Shadowrun
Shadowrun Play => Play-by-Post => Topic started by: SeriousOne338 on <05-16-12/1055:09>
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Our Story begins in a suburb of Seattle the Edmonds area located south of Everett and north of Seattle proper. The area once known as a richer district is now a run down heap, sporting several junk yards and a heavy gang activity. You were called to meet a Johnson as a local bar, Red Jack’s, it’s a pirate themed bar. When you enter there is almost no-one in attendance seems the workday has dragged most of the populous to work. The barkeeper nods to you as you enter and lets you into a back room that sports a single table and a chairs.
And so it begins.
If your carrying weapons state it now, other than that show up and state what you do.
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Smiley rolls in on his hog. Arriving at the meet locale, he eases in and takes a moment to appriciate the ambience.
When he is invited into the back, he nods to the barkeep. "Pirates, huh? Guess it'll be a rum and coke then." he says with (what else?) a smile. :)
Flipping a chair around, he relaxes and waits for the others.
8)
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Damn Johnson couldn't pick a nicer place to meet, could he? Hank grumbles to himself as he walks through the slum neighborhood, keeping an eye out for problems. He didn't bother trying to hide the Ingram slung under his shoulder; that was generally enough to keep toughs away.
Reaching the bar, Hank sighs. A themed joint. Better and better. Shaking his head, he walks in and glances around. Noting the lack of customers, he walks up to the bar and orders a beer. Following the barkeep's gesture, he walks into the back room, nodding at the other man as he takes a seat.
"Name's Hank. You know anything about what we're here for?"
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"Probably not much more than you do, name's Smiley." The Amerind takes a sip from his glass, "You drinking? First one's on me." :D
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"Smiley, eh? Not 'Two Dogs Smiling Suggestively at a Tree', or anything? Thought all you 'Rinds had gone back to them old names." Hank grinned as he spoke to make it clear that he was joking. Better to find out whether his potential partners could deal with his sense of humor before starting a job than to get in a brawl halfway through. The human seemed likable enough. Gesturing to the glass in the his hand, Hank continued, "Anyhow, thanks for the beer. Next one o' them watered-down concoctions you want's on me."
Leaning back, Hank took a pull from his mug. "Hope the Johnson's putting together a good team. I've seen some jobs where half the guys were so cooked they couldn't piss straight, and the other half wouldn't know which end of a gun you're supposed to hold if you told 'em. Me, I specialize in removing obstacles. What's your gig?"
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1d6 -> 4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3521183/)
Today Rybka is on her stable phase; no modifier (positive or negative) apply.
Rybka is wearing Auctioner Bussines Clothes, and on the colcealed holster in the suit rests "En Garde", her taser. She carries no other weapon at the time, and besides her commlink (tucked into a back pocket on the suit), glasses, a pack of cigarettes and a lighter (on a purse), she does not seem to be carrying anything.
A beautiful woman wearing executive clothes walks into the room. "Excuse me, gentleman." The way she stresses the word gentleman let doubts arise if she is being polite or just ironic, and her voice present a light Russian accent. She graciously walk to the table, sits on one of the chair and take a little time to observe the other people gathered there. So this is the team I should work on this time...
The SIN that the blonde girl with glasses is broadcasting present herself as Regina Sneedroningen, citizen of the UCAS.
"Sorry if my entering interrupted your talk; I take that since you were introducing yourselves none of you is the Johnson here. You may call me Rybka."
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Marak rolls in on his HArley thinking pirates mon?? I left de carribean had my fill mon....sigh 8) <puts his shades on> Leans on the bar and just scans the crowd
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Hank looks the young lady over. Bit overdressed for the neighborhood--either she's ignorant, insane, or surprisingly lethal. Hope it's the latter.
"Rybka, eh? I'm Hank, and this grim-lookin' injun here"--he gestures to the grinning man next to him--"calls himself Smiley. Dunno why. You're right, ain't neither of us the Johnson. Drink while we wait?"
At the sound of a motorcycle pulling up, he glances towards the door, his hand instinctively moving slightly closer to his gun. As the newcomer leans against the bar, Hank relaxes and takes another swallow from his drink.
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The meeting room is dark and dank, lit by single pulsing florescent bulb. The table is a simple wood and polysteel job with dints and nicks. Around it are gathered seven chairs of dissimilar verity. As you take your seats, the chairs groan under the weight as if they’re not used much anymore. From the back door one leading deeper into the building comes a scratching sound, moments later the door is opened and three young human men walk into the room. The look like street toughs some having oblivious cyberware, there are some tattoos but are mostly covered by clothing. As if to show a counter point a wizened old man in suit shuffles in using a cane. He’s bold and has a pronounced nose, also human, but he appears to be over a hundred years old. He sits with a small sigh of relief, folding his hands on the table and making a pyramid out of his fingers.
“Good it appears the all of you made it ok, you will make a good point team.” he says in English with a slight German accent, his voice is crisp not matching the body. “I have a small job for you, I need some information retrieved. From that information I will also need you to pickup something special for me. I will pay you two thousand yen a piece for the information. ” He finishes with a crocked smile.
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"Rybka, delighted to meet you." Smiley says to the lady, clearly meaning it for reasons beyond the shadows, or perhaps just different kinds of darkness. ;)
"Hank and I were just discussing names in these modern times, how my people have returned to the old names and his prefer to take to pure fantasy in renaming themselves, starheart and surehand and such, all while sipping honeyed wine in their crystal towers." the Sioux countered the earlier jibe, with the same easy humor, "By the way, yes, its short for Smiling Wolf."
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Rybka had just made a head motion to acquienscense Hank's remark and question (yes, the lady would enjoy a drink),and Smiley apparently small-talk (although she hadn't replied, she would, as soon as the situation let her do it) when the troll (the fourth team member, it seems) entered the room, followed by the entrance of their employers from the other door. "Rybka" stern face remained imperscrutable, but she took a deep interest both on the fellow team member and the "people in charge". But as of now, she didn't essayed any reading on them... It's a very dangerous thing to work with assumptions when you have little info, and she would have plenty of time to study these people.
As soon as the old man talked, Rybka attention focused specially on him, and she couldn't help but think: "This one is a direct one. Is this a façade, or is he really that straight?" Anyway, it seemed like briefing/negotiations have started, and is a calm voice she replied:
"I believe the proper way to address you would be Mr. Johnson, am I right?" - Rybka's expression shows no innocence; it's rather a sign that if he may be called something else, he could provide a name or handle right now. The girl knows how to be polite, even when the situation does not seem to be calling it yet - "Even though we all gathering here announces that both parties have some interest in this negotiations, it seems a little bit early to put values on the table. It would be very amateurish to discuss payment when the job is so unclear as of yet. I also understand that the nature of this job must take into account not telling the specifics before we commit to it, but at least some non-comprimising information could be shared before we decide to choose between taking it or not, am I right? So, Mr. Johnson, which difficulties do you expect us to find while trying to retrieve that information? Generally, what kind of opposition are we being hired to face?"
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“Here is the mission data” he says as he forwards several files, that include vehicle pictures and a route map. “The information is on a comlink being transported later tonight. Its a two car convoy that will be traveling from downtown Seattle through the Everett slums and finally onto the UCAS naval base. The transports will keep off the highway and use back roads that is the reason for two vehicles, I expect 8 people to be among the vehicles. The lead vehicle is Hummer with an heavy machine gun on a manual turret ring, the second vehicle is a GMC SUV that is where the comlink will be housed. The comlink is in a locked suitcase, do not worry about opening it I will take care of that.”
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"As it seems, your briefing really changes the prospects of the job. No that we are a little bit more aware of the job at hand, we can better discuss the matter of a fair payment." Rybka smiles cheerfully, as if that's all a play; her great skill in manipulating her own body language makes it easy for her to have a very adaptative "poker face". "You know, Mr. Johnson, that the harder or the more demanding a run is, the higher it's pay may be to make ends meet. Your initial proposal does not seem to fit the job you are offering us: as you may well know, there's a very specific and limited time-frame on the situation, and it leaves us with little time to plan and to prepare ourselves; also, physical confrontation seems very likely, and both these hindrances may need to be taken on account. I would say that three grand nuyen and a half to each of us is a more fair price. What do you say?"
5 (Charisma) + 4 (Negotiations) + 3 (Kinetics) + 6 (Empathy Software 6) = 18 dice pool = 7 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3521788/)
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Marak just sits back and lets Rybka do the talking. As he still trying to get a feel for these ppl . But he's oh so intersted :D
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Hank nods at the Russian's words. "Eight potential tango's, with a mounted gun? Hope you ain't looking for quiet. Sounds like they're serious about protecting that 'link. How much noise are you willing to put up with, anyhow?"
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"Fine I can do three but don't expect much more out of my pockets" He says the street toughs behind him grunt/chuckle a bit. Turning to Hank he smiles ever so slightly "I don't care how much noise you make, topple a skyscraper if you must I want that comlink."
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"Will you or your friends be with us Mr Johnson? Or will we be doing a meet after to exchange goods?" Smiley asks, making a point of examining the toughs for any tells that might mark a gang affiliation. He wasn't up on such things himself, ganger chic not having been a going style in weeks, but Sgt Mike kept up with it.
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Rybka payed closed attention to everything. First meeting ettiquette in the shadows imply that questions when the members of a team don't know each other are made by the face, and these guys seem to be too confident to be on their first run... So, that must mean the Amerindian guy also regards himself as a Face. Great, it's always good to have your resources doubled, specially skills.
Rybka analyzed Smiley posture and attitude while talking: indeed, the guy is also a smooth-talker; looking for body languages and making trap-questions. But there's something more: the question he just made implies that he is a little more than just interested in fights. That's also good.
She let's him do the talking for now. Two speakers tire a contractor a lot less than just one.
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Do you have a map mon? If we can find potential chaoke points and nail de first vehicle with a big bang. Or even better hack it if we have a one with those skills mon. And last vehicle blow de road behind it mon. A show of force to open de doors no? Just my thoughts mon. and Marak sits back with a grin
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Without tilting her head the slightest, Rybka's eyes quickly glanced the troll, assensing this other party member. What info has this one giving to her as of yet? Nothing much, besides that even with the almost traditional violent approach of most trolls, he does some thinking on how to put his force to better effect. Even though he had implied to not have the skills of a hacker, Rybka assumed it's still too early to disregard this possibility: at first meetings, anyone can have motives to hide their assets.
Well, so far, so good.
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Smiley tosses the route map the Johnson already provided to the troll for perusal. "Do you know roads in this part of the city? If its not a pub crawl, I am just about lost." ;)
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Smiley tosses the route map the Johnson already provided to the troll for perusal. "Do you know roads in this part of the city? If its not a pub crawl, I am just about lost." ;)
Not as much as I like. More at home in redmond mon. But if we have one or two or more good with sniper rifles or better yet LAWS . Dat machine gunner not be a problem..yes? ;D
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Hank takes a drink to cover his reaction as the troll and the 'rind keep talking. Damn it, you never talk details with the Johnson--especially not when negotiations are still going on! The Russky seems to know her business, at least, but those two could screw this up big time... He clears his throat.
"I don't think we need to bore Mr. Johnson, guys. Rybka?"
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Hank takes a drink to cover his reaction as the troll and the 'rind keep talking. Damn it, you never talk details with the Johnson--especially not when negotiations are still going on! The Russky seems to know her business, at least, but those two could screw this up big time... He clears his throat.
I don't think we need to bore Mr. Johnson, guys. Rybka?
Marak sits back trying to hide his embarassment
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The girl simply smiles with a gentle face... Hank's interruption was a good thing to happen. "I do agree with my team mate; planning and other trivialities about the job may wait after this meeting is gone." She turns to the old man who is calling the shots. "Excuse us our impatience, Mr. Johnson. I assure you this lack of the proper ettiquete was only motivated by an impulse to be prepared ahead of time, in order to accomplish your goals. But it was not a righted timed talk, and it will wait for later, don't worry."
After briefly consulting the route map, Rybka asks: "Okay, I think most of the inromation required is already provided; but at what time is this transport meant to be? How much time to we get?"
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Marak nods and lets the Face do her thing . Blushing at his blunder
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"The transport will be on the road in 8 hours, it route should take about 1 hour to go through. If you have no other questions I will be on my way. "the eldary Johnson says getting to his feet, on the table sits 4 cred sticks, each marked for 1,500 yen. 'I have a....... person that could provide transportation, and a mage that I could call in should you need additional assistance."
OK gang tattoos roll for perception so make them out then roll a urban/gang/law enforcement to recognize the gang it's not widely known.
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Sits back pondering is one of us a mage type , glancing at everyone.
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Rybka glances at the rest of the team. Sure, they haven't yet told each one what are the skills they are bringing to the table; the Johnson entrance was an abrupt one (so they had no time to properly present themselves), and the team was organized by him, so he should know better what kind of capabilities they would be lacking. This should be an indicative that among the presents there would indeed be no mage and driver.
"I can't say anything for the rest of the group, but it seems like additional help would most probably be useful. It would help us to achieve your goals, so I would vote for it... If you are willing to include them in your payroll, that is." The russian girl says, while staring at the credsticks on the table. Additional help should be fine, but one must be sure not to dwindle the paycheck too much.
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<raises eybrow> Dis one sure has a point mon
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"Good your driver will meet you at the corner of 196th and 44th ave in lynnwood in 6 hour's. It will be able to provide some drone assistance. The mage will meet you at the corner as well, be carefull with that one he likes the plants and things."
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nods at the info given by Mr/ J but remains seated to see if after the J leaves we will discuss plans etc
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When the Johnson leaves, Smiley picks up the credstick nearest to him and the rest of the files on the table as he rises, offering a hand to Rybka, "I know a cozy little noodle joint a few minutes away, we can get to know each other and make plans for the evening ahead."
Smiley then eyes the others, "You guys can come too, if you like." ;) 8)
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The girl takes one of the credsticks and tucks it into her purse. When the amerindian makes his offer, her eyes perscrute him for a moment. That's a funny piece: is flirting a façade, or is it his weakness? Hm... Better to wait and see. "Sure, why not?" is her joyful answer.
When Smiley takes her left hand, he can notice a chess piece tattooed on the back of her hand: a white queen.
Then she rises from the table and look at the troll who had not shared his name yet: "As Hank here said before, I'm Rybka. The chivalrous guy here goes by Smiley."
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Standing taking the credstick :D De name is Marak mon. If you be talkin plans I'm in. I could use some nosh too eh. . Never know might need to save Ry from the octopus if need be Marak thinks as he puts his shades back on 8)
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"Great. Well, we got eight hours to plan and grab our gear... at least in my case, I've not brought everything that may be needed to use on this run. Does any of you can provide a ride?"
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I have room on my Harley mon . ;D
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Well, having that troll around should help keep those two focused on something other than each other, Hank thinks as he watches the two humans making eyes at each other. Hard to feel too romantic with those horns looming over you.
Slipping one of the credsticks into a pocket as he stands up, Hank grins. "Noodles? Sure, count me in."
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"So, let's get going." The russian says, with a hint of excitment on her voice: "There's really a lot for us to talk and plan."
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At the appointed time, a Bulldog van that looked like it would be as much at home in a war zone as in a sprawl pulled up to the corner of 66th and Lynwood, a combat drone with its chameleon coating on following behind it. For the moment, it just sat there, waiting on the team it was supposed to pick up.
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Lead the way mon and lets get planning dis
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{Sorry Mirikon, you are probably gonna miss the planning session, I doubt we will just jump ahead 6 hours}
Smiley takes the troop for noodles, in spite of his commentary the Amerind's choice is not a romantic hideaway, but another small business with a private backroom where business can be done. This time in a working class neighborhood that they don't risk life or property walking thru.
After getting everyones orders from the cook, Smiley gives everyone their food and explains "I didn't think it was a great idea to layout all of our cards with the Johnson in earshot, physically or electronically, so here we are. Full introductions first I think, Daniel Smiling Wolf, specialty is interpersonal relations, of the physical as well as the social variety. I am student of one original developers of the fighting arts taught to the Sioux Special Forces."
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Rybka nods at Smiling Wolf commentary that it's not wise to show all their cards on the table while an in the presence of an unknow Johnson. She took notice at the diference in demeanor of the amerindian now, though: from flirtatious to all profesional. She looks at the elf and the troll; as it seems, they get an interesting bunch.
After some moments of though, Rybka decides that it's worth sharing her profile with the group: "Ok, full introductions time. If you need any name to call me, call Regina; that's what I go by here in the UCAS - but if you preffer using a real one, the handle Rybka will have to do. I specialize on circunventing language barriers - be it by paroling or by codeslinging."
After taking a bite of the food, she goes on:
"While we are at it, I want your commcodes. I'm setting up an encrypted channel for our future communications."
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I go by the handle of Marak, I am quite what my unc called it was a adept...gunslinger. with an affintity with de automatics mon. Com code sent Rybka Anyting else you want to know mon, just ask . :)
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"As I told Smiley earlier, I specialize in removing obstacles. Got a knack for it--and hell, I just like blowing things up. Might as well get paid for it, right?" Hank grins. "Anyhow, way I see it, we can't do anything unless we stop them vehicles; I think I can whip up a few toys to help with that. Where do we want to hit them?"
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"I am new to the city, so I don't know these roads well. No idea where we would have tactical advantage, but my guess would be the that the best spot would be when the convoy is passing through Mulkiteo - close to the sea, and with less roads to escape. But I also don't know the area, so be my guest to suggest another place."
Rybka eats a little more before proceeding:
"Since at least our first introductions are gone and we have shared a bit of our capabilities, I'd like to give some ideas on how we can get this deed done. As I've already said, I'm skilled on the Matrix side of things, and most probably I would be capable of hacking into at least one of these vehicles; maybe we could use one of them to ram the other against a wall, where your explosives could be planted. A pity that this mounted HMG of them is manually operated, thought..."
Another pause to eat.
"Another thing I should say - I'm thinking about having the least opposition possible to face; from my part, I'm not that good a shooter, okay?"
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Shooting is my department I guess eh mon. But yes less lead flying our way is a good thing no
fiddles with tiny fork , sighs and just gulps from bowl
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Smiley does some simple net searches and starts pointing to different parts of the map.
"It looks like the route, while it's not on the interstate, is using the old UCAS state roads, so I don't think we are going to find any real chokepoints that we don't create for ourselves."
Smiley reads some more then makes more notes.
"The Downtown is supposed to be a crazyquilt of different influences, corporate, criminal, and otherwise. Great to help disappear, lousy place for fireworks. We could have security from half a dozen corps on us, not including the Knight."
Smiley points to the area Rybka mentions, "This whole zone in Everett, where the route stops going straight and runs to the Sound and back is the Federated-Boeing enclave and headquarters. We might be able to find a quiet spot on the "Back 40" to hit the trucks, but again I hear FB security on the whole is pretty paranoid."
The Sioux opens his hand between the two and waves it. "Somewhere in here I think is where we want to be, south of the FB complex the area is practically lawless. Then slowly civilization returns thru Snohomish back into the Core. If we hit them in SnoHo I think we have our best chance, before they start getting edgy."
"That's my take anyway."
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I'm guessin we can't bring the overpass down on them eh mon......What? Just an idea eh :-\
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Hank pauses, giving the issue serious thought, then shakes his head wistfully. "Tempting, but I don't have quite enough for that on hand. If I had a week, I could probably..." He sighs. "No, I think we'll have to settle for blowing up the Hummer, and making the target vehicle...wait around while we gt the cargo."
He looks at Smiley. "The troll and I can handle ourselves once things get underway, and the lady has offered to see what she can do through the 'nets...what about you? I don't suppose you plan on asking them politely not to shoot us...though I wouldn't mind if you could pull that off..." He finishes with a wry chuckle.
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Sits back and tosses an AR list of weapons he has
2 Ingram Supermachs, Ares Executive protector, Ares Alpha, 2 Ares Crusaders <chameleon coated>, 2 flashbangs, 2 frags , and I'm thinking stick n shock won't do? So I have Ex explosive and reg rounds......
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"As I've said, I prefer to be out of the flying lead zone - if the guys we are going against are not really pros, I'm better off messing with their guns and other equipment from afar - but if it's needed, I've got a Ruger Thunderbolt at home. I will get it before we go to the meeting point anyway, since we don't know what kind of "delivery" we will be asked to do after we get out hands on that 'link."
