[Sabato Kuroi]

Torrent remains calm but he makes sure to irritate Slobbertooth with a sly grin.

"Oh I'm sorry ,where you planning on taking a  Thunderstruck  Gauss Rifle with you?I guess sleeping in a dark capsule will be frightening without something long and hard in your hands..."

At last he takes a more serious expression

"The way I see it, this place relies more on secrecy than heavy security.Look, 10.000 each is good enough for my gear.But if you need more you should have told Krestov.We could always reject the offer.I'm not goind down there unless I know everyone feels we can pull this off."

[Volker]

bnc is unimpressed. While we're driving home she's already filing through the different offers for control rigs.

"Now, now, Slobbertooth, don't draw the devil on the wall. Do you say that in English?
First, he said he assumed there were no trolls which seems a plausible assumption considerung that in a underwater facility you will try to keep the ceiling low. While this is bad news for Krestov it basically means that we're not going to face trolls.
Second, he's providing us with lab coats doesn't mean you mustn't wear anything beneath it. It doesn't even mean you have to wear it. He said he would defrost us in case of emergency, and Krestov and you're not gonna blend in anyway. I'm still glad he brings it, because it might come in handy for me or Torrent.
Third, there's a personnel of 12 securities, 2 of which are spiders. Means 10 guards in arms, spread all over the base. If we manage to strike without setting an alarm, we can assume that one of the spiders and an average 6 to 7 of the heavy hitters - that is, heavy hitters with gel ammo, tasers and standard security overalls - will not be on shift, assuming they do three shifts à 8 to 9 hours. Assuming there is an alarm, we have to think of something clever. Some of these things might include a clever hacker supressing the alarm.

So, chill down, and drink a moquite with me. Kampai!"

[SquirrelDude]

Slobbertooth laughs. "You're forgetting things in your excitement, bnc. He said that there were no trolls on the research staff, but left open the possibility that they were part of the security detail."

"In fact, considering the size of the staff, the doctor gave us surprisingly little information at all about the state of their security detail, didn't he?"

[Volker]

"Assuming they won't invest billions in making the ceilings higher than necessary, and assuming further that their security personnel isn't patroulling on their knees, I still believe there shouldn't be any trolls. I was not forgetting, I was concluding, which is my job.

"And Dr. Schmitt accepted to give us a list of the staff, the security - as possible - and a map of the facility. In fact, we would already have those informations if it weren't for your rejecting the offer."
She raises her eyebrows and smiles showing that no offense is intended in that remark. "Kampai?" She winks in Slob's direction.

[SquirrelDude]

Slobbertooth sighs and relaxes a bit. He's less tense after hearing the reassurances. "Your deduction on the lack of troll security is plausible, but I still wouldn't put it past a venture that had the combined creds of 2 megas behind it." He gives bnc a shrug of his shoulders, and then turns back to Krestov.

"Trolls or no, my question still stands soldier. Do you think we can put a dent into any security armor with our current weapons?"

[SgtBoomCloud]

Krestov remained silent as a sentinel during the entire trip home, hearing the shouts of joy from bnc, the wisecracks from Torrent, and the pointed concerns from Slobbertooth.  Once they arrived, he entered in with his gear, setting it down against the wall before heading into the kitchen.  Pulling out a bottle of beer, he popped off the top with his horn before upending the contents, downing the whole beer in a few seconds.  Holding the empty bottle idly, he recollected himself; it had been some time since he had to negotiate at any level.  When he finally spoke, his voice rumbled out with a surprising amount of calm.

