Shadowrun
Shadowrun Play => Play-by-Post => Topic started by: Volker on <09-19-15/0756:33>
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Bhadra 22 2131 (7th of September 2075), 10am
Cinder
Monsoon finally is about to seize. Tomorrow, the big festival of Indra Jatra is going to draw swarms of people to the Place of the King's Palace, Durbar Marg, to celebrate the Living Goddess Kumari. Every now and then, heavy rain washes away the dirts and plastic bags of Kathmandu's people, the fumes and dust of its streets, the ashes and bones of its dead, and the blood and brains of those who didn't last.
But for you, it was a day like any. There would always be dirts and bags and ashes and bones and blood and brains. And yeah, there would always be festivals. Some caste, some religion always had a festival. Few were as big and as important as Indra Jatra - even more so since The Living Goddess Awakened - but the police job was as dull as any day.
That is, it was a lot duller. And the thought of it burnt you from the inside. The last weeks you felt like a policeman. There was work to do. About two weeks ago, a young boy came to the police department. Said his name were Lucky, but his friends weren't, and played a song in front of the whole police department. Most thought it a joke and so he was dismissed.
But once a fellow policewoman told his story in an aside, you knew it was worth following the lead. You knew it, because you didn't hear the name "Shree Yela Sai Baba" for the first time. So you met him. Asked questions. Talked to your boss. The case was investigated. People interrogated.
And then: the file closed. Over and done with. That was three days ago.
You sighed heavily. You longed for some gulps of Chaang but you knew that the drinking cops were the bad cops. You didn't join your teammates' behavior because you were one of the few who wanted to make a difference.
And failed in doing so. Mornings suck.
Bhadra 22 (7th of September 2075), 12am
You commlink buzzes. It's Kira, a workmate who was as enthusiastic as you were. You just want to answer the call when you realize it's only a voice message.
"Hey. I managed to get hold on a special friend. Come to Sanchowk's Carpets in Jamal. Be prepared to ask anything you wanted to know the last couple of weeks. And hurry up, you lazy bastard."
Bhadra 23 (8th of September 2075)
Scarcrow
Indra Jatra sucks.
Nepalis suck.
Dal bhat sucks.
Rain sucks.
Why would any sensible people celebrate the end of raining season on a rainy day anyway?
Damn, those streets suck.
You wanna buy proper food but for proper Western food you need money. And if you had money you wouldn't be here.
Oh sweet Jesus, dal bhat sucks!
Your life has been a misery the past couple of weeks. Your short-time girlfriend broke up with you and with a name like Scarcrow it's not easy to find a new one. The hookers have you pay double and it's not real fun anyway. Oh, and you don't want to eat rice anymore. Time for a job.
It's afternoon. You know you should spend the time training, but you found it increasingly difficult to focus on your daily exercise in a country where everybody is as relaxed as a cut sinew. Instead you sit in a bar and drink some rakshi, silencing that nagging feeling you should go and do something. Anything.
That feeling sucks.
And then it rang. buzz buzz it went. Jesus, mercy you think, but you take your commlink anyway. In your claws it looks like a potato chip picked up from under the table. But the potato chip is buzzing and when you answer the call with a sigh, it says something that really doesn't suck at all:
"Need a job?"
Mark
That's life. Who cares whether the weather is crap? Online, it's always shiny. Who cares whether all the people gets exhilarated at the same day because of some Goddess who sits around idly threehundredfuckingsixtyfour days a year? Online, no one is idle and it's just a wonderful day to kill some virtual Nazis.
The tank simulation in The Dark Side was dashing. It felt almost like rigging. You became the tank and aiming with the cannon was like pointing at something with your index finger. Yet, the AI was strong, and it took all your talent to evade the enemy rockets.
Then an ARO blended into your field of vision. Easy. You owned the game. Not in a legal way, but it was yours. Like a girlfriend. You don't really own it, but it always gives you the feeling that it's yours. Without stopping in your movement you answer the phone.
What the caller says, however, manages to finally draw your attention away from the Nazi tanks.
"Money, sweetheart?"
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"Need a job?", the oh so sweet words echoed through his bored mind. A big grin spread on his face, shifting the bulging scars on his face upwards. Need a job? You bet I do!
A job, money, maybe some new, profitable contacts... That was exactly what he needed right now! He pictured a good soysteak, a pretty woman, a botlle of whiskey before his eyes, then realizing that he hadn't even answered yet.
He emptied the rahksi in one big sip and fumbled some crinkled rupy-notes out of his pocket, ready to leave the bar if there were any potential overhearers around him.
"Scarcrow's service of problem-solving, who can we do for you today?", he then imitaded the voice of an assiduous call-center-worker.
"What is it ya need? A grammar-teacher or someone to save a pretty girl from danger? For the latter I'm ya man."
He found it difficult to hide his excitement. Come on, give me something! Anything's better than this!
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"Money? Everybody knows there is no money here... Don't be silly sweet heart... I may need to go back to Europe soon... "
Since Mark arrived money was not on the table, what the locals called lucrative he calls 'not worth leaving hot sim for', Mark was wasting his life savings in retirement but the odd thing was, the money was gone and he was not dead yet.
Suicidal? nah... that would be so desperate Mark thought that the pollution will finish him one way or the other... perhaps it was his magic that kept his body going and did not let it give up... who knows. If he is going to live so long he might as well make some money but local employers pay so little it is hardly worth it to leave the house.
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"Hey Ryan, are you going out on patrol already, you still got two hours downtime you know?" Cinder groaned inwardly at these words. Tictoc, the duty sergeant hadn't seen the streets in 20 years and should probably have taken his retirement five years ago, but the old fart had refused. Probably because he enjoyed being an insufferable living timetable to much.
"Yes, I've got a meeting."
"A meeting? There's nothing in the calendar about that."
"Only learned about it a few minutes ago."
"You know that the chief wants you all to keep your time sheets tiptop."
"Yeah, yeah, I'll do so after I'm done policing for today. Gotta run."
Without waiting for a reply Cinder made his way out of the station. Bad enough that his fellow policemen had no interest in solving real crimes, the bureaucracy tried to stop him doing his job too. Only last week they had asked him to file all his contacts into the online database - including all his snitches with their real names and addresses. Madness. It would be more merciful to visit them himself and shoot a bullet into their heads - quicker too.
Sanchowk's Carpets in Jamal was a new address to him. He made sure that his uniform and armor sat right before starting the bike. Technically he rode it on duty, but the bike was his personal one. It worked out since the department saved on costs and he didn't have to argue with the paper pushers about on and off duty use. He decided that this was an unofficial endeavor and deactivated the GPS locator.
Through rain and people he made his way to the meet...
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Cinder
When you arrive at Sanchowk's Carpets, you realize that the shop has long been closed. It lay in the heart of the city, and around it the streets were crowded with people, bikes and more AROs any sane mind can bear.
Inside, however, there was nothing.
Nothing except a table, four chairs, Kira and a sweating man.
Kira was Kira, stunningly beautiful as ever, in a modest, natural and a quite innocent way. She wasn't what you would call a hottie. You would feel ashamed to picture her nude, for example. But she was a beauty, the same kind of beauty snow-clad mountains, forest lakes or the Ocean head. She smiled when you entered and despite the awkward situation with the sweating bald man on a chair in a long-forgotten shop you can't but smile back.
Then your eyes dart to the other one. He looked kind of Indian. Something in his skin, his eyes, his scalp. You couldn't put your finger on it. He wore a fine suit, grey silk, and nice shoes. His armpits were moist and you knew at the first glance that this wasn't only due to the warmth. He was nervous, as nervous as can be.
"This is Ravinder," Kira explained.
Ravinder. You knew the name, but it took you a second to figure out, why. The boy, Lucky, had mentioned him. He was one of the key figures in the whole case. But what was he doing here, at this place? After the first second of surprise, you felt a gush of shame rushing through your mind. Despite your enthusiasm you allowed the police department to drop the case. You didn't move on on your own. Kira did. It should have been you inviting her at this place. You won't let this happen again. You won't let the boys down again.
"Ravinder declared himself ready to ... answer some questions. Sit down, and listen. You might find interesting what he has to say..."
[spoiler]Kira explains the whole situation to you. You can access all the informations our other group extracted from the very same Ravinder. He tells you about Faruke, Frozen Yoghurt and his role in the plot. Feel free to ask any more questions. The reason why Ravinder tells you these things freely is that Kira threatened to turn him down. She is still going to do it, but if he speaks she gives him two days headstart to escape the temple people before they can take revenge.[/spoiler]
Scarcrow
You can almost hear the frown on the other side of the connection. "No, actually, I need neither a dragonslayer nor a grammer teacher. I need muscles. I have a Mr. Johnson for you. He'll expect you at the Momo Palace at eight.
And don't try to make jokes. Your jokes are as terrible as your looks."
Mark
"I don't think you have to. I got a Mr. Johnson for you, and he's offering a lot of dough. If you're interesting and you think you can still play in the upper league, come to the Momo Palace at eight. If not, tell me now. I promised a good decker, and I'll find another one if you think you're too old for the job."
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Byron wasn't very emphatic, but somehow he had the weird feeling that this guy didn't like him. Good thing that he was used to people not liking him.
"No pretty girls involved? What a bummer...", he answered with overacted dissapointment.
"All right, I'll be there."
Eight pm... he thought as he left the bar. That would give him enough time to do a quick work-out. Or just to go home, watch a movie and masturbate. Yeah, that sounds better.
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The talk with Ravinder was long and Cinder made sure he got all the details right.
"... so they really have started to wire up children to become professional hitman? Wow. That's disgusting on so many levels. Kira we've got to put a stop to this. I've got to put a stop to this.
But we won't get any help from the department - the case is closed and they clearly have no interest in reopening. I fear we have to look somewhere else for help. I'm betting the corp behind all this has enemies and that kind of tech must be of interest to their competitors. If we can play them against each other, we might have a chance to get the kids out.
Do you still have that contact to that fixer? Tell him I'm in for a job."
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Cinder
"I-I really don't know why they did it. They certainly implanted some kind of headware. I can even tell you the guy's name. The one who did it, that is. Maybe he knows them better. Just give me, say, two lakh1, and I tell you the name and where to find him."
A short Matrix search shows you that Faruke is a daughter enterprise to Renraku. Thus, any competitors to Renraku would meet those criteria. A good fixer, however, would know who whould have the best interest in this matter.
1 2 lakh equal 2,000 nuyen.
[spoiler]If that's all right and you don't have any more questions, I'd say we skip the tiring details. Kira contacted her fixer. Within remarkable short time, a Mr. Johnson could be found who indeed takes care of the situation. Kira even managed that you were being kept close to the case. Hardly 24 hours later, you were to meet your new team fellows at a restaurant called "The Momo Palace".[/spoiler]
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Mark answers "I wouldn't call myself good but I'll play the part. I am still alive it got to give me some credit in this profession."
Packing his drones and equipment to his pick up track, Mark leaves for the meeting point.
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"Deal." Cinder nodded to Kira.
"I've got to go, or Tictoc will pester me about missing the start of my shift."
...
For the meeting with the Johnson, Cinder made sure to be clothed a lot more discreetly. Still he made sure to have his beloved revolver in a concealed holster with him. He felt guilty about working with criminals, but the cause justified the means.
He straightened his shoulders and went in.
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Byron was completely unarmed when he headed for the Momo Palace. In his case "completely unarmed" meant one knife in each heavy boot, one in his quick-draw-holster that was concealed by the sleeves of a dark coat. He wasn't wearing his armor-jacket though, to avoid unnecessary attention at the restaurant.
[spoiler] Not sure how this works, but I guess we can have average stuff like a coat without having that listed with our gear? [/spoiler]
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all
The Momo Palace was quite a place with some taste. It was relatively clean, neat and well-decorated. The menu promised seven different kinds of momos (buff, chicken, veg, chilli, veg chilli, cheese and onion, spinache and sheep cheese; all of them either steamed or fried) and the staff was polite and elegant. After you introduced yourself (or, in Scarcrow's case, even before that), you were brought into a backroom in the first floor. There, too, the inventory was tasteful (with the exception of a huge, rough wooden chair who absolutely didn't fit in but seemed rather robust). Especially today, on the first day of Indra Jatra, the tables were nicely decorated. Before you are allowed to go in, a friendly (and very young and nice-looking) waitress asks you to undo your shoes and puts tika on your forehead. You can hear soft Western music in the room. Mr. Johnson is not yet here when you arrive.
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I seat silently as I order my momo, no meat so I will not be tired in the meeting. My years of experience have made me a good judge of character. I also did some time in many joints so I smell a policeman a mile away. Something about them and the way they look at scum like me. I am a bit wary when Cinder arrives, perhaps I am in troubles? The troll doesn't make it easy.
But this doesn't add up if I was in troubles they'll be many cops raiding my place I have many illegal toys they will find something if they look hard enough. A dirty cop? What is the story of that troll either... I spend a short time in silent trying to figure out if I want this job or not. I am no hero and I know that sometimes life and death only depends on picking the right employer.
"A good decker?" She said, I have no illusions there are better deckers, a good decker is the one that knows when to deck and when to do something else. The silence is awkward but the way people deal with awkward tells you somthing about them. My face are giving nothing and I enjoy my momo or whatever it is I just ordered.
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Cinder sat down, his gaze steely and neutral. He acknowledged the existence of the two with a nod but avoided to open his mouth. There was just to much chance for a social fauxpas. Had he really just entered here to meet a Johnson? That was the first step to become a shadow runner, a criminal.
But the die was cast, and one thing he wasn't was a quitter.
He already missed his boots. With a shake of the head he declined any offer of food. He needed all his composure to not show any nerves.
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Byron hesitated when the waitress asked him to remove his shoes, wondering with amusement what the young girl would do if he refused. But he didn't want to cause a fuss on the very first meeting, so he just rolled his eyes and obeyed.
Walking into the room, he took a quick glance at his companions in spe. Looks like I'll have to do the heavy lifting... There were one older human and a younger-looking elf. He decided to call them old guy and pretty guy for now and paid no more attention to them. Names din't matter to him.
Returning the nod, he grabbed the sturdy chair and positioned it so that he could sit and eat with a direct view at the door. He took it that Mr. Johnson would pay the bill, so he ordered two plates of buff-momos, but only water to drink. I'll need a clear head.
Scarcrow waited for his food silently. He wasn't the guy to start a conversation.
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I am nearly finished with my food and the cute waitress brings some nice beverage.
Meetings are difficult and being late for an appointment is not very professional.
I am Mark I finally say, figuring out that if anyone is wanting me dead I am not going anywhere as I seem to be cheating the angle of death himself. At my age there is nothing to be shy and it is not like they can place me back in jail for stuff that I already did time on. I am a tourist here... I wanted to see the world before I drop dead. Have you traveled before? I finally say and smile.
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After the waitress brought each of you your ordered dishes and drinks, she leaves you again.
Even after the long awkward silence, Mr. Johnson has not yet arrived.
[spoiler]These are momos:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momo_%28dumpling%29
There must be a mistake in the picture, however. Momos always comes in herds of ten.[/spoiler]
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Cinder answered:
"Hello Mark. I'm called Cinder and I am no tourist. Actually, I'm not entirely sure if you have the right restaurant - or for that matter if I have the right one. I'm here for a business meeting, but it should have started by now."
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Mark said "We are probobly here for the same business meeting as nobody comes to a restaurant like this alone. If we do not talk in a friendly manner we are about as subtle as a hand grenade. I was told that a decker was needed this is why I cam, I did some matrix jobs in my time. "
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The food was excellent, so Byron preferred focussing on his meat-filled dumplings rather than on smalltalk. If only the servings were bigger...
"To be expected.", he uttered with his mouth full. "Nepalis just don't know what punctuality is."
"I'm Scarcrow, i work as a model."
"You guys know anything about why we're here?"
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Nice to meet you Scarecrow... that's an unusual name.. how did you get it?
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Under other circumstances Byron would just blush the question off. He didn't like smalltalk and he definitely didn't like talking about his past, but he felt like Mark really asked this question out of curiosity, not just for the sake of smalltalk. Plus, he didn't want to ruin the relationship with his fellow teammates already, so he figured, he might as well do his part of the talking now.
"Took it on myself. I'm from 'merrica, you know, tried a new start here in Nepal. So I needed a new streetname when I came here. Something intimidating, something that says don't fuck with this guy. And a guy back home used to say I'm like a scarecrow. Then there were the scars", and he pointed at his ugly, disfigured face "so - boom. Scarcrow."
He shoved two dumplings at once in his mouth, signaling that he wouldn't go into further details.
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"I see." Cinder nodded. "Well, I am at least somewhat familiar with our target. So here is what I know..."
Cinder explained in short what the temple was doing and how the children were abused for skill wire technology testing.
"...and as you can see, someone has to put a stop to this. But now it seems as if the Johnson has lost interest. A pity. That technology is probably worth millions."
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If only that guy would know how Mark got his own street name. Luckily to the untrained eye Mark looked like a regular street name. It is actually the reason he first saw the inside of a join't "Couldn't get a freaking Mark" was just too long for a street name. His old team just started calling him Mark in scorn, the name stuck eventually new people just knew him as Mark.
To Scarcraw - "'I see, well at least you picked your own name. Not everybody get to do that."
To Cinder "Do we even need a Jhonson? you seem to be quite knowledgeable... perhaps we can just pick up the bill and meet someplace else... the less mediators the more yeltz for us."
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Scarcrow remained silent as Cinder explained the story.
"So... you're a cop? Guess you can't simply get a search-warrant or something like that?"
[spoiler]Of course he asks this question only if Cinder indicated that he is involved with the police.[/spoiler]
"Aye, if Johnson won't show up, we should maybe go to a more private place.", he agreed with Mark. "Let's ask the waitress who made the reservation for the table and for how many people, maybe he left a number or so. Probably not, but worth a try."
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It is just when you started thinking about leaving the place, with considerable delay, that someone entered the room.
You somehow thought of a Nepali businessman or something. You were wrong, utterly wrong.
The first thing you realize is that he is a huge ork.
The second thing you realize is that she is a huge ork.
"Good evening, gentlemen", she said. And with that you realize you were wrong with the Nepali as well. Chinese
She gives each and everyone of you an inquiring look, her face emotionless and hard. She walks over to the table, followed by the timid waitress who looks utterly frightened. Mrs. Johnson weighs at least 100 kg. You'd estimate even a bit more. Some of it is fat, a good deal goes to her bosom, but the majority is steel-hard muscles. If not steel muscles. She mad no effort to conceal that both her eyes and her right arm are chrome. She has bushy eyebrows, a military way to walk, move and talk, and considerable tusks. Apart from this, she seems to be very Chinese.
"So, you're the cop", she says with a nod to Cinder.
"Muscles" Scarcrow.
"Decker" Mark.
She sits down. Immediately the waitress puts down a plate of momos (the Natives realize that there are twelve momos on the plate). Just as the waitress attempts to flee, Mrs. Johnson cries out in a commanding voice: "Where the fuck are the chopsticks? Didn't I tell your worthless boss I'm eating with chopsticks?"
She picks up the plate and flings it through the room. With a cry, the waitress gets down on her knees the pick up the plate, then decides otherwise and hurries off to replace her guest's momo plate.
As if nothing had happened, Mrs. Johnson asks: "So. Did you use your time to brief the others, policeman?"
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I ain't working for that JERK. We might as well advertise on the news what we are about to do. So much mayhem and noise.
I am preparing my body and mind very well for what I am about to say, a dash of magic also never hurts.
[spoiler]
Improve Charisma (http://orokos.com/roll/327831): 14d6t5 6
Drain (http://orokos.com/roll/327832): 9d6t5 4
Highten concern to negate sustaining bonus for the con. (charisma raised to 6 social limit is now 7.
Fast talk con (http://orokos.com/roll/327833): 16d6t5 7 - hit my social limit.
[/spoiler]
My face are not showing anything, I am after all a very skilled at reshaping the truth and I did have a big glass to drink and at my age... I am lucky I do not live inside the toilet.
"Well excuse me Miss. Johnson... but at my age, when nature call you have to answer".
I walk toward the toilet, but I do not enter them. No not at all, instead I get out and enter my car. I sit in the car for a short while and consider my options... I may actually take that job, but there is no way I am going to be in the same room as a violent Johnson that can brake me just as easily as she broke that plate. She pays me for decking, not for dating. If she want to hire or meet me, we can do so in AR. My AR persona, returns from the toilet. "Do not ask... I say it may take a while... but do not wait for me I am listening."
As for myself... I am driving and am trying to place as some distance between me and Miss. Johnson.
I know enough that a lady that has no respect for a waitress has no respect for her employees, but to be honest I need the money I'll have to be very careful with her. If she figures up the kind of stunt I did to her, she'll have to appreciate my acting skills, or kill me but definitely one of the two.
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"I did... reluctantly. I have to ask you not to abuse the staff. There is no need for violence... yet."
Cinder looked after the retreating form of the Decker.
"Although we all seem to have little time for etiquette here..."
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Scarcrow had difficulties hiding his smile. He didn't like the way Mrs. Johnson treated the little waitress, but apart from that his first impression was rather positive, and he usually found it hard to like people he just met. Man, I'd love to challenge her for arm-wrestling...
"About the job, Miss Johnson", he asked her, trying to pull the toppic away from aggression back to business "What exactly do you want us to do? Just get the kids out of there, or shall we... undo whatever drek these guys did?"
"And is that even possible?", he asks Mark's persona, figuring that the decker would probably be the one to undo that.
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Mark said "Perhaps it is possible perhaps it is not, undoing is the job of scientists not deckers... but perhaps we can steal the knowledge of how to do so we can blackmail them."
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Clearly surprised by Mark getting up all of a sudden, she only stutters a perplex: "Yes. Yes, of course". Before she regained her composure, Mark has left the room.
It needs Cinder's remark "not to abuse the staff" to bring her back.
"Not to abuse the staff? I strongly recommend you Nepali gutter rat to remind yourself of who is the one offering a job and who is the one in need of it. Your little missus inquired in a compelling way to involve you in the investigation as you have background information. But I assure you (here comes a menacing pause) there are other means to meet this criteria."
She turns to Scarcrow. "Hiring a runner isn't as it used to be. You seem to be the only person here with a sense of professionalism.
"What exactly do you want us to do? Just get the kids out of there, or shall we... undo whatever drek these guys did?"
This is the first and probably the last time you hear Mrs. Johnson laugh. "Get the kids out of there? Drek, no. The kids mean nothing to Sh-, your employer. They made us aware of a problem, and you will solve it. We will pay a fair price for whatever you can bring us: data about the project, prototypes, scientists, any employees with the task to observe the program, trainers, surgeons, protocols. And after that, I want you to destroy any evidence you have been there and I want you to destroy anything Faruke could use.
You have time. Two weeks, three weeks if necessary. I want you to work in a professional manner. The kids? You can keep them if you want. Although, if you bring me one of the wired buggers, I'll pay you properly."
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"If you feel to speak free, allow me the same: You are a necessary evil and I only work with you because it coincides with my own agenda. You are not the only one interested in this target - not by a long shot.
You may be buying my cooperation, but you are still a guest in this country. The local "gutter rats" have very sharp teeth and are nearly impossible to wipe out.
So before you start to be impolite consider that you in fact have not hired us yet and we are neither beggars nor slaves.
Which brings me to the most important part: What are you offering?
Cinder asked with narrowed eyes.
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Cinder seems like a good guy for a cop. I am not a good negotiator but without any additional show of seriousness I am out of this zoo. I did not get to live so long by working for complete assholes that can short me without blinking. For now I stay silent as I am no good negotiating, so many details and I lose track. One thing certain, I need to take some job soon because I am no good with money and what little I have is running out.
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The air was so tense in the room that even the troll could feel the bad vibrations. On the one hand he cursed Cinder's act of rebellion that might endanger the job, on the other hand he couldn't but respect the tiny policeman, taking on the bulky, brawling brutess that Miss Johnson was. And he had to admit: Cinder and Mark were kind of right. Had I not been used to people acting like that, I would also be pretty pissed at her.
And he definitely knew: if they wanted to haggle, now was the time. A shame that he was chronically bad at negotiating.
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The Chinese woman bares her teeth. You're not sure whether she's smiling or threatening you. Or both. Probably both. For a second you wonder whether she is pleased by being called "an evil", but then you remember that most assholes think they are the heroes of the story and don't technically want to be the bad guys.
"Well then, my nice Nepali big cop, if I'm a guest in this country, treat me like one. They said, in Nepal guests are treated like gods. Go ahead and do as your gods tell you."
She turns her neck, frowns, then decides to drop the thread.
"Business", she says briskly.
"Here is what I offer:
If you bring us the software, typification and research essays - that is, all the data there is to the project - that's the core. We'll grant you 15 k. Nuyen, not rupees. If you don't bring us the data, you get nothing, no matter what else you might bring or do. Same goes if you don't erase the data. That's part of the job, so it's necessary for the pay.
If you have hardware - prototypes, complete sets - we'll grant you up to 8 k more.
For bringing us the lead scientist you get another 8k. 3k is for a low-rank scientist or other employees who were in charge of the program. Same goes for a bugged kid.
Take it or leave it."
The waitress enters the room with a steaming plate of momos and simple wooden chopsticks. You count twelve momos.
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Mark laughed "You can't be serious can you? You are talking about two maybe three weeks of work and a lot of risk just to barely cover rent? I cannot afford to work for so little. There are expenses - so unless these are '15k each', I am out for now. If this gig really is worth that little for you I bet we can sell higher in the open market."
And it was true, with his lifestyle costs at 5k he'll barely make rent just from being successful, on top he has some nasty debit to pay, not much but it would still require like 2-3k extra. If they do it ALL, then perhaps Mark can keep afloat for a month, but the job itself may take the better part of the month and may fail. No Mark is going to skip town - or experiment with a blackmail going independent, somehow he sense that a lot more money can be made from NOT sharing the data they stole.
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Apparently you said what she expected you to say, maybe even hoped.
"All right. I'll double the wage."
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"I concur. Also kidnapping one person for 8k? That's laughable. Getting a suitable transport alone costs almost as much."
Cinder smiled.
"And speaking of gods, I'm part Irish and we used to put some of our gods into a wicker basket and set them aflame to ensure a good harvest the next year."
-
That bitch, I give her magic, drones and matrix support an army of one, and she has me eating out of her hand... It is impossible not to agree now that she doubled the wage but having her agreeing so quickly reminds Mark that they could have made so much more. That bitch has a lot more money to play and was just making that offer out of spite to see how desperate we really are. The sadistic fuck!
I am so terrible at Marketing myself, I did not even mention that I can do magic and drones, it might have sweetened the deal. Can I really do anything about it now that she doubled it ? Perhaps Cinder or someone can do it, but with a double pay there is some chance to get ahead. If we ever make it.
Darn... I should learn how to negotiate with people I never had to until now. I spent too long where my fee and services were standard. Everybody knew who I was and what I can do, and suddenly in this new place this insane Jhonson insult me with a bunch of peanuts. Never ever I should be dependent on other people and no matter how many new skills I learn I still find myself lacking. I am never complete and I should learn how to market myself better.
-
Scarcrow scratched his forehead. He already knew that he had to accept, no matter what the payment was. he needed the job, and if Miss Johnson had done collected some information before hiring him, then she knew that. Don't wanna push it to far, but if I'm gonna haggle, now's the time. That tecnology gotta be worth a shitload of money, might as well get a piece of the cake for myself
"You double the wage, hm? So I guess it's 16k for the head-researcher, 16 for the hardware and so on, right? Cause no one's gonna kidnap a well-protected scientist for lousy eight-thousand."
"Do we have a vehicle?"
[spoiler]@ gilga: Can we all (plus drones and at least one captive) fit into your truck?[/spoiler]
-
Mrs. Johnson smiles a smile that never reaches her eyes.
"You got that correct, Scarcrow. Sixteen thousand for the head scientist, and a thirty-kay base payment.
I take it we have a deal, gentlemen?"
-
Fine we have a deal said Mark. He'll wait for Mrs. Jhonson to leave before considering going back.
-
"Deal.", Byron agreed, knocking on the wooden table two times. He was a little bit supersticious.
-
"Gentlemen!"
She nods curtly, the flicks an ARO over the table. "You have my commcode. If you have anything, need anything or messed up anything, call me."
She then flings a short stick on the table. Creds. "There's a starter. Don't waste it on sweets."
If you didn't know it before, this is the line where you realize you totally screwed the negotiations. Mrs. Johnson joked.
She gets up, completely ignoring the positively incredulous waitress who just put down the fresh momos the very instant Mrs. Johnson got up, and leaves the room without so much as saying goodbye.
There is silence for two seconds, then the waitress gets down on her knees to clean up the mess, sobbing silently.
-
I return when that horrible lady arrive, gosh I miss Razors, he did all the human skills that sadistic son of a bitch was a damn good face. Too bad he is in prison now, he'd get us paid double then that. I come back and pick up the rest of bunch, hoping we will get to a better start with the actual job.
"Need a ride?" my matrix persona say, at least I did not have to endure that bitch t- some things are just priceless.
-
Again, Mark had managed to completely throw Scarcrow off. The troll was not used to people offering him a ride. But I could get used to that, he thought and nodded in response. "Your car big enough for me? We need a place to discuss what we're gonna do now."
-
"got some space in the cabin for two more, or if it is too tight you can climb in the back with the drones."
-
As you leave you can see a street merchant eyeing you with curiosity.
-
Byron did what he always did when some merchant tried to sell him "best Nepali handicrafts" or whatever they called it: nothing. When a merchant was bold enough to ask him, he could still decide to blush him off afterwards.
Silently he waited for Mark to lead the way to the vehicle.
-
"Is there anything you want ?" Mark asked the merchant.
-
In a low voice Cinder murmured: "I'll catch up with you. It is better if I'm not seen with you. Those merchants gossip."
Without a sideward glance to the two shadowrunners he made his own way to his bike. Only then did he contact them via comm:
<<There is a little shed not far from here without any prying eyes to worry about. Let's go there and talk about logistics and plans.>>
-
Obviously taken aback, the merchant raises his hands in defense. "Nothing, Sir! I-I ... do you need shoe polish?"
-
Why thank you! Said Mark and tossed two rupee (or any other socially accepted amount) of money to a small bin near the merchant.
-
"Oi, chummer", Scarcrow addresses the shoe-cleaner with a lowered voice. "Dhai's got a question for you: Couple o'minutes ago a lady left Momo Palace. Big ork, almost as heavy as me, but a lot prettier. You seen her leave? Did she talk to someone?", and he got a 100-rupies-note out of his pocket, ready to slip it to the guy.
He didn't expect anything important, but maybe some background-information about their boss like the sign of her car or something .
-
"Yeah, yeah, I saw her. She talked to nobody, Sir, or maybe only over these, you know, commlink-in-the-brain things. She had a black car. Looked expensive."
-
"That's all you remember?", he asked, handing the guy another note. Should've expected that. "All right, do me a favor, pal: get drunk tonight and forget about this, will ya?"
Patting him on the shoulder, he stood back, waiting for the man to finish polishing Mark's shoes, ready to leave for Cinder's location.
A shame... Would have loved to know from what con she is.
Well, it was worth a try.
-
"Is all, Sir. I'll toast to you, Sir!"
-
After a short while Mark and Scarcrow make their way to the meeting point. When they do Mark deploys a couple of flying eyes and scan the place with his RCC both matrix and the physical space. When he decide that they are in the clear (or not) he say "Okay we can talk".
[spoiler]
Improve intuition (http://orokos.com/roll/329979): 14d6t5 4
drain (http://orokos.com/roll/329980): 9d6t5 5
using remote contorl and replacing perception with electronic warefare to scan the area physically. with flying eye drones.
Remote control perception physical perception (http://orokos.com/roll/329981): 16d6t5 5
flying eyes autonomous perception:
Drone perception (http://orokos.com/roll/329984): 2#9d6t5 2 4
Physically they are atleast trying to hold the perimiter.
then Mark will scan the matrix with is RCC(matrix perception) going to hot sim for a short while.
Matrix perception (hot sim (http://orokos.com/roll/329983): 16d6t5 4
He is a bit cautious or paranoid depends on your perspective.
[/spoiler]
-
When the two runners had arrived, Cinder waited for them with an AR map of the temple.
"So, since we'll work on this together, we should probably start with the logistics.
I am a cop and I have to work at least three shifts per week, so I won't be able to do surveillance 24/7. But I can get us an apartment with a view on the temple through my employer.
So far I have no idea how many guards are in there, or where the medical facilities are. For that we might have to interview that kid those street rats got back. I'll try to find this Lucky guy to arrange that.
If you can, a sweep with drones as well as a decent hack of their systems for a more detailed layout wouldn't hurt either.
Thoughts on that so far?"
-
Mark grins "Relax man... nobody is perfect. I never thought I'd work with a cop but we can start pulling surveillance over there.
We can also try and be legitimately employed by the temple it will allow me to observe the employees in there and deploy my drones into guard duties. If I am the one seating in their control room access is going to be a lot easier. Can your employer help with that?
I have a very attractive offer for physical security as I provide drones, surveillance and astral security... and I tend to under sell myself so I will work for peanuts I think it is our best way to steal stuff... I am not exactly built to go anywhere uninvited. We need someone that I can approach or better yet, that will refer them to me."
