Shadowrun
Shadowrun Play => Play-by-Post => Topic started by: inca1980 on <08-10-13/2309:42>
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@Zach & Storm:
Ever since the meet gone bad you've been looking over your shoulder even to go to the bathroom. It's been three days already and you know about as much now as you did the moment you were speeding away from the burning Puyallup Lodge. You saw no reports in the paper of people dying from the fire but you've heard a few whispers in the shadows from survivors of the drones that were seen zipping up and down the hallways before everything went to shit.
Speaking of drones, the only real outstanding detail that might have distinguished this from any other ambush is that there were no street sammies employed, no combat mages, no adepts. As far as you can tell the only force that tried to take you out and was looking for Brick was an army of drones. Even the Johnson was a drone.
You haven't had a chance yet to get a professional to take a look at the rotodrone you confiscated, and Brick has been completely AWOL, which makes sense for someone who is hunted. The only upside to the whole thing so far is that you haven't encountered any attempts on your life yet....yet. And that's what's got you turning over the different angles of this pile of drek situation day and night.
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Zach was ready to get down to the roots of this. He knows that some places may be under surveillance, well he dont fear Vory now as much as he does the unknown mechanical danger that threatened his and his partners life recently. As he knew that credsticks are of lesser value in barrens and ghetoes, he decided to get some real currency that would hel them convience local community to cooperation. Medical supplies. He hopes, that doctor Watson would be able to help him get what he needs, and since electronical messages and communication were quite vounerable this days, he decided to go the job old way. He get on his bike and merges with traffic to get there. Well, he is not careless, and before he reaches actual place, he runs a few circles around the block to see if the place is safe...
Sneaking:
Agi(4)+Sneaking(9) [Physical limit: 6] (13d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4170288/)
Looking for sneaking oponents:
INT(4)+Sneaking(9) [Mental Limit: 4] (13d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4170289/)
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@Zach:
Outside Doc Watson's you do a check and a double-check and the place looks safe outside. Slipping into the alley, you walk down the brief flight of concrete steps that end at a maglocked doorway. You already know where the overhead camera is located and imagine the good doctor seeing your tusked face all fish-bowled from your proximity to the lens. Without a word being uttered the >click< of an automatic bolt unlatching and the >hiss< of the door sliding open welcome you to the grimy-sterility of the chop-shop.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/66568711/SR%20shares/UB%209/SRChopshop.jpg)
The door quickly hisses shut and locks itself behind you as soon as you enter and with well rehearsed timing a deviously beautiful blue woman almost instantly rounds the corner carrying a plastic bin. Neena....the nurse....you remember her name as if through a dream. The grey scrubs she's wearing, try as they might, do a poor job of hiding them sleek curves and her yellow catlike eyes lock with yours for an instant.
"Good evening Zacharias, would you please empty your weapons and electronics into the bin. We've added extra security protocols so I apologize for the inconvenience."
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Nice to see you my sweet cat lady. I understand, this are difficult times.
With little hessitation, Zach took off his genades and H&Ks and placed them where he was told. His commlink is running in passive mode, with his new sin transmitting so je is safe from security checks while on the streets, here he has only a little use for it here. He remembers well that some questions were asked here about him, and he has hi ssuspicion about who was looking for the intel, but there were only a few other options and also...no risk means no gain. He kept his last backup as always, never separating from it, and follows the nurse
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"God damn fragging drones".
Storm felt like an animal in a cage. She didn't trust anyone these past few days. Her commlink was set to passive mode and she wasn't taking any calls unless she was sure as drek who was on the other end. And that meant that she wasn't picking up for any of her usual fixers, either. Not that she had to worry too much about that one; nobody had called.
She needed to reach out to Brick, as she'd promised Zach. She decided that using the services of her water spirits, known as the Fae, would be most appropriate. She decides to prepare by increasing her ability to resist the Drain that inevitably accompanies such actions.
Cast F5 Increase Willpower: Spellcasting(10)+Magic(4)+Power focus(4) [Force 5] (18d6.hits(5)=6) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4171076/) Willpower increases from 5 to 9
Drain Resist (2): Willpower(9)+Charisma(7) (16d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4171077/) no drain
Cast F7 Increase Charisma: Spellcasting(10)+Magic(4)+Power focus(4)-Sustaining(2) [Force 7] (16d6.hits(5)=8) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4171079/) Charisma increases from 7 to 11
Drain Resist (4): Willpower(9)+Charisma(11) (20d6.hits(5)=8) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4171080/) no drain
Summon F3 water spirit, optional power: Accident
Summon F3 Water Spirit: Summoning(7)+Magic(4)+Power Focus(4)-Sustaining(4) (16d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4171081/) hits capped at 3
Summoning Resist: Force 3 (3d6.hits(5)=0) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4171083/) 3 net hits
Drain Resist (2): Willpower(9)+Charisma(11) (20d6.hits(5)=6) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4171086/) no drain
Storm summons the water spirit, binding its contract by allowing it to hungrily lap its cold, wet hands across her chest. She feels some of the heat drain from her body as this happens. The spirit seems satisfied and nods curiously as Storm.
"Clever and nimble spirit, I require that you seek an ally of mine and deliver to him a message. You are then to bring back any replies immediately to me and are not to tamper with his words or meanings in any way. If other beings of any kind, whether living, spirit-form, or machine, are in the area, you are to report this to me as well.
She sends a mental picture of Brick to the spirit. She knows him well and her memory of him is crystal clear.
"The message is that he is to meet me at the coffee shop that I once told him about. The one that we would meet at should a run ever go sideways. Bring back his reply."
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@Storm:
Your spirit searches far and wide in astral space but returns in about an hour to report back to you that it has failed to find the aura of Brick. It asks you to please be understanding that the quest you sent it on is like finding a needle in a haystack. Having completed it's service for you it bows and departs.
[spoiler]
OOC: remember all extended tests are diminishing in SR5 and the spirit couldn't possibly get enough hits for its Search power test. Since it had to go beyond your Magic 4 x 100 meters that counts as a remote service and uses up all it's service once it's done searching.
[/spoiler]
Amazing Larry still hasn't returned any calls but you're a bit nervous about visiting him in person. Well at least one piece of good news just came in....Olivia Black came through and dropped you a commcode for some decker named Stake. You make a mental note to return the favor. Even though you don't trust anyone, Olivia was more than just a contact, she was a friend, and someone you shared a following of the almighty Thor with. The tip looked solid and by now it seemed like the only logical path forward to making heads or tails of this.
@Zach:
Neena's comfort with guns and grenades doesn't surprise you in the least and you return her smirk with a knowing smile as she casually puts the bin under her arm leaning it on her hip and with the other hand motions for you to follow her.
Doc Watson is half focused on the AR output from a desk terminal as you walk into the consultation room. His/her familiar mask is in place as usual and with the same computer masked voice scrambler he/she acknowledges your presence.
"How's that liver working out for you? I gotta say your a lucky bastard, but you runners are all a lucky bunch....well the breathing ones at least. So, Neena says you wanted to talk."
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Luck usualy can use a little help...and new liver from time to time. Ive been sober even since. Drinking water and milk like a good cat. Youve practicaly changed my life. At least one ninth of it, I guess. I have much better aim since then, and that comes handy on the streets.
Got and answer and a biz. Which one you would like to hear first, good doc?
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Olivia's been a good friend over the years.
Storm sends an encrypted message to her new contact, a decker named Stake. It wouldn't keep Lone Star from deciphering it (or anyone else with a modicum of skill), but it would do against a casual snooper.
"Hoi, chummer. Got your name from a mutual friend. I have some wiz tech for you to look at for me, something big, you interested?" She sends him a crypto-code so his reply will be encrypted until she opens it using a matching key.
Storm decides to cast a few more spells using her sustaining foci.
Cast Improve Reaction (F3): Spellcasting(10)+Magic(4)+Power Focus(4)-Sustaining(4) (18d6.hits(5)=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4173473/) Reaction increases from 2 to 5
Drain(2) Resist: Cha(11)+Wil(9) (20d6.hits(5)=8) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4173477/) no drain
Cast Improve Intuition (F3): Spellcasting(10)+Magic(4)+Power Focus(4)-Sustaining(4) (18d6.hits(5)=7) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4173478/) Intuition increases from 2 to 5
Drain(2) Resist: Cha(11)+Wil(9) (20d6.hits(5)=9) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4173487/) no drain
(forgot to subtract (-4) for sustaining on the above rolls, first roll reduced to 3 hits, second roll reduced to 5 hits)
Now she waits.
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@Zach:
The Doc looks a little puzzled by what you mean...."How about the answer first....then we can talk biz."
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Code swirled beautifully in the sterile environment of Virtual Reality. Stake stood in the middle of it, revolving in the opposite direction, sometimes taking pieces out of one place and putting them back to another. When ready, the Code would become part of an algorithm for analyzing chemicals, and he would put it up to OpenSource, for others to use it freely.
Sometime in the middle of the process, a disturbance appeared in the Code. Stake furrowed his brow and identified an incoming message with a moment’s concentration. His mood broken, he decided it wouldn’t hurt to check it immediately, especially when he realized it was encrypted. New momentum appeared in his activity, and he spent a short period with the decryption. The crypto-code which he received for the answer helped, at least in discerning the type of coding used. Boring but efficient, he thought.
After reading the message twice, he composed a quick answer. >>Hoi, chummer. A friend of a friend is always welcome. I’m interested in the main outline. Care to elaborate on details, like approximate job duration, estimated security category, and pay? Is the target a physical object or a virtual one?<< He applied the crypto-code to the reply and sent it right back. He also set the code aside, for use with later messages.
Hope this will be truly interesting. Haven’t met a real challenge in weeks.
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@Ren:
You get to thinking and one of the reasons a real challenge has been so hard to come by recently is that the jobs just haven't been rolling in. In fact, you can't remember a time that it's been this bad. You've been hearing some similar type of chatter while diving through shadow hosts of runners complaining about bulletin boards practically devoid of decent job postings. So any work is somewhat of a relief.
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OK. First, I`ll need my comm for this, I need to show you some pictures I take during last meetinhg with Johnson. Some serriously advanced chrome, not sure if its full cyborg or some kind of extremely augmented breeder suka. I`d like to hear your opinion on who can have such technology at his disposal. Here in this town. For shadows operations.
Zach waits for approval, and, if given, he gives doctor Watson avery piece of data available from his sensors, smartgun and googles, availale from meeting with that technoabomination.
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Storm reads the reply to her email and bites her lower lip, thinking on how to get a decker to help her when she has nothing to offer in return. She was nearly broke, living in a crappy squat in the barrens, and didn't have a clue about what to use as payment. Her best bet is to appeal to his curiosity and hope it's enough; if this Stake was one of those 50,000 nuyen per job types, then she'd need to look elsewhere. She didn't have the funding to become a fixer, and certainly not a Johnson.
She spends a few minutes running through a trideo playback of the incident a few days ago using the image link in her cybereyes. She crops out a few select clips and compiles them into small, neat files.
One is of the android being shot by Zach, her skin ripping open in patches and showing that underneath is only torn metal shielding, circuitry and LED's. One round hits her head and exposes parts of a metalic skull underneath some sort of foamy skin-like covering. The trideo shows her flying back on the couch on which she was sitting before and utters in a speaking voice that sounds glitchy all of a sudden: "Pre--pare to be e---rased."
The second is a similar file showing the same android, engulfed in flames, uttering its last words "Weee will render your professionnn irrelevant...." as it goes off-line.
The third is of the downed rotodrone, its service panel open, its memory circuits and logic boards exposed and relatively undamaged from the fall. Storm is careful to not include anything that could identify Zach or herself in the videos, including reflections off shiny surfaces, voices, or anything else.
Storm writes a note and attaches the videos. "Something is going down, something big. We're looking to get the info off the chips in the drone, info that can tell us who sent them and why. This is some seriously wiz tech, the kind of stuff that could be a game changer. If someone were able to replicate it for their own purposes, or post the source code so everyone had access, well let's just say they'd probably become pretty legendary."
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@Zach:
The Doc just stares at you through his full facial mask and doesn't reach for your comm at all.
"Whoa there buddy!... hold up a sec. If your idea is to come waltzing in here and throw me images of places and faces I have no business seeing and frankly don't want any part of, then you're mistaken. Dammit Zach I'm a doctor, not a street investigator. I patch you up when you're broken and that's just about it. It's how I do biz and it's what keeps everyone involved out of trouble! "
[spoiler]
OOC: Roll Smuggler Etiquette with a -1 since it's not shadowrunner etiquette.
