Shadowrun
Shadowrun Play => Play-by-Post => Topic started by: Moneyspider on <04-23-14/2011:03>
-
It's 2075 and the world's gone to hell five or six times already. Shadowrunners like you just try to pick up enough pieces to scrape by. There are all sorts of mantra's out there. "Watch your back! Shoot straight! Conserve Ammo! Never deal with a dragon!", "No need to fear, if you've got the gear", "Everything has a price." You've heard them all but the one you need now is simple, "Find a Crew, Find a Job, Keep Running", cause it's the only way you'll stay alive.
@Critter: You get a message from Alejandro while he's at work. Hey Baby, a customer came in today and told me about this warehouse concert going on tonight. It's an awakened band, I'll send you their album, their pretty good, Was thinking maybe we could check it out.
@Phant05: You get a message from a blocked comcode, but you recognize your fixer Andre as his torso shows up in AR. Hey Jake, you looking for work? I got a guy on the line who's looking a decker with a pretty face, told 'm best I can do is one with an ugly mug. He smirks at you waiting for a response.
@Frankenstein: Frank, it's Victor I'm sorry but that bouncer job fell through. I keep looking for ya but no one seems to want a Sammie they don't know. Ya might try talking to the guy doing the hiring, some tool calls himself AceofSpades. I'll send you the address, just try not to kill anyone.
@Twisted Sister: There's a watcher spirit waiting for you outside of your apartment starring through your window. The shadowy cat like creature speaks with a thick Roma accent. "Sester, Ace ov Spades es having a party tonight, He told me to take you there if you want to make some dosh."
-
The message pops up as a tiny icon in the corner of Reaghan's HUD, pulling her attention from the action in front of her. She waves her hand, and the world comes to a stop, a bullet inches from her face. With a tap, the icon expands into a text message, brown text on a slightly-different-brown background, dust all around it. Call of Duty 47: Euro Warfare was a great simsense game, and the newest in the series, but someone really needed to introduce the interface designers to a thing called colour,
Reaghan reads for a second, then queues up the music. Nice. Sounds good, luv. I could do with getting out of my apartment. Just mark the location for me, and I'll meet you there.
A wave of her hand closes the window, and she sets a timer so she doesn't doesn't miss her date. Again. Both hands back on her rifle again, the world begins moving once more.
-
Jane jumped. She was scared. She mentally grabbed her foci and fired to dispel the beast. Nothing happened. Madre de Dios! El espiritu tiene mucho fuerze! What else could she do? What else could she try? Assuming she even lived to try anything else. Every time she'd ever encountered these beasts it had been a hard fought battle. They hated her, "But what else was new?" came the wry thought. After all, everything hated her. Jane grabbed her foci unconsciously. Gathering herself up to resist it's atk she braced herself. She didn't want to die here, on foreign soil. Her family would never know what had happened to her. She wasn't close to them. But, they'd done their best to overlook the embarrassment of her appearance, and they deserved better than to worry and always wonder if she were alive or dead.
-
Pausing from his various menus open in Ar, he takes a sip from his soycaf and answers the call. "Andre! I guess if people are considering my mug ugly, I gotta stop taking fashion advice from your mom, eh? Guess I could find another use for her.A cool grin crosses his face, his tone obviously reflecting a jovial nature and not actually serious. "Yeah, my calender's free at the moment. Patch him through." He took another sip of soycaf, before casually starting to browse some things in Ar. Multitasking was always the way to go for someone like him.
-
"Alright, let's see what the matter is, liebchen." Frakie's lip curled into a snarl as Dr. Henry Swaim stuck the strange device into his biceps, the sensor on the end of the needle lighting up with a queer blue LED glow. "Liebchen," Frankie growled, subtly correcting Swaim's pronounciation. The vaguely-Scottish Swaim spoke with none of Johannes' heavy German accent, despite spending most of his life in the Berlin sprawl. He instead spoke with a chillingly traceless cosmopolitan dialect, suitable for European corporate boardrooms and perhaps trials in Nuremberg. "And don't call me that," Frankie eventually added as an afterthought.
"Uh-huh," Swaim replied in disinterest, prodding Johannes' arm with a growing series of the glowing blue sensor-needles. "And this muscle twitch, when did you say it began? Ever since the bad business in Berlin?"
"Yes, around then. Whenever I'm at rest, or after I really exert myself, or-"
"Uh-huh," Swaim cut him off, pulling out a tablet-style commlink and examining it carefully. "And have you been doing those exercises I prescribed you?"
At this, Frankenstein rolled his cybereyes, the glowing red irises of the ancient models flickering out for a moment from the exertion. "What's the point of having chipped muscles if I still need to do three hundred push ups a day?"
Swaim squinted at Frankenstein furiously, then tapped at the tablet in vengeance. Frankie jumped as a mild electric shock travelled through his arm, the sensor-needles blinking from blue to green one by one. "They're not chipped. They're bioware. They're still muscles. You still need to maintain them; you need a high protein diet and plenty of exercise. Stick to krill, none of that soy junk. I can tell from your metabolic readings and the sodium content in your blood that you've been to the Stuffer Shack. And furthermore-"
Swaim's lecture was cut short by the surprisingly loud noise of Frankenstein's Transys commlink buzzing. It rattled against the metal examination table, sending echoes through the leaky, morgue-like basement of Dr. Henry's street clinic. The matte silver hemisphere of Frankenstein's high-end comm bounced its way from one end of the examination table to the next, the chattering device threatening to fall off before Frankenstein caught it with lightning-fast reflexes. As Johannes read the message, Dr. Henry Swaim tried hard to pretend he was looking at his own tablet-like comm and not trying to snoop. "Good news, I hope? I don't mind doing maintenance for you, you know, but I'm eventually going to have to start charging, my friend."