-
"Aye, that sounds good.", Byron agreed.
"What about services the temple does? I mean, they probably do ilke... feeding of the poor and that kinda shit. One of us could pretend he's a beggar."
[spoiler]Can we assume they do stuff like that?[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]You can.[/spoiler]
-
"You know what this is a good idea until we find an in. I am pretty good with disguises and is not like I am that pretty anyhow. I can do begger I have a disguise kit in the back and it have some props and dirt is not hard to find. I think I'll go there right now... perhaps I hear something that help me weasel in as a security guard."
Just a dash of magic, hard work and experience Mark can turn himself into quite a convincing begger.
"I'll try to see how much they really help the poor... wish me luck" he said as he departed by foot to the temple. Before leaving he made sure that he has the link frequencies of them all.
[spoiler]
To look the part -
Disguise (http://orokos.com/roll/327402): 14d6t5 5
To act the part (specialty human)
Impersonation (http://orokos.com/roll/327403): 10d6t5 5
I forgot to add the dice of intuition for the disguise - (and feel free to help if you know how to make disguises).
4 intuition dice from magic (http://orokos.com/roll/330296): 4d6t5 2
so overall of 12 hits I guess Mark really looks down on his luck...
[/spoiler]
-
"Good luck, fellow."
To Cinder: "Shall we look for that kiddo then?"
-
"Be careful, those temple people are not of the singing and be nice kind - even without the experiments on children."
He nodded:
"Yes, I'll have to spend the afternoon with requisition forms, but tonight we can go down to the river and look for him playing. Pretty good voice. I'll send you a picture and as soon as I have it, I'll mail you the address for the observation post."
-
Byron had bought some equipment before going to the meeting point:
In a shabby little backpack with only one strap he kept a large bottle of drinking water, a 1-liter-canister of gasoline, a big lighter, a black rug with two eye-slits cut in and reel of black, robust cellotape.
And his shock-gloves of course. He always brought shock-gloves when he was about to interrogate someone. It was his way of showing his good intentions: in his language, shock-gloves basically ment: don't worry, I'm not planning to kill you. Just maybe to stun you so you're defenseless and I can carry you to wherever I want to continue the interrogation.
Also, he was now wearing his armor-jacket, carrying some more throwing-knives in the pockets.
-
It takes you a while to get there but everybody knows the place. Sai Baba's temple. It is a nice four - levelled pagoda, surrounding by some more mundane buildings: Kitchens, sleeping rooms, bathrooms. The place before the temple is full with people: Followers who savor the holy air, traders, sick and wounded who wait for the Baba to return, street dogs who live from those people's garbage. The sun shines on an idyllic scenery, yet it feels wrong. You can't put your finger on it, maybe it's just your knowledge about what's going on. But it is there, like a small hint of gorgonzola in a Blackforest cake.
[spoiler]Cinder and Scarcrow didn't go anywhere yet, right?[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Correct.
[/spoiler]
Cinder turned away from the serene display with disgust. A rotten core behind a veneer of holiness.
"I have to go. I'll contact you with the address at the end of my shift."
Eight hours later,
Cinder texted Scarecrow:
<<Come down to the tourist platform at the river. There are a lot of street musicians, we'll start there. Casual wear - we don't want to scare him or them.>>
-
Mark just hang around by the temple lost, confused and hopeless. He is looking for a warm meal or someplace to be for the night.
He will try to familiarize with the other beggars in the area and to understand the dynamics of the place. If he sees an opportunity for food he'll take it.
-
Scarcrow had been waiting for Cinder's direction's eagerly, so when he received the message, he was prepared. Probably overprepared. Shrugging, he strapped off his armor jacket and put on his battered raincoat, the same he had worn for the meeting at Momo Palace, simply because he had only this one coat. He left the backpack at home. One knive in his holster, one in each boot, he headed for the tourist platform.
@ Cinder:
<< On the way. >>
[spoiler]Oh, sorry, I thought we were directly going to look for and interrogate whoever Lucky tells us to (Manisha?).
My bad, guess I was too bloodthirsty with that one :P
Thanks for telling me.[/spoiler]
-
There is one think, Mark can tell very soon. There are beggars near the temple place, but you can hardly see anyone at the temple place.
[spoiler]Do you try to get to know some of the beggars in the surrounding or do you join the very few beggars at the temple?
-
[spoiler]
Try and get to know beggers near the temple.
[/spoiler]
-
Once Cinder an Scarecrow were in position, Cinder began walking along the street, looking and listening for Lucky's performance.
"Here, I've sent you a recent foto of him. Listen for guitar and song. He should be around here somewhere. Be careful if you ask about him - those street rats are tight and distrusting - with good reason."
-
Scarcrow nodded. "Split up, shall we?"
If Cinder doesn't object, he walks a few steps away from the policeman and starts looking for the singer in a different direction.
He also buys a roasted corncob from a streetmerchant, to look more casual and because he's hungry, and slowly makes his way through the crowd, taking the time to watch some decent musicians for a short while, pretending not to look for anything or anyone special.
[spoiler]
Any perception-rolls required?[/spoiler]
-
Mark
"Poor fella," says a kid as you sit down and try to get to know the other beggars. As expected, it didn't prove to be all too easy: Every new beggar meant some fewer rupees landing into every single one's pocket. Another hand to take the money away.
"How did you land here," the girls asks. You guess she'd be around eleven, just a bit before she gets on the verge of becoming a woman. "I never see you around? You hungry?"
She wears casual clothing: a T-shirt, slightly torn jeans. Not too shabby, but not too fancy either. Just another girl in just another road in just another god-forsaken city rotten with death, corruption and injustice.
Cinder
[spoiler]How are you dressed?[/spoiler]
You can feel the mood is tense here. You are being eyed with suspicion and the kids in the Hive are drawing back as you come closer. You can hear music, but it's only a low-quality radio in a small khaja ghar run by an elderly woman. Some of the looks are hostile, but most of them are scared. After half an hour, you still haven't found Lucky - let alone talked to a single street kid.
Scarcrow
[spoiler]How are you dressed?[/spoiler]
The woman hastily stuffs the crumpled rupee note into one of her pockets. "Other services as well, Sir?" She doesn't look too bad for a woman in her mid-thirties. A bit worn-out and skinny, but her hair is long and black. You can see a longing look in her eyes, but it doesn't long for you, it longs for a filled belly.
After wandering around for half an hour, you can tell that you've been spotted. A group of a handful of young men (and a girl) of about 15 to 20 approach you in a half-circle. They are wielding knives, bats, pipes and chains. Two of them have guns holstered. None of them look like they're in for a good chat about the pros and cons of the categorical imperative.
"Oy, Greymane, you lookin' for trouble? Get off here, before we make you a tika you'll never forget."
You can't quite put your finger on the why, but you're almost sure they don't really want to bless you.
-
@Mark say "I'd love to eat something. I had a secure job - physical security but I lived too long. Times changed and technology changed. Youngsters with control rigs doing impossible things started being more and more common and it reached a point where nobody would employ a geezer like me in Europe. So I came here hoping that I can still do security here because technology is a bit more primitive than Europe.
But the money run out, and I do not know enough people to be employed. Few days ago I was kicked out of my house for not paying rent. Been wandering the streets ever since. Do you happen to have anything to eat? I am sure I can pay you back somehow once I can find some job, but right now I really have very little to pay with. "
-
Cinder had donned an old coat, robust boots and canvas trousers. He didn't blend in totally, but he hoped that it would be enough.
He was tempted to just call in back up for the search - but that would bring more trouble later on than it was worth.
So he moved on, looking around and listening.
-
Of course Scarcrow couldn't really blend into the mass of people. He was wearing worn-out trousers, a cheap sweat-shirt and a raincoat and his heavy boots, but no matter what he wore his scars and impressive height made him probably about as unremarkable King Kong in George Orwell's Animal Farm.
The troll looked around, trying to identify who belonged to the aggressive gang and who was just a bystander, checking if his back was clear.
[spoiler]Are we in a bigger street or in a lonely alleyway? And are there a lot of people around us?[/spoiler]
"Whoa, bistarai, chummers.", and he raised his hands in a (more or less) conciliatory manner and took a step back. Puny maggot! I could snap your neck like a spring-roll!
His adrenaline-flooded brain quickly went through all his options, categorizing both fighting and fleeing as a NO, threatening that he was with a policeman as a PROBABLY NOT and asking them about Lucky as TO BOLD TO TRY OUT. Struggling to find a suitable reaction, he decided to go for his usual three-steps-plan, consisting of step one: negotiation, step two: intimidating and - if everything failed - step three: beating.
"Listen, if I provoked someone, I'm sorry. I just came here to eat and listen to music, not to pick a fight. Can't a hard-working chummer listen to music in peace?"Get out of my sight or I shall smite you where you stand!
Looking at them, considering wether they would be calmed by him backing off, maybe even by him paying them, or only by his blood on the street, Byron took another step back, signallizing that he didn't want to fight, ready to spurt away if necessary.
[spoiler]Judge Intentions (http://orokos.com/roll/331228): 6d6t5 2[/spoiler]
-
Mark
These Nepalis are a surprising folk. Instead of looking down at you, she goes (quite physically) to her knees to be on the same level as you are. She doesn't even flinch as you call her people (or their technology) "primitive". Instead she says: "I know a nice place where you can have something to eat.
Soe she brings to a "restaurant", a small hut with corrugated roof in which there is a big metal pot with steaming rice, another one with lentil soup and a huge wok filled with (over-)cooked vegetables. "Do you eat soymeat?"
Cinder
After a while, you can hear agitated voices. As you briskly walk closer, you're sure they are cheering somebody on. You turn around a corner and see a group of teenagers standing in a circle about something. You can hear groaning and a sharp cry of pain: There's a fight going on.
Scarcrow
[spoiler]It's just another small road in the heart of Kathmandu. It's not strictly speaking anything more than an alley, but it's definitely not empty. Well, not yet: People are preparing to get out of trouble.[/spoiler]
"Ooooh, I'm sorry", the ringleader mimics you. "Better be sorry for your face, old fart."
His voice then changes. What you thought a mere rookie just a second before, you can catch the glimpse of insecurity in his voice. "Now get off here. I'm serious"
To underline his statement, the guy draws his gun, an out-of-date Browning.
[spoiler]Difficult to say (with this roll). I built in your observations in the post.[/spoiler]
-
Mark tells the girl "You are very kind, do you have a name to remember you by? I am Mark Stain" ... "I'll eat anything although as I am veterinarian I struggle a bit with soy meat, but I cannot be too picky. Again thank you so much"
-
A deep growl leaves Scarcrow's lips as the ganger brings out his gun.
He wasn't much of a diplomat, but he took it that the negotiations were over.
For a moment Byron was about to charge at the man, he was pretty sure that he could be fast enough to get hold of the leader's gun - or simply the whole leader - and then scare the others off, but he was smart enough not to start a feude with a local gang.
So he just took a deep breath and another step back, his hands still raised, looking the leader straight in the eyes.
"Ok, ok, I'll be gone. You ain't see me again."
But what if our man is just behind this corner? He had to try it!
"Do you know a guy named Lucky? I have a message for him. It's important. "
-
Cinder walked carefully closer. The age group he looked for where notorious for getting into fights. Not necessarily the street musician - but his friends might be involved.
Last but not least he might need to intervene so this wouldn't become manslaughter.
-
Mark
"What is a veterinarian..? Are you a doctor or something?"
You chat a bit with the girl. You don't think she is in any way affiliated with the temple, but she's around sometimes and knows the area.
Scarcrow
"What do you fuck want with Lucky? Get your arse outta here, or I'll shoot you a second asshole!"
Cinder
As you come closer, you're sure there is a fight going on. You can approach to a couple of meters without being noticed.
-
Vegetarian it means I do not eat meat... Said Mark.
-
She laughs. "I totally heard 'veterinarian'. Well, soy meat consists of soy, so there's no real meat in it. Come, you'll love the soy chicken. With all the spices, you hardly know the difference."
-
Mark comes inside and has dinner with the girl (whats her name?)
-
Cinder went as close as he needed to to get a view of the fight. His hand was firmly closed around the taser in his pocket.
-
Mark
The girl, her Name is Kim (her mother is Corean), invites you to a full meal of dal bhat. It's not bad, nothing special though. You're even invited to a coke. In exchange, the girl satisfies her curiosity:
"Where do you come from?
What are you doing in this place?
Do you have a home?
Do you have family?
What are your plans for future?"
Cinder
Carefully pushing yourself through the cloud, you come closer. The fight looks uneven at first glance, but exciting at the second: A gandharva with brass knuckles is having a terrible and hot fight with an ork twice his size, fists wrapped in bandages. There is red on the bandages, but the ork's lip is broken, and so seems his nose. Every now and then the ork seems to land a hit or grab the gandharva but the latter again and again manages to escape. He's sweating heavily though, and breathing hard.
Then one of the youngsters in the crowd gets aware of you. "Hey, man. This is not for you. Why don't you just spread your wings and fly off?"
-
"Yeah, yeah don't get your knickers in a twist. Those aren't the guys I'm looking for anyway."
Cinder turned away but kept an eye open for a sudden attack.
-
Mark tells Kim "I was born in the UK, but I've hardly been on that island, my family was poor and I needed to provide for them. I did all kind of minor felonies trying to get things to eat and I had to leave the island. The rest of my years were passed in Europe where I learned some technical skills, like driving and matrix stuff. Eventually I converged to an honest living as security professional for minor companies, but then like I told you I got replaced by youngsters with control rigs.
I do have a wife and son but they were taken away, Carla my wife took matters into her own hands and got herself cooperate citizenship and job, because of my criminal past I could never see her again. She took my son with her and at least they are better off than myself. As for the future I want to get back on my feet and start working again. Security perhaps or what ever opportunities I can find in this place, I still have some drones and a nice pickup truck that I bought when I arrived here. Can't eat drones tough, and if I sell them I am going to starve for sure. So my best guess is find someone that need some extra security so I can earn some honest living and rent a house and buy food and stuff. What about you? Do you have a home? Your name - is not a local name isn't it? "
-
So he knows him!!!
An ugly smile spread on Scarcrow's face as he let out a dark snarl, his hand clutching into very big fists.
"Listen up, that puny pea-shooter of yours can't scare me. Neither does your pack of midgets." He looks at the others to check if anyone else is readiyng a weapon. " You think you can take me down?", and he chuckled. "I've dealt with nastier folks before breakfast. I could just crush you like the beetles you are to me."
"But I don't want to start a war with you guys, so if you don't know Lucky, I'll get off right now.
But if you know him and like him, you better f*cking let me explain, 'cause his friends are in some serious danger and all I'm trying to do is to find them before the drek really hits the fan.
So if you attack me you don't only provoke a beating like Lord Shiva's wrath, you also sentence this poor guys's chummers to death.
Now, will ya let me pass or not?"
[spoiler]Intimidating the leader (http://orokos.com/roll/331985): 7d6t5 2 (-2 for being outnumbered, -2 for being outgunned, +3 for being big as hell)
Took the liberty of adding the full booster of +3 dices for "physically imposing", I don't know the exact rules for that, feel free to do a reroll if that was wrong.
Oh, and do I also have to roll negotiation since that was also kind of negotiating?[/spoiler]
-
Cinder
They leave you alone, free to go. So you wander around a little more and, half by accident, half intendend, run into a construction well-known not only in Nepal, but more or less in the whole world: The Hive.
The building reminds you of the good old houses of cards: It is massive, high and home to a thousand young Nepalis, indeed buzzing with life like the Hive it's named for, but it also looks frail. When the wind blows heavily, you can see it rock back and forth in a slow pace and you're sure it would collaps any moment. Not that the people cared who live there: They have nothing to lose.
You've been here before. But this time, something is different. You can't quite put your finger on it but your policemen instincts tell you that something's wrong here.
Mark
Kim makes a sad face. "This is such a tragic story! My, you are an unlucky fellow.
"Me... I'm only half-local, that's right. My father is Nepali, he was overseer at construction sites or something. One day, they built something huge in Corea. I'm not quite sure I understood what it woos but it belonged to an AAA so he asked me not to ask too many questions. He met one of the cooks and, bam, fell in love."
She giggles.
"They said they made me right away, there in Corea. And they used to smile when they said so.
We're not poor people. I like to come here, though. The temple is beautiful and I like the crowds here."
Scarcrow
[spoiler]It's fine the way it is ^^[/spoiler]
The man hesitates a moment, and no one else draws their arms. After a second or two, he regains his composure.
"We know he's in fucking danger, asshole. And people like you are the reason. Why can't you big rich-as-hell wrinklers just leave us alone? What's we boys to you anyway?"
-
Mark tells Kim, "my wife and son are secure and safe. I lived most my life and I am still alive, I am a lucky person. It is not that I do not miss them and wish things would be different, but that specific choice is nothing that I regret. They deserved a shot for good inspiring life. Most of my childhood friends died right where they born, in the same neighborhood. Yet here I am, talking with you having outlived them all. I am a lucky man, and am happy to still be alive even if the need is great and the hour is desperate. I've been through worse.
I was never here before believe it or not, I was wondering if that temple is the kind to need security. Perhaps if they are so nice, they could use my services, after I showered and found something more respected to wear that is. Do you happen to know anyone in there?"
-
Cinder sent a quick status update to Mark and Scarcrow before entering the Hive.
Trying to stay hyper vigilant he moved between the colorful contraptions and didn't neglect to also check above his head for danger.
-
"Chummer, if I'd be rich as hell, would I be here then?" Scarcrow relaxes a bit, his muscles are loosing the built-up tension.
"Do you know their situation? See, I work at a place that might someday somehow maybe give me the opportunity to help these poor fellows. But - if I am to seize that opportunity - I need to know more about the circumstances. If Lucky - or anyone familiar with the case - gives us the necessary background-information we might just be able to get your pals back safe'n sound.
I hope."
-
Mark
"Sure, I know some people in there. Do you want to meet them? We could visit them together if you like."
Your experience with people (especially from this country) tells you that she might indeed know someone, but not very well and probably no-one useful. It is the way these people say "yes" when they don't want to say "no" because that would be impolite.
Cinder
As soon as you approach the Hive, you can almost feel the awareness of the people with every step. Youngsters stop their conversations, couples flee to kiss somewhere else, the elders prepare. Then a troll steps out of the shadows. He's wearing torn jeans and a way too small shirt (but still troll size). His muscles look like thick wires, and a chain is slung around his massive body. He walks to steps towards you, then commands in a deep, rumbling voice:
"Get outta here!"
Scarcrow
The man snarls in disbelief. "Yeah, sure, and if I give you all my money, you will wave your magic wand and bring back ten times its worth. What are you? Sweet Jesus? Gandhi? Why don't you get lost?"
-
Cinder looked the troll up and down: "I'm looking for a friend, Lucky, street musician. It's about helping that little boy Musaa. You know him?"
-
Scarcrow growled. This guy was getting on his nerves, although his distrust was understandable.
"Listen, punk!", he said, his voice was getting louder and darker, "If I wanted to harm Lucky, you guys would be dead by now.
I'm not a saint and certainly not a hero. Lucky and my boss just happen to have a common enemy, that's why I'm helpin' him. We're on the same side, but if you don't want me to, fine, I'm not gonna force you."
If the gangers are still listening and don't interrupt him, he continues:
"So these are the stakes, boy: There are other guys who want to settle scores with the temple as well. So either you accept these guys' help, pull on the same string with them, if ya know what I mean...
Or you let Bikki stay brainwashed and the others will rot to death. I'm fine with both options."
-
Its okay said Mark and when they was done politely left.
-
Cinder
The troll hesitates. "Who are you? Why do you know about Musaa? What do you want from lucky?"
You can tell the young man definitely is suspicious, but doesn't appear to be hostile.
Scarcrow
The gangers, slightly taken aback by your more direct approach, stop their snarls to listen. When you've finished, the leader was just about to say something, when another teenager, a girl with green-pink-striped hair standing in all directions, interrupts him: "What can you do? Can you make the attacks stop? Can you keep the Ice Man from coming here?"
Mark
After a while and a nice, hot meal, you get back to the temple. It still lies there in the afternoon sun, unchanged (although everything seems a bit less hostile and a bit warmer after some decent dal bhat).
[spoiler]Are you going to - familiarize with the beggars in the temple area
- familiarize with the beggars in the surrounding or
- trying a different approach?
-
Mark tries to familirize himself with the beggers of the close area. He also looks for good places for survilence that would not be noticed.
-
Cinder shrugged:
"I am Cinder. Lucky came to me and my colleagues a week ago for help. We did our best to get the temple in official ways, no luck. Now a new player has entered the game and there is a chance to make it right. But I do need information from Lucky and Musaa about the temple interior.
So what's your name and how do you know about that?"
-
"Easy, girl, easy." He scratched his forehead.
"See, I'm with you against the temple, but I don't fancy getting involved in any kind of gang war or whatever. I'm only one guy, after all. By the way, I'm called Scarcrow. Who are you guys? And how do you know Lucky?"
After dealing with the formalities - if the gangers have such manners - he continues:
"Who's attacking you you? And who is this Iceman?"
-
Mark
The beggars don't pay much attention to Mark. That is, they talk to him, and they do so nicely, but they seem not to expect him to give them money (though they try a bit) and they certainly don't assume that he might in fact be anything else then a beggar. So you sit down, let the afternoon sun warm your body and watch the temple.
The temple indeed is a beautiful thing. A three-roofed pagoda, guarded by statues of lions, gods and gryphons. The whole place is paved with red bricks and every now and then you can make out a statue, red all over with vermilion. There are garlands of marygold and orange-robed figures.
After a while you get used to the view and are able to notice some things. For once, some of the people don't leave the place: neither do they enter the temple nor do they walk away. In their casualness, there is something very awake, very aware. Sentinels.
Some other people seem to live in the temple. They are hardly to be seen outside, but every now and then they leave the temple for different reasons.
And you can see kids, too. Some of them already wear orange robes, some don't. Those who don't, wear cheap, ragged clothes: they're street kids, orphans probably. And they do look happy.
Cinder
"Seven hells! You're dat cop, -oh. Less talk sumwhere else."
He ushers you closer. "Me's Sissy. Cum, we go."
The troll drags you a few streets further, where fewer ears are likely to listen, then he bends to one knee to be level with you. "So you're the cop Lucky talked to? Right? D'ya wanna meet with them guys?
Scarcrow
"My name's Suzanne. This is Maggot (you can hear a few chuckles from the other gangers and a soft whincing as Maggot expresses his opinion on this nickname with a well-aimed punch) and Ravesh, Durga and Ram (she pronounces it like the English word "ram").
"Lucky is a"
"Shut up about Lucky, Sooze. We don't know this fucker.
"Jizz, drekhead."
She clenches her jaw, but respects the wish of her elder. "The Iceman ... he comes here. Every now and then. Long time no see, then suddenly he tracks down of the kids. Hurts them. Tortures them. He even killed two of us. We call him the Iceman because of the cold look of his. Some say he's a god. A god of wrath and death."
-
"Shh. Yes, but don't advertise it. Lead the way. The more info I get about this, the higher the chances I can help you."
Cinder followed the troll, realizing only now that it was a female.
-
"Nice to meet ya", and he nodded a namaste.
Scarcrow felt uncomfortable about this. Not that he was scared of this Iceman - he would love to teach this child-molesting creep a lesson - but he didn't have the time to solve some stranger's feude. Plus, he was basically naked, and without his weapons, at least his sword and his armor-jacket, he was not in the mood to attack a random killer he didn't even know. I'm just here for Lucky, this is none of my business. Unless...
"Do you know when the first of your fellows disappeared? And when did the Iceman start to show up? Could there be a connection?"
-
Cinder
You're not really familiar, but this dude certainly's not a girl. Well, you hope for her. At the second glance you're not entirely sure anymore, but... but... naaaah.
"So, whazzit you can do or whaddaya need? Me saws them temple buggers like real. Fought them, drek. Sum fellas got some licked waggler in them's hands. Nameses Riker, Lucky 'n' Scip. You's needa hook 'em up?"
Scarcrow
"He's been coming for more then a week now. We're scared, man. Can you not help us? Please? We're afraid, dude"
"Shut the fuck up, dumb slitch. He can't do nothing, old trog fart o'er there. Put yourself together, li'l chickin!"
-
"I've got a crew of professional face stabbers. We don't know yet how, but we'll get the children out and see what we can do about the brainwash.
Yes, whoever knows something about the inside and those employed by the temple should show up. Every bit of information could be useful."
Cinder activated his commlink: <<Scarecrow, Mark, I've found someone who can lead us to our contacts. I'm at the old container village. I'll leave the connection open, so you can patch in and ask questions.>>
-
Mark spend the time to discreetly video record everything that he sees using a micro drone on his hair. He memorizes the faces and body language way of walking and voice of the few people that do enter the temple and try to evaluate the quality of their guardians. Is their security only human or are there additional elements. He is fishing for enough information to be able to infiltrate the temple with disguise an he is patient enough to spend a few days just seating there.
-
Bullseye, good job.
Scarcrow felt relief when Cinder's message popped up on his smartlink-interface. No we don't desperately need these fuckers.
"Whoa, hold on there. One minute ago you wanted to shoot me, now I'm supposed to help you out? You guys gotta make up your mind whether you trust me or not. "
If they don't give him the cold shoulder:
"But tell me more about this Iceman... Whom does he target? When does he strike? And does this even have anything to do with Lucky?"
-
Scarcrow
"Oh, drek. Only this smart-ass of a pedo jack-off (he gives her a punch), ugh, dammit - We know you're half as bad as you look. We, too, have a troll like you. His name's -"
"Could you just shut the fuck up? D'you think this dreakhead of a trog gives shit about the Iceman killing off our youngsters? He don't, bet your pretty ass on it."
He turns around. The girls hesitates a moment, the others appear to be undecided what to do in the situation. A lot of eyes closely watch your reaction.
group interview/Cinder
It takes a while until they can find at least some of the kids. They introduce themselves as Lucky and Scipio. Riker got himself a new motorbike and has hardly be seen at the Hive ever since.
Scipio appears to be a little reserved, but Lucky is full of energy. "Finally", he explaims. "I was afraid the police had dropped the case!"
-
The more Byron thought about this, the more he came to tho conclusion that he didn't like the Iceman. Not a bit. He was used to rough demeanor, he was used to immoral actions, but picking on kids? That violated every code in the world. He would teach this asshole a lesson.
"Maggot!", Scarcrow addressed the leader and inhaled air through his nose in a sniffing manner. "I think I might smell a deal. I could perhaps help you with that snowman. Maybe.
But you know how life goes in the streets... nothing's for free.
Can any of you provide me with information about Sai Baba's temple, the Iceman or the Bikki-incident that would even out risking my life?"
Then he took the time to reply to Cinder's call with a short message:
@Cinder:
<<Roger that. Can u find out if contact also been terrorized by a certain Iceman? His pal Suzanne says they need help against this creep.>>
-
<<Will do.>>
Cinder turned to the assembled group to answer:
"No, you've got it right the first time. The police has dropped the investigation - I have not. Therefore this whole thing will be street justice only and more important we can't expect any outside help. I'd appreaciate it if you could keep my visit as secret as possible.
What I need is every bit of information you have and can find out about the temple interior, especially the basement where Musaa was operated on. That includes cameras, guards, layout of the place, entrances and exits, including private or hidden ones. Here is my commcode. One of you certainly has one too. Finding you was a major headache.
Also, I just received a message from one of my partners that you have a problem with a killer targeting you. Is that connected to the temple business?"
-
OOC: Mark is not currently accessible to the outside world to preserve his cover.
-
Scarcrow
"Yeah yeah, we can!" the girl explained before the puzzled look in the former spokesman's face had vanished. "We can bring you to Sissy. He fought the Iceman and survived. Or to Scip, he even received messages from him and shot at him twice! Or Riker - he was the one Bikki tried to kill. Cum on, and you (she turned to the "leader") shut the fuck up for good."
She walks ahead, smiling proudly about her achievement of winning an ally five times her weight.
[spoiler]I knew I could seduce you in helping that chick :D you're so predictable, luckass ;-) [/spoiler]
Teamspeak
Lucky seemed reliefed that someone helped them finally.
He writes down the commcode for later use.
"Come, sit down. I'll tell you what I can and then I'll play a song for you. He gently pats his guitar.
"How to get in...? I've never been there. Riker has. I'll give him your commcode, he can call you back. But I'm sure he didn't mention any cameras. Well, we could show you around at the temple grounds. Outside and some parts of the interior are open for the public. Why don't you just have a look yourselves?"
His look turns sour as you mention the killer. His smiles vanishes (for about a moment or so), then he nods.
"Yes, they two have to do with each other. His name is Frozen Yoghurt, but the kids just call him the Iceman. He has some private feude with Scipio which I don't really understand. He's been threatening us for a time and finally he managed to find us. He appears from nowhere and vanishes before we can react. He is damn fast and a total psycho." He sighs. "We don't know what to do about him. But he already killed two of the youngsters.
[spoiler]I'm sorry if I rp your former chars wrong. Please tell me any serious mistakes!
-
"We are already working on getting someone inside, but to be successful we need to keep a low profile until we strike.
But if that Iceman is an agent of the temple we can start by capturing him for interrogation. Afterwards you can have him. That way no one wonders what happened to him. Child murderers are the scum of the earth.
Hm. Scipio, we might have to lay a trap for Frozen Yogurt and since he wants you, we might need you as bait. Do you know how he managed to find you before?"
Cinder looked questioningly at his young audience.
-
"That's something. Fine, let's go.", and he followed Suzanne.
"When does your Iceman usually strike? Is there a pattern, or does he simply wait until nighttime? Cuz when we interrogate him we might need our hacker to block matrix-action from his side. We don't want them evil-doers to know that we're coming for them."
He briefs Mark about the situation and then asks:
@Mark:
Can u make sure he won't send any messages while we tickle him?
[spoiler] Ahhh, you've found my greatest weakness! Ladies... :o ;)
Nah, I think not even Scarcrow has a heart of stone, plus this means extra information about the temple and "a foot in the door" with lucky and his fellows, so not helping them would be kinda stupid. [/spoiler]
-
@Scarcrow >> I can do my best but that depends on the kind of comlink he has.
OOC: I think when creating noise devices stop working once the noise level is higher than their device ratings. So Can I stop the comlink for working by creating noise? 5-6 level of noise may be enough.
-
Teamspeak/Cinder
"I don't really know how he found us. He wrote messages to my commlink soon after we first encountered him. Then he started appearing then and there, out of nothing. Maybe he was following me. It took some days, however, until he attacked at the Hive. He seems to want to play with me, in a sadistic way. Maybe I can distract or lure him if I write him, or something?
"If there's anything we can do to catch Frozen Yoghurt, I will. I would do anything to stop him. Forever, if need be. Do you have any plans?"
Scarcrow
"Who do you want to meet? Or shall we just look and see who we meet?
"The Iceman doesn't strike at a usual time. He strikes whenever he wants to. Daytime, nighttime, anytime. Also not always on the same place, but usually somewhere near the Hive. He put numbers on the victims. 5 on Hazel, and 7 on Souraj."
[spoiler]
@gilga: I didn't find any rule like this. Maybe if I missed a line, please tell me where I can find this. Afaik it's "only" a negative dice pool modifier.
Please kindly use spoiler tags or the OoC channel for OoC messages.
-
"The first thing I'll try will be to put a trace on his commlink. One of our crew is a decker. If that doesn't work we will try the bait trick. Which reminds me..."
<<Mark. I'm sending you a commlink code. Can you try to hack the commlink and put a trace on him - discreetly.>>
-
It is easy to follow the commlink code to its sender. Which isn't a commlink. It's a Renraku Tsurugi.
-
"Meh, just take me to whoever is available. I can come again tomorrow if someone important isn't there."
Scarcrow walked faster and expected the girl to also speed up. Now that they finally had a trace he was getting impatient. This guy has balls if he hunts in broad daylight... Or he's simply a maniac.
"Five and seven, la? Does that mean anything? The kid's age, bullets he fired? And how is the killer armed?"
I might have to get my actual weaponry before we take him on.
-
Mark reply I can do but not from the garbage. Lets meet tomorrow?
-
The girl didn't. She walked you to the Hive in what seemed to you a leisurely pace. Then she enters the building, leaving you behind to wait. And wait. And wait just a little longer.
Finally she comes back with a young good-looking boy.
"Who's that?", he asks with some temper. "Oi, over there. You were looking for me? Name's Riker."
-
A bit later in his car Mark prepared to hack, he augmented his logic with magic and then plugged his mind into hot sim. Tracing the icon required 2 marks and Mark proceeded carefully.
His RCC was especially modified for sleaze, he set it for maximal noise reduction and set the smoke and mirrors and other software high enough. He carefully designed the configuration for maximum success likely hood and took a deep breath before his mind started crunching numbers and security protocols.
[spoiler]Configuration:
5 program slots:
1. SnM
2. VM with Stealth +2 to hack on the fly and Signal Scrub -2 noise
3. noise reudction (empty slots)
Total noise reduction 2 from signal scrub, 3 from RCC 2 more from vectored signal processor, 1 from throdes.