[/spoiler]
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Stake read the reply with a sour expression. Nothing about money. Not a darn word. Drek. Either can’t pay or wants a hard bargain. I don’t like this. Curiosity and disappointment battled inside. He knew that if he opened those attached files, he might be in on something that could cost him his life. But he couldn’t turn down potential revenue just because of caution, had he done that every time, he would have already starved to death.
However, he didn’t throw caution to the wind. He checked the package for malware before opening any of the files. He then watched the trids, first in their entirety, then checking and rechecking some frames. He noted where the recordings were cut, the speed of events, the background, all little details. He spent about 10 minutes before he remembered that someone was probably waiting for his answer on the other side. He texted back briefly, before continuing. >>Get back to you after I checked the files. Might take some time.<< The least the sender could do was wait a bit.
Stake spent about an hour investigating the details. He tried to find anything on the ‘warez in the trid, checking if it was a humanoid drone or possibly one of those full-body cyborgs rumors were flowing around of. He also checked what could be seen and deduced from the drone parts – manufacturers, tasks, uses, how advanced the tech was, and as an afterthought, how much the tech might yield if sold. And in all files, he looked for details standing out, something that might help him identify the places or the participants of the recordings.
[spoiler=tests and settings]For the duration of the searches, I set my deck as follows: Attack 3, Sleaze 5, Data Processing 6, Firewall 5. Running programs are (max. 3): Browse (cuts search times in half), Signal Scrub (reduces noise by 2 if needed), Toolbox (+1 to data processing). User mode: Hot Sim VR.
Drone:
Drone parts: LOG(7) + Hardware(5) [Mental(11)] (12d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4175571/)
Drone parts: LOG(7) + Engineering, civil(4) + Mnemonic enhancer(2) [Mental(11)] (13d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4175573/)
Drone uses: LOG(7) + Security design(2) + Mnemonic enhancer(2) [Mental(11)] (11d6.hits(5)=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4175574/)
Matrix search: INT(6) + Computer(5) + hot sim(2) [Data processing(7)] (13d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4175575/)
Searching the vids for details standing out:
Perception: INT(6) + Perception, searching(5) + actively looking(3) [Mental(11)] (14d6.hits(5)=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4175576/) (if I can enhance the quality with some computer method or use vision or audio enhancement to increase chances of success, please tell me)
Androids:
Recognizing hardware, parts: LOG(7) + Hardware(5) [Mental(11)] (12d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4175577/)
Recognizing hardware, parts: LOG(7) + Cybertechnology, defaulting(-1) [Mental(11)] (6d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4175578/)
Matrix search: INT(6) + Computer(5) + hot sim(2) + probably obscure info(-2) [Data processing(7)] (11d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4175580/)
Note: If I don’t find anything on the android by 60 minutes after I sent the answer to Storm, I will leave it for later.[/spoiler]
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@Stake:
Without being able to properly analyze what you're seeing and only being able to rely on visual characteristics, the one thing u can tell is that this technology is nothing u haven't seen before. That being said it definitely is highend gear....but u wouldn't call it top of the line. The rotodrones look like standard military recon models, something a shadowrunner with the right connections could got his hands on without too much difficulty. The androids look like something a low-end pleasure house might have on its menu for the evening for those who have pockets big enough for an elaborate dom fantasy autosoft experience but not quite big enough for for a full blown bunraku meat puppet.
The tactical behavior of the android and drones are something else entirely. Their autosoft behavior software programming is definitly top of the line as far as you can tell. Not game changing but top of the line for sure. Even that however is not enough to really make anyone wet their pants. What makes you furrow your virtual brow is that you've counted more than 7 of these rotodrones on top of one of the androids and it was quite obvious that way more heat than what was shown on the vid was either present or on its way. That's a lot of tech. Despite the team which encountered them having some heavy mojo to sling, these drones really gave them a hard time and they barely escaped with their lives.
You jack out and lean back in your recliner going over it all in your head. The words of the faux Johnson ringing in your ears...."Weee will render your profession irrelevant..." With the job market for runners as slow as it was it almost felt that way already. All the new runs posted today have been snatched up in seconds...same thing been happening for weeks now.
You decide to get up and clear your head before getting back to the one who had just laid this all on your lap. You know that if you were gonna dig deeper it would require an actual inspection of the recovered warez.
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Stake walked slowly to the fridge, took a beer, popped it open, then drew deep from the can. He frowned. God, i hate this taste. But this was the best he's got for months now. Business was slower by the week, and he even had to move from the nice apartment in Renton to this drekky hole in Tacoma. Cheap place, cheap food, cheap girls... not really his style.
While downing the beer, his thoughts went at speed. He was not the one for conspiracy theories, not really. He found the notion of someone actively trying to remove all 'runners from the picture absolutely ridiculous. Or rather, he found the sentence about rendering their profession irrelevant, highly unrealistic. Shadow business was lucrative, at least for fixers and power players. So if anyone was moving in this direction, it must be about taking over a hefty slice of the market, sweeping the profits.
That said, even the drones and androids on the vids cost a small fortune, and whoever dealt with them, turned most of the tech into high-end junk. So, whoever was behind the confrontation, must have had deep pockets. And this provided some opportunity. The one sending the messages might go on about fame and all that stuff, but you could starve on that. On the other hand, taking the tech from the one behind the scene and exploiting it, profiting from it, then turning it back into his face... well, that sounded better.
Hoping that he wouldn't have to work directly with the one slinging that serious mojo, he decided to answer the last message, some 60-odd minutes after his last one. >>Hoi, chummer. What you sent me sounds somewhat interesting so let's talk biz. If you want me just for hacking the drone and checking its contents, we can meet and i'll check its security ratings. After that, i will tell you a price for hacking it, depending on the difficulty of the job. It will be between 500 and 1500. Plus 25 percent of the value of the paydata in there. But i take you also might want someone who checks the data trails, gathers additional info on what you found, and protects you virtual humps if need be. I might do more than that. I'm not afraid to get out of my chair and be there to shoot whatever needs to be shot. So, if you thought about longterm, belay that initial fee, but i want equal shares from whatever the job yields, and at least 25 percent. I don't like big groups. Which one will it be?<<
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[spoiler]CHR(2)+Ettiquete(3)[4] (5d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4178360/)[/spoiler]
Okay doc. No problem, just askin...
What does she hide under that mask. Is she involved? Why would she have interrest on Bricks elimination??? Hell I`m probably just too paranoid... On the other hand who isn`t, in this profession...
I`m just asking for your professional opinion. You do your biz, I do mine. Staying alive outhere, that is. If you feel answering such question would get you involved, drop it. I`ll ask elsewhere. Now, to the biz. I understand you tell me that you are not medical supplier, am I right? Since I need to buy some medical supplies.
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Storm receives the encrypted response from the decker and quickly applies the key to decode it. She reads the response while leaning back in a cheap desk chair, the only functioning chair in her squat.
We're still out from the fake run we got suckered into at that crappy coffin motel. Now we have another hand taking a share of whatever we can pull together trying to save our humps. No way.
BUT, it's true that we don't have a paying run at the moment, and the only profit we're likely to see any time soon is coming from whatever is locked away in those drones. Or in the data stores of whatever or whoever sent them after us. We need a decker, and any decker we approach will likely take at least that much share just to fence the data. So we're getting a decent deal; better to get a small share of something than to get a big share of nothing. Plus, we haven't got a clue where to start without someone to look at the data on the drone.
She quickly types out a reply to Stake's message:
>>Understand. Let's play the long game, chummer. Equal split, no less than 25%, and that includes whatever paydata we get from the target. Whoever this is, they're dangerous; something tells me you're going to earn that share. You have a place to meet? We'll bring the drone, have your gear ready.<<
Storm follows the same encryption protocol and sends Zach a quick note:
>>Got us a decker to take a look at the drone. Sounds like he wants a cut of the paydata, if there is any, in exchange for analyzing the data and running down leads. Low risk decision. Location of the rendezvous to be determined shortly. You ready to move?<<
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@Zach:
The doc relaxes a little and stretches his neck from side to side a little. "Listen, I don't mean to be a little jumpy but business has been slowing down lately and the people that do stroll in the door are torn up a little worse than usual. I made sure to take some extra security precautions. I don't want to get in over my head with whatever is going on out there, but just like always I can sell you supplies and patch you up. Tell me what you need."
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Zach didnt hessitate, he thought this shopping list a few times before, at least to the level he recalls from his own struggling in the wilds, no matter is outside or inside the city. Alsoi he did some search in the matrix...and least but not last he hopes doctor would fill any gaps with her own initiative.
Antibiotics, antihistaminics, painkillers, pills that help fighting the fever. Mulstivitamis. Pills for cleaning the water. Bandages, sterille equipement. Short...medkit supplies and some Diagnostic units...no need for SOTA tech but I`ll need at least 5 of them. I promiss nothing of it would be traced back to you and I will use it wise and in small amounts, not to disturb any local concerned citizens.
My own medkit would can also need some refillement.
You say biz is low this days. I`m about to find out why, the technobitch I`ve been talking previously made some nasty promisess of hitting shadows hard.. And I will make this worth your time...for all that medical equipement you can sell me I have 5 thousand yens ready to be transfered. And if you have some serum of youth around, Ill also take a shot. Ive seen lot of things and I know that I cannot expect much more, as an Ork I am. But I wont go easily, that time is still far away I believe...
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Stake sent a text to Jordan, the one that usually supplied him with parts. Sometimes, it was possible to rent a corner in her shop or her warehouse. And if this was not the occasion, she would know who to turn to. >>Morning, Jordan, bringing biz today. I need a secure place to meet with some friends and check some tech thoroughly. Can you rent me one of your workstations for an hour or two? Need it ASAP, please respond in a half-hour.<<
With that, he returned to the tedious task of waiting. This was the worst. You couldn't get to anything serious, the incoming answer would totally ruin the buzz. And he just had to hack an account to his favourite puzzle-games host again, this crappy place didn't come with a subscription.
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@Stake:
Jordan shoots you a message back:
<<No prob, it's the usual 20¥/hr>>
@Zach:
"No problem." He looks over at Neena and she starts gathering the supplies immediately. She returns with 3 fully stocked medkits with enough supplies for five restocks. The doc zips it all up in it's tidy little foam lined casing.
"Here ya go. For 5000¥ you'll be able to stay quite healthy. That also includes full Matrix support from our end as long as you have the wireless enabled on the kit's computer."
[spoiler]OOC: 3 rating 6 medkits (4500¥) with 5 resupplies (500¥).[/spoiler]
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Stake sent a text to Storm. >>I have a place in Everett, sending you the coordinates. I can be there in an hour. Give me an ETA.<< He liked when things ran smoothly, and wanted to enjoy the feeling while he could. He got an inkling of this changing sooner than later.
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Zach watches the supplies with light hessitation.
OK. I said that it wont be necessary to have SOTA equipement, there probably would be same lack of matrix coverage as of anything else...On the other hand, this could work. Good. Now lets make it worth the money. Is there any other exit than those doors I`ve just came inside?
Zach grabs the package and his guns and commlink and follows the direction given to him. Paranoid as ever, he takes his time to be sure that he is safe to leave, watching the surrounding area through peephole. A few days out and everything changes. As he is not familiar with this new GRID setting, he leaves his comm turned off and runs completely silent, untill it is necessary to change that. He heads back to the squat they were ocuppying with Storm, once again paying doing everything he can to avoid unwanted attention. That means...staying completely natural and blend to the background, while observing his surroundings with every sense
Agi(4)+Sneaking(9) [Physical limit: 6] (13d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4185774/)
Agi(4)+Sneaking(9) [Mental limit: 4] (13d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4185775/)
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Storm sends a real-time message to Zach via her PAN but it appears that his commlink is offline. She mentally checks the box to allow the message to be received off-line:
>>You almost back? We've got a meet in an hour with the decker.<<
While she's not thrilled with Zach sharing her squat for the past week, it has its benefits; if someone were to come looking, she'd have someone to watch her back. Someone who's pretty damn good with a submachinegun, that is.
She grabs the drone and hoists it into a large backpack she had laying around. It's too heavy for her to wear on her bike, so she waits for Zach to return. While she waits, she gets prepared for the meet by popping a hit of Psyche and casting her final preparation spell.
[takes one dose Psyche, duration 9 hours. +1 Int, +1 Log, +1 Mental Limit]
Cast Improve Reflexes (F6) [Force Limit: 6]: Spellcasting(10)+Magic(4)+Power Focus(4)-Sustaining(2) (16d6.hits(5)=8) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4185946/) [adds 3d6+6 Init, new total: 4d6+17]
Drain(6) Resist: Cha(11)+Wil(9) (20d6.hits(5)=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4185950/) [1P drain]
With the Psyche running full tilt alongside the magically enhanced reaction, intuition, and reflexes, Storm is practically vibrating with energy. She barely feels the pain from the overcasting damage, due in part to her high-end damage compensators.