"Concerns are legitimate, Slobbertooth, but missing factor.  Us.  I understand you hesitant ever since Wasteland, but Torrent is correct: we need job.  This is little different in risk than Azzie run and you know it.  But for every disadvantage we have advantage.  I explain:

Bnc is correct in current information provided on security.  Schmitt did say they armed with taser, baton, and other subdual threat.  With location, likely they there for order if fight break out in staff, not outside insertion, and equipped as so.  Ten guards plus handful of taser-armed drones partly ready for a fight spread over base is nothing like Azzie job.  Schmitt say researchers maybe combat able, but not ready.  We have element of surprise, plus all countermeasures as stated by bnc.  We get information agreed, Torrent and bnc capable and in much superior position.

As for lack of stealth, I aware am like bear in dishware store."  He allowed himself a little chuckle.  "But if we revived for purpose, whether by Schmitt or bnc, we will need acting fast.  Two humans in disguise good, but we not need.  You worry about security harming you, Slobbertooth?  You forget what between you and them: me."  He grinned, closing his eyes and nodding.  "I rambling.  Potato of pierogi is, Da, there are challenges.  That is normal for our line of work.  But for this, we have all tools and skills to complete and overcoming challenges.  I have full confidence that all here capable of meeting them, yourself include.  If had lack of confidence, would not have negotiated for advance or raise in bonus."  He lifted his arms up, hands splayed to either side, hands open.  "If still unhappy on it, feel free to take it out on me.  I know how you aggression works, Slobb."

Before the ork could respond, he turned his head to the others, namely to bnc.  "Ah...you looking for drone?  Those not easy to come by...though if went Russian blonde again, might drive down price, hah..."  A joke.  From Krestov.  What is the world coming to..

[SquirrelDude]

Slobbertooth shakes his head at Krestov's gesture. "I don't hit teammates."

Slobbertooth runs his hands through his hair, looks to the ceiling, and sighs heavily. "If I knew that you were going on some absurd job and I didn't go there to protect you, Wolf would never let me live it down. bnc is going to want all the time she can get with the information that the Dr. was willing to provide." Slobbertooth lets out another groan.

"Ugh, fine. I'm in.

"Now let's figure out what we're buying with this advance. I've got a fixer you can use."

[Volker]

Back in the base, bnc too got a little calmer. She listens closely to hear what Krestov says (and is silently happy to hear that, a puppy as she may be, her abilities of deduction are still mostly out of question) and smiles genuinely and happily when Slobbertooth finally agrees.

She then tries to rumble with as deep a voice as you can get with the resonance body of an oversized kitten: "Da. There's one more thing I'd like you two to keep in mind as in terms of calibre. There's a reason why they don't sport anything with penetration power beyond a ball of cotton wool: While I'm positive these walls are thick and strong, a single whole might prove fatal. Please don't buy a missile launcher!" She smiles.

She listens again then hears an interesting keyword. As soon as Krestov has finished, she jumps in. "Apropos stealth. Since it never came to that, it'd be interesting to know. To which grade are you capable of it? Myself, while I'm no professional I know how to hide when it comes to it. I also own a chameleon suite, though I'm not sure whether to bring it or not. Torrent, do I guess right that disappearing is not a big issue for you? Slob, what about you?"

Lastly she answers Krestov's question: "I thought this might be a good idea. You know, peeking round the corner before we move in our tank on hands and feet." She giggles on his last remark. "Oh you liked me as a blonde? What a shame I'm really into black."

"Now let's figure out what we're buying with this advance. I've got a fixer you can use."

"Good, I don't, obviously. Do you think he could get me a skimmer drone?"

[SgtBoomCloud]

Krestov gave a shrug at the question, looking down at his feet for a moment.  "Ah...I have a few ways to keep light on my feet, but find little need for it.  Nor do I think chameleon suit is made in my size and color."

Turning to Slobbertooth, he gave a nod.  "I recommend we go by advisement of our client and arm for a nonlethal approach.  This mean plenty of gel rounds and taser ammunition if don't possess it.  Nature of location suggests close combat inevitable.  This is no concern to me, as my style works in low ceiling, but if you need, suggest something for this instance.  Additionally, I advise armor insulated against electricity, to counter tasers if able.  Beyond that, the normal call for medical and emergency supplying for the time provided.  That is sufficient for me off top of head."