Overall 8 noise reduction -3 noise from SnM total of 5 noise reduction and limit of 7.
Mark need to aquire 2 marks and only then he can pinpoint the physical location of the device.
improve logic (F6)
Improve logic (http://orokos.com/roll/337435): 14d6t5 7
drain
drain (http://orokos.com/roll/337436): 13d6t5 6
Hacking rolls:
Hacking (http://orokos.com/roll/337437): 2#19d6t5 8 4
If Mark got his Marks on the device: He'll load a program to augment DP (limit 6) an roll intuition + computers + brand loyalty + hot sim.
Trace Icon (http://orokos.com/roll/337438): 14d6t5 7
only 6 hits are kept the trace Icon roll if Mark got that far is done with 8 noise reduction (Smoke and Mirror not active.
[/spoiler]
-
"Riker, hm? So you're the one young Bikki shot? I'm Scarcrow, I investigate the brainwashing-incident. I could perhaps help the poor kids that are still inside that damn temple, but I need information about it. The temple, and this Iceman.
Suzanne said you might be useful...?"
@Cinder, Mark:
<<At the hive now, north-west. Chit-chat with Riker, the guy li'l Bikki tried to shoot. Will send u any important information.>>
-
<<Be carefull with that one. Riker is one of those guys we have a file on. Went to juvie prison half a year ago for an attempted robbery of a Chinese hotel owner. Actually a prank gone wrong. The system - in its infinite wisdom - sent him to a really brutal place. When he got out he had stabbed to people and was probably more of a criminal than before. His parol officer notes that he is now in the training league for combat bikers. A pretty angry young man - and not a particular smart one. Take care.>>
Cinder replied
To the others he said: "Ok, would it be possible to talk to Bikki? His perspective and knowledge will probably be the most important."
-
The hacking is successful and I quickly and skillfully baypass the firewall. If only I could market myself better I'd be a nova hot decker. I keep my focus long enough to get the second mark on, almost being punched by the latest security update, but the second mark is there and I should now perform the trace. Sadly, I cannot cast new spells while in VR and I have to proceed without the augmented intuition. Nevertheless, the trace progresses well and I watch as i get a closer and closer lock on the device.
When I am done, I send a message to Cinder >> Cinder, this is Mark - the com-link you wanted to lock on is in these coordinates. Do you want to go do a house call?
-
Mark
[spoiler]Sorry for the late IC reply and thanks for your own initiative![/spoiler]
Frozen Yoghurt's deck is the master of a whole PAN, linked to his very own persona. It basically resembles a well-clothed male elf. Only very subtle items, added in a very sophisticated and sick but styleful way, give him a scary appearance. The eyes look luring and a bit restless. At a second glance you can see that the pupils resemble those of a wolf. The movements are a bit odd. Fluent und elegant in general, they are interrupted by sudden jerks and turns. The teeth are whiter than they should be, and a bit bigger. Scars seem to prolong his lips, making his mouth appear wider, and giving him an ever-lasting maniacal grin. The fingernails seem to be a bit more pointy than usual. And under his elegant jacket, there's a T-shirt with advertisment for Frozen Yoghurt. Only the smiley on the pack of Yoghurt is crying because someone tries to screw a drill into its teeth.
You found the sick bastard, no doubt about this.
Unlike the other way round, he doesn't seem to have noticed you. He lazily browses through a catalogue of trendy suits while in RL, he appears to be in a spa. It's about four or five kilometres from here, at the far end of Thamel. The studio's called the "Temple of Wonders" and you wonder what wonders the Temple of Wonders might feature.
Scarcrow
"Uh-huh, that's me. And what're you? A cop? A saint? Why should I trust you? And what do you want to know?"
Cinder's message came in time. Though there doesn't seem to be any apparent threat to you. After all, he's a fifth your weight, and so are his weapons.
Cinder
"Bikki? Uhm ... yeah, sure. I think ... I think it should be possible. Would you... would you care to enter the Hive? Otherwise I can try to bring him out, but I'm not sure whether he would come out to see you.
-
The troll sighed with disappointment. Jeez, these kids are less trusting than my ex.
"Do I look like a saint? Or like a damn cop?
I'm basically a private investigator, someone pays me to get behind the temple's schemes. So the more information I can get about this, the higher the chances you see your chummers again.
Also, I work together with the cop your pal Lucky contacted.
If Riker decides to trust him, he continues:
Well, we're workin' on a couple of things here. The temple, at first. Do you know anything about where the kids might have been taken?
And then the Iceman: what's his trick? He's awakened, a gunman or what?"
@Cinder:
<<Thanks, let's hope for him that he doesn't try to stab me>>
-
"...Later. I just got information from my friend. We have found Frozen Yogurt. Don't worry, we'll take care of him.
I'll come back."
<<Great work Mark. Yes, we'll go to him asap before he notices we have found him.
Scarecrow drop what you are doing and get to this address. We'll meet there.>>
-
Mark texts Cynder >> Okay on my way. I am not skilled in combat but I'll locate my care in close so that I can run him over if he tries to escape. There are also some drones I can deploy Let me know if any of you need a ride. With that Mark entered his car and started driving, hoping that catching this mystery Forzen Yogurt will shed some light on this story.
-
"...ah, hold on... Jeez, we got him! My partner located the Iceman, we'll take care of him. Shall I give him a kiss from you?
Here, this is my commcode. Gimme yours if you have one and I'll tell how things go with your enemy", he says to both Riker and Suzanne. "And for drek's sake, I don't have time to play the why-would-I-trust-you-game now."
If they're not willing to give their code to Scarcrow(granted they have one), he just gives them the finger and gets moving without it.
@teamspeak:
"Props to Mark. I'll be on the way."
[spoiler]
Not sure if such details are important, but just in case they are:
If the distance is to far to to be quickly reached by walking, he looks for a taxi willing and big enough to take him, or - if unavailable - asks Mark for a ride. I guess since Cinder and Scarcrow both are at the hive, Mark could pick them both up at the same time, or they could share a taxi. [/spoiler]
-
Cinder got back to his bike as quickly as he could and drove off. He debated if he should go and fetch the shotgun but decided against it. The gun was not legal for him to carry off duty and although he could technically arrest FY for his murder attempts, that would remove him from the "enhanced interrogation" he had in mind for the scumbag.
<<I'm on the road. Scarecrow, I'll meet you at the front door. Mark cover the back exit. If you can have a non lethal weapon ready.>>
-
Scarcrow
"You sure as hell don't. So, who's telling a private investigator to help us street scum? No one cares for us. So what would you want?"
On the assumption that Scarcrow somehow manages to ease his discomfort:
"Waitwait, you said: the higher the chances I see my chummers again. Who're you talking of?
"Yeah, I do have an idea where they're taking them, though I dunno precisely. I've been in there and I saw where they came from. It's a private sector of the temple. It's huge, though. I think they do some brainwashing in there. God-damn Pashupati people I s'pose. I killed one of them bastards, slashed his neck right open."
[spoiler]Forgive and correct me if I RP him wrong. It feels I didn't get the "right" Riker...[/spoiler]
"This 'Iceman', 's just what the kids call him. His name's FY, that's Frozen Yoghurt. He sure as hell is an utter psycho. I don't believe he uses magic, though. Anytime he attacked, he just shot. But I'd bet your arse that he's tuned up. Totally brainfucked, that piece of drek. Once my pal shot a salvo of three bullets after him. That cruel fuck now pays us back, bullet for bullet. Some day one of the other boys tried to shoot him. I dunno how many bullets we're ahead, but I'll sure as hell rip his guts open with my knife if I can catch this-"
At this point both Riker's volume and vocabulary are difficult and shameful to express in a written text. His eyes seem to glimmer like coals, and were you not a troll weighing half a ton, Riker's wrath would've scared you. He's angry as a Tasmanian devil, and he's ready to rip anything in half that comes between him and his bloody revenge.
"...ah, hold on... Jeez, we got him! My partner located the Iceman, we'll take care of him. Shall I give him a kiss from you?
Here, this is my commcode. Gimme yours if you have one and I'll tell how things go with your enemy"
"You got him! No fucking way I'm gonna let you deal with this son of a bitch while I'm playing Carrom leisurely. I'm going with you and there's nothing you can do about that, big one."
He grins widely and, unconsciously, pats the hold of his knife. You're pretty sure you can't reason with him. Either you knock him out, or he'll be with you.
Cinder
"You already found him? Wotcha, seems we got on the lucky side finally! Pay him back what he did to us. We have some words to talk to him, too!"
[spoiler]I think a taxi will do just nicely.
As soon as I know how you handle Riker, we'll change setting to the spa.
-
[spoiler]
Don't worry about RIker. He's a stupid, angry teenager - maybe a bit tempered now that he has a bike again 8)
He does want to see FY dead, but he's not as keen as he pretends to be the one to pull the trigger personally.
So you certainly have leeway - he would volunteer in an instant to guard the door for example.
[/spoiler]
The traffic was terrible as always, but Cinder managed to reach his destination in good time. He waited until his chummers arrived.
-
Scarcrow ground his teeth. That ain't a kid's party...
He didn't like this, but the young man seemed too eager to give by. For a moment the troll thought about sending the biker to wrong coordinates, but in the end, an additional guy might come in handy.
So he nodded. "Aye, why not. But none of us has time to watch ya, so you will stay back, stay low and stay out of trouble, got me?"
The moment he said the words, he had the feeling that Riker would simply ignore them. Whatever, he's been warned.
"These are the coordinates. I'll get a cab."
Hurrying for the first taxi that's not a Riksha, he makes his way off. He'll tip the driver extra and tell him to "drive like Vishnu's discus is chasing ya", trying to be at the spa as quickly as possible.
@Teamspeak:
"Riker insists on joining us. Might prove useful. Iceman seems to be mundane, but damn good with guns."
-
<<Damn. Hopefully he doesn't tip off FY.
Oh well, I happen to be a good shot too, but I'm wearing body armor>>
Cinder grinned beneath his helmet. Nothing like beginning an investigation with a guilty witness....
-
Mark arrives on site and begin preparing for combat. First thing he summons a spirit of air, not before augmenting his logic to avoid drain. Spirit summoned and is designed for combat, equipped with elemental attack, Fear. Scary and deadly and Mark hoped not to meet one on the street. Before Mark is willing to enter combat he also augments his own intuition. "Now I am ready..." thought Mark and looked for his parthers in crime that know what it is all about.
[spoiler]
(I think the logic was augmented from previous post but I forgot so I do again).
Improve Logic (http://orokos.com/roll/339880): 14d6t5 3
drain (http://orokos.com/roll/339881): 12d6t5 6
logic raised by 3, no drain.
Highten concern is used to negate sustaining penalty while summoning.
summon F6 spirit of air (http://orokos.com/roll/339885): 12d6t5 6
spirit defense (http://orokos.com/roll/339886): 6d6t5 1
drain (http://orokos.com/roll/339887): 12d6t5 2
5 services gained, no drain
Improve intuition (remove logic...)
Improve Intuition (http://orokos.com/roll/339889): 14d6t5 3
Drain (http://orokos.com/roll/339890): 9d6t5 2
intuition raised by 3, no drain.
[/spoiler]
-
Scarcrow
Riker grins widely. "Yeah, sure. I want be a hassle. Let's go, I have a bi... oh, yeah, take a taxi. See ya then!"
You can see a very small of moment of hesitation, when Riker reflects on whether or not he should call his friends, too, but then he speeds to his bike. He's on the move before you can even turn around.
The Spa
The Temple of Wonders indeed looks like something. Located in the southern area of Thamel, it's indeed an établissement you could call fancy. Pillars with (cheap) gold paint give it a bit of the appearance of a Greek temple. A velvet carpet which is surprisingly clean welcomes the guest. A Nepali, dressed in a fine scarlet suit is grinning constantly what some would call a Pashupati smile. It seems a bit frozen which leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. A marbled floor leads inside the building.
Outside the Temple, there's Thamel, and a lot of it. It's noisy, crouded and stinking. You keep your belongings close, ever aware of thiefs, although Scarcrow keeps away most threats by his mere presence. One offer for face surgery reaches his ear, but none of you is sure whether this was meant as a mockery or a real offer.
-
The first thing Cinder did, was going around the place, noting all exits. The kids had given a pretty good description of FY.
When the others had arrived, he turned to them: "Ok, this will be the first test of our working relationship. I'll go in and flash my badge. Hopefully the lady won't make a fuss.
Mark, I want you at the backside of the building. Be prepared to hit FY with something non-lethal. Scarcrow, you are my back up. Be ready to knock him out if he gets away from me.
Any questions or improvements on this plan?"
-
Mark said "I am deploying some surveillance drones just in case it does not go as we want and there is a spirit in the astral in case it goes really bad. Just so you know."
-
Scarcrow nodded.
"Might be suspicious though if I go in together with you. Shall I wait and give you a headstart? Or are we openly playing me as your... deputy or something? "
He turned to the street-boy: "Riker, you do what I've told ya and keep off for now. Cause if he sees you, he knows something's fishy. Stay in a sideway and keep your bike ready, if everything fails, you go for him. You got a comlink?"
He looks at the others for objections.
[spoiler]@Jack_Spade: Just so I don't get this wrong and make a horrible mistake: You mean backup like following you inside and literally backing you up, or staying back outside? [/spoiler]
-
"Yeah, that would probably be best. I don't know but I guess FY won't just attack a cop who seems to legitimately want to arrest him - guys like him have lawyers. So keep out of sight but be ready to intervene. Once I have cuffed him we bring him to the hive.
And Riker, don't do anything stupid. Just back up Mark here. You and your friends will have enough chance to get back on FY."
Cinder waited for them to get into position before he entered the temple/spa: "Good evening miss, you have a guest at the moment that I need to speak to. Here's a picture. Would you kindly tell me were I can find him?"
-
After Cinder leaves, Scarcrow waits in an alleyway or anywhere where he can't be seen by the smiler for a while, trying to listen to their conversation.
-
[spoiler]I didn't mention a woman, did I?
It's difficult to find out whether there's a second entrance at the backside since the houses stand wall on wall to each other: You'd have to walk around the block. Which, I guess, a policeman would do. So yes: There is a second entry at the backside, as well as a garage and several windows. Both back-entries are locked, of course.[/spoiler]
Riker nods eagerly. "Right. I'll stay right here, and if this rat's gonna try and flee, I'll hunt him down like the vermin he is!
With that, and a somewhat pale expression, he turns around his bike and drives it to the next alley.
The page at the entry smiles a broad, very frozen, and very artificial smile as he answers:
"I am very sorry to say you that, sir, but we have all our customers very confident. Very sorry, sir, but please, enter the Temple of Wonders are look yourself!"
[spoiler]I assume that you talked to him in English since Nepali isn't listed as a language skill of Cinder.
-
Cinder answered in Nepali: "Listen and listen well: I know this man is inside. You have two options - either you tell me or I arrest you for aiding a violent criminal. If that man escapes you will be responsible for every bad thing he does from now on.
So I ask you one last time: Where is this man."
-
Mark used his Horizon flying eyes to cover possible exists as well as main exit. He left the drones autonomous but before that he took a careful look of the surrounding on his own trying to ensure that nothing unexpected happens.
[spoiler]
Mark has brand loyalty to the RCC, he use heighten concern to negate spell sustain penalty and replaces perception with electronic warfare as he is operating through the drones sensor arrays.
Perception with drone (electronic warefare) (http://orokos.com/roll/340909): 3#15d6t5 4 5 9 All reached their limit of 3 (unmodified flying eyes).
[/spoiler]
Once the drones deployed, Mark took a view in the Matrix trying to figure out if anything is out of the ordinary within the building Cynder enters.
[spoiler]
[spoiler]Matrix perception (hot sim) (http://orokos.com/roll/340910): 15d6t5 4[/spoiler]
[/spoiler]
To complete the picture Mark sends his spirit to perform an astral scan of the place and alert him to anything out of the ordinary, spells spirits awakened people inside.
[spoiler]Assensing (http://orokos.com/roll/340911): 12d6t5 5
4 services remains.
[/spoiler]
With all that done, Mark felt happy in his natural place he felt was back in the van, or in his case the Gopher truck. He hopes that Cynder will have the best of luck in there and will help him if things get messy to the best he can. Although he is a cop, he is now on the right side of the law and that makes him a criminal just like Mark.
-
[spoiler]Opposed roll (http://orokos.com/roll/341364): 4d6t5 1[/spoiler]
You got hime.
@gilga: "concern" is a typo in the source book. It should be "heightened concentration". Apart from this: there is nothing unusual for the area. Which doesn't mean we're exactly safe. There are always predators in Thamel.
In the Matrix, you can find FY's commlink. Apart from this, the building has a sound host and some base defense mechanisms but nothing you would be surprised to find in a spa in Thamel.
Scanning the place and alerting you are two different services. So there are three services left.
There's some astral pollution in the area but this doesn't directly effect the spa. There are no Awakened beings in the whole building nor a barrier or something. It seems you hit FY unprepared. [/spoiler]
The man raises his hands in defense. "All right, all right. He is in there. He's in the solarium. Just follow the AROs. Are ... are you police?
-
Cinder looked the man in the eye and said: "I am. Thank you for your cooperation."
With confident strides he walked towards the solarium, taser in his right, hand cuffs in his left.
When he reached the door, he took a quick peek inside. When he was satisfied that the man was indeed using the solarium he went in, aimed the taser and said:
"Citizen 543-7778/55 aka Frozen Yogurt, you are under arrest. Get up and put your hands behind your back. If you resist we will use immediate force."
-
"Who is 'we'?, he asked without even opening his eyes for more than a blink.
-
"Citizen, you have been warned: Resisting arrest is a felony. Comply or you will be subdued."
Cinder had automatically fallen into his routine - for a moment even he was convinced that he could just have FY rounded up and sent to the station. The man was a killer after all.
But probably SINless - no case to be build there.
Child-murderer.
Cinder shot at the guys neck.
[spoiler]
Vitals shot with Defiance Ex, aiming for two actions
AGI 6 + Skill 6 + 1 Laser sight + 2 Aim - 4 Vitals shot
Aimed shot (http://orokos.com/roll/341573): 11d6t5 5
11 S(e) AP -5 + 5 successes
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Wotcha. That surprised me. I'll roll a surprise check whether or not he realized what's happening in time.
Surprise check (http://orokos.com/roll/341676): 11d6t5 5
Dodge [dice pool 12 - 4 (lying position) - 2 (he passed the surprise check, but that doesn't mean he can react fully) + 5 using edge]
Defense (http://orokos.com/roll/341677): 11d6t5 7 plus some exploding sixes.
INI: INI roll (http://orokos.com/roll/341678): 2d6+11 15
I assume, your INI will be higher, so it's your time to roll and act.[/spoiler]
The killer caught the movement from the side of his eye. The very moment Cinder's finger pulled the trigger, he rolled to the side, landing on the floor with cat-like elegance. Every muscle on his stark naked body is tense like a coiled spring, his eyes are fixed at yours now, and wide awake. And he smiles.
-
Cinder didn't smile
[spoiler]
Ini (http://orokos.com/roll/341696): 12+2d6 18
Simple action: Aim
Free Action: Vitals Shot
Simple action: Shoot (http://orokos.com/roll/341698): 10d6t5 3
[/spoiler]
he just re-aimed and fired again.
-
[spoiler]If that spirit is payed a service for overwatch he should notify me that there is combat. If he does, I'll give the spirit an order to interfere in combat.
Initiative (http://orokos.com/roll/341708): 12+2d6 22 (25 because I forgot about the F+2 reaction and F+1 intuition.)
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Yep, you're right. Of course, the spirit informs you. He will intervene at the start of the next Combat Round, since I assume that it will take this round to inform you, receive the orders and move to the place of combat. What do Mark's spirits look like?
Defense roll (http://orokos.com/roll/342697): 12d6t5 4
Maybe you shouldn't aim at the vitals.
Called kick at your knees: Kick (http://orokos.com/roll/342698):
Your turn in phase 5.
[/spoiler]
From his kneeling position, one hand on the ground, FY rolled forward, nimbly dodging Cinder's incoming shots. Still on the ground, he shifted his weight on his right hand, bringing his foot up in a sidewards swing at Cinder's knee. This kick does not aim to bring Cinder out of balance; it aims to send his knee cap flying through the room.
-
[spoiler]
Evade+Dodge (http://orokos.com/roll/342709): 20d6t5 7
Ini reduced to 3
FY acts before me.
[/spoiler]
Cinder evaded the kick with practised ease. He had been on the streets long enough not to know how to deal with that - namely going a step back while he readied himself to punch that weasle in the throat.
-
[spoiler]
Mark is Hermetic - so his spirit is an air elemental.
the spirit will use elemental attack 12P -6 damage. (let's hope we do not need to revive FY.
I beleive air spirit do lighting damage so non conductivity works and after being zapped FY loses 5 initiative and suffers -1 to all actions if the spirit hit that is.
Initiative 25 - alert mark + receive command to interfere. (from Marks initiative)
15 - materialize
5 - attack:
Attack FY (http://orokos.com/roll/342716): 15d6t5 7
[/spoiler]
-
When the daemon notifys Mark that Cynder is engaged in combat Mark orders it "Do your worst to anyone attacking Cynder"
-
The distraction worked. Buying himself a bit of time, FY didn't launch another attack. Instead, he rushed past Cinder, leaving the room and escaping into the other parts of the Temple of Wonders. After Cinder turned around to follow him, he can see him passing out of sight through a nearby door - the changing cabins, you assume.
[spoiler]You can either follow him. If you have Running, you may attempt to roll a running roll, although you can't really sprint here anyway. Or you can try to shoot him before he vanishes. Although it's not strictly speaking turn, you can try and fire at him with a -4 dice pool penalty before he manages to shut the door behind him.
-
[spoiler]
Since he engaged me in melee combat I should be able to make an interrupt: intercept attack -5 ini (p.168 core),
Also I'm using subduing combat to prevent him moving further.
Intercepting attack (http://orokos.com/roll/343473): 14d6t5 5 [14d6t5=6, 6, 6, 4, 1, 1, 4, 2, 6, 5, 2, 2, 4, 1]
If I succeed and unless FY has more than 8 physical limit, he should be captured
[/spoiler]
Cinder could see what FY planned, but this wasn't his first rodeo. With a short jump and his outstretched arm he went to intercept the murderer.
<<Perp is resisting, need back up>>
-
Hearing the comm Mark replied >> My air elemental is coming your way and my drones are watching the exits.
-
"Ok, incoming"
[spoiler] If Scarcrow can see Riker, he gives him a sign to watch the door, if not, he proceeds without it.
Re-edit: forgot the intimidate- roll:
Intimidating the smiler (http://orokos.com/roll/343939): 11d6t5 4 [/spoiler]
With quick steps Scarcrow walked up to the smiling page. "Reinforces for the officer", he briskly addressed him. "Lock the door, do NOT let anyone out! If Frozen Yogurt escapes, I will hold you responsible myself, meaning the heavy charges will be the least of your concerns. Got me, bhai?"
If the man does nothing to stop him, he asks: "Which way did he go?"
-
Cinder
[spoiler]Sorry, but you can't. Your INI is already at -3 afte your lust interrupt action. His action takes place in phase 5, i.e. the same combat round.[/spoiler]
FY slams the door shut behind him.
Mark
Your spirit informs you that he is now with Cinder.
Scarcrow
All color vanishes from the page's face, his eyes widen. Without losing a single word, he just points inside the Temple of Wonders. Since you the AROs are not difficult to understand, it's easy to find Cinder.
-
[spoiler]
Nope, I'm exactly at 3. Dodge is a -5 interrupt (you might be thinking of full defense which is -10)
[/spoiler]
-
The troll nodded pleasedly. Almost too easy with 'em little folks. "You got other exits? Have 'em locked as well, only unlock for other people. But be discrete."
Then he stepped inside, quickly following the ARO's.
-
[spoiler]
Nope, I'm exactly at 3. Dodge is a -5 interrupt (you might be thinking of full defense which is -10)
The Evade & Dodge maneuver lowered your INI from 8 to 3 (-5). An intercept maneuver would lower your INI below 0, which is why it's not legal. Or did I miss anything? Again...[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
You need to have a positive ini to do anything, but you are allowed to go into the negative - even with a ini of 1 you still get a full action phase (worth 10 ini) or you can go on full defense (dito).
It's only when you are on 0 or negative that you can't use any more actions. ;)
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Hm. The rules are contradictory.
It says:When a character uses an Interrupt Action, such as Full Defense, he takes an action out of turn, but only if he has enough Initiative Score left in the Combat Turn to pay the price of the action.
Then it says Interrupt Action occur outside the normal course of the Combat Turn and do not cost the character their Action Phase (unless they reduce their Initiative Score below 0 with their actions).
Well, the author(s) must be either two different persons, or have a multiple personality disorder, or confused. Either way, let's perform the action to continue the game. Although I find this ruling very, very strange indeed.
Anyway, defense roll:
Defense roll (http://orokos.com/roll/344823): 12d6t5 6
*lol*
Oh man ... we could've saved the whole discussion. I feel so sorry! I really do. The stars don't favor you. :D The dice gods sometimes really are unfair... [/spoiler]
Half by skill, half by mere lucky, Frozen Yoghurt somehow managed to evade the outstretched arm with a roll forward. He lands in a kneeling position, jumps up and locks himself in the room.
Shortly after that, Scarcrow arrives in the hall.
-
Cinder cursed. That guy was more slippery than an eel. Without missing a beat he charged after the fugitive.
-
[spoiler] I do not read them as contradictory, in your own turn you get an action as long as you are positive initiative and for interrupt you need to pay the full price
That is if I have 6 initiative I can use -5 interrupt before my turn be reduced to 1 and play my action phase. I cannot do -10 interrupt (not enough initiative), in my action I can go full defense (not as interrupt) because I get an action as long as I have positive initiative.
[/spoiler]
-
"Is he in there?", Scarcrow asked the policeman. "Locked?"
With a gesture he then signalled Cinder to step away from the door, took a few steps back and positioned himself to charge against the door.
[spoiler] What do I have to roll if I want to break that door? Strength + Unarmed?
Reedit: So I just rolled Str + Unarmed + 2 (charge), seemed to be the best idea that came to my mind.
"knocking" the door (http://orokos.com/roll/345246): 15d6t5 5[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]@gilga
Well, if we read it like this, the action wouldv'e been illegal. Anyway, it didn't change a lot.
@luckace
I'd rather say Body+Strength. You don't have to reroll, though, because your stats for Body+Strength are extraordinary. I'd also have allowed to roll Intuition+Logic and just open the door the normal way instead of tearing it out of the wall...
Please roll for Reaction+Agility (threshold 2) to avoid falling (see below). If you fall, you suffer -5 initiative and have to get up again.
EDIT: I attached a map. The utterly destroyed "doo" should be the door/whole/collection of splinters you just came in through.[/spoiler]
Like an avalanche, Scarcrow charged at the unlocked door. Expecting a sound steel or at least wooden dort, he lifted all his weight in the charge. He didn't expact the local people to use a particle board for a locker door in the Temple of Wonders. Well, wonder is what you do, to be sure... Putting way to much weight into the attack, Scarcrow stumbles after the door gives in.
Inside, you can see rows of lockers. You can hear steps and angry voices to your left.
-
[spoiler]Uh... didn't you say he locked the door?
. He lands in a kneeling position, jumps up and locks himself in the room.
Anyway: landing (rea+agi) (http://orokos.com/roll/345535): 9d6t5 3[/spoiler]
With a loud blast, the troll smacked through the thin door, stumbled, but quickly regained his balance. His eyes darted through the room, looking for where the killer might have run. "Nobody leave the room!", he bellowed. "A fugitive criminal just came in here. Where did he go?"
He quickly walked up to the lockers and tried to open an unoccupied one to check if they could hold a grown up man.
-
With all the commotion, Mark kept his eyes on the electronic equipment of Frozen Yogurt, his drones on possible exists from the buildings and his car ready to interfere with what happens inside. It was far from the action but that guy seemed dangerous.
-
Cinder followed Scarcrow. With gestures he indicated to him he should walk along the southern axis, while he made his way to the northern axis of the room. With his taser in hand he stalked from row to row, waiting for his quarry to show himself.
-
In the row to your left, the steps grow quicker. Someone is clearly running there and, by the shouts of the disturbed Nepalis, you have a sophisticated guess who this could be. You hear a lout banging: Frozen Yoghurt slams the second door shut and attempts to escape. Since you lost a couple of seconds in the locker room, he has got a headstart of about 20 m by now.
[spoiler]@gilga: I'll inform you of any matrix activities he performs. Since he's running for it, he's got no time for this at the moment, though
-
"Outta my way!", Scarcrow shouted at the bystanders as he dashed towards the door the fugitive just slammed shut.
[spoiler]
I'll do a sprint (running + str):
Sprinting (http://orokos.com/roll/346173): 10d6t5 1
Crap, reroll with second chance (reroll all dice that did not hit) reroll sprinting (http://orokos.com/roll/346180): 9d6t5 3
One edge spent.
So that should be agi×4 = 24m + 4m = 28, right?
Did I read that correctly that trolls only get 1m sprinting-bonus, same as dwarves? Why on earth is that?! They have like twice their size! :o
[/spoiler]
-
Cinder started to run, too, but didn't waste his breath. The back door was secured, more important was not to give that man a chance to think or worse - grab a bystander as a hostage.
-
[spoiler]
If he does get out of the building, Mark should be able to spot him, he has quite a few drones deployed.
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]FY: Running (http://orokos.com/roll/346407): 6d6t5 2
That is AGI*4+2*2 = 32. He outruns you!
Yeah, you did read this correctly. There are two possibilities why I think trolls might be slower:
- It might be to compensate the higher strength you roll on. If they would gain 2m, like elves, trolls would be super fast. Since the rest of the CRB lacks such considerations, I don't think this is the reason.
- Trolls are plump. Hence they should be slow. Hence only 1m. By deduction, I'd assume this is the point. Which is not unreasonable: elephants are slower than many smaller animals, and trolls have shorter legs, proportionally, than elfs, orks or humans.
@Jack: What exactly did you mean by "The back doors are secured?"
@gilga: I'll inform you as soon as a naked men steps out into Thamel ;) your spirit's still following Cinder atm.[/spoiler]
The people leapt aside in fear, as Scarcrow charged into their area, screaming in panic. "Somebody help him! This trog's gonna kill him!", you can hear somebody cry out just after you're past him. Luckily, civil courage seems to be a foreign word, when it comes to stopping five hundred pounds of muscles, bones and anger.
Scarcrow and Cinder run, fully clothed, into a shower room. It's nigh empty, save for one man who keeps relatively calm, considering what happens. The elf, however, who can accelerate faster than Scarcrow does, and seems to be very nimble overall, increases his headstart step by step. You can guess where he left the showers at this point, but it's increasingly difficult to tell where he ran.
-
[spoiler]
I meant we have a man covering the back door ;)
[/spoiler]
Cinder called out: "Nepali police, get out of the way.", before running after FY.
-
The big troll didn't slow down. Scarcrow wasn't a very good spurter, but had a strong endurance. He would be able to keep this speed up for a long time, probably not catching up to the killer, but at least keeping him under pressure. Or so he hoped.
"Quick, wherehego?", he shouted at the man before running past him. If he doesn't respond quickly, he just takes the option that seems most likely.
[spoiler]
@Volker: All right, don't like it but I guess that kind of makes sense. Thanks for the explanation.
Sprint again: 2nd sprint (http://orokos.com/roll/346427): 10d6t5 4 >> 28m
Fatigue-damage: 1S
Resistance-roll: bod+wil fatigue-resisting (http://orokos.com/roll/346428): 13d6t5 5 No damage received.
And should that count as intimidating:shouting at the man (http://orokos.com/roll/346429): 11d6t5 3 [/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]@Jack: You're talking of Riker? o.O
@luckace: You don't have to roll AGI+Throwing Weapons when you shit to hit the sink ;) rolls are meant to resolve ambigous situations. You don't need to roll to shout at some random dude.[/spoiler]
You run around the corner, following the indication of the man in the showers. At this moment, there comes the disappointment: You find yourselves in a huge hall with two large pools. There are lots of people around and a handful of doors leading from here. It's nigh impossible to tell where FY went. He could have merged into the crowd, or left at some nearby door. He could even have jumped into one of the pools, for all you can tell.
As you enter the pool area, you draw the attention of a whole lot of people, bathing in their swimsuits or just lying around and relaxing. Some kind of lifeguard seems to consider the option to ask you to leave, but decides otherwise.
[spoiler]Do you wanna split up and continue following him, or do you try something else? Whew, elves can be slippery!
-
Tired of being sidelined, Mark decided to hack the security cameras to recieve an additional eyes in the building. To do so he first augmented his logic "If I was normally this smart, I'd hack the camera's several minutes ago." he thoguht and plugged himself inside. It only took a few seconds, and Mark gave a remarkable performance. He hoped that it will be enough to feel part of the action.
[spoiler]
Nevermind if there are no security cameras, just looking for somthing to do while waiting. We can always find FY with the spirit now that it seen its aura.