She waits for Zach to arrive so they can head to the meet.
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When there was still no answer after 15 minutes passed, Stake repeated the message to Storm. >>I have a place in Everett, sending you the coordinates. I can be there in an hour. Give me an ETA.<< It was possible, and it sometimes happened that the message got lost in the 'Trix.
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@Zach:
You make it out of Doc Watson's chop shop and slip off into the night. You don't notice anyone on your tail but you still feel it's safe to take the back-alley's all the way back to Storm's place. When you arrived she looks quite annoyed at not having been able to reach you and she rushes you out the door because apparently there is a meet in only an hour with someone who can look at the drone and you'll have to put the bike into full throttle to make it there on time. She quickl sends a txt back telling the contact an ETA of lan hour.
@Storm:
[spoiler]OOC: Make a Logic + Willpower (2) test since enough time has gone by of you using Psyche that you need to make an addiction test. If you fail you're addiction goes from Mild to Moderate.[/spoiler]
@Stake:
You get a tx back confirming the meet in an hour.
@Storm & Zach:
You manage to make it to Everett right on the dot and are only about 2 minutes late to the meet spot. Several blocks of storage space and warehouses surround the location and the only soul you see in the physical or astral realm is a passed out homeless troll draped in tatters nestled between several old tires across the street. The building that corresponds to the gps coordinates you were given looks like a small tin roof and aluminum paneled warehouse with a garage and a side door being the only entrances. All the windows look to be painted black on the inside and you can't tell if lights are on or not.
Suddenly the side door swings open and a crack of light spills out onto the sidewalk. A dwarf swings his head out and looks up and down the street. Even under his baggy cargo pants and jacket you can tell he's quite thin for a dwarf and balding at the temples and the top of his head. Without even looking at you he motions you to come in with an obvious cyber-arm. The paranoia of the last few days has not gotten any better and your first instinct is to draw your weapons but you control yourself and try to let reason prevail. You grind your teeth at the thought that this might be another setup, but what other option do you really have. From the looks of the UDC wire running from his temple datajack to some piece of tech buried deep within his clothing he probably really is the decker Storm's trusted contact hooked you both up with. Either you take your chips and cash-out or you go all in, and from the looks of it, whether you like it or not you're both all in, so what the hell. You take one more look up and down the street and step into the warehouse.
As soon as you see the hydraulic lifts, micro-forges, and electronics workstations you begin to relax. The dwarf looks at you matter-of-factly and just points to a clear space on one of the workstations.
-
While on the squat Storm looked a bit irritated, she gets along pretty quick. As she had to hang tight on his back, as bike raced down the streets, he can feel her movements somehow sharp, slight cracks in her attention as she seems distracted from time to time. Stoned again. Like good ol`times. He takes this into consideration and the way happens to be smooth, safe and fast. As he was half-expecting trouble in their destination, he was a bit jumpy and it took a milisecond to reconsider suddenly appearing dwarf as non-hostile. his hand didnt even lost the grip on bike`s handhelds, and he let the tension slip away. something happened to his talent recently and he was still not sure what it was, but gratefully it didnt make him too agressive. Letting Storm get down of the bike first, he stands the bike, activvates its masking and follos the two inside the building. A bit currious he was, but he leaves the speaking on Storm, as he had no clue who this halfer is...
-
”Hoi, chummers, I’m Stake and welcome. Now let’s do a virtual autopsy on that little friend of yours. Time is money, and it isn’t different this time either.” His speech was crisp, while he looked his guests up and down. His jacket was open, and the grip of a taser could be seen strapped in a holster as he moved. His clothes obviously saw better days, but they were mostly clean and taken care of. His hair was cropped short unevenly, he must have done it himself. He wore glasses, which polarized according to the lighting.
[spoiler]Checking the other two for weapons and armor just by looking.
Storm: INT(6) + Perception(3) + Vision enhancement(3) [Mental(11)] (12d6.hits(5)=7) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4188400/)
Zach: INT(6) + Perception(3) + Vision enhancement(3) [Mental(11)] (12d6.hits(5)=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4188402/)[/spoiler]
-
Zach notices Stake's inquisitive glance and let it pass, he has nothing to hide in this company. Crossed slings of his guns and survival knife on his belt would be difficult to hide anyway. Long lined coat had seen better days, as well as worse. Considering the camouflage armor under it, ork wasn`t too excited about big city life, as he fits better to the wilderness or barrens. Off road modification of his chopper supports this theory, and lean tenacious figure also does.
-
Storm notices when Zach gives her a sideways glance, obviously picking up on the fact that she just snorted a huge line of Psyche.
Whatever, what the hell does he know. This is a magical aid, nothing more. I don't need to use it, it's not like I have a problem with it or anything, so he can.. hey, look! My bike needs to be washed. It's getting dirty. STOP, it's almost time to go and the backpack.. Ok Zach just picked it up like it was nothing, it was really heavy when I loaded it, he must be like that "ork strong", I don't think I could lift it while riding the bike, but.. STOP IT time to focus, could be dangerous..
She shakes her head a little, trying to keep focus on the mission and not get overwhelmed in the ADD-like hyper-awareness that she's been getting lately from the Psyche.
Addition(2) Test: Wil(5)+Log(2) (7d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4188493/) whoa, that was close..
Storm makes a note that she may want to lay off the drugs for a while.
Yeah, right. Maybe when I'm on my next vacation.
She climbs on the back of Zach's bike and they head to the meet. Along the way, she keeps her eyes out for trouble, waiting to blast anything mechanical that looks at them funny. She damn near wastes a rotodrone on traffic duty.
Once they arrive at the warehouse, Storm sees the door open and immediately small electrical snapping noises can be heard from the vicinity of her left hand. She was prepared to launch a huge lightning attack, and small static discharges were arcing between her fingertips.
"Hoi, chummer. You our friend?"
She gets close enough to smell him and tries to get a read on his emotions. Hope he's not too nervous or there could be trouble.
Perception(Smell) test, [Social Limit: 8]: Perception(1)+Specialization(2)+Int(6)+Olfactory Boosters(6)-Sustaining(3) (12d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4188507/)
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Stake's smell suggested that he used products with neutral odors. His breath, however, smelled of bear, he probably downed one or two before arriving.
-
Whike letting the two others to exchange formalities, Zach looks around the shop. Not going too far, he just looks for any possible entry/exit points, scans the equipement, judging its purpose with his limited knowledge of hardware and electronic warfare. Seems like they are in some kind of underground facility designed as independence workshops for rent. This place definitely is interresting and He marks its location in his memory. Maybe even people around here would be able to give him some advices on propper security settings andf countermeasures with his commlink, he got quite used to AR overlay and feels a bit uncomfortable in current state. Not that his life depends on wifi access, but it makes life easier a bit...
-
@Storm:
You don't smell nervousness on him and his general demeanor points more towards an intense curiosity into what you want him to look at.
@Stake:
The ork and the elf look plain spooked and that doesn't make you feel any easier but the prospect of digging into some tech and doing a little problem solving whets your appetite enough to keep a cool demeanor. The ork is packing pretty heavy and the short flash of electrical arcs between the elf's finger tips make it quite clear that she slings some powerful mojo.
[spoiler]OOC: buying hits with your Intuition + Computer [Data processing], you find the following.[/spoiler]
You're deck almost immediately alerts you to the fact that there's some unaccounted for local matrix traffic in the vicinity sending widely spaced pings, the tell-tail sign of a potential device running silently within 100 meters and you suspect it's located in the bag the two runners have brought with them. It's just a matter of finding it. The only piece of information you can glean from the transient traffic is that it's definitely originating from something running off a NeoNET grid.
[spoiler]OOC: Roll a Intuition + Computer [Data Processing] with a -2 for it running on a separate grid from the device you're rolling against. I'll assume you're currently running off the Public Grid, so that will give you an additional -2. I'll say you have access to the local Emerald City grid but not the NeoNET grid.[/spoiler]
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Stake’s casual amicability disappeared suddenly, as he furrowed his brow. Drek, didn’t they take the batteries out? Amateurs. ”Put the thing on the table, quicly!” he snapped, and pulled his tools from a pocket. At the same time, he fired up his senses , still in AR.
[spoiler=matrix actions]Deck settings: Attack 3, Sleaze 5, Data processing 5(6), Firewall 6(7); programs running: Encrypt, Toolbox, Defuse
Matrix perception: INT(6) + Computer(5) – separate grid(2) – public grid(2) [data processing(6)] (7d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4189943/) Wow![/spoiler]
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Storm sees the dwarf's reaction to whatever he saw on his AR display and immediately responds to his words. Her heightened reactions let her move with blinding reaction time. She grabs the top of the backpack, still on the ork's back, and yanks it open. She wrenches the drone from the pack and puts it not-so-gently onto the workbench.
She looks at Stake and says briskly, "People call me Storm. Nice to meet you. What is going on with the drone?"
-
I`m Zach. If I understand you correctly in this matter, I`ll better find some place around to keep an eye for visitors. Would you be able to set some private communications network, it would be fine, I still hadn`t time to familiarize with this new GRID settings, things had been pretty rush lately...
Zach pulls assault riffle and some spare clips from compartment on his bike. Just looking at it he racalls Brick giving him the gun for Salish run. Hey hey big bro, what kind of shit had you get yourself into. Grip on the cold steel returns him into reality quickly and he turns back to dwarf for instructions.
-
@Stake:
Strewn over the workstation, the torn up remnants of a rather standard military rotodrone is something you'd find a good rigger controlling on the streets.
[spoiler]OOC: Logic + Sleaze = (9d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4190124/). You got one net hit so you spotted it but that's all the info you get. If you want more, make another matrix perception test now that you can see the icon. [/spoiler]
You start triangulating the strange cross grid traffic and even though you're on the damn public grid, you manage to find it through all the spam and suddenly the device icon of a shiny black little spider appears in the AR overlay of the matrix floating nearby If you want to know the exact location of the device corresponding to the icon you would need to get a mark on it and run a trace. The device is something that definitely has a decent sleaze firmware programmed by a very capable individual or organization because it tried damn hard to hide and you're quietly proud of your own skillz.
-
Storm doesn't wait for a reply from Stake before she realizes that something is seriously wrong. Drek, they're completely in the open here. She decides to call in a spirit of air to help level the playing field.
[spoiler]Storm summons a F6 air spirit, optional powers: energy aura (cold); elemental attack (electricity)
Summon F6 Air Elemental [force limit:6]: summoning(7)+magic(4)+power focus(4)-sustaining(3) (12d6.hits(5)=8) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4192987/) capped at 6 hits
Summon resist(force:6) (6d6.hits(5)=1) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4192993/) 5 net services
Drain(2) resist: wil(9)+cha(11) (20d6.hits(5)=7) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4192996/) no drain
[/spoiler]
She strikes a good bargain with the spirit, who requires very little sacrifice in order to finalize the contract. Merely a breath of air is needed to convince the spirit. Her first task is to have the spirit use Concealment on all three team members and itself, as well as the drone. She can only hope it will help conceal the drone's location from anything seeking to track the blasted device. She wills the spirit to remain overhead just out of range where it's cold aura would harm the team.
-
Stake opened a scrambled communication channel to the other two. He put the toolkit on the table. ”If I send the message, take the power source from the drone immediately, or deal with it in a final way.” With that, he sank back in the chair and switched his senses fully to the matrix. He then hopped to the NeoNet grid, and ran some routines that hid his persona in case the drone’s icon, or whatever persona possessed it, was already aware of his presence.
[Spoiler=matrix actions]Switch interface mode, simple: switch to hot sim VR, running silent; no test
Hack on the fly, to hop onto the NeoNet grid, complex: LOG(7) + Hacking(6) + hot sim(2) – public grid(2) – silent(2) [Sleaze(6)] (11d6.hits(5)=6) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4193227/); Opposed test: grid defends with 4 dice if local, 6 dice if global
Hide, complex: INT(6) + Electronic warfare(6) + hot sim(2) – silent(2) [Sleaze(6)] (12d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4193228/); Opposed test: INT + Data Processing[/spoiler]
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@Stake:
[spoiler]OOC: You succeed....[/spoiler]
You dive into the electron sea and your senses explode with pleasure as your adrenal and pineal glands squirt more and more hormone into your system to compensate for the spikes in hot sim signal shooting in between your deck and your brain. Now to focus. Time to get to doing something illegal. The new Matrix was easy to get used to since in look and flavor it's a bit of a high-res throwback to prior decades, save one big difference. GOD. The Grid Overwatch Division. The unprecedented ability they had to read the ripples that subverted protocols tend to send out has changed the game completely. Not even changed the game, they ARE the game now. Deckers, or hackers as they were for a small while fashionably referred to, used to be ninjas. Now they're little furry rodents scurrying around for a piece of cheese in a deadly dance of cat and mouse. But goddammit, ninja or mouse, you still needed to make that cheese and if it took a little new specialized gear and a whole lot of caution, then you were gonna do what it takes. Time to get some more practice.
