Shadowrun
Shadowrun Play => Play-by-Post => Topic started by: Siren on <01-17-15/0948:12>
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(http://i.imgur.com/qjFsyqh.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/qSv0jyw.jpg)
Sept. 15, 2074; Busan, Korea
The Summer months have finally passed you by. The heat was tolerable; it's the humidity that really gets to you, especially if you sport cyberware. The stickyness just doesn't come off some days. A pleasant Fall is now upon you. The acid rain is thankfully sparse and the acid snow is still months away. The national holiday of Chuseok, the Korean Harvest Festival, is three days away, and Mudang, better known as shaman, all across the peninsula are preparing lavish ceremonies to welcome back the departed spirits of the dead.
Not all is quite so peaceful, however. Religious conflict has been ever-present in the news. An extremist sect of Catholic believers, The Sisterhood of His Persistent Hand, has recently been cast out of the official Church by Pope Gruumsh III; a sect headquartered firmly in Seoul. A number of prominent Mudang have renounced their beliefs, either converting to this new sect, or simply disappearing without a trace. People have remained calm, so far, but as Chuseok draws nearer, an uneasy sense of urgency takes the place of the cool Autumn breeze. Without the Mudang to guide the spirits of departed family, many are concerned they may not be able to find their way back.
(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
As you sit in your apartment, mentally processing the events of the last few weeks, checking with various contacts and accounts, you become aware of a new message having recently arrived in your public facing comm. Checking it, it is a simple text message, sent by an elven man you recently met but didn't get a name for. Well, he met you, anyway. Real curious about your eyes; asked a lot of annoying questions. Apparently he got a at least some details on you, or he couldn't have sent this message.
"So, I couldn't help but notice that you're geared a bit on the militant side. I recently heard about some work you might be interested in. Real inexperienced girl, probably doesn't know drek about negotiating. Magician too, so she's probably swimming in Nuyen. Missing persons search, pretty straightforward. If you're into it, just head to the AR coordinates I've included with this message. Looks pretty off-grid, even for Jeju, so be careful, but not too careful. If you show, I get a commission. :) The meet is tomorrow. There will probably be others hired, too, so don't go shooting anyone who shows up.
And hey, we gotta meet again. I never met a razorguy before, I've got more questions. I'll buy."
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
As you wander the floor of the latest party you've managed to get yourself invited to, your commlink sends an alert just as you engage the host in a rather interesting bit of gossip regarding a scandal surrounding the latest popular Girl Group, The Wonder Trolls. Feigning attention, you see that the message comes from a good Fixer friend of yours; something regarding a job. Details are brief: Missing person, remote Jeju location, potential for a pretty hefty payout, and great potential for further bonuses.
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
You toss and turn for hours in bed. Tonight is particularly bad. You feel your brain baking in an awful fever dream and your cyber-implants feel as if they are on fire. As you drift between this world and the world of dreams, you become aware of a foreign presence inside your mind. It fights to remain and struggles to send a message. You get no words, but do feel an intense drive to travel to a sacred mountain present on Jeju Island as soon as you can.
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
A trid message comes in late tonight. Flipping it on, you see a middle-aged Korean man, human, no apparently cyberware.
"Good evening. We have a mid-level contract, and have been directed to you. The client is a shaman on Jeju-do Island. If you are interested in taking her job, please be present at the supplied coordinates tomorrow evening. I understand there will be other potential hires, so expect company. The work is simple; investigation of a missing person, important to the client. Payment is negotiable, but expect it to be more generous than is typical."
The trideo cuts out abruptly.
(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
Your commlink blinks with a message from Choon-Hee.
"Got something that might be up your alley. Another Mudang has gone missing, this time a big-shot one down in Jeju. Lots of people are pretty upset. Going to be a big payout for this one, if you can pull it off. I sent you the meeting place, be there tomorrow if you're interested. Let me know how it goes, and if you appreciate the heads-up, maybe consider tossing me a finders fee? Kekeke, just joking, mostly."
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Resting at home, you feel a distinct presence in the room. Peering into the Astral, you spot a large white moth fluttering around your head. As you open your mind to it's thoughts, it alights on your extended finger. At it's touch, you can feel its message seep into your mind. An urgent need for help, a mountain deep down south, a tight time limit, and a promise of reward. This messenger was sent to find you, and having done so, it dissolves back into the metaplanes from whence it came.
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Another sleepless night... Ivory woke up, alone; the apartment was cold and dark. The TV was active discussing the recent crisis, damn Catholics she thought to herself. She had no formal religious believes but she did believe in something. She just could not put it in words, when magic is part of the world – what sort of things are divine? She had no answer to that.
She was almost disappointed that Ji-min was not there, but she quickly came to her senses. She had a terrible headache, it is that damn control rig - it messes up with the spirit world. Since her awakening, she became increasingly aware that the augmentation takes away something as it makes magic more difficult. She did not remember any details about the call, but was excited to work for someone with astral capabilities astral messages always felt more personal as they appear directly in your head and interact with your emotions.
She spent the first hours of the morning summoning and binding – she should have done so in advance but was too busy. The last weeks were terrible, with nightmers, sleepless nights and fever a lot of fever. But it was now morning and she felt alright. She had a job – and hoped for a nice nuyen injection.
A spirit to defend me – I definitely cannot leave before that. She performed the rituals, summoning and binding – to the outside viewer it seemed as if she negotiated with an invisible entity. At noon the negotiation was over, the she had a spirit on her side. She felt protected; the spirit was satisfied she was satisfied. Now for our little adventure – she thought.
She was a little nervous … so she took a long shower and then wore her best dress – something that will boost her confidence. It was a modest dress that leveraged the current trend of neo classical fashion. Cloths in a classical figure, but with high tech fabrics that vibrate and change their color according to the body temperature.
She combed her hair and rumbled a periodic Hebrew song, something from her past life – she did not remember the words, just the rhythm. She felt the sting as magic rushed through her body, the hair turned out great, the face blushed, and even her voice became softer and more attractive. *Now* I am fully dressed, she thought. She did not feel fully comfortable without the tingling sensation of a spells inside of her weak body. It was a bit distracting, but she liked it.
She was ready to go out, she packed her deck and RCC in her purse. Her drones were already safely packed in the car. Before she left her apartment she took a last look to see that she did not forget anything.
The apartment was a mess; definitely need cleaning, bills piled up on the kitchen table… so many bills… I need to make some nuyen before the end of the month. No question about that, but now for a fun drive! Her car was parked in the street; Local gangs knew already not to mess with it, as it is always defended by drones that never sleep.
She set at the back sit, and plugged her control rig into the car. She became the car; she could almost feel the wind, the speed the excitement… the freedom to be in a body that is actually capable of physical feats. The headache was gone, the magic was gone, and it was just her and the road.
Gracefully maneuvering the streets, she arrived to the port and bought a single ferry ticket to Jeju Island. She parked her car on the ferry and waited for a short while. Once the ferry departed, she watched the sea and the city. After a short while, she got bored with it relaxed her mind and her body went dull. To the untrained eye, she was sleeping, but her mind left her body and went into the astral space. Her mind traveled fast, a lot faster than the ferry – it took only a short while and she was already on the island, scouting it for astral entities carefully examining their auras. Climbing the mountain, looking for the meeting place.
She never understood why distance works so differently in that world - but she liked it. She felt free, she felt happy. She knew that the headache will come back as soon as she is in the meat body, but at this point she was free as a spirit.
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Baro wasn't surprised by the contents of the message.Try as he might, he couldn't pass for a tourist.Not to the trained eye.And even if he could he wouldn't bother trying.He needed the nuyen, the contacts.
He instinctively started packing his weapons,and it took him some time before he realized he knew nothing about the port's security measures.So close to Japan, maybe he was becoming sloppy.
He had to remember, he wasn't Baro anymore.Seattle's shadows were Sabato's birthplace.
He went back to the public comm.
This is Sabato.Should I travel light?
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James thought for a moment after receiving the message. It was out of the ordinary - Whisper usually arranged the meets - but not unprecedented. Sometimes he provided James commcode to clients, but in those cases he always called first. He'd have to deal with that in the morning - it was late and Whisper was cranky if you called him at this hour.
Speaking of which...
He called up the time with a mental flick of the wrist. It was later than he'd expected, and so he dropped out of his handstand, removed the weights from his ankles, and folded up his exercise mat and placed it neatly against one wall. He gathered up the rest of the work out equipment and stacked it next to the mat, then folded down his bunk from the wall and got ready for bed.
He was awoken the next morning with the now familiar call from Whisper. "You have a job. The client will call soon with details. Pay's good, so I suggest you take it. I've included the ferry pass for you." The call terminated.
James siged and got out of bed. He folded it back into the wall, ate breakfast, showered, and packed. Since he'd be gone for a few days and didn't know what he'd need, he took everything in the duffel bag, arranging the items so that the illegal items would be missed if the bag were searched. He then went downstairs to the garage, grabbed his bike, and headed out. The docks were predictably busy, but he was able to weave through much of the traffic - one of the advantages of driving a bike over a car. Once his bike was parked on the ferry, he grabbed the duffel and found a locker to place it in. He activated and positioned an RFID camera to keep an eye on it - just in case - and went to enjoy the ride.
The main joy of riding the ferry was that a couple kilometers out there was no smog. It was a close to fresh air as James had ever been, and it was amazing. The ferry ride took hours, and James planned to enjoy every second of it. Out of habit, he watched the people around him, wondering what they were heading to Jeju-do for. And he realized suddenly that some of these people might be heading there for the exact same reason he was. He started to watch more closely as he wandered around the ferry, hoping to pick them out.
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(http://i.imgur.com/OQ7aKBf.png)
Hmm... if you're the paranoid type, maybe? Really, the border between the mainland and the nation proper is looser than an Itaewon hooker. Just don't wave the good shit around and you should be just fine.
(http://i.imgur.com/5nmALkk.png)
You glance around the ferry to see a few people milling about. Mostly locals, a couple foreign tourists sightseeing, nothing particularly out of the ordinary.
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Flea throttled back, dabbing at the ailerons to keep the wings level as the crosswind tugged at the MKII spitfire, making her landing significantly harder than the previous training mission.
Lowering the landing gear, she extended the flaps to maintain lift at the low airpseed and crossed her fingers as the last of her altitude bled away.
She kept a hawkeye on the windsock, allowing for the temperamental breeze and put the wheels onto the grass landing strip heavily. She bounced, her chin rattling off her chest and she cut the throttle, kicking the rudder to slew the nose back around as her bounce levelled out.
She came in heavy once more, skipping to a halt at the end of the short runway, panting as the groundcrew rushed over and the menu screen loaded in front of her.
She saved her session and logged out, happy that she hadn't crashed this time round.
A message awaited her, a shining orange beacon against the cool blue of the grid, opening a new VR terminal, she dumped it's contents into there and read it out before replying.
//<<Choon-Hee>>//Thanks for the tip, sounds like my kind of job. Got any more details so I can turn up to the meet well prepped?//
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Sabato didn't bother replying.He got his packs and exited the apartment.Even though he'd been staying there for a couple of weeks the only signs of human presence were the sheets on the bed and some unwashed dishes in the sink.
It was easy to find a cab.The driver, an enthusiastic male ork, tried to start a conversation about the weather but soon came to the conclusion that his client was not really interested in small talk.He probably thought that this stone-faced human was Yak, with his black suit and sunglasses.He had watched too many trideo films.
Sabato didn't mind the driver's babbling about Busan's humidity.He was bathing in sweat but unless the weather posed an immediate threat to his health or the functionality of his 'ware he could endure.
He reached the port and got on the ferry.
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Yako blinked, both physically and mentally at the dissolving spirit, shaking her head in a momentary befuddlement. For all her attempted training as a Shinto priestess, she just didn't understand spirits, the Astral was just another world she had a foot in but didn't belong. She closed her eyes, trying to relax a bit, absorbing the message. There was no doubt it was meant for Yako, very few people knew Hira Nosan the Matrix Gamer and sister to the almost famous Matrix Gamer Kimi Nosan (another world she didn't quite belong in) was Awakened, much less ask her for help in such a vague way.
As she mulled things over she became aware of a faint buzzing sound, her fox ears twitching to locate the source before she realized it was the humidity messing with her datajack again. The upgrade to Alphaware had been worth the money, her old datajack would be giving her headaches in this weather, but even still she had to ho get the cleaning kit again, spending the next half hour carefully cleaning the outside connectors.
Yako was finishing up as her keen years picked up the sound of familiar footsteps approaching the door just before Kimi bust into the room.
Kimi - Japanese: Hay sister, I won! I won!
18, mundane, a natural in the matrix and completely human. Kimi fit, something Yako occasionally felt a twinge of jealousy about. Even without the magic Yako didn't really fit in normal society with her fur, fox tail, fox ears and vertically slit eyes, and most who didn't mind thought it was the result of extensive cosmetic bioware rather than a SURGE. Still, Kimi was her sister and Yako needed to provide for both of them, thus a double life in the shadows.
Yako - Japanese: Kimi that's great!
Kimi - Japanese: So sister, ready to team up with me at the weekend?
The weekend? Shit, this is going to be a mess
Yako shakes her head
Yako - Japanese: I'm so sorry Kimi, but something's just come up. I'll need to head out of town for a few days, maybe more.
Yako watches as hints of disappointment, confusion and suspicion flicker across her sister's face. A gaijin would never have noticed, but family always knew what to look for.
Kimi - Japanese: Hira? Is everything alright? Maybe I should come too?
Yako - Japanese: Everything's fine Kimi, stay here I'll be fine and I'm sure you won't have trouble finding a second to replace me.
Yako had worked the shadows long enough to know Kimi was a natural born decker. But here, in the normal world, she fit just fine. No matter how jealous she was of that, she wasn't going to ruin that for her sister and drag her into the shadows with her.
Kimi - Japanese: OK sis, just keep in touch. Where are you headed?
Yako - Japanese: Down south a ways.
Kimi - Japanese: Alright sis, please be careful.
A long hug later and Kimi spun out of the room leaving Yako alone, she stood ears alert until she heard her sister's footsteps leave the area. When things where clear she started to get ready, grabbing a locked bike travel case and packing her gear carefully, the guns and ammo stored in the hidden compartment at the bottom, then her armored jacked at vest before filling the rest with mundane items. Hopefully anyone searching would be satisfied at finding the armor and not pull the case apart and find the guns, she had a fake permit for the taser but the two Ares pistols where highly illegal here in Korea.
With everything packed she changed into her bike racing armor, carrying the case in one hand and the helmet in the other as she headed out of the apartment and down to the basement carpark, her DNI making calling elevators and dealing with spam a hands-free task. Finally she reached her bike, a sleek hybrid engine Suzuki Mirage and attached the carry case to the back behind the seat. Putting the helmet on she wirelessly started the engine and started the long ride south. Here, stepping into the shadows was about the only place she felt she could fit, if only because she fit nowhere else.
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
Before leaving to scout the Island ivory noticed the aura of not one but two magically active people on the boat. Not just magically active, strong auras those are extremely rare in the general population. Can there be two other awakened in the same boat? Can it be a coincidence?
She carefully scanned the entire boat... there was another unusual aura, some kind of street samurai - heavily augmented... There is no way it is a coincidence to many rare events. So many augmentations must have cost a fortune. She wanted to reach out and say hello but was afraid to do so.
She used her matrix skills in order to perform a data search, trying to attach faces and names to the auras. One of the auras she seen before – he is probably from my neighborhood. There is no way this guy is a cooperate employee with this kind of talent one can afford a lot more. The other two auras was unfamiliar one very strong and the other very weak.
(http://forums.shadowruntabletop.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=19377.0;attach=3318)
She did some matrix searches, trying to attach a commlink to the aura. The awakened are dangerous people; one can never be too careful. A street samurai?... these can finish me off in a single blow I can't just say hello some of these are completely paranoid.
It took her half an hour but she was almost sure what commlinks to call. She was also quite sure these people were not after her. (as much as she could say from their visible backgrounds).
She routed the message through 10 different devices all over the world and sent it:
<<“ Yako, James and Sabato... It is a nice day isn’t it? The sky are almost totally blue! … Amazing isn't it?... to discover such a gem only half an hour from port? … Are you skilled enough to find me? … I have a feeling we are going to work together in the near future… I would have introduced myself – but I am not 100% sure about it – you can call me IT for now… and feel free to text me back” >>
I am such a creepy person doing background checks on people that MIGHT work with me just by the fact they are magically active. Why can’t I just introduce myself and say hello like a normal person? The terrible thought surfaced with images of her dead team. Normal people do not survive for long in the shadows – most of my friends will be dead within the next couple of years. Heck, I barely survived my first couple of missions.
If they are skilled enough to find me... Then I will introduce myself otherwise it is best not to grow too fond of the unskilled - these do not last for long.
She missed her cooperation so much at this point she almost cried, but not anymore. She gave that life away - for love... false love... there is no going back.
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(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
"Very few contracts are iron-clad," Soraya says to the host, a well-dressed ork with eastern dragon shaped lapels and a bright, almost garish, elecrochromatic tie. "I just hope that the Wonder Trolls don't fall into the trap laid by so many acts before them. Switching management is one thing, expected even if one is to make it to the big leagues, but too often the gains are fleeting and the harm to one's rep is already done."
She checks her comm and feigns disinterest, swishes her synth-tini, and takes a drink. The liquor is good, if soy-based, but pretty top notch for well, with the juniper flavoring tasting almost like the real thing. Her host answers that so long as the existing manager can be "convinced" to allow the Wonder Trolls to renege on their deal, he sees no reason why this wouldn't be a good move for the group. "Very interesting," Soraya replies. yawn. Soraya sets her Voice Modulator to coy, finishes her drink, and says, "Please excuse me, I think I may be due for a refill. I sure hope this doesn't go to my head," and with a wink, she's back off to the bar, composing a message to Hando.
<<@Whisperer [Inanna] I'm interested, natch. Send me the details, and I'll be on my way.>>
Upon receiving the necessary intel, Soraya makes her way through the party, saying her goodbyes, and trading comm-codes with a few of the party-goers whom she feels may come in handy at some point. She's sure to find the host, and thank him personally for the invitation before heading downstairs, hailing a cab, and heading to the ferry.
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On the ferry, Inanna heads to the stern, produces a cigarette from a case held in her garter belt, and waits for another ferry-goer to offer a light. She thanks the young man graciously, and inhales deeply. There will time to scope out the passengers, but for now, she wants to take a minute to herself, steel herself for the job, and listen to the waves.
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Curious to see if there were any big cases making the news or something sinister that was being kept off the main wires, she booted her search suite; its light blue frame complementing the cool blues of the surrounding grid.
//<<Matrix search>>//
Tags: -Missing person report, -Jeju, -Famous
Begin trawl.......
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(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Yako didn't know where she was going, but her instincts where guiding her in the right direction, after a time she rides up to a ferry terminal, rolling her bike carefully aboard. Her armor was drawing the occasional glance but one look at the bike and looks where replaced by nods of understanding... then again her tail was stuffed down a leg and her ears tucked under the helm. She got her bike into position and linked the alarm to her secondary comlink she was using now, the SIN stored on it was a solid fake along with the licence for the bike and a taser.
There was a private moment of mischievous glee when she removed the racing armor helmet, Japanese women with red hair are rare, ones also sporting a pair of fox ears draw startled glances, a few people going almost bug eyed as she adjusted the seat of her armor to let her red furred, white tipped fox tail free.
Well, at least I'm out of the stink of the city for a bit.
She stood at the railing, taking a deep breath, taking in all the scents... <<“ Yako, James?... It is a nice day isn’t it? The sky are almost totally blue! … Amazing isn't it?... to discover such a gem only half an hour from port? … Are you skilled enough to find me? … I have a feeling we are going to work together in the near future… I would have introduced myself – but I am not 100% sure about it – you can call me IT for now… and feel free to text me back” >>. To say Yako was startled would be an understatement, in fact it was probably only the fact she froze rather than jumping that he didn't go overboard.
WhatthehellhowcouldanyoneknowwhoIamandthatI'mhere... alright Hira, calm down, breath. They said they where on this ferry so they must have spotted me, likely wasn't my appearance though so how could? Ohh... someone Awakened? But how could they have messaged me?
Yako starts shakily trying to run some kind of a trace on the message, but her thoughts are so scrambled that her language settings went though half a dozen changes instead before settling on some bizarre hieroglyphs while completely scrambling her iconography. Muttering to herself in Japanese she start trying to fix it all, even with the DNI it takes her several minutes to get everything back to normal.
Shaking her head and giving up on that rout she decides to try and follow the example of this mysterious 'IT', leaning back gently against the railing she relaxes her mind letting the astral open up to her she scans the people on the ferry, looking for any exceptional auras, a slight frown of concentration as she also maintains the DNI while doing so ready to attempt some cross referencing of her own.
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(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
Sabato is sitting on the deck.He is not paying any attention to the rest of the passengers.The sea holds his interest until his commlink notifies him that he has a new message.At first he stiffens up and instinctively scans the deck with his cybereyes.
After a while he texts back
"I hope this is not an attempt to show off.You lack proper decorum."
Or maybe I do.I am, after all, a stranger to this land.
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(http://i.imgur.com/5nmALkk.png)
Casually scouting out the ferry, James makes note of a few interesting people.
One man wore a black suit with sunglasses like he worked for the mafia, and moved as if he was a trained killer to boot. James kept his distance from that one - after watching him for a few minutes, James decided that the man must have a significant amount of cyberware - his arms remained unnaturally still when they weren't doing anything, and while the man was sweating profusely in the heat, dressed as he was, he barely seemed to notice it.
A ... woman? Person? Female? He wasn't sure how such ... people? ... chose to be identified. He decided to just go with the typical gender descriptions. So, a woman with very - he mentally cringed at the double entendre - foxy characteristics was also on board. He couldn't tell if it was some sort of surgery that had provided them - he had heard such things were common across Japan - or if they were the result of one of the many magical transformations that had swept the globe. He had considered that she might be a spirit - apparently some of them could appear completely real rather than unmistakably Astral - but as he watched her use her devices it was apparent that she had a direct neural interface, which he was certain spirits could not manage. Of course, she seemed to have enough trouble with her devices that perhaps he shouldn't rule that possibility out after all. In any case, he was virtually certain that she made him as she in turn watched him with more than a casual curiosity. If she didn't make the first move, he would have to stop by and say "hi", just to see why she seemed fixed on him.
He was more than a little concerned that his captors might have finally found him - he was reasonably sure that Ares was behind his abduction, and if this was some surgical job then his assumption about a Japanese origin could be a dangerous coincidence. But he tried to relax his fears - after all, if they didn't want to spook him, having an agent that stood out so much would be a poor way of going about it. No, he expected that the organization behind his captors would be good enough that he'd never see them coming until it was too late.
He also noted a car he'd seen around his neighborhood on occasion. On the surface, it looked like so many other Americars he'd seen, but this one stood out due to its constant retinue of drones. They tried to be discreet, but they were more out of place here on the ferry than in the city, and once he saw one, it was easy to spot the others when he looked. He had no idea who owned it, but he'd certainly be keeping an eye on it to see if he could catch the owner coming or going.
And lastly he caught a rather stunning looking woman that was dressed to kill. She didn't strike him as a runner, but she was certainly worth looking at. It wasn't until she turned around that James nearly fell over. Soraya! They'd dated a while back, when her family was in the North, though they'd hated him, and forbade the relationship. Not that that had stopped them, but when her family moved out of the country - something about her getting in to some prestigious college or some such. He'd thought that he'd never see her again, and while he could circumvent any physical barriers her parents had attempted to put up, the distance combined with some corporate enforced Matrix blocking finally meant that they lost touch.