Improve logic (http://orokos.com/roll/346507): 14d6t5 4
drain (http://orokos.com/roll/346508): 8d6t5 3
hacking security cameras (http://orokos.com/roll/346510): 19d6t5 9
Mark has 6 logic + 6 skill + 2 hot sim + 4 improved logic +1 brand loyalty to his RCC. Sustain penalty is negated with highten concentration. (or what ever the correct name is ;) )
Configuration:
1. Stealth Dongle (2 Sleeze)
2. Virtual machine (standard hack on the fly programs +2 hotf + 1 sleeze)
3. Smoke and Mirrors (+2 sleeze +2 noise)
4. Perception (for drones)
5. Pilot program
Signaled vectored processor - reduce 2 noise form Smoke and Mirrors.
7 Sleaze limit tough 7 so 2 hits are wasted.
[/spoiler]
-
Scarcrow cursed heavily.
And then cursed again.
He looked for possible exits out of the hall and for people heading for these exits.
"You!", he addressed the closest bystander. "Did a naked elf just run in here? Police is looking for him, he's very dangerous."
@teamspeak:
"Drek, he slipped into a crowd. How'bout we check his belongings? Maybe he's got something with him that's useful for us. Mark, any news in the matrix? "
[spoiler]@ Volker:
Hmmm... let me do a judge-intentions-roll first to see if I believe you or not, and then charisma+willpower to check whether I change my attitude ;) ;D
I guess we don't really have any other options besides continuing the search or nuking the spa. Maybe we could find hints in his pockets and ambush him at his car/home? But I don't think our chances are better outside than they are right now...
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler] Did FY took his comlink with him? because Mark can trace the comlink otherwise he may work on the comlink to dig its secrets.
Also did the spirit see FY? if so it can be used to search for him and since FY is not very far, it should not be difficult to locate him.
[/spoiler]
-
"Block the exit. We are doing that by the book, securing room by room."
Cinder replaced the taser and drew his revolver.
"NEPALI POLICE. A dangerous fugitive just ran through here - elf, about 1.80m. Where did he go?"
[spoiler]
@Volker
I mean the drones Mark has stationed at the back door - and Riker too, I suppose ;)
Perception (http://orokos.com/roll/346548): 12d6t5 4 [12d6t5=3, 1, 3, 4, 6, 5, 4, 2, 5, 5, 3, 1]
Leadership (http://orokos.com/roll/346549): 4d6t5 2 [4d6t5=2, 6, 5, 3]
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]@gilga
They don't have any security cameras in there. I'll just take your roll for hacking FY's commlink instead.
Defense (http://orokos.com/roll/346845): 11d6t5 4
Counter-roll (http://orokos.com/roll/346846): 11d6t5 4
Counter-roll (http://orokos.com/roll/346847): 11d6t5 3
So, if you hit a second mark against 4 successes and perform a Trace Icon against 3 successes, you'll be able to track him down.
I'll roll a lucky die again:
1-3: The spirit hasn't seen him.
4-6: It was able to see him before he vanished.
Lucky roll (http://orokos.com/roll/346849): 1d6t4 1
The spirit has seen Frozen Yoghurt.[/spoiler]
The man Scarcrow bellowed at raised his arms in fear and pointed at the door to your next. "There! There!"
[spoiler]How do you know which are his belongings?
@Jack: Oh, you mean the drones. Well, they're observing it, but they don't block it.[/spoiler]
When Cinder shouted at the crowd, it took a few moments until the people realized what's going on. For an instant, it becomes quite quiet in the hall. Then a girl started screaming: "Is he a murderer?"
"What? A murderer? Get out of here, son, quickly. Manisha!
"Let's go home, quickly!"
Soon, the shouts of the people drown out single voices. And then everything begun to get chaotic.
[spoiler]Perception (Cinder) (http://orokos.com/roll/346851): 12d6t5 3
Perception (Scarcrow) (http://orokos.com/roll/346852): 5d6t5 4[/spoiler]
But amidst all this chaos, the troll's eyes pierce through the crowd and see something strange going on. There's a commotion somewhere. It's nothing you could put your finger on, but the pattern is different than in the rest of all the hell this hall turned into.
-
Mark hacks FY comlink and traced his icon again. (Didn't he already had 2 marks on the comlink? this is how we found FY to begin with)
[spoiler]Hacking (http://orokos.com/roll/346856): 19d6t5 7
Trace Icon (http://orokos.com/roll/346859): 11d6t5 6
took off 3 last dice because I remembered Mark is in hot sim and cannot cast new spells.
[/spoiler]
>> Cynder, Scarcrow I am sending you an updated location on the mark.
With that in mind Mark decided to give the group some heads, he modified FY's integrated camera to rutinely rutinely flash. If Mark is successful FY is going to be a lot less stealthy.
[spoiler]
Edit File (http://orokos.com/roll/346863): 16d6t5 6[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
@Volker
I did a perception check in my post with 4 successes
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]@gilga Ah. I assumed that you would reboot your deck to prevent your OS from exploding. Alone the ride here took at least 25 mins. Add to this a whole lot of matrix actions... That's why I assumed you hack it from zero.
Defense roll (http://orokos.com/roll/347002): 11d6t5 3
Your hacking is successful!
@Jack: Oh, right. That one counts of course.[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
Does my OS goes up even when I do not do illegal actions? like just taking the marks and then waiting?
I am actually quite new to this game and never played with OS before so enlighten me on that one as I did not understand myself exactly how it should go.
For now since we already rolled successful hackings it is academic but when he is defending wiht 11 and faliure alerts FY to faul play, if there was a reasonable way not to re do these hacks it'd help.
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]It does, unless it's 0, and unfortunately even the best hacker can't help it. If you, for example, use Hacking on the Fly and roll 11 hits, and your opponent has only 1, you still acquire 1 point of OS. And from now on it will grow and grow and grow until it reaches 40 and bam GOD smashes thee with righteous wrath. Or so.
Good thing is, it immediately vanishes when you reboot. That's why I assumed that you rebooted after finding out FY's location.
-
(Great lets assumne reboot then, thanks... how fast does it grows?)
-
Scarcrow ignored the bystander's direction. Who knows what he saw. Instead, he settled for the odd commotion he saw earlier, shoving people aside left and right. He quickly (but without running to not cause even more panic) walked up to the movement.
"Stay calm, everyone!", his voice boomed through the hall.
He looked for exits FY might take. "And keep off the doors!"
When he received Mark's lead, he allowed himself an ugly smile and accelerated his steps. Gotcha now, punk.
[spoiler] Thanks for the explanation in ooc.
Not sure if it's really my turn to move, lost track of the order.
@Volker: What's the layout of the "handful of exits"? Is it even possible to block them? [/spoiler]
-
Cinder had moved steadily towards the commotion. FY was fast - no wonder the kids had had troubles with him. But Cinder was out of patience now. If necessary he would end the man without interrogating him.
<<Scarcrow, look for a position where you can cover the exits with your gun. I'll try to separate him from the civilians.>>
"Frozen Yogurt, give yourself up. All exits are covered There is no chance to escape. If you want to survive this day stop resisting now and come peacefully. The judge might show you leniency if you stop now."
-
You can feel that the chase is drawing to an end. And so does Frozen Yoghurt.
Swift, but without hurrying you approach the crowd, as suddenly another commotion runs through the hall like a wave, turning chaos into brodem. Lout screams are being echoed by the halls of the pool area, people are fleeing, some stay to stare in a safe distance, but all in all the hall is emptying and before long you can trace a direct line of sight to Frozen Yoghurt. And his captive.
FY, dripping wet and still stark naked, stands behind a young girl, 14 maybe, holding her in a safe grip. He is crouching, so that his arms can be slung tightly around the girls neck, ready to break it any moment. She's shivering violently, though the shaking is countered by the firm grip of her captor.
"Let's talk! Nothing has happened yet. But I am ready to make things happen, if you don't know how to behave, Nepali police. Freeze right now!"
To underline his words, one hand of his gropes one of her breasts and squeezes it in a way that looks very painful.
-
"This isn't helping your position. Also, my colleague just got into your rear. Fire!"
Cinder didn't wait if his little bluff had worked. His Ruger Superwarhawk was loaded with gel and he relied on his ability to hit that mother fraggers head.
He fired
[spoiler]
Ok,
Con for a possible distraction: Con (http://orokos.com/roll/347527): 4d6t5 1
Shoot with Edge:
Skill 8 + AGI 6 + Smartlink 2 + Brand Loyalty 1 + Edge 2 - Called Shot (Vitals) 4
Shoot w/Edge (http://orokos.com/roll/347529): 15d6t5 5 [15d6t5=3, 3, 6, 3, 1, 6, 4, 4, 2, 1, 5, 5, 6, 2, 2]
Shoot w/Edge Reroll (http://orokos.com/roll/347530): 3d6t5 1 [3d6t5=5, 1, 2]
11 S AP -1 + Successes
[/spoiler]
-
As soon as Cinder fired Scarcrow charged for Frozen Yoghurt, ready to seize him or knock him out, should he dodge Cinder's attack, or pull the girl out of the man's grip.
-
(I am not sure how Mark is aware of the situation so I am not posting for once - if he is aware of the situation he'd command the spirit to strike FY down. )
-
If you thought, Frozen Yoghurt was bluffing, you were wrong. As you bring up your weapon, he gives the girl's neck a sharp twist. She screams sharply, but before her limp body can touch the ground, the elf nimbly tosses his body aside to dodge the incoming bullet.
Not nimbly enough. The gel round hit the assassin's temple with a plotching sound, throwing him off balance. You hear a soft bump, then silence falls over the scene.
You brought him down.
Slowly and cautiously you draw nearer. Then you hear a soft noise. The girl is weeping. She lives.
[spoiler]Judge Intentions (http://orokos.com/roll/347867): 12d6t5 7
He doesn't fall for your trick ;-)
Delayed Action: kill the girl
Unarmed Combat: 11 (dice pool) -4 (break neck - deals physical damage instead of stun damage) = 7 dice: Kill the girl (http://orokos.com/roll/347868): 7d6t5 1
Damage: 5 (STR) + 1 (hit) = 6P
Resistance (http://orokos.com/roll/347869): 1d6t5 0
6P damage. The girl lives, but is still under shock.
FY eats some bullets.
Defend with Edge:
Defense roll (http://orokos.com/roll/347871): 15d6t5 4
Exploding 6es (http://orokos.com/roll/347872): 4d6t5 0
Damage: 11S +6 -4 = 13S
Damage resistance:
Defense roll (http://orokos.com/roll/347873): 5d6t5 3
10S. [/spoiler]
-
Remotely aware of the incidient because of his spiritual connection with the spirit Mark leaves the car and get on scene carrying his medic kit. "Please I only come as a healer, I learned a few tricks at my home town." Deploying the medik kit a professional R6 one Mark deploy it in autopilot and follows the instructions.
[spoiler]Medic kit (http://orokos.com/roll/347895): 11d6t5 4
[/spoiler]
What mundane healing cannot do a smile and a gentle touch can and Mark's healing magic is many times more potent than any doctor. Shortly after the girl was like new.
[spoiler]Heal Spell (http://orokos.com/roll/347893): 14d6t5 5
Drain (http://orokos.com/roll/347901): 9d6t5 2
no drain.
[/spoiler]
-
Cinder let out a deep breath. Bastard, Bastard, Bastard. Illegal or not, this guy was worth the trouble to be taken from the streets.
He holstered his weapon and took out his handcuffs, making sure the elf really was unconscious and secured before taking care of the girl. Luckily his armor contained a complete medkit and first responder set. But Mark had beaten him to the punch, so the only thing left to do was to make sure the girls neck was stabilized while the decker worked on her.
In a low voice he said to his comrades: "That was close. To close for comfort. I made a mistake when I tried to give him a chance. I won't make the same mistake twice. Scarcrow, please help me to take him back to the car. Mark, when you are done, please call an ambulance. Let's hope this doesn't make the news. It's probably to much to ask of you to look for any cameras around here and wipe their recordings. Thank god this is a swimming area where filming is frowned upon."
-
The troll heaved Frozen Yoghurt on his shoulder, keeping one hand around the uncounscious man's neck, should he wake up and try anything stupid. It took him all of his restraint not to squeeze the killer's throat just a little bit...
-
Mark tells Cynder... "No ambulance is needed, really he barely left a mark. Hospitals are just plain expensive and we were lucky enough with first aid." He hoped that his magic was well disguised into the medic kit but who knows. The girl must have noticed that some of it was not traditional medicine. He smiles at the girl and quickly leaves for his car. It is time to leave, he allows Cynder and Scarcraw to decide who want to guard FY in the back but Mark insist that he remains in the back for his own safety. That guy seems dangerous after all.
-
"Yeah, plus an ambulance means gossip.", Scarcrow added. "We call one here, then I bet all of Thamel will try to find out what happened. If necessary, we can still take her to a local home-doctor, but I'd avoid calling anyone official."
He then addressed the masses: "All of ya fellas, be discrete with what you saw here. Dem evil-doers shouldn't actually know that we were here. If any of you gossip, other psychos might want to take revenge. Then their victims' blood would be on your hands, got me?"
-
"Alright, the girl seems healthy enough. Let's take that shit stain to interrogation."
Securing the unconscious man in the van was done with plastic cuffs, securing his neck against the headrest - highly unsafe in case of an accident, but it cut down on the ability to escape and screaming.
When that was done Cinder said: "Let's take him down to the container warrens and see what we can get out of him before we turn him over to his victims."
-
Mark said "Well... I'd enjoy diggin into his equipment while he is out, should be a lot easier when he is not resisting." Mark searched FY for electronic devices he can hack for information about him, he placed what he could find in a plasitc bag and drove the party where Cynder wanted.
Once there Mark is a lot more interested in uncovering FY secrets than in actually torturing the man.
-
"A deck and a comlink?... there is no way in hell I am not keeping that deck finally after many years a deck worthy of my skills." Thought Mark. Once the team arrived into the container area, Mark begun working on the equipment the deckers work starts before the evil dude awakes, hack his equipment fish it for data messages, contacts cross reference his contacts in the matrix figure out who they are what their job title is and so on. Mark was trying to use whatever he could find in the matrix to figure out who are the people that FY keeps in contact, where does he live and who pays his bills. Before killing the guy - Marks wants to know anything there is to know about him, and if one of the softies thinks FY should be kept alive then he has a problem with Mark - you do not humiliate someone so dangerous and keep him alive.
First thing first Mark hacked and disabled FY's cyberware, whatever he had there formatted and disabled for long. Then came the comlink and deck and a very through exploration. Mark was having so much fun with the equipment that he was almost sorry when it was time to begin the interogation. Before going to help in the interogation Mark disguised himself as somebody else and prepared his charm.
-
The crowd quickly dissolves. The last curious spectators fled as Scarcrow held his speech. It's difficult to tell what's going on in their minds as they leave the scene, but neither the cop nor the runners have any illusions about how long it will take until rumors will spread. And the police will take a closer look at what happened here.
The girl sighed with relief after Mark's treatment. She doesn't seem to have realized what was going on: the pain and the sore neck both were relieved shortly after the medkit injected some painkillers. But again, you can be quite sure that some of the witnesses must have noticed the powerful spell.
[spoiler]By the way, please indicate the Force of spells in future. In this situation it's not really relevant, but it might be in future.
There are no cameras. The Temple of Wonders respects the privacy of their guests.
@all: Where do you bring Frozen Yoghurt?[/spoiler]
Soon after, you bring the man into your car and make sure that you're gone before inquisitive eyes arrive at the scene. Frozen Yoghurt is hardly equipped at the moment (which is small surprise, given the fact that he is still stark naked). The only things you find are his deck, his commlink, some soaking wet clothes and his gun. He is indeed well augmented, but most of his 'ware is impossible to disable unless you acquire cyberware blockers. But you can turn off the two devices to prevent him from calling somebody.
[spoiler]Let the quest for information begin! Well done, lads! Standing ovations!
-
It took Cinder two trips - one to a DIY-market and one to a stuffer shack - to gather the props for an interrogation room: Cheap plastic panels inside an old container, a sturdy aluminium chair, bolted to the floor and a halogen mirror lamp. Remembering the cyber eyes he bought a second one with extra bright LEDs so that even the best flare compensation would be overwhelmed.
It was the work of half an hour to create the room. As a final touch, Cinder got a big soycaf, drank half of it and chucked the rest against one of the walls. Satisfied he presented the room to his team mates. "Bring him in before he wakes up, don't forget to check his vital signs."
-
After bringing the criminal in, Scarcrow positioned himself in the back of the container, guarding the exit. He didn't want be right in front of Frozen Yoghurt's nose, since a few precise questions the criminal might ask would probably make it pretty obvious that the troll was no policeman at all.
He had also bought a sandwich, a big bottle of water, a lighter and a bundle of strong tape, should they have to tie the man up, blindfold him or shut his mouth by force. He hoped they wouldn't have to use it, but was ready to do so.
[spoiler] I guess Mark can make sure that no one watches/overhears what we do?[/spoiler]
-
Once in the perimiter Mark established basic security, placing drones in key locations scanning their area and instructing them to alert him for possible movements.
[spoiler]Drone perception (http://orokos.com/roll/349137): 3#9d6t5 3 5 4Limit is 3 but all drone should reach it.
[/spoiler]
The second thing was to make sure that FY does not see Marks actual face, a wig, some cosmetics, a dash of facial magic for a completely different look and body languge. Heck, if his partners in crime did not see the transformation infront of their own eyes they'd probobly would not identify him. A disguise was a good call just in case the copper decides he has morality.
[spoiler]
Disguise (http://orokos.com/roll/349138): 14d6t5 4
Impersonation (http://orokos.com/roll/349139): 10d6t5 5
Yes Mark is sort of a master of disguises.
[/spoiler]
Then Mark placed a small plastic desk and a chair that he keeps in the car, and started examining FY's belongings. His heart skipped a bit once he notice the 'Deck' is a full blown Renraku Tsurugi in all its glory. It has been a while before Mark had an actual deck - let alone a high end deck. Even the fantasy of maybe being able to keep the deck as his own - made him greedy. That run seem to turn a lot more profitable than anticipated. "Youngsters and their fancy technology!" Thoguht Mark.
Afterall with a low budget and some hardware skills Mark improvised a deck out of his own RCC.
A deck that in his own hands became powerful enough to hack through the defenses of unsuspecting FY twice. However, Mark had to admit - at the end of the day - an improvised deck just could not do everything that a real deck could. There were bounderies and it took creativity to walk around these limitations. .
Mark enjoyed his job of digging through the electronics and slowly but surely uncovering FY's secrets it was a riddle to solve. A technical challenge and Mark had a blast not many mages enjoy the benefits of mastering technology but in Marks mind magic was very similar to programming, hacking and other technical skills it required a sharp mind and some mystical observations into the nature of science and how it is all eventually based on observations. Suddenly, the rules of nature changed and modern science had to adopt to exploite the new possibilities. Until science catches up - what Mark can do is considered 'Magic' an awkward name for somthing that was part of nature. Few people could practice magic, but few people could also practice advanced physics, play proffessional chess or create a self aware AI.
-
The room is set up quickly in your hotel - the only place you had. You'd have to trust in the general lack of interest in anything that was so typical for people in this specific area. Soon you had an interrogation room prepared for Frozen Yoghurt.
Once you fixed the naked elf at the aluminium seat, the lamp directed into his very face, you injected some basic drugs to get him awake. The elf moaned, then gasped, as if awaking from a bad dream.
He didn't knew it was the bad dream he awaked to.
"Drek. Where the fuck am I? What do you want from me? Who the fuck are you, anyway?"
You could tell that the elf was in a bad condition. His head was still spinning from the gel round that hit it, he might even suffer from a concussion. The assassin looked sick and miserable. Still, your pity is limited.
"Fuck! Can you please turn off that damn lamp? It's burning me..."
-
"So sorry, but I fear this is protocol. But I'll talk to my boss to see if I can do something about it. Here, have some aspirin and water. Your head must be pounding.
I'm sorry to say that you are in custody. The charges against you are severe. You broke the neck of a little girl in front of dozens of witnesses. I fear there won't be much you or we can do for you after that. Resisting arrest was bad enough but manslaughter... well, you'd need to help us solve a major crime to get you any kind of deal after that.
Luckily for you, we are not particular interested in you - we'd like it best if you left the country and never came back. No, we want to know about your employers from the temple - especially the things they are doing in their research labs.
You see, we actually had dropped that case - until someone from the tax-office showed up and reminded us, that the temple - although exempt from taxes - had no such provision for an affiliated research center. And you know how it is with tax men. If the state doesn't get his cut he becomes very agitated.
If you help us with our inquiries there might be a deal for you on the table. Otherwise - well, you probably know what a jury would say.
So, what do you say?"
Cinder asked calmly despite the still raging desire to start punching the man.
-
Scarcrow had nothing to add so far. In fact, he was quite impressed how realistic the set-up and the speech were. This might go wrll.
So he just stood in the back of the room, halfly hidden by the shadows, and cleaned his fingernails with one of his knives. Should FY resist, was he more than willing to play a baaad cop, but for now he felt like he would only ruin the scene by interfering.
-
FY stares at the aspirin with cold rage. His hands are cuffed, and he feels mocked.
"You sons of..." FY bites his tongue.
"Right, right. I'll cooperate. Bit unzip my hands at least!"
-
"I'm sorry, but you proved yourself to be a very... volatile personality. We wouldn't want for you to bring yourself in even worse calamities.
Besides you have enough leeway if you move your mouth to your hand.
Now, I'm glad to hear this. Let's start with a simple question. How long have you been working for the temple?"
Cinder stayed composed and made sure he stayed outside kicking range while he dropped the Aspirin in one hand and the bottle in the other.
-
Mark whispers in the sub vocal "I have evidence for rape, torture and possible homicide on his personal files - might give you some leverage"
-
Cinder replied: <<I expected no less. Do you have anything about his relation to the temple? Religion should be the last thing this scumbag looks for.>>
-
Mark replies >> he seems to be a combination of a religious fanatic and a psychopath as if there is a big difference he actually buys the ideology of the temple.
-
Frozen Yoghurt eyes you with barely hidden contempt. Yet, without his grace being fully broken, he swallows the aspirin and leans back in his alu throne.
He shuts his eyes, before answering and mumbles softly My music. Where is my music? He seems distracted, but eventually he bites his lips and focusses on your presence.
"Four", he says at last. "I've been here for four years."
-
<<Shit, that will make that a whole lot more difficult.>>
"I see. Well, in that case you can help them a lot by cooperating with us. They are in big trouble if the tax-men come for them.
So tell me, who are you working for and what does he do in his day to day business."
-
[spoiler]Please roll for Con.[/spoiler]
-
Mark takes Cynder aside and with a low voice so that FY can hear he say: " I do not want to interfere boss but we can't offer him that kind of deal, there are evidences of some serious crimes in there, rape torture. If I report him it is enough to give him the chair."
He off course does not mean to interfere just to increase the pressure placed on their Yogurt. His years of running con arts in the streets and three visit to prison facilities have made Mark a professional con man.
[spoiler]
Fast Talk (http://orokos.com/roll/350764): 12d6t5 5
[/spoiler]
-
"Really, oh my. Well, that's unfortunate. Is there evidence that he did that on behalf of the temple? Puh. To get out of that he'd have to deliver to us the whole temple including the research facility and everyone who works there." replied Cinder in the same low voice.
[spoiler]
Con (http://orokos.com/roll/350776): 4d6t5 2
Interrogation (http://orokos.com/roll/350781): 9d6t5 4
[/spoiler]
-
"Did I just hear rrrape? Torrture",Scacrow asks in a deep, rumbling voice. "Awww... now you're in one hell of trouble.", and he comes closer to the tied-up man, still playing with his knife. "See, we're not exactly fond of rapists here, right, boss?
If I was you, I'd be happy if I got the chair, as my colleague said. Having your brain roasted from inside... not a pretty death, but still better than rotting in some dirty hellhole full of other rapists and murderers that only wait for someone smaller to unleash their anger on. You know the stories. People get raped and killed in these jails every day. How long would a pretty guy like you last in there, hm?
Well, but we're gonna find out soon enough, aren't we?"
[spoiler]If that counts as intimidation:
Intimidating FY (http://orokos.com/roll/350912): 15d6t5 4
(8 dice standard, +3 for imposing, +2 for outnumbering, +2 for wielding a weapon)[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Opposed roll (Intimidation) (http://orokos.com/roll/350921): 10d6t5 2
Opposed roll (Con) (http://orokos.com/roll/350922): 9d6t5 3
I know that you've got some serious net hits. The roll counts for the whole interrogation and I'll consider it during the roleplay in time.[/spoiler]
Frozen Yoghurt fights for his composure, yet he's not ready to give in.
"If you were actors as fine as hunters, the policeman show might've impressed me, my friends. But you're not. Save your breath and put down the show. There are no police headquarters and you are no police. So tell me, why put up the show? You've got me anyways. I know you've got my commlink and you've searched it. I know that tying up naked men isn't protocol, and I can smell freshly worked steal. Put your conditions on the table, and I'll try and be cooperative."
Though he's still resisting you, you can tell by the color of his face, the sweat on his forehead and the small line that should be his lips, that he's frightened. Terribly frightened.
-
"That's what you think, eh? Well, lucky you. Tell us everything you know about the temple and it's grounds, the research and the kids that have been implanted. Cooperate and we might set you free when this is over. If you don't - well than you are dead weight and we'll have to get that nice priest from those pictures on your commlink instead."
Cinder answered calmly.
-
"And what makes me know that you would risk setting me loose, knowing that I'm a killer and that I'm going to take revenge? What makes me feel safe that you don't just finish me off once you're done with me? How would I, who trusts no one, trust somebody who cuffs me to a metal chair, naked, and threatens to have me raped?"
-
"Well, one thing is for sure: It's not me who has to convince you to work with me. There are lots of other ways we can get that information. We are not particularly interested in you - this is business. You'd do well to remember that.
Killing you is at the moment slightly more troublesome than not. I know you don't understand that - being a remorseless serial killer yourself - but some business partners can get squeamish if too many bodies appear after a run. We aren't paid to kill you, so we don't really have a motivation to go that far. But that doesn't mean we wouldn't do it if it became necessary.
Ultimately its your choice, really. You can cooperate, not aggravate us with your bullshit and in return expect us to drop you off somewhere after we have what we want - never to be seen by you again. Or you can be stubborn, proud, suffering and ultimately dead or crippled.
Because my group thinks that I am the reasonable, soft one, they said I should try talking to you first.
If you don't talk to me, I'll just give up.
I'll leave this room and I won't ask my friend over there afterwards what they did.
So, what shall it be?"
-
Frozen Yoghurt smiles, and it is exactly that way of smiling that gave him his name.
"Ah, good cop, bad cop it is. Fine, I'm in. I offer you a piece of information, you give me a piece of freedom.
So, let's start.
Firstly, the temple is run by venerable Shree Yela Sai Baba. Though some people are jealous and envious, he is the one true Avatar that is here to protect this rotten Earth. We are but humble servants who have the honor that the Great one doesn't mind the proximity of vermin. I guess you already know this much, so this comes for free.
Secondly, the temple is split up in different parts. The public grounds are where you can go. It's very you can receive the blessing of Shree Yela Sai Baba, blessed be his name. It's where the cockroaches crawl and the rats eat dust. Secondly, there is the Inner Section. It is forbidden to outsiders. The most loyal and proven members of the Family have their quarters there, me among them. This is also where you find the Unproven, the Acolythes. Your gutter rats will be here, too. They live, eat, train and study in the Inner Section. You will also find those who are close to our Holy Lord, and who run the temple.
And then there is the Sanctum, His private quarters. Few have ever entered Shree Yela Sai Baba's chambers, for only the Enlightened are invited. It is heavily guarded, and no-one enters without proving himself first.
I assume that there is still little info among this which is really valuable for you, so I will grant you this much for the aspirin. You see, I'm a reasonable man.
Now let's come to something new. You were talking of experiments. I assume that you mean our ... cooperationship with Faruke. Some of the Acolythes are chosen the honor to cooperate with Faruke, a Japanese corporation, who are testing a new technology.
So uncuff my left hand. I need to scratch my butt."
-
"Of course. Scarcrow would you be so kind to break Mr. Yogurth's fingers on his left hand before freeing it - excluding the index of course, since he needs to scratch."
He turned back to FY:
"I told you the rules - no bullshit, only cooperation will get you out here. Do you want to reconsider?"
-
[spoiler]Fast Talk (trying to persuade you to agree to (some of) his terms: 16 (dice pool) -4 (enemy) -2 (desired is result is more than annoying but not harmful) plus another -3 for what I'd call a disadvantagious situation: Fast Talk (http://orokos.com/roll/351245): 7d6t5 2
Frozen Yoghurt is indeed a very charismatic and psychologically skilled speaker. Of course, words aren't magic but they can be nigh as powerful.[/spoiler]
The elf assassin swallows. He wasn't used to people resisting his power with words. He slowly realizes that the tide has turned against him. Like, really really badly against him. Frozen Yoghurt grows pale. Vanilla Yoghurt at last.
"I ... I trust you will keep your word."
He swallows again, his eyes darting back and forth, looking for something, anything to improve his situation. He inhales deeply, once, then a second time, a third time.
"All right, all right. I'm talking. Uldawai kh'oryalay! Faruke is a Japanese corp. I think it's a daughter enterprise of Renraku, but I'm not positive about it. I'm not exactly sure how it works. It's mostly non-invasive. That is, they somehow ... I don't know. Show pictures to them or something. I... We have a Faruke researcher who comes about once or twice a month. His name is Akihiro Matsuda. Matsuda is a neuroscientist. The overseer over the whole project is called Manisha Hatsumoto. She's half-Nepali and half-Japanese. She coordinates the project. Than there is - who else is involved, syerrhai! - uhm, ah, yes, yes: Uncle Prasad. He trains them. You know, aiming and stuff. And Ravinder. Ravinder is the one who does all the organisation: accomodation, food, daily needs and stuff.
You've got names. I told you names. Now let me go. Let me fucking go!"
-
Scarcrow nodded.
"Mark, can you find out if he had any conversations/meetings with these guys?"
"Not quite yet. At least one of them we've already had conversation with, so these news aren't worth more than a few hours of legwork. But still appreciated. Now I might just not actually break your hand.
What do you know about the kids? How many are there? For how long are they with you? And what kind of... training dis they go through?"
-
Mark cross reference and tries to verify FY's relation and correlation and correspondence toward these guys.
He texts Scarcraw "I'm on it, as he begins processing some data in the cafeteria drinking a cup of coffee. At-least the abomination that is called 'SoyKaf' that is coffee flavored.
-
Akihiro Matsuda: no relation at all
Manisha Hatsumoto: some messages around the date when the kids met her. Since then, some unreplied, nerdy messages from FY to Manisha.
Uncle Prasad: They go shooting to the same place.
Ravinder: They were in contact since the day when the street kids first encountered them. Since Ravinder's interrogation, there's not a trace from him.
Something is about to change in Frozen Yoghurt. You can directly perceive the process of his self-composure breaking down. His mouth is twitching, his stare is fixed on Scarcrow as he shouts out the answer angrily. Little is left from the cool, controlled killer you met just a few hours ago.
"What do I care about some filthy street dogs? They're scum, worse than the dirt under my shoes and the filth from with your ugly mother crept! You-"
He interrupts himself, inhaling deeply several times. He tears at the cuffs, moans, then answers in a calm voice:
"The project is now going on for roughly half a year or so. Currently, five boys are under observation. No girls. They have been implanted a modified datajack. They - ", again his voice is about to break. It's as he would be choking on his own words, "had a meeting with Ravinder at least four times a day, sometimes more often. They called it meditation, I don't know details." His voice gets barely audible at this point, no more than a soft whisper. "Uncle Prasad gives them ordinary fight training: shooting, kicking. Lately, Prasad met Akihiro Matsuda regularly, though.
Now please let me go. Please, please, stop it. Lemme go. I told you everything. Lemme go, th'ysei, th'ysai, dwalel, th'ysai, dwalel..."
Then something unreckoned with happens: Frozen Yoghurts starts to weep, continuing to utter the two Sperethiel words again and again.
-
Scarcrow resisted the urge to respond to the man's insults with a well-aimed punch. Instead, after checking if the handcuffs took any damage from FY's wild attempt to break free, he continued in a softer voice: "Hush, hush, little man. We're almost done." What a miserable littly punk you are...He had zero compassion for the killer, but he figured shouting and threats would probably just make it worse here. If the hostage resisted, he could still come back to the threats later.
"You did really good. Only a few more questions, then you can go home. We have to know everything about the temple. What security-measures are there? What kind of data-host do they use? Any special matrix-defenses? Any awakened people one has to look out for?"
He looked at his comrades to see if they had any questions left. If it seems like they don't, he adds: "Just these few questions, that's it. It'll be fine."
-
Mark say in the subvocal "Ask him about Ravinder, he was not seen for a while." Mark was tempted to have FY killed, his expensive deck was motivation enough. It is a lot easier to steal a deck without the victim on your tail for their expensive piece of property. Then again, it was like that with expensive hardware - at a certain point it is expensive enough to get you killed.
-
"Don't! Don't! Please, leave me. Go away. Let me go!"