Rybka points out, while observing the information given by Mr. Johnson.
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"Good point "
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"What is wrong with asking? I can be very persuasive. " says Smiley, the grin remaining fixed on his face as he finished his carton. Taking one of the chopsticks and balancing it on the table point down, then he hammer fisted it (10d6.hits(5)=6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3530562/)) straight into and through the table.
"VERY persuasive." Although his face had never changed, it seemed...Darker.
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"I can do that too but I tend to break the table....my fists are ham hocks mon. Tends to happen 8). Now just think if we get close enough and ...... I tink we all get de point eh"
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Rybka grins at the strenght display, and with a cheerful face comments: "It's a great thing that "subtle" is not in the job priorities, isn't it?" After a short laugh, she turns to Hawk: "Anyway, is the exploding Hummer thing doable? If so, we will have just another car to worry about... and don't forget that, before we move on, we will have reinforcements, both in vehicles and of the mojo-slinging type... that can probably help in building ourselves another diversion or barrier for the remaining vehicle."
After finishing her meal, the russian rises from the table, and prepare to bid her new teammates goodbye: "Well, chummers, it was great talking to you and all, but I need to get somethings at home before our great show. Our meeting point is at the corner of 196th and 44th Av., Lynnwood, isn't it? I'll be there at the marked time. Anything you need, reach me by the 'link." That being said, Rybka takes her way home.
She have no idea how geared up she needs to be, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
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Marak rises with the russian and leaves also with a nod and a grin to everyone else. ;D He doesn't have much to pack but it be easier to get the stuff and to the corner in plenty of time. Goes gome grabs the hockey bag and slings it on his bike and slowly makes his way to the corner from deep inside Redmond.
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Hank casually finishes his noodles, then nods to the amerindian as he rises. "Thanks for the meal, Smiley. See you in a few."
As he strolls down the street, he quickly sends Cherry a message.
Hank's shopping list: one spike strip, 15 kg of commercial explosive, and (most important) a vehicle shell at the target zone.
He whistles happily in anticipation of the mission's activities.
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Smiley watches the last of the team depart, he considers for a moment getting a bottle and babe to waste away a few hours, since he wearing his 'working clothes'.
Instead he gets on his bike and takes a ride up to the Everett Yards and backtraces the route, just burning some gas and getting a look at things.
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A dusty old Thundercloud came to a halt. Out stepped a mountain of a man, human, but almost two meter high. Layers of fat barely covering solid muscles. His arms not less hairy than his bearded face. Sluggish in his movements, he felt obviously uncomfortable in his shirt and over his shoulder he carried an armor jacket. Around his neck he wore a heavy looking metal chain.
Slowly and curiously he walked around the van. The sterile smell of the unmanned vehicle set his teeth on edge. Growling he turned away to wait in his car. There is still time.
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Parks his bike in the shadow of an alley and sits an watches the rendevous corner to get a feel of things . At the appointed time he'll ride or walk up
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At home, Rybka takes her time to dive into the Matrix and search for any bit of information on the tattoo the Johnson's thugs had spotted.
4 (DataSearch) + 5 (Browse) + 2 (Hot-sim VR) + 2 (Analytical Mind) = 13 dice pool = 4 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3532106/)
Afterwards, she makes the preparations she thought needed to the task at hand; she change clothes to her newly buyed ME MetaL Urban Explorer Jumpsuit - the bussiness suit would attract too much attention on the desolate roads where they would prepare their ambush, and the jumpsuit was discret, simple and yet somewhat fashionable. It also offered a modicum of protection and conceability. Through her PAN, she commanded it's color to be grey, and started monitoring her health levels due to the internal biomonitor.
Then, she puts on her simrig and adjust her commlink on an internal pocket; the two concealed holsters are strapped on her body, and a ultra-thin synth-leather overcoat completes the assemble, hiding the guns and making her look a little less casual.
Finally, she loads the Ruger Thunderbolt with Ex-ex rounds (just in case they need to shoot the cars, for non-lethal she has her taser), and puts the spare clips on a backpack, along with the medkit and electronic tools kit. A cigarrete pack, a lighter and a some Betel also goes into the backpack, and she takes a pill of her medicine before leaving the appartment.
She is ready to roll.
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Some minutes before the meeting time, a blonde girl in a grey jumpsuit arrives at the location, and casually lit up a cigarette, waiting for the others. While she is at it, she scans the place for hidden nodes, in order to know what are the potential Matrix Resources she may have on the scene.
4 (Electronic Warfare) + 5 (Scan) = 9 dice
Rybka will search for at least a half a minute, which is ten combat turns.
Results = No glitch in any test; total hits after ten rolls = 33 hits (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3532109/)
So I guess Rybka shall now be aware of any Node in the vicinity, hidden or not
Rybka
{Health: 0 / 10P and 0 / 10S damage, 0 Wound penalty, 0 Stun penalty}
{Edge: 0/ 4} {Initiative(Meat/Matrix): 7/14; IP's: 1/3}
{Wearing: Urban Explorer Jumpsuit: Ballistic Armor: 6; Impact Armor: 6}
{Bipolar phase: Stable: NO Modifiers}
Payload limit without Responce reduction = 5 Ergonomic programs and 4 Non-Ergonomic ones
Ergonomic Programs Running
- Analyze 5
- Exploit 5
- Reality Filter 5
- Stealth 5
- Scan 5
Non-Ergonomic Programs Running
- Encrypt 5
- Biofeedback Filter 3
- Command 5
- Edit 5
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Approaches the corner looking for everyone and leans against a wall
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@Hank:
With limited time you make your way to cherries shop in Everett, having called ahead with your list of supplies needed. She meets you out back like usual with a small crate, "What do you need 15 kilos of Explosive on short notice? No don't tell me, I was only able to get 12 kilos more than that and I'd drawl some unwanted attention. AS for a shell car.... that was easy, some local gangers wanted to get rid of some evidence. It's an old mini van parked two blocks away from the junction you mentioned, keys are in the ignition the gangers are watching so don't worry. All in all it's ganna cost you" she pauses to look down at her comlink's video screen and taps a button. " 1,300 yen for explosives, another 200 for the mini van. so 1,500 yen for all the toys. " after getting your gear you head to mini van's location and begin wiring in the explosives and detonator. Next you spend some time in the overgrowth behind the noise barrier planting you secondary charges and running lines. Keeping and eye on time you finish about 30 minutes before the meeting time. Nodding to a local ganger watching the vehicle you lock it up and head out to meet up with the team. the van safely under the gangs watch until you return for it.
@Smiley:
You ride gives a good insight on the target's route and its a dewsy. At three separate times during your ride you had to gun it to avoid gangers with guns. Your bike roars past Hank as he works on a van with explosives, seems part of the team is getting some work done. (basically your getting a feel for the land, should you need to do running/dodging during the fight add a +1 to the dice pool because you know the area well)
@Marak
Your trip is not that eventful, just grabbing a bag and heading to the meeting place.
@Rybka:
you get to the meeting place first, but there is a van waiting for you. Having a taken your drugs you are slow on the uptake, and you realize everything is not right. When you scan the area you read two matrix node points, both are closed and have high grade firewalls. Ones the van the other is behind the van, at a closer glance you see the cloaked Gun drone. "holy shit!, this guy means business." you think before approaching the van. As you approach you hear the sound of a Motor cycle and see a man more akin to a wild beast layered in muscle pull up. He shuts off the bike and gets off, the shocks groaning in relief.
OK new players entering:
@Tachikoma:
When you get the corner your sensors pickup several beggars who approach the van in hopes of hand outs. With no care for human emotions, you de-cloak your Aztechnology Huitzilopochtli and let its gun track to them. With a cry of dismay the beggars run for it. When the beggars run you re-cloak your drone and set it to observation mode. As the team arrives your sensors pick them up feeding you data on what kind of gear/weapons they are packing. Not all but you can make educated guesses as what each person has.
@Lethe
You get off your bike, nose rinkling, still not used to the smell of exhaust. Stupid humans, killing the mother. As you look around you see the vehicle, and notice the lack of human smell, it smells of metal and plastic. Then you notice the human female looking at you, and you relise this is one of the members the Johnson told you about.
right let us get this party started.
Make the other "people" and make introductions.
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In the alley I load a clip of ex explosive into the alpha and sling it under the coat, the 2 supermachs in shoulder holster with ex also, thecrusader hidden in the small of my back with stick n shock. Just to let you know whats loaded. And i walk towards the van that Mr. J said would be there.
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No one would be packing this kind of heat casually here - except for 'runners. These may be our guys. But let's approach catiously, just in case.
Rybka walks calmly to the place where the van and the bearish-man are. She observe the machinery for a while and then takes the cigarette she is smiling in her hand:
"I believe a common friend has told you I would be there. I commom friend by the name of Johnson."
Her features change into a grin, and then she notices the troll walking toward them. "Great, just in time." She nods to his approach, and then mention to the "reinforcement": "You may call me Rybka; I will be the Matrix support on this endeavor. I believe the Johnson has already told you what the act will be about, am I right?"
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Marak sees Rybka and grins ;D , sizes up the man/mountain and nods "Names Marak and I'm ...fire support guess you could call it"
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Typical Cherry, Hank grins to himself as he walks. Girl probably got paid by the gangers to make the van disappear, and then by me for the privilege of making it disappear.
As he approaches the van at the meeting point, he pauses. Another troll? No, wait, that's a human--I think. Must be the driver we were promised. Wonder when the mage'll show up. He nods to Rybka and Marak. "My toys are in place; I saw the 'Rind cruising the route. He should be here soon. Who's the mountain?" He gestures to the newcomer.
Yes, I know that Hank's wrong about who's who. But he doesn't. ;D
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The mountain took a step and looked up to the even bigger troll. "Marak, I a.. well, call me Teddy. That should be enough for now." Teddy introduced himself in a deep and slow voice. "Rybka." He examined the woman from top to bottom. "I have a general idea, but know no details. I heard that you might need protection against ", he paused and continued even slower " other magically gifted."
Teddy probably approached each of them closer then they preferred, took a good look and a deep breath. Then glancing over Marak, Rybka and Smiley in amazement, "You got quite some talent here already... But it seems we are one person short. So no point in filling me in yet, is there?" he noticed after finishing the round.
Then he walked over to Hank "I have no idea what you are doing, but if you need a hand....", which might come handy, when there is any lifting to do.
Assensing Marak: 2 Assensing + 4 Intuition + 2 Specialization (8d6.hits(5)=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3532246/)
Assensing Rybka: 2 Assensing + 4 Intuition + 2 Specialization (8d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3532247/)
Assensing Hank: 2 Assensing + 4 Intuition + 2 Specialization (8d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3532248/)
Assensing Smiley: 2 Assensing + 4 Intuition + 2 Specialization (8d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3532249/)
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" TEddy ...right mon" offers to shake his hand
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Magically...? If he's the mage, where's the...? Hank scans the area to see if he can spot the van's driver--Perception (11d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3532308/)--but can't spot any signs of anyone else. Huh, you'd think the damn Johnson would've said if the driver was also a mage. Trying to hide his confusion, he turns to the large man reaching out towards him. "Teddy, eh? Call me Hank. No point waiting for our friend before filling you in--he knows what we're about. We've got a couple vehicles to stop; Johnson wants a 'link from a briefcase in the second one. Probably eight targets between the two vehicles. Shouldn't be too much of a problem." With a jerk of his head, he indicates the van. "You've got quite a lot of tech there for a mage--don't see that too often."
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Smiley rolls in, looking exactly as he did when you left him. He gives Rybka a long look over his shodes, like he is etching every inch of the skin tight outfit into memory. Arched eybrow showing approval he greets the the rest of the crew, "Okay, so I figure Hank is designing our little killzone here, so he can tell us where he wants the rest of us and where he will be. Marak and I will be the ones to go in and get the link, Teddy and Rybka are the back-up with you and our driver on overwatch. That sound good to everyone?"
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"Sounds alright to me mon" 8)
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Slightly confused Teddy looked at the big hand. Greeting or contest? Then he took it and pressed it strongly - just in case.
He nodded, "Thanks for the update. It sounds like a decent plan - lets hope for the best.... But this van is not with me and if its not with you guys, who is it with?" He stepped back "There hasn't been anything living near it for a long time. And the flying metal bird in the air doesn't look too friendly as well." His eyes narrowing.
-
@Teddy
Teddy has got two hits on assensing Rybka's, which should provide him information about her health status, general emotional state, if she is mundane or Awakened and the presence and location of Cyberware:
Rybka's aura show that she is anxious, but her face tells otherwise. She has no cyberware that you can perceive installed, she is quite healthy and she is Awakened.
He is... the mage? Rybka knew not to judge a book by it's cover, but it was surprising nonetheless. But the guy does not seem to know about this tech layed out here, and the Johnson said a mage and a driver, not a mage and driver. There is bound to be another guy...
Is the driver a rigger who preffer not to show himself in the meat? But why haven't he presented himself yet?
There's no reason to keep paranoid about it (yet), so she just shrugs the thought off. Smiley staring does not pass unnoticed at all, but she does not seem to mind. It's good to know that she can trigger this responce; it can be useful later on. After blowing some smoke out, Rybka hands Hawk her cigarette: "I don't mind if you smoke or not, but you should smoke it around your traps or leave it next to one of them. It liberates a scent masking substance, and it would save us some trouble if that vehicles are equipped with chemical sniffers."
Then she turns to the others: "I agree with Smiley's reasoning; I would like you all to send me your commcodes, and by all I include our hide-and-seek practioner there, are you listening?" - she says, satring at the place where she saw the concealed drone. "There are things that we tech-heads would need to discuss, don't you agree?"
-
pass is link to Rybka and looks around to who the hell she's talking too and grips tighter before lettin go of Teddys hand with a grin ;D
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Lethe:
Three hits assensing on Hank reveals that he's mundane and his eyes are artificial. His mood is cheerful, laced with anticipatory excitement. No diseases or strange astral signatures.
As the Russian turns and addresses empty air, Hank realizes that she's probably right--the driver isn't physically present, for some reason. Ah, well, takes all types, I guess. Walking over to the van, he knocks on the hood. "So, we've got a reclusive net-head for a driver, do we? Safely holed up in yer momma's apartment while the rest of us deal with the dirt? Don't matter to me--as long as you do what yer paid for, you could be a damn robot for all I care. But you're gonna miss a pretty fireworks show. Seeing it through sensors ain't nothing like feeling the heat on yer skin!"
Turning to the rest of the group, Hank sketches out the basic layout of the killzone, indicating where people should be so as to not be caught in any of the explosions, while still being close enough to get to the target vehicle--or away, in case things go pear-shaped--quickly.
-
Teddy has got 5 hits on assensing Marak's, which should provide him information about his health status, general emotional state, if he is mundane or Awakened and the presence and location of Cyberware:
Marak's aura show that he is anxious, but his face tells otherwise. he has no cyberware that you can perceive installed, he is quite healthy and he is Awakened....should there be more?? He is a gunslinger adept
-
At this time, the door of the van opened, allowing what appeared to be a toy drone hop out, and walk over to the group of runners. The toy was one of those transmorphing space ninja things that had come out to compete with the Bust-a-Move drones. As it walked up to the group, its eyes shone, and in front of it in the air hung a hologram of a... tank?
(http://images.wikia.com/ghostintheshell/en/images/e/e7/Tachikoma.gif)
"Hi! I'm Tachikoma, and I'll be your driver for the evening. I have some drones to help, as well, as you may be able to see. If you would all please get in the van, it will likely be more secure speaking there, than in the open here." The hologram's voice had a strange, almost childlike quality to it.
-
:-\ ??? :o :o ::) :D
Smiley actually goes over and looks around the inside of the van. "I think we are good Tachi, if you have the capability though, it would be great if we can get a spy eye on the target convoy."
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:o :-\ uh ok wtf .............well thats different. " um what with me and Thunder here it be a lil on the tight side o things mon"
-
Rybka was surprised, but not that much. EvoCulture preachings made her somewhat resistant to the strange coworkers she sometimes had, and that was not the worst she saw. In fact, she even liked the hologram image presented; the way the "robot-tank" image looked remembered her old Matrix avatar, still saved up on her 'link.
"Thanks for the invitation, Tachikoma." Rybka says, while steping up into the van. "I guess it would be better for me to work from inside the van, anyway, as I'd rather be in VR... meat speed may not be enough, you know? Anyway, I'm including you and Teddy on the encrypted channel that I have made before; so know our group can talk through our 'links."
Tachikoma... she has heard that name before, but where? Well, whatever. She will remember, eventually.
-
The tank icon nodded to Rybka. "And if everyone would send me their information, I have tacnet software online, including mapping software that should provide a tactical advantage when we encounter the convoy. Unlike my other drone, here, the aerial drones do not have the same stealth capabilities, so I would like to avoid launching them until we are on site. And you are undoubtedly more secure going into full VR within the van than without it. In addition to the armor, I've installed a rear-facing machine gun that should serve to discourage pursuit." The drone turns, and begins tottering back to the van, climbing up into it. "All right, everyone who is coming in my van, please get in. Those of you who have your own transportation, please point it out to me, so I can add them to my friend-or-foe files."
Tachikoma includes you all in a rating 2 centralized Tacnet. Each of you must contribute 4 sensor channels and slave your commlink to Tachikoma in order to take part. Possible sensor channels include:
Natural Senses: Visual, audio, or olfactory senses recorded via simrig each count as a sensor channel. Natural enhancements such as low-light and thermographic count as additional senses.
Cybernetic Senses: Any visual, audio, olfactory, or other sense acquired via cybereyes, cyberears, olfactory booster, orientation system, etc. Sensory enhancements such as low-light, thermorgraphic, smartlink, ultrasound, radar, spatial recognizers, and so on each count as a separate sensor channel.
Sensor Systems: Data acquired from worn, carried, or mounted sensor systems of various types (cameras, microphones, range finders, motion sensors, etc.) may also be contributed to the network as a sensor channel. Drones sensor systems also count; each drone can supply a number of sensor channels equal to its Sensor rating.
The tacnet gives a +2 bonus to those using AR and performing Close Combat, Dodge, Firearms, Infiltration, Maneuvering, Perception, Shadowing, and Surprise tests.
The Tactical Satellite Mapping software on one of the aerial drones provides a real-time map of the situation, based on information from the tacnet.
-
Rybka sits on the van, all quiet on the exterior. But in fact, she is quite nervous and suspicious now: entering a centralized TacNet, as Tachikoma is asking them to do, would imply slaving her 'link to his node... and she does not know this person yet. If at least she could see his real face, then at least she would have some ground to thing of it. At least for now, she will play dumb and ignore the offer: after all, being inside the van she has no information to contribute.
Automaticaly, she reaches for a betel chewing gum. Smoking that scent-masking cigarette always leaves her with with a strange taste in her mouth - an adstringent taste of nothingness. The betel gum will help washing it away.
1d6 = 6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3533000/); so for the next 60 minutes, Rybka will be more awake and alert (she gains a +1 Perception).
-
Hank grins. "Never hurts to knock." At the tank's invitation, he climbs into the van. At the tank's tacnet invitation, Hank pauses. "No offense, Tach, but mind telling me a bit more about herself before I go giving you my eyes? I don't know you from Lofwyr..."
-
Teddy heard about machines operating on their own. He himself had a little ghost in the machine and it took a long time to get used to it and it wasn't smart at all. "Merlin, what is my commcode? And transmit it to those people, please?" "Please define 'those people'. Do you want to transmit your commcode to the nearby nodes?" "Well, ok. Lets try that."
Teddy felt very uncomfortable trusting a machine to drive him somewhere, but then he didn't have much of a choice. They were going against other vehicles and he wasn't too good a driver, so he had to rely on someone to bring them close in, if needed. Dressing in his armor jacket, tensed up and hesitantly, he stepped into the van. "I suppose i can leave my ATV here. Let me sit next to an open window."
Merlin is the agent on Teddys commlink. Since Teddy doesn't know much about tech, he heavily relies on Merlin, even for the most basic things.
I assume my ATV is parked somewhere inconspicuously and i would be able to get it back after the hit.