Your nervousness over the present situation almost completely fades as you turn cartwheels, summersaults and flips like superman zipping through the electric-night sky looking for overlooked holes in the NeoNET grid. There always is a hole and it's only a matter of nano-seconds before you find it. As soon as you hop, the public low-res icons fade a little and the NeoNET subscriber icons light up as far as the eye can see from horizon to horizon. Sculpting changed a little too....stars now line the the night sky and the dim glow of a perpetual sunrise give the grid a little more character. Sure enough, the small device icon lights up as well and you can finally deck in peace. The icon does not look like that of a drone.
@Storm:
Your spirit hovers on top of the team, cold mist slowly falling over you.
@Zach:
The dwarf is already out cold like a light, his eyelids fluttering a little. You see the air spirit materialize overhead and already know it must be shrouding your presence so that others have a difficult time seeing you but for it to work you remember that the being needs to have a line of sight on you.
-
Reading the message and watching the dwarf diving into the matrix, Zach decides to trust his new commrade about being able to keep their conversation priveate. Not that there was too much to talk about, Zach looks above to the roof construction to see if there is a place from which he can observe the doors and the whole inside of the building. It would be wise to have some eyes outside also, but he dont want to stay on the watch alone, at least not before he gets some better image of surroundings. Leaving his coat on the bike, Zach climbs the supports and finds a place on a traverse under the ceiling. As soon as he reaches the place, he gets the Sylwia out of his pocket and sends her around, trying to find a hole big enought to get the minidrone outside of the warehouse.
-
The unusual icon bothered Stake. He suspected that the drone hid a persona, and if that was true, they were in trouble. If the controller was lucky, the sensors were intact and the one inside could have heard every word in the drone's vicinity. But the drone's communication might have been the best shot at discerning where the drone belonged to, so better not to say anything to his new companions yet.
Hiding among the almost-constant streams of data, Stake took a peek at the icon. He tried to discern what it was, and how hard it would be to follow the data trail it left by pinging something else. The streams hindered his sight as well but that was a small price for being there, undetected, and watching the icon.
[spoiler=Matrix actions]Matrix perception, complex: INT(6) + Computer(5) + hot sim(2) - hidden(2) [Data processing(5)] (11d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4193835/); Simple test, i'd like to know the following information: Type of icon, The last matrix action it performed
Matrix perception, complex: INT(6) + Computer(5) + hot sim(2) - hidden(2) [Data processing(5)] (11d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4193843/); Simple test, i'd like to know the following information: if it is a device - Device rating, Firewall rating; if it is a file - is there a data bomb on it, what is its protection rating
Note: didn't post further tests, a lot depends on results so far.[/spoiler]
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@Stake:
You scan the little black spider and your first look shows that it is the icon for a very novel mix between a stealth RFID tag and a security RFID tag that must have survived the attack. Since it has characteristics of a security tag you doubt a normal tag eraser could knock it out, and that must explain how it survived so well while the drone itself got toasted. You haven't really seen this type of hybrid tag and it must be homemade. The last matrix action it took was to send a message and it was sent so close in time to your scan that it's obvious it is continuously streaming data out into the matrix. On your second look you gather that it has a has a typical firmware, nothing out of this world but you do see a well protected file folder attached to it in the form of a little white spider egg.
[spoiler]OOC: Since you're "trying again" for each successive Matrix perception test i'll subtract two each time. So subtracting 2 from your second roll still gives you 2 hits.
Your first roll shows you that it's RFID stealth tag and it's last matrix action was to send a message. Your second roll showed you a device rating of 3 (which is the same as the firewall so i'll count that as one piece of info) and for the second hit you see an attached file folder. Take a -2 for further matrix perception rolls on the RFID icon but the file is a separate icon and you can start fresh on it.[/spoiler]
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The presence of the stealth tag explained things. It would even broadcast its signals when the power source of the drone itself was disconnected. And the combination of stealth and hardening technology was a good move by the manufacturer. It was usually not that easy to combine both advantages, so it would be profitable just to check the chip itself. It was enough information on the tag itself, so Stake turned his attention to the attached folder.
[spoiler=Matrix actions]Matrix perception, complex: INT(6) + Computer(5) + hot sim(2) – hidden(2) [Data Processing(5)] (11d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4194315/); Simple test, I’d like the following information: Device rating of the folder, Is there a data bomb, Protection rating, The most recent edit date[/spoiler]
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@Stake:
You find that the folder is protected with rating 6 encryption and it also has a databomb on it. The last edit date was the same time as the last transmission, i.e. only seconds ago. That suggests to you that the folder might contain some access logs.
[spoiler]OOC: by encryption I mean just normal SR5 protection.[/spoiler]
-
Intuition(4)+Perception(7)[Mental:4] (11d6.hits(5)=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4194557/) 4 hits counts
AGI(4)+Gymnastics(7)+LightBody(2)[Physical:6] (13d6.hits(5)=6) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4194561/)
Zach climbs quickly up and observes for the hole that can be used by drone. Or, if possible, the roof access point that enables himself to get on the roof and back quick. Sometimes places like this have those. He relies on his own eyes, still not sure about dwarf hacker`s ability to keep their nodes out of reach for possible intruders, and given what kind of opposition they met recently, there is no doubt that they will be matrix capable.
-
Storm settles into a support role for the other two runners. She tries to find a location with decent cover that gives her a clear vantage point over the inside of the hangar, as near to the dwarf as she dared. She keeps an eye on Zach, ready to cast Levitate on the burly ork if things don't go well for him up in the rafters.
The natural hunting instinct took over. Being on the defensive was getting rather tedious, and she took this opportunity to set a trap for anyone who might come looking for the drone. Before returning to her defensive position, she throws a tarp over the drone to hide it from view.
[spoiler]
Storm casts Improved Invisibility: Self
Improved Invisibility (Self) [Limit (Force): 5]: Spellcasting(10)+Magic(4)+Specialization(2)+Power Focus(4)-Sustaining(3) (17d6.hits(5)=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4195716/)
Drain(5) Resist: Cha(11)+Wil(9) (20d6.hits(5)=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4195717/)
Storm casts Improved Invisibility: Stake
Improved Invisibility (Stake) [Limit (Force): 5]: Spellcasting(10)+Magic(4)+Specialization(2)+Power Focus(4)-Sustaining(4) (16d6.hits(5)=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4195718/)
Drain(5) Resist: Cha(11)+Wil(9) (20d6.hits(5)=11) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4195720/)
Storm casts Silence: AOE centered on Storm
Silence [Limit (Force): 5]: Spellcasting(10)+Magic(4)+Specialization(2)+Power Focus(4)-Sustaining(5) (15d6.hits(5)=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4195727/)
Drain(4) Resist: Cha(11)+Wil(9) (20d6.hits(5)=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4195729/)
Storm casts Trid Phantasm: [see below]
Trid Phantasm [Limit (Force): 5]: Spellcasting(10)+Magic(4)+Specialization(2)+Power Focus(4)-Sustaining(6) (14d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4195740/)
Drain(5) Resist: Cha(11)+Wil(9) (20d6.hits(5)=8) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4195741/)
[/spoiler]
In a few short seconds, Storm and Stake were shielded from view. They would be difficult to detect with ultrasound as well, which is something Storm had failed to consider in the past and it had nearly gotten her killed. Lesson learned.
20 meters away, a realistic depiction of the three runners appeared, hunched over a work table with a disabled drone appearing to lay on it. They appeared to be working on dismantling and hacking into its circuits, engrossed in the work. The illusion is placed such that it would be an ideal place to draw in the enemy, allowing for sniper fire from both Zach's position in the rafters and Storm's hidden position among the machinery and boxes. The illusion is placed just out of range of Storm's Silence spell so as to not alert anyone of anything out of place if they used ultrasound to target the phantasm.
-
Stake knew it was time to make his move. He spent a second to decide which task to begin with then decided to put the marks on both the tag and the file first. The data bomb was, however, hiding threateningly in the folder, so he decided it would be better to try and determine the contents and the target of the chip’s communication first.
[spoiler=Matrix actions]reconfigure deck, free, swap Toolbox for Exploit; no test
Hack on the fly, complex, target is the chip: LOG(7) + Hacking(6) + hot sim(2) – hidden(2) [Sleaze(7)] (13d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4196017/); opposed test: INT + Firewall, note: unattended devices use device rating instead attributes
Hack on the fly, complex, target is the folder: LOG(7) + Hacking(6) + hot sim(2) – hidden(2) [Sleaze(7)] (13d6.hits(5)=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4196019/); opposed test: INT + Firewall
reconfigure deck, free, swap Exploit for Stealth; no test
Snoop, complex, target is the RFID tag’s communication: INT(6) + Electronic Warfare(6) + hot sim(2) – hidden(2) [Sleaze(6)] (12d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4196020/);spending Edge on that;
INT(6) + Electronic Warfare(6) + hot sim(2) – hidden(2) - hits(2) (10d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4196025/); 6 hits altogether; opposed test: LOG + Firewall, can only try this if I succeeded at putting a mark on the chip with the first hack on the fly action
Note: I found the sidebar for Snoop on p. 242, where it states how to find the other end of communication. I will still roll for snoop if you want to use that method.[/spoiler]
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@Stake:
[spoiler]OOC: Intuition + Firewall = (9d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4196589/). You get a mark on the tag.
Rolling for the folder now. Intuition + Firewall = (9d6.hits(5)=1) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4196618/). You also get a mark on the folder. This doesn't trigger the databomb, only reading, editing, copying, deleting and trying to place another bomb do. Log + Firewall = (9d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4196619/). You succeed at Snooping.
[/spoiler]
You bend the grid protocols to your will and find a way for the chip and the folder to each accept one of your marks. That's enough for you to take a look for the outgoing feed that you suspect, and sure enough it's there. The transmissions are sent out to the host for Tacoma UCAS Veteran's Hospital and all that is being transmitted are gps coordinates.
@Zach:
Once you get up into the rafters you find a small hole in the tin that is big enough for your fly spy but aside from that you don't find any roof access point. You send Sylvia through the little hole and you start picking up the feed from her sensors.
[spoiler]OOC: Make a Perception + Intuition [Sensor=3] test for looking through her sensors..[/spoiler]
-
So, Veterans’ Hospital? Stake wasn’t sure that place would be the end of the transmission, he suspected a relay point hidden somewhere within the host. He took a peek at the host, to get a general feeling, then prepared to take care of the data bomb. Before he started, though, he contacted the other two. ”Found something interesting. The drone continuously sends its GPS coordinates to the host of the UCAS Veterans’ Hospital in Tacoma. I suspect a relay point but I have to enter the host to get more info. Unfortunately, we have to leave the broadcast as it is, to be able to find the target inside. Just wanted to ask what you want to do, shut down the broadcast or try to follow it later. I say later because I found a heavily protected folder attached to the drone and I want to take care of it first.”
[spoiler=tests]Thinking through if the hospital is connected to any of the most prestigious corporations: LOG(7) + History: Big Ten(3) + Mnemonic enhancer(2) [Mental(11)] (12d6.hits(5)=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4197401/)
Reconfigure deck, free: swapping Defuse for Signal Scrub; no test
Matrix Perception, complex, target is the hospital host: INT(6) + Computer(5) + hot sim(2) – hidden(2) [Data processing(5)] (11d6.hits(5)=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4197403/); if on different grid, still 5 hits, taking the last two dice; simple test, with 3 points of noise reduction; I’d like the following information: Spot the host, Host rating, Commcode, What grid is it using, Firewall rating
Reconfigure deck, free: swapping Signal Scrub for Defuse; no test[/spoiler]
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@Ren:
From your extensive knowledge of the history of mega-corporations you know that public institutions like the Veteran's Hospital in Tacoma are practically a joke compared to their privately owned counterparts that have an almost inexhaustible pool of resources. Ever since the Shiawase decision at the beginning of the century and even before that, public institutions began to be eroded by business friendly policy makers to the point where by 2075, the fragmented governments of this day and age basically keep places like Tacoma Vet's Hospital running for the sole purpose of maintaining a semblance of legitimacy. No penny is pinched when it comes to providing the boys and girls of the UCAS army with state of the art guns, armor and training, but once they take too much damage to be useful on the battlefield, they're pretty much just seen as a liability. Places like TVH serve as the proverbial carpet under which they're swept. Care just barely good enough so SINless parents don't riot, and plenty bad enough so that it doesn't cost UCAS too much to keep open.
