Generally, travelling into the astral feels like flying, and moving freely more than even one could think possible on the physical plan. Not even sure a rigger in full ASSIST immersion, jumped into a bird biodrone could feel as free. But in this very instance, Rex is not feeling free.
His movement through the astral soup - for a lack of better word, is so impaired that it seems more like swimming in the mud, than anything else. Also the nature of the background count is affecting him. He feels hot, sweating, dizzy - exactly like if physical form was exposed to high level of radiation. While all this may be temporary, and has not yet, reduce his ability, it is still a very unpleasant feeling.
Of course, like trying to dive in water, without the proper equipment, every meter in the direction of Metz seems harder, and harder - and also the sickening feeling keeps increasing as he goes down. However, he is making progress, and can already discern the astral lines drown by the many rivers, and small lakes. Gosh, given the vibes those are emitting the level of pollution and contamination is just horrendous.
Suddenly, Rex stops. His focus has just been drawn to a strange - well, stranger, moving shades of astral space... or is it a form. It sounds like something, nearby, is gazing at him through the astral. Or is it just is imagination, fueled by radiation sickness playing tricks on him ?
Back in the physical world, it takes a few minutes for the dwarf to reply to Waywalker. With a datajack wired into a half dismantled drone on the counter, the bearded rigger certainly seems busy. But after a while, he finally unplugs and answers:
"Hey buddy - sorry about that, had to finish this... So, your right I don't all of this built up into one thing, but I can give you the part. You'll have to tell me where you want to host it however, because such a sensor array needs to lives inside a rather big device. You could shove a Geiger counter and radio scanner into a commlink, that would do, but to fit an atmosphere sensor, you'll something as big as a small drone. By the way, that would be my way of doing it."
The dwarf scrambles some hardware pieces, lying in different part of what used to be the liquor bar of the restaurant, and put them on display for Waywalker to look at.
@Waywalker assuming you want to check if there are any good please do a Hardware + Intuition [Mental] test. It's an Intuition based, because you can't just look at them in details, using tools, it's more like an educated guess.
"Now, buddy, I'm assuming you are planning a trip in S.O.X. right ? If you have to buy this kind of sensor array to me, I'm going to assume it is your first trip there, right ? If it's any comfort, you pick up the right stuff - you could back more power, and have a more complete sensor array, but those are the bare minimum."
The dwarf, strangely nimble while being perched on top of high stool, then reached beneath the counter to get a beer bottle, before going on:
"For hazmat suit and radioactive protection, you'll have to see with my coworker over there, Ratface..."
While the merchant appears to be still negotiating with the strapping ork, he somehow still hears the comment, and immediately yells back:
"No my freakin'name, shorty !"
Clearly, the weasel-looking human is pissed, but the dwarf smiles anyway.
"Last (free) advice buddy. Radiation gears and stuff is essential to survive in the S.O.X. but bears in mind, there is no Stuffer Shack there, and that money has very little "barter" value with the scarce local you may have to deal with. Well, if you do meet the few "friendly" locals... Clean water, food and gas is far more important."
Coughing on his beer, the dwarf makes a small pause, before adding:
"Also, don't expect to have matrix support, the SOX Net is completely cut from the matrix. You need special, powered up - and expansive, commlink. We sadly don't have any of those around right now."