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Well if Teddy goes in so does Marak. And passes his code to Wall-e uh TAchy and positions himself by the gun
-
The hologram tank turned to look at Hank, and said, "Well, what do you want to know? My name's Tachikoma, and I'm two years old last month, and I really enjoy reading manga. I've also downloaded several files on setting up and preparing safehouses, if you're into that kind of thing. Oh, and I'm a rigger, too. Don't do much hacking, though I can, if I really have to. And you guys could tell me a bit about yourselves, too."
-
What you want ta know mon...uh bot? Born in the league , I'm good with guns...really good. New to ....Seattle."
-
Born two years ago... yup, so it seems like it's really an AI. That's quite interesting. After a little while, Rybka says: "If you are more confortable with if, you may leave hacking to me. I'm a former corporate spider, and quite new to this city." That much was what she could reveal on a "first meeting", anyway.
Seeing that Teddy does seem to be very unfamilar with very basic technology, she chooses to give him a short lesson before dropping into VR:
"Teddy, your commcode is just a "number" by which we can reach you through your commlink. Think about it as your address in the Net; in order for me to send you a message, if you are far away, I need that address. That's all. Tachikoma will include your commcode on his TacNet, or I will include it in our encrypted communications channel - that is, we can talk via or commlinks, and the 'line' is secure, we put some protections against eavesdropping. Did you understand?" Rybka is serious and a little bit fast in her instructions, but she is also quite "profesoral" when giving her lecture.
"Anyway, if you need any help with any of that, call me. Now, don't worry about what you will see next; it will appear as if I have fainted, but that's normal. I'm just going to focus my concentration on the Matrix... it's like when you astraly project, you know, except that my soul does no go anywhere. You all may talk to me through the Matrix, anyway."
After she says that, she adjust her posture on the seat, in order for her body to be the most confortable possible when she goes limp. A second before, she gives a last remark, remembering Smiley craving eyes: "And I warn you all not to have any funny thought while I'm netrunning."
That being said, her body goes limp, and she dives on the depths of the Matrix.
@Team: Okay, guys, I'm ready to work.
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"Ok where you wants us for max protection and do the most good??"
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Smiley gives up his coms to the techs, "Let's get that eyespy up quick, okay? What are the chances of one you popping the locks and killing the engine on the prize car, if need be, when the escort gets taken out?"
After the last minute conferences, Smiley will show Marak where they can stow their bikes near the spots Hank has them, out of sight, but close enough to get to if they need to bug out or give chase.
-
The 'tank' looks at Smiley, and says, "I don't have an eyespy, but I do have two aerial drones which I am launching now." And indeed, two drone racks built into the van discharge their drones, one a helicopter-style aerial drone, and the other an ancient Reaper, from the old USA days. Where Tachikoma got one of those is anyone's guess, but it was armed with two machine guns, and a pair of actual bombs that could be dropped on a target! The other combat drones, the helicopter and the tank that had followed the van (in its camouflaged form, of course) both had machine guns of the same type, the Ares MP-LMG.
As the helicopter-drone rose in the air, a three-dimensional topographic map appeared in everyone attached to the tacnet's AR, displaying the surrounding area, with members of the tacnet hilighted. The Reaper and helicopter rose above the range of small-arms fire, as the holographic tank turned to the others. "So, what is the plan?"
-
Hank sighs. Great, it's a damn AI... "Ok, Tach, you can share my eyes for now...but don't get too used to 'em, ok? And no funny games feeding me images of purple ogres and whatnot, or so help me I'll find your home node and turn it into tiny bits of flaming slag."
Hank's not biased against AI; it's just that he's old enough to be a little put off by the new movement to give computer programs the same rights as (meta)humanity. Kind of a "damn kids get off my lawn" moment. But he's also experienced enough to know the benefits of a good tacnet.
As Rybka slips into VR, Hank sends her a map pinpointing the prepped van. Over the group channel, he sends: Alright, girl, let's see how close you can get that hummer to here. And don't worry about Laughing Boy--I'll see that he keeps his hands to himself.
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An AI ....uh ok Marak thinks. Nods at Smileys directions , pulls out his Alpha and loads a frag into the launcher. Slides it back into place. And sits on his haunches til its near showtime. And turns on as background music some METAl that a friend of his scrounged up AC Top or something
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"What are the chances of one you popping the locks and killing the engine on the prize car, if need be, when the escort gets taken out?"
@Team: "We can't say before the car starts coming closer... If its wireless is enabled, it's controls are not only manual/mechanic,and we get into mutual signal range, I assure you the chances are pretty high. Gosh, I assure you I can hack it, and Tachikoma here probably could make it dance."
And as a private message:
@Hank: "Also, thanks."
@Team: "Let's get this show going, okay?"
Rybka does not know how well the AI should drive, but she was betting he was an ace: two years is quite the age for a Digital Inteligence, and she liked the moddifications she has seen and heard he did to his vehicle/drones. Probably the Program is a good enough rigger.
Her avatar; a featureless girl, minimalistic-sculpted (it's just a female shape, all glowing white except for the mouth and eyes), yet very carefully edited, floats on her Singularity BBB node. She opens the connection and allows for Tachikoma to slave her commlink to the TacNet.
A private message is sent to Tachikoma:
@Tachikoma: "Look, chummer; it's nothing personal, but it's not my thing to trust someone I have just met. So listen that: I will allow my comm' to be slaved (even though most of my sense feeds will be useless while I'm diving), but know that I'm well aware of any information traffic going on, and I'm not your regular friendly-hacker... I know how to deal with sneaky intruders, if it's needed, okay?"
Rybka's sensor channels shared through the Tacnet:
Natural Senses (via SimRig)
- Natural Vision (Channel Rybka1);
- Natural Hearing (CHR2);
- Natural Olfactory (CHR3);
Through other gear:
- Earbuds - Enhanced Hearing (CHR4);
- Glasses - Enhanced visual (CHR5);
- Smartlink (CHR6);
- Urban Explorer Jumpsuit Biomonitor (CHR7)*.
* Biomonitors do not provide sensor channels in the sense of the ones needed to get the bonus, but it means that others will be aware of Rybka's health status in real time.
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"Dance? Oh, if I can get access to it, I can make it do more than dance. And my drones have enough firepower to ruin someone's day. Most of the guns are loaded with EX explosive rounds, but one of the Reaper's guns has stick-n-shock, for a nonlethal option. Oh, and if I need to drop either of the bombs, you will want to clear out in a hurry. They're incendiaries, and they can pack a wallop. At some point, I want to get some actual missiles, and more drones, but all that is expensive. I had a hard enough time getting components to upgrade some of the old systems on the Reaper to modern tech. But it is a good weapon platform, and is fairly fast."
Tachikoma considers something, and says, "And why are you people so suspicious? I don't get paid if you guys fail. And I need to get paid in order to get new gear. You act like AIs are out to take people over and make them do crazy stuff. If people try to hurt me, I just shoot them. Shooting is something everyone understands, yes?"
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@Tachikoma: "Calm down, guy. I can assure you I am not suspicious of Digital Intelligences... I am of any inteligent being, in general. You know, when we run the shadows, usually there are people who don't get too happy with our actions; so you never know... A small dose of suspicious a day keep the morgue away, haven't you heard?"
"But I hope we haven't hurt your feelings... In fact, I'm surprised that you have so easily declared yourself an AI. Do you know there are still people in there who would pay a huge sum to dissecate your code, don't you?"
-
With the help of Rybkas instructions Teddy fumbled around awhile with his commlink until he seems satisfied. He put on a pair of glasses and plugged in some earbuds. "Tachikoma, is it working?"
"I don't know how much help i can be in bringing those vehicles down, but to keep you safe, i better be in a position where i can keep an eye on all of you. I might also get some information about the inside of the vehicles. Nothing worse then chasing the wrong things."
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@Team: Okay folks, let's remember what we are here to do and how much we are getting paid to do it. Wetwork ain't in this price range, neither is urban renewal, we need to get that link and get gone, quick and clean okay?
-
-
"Why would someone do that? Have I done something wrong? All I do is shoot people for money. That's what my program was originally designed for, though I added on the money part myself. Need money to do maintenance. Anyways, I'm no hacker, but I can defend myself, inside the matrix and out." The tank looked at Teddy, and nodded. "Yes, you're now online."
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@Smiley: Okay.
@Tachikoma: Nothing, but AIs are not yet well-understood, and metahumanity has a thing for knowing and controlling everything to their own ends... Don't worry about that: all I'm saying is that it's not in your best interests to keep spilling the beans all the time.
Now, let's plan our course of action: if any of the two vehicles which come here are hackable, I will do it, and create an account on it's node for you to use, okay? Can you "jump in" drones, as some of us do, you know, becoming the drone? If so, then you may do it - their intended driver will them be unable to retrieve control, as long as he does not expulse you via cybercombat. Don't worry about that, either; I can protect you if the need arrive."
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"right stick n shock or Ex ...... ;D
-
The night gets a bit darker as Tachikoma’s drone takes to the air the visual feed is dark and shaded before the imaging mode switches over to the usual green tinted world of lowlight vision. It takes several minutes but soon the “convoy” is located three vehicles speeding fast down the old HWY 99. Seems the Johnson’s information is incorrect, the convoy is being lead by a Hummer with a dozer blade and armed with a manually operated turret. The gunner is armed out with a Stoner Ares M202 belt feed. The second vehicle is a GMC MPUV, distinctly armored with smart armor. The last vehicle is another hummer but this one is armed with a remote turret, with four cylinders attached to it. The scan reveals the last vehicle is armed out with 4 LAW rockets. As you see the feed Tachikoma switches over to thermal imaging showing that the lead vehicle has 5 crew members, the middle vehicle as 4 members, and the chase vehicle has another 4 members.
While you watch the convoy speeds down the highway. In front of them is a gang’s toll booth two ratty cars blocking the highway. With out pausing they gun in the lead vehicle begins opening up on full auto spraying a field of lead at the gangers. When the convoy gets within 20 meters the chase vehicle fires one rocket creating an opening in the blockade, the lead vehicle then rams a hole through. The firefight all this happening in the space of 20 seconds, with out the convoy breaking.
Your group gets to the per-planed engagement zone with 15 minutes to spare before the convoy should be there. Hank drives the van onto the on ramp and parks it in a blink spot so the convoy would not see it before it’s too late.
Right if Tachikoma allows it, you can try to hack the convoy via the drones signal, consider you have 10 minutes to try until it’s too close to action time for an extended test.
Also Tachikoma roll a senor test on your drones that are watching the convoy… there might be something your not seeing.
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I will allow it the hacking attempt via the drones. Tachikoma is jumped into the Reaper, and is using a Clearsight 3 autosoft as the Perception skill, thanks to Piloting Origin.
Sensor 3 for the Mixcoatl
3d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3540654/)
Sensor 2 + Clearsight 3 for Reaper
5d6.hits(5)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3540655/)
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:o >:(
"Frag me..." was all Smiley could think to say when he first saw the feed, then he quickly got it together, "Okay folks, looks like we just moved into a higher tax bracket. Rybka, you are gonna have get rid of that tail car, preferably WELL before they get anywhere near here. Teddy, if you got some big friends to call on, now would be a good time to find them. Tachi, looks like you are gonna get to play with your toys after all, if you can disable the middle car, blow out a tire, flip the damn thing, whatever, JUST BEFORE it reaches the kill zone that would be great. I want the guys in the lead car looking backwards when Hank ruins their day."
Smiley taps Marak, "we are gonna have to adjust our spots if that 'bot can stop our prize." Smiley is already moving looking for another squat up the road a piece.
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Anxiously observing the mobile fortress, Teddy concentrated and summoned three watchers resembling tiny forest spirits, swirling around him in the astral space.
He started to mentally assign them their tasks, each one a car. Report any magical activity you encounter, then try to assense them. But wait on my signal to go. Teddy let them repeat their tasks to confirm that they understood, so there won't be any misunderstandings later.
Watcher 1: 3 Summoning + 4 Magic (7d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3534058/)
Resist 1 Drain: 5 Willpower + 4 Intuition (9d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3534059/)
Watcher 2: 3 Summoning + 4 Magic (7d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3534060/)
Resist 1 Drain: 5 Willpower + 4 Intuition (9d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3534061/)
Watcher 3: 3 Summoning + 4 Magic (7d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3534063/)
Resist 1 Drain: 5 Willpower + 4 Intuition (9d6.hits(5)=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3534064/)
All limited to a one hour existence.
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:o >:(
"Frag me..." was all Smiley could think to say when he first saw the feed, then he quickly got it together, "Okay folks, looks like we just moved into a higher tax bracket. Rybka, you are gonna have get rid of that tail car, preferably WELL before they get anywhere near here. Teddy, if you got some big friends to call on, now would be a good time to find them. Tachi, looks like you are gonna get to play with your toys after all, if you can disable the middle car, blow out a tire, flip the damn thing, whatever, JUST BEFORE it reaches the kill zone that would be great. I want the guys in the lead car looking backwards when Hank ruins their day."
Smiley taps Marak, "we are gonna have to adjust our spots if that 'bot can stop our prize." Smiley is already moving looking for another squat up the road a piece.
"right " Marak says with a grin and a deep breath :D. trails after Smiley looking for a spot of his own unless Smiley points one out.
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Hank's smile cooled down a little as he examined the convoy. Charlie's dancing the foxtrot awfully early...hope this damn link is worth the trouble. Without a word, he slipped out of the van after Smiley and the troll and headed for his spot, where he'd be able to see most of the killzone & set off his toys. Making sure his armor and guns were in full chameleon mode, he readied his HK. No point in going small.
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@Team: Okay, boys... and - Rybka thinks of a polite way to address Tachikoma, but seeing the situation suddenly turning to the worse makes her a little bit more distracted to proper social interactions - ... ah... whatever... I hope there's enough time, for it, I'm engaging the tail vehicle.
The white digital girl on the Matrix uses Tachikoma's drones as relay points in order to properly route her signal to the cars. Her plan is to hack one by one of them, and give Tachikoma access to their nodes. But start from the beggining she will.
Hacking a User Account on the Third Vehicle (on the fly);
6 (Hacking) + 5 (Exploit) + 1 (Commlink Optimization :Exploit) + 2 (Improved Ability: Hacking) + 2 (Hot-Sim VR) = 16 dice
I've rolled One combat turn worth of attempts (3 seconds), I can continue if there's the need for it.
1st IP = 4 hits (no glitch)
2nd IP= 10 accumulated hits (no glitch)
3rd IP= 15 accumulated hits (no glitch) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3540706/)
My Exploit program has the Mute Option, so even if the node detect me, he will wait one full Combat turn before being on alert.
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Nestles into cover that gives him a good field of fire. Sets the Alpha beside him and seconds checks his machine pistols , 1 with stick n shock the other with ex. And slides them back. <slides on the shades> 8)
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Demanding, that the vehicle is, while somehow hidden, in a good position, so Teddy can overview the killzone and the other members of the team through the open window, Teddy called for Lamhfhada: We will be fighting soon, please conceal our three friends out there and this van, but stay here with me. On my signal use your ability to cause accidents on the second vehicle.
Calmly humming Teddy started to shroud the astral space around all of them to keep magical harm away.
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I've forgotten how about that; I'm running a Reality Filter Program, so when I enter a node it automatically tries to translate the VR sculpting of the node to a metaphor of the hackers choice (in Rybka's case, it's like a chess set, but much more complex since it's build as a three-dimensional table and each square has boundaries with a lot more squares than in a regular chess set). Everytime I enter a node with the Reality Filter running, it automatically rolls Responce + Reality Filter against the Node's System + Response. If I win, I receive a +1 Response bonus while on that Node; if it ties or the node wins, I got a -1 instead.
5 (Response) + 5 (Reality Filter) + 2 (Hot-sim VR) = 12 dice pool = 7 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3540888/)
The possible +1 on Response would probably change my Initiative, but as I forgot it before, I won't bother with it.
-
Cradles alpha and gets ready
-
Tachikoma readied the drones for action, both the ones in the air, and the combat drone on the ground. Over the team comm, it says, "They have a Wolfhound drone running aerial overwatch. It is unarmed, though. Setting the Predator up for an attack run on the overwatch. No sense in it getting a good view of the battlefield."
The Reaper began a turn, aiming to come at the Wolfhound from behind.
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@Rybka:
As you break past the nodes external security a gridded black and white marble checker board flows out from beneath your feet, each square a meter by a meter. Standing in the center of the board stands an ebony marble king, standing in front of a thrown. Like silent guardians a small maze of pawns encircles the king, standing vigil over him. As you watch in the space of a moment one of the pawns shimmers and appears to be a knight on horse back before disappearing as the pawn shimmers back into view.
Right so the king is obviously the main node, the pawns around him are IC spirits defending the node, and the knight is a roaming security Spider.
Right you can try analyze to find the spider who is stealthing their way through the node.
-
The white glowing girl lands on a black checker on the board, and takes a look around. All happen in just some nanoseconds, but for the ones experiencing the Matrix sculpting in VR, there's almost time to appreciate the variations between one electrical pulse and the other - there's also the thing that Rybka itself was not a normal girl.
As soon as she enter the node, she analyzes it in it's enteirity:
Okay, so here's go the first Combat turn of the three Rybka has before the node sounds the alarm (right now she is unaware of it, but she mostly probably will just discover it)
1st Free action - Observe in Detail: In doing that, Rybka lears about all the icons on the node that are not running stealth
1st Simple Action - Analyze Node
4 (Computer) + 5 (Analyze) + 2 (Perceptive) + 2 (VR) + 1 (Enhanced Perception 1) = 14 dice pool = 2 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3543529/)
There's a strong probability that Rybka is not aware of the spider running stealth (if he get's a better result than her 2 hits on a Hacking + Stealth, she will not perceive him). Otherwise, with this result, at least she will most probably know that there's an alert on the way.
2nd Simple Action - Analyze Icon [the one that most probably is the user operating the node (in case rybka does not find the real one)]
4 (Computer) + 5 (Analyze) + 2 (Perceptive) + 2 (VR) + 1 (Enhanced Perception 1) = 14 dice pool = 2 hits, and a glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3543534/)
2dn Free action - Informing the team of the overall situation (I will do it on the next post, after you tell me what is uncovered in these rolls.
And, frag, today dice are hating me.
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The white glowing girl lands on a black checker on the board, and takes a look around. All happen in just some nanoseconds, but for the ones experiencing the Matrix sculpting in VR, there's almost time to appreciate the variations between one electrical pulse and the other - there's also the thing that Rybka itself was not a normal girl.
The girl in white ghosts forward toward one of the Ebony pawns, raising a hand she starts the analyze subroutine. The program shows this is a defense sprite that is not active. The pawns surround the king, perhaps the control node in a defensive position. Running a spoof algorithm could provide a way past the guardians, making them think you are part of the system. Or engaging stealth program to sneak past.
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Rybka entered the node with an objective in hand: to provide an entry point for Tachikoma early on. After that, her plans were to edit the assigned driver out of the node system and to cut the possibilty of the car to be manually driven - so that their AI rigger would have complete control over the vehicle and it's precious gun. She came for a task, and she would complete it. So she begins editing a legit user account on the node, an account with admin privileges:
This action is described on Unwired. When I'm back with my books, I will post the complete page reference, but the deal is that I will spend a Complex Action to make a Hacking + Edit roll against a threshold of 4 in order to create a, admin account which could later be used by anyone I shared the password with.
6 (Hacking) + 5 (Edit 5) + 2 (Hot-sim VR) + 2 (Improved Ability: Hacking) = 15 dice pool = 6 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3543700/)
Done! Her Free Actions will be spent in communicating with the team.
@Tachikoma: I've just made a cozy admin account for you on the tail car node. Username: knightmove Password:checkmate. But enter just when you are ready to jump into the car, or if you got a good Stealth program. We don't want this guys noticing anything is amiss before the right time.
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"Right. In that case, unless anyone objects, I'm going to take out the overwatch first, so they'll be blind when I make my run on the chase vehicle." Afterall, even an AI could only do one thing at a time. If no one objected, Tachikoma opened fire with the Predator on the aerial drone overflying the convoy.
Initiative: Intuition + Response of current node. 10.
8d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3546007/)
Attacking the aerial drone (Sensor 2, Gunnery 4, Smartgun 2). Full, narrow burst. 16 DV, -2 AP, +1 DV per net hit. If the drone is surprised, all the better.