The cuffs hold tightly, yielding not an inch when Frozen Yoghurt violently begins to tear. "Let go off me, you sons of whores! Fuck you! Fuck off! Lemme go! I don't - I won't tell - You know everything. Please, let me go. Fuck off!!"
Frozen Yoghurt now fight violently (but futilely) against his restraints. Blood is dripping from his wrists, and he shouts out loudly. "Help! Help! Somebody help me! Please, don't!"
Matching his voice, his facial expression gets manical. He hardly seems to notice your presence anymore, except for sudden wild stares, which are accompanied by utterly unpolite insults, some of them involving your near family.
-
As the shouting began to start, Cinder stepped forward, his Defiance EX Taser ready, and pressed it at FY's neck. 14.000 Volts later silence reigned once again.
<<Anyone got that Sperethiel? I have to admit, I've never learned even a little of that language. I fear we might have reached the end of his usefulness. Time to fulfill our end of the bargain and deliver him to the container kids. It's like in the old days - a trial by his peers. And since we don't want him to get away again...>>
Cinder lifted his booted foot and kicked as hard as he could against the man's left kneecap, making sure to shatter it.
<<No more running away and taking 14 year old girls hostage.>>
-
>> no Sperethiel sorry, can't we sell his body in Thamal ? he got fancy augmentations and is probably worth a bit. I mean these are just street kids we already did them a favor for taking this creep off the streets.
-
"Nah, I don't know anyone who speaks that. But some research in the matrix should tell us, right?
We gotta be careful with his body. As soon as the temple misses him, they'll investigate and probably ask their contacts in Thamel. Selling his body bears a small risk of alerting them."
[spoiler] So I don't know much about the matrix, but shouldn't we be able to find some kind of online-dictionary in there? [/spoiler]
-
The faint moan that followed the soft buzzing of the taser was the last thing you heard from Frozen Yoghurt, assassin, child-murderer, rapist and torturer. Maybe the last thing anyone ever heard from him. As with many people, his last words might be no stylisher than "please don't".
It's difficult to translate something you only heard. Even with very good voice-recognition audio translating machines, you still have the problem that you can hardly recall, let alone reproduce, the exact words. But a quick browsing of the most basic Sperethiel words allows you to translate one of them: dwalel means "please" or, word-by-word, "I beg you".
-
<<Don't get greedy. FY has a feud with the local kids. If they dispose of them, no one will raise an eye - just FY's luck running out. Selling his ware is something I'm not comfortable with. Keep his deck an commlink. That should be worth enough.>>
Cinder replaced the taser and suppressed a shudder. Until now he had had the chance to turn this whole thing legal. Organize some Laes and arrest FY. But now he was committed - committed to be a shadow runner.
-
Mark replied, >>What ever you say mr. goody two shoe. If I keep the electronics I am happy. Thamal or no Thamal, God save the soul of these children. I wonder if they have that kind of darkness inside them and I pity them if they don't.
-
Scarcrow nodded. If Cinder undoes the handcuffs, Scarcrow loads FY on his shoulder (again with one hand around the killer's neck) and is ready to leave.
"You think Miss Chingson might care about this guy? He might be not directly involved in the brainwashing-project, but he still is an insider with probably some information we could sell her. I mean, she promised us 6000 nuyen for an employer, right?"
-
Mark texted ">> Only after we steal the data. I think we should not try to extract the scientists or kids the pay is small and well where will we put them? Kidnapping is a nasty business and so much can go wrong. Perhaps I can spoof a message from FY saying that he was captured by the street kids and they want money to bail him out. Then when one of the people on the program come we can ambush that person hopefully they'll have a key card or some access inside the facility. We'll get in do the job and get out.
-
<<That's not a bad idea. But it would put the kids in danger and I doubt that they'd sent anyone affiliated with the program. Instead we'd get another mercenary.
But spoofing a message to get his mentor might work.>>
Cinder opened the cuffs and nodded to Scarcrow to bring him out. He sighed. Now he had to repair the hotel room...
-
But spoofing a message to get his mentor might work.
"Who 'ya wanna lure? This... Uncle Prasad, or whatever he's called?
Aye, sounds good to me. But maybe we should head back to the street kids first. They still owe us some information, now that we've got their killer, maybe they know any of these fellas?"
He stepped towards the door and listened for any steps outside.
[spoiler]Is this Manisha the same one the rat-pack encountered? 'Causeat the battle at the scrapyard, she was introduced with a Nepali name:
As Lucky browses through the contacts, one contact immediately attracts his attention:
Manisha Thapa Magar, 19:47:33
Scarcrow doesn't need to know, but if this was a mistake I'd rather mention it now before it causes confusion.
Also, before walking out there with a naked hostage on my back: I guess Mark already checked for security-cameras when we entered? [/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
I'd say we gave him a bathrobe when we brought him in and will do so when we bring him out ;D
[/spoiler]
<<Yes, do that. Make sure they know what they own us, but even more make sure that in their rage they don't lose the bastard somehow. He is clever, and I won't put it beyond him to escape with a busted kneecap. Don't open his handcuffs and have a weapon ready. I'll get this room back into shape and meet you there. Give me a call when it's over.>>
Cinder started to dismantle the panels and brought the spars furniture back into the room.
-
[spoiler]Mark can make him a cat... if he agrees and Cinder can make him agree.
[/spoiler]
-
It is the same Manisha. A quick research undergone by Mark shows that her birthname is Manisha Hatsumoto, but doing business in Nepal, she introduces herself with the name Manisha Thapa Magar to avoid prejudices.
You can have the wardrobe. As an exception. Usually, you should indicate your actions before doing them ;-)
With which SIN/name did Cinder book the hotel room? His own?
Does he have any handicraft skills that might be useful to restore the hotel room? Or tools?
I'm still not posting anything useful since there's nothing yet I can respond to. If I didn't miss something.
Conjuring a wardrobe from the nethers of the past, the three man dress their victim up and carry him to the car, while Cinder is busy to turn the interrogation room back into a hotel room.
-
[spoiler]Sorry for being unable to post, been really busy these days. Apart from offering help to Cinder, Scarcrow is ready to leave, should Mark confirm it's safe.
What kind of hotel did we check in? Do we have to worry about security-cameras in the hallways?
@GM: Thanks for clarifying that.[/spoiler]
"
Nah, he ain't get away again, don't worry. His knee is broken, and I'll slit his palms and soles when we get there. You need help moving the furniture?", Scarcrow asked the cop, before turning to Mark: "Any surveillance watching the hallways?"
-
[spoiler]I assume that you'd have bought a cheap hotel in an area where people usually don't ask a lot of questions. Still, the hotel manager won't be very pleased with what you did.
-
As the vehicle draws nearer to the Hive, people slowly start to gather. First, hardly noticable, youths casually stay close to you. The attention becomes way, way, way less subtle, as you open the doors and leave it with Broken Yoghurt.
A shriek goes through the bystanders. "The Iceman! The Iceman"
There's a commotion among the young people of the Hive, then people swarm out to call for the elders.
-
"Let's get inside quickly. I'd like less spectators.', Scarcrow suggests. "Nothing to see here!", he then addresses any bold kids that try to get closer- if there are any,
He looked for any familiar faces among the youngsters.
[spoiler]Looking for anyone I know: Perception (http://orokos.com/roll/354473): 5d6t5 3 [/spoiler]
-
Mark takes his car and leaves the scene before that he tells Cynder and Scarcraw "Enjoy the show, I am calling it a night. I'd better be as far away from here as possible" He heads home where he'll start the long and taxing process of converting the deck into his own ownership.
"My last service for you beast. Watch this FY guy - if somehow he survives the coming hours, kill him. Meta humanity will thank you for that."
He thinks at his spirit.
-
Cinder arrived to late for the show, but not to late to witness the remains
Satisfied that they were done here, we drove back to the city to begin his night shift. So it came that he was the one calling in the dead man, hanging from a rafter outside the hive...
After a few hours sleep he went to the rented flat opposite the temple to wait for his new chummers.
-
At first, the children are insecure about how to react. It takes a while until some of the elder kids arrive and take him into custody. Angry shouts arise and then the older boys start beating the limp body. But only seconds after they started, a shot creates silence. Man Bahadur finished the assassin off, before his brothers and sisters would turn into beasts. The dead were avenged, but the leader of the boys wishes for no further violence.
Still, they insisted on displaying the beaten corpse for at least a couple of days to warn the temple people not to underestimate angry youths.
You return to the hotel with mixed feelings as you gather to discuss your further plans.
-
Scarcrow stood next to the window and carefully looked over to the temple.
He turned around to his companions:
"Mark, that beggar-disguise of yours was quite good. If we could get a hold on one of the guys involved with the kids, like this Uncle Prasad... you think you could take on his role?"
[spoiler] Re: Bliss, Blessings and a Piece of Hell [OOC]
« Reply #83 on: Today at 10:12:21 »
Okay, fine by me. Still, though you might rework details about the plan after the scene, I doubt that the kids will influence the general direction. So I think you should already start to discuss your further steps in the main thread.
Ok, sounds good. [/spoiler]
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Mark said "I can definitely try but we might need additional props, access keys and their similar"
-
"Those could be obtained by identifying one of the technical staff and taking there access while they sleep off somewhere. Could you somehow hack the employee register?" asked Cinder.
-
There doesn't seem to be a digital employee register. The temple does this stuff in a very old-fashioned way, apparently. Or at least, you can't find anything like that in proximity to the physical building of the temple.
-
"No digital information? That's a bummer." He stroke his scarred chin, which still didn't make him seem sophisticated. "Then I guess we have to get our hands on one of the employees and get the information the direct way.
Or... these kids got friends in there, right? What ya say, could we smuggle one of the rat-pack inside to, um, visit their chummers? Maybe bug him with a little camera, or try to get him to steal a key-card or whatever they have?"
-
Mark said "we can just try and head in I am good with disguises , but perhaps we'd like to start with someone less high profile than the project manager who is likely to be on site? I am good but I am not that good - if I encounter the real uncle then I doubt there will be much doubt whom of us is the real one. These guys are also BFF's with our benefactor FY - so who knows how bad it is to be caught in their net. How about we attempt to compose a list of researchers?
Kidnapping a researcher, or break into his home - perhaps we can even start with the project manager, if we can get leverage on him perhaps he will do what we say - he could be the voice in my ear as I sneak in and steal/erase the project data. Perhaps if we also kidnap his children "
When there was some time Mark searched the trix and the deck for anything he could piece together about employees in the temple. Namely perhaps FY photographed a few of them with his cyber eyes and did not delete the images. Names addresses and anything that relates, the aim is to find out their home addresses and some details about them. After all the evil one was paying for researchers.
[spoiler]
Mark will search to learn anything he can about Uncle Prasad - so we can make a plan to kidnap him (or his cat).
Improve Intuition (http://orokos.com/roll/355317): 14d6t5 7 F5
drain (http://orokos.com/roll/355318): 9d6t5 3 - no drain
higher concentration to negate sustaining penalties and here we go:
I am not sure if computer search is a single roll or extended test - so if it is a single one:
computer search (http://orokos.com/roll/355319): 16d6t5 4
Otherwise -
computer search (http://orokos.com/roll/355320): 15d6t5 3
computer search (http://orokos.com/roll/355321): 14d6t5 3
computer search (http://orokos.com/roll/355322): 13d6t5 2
and if I need I'll continue.
[/spoiler]
-
"Mhm... that sounds good, but I think Prasad is the wrong guy for that. Remember, he's their combat-coach. How skilled are you when it comes to fighing? Won't they see through your disguise pretty quickly?
I think you're right, we should make a list of the guys involved first, and then pick one you say you can match easily."
-
Mark said "I don't fight this is why I did not want to leave the car in that 'hive', street punks can be violent and using magic to defend yourself is even more high profile. Perhaps he is not the one to impersonate - what was the name of the lead scientist? let's kidnap that guy impersonate him and download/erase their project. But perhaps Cynder can impersonate Prasad - I can make some good quality disguises and might even be able magical enhance him to be more convincing. "
-
[spoiler]I'll post details of the matrix search as soon as you've devided details of whom you're looking for. You don't have to reroll.
-
"This is getting to complicated by far. Disguises to gather information that rely on having enough information to pull them off won't help us. I'm not a fan of kidnapping, but in the case of researchers experimenting on children's brains I'll gladly make an exception. Identifying and taking the head researcher should be our top priority. Not only can we get a pretty good overview over the whole research but also about the security.
I don't want to rely on the kids for something as dangerous as this.
If we want to go in disguised we need to do it with exchangeable personal. I'd look at the kitchens. Everyone's got to eat. The researchers probably get better grub, but even they need their plates taken away and washed.
So Mark, if you can, try to use your beggar disguise to befriend one of the kitchen helps and learn from him or her who get's food where, when and what. That should tell us a lot about what we are dealing with."
Cinder replied
-
Mark said "I can try to do so. Also notice that the temple are going to look for a new 'mercenary', perhaps one of you can be hired instead of FY, I afraid that nobody actually believes that I am physically capable of this kind of job... I wonder how they are going to look for a new person to do their dirty work."
[spoiler] Mark will try to find information on the head researcher - place of living and so on, anything that can be used to kiddnapp him, to gain leverage on him or to disguise himself as the researcher."[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Akihiro Matsuda is a Japanese researcher, working for Faruke. It's difficult to find details on him, but you can definitely say that the main part of his life is being spent in Tokyo, Japan. According to Frozen Yoghurt, he comes to Nepal roughly twice a month. He spends little time in social networks, so there's not a hell of a lot to find on him as a person. You could, of course, try and break into Faruke's host to find out more about him, but this is definitely more than a matrix search.
You realize that the temple hardly has a host itself. There is a host, but a rather week one, suggesting that either they keep their data somewhere else or offline or are idiots who are just waiting for you to come and grab their data.[/spoiler]
-
"One more thing:", Scarcrow added. "These brainwashed kiddos, they might actually not want to be... rescued. Li'l Bikki at least really wanted to return to the temple. We gotta have a plan for that.
Not that i have a problem with drugging them or knocking them out, but that would make it really complicated to get them out of the temple. And then, what will we do with them afterwards, if we can't undo the experiments?"
-
" I can also try to hack the servers of the temple I noticed that there is not much security there, we can see what we find."
[spoiler] I am saying these things under the interpretation that unconscious means willing - otherwise what Mark say can't be done as shape change is only for willing participants.[/spoiler]
---------
Mark opened his RCC and begun hacking the servers of the temple, he wanted to have a look to see whats inside - he had a brand new deck but he was used to the RCC and liked it very much. Everything was ordered exactly as he wanted it to be and old habits are difficult to shake. While decking Mark is in hot sim - his body is limb, but Mark is alive -in real wold he is old and clumsy but in the Matrix everything is possible! The low security server would never know what hit it.
[spoiler]
RCC running smoke and mirrors, exploit and sneak + signal scrub + VM - 3 program slots used, noise comprehension is 2 + 4 -3= 3
limit is 2 + 2 (exploit) + 1 stealth + 3 (smoke and mirrors) .
If the noise from where we are to the temple host is too much since Mark is not in any form of matrix combat he'll take the time and compensate on the fly:
Improve logic (http://orokos.com/roll/356539): 14d6t5 3 - +3 logic
Drain (http://orokos.com/roll/356543): 9d6t5 3 no drain
Noise negation (http://orokos.com/roll/356542): 18d6t5 6[/b ] - limit is 5 so total of 8 noise reduction. - if that is not enough then Mark will have to drive closer to the server he is a careful guy and old enough to be patient about it.
hack on the fly (http://orokos.com/roll/356540): 18d6t5 8 - limit is 8 so no hits wasted..
[/spoiler]
-
"You can turn people into animals? Jeez... What else can you do?"
[spoiler] I think Cinder and Scarcrow still don't know what Mark is capable of, or am I wrong? This should be a good opportunity to clarify things. [/spoiler]
-
Mark said "Most of my magic is about augmenting mental capabilities, I can make you smarter, more intuitive and even more convincing or charismatic. I can also do some illusions and change vehicle appearance, heal and levitate things. Don't expect any fancy fireballs from me tough - I am not very knowledgeable about combat spells."
-
"Fireballs can be produced through other means.
Hm, the kids are a problem. Unless we can find out how this conditioning can be undone, we might have to find some BTLs that can overwrite the conditioning. I'll see what I can find. At the very least some Chill soft will prevent them from becoming aggressive. I hesitate to use chemicals - the right dosage for a kid can vary wildly.
But those are questions best answered by their head researcher Faruke. This time we'll have to prepare a better interrogation place. I'll get on that after my next shift."
-
Mark said "with the right disguise perhaps we can lie to them and tell them it is a secret mission - and subdue them when we arrive to the Johnson. I think getting some children to believe us should not be that difficult and we can use a dash of magic to help. "
-
"A disguise and a secret mission sounds promising for getting them out. But I'd actually like to know what we do with the kids before abducting them, since Johnson ain't care about them and we can't set them free like that.
I'd suggest we ask a researcher first. Once we know how to reverse it - or if it's even posible - we can proceed by taking the kids out.
Out of the temple, I mean."
"Mark, did you find any hints in the deck or the server about when this Japanese guy is in Kathmandu?"
-
[spoiler]You already do have a Mark on the host and I don't assume that entering is a problem.
But, as you might have expected, no interesting data on the head researcher can be found online. It seems that they keep their infos offline - either because they are keen on safety or just because the temple is small enough a facility and conservative enough that they just don't use this kind of technology. The host is basically there to run the equipment - kitchen, lights, and so on. The good side is: every online gear in the temple is very vulnerable. The bad side: There is no interesting information to be gathered.
-
Lets not give up just yet, thought Mark there is no information directly in this host but this host has sensors, many devices has microphones as they understand voice commands, other has cameras or other sensors, storage rooms can catalog items perhaps even hack a webcam in one of their computers.
Mark begun searching for anything with a sensor to give them some insight about what the temple is like from the inside.
[spoiler](Should only need perception if things are running silent otherwise should discover them automatically - still may be interesting. )
Matrix perception (http://orokos.com/roll/357466): 12d6t5 4[/spoiler]
-
After taking a little closer look, there are indeed some sensor icons, although they are sparse. You'd expect a temple of this size to have more. But indeed, there is something you can find.
For once, there are a bunch of commlinks, few of which offer a real protection. Basically all that stuff that comes equipped with sensors by default, has not been turned off: the fridge, the oven, the heating system, the coffee machine. Few of them have memory, though, so there's nothing recorded. It is possible, though, to overhear conversations in the kitchen or so. You can even find a trid station with a camera. But there don't seem to be any security cameras.
What is possible, of course, is to Spoof some of the sensored items and store future contents for later examination.
-
"Or... if we can't find out how to get to the head-scientist, how'bout we ask the one who made the datajacks? Our buddy Riker somehow got the address of that guy, he lives in Thamel. He might know how to undo these experiments.
And he's apparently not part of the temple, so maybe we won't meet some crazy madman this time."
-
[spoiler]
I think that's a missunderstanding: Riker gave you the address of the doc where they took Bikki to have him examined.
[/spoiler]
"Good point. Anyone working in the labs with a high enough clearance will do. In the meantime I'll go on patrol and ask a bit around if someone has seen or knows any of the foreigners working in the temple."
-
Although Scarcrow was eager to just have a civilized talk with a civilized doctor, he packed his shockgloves this time, one in each pocket of his coat, so he could discretely slip his hands into them inside the pockets.
He checked a digital map of Kathmandu for the easiest way to Harka and the likelihood of getting mugged on the way.
[Spoiler]Assumed that we have his address, obviously. Or was the question of visiting Harka still in discussion?
Unless noted otherwise, Scarcrow always carries a knife in his holster and one in each boot.
Depending on the milieu of the address he also brings his sword.
Is the location reachable by van?[/spoiler]
-
Mark have set the devices he hacked to record what they can whenever there is noise around them. He then Joined Scarcrow in the meet to the doctor disguising himself beforehand, as a businessman.
-
Cinder
Cinder performs his task with the careful efficiency of a professional investigator. Without drawing too much attention, he picks out some flying vendors and asks them some innocuous questions from which he can draw some conclusion. Not too many, though.
If you puzzle the pieces together correctly, there are six foreigners who can be seen in the temple sometimes.
- one Japanese business man in his fifties. He never talks to any street vendors, is always clothed in fine suits and doesn't have a penny for the poor vendors. Usually, he arrives at the temple in an impossibly expensive taxi, guarded by
- a Japanese bodyguard which gives them gooseprickles. His eyes have the color of blank chromes - not the iris, the whole eyes. He walks in a controlled, almost mechanical, yet very smooth way. This bastard doesn't have a soul, according to the street vendors, who seem to be professionals on that matter. He, too, is clothed in a business suit, but always armed to the teeth.
- Once, there came an even bigger fish from the island (actually a small fish, since he's apparently a Dwarf). Using a lot of gestures and big words, two of the street vendors describe, how one-and-a-half weeks ago a huge limousine arrived at the temple. A heavily guarded Japanese in a suit more expensive than most cars entered the temple and left about four hours later, to be escorted back by the same parade.
- a half-Japanese, half-Nepali woman lives in the temple. There is nothing that contradicts your knowledge about Manisha Hatsumoto. For a little interest the street vendors offer to tell you the general direction where she lives (which is not in the temple). She is cool, clean and polite, but also not especially friendly.
- a German with a gross beard. He stands more than 6 feet tall, wears orange robes and has a red spot on his forehead. He is always polite and friendly, sometimes gives them a rupee or two or buys some useless crap. The German is always high, always relaxed and talks a lot of nonsense.
- an American in her late twenties. She seems to be intelligent (or wear intelligent-looking clothes), polite and attractive (but then, she is blonde, so this might be the only reason - when it comes to the "foreigner woman", the traders seem to be very superficial).
- a young woman from America, who is always flirty and asks around where the big parties are. Although the description is a little bit different, you're not sure whether it is not actually the same person.
Mark and Scarcrow
As you enter, you come into a dimly lit room. The stench of blood is in the air, but it is not strong. A bell rings as you enter and an ARO informs you that the doctor is busy at the moment but asks you to sit down on the aluminium chairs or help yourself to a soykaf at the machine which is standing in the corner. All in all the room hast the air of semi-professional efficiency. It is clean where it has to be, but neglected where it is not (your stools, for example, which can, by the way, not support a troll; nor is the ceiling high enough). You find some physically white screens filled with dynamic ARO advertisments on new cyberware. If you exchange yourself a bit, you realize that the advertisments are not even the same for the two of you. Except for the seats, a table, some magazines and the soykaf machine, there's not a lot of stuff in the room.
Through a stained glass door, you can hear a voice shout "Coming" after a while. If you wait, a small Nepali arrives in your room. He's wearing his black hair very short, has big bulging eyes, a fleshy nose, but a very slim and pointy chin. The man is wearing a doctor's coatlab, no gloves and heavy boots. An array of tools is dangling from a belt around his waist.
"Ah-ah", he makes as he sees you and immediately adresses Mark. "I assume, your ... friend needs some devices, heh heh, right? What can I do for you, Sir, what can I do?"S
-
"Well... we're looking for something kinda special.", Scarcrow replied. "You've got experience with..." ,and he tapped his temples, "...head implants?"
<< Asking him directly 'bout them kids is too risky, he could tip us off.
Why don't we say we wanna make a deal with some brain-implants and ask about risks and stuff first?>>
-
Cinder was writing his daily reports - actually he had already finished those. Anyway, he was writing a report - just not on occurrences but on what he had learned from the vendors.
He finished the file and sent it through his private comm link to his companions and attached a message:
<<Please find attached my findings. The guarded Japanese Business man would be my top target, but I fear we would compromise our operational security if we abducted him.
Manisha Hatsumoto does not qualify either for the same reason.
The young American woman could be a scout looking for likely test subjects. She should be an easy target and probably wouldn't arise suspicion: Young girls vanish every day around here. For that very reason we can expect her to either have a shadow or she is a capable combatant.
The German doesn't sound like a mover and shaker, but him we can likely drug, interrogate and release - with the right drugs - without anyone wondering.
Therefore I'll try to find the last two on my rounds and see what I can find out about them directly.
Best regards
Cinder>>
-
<< Good job. The German sounds like an easy target. Anyone got connections to get the right drugs?
I know a guy, he smuggles all sorts of stuff from India, he might have the right stuff.>>
[spoiler]So... i don't know much about drugs in shadowrun, but having read Pain and Gain with big interest, I guess Laes would work? I couldn't find anythiny about Laes in the corebook, though, is it from a different book?
Couldn't find a drug-dealer in your contact-lists, Scarcrow has a smuggler (loyalty:2, connection: 3 i believe) as a contact, although I didn't picture him as specialized into chemicals, he could maybe get us something. [/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
Laes is described in Stolen Souls and Chrome Flesh.
And correct: Cinder would have to use Lone Stars records to find a likely dealer. Feel free to take care of that ;D
[/spoiler]
-
Mark and Scarcrow
His eyes darted to Scarcrow. He quickly readjusted his presumptions on who's the talker. He rubs his hands with a smile. "Sure, sure, I do headware. Quite nice, too, Sir. What is it you need? You need cybereyes? No deal, done is a second. Or can I offer you skilljacks? Ah, I know, quite a secret, heh heh, customer gave me that tip. Internal radar system, heh? Penetrates walls, and flesh, and even thermosmoke. You're in good hands her at Harka's store, for sure, Sir."
[spoiler]Does anyone of you have any drug-related skills? I don't think that laes is common knowledge.
The smuggler might work, but it won't count as a full connection. Via friends-of-friends, you might be able to benefit from that connections. Don't ask me about the rules, though. I've got no idea ^^
-
"Hmmm... honestly, doc, I'm not sure 'bout them skilljacks.
I mean, aren't they quite a risk? What if I get drugged and some freak messes around with my datajack - wouldn't that... I don't know, make me go crazy?
What if someone hijacks my jack and bugs it with weird stuff?
Life's rough, you know, I gotta be concerned about the safety of me and my colleague"
@ Mark:
<< Crap, I don't know a thing 'bout datajacks. But a good decker could manipulate them, right? Do you know how these slots work? If yes: Might be for the better if you ask him 'bout the risks and side-dangers>>
[spoiler]
I'm not sure how much Scarcrow can know about datajacks, but I think so far this is no intricate knowledge in the 5th world. If I assumed more than an uneducated troll knows, please tell me, then I can re-edit the post.
I think it would be safer if Mark leads the talk as long as it goes about some science-stuff, since Mark obviously knows more about Matrix-actions than Scarcrow does. Plus, Scarcrow has no con, so he probably can't fool the doctor with some made-up stories.
@gm: Same here, no idea if friends-of-a-friend work like normal contacts, but logically speaking I guess we could just have the smuggler use his sontacts to get some Laes - will probably take more time and money than getting it directly from a contact, but I see no reason why it shouldn't work. if not, Cinder still can use his registers.
@Jack_Spade: Since you seem to have the Laes-rules, may I most selfishly take advantage of your knowledge and ask you to explain how it works? ::) [/spoiler]
-
Mark pulled out a credstick and said, "I have heard about these data jacks that can turn a little boy into an assassin. I don't assume you know anything about it?"
-
[spoiler] Can you please roll on Fast Talk, folks?[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
Fast Talk (http://orokos.com/roll/363582): 13d6t5 3
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler] defaulting con: Talk to Harka (http://orokos.com/roll/363585): 2d6t5 1 [/spoiler]
-
The doc was just about to reply that it's not possible to hack skilljacks, when Mark interrupts the two. He casts a look at the credstick, then at Mark.
"I have no clue what you are talking about. Are you going to buy something or not? If not, stop that stupid questions and leave my workshop."
Despite his words, Mark can tell that he had one foot in the door. Not only was the streetdoc quite obviously lying, he also shot a second glance at the credstick, indicating that he is torn between the prospect of cash and fear. Fear won, however, and you're losing ground. You know that everything depends on your reaction now.
-
Mark said "You know exactly what I am talking about! I can read every little facial expression, every struggle you have this is my job to read people and you are an open book for me. Listen, you are afraid I get it... but you cannot act out of fear you have to think about the consequences of your actions. We are nice guys - but we work for not so nice employers that want results. If you turn us down, our employer will not be happy and will use some other methods to get the information you have - these may or may not involve you - but other methods will be less profitable for your end.
So even if you kick us out you should be afraid - even more afraid than you were before, the people you fear now will assume you told us everything anyhow, especially if I leave evidence of our little visit for them to find. There is also our employer that is definitely an asshole - I myself don't want to be around that prick. So if you kick us out you are going to be afraid of more people than you do now...
If you tell us what you know and I eliminate every digital evidence that this meeting ever took place and give you something for your trouble. You go back to your life and I'll even give you a number to call for a nice security guy that owes me a favor and can look out for your business cheaply if you mention my name. Be smart Doctor because you cannot afford not to be, you have too much to lose. "
-
"What? What? Are you threatening me? What is this all about? Employer? Who the hell are you? What do you want from me?
I... I, too, have friends. Get your asses out of here. I don't want business with anybody of you folks. Crap. Drek. Get out of my sight."
-
Scarcrow didn't move an inch.
"Easy, doc! We're here to help. If we were trying to threaten you, you would've noticed."
You're in deep drek without even knowing it. The implants you made were used for attempted murder and far, far worse crimes. I know a cop that would be quite eager to bust the one responsible, and trust me, he ain't the forgiving kind. Do you believe in karma? Then you know how it goes... your sins always get you back! And your sins, pal, just wait until we leave this place to fuck you up. "
[spoiler]
Intimidating Harka (http://orokos.com/roll/364424): 13d6t5 3 [/spoiler]
If the doctor doesn't interrupt him:
"Well, unless you wanna get out of that mess. Then you'll need a really fucking good decker really fucking fast, and believe it or not, one's standing right in your lab, so think again before you throw him out."
That said, he put his hands inside his pockets ( to emphasize his words as well as to be able to reach his shock-gloves) and awaited the doctor's reaction.
<< Not keen for violence, but ready to knock him out if you need time to erase our meeting >>
-
Mark gently touched Scarcraw's head and it was all he needed to augment his personality and make him more scary...
-
Harka could hardly swallow his anger. "Who sent you anyway? How are you, heh? Or rather, who do you fucking think you are? What do I care for what customers need my tech for? Do you think they implant wired reflexes to play basketball faster? I do services to my customers, aye, and what they do with it, is none of my business, so I...
That moment Mark touches Scarcrow's head. A hardly perceptible, yet nonetheless visible shimmering arose around his fingers. It was just a spark, but it was enough smoke to suspect the fire.
Harka, until now trying to settle the meeting in a peaceful way, now totally freaked out. "Get the fuck out o-" He was interrupted by a loud noise, when the door banged open with an audible crash. A heavily armed and armored ork soldier stood in the doorway, pointing his Yamaha Raiden assault rifle directly at Mark. "Freeze!", he commanded with a somewhat metallic voice.
"And lift the spell", added the doc.
-
Mark smiled and show no emotion, he said
"I think it is time to leave... how about you put the boom stick away from my face I will leave willingly mind you. Unless you are an adrenaline junkey and would like to see what kind of magic I placed on my already manacling friend. It is your clinic - doc and it is bad for business to start a gunfight in it." His time in prison taught him not to show any sign of weakness and that the best spell is the one that you did not have to cast.
-
"You move that gun away, li'l one", Scarcrow snarled at the ork "No harm was done, we were just talking.", and he slowly moved his empty hands out of his pockets, eyeing the soldier carefully.
<< Let's leave this fucker. But I say we might as well try our luck with another cyberdoc. One that's not involved with the temple at all and won't be suspecting.>>
-
>> Next time I do the mojo before we start I am not charming enough without a bit of juice. What can I do... even the most simple of spells send these eggheads to the guns. I feel so silly.
-
After a moment of silence, in which you suspect sub-vocal communication between Harka and the ork, the bodyguard lowered his gun an inch or two. It's more a symbolic gesture, but it is a symbolic gesture.
"Go tell your boss to mind their own business. I'm just doing a service job here. I got no business with my customers, I only implant what I get paid for. What that is, or what it's used for, that's none of my business. So go get your trouble somewhere else. I have enough with paying my rent."
-
Scarcrow nodded. He understood that this man didn't want to be of help. Whatever, anyone with knowledge abut skilljacks will do. As long as he doesn't tip us off.
"You're right on that one. What your customers do is none of your business. Safer to keep it that way... people might think you're involved."
He turned the soldier and waved him to clear the exit. "Now... let's not make a fuss. We'll leave."
[spoiler]sorry for absence and shortness of post, studies keeping me in tight scedule. should have more time in a week or so.[/spoiler]
-
If you leave, the two don't make any more trouble. They watch you carefully, though.
[spoiler]I offer each of you to spend one point of edge which does not refresh until the end of this quest. I can't tell you what you get for it, but I feel I have to offer it to you.
-
"I'd rather talk to machines than to these assholes" Said Mark and once found a place relatively hidden from sight attempted to hack into the clinic records to find out what he can about them. He was in the street so he used no magic or hot sim as the environment did not allow it but still old school hacking is also fun, even if not as immersive as augmented senses in hot sim. From being in the machine it became a job - hacking.
[spoiler]
AR hacking (http://orokos.com/roll/367639): 13d6t5 6
[/spoiler]
-
Scarcrow took it as a good sign that the conversation made Harka uncomfortable. So there's still something like a soul within you.