[Volker]

"I'll bring my medkit, to be sure.

Talking of lethal and non-lethal stuff, something came to my mind. Something I usually don't think and I dislike to use, but might get important in ca..."
Her mind jumps.

"BOOYAH! He said that's a fucking sealed Matrix environment, n'est-ce pas?? Heilige Scheiße, do you have any idea what this means? That's the mucho grando hacking paradise, where no GOD ain't a-watchin'! Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!! Me's gonna be the friggin' atheist as back in the old times!"
She bites her lower lip to get hold of her excitement. "Ya know what thad means? Ce means that I'm gonna sneak in ninja style, mark the spider till his persona is all wrapped up like my favourite X-mas present and when the drek's a-rumblin' in I snap (she snaps) and itsy-bitsy spider knows what ninja means! Wa-karimaska?"
It's these moments when you can feel her age the best.

It takes a couple of seconds or maybe an objection or a confused stare, until she remembers.
"Oh, I was saying. There's something that might come in handy. It's a piece of software and more or less the only piece of software I don't have. I don't use. Are you familiar with the concept of biofeedback?"

In case she has to explain what it is: "As you know, every DNI manipulates the brain in a way. Usually it just creates sensory information, blocks muscle activation and interpretes cerebral activity. But ages ago, matrix security personnel - I swear, mommy, they started it! - found out ways to activate glands and simulate signals in a very harmful way. How harmful depends on how you drive your gear.
Usual users run cold sim. That means that any incoming signals are filtered before they reach you. Thus, biofeedback isn't really a problem. It might still knock you out, mind you, but you'll get up fresh as a puppy a couple of hours later. Then there are those who are pissed by the lags these filters create. Matrix junkies, like me. We turn off that filter and experience the real thing. It's basically the same difference as between normal simsinn, er, simsense and BTL. Only that hot sim usually doesn't kill. Well, thing is, if you get hit by a biofeedback attack, the real thing is a real deadly thing.

So, here's the pro: If I use it, I might be able to knock out the security spider before he/she/it can raise alarm. Otherwise I can roast their deck, but they might still hit the red ugly button.
The cons: If the spider's running hot sim, I can't use it. I won't use it, that is. Also, Biofeedback is what I would call German warfare: efficient, but very messy. I don't really enjoy biofeedback used against me, and I don't like the thought of using it against anybody else.
"What's your opinion?"

[SgtBoomCloud]

Krestov remained quiet, taking a seat on the couch while their decker geeked out over the ideas.  When the idea of biofeedback came up, he straightened his back becoming alert.  "...Am familiar with biofeedback.  Academy used it in training at times to testing endurance.  Is...unsettling at best, but may be efficient.  Perhaps there is way to induce cold biofeedback regardless of hot-sim use?"  The troll gave a shrug, denoting that was the extent of his understanding of the technical world.

 He did perk up, coming to a realization as he balled his fists and stared at them.  "...maybe need secure shock frills on some boots...if going nonlethal approach, will need them for self."  Recalling what happened to the door during the Wasteland extraction, that much was obvious.  "One other idea...if we do nonlethal and do engage, will need means to control opposition after knockout.  I have restraints, but may need more or better.  Like much of what I personally ask, very cheap and not hard finding when receive advance pay."

[Volker]

"Strange as it may seem I'll have to check on this. I never toyed with the idea."

<<<<< Two days later >>>>>

bnc was busy doing her legwork. For hours - even longer than usual, which says a thing - she would lie in her comfortable armchair and would only wake up to go to sleep, drink coffee to hold her awake a little longer or, once a day, eat a bowl of muesli with added pills to keep her vitamines and stuff in balance.

But suddenly she gets up, a frown on her face that doesn't suit it very well.