8d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3546024/)
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In the dark sky's above the convoy the attack begins, the predator makes an attack run on the cloaked Wolfhound that is acting as over watch. Right as the drone begins to track the wolfhound, the Predator's Ares MP-LMG rack's its first round the target goes evasive. With luck on Tachikoma's side the Wolfhound only gets a small jink off before being ripped apart by the LMG's full burst. When the drone gets taken out the convoy begins moving in evasive formations, sliding from side to side, making it harder to target from the air.
drone attempting to evade: 5d6.hits(4)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3552554/)
@Rybka:
Having created a new account on the turret's main control you think the work is done, "mentaly" turning to the vehicles drive node to begin a hacking and creating a new account. The chess board changes the bright white chess pieces change to blood red, signaling something perhaps an alarm. As the moment happens one of the pawns changes into a mounted knight and swings a sword at the white girl avatar.
Security hacker's cyber combat attack: 7d6.hits(4)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3552557/)
dodge if you want to. Even though it's a surprise attack I'll allow a dodge.
[ooc: to group]:
Basically Rybka tripped the matrix alarm a moment before Tachikoma began it's attack, at the moment the alarm went off the whole convoy was on alert, so they begin evasive driving, including the drone. The drone was running on pilot/auto-soft so it's dodge sucks.
It all boils down to the convoy is now on High alert and 10 minutes out from the ambush position.
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"LOck n Load Smiley! Thing are gonna get interesting mon!! " Marak says as he notices the formation change. Aims the Alpha and calms himself 8).
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Satisfied with the destruction of the overwatch drone, Tachikoma tried to access the account that Rybka had set up for it. In the van and over the matrix channel, Tachikoma's icon gave a banzai-type cheer. Overwatch destroyed. Now attempting to play with the missiles. Doesn't matter if they hit or not, but I'll see if I can't take out the lead car with them. Just for fun.
OOC: Attempting to log on with the account Rybka gave it, and jump into the chase vehicle.
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"Everyone be ready, if they scatter we may need to plan on the fly."
8)
Smiley begins his own prep, zippping up his jacket and checking his shades. Then he looks inside for the triggers he needs to activate his magic. While still following the action on his comms, his minds eye shows him in Jodie's Place, he is behind the bar of the empty saloon, picking out three shot glasses and three very special bottles. A shot from each bottle into its own glass and the potent magic is ready. Liquid fire, bottled lightning and pure uncut adrenaline await the proper moment to be consumed.
-
A split of nanosecond passed, enough time for Rybka's brain, operating in digital speed, to compute something went wrong; really wrong, and then there's already dangerous code being directed at her persona. Her favorite metaphor shows it as a knight swinging a sword. Immediately, she starts codeslinging her own defensive maneuvers.
Full Defense
6 (Response 5 + 1 from the filtered metaphor) + 5 (Firewall 5) + 6 (Hacking 6) + 2 (Improved Ability: Hacking) = 19 dice = 8 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3552670/)
The knight swords hits an empty square. The White Girl, now transmuted on a Black Queen chess piece, is some squares away - and ready for a fight.
On the same moment, a message is sent and echoes on the team commlinks: "Дерьмо! They found me!"
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Is crouched behind cover waiting . On hearing both Smiley and Ry over the channel Marak smiles and mutters "Just like with Morg" and shakes his head with a wry laugh. " Let de boomba begin mon"
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In a moment, Rybka starts weaving some code intended to overwhelm her adversary's attacking program and crash it.
Crash program is an opposed test of Hacking + Exploit vs. Firewall + System. Remember that, since an alert was issued due to Rybka's actions, the node receives a +4 bonus on Firewall against her.
6 (Hacking) + 2 (Improved Ability: Hacking 2) + 5 (Exploit) + 1 (Exploit Commlink Optimization) + 2 (Hot-Sim VR) = 16 dice = 6 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3552989/)
And then she is ready for the real battle to really begin.
4 (Intuition) + 6 (Response 5 + 1 from the filtered metaphor) + 3 (Response Enhancer) + 1 (Hot Sim VR) + 1 (Costumized Interface) = 15 dice = 5 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3552992/)
Rybka's Innitiative for the Next Combat Turn: 15 + 5 = 20
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Resist crash program: 14d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3552997/)
Close but you kill the attack program he was using.
Iniatitive: 9d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3552943/)
So that totals a 14
The Red Knight drops back and raises its triangle kite shield in front of its body, in its right hand the sword shatters as the crash program breaks through. Instead of using sword his hand is filled with a mace. Having readied its weapon the knight swings the red mace at the Black queen. The attack is viscous and fast, not a simple attack program but a blackout IC. Who ever is on the other end means business, and is out for bear.
Blackout IC attack: 8d6.hits(5)=5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3552940/)
@ the rest of the group:
While Rybka continues cyber-combat the convoy starts sending out a distress call to the UCSA base. Those that want to can try a signal intercept or block.
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Rybka perceived a Black ICE attack directed at her.
Damn, this guy is serious bussiness. I guess he really wants a fight.
6 (Response 5 + filtered metaphor 1) + 5 (Firewall) = 11 dice = 3 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3553033/)
I've forgotten two dice (Hot suim VR)
1d6 = no hit
1d6 = 1 hit (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3553037/)
For a total of 4 hits, no glitch
But she was hit nonetheless.
I'm not with my books right now, so I don't remember what I need to roll for the Damage Resistance Test. As soon as possible, I will do it.
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The Red Knights mace connects with the Queen’s forearm, and pain lances through Rybka's head like white hot agony. For a moment the VR world spins, and goes fuzzy when the VR world comes back into view the Knight has begun pressing forward, mace in hand.
Damage resistance is: willpower+biofeedback filter number of boxes of damage: 5
Got all my books on my kindle for when I take breaks makes it easy reference rules.
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4 (Willpower) + 3 (Biofeedback Filter) = 7 dice = 2 hits no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3553235/)
So Rybka just took 3 Stun Damage
As the mace connected to the Queen's arm, Rybka felt a sudden headache, as if all her brain arteries were exploding. The excruciating moment was present for only a moment, but the damage was done, she was tired and worn, and her migraine would take a lot of time to subside.
The worst thing was to remember the effects of being attacked by Black Ice - she was now trapped into this node until she managed to defeat it.
You asked for it.
On the next moment, Rybka commanded Sniper - her own attack program - to run. It's a non-lethal weapon, design just to impede intrusors in her systems... but this user will have it coming.
Rybka just spends her Complex Action to run her Attack program (rating 5, with Targetting option); with that, her payload limit is exceeded, and her response suffers a little bit for it.
Payload limit without Responce reduction = 5 Ergonomic programs and 4 Non-Ergonomic ones
Ergonomic Programs Running
- Analyze 5
- Exploit 5
- Reality Filter 5
- Stealth 5
- Scan 5
Non-Ergonomic Programs Running
- Encrypt 5
- Biofeedback Filter 3
- Command 5
- Edit 5
- Attack 5
Response Reduced to 4 (1 program abova payload limit)
Rybka
{Health: 0 / 10P and 3 / 10S damage, 0 Wound penalty, -1 Stun penalty}
{Edge: 0/ 4} {Initiative(Meat/Matrix): 7/14; IP's: 1/3}
{Wearing: Urban Explorer Jumpsuit: Ballistic Armor: 6; Impact Armor: 6}
{Bipolar phase: Stable: NO Modifiers}
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Marak smiles and thinks to himself <I smell dat creek and de paddles have floated away, but its not clear if its theirs or ours....lets make sure its theirs shall we>
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Teddy sat calmly in the van and listened to the commlink conversation. When he heard a light groaning in the back of the van he turned around and saw Rybka, little beads of sweat covering her forehead. He couldn't really understand what was going on right now, but hoped for the best - awaiting the storm to come.
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And that would be about the time that the Reaper lit up the local area with an almighty roar of electronic static. Tachikoma, back in its home node now, said, "Apologies for any discomfort. I am attempting to use the drone's electronics to jam the transmission."
Jamming on the fly. Unwired, page 105. Opposed test between my Electronic Warfare + Signal and the target's Electronic Warfare + Signal + ECCM (if any). Oh, and since the signal can only be used for jamming while I do this, anyone piggybacking through the drone is probably going to be dumped.
My roll. Electronic Warfare 4 + Signal 4 + Hot Sim 2.
10d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3554164/)
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With that new a big grin appears on Maraks face. "Now let de boomba begin mon"
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4 (Willpower) + 3 (Biofeedback Filter) = 7 dice = 2 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3556962/)
Dumpshock Damage = 5-2= 3 Physical Damage
Rybka
{Health: 3 / 10P and 3 / 10S damage, -1 Wound penalty, -1 Stun penalty}
{Edge: 0/ 4} {Initiative(Meat/Matrix): 7/14; IP's: 1/3}
{Wearing: Urban Explorer Jumpsuit: Ballistic Armor: 6; Impact Armor: 6}
{Bipolar phase: Stable: NO Modifiers}
When the realy drone is used to jam, Rybka's connection is lost and she is suddenly kicked out of the node where she was just preparing to make an attack. On the van, her eyes open at the same time when her breathing is interrupt by a gasp of pain; forcefully returning to her conciouness is always painful, and the real air seems to choke her.
A small streak of blood smears her face, coming from her nose. She cleans it and shouts, quite angry: "черт машина! Why haven't you warned me? I could have feed their trace misleading signals. Gosh, now I can't do nothing with this fragging headache."
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The hologram looks at Rybka's nose, and said, "Are metahuman noses supposed to do that? Anyways, I am sorry, but I required the drone's signal capabilites to attempt to jam the vehicle communications, as they were trying to call for help. I did not think it would be good if air support was scrambled to get here."
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Rybka takes her medkit out from the bag and started fiddling with it. "No, Tachikoma, it's not supposed to behave like that. If you are going to be running around with fleshies, you will soon have to learn more about what our signs are like. Anyway, you could see something is wrong on the feed the TacNet is receiving from my biomonitor, do you see?" As it appears, Rybka managed to control her rage, and the sudden outburst is mostly gone... no wonder she usually play the role of Face.
After arranging the Medkit, she takes three seconds of preparation, in calm meditation, and then apply first aid to herself.
As Rybka concentrated herself, she used her Adept Power of Heightened Concentration to negate one of the negative modifiers that would apply to the test - in this case, the situational modifier of being in poor conditions (-2 for being on the streets or a similar location)
5 (Logic) + 6 (Medkit Rating 6) - 2 (Wound modifiers combined) = 9 dice = 3 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3557072/)
First aid has a threshold of (2), and any net hits that are achieved after that are healed. Rybka healed herself 1 point of physical damage. The entire process took her 4 combat turns (12 seconds) - 1 on concentrating (Heightened Concentration) and 3 due to the severity of wounds.
Rybka
{Health: 2 / 10P and 3 / 10S damage, 0 Wound penalty, -1 Stun penalty}
{Edge: 0/ 4} {Initiative(Meat/Matrix): 7/14; IP's: 1/3}
{Wearing: Urban Explorer Jumpsuit: Ballistic Armor: 6; Impact Armor: 6}
{Bipolar phase: Stable: NO Modifiers}
After a while, she packed the medkit again: "Not very much, but it was what I could do. So, Tachikoma, any reports on the succesfulness of that jam of yours?" She knew that by her side as seated the mage, but she would not dare ask him for help. She was not sure what the guy was busy with right now.
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With a scream of pain Rybka’s connection to the matrix node is cut, as the jammer clicks to broad band as Tachikoma attempts to intercept the distress call. Given the fact that the distress call wall as not a standard message Tachikoma’s drone incepts the signal before it can o farther than a mile. Having jammed the hummer’s transmission node, the game changes, first the third hummer swerves to a side and slams into a cinderblock wall. The chase vehicle is finished, crashed on the side of the road, the aerial feed shows one of the passengers climbing out of the wreak. The clocks counts down to one minute, the convoy is in site and moving fast. From the hidden positions to watch the convoy the runners get ready.
Hanks smiles and counts down over the comlink, “ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five oh shit, one!” with a sound more akin to dictionary dropping onto the floor than a firework the van goes up. The hummer next to it goes flying, flipped onto one side and blocking the on ramp. The wall behind the middle vehicle topples at the same time pinning it in.
{AND Action players you get one turn to kills stuff. Also instead of doing initiative passes, which could takes months to do one turn do all your initiative in your turn. The “goons go last” so I’ll wait for everyone to do their thing}
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"Whoo! God, I love my job. Laughing Boy, now's your chance to go ask politely for the package--let's see how persuasive you and the troll can be."
Hank grins, and takes some time to scan the battlefield.
Two simple actions to observe in detail: one for each vehicle. Keeping an eye out for signs of life/potential danger. Perception + Int + 3 vision enhancement + 2 for the tacnet, for a total of 13.
First vehicle: 13d6.hits(5)=5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3560989/)
Second vehicle: 13d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3560990/); 6 hits if we're using .hits(4) instead.
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"Whoo! God, I love my job. Laughing Boy, now's your chance to go ask politely for the package--let's see how persuasive you and the troll can be."
Hank grins, and takes some time to scan the battlefield.
Two simple actions to observe in detail: one for each vehicle. Keeping an eye out for signs of life/potential danger. Perception + Int + 3 vision enhancement + 2 for the tacnet, for a total of 13.
First vehicle: 13d6.hits(5)=5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3560989/)
Second vehicle: 13d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3560990/); 6 hits if we're using .hits(4) instead.
Marak grins as well and takes in the everything as well before moving
Two simple actions to observe in detail: one for each vehicle. Keeping an eye out for signs of life/potential danger
Perception + Int+ Visual specialization to perception + 2 fro tacnet + vision enhancement rating 3 equals 13d6.hits(5)
First vehicle 13d6.hits(5) → [5,4,6,1,5,6,6,4,2,3,4,4,1] = (5)
Second Vehicle 13d6.hits(5) → [5,4,4,3,4,5,2,3,1,1,3,5,6] = (4)
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Smiley slams the shots as the lead vehicle passes
Order is always Agility, Reaction, Strength (6d6.hits(5)=2, 6d6.hits(5)=0, 6d6.hits(5)=1) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3561257/)
Then he is moving for the target vehicle, fully focused and running hard. His intention is to be on top of the MPUV and be ready to dive into the vehicle thru any open door or broken window.
When he realizes the target vehicle is not taking fire, he barks into the comms "Marak, focus bro! Let the overwatch be the overwatch, we're the hunters!"
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Marak opens up with a mini grenade ( frag) from the Alpha and follows Smiley in
12d6.hits(5) → [1,6,2,5,2,2,6,5,5,4,3,3] = (5)
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Rybka drops again into VR and scan for gun nodes on the passengers of the cars.
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Joining in the assault, Tachikoma directs all three of its drones to attack the lead car, opening up a barrage that would likely put a severe hurt on even military grade protection, and should be enough, with the others 'suggestions' to get the target car to stop without trouble.
Meanwhile, in the van, Tachkioma says, "So, who wants to go and ask the people to please pull over?"
The Reaper, Huitzilopochtli, and Mixcoatl all unleash a full narrow burst on the lead car. Each is Command 4 + Gunnery (Ballistic) 4(+2) + Tacnet 2 for 12 dice. Order is Reaper, Hui, Mix. Each is using EXEX ammo, so each would be 16+net hits DV, -2 AP.
12d6.hits(5)=5, 12d6.hits(5)=2, 12d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3562104/)
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@Rybka:
Has a headache and is jacking back into the matrix feed.
@Tachikoma:
The three drones strafing runs pummel the lead vehicle, causing glass shot shatter. After the first 10 rounds of strafe rounds start bouncing around inside the vehicle, causing even more damage.
@Marak:
As if to puntucaout the drone strikes, the mini gernade sets off the hummer's fuel tank, unlike the movies there is no great fireball but with all the fuel on the ground the explosion turns the hummer into an oven. If anyone was alive they are probably no-longer.
@Hank:
The"middle vehicle" GMC MPUV looks like it's seen better days but the reactive armor is still in tacked. The windshield is blown out, and it looks like you might have cracked one of the axial.
@Smiley:
You land on the hood, dropping to on leg you kick the driver in the head causing him to blackout. The passenger is stunned and moves sluggishly to draw his holstered pistol. Behind him in the back seat is an sealed metal crate. There are not additional passengers.
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Well, things are looking up. Hank thinks to himself. "I've got that last one--get the box!" he barks over his commlink. Taking a deep breath, he zooms in on the passenger, takes aim, and fires.
Simple action 1: taking aim to line up the shot with image magnification to negate range penalties.
Simple action 2: firing a narrow burst from the HK 227-X (ex-ex ammo, so -1 AP and 8P DV): 5 (skill + spec) + 7 (agility) + 2 (smartlink) +2 (tacnet): 16d6.hits(5)=6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3571937/).
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Well, things are looking up. Hank thinks to himself. "I've got that last one--get the box!" he barks over his commlink. Taking a deep breath, he zooms in on the passenger, takes aim, and fires.
Marak on hearing Thvor runs for the back of the vehicle to help open it and get the crate out, unless there is more foes to mop up
-
Noticing that Rybka gained her consciousness back, Teddy was surprised seeing her damaged like that. "Visiting this other world seems to be very straining on you. You really should be more careful. Here, let me take care of that." The big man sat next to her and hold both his hands over her body. Bear gave him strength, the magic started to work and a few seconds later Rybka felt her physical pain gone.
After going back to the front seat, Teddy asked his watchers to look into the remains of the vehicles to look for any survivors that might cause trouble: If you notice any active astral forms, warn me at once.
Force 3 Heal: 4 Magic + 6 Spellcasting + 3 Focus + 2 Mentor (15d6.hits(5)=10) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3557660/)
Resist 1 Drain: 5 Willpower + 4 Intuition (9d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3557661/)
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Feeling the pain in her head subdueing, as well as receiving the information of her biomonitor that her blood pressure on the cranial nerves has once again normalized, Rybka understand that the mage worked his mojo on her favor, even though her conciousness is once again floating on the limitless boundaries of the Matrix-space, searching for the nodes of the commlinks and smartguns of the guys whose bearings her team was hired to hijack...
A message is sent to Teddy's commlink: "Thank you, my friend... I owe you one."
Teddy healed two Physical Damage from Rybka (what was left of her physical damage track); Serious, doesn't Rybka found any node she can hack? The plan was to jam guns and reset cyberware of the enemies while the guys fight them... Well, I guess they managed to do it well without any help, anyway.
Rybka
{Health: 0 / 10P and 3 / 10S damage, 0 Wound penalty, -1 Stun penalty}
{Edge: 0/ 4} {Initiative(Meat/Matrix): 7/14; IP's: 1/3}
{Wearing: Urban Explorer Jumpsuit: Ballistic Armor: 6; Impact Armor: 6}
{Bipolar phase: Stable: NO Modifiers}
-
The three drones move into flanking positions on Tachikoma's order. Looking at the others in the van, the Hologram says, (and transmits, for the benefit of those not in the van), "Well, that was easy. Let's load up the goods and get moving. I think I jammed the distress signal good, but we'll want to get moving, just in case. Great work, everyone!" And with that, the van rolls up onto the road, so people can load up the goods.
-
The three drones move into flanking positions on Tachikoma's order. Looking at the others in the van, the Hologram says, (and transmits, for the benefit of those not in the van), "Well, that was easy. Let's load up the goods and get moving. I think I jammed the distress signal good, but we'll want to get moving, just in case. Great work, everyone!" And with that, the van rolls up onto the road, so people can load up the goods.
Marak opens the back of the vehicle to grab the goody and hightail it to the van. "Got it on my way to transpo mon!!"
sorry peeps I had a war with viruses so I was out for a week with no comp
-
Smiley looks down the barrel of the surviving guards standard issue Browning High-power. At this range he can see rifling of the pistol, even the head of the holo-point aimed straight at his eye. Contrary to popular believe his life did not flash through his mind, the only thing going for him was his heighten reflexes giving him a moment to think “Awwww Drek”. In his at the rate in which his mind was perceiving he watches the guards flexor muscle tense a sure sign his time on this wretched world was up, the guard is pulling the trigger. At the moment right before the trigger engage a spirit guarding Smiley, or rather Hank, let loose with a tight spray from his SMG. The bullets rip though the already cracked passanger side door window and take the guard in his arm, upper torso and head. The pistol is thrown off target, from his postion Smiley is blinded momentary from the muzzle flare. Thinking he is dead then, thinking oh god I am thinking, Smiley blinks his eyes and his vision clears. The guard’s head is a bloody mess of bone, and brain tissue Smiley might want to take a shower soon.