You turn your attention way from the little black spider icon and look up into the night sky following the data trail your deck has highlighted for you. In the blink of an eye you fly up and instantly stand in front of a giant rotating red cross symbol with the UCAS armed forces logo stamped on it and the Tacoma Veteran's Hospital in big shiny letters in front. A typical Doc Wagon hospital would have a non-stop stream of persona's entering and exiting as doctors, nurses and other staff log-on or log-off from the systems even between shift changes. In the 1.2 seconds that you've been watching the host, you've seen maybe 2 icons go in or out. As you probe how sophisticated the security of the host is you are surprised to see the whole analysis summary clock it in as a rating 7 host. That's rather high for a place that's supposedly falling apart. Maybe it's the military affiliation, but you doubt UCAS would invest heavily in costly matrix security and then skimp on cyber-eyes, pacemakers and building repairs. You even remember about a year ago an embarrassing story broke of a particularly nasty awakened mold infestation they had to deal with. Had to evacuate the whole place and it cost millions to clean out and then move everyone back in.
All of the firewall subroutines average out to be defending the system at about a whopping rating 10.
[spoiler]OOC: you don't need to spot hosts with Matrix perception and commcodes don't seem to really exist anymore in 5e, you can just identify icons as if they were people I guess. Hosts aren't on any grid, they're just fragments of the matrix. So that gives you 3 more pieces of information you can ask for. [/spoiler]
@Storm & Zach:
With the illusion in place you both sit patiently while Stake lies motionless. By the fluttering of his eyes you know he's definitely quite active decking away at whatever it is. Zach also pays close attention to the flyspy's sensor feed AR window as it starts climbing through the little hole in the tin roof.
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[spoiler=OOC]In the list of what information you can get from Matrix Perception, on p. 235, there is an entry for the commcode of an icon. Also, from p. 215 (Matrix jargon sidebar): “Commcode: combination email address, phone number, and IM name that identifies an individual for communications; if people want to get a hold of you, this is what they need.” You’re right that a host doesn’t have a commcode, but it has to have some information that identifies it, like the IP address of a computer today, by which other devices can find and identify it. I wanted to get that information with one of my successes. As for the other two remaining successes: marks on the host, attack rating[/spoiler]
Stake’s virtual eyes widened at seeing the reinforced algorithms of the TVH host. A rating 7 host? What is this, the Seattle Institution for Technology and Thaumaturgy? This could have been a recent upswing of security-consciousness, but he seriously doubted that. Upgrades like this cost lots of nujen. It was so obviously a cover that it hurt the eyes. He switched back to Storm and Zach.
”Actually, just forget what I said about the hospital host. It packs some serious security, I won’t be able to get inside without some form of help. Let’s hope I can find something in the folder that helps our cause.”
It was time to come out of hiding. He would need all the advantage he could get when trying to disarm the data bomb and crack the folder’s protection. He set his deck so he could deal with the task better, then started with the virtual wires of the bomb. Small beads of sweat started to glisten on his meat body.
[spoiler=matrix actions]reconfigure deck, free: swap Stealth for Decrypt; no test
reconfigure deck, free: exchange Attack and Sleaze ratings; no test
Current deck configuration: Attack 5(6), Sleaze 3, Data Processing 5, Firewall 6(7); Encrypt, Decrypt, Defuse programs running
come out of running silent, free; no test
Disarm Data Bomb, complex: INT(6) + Software(5) + hot sim(2) [Firewall(7)] (13d6.hits(5)=6) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4198267/); opposed test, (Data Bomb Rating) x2[/spoiler]
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Do you need the drone to continue your search?
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@Zach:
[spoiler]OOC: rolling visual perception test for you looking through drone: Inuition 4 + Perception 7 [Sensor 3] = (11d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4198628/). [/spoiler]
You look through your fly spy's sensors and as soon as it pops out through the hole in the roof you see up in the night sky something that makes your heart skip a beat. A ring of rotodrones holding steady about 20m over head in perfect formation, just like the ones you saw at the Puyallup Lodge. They merely hover there.
@Stake:
[spoiler]OOC: 12d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4199629/). You succeed.[/spoiler]
After optimizing your deck to defuse the data bomb you hold your breath for second and give it a shot. A little puff of smoke when you clip the right wire shows you that the bomb has been defused. Now just remains the protection which shouldn't be too hard to crack.
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Shit
OK. No point in further transports of drone. Are there any other exits, possibly some sewers or Undergound entrance anywhere close? Since we got company incoming, multiple contacts. Probably also on the ground level. We need to defend the hacker until he gets some solid leads.
Zach readies the weapons, in such close range he preferes his SMGs. He checks his ammo.
@Stake: I have drone outside, well since our oposition is really hi-tech wise, I need to have it protected from hacking or manipulation. Can you do that for me?
-
Storm reads the chatter on the comm channel and readies herself for combat. Her head is spinning from maintaining all the spells she's woven, but she's confident that with the illusions firmly in place, they'll get a least a couple seconds to ambush anything that comes looking for them.
She sends a quick message to the team:
>>My 'ware is also susceptible to interference, if they're as good as Zach thinks they are then I'll need help keeping them from messing with my systems. Don't want to go blind at the wrong moment. You've got an invisibility and sonic cloak on you, should be enough to keep them from geeking you. At least not right away, that is. Zach, I am capable of extending the invisibility cloak to you as well but we'll need to do it now.<<
Finally, she sends a telepathic message to the summoned spirit:
"Mighty and crafty thundercloud, there are enemies outside that wish to destroy us. If we are attacked, you are to attack the intruders with your lightning bolts."
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Copy. Don`t overextend yourself, we maz have some use for your lightning storms, there is plentz of drones out there. But if it could be done easy, invisibility sure can help. And Storm...just don`t get yourself killed. I got your back. And Ill try to figure out some escape vectors if things go south.
INT(4)+Urban Navigation(5) [4 (+1 mapsoft)] (9d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4199827/)
Zach checks map of the surroundings and looks for best escape route and Underground district entry points. Strange, to think about Underground as about some legitimate place. he has mixed feelings about the change, well it was up to locals to made the choice and so they did, no need for siberian traveler to interfere. Well it would be nice to have the escape route planned, Zach wasn`t sure he wants to run some kind of trench warfare here...
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Stake watched the little puff of smoke. He started to work on the protected folder when Zach's and Storm's message came in. "Easy way is to slave your PANs to my deck, it has quite good firewalls. Approve and i'll do it. By the way, what the hell happened? Invisibility and lightning storms - are we under attack?" Shit, i knew it will be a fragging mojo-slinger. Why does it have to be one every fragging time?
Whatever happened, he knew time was running out, so he had to get every possible bit of information out of the drone. He started up the algorithms that would crack the protection on the folder.
[spoiler=matrix action]Crack file, complex: LOG(7) + Hacking(6) + Hot sim(2) [Attack(6)] (15d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4199893/); opposed test, (protection rating) x 2[/spoiler]
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Do it.
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Here too.
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Storm casts one final invisibility spell for Zach. He may be out of sight up in the rafters, but that means if he gets shot it's a long drop down.
[spoiler]Improved Invisibility (Zach) [Limit (Force): 5]: Spellcasting(10)+Magic(4)+Specialization(2)+Power Focus(4)-Sustaining(7) (13d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4200267/)
Drain(4) Resist: Cha(11)+Wil(9) (20d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4200269/) 1S Drain
[/spoiler]
Storm feels this last one, and tastes blood in her mouth. Fortunately, her damage compensators kick in and she's still in top combat shape. Her mind is reeling with the sheer number of spells she's currently sustaining. She's never had this many spells going at once. She gets a huge rush from knowing that she's able to sustain three physical spells on herself as well as no less than five illusions, all at the same time.
Gotta be some kind of record, she mutters to herself.
>>Zach, you've got a veil on you, but it's not quite as thick as the first ones. If the drek hits the fan, try to get back to the workbench with the drone on it. You'll be protected from ultrasound detection if you get close enough.<<
Storm is currently carrying 1S+1P damage
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@Stake:
You quickly slave both Zach and Storm's commlinks to your cyberdeck in order to take over their security firewalls and do it yourself.
@Zach:
[spoiler]OOC: rolling to see if your fly spy gets spotted. We'll make it threshold 4, with a -2 for being a little far from them. Pilot 5 + Clearsight 5 - little far 2 (4) = (8d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4202190/). [/spoiler]
The rotodrones don't seem to notice Sylvia and you're relieved.
@Storm:
You wonder to yourself why all of a sudden there's heat on your tail when over the last few days you haven't encountered any at all. The thought crosses your mind that your new acquaintance Stake might be somehow involved. Well, at least if not involved then being monitored. Shadowrunners tend to generate enemies along the way, just like Brick had. It just wasn't making sense how the pieces fit together, but what did seem to make sense was that you had lost whoever was trailing you until you made contact with this other runner.
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Shit. I spend 5 thousand bucks to buy us safe place for research in Carbonado, protected by local gang and comunity,and now I end up pinned down in Everet with no support except for junkie and hacker. I need to voice my plans more vehemently next time, if we survive this hasty meeting.
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Storm's mind was racing from both the drugs and the magic. She was getting a paranoid about how the drones had tracked them so quickly. Was Stake in on things? Should she just have her spirit cook him now so she can get the hell out of there? Drek, she'd even slaved her PAN to his. Stupid.
While the thought crossed her mind that somehow he'd been in on things with whoever was controlling the drone army, it was too paranoid of an idea. Even as tweaked out as she'd been lately, it was a bit of a stretch. Which meant that he had been on their radar as well. The drone's words "we will make you irrelevant" rung in her ears.
Storm had felt somewhat guilty about bringing the hacker into the mess they'd gotten into. He's getting a 33% cut of.. well, nothing.
But, it seems that he was sitting on a ticking time bomb. If whoever was behind the recent activity was after Stake as well, Olivia Black and I just did him the biggest favor of his life by letting him get in front of it. If these guys had showed up without any support, he'd be as dead as dirt by now. Whether he knows it or not, he owes us.
-
It wasn’t easy to pay attention to two different things at the same time, but Stake tried to manage. As he was going on about cracking the protection on the folder, he repeated his question to the other two. ”Frag it, chummers, what’s going on? Did the drek hit the fan or what? Are we under attack?” Some nervousness could be felt from his voice, as well as strain.
@Inca:
[spoiler]OOC: Can you tell me the result of my crack attempt? I’d like to try again if unsuccessful, or go on copying the data if successful.[/spoiler]
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@Stake:As long as you stay focused on being usefull, you got nothing to worry about.
Zach didn`t made a good job hiding the tension in his voice. He doesnt seem too comfortable with current situation and also he does seem a bit uncertain about whats going on.
What the hell are they waiting for?
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@Stake:
[spoiler]OOC: Protection rating x 2 = (12d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4203798/). Sorry, thought I had posted a roll for this, my bad. Doesn't succeed, I'll let you know when and where you can try again.[/spoiler]
The encryption surrounding the file folder causes you a lot more problems than the data bomb did. If anything you're happy that at least your deck isn't in danger of getting too fried, but the cypher is way too randomized to really make headway into crafting an algorithm with your attack software. You keep trying to think of another approach.
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Stake snarled in frustration, rather because of what Zach barked into the comm. Stay focused, is it? Be useful, yes? Frag that tusker, doesn't he know my kind works with information? He took a breath to calm himself, even his meat body mirrored how he concentrated on getting through the encryption. OK, randomized cypher protocols. You think this will stop me? It's time for the Swirl, baby.
[spoiler=matrix actions]reconfigure deck, free: swap Defuse for Virtual Machine; no test
crack file, complex: LOG(7) + Hacking(6) + Hot sim(2) - retry(2) [Attack(6)] (13d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4204719/); spending edge (2nd)
LOG(7) + Hacking(6) + Hot sim(2) - retry(2) - hits(2) (11d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4204721/), 4 hits; opposed test: (protection rating) x2
OOC: Wow, should've spent edge on the first roll.[/spoiler]
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@Stake:
[spoiler]OOC: Protection rating x 2 = (12d6.hits(5)=6) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4204742/).[/spoiler]
You give it another shot trying this time to go for a variation of the elliptic curve cypher but the protection doesn't budge.
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Stake blinked a few times. This was a hard SOB to crack, and butting his head against it a few more times would probably just brick his deck. "Zach, Storm, cypher is harder than expected. Need more time, so we have to take the drone with us, or at least the stealth tag i found in it. You want me to get the chip out here?" While listening to their answers, he prepared to shut the chip down, at least temporarily, to let them loose anybody who might otherwise just look at their GPS data.
[spoiler=matrix actions]reconfigure deck, free: exchange Attack and Sleaze ratings; no test
Hack on the fly; complex: LOG(7) + Hacking(6) + Hot sim(2) (15d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4204780/); opposed, INT + Firewall, goal is to put a mark on the tag
reconfigure deck, free: swap Virtual Machine for Baby Monitor; no test, checking Overwatch score
Hack on the fly; complex: LOG(7) + Hacking(6) + Hot sim(2) (15d6.hits(5)=6) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4204781/) limited to 5 hits; opposed, INT + Firewall, goal is to put a mark on the tag
Note: Sorry, i forgot to include limit (Sleaze: 5). I don't know if you want to consider putting more tags on an icon as retries. If yes, i still have the same number of hits, even with -2 and -4 dice.[/spoiler]
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Hate to say that, but it looks like as far as we don`t move, they are not going in. Plus we have defensive setup here. I say let`s take our chances. Try not to make them angry, you have seen what they are capable off, bloody swarm minded killers. I hope I will be able to find some quick way out of here when you are done. What do you say, Storm?
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Get the chip out but don't deactivate it yet. They might not know we're aware of their presence, but once that chip goes dark we need to be ready to move. Zach, keep looking for another way out. If we get the chip out in time, we may be able to shut it down and use a veil to escape even if they come looking. That spirit overhead is a heavy hitter and will help cover our hoops if we have to bail.
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I think once you get your job done, there will be no further use for that chip. Just crack it so we can blow it away and leave
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@Zach:
From what you gathered about the area coming in, you take a look at the AR window of your mapsoft and try to figure out what would be the best way out. Getting out of this small warehouse without getting riddled with lead rain was definitely not gonna be a cakewalk, but if you managed to get out, finding an escape route for the three of you wouldn't be easy. Three people on the bike, even if one of them was fun-size, was not an option. So either you ditch the dwarf and try to outrun the drones on your bike, or you figure something else out.
For blocks and blocks the surrounding area is all warehouses and storage spaces that hardly ever get above two stories high, giving aerial combatants a strong advantage and people on the ground very little cover. From experience you know that the mystical concealment Storm's spirit's could provide were useless once you've been spotted, and invisibility spells hadn't proved very effective before against the ultrsonic sensors these drones have in their array.
One option that you do see is that If you could make it about 1km south, you see a pocket of urban Everett sprawl that begins to look much more like something that you're used to. The familiar labyrinth of towering tenements, businesses, with endless webs of criss-crossing power-lines and ductwork could potentially give you much more room for losing these things. The issue would be making it 1km south under heavy fire.
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”You don’t understand. I won’t be able to crack it here. I possibly need a few hours to do that, you want to sit here until then? I’m not really inclined to do that, especially not when you are not telling me what kind of threat is on our six.” Stake stopped for a moment, a thought striking his mind. Swarm-minded killers? He thought back on the footage he got initially from Storm, androids and drones in it, acting perfectly coordinated. ”Are you talking about drones? How many? I might be able to disrupt their wireless connectivity, or even drop them, from the matrix, if it comes to that.”
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From my point, waiting here is one of the safer options. I can count up to...hmmm...ten of those flying killers above, not sure how many others around. Twenty meters above the roof. I can be able to outrun them on my bike...in the different environment. Right where we are, well, this is escape artist`s nightmare, as we are in plain sight all the way.
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@Zach:
From Sylvia's sensors you see a ring of 10 drones.
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>>If you can't crack the chip, we need to get it out so we can do it elsewhere. Stake, can you get the drones to fly closer together? Modify the local GPS and Grid systems so they get bad coordinates? If so, we can take them out in one hit from a lightning storm.<<
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We are in the same safety here as anywhere else. Atacking the drones would alert them, and since he needs to keep the signal online, we can be traced the same way anywhere else. So far we have the situation under controll and Stake is safe to work on the attackers ID. I still dont exactly know what he discovered so far and what he is planing to do. And what he will need for it. By the way, Storm...can you fly?
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>>Fine, take all the time you need. Everyone keep frosty, if they come in we need to have the element of surprise or we're hosed. Yes, I have the levitate spell in my repertoire. I was planning on using it in case you fell from your perch, as a matter of fact. What did you have in mind?<<
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If we need to break away, I wont be able to drive away with everyone here. So the posibilities are either you ride the bike uwith Stake, and I use you as a distracion and sneak away on foot, or I drive away with Stake and you get away by your own meaning, in that case flying can be useful and we will be able to stay together.
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@Stake:
You start worrying about how close GOD might be to piecing your trail together and finding you, that's the last thing you need with all these crazy drones surrounding the building.
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>>If we need to bail, you take the dwarf. I'll use mojo to get out. I can move fast if I'm flying with a spirit of air backing me up.<<
>>Hey decker-man, these guys outside aren't going to give us all day. We need a plan. There's an ambush set up towards the entrance of this building; a convincing illusion has been placed to distract them while we take the drones out from magical cover. What combat decking can you bring to the table? Also remember, we're all invisible, but anything that degrades their logic or sensors will help keep them from piercing the veil.<<
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I got some explosives and EMPs. And, of course, my weapons and the bike. Thats all I can offer for this, maybe less since I`ll need to drive the bike if we run. We are movinge here GPSAttachedSince thats the nearest place we can try to ged rid of them completely. Othewise we would have to face them. those ten I know off and no idea how many more. Of course, they may be waiting for reinforcements as we see here.
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@Stake:
[spoiler]OOC: Int 6 + Firewall 3 = (9d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4214833/). Int 6 + Firewall 3 = (9d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4214834/). So you get one mark on it. I don't consider successive hack on fly's as re-tries.[/spoiler]
You try to fool the firewalls to accept one of your marks and get access and after a little trouble you make it in, damn Overwatch score is averaging out to 19 you see as soon as you turn the baby monitor on.
-
With the help of his deck's wireless signals, he tried to pinpoint the exact location of the tag within the drone.
[spoiler=trace icon]trace icon, complex: INT(6) + Computer(5) + Hot sim(2) [Data processing(5)] (13d6.hits(5)=6) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4217930/), limited to 5 hits; opposed test, WIL + Sleaze[/spoiler]
Stake sighed with satisfaction, then he steeled himself against all the mojo waiting for him in the meat-world. He still shuddered as he switched back to AR, and saw the illusion of himself a few meters away.
Still keeping to the comms, he answered Storm. "The simplest is the most effective. I just hit them with a big virtual hammer till they fall off the sky. In the meantime, if you have any electric ammo, that's useful against these buggers on two fronts, the current melts their circuits as well as confusing their logic engines, making it much easier to finish them off. EMPs are useful as well, just be careful not to hit our stuff."
He slid from his seat while talking and went to the table, to the toolkit he prepared. Then he stopped for a second before getting to it. He remembered the androids having some kind of self-destruct system. If those and the drones belonged together... he got the feeling he had to be extremely careful when he tried to extract the chip.
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If you are suggesting direst assault, I like it. I just have no clue how far you get with your tracking so there is the danger that if we hit them, our attempt would be compromised.
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>>Electric Ammo. Yeah, I guess you could say I have something like that.<<
>>If we hit them on three fronts, a combination of matrix attacks, EMP's, and lightning, we should make short work of them. Get that chip out and see if that makes them come looking for us. Everyone brace yourselves. Hopefully enough of them fall for the illusion that we can divide and destroy.<<
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@Stake:
[spoiler]Opposing trace: (9d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4221036/) you locate it. Don't even roll for it, if yout want to grab it just open up the drone and grab the chip about the size of a fingernail.[/spoiler]
The stealth chip tries to evade your triangulation but with the help of your deck you're able to outsmart it and within nano-seconds you've locked on a big fat AR indicator arrow dotted line which shoots straight into innards of the drone.
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“OK, guys, I’m about ready to take the chip out anytime. I only have to identify our targets in the matrix before we start. Zach, if you could send me the physical coordinates of the drones, that would help finding them. And I’ll check for other possible threats, like those androids.” Stake felt uncomfortable when Storm mentioned her lightning bolts. He hoped she was good at aiming them at the right place, he saw too much pictures of people burned to charcoal by lightning. “Anyway, we should do it soon, I don’t want to risk GOD finding me, and the more I spend in the ‘trix, the more it is a realistic danger.”
While he talked, he prepared a Configurator program, with settings for optimizing his deck for attack. Before they started, he’d load it into his deck, to be able to take the heat to the drones at a moment’s notice.
[spoiler=Configurator]Deck configuration loaded into the Configurator: Attack 6, Sleaze 3, Data processing 5, Firewall 5; running programs: Virtual machine, Encryption, Decryption, Hammer, Fork[/spoiler]
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@Stake:
Zach shoots you the gps coordinates of each of the 10 drones flying in a circle 20m overhead. Even though you ask permission more out of courtesy, since you could just access the info from the slaved commlink, he also shoots you the feed from his fly-spy drone Sylvia.
[spoiler]OOC: just nudging things along a bit. If you ever have an issue with something I consider trivial and nudge a bit, just let me know and we'll back-up[/spoiler]
-
Thinking better of it, Stake sat back into the chair and slipped back to VR. He had to find those drones, and he suspected that their icons would be hidden. He tried to use their physical position to help separate and localize their signals.
[spoiler=matrix actions]matrix perception, complex: INT(6) + Computer(5) + Hot sim(2) [Data Processing(5)] (13d6.hits(5)=3) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4224362/); opposed if the target is hidden, LOG + Sleaze
Although i didn't take any action that would raise my Overwatch Score, i still take a look at my running Baby Monitor to check it.[/spoiler]
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@Stake:
[spoiler]OOC: 6d6.hits(5)=2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4225807/). You spot one.[/spoiler]
You spot one of the drones which are all running silent and it's icon appears near you in the Matrix.
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Stake suspected that the drones were similar, the recordings Storm sent him supported this idea. He checked the live feed from Zach's drone, to confirm this or to determine which drones he had to check separately. He then looked at the icon of the drone thoroughly, to gouge how difficult it would be to take them down.
[spoiler=matrix action]Matrix perception, complex: INT(6) + Computer(5) + Hot sim(2) [Data processing(5)] (13d6.hits(5)=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4238473/); simple test, i'd like to know the following: Device Rating, which grid it is running on, Firewall rating, marks on it, Data Processing rating[/spoiler]
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@Stake:
Since the drones are will within 100m of you, you're able to figure out from the visual feed which one of the drones you currently have the icon of, the other one's still invisible to you in the matrix. You quickly label them and call the one you currently have a signal on drone 1. After a quick analysis you see that just like the drone you just tore into on your workstation, the one flying overhead carries a firmware with a device rating level 4, a bit more advanced than similar off-the-shelf models. The firewall protecting it is a rating 5 and it's speed of data processing is 4. You also see that it is marked with 4 redcrosses with a TVH logo stamped into them. It's quite apparent that the owner of these drones is the Tacoma Veterans Hospital host.
[spoiler]OOC: 6d6.hits(5)=2, 6d6.hits(5)=1, 6d6.hits(5)=1, 6d6.hits(5)=1, 6d6.hits(5)=2, 6d6.hits(5)=2, 6d6.hits(5)=1, 6d6.hits(5)=2, 6d6.hits(5)=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4241779/). Buying hits you spot all the rest of them.[/spoiler]
You then dedicate the next few seconds to weeding out the signal of the other nine drones and you finally have the 10 icons.
@Zach and Storm:
You continue to hold your positions waiting for anything..
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"Targets ID-ed. I suggest a surprise attack before we make a run for the bike. Two reasons: i'm much faster in VR and we're in a somewhat sheltered position. I'll take the chip out but won't disable it yet, can do that later." After Stake spoke over the comm, he switched back to AR and went to the table again. He waited for the others to hear what they had to say.
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@Everyone:
You estimate that you don't have too much time before these things realize they're getting hacked and start an offensive so it's best to talk with Stake about what the best way forward is.....
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>>If we're going to attack, it needs to be soon. Zach, you want to rumble with these things or you want to zoom out on your bike? Stake, how many of these things can you take out? Don't need to waste them, just confuse them until we get clear. They aren't going to wait around forever for us to decide. Is there any other way out of here? A back entrance?<<
Storm looks around the warehouse and tries to find another exit. A stockroom door, a hatch, a weak section of wall, anything will do. The sheer amount of effort going into maintaining the invisibility spells, illusion, and enhanced attributes is causing her to buzz with energy. She can barely focus on the walls, no less find a door.