"Boys. I know that it's not always Johnney's mistake if something goes amiss, but I think you'd like to hear that: On the shadownet, I found a message of a decker stating that her group is out of business. Several of the user accounts of her teammates didn't post a single post since then. I found out that the same decker did some research on Dr. Schmitt. Digging deeper, he sent them to a bug hunt within a ghul infested area in Denver. The whole thing went grossly amiss, and many of the hired runners didn't come back to mommy anymore.
"What do you make of it? Maybe Slob isn't too wrong. We should be super careful. No matter what he said: Take non-lethal weapons with you, but don't leave the heavy hitters at home. If it's us or them, I'd very much want it to be them.
"I need a coffee."

[Sabato Kuroi]

"The good Doctor sure is an experienced Johnson, eh?But if he is in the habit of getting his runners killed, maybe we should reject his offer.I think we should look into it"

Torrent sits comfortably on the couch and stretches his legs.

"A couple days ago  a troubling little thought appeared in my mind.Magical Security.All this secrecy is useless against magic.Build your  lab at the bottom of the sea, hire trained sharks and  beautiful mermaids  to guard it and bribe the fish to keep it a secret, it won't make a difference against magical projection.So, what are we missing?"

[Volker]

"I don't think we can afford saying no just because I found an account of a job gone to hell. But we should keep in mind that our lives are only worth anything to him as long as his life is in our hands. That means a) we should not let him escape alive before we do and b) We should be armed to the teeth to be prepared for the worst case."

"A couple days ago  a troubling little thought appeared in my mind.Magical Security.All this secrecy is useless against magic.Build your  lab at the bottom of the sea, hire trained sharks and  beautiful mermaids  to guard it and bribe the fish to keep it a secret, it won't make a difference against magical projection.So, what are we missing?"

"I don't get you entirely. Maybe it's because I'm still a non-native speaker. Are you afraid of their magical security or do you wonder why they don't have any.

"In case you mean the latter, my hobby of studying magical theory might help. There is something like an "aura to Earth" that cannot be penetrated by astrally projecting mages. The ocean is part of this aura. Thus, building a facility under water is an amazing means to protect the whole facility from spirits, magicians and shamans. The only way to penetrate it astrally is to come close or better inside physically first. Does this answer your question?

"By the way, this might be interesting for you. I didn't find anything at all about the base. I guess I would have to break in the host. We have a lot of info about the base already. Is there anything else you need before we go there? If so, I could try and crack the nut.
What I did find, however, is some interesting stuff on why others build underwater bases. Basically, there are three reasons:

"First is security. It is hermetically closed from the Matrix and thus invulnerable to hacking attacks. This makes it more fun to me once we are inside (she smiles). It is virtually impenetrable and even ordinary espionage is close to impossible. You can't even get out there without permission from above. And, as I might add personally, it's impossible to reach it from the astral plane.

"Second is that you can hide virtually anything there: persons, objects, yourself.

"Third is: You can easily access some rare resources, especially Orichalcum. So we have to  be aware of the fact that this might actually be a magical research facility. Which means that some of the research stuff might be Awakened. Johnson didn't say anything about that, but given what I read about him I wouldn't trust Schmitt farther than I can throw him. On the other hand, I found nothing that indicates he kept any secrets from us. Up until now, I can confirm everything he said to us. Maybe we should just directly ask him. Rumors are they are researching a revolutionary under water weapon based on ionization. If these are true, we won't have to deal with magic a lot, though."

[Sabato Kuroi]

"I'm not an expert in magical theory.Magic means to me what breathing means to you.I don't think about it, I just do it.But I've learned  few  things about astral perception and projection because I possess no countermeasures against them.I always thought that since the  ocean is home to some awakened creatures- and at least one Dragon is among them- it wouldn't impede the astral travel as earth does.It seems I was wrong.As for the Doctor, I never said we should say no without further evidence.But this guy may have a certain  reputation, and I'd like to know more before we depart."