Hank breaths into the TacNet “target down.”
Mean while Marak runs to the van’s back door, first trying the handle he discovers that the doors locked. Pulling his Ares Alpha to his shoulder he puts two rounds into the door at precise points smashing the locking mechanism. With a grunt of effort he hulls the new unlocked door open and reaches in to grab the metal container. The container at first you think is bolted down but on closer examination it’s very heavy. “I’m going to need some help with this box” Marak says into his com. “I can help” comes Teddy’s voice a moment later as the shaman starts to move out of his hidey hole.
While the attack team works on getting the box clear Tachikoma begins sweeping the surrounding area for enemy contacts. His old predator on over watch picks up a transition on the Knight Errant band. ::large Explosion detected south of Boeing field, reports of a weapons fire reported as well. Deploying HTR teams to the area ETA 5 minutes:: Deciding is was best not to tangle with the local authorities Tachikoma brings his van as close to the target vehicle as possible. It takes another 2 minutes to get the crate into the van and bug out of the location. As the van and drones slip away to the east, the group watches two Boeing Ospreys flying in close formation toward the attack sight. The crate sitting safely in the vans rear, it’s locked and will take some serious tools to open. With a couple of hours until your meeting with the Johnson what do your characters do?
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What the drek can be in de package mon. Marak thinks while meantal licking his chops
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Drain-Same order, no roll for the 0 hit power (7d6.hits(5)=1, 7d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3594289/) Damn, 1 box.
Smiley takes a deep breath as the magic and rush ebbs away, then runs to his bike, gives it a kickstart and clears out.
Keying up the commlink, he addresses the team.
"Good lookin' out Hank. Okay, obviously we need to crack that box, we have no idea if there even is a commlink in there, let alone anything else. I got nothing but a bottle opener back at my flop, do any of you guys have the tools we'll need?"
8) :P
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"Crud mon " scoots to his bike and peels outta there. over the tac he says"Just send a message when and where . I'd rather be somewheres else when HRT shows" with a big grin and bigger shades he rumbles off with a tune on the breeze Freebird 8)
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Rybka cames again from the hypnogogic state which follows "awakening" from VR surfing. She thought she could have helped disabling the defenses of the enemy forces, but all her efforts proved pointless due to the speed of her teammates. Nothing to worry about that, then.
Her voice come as if dislocatted, out of place:
"Maybe, Smiley, maybe. If the damn thing is maglocked, then it's as good as already opened. I've got my tools right here."
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Tachikoma considered, and said, "Of course, if the box is shielded, it might be keeping something inside that it would be best not to unleash. If you want to open it, you're going to do it far from my vehicle and drones. For now, put in a call, so we can get paid, hmm?" In the mean while, the entire fleet of drones continued on after the van, flanking it as they made their escape.
-
"I understand your reluctance Tachi, and the desire to be paid, but until we get that box open, we can't even tell if we have the commlink at all. If it isn't a commlink, is it what Johnson was really after? If that is true, then we need to think about what exactly we are gonna do at that point."
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"And, "- Rybka complements Smiley's saying - "if you are so interested in the payment, you should do the count, Tachikoma. We were hired to steal a 'link that was guarded by no more than eight people on two vehicles... still what we did was face three vehicles, one with warfare equipment. The initial pay is not worth it anymore, and if this little thing here has any edge which we can use to renegotiate the latter part of the job, then you should also be interested in it."
A little pause.
"After all, 2 grand is just tip when you deal in drones, isn't it?"
-
Hank eyes the box dubiously. "I've got some det cord; could probably slice the thing right open. Might be risky, though, depending on how things are packed in there. But, yeah, we need to get it open...Hey, Tach, you got anything that could just smash a bit off the end?"
Perception check, looking at the crate: 11d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3595160/)
Engineering (knowledge) check, thinking about how best to open the thing: 10d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3595161/)
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Tachikoma's hologram shook its head, visibly upset by the tone of the conversation, and the tone with which it yelled over the team channel reflected that. "YOU ARE NOT USING EXPLOSIVES IN MY VAN!" After a moment, it calmed down, and said, "I do not have anything like that here. The closest I have is a pair of maintenance drones back at my safehouse. And if anything happens to my drones or other systems because you want to take a peak inside, the money to replace them is coming out of your share. And you're not opening that thing in my van, at any rate. You want to open it while we're on the move, then get out and walk. Otherwise, give me a destination, and I'll watch from a safe distance while you fleshy things kill yourselves. If there are nanites or other nasties in there, I want a chance to run while they're busy eating you."
-
Paranoid little 'bot, isn't he? Hank chuckles to himself.
"Easy, Tach. Ain't no one gonna set off anything in a small space like this. It's...not healthy." Remembering the explosion that lead to his leaving active duty, Hank suppressed a shudder. "But there're plenty of places we could take care of business. Warehouses, fields, storm culverts, storage lockers..." Hank's voice trails off as he muses the possibilities, happily imagining the various scenarios.
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"If we are supposed to bring a commlink back, shouldn't we make sure that there is a commlink inside? I think, it's part of our job." Teddy growled. "I am just sorry that i won't be of much help opening this metal box." With that Teddy had a deep look at that box to see if there is any magical activity or even security on it.
Assensing Box: 4 Intuition + 2 Assensing + 2 Aura Reading (8d6.hits(5)=4), no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3595271/)
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Ya I have no desire to be chunky salsa either. So whats the new plan. Just give me a destination and I'll meet you there Marak says as he's driving in no particular direction. Only thing is a snack or somethin <tummy growls>
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"Okay, lemme give my boy Rhino a call and see if he can get us a little out of the way squat in Snohomish. We can link up there and then, if we need to, go get tools, if not, crack this nut. Hold tight till then guys, no need to get Tachi all freaked out."
If nothing goes wrong, Smiley's next info be an address.
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As soon as Teddy noticed the ward around the box, he asked Lamhfhada to destroy it. The spirit is much more qualified and a ward doesn't fight back. I'll take the watch while you are busy, he ensured the spirit. As long as the ward is active, the security mage, who created it, could send reinforcements anytime. He called the three watchers to his side, to attack any astral intruder that will appear. They are only watchers, but any help is welcome and needed.
"There is a magical ward on the box", Teddy warned the others, "but i try to take care of it. Stay vigilant for a while."
F4 Spirit attacking Ward: 4 Astral Combat + 4 Willpower (8d6.hits(5)=2, 8d6.hits(5)=4, 8d6.hits(5)=3, 8d6.hits(5)=3, 8d6.hits(5)=2, 8d6.hits(5)=3), no glitches (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3597714/)
2 combat turns = 6 attacks. Damage to be resisted by the ward: 4, 6, 5, 5, 4, 5
Notice: This will only be the course of action, if it is a normal ward or of low force.
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"a ward ok I'll stand back at the ready while you sling your mojo" Marak says . He has a healthy respect for magic seeing . He leans against a wall feigning being relaxed , ready to jump in with whatever assistance might be needed
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Wrapping the entire post in spoiler tags, as it is now chronologically out of place. When we get back to the appropriate place in the game (assuming we do), I'll re-post it and remove this one.
Once Teddy indicates that the ward has been taken care of, Hank pulls out his autopicker. "Any objections to my fiddling with these?" he asks, as he starts working on the padlocks.
Using the autopicker in place of the lockpicking skill; picking locks is an extended test with a threshold based on the quality of the lock (one combat turn per test). Since I don't know the rating of the locks, I'll do five rolls for each--should be a maximum of fifteen seconds per lock, or a total of less than a minute. Autopicker (6) + Agility (7):
Lock 1: 13d6.hits(5)=1, 13d6.hits(5)=5, 13d6.hits(5)=2, 13d6.hits(5)=4, 13d6.hits(5)=6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3600098/) 18 hits total, no glitches.
Lock 2: 13d6.hits(5)=2, 13d6.hits(5)=5, 13d6.hits(5)=4, 13d6.hits(5)=2, 13d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3600100/) 15 hits total, no glitches.
Lock 3: 13d6.hits(5)=4, 13d6.hits(5)=4, 13d6.hits(5)=7, 13d6.hits(5)=5, 13d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3600101/) 23 hits total, no glitches.
Lock 4: 13d6.hits(5)=2, 13d6.hits(5)=4, 13d6.hits(5)=4, 13d6.hits(5)=6, 13d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3600102/) 20 hits total, no glitches.
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When Teddy mentioned that he was going to try and destroy the ward, the van stopped, hard. The door opened, and hovering in the door was the rotodrone Tachikoma had launched earlier, its machine gun pointed directly at Teddy. The hologram looked sternly as any tank avatar could at the mage, and said, "You will do no such thing. Now get out. You can ride with someone else."
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Marak brakes hard to avoid running into the back of the van. And gapes as the rotordrone comes down and aims the gun into the van. Over the comm he says" uh is there somethin I should know?? Like why the big bomba drone is aiming its boomstick into the van mon?" His hand eases towards his gun just incase.
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Hank sighs. "Tach, let the mage do his thing. There's a damn ward on the box. If he leaves it there, then the guys we took it from will be able to track us wherever we go. And trust me...if they do that, you're going to lose a lot more than this pretty van. And I'm not going to stick around to see that happen...I happen to enjoy breathing too much."
Leaning back, he continues. "Hell, they probably know where we are right now, thanks to this crate. Wouldn't surprise me too much if they were scrambling a recovery team right now...complete with hackers who'll be delighted to take you apart, byte by byte. That static you pulled back there was effective, but they'll be ready for that sort of parlor trick this time. So, unless you want to find yourself re-built to process spreadsheets all day, I suggest you close the door, get driving, keep an ear on the matrix for anyone trying to track us down...and let us meatbags do what we need to in order to get out of this alive."
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"You heard the guy." Teddy said, pointing with his thumb to Hank. "And he is right about it. If you want to keep the ward on the box, i rather be as far away as possible from it." With that Teddy started to slowly climb out of the van to not make that thing even more nervous. Better not to mess around with that.
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An expresionless girl follow all the discussion...
"Tachikoma, you are being quite tactless... and this behaavior will get you fragmented and deconstructed anytime. There's still people over there that want to know what make the likes of you ticks, and there's a lot of money in the game to the ones who can deliver this kind of hunt. You need the help of meatsacks who trust you if you want to "live" more than these few months you achieved so far, but your illogical and erratic reasoning is not turning it any easier for anyone here to reason why we should work together."
The girl voice is as calm as she can be, and she says it physically, hoping the AI will hear it only by the van sensors. She does not drop in VR, in a clear sign she is not meaning to intimidate.
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"Yes, but if that ward is keeping something dangerous in, I don't want it released in my van! Can't you magic up something to conceal it until we get someplace where you can remove the ward where whatever is in there can't wreck my gear? I've seen some of the things that people keep in warded boxes. The Azzies do it all the time to keep things in, not keep people out." Still, the door closed, and the van started moving again, though the hologram clearly was not happy about any of this. It was muttering, apparently to itself, "Frigging mages. Always screwing with the way things are supposed to be. Next there'll be blood all over the van, and I'll have to go and get it cleaned. Why can't they just be hackers or riggers like normal people?" It went on like that for a while. Who knew an AI could be a magophobe?
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Teddy looked back as the van disappeared in the distance. Being caged in a van and at the mercy of a trigger happy AI was not at all something he imagined. He enjoyed a slight breeze and started walking to where he parked his ATV. It might take some time. Lamhfhada, you better stay with and watch over them. But don't show yourself. Keep me up to date about their actions.
"I'll meet later with you. Probably back at Mr. Johnson." Teddy said to the team over commlink. Then in a private message to Hank and Rybka: "Don't worry about the ward. It's long gone." and he turned his commlink off.
This will be the last and a remote service of the spirit until sunrise. I assume the ward is gone, because it would have been just a question of time for the spirit to beat it.
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Watching the doors close, with the mage on the outside, Hank eases his hand away from the autopicker in his pocket. Damn trigger-happy AI's going to kill us all, sooner or later...best not to give it an excuse to pick sooner, he thinks to himself. At least the mage was able to get rid of the damn ward.
Into the uncomfortable silence, he says, "Hey, laughing boy, you got a spot for us yet?"
-
With Teddy on foot, and the van now traveling down the street, Smiley’s contact Rhino sends a com message :: there is a warehouse off HWY 99 near Edmonds, I’ve dropped off an old mini-welder it might work. You owe me. :: the message also includes directions to this safe house. Traveling down the road takes several minutes, dodging pot holes. The gangs that control the area are silent having already dealt with one lethal convoy and not trying another attempt tonight.
The warehouse is a newer build structure a mix of concrete walls and a metal roof. Graffiti and gang tags all over the wall, as the van approaches a wide garage door slides open. Standing in the doorway is well… an upright rhino, or well it must be a troll. The kicker is he only has one horn on the side of his head, you guess someone called him “Rhino” to make fun of him. The troll is dressed in a mechanic’s jumpsuit and he waves his hand fast in the come on motion.
When the van and drones pull in the interior of the warehouse is empty except for two tables and mini welder. You get the idea this is a common warehouse used for a shadowrunner business. “Smiley, you daft man, what you doing in my part of town? And a new team! Got you that mini-welder, I’m gone don’t worry about locking up just leave. I’m watching the exterior I’ll clean up after you, but you owe me.”
Deckers, AI’s, Technomancers there are no hidden nodes, or cameras. Without teddy moving the case is hard but you lung it over to one of the tables and set it down. Hanks moves quick with his auto picker and a minute later the pad locks fall away and lifts the lid.
hahahhaha, going to make thvor sweat for a time while I figure out what to put in the box.
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Teddy arrives a few minutes after the group, somehow have gotten there quickly almost as if he ran the whole way there. He enters right as the Pad locks fall away, his nostrils flare for a moment.
Teddy make a perception roll (threshold 2) if you pass you smell something like blood magic but not. What ever is in that case smells like death.
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Teddy entered the warehouse. He got rid of most of his clothes, only wearing some loose cargo pants and a tank top. "I am back!", he glared at Tachikoma. He closed the doors behind him and walked towards the table. "We really have to... oh demons, whats this smell. No idea whats in that box, but i don't have a good feeling about it."
Smell Perception: 4 Intuition + 4 Perception (8d6.hits(5)=1) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3604445/)
I figured with only one hit, i still smell something fishy, but wouldn't know what.
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The van and drones are well back from where the group is opening the box, only the little toy drone with the holoprojector standing near. As Teddy makes his announcement, the hologram somehow manages to look smug. "SEE! This is why I didn't want you opening the thing in my van! But no, you magic types think you know everything!"
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"Yes Tachikoma, your intuition serves you well. All the locks must be there for a reason after all." Teddy began in a slow deep voice. "But rest assured that i would not have opened the box. It was a meek ward and couldn't keep anything meaningful inside. Removing it was for our protection. Trust me on that." He looked slightly helpless around not sure to where he should address himself, but then decided to just focus on the box ahead of them.
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As the get ready to open it Marak is leaning against a wall at the ready be it for help or to start shooting if some mean boomba comes barrleing outta the crate. "You be needing my help mon, just ask" Marak says with a smile. His outer visage is of goodnatured ease but inside he's a coiled spring.
Smell Perception 4 Intution 2 Perception 6d6.hits(5) → [5,1,5,4,5,3] = (3)
Marak crinkles his nose and shakes his head
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"So what's in there Hank? Smells like something an elven girl tried to cook for me once, called it 'native elven cuisine'."
;)
Smiley ambles over and gives look.
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Marak slowly comes forward the curiosity gettin the best of him.
He activates Killing hands , just in case
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Wrinkling his nose in disgust, Hank cautiously peers into the crate.
Just in case:
Perception: 11d6.hits(5)=5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3610298/)
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OK enough making Thvor sweat. So just FYI only the active magic guys would smell anything, Adpets are not going to smell it Unless your mystic.
Hanks carefully checks to make sure there is no detonators beneath the lid, finding nothing Hank flips the top off the box. The steal case is lined with 1" thick lead, first thing you think is you stole something radioactive but Tachikoma's still running TacNet sensors don't light up on a geiger counter. Hank also notes the lead is etched with symbols, and mystic writing nothing really satanic just some simple flowing designs. Inside the box are three things, two clear glass jars of gold nuggets they are oddly shaped but gold, (about 40,000 nueyen) the third object is a book. The books is a thin volume and written in German, each page has the look of age yellow instead of white. Tachikoma's cameras for some reason can't make out the text also it's a senor null zone, all it comes up as is a book nothing else. But there is no comlink anywhere in the box.
@Teddy: You get the Hebbie Gibbie's, your skin crawls and you swear the room's temperature has dropped by 10 degrees. Something is not right and that book is the center of it.
let the questions fly, so before you try no spirits trapped inside. But the book is magical.
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"Oh-ho-hoooo yeah! Our price just went up and we are soooo screwed."
:) :( :'( 8)
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I tink I seen this in a old movie a friend of mine showed me mon....Dracula 2000 . Um ya I agree we are screwed mon. De mojo that this here I think thats around dis is gonna be ...Mon :-\ ::) 8) :o
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"That's... way more than what we were payed to get."
Rybka analyzed the strange contents of the box for a while. Then she takes a picture of the book with her glasses lens and searches the net in order to find any info on it (but in no way will she drop into VR to search... not when the team mage is so freaked out around the book).
4 (Data Search) + 5 (Browse) + 2 (Analytical Mind) = 11 dice = 7 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3610726/)
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"PUT IT BACK IN THE BOX AND SEAL IT!" Tachikoma might not have the sensors to detect magical mojo, but hours of 'research' with Anime and Manga have taught it nothing if not that creepy books in lead-lined steel cases are probably major bad news, especially if some fool decides to read from the book. Perhaps the little AI is a bit paranoid, but this is not something that it likes. "Put it away! I know this trid! Someone reads from the book, and suddenly you're neck deep in zombies, or shedim, or other nastiness!" Figures that most of what an AI knows about magic would come from entertainment sources.
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"Did you just say SHEDIM!!! Mon no no no way did I sign up for that kinda juju. What kinda messed up drek did we stumble on mon. " As Marak looks a lil worried. "Ok we saw what it is can we close it back up just in case mon. And do whatever research you need to do eh" Might just be the lil AI paranoia taking seed in the dark place in my head mon or the stories I heard as a kid in the Carribean. But dis juju could go bad
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Great, the 'bot has the damn troll spooked now. What next? Hank sighs to himself. He glares at the troll and Tach's nearest drone. "You kids want to calm down and let the adults handle this?" Turning to the mage, he says, "What about it, Teddy? Any of this stuff clean? I wouldn't mind too much if we have to keep the book sealed up, but damn me if I'm going to pass on the shinies. The damn Johnson may want to call a book a commlink--hell, they used to be the only way people could communicate--but gold...well, that only says one thing to me."
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(Not sure how this works on fellow PC’s, just trying it to find out and doing my part)
Smiley takes Marak by the should…er, elbow(?) ;) and leads him toward Tachikoma, speaking a bit softer than he did a moment ago.
“Hey Big Man, dial it back a few settings, ‘kay? We all need to be rock steady at this point, this could be all our shots at breakin’ into the Real Scene, the important runs, with PAYDAYS! You think Fastjack and Nameless and all those guys made their marks off milk runs? C’mon! Just be cool, we got this.”
For Leadership roll on Marak, to calm him down and boost morale. (9d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3610974/) No glitch
Turning to the AI’s image “And you man! Damn dude, you know you're our ace in the hole? Our very own fraggin’ Ghost in the Machine? LITERALLY! You are the reason we got this far ..AND you’re the part of this team that whatever juju is in that box can’t work on! You are the big hero in all those trids that walks into the sunset with a happily ever after, maybe with a hot chick on your arm” *pops his head toward Rybka* ;)
For Leadership roll on Tachikoma, to calm him down and boost morale. (9d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3610975/) No glitch, Edge roll: 5d6.hitsopen(5,6)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3610979/) Good enough
“Just get a grip guys, we are gonna need all hands here, and level heads too.”
Turning back to the others, Smiley looks calmly to Teddy for his assessment.