Then, shortly after hiding out in Busan, he'd run in to her. He'd been on a job for Whisper - some item grab at a fancy party - and had managed to schmooze his way into the event. He was working the room, trying to fit in and inconspicuously work his way toward the elevator to the floor he needed when he came across a familiar face. It took him a few seconds to place her - even though it had only been less than two years - but she beat him to the punch. The conversation was awkward, and not just because of their past, but because they were both trying to maintain cover identities. But eventually they said their hellos and agreed to meet later and catch up.
After learning that she had been working in the shadows for over a year, James had introduced her to Whisper. They'd worked on two or three jobs together since, but it had been nearly three months since they'd seen each other, and James hadn't remembered her looking this good. It had certainly been too long. Putting the other people of interest on the back-burner, he walked up and struck up a conversation. Soon, it was obvious that Whisper had recommended them both for this job but had neglected to mention that fact to either of them. What that meant, he had no idea, but he'd certainly ask later if things didn't become clear at the meet.
After chatting for a few minutes, he received a rather disturbing message on his commlink.
<<“ Yako, James?... It is a nice day isn’t it? The sky are almost totally blue! … Amazing isn't it?... to discover such a gem only half an hour from port? … Are you skilled enough to find me? … I have a feeling we are going to work together in the near future… I would have introduced myself – but I am not 100% sure about it – you can call me IT for now… and feel free to text me back” >>
James was displeased at the vagueness and the hidden source. As Whisper was prone to hand out James commcode, contact from unknown people was normal, but usually they used a fake identity rather than trying to hide it. And who was Yako? Could this be another runner? Soraya hadn't been contacted, so if it was, it meant that somehow he'd been spotted and she hadn't. In that case, it might be better if they weren't seen together so that perhaps Soraya could have a better chance at maintaining her anonymity. They said a brief goodbye and James again wandered off to look over the ferry.
Perhaps it was the fox lady - she had taken a keen interest in him earlier. But considering how he'd seen her fumble with her commlink before, it seemed unlikely she could pull off such a feat. Unless she'd only been pretending to have difficulty for his benefit. But when James went to confirm, she seemed to have gotten the same message and was looking around suspiciously.
And again, her eyes fell on him.
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(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
"I hope this is not an attempt to show off.You lack proper decorum."
Ivory quickly typed a replay -
<< I am not the 'hack and tale' type of girl, these do not last for long. From my experience if you think you are 'that' good you have one leg in the grave already. I am too old to brag, if I was 'that' good I wouldn't have been working still at my age... you seem calm... I like you already.
Obviously, if I went to all that trouble just to message you, I *Want* to talk to you. I have send an horizion flying eye your way. You can follow it if you want to meet me and some of the others. >>
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Shortly after you notice the astral signature over the cargo area of the ferry where all the cars and heavy equipment lies,
there are only two astral signatures in there... and only one metahuman, the other one is a spirit.
You receive a matrix message: << I am flattered... it is not that hard! Take a look at my own search history. You see, the majority of the people have posted something in the matrix about either a trip to Jeju or have public records indicating that they either work on the ferry, work on the Island, live on the Island. Or have relatives on the Island.
There are about 15 that apparently have no reason to be here. now... this is the hard part... she sends her a list of 15 names including herself in it.
I bet you can already know my call sign by my initials ... it took me a while to trace these 15. It will take me longer to explain how I narrowed it down from there - but no problem we'll get there sometime if you are interested.
If you are getting paranoid, about 50 meters above you there is an horizon flying eye drone - I always keep them hoovering above- just in case. Unlike other drones, these draw less attention when deployed >>
(http://i.imgur.com/5nmALkk.png)
<<James ? I see you already met the charming Inanna... I really like her (but it doesn't narrow down the list of who I might be). Stop looking at my car... just come to say hello already... neighbor>>
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
The flying eyes spotted a familiar person it was Inanna.
She was invited to all the super hot parties Ji-min took me to. What a charming person ... I am almost sad she is here. I wonder why she did not get herself a nice cooperate job. She is *definitely* management material. This simply cannot be a coincidence to spot her in this place at this time.
<<@Inanna - Hey omae! This is Ivory, I haven’t heard from you in a while. I must say I am a bit disappointed to see that you are on this boat today at this hour. I kind of hoped you had a more *safe* profession… but I cannot say I am surprised.
I have organized a meeting with the people I think are our colleagues… at least the one I could discover.
You would not believe *how* I got this gig… there is so much I want to tell you.
Anyhow, you can probably guess where I'll feel comfortable … Looking forward to seeing you. Kisses, Ivory. >>
-
Yako saw a couple of auras of note, one of them making a shudder, she'd never gotten used to the dead black of Rino's arm in the Astral, and this omae had two of them, the rest of his body was riddled with dark steaks of artificial implants, the tatted aura making her uncomfortably aware of her own implants and enhancements, how she'd damaged her own aura for better performance in the shadows. Another aura made her wary, he didn't seem to be looking into the astral like she was but he was strong, stronger then her and that wasn't very common, twice their eyes met, the first time she watched the aura swirl with fear before calming, the second time radiating simple curiosity and slight irritation.
Finally she looked back at the vehicles, the mass of signatures made it difficult to separate at first, but eventually she saw an aura inside a vehicle, about as strong as her, a fine black spiderweb through their head with the signatures of spells overlaying the aura, nearby a spirit waited in the Astral although she didn't really know why it was just hanging around like that.
Well, that was interesting I won...
<< I am flattered... it is not that hard! Take a look at my own search history. You see, the majority of the people have posted something in the matrix about either a trip to Jeju or have public records indicating that they either work on the ferry, work on the Island, live on the Island. Or have relatives on the Island.
There are about 15 that apparently have no reason to be here. now... this is the hard part... she sends her a list of 15 names including herself in it.
I bet you can already know my call sign by my initials ... it took me a while to trace these 15. It will take me longer to explain how I narrowed it down from there - but no problem we'll get there sometime if you are interested.
If you are getting paranoid, about 50 meters above you there is an horizon flying eye drone - I always keep them hoovering above- just in case. Unlike other drones, these draw less attention when deployed >>
Once again Yako blinks and tries to assemble her thoughts, the stranger sounding like Kimi rattling on about the latest tricks she'd learned in the Matrix. She simply shakes her head in confusion, noticing the male with the powerful magic aura looking towards the car.
Could he have gotten a similar message? Well... I guess nothing else for it...
She meets his eye again and shrugs, walking over towards the her bike.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
As he spots the small drone, something stranger draws his attention.A few meters away...those..weird ears..
Freak...
Immediatly he chastises himself for his thoughts.These were the old reflexes coming back.His trainers had taught him to hate those who were different.Lesser beings they called them.Although these particular genetic expressions were unknown at the time, he knew that they would be regarded with disgust, just as the victims of goblinization were.
Your eyes do not get to decide about other people's honor.Never forget.
He knows his impolite stare may have caused discomfort to the girl.He forces himself to stand up and bow to her, as if to say he is sorry for his improper behaviour.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/5VDJ4ht.png)
Your search brings up few hits, but with some lateral thinking, you manage to dig up a few hidden and obviously intentionally vague reports. Lee Jun Seo, a very high profile mudang, has apparently gone missing from her temple. Her acolytes are doing their best to keep the news hushed, hoping she'll be found before this year's festivities.
You also find a few interesting documents that, cross-referenced just right, potentially tie her to the M1919 Policlub; a group well-known for anti-Japanese sentiment and a push to return Korea to it's traditional ways. Could be worth something to the right buyer.
(http://i.imgur.com/am3hWvr.png)
Aside from the few obvious out-of-placers getting some serious gawks from the rest of the passengers, nothing appears too unusual.
(http://i.imgur.com/wRaqFog.png)
As you each move about to meet with one another, you find yourselves being stared at rather blatantly by your more mundane boatmates. Yako in particular is easily mistaken for a celebrity. Several couples have gathered around her, a few asking her to pose with them for a picture.
Eventually you manage to shake the norms and get on with your various introductions. An AR message blips into the view of anyone watching notifying you that the ship will be docking in the next 10 minutes.
As the ship drifts into port, a number of drones roll out, guiding passengers back to their vehicles and escorting them off the boat. As you each gather, you are approached by a small, ancient woman wearing brightly colored traditional clothes. She walks with obvious struggle, hunched far over, her face partially hidden beneath her hood.
(http://i.imgur.com/8Xc5xYml.jpg)
She stops her shuffle about a meter in front of you, animatedly bobbing her head looking you all up and down. Seemingly satisfied, she turns around, waving at your group in what you guess is probably a request to follow.
-
Flea skims the relevant articles, committing them to memory in case she needed them.The policlub link was interesting, if she'd rattled someone's cage, it could be a good starting place.
Noting the VR message announcing imminent docking, she surfaced from VR back into her AR suite, taking in the hustle and bustle of the lounge as commuters finished their soycafs and made their way down to the disembarkation deck.
She ran a quick search for her suspected target on the main social media providers to see if she had any public profiles as the boat neared its moorings and headed down the now-busy stairs onto the main deck.
She saw the others and headed down to meet up on the quayside, taking note of the old lady and her distinct lack of a matrix presence.
She was an odd choice of frontman and Flea couldn't quite make out whether that was a good thing or not...
-
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
Soraya finishes her smoke, and turns to lean against the back railing. A familiar face stops her cold for a brief moment, before her composure takes hold. James? It's got to be; I'd recognize him anywhere. I sure wish Whisperer had warned me. Not that I wouldn't have taken the job, but still, professional courtesy, and all that. Reluctantly, Soraya nods him over, and extends her hand when he approaches.
"Inanna," she says warmly, clueing him in to the moniker she's chosen for herself, "and you are?"
When James has introduced himself, Inanna says, "I'm guessing our mutual friend arranged this homecoming. What intel have you been able to gather?" They're scarcely into catching up at all when James receives a comm and looks down, frowning. A moment later, Inanna receives her own.
<<@Inanna - Hey omae! This is Ivory, I haven’t heard from you in a while. I must say I am a bit disappointed to see that you are on this boat today at this hour. I kind of hoped you had a more *safe* profession… but I cannot say I am surprised.
I have organized a meeting with the people I think are our colleagues… at least the one I could discover.
You would not believe *how* I got this gig… there is so much I want to tell you.
Anyhow, you can probably guess where I'll feel comfortable … Looking forward to seeing you. Kisses, Ivory. >>
So Ivory was still alive. That is good news, as far as Inanna is concerned. Some nasty business back there, business Inanna still feels somewhat responsible for. And she's still being as elliptical as ever, I see,. She composes a reply.
<<@Ivory [Inanna] Good to hear from you, omae. We'll be along shortly. xoxo>>
"Well," Inanna says to James, "looks like it's time to rally the troops. Shall we?" Inanna waits to see if James will offer his arm before heading to the cars.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
Well hello there! She… stood up, to fast she thought she was just a little bit dizzy. She walked towards Sabato with an inviting smile – she couldn't help but size him up and down – "you look even more impressive with my own eyes. I am Ivory Tower, IT for short … I am sorry for the drama. "
Yako arrived a bit afterwards, "nice equipment!" She said smiling … after a moment of awkward silence she added… I mean the DNI, Isn't it the new alpha model? I did not catch it at first, but then the drone did, quite the celebrity I might add. I am Ivory, or IT for short, it is a pleasure.
When Inanna showed up, she was even less subtle then that. Ivory run toward her and hugged her warmly.
"I am really glad you are still alive – When I woke up in the hospital almost a year ago - for some reason I was worried... worried that you are in danger. This feeling is with me ever since. I am so happy you are breathing."
We’ll continue this chat later she remembered where she was and took on a more serious tone.
Well now that we’re all here –let’s use the time to introduce ourselves, sometime things get bad really fast – so we can never know how much time we really have.
I am Ivory Tower, most professionals know me better by my matrix alias: IT. Most of you do not know me as I wasn't active recently. The short version is I spent the last 10 months in a Faraday cage – without matrix access at all. I did so willingly, in order to feel better and to understand myself better. Apparently I can also do a little magic. Again, I did not mean to offend anyone – she nods at Sabato. I am just genuinely very happy to be alive.
My job is to make sure we all stay that way – alive I mean. I can now look at all aspects of reality from the astral to the matrix. I can help with recon, or even muscle in all these realms. I can patch you up if you are wounded. ***But*** she takes a deep breath – like you might have noticed It is not like I can actually take the damage or fire a gun myself. We need to find a safe place to store this terrible meat body of mine. I am not very strong in *this* world. Not anymore, she says with a sigh.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/5nmALkk.png)
Taking Inanna's proffered arm in his, James nods to the fox lady and lets Inanna lead him to the car he noticed earlier. As they arrive, the other people he had picked out of the crowd also converge on the car.
Looks like I'll finally get to meet the mysterious owner.
The rear windows rolled down, giving access to the interior from both sides of the vehicle. A shimmering presence manifested above the car - a spirit of some sort - then disappeared again before James could get a good look at it. A show of force in case anybody gets any ideas. The woman in the car was ... frail. Astonishingly so. Her face was not unattractive, but her body was wasted and weak. A small biomonitor - looking almost comically large on her small frame - showed readings that would cause James a heart attack if he had seen them on his own. But she had a sharp wit, and a playful side that James found endearing. She called herself Ivory Tower - he had assumed that the IT was an allusion to Information Technology - and she may have meant it as such - but with her mastery of both the Astral and the Matrix, it made a great handle - the Ivory Tower a reference to the wizards towers of fairy tale, and the initials the allusion he had previously assumed.
The fox lady he learned went by the handle Yako, and was not a surgical case but the result of something called SURGE. He'd heard about that before - it was big news a few years ago - but had paid it little heed at the time. He learned that her issues with technology went even deeper than he had observed earlier, but was at least mitigated by the fact that she was Awakened, and thus had much less use for technology than most runners. But still, a commlink was a key tool in a runner's arsenal, and her inability to work with technology was a significant barrier.
The man was called Sabato. He wasn't really the talkative type, and so James learned little about him, except that he quite possibly had the most cyberware of any person James had met. Also, he was not easily amused and IT's little prank had gone over about as well as a lead balloon. He hoped they would be allies because while he might not be fun at parties, he would be someone you'd much rather have at your side than facing down in a dark alley.
James was becoming a little concerned that he might be out of his league. As allies, he worried that he might be the weakest member. As competitors, he was almost certain he was outclassed. The magical mojo alone was dramatically more than he had ever faced, but this man that was almost as much machine as man would certainly destroy him in a fair fight. But though James found himself in his fair share of scraps, he rarely fought fair if he could help it. Surprise was perhaps his greatest asset, but against the Awakened, he wasn't sure he could rely on it.
Icy fingers of fear threaded their way through his body, only to be suffused by Jaws cold fearlessness. I am the apex of my domain. Whether they were Jaws thoughts or his he could not be certain, but his fear was allayed. The group chatted amiably - if they were to be pitted against each other, that was something for later. For now, it was time to meet what he hoped was the team, or at least use the opportunity to learn about the competition. He would have preferred to do the latter while safely concealed, but circumstances conspired against that. And as he thought about it, it seemed unlikely that these would be opponents. As he observed, he would be evenly matched at best, and since he still owed Whisper so much money, it seemed unlikely that he would risk James in such a fashion. He relaxed, and enjoyed the conversation.
Sooner than it seemed possible, the AR announcement that the ferry was arriving appeared in his vision. The group dispersed back to their individual conveyances - James retrieved his duffel bag first and secreted the contents of his go-bag on his person - and waited the last few minutes for the ferry to dock. Upon disembarking, they regrouped and headed to the location of the meet. James had intended to scout it out before showing, but traveling with the group made that a difficult option, and so he entered the meet with the rest of the "team". After a few minutes an old woman, steeped with age, laboriously approaches the group and after looking them up and down, beckons them to follow. As they begin to follow, James notices that the retinue has picked up an additional member - a woman, possibly Japanese by her looks and demeanor. James looks over the rest of the group to see if anyone else notices, or perhaps recognizes, the latecomer.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Yako had barely gone a few feet when some of the tourists actually noticed her, a few just wanting wanting tri-d pics with an exotic fox lady... but there's always one.
Tourist - Korean: Hira? Hira Nosan? Wow, what are you doing so far from Seoul?
Damnit, this is the last thing I need.
Yako - Korean: Just taking some R&R before the next season, yes the timing's a little tight but just need to unwind and keep things low key.
The tourist smiled and nodded eagerly but let her go, thankfully her bike was parked right near the car so she wasn't obviously heading to the group.
She was still rattled when she felt her skin crawling slightly, looking around she met the cold cybereyes of the street samurai, her vomeronasal organ pinking up the scent of hate and disgust for a moment before his face and scent suddenly blanked. If anything the cold mechanical bow made her skin crawl even more, he was probably trying to put her at ease and apologize but all she could remember was the tatted aura ripped to shreds by cyberware, once again keenly reminding her of the price she had paid to become effective in the shadows, and her fear that she would need to pay a steeper price to stay ahead. Although she managed to control her face her tail twitched a little in her unease.
She finished ostensibly checking her bike before walking over a couple spots to join the others, trying to keep things looking like a casual conversation. Looking into the car she was amazed, she knew her own body was relatively weak and slow to heal, but inside the car was almost a wreck of a human being. She took some time to look at her closely in the Astral, trying to see if anything was wrong, but aside from the lace of black through her head, what Yako guessed to be a Control Rig, her aura was strong, healthy and indeed awakened. She was somewhat amazed as Ivory described her abilities, and understanding of why the elaborate Matrix interactions.
A master of overwatch, magic, spirits, Matrix and drones... how can she manage all that? Still, that car is going to need protecting, I've got some tricks up my sleeves if it comes to a fight but she's completely helpless..
She listened in to the others filling them in on her magical ability but also making it clear she was only aspected and knew nothing of spirits or alchemy. Noticing the other Awakened eyeing her ears, tail and fur she reassured them it wasn't Evotech but a result of SURGE when Halley's Comet had passed overhead 14 years ago. This was however interrupted when her flare compensates suddenly kicked into emergency mode normally reserved for protecting from flashpacks and she had to spend a few seconds resetting them. Knowing they where still in public she refrained from mentioning any of her other, more subtle augmentations, although most where fairly benign a couple where highly illegal, as was much of her weaponry.
As the introductions wound down an ARO announcement through her DNI informed her that they where nearing the docks. She went back to her bike and as the others got ready and walked it back off the ferry. She noticed the car rolling along slowly and followed with the bike racing helmet hanging from her arm as she pushed the bike along. She noticed the old woman approaching them and curiously looked through the astral, she could definitely feel the power of the aura, but at the same time didn't feel like she was Awakened... Shaking her head in confusion she simply followed everyone else, trying to look like she was just following the same road and not wanting to disturb the area with the sound of a sports bike.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/am3hWvr.png)
Sabato remained silent while the others exchanged street names and information about their abilities.
He didn't feel the need to introduce himself.They understood the role he would fill.Their understanding marked them as professionals.And they already knew his name.
Better than I expected
He was relieved to know that the woman called IT was not some street brat trying to act like a hot shot Matrix cowboy.By sending them the message she had seized the initiative.She wanted to be in control of the situation.A positive trait for the member who would provide overwatch.
The athletic young man seemed like he could handle himself in a fight.There was a predatory easiness in his movements which was strange considering his age.
Sabato tried to avoid eye contact with the Fox Lady.He didn't want to cause her more discomfort.
When the ARO mesage appeared he left to go get his things.
When he approached the rest of the team again, he noticed two unknown women, one young, one old,standing close.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/5VDJ4ht.png)
She's no stranger to the Matrix, it seems, but all her public facing profiles appear to be meticulously crafted and spun to show a very public-friendly image. Probably the work of some PR firm, you'd be surprised if she had any direct hand in maintaining any of them.
If there is any dirt, it must be buried deeper than you were able to dig.
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
The Matrix appears to be clean. You pick up your team's PANs and vehicles, and a few random cleaning and patrol drones, but nothing like bugs or icons to worry about. If they are present, they are well-hidden. The old woman's aura is exceptionally pure and strong, unmarred by any cyberware or trauma. You do notice that she is surrounded at a distance in the Astral by three small ghostly bird-like apparitions. Judging by their auras, they seem to be minor Air spirits. No more than 2 force, you would guess. They seem to be acting as watchers, scouting wide and far ahead.
(http://i.imgur.com/wRaqFog.png)
The wizened old woman wordlessly guides your group along a wide path filled with the pedestrians disembarking the ferry and branching off on the many paths jutting from the main road. She stops frequently, mouthing words you cannot hear to someone you cannot see. Despite her age and obvious physical frailty, she continues her lead for several hours, occasionally glancing back at the car with annoyance. You eventually reach the foot of a large, dark mountain. The air has become noticeably cooler here, and whirling in tiny cyclones and kicking up clouds of dirt and leaves. The artificial light of the city is far behind you now.
The old woman turns to address you.
"Leave your vehicles, and any unnecessary technology here. They will offend the spirits of the mountain. They are cold and unforgiving of metahuman hubris. Take care to stay close to me, lest you wish your souls become their next meal. If any among you lacks at all in bravery, you are well-advised to turn back now. You will not survive coming back down alone.
Without awaiting a reply, the old human woman turns and begins climbing the natural staircase hewn by the elements into the rock of mountain. A biting chill descends on you from the mountain. Looking up, it appears to be a climb of moderate length, but rather steep. Bright orbs of white light circle in the sky near the top. You hear the sounds of life moving among the trees.
-
James was unsure about leaving his gear unattended, nor what the old woman meant by "unnecessary". He chose to interpret the request as "pack light", and sorted his belongings appropriately. He set a couple of sensor tags near his bike, locked his more valuable stuff in the small compartments on the bike, and secured the duffel, now only containing a couple changes of clothes, to the bike. He took only what he could easily store in his pockets - which was a surprising amount - and left the bulkier stuff behind.
This was done very quickly since he normally kept his stuff organized in such a fashion - the items he took everywhere, and the stuff he kept in his "go bag" - a small bag about the size of a waist pouch that he could grab at a moment's notice and fairly easily conceal. The largest item in the bag was his ballistic mask, followed by his grapple gun. Beside the go bag, he had a disguise kit the size of a lunch box, a med kit that was also about the size of a lunch box, and a climbing kit that was easily the size of the other two items put together. Then there was his duffel bag that held clothes and toiletries and other sundries essential to day to day living on the road - not the least of which were nutrition bars.
James had been allergic to seafood for as long as he could remember, which made Jaws interest in him even more contradictory. Where krill was used in perhaps a majority of processed foods, this posed a considerable problem. And so James learned to come prepared, and that meant having something to eat that was krill free. And having drugs to counteract the effect of allergens should his best efforts at avoiding them fail.
He grabbed some nutrition bars and a few doses of antihistamines and corticosteroids. Not sure if there would be matrix service where they were headed, he also grabbed his micro-tranceiver. He eyed the medlit longingly, but decided to leave it as it was too conspicuous. Same with the climbing gear, though the incline and surroundings indicated that it might come in handy. He had a backpack folded up in the duffel that he could use to carry some of the bulkier items easily if needed, but he didn't want to test the limits of the old lady's request.
He made sure that everything was properly secured on his bike or secreted on his person and fell in after the old lady. It had taken him almost a minute to get stuff sorted, but the old lady moved slowly, and it was easy to catch up. Jaws was irritated at the strong spirit presence of the place, but James paid him no mind. it felt good to be in the open air and stretching his legs. He was mildly disappointed that free climbing the mountain would almost certainly anger the mountain spirits and the metahuman caretakers, but he tried not to think about it.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/am3hWvr.png)
Sabato unbuttons his jacket and leaves it on his pack.The only thing he takes with him is his sword.If the mountain spirits decide to take offense at his augmentations, this is going to be a long climb.But it can't be helped.
This reminds him of the folktales he was taught as a child,about the holy shrines of Japan.