" I mean it.The less you're involved with your clients, the more trouble you avoid. Think about your karma. And about your rent. Trouble is bad for business, you know that."
If they make no effort to stop him and add nothing new, he heads outside and makes sure no one shady approaches Mark while he's busy.
[spoiler]
Oh, hey, we didn't even try basic negotiations yet, did we? :)
...
negotiating with Harka (http://orokos.com/roll/368647): 6d6t5 0(no glitch)
*Sigh...* well, nevermind.
[/spoiler]
-
"What do you care about my business, eh? I just wanna keep my shop running, la? Ger your asses outta here, before I make you a second butthole."
-
"Aye, your life ain't none of my business. Le's keep it that way.", Scarcrow said as he left the clinic.
He sent a summary of the bad news to Cinder and also asks him if he has connections that could lead to a druggist.
Then he sends a short message to Liz, a cyberdoc he knows decently well:
<< Namaste, bahini! Everything all right?
Had to deal with some datajacks lately, but being the dumb trog that I am, I got some questions I gotta ask an expert. How experienced are you with skilljacks? Don't worry, just private curiosity.>>
-
Only one-and-a-half minutes later, Liz calls back. She smiles, when she sees your scarred face. She's wearing her labcoat, suggesting she's at work.
[spoiler]Lucky roll (http://orokos.com/roll/369214): 1d10 4 average[/spoiler]
"Namaskar, daai! Kosto chha?
Skilljacks you say? Well, not a whole lot, but I know enough that skilljacks and datajacks have nothing to do with each other. They might look similar, but there are quite different. So what are you talking about exactly? Skilljacks, datajacks, or something else entirely?"
-
After she figured out that you do know what datajacks are but are unsure how skilljacks work, she starts to explain. [spoiler]I'll keep the color black to make it easier to read.
Also, yee be warned, this might be my interpretation of how it works when it comes to details. For Scarcrow, Mark and Cinder, this is reality, however :D [/spoiler]
"The main difference is that a datajack sends information to your commlink. You can have a link without a jack, but not the other way round. Skilljacks, however, send info to your wetware directly. So, if you slot a knowsoft for, say, French, neuromedicine and you see a cut-open brain, the skilljack basically hijacks the signal from your brain, interpretes it on his own, generates a very sophisticated response and sends it back to the other parts of the brain. Thus, an outsider won't figure out why you can tell the amygdala from the hypothalamus, and basically, so won't you. There is a difference, however: Skilljacks don't change your brain. In fact, they preserve it from changing. Usually, when I explain you the difference between the amygdala and the hypothalamus, you learn. If you have a skilljack, however, you don't, because all the information is redirected to the jack.
That's why they never became as popular as people thought they would be when they entered the market. People dreamed of becoming neurosurgeons in a day, and famous footballers in another. But they didn't. Unless you spend a really, really, really big amount of money in good jacks, good softs and, of course, the skillwires to send all the relevant information to your muscles, you stay mediocre. You don't buy skilljacks and something you wanna be good at, because you will always be mediocre and have no chance to improve. And who spends a lot of money and pain in becoming mediocre in something that's not important for them?
Nobody. That's why they're hardly being used.
I hope you don't plan to acquire some, do you?"
-
When she started explaining, Scarcrow opened the connection for Mark to overhear.
Skillwires... no idea if li'l Bikki got those. He sent a message to Riker, asking him whether Bikki had received any other implants that weren't plainly visible, or if his nervous system got somehow altered by the temple.
"Tik chha, tik chha. Nah, don't worry, I'm not gonna stick a slot in my brain. I... wanna be honest with you, I was more worried 'bout... well, a story I heard. Probably just gossip:
I've heard of datajacks that can... well, alter a person's brain permanently. Or rather, a chip inside the jack does that. Changes his memories and shit. Is that even possible? Probably not, right?
But if it was, if someone got such a brainraper implanted - how could it be undone?"
[spoiler]Man, I really like having enhanced charisma ;D
Fast Talk to Liz (http://orokos.com/roll/369742): 6d6t5 0
Well, I guess it doesn't really matter since it should be pretty obvious for Liz that Scarcrow is just trying to keep her out of the dirty business.[/spoiler]
-
Cinder replied to the message:
<<I'll see what we have on such drugs in the files.>>
Consequently he directed a request to Felix from the drugs department:
<<Hi Felix, I caught a rumor today that someone is bringing half a kilo of a memory erasing drug into the city. Do we have any dealers on file who might be the receiver of such a specialized package? If yes I'll take a closer look into this and give you some feedback - will be good for both our quotas if there is any truth to this rumor.>>
-
Riker, obviously not very busy at the moment, replies more or less instantly.
<@Scarcrow <Uhm, well, I can't really remember the specifics, but we brought him to a doctor. Dr. Manzoo's his name. He said, he's only wired in the head. Probably he meant that there's only this demonic slot. I think he said something more in doctor's Nenglish, but I didn't really catch up.>>
Liz frowns, which makes her look just a little cuter. "Alter a personality, you say? Well ... maybe indirectly. I mean, if you use hotsim too often, especially if you take beetles, that'd alter your personality for sure, same way as drugs do. But alter the brain directly? That shouldn't be possible. Also, memories should be safe from datajack, unless they'd use it so extensively that they lose reality. What chips basically do is they feed the brain with info. Every info that can change your mind, can change it. But that's not more intense than virtual reality.
Unless it is not an ordinary datajack."
-
Scarcrow smiled back, trying to sort all the information he received. "Uhm... yeah, the chip feeds the brain with info, I get that. So when the chip is removed, no more info flowing? Everything goes like there was no chip?"
"Unless it is not an ordinary datajack? What else could it be? What could a chip inside a slot do with a person's brain?"
[spoiler] By the way, here are my rolls to look for a drug-dealer:
Area Knowledge (http://orokos.com/roll/370463): 2d6t5 0
Underground (http://orokos.com/roll/370464): 1d6t5 0
Hm, no drugs from my side, I guess. Sorry. [/spoiler]
During the call, Scarcrow's gaze moved through the streets around him. He knew that Thamel was full of drug-dealers, but he couldn't think of anyone particular, especially not anyone particular in the business for memory-erasing-drugs.
@team:
<< don't know any any vendors myself, only a guy who might eventually know the right folk. How likely your contacts can get us some? Should I call my smuggler?>>
-
"Yes. No. No more info following doesn't mean everything is like it was before. This is what I try to tell you, that's the difference between a skilljack and a datajack. In case of a skilljack: yes - you remove the chip, everything is untouched. In case of a datajack ... well, let met put it in words you understand. If I torture you for days, deprive you of sleep and wetter, and then remove all that - no more pain, you can go home where you want - are you unscathed? No. Your brain has changed, and even if no more torture comes, you are marked. This is what happens to people who consume beetles, for example. They can remove the BTL, but their brain has adapted.
I ... I didn't mean something special. Just, well, there are kinds of chips. Everyone knows simsense or datachips. There were BTLs and it's said that some chips offered a more special kind of entertainment. 2XS, for example. I assume that there is an infinite amout of possibilities to influence something complicated as a brain with a flexible technology like datajacks.
Are we talking about something I wanna be talking about, Scarcrow?"
-
Mark sits down in a momo stand. Once he finishes his meal, he leans back and switches on his commlink.
The host is not difficult to see. From outside, the host presents itself an Ancient Egyptian pyramid. The gates, massive black obsidian portals, is shut.
[spoiler]A quick look at the host shows that it is a rating 4 business host.
-
pushing the view point closer to the pyramid Mark attempts to sleaze a mark out of the host in order to get in.
[spoiler]
AR hacking (http://orokos.com/roll/367639): 13d6t5 6
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Opposed roll (http://orokos.com/roll/371669): 11d6t5 4[/spoiler]
You approach the huge obsidian walls and find loose stones with arcane hieroglyphs in the door - a metaphor for a ID recognition system. You quickly run a dummy that records what kind of ID the door scans, then simulate a "green signal". You hold for breath for a moment, but when you push the stone with your hand, you recognize that the hieroglyphs start to gleam with a bright blue dim light - the host granted you access to enter it.
-
Scarcrow nodded. Those were words the uneducated troll could understand. "So basically, there's no way to undo such a change? Hm...
Weeell, maybe just drop the toppic. It was... hyopthetically, of course.
All right, dherai-dhanyabaad, bahini. [spoiler] "thank you very much, little sister"[/spoiler] You've made a dumb trog a lot smarter. I owe you a drink."
If Liz has nothing to add, Scarcrow sends a summary of the information he got to his teamates.
-
"They could undergo a therapy, I suppose. Hypothetically, of course.
Please be a friend and delete the records of this conversation and, if you have access to somebody who's able to, any online copies. Thanks, daai, and all the best."
-
Walking inside the pyramid Mark observed the matrix communication trying to figure out if there are hidden properties.
[spoiler] Matrix perception, Matrix perception (http://orokos.com/roll/372176): 10d6t5 4 [/spoiler]
His next actions were to search for information of interest regarding special data jacks or connection to the temple.
[spoiler] once inside the host Mark will perform matrix search to try and figure out if the things he is after are even there, it is an extended test and Mark will use the browse software to reduce time by half.
Matrix search (http://orokos.com/roll/372177): 10d6t5 4
Matrix search (http://orokos.com/roll/372178): 9d6t5 3
Matrix search (http://orokos.com/roll/372179): 8d6t5 3
Matrix search (http://orokos.com/roll/372180): 7d6t5 2
(can continue the search if needed)
[/spoiler]
-
"Sure, honey, I got a specialist right here. Don't worry!"
That said, Scarcrow cleanred his comlink the best he could and went for Mark. In the meantime he sent a message to Ashish aka "the rat", a smuggler with whom he had made business a couple of times.
<< Namaskar Ashish, Scarcrow here. I am in Thamel right now and looking for some special kind of medicine. Do you know a good address to turn to? Will send you details after reply.>>
-
Mark
[spoiler]What exactly do you mean with hidden properties of the matrix communication?[/spoiler]
After about two minutes search, you do find something interesting. The file appears as a roll of papyrus, indicating it as a data file. At a closer inspection, it reveals appears to be a surgery protocol. The headline reads:
Surgical protocol:
Customer: Manisha Hatsumoto
Patient: Ambir
Treatment: Customized neurological/headware implant
date: Shrawan 16 2131
Fore more information, the file has to be opened.
Scarcrow
"Hoi, sano saathi. Sure, what're you looking for? A little service charge, and I'll deal you a dealer, safe and secret."
-
[spoiler] hidden icons[/spoiler]
Mark approaches the file, he already has a mark on the host so given the right communication he can edit the file and save it to his comlink.
A side of cation he first carefully observes the file and look for data bombs or other traps:
[spoiler]
Matrix perception (http://orokos.com/roll/373107): 11d6t5 4
[/spoiler]
If the file is clear Mark will attempt to download it to his RCC with the edit file matrix action.
[spoiler]
Edit File + edge (http://orokos.com/roll/373108): 14d6t5 3
Edit File + edge (http://orokos.com/roll/373109): 11d6t5 2
5 successes total let's hope it is enough.
[/spoiler]
If there is a data bomb Mark will attempt to defuse it, since the consequences of failing are severe (the file may be lost instead of just slightly higher overwatch) Mark will use magic to augment his logic before trying.
[spoiler]
Improve logic (http://orokos.com/roll/373103): 14d6t5 5
drain (http://orokos.com/roll/373104): 13d6t5 5
no drain taken.
Disarm databomb (http://orokos.com/roll/373110): 15d6t5 8
(I'll read if there is some software that helps in that - but with such a good roll I doubt it makes a difference as the limit is data processing (7).
[/spoiler]
-
"Service charge? Aww, don't ya know the saying "a little companionship keeps the business smooth? Ya know I'm not made of gold."
[spoiler]Negotiating w Ashish (http://orokos.com/roll/373113): 2d6t5 1
The spell wore off, right?[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler] How far are you in the future ? Mark is capable of maintaining the spell while he hacks unless there is a data bomb and he does not want to mess up and he'll need the extra dice from augmenting himself to ensure success. higher concentration is incredible when not in combat as it allows Mark to augment scarcrow while he do matrix stuff in AR. [/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Oh, all right, I didn't know that Mark could still keep the spell up. Thanks for making that clear, gilga.
In that case, four more dices:
Augmented Charisma (http://orokos.com/roll/373301): 4d6t5 1
Man, I really underestimated how useful negotiation (and charisma in general) is. The next character I create will definitely have more of both! [/spoiler]
-
Mark
[spoiler]
The following lines are to be ignored:
Ah! Okay. Inside the host, you can perceive one hidden icon.
You can see that the file has no databomb, but it is protected.
You do have a mark on the host. You do not, however, have a mark on the file. You can't edit it or do anything without a mark on the icon itself.
Also, Edit file is not an Extended test (neither is matrix search, by the way).
Anyway, let's see whether you find the time to download the file at all...
Smiling, you stretch out your virtual arms towards the file as you catch the glimpse of a shadow behind you. Not that there would be a specific source of light - your matrix sensors warn you of another icon behind you.
As you turn around, you see the massive shape of a living guardian statue, standing more than seven feet tall. It resembles the Ancien Egyptian god of Death, Anubis. The statue wears a huge ankh-shaped staff as a two-handed weapon. The golden head of the staff blinks in the dim torch light. You can see that it is sharpened into a very thin blade indeed.
Without further warning, the statue swings his blade, trying to decapitate you.
Here's an image: IC (http://s141.photobucket.com/user/tassox33/media/Anubis.jpg.html)
Matrix INI (http://orokos.com/roll/373539): 4d6+10 31
Please roll for your initiative.[/spoiler]
Scarcrow
[spoiler]Negotiation (http://orokos.com/roll/373540): 8d6t5 1 [/spoiler]
"Aye, and so does money. But of course I don't want to rob my customers. For 20k rupees, I'll forward you to a proper dealer. Sounds fair?"
-
"Twenty-thousand rupies just for an address? Sheesh, you ain't makin' it easy for me, chummer...
But then your dealer better make me a fair price, tik chha?
I'm north of Jamal, near Durbar Marg. The closer he is, the better. But most important: he should have amnas..." Drek, what's the word again?! "...stuff that makes you forget things. "
[spoiler] I guess the negotiation-roll has already been calculated within his offer and therefore I can't negotiate anymore? [/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]@luckace
Yep, they are. 20,000 rupees are only 200 nuyen which is nothing at all. That dude has to live off something and 200 really is a present, considgering that it is a worthful information and his only job to sell these infos. In the end, it saved you a whole connection.[/spoiler]
Scarcrow
"I do hope so. But as hard as you am, I guess you'll want him to give you money for his services in the end.
Hmm ... lemme see. Yeah, there's somebody. He's a drug dealer but he should do the stuff you like. Almost a namesake. Listens to the word "Weasel", but don't you dare call him Ron. The address is attached below. Ah, and one warning. He is very keen on discretion, so you better contact him discreetly."
Mark
As you walk along the walls, one of the hieroglyphs draws your attention. As you inspect it more closely, you realize that the eye-shaped sign is acutally moving. A short scan reveals it to be a patrol IC.
-
[spoiler] Assuming that we don't have to roleplay the transfer of the money: [/spoiler]
"Sure, I value discretion just as much. But can you describe how he looks ? Don't wanna get the wrong guy.
How much you think that'll be?
Great. Thanks a lot, chummer. I'll remember it!"
As soon as he has the information, he texts his comrades:
@Team:
<<Got a dealer. I'll go and talk to him right away, if team agrees.
Anything to add? Experience with prices for drugs?>>
@Mark:
<< When you're done with whatever you're doing I'd ask you to erase digital of a conversation I just had. Can that be done right now?>>
-
When Mark saw the Patrol IC he quickly hid he could not exactly fight. His RCC did not support the features of a full blown deck and using the expensive deck felt 'wrong'. Mark only had a stealth machine. After a short while, he continued the search now running silent thinking "This is some paranoid bantered."
-
Scarcrow
"Aye. The Weasel is thirty-ish. He's got a small mustache, but never mention it, right? Slim face, narrow like one weasel. Tall figure, though, six feet something, but skinny girlish-like, right? Usually wearing some metal band shirts, he is. Good luck, and send him my regards. Tell 'im that if he don't get 'is arse here and clear his debts, you were the last customer I sent, but not the last ugly troll. Got it? See ya."
The connection breaks.
Mark
Quickly, Mark ran a routine that altered his virtual position and icon, turning him into a Nubian slave icon, doing his business in the host. The eye once more shot a look at you, but then identified you as a legal icon and continued his search for intruders.
Soon you have found the papyrus. After you identified it as the file dealing with Musaa, you quickly load a program that now appears in the shape of a small ritual blade to cut off the (slightly anachronistic) seal of wax that's wrapped around the papyrus. It breaks without much resistance, and you hold the file in your hands.
-
Cinder replied to Scarcrow:
<<Ah, good, I've been asking around internally about a connection. Give me your position, I'll come over to give you cover - with drug heads you never know what to expect.>>
-
It took a few swings of the knife but finally the file was on the deck. It was time not to provoke luck so Mark disconnected and left the host before things would get ugly. His RCC the one he was used for and loved proved cpable of the job and shiny new deck remained orphan. "Perhaps if I customize it to my needs he though - but honestly it neededn't much customization it was one mean hardware beast."
Packing up he tells Scarcraw "I am back from Egypt got some nice candies along the way. What was it you wanted me to do? You need the information erased locally or on the other device as well? "
With that Mark took Scarcraws comlink and ran a simple script that eliminated anything of his last comcall.
[spoiler]
What Matrix actions I need to do to do what Scarcraw wants?
Erase file on a friendly device don't require a roll right?
[/spoiler]
-
@Cinder:
<< Aye, here are our coordinates. Our dealer is more north, close to where once the restaurant OR2K was.>>
"Both, if possible", the troll answered. "Would be great if no tracks lead to my contact."
And then, more silently, added: "Cinder is on the way to join us."
-
Indeed, the contact is in a sidealley to the main street. Behind the former Israelic restaurant Or2K, there is a shabby hotel with the speaking name "Sanjeev's Hotel". A small ARO promises "Big joi for little rupee".
If the Rat's tag is correct, this is where you're supposed to meet the other rodent.
-
Cinder arrived with his coat covering up his armor and all other police insignia removed. He nodded to Scarcrow:
"I'll leave the talking to you. But be ready for anything. First time customers that look a bit to rich tend to receive only lead around this city."
-
"La.", Scarcrow approved. "Usually I'd say three guys might be a little too many, but in that case it probably ain't bad. My contact told me our dealer 's got some bad debt, so we double-function as reminder of who's in charge.", and he summarized the conversation with Ashish for them.
He looked upwards to check in which rooms the light was on and then inspected the dorbell-signs or further AROs - should there be any.
"Why don't we get some boxes with food or drinks? Looks more casual if we're equipped with something else than weapons, and if we have to ask around, it's better to not raise any suspicion. Heard the weasel's really keen on discretion.."
-
"Don't bother, as long as you called beforehand we shouldn't need those props.
You did call beforehand, didn't you?"
Cinder asked with concern in his voice.
-
"What is suspicious about an unarmed foreigner with his bodyguards? We are at a bad part of town at my physical state it'd be suspicious of me to come alone." Said Mark.
-
"Nope, I didn't. I ain't got his commcode, my contact only gave me name and address and then ended the call. But I guess if it was necessary, he would've given me the number. At least I hope so. Maybe that's Weasel's preferred way of doing business? Calls can be traced, after all."
-
There is light on every etage of the three-story-house. In the basement, someone sits at the reception and idly plays an ARO mini game. Apart from him, nobody can be seen from outside.
-
"Hm. You're probably right, we don't need such decoy. Especially not if we say we're here to remind him of his debt - which we should, that might get us a discount. I say we just go in without having called beforehand."
[spoiler] To be honest, I think here quick acting is more important than etiquette here. Worst thing that could happen is that our dealer is a little pissed off because we didn't stick to his code of secrecy, but on the other hand, Harka could alert the temple anytime, so time is of an essence here.
So, if you agree, I'd suggest we forget about his number or lunchbag-camouflage (yeah, didn't really think that through ::) ) and go seek him right away. [/spoiler]
So, if the team agrees, he just opens the door and steps in (weapons somewhat concealed by the closed coat).
-
Cinder followed closely, his weapon concealed but not far from his hand.
-
Before Scarcraw could enter, Mark quietly suggested the improve charisma spell. "Perhaps this time it will not backfire he said."
[spoiler]
if Scarcraw wants the spell Mark will do it and this time before we actually engage in conversation and be discreet about it. Force 4 (thrshold 2 to notice if someone is looking).
Drain (http://orokos.com/roll/378839): 9d6t5 2
Increase Charisma (http://orokos.com/roll/378838): 14d6t5 7
charisma increase to +4.
[/spoiler]
-
Scarcrow nods and gladly accepts Mark's helpful spell.
-
The man in the reception room doesn't even look up from Crush the PillarsTM when you enter. There appears to be stairs in either directions. Apart from this, there is a comfortably looking couch with a trid screen in one corner, and a drink dispenser in the other. The lounge looks peaceful in a Nepali way.
-
Scarcrow looked for any ARO's, signs or obvious name-tags in the hall that could tell him about the weasel's location. If he has to move in order to inspect them, he moves as silently as a massive titanium-infused troll can move - which probably isn't very silently.
"Any matrix-activity?", he asked Mark.
[spoiler]Perception (http://orokos.com/roll/379276): 5d6t5 2[/spoiler]
-
<<Either ask the man for "Weasel" or let's keep moving. If we don't look like we know what we are doing, this could get very bad very fast>>
Cinder texted while he used the drink dispenser to get a can of soda.
-
Mark takes a quick look at the matrix - he is uncertain what he is looking for but a large number of silent icons or weapons will get him wary.
Matrix perception (http://orokos.com/roll/379512): 10d6t5 3
-
<< This guys doesn't seem very vigilant to me, but sure.>>
"Evening, mister", he addresses the man as casually as possible. "We're looking for a friend who lives here. Goes by the name Weasel."
He also describes the dealer's appeareance if necessary.
[spoiler] Does my social limit still stay the same after an "improve-charisma-spell"? [/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
No it is increased as if your charisma is actually higher.
[/spoiler]
-
It takes mark a closer look to find an irregularity in the array of matrix icons. There are a lot of commlinks around here, which doesn't come as much of a surprise given that you are in a hotel. An inspection, however, shows that one guest is using a Hermes Ikon, which is considerably better than the gear other guests use in this shabby hotel.
No other sign indicates that your man could be found in this hotel. Until Scarcrow directly asks for the drug dealer.
"Weasel? No, I do- Oh! Yeah, yeah, you mean, you want to go to room two-oh-four, right? Is that it?"
The receptionist, obviously an inch less professional than the Weasel would wish for, explains you the way to the room in the second floor. A second look shows Mark that this is the room where the more expensive commlink is being used (currently in full VR mode, by the way).
Before you even find the time to knock, Scarcrow and Cinder are being sent a message: "Who are you?"
-
<<Customers>> replied Cinder
-
"Stay where you are. Why do you come with a troll and a rigger. Send them away. What do you want?"
[spoiler]replaced "decker" for "rigger". Thanks, gilga
-
[spoiler] Last message only to Cinder or to the whole team? [/spoiler]
-
<<They are my team. Relax, we have cash, you have product. A fair exchange and we are gone.>>
Cinder waited for a reply, while making sure the rest of the team got all this.
-
[spoiler]The reply only goes to Cinder, but I assume that he shares it with the team.[/spoiler]
<@Cinder <I don't care if they are your mom. I don't deal with no trolls and I don't deal with strangers who bring a security team with them. Get them outta here and we can talk level.>
-
<<Fine by me, they'll wait outside. Where do you want to meet?>>
To his team-mates he sent: <<Seems like we are dealing with a racist - be ready to reenter quickly should this go south. I might have to arrest the man if he tries any funny business - or if he finds out I'm a cop. But don't worry - a bit of missing evidence won't matter... hopefully.>>
-
Mark said softly "I am actually a lot more dangerous from distance, just keep me in the loop."
-
Once the two were sent away, the Weasel let Cinder in. Without a lot of formalities, he directly asked:
"Ah, well. So what can I do for you?"
-
"I need a few doses of Laes - not pixie dust - the real deal: Unconsciousness and memory loss. Can you supply that?"
Cinder kept his voice neutral, making sure he kept transmitting everything that happened to his two chummers.
-
<<You might consider telling him that Ashish really wants his money back and that we could - if the deal goes smooth and well - maybe drop a few good words to calm him down. Just to make sure Weasel won't try to rip you off.>>
-
<<I'll get to that if he doesn't cooperate. The less information we put out on us, the better.>>
-
"I can't do late, but I can do unconsciousness and loss of memory. Will that do?"
-
"Depends. How fast does it work and are there any side effects?"
-
The Weasel leans back on his chair.
"Memory of the last 24 hours is being erased. The drug should be injected. After this, it creates nausea, sometimes vomiting, a spinning head, yadda yadda. Some of the patients fade out. Depends. Sometimes interesting neurological side-effects, but it does the job. One does, 50 bucks only. Nuyen only, no rupees. Fairest price you'll find for something potent as this. No more haggling. You take it, or you leave."
-
"Deal. Give me four doses.
Oh and one thing I should mention: If this doesn't work as promised, we'll be back for a refund.
If there is anything else we should know I'd advice you to come clean now and there won't be any repercussions."
Cinder pulled out a credstick and loaded it with the agreed amount
-
The Weasel's eyes narrow to a slit. "I must have misheard. That sounded considerably like a threat to my misguided ears. Better hand me the two hundred and see to cover up whatever shit you have to bury.
Come with me, and you'll get your stuff right away."
He sends a message to somebody, then leads you into the lobby where he asks you to wait. He walks off and returns around twenty minutes later with a small plastic container. Inside, you find four ampuls and syringes.
-
Cinder closed the container, nodded to Weasel and walked out to his chummers:
"So far so good. Now we need a test subject that won't be missed. Normally, I'd suggest the drug dealer. But we might actually need him again.
Any suggestions or volunteers?"
-
Mark asked "Remind me what do you plan to do with these drugs ? "
-
"We want to capture that one employee of the researchers, that looks and acts like a weed-fan. We grab him, get all info out of him we can and drug him, so we can release him again without raising any red flags at the facility."
-
"Let's not forget 'bout the doctor. I think we should also drug him so he forgets about us and can't tip us off to the temple."
-
"Good point. That will be our test subject.
Only problem: This drug has to be injected. So, you'll need to either get an auto-injector or we need to find a slap patch."
-
Mark said "There is a possibility to do it with mojo, I can summon a spirit with some mind tricks. Disguise it as a small animal, and go with a disguise and enter that shop myself. All I need to do is place the syringe and ask the spirit to compel him to inject it. Nothing illegal on camera and I do not have to hack his place again to eliminate evidence.
That said, I'd be happy for a non magical approach if you have one as it is less dangerous. Mind tricks are especially nasty. By the way I stole some data from that guy care to have a look? Might give us some ideas. "
With that Mark shares the stolen paydata with Cynder and Scarcraw and skim it briefly trying to refine the plan and make it less dangerous.
-
The file contains the whole case of Bikki aka Musaa aka Ambir.
It is difficult to understand a lot without having basic knowledge in neuroscience. Basically, what you find is a lot of technical stuff, a lot of brain areas and words you've never known they exist, a lot of "cerebral stimulations", "axiomatic impulse transductions" and "kalium factories". For all you know, this could be anything.
[spoiler]Except, of course, you roll on a fitting knowledge skill or ask a fitting contact to check it.
The incident with Harka is now roughly 50 minutes past.
-
Scarcrow didn't understand any of the science-mumbo-jumbo. "I could show this to Liz, I suppose. She'd know what all of this means... Don't know how happy she is about helping us out yet again, though. And actually, Johnson really made a big deal 'bout secrecy, so i don't think she'd like an independent cyberdoc to get involved.
But we don't need to understand it, right? How'bout we just send this to Johnson right away as a first result of our work?
She has the experts to tell us the importance of the document, then she could tell us if it would be worth getting the protocols of the other kids - in that case we can just focus on Harka and his clinic for now."
About Mark's plan:
"How good are you with disguises? They already know us both, and they'll be alerted, so you going in again bears quite a risk. Keep in mind that the ork probably has some really fancy eyeware. If you wanna fool him, your disguise gotta be perfect.
Wouldn't it be less risky if we let our cop do the talking with the doctor? Harka doesn't know Cinder, and you can probably make up some excuse-inspection to get close to him.
Mark, can you also send your spirit with Cinder?"
-
"Ok, I'll visit the doctor. I'll ask him if I can buy an autoinjection gun from him. I'll let him show me how it's handled. Hopefully, I'll be able to jab him "accidentally".
Cinder replied
-
Mark said "It seems reasonable - and my disguises are very good, without prior knowlege or magical eyes it is difficult to tell the difference. I could have been a professional makeup artist if I was not a criminal."
-
Cinder finds that Harka's room has not moved away, surprisingly. It's still there, still empty, still dimly lit.
[spoiler]If you enter, you see the same the two saw:
As you enter, you come into a dimly lit room. The stench of blood is in the air, but it is not strong. A bell rings as you enter and an ARO informs you that the doctor is busy at the moment but asks you to sit down on the aluminium chairs or help yourself to a soykaf at the machine which is standing in the corner. All in all the room hast the air of semi-professional efficiency. It is clean where it has to be, but neglected where it is not (your stools, for example). You find some physically white screens filled with dynamic ARO advertisments on new cyberware. Except for the seats, a table, some magazines and the soykaf machine, there's not a lot of stuff in the room.[/spoiler]
Through a stained glass door, you can hear a voice shout "Moment!" after a while. If you wait, a small Nepali arrives in your room. He's wearing his black hair very short, has big bulging eyes, a fleshy nose, but a very slim and pointy chin. The man is wearing a doctor's coatlab, no gloves and heavy boots. An array of tools is dangling from a belt around his waist. He gives you a searching look.
"Ah. Ah. Sir. What can I do for you. How can I help you?"
-
"Are you Harka? I was told you are a good surgeon. I was wondering if I could buy an autoinjector gun for insulin treatment from you. My aunt can't handle the syringes anymore and frankly, I really don't like needles.
Also I'd need you to show me how to use one correctly."
Cinder said while standing up
[spoiler]
Con (http://orokos.com/roll/381739): 4d6t5 2 [4d6t5=6, 5, 4, 4]
[/spoiler]
-
Staying at a safe distance ,Scarcrow looked if he could make out the ork-bodyguard.
If the area is clear, he will look for a place from where he can watch th e entry without getting seen. If there are no such spots, he keeps his distance.
-
[spoiler]Opposed Roll (http://orokos.com/roll/381765): 4d6t5 2
Lucky roll (http://orokos.com/roll/381767): 1d6t3 1[/spoiler]
"I am. I don't know exactly why you need a good surgeon to buy an autoinjector gun, but let's see whether I have some in my stock.
Uuuh ... uh, yeah. There should be one in my stock. My nurse will dig it out and explain it to you, sir. Do you need any medication?
Uhm. With all due respect. How old is your aunt-madame? If she is, well, of a stable condition, else-wise so to say, I might implant and auto-injection system. You re-fill it roughly once a week, and it does the job itself. No pain, no care, no syringes, no problems. Guarenteed. Would save ya much of a hassle, right?"
With plain sight, the ork is not to be seen from the side of the street where the entrance is. Either he is in another room, or hiding, or not on the base floor. Or Scarcrow's simply blind.
-
"That sounds expensive and I'm not sure if she would want surgery. Hard enough as it is. But tell me more, how would that work exactly..."
Cinder tried to keep the man talking until the nurse brought the device
-
"Nurse! Bring me an auto-injection gun!"
Well, it's simple. Depending on what medication you need, and how often, you usually implant it either somewhere underneath the shoulder, or else directly at the temple. The former can easily be combined with a larger compartment. Thus, it doesn't need to be refilled very often. Every once and again, you open the drawer, so-to-say, and exchange the empty medication packs. If you, however, need medication that is blocked by the blood-brain barrier, you need to install the device above the neck. In that case, you need to re-fill it more often, but still you have the advantage that you can't forget about it. It's linked to your commlink and gives you a warning when the supplies are drawing to an end.
What medication exactly does your Auntie need?"
-
"No idea, I always get the readied syringes from our apothecary. But I sure will ask her to consider an implant. But for now I'll take the gun."
Cinder waited for the nurse to bring the object, while continuing the small talk.
"Have you been long in this business? Do you favor the product of a particular corporation or do you carry models from different producers?"
-
You can tell that Harka only reluctantly joins the conversation, but apparently has no other work to do. Driven by greed, he answers your questions patiently, until the nurse arrives.
"Here", the stout woman says grumpily, " 'nyth'ng else?"
Harka shooes her away and hands you the gun, then bites his lips. "Dammit". Nu-, ah, drek, anyway. Gimme your hand. I'll show you how's it done. Should be able to do, as a doctor, huh?"
-
Cinder looked at the injector and grinned: "Kinda looks like those old-timey sci-fi guns. Sure, show me. But don't inject me with air. I hear that is bad for you."
Cinder, who was in fact a certified MET gave the tool to Harka.