8)
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Teddy, the ever calm giant of a man, didn't move, didn't speak. Paralyzed he starred at the now open box, his skin got noticeably pale. You almost didn't hear him breath. He was fighting with himself. Then after a while, he swallowed as his curiosity took the better of him and took a very slow step towards the box, just to be able to see whats inside. Closing his eyes, he concentrated on the astral aura around the contents.
Assensing: 4 INT + 2 Assensing + 2 Aura Reading = 8DP; Magical Theory: 3 LOG + 3 Magical Theory = 6DP; Magical Threats: 3 LOG + 2 Magical Threats = 5DP (8d6.hits(5)=4, 6d6.hits(5)=3, 5d6.hits(5)=1), no glitches (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3611291/) Not sure whats needed, so i had all three tests just to be safe.
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Marak nods at the 'peptalk' that smiley gave and leans against the wall calming himself. As his uncles told him many times be prepared for the worst even if it doesn't happen. Marak looks at Smiley "Thanks mon " and gives him a big grin ;D 8)
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@Rybka: Like Tachikoma's cameras your vid pictures can't really detect anything. With a stroke of insight Rybka opens up a drawling program and writes out the cover's script a very cursive writing style. It take a few tries but finally a basic pattern recognition program running in the side bar identifies the language as old Germanic, the title of the book is "The Blood" written by some guy named Kemmler. Stopping from writing anything ease Rybka runs a net search, as the group probably predicted it brings up some odd info.
1- Lots of pages having to do with raising of the dead
2- Pre-WW1 information on some crazy prophet named Kemmler
3- Conspiracy theory sites
4- Nothing to do with a book known as "The Blood"
@Group:
Smiley woos you so calm down Tachikoma you get an Idea it's not so bad, Marak you still think its bad juju but will keep your piece for a while.
@Teddy:
Threat: Nothing overt, but this is not something you want to be posting you got.
Assessing: It has to do with Necromancy
Theory: You cant' tell much unless you read the book, which you feel would be a bad idea. But reading the warding glyphs on the lead you get the idea who ever did it was an amateur at best or someone just throwing down everything the think would seal bad things in.
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After getting a glimpse Teddy stepped back again and shivered. "Necromancy." he said. "I won't look into it, i won't even touch it. Nobody should ever touch it."
"That's some fine commlink we got us here. If our Johnson really wanted that book, we might be on to something. If you ask me, i would rather burn it now than later. - I am back in a minute." With that, Teddy stepped out of the warehouse to get some fresh air.
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Rybka takes out her glasses and massage her eyelids for a little while.
"So much for a complete Matrix search, boys. Well, the title of the tome's old germanic for 'The Blood'... The name is quite generic, and the info seems cryptic, so unfortunatelly we don't know what our Johnson is dealing with. The most I got is that it's presumed author," - Rybka points to the author's name on the cover - "that Kemmler guy, most probably was a prophet from centuries past (most references to him are prior to 1910!), not know of from his stable behaviour or sane mind. As it goes, there's no info on a book by him with this name."
Rybka puts her glasses again.
"If the mojo-man felt that way about that thing, I will second his opinion. This may mean big money, but it's not something I'm confortable in dealing with." - She gives a quick glance to the troll and the AI's hologram: "Not that it's dangerous as it is now, inert. But I would rather not find the influence the information this tome conceals unleash into one's mind."
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Hank mutters a curse. "Necro...Ok, if no one has any objections...Smiley, give me a hand getting these jars out, and then let's seal this box back up."
Figured Hank would have to ask for help--one golf ball-sized chunk of gold is about 2 pounds (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_much_does_one_cubic_inch_of_gold_weigh), so a jar of them is probably about 20...heavy enough that lifting one out of a box without toughing the thing next to it could be tricky. :)
Also, note that Hank is a bit shaken up by this, as evidenced by his using Smiley's prefered name. Not enough to stop him from doing the job, and probably not noticeable to anyone other than Smiley (and Rybka's kinesthetics, of course), but...
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"No problem, Hank." Smiley will assist in the gold removal, and continue conversationally, "Just getting a feel for the room, but do we really just want to hand this over to Johnson without a little more info? I am not saying that this gold doesn't bridge the gap somewhat between our implied and actual risk, this is more of a moral question. I doubt that simple collector value is on the mind of our Johnson, not to mention who ever we took this from, you know, the guys with money to burn, no real regard for law or metahuman life and at least some kind of significant contact with the UCAS military?"
The Amerind shrugs "To be honest, I still could see the arguement that we don't have what the Johnson sent us for, our intructions were pretty clear, and an old musty evil book is not a commlink. I am just saying that maybe I could call somebody who might be able to tell us a lttle something."
??? :)
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Marak gets a puzzled look on his face and is chewing his lip. Finally he just comes out and says it as the 2 are about to lift out the gold jars. "Um guys just a quick question mon. Didn't the ancient ancient egyptians use gold jars for um rituals or mummies or something mon?? " He shrugs " I'm not trying to make everyones paranoia into overdrive just a random thought" With that he slowly walks over to offer his help in removing whatever. If its wanted. "You guys want a hand??"
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Looking at Smiley, the hologram shook its head. "I came from an Aztechnology drone in Bogota. Magic works on drones just fine, just differently from fleshy things like you. And I like playing around with fleshy things, so I don't want to see them all turned into evil undead things. You're so creative sometimes! And you have strange tastes, as well. For instance, I saw this trid once where some girl was having sex with a naga, and then the naga ate her! And it said it was available in simsense, from both their points of view. I mean, an AI would never think of something like that for entertainment! You fleshy things are so creative!"
Tachikoma shuddered at the mage's declaration of what the book was about. "I told you I'd seen this trid before! And get the mage to scan that gold, too. It could be cursed! I saw that in a trid as well. Then can we please seal the book up again and get it far far away?"
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"We really should think well before taking any action now. I'm quite against handing this thing over to the Johnson. Call it principles, moral, spiritual purity... whatever. This book has a lovercraftian feel to it, and no good can come from it." She pauses her train of thoughts strategically, choosing her next words.
"Yet, not handing it to him is another issue, entirelly, and we should be prepared to it, if that's the route we take. I'm sure this guy will put all his resources in getting this acursed book on his grasp, and it wouldn't be wise to be on his way..."
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"Um, Marak, those were jars made of gold, not jars with gold in them. Very different. These, you can see what's in them," Hank points out as he and Smiley lift out the second glass jar and set it next to the first. "Ok, that's that. Let's seal this thing up again." Hank slides the lid back over the box and starts wrapping the chains back around it, snapping the padlocks back in place.
As he does so, he says, "Laughing Boy, we were hired to get this box. I don't know how long you've been running in the shadows, but you don't last long if word starts to get around the Johnsons that you drop a run halfway through just because you don't like how it's playing out. So I say we hand this box over and let the Johnson deal with it. As for the UCAS...those guys were from Unit 9. Spec ops team, mostly extractions. Gonna be hard to find out anything about them without drawing unwanted attention, but I'll see what I can dig up." A thought occurs to him, and he says, "By the way, does the number 875 mean anything to anyone? I didn't think much of it at the time, but our Johnson had a skull tattoo on his arm with a small number on it. Might mean something."
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"um not the gold jars in those days held the mummy's innards and things....just saying mon" Marak shrugs and leans back against the wall looking out the window just in case trouble is about to bite us in the kester
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Teddy entered back into the warehouse, his face changed to his normal teint. "So, what is the plan? Getting rid of it, because it is not the commlink we expected? Or honor our deal? The second option would allow me, or us, if you are up to it, to keep tabs on the book and try to find out, who is behind it. I just can't allow such evil to fall into the wrong hands."
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"That's a very interesting way of thinking, Teddy." Rybka says: "I couldn't agree more."
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"As am I." Marak chimes in. Shaking his head think damn I have some of mama's do gooder in me...I hope not 8)
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"I have been running long enough to know that when a Johnson hoses us as bad as this one did on intel, we have every right to hose them right back. 'Sorry, Mr J, no comlink in the target vehicle' and we open negotiations from there, once we have a better idea about what exactly it is we are gonna be giving him. I know you want to cut this loose quick as you can, but can you respect the fact that some of us might be concerned about what Johnson might do with this thing?" Smiley looks around the room.
"I am gonna call a friend, she has some contacts in the magical world, maybe she can introduce us to someone that can tell us about this thing."
(Calling the Maiden, and asking her to get us a meet with an occult investgator type that she trusts, and set up the meet somewhere else than here )
8)
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Tachikoma's avatar nods. "I agree. Don't destroy it. But keep the thing in the box, yeah? And no one go reading it. If we know what Mr. J wants with it, then we can decide whether to give it over, or sell it to someone else who might be better capable of dealing with it. Like the Draco Foundation or someone. They put out a bounty on toxics and blood mages, yeah? So maybe they'll pay to take something like this off the street?"
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Marak silent nods to what Tachy and Smiley have been saying as he keeps watch out of a window.
Perception+Specialization visual6+stat = 8d6.hits(5) → [2,1,6,3,5,4,1,5] = (3)
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While the group debates what to do Marak gazes out the window keeping an eye out for trouble. The warehouse is surrounded by a metal fence, not some kind of chain link but solid metal siding so seeing street level is unable to be seen. So instead Marak keeps an eye on the building across the way it’s an old three story affair that’s seen better days. While scanning the windows he sees two gang members, wearing orange and yellow standing on the second floor. Upon closer inspection it appears they are using a laser mike and a camera probably just a couple of gangers trying to get some easy pay data, on the group.
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over the taccomm "guys got some gangers in the building across the way with a laser mic on us wearing orange n yellow mon." Marak eases closer to his Alpha leaning near the window just in case
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Hrm...might be nothing, but... Hank stands up, looks around, and looking directly at Marak, says, "Well, I say we make the delivery as planned. But while you're thinking about it, I'm going to go stretch my legs a bit." Stepping out of the building, Hank walks casually around the corner of the warehouse. Once he's fully hidden from the building across the street, he activates his chameleon suit.
GM--is there a ladder to the roof Hank can use? He'd prefer to climb up there, but if that's not an option, he'll just ease back out to the point where he's got line of sight on the gangers. If it makes a difference, he's got a 9 DP on climbing, 11 for assisted.
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Tachikoma's avatar nods slightly. Over the comms, it says, I can send one of my drones to 'persuade' them to leave, if need be.
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Damn, I really need to get one of those sub-vocal mics some day. Moving carefully, Hank pulls out his link and types into it. Let's take a look first, Tach. I'd really like to know who these guys are...and if they're just in the wrong place, or if someone pointed them our way. Got anything that you can stealth?
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Marak types into the comm Guessin I stay hear like I'm just on watch , just holler if you need a hand with that he looks around the building their in to see if there is stairs up to get a better view or field of fire
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Rybka leans against an wall and fall into VR.
Over their comms, the team hears her voice saying: "If their equipment has strong enough signal, then maybe I can discover why they're here. If not, then Tachi could put some of his drone on a strategic position so that it can serve as a repeater. But, please, no dumping it's connections this time, okay?"
Guys, my own computer fried, and while I try to fix the situation maybe my posting will become erratic at best. Feel free to NPC Rybka to speed things up if I'm unable to.
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Ok, the troll and the girl are on this, too. Nice to see the team working together without directions from Mr. J already. Having backup changes things, Hank thinks to himself
, and stops looking for a way to climb on the warehouse's roof. Instead, he turns, walks further away from the warehouse, crosses the street, and circles around to the building the gangers are in.
Infiltration test (7 agility, 4 skill, 2 tacnet): 13d6.hits(5)=6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3616245/)
Chameleon suit is activated, as mentioned previously (-4 to perception to see Hank).
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"Hey Marak, are those bangers the same ones that were with the Johnson?" asks Smiley over the link, while continuing to make his plans w/ Cheri Ostler at the Alabaster Maiden
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Marak thinks back to the meet 6d6.hits(5) → [5,6,6,3,2,1] = (3)
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In response, Tachikoma's tracked drone shimmers, and then disappears from sight as the chameleon coating is activated. I can make this drone hard to spot, but that isn't the same as making it quiet. Heavy combat drones aren't known for being the best choices for subtle inflitration. If there is an alternate entry big enough to get my helicopter drone through, though, I could do aerial overwatch. But if I launch it out the front door, that would be the same as shouting that we know they're there.
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Teddy typed in his commlink: We should keep them interested in us, until we got to them, else they will notice and disappear. If anyone tries to get to them, i could sent a spirit for assistance. Then speaking loud: "Where is the location of the other gold? I never heard of it before."
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Marak turns slightly and smiles. "I don't know but we sure did secure this sight for the exchange . We store these here mon and go get de rest eh?
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@Hank:
No ladder so you hang around the interior of the warehouse, using a second window to keep an eye on the gangers. It take a minute or two until you recognize them as Halloweener's due to the bright colors.
@Marak:
After a few minutes that the conversation takes the gangers pack up their surveillance gear and disappear into the run down building.
@Group:
As you discuss what to do Rhino, knocks on the door then slips in. "hey I spotted some Halloweener's sent some locals to send 'dem pack'n. Don't worry they were just after some pay data most likely. I'd finish up though soon they' might get a weird idea to try and steal what ya got."
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"Yes, I think we're about done here. Give us 15, and then you can come back and shut off the lights, ok?" Hank waits pointedly for the one-horned troll to leave before helping load the crate and jars back into the van.
While they work, Hank says to the Amerind, "So, Laughing Boy...and word from your girl about this...thing?"
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Marak wrinkles in deep thought ---something about halloweeners but an't put his finger on why--- packs up his stuff and helps pack and move thecrate for travel.
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Tachikoma's hologram oversees the loading of the gear, once the box is fastened shut again, of course. The tank drone is positioned in front, and stealthed, ready to take on any unforeseen problems when they roll out.
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Marak gets on his Harley and follows the van keeping an eye out for trouble
Perception+visual specialisation+stat = 8d6.hits(5) → [4,4,5,2,5,5,6,4] = (4)
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If Marak can he'll drive flanking the van as security or in the 'caboose' position if he can't
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@Smiley:
While getting ready to move out Cheri calls "Hey you smiley bastard, I got a guy in the club right now but he'll want a pretty penny and maybe a tall drink if you want some info. Call himself Alestor he's on the second level doing a bit of brooding, look for table in the back and guy wearing spurs."
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Teddy followed the convoy in his ATV. Normally this open vehicle makes him feel closer to nature, breathing the fresh air - in the city on the highways it seems to be a curse. If i travel more often to the city, i should get a respirator soon. He wrinkled his nose and pondered about the book...
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"We are in route, thanks Cheri. His tab is on me as of now, so set him up. We might need some privacy for work, can that be arranged?" Over comms to the team, "We are going Downtown to meet a friend folks, best behavior and all that." ??? ;) 8)
include the link from Seattle 2072 entry reprinted below
The Alabaster Maiden
East Mercer Street & 12th Avenue
One of Seattle’s many oddities stands outside the entrance to the nightclub
named after it. The life-size white stone statue of a beautiful, mysterious
woman is said to be all that remains of Gabriella Dematto, one of the
area’s first magicians. As the tale goes, Ms. Dematto, menaced by a gang,
overreached her magical talents and the resulting backlash left her petrified.
Her statue passed through various owners before it ended up outside
the club, where it has remained for decades. Visitors to the club regularly
touch the statue on their way in and on their way out for good luck.
> This story has been proven to be nothing more than an urban legend; there are
no records of a woman named Gabriella Dematto in Seattle after the Awakening,
although a lot of information was lost in the Crash of ’29. Astral examination of
the statue shows a faint magical aura, but not that of a human being who has
been calcified through sorcery. It’s something else, but no one has been able to
unravel exactly what as yet.
> Snopes
> There are a number of stories about the Maiden moving from time to time,
while no one is looking. Interestingly, there is even some photographic evidence
of this, very slight shifts in position, posture and such. The more fanciful stories
talk about her granting wishes to people in need, while the more lurid ones talk
about her feeding on the blood or souls of the living.
> Ethernaut
> If you stare at the Maiden long enough, you can see her move. You just have to be very patient.
> Pistons
> Or really plastered.
> Snopes
Inside, the Alabaster Maiden is a high-class nightclub with the latest in dance music
and holographic light shows. Magical acts sometimes appear on weekends; be sure to get
tickets for such shows in advance; the ticket line is no place to be seen the night of a show!
> The Maiden’s current owner is an elf named Cheri Ostler, who has no apparent magical talent of her own,
although she does have a grey cat with an unusual aura. Patrons claim to have seen a similar, but much
larger, animal prowling the area near the club late at night.
> Lyran
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"right " Marak says with a big grin :D 8)
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"Well, well, so it seems like your chummers have a nice taste for their meeting points, Smiley." The girls sends over the comm's, from the back of the van.
Computer is back up, and so I am!. Thanks for the patience, chummers!
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Computer is back up, and so I am!. Thanks for the patience, chummers!
Welcome back 8)
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Tachikoma kept the drone in stealth mode as they moved in, not wanting to cause a disturbance. For some reason, the AI had the impression that an armed combat drone would likely set off alarm bells if people saw it. "I will remain outdoors, in case you need evac. Though I would like to listen in."
<OOC> Sorry, folks. RL had been squirrelly with me lately, and hadn't been lucid enough to post.
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"Tap in thru my comm there chummer and listen in mon" More ears the better in my book" 8)
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um have we been abandoned??
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The air is thick with moisture as the group’s convoy of vehicles drives the back streets toward downtown. Soon the sky opens up and the Seattle weather begins thick rain starts hammering down and the wind picks up. The storm begins, as you pull up in front of the club, local Wifi signals are glitchy like something is going wrong. Tachikoma’s sensor systems experience problems he remembers this problem from a time before, something that the metahumans called gremlins.
The clubs front has a line but using Marak’s VIP ID badge they group passes through into the interior. The inside is light intermediary and unlike a normal night this club has a bad going, without speakers. A sign on the wall says “Gremlin Night” in glow in the dark paint, the bar is lit by candles and lanterns. Using the side stairway the group heads to the second story. Here almost all electronics die, the tables here are not packed one two have people sitting at them. One a group of giggling club girls trading drinks, the other has a single person sitting at it reading a paper back book by the light of a lantern.
As the group approaches the man looks up, he wearing a button up shirt, jeans, a duster and cowboy boots with spurs. Also you notice a gun belt holstering a six shooter and a wand? “What do you want?”
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Marak leans against the walk lettin one of the faces handle this. He observes the room and keeps a look out for trouble
8d6.hits(5) → [2,1,6,2,3,2,2,6] = (2)
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Smiley moves with the merchandise, having left the gold and the locks, to the table. A wink to the ladies before putting his back to them and concealing their business.
"Alestor, I am Smiley. I appriciate you taking the time to see us. We have an item we need some background on, including possible uses for it and, if you can, a ballpark fence value should we be interested in parting with it. We are pressed for time, so know this, at present this item is promised to another, we are looking to you for information, for which you will be compensated, but not as a potential buyer."
Once he believes that he has made himself clear he will stand and present the open box to the investigator, still subtly blocking the view of the other table.
8)
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Marak will move to block the view of the table but continue to watch the rest of the bar
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As Smiley has taken the front lead as the primary face on this situation, Rybka decides to act as support. By the time being, she just stays there looking pretty, all the while observing Alestor behavior and reading his body language.
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Alestor closes the soft back book, it's just an old penny novel, looks up. "So your the ones she said needed someone with the occult knowledge, is this the item you want to know about? whats it doing, that you can't look it up on that net thingy?" Alestor asks as he reaches for the box, "Humpf, thats a nice piece of self warding work on the case. Can I open it or is the case just what you want to know about?"
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Marak becomes a coiled spring on hearing the conversation ready for things to go sideways
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"We did our due dilligence with our net resources, but, as I am sure you are aware, such matters are not always helpful in this arena."
:)
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"So what info do you need? so far its a self warding box." Alestor says. He keeps looking at the box
((OOC: he asked if it was the box you wanted to know about, as it is closed. So are you going to show him the book?))
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(OOC: Okay I tried to make this clear by PM but I guess there is some disconnect between what I am writing and what you are hearing. THE BOX IS NOT CLOSED When I was confident that Alestor understood the parameters of the meet, I presented the open box and stood up to block the other table's view of the contents. I will now continue on IC as if I hadn't done that yet.)