Not so good.
[Storm is prepared to cancel spells as soon as they're obsolete in order to get her focus back. First thing she'll do is cancel the illusion once it's no longer necessary.]
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”I can take out 4 of those, give or take, if we are quick enough. But I have to take them out for good, it doesn’t matter that I attacked them from the matrix unless I do that.” Stake stood ready to take the tag out of the downed drone. ”Just tell me when you’re ready and I give you the sign when I have the tag out.”
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@Storm:
You wipe away the beads of sweat streaming down your face from the magical exertion you're undertaking and look around the warehouse. It's so full of workstations, broken drones, vehicles and old computers it's hard to really tell if there are any other exits. Finding one would require quite a bit of heavy clearing and aside from the big garage door and the side door you came in through, you wonder if you would even find anything. The walls are aluminum siding and seem about as thick as the arched tin ceiling. Both seem to be pretty flimsy all the way around... not the best thing to stop a bullet.
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So we just build defensive position to go for frontal assault. I feel a bit manipulated. Well if that is the plan, I vote for complete elimination of the threat before we continue. I just need to get those targets to line of sight. Then AP ammo is my weapon of choice, once the EMP and your tricks take effect. I hope this wont get more personal than necessary. So. Should i blow up the roof to get them in sight?
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"Can you try and reduce collateral damage, like shooting out of the windows? I'd hate to try dodge parts of the roof falling on top while i smote the drones in the 'trix full force."
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No windows on the roof. I will blow up that microdrone above the roof..that could give you LOS needed, Storm, and possibly also do some harm to those drones. I will sneak outside and try to flank them to get multiple angles of attack. We need to destroy them before their tactical analysis kicks in, otherwise we are screwed. Are you OK with this plan?
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Stake, you have that thing opened. Does it have any blind side? What sensors does it depend on? I know that this machines are TOP but they are too small to equip full range of sensors as far as I know. Thermographic? Audio? Radar? Anything else?
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"Well, if there's no other way... Let it be an explosion." Stake listened to Zach then started to work on the drone. "A moment, i'm checking."
[spoiler=checking sensors]LOG(7) + Hardware(5) [Mental(11)] (12d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4258840/)
Note: Stake doesn't know too much about how drones work (no mechanic skill) but i reckon the sensors are more likely related to Hardware skill.[/spoiler]
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@Stake:
You're not able to tell exactly what each sensor you see in he suite does, but you do find the exact location of the core connector bus between the main microprocessor and the sensor array. A good hit to this bus would sever he connection and most definitely completely blind the drone. If you AR mark the location for the ork and the elf, they might be able aim for it if they're a good enough shot.
[spoiler]OOC: If you AR mark it, then with a successful called shot (extra free and -4) they could hit that spot. [/spoiler]
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”The sensors are a jumble, but I can pinpoint where they connect to the main processors. Shooting there will blind the drones, besides any adverse effects the bullets might have.” Stake quickly made a 3D image out of the downed drone and highlighted where the connection was in there. He sent the image to the other two.
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Might be helpfull. Ok so shall we start? Zach gets ready to leave his defensive possition and move to the point from where he can leave the building and outflank the main attack vector.
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Stake took a deep breath. "Let me just take that chip out. After that, i wait for your signal to hit the drones from cyberspace. Just a question: do you want me to be ready to leave at a moment's notice, or can i go back to VR? That way i'm more effective." After hearing the answer, he popped the chip out of its socket and pocketed it.
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As I see the situation, we are going to kill them all and then move as quickly and as far possible. So be ready to get back to physical if things look bad for us and you need to move on your own, until then you should be covered. Am I right, Storm?
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>>Correct. We hit them hard and run like hell. I'm going to get as many as I can with a lightning attack, you flank them and hit them with an EMP. Hopefully our new decker can clean up the stragglers. Once I hit them with the lightning, you need to hit them again immediately and then race as fast as you can to draw them with you. I'll fly out on my own once you're gone. I'm taking down your veils, there's no point since it'll be impossible to hide your bike against thermal. The storm spirit will help hide you until you're past line-of-sight.<<
Storm cancels the veils on Zach and Stake, as well as the illusion she previously set. She keeps her own veil as well as the sonic bubble.
The pressure she was feeling due to all the sustaining starts to recede a bit as she unwinds the spells.
Storm readies herself in order to cast her lightning ball as quickly as possible once the roof is blown open. Her position is perfect accordingly to her AR overlay of the drones positions. She switches her vision to thermographic and readies her image magnification. Her now-antique Spellslinger glove crackles slightly as she readies herself for combat.
Gonna fry some circuits tonight...
-
After pulling the chip out of the drone, Stake sat down and slipped back to hot sim VR. ”Zach, give the word and I’ll unleash virtual hell on them.” He then readied himself to hit the drones immediately when Zach gave the word.
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Moving to possition.
Zach leaves his deffensive position, with only slight relief...this is how it always begins. And ends, also.
trying to stay as calm as possible he moves to the opaque windows lining the wall. They say that cat can sneak through any hole, and he feels her presence strobgly right now deep within him. Direct assault may be effective, well at least a bit surprise may be fun, adding some spice into the game.
He dont have time to pull his chameleon suit out and change clotches, well at least that means he will have slightly better protection from bullets.He expects that the explossion would also smash the windows out and he plans to use it to get into flanking possition as planned.
He prepares for it and focuses on the drone for a second, since it need to deliver its last spark of life. Built in autodestruction system should be powerfull enought to get the job done...
RE(7)+Pilot(1)[3] (8d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4266411/)
KaBoom!
Init(11)+ (3d6=12) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4266414/)
Zach: Init 23
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[spoiler=Stake's initiative]INT(6) + Data Processing(5) + Hot sim(4d6) (11+4d6=26) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4266501/)[/spoiler]
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Initiative:
Init: 1d6+Increased Reflexes(3d6+6)+Int(6)+Rea(5)=4d6+17 (4d6=16) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4266777/) Init=33
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@Everyone:
[spoiler]OOC: Roof rolls Structure + Armor: 10d6.hits(5)=5 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4270877/). So that's 35 DV. That's about 8 sqr meters, so a 3m x 3m hole we'll say. I'll say that it constitutes good cover for parties on either side. [/spoiler]
You brace yourselves covering your ears and squinting as the explosion rips the roof apart as if it were made of paper mache, the pressure wave blowing out the glass side windows as well. The florescent lights got taken out (dim light) and a gaping 3m x 3m hole in the tin roof exposing the clear night sky is what's left. You catch a quick glimpse of the drones as they start to scramble out of formation.
[spoiler]OOC: Initiative for drones = 6 + 4d6=11 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4272790/)= 17.
Initiative: Thermo 33, Stake 26, Zach 23, Drones 17
Thermo's turn.
[/spoiler]
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Why does it feel like we just whacked a hornet's nest?
Storm casts her lightning ball at the center of the group of drones. Her thermographic vision gives her a high-definition picture of the whirring drones, letting her see them even in the dim light overhead.
Cast F8 Ball Lightning: Spellcasting(10)+Mentor Spirit(2)+Power Focus(4)+Spellslinger(1)-Sustaining(5)-Partial Light(1) [Force](8) (11d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4272879/)
Edge re-roll (7 dice) (7d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4272891/) 6 hits total
Drain(7) Resist: Cha(11)+Wil(9) (20d6.hits(5)=8) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4272882/) NO DRAIN!! BOOYAH!!!!
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[spoiler]OOC: Pilot 3 + Maneuver 4 + Good Cover 4 = (11d6.hits(5)=6, 11d6.hits(5)=3, 11d6.hits(5)=3, 11d6.hits(5)=0, 11d6.hits(5)=4, 11d6.hits(5)=6, 11d6.hits(5)=2, 11d6.hits(5)=4, 11d6.hits(5)=6, 11d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4274441/). The respective damages they need to soak are: 8,11,11,14,10,8,12,10,8,12. Soak is Body 4 + Armor 4 + AP-8 = (4d6.hits(5)=2, 4d6.hits(5)=3, 4d6.hits(5)=0, 4d6.hits(5)=1, 4d6.hits(5)=1, 4d6.hits(5)=1, 4d6.hits(5)=1, 4d6.hits(5)=1, 4d6.hits(5)=1, 4d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4274464/). Respective damage is (P for physical, M for matix): 6P/3M, 8P/4M, 11P/5M, 13P/6M, 9P/4M, 7P/3M, 11P/5M, 9P/4M, 7P/3M, 10P/5M. So 4 of them got fried and the ones that are left we'll call:
Drone1 {6P/3M}, Drone2 {8P/4M}, Drone5 {9P/4M}, Drone6 {7P/3M}, Drone8 {9P/4M}, Drone9 {7P/3M}
Stakes turn
[/spoiler]
You see Storm focus hard as current collects around her body to the point where the whole room is lit up. Suddenly she pumps her hands forward and launches an envelope of electric energy that shoots straight through the hole in the tin roof. Before the drone have time to move very far out of formation the ball explodes right in the middle of the circle and scatters them every which way. Sparks shoot out of each of the drones and you can see several of them go down; the AR count Stake has set up reads 6/10 left.
Initiative: Thermo 33, Stake 26, Zach 23, D1 15, D2 16,
Wound: Drone1 {6P/3M}, Drone2 {8P/4M}, Drone5 {9P/4M}, Drone6 {7P/3M}, Drone8 {9P/4M}, Drone9 {7P/3M}
Edge: Zach 1/2, Storm 2/3, Stake 0/2
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Changing to the preset combat settings of his deck, Stake hit the two drones reeling the most, that were still in the air. It was an interesting sensation, getting the live feed from Zach's link, and seeing the drones in VR at the same time, but he concentrated at the VR signals. His icon pulled a cartoon handgun from his jacket, and took a shot at the drones. The bullet seemed to divide in mid-air, intending to hit two targets at the same time.
[spoiler=actions]Reconfigure deck, free: setting deck to preset configuration with Configure program, no test
Data spike, complex: intending to hit drones 5 and 8 (Fork program allows me to target two icons), LOG(7) + Cybercombat(4) + Hot sim(2) [Attack(7)] (13d6.hits(5)=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4275876/); opposed test, both targets roll INT + Firewall, base DV of 9 (Attack 7 + Hammer 2) + net hits, damage resisted with Device rating + Firewall[/spoiler]
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@Stake:
[spoiler]OOC: Vehicle wound modifiers are a modifier on the Handling. Device 4 + Firewall 5 = (9d6.hits(5)=3, 9d6.hits(5)=0) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4277175/). 13 Matrix DV incoming for both, Drone 5 and Drone 8 with already 4 Matrix damage are bricked. Zach's turn. [/spoiler]
The matrix icons of all the drones look like florescent versions of their physical world appearance and the two packets of damaging data spikes slam into them overloading the processors of two of them, their icons dissipating into the NeoNet grid's starry night sky. You notice an umbrella firewall protecting these drones which seems more sophisticated, like that of an RCC PAN.
@Zach & Storm:
The real world AR count tells you that the drones labelled 5 and 8 start falling out of the sky and the count is at 4/10 left overhead.
Initiative: Thermo 33, Stake 26, Zach 23, Drones 17.
Wound: Drone1 {6P/3M}, Drone2 {8P/4M}, Drone6 {7P/3M}, Drone9 {7P/3M}, Storm{1S,1P}
Edge: Zach 1/2, Storm 2/3, Stake 0/2
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@Zach:
[spoiler]OOC: Zach attempts to sneak out the windows and not be seen. Agi 4 + Sneaking 9 [phys 6]= (13d6.hits(5)=5) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4295831/). Pilot 3 + Clearsight 5 + actively looking for 3 [Sensor 3] = (11d6.hits(5)=1) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4295840/). They don't see you but you don't have LOS on them right now and if you want to get it you need to use a free action. It's the drone's turn now.[/spoiler]
Zach immediately takes advantage of the chaos from the explosion and the heavy mojo being slung to duck out of view of the big hole in the roof and sprint over to the blown out windows, deftly leaping through one of them and as soon as he lands outside, quickly pushes himself against the warehouse siding, covered by the over-hang of what is left of the roof and out of sight of the overhead drones.
@Everyone:
The heavy hit the squadron of drones have taken is obvious and the four damaged drones that are left up in the air resort to emergency protocols. The muzzles of their onboard weapons system instantly retract and light up with automatic fire as they spray wildly into the roof of the warehouse.