"You know, normally I'd have gone to the temple about this, since I'm working for them. But that bitch told me: Lab equipment is only for professional use and not for sale. I mean, come on, they've got so much of that stuff and are always getting more when they need it. Fucking outsiders."
-
"What do you mean, outsiders, heh? Their head is Sai Baba, right? As far as I know, he is Nepali. Now, pay attention. I don't have a lot of time, right?"
Out of a drawer, he takes out an ampule with a sodium chloride injection and pulls it up. "Gimme your hand, right. See the vene here? You can tap a bit, right..."
-
"No, I'm talking about Hatsumoto. I know she his half Nepali half Japanese, but honestly, the way she is conducting herself...
Ah, never mind. At least they pay on time."
Cinder freed his left arm and watched as the doctor prepared the injection.
"They send me out here because some people are asking questions about the temple and the children there. Reporters I guess."
-
Harka stops mid-motion and casts you a look, his eyes narrowed.
"I have no business with nothing. Why do you come here, lying around an injection gun and then asking funny questions, heh?"
-
"Relax man. I told you, I'm strictly on private business here. And all I'm asking is how to operate that thing you are about to poke into me.
But from your reaction I gather they've been here too, eh? Don't worry, they'll be taken care off. They have pestered quite a lot of people recently.
Come on. Do you think I want to antagonize the man who might have to operate my aunt? I promise you I won't mention your name to anyone. Shouldn't have spoken about it anyway. But if you can't trust your doctor who can you trust, eh?
So how is this thing working anyway? You put it on the vein and it shoots the stuff through the skin without poking a hole?"
-
"Not quite. It does penetrate the epidermis. If your aunt is elderly, we can install an extradermal acess which basically means that we only have to sting her once. The needle is very thin, so it shouldn't hurt and it would hardly bleed. It will bleed of course - the canal has to be big enough for the medicine, right?
Who or who has not been here, is none of my business, if they aren't customers, heh? Take yourself: You're babbling a whole lot o' nonsense. I don't give a fart. You wanna buy a auto-injection gun? That'll be 8,000. If you wanna buy some decent stuff, we can continue talking. If no, I got business to do, right?
Now, can I do something else for you, Sir?"
-
"Fine, here's your money. Thanks for the service, just let me see if I understood everything right." Cinder unscrewed one of the reservoirs as the doctor had showed him, pulled out the box of the drugdealer and took out one of the unlabeled syringes, removing the needle before squirting its content into the reservoir.
"So now I wait until it's pressurized, right?"
While holding the injector with his right hand, he fumbled money from his pocket with his left and dropping it.
"Oh, sorry about that. I'll pick it up."
Cinder crouched down and used the moment of distraction to inject the drug into the doctors leg.
[spoiler]
Palming skill check:
Palming (http://orokos.com/roll/383135): 12d6t5 6 [12d6t5=5, 1, 3, 5, 2, 5, 2, 4, 5, 5, 6, 1]
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]You did receive my private message earlier, didn't you?[/spoiler]
-
"Oh sorry, how clumsy of me. I didn't intent to bump into you..."
-
"Nah, never mind. You can pay in nuyen as well, of course. That'd be 80. You want it?"
-
"That's alright. Here you are." Cinder laid the injector on the table and counted the money out, while keeping an eye on the doctor to stop him from falling over when the drug began to work.
-
[spoiler]Opposed roll (http://orokos.com/roll/383356): 5d6t5 2[/spoiler]
"Never mind. We're not in some fancy Pashupati people medic temple, right?"
At first, you didn't realize a lot. He took the money and handed you the pistol. Then the doc nodded to you and blinked.
"All right", he said, with an air of confusion about him. "Right. If that's all... I have work to do, you know."
With that he starts to move towards the door, obviously a bit uneasy on his feet, but unwilling to show that he's not well.
-
"Ok, I'll call you about that insulin pump as soon as I've spoken to my aunt." Cinder walked out, still watching out if he'd need to catch the doctor.
"You don't look so good. Maybe you should open a window and sit down for a moment", he said before he left the room.
-
"I'm fine", he answers through clenched teeth. His face is slightly paler than it was before. Then he dives through the door.
-
When he was outside, Cinder called the team: <<I've got the injector and the doctor got a dose of the drug. Hopefully it works as prescribed - by the way I don't think he has ratted you out. He seems the kind of man who doesn't want anyone's attention.>>
I'll go back in a minute to see how he is.>>
-
[spoiler]
Old message, before altering:"Well done.
His ork-bodyguard doesn't seem to be around, area is clear for you to leave."[/spoiler]
[spoiler]
@Volker: just so I get this right: the bodyguard came through the entrance-door, right? The one that leads to the street?
@Team: So... I guess we're done here? Phew, glad that went by so smoothly.
Then our next move should be the weedman, right? [/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Nope. Last time you saw him, he came through the same door as Harka, from the interior of the building. He still might be inside.
-
[spoiler]Oh, ok, I got that the wrong way, thought he came from the outside. In that case, if you don't mind, I'd like to alter my message to Cinder as follows:[/spoiler]
<< Watch out when you go back to check on him. Harka's got quite a nasty bodyguard, if he sees you with his likely dead master, he'll go ballista.
Safer to just leave now.>>
-
<<Acknowledged. We can test this later. I'll meet you back at the flat. For our next step we'll need again a interrogation chamber and the van. Oh, and it might be a good idea to have a spirit search for the guy, so we don't have to follow him around.>>
Cinder replied.
-
[spoiler]IIRC, apart from Harka, there are two more leads: breaking into the temple, or the data Mark stole from Harka.[/spoiler]
-
During the drive to the apartment, Cinder called up an online directory of a motel just at the edge of the city. He knew the place from a murder that had taken place there: If there was one place where no one could hear screams it was this one. Booking a room was no problem at all - even with a fake SIN.
Then he waited for his chummers to arrive.
-
Scarcrow had stopped on the way to the apartment to get some food, arriving shortly after Cinder.
-
It takes Mark almost two days of waiting, watching, observing, disguising, chattering, waiting, watching, waiting, watching... until the man appears at the temple.
The description the vendor gave is fit. The young man, a norm, is in his late twenties, maybe his early thirties. His reddish-brown beard reaches almost to his breast, though it's growing thin in its lower parts. His hair matches the beard: It hardly ever saw a comb. Instead, it's just hanging down in long tangles and tails. Despite his appearance, "gross" is not the best word to describe him. He doesn't seem dirty in comparison to other people in the temple and the area around. His orange robe is relatively clean, the spot on his forehead shining bright in a pale face. He seems friendly and nice. When Mark first spots him, and immediately alerts the group, he is on his way to enter the temple. His expression is bright, he seems gleeful.
-
Cinder was - as usually - at work on patrol when the call came. No time to change out of uniform so he called the team:
<<I'll take care of a distraction, so you can nab the guy. Give me a sign when you are in position.>>
Cinder than proceeded to drive quickly but without flashing his lights to the indicated place.
-
[spoiler]If no one holds him up:[/spoiler]
The man enters what Mark came to no as the prayer hall. This is the place where the yogis (and wannabes) go to meditate and focus their spirits. It is publicly acessible in principle, but of course, the incognito templeguards are always watchful.
-
[spoiler]Can I assume that it's Scarcrow's shift to stay in the flat as a lookout/backup since Cinder is on patrol and Mark at the temple? I guess this would be the most logical decision for professional investigators. [/spoiler]
so you can nab the guy.
"Did ya mean me?"
"All right, coming."
I guess we wait until we have less spectators, on his way home or so. Mark, did ya see from where came?"
The big troll left sword and swordbelt inside the flat, stuffed his shock-gloves inside the pockets of his coat and left.
-
[spoiler]You can.[/spoiler]
It takes a couple of hours until the man leaves the temple again. His expression is light, but he seems to be focussed. That is, his pupils have the right size. He is alone when he dives into the streets of Kathmandu.
-
Scarcrow had been casually chatting with some of the street vendors while watching the exit and was now munching some roasted peanuts he had bought.
When he saw the man leave, he immediately called his comrades.
"He's heading south-west, direction Durbar Square. Mark, can you track his comlink? Just as a back-up, should we lose him in one of the small alleyways.
Cinder, you wanna stay behind him and I try to get to his front through a parallel street? Might be less suspicious that way."
-
Heavy clouds are gathering in the sky. Before too long, monsoon will once again unleash its water upon the people of Kathmandu.
-
"Acknowledged" replied Cinder, "I'll make sure to cause a distraction when you make the snatch. Just give me a sign and I'll ask for a vendors license - that usually gets loud quickly."
-
"Roger that.", and Scarcrow turned towards a smaller lane left of the street the templeman took. The alleyways were far less crowded and the big troll quickly made his way past shady bars and even shadier butchers.
He had dropped his peanuts, flexed his wrists and made sure that his shockgloves were lying loosely in his left and right pocket so he could easily put them on.
After 150 meters or so, he turned right so that he would arrive at the street before the weedman reached that point.
[spoiler] This of course very heavily depends on multiple variables like the starting-speed of the German, the crowd-density in his street, the amount of abrupt turns I have to make and eventual circumstances that could influence the safety of the mission (like high-security-facilities in the closer area or especially crowded areas). [/spoiler]
-
Totally unaware of the trap he is running into, the bearded man strolls down the street, right into Scarcrow's arms. Instinctively, he makes a bow around the huge, scarred monster.
[spoiler]Nothing of the sort. The area is busy, but with a little force and grunting you manage to shove your way through the crowd. Please roll for Con. If you fail, you don't manage to look as unsuspicious as a figure like you can, and alarm him before you come close to him.
-
<<Now>>, Scarcrow texted as soon as he entered the street and saw the bearded man.
[spoiler]DefaultCon (http://orokos.com/roll/392537): 2d6t5 0
Man, I miss the improved charisma... [/spoiler]
-
The man casts you a suspicious look. You were staring at him too directly, eyeing him too suspiciously. He draws a large circle around you. He turns into a sidealley and speeds up, hurrying to get away from a threat he can't yet classify.
-
Cinder had waited for the moment. A little street vendor had his wares out - knock offs of popular commlinks and other electronics. Cinder stepped towards him and said in a quite aggressive tone: "Show me your license."
Immediately the small man began to shout and swear, alerting everyone around him to the presence of the policeman.
Cinder knew what came next. People began to crowd in to add their voices to the man's and those further back crowded in to see what was going on. Before a real mob could enclose him, Cinder moved away and started the siren on his bike.
He completely missed the fact that Scarcrow hadn't yet caught his target
-
"Sir, wait! ", Scarcrow called out after the man, his empty hands raised placating, showing that he had no arms or bad intentions. "Manisha hired me, she's in trouble. We gotta talk."
[spoiler]
Con+edge (http://orokos.com/roll/393192): 8d6t5 3
If this makes the man hesitate, Scarcrow adds more information to back his lie up, but that of course depends on the weedman's reaction.
But apart from that : what time of the day is it? How many people - and what kind of folk - surround us?
And I'm a little confused about what Scarcrow knows IC, and what I know OOC: does Scarcrow know that Manisha tends to use the name Rai instead of Hatsumoto?
Oh, and if the following speech gives me a bonus for seemingly plausible evidence: [/spoiler]
If Scarcrow has his attention, he continues in a lower voice so that only the bearded man can hear him:
"I'm Patch, private investigator. Miss Hatsumoto hired me after the disappearance of... you know him as Frozen Yoghurt, I think? Listen... it seems he got killed by an angry street-gang. Sorry to tell ya that. Now, these nasty fellas apparently also have quite a grudge against the Miss Hatsumoto. In fact, I have strong reason to believe that she's gonna be their next target - if we let that happen, which I'm personally not planning to. Do I have your cooperation with that, Sir?.
-
[spoiler]Opposed Roll (http://orokos.com/roll/393396): 5d6t5 0
"He, Darius?"
"What's up?"
"There's a gobbo sneaking up at you."
"So?"
"Just wanted to have it mentioned..."
It is afternoon, so the streets are as crowded as they can get. That is, they are as crowded as they can get with someone like Scarcrow in da hood.
The kind of folk is difficult to classify: street vendors, business men, kids, pop corn roasters, chicken farmers, bodyguards, neuroscientists. That kind of people.
Yes, IIRC you know the detail about her name. I think Mark found that out before he developed these heavy depressions that keep him from going to work ^^
I assume you talk in English, do you not?
[/spoiler]
Completely oblivious of the possibilit somebody might actually factually really lie to him, the young if somewhat naive German turns around. An upcoming smile dies in his throat when he sees Scarcrow's face, yet he remains friendly and says with a thick accent:
"I have no idead what you are talking about, Patch, sir, but if you are a private investigator - do you have a batch or something? - I sure will cooperate. Especially if I can save a life. Who are we talking about?"
-
Scarcrow nodded a thank-you. "Ah, my bad. She might be usin' the name Manisha Rai, she works for the Sai-Baba-temple, with some of the children. You ain't familiar with her or her colleague Frozen Yoghurt?"
@Cinder:
<< Got him talking right here. He seems to be a dud, though, apparently knows neither Hatsumoto nor FY.
If not, I might need your official authority to recognize me as Patch, the private investigator. >>
He also sends a signal to Mark, telling him to get the van in position.
[spoiler] Phew, I thank the dice-god and shall give him a sacrificial offering tonight! If the man indeed knows nothing, I guess we... um... leave him alone? We could try to ask Bikki for the whereabouts of the other kids then?[/spoiler]
-
<<Try to confirm that he doesn't know anything about the lab. If that's the case we won't take him. I'll be with you in a minute when I manage to get out of this mob.>>
Replied Cinder while he steadily retreated from the mass off angry street vendors.
-
Der Mann hebt die Schultern. "Uhm, really, Sir, I'm sorry. Is she from the temple? Uhm, maybe, wait - Hatsumoto you say? That sounds Japanese, doesn't it, Sir? Yah, uh, I saw her, I guess, sometimes. She always busy, you know. Is she in danger?"
Es ist schwer zu sagen, ob er gut spielt oder wirklich keine Ahnung hat. Jedenfalls könnte er sich mal wieder rasieren.
-
Scacrows Augen verengten sich und er verscuhte, den Mann in Erklärungsnot zu bringen. "What do ya mean, sometimes? Do ya know her - yes or no? At what occasions did ya see her?"
[spoiler]Sorry, rl ziemlich hektisch zur Zeit, ab Montag komm ich wieder zu häufigeren und längeren posts. [/spoiler]
-
"Uh, yes. No. She's running around in the temple like a squirrel or so. She isn't relaxed at all, see? So, I know here from the seeing, but I don't know her personally. Do you understand what I mean? Can... Can I do something for you, Sir?"
-
"Yeah, i understand quite well.", fiel Scarcrow dem deutschen ins Wort um ihn weiter in die Defensive zu drängen. "no need to talk to me like to a retard."
"I know she's busy indeed, that's why I'm curious where you've seen her. Have ya ever been to where she works? Or even assisted her with anything? "
Informationen, die er vom weedman bekommt, leitet er augenblicklich an Cinder (und Mark) weiter.
-
"I am sorry, Sir, I didn't want to say something wrong.
The woman that you describe is most in the Inner Section. Few people can go there in. I can't go in. But I have a friend who goes in to serve the people of the Inner Section. He is still a tennager. Maybe he knows her?"
-
Cinder lauschte mit einem Ohr der Übertragung. <<Shit, another dud. Try to find out who his friend is. We'll have to dose this guy regardless, but we don't need to interrogate him.>>
Endlich hatte er es zurück zu seinem Motorrad geschafft und machte dass er auf die andere Seite des Blocks kam, wo die Gasse wieder in die Hauptstraße mündete.
-
<<Aye>>
"Hmm... maybe indeed. Gotta check on that. I'd need his name, age, comcode... whatever you can give me. Then I'll have him confirm your story, and if everything goes smooth, the two of us should be done. Sounds good?"
-
"Uhm, his name is Dev. I don't think he's got a commcode. Do you want to talk to him? I have a commlink, he can call you from mine."
Er gibt euch eine genaue Beschreibung von dem Jungen, allerdings gibt es wenig spezifische Details, die es euch ermöglichen würden, ihn von anderen Burschen in seinem Alter, die ebenfalls im Tempel leben, zu unterscheiden. Bevor er sich verabschiedet, gibt er dir noch seinen Commcode und bittet dich, ihn anzurufen, wenn du etwas von ihm brauchst.
[spoiler]Ich will mich als Meister überhaupt nicht in eure Strategien einmischen, aber ich wollte nur mal sichergehen, dass ihr eh nicht übersehen habt, dass euch die Straßenverkäufer damals angeboten haben, euch zu zeigen, wo Manisha lebt, oder?
-
[spoiler]Sorry, ich komm nicht zu einem gscheiden IC-post, Stress wg Uni.
Scarcrow hält den Mann auf indem er erst Infos zu Dev erfragt: Metatyp, wie lange er schon im Tempel dient, zu welchen Zeiten er weniger/mehr beschäftigt ist...
Dann ermahnt er ihn, wie wichtig Diskretion ist, und dass er auf keinen Fall mit jemandem (also auch nicht Dev oder gar Manisha) über das Gespräch reden darf, sonst gefährdet er die Ermittlungen.
@Volker, oh, das hatte ich wohl tatsächlich übersehen, danke.
@team(also Jack ;D): dann ist nächste Schritt Manisha?[/spoiler]
@Cinder
<< Contact is teenage boy, Dev, unspectacular. Should I arrange meeting?>>
You got the drug and injector, right? R u on the way?>>
-
[spoiler]
Das ist wohl am sinnvollsten ;)
Prestidigitation to apply injector on the guy: Prestidigitation (http://orokos.com/roll/400815): 12d6t5 5 [12d6t5=1, 4, 6, 2, 5, 5, 1, 5, 6, 4, 2, 3]
[/spoiler]
Cinder replied: <<I'm waiting at the exit of the alley closest to you. Just bring him out, I'll dose him.>>
-
[spoiler]Cinder kann ihn problemlos wegspritzen. Der Mann taumelt davon und kotzt in eine Ecke, wo er sich dann eine Weile hinlegt.
Ich denke, es ist sinnvoll, zum Runner-Hauptquartier vorzuspulen, sodass ihr euch über eure Pläne unterhalten könnt.
-
Nur ein kurzer Piekser später war der Mann mit der Droge abgefüllt und wenige Minuten später würde auch das Gespräch mit Scarecrow vergessen sein.
Zurück in der Wohnung - Cinder hatte seinen Dienst recht hastig beendet, nachdem er gewissenhaft von dem Zwischenfall mit den Händlern berichtet hatte - gönnte er sich einen Moment Ruhe bevor das Pläneschmieden losging.
"Alright, so this guy wasn't who we need. Looks like our best chance is grabbing this Manisha. I'm not happy about that, but it's probably better than any of the alternatives - including befriending a kitchen boy."
-
"Yeah, right.", stimmte Scarcrow zu. "She's worth 6k after all.
How are we gonna do it? She seems to be quite the tough one, playin' cops is probably gonna be harder than with Frozen Yoghurt.
But if we can find out where she lives... perhaps Mark could take a stroll past her house, just to scout out how she lives. Whether it's
flat, or a stand-alone-house, what kind of security... Does she live alone? Does she have a didi? Stuff like that.
Then once we know that, we can decide how we'll get her.
[spoiler]didi(wörtl: große Schwester)=Haushaltshilfe, Perle, Köchin,
Mädchen für alles(bei bösen Zungen: Depp vom Dienst). Bei reichen
Nepalesen mehr oder weniger üblich, eine im Haus angestellt zu haben.
Mir ist kein gutes englisches Wort dafür eingefallen.[/spoiler]
-
"Observation sounds like the thing to do. I'll try to find out her address and who else is registered at her place, as well as what car she drives. If she drives a car to work that is."
Cinder kratzte sich das stoppelige Kinn. "Whatever we tell her it must look like we are prepared to kill her at the slightest provocation. That means face masks or else she might think we'll kill her regardless - no bodily harm if the memory drug is to hide this little excursion. So I'm thinking of getting some Gamma-Scopolamin for that. I'll contact our dealer and ask if he can get the truth serum as well."
-
Mark: "Shall I go and check out her home in the meanwhile? I would go in disguise, as usual. Also, once I've met her I can trace her with my spirits anytime."
[spoiler]For the Gamma S, please roll an availability roll. Since we're in Kathmandu here, and it's kind of a sophisticated "western" drug, it's availability is increased by 2 (16F instead of 14F).
-
"That's probably a good idea - but if that doesn't work out either, I think we'll have to try and break in without inside knowledge and just rely on your matrix wizardry to guide us through."
antwortete Cinder. Zur selben Zeit schickte er eine Anfrage an den Dealer ob dieser ihm auch Gamma-Skopolamin besorgen könnte.
[spoiler]
Ziemlich unwahrscheinlich, dass wir die Droge dann bekommen.
Da ich nicht weiß was der Dealer für einen DP hat, würde ich dich bitten für ihn zu würfeln.
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler] Wirkt improve-Charisma beim Knacken von availability?
Ansonsten hat Scarcrow dem nichts mehr hinzuzufügen.
Was wissen wir den über die Kids von Manisha? Haben wir ein Bild von ihr?
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
AVA roll (http://orokos.com/roll/404049): 16d6t5 4
Negotiation (http://orokos.com/roll/404050): 12d6t5 2
I would allow you to spend one point of edge to convice your dealer to spend one point of edge ^^
Negotiation (http://orokos.com/roll/404051): 10d6t5 2
If you do, you get your gamma S.
Mist, ich bin so im Englischen drin, das passiert ganz automatisch ^^
Improve Charisma wirkt. Wenn ihr irgendwie arrangiert, dass Mark den Zauber auf ihn sprechen kann und lange genug aufrechterhält, geht es sich auch ohne Edge aus.
Da zumindest Scipio recht bereitwillig teilt, was er weiß, könnt ihr auf Anfrage von dem Treffen mit Manisha erfahren.
[/spoiler]
Es ist für Mark eine Kleinigkeit, ein Bild von Manisha Hatsumoto in der Matrix zu finden. Die Jungs vom Hive können euch bestätigen, dass das tatsächlich die Halbjapanerin ist. Danach beginnt sich Mark zu schminken und einmal mehr in die Rolle eines nepalesischen Trödlers zu schlüpfen. Er kauft sich ein paar Maiskolben, eine Metallpfanne und etwas Kohle und macht sich auf den Weg zu Manisha Hatsumotos Haus.
[spoiler]Was tut ihr in der Zwischenzeit? Wir können davon ausgehen, dass er jetzt mal zumindest bis in die Nacht vor Manishas Haus Maiskolben grillt.
-
[spoiler]
Mir geht gerade das Edge aus, dann muss es halt ohne Gamma-S gehen.
[/spoiler]
"Ok guys, give me a call when you have news on Manisha, I'll have to go back to work on time, since I left early today. I'll make sure I'm ready when the action starts - and meanwhile I can visit our dealer and see if he has anything for us."
Mit diesen Worten erhob sich Cinder und gab den beiden Runnern noch ein kurzes Nicken zum Abschied, bevor er sich auf den Weg nach Hause machte um nach einer kurzen Dusche zu Bett zu gehen.
-
[spoiler] Ich würde ja gern einen Punkt edge opfern, hab noch mehr als genug, aber der Dealer wollte ja nicht mit einem Troll verhandeln.
Wie schauts aus wenn er das Wiesel anruft?[/spoiler]
-
Am nächsten Tag, früh morgens, erstatt Mark der Gruppe Bericht:
Manisha Hatsumoto lebt in einem der Hochhäuser im Südwesten der Stadt, die in den 50er-Jahren gebaut worden sind. Die Sicherheitsstandards sind für Kathmandu nicht schlecht, aber nicht weltbewegend. Gestern Abend ist sie erst gegen 4 Uhr morgens heimgekommen, in Begleitung eines jungen Mannes. Manisha hat sich durch einen Fingerabdruck-Scan identifiziert und ist mit ihm gemeinsam hinein gegangen. Mark konnte in der Zeit in ihr Commlink eindringen und zurückverfolgen, dass sie im siebten Stock ihr Appartment haben muss. Die Blockade ihrer Tür ließ sich über ihr Commlink lösen. Das Licht hat nicht sehr lange gebrannt. Danach ist auch Mark heimgegangen.
-
"Well, that gives us two different options: We could break in and wait for her in her flat, or we catch her on her way home.
I'd say we try the first option - we'll play a loud trid to mask any attempts to scream and after we are done, we drug her so she wakes up in her own bed, maybe with an empty bottle beside her."
Replied Cinder
-
"Sounds like a good plan.
But... at some point we gotta take her to Johnson anyways, right? She promised us 6k for a lower-ranked scientist, even more for the one in charge. If we already take the effort of breaking into her house, probably taking out her boyfriend if he's with her and interrogating her... well, then why don't we take her straight to Johnson afterwards? Would save us a lot of trouble.
I know, I know, the temple will be alterted if their scientist gets abducted, but... if she's got the habit of going out until 4 AM with her lover, we could - how do you Nepalese say? Cook two meals on one fire: we interrogate the woman, leave her boyfriend alive and drug him, then we take her to Johnson and arrange the appartment to look like the two had a fight. Next day, the police finds a missing woman, her utterly drunk lover who says he can't remember what he did last night, and... perhaps a knife with her blood on it or... Mark could spoof some stuff onto loverboy's comlink that make him seem like a lunatic.
That way he gets the blame, we get our precious hostage and the 6000 nuyen, don't have to kill her boyfriend and the temple won't suspect that we abducted her."
-
"That could work. I'm not entirely happy with a full blown abduction, but on the other hand my sympathy for someone creating child soldiers isn't to high.
Right. We'll break in and wait for her. We'll just have to make sure she can't call for help through a commlink or panic button, which means I'll have to taze her. Our interrogation can therefore be conducted in the van, outside the city.
When we have the info we'll have to move fast - going in during the same night before she is missed.
Since we know when she came back yesterday, we'll await her tonight with a discretionary time window of two hours beforehand.
Mark you keep your car ready to evacuate us with our cargo. We'll need something to carry her out without arousing to much suspicion. A rug will do."
-
Next day in the evening, her plans apparently are different to last night's. Manisha and her boyfriend arrive around half past six in the evening, hardly half an hour after you started observing her house. You almost missed her. Only when the gate of her garage opens, you realize, it's Hatsumoto coming home.
-
"Shit, she's early. We need to get in and up to her floor before they do. Mark can you open the front door for us?"
Cinder trug seinen Mantel über seiner Panzerjacke und hatte alle Polizeiabzeichen entfernt - heute Nacht war er definitiv nicht als Polizist im Einsatz...
-
[spoiler] 1) ich schätze, Mark hat sich nach icons etc umgesehen und kann uns sagen, ob er Verdächtiges bzw Kameras etc bemerkt hat? Ist der Lift online/ hackbar? Wenn nicht, schlägt Scarcrow etwas anderes vor, zB das Garagentor, irgendwas, was sie ein bisschen aufhält.
2) ich schätze mal, es gibt nen Lift, aber wahrscheinlich keinen, der einen Troll mit Titanknochen transportieren kann?
[/spoiler]
Scarcrow fluchte und setzte sich in Bewegung. "...and if possible stall'em out a little bit. How fast can you get into the devices? Would be great if you can make the lift stop at some levels or something like that."
Über die Schulter trug er einen billigen Polyesterteppich, der Mantel war zugeknöpft, er machte auf Möbelpacker (hat aber trotzdem seinen Motorradhelm auf).
-
"Consider the door open. Also, I will make the lift stop at every station. I sent you an ARO that shows when you can and can't move past the lift unseen. If you take the emergency stairs, you should make it in time. They are linked to the security system and open by my command."
Tatsächlich sind außen an der Mauer stählernerne Not-Stiegen. Scarcrow bezweifelt allerdings, dass sie sein Gewicht tragen können. Innerhalb des Gebäudes gibt es auch ein Stiegenhaus - aber selbst mit Mark's Verzögerung wird es schwierig bis unmöglich, vor den beiden droben zu sein.
[spoiler]Der Lift drinnen trägt den Troll leicht, aber ob du vor, nach oder gleichzeitig mit den beiden ankommst, hängt im Grunde nur davon ab, wie lange sie beim Aussteigen brauchen.
Mark kümmert sich um die Matrixangelegenheiten. Konzentriert ihr euch auf euren Part.
-
Scarcrow fluchte leise. Er hatte schon fast auf den Liftschalter gedrückt, als ihm ein Einfall kam:
"How 'bout that: we attack them inside the lift? If we both enter the lift at different stations, it shouldn't be too suspicious.
Just gotta wait till we're about to reach their floor, knock them out, Mark cracks the door for us, we drag them in and it's over."
-
<<Could work, but then we risk having witnesses. Attacking them inside their flat is the safest - especially if we can start the trid at the right moment.>>
Cinder zog Scarcrow mit sich zu den Treppen und begann diese in flottem Tempo zu erklimmen.
-
[spoiler]Zeit ist ein kritischer Faktor. Bitte entscheidet in eurem nächsten Post jeweils, ob ihr zu den Außentreppen lauft (nur für Mark und Cinder eine Option), zum Lift, oder zu den Innentreppen.
@Jack: Zu welchen Treppen ziehst du ihn? Innen (langsam) oder außen (schnell, aber nicht trollgeeignet)?
-
[spoiler]
Nachdem Scarcrow bereits vor dem Lift stand, nimmt Cinder die Innentreppen, so dass beide mehr oder weniger gleichzeitig oben ankommen können.
[/spoiler]
-
[Spoiler]
Außentreppe halte ich für keine Option, da sehen sie uns ja. Und Mark sitzt ja immer noch im Auto, oder?
Oberste Priorität hat meiner Meinung nach, aus ihrem Sichtfeld rauszukommen, also die Innentreppen hoch und dann - würde ich vorschlagen - je nach Setting entweder...
...wenn möglich versuchen, vom ersten Stock aus einen anderen Lift zu erwischen (Mark kann ja schon mal einen anderen Aufzug in den zweiten Stock schicken, in den wir dann gleich einsteigen und sie überholen können.)
...wenn es nur einen einzigen Aufzug gibt, und der so da steht, dass er relativ schnell im Erdgeschoss ist , schlage ich vor, wir lassen Mark sie zur Not selbst ablenken (er ist ja wahrscheinlich in Verkleidung, oder?).
Er könnte sie umständlich nach dem Weg irgendwohin fragen), sodass wir ihnen den Lift wegschnappen können.
... wenn das nicht geht (Mark zu weit weg oder Lift nicht schnell im Erdgeschoss) , dann müssen wir uns wohl laufen, naja, Sport ist gesund :)
Was lässt denn das Setting zu?
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Die Chance gesehen zu werden ist tatsächlich größer, wenn ihr die Innentreppe nehmt, da sie von der Tiefgarage direkt in den Aufzug steigen und sich das Treppenhaus um den Lift befindet. Solange der Lift fährt sind allerdings die Türen geschlossen, sodass die Chance, bemerkt zu werden, trotzdem minimal wäre (wenn sie nicht gerade durch einen schlecht verarbeiteten Schlitz zwischen den Türen durchlinsen). Es ist allerdings hier die Gefahr größer, vor dem Einsteigen oder nach dem Aussteigen gesehen zu werden.
Bei den Außentreppen ist grundsätzlich die Chance, vorher schon gesehen zu werden, gleich 0. Wenn ihr aber oben angekommen seid, müsst ihr natürlich auch in den Korridor, wo ihr wieder auf die beiden stoßen könnt.
Es gibt nur einen Lift.
Mark ist aktuell im Auto. Wir können davon ausgehen, dass er unauffällige Alltagskleidung trägt. Da sie aber direkt über die Garage hineingehen, wird es schwierig (wenn auch nicht unmöglich), sie unuaffällig abzufangen.
Ich hoffe, damit sind alle Klarheiten beseitigt ^^[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
Es gibt zwei Möglichkeiten:
- Wir kommen vor ihnen oder zeitgleich oben an: Dann können wir sie abfangen gerade in dem Moment als sie die Türe öffnen
- Wir kommen nach ihnen oben an: Dann müssen wir klopfen/das Schloss knacken
Dass wir gesehen werden sollte kein Problem sein. Ein Blick durch einen Spalt um zwei Personen zu identifizieren sollte schon ziemlich schwer sein.
Hauptsache ist, niemand von den anderen Hausbewohnern bekommt etwas mit.
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler] ok, danke, dass wir das geklärt haben. Dann laufen wir wohl mal los... [/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Lucky roll (http://orokos.com/roll/408707): 1d6t4 0[/spoiler]
Cinder and Scarcrow storm into the building, while Mark is watching out for unwanted newcomers from his car. The door proved no problem - it pops up with a low buzzing sound as soon as the two approach it. They turn right, immediately, run past a "first floor" sign into the staircase. There, alas, they can see that the elevater rushed past them this very moment. The two didn't waste much time in the garage and went for the elevator before they could.
With a sigh you rush up the staircase. Keep breathing. That's the trick., you thought, but eventually you arrived. From the staircase you imagine you can hear a faint bing indicating the elevator arrived, but after a second thought it's unlikely that you would indeed hear as soft a sound over your panting. However, when you arrive upstairs, you can catch a glimpse of Manisha Hatsumoto, just entering her flat. You are about 3.5 meters from her and she is just closing the appartment door. Nothing indicates that she is aware of your presence.