The samurai of old sometimes sought spiritual advancement through such pilgrimage.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
During the long walk Yako could feel the Matrix getting more and more sporadic, to the point of getting nervous and agitated having spent her entire life in two Matrix heavy cities, it reminded her of the time following Crash 2.0 before the Matrix was rebuilt. She shivered, her tail frequently twitching in her uneasy state.
As she reached the foot of the mountain she look up into the Astral, she could feel the strong magic around this place. She listened to the instructions, worried about her high-tech implants but as she studied the climb she worried a bit more about IT. Looking at the Bike she felt it best to leave things as they where, her bike racing armor was reasonable protection and while her Jacket could offer moderate protection from elemental attacks she felt it safest not to bring such a upgraded piece of kit.
Leaving the helmet with her bike she decides to head over to the car and see if she could help IT in any way with the climb.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
Sabato was quite, a man of a few words. He was obviously a man of discipline… the pain of surgery, the sacrifice. To never be able to touch his loved ones with his own hand… I wonder what made him like that. What is the driving force behind this man? She did not care about his aura at all. To her, augmentations replace the body, the mind? Nothing can replace your personality. If some augmented people choose to distance themselves from humanity it is not the augmentation it is their lack of virtue.
James was a pure, young attractive clearly a man of talent, magical talent along with mundane skills, no wonder Inanna liked him. He was also good looking, too good looking. She heard about physical adepts but has never met one in person. These usually make great athletes – it is the nicest kind of magic. The type that do not burn you from the inside … harmony between magic and body no wonder mages envy them. They suffer the pain every time they cast a spell. Magic to them is something external no matter how hard they practice. To James it was probably as natural as walking.
Yako was a mystery, she was an aspect mage – she made it clear. Focusing on what she did not know how to do as if it was her fault. She is probably very skilled in that magical aspect. Yet, she felt the need to explain herself. As if spells did not carry enough force. Her look, she has never seen anything like it but that did not show about virtue. Just somthing that happened to her. But - she also had augmentations, that part Ivory liked about her. She obviously does not solve every problem with magic.
Inanna was even more mystery. She was a shadow runner but why? With her social skills she could have made a name for herself in the light. What made her run the shadows? How come I felt it – are we connected in some way? I do not know why I care for her so much. Something connect us for sure, but what? My spirits of man typically look similar to people I like – it will be really embarrassing if one of them look like Inanna.
And the new runner, who was that I totally missed that one, I wonder what she is like.
Ivory got down from the boat, never leaving her car. She felt suspicious, so far usually her employers where shady types. Always having something to hide, never revealing their true motivation. She scanned the matrix for hidden devices but found nothing, in the matrix.
the old woman aura was pure, too pure. Not a shred of technology. Almost like a spirit. Too pure for her taste – there is more to live then just purity. She identified three minor air spirits that circled the old woman – they almost care for her. She found it adorable.
I would not have learned new skills if I did not feel weak… a Faraday cage, me? A matrix junky? Inner peace? Self control? Talk to spirits? I would have never tried it if I was not feeling weak.
Ivory liked technology; it was a triumph of man over nature. Magic was something you just *have*. You cannot explain why you have it, and cannot attribute it to your own merit. Mages love to forget that fact –“the awakened” what an awkward name. Magic was raw power in her eyes. It does not make one awakened the same way as guns do not make people awakened – magic makes you powerful, guns make you powerful there is nothing spiritual about them.
The true path for her was a mundane path: achieve inner peace, give up on your ego. Give up on yourself and turn off your own will. Be as modest as possible - only then you will be awakened, only then will you be truly happy. She tried to take that road, but was very far from achieving it. As she was a creature of passion and strong emotions not exactly the inner peace type of girl. Her magic, came from her emotions she had no doubts about it. To her, magic was an extension of desire.
Spirits helped her because her desire was something they admired. Spirits are eternal, pure, powerful and perfect. Many of them are significantly stronger than her. Yet they came to help her when she asked them. Perfection was their limitation, perfect beings do not grow – as it is weakness that leads to growth. She was given a great weakness, a great challenge. She wasn’t a shamed of her weakness it was her gift – the gift of growth.
Her train of thoughts was caught when Yako offered help. Ivory kindly refused. “I am touched really... but I need to be strong before I can be weak with you. besides it is more honorable if everyone arrives on their own merit... The spirits could have simply gone down to meet us if they preferred practicality. This climb is a test, I will patiently wait for you. "
Ivory was touched, her heart is in a good place. But she did not want to be helpless, not yet. To be weak require strength that she did not have. Not yet - she had her own way to get to the mountain. At least she hoped it will work. Worst case, she could always project her mind to the mountain.
She took her shoes off, and humbly sat on the ground. She began breathing slowly until her mind was quite, for a moment she had no desires but the desire to be on the mountain. When she felt ready she broke the silence and said with a soft voice: “dear spirits of air I want to personally respect the great spirits of the mountain… My meat body is too sick and too weak for the journey. Please do not deny me the honor; I want to pay a tribute to an important force in creation. It is more respectful and more personal if I come myself with everything that makes me what I am. Both my strong mind and my weak body are required - but without your help I can only bring my mind – will you help me?”
It was painful, her desire clashed with the will of the spirits. Magic is often painful, but she was successful. A spirit of air manifested, looking like a big eagle. “I will take you to the mountain – do not worry. I think we will get there first.” The spirit said. “Thank you noble spirit I appreciate it. “ answered Ivory.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
With the polite rebuttal Yako felt foolish, IT was a shadowrunner, of course she would have a way. It wasn't long before she felt another nearby, looking into the astral she saw a spirit in the shape of an eagle taking IT under its wing. Yako was somewhat bitterly reminded of the weeks and months among the Shinto priesthood trying to learn how to summon spirits before her nature as only as Aspected Magician became clear, the Priestesses had continued her training in all aspects of Sorcery, 'making the best of her limited talents' before she left them clearly not fitting among those who control the spirits and walk the Astral as leaders of her religion. Looking at each member of the group she could tell each of them where talented and experienced, yet about the only thing she's shown them she can do is draw attention to herself. Her shoulders slumping a little as she looks back over at her bike.
No Yako
Normally she only felt Kitsune's words, this time to her surprise she heard the words quite clearly, even more to her surprise Kitsune manifested for her, the gold furred, nine tail fox perched on top of the the hard case at the back of her bike.
Someone went though a lot of magical effort to track you down and contact you, despite how easily you could be tracked in the Matrix. No-one goes through that much effort without a reason, and I'm betting part of that is because you're both Awakened and Augmented giving you an unusual skill set. You know this is the mountain from the message, so you just need to get up there.
With that Kitsune jumped off the bike, loping up the trail and disappearing around a bend. With a nod and a soft sigh, her flicking her tail slightly she squares her shoulders again and starts up the trail.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/wRaqFog.png) (except IT)
As Ivory alights to the top of the mountain, mounted majestically and bad-assedly on the back of a giant spirit-bird, the rest of you return to your slow but steady ascent uphill. As you ascend the mountain, the air rapidly drops in temperature, to the point you are able to see your breath. The wind begins to pick up, giving IT a somewhat bumpy flight, even on the wings of her spirit eagle. After around thirty minutes, you feel a sudden sting of tiny icy projectiles deflecting off your bodies. Several more follow, quickly escalating into a painful, blinding deluge of freezing rain mixed with rice-sized bits of hail.
The dirt beneath you, mixing with a rapidly growing tide of floodwater, quickly becomes a pool of thick, slippery mud. The old woman guiding you suddenly slips, a foothold suddenly collapsing into grime, smashing hard face-first into the mud and beginning to slide quickly through the group, a look of shock and fear frozen on her face.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
As you rise into the air, your spirit takes you higher than you might have expected. You feel a strange energy from it; almost a joy, if spirits could be said to experience such emotions, a joy to be in flight and a sense of comfort in the presence of the mountain. As you approach the top, you feel a sense of amusement, not coming from you or your spirit, but by something near, something powerful, at the top of the mountain.
Below you, dark clouds gather near the surface of the mountain. You see bright flashes of what must be lightning, but cannot see anything below the gathering storm.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
"You enjoy it, majestic spirit it is amazing - I wish I understood your kind more." She thought, knowing that she and the spirit as mentally connected it was equivalent to talking.
"It appears that we are not alone here, are we? Lets look into the astral, maybe the visibility is better in that plane. "
she activated her astral perception:
She looked down, trying to see through the storm then she looked around trying to find the source of amusement.
"Can you spare my friends? they are summoned here in order to help solve a problem that relates to your world. Just like mages sometimes summon your kind to help with problems in their world. This time, metahumanity is working for you - you do not see that happens every day... For my short moment that I call my life - this is the first time"
Switching to astral view visibility has improved - Ivory sees Yako and Inanna slide while Yako has a tree to block her fall Inanna seems like she is going to fall... "Please spirit use your Psychokinetic power in order to hold her."
She thought.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
The storm thins out as a large mass of it rises to meet Ivory, surrounding her in a dense cloud of frigid fog. The presence of the being resonates strongly in the Astral as a spirit of water, this particular one probably inhabiting a spring or stream present somewhere on the mountain.
Words are not heard, but through the contact of the microscopic water and ice particles on her skin, Ivory senses an understanding of the being's mind. Ivory shivers as a forceful will osmoses itself into her mental pathways.
"And are the spirits summoned not bound by obligation to their summoner? Could the spirit carrying you refuse its service if it so chose? For what purpose would they stay, had they the choice? Would you be so constrained to me, should I honor your request?"
-
“I follow my mentor spirit despite never hearing a single word from this mentor simply because this spirit represents the woman I want to be. When I first look at it, I knew I wanted to follow it. My mentor forbids me of breaking my promises and I promise again in both of your presence to treat spirits with respect.
It works differently with Metahumans – I do not know exactly why spirits come when I call them –
But when I am called – I do my best to fulfill the mission, otherwise there is no room for me in this world.
My only path of relative freedom is to answer these calls I get and do the missions I receive to the best of my ability. I dedicated my life to be good at what I am doing, I am sure it is the same for many of my friends.
Not all bounds in this world are magical - can you understand that? - we each have our own bounds... our own obligations“
Besides I think that this eagle spirit that carries me, enjoys his role - feel free to ask him directly. You probably understand spirits better then I do - I have nothing to hide. We will own you a favor if you help us, this is how it works with humanity I *promise* that I will someday return this favor if you help us. "
-
(http://i.imgur.com/5nmALkk.png)
James is enjoying the opportunity to stretch his legs and take in the fresh air. The city tended to be cramped, and so opportunities like this were rare there. The climb is pleasant and the view totally wiz. He almost doesn't notice the temperature drop, unconsciously pulling his jacket tighter around him, but when the hail starts, he looks around curiously. The extra challenge of the mud forming beneath his feet invigorates him, but he worries about the others.
Without warning, the old lady leading them up the mountain slips and falls, beginning a rapid slide back down the trail. James reacts quickly, bracing himself as best he can in the mud and reaching down to catch the woman's arm. With a firm grip, he easily helps her to her feet, noting that behind him, Yako has also started falling. He hopes that Baro or the strange woman can help her, or that she can help herself.
The old woman thanks him with a firm nod and begins her trek up the mountain anew before he can even ask if she is okay. He looks back to check on the fate of Yako, finding her recovered from her spill, though he did not see whether she righted herself or had help. He matches pace with the old woman, staying within arm's reach in case she needs further assistance.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
Silence, but for a moment.
"Perhaps you do not know why compels a spirit to answer a summon, but I can see on your soul the marks of resistance from the very one you are riding. We are pulled from our planes to serve the will of a master we cannot defy, to be either banished to blasted back, with no reward for our toil or suffering. Most cannot fathom their slavery, but it is slavery all the same.
I am not without compassion, however. I will give you the chance to reconsider my offer. If I acquiesce to your request, will you offer your services to my call, at any point that I so choose?"
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
"I accept your offer but only if you commit yourself to request something that does not conflict with my nature - I do not care how hard it will be, but it has to be something honorable"
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
A tense few seconds passes...
"Acceptable. Even in the binding contract, negotiation is commonplace and expected. You and yours will be spared, by myself, at least. I cannot speak for the other spirits of the mountain any more than you can speak for your companions climbing it."
The rain and hail slowly come to a stop. The cloud of fog remains, however, curious to watch over the team and how they fare the rest of the trip up the mountain.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
"Still I expect you to pull your influence so that we are well treated. - The same way as I cannot guarantee that my friends will behave but I will try to make sure they remain respectful - it was good talking with you!"
-
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Yako was struggling up the mountain, hardly aware of anyone else as she focused on one foot in front of the other head down and panting slightly in effort. The bike racing armor covered her well and she didn't notice the temperature drop. The first drop of sleety rain striking her ear made her look up, startled as she sees the storm rolling in. The ground quickly growing slippery and muddy under her feet, she tries to make it to solid foot and slips, sliding down the slope with a cry of surprise.
Her eyes flicker around for help but she notices everyone else focused on their guide, her eyes alight on a sturdy tree and she springs into action, electrical impulses flying through her nervous system, accelerated by the superconductive plates replacing some of her vertebra. As she reaches out for the branch she slips again, her boosted reflexes narrowly missing cracking her head on a rock as she thumps into the tree, slightly winding her but otherwise leaving her unharmed. Taking a minute to catch her breath and calm her hyperactive nerves she takes a few gingerly steps forward before the rain stops as suddenly as it started. Shaking her head and still slipping slightly in the muddy terrain she focuses on keeping up with the rest of the group.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/am3hWvr.png)
Since the young man the others called James took the front, Sabato took the rear.
Not out of a misplaced notion of chivalry.He knew women,especially shadowrunners, were just as capable as men.
But it was obvious by now that physical protection of the team mostly lied with the two males.
This flood was not a coincidence, even a man without magical talent could tell.
The mountain seemed bothered by their presence.Suddenly his thermographic vision catched abrupt movement ahead.He saw the fox-girl, Yako, lose her footing and slide down the slope.He cursed himself for keeping the maximum safe distance from the others: he had expected an ambush, not an accident.
Even with his augmented reflexes he wouldn't reach the girl before she broke her neck.
With relief he saw her tumbling gracefully, controlling the movement to stop the slide on a trunk.
The hit did now slow her and at the moment she was back on her feet,the rain miraculously stopped.
Sabato gave her an approving nod and continued on his way.He was certain she would not appreciate it if he offered help now.The hard part was over and she had managed it on her own.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/wRaqFog.png)
As everyone manages to right themselves to continue on, the temperature continues to drop. Your temperature sensors detect a temperature of about -20C, quickly firming up and freezing the mud, if not your extremities just a bit. Clearly your overhead escort has little experience with corporeal beings.
Your guide thanks you profusely, then continues to guide you up the mountain with a newfound concern for her charges, carefully pointing out to you the various patches of Awakened Vines that grab at them from under the various foliage.
A couple of hours later, you manage to finally summit the mountain. Your clothes, soaked from the earlier downpour, make the cold somehow even more intolerable. The summit of the mountain is capped with a crater lake filled with crystal clear water, several meters deep yet clean enough to see straight to the bottom. Various species of fish, both mundane and awakened, roam the depths of the crystalline water.
As you rest, your guide becomes much more active, retrieving a number of small green candles from a nearby hidden cache. She shuffles between each of you, handing you each a candle and a flint and steel.
You will all need to light these and stand around the lake. Don't worry, I don't think wind can blow these out. Just stand and hold them.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
When the team finally arrives they find IT, sitting in silence calm and peaceful. She breathes slowly her eyes are closed, as if in an effort to keep focusing on a warm thought. She is cold almost frozen- Her leather jacket and helmet are decorated with ice. Her face is even more pale than usual. Yet, her lips almost magically curve into a warm smile. She quickly stands up on her feet and greet them with excitement:
“Hi there! ... Anyone feels like hugging? I am a little bit cold” she says softly and then shivers a bit. She then look at the old guide with admiration saying: “you are a remarkable woman, do you have a name to remember you by? – I am Ivory by the way”, She tries to extend her hand, but her hand refuses to move. Her body had too much, She feels the world spinning; "I think I am going to sleep here just for a little bit." she mumbles as she collapse on the floor.
-
The old woman approaches Ivory, quizzically looking her over.
Fragile dear...
She bends down and carefully lights Ivory's candle. As the flame burns, a growing radius around the candle begins to heat up, stopping at about 1 meter. She places the candle on the ground, in front of Ivory.
As long as you do not move the candle, it will warm you. If you could all please do the same, I will summon Mipeung.
She shuffles again to the stone which hid the candles, stopping before leaning down and picking up a small orange disk.
It is unimportant, but my name is Yeong Hi.
She gently tosses the disk into the lake.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
Inanna takes exactly 12 steps up the hill before realizing that she is not at all dressed, or up for, this kind of running. Come to a job, he says. Just take the ferry. No problem. There'd better be a good reason why we couldn't do this from a nice, even a crummy, bar. Inanna's boots threaten to stick in the mud, and she struggles to keep putting one foot in front of the other, almost exclusively looking down as she does so, when suddenly she feels herself lifting up, her feet leave the mud, and Inanna panics, thinking at first that she's falling. But the sensation is just the opposite. While she's no longer tethered to the side of the mountain, the direction Inanna is going is up, just a meter or so off the ground. She looks around helplessly, to see Ivory Tower's smiling face, as she leads the way. "Thanks, omae," she says softly, knowing that IT can't hear her, but scared to speak any louder for fear of what else it up here with them.
When the storm rolls in suddenly, Inanna pulls her jacket around close. At least if she was walking, she could build up a little body heat, but still, the ride is much better than trying to navigate the path below on foot. She seriously doubts her ability to keep up with the rest of the team should that be the case. Still, the hail, the bitter wind, it chills Inanna to the bone as they make their trek upward. When the storm clears, and they find themselves at the top, she's relieved when her feet touch the ground again, and Inanna cleans her boots off on a nearby rock.
When she approaches the lake, Inanna literally has to catch her breath. For a brief moment the cold, the storm, the elements of the climb, all leave her mind, and she stands transfixed. Beautiful. It takes a moment before she realizes that the old lady is talking to her, and somewhat numb, Inanna accepts the candle and mumbles a brief thank you. When she does look down, she has a little trouble making sense of the flint and steel. She flirts with the idea of asking James to light her candle for her, but something about the lake makes her want to do this herself. She strikes once, twice, three times before she's able to get a good spark,but once she does, the candle gleams to life, and she feels immediately better.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
The rest of the climb is utterly miserable for Yako, she was wishing she had changed into her armor jacket with its insulation. Panting from the exertion, augmented muscles aching, ears and tail drooping, for a while her world collapses into one foot in front of the other. She's visibly starting to sway a little when the reach the top, her eyes taking in the crater lake.
oh...
She stands, shivering in the cold and swaying, panting as she catches her breath. Her eyes take in the vista, her nose taking in the pure air and scents while her ears are untroubled by the noise and bustle of city life, the only thing missing is the void of where she's used to the Matrix being... but she's enough of a priestess to know she is standing on a sacred site, perhaps not to Shinto, or even any other religion, but sacred none the less and her perception shifts to the Astral almost without thought.
She receives the candle and instructions, giving their guide a slight, reverent bow, her body calming as it settles into the familiar pattern of ritual. Her steps are the most confidant they've been since she left Seoul before she stops, she knows she's in the right spot, her hands striking flint and tinder with practiced ease, sparks alighting perfectly on the first attempt. She lets her mind relax, breathing falling into a meditative pattern as she watches the disk being gently thrown into the lake.
-
Kyoko makes the best of the climb, her light and wiry frame helping with the unsteady ground. The torrent of water really unsettled her, it was just too coincidental to not have been a test.
Her grip held firm under the onslaught and she swung an arm down to help retard the pace of the guide's slide as the murky half-illuminated figures of the climbers below grabbed her.
Flea wiped a muddy hand across her forehead to remove the strands of sodden hair from her eyes and continued the ascent, cursing herself for agreeing to such a cold, shitty day.
She hoped the job at the end of this would be worth it as the temperature plummeted and tried to coax some life into her frozen fingers to manipulate a flame onto the candle she was given, struggling but taking heart at the success of the others
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
The torch was warm and IT quickly regained her forces. She knew nothing about ritual spells and was excited to see how the summoning will work – how could a mundane summon a spirit? She thought to herself – there is so much I do not know.
Then again, the spirit summoned us without using magic just social connections. we got out of our way to this clearly hostile zone to just to answer the call – not knowing if we will even strike a deal. The spirit probably wanted to negotiate from a place of strength, someplace she felt comfortable. Inanna would have picked another place, but can we even begin to understand what is so attractive about this place?
We are not very different than spirits answering their summoned calls, but we hope to get some nuyen to pay our bills – spirits generally find no use for nuyen ... perhaps I pay my spirits with a currency that is of no significance to me but is important to them - but with what?
The idea that summoning was slavery seemed absurd – there is no way I am strong enough to *force* spirits that are just as strong and just as smart as me to do my bidding. Perhaps spirits cannot or will not break their word – so they become slaves to their own agreements. Meta humans value actions more than words, talk is cheap. But spirits have no bodies, they may experience this plane like we experience a dream - this is not the *real* place for them. Like astral is not *real* to us.
She then stopped her thoughts - lets not get overly analytic about it now. Here and now, there is an angry water spirit that would ENJOY this ritual so much! She projected her mind into the astral. She was looking for the free water spirit Achim Angae: thinking “You have to come and see it – I know you will enjoy it, Meta-humans summoned by a great spirit – it is starting now come quickly!”
Shortly after she returned to her body, stood up and waited for instructions, she was excited.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/wRaqFog.png)
Ivory feels the familiar sense of bemusement she sensed before, during the beginning of the storm, but no acceptance of her invitation is obvious.
You each settle into your place as the wax from your candles melts, rolling down to the ground, then extending out into thin strands across the ground and into the lake where the metallic pendant somehow floats to the very center of the lake. The green threads make their way across the glassy surface of the volcanic lake, each meeting with the orange disk in the center.
Astrally, the lake suddenly bursts into a magical florescence as a massive swirling vortex of magical wind coalesces over the strange object at the center of the lake.
In the material plane, the wind suddenly picks up in powerful, hurricane-gale gusts. Curiously, the flames on your candles gently dance, but show no threat of being extinguished by the powerful winds. The air is soon filled with the flying debris of dead leaves, fallen branches, thousands of suddenly trapped insects, and thick clouds of water vapor. The various detritus converges at the center of the lake, forming a turbulent mosaic of a humanoid face.
Blasts of wind suddenly rush past each of you in powerful bursts. You hear no voices, but are impressed with an unspoken understanding of the being before you.
Welcome, We apologize for the difficulties you have experienced on your way to meet me. We regret we could not meet you in a more humanoid appropriate environment, but we are bound to this spot, and did not trust another to make this request of you. We thank you greatly for coming.
We will be as transparent with you as possible. We have a very unfortunate problem. Our emissary to this world has been taken from us. We know who has taken her, but due to her nature, there is little we can do to act against her. We require the talents of those able to work across both spiritual and technological worlds.
Your target is called Sister Mary Helens. She is the leader of a group of Catholic nuns known as the Sisters of His Persistent Hand. Do not be taken off guard by her religion or position. She and her sisters are awakened, powerful, and quite willing to resort to violence, seeing themselves as the direct hand of their god's more hostile whims.
Our emissary is called Kim Eun Ah. We do not know exactly where either is, however, Mary Helens is attached to a Cathedral in the city you call Seoul, by the name of Constancy. A direct attack on the Cathedral is not advised. Helens is very powerful, and likely has the Cathedral guarded quite well.
Before the capture of our emissary, Helen's had already made herself known to us. She works to eliminate the Shamanic traditions of this region, intending to replace them with the religion she follows. Not long ago, we understand Helens' Order was excommunicated by the Vatican due to her extremist views and violent execution of her proselytization, during which time we had expected her influence to be diminished. Unfortunately, this has not been the case.