In response to Alestor's question Smiley grins and lifts the lid, "As long as we are clear, I present to you 'The Blood'. "
:D :P :-\ 8)
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Marak tenses a little while thinking ' The other shoe should be falling momentarliy mon" :o
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Another bout of writers block??
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'Humm the Blood, never heard if it well never thought I'd heard of it. " he picks up the book and shivers a bit. "Bad Ju Ju here, let me see ' He reaches into an inner pocket of his Duster and pulls out a pair of reading glasses. You notice he did not read the novel with glasses so it seams a bit odd. After reading a page he puts the book down and slides it back across the table "If I was you I'd burn that. Nothing good will come from that book, so what do you need to know?"
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"I am not sure if burning is an option. We need to know what could be done with it, because we were hired to aquire it. Thing is, we already know we were underpaid, but getting an understanding of this would let us know what we are into." Smiley puts the book back in the box and closes it, then settles into his seat.
"I mean if the guy is looking to off himself in a creative way, or get back at a squeeze for giving him a rash, that is one thing. But some us ain't down with being the Kool-Aid delivery man for Jonestown or bringing UBro pamphlets to the last game the Bulls ever played at home, so ka?"
:o ??? 8)
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'Ok short end, bad ju ju. Semi longer end, were talking zombies, spirits and other weird crap that well mother nature ain't ganna like. personally I'd burn it wash your hands and get lost, or plan B burn it and shoot the guy that wants this kind of book. This thing got some great leads to power, I personally don't want to know. "
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Over the comm " Sweet jezuz what kinda voodoo juju we stumble on mon" Marak shifts uneasily form one foot to another. Still scanning the bar
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"Easy there, big guy," Hank murmurs into his comm, hiding the motion of his lips by pretending to take a drink. "Teddy told us already that this was ugly. So far, this guy hasn't told us anything we didn't already guess at. And it sounds like that may be all he's got...not worth our time or money coming here. Rybka--what's your read on him? Does he have anything else for us?"
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"Right mon. I've seen dis ol vid called uh Resident Evil a friend showed me. I like what brains I have mon right where dey are eh" Marak chuckles to himself. Thinking well dis is what dat creek dey be talkin about. But we still have our paddles eh. As he scans the room
Perception with visual specialsation 8d6.hits(5) → [2,6,1,2,3,2,2,6] = (2)
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Rybka spends the entire conversation analysing the guy's behavior, seeing if by any chance is not keeping any information he may have just to himself.
5 (Charisma) + 4 (Intuition) + 6 (Empathy Software) + 3 (Kinesics) = 18 dice = 5 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3655665/)
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The wizard leans back and takes a pull from his beer. The group notices that the loft has been vacated of patrons, when the book was brought out.
Right remember that all electornics are glitching baddy so using the software is goping to glitch (in the future), as for right now you do notice that he knows much more than he's telling
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"uh ppl have cleared out right quick mon. We are alone up here eh. Sometimg be happening maybe eh" Marak becomes a coiled spring waiting for that other shoe to fall.
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Sorry, forgot about that for a moment... So, is commlink communication working at all? It seems so, since Hank spoke subvovally with Marak...
Rybka leans against a table, cross an arm in front of her belly and uses it's hand as a platform for her other arm, which holds her neck. One fingertip taps lightly on her face, as if she is pondering. Her eyes are fixed on the Duster clad mage, and her face shows a lack of approval.
"Mr. Alestor, let me make something clear here. Me and my team, we are not here fooling around with an evil book. We are a team of professional, as I'm sure you have noticed by the diverse bunch which presented themselves to you right now. As we are not understimating your arcane knowledge, you should not understimate our skills. I'm not understimating your knowledge... In fact, I can see as clear as water that you know quite a lot more than you shared so far. I ask you again: do not understimate our skills; you're not a bad liar, but until now no pokerface has fooled me. Why don't you enlighten us on why you choose to keep some data to himself, and what the information is?"
Rybka's tone is somewhat playful, but that just adds to the seriousness of her analysis. She is not playing, and the message should be already clear by now.
5 (Charisma) + 4 (Intimidation) + 3 (Kinesics) + 2 (First Impression) = 14 dice = 3 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3656563/)
I'm not adding bonuses from Empathy software anymore, since they shouldn't really be working here.
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Oh ya faggin gremlins ...Marak thinks He utters "Hmmmm we be all by our lonesome mon" as he casually shifts looking at the team and back to keeping watch
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Sighs”Well if you want to be that way about it. The professional version is burn it. As for the book the Blood is the first of three book written by this guy Kemmler” he holds up the book and points at the author's name “ the blood was his first, the Blood was the second, and the Mind. There is rumours of a fourth book ‘the Word’ so as for what's in them, methods of doing bad things with souls/zombies you know Necro stuff. As for your author he was a crazy man, similar to Rasputin, but he kept himself quite. The rumor was kemmler could do things but that was before the whole mana storm thing so if he was some wizard who knows. Other info is sketchy like everything about him is he found the recipe for immortality. But if that was true he’d rule the world. And thats what I know of the man, as for who wants this kind of book don’t know unless you got details about them.”
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"Your cooperation has been noted, Alestor. I, in the name of the whole team, thank you for that." Rybka tone has changed, and she is now a much nicer person. "Do you, by any chance, know if Kemmler's books were meant to be read consecutively, or each is a separate piece on their own? What I ask is, if The Blood is destroyed, will the others now be incomprehensible and incomplete information, or would they still carry their dark knowledge on their own right?"
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"I'm not sure on that one having never read all the books. I think each is meant for a different level of learning like schools this is first grade I bet the second is like middle school learning. If you want to know more you read the thing but I'm not going much further into this stuff."
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"Thank you Alestor, you just added a zero to your pay by being straight with us. We have some plans to make so we'll let you get back to your book. You're drinking on me tonight, so feel free to hang around." Smiley gets up and takes his leave, beaming 1100 nuyen to the contact.
After making appropriate goodbyes to Cheri (ooc question to GM: 10% for the meeting?) he will contact Tachi as soon as he can do so clearly about hooking up with them and making sure the investigator doesn't leave too fast.
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Walking out beside Smiley MArak asks quietly. "Does that mean we be runnin into ghoulies and such mon?? Dis guy be on de nutters side eh" Continually scanning the area as they leave.
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"He deals in some pretty crazy stuff, but he seems to be okay. The big question is what are we going to do with the info? Do you really want to just hand the book to Johnson?" Smiley asks the big guy as they make their way out.
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"Uh not really like he said . He's a whacky doodle dat either wants zombies or Immortality. And either way my momma didn't raise no fool. Looks like we are playin keep away with books with dis guy no? " Marak sighs " But its what we all decide ...right mon??" "Dis be big mon. Mindblowingly big" Marak nods to himself as they walk out .
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Marak looks at Smiley and says "Can we find out how much Draco whatever it is will pay. Be outta our hands and in someone who knows how to properly dispose of dis juju ,om"
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You get the feeling like Smiley is on autopilot, his feet naturally moving from this club to the afterhours greasy spoon diner that he would frequent if he were out drinking and partying. Ordering his usual from the waitress (which turns out to be a soy skillet scramble that the Amerind begins to drown in hot sauce when it arrives w/soykaf) he settles into a corner booth, keeping the box close at hand, and looks at the team.
"Well, who is ready to piss off Mr Johnson?" :D ??? ::) 8)
-
Marak ordering and eating the same. Grabbing a hot sauce from another table and drowning his in a blanket of the sauce. He says between eating. "I thought you were going to say that mon. But my question about dem Draco foundation ...ist it a good idea to go there?? " He looks everyone in the eye before going back to eating and "casually" looking out the window. He can't shake this feeling about the other show falling. 8)
-
"Laughing Boy, I don't know about you, but I've been running the shadows long enough to know that you don't last long if you piss off your Johnsons. Is this" he nods towards the box, "'bad juju,' as our eloquent friend here keeps describing it? Sure it is. But that's the shadows for you. I've seen some pretty messed up shit...hell, I've caused some." Hank pauses, takes a bite of his food, and then continues.
"See, it's like this. Our dear Mr. Johnson, he wants this. Why? Maybe because he's a harmless collector of old artifacts...though we all know how likely that is. More likely because he thinks that it'll work, give him power, immortality, whatever, even though it's from before the sixth world started. And maybe it will. But he knows there's a price, and he's willing to pay it, which means that he's probably a bit mad. And, well, as Tach says, 'I've seen that trid'--something's going to go wrong, he'll make something which will turn on him, he'll end up dead (or worse), and the rest of us will go on with our lives. And, frankly, the price he's paying us plus the...'incidental bonuses' we've already obtained is going to make it just a bit easier for me to get along with mine."
-
Rybka takes a moment thinking before letting her thought become words.
"For my part, I wouldn't mind pissing this J. off. But we all know what this usually means, so let me bring up another scenario. What would you say if the Johnson get the book, but that we can make it completely sure it won't really work? Like, if the book he got is not exactly the real one, but a well-made forgery?"
-
Marak's brow furrows as he's deep in thought , looks up after Rybecka speaks with a look of :o . "um ya dat will piss of J to no end mon" chuckling "I for one don't want another beastie or whatever loose. What with whats out here now between the Ghoulies and Buggies and Shedims......lets not at zombies eh. Oops sorry mon I am babbling again" And MArak looks away embarasses :-[
-
"Hank, I hear you, I really do. One of the reasons I am willing to entertain this possibility is because we have essentially completed the run at this point and gotten paid. I have no problem dumping this thing in the trashbin out back and telling the Johnson 'Hey, we hit the convoy. No commlink in the target car, sorry about your luck.'
I mean, who knows? Maybe we are working on the side of the angels, despite all appearances to the contrary. Maybe Johnson is trying to keep this book out of the real bad guys hands. I am not dumb enough to believe I am always going to know all the ramifications of a run, but I think we have enough wiggle room to ask a question or two and get a real answer."
Smiley leans back and drains his cup.
"Rybka, do you know a forger who can pull off that kind of scam? Does anyone else?
Marak, do you know anyone in the Draco Foundation? Seems like they operate a little to far in the sun for this shadow, I dunno. Might be a place to dump this if we had to, but I ain't there yet.
Let's flesh out some options here folks, I have a few contacts that can still help, but I'm just reaching if we don't have a goal."
Smiley leans forward again, "I say this though, as of right now, I will go along with the team even if we go in a direction I disagree in. If one of you aren't of the same belief, that needs to come out, right fraggin' now!"
-
Marak nods at Smiley's last statement. "As am I and sorry I don't know anyone in dere. Hmmmmm can we dig up info on Mr. J?? So who he is mon?? Dat sorta stuff and if he's a nutter or not eh" looks at everybody and shrugs "just a thought mon"
-
An old bell rings that is attached to the restaurants door, the noise of street traffic intrudes for a moment before being hushed by the door. Out of the corner of your eye you make out a man who just walked in his head scans the crowd before turning toward the group. The man is what appears to be human, his hair is cut close in a crew cut his eyes are hidden by sunglasses. He is dressed in a long black duster, khaki pants, and combat boots. he walks slowly over to the table pausing for a moment before pulling a chair over flipping it around and sitting down on it back wards. As he sits his long coat opens to reveal security issue full body armor with trauma plates, and a pistol rig handing under both of his shoulders. "Before anyone does something stupid, let me assure you I don't want any trouble. Also you might have noticed the small red dots," he nods to Hanks chest " and no they are not laser pointers, make and moves to harm me and well not all of you will leave the table. I am what some people call a retrieval specialist, you have something you took from the Foundation we want it back."
enter the scary man. Also Tachikoma, you pickup some increased com traffic from the dinner, when the man enters. Something along the lines of 'Team one in position, Team two in position, Team 3 on standby. Team 4 has over watch.'
-
:o Maraks eyes widen. "May I present de other shoe ladies and gents. And it brought friends mon" Just in case Marak activates Killing hands, his eyes never leaving the new guy.
-
Seeing the "dots" on his chest, Hank glances around, trying to trace the lights back to their source(s) to see how far he'd have to move to get out of the line of fire--and if it'd be possible to get Scary Man between the source and himself. Or at least to get an idea of how many targets there are.
Perception (4 skill, 4 int, 3 vision enhancement): 11d6.hits(5)=5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3662356/)
If he can identify where the group(s) are, he'll try to zoom in on them using his cybereyes' image magnification.
Oh, and I don't know if the tacnet is still active; if it is, here's the extra two dice it gives: 2d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3662366/)
-
Seeing the "dots" on his chest, Hank glances around, trying to trace the lights back to their source(s) to see how far he'd have to move to get out of the line of fire--and if it'd be possible to get Scary Man between the source and himself. Or at least to get an idea of how many targets there are.
The lights are coming from the front window from there you can make out some lumps, on a building across the street. The scary man is to your right across the table. You'd need to travel 2 meters to get between him and the snipers.
-
Marak is thinking Mr. Armor is his meat shield if the lead starts flying eh. Hoping against hope He's just got creative with laser pointers mon. He glances out the windows to see whats what
Perception with visual specialisation 8d6.hits(5) → [5,5,5,4,3,4,4,3] = (3)
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"Well since you already did something stupid, we will hold off on making any threats and just say we have a little backup ourselves, okay? Would you like a cup of kaf? Apparently you are looking to do some business, maybe we accomodate you. Which foundation in particular do you work for? I ask because I know of several and I really wouldn't interested chatting with someone from the Foundation for Law and Government."
Smiley is perfectly calm and relaxed. He motions for a refill and returns his attention to his plate as he speaks.
8)
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"By backup you mean the assault drone, van and 2 aerial drones near by. I guess your rigger is in the van. " He takes out a simple piece of smart paper with picture of tachikoma's van, an aerial picture. "We've been watching him sense you entered the other bar. And yes I'd like some caf. "
-
Marak goes back to eating warily keeping his eyes on Scary. Ready to powerbomb him into a dumpster if need be 8). Good thought but knocking his jaw into next week works just as well too.
-
"One question answered, but I really believe my associate has made more than one." The girl in grey keeps calm and collected while speaking. "If you don't remember, he asked which Foundation is the one you mentioned belonging to. Also, I would add another question to the whole list: how do you feel about providing us with a moniker by which we can call you? Mr. You had its charm on the 2050s, but today, it's so passé."
As she hasn't asked for any meal before, she just leans a little more relaxed on the chair, and let the time flow by while staring Mr. Scary Guy on the eyes.
-
"You can call me Mister Grey, as for who I represent that does not matter as much as what you acquired earlier today. "
-
Smiley motions to the waitress coming with his refill for another mug for Mr Grey,
"That's okay pal, stands to reason with the weight you are throwin' around you're working for the Big Dead D and little miss d. How she doing anyway? Still lookin' fine, I hope. Can't say much more than that tho', I mean a guy in my line of work tends to be forgetful of the whats and whys and wherefors, kinda goes with the job description, unless I am paid otherwise."
;) 8)
-
<facepalm> He's taunting the happyfunball MArak thinks, nearly chocking on a mouthful of his meal.
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"I'm not sure what you mean sir. The package you took this evening was important to one of my employers they want it back. I'm here to ask nicely, the display of power was made necessary due to the vast amount of firepower your group has shown." He looks at the cup of kaf like any shadowrunner wondering if you'd poisoned it. "We are not interested in getting even for the dead, I just want the package."
-
Rybka is pretty sure that Mr. Grey, formerly know as Mister Scary Dude, is not the back-to-nature kind of guy which does not carry a 'link around. So there's just one logical and simple explanation for his PAN not to be displayed at her AR vision; the guy is running in hidden or autistic mode. And, as he is clearly communicating with his back-up, she is pretty confident it's the former. Well, even if there's no other option but to let them take The Blood back, she is going to know who these guys really are.
Due to her Multi-tasking adept power, Rybka is able to mantain that conversation and run programs in AR at the same time without any problem. She will try to detect his node.
4 (Electronic Warfare) + 5 (Scan) + 2 (Perceptive) (Threshold 4) = 11 dice = 5 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3663617/)
It seems like we have a winner... If the node is really just hidden, then Rybka will afterwards try to hack it.
Well, if the node is found, then Rybka will take a peek at it.
Analyze node: 4 (Computer) + 5 (Analyze) + 2 (Perceptive) + 1 (Enhanced Perception 1 Adept Power) = 12 dice = 2 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3663625/)
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With a wry smirk the says 'Really? Why would I bother?' clearer than any words, Smiley swaps Grey's with his own newly filled mug with careful motions. Leaning back with his new drink he sips and says "Mr Grey, you are apparently very well informed, or perhaps misinformed as the case may be. That said we are rapidly approaching the point in this conversation where we reach one of two conclusions, either an appropriate business arrangement is made, with money and property exchanged, or a lot of people start getting hurt, you among them. That is a nice set of armor you are wearing, but it doesn't mean squat when I know there is at least one person at this table that can put a bullet in your left nostril and blow your brains all over the dessert case." Smile puts his cup down, "You made a strong play sir, but I am calling you, what is your next move?"
-
At Smiley's comment Marak oushes away his empty plate , looking Mr. Grey in the eyes smiling. All the time thinking Boomba time the Drek is hitting the fan mon. He puts his sunglasses back on and waits to see if the shoe is finally coming down.
-
"next move is you give me the package, I leave. call it ....." at that moment a second group of individuals, 9, enter the restaurant, gangers obviously. But also armed, with Ingram SmartGuns, as Marak has been thinking it has hit the fan. The group turns toward the table two take position at the door the other spread out in the room as the leader makes his way toward the table. "We're here to pickup the package."
they do not know there is a second team, at least that's how it looks.
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Marak looks from the gangers to Mr. Grey and then the team. "What we have here ladies and gents is a good ol closterduck mon. A chinese standoff if you will eh. Cuz from the looks of it these johnnycomelatelys are nto part of The Grey plan mon. So what ya gonna do when the other shoe falls on you" and grins primed like a steel spring in a trap.
-
Rybka's ice queen's cold face reveal no expression change to the entrance of the second team, but her locational awareness is tingling. As she perceives the guns on the new guys hands, she inspect closely the expression of both the new arrivals and of mr. Grey, reading them to see if there's any sign of expectation into them (or any other sign which could reveal that this new group is just a well staged show from Mr. Grey and friends).
All the while, she mantains her inspection on the AR windows on her display.
On Mr. Grey = 4 (Intuition) + 5 (Charisma) + 3 (Kinesics) + 6 (Empathy Software) = 18 dice = 6 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3665261/)
On Gangers = 4 (Intuition) + 5 (Charisma) + 3 (Kinesics) + 6 (Empathy Software) = 18 dice = 7 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3665262/)
And I'm still waiting for the information on the Node Detection and Analyze Node from the previous action (it takes just three seconds).
-
Smiley, on the other hand, is quite amused.
"Really? And you are...? Nevermind, doesn't matter, you can join us in the chunky salsa bunch since I really doubt the guys with the automatic rifles w/ the laser sights across the street are really gonna care once someone decides to do something stupid. Me, I am gonna finish my scramble cuz I think this place is gonna be closed for renovations in a minute."
Smiley then picks up his plate and starts to eat quickly.
:o ;) 8)
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On hearing that Marak quickly finishes his toast and soykaff "Damn I liked this place" between mouthfuls
-
As if unimpressed, but joining the joyous conversation, the girl in gray replies: "I had really low expectations about the place, but you can't say it's not interesting. Quite a bunch get together here, don't you think?"
-
Hank decides that it's time to speak up. "Well, now, now we've got a problem. You see how it is, Mr. Grey. You want a package from us, and our employer, well, he wants it, too. Clearly someone's not going to be satisfied with how things work out. Problem is, we've got to figure out who that is." He takes a drink, then continues. "Our employer, of course, has a solid claim; so now we need to evaluate you and your "foundation"."
"As you suggested when you walked in, we did a run recently. But I hardly think that we took anything from you. Our targets were experienced military; your "foundation", on the other hand, seems to only have been able to afford one suit of armor and some old laser pointers. You're clearly not an experienced team. I mean, come on--a troll, two humans, and you decide the elf is the biggest threat in a close-quarters combat? I'm flattered, really, but I can assure you that even if your boys out there had guns attached to those laser pointers--which I doubt--you'd be dead before my corpse hit the floor. My associates would see to that."