-
Cinder had a split second to decide. As far as he could see, the corridor was empty and the door was almost closed.
With a fluid motion, he drew his taser and fired.
[spoiler]
Quickdraw (http://orokos.com/roll/408729): 12d6t5 7
Shoot (Vitals) (http://orokos.com/roll/408730): 9d6t5 4 [9d6t5=3, 1, 4, 5, 3, 6, 6, 2, 6]
DV 11S(e) AP-5 + Net Successes
Surprised, but full cover:
Full Cover (http://orokos.com/roll/408731): 4d6t5 2 [4d6t5=1, 2, 5, 5]
DV 13S(3) AP-5
Armor, hopefully not more than 9 + 3 Body???
[/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]Surprise roll (http://orokos.com/roll/408999): 6d6t5 0
taken by surprise
nope, not >more< than 9+3 ^^
Soak (http://orokos.com/roll/408998): 12d6t5 3
I completely forgot to apply the AP-5. She's down either way.
What exactly is this DV 13(S) after Full Cover? Is Cinder so lethal that he can kill people just by diving into cover?
boyfriend surprise roll (http://orokos.com/roll/409000): 7d6t5 1
also surprised; Scarcrow's turn[/spoiler]
The half-Japanese is completely taken by surprise. When Cinder jumped around the corner, she did not so much as turn around. The taser struck her in the back, in a perfect distance and relation to the heart. A soft buzz and a faint sigh were all the sounds that proceded her collapsing.
-
[spoiler]
DV 13 S(e) is just Base 9 + 2 Vitals +2 Net successes ;D
[/spoiler]
-
Als Scarcrow sah, wie Cinder seinen Taser zog, schob sich der schnaufende Troll hinter ihm vorbei und schritt zügig auf die Tür zu, shockgloves schlagbereit.
Ohne stehen zu bleiben horchte er, ob sich nach dem Lärm in der Wohnung etwas tat.
[spoiler]
Nice shot!
Scarcrow bewegt sich parallel zu Cinders Schusslinie und schaut, dass er ihm nicht in die Quere kommt.
@gm: Gibt es andere Wohnungstüren bzw. wie viele und wie nah? Hören wir von den anderen Wohnungen irgendwas?
Manisha liegt so, dass ich sie leicht aufheben kann? Liegt sie schon in der Wohnung drin oder noch (halb) im Flur?
Zefix, ich hab ganz vergessen, Mark Zugang zu meinen cybereyes zu geben... :-[ njaa, mach ich gleich nach dem Überfall!
[/spoiler]
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Das Stiegenhaus windet sich um den Aufzug, d.h. der Lift ist geographisch das Zentrum des Stockwerks. Auf einer Seite des Stiegenhauses sind Fenster, die Licht hereinlassen. Auf den anderen drei Seiten sind Wohnungstüren. In jedem Stock sind vier Wohnungen. Wenn man aus dem Lift herauskäme, wäre eine zur Rechten, eine zur Linken, und zwei geradeaus. Manishas Wohnung ist die zur Linken, d.h. von eurer Position (das Stiegenhaus windet sich im Uhrzeigersinn um den Aufzug) am weitesten entfernt, ca. 3 oder 4 Meter.
Es hat bisher keine lauten Geräusche gegeben. Die beiden sind ganz normal plaudernd hineingegangen, ihr habt euch weitgehend lautlos nach oben bewegt. Kurz bevor Manisha die Tür schließen konnte, hat Cinder Manisha lautlos betäubt. In dem Moment, wo Scarcrow handeln kann, ist sie gerade daran, zusammenzusacken. Sie befindet sich schon vollständig im Gang in ihrer Wohnung - sie wollte gerade die Tür zuziehen. Im Moment bist du dir noch nicht mal sicher, ob ihr Loverboy bemerkt hat, was passiert ist - er ist ja vor ihr in die Wohnung.
Zu dem Zeitpunkt, wo Scarcrow an der Tür ankommt, hört ihr ein entsetztes "What the...? Manisha? Are you okay?"
-
@Mark:
"Play the trid NOW!"
Scarcrow wartete eine Sekunde, um Mark Zeit zu geben, zu reagieren (und weil er hoffte, der unbekannte Loverboy würde sich in der Zeit über die bewusstlose Manisha beugen und sein Blickfeld einschränken), dann sprang er mit einem Satz in die Wohnung und verpasste dem Mann eine Ladung Strom, die sich gewaschen hatte.
[spoiler]
Schocken mit edge: 6(agi)+5(unarmed)+6(edge)
>> 4 edge übrig
Nabbing Loverboy (http://orokos.com/roll/410635): 17d6t5 5
Zählen shockgloves als touch-only?
Touch only (http://orokos.com/roll/410636): 2d6t5 0
[/spoiler]
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Mark schien die Betonung auf now verstanden zu haben. Kaum war dein Satz zu Ende, hörst du schon laute Pop-Musik aus der Wohnung.
Manishas Liebhaber kam noch zu einem verwirrten "Wh...", als plötzlich die Tür regelrecht aus den Angeln fliegt und eine tellegroße Hand an der Stirn ihn ins Reich der Träume befördert.
Der Mann sackt fast lautlos in sich zusammen. Ihr hört nichts mehr, außer eurem eigenen Atem und "Fifty Diamonds" von Nickin' Rubies.
[spoiler]Für Shockgloves reicht Berührung, aber was sind die 2 W6, die du da gewüfelt hast? Die Wiederholung der Sechsen ist unabhängig davon durch Edge möglich.
Surprise check (http://orokos.com/roll/410665): 6d6t5 1
Widerstand (http://orokos.com/roll/410672): 4d6t5 3
--> 10S Schaden --> Bewusstlosgikeit
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"Great timing, got both. We're entering now. Any surveillance we should worry about?"
Scarcrow hob den Teppich auf, den er vor seinem Angriff fallen gelassen hatte, sah sich kurz um und zog dann (vorausgesetzt Mark gibt kein rotes Licht) die zwei regungslosen weg von der Tür, damit Cinder und er ins Innere verschwinden können.
[spoiler] die zwei Würfel waren für den Bonus, den man auf "Touch-only-Angriffe" kriegt. Corebook p.187. [/spoiler]
-
[spoiler]
Touch only würde aber verhindern dass du mehr als 8 Schaden machst und damit das Ziel ausschaltest.
Solltest du besser weglassen.
[/spoiler]
Cinder bewegte sich schnell in die Wohnung und schloss die Türe. Kurz blickte er sich um bis er die Küche fand. Von dort brachte er eine Flasche Rotwein und ein Küchenmesser.
"Ok, Zeit für den gemeinen Teil der Vertuschungsaktion."
Er zog Manisha auf den creme farbenen Teppich und zog ihr sanft und vorsichtig das scharfe Filetiermesser über den Unterarm. Gerade genug um ein dünnes Rinnsal aus Blut auf den Teppich zu tropfen. Seine behandschuhten Hände pressten dann den Griff des Messers in die Hand des bewusstlosen Mannes. Dann nahm er das Messer und lies es hinter den Sessel fallen, außer Sicht aber nicht wirklich schwer zu finden.
Dann begann er die kleine Wunde zu behandeln und mit geübter routine zu verbinden.
Neben den Blutfleck lies er ein halbes Glas Wein auf den Teppich plätschern.
Zu guter letzt zog er den Mann neben die Bewusstlose, nahm ihre Hand und kratzte mit ihren Fingernägeln durch das Gesicht des Kerls, so dass zwei deutlich sichtbare, parallele Striemen erkennbar waren.
"Roll sie in den Teppich ein. Ich suche ein paar Putzmittel und tue so als ob auf dem Hartholzboden noch mehr Blutspuren verwischt worden wären."
Weitere Weinflecken lies er auf dem Hemd des Mannes entstehen. Mit etwas Bleiche aus dem Putzschrank fabrizierte er einen deutlich sichtbaren Putzfleck auf dem empfindlichen Holzboden.
"Ok. Das sollte genügen um die Polizei davon zu überzeugen, dass der Kerl hier für ihr Verschwinden verantwortlich ist, selbst wenn er eine Geschichte von zwei Angreifern spinnt.
Lass uns hier verschwinden sobald Mark das OK gibt."
-
[spoiler]Ah, okay!
Nop, da fallen Shock gloves nicht drunter. Die sind contact-only, aber nicht touch-only ^^
@Jack: Not bad at all. Regain 1 point of edge!
[/spoiler]
"There's surveillance I'm taking care of, if that's what you mean.", Mark replies with a wink. You realize for the first time, that Mark has not only become more passive these last days, but also grew a sense of humor. Maybe worth investigating what happened to him.
"You're ready to go. I've got great footage though, in case you should ever piss me off."
-
Scarcrow war tatsächlich von Marks Persönlichkeitswandel, und nicht im negativen Sinne. Der ist ja wie ausgewechselt...
"careful, chummer. I'm not the typo guy you casually want to blackmail. But anyways: how much can ya do with that trid? I dunno... perhaps you could cut together some fight-scenes and play them in an hour or so, so that the neighbors will hear angry voices shouting n stuff."
Währenddessen überprüfte er kurz den Puls ihrer Geiseln, dann ging er Cinder zur Hand. Er nahm zwei Weingläser aus dem Küchenschrank, füllte etwas Wein ein und ließ sie dann durch die Hände und an die Lippen der Geiseln wandern, damit man auch ja ihre Finger- und Lippenabdrücke an den Gläsern finden würde. Anschließend zerdepperte er Manishas Glas am Kopf des jungen Nepalesen, so dass es so aussah, al hätte sie es nach ihm geworfen.
"Oh, before you patch her up again: try to get some of her blood under his fingernails. And why don't we drug him? Don't ya think it'll be more suspicious if he says he doesn't know what happened? Or do you think the cops will test his blood and find the drug?"
Wenn sie fertig sind wickelt er Manisha in den Teppich ein, verschnürt sie mit Panzertape, versiegelt auch ihren Mund und legt den Riesenwrap dann neben die Türe.
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Mark kichert leicht über deine Drohung, aber es wirkt eher ausweichend als höhnisch. "Don't worry, buddy. I'm way too old for that kind of stupidity. I was merely joking.
Yah, I think I can do that. I don't know whether I can make it sound like Manisha's voice, though. I'm not entirely convinced the idea is awesome, but I'd rather do it than start a fight with a typo guy."
-
Cinder schüttelte den Kopf:
"A drug test is the first thing the police does. I don't know exactly how this drug works, so I'd rather not risk giving him an easy way to explain this situation. You hit him with a potent shock to the head. It's more than likely that he won't have a clear recollection of what happened in those three seconds we needed to subdue them. Even if he remembers something - and it's not like he had time to memorize your tusks - all he can say is that a troll he never saw before burst into the room and hit him. Even from a sober, upstanding member of society that would look extremely feeble as an explanation as to why there is a knife with his prints and the blood of his girl in the room.
But yeah, a few drops on his clothes can't hurt."
Cinder nahm die blutige Bandage und schmierte sie ein wenig über das Hemd des Mannes.
"Ok, I'll go out first and see if the air's clear. You bring the rug when I give you the sign."
Cinder schaute sich um um sicher zu gehen, dass keine verräterischen Spuren zurück geblieben waren. Als er sicher sein konnte, dass Manisha verstaut war, blickte er zuerst durch den Türspion und als dort nichts zu sehen war, ging er vorsichtig hinaus auf den Gang.
-
Die nächste halbe Stunde lässt sich sehr leicht zusammenfassen. Mark beobachtet die Gegend und stellt fest, dass die Luft rein ist. Er hackt die Garage, fährt rein, und wartet unten, bis ihr da seid. Manisha wird in den Aufzug gestopft, Mark sorgt dafür, dass er bis zur Tiefgarage nicht hält. Dort wartet bereits das Auto, in das sie verfrachtet und abtransport wird.
[spoiler]Wo bringt ihr sie hin?
In welcher Sprache unterhalten sie sich eigentlich untereinander? Nepali oder Englisch?
-
Eine knappe 3/4 Stunde später kam das Team in der kleinen Ferienwohnung außerhalb der Stadt an. Dem Biomonitor aus dem Medkit zu schließen würde ihre Gefangene nicht mehr besonders lang schlafen. Cinder sperrte die Türe auf um Mark und Scarcrow hineinzulassen.
Das Wohnzimmer hatten sie bereits hergerichtet: Abgedunkelte Fenster, alle Möbel entfernt bis auf einen Metalltisch und zwei Metallstühle, sowie der Halogenstrahler. Die gleiche Anordnung wie bei Frozen Yoghurt.
Cinder seufzte innerlich. Heute allein hatte er fünf schwere Straftaten begangen und einen unschuldigen Mann falsch belastet. Sein Gewissen nagte heftig an ihm. Er zwang sich an die Kinder zu denken, die zu kleinen Killermaschinen umfunktioniert wurden. Nur noch maximal zwei Tage, dann würde es vorbei sein und er konnte zu seinem Job zurückkehren und diese Sache hinter sich lassen.
"Sagt mal, sprecht ihr eigentlich Nepali? Ich habe mich aus reiner Gewohnheit nur auf Englisch mit euch verständigt."
-
Scarcrow hatte ihr Paket aus dem Wagen geladen und auf den Boden des Verhörzimmers gelegt. Er überprüfte kurz den Biomonitor und ihren Puls, dann antwortete er Cinder.
"Hm... ja, sprece schon, aber nict ohne Fehler. Aber ist gut. Hier weg von Stadt, Nepali weniger auffällig.
Mark, kannst du herausfinden mehr über lover? Name, Adresse, so was. ist gut, ähm... Druckmittel."
[spoiler] Nepali 3 reicht für derart profane Konversation aus, oder? [/spoiler]
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Die Wohnung war noch, wie ihr sie zurückgelassen habt. Die Gegend herum war wie ausgestorben, selbst der Regen hat aufgehört. Es ist ruhig. Ihr ahnt, dass es die Ruhe vor dem Sturm sein würde.
Mark blickt dich an, ein Gesicht wie zwölf Stunden Tridotrubbies. "I don't speak no Nepali bhasa, omae. Hanguk-eo jom it-da, however, and Nihongo o hanashimasu. Sorry, pal."
Wenn du die Frage auf Englisch wiederholst, nickt er, sagt "Chha, daai" und verschwindet im Cyberspace.
[spoiler]Klar. Bis auf Wörter wie "Druckmittel" vielleicht.
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"Ok, let's stick to English than. Give me notice when you have the info. I'll revive her as soon as we have it.
Oh, one more thing: We need to hide our faces - not because she could remember them, but so that she can believe we'll let her go if she cooperates. If she thinks she'll be killed regardless, she'll have no incentive to tell us the truth."
With that words, Cinder retrieved a ski mask from a pocket that he normally used under his helmet in the winter. Cinder made sure the lamps would blind Manisha and then went to prepare his med kit.
-
Ich bezweifle, dass jemand in Kathmandu eine Skimaske braucht ^^ aber irgendwas zum Verschleiern werdet ihr sicher dabei haben.
-
[spoiler]
Warten wir auf Bestätigung von Scarcrow? Er hat - so lange Mark nichts heraus findet - nichts hinzuzufügen und ist bereit, loszulegen, sobald sie alle Info haben.
Wenn Cinder sie aufweckt, wird er im hinteren Bereich der Zimmers warten und demonstrativ mit einem Messer herum spielen, Gesicht natürlich maskiert.
[/spoiler]
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Ihr könnt mit der Befragung jederzeit beginnen. Manisha wurde Platz genommen und ist bereit zum Verhör.
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Cinder setzte den Erste Hilfe Kasten ein um die Effekte des Tasers teilweise rückgängig zu machen.
Sobald die Frau anfing zu blinzeln trat Cinder zurück und schaltete die Lampen ein. Sofort war der Raum in gleißendes Licht gehüllt und begann sich aufzuheizen.
"You are awake. Before we begin let me make one thing clear, Manisha. This can go two ways: You cooperate and you'll be let go, safe, sound and unharmed. The other way... well you get the gist.
So, lets test if you have understood this. Tell us your full name and position in the temple laboratories."
-
Manisha screams as the lights go on, then regains her composure rather quickly. She blinks, focusses, then looks you in the eye.
"Who are you?
My name is Manisha Hatsumoto."
-
[spoiler]
Interrogation (http://orokos.com/roll/414321): 11d6t5 4
[/spoiler]
"I am the man holding your immediate future in his hands. Believe me, you don't want to know more, lest you become a security risk to us. And believe me: At the moment I am your only friend in the world.
Now answer the question in full, or I'll go away and leave you alone with my colleague. He is a troll with bad breath, worse manners and a thing for beautiful women."
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"Better tell him what he wants to know, sweety.", knurrte Scarcrows Stimme aus dem off. Er fühlte sich in der Rolle des tumben, aggressiven Trolls ohnehin pudelwohl.
"He ain't overstating and we ain't playing no games.
Although... I, personally, wouldn't mind a little resistance. I've had a bloody lame day so far..."
Und während er sprach trat er einen Schritt mach vorne und seine behandschuhten Pranken kramten ein großes Feuerzeug aus seiner Tasche.
Er hielt genüsslich sein Messer über die Flamme, um es zum Glühen zu bringen.
[spoiler]
intimidation (http://orokos.com/roll/414329): 15d6t5 4
[/spoiler]
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[spoiler]Welche Sicherheitsmaßnahmen habt ihr getroffen, um Flucht/Rettung zu verhindern?[spoiler]
Ihr könnt sehen, dass ihre Geschäftsmiene Risse bekommt. Obwohl sie natürlich weiß, dass einiges von dem, was du sagst, nur ist, um sie einzuschüchtern, hat es nichtsdestotrotz eine Wirkung auf sie. Sie zweifelt nicht daran, dass Scarcrow seine Narben nicht durch eine Kinderkrankheit bekommen hatte, und legte keinen Wert darauf, ähnlich auszusehen.
Manisha schluckt, zögert einen Moment, und beantwortet dann die Frage mit einer Miene und einem Tonfall, als ob sie nicht gefesselt in einem Verhörzimmer und der Aussicht auf Folter wäre, sondern als ob sie einem Vorgesetzten Namen und Dienstgrad nennen würde.
"My name is Manisha Hatsumoto. I'm chief executive of the Sleeping Tiger project. I am research leader of Faruke Incorporated, department R&D, Sleeping Tiger branch. This temple is just a research lab, its leaders are our employees, more or less."
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[spoiler]
Zwei Paar Handschellen um die Hände an die Armlehnen zu fesseln. Der Stuhl ist mit Schrauben am Boden befestigt.
[/spoiler]
"Good. That wasn't so hard, was it? Now your Sleeping Tiger project to create highly capable killers has been getting the wrong kind of attention. Tell us which security measures are in place at the lab. Be aware that tripping us up will not be in your interest. If we are captured or killed, no-one will be able to release you. Worse, at the moment the world thinks that your little boy-toy killed you in a fit of murderous rage and disposed of your body. So it's also his life on the line.
So please be specific and give details. We do have your handbag with all cards. We want relevant passwords, guard stations and all other security measures we might encounter on our way into the lab and to the research data - including the kids you experimented on."
-
[spoiler]Was habt ihr an Kleidung/Ausrüstung an ihrem Körper gelassen, was bewusst entfernt?[/spoiler]
"What is it you want to achieve? There might be a way without violence. What are you hired for? Maybe we can find an arrangement, and avoid bloodshet and attention. I assume this is in your intrest, too."
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[spoiler]
Komplette polizeiliche Behandlung: Schmuck, Schnürsenkel, Gürtel etc. abnehmen, abtasten auf versteckte Waffen/Geräte, Matrix Check um versteckte Transmitter zu finden. Ebenso Brillen und Kontaktlinsen.
[/spoiler]
"Yes, we prefer non-violence. If you cooperate none of your coworkers will get hurt. We are hired to get your research and your kids with the prototype gear. Now, stop distracting. Give us a run down of the site's security."
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"I'm not distracting, you amateur. Who the hell hires people like you? I'm offering you the research files and a list of the test subjects."
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"Cute. You are hopefully aware that amateurs tend to leave a lot of bodies in their wake. So stop the name calling and spill the beans on what we ask. You are welcome to add your input afterwards."
Cinder behielt seinen nüchternen Tonfall bei auch wenn die Bemerkung ihn getroffen hatte. 'Mein Gott, wie konnte es nur soweit kommen...'
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Manisha seufzt, aber selbst in diesem Seufzen liegt etwas leicht Herablassendes. Dann aber antwortet sie:
"All right. If you need to play the masked heroes, so shall it be.
There is next to no matrix security. But then, there doesn't need to be because there is nothing of value to be found in the matrix. All our research is offline. This is kind of a nuisance but it's the price for working here.
Also, the technological security is at a minimum. Most doors are locked with offline locks. We do have some hard-wired security cameras but whether or not they are useless depends a lot on who is having guard duty. Apart from that, and proper identification systems in the restricted areas, there are no traps, or sensors, or hidden arms.
There is, however, strong magical protection. The inner section is protected by a strong ward. At all times, there are at least two or three Awakened security personnel on guard. Apart from that, there's the occasional sadhu present who will be happy to unleash their forces upon anyone who they think is an intruder. Also, I was informed that there is an array of spirits guarding the place, but since I never encountered them, I have no details on them. I assume it goes without saying the Shree Yela Sai Baba himself is a spellcaster.
Apart from that, there is some mundane force as well. The temple troope is about twenty people strong. Add to this the watchers, fanatics in disguise who oversee the place. I believe it was you who put out one of our best men recently, was it not?"
-
"Believe what ya want.", blockte Scarcrow eine Antwort zu Frozen Yoghurt ab.
"Tell us more 'bout the temple troops. Are we talking kids with guns, or actual security?
And speaking of kids... where and how do you keep your test subjects?
Oh... and drop that bad-girl-pose. You're not impressing anyone."
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Manisha schaut dir kühl in die Augen, obwohl man bei genauerem Hinsehen nicht übersehen kann, dass ihr Herz rast und jede Farbe aus ihrem Gesicht gewichen ist.
"If you need me to break into tears to get hard, you have to capture someone else. I really start wondering what low-b-"
Sie beißt sich auf die Zunge und atmet durch.
"The temple troops are basically volunteers. Fanatics. Those who are too dumb to bring in anything useful are given a cudgel or shock gloves and made it their task to defend their temple. I'm not saying they can't be dangerous, but they usually are simpletons.
The test subjects have their training room, laboratories and facilities all in the Inner Section. They believe themselves to be some kind of chosen, and are treated likewise."
-
Scarcrow ballte seine großen Hände zu Fäusten, knackte mit den Knöcheln und schnaubte, als könne er seine Wut nur mühsam zurückhalten.
In Wahrheit ließ ihn Manishas Stichelei relativ kalt, er war Beleidigungen gewohnt, aber er bemühte sich, in der Rolle des aggressiven Barbaren zu bleiben.
Zugegeben, ihre arrogante Art reizte ihn zunehmends.
Man, you're lucky we still need ya..."
"More Details.", forderte er unwirsch . "How are your ... volunteers... armed? How many guns, rifles, heavy drek... and where is it kept?
Any adepts? How many trogs? "
[spoiler] wir wissen von den Kids dass mindestens einer eine mp hat (bzw hatte) und es einen Troll mit Armklingen gibt, richtig?
[/spoiler]
-
"And also, how are those "Chosen" controlled - do they have implants that allow you to make them harmless in the event that one of them should snap?"
Cinder hielt sich zurück während Scarcrow seine Nummer abzog und behielt stattdessen Manishas Reaktionen genau im Blick.
-
"I already told you a considerable amount, taking into account that I have no guarantee to leave this room alive at all. Judging from your behavior, you don't care a lot whether or not there is one more enemy corpse in your path. You will see that I have no reason to tell you any further information unless you can give me some kind of guarantee I can see another sunset.
I think I have proven so far that I am willing to cooperate. Holy saints, yes, I value my life way higher than the Sleeping Tiger project. But I'm not a moron. How can I know you won't kill me once I gave you all the information you need?"
Manisha ist sichtlich nervös. Sie kämpft ihre Furcht hinunter, um rational bleiben zu können. Trotzdem seht ihr zum gegebenen Zeitpunkt keinen Grund anzunehmen, dass sie lügt.
[spoiler]Du darfst natürlich gerne auf Judge Intentions würfeln, wenn du ein greifbareres Resultat möchtest.
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"And we appreciate that. And as we have told you, we don't want to kill you. On the contrary we are binding your faith and life to ours. If we don't come back from our run you'll probably die because no-one will find you or be looking for you. On the other hand, if we are successful, there will be no reason for us to harm you in any way. You will be released and free to do whatever you want.
There is no profit in killing you."
[spoiler]Judge Intention (http://orokos.com/roll/418470): 9d6t5 3 [9d6t5=3, 4, 5, 6, 1, 1, 5, 3, 1]
[/spoiler]
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"Hahaha, I'm laughing my ass off. What reason would you have to come back and free me? Why bother and make another potential enemy. If you think this is how business works, you should stop reading comicbooks.
Why don't we agree on some kind of deposit. I'm sure you have s... Oh, Jesus!! What have you done to Jeremiah? Where is he? What did you do to him? Let me talk to him!"
[spoiler]Deine Menschenkenntnis scheint im Großen und Ganzen zu bestätigen, dass sie ehrlich ist. Vielleicht ist die eine oder andere Reaktion aufgesetzt oder etwas pointiert, aber der Kern ist wahr: Ihr Leben ist ihr mehr wert als das Projekt.
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"Nothing more than we did to you, minus the abduction. He is alive and by now probably even conscious again in your flat. But you might notice a little cut on your forearm. We took the liberty of leaving some blood splatters around and also a bloody knife. Combine that with some other pieces of incriminating looking evidence and Jeremiah will look very much like he killed you in a alcohol induced rage, smelling like wine as he did. As of yet we have not placed an anonymous call complaining about screams and loud music from your flat, but chances are that he'll himself call the police.
And don't worry about us - we have certain safeguards in place. We certainly won't come back to free you - instead we will place a call and have the police free you. Believe it or not, but I have no desire to have a death on my conscience. The fact that we are talking in a civilized fashion with you instead of torture should be prove enough for that.
So back to our questions..."
-
"No, not yet. Who do you think you are talking to? By now, all I have is the word of someone who abducted me, threatened me to have a huge, scarred troll rape me and then leave me here to die. I have no guarantees you won't kill me safe your words, I have no reason to trust you either.
Here's what I suggest, and if what you say is true, you have every reason to join in this. You allow me to talk to my partner, and send him my geodata. If you are at least a bit professional, you will have chosen a safe distance. There is no way he can interfere until I have told you all I know - or, in case I should refuse, to kill me in a painful way. On the other hand, if I am willing to cooperate, he can find and take me from here, thus ensuring that he won't be punished for a crime you committed, and my survival.
Of course, this still leaves you the opportunity to just kill me off. I have to trust you in this regard that you have no intention of leaving corpses behind. The difference for me is, that in one case you have to put active effort in ensuring my live, whereas in the other case you have to put active effort into killing me. This might not be a big difference for you, but it is one for me, to be sure.
On these grounds, I will tell you everything I know. If you refuse this, I have to assume that my only choice is to die anyway, and as a half-Japanese, I would rather die in honour than as a traitor."
Ihre Stimme zittert leicht, auch wenn sie sich Mühe gibt, das zu verbergen. Sie kämpft um ihr Leben, scheint aber auch entschlossen zu sein.
-
Sobald Manisha "...send him my geodata " vorgeschlagen hatte, teilte Scarcrow seinen Kollegen seine Bedenken mit.
"Too much of a risk, her lover must stay blamed.
Mark, can ya redirect her call to you and impersonate Jeremy? "
-
"I can do the first. I can't do the latter."
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"No. Your friend would most likely try to contact the police to search for you. That would inevitably alert your employer. In response they'd most certainly change or upgrade their security. That would make all this an exercise in futility.
You don't exactly lose anything by trusting my word. For the rest of the world you are already dead.
We will attempt to breach the temple with or without your help. The better your help, the better are your chances to be found and come out of this alive. Resisting won't gain you anything, nor will it help your friend. The only thing you'll achieve is that we might have to kill or injure guards and co-workers of you, or that we might be killed or incapacitated, making it impossible for us to free you. And make no mistake: We are the only ones with the ability to free you and it will stay that way.
The only thing I can offer you is a cyanide pill if you want an assurance that you won't have to starve to death.
And now we have wasted enough time. If you don't want to help us, so be it. We will leave. With luck we'll make it without your detailed information and with further luck we'll be in the mood to free you. You are an intelligent woman. I don't think I'll have to make this any clearer."
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"No, you don't. Judging by the impressive show of complete amateurism and your absolute unwillingness to turn this into anything else than it obviously is, I am already dead. At least I will not die a traitor.
From your answer, I can deduce only two things.
First, that you are morons. Why and how should the temple people be informed by the police? They are an illegal body themselves.
Second, that you don't care whether there's one more body, one more innocent soul in your path, if it's only slightly inconvenient to you.
I have nothing more to say, except that I would indeed accept the pill you were offering, in case you were not just mocking me."
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"You are kidding right? The first thing the police will do is ask about your workplace and contact whoever you are connected with. The police here might not be the best equipped or the sharpest knives in the drawer, but basic procedure after a wealthy woman vanishes will include looking for your coworkers. If you work for such an incompetent illegal organisation that they wouldn't pick up on that, we probably won't have any trouble anyway.
And no, as I said, the bodies lie on your conscience. You alone have the ability to prevent them. We do what we have to do. We prefer to not kill anyone. But I probably won't cry myself to sleep about a bunch of people who mind rape children and turn them into murderers.
But suit yourself. Time to give the police that anonymous tipp, that your friend was seen carrying a body into the parking garage."
Cinder drehte sich um den Raum zu verlassen.
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"Who the hell hires brutes like you at all? Are you just saying that you kidnapped me without even the slightest clue who I am working for? In case you again did not get what I am saying, here's for you:"
Sie sagt in einer sehr langsamen, jede Silbe betonenden Stimme: "I - am - not - working - for - those - temple - freaks."
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"Yeah, yeah, your company is just leasing the premises and using their resources. Same difference from our perspective."
Cinder zuckte mit den Schultern und setzte seinen Weg fort.
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"So you ain't dying a traitor, huh?"
Scarcrow zuckte mit seinen breiten Schulten.
"Fine. We can find someone else who will."
Er drehte sich um und schickte sich ebenfalls an, den Raum zu verlassen.
"I'll say hi to Jerry for ya."
"Let's give her a moment to get used to dying.
Mark, anything interesting in her com? 'bout the arrival of her Japanese chummers for example."
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Manishas Miene ist steinern - furchtsam, aber entschlossen. Jedenfalls noch. Sie schweigt eisern.
"Yeah, and more than that, chummers. I not only got all those Faruke contacts - including the dwarf's - there's also some business related stuff. I guess I got some time to figure out what is what but it looks a lot like meetings, expenses, ooh, and there's also a lot of message traffic. Hardly anything temple-related, though. But I guess you got some important info anyway.
Ah, speaking of "anyway": I could, if you say please in a very, very polite manner, weave this Cloak of Presence I used on you earlier ... on both of you. I guess this might help to quench the info out of this bi... business woman."
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"Great. Any planned visits?
Let's leave her brooding for some minutes and look through the information."
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"Oh, that might have come in handy before.
Thank god we can have a second chance. I meant it to be a bluff, but now I am inclined to do exactly what I told her to do. Therefore we could use drug to make her forget this conversation and repeat the whole thing - now with the information we already have. Should be interesting how she reacts the second time round.
What do you say?"
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"Sounds like a plan, we loose nothing if we try that."
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Damn, sorry, dass ich hier so lange weg war. Irgendwie hab ich mit dem Ferienbeginn und dem Ende von Sins of the Fathers das Forum mental ausgeklammert und völlig auf den Threat vergessen! Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa!
Wollt ihr Manisha jetzt die Droge verabreichen und das Verhör nochmal neu anstarten?
Nochmal sorry für meine Nachlässigkeit als Meister. In Bezug auf Spannung und Dramatik im Forum kann ich echt noch einiges von dir lernen, Jack. Ich bin mir schmerzlich bewusst, wieviel zäher und träger Bliss, Blessings ist als die von dir gemeisterten Runs. Anerkennung an diesem Punkt. Bin ab jetzt wieder regelmäßig hier! Versprochen!
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[spoiler]
Ja, aber diesmal mit extra Charisma Boost, aber ohne Drohung mit Gewalt, stattdessen Konzentration auf ihren Freund
[/spoiler]
Cinder loaded the injector pistol and walked back in: "Good night".
He pulled the trigger.
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Ein Ausdruck größter Verwirrung tritt in ihr Gesicht, noch bevor der Pfeil einschlägt.
Danach noch mehr.
Wenige Stunden später habt ihr das Setup neu aufgebaut. Sie erwacht blinzeln und verwirrt. Ihr Gesicht ist blass, sie wirkt schwach. Aber sie ist bei Bewusstsein.
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[spoiler] Hat Mark seinen Zauber gewirkt und Informationen über Jeremiah herausgefunden? [/spoiler]