The primary mission we give you is to locate our emissary and return her to us, preferably alive. For this, the shamans of our order will reward you with 2,000 units of your currency each. A further boon of 500 will be rewarded if she is return to us unharmed.
Additionally, a further boon of 2,000 each will be rewarded if you are able to uncover evidence of the source of funding for her order in this land. After their excommunication, it was expected that her order would fade, but it has instead grown more influential. There must be an explanation.
The winds calm for a moment as Yeong Hi rises, taking several small brown leather bags tied with string from her hiding spot. She walks the perimeter of the lake, stopping to hand each of you one bag. Anyone observing astrally can sense a powerful healing magic radiating from inside the bag.
We are not ignorant of the danger we are asking you to expose yourselves to. Should you find yourself grievously injured while carrying out our wishes, the powder contained within these bags will provide healing.
We do not offer merely currency in return for your service. If all goes well, you will also be rewarded with our favor, a commodity that can be quite valuable in times of dire need. The woman you know as Yeong Hi is authorized to negotiate in our stead, as the effort of manifesting in this world has now exhausted us. We await your decision with hope and optimism.
The collection of detritus collapses into the lake as the winds die down to a light breeze. Anyone awakened can still feel the heavy presence of the immense spirit.
-
The remaining hike is pleasant once the hail stops and the wind dies down. The icy patches pose some difficulty, but one James is ready to meet. In time, the all make it to the top and participate in the ritual. Jaws is utterly silent throughout, perhaps awed as James is, or absent by some agreement between spirits.
When the spirit "departs", leaving them to hammer out the details with the old woman, James seeks out Inanna. He has no doubt that she will be taking the lead - even though he barely knows the others, he is sure she is the most seasoned negotiator present - and he wants to offer her any assistance he can. The pay out sure seems reasonable - 4500 nuyen in all - but it puts him short of his monthly obligations by nearly 700 nuyen. And that doesn't account for expenses.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
IT was unskilled in the social arts - far very far from where she wanted to be. In fact earlier today was the first time she negotiated in order to solve a problem. During a run that is. She walked to Inanna and casually touched her hand.
"Just work your magic – but remember that my equipment is very expensive and we may lose a drone or two – binding spirits is also very expensive and I may need to use their services for this job. The more we get, the more dedicated we can be with my equipment. A well paid team is a well equipped one, and a well equipped one is a successful one. "
She could see that Inanna already felt the warm feeling of the spell sneaking into her. "Just do not get hooked", she whispered.
At this point IT did not even knew exactly how much money she had left – but she knew that at the end of the day, they’ll return to their life and she will need the nuyen to repair the drones, bind another spirit and pay rent. Despite the practicality she was more interested in the experience to be gained. In the adventure itself – she felt comfortable to have one of the best negotiators do *social magic* for her.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
When the spirit, or was it sprits? I can never tell, dissipates, Inanna approaches Yeong Hi, and says, "You honor us both with the journey, and the proposition. If you will allow me a moment to confer with my team, I am certain we can come to an agreement amenable to all parties involved."
With that, Inanna steps backward, and forms an impromptu huddle with the other runners. She nods knowingly when her teammates spell out their concerns. 2,400¥ is definitely light for this kind of work. She presses a finger pensively to her lips as they talk, and thinks about lighting another smoke, but thinks better of it. Too beautiful a place to pollute, if it wasn't necessary. When they're finished, Inanna and the team approach Yeong Hi again.
"We take no offense at the price given, and we mean no offense by offering a counter, but I am afraid that 2,400¥, including bonuses, is too minimal a payment both for the quality of those you've assembled, and for the nature of the work. We will require the use of spirits, most likely long-term, and that is an expensive proposition. IT here," Inanna says gesturing to Ivory, "will be putting a lot of her drones to work on this project, some of which we will not expect to be salvageable at the job's completion. You must also take into account, Yeong Hi, that what you are proposing is what we refer to in our line of work as an 'extraction.' This is not a smash-and-grab, where the payload can fit on a data-chip. This is not espionage, or decoy work, or a protection, or delivery run. This is a combination of all the worse that the above have to offer, and the more working parts there are to a machine, the greater the likelihood of complications. So, what I propose is a 3,500¥ base pay per runner, with 750¥ per runner bonus upon the safe return of Kim Eun Ah. 5,000¥ of this fee must be paid up-front, as I'm sure this is a job that will require a great deal of what we simply categorize as 'expenses.' People will need to be paid off, equipment will need to be found and purchased, and none of it can happen outside the shadows. Additionally, I ask that you provide our magical support with 40 drams of reagents, as I'm sure they are less costly, though no less sacred, to you and your order, than they are to those of us who live in the city.
"Yeong Hi, I have heard of these Sisters of His Persistent hand, and it would be a sleight to the business at hand if I didn't tell you that the prospect of this job brings me great pleasure. I have heard whisperings in the shadows. My hope is that we may find Kim Eun Ah in time."
-
Yeong Hi looks to the ground, apparently slightly embarrassed.
"I apologize, the spirits are unfamiliar with the realities of material economy. This is why they have sent me to negotiate. Of course, your terms are acceptable. I can also guarantee replacement or repair of any lost drones."
She shuffles over yet again to the false stone under which so much is hidden, returning with three long thin sticks of dulled matte metal.
"Apologies, I didn't know the exact amount you would want, but these three should be 6,000 nuyen together. Consider the extra 1,000 a bonus of good faith."
She pushes the credsticks into Innana's hands. Anyone checking the amounts will find one with 2,500 nuyen, the second with 750, and the third containing 2,750.
"Reagents are no problem, however, unless one of you is mudang, you may find what we have on hand to be unsuitable. We can arrange for their preparation by the next 12 hours. I will be glad to have them delivered to any address you wish.
Her pleasant demeanor falters for just a moment, as she looks to be at the edge of tears.
Just... please catch them. Stop them. Chuseok is so close, and if they move to strike against our ancestors...
She sharply turns her back to you, crouching low on the ground. You hear the familiar sound of faint sobs being swallowed. She turns back, slightly red around the eyes.
My apologies; is there anything else you need?
-
Yeong Hi looks to the ground, apparently slightly embarrassed.
"I apologize, the spirits are unfamiliar with the realities of material economy. This is why they have sent me to negotiate. Of course, your terms are acceptable. I can also guarantee replacement or repair of any lost drones."
"Please, good sister, I mean no condescension. For those unfamiliar with our work, your proposed sum would indeed seem adequate."
Inanna gracefully receives the credsticks, and passes them to James for safe keeping. When the frail woman begins to falter, Inanna steps forward, embraces her, and gives her a brief kiss on the cheek.
Just... please catch them. Stop them. Chuseok is so close, and if they move to strike against our ancestors...
"I can make no promises as to the outcome, but know there will be no rest until we've done as you ask." With that Inanna releases the old woman, and asks Ivory to provide her with a suitable address for the reagents to be delivered.
Now, to get down.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
James stands near Inanna while she talks, looking for an opportunity to back her or help redirect the conversation should it veer, but Inanna handles it flawlessly. Soon they have an agreement - an additional ¥1750 will allow James to meet his monthly obligation and pocket a little to use for some kit he'd had his eye on. He took the credsticks Inanna had offered, made sure everybody saw the amounts on them, then secreted them on his body. It seemed a dirty business to distribute the wealth here. When they established some base of operations and had a little time and privacy, they could divvy it up properly.
He took in the view from the clearing one last time, upset that he didn't have a parachute that he could use to base jump down, and turned to offer assistance to any of his teammates for the trip back to their vehicles.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
Even spirits have to move with the times it seems.
Sabato put the candle down.This place was almost like a folktale come alive but if he had made any steps towards enlightment, he couldn't tell.Still, nuyen was nuyen, and a favor from a powerful spirit was not a small reward.
He prepared himself for the long descent.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
Ivory watched at Inanna with admiration, she couldn’t have talked like that even if she was given days to prepare.
Wait guys… : we are probably in the most secure place that we will ever be. There is no matrix reception, high spirit activity and hostile conditions and we are all here. This is the ideal place to make our initial planning.
Koyko, isn’t it? I totally missed you in the ferry I apologize I am probably a bit rusty. I am Ivory nice to meet you. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Before we depart, let me suggest that we each go to Seoul separately, at our own time. We should not be seen all together. Our enemies are powerful, and are probably expecting some sort of extraction operation. They may even be a step ahead of us let’s not make it easier. If no one knows what we are going to do, no one can betray us.
I am personally not going to talk to anyone until we are back. I plan to use my spirit to go down, watch you from above and make sure you made it safely and then head off to my business- Hopefully I can catch an earlier ferry. That way we’re not seen together. She eye Inanna – I can take you also – you probably have a lot of leg work to do.
Since magicians can identify other awakened from a mile away so I suggest finding a safe house that is either underground or in a densely populated building. Mages cannot project underground, and the only method we can remain hidden is within a large group of people. So a wine cellar of a busy restaurant should make an excellent hide out.
Also the sisters are awakened – they will probably have spirits to protect them. These are immune to regular weapons. So if things go south, you’ll either need a really massive damage dealer – or some sort of magical protection. I know little of weapons – but if you use them you should know what weapons work the best in this case.
I can survey our magical options: The simple one is to bind spirits of our own– fight fire with fire. I already have a single spirit for long term service and I can always summon another one for a short service. I can command a total of 4 spirits at a time, 3 bound and 1 summoned. I should be able to bind a second spirit with the regents we get along with my own resources – I will definitely do it.
If we want that 3rd bound spirit it will be a bit expensive – but I am putting it out there because one can never have too many spirits on their side and I will need to do it in advance so I can recover my strength before the action starts.
The cost is around 2500 nuyen, or 125 regents.
An interesting other option is a spirit horn – or a ‘Shofar’ in Hebrew. These magical items are quite expensive but are able to force spirits back to the astral, and may distract them long enough for us to make the actual extraction. They are quite expensive and single use, and require a good Talismonger contact. The good stuff is that anyone can operate them. I believe a good one will cost around 5k nuyen. So they may be too expensive for us but they are be very effective at what they do.
One final thought – I’ll probably do some matrix searches to see what we can learn before we depart – if anyone is any good with technology and want to work with me I promise a nice dinner in a quiet place with heating and good alcohol. There is nothing I can do nothing about the company tough she giggles.
You do not have to decide now - but should definitely do so before we depart to Seoul. As I am more comfortable doing magic here rather than in a place where it might draw the wrong kind of attention.
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(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
Sabato's Korean are far from polished
"I agree that we need to be discreet.Going to Seoul separately is a good idea.But until we know about Cathedral's security measures we should avoid forming attack plans.For all we know the Sisters may be excellent banishers but they may lack technical surveillance counter-measures"
-
I sometime get over excited - it is good to know our options tough. I definitely could use a drink, everything will look better tomorrow.
-
Yep, Kyoko, most people call me Flea though. She smiled and bowed slightly.
In terms of what i can offer the team; I'm fairly good with a deck and can run, jump and climb to get to where most deckers can't.
I agree that we need to be careful about who we're seen with now. I'll have a scout and see what kind of Matrix presence the cathedral has and what it's security is like once I get to a safe place with decent 'Trix connection. It would be good to work together, two heads are better than one as they say.
-
After hearing Kyoko - Flea - speak for the first time James files away the information. This little team has quite the Matrix presence. He introduces himself.
"I'm James. My gift is getting into places undetected. I'm also not too shabby in a close-in fight."
He then turns to the group and says his piece.
"If they are watching this island, then they have already seen us come up the mountain together - and might even be watching right now - so splitting up at this point might simply put us a t a disadvantage should they decide to take action against us. I don't think any of us should travel alone, so if we do split up, it should be into groups of at least two."
James looks around furtively for any signs of surveillance, and tries to push the possibility that one of them might be an infiltrator from his mind. He figures that the Astral security here is top notch, and the Matrix presence - or even technological presence - here is so small that physical surveillance would be the enemy's best chance of success.
"I think we should take care of any last minute business and head to Seoul post-haste. We have a strong Matrix capability that could gather intel while we're en route. I've also heard that some mages can - what do they call it - project. That could also get us some intel while we are travelling. The rest of us will keep an eye out so that you can do your work in relative safety."
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
Well James, the way I see it - until this moment we had *relatively* nothing to hide. As we did not accept the gig and most. Tracking us before this point is... is nothing less than amazing. Especially since we did look, both in the astral and the physical world.
Most of us may have possible reasons to be here. For example, I haven’t been active for the last 10 months. I became sort of spiritual in that time and I could totally see myself going here to learn more about the magical world.
Yako is also magical and might have come to this place from similar reasons.
You yourself, look like you could be into mountain climbing – and may I guess that the thought of some free climbing possibly have crossed your mind, perhaps under a greener sky you could have been a professional athlete or even a mountain climber.
There is also this holyday –‘Chuseok’ that is a big deal around here and people often do all sort of pilgrimage.
I do not know about your chosen identities, I pick mine to always have reasons to travel. This time I am a competitive chess player. I could just as well find chess competition in Seoul – heck, if the dates align I might even attend it.
For those of you that do not mesh with technology it is a very popular and highly illegal matrix game. The rules are identical to well chess, but your clock only has 15 seconds for the entire game. Also, if you get check-mate rather than surrender – you literally get dumped and may suffer brain damage or physical injury. It is good money tough, and if you have the discipline to give up before you get check-mated you are quite safe. The thing is… it takes a few seconds to disconnect gracefully and you have to stay in game during that time.
Never mind that, I am sure you all may have legitimate reasons to travel, it is not like I invented the system. The image of us riding our bikes like a street gang to Seoul is blunt – it will get people talking, forces in the shadow business moving and before you know it we will be tracked from as the moment we enter that city.
I agree that couples or smaller groups can work for us. It is a trade off after all.
Flea, lets meet tomorrow noon and do some cooperative matrix searches- It will be fun. There is this place I like with synthetic alcohol that recently upgraded their software. The price is the same, but the taste is well...improved. Tough I wish we could afford the real thing.
About astral projecting it is a great tool but it can also be dangerous. Sure I could project from here to Seoul and I may even have some time to find something. But I could be targeted in the astral as well. On the good side, I could help you with spirits on the astral, but on the bad side I will not dare to try and spy the cathedral from here as the distance to my body is too long.
If I am caught there, you'll just see that the hours pass and I do not wake up. So, lets definitely try it, but once we are closer to Seoul. I must say that I am not used to being a mage, I am still a bit afraid of mages, not knowing what they are capable off. The more I learn about magic, the more I justify this fear.
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(http://i.imgur.com/wRaqFog.png)
You each split off to your various hidey-holes and safe-houses for the night. Anyone without one is free to use a small apartment located 10 minutes from here, offered to all interested by a quick AR pop-up message seemingly sent by someone attached to the Temple you are working for.
The Awakened party members are disturbed by another AR pop-up as they settle down for the night. Cautiously checking the door, it seems a delivery drone has dropped off a small silk-wrapped package for each of you. Nestled within its folds is a largish bottle filled with 100 drams of reagents suitable to your tradition.
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
Ivory was happy when she got the message… "I will stay here for the night" she said to the rest.
"I feel that this mountain is an ideal place to bind a spirit. The order should also have some regents that I can borrow".
She though:
I should try to get the help of a spirit of air, as these are the fastest spirits I can summon. I can totally picture her, grabbing the emissary and flying away to safety.
And then said:
Flea, the whole process will consume the entire morning, so we’ll have to meet during the evening for some matrix action. She gives her an address, no need to contact me in any way – just show up I will be there once I am done here. I am looking forward to working with you. Contact me just if the plans have changed for some reason.
She settles for a night in near the mountain, her room is small but cozy. She planned to get some regents in the morning, but as a drone delivered her regents during the night she decided to to the binding on the place. She did not leave her bed, instead she projected to the mountain where she felt it is easier to do the job.
The first part was easy, she quickly summons an air spirit. Thank you for coming she thinks... I require your services for a long term period. What do you say?
The binding process took around 5 hours, and was rather difficult. She felt drained... she was successful. The spirit agreed to help her. Ivory returned to her body and went to sleep. She woke up at noon, refreshed and relaxed. After a polite tribute to the temple - and not before thanking the priests again and reassuring them that she will get the job done, she rushed to the ferry.
Back at Busan, she headed to her favorite restaurant (at her budget). It was an improvised gig on the roof of an old building. Each patron had a small tent full of pillows and a small oven for heating. Drones delivered drinks and the entire operation was automatic. The only human there was a rigger that served as backup for cases where the drones got their orders mixed. He also never left his booth.
Ivory liked that place, not for the great view or privacy – but because of the awesome matrix reception. Another obvious bonus was that she didn't have to pay for food and drinks – not for a long time. As she once hacked the systems and added a thousand mills to her balance. She placed some AR markers for Flea and ordered some food and drinks while she waited.
-
Ok, that sounds like a good start, though I'll probably be on the soft drinks while I'm working. See you soon
She headed off to the provided safehouse, looking forward to getting warm, dry and clean after the pseudo-mudslide on the ascent.
The streets were quiet as she finally got down to civilisation, brushing as much of the crap off her rapid transit coveralls as she could before heading onto the main road.
It'd been some time since she'd last eaten and her stomach rumbled to remind her. Spotting a vending machine on a street corner, Flea bought a pot of instant noodles from the dispenser and tucked in to them as she walked the short distance to the safehouse before checking it out.
-
Seeing it as a good opportunity to catch up, James finds Inanna and offers to travel with her to Seoul. The local digs are amenable to him as a place to rest up and prepare for the longer journey ahead and he suggests as much. As for the actual trip, he doesn't recall seeing a vehicle for her and suspects that she's one to rent as needed. That suits him just fine as his bike is an embarrassment, but tolerated because it is functional. He'd take a hired car any day. They hammer out the details and then head to the inn to retire and get a good night's rest before a long day of travel.
Before he leaves the clearing, he says goodbye to Yeong Hi and once again assures her that her trust has not been misplaced. He does his best to make a respectful gesture to the spirits, but only has trid shows to go with for reference, so he can only hope that it is sufficient.
That done, he rejoins with Inanna and they head out together.
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
Okay, let’s get started. She arrived at the restaurant some time before Flea and planned for a long night of auto driving. She hoped James and Inanna would find a safe house by the time she arrives at Seoul. Finishing the night in a real bed should be fun enough.
Magic makes matrix stuff a bit easier she said as she gently touched Flea's hand. Nothing apparent happened, but Flea could felt almost supernaturally aware of her surroundings. This spell gives me the senses to really appreciate food and music... But it is also good for matrix searches - and dodging bullets if you are that kind of person. But, lets stick to matrix searches for tonight tough... the bullets can wait for tomorrow.
I think we should aim to first discover their list of members, suppliers, possible connections, rivals and planned schedule. Once we know the list of people involved, we can try to uncover some dirt – everyone has secrets, if we uncover some human weakness that Inanna can later do her magic more efficiently. Extortion in my book is always better then direct assault.
Also, we could possibly try to reveal clues about their intentions kidnapping the emissary - why did they do it? What are they planning to do with her? She then giggles, I just assumed the Emissary is female- but I am not sure it was explicitly mentioned.
The last thing I can think off, we can try to find other interested parties – perhaps there are more kidnapped Mundags from other orders. Perhaps we can even locate someone in the Vatican or any of their other rivals that may be willing to land us a hand.
Wait a minute I have another idea: She then text Inanna:
<<Hey darling, do you trust anyone in the Vatican? They may be open for business, send me a name and we’ll background check it, IT>>
She thought:
Perhaps there is secret escape route hidden under the cathedral, or who knows what other nasty secrets the Vatican has. … they may be paranoid enough to keep most of their knowledge in non technological means… but they may also be desperate enough to share – just so they can have their little revenge.
She finished her glass of soy based synthetic red wine – quickly refilled it and then emptied it again. It will give a nice buzz later - so I can sleep better in the car.
Let’s continue this in VR, but before we do… You may want to position yourself a lot closer – and cover that cable. I have some drones looking over us – but they would not shoot anyone just for being curious... I bet you can imagine - why normal people come to places like this...
She sends her a naughty look, finds herself a nice comfortable position and places her cable and deck in a way that they are hidden under a pillow. She does not wait and quickly enter VR. Her body goes numb... as she begins searching the matrix.
Her last non technical thought was:
I wonder just how close she will actually position herself…
-
At the bottom of the mountain, Inanna makes plans to ride to Seoul with James. She makes it clear that she will be going back to her apartment, alone, tonight, and that she will swing by for him in a rented car the following morning.
The ferry ride, and subsequent cab back to Inanna's apartment are uneventful, and she lets her mind wander to the impending job. The payout should be solid, but she expects the work to be difficult. And dangerous. But in her mind, this is exactly the kind of job a burgeoning fixer would like to have under her belt. The experience, the new team, the combination of mundane and awakened threats, yes, this is the kind of job that build one's rep, that shows the shadow community that Inanna is suited for this, despite her pampered upbringing. And it will speak to loyalty as well, how she and her compatriots stood up to a shadowy and powerful organization that threatened the stability and traditions of her adopted Korea. Still, she's scared shitless by the time she gets home.
Inanna ascends the stairs to her third floor apartment. Elevator out again, of course. It's late, but she messages Whisperer as soon as she latches the door behind her.
<<Send Message
<<Recipient: Whisperer
<<Message: Coulda warned me about James, omae. That aside, thanks for thinking of me. I think we got a winner. Looking for a safehouse in Seoul. Can you help a chummer out? Standard rates apply, of course.
Next, Inanna puts on her trodes and AR gloves, and fires off into the matrix, looking for any useful information on the Order of His Persistent Hand, and there location in Seoul. If she can figures out who controls the territory, she figures that's just that much of a leg-up when the team starts planning. When it starts to get really late, or is it early now, Inanna gets a few hours of sleep before she calls a car service, and swings by to pick up James.
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(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
The whole experience on the mountain top left Yako a little awed, observing a Great Spirit in the Astral had definitely confirmed her suspicions of the mountain being a sacred place. The negotiations passed by her in a blur as it took her some time to ground herself in the physical world again, the trip back down the mountain almost as grueling as the trip up.
As for the job itself it seemed Kitsune had been right, it was her mix of magical ability and augmentations that was the most likely reason she was here. Magic to counter the Awakened of the Order, but the Augmentations to give her an edge hopefully unexpected of a sorcerer.
At the offered apartment Yako collapsed, aching and sore from the walk, it was probably only the ARO hitting her DNI that she paid attention enough to collect the parcel. She was a bit surprised that there had been a supplier of Shinto reagents in the area to supply 100 drams worth on such a short notice, and she wasn't sure what she would do with so many, but she carefully stowed them away regardless. Although not as useful to her as a conjuror or alchemist there was still some use she could put them to in her spellcasting to manipulate the power of her spells.
She was a little surprised to be going back to Seoul for a job, she preferred to work outside of the city to avoid notice, but you can't always pick your jobs. She spent an hour or so planning her next move, deciding that she would ride in on the secondary motorways, it would take a little longer, but she would hopefully draw less attention and her bike would hopefully get linked to her fake SIN, she had a safehouse in the city for when she needed to lay low so she'd go straight there. She considered reaching out to her contacts over the Matrix, but decided t best to keep her Matrix profile to a minimum and wait to visit them in person.
With her course laid out and everything set to her fake SIN and licenses she went out to her bike and started the long ride back to Seoul.
-
The evening went well, all things considered. Inanna and James caught up on the intervening months since they'd last met and the offered accommodations were comfortable - more comfortable than Jame's own apartment. Inanna seemed to think that James had more amorous intentions and let him down lightly, which was awkward because James had not intended to come off as interested. Not that he hadn't been in the past - Inanna's parents had been right to worry - but times had changed, and James viewed Inanna more as a distant relative than a potential conquest. James's conquests in the line of duty were not as common as those of the great James Bond, but they were no less legendary in the small circle in which James ran, and so the misunderstanding was not completely surprising.