[spoiler]OOC: It will be four suppressive fire zones. The tin roof is too thin to be effective cover against it, but they will have the blind-fire penalty. Since the attack is from above, you can't use the hit the dirt interrupt action. You can add the armor of the tin roof to your own. Pilot 3 + Targeting 5 + Smartlink 2 + Wound -2 + Blindfire -6 = (2d6.hits(5)=1, 2d6.hits(5)=1, 2d6.hits(5)=1, 2d6.hits(5)=0) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4296043/). So I'll have everyone resist against three of those zones. So you roll Edge Attribute + Reaction (Threshold 1) three different times. Each time you fail soak 11P with a -2 AP, Add 6 armor for the roof. Also take a -1 to any action you do until the suppressive fire stops. Stake's turn. [/spoiler]
Initiative: Thermo 23, Stake 16, Zach 13, Drones 0.
Wound: Drone1 {6P/3M}, Drone2 {8P/4M}, Drone6 {7P/3M}, Drone9 {7P/3M}, Storm{1S,1P}
Edge: Zach 1/2, Storm 2/3, Stake 0/2
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Storm sees the drones open fire and tries to make herself as small as possible
Dodge blind fire (threshold:1): Edge(3)+Rea(5) (8d6.hits(5)=4, 8d6.hits(5)=2, 8d6.hits(5)=4) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4296366/)
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[spoiler=Edge rolls to avoid drone fire]Edge(2);Edge(2) - second attack(1) (2d6.hits(5)=0, 1d6.hits(5)=0) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4300095/)
Note: the first is also a critical glitch, for which i don't have Edge to downgrade.
Total armor is 17, -3AP makes it 14, base damage is 11P, so it is 11S.
First hit: BOD(3) + Jacket(12) + Helmet(2) + Cyberarm(3) - AP(3) + Roof(6) (23d6.hits(5)=6) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4300101/); taking 5P due to critical glitch, reduced to 4P by platelet factories
Second hit: BOD(3) + Jacket(12) + Helmet(2) + Cyberarm(3) - AP(3) + Roof(6) (23d6.hits(5)=6) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4300105/); taking 5S
Third hit: BOD(3) + Jacket(12) + Helmet(2) + Cyberarm(3) - AP(3) + Roof(6) (23d6.hits(5)=6) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4301753/); taking 5S
Wow, rolls are not so great.
Total damage: 4P/10S, still aware, but initiative goes down by 4[/spoiler]
Bullets sprayed down on Stake, and he had no luck as more than one hit him.
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RE(7)+Combat sense(3)+Edge(2) (12d6.hits(5)=2, 12d6.hits(5)=3, 12d6.hits(5)=6) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4302892/)
Bullets rain from skies and Zach made whatever needed to avoid being hit, depending mostly on his instincts as the fire seemed pretty random. It looks like there are four targets to go and painful scream from inside tells him that someones has been hit by the spray. He dont have time to chect who it was, as he readies himself to exit from cover and take down at least some of the targets.
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Storm checks her AR readout.
Drek, getting more than two of them is going to be a problem. Too far apart. Hope Zach and Stake can get the rest before they shred us into pieces. Need to get some medical attention to Stake, going to be impossible to get out of here if the poor bastard is unconscious.
Storm uses her smartlinked Spellslinger glove to help her aim another blast of lightning into the area where two of the less-damaged drones were still hovering.
Cast F6 Ball Lightning: Spellcasting(10)+Mentor Spirit(2)+Power Focus(4)+Spellslinger(1)-Sustaining(5)-Partial Light(1)-Suppressed(1) [Force](6) (10d6.hits(5)=6) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4307307/)
Drain(5) Resist: Cha(11)+Wil(9) (20d6.hits(5)=7) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4307308/) no drain
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[spoiler]OOC: 3 net hits on the AOE indirect combat spell test. That means it's 9P incoming of electrical damage. Body 4 + Armor 4 + AP -6 = (4d6.hits(5)=2, 4d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4307996/). Drone 1 and Drone 2 both fried. Stake and Zach's turn. [/spoiler]
Another flash of bright bluish light lights up the darkness and her second ball of lightning explodes overhead downing two more of the roto-drones.
Initiative: Thermo 23, Stake 16, Zach 13, Drones 0.
Wound: Drone6 {7P/3M}, Drone9 {7P/3M}, Storm{1S,5S,1P,5P}
Edge: Zach 1/2, Storm 2/3, Stake 0/2
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[spoiler]OOC: Zach will use a simple action to gain good cover and get LOS to drones, then a free to get multiple attacks and then a simple to fire a Burst Fire burst. RC is base 2 + 1 for HK-227 for a total of 3, rounds fired is 3 so recoil penalty is 0 for now. Dice pool is Ag 4 + Auto(SMG) 11 + Smart 2 + Suppressive fire -1 = 16. He'll divide the pool 8 and 8. 8d6.hits(5)=5, 8d6.hits(5)=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4313254/).
Pilot 3 + Maneuver 5 + Burst Fire -2 [Handling 4 - Wound 2 = 2] = (6d6.hits(5)=3, 6d6.hits(5)=1) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4316658/). So the first drone needs to soak 7P+3net=10P, second needs to soak 7P+2net=9P. Body 4 + Armor 4 + APDS -4 = (4d6.hits(5)=1, 4d6.hits(5)=1) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4316668/). Drone1 takes 9P, Drone 2 takes 8P. Both are destroyed. Out of initiative for now. [/spoiler]
Zach's back is pressed against the side of the warehouse and as soon as he notices that Storm has slung some more mojo at the drones and he here's a few of them crashing, he pops out of the shelter of the roof's overhang and gets as much LOS as he can. Opening fire with his HK 227, he quickly dispatches the two remaining drones.
-
Stake came back to AR and asked the others in a raspy voice "You got a medkit? Or a slap patch? I think i'm going to faint." Despite his words, he scrambled for the shelter of one of the more sturdy tables, in case more hail came from heaven.
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Get on bike. We will take care of it later. The medkit is in the compartement behind you, if you would like to try it en route...
Zach rolls re-enters the warehouse and commands his Scorpion to start the engine.
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"Ain't there a patch in there? In this state, the first wind will take me off. And i ain't finished with the chip, and i don't think you want it to continue and broadcast our position."
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Can`t help you with that. Just medkids. Fresh from shop, tribute to gangs in barrens to provide the windshield while we need to stay low. Well I think its a good place to use it here and now. Just ayke it quick. Or you can use some restrains to be able to stay on board. Or perhaps Storm would be able to help?
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Storm dismisses her sound barrier spell, sustaining her Increase Attribute spells as well as her invisibility veil. She walks over to Stake and casually places her hands over two of his more obvious wounds.
"My magic requires tribute, chummer. Prepare yourself."
Suddenly, she viciously twists her hands at the location of the injured flesh. The pain is immense as the dwarf feels magic ripping through his body. When she untwists her hands, the flesh underneath is smooth and unbroken. In her hands are several slightly deformed bullets. She says a quick prayer to Thor and steps away from the dwarf.
Cast Heal: Spellcasting(10)+Magic(4)+Power Focus(4)-Sustaining(4) [Force:8] (14d6.hits(5)=6) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4317138/)
Resist Drain(4): Cha(11)+Wil(9) (20d6.hits(5)=8) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4317557/) no drain
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@Stake:
Aside from a splitting headache, you feel much better. Your new acquaintance's mojo sure was twisted and strange compared to other occultists you've run with before, but definitely effective. You take inventory of your closed up chest wound and then rise to a crouching position underneath the workstation table you are posted up under. You look around and wonder what the hell happened! Jordan's definitely gonna be pissed about trashing his warehouse....
@Everyone:
The night sky feels eerily calm now through the gaping hole in the roof and the dark ruins of the warehouse draw a sharp contrast to how everything looked when you first arrived. Several of the destroyed drones which fell in through the hole are now strewn across the floor still giving off occasional bursts of sparks.
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”The kit sounds good, and now would be… What the hell? Aaaargh.” Only the surging pain prevented Stake from pushing Storm away. His vision swam, then focused again when the pain subsided. ”Frag, thought you were gonna kill me. Don’t fragging touch me again, I’m hurting all over and… and the wound is gone… what the hell?” Obvious mistrust shone from the dwarf’s eyes as he looked up on Storm but the total lack of understanding permeated his voice. Eyeing the magician suspiciously and trying to keep his distance from her, he continued his earlier sentence to Zach. ”Anyway, as I said before, the medkit would be very much welcome, it would give an initial kick I could use to shut the darn chip down. It only takes a few seconds in my experience to work those kits. After that, it’s nothing but rest that I need, but that can wait.”
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Zach pulls the medkit out from compartment on his bike, handing it to the darf. Then he sits on the bike, ready to go.
Just make it quick, shorty...
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Stake connected the medkit to the appropriate points on his body then let it do its work. This way would be quicker than him using the thing, with the headache he had.
[spoiler=test]Note: letting the medkit function autonomously, it uses rating*2 as a base dice pool. I assumed street conditions as it is neither ongoing combat, nor inside a building anymore with the ceiling mostly missing.
rating*2(12) – conditions(2) – essence(2); 4 hits; 2 stun boxes healed
current CM: 1P/8S/3M[/spoiler]
The pain lessened some more, but parts of it still remained. Well, I’ll have to do this without further help. I’ll have to get my hands on a few slap patches after this. He went back to full VR for a few seconds, to shut the tag down.
[spoiler=matrix actions]Reboot device, complex; LOG(7) + Computer(5) + Hot sim(2) – Wounds(2) [Data processing(5)]; 4 hits, Opposed test, vs. Willpower + Firewall, setting a 12-hours delay before the device comes back online[/spoiler]
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@Stake:
[spoiler]OOC: Will 6 + Firewall 5 = (11d6.hits(5)=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4320435/). [/spoiler]
You send the command to the marked chip and it shuts down and will come back online in 12 hours or until you turn it back on.
@Everyone:
The coast remains clear but getting out of the area as soon as possible feels like it should be a big priority.
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Stake gathered his tools and handed the medkit back to Zach, then hopped on to the bike behind him. "Ready to leave. We won't have a problem with the locator for the next half day." Frowning, he continued. "And i think we might need to... recompensate my contact for the damage to her warehouse." He wasn't looking forward to the call he had to make, so right now, he welcomed the distraction the ride and the need to hang on provided.
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Jump to the saddle, we should settle our debts when the time comes, but right now I think we are hunting. If you have any leads. Otherwise we should disapear in Barrens, I have enought of the correct currency to help us find a safehouse and possibly even reinforcements to defend it.
Zach turns to elven mage
Storm, I will drive us to densely inhabited area, as planned. If oyu can follow by air, it would be nice not to get you out of sight, since it seems that we would have to finish this the same way we started...as a team.
Waiting for dwarf to jump on and Strom`s anwer, Zach is ready to drive away using pre-planned stealth route to probably safer areas.
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Storm lowers her head and begins to levitate a meter or so off the floor.
Cast Levitate: Spellcasting(10)+Magic(4)+Power Focus(4)-Sustaining(4) [Force:8] (14d6.hits(5)=7) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4320739/)
Resist drain(6): Cha(11)+Wil(9) (20d6.hits(5)=9) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4320740/)
"I am ready to go when you are. My storm spirit will let me keep pace with your motorcycle, at least in the city. My veil will help keep me out of sight. Remember that you will continue to be Concealed by the spirit, so don't assume that other drivers necessarily register your presence."
Storm sends a telepathic message to her spirit:
"We travel soon. Keep pace with me and use your Movement power to allow me to travel like the wind. Continue to Conceal the entire party while we travel."
[Movement multiplies Storm's flight speed by the spirit's Magic, thereby allowing her to fly at 48 m/turn or 58 km/h]
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”Right now, I’m not in the condition to hunt. I need some rest, and to make a few adjustments in my deck. I’ll make all the background job once we’re in a safe place, but right now, let’s just get out of here.” Stake clambered onto the bike and made sure he held on tight. He then restarted both his commlink and deck, and made sure Zach’s and Storm’s stuff got back under the protection of his link. ”And the only thing I could get from the locator is that it sent its signal back to the Tacoma UCAS Veterans Hospital, as I already told you. It may simply be a relay, or the source, I don’t know it from here, but it’s no trivial matter to get in there, I’m not sure I could crack that host on my best day.”
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To Tacoma, then. I'll find the way to geplaceey you need me to, and you gell me what to do once I am on the place.
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Zach revs the engine of his bike as Stake holds on tight. Behind them Storm slowly levitates into the air as a swirling mystical mist begins to wrap itself all about her body. The tusked Siberian looks back one more time to make sure both his companions are ready and they both nod in acknowledgment. The bike burns rubber as the tires spin out and they speed away even faster than how quickly they arrived, carrying away with them a new companion with a small chip that may hold the only way out of this whole mess.....