"No, experienced military would have a plan for neutralizing the biggest threat first, and they wouldn't announce their numbers by this ridiculous show of force," he gestures to the lights still playing over his chest. "Unless training's gone far downhill since my days, at least. So, since we've established that you're not the people we...'dealt with' earlier, how's about you cut through the crap and give us a feasible reason why we should even consider your...proposal?" Saying this, Hank leans forward to hear what Mr. Grey's response will be.
Rybka, of course, can see the tightening of Hank's muscles; he's shifted to the edge of his seat, preparing to move quickly.
-
Marak shifts "uncomfortably" in his seat to get ready to move quickly, assessing the situation and deciding to wait to see if that damn shoe is gonna drop anytime soon.
-
Mister Grey turns his head and re guards the gangers. You see his through move as if he was swallowing something, or using a sub-vocal mic. the red dot on hanks disappears, and reappears on the gangers along with other red dots. A total of 5 dots appears on the ganger leader, then they shift out amongst his followers. "I guess we are at an in pass. Gentlemen you are no longer needed for this negotiation" mister grey says to the gangers.
'Now what the Frak does that mean!" he responds. You also notice the rest of the people in the restaurant start moving away from the gangers and the window spacing themselves from the impending combat.
'You'll notice the Red dots on your chest, offer hostiles and you'll be dead before you can pull the trigger" mister grey says as he takes a sip of kaf.
'You think your real smart, mister fancy the package belongs to us not you! we're here to collect, stole it far and square!'
yep things have gone from bad to worse. So the comlink it has a single node its a comlink not some high priced super computer, its relaying audio data to a closed network near by.
-
Marak whispers "Yepp hear that chummers....that whistling is the other shoe coming in fast mon" As he gets ready to either flip the table or dive for cover.
-
Rybka's right hand moves instintively nearer the holsters which are concealed under her jacket, but her attention is elsewhere... Mentally typing commands on an ARO representing a breach on the cheap 'link Mr. Grey is using to communicate with his associates, the girl goes in for a quick hack.
At the same time, she sends a subvocal message to all her team through her own 'link: @Team: Here's the deal, guys. I'm hacking Mr. Grey 'link, in order to get info on where his friends are. But my first move will be to send a false FIRE message to them, so hell will break loose in moments. Be on prepared."
Rybka is Hacking Mr. Grey Commlink on the Fly. Threshold is the commlink Firewall.
After three seconds: 6 (Hacking) + 2 (Improved Ability: Hacking 2) + 5 (Exploit) + 1 (Commlink Optimization) = 14 dice = 2 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3668750/)
After six seconds: 14 dice = 5 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3668754/). Total hits = 7 hits in six seconds.
Depending on which turn Rybka cracked the 'link protection, the Commlink may try to find the attempted breach once or twice. Anyway, even if it finds her, she still has one action before being found out (due to her Exploit program being Muted).
-
The moment the laser sight moves off from Hank the 'Music Starts" with him diving across the table. The move is fast and brutal taking mister grey in the lower abdomen and tanking him to the ground. Smiley wisely flips his plate into mister greys face and heads in to assist Hank with mister Grey. What follows is a quick grappling moment that finds Smiley locking mister grey in a half nelson and using him as a human shield. And Hank in position of Mister Grey's predator IV's. When Hank leaps to takeout Mister Grey, Rybka flips the table up for cover and drops to the floor and takes cover as well. Marak following the lead of the group rolls quickly to one side and goes through the kitchen door and out of the line of fire. The moment the group takes cover there is two semi loud bangs like the sounds of a car backfiring, but you realize that is after the front glass windows have shattered. Two of the ganger thugs drop in pieces, having been hit by a large bore rifle. The two other gangers dodge to sides and take cover from the front windows before one takes up firing in bursts at the snipers. The other starts pointing his SMG at the table before letting loose with Long/Wide Burst.
Ok, Rybka, soak 5DV as the bulets rip through the table.
So top of the initiative again bad guys have gone.
-
Damage Resistance Test (Rybka is wearing her Urban Explorer Jumpsuit, which provide Balistic Armor 6)
Modified Damage Value = 5; Modified Armor Value = 6, mDV<mAV, so the damage is Stun
6 (Armor) + 3 (Body) = 9 dice = 5 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3673972/)
Armor resisted all impact; no damage done.
Still, almost everyone get's their action before Rybka, so I will just wait.
The table was a lousy protection, and bullets had passed through it. Rybka felt that her armored jumpsuit had just saved her life.
-
Well, that went better than I expected, Hank muses to himself. Not wanting to risk Mr. Grey reacquiring it, Hank swiftly shoves one of the Predators into his pocket, keeping the one in his left hand pointed at its former owner. Then he grabs his Ingram. "Rybka, can you or Tach take out these lights? We're too visible!" he shouts.
Two simple actions to put away and then ready his weapons, plus the free action to shout. Hank's done for the round. Wish I'd thought to take at least one point in pistols during character creation. (sigh)
-
Sorry! There've been virus issues on my end. One of the drones picked up something, and I was working to keep them isolated from the rest of the group while purging them from my system.
-
Marak looks to see if there are any baddies in the kitchen before spinning, pulling his Ingrams and looking for targets.
just in case to the look in the kitchen Percpetion + Specialization Visual 8d6.hits(5) → [1,3,6,2,4,3,6,2] = (2)
then again in the diner 8d6.hits(5) → [4,5,6,5,4,2,1,4] = (3)
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Marak looks to see if there are any baddies in the kitchen before spinning, pulling his Ingrams and looking for targets.
just in case to the look in the kitchen Percpetion + Specialization Visual 8d6.hits(5) → [1,3,6,2,4,3,6,2] = (2)
then again in the diner 8d6.hits(5) → [4,5,6,5,4,2,1,4] = (3)
Marak rolls into the kitchen, graceful except for running into the garage can. Upon the visual inspection of the kitchen marak sees the cooks have made a break for it. The back door to the alley is still open, and he can make out shadows moving toward the doorway from the alley.
-
" We got company coming in de back door ....chunky salsa anyone mon?? Marak quips as he opts to pull a frag grenade instead. Ready to toss next round
-
Over the 'link, Rybka, from her not-so-covered location, replies to Hank's question. "Can't drop to VR on a battlefield!" Seeing that hacking Mr. Grey link has just jumped down on her priorities list, Rybka takes her thunderbolt from her holster and observes the place in order to find a better cover.
Free Action = Communication
Simple Action = Ready Weapon (Ruger Thunderbolt loaded with Stick-n-Shock Ammo)
Simple Action = Observe in Detail
Observe in detail roll = 4 (Intuition) + 4 (Perception) +2 (Perceptive 2) + 1 (Enhanced Perception 1) = 11 dice = 3 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3676458/)
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The stealthed tank drone's turret turned, and let out two short bursts at the camera watching the van. Sure, Tachikoma could try to hack the system, but it wasn't really that good at hacking. Shooting things with drones, on the other hand, was really easy.
Two Simple actions to shoot at the camera with the tank's LMG. Short, wide bursts, so -2 to the camera's defense, if any. 7P+net hits, -2 AP. 7 hits on the first burst, 6 on the second, so I should be able to blow the camera away, yes?
17d6.hits(5)=7, 17d6.hits(5)=6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3676869/)
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@ Rybka:
You see Hank and Smiley holding mister grey as a human shield between them and the Gangers. Who have taken cover behind some tables from the windows, ones facing the windows covering that angle the other is getting ready to pull cover fire on the team.
@Marak:
Marak readies his weapons in the kitchen, keeping his eye on the back door. Luckily by watching the door he sees the small round object get thrown in followed by someone yelling "Frag OUT!" Of a mind to survive the encounter he dives behind a metal kitchen unit.
Dodge threshold 3, if you succeed its stun damage not physical. Then save verse: 10s (For the distance away from the grenade)
@hank and Smiley
Ahh what are you guys going to do?
@Tachikoma:
The stealth tank disengages its camo and opens up with a quick burst at the where the camera should be. The LMG's round chews through the brick and wood but nothing dies, as if the person that was there is now gone.
-
Fraggers had de same idea!!!! Grenade!!!!!!!!!! Marak yells as he jumps for cover.
9d6.hits(5) → [1,2,5,5,1,6,4,3,5] = (4) I think I did that right...right??
Just in case here is the Body roll too
21d6.hits(5) → [2,4,6,3,1,5,3,3,3,2,5,6,5,1,5,5,3,5,6,3,6] = (10) , tell me if I need to roll again
-
A hatch opens on the van, and the rotodrone from earlier launches, rising up into the air to provide an aerial view of the situation. Meanwhile the still-stealthed tank drone keeps watch for additional enemies.
<OOC> Complex action to launch the drone.
-
To hell with this, Hank thinks to himself. Shoving the second pistol into another pocket, he grabs the box from the bench Smiley'd been sitting on and makes for the door of the kitchen, keeping as low as possible. "Come on, girl, it's time for us to leave this party!" he yells to Rybka.
Two simple actions (putting the gun in his pocket and grabbing the box), a free one to yell to Rybka, and heading for the exit. Hank's done for the round.
-
Swearing under his breath Marak tosses his own grenade out into the alley to clear the way. Using a flashbang and default cuz of no throwing skill doh :o
5d6.hits(5) → [5,5,2,5,3] = (3)
Then brings up his supermachs to cover the others as hopefully they make their way back here to relative safety
-
As Smiley drags Mr Grey to the kitchen, he tries to cinch in his grip a bit better.
"I truly hope those are your guys coming in the back, sir. I also really you have been treating them well, cuz you will be on point the entire time and it's really difficult to interrogate a corpse. Not impossible, mind you, but definitely unpleasant."
also to the comms "We are gonna need a ride Tach."
-
Trying to run from cover to cover, towards the kitchen's door, Rybka follows Smiley.
For all intentions, Rybka will be in Full Defense during this turn.
-
@ Tachikoma:
Your Drone takes to the air quickly but then registers massive comm traffic. Seems who ever had jumped the group has called in the cops, Knight Errant is sending in two HTR teams, with drone backup. Sensor passes gives you somewhere around 3 minutes until the first team arrives.
@Smiley:
Mister Grey being locked in the physical grapple goes limp, a simple defense to being dragged somewhere (you are slowed because its like dragging a 300lb dead weight). While this happens the gangers have turned to take careful aim at Smiley.
@Hank:
You pocket the pistols and dodge into the kitchen, the normal smells of cooking is over powered by the acidic smell of cordite. Also its been trashed, by some kind of explosion.
@Marak:
the grenade barley makes it out of the alley door and the explosion shows the flash imprint of shadows there are defiantly more than one person in the alley. .
@Rybka:
You slip into the kitchen to get out of the fire fight.
Goons:
From smileys vantage point he sees the ganger begin to draw down on him, luckily for him mister grey is in between them. One moment the Gangers head is there the next your hit by a wave of gore blood, bits of skull and brain matter splatter against your head. Seems the snipers are still at it.
-
I'll be out front. Everyone move it, we have three minutes, tops, before this place is crawling with Knights. I've got the street covered, for now, but get a move on!
-
"We are going out the back way Tach, we can't fight our way through those gangers while taking sniper fire."
-
Right. Moving now. Just hurry.
-
I've got multiple bogies in the alley <swears in 'trog;> swings around with both supermachs as Hank jumps into the kitchen then back on covering the back door
-
"I've got the book--let's get out of here. Now." Hank's form fades as he engages his chameleon suit. Slipping to the door to the back alley, he slides the Ingram's barrel past the frame, scanning for hostiles.
The Ingram has a chameleon coating, so there's a -4 perception modifier to spot it (or Hank). The smartlink feeds into Hank's eyes, and thus to the rest of the tacnet. Basically, I'm trying to use his gun as a hard-to-spot periscope. :)
Infiltration (4 skill, 7 agility): 11d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3691041/); tacnet: 2d6.hits(5)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3691043/), total of 5, no glitch.
Perception (4 skill, 4 int): 8d6.hits(5)=5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3691044/); tacnet: 2d6.hits(5)=0 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3691045/)
Since he's using the gun's camera, rather than his eyes, I don't think his vision enhancement helps. But just in case: 3d6.hits(5)=1, total of 6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3691048/)
Wow...that's 3 ones out of 8 dice for the standard perception test, 4 out of 10 with the tacnet, and 6 out of 13 with vision enhancement...that's skirting way too close to glitching for my comfort. ;D
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Marak scoots to the other side of the door if possible. Activating Mystic Armor
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My initiative is 9d6.hits(5) → [5,5,3,2,2,1,4,2,6] = (3) so thats 11
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3 (Reaction) + 4 (Intuition) = 7 dice = 2 hits, no glitch (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3694326/)
Rybla initiative score = 7 + 2 = 9
Marak, I guess your initiative this round should be 12...
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Right :-[
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"DREK I really don't wanna do this mon, but might call for a trollish bulldozer unless any of you have some big boomba to get thru the armour bowling pins" Marak says disgustedly. Pulling out his last 2 frags sighing
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Since this didn't actually happen, I'm hiding it.
We need to get this book out of here, Hank thinks to himself as he scans the goons in the alley. Taking a deep breath, he slides through the doorway and attempts to slip onto the dumpster and past the guards.
Ok, this may be absolutely bat-shit insane to do (I'm writing this prior to rolling, and will go with it regardless of what comes up), but here goes:
Infiltration, edged: 4 skill, 7 agility, 2 tacnet, 4 edge: 17d6.hitsopen(5,6)=7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3701645/)
As a reminder, Hank's chameleon suit is activated, so there's a -4 dice pool to see him. It also has 4 ranks of thermal damping, so the -4 should apply even if the goons have thermographic vision (seems a safe bet).
I'm assuming this is a complex action.
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Also describing what I'm doing before rolling. Puts grenades away . Thinking to himself "I seen dis in a hong kong movie once mon' Pulss the SuperMachs and the 2 outter "boys" plugs em right in the eye.
Automatics + Improved Ability Automatics - called shots (I'll let you subtract from it 12d6.hits(5) → [5,4,4,5,6,3,2,4,4,6,5,2] = (5) and another for the second guy with the other supermach 12d6.hits(5) → [5,1,6,6,5,3,3,1,5,2,6,3] = (6)
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With a series of commands, Tachikoma sends the tank drone into the alleyway, the stealth fading in an obvious threat, while the helicopter drone flies overhead, looking for possible snipers. The tank drone backs up said threat by unleashing a long, narrow burst of automatic weapons fire at the man holding the shield.
Long narrow burst with the tank's LMG. Six hits. 12P+net hits, -2 AP.
15d6.hits(5)=6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3702130/)
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The Drone rounds the corner and opens up with a long burst at the shield holder. Rounds streak down the alley way......
pass through the illusion,
and shatter the bricks at the end of alley sending bits of shrapnel showering into surroundings.
Smiley who's close enough to the ear piece of mister grey hears:
illusion Shattered proceed to stage two.
Goons:
After the drone has completed its burst, a red dot appears on the rear panel. A moment later from the roof top across from the back door a smoke trail appears, followed buy a controlled explosion from an anti-vehicular missile. (Shoulder mounted verity)
Tachikoma's aerial drone only picks up the heat trail, the men are under camo cloaks on the roof top.
Evil smile. Tachikoma needs to soak: 16p/-6ap against the drone. Also guys near the door soak 1 stun (from the shock wage)
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Stun resistance (assuming impact armor): 8d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3702839/)
And GM, you're an evil, evil man. ;)
Damnit, this is not good. We need to get this book out of here, Hank thinks to himself as the bullets rip through the alley and the "goons" disappear. As he starts to step into the alley, a small light under the van at the end catches his attention. Thinking quickly, he spins, grabs one of the grenades from the troll, lobs it under the van, and dives back into the kitchen.
Thrown weapons (7 agility -1 for defaulting): 6d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3702905/)
Dodge, if needed (3 skill + 6 reaction): 9d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3702909/); if the tacnet applies: 2d6.hits(5)=0 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3702910/). No help there.
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"What the...." seeing what Hank is doing I dive back and duck n cover
rolling for stun assuming impact armor 11d6.hits(5) → [2,5,5,5,2,4,4,6,6,3,1] = (5) <armor + Mystic Armor>
Diving for cover I assume is dodging so 9d6.hits(5) → [5,1,1,4,6,3,6,3,1] = (3)
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Smiley FINALLY manages to drag Mr Grey into the kitchen, still fighting to improve his grip on the strategically dead weight foe.
Improve Position (13d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3703055/)
Failing that, Smiley points him towards Rybka "You see that pretty lady there pal? You either tell your boys to stand down and let us leave, or she is gonna put a bullet in your head. We walk or you die, RIGHT FRAGGIN' NOW!"
12d6.hits(5)=7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3709019/)
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Response 7 + Defense Autosoft 3 10d6.hits(5)=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3708052/)
If that still hits, Body 4 + Armor 12 - AP 6 10d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3708058/)
And use Edge to reroll misses 7d6.hits(5)=5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3708059/)
So that is 8 total.
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What comes over the team comms is a litany of what must be AI curse words in several different languages, including Binary. The general gist of it, however, is Tachikoma wishing for the one who fired that rocket to, in polite terms, 'input an active chainsaw to their output and be decompiled'. Whatever that means.
The tank drone backs away, around the corner, taking cover behind the building. As much as it hated retreating, the tank was too important for Tachikoma to risk it in this situation. However, at the same time, the rotodrone sprayed the area where the rocket came from with rounds, hoping to pin them down and keep them from launching another missile. As that happened, the van launched the Reaper drone again, sending it up over the city. Tachikoma was NOT pleased, and someone was going to pay for that.
Using suppressive fire on the rooftop the missile was shot from. Anyone in the area, but not behind cover or prone, or that moves into or out of the area until Tachikoma's next pass gets a chance of catching lead. Damage is 7P, -2 AP. Must beat a threshold 5 to avoid being hit.
14d6.hits(5)=5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3708656/)
The Reaper launches from the van as a complex action. It is still loaded with two LMGs and two firebombs.
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In a fluid motion, the girl points her gun to Mr. Grey head, and with an emotionless voice she completes: "We both heard him; I'd rather not make a mess of my clothes with your grey matter, but that's your call."
First of all, Rybka's dice pool is greater than 20; I will just roll 20 dice (I don't know if you're using that optional rule or no), but I will also declare what are the other bonuses that she has, so that you can make the situational negative modifiers be discounted for these, instead of the dices rolled:
+ 2 (Character is wielding a weapon) + 7 (Teamwork Smiley bonuses) for a total of 9 "surplus" dice
5 (Charisma) + 4 (Intimidation) + 2 (First Impression) + 3 (Kinetics) + 6 (Empathy Software 6) = 6 hits (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3709198/)
And if there's no penalty greater than -13, then it stays as 6 hits.
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The gernade bonces and rolls under the van, skidding to a halt. A second later there is a bright light and the van explodes, sending a moderate fireball into the air. Now the alley is blocked by flaming wreckage.
Tachikoma:
I'm going to say you've cleared the blast radius (I've hit that drone enough. As for ordering the drone to attack the roof thats a complex action, you've done two complex actions already: shoots, and dodge are both complex. You only have two IP passes and ordering the drone is another complex action so it'll have to wait until next turn)
Smiley & Rydka:
Mr Grey does not gulp or change his voice when he responds but sweat starts on his exposed skin,"Now I would love to help you but that is not possible the moment I...."
Smiley hears from the comlink: "Asset Compromised, activate operation safety"
Crossbow make a Reaction Test Threshold 3 to avoid 3 stun damage. I'll explain in a moment ;D
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Smiley quickly spins Mister Grey away who falls to the ground. A moment later Mister Grey's head explodes, showering everyone with blood, bone and grey matter, making a great mess. As if to complement the explosion of the head, Mister Grey's comlink also self detonates. Smiley who used his body to shelter Rybka gets hit by a moderate blast way causing his eye to go cross for a moment before recovering. With alley blocked by flaming wreckage of the van and the front covered by snipers the team is pinned down.
Tachikoma: Your police scanner picks up this message:
<<Control to gun ship 1: Respond to Drakes Dinner, 4 suspects are inside. Consider them to be armed and dangerous they've killed 4 people inside and destroyed a delivery van. Suggested mode of operation, SLASH AND BURN. Extreme Prejudice has been authorized.>>
<<Gun ship 1 Understood, perps are considered armed engage do not apprehend.>>