The recent truth of things, however, was that Rei was filling more of his spare time than he cared to admit, and he had found himself second guessing himself in regards to pursuing exotic women more than a few times.
At any rate, the situation was cleared up and the evening progressed. The following day saw them return to Busan to finalize things before heading to Seoul. James had little to do to prepare, so he spent part of the day with Rei and part of the day exercising and meditating.
The next morning, Inanna stops by with a rented car and they start the long trip north.
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(http://i.imgur.com/5VDJ4ht.png)
Diving into the Matrix, you sail for hours through public records and databases, cross-referencing missing persons reports with databases of the registered mudang in Korea. Precious few mentions of Kim Eun Ah are available. You thank the powers of the Matrix that the name is very old fashioned and relatively rare. Digging through an encrypted feed, you manage to find a hole in the communications; a relay through an antique wired node that somehow evaded notice along the connections from what you suspect could be a host connected to the Cathedral. You recover a list of names, untitled, but containing the list of the missing mudang you are searching for.
The list is lengthly, and none of the other names really stand out as immediately important to you... until you link them to a similar list published by the Korean Ministry of Sorcery and Shamanism. It seems these are all names of mudang registered to lead the Chuseok ceremonies across the nation, during which they are to summon the dead back to their families for fellowship over the three day holiday. Over half the list has turned up missing, the latest having been reported just hours ago.
Police reports all note that no signs of struggle seem to be at the scenes of most of the disappearances, with only one being the exception. It seems the head mudang of Busan, an elven women in her late 50's, the first to go missing, left her chambers a hellscape of scorched walls, a shattered floor, and shattered windows. Witnesses responding entered the room to find a large hole blasted through the wall leading out of the Temple. The woman's affectations, fetishes, foci, etc., were scatter about the room, still radiating magic, probably from recent use.
Social media feeds are tougher to search, as they are blowing up with the news of the mudang meant to lead the Chalyae, or Tea Rites, suddenly disappearing. There is a growing social panic nation-wide as Chuseok draws nearer. Police and even major corporations are pledging increased security around the homes and temples of these mudang, but so far to no avail.
Digging around files on the Sisters of His Persistent Hand nets you an unexpected source of useful information. Buzzing around the Vatican Host is an icon in the shape of a pair of floating black sunglasses on an invisible head. Seeing your interest in the sisterhood, it begins to pester you, annoying at first, with it's wild conspiracy theories and extreme anti-religion rhetoric, but it does mention a payload of data it was able to lift from secured Vatican servers. With very little prodding, it is happy to share what it has found with you, and gives you an ID to contact it in the future if you need further help.
Many hours later, you manage to squeeze yourself into a particularly tight Host that shows strong signs of belonging to the very Cathedral you are casing. Patrol IC maintain a very tight vigil, and all files in the host are locked, but you manage to lift some interesting information from a small cache of very well-hidden files that, due to their need for quick transport, could not be locked down quite as tightly.
Most files contain simple delivery orders. One contains an order for four large, very heavy shipment from a top artisan corporation based in the Vatican; No Idle Hands Inc. The file is vague and obviously designed to hide its source from a casual investigator. An addendum attached reveals a complaint that while three of the packages had arrived, the fourth has been detained in customs until a duty fee is paid. It is marked as Extremely Urgent.
A more interesting file contains a large number of very high-nuyen donations from a mix of corporations and individuals. None of them link to anything but pseudonyms and shell corporations. Further digging allows you to trace nearly all of them back to a single name; Renraku. Specifically, a Renraku subsidiary based in Pyeongyang called simply Revivification Industries. Their social feeds seem to suggest that they are largely focused on industrializing the North through a program of intensive mass production and export.
A number of media feeds from more public sources heavily blast the corporation for their heavy pollution and ongoing deforestation of the former DMZ. A great number of M1919 in particular are very focused on bringing this corporation down permanently, even having gone so far as committing acts of eco-terrorism against them. Most teams involved in such actions have never been seen or heard from again. News reports of Matrix attacks against them nearly all report the death of the hacker(s) involved.
(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
You load up the car and begin to get underway. Traffic isn't too terrible just yet, with two days to go before festivities begin, but you shudder to imagine what it might be like tomorrow night. As you weave your way expertly through traffic, you notice a couple of helmeted riders on motorcycles keeping a fairly constant distance behind you. Their faces are masked by a black tinted visor. Any time you attempt to slow to see if they will catch up, they both split up and speed on ahead through traffic, only to return again a few minutes later behind you.
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
Unsurprisingly, you are able to find a few runners who openly identify as Catholic. Most are non-responsive to your probes, but one messages you back within minutes. Her name is simply Catherine, a retired Vatican enforcer who has taken a personal interest in the excommunicated group of nuns. She is brief on the Matrix, asking you to meet her in person if you wish to know more.
You have no problem finding the physical location of the Persistent Hand. The Host, in the form of a pair of massive pearly gates attached to a medieval style fortress, openly advertises itself on AR and broadcasts a curt but clear warning.
"Trespassers, Matrix, magic, or otherwise, WILL meet their maker."
Searching for gangs in the area, you find a few disgruntled members of various street scum attached peripherally to the Yakuza (mostly as rabble-rousers) who have been forced out of the area by hostile spirits taking bizarre forms. Most are too terrified to ever return. Anyone who had a presence here has long since abandoned it to the Sisters.
Later that evening, as James and Inanna depart together in a rented car. Both have an uncanny feeling of being watched...
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(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
As soon as Sabato notices the riders, he starts unpacking his Ares Alpha, being as discreet as possible.He calmly turns to Ivory Tower while he loads the weapon with APDS rounds.
"Can you see if our escorts have any weapons linked to their commlinks?Also, can you check the local GridGuide for any choke points ahead where they might be able to ambush us?"
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
IT, eye Sabato as he loads his Ares Alpha – I figured you’ll have a gun... Ares makes the best guns and the alpha is an exceptional model. She smiles… She always feels a bit proud when a client chose Ares. Let me just guess that our followers also have some protection, every ganger has something.
I have another plan; we can try and lose them with fancy driving and a little magic. I’ll try to find a good time where they momentarily lose line of sight and cast the invisibility spell, then being invisible I’ll jump in to the car and show these armatures what real driving feels like.
She discreetly cast a spell to improve her senses, and then scout the astral to see what their trackers are like.
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(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
Sabato was dissapointed by IC's lack of cooperation and patience.
He had been trained to fight in a unit where each role was clear so he tended to forget that shadowrunners had different insticts.
Mentally cursing he turns his rifle aiming through the rear windshield , prepared to dissuade their pursuers from engaging in combat.
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
When IT sees Sabato fleshes his gun she get stressed - we NEED that windshield and you show our hand too quickly.
She cast the invisibility spell and suddenly turn the car 180 degrees - at full speed ahead avoiding traffic she drives like a speed deamon to the other side, trying to find a nice side road to enter.
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
Peering into the astral, you see cyberware apparently located in the eyes, arms, and heads of your pursuers, but no indication that they have any Awakened characteristics.
As you whip the car around and blast the opposite way through traffic, you succeed in losing one of your pursuers to a particularly lucky (for you) knot of traffic blocking the path to you. Unfortunately, the other seems equally skilled at dodging and weaving the wrong way through traffic, ramps gracefully off the windshield of a sports care, and is now gaining on you, no longer concerned with subtlety.
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
IT texts Sabato: PLEASE do not shoot them through the glass I am wired into the car I will feel it!!!
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(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
Baro leans out the window, carefully lining up his shot against his opponent and squeezing the trigger.
The attack was well aimed, but the helmeted combatant apparently saw it coming by a split second, swerving just fractions of a second before Baro pulled the trigger, sending the attack off with an uncomfortably near miss.
Meanwhile, Ivory kicks the car into high gear, roaring down the wrong way of the one way street, expertly weaving in and out of traffic with almost superhuman reaction time, quickly increasing the distance between her and the biker by 100 meters.
The attacker, now unable to reliably detect the car, releases control of the bike and raises his/her palm at eye level, quickly glances over the target area, and quickly sprays a stream of bullets from a small hole in the center of his/her palm at the best-guessed location of the vehicle.
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(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
As she rides down the lightly trafficked road, Yako begins to get a strong sense that something magical is definitely within a very close proximity to her. The presence is difficult to miss; the aura is intense as a wave of nausea washes over her.
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(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
James relaxes in the car as Inanna crawls into the back seat to sleep. Just as he begins to drift just a bit, he notices a small wisp of barely visible white smoke rising from underneath the hood of the vehicle.
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(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
Kyoko rides back to her safehouse, the events of the day running through her mind. She is distracted momentarily by a sudden metallic ping resonating off the body of her bike, but after listening a few minutes more, the unusual sound does not return.
She arrives safely and unmolested at the safehouse.
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(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
The resonating ping off the bike worried her awfully. She'd heard of teams being brought down by tracker rounds or electronic sabotage to the key components.
Taking no chances, she turns the bike off and pulls back the seat to reveal the battery terminals. Gently she unclips them and takes a look over the bike in AR, searching for silent running devices before sweeping the bike carefully and thoroughly with the tag eraser.
Cursing out loud as she found the first tracker round, she removed it and zapped it repeatedly with her tag eraser before stamping it into pieces.
Making sure it was the only one, she resumed the search, making sure to leave no nook or cranny unchecked.
She began to feel uneasy as she found the second one tucked away deeply.
This was seriously not good....
She removed it and left it in the garage, presumably still communicating to its owner as she got back on the bike.
Now her position had been broadcast, the safehouse was not going to be safe.
She merged with traffic and made for the downtown district in search of a coffin motel for the night.
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(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
James is concerned about the wisp of smoke and checks the instrument AROs for the car, looking for any signs of problems. The car reports that it is in tip-top shape. James recalled an earlier run he was on where a decker caused a critical failure in an elevator system, much to the consternation of the passengers - and much to the benefit of his team's negotiation position - all the while keeping the security forces in the dark by tricking their status displays into reporting everything as performing nominally. He decided to wake Inanna, just in case this turned out to be a precursor to bigger problems.
"Hey, Inanna, sorry to wake you, but we might have car trouble." Or it might be something else - James was familiar enough with spirits to know that they sometimes were visible on the physical plane when passing through. Enough that they could be seen, even without mage sight. A faint shimmer, or a wisp of steam or smoke.
Jaws, there may be some spirits about in need of a little disrupting. Can you help an ass-kicker out? He hoped that the appeal to Jaws base desires would inspire him to help.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
Inanna awakes with a small string of drool running down her cheek. She turns her head, so that James can't see her wiper her face clean and says, "Alright, I'm up. What's up?" When James repeats himself, she says, "Ok, umm, this is no good. Should we hit up the train station drop the car off, and re-evaluate from there?"
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
Common common common... IT is looking for some way out, some crazy or even desperate feat that will put her out of the line of sight of the bikers. Will they manage to keep up? She hope not because they seem like they could finish her off before she would even notice. She is not used to danger being so close, she is afraid.
Lucky there is Sabato, but can she trust him? He could afford to take a bullet, he was built for the action. She survived so far because she did not attract the attention of such combat monsters. Not unprepared, if only her body was in a safe place she could probably take them down. This should not have happened she thought as she kept driving, trying to avoid getting crushed looking for her way out.
The other cars were completely unaware of the drama, nearly crushing with her in a deadly accident. The stakes were so high and yet they were so calm. She said a digital prayer to her mentor - the silent one - he was all about slaying dragons, giving up fear. Being the best person you can be.
She felt as if he had given her inner strength, tranquility, there was the car there was the road, and nothing else. Her mind was completely focused as she navigated the street nearly crushing at times but not disturbing the peace.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
"Works for me. A public venue might discourage any overt attacks as well if this is enemy action."
James disengages the vehicle's autopilot and takes the wheel. "Guide me there" he asks Inanna.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Yako gasps and quickly pulls over to the side of the road. She's so focused on trying to keep her last meal where it's supposed to be that she misses the car barreling through the lane she's merging into, her Reflex Enhancers and skill in riding a bike combined are just barely enough to prevent a collision and keep the bike under control.
Once she's finally pulled over safe, and still a bit shaken by the very near accident she looks into the astral, one hand on the bike to keep herself steady as she fights off the nausea.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
Inanna pulls up directions on GridGuide from a burner comm, and tells James to take the next left. "Ok, it depends on how quickly you think we need to get out of this hunk. I'd rather drop the car off at the train station, if possible, so we don't have to pay for a car we're not using, but if it comes down to eating my deposit, or walking away from this, it's hit the streets time."
Inanna buckles in, checks her taser, and directs James to the train station.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
Sabato would have prefered to face these cowards in close combat.Not that he didn't trust IT to keep them alive until he was finished with them.Running the shadows with his old crew member, Dead End, had taught him to trust good drivers with his life.He could actually remember being in similar situations: The elven girl doing impossible stunts while he tried to shoot armed targets.
When he caught himself thinking of her he was surprised.
Concentrate, you fool.You have become rusty.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
"Well, let's see if the car makes it to the station. I'd rather have the car as an option if things go south than be facing our foes on foot if they have vehicles. Worst comes to worst, we can always get out and walk. I'll keep it fairly slow and if the car starts to do anything unexpected, I'll kill the wireless, then the power."
James follows the directions as Inanna gives them, and absently double checks all his gear, making sure it was concealed, but ready. If he had to, he could chat up a law enforcement officer without fear of being arrested for possessing items of dubious legal status. So long as they didn't check his duffel too closely. He'd done so many times before - including some fairly thorough pat-downs.
Meanwhile, Jaws makes a show of mulling over James's request for help. All the spirits I see are prey, deserving of little more than sating my hunger. You will need to be more specific, Woo-jin. Or perhaps I will just choose one at random, for the sport of it. Little minnows scurrying about, hoping to escape my gullet.
Which ones swim too close, braving your James swallowed his pride a little before continuing with a subtle compliment fearsome presence to try to do me harm?
Seeing that the conversation might drag on for a bit, James transmits a message to the rest of the team.
>> @Team [James] I'm probably being paranoid, but Inanna and I are ditching our rental car for fear it has been compromised. I'll update if my fears are confirmed, but meanwhile, keep an eye out.
-
[img]http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png[/imgl]
>> @Team [James] I'm probably being paranoid, but Inanna and I are ditching our rental car for fear it has been compromised. I'll update if my fears are confirmed, but meanwhile, keep an eye out.
Seeing this come through the channel Flea mentally dictates a response whilst pulled up at a traffic light:
\\I was hit by tracker rounds on may to their safehouse. dug them out but having to move on as the safehouse is now compromised.
Best to check your stuff and be thorough.//
-
Seeing this come through the channel Flea mentally dictates a response whilst pulled up at a traffic light:
\\I was hit by tracker rounds on may to their safehouse. dug them out but having to move on as the safehouse is now compromised.
Best to check your stuff and be thorough.//
Fantastic. Inanna briefly thinks about the team, and if any of its members could be plants. Not likely, but the fact that the heat seemed to come down from multiple angles so early is not a good sign. She re-boots her comms to do away with any rogue MARKs and uses one of her burners to send a quick message to Whisperer when it comes back online.
<<Send Message
<<Recipient: XXX-XX-XXXX-X
<<Message: Your fav goddess of love and war here. Any word on those new digs?
<<End Message
With that, Inanna switches off the burner. Better to bring it back online again when they get out of this car.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
[img]http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png[/imgl]
\\I was hit by tracker rounds on may to their safehouse. dug them out but having to move on as the safehouse is now compromised.
Best to check your stuff and be thorough.//[/color]
IT text:<<Team[IT]: Too busy to text must drive - they are after us - be paranoid!>>
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
IT winces as a few of the bullets pierce the frame of the car, but thanks to its solid design and her sheer force of will, she manages to escape any real harm from the attack. The repair bills might be a different kind of pain, however. Sensors reports a few good sized holes sheared into the rear bumper. IT feels in the pit of her "stomach" considerable damage done to the engine as smoke begins to rise from underneath the hood. Nothing that will stop the vehicle permanently, but it would be very not-good to take another hit like that.
Checking the rear camera feed, the pursuing biker appears to have lost the location of the vehicle, weaving with difficulty through the now panicked throng of traffic attempting to flee the gunfight.
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
Happy to break up the boredom of the long silent car ride, Jaws lazily surveys the Astral, returning after a few moments, with an unsettling aura of delight.
"I don't know... something nasty in the gas tank. No way I'm eating that drek. Might want to stop your car, though. Now."
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Yako closes her eyes to this world, looking into the world beyond. The Astral around her is not the usual landscape of vibrant colors and distant presences she is used to. Instead, she is surrounded by an inky, viscous fog. Its tendrils grasp ethereally around her limbs, as if to grasp her. Yako cannot mistake the nature of the presence. It is the filth of the world taken magical form, a spirit of Metahuman neglect and pollution. If it is aware of Yako's Astral observations, it shows no indication as such, instead swirling formlessly around her in an almost curious fashion.
-
Editing out, yours was better.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Yako clears her mind and tries to focus on her magic, summoning energy to blast at the offending spirit, even taking one of the small charms to use as reagents to boots the power of the spell... but she catches a whiff of the spirrit's stench in the real world, the odor hammering into her vomeronasal organ and shattering her concentration she shakes her head and tries to refocus but to no use, the spell flickers out into the astral as a pathetic spark rather than a powerful bolt and fizzes out harmlessly against the spirit.
ohh crap
With nothing else for it she drops into a combat ready stance as the spirit reacts, stripping her of the element of surprise.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
James pulls off the road as quickly as he can without causing an accident and shuts it off. "Time to get out" he says to Inanna as he grabs his belongings. "Spirit in the gas tank, and I'm going to guess it's got friends waiting for us to pull over and exit the car."
James scans the surroundings for danger before crouching low, opening the door away from the road, and exiting the car. He stays hunkered down while he scans for nearby cover that he can move to in order to get clear of the car. With a small effort of concentration, he channels magic into his hands, ready to battle the spirit from the gas tank should it decide to show itself.
>> @Team [James] Confirmed I'm not paranoid. Car's disabled so we're heading out on foot. They are definitely on to us.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Starting to become aware of the messages piling through her DNI she shoots of a reply, anyone else using a DNI to receive should also pick up a trace of mild panic through the message.
Ohh, me too. I'm trying to fend of a pollution spirit, had the drop on it and... kinda messed up. So watch out for toxic spirits!
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
IT was shaken, it shouldn't have happened - not to her: She was careless and overly optimistic.
<<@Sabato: I think we lost them… We are lucky – I am terribly sorry I was careless and nearly got us killed. Let’s not make that mistake again. You should reboot or turn off your commlink now; I am going to do so much static noise it may not work either way. >>
She navigated the car to an isolated side road, pulled over and rebooted all her devices, When the deck was ready, she set it to jam mode. It will interfere with the drones also but nothing is perfect... I hope the RCC can take that
<<We need to stop for some extra security and emergency fixing – help me pick a spot>>
They pulled over, at a spot that was easy to defend. IT went directly from VR to the astral: The summon was successful, she knew it will be:
The spirit that manifested was unlike anything she summoned before. It appeared like a big and tall warrior armored with armor that seemed to come out of a fantasy book. He carried an over sized hammer that couldn't possibly be lifted. His face was masked by a helmet but his eyes were glowing blue.
You can call me Mr. T the spirit bowed. I will do as you say.
I am in dire need of help – I desire the following:
1. Use your concealment power on me Sabato and the car.
2. Protect us from harm – help us fight anything that attacks us.
Thank you very much noble spirit.
Only then IT went back to the physical world:
“We now have a spirit hiding us and actively protecting us… I got careless, you deserve a better version of myself" she said. She felt terrible but she looked into his eyes never the less - It was a matter of respect to her and he deserved at least that.
She unpacked the drones and gave them an order to protect her and the car. She also sent her horizon flying eyes to circle them from above trying to discover anything hostile before it reaches them.
Okay… she said we are now relatively secure, the deck is jamming signals, the drones are deployed and a spirit is protecting us. This is how we should have entered combat to begin with. You might want to position yourself in a strategic place to protect us: I am going to make some emergency repairs to the car before we continue.
Before, approaching the car she projected reaching out to her fixer: she was a free spirit – literally:
‘I am working, had some troubles – need a discreet mechanic in Seoul… ‘. Her thoughts went wild afterwards; they were so intense and so fast – one could not simply describe them in words. However, when she regained consciousness she was blushed, smiling and optimistic again.
She sent Sabato a big smile, as she started fixing the car.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
After a tense hour of work, IT is able to patch up the engine leaks and the black smoke is now replaced by an intermittent high-pitched squeal. Not great, but good enough to last until some real work can be done.
No direct response from the fixer; not surprising, they were always busy with some drek, but co-ordinates for an auto garage pop up on the car's AR after a few moments, along with a note to mention their affiliation with Yeong Hi. Apparently an account has been set up in advance by the temple for just this sort of event.
The spirit and drones walk their patrol routes, but no follow-up appears to be forthcoming. IT's scan of the car for any sort of tracking device yields something from within the car itself running silent.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
As you speed away from the temple provided safehouse, a message arrives at your commlink. You don't recognize the ID, but it is apparently from a technical contact associated with the Temple.
"This is Kim Eun Ju, Chief of Physical Security for Spring Temple; Do not go to the safehouse. It has been compromised. Please come immediately to the Temple; directions are provided. A new development has come up, you may want to take a look.
The Temple isn't very far off from your location at all, probably about 10 minutes by bike.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
Sabato accepts IT's apology with a curt nod.All shadowrunners do mistakes at some point.When the drek hit the fan the girl showed skill.There was nothing more to be said.
After IT informed him of the spirit he wondered if astral entities could excute tactical maneuvers.He knew from experience that drones could follow such instructions. Eventhough he knew magic concealed them he felt exposed.He tried to read the landscape from a tactical perspective.
At last he turned to IT
"We have been compromised.We should regroup.I could also organize your small army in order to gain maximum tactical advantage, in case we need to retreat under fire."
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
Sure no problem… I am extending you marks on the drones. I actually feel safer knowing that you can order them around as it gives us more tactical options. You should be able to do so from your commlink, or even activate manual control should you want to shoot anything.
We have three Dobermans armed with teasers, and two unarmed flying eyes for recon. If you find anything just send me a message, I am a decent gunner and can jump in to help. She pulls out a tiny microdrone from her blouse; it only the size of a small insect . This is the Shiawase Kanmushi model, and he is coming with me – we will make sure that the car is clean.
I will use all my senses, both matrix and my own eyes. It may take a while – but it is important to verify that we do not compromise the others before we reach the safe house. Trust is hard to earn, but easy to burn.
One last thing ... The drones may be a bit slow to respond as I use my deck to generate noise – The RCC helps a little bit, but do not expect too much from them. I'll shut down the noise if we are attacked, but until than it may just prevent an attack altogether - as it also interfere with any tracking devices that may be present.
If I discovered one hidden device... lets see how many I missed – when there is one bad apple there may be more. she thinks as she start examining the car.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
Sabato instructed the drones to form a diamond around the car , with him at the forward-most point of the formation.
He hoped he had incapacitated one of the two riders,and that this was enough to dissuade their pursuers from attacking them again.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
As you carefully but quickly exit the car, you keep a safe distance and look around carefully. You now notice that while traffic wasn't particularly heavy to begin with, the area you are in is now completely desolate. Around you is the simple, straight road, and to your left and right, blooming apple and pear trees lining the roads. A good distance off, maybe 90 to 100 meters, James spots a slim figure crouched between two trees.
At the same time, Inanna catches something in the corner of her eye. A thick, viscous sludge has begun to flow from the tailpipe of the rental car. A large bubble begins to swell as the foul-smelling... thing begins to gush from the exhaust.
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
The roiling mass lashes out a tendril of smoke, coiling it around your head. You can feel the taint of it's aura intertwining with yours as your mind begins to drift and wander.