Frankenstein tapped out a quick response to his fixer. <<I will gladly take that address.>> "Yes and no," Frankie said to the doctor, then shrugged non-commitally. Almost as if in retaliation, Swaim jabbed at his tablet again. This time, Frankestein barely flinched. "Ow."
-
@Critter: Alright meet me at the store after I close up and we can walk it's not too far. Sure enough the location marked is only a few blocks away from Alejandro's shop, in a mostly abandoned industrial park.
@Twisted Sister: The Spirit quirks it's head to the side. ¿Entiende usted Inglés? Puedo servir por un tiempo corto. ¿Qué le debería decir a Ace?
@Phan05: A man with olive skin and longish dark hair and glowing blue eyes appears in your AR feed. Hello Phan05, I'm AceofSpades and I'm organizing a team. Something simple at first, but there might be more work for you. If your interested come to <Warehouse Address>. There we can work out the details and meet the rest of the team. Come dressed to party.
@Frankenstein: An address pops up in your commlink for a warehouse down town, and is immediately followed by a flyer. The flyer invites you to join for a night of awesome rock and astral beats, cover charge is 25nuyen 20 if your hott! By way of signature the bottom of the flyer has an Ace of Spades.
-
Check.
Pew! Pew!
-
¿Como? Jane's brain was reeling with the shock of the beasts speech even as she heard herself answering. "Si." And Jane's brain, a little slow to catch up with her instinctive reactions, realized that the beast had spoken to her when it appeared. She desperately tried to recall the exact words. The little bit of Thaumaturigical Theory that she knew had emphasized that some spirits were extremely precise in their wording and in the answers they required. Ace of Spells?? Spills? Take her there to party to make a dish?? dash?? dust??
Jane tried to make sense of it all. But, frag her memory, it couldn't piece together enough of what the beast had said to be sure of it, much less make sense of it. But one thing she was sure of was that this spirit required an answer. Praying that this was a request for an additional ritual caster or something she could use she looked the creature square in the eye and answered. "Entonces, lleva me con Ace."
-
Yeah, sounds good. I'll see ya there. After he disconnected the feed, he stood up and stretched, closeing his Ar windows. He moved across his place to the closet and swung the doors open, searching through it till he found his fancy suit. Good...the cleaner got the blood off it from the last run. Nice, clean and pressed. He nodded and glanced to the time to see just how much he had before this party in the warehouse.
-
Frankenstein scowled at the advertisement ARO window like it was something particularly unpleasant he found on the sole of his boot. 25 nuyen it is, then, I guess. Furrowing his brow, Frankenstein tried to recall if he'd ever been to this particular... establishment before. It didn't really seem like his scene but he tried to keep a bead on all the likely shadow meeting places in his new base of operations.
Intuition 4 + Bars and Clubs 1 = (5d6.hits(5)=1) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4481668/)
"Are you about finished, doc? I have a meeting to get to."
"Hmm? Oh, yes, the electroshock therapy should stop that muscle spasm, let me just... oh! Oh, come on!"
Dr. Henry Swaim slapped his forehead in frustration as Frankenstein unceremoniously yanked the needles out of his arm and tossed the on the examination table. "I just polished that, you know," the doctor sulked, getting out a rag to clean up the traces of rapidly coagulating blood.
"Sorry, doc," Frankie grunted as he put his lined coat back on. He didn't have any weapons on him; they were all locked away at his apartment. But with a cyberpistol installed in his right arm, he was never really unarmed, and it would likely suffice just fine for a simple meet with only a sliver of a chance of actually resulting in work. "Gotta run. I have a possibility for some work. I'll let you know how it goes."
"Good luck," the doctor said, already scurrying about the operating room, engulfed in clean up procedures and plans for his next big project. "And remember! Krill!"
With that, Frankie made his way to the street, heading toward the address indicated in the cyber-flyer. His hope was to arrive early, scope out the venue, and maybe talk to the guy doing the hiring early in hopes of including him in whatever job he was planning. Now that he was free of Swaim's meddling, Frankie pulled out his commlink and typed out another message to his fixer. <<Any more detail you can give me on this? Do you know if he's looking for somebody of my talents, or is this an outside shot?>> Rent was due soon, and Johannes was starting to get just a bit worried.
-
@Critter: After what seems like a few more rounds killing the Swedish menace a warning timer pops into your AR display one hour till you're supposed to meet your boy.
@Twisted Sister: The Watcher looks around Entonces, ¿usted tiene un coche? No tengo dinero para un taxi. Or we could walk?
@Phan05: The party starts in one hour. Roll Intuition to know how fashionably late you should be. 8)
@Frankenstein: You know that Wearhouse parties tend to not be in clubs or bars but are occasionally but together by them. Or by a club owner trying to make a name for himself. The guy I talked to was just a grunt looking for Bouncers. But his boss some kinda upstart Fixer he might be looking for a bruiser.
-
Reaghan logs off, flