R5 Optimization R2, Ergonomic, Copy Protection R5, Registration
-Edit R6 Optimization R3, Copy Protection R6, Registration
Mapsoft R6 (Seattle)
Mapsoft R6 (Salish-Shidhe Council)
Mapsoft R6 (Tir Tairngire)
Mapsoft R6 (Tsimshian Protectorate)
Mapsoft R6 (Athabaskan Council)
Mapsoft R6 (Algonkian-Manitou Council)
Mapsoft R6 (Sioux)
Mapsoft R6 (California Free State)
Mapsoft R6 (Pueblio Corporate Council)
Mapsoft R6 (Aztlan)
Mapsoft R6 (C.A.S)
Mapsoft R6 (U.C.A.S)
Mapsoft R6 (Quebec)
Mapsoft R6 (Britain)
Mapsoft R6 (Ireland)
Mapsoft R6 (London)
Mapsoft R6 (France)
Mapsoft R6 (Spain)
Mapsoft R6 (Italy)
Mapsoft R6 (Germany)
Mapsoft R6 (Poland)
Gear
Magic
3 Spirit Binding Materials R3
Magical Lodge Materials R6
PocketMage Library R3
Combat Fetish (Ring, Lightning Bolt)
Drugs
Psyche 4
Wudu’aku 3
Snuff 66
6 Stimulation Patches R4
Medkit R6
Ears and Eyes
Goggles R4
-Vision Enhancement R3
-Image Link
-Flare Compensation
-Vision Magnification (Optical)
Earbuds R3
-Select Sound Filter R3
-Audio Enhancement R3
ID
Fake SIN R4 (Chris McDougal)
(UK citizen, Occult Investigator, Security Consultant)
Fake License R4 (Buy/Own/Carry Magical items)
Fake License R4 (Lock pick set) via locksmith license
Fake License R4 (Restricted Gear for Bike)
Fake License R4 (Restricted Hacking Programs) via Security Consultant
Other
BackPack
Survival Kit
Assaying Kit
Talislegger kit
Tool Kit Electronics
Vehicle / Drones
Thundercloud Contrail (Racing Bike)
Handling 1 Accel 16/32 Speed 144 Device 3 Pilot 3 Body 6 Armor 4 Sensore 1(Signal: 5)
Firewall 3 Signal 3 Response 3 System 3 Slots 10(9 remaining)
-Vehicle Sensor
-Smoke Projector
-Smart Tires Qty 2
-Morphing License Plate
-Motorcycle Gyro Stabilization
-Anti-Theft
-Spoof Chip
-Chameleon Coating
-Pilot Program R3
2 MCT Fly-Spy
Handling 1 Accel 3/15 Speed 15 Device 3 Pilot 3 Body 1 Armor 0 Sensore 2(Signal: 3)
Firewall 3 Signal 3 Response 3 System 3 Slots 4(4 remaining)
-Minidrone Sensor
-Maneuver Rating 2 (Self)
- Chaser Rating 2
-Covert Ops Rating 2
Pet
Name: Speedy
Race: Bee Humming Bird
Sex: Male
Size: 0.056 ounces and 2.75 inches
Flight: 20/40
Nuyen On Hand
500 nuyen
Description
White orc that wears a dark green long coat with a hood, and sports a black baseball cap and black goggles.
Background
Mantis was born in a small poor neighborhood on the outskirts of Edinburgh, to a single Orc mother, Janic McMullion. At a young age Mantis started training martial arts in order to survive in his rough neighborhood. The master that though Mantis was an expert in Southern Praying Mantis, this is the style that Mantis studied. Not being able to go to school without a SIN Mantis got his schooling from his Mother Janic. At 8 yrs old Mantis had his magical skills awakened well working on a technique to extend his chi abilities in his Southern Praying Mantis style he threw a stun bolt that dropped another student in his small martial arts club. Not having anyone to train him in his magical abilities he started to go into local libraries where he could study, Mantis gained a deep love for magic and the power it gave him. This self-studies continued for 6 yrs when he was 14 Mantis got his hands on a part time job and was able to buy himself a comm link with his comm link his library visits to learn about magic turned into on line searches for mystical knowledge. At the age of 16 Mantis got into handing out with known Scottish Syndicate members. The hanging around got into doing odd jobs for the Syndicate, as the money started to flow in Mantis began to save his illegally hard earned money. After saving and working for the Syndicate for 5 years (age 21) Mantis was able to go on a spending spree where he got his body pimped out with bio-ware in order to augment his brain and mystical abilities. Now being a full fledge adult Mantis decided to move South to London, still doing odd jobs for the Scot Syndicate to pay rent Mantis met a girl 2 years (Age 23) after moving to London named Jennifer. The two began dating and when Mantis turned 24 he asked her to marry him. The two were living as nice of a life that a connected man and women without SIN's could live, not a high end living but a nice life none the less, but then when Mantis was 27 tragedy struck, one day Jennifer disappeared, leaving Mantis alone. After talking to the Syndicate's London Fixer that had been supplying Mantis with jobs, the Syndicate did their best to find out what had happened to Jennifer but no leads showed up. After two years now Mantis has decided to no longer to do odd jobs but to go full throttle into Shadowrunning. With his fixer looking for work for Mantis, hope for more mystical power and news on Jennifer lingers in Mantis's enhanced mind.
Notes:
Questions: RC Pg 19 (a few of them)
1) Info about Parents
Single mother lives in Edinburgh, Father unknown
2) Why Shadowrunning
Needs to find his wife and this might help him find her, also helps him make money and gain magical powers
3) House info
Lives in a loft like apartment in east end of London.
4) Negative Personality
Not like the British royal family they are rich for no good reason and they don’t have rights over Mantis since they are British and he is a Scott.
5) Downtime
Checking through the matrix for info on magical rumors and news
6) Skills
Learned from his mother an Orc martial artist and self-training
7) View On Magic
A science of manipulating mana that if you have the blood for it you can gain great power but in order to gain this power you have to learn a lot and train a lot.
8) Cyberware Background
With saved money from working odd jobs for the Scottish Syndicate he was able to get bio-ware to improve his mind and body.
9) Ordinary life
It’s fine if you can afford it kind of on the boring side and not a lot of help at getting more magical powers.
10) Nightmare
Not finding his wife and worrying about her.
11) Sacred items
Wedding ring, and likes his comm link
12) Dreams
To get his wife back and gain A LOT of magical power
13) Street Name
Since he has trained in Southern Praying Mantis style since a young age he got tagged as Mantis when the Scottish Syndicate watched him fight.
Concept
Mystic Adept Scott that is adept at both casting spells and unarmed combat. A combat Mystic with ties to a Scottish crime family.
NOTES
Rent 1,700 / Month
Contact INFO
Name: Glen Finagin
Race: Orc
Job: Fixer for the Scottish Syndicate
Location: London
Known By Mantis from: Glen has been getting jobs for Mantis for the last 6 years since Mantis moved to London at age 23.
Name: Luke Greenwood
Race: Elf
Job: Talismonger / Drug Dealer, has been laundering money for the Scottish Syndicate for many years now
Location: London
Known by Mantis from: When Mantis was looking for magical gear in London Glen told Mantis to go see Luke Greenwood, ever since then Mantis has been upgrading his magical gear from Lukes shop. With a some candy (Drugs) on the side.
LifeStyle Notes:
Mantis lives on the fifth floor of an apartment building in the East end of London. Most of the apartment is taken up by Mantis's magical lodge. There is a one bed room, one bath room, and a loft style kitchen / living room which is lived in by Mantis's lodge and a single reclining chair.
GAME CHANGES TO MANTIS
Game Rewards CH 1
+1500 Nuyen (Payment)
- 150 nuyen (fine)
- 100 Nuyen Goggles w/ Ultrasound
- 200 Nuyen micro camera w/ magnification
- 10 Nuyen Duck tape
Game Rewards CH 2 (more to come)
+2000 Nuyen (advance)
-60 Nuyen (Fine)
-333 Nuyen for blueprints
TOTAL 2,647 nuyen + 500 (starting money)
KARMA 4
Chapter 2
Gear Usage
-2 binding materials R3
-1 Wudu'aku
-2 Snuff
-1 Psyche
-1 Stim Patch
KARMA 10
Spending Karma
New Spell: Lightning Bolt (LIMITED for Drain)(Cost 5)
New Active Skill: Con R1 (Cost 4)
New Specialization: Con (Fast-Talking) (Cost 2)
Spending Nuyen: 200 (Combat Fetish (Lightning bolt))
NUYEN 3,147 - 200 for fetish - 2000 for Spell formula if approved
TOTAL KARMA GAINED 14
TOTAL KARMA USED 11
TOTAL KARMA LEFT 3
TOTAL NUYEN = 947
-
____Sillasion_____
Your bruises still hurt like fuck, it'd been three days since the punch up and your right eye was still bearing the brunt of the right hook the ork gave you.
It'd been a laugh all-rite, but even you admitted, it'd have been better to keep your gob shut on that occasion.
The tortured squealing of metal on metal signified the train's imminent arrival. the rythmic "chuck a duck duck" slowing in pace with the freight car's speed.
Your long and uncomfortable journey was nearing an end, Berlin was off the radar now for at least a few weeks, well certainly Kreuzberg was at any rate.
Clambering over the bulk load of steel, you stuck your head out of the carriage. The rain was coming in in sideways sheets of anger, lashing at the almost horizontal trees scattered about the dimly lit track.
It was not going to be a fun night sleeping out in this.
The freight train slowed to a crawl, entering the industrial sidings near Gare-du-Chelles. You had plenty of time to hop out and clear the tracks before the inspection drones came round, you knew the drill from years of experience, and it wasn't like the French were reknown for their work ethic.
-
Syberix pulls her now wet head back in the car with a grin and grabs her old 'army' duffle bag from beside where she was sitting.
*A few stiff drinks vill always help vis zee veather, I am sinking*
The thought of a warm bar with a good beer and sprite was enough to take her mind off the other night and the weather. As the train slows she tosses the bag over one shoulder and smirks as she casts.
Casting Levitate to hop off the train
Magic 5 + Spellcasting 4 + Manipulation 2 = 11d6
11d6.hits(5)=5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4279030/)
That means she can levitate a maximum of 1,000kg and a movement speed of 25m/turn.
Resisting 3S Drain
Charisma 6 + Willpower 5 = 11d6
11d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4279038/)
No drain!
Feeling the lightness of her body, she leaps from the car and drifts her way down to the ground near the tracks, pausing only momentarily to look at the station up ahead. She looks up into the night sky and the falling rain, squinting, before she pulls the collar of her tattered trench coat up around her neck and begins the trek up to Gare-du-Chelles
As she breaches the activity of the town she starts looking for a local bar with some beer and games to dry off in.
On the prowl for a good bar
Knowledge Bars and Clubs 4 + Intuition 4 = 8d6
8d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4279041/)
If the specialty Bar Games helps: 2d6.hits(5)=0 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4279045/) Oh well...
-
You'd swung through Chelles before and you knew of a small and fairly anonymous dive bar on the far end of the industrial estate on the north side of the town.
They had a few bunks for the lorry drivers passing through the estate and the food wasn't too extortionately priced.
It'd be about a 15 minute walk from the freight depot, through the centre of the small town.
Knowing the french tolerance (or lack thereof) for public magic usage, you sensibly drop the spell as you enter the town.
The shitty weather at least kept the streets clear, last time you came through here an ork biker gang had been shaking the locals down. Thanfully tonight was not a night for riding motorbikes.
The town hadn't changed much since you last came through here about a year ago. It was still built around a small light commercial area consisting of two intersecting roads. A Mega-EuroMart dominated the main drag, and it looked like it had put a few smaller units out of business judging by the boarded up windows.
The EuroMart was the only shop still open at this ungodly hour on a tuesday night, its canopy gave you a modicum of shelter from the torrential downpour that showed no sign of abating.
-
Syberix moves on into town, trying to skirt the Mega-Euromart for what cover it can provide on the way to the dive.
“"France und zis veather…..”", she mutters to herself as she walks.
<Robot! "BONSOIR JEAN-LUC! I AM IN ZE FRANCE"” You are sending zee message to Jean-Luc, Ja. >
She hurries her pace as she messages her agent a request in her normal form, the hard rain cutting at her jacket. As she arrives at the bar, she knocks the door open with a loud, THUD announcing her arrival.
She immediately makes her way to the bartender, ((French))” "Double shot of vodka and the largest size of any German beer you have on tap.”"
French food never did taste quite as good sober.
-
//AUTO REPLY:: Jean luc:://<<User is not currently online. Message will be delivered at next connection>>//
A small portal opened in the door, two yellow stained eyes, much larger than that of a human stared into yours, before checking to your left and right. Apparently satisfied, the locks disengaged and the bouncer let you in, giving you a once-over and a gruff grunt of acknowledgement.
The bar was half full, ork-metal playing at a comfortable level from the sound system. A couple of guys played holo-pool to your left and a smattering of tables held the majority of the other patrons, sat about drinking synthbeer on mismatching furniture.
Most seemed dressed like you; rockers, metal heads and punks with the odd trucker mixed in for good measure.
The barman, a stout looking dwarf, nods at your request, though with a little more than a raised eyebrow at your accent and implied insult to French beer.
He pulls the pint and makes a real show of coughing loudly over the top of your beer as he hands it over. Sliding a bottle of vodka, two glasses and an old-skool chalkboard down the bar to you.
Pardon, mademouseille. qauttre nuyen sil vous plais, et une nuyen por une shot. {sorry madam, 4 nuyen please and one nuyen per shot.}
-
Her eyes narrow momentarily as the dwarf coughs, ((French)) "You might want to get that cough looked at. Some people wouldn't appreciate it."
*kleine Scheiße*
Despite the short speech, she transfers him the nuyen, downs the shots and, if she's not readdressed, looks around the room for a set of ears that might be interested to hear about how she won that fight a few days ago.
-
The beer tasted chemical-ish, and a bit flat, like they hadn't cleaned the lines out properly and couldn't be arsed to change the nitrogen bottle over.
It was drinkable, but far from the best pint you had. The barman eyes you angrily, almost daring you to complain.
A couple of bikers stroll through the door as you take the first sip, sidling up to the bar whilst speaking in heavily accented french about some scrap they'd had down in Marseilles.
-
Syberix smiles as the new company walks into the bar, despite the flavor of the beer. It changes to a smirk as she starts eavesdropping into the conversation and eying the newcomers over for any marks that may hint more to their scuff.
Visual Perception
Rank Perception 1 + Intuition 4 + Vision Enhancement 3 = 8d6
8d6.hits(5)=0 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4293475/) .... well looks like I'll fit in well with the boys...
Audio Perception
Rank Perception 1 + Intuition 4 + Audio Enhancement 3= 8d6
8d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4293493/)
Without provocation, she muscles her way on into their conversation ((French)), "That is sounding like an interesting encounter. Did it by chance start over some flat beer? Or did the beer leave a bad taste in your mouth, by chance?"
As she speaks, she shoots a brief glance to the bartender, her grin turning mischievous as she does.
-
Both the blokes had some scarring, but it looked old. The taller of the two had a few bruises on his right arm, and the smaller one with the big beard walked with a slight limp, but in the gloom of the badly lit bar, it was nigh on impossible to make out any more than that.
From your eavesdropping, it sounds like the scrap had happened after a "friendly" race with a rival outfit, shifting goods either in or out of Marseilles, but the heavy accent and liberal use of slang terms you're not too familiar with makes it difficult to distinguish the specifics.
Both gents spin round at your unprovoked interruption, looking genuinely surprised. The taller one begins to scowl and replies ((All in accented French))"Flat beer? No? Why do you think that?" The second one catches your eye, looking maliciously at the bartender and immediately cottons on to your train of thought, flashing you a toothless smile. "Beer's always shit in here. you're better off sticking with them vodka shots. Speaking of which, mind us joining you for a round or two?"
The bartender is clearly not impressed, taking the bait. "Oi, non, you have a problem with my beer? you say it to my face. right now. SAY IT."
-
Syberix returns the grin, but with all teeth there to flash.
((French))"Never as fun to drink alone if there's company available... "
her head tilts to meet the bartenders eye as she continues, "...Even with flat beer."
and returns once more to the biker. "...but that's why there's vodka. And from that story you two were talking about... sounds like you might be able to give me some pointers. Ork caught me good the other day before I had to put 'em in his place."
-
Ha, yeah maybe!. The taller, less intelligent one, signalled for the barman to shut the fuck up and to your amazement he did just that, walking away muttering something you couldn't quite hear.
The two bikers grab their drinks and followed you over to a small table, prepping a round of vodka shots for the three of you.
The shorter one began the toast, "Op uw gezondheid!" and necked the first shot, grimacing as it hit the spot, in all the wrong ways.
"So, what you doing up here in our bar causing trouble?" said the taller one, a narrow beam of light from a broken fitting half illuminating his sewn on insignia on his left shoulder.
The smaller one chipped in:"Yeah it takes some balls to start on Pierre. He felled a troll the other week for half the insult you just gave him. What's your angle, pal? He looked at you in an accusatory manner, half distracted by pouring out another shot from your vodka.
-
_____Lumen_______
Your head swims with disorientation. It felt like you were moving, and standing still at the same time. You couldn't see anything and opening your eyes was an effort you just didn't have the strength for.
A burning sensation made itself known in your shoulder. No, it was more than that, it was agony. A sickening, raw, agony.
BOD + WIL please
____Scawire____
A half-dream-half-nightmare of a home reminiscent of your childhood pervades your thoughts. The details are fuzzy and it doesn't look quite right, but no matter how fast your un towards the image, you make no progress. It feels like you're walking on water, a sense of movement belies how still your body is, until you feel like you have fallen through time and space.
Freezing cold water around your body snaps you from your slumber, your body aches and strong arms around your chest almost feel like they are forcefully drowning you.
You try to open your eyes, but the salt water stings your eyes and blackness clouds your vision.
-
*Bloody hell... I'm still completely knackered.* Knives covers his eyes with his uninjured arm and rolls the burning shoulder praying for an ounce of relief.
Body 5 + Willpower 5 = 10d6
10d6.hits(5)=5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4301145/) Good way to start the Chapter :)
Unwilling to open his eyes Knives calls out, "Oy Mantis, you dead man?"
-
____Lumen____
Though your shoulder burns with agony, you manage to summon up enough strength to roll over and push yourself up onto your knees.
Movement flares the pain in your shoulder to almost unbearable levels, it feels like it must be dislocated.
Hauling your body upright caused your wet clothes to rub against your skin uncomfortably. Your lank hair sticks to your forehead as you use your one good arm to brush it out of your eyes. You shiver with the cold of exposure and take stock of the situation. The boat had come to rest on a shore line, Dunk was no-where to be seen. A faint moonlight peered through gaps in the cloud cover, illuminating everything in a half-glow.
Sparse vegetation could be seen beyond a small strip of light coloured sand, a solitary light emanating from a building beyond the trees.
The back of the boat had clearly seen some action. Large holes and scorch marks could be seen around the stern area, and both drone racks were now empty.
No reply came from Mantis
-
Knives' face twists and distorts with pain as he makes it to his feet. *I gotta get this shoulder popped back in... Till then lets see if we can dull the pain.* He very carefully digs through his pack till he finds the stim patch. Carefully pealing back his soaked clothes he places the patch right on top of the agonizing shoulder. Now that the pain had receded from blinding to semi-tolerable, Knives takes a good look around the boat hoping to find signs of his companions.
Perception 4 + Intuition 3 + Enhancements 3 + Actively Looking 3= 13d6
13d6.hits(5)=5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4301183/)
After he's taken a look around Knives pulls out his com checking for signal and hopefully a sign of where the fuck they landed.
-
The stim patch sticks badly to your wet skin, you have to hold it in place for a while before the adhesive sticks. The meds it releases feel good, numbing the pain somewhat.
From your position on deck, you can see two drag marks in the sand, heading towards the building with the light on.
It takes an age for your commlink to boot and find signal, but when it does, your spirits lift as the service message informs you you will incur roaming charges while overseas.
//Bonjour! Bienvenue au France//
-
Looking at the service message Knives sighs, *Great I've died and gone to hell. Still beats a MMU holding cell.* He carefully makes his way off the boat, trying not to put any pressure on his busted shoulder, and slowly hobbles up to the building. Keeping to the shadows he tries to catch a peak of the inside.
-
You drop down off the port side into the shallow waters, re-soaking your legs in the cold water of the English channel.
You can see more damage to the section of the hull that lay above the water line. Strange scorch marks indicate a fair amount of resistance to your exit while you were out cold.
Wading up the beach, you find the drag marks and follow them as best you can, your head swimming against the nausea of the pain, drugs and sleep deprivation. As you clear the beach and begin to hit the scrubby grass and trees, you begin to hear laboured grunting and groaning, the odd guttural scream of pain interspersed amongst the noise.
The noise appeared to come from directly ahead of you, deeper through the treeline, heading towards the building.
-
Upon hearing the noises Knives stops and calls his taser into the hand of his still functioning arm. He crouches, making himself a smaller target, and tries his best to sneak through the scrubby foliage towards the noises. *Please be Dunk... please be Dunk... please be Dunk...*
Not sure what my damage track is looking like now so I'll just roll the full pool.
Infiltration 3 + Agility 6 = 9d6
9d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4301340/)
If you take off 3 from what my damage mods were it knocks down to 3 successes.
-
Though you try to be as sneaky as possible, you realise pretty quickly from the smears of blood on the foliage that whoever is making the noise is pretty badly hurt
Following the drag marks, you find a heap of ork and human lying on the back garden of the house, illuminated by what appears to be the kitchen window. A seperate pool of light spills out further round the house, much longer and taller. You assume it is an open doorway.
The mass of flesh ahead of you begins to openly sob, you assume through pain and the strain of having to haul a dead ork up the beach and to this point, so close to the house.
It was clear that the dragger hadn't noticed your approach, he was too caught up in his emotions.
-
No matter how injured and exhausted Knives couldn't bare the sight of the heap of metahuman crying from pure exhaustion. He slowly approaches the house, his taser still ready but held downward. "Oy you alright over there? That you Dunk?" He fiddles with the different settings in his contacts to try and get a clear view of the scene before getting too close.
-
The sobbing decreases, and between the gasps, you get a reply:
I'm fucked up mate....Losing blood.....I can't do it..... Get this one... in.. the house
He screams and groans under the strain of trying to shift Mantis' dead weight off his legs and lower body, rolling Mantis' body onto his stomach and the smooth grass of the lawn.
In the dim light cast through the window you can see why Dunk was complaining. A makeshift bandage is strapped around his left thigh and he has extensive burns to his left shoulder, his melted flesh looks like it fused with the armour plating in his clothing.
-
Mantis's nightmares take him through the rough parts of Edinburgh. He can see old friends on the ground being feasted on by pacts of Devil Rats. As Mantis walks through the dead bodies of friends he use to run the streets with and he sees an old image... At first it was hard to be sure but as the moon lite night shines a bit of light on her face he knows for sure, It is Jennifer. As Mantis tries to run to her his legs give out a few meters back for a loving embrace. Mantis falls to the ground, as he hits the ground Jennifer voices up. You couldn't protect me, why did you let me go, we had so much together. I was looking for the power, the power that you wanted and now because of you I'm gone. Mantis tries to tell her he is here and was going to do everything he can to protect her but as he tries to speak any energy he had was drained away and not one word came out. Jennifer starts to get enveloped by shadow, Mantis does what ever he can to draw power from the world to give him strength to get to her. Mantis is unable to even get the strength to breath, he is breathless as the shadow around Jennifer finally takes her away. She was gone, but to where Mantis has been looking for so long to find where she was but has never found anything that would give him a lead to where she might have gone to the night she disappeared she was looking into something magical that she thought would help the two of them increase their magic and give them an edge in this cold unforgiving world. She had never told Mantis what it was she was looking into, she said it was going to be a gift for the two of them, but now she was gone. Mantis lays on the ground with his old dead friends wondering what was to come next.
-
Once he hears Dunk's voice Knives sends the taser back home to it's resting place in the arm slide. *No rest for the wicked, eh?* He puts a hand on Dunk's shoulder, "No worries mate you did great. If it weren't for you we'd be proper fucked. Just stay there, I'll get you both inside."
He bends down and tries his best to scoop Mantis up one handed and drag the ork inside. He takes a quick glance around the room before going back out to help Dunk inside.
If it's too difficult will boost his strength.
-
Visual Perception to try and catch the patch
Rank Perception 1 + Intuition 4 + Vision Enhancement 3 = 8d6
8d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4302577/)
Syberix follows the two to the table. As the he starts pourin' the drinks and knocking them back she flashes a grin and scoops up the bottle, pouring herself another shot, and keeping the bottle in hand.
"Eh, Looking to stay dry mostly. If he wasn't serving shitty beer - well you know the sayin' Don't start nothing, won't be nothing. Anyway - I doubt he's half as bad as the ork that planted this shiner on me. What brings you two in here?"
-
___sillasion___
you notice the badge has two eagles flying in opposite directions and three stars, almost like military insignia. "Chelles chapter" can be seen written underneath. It looks old, well worn.
we own it. Just been down to Marseilles for a race against an Albanian outfit. Was all friendly until the last lap, then it got ugly. [the taller one intersects, his eyes glazed and fixed somewhere behind you] I See why you're all cocky. You're a mojo-slinger!
[the shorter one looks at you intently] What you doing tomorrow? Fancy some work?
-
___Lumen____
Dunk lies back on the lawn, panting, trying desperately to calm himself down.
You manage to get a decent enough grip on the tattered drysuit to drag Mantis' body the remaining few yards into the clean and functional kitchen area and through into a small but well appointed lounge area.
Even with channeling your mana into your muscles, you didnt have quite enough strength to get him onto the couch. Mantis' body remained propped up in an awkward half-sit, half-laying position against the base as a man-servant drone descended the short flight of stairs into the lounge with a medkit in hand.
"I detect that medical assistance is required. I will begin treatment"
Hobbling back outside, Dunk had managed to get himself to his knees on the lawn, and his breathing pattern was more normal.
-
____Scawire____
Something was tugging at you as you fought to wake from your nightmarish visions.
It felt like the world was moving around you but no matter how hard you tried, you just couldn't shake it off.
A piercing shard hit into your wrist and warmth emanated from it, flowing into your body.
You felt more wakeful almost immediately, though the world was a blur as you opened your eyes.
You became acutely aware of a blinding ache from the back of your head. Moving your shoulder to feel the back of your head hurt, in fact everything hurt.
What the fuck had happened? you could barely remember...
-
The manservant with the medkit was a welcome sight. "Thank the Queen. Get to it!" Once outside Knives offers his hand to Dunk, "Come on mate, let's get you inside." With his good arm he will help prop Dunk up and hobble inside. After sitting Dunk on the couch Knives collapses a few feet away.
Taking a minute to catch his breath Knives looks about the lounge, "I don't suppose you've got any beers, eh Dunk? Is this your place?"
-
Mantis opens his eyes somewhat glad the nightmare was over, the only thing that makes him want to go back to the dream was Jennifer. The Sight of Jennifer reminds Mantis he has to say alive to one day find what had happened to her. What???? What happened????? Oh ya my stuppid Ork mind thought of a ward when the spirit told me we where going to hit a mana barrier. Well odds are I'm never going to make that mistake twice. I'm lucky I'm not swimming my way to hell right now. Mantis tries to get himself situated on where he was and who was here.
Perception test
Perception visual 1 (3) + INT 2 = 3(5) (will roll all 5 drop any dice off the end that shouldn't be there.)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4302920/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4302920/) 3 hits
[ /spoiler]
-
____Lumen_____
"Fuck, I wish. Tidy lil gaff this is. Private beach an' everythin. Drone said the fridge is fully stocked, but we're no outta this yet pal. Me and thee are gonna have tae scuttle the boat. Coastguard will have radar traces of us and come sun up, them dog walking fuckers are gonna get on their links and get blabbing about where we're hidin'.
The ECG trace beeps merrily across the medkit's screen in the background as the drone sets to work on Mantis; jabbing an autoinjector into his left wrist.
Moments later, Mantis seems to stir to life a bit, weakly opening his eyes and reaching for his head, clearly disoriented.
"I'll be fine for now pal, come on, lets go blow this fucker up."
Dunk reaches for your arm to help him up off the sofa, swallowing a couple of painkillers down once tentatively balanced on his good foot.
"I need you to set a couple of grenades on a long timer and pop em into the engine hatch. Get off the boat sharpish. I'll pilot it out remotely into deeper waters and it'll sink. Hopefully."
-
___Mantis____
You open your eyes and can just about make out the metallic form of a drone hovering near you. a soft rythmic beeping comes somewhere from your left and your right hand feels sticky as it touches your head.
A thick reddy-brown substance cloys your finger tips, it looks like old blood.
Your memory starts to come back to you, you'd been on the boat, and had been fighting. but you can't for the life of you remember what you were fighting for. It must have been important...
A smooth and nearly-metahuman voice emanates from the fuzzily outlined drone near you. "You appear to be awake. I am administering medical attention, you are hurt. Please can you tell me your name?
___Lumen___
As you head out onto the lawn, you can hear the drone talking to Mantis
-
"Good point let's get it done so I can get proper pissed." With a groan Knives makes it to his feet and gives Dunk a hand up. As they're leaving he turns to look when the drone speaks, *Good. That last thing I need right now is to dig a grave one handed.*
He follows Dunk back to the boat and carefully climbs back on deck. "Alright mate where do you keep the grenades?"
-
"There's an emergency kit bag under the pilots console. pop the hatch by your right foot, grab the pistol out of it and the survival kit too. Might come in handy."
The sound of the waves gently lapping at the hull and on to the beach was all there was to hear, aside from your heavy, clumsy footsteps on the wooden deck. It was the most relaxing sound you'd heard in what felt like weeks. Considering the whole shit situation with the Maxwell boys, the warehouse and being stuck in that dump out in Essex, you felt like you'd earned a good holiday.
The momentary peace was shattered by a persistent vibrating from inside the damaged fibers of your drysuit. Ripping the last of it off, you thumb around for your commlink:
<<Anon>>//Good, you're alive. I see you made it to the safehouse. Interpol have just issued an arrest warrant and authorised use of deadly force against you.
Take the car from the garage and get moving. Attached are the co-ordinates of a second safehouse, further inland. I'll meet you there in the morning, bring the data at all costs.// {Mapsoft co-ords attached}
___Mantis____
Through the haze and disorientation, you feel a vibration in your right pocket.
-
Knives forwards the message to Mantis and nods at Dunk. As he is grabbing the pistol and survival kit he updates Dunk, "Just got an update. Once we're done here we need to take the car in the garage and head to another safehouse." He then moves up to the pilot's console and looks about for the emergency kit.
-
You find the hatch and pop it open, grabbing the two grenades in it and stuffing the pistol into your belt line.
The grenades themselves are a bit baffling, looking like some cold war museum piece.
Choose one to roll:
Log + demolitions/Log + throwing weapons/Log + armourer/Log + applicable knowledge skill (eg military)
-3 wound mods in effect.
-
Man you know how to hit Knives where it hurts... right in the logic lol.
Logic 2 + Thrown Weapons 3 - DM 3 = 2d6
2d6.hits(5)=0 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4303214/)
There we have it, crit glitch, and we're off to a great start.
Knives' eyebrow raises just about to his hair line and he turns to look down at Dunk, "The fuck is this mate? I thought you said you had grenades."
-
Mantis eyeballs the drone asking for his name. Drek you tell you my name who knows what metahuman is behind you taking notes. As Mantis tries to get his throbbing head to think up a fake name his pocket starts to vibrate. Great time to see who the hell wants me. Mantis does his best to get his comm link to pick up the call.
-
___Lumen____
Don't get all fussy you southern twat. It might be old, but it'll still go bang. Twist the top half as far as it'll go and get the fuck off mae boat.
__Scawire___
You dig around in your pockets, searching for the commlink and manage to get it out and view the screen.
<<Anon>>//Good, you're alive. I see you made it to the safehouse. Interpol have just issued an arrest warrant and authorised use of deadly force against you.
Take the car from the garage and get moving. Attached are the co-ordinates of a second safehouse, further inland. I'll meet you there in the morning, bring the data at all costs.// {Mapsoft co-ords attached}
The drone insists on a response;
Please sir, this is important. I need to check for concussion due to your head trauma. Please tell me your name and age.
-
Her eyebrow perks and a huge grin creeps over her tattooed lips as the man claims the establishment.
*Zer is no telling if zer is truth to zis - but if zere is, hell - I may as vell drink to zis anyway!*
She pours herself another shot and slams it back.
((French)) "Actually, the race sounds like it was just getting good when the last lap started." She lets out a laugh.
As the taller man speaks up again, she rolls her head to peer over her shoulder and see what he's looking at, but quickly turns her attention back to the two of them at the mention of work.
*Vork?!*
As her attention and thoughts turn back to the two, a glisten sparks in her eye and she throws her hands to the air in a grand gesture, "Yes! I am all for this!"
-
"Long as the bloody things still work I ain't fussin. Here's to you jock." Knives gives the top of each grenade a good twist and tosses then down the engine hatch. He quickly hops off the boat back into the freezing water and gives it a good shove with his one good arm. Once the boat is dislodged from the beach he walks over and stands next to Dunk and watch the show.
-
___SIllasion____
Bon. You sound like you can handle yourself. We have a race tomorrow against a more local chapter. We got our asses handed to us yesterday because our mojo-slinger was a no-show. You ride with Pierre, I'll introduce you in the morning. You keep their mojo off our backs and I'll slip you a couple' K. You don't, well... y'know.
Sound good?
-
___Lumen____
No sooner were you off the boat than one engine roars to life, sliding the boat back at an odd angle.
It appears to slide through the water unevenly, keening slightly to its left.
You see dunk further up the beach, wrestling with AR controls. Dunk had obviously done an amazing job to get you this far with such a damaged craft. He was good.
The boat barely gets 50m off the shoreline before you hear two dull, percussive thuds. The boat continues a short way and begins to ride lower in the water. Dunk kills the engine and gestures for you to give him a hand inside.
-
Knives sighs, "I was hoping for a boom. Oh well let's get a move on mate. We gotta check out this car and get movin." He helps Dunk limp back up to the house. Once he sets Dunk down on the couch Knives heads to the fridge in search of beer then it's on to the garage to inspect their ride.
-
((French))"Tres Bon! Been a bit since I've been on the back of a bike. Where should I meet you in the morning ... Know of anyplace out of the rain to crash that's on the low cost side? Can't go sleeping in the rain when there's work to be done next day." She leans back in her chair tilting it onto the back two legs.
*Zis ist gut. Vat luck. Maybe I vill even get a place to crash from zis haha!*
-
___Sillasion____
There's a spare bunk in the dorm out back if that works for you. Full of truckers normally.
There's a Euro-Mart back down in town if you need toiletries. It don't smell too pretty but it's dry. Mostly! HA! Anyway, to a great race tomorrow!
Both of the gents fill their glasses, top your up and gesture to down it. Prost!
-
___Lumen___
The fridge is pretty well stocked. There's enough synth-meat, soycheese and wheybread to knock up a round of sarnies and a 6 pack of small french stubbies. the label says they're only 2%, but they're better than nowt at all.
The ECG trace beeps along, but at a higher rate than before. Mantis seems more alert and is struggling to read what is on his commlink screen while the drone continues it's treatment.
Dunk limps over to the sofa and takes a seat next to mantis, gesturing with an open hand at the 6 pack you're inspecting.
-
"Parfait! Sounds like we have a plan and some fun ahead!"
Syberix raises her filled glass to the toast, "Prost! Du bist länger tot als lebendig!"
-
Knives grabs three brews from the six pack and walks into the living room. He hands one to Dunk and Mantis before popping the top on the last one and taking several large gulps from the bottle. "It's not the best but it's better than nothin'."
He kneels down and takes a good look at Mantis' injuries, "You gonna make it mate? We need to get moving. Interpol is gonna twist our bollocks off if we don't distance ourselves from that boat. Drink up and let's roll out lads." He raises the bottle at each of the other two men, "Cheers!"
-
___Sillasion____
Drinks are drunk, lips are loosened and everyone gets into the spirit. A couple more of the gentlemen's friends arrive, looking as rough-shod as the first two you met and before you know it the bottle is empty and you feel pretty pissed.
The shorter one pats you on the back, pulls you to your unsteady feet and bids you goodnight.
"See you in the morning my friend. We will win a glorious *hic* victory *hic* ahahaha! good night, good night!"
The dwarven barman takes the hint and calls time, switching the main roof lights on and revealing the details of the shit-tip bar for the first time.
Feeling the effects of the vodka yourself, you grab your kit bag and head out merrily across the parking area to the bunkhouse, seemingly oblivious to the rain.
-
___Scawire___
The drone pulls your hand away from the wound on the back of your head, spraying it with an antiseptic spray and dressing it with a stick-on clean patch.
first aid (2) test
pilot 3, profession 3, medkit 4 (10d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4303741/)
1 net hit over threshold. heals 1 box of your physical damage. you're still running with 9 boxes of stun until a good rest.
-
Mantis grabs the beer hoping that the beer could cut some of this pain, fat chance on that one but you can always hope. Mantis decides once he sees Knives that the drone is not some trick set up by the law to get info out of him. Mantis decides to tell the tin can who he is and what his age is. Well as you heard I'm Mantis and right now might feel 102 I'm only 29 years old. Mantis tries to get him self slowly moving as not to hold up the team from getting out of the sights of Interpol. Tin cans these days one tries to kill you the next one does it's best to fix up what the other did to you. Just like alot of those Meta Humans in the streets. I love the shadows minus the headache.
-
___Scawire___
The drone appears satisfied with your answer. It shines a light into your eye, jabs you with an auto injector and advises regular wound checks and rest.
It moves over to dunk and begins a similar routine, attaching ECG RFIDs to his body and administering pain relief.
Knives passes you a beer, it is ice cold and hits the spot beautifully.
__Knives___
The beer tastes pretty good. You lean back against the wall and slump to the floor, exhausted. It'd been a long day.
Your body slowly caught up to you. How long had it been since you'd eaten or drank? The cold beer hitting your stomach reminded you how hungry you were.
Dunk was thinking the same.
"Anything edible in that fridge mate? I'm fucking starving. If you're all better now Mantis, check out the garage. We need to roll soon."
-
Mantis wishes he had a cane to walk with right now but takes his beer and starts to scoop out the garage. I guess I'll see what kind of ride we have, I hope we got something one of us can drive. If we luck out we should take what we can from here with us. I'm thinking the quicker we can get out of here the better. If Interpol is on us we best get gone and fast. Mantis does his best to use hope from one piece of furniture to the next as he makes his way to see what the team has for a ride. I hate when a run turns into some kind of vehicle chase I always seem to hit something.
-
Knives nods to Dunk, "Yea brill mate, there was drek in the fridge to make some sandwiches. I'll throw some together." He slowly gets to his feet with a few audible groans and he hobbles back into the kitchen. In what looks like a half awake stupor Knives slaps synthesized meat and cheese in between two slices of bread, making the minimum requirements of a sandwich. He comes staggering back out and passes the sandwiches out to his team. "Chow quick mates, let's get on the road."
-
Syberix laughs, drinks and tells the night away. She seems to thrive off the crowd gathering around her, enjoying the revelry. She regales them with tales, whether or not they want it, including the ork she fought and won, as it would seem obvious... fighting an ork is much like fighting a tiger - you may get a shiner, but if that's all you came away with you obviously won.
As the lights come up, the place looks better than she figured it would.... or that could be the vodka talking. Either way, she would need to remember to come back to this place... She manages to her feet, grabs her bag and stumbles out the door with a wave, "Bon Soir mes amies! Demain".... she pauses a moment to try and remember the word.... *Scheiße*.... "Sieg!"
With her mixed message she leaves and disappears into the bunk. She sits down and takes a look around the room, and when she gets a chance - before passing out, she pulls a small pocket knife from her survival kit and finds somewhere to etch an upside down cross into. She has herself a good chuckle, reboxes the knife, and face plants into her pillow.
<Robot, you are setting ze alarm for the morning.>
She barely manages to get the message to her agent before succumbing to the liquor and fatigue.
-
___Mantis___
A Shin Hyung sits in good condition in the spacious garage. The RFID key sits on a hook on the wall, just inside the door. You fire it up and check the fuel; full tank. all tires are inflated. the back seat is gonna be a bit of a squeeze, but it'll definitely get you where you need to go.
Punching in the co-ordinates that the boss gave to you, you see it'll take around 2.5-3hrs to get there, probably a bit less given how early it was.
Gridguide couldn't get a solid satellite fix, but it puts you somewhere in the Dunkirk-Calais region of the north east French coastline, near to Belgium.
Dunk must have hit a straight southern line out of the Thames for speed and ease of navigation. Either way, it wouldn't take a genius to follow your radar trace and guess your rough landing point. You couldn't dally here for long.
Popping back into the kitchen to tell the lads the good news, you're rewarded for your efforts with a sandwich.
___Knives___
Dunk snaffles the sandwich in seconds, screaming breadcrumbs as the drone sprays his burns with antiseptic gel, repeating his agony as it treats his thigh wound.
He fights to hold back the tears as the drone attempts to separate his flesh from his clothes, eventually succumbing.
The drone gives him a shot of painkillers followed by sedatives and he relaxes, struggling to keep his eyes open.
It turns its attention to you, checking for signs of head trauma, fractures, punctures and burns before administering a shot of anti-inflammatories, pain killers and creating a crude sling to help support your busted shoulder.
It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.
pilot 3, profession 3, medkit 4 (10d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4304770/) again, 1 net hit, 1 physical box healed.
___Sillasion___
Your mouth tasted like shit. it had been so long since you last brushed your teeth properly that it felt like they'd each grown a fur coat.
A burning sensation in your throat voiced itself as a terrible thirst and your head began to pound. Opening your eyes, you see it's just getting light.
A small window lets in mucky brown light from the outside world. It'd clearly not been cleaned in a while.
In your disoriented state, it takes a while for you to discern whether it's thundering or if an engine was running somewhere nearby.
Doing your best to level your head and focus on your surroundings, you see you're in a large dormitory. A couple of beds are taken besides yours, the noise appears to be coming from a huge, fat ork on the far side of the room. The world spins as you grab your commlink, trying to focus on its all-too-bright display to get a read out of the time; 07.16. The race wasn't until 9, but your bladder wouldn't last that long, even if all you wanted to do right now was curl up and sleep off the impending hangover.
-
After the manservant looks him over and patches him up a bit Knives looks around, "Alright lads are we set? Let's get you two piled up in the car and get on the road."
-
Ya lets get heading any idea if that drone is going to clean this mess I hate leaving any forensic evidence we where here. If not I think we are out of luck we best hit the road. Or are we taking the tin can with us? Mantis grabs the sandwich and gives a bow to Knives then heads back to the car. (unless someone needs caring) There is no way I want to drive right now I'm hoping we can auto pilot and rest for a bit we all seem to need it. Mantis Figures he will grab the passengers seat the two humans can fight over who wants the drives seat and who wants the seat less back.
HAHA Mantis called Shotgun. Hey do we have a shotgun that could geek those dam drones alot better then what I was throwing at them. No ok maybe next time.
-
Seeing Mantis already piling into the car and Dunk fading fast from the pain killers Knives curses, "Fuck me, looks like I'm driving. Come on Dunk we gotta get you in the car before you go passing out on me." Once again he helps Dunk up and pours him into the back seat. Taking the driver's seat Knives plays around with the AR display trying his best to have the pilot program of the car do the heavy lifting.
-
Knives I'm beat, kind of like you two, I'll see if I can sleep any of this off. Hopefully that will put me back in the game to a small degree. Mantis finishes the sandwich Knives was nice enouph to make for him then he lays back in the seat and tries to sleep some of this pain away.
-
Syberix groggily rubs her eyes and tries her best to orient herself before she stands.
*uhhgggh... Fuck French liquor...*
As her thoughts manage to form, she pushes her aching self to her feet and searches for her bag. She looks to make sure everyone else is asleep before she rights herself.
Makeover - Force 4
5 Magic + 4 Spell casting + 2 Specialization + 2 Mentor Spirirt = Total 13
13d6.hits(5)=7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4306751/)
Drain Resistance Test - Resisting 2S
5 Willpower + 6 Charisma = Total 11
11d6.hits(5)=6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4306753/)
As she pulls the mana in it begins it's work. Her purple and green hair is spiraled up into a mohawk of spikes, her teeth are 'brushed', her clothes have the muck of the night removed, and it might as well do as having had a shower.
*Now vith zis out of ze way... to ze bathroom.*
She meanders her way through the bunk, bag over shoulder till she finds the bathroom to finish her mornings activities. After relieving at least part of the night away, she heads out of the bunk - her eyes squinting in the early morning sun.
*Now for ze coffee... at least zis ze French are doing well... Zat will fix zis headache.*
-
___Lumen + Scawire____
Knives opens up the gridguide terminal and sees that Mantis had already punched in the co-ordinates for the next safehouse. The readout said you were heading into the Parisian suburbs and the journey would take roughly 2.5-3hrs dependent on roadworks and traffic. pilot software is specific to one vehicle model so your agent won't be able to pilot this car, yours can run your bike model only. all cars have an autopilot mod though so don't worry about it!
The car's autopilot engages, the garage door opens and the electric motor quietly rolls the car out into the road. A moment of panic overtakes you as the car heads out onto the right hand lane of the road, until you remember that they drive on the wrong side over here on the continent.
A local 'Trix broadcast plays through the car's speakers as it pulls out of the residential street and onto a wider stretch of main road. The digital compass read out says you are going in a south westerly direction, though the predicted range and journey length displays on the Gridguide display indicated you'd have to fuel up at some point on the journey.
Mantis snaffles the sandwich hungrily, its easily the best thing you've eaten in a long time. Soon after finishing it though, you're not sure how good an idea it was. You start to realise just how hungry you actually are now the adrenaline has died down and reality returned.
As the main road leaves the small seaside town and heads out into the country, the babble of the trix 'cast combined with the rythmic sound of tyres on asphalt lulls you into a shallow sleep. Your head rolls and lolls with the motion of the car, occasionally jarring you half-awake as the car stops for traffic lights and junctions.
Dunk soon goes the same way. Whatever the drone gave him for the pain really knocked him for six and he begins to snore quietly, occasionally interrupted as he shuffles his body into a more comfortable position in the economy rated seats of the hybrid electric-petrol commuter car.
With two sleepy-heads in the car and the rythmic strobing of passing street lights, Knives eyes start to feel heavy. The warm air conditioning and easy listening music combined with the lack of sleep and exhausting day do nothing to help either.
Roll INT + REA (4) to stay awake, or you can roll INT + REA (1) if you decide to drive manually
____Sillasion_____
The residents of the bunk room are all soundly asleep, the effects of their long haul drive or last night's booze still taking their toll.
The effort of casting the spells sharpens your mind a bit, feeling cleaner certainly helped too.
You bundle up your kit, smiling at the squiggly drunken cross you scratched into the bed frame, it looked more like two crossed snakes than anything else.
The dorm had a small bathroom at either end with a couple of stalls, some sinks and an open communal shower area. Neither bathroom was labelled for either gender, so you just picked one and did your thing, checking yourself over in the filthy mirror before heading out into the morning air.
Last night's downpour had settled into a grey and overcast autumnal morning. A leaden sky above you and puddles of water collected in the potholed courtyard didn't give much hope of it brightening up for the race.
Your breath hung in little clouds in front of you as you crossed the courtyard and passed the closed bar. The courtyard opened up into a larking parking area. You checked your commlink as you passed a couple of HGV's parked up for the night, you guessed one must have been the fat Ork's ride.
You hit the main road into Chelles on the far side of the industrial estate, and pops your earbuds in, listening to some tracks you'd not heard in years. Traffic on the main road is relatively light given the time of day, but a few people are up and about, heading to work, walking the dog, dropping the kids off at breakfast club and all the other boring shit that normal people did at this ungodly hour of the morning you supposed.
None looked at you twice as you headed down to the Euro-Mart however, and that was what mattered most.
A yapping doormat of a dog was tied up to a bicycle rack outside the shop, its barking and panting at you snapping you out of your hungover mindlock as you trudged toward the shop entrance. It's happily wagging tail contrasted with its angry sounding bark as it strained against its lead to walk over to you.
-
Going for staying awake cause Knives knows he's a bad driver.
Reaction 5 + Intuition 3 = 8d6.
8d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4308349/)
Knives curses under his breath for being saddled with driving. Once the other two fade off to sleep he tries all the tricks to stay awake. He cranked up some Goblin Rock in his earbuds hoping to help, it didn't. He cracked the window to get a face full of brisk air, it didn't help. No matter what he tried his body refused to keep fighting and eventually he nods off, leaving their fate to the autopilot.
-
___Lumen + Scawire____
You wake with a start to a loud "PING PING PING".
ROLL FOR INITIATIVE!! + perception tests please. -2 for disorientation
-
Reaction 5 + Intuition 3 - 2 DM = 6d6
6d6.hits(5)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4308552/)
Initiative 7 IPs 2
Perception 4 + Intuition 3 + Enhancements 3 - 2 DM - 2 Disorientation = 6d6
6d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4308553/)
Knives startles awake, "Bloody hell, what's that noise?"
-
INITIATIVE
REA 3 + INT 2 - Disorientated 2 = 3
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4308772/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4308772/) 1 hit
4 w/ 2Passes
Drek!! Who the hell is making that noise?
-
In your half-awake panic, you reach for your weapon but find yourself bound and constrained, your movements restricted.
A bright light casts a glare that hurts your eyes, making it difficult to focus.
The pinging returns, an electronic warning chime followed by a familiar, smooth female french voice.
*PING PING PING*
s'il vous plaît insérer carburant, s'il vous plaît insérer carburant
*PING PING PING*
As the initial panic of your sudden awakening fades, your eyes begin to adjust to the bright light.
A slightly bemused man smirks at your disoriented panic and returns to filling up his mini-van for his early morning commute
*PING PING PING*
s'il vous plaît insérer carburant, s'il vous plaît insérer carburant
*PING PING PING*
The petrol station forecourt was fairly empty, the man at his van and an unattended motorbike being its only customers. Not surprising at 4.17am.
A quick glance at the pulsing red AR control shows you that you're low on fuel, the commuter car was clearly not built for long distance driving. It had emptied its tank in a little over 2hrs.
The journey progress indicator shows you're only about 20 mins away from your destination in a service station somewhere off the main motorway to the north east of Paris.
The van man shakes his head and giggles a bit to himself as Knives takes the wheel, manually parking up at an empty pump.
Silencing the french autopilot persona from the AR control panel took a few seconds of hammering at different buttons, though eventually she yielded and the chiming pings stopped reminding you to fill up.
-
Realizing where he is in and that he's not in danger Knives sighs and looks to Mantis, "Sorry mate, guess I dosed off there. Whenever we get where we're going I'm gonna sleep for a week."
As he pounds away ineffectively on the AR he fusses at the controls, "Shut up, shut up, shut up. I got it, that gibberish means get more fuckin petrol." Once he's got it shut off Knives fills the tank up. Looking towards the shop face he realizes he hasn't had a smoke in hours and the pack he had from last night was destroyed by the seawater. He peeks his head in the window to ask Mantis, "I'm gonna duck in for a soykaf and a pack of smokes you want one?" He waits for an answer before heading in to indulge his vices.
-
As Syberix makes her way out of the bunk, her face brightens at the grey skys. Overcast days usually meant the wage slaves would be keeping to themselves - after all, the only way to make such a bleak existence grimmer is to remove the last bits of color from their surroundings.
As she walks down the street noticing the 'normal' activity she takes the time to chuckle to herself and bob her head a little more visibly to her music.
*Ze people are not understanding vat living iz...*
She smiles at a passerby smoking a cigarette, mimicking his gestures and puffing out clouds in the cool morning air, and of course smiles and waves to children should they see her... regardless of if their parents felt the need to put themselves between her and them.
She eventually makes her way to the Euro-mart in her quest for coffee.. Seeing the dog barking at her she makes her way up to it, crouching down just out of it's reach.
"'ouah-ouah', le petit chien dit." she chuckles and holds up a hand, making a fist in a 'stop' geusture, "Assis. Sitz."
-
Mantis was ready to race his mind into some quick plan to deal with the treat when he hears some girl telling the group God knows what. The team needs gas it seems ok. As Knives asked if he wants to join him for a smoke and soycaf he gives his body a big stretch. Ya mate I'm game. Mantis searches his body quickly to see if he still has his special Snuff smokes when he finds one he gets out of the car to light up.Thankfully the drink didn't kill all my gear, I think I have that wet suit to thank. As Mantis looks at the flame from his lighter he can't help but think how that grid link office deserves to have itself go up in flames. As this thought goes through his head he starts to see pictures of the building on fire, he starts to look around to see if there is anything worth burning. When ever this feeling comes on at home he usually grabs a metal garbage and burns a few pieces of paper garbage to get the bug out but right now he is cut off from his burning good time. So he puts out his lighter and drags on his snuff smoke.
Note Page 18 and 19 of Chapter 2 says what me and knifes had on us for that last run. Just FYI.
-
___Sillasion___
The dog wagged its tail happily as you play with it.
It sits down at your command, its tongue lolling to one side of its mouth and pawing at the air in a high five motion. It had been well trained and looked after. It's AR collar identified it as a he, "Pierre".
"Bonjour!"
A voice greeted you from behind and an elderly man unhooks the little dog from its leash, waves you good bye and heads down the street, shopping bag in hand. Pierre pulls back on the lead to come and play some more, but the old man tugs at the lead and calls him to heel.
Entering the Mega Euro-Mart, you're amaed at the scale of the shit you can buy in one store. It is literrally stacked floor to ceiling with stuff.
A small cafe area is just to the right of the entrance, the smell of the coffee and fresh baked croissants deliberately blown your way by cunningly placed air conditioning units draws you in.
Two elderly gentlemen sit at separate tables, while a store clerk wipes down another, removing a previous customer's detritus.
A small servery at the far end is staffed by a dis-interested looking young elf, an AR menu behind her scrolls through the plentiful options.
English toasted muffins(whey muffins) with soy-egg, whey-croissants with preserve, "Le Belly Buster" breakfast and all manner of different styles of soycaf to wash it down with were on offer.
-
___Scawire____
As soon as you lit up your cig on the forecourt, a klaxon blares out and the attendant inside the shop waves frantically at you, shouting something over the intercom.
Défense de fumer!!!! Défense de fumer!!!
___Knives___
You head into the small shop, choices of fairly basic oils right up to high-end nanite engine care products lined one wall, and a small selection of pre-made sandwiches, bottled drinks, doughnuts and soups stood on the other side.
The good stuff was held behind the counter and thankfully there was no queue. The rider of the unattended motorbike squeaked past you in his leathers as you head to the desk.
All of a sudden the clerk goes beserk, hitting the alarm button and shouting into the tannoy, gesturing at something outside
-
Knives looks down at his still damp greatcoat and busted arm, *I sure hope they aren't twitchy around here... you look like hell.* He keeps his head down and eyes lowered as he poors two soykafs. When the alarm sounds instinct kicks in and his good arm flies to the spot his blades are hidden. Unfortunately this leaves one cup subject to gravity and it falls to the floor.
*Get a grip man. We're not in the Old Smoke anymore.* He quickly replaces the spilt soykaf and proceeds to the checkout. He can't help but look for what all the commotion is about...
-
Ok not sure what the hell the french guy just said but since I'm this close to the pumps I'm going with. Get the hell away from the pumps. Mantis decides to step a few paces from the pumps hoping that keeps him from being yelled at with the gibberish he had just heard. I wasn't thinking about blowing the pumps up..... Ok maybe just a passing thought. but with Interpol on our tails best not make too many fires that makes our path easy to fallow.
-
Syberix looks over her shoulder at the old man when she hears his voice.
She offers him a smile, "bon matinée."
She waves to the small dog as the old man walks off with him, "au revoir, Pierre!"
She makes her way on inside and immediately to the café. Looking over the menu momentarily, she turns her attention to the elf, "Je vais prendre une soycafe et une whey-croissants with preserve - à emporter."
-
____Mantis____
Though you back away from the pumps, the attendant is still going bat shit crazy at you over the tannoy. Though you don't understand what she's saying her arm movements make it clear she's pointing at a no smoking sign.
___lumen___
You reach the checkout and look out the window. Mantis has had a bit of a blonde moment and lit up a ciggy on the forecourt while he stretches his legs. His expression is a bit flummoxed at why the attendant in front of you is going so crazy at him in French.
The last thing you needed was for security to get called and make a fuss, Interpol would just love that.
-
When he sees Mantis is the cause of the commotion Knives' head drops, *Has he gone daft?* He sets the soykafs down and sends a text to Mantis, <Do you want Interpol breathing down our necks? Put it out and get back in the car. I love my smokes as much as the next guy but you could've waited five minutes until we were back on the road.>
-
Dreking Frog fine. Mantis puts out his snuff smoke then sits in the car. Welcome to France we have ways of dealing with you boarder jumpers. Mantis sits in the car waiting to receive his soy-cafe and for the car to start moving to light his snuff up again.
-
___Sillasion___
The young elf girl smiles at you as you approach, giving you the whole corporate greeting spiel.
She takes your order and promptly plates it up, serving you a massive steaming cup of soycaf. The smell of the croissant is divine and it tastes just as good, though you feel you could eat another 5 of them!
As you sit and sup your soycaf, killing some time, your commlink vibrates in your pocket.
Pawing at the screen one handed, you realise it is Jean Luc returning last night's message.
((French))
<<Jean-Luc>>//Morning! You were up late last night! heavy drinking session was it? How long you in France for? fancy meeting up?//
subtract 25NY for the breakfast
___Mantis___
The attendant glares at you through the window but stops hollering as you stub out the cig. Dunk seems to have nodded off again in the back and stirred back awake as you slam the passenger door shut.
"Everything alright pal?"
___Knives___
Seeing Mantis stub it out, the clerk's panic levels seemed to drop significantly. She turned to you, muttering some (presumably obscene) words under her breath about the idiot outside.
She scans your items and charges you for the fuel bidding you a good day as you leave, clearly not noticing yet that you'd made a right mess of her shiny floor.
subtract 200NY for fuel, food, drinks and smokes
-
Knives pays, nods and quickly exits. He gets to the car, hands Mantis his soykaf and starts the car. As soon as the AR pops up he reengages the pilot program to complete the journey. Once the car is back on the road he lights a smoke, cracks the window and sucks down the whole thing in a few drags. He tosses it then lights another and looks at Mantis, "I know we're all bloody knackered but have you gone daft!?"
-
<Robit! Send ze response!!
"Bonjour Jean-Luc!!!! I am up whenever, but ja - it was drinking. I have something to be doing soon, but after I am all for meeting up.... I am just needing to make the Nuyens first">
-
Great, where are you staying? Can you get to paris by thursday?
-
<Robit....You are knowing ze drill
"....staying? no where currently. I'm over in Chelles - got some fun to get into this morning, and I'm get paid for it to boot. uh... should be able to? I'm sure someone will pick me up ;) >
-
Mantis get into the car. Nothing major just lit up where I shouldn't have.
Mantis shakes his head. I didn't see the sign until I was yelled at. I thought it was all good, still don't know what that crazy lady was saying. We best find some way of communicating here in France maybe a program for our comm links might come in handy, any ideas where to get a translator program Mantis re-lights his snuff smoke and lets the flame dance before his eyes as he wonders what the team should do about the language barrier.
-
___Sillasion___
<<Great, that's just down the road! Meet you in Le Petit Derrier? Troll Rock night! :-) Fun? ha! well come back in one piece, might have some work for you :-)>>
-
"Who knows what she was saying but it didn't sound good. I'm sure we could find some linguasofts at a store but first things first I want to get somewhere where we're safe. Plus I'd like to get paid for the work we've already done before we go blowing more money on this job. Besides you never know if Mr. J will want us to stick around here or bugger off somewhere else."
Knives sits back sipping his soykaf and enjoying his cigarette.
-
___Lumen___
Dunk catches your eye in the rear view mirror, obviously sensing a change in the atmosphere in the team.
He stops trying to nod off and shuffles upright in his seat, rubbing his eyes and trying to slap himself awake.
Right lads, where we up to, and how long we got till we get there? Yeah we could really do with one of them linguasofts or a translator drone or something. Hopefully your Johnson will bail us the hell out of here before we have to apply for a frigging work permit.
You start the wheezy little engine and coast back out onto the motorway, gridguide informing you you've only got another 2 junctions before you pull off into the suburbs
-
Knives looks in the rear view at Dunk, "Says we've still got about a half hour, bout to get off the motorway though into some suburbs. Yea I'm with you on that mate. Hopefully he'll either help us move along or, if he's got more work, set us up here. From the sounds of the first meet and that absurd show of force by the MMU and Interpol this drek has just hit the fan and we're standing at ground zero..."
He pauses for a few seconds, "Sorry to get you wrapped up in this Dunk. Long as we get paid for last night there's a big tip in it for you mate."
-
<Reply Robit.
"Troll Rock! Drek JA! Count me in! If I've stayed in one piece this long, I doubt a lil fun is going to be my undoing ;) See you there Jean-Luc!">
After sending the message Syberix kills the remainder of her soycafe, makes her way out of the Euromart and off to meet up for ride.
*To zink zey are going to pay me for zis... heh. Whoever said work iz a drag iz doing it wrong.*
-
Mantis sits quietly as he sips his soy-cafe and watches the French landscape pass by. Never made it to this country before hope it turns out better then a bunch of French people yelling at me. With a drag from his snuff smoke Mantis is content to rest his body for the next half hour and hope the team gets the intel to Mr. J in time for it to do him and his lads back in the smoke some good.
-
___Sillasion____
<<Great, see you there about 9pm!>>
The helpful and smiley young elf heads over to clear your table as you vacate your seat.
The street seems a bit busier as you head back up to the bunkhouse. The volume of traffic has picked up slightly and several cyclists ogle your hair-do as you trudge back up the main road to the industrial estate.
It had started to drizzle in the half hour you'd been inside, the overcast sky had darkened slightly and it looked like you might be in for a rainy morning.
Zipping your jacket up, you pop your earbuds in again and brush up on your Troll Rock, streaming an eclectic trixcast mix from Austria. It wasn't great early morning music but it'd make for a decent Thursday night out on the razz.
As you turn the corner into the courtyard, the HGV's had gone and been replaced by a small fleet of Harley Davidsons. The sheer amount of chrome on the heavily customed bikes was impressive, these things had taken some polishing!
A few leathered up riders stood around, tweaking bits on their bikes and admiring their compatriot's machines as you approach, but there are more bikes outside than people. You assume the others must be inside the bar. Alpha was nowhere to be seen.
___Scawire + Lumen____
The gridguide system pings at you to come off at the next junction and you ease back the throttle as you hit the off-ramp, taking manual control from the autopilot.
The offramp lands you onto a wide boulevard with mixed light industrial and commercial units sparsely dotted along either side of the road.
You stay on the main for about 5-10 minutes before taking a turn down a knackered and potholed road surrounded by fields.
Gridguide seems adamant that the route is correct, but something in your gut tells you that something is amiss.
The weak LED headlights cast a narrow Beam of light down the road, partially illuminating scribblings to your left and rtight. Though the first hint of blue hits the sky, it's still to dark to really call it dawn.
-
Mantis stays some what alert on the cars path into this unknown neighborhood. As Mantis sips at his Soy-Cafe he keeps his eyes opened if this neighborhood is like the old smoke you never know what kind of welcoming the locals have for newcomers, odds are shoot first then steal everything second. With this being France there is no way to even talk them out of shooting.
-
Syberix takes a look around the parking lot after she arrives, looking over some of the bikes hanging around... until she notices her employers absence, but without much of a thought she brushes it off.
*Der mann vill show vhen he does.*
In the meantime, she heads into the bar to see what other interesting individuals have found their way here.
-
Knives is clearly getting anxious as they pull off onto the pitted old road. He taps on the display several times and finally concedes and shrugs to the others, "I dunno about you mates but this looks sketch as fuck. Unless there's some underground bunker here somewhere this looks real bad for us. Even worse, Mr. J said that burner only works once so I don't even know how we'd give him a ring."
He is constantly looking around and back over his shoulder, checking all the cars sensors. His fingers nervously tap on the steering wheel.
-
___Scawire + Lumen____
Perception tests please!
___Sillasion___
A couple of the bikers give you a nod, one particularly portly biker gives you more of an ogling than you were expecting at this hour of the day, smiling a toothless smile at you as you head into the bar.
The place smells dank, like sweaty ork mixed with stale beer. It cloys at your throat as you step through the heavy reinforced steel door.
A large group of bikers were stood around the pool table, studying some kind of map or document under Alpha's instruction. The short barman is currently serving up to a well muscled ork brandishing a length of chain and some kind of improvised mace. It looks mean. You begin to realise this might be a bit of a rough morning, especially on a bit of a hangover.
-
Perception Visual 1 (3)+INT 2= 5 minus any mods you want Like Damage
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4316970/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4316970/) 2 hits
-
Perception 4 + Intuition 3 + Enhancements 3 - DM 2 = 8d6
8d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4317103/)
-
Syberix takes in the scene in front of her, sticking her tongue out as her face scrunches to the smell.....bad idea... sticking her tongue out only made it worse..
*Now it is in mouth...BLECH!*
she pulls her tongue back quickly and rights her face. As the mace catches her eye, her brow perks...
*Vell... it vill be a story ... and still nuyen...*
She makes her way towards Alpha as her thoughts ramble through her head.
-
___Sillasion____
Your mohawk stands out, even in this motley assortment of methumanity. Alpha catches the flash of color out of the corner of his eye, looking up and smiling at you, gesturing at you to come over and join them.
The brief pasue in conversation around the map causes the group to look up and follow Alpha's line of site. A few make eye contact, trying to suss out who the newcomer is as Alpha introduces you;
"Chapter, this is Syberix. She'll be giving us cover from mojo-slingers today."
A few nods of assent spread through the group, clearly this is good news to them.
"Syberix, you'll be riding in the middle of the chapter, probably right in the thick of it. You'll be with Dieter, or Deet. Go and say hi, grab a beer. I'll head over once we're wrapped up with this"
He gestures at the mace owner at the bar and returns to planning whatever it was he was planning on the map.
___Lumen___
Something moved in the field to your left, though the narrow beam of the LED headlights cast such a brutal shadow off the scrubland plants it is nearly impossible to tell what it was.
__Scawire____
A flash of movement caught your eye behind the car. Whatever it was had gone by the time you spun round properly to have a look. Only the tall weeds swaing in the morning breeze could be seen in the dim red light given off by the tail lights.
-
Knives glares out the window for a moment, "Did you guys see that? I saw something moving around out there." Keeping one hand on the wheel he calls his taser into the other. *Haven't we had enough drek in the past twenty-four hours? Last thing we need is a pack of hellhounds or devilrats between us and a good night's sleep.*
-
As they turn to look at her approach she offers a wide grin and a pop of the eyebrows to them.
As Alpha lays out where she will be placed she adds her own comment..
"Zis is a gut place to be, I am thinking. "
As he directs her attention back to Deet, she smiles
"Fan-Fucking-Tastic! Zis is ze good news!"
She offers a lighthearted salute and meanders over to the bar to the ork, sliding up to him with a shit eating grin.
"Bonjour Deet! It is seeming ve are ze team today. Is your bike as nice as zat mace?"
Her eyes break from him to his mace as her last line rolls off her pierced tongue.
-
___Sillasion___
Etiquette roll please!
-
Etiquette 4 + Cha 6 = Pool 10
10d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4317874/)
:-\ dammit...
-
Ya I saw something no ID on what but there is something out there not sure if it is hostile, but try and assume it is until we know different. Mantis finishes the last of his soy-cafe and puts his spell defense in place what little he has.
-
___Sillasion___
Deet turns to face you as you approach with the massive grin on your face, clearly unimpressed at your enthusiasm.
He grunts to acknowledge your greeting and looks you up and down, clearly sizing you up.
His deep, booming voice is lilted with a german accent and his french is broken and stuttering in places.
"My bike is beautiful, as is my mace. You the spell-slinger Alpha was talking about? I was expecting someone... harder
-
____Lumen + Scawire___
You both stare out of the windows at the badly lit scrubland, desperately trying to discern any further movement.
Your mind plays tricks on you as the harsh white light of the LED's casts shadows in the grasses and weeds blowing in the breeze.
Dunk stares out of the back window intently, flicking his damaged goggles through different viewing modes.
"Come on lads, we're dead in the water if we sit here all night waiting for an attack. Get moving. I'll keep an eye out."
-
Despite his reactions, Syberix retains her grin - in fact, it grows.
*Ah! He iz not French!*
She changes from French back to her Native tongue, "That would be me... " she chuckles, "And I may not look it - but I've taken my fair share of beatings -AND- I still look this good."
She sits down by him and motions at the bartender... fully expecting to not get anything.... or worse...
"Un plus bière, s'il vous plait."
-
___Sillasion___
Deet smiles as you slip into his mother tongue. His reply is definitely in german, but you don't recognize the accent.
He half-laughs in appreciation of the swagger of your reply.
"Ha, Like it. Where you from?"
The Barman scowls at you as he pulls you a draft beer, serving it up with a forced smile
-
Knives pushes the gas petal urging the car forward, "You're right Dunk but I don't see much around. The place should be right around here. You keep your eyes peeled for whatever was moving out there. Mantis you help me keep an eye out for where the fuck we're supposed to be going."
He keeps driving down the old beaten road keeping his eyes peeled for any sign of the supposed safe haven.
-
___Lumen___
The quality of the road begins to degrade further as you advance down the road, large potholes and cracks in the old concrete surface mean you have to duck and weave to avoid crunching the suspension.
A regular boxy silhouette stands out against the ambient light of the city in the distance, a couple hundred yards further down the road. The headlights sweep small sections of it as you approach + weave between the cracks. it looks like an old substation or something of similar industrial heritage.
Lumen, driving test please
scawire, perception test if you want to look into the scrubland or glean info from the building in the distance. -4 visibility modifiers on top of anything else too.
-
"Bloody hell what a shitty road!" Knives struggles with to guide the car in between cracks and potholes.
Reaction 5 - Defaulting 1 - DM 2 = 2d6 If even one point of edge refreshed I'd spend it to add to the pool. If not oh well.
2d6.hits(5)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4318683/)
-
A particularly large pothole looms ahead of you. Through your fatigue, you only see it at the last second, swerving as hard as you can to miss it.
Your front left wheel dips into the hole with a loud clunk and almost immediately a warning light appears on the AR console followed by the female voice you hadn't heard in a while:
"Prudence! pression de perdre du pneu, pression de perdre du pneu."
She chimes in and the car slows down, it still trundles along slowly, but you get the idea that the built-in safety system has limited your speed.
Dunk rubs the back of his head as he turns to face the front of the car again. "What the fuck did we hit?!"
-
"Just a pot hole but this damned thing won't go any faster anymore. This is way I take the tube!"
Knives continues trying to dodge the bad spots and limps the car on down the road.
-
"Shit, felt like we hit a truck"
The road doesn't get any better but your limping car arrives at what is clearly an old industrial unit. There are no visible lights from the small, dirty windows and the place currently looks deserted.
There is one large door to the front of the building, roughly central in its placement. Small balcked out windows are interspersed along the ground floor, with only two small windows visible on the upper floor. All the windows have rusty old bars across them.
A small outbuilding lays off to the left of the main building, though it looks in a state of disrepair.
You can't really see much beyond or around the building in the dark, but you assume it is more of the same scrubland and overgrown carparking you've already seen.
-
Her smile shifts to a smirk as the bartender passes her a drink, offering a wink as she slides it from his grip.
Her attention turns back to Deet, "I am from Deutschland, to limit myself to claiming only one small town as my heritage would do a disservice to her."
-
"Yea you're tellin me mate." Knives eyes the old building suspiciously as they slowly approach. He brings the car to a stop in front of the large door and shuts down the headlights. Switching his contacts over to low light setting he looks all around the car.
"Alright mates, cover me I'm gonna go check it out. Dunk you got a gun back there?"
-
___Sillasion___
"Belgium myself, grew up near Aachen. Drink up, We'll be mounting up soon.
Word of advice, watch out for these guys. Theey're know as the serpents. Slippery bastards. Good mage rides with them too, has a preference for illusions. convinced three guys last year they were riding off the edge of a mountain. they crashed, two died. Alpha wants you to shut him down, one way or another. Know what I mean?"
___Lumen___
"Yeah, got a pistol and half a clip. What you got? Right, lets go check this place out."
Dunk pushes himself forward in his seat, drawing his pistol and groaning as he stretches out into the cold morning air.
-
"I've got me blades, a few throwing knives, and a full clip in the taser." Knives exits the car and can't help but stretch his weary muscles as Dunk does. He then draws his main blade and reactivates it's magical properties. *Huh, must've turned off when I blacked out.*
He does a quick check on the taser's clip then looks to the others, "Should we try the front door?"
-
"Always a good idea" She takes a large drink from her mug, "Slippery eh? Sounds like fun..." she takes another large drink and winks to Deet, "Well, We'll just have to see exactly how good he is. I enjoy a little rough play."
-
Perception test on the drive up and again when he gets to the site.
Perception (Visual) 1(3) + INT 2 + Vision Enhancement 3 - 4 Poor Visibility = 4
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4318842/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4318842/) 0 hits (YA trees.... Trees look cool)
Mantis gets out of the car and makes sure he keeps Knives in sight. Once out of the car Mantis hears the words of the shadows telling him they always geek the mage first. Hey Knives I'll fallow you up I'm just going to activate my stealth encase we have some kind of surprise waiting for us. Mantis puts on his helmet and then turns on the Polymer Coating of his suit. Well lets hope I'm just being jumpy and there was nothing behind the car..... We will see and hopefully if there was something they won't see me. Mantis stands by the car as Knives goes for a looks see, after he makes it a few feet Mantis will fallow Knives keeping a few feet between them.
-
___Scawire___
Though you take a good long look out of the window, you see nothing but the shadows cast by the scrub.
Stepping out into the cool night air is a nice change from the stuffy insides of the car after your long journey down from the coast.
The whole situation had you on edge though, an eery silence descended on the place as the car's hybrid electric turbine wound down, leaving you with only the sound of the breeze.
Your breath formed in little clouds in front of your face, starlight poking through the broken cloud cover.
Off in the distance you see the orange glow of Paris, flickering warning lights denoting the presence of the tall buildings to low flying aircraft, marking out the skyline even in the relative dark of the early morning.
Your stealth coating engages, blurring your outline and replacing it with a much blacker version.
It takes a little while for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. You strain against the darkness for more detail on the building, but cant make out anymore than the brief glimpse you got of it under the headlight's dipped beams.
___Lumen___
Flicking the mode into low-light cast an eerie green hue over your surroundings. The dim starlight poking its head through the clouds combined with the light pollution of Paris provides more than enough light for the amplifiers to work with. The outline of the building is crisp, if not featureless. All the windows on the side of the building facing you are barred, with the bottom layer boarded up.
A maglock panel of some description is located next to the door. The outbuilding has seen better days, one of the exterior walls is beginning to crumble and an old wooden door hangs lazily off one hinge
Yeah, keep quiet. I cannae say i like this one bit.
He moves slowly, pistol in hand, towards the door.
-
Knives slowly approaches the door and inspects the maglock pad by the door.
Perception 4 + Intuition 3 + Enhancements 3 - DM 2 = 8d6
8d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4318953/)
Security design 2 + Intuition 3 - DM 2 = 3d6
3d6.hits(5)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4318957/)
I was hoping for some insight about this places security but that's 2 1s.
He can't help but think back to the 'bang up job' he did last time the team needed past a maglock. *At least that wanker Mickey got some come uppins.*
-
___Sillasion___
Deets eyebrows raise slightly, a half smile spreading across his face at your "rough play" comment.
As you take a hearty glug of the beer, the noise of throaty Harley engines firing up outside grabs your attention. Alpha's planning meeting had come to an end and they were streaming out the door.
"Show time. Drink up."
Deet swings his mace in preparation, his bulky muscles rippling with the modest effort or his practice swings. You wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of one of those blows at full strength. Embbeded blood in the crevices tells you that a few people probably have.
___Lumen___
The maglock is a standard, off the shelf codelock. Bulk produced and sold cheaply in hardware stores, you'd know it anywhere. A tiny screen adorns the top of the lock next to an alpha numeric pad.
The "0" key appears to reflect the green hue of your night vision slightly more than the others.
-
Mantis stands back a bit from the building and tries to keep any eye out for anything making a move on the group. Being an Ork Mantis hopes his eyes will quickly readjust to the light in this dark shadowy part of France, but not wanting to rely only on his eyes he double checks that his ear buds are working there best to detect anything wanting to kill and eat the group.
-
Leaning in close Knives takes a hard look at the keypad to the maglock then he shrugs, "Fuck it, worth a shot. Here's to hoping the best of the British is with us again." With that he presses the 0 key four times and hits enter. *I've heard of worse keycodes. At least it's not all fives.*
-
If the thing is giving you any problems I do have a little skill with electronics and a kit in the car that might help. Just so you know. Mantis keeps eyeing the surroundings hoping nothing attacks the group.
-
Knives nods to Mantis, "Yea mate you give it a try. If you can pop it open I've got a sequencer that should do the trick."
-
___Lumen___
Holding your breath as you type in the code, you are amazed when the LED lights up green. A loud clunk can be heard as the door lock disengages.
__Scawire___
Perception test please, ork vision drops the -4 to -2 iirc
-
Knives stands back clearly gobsmacked. "Frag me it actually worked!" He tugs on the handle and opens the door just enough to peak in.
Perception 4 + Intuition 3 + Enhancements 3 + Actively Looking 3 - DM 2 = 11d6
11d6.hits(5)=7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4319816/)
"Come on mates get inside." He cracks the door a little bit wider and slips inside leaving enough room for the others to follow behind and shut the door.
-
___Sillasion____
Heading outside, there must have been 20-30 bikes all in formation. the roar of the engines is phenomenal!
Deet follows you out and shows you onto his bike, a huge Harley davidson with stacks of customised parts. The gurgle of the engine on standby is delicious, as is the smell of the methanol enhance race fuel it runs on. Deet flashes you a big tusky smile, pointing at the AR console timer and mouthing "20 minutes ride" to you over the din of the roaring engines
-
As you step inside an IR detector clicks on and switches on the lights, set after set. The entrance area you stand in is narrow and populated only with an empty shoe rack.
You can see a tiny amount of what appears to be a sitting area through the doorway, from your position you can make out an old blue sofa and part of a coffee table. A sheet of E-paper lies on the coffee table, though it is powered off.
Heavy duty industrial flooring runs throughout the entrance area and the part of the sitting area you can see.
-
Mantis keeps his eyes and ears peeled as he does his best to keep the team from getting blind sided.
Perception -2
Perception (Visual) 1(3) + INT 2 + Enhancement 3 -2 = 6
I can't get into Invisible castle if you want Csjarrat you could roll the dice via real dice... Sorry site must have a gremlin today.
Mantis fallows the team inside the and sees the lay out. Not seeing a threat right away he decides to walk over to the table and check out the E-paper, encase there is some important info to be had. If there is something important he will let the others know right away.
-
As Dunk and Knives head inside, you stare out into the scrubland. A couple of pairs of eyes glint at you off in the distance, holding back. You head indoors and shut the heavy metal door behind you with a resounding "thunk"
The sitting area is a decent size. two old, tired sofas sit opposite one another in the centre, guarding either side of a large and chipped coffee table.
A doorway runs off the far side of the room, the only other conceivable exit from the sitting room.
As you grab the E-Paper, it lights up, telling you it's internal battery is running low. An bland mannequin icon appears on screen, giving you instructions on how to reset the main-door's passcode for overnight stays at the safehouse.
It helpfully informs you that there are canned provisions in the kitchen area for meal times and a bunkhouse on the upper floor. The E-paper can display feeds from the security cameras dotted around the safehouse. The battery low warning flashes again and it craps out.
-
"Alright lads we're almost safe enough to sleep. I'll try to find a charger for this fraggin epaper. You two try and reset the door code. Once that's done I'm passing the fuck out."
Knives limps about the living space in search of a charger.
-
A power socket near the second door ( you assume to the kitchen) holds an adapter to a universal cable. It should pump charge into the Epaper no problem.
Dunk slumps down into the sofa nearest the door with a look of pure exhaustion on his face. "I'm fucked mate, Mantis can do it" He grimaces as he shifts on the uncofortable sofa, his wounded arm taking his weight as he tries to lay back a bit. There a kettle in that kitchen? I could murder a brew.
-
Mantis puts down the paper then tells the group about what he saw. So guys just so you know before we stepped inside I saw some glowing eyes checking us out, odds are it is some wild paranormal creature most likely too dumb to get inside just thought you should know. I guess I'll go check on the maglock. Mantis goes out side and sets the maglock to a new code. ( 5---3----6---1) then comes back inside to let the group know the new code. With that out of the way Mantis tries to find some place he can crash for a bit. Once found he takes off his bike armor and hits the hay, hoping his aches and pains will weaken with rest.
-
Knives grabs the epaper and plugs it in to the universal charger. He then turns and gives Dunk a hard stare, "I'll get it started but then I'm hitting the bunk. You'll have to serve yourself."
He heads into the kitchen and rummages around for a kettle. Once he locates one he fills it and puts it on to boil. Knives then limps over to the bunks and slowly peals off his greatcoat and suit jacket. He hangs them on the post and lays down, after a few seconds a soft snoring can be heard.
-
__Lumen__
The E-paper lights up with the charger plugged in, showing an alternating view from three cameras stationed around the grounds. It appears there is a camera on the roof of the building covering your car and the doorway approach, one covering a darkened area you assume to be the rear and one covering the access road entrance from the boulevard. They're all lit in the green hue of night vision.
The kettle is in pride of place next to the sink. tea powder and soycaf powder sit next to it in jars with soymilk creamer portions in a small torn carboard box.
The kitchen smells a bit damp, tatty linoleum flooring badly fitted round the edges of the tired cupboards and several years of limescale build up around the tap heads in the sink. The appliances look servicable though, an auto washer-dryer and auto-cooker are plugged in + powered on. It's basic, but it'll sort you out for a night or two.
A doorway leads off from the kitchen upstairs into a large dormitory set up. 4 ranks of bunks divide the room into bays, two storage lockers between each bunk provide the only area to hang up your stuff. the top section of the locker has a universal induction charger plate for your electronics, though you're so tired you barely care.
The last thing you glimpse as you slump into the bottom bunk is the shower room, off to the far right of the dorm.
___Mantis___
You open the door gently and slowly, stepping out into the night air gingerly and keeping a lookout for whatever it was you saw before.
Your heavy footsteps disturb something from near your car. It scurries off back into the scrub as you thumb in the new code twice for verification.
It locks with the same loud "thunk" it unlocked with as you close it behind you.
Dunk had staggered into the kitchen by the time you were done, the sound of the kettle boiling was a welcome, homely sound you'd not heard in a quite a while.
"You having one mate?" he shouts through to you as you start to shed sections of your bike armour in the hallway.
-
Syberix tips her drink back with Deet's words, and sets the glass down with a large clank. She hops up and follows him outside.
A large smile crosses her face as she sees Deet's bike. Before hopping on, she pulls the mana in around her to give a little zip for the trip. She crosses herself backwards, Right - Left - Top - Bottom, uttering her ritual as she does. The mana pulls in around her, she brings her hand up, tapping her industrial bar through the top of her left ear - the mana coursing over her arm and into the focus.
Casting force 2 Increased Reflexes - Sustained in Focus ((Invisible castle won't come up :o ?? I'll roll as soon as it does.))
Magic 5 + Spellcasting 4 = DP 9
Drain Value 3S
Will 5 + Cha 6 + Limited 2= DP 13
She smiles at Deet and hops on behind him with a nod at his comment, offering a thumbs up to confirm.
-
Ya I can down one of those.... Thanks Mantis gets out of his armor then stretches out his body thinking it might help with the pain he has running through it, not much luck there. Mantis sits at the table. I think I saw something over at the car when I was just out side maybe I could get a better look at what ever it is out there through the camera system they have here. Then my orkish frame won't scare it away. Pore me a mug of that stuff I'll see if I can spot this night lurker on the system. Mantis heads to the e paper and sees if he can get a look at what it is outside.
-
___Scawire___
Dunk hands you a steaming mug of tea with two sugars and heads off upstairs to bed.
The Epaper still needs more charge in it, but you prop youself on the edge of the sofa, as far as the charging cable will let you go.
The cameras rotate every 10 seconds, flicking from one to the next.
looks like invisible castle is no more!, had to use an alternative for this:
2 - 3 - 6 - 6 - 6 (Avg: 4,6). You spot a couple of large rat sized animals running across the road near the boulevard into a thicket of trees, but see no more activity on any of the cameras for the next couple of minutes.
Still staring at the displays, you realise you've finished your brew.
__Sillasion__
3 - 6 - 2 - 4 - 2 - 5 - 6 - 3 - 5 (Avg: 4,0) 4 hits.
The mana weaves and folds to your commands, causing everything almost to move in slow motion around you. This spell made you feel alive, the throbbing of the huge customised motorbike engine between your legs certainly helped too.
Deet takes the thumbs up and begins to bounce the throttle in rythm with the other bikes, a pulsing cacophony of methanol enhanced fuel and thousands upon thousands of horsepower erupts around you, the windows of the bar visibly shaking at the aural onslaught.
Alpha reaches into the air with a fat pistol of some kind and looses a few bright flares into the sky. The bike rockets forwards and the force of acceleration drops you backwards, clinging on to Deet for grim death he flashes a tusky grin over his shoulder and mouths "hold on!" at you.
The bikes roar out through the industrial park on the outskirts of Chelles' and down the high street past the Mega-Euromart. Traffic comes screeching to a halt as Alpha and the gang tear through the red lights, shouting obsceneties at the pedestrian, bicycle and road traffic as they open the throttle up down the long straight.
Eventually the whoops, cheers and jeers settle down as the formation thunders out the other side of the town, picking up a large boulevard out towards the motorway.
Alpha pulls the formation into a layby just short of a motorway over pass and gives a series of hand signals to the gang.
Everyone begins zipping up their bomber jackets, tucking in their fly guards and concealing their weaponry in stowage bags as best they can and shortly you're back on your way, swinging a right onto the motorway onramp. heading south east.
Its not long before your arse begins to get numb and you start to feel chilled to the bone. Most of the bikers have warm bomber jackets on or thick leather jackets with proper gloves, boots and helmets on. The thin skid-lid and goggles that Deet gave you don't help keep the cold at bay and the wind annoyingly starts to find the cracks between your clothing.
It's not long before your teeth are chattering as the formation ducks and weaves throughout the remnants of the morning's commuter traffic, though the further down the motorway you get, the emptier it becomes.
Its not long before the road surface begins to decline in quality and your formation is the only thing on it.
20 minutes down the road, the signs to towns become visibly rusty and large weeds spring out of the central reserve in the cracks in the tarmacadam road surface.
Large potholes in the road forced the bikers to duck and weave skilfully or face a brutal assault on their arse cheeks from their suspension
To your left and right, the villages and industrial parks look decrepit and abandoned, the fauna a strange shade of brown. Wherever the hell you were going, it certainly wasn't into civilisation
-
Mantis looks at the bottom of his mug a bit sad to have the drink finished. Oh well maybe after I rest my body I'll get some more. This place seem secure enough for right now nothing too dangerous spotted on the cameras, I think I'll hit the sack and see what the morning brings. With Mantis thoughts on bed he puts down his mug and finds a bunk to rest away as much of his head ache as possible.
-
Syberix grins as she hops on the back of the bike behind Deet, her world buzzing with the energy of her spell. As she takes her place, her smile widens - Deet's pumping of the accelerator causing her grip to tighten on him.
As he takes off, she lurches at first but grabs on tighter at his instruction, laughing as she does.
*Vat FUN!*
The feeling of fun fades as the cold air nips at her exposed skin.. After a short while, she pulls close to Deet, hanging behind him to help shield her from the cold air.
*Oh vell... I may as vell earn my nuren. It iz not all ze fun und games.*
She looks around and shifts her mind to perceive the world in a different light - keeping an eye on the astral world for this illusion mage. She readies her hands to counterspell anything that may come against her or her new... employers.
Let me know if I need a roll for either atm.
-
___Mantis___
You head through the small dank kitchen and up the tired looking stairway into the bunkroom.
Knives is already snoring away in one of the bunks, Dunk nods at you as he returns from what you assume to be the bathroom, hangs his clothes in a locker and claims another bunk.
The room is divided into three bays by double bunks and each bay has a couple of lockers in each. You head to the uninhabited bunkspace and stick your link on charge in the locker, dump your outer layers of clothes on the hanger in the locker and hit the hay.
Its not long before the main room light times out and pitches you into darkness.
You're out for the count not long after. Murky visions of trouble ahead mar your peaceful sleep whilst familiar faces from your past attempt to warn you off your current path.
-
___Sillasion____
Glancing about in the astral, you see nothing out of the ordinary. The world here is alive and well, though you feel mixed emotions from the riders around you. Fear and excitement seem mixed in equal measure, though Deet appears to be significantly more scared than excited.
Another 15 minutes of ducking and weaving leaves your arse and lower back sore. Your legs begin to cramp up and Deet notices your fidgeting in the upset balance of the bike. He puts up his hand to show "5", you assume he means five minutes.
Sure enough, the road quality takes a nosedive after around 5 minutes and then comes abruptly to a stop at a rusted and mangled chainlink fence.
Signs in multiple language hang off the fence at regular intervals, all warning of the Federal Republic of France's wish for you to go no further into the toxic zone.
The sign clearly depicts extreme radiation risk, exposure to hazardous chemicals and risk of death, though the bikers seem non-plussed.
One of Alpha's men jumps off his bike and pulls out a couple of sets of wire clippers and the formation takes the opportunity to dismount and have a smoke while they work.
-
As the bikers begin to dismount, so does Syberix... hopping off the bike she reaches around rubbing her ass...
*One vould think he vould have a better seat if zis is how one chooses to get about....*
She looks to Deet as the others work on the fence.
((German)) "That illusion fucker waiting on the other side of that fence?"
-
___Sillasion___
((german)) Yes. today we race through the toxic zone, the infamous ghoul run. The ghouls hate us doing the race through their villages and will work to stop us. The mage you need to keep an eye on will also try and undermine us. We start the race from the other side of the fence. The serpents will be here soon I think.
-
Mantis knew the team was taking a risk by having everyone catch z's at the same time, he would have volunteered to keep watch but with the hell his body was feeling he decided to give the sleep a risk. Hopefully the safe house is safe or I'm going to have to find some gear to make it more like it's title says SAFE
-
___Sillasion___
The fence took a while to cut through but it eventually yielded. Standing up was welcome relief for you bum and legs. Riding as a +1 was significantly less glamorous than it was made out to be!
Deet makes small talk as he lights up, offering you one as he puts on more combat armour and readies his mean looking mace.
If you come off, don't trust the ghouls. Don't sleep near them, don't let them offer you food or shelter at their villages. You'll wake up on a barbeque if you do.
A rumbling sound of thunder made itself known in the distance, gradually getting louder and louder.
Everyone started to hop on to their bikes, and finished suiting up + arming up. Alpha whipped everyone into formation, crossing the threshold into the dead zone.
___Scawire + Lumen___
A deep sleep is interrupted by the dual sound of a repetitive banging somewhere and the vibration of your commlink as it rattles about inside the locker.
It takes you a while to figure out what the hell is going on, but as you open your eyes, you see sunlight streaming through the cracks in the boarded up windows and realise where you are, upstairs in the safehouse.
The banging came in pulses of three, sounding very deliberate.
-
Syberix would accept Deet's smoke offer, taking long drags looking off at the horizon of the Toxic zone. Not quite what she was expecting, but exciting none the less... and a great story for a round of shots.
As Deet offers her the warning she lets out a laugh ((German)), "I know we just met, but I'm at least a little more discerning with whose place I crash at than to take up with ghouls."
She flicks the end of her smoke, disposing of the cherry before flicking the butt off in another direction and climbs back on the bike behind him as the gang rallies once more... her lips curling into an excited smile.
-
Knives sits bolt upright at the loud sounds going on around him. It takes him a minute to realize he's not in his flat and where exactly his stuff had fallen before passing out. He slips on his greatcoat and grabs his two fineblades. Quickly heading down the stairs he heads to the epaper and checks the camera out front.
*I don't like the sound of that knock. That's a bloody cop knock.*
-
When Mantis is waken up from all the unwanted noise he starts first looks around for a threat needing a lightning bolt still wanting to use his new spell, thankfully so far no unwanted persons have crashed the safe house. Mantis is glad that for this one night he let his security of the group slide he really needed that rest. As he gets dressed he looks over his bike armor. I real need to get some armor that doesn't make me stand out like the bug in the soup. Mantis checks to see if his comm link is the one give the team an early wake up call. When we go check on the banging I'll bring up the rear to give spell defense.
-
___Lumen___
The E-paper scrolls lazily through the camera feeds until the overhead shot pops up. You see an expensive looking car outside and a well dressed ork knocking on the door, a bored look on his face distorted somewhat by the fish eye lens.
___Mantis___
You see Knives get up, get dressed and head downstairs. Dunk is still out for the count, snoring like a stuck pig.
Grabbing your kit as quickly as you can, you make it down into the lounge as Knives looks over the E-paper. Your commlink is still rattling about in the locker upstairs, the floorboards transmitting a muffled version of it through the roof above you.
___Sillasion____
The rumble of the approaching bikes became a thunderous roar as they streamed through the chain link fencing one by one, forming up on the opposite carriageway.
Each biker sported elaborate tattoos on the bits of skin you could see. A variety of weaponry was held and pointed your way threateningly. Deet tapped your leg as the mage's ride worked its way through the pack, A large Harley Davidson Scorpion, huge chrome pipes ran down either side. The pilot, a burly ork (nearly as burly as Deet) was clearly jacked in.
"Fucker's got a rigger driving him about this year. Hold on kid, this is gonna be a rough ride."
It took nearly five minutes for both formations to form up. Intermittent sections of central reserve split the old knackered motorway in two, preventing an immediate bloodbath.
Alpha and his Serpent equivalent both rode up to the front of the formations, dismounted and exchanged "pleasantries" before turning to face everyone.
Engines were killed and an eeerie silence fell across the motorway. Your ears rang in protest at the sudden end of the onslaught of custom engine blocks. Alpha spoke up first:
Gentlemen, what have here is France's best two race clubs, racing for glory. No matter what happens today, remember that.
We've both had fantastic seasons and it is my pleasure to get today underway. Gentlemen, welcome to the ghoul run!
Everyone on both sides of the broken barrier cheered, clearly a mutual respect lay between the two clubs.
The Serpent's Alpha equivalent spoke next;
"Indeed. I hope you all put on a good show of yourselves today. I hear the Ghoul council have planned some extra special resistance this year. Standard rules apply here gents, no guns, no head shots on riders without helmets. You've all got the routes stored on your GPS, so no fucking around asking for directions. The club with the highest number of finishing riders takes the pot. GET YOUR ENGINES STARTED!!!!!! COME ON!!!!!!
Everyone shouts and cheers as the serpent wound them up, bouncing about and whipping his lads into a bit of a frenzy. You suddenly see where the snake theme comes from, even from your position in the mid formation, you can see his split tongue, each end pierced and moving independently of the other.
Alpha and The Serpent mount up, and both clubs fire up their ear breakingly loud engines in unison. It literally sounds like hell on earth and gets rapidly worse as the formation pulls away at breakneck speed.
REA + STR (2) please
-
Knives sets down the e-paper and nods to Mantis, "One ork... fancy suit... fancy ride. Stay frosty and on my six, I'll go see what he wants."
He sheathes his mundane blade and keeps the other close to his chest and out of view as he cracks the door open. He eyes the ork up and down and says, "Oy what can I do ye for?"
Perception to give this guy a hard look keeping an eye out for concealed weapons.
Perception 4 + Intuition 3 + Enhancements 3 + Actively Looking 3 = 13d6
13d6.hits(5)=5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4321543/)
Forgot wounds. Drops to 4 hits.
-
Mantis flanks Knives as he goes for the door, hoping this is not a combative welcome to France but not wanting to take any chances Mantis keeps his counter-spelling ability protecting himself and Knives.
-
As Deet taps her leg and the mage rolls on by, she smirks and shoots him a deuce.
((German)) "Who's driving is going to be the least of his worries..."
After the exchange and announcement, Syberix lets out her own scream mixed with the others, ((English)) "FUCK YEA!"
Reaction 3 + Imp. Reflexes 1 + Strength 1 = Total Pool 5
5d6.hits(5)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4322143/)
:-\ and there's my normal luck lol - I botched....
Edge Reroll:
4d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4322144/)
Much Better:
Total 3 Successes.
-
___Knives___
A well dressed ork stands in the doorway, blocking out most of the daylight streaming through the broken cloud layer. The sun hits your eyes and causes you to squint, you still felt half-asleep and had no idea just how dark it was in this gaff.
The awkward silence doesn't last long, a thick brummy accent accent of birmingham: http://youtu.be/Gu9q_vedO7w 4.08 minutes in (this guy is hilarious btw)
Morning sleepy heads. Enjoy your lie in? Put the kettle on, we need to talk.
__Mantis__
The ork speaks with a thick brummy accent and you can overhear his words to knives.
You can tell immediately the guy has done this kind of thing before. He's cool and calm.
__Sillasion__
The sudden burst of acceleration takes you by surprise and you almost lose your grip on Deet as you feel your body slipping off the bike under the sheer inertia of your mass, however slight your frame.
Your formation takes the nearest offramp, as do the serpents, swinging a left onto a wide open boulevard. Alpha fires a flare into the air and its race time.
Ahead of you the front runners clash together in a furious exchange of mace blows. Sparks fly as a serpent goes down, his bike running at a tangent away from both formations into the long grass to the right of the large intersection.
Immediately your attention turns to the mage. A barely percievable shimmering can be seen around his form, riding in the mid pack about 40 yards from you, his bodyguards eyeing yourself and Deet carefully. as they open the throttle up on the long straight.
-
Knives tries his best to suppress a yawn as he opens the door up wider. Tucking his blade into his waistband the human waves the fancy ork inside, "Yea come on mate. Sleep was nice but we're still pretty knackered." Heading straight into the kitchen he fills the kettle and puts it on the stove before heading back into the living quarters.
Rummaging through his pockets Knives pulls out his pack of smokes, offers one to the ork, then lights one for himself. "What's the good word mate?"
-
Mantis is tempted to go up stairs and deal with his comm link but even with this guy being alone and not yet a threat Mantis decides to keep an eye on this new comer for just a few more minutes. Mantis steps back and leans against a wall where he can watch the new fellow enter the safe house and get some of that tea Mantis had last night..... Well Mantis thinks it was tea was a bit too out of it to be too sure at this early wake up call.
-
As they take off, she tightens her legs to Deet, grabbing onto the seat for a moment - The rush of adrenaline from almost falling causing a laugh..
As the bike ride starts and the commotion begins in front of her, she focuses to work.. looking to the Serpents mage..
*Or is zis bastard really zere? Hide und zeek mozer fucker...*
She shifts her mind to peak into the astral...
Astrally Perceiving.
Assensing 2 + Intuition 4 = Total Dice Pool 6
6d6.hits(5)=0 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4323212/)
lol Lumen can attest... my normal table luck has now taken hold. - botch
-
___Lumen + Scawire___
The ork steps into the living room near to the two sofas, motioning for you to sit.
You got the data? and where's the pilot?
__Sillasion___
Perceiving the astral proves to be distracting, you have to concentrate far harder than normal today, maybe it was the hangover or the gang of murderous bikers opposite you, but the negative emotions, anxiety and fear clouded your vision. you saw a bright aura or something but you had no idea what it was.
Deet slammed to the left, dragging you out of your concentration.
He roared and swung his heavy mace awkwardly to his offside as you snapped back to reality
ROLL FOR INITIATIVE!!!
-
Initiative!
Reaction 3 + Intuition 4 + Improved Reflexes 1 = Dice Pool 8
8d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4323667/)
Hits 3 + Initiative 8 = Total 11 (2 Passes)
-
Knives sits down on the arm of one of the sofas, "Yea we've got the fraggin data, we're professionals. Granted it was not the smoothest job but we came through and we expect to get paid..." He stares at the ork letting that last bit linger for a minute. "The pilot is upstairs still snoring. Now what's the plan from here? Obviously we can't just jet back to jolly ole England plus if I was to hazard a guess your boss probably has more work for us. I can't speak for the others but I intend to see this one through. You don't fuck with the Clerkenwell's."
As he rambles on sleepily Knives toys with the handle of his fineblade stuck in his waistband.
-
___Sillasion___
As you snap to the left to figure out what the hell is going on, you see a large ghoul approaching to your left on a huge custom bike, armed with a huge club, vicious nails protruding out of it at funny angles.
Deet: 7d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4323676/) ini10 1 pass
Baddy: 8d6.hits(5)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4323677/) ini 9, 1 pass
You're highest initiative, begin your first pass
-
___Lumen___
Yeah, real fucking professional. Half of the Met and most of the MMU come baring down on you last night cos you had to slit a guard. Now you're cowering in a safehouse. Get me the data then we'll talk about getting paid.
And you can get your hand away from that blade as well.
-
Syberix turns abruptly, her eyes widening a moment before instinct kicks into reaction.
Binding the ghoul - Force 5
Spellcasting(Manipulation) 4(6) + Magic 5 + Adversary 2 = Dice Pool 13
13d6.hits(5)=5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4323686/)
5 hits
Drain 3S
Will 5 + Charisma 6 = Dice pool 11
11d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4323687/)
3 hits - right on the money
She proceeds to quickly cross herself as before: Left, Right, Down, Up - as the mana pulls into her, she flicks her hand in the direction of the ghoul, middle finger extended, whipping the stream of mana around his body. Her lips curling into a smile as she does.
-
"If you know any damned thing about the MMU the welcoming we got was not because of some fuckin desk jockey I stuck. An I ain't cowerin from shite mate, keep your facts straight. Your boss knows it too. Those wankers muckin up the East End have got ties in the MMU, the kinda ties that only come with some seriously deep pockets."
Knives stands cracks his neck, "Chill right there mate I'll go get your data." He heads upstairs and grabs his com, checking the call log for the earlier call. *Somethin don't seem right about this...*
-
___Sillasion___
The image of the ghoul flickers as your mana pulses through it, and fades after the mighty mace swing flashes through it'skull.
perception test please. -2 for visual distractions
-
Perception 1 + Intuition 4 + Vision enhancement 3 - 2 Penalty = 6 Dice Pool
6d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4323741/)
2 Hits
-
___Lumen___
The ork stands and smiles at you wryly, he clearly got the reaction out of you he'd hoped for.
Heading upstairs to the bunk room, you spot Dunk rolling over in his bunk half awake and peering at you with bleary eyes. urgh...What time is it?
You pull yours and Mantis' links out of the lockers and off the induction charger plate. Both are fully charged. The missed call number on yours matches up to the previous commcodes you'd received from Mr Smith and his agents. You had 15 missed calls, Mantis's had three, from a different commcode.
___Sillasion___
Ahead and to your right you see the mage smiling and waving at you, before flicking you a "wanker" gesture.
He turns a little more in his seat and begins to gesture as if casting.
casting (8d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4323781/), counterspelling please, threshold 3 for opposed test or you can let it go, either way.
-
___Mantis___
The Ork stares at you as Knives heads upstairs.
Milk, two sugars. get to it darling.
-
Knives leans down to Dunk and whispers, "Time to get up mate. We've got company and he's making me edgy." He scrolls through the call log then pops in an earbud. He hits redail and moves to make sure he's out of site of the well dressed yet poor mannered ork.
-
Mantis grinds his teeth as he head to the kettle to get the Guest his order. Just what I need wake up to take orders from some new guy. Mantis does his best to keep his eye on the new guy as he gets himself and the ork something to drink. Mantis decides to ask question or two, you never know this guy might have some idea of the answer. So any ideas on how long before the heat dies down in London? Mantis puts in the orks sugar and mike but leaves his black. Just wondering who much effort I need to put into learning the local language. Mantis hands the ork his drink and take a sip of his own.
-
___Lumen___
Keeping the door to the bunk room closed but your eye on it, you thumb the call button.
The call to the missed commcode instantly disconnects every time you try it. no tone, no answer message, nothing.
Dunk quietly gets out of bed and puts on his underlayers of clothes. Who is it?
__Mantis__
The ork takes the cuppa you make and starts sipping from it, scowling at you as if you'd asked a stupid question.
th'fuck should I know? Your pal gonna be long?
He shouts, motioning his head to the ceiling
GET A FUCKING MOVE ON, I HAVEN'T GOT ALL DAY.
__Lumen__
You hear the shout from downstairs encouraging you "politely" to hurry up
-
*Shit, should have answered the com first. This tusker better be on the up and up.* Knives looks to Dunk, "Some fancy pants ork and he's a real bellend. It's probably part of his job but it doesn't help my nerves. Just keep your eye on him."
He waits for Dunk to get some clothes on and descends with him. Once back downstairs he tosses Mantis his com and sits back down looking at the suited ork, "What's the rush mate? You late for your mani/pedi?"
-
With more eyes in the room to look over the Ork Mantis again leans on the wall and starts to check each of his missed calls one by one. Lets see who the hell is trying to tell me something, or demand of me something.
-
__Lumen + Scawire__
Ork? huh...
Dunk pulls his pistol out from under the pillow and checks the chamber.
Fuck, three left.
He stuffs it into his waist band in the small of his back and pulls his loose sweater over the top of it, following you downstairs..
Coming back into the living area via the kitchen, you sling Mantis his commlink as you pass the doorway. he catches it with ease.
{at knives}You better watch your fucking mouth pal.{he eyes Mantis and extended an upward facing palm, gesturing for the 'link} The data on that?
-
Mantis not wanting to hand the comm over before he gets to check his messages and missed calls first. Ya but sit back enjoy your drink I've got something to check then I'll let you have it. Mantis first checks through his comm link for missed call and messages once that is done he will decide if he wants this new nameless guy to get the intel. Don't know if this is our contact never got a go ahead from the boss, lets see what the calls have to say. The guy did find the safe house and seems to know alot about the run odds are he is on the level but I'm checking the comm first then I'll hand over the intel.
-
___Mantis___
You see you have 3 missed calls from an unknown commcode.
The ork begins to walk over to you as you look at the screen
Nah, that aint happening, give it to me now or you don't get paid. I'm fucking serious mate, don't push me.
-
Mantis looks at the ork. Well we are a bit pushy in the morning. Thinks as he sees he can't recognize the comm codes. Sure thing bud give me your comm code and I'll send you the info. There is no way I'm handing over the only copy to you with-out my Boss first giving me the ok, also this comm link here is my life blood for work no way I'm letting an ork I never meet before start messing around with it. So hand over the comm code and the intel is yours. Mantis tells his agent to get the file ready. Slicer MD copy the last downloaded file and get ready to send it to the comm code I give you. Mantis eyeballs the ork in the safe-house. You know full well if you go back to the boss empty handed your up shit creek too so just hand over the comm code and I'll send you a copy. Mantis is not to sure about this ork but he is not going to give over the only copy to this guy, worst case he is Interpol and the safe house is a death trap, or he could be working for the enemy in which case this safe house is again going to look like a morgue, best case he is on the level and just a few comm code input later the last run is done.
-
___Lumen___
6d6.hits(5)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326455/)
Its hard to gauge the ork's angle and why he is being so forceful. You can't tell whether he's just throwing his muscle around or whether there is another agenda in play.
____Scawire + Lumen____
I ain't going back to anyone empty handed you fucker.
He raises both arms, pointing one at each of you and with a barely perceptable shrug, two large pistols appear in his meaty paws.
Put it down on the floor and slowly slide it to me, or I'll shoot you all
He looks decidedly calm, like he has done this sort of thing before. Pure malice is in his eyes, you don't doubt his seriousness for a second.
I'm gonna count to three. You really don't wanna push me today.
-
We'll go with a counterspell
Counter spelling 4 + Magic 5 + Adversary 2 = Dice Pool 11
11d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326745/)
boo
-
"And we ain't handing over the paydata to some pushy fuckin suit without confirmation you're playin for the right fuckin team!" As the orc points Knives leaps behind the couch he was sitting on and calls his taser to his hand.
I'll go ahead and roll for initiative cause at this point this guy is begging for an ass kickin
Reaction 5 + Intuition 3 - 2 DM = 6d6
5d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326754/)
Initiative 10 IPs 2
-
Mantis puts his hands up like that takes away his magic and says. Hey don't get all shooty on us here. With that he casts an invisibility spell on himself.
Reaction 3 + Intuition 2 = 5
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326777/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326777/) 0 hits no glitch
Initiative 5 / 2 passes
Will wait to cast spell when it is his turn.
@CS
Hey do I still have damage and if so how much?????
-
Once Mantis see's knives duck for cover he makes a run in the opposite direction then where Knives is looking for some kind of cover in that side of the not so safe... Safe house.
-
___Lumen + Scawire___
you guys are just carrying your physical wounds now (handwaived the stun damage due to good sleep + first aid treatment at first safe-house)
Initiative:
ork: ini (10d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326780/) 14 /2 passes
dunk: rea 7, int 4 (11d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326781/) 13 /2passes
knives: 10 /2passes
mantis 5 /2 passes
Seeing you dive for cover, the ork opens fire at each of you with his heavy pistols, loosing a single shot from each gun.
Actions: simple, fire weapon (knives): agi 4, pistols 4, spec 2 (10d6.hits(5)=1) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326782/) 1 hit
simple, fire weapon (mantis): agi 4, pistols 4, spec 2 (10d6.hits(5)=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326783/) 5 hits!
Dunk grabs his pistol from the small of his back and returns fire, taking cover behind the doorway into the kitchenette.
attack roll:agi 4, pistols 3, (7d6.hits(5)=1) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326788/)
defense roll: rea 6 (6d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326789/) ork now at -1 to defend against further actions.
The ork sees him draw dawn out of the corner of his eye and dodges the shot, the round impacting into the wall behind him and kicking up a huge burst of plascrete dust.
The muzzle flashes light up the room in a staccato burst of bright light.
___Sillasion___
The serpent overpowers your attempt to shut him down and you feel his mana evading you, weaving into form ahead of you. The road ahead shimmers as it snap freezes, a huge area turning to ice.
Your formation appears not to have realised what is going on, heading full tilt for it.
Roll for initiative!!
-
Initiative
Reaction 4 + Intuition 3 + Imp. Reflex 1 = Dice Pool 8
8d6.hits(5)=0 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326808/)
....well I botched...
2 Passes. T_T
-
Knives only had 8S and no Physical so he has no negative modifiers. Huzzah!
Reaction 5 = 5d6
5d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326815/)
The bullet whizs by Knives' arm as he ducks behind the couch. As soon as he lands the taser is called to his hand and he wastes no time popping back up and firing off two shots at the orkish prick.
Free Action: Draw taser from arm slide
Simple Action 1: Fire taser
Agility 6 + Pistols(Taser) 2(4) + Smartlink 2 = 12d6
12d6.hits(5)=6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326824/)
5S(e) + Net Hits -half AP
Simple Action 2: Fire taser
Agility 6 + Pistols(Taser) 2(4) + Smartlink 2 - Recoil 1 = 11d6
11d6.hits(5)=6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326826/)
5S(e) + Net Hits -half AP
"I told you to sit down motherfucker!"
-
Mantis was a bit slow on the run so he his wishing he would have grabbed his armor before opening the door to some psycho Ork. Oh well armored undies best do their job.... ya right like that will happen in Mantis's life time.
Reaction 3
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326851/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326851/) 0 hits
This is going to hurt
Damage Resistance
Body 4 + Armor (F.F. 1/2 Body) Ballistic 4 = 8
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326852/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326852/) 2 hits Ouch.
Spend edge to re-roll all dice that did not hit ( 6 )
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326854/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326854/) 3 hits
Total hits 5
Mantis gets hit on the run to cover not a good thing when you wake up, you know soy-cafe some pancakes not a bleed hole in the shoulder, but that is the life as a runner someone always wants to geek you for all the hard work you have done.
Even with the bloody wound in his shoulder Mantis gathers mana and tries his best to turn invisible.
Not I now have a physical wound but I don't know how bad so minus the dice off the back end of the roll as always.
Force 5 Imp Invisibility
Spellcasting (combat) 5 (7) + Magic 3= 8
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326860/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326860/) 2 hits well maybe only 1
Drain 3 Stun
Will 5 + Logic 7 +Daredrenaline 1 = 13
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326864/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326864/) 6 hits no drain.
Mana gathers around Mantis and cloaks him from the eyes of the others.
-
__Knives__
Seeing his shot punch a hole in the sofa, the ork knew he'd have to act fast to avoid the retaliation. He'd fucked up by being too trigger happy, he knew it.
goes full defense:
1st dodge roll; rea 6, gym 4, -1 defense (9d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326930/) 2 net hits, for 7s
soak: bod 7 , 1/2 impact 4 + non conduct 2 (13d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326932/) dang, edge
bod 7 , 1/2 impact 4 + non conduct 2 (10d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326933/), more like it
2 dodge roll: 2nd dodge+ edge (9d6.hitsopen(5,6)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326934/) ooch
hit for 8S
soak: 2nd soak (13d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4326937/) takes 5S
The ork tucks into a diving roll as soon as he sees the bullet go wide, fully expecting a hail of retribution.
He is not wrong, your first bolt slams into his side, his armour taking the brunt of it's discharge.
The second hits him square in his thigh, discharging a whacking bolt of energy into his body. He yelps and spasms, struggling to his feet.
__Mantis___
he is using twin ares predators (5P -1AP)
0 hits on dodge puts you at 11P damage. forgot to tell you what weapon he was using so don't worry about the -1ap affecting your rolls. you take 6P damage and are knocked down (more damage than you have ranks in BOD)
The pistol round slams into your shoulder and you feel a bolt of intense searing pain overcoming your senses. The impact carries so much momentum into your body that you're thrown to the ground, screaming in pain as you feel the blood loss as a sticky mess down your back and across your chest.
re-do your initiative pass please taking the above into account
__Sillasion___
You're free to act, 2 passes before impact into the ice sheet
-
When Mantis hits the ground he still decides to cast his invisibility spell on himself but now he starts to crawl to cover hoping the spell helps to shield where he is for long enouph not to die in this sham of a save house.
And Super man undies didn't do their job well enouph dam.
I will just use the spell rolls I just did since all is the same only the last 2 dice are no longer there giving Mantis 1 hit not 2, which is what I expected.
-
___Mantis____
resistance:
ork: 3d6.hits(5)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4327444/) 1 hit, perceives you as you try and escape
dunk: 4d6.hits(5)=0 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4327449/) has no idea where you are!
knives: 3d6.hits(5)=0 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4327450/) has no idea where you are!
___Both___
The ork struggles to his feet, the taser dart had clearly taken its toll on his thigh. He raises his pistol in his right arm, takes aim and takes a shot at dunk as he takes cover behind the doorframe.
Actions (lost 1st simple action due to full defense)
-Free; take aim
-Simple; shoot
pistols 4 (spec 2), agi 4, laser 1, take aim 1, -1 wound, cover -2 (10d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4327470/)
dunk's dodge: rea 7, cover 2 (9d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4327471/) 1 net hit for 6p damage
dunk's soak: bod 3, arm 4 (9d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4327472/) hit for 2P
A huge burst of fractured wood erupts from the doorway and dunk yelps as a pistol round whacks into his arm.
Dunk tries to breathe through the pain, controlling his urge to flee.
Dunk witholds his actions until after knive's pass.
__Lumen__
You're up
-
*Not so tough now are you asshole?* Knives smiles seeing the ork already struggling against their onslaught. "You ready to give up yet you ignorant twat?" Obviously not caring one bit for an answer he looses two more darts in the orks direction.
Pistols (Taser) 2 (4) + Agility 6 + Smartlink 2 = 12d6
12d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4327474/)
Pistols (Taser) 2 (4) + Agility 6 + Smartlink 2 - Recoil 1 = 11d6
11d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4327475/)
5S (e) -half AP
-
__Lumen___
full defense -2 for previous defense (8d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4327478/) full defense again, first shot goes wide
full defense -3 for previous defense (7d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4327480/) 2nd shot hits with 1 net hit
soak: soak (13d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4327481/) takes 2S
The Ork roars at your insolence, tucking into another roll to try and evade your hail of darts. Another dart makes contact, despite his best efforts. It discharges it's capacitor banks painfully into his stomach, causing him to groan against its onslaught of muscle contractions and nausea.
He looks close to passing out, breathing heavily.
Encouraged by your stand and the groans of the ork, dunk steps out of cover briefly, takes aim and double taps his remaining rounds into the incapacitated ork.
shot 1 (8d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4327482/)
shot 2 (8d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4327483/) the ork can't resist both and fills his stun track.
The rounds impact squarely into the ork's torso, laying him out flat and knocking him out cold as the armour plates in his chest dissipate the worst of of the damage.
his limp body lies in the middle of the room, the front door slightly ajar casting a short rectangle of daylight to fall near his right arm.
combat resolved
-
"Sound off lads, both of you alive? Somebody get that door closed and locked." Knives barks as he heads towards the downed assailant. He sends his taser home to it's resting position in the arm slide and pulls out a few plastic restraints. He kicks the ork over on his side, sets a knee down hard on his ribcage and secures the ork's hands behind his back. With that done he kicks the pistols away and begins to go through all the pockets in the ork's fancy suit, dumping anything he finds on the floor behind him.
-
Syberix slaps Deet's leg hard and points ahead, leaning up to his ear and yelling to him,
"Eis! Eis!" her attention returning quickly to the mage after her warning.
First pass:
Manabolt Force 5
Spellcasting 4 + Magic 5 = Dice Pool 9
9d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4327768/)
3 Hits
Damage:
Net Hits 3+ Force 5 = 8 Dmg
Resist 2S
Willpower 5 + Charisma 6 = Dice pool 11
11d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4327769/)
4 hits - all resisted :)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Second pass:
Manabolt Force 5
Spellcasting 4 + Magic 5 = Dice Pool 9
9d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4327771/)
hits 2
Damage:
Net Hits 2+ Force 5 = 7 Damage
Resist 2S
Willpower 5 + Charisma 6 = Dice pool 11
11d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4327773/)
3 Hits - all resisted :)
Syberix moves her hand in, her gesture rehearsed but quick in succession - pulling the magic in around her twice, she sends two manabolts the mages way. Ending the spell with a smirk on her face and a kiss blown to him.
-
Mantis sees the unwanted guess drop and looks like not getting up any time soon, so he decides not to keep his spell going. Mantis shimmers back into view. I got some blood loss going on here but I'm alive. I could use some help via a med kit. Next time I answer a door I'm not counting on super man undies to protect me. Mantis makes his way to his feet and decides to head up stairs for the med kit. Hey guys I'm heading upstairs I'll grab my med kit, someone for God sake check the cameras we might have more hostiles we don't know about. Mantis heads up stairs holding on to his shoulder to try and keep pressure on the wound as he grabs his med kit and bike armor. Not getting into the armor right away but does his best to bring both his armor and the med kit back down stairs, to fix himself and any other ones that are hurt.
-
___Scawire___
Dunk pipes up after Mantis.
Yeah I'm still breathing. Fucker winged me though, right in me fuckin arm! arh, shit it hurts.. You boys still got that medkit?
As Mantis drops his spell and re-appears, it becomes obvious just how fucked up Mantis is. He's hurt pretty badly, a solid hit in his shoulder and no exit-wound. He was gonna need something more than a band-aid and paracetamol for this one.
Dunk walks over and helps Mantis to his feet, supporting him as he pushes against the agony of using his upper limbs to get off the floor. He slings his good arm around Mantis's middle and helps him upstairs, wincing against the pain in his own arm as he goes.
Sit down on the bed mate, I'll do my best but this is gonnae hurt ye.
__Lumen___
With Dunk and Mantis both piping up, you know they're both alive, if not a bit shot up. Mantis's wounds look pretty bad and he's lost quite a bit of blood already. He was gonna need patching up, and soon.
Dunk made a start, heading upstairs with Mantis and the medkit, leaving you to search the ork and secure the door.
Pissed off at the turn of events, you give the door a hefty boot to close it, hearing the re-assuring "thunk" as the lock re-engages.
The Ork is pretty much out for the count, he offers no resistance to your efforts to restrain him. His chest rises and falls in short, rapid breaths. The armour plates in his swanky coat are bent inwards in two locations, each marking a solid hit for Dunk. A selection of taser darts protruded from his chest and limbs. The fucker had taken a beating before going down, whoever he was, he wasn't built for asking nicely. Either that, or he was well prepared to convince people who said "no" to change their minds. The pair of hidden arm slides and heavy pistols re-inforced your thoughts as you kicked them away from his unconscious body.
Rummaging through his kit, you find a crappy commlink, a spare loaded clip for each of his pistols, a ceramic knife, and 3 basic credsticks (each loaded with 200NY, €200 and 200ZL respectively).
He had a swanky cigar case in his inside jacket pocket with a windproof lighter and a microtransceiver clipped to the inside lapel of his coat.
-
___Sillasion___
Deet nods his thanks, spotting the newly formed ice sheet covering the junction ahead.
He hankers on to the brakes, causing the other lads to follow suit, throwing your weight forwards as the prow of the custom bike dives under heavy braking. Your chin bounces off the back of Deet's skid-lid, and you can taste the metallic tang of blood as you bite a chunk out of your inside lip.
He breaks left, gesturing to the others to go around. He slows down, lines up to the decrepit pedestrian junction as a break-gap in the otherwise unforgiving kerb lining the boulevard.
Once aligned, he guns it, grabbing some air and landing heavily into the side street riding away from the junction. The Serpents ahead of you tear ahead, chasing down the front runners of your formation, laughing and cackling maniacally at you for falling behind.
Deet guns the throttle and lights up the rear tire, the sound of tearing steel on concrete lets you know that at least one of the lads following you didn't make the awkward jump-come-turn, but the re-assuring roar of Harley engines behind lets you know that at least some of them did.
Regaining your balance on the seat, you hurl a fusillade of destructive energy at the serpent mage.
He parries the first one easily,dispelling (10d6.hits(5)=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4328703/) but the link is broken to your target by the crumbling commercial unit on the corner of the junction, the bolt sailing harmlessly off into the aether.
Turning to face Deet's direction of travel, you see you're now heading towards a more residential area, abandoned commercial units and crumbling remains of cheap housing are interspersed down the street at regular intervals.
Everything is hugely overgrown, trees puncturing their way through roofs, gardens becoming jungles. This place looked like something out of an old sci-fi trid from 70 years ago. A t-junction lays ahead, Deet positions far to the left of the broken road surface, dropping the ridiculously bulky Harley over on its right and aims for the apex, the sound of squealing rubber behind lets you know that the others are prepping for the same aggressive turn.
Perception test please!
-
After kicking the heavy door closed Knives goes about emptying the orks pockets onto the table in the living room. Seeing the micro-transceiver he curses under his breath. *Well fuck me. A little late now but whoever sent this guy knows he's here. I hope he doesn't have a biomonitor and friends hiding in the bushes.*
He eyes the fancy cigar case a second before flipping it open. *It's the least he can do for bein such a wanker.* Knives draws out one of the cigars and takes a deep breath running it just under his nose. After lighting up and taking a few drags he begins to thumb through the burner com. Not expecting to find much he looks for any recent in-coming or out-going calls or texts and checks to see if there is any history of matrix searches.
-
___Lumen___
From the device history it looks like it is either a recent purchase or it had been formatted recently. There are practically no custom icons, personalisation settings, message history or anything that suggests this is a personal item used for everyday things. The browser had no search history and defaulted to a free online search agent terminal.
The outbound call history matches the missed calls you saw earlier this morning. He'd been a persistent git.
No inbound calls were present, not even the call you returned that disconnected. Inbound calls must have been blocked by the service provider.
Opening the cigar case was a dream, they smelled divine. It contained four huge, fat cigars.
They must have been expensive, the case alone must have been worth a couple hundred quid. It bore the makers mark of a firm in Hamburg and was inlaid with an exquisite pearl inlay and blue-bone-china patterning.
The cigar tastes amazing, really hitting the spot.
-
With aid up the stairs Mantis hands Dunk his Med kit to go to work on hims. Thinking about what the Ork was wearing Mantis lets out a yell. Hey Knives I need some armor that blends in Strip that ork of his armor if you have time. With that out of the way Mantis lays back wishing he had a bottle of gin to help kill the pain his arm is in. Well Dunk I guess you try and fix me then I do my best to try and fix you up, Slot me these bullets hurt.
-
Visual Perception
Rank Perception 1 + Intuition 4 + Vision Enhancement 3 = 8d6
8d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4328961/)
3 Hits
-
___Sillasion___
The street you come onto shows some signs of inhabitation, a light flickers in an upstairs window through a doorway on the 2nd floor.
You're sure something moved into the shadows as you round the corner and level up out of the apex
-
Knives savors the luxurious cigar, letting the smoke slowly seep from his mouth. When Mantis yells down about stripping the ork he raises an eyebrow and yells back up, "You daft? I ain't stripin this guy down! We can handle some new clothes after we get in touch with the Johnson."
He takes another long draw off the cigar and lets out three smoke rings before continuing, "Besides he might actually be our contact to the Johnson. It was his com that kept calling me this morning so we shouldn't piss him off anymore than we already have. Last thing we need is to be lost in fucking France with no friends and this big mother fucker trying to chase us down. Oh yea hurry up and copy the paydata before he gets up!"
*I can appreciate the need for security but not being able to call the Johnson back is a real pain in the bollocks.*
-
___Lumen____
The microtransceiver crackles with an incoming signal as it rests on the table in front of you.
-
Knives jumps at the small crackle. *Good I didn't want to wait around all day for another call.* He picks up the microtransceiver and examines the ork for the accompanying earbud.
Or if I can redirect it to my equipment even better but Knives isn't the best with tech. Either way he's trying to at least pick up the call.
-
Scrambling for the transceiver, you jam the bud into your ear in time for the last bit of the sentence:
...get the data?
-
Knives clears his throat and tries his best to imitate the ork's voice, "Huh?"
I have a feeling I'm gonna regret this... Let me know if you want a Con roll but I tried to keep it short in hopes of not giving myself away. Also out of curiosity has our Edge had a chance to refresh?
-
con roll please! :)
-
Charisma 2 - Defaulting 1 = 1d6
1d6.hits(5)=0 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4329578/)
Note to self: Don't use charisma as a dump stat ever again...
-
The line immediately goes dead.
-
"Bollocks..." Knives tucks the microtransceiver in his pocket on the off chance that it gets another call. He puts the cigar in his mouth, chomping down on the end and pulls up the sleeves of his great coat. Bending at the knees he grabs the lumbering ork by the armpits and drags him over to the couch.
Once the big lug is up on the couch Knives yells up the stairs again, "You lads about done up there? I want you down here when I wake him up and ask some hard questions. And make it quick! If he works for the wrong side we need to get moving."
-
___Mantis___
Dunk grabs the first aid pack as best he can with his busted arm and sets to work cleaning your wound and dry packing it with gauze.
Your arm's fucked mate, there no' a lot a can do for ye, 'cept patch ye up. You're gonnae need a proper doc.
log 3, first aid 3 (6d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4330303/)
extras for the medkit rating -wounds and crappy area mods:
3d6.hits(5)=0 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4330348/)
-
___Lumen___
The Ork weighs an absolute ton. He was either built like a brick shithouse or had a stack of cyber in him or both!
After a lot of heaving, dragging and lifting, you manage to arrange his unconscious body into an upright-ish position on the couch.
-
Once Dunk has finished the first line of defense against the angry wound in his shoulder Mantis yells down stairs. We will be right down. Mantis looks over at Dunk and gives him a bow. Dunk we best do the rest of the fixing up down stairs then we should blow this joint never know who this ork has for friends. Lets grab our stuff and head down. Mantis does his best to grab all his gear then heads down stairs to join up with Knives.
Mantis gets down stairs doing his best not to drop his gear for the 3rd time on his trip to aid Knives. Hey Knives strip that ork of his armor for me would you I need something not so noticeable like my bike armor. thanks chap. Mantis gets to work on Dunk fixing him up.
First Aid on Dunk
Logic 7 untrained -1 + med kit 6 - 2 for wounds = 10
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4330347/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4330347/) 2 hits
-
Syberix focuses in trying to catch a glimpse of the movement in the shadows, but with no luck.
*Scheiße.... fuck it.*
She pulls the mana back in with an almost mechanical laugh
Stun Ball @ the last place she saw the shadow move - Force 5
Spellcasting 4 + Magic 5 = Dice Pool 9
9d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4330821/)
4 gross hits :)
gross HIts 4 + Force 5 = 9S Damage
Resit Drain - Resisting 3S
Will 5 + Charisma 6 = Dice Pool 11
9d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4330821/)
4 Hits - All Drain resisted
She slings the mana out into the shadows where she last saw the movement... after all - close only counts in horse shoes, hand grenades and stun balls....and right now - she just needs to be close.
-
____Lumen_____
The Ork's eyes begin to flicker with a slight rousal of consciousness. He isn't awake, but he looks like he's stirring a bit.
___Mantis____
You manage to clean up the obvious detritus in Dunk's arm, packing it and sealing it against infection.
first aid is a threshold test (2) with net hits doing the actual healing. as neither of you or dunk got any net hits, no actual boxes of damage have been removed.(pg 252 sr4a)
___Syberix___
You feel the mana backlash as the stunball detonates
A series of unearthly howls emanate from the shadows you targetted, you flash by on the back of the bike and momentarily get a better look at a few wounded looking dog sized creatures. The noise of your engines roaring past causes them to limp half-heartedly through their wounds into the road after you.
Deet, having felt you moving around on the bike through the corner shouts over the din of the acceleration:
What the fuck did you do?
-
With Dunk and Mantis making his way down stairs he decides to voice his option to Knives. Hey Mate this safe house might be blown, we might want to make for some other location before we get some more heat on us. With the attempt to heal himself and Dunk not really getting very far he thinks a few calls might be needed to get a Street Doc on their bosses payroll so they can get some decent help. Oh ya also me and him Pointing at Dunk not wanting to use anyone's name in front of the gun happy ork We both need to get a street doc to look over these holes in our bodies we stabilized ourselves but we do need some who knows what they are doing to help out. With that said Mantis grabs the e-paper and starts looking over the camera feeds making sure no one is flanking the house inorder to deliver a package of death to the three runners.
-
___Mantis___
Coming downstairs, you feel the pain killers start to kick in, taking a little bite of the edge of the pain.
The ork had been propped up onto the couch, his head lolling from side to side as he tried to shake of his incapacitation.
A bike of some description had been left further up the road, near the copse of trees you saw the animals run into. He'd obviously wanted to leave it out of sight of the house cameras but hadn't bargained on a camera so far out of the main building complex.
-
"Just watch my back and be ready to knock this guy out again. If he doesn't have the right answers then we'll leave."
Knives draws his fineblade focus and holds it to the ork's throat, just to the right of the windpipe. He then reaches back and slaps his captive hard across the face hoping the jar will finish waking him up.
When he speaks his tone is vicious and cold to match the look in his eyes, "Time to wake up mother fucker. First thing you need to learn is we're on my fraggin timeline and your part in it is coming to a close very soon. Now you're going to answer my questions and if you do well enough I just might not gut you like a fish. Who the fuck sent you?"
-
intimidation check please, mantis can chip in as a teamwork and dont forget modifiers for weapon use, causing pain etc
-
I'll go head and roll and once Scawire has a chance to roll I'll factor those hits in.
Charisma 2 - Dafaulting 1 + 2 Subject Outnumbered + 2 Wielding a Weapon + 2 caused subject pain + ? Teamwork = 7d6
7d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4332551/)
:-\ According to p65 I can't get more bonus dice from teamwork than my rating in the skill...
-
___Lumen___
resistance (inc wound mods) (3d6.hits(5)=1) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4332584/)
The ork groggily reacted to your slap, fighting the urge to come around.
The sharp blade digging into his neck sharpened his senses. His eyes opened, pupils dilated with fear and adrenaline.
He railed against his restraints, struggling like crazy before the increased pressure of your blade begins to draw blood.
He gulps as he tries to answer your question, clearly torn as to what to do. You get the impression he's much more used to be in your position that the one he is currently in.
F..F.. Fuck you.. I don't know nothing!
-
"Don't give me that shit! Who THE FUCK sent you!? You've got thirty seconds to spit out some answers before I start carving you up. What were you supposed to do once you had that data?"
-
Teamwork help.
Intimidation 0 (-1) + Charisma 2 Subject out numbered 2 =3 (I don't think I get the weapon bonus or caused pain since Knives did that But then again I could be wrong.)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4332772/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4332772/) 0 hits No glitch
Mantis keeps looking back at the e-paper making sure that no back-up shows up for the Ork. As he keeps an eye on the ork and one on the e-paper he lights a smoke and decides to stay back a bit letting Knives do his thing. I would rather we do this quick but I'll see what Knives can get out of the guy.
-
Syberix leans up and in towards Deet, trying not to stir the bike too bad, yelling in his ear
"Shit was moving in the shadows! I wasn't sure if it was gonna fuck with us - so I threw a stun ball into em."
-
___Lumen___
the ork is clearly shitting himself, struggling to get his tender neck region away from the sharp irritation of your fineblade
F..F...FUCK OFF! I don't know shit about them. I'm just a fucking middleman alright. I get a call, and do a job. You know how it is?!
___Scawire___
Knives has got the guy on the rails, he's cornered and doesn't have anywhere to go. Knives' blade is digging in heavily into the orks throat. thin trails of blood dribble down the blade and off onto the ork's trousers.
As you follow the blood trails lazily with your eyes, something seems odd about the ork's positioning.
Perception test please, don't forget wound mods
___Syberix___
Good job, nice hit.
Unearthly howls went up all around you, streaming off into the distance, the odd frequency and pitch of the howl piercing through the roar of the engines.
The Main street you hurtled down wasn't that long, but the intermittent high sided buildings reflected the engine noise beautifully back at you. A quick glance over each shoulder showed you that three other riders had kept up, two of them acknowledging you with a nod, the third readying a club from a holster on the fuel tank.
The main street came to an end at a T junction. Seeing the dispersing cloud of raven from the treeline several hundred metres away amid the roar of engines, Deet swings a left at speed before hitting a right at the next junction.
A huge and decaying intersection ahead of you showed you'd rejoined back onto the main carriageway into the dead zone.
Deet opened the throttle and gunned it down would would have been the old off ramp into the residential area you came from. Crumbling plascrete hemmed you in on both sides, weeds and tall grasses whipping at your ankles as they fought their way through the old road surface.
The off ramp became the carriageway and suddenly, your engine notes were not alone.
Suprise tests please!
-
"Fine play dumb you certainly look the part. Let's talk about your job then chummer. Spill the details or I spill your blood, simple as that."
Knives urges the blade a hair further to illustrate his point. If he does have any hesitations to end the ork's life you couldn't tell it from his demeanor.
"Last chance mate is this job really worth dieing for?"
-
___Lumen___
The ork sits bolt upright, every muscle in his body straining to get his neck away from the business end of the fineblade. It easily finds purchase in his soft flesh, a warm splash of blood pouring out of the well vascularised skin, running over your hand and into your sleeve as it coats your blade.
Shit...Don't kill me man.... I gotta kid... I gotta FUCKING KID MAN...
{You shove the blade in deeper, causing a large and deep laceration. Blood is pouring from the wound}
ARGHARGH, FUCK. Ok ok ok...
I get a call from a handler. Don't know his name. He gives me the job and pays me by a dead drop box.
-
Syberix curls a huge grin at Deet's approval, adding into her own happiness with hitting something....
*Now if only I could be hitting zis serpent mage...*
Initiative Surprise (1) & Imitative (2)
Reaction 3 + Intuition 4 + Improved Reflexes 1 = 8 Dice Pool
8d6.hits(5)=1, 8d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4334799/)
(1) - 1 Hit
(2) 3 Hits + Initiative 8 = 11 hits (2 passes)
-
"I don't give a fuck if you've got a dozen starving, handicapped, children with you as their only hope for survival! Tell me exactly what you were told to do here, besides being a twat."
Knives feels the warm blood pouring over his hand and up his sleeve, "Oh now you've done it mate... You've gone an gotten your filthy blood over all my nice coat..."
-
Mantis stands back watching the show puffing away at his smoke. Well my be we didn't have to high tail it but lets see where this goes. Mantis still a bit paranoid after taking a shell to his shoulder which thankfully has pain killers killing the pain of the wound, but knowing this could still go south keeps an eye on the cameras.
Perception (Visual) 1(3) + INT 2 - Wound 2 = 1(3)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4334976/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4334976/) 3 hits.... YA I can roll good from time to time any ways.
-
___mantis___
Nothing much happens on the cameras, but you can see from the works fidgeting that he is desperately trying to get out of his restraints
-
Oh great we are going to have to deal with him getting loose best do something about that. Mantis blows a smoke ring from his mouth, then lets Knives know what the ork is doing. Hey buddy that ork guy we seem to be debating if we are going to kill is getting out of his restraints you or me best make sure he doesn't get loose. Can't have an angry ork having any chance of interrupting our life or death talk with him. Mantis takes a drag from his smoke, Then walks over to where he can get a good look at his restraints in order to help keep an eye on just how well he is at escaping.
-
Knives nods after Mantis speaks but doesn't break eye contact with his prisoner. "Go ahead... do it... make my day... You slip those restraints and your life is forfeit. Or..."
He moves the bloody blade to just above the ork's left eye, "Maybe you'd be more cooperative with one eye."
-
___Lumen___
fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck...Okay, okay. I'll fucking talk OKAY. Just get that fucking blade out my face. {you lower the blade back to his throat}
Look, the Johnson called me late last night, said some twats had broke into GGHQ and had been stupid enough to leave the wireless on. He'd traced you to this gaff and It was my job to make sure you fuckers surrendered the data before you had chance to offload it.
-
___Sillasion___
You erupt from the off-ramp at speed right next to the backmarkers of the serpent's formation.
They're as shocked as you are, grabbing their weapons and throttling up for an attack!
You're first, as you got the drop. there are two bikes ahead of you, that are surprised and wont act this turn, two bikes behind that are not suprised (saw you coming down) and one to your right who is also not surprised.
they are all at ini 8 and obviously armed with varying blunt instruments.
-
A smile appears on Mantis's face. I think the wanker just spilled the truth. Not wanting to stand out when he walks around Mantis decides to check and see if the armor the ork was wearing fits him. Once done he tells the group We best split town, maybe if you feel like it mate drop him off a good walk from any where as long as he keeps answering the questions you have for the guy or else geek him if he stops talking.
-
"Now there's a good lad. Where were you supposed to take the data?"
*Bollocks in all the shit we forgot to kill the coms. Now we've got to ditch em and don't have shit for back up.*
-
___Lumen___
" A d...d...dead drop in gare du nord. Locker 502. Don't kill me man, I gotta kid!"
-
Knives wipes his blade on the ork's lapel trying to get some of the blood off of it. He then turns and looks to Mantis, "Can ya give em a good pop? Better save the taser rounds sounds like there's probably another close by." Without waiting for an answer he walks into the kitchen and finds something better to scrub the blood from his hand and blade.
-
Mantis smiles as he hears the command to knock out the ork that put a hole in his shoulder. At first he was thinking of dropping a wave of mana to put the guy to sleep but hey that is not the same kind of fun as knocking someone out with a good solid punch. As Mantis walks over to the ork he eyeballs the restraints seeing if he had been able to get himself out of them..........
....... The he lets loose with a fist from his non injured arm...........
.........SMACK
SMACK
Unarmed Combat (Martial Arts) 5(7) + AGI 4 - Wound 2 = 7(9)
Damage = Str/2 (2) + Martial Arts +1 DV + Critical Strike R2 = 5S
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4338704/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4338704/) 2 hits
-
__scawire + lumen___
The ork looked terrified as you approached
don't kill me man, I swear I swear protesting loudly as he saw the malice in your eyes. Your off hand didn't connect as sweetly as your now injured side would, but the impact is enough to knock him out cold. Blood is still pouring from his neck laceration, but it looks as if the sides of the wound are starting to conceal. The front of his shirt and the inside of his jacket is drenched in a dark drying sticky river of blood.
Heading into the kitchen, knives rummaged around in the cupboards, finding various soy flavorings for the food processor, clothes detergents for the washing machine and some general surface cleaner spray. The spray wasn't ideal, but it'd get the worst off, though really you knew your kit would need a boil wash or two to do the job properly
-
*This will have to do for now.* Knives uses the all purpose spray to get the majority of the blood out. Once he's satisfied with an initial scrubbing he walks back to living space. "Time to get moving lads. At least we have a clue now. First thing we ditch the coms and get some burners." Looking to Mantis, "Make sure you've got copies. I'll go grab our kit from upstairs. "
He heads up the stairs and gathers all their things. Once that is done he quickly trods back down and checks the epaper cameras.
-
Nothing looks to have changed on the cameras; the bike is still at the top of the road, your car is still out front and the scrubland to the back looks clear on a cursory glance
-
Mantis is glad this part of the burnt safe house story is over now we just have to get out of here, never know there could be a sniper hiding outside waiting for the team to stick out their heads instead of the ork that was sent in. Ditch our comms?? Mantis remembers a few tricks he had learned with comms We might not have to ditch our comms, first we turn the things off so they can't track as easly, then I use my Electronics kit that I have to open our comms up and change the access ID that way we have new comms for no extra charge. Mantis Decides to take the Orks armor. Hey guys expect there to be a sniper out side wanting to take our heads off. Mantis gets all his gear ready to leave, then it strikes him maybe now would be a time to call in a spirit for help.
Altering Acess ID page 224 above comm codes (Hardware + logic (2) Test)
Summon Spirit of Man F3 w/ Imp Invisibility
Summoning (man) 3 (5) + Magic 3 - wound 2 = 6
VS
Force 3
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4339404/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4339404/) 2 hits (Summoning)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4339405/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4339405/) 1 hit (Spirit)
Drain 2X Hits (1) =2 s
Logic 7 + Will 5 + Daredrenaline 1 =13
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4339406/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4339406/) 3 hits no drain
Welcome man spirit I'm going to need your help with something.
-
___scawire___
You grab the jacket but soon realise that the blood has thoroughly permeated its fibres and will make you stand out even more than your bike armour. You see there is no way to get it off the ork without undoing his restraints
-
Mantis looks at the armor Ah that is why I yelled down to take his armor off for me... Oh well bike armor it is. Mantis get's bike armor on including his helmet for the run to the car hoping that what ever surprise that is waiting will not be able to geek the mage first. Ok guys we get to the car we start to high tail it out of here, then we power down all our comm links and when I final get some healing on this gapping wound in my shoulder I will start the changing of all our Access ID's that way we can keep the comm and still get our trail swept. Oh ya one of you guys take his guns if we don't use them we can sell them. Mantis does his best to have all his gear under in his good arm. Just before the team makes a run for the car he tells his Man Spirit. Seems like I don't have your help for very long so the three of us here please put your concealment ability around us until I say other wise. Thanks for coming to my beckoning call.
-
Mantis's brain starts to race with what the other team might of done to their comm's. Better safe then sorry that is for sure..... Ya that should work. Before the team makes the break for the car he decides to tell the group what he is going to do. Well I'm thinking to be sure we are not too geeked by our comm's Power them down at the car and then when we get somewhere I'll remove their signal chips then go to work on them. We may need other comm's well I fix the one's we have. Mantis shakes his head... Best to do a complete check up on these comm's or we might burn another safe pad we want to call home here in France.
-
"I'm the first to admit I don't know bollocks about a fraggin com. I can call, text, and browse nodes... that's about it mate. Seeing as how I can't even call the fuckin' Johnson on it, I'd rather break it in half and shove it up this bloke's ass than ave 'im sendin' more wankers after us." It seems the madder Knives gets the thicker his low brow east end accent comes out, "Only reason I aven't geek 'im yet is 'cause 'en it's blood fer blood."
He takes a few breaths then reels in his anger and accent, "But... First thing's first. We need to get you two..." he nods to Mantis and Dunk, "to a Doc that's speaks the bloody King's English but not enough to ask questions like where's your visa. Now if we're done pussyfooting around we need to go. Now!"
-
As the bike comes off the ramp into the new pack of fun, she lets out a loud laugh. She turns her body, trying not to jerk the bike for Deet, and as she turns she begins to cross herself backwards once more.
Target:
Two behind us that will act this round.
Attack:
Stun Ball Force 5
-Clarification- I am going to be throwing the stun ball far enough back (30 meters since I'm going force 5) to give Deet and I the 5 meter cushion for not being in it.
Spellcasting 4 + Magic 5 = Dice Pool 9
9d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4347250/)
gross Hits 2 + Force 5 = 7S Damage
Resit Drain - Resisting 3S
Will 5 + Charisma 6 = Dice Pool 11
11d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4347251/)
3 Hits - Drain Resisted
-
Mantis turns on his bike armors suit then makes a small run (jog) to the car doing his best to look and see if anyone is noticeable. If he makes it to the car he gets himself into the back seat with all this gear.
-
Knives grabs the ork's two pistols and fancy cigar case and shoves them in his bag. He then fishes out his com and powers it down. Once Dunk is ready he'll head out to the car, closing the door behind them. The human reluctantly takes the drivers seat and pulls up the car's display, trying to get a baring and rough distance to this Gare du Nord. *It ain't shit to go on but it's better than staying here.*
-
___Scawire + Lumen___
Dunk nods;
Got it mate, lets get the fuck out of here
He winces as he squeezes his wounded arm into his jacket, the hastily applied bandages catching on the lining and tugging at the wound.
It had turned into quite a nice day for late autumn, a hazy sunshine broke through the light cloud cover in places and the cool breeze only lightly tugged at the looser parts of your outfit.
As you head to the car, you catch the sound of what appears to be automatic fire, a couple hundred metres away. The sound echoes loudly off the flat surfaces of the building and outbuildings making it hard to pinpoint its location as you spin round to get a better look.
perception tests (audio only) please, include spatial recognizers if owned.
-
Perception 4 + Intuition 3 + Enhancements 3 + Spatial Recognizer 2 = 12d6
12d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4344580/)
"Oh for fuck sake what now?"
-
Once Mantis gets into the car he turns off his comm telling the rest to do so if they have not already. I'll see if I can fix them later right now just cut the wireless and we will get a few throw a ways until we can fixes these Mantis thinks he can hear something not sure yet.
Perception (Visual) 1(3) + INT 2 Audio Enhancement 3 - 2 wound = 4
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4344591/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4344591/) 0 hits but no Glitch
-
___Lumen___
Two short bursts of automatic fire erupt from behind the safehouse, you assume from the far side of the scrubland a couple-hundred metres away.
You spin on your heels and instinctively duck, taking cover near the car.
Dunk sprints the short distance out of the front door to the car, gesturing with his good arm in the direction of the access road.
___Scawire___
You hear gunfire somewhere nearby as you race ahead of the others towards the car, reaching it and opening the door before the others get there.
Killing the wireless on your commlink, you see Dunk gesturing wildly at something on the far side of the car, back up towards the access road.
__Both___
The sound of screeching tires and wailing engines is preceded by a loud impact and the sound of tearing metal-on-concrete.
You've no sooner reached your vehicle before a heavily dented van approaches from around the corner of the copse of trees further up the access road.
___Sillasion___
invisible castle is now up, roll away!!!
-
Mantis decides to take cover at the car, and watches to see what the team decides to do. Knowing that he and the team are under the cover of a spirits concealment ability he hopes it will help give a small bit of edge to the team. Since Mantis is under his bike armors chameleon system he knows it will be hard for his fellow runners to see him so he decides to watch his teammates for cues on what the team wants to do.
-
Knives' head is spinning like a top trying to make heads and tails of the situation. *Alright, at least one out in the shrubs with an automatic. Who knows how many in the van.* Staying as hidden as he can behind the car he draws his two fineblades. *I really hope these blokes in the van are our getaway... otherwise this street is about to get a fresh coat of red.*
-
___Lumen+ Scawire____
The van screeches around the final bend onto the wide crumbling concrete parking area, it's sliding door opening before the van had come to a halt a little way from your parked car.
Two obviously armed blokes jumped out, running towards the car
"GET IN THE FUCKING VAN!!"
__Sillasion___
resist (3d6.hits(5)=1) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4348459/)
resist (3d6.hits(5)=1) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4348460/)both take a whopping 6s!
The bike kicks like a mule as the back wheel struggles for traction in a patch of weeds momentarily, but Deet throttles through it as you pivot in your seat, weaving mana around your arm into a destructive bolt. You loose the simmering energy with a flick of your wrist, detonating it just beyond the rear of the straggling bikers.
The force of the detonation ripples through the manasphere, it's invisible but deadly effects taking their toll on your tails, both sent reeling sideways as they struggle to control their bikes.
rea 4 pilot 4(bikes 6) ar 1 - wounds2 (9d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4348462/)
rea 4 pilot 4(bikes 6) ar 1 - wounds2 (9d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4348463/) both control tests made!
Severely pissed off by your attack, the bikers look at each other and gun the throttle, each roaring engine providing the soundtrack to the pure anger en-route to you.
The right hand side bike raises a chain ready to strike as he closes the gap, lashing out with a vicious whipping action
clubs 4 agi 4 - wounds 2 (6d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4348467/)
dodge at -2 for being restricted movement (bike seat) please
-
With no one able to see me, there is no way I'm jumping in some strange dudes van with out back up. You know what your mother said never go any where with strangers.
-
Knives nods to his companions, "That's our que mates!" With that he races to the van and hops in scooting back to leave room for the others.
-
Once Mantis sees knives make his run for the van Mantis decides to make haste in tow. Oh man these guys best be on our side if not we are going to have a fun up close and personal fight. Mantis does his best to jump in after Knives still a bit paranoid since last time he talked to a stranger he got a hole in his shoulder he decides to keep his suit in stealth mod but yells to the group. Your crazy ork side kick is hear and accounted for just missing the third member of the mob squad.
-
___Scawire + Lumen___
The two armed men split as you run past them towards the van. One turns to address knives as he makes his dash to the open van door.
Their weapons stay low, but ready.
"Smith wants to talk, face to face. Anyone left in the house?"
The second armed bloke headed towards the door of the safehouse, muttering something into his mic, a small but capable SMG slung over a should and in a semi- ready firing pose.
Dunk catches up to Mantis, lugging his gear wth his un-injured arm.
Smith's on our side right? He's the Johnson?
__Lumen__
The van was punched up, it had obviously been in a recent impact. Jumping into the rear cabin, the reek of stale cigarettes was overwhelming.
Hopping in, you see the back bench seating area is empty and plonk your arse heavily into the deceivingly uncomfy seats, slinging your gear by your left foot.
The smoked glass that separated you from the driver's cabin was set to opaque, but the intercom light popped up followed by a thick cockney accent.
"You boys fucked up good. Smith ain't happy. You still got the data?"
The intercom
-
From behind his stealth suit Mantis speaks up. Ya I got the data. Mantis rubs his shoulder knowing that him and Dunk need to get some decent med head to look over the bloody holes that wanker of an ork sported out when the info didn't flow his way as he had hoped. We also a few runners hear sporting a wound or two that if you could help with a medic would be brilliant. Ya we fucked up, that happens on a run, but Istill can't believe I thought a mana barrier was a ward all this mana throwing I've done and I forget something like that..... Opps..... That mistake can end your life in the shadows and then you end up a spirit only doing a walk on roles for runs.
-
"Trust me it could have been a lot worse, we still got what we were after. Only person left in the warehouse is a dullard that try to nick the goods. Now lets get the hell out of here!" Knives nervously looks about the van before trying to get a look at the shooter peppering the warehouse.
-
Dodging!
3 Reaction + 1 Dodge - 2 for Bike Seat = 2 Dice Pool
2d6.hits(5)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4351959/)
1 Hit :/
-
___Lumen___
You get anything good out of him? He still alive?
__Scawire___
The bloke looks at Dunk and your hastily improvised medical treatment and nods;
Smith wants to talk to you first, then we'll get you patched up. Get in the van.
__Both__
The intercom crackles and you overhear the driver co-ordinating what sounds like multiple teams, checking in with each one and getting status reports.
-
__Sillasion___
Pivoting in the seat as best you can lessens the impact of the blow somewhat, but the heavy blow strikes right across your exposed thigh and lower abdomen, causing you to wince and yelp as the air gets knocked out of you.
A searing pain follows the path of the strike, making you want to curl up against the attack.
resist 6P with impact armour
-
"Last I saw him he was still alive but wounds to the jugular can be a touch fickle. And yea I think we may have gotten a nugget of information out of him. That's for me and Smith to discuss. No offense mate, I appreciate the extraction but we've had a hell of a few days."
Knives turns his attention back to his companions, "Hang in there mates. Quick talk with Smith, get a few answers, then we'll get you two some proper treatment. You deserve it lads, ya done good."
-
Body 3 + Impact Armor 6 = 9 Dice Pool
9d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4353232/)
3 hits :'( this will hurt
Syberix shifts as the club connects - letting out a short scream in pain and grabbing her side as the club leaves it. She holds tight to Deet's jacket to attempt to keep balance with the pain.
-
Mantis turns off his stealth suit figuring he doesn't need to be hidden anymore since the ones outside don't seem to be wanting them dead.... but things change so best to stay on guard. Mantis grabs a seat inside the van waiting to see what the meet with Smith will be like.
-
___Lumen + Scawire____
The intercom crackles again and you hear the muffled sound of the driver chatting over the comm-net.
Two distant reports of gunfire carry over the still air, before one of the armed men re-appears from the safehouse, doubling back to the van.
Both armed guards jump in the back with you, nudging Dunk along the back seat to make room.
The sliding door closes and locks in place, casting the interior of the vehicle in a dim light from the ancient LED roof panel above you.
One of the armed men speaks up;
"Let's get one thing fucking clear shall we?
You guys got hunted because you were stupid. You've endangered our organisation and opened us up. Smith is seriously unhappy.
It's only the fact that you've got the data that is keeping you alive right now.
Hand over all your electronics, we need to make sure none of them are broadcasting. And don't even think about getting fancy about it."
He reaches into a side storage panel and pulls out a sensor casing, booting it up.
The van pulls away with a jolt, executing a tight turn which throws you about in your seat. The van ducks and weaves it's way back up the access road, dodging the pot holed surface as much as it could.
__Sillasion___
You take 3S damage and must test for knockdown as DV=BOD 3.
BOD + STR (3) please!!
-
Mantis decides since they can name the boss and the comm have.been compromized he hands over his comm to them.
-
"Yea here!" He hands over his com and opens his greatcoat, "You need the other stuff too? I've never been one for those fuckin things." Knives then empties his pockets other than his knives and slides his pack over to the man that spoke and unzips it for inspection. "Go nuts mate."
-
The armed man scrutinizes each one of your devices, turning the wireless off on your stolen weapons and electronics before running a tag eraser across your body slowly and methodically.
It pulses and clicks, creating an acrid smell of ozone as it fries the embedded tags in your clothes
Can't be too sure lads. We've got a bit of a drive, so get your heads down for a bit. Keep the wireless off until we get em cleaned up properly.
The van must have joined the main road shortly after he'd finished zapping your outfits as the lurching and swerving stopped and the road surface felt a lot smoother.
A few minutes down the road, you heard the screaming of sirens race past your van on the opposite carriageway, eliciting nothing but a long gaze at his wristwatch as they blared past.
Taking the man's advice, you do your best to get comfy in the cramped confines of the van's inward facing seats but it was hard to wind down after the morning's traumatic events.
Dunk managed to slip into a bit of a doze, his head rolling and lolling with the undulations of the road surface and the motion of the van but he soon gave up, waking up every time his head hit his chest.
Around forty minutes had passed before the van slid to a noisy halt on a gravel driveway. The awkward silence in the van made it feel more like a week had passed, and the cloying smell of stale cigs making the opening of the door more of a relief than it should have been.
The door slides open to reveal an old style country estate, a long gravel driveway wound it's way down the hill away from your house beyond a thicket of trees and looped around a sculpted roundabout complete with fountains by the front entrance.
The entrance itself was incredibly grandiose, marble steps led up to a wide wooden doorway, with one half of the doorway held open by a particularly well dressed man. A twin seater light aircraft sat at rest in the huge lawn to the right of the house, the condensation on its windshield showing it had been here for a few hours at least.
"Go on up, Smith's waiting for you in the drawing room."
The men climbed back into the van, slid the door closed and rumbled away at a slow pace around the roundabout and back down the long driveway leaving you alone on the gravel.
The well dressed figure by the door gestured to you to hurry up.
-
After all of his gear has passed inspection he packs everything back up in his pack. During the long ride Knives sits quietly and stares out the window. In his mind he retraces the events of the awful night that got them deported off of his home island. Once they pull into the estate he lets out a low whistle, "Swanky."
He hops out of the van grabbing his things and waits for Dunk knowing the poor guy will need help up those stairs. When they get to the door he nods to the well dressed man holding it open, "Lads in the van said to head up to the drawing room." He then looks to Dunks leg and back, "I hope it has seat covers."
-
Mantis fallows Knives to the estate, Bowing at the two suited guards. Well this should be fun, odds are we get chewed out then get a pay deduction or maybe we hit a break and see the intel was worth the KO and bullet hole. If we are lucky we might have a job to do soon, I do need some nuyen or rent will come and the pad will go and I'll have to get someone back home to clear my stuff out. Well lets see what we have waiting for us behind door number 1.
-
Knockdown test: Spending an Edge
Bod 3 + Str 1 + Edge Pool 3 = Dice Pool 7
7d6.hitsopen(5,6)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4355574/)
:'( That is terribly unfortunate.....
-
___Sillasion___
The force of the blow unbalances you, throwing your centre of gravity over your left leg as you double up in pain.
Frantically, you grab at the back of the bike with your right arm to hold yourself on, but your frantic efforts unbalance the bike.
Deet tries to compensate, but the squealing of tires precedes the tearing of metal on tarmac. You splay sideways across the bike, your feet catching on the road surface, flinging you away from the bike.
For a second, the sky and road rapidly change places with one another before a heavy impact smacks your head into the ground.
Resist 8S with BOD + IMPACT armour please {make it a good roll!!}
-
___Lumen + Scawire___
The butler shows an obvious distaste at your weary and shot-up appearance as you close the distance to the doorway.
He summons something with a gesture and as you reach the doorway, a decent sized medical drone wheels into view in the large and grandiose hallway.
The Butler speaks to you in a very heavily accented bout of English, though it's obvious English is not his primary language.
Bonjour Monsieurs, Messieur Smith wishes to speak wiss you upstairs. Please, Let se dronn inspect your wunds first.
As you step into the threshold of the hallway, the Butler takes your bags and you take a second to absorb the grandieur of the entrance hallway.
A huge, ornate wooden stair way provides the focus of the room, splitting left and right into the respective wings of the household.
The walls are plushy lined with somekind of hardwood panelling and adorned with classical paintings at regular intervals.
An expensive looking chaise longue stands next to the reception room directly to your right, which the medical drone does his best to encourage Mantis and Dunk into.
The butler re-appears from a small room below the left hand side of the staircase empty handed, obviously storing your kit there as you gawp at the high ceilings, expensive pictures and free standing statues.
Please, monsieur "knives", if you arr not 'urt, take se data to Monsieur Smith. Ee awaits in se west wing. Upstairs, on se left. first rum on your right. I assure you your friends will be taken care of in your absence.
Dunk waves his hands in surrender at the insistent drone;
You go on mate, I'll be fine here while this thing patches me up. Me and Mantis will be fine.
___Scawire___
At the drone's insistence, you head into the reception room as the butler sends Knives upstairs to deal with the Johnson.
Another high ceiling makes the relatively small room appear huge. It is plushy decorated in a pale blue colour, accented with creams throughout. A functional yet expensive wooden furniture suite adorns the room.
Several benches, some slightly more comfortable upholstered chairs and a drinks service cabinet line the interior three walls. The grey daylight filters through a huge bay window onto a smallish plinth around what appears to be a hastily improvised medical area. Various medkits stand open on a few metal stands that contrast with the largely traditional feel of the room, bottles of chemicals and packs of gauze stand on the one to the right as some form of dressing station. Your extraction team obviously called ahead.
The butler pokes his head in; Gentlemen, a drink for se wounded? Vot would you like?
Ushering dunk over to the plinth, the drone's speaker warbles commands at you before the butler changes its language settings to English.
Please undress. I need to assess your wounds.
___Lumen___
Leaving the lads for the first time since london made you twitchy, but you'd got this far and the extraction team could have gunned you down if they had wished.
At least you still had your fineblades if the shit hit the fan.
Each step upwards on the thick carpet made you feel more and more out of place. It was like some Edwardian palace or some shit you read in an ebook back in school. It literally was unreal how rich this guy you were dealing with was.
Reaching the top of the large stairway brings you onto a wide hallway making up the large west wing. About 5 rooms stretched away on each side of the panelled hallway, with a comfy looking seating area viewing the gardens through the west wing window at the end of the hallway.
The smell of food and cigar smoke beckons you to the slightly ajar doorway the butler told you was the drawing room.
-
"Yea mate I'll take care of it. You two get patched up." Knives slowly makes his way up the stairs taking in the sheer magnitude of opulence all around him. For this poor street rat who grew up on the East End this level of wealth was almost too much for him to comprehend. Everything he had ever learned from the streets was screaming to nick something and run. Luckily he knew doing so way out here was suicide and besides the one moral inkling he actually upheld was not biting the hand that feeds.
Reaching the top of the stairs Knives follows his noise to the delicious smells. He steps just inside the door and calls out, "Ello?"
-
The smell of cigar smoke grows stronger as you push the heavy oak door open a bit, its ancient hinges groaning against their load.
This room was just as opulent as the others, a massively deep sheepskin rug adorning the centre of the floor to break up the heavily stained wooden floorboards. A series of bay windows overlooked beautifully sculpted gardens, and a roaring open fire crackles and hissed on the far right wall between two huge bookshelves that dominated the rest of the room.
Smith stood with his back to you, looking out the window, propping himself up on the back of a chair. He'd apparently not noticed your entrance.
-
Knives takes a few steps in and crosses his hands behind his back. This time he projects his voice a bit louder, "Mister Smith your man downstairs said to come on up. I believe we have a lot to discuss."
-
He raises an arm to silence you mid-sentence.
You hear him murmuring as if talking to someone very quietly.
Audio-Only perception test please
-
Perception 4 + Intuition 3 + Enhancements 3 + Actively Listening 3 = 13d6
13d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4361128/)
If active bonus isn't applicable it drops to 2 hits.
Knives falls silent and tries to listen in.
-
"No, No, I told you. It's all under control now. Look, they're here. We've got the data secured. NO, I TOLD YOU, we won't let them fuck it up again. Right. No, he's just come in the room. I've got to go. I KNOW.
Smith turns round to face you, motioning to a chair next to him.
I trust you have the data I asked you for?
-
Knives pulls the comlink with the data out of his coat pocket and walks to the chair indicated, "Yessir I do. I know things got fucked proper but we deliver." He hands the com over, "I take it you heard about the fuckery this morning..."
He pauses expecting an explosion of obscenities, the usual beginning to punishment in the family... at least he won't get sent to Kent again.
-
"Mind your tongue sir. This is my home. To answer your question; Yes, I was briefed by your extraction team. Please, sit..
Brandy?"{He gestures at a half-full decanter with four cut-crystal glasses on the table and pours a small measure ineach of them}
He offers you a cigar from his case, lights one for himself and takes a seat opposite you, the dull light of the bay window catching the smoke particles and creating a mesmerising trail roofwards.
After a short gaze out of the window he speaks to you, still looking out at the tall fir trees in his exquisite garden.
"It is fair to say last night did not go well, but it is only fair to hear your side of the story. {he turns to face you now, looking you right in the eyes} Talk me through last night's events, carefully and truthfully"
His voice remains cool and calm throughout, but even a street monkey like yourself knows when he's in the shit.
Taking a long drag on his cigar he prompts you again;
"Go on.."
-
Here goes nothing...
Resisting 8S - Spending a point of edge
Body 3 + Impact Armor 6 + 3 Edge = 12 Dice Pool
12d6.hitsopen(5,6)=7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4361229/)
7 hits :) yay!
As her head hits into the ground, Syberix attempts to shift her weight - tucking in and rolling trying to lessen the impact of the ground rising up to meet her.
-
"I'll try sir." Knives moves over and sits in the indicated chair and graciously accepts the Brandy and cigar. He lights up the cigar and takes a big drag then slowly lets the smoke escape.
"Right then lets see... I guess I aught to start at the beginning. After we met you last we went out and did some basic recon. Got eyes on the place, nicked a passcard from some mid-level knob and the next night we went in. We came in through the car park, silenced the guard in the main lobby and then moved up to the second floor." He pauses and takes a long swig of the brandy and takes a few small puffs off the cigar. "See... here is where things get proper fu... umm... This is where things started to go wrong. We bust into a manager's office and the hacker goes to work but something bad fu... well let's just say the system got the better of him. Either way at that point alarms were goin off and we had to scramble to make sure we got the goods. Thanks to some quick thinking by Mantis he got the data while I held off a few guards."
Once again he takes a small pause to enjoy the expensive vices provided to him before continuing, "It was basically a mad dash to get the... fff.... to get out. We had to scrap with a few more guards and a couple drones 'fore makin it over the wall. After that we hustled down a few blocks to the docks. That's where Dunk comes in, he's the one downstairs you won't recognize. A van full of MMU... officers... pulled up right as we were getting to the docks. We haul a... run down and jump on the boat. Dunk drives off us off towards open waters. Around that time things start to get hazy. I remember fighting off some freezing a... spirit. I handled the spirit pretty smart then we started to go through the locks as they were closing and hangin on for dear life. Last thing I remember after that was feeling like I got hit by a lorry full of duracrete. Next thing I know we're in France."
He polishes off the brandy and eyes the decanter suggestively while taking another long drag from the cigar. "Need I go on?"
-
Smith looks long and hard at you, never breaking eye contact. The silence becomes unbearable.
Maybe a full minute passes before he acts, taking a swig of the brandy and another long drag on his cigar.
The Butler returns and thankfully breaks the awkward pause, carrying a small empty tray. He bows carefully to Smith and takes the spare measures of brandy on his tray before turning to you;
"Sir, do you have any dietary requirements for dinner this evening? Your colleagues are being treated by our medical drone at the moment. Do you require attention yourself?"
He leaves after your answer, leaving you with the contemplative Smith.
He returns to looking out the window again, his smoke trail dancing in the streams of light bursting through the grey low level cloud.
I believe what you say is true. I see you managed a difficult situation well enough under the circumstances. The loss of your team-mate has left many unnecessary ties to our meeting, and your subsequent failure to prevent your traceability has burned two of my safehouses, let alone painting a huge target on our heads. Now you may have heard the last of my conversation before you entered,
My...'co-workers'.. believe you are too dangerous an asset, that you lack the finesse we need to fight this organisation; and provide yet another loose end that needs to be tied up.
I however, disagree. I think that yourself, Dunk and Mantis have proved you have the skills and determination needed to make good runners. To be a strike team.
I'll get this data analysed and prepare our next steps. For the time being you are to remain onsite here, where I can keep an eye on you. You will be provided for on one condition, that you take another assignment for me.
{He takes a long drag on his cigar and motions with his cigar holding hand for you to respond}
-
Knives is grateful when the butler comes to break the silence, "Requirements, no but a steak would be brill thanks. I think I'm ok on the checkup but it never hurts to let it scan me."
Turning his attention back to Smith, "I certainly appreciate the opportunity. It's pretty clear there's a lot going on here that's over our heads. Oh yea speaking of... I'm not sure how much you know about the people that came after us but I may have a little tidbit to the puzzle. I had a hard talk with that tusk-wanker that showed up at your second place." He takes a long drag from the cigar and shrugs.
"I think another job in exchange for your hospitality is more than fair but I'll have to talk to the lads and make sure they're still up to it."
-
___Lumen___
A wry smile passes Smiths face,
Please, confer with your team, but I should let you know that unless you feel you can navigate France alone, whilst simultaneously being hunted by Interpol and members of my organisation and that of our enemies, then I bid you good luck. If not, Pavel will prepare you three rooms in the east wing until a better solution can be found. I would warn you heavily though, do not disappoint me with amateur mistakes like this in your second task.
As for your discussion with their agent, please elaborate.
___Scawire___
The drone removes the hastily improvised dressing that dunk had applied for you, spraying a cleaning gel and local anaesthetic onto the wound before removing the larger shards of detritus. Even with the local, it still hurt like fuck. You couldn't resist letting a scream of pain past your lips as a shard of fragmented bullet was removed.
The butler re-enters the room with cigars and brandy on a tray.
"For both of you. Are there any dietary requirements for dinner tonight?"
-
___Sillasion___
Tucking in as best you can, your armour and helmet take the brunt of the initial impact.
Sky and floor continue to trade places, brief flashes of the angry bikers around you swerving to avoid yourself and Deet, also scattered to the wind as sparks fly from the downed bike.
You come to rest, supine, in a thick patch of overgrown central reservation staring at the grey overcast sky.
Roaring engines disappear up the road, getting quieter every second.
The stillness after such noise is almost defeaning. Your fast, short breaths sound like artillery fire as your ears ring. Everything aches in your body and you feel an overwhelming urge to just sleep.
take 1S (great rolling btw!!) you're free to act, but i think you'll be at -1 for tests now due to the previous wound mods.
-
"Oh trust me the impossibility of it all has already crossed my mind. As long as we get some decent tech support mistakes will not be a problem."
"Well unfortunately he was not very talkative not to mention dumb as a sack of rocks. However I was able to get one little piece of information that could be of use to you. He was supposed to nick the data off of us and stick it in a dropbox. Gare du Nord, Locker 502 that's what he said. If I had to guess probably a train depot, maybe not.
-
"that is interesting. Good job. We'll get some eyes on it right away. It's the main train station in Paris, links with the Eurostar service to Brussels and London. You must all be rather tired.
Why don't you speak to Pavel, he'll show you to your rooms. Get showered, have a nap and meet downstairs at 7.30pm for dinner? It sounds like you could do with a good square meal"
-
"Ay sounds great. Just head downstairs then?" Knives takes one more long drag from the cigar then stubs in out in an ashtray.
-
"Yes, Pavel will sort you out with some clothing. In the meantime, if you need any equipment, please let Pavel know. We'll discuss the next steps once I've got this data analysed"
___Lumen + Scawire___
END OF CHAPTER 2
Congrats guys, been a long old mission, but you did it!
Please award your characters with 6 karma each. Lumen you get a bonus 2 karma for great roleplaying.
you are now in downtime, you count as fully healed and have a full edge pool to play with during downtime. it will refresh again at the beginning of the next mission.
-
The world spins as Syberix's world comes to a halt with her body. Somewhat disoriented by the noises and the abrupt halt she looks around... her mind turning trying to make sense of her still rolling thoughts.
*Bike.... Race....huh?*
She grabs her head for a moment focusing her vision on the cycles speeding away from her.
*Scheiße...Deet*
She stumbles up onto her feet, her movements still reflecting the rolling toll on her equilibrium as she begins to cast moving forward.
Casting Levitate - Force 5
Spellcasting 4 + Magic 5 + Specialty 2 + Mentor Spirit 2 - 1 Wounds = 12 Dice Pool
12d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4367295/)
4 hits (speed 20 meters per turn)
Resist 3S
Charisma 6 + Willpower 5 = 11 dice pool
11d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4367299/)
4 hits - all resisted
Syberix kicks up off the ground as her spell finishes, the land rushing beneath her as she moves to catch the speeding cycles.
-
You launch effortlessly into the air, maintaining your forward momentum with a graceful transition into a semi-flight.
The acrid smell of burnt rubber filled your nostrils as you ascended a short distance, enough to see the tell-tale snaking black tyre trails and a slew of broken chrome leading off the road into a small thicket of trees about 50 metres up the road.
A slow trail of hazy smoke escaped the low canopy of the thicket, but a sizeable hole had been punched through the undergrowth on the way in, two repeatedly overlapping tyre indents in the mud approaching it highlighting the bike's final resting place.
In the distance, the final reverberations of the passing bikes died to a whisper.
You were alone.
-
"Fuck...."
Syberix mind turns briefly, and she takes off towards the last area she saw the smoke, working her elevation higher as she goes to travel over the top of the trees.
*vith any luck, I vill catch sight on ze ozer side.*
The back of her mind, knowing at her speeds she won't be able to actually catch the bikes.
-
No exit hole could be seen on the far side of the thicket.
The bike must have come to rest within it. A faint haze of smoke drifted out of the canopy as you ascended over it, trying to get a better look.
-
Perception 1 + INT 4 +3 Enhancements + 3 actively looking - 1 wounds = 10 Dice Pool
10d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4376075/)
As Syberix closes in on the thicket, she lowers herself some, trying to peer into the thicket where the smoke billows out - looking for what she could assume is Deet or his bike. If needed she'll lower herself more, but not all the way.
-
As you descend slightly, you can make out what looks like the back wheel through the gentle movement of the canopy in the breeze.
Grunts of pain and animalistic snorting can be heard from below.
get the fuck away from me!!!
-
Syberix lowers herself down into the thicket, landing on a branch to catch a look for the individual making the noise and his surrounding assailants.
If the individual is Deet, She'll try to levitate him up out of the situation he's in.
Casting Levitate - Force 5
Spellcasting 4 + Magic 5 + Specialty 2 + Mentor Spirit 2 - 1 Wounds = 12 Dice Pool
Resist 3S
Charisma 6 + Willpower 5 = 11 dice pool
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If it's not, she'll fly off on her way, looking for any trails to follow:
Perception 1 + INT 4 +3 Enhancements + 3 actively looking - 1 wounds = 10 Dice Pool
And invisible castle is down again. I'll roll as soon as it's up.
-
As you lower yourself to peer through the branches, you make out Deet's large form, half crushed under the bike, frantically waving a stick at some unseen agressor.
Knowing that lifting Deet out of trouble would be impossible without shifting the bike first, you focus your energy into hauling the bike away from Deet
12D6F5 => [ 6; 4; 5; 1; 4; 3; 1; 6; 6; 6; 5; 5; => 5 success(es) against 5 ] = 5 | ones: 2 spell successfully cast
resist roll: 11D6F5 => [ 3; 6; 5; 1; 6; 5; 6; 1; 4; 1; 6; => 3 success(es) against 5 ] = 3 | ones: 3
The bike is still too heavy to levitate, all the chrome and steel weighing it down. Deet senses a shift in it's centre of gravity though and shouts and groans as he shoves it away from his legs.
His groans of exertion soon change to shouts of aggression mixed with animalistic growls. Deet shouted out in agony.
He was being attacked.
-
Syberix lowers herself down to get a clear view of what Deet is engaging but tries to stay as far off the ground as possible. No matter what manner of beast awaits her she beings to weave together a manabolt to launch against Deet's attacker.
Since Deet is free I'll drop the levitate on the bike. Once she has line of sight on Deet's attack (assuming it's just one) she'll launch a manabolt at Force 5.
Spellcasting 4 + Magic 5 = 9
9d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4376900/)
Damage: 5P + net hits
-
surprise and imitative please!
-
Reaction 3 + Intuition 4 + Increased Reflexes 1 = 8 - First one is for surprise the second for initiative.
8d6.hits(5)=2, 8d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4377877/)
Surprise 2 Initiative 10
-
You burst through the treeline just as deet swings a blow at a grey-skinned humanoid. The blow connects only lightly, the branch splintering before any real damage was done. The grey thing recoiled slightly, angling for a better position to attack the wounded Deet as both parties are startled by your appearance.
The beast stumbles backwards some paces as you continue to lower yourself, snarling and yammering some alien sounding noises at the the pair of you before hurling the large rock in its hand at Deet.
agi 3, throwing weapons 3, -2 range (4d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4381253/)
Deet does his best to dodge the incoming missile, but his busted ankle slows his escape. The rock smacks his good leg square in the thigh, eliciting a groan of pain.
11d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4381255/) resisted 3 of 4 stun boxes
Deet continues his hobble backwards, away from the beast as it sniffs the air, perhaps trying to detect your scent or pinpoint your position ready for another attack.
The beast backs away slowly, obviously aware it was outnumbered.
your actions please
you are not surprised as you'd heard the melee.
Deet is surprised and could not act towards you, the beast is not surprised and can act and defend against you.
beast: ini 13 1IP
deet ini 11 1IP
you ini 10 2IP
-
Knowing Deet won't be able to get away quickly and the damned thing will likely go find it's pack, Syberix falls back onto her original plan. She begins weaving the mana around her and launches it at the creature in consecutive strikes.
Going with a manabolt on Each pass. She drops the levitate on the bike as prior noted.
Mana Bolt 1 - Force 5
Spellcasting 4 + Magic 5 - 1 Wounds = 8
8d6.hits(5)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4381561/)
1 hit
Damage: 5P + net hits
Resist 3S
Charisma 6 + Willpower 5 = 11 dice pool
11d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4381565/)
3 hits - all drain resisted
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mana Bolt 2 - Force 5
Spellcasting 4 + Magic 5 - 1 wounds = 8
8d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4381567/)
4 hits
Damage: 5P + net hits
Resist 3S
Charisma 6 + Willpower 5 = 11 dice pool
11d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4381568/)
2 of 3 resisted :( I take 1S.
-
wil5, counterspell 1 (6d6.hits(5)=1) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4381619/) 1st attack dispelled
wil5, counterspell 1, -1 prior defense (5d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4381622/) 2nd resist, 2 hits
struck for 7P and knocked down
The raw force of your aerial assault slams the beast backwards into the undergrowth with a keening howl. Deet looks up at the sky and spots you, now only five or so metres off the ground, still brandishing his broken stick as an improvised club. I heard more howls!
Begin 2nd pass
-
The beast, clearly wounded, hobbles to its feet, scrambling backwards, snapping and snarling at the pair of you.
It begins to gesticulate wildly, mumbling as if incanting something. Instinctively, you know roughly what was coming next
force 2 acid stream: mag 2 casting 5 -2wounds (5d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4382586/)
A jet of acrid green liquid shot into being from the beast's pointed finger, its parabolic arc hurtling towards you.
dodge test please, counterspelling if available
-
Opting for the counter spell
Counter spelling 4 + Magic 5 + 2 mentor spirit - 1 wounds = 10 DP
10d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4385025/)
4 hits :D
She watches the creature as it begins to chant it's incantation, her mind piecing it quickly together. She begins to gesture in return and keep the mana from being driven to it's whim.
-
It limps as flees, snapping and snarling as it retreats into the treeline, obviously pissed off that you'd parried its attempts at attack so trivially.
Deet looks up at you, and you get your first real look at him.
he's clearly in a bad way, the bike must have careered off the road, sidewinding over the soft mud and high siding in the thicket of trees, crushing Deet's leg under the considerable weight of chrome, steel and leather.
His face is both filthy and grazed, an impact site present on the superior aspect of his helmet, his racing leathers battered and filthy. His leg caused the most concern though, his armoured racing boots were torn and battered. You could see the fragments of kevlar plating pulling through their housings, covered in mud and what appeared to be blood. Deet was desperately trying to take the weight off that foot, using the branch as a makeshift crutch.
Syb! Thank fuck you're alive. Thought that fucking Ghoul had me then. There's more of them out there, I could hear them yammering and yelping when I came round.{Shouts echo off in the distance as if to reinforce his point, he turns back to face you, grimacing in pain as he shifts his weight.} You alright? you hurt?
-
CHAPTER 3
___Lumen + Scawire___
The week had passed with relatively little excitement. Pavel and his medical drones had tended to your wounds, getting you back to nearly full strength.
A mixture of medi-chines and good old fashioned surgery had gotten rid of the bullet fragments, reduced the bruising and you were left with little more than a stiffness and an occasional ache.
Pavel had sourced your equipment as requested, and a steady stream of visitors had come and gone throughout the week to meet with Smith.
You felt deliberately kept out of the loop, as if Smith either didn't trust you with the developments, or didn't want to sully your recovery with the thoughts of the next steps.
In the meantime, you were given the freedom of the east wing. Your rooms were generously proportioned, though the high ceilings meant it was rare that you ever felt warm in the house. The beds were comfy, the food was good and there was always something on the Trid you could watch to pass an hour or two.
It was only a few days before the boredom began to set in though, thoughts of home and your responsibilities beginning to cloud your mind.
Pavel summoned you to the dining room on the Sunday, where you were to meet with Smith.
-
The dining room occupied a large chunk of the southern aspect of the building. The last rays of the weak autumn sun disappeared behind the trees of the beautifully sculpted garden, casting an orange and green glow across the room, the oranges being augmented by the roaring open fireplace occupying most of the eastern wall.
The decoration of the room was more understated than the rest of the house you had seen so far, it was still expensive and classy, but the oppressive oak panelling was nowhere to be seen, instead replaced with a rich royal blue patterned wallpaper and understated silver lined ornamentation and pictures. The paintings were mostly portraits, ruffed men and corseted women from bygone eras of fashion, the odd picture of large sailing ships filling out the remainder of the paintings.
A large mahogany table dominated the centre of the room, chairs for 12 people easily dwarfed by it's sheer mass. Only four of the places were dressed for dinner, a wider range of cutlery and implements adorned each of the respective places than you had ever owned for any of your flats or bedsits.
Pavel follows you into the room, beckoning for you to sit.
"Bon soir, can I get you any wine sirs? Messieur Smith will be along shortly"
-
Mantis gives Pavel a smile. Ya I'll take a glass of what you got, thanks. Mantis takes his spot at the table and awaits for the boss to grace Mantis with what he hopes will be a job that will take him from the Trid life back into his joyful shadows that he loved to run in even with all the KOing of himself it was fun.
-
Knives saunters in and flops down in one of the lavish chairs. He gives Pavel a nod, "Yea mate that would be nice." Looking around the room at the portraits he chuckles to himself and says, "Oy you suppose he actually knows these people. Always makes me wonder when ya see old paintings like this..."
He slumps in the chair fiddles around with the cutlery on the table. It's pretty obvious he's starting to get antsy being cooped up in this mansion for a week.
-
Looking over Deet, Syberix's face contorts in an almost comical fashion and she sticks her tongue out slightly.
*Ick...*
"Fuck man... I was fine. Tuck and roll - not my first time bailing off a moving vehicle...."
her attention diverting for a moment, "Though normally it's a train... and I'm prepared..."
she snaps back to him. "BUT! You're alive...." Her attention turns to his leg, "mostly...."
She pulls in the mana in the air around her, crossing herself backwards.....
Casting Levitate - Force 5
Spellcasting 4 + Magic 5 + Specialty 2 + Mentor Spirit 2 - 1 Wounds = 12 Dice Pool
12d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4390373/)
3 hits (Speed 15 meters per turn)
Resist 3S
Charisma 6 + Willpower 5 = 11 dice pool
11d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4390375/)
All Resisted. :)
As she finishes, the pressure is taken off Deet's legs as she lifts him slightly off the ground. She raises herself up.
" 'Er you go... that's better than a stick.. Ain't no time for that when we have ghouls comin."
She offers Deet a large grin as she raises them both back into the air.
"So where the fuck were we going?"
-
___Sillasion____
Deet looks at you quizzically as you stray off topic slightly, relieved when you snap back to the present.
Yeah, my ankle took the worst of the hit, got it stuck under the bike. Its fucking agony. You got any pills on you?
The look of panic on his face was priceless as you begin to raise him up into the air, totally new to being casted on, he has no idea where to place his centre of mass and begins flapping wildly, trying to stay upright
B6, S5 (11d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4390514/) resistance roll (unwilling), you get 1 net hit and raise him up
"Syb, what the fuck are you doing to me?!" He shouts; almost horizontal and panicking.
The shouting draws more unwanted attention; the sound of multiple things running through trees and undergrowth approaches to your left.
-
__Scawire + Lumen____
Pavel pours you a generous glug of red wine into the rightmost of your glasses and heads to the serving hatch on the east wall, opening the small service lift and retrieving some aperitifs; small finger food obviously meant as a starter.
He serves them to you both with a short bow before leaving the room.
Seconds later, an impeccably dressed Smith enters through the large wooden door behind you with the rythmic clicking of well heeled shoes.
"Terribly sorry I'm late chaps, how's the wine?"
He takes a seat opposite you and pours himself a modest glass of red and tucks into the apperitifs.
"Roast beef for dinner tonight, I trust that suits you both?"
-
Mantis takes small sips of his red wine, and would love to have the taste of tobacco blending in with the drink but decides that is not the best course of action right now. With the bit sized food presented to him he starts to Ork down the small food, Might not been seeing action for the last little bit but I got to admit the food is worth the down time. Mantis hears a clicking of heels coming their way. With Smith in the room Mantis wipes off some food off his face to make himself a bit more presentable. Roast beef would be great, not like me to complain about any of the food, you got some nice eatery here that is for sure. Mantis waits for a bit before going back to the shoveling of food in his mouth encase he has to make conversation.
-
Knives takes a sip of the red wine and makes a face. This pricey stuff is wasted on a pallet born and raised on the East End. He nods to Smith, "Yea Roast Beef sounds just peachy. Wine's alright if ya like that sorta stuff. Now please tell me you've got some work for us. Don't mean to sound ungrateful but I never done so much sittin around in my life."
He eyes one of the aperitifs and sniffs if before popping it in his mouth.
-
"Well I'm glad you like it, I grew it myself, from the vineyard onsite"
Pavel returns shortly with a soup entreé, it smells like the canned soy-version of potato and leek soup you remember from your childhood, but about six-million times better.
"But I'm sure you're not here to learn about wine. {turning to pavel}Thank you Pavel, could you bring up my projector?"
Pavel nods and returns shortly as you tuck into the warm soup, the crusty demi-baguette was vastly superior to the soy-wheat shit you normally had with jam on for breakfast.
"Firstly, I have to congratulate you on your resourcefulness. With your colleague disposed of, you did well to retrieve this data alone. {facing Mantis} Mr McMullion, you forced one of our enemies' agents into a sloppy mistake. He created a data trail and your recovery of this led to his detainment. From him, we have learned much of their organisation, though much remains shadowy. What we do know is that they are technologists par excellénce.
I lost three good operatives back-tracing their infiltration of your commlinks; and these were not amateurs by any stretch of the imagination. Understand this, you are expressly forbidden from engaging with their operatives in the Matrix. You are both far too useful to me to end up dribbling brain-wrecks like my other operatives.
{turning to face Knives} Mr Britt, think back a while to the warehouse you had to shake down. We have traced it as one of many routing hubs this group appears to have ties to.
We'd had it under surveillance for quite some time, and the recent increase in interest from outside parties such as your own family confirm we were right to be suspicious. The primary shipments they are interested in appear to be those of a magical nature; artifacts, raw materials, archaeological finds etc.
We don't know exactly what it means yet, whether it has any links to their motives or whether it is how they finance their operations, but your colleague here {gesturing at Mantis} was also involved in a fracas with their agent at the same warehouse. It does, however, corroborate our own suspicions of a darker mind behind their organisation. They go beyond organised crime, up the political chain and subsume and co-opt services from people as high up as the Lord Protector himself, or so we believe."
He lets that hang as he started on his soup, tearing into his baguette and buttering it before dunking it into the thick and hearty liquid.
The room fell quiet for a while, only the clang of cutlery on fine china bowls broke the silence.
Pavel returned with the projector, popped it onto the far left side of the table and cleared your bowls, speaking to Smith. "Sir, please signal when you are ready for your main course"
Smith nodded and powered up the projector, opening up a holo-terminal from it.
One of the three operatives that lost his mind to them managed to backtrace their signal to a routing post in the south Paris ghetto. It appears they have their own shadownet, a type of VPN separate from the main flow of Matrix data. We were only able to triangulate the signal to a rough area before our operative was taken out in a codewar and the signal terminated.
The holoterminal springs to life, a large scale map of paris zooms down to an aerial shot of ancient crumbling tenement blocks, semi-flooded streets and what looks like a shanty-town of sorts.
so much for the glossy brochures you'd seen of paris, the area looked like a total shit-tip.
Unfortunately, we cannot give a precise location, their broadcasting equipment must be located somewhere within 500-750 metres of this position. It has to broadcast a long way, so we know it will require power from a source more reliable than the ghetto can provide, think generators, batteries, solar and so on. It will run hot, so look at the buildings in the thermal spectrum. It will be of great importance to them, so expect it to be guarded.
Once you locate the broadcasting antennae, I need to you install this device {the image of the ghetto dissapears, replaced by a generic looking black box with an antennae of its own} covertly into it and flick the swtich on the right side of the device upwards twice. This device will record the outgoing signals and re-broadcast them to a commlink within about 75 metres away, give or take for interference.
You'll need to secure another commlink out of sight within range of this for us to be able to receive and decode their signals. Whatever happens, this requires absolute discretion. They are not to know about our subversion so you may only engage in hostilities as a matter of preservation. Go in quietly and do NOT leave a trace. Do I make myself clear? good...
Any questions?
-
Mantis does his best to be respectable well eating the fine meal that has been prepared for the meeting, the thing is he is an ork will little to no Etiquette skill, he continued to eat sloppy and at times a bit loud. With Mantis hunched over his plate like some army of trolls where going to come and steal it from him he listens to the mission. Mantis sits up when the offer for questions is presented. There is some things that I will need to know, first I have no thermal graphic vision tech or eyes, do you Knives? If not we might need something in that area. Second are you willing to provide the comm link we are linking this spying black-box to, since my new comm link is a bit low on it's abilities. Third what kind of ride into and out of this area are we looking at?..... Mantis scratches at his chin as he starts to run through the new mission mentally. If we get those settled I'd say I'm in, its about time to hit the shadows again. Mantis is not a negotiator and he is too stir crazy to turn down the run so he doesn't hold back on getting on board like he would if he thought a Face could get the nuyen flowing a bit deeper into his pockets.
-
___Sillasion____
The spell holds despite Deet's attempts to get back down to ground level, and your gentle instructions soon get his confidence up.
It's not long before he relaxes into it, sliding through the air.
The pack of ghouls hurl their crudely fashioned spears through the treetops as you make good your escape, climbing slowly until their furiously launched projectiles trouble you no more.
Chanting and incantations erupt from below you, with Deet disabled and the bike in an unknown condition, the situation looked grim for his pride and joy, now several hundred yards away from you.
Gaining altitude, you see that the procession of bikes is nowhere to be seen, most likely lost to sight in the long tunnel through the foothills in the distance.
You chirped merrily to a seriously unhappy Deet that you at least had some form of motive power, slow as it might be. It wasn't long before you'd picked up the end of the crumbling motorway into the abyss of the dead zone, using it as a landmark to trace your route back to civilisation. The strain of maintaining the spells for hours was beginning to make itself known. A banging headache replaced the mild one your hangover had gifted you with this morning and you felt your strength beginning to ebb.
Off in the distance, an arrow straight line cut through the twists and turns of the minor roads and foothills; a small town visible on the far side of it.
One thing you knew intimately ran on those arrow straight lines, and it wasn't a car.
"Chavanne" read the sign at the railway siding. A small commuter station with a tired kiosk awaited you at the far side of the small village.
Traffic was light on the main road through the town, but you hadn't wanted to risk the attention of floating over the houses and streets none the less. Last thing you needed was the French magic unit blue-lighting their way out to give you a "welcome home" party. The race had been well lost, but your gear was still in Chelles. You had no idea what kind of reception you'd receive if you headed back to the club to retrieve it. Perhaps you'd just stay on the train right past chelles and head into Paris to meet Jean-luc. Either way, you'd have some time to ponder your next move.
Deet was in a bad way, his busted ankle had swollen massively within the ruined casing of his boot, and he'd clearly lost a lot of blood into it, even the lining had turned a deep red.
He responded less and less to your questioning, his face contorted with pain as you'd limped him towards the station.
The old LED screen on the platform informed you that a passenger service to Paris was due at 19.21, a little over an hour away. You were sure you wouldn't be the only ones to board it, and neither of you looked in a great state to be seen in public.
You'd seen a few rusted freight cars on the old sidings, but had no real way of knowing when or even if, a freight service was next coming down this stretch of line. Either way, you weren't spoiled for options....
-
Knives slurps down his soup and baguette while listening to Smith... He shakes his head when Mantis asks him about thermographic capabilities, "No such luck mate. We'll have to pick up some binoculars or a camera but no big deal. I ordered a few extra burners so I can just have one of them relay the signal. I think I got it... find the joint, plant the thing, flip the switch twice, stash a com, don't get caught. It's probably a good idea to go full com silence for this one. I don't know any better way to make sure there is no trace."
He leans back and stretches, "Yea it would be nice to know what kind of ride we'll have. Sounds like we'll have our fill of covert surveillance."
-
"Good questions; Dunk will remain assigned to you. He has shown great skill and tenacity in completing his last job and has agreed to work for me. He will be provided with a vehicle suitable to your target area.
I will provide the commlink and there will no doubt be numerous industrial suppliers in and around Paris you can get thermal goggles from. Speak to Pavel before you leave. Mr Britt, any questions from yourself?
No, no, its quite alright, save your 'Link. we've got a suitably well encrypted weatherproof 'Link for you to use. Pavel will supply you with this before you leave."
-
Smith gestures over his wrist 'Link interface and Pavel returns, walking briskly to the service hatch. He serves you the traditional British Sunday roast, except that this time it is real beef.
Thick gravy adorns the veg, a large Yorkshire pudding stands proud at the head of the oval plate. It smells divine.
"Do this job well and you'll soon be back in good old 'Blighty. Ah I do love a roast on a Sunday"
Smith tucks in hungrily, gesturing for you to do likewise.
Small talk soon takes the place of the business talk, Smith filling you in on the results of the 'Spurs game last night. They hammered Fulham at home, a whopping 4-1.
It turns into quite a pleasant evening, the wine flows and the cigars appear after a lemon tart desert, though as the clock chimes for 8pm, Smith bids you good night.
I depart tonight and so wish you all the luck in the world. Please, do not fail me, this job is of the utmost importance. I'm sourcing you a guide; you two will stick out like a sore scottish-cum-cockney thumb in that ghetto {he says with a smile}. We have a few suitable candidates and will proceed once they have been briefed. In the meantime, get some rest.
-
Well scratching his chin he wipes off some of the great meal he was having then sticks his finger into his mouth. Well that will solve a big part of my concern, but three things jumped into my mind. One we don't speak the language and second can we get us some snaps of the garb the people in the area are wearing might help for the blend in part of this. Last I was wondering since we are most likely going to buy a small token of gear can we get some of the nuyen I hope you are paying us up front? Mantis goes back to sucking the last of the tasty meal off his index finger.
-
Smith glowers at you; The area is massively deprived. The population is mainly made up of displaced french speaking africans, mainly Islamic. Islamic attire will no doubt draw the least ire. We'll see fit that your guide will speak French.
As for the thermal kit; No, You've had enough cash out of me. The gear itself will cost no more than a couple of hundred nuyen. Consider the money I've spent in housing and feeding you this week, that is ample payment.
And for god's sake man, get your mucky paw out of your mouth in my company!
-
Knives suppresses a chuckle as Mantis gets reprimanded. "No worries Mr. Smith we'll handle the thermo. The guide aught to be enough to show us what we need to get started." He nods as Smith exits and leans back enjoying his post roast cigar. *Man I'm really gonna miss these things once I get back to the Old Smoke... Can't beat a set up with really real fuckin' meat and choice smokes...*
He looks around the room, almost saddened to think of having to leave but he knows better than to dream of a life like this. His life is out there... in the streets... in the shadows...
-
"I bid you good night. Please call Pavel if you require anything. He will remain your point of contact in my absence. Good night gentlemen, and good luck."
He leaves you alone in the dining room and through the heavy wooden door you can hear a muffled conversation with Pavel.
The crackling of the open fire is soon replaced by the irregular spluttering of a large engine, before it settles into a roaring high pitched drone.
You jump to your feet to look out the window at the source of the cacophony, seeing the light aircraft take off from the long lawn-cum-airstrip, its wings waggling slightly in the crosswind as it gains altitude.
Before long all you can see are the navigation lights flashing in the dusk, the realisation that you were soon to return to work began to set in as you realise the holoprojector on the far side of the table is still displaying the map of the Ghetto.
-
With Smith gone Knives' brain switches to work mode. He pulls a chair right up to the holo projector and begins studying the area. After a few minutes he speaks up without taking eyes off the map, "Oy Pavel can you hook us up with some last minute supplies or should we plan a shopping trip into our outing?"
-
I am under strict orders not to leave the house until Monsieur Smith's return.
I can put you in touch with a supplier in Paris however. Your colleague Duncan is almost done with the automobile if you would prefer not to use le TGV.
-
She offers a heavy sigh and tries to convince Deet to keep on just a bit longer.
"Common'... we need to get over to one of those cars... we can't go sittin' here looking like this....and fuck risking more trouble..."
She helps him off and over to the side of the station, helping him up and into one of the side cars. Her aching body and throbbing head make helping the injured orc even more of an ordeal than it would have already been. She cringes and crawls in after him...
"Man... that shit went bad fast... Sorry 'bout your bike... That blows....but... I'm going to clean us up.... just relax..."
*Zis.... sucks...*
She takes a breath and presses through her throbbing head to cast for the last time for the evening...
Casting Makeover on Myself - Force 5
Spellcasting 4(6) + Magic 5 + Mentor Spirit 2 - 1 wounds = 13 Dice Pool
...13d6.hits(5)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4392619/)
I just botched to hell and back...
Resisting Drain 2 S
Charisma 6 + Willpower 5 = 11 Dice Pool
11d6.hits(5)=6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4392621/)
Resisted Drain though
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Casting Makeover on Deet - Force 5
Spellcasting 4(6) + Magic 5 + Mentor Spirit 2 - 1 wounds = 13 Dice Pool
13d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4392622/)
3 hits
Resisting Drain 2 S
Charisma 6 + Willpower 5 = 11 Dice Pool
11d6.hits(5)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4392623/)
Only resisted one
Her head pangs again, looking down over herself it seems she only made it worse... her head throbs harder and her body aches more from the over exertion...
she looks him over
*At least I have him done right...*
"Deet.... You want me to see if I can find a street-doc? I got shit for nuyen though...."
-
Mantis waits until the boss has left the building then finishes off his finger cleaning. That was a good meal..... Ok job time..... wait are we even getting paid? Mantis kind of looks around the room then figures his stay at the pimped out house. Well could be we are earning our rent we just used up, and well if we do this right he might hire us again this time with pay. Mantis is shocked he never found out about pay, but just like he thought he had been living rent free and he is living since they dug some lead out of him the could have made his whole living thing suck a bit. Ah we will see, time for work.
Mantis goes over to the map and tries to remember as much of it as he could. I wish I still had Butler 2.0 working I loaded that thing will all the maps I thought I would need..... Mantis thoughts are drawn to the reason he first bought the maps as an aid to try and find his wife that went missing, the sadness hits him but he has always been good at hiding any of his pain over Jennifer. After a good look at the map doing his best to get a feel and a visual of what the area is like Mantis asks Knives. I know it is early on this one but are we thinking kind of the same idea as last time when we go in spell, and spirit cover from me.... And no comms maybe the transceiver we picked up if needed. I do have two other spells that might come in handy a Physical Mask spell to make us look like almost anyone and the second is a Influence spell.... Ha Ha... I had to use that before the meeting I met you at some bobby was ID running me and my ID put me up shit creek. Just thought since we seem to be working together best you get a idea of my spells I have. Mantis thinks for a bit. Well we both almost died together I guess I'll give him the list. After the quick thought. For future planing here is the list of spell I have.... I really wish I did learn that levitate spell to late now. I have 3 combat spells, a stun bolt power bolt, and since neigh one does anything to drones I just picked up a lightning bolt. I have the ability to see through animal senses, control animal.... ....Ah my little buddy he be gone........ I have a heal spell best use that after any medkits or the medkits get a bit fishy on what was wrong, and the last three are the ones I just told you. Well that is it, thought you best know encase you see an angle with my spells I don't. I also still have that crazy bug spy drone but if this group iced some big time hackers best not have the little guy go on a look see and sing to the bad guys we showed up.
Mantis looks over at Pavel. I vote for the car, if we get to infiltrate the place I can suit up in my black stealth suit. Best keep it out of sight at until we go in.
-
"Hmmm I think the car is a better idea too. More private, more accessible. Yea Pavel if you could get us with your supplier that would be brill. Just need a few pieces of gear... maybe more depending on what we find in the ghetto..."
After Mantis' run down of his magical abilities Knives' nods, "Good to know mate. I'll try an keep that in mind. Maybe usin animal senses could get us a good look without having to get close. Grab up a rat and have him go take a look instead of sticking our necks out. Yea I like that sound of that... Going in the same way will probably be our best bet but never can tell till you get eyes on the mark. Though if there's security around it and you can make one of us look like one of the wankers guardin it could be handy."
He stands up and stretches, "Too many ifs to worry about until we get there. Let's get a copy of that map and go check on Dunk. I dunno about you but I'm ready to get back to work."
-
____Sillasion____
The freight cars look ancient and decrepit. The bogeys appear to have rusted onto the section of track they've clearly been standing on for years.
Very tall weeds poke through the gaps in the sleepers and up into the holes in the chassis.
An old bulk carriage about a third of the way down the ancient convoy had lost a door on the far side, revealing its innards to you.
Hauling Deet's large frame up into the doorway took a huge effort, Deet was fading and fast.
The day's exertion was beginning to show in your spellcasting too. The long "flight" out of the badlands had taken a lot of sustaining, having left its mark on your aura and your body drained, your makeover spell went of only half cocked. You manage to scrub the worst of the crap off your self, looking somewhat close to your intended self, but far from your image of glamour.
Redoubling your efforts with determined grit made a huge difference to Deet though. He cleaned up pretty good, the muck and detritus from the crash was soon gone and the infusion of mana washing over him seemed to liven him up a bit as a bonus.
Syb, you're a star. Thanks for bailing me out of the shit back there. One good bite and that fucker would have had me. I owe you girl, big time. {he grimaces as he shifts his weight, leaning back slightly at he swings his foot up into the carriage from his sitting position on the ledge of the doorway}
*argh* I'm fucked up good. My foot feels like burning hell. I can't walk no-more on it. I really need a doc or summat. *agh* Paracetamol or something would be good as a start though. You got anything on you?
Gingerly, he slid himself backwards away from the opening of the carriage into the darker recesses. The smell of wet dog was overpowering back there, a collection of blankets, newspapers and food wrappers showing that someone {or something} probably called this place home.
____Lumen____
"Absolutemént, ee works on an appointment-only basis. For when shall I arrange a meeting?
Monsieur Smith also asked me to return sese to you, ee says his contacts have fully cleansed them, no chargé this time, but ee said to be much more careful" {he hands you both your commlinks, cases shiny and clean, almost factory spec}
As you ponder the holo-terminal, you see the mapsoft chip inserted into the drive and install a copy onto your cleaned-up link.
//Bienveneu au France! Please visit your MSP node for data-roaming charges.
You have:
5 new messages
1 missed call
1 missed invite
Have a good visit to France!//
-
"Hmm appointments? That depends on how long it takes to get to Paris from here... and I'd like to give the sight a once over first. Tomorrow, maybe day after, preferably early evening." He takes his com, "Thanks Pavel."
*Missed invite? The lads should have been told I was run off, who the hell could it be?* Knives goes through his missed messages and such starting with the invite.
-
Pavel hands back the two runners comm links. Arctic I downed so much nuyen in this thing I was hoping sooner of later to get the little butler back. Thanks Mantis looks over at Knives. I think your right we best not run head first into this op too quickly we could get burned bad, best to play this one smart. We should get moving on the leg work. Mantis gets ready to head out to the gear grab then to the mission of locating the target sight.
-
Knives stands up and nods to Mantis, "Exactly mate. It's bout time we got started." He then turns to Pavel, "Make that appointment day after tomorrow, say sixish."
He takes a few steps towards the door, "Come on Mantis, lets go get Dunk and get on the road."
-
Mantis give a bow. Rodger that. Lets roll.
-
"Eh, If I hadn't lost my hold you woulda been better for it. Glad you're not pissed honestly..."
She walks over and takes a look at his leg..
*Drek... I have nozing on me for zis.... *
"Nothing on me... all my Drek is back in my bag...You don't happen to have a street doc you know about?"
-
__Lumen + Scawire___
"Very well sirs, I shall make the appointment and send you over the confirmation. He is around 40 minutes away in light traffic.
Duncan is outside in the garages, past the stables to the left of the building."
Pavel bows slightly at the hip and takes his leave.
__Lumen___
The missed calls and invite was from your old pal Jimmy, the missed invite was to a VR meet that expired two days ago.
__Sillasion__
We were well outnumbered there, don't worry about it. Surprised a little lass like you lasted so long to be honest.
We all got involved in it as a stupid fucking ritual. A lot of good lads never survive their first run but its the only way to earn your stripes and get up the ladder in the gangs. You get a run or two under your belt and you're a vet. You get the best of the trafficking runs, can make some serious mint. Deet grunts as he half props himself up against the back of the carriage, wriggling himself into a slightly more comfortable position.
Sure, it looks suicidal to outsiders, but plenty of lads don't make it through their first gun run. Either the coppers get em or the deal goes south, or they get ambushed by one of the other gangs and stuff. T'isnt an easy life y'know? He smiled at you, the first smile you'd seen since the crash.
There's a lad on the far side of Chelles that's fairly handy with a medkit. Patches the lads up when they get back from their runs. You probably shouldn't show your face back at the club though... Alpha had a lot riding on you today.
-
"Thanks Pavel, we'll find him." Knives heads outside following the butler's directions. Once he gets to the garage he walks right in and yells out, "Oy Dunk, where ye hidin mate?"
-
Mantis quietly fallows Knives to the garage and get in the back of the ride. Hope it is not to hard to blend in to the area, a once over look at the poplulation should help get some idea on how to blend in.
-
___Lumen + Scawire___
The gravel crunches softly underfoot as you make your way around to the garage. The outside lighting clicked on automatically as the last of the weak autumn daylight faded out, leaving you in for a pretty chilly night.
In the distance you can hear the soft whirring of the perimeter security drones doing their patrols, their forms partially obscured by a low hanging mist over the gardens.
Rounding the the corner of the great country estate, you see the bright work lights of the garages shining bright, a collection of flying beasties attacking them furiously. Soft rock was audible above the clatter of tools on metal, and some badly out of tune singing joining in on the choruses.
The nose of a pretty ancient looking car poked out of one of the garage bays, bonnet up, exposing a dark and dirty ancient looking engine.
As you get closer, you see two legs sticking out underneath the far side of the car, the dayglo oragne coveralls smeared in oil and brake fluid.
Dunk slides out from underneath to greet you as your crunching footsteps draw closer.
Alreet lads? How's it goin?
He climbed off the slide board and stood up, wiping his oily hands on his overalls.
and grabbing a steaming brew off the work area further into the garage.
A shimmering holoterminal displayed AR wiring diagrams and a large tool case lay open, its contents scattered into semi-organised piles.
Not exactly a beaut is she? {he said motioning to the car} She's a junker, got her fer aboot toofefty quid. S'no bad price really. Had 'te take the decent doors off 'er tho, replace em fer shitter ones after I heard where we're off te.
He motions off to some white doors on the far side of the work area and back to the mismatching coloured ones, noting the rusted panels.
Wi' two 'jocks and a cockney on board, we dunnae want te be drawing too much attention in durka-durka land now do we? {he chuckles heartily, taking a big swig of tea.}
Soo lads, what's the plan?
-
Mantis smiles and Dunk doing his grease monkey thing. Well it is good that you found something to pass the time I was starting to get stir crazy these last two days. Mantis is greatful that he was out of running in such a great place or the last two days would have started alot sooner and been alot more intense. Well as I see it Dunk we need to look over the area we are going to try and sneak around in, figure out what we should do to help blend in. That how I see this going today later we will find the target site then hit the place.
-
As they approach the old junker Knives lets out low whistle, "For fuck's sake Dunk... I aven't seen a rutting heap of rubbish like that in ages... Should be perfect!" He perks an eyebrow at Mantis, "Well it won't be that quick. We need to take our time on this one, we'll go in get a look around an find the target. Day after next we got a meet for some equipment by then we need to know what we're up against so we can stock up proper. Gotta keep our heads down on this one lads, no fuck ups."
-
Syberix lets out a sigh with a partial grimace on her face looking at Deet and listening to him.
*At least I have survived... and Deet has...*
"A lot riding on me? Hell, You and I kinda got the bad ride." she lets out a half hearted laugh, " I wasn't planning on it though, Deet... best not to after you Frak up a job like that. Not much I could do though... At least you should still be well received..."
She pauses and looks down at his leg, "Well... uh... Do you want me to go get that Doc? I mean he doesn't know me... and Alpha might be there.. Doesn't look much like you'll be going anywhere, and I kinda got hop again tomorrow..."
-
Looking over the car Mantis figures it should be able to blend into the slums. We should take a quick look over the slums just to get an idea about the area then head back here for some rest. Mantis decides to gun a smoke as he waits for them to leave for the slums.
-
___Scawire + Lumen____
Aye, she's a heap 'o shite alrite, but at least these hacker boys cannae ruin our nice drive 'round tha slums 'o paris.
Clutch is fucked though lads, best give me tha night te get her finished up and then we'll be reet to head off in tha 'morn.
A peaceful night awaits.
You take the opportunity to get a decent night's kip before the shit hits the fan and retire to bed early. After a light supper of left over roast beef in crusty bread sandwiches, and a catch up of the world news 'cast on the trid, your head starts to bob and your eyes shut.
That fucking cockerel was at it again, "cock-a-doodle-doo" was the last thing you needed at 6.55.
Streaks of weak sunshine penetrated the heavy curtains, casting rays of daylight across the floor and duvet.
Sounds of activity could be heard all around, the domestic drones seemed to be hard at work downstairs doing a spot of vacuuming and the low rumble of an ancient combustion engine could be heard through the window, even when closed.
The faint smell of breakfast was on the air, encouraging you to get out of your pit and get into action.
ok, state any legwork stuff you wanna do now before departure, otherwise just give me a kitlist and i'll move you on after breakfast.
-
Once Mantis gets up for the day he grabs himself some breakfast, as he eats he does his best to scan over the map he was given and his own map on his Comm link to get an idea of the lay of the land. When he finishes his breakfast he heads to his room and gets his gear together, but before he does he asks Knives. So the plan is to come back to the mansion before we hit the target site right? If he finds out they will return before they hit the site he will not bring his stealth suit.
OOC List for my gear is in the OOC thread.
-
"Yea mate... The way I see it we go ride around today and check out the area, come back here for some sleep. Then tomorrow after the meet with the supplier we really get to work pro" Knives quickly scarves down his breakfast and gets all his gear together.
-
Pavel had pulled out all the stops this morning, a glorious full english awaited you in the spacious and well lit kitchen.
A pot of proper coffee stewed on the hot plate, the zing from it a million times better than the usual soycaf shit you drank.
Dunk popped in for a brew as you wolfed down your brekkie.
Alrite lads? She's ready. Clutch was a fucker to sort but she'll get us there and back alrite.
I'll be in the garage oiling her up when you're ready.
07.42
The gravel crunches underfoot as the nightlighting clicks off. The low hanging mist had settled in the undulations of the sculpted gardens, giving them a ghostly ethereal look. A thick dew had settled on the tops of the grass, giving everything that "just washed" gleam. The dawn had broken and the birds were singing their little heads off in the trees. The air felt fresh, if not bloody cold, but it definitely was one of those good-to-be-alive mornings.
As you approached the garage, the sound of soft rock was gone.
Dunk had the boot open ready for your kit and was dressed in very casual clothing, barely perceptible armour plates giving the material a slightly clunky appearance as he moved around the engine, fine tuning and tweaking stuff.
Just fiddling aboot lads, ready when you are. Whats the plan then? We just having a wee look around today?
-
____Sillasion____
18.30 hours
How long's that train gonna be? about an hour wasn't it? It'll take fucking hours to get him out here by the time you get there, find him and catch another train.
I'll get one of the lads to pick me up and take me, go on girl, you scarper. I'll be alright for an hour or two, but then I'll give them a call the second that train leaves. You'll probably want to be long gone by then.
-
After breakfast Knives loads his things in the car, "Yea Dunk for today we'll just have us a nice cruise around the area. Until we get thermo we can't put eyes on the place but we can at least narrow it down I'd think. We need to be nice an invisible today lads..." He looks down at his typical suit and greatcoat outfit and looks back to Dunk, "An maybe get me some clothes that don't stick out so much..."
-
Mantis looks over his clothes. I think we just do some driving around, stay in the car as much as possible. See what everyone has for clothes, and keep an eye out for buildings that look like they have something valuable inside them or at least seem big enouph to sport our power supply. Mantis gets into the car and gets ready for the drive into town. I think if we drive through the neighborhood a few times we should get a feel for the place maybe grab lunch then do another drive through. Atleast this car shouldn't stick out too much not like a limo in the slums that is for sure.
-
Dunk smirks at Lumen's get-up. Aye, ye'll stick out like a sore thumb doon there!
08.01
He packs your stuff in the boot and you all hop in the ancient junker, Mantis riding shotgun, knives in the back right, behind Dunk.
The ancient vehicle stunk. It was somewhere between rancid body odour and mouldy cheese, but whatever it was, it wasn't good. You sincerely hoped you didn't have to go far, which turned out to be the case.
Traffic was starting to hot up on the motorway into Paris, the usual monday morning grind reminding you of a life you'd not lived in a long long time.
Dunk's sighs and tuts signalled he was as pissed off at the hold-up as you were. He was trying to tune the audio centre into a decent trid cast, but all that came out of the two working speakers was some random yammering in foreign-ese.
The grind soon became unbearable, Dunk swinging off at an out-of town retail park on the southern ring road, following signs to a Mega EuroMart.
Knives mate, you said you wanted te pick up summat less conspicuous? Now's the time.
Let me know what kind of thing you'd want, the shop sells basic clothing in a multitude of styles from 20NY up to 100NY for smarter wear. It has a line of industrial wear which features light armour plating and chemical resistance at anything from 75NY up to 500NY depending on what you think you need
-
With the stench flowing through the ride Mantis cracks the window a bit to help release the fog of stink from the car..... Well that didn't really work but atleast the smell might help with our blending into the area for any dogs that are still alive in the area. Mantis kills a smoke well they three drive into the area. Looking out the window Mantis takes in the scenery. Once at the store Mantis decides to grab the cheapest black shirt and pants he could find.
I'll have Mantis buy one extra shirt and pants..... later to put dirt on when they get back to the hideout from heaven.
?? So Like 20 nuyen 40 nuyen for 2 items???
-
Knives tries his best to cover the horrendous stench of the junker by chain smoking, lighting one smoke off the other. His leg bounces impatiently during the traffic stand stills, it's pretty obvious he's sick of sitting around. Once they pull up to Euromart he gets out and takes a big stretch, then nods to Dunk, "Yea mate this'll do just fine." He takes a while picking through the racks clearly unimpressed.
I'm looking for something along the lines of arc resistant clothing. Like 1/1 Armor and 3 levels of Non-conductivity, whatever they have available along those lines.
Also if EuroMart sells smokes throw in two packs ;)
Finally done Knives comes out and leans up against the junker, when Mantis comes out he nods, "How bout you take the back this time mate? In case you need to do your thing while we're cruisin."
-
_lumen_
The clothing department is pretty lacklustre. The best you could find was proper safety gear, festooned with broadcast RFIDS and high vis panels to stop you from getting flattened by a construction drone. It wasn't cheap and you were pretty sure it'd be even more conspicuous than your usual suit and jacket look.
Eventually, you come across a premium technicians' outfit in dark grey that comes with basic chemical protection, insulation and non-conductivity
treat it as rating 1 for all those and 1,2 for armour (ballistic, impact)
It's on the steeper end at 200NY, but it was the best you could find outside of a specialist retailer.
-
*Bollocks figures the only decent threads cost as much as my first suit..* Knives reluctantly forks over the quid and gets changed before exiting the store.
That's perfect.
-
Once Mantis has his clothes he grabs a hand full of dirt and throws the dirt into the bag. I don't want to be wearing new clothes in the slums we are going to hit. With that Mantis lights another smoke this one seems to taste a bit better with the stench of the car a few steps away and not invading his nostrils at the moment. As he smokes his cig he shakes the bag of clothes and dirt from time to time to try and get the shirt and pants into the roll of the slums. With the last of his cig done he grabs the back seat of the car.
-
The PA played shitty pop music at you as you mooched around the shop, flicking through the clothing racks.
Grabbing the kit you need, you spot dunk at the sales kiosk grabbing some smokes and a soycaf and promptly do the same.
please deduct the appropriate amounts from your total cash reserves
By the time you'd got sorted and back in the car, the traffic had started to die down a bit. 20 minutes down the road, you'd found the source of the commuter's nightmare. A lorry had rear ended a car, closing one lane.
Once you'd cleared the grind, dunk's mood improved. He even started tapping his fingers to the beat on the steering wheel to some shitty French rock.
Soon, the road quality started to drop off. AROs flickered and failed above the store fronts and the quality of the parked cars declined to the point where yours looked in mint condition.
All sorts of stragglers, waifs and strays occupied the crowded streets, congregating in cramped cafés and sheisha lounges. The shop fronts were signed up in all sorts of foreign script, even the French had been drowned out in amongst the Cyrillic, or'zet, Eastern European and Arabic adverts and store fronts.
You'd arrived..
-
Once Mantis sees that they have made it to the site he does his best to look around without making it too obvious that he is checking the area out.
Visual perception Test
Perception (Visual) 1(3) + INT 2 + Vision Enhancement 3 = 8
1 hit from ( http://rolz.org/ )
hey no link to the dice rolls and I can't see what the rolls where, how do we know if we glitch???
I was checking we could try the "repeat 8 1d6" where the 8 is the number of times you roll this will show all the dice you rolled. Your call CS
If Mantis notices anything he will use his vision magnification to get the best view of the place if needed.
-
Once Knives starts recognizing the signs of the ghetto he switches his com to run on silent mode, only broadcasting to the team and his equipment. He scans the streets keeping his eye out for the usual tells of the street thug, one who's done it night after night for years knows what to spot. As they cruise around he'll light up a smoke from time to time and he tells Dunk to drive kinda zig-zagged through the whole target radius.
Perception 4 + Intuition 3 + Enhancements 3 + Actively Looking 3 = 13d6
2 successes
Knowledge: Underworld 2 + Intuition 3 = 5d6
1 success
Knowledge: Gangs 2 + Intuition 3 = 5d6 Don't know if this counts so far out of his turf but worth a shot
1 success
Well using random.org really sucks
-
Gangs seemed to be the same wherever you went. There seemed to be a few round here, mainly black, some Arabic looking, but they stood on the street corners guarding their turf just like you'd seen all over Britain.
The turf markings they left were relatively subtle.
Changes in the graffiti showed the demarcation of each patch, a no-mans land in terms of gangers enhanced the demarcation and confirmed your thoughts.
Either these gangers were incredibly respectful of their neighbours or they were bowing to some higher power.
Even in the east end, borders were hotly contested, each gang patrolling the edges of their patches and intimidating their rivals.
For such a shit tip of a slum, the borders here were too clean and clinically defined.
You don't have to drive too far in before you start to feel wandering eyes on you. You begin to notice you haven't seen another white skinned person in a while, and have barely seen anything bigger than a moped actually driving on the road
-
Mantis takes the sites with a small frown on his face. This is not looking good we don't have a single white guy anywhere..... I'm thinking I will have to pull out a physical mask spell to keep all of us from looking out of place. Of course that mean that a hoard of people will be looking at us under a spell and that is not too safe. Unless we can get some place high to look at this site from a distance. Mantis grabs a smoke from his jacket, the stress from trying to figure out the angle to take for his run needs some soothing. So guys see any white guys, I haven't. So any of you see a hill of a distance location we can survey this place with out stepping foot here. Mantis stops looking a the ghetto and starts looking at sites in the distance where they could check this place out with out being in gang turf.
Perception Visual
Perception (visual) 1(3) + INT 2 + Vision Enhancement 3 = 8
HELL YA 6 hits.
-
___Mantis___
All around you is gang turf, you see the signs; graffiti, burly armed thugs, dodgy deals going on in alleys.
The average building height here is around 2 blocks and you're going to struggle to find any decent sized hills in the middle of a city.
You saw your best option to scan the place was going to be from the roof levels, either by air or by getting inside one of the buildings.
-
Knives will pull up the sat view and start marking gang territories as best he can. "Now that ya mention it no I haven't... You got a point mate, even with the junker and the threads we still stick out like black bollucks on a white dog. Fuck me... we gotta change the plan gents... ideas?"
He pulls out a smoke and draws in deep. He keeps his eyes on the streets trying his damnest to make sense of it. "This could just be me mates but it looks like all these gangs are playin real nice with one another. Too nice, like something meaner is callin the shots. It smells like some conspiracy...just like he said..."
-
"Oy Mantis, how are your climbing skills mate?"
-
Dunk takes a look around as the streets take a turn for the worse.
Fuck me lads, we're proper in the shite on this one. We're in durka durka land here, *laughs* we could do wi' a couple o' them bhurkas eh?
-
Mantis gives out a laugh. Climbing never done it before, I could give it a try but there is no way I can keep a spell going and hope to climb anything. If we take the angle of casting a Physical mask spell we might get spotted if any mage or spirit notices us so that is not a great idea but it is an idea. Mantis keeps his eyes open for any attack coming the way of their vehicle. I say we got our first look, we best get out of here before we have too many eyes see that we are the white guys in the black gangs turf and decide to start carving us up for some street docs next organ drive.
-
"Bloody hell I forgot your mojo! Problem fuckin solved lads. We tuck in an alley next to the tallest shit heap in the hood, you work some of that mojo my way making me invisible, then I scurry up and have a look see and Bob's your uncle! After that we split. Though add Nanopaste disguise kits to our shopping list tomorrow, preferably already durka flavored. " Knives leans back and puffs his cigarette, confident in his new plan.
-
Mantis sits back in his seat happy the car has not been attacked yet. So you want to turn invisibile right now or on the next survey? Mantis wants to make sure before he starts chucking mana around.
-
"No not right this second ya knob. Let's pull up beside a tall building out of sight." Knives studies the surroundings looking for the tallest building.
Perception 4 + Intuition 3 + Enhancements 3 + Actively Looking 3 = 13d6
13d6.hits(5)=6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4406794/)
When he spots one good enough he points it out to Dunk, "That's the one mate."
-
All the run down tenements are about 2 stories high, none particularly having a great height advantage over the others. From the street level you can see what appears to be a mixed use block with a roof terrace. A chinese food servery dominates the ground floor, though the clothes hanging from cabling out the windows across the alley way show that at least a couple of the residential units above it are occupied.
A small alley separates it from the adjacent building, a run down looking tenement also probably of residential accomodation.
Dunk pulls up, the ancient brakes squealing in protest at the rusty calipers halting the wheel's rotation. As you pull up, the grimy windows of the chinese servery show that its probably about 1/3rd full. A couple of customers are standing in line and a few are sitting at the various tables inside. The pedestrian traffic on the street is light, mainly Asian looking people with the usual mix of down-and-outs and Metas going about their business.
-
Mantis grabs a cig from his jacket. Well seems like we are here. So you want an invisibility spell, ok no problem. Keep your transceiver on I'll keep mine on too. Mantis puts his transceiver into his ear, and lights his smoke then casts his Improved Invisibility spell onto Knives.
Imp. Invisibility Force 5
Spellcasting (combat ) 5(7) + Magic 3 = 8
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4407397/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4407397/) 1hit
Drain (f/2) +1 = 3 Physical
Willpower 5 + Logic 5(7) + Daredrenaline 1 = 13
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4407399/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4407399/) 6 hits no drain
-
"Yea mate let's do this." Knives sets up his microtransceiver, checking to make sure it works correctly. Once he slips on his gecko gloves and the spell has been cast Knives wills the ambient mana into his muscles as they bulge with new found strength. Now that everything is set and ready Knives begin the task of scaling the wall, trying to keep as quiet as possible.
Attribute Boost (Str) 3 + Magic 5 = 8d6
8d6.hits(5)=6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4407506/)
Strength Currently: 9 (Aug max)
Climbing 1 + Strength 9 + Assisted 2 = 12d6
12d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4407507/)
Well that sucked...
-
Mantis looks at Knives..... .... Not to sure how well the spell is going to work best to put plan be in motion too. Mantis takes a drag from his smoke. So Dunk how does the spell look to you, I'm thinking might need a small spirit to aid him too. Should have done that before I cast the spell, Oh well better planning next time. Mantis shakes his head as he thinks he should of called a spirit first. I guess I get a small guy to aid Knives. Mantis sends out his mental call to the astral planes of the Man Spirits.
Summon F2 Man Spirit
Summoning (Man) 3 (5) + magic 3 - sustaining spell 2 = 6
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4407520/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4407520/) 5 hits
(Was not expecting that.)
VS
Force 2
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4407522/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4407522/) 0 hits
Drain Min 2
Willpower 5 + logic 5(7) + Daredrenaline 1 = 13
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4407523/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4407523/) 4 hits no drain
Once the Little man spirit shows up to aid the runners on this mission Mantis give the little guy the mission. Hey little buddy this friend of mine here. Directing the Spirit to Knives he needs you to keep him under your Concealment power. Mantis gets a big grin on his face.... Also well you are keeping him concealed Fly your self up into the air and take a look at the surrounding urban area. Mantis gives a small mental picture of the area the team is to look at to his new little friend. See if using your Thermographic vision you can spot a building in that area that has a larger heat signature then any of the other buildings in this urban area. Also thanks for coming to aid me when I put the call in for help. Mantis is happy with his two missions for the little Man Spirit helper and decides to take a long drag of joy off his smoke.
-
Knives scuttles up the wall as quickly and quietly as he can.
Climbing 1 + Strength 9 + Assisted 2 - Flat wall 2 = 10d6
10d6.hits(5)=5, 10d6.hits(5)=7, 10d6.hits(5)=2, 10d6.hits(5)=4, 10d6.hits(5)=5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4408339/)
I think it'll only take four of those rolls to get to the top.
Perception 4 + Intuition 3 + Enhancements 3 + Actively Looking 3 = 13d6
13d6.hits(5)=7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4408812/)
-
___Lumen____
If you're trying to be quiet, can I get an infiltration roll as well please?
The gecko kit found a firm bite on the ageing masonry, allowing you to get up to the roof level without too much hassle, glad to be away from the putrid smell of rotting food from the back of the chinese restaurant's refuse area.
Hauling yourself up onto the roof, you're presented with a fairly unstable looking flat roof.
Puddles of rainwater have collected in large depressions, tears and partial collapses litter the roughly 50sqm area of the roof.
A small hatchway leads down into the interior, but the rusted exterior and quality of the roofing mean it'd be a risky escape strategy.
At least the view from up here is good, you can see right along the rooftops of the nearby buildings and down across the adjoining streets.
It all looks like much of a muchness from up here, rows and rows of shitty tenements, decrepit shops and bars showing the place at least had a little soul.
Through a gap in the tenements, you see off to the west the beginnings of a market place, a few stalls and pedestrian traffic milling about can be seen at your full zoom and enhancement range.
___Scawire___
I will do your bidding Orc-Kin.
His shimmering form coalesces in front of you, making a small gesture towards the source of the dust and debris coming off the old building as Knives completes his ascent.
It rises into the air, causing gasps and shouts in French from the pedestrians on the street.
The shouts draw the attention of the diners, the few in the queue dash over to the window to see what the fuss is about, following the pointing crowd's line of sight into the sky to see the shimmering spirit scouting the area.
Jesus Mantis, light a fucking firework why don't you? tell them we're here why don't you? For fucks sake lad, we're supposed te be keeping a low profile here!
sorry mate, but it has to manifest on the physical plane to be able to perceive in anything other than astral sight
-
Derp, yea sorry about that
Infiltration 3 + Agility 6 = 9d6
9d6.hits(5)=5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4408980/)
-
___Lumen___
As you take in the view, startled shouting from down below draws your attention.
It takes but a second to follow the crowd's line of sight.
A shimmering spirit form shoots up into the air, seemingly oblivious to the chaos it's presence is causing at street level.
-
Oh Drak this is not good. Mantis tries to think quickly. Hey little helper quickly go back to astral space and put a concealment power on yourself I'll call you when to search the area for buildings with the highest thermal signature later.
-
___Scawire___
People start pointing their commlinks at the shimmering form, taking pictures and making calls, clearly excited about today's "big event".
"As you wish"
The Spirit shimmers as it's manifested form fades back to the astral.
I count that as three services
-
Knives rings in over the transceivers, "For fuck sake lads. We better pack it up now before the six o'clock news comes to interview us. Why don't you lads circle round to the other side and I'll meet ya there. Let's get outta this shit pile." He stands there for a few seconds invisibly rubbing his temples, then skirts around the outer wall over to the far side. Once there he starts climbing down the other wall.
Climbing 1 + Strength 9 + Assisted 2 - Flat Wall 2 = 10d6
10d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4410465/),10d6.hits(5)=1, 10d6.hits(5)=2, 10d6.hits(5)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4410466/),10d6.hits(5)=2, 10d6.hits(5)=4, 10d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4410468/),10d6.hits(5)=4, 10d6.hits(5)=4, 10d6.hits(5)=5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4410474/)
Well those were horrible rolls luckily no botches but it took 8 checks to make the same threshold.
-
___Lumen___
<<From: Dunk>>Aye Aye
You hear the engine growl a bit as it pulls off from its parking position and disappears out of sight behind the buildings.
The crows below you begins to swell as people come out of the shops and lean out of the windows to see what the fuss is all about.
You see a few of the first on-the-scene crew explaining to the latecomers what had happened, pointing in the direction of the disappearing car and its parking place in front of the restaurant before pointing up into the sky.
Turning your back on the spectacle below, you see the aged and decrepit roof in front of you.
This was going to take some care to cross safely.
I'll need an AGI + Gymnastics please, -3 if maintaining stealth.
-
*Shit this roof is dodgy, better not muck this up ol boy.* Knives focuses once more drawing in mana. He pulls the energy into his joints, feeling them loosen with new found alacrity.
Attribute Boost (Agility) 1 + Magic 5 = 6d6
6d6.hits(5)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4411034/)
Yikes almost a glitch. Agility Currently 7.
Spending an edge.
Agility 7 - Defaulting 1 - Stealthy 3 + Edge 3 = 6d6
6d6.hitsopen(5,6)=0 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4411037/)
Well shit, IC is pretty unrelenting today.... Guess I'm getting down the fast and noisey way.
-
___Knives___
The warmth of the mana infuses your muscles, goading you on with new found confidence.
You try your best to stick to the obviously safe areas, but even from your vantage point, you can see the middle section is clearly hazardous.
Tip toeing your way over the partial collapses and tears in the roof cladding, the roof begins to groan.
Hurrying your pace, the groans turn to a series of cracks. Sensing all was not well, you do your best to vault a large puddle but nothing happens as you jump.
The floor falls away slightly beneath you, giving way just as you push off, leaving you momentarily stranded in the air before gravity cruelly returns.
Your right leg rams through something, your chin hits the floor and for a moment you are dazed.
A cloud of dust obscures your vision, and a searing pain in your right ankle returns you to your senses.
Resist 3P with bod + impact
-
Body 5 + Impact 10 = 15d6
15d6.hits (5)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4411051/)
Take 2P
Damn IC cut me some slack.
Knives lays still for a second after falling. *Fuck me running or falling rather...* He slowly gets back to his feet and tries hobbling the rest of the way across.
-
Your ankle screams in pain as you do your best to free it, but it takes a good couple of minutes before you can get your body twisted round enough to lift the shattered roof spar from above your shin.
Sodden cladding and ancient nails scratch at your leg as you work it free, but eventually it comes loose.
Panting for breath and fighting through the pain, you lie on your stomach on the broken roof, planning your next move.
A memory of an old trid springs into mind, a firefighter laid on his stomach on the ice of a lake to rescue a kid, or something...
You stay on your front, shifting your weight slowly and carefully, inching your way across the roof
Dunk pipes up on the comms,
Where the fuck are you lad? We've been here ages and we're drawing a few stares.
After a good few minutes you reach the other side, looking over the parallel street.
It looks much the same as the side you came from, the conjoining alleyway to your left, the front entrance of the restaurant directly behind and below you.
You can see Dunk's junker parked up on the far side of the street, Mantis and Dunk looking around trying to get a bead on someone or something.
___Mantis____
Dunk pulled away slowly, trying not to attract the attention of the crowd.
People started to lean out of their windows, come out of the shops and the restaurant to get a look at what was going on.
The first couple of people began to relay their stories to the latecomers, pointing at the car as you pulled away before pointing back up into the sky.
Fuck. We're local news now pal. FUCK.
Dunk looked into the rear view mirror, adjusting it as he drove to see what kind of attention you'd dragged up.
Rounding the corner twice, you pulled down the street to the far side of the restaurant. The far side of the building obviously shared the ground floor, but the commercial unit had long been out of service.
Boarded up windows and graffiti provided the only decorations this side.
Dunk parked up on the far side of the road next to a small convenience store, anxiously tapping the steering wheel and looking around.
Come on knives, get a move on lad he said to himself, before pinging a message over the comms.
A couple of minutes pass before an ancient pickup truck roars up the street. towards you.
Dunk freezes as he sees it.
Fuck.
You count three in the Cab and can make out at least another couple in the flatbed.
-
Ove The Micro-Transceiver he lets Knives in on the situation. We Got 3 hostels moving in with a flat bed truck. Just thought you should know we might have a fight on our hands. Mantis shakes his head thinking he should have known the spirit had to materialize to see the heat of the buildings. I need another run at Magic Theory class. I think it would have been good to get a pistol class to, could use one of the pistols I got a hole in the shoulder from instead of my magic. Mantis waits to see how bad these 3 hotels are going to turn out to be.
-
The pickup rolls by your car, the occupants staring at you as they go by.
They turn right, possibly heading for the scene on the other side of the building.
perception test please
and its hostiles btw, a hostel is a cheaper version of a hotel :-)
-
Knives' response came back in a low growl, <Keep your fuckin knickers on, the bloody roof collapsed under me... Bout tore me fuckin leg off. If you mates need to jet and meet me somewhere do it, otherwise sit tight. I'll be down in a shake.>
Scaling down a sheer wall with a busted ankle was going to suck but not as much as getting murdered in a French ghetto. He takes in a deep breath as he begins his descent.
Infiltration 3 + Agility 7 - Modifiers 3= 7d6
7d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4411638/)
Climbing 1 + Strength 9 + Assisted 2 - Flat brick 2 = 10d6
10d6.hits(5)=3, 10d6.hits(5)=3, 10d6.hits(5)=3, 10d6.hits(5)=4, 10d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4411639/) That totals 17 hits in 5 checks.
-
Mantis is still kicking himself mental for not knowing his magic craft better then what he has been doing.
Perception
Perception (visual) 1(3) + INT 2 + Vision (Or Audio) Enhancement 3 - Sustained spell 2 = 4 (6)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4411678/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4411678/) 3 hits (1 hit if you drop the last 2 dice for audio instead.
OOC Ya I can't spell very good and spell check only catches 90 % of my mistakes. Watch for my binding using incest stick instead of incense sticks got a good laugh out of the other runners on that one.
-
Mantis decide to ask Dunk Hey you have any idea how to say "Liberate the poor" in French? Not waiting for Dunk to reply he decides to do a quick 'Trix search on how to say "Liberate the Poor" in French.
Data Search>>>> how to say " Liberate the Poor"
Data search 1 + Browse 6 (Optimized to 5) - Sustaining Spell 2 = 5
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4411706/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4411706/) 1 hit
-
___Mantis___
You spot a variety of melee weapons badly concealed on the gangers as they pass your truck. Baseball bats, big knives, the full works.
As you ask your question Dunk looks at you quizzically;
Not a fucking clue mate. Why? what you planning?
<<Metro Translate service 1.12b>>:
//Approx translation is:
"libérer les pauvres"
You now have {3} free uses left on your trial period.
Have a nice day!
For offers on linguasofts and our professional 24/7/365 translation services, visit our node {{here}}//
-
___Lumen___
Your ankle aint too happy with bearing your load as you swing your leg over the aging brickwork.
The gable end crumbles under your wieght, sending bits of broken mortar cascading down the side of the building.
Clicking the gecko into descent mode, you slide slowly down the outside of the building, trying your best to keep the squealing of the gloves to a minimum as the bricks slid past
weirdly enough there appears to be no test for assisted climbing down, just rappelling!
we'll just treat gecko kit as being intelligent enough to have a "down" setting similar to rapelling.
You land the descent gracefully, waiting for a healthy gap in the light foot traffic utilising the pavement sidewalk for you yanks :-).
-
Knives limps on over towards Dunk's junker, <Alright mates I'm streetside, heading your way. Mantis can ya open the door and let me crawl in the back? I need to see after this ankle on our way back.>
*Wow that was a quick response from the locals. Not five minutes went by before a truck full of uglies were on us. This run better go off smooth or we're all fuckin dead.*
-
Mantis repeats how to say the French words a few times and saves the link and makes sure he can hear how to say the words a few more times. Well with me coming up with plans the sometimes turn south quick lets see what Dunk has to say. With the phrase fresh in his mind he tells Dunk his plan. Well the spirit is out of the bag in this part of Paris, why not take the focus out of this one area. My plan was to have the Spirit appear say the phrase "libérer les pauvres" above this part of Paris. Then use all his serves up by getting him to repeat that phrase "libérer les pauvres" 3 times as he moves through all of Paris say every 5 blocks. This will spot light a spirit across Paris and not just this one area. Well what do you think? Each time Mantis says the words he does his best to get the French accent just right so the Spirit can pull off this job. Mantis keeps repeating the phrase mentally doing his best to accent each work correctly.
Just let me know when you are at the back of the car. When Knives tells Mantis he is at the car Mantis will open the back of the car from him.
-
Sounds a wee bit bonkers te me, see what knives has te say aboot it
After a few seconds, hear hear a gentle tapping at the window.
Dunk hits the central locking and the door opens and closes again. Much grunting and groaning ensues, the car rocking slightly as the invisible Knives shifts his weight around on the back seat, trying to get his busted ankle into a more comfortable position.
I cannae get used te working wi you two, invisible people and shiny spirits are just too fucken weird haha
Dunk's shoulders bob in a rythm with his laughter, genuinely amused at the bizarre situation he'd gotten into recently.
Aye, if ye dunnae laugh aboot it, ye'll cry reyt?
So, lads, where to now?
-
When Knives gets into the car Mantis decides to take Dunks advice and asks for Knives feed back. So I was thinking the spirit drew some heat on this part of Paris. I had a plan to spread the heat out around the whole of Paris by getting the spirit to manifest say. "libérer les pauvres". Which means liberate the poor. Then have the spirit go all around Paris saying this. Maybe it will draw a spot light off the spirit being hear and make it more of a City wide spot light. So what do you think? Mantis sits back and waits to hear if Knives has any input.
-
"Yea Dunk still used to this bein' invisible stuff myself, sure comes in handy though. Mantis that sounds like a good plan to play off that whole spirit mess. I hope it at least got the info we need. Ya fancy gettin rid of this mojo now?"
Knives sits back and elevates busted ankle then pulls out his medkit to try to keep it from swelling too much.
Only at 2P so thankfully no penalties yet.
Medkit 6 + Logic 2 = 8d6
8d6.hits(5)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4413298/)
:-\
While I'm at it might as well see how much stun I take from the Attribute Boosts wearing off.
Resisting 3S for Attribute Boost (Strength) then Resisting 1S for Attribute Boost (Agility)
Willpower 5 + Body 5 = 10d6
10d6.hits(5)=2, 10d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4413300/)
So that should put Knives at 2P and 1S and we just got started on the legwork :P
"Shit, this ain't stoppin the swelling... I don't suppose you saw any street docs on the way here. Let's just get out of here for now. Until we get our thermo we're just begging to be caught if we stick around this ghetto." Knives lights up a smoke, "Think ya can find us a bar that speaks the fuckin King's English?"
-
Heh, there's bound te be an irish bar somewhere. There's a fuckin irish bars in every big city of the world. Like a bloody plague. Serve good Guinness though!
-
"Long as it's not here and I can get a pint it'll work. Hell might even catch part of the game... Unless you lads have some bright ideas I think we're stuck until after our shopping. "
-
Well there's no gridguide on this old junker. You lads able to get us directions on your Link?
-
Mantis drops his Invisibility spell that was on Knives and his fellow runner shimmers into view of the two. Ok might as well give the spirit his job. Mantis know the man spirit wont do much more for hims so he give the spirit the job. Two things little helper. First astrally fly over to the other side of the urban area I showed you mentally. Materialize and thermal scan the area showing me mentally the building in this area with the highest heat sig. Second well doing this Scream "libérer les pauvres" how ever many times it takes you to find the highest heat sig. When done screaming it above this area start inwardly spiraling around Paris saying the same thing "libérer les pauvres" the same amount of times until you spiral into the center of Paris. Only move 10 blocks until you scream "libérer les pauvres". When you finish at the center of Paris your job is done. Mantis recaps for the Spirit. One scan for the Highest heat signature in this area. Two on a spiral into the center of Paris Scream "libérer les pauvres" every ten blocks until you get to the Center of Paris. Ok that is it little buddy, Thanks for your help. Mantis stretches his back and notices the dank smell of the car again. Ok Guys the little spirit is on mission best we cut out of this area of Paris. I think this little guy is going to be on the news now.
-
Mantis pulls up a map of France on his comm link, and gives his Agent a command. Slicer MD could you browse the map soft for bars in Paris and take verbal commands from Dunk. With that the Agent starts its work on the map soft Mantis had bought when he thought it was going to be easy to find his missing wife with a few maps and a picture of her to search for, no such luck.
-
___Mantis___
I will do my best to honour your wishes, though it is entirely beyond me what you wish to achieve by such bizarre tasks....
The spirit shoots into the air, causing the passers by to scream and run for cover.
<<Search agent v.7.34>>//I have found three matches for the term: Irish bar, within {20 miles} of your current location.//
Show results? y/n
Refine Search y/n?
-
Ya Show the results and Tell Dunk here how to get there once we decide on the bar. Mantis decides to light up a smoke. The spirit doing this weird job might make the spirit seen in this area as a mage doing a protest against the poor and maybe give a bit of smoke screen to the real reason it appeared in this area.
-
Slicer MD boots your Commlink's sat-nav suite up, grabbing a fix and popping up another notification about roaming charges.
Dunk opens the throttle and eases the old junker off its resting spot, half on the pavement and half on the road.
Within a minute of pulling off, Dunk looks in the rear view camera a couple of times before spinning round to look through the rear windscreen.
"Friends of yours?"
You hear the blaring of a horn and the revving of a knackered sounding diesel engine behind you.
-
"For fuck sake... what now..." Knives sticks his head up and looks out the back window.
Perception 4 + Intuition 3 + Enhancements 3 + Actively Looking 3 = 13d6
13d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4413526/)
"Fraid not mate. I'm fresh out of friends. Wait... are those the wankers from before?" With a simple motion he draws his taser into his hand and watches the vehicle closely, keeping his head up just enough to see.
-
Well this could get bad. Mantis looks back at the vehicle fallowing them to see if he can get a good look at them and maybe estimate what trouble they might have.
Perception
Perception (Visual) 1(3) + INT 2 + Enhanced Vision 3 = 8
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4413603/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4413603/) Wow not one hit and like all but 2 rolled as a 4.
<<<I really don't see much at all.>>>
-
Looking out the rear windscreen, you see the pickup truck from before, still three up in the cab and carrying passengers in the back.
They are swerving, tailgaiting, blaring their horn and signalling at you to pull over.
-
"Look alive lads! If we don't do something about these sodding wankers soon we're gonna have an incident... I'm really not in the mood to gut a half dozen slots. Oy Mantis think you can sling some of your mojo at the driver? I'm thinkin if you can distract him and I pop the front wheel should be enough to make em crash. At the very least it should slow em down."
Knives zooms in to the front tires, the chances that a old junker like that in a shit town like this would have run flats was slim but you never know... From his trouser leg he pulls one of his ceramic knives out and hefts it in his hand, getting reacquainted with the weight and feel of the blade. Balance is the key to any good throw.
-
Mantis looks back to get an eye ball on the Driver Are you sure you want me to throw magic it will tip our hand that we where behind the spirit. Just a thought if you still want it I'll throw away. Mantis runs his brain trying to think what could do the job with out mage. Lets start with the popping of the tires that might do it without tipping our hand if not I'll try and get a back up plan in place.
-
"Yea good point mate. Hopefully this should do it..." Knives draws the mana into his body once again, kicking it into overdrive. His eye locks on the front driver side tire, he takes a few seconds to ensure his aim is true. Then in a flash, the knife is airborne.
Activating Imp Reflexes and both Attribute Boosts.
Attribute Boost (Strength) 3 + Magic 5 = 8d6
8d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4414395/)
Strength Currently 7
Attribute Boost (Agility) 1 + Magic 5 = 6d6
6d6.hits(5)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4414396/)
Agility Currently 7
Spending my first two passes aiming then throwing on the 3rd.
Thrown (Knife) 5 + Agility 7 + Aim 2 - Called shot 4 = 10d6
10d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4414399/)
Not great...
-
The driver glares at you as you lean out the window, lining up your shot.
As you draw your arm back, he swings the pickup wildly to the left, throwing the passengers in the back about wildly
Full defense:
rea 4, driving 3 (7d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4418179/) 4 hits, evades the knife.
Your knife impacts smartly into the ground where the tire used to be, clanging and clattering down the road.
The occupants of the van draw their weapons, shouting and hollering at the driver to close the distance
-
Mantis watches as the knife misses the mark of the tire. Drak I was hoping for a chase stopping kaboom. I could try just using a combat based spell to pop the tire nothing like my new lightning bolt that will scream magic they might not notice that it was magic. Oh ya and if you keep tossing knife at the same time, if you got them it will cover the spell more. Mantis waits for knives to get another knife so he can cast a spell at the same time.
-
roll for initiative please gents!
-
Reaction 6 + Intuition 3 = 9d6
9d6.hits(5)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4418707/)
Initiative 10 IPs 3
-
Initiative
INT 2 + Reaction 2 (3) = 5
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4418813/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4418813/) 0 hits no glitch
Initiative = 5 w/ 2 passes
-
7d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4421381/) Driver: ini 11, 1 pass
Dunk 10d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4421382/) ini 12, 2 passes
Dunk vehicle test: rea 6, pilot ground 4 (wheeled +2) (12d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4421384/)
driver: rea 4, pilot ground 2 (car +2), AR +1 (9d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4421387/)
Cars are at short range:
Dunk's actions: Control vehicle
Driver's action: control vehicle (cant attack this pass as full defense last turn.)
Seeing the swerving, weapon drawing mob behind him in the mirror, dunk opens the throttle, the ancient engine protesting loudly at the insult.
The noise was merely for show, the old Junker hardly accelerated at breakneck speed, but it caught he eye of the driver behind, urged on by the crew surrounding him.
He glares at Knives, seeming to have taken the knife throwing as a personal insult. He guns his more powerful engine, closing the gap to less then 10 metres.
Knives, you're up!
-
*Fuck me only one more shot before this gets real.* Knives draws his other ceramic knife and hurls it again aiming for the front driver side tire.
Simple action 1: Draw weapon
Simple action 2: Throw
Throwing (Knives) 5 + Agility 7 + Edge 3 - Moving vehicle 4 = 11d6
11d6.hitsopen (5,6)=7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4421388/)
That's more like it!
-
rea, -1 defense (3d6.hits(5)=1) defense test, 1 hit, so 6 net hits!!!
S7 /2 +1P damage = 5 + net hits for 11P total.
damage resist: [url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4422339/]tire damage resist (4d6.hits(5)=2) front left tire takes 9P damage
(http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4422266/)
The knife finds its mark, lodging into the tire, despite the driver's attempt to weave out of the way.
The knife kicks out from underneath the pickup, clattering off down the road, but you see the tire rapidly starting to deflate. The occupants of the van are going apeshit wild at you now, gesturing baseball bats and long combat knives angrily, shouting in incomprehensible language over the roar of engines and the wind blasting through the window.
You saw the driver frantically doing his best to keep it under control as the steering tugs him over to the left, but you could see the old pickup was wounded.
Mantis you're up
-
With the tire popped and the truck dancing all over the road Mantis decides that a stun bolt to the driver might make it harder for him to keep control of the truck. I know it is a risk to cast a spell but this one is most of the time not even noticed but then again this might back fire a bit. Mantis gathers the mana to throw a stun bolt at the driver, inorder to aid in his crashing of the truck. Dunk try and find a corner these guys wheel is popped.
Stun Bolt F5 (Drain (F/2)-1) = 1Phyaical
Spellcasting (Combat) 5 (7) + Magic 3 = 8 (10)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4423442/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4423442/) 3hits
Drain
Will 5 + Logic 5(7) + Daredrenaline 1 = 13
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4423445/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4423445/) 7 hits no drain
-
wil 3, edge 3 (6d6.hitsopen(5,6)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4425229/)
you win with 1 net hit, he takes 6 damage and is knocked down
The force of your spell smacked into the driver, rattling him about in his seat. His head smacks into the door and the truck begins to pull to the left under the influence of the flat tire.
It takes a second before the gangers in the cab realise what has happened, their eager shouts replaced with a look of untold panic.
They grab the steering array too late, the truck impacting heavily into a street lamp as it mounts the pavement, scattering the pedestrian traffic into the shops and making them duck for cover behind the parked vehicles.
Two of the riders in the back of the pickup are catapulted over the top of the cab, landing hard on the concrete pavement slabs.
You see no movement from them as the scene behind you grows smaller with the distance Dunk puts between you and it.
Fuck me lads, thought we were here to take a wee look around, not make a fucking scene
He checks in the rear view mirror as he takes a left, taking another right at the next junction, trying to lengthen the gap to the crash site and lose any other tails.
Looking at the window as the adrenaline levels start to fade off, you see you'd headed deeper into the slums. In the excitement, you'd lost your bearings somewhat.
-
Knives cackles as the truck rams into the light post, "Hahaha, take that ya fuckin wankers! Nice air time Dunk!" He lays back down, elevates his busted ankle, and lights up a smoke. "Yea mate it was supposed to be a nice little peak around but at least I didn't have to gut them all on the streets. Now that would have been a scene... Hey Dunk... where the fuck are we mate?"
-
Er... Dunno mate. Get that GPS running again will ye?
-
Mantis turns on his comm link again and gets his agent to pull up the GPS. Mantis again tell the Agent to take commands from Dunk. Ok Got the Agent working on our directions again, he will also take your commands Dunk. Mantis is still mad that he didn't give the elemental a better command at the start to save the team from having to crash a truck to make it away. I would say to safety but the looks of these streets don't seem to be any better then the slum that truck of thugs came from. Mantis joins Knives in lighting a smoke.
-
___Mantis___
"Agent, continue previous route...."
erm. Agent, follow previous route map....
Agent, use old route?
He turns in the seat to face you, handing the commlink back.
Mantis, how the fuck de ye work this fuckin thing?
The GPS status light flickered, struggling to get a solid fix.
-
___Knives___
The smoke calms your nerves slightly, the adrenaline of the combat starting to wear out of your system.
Taking a look around you as Dunk's evasive maneuvering takes you deeper into the shit-hole, you spot what you think is the market area you saw from your rooftop vantage point.
Pulling over, Dunk and Mantis struggle with getting a decent signal.
A few interested parties observe from a 2nd floor window, about 200 yards down the road to your left, the ancient curtains twitching repeatedly.
if you want to get your bearings properly, i'll need a memory roll or a navigation roll
-
Knives pipes up, "Agent find pint." From his laid back position he keeps an eye out the rear window.
Memory test:
Logic 2 + Willpower 5 = 7d6
7d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4428520/)
That was close, just short of a glitch.
-
You figure that you must be about five or six blocks away roughly to the north east of where you were on the rooftops. The road you're on must have been a grand boulevard at one point in history. It was wide, and the buildings had obviously been pretty swanky before the crash. Now though, the bins overfilled, spilled onto the sidewalks. Bums and hobos filled the doorways, glassy eyes looking vacantly somewhere into the middle distance.
The narrow road to your left comes abruptly to an end in a pedestrianised zone, ramshackle market stalls being perused over by myriad types of shoppers. A quick glance shows everyone from old school punks to women in bhurkas. A light pedestrian traffic heads up the street towards you, turning onto the main and crossing the road to their destinations.
-
"Oy bellends! I thought we was heading for a pint. Why did we stop five blocks from our scouting fiasco?" Knives leans up in the seat and looks around, "Just head for the swanky parts the gps will come back up."
-
Dunk and Mantis both look at you surprised. Dunk cracks the short silence, clearly annoyed by your interjection.
alreet knobjockey, point us in the right direction then.
-
Knives points east, "We came in from that way right? Hell if you can get us back to the Euromart they have mapsofts."
-
___Mantis___
As Knives points Dunk due north into the city centre, you feel a whispering inside your head.
An image forms of a building, a busy shop front dominating the lower half of it.
It is stacked with people, all eating, drinking and otherwise enjoying the ambience.
It is decrepit like the rest of the buildings around here, and the folk inside look like the locals you have seen thus far.
I have done your bidding and will return to my realm......
-
Thanks little buddy. Mantis looks around happy the group is now putting some good distance from the slums. The little guy almost blew everything I do hope the smoke screen takes the spot light a bit off the fact we where snooping around that area. I guess I should turn on local news tonight see how much talk that little elemental will cause. Thing is poor people are not on the short list of people the corps care about, they might not even show much at all. Mantis keeps his eyes open for anything wanting to eat the group.
-
Dunk pulls away smoothly and the curtains on the 2nd floor stop twitching.
The slums sprawl on for another 15 minutes, more scenes of urban decay flash past the windows as you boule along slowly on the badly potted road surface.
A large club, lit up in Neon is the only major landmark you spot on the way past
Eventually the streets become cleaner, more civilised, and the downtown area looms ahead.
Huge high rise buildings in the near distance show the centre of the town, signs indicate that SiN broadcasting is now mandatory.
The GPS chirps happily as its signal is restored, putting you at 2 min away, locating the nearest parking to your destination.
-
As the gps chirps to life Knives speaks up again, "See told ya mates. Now where's the bar? It's a good thing we've got some time on this one lads... Today's little show probably raised a lot of eyebrows."
-
You spot the irish bar a bit further down the main drag.
A long boulevard stretched ahead of you, smart tenement buildings line both sides of the road. A veriety of shop fronts litter the ground floors of the buildings, patisseries, boulangeries, appliance and cleaning drone shops, pretty much everything was for sale on this busy avenue. Most of the shops had pedestrian traffic heading in and out
A large multi-story car park stood to your left, just next to the boulevard. GPS said the bar was further up on the right and sure enough, a four leaf clover lit in neon jutted out of a building a couple hundred yards further down.
Your car, fitting in so beautifully in the shit-tip, now stands out like a sore thumb. The worst you'd seen pass you by was a 2 year old americar.
Dunk swung into the multistory, heading down three levels into the ground before finding a spot.
He groaned as he stood up out the drivers seat, cracking his back and neck in tandem
[colour=red]Urgh.. Getting fucking old lads.
Right, who's round is it?[/color]
-
Mantis is happy to be out of the slums. As the three get close to the club he chirps up. If we have some time we might want to give this car a spray paint make over so it looks a bit different next trip to the slums. Mantis is glad that a little rest and relaxation of the pub is near. As Dunk gets out of the car and asks for any takers on first rounds Mantis shakes his head at the memory of the slum scouting. Well since my Elemental went all look at me on us I guess first round is going to be on my tab. It is the least I can do to smooth over the rookie move from my miss worded command. With that Mantis gets out of the car kills his smoke with the bottom of his shoe and does a quick check on funds to make sure he can get the round of lodgers for the three.
-
You pop out of the lift onto the ground floor and head outside into the bright daylight, joining the flow of pedestrians heading northwards up the boulevard.
Crossing the road to avoid a patrol drone, you step into the Irish bar, heading down a small flight of stairs.
It smells like the pubs back home, stale cigarettes and old beer, but you can tell it's clearly the French equivalent of a corporate chain pub. Generic stock images of old Dublin line the walls, the four leaf clover adorns the back wall and AR feeds show the national rugby team's last win over England in the seven nations. The audio system plays pretty typical Irish folk music at a low volume, tinny violin led stuff that would drive you nuts after an hour of it.
Small tables line the right and left sides of the bar, with some booths behind you under the small window as you come down the stairs.
A couple of touristy looking humans sit near the bar on the left side and a bored looking barman casts an eye on you as you descend onto the hardwood floor.
-
Knives' eyes immediately fall to the rugby scores as soon as they enter, "Bloody ell, gonna owe Johnny boy another fiver." He walks straight up to the bar and gives the barman a motion of tipping a glass to his lips then holds up three fingers, "Three pints whatever is good."
He then turns to his companions, "Let's find a seat lads, we need to finalize our shopping list."
-
The barman replies in a thick Australian accent, Sure mate, it's a Demi-litre here though.
He grabs a couple of glasses and starts pouring out from a lager tap.
Swipe your 'Link over the terminal to start your tab lads, you staying for food?
Irish potato stew is on the specials.
whoever is picking up the tab will need to run their ID through the scanner, roll me an ID test please.
-
Mantis hopes his new ID's the boss got him would do its job. Mantis sweeps his comm over the terminal.
Fake SIN Rating 4
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4433353/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4433353/) 2 hits
Mantis is happy to see that pub will let him smoke well he enjoys his tab beer.
-
___Mantis___
3d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4434218/)
The machine bleeps three times and the barman looks over at you with a suspicious eye.
He flicks the tap off halfway through the second pint and walks over to the machine.
Blasted thing. Sorry mate, gonna have to ask you a few questions.
First one: Where was your ID issued?
-
Come on mate, it isn't a hard question. Where was it issued?
He eyes you even more suspiciously, taking in your less-than-austentacious clothing, looking over at Dunk and Knives, clearly making some pre-judgements in his head.
-
Oh sorry for the delay this never happens and me and my friend over there did get a small buzz on before coming here.... Mantis will do his best to answer the questions if his memory gives himself the answers.
Since this is a new SIN I just got, I didn't write the background for it so I will need you Csjarrat to tell me the answers if I get enouph hits on my memory test.
Also Pushed (Augmentaions 90) says it adds 1 dice to Logic based skill tests does that add to the memory test? Since there is no skill being used I opted not to add it last roll.
-
I got it issued in France. Mantis waits to see what other questions are going to thrown at him. Mantis really wished he could get a better SIN this is the second time he got bombarded by question seems like fakes SINs are not what they use to be.
-
He eyes you suspiciously;
Ok then Pierre, how long have you been a resident of the Republic of France?
memory test please, +2 again
-
Memory Test
Willpower 5 + Logic 5(7) + daredrenaline 1 +2 = 15
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4437455/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4437455/) 5 hits
I'll check here and OOC to see if my brain is still holding up for me
-
As you reel off the spiel Pavel gave you, the barman appears convinced enough to return to the beer pump, handing over the three pints as the debit comes out of your account
-
Mantis is happy to see his mind held up to the question's, he didn't like to have to throw mana around if he didn't have to. With both my SIN's almost getting burned, I figure I best see if I can keep upgrading their quality after I get some more nuyen. I do still have to keep my rent paid too. Mantis doesn't show his relief on his face but is glad the beer has started to flow.
-
Once they finally get their beers Knives limps over to a booth away from the bar and sits down. He fiddles with his comlink setting a text file to save keywords he vocalizes to a file list.txt. He takes a long drag from his pint and looks to his companions then whispers through the subvocal mic, <Alright lads I need ideas for the list. Obvious things include thermovision binoculars and nanopaste disguises. If you lads don't have Gecko gloves I suggest picking some up.>
List.txt
Thermovision binoculars with vision mag
3 small containers nanopaste disguises
-
If the 20 questions is over Mantis will join his two fellow runners at the table. With Knives talking over the groups comm systems, Mantis decides to think over what the team might need. Humm..... Mantis decides to drop an idea.
<<<Item Ideas>>>
Well we could get some small smoke grenades to cover a hostile exit, but we are trying not to get noticed so if we need them the boss will be mad, but better safe then sorry.
We might need some B&E gear like a mini welder, and wire cutters if we need to get through doors and locks. I do have an electronics kit that helps but these two items might come in handy.
I will need some of those gloves, not sure how my tiny arms will hold up using them but we will see.
Well that is all I got right now lets down a beer and see what our hazed brains come up with.
<<<End of Comm Call>>>
Mantis takes a sip of his beer, and is thankful he didn't have to try and throw mana to keep his SIN from getting burned.
-
Dunk pipes up after taking a long swig on the beer.
Fuck. These guys are hot on their ID eh?
I got some tools in the car if we need em. How you want me to do this? Stick in the car with the engine running and keep my eyes open?
-
Mantis is glad the French let you smoke in there bars too many heath minded people kicking smoker to the cold out doors theses day. Mantis lights a smoke and gives his point of view. Well a moving target would be a good idea. The other option would be to find some vantage point to survey the area, but I think the moving car is more of what I'd pick. Mantis takes a drag of his smoke then washes it down with a gulp from his glass of beer.
-
Knives updates his file and takes another swig. <Yea good ideas Mantis, I've got some tools but no cutters or torches. Don't worry Dunk we don't expect you to go scaling any buildings. We just gotta get eyes on the right spot and plant the thing. I can handle it with some of Mantis' mojo backing me up. Long as we learned a lesson today this should quick and quiet.>
List.txt
Thermovision binoculars with vision mag
3 small containers nanopaste disguises
Wire Cutters
Miniwelder
1 pair Gecko gloves
-
Alright mate, sounds good to me. We got any idea where to start looking yet?
Almost as if to mock Knive's last statement, the Aussie barman begins idly flicking through the channels on the trid projector.
The rugby feed changes to a home renovation program to some manga cartoon thing to a very concerned looking female reporter yammering on in french.
She points at something in the sky, the camera trying to focus on a quick moving and ethereal shimmering form.
A crowd of concerned people are in the distance of the camera shot, pointing varying commlinks and cameras into the sky, doing their best to image the apparition.
-
Mantis looks at the video knowing full well what the crowd was looking at. Ha Ha, maybe the people in the slums will start to think this was some mage activist trying to get Paris to improve low class living. I know it was a long shot but dam one wrong word and the little guy put a huge spot light on our opt this might dim the light a small bit. Mantis smiles as he drags on his smoke.
-
After taking another long swig from his pint, "I've got no bloody clue mate. Until we get thermo there's no tellin. I say we make for base lads, I got the list and we need to get a good nights sleep for tomorrow. Plus I've gotta nurse this fuckin ankle if I'm gonna be scaling any thing." Knives kills the rest of his pint.
-
No worries. Lets head fer home then.
Dunk knocks back his beer and follows you to the door.
It was still pretty busy out on the street, the patrol drone had since moved on though. Seeing a gap in the traffic you cross the busy boulevard, heading into the cool air of the multi-storey car park and down the polished stairwell into the basement levels.
Knive's ankle had begun to swell up, throbbing and pulsing in protest at taking the weight down several flights of stairs.
It wasn't long before you were back on the outer ring road, heading north-ish to get back out to Smith's estate.
The journey takes longer than expected. A police diversion routes you around a huge chunk of the industrial zone, though you have no idea why the diversion is in place. All the 'Trix casts you manage to tune into are in a foreign tongue and its not long before the incessant yammering and shit euro-pop drive you to distraction
You get back to the estate around 2pm, the welcome sound of gravel crunching under tyres shaking you out of your boredom, having stared out of the window at queues of traffic for the past couple of hours.
Pavel greets you at the door.
Bonjour, I trust we are well?
-
Limping inside Knives shakes his head, "Not really Pavel. Twisted me ankle good. Would you be a mate and fetch the med droid?" He continues on into the sitting room and kicks off his loafers propping his ankle up.
-
Certainly sir, I will send it through shortly. Are we ready for lunch?
-
Mantis takes another sip of his beer glad that he can enjoy his smoke indoors well he relaxes. Ya I can get a bit to eat. Mantis will grab a soy steak when the group decides to get some grub in their bellies.
-
Very well sirs. I will organise some food, it will be in the dining room in 30 minutes.
Dunk heads up to his room to grab a quick shower as the med-drone rumbles into the room.
Kicking off your shoes was agony, the roof tiling had splintered and caused slight lacerations to your lower leg as it got bedded into the insulation and lagging in the lower layers.
The light bleeding had soaked into the fabric of your clothing, scabbing up and it stung like fuck as you rolled the trouser leg up to look at it, reopening some of the cuts.
After some awkward fumbling with your socks, the drone sets to work prodding and poking at your ankle, causing you to yelp as it tests your passive range of motion.
You could see the ankle was severely bruised and swollen, it'd take a while before that settled down, but it was gonna look a pretty spectacular series of colours before it did.
It wasn't long before the drone had made its diagnosis and injected a decent bolus of anti-inflammatories, pain killers and a small shot of bio-repair protein to help fix the damage to your ankle ligaments.
It started to feel better almost immediately, but the drone was insistent that you keep it elevated for a while. Dinner wouldn't be long now anyway.
Heavy thudding resonated in the high ceilinged hallway as Dunk's considerable frame plodded down the stairway, joining you in the sitting room as he plonks down heavily into the comfy armchair by the fireplace.
Ye got a clean bill o' health then eh?
He takes a big slurp of a steaming mug of tea and flicks the armchair controls to boot up the Trid screen on the far wall and flicks through to the Euro-League sports channel.
Rangers are playin' teday. got a fiver on em te beat Hibs he looks over with a smirk:
Easy feckin' money. What time's the meet with the salesmen by the way? We got any more of a plan for this job than we did this morning?
-
Mantis is happy to get some food in his gut after the mess up with his spirit. Mantis hates to make mistakes when it comes to his magic, he should know not to miss word a command. Mantis's thoughts trail to evil genies that take a wishers words and twists them to some dark joke that genie wants to do for fun. As he enters to eat his meal Mantis's mind is full of images of dark gen messing with the summoners. Mantis is greatful for his bite to eat.
Well as for new plans we now know that there is no way we are walking in with out a disguise, be it nano paste or one of my physical masks in place. Driving around and finding the target building should come first the we need to see what is at the building then we can flesh out the next stage. So we might need to get double the nano disguise in case we hit a big set back and have to regroup before we hit the target.
-
"I think I'll live mate, the drugs helped a lot. The meeting is at 6pm. Mantis is right about the disguises but the nanopaste ones are reprogrammable so extra isn't really necessary long as one of us has a decent edit program. Since we know all the buildings are about the same height we can scout for thermo signatures from the edge of the area so in case we have more rooftop foul ups we won't be in the middle of enemy territory." Knives looks to Mantis, "Some spirit support would be brill long as you know how to keep the bloody thing hidden and quiet."
-
Pavel laid on a fairly decent spread of sandwiches and finger food. Clearly you guys weren't going to be fed like kings while smith wasn't around, but hey; it was real bread, none of the soy imitation shit you were used to back home.
As you finished up your helpings of coffee and sarnies, the large clock in the hallway chimed three times signalling you didn't have long before the shopping trip
-
"Hey Pavel is it ok to run a few trix searches from here? Nothing shady just looking for the big power consumers in the target area."
Assuming Pavel says it's ok setting my agent to search public records for power use in the area and marking them down on map. I'll also throw in a roll for gangs in the area.
Agent 4 + Browse 4 = 8
url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4453926/]8d6.hits(5)=3, 8d6.hits(5)=3[/url]
3 hits on each
-
Pavel waves his assent at you as he leaves the room, Use se nacional grid and I don't care.
___Lumen___
The search for big power consumers draws you very little useful information.
An outdated public utilities site draws references to general utilities usage compared to more affluent districts of the city, but nothing useful.
Many of the results came back in French and were undecipherable to you.
The gang search brought more luck however. A travel blog dated six months ago mentioned a documentary that was made a few months prior to the post by a polish journalist,
investigating gang culture in cities across Europe. It appears to be called: wojny gangów.
-
The afternoon lingers on, each of you resting up, reading up and getting showered after the morning's exertions.
Before too long, you all piled into the smelly old junker again, Knives taking the back bench seat, Mantis riding shotgun and Dunk at the wheel.
The school run had obviously just started, a mix of luxury SUV's with expensively dressed mum's at the wheel clogged the small country road at each junction, each glaring at you for having the audacity to drive something so ugly and cheap in their shiny and clean suburban paradise. You guessed they'd pass you off for hired help as domestic staff for one of the other residents of the area.
Passing the ostentatious private school 10 minutes down the road, you begin to hit bigger roads. Pavel's directions held true and you were soon heading out to an old industrial estate, turning off the main road onto a ramshackle, potholed street lined with decrepit light industrial units.
Dunk swung the car around the worst of the holes, pulling up outside unit 7 as directed.
you are parked in a large courtyard between two rows of small warehouses, each with a large steel shutter closed over the front aspect. a smaller, man sized door gives access through the larger shutter.
The area clearly hasn't been used in a while, the old redbrick buildings sport a collection of signs advertising the company names in peeling old-style paint, each looking weather worn and battered. The sign above unit 7 is, as far as you can tell in pigeon french, for an automotive garage.
Ancient, half rotted tires are piled up against the prefab concrete wall lining the borders of the courtyard re-enforce the sign's history.
The time now is 14.58 and the appointment is at 15.00
-
Knives steps out of the backseat and lights up a smoke. He looks around keeping his eyes peeled for signs of their meet or any unexpected guests.
Perception 4 + Intuition 3 + Enhancements 3 + Actively Looking 3 = 13d6
13d6.hits(5)=7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4459904/)
Damn fine roll!
Let's throw in a Security Design roll to find a good spot to defend if things go wrong.
Security Design 2 + Intuition 3 = 5d6
5d6.hits(5)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4459905/)
-
awesome roll, you practically see through time and space with that one!
As you study the building, something about the gable of the roof catches your eye.
Dialling up the image enhancement and zoom factor, you can just about make out the reflected glare of the sun off a concealed camera.
It was incredibly subtle, but it was definitely there. You could sense that it would be able to cover most of the courtyard and the approach to the doorway and would have captured your arrival in the courtyard.
You realise that you were effectively in a dead end, the small entrance road would serve as an efficient bottleneck, but it could work just as well against you as for you dependent on the direction of attack.
The best escape route you could see would probably be over or through the ancient prefab concrete slat-walls. The slats were angled in such a way as to create a natural ladder and the old junker should be able to dislodge the slats from their housing if it got up to speed.
-
"Smiles mates we're on camera. Stay frosty but let me do the talking. Let's get the gear and get back." Knives quickly sucks down his cigarette then puts it out and places the butt in his pocket.
-
Mantis fallows Knives keeping him and Dunk in front of him, this of course helps Mantis keep the whole team under his spell defenses that he always has in place for the three runners. Mantis Joins Knives in a smoke pulling hard on his smoke he tries to get as much in his lungs before he will crush it out on entering the building. Camera's great at least this guy is suppose to be an ally. Mantis is now wishing he had taken the time to learn how to shot a gun. Back in the smoke he knew most didn't pack guns, when they did johnny law was always a big concern. Here in France Mantis was not to sure on the law but knew he has a scar to know some pack guns and the big slug type. Lets see how much of our list we can check off.
-
At exactly 3pm you hear a metallic "clunk" as the locking system on unit 7's smaller door disengaged.
Dunk flashes his eyebrows at you guys as he heads to the door, hand hovering over his hip holster in case the shit hit the fan.
As you approach the door, a small bald man opens it and beckons you in in a thick french accent.
allo,allo. com in, please.
The darkness of the small entrance gives way to a small and weak pendant lamp hanging from the old corrugated steel roofing. It casts a weak pool of light over an ancient looking trade counter in a small room at what was obviously the front of the building. A heavy security door runs off to the right of the small trade counter area, off to where the main bulk of the shutter would be for the loading bay.
On the far side of the desk, stacks and stacks of storage racks extended into the inky blackness of the far reaches of the warehouse. Thousands of cardboard boxes littered the various racks.
The bald man re-appears through the warehouse on the far side of the trade desk and points to the obvious camera covering the room you're standing in.
Do not be stupid, friend. Camera sees all. Now, what can I do for you?
-
Knives pulls up his list, "Right right we ain't looking for trouble just a few items." He tosses a datachip on the desk in front of the bald Frenchman.
Datachip contains the list.
Thermovision binoculars with vision mag
3 small containers nanopaste disguises
Wire Cutters
Miniwelder
1 pair Gecko gloves
-
Knives shrugs, "Right right we ain't looking for trouble just a few items." He pulls out a datachip and tosses it in front of the bald Frenchman.
Datachip contains the list.
Thermovision binoculars with vision mag
3 small containers nanopaste disguises
Wire Cutters
Miniwelder
1 pair Gecko gloves
-
He looks at you sternly, examining the chip before inserting it into an ancient looking commlink.
He paws at the mucky display; tutting, nodding and muttering at each item on the list.
Zis, I sink ve can do. Five minoot, please.
He gestures at you to wait where you are as he disappears into the blackness of the warehouse....
-
The bald man returns nearly 10 minutes later clutching a huge, heavy looking box.
I no can do binocular du thermal, goggle ok?
He gestures to an ancient-looking set of industrial goggles as he lays the items out on the counter, zoom optics visible on the right lens and a universal datajack on the left side of the frame.
Zey are pretty good, you try?
-
Knives eyes the old goggles suspiciously, "Yea I'd fancy a test." He puts them on and plugs them into a burner com, he tries all the settings making sure the old tech is up to snuff.
-
The bald man glows a near white against the cool blue background of the warehouse.
The old optical zoom grinds noisily as it extends the magnifying lens, making the the white heat smear larger and smaller as you dick about with the controls.
As far as you can tell, its a go-er, but you weren't gonna win any fashion competitions wearing them.
So, monsieur 'appy?
-
"I wouldn't say appy but they'll do. Assuming the age lowers the price... So what's the damage for all this? "
-
Considering ze age, and Pavel good word, I say 1200
-
"You have yourself a deal mate." He opens the box set on the counter to make sure everything is there. If everything is set Knives will load up a credchip and lay it on the counter.
-
bon! he smiles and verifies the crediting, sliding the box over to you.
Everything checks out fine as you inspect each item. Most of it is brand new, only the goggles seem to be second hand stuff.
au revoir monsieur!
The man gestures and a heavy steel shutter descends to close the trade counter,love leaving you alone with the boys in the reception area.
-
Dunk peers in at the box. 400 a piece then yeah? what's the plan for tonight then, we going back in?
-
"Yea mates 400 a piece. I say we head back out tonight, at the very least we need to find our target so we can see what kind of defenses they have. Either of you good at editing? We need to set up these disguises before we go anywhere. " Knives keeps his eyes on the alley entrance.
-
Well Knives I do have a bit of skills in the editing area, and an Arctic program that should be able to give us some blending in ability. Let me know when we want to get the disguise ready. I'll do that then get a spirit to aid us before we get to the slums. Mantis gives his bit of Nuyen for the items over to Knives to pay his part in the equipment upgrade. Mantis starts to mentally think of how powerful and what kind of spirit to use on this search for the target building.
-
"I know my way around a 'link so I can give ye'hand if ye need it pal. ready to head back?"
-
"We don't have to stay here but I want these disguises up to snuff before we get back in the ghetto. It doesn't have to be the best quality long as it stops all the staring... Mantis why don't you work on em while we ride, let Dunk stick to the wheel."
-
"Aye, sounds good."
Dunk grabs the box and heads out with you to the car, stowing it on the back seat for Mantis to get to work on.
He pulls away smoothly, aiming for the main drag that would take you to the outer Paris ring road.
-
Mantis hooks up his comm link and starts getting to work on the nano disguises. When I'm finished with this we should each take a look at it to see if I should start over again. Since you did say they are reprogrammable.
-
"These two look pretty good mate but that one looks like it has taken one too many boots to the dome. Wait.. look..." he holds it next to Dunk's head, "spitting image eh?" Knives gives a laugh before handing it back.
"Seriously though give that one another go then we should be set. This time let's start at the outskirts of the shit heap in case something happens we won't be surrounded immediately like earlier. We need to be on game lads to room for fuck ups." Knives digs through his kit double checking his gear.
-
Dunk smiles back at you, a half laugh rocking his shoulders as he concentrates on the road.We've got about half an hour so take yer time pal. Get em looking good.
-
Mantis finishes his three works of art. Mantis takes his 3rd try back. What no Picasso fans I guess it is a rare taste. Mantis rubs his eyes as he gets ready to run the mask a second time hoping this time his low level skills will do the job for the team.
-
Mantis looks at the second attempt, shaking his head he hands it over. Well does anyone have a hat and maybe so nice shades since I don't think this one likes my Butler 2.0 system for some reason. Mantis grabs a smoke to celebrate wishing that 3rd mask would work for him but seems like a no go, maybe he should have let his slicer program give it a go, oh well. With his smoke lite he give his idea. Well I do have a base ball cap, and goggles that might help out, I will also get us a spirit that will keep us under a concealment power, maybe even have a invisibility spell in its tool box too lets see what I can summon. Mantis waits to finish his smoke before he calls in aid from the spirit realm hoping this time he wont miss word a command.
-
Dunk glances at it briefly as you stop at a junction.
It'll do fer me. I'll be sat in the car anyway, shouldn't be under as much scrutiny as you two right?
Besides. I guess it could pass for a munter of an ork lass. Less likely te get chatted up by the locals hehehe
It wasn't long before the rush hour traffic ground to a halt, all five lanes of the outer ring road static. The remainder of the journey was going to take some time....
-
Eventually, you inched close enough to a junction for Dunk to pull a sly undertaking maneuver, skipping over the boundary of the hard-shoulder/refuge area and off the offramp onto the old Paris orbital expressway.
The traffic was heavy with people hitting it as an alternative to the main motorway, but you reach the boundary of the slums around 5.50pm.
Your arses are numb from sitting in traffic too long and your fag packets are running as low as your patience.
Nothing had gone smoothly so far and as you looked out of the windows into the dusky, half-lit streets, you see the pedestrian traffic picking up for the evening as ancient rusty auto-buses deposit the factory labourers into the newly opened dive-bars and tavernas.
The main drag into the slums is practically abuzz with all the colours, creeds and diaspora of meta-humanity. Everything from Arab to Troll walked the streets.
You knew it was always easier to hide in a crowd and you knew Dunk would be relatively inconspicuous; there were a number of vans and cars rolling the streets held together by spit, hope and duct-tape. Your old junker fit right in.
Mantis' GPS squawked as you reached your waypoint, four streets down from where you'd had the "incident".
It looked vaguely familiar, but so did everything in the slums. You figured you'd be about a 10 minute walk to the markets from here, the vague suggestion the spirit gave you seemed to indicate that the markets would be as good a place to start as any around here.
-
"Alright lads it's bout time we got to work." He ducks down in the seat and slips on the best disguise prepared by Mantis then puts the old goggles on top. Knives takes a second to check himself out in the side view mirror to make sure the disguise looked reasonable. "I'll hop out and head towards the market. Mantis you wait a few blocks then start heading my way. Depending on how far we need to go from there we can either meet back with Dunk or hoof it. Dunk I guess you just need to stay with the beater and keep her ready to slot and run."
He pulls out his pack of smokes and looks disappointed it hadn't magically refilled itself. "Damn might have to stop for some more smokes..."
-
__Lumen___
Dunk slips the mask on as you hop out of the car and you see for the first time how it looks whilst on.
Dunk's mask is passable at a distance, but there is a notable asymmetry about the mask which just makes it look a bit weird.
You're happy with your own mask though, it accentuates your facial features nicely, changing your chin and cheekbone lines nicely and looking natural too.
It smells a bit chemical-y but no major drama.
Dunk nods,
I'll open up a group line and encrypt it. Shout me when ye need te get the hell oot. I'll keep her runnin' ney more than a few minutes away.
You're down to the last cigarette and it rattles about; lonely all by itself in the container made for 20.
Crossing the street between two old junkers and the rusty autobus, you join the throng of people heading northwards into the market district.
Whilst you were no linguist; the sheer number of different languages being spoken to colleagues, old friends and people on the other end of the commlink calls was obvious to you.
No-one really paid much attention to yet another low-paid schmuck heading back from the bus stop and the short walk in the crowd boosted your confidence in the disguise Mantis made for you.
You covered the distance to the market and entered through the northern border, similar to the angle you saw from your elevated perch earlier.
The air was thick with spices, incense, sweat and the sizzle of marinated rat skewers being hawked by a number of street vendors.
Each stall had its own canopy and signage, every possible district of the world represented by everything from Hebrew to Kanji. Some were simple affairs stocking gloves, coats and other sundries. Others hawked electronics and trid series loaded onto dubious looking datastiks.
The market was well attended, the rush of people heading home from work seemed to converge on this place, the busy market stalls surrounded by a number of bars and eateries around the market square, heavy metal shutters still being opened by their owners ready for the night's incoming trade.
A small convenience store caught your eye to your right; a young Arabic man heading back out into the plaza stopped momentarily to open a fresh pack of fags before lighting one.
__Mantis__
You watch Knives merge with the busload of passengers and disappear with the throng of the crowd up the street and out of view, paying attention to those paying attention to him. Thankfully there were none.
Dunk gave you the nod after a couple of minutes had passed and eased the junker off up the street and hacked a left at the junction.
You had a couple of minutes to burn before covering the few blocks distance to the markets, deciding to loop round the bottom end of the street and take the southern approach to the market plaza you saw on the holo terminal earlier. Killing time, you stub the remnant of your second to last cig out with your right foot and head down the street, hacking a right at the junction at the end of the block.
Three black skinned blokes in matching jackets stood laughing and joking a block up and on the other side of the road to you, blocking the doorway to a decrepit looking building. Some particularly foreign sounding music blared out of the doorway, the vocals muffled by the walls and the noise of the bus roaring past you.
As the bus roars past, you catch a glimpse of some kind of insignia on his jacket as he doubles over in laughter at the other's joke. You're almost opposite them as the bus clears the distance between you, about two blocks away from the southern market entrance.
You notice a young asian woman with her child deliberately crossing the road to avoid the blokes, the kid looking straight at you as they hit the pavement about 20 yards away.
-
Mantis is not happy to be low on his lung soothing mist, but he will get more later. Mantis takes a mental note of what the symbol on the threes jackets. Mantis is glad he doesn't have to change his path to avoid them. Best try and say away from crossing too many gangs path on this survey of the area. Mantis decides to save his last death stick for later maybe for when this part of the run is over. Mantis also takes time to think of what spirit to summon when the two runners make their move for better positioning to survey the area.
-
*No worries lad won't take but a tick* Knives hangs a right and heads for the shop he saw the Arab man leave from. He keeps a firm stride as he heads for the counter guarding the smokes. He scans the selection for any remotely familiar looking pack.
-
___Lumen___
The rack of smokes was kept behind the till.
A greasy south-asian looking bloke tended the cashier's till and the tiny shop stunk of sweat as you entered.
The smell hit the back of your throat and caught your breath as you entered, the shop being no wider than 6ft at its most spacious.
The spartan selection of cigarette cartons was limited to about 5 different brands, most of which were signed up in some kind of middle eastern scrawl.
One brand seemed to have some kind of eastern european text on the front, perhaps polish or czech? but you didnt really give a fuck. they looked the best of what was on offer.
The cashier demanded 10, and a quick swipe of the credstik satisfied him.
Popping the last of the good stuff between your lips, you chuck the old packet in the trash can outside the shop and flick a light across it, taking a deep drag as the tip glowed a deep red.
The whole market plaza sprawled out in front of you; a mass of meta-humanity making and spending their living.
___Scawire___
The iconography on the jackets matches the classical japanese rising sun logo you'd seen on hundreds of WW2 style films. The jackets were of the classical bomber style, though modified. Spikes stuck out around the wrist area and several patches were sewn on to arms and the breast panelling.
perception test for additional detail, note that this will require actively looking at the gangers and may provoke a response
-
After the successful transaction Knives looks about and draws in a deep drag from his cigarette. He squints before activating the goggles thermovision, expecting the heat from the crowd to overpower most readings. He looks about for any higher heat signatures.
-
____Lumen____
The cig tastes cheap and nasty as you take a long drag.
Fishing about in your gear for the clunky goggles, you realise how conspicuous they will look when worn around here. Realising you had very little choice, you slip them on, hearing the whine of the tiny image enhancer above your right ear as it fires up.
Looking around, the area is awash with heat signatures. pretty much everything at ground level is a warm yellow hue, individual white spots blurring into one in the densely packed market stalls.
The buildings are a cool blue, the busy bars and eateries being the exception; glass windows in the upper floors registering into the greener shade of warmth.
Nothing stands out as you expected it to on the roofs of the market square. The odd arrays of ancient neon signs, water tanks and other rooftop miscellany all registered as tepid greens or cold blues.
___Scawire___
You pass the gang, leaving them to their in-jokes and avoid the gawping kid, reaching the next junction and crossing the road.
You cross behind an ancient looking pickup truck making it's delivery of goods to a small food shop. The driver of the parked truck briefly looks at you in the mirror, disinterested as you pass by the burly ork unloading the goods onto a collapsible cart.
The pavements were filling up on the next block, you could see people heading to the southern entrance of the market district and crossing the road ahead of you
-
Mantis decides not to take a closer look at the gangers since he wants to stay as low key as he can. Mantis continues on his way to the meeting with Knives. Mantis feels the pack of one smoke in his pocket thinking how it can be a celebratory smoke when they get back to the ride.
-
You swing a right turn into the hustle and bustle of the market place, amazed at the number of rickety and ramshackle stalls and the density of the people visiting here.
You had no doubt in your mind that you could buy pretty much anything you'd ever need from this place, the number of signs written in foreign languages and the huge array of stuff on show was dazzling.
Knowing Knives must be on the far side of the melee of shoppers, you follow the crowd into the guts of the market place.
Your senses are overloaded with the smells of spices, ethnic foods, flashing electronics, fake jewellery, live animals for sale, dodgy trids and dodgier simsense stiks, questionable sexual services and the general stink and deprivation of the markets customers.
It kind of reminded you of a holiday with Jennifer in times gone by; the souqs of Marrakesh were a similar feast for the senses.
As your mind drifts off the job in hand, a niggle (or was it a touch?) at the back of your mind focusses your attention onto a haggard looking old lady, staring straight into your eyes. She's standing in her stall no more than 10 metres ahead of you, unhurried and unfluttered by the mass of meta-humanity brushing past this section of the low hanging bazaar, her face part-lit by a row of electric lights strung between two stalls.
She beckons you to her with a crooked finger, still maintaining the piercing eye contact.
-
Mantis is a bit shaken by some stranger beckoning him to talk. Mantis is half wanting just to turn away from the lady and keep his mind on the mission at hand but decides for some strange reason to oblige the old lady. Mantis walks over to the lady. Is there any thing I can help you with. Mantis asks still a bit shocked that he even decided to stray from his course to talk to the lady.
-
You shuffle forwards through crowd, pushing against a burly troll interested in a new soyprocessor in your effort to get to her.
She looks you square in the eye, speaking in heavily accented english
Jennifer. She wants talk to you. come. come...
She turns slightly and pulls the material shielding her stall back with her left hand, creating a passage for you to get into the back area of it, like a sideshow tent or something.
It smells of sweet herbal tea mixed with incense, a pungent but tantalising mix of scents.
The old lady's heavily lined face is exaggerated by the half light coming from the strip of bulbs strung between the stalls and she never breaks eye contact for a second.
Come, you talk now....
-
Mantis's heart skips a beat at hearing his lost wife's name "Jennifer". It had been many years since Mantis thought there was hope in finding here, now out of the blue he has a lead.... or is it? Mantis knows his comm was hacked back in London and this could be a trap set by the people who hacked his phone, but he is wearing a latex mask and if there is even a small chance this is a legit lead he has to fallow up on it. Mantis fallows the lady to where ever she is leading him.
-
<Damn lads if it is in this market I'm not gonna see it with all these people around. I'll try to get some high ground without being to obvious. > Knives finishes up his cheap foreign smoke then pulls up the sat view in hopes of finding an alley mostly out of sight to scale a building.
-
__Knives__
You slip off the clunky old industrial goggles, finding that a couple of customers looked at your ancient headgear a bit funny as you slip the headset back into your pocket.
The mapsoft pings into display in your image link, showing that the alley to the north was probably your best bet of a major thoroughfare.
You could quite clearly see that a few of the eateries and bars on the north side also had service areas behind them; presumably for waste disposal and receipt of stock.
__Mantis___
The crowd moves aside as you push through them, entering the tent still under the watchful gaze of the old lady.
She drops the tarpaulin side of the tent-come-stall and you're suddenly plunged into semi-darkness, the interior space lit only by weak candlelight from a low-hanging chandelier of sorts; really an old mining light hung off the central support strut, vastly overloaded with tea lights.
the centre of the deceivingly spacious tent was taken up by a round table, big enough to seat 4 in relative comfort.
A set of cards were placed face down on one side and the old lady motions you to sit in one of the chairs on the far side of the room.
See hobbles to one side and tends to a stove, an ancient looking tea urn simmering over a gas flame the centre of her attention.
She speaks to you with her back turned, her concentration on the items around the stove
You miss her still.. seek her face in the shadows yes?
-
Mantis is a bit shocked that someone here if France knew he was searching for his lost wife, until he saw the cards and other items this lady had. It clicked that she must be magic user that has some kind of divination abilities, that sure would help her gain money since she can know who to talk to and what to tell them to get a bit of nuyen flowing her way. Well she does know what is at the heart of Mantis his wife Jennifer, and if she could open the cold case and give Mantis an angle to fallow that might help him find her he was all ears.
Ya I put out feelers to find her but nothing paned out. Is there something that you know that could aid me in my quest to find her? Mantis figures this lady is on the level so he doesn't do a big dance around checking if she is fishing for nuyen or anything else he just wants answers to help him find his wife.
-
Knives casually strolls back through the service ways like he belongs looking for a spot secluded enough to scale a building unnoticed, or any unguarded ladder.
<Alright lads view from the ground is worthless. I'm gonna get some air and see if that helps. If nothing else I should at least be able to identify potential targets.>
-
___Mantis____
The old lady looks at you over her shoulder thoughtfully, pausing for a second before returning to the stove.
After a minute or more of uncomfortable silence, she walks to the table, holding the urn in a gloved hand and a cup that seems more like a shallow bowl, planting them squarely in the middle of the table next to the deck of cards.
We see. I channel her spirit and divine future. You leave enlightened.
___Knives____
Dunk chirps back over them comms
//No worries mate, what you got up there? any parts dealers?//
You push your way into the melee of the market, pushing through the dense crowds that haggle and barter with the stand owners. through breaks in the crowd you spot everything from "pre-loved" electronics to bootleg trid shows to exotic pet animals for sale. Eventually, after enough pushing and shoving you breach the outside of the market's northern border and find yourself facing an open fronted bar; patrons smoking all manner of exotic smelling tobacco under the heat-lamps as they catch up with each other on the day's events.
A small service alley runs between a closed shop and the bar, just as your Sat-map said it would.
You do your best to look confident as you stride down the small alley-way, but the spatial recognizer chirps in your ear to let you know of loud sounds ahead.
-
Mantis gives a bow to the lady. Any new info you can get would make me happy. With that said Mantis knows if the woman can call him out in a latex mask from a crowd knowing Jen's name and that Mantis has been looking for her, means there is a good chance she can give some intel that would help.
-
She sits at the table and begins to shuffle the deck of cards, laying 5 around you in a horseshoe shape.
Pointing at the leftmost one to you; "Ask a question, turn card."
-
Looking around the busy market Knives thinks better of scaling the side of a building. He's good but not invisible. He decides instead to respond to Dunk, <Yea mate they got all flavors of shite. You looking for something in particular? I'm rethinking getting a higher view from here. To many eyes and no good spot to pull it off.>
-
___Lumen___
//If you get five minutes, see if they've got an old model aerial drone would you? feel like a spare part driving around here.
No drama, traffic seems lighter on the surround blocks.//
-
<Sure thing mate. I can have a look, some eyes in the sky would be nice. > Knives circles back around to browse the various electronics stalls looking for something suitable.
-
Mantis's mind starts to race with hopes and questions but decides to start off with a simply question, hoping more then just this one will be answered. Is Jen still alive? With that question before him Mantis hopes his worst fears are not turn, that hope still remains for finding Jen alive.
-
You flip over the card, an image of a curvy woman holding an icon of a 5 pointed star stares back at you, a rabbit present in the bottom corner.
The cards seem old, the art style looks at least a hundred or so years old. The deck has obviously seen a lot of use, the corners fraying somewhat and the face scratched with regular wear.
Queen of Pentacles. She infuses life and fertility into the world, bringing joy where she steps. I see she lives, and has another in her care. a young one. {she stares into your eyes with an intensity you've never seen in someone before} Rabbit urges caution, look before you leap. If you seek her, they will seek you.
Next card. Ask question and choose again.
____Lumen______
The crowd hustles and bustles around you, chattering away in all manner of foreign tongues and dialects. A few shady eyes keep watch over the crowd, only partially concealed on the edges of the stalls and shadows cast by the weak strip lights, a subtle reminder of the powers that control the area. The nearest electronics trader seems to specialise mainly in spare parts and repairs, but has a couple of complete looking models in ancient display cases on the back of his stall. A mid-sized Ork in tribal looking gear is currently haggling with the proprietor in super fast dialect of something you don't understand, but your eye is drawn to a large insect-like drone in a bright neon blue box, some japanese or chinese looking characters written on it in a stylised manga font.
In the dim light, you can just about make out the european branding on the side of the box; "Fly-Spy MkVII"
-
Mantis's dread he has had inside of himself for the past couple of years. Now knowing that his wife is still alive he wants to know where she is and how he can find her. That is a relief best try and narrow down the search area if possible. Mantis has hope and a bit of excitement in his voice as he asks his next question. Where is she? What is here location? Knowing that the last card gave a warning of danger of someone else seeking Mantis out if he makes a move to find Jen doesn't sway Mantis on finding his lost love. Mantis twitches his finders finding it harder not to give into his smoking habit.
-
Knives stands by and eyes the bug drone while waiting for the shop keep to get done haggling. <Oy Dunk, found one that looks like it'll do the trick. Any idea what a fair price for a Fly-Spy MkVII would be. I got this sneakin feelin that this bloke is gonna try to add on an English speaking tax.> After a minute he wanders about perusing the other wares, trying not to look like he's already sold on the Fly-Spy
Once the tribal Ork is done haggling he calls over the shop keep, "English?"
-
___Lumen____
//If its a runner, I don't wan' te pay more than about 250-270 mate. If its no' a runner, leave it.//
The man is shocked by your accent, as is his previous customer. Apparently englishmen are a rare sight on these streets...
He swallows his shock and begins to point at his wares as the other customer pushes past you into the crush of the crowd.
Little, little... I do you good price yes, you want robot?
The smell of something cooking on an open grill catches your nose and your belly begins to growl. It had been a while since that tray of sarnies and you were beginning to get a bit peckish.
___Scawire___
You go to flip the card over and the woman slaps her hand on top of yours before you can flip it over.
"No! card tell feeling, emotion. Not GPS. Another question"
-
Knives nods and points to the Fly-Spy, "Does it work? Fly good?" He mentally kicks himself for all those skipped foreign language classes as a lad. The smell of the grill catches his attention as his stomach lets out a growl. *Damn need to grab a bite before we get to deep in the shite.*
-
Mantis doesn't like that he can't get a read on the location of where she is. Mantis wonders how he will find her if he can't get a location. HUMMM ???? What is it that caused her to disappear? With out being able to ask her location maybe some back ground info could help lead to a trail that might get to her.
-
___Lumen____
Fly very good sir. For you sir, 800. Very good fly
__Scawire___
She slides her hand back slowly, adjusting her position on the seat , propping arms on the edge of the table and her head in her hands as you turn the card face up.
The card depicts a cherub or maybe an angel, blowing a ceremonial horn with a crowd of jubilant people underneath.
Judgement. Her deeds need be answered on this plane, for her to move to next. Her journey with you ends, a new one begins.
Next card.
-
Knives shakes his head, *Fuckin knew it.*
"For me 200 and you prove it works." He crosses his arms over his chest trying to convey through body language that he meant business.
-
Mantis really wish he could ask where Jen was that would make finding her a lot easier, but he will take what he can get. As his mind races with question after question he decides to see if he can get help first with where to look then go for details on what threat he has to go through to get at Jen. I know you said I can't get a location for her, But I was hoping I could get a starting point. So where should I start looking to find her? Mantis hopes this will rekindle a dead trail.
-
___Lumen___
He winks at you, obviously glad you had the spirit to haggle.
Aha, big business man you are. 700 for you sir, very good fly!
__Scawire___
The card, turn it
You flip the third card over, an image of a medieval looking man holding an icon bearing the five pointed star awaits.
Page of pentacles. You have big responsibility, you must lead team well, gather resources and use wisdom.
Opportunity rises soon.
-
Knives holds strong clearly not enjoying the haggling as much as the shop owner. *Damn usually the family name does me negotiations for me. I have got to get back to the East End!* He shakes his head again. "225. You show me fly."
-
Ok, Ok big man. You see fly, 400 good sir.
He opens the tatty cardboard box and pulls out an equally tatty looking commlink as he places the fly spy on the table full of junk in front of him.
With a gesture of his AR glove, the fly-spy takes to the air, circles around the man's head and lands in his open palm.
Very good fly sir. 400, low price.
-
Knives nods, "Fair enough it flies pretty good. 300."
*Damn I can't tell if this guy is good or just really annoying cause of the language issues. I hope Dunk can make this thing worth the money. Oh yea speaking of...* Knives mummers a message subvocally to the team, <Oy lads. I dunno about you fellas but I could use a nip before we get to the real work. Want me to grab a bite for ya?>
-
No sir, I do you very good deal, show you good fly. now you buy. 400 my friend
//Yeah, I'm starving mate. Grab me something and i'll meet you back where I dropped you off//
Mantis's comm-line had been very quiet and his lack of communication was starting to gnaw at the back of your mind.
Sure it was pretty busy round here and sure there were plenty of things to look at... but still, you didn't exactly come here to see the sights.
-
Knives sighs and relents, "Alright mate I'll take it. Pack it up." Digging through his pockets for a minute before producing a credstick. After loading it with 400 he hands it over to the shop owner. Once he's got his new toy in hand Knives heads back out onto the streets in search of the source of the smells that caught his attention earlier.
<Oy Mantis, you still with us mate? You want a bite? >
-
The old man smiles, his wrinkled face furrowing even further as he passes you the drone in the box along with the RFID ownership tag.
Thankyou sir, have good night
Heading through the melee of the crowd, you spot a street vendor hawking kebabs from the side of a van through the row of stalls to your left.
As you push and shove your way through the mass of people, you round the top of the row and join the queue. It smells divine and judging by the queue length, was obviously a very popular attraction.
Five minutes pass and still no reply from Mantis.
A deep voice; slightly annoyed, rouses you from staring at your comm screen.
Oui? Monsieur?
You look up, a little startled as the queue behind you tuts at the unnecessary hold up. The proprietor of the kebab van stares at you, gesturing at the menu in a "what the fuck do you want to order" kind of way.
-
*Damnit Mantis this is no time to go AWOL on me ya knob.* Knives is startled a bit as he steps up to the van. He only glances at the menu knowing he wouldn't understand what it said anyways. He points at the top of the menu then holds up four fingers, leaving his meal up to fate.
At this point Knives' patience is running thin and he tries calling Mantis rather than just sending messages.
-
the van man grunts and dissappears into the back for a few minutes as he prepares your food, returning shortly with four trays of a sweet smelling meat kebab in a pitta wrap covered in a spicy smelling sauce.
It's a bit of a handful to carry with the drone in a bag too, but you swipe the credstik and head back to the RVP with dunk. You try mantis's line but it rings out. Curiosity turns to concern as your mind races. What the fuck had happened to him? As you stand at the corner of the street waiting for Dunk, you begin to tuck into your kebab. It's pretty damn good, though you have no idea what kind of meat it is or what the rest of the stuff was.
Mopping up the last of the sauce with the scraps of pitta, a booming and not unfamiliar voice erupts from behind you in a heavy cockney accent, taking the piss in pigeon French.
BONJOUR, you 'orrible litte cunt. Fancy seeing you 'ere!
You knew that voice...
and it didn't belong to an old friend.
-
Knives turns slowly in utter disbelief. *No way they banished that troll twat down ere too...* He stares blank faced at the source of the insults hoping the disguise was enough to confuse the ignorant wretch he assumed had followed him from the east end.
-
Turning around slowly, you see Micky "The Mugger" Maxwell in all his angry-troll glory, flanked by two goons in badly fitting suits. Micky was flashing some new chrome, obviously laying out for some street doc to patch him up since your last encounter.
His face falls as you turn around.
That aint 'im you dozy twat he said, turning to the right hand goon. Loik i told ya, eee's a facking cockney. ow many facking cockneys do ya get dahn eere in tha sarth a facking france? Goon 1 flailed his arm, gesturing at you as he continues his protest to Micky, who's clearly got rank over these two.
I facking 'erd 'im 'agglin wi' that scrapper ovver there.
Micky flashes a look at you once more before walking off, back into the market; clearly deciding his boys had gone paranoid somewhere between Dover and Calais..
The vocal goon stares at you, Watch your facking back mate before he follows Micky, the silent goon shaking his head.
You hear the irregular ticking of the old junker's engine as it rounds the corner, dunk noticing you'd been rattled as he pulls up, pushing the door open as he rolls into place.
Ye alright mate?
-
Knives stares bewildered at the encounter and keeps his mouth shut until the old junker pulled out and the troll was out of sight. Finally he replies to Dunk, "Far from it mate... fuckin ell how did he find me? We've got a problem a troll sized problem named Mickey. I taught im a lesson back in the East End an looks like he's come to return the favor... Damn it all... and with fresh crome to boot. I only know one way to deal with Mickey and we don't need that sort of attention. This ain't good mate..."
Only after a few minutes does he remember the drone, "Did get your drone though... I hope it's worth the trouble mate."
-
Mantis has been glad to here that if he keeps the course he is on he might get a short at seeing Jen again. With all theiIntel coming mantis's way he has let the mission he is on slip his mind. Wonderment has flooded Mantis's mind with his heart fill with hope for the first time in over a year, too many dead ends had destroyed his hope but now it was back. With the last card showing him the road he is on has a good chance at bringing Jen into sight again, something hits Mantis..... The job he is on...... oh no the team.... Mantis franticly grabs his comm and tries to call the team. subvocal mic/// sorry guys what is the situation.
-
___Knives___
Ah, shite. Ye think he's in this on their side?
Lets tek a wee look at her then. Ye see her fly?
Dunk takes the box off you and stashes the kebab under the driver's seat for later, sliding the delicate drone from its protective case.
Its not long before he's used the ownership RFID and synced it to his comm, buzzing it in small circles in the back of the car.
Aye, she'll do. How much you get her for? Where's your pal by the way?
___Mantis___
You reach for the comm, ready to call but the old lady slaps at your hand. Leave now and you never know where she is. Never.
Resist lost loved one trait with WIL + LOG only, no boosts.
-
"Fuck mate I dunno he could be tangled up in this shite. He's too stupid to do it on his own that would mean the Maxwell's are in on it. Uh yea I saw it fly, looked ok to me but I never played with them drones much. That damn haggling salesman wouldn't go any lower than 400. Haggling ain't my job so I never got too good at it..."
Knives checks the time, "No idea where Mantis got off to. If we don't hear from him in the next five minutes I'll go searching for him."
-
___Knives___
Aye she seems alreet in the air. S'no bad price really, sensor suite's a standard one tho. I can soon get a new chip though.
Cheers fer the grub by the way, I'm fuckin famished. Listen pal, you better get on wi' tha job. Call me if ye need another set o' eyes in the sky, I found a quite little parking spot about 5 minutes down tha road, I'll hang out there and get this wee little blighter up in the air fer yer.
-
"So no thermo I take it? That would have been too easy. Yea loop back around and I'll find a building to get up. Once I get a good look we move on. I don't think what we're looking for is here but we might as well check first since we're here. Mantis better hurry his arse up."
When the junker circles back around Knives hops out and hits the streets again looking for any building with a ladder to the roof.
-
Mantis fallows through with sub vocaling the team. I'm not leaving just got a text it would rude not to answer. My next question was what forces stand in my way to meeting up with Jen with the next question mantis hopes he juggle this two role week. One the mission and two the heart finding what it had lost.
-
___Lumen___
No thermo mate, got a decent zoom on it though
He pulls away, heading two blocks north of the market district before you spot a warehouse on the far side of the road.
The pedestrian traffic was much lighter here, just a few people walking home with shopping bags full, or the odd bloke walking down towards the market with their eyes downcast and heads bobbing in time with whatever music their comms blared into their ears.
The warehouse appeared abandoned; the old shutter seemed stuck half-closed, most windows smashed and a thick layer of pigeon shit was present on the visible horizontal surfaces.
It wasn't that that caught your eye though, it was the old fire escape in the adjoining alleyway. A cursory glance from the moving vehicle showed it looking intact.
Dunk pulled up as you requested, giving the drone to you to put in your pocket through the window as you slam the old car door shut.
Gi me a shout when you're ready te go in, i'll take her up and scout it out fer ye.
The evening dusk had almost fully given way to night, the temperature had taken a notable dip as you got out of the relatively warm car.
A thin sliver of orangey blue remained of the sunset, weak streetlights flickered to life down the street ready to take over the sun's duty as it retreated into the darkness.
___Mantis___
She looked at you, more concerned now as you turned over the card.
An image of a cloaked skeleton dominated the card, it's scythe glimmering as the figure prepares to strike at two kneeling mortals.
Death. Great challenge lies ahead, you must make great transform inside if you want to seek her. Use inside strength, nourish it; for you will need it all.
-
Knives makes his way casually over to the fire escape he had spotted. With practiced perfection he slips through the thining crowd, trying to conceal himself within it until he's given Dunk enough time to park. Once a few minutes pass breaks from the crowd then he reaches up and gives the ladder a shake to test it's strength.
<Alright mate I'm ready if you are. Should get some better readings now that there's a nip in the air. Send yer new toy up then I'll pop up.>
-
The few passers by don't appear to notice you as you cross the street and slip down the alley.
Something small scuttles away from you, its form hidden by the mass of discarded waste bags and cardboard packaging that litters the alley.
Giving the ladder a good shake, you see the main supports appear strong enough to take your weight, though a couple of the rungs higher up look a bit suspect, their original blue paint long given way to the orange tide of rust.
//Thing han't been charged in a wee while; I've probably only got a few minutes flight time mate. Put it on yer palm and i'll tek er up. keep an eye on it though, if it goes flat, ye'll be searchin' fer her!//
Doing as Dunk requested, the dragonfly sized drone fluttered to life, slowly gaining altitude as it drifts slightly in the breeze before Dunk corrects for it.
//Open yer image link channel to me mate, i'll pipe the camera feed te ye//
-
As the little bug flutters to life Knives pulls out his com and adds Dunk to his imagelink. Shoving the com back in his pocket he mumbles a reply to Dunk subvocally, <It's done. Just have it scope out the roof and make sure it's all clear. We better save as much charge as we can until we can fill her up..>
Knives waits for the feed to show an empty rooftop before he starts up the old ladder.
-
___Lumen___
//Aye, I hear ye//
Its a few seconds before your image link flickers into life with the incoming feed.
You can see the rungs of the ladder much more closely now and some of them looked decidedly suspect.
It takes another 20 seconds or so before the drone reaches the roof level; the feed shows the ladder ending at a small metal walkway leading up to an old punched up fire escape door.
You see as dunk pans the sensors around that you could easily shimmy across the roof for a better view due to the low angle of the interlocking corrugated sheets.
From what you can tell on the small feed, the roof appears stable. A small cluster of what looks like pigeons are roosting in the shelter of a low level crack in the panels, but the superstructure appeared to be in reasonable shape; at least on this side of the building.
Simple climbing (3) test to avoid broken rungs please
___Scawire____
The lady leans back in her chair as you absorb the information, motioning for you to flip the remaining cards when you were ready.
She grabs the urn and struggles with its heft as she pours out a thick liquid into the bowl/cup in the centre of the table.
-
Mantis quickly does a second subvocal to the group to make sure they heard him. <<SubVocal>> I'm still in the market, got hung up in a shop. Mantis quickly give a breif description of the location of the shop he is hunting for his wife at. Looking at the cards and wishing he had more then one smoke in his pack Mantis tries to figure out a good question......
....Mantis's mind starts to wonder what Jens life has turned into with out him there by her side. Then asks What has Jen found on this new journey she is one?
-
Seeing the suspect rusted out rungs higher up Knives decides not to chance it. He stretches arms out and takes in a deep breath, drawing mana in along with the brisk air. The mana seeps down into his muscles and they bulge, only barely noticeable under his workman's jumpsuit. Now fully charged and given the go ahead he quickly scurries up the ladder, using his gecko gloves to assist instead of relying solely on the rusted rungs.
*Long as this bloody thing doesn't kip off at the wall this should be a piece of cake.*
-
___Lumen____
The trid feed flashes a red battery icon and Dunk lands it softly on the metal walkway at the top of the ladder before killing the feed.
//sorry pal, she's nearly out 'o juice//
You shimmy up the first third of the ladder without any problems, the mana infusing your muscles making it feel like you were nearly weightless.
Halfway up your comm pulses in your pocket with the incoming audiofeed, shocking you out of your concentration enough to misplace your right foot.
A crack followed by a groan and then your right leg hung in free space as the rung gave way under your weight, hitting the ground below you with a reverberating twang. The cardboard and assorted debris rustled as the bar ricocheted off the walls of the alley and disturbed whatever called it home.
Mantis' hushed tones filled your audio feed shortly followed by Dunk's confirmation of receiving the message.
Hauling yourself up the rest of the ladder, you make sure of every placement of hand and foot; emerging at the top around a minute after beginning your ascent.
The little dragonfly sized drone sat expectantly on the grating, its delicate wings flapping in the cool of the evening breeze.
It was fully dark now, the markets casting a sickly orange light onto the nearby buildings.
The little bit of elevation you gained gave you a cracking view thanks to the low rise nature of the market district. The flashing of the aircraft collision warning lights on the distant skyscrapers contrasted beautifully against the curves of the Eiffel tower over on the northern horizon. A huge Arcology towered over everything else, its searchlights illuminating a steady stream of VTOL's and executive helicopters as it guided them into land at its peak.
-
___Lumen___
You slide the heavy goggles over your head once more, hearing the whine as the power unit fires up.
The world is now cast as a dark blue, almost black with the absence of heat. The occasional white spot flares up as a pedestrian makes his way down the street or passes by a window, but nothing stands out on the view from the balconied grating that you stood on.
Taking a few steps up onto the roof, you could hear the pigeons cooing in their roost underneath you as you struggled for a better vantage point. A neon sign on the next block caught your eye as a false positive, its heat signature registering as a green-yellow; but soon after your disappointment, you spot a decent candidate almost due west.
A glowing orange signature emanated from an apparently disused industrial looking unit, four blocks further up the boulevard and one block south.
__Scawire__
She motions you to flip the last card, revealing a robed woman in the centre of a large wreath, an image of land masses and roiling seas behind her.
The world. Next level of entire existence. She is, how you say? Enlightened... Her soul has transcended, to a higher form.
-
Knives cringes as he takes his first few timid steps across the rooftop, yesterday's incident still fresh in his mind even if the swelling had faded. The weight of a frustrating day began to lift as he finally spots a viable lead. He snaps a quick picture with his imagelink and notes the spot on his map before alerting the team.
<Heads up mates, I found us a hot spot. Four blocks up and one block over. Looks like an abandoned warehouse but
it's lighting up the thermo. Time for you to quit arsing around Mantis. Now.>
-
<<Encrypted channel::From:: Dunk//Picking up some interest from the locals. Gonna move on a couple of blocks I think. Good job on the find>>
-
Mantis looks at the women that had pulled him out of the crowd to drop some much need info his way. With the call from his fellow runner in his ear he stands up and bows to the woman. thank you for your help here is a token of thanks for you aid in my life mantis hands here a free with 250 nuyen and asks can I get a contact number so we can chat again some time? with that said Mantis subcalls his group. sorry guys something personal came up, kind of blind sided me with that sent to the group he ask. give me a meet spot Iwill be there shortly.
-
The old lady's face turns to anger as you stand, clearly before her session was finished. He face soon lights up though as you pass her the credstik.
She rapidly transfers the funds onto her comm and flicks an AR business card over to you.
You have good day Mantis
-
Knives carefully makes his way back down the rusted out ladder, paying close attention to each rung as he descends. He sends Mantis the location where he picked up the heat signature along with a message, <Nice of you to rejoin us mate. Meet me here and be ready to sling some hidey mojo.>
Once he reaches the ground he'll send a quick reply to Dunk as well, <Got it. We're heading towards the warehouse. Too bad this damned drone is dead, we could use the extra eyes.>
-
___Lumen___
//It's on reserves mate. Got about 1 minute of level flight before it fully discharges, just enough so ye can perform a safe landing with it under normal circumstances//
Climbing down the ladder is easy enough with your gecko gloves as you carefully manoeuvre around the remaining dodgy looking rungs.
Half way down, one half of a rung gives way, slamming you sideways into the support strut of the ladder with a metallic clang.
The commotion you heard in the cardboard an urban detritus before returns, followed by the angry hissing of a huge and hairless rat.
As you steady yourself against the friction of the gecko gloves, you look down. The fallen rung must have disturbed its nest or something, because it was clearly pissed at you as it strode around under the ladder, its little claws a good few inches too short the reach the bottom of the ladder.
-
*Oh shite, a fuckin devil rat? Heh at's right come and get me* Knives signals his taser into his palm and points over the uppity rodent. He fires a single dart hoping to quickly dispatch the pest.
-
The rat seems to judge your intent as you draw your weapon, scurrying for cover as your dart slams into a carboard box, mere millimetres from its fleshy hide
-
*Bloody hell! I don't have time to arse around with you. So either get shot like a good little pest or piss off! * Knives focuses for second, closing his sights in on the rat before letting loose another dart.
-
The rat dodges again, clearly frightened now as it attempts to run for cover. You lead your target nicely and slam a dart squarely into its torso.
It yelps and convulses as the dart discharges 50,000v into its muscles, laying still afterwards.
Your target down, you slide the rest of the way to floor level unhindered, landing gracefully before heading out onto the main street.
-
___Scawire___
You stand and leave the table as the old lady swills the tea leaves around in the oversized mug. She shouts after you as you reach the canvassed entrance area:
Be careful, a dark path you cross
The canvas drops heavily behind you as you try to get your bearings in the marketplace again.
The crowds were heavier than before and your stomach begins to rumble at the smell of the food and spices coming from the varying stalls.
To your left is the entrance you came in from, to your right was the entrance Knives came in.
-
Mantis makes his way to knives location, taking the path knives came in on. OK it looks like we got some mojo slinging coming my way better hope these upgrades I got up in Scotland will keep me in the game.] Mantis knows too well from the last infiltration job that keeping three spells up at once can fog your mind in a way that down grades your effectiveness.
-
Mantis decides to summon a spirit onto the astral to aid his team, once his spells are being sustained getting a spirit aid for this leg of the run would be out the window. Mantis gathers his will and stretches it out to the astral realms of the spirits to call aid to his team of runners.
-
Knives heads towards the warehouse but stops in a back alley about a block away. Keeping in the shadows, he gets a better look at the outside. Once he's had a look around he messages Mantis over their microtranscievers, <I'm at the location. You about ready? >
-
Mantis sub vocals back Knives I'm currently in route to your position.
-
___Lumen____
The street is pretty much deserted as you turn left off the boulevard, the only soul to be seen is an old hobo, rummaging through a bin on the far side of the junction. Only a few of the streetlights actually work, casting a weak and irregular lighting pattern on the empty roadway.
As you look up to the sky you see that the last vestiges of daylight have fully retreated into the night and a cool chill hangs in the air, your warm breath clouding in front of your face as you tuck your hands into the warmth of your coverall's deep pockets for respite.
Alleys branch left and right between each tenement block, most boarded up with sagging roofs and smashed windows.
Years of grime and pigeon shit line every surface of the buildings, their old sandstone walls misshapen due to exposure to years of acid rain.
You can see the target building on your right clearly as you walk past it and duck into an alley, making sure to keep out of the hobo's sight.
The alley stinks of piss and is littered with years worth of rotting cardboard, uncollected waste, broken bike frames and probably a whole host of other things you wouldn't want to stick your hand in.
Overcoming your natural revulsion of the smell, you duck behind a pile of torn and leaking rubbish bags that are large enough to obscure most of your body and slip the thermo goggles on.
You barely even notice the whine of the amplifier as your world turns to shades of the rainbow.
At this range, parts of roof of the target building glow a bright yellow. You can see attempts have been made to shield the heat signature, but it was clear and there for you to see that something was running hot on the roof of an otherwise cold building.
Slipping the goggles back into your pocket you dial up your image enhancement, getting a look at the building itself.
The building is slightly set back from the pathway and the road, a small thin path leads to the front door of the tenement, flanked either side by what was once a garden (it is now badly overgrown) the overgrown shrubs block a lot of your view of the pathway. The front door is in a decent condition, but the windows on the lower floor are smashed up, a couple of boards nailed over the windows as a haphazard token-gesture to patch the holes.
You can't see any obvious security devices at this range and in the darkness but common sense tells you they wouldn't be daft enough to leave something important unguarded.
-
___Scawire___
You push and shove your way through the stream of people as you make your way back out of the crowded marketplace.
The thought of food crosses your mind more than once as you pass a couple of stalls that smell delicious, but you hink better of it, having delayed the team enough already.
The crowd thins out as you get back to the entrance you came in by, swinging a right and following the boulevard up a couple of blocks; the oppressive crush of people was long gone now, a few disinterested souls walking to/from the market with shopping bags were all that was to be seen.
A hobo sat in the corner of the intersection near the target building, head tucked into his ragged coat and hands shoved deep into his pockets to stave off what was going to be a cold night.
The last of the daylight had fully retreated now, a few of the brighter stars peered through gaps in the light cloud, itself lit a murky orange from the light pollution of the city below.
Ahead stretched a badly lit street, the target building somewhere off to your right as far as Knives had told you over the comms.
Clear of the crowds, you decided to risk another summoning. You feel the spirit's presence, its shimmering disruption of the ambient mana belying its rough proximity
For what purpose do you require me summoner?
-
//Alrite lads, I think our mates from yesterday recognised the car. I'm about 3-4 blocks south west of ye now. Holler when ye need a ride.//
-
Mantis give his location to his Knives over his new micro transceiver hoping to keep his comm link powered down for when they make there move. <<<Sub-Vocal >>> I'm at the bottom left side of the building let me know if you re-group here or at your location. Mantis decides to tell the spirit to hold. Thanks for coming to aid me right now just sit tight later I will need you to use your concealment power on me and a friend. I'll let you know when that time has come. Mantis waits to hear what move Knives wants to make.
-
Knives replies subvocally, <To your left mate, bout 10 meters down an alley opposite the building. I can't tell from here if there's any cameras watching the intersection and I'd rather not risk it. You feel up to a climb or am I doing this on my own?>
-
Mantis thinks over the question that has been presented to him <<Sub Vocal>> I'm thinking your the one skilled at climbing if we don't need me to make the attempt, better chance I wont mess up. Also I can keep an eye on the ground level better from where I am at. Mantis turns to look at Knives then starts to scan his area for a good place to stay low profile and keep an eye on Knives at the same time.
-
Knives steps out from behind the rubbish bags and slinks off to the corner of the building near the intersection, hoping to spot Mantis. <<No worries mate but I'm gonna need that sneaky mojo before I do this. Lay it on me.>>
-
___Lumen___
Stepping out of the stinking mulch of the alleyway was a pleasure.
You see Mantis a fair way down the street on the far side of the target building.
He's walking towards you, doing his best to look inconspicuous, but there is no way to be fully shielded from any prying eyes in the target building.
___Scawire___
Your heart rate rises as Knives appears out of an alleyway some distance down the street ahead of you.
You do your best to fit in, but the sparse cover on the street means you have no way of keeping out of anyone's line of sight for anything more than a few moments.
The target building must be near, it was game time.
-
Once Mantis spots Knives he gives him a mojo cloak he learning back in Scotland, he scan the area for any place he could break line of sight from the target building. If he can't spot a place Mantis will have to analyze where to keep walking to to find a spot to watch the ground and keep hidden well Knives does his thing.
-
___Scawire___
You keep walking to the point where Knives' had been staking out the target, knowing it was probably the only place with any cover from the target. Passing an aged and rusted hulk of a vending machine, you chance a casting attempt. The mana stubbornly refuses to weave into form as you attempt to conceal your hands in your pockets, but you try again, bringing your hands out and making the gestures with a redoubled effort, smiling as knive's form shimmers and fades from view.
___Lumen___
You see Mantis approach and run through his gestures and hear his mumbled incantation. A disturbance in the ambient mana around you shifts the way you feel for a nanosecond before returning to normal.
You instinctively know that his spell worked.
-
*Alright mojo'd up and ready to go.* Seeing Mantis weave his spell Knives closes the distance to the target, sticking to the shadows. Once he's across he tucks up against the building and pulls out the FlySpy holding it up with open palm. Subvocally he signals Dunk over the microtranscievers, <It's time mate, straight up. Send me the shot then shut her down.>
-
//Yep, video feed establishing now//
The little wings flapped delicately as it took to the air, your Image link a blur of motion as the side of the building scrolls past in the darkness.
The low battery alarm flashes red in the top left of the image link, angrily pulsing as it reaches roof level. You see a flat roof, puddles of rainwater standing in a couple of areas and a large air conditioning style metal unit in the centre of the roof.
The flashing battery icon turns to a red warning sign and the Fly Spy descends, slowly and controlled at first, before keening to the right and thunking nose first into the long grass at the front of the building.
//Sorry pal, that's all i've got for ye//
-
<Good enough.> With what looks like an empty rooftop above Knives stretches out his shoulders as he draws mana down into the muscles. He sets his gecko gloves to climbing mode and takes off up the side of the building.
-
The gecko grips to the old brick as you put each hand against the wall and test the strength of the adhesion.
Focussing in on your inner strength, the you feel the mana infuse your muscles to a huge extent, bulging them perceptibly against your clothing.
With care to keep your noise levels down, you haul yourself up the side of the building, cresting the roofline and ducking through a hole in the half-rotten wooden hoardings.
With a little further effort, you find yourself prone on a reasonably large flat roof. Sections to your left have sagged down, filled with an inch or two of rainwater, but it's the old air-conidtioning unit that catches your eye most.
an very quiet audible hum registers in your earbuds as you dial up the enhancement, the spatial recognizer confirming the direction of the noise in your image link.
Even in the near pitch-dark, you can see a thick insulated power cable snaking its way out of the rear of the unit, through a puddle and over to a weatherproof interface panel next to the roof access door.
Considering the state of the roof and building in general, the unit and interface panel looked awfully new...
-
Once Mantis got into the ally way he decides to call up his Spirit helper. Thanks for coming to me and my friends aid could you use your concealment power on me and Knives. As Mantis gives his request to his helper he Mentally pictures Knives and his position in his head so He Spirit aid knows who Knives is. With the command sent Mantis pulls back into the shadows of the ally as best he can and watches Knives position as best he can, eyes and ears open.
-
___Scawire___
Ducking into the alley, your nose is assaulted by the stench of years of accumulated piss, rotten garbage and god knows what else as well.
You tuck in behind a large bag, half-kicking a large sheet of half-rotten corrugated cardboard as you go.
Calling forth your spirit, it shimmers and coalesces into a ghostly form beside you.
As you wish...
It crosses the street, moving with purpose towards the location it expected to find Knives in, before moving around randomly as if searching for something it could not find.
-
Knives lays motionless on his belly for a minute taking in his surroundings. *Smith said it would be guarded so if this is it I gotta be careful. No room for foul ups.* Done with his mental pep talk he planks up onto his hands and toes. Keeping low to roof Knives slowly scuttles through the puddles over towards the interface panel. Once he's closed the distance he eyes the panel closely and wracks his brain thinking of all the ways this panel could be rigged to ruin his night.
-
Your mind begins to race as you approach the cabinet, any number of security measures could be put in place on a bit of kit like this. The easiest and cheapest one you could think of would be a pressure sensor, triggering an alarm when the access panel opens and releases the weight on it. You knew they were in place in shop fronts up and down the Old Smoke, they'd caught out your pals as they jimmied doors open and ruined a couple of break ins when they'd been rigged up to a silent Matrix hot-line to the pigs.
There could be anything fancy in there too; light sensors, motion detectors, hell, even a thermal sensor would register someone being too nosy in cabinet's contents if it was sensitive enough.
Crawling through the puddle had overloaded the worksuit's meagre damp proofing and you were now sodden all down your front and up your arms and lower legs. You tried to keep low as much as you could, keeping your kit out of the water as much as you could, but it wasn't easy.
The insulated power cable snaked through a secure and weatherproof metal fitting into the internal aspect of the cabinet, with an inspection panel directly above it.
It was oddly secured with a huge metal padlock and a thick width of steel rope rather than any fancy gadgets, but you assumed there might be more gadgetry awaiting you on the inside...
-
___Mantis___
After a couple more minutes of frantic searching, the spirit's ghostly form vanishes from view
-
Knives moves around to kneel in front of the panel, having studied the target closely he stretches his neck to both sides then unzips his kit. *No big deal mate, just another lock like the hundred others yer trusty picker has bested.* Pulling out the autopicker he ever so gently lifts the padlock to get a better look at keyhole. With the still hand of surgeon Knives guides the devices with a meticulous care that one probably would not expect from a blaggard street thug from the East End.
-
lockpicking roll (autopicker rating) please
-
It takes a couple of seconds, but re-positioning and tweaking the position of the autopicker eventually results in the satisfying *click* you were hoping for.
Shortly after the happy *clunk* your mana field flickers, giving you an uneasy sense, almost the shivers that everyone talks about as "someone walking over your grave"
-
Knives inhales sharply as the lock pops and a shiver takes him. He breaths outs slowly and away from the panel. *Keep it together mate. Ya done good but it's just the beginning.* Slowly he sets the autopicker back in his kit then carefully removes the large padlock and sets it down gently in front of him. He leans in and closely inspects where the steal rope meets the panel and the edges of the panel itself.
-
The steel rope is thick enough that you'd need hydraulics or a welding rig to cut it, and the heft of the padlock shows that someone spent really good money on it; there's no way you'd be able to destroy the lock without some serious equipment.
The access panel sits flush to the joint and there is too little ambient light to see into the recess properly. Without a light source you'd have to open it blind and hope for the best
-
With the vanishing of his spirit from view Mantis does his best to take a look around the road by the ally he is in to see if there are any major threats. Hopefully no but best keep an eye out on the ground level. I need to get something to deal with my bad climbing skills, maybe a spell or two to help out. Mantis peeks out the side of the ally to see what the road houses.
-
*Fuck all I haven't got the tools or the talent to pull this off but it's got to get done. Just go real slow, be real careful, and pray your bloody ass off.* Knives exhales oncs again away from the panel and holds the air out, better to still his hands. He gently raises one end of the rope to allow him to open the panel without removing it. Then he goes about slowly opening the panel. All of his attention is focused solely of this panel, he searches for the slightest trimmer or sound to alert him that some trap may lie hidden. He prays that he's quick enough and he draws mana down into himself to reach his peak of reaction and dexterity.
-
__Scawire___
You stick your head around the corner of the alley, keeping out of the weak orange light cast by the old phosphorous streetlight. The road is deathly quiet, the hobo seems to have settled down at the far end of the street having finished raiding through the bins.
Faint traffic noise from the distant main roads and the hustle and bustle of the market district a few blocks away carry on the still evening air if you really strain for them, but it appears as if this aspect of the slums is as derelict as it appears to the eye.
The spirit startles you out of your concentration I have done as you wish, though your friend was not where you said he would be, I apologise for the delay. As a matter of interest, from what am I concealing you?
-
__Lumen__
The access panel door squeaks open slowly, metal grinding on metal hinges as you try to minimise the noise.
In the stillness of the evening air, it sounds like death-metal, but you know it's only because you're hyper sensitive and your audio enhancement is dialled up to the max.
A few blinking LED status lights welcome you as the squeaky panel comes to rest, the lights belying the presence of racks of electronic equipment concealed in the air con unit, casting a very weak glow inside the access panel bay.
-
Mantis shakes his head having gone a bit absent minded well keeping an eye out. Oh ya spirit helper. Mantis directs his thoughts to the spirit that is helping keep the team from being spotted. Thanks mate for putting that in place, sorry I caused you trouble it is some what hard for me to give you a mental image of him on the astral space since I don't have those kind of eyes. Mantis again shakes his head thinking about the spell he has in place right now over watching Knives. I should have told you I had a spell cloaking him. As for the what I want you to hide us from. Well we need to drop something off at a door step and the people behind that door have a bad habit of trying to put bullet holes in me and my friend. Mantis doesn't really want to lay it all out for the spirit in case for some reason another spell slinger can use his spirit influence to get this spirit helper to spill the beans.
-
*Ok moment of truth. Let's see how this thing jacks in.* Knives reaches into his kit and pulls out the little black device he's supposed to be installing. He closely inspects the leads, looking for a similar connection inside the panel. *I really hope this is the right spot.*
-
*Duh ya bumbling idiot, the holoprojector.* Knives pulls out his com and engages the projector hoping to shead some more light on the panel. He snaps a shot with his imagelink and sends it to Dunk with a message, <Could use your knowhow mate. You spot any place to hook this thing up?>
-
___Lumen____
The holoprojector casts a weak glow inside the cabinet, revealing 4 banks of expensive looking boxes directly in front of you their LED status lights flashing in accordnace with the data pulsing through them.
Large banks of cables run from the underside of the electronics off to the left, deeper into the cabinet. The weak glow from you holoprojector doesn't really reach the back of the cabinet, barely illuminating some curved edges
suggestive of more equipment back there.
//Nice, looks pricey to me mate. I'm nae expert on networking but I'd say that's some serious infrastructure pal. Have a wee look round where the cables come in out, there should be a universal port or two fer diagnostics or summat//
-
Knives turns his gaze and feeble light source to the bottom of the panel where the cables emerge. *I hope I didn't foul up by opening the case when the plug in was down here all along. *
-
You don't see any ports on the exterior of the case, but you can make out a bank of four input ports on the underside of the rightmost electronic box. A clear plastic sheet covers the row of ports, hinged at the far side to swing out of the way for access.
-
*Aha finally something that looks right!* Knives moves the plastic sheet and connects the black box. He flips the switch upwards twice and waits for any signs of life from the device.
-
Try as you might, the plastic cover would not budge under pressure from your fingers alone. IT feels like the sleeve is there to protect the ports from more than just the weather...
-
Mantis takes time to look over the picture that was sent to the team. Hummmmmmm
-
Ok then lets see if this works...... I really need to get better at climbing. Mantis uses his transceiver to tell Knives what it is he has to do. Ok I got an idea... (OCC As stated by Csjarrat in the OCC section.)
-
Knives nods as he listens to Mantis' plan then responds through the transceiver, <Oy mate that sounds great and all but I don't know a capacitor from a hole in my arse. How bout I toss you down a line and my gecko gloves. I can tie the rope off up here and haul you up. We're gonna need your kit anyways.>
-
Mantis thinks for a second. Sure I can come up. Thing is with the spell on you I can't climb very good well I keep a spell running. Just FYI Mantis takes a look around hoping the street is still very bare. Then makes his way over to where he is going to get a lift to the job.
-
___Knives___
You push yourself up from prone gently, feeling horrible wetness of your overalls against your skin as you move your thighs and push up to a crouched position, digging around in your kit for the stretch of rope.
Looking out over the street, its practically impossible to tell where Mantis is. The spirit had obviously done its work well this evening.
Mantis signals his approach with a quick chirp over the comms and you sling your gecko gloves down to ground level, noticing how it becomes almost impossible to focus on them as they fade from view as Mantis dons them.
You sling the rope down, bracing yourself against the lip of the roof as it suddenly becomes taught.
Focussing and channelling your mana inwards, you feel your strength increase and take your queue, hauling the rope between your hands. It rasped noisily against the lip of the roofing, squealing with every haul.
You could hear Mantis banging against the brickwork, grunting as it scraped a layer of skin off. It obviously hurt like fuck, but he managed to keep a lid on it.
It took about ten seconds to haul his dead weight up the side of the building and you hear a scrabbling as the line goes slack. The hoarding moved and clattered and Mantis lands ungracefully somewhere near your feet, panting for breath, with a *thunk*. His form obscured by the arcane aid of the spirit, but noticeable by the displacement of the water he lay in.
___Scawire___
You see no change in the lack of traffic on the street and no sign of life from the target building and so decide to head across the street. Reaching the side of the building you wait for Knives to appear, opening and closing the comms channel repeatedly to create a "chirping" to indicate you'd arrived. A pair of gecko gloves appeared from a shimmering form for a milisecond before falling under gravity towards you. Knives had obviously got the message. Donning the badly fitting gloves as quickly as you could you look up again, seeing a stretch of thin rope descending towards you.
Grabbing on, you take up the slack, setting the gloves to "climb" mode, you hang on for dear life.
You ascend somewhat rapidly, your trajectory smacking you into the wall hard, the coarse brick ripping at the exposed flesh on your arms, hands and head.
The rope squeals in protest at being dragged over the threshold of the roof with your weight attached to it, sounding like all holy hell against the stillness of the late evening.
Less than 10 seconds had passed before you reached the threshold, frantically trying to clear your hands from the rope to avoid them being crushed against the threshold.
Hauling yourself up, you bang into the half-rotten advertising hoarding and collapse with no dignity into a puddle on the far side of the threshold, only two foot shaped displacements in the puddle belying Knives' presence.
Resist 4S with impact armour only
___Both___
Audio perception test only at -2
-
___lumen___
You'd barely caught your breath before you heard noises emanating from the stairway
-
*Oh fuck, look sharp!* Knives quickly calls one taser into his awaiting hand. *Shit, the rope.* Having seen the disappearing act his gecko gloves went through on their descent, he scoops up the rope hoping that it will do the same.
-
___Knives___
You haul the rest of the rope in as fast you can, your spatial recognizer flashing in your image link to confirm the sounds in the stairway are definitely getting closer. Stuffing the rope into your kit pockets, you catch the open access panel in your peripheral vision, wondering if you had enough time to close it and duck for cover.
__Mantis__
You roll over and push yourself onto your feet as quickly as you can, catching your first glimpse of the access panel Knives had been working on.
Your heart rate soared as Knives gave you the heads up. The last of the rope disappeared into thin air as Knives stashed it back in his overall's kit section.
-
Mantis does his best to take cover behind the access panel. He would rather take cover on the other side of the door leading to the roof but doesn't want to take the extra time to get on the other side it.
-
*Fuck it I've got to try!* Knives' lightning fast reflexes spring into action. He'd always been quick and when the chips are down it really gets his blood pumping. He races over to the panel and shuts it quickly, hoping his speed doesn't fail him now.
-
__Lumen___
Your spatial recogniser flashes a red arrow that points behind you with every footstep coming up the stairs.
Your heart beats so loud you feel its going to pop out your chest cavity. Forcing your fingers to obey, you deftly slot the steel rope into the padlock and shut the access panel, rounding the corner of the cabinet just as the lock disengages.
__Scawire___
You're up and off like a shot, hiding behind the cabinet as best you can
___Both___
The door swings open, it's arcing trajectory followed by an intensely bright flashlight. Its beam pours through the gaps in the cabinet and splashes onto the rotten of advertising hoardings.
Allo?......Allo?
A timid sounding French voice emanates from the far side of the cabinet, Knives' spatial recogniser putting the sound source nearby the doorway.
Fresh infiltration rolls please
-
Knives tucks down at the last second and holds in his breath. *Just go back inside, nothing to see here.*
-
___Both___
Gentle footsteps approach, splashing through the puddle Knives was laid in.
You do your best to gently move down the cabinet to the opposite end, carefully watching each step.
Reaching the corner, you bump into one another, still cloaked by the effects of the spell.
The flashlight beam sweeps the back of the cabinet, glaringly bright as your eyes had long since adjusted to the dark.
Allo?!...
-
Only being under a concealment power of a spirit Mantis does his best to stay the hell out of the light. As the guard makes his way around the access panel Mantis tries his best to keep circling around the Access panel as well trying to stay out of view. At least I got a invisibility spell on Knives I think it might be an idea to add one to myself too. With one spell being sustained Mantis tries his best to shape the local mana around himself to further mask his presence on the roof.
-
___Scawire___
Your effort to weave the mana completes effortlessly, knitting a tight thread around your aura and concealing yourself further from view.
___Both___
The beam flashes down your end a few more times, as if the guard thought he saw something, but its not long before he plods his way through the puddle and back downstairs, chatting away in French to someone on his commlink.
The door lock engages with a metallic thud, leaving you in relative peace.
A small noisy motorbike cruises down the street. It's single headlight showcases the potholes and breaks in the road surface, the driver having to swerve to avoid the worst on several occasions; all the while trying to keep his shopping bags attached to the rack on the back.
It takes a left turn at the end of the road and you're left alone once more
-
Knives remains silent until the motorcycle is out of sight then lets out a sigh of relief. He whispers to Mantis "That was too close, let's wrap this up quick."
-
___Lumen___
Edging your way quietly around the cabinet, you call up the "last used" pattern from the Auto-picker's AR interface and the lock re-opens with a satisfying *clunk*
It hadn't got any lighter in there since the last time, so once again, the holoprojector comes out as an improvised torch, blasting your screensaver all over the inside of the cabinet
__Scawire___
You follow the footsteps in the puddles to the access cabinet, happy to see the panel swing open and Knives' footsteps move out of your way.
A commlink materialises, pumping a weak and patterned light into the cabinet.
A brief look at your workspace and you knew this was going to be an arse of a job to do, and there was no way around getting wet.
You recognise the basics of the equipment you were looking at, essentially large network hubs for routing of Matrix data. Given your surroundings, you knew you'd hit the jackpot.
You lay on your back, feeling the water soak into your clothing, rapidly overcoming its damp proofing. It was gonna be a cold and uncomfortable night at this rate.
Shuffling your body through the puddle, you get your head as near to the underside as you can, grabbing the electric screwdriver from your kit and re-positioning Knives' makeshift torch to give you the best light possible.
Giving the screwdriver a pulse to make sure the battery was good, you set to work.
-
With the hard work ahead of Mantis he decides to tell Knives something very quietly. Not wanting to use any names or street names he tells Knives whats up. Bud this is going to be a hard job. I'm going to drop the two spells I'm sustaining. Try to stay low and out of sight. With Knives knowing what is coming Mantis drops the two spells he has been holding in place so his mind can be non-distracted as he works on the access panel.
-
Figuring he'd just be in the way Knives moves over to the side of the stairwell. He tucks down and puts his ear up to the wall to listen for any signs of movement.
-
___Lumen___
You leave Mantis to it, carfeully stepping over the space marked out by the distortion of the water in the puddles.
Gently moving up to the weather beaten door, you place your ear on the surface but dislodge your earbuds. They squeak with feedback from the audio enhancement as you pull your head away to re-adjust them
-
*Bloody hell!* Knives pulls his head back and wiggles his little finger in the offended ear. After a second with the sting of the feedback gone he replaces the earbud but decides not to get quite as close to the door again.
-
Even with the audio enhancement dialled up to max, there was nothing louder downstairs than the ambient noise up where you were. The evening's light breeze sounds like a hurricane as it moves across the earbud's sensors and your spatial recogniser is aptly confused, registering only the rough direction of the wind.
As the adrenaline of the previous near miss dies down, you begin to feel cold.
Lying in the puddle left your overalls sodden and you body was leeching heat big time as the wet material stuck to your skin.
____Both____
<<Dunk>>//You've gone mighty quiet lads, How ye gettin' on?//
-
Mantis fiddles away with the panel trying his best to take his time, this could get the team in trouble if done wrong.
-
__Scawire___
It takes a couple minutes of faffing about to release all the screws, but eventually the underside panel comes away with a clunk. It dangles precariously, held back by a cable connecting to the anti-tamper device, but you have enough room to access the ports you need to.
With a bit of wiggling and gentle coaxing of the casing, you manage to create a bit of room for the cabling for the black box to pass through, grabbing a roll of tape out of your hardware kit and affixing it to the far side of the box, out of line of sight from the access panel. All being well, it'd be a few days before it was eventually discovered.
-
Knives glances back over his shoulder to see Mantis' progress. *Oh shite! I hope he can put all that back together.* He then takes a step towards the panel and whispers, "You done?" He runs through the steps again in his head, *Plant thingy. Looks like check. Flip switch up twice, hopefully Mantis remembered. Then just plant the burner. Judging by the state of those rubbish bags they've been there a while. That should do nicely. Don't want to jynx it but we might have pulled this one off. Just gotta get him down from here without so much racket...*
-
___Knives___
You get the impression you had the easy option on guard duty.
Your spatial recogniser flashes and pulses in Mantis' direction as he grunts and groans; occasional clangs of metal on metal as he bends the chassis for the black box's trailing cable to run through.
Occasionally you get a spike of activity from downstairs, the frequencies subtly altering as if there was a change in the background noise more than anything directly making a noise.
Mantis slides away from the cabinet, rolling over in the puddle and pushing himself up to his feet, visibly sodden and looking cold and miserable.
Threading the steel rope through the restraint and sliding the padlock to its closed position, he looks at you with a "what next?" kind of look
-
Knives moves closer and whispers trying to keep his voice as low as possible, "Gimmie the gloves and tie this round yourself." He pulls the stealth rope from his pack and holds it out. *Damnit all. I knew I shouldn't have left the grapple gun in Dunk's trunk... This is exactly while I ponied up the quid for it!*
-
Mantis is glad he hasn't messed up setting up the electronics. Mantis does his best to fallow Knives instructions. Not being very skilled in climbing Mantis was hoping to stay at street level well Knives got the goods in place, things change.
Mantis raps the cord around himself as Knives says waiting to get back to ground level.
-
Mantis's blurry, half-concealed outline struggles to maintain its balance as you slowly loose the line, lowering him down to ground level as gently and smoothly as you could.
The line goes totally slack and you see the loop un-knot and hit the ground.
Looping your end around the most solid-looking hoarding strut, you test its structural strength with a few good hard tugs before lowering your weight over the side wall.
Taking care to keep the noise down, it takes a little longer to reach the bottom than you'd hoped. You'd no sooner hit the rope with the catalyst stick than the sound of another small motorbike engine lit up your spatial recogniser.
It was headed in from the markets.
-
Knives holds his arm up to bar Mantis from moving out of the alley and he whispers, "Hold tight." He then heads out to the grass in front of the building to search for their fallen drone.
-
The motorbike passes, weaving to miss the potholes as the one earlier did.
With it gone, you dial up the image enhancement and spot the glint of light reflecting off a wing surface in the massively overgrown front garden.
Peeking your head around the building a little more, for a milisecond you're convinced that you saw a crack of light from the far upstairs window, you blink and try to focus your eyes on it again, but it had gone
-
Mantis hugs a wall in the ally hoping he could send some nicotine through his veins in a very short time. Lets hope this doesn't turn hostile here at the end like that Grid Link building. I don't want to have to hold on misting up my lungs for too much longer.
-
Knives watches the window intently for a minute. *Damn I could have sworn I saw something. Oh well.* Satisfied it was his paranoid imagination he moves in to scoop up the drone and pocket it. He can't help but glance back up at the window before heading back across the street to the rubbish bags.
-
In a half-stoop to keep a low profile, you head into the long grass, tangled with all sorts of weeds.
Something scurries past your foot as you grab the drone, its delicate wing tip catching the distant streetlight.
Retrieving it, you see it had taken a bit of a rough landing. the right wing looks a bit bent out of shape, but probably nothing that Dunk couldn't fix with the right tools.
Satisfied, you clip the drone back into its carry case and pocket it.
-
Moving across the street Knives pulls out the burner Smith provided and flips it on. Once he's made it back to the rubbish bags he moves one aside just enough to shove the com underneath. With the mission complete in his mind he sends Mantis a chirp and starts walking back towards where Dunk dropped him off. After a few blocks Knives messages the team, <All done in the market. We'll meet you where you dropped me off.>
-
The burner flicks on, immediately connecting to the black box as it had been programmed to.
Stowing it under the refuse and detritus of the alleyway was a breeze but your hands stunk, fuck knows what kind of grime was on them.
//Aye aye cap'n. Heading there now. That kebab was fuckin lovely by the way.//
Heading out of the alleyway you sneak another look at the window where you saw the glimmer of light. It seems quiet now, you'd never think anyone had been in the building for years.
Something about it bugged you though, you were entirely sure you'd seen a flash of something out of that window space.
Setting off down the street towards the market, you heard the familiar heavy footsteps of Mantis behind you.
For a second though, the sound is disembodied, not even an outline to suggest where the sound came from.
You remembered the spirit's concealment was still active and continued to the corner of the street, keeping an eye out for the tramp you saw earlier at the junction.
-
Mantis keep pace with knives holding to his six o clock. Mantis knows the three runners are in a hostile area and his smoke will wait for a safe place with job done. Mantis's mind drifts to the seer as his ears and eyes stay focused on the dangerous turf the team is in. she knew too much at the start for her words to be forgotten I'll remember what she said...... Where is she???????
-
__Knives__
The two of you walk back onto the main drag, the markets on your left this time.
The bars had started to get a bit rowdy now, the evening commuters and shoppers having had their fill and headed home for the night.
Something about the street seemed meaner than it was only an hour ago as you first came though here. The music blaring from the bars was more aggressive, folks seemed to be in heavier gear, some sporting obvious gang identification. A group of gangers were stood around their bikes a couple hundred yards down the road from you, chatting loudly. One was clearly the leader, a huge 'stache and beard denoting his rank alongside a huge bowie knife in a sheath by his right thigh.
___Scawire___
The bar you saw earlier with the gangers outside seemed to be pulsing to some seriously heavy bass. A group of well chromed bikes stood outside, several well built gangers stood around them, swigging beers and chatting loudly. The old-school neon sign advertised hookers, beer and pool, so you knew it was classy right from the off.
The market seemed quieter than before as you catch a glimpse through the entrance archway; a small array of vans seemed to be stripping the stalls down and the night shift seemed to be setting up afresh.
-
Knives eyes the gangers as he and Mantis approach them, <Oy mate let's give them a wide berth. This has gone smoothly so far, let's not give them a chance to foul that up.> He moves to the far side of the street and hopes the magical protections they're sporting will let them pass unmolested.
-
Crossing the road, you pass the entrance to the markets. You can see that it is undergoing a transformation into a very different style of shopping experience.
The daytime traders were hastily taking down their wares and boxing up what they hadn't sold as the night shift were pulling racks of clothing, knives and god knows what else out of low loading vans.
Heading on down the boulevard, you see more of the frontage of the biker bar on the far side of the road.
The second floor had an open demi-balcony, the flashing lights and pumping bass originating from here. A figure stands at the window, looking out onto the street as the bikers guffaw and crack jokes amongst one another underneath.
Drawing somewhat level with the building, you have the uneasy sense that the guy on the balcony is staring at you, even through your spirit assisted veil.
-
Mantis agrees with Knives and does his best to give the local gang their space to try and keep this missions finish time closer.
My love is on a new journey and it seems to have Enlightened her is some way. Maybe there is still a chance if I keep an eye open to join up with her journey????? Mantis mind is going over the seer ladies comments but still keeping his eyes and ears on his surroundings.
-
Knives keeps his head down and towards their destination. As they pass the bar he can't help but look towards the bloke who appears to be staring at them. He gives a small nod but keeps moving on. *Don't fret big guy we're just passing through. *
-
The figure in the window mutters something into his collar and immediately the jovial mood of the gangers changes. The conversation stops dead as the moustachioed leader signals something's up.
They begin to walk backwards towards the door of the bar, hands tentatively easing towards their weapons as they back away.
The figure in the window merely continues to observe, his eyes never leaving you for a second.
-
"Oh shit, let's pick up the pace mate. Looks like we're spotted and they don't look to happy about it." Knives pings Dunk <Oy mate we may need to expedite that pick up. Where you at?>
-
Breaking into a jog, Dunk replies almost immediately, his message slightly crackly over the transceiver net
//Just parked up now mate, engines running and doors are unlocked. Why, what's up?//
-
Mantis hears Knives and his brain drains of the old seer lady and more on the chance of death the turf he is in might have coming his way. Mantis's mind first starts running down spells seeing the energies he had to learn to master play out in his minds eye. Each spell shows a different knitting of energies to get the spell to work. The threads of the mana flow are there waiting for Mantis to streach his will out and grab and braid the flow into his desired effect. Lets see what plays out here in these guys play ground
-
The gangers are practically at the door of their club, still frantically searching for something in your general direction.
Still jogging down the street, you draw level with the startled gangers. The few pedestrians out and about sense something is amiss, the gangers now having drawn their weapons, taking cover in alleys and doorways.
A few steps ahead of you a huge wall of flame bursts into existence, blocking off your exit
-
___Both___
You feel the heat of the flames and hear the deafening whoosh as the street is lit up by the blazing wall, effectively cutting that route of escape. The pedestrians on the far side of the firewall scream and run back down the street, while the one on this side of the wall sprints for the markets, desperate not to be caught in what was rapidly unfolding here.
Pivoting to shield yourselves from the flame you see the figure in the window gesturing and incanting towards the fire-wall, whilst underneath him the gangers look more confident; their moustachioed leader instructing them to move forwards and search.
-
"Bloody hell, cheese it!" Knives' eyes bulge open at the sight of the wall of fire and his instincts kick in. He bolts down another alley away from the club full of gangers. *I hope Mantis doesn't get any wild ideas about fighting these blokes.*
<We got spotted through the mojo and this mustachioed asshat was not happy about us sneaking about. Could use a closer pick up mate.>
-
Mantis fallows Knives down the ally way maybe this will keep the gangers from closing ground on the two runners. I could've tried to down the firewall but we seem to be on the move now. Mantis makes sure not to lose Knives better if the lead starts flying to have a wing man to aid in staying alive.
-
___Lumen___
Your fight or flight instincts kick in, tearing down the alleyway to your left. Footsteps behind you mean that Mantis got the message, but the footsteps behind him mean you're not alone.
//Shit, hoof it through the markets, I'll meet you at the east entrance. Doors will be open//
The alleyway is in a much better state of repair than the last one you visited, a well worn track runs through the middle of garbage cans and under clothes on lines hung out to dry.
Panting as you lengthen your stride, a door opens to your right; the opener confused and startled at the incongruous mix of sound with no visual source.
___Mantis___
Summoner, I am under att.....
You feel the mana bond to the spirit sever and whiplash backwards towards you, your own aura rippling in the eddy currents of the displaced mana as the spirit is banished.
Knive's form materialises ahead of you as the concealment fades, passing a startled onlooker in a doorway further up the alley. He spots your form running towards him, probably halfway through de-cloaking and shouts, slamming the door in his retreat.
Shouts from the gangers erupt behind you, their footsteps now a furious running pace, though some distance away.
-
<You got it mate we're heading your way.> Knives is unfazed by the startled bystander, as long as they're not in the way or trying to stop him then they're not worth his attention right now. For a brief moment in his mind he was back in the East End ducking through alleys with Jimmy and a pocket full of lifted quid. Sadly it didn't take long to be reminded he's far from home. *Fuckin hate France.*
-
Flying past the door, you hear the bystander shout and slam the door behind him. Mantis was loosing a bit of ground on you but would soon catch up.
Your heart was pounding fast now, your AR display pulsing red from the spatial recogniser lighting up with the sound of motorbike engines reverberating off the high walls of the alley.
The alley split four ways at the end of the block;
Straight up was a chain link fence, barbed wire surrounding the top. From the quick glance you can see it is a continuation of the alley you've been down, servicing the rear of the buildings facing onto the market.
To your right was a short service road, covered in puddles and apparently a dead-end courtyard with a row of car-parking for the old tenement blocks.
To your left was the service road that headed out onto the markets; a beaten up and shaky looking, mesh covered, full-sized swing gate blocking your swift exit. The sound of the motorbike engines appeared at first check to be heading in from that direction.
Behind you was Mantis, now gaining as you stood at the crossroads. You could see the gangers charging down the alleyway some 20 metres behind him.
-
___Knives___
Mantis gains on you with the gangers in hot pursuit as you draw your sword and slash at the rusted old gate.
Chunks of rusted metal flay off in all directions as you make a heavy contact, blade sparking off the old metalwork.
Your keen strike creates a huge gash through the middle of it, the loosely diagonal slash gaping open by a couple of metres; easily enough for you to pass through
-
With the obstacle taken care of Knives resheaths his blade and continues with his escape. *Damn the gangs around these parts are touchy.* He heads towards the east end of the market hoping to see Dunk and the old junker. *If we don't make some good headway soon those goons are going to wreck our ride before we make it out of the market.*
-
Mantis decides to call a small spirit to help slow down the group fallowing him. Mantis stretches his will out to the spirit realm and asks for the help of a spirit. May not be a big spirit but any help right now will be great. Mantis decides that his group of three are out numbered and needs some help. Once the Spirit comes to his aid the only thing Mantis can thing to do is start by slowing down the group on his heels. Thank you for your help I need you to start by guarding me, knives and dunk with the most powerful stun bolts you can cast. Start with the gangers in hot on our tail. Thank you. Mantis starts to think of other ways to help the team out as he does his best to keep up to Knives.
-
___Scawire___
You see Knives turn the corner at the junction and hear the shouts of the gangers behind you. Somewhere off in the distance you hear the sound of Motorbike engines roaring and your pulse sounds like artillery fire as you run as fast as you can. Clenching your fist and channelling your connection to the planes as best you can, a shimmering distrortion of light, roughly resembling a man's proportions, erupts from the aether next to you as you run
In trouble again are we? Very well...
It shimmers and disappears behind you as you reach the junction, just in time to see Knives slash a gaping hole in a chain link fence.
___Both___
You force your way through the busted fence, shards of rusted metal grabbing and snatching at your clothing as you do.
The delay in forcing your way through it allows the gangers to close the gap; You've barely cleared the fence onto the far side before they're scrambling over it and pushing through it.
Emerging from the fence you find yourself behind a row of market stalls in a current state of being stripped down and re-set for the night shift.
To your right, the exit towards the Eastern market gate is partially restricted by a van being loaded by a small group of startled looking onlookers, seemingly shocked at your arrival.
Left takes you back towards the west exit and the ganger's bar. Straight up takes you into the thick of the markets, over under or through the intervening market stalls.
Roll for initiative!!
-
*Damnit all, looks like it's up to me slow em down or Mantis is toast.* Knives stops on a dime and spins turning to face the gangers hot on his partner's tail. He hunkers down a bit as he draws mana into joints, loosening them to be more fluid. Calling his taser from its arm sling he levels it at the nearest ganger and lets a single dart fly.
-
___Knives; Ini 14. 1st pass____
The ganger with the crudely fashioned whip (more a decent length of old bike chain welded to a motorbike grip-handle than anything purpose built) had the edge on the moustachioed leader, and a couple metres on the ganger with the huge Bowie knife. Your smartlink lit up green with the proposed trajectory, registering a solid hit in his thigh as he continued to close the gap. His pace barely dipped, as if he didn't really even notice the hit. In a mili-second you'd checked the AR feed; the dart had definitely discharged it's capacitors. You guessed this guy just wasn't going to go down easily...
___Materialised spirit of man;ini 10, 1st pass___
The spirit hurls a shimmering ball of raw magical power at the charging ganger, his home-made whip half drawn back ready to strike. It impacts him squarely in the chest, but again, it registers practically no impact upon his advance
-
___Whip ganger, ini 9____
Seeing Knives stop in his tracks and take a shot, the ganger sees his moment of opportunity and runs to close the gap, drawing back his whip as he does.
He unleashes a huge strike with the whip, slashing ferociously towards your taser holding arm
___Ganger Lieutenant; ini 8, 1st pass____
Seeing his boy laying into the intruder he runs past him, clearly more interested in beating the shit out of the mage.
He runs at Mantis, desperately trying to close the gap as he yammers and shouts into his comms, gesturing his other subordinate to run on ahead of him.
____Knife Ganger; ini 6____
Heeding his boss's command, he puts his head down and sprints like mad, doing his best to close the distance on Mantis
-
Mantis sees that one of the gangers in coming for him but knowing the best way to survive is to drop the hostiles as fast as he can, so he decides to turn and strike at the same target that Knives fired at. I might take a beating for not dropping the one on me but I have to take my chances. Mantis lest loose a stun bolt at the same target Knives pegged with his taser.
-
___Knives___
As soon as your dart failed to stop the rampaging ganger you knew you were in for a beating. It came hard and fast, the huge length of chain far too quick for you to dodge.
Thankfully, the majority of the strength of the hit was dissipated by the fracture of the distal length, clanging and skittering along the floor behind you as it breaks over your shoulder.
It took a only a millisecond to register the pain, but fuck did it hurt. The viscous strike knocked you off balance as the pain fogged your mind, the floor swapping places with the sky as you find yourself looking up into the cold night air. You'd barely registered being knocked to the floor when a hugely powerful distortion of mana shot across your front, flooring the fucker who'd landed the hit.
___Scawire___
The stunbolt weaves into a hugely powerful force in your hands. It distorts and bends the light around it in a shimmering haze as it sails towards the ganger, impacting him squarely in the head.
It snaps backwards like it had been hit by a truck, the momentum carrying his body backwards and laying him out flat against the floor. He didn't move anymore.
-
No matter what they say even the toughest bloke on the block still flinches when being beaten with a chain and Knives was no exception. In a instant he went from upright to flat on his ass with a screaming pain radiating from his shoulder. *Fuck me... aven't been romped like that since ol Micky way back when... better get up mate. Can't die in fuckin France.* Knives' eyes snap open to the night sky and they quickly dart to figure what just happened. He hops up to his feet and looks over to Mantis, seeing his partner in immediate danger his instincts kick in and he levels his taser at the knife wielding ganger. Through blurred eyes he fires off a dart then yells out, "What are you doing!? RUN!!"
-
___Knives___
Your shoulder screams at you as you try to hold the taser level, looking for the smartgun to show the trajectory as green. It locks and you fire the shot, finding a sweet spot in the ganger's gut, just in-between the seams of his armour jacket and biking trousers. You can hear the audible crackle as the taser dart discharges it's capacitors into his side and he hits the dirt like a sack of shit, barely a metre away from Mantis.
His huge knife clatters across the floor as his prone body spasms and twitches.
-
___Ini 10, pass 2___
The spirit, having seen it's best attack bounce off with no effect, resolved to do better. Targeting the only hostile still standing, it unleashed a furious bolt of raw energy into the leader.
It hit him squarely in the chest, knocking him off his feet, causing him to curse loudly in his native tongue
___Ini 6, pass 2___
Having been floored and his two best men swiftly dispatched, the leader gingerly rolled on to his side before pushing himself up and rejoining the fight.
Backing off slowly, he hurled his knife in Mantis's direction to cover his retreat
-
Mantis feels pain shoot into his body as a knife sticks through his armor and into his flesh. Punk ass bitch!!! Mantis screams to himself as he gets tonights first taste of pain. Mantis decides to try and floor this ganger like he did the last. Knitting the mana in the air into a great stun bolt of death.... well maybe of sleeping nightmares.
-
___Scawire____
As you turned to run, you felt the blinding pain of the knife carving a path into your hamstring muscles. Every step was agony as you turned round to channel a destructive bolt of magical energy into the leader.
The pain clouded your mind and the weak force of the result wasn't enough to make much of a dint in the veteran ganger. In fact, he'd hardly even realised you'd attempted the spell.
___Both____
The Lieutenant was backing away from you both, keeping a cluster of knives ready in one hand and his front to you at all times.
The sound of the distant rumbles of motorbike engines grew steadily less distant and you knew it wouldn't be long before he had his reinforcements to count on.
Knives is up on his third and final pass.
-
Seeing a knife stick into his partner as he was attempting to retreat stuck a nerve with Knives. In one fluid motion quick as you can blink he draws a knife of his own from his boot and draws back to throw it. *You want to play knives? We can play knives!* He rares back a bit further then chucks the knife at the Lieutenant. Once the knife is loosed he carefully walks backwards away from the ganger holding his taser level, hoping Mantis will follow his lead.
-
The ganger clearly sensed an attack was incoming from you as he actively tried to take cover behind a stack of pallets.
He almost makes it, but your balanced knife still finds its target, cutting a huge gash into his heavily tattooed forearm before clanging to the ground somewhere out of sight.
He yelps at the pain, trying to staunch the flow of blood with his other hand
-
Sensing the defeat of your badly wounded enemy, the spirit bade you good bye having fulfilled his end of the bargain.
Not wanting to kill the wounded man, the spirit confused and dazed him, allowing you precious seconds to make good your escape
I have fulfilled my terms; Run summoner, run while you still can.
-
Knives winches in pain as he draws fineblade. *Fuck feels like that wanker crushed my collarbone! Better get outta here now.* He holds the blade down along his leg in case he needs to deflect any incoming attacks. "Enough, let's go!" He gives Mantis one last warning then takes off through the market.
-
Mantis does his best to fallow Knives, hoping that Knives will make a small path for Mantis to fallow. Just as Mantis starts to run he pulls the knife out of his leg hoping the Dam thing wont start squirting blood that would be a bad thing.
-
The ganger stands behind the pallets, clearly hurt and confused. He seems caught between fight or flight, but nowhere near deciding on either course of action.
Sensing your moment of escape, you both turn to run....
___Lumen____
No sooner had you drawn your weapon and burst into a run, did you come unstuck.
An Asian-looking worker stepped off the back of the van carrying several boxes of something that stunk like gone-off meat as you ploughed into the back of him, sending it flying. His co-workers shouted at you in some unintelligible language as you force him to one side with your good arm, picking your way through the detritus and squeeze down the small gap between the wall and the side of the van.
__Mantis__
The knife is stuck in deep and is absolute agony to remove; you can't help but scream as it tears it's way out of your hamstring muscles.
Free of the blade, the wound starts to bleed heavily, a warm trickle seeping from the wound and cloying in the dense material of your clothing.
Your body laboured through the agony as you try to convince your muscles to run, but the best you manage was little more than a half-run half-hobble after Knives. Knives wasn't making much better progress, having slammed into the back of a market worker and scattered several trays of meat all over the floor and tail-lift
___Both___
Shouts and jeers erupt behind you and are rapidly drowned out by the roar of a pair of motorbike engines, gurgling and throbbing as their riders threaded them through the narrow confines of the market pathways. A quick glance put them around 20-25 meters behind you, one row along
-
Knives bowls right over the poor Asian guy but at the moment he couldn't give a shit less. Seeing the crowded alleyway he scans for anything to throw down across the path of the rapidly approaching motorcycle gangers. As he hoofs it he pings Dunk, <Headed your way mate, bikers hot on our tails. Any second you can shave off may save our arses.>
-
//get a shift on then lads and keep your heads low//
Passing the van you hear Mantis screaming in pain someway behind you, he waves you on as you glance over your shoulder, the pain clearly self inflicted.
A fully laden stall stood on the far side of the van, it's owner only just starting the strip-down process now.
He was another wiry Asian man, hawking clothing and other trinketry. Tall clothes racks full of old dresses and coats provide just the kind of obstacle you were looking for...
-
___lumen___
You take a run up at the nearest clothes rack and use your body's momentum to knock it into the path of the searching bikers. The stall keeper spins around at the noise, hollering and shouting at you as you grab onto the side of his stall, doing your best to flip it it into the pathway. Your shoulder screams at the effort, your arm giving out before the table fully flipped.
The stall owner shouts and gestures to the Asian men behind you on the far side of the van and they shout back. The two engines roar as they approach, your attempt to stall them only alerting them to your position.
__scawire___
You clear the pissed off Asian loaders, desperately scraping whatever it was off the back of the tai lift and off the floor and squeeze down the side of the van to see Knives doing his best to create a distraction.
Jogging past the irate stall owner as best you could, he gestures at you, desperately asking for your assistance with the interloper wrecking his stall. Through the chaos of the disruption you see the old Junker screech into position through the archway of the east entrance, it's doors opening as the vehicle comes to a halt.
You still had a ways to go, and the entire market district seemed to be staring in your direction, you assumed that included the bikers thanks to the roaring engines behind you
-
Knives struggles against the screaming pain in his shoulder and the weight of the table. Looking over to see Dunk pull up he comes to a quick decision, *Fuck it.* He abandons his attempt for an obstacle and hauls ass towards the old junker.
-
___Both___
Your bodies screamed at you in protest at the exertion on top of your wounds.
Knives stepped over the piles of coats and did his best to ignore the angry shouting of the market holder as Mantis carried on, ducking and weaving between stacks of food, knock-off jewelry and dodgy BTL chips dressed up as Trid shows.
The stall owners shouts of YOU PAY, YOU PAY FUCKAH!!!! were swiftly drowned out by the roar of the bikes and smashing of the tables as the huge bulk of the bikes struggled to fit through the gaps.
Squinting through the pain at your destination, you pump your limbs as hard as you can, gasping for air as you closed the gap to Dunk
___Lumen___
Given you were half in the main pathway anyway, you went for speed over safety, Dunk's old junker visible through the gaps in the crowd of startled onlookers. Channeling mana into your muscles to focus your mind, you sprint as hard as you can. Raising your good arm, you fling as much of the shit off the stalls onto the floor, hoping that something there would at least slow the biker down if nothing else. Angry stall holders attempted to stop your flight but a swift smack with the flat of your blade as you ran straight through them discouraged their chase further. You caught intermittent glimpses of Mantis making good progress on the far side of the market stalls, ducking and weaving through stacks of stuff, knocking some over and sending their contents flying.
Dunk's face turned to horror as you closed the gap to the car. He undid the belt and reached for his door handle.
With mere metres to go the roar of the bike engine was on top of you. You could barely swing round in time to see how close your pursuer was before a blinding pain erupted in the middle of your back. The floor rushed towards your face and then....
Blackness
___Scawire___
You hurtled down the side of the market, shoving your way through the stall holders and their pallets of various wares.
You were dimly aware the Knive's must have been slightly behind you and to your left, but as you turn your head slightly to get your bearings you plough into a half-stacked set of crates full of data-chips and knackered looking electronics, sending them, and you, flying. The cold, wet floor was as unforgiving an impact as you could have wished for given your current wounds, the effort to regain your footing almost more than you could bear. Upright once more, you glimpse Knives pulling even with you, flatblading a loudly protesting marketer with his sword as he ran. A heavily armed Ork on a bike was rapidly closing the distance to him, its engine noise drowning out your warning shout.
The whip-crack of a bullet passing by your head drew your attention to the second biker, coming in perpendicular to the first one on a more trials-y bike, the shot from an ancient looking rusty revolver kicking brick dust off the wall off the wall behind you.
There was no time to worry about Knives now, just get your fucking head down and run.
The market opened up past the now vacant location of the kebab van, the car no more than 5 metres away. Dunk jumped out of the car as Knives tried to cover the last five metres. You watch with horror as the ork biker draws a huge and heavy club back, slamming it into Knive's back sending him to the floor like a sack of shit.
You hear two rapid shots and feel a light spray on your face as the riderless bike slams into the side of the car.
Dunk stares at you incredulously as you stand there, somewhat stunned.
He mouths and gestures at you as if shouting commands at you but you can't hear a thing.
You look at your hand as you wipe your face, the taste of blood in your mouth and the sight of fragments of the ganger's bone and brain material taking a second to register as separate to your own.
Your left ear begins to ring, a high pitched whine signalling you'd had a near miss, the compression wave damaging your ear drum.
Mooove you fucker!, get Knives inte the fuckin' car!!
He turns, levelling his pistol at the second biker as the marketeers run for cover, obfuscating his shot.
Mantis, Mooove!!!!
-
Mantis does his best to grab Knives and get in the car. With the intel of his wife far away, all that Mantis can think of is how to make it out of this gang infested Market without dieing. Mantis was thinking of casting a spell but doesn't want to have his mind knitting a spell for now he is only thinking of how to get knives into Dunks car.
-
Dunk looses two more rounds at the other biker as the whine in your ear turned into more of a high pitched scream.
The metallic tang of someone else's blood lit up your taste buds, mixing with your own sweat as you sprinted to knives' unconscious body. Dunk falls back, loosing another round, ricocheting off a market stall and sending the owner running for cover.
You slap your hands onto the back of knives' overalls and heave him towards the car. Dunk runs past, hopping into the seat and slamming the door as you bundle knives onto the rear bench seat as best you could. Running around the back of the car, you ride shotgun, dunk gunning the engine without saying a word.
The old car juddered under the wheelspin, screeching away onto the boulevard as people shout and do their best to run out the path of the car.
Streets and buildings flash by as dunk, still silent, threads the car between rows of parked traffic and across junctions at speed. You barely register the outside world, your head swimming from the blood loss and adrenaline wearing off.
Glancing around the car, knives lays prone, sprawled across the seat. Short breaths show he's still in the game, but you instinctively know he's fucked up. Dunk is silent, a data cable streaming from his head into the dashboard of the old junker, his attention clearly split between the real world and the sensor data hitting his cortex and he picks out the Apex of a tight corner.
Checking yourself over, you see your left trouser leg is a deep crimson all the way down to your boot. The seat had begun to soak up the flow from your still leaking wound and you just knew you wouldn't survive the night without some treatment..
-
First thing that runs through Mantis's head is he has 3 main jobs fix his leg, check for tails and check on Knives condition. Well I'm no good to anyone if I bleed to death. Mantis looks at his leg, takes the knife he just pulled out of his leg and cuts back his pants. With access to his wound he pulls out his medkit and sees what this lifesaving box of goodies can do.
-
___Lumen_____
The school hall was familiar to you, but the details jumped out of focus as soon as you tried to discern any detail.
Your headmaster was addressing the assembly, the hall full of children listening to him speak.
Britt, stand up, boy!!
Your blood turned to ice as the children turned to stare at you.
Britt, I SAID STAND UP!!!
___Scawire____
Your wrench the tourniquet as tight as it would go, following the instructions on-screen. It hurt almost as bad as the wound, but you knew you had to stem the bleeding.
The next bit you knew would hurt like fuck. The antiseptic spray felt cool, relieving almost, but a milisecond later, it's chemical properties began to light up your raw nerve endings and the wound felt like it had been lit of fire.
You couldn't help but groan against the pain, punching the dashboard in some kind of primal attempt to channel the pain into something else.
As the minutes passed, the pain subsided enough for you to apply the pressure dressing. The first one soaked up too much blood and you had to apply another, but the second seemed to hold well enough for now.
You'd need a professional to take a look at it in time however.
Checking the rear view cameras, Dunk broke the silence, shocking you at the sudden noise.
You two alreet?
-
Miles leaps to his feet and stands at attention, his little body trembling with anxiety. "Yes Headmaster. " *Blimey old wanker always trying to call me out. What does he think he caught me doing? *
-
Mantis looks down at his leg then over at Knives Well Dunk I should live, I'm going to bleed out right now, but I need someone to check over the leg. Mantis takes a second look at Knives As for him I'm not to sure let me take a look at him. Mantis does his best to move into position to see what condition Knives is in. Not sure what to look for Mantis decides to give his med kit a try on Knives to see if that will help his team mate out.
-
___Scawire___
Dunk acknowledges you with a nod, still clearly diverting the majority of his attention on his AR feed and the roads.
You drop the seat back as far as it would go and turn as best you could in the closed confines of the car.
Slapping the diagnostic pads onto the back of Knives' neck, the medkit whirs away as it runs its calculations.
His heart rate is fast and shallow, as is his breathing patterns. EEG reads as suppressed but within normal bands for someone in an unconscious state.
The medkit pings and advises you to administer a shot of stims at 150mcg over 2 mins, lighting up with the colour coding that matches the medicine in the dispensary tray underneath the screen.
___Lumen____
Your mind races with all the things you could be done for this week.
The headmaster glares at you for an uncomfortably long time, clearly letting you sweat a bit under the gaze of the entire year group. Quiet whispers murmur around you as they try to guess what shit you'd be getting done for this week, the weekly wager becoming something of a tradition for your yeargroup.
PERKINS!!! Where are you? STAND UP BOY!!!
Oh fuck, you knew exactly what this was.
Perkins was the geek of your computing class, complementing your brawn nicely. He was a very clever kid from a broken home and totally mis-applied his intelligence.
Stealing a bag of RFIDs from the labs, he'd edited them to recreate a massive hairy cock and balls in glorious technicolour AR the shots of sperm landing on the roof of Miss Harlands convertible had been the best bt by far, taking while to get 'just right'.
You'd been the one to scale the compound gates and get into the teacher's secure parking zone, administering the RFID's to Headmaster Jone's SUV.
The other kids had thought it absolutely hilarious, but you knew his reprisal would be awful.
YOU BOYS, MY OFFICE, NOW!!!!
Perkins turned and looked at you, clearly shitting himself about what was to come..
-
*Oh shite, what will it be this time? Better make sure Perkins doesn't loose his nuts and rat us out.* Falling in line behind the Headmaster, Miles shoots Perkins a look that screams serious business and he puts an index finger to his lips. As they are lead away from the yeargroup towards the office, a walk young Miles will take hundreds of times, he turns back towards them and throws up his hands triumphantly. It lasts for only a second before he turns back around to avoid being spotted by the headmaster but in his mind, the crowd went wild.
-
___Lumen___
A couple of the lads off the same estate as you give you the thumbs up, smiling and silent cheering you on before Miss Harland gives Luke Cambell a swift smack around the back of the head.
As he rubs the pain away, she glares at you, reaching for her commpad. You knew that little gesture was gonna cost you another couple of raps with the cane, but fuck it; the recognition from the lads was totally worth it!
The good kids averted their eyes from you, though you neither knew nor had the capacity to know about the wider picture, you and your mates off the east end council estates were pariahs. Hated by the parents and teachers alike, you were part of the "social responsibility" act: The lord protectors' little feel good programme for the scum bags to keep the liberal lefties at bay in the run up to the first and last election into-post.
It was only to last a year, but your name topped the list of the most detentions, canings and letters home ever given out to a student; not that your dad gave much of a flying fuck.
Perkins nodded, a bead of sweat running down his forehead as he walked ahead of you. The headmaster's expensive shoes clicking in the ancient and echoey hallway gave a dreadful rythm of anticipation of the caning that was sure to arrive.
The corridor jerked and shook, stretching out into the distance. The office suddenly seemed like it would take hours to reach, something deep and primal within your subconscious registered its unease at the sudden change in reality....
___Scawire___
You prepped the syringe as the auto-doc instructed, drawing up the dose (maybe a little too generously) and pulled Knive's wet sleeve back to show an area of clammy, cold skin. You heard the rasp of handbrake and felt your weight shift sideways as the old junker's tires screamed in protest.
The engine revved as your head smacked into the door pillar; dazed, you shot backwards in your seat as a heavy impact registered at the back of the car. The impact into the headrest was a lot less heavy than the first. Turning to look at knives and the rear of the car, a wrecked bike lay in the middle of a junction, framed beautifully by the cracked rear windshield and bent metalwork. The rider lay bloodied in the roadway as the traffic ground to a halt around him.
Gathering your senses you hunted around for the syringe on the floor.
Perception at -2 please
___Lumen____
The headmaster turned left with Perkins in tow. Each step opened the distance to you hugely to the point where you had to sprint to keep up.
The corridor became darker and darker, the old gargoyles that adorned the ornate arched doorways catch your eye, shadows giving the appearance of movement as you look away.
Britt, KEEP UP BOY!!! the Headmaster boomed, his voice rattling off the echoey old walls.
Sprint test (no modifiers) please
-
Mantis does his best to find his Med Kits syringe he dropped. Once I get you fixed up I'm going to have to see if we have a tail.
-
___Scawire___
The syringe had rolled underneath your seat and retrieving it was a bloody nightmare as Dunk aggressively maneuvered through the dense traffic.
Fingers clasped around it, you removed the sheath with your teeth and jabbed it into Knives' arm before you lost the damned thing again.
___Lumen___
Sprinting as fast as you could made little difference, the Head and Perkins were gone. The junction of the corridor was only vaguely familiar; you knew it was meant to be your school but the nagging in your subconscious was getting louder about the discrepancy with this environment and with what it perceived as reality. Looking down the corridor Perkins and the Head went down revealed only a lengthy extension of a corridor similar to the one you'd come up. The gargoyles appeared more lifelike than you'd ever imagined and a primal fear chilled you, freezing your 10 year old body to the spot as the nearest gargoyle sprang to life, landing in front of you with the weight of something many times it's diminutive size.
It rears up as you try to run, your feet suddenly feeling like concrete blocks. It's strike was perfect and true, burning into your arm with the heat of a thousand suns. You scream as your body crashes into something, a blinding light drowning your senses and preventing your mind from making any sense of what the fuck was going on
Composure test please
___Scawire___
Knives seems to grimace in his unconscious state as you bang the meds in as fast as the syringe would give it.
Immediately the autodoc pings a slightly higher pitch, registering an effect on his heart rate from it's landing spot somewhere over in the footwell after the last impact.
-
Mantis's mind starts to think of an old saying. Doctor do no harm. Ya good advice but in the back of a moving car with a leg wound pounding away, I don't think most doctors have to deal with these kinds of conditions. I best keep Knives alive. Mantis does his best to do everything the little medkit box is tell him to since with out it's help Mantis is up shit creek and Knives will feel the pain. Once I'm sure Knives is in a stable position I'm gunning my last smoke.
-
____scawire___
Taking a second to make sure the syringe was fully drained, you begin to withdraw it. A sudden shout from Knives startles you and you recoil back into your seat, banging your head on the low roof as you jump backwards.
Knives flails a backhand strike at no-one in particular, clearly pissed off and disoriented, but thankfully alive and breathing. As you duck out of Knives' striking range you see that the syringe is still stuck in his arm, a thin trickle of blood streaming out of the muscle mass.
___lumen___
You swipe at the bright light, desperately trying to connect a blow onto the gargoyle.
Your arm smacks into something solid, but with a feel not like stone at all...more like a fabric texture.
The burning sensation in your arm only became more intense with your flailing attacks and you slowly came to your senses as the pain focused your mind back into a hazy reality.
The sound of engines, squalling tires and flashing lights told the emerging thought process you were in a vehicle, but your senses screamed "panic!" At you.
Face down, partially restrained and in agony you just knew you'd been taken captive....
-
Panic incites rage within Knives' heart as it pounds relentlessly against his chest. His hands search out the various places he hides blades and sure enough they find what they sought. Just like the first time when he was just a lad, he draws mana down into his muscles to give him the strength to escape his bonds. He lets out a primal yell as he erupts from the seat belt and in one swift movement draws his fineblade and sits up behind the driver's seat In a flash the blade is at Dunk's throat and Knives says in a flat, cold voice. "You better pull over and let me out mate. I'll kill us all 'fore I let you take me alive."
-
Mantis was reaching into his coat jacket to grab his much deserved smoke when out of the blue Knives goes bat shit crazy in the back seat. OH SHIT Mantis turns his head to Knives hoping that his face but ring a bell in the mind of Knives. Oh I hope I didn't geek Knives mind with what that medkit told me to do. Mantis does his best to calm his fellow runner down. Holding up his hands for Knives to see Mantis softly talks. Ok Knives. We are in a car leaving a run we just did. Where mates man don't go postal on us we are doing our best to stay alive..... Put away the knife.... Please. Mantis hopes he doesn't have to survive another crash the last one was not fun. Then again that run he was getting paid for, this one is payment for rent at a great house.
-
Knives' eyes dart between Dunk and Mantis as he pants heavily. His eyes finally seem to focus and he draws the fineblade away slowly and then lays it on the seat beside him. "Sorry about that mates, thought for sure I'd been nabbed. Truly Dunk, sorry mate."
He lets out a heavy sigh, "So we made it then? Good fuckin work lads. Let's get back, we have good news to report." Knives lays back in the seat and closes his eyes. He draws a cigarette from his jumpsuit's chest pocket and lights it.
-
___Lumen____
You fly off the back seat, sending what you thought were restraints smashing into the side door.
Bits of broken medkit scatter off the glass and an assortment of pills, dressings and cleaning solutions cover the floor.
In a flash you had the blade to Dunk's neck, but as your senses sharpen you feel Dunk's body shudder as the RAS overrides disengage and he surfaces from VR, gently guiding the car to a halt by the roadside. Angry horns hoot as traffic overtakes you.
I dunnae what the fuck ye think y'er doin, but ye can ge' tha' fuckin thing off me reit now.
Mantis stares at you, aghast at the situation. It takes a second to register the voices as friendly and your vision of their faces slightly blurred by an off centre and out of focus AR message.
Feeling a bit meek, you slide the sword back into its sheath and begin to pick up as much of the busted medkit and its contents as you could, Mantis assisting in the front of the cab.
Yer a wee bit jumpy Knives, we're out o' the worst o' it, but I haven't a fuckin clue aboot wha' we're doin next. Ideas anyone?
Slumping back into the seat, your body begins to feel much more your own. A throbbing ache emanates from between your shoulder blades and your arms feel stiff and reluctant to move. Your right shoulder is in agony, Mantis pointing out the needle still stuck in your arm.
Pulling it out leaves a dull residual ache and a small trickle of blood. It had already began to bruise, your short sharp attacking manoeuvre causing the muscles to clamp around the needle, crushing their fibres against the metal. It'd be a beauty in a few days time!
You felt cold, damn cold. Your kit was still sodden wet from lying in that puddle and the weak air flow from the ancient heater had done nothing to engender warmth in your pimply white skin.
The wetness extended to your cigarettes. No matter how hard you tried, they just wouldn't light. You slammed them down in frustration on the back seat and took a deep breath.
___Scawire___
Your message sunk in and you could see Knives' frantic state of mind fade readily before your eyes as he came to his senses. His swift movement launched the medkit by the diagnostic pads, showering you and Dunk in medical supplies and slamming it heavily into the rear passenger doorframe.
The pinging of the biomonitor swiftly stopped as it came to rest in the footwell and you knew it wasn't going to be an easy fix.
-
Mantis looks at his medkit strewed all around the car. Great that thing is going to take some time to fix up. Ah at least today was death to the medkit and not me, Knives or Dunk. Mantis takes a break from clean up the mess and grabs his last smoke.... It seems the thing broke in half. Now isn't that nice. Mantis lights the half of the smoke still holding on to the filter then takes a big drag...... Ah thats the stuff. Looking over at Knives he show him the broken half of his smoke. You owe me a smoke mate. Oh ya when we got the last of my Medkit picked up we best be looking if those gangers are fallowing us. Mantis starts to heat check outside of the car to see if anyone is looking to finish what the gangers started. Hey Dunk any signs of chase for those gangers. Once Mantis says that he remembers how his spirit he had at the start of the run was iced just before the gangers gave chase. Oh no there might be a spirit or mage looking at us. With that Mantis decides to summon a new spirit to see if there is an astral tail. I hate astral tails being a Mystic I can't look at that plane, I wish I could but I can't
-
Mantis stretches out his will to the planes of the spirits and ask for aid. Once he gets a spirit to answer he ask for aid. Thanks for helping with my troubles, check to see if there is any astral fallowing fallowing this car, if there is tell me ASAP and start fighting them. Sorry if you have to fight. With that Mantis hopes there is no battle on the astral but he will wait and see.
-
"Fuck! Alright first thing's first, we need some smokes. Yea smokes and pain killers..." Knives mumbles as he slowly fumbles around to pick up the assorted bottles and supplies scattered across the old junker. Each strain is accompanied with a moan or sharp gasp as he tries his best to keep moving despite the pain. "Let's just go home."
*Home... I wish...*
-
You adjust your AR feed back into focus, pissed off at its blurry overlay. You'd got a message and a missed call waiting for your attention.
-
"Oh." Knives shakes his head to focus and pulls up the message. "This better not be bad news."
-
//mission a partial success. Enemy alerted, we need you out of the country ASAP. Head north, we'll update location shortly. Do not talk to anyone, at all//
-
"Shit lads, just got instructions. Head north and keep com silence. Looks like we're in for another long drive." Kniveslets out a long sigh, *Damn I was really hoping to sleep in that fine ass bed again. I just hope there's a medbot wherever we're heading. *
-
__Both__
Dunk pulled pack out into the traffic, honks of horns erupting from behind you and angry scooter riders zipping between you and the oncoming traffic.
Fuck, north? thats it? jesus, couldn't be more fucking vague eh? pull up a map lads, we're gonna need to keep off the main roads..
___Scawire___
Calling forth across the astral, a spirit answers you and grants your request.
Summoner, I will do as you ask..
You check the rear view camera, but it was fucked. You assumed it must have been mounted on the section that took the hit.
Instead you did it the old fashioned way, peering out of the windows and through the cracked rear windshield. You kept an eye out periodically, but nothing caught your eye, your spirit returning minutes later and confirming nothing out fo the ordinary to be following you on the astral.
-
"We should get some better directions soon. Let's see..." Knives pulls his holoprojector from his soaked overalls and broadcasts a map. "I'm no good with directions meself but looks like you can take that exit and keep heading north." He grogily points with his left hand, the right one laying limp beside him.
-
Mantis is glad to hear back from his Spirit helper. Thank you. Mantis takes a big drag from what is left of his smoke, the team seemed to have caught a break. Thanks that is great news. Mantis looks over at the group. Well guys I just summoned a spirit that has given us the all clear on the astral front. Seems we don't have spirits or mages on the astral trailing us. Mantis kills the last of his smoke then looks over at the map. We are so going to need cigs or this car ride is going to have a grumpy ork sitting shot gun.
-
"And a pissed Cockney in the back! We definitely need some smokes! "
-
Mantis decides to pull up a map of France for Dunk to look at. Since Mantis was looking for Jen he invested a few pounds into a set of maps to see if any online stories lead to her. Turns out he needed to find a true seer to get on the path to her arms. Mantis's mind starts to drift back to the lady at the market. With this new move it seems it might be hard to talk to her face to face, but he did get her card maybe that will come in handy another day.
-
Dunk sticks to the residential roads as much as he can and winds his way out into the leafy suburbs, the buildings gradually changing from tenement blocks to town houses, to low rise with gardens.
Your eyes feeling heavy with exhaustion and your lungs burning with the urge for a ciggy, Dunk pulls in at a petrol station as the low-fuel warning chimes from the old junker's dash.
You're aware of your punched up, bloodied and generally sodden appearance however, but spy the restroom facilities for the agricultural trucks that must use this as a last stop off between the warehouses and the open fields that lay ahead of you. You'd suspect there'd be a vending machine inside with burner links, disposable clothes and pay-per-use showers but could see the camera covering the entrance.
As you glance around you see that the forecourt is quiet, a lone motorbike stands unattended by a pump as a young ork serves a helmeted customer inside the shop-come-fuel station.
A dog walker on the far side of the road glances at the damage to your vehicle as dunk brings it to a rest at the pump.
Sorry gents, it'd be a long fucking walk te north o' France wi'out some fuel. Ye want anything from inside?
-
Mantis knows he wants to get himself some new cigs, his last one was only a halfer and he needed a good supply of death fog for his lungs. Well we have cameras in place. I have a mask spell that should deal with that. I'll cast one on my self. Just pony up your requests. The less I have to deal with the clerk the better. With the plan set out Mantis's mind starts to think of an Elf he saw in East London from time to time. Then decides to give his spell a casting after which he will ask his two teammates what they thought of the spell.
-
Knives lays down in the back seat, trying to not draw attention to his bruised and mucky form. "Get me some smokes mate and make it quick. We're not supposed to talk to anyone. Oh yea and some dry clothes would be nice. "
-
Mantis knows he is not happy going into the store with cameras the team is trying to keep a low profile, but the team wants smokes and clothes. No way in the belly of a dragon am I going to trust in just my spell. Mantis gets out of the car and walks to the store to get himself and Knives some smokes and clothes. As he gets to the door he decides to scratch at his forehead with his head down to try and conceal his face from the camera. Then does his best to keep his head down and find the cigs and clothes. Getting two packs for each him and Knives as well as some clothing for him and Knives.
(OOC Will also try and get what ever Dunk wants too.)
-
___Both____
Dunk nods and laughs at your proposal. Aye lad, make hung like a troll and as pretty as an elf will ye?
Seeing you head off into the shop he sets to fuelling up, keeping his face away from the camera even though he knew it was fairly futile.
___Scawire___
Getting out of the car was absolute agony. The blood had pooled and congealed into the seat and it peeled away from your skin slowly and painfully as you eased your way up and onto your feet. Drips of blood slowly leak down your saturated clothing and you knew it might leave a bit of a trail
You reach the door of the shop with a limp as the motorcyclist leaves, graciously holding the door open for you as you enter the shop.
It smelt of warm bread and your stomach rumbled, having missed the kebab run earlier in the evening. You have a quick look around and see that the smokes are locked away behind the counter. A hot servery hums to your right, fresh soy-bread baguettes and various pastries lining the three shelves within it. A door with a shower and male/female signs above it were just next to the servery, obviously leading through into the toilets and wash rooms. The young ork attendant nods at you in acknowledgement of your arrival and returns to nodding his head along to the beats of the quiet audio feed coming from the store's tinny speakers as he monitors the camera display on the wall behind the counter.
Various groceries and automotive supplies lined the rest of the shelves as you headed into the washrooms. It smelt of damp, a bay of three shower cubicles ran from right to left in front of you, topilets through a seperate door on your right. A dispensing machine stood at the far left of the room to serve clean laundry for 10NY and a vending machine stood next to the toilet door loaded with racks and racks of fresh disposable clothing, soy-bars and disposable 'links.
As far as you could tell from the limited broken english instructions, basic clothing ran at 20NY a pack in a light blue and premier clothing ran at 50NY a pack in a choice of colours. Soy bars were 5NY but the listed flavours meant nothing to you and a disposable link was 110NY.
Payment by credstick or e-bank transfer only
Make your choices and deduct correct funds from charsheet please.
___Knives___
You lay down to keep as low a profile as you could, hearing the motorcycle fire up a minute or so after Mantis left. The rythmic drumming of the fuel pump was quite soothing as you laid out, your eyes felt heavy and your body weary from the day's exertions.
The heater had slowly begun to push some warmth into the cabin but your clothing was still sodden, cold and clammy. Knowing your thick and warm greatcoat was just on the other side of the seats in the boot of the car was torture. You shivered and hugged your arms around your clammy skin for warmth
-
Mantis was mentally kicking himself for getting out of the car. His leg was killing him and now he had to find out how to speak French to get his mist of death for his lungs. Mantis slots in his creds and decides to grab two sets of the cheap clothing. I know my agent is mainly for hacking into things when I don't have a decker on staff but lets see if Slicer MD's search ability can bring me up a site that will tell me the name of these smokes. Mantis punches in to his comm a command to find a English to French site. With the command sent Slicer MD starts it's search.
-
Mantis waits until his agent comes back and tells him he has a site. Mantis walks up to the clerk and puts two fingers to his mouth in a V and then points at the Smokes. When the clerk grabs a pack of smokes Mantis nods and puts up 4 fingers for four packs. With his four packs he looks at the showers one last time as much as he would love to get in a hot shower there is no way he is risking staying in this area for too long, it was bad enouph he bleed on the floor and no idea how well his spell is holding up so he exits the store and makes his way back to the car. I should have let Dunk go in, I'm bleeding every where and mages love getting your blood. Hopefully this clerk or the next shift will clean up the mess.
(OOC hoping it was ok to play that through a bit.)
-
Slicer's reply came through from the trial version of the translate site you used earlier: <<Translate request::>>//Je voudrais le tabac// Good evening, you have used 2 of your 3 free translations. Like this service? sync the Translate! app with your e-payment account for unlimited uses, only 30NY/monthly. See our Node for our full range of translation software and Linguasofts. Translate! Travel like a native
He gives you a nod as you repeat the phrase, no doubt murdering the pronunciation. He grabs at the rack, grabbing a handful of the nearest and no doubt shittest ones on offer, pointing at the total on the AR readout of the till.
You swipe your link over the reader, sweating slightly as the status light blinked orange for "attention".
The attendant looks at you intently D'où êtes-vous?
-
Mantis shakes his head and decides even in his weakened state to try something. Mantis starts to blend together the mana in the area then thinks to himself. He is a tourist let it slide today. With those thoughts he directs the Mana through his mind and into the mind of the clerk with his influence spell. No... Speak... French As Mantis says these words he lets the mana creep into the mind of the clerk.
-
The cashier seems unaffected by your push of mana, instead looking baffled at you as you try to break the sentence down.
Anglais?? Inglese?
-
Mantis shakes his head again. Great this might be a problem. Best try and try again. see if that works Mantis grabs the mana again and trys to drop the spell into the clerks mind a second time to see if it will take effect this time. Me, Speak, English, No French. With that he lodges the spell in the brain of the Clerk. SPELL>>> Too much trouble let him go with smokes no more questions. <<<SPELL
-
___Scawire___
Yet again the cashier is unfazed by your attempt to manipulate his thoughts as he continues his line of questioning.
I no speek English
He starts to pay more attention to you, looking you up and down and taking in your features. His eyebrows rise a little as his line of sight heads to the floor.
Without following his gaze you can only assume that he'd seen the blood drips and is coming to his own conclusions about your activities that evening.
He eyes you suspiciously, his hand moving for something just out of reach..
___Lumen___
You hear the telltale rattle of Dunk trying to get every last drop out of the nozzle before clunking it back into the pump slot.
The door opens and blows a draft of cold night air across your already cold and damp skin.
Dunk sits heavily into the driver's seat, the suspension taking a brief dip with the addition of his weight.
The fuck is Mantis doing in there? He making pals wi' him or summat?
-
Mantis can\'t believe his luck today. All he wanted was a smoke to take the edge off and this iron willed clerk is standing in his way. Mantis wished just a little that he could just pull a gun and demand the smokes and all the coin in this shop. Mantis pushes the smokes back at the clerk. Keep them With that Mantis limps out of the store back to the car. When he gets back to the car he tosses the set of clothes back at Knives. No smokes Dam SIN didn't get me past fort knox's security check in there. Mantis is feeling the stress from trying to push the clerk two times. You know what is nice after you have stress like this.... a Smoke a fucking Smoke. With that Mantis takes his seat and waits to see how long until the team is at their new place, maybe another opportunitywill come up where he can get some smokes.
-
Knives stirs at Dunk's comment, "The fuck mate? I told him not to talk to anyone. We need to get outta here, now. "
He rolls over again in the back seat trying to warm himself through the soaked jumpsuit.
-
___Scawire___
Heading across the forecourt, pissed off, in dire need of a smoke and in considerable pain from your leg wound, your mind races to revenge, to some instinctive need to lash out and see the place burn.
Surrounded by the stink of petroleum and LPG, your hand subconsciously slips towards your zippo lighter, fingers delicately tracing its outline.
Pyromania resistance test please (include wound mods and craving mods)
Reaching the car, you plonk down heavily in the drivers seat and sling the dry clothes moodily at Knives on the back seat.
__Lumen__
Mantis jumps into the front seat alongside Dunk, the packs of dry clothing hitting you in his arm as you lay across the back seats.
You see a spark in Mantis' eyes that you didn't see before. A kind of far-off malevolence that he's trying to quell.
__Both___
Dunk looks at Mantis, more than a little concerned..
What you mean "security"? please tell me you didn't piss him off?
He reaches for the starter button, cursing as the old junker splutters and stalls twice.
-
Mantis looks over at Dunk. They ran my Fake SIN dam thing didn't go through. I think if we can get ourselves a decker that would help us out a lot. Maybe our employer will pony up the cash for one.
Mantis pulls out his lighter and flicks the flame to life. Something is going to burn..... Mantis runs down a plan of lighting this shop on fire, fallowed by an elemental, burning away his blood trail, then maybe a small hack on the store with his agent to hide the fact the three where ever there. As this plan runs in Mantis's head he does his best to reason his thoughts. Thinking of the heat it would bring to the team.... then the picture of flames going sky words.... then back to how they should keep a low profile. Part of Mantis hopes his mind will fight back the urge to burn the store... burn the clerk... see the sky highlighted by dancing flames, at least fight it off long enouph for Dunk to get far enough away to save the team the extra heat. Mantis looks at the flame of his lighter knowing he would burn something and soon. Thing was it didn't have to be the store. Part of Mantis knew the store was bad idea, but man would it feel got to roast the clerk and his cheap ass store. .... Fire, oh ya I will see your sweet dance... See the life of you eating and sending me your fragrant smell of the death of that which you eat.... Oh fire I will see your dance and soon.
-
Knives groans as he sits up and unzips the industrial jumpsuit. "Right lads let's get the fuck on. We need to keep moving, we can pick up smokes later. Speaking of they should have called back by now." Finally peeling the soaked clothes away from his chilled body he slips on the fresh clothes and digs out his com. He stares at it hoping to receive a call that would put an end to his French nightmare.
-
__Scawire__
Dunk raises an eyebrow at you as you play with the flame and thumps the dashboard hard.
__Both__
Dunk gives the dash a good hard smack and hits the starter button.
After a noisy protest the Junker coughs and splutters to life, pulling off the forecourt with the squeal of rubber on concrete.
__Lumen__
Nothing has come through since you last checked, flicking the message inbox down to refresh it a couple of times doesn't help either. No news.
The dry clothes are an absolute godsend, you didn't give a shit that you now looked like a skinted long-distance trucker because it was the first time in hours you actually felt warm and dry.
Your shoulder flared up again after squeezing your arms into the badly fitting top and it wasn't long before you popped another anti-inflammatory from the busted Medkit's repository to help with the swelling.
Curling up on the back seat again, you realised how knackered you were. It was nigh-on impossible to keep your eyes open, even with Dunk's shit singing.
__Both___
The sparse buildings grow even further apart, the orange streetlights gradually fading into the darkness of miles of unbroken fields as Dunk heads beyond the suburbs and out into the open countryside.
Small villages pass by in a blur. The weak heater finally got some traction on the cold and you began to feel dozy thanks to the combination of the meds, the exertions of the day and the rhythmic humming of tyres on tarmac.
Dunk hums along to some shit pop-rock on the local audio broadcast, flicking channels as the songs fade to tacky foreign adverts.
You awake with a jolt some time later at the sound of Knive's commlink going off:
<<Message from: UNKNOWN>>//ETAPLES HARBOUR. 03.28. La mer généreuse. Do not be late!//
-
Mantis is still fuming over not having his smokes. I should have sent Dunk in maybe he would have had better luck. With the sound of the comm link message. Mantis pulls out his own comm link and then gets Slicer to located ETAPLES HARBOUR. Well lets hope these locals will sell an ork some cigs. Mantis does his best to show Dunk the map Slicer pulls up of the location. Glad I shelled out the nuyen for some decent maps. Mantis's eyes are still seeing the fire from his lighter, even with the lighter in his pocket his mind sees mental flames eatting away at his surroundings. Maybe I can burn something. With out the fire of a cig before his eyes Mantis starts to day dream of how he can get his fix of burning landscape. A few ideas cross his mind and as soon as he is healed up he might just put one in effect.
-
Knives jumps at the sound of his com, almost falling down into the floorboard. He lazily opens the message and reads it out to the team. "The fuck do they mean don't be late? Is Smith tracking us? Could be their tracking that keeps tipping off the enemy. This gig just keeps stinking worse and worse... What do you think Dunk, can we make it?"
-
Fucked if I know mate, s'pose its possible. Question is Why? though. Can't see what he'd gain by tracking us an' fucking wi' us. Aye, by the looks o' tha' map, we'll do it nae problem. Piece o' piss. Problem is wha' we'll do wi' ourselves when we get there for a couple o' hours.
You glance to the clock on the dashboard, showing 23.02. You'd obviously covered a lot of ground while you'd nodded off.
It had only felt like five minutes kip, but now you awoke you felt like shit. Your throats rasped for a ciggy and your full bladders ached for release
-
An hour or so passed as Dunk closed the distance to Etaples, following the route that Slicer MD had found.
Passing the time, you both skimmed through the public node of Etaples' tourist information, looking for anything that might help shed a light on what Smith's outfit had planned for you.
Info was pretty scarce, Etaples itself was a small town of about 20,000 people clustered around a quaint harbour and fish market. It's primary source of income was tourism, the old harbour providing a source of income for small pleasure boats and light fishing craft that serviced the English channel's limited remaining shellfish industry.
It held an annual food and wine festival and the average hotel price ran to around 50NY. Other than some pretty stock photos of the harbour in summertime, the rest of the info was rather tailored to day-trippers. Bus route information, child changing facilities and parking rates filled out the other pages.
The winding country roads gradually faded from fields to old outbuildings, to pretty cottages and then you saw the sign denoting the boundary of Etaples. Dunk slowed to match the 30km/h speed limit, the warning of speed enforcement cameras raising his caution.
Right lads, what's the plan?
-
"If we got time to kill a piss and a smoke would be tops mate. Though it would probably be a good idea if you went in this time. Hopefully this town is big enough for a 24 hour convenience store. Either way I'd like to be waiting on our ride when it shows up."
Knives taps his foot impatiently. Waiting was making the cravings worse, smoking and joking was the way to kill time back in the East End.
-
Aye, that sounds alreet te me.
He continued the cruise into what appeared to be the centre of town, street lights once again taking over as you re-enter civilisation.
The place appeared deserted, the few restaurants and cafe-bars you could see had shut for the night; chairs stacked on tables and lights turned off.
The centre of the town looked just as picturesque as the node had depicted. It was dominated by a large open cobbled market square with shop premises dotted around the buildings lining the two sides. The far side was open, a large stone stairway leading downwards to the harbour and the main road you drove on formed the the final part of the square.
The buildings nearby seemed to have allsorts of chemists, tobacco stores and general convenience stores but all were shut for the night.
You had a horrible sense of deja-vu as the only store that seemed open was a 24 hour fuel station on the far side of the town. Not wanting to expose the damaged car to any more CCTV cameras, dunk pulled up short of the forecourt in a public parking space.
Ye sure ye want me te go in?
-
After the crap visit to the store, where a Nazi wouldn't let Mantis get any smokes, Mantis takes off his latex mask and gets into his new clothes. Ya everyone gets to see my nice black anime boxers. Still pissed about not getting a smoke for the drive Mantis is glad that the new town does have a 24hr shop. Maybe Dunk can succeed where the ork couldn't. I tell you it's like you have to be some sodden Royal to get anything in this world. Mantis sits back in his seat. Any death sticks you can find Dunk would be arctic with me. Mantis wishes he was not so beat up, maybe then he could send a few fire elemental to send fiery death on some garbage cans around the last French city they where in. Once I'm healed I'm still sending a fire elemental back to that city, the garbage will burn. I tell you it will burn. Just have to get this leg fixed.
-
"On second thought I'll go. Shouldn't send a Scotsman to do an Englishman's job." Knives chuckles at his joke as he exits the car. He lets out a few groans in the process but makes his way slowly towards the shop.
-
Dunk smiled.
Aye, it's an englishmans job te get two jocks their smokes alreet. Now get running, haha.
Stepping out of the warm car was a shock to the system. The air was freezing, a stiff northerly breeze whipped off the channel and tore into your cheap thin clothing, blowing away the warm sleepy feeling you'd had on the back seat.
You lengthened your pace, closing the short distance to the forecourt with an ache in your shoulder and a crick in your neck. A light flickered on the canopy over the fuel pumps, casting uneven and intermittent shadows around the pumps.
The smell of biodiesel tickled at your nostrils as you approached the small shop, seeing that the main door had been shuttered leaving only the night serving hatch open for business.
You approached tentatively, seeing the camera covering your approach but accepting the inevitable. Pressing the serving bell, you wait a minute before a scruffy looking troll in corporate colours approached the hatch.
Oui?
-
Knives smiles and nods at the clerk. "No french. Smokes please." He points to the cigarettes behind the counter and holds up up two fingers.
-
He gestures at the SiN reader to your right and shambles off to the cigarette rack with a dull uninterested nod.
sin test please
-
The scanner chirps and the troll shoves two cheap packs through the hatch, his sour smelling breath wafting through the gap with them. His tinny headphones leak some shit sounding punk and he pops them back in, shuffling back off to the back of the shop.
-
"Sweet nicotine." Knives scoops up the packs and has one in his mouth by the time he hits the door. Once he makes it back to the car he lights his smoke and tosses a pack to Mantis. "Alright lads all is right in the world, cept this fuckin cold. Let's get to our spot."
-
Hot dam my lungs will be doing jumps for joy in second. Mantis grabs the smokes and tears the rapping off. With the smoke lite and gracing his lungs with the sweet nectar of nicotine he moves out of the way so Knives can get in. Thanks mate this is a small taste of heaven. Mantis drags away waiting to see what the groups next move was. Most likely the meet. Best see what this small town is all about and what our meet location is like. Mantis fixes his Trod cap in place and asks his Agent to run a search first on the location they have a meeting at then a search on any info about this town.
-
The first search on Etaples doesn't bring up too much you didn't know already from the trawling of the public node.
It rounds out some information on the harbour; it has capacity for 120 light commercial/recreational craft and is submits to the Boulogne-sur-mer Port authority for regulated shipping traffic, but Slicer seems to have found more out about the town's demographics than is useful to you.
The second search however provides more meat to go on:
//Search results:: Tags; Etaples//France
1)La mer Geneureuse: Seafood restaurant, 4 star. 1e aveneu, Etaples {location}
2)La mer Genereuse: A new restaurant opens (translation) {Article, source; Le Monde}
3)La mer Genereuse: 2068; A theatre production based on the Phillipe Geroult short story {Drama and Theatre}
4)La Mer Genereuse: a Phillipe Geroult short story {Books and Literature}
5)La mer Genereuse: International Shipping registry {Other}.
showing top 5 results of:: 167 similar
END//
-
___Lumen____
Your Commlink vibrates in the shallow pocket of your cheap clothing as Mantis paws at the search results pinging back to him on-screen.
<<Incoming message:: ANON>>//Ah good, you've arrived. Ask for Pietr. Keep your heads down when you get home. We'll be in touch//
-
"Good news lads we're going home! Message says to ask for a Pietr. I'm guessing it's that international shipping listing we're after mates." Knives lets out a sigh of relief as his mind drifts back to the shady alleys of the East End.
-
I second that. Some puffy stage show ain't gonna get us back te the ol' smoke. Let's have a wee gander down that harbour
-
Mantis takes a smoke out of his god sent pack, ok Knive sent pack and lights it with the last of his other smoke then kills the first one in the ash tray. I hope we don't get a cold, here is your new home in prison welcome when, or if we get back. Mantis drags on his smoke. At least back in the smoke people talk and I can tell what the hell they are saying. Mantis is hopeful that the port will lead the three back to London or maybe some where that the locals speak English.
-
alreet, as you two are so full o' grand ideas, why don't you scout out the harbour while I find somewhere to get rid o' the car? Message me before I torch her though eh?
-
"Yea good idea Dunk. Set us off near the pick up and we'll have a look around. Let's just hope this boat trip is smoother than the last. I'm too knackered for that shit."
-
Mantis puts out his smoke, I'll do my best to recon the area too. I would rather take a possition and where I don't have to do a lot of walking this leg is still shooting pain through my body. Mantis waits to see what the location looks like hoping to find a vantage point where he can put his vision magnification to god work. That way he might not have to walk his leg too much.
-
nae bother lads. dunk fires up the knackered old junked for probably the last time and pulls an awkward three point turn in the middle of the deserted road.
He gives the throttle a squeeze and the worn buildings zip past you until the brakes squeal under deceleration as you pull up outside the market square you passed through earlier.I'm gonnae head south, try and find a quiet spot te torch the ol' girl. Might tek me an hour or so te walk back into town so let me know if you find her pretty fuckin' quick aye?
Hopping out of the car with your gear, you're immediately assailed by a stiff sea breeze blowing off the English channel. It bites into your exposed flesh and whips up the smell of the remnants of the afternoon's fish market. Across the cobbles lay the stairway to the harbour district. You could hear the waves breaking against the harbour walls below you and the sniff of the brine and seaweed reminded you of home, of sitting by the Thames and admiring the view of the old smoke.
-
Mantis steps out of the car and gives his two legs a stretch. Drek my leg is killing me, I hate getting a knive any where in my body. Mantis decides to check his map and do a look around to see if he can find a vantage point to check out the location the group has to go to. Best see if I can find a place to spot from.
-
___Scawire___
It doesn't take much of a glance to realise that the top of the stairway is your best bet. Hobbling across the square as fast as your wounds would let you, you reach the top of the stairway and admire the view. Sculpted gardens flank the stairway some 75-100 foot down to the water level and you suddenly don't envy the lads who had to empty the inbound trawlers and hump their contents up this hill to the market square for sale. A mix of pleasure craft and light commercial craft tilt gently in the light swell of the harbour waters below you, a few tell-tale navigation lights on the far side of the harbour let you know there were ships inbound once the tides had changed as well.
The stairway opened up at the bottom end into a dockside littered with light cranes, pallets and rusty forklifts under orangey phosphorus spotlights. A jetty ran out into the centre of the harbour, flanked on one side by a decent sized craft and an officey-looking building on the other.
The craft looked like a trawler of some sort, jigs for dragnets dominated the port and starboard mid-decks.
You couldn't see the name of the boat at this distance even with your enhancers dialled up, but it started to make more and more sense.
-
Knives steps out of old junker, tosses his nanopaste disguise in the back seat, then dawns his greatcoat. Grabbing his kit he follows Mantis up the staircase to take a long look out into the water. "You see anything mate?"
-
Mantis does his best to take in what he sees down at the docks. Well from what I can see there are a few pleasure crafts and light commercial crafts. Also we got a building that looks like an office and a decent sized craft that is taking up alot of the deck space down there. Mantis does his best to check to see if any personal stand out or if anything down at the docks seems out of place.
-
Nothing looked particularly out of place. Taking a good look you could see that a small security gate prevented direct access down the jetty. The dockside was empty, but lights in the office indicated it was occupied.
-
"You up to having a closer look or are you still bleeding all over the place? At least this time there's no MMU in sight." Knives chuckles and takes a few steps closer. "Though it might be a good idea to have one of your spirits take a look and make sure there's no nasties lurking in the astral."
-
Mantis's leg was still killing him but the spirit was a good idea he thought. I would like to walk as little as possible so if you have a plan with out me walking too much that would make me happy. Mantis looks down at the dock again to see if anything pops out. Spirit is on the way. I'll get him to check for awakened and other spirit realm beings first then we can narrow the searching to other things. Mantis does his best to stretch his will out to the realm of the spirits to get aid from a spirit.
Mantis's mind seems to swim his mental request into the realm of spirits. Not sure how well he can convince any aid with the pain in his leg Mantis does his best.
Once the Man spirit shows up and the link between Mantis and the spirit is made. Mantis asks his spirit help. Buddy can you go check out that dock down there... Mantis points with his arm but also with his mind, mentally drawing out the bounders of the dock so the spirit knows the area in question. ... First check to see if you see any awakened meta humans or spirits on the docks, in that office then on the decks of the boats and report as you go. Thank you Mantis did want to send the spirit running inside every boat but dam that might take some time there was quite a few boat down there.
-
"Long as your friend gives the all clear I can go it alone. You just sit here mate. Though they probably have cameras down there, I could use some extra cover from them if you've got it in you."
-
___Scawire___
The spirit heads your call, its mana form shimmering slightly as it interacts with your aura.
Certainly, I will return presently.
It returns after a minute or so, your eyes adjusting to the darkness slightly as you look out over the harbour.
You can just about make out the hull on two of the nearer boats waiting for the tides before making their approach into harbour. They seemed to be of roughly the same shape as the vessel down in the harbour in front of you, probably the other chunk of the local fishing fleet.
His return startled you out of your concentration;
I found little summoner, only a particularly friendly spirit of water who inhabits the bay just outside of the boat-pen as he called it. What else do you require of me?
___Lumen___
The view from your vantage point was worlds away from your experience of the east end docks. This was a seriously sleepy little place. The harbourmaster's office was tiny. at this point of the night you figured there'd be one, at most maybe two staff on, even then they'd probably only be interested in an hour or so when the tide shifts and the boats out in open water wanted to return.
You figured there'd be a camera covering the gate to the jetty, but the gate itself wasn't exactly impressive from this distance.
A number of small rowing boats and inflatables used to access the larger pleasure craft were moored up to an unsecured section of the harbour and you could see that the token security gestures were purely for the commercial fleeted that harboured here.
You could easily subvert one of the access boats to circumvent the gate and camera if you wanted to, or take your chances with the light staffing in the harbourmaster's office.
-
Mantis relays the intel that his spirit gave him then asks. I'm not really at my prime right now, but I should be able to get a spell in place. I would suggest what ever spell I put on you don't completely trust it. Oh ya I can also have our spirit here help conceal you if you want. So what spell you looking for Invisibility or a mask? Mantis looks down at the dock then stretches his wounded leg. Drek I really don't want to sneak into that place in my condition, I guess when living in the shadows very few things are done easy Mantis's mind think about what a pain it was just to itch his lungs need for the sweet kiss of smoke.
-
"If the spirit can help that should be enough. You just sit here mate and I'll check it out." Once the spirit's concealment is in place Knives heads towards the pier. He sticks to the shadows and slowly makes his way down.
-
___Lumen___
The stairway is long and winding, twisting its way down the steep hillside to the harbour.
The briny smell of the sea brings back the scent of home, minus the cloying polluted air of the east end of course. Sticking in tight to the barrier for cover, you arrive on the "ground level"
of the harbour.
From your new vantage point you can see the harbour masters office ahead of you with the chest high gate + jetty to its left. The well lit boat was moored up o the right side of the jetty, just past the harbour masters office.
You could see light streaming through the main window of the office, casting a dim orangey glow
Directly to your left was the section of the harbour set aside for pleasure craft. All manner of yachts, speedboats and cruisers tugged at their moorings in the light swell stirred up by the stiff cold breeze.
You were glad of your greatcoat once more, its thick lining keeping the buffeting northerly wind out of your paper thin disposable clothes.
Glancing to your right, you took in the scene more closely now. A small storage building was built into the cliffside you descended, it's signage in French, heavy worn shutters indicating it sees regular usage. A number of light pleasure craft were stored on racks for inspections, a light mobile crane seemingly the only way of hauling them out of the water.
A plan hatches in your mind, the selection of rowing boats and light motorcraft moored up by the harbour edge would provide the perfect method of checking out the ship without risking the office's inhabitants.
Keeping low and quiet, you slink over to the harbour edge and peer into your options.
One of the rowing boats hadn't been used in ages, a hole in its stern having flooded it seemingly years ago.
A small derigible looked great, but you didn't have the keys for the outboard. It left you with the third option, another rowing boat.
Gently, you lowered yourself over the side, stifling a scream as your busted shoulder muscles protested loudly in pain. You were in, but getting out would be a challenge.
Having never attended boy scouts, you swiftly gave up fucking about with the knot, slashing at the thick restraining rope with your fineblade before setting yourself loose with a gentle push off from the harbour side.
You wobbled about in the small wooden boat as you took your seat and plonked the oars over the side into the inky black water, gingerly pulling the oars through as once again your shoulder screamed at you.
The sound of the oars in the water broke the deadly silence of the night. Each stroke sounded like a jet engine with your audio enhancement dialled up, your spatial recognizer didn't like it either; rapidly flicking between the left and right channels. You commanded them into the background processes, uncluttering your AR feed as you went.
You slowly paddled out into the deeper water to put some distance between you and the office and marvelled at the beautfiul reflections of the harbour lights in the oily black water.
The ordinarily still waters chopped at the lip of the bow, hindering your efforts slightly. Rounding an expensive looking Yacht, you saw movement in the harbourmasters office.
It was too distant and too badly lit to make out any detail, but a large person was definitely moving about in there.
From your new position, you could see that the harbour perimeter was made of a wall of granitey looking boulders, reinforced by a concrete exterior wall. It was badly lit, probably by virtue of being barely used, except for inspecting the two red and green beacons on each side of the huge tidal gate some half a mile from your tiny boat.
Pulling harder than your muscles liked, you rounded the last of the expensive play-things moored up and out into more open water of the harbour.
AR beacons flashed on a series of buoys, "Attention: la zone commerciale. Les bateaux de plaisance; Ne pas entrer"
Even with your total lack of french, the flashing no entry sign over a small sail boat was clear. They didn't want non-commercial traffic in this section of the harbour.
A series of green AR arrows traced the designated path for recreational craft around the harbour walls and out to the tidal gate, avoiding the restricted commercial zone.
It didn't matter though. Your new angle ran perpendicular to the vessel, "La Mer Generuese".
It's AR ID protocol identified it as a light commercial trawler, with clearance for fishing the English Channel, North Sea designated safe zones and Independent Channel Island waters.
It was lit, and a low rumble and gurgle of water at it's rear indicated its engines were fired up in anticipation of leaving.
-
___Scawire____
The biting wind hit you in the face hard as you stood at the top of the long stairway, observing as Knives slunk and skulked his way down the hill.
Your thoughts turned to having another ciggy to kill the time as the spirit pressed you further; Summoner, I asked you a question. For what further tasks do you need me?.
Lighting another death stick, your eyes were drawn to the flame of your lighter, staring at it intently until a gust of wind extinguished it.
The distant sound of an approaching engine caught your ear, heading in from the suburbs you came from.
As you turned to look in the direction of the approaching sound, you saw knives cast off into the harbour waters in a small rowing boat, dreading the next step of this long old day.
-
Once he laid eyes on his target Knives sets the oars in quietly. He rubs his shoulder screaming in agony hoping to alleviate the pain even for just a second. He pings Mantis over the microtransciever, whispering into his subvocal mic, "Found it mate. This is our ticket out of here and what a sight she is. Check in on Dunk, I don't want to light up my com out here."
Knives lingers for a minute to let his shoulder quiet down before rowing himself back in.
-
___Lumen___
Turning the craft around with a few deft strokes, You gently row back towards the harbour wall, tucking in the oars well in time.
You realised you'd set yourself up for a bit of a predicament as you return, the half of the restraining rope on your commandeered row boat now wet and freezing cold from its swim in the harbour and the other half still attached to the mooring on the harbour wall.
It'd take an awful lot of strength to haul yourself back up onto the harbour side, especially with a busted shoulder. You weren't looking forward to that at all.
-
But soon enough you'd got the boat in place, fighting with the freezing cold wet rope and forcing it into some kind of knot to hold it in place. Steadying yourself against the harbour wall, you haul up the up with one hand and scarbble up the side onto the cold stone. Your sheaths dig in to your gut painfully as you roll over and push yourself up into standing, your should incredibly tender after the climb.
A quick glance around shows that nothing had changed since you departed, the harbourmaster's office still lit and the harbour just as sleepy as it was 20 minutes before
-
Once Knives asks for spirit back up Mantis replies to his helper. Sorry for the wait I need you to use your concealment power on my friend down there, and myself, keep it in place until I say other wise. Thanks little buddy.
Mantis gets Knives message over the micro transceivers the two picked up. << Sub Vocal, Micro transceiver>> Rodger that I'll call him now. <<END>>>
Mantis Calls Dunks Comm. Then asks him What's your estimated time of arrival? Mantis sheilds his lighter to the best of his ability as he fires up his death stick hoping to calm his nerves down before he hopefully hits the sea for a better boat ride then last time.
-
___Scawire___
I'll see to it, summoner.
The engine comes closer, a rattly old diesel powering a large articulated lorry. The lorry hurtles through the marketplace with its cargo of live pigs, or sheep or something (it was hard to tell in this light), sweeping the area with its massively bright lights before disappearing down the road out into the open country past the fuel stop.
//Ah, was hoping you lads would call soon, fucking bored out 'ere. I take it ye found 'er then? Great. I'll torch the ol' girl and head in. shall be aroun' 20 mins or so walk back inte toon. Ye still doon by tha' harbour?//
-
Knives creeps back up the dock holding his sore midsection with his good arm. Slowly he sneaks back up the stairs to his awaiting teammate. "Oy mate. Did ya ring him?" Seeing the glow of Mantis' cigarette he retrieves and lights his own, making sure to keep his body between the ember and the office.
-
Mantis finishes up his talk with Dunk << Sub vocal>> Ya I'm still very near where you dropped us off at, Knives took a stroll for a closer look. << END>>
Once finished with Dunk Knives transceivers Knives << Sub Vocal>> Our Driver is about 20 minutes out I'll let you know when he gets here. Keep frosty. <<END>> Mantis keeps any eye out for Dunk and hide himself for on lookers or at least tries to blend into the environment.
-
___Both___
You rest your weary and bust-up bodies up against the stone railing seperating the edge of the market square from the cliffside overlooking the harbour and struggle against the prevailing wind to get your cigs lit, wrapping up in your coats and clothes as best you can to minimise the effect of the cold on your skin.
It wasn't too bad when you were doing stuff, but now you were just stood around, it was bloody freezing!
Traffic remains almost non-existent, another couple of lorries pass through, blaring music and lights as they head out onto the back-roads. Ducking out of their line of sight provides the only real relief from the boredom of waiting, though you soon get to talking about getting back to the Old Smoke and what you were going to do once you got back.
Flicking through the sports section on your commlink, you see that 'Spurs got smashed 3-0 at home by West Ham and Knives guffawed, knowing thaq jimmy would be out of pocket by at least a tenner.
The town clock sounds 2am before you see a sight of Dunk, walking down a side street back towards the Market square.
He looks a bit shook up and dishevelled as he crosses the empty road and looks around the market square. He looks right through the pair of you, clearly not seeing through your veil and heads towards the stairs down to the harbour, clearly cautious in keeping the noise from his footfall as low as possible.
-
Knives nods to Dunk as he approaches. When he walks right past the pair Knives speaks up, "Dunk you alright mate? Where you going?"
It takes another second to register why Dunk walked pass them and he says to Mantis, "Oh yea, have your spirit turn off the mojo."
-
Jesus, scared the shit outa me. You two and yer bloody mojo! So we got a plan or wot?
-
"Kinda. I found the boat, looks right posh. I figured we would hang around here until it's time or we get more instructions. Though we've still got over an hour to kill. I wonder if we could scrounge up some food first..."
-
Dunk seems a bit shaken, worried almost. Bits of twigs and leaves have gotten stuck in his greying hair and caught on the bits of his kit and clothing that stuck out. Slight scratches are visible under image enhancement on his forearms.
Sensing your interest, he pulls his sleeves down on his worn and slightly smelly khaki cover-alls.
He looked down the stairway at the boat.
Posh?! its a trawler mate, looks like its rigged up fer shellfish pots, crab or lobster probably.
It'll fecking stink ahaha. Anyways, we dunnae wanna be hangin' aroond the harbour before it sets sail. Them un's out there'll be comin' thro' the gate and mooring up, will be loads o' lads unloading em and such.
There's a conveniece store jus' up tha road I came doon, saw some venders outside. Ye might be able to grab a choccy biccy or bag o' crisps or summat, dunnae tek too long tho, we need te get aboard in next half hour really though pal.
-
Once Knives asks to have the spirit turn off the mojo Mantis asks his spirit helper to do just that. Thanks for the help could you drop the concealment, and go on stand by I'll call you when you are needed again. With that the spirits will drops the cloaking around the group so everyone is visible. Ya a small snack would do good. I hope they don't start IDing you for soy bars.
-
"You sure you're alright Dunk? You look a mess." Knives eyes him up and down. After seeing his resolve during their escape from the East End it was hard to imagine what had him so shaken.
-
Aye, yep. I'll be fine pal. Just need te get home now thass all. I'm Just gonnae tek a seat doon here whilst ye go shopping alreet? I'm knackered.
-
Against your better judgement, your rumbly stomach leads you on down the street Dunk came from.
It was only a short walk but you find the convenience store, closed as expected, not due to open for at least another 4 hours.
Outside stood two vending machines, the larger of the two held all manner of useful stuff, washing up tablets, soyprocessor flavour caplets and soy/compressed krill powder refills, burner commlinks, automatic washer tablets and all the usual household bollocks you'd not needed in a while.
The second one caught your eye though, it held boxes of "chocolate" biscuits, bags of crisps, soy-bread, soy-milk, and served a small range of hot auto-cooked noodles and dispensed "fresh" soycaf.
After the day you'd had, it felt like all your christmases had come at once...
-
Knives eyes grow wide and his stomach rumbles when he sees the vending machine jackpot. He pulls a credstick from his coat pocket and loads up enough biscuits and crisps to fill the two front pockets of his greatcoat and some hot noodles and soykaf for himself. *Perks of doin the hoofing, I get the warm meal. It would get cold by the time I got back.* He ponies up the euro for the snacks and heads back, scarfing down the noodles then moving on to the soykaf and another cigarette.
-
Mantis is happy the store is closed the less French people he has to see before making his way back to the Old Smoke the better. Ever since his denial of smokes at the last store Mantis doesn't want to deal with many more French speakers. Looking over the selection in the machine he decides to grab some hot noddles with a nice teriyaki flavor pack and a few choclate biscuits in case they don't feed him on the boat. This time he was hoping to be awake for the boat trip, and his ork stomach would thank him for the food later. Last Mantis grabs a soycafe to help down the noddles. Mantis heads back to the waiting area drinking and eating well walking.
-
____Both______
The noodles were pretty bland and flavourless, you didn't expect them to be amazing, but even by your low standards, you were disappointed. Either the flavour dispenser was empty or the owner was a tight bastard and had diluted the mix to increase his profit margin.
At least they were hot, dumping much needed warmth into your hands and body to fight against the onlsaught of the stiff northerly sea breeze.
The prospect of home bouyed your pace somewhat, and for a moment your injuries seemed to hurt less, the happy hormones released with the kick of the caffeine and sugars taking the edge off slightly.
You crossed the cobblestone market place, back into the full face of the breeze to see Dunk standing, hands on the railing, staring out over the inky blackness of the water.
He'd cleaned most of the twigs and such out of his hair now and seemed more at ease with himself.
Y'alreet lads? Listen, scran them quickly. We need te make a move te tha' boat 'fore the gate opens
Knives, pal, you take point as you've been up close already.
Fresh infiltration rolls please
-
Mantis kills his smoke knowing it might be sometime before he gets another one. They he calls his Spirit friend from stand by. Ok Little buddy I'm going to need you to put all three of us under your concealment power until I say other wise. Hey bud you've been doing a great job so far. With the three runners under the concealment, Mantis does his best to sneak on to the docks undetected.
-
"Sure thing mate, no problem. You want some crisps before we go? Last time I just took that boat to avoid the gate. Would probably be our best bet but with my shoulder I might need a hand up."
Knives scarfs down some chocolate biscuits before taking them over to the boat he ventured out in last time.
-
____Lumen____
Dunk nods and takes the bag, opening it and pouring most of it down his neck in three or four big takes, noisily crunching them down.
He seems a bit brighter for a bit of food;
Fuck, forgot how hungry I am. I'm gonnae have te get some proper scran when we're aboard. Tha' kebab feels like weeks ago.
Aye, tha' boat seems like a decent idea, Nae bother, we'll gi' ye a hand doon.
___Scawire____
As you wish. Thank you but the complement is unnecessary, I hope you stay safe, my companions have told me you like to live dangerously?
___Both___
You slink down to the dockside, using the railing and pools of shadow for cover from the office. Another lorry rumbles by as you're half way down, causing you to momentarily stop and listen.
Satisfied that no-one knew you were there, you covered the rest of the stair; knackered, aching and generally ready for bed.
Knives leads the way to the boat, Dunk offering to clamber in first to assist the two wounded down from the harbourside.
You clunk down heavily, rocking the tiny craft so hard you thought you'd end up in the harbour yourselves.
Dunk clearly had sea legs though, steadying the craft and seating the two of you at opposite ends of the tiny boat for stability.
We're gonnae need te' scuttle 'er as we board tha' trawler lads. Get ready te' blow a hole in 'er or summat
Untying the knot, he pushed away from the harbourside; the cold oily water sliding past the prow much nearer to overflowing now with the three of you in.
Dunk takes his seat and plonks the oars into the water, gently and quietly pulling at the inky blackness around the boat.
The harbour walls sheltered you from the worst of the wind, giving a nice respite from the buffeting cold you'd had at the top of the stair lined cliffside.
You felt more alive for a bit of food and a coffee and took a look around you, judging the line of sight from the harbourmasters office
It was going to be tight as you rounded the last of the large powerboats, and you could definitely be seen as you covered the last few metres up to the hull of "La Mer Genereuse"
Figuring there was fuck all you do about it, you just summed up that you'd have to be quick.
Dunk held the boat at a point just round the stern of the last of the powerboats, a gin palace by all suitable descriptions. The back of it seemed to be a launch bay for a jet-ski and its two decks visible above the water line comprised of an expensively attired eating area and sun deck complete with sun-loungers and drinks holders. You wondered at what kind of wealth you'd need to own a bit of kit like that. probably more wealth than all of the fricking east end put together.
He rummaged around in his kit and pulled out a torch, flashing a signal of some sort at the empty-looking bridge of the rumbling craft.
Alreet, lets go. We've got te' be quick here lads, be ready
He slammed the oars in, hard and the tiny boat accelerated far more quickly than you thought possible. Dunk groaned at the exertion, crossing the demarcation line that separated the commercial traffic from pleasure craft.
He hoped it wasn't monitored but within seconds, you were alongside the rusted and barnacle encrusted hull. Within a second, a netting rig was slung over the side, clanging heavily against the cold metal of the hull.
This climb was gonna hurt, a lot.
Climbing test at +2 for assisted. Teamwork test is applicable too
-
On the sneaking walk down to the boat Mantis decides to small talk his spirit. Ya it get into some dicey situations from time to time, but I do make a small amount of money for doing it so I keep going it. See I got a bloody wound on my leg but hey it was worth it.
When Mantis sees he has to climb a net he starts to visualize himself falling into the cold water below. Seeing that he has Dunk and Knives to aid his climb he is happy that he has a small team of runners to aid him. Mantis takes a breath then bears down knowing this climb is going to hurt his leg for sure but he planed to push through any pain and keep going no matter what.
-
Knives' drags his tired arse up the net despite the pain and engages his gecko gloves. He winces in pain but pushes through and offers a hand up to the lads. *It fuckin hurts but these poor moppets can't climb for shite. Man up.*
-
___ Scawire____
it hurt every but as much as you thought it would, but after a minute of pure agony, a thick and tattooed arm appeared over the side, swiftly followed by a grizzled looking face. he said something you didn't understand and offered his arm as he realises you're pretty wounded. His powerful muscles clamp around your arm, and he grunts and groans as he pulls you over the lip of the net and onto the cold metal deck.
You lie facing the broken cloud layer above you, patchily uplift a mucky orange from the street lights of the town as you wait for the burning pain in your leg to subside enough for you to roll over and attempt to stand.
____lumen____
gimmae yer knife a sec pal, need te scuttle her.
You feel Dunk grab at the hilt of the longer fine blade as you clamber up the netting, grasping it and slamming it into the joint of the bottom rear aspect of the rower a couple of times. Quickly climbing the net, he grips the blade in his teeth like something out of a pirate trid.
The grizzled face dragged Mantis up and over the top and enthusiastically did the same for you, nearly dislocating your good shoulder in the process. You land in a heap on top of Mantis' chest, too knackered and out of breath to really do anything about it. You both begin to laugh at the ridiculous situation and also because of the sheer relief of being on the boat and surviving another fucking ordeal.
____both___
Dunk and the deckhand help you to your feet as the deckhand gestures towards a hatch cut into the deck.
Knives slots his fine blade back into its sheath and follows Mantis's lead through the heavy metal hatchway.
It was badly lit inside and stunk of a heady mix of diesel, fish and sweaty blokes.
A short stairway took you onto the first floor below deck and another deckhand in waterproofs appears from the right, gesturing at you to follow him. He mutters something in a foreign language and points you to a rancid smelling small bunk room and gestured that the bunks were for you to kip in before leaving you to your own devices.
-
Dunk wrinkles his nose against the smell as he enters the tiny room.
well I guess they wants us te' keep our wee heads down. I wouldn't getting me head doon wi' 'er though eh?! he said, gesturing at the AR image of a stunning looking redhead posing and winking provocatively from the ceiling above you.
Judging by the grubby and worn trid chips stacked up on the side unit, winking wasn't all she did.
Personal effects of the deckies lay about the room, cliched and unimaginitive, it gave a brief view into their world. Epaper magazines showed graphic porno, lads doing stupid shit whilst pilled up and the highlight reels from footy games and the Europa bike racing league.
Dunk clambered up onto the top right bunk and kicked his boots off, making the rancid smell even worse.
The deckie returned with a first aid kit and a tray of sweet smelling tea. His accent was thick and Slavic, reminding you of the Russian dockers the vory lads brought over to "handle" sensitive shipments back in the east end.
You stay, you quiet. No leave, ok?
Leaving the tray on the cluttered side unit, he shut the heavy door and you hear the grinding of metal on metal as the locking mechanism closes.
-
Mantis decides to ask the sailor giving the food a question. So is it ok to check the 'trix well we are in this hole in the wall or what? If Mantis gets the ok he will power up his comm link and start checking on all the local news back in the old smoke and start checking through world news on new magical discoveries. Mantis wished he had gotten a better lead on his missing wife but he was still glad she was breathing the air the earth game them both. With that news it gave Mantis a brighter out look on him and his wife, maybe he could find a way to her.
Most of the time on the ship Mantis rest his leg and keeps a med kit hooked up if he can to try to heal for what ever the next dip into the shadows through his way. Hey he might be a big mean orc but dam the shadows could be very unforgiving.
-
Knives plops down on an empty bunk and says to Mantis, "Probably not a good idea mate. At least not till we get fresh burners back home. That's how they followed us last time. Let's get you patched up then get some shut eye. I want to fresh and frosty when we get back."
-
After poking through the provided Medkit Knives closes it back up, "Well that's about as useless as the kit I scattered across the junker. We'll use mine." He takes the one from his kit, pops a few anti-inflammatories, then plugs Mantis up.
"Dunk, that was quite the move earlier. You looked like a proper pirate with a blade in your teeth." He laughs then grows more serious, "So... you gonna tell us what had you so spooked earlier? It looked like you tore through the woods. Was there a problem ditching the car?"
-
___Scawire___
The deckhand just stares at you, muttering something in a thick eastern european tongue that made no sense to you at all before shutting the door.
Knives passes over the medkit, basic though it was, it held painkillers, wound cleaning spray and clean dressings.
It made sense to take the opportunity, and though it stung like fuck, you started to peel off the old and crusty scabbed-up dressing and clean down the wound.
Last thing you needed now was an infection..
___Lumen____
Aye, s'pose i cannae hide tha'. I wa' siphoning off the fuel from 'er tank ready te torch 'er an' i heard this fuckin' weird noise off in tha' distance.
I started te' hurry, but as I got 'er lit wa'ever it wa' were on me, as if it wa' attracted te the smell o'summat. The blaze seemed te' scare the shite out o'it but it gimme a fuckin' kickin' as I ran off. Stabbed the fucker wi' me bowie an I'm sure it'll still be stuck in tha' bastard's ribs now.
He seemed to become agitated at the memory, rubbing at his upper arm as he relays the story
-
Mantis is glad to get the wound wrapping switched out, but he is more excited to get some new pain killers. Mantis decides Knives is right best keep of the 'trix until they are back in the old smoke you never know who might be trying to track them. Mantis does his best to take as much advantage of his R&R. Mantis might be locked in a closet on a ship but his leg will be grateful for not having to do too much walking.
-
Knives nods, "Damn mate, like a big dog or somethin? At least you stuck em proper before he took off." He lays back and stretches out on one of the bunks. "Can't wait for a hot shower and a cold pint back home... "
*I really hope we get to go home. Livin it up was brill and all but it ain't home.*
-
___Lumen___
Aye, Exactly like a great big fuckin' dog or summat. Scared the shite out o' me when it howled, never felt fear like it. I hope it fuckin' bleeds te death, the lil' shite!
The numbing effect of the pain killers begins to take the edge off your shoulder and its not long before you rest back into the semi-comfortable bunk. The sheets were long overdue a wash, but then you figured, so were you.
As your eyes felt heavy, it wasn't long before you succumbed to sleep, only partially stirred by the roaring of the boat's engines as it rocked out of the harbour waters.
__Scawire___
Sitting on the bunk, your mind begins to wander to the mystic and her message. Knives bumbles about on the bunk opposite, getting comfy and snoring gently as sleep overtakes him. Dunk clambers up onto the top bunk and fingers his commlink's screen for a few minutes before nodding off himself.
You idly flick your lighter to and fro, staring into the flame, too tired to even really get a kick from its menacing dance and the whiff of paraffin as it bursts into life
What had she meant? was it bullshit? some cheap illusion magic? or was there more to it? Maybe she had scried the future, seen her path.
Your limited study had shown that such things were possible, given the right materials and preparation, but you also knew that many similar effects could be done through stage tricks and poor conjury.
Either way, your mind wouldn't settle on an option as the truth, and she haunted your dreams; visions of her running through the streets laughing and waving you on to chase her, though you never quite could reach her warm embrace.
You stirred in your sleep slightly as the dull growl of the engines increased to a roaring thunder, the soothing rocking of the waves soon seeing you back to sleep.
___Both___
You were awoken by the sound of something crashing to the ground nearby. Your stomach lurched wildly as your body registered a disconnect between your perceived motion and the static-ness of the scene before your eyes. The room was still as far as your primitive eyes could tell, your half-awake brain registering with disbelief that it was indeed the world that was moving, your stomach grudgingly accepting, though it wanted to empty istelf of those noodles. Rubbing the sleep out of your eyes, you could see that it was the stuff off the sidetable that had fallen onto the floor, shifting under the now-apparent heavy rocking of the boat on the rough waves.
Dunk groaned as he rolled over. It's a fuckin' rough one eh lads?
Heavy boots clanked down the hallway towards your room, intermittently staggering with the rocking motion...
[Composure tests please. 1 EDG point refreshes for both of you]
-
___Lumen___
Its a struggle, but you fight to get yourself level on the bed, stooping your head slightly under Dunk's form poking through the slats in his bunk above you.
Your stomach is not happy about the rolling sea but you gag back on the rising bile in your throat and keep the wave of vomit in for now.
The noises outside stop outside the door, rapid exchanges of words in a foreign tongue interspersed with a hacking great cough followed by a noisy and gut wrenching spit of phlegm.
The wheeled bulkhead door spins as it slowly unlocks; you figured it must be time to disembark and finally go home.
-
Shaking the green from his face Knives hops up and dons his greatcoat. Tucking them in his wasteband, he tries to quickly secure his fineblades before the hatch opens. Afterwards he gives Mantis a good shake, "Oy lad, on your feet."
-
Mantis does his best to get up. Mantis still doesn't trust the crew completely. Mantis does his best to stay ready to go home or put up a fight if needed.
-
___Scawire____
your hardy ork constitution shrugs off the worst of the motion sickness, leaving only that feeling of not-quite-hunger but not-quite-sickness to linger. There wasn't that much room to stand in the small bunk space as Knives hops to his feet and suits up. His smart coat and formal wear stands out like a sore thumb against the backdrop off cigars, sweat and porn.
___both___
The door swings backwards into the narrow corridor to reveal a huge and well built bloke with a sick grin on his face, a stubby cigar parting his lips slightly at one side of his face. It was for the briefest of moments the most interesting thing about him; that was before you saw the business end of an ancient looking hunting shotgun pointed directly into knives' gut.
ey, pretty boy.*he smirks* you fancy pants man, you pay for boat sailing home.
He gestures with the end of it to remove your coat, cocking the old mechanism to emphasise his point. Footsteps further down the corridor show he's not alone and you hear a scream from what you suspect to be no further than 10 yards away.
The scream is silenced by a smack and then a bout of foreign shouting that only elicited more screams. This night had just gone to shit.
-
Despite the pain in his shoulder Knives' hands fly to the hilts of his fineblades. He draws them out as a sadistic grin spreads across his face, "Wrong fuckin boat chummer." The weight shifts to the balls of his feet as he prepares to avoid the incoming blast.
-
___Lumen___
The look of smug arrogance on his face bled quickly to one of horror, staring at the size of the blades as they sung their metallic tune as they unsheathed, he began to shout something in foreign before snapping the barrel in your direction.
The noise was horrendous as the catridge went off, dumping both barrels in short succession
dodge test {1} at -2 (choke setting) please
__Scawire__
You'd barely shaken the sleep out of your eyes before you were convinced you were in another nightmare. things had turned to shit once again and the huge muzzle flash from the double barrel temporarily blinded you as Knives drew his blades and tried to be somewhere that the shotgun pellets weren't
Dunk rolled for cover; helpless on the top bunk with Knives taking up all of the space beneath him, he just tried not to get shot at.
Maybe 3 yards seperated you from the stinking, greasy tattoed assailant but you knew that gun was out of ammo now and you had only a small window of opportunity before his backup arrived...
you're up
-
I knew it, it was a nice boat ride then I wake up. My stomach wants to some noddles on the floor and this guy wants me to exit this world. Great Mantis is not happy with his wake up call maybe the captain needs to do a better bed and breakfast deal on his ship. Mantis grabs the mana around him and does his best to drop the first crazy bloke that has come knocking at Mantis's door.
-
___Lumen___
The buckshot caught you square in the chest, his unerring accuracy more a function of luck than skill.
Your armoured coat bends inwards, dissipating the energy from the double impact exactly as it was designed to, slamming you backward into a half sitting position on the small unit between the bunks.
Your ears rang and your torso felt like someone rubbed your nerve endings with sandpaper, but you swiftly realised that your armour had done it's job and your assailant was now looking terrified in the doorway with an unloaded gun. Seeing your survival, he turned to run...
___Scawire___
Knives ragdolled backwards under the sheer force of the shot at close range; you expected blood guts and gore, but though shaken off the tired old furniture, it seemed his armour had held firm against the shots.
The noise of the double blast was horrendous and the din rang in your ears afterwards. The muzzle flash burnt into your retina served only to act as a crosshair as you channelled the surrounding mana into a spiteful, hateful bolt of pure energy.
Shocked at Knives' belligerence and refusal to die; the gunner turned and ran back down the corridor but not before your bolt smacked him sideways, unbalancing him as he crashed face first into the far wall of the corridor
Lumen's pass 2 begins
-
As he sits back on the unit his chin drops to his chest. Then he realizes he was uninjured from the point blank double barrel explosion... a story that will undoubtedly be embellished many times over a pint. Knives' head whips back up to stare down his assailant, the sadistic grin growing ever wider. "Looks like I win this one mate." He stands and calls the ambient mana into his muscles, invigorating himself with newfound strength.
-
___Lumen___
The mana builds in your muscles, enhancing your strength. It soothed as it enveloped you, numbing the edge off the bruising that the armour couldn't stop.
Moving up to close the gap, the pieces of buckshot rained to the floor as they fell out of your armour.
You see the grimy fucker was in a state already, pushing himself back up off the floor, the unloaded shotgun laying just out of arms' reach.
Mantis' mojo had knocked him sideways and he looked fucked. You heard screams from the room just up the dark corridor, just loud enough to be heard over the pumping bass music emanating from it.
__Scawire___
You're on for your final pass
-
Mantis is not keen on sticking his head out of the cabin and see if his armor can take a point blank shot like his buddy Knives just did. So Mantis decides to get a small helper from the spirit realm to aid him and his two bunk mates.
Mantis directs his will out to the realm of spirits and starts his mental request for aid. It seems a spirit has come forward to aid Mantis, but the tug Mantis put forward into this realm to get aid has pulled back on his psyche. Mantis's mind feels the strain from this summoning.
With the Spirit aid Mantis quickly mentally tells the spirit. I need you to guard me, Knives and Dunk. Thanks With that Mantis hopes the team of pirates trying to rob them are not too powerful.
-
___Scawire___
Your body aches with the effort of the summoning, but the astral form coalesces next to you, materialising to protect the team from physical harm.
Dunk rolls over to look down at the scene unfolding, checking everyone is still doing alright.
He digs around in his jacket pocket and readies a trusty old flick knife as your spirit confirms your commands.
__Lumen___
You stride forward confidently, rage boiling with the sheer arrogance of the fucker. He's just about pushed himself onto his knees as you reach him, a light gash on his forehead dribbling blood across his face.
In a millisecond your fineblade had pierced his torso, running through to the far side. Your rage tips over the scale, ramming the blade in and out furiously until the bloke's punctured lungs gurgled through the pooling blood and his body fell prostrate to the floor, lifeless.
More screaming emanates from down the corridor, followed by several loud smacks and the laughter of a couple more voices.
-
"Dunk guard our shit, Mantis cover me." Knives barks short quick orders and dashes off down the hallway towards the music. *Sure wish I knew which foreign fuckers to frag... Guess we'll just start with the openly hostile and work from there.*
-
Mantis limps behind Knives making sure to keep checking behind himself making sure they don't get jumped from a blind spot. Not sure what the two are up against Mantis puts his Counterspelling over both him and Knive. I hope these pirates are not sporting a mage that would not be fun.
-
___Lumen___
Dunk clunked heavily off the top bunk behind you, checking the corridor, grimacing at the sight of the dead gunner swimming in his own blood. The heavy rocking motion sloshed it around and it pooled in the drainage channels at the side of the central walkway.
Fack me, I think ye got 'im
Dunk booted his torso, rolling him half-supine as he padded him down, searching his pockets. He grabs a credstick and four shotgun shells from his various pockets and reaches for the gun, overbalancing as the boat keened to port under the assault of the waves.
___Scawire___
Dunk jumped down from the top bunk, momentarily gazing with wonder at the materialised spirit-form shimmering beside you before heading into the corridor.
You see the results of Knives' fury, the gunner had been thoroughly punctured and had leaked a lot of blood, most of which was now sloshing about the corridor as the ship rocked and keened about on the heavy sea.
It was a nightmare just keeping your balance, your damaged muscles struggling to support your weight as the waves threw you about. Knives moved up the corridor, listening intently at the source of the music and screaming. His footprints were red with blood and his blades dripped from the hilt guard.
Go on lad, I'll cover yer backs.
Dunk snapped the barrel open, ejecting the two spent cartridges over his shoulder which pinged off the stained and tired beige panneled walls before clanking down into the spilled blood. It snapped shut and Dunk took cover in the doorway of the bunk-room you left.
Stepping over the corpse, you keep close to Knives, lengthening your pace as you reach the source of the noise
____Both____
Pumping music can be heard, shitty europop-come-RnB played through tinny speakers. The door to the room was shut and you strained to hear what the fuck was going on on the other side.
Audio only perception tests please
-
___Lumen___
Your AR overlay burst to life, registering multiple sources of sound on your spatial recogniser.
The music appeared to be coming from above, probably piped in over the ship's audio system. You could detect at least two deeper frequencies, probably male, separated by a short distance laterally.
You could just about make out a higher frequency source, probably female, somewhere near one of the males on the right hand side of the room.
It sounded in brief bursts like sobbing or choking, but even with your amplification dialled up, the background music distorted it too much to get a clear fix on any coherent words
___Scawire___
As you maximise your audio feed through its AR overlay, the app flickers, glitches and crashes before re-loading and sticking in a continuous loop of death and rebirth.
Frustrated, you turn the earbuds off. It was a damn site less distracting that way.
-
Knives sneaks slowly towards the sounds of voices, keeping his blades at the ready. The brutal rocking of the boat and the pains shooting through his body were not making it easy but Knives pushes through it. *No bloody pirates are gonna stop me from gettin back home!*
-
___Lumen___
You push the door open slowly, the locking mechanism disengages from its position with a clunk.
From your vantage point in the doorway, you see a similar layout to the bunk room you were in earlier.
A bulkily built bloke faced away from you, mostly naked except for his grubby once-white socks. A pair of pale feet and legs sprouted from either side of his head and he thrust his hips forwards with abandon, eliciting a muffled sob with each thrust.
A burst of foreign male voice lit up your spatial recogniser again, coming from the far side of the door, maybe only a metre away from the preoccupied bloke you could see through the gap in the doorway. He sounded pissed off, a loud smack coming from his side of the room followed by a muffled scream of pain let you know that he wasn't alone on that side of the room
-
Knives' eyes grow wide with anger at the sight before him. *Robbin folks is one thing but this is just plain wrong!* He takes a second to line up his shot then steps into the room sliding his blade into the exposed back in front of him. He gives the blade a twist with a sneer, "Flithy fuckin frogs!"
-
The naked bloke carries on regardless, clearly not noticing your entry or the subtle change in air pressure as the door swings open.
He steadies himself against the rocking of the waves by grabbing onto the upper bunk's slats and you ram your fineblade through his chest, widening your stance against the pitching of the ship to make sure you didn't over-balance.
The blade finds it's purchase, piercing his skins and slamming into his rib cage, sliding in deep once the resistance of the bone crumbles under your thrust.
He groands involuntarily, screaming as you withdraw the blade.
The girl he was fucking screams as he falls forwards and rolls off the bed as the ship pitches and rolls, hitting the floor with a thud. She struggled against her arm restraints, kicking out and desperately trying to break free as the naked guy's blood trickled down her thigh.
You suddenly see that the door swung open with the rocking motion, revealing a bound and gagged woman, naked and bleeding from a laceration to her forehard and her right breast. She looks at you in terror, her dumbfounded tormentor gawping at his wounded colleague, his brain clearly not processing what his eyes had reported in. A cattle prod crackled in his left hand and his skimpy and mucky clothing looked less-than-armoured.
Mantis, you're up
-
When Mantis enters the room his ork jaw drops to the deck, No way what to the fuck. Mantis is only shaken out of his daze when Knives slips his knife into the pirate. Still getting his bearings Mantis spots a new comer to the bloody horror of the room. Ok your being dropped you dirt bag. Mantis grabs onto mana and does his best to cast a spell to clear this deck of the slime that boarded when Mantis was dreaming of home and a meeting with his wife.
-
Knives pivots around to face the other rapist. He draws both blades up into the air and comes down hard. Hopefully the downward angle will spare the poor woman from the blood fountain which is sure to erupt from the human pin cushion.
-
___Scawire___
The surprise of it all seemed to throw you off your game, you slam home a bolt of energy into the semi-clothed man, shocked to see it had no effect...
___Lumen____
You feel the air distort and crackle with energy as Mantis looses a bolt of energy at your new prey.
His eyeline drifts to his heavily wounded colleague and back to yourself as your blades whirl towards him.
He seemed unsettled by the rocking action, almost falling perfectly into place for your blades to find purchase in his throat.
Your longsword cut a beautifully clean gash through his trachea, the rapidly escaping air blasting a fine mist of blood into the room as his cardiac system desperately tried to maintain its pressure, oblivious as it was to the huge breach.
Your momentum carried through with your shortblade, ramming into his ribcage as he fell away from you.
His mass hit the ground with an audible thud, the last of the escaping air gurgling through the stream of blood leaking out of his carotid vein demonstrated his time was up.
The cattle prod fell to the ground, crackling as it discharged into a pool of blood as the bound and gagged girl screamed as best as she could against her torturer's device.
Her left side had taken the worst of the spray, she looked like something out of a cheap horror movie.
As you moved towards her, the bloke you hit first groaned, shuffling almost mindlessly towards his dead colleague, his free hand desperately trying to keep his wound from bleeding further
-
With the threats mostly disposed of Knives turns his attention to the unfortunate ladies. In a few swift slices he shreads their restraints then picks up the caddle prod. He holds the handle out to the battered woman it was used on, "Time for some proper revenge miss. You two stay here till it's safe."
Knives closes the door behind him and limps down the hallway towards the music, letting the blood drip down from his blades for dramatic effect.
-
___Lumen___
Her bonds seemed to be the only thing holding her upright, as your blade liberates her, she falls to her knees with a heavy thud.
Deep red impressions and purple bruising around her wrists bely how long she'd been strapped up for and she sobbed openly as you removed her gag.
She pleaded in some foreign language with you, her eyes full of tears and anguish.
It sounded vaguely eastern european, kinda what the lads spoke like down the docks, but none of it made any more sense than their banter and bullshit did back in The Old Smoke.
The wounded fuckwit groaned Nooo, Fuck...Nooo as he reached limply for the cattle prod, somewhat aware of the retribution coming his way.
The tears and hurt in her eyes turned to malice, her sore looking wrists struggling with the heft of the tool-come-weapon. She pressed the "on" button, impressed with the spark between the prongs and drove it into his gut, relishing each spasm and convulsion before it ran out of juice.
Turning your attention to the violated woman on the lower bunk, you saw her face for the first time. A striking looking asian woman lay before you, battered, bruised and beaten though she was, something caught your eye. a subtle tattoo on her right shoulder, it pricked some far off memory as you unbound her wrists and removed her gag. She smiled a weak "thankyou" smile before rolling over onto her side, gagging and retching as the air hit her parched and irritated throat for the first time in ages.
Knowledge test please; magical threats. no -ve mods applied.
The smell of burnt flesh filled the small cabin as you turned away, the heavy door clunking back into position.
___Scawire___
The wrongness of the situation began to set in, your brain fully accepting what had gone on here. There was no way of telling if these girls had been kept aboard as live-in slaves or whether they were victims of the people trafficking trade, but you just knew they'd been in for a fucking ordeal. Knives set about loosing there bonds and removing their gags, both looked traumatised, splattered with the blood of their tormentors and captors and not quite believing the current turn of events. You were overcome by a feeling of disgust, of revulsion and you were not the only one.
Summoner, Please, unbind me from my due services; for I wish to tend to the prisoners and your team are not in immediate threat. Will you grant me this?
___Lumen___
You push past Mantis's body, half-blocking the narrow exit through the heavy door, overbalancing as the ship took a pounding from a wave and clattering your bad shoulder into the frame.
Grimacing as you pushed yourself off the doorway, you saw the corpse still laying in an awkward semi-prone ragdoll pose, blood pooling out of the entry wounds. Dunk nodded from further up the corridor, keeping vigilant watch over the corridor leading up to the deck access-hatch, the rusty old shotgun trained down the corridor you descended what seemed like weeks ago.
Mantis deliberated with his spirit in the corridor as you shut the door, wheeling it locked.
The music dimmed down with the door shut, the speakers in the roof of the small cabin piping in the tunes from further down the craft, mirroring the feed from further down the corridor.
You'd heard all sorts of stories about the smugglers who dropped their wares into the east end docklands and believed most of them. You knew the Clerkenwells had substantial dealings with a number of "operators" who ran large smuggling outfits of BTL's, novacoke and knock-off threads and other shit, but you knew Micky was never into the people market. "too much facking trouble" he'd said, "too many facking nosy cunts, sticking their oar in, wanting a facking cut o' my takings". What was for certain was that these lads never ran the 'channel without a full hold and two girls, profitable as they may be, would probably just be the start of what they had onboard
Drawing your blood soaked blades you followed your spatial recogniser, pulsing away in your AR feed.
A small hatchway on your right was labelled in french, but the AR iconography immediately told you it was a stairway to the lower decks. Ahead, the only other doorway was given away by the AR icon, a coffee cup, the universal sign for the canteen. Your spatial recogniser confirmed it as the second source of the music, crackling slightly as it was interrupted by an announcement over the tannoy in the same guttural eastern european/slavic sounding tongue as the other crew members. It lasted for no more than a couple of seconds and it sounded authoritative, like maybe it was from the captain or commanding officer.
The music resumed, pumping and drilling the same bass-line over and over before slightly mixing in another synth layer as the vocals faded out.
___Mantis___
Knives seemed riled, he pushed past you and headed out into the corridor, smacking into the doorway as the waves threw him off-balance. He swung a left out of the doorway, drawing his blades and walking menacingly down to the end of the corridor, checking out each doorway.
The tannoy system crackled to life, briefly interrupting the music before returning to a bassier, heavier sounding track.
Glancing up in Knives direction, your AR feed showed the canteen ahead and a stairway to levels 2-1. Dunk nodded back at you from the other direction, covering your rear.
-
Still in shock from the horrors of the room Mantis only took a few seconds before answering the spirit. Ok you can tend to these ladies, but when your done try to check the ship for any other Ladies that might need your help. You might get to be a spirit in white armor today. Mantis knows he just gave up a small weapon he had but these ladies needed aid more then he did right now.
Mantis starts limping after Knives. Wait up mate. With my body in this condition these pirates will geek me too easily we need to stick together. Mantis fallows Knives where ever he is heading. Looking back at Dunk Mantis figures the team best stay together. Dunk stay with us we may need your help. Mantis shakes his head trying to get the shock out of his head from the nightmare he has woken up into. Best to stay together we are all beat up a bit and could be iced too easily if we try and fight alone. Mantis knew his leg was killing his concentration, so spell chucking was not at it's best.
-
"Yea good point. You two follow me, we're gonna find out what the fuck is going on here." Knives waits for the others to follow before heading up the stairs to get top side.
*Who the hell did Smith hire to move us? Smuggling is one thing but a bird marked by Creedus Maximus... that's some shady shit right there. I just hope we can make it all the way and don't end up in the channel.*
-
You lads alright? I tek it from the blood drippin' off yer blade, ye weren't making new pals in there?
Dunk slings the duffel bag of kit over his shoulder before popping the old break action shottie into a low-ready firing posture.
You double back the way you came in, unsteadied by the heavy rocking motion.
The pain in your shoulder made you wince as you tried to spin the bulkhead lock on the deck access hatchway.
Mantis kindly took point, his busted leg no hindrance to the heavy lifting work. Dunk covered the rear, gun pointing back down the short corridor to the room you'd slept in and he looked up into the dark night sky as the hatchway swung open and the furious squall ravaged the stairway into the corridor.
The sound of the wind was horrendous, rain lashing in sheets across the pale lit deck as the waves assaulted the sides of the craft sending white plumes skywards before they retreated back into the inky black nothingness.
You remembered an old docu-trid about the trawler industry and the survival rates of men overboard and gritted your teeth.
Cranes and winches lined the port and starboard sides, packed down and locked in place for travel, they clanked and swung into their restraints violently as the ship pitched and yawed on the rough seas.
Ahead of you lay 20-30 yards of rain and sea washed deck, a large console the only prominent feature aside from the closed cargo bay doors built into the deck.
Above you was the bridge, the access to it through a doorway in the stern that you remember seeing whilst it was anchored up in the small harbour.
__Scawire___
Summoner, These girls are badly hurt. Thankyou for releasing me from my services. I will aid these and return to you in due course
-
I think the ladies will need you more then me right now. Do what you can to help.
Mantis limps along almost dragging his injured leg. I should be asleep right now dreaming of the fun the Old Smoke will bring not killing crazy pirates. Mantis looks over the area looking to see if he can find anything to hold on to with his death walk across the wet deck. Mantis starts the group heading for the bridge. Hey guys lets see who is piloting this boat first, That ok with you guys? Mantis wished he had a wet suit on under his armor, there is so much water on this slick deck.
-
"Yea sounds like a plan mate. Problem is I don't think we're all gonna fit in with the pilot. So we need to think about this. I'm most likely to make it without getting washed out but if we need to take over the boat Dunk needs the seat. Mantis you got any spirit tricks to help us cross? If these wankers already paid the bribes to pull up to the dock we can just take over. If not we'll need someone to meet the middlemen."
As they talk Knives intently surveys the route to the bridge, plotting the best course.
-
Mantis looks over the deck. I so don't want to take a dip in the drink that is for sure. Mantis addresses Knives Right now my spirit is helping the ladies you freed from the hell your last victims hurt, might be some time before we get that spirit back to aid us. IF you think you and Dunk can handle it alone I will watch your backs. Mantis does a quick mental check on what spells he has to throw none seem like they would help a lot. Unless???? I could put a physical mask on you to look like one of the crazies you just geeked but not sure how well I can form mana right now with my leg in this kind of pain. Your call.
-
"Nah don't bother with a mask. Let me just sneak an peak, then we'll figure out what we need." Knives flips his gecko gloves to climb mode. He squats down to keep his center of gravity low and tries to brace himself between the guard rail and the deck. As he crosses the treacherous terrain a strange thought crosses his mind, *Why in the hell don't they make Gecko Boots? Sure would be handy right now...*
-
___Lumen____
You fasten your great coat as tight as it would go and grit your teeth against the lashing rain and driving wind.
Stepping out onto the deck was like putting yourself into a bloody hurricane. Within 5 seconds you were sodden, even the gecko gloves seemed to have a hard time finding some grip.
Slowly, inch by inch, you made your way around to the hatch, gipping the railing for all you were worth.
Roiling white capped waves surrounded the vessel, lit dimly by the rear floodlights on the back of the bridge. if this were a legitimate fishing trip you suspected there might be two or three lads retrieving lines and sorting the catch back here, but not today.
As the boat pitched and rocked you timed your move to the door across the lowest point, safe in the knowledge that the deck wasn't going to disappear beneath you mid-move.
The heavy bulkhead door put up a fight, the watertight fittings not helping your wounded shoulder out at all. Grunting with the exertion, it finally succumbed to your strength and swung inwards, catching on the restraint with a heavy clang of metal-on-metal.
It smelt of stale cigarettes and fart already, a steep staircase traversing the short distance to the bridge was all that dominated your sight. No immediate response came from above as the wind and rain howled into the small chamber, though you still instinctively held your breath and hovered your hands near to your hilts just-in-case.
Satisfied for the meantime, you dreaded tackling this stairway. The heavy seas were never going to help and you caught sight of the white capped monster waves you were riding through the doorway, it nearly turned your stomach.
Taking each stair at a time, gecko fixed firmly to the worn anti-slip weatherproof flooring, your eyes reached the level of the bridge.
You could see a 'rotund' body slumped into a piloting seat, cables trailing from its head into a bank of machinery to its right.
A spare seat sat empty next to a holo-terminal, a red warning light pulsing away next to some obscure readout. What appeared to be a nav-map dominated the central view of the holo-terminal. it regularly pinged and refreshed, updating a fleet of yellow traces against it's cool blue AR background.
-
___Scawire___
Knives moves off into the frigid cold, driving wind and sheets of rain, slinking off behind the bridge and out of sight.
Dunk taps you on the arm as you hear banging and shouting coming from down the corridor. The voices were female...
-
Knives recoiled from the smell as he scuttled carefully down the stairs. *Bloody hell, how long has this wanker been locked in here?* Finding the pilot slumped over as expected Knives pats him down for weapons, pocketing any he finds. Then he draws his finest blade and takes a seat in the empty chair with the point aiming in the pilot's face. Then his attention turns to the nav-map desperately trying to find a sign of glorious England.
-
As you climb the stairs, bracing yourself against the undulations, you begin to answer your own question.
A pot of obviously-cold soycaf sat in a magnetic holder, swirling around with the motion of the craft and surrounded by maybe 30 or so tab-ends in a seriously over-full ashtray.
This bloke's lungs would be in a much worse state even than Mantis's!
He didn't even flinch as you patted him down, the cables streaming out of his gleaming metal ports on his temples suggesting he was off somewhere in the virtual world.
He had half a pack of crumpled cigs in his back pocket and a credstik in his top left shirt pocket. Other than a small flick-knife tucked in his right boot, he was unarmed.
Sitting your arse down on the terminal, you looked at the nav-terminal with a cocked eye-brow. How the fuck did this thing work?...
-
Mantis is not shocked that something is needing a looking into. Figures I was hoping for a nice boat ride back to the Old Smoke and now we have crazy sailors to deal with. From my track record I should never board a boat again. Mantis turns and Nods at Dunk, then subvocals Knives. Seems we got a problem down bellow me and Dunk will check it out. With that Mantis hobbles down below with Dunk to see what kind of hell this boat has in store for him now. Lets go take a look Dunk.
-
____Lumen____
The kit seemed pretty intuitive to use, the old school haptic touchpad responding to similar gestures as your commlink thankfully.
It zoomed in and out, its pinging postion seemed to show you as out round the tip of Margate, probably only 50miles from the docks of the Old Smoke.
If it wasn't such a shite night, the lights would have been clearly visible.
The cool blue of the interface showed the entrance to the Thames with what you guessed were the protected shipping lanes lit in orange, heading straight through the Thames barrier.
Multiple pings ran through the orange "lane", various ships moving slowly to navigate the barrier lit the traces with staccato bursts of their radar and ID systems.
What you couldn't find was any kind of destination or route from your cursory examination
___Scawire____
Aye, you lead..
You headed back round the corner, seeing the external locking wheel of the girl's room spinning as they opened it from inside
-
Knives responds over the microtranscievers, <Roger that, be careful. Looks like we're only fifty miles out, I can see the Thames. Problem is the map doesn't show where we're headed. Unless Dunk is itching to try his hand on deck I could just sit here with the pilot until he jacks out. Then I can get some answers out of him. Tough call lads, what do you think?"
He reaches over and relieves the pilot of his smokes and fires one up. Puffing away, Knives sits back watching the nav-map.
-
//Aye, I hear ye. Tis good news in a way. Glad te back in 'Blighty, I wa' getting sick o'em fucking Frenchies!
I dunnae if we're better off waiting for 'em te make 'ere move. They go through a middleman, we need te' figure oot a plan te deal wi'em. They're no' gonnae be too happy we slotted 'ere pals eh? We'll be 'reet if they land us on the coast mind, but I'm keen on the idea we boost a life raft an' make fer the fuckin' hills me'self//
-
<A raft!? Did you miss the giant raft crashing swells outside? Have ya gone daft? Though I do like the avoiding the dead crewmen part of your plan... Alright maybe when we get closer.>
-
//look pal, it's just an idea. We stay on 'ere long enough an' one o'em is gonnae see his pal bleedin' all o'er this fuckin' gangway. Then we're really neck deep in tha' shite// dunk sounded pensive, even through the hushed tones of the radio comms you could tell he was pretty anxious.
-
Mantis sees the turning of the door knob and starts to get ready to cast magical hell on what ever come out the door. He already had a bloody leg and he wanted to get back on solid ground this rocking boat was doing a number on his legs. Mantis figures he has never had sea legs, right now all he seems to have is blood covered legs that should still be resting in his bunk, but no these crazy chaps had to piss him off.
-
The wheel clanged to the end of its range, signifying it was now open. The heavy door swung inwards as you began to channel the mana around you into a powerful destructive bolt.
Seeing the delicate frame of one of the girls tentatively peeking around the doorframe, you dropping the spell, feeling its part-formed raw energy dissipate into your aura.
The girl looked up the corridor, staring transfixed at the mutilated corpse laying there in the awkward pose it fell into as it had hit the far wall. It's blood has congealed and begun to clot as it oxidised, turning a deep crimson.
She gagged and held back a wave of nausea, the retching motion repeating itself several times before she controlled herself and stood out into the corridor, catching sight of you and Dunk for the first time. They both stood there, eyes fixed on a single point, somewhere off to the right of you.
Tracing their point of gaze, you see Dunk holding the rusty old gun in a full aiming position, whispering slightly to you as you turn to him
Who the fuck are they?
-
Mantis takes a quick look at the ladies before answering Dunk. Seems my spirit helper did help them. Mantis not feeling he is in any danger turns his head towards Dunk and whispers. Those are the ladies that where being raped and Knives sliced up the ass holes doing it. There might be more on board too. Mantis shakes his head thinking of the shock the scene he saw, even picturing the horror gets to him.
-
Dunk's face softened a bit with the news, though clearly still a bit on-edge, the barrel of the gun dipped slightly in response to the harmless looking girls
Alreet, so we go'a plan or we just gonnae stand 'ere pointing a gun a'em all night? Yer probably right about being more o' 'em elsewhere. These smugglin' lads dunnae run the channel wi'out a full hold.
Probably full o' coke, chips, weaps, girls or summat equally illegit.
You could see the cogs working as he spoke, you began to think the same thing. You could make a decent payday out of this if you played it right....
-
Mantis takes a second to get the images see the girls cause to resurface, then sub vocals his two teammates. Well lads we have to paths I see we loot the hell out of this boat and jump ship onto a life boat or we risk seeing who we have to talk to when this boat hits port or another boat. I vote we jump ship when we are near the shore. Mantis's mind starts to think of where the loot might be keep hidden on this floating death trap.
-
<I don't want to be around when it comes time to do some explaining so I guess we gotta bail on the life raft. If we gotta load up on deck it won't be fun but go ahead and haul some cargo up. Let's get loaded and get outta here.>
Knives snags another smoke from the pilot and lights it up. *One more for the road. Knowing our luck it'll be hours before I get another one.*
-
Mantis ponders the idea of looting the ship. Dude I so don't want to go above deck more then needed that watery death trap is just looking to throw me into the cold sleep of it's icy waters. Humm.... Mantis subvocals the group. Ok gents lets take the engine room to the cargo maybe we can bypass some of the ships crew and not lose our foot hold and end up dead in the waters. Knives you want to join us or are going to get the boats ready? Mantis starts leading him and Dunk to the cargo.
(Gold lots of Gold come on now that would be a nice change.... Ya right.... fighting devil rats is more like it.)
-
<Well chummer I know as much about boats as I do the fraggin matrix so I guess I'll come with you two. I don't want to cross this deck anymore than I have to though so let's try and make the last time.>
Knives sighs and stands up. *So much for taking a breather... time to get soaked... again...*
-
___Lumen___
Stuffing the fag packet in your inside pocket, you tighten your jacket against the maelstrom outside and re-don your gecko kit, slicking your hair back off your forehead, not that it would stay that way for very long...
__Scawire___
Dunk lowered the old shottie, seeing the terrified looking girls were no threat. They start pleading with you, though what they were saying was a total mystery.
They moved towards you, hands out, talking over each other, seemingly desperate for your aid.
Any idea what the feck they're sayin' pal?
___Lumen___
The smell of fart and stale cigs was by far more preferable to this you thought as you headed back out on deck, wrapping your gecko gloves around the grab rail as much as you could.
The wind rammed the frozen cold seawater into your face in lashing sheets as it whistled horrendously through the gaps in the side railings. The net-winch cables whistled and rattled noisily under its assault as the wind sent your spatial recogniser bat shit crazy for a few minutes.
Reaching the hatch couldn't come quick enough, the respite from the elements more than welcome. Slipping off your gloves, you swept your hair off your face again, rubbing the seawater from your now stinging eyes.
Mantis and Dunk stood down the corridor, facing towards the room you were held in, Dunk with his weapon half-ready.
-
"Bloody hell that's brisk!" Knives tries, unsuccessfully, to whipe the seawater from his eyes. He looks up to Dunk and Mantis, "What are you lads gawkin at? We ready for our glorious escape? "
-
Dunk seems shocked by your entrance, flashing you a concerned look as he spoke:
Yer damsels in distress seem even more distressed mate. Any ideas?
-
"Shit they got out? Well we can't leave em here but I have no idea what to do with em. That one is marked... I don't wanna get mixed up with Creedus Maximus. They aren't known for being too forgiving, especially to folks like Mantis and I. If you guys don't have any other ideas I can see if my Boss can find a place for them."
Knives scratches his head, wondering what the hell to do.
-
Dunk looked at you blankly.
Never heard of them mate. I take it they're not to be fucked with?
Seeing that their pleading was having no effect, their cries fell silent.
Pushing past Mantis and Dunk, they headed upwards, pushing past Knives as they tried to get out onto the deck area.
Dressed only in tattered remnants of Jeans and old t-shirts and armed only with the discharged cattle prod, they were not exactly equipped for the fighting the good fight.
You all felt sorry for them, but outside of sealing them inside a room and posting a guard on it, there wasn't much you could do to protect them other than knocking them out cold and dealing with them later. Unless....
___Mantis___
You felt your aura distort slightly as the tattooed girl pushed between yourself and Dunk. The subtle distortion was similar to what you felt when other 'awakened' passed close by. If she really did have the talent, then perhaps a watcher or a spirit could act as a middle-man, get a message to her or something. Maybe? Planning for failure, you trawled your imagination for ideas...
Your mind rushed back to a scene you saw in an old flat-trid...some hostages were kept in a chilling cabinet in a ships pantry, screwed over by the fact that it only opened from the outside. It was a shit film, one bloke chewing through hundreds of crew with only a pistol and less than thirty rounds, but the pantry idea had stuck out. At least they couldn't get out if the one onboard worked the same way.
They weren't exactly dressed for cold conditions, but it might... just might.. be an option. There was plenty of sheeting on the bunks in the two crew quarters that could keep them warm for a while. You knew if they ran into other crew members they'd almost certainly raise the alarm, and then you really would be in the shit.
___Lumen___
Your mind racing to various solutions, you figured that some of the loaders down at the docks would probably be able to speak the same tongue as these lasses did. Most were from the old Pan-europa block and spoke polish, czech, latvian or some other shit when they were unloading the incoming shipping, laughing and joking whenever 'Spurs or some other British club got their arses kicked in the Europa league by one of their lot.
Thinking of the Nav-map you saw, you figured that you should be in range of 'Trix signal from the mainland. It'd be messy, but a call to the family might just be able to get you a translator on the other end of the line.
Smith had said total radio silence, but if these lasses wandered into a crew member, the alarm would be raised and you'd have all hell breaking loose. With your fucked shoulder and Mantis' fucked leg, you could do with a quiet exit rather than another fucking bloodbath.
-
Mantis seeing the girls fine decides to see if he can get his spirit he summoned back. Hey helper spirit this is Mantis you know the guy that called for your help. I was wondering can you be a middle man between me and this girl. When Mantis mentions the girl he puts a mental picture of the girl in his mind letting the spirit know who he is talking about. So little buddy how about it. Mantis hopes his spirit aid will be able to get the job done. Ok guys I think I might have an idea no clue if it will work but give me a few seconds to try something. Mantis decides to pull a cig out of his long coat pocket then sparks it up. Best get some nicotine in me now well I not being shot at. Mantis takes a look around to make sure he is not about to get shot at, you know how Murphy's law works, Mantis seems to be a poster boy for that law, especially when it comes to taking a boat ride.
-
Ah, summoner.. Ordinarily, I wouldn't help someone of your profession more than I should, but I sense a decency in you that I don't in the others. Very well, I will assist you with this message. but you will owe me a favour, and I expect it to be fulfilled. What is your message?
-
Mantis takes a drag from his smoke as he thinks over what the spirit said. Well they say never make a deal with a dragon, but doing it with a spirit can some times be just as bad. Well are you going to let me in on the favor before I agree, or an idea of what the favor will be. Mantis waits to see if he can have an idea of what kind of hell he will be getting himself into. Mantis takes a second drag from his smoke woundering if summoning a new spirit would be better.
-
All I currently know is that it will be a relatively simple task. You have treated us well, and we will endeavour to treat you the same. Minimal danger
-
Mantis's mind quickly ponders on the danger he is about to agree to walk into. Well little buddy you and your kind have aided me, I will agree to aid you with this task. Mantis takes a drag from his smoke and watches the smoke dance as he exhales into the air around him. Ok I'd like you to work as a middle man spirit for me and this girl Again making a mental image of the girl so the Spirit of Man knows who Mantis is talking about. This will be more then just one message. First let the girl know that the three of us will do what we can to aid them. Ask them to return bellow deck to join us so we can aid them. Oh ya let me know how this goes. Thanks again, I hope my future aid will help you out. With the dancing smoke before Mantis's eyes and the starting message given he decides to tell his 2 runner teammates what is happening. Well mates it seems I going to try to have my spirit help be our translator for the girls we rescued, might work I'll let you know. Mantis pulls back more sweet tasting smoke into his black lungs. Let see how this plays out might save us from having to deal with alarms the girls would have sounded.
-
___Scawire___
Very well. I will send word when this favour is needed
The tattooed girl seemed to be much more driven, having pushed past you and Dunk, she made her way towards the deck, Knives offering a little resistance on the stairway.
The spirit manifested next to her and began to speak, conversing at some length with it. She seemed comfortable with it, strangely so.
Perhaps Knives was right about her being with the 'Creed?..
The other girl who had been bound stood listlessly in the corridor, her wrists were red raw from her bondage and her face showed the yellowy tinges of old bruising mixed in with the new wounds.
Her hair was knotted and dishevelled and it was all she could do to remain upright with the violent pitching and rocking of the boat.
She looked glumly at you and Dunk, clearly looking for guidance. You got the idea that she was not related to the tattooed girl, they looked too different and the tatted lass seemed to be the headstrong one, heading off to the deck without checking on her companion.
___Lumen___
The marked girl tries to push past you as you block the stairway to the deck, her eyes widening a little as you try to hold her back.
She shoots you a mucky look that soon turns to one of curiosity. You sense something about her, that confirms your fears. She had the talent.
You could feel the slight distortion of your aura as you touched her, kind of like an itch you couldn't quite scratch at, somewhere outside your body.
The spirit manifested behind her, speaking in the same language she spoke.
She seemed comfortable, too comfortable in conversing with this shimmering, otherworldly entity.
Your heart began to beat hard in your chest, this was not good....
-
___Scawire___
I told her you weren't crew on here and she believed me, but wants to know that she can trust you. She wants to know how you plan to get off this boat and where this boat actually is.
-
With the spirit now holding the girl's attention Knives' hand rests on the hilt of his fineblade. *Something is definitely up with this bird. She's way too calm talkin to that spirit... even if she's a mojo slinger I think you'd be more cautious around one you didn't summon.* He doesn't make any outwardly aggressive moves but keeps a close eye on the mage woman.
-
Mantis knows this women may not just be an awakened lady but might be part of the crew there is still that chance. Tell her we have a plan, don't have all the details worked out right now. Let her know they would be safer if they stayed with us as we work out a way off the ship. Also ask her if she could tell you what got her on this ship in the first place. Mantis is still a bit unsure if she can be trusted. An awakened lady maybe an asset or a major liability all depends on who's side she really is on.
-
The spirit nods in a sign of acceptance and converses with her again, seemingly fluent in her language.
She replies smoothly and calmly, despite her battered and bruised form.
She said she was in a nightclub in Warsaw talking to some smooth fellow and then next thing she knows, she woke up in the hold of a ship in a large cage. She said there were several cages, each with a couple of girls in them. She was released to "appease" those two gentlemen you disposed of and now she wants to get off this craft. She says she wants to know what your plan actually is
-
Mantis takes in the information from the spirit. Hum, ok then. Mantis doesn't want to tip his hand but it seems the lady really wants to know what the plan is. With the last drag of his smoke he gives over the info to the spirit. Well tell her, our plan is to see if we can loot the ship then head to life boat and make our way to shore. Tell her one of us knows where we are located at sea and can direct us to land. Let me know what she thinks of the plan, hey she might have a better one. Mantis didn't want to tell her what was planed if she is on the sailor's side she would put the plan together just by fallowing the group.
-
She looks at you askance, like you'd gone mad. she susses you out in turn, taking in your wounds and war-weary appearance.
You all figured what she was thinking. Were you up to this? Am I safer on my own?
She spoke to the spirit, this time short, snappy sentences.
Where are we? how far from land are we? which side of the ship is the coastline? translated the spirit
-
Mantis knows Knives said something about the ships location but can't remember the details, maybe the pain in his leg was being to distracting. OK give me a second little spirit buddy Mantis turns to Knives Hey mate the girl wants to know what side land is on and just how far out this rust bucket of a ship is from shore. You know? Mantis throws his smoke to the floor and painfully kills it with his foot.
-
Knives perks an eyebrow at the question. "Yea I know... We're about 50 miles from shore, that way." He points off in the direction he remembers the shore being. "What, is she gonna swim? That's fuckin daft... What's the deal? Is that all she said?"
-
When knives asks Mantis what girl had been asking Mantis first tells his spirit to tell the lady the info Knives had just given on the ships location. Then Mantis told Knives the whole conversation the two had just had bring Knives and Dunk up to speed on the spirit translated conversation. The whole time he was tell his two mates of the talk Mantis keep his eyes on the awakened lady still not sure how's side she was on, odds are she is not n enemy but standing there with a hole in his leg Mantis was not going to turn his back on her yet. Mantis also has his counter spelling abilities active keeping him and his two runner allies under it's effect just to be salt.
-
"Bloody hell, how many birds they got on this boat? I always heard they only take two. I didn't sign up for this drek... There better be a good explanation for this." Knives' fingers drum nervously on his hilt, waiting to hear what the captive woman has planned.
-
Having finished your story, she looks at the other woman, gesturing for her to follow with a nod of her head.
She strides forward purposefully, doing her best not to be unbalanced by the rocking motion of the boat.
Summoning her strength, she tries to push past you, heading up onto deck
-
___Lumen___
Tattooed girl looks almost dissapointed as you step aside, allowing her past with no resistance. She eyes your hand wavering at the ready near the hilt of your fineblade, her eyes indicating the processes whirring in her mind. She was smart this one.
__Mantis___
The other girl reluctantly followed on, clearly undecided who represented the safer option.
In this case, experience won out and she followed the tattoed girl up the stairway and out into the maelstrom outside.
___Both____
You looked at each other awkwardly, not entirely sure what just happened was for the best, but too tired and exhausted to summon up the effort to do anything about it. Wearily you headed back down the bloodied corridor, half-tripping over the slotted corpse as a huge wave send the craft reeling.
You all slam painfully into the left side of the gangway, groaning with the effort of pushing yourself away and back onto your own two feet.
Reaching the ladders down, you unseal the bulkhead, spinning the heavy wheel and standing back as it creaked noisily open under the rocking motion of the waves.
Knives took point, swearing under his breath as he braced his shoulder wound against the strain of loading his weight on it.
The pumping music from the crew deck died down into the steady rythm of an old and chugging diesel engine. Mantis took the middle and Dunk brought up the rear, awkwardly shoving the shotgun into the straps of his backpack to free his arms up. It clanged and clattered loudly off the metal work as he shifted his weight from rung to rung
It stank of fuel, oil and sweat down here and you could hear some seriously shit, out of tune signing as you descended the short ladderway.
It stopped you in your tracks as you paused to listen.
Barely a foot and a half separated your feet from the open door at the bottom of the stairway and a weak orangey light spilled through from the engine room.
It looked like you'd be in the open for at least a little while as you alighted the ladder.
-
___Lumen____
You pause to listen to the singing, trying to make sense of the moving indicator drawn into you AR feed from your spatial recogniser.
It seemed like the singing was coming from off to the right of the doorway, judging by the echoes, it was coming from a reasonable distance away.
Deep in thought, Mantis' right boot connected heavily with your head.
You grunted in pain, shocked at the strength of the blow.
BOD + STR test please, all mods apply
___Scawire____
The engines thrummed merrily below you and you focussed your strength and attention on retaining a good grip on the ladders, given how much of a kicking the sea was giving to this boat.
It was fairly treacherous and where you expected to meet another rung, your boot impacted onto Knives' head. You looked down, trying to see what had happened, why Knives had stopped so far up the ladder and struggled to get your footing back onto the ladder as the boat rocked past the midline.
Your arms burned with the effort of trying to relieve your wounded leg of your bodyweight, scrabbling with your good leg for a rung whilst trying not to kick Knives again.
STR + Climbing please, all mods apply
-
___Lumen___
You manage to hold on, despite Mantis' heavy footwork and the headache that was necessarily going to follow, but it became readily apparent that Mantis was going down.
His good foot searched frantically for purchase as the rocking motion pulled his body away from the ladder. You looked upwards with growing horror as his bad leg gave way and his hulking frame began to accelerate towards you.
Pulling yourself into the ladder, you engage your gecko gloves and hope for the best.
He slams into you and lands loudly with a bang in a heap at the bottom of the ladders. Dunk looked down at you with horror on his face as the singing stopped.
___Scawire____
Search as you might, you just couldn't get a purchase on the ladder as the boat reeled from the passing of another huge wave.
You swore with frustration as your bad leg gave way underneath you, your fingers releasing their grip one by one on the worn metal ladder.
It felt like you moved in slow motion as you desperately grabbed back at the ladder, but you were already accelerating towards the floor and no amount of stretching could get you out of the shit now.
You hit Knives on the way down with a solid thud, clanging your body against the limits of the ladderway before crashing heavily to the ground, arse first.
Your momentum carried you backwards and you smack your head onto the cold metal grilled floor.
Opening your eyes, the world took a second to come back into clear focus.
You were looking upside down into the room, head sticking out of the stairway and into the engine bay.
Two huge compartments filled the centre of the room, Holo-terminals, status displays and various cabinets full of tools and various parts lined the outside of it.
The layout very rapidly became less interesting however, your attention was drawn to a startled looking ork staring at you, upside down from your perspective.
He was dressed in greasy looking cover-alls, a heavy wrench in one hand and a lump of machinery in the other. His weight shifted from side-to-side expertly with the rocking of the waves, clearly totting up the events that led to a random bloke landing in the engine room that shouldn't be there.
It clicked for him and he began to move....
ROLL FOR INITIATIVE...
-
"Fuckin' 'ell!" Knives cursed as Mantis' boot came down hard on his head. His face turns red as he quickly descends the remaining distance. *Don't stab him. It was an accident.* He takes a few steps out and notices the technician. *Bollucks, just our luck.* With the flick of a wrist his taser flies to his hand and a dart is loosed towards the unfamiliar ork.
-
The taser bolt slams right into the Orks' chest, crackling as it discharged 50,000volts into his body. he twitched uncontrollably and fell to the floor, his wrench clattering behind on of the engine canopies.
You hear Dunk's heavy landing at the bottom of the ladder and turn to see him drag Mantis back up to his feet.
Ye alreet pal?
-
Mantis stands back up with the help of Dunk. Bloody hell, I guess I can't say I got cat like reflexes on my resume. Mantis looks over at the ork, good thing the team didn't split up. If I get off this boat alive I don't want to set foot on one for some time. Lets see what the ork is packing. Mantis limps over to the ork favoring his good leg to rifle through the orks pockets.
-
Seeing the ork drop like a sack of bricks Knives heads over to the door to the cargo hold. He backs up against the wall and tries to listen in. Hopefully this time he wouldn't get a boot to the head for his efforts.
-
___Lumen___
Your audio enhancement amplifies and filters the background hum of the engines out and concentrates on the sounds of sobbing and low conversation rattling around in an echoey chamber. Its hard to get a fix on how many voices you could hear, the echoes playing havoc with your spatial recogniser.
You knew there were multiple males due to the varyiation in freqeuncy. more than two but probably less than four you figured. A couple of female voices in there too, mainly sobbing.
__Scawire___
The Ork's pockets were full of a mixture of random crap for the most part.
A battered and tatty looking commlink the only thing of any real value and even that wasn't worth much. A selection of parts, screws and hand tools made up the bulk of the stuff his overalls held, a well used credstick with 3creds on it the only other item of note.
-
Knives whispers in to his subvocal mic, <Heads up mates. We've got at least two, probably three, soon to be hostiles in the cargo hold. You want me to take them down the fast way or the clean way?>
-
Mantis decides to leave all the orks gear alone, nothing worth the trouble. Well Mate I think we best try and keep this quick don't want too many bells telling everyone we are on the prowl. You decide what will be fastest. Give me just a second. Mantis decides even in his hurt state the team might like a new spirit to help out. Mantis directs his mind to the realms of the spirit and tries to get a small helper to show up.
As Mantis does his best to direct his will to the realm of the spirits to get some help on this storming of the cargo haul the seconds tick by and wave after wave of spirit directed mana surges at Mantis, luckily mantis has trained hard at keeping mana from back-lashing on him. The seconds continue to tick by then Mantis shakes his head. Limping over to Knives Well Lad seems we don't get any spirit wing men on this one. I'll fallow your lead. Bloody hell the spirits are unwilling to help me today, must be the whole boat thing, I really don't like these floating death traps.
-
<You got it mate.> With his free hand Knives draws his fineblade. He gives a nod to Mantis and Dunk making sure they are aware and ready. Once they confirm he takes a quick peak in the room before beginning his assault.
-
___Lumen___
Dunk nodded, slipping the old shotgun from its makeshift harness and readying it. He moved up behind you, ready to follow you in.
The heavy bulkhead door squeaks obnoxiously as you pull it towards you a bit, hoping against hope that the engine noise would drown it out
It hadn't worked. Two well built blokes stood chatting, surrounded by boxes and crates of varying sizes.
One of them had clocked the movement of the door in his peripheral vision, the orangey lighting reflecting off the metallic sheen off his cybereyes.
The other bloke was dressed in full day-glo waterproofs, holding onto a chain suspended from the ceiling of the container. Its frigid cold air hit your nostrils as you peeked in, the smell of fish assaulting your senses shortly thereafter.
You could hear the whimpering and sobbing more clearly now, coming from the far side of the container, out of sight behind a row of boxes. Those you could see had all sorts of writing on them, squiggles like Chinese or Japanese or something. Not exactly what you'd expect in the catch-hold of a small French trawler at any rate.
___Scawire___
The spirit world had shunned you.
Whether it was your exhaustion or a lack of will on their behalf, you just couldn't manage to complete the ritual.
Your head ached, well, even more than it did already. Knives and Dunk moved up to the doorway, readying their weapons in preparation for a strike.
You figured it would be wise to do the same.
-
__Ini 13___
The bloke with the cybereyes breaks off his conversation with the bloke in the full waterproofs, looking intently at the figure peering through the slightly open doorway. He gestures towards the gap, directing his subordinates to follow his gaze as his left arm folded back and disected itself along a clearly mechanical line.
Something gun-sized flicked into his hand as his forearm re-built itself, the other sailor turning to face the doorway, clearly wondering what was going on.
Lumen you're up
-
*Bollucks! This guy is quick, so I've got to be quicker.* Knives bolts into the room several meters before ducking behind a crate. He focuses drawing mana into his body and envisions the soon to come stabbing in his mind. *I can cut this wanker down to size in one solid blow metal bits or no.*
-
___Ini 9____
Dunk followed in behind you, just to your left with the shotgun up and ready.
The noise of the old boomstick going off was deafening and the pellet spray kicked off the metal walls and wooden pallets creating a spray of dust. It was one hell of a noise in what was essentially a giant echo chamber.
The guy in the waterproofs took the worst of the hit, arterial spray coating the pallets behind him. He fell to the floor screaming, writhing about in agony.
Cybereyes was quicker to see what was happening, beginning to move out of the way even as Dunk levelled the old shotgun at the pair. His armour dented and deformed as the edge of the pellet cloud caught his arm, forcing him off balance slightly but he seemed no worse for wear as he ran free of the worst of the blast
___Ini 5____
The wounded sailor screamed into his comms as he scrabbled towards what he perceived to be safety, not that anyone on the boat wouldn't have heard the shotgun blast anyway....
Scawire, you're up
-
Mantis ducks behind the door framing thinking this metal wall will give him better cover then a wood crate. I think we should have cut and ran with a life boat, I'm so going to die at sea. I hate boats. Mantis does his best to use the wall as cover as he peeks his head out he grabs the mana in the air around him and tries to drop the sailor with the gun. With the knitting of the mana complete Mantis lest the stun bolt shot at his hopefully soon to be asleep target.
-
___ini12____
The stun bolt appeared to have absolutely no effect on cyber eyes as he moves towards cover.
He snaps a shot off at Mantis, returning the favour.
___ini9___
Lumen, you're up
-
Hearing the weapons discharge Knives takes that as his que. He hops up, quickly closes the distance before introducing his blade. The blade lunges forth to bite into its target.
-
Mantis is just too slow to dodge the attack. With Mantis's armor taking the hit on his shoulder Mantis feels energy shot into his body. I really hate boat, death on every deck.
Mantis tries to shake off the blast he has just got and start knotting the mana then shaping it into an attack. Mantis grabs the mana in the air the mana of the cold water under the ship. As the mana takes it's final shape the form of a stun bolt is formed. Mantis directs the mana on target but just as he lets the stun bolt hit it's target a shooting pain from his left leg has a bolt of it's own, pain shots up Mantis's leg into his body. Bloody Hell with that the mana unravels and send the mana once a stun bolt shooting back into the air and water with no effect on the sailor .
-
___Ini 9, pass 2___
Dunk vaults the boxes, fired up and ready for a scrap. Saving ammo, he smacks the wounded sailor hard in the head with the butt of the shotgun, knocking him out cold as knives closes the distance.
The fineblade punches a hole in cybereyes' armour, cracking a rib and pressing deep into his chest.
He gasps at the shock of the pain, sliding backwards off your blade and hitting the deck hard. He struggles for breath as he reaches to compress his wound.
__ini 1, pass 2___
The taser bolt embeds into Mantis' shoulder armour, discharging more than enough current into it for him to temporarily lose control of his muscles.
Mantis struggles to knit a mana-form, his attempt failing as the delicate gesturing needed proves impossible with his spasming, twitching arm
-
"Shhhhh.... shhh..... That's not gonna help. Ya shot me mate, you've got to die now." The wicked grin finds itself spreading across Knives' once again. He may be a bit unstable but at least he seems loyal to his team. He slips his blade into the downed soldier once again, this time to end the struggle.
-
___Lumen___
Your blade tip rested heavily on his throat, drawing a trickle of blood as he gasped for air.
He tried to beg for mercy, dropping the taser and raising his hand in surrender, but it was too late.
You pushed the blade in a couple of inches, hearing the escaping air gargle through the blood, His eyes panicked and terror stricken.
Instinctively he wanted to struggle, but what remained of his common sense was telling him writhing about with a sword in his neck was a bad idea.
You slam the blade through the last couple of inches, feeling metal on metal as it passed through his brain stem and impacted into the metal decking.
He stopped writhing after a second or two, his eyes vacant, his face fixed in contortions of agony and spasm.
___Scawire___
Peeking around the corner of the door frame, you see Knives brutally dispatch the cybered bloke, even as he attempted to surrender.
Dunk slammed the butt of the shotgun down onto the sailor with a heavy thud once more for good measure, a red stain smeared on the stock showing he'd hit his target.
__Both___
You all looked at each other, targets incapacitated or dead and felt the adrenaline surge of the fight begin to die down.
The shakiness passed momentarily but it added to your feeling of exhaustion and it took a real effort to focus your mind once again to the task in hand: getting the fuck of this boat..
-
"Alright lads let's keep moving. We've got to find this escape raft quick. I'm proper knackered from dealing with these bloody sailors. Dunk you're the boat guy, any ideas?" Knives wipes the blood on his blade off using Cybereye's clothes and resheaths it. He takes the pistol used to zap Mantis and does a quick pat down for any other items of interest.
-
Mantis limps into the cargo hold and does a small look around to see what is in the room. Looking like hell and feeling like he is about to see what hell is really like Mantis speaks up. Not sure about you mates but I Bloody well want of this boat. Mantis is barely able to keep from falling on his ass as he uses anything the room has to offer as a leaning aid. Mantis knows the team has over stayed their welcome and the best course of action right now is to grab what ever they can find quickly and leave the rest or the whole team might be Geeked.
-
Aye, shite's hit the fan now mate. grab what ye can an' ge' topside ASAP. We need te get in tha' raft 'fore their middlemen get 'ere.
Dunk began raiding through the nearest stack, ripping off the lid and stuffing handfuls of what looked like BTL chips into each of his jacket pockets as quickly as he could.
The girls sobbed from the far side of the room, cages hidden behind a stack of crates.
Now the din of the fight had died down, they started shouting out for help in whatever tongue they spoke, possibly hoping for some nation's border guards or coastguard to come to their rescue.
-
Knives follows Dunk's lead and begins to rip open boxes and stuffing his pockets with their contents.
-
After that last shock from the stun gun Mantis is more asleep then awake. Not really having his senses about him Mantis tears a crate open then starts filling his pockets with what ever is inside, Mantis hopes the loot will be worth something but unless Knives or Dunk point him to a good crate Mantis just wants to grab and run. This floating boat of death is driving Mantis crazy and if he is not careful to an early grave.
With the screams for help from the women Mantis wishes he could think clearly to find them away out of the hell these daff smugglers have put them through, but as it stands he is like a walking corpse grabbing anything that might pay for some pain killers when he gets back to the mainland.
-
___Lumen___
The top crate seemed to be full of asthma inhalers, though you took a wild guess and figured they probably weren't full of salbutamol.
You filled your pockets as much as you could, hoping the lads would be able to shift it through their "distribution channels"
__Scawire___
The crate you opened was full of shiny looking electronics, though the packaging was in chinese or somesuch, they looked like nice quality commlinks.
The boxes were quite bulky so you could only really fit three in your varying pockets. Hopefully you should be able to make a few creds off of them.
__Both__
You figured you could probably fit some more stuff in the kit bag if you needed to, but the cries of the girls and the urgency of the situation in hand didn't exactly pass you by
-
With the screams from the ladies and body Mantis knows they should make haste. Mantis is fine with a lot of things living in the shadows brings, but he doesn't take well to human trafficking or raping women. Dunk on our way out we should throw the ladies the keys might give us some time to get off the boat before they are free. What you think Knives? Mantis starts to limp to the door to the engine room handing Knives his kit Fill it if you want. Mantis is beat to hell an inch from not even being conscious, he wants off this boat but he can't stand leaving the girl to the pirates with out some chance.
-
Dunk nods, his pockets full. Heading round the back of the crates, he takes a look at the cages.
Fuck me, there's a shite-ton o' 'em. We're gonnae need a bigger boat.. Pat them corpses down, they migh' ha' the keys
-
Knives moves back to the cybered sailor and begins searching him. He starts with the pistol used to zap Mantis then moves on to the pockets looking for keys. "I don't care either way mate. We can't save all of these birds and we're running out of time. If they're out of those cages they can at least put up a fight... whatever that's worth."
-
__Lumen___
The taser is pretty elegant, fashioned more for concealability than for raw power. Stashing it in your inside jacket pocket, you pat down the rest of his pockets.
A sturdy combat knife was tucked into the belt-line of his trousers in an old and worn leather sheath.
His front left pocket reveals what you're after, a set of heavy old fashioned keys on a ring, amongst a handful of foreign coins and notes, it was pretty archaic using hard cash in this day and age, so you guessed it wasn't from anywhere particularly civilised.
-
Grabbing up the keys Knives heads behind the crates to join Dunk. He takes a quick look over the girls in the cages, looking for any others who had a similar tattoo to the one he saved earlier. *Damn it would br handy to have someone with the mojo sight. If one of them is like me, or a mage, they might have a chance.*
He holds up the keys and jingles them before addressing the women, "Anyone here speak the king's English?"
-
You're taken aback by the number of cages. You count 12, though a couple of the residents of the cages look as though they've been heavily beaten and are currently unresponsive.
The ones that do respond do so in a mixture of languages, begging and pleading for release. One at the far end, an asian looking girl responds in badly broken english: I speak littuw Engrish, Hewp us. Please
At first glance you couldn't see any tattoos or visible marks that match the previous bird, but these lasses were in a pretty bad way, contorted into cages really designed for large animals more than human transportation.
They stunk, their clothes soiled and dirty with foodstains, blood, bodily fluids and fuck knows what else.
You make a start on the locks, working along the bulkhead and Dunk helps the girls out of the cages as you release each one.
___All___
A huge metallic clang erupts from the bow end of the ship, followed by a shrill alarm that pierces your eardrums. A voice comes over the tannoy system in the same eastern european accent you'd heard earlier, presumably the skipper of the craft. Fuck, tha's the lifeboat alarms. They're abandoning ship. Come on, we've gottae move!
Dunk shoulders the now full kit bag, picking up the shotgun as he ran towards the centre of the hold. Mantis, punch tha' console NOW!
__Scawire__
Doing as he requested, you hit the big green AR button and stood back as the cargo bay doors opened above you, torrential rain and tearing wind turning the now serene hold into a maelstrom of noise and loose debris.
The crane extended into the opening of the gap, lowering the loader towards you at a painfully slow rate.
__Lumen___
You'd only gotten through 4 of the 12 cages as Dunk tore away, the freed girls standing nervously near the cages they had been trapped in, not understanding what the fuck was going on.
The asian lass was still locked up at the far end but you knew time was tight. You had to get into a liferaft before the coastguard or the middlemen arrived, or perhaps more worryingly, before the sadistic bastards left onboard launched them all, leaving you high and dry.
-
Mantis looks at the slow descending ladder Blood hell this boat is going to get me killed.. Mantis looks over at Knives. Hey Mate make haste, maybe a lady can unlock the other birds. Best we get a move on. Once ladder is down Mantis is going to make a climb for freedom.
-
Knives nods and heads down to the Asian girl's cage. Opening up the door he hands her the keys, "Your turn to help." He then trots off to join Dunk and Mantis.
-
___Scawire___
The loader swings wildly as it descends to deck level under the influence of the heavy seas.
You have a bad feeling about it, but know its going to be the quickest way off this boat.
__Lumen__
She looks at you with wide eyes, half fearful and half thankful.
You kill bad men? Where we go now?
You jog the short distance to the loader, pockets full and reach Dunk and Mantis just as it hits the deck.
__Both__
You climb onto the platform, noting that the small rim around the edges would do fuck all to save you if it started swinging wildly. You get a good handhold on the cabling and press the big green button to send yourselves skyward, up into the frigid cold and driving rain of the English channel.
The alarm continued to sound, more speaking came over the tannoy system, the dead and unconscious forms below you couldn't answer the incessant ringing and vibration of their commlinks.
In a second, the howling wind drowned out the noise from below and in an instant you were sodden.
You look behind you, seeing the pilot now up and about on the bridge, barking instructions at something out of your sight.
Dunk shouts over the din of the wind at you: Come on! Rafts are at the bow!
-
Mantis looks out at the deck knowing his body is in one bloody hell of a mess. Yo Mates, I going to need a bit of help getting to the boats or you can count me as one dead ork. Mantis does his best to lean on his two runner team mates as he makes his way to the boats, since without them the slick deck will wash out under foot and soon Mantis will feel the cold grips of the ocean.
-
Knives tucks in under Mantis' shoulder, "Ere ya go mate. Let's get the fuck out of here."
-
Dunk props Mantis up under the other arm and together you limp towards the liferafts, thrown side to side by the roiling seas.
The breakers crash over the bow, cascading spray over the rafts. Raft?
In the gloom you see that one of the rafts was missing, the empty metal rails deployed to starboard side starkly contrasting the remaining un deployed raft on the port side.
Hoiking Mantis along, Dunk starts to deploy the raft, cracking the lid and deploying the escape rails.
The inflation canisters fired with two metallic clangs, a day-glo orange bouncy castle-esque craft rapidly springing into being.
Dunk came back to help Knives lift Mantis into the craft, groaning with the strain of his heavy and wounded form.
k'on lad, ale'up
You sling the kit bag in and are engulfed by a horrible plastic-y smell and the dull green chemical glow of the snap-light. A bright AR panel sprung to life as dunk zipped the doorway shut and he thumbed the launch button, slinging you sideways.
Your stomach hung in mid air as you hurtled towards the water, instinctively grabbing onto the grip handles built into the interior of the tiny craft.
The impact was brutal, you just didn't have the strength to hold yourselves up and you immediately became a melee of feet, limbs and bodies pressed up to the side.
Within a minute or so you'd gotten yourselves untangled. Dunk rolled over and cracked open a panel at what passed for the bow, reaching for a knife from his boot and hacking at the electronics.
satisfied, he pushed a slider up on the AR panel and whining sound rumbled into life.
Dunks face grinned at you both, gaunt and drawn in the ghostly half-light.
we're off home lads!
He chucked you a pack of emergency rations out of another floor panel and cracked a flask of water, slurping it down and spilling it all over his chest as the waves tossed the craft about like a small toy.
The AR display showed a map of the Kent Coast in a bright digital green outline. You route to land highlighted with a dashed red line intersecting the land some miles off.
Been a few years since I been in one o' these fuckers. Cannae say I'm too happy te be back. You lads alright?
-
Knives tears into the rations are scarfs down about half of whatever passed for food in these things. "Yea mate just as ok as can be expected. How long before we hit land? I could really use a pint and pain killers."
He turns to Mantis, "You gonna make it? It won't help your leg much but I can hook up the medkit if you want. "
-
Mantis is glad to be off that boat. Had the crew been cool they wouldn't of got themselves geeked, but no they had to shack down the orc and his two mates. I tell you after seeing what was in the cargo bay they deserved what they got. Bad news went from a big boat to a small boat... still stuck on boats Mantis needs to hit the main land.
I guess the medkit might help, I think I mostly need rest and a new dam leg. Mantis slowly eats at the rations Dunk dispensed on his two fellow runners. More then anything right now Mantis wants to rest, when he gets back to the old smoke he needs to find a good street doc that could help him out, maybe his Fixer Glen can get him hooked up.
-
___Knives___
The nutrisoy bar tasted like heaven, it hadn't been ages since your noodles in real time but it felt like months. The rocking of the waves made it particularly difficult to keep down, it felt much worse now you were in a vastly smaller craft.
'Bout an hour at this rate. Batteries are good fer bout an hour 'n' half.
Should be an autodoc under that panel there pal. Ye gonnae be alreet fer an hour Mantis?
Dunk passes you the shotgun and motions to chuck it out the back hatch.
___Mantis___
The exertion had taken its toll on you, a feeling of total exhaustion making even eating the last of the nutrisoy bar a massive effort.
The cold and the wet had soaked rough your clothes and you began to shiver violently.
You tried to snuggle up into the corner of the raft, unrolling the tinfoil-like insulating blanket out of the wall compartment. It made fuck all difference but felt better psychologically.
Sleep started to claw at your mind as your body began to shut down. Keeping your eyes open began to be a real struggle.
-
Knives quickly hucks the shotgun out of the back hatch then goes for the medkit. "No worries Mantis just lay still and we'll let the medkit do it's thing. Catch a wink and me and ol Dunk will get us the rest of the way home."
-
____Lumen____
It was near impossible to tell where the wave began and where it ended as you slung the shotgun overboard. towering mountains of jet black soared all around you and you wondered quite how the tiny ducted motor underneath you had enough power to crest these monstrosities and still make headway to the shore.
A face full of sea water was enough to make you zip the hatch back up again, hooking up the autodoc as best as you could, following the on-screen directions as the case slipped around under the rocking motions.
Mantis groaned as the kit whirred to life, chirping an irregular and worryingly varied set of vitals as it did its best to keep him up and running.
He'd clearly lost a lot of blood, the machine demanded both of the spare sets of plasma as well as an extra syringe of stims.
Mantis looked fucked up. You'd not really seen it much as he'd held his own so far but now he looked vulnerable. He nodded off under the space blanket, shivering as the storm had sodden him to his core.
You hoped he'd wake up when you landed.
___Scawire___
You rolled over in bed, stroking her hair as the late morning sun streamed through the cheap blinds.
The autochef had whirred into life, the smell of percolating soycaf filtering through the apartment into the bedroom. It had been a while since you'd had a nice lazy sunday together and she smiled at you, eyes still heavy with sleep, makeup a little smudged from not taking it off after your night in the pub. I love you she says, moving over to kiss you, the smell of cigs, beer and morning breath combining into one. You kissed her anyway, confident that you stank like shit too. She slapped your chest and pushed you away with a smile. Where's my bacon sarnie?
-
Mantis is happy to see his wife Jennifer's face. Oh so I have the job of getting the grub together this fine morning. Ok I'll get that put together you just keep looking sexy. With that Mantis hugs Jen then heads out to burn the bacon, the crispier the better. Looking back at Jen he smiles his tusky orcish smile. Hey Jen you best keep me company or all the bacon goodness might be gone before they can reach your mouth. You know me I love me Bacon. Mantis heads over to burn up some good eatting.
-
___Scawire___
She smiled at you as you opened the door into the kitchen.
If you don't save me some then you'll not get your extra special "treat" later
You groggily made your way into the kitchen, swinging by the bog to relive your bladder of last night's drinking, catching your face in the small mirror as you wash your hands.
The hair on your head had started to thin, streaks of grey permeating your usually thick and coloured hair. You knew that your bloodline only lasted so long, technically you were cracking on for middle age now.
Jen remained youthful-looking, however you had intimate knowledge of her extensive anti-ageing products hiding on the other side of this mirror.
Your stomach rumbled and you headed into the kitchen, pulling the percolater out and pouring two cups, a sugar and a splash of soy-milk in each.
You slap half a pack of real bacon in the frying pan, a rare treat nowadays, and marvel at the smell as it curls and crackles at the relentless heat of the pan.
Jen calls out from the bedroom, dressed only in your shirt, smiling seductively as she calls to the home-hub. She requests your favourite song, the slow ballad you'd danced to on your first date. You groaned playfully, pretending you were sick of it, she calls you over to her to dance...
___Lumen___
He gonnae be alreet mate? Ol' Medkit dunnae sound too happy?
Dunk shot mantis a look of concern before turning back to his grainy AR sensor feed as he piloted the tiny craft.
Where d'ye want me to set her down mate? I can get us on a quiet beach, but these waves are gonnae make a landing a seriously shite affair. Harbour's a decent option, but that's gonnae risk witnesses. I dunnae want te get al' this way an' then have te sweet talk the coastguard.
-
"Dunno mate, he's in bad shape. As for the landing... fuck it, we can't take a rough one at this point. We should be close enough and I'll use a burner but I think it's time to call in the family. They should be able to pull some strings and find us a place to land."
Knives rubs his head, hoping this is the right decision. He pulls out a burner link and stares at it for a minute before punching in Johnny boy's digits.
-
it rang and rang and rang before disconnecting, no answer.
You stared at the screen, disappointed for a few minutes before Johnny returns your call, groggy and disoriented.
Knives, tha' fack you calling me at this facking hour for mate? You alroit pal, not 'erd from ya in a while?
-
"Nah mate, far from it. I need yer 'elp. I need a favor kinda quick, ya know where I can land a boat?" Knives pauses for a minute, sighs, then continues, "and... a clinic nearby would be brill..."
-
Jesus, haven't the foggiest mate. Let me have a ring around the lads. I'll call you back.
-
___lumen___
20 mins goes by with no answer before the commcall came in;
Knives, I assume you're out in the channel? Boss said you'd been in France?
If you can get to ramsgate, the Artillery Arms on West Cliff road is run by a mate of ours. He'll sort you out a room and I'll get Ron or Mick to pick you up about lunchtime. You in good enough shape to get back to the old smoke? We'd rather have the 'doc look at you 'ere. Jim is the contact at the pub, he might know a trustworthy lad if not. Boss wants to see ya as soon as you're back too mate. Gi' me a call when you're back in the 'smoke and we'll get summat sorted.
-
Mantis finishes burning the bacon then makes three sandwich with them, throwing mustard flavoring on them. Chewing on a spare piece of bacon Mantis walks over to Jen with the bacon beauties. So sweety how about we eat these and snuggle up for some action triad... Mantis finishes the last of the spare bacon strip and hands Jen here one sandwich of goodness. .. Maybe if you are extra nice we could tune into one of your faves. But you best play nice. Mantis smiles as he takes his seat to wolf down his two bacon sarnies.
-
"Yea mate in the Channel. I'll make it just fine I'm banged up but nothing serious. Can't say the same for one of the fellas with me... Might need some special treatment for him but otherwise that plan sounds brill."
Knives holds the link away and asks Dunk, "Can we make it to Ramsgate? You know the place?"
-
Aye mate, should have enough power. Quaint wee harbour that one
Dunk nods and stares back at his grainy AR display, making fine adjustments to thrust and direction.
The motor below you changed pitch slightly as you return to the call.alright pal, get to ramsgate and the artillery arms. I'll drop them a line and let them know you'll need patching up.
Gi' me a shout if you need anything mate, see you tomorrow for a pint yeah?
-
"Absolutely mate, I owe you one after this. I'll give you a ring tomorrow. Thanks again." Knives hangs up and powers down the burner.
He turns to Dunk, "Brill. There's a pub, Artillery Arms, we'll hole up there and wait for help to arrive. A few mates of mine will come pick us up and patch Mantis. Only problem is getting him in the door looking like that."
-
___scawire___
She looks a bit miffed at your refusal to dance but smiles at you anyway, your thin hair sticking out at funny angles from where it had rested against the pillow and lined indentations on your skin from the folds of the bed linen giving you a distinctly dishevelled appearance.
She takes the sandwich readily with a mug of soycaf and heads back to bed with you, snuggling in for a lovely lazy Sunday
___Lumen___
Pub'll be shut now mate, they giving us a room or something?
Time had gotten ahead of you, the wee small hours of the morning still feeling like it was only 9pm or something.
The waters calmed as you neared the shore, their onslaught more of an aggressive displeasure at your presence than the outright rage of the seas earlier.
Exhaustion overtook you and the will to stay awake gave way to a shallow and turbulent half-sleep, your head bobbing and stirring you to brief wakefulness before sleep retook you under.
____both____
A solid smack on your legs woke you with a start.
Come on Ye sleepyheads, time te go home
The grainy AR image showed the lights of ramsgate's harbour, spray from the rough seas overshooting the high wall of the perimeter.
Dunk eased the tiny craft around the perimeter walls and into the smooth, calm waters of the harbour.
It was tiny, much smaller than the promotional images made it out to be. The sensor feed showed a small fleet of pleasure craft and light fishing vessels tied to their moorings, a couple of larger pleasure craft moored at the jetties you assumed to belong to visitors or those sheltering from the North Sea storm. There was enough space at the jetty to disembark and dunk told you to get ready.
The discovery of an empty life raft in the harbour at first light would raise some eyebrows and you'd have to make a clean exit. Feeling the "thunk" of the metal hull on the wood of the jetty, you sprang into action as best as your wounds would allow
-
With the smack on the leg Knives sits bolt upright, "Wasn't me I swear, you can't prove it! Ohh... Dunk. Yea what do I need to do mate?"
He looks around for a second getting his barings, "I'll grab Mantis then maybe I can put this tub at the bottom."
-
Mantis walks up to the ship bumping the shore line. ah it was only a dream.] Mantis looks around. We should head to more friendly ground. Oh do we have a ride that would make the the jog home a lot easier for me.] Mantis grabs a CIG and lights it doing his best to shield the flame from being spotted then cups his hands as he smokes to make sure the cherry is not seen by anyone.
-
Dry land has never felt so good, hauling (or being hauled) yourself up onto the jetty was a painful endeavour but the smell of the briny harbour was almost as good as any feeling could get after your long ordeal.
Your commlinks buzzed and chirped with the receipt of English 'trix service coverage once more and the only thing standing between yourselves and freedom was a heavy security gate at the end of the jetty.
It led up to a stairway to the street level, a small office that appeared closed lay off to the right, built into the harbour walls. A small dome camera protruded from the wall, the lens covered from view by the opaque one-way glass.
Walking up to the gate, you could see it was hinged by the harbour wall and was built to swing towards you. A reasonably basic maglock secured it in place, its keypad clearly worn with use, even in the poor ambient lighting cast down from the street lighting way above you
-
Mantis kills the last of his smoke and puts the butt in his jacket pocket. Mantis feeling beat to bloody hell but still standing whispers to his team. Chaps I have a program on my comm link that might be able to hack the camera then the mag lock. Let me see if I can get the little digital hacker to work for us. Mantis is glad he shelled out a not so small chunk of nuyen on a Mook to help in times when a decker was needed. Slicer MD I need you to hack the camera then the mag lock. Put the Camera on a loop so we can sneak past after that open the mag lock. Keep me informed of your progress. Hold on make your move I want to see what the whole team suggests first.
-
"Brill mate, glad you bought that. I only got two ways to deal with cameras. Sneakin is outta the question with your leg and the other is..." he pats the hilt of his fineblade. Knives shrugs, "It's worth a shot and if it fails we do it my way. We just gotta make it to the pub and I'm so fuckin knackered at this point I'll throw this bloody gate in the Channel before I let it stop us."
-
Mantis knows his little Mook isn't the best Mook on the block but hopefully it will do the job but just encase Mantis wanted a plan B. Whispering Mantis gives his plan to the group. Ok guys if this goes south I want that camera not to see my face. Mantis pull off his jacket then his shirt, hands the shirt to knives then dawns his Lined Coat back on. Ok Knives you seem to cut meta humans like there is no tomorrow. How bout you make three masks we can wear that way if my Mook fails our faces are not on tonights news. Looking over at Dunk Mantis asks. He wheels of death see if you can spot anything in the boat we could use. Once we are all ready I'll see how effective my Mook is. Mantis wished he was at home and in bed but before that could happen they had this guard post to get past, and maybe a few more things. Jez I hope this is the last thing keeping me from seeing a nice street doc about a knive wound.
-
"That's not a bad idea... but... it's gonna smell like wet orc." Knives chuckles and begins to cut the shirt up, "Just fuckin with ya mate. Let's do this and get outta here."
-
___Lumen___
Although you were just fucking with him, it really did smell like wet ork. Wet Smelly Ork to be exact.
The exertion of the fighting, smeared blood, the sea and the dank beds you'd slept in made it a less than pleasant, but the crude masks you'd made just about did the job you needed them to, though the vision through the eye slits wasn't great.
___Scawire___
Dunk coughed against the scent of your torn up shirt and you shivered against the cold, the wet lining of your coat pressing up against your still-wet skin.
Your leg throbbed and you still felt light headed, the dream had felt so real, you didn't know whether it was a premonition or a bastardised memory. The medkit's drugs probably didn't help either, you still felt a bit spacey after those stims. You tried to focus your mind and took the remnant of your shirt from Knives.
The vision through your eye slits was pretty shitty, but it didn't have to get you far. You tied the thin ends around your head and set Slicer to work on the maglock.
__Both__
The town sheltered you from the worst of the atlantic storm, the high harbour walls dropping the gales down to a chilly breeze.
The sea still pounded at the walls like a drunk trying to get in without his keys, but the rain had settled into a constant drizzle rather than the torrential sheets you'd been lashed with out at sea.
-
Mantis can't help but smile when he sees his two chummers faces when they have to wear Mantis's shirt on their face. Ha Ha Orced them, orced them good.
Mantis gets back to the job at hand. With his Mook Slicer on stand by Mantis gives the command to start the hack. Slicer pop the mag lock then the camera, keep me informed.
-
CONFIRMED...
within seconds your commlink buzzes with new user account details for the lock.
Concern flashes through your mind as the commlink reports a crashdump text file from Slicer's Agent routine. You suspected he'd failed in his task of taking out the camera and been booted by it's IC.
-
Oh bollocks Mantis is not to pleased with his little Mook buddy. Whispering to his fellow runners. Ok door is unlock and we are up shit creek when it comes to the cameras...... ah....... I may or may not have set off an alarm best high tail it. Mantis is glad the gate is open but the camera might be a problem. I wish I didn't have a bloody gash in my leg slowing me down now is the time to get out of the frying pan and hope there is no major fire waiting to geek us on the other side. Mantis moves forward pulling his long coat over his face and head. Mask and all the less that camera records the better.
-
You didn't need telling twice, the gate swung open with your newly-hacked credentials and you high-tailed it as fast as you could up the stairway and onto the wide esplanade that surrounded the harbour area.
Dunk propped Mantis up and helped him up the long stairway, grunting with the awkward load.
The town had begun to awaken from its sleep and an auto-bus trundled down the main road ahead towards the port, ready to pick up the morning shift workers for their daily commute. It was still quiet outside, no-one had yet braved the cold, not even a dog-walker. It would be another hour or so before the town sprung fully to life and you knew you didn't have long to find the pub.
A swift location search plotted you the route in your AR feed, a glowing dashed green line guiding you the 0.4 miles to the Artillery Arms.
heading away from the harbour and across the esplanade, you headed up Liverpool Lawn road, hobbling past the quaint old terraced houses that had obviously stood there for well over 2 centuries. Many had been turned into cheap B&B's, Vacancy signs in most showing that business in the town was less than brisk now the summer trade had ended. The gradient took its toll on your tired frames and you stopped outside the gardens to get your breath back for a minute, looking at the lightening sky with concern. Daylight was still a while away but time was not on your side.
Pressing on up Hertford street, the steady climb uphill away from sea-level made carrying Mantis's awkward load even more of an arduous task, by the time you'd reached West Cliffe Road you were panting and the crappy masks Knive's had cut were beginning to slide and slip away under your own sweat.
The odd light on in the houses either side of you meant it was only a matter of time before you had to take them off for fear of drawing more attention so you stuffed them into your pockets and hit the high-street.
Rows of glistening shop fronts lay empty, for-sale and for-rent signs displaying yet another failed seaside-town regeneration project. Charity shops filled the spaces in between empty retail units, the odd Polish food shop or cheap chinese clothes shop the only rent paying inhabitants of the project.
The slight climb continued, but you could see the AR logo of the naval gun emplacement of the Pub's namesake up ahead.
A noisy and ancient battered white van passed you without slowing, Its occupant too busy stuffing breakfast down his neck as he navigated the speed bumps put in to retard old manual vehicle's speed.
Its common-rail diesel engine rattled and echoed off the shop fronts as it tailed off downhill towards the old centre but all you could think of was the pub. You'd never been so happy to reach such an old and worn out pub before, but you knocked and waited by the old hand-carved wooden door, paint flecks peeling off with neglect to reveal the previous 3 or four colour iterations it had seen over the decades.
A light clicked on upstairs as a mainly empty bus rolled past, bleary eyed commuters staring at their e-paper magazines and comm displays, or so you hoped.
After what seemed like an age, a dirty and unshaven bloke unbolted the door, waving you in with a gesture.
The main room of the pub stank of stale beer, cigarettes and fart. The faint light of the beer taps was all that illuminated the room from the inside, the street lights from the main drag caught the upturned stool legs on the tables and cast long shadows over the cold tiling under-foot.
Bunk down in the cellar lads, oi've left some kit down there for you. It ain't much but your lads didn't gi' me much notice now di' they?. {he leads you over to the bar and lifts the hatch to the barrel cellar}
Oi've left a flask O' tea down there and a couple packs O' biscuits roight. I ant got nowt more substantial Oi'm afraid.
His lilting south-west accent was reassuring and his pitted and weathered face cracked a smile.
You two head down and get some kip. Oi'll look after the wounded one in the back room. Come on lad
___Lumen___
He helps Mantis through a door at the back of the bar and into a darkened room. You hear him grunt with pain as he limps heavily away from you and you feel relieved at finally getting back into your comfort zone.
Doing as the old bloke had said, you descended into the beer cellar as directed. A naked bulb hung from the low ceiling, rows and rows of beer barrels were hooked up to a series of pipes that trailed off into pressure gauges and Nitrogen tanks built into the crumbling brick wall.
It smelled damp and you saw three rolled out mats with heavily patterned blankets strewn over them positioned between crates of bottles and the row of barrels.
True to his word, a large thermos stood in the centre of the mats amid a menagerie of different brands of biscuit and plastic cups made for camping trips.
It wasn't much but your throat rasped for a cup of tea and your stomach rumbled for something resembling a proper breakfast.
Dunk followed behind you and immediately banged his head against the low beams supporting the ceiling.
Fuck! ow...Pour us a wee cuppa will ye pal? I'm gagging fer a brew.
___Scawire___
The old chap didn't have anywhere near the same level of strength as Dunk did and you felt bad for putting your weight on him, instead trusting more weight onto your wounded leg.
You grunted against the pain as he led you into a darkened room, a large wooden cover had been put over the pool table that stood in the centre and some solutions and bandages stood to one side.
Hop up there pal he directed, flicking the lights on.
The room was similar to the first one you came in by, a smaller bar area on this side and carpets under-foot showing that this room probably saw less use though.
Pushing yourself back onto the wooden table-protector, the old man grabbed a bottle of whisky, some towels and a small plastic kit from under the bar and headed over to you, popping on a set of old optical magnifying glasses with a built in torch.
How'd ye get this then? he said gesturing at your leg wound.
He took a pair of scissors and cut the trouser leg off well above the wound, giving you the whisky to glug to help against the pain.
Sorry lad but this is gonna hurt loik fuck. Brace yourself.
He yanked the severed trouser leg off, dislodging the congealed blood from your leg hair and the scabbed over wound.
You screamed, spraying un-swallowed whisky over his back.
There now, that's that. Oim gonna clean this down and see what oi can dig out of it before sealing it. You'll need to see a proper doc soon though, don't wanna get a nasty infection in it, or you'll need summat a lot stronger than that bottle o'whisky. He smiled at you and encouraged you to take another good swig before pouring half a bottle of fluid onto your leg, its chemical smell tanging the back of your nose. It stung against your wound, a low background niggle that let you know it was doing its thing, hopefully killing all those nasty bacteria that had gotten into your system.
He poked and prodded at the wound, making you groan and shout in protest, fresh blood trickling from the disturbances he made looking for fragments.
Eventually he left you alone, spraying a sealant on the wound and dressing it with the bandages.
That'll do ya. Get some kip with the others. Your lads will be here around lunch time.
-
Knives barely had to duck to avoid the low ceiling, his body already half collapsed from exhaustion. What typically would have been an easy stroll had sapped his last remaining strength. He plops down pitifully on what would pass for a bed tonight and fills two cups with the contents of the thermos. "It must be the exhaustion talking cause this shite actually smells good. Just a few hours of sleep and this miserable day will be behind us. We better get paid extra for this..."
He's barely able to finish a pack of bisquits and his cup of tea before he's beginning to nod off once again.
-
The tea was lukewarm and the bed mats had become saturated with the cold of the rough concrete floor. It hardly mattered though, you'd not had a decent sleep in what felt like days. The attack on the safehouse felt like a lifetime ago, but as sleep overtook consciousness, your waking exhausting was replaced by fitfull and erratic sleep.
Visions of the girl's anguish flooded your dreams, the faces of the men contorted in ecstasy and then wracked with the agony of your timely intervention.
You half-woke regularly, noises of ordinary life rattling by at street level above you, footsteps on the bar floor above you mixed with the cricks in your neck and pins and needles in your limbs to deprive you of a proper rest.
Eventually the sound of tearing metal-on-metal shocked you out of your slumber.
Reaching clumsily for your weapons, you realised it was the ancient hatch at the end of the cellar, the one they used for barrel deliveries.
Daylight streamed through into the cellar in a solid ray of gold, highlighting the specks of dust in the air like miniature stars in a constellation.
A figure dropped down off the street, a beaming smile on his face.
Wakey wakey sleepy heads. Your chariot awaits!
His deep cockney accent is reassuring, and Knives clearly recognises the lad as one of his own.
He was one of the younger lads that worked the docks, though his name escaped Knives at the moment.
The rest of the journey was a bit of a blur. The driver brought in a few empty barrels as a cover for a delivery and the three of you dashed into the back of the van.
Your AR feed, blurry through your heavy eyes read 11.36am as the van lumbered down the road, but with no windows and no natural light, you had no way of telling how close to home you were.
Your heads bobbed and rolled as you would briefly nod off, joltinig awake as the van pitched and rolled over speedbumps and juddered to a halt at junctions and all you could think about was having a shit, shave and shower and then getting into bed.
Eventually, the van came to a rest, the sliding door retreated into the roof and a sickly orange light illuminated your compartment.
The young lad helped you down into a large warehouse that smelled of fish and damp.
You each said your goodbyes and headed for home, glad you'd survived another ordeal and wondering what the future would hold....