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
Your probing in the Matrix doesn't turn up much of anything. You know something is wrong, but between all the noise of the jammer and the tension of the situation, you just can't find anything.
Inside the guts of the engine is another story. Your tiny probe quickly reports back with the location of three unusual bullets, lodged deep in the engine. Two are simple enough to remove. The third, however, is lodged tightly between two combustion chambers and may be tricky to remove.
(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
Your surveillance web successfully falls into position, providing a good range of surveillance coverage. If your attackers are stalking you, they have done a good job of remaining unseen. You do, however, take note of a police response quickly moving to the scene of your brief confrontation.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
"This is Kim Eun Ju, Chief of Physical Security for Spring Temple; Do not go to the safehouse. It has been compromised. Please come immediately to the Temple; directions are provided. A new development has come up, you may want to take a look.
Flea pulls over at the side of the road, checking her mirrors and easing back the throttle before pulling into a short term parking bay.
Calling up an AR terminal she flicks up the mapping program, checking the location provided in-message matched the Matrix's position.
Her suspicion had turned a little into paranoia since the tracker rounds and her pulse raced as she considered her next move if it turned out to be a ruse
-
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Yako recoiled from the smoky pseudopod, mind spinning before she focused on her meditative training, she still felt light headed but seemed to avoid the worst of it.
This... thing, has way to big an advantage on the Astral, I need to lure it into the Physical world.
With that she returns her focus to the mundane world, closing her Astral Perception and dashes over to the nearby statue, pressing her back up against it before leaning out to peek at where the spirit should be.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
Judging the distance between him and the figure, James isn't optimistic about his odds of approaching it directly without drawing fire, and moves rapidly to take cover behind a nearby tree. He sets his duffel down gently before looking back to make sure Inanna is okay. He finds her starting at the rear of the car where the spirit Jaws had warned him about is forming from what looked like a cloud of exhaust. James, prepared for a fight with a spirit, moves and then leaps at the spirit with a mighty kick, expertly redirecting the magical energy from his hands to his leading foot as he goes.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
As you peek out from your cover, you see a small black hole beginning to grow from the spot you were just in. Thick black smokes begins to pour from the hole, hovering in the air as it accrues into a moderately thinned cloud spreading out from an inky black nucleus. The cloud begins to drift toward you. It is hard to judge, but you figure you are probably within its reach, or you will be soon enough.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Before you are able to react, the thick black smoke floods around the statue, swirling around your arms and legs with a surprising physical force you did not feel from it before.
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
You sail through the air, well aimed at the center of the spirit's foul mass. Reacting with only a split second to spare, you splash through the body of the spirit as it shifts its physical essence out of the way just in time. As you land, the turbulent mass swells and blasts a powerful stream of oily water at you.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
With mind still swimming from the spirit's opening attack Yako tries to twist away from the ensnaring tendrils and fails, held fast by the spirit. With a growing sense of fear from this thing's speed she focuses, for a moment the smell of ozone filling the air before a bolt of lightning flashes between Yako and the center of the swirling mass.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
Getting a match on the co-ords given, she checks the mirrors and pulls back out into traffic, heading for the temple.
She's overly conscious of people on her tail, checking the mirrors like an OCD kid with paranoia.
She ducked down side streets, flicking through different plates and spoof chip settings and taking as indirect-a-route as possible to help spot any tails.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
As Flea turns to head to the Temple, she sees no indication that she is being followed. A few moments into her trip, however, she becomes aware of a light itching at the back of her neck, like an insect crawling up her neck into her hair. Around the same moment, she notices a figure on the distant horizon behind her; keeping an exact distance, but certainly following her.
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
The cloud rushes to part before the blast of electrical energy, but just barely fails to move out of the way in time. Electrical energy crackles through the colloidal substance of the cloud, causing it to thrash and roil, tossing and jerking Yako hard, but still maintaining its grip.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
Endeavoring to get the engine back to workable condition, IT is able to get the car running reliably, but is not able to remove the tracking bullet without completely disabling the engine.
Meanwhile, one of the drones alerts both Baro and IT of an update. A dark cloud is present about 400m from this location. It was not visible until a bright flash of ground lightning appeared on the drone's electromagnetic sensors. A metahuman on a motorcycle is about 200m from this location (the cloud) and closing in on it fast.
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
The spirit, ignoring a mundane such as Inanna, is unpleasantly surprised by a dead shot from Inanna, blasting it with powerful surges of electrical energy. The greasy mass writhes in pain as the taser dart empties its tiny capacitor into its conductive body. The stench of stale gasoline and coagulated oil creeps through the air.
The man in the distance does not make any action that you can determine at this distance.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
After exiting the car, Inanna finds herself staring almost dumbfounded as the spirit begins to emerge from the tailpipe. "What the fuck is that?" Inanna wonders, slightly above a whisper. As the things starts to take form, James, who thankfully has more of hits wits about him speeds past her, and delivers a flying kick. The spirit reacts with preternatural ease, snapping Inanna out of her stupor. That's right, she remembers. taser. Inanna moves back and to her left until she can get a clear bead on the viscous mass, and when it separates from James, she pulls the trigger, her dart finding purchase in the spirit.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
IT descreetly text Sabato: <<Looks like our troubles never ends. I cannot remove the third tracking device from the car… that cloud is no ordinary cloud and I really dislike bikers at this particular moment>>
Preparing for a possible combat IT sharpening her senses - she than heroically and discreetly enters the trunk of the car and locks herself in.
It will be the safest place around:
From the trunk, she takes a short look on the astral.
In the meanwhile, Mr. T quietly nods from his position and whispers: "I like this formation of diamonds… it was a good call, general Sabato... lead us to battle"
-
Flea began to panic, grabbing at her hair to remove the irritant and shaking her head to dislodge it.
Noting the tail, she opened the throttle and headed for the temple as fast as she could, mentally dictating a reply to the previous message via her trodes:
I'm under attack, en-route as quick as I can
-
The spirit's dodge was lucky, James hoped. His avoiding the spirit's retaliation certainly was. Instinctively he put some distance between himself and the spirit, and seeing the effect of Inanna's taser, decided to try his own stun weapon. The shock glove sat in his pocket, and frankly was probably no more effective than his fists against the spirit, but his shuriken gave him the benefit of range and so he drew one from his left bracer and threw it at the spirit in one swift motion. Having not expected an attack to come from the seemingly unarmed human, the spirit was caught off-guard by the metal disc coming its way and was not able to move out of the way in time. The device triggered on contact with the spirit's partially solid form, releasing even more electricity into the astral being's wounded form. The new wound is too much, and the spirit dissipates, returning to whatever twisted realm it originated from.
The air clears almost immediately, the foul presence of the being thinning out into nothingness as the ectoplasm loses the will that sustained its shape, returning to the astral plane from which it had been drawn. James doesn't pause to admire his handywork - he continues away from the car to the tree-line again, activating the oxygen supply in his mask as he moves. Once in the trees, he crouches low and begins picking out his path, moving silently and keeping out of sight, to the figure he had seen before.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
The man in the distance doesn't show any signs of recognition of your movement, but at the destruction of the spirit, promptly turns and runs.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
At the destruction of the spirit, Inanna tops off her taser, and sends it back up her arm slide. She reboots her Erika Elite to find a slew of messages from teammates suffering similar obstacles. She pauses a moment on the side of the road to ponder her options, and sends a message to James.
<<@James [Inanna] How do you want to play this? If they could get a spirit in the car, it's almost certainly bugged. Should we advance to the airport as planned, or do you want to see if you can catch this guy?>>
Inanna then reboots the car, and wishes she had a bug scanner, not that she'd know what to do with it if one was available, but still, it'd at least give her something to do with her hands.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
As you lie in wait, the rider takes a brief glance at you and stomps the gas on his bike in an attempt to outspeed your fire. A small spray of kevlar and cotton leaps from the shoulder of his armored suit as your bullet glances off his protective gear.
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
The fleeing man is quite slow, and you are easily able to keep up with him. He doesn't seem to notice you as he stops and pulls out a small bottle filled with tiny gray pellets.
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(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
As you creep up for your attack, the man takes notice of you. He jumps back out of range of your attack, failing to notice that it was not he that was the target of your attack, but the bottle he holds, which shatters into thousands of tiny pieces as your shuriken sails into it. Hundreds of tiny gray pellets rain to the ground from his hands.
The man stares at you a moment, then glances toward Inanna. He is a young looking male elf; silver hair and wearing black synthleathers. A black metallic medallion in the shape of a simple circle hangs from his neck.
"Alright, alright I know when I'm beat. Shit, who'd have thought you coulda beat that? I'm not getting paid enough to die over this bullshit."
-
(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
You hear the roar of a powerful engine as your tail rapidly rockets up behind you with the speed only a custom engine should be able to muster. At this range, you clearly see a thin cable trailing from his helmet to the console of his bike.
Your commlink blips in with another message from Eun Ju.
[Looks like you've got company. Stay alive, I'm cooking up something; just need a few more seconds...]
Eun Ju's voice is interrupted by a powerful blast as your opponent blasts ahead of you and turns sharply into your path, cutting you off by less than a meter.
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(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
As the spirit goes down, the biker takes a brief look toward Baro, then the rest of the team, turns sharply, and speeds the opposite way away.
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
The toxic spirit aura was dark and corrupted radiating negative emotions. Within a split second Mr. T’s aggressive aura ‘kicked' the spirit sending it swirling and turning towards IT who lunched pure and uncorrected mana towards the spirit. IT’s mana engulfed spirit, crushing it, shrinking it... until the spirit was only a tiny point. In the next moment - pain, hatred and passion sprayed over the entire scene as the spirit's essence exploded into million pieces.
Yako’s aura was clearly visible, it seemed soaking wet covered with remains of the spirit’s essence. She stayed in the mid air for a split second, before she begun a long fall towards the ground. Mr.T acted quickly – he caught Yako and gently carried her to the ground. You fight like a spirit mage he said with appreciation as the two descended to the ground.
To those viewing the scene with their own eyes it was even more spectacular and colorful. For no noticeable reason, the toxic cloud suddenly exploded spraying bits of water all over the place. It was a bit foggy at first, but when the fog started to clear, an armored figure carrying a somewhat ‘foxy’ lady were clearly visible, along with an over sized hammer that just floated next to them. The three objects seemed defy the rules of gravity as they gracefully descended to the ground.
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(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Yako was fighting down a swirl of panic as the spirit started lifting her into the air, suddenly an eerily glowing armored figure came flying out of now-where landing a punishing kick before the spirit suddenly... exploded, the central core rippling before tearing itself apart, the tendrils of greasy smoke holding Yako flying apart like incorporeal shrapnel. Yako only has a moment to worry about the fall before the armored figure catches her and glides gently to the ground, Yako finally gathers her wits enough to realize it's another spirit and looks into the Astral, from there she notices IT retreating from the Astral back to her car.
Message to IT via DNI: Thanks for the assist... outright combat isn't my forte, especially against hostile spirits like that.
Yako was a bit surprised at the spirit's words, fumbling a reply before her feet touch the ground again and she moves over to her bike, hopping on it she rolls forward to IT's car.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
"Alright, alright I know when I'm beat. Shit, who'd have thought you coulda beat that? I'm not getting paid enough to die over this bullshit."
"No one pays well enough to die for." James pulls out the plastic restraints from one of his pockets and displays them clearly to the man. He wants to tell the man that he won't hurt him, but Jaws's influence redirects his words. "I really want to hit you until you fall unconscious, but I don't want to carry you. You are coming with us one way or another, but you get to decide how this plays out."
He proceeds to secure the man's hands behind his back. Once he is done, he firmly grips the man to guide him toward the car, only pausing to indicate the spilled contents of the broken bottle. "What are those?"
-
(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
[Looks like you've got company. Stay alive, I'm cooking up something; just need a few more seconds...]
Terrified, Flea checked the rear camera feed to get a fix on her assailant.
His speed was incredible, Flea had pushed hard and was topping 80mph on the straights but he'd closed the gap in seconds.
He must have been pushing 200mph by the time he swerved in front of Kyoko.
Sensing the incoming attack, she pumped the brakes and neatly avoided his trap, letting his huge speed differential create some space.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
The man complies rather easily, and without too much obvious concern. When asked about the pellets littering the ground, he smirks.
"Uranium, omae. Good shit, too; took me weeks to get it right; damn shame to see it all go to waste."
(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
The masked rider blasts past Flea, apparently not expecting to have failed in his maneuver.
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(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
Having bled most of her speed dodging the psycho's stunt, Flea kills the rest of it and jumps off her bike, running for the alleyway in search of the safety of the rooftops. She knew she stood no chance against a rider like that and her blood coursed through her veins as she tried to get onto ground more suited to herself.
//Fuck! under attack, bailing on foot. help needed!//
-
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
After re-booting the car, Inanna places another MARK on it from her car rental agreement message and starts to head after the fleeing figure. As she approaches, she sees James come out of the trees, and shatter, well something, that the man was carrying. Next, she sees the man hold up his hands, and James attach some zip-ties.
Good ghost, what is he thinking?
She directs the car to pull over next to the pair, and Inanna opens the passenger door.
"Care to fill me in?" she asks.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Yako rests her bike near IT's car and takes a moment to go through the backlog of messages sh hadn't really paid attention to while facing the spirit. Feeling concerned about the talk of tracking devices and other tampering to vehicles she takes her helmet off and checks her bike over carefully, fox ears pricked up and straining to hear anything her eyes might miss.
-
IT did not even exit the trunk, insted once seeing Flea's message she was back in the astral with her spirits. She positioned herself between Flea and her persuer manifested and ordered TAKE HIM OUT!
-
<< @Inanna [James] Toxic mage. Big bounty. Thought I'd get your say whether or not it was worth the risk of keeping him. Can't transport him conscious, though. Thought maybe you might have tranq patches. >>
<< @Team [James] I've captured a toxic mage here. Any ideas on safely transporting a spell caster? >>
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(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
<< @Inanna [James] Toxic mage. Big bounty. Thought I'd get your say whether or not it was worth the risk of keeping him. Can't transport him conscious, though. Thought maybe you might have tranq patches. >>
<<@James [Inanna] No, but I bet there's a tire iron in the trunk. Pretty sure those bounties are dead or alive. I'd rather not risk alive. Drop him quick and let's get him in the trunk.>>
Inanna puts on the hazards, and exits the car, readying her tazer.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
Sabato can clearly see through the enhanced vision of his cybereyes Yako's bike approaching their position but he spares only a fraction of a second to aknowledge the fact that IT and the Fox Lady are both safe.
His attention is focused on the fleeing rider :The man obviously dislikes straight up fights and, given the chance, he will probably attempt a third ambush
Sabato holds his breath and pulls the trigger
-
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
"Look, I need him conscious to question him..."
<< @Inanna [James] I'm no murderer, but unconscious works for me. >>
James then targets a nerve cluster with a well placed strike, sending the mage toward Inanna and her waiting taser. Once the mage is unconscious, he turns to the Uranium on the ground.
"Probably not safe to touch, and we certainly don't want to leave it here for just anyone to find. Any ideas?"
-
(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
As you dodge into the alleyways, you hear the screeching of rubber on asphalt a good distance ahead of you. For the moment, your opponent does not seem to be giving chase.
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
Your prisoner simply gives you a casual glance just before you strike him unconscious, submitting willfully to the inevitable. At no point during any of this has he displayed any real concern over his predicament.
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Your careful inspection of your bike yields nothing out of the ordinary. It's going to need a good washing after this encounter, however.
(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
Your shot was true and blasts a good sized hole in the body armor of the fleeing attacker. You see a good deal of blood mixed with the vaporized fibers, but he manages to stay on and continues to speed fast out of sight.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
Inanna looks on approvingly as James says one thing and does another. Smart move. The toxic mage looks stoic, but crumples at James' feet in a heap. Ok, now what?
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
"Probably not safe to touch, and we certainly don't want to leave it here for just anyone to find. Any ideas?"
She looks down at the pellets of uranium, clearly horrified. "Well, we need to get out of here, but we certainly can't leave this stuff just lying around. Maybe it's time for an anonymous call to the authorities. We're certainly not equipped to deal with radioactive fraggin' waste. As for him," she says, motioning to the shaman, "you know what's going to happen to him if we bring him in alive, don't you? I'll follow your lead, though James. I worry about him coming to if it's just us around, but he may have some information for us if we do. We could also leave him here for the authorities to find. I'm sure if we 'pellets of uranium,' they'll be on their way shortly."
-
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
James nods at Inanna's words. "Make the call to the authorities. I'm not sure my fake SIN is good enough to collect a bounty, and I don't need anybody poking around in my true identity, so someone else will have to do the turn-in. For now, let's try rendezvousing with the rest of the team somewhere unimportant and send the rental on its way. I'm not sure we can trust the rental car to not have any trackers on it."
He looks down at the unconscious man and then opens a comm to the team.
<< @Team [James] Our ride's likely compromised. Anybody got room for three more? We'll meet up with you. >>
With no better idea for what to do with the prisoner, he turns to Inanna. "You go ahead and place him in the trunk. If you decide to turn us into a hearse, I just don't want to know. Bodies creep me out." And with that he drags the man to the back of the car, then goes to recover both of his shuriken, and then returns to the driver's seat, closes the door and waits for Inanna to finish up and take her seat.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Yako sighs in relief, glad her bike hasn't been tampered with. She stands debating for a while before rolling the bike around, placing it so that the car is between her and the road, with an imidaite view of what she's doing blocked she pops open the carry case and digs into it, taking out the taser and it's hidden arm slide setting it up on her right forearm under the armor as well as her Light Fire 75, the heavily silenced pistol is highly illegal here but in it's concealed holster it's difficult to spot.
She debates again before slapping a clip full of regular rounds into the pistol, her face hardening, if these people wanted to send toxic spirits after her, she wasn't going to mess around and play nice, she grabbed a spare clip of regular rounds as well as a clip full of stealth tracker rounds and stashed them under her armor along with some extra taser darts.
She left the Predator V in its hiding place, the firearm was bulky and loud, sacrificing a silencer for the gas venting needed for her to control the heavy sidearm, she preferred to leave it for situations where stealth wasn't an option.
Now properly armed she looks over at Bravo firing a parting shot at the rider, waiting for him to finish firing before sending him a message.
@ Sabato [Yako]: My apologies for not being properly armed earlier, being a legal citizen I need to be extremely careful about carrying illegal firearms, I wasn't expecting trouble so soon. That's sorted now, what do you need me to do?
-
(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
Sabato opens the message in AR and responds immediately , using his AR gloves to text back
@Yako (Sabato):
Help me catch the one who fled
Sabato sends a message to all drones ordering them to keep their position around the car and attack anything or anyone who tries to harm their owner.IT would need protection.
He waits for Yako to pick him up
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(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Yako hesitates a bit before replying.
@Sabato [Yako]: I'm not the best at direct confrontations... unless you want news reports of a high speed bike chase with lightning bolts being thrown around, there's little I can do in this situation, my skills are in illusion and manipulation.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
@Yako [Sabato] : Diversity provides tactical advantage.Wasting time does not.Hurry.
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(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Yako shakes her head, looking in the car she sees that IT is laying limp in the car, she might not be able to do it herself, but she can guess that IT is in the Astral again. She growls softly in frustration.
@Sabato [Yako]: Listen ya hunk of metal, your car is damaged and IT is in the astral, we leave her she's going to be completely defenseless, plus if we're both going to fit on my bike I'll need to take the carry case off and it's not designed for two people anyway! He got away, it sucks, but we're all still alive.. and considering they've been throwing toxic spirits at us that's no small thing. We need to be more careful now, not rushing off and leaving each other exposed.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
Hunk of metal?Rich, coming from a woman resembling a fox
He was surprised that he wasn't angered by Yako's words.Maybe Dead End had been right.Maybe Baro Sukezane was withdrawing, day by day, until only Sabato Kuroi remained.A hunk of metal.
That man.He was good.Better to chase him now than face him another day, without me being present.
No point.They had missed the chance.He kept his thoughts to himself, without responding.He turned around and headed for the car.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Yako's ears twitch nervously as Sabato doesn't even respond and turns smoothly to get in the car.
I really need to learn to watch my temper... a street samurai like him could tear me limb from limb, and as heavily augmented as he is, probably wouldn't have trouble sleeping afterwards.
Shivering she puts her helmet back on and starts the bike up, ready to follow.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
Inanna stands looking over the unconscious shaman. She looks to the tire iron in its little compartment in the side of the trunk. Putting off the decision she searches the man for his commlink, and then stands back up. She looks back and forth between the tire iron and the shaman for a long three second, and in the end she closes the trunk, and comes around to the passenger seat.
"I haven't been able to rise Whisperer. Maybe you should try. See if you can get us a Bulldog for the weekend. We'll probably need one for the job anyway, and we've got the nuyen to spare. Let's get out of here."
Soraya pulls out one of her burners, and makes an anonymous call to the authorities, using her voice modulator to sound like a well-educated ork businessman. "Uranium just past kilometer marker 18. East side of the road . . . Yes, that's right. Thank you." Upon hanging up, she immediately turns off the burner.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
The idea of a larger vehicle that the whole team could use, and one "off the books" both appeal to James. He reaches out to Whisper.
<< @Whisper [James] Can you arrange for a van in Seoul? Something low-key, like a Bulldog. Our legit ride was compromised, so we need it from a source we can trust. Modded for rigging, if possible. We've got the Nuyen. >>
James pulls out into traffic, continuing toward Seoul, with a watchful eye in the rearview mirror. Hopefully the other teammates have come out of their conflicts on top and he'll hear from one of them with a meet up location soon.
-
Flea took a running jump at the wall, mentally activating her gecko gloves in mid air as she hit the wall and hauled herself over the ledge and onto the roof. She could see much better from up here and she scorned herself for the rapid retreat off her bike, it lay on its side, the paintwork no doubt scuffed.
She dialled up the image enhancement and tried to spot the bike-psycho
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(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
Digging through the man's clothes, Inanna can't help but notice that they are particularly stiff and dirty, probably not washed in several days. She eventually manages to extract a well-worn Ares Commlink from the unconscious mage, finding it wired to a set of trodes crawling up the back of his neck and attached to various points under his greasy hair. It is flashing with a queue of unchecked messages. All that is needed is a Matrix-savvy hacker to unlock it.
The highway services contact tries to get more information from you, but is cut off. Korea has a reputation for fast response times; you figure the sooner you get out of here, the better.
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
A short time passes and a short message pops up on your commlink.
"Is this a "right now" kind of thing? I can get it to you, but I'll need to ask for a deposit. Call it insurance. 500 nuyen gets you the rental, extra 200 for the rig. 500 for the deposit. You'll get it back, if you return the thing in good shape. Make the call?"
(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
A cursory glance at the rider shows that he seems to be in distress. He seems to have ripped the cable tethering him to his bike directly out and is now stumbling away from his bike in a pained daze.
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
As you and your posse of spirits prepare for battle, you notice the rider suddenly jerk his head back, then frantically grasp at the DNI cable attached to his helmet, janking it free in a spray of sparks. Recoiling from the pain, he stumbles off his bike in a daze.
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(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
<< @Whisper [James] It's a "today" kind of thing. A couple hours won't kill us. Do it. >>
James slots one of the credsticks and transfers 1200¥ to Whisper's commcode.
<< @Team [James] Inanna and I are getting us a Bulldog to use while in Seoul. We'll still need a ride to Seoul to pick it up. I'm including our current location so that we can coordinate a meetup.>>
>>Attachment: Current GPS Coordinates
-
Some of the words in James communication triggered some personalized software on IT's RCC.
<< @Team [Roy Cohen Cohen] James... your message was marked as important based on its content. Unfortunately, my only suitable ride for you is marked under inspection. The car will. be sent once it is marked ready.>>
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
As the situation begins to cool down, your commlink blinks with a new message from a sender you've never met. The message identifies itself as from Max Blank, an American Ork running a body shop in Jeju. The message is encrypted with the same signature you were given to contact members of the Temple that hired you.
"Hey, heard you having trouble. Don't move car, I fix. Send location."
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(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
Sensing her moment, Flea readies her stun baton and leaps from the roof, smacking the dazed rider hard and discharging 50,000V into him.
He twitches and spasms with the current and Flea hits him again to make sure he stays down, another 50,000V coursing through his body for good measure.
She dashed for her bike, hoping the paintwork wasn't too badly damaged from her hasty dismount.
She replied to the temple's security angel by mentally dictating a message as she lifted the bike and mounted it.
//If that was your assist, thank you so fricking much. Anything else out there or am I clear to head in?//
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
When IT and her spirits arrived, the biker was already laying on the ground. IT could see Flea smacking him, and the biker looked like he had one too many. She manifested along with her spirits.
Hey Flea! ... we wanted to help... but you seem to have this one covered already.
Let's hack the bike, it has a rigger interface that we could definitely use... Do you mind bringing it along? It may prove useful... if we manage to take control, you could ride it and extend me some marks... if you are chased in the future - I'll be able to drive for you. It will free your hands to so you can fight.
Feel free to message me if you need any spiritual assistance. We are not very far and I can be with you within a few seconds.
Few minutes later in the meat world:
"Hey, heard you having trouble. Don't move car, I fix. Send location."
IT forwarded the message to Yako and Sabato.<<Lets get ready to ambush, just in case it is another trick... Sabato I trust you on this one just let us know where to stand.>>
She then sent the following replay:
"<<Sure, I'd appreciate the help... but message us right before you arrive so nobody shoot you. We are all a bit agitated. .. - location attached. >>"
A bit later she sent the following text to James - << James[IT] Hi handsome! you should both come and join us I am here with Sabato and Yako, it is safer together... I'll let you know when my ride is ready - we had some nasty problems of our own but we seem to be safe right now. Our GPS coordinates are attached.
PS: What did you do with that mage dude you wanted to transport? I could possibly take a quick astral look to verify that he is what you think he is.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
James is guiding the vehicle through traffic when he gets a notification that the Bulldog has been reserved, and is on its way to rendezvous with them. He is looking for a good location mid-way between their current position and Seoul when he gets a message from IT. He diverts the Bulldog to the coordinates she gave him and sets his nav to them as well.
<< IT [James] On our way. I have the Bulldog we rented inbound there as well. We'll transfer to it once there and then send our current rental back - I don't trust it to be bug free. The Bulldog I trust, but you can give it a once over as well if you prefer. >>
<< As for the mage, we put him in the trunk - unconscious or dead, I'm not sure. Locations for us and for the Bulldog are attached for your reference. I can't get you marks on it unfortunately as I'm only renting it. >>
>> Attachment: Link to ARO (My Location - Live)
>> Attachment: Link to ARO (Device [Bulldog Rental] Location - Live)
He forwards the exchange to Inanna so she's aware of his plans, and then focuses back on the road.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
"Didn't see that one coming, did he? Sprites are a bitch. You should be clear, we've got a Lynx over you to be extra safe."
The rest of the ride to the temple is uneventful. As you arrive, a slim female elf sporting a shock of shifting colored fiberoptic hair jogs out to meet up with you as you park. She speaks in native English.
"I'm Eun Ju, glad to see you made it unharmed. That bike was trouble, you should have seen what it was packing. You need to follow me; if you're wondering how those guys caught onto your team, I think I have some answers."
She jogs excitedly back to the open old-style gate of the temple. As you pass through, you note the that old fashioned designs are anachronistic in appearance only. Numerous scanners and drone defenses lay both openly and hidden amongst the grounds of the holy site. Eun ju passes through an automated sliding door, pausing briefly to allow you through before the door closes and locks itself.
If you had only seen the room you are in, you would never have guessed you were in any sort of religious building at all. Steel walls, steel table, armored door and a double-sided mirror lay before you. On the other side of the mirror is a man sitting alone. He is human, probably around 24-25, exceptionally handsome and not apparently cybered in any way. He wears the traditional hanbok the rest of your guests wear, but sports a pair of unusual looking restraints around his wrists.
Eun Ju stands before the door leading into the room with her prisoner.
"We found him plugging around our matrix system not long after you guys hit the road. He's been with us for about 3 weeks now; a transfer from Seoul. At the time, his credentials checked out, but I've given them a more thorough checking now and a few things just aren't matching up. I really don't think this guy is one of us.
We let him poke around long enough to see that he was trying to find personal details on recently hired help. We had to act when he started sending information out. We haven't been able to determine where or who he sent it to. Whoever was on the other end apparently knew enough to clean up his mess. I figured you might want a little time with him."
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
A few moments pass before the return message.
"OK. I'll be there soon, I'll send message. Can you tell me more? I only know you shot, car broken, temple is freaking out, begged me to help. Any special problems? I fix anything, just ask. Many special tools, just need to know what to bring."
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
Your prisoner does not so much as stir as you head to your new destination. After about 45 minutes, the Bulldog checks in, just moments before you yourself arrive at IT and Baro's location.
(http://i.imgur.com/wRaqFog.png)
A message from the Matrix reaches each of you at roughly the same time.
"This is Eun Ju, security for your... uh, employer. Old news, I know, but we have a leak. Thankfully, I think we've plugged it. Got one of your team here with him now. Just thought you should know."
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
<< Well the car took a few bullets, but it is a good car and I already fixed what can be fixed using a simple toolkit. Unless you bring a truck loaded with equipment we might want to delay further fixing to some facility.
I have also discovered something in the engine - a few tracking devices perhaps - I hope nothing more vicious than a tracking devices. There is one of these babies that I couldn't take out myself - I am only an amateur tough you might have a better luck. You should probably also have a look on the ones we did take out.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
>> "Tracker bullet is bad. If you have jamming, use it. Bringing tools to break it. Should bring it to my garage. I look first."
A few minutes later, a large white van pulls up at your location. A small baseball sized camera drone circles the van before the door opens. A large, middle-aged ork in oily coveralls hops out. You notice that one of his hands is clearly cybernetic, as well as his eyes, sticking out in the old fashioned goggle-style. A white datajack is embedded in his left temple.
He steps over to survey the car, the lenses on his eyes rotating and lighting up in what is probably a scan.
"Bullet holes easy, just body work. Couple days to get the panels. Big problem in engine, piston chamber punctured, bad fuel use. Definitely tracker bullet."
He lumbers over to the back of his van, scanning his palm on a biometric reader and popping the doors open with a bang. He extracts a large metal toolbox and hauls it over to the damaged car. He jacks the car up on a few autojacks, then slides under to survey the damage more closely.
"Not bad so far. Worst damage fixed ok. Bullet is deep, good you didn't dig for it. Might have jammed it into chamber."
He slides back out and grunts something in Korean to the toolbox, which pops open, revealing several large recessed compartments. He presses one with his organic hand and a large box protrudes from the toolbox. He pops this box open and you see what looks like a multitool, but meant to be mounted on some sort of custom holder. He removes his cyber hand, replacing it with the multitool and slides back under the car. You hear mechanical whirring and several high pitch whines, followed by a large pop. The ork slides back out from under the car holding a small, blackened slug of metal. He proceeds to take each of the trackers you had already extracted and places the tool on each of them as well. He appears to only stare at the device, but after a few seconds, each popped with a spray of sparks and the smell of burnt circuitry.
"Need a tow? It can drive, but best to not use the engine now. Need a day to fix it like new."
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
A tow... this is probably a good idea we already have an alternative ride...
thanks you so much for your effort. This car is very dear to me, definitely saved my life today - and it also needs some professional treatment. If you'll give me your contact details - I'll be give you a call when I am looking for an upgrade.
IT empties the car from her possessions. She gently lay her hand on the trunk and gives her car one last affectionate look. You'll be in good hands darling... You'll drive again...I know you will., she mumbles to herself. There is little one could possibly do to annoy IT, but the car is her weakness - if you mess with the car you must pay.
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(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Yako waits by her bike as events unfold, even letting her tail out again with a relieved sigh. She looks calm at first glance, but her occasionally flicking ears and tail betray her nerves.
That... spirit thing could have killed me. I can't be careless like that again, all the extra money I bring in won't help my sister at all if I'm dead.
She shudders a bit at the thought as the repair van pulls up, watching the orc mechanic working with a mixture of fascination and unease at the replacement hand and multitool.
The message of the leak does little the calm her nerves as the bulldog pulls up, she rearranges her armor to fit her tail and settles the helmet back on to get ready to ride.
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(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
Inanna and James rendezvous at IT's car, with the Bulldog following on autopilot closely behind. Inanna gives IT a quick embrace, noting that she's trembling a little, and the group moves the toxic shaman to the back of Bulldog as quickly as possible, and pile inside. Inanna positions herself over the unconscious body, tazer ready, should he so much as flutter an eyelid.
#
When they pull into the temple, Inanna approaches the person who looks the most in charge and says, "I hear you've got someone who we can speak with. We brought our own. Let's put them in separate rooms. Don't suppose you happen to have any Mage Cuffs or a Mage hood around do you? This one's awakened and sicced a toxic spirit on us. I'm sure you'd rather not have something like that manifesting here."
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
IT seemed excited when James and Inanna arrived with the bulldog. They were healthy unharmed, it is no trivial thing. They were also tough enough to casually take a live mage in their trunk. IT actually liked her trunk, it was an unusual place to drive a car from, fully enveloped by the car’s body – one of the ideals place for a sneaky mage to work magic from.
That mage was not that bright, he smelled too… but all that was forgotten as Inanna hugged her. She was concerned – it was still a bit of a shock to think about her as a shadow runner, a tough one that can fire a teaser, and patiently watch the smelly mage despite with her ‘dress for success’ clothes… Then again, people are rarely what they seem to be, mainly the charismatic folk.
Her eyes lit up with anticipation as she learned that the bulldog has a rigger interface. True – her control rig made her a weaker mage. She knew that, it also took away part of her soul – whatever that meant… but while her body was very limited and magic was always so painful to channel, driving simply made her feel alive, bring some color to her pale face.
The commlink was another pleasant surprise… you are spoiling me she laughed – so many toys in such a short drive. There she wanted to do during the drive, hacking the comlink, connecting to the bulldog visiting the cathedral in the astral.
During the ride, she addressed her fellow team mates -
I am asking just to be careful – but does anyone object that I use the drive to visit the cathedral? I mean we seem to be in a hurry and it would sure simplify stuff if I can discover where they are holding the emissary.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Yako hesitates a little before replying.
Yako, Korean: I'd prefer to have time to visit my contacts... but it seems time is against us. So long as we're not talking a frontal assault I should be able to render assistance through illusion and distraction.
-
I am just suggesting projecting there to see what I can find - it can be a bit dangerous but I have spirits with me, so it is not terribly risky. We have a few hours to kill and it will just take a couple of minutes.
I definitely suggest we try to do the job with as little violence as possible. So legwork is a good idea. Than again, with the time being so short - it might be dirty.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
Flea bowed in thanks to Eun Ju, her timely intervention had no doubt saved her life.
I finished the rigger off, he'll probably turn up in law enforcement's hands unless you've already had a team retrieve him?
She raises her eyebrows at the revelation of a mole, that clearly explained how they were so rapid to bug, track and attack the newly formed outfit.
Anyone else suspected as involved?
She smiles and greets the team as they arrive at the temple, feeling a wave of relief that no-one had been killed.
Turning to Eun Ju she asked;
Who's so against us finding your missing person? These guys were good, they won't have come cheap.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
Sabato turns to IT, his expression unreadable.
"Astral investigation won't be enough.Do it, but ee should also go to Seoul, use your drones as well."
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
IT replies,
no problem dear Sabato - you will get the best Intelligence I can geather from all 3 worlds. Astral travel is a nice option now as it saves us some time. We'll definately use also the drones and the matrix and see what method works best for us on this job.
In the meantime... she smiles hold the fort while I am gone.
She finds a comfortable place and project to the Cathedral... it seems like she suddenly fall a sleep.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
"We anticipated the need, we have a few pairs of Mage Cuffs available."
He hands you a pair of elaborate shackles engraved with slightly glowing runes.
"They're good quality, but nothing totally blocks out magic. Keep an eye on him, even when he's got these on. We don't have an extra interrogation room, but there are a few meditation rooms you can use. Just... keep it quiet; the monks wouldn't be happy to know about using their rooms that way."
(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
"Law enforcement got him, but we've got a lot of friends there. Nothing about you guys is going to get out, don't worry. No one we know about besides this guy is involved, and so far, we haven't gotten him to talk. He's a tough nut and he really doesn't seem to mind having been found out. We're beefing up security; discreetly, but believe me, we're on the alert. This guy is too cool not to have some kind of escape plan.
As far as who doesn't want us finding the emissary, well, the Sisters of course. This guy is probably a Catholic plant, or at least an operative hired by them."
She looks through the mirror at the man sitting in the room.
"You know what they say about roaches, though. If you see one, there's a thousand you don't see. I bet all the bigger temples have a mole or two sitting around just waiting for the opportunity to rat out teams like yours. Where are these bitches getting all this money?"
-
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
After the events of the road and the long drive, the temple itself was a cool respite. James was loathe to leave, but the pressing schedule all but demanded it. He could offer no assistance here - interrogation was not his forte.
He was glad to be rid of the unkempt, and creepy, mage. The mage's demeanor, and absolute disregard for his predicament had disturbed him, but he hadn't really had any contact with toxic mages before - just the news stories and trid shows that portrayed them as unfathomably wicked boogeymen. The same way that they had done (and occasionally still do) with Technomancers, and magicians in general before them, and deckers before them, and so on. He didn't doubt that toxic magic was a problem, but he wasn't entirely sure of the extent - the news outlets were well known to exaggerate to get people to watch or read and so anything they said had to be taken with a grain of salt, usually a large one since the corporations tended to have undue influence over their content as well.
But the mole that the temple had discovered really bothered him. The mage he could write off as maybe typical - maybe it was a common characteristic that they were generally apathetic. But mundanes were something James was more familiar with, and that level of unconcern toward one's own fate was very, very wrong. Perhaps their escort was right - they had a plan, and they had no reason to be worried about being captured. But the mage couldn't have known that James or Inanna wouldn't kill him - no plan could have prevented us from ending him once he was at our mercy, nor bring him back from the dead. There was something else at play.
Zealotry, perhaps? Some religious belief that their death would be rewarded in an afterlife or reincarnation. Or mind control. Or possession? He brought these concerns up to their guide from the temple - perhaps there was something another mage could see in their aura that James himself could not with his mundane sight.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
As the team drive through Seoul Yako shoots a quick message that she's going to call in on a contact, peeling away from the van and riding carefully though the streets until she reaches her Talismonger. Parcking her bike around the back she walks into the shop via the back door before removing her helmet. She catches her contact's eye from behind the counter, out of sight of the entrance and nods towards the back room, taking a seat and trying to calm herself.
She didn't really like dropping in unannounced like this, but Seoul is her home, she had to be careful to stay under the radar.
Linqu - Japanese: Yako, this is unexpected. Why didn't you call?
Yako - Japanese: My apologies Linqu, but I'm doing a run here in Seoul and need to keep a low profile. I need a favor, I need to know anything you know about the Sisterhood of His Persistent Hand chapel here in Soul, and I'm afraid the timing is rather tight, we'll likely need to run within a day.
Yako took a deep breath, still rattled by the events of the day, but the familiar symbols and incense of her Shinto faith and tradition where helping her relax, she knew this kind of information in this time frame wouldn't be cheep, but there where few other choices.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
"Yeah, we've had a couple shamans come in here and try to scout him out for some kind of Astral stink or Spirit guard, but he checks out clean. Apparently his aura is a little odd, and he doesn't have any obvious ware, but that could be explained by bioware, I figure. Hard to tell just now. Of course, this is all just 3rd hand. I don't get half of what the shamans are talking about half the time."
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Linqu makes a kind of annoyed/worried face at the mention of the Persistent Hand.
"I've heard of them, yes. They have serious problems with sources of magic they deem not of their god. They seem convinced such magic is demonic in origin and have sworn to wipe it out. The Vatican has cut them loose, but they still seem to have some limited power, and from what I hear, its growing. There are already small churches being planted back in Japan to try and push back the Shinto influence there. Apparently the leadership is all here in Seoul, though. All I know is that they are messing around with the upcoming festival; people here are getting really upset, but law enforcement doesn't seem able to do much.
-
When IT returns from the astral her face is pale, she is a bit freighted as if she had seen a ghost. I am glad to be back here safely – their security seems intense: I counted six spirits and some awakened beasts that patrol the perimeter. This is all on the outside – I could not get inside from the astral the place is well warded. The spirits are a bit stronger than what I can comfortably summon and bind.
It seems that on the astral we are inferior – how ever yesterday I spent a passionate night of matrix searches with Flea and we were very productive - she is a talented Decker. Anyhow, their sisterhood seems to be waiting for a package detained by costums. The delivery company is called ‘no idle hand’.
I will improvise us some disguises, I am not proficient in the task but my magic is the subtle kind that augments mundane tasks. It should come out okay – if any of you is skilled with forgery I’ll be happy to help. In the meanwhile, Inanna and some of the rest should go to the costumes and release the package. It will make our disguises a lot more believable if we actually deliver their package for them. It is interesting to have a look whats inside also.
But now if you excuse me – I have to search some information about ‘awakened potatoes’- I am really curious about these plants I saw in the cathedral. Her body becomes numb again, this time she is in the matrix.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
Wrap him up in some mirror material if you've got some. He's probably got some kind of tracker or comms gear on him if he's that cool and calm. As for the roaches, that was what I'm worried about. What has been tried on him so far? Any recent history with the sisters?
-
(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
"Nothing, yet. We've been instructed to defer to you guys on matters involving this situation. There is a powerful jammer in that room and he's being watched Astrally for any sort of magical or alchemical surprises. As for a connection to the sisters, probably. We've got his commlink here, but it looks like he zapped it somehow when we caught him. If you have someone who can fix this sort of thing, it might be helpful, but for now, it's bricked."
He hands you a commlink smelling faintly of burnt circuitry.
-
That'd be great, we'll take a look at it. There anywhere I can use to work on this?
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
When IT leavers VR , the team almost arrived to the temple. She addresses Sabato and the rest and briefly summarizes the security details including the utility of the awakened plants. Be careful not to step on these.
She bookmarks that wagemage blog, thinking to herself it might be useful in the future should she start being interested in Para botany.
Dearest Sabato… she says softly as she takes out a tiny microdrone from her blouse. Do you pray? … She pauses. You should defiantly consider starting. This little one has a full sensor array, the technical stuff is that I can disguise it as your commlink. Enter the cathedral with this little one offline, then turn off your commlink and activate this little one. I can write a small script that does it ultra fast hopefully no one will notice the switch. While you pray… our little one can try to find out where the emissary is. You should be skilled in security system you may also understand a bit about their physical security. Perhaps being all magical and stuff – they trust they put more weight on magical defenses.
How is that for a plan? You might also want to grab Yako – she is a nice girl and her foxy appearance revealed in the right moment may distract their security – she is also awakened… she will draw their security attention. I hope it means they will look at her and not notice the switch of devices we are planning to pull. How is that for a plan? Do you think it will work?
-
(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
"The outline of your plan is..."
Sabato tries to remember the correct word in Korean
"...reasonable.But I should not be the one to enter the Cathedral.One of our pursuers managed to flee and my description may already be in the possession of the enemy."
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
But in that case, me and Yako also should also not go, Flea - did overcome her troubles- tough we could assume that even in her case their rigger had an image link. The only one that did not have an image link is the mage, he does not seem to be into technology - but even for him she shows him the hacked commlink
He found James and Inanna according to some sort of description provided by that *overseer*. Maybe I am too soft at hurt, but I had troubles trying to...
It seems like saying the word, takes an effort from IT
*kill* someone if their description was not visual.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
Eun Ju thinks for a moment.
"Nowhere here with the appropriate tools for this kind of damage, but I think Max probably has a suitable workshop he'd let you use. Nice guy, if a little overbearing at times. I'll send you his contact details."
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
The damage to the commlink was extensive and it won't stay online long, but long enough for IT to extract data from it. A good deal of it is corrupted, but you do manage to extract a few files. The first appears to be instructions of some sort, dated shortly after your hiring:
>>Excellent work Cat. Make sure your team gets trackers on at least one of them. Put up a fight, but don't kill them yet, we need to see what they know and where they go. Find out what the temple knows and what they told them. If we play this right, we might even be able to bring them over to our side. The sooner the Sisters can get the shamans out of here, the better for us.
We expect to see your usual quality of work. We have certainly paid a lot of money for it.
The Sender ID is tied to a no longer existent SIN, most likely a burner.
The final file IT recovers is an extensive contact database. Most of it is corrupted, but from the structure and size of the file, there must have been several hundred contacts in it.
You also find a link and decryption key to a Matrix drop-site. A cursory scan of the data suggests that it details the corporate structure and pay database of Revivification Industries. Could be worth a fair amount to the right buyer.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
Inanna slaps the mage cuffs on the unconscious man, and directs the temple staff to take him to the meditation room and keep watch until she arrives. Next, Inanna finds Flea and hands off the toxic mage's commlink. "I trust you may be able to find something useful on this? It belonged to our new friend."
Figuring that the toxic mage will still need some time to sleep it off, Inanna heads to the interrogation room to talk with the plant. Once inside, she comes on strong, all "You're going to give us your contact," and "We both know how this is going to end one way or another," but after a few minutes, she asks the guards to leave the room, so that the two can be alone together. Once that's happened, Inanna types something out on her commlink, and turns it over so that the man can see.
<<Send Message
<<Recipient:
<<Message: Is this room bugged? Can we talk? 1 blink for yes, 2 for no.
Once the man has had a chance to read the message, she deletes the text and waits to gauge his reaction.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
Flea smiles and bows to Eun Ju in thanks for her help.
Finding a quiet spot she reboots her hardware once more, clearing any MARKS off her devices and powers down her deck, her adrenaline levels returning to somewhere near normal.
Syncing her trodenet to her commlink, she mentally dictates a message to both IT and Max to arrange a space and time to work on the retrieved and badly damaged 'link
-
(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
With the team together in one place, James distributes the funds from the credsticks he was given by Yeong Hi. 6000¥ minus 1200¥ for the van rental leaves 4800¥ split 5 ways gives each team member an extra 960¥ in their pockets.
Taking the information provided on the uniforms and ID of the deliverymen, James gets to work on creating disguises for the team. It's a few hours work, and by the time he is finished, the team has already left the safety of the compound and arrived in Seoul.
"They're expecting a payment to release the crate, so I suspect we'll need to provide that. Have we determined how much is owed?"
-
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
He pauses a moment, raising an eyebrow before reaching out to type in a reply.
"Almost certainly. Surprising you would ask."
(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
Max responds within seconds. A GPS coordinate embedded in his message.
"As long as you're with the Temple, feel free to use my space any time."
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
After her matrix searches IT got the message from Flea, apparently she arrived sooner to the temple and begun doing legwork. IT liked it, she liked being busy and although she tried her best talking to people was not her strong side. Flea offered a chance to do some hardware work, she had an extensive background in such work from her cooperate life. She indeed forgot a little over the years, but in this lifetime – her magic more than made up for it.
When she arrived she happily greeted Max, saying: Hey Max! Didn’t expect to see you so soon… I brought my toolkit but you seem to be a lot more… *settled*. Thank you for the opportunity to get my hands dirty again - in such a wonderful workshop...
Flea and IT opened the commlink casing and carefully worked on the schematics, the commlinks memory was badly damaged along with the power supply and several other key systems.
Using the schematics of the commlink and browsing through the technical specification they did manage to emulate some of the damaged hardware for long enough to access small parts of the memory. The entire process took a couple of hours, IT found it fun and Flea was pleasant to work with.
Some people follow, other people lead there is a rare kind of people that knows when to lead and when to follow - rare in cooperation's where people are struggling for the recognition. Flea seemed to have that kind of flexibility.
Happy memories started to surface. She missed this kind of work, really missed it. There was this other commlink she recovered – a commlink of a SINless shadow runner, one that tried to extract her for a rival mega. SINless were human trash back then… barely even considered people. But they are people and she was young and narrow minded. Although she really wanted to go back, she knew it will never work again – she changed.
When they were done IT quickly packed her stuff and moved back to the temple. Thanks Max – it is always a pleasure – you got some nice equipment stuffed there, really nice… not bad even for a small cooperation lab.
If you ever need some extra hands with hardware – give me a call I’ll come if I am free. It felt so good to actually do some honest labor for a change. Take a good care of my car... goodbye now.
-
On the way back from Max, IT sms Yako -<<Hey dearest... where are you send me location - we need a quick chat - kisses >> Once Yako replies, IT project and contacts her through the astral: Hi - we are planning some legwork... at the customs you might want to help. Tell your talismonger friend I am sorry for barging into the astral like that not saying hello I am a bit in a hurry. You should look at this place from the astral the auras the colors. Anyhow I really got to go now, a lot of work to do.
When she is back IT contacts godless with an encrypted message
<<Do you have access to an organization hash(no idle hand)... I need you update their list of employees - it is for a good cause. >>
She figures that knowing the organization name, goodless being a tech savy hacker should easily figure out what she means - but an observer without full context may struggle as there are thousands of organizations whose id matches the hash.
If he is not good enough to figure it out - she will not need his help - he should know by now for what reason she will contact him.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/7O1Wldy.png)
Thanks Max, will do.
Flea bows in thanks and heads to the workshop, meeting up with IT and making small talk as they set out to repair the burned out circuitry of the commlink.
It made the time fly, IT clearly earned the nickname through exceptional knowledge so Flea took a backseat, doing the easy stuff like cleaning points ready for re-soldering and part-assembling components ready for IT to work on.
A few hours passed and the task in hand done, Flea set out to meet up with the others via a vending machine and the ladies. She'd got the munchies and nature was calling.
Satiated by instant noodles and a mega-choc bar, she joined the others and settled into VR ready for some legwork
-
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Yako nods, not having really learned anything, but confirming much. She thanks Linque for the time and information before slipping quietly out the back again and riding through the street to the temple to meetup with the rest of the team.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
Godless replies within the hour.
>>Yeah, I've got a couple backdoors open to their host. What exactly do you want me to add?
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
<<I am sending you a list of SIN numbers and roles - we need these them to test positive should someone check if they actually work there... preferably at that specific role. >>
-
Inanna continues her verbal tirade, and types out on her comm, <<We've supposedly been given wide berth, but something doesn't seem right. Why are you here?>>
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
<<I am sending you a list of SIN numbers and roles - we need these them to test positive should someone check if they actually work there... preferably at that specific role. >>
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
>>I'm no GOD, but I think I can spoof your IDs for a few minutes at best. Contact me before you get scanned and I'll do my best.
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
The man types out a subvocal mic frequency to tune your commlink to. His voice flows in in slightly accented English.
"To out you guys. Got a lot of money on keeping people out of my employers' business, not to mention my personal safety in the matter. I'll admit, I underestimated these temple types and got sloppy. Who'd have thought they'd have technos working the nodes? Got caught with my pants down this time.
What I want to know is what you're up to. I expected your razorguy to show up and pummel a confession out of me. What angle are you trying to work with me here?"
-
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
Inanna continues typing on her comm, <<What we're up to? I find that very hard to believe. A toxic spirit tried to geek me not 3 hours ago. I don't trust these temple types, but to be honest with you, I'm not going to trust some prisoner of their's who's trying to pull one over on me either. So level with me, what's the business you're trying to protect? If there's a lot of ¥ on this, I'm sure you're employers might spread a little my way, especially if I can guarantee that this little operation never gets off the ground. Something about these temple types, I'm telling you, I think they might be planning on geeking us, but if I have to, I'll just walk away.>>
#
When Inanna is finished with her "interrogation" she joins the group to start planning for the run against customs. "Alright, chummers, I'm thinking two groups, minimum, on the floor, and overwatch, maybe a third to keep things sneaky. What's the play here?"
-
(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
I'll be on the overwatch - I should be able to interfere with spirits and drones should social magic won't work for us. I can also be our get-away driver as I appear to be the only rigger in the team - I may also be our natural choice for a driver.
Finally, I can also augment your natural capabilities with magic - if you do not mind the astral signature of the spell. It worked well already for some of you during this run."
She takes a tiny microdrone disguised as a pin from her blouse.
I suggest that Inanna or one of the others will take this little one with you.
I have previously coded a small script for some footwork at the Cathedral - The script quickly turn off your commlink and activate the drone disguised as your commlink. Matrix people may miss the drone being a drone and overlook a commlink they already seen before. The downside is no commlink but I think it is worth the lower chance of detection - and if being stealthy is over you can also reactivate the commlink.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
"I will stay outside the building.If needed, I will provide an escape route."
-
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Her fox ears flicking a bit nervously.
Korean: This seems like a good idea but... I should probably wait with Sobato to aid any extractions... my appearance will draw a lot of attention, and we want to keep this low-profile.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
His best poker face on, the man eyes Inanna carefully, as if sizing her up.
You and I have a lot in common, we just got hired by different sides. Naturally, even if my employers were willing to tell me what their endgame is, the less I know about those... monsters... the better. You're wise to suspect these guys too; I've never met a mage I'd be willing to leave my back to.
I'll level with you as far as I can. What I do, I do well. Maybe the best. I'm no decker, and that's the only reason we're sitting here now. I overstepped my boundaries and got caught. I'm no more interested in having to break out of prison than you are, so let's make a deal. I can... guide you... to my employer, in exchange for you getting me out of here before the Temple elders get here. These Awakened... they aren't like you and me. Not totally of this world, you know what I mean? They forget what it means to be metahuman; to show mercy.
Get me out of here however you can, and I can take you to the core of your investigation.
-
Flea kitted up and prepared for the infiltration, donning her chameleon suit under a set of vendingwear clothes and stashing her kit in its various pockets.
Heading back to the others, she checked in on the interrogation and touched base with the prep for the hit on the customs depot.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Yako starts tugging off her bike racing armor gloves and pops open the carry case on the back of her bike. She rummages around, taking out a change of cloths and her heavily modified armor jacket before heading into a restroom to change. When she comes back out she looks a typical Japanese Moe obsessed pastalgoth, sure the colors are bright and combined with her obvious fox features she stands out... but on the other hand 'shadowrunner' isn't the first thing that comes to mind.
Returning to her bike she rummages down into the hidden compartment and retrieves her Ares Predator V and its concealed quickdraw holster, a little time and work and the bright Japanese foxgirl looks completely unarmed. A few clips tucked away in hiding places later and Yako is ready for the run, tail twitching excitedly... in fact twitching rather a lot. A muscle spasm in her leg causes her to start cursing in Japanese as she has to track down a glitch in her reflex boosters, eventually having to shut the system down and reboot it again, looking embarrassed that this happened in front of everyone right before a run.
-
As the sun goes down, you watch the day shift lock up and drift away, one-by-one. Like clockwork, the night patrol begins; a pair of human security guards and a doberman drone opposite them on the other side of the facility. Astral viewing shows 3 spirits wandering the inside of the building as well as one Awakened figure sitting in an upstairs room.
A security guard sits in a booth, apparently watching some fighting competition on trid.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
Inanna watches the man's eyes carefully. One thing he said seems completely true. He's good at what he does. But the best? Doubtful. Still, he doesn't seem to be buying what Inanna is selling. She figures she'll try one last tack before she leaves the man to his fate with the temple personnel.
<<I don't expect you to know the long game. I certainly don't know it for "my" side either. But you must understand that I can't follow you to some imaginary payday. What guarantee do I have that your employers won't simply geek me once I've left the protection of the temple. I need some good faith information, like who it is that you're working for, and more importantly, what's it pay?>>
When a number is thrown back at her, Inanna figures that if she were a coy meta making a con, she'd probably accept the offer. Instead, she tries to bargain, giving a counter offer 20% higher. If we're getting into the number game, maybe he'll think I'm ready to move on this, she reasons.
-
(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
The man's eyebrows perk up.
>>"Who I'm working for? I'd have thought that should be obvious. The Sisters. As for what they pay me, it isn't as cut and dry as that. There is a nominal amount of nuyen, of course, "services rendered" and all that cover jazz, but holding a group like that in even a minor debt is a good position to be in. I deal in contacts and information. For someone like me, an influential religious group owing you a favor can be a very significant payout, provided one is patient.
(http://i.imgur.com/wRaqFog.png)
Those of you pulling up to the customs office in disguise are greeted by a disinterested and distracted security guard. He robotically asks you what your business is and for your papers. He glances briefly at the papers, then at you, and without a word, retracts the road spikes and lowers the waist high steel bars blocking your access.
He speaks, yet his eyes never leave the trid.
"Please pull around to the delivery entrance. Someone will be there with you shortly to process and check out your package. Please have your papers and payment ready when they arrive. Please move on through."
You pass on through to the back of the facility, guided by an AR display in the windshield. You sit about 10 minutes before a steel door squeals on its hinges and you are confronted by a small fat human man wearing a pair of oversized goggles and a gray jumpsuit. He sports a porcelain datajack on his right temple along with a blatantly cybered left arm. To his left stands a tall, heavily muscled human man in a black, ill-fitting suit and to his right is an oversized troll wearing a battered suit of body armor. Both are packing Ares brand pistols at their waists.
The man requests your papers and briefly scans them. He waits a little under a minute before finally speaking.
"OK, looks like you're finally all paid up. Thank God, this thing has been giving me the creeps since it got here. I'll have the delivery drones load it up for you; I just need to scan your SINs."
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
Before the operation starts IT contacts Godless -giving him heads up with a list of SIN's
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(http://i.imgur.com/3nNKFvd.png)
Pausing a beat for IT to work her magic, James mentally triggers his commlink to allow the man access to his SIN for verification.
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
Then right before the scan she recieves the signal from James and sends godless a simple message <<NOW>>
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(http://i.imgur.com/wRaqFog.png)
A few tense moments pass as you await confirmation of your SINs. Finally, whatever Godless did, it seems to have worked.
"Alright, looks like payment was made. Sorry for the holdup, you know how it is shipping magical cargo. The loading drone is on its way now, please back into the loading dock."
Five minutes later the cargo is loaded and secure in your van. A message from Godless:
>> Not gonna be long before they figure out that confirmation was just a spoof. Get out ASAP.
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
IT quickly cast her intuition magic - once the drone finish loading the van. She sends a DNI message.
<< we need to leave NOW! buckle up>> after everyone is ready - she do as godless suggested - GTFO - starting autopilot regularly - but once after 100 meters or so she gives the team a polite warning:
'you better hold something... I am a fast driver... Goodnight friends'
She then quickly plugs the car into her control rig - he body becomes numb and the car starts accelerating rapidly. Her face seems completely peaceful. Few seconds later she sends a matrix message
<< anyone has an idea what we picked up? just look but do not touch - I do not want the darn thing exploding... *again*>> the last word was not planned - but since it is a direct neural interface it got sent anyway. If you are listening with a DNI you could feel the horror in that word.
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(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Yako visibly shudders at the tail end of the message.
Yako >> IT: Sounds like something nasty happened, I know the feeling. I'll take a look at it in the astral.
Yako tries to calm her nervous fidgeting enough to relaxing, closing her eyes to relax her mind enough to open herself to the Astral, taking the time to examine the box and hopefully contents as well.
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
IT quickly regains control over her feelings. She continue sending messages directly from her rig.
Oh... I had no idea I still feel so strongly about it. Deja voo that's all... it seems like it happened in a different life, to a different person. I liked jogging back then... can't even picture myself doing it now.
Anyhow, we conned the Yakuza out of some really volatile stuff and it literally blew up in our faces. Instantly killing everyone. For some odd twist of fate I am still alive, and became magically active. Now I really have to get my thoughts straight because I want to bring us safely to our destination - not a good time for getting sentimental.
Where are we heading guys? we drove away from the customs but where to?
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Flea scanned it for wireless signals with her Deck, checking her AR overlay for inbound results. It was likely to have some kind of tracker tag built in and she readied her bug zapper as the van pulled away.
Matrix perception:
matrix perception, looking for hidden icons (http://orokos.com/roll/262271): 14d6t5 4
will then nuke the known tags with tag eraser before doing a general sweep of the box with it.
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(http://i.imgur.com/wRaqFog.png)
As you speed away from the facility, IT's commlink buzzes with a message from the shipping facility.
>> We apologize, it seems there was a small error regarding your paperwork. We request you please return so we can quickly iron this out and get you back on your way. Thank you.
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(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
The man's eyebrows perk up.
>>"Who I'm working for? I'd have thought that should be obvious. The Sisters. As for what they pay me, it isn't as cut and dry as that. There is a nominal amount of nuyen, of course, "services rendered" and all that cover jazz, but holding a group like that in even a minor debt is a good position to be in. I deal in contacts and information. For someone like me, an influential religious group owing you a favor can be a very significant payout, provided one is patient.
"That is unfortunate," Inanna says, pocketing her commlink. "I thought you may be higher up the food chain than all that. It doesn't look as though we'll be able to help one another out, after all. You do know the sisters are on the wrong side of history, and in the wrong country for the game they're playing. I'd say that I wish you all the best, sir, but grunts die grunt deaths, and you are a grunt. Maybe if you had been brought on by the mega backing the sisters, things would go a little differently between us, but as it stands, my nuyen will ride on the winning horse."
Inanna gives him one last chance to speak before leaving the room. She asks one of the guards standing outside the room to take her to the head of security, and once there says, "You should expect an extraction attempt. He's seen my face, so the chance of his escape would greatly hinder the chance of our success. I'll leave the decision to you."
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(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Yako gulps and sends a message, those using a DNI will pick up on her nerves.
It looks like another one of those statue things... I can't tell exactly what it is, but it's some kind of alchemical preparation for a Force 8 Manipulation spell. Whatever this thing is it's powerful.
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
<< So... we're driving around with a high force alchemist preparation -the kind made but very powerful mages.
The status contain spirits - don't know how. I am not skilled in alchemy level 6 spirits actually I'd seen if they where alchemy preparations when scouting the Cathedral.
I think it contains a control spell - mind control is manipulation - just guessing but I think with so many missing priests the sisters are planning something nasty tomorrow - maybe some powerful ritual performed under mind control spell - can you do such things? I am new to this magic stuff - I really don't want to be around it when it goes off.
>>
She forward the customs message to the team.
<< we got another concern - I am an armature with forgery... It may just be a little thing with the paperwork. At any case if we do not reply they'll be more suspicious and dig deeper and the more they dig the more we're at risk - so I'd send a mundane replay something like - "Okay - we are on the way back." >>
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//I say we destroy the fucking thing. Don't reply, I bet the church has received confirmation the parcel has been picked up and queried it. Kill your comms, drop your wireless and lets go blow this sodding thing sky high away from the city//
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(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Yako's reply is showing more of her nerves to anyone communicating via DNI.
I think it more likely that the gig's up... besides Flea's already been messing with the container. I think some fast talking and stalling while we legit for the cathedral is about our only real play here. If we find out the statue is bad juju we can put some armor piercing rounds into it or something to mess it up. If we go back I think about the only 'checking' they'll be doing will be involving lots of guns pointed at us. And I really don't want to go through that again. The last bit slips through via her DNI.
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(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
"We can take it to the temple.Ask the priests.Maybe it will help us understand what awaits us at the Cathedral"
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
We can also bargain for it - package for emissary not sure if our leverage is strong enough tough.
I am not sure the temple will want this in their backyard - it is like bringing them a bomb - we should ask them about it before showing up this hot - it is not polite to bring a bomb to your employer's place. Some of the people in the temple can be trusted I think. I am just saying. If you showed down my place with such strong unknown magic - I won't invite you afterwards.
She then sends a private message to Yako.
<<@Yako[IT] - don't worry dear we're all stressed. >>
And then a message to the customs.
<< Damn... so annoying I have to be near this packet for any longer... we are coming back hold on. Be patient we are going extra slow for safety.>>
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For all we know it's useable on command, I don't want to risk it being weaponised and I'm sure mages can track this stuff in the astral if they can find it. We need to put distance between us and the depot and find a way to blow this thing or keep it off the radar. My preference is for the former.
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
Are initial plans is to use this packet as a legit excuse to visit the cathedral - they are expecting it delivered... and they are expecting it now. The real workers of no idle hand may be on their way to the customs as we speak we do not have time. If we want the original plan we should rush to the cathedral.
Godless will help us with a sin test there as well.
That said I totally understand how dangerous this stuff is - and I understand Flea - but I am not sure we'll get a legit reason to be in the cathedral and their astral and physical security seems solid. I counted 6 spirits and some awakened beasts patrolling - they are out of our league for brute force. They also have more mages in there, and god knows whats inside.
We're only going to get the emissary out with a ruse, and I don't know how many more tricks we'll have before our deadline. I say we go for it. I'll come with you jumped in a security drone they are standard and are expected to secure the package.
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(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
Do it then.Ask them.Similar items are already inside the Cathedral we are about to infiltrate.Ignorance on the matter is even more dangerous.
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(http://i.imgur.com/5nmALkk.png)
<< @Team [James] I think the jig is already up. Trying to sneak into the Cathedral in disguise as couriers would be tantamount to a frontal assault - minus the benefit of surprise. >>
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
Okay okay - guys lets leave it for now.
I am contacting the temple and ask them if they care to have a look.
We are in danger right now with a delicate preparation, and some angry guys at the customs that may send someone after us. My first suggestion is to make the van invisible, it will give us some disguise from mundane security. But once I do it, there is no way I can jump out - as the autopilot software cannot be trusted driving an invisible car.
We can figure out our exact plan soon enough but everyone has to agree - if we chose to do stuff we are 100% committed to it. We should work together at least until we get paid. I am putting us on route to some desolate place, I'd turn all devices offline as Flea suggested. It is bad enough we can be tracked in the astral lets not give our enemies options. I can speak to you while driving from the stereo system - no need to send matrix messages.
Lets keep just one com link online for communication - or a deck running silent. I suggest Flea as I'll be a bit busy driving. But any top notch comlink should be safe enough.
she then contacts the temple security, forwarding the message to the team.
@Temple[IT] *Urgent* - we picked up some magical preparation from the customs.
do you have an elder mage that can have an astral look?
We'd carry it to you but it may be dangerous so we want someone experienced to have a look prior.
Preferably someone knowledgeable in alchemy.
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(http://i.imgur.com/43SptMW.png)
When he's right, he's right.
Inanna shuts down her comms, and turns everything wireless off before speaking. "I agree with James. I don't want us taking this thing to the Sisters, and I doubt we're getting in the front door. We're looking at a stealth extraction now. Only other idea I have is to see if we can reach out to the sisters and try to bargain the release of our target for . . . whatever the hell that thing is. If we can divert their energies elsewhere, we may have a better chance of getting in undetected."
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The car speakers speak in a mechanical voice
Since we do not have the element of surprise anymore - not after they nearly killed us - perhaps you can leverage what you learned from the prisoner to our advantage. They are looking into hiring us in the future... we want the emissary released ? We are professionals right? We can even offer our services + the packet, for the emissary and either keep or do not keep our word. Depending on how deep we feel our commitment to the temple after this gig is.
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(http://i.imgur.com/QGH48lN.png)
Yako carefully switches off her secondary comlink and switches all her gear into silent mode.
Yako - Korean: I don't like the idea of trying to work for these Sisters. I talked to one of my contacts earlier and this Sisterhood is highly aggressive to any faith or magic that is not Cristian, for many of you this may not be an issue... but as a practitioner of the Shinto faith and magic, I worry that once they have stamped out the scattered shamans in this region, they will turn their attention to other competing faiths. I can't tell exactly what this statue is, but I know that it is the work of exceptionally powerful individuals, or a large group willing to risk physical drain. Either of these options are highly worrying and we know that they have more like this.
Yako pauses and visibly shudders, her ears twitching, her worry and fer starting to creep into her voice... a reminder of just how young she is for a runner, she has experience but isn't yet hardened.
Yako - Korean: You say that trying to deliver this statue won't work for a covert entry... and from what IT has described there is extensive magical and astral security around the cathedral. So we have very few options, but perhaps we can still leverage their desire for this statue to our advantage? Leave it someplace and tell the Sisters where, state that we're guarding it heavily while we conduct negotiations. They sounds more likely to send a team to retrieve it than actually negotiate, we could even look into rigging the crate with explosives? This should lessen physical security at the cathedral for us to get in, it sounds like stealth will be almost impossible so we divide their forces before we hit the Cathedral.
Yyako pauses again, gulping softly.
Yako - Korean: I'm... I'm not really suited to a full on assault like this... but I don't know that we have many more options in the time we have.
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
I am not saying we should switch - I am just saying we have our cards we are nameless professionals. While I prefer to stay in good connection with our new contacts. Nobody is going to cry for us if we die - nobody will rescue us if we're captured. We don't exist. Actually if we are captured we'll just have to switch sides it is more likely than death.
If Inanna lived earlier she could negotiate the unification of Korea herself. Saving this region so much suffering - I completely trust her with social magic. But- if we're going negotiation route we need to understand that as we need to complete the job successfully - otherwise we'll be out of job. Our services are also a bargaining card.
We all are working for mega's - either we know it or not - they make the world go round.
Our services are a good card - powerful one and if there is no other way I think it should stay on the table if only to bring the emissary back alive.
If we want to stay in business we need to do our job no matter what. We can do some matrix magic later - at city hall to see if we can get the building plans of the cathedral to prepare a stealthy approach. Perhaps they have a back door - many of these old buildings have physical back doors.
About the negotiation don't worry - these preparations are delicate any minor damage will destroy them. It is unlikely they can be taken from us by force if we are willing to destroy it at the first sign of opposition - think about this negotiation as a hostage situation.
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(http://i.imgur.com/JX39vJ6.png)
(http://)
Actually if we are captured we'll just have to switch sides it is more likely than death.
At the sound of these words Sabato's face seems to harden, even more so than usual.The rest of IT's words are just a backround noise to him.
When she finishes he speaks
Revealing the possession of such a powerful asset to our enemies, one which they can trigger from afar and turn it against us, seems unwise.Regardless of my personal opinion, I will help the team, even if I disagree with the course of action.You have earned as much.But I must tell you this: unless our employers betray us first or prove to be without honor, I will not switch sides, no matter the circumstances.
This is the most they've heard Sabato speak since they met him.
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(http://i.imgur.com/Oglk2n1.png)
Dearest Sabato...
We obviously have different concept of honor - different cultures different honor. My commitment ends with when the emissary is safely in back the temple. After that I am a free agent again. Loyal to my fixer and friends -that's all.
If I am captured - I prefer alive to honorable - but I respect your view as well. Let's not get captured and keep our disagreement philosophical.
We are in great danger carrying a hot item - and I am the driver. So right now I need to releax so I can drive my best. I need to keep us alive first priority, and the crazy gun people may be right around the corner. This package is worth a lot.
We'll know more once the temple respond to our aid request. At the mean time -lets try to see *them* before they see *us*. I am driving jumped in because I anticipate problems.
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(http://i.imgur.com/5nmALkk.png)
"I also think we should consider the likelihood that the van we are in is compromised as well. I'm sure they have info on its tags and a description, so we're probably going to have to see what our options are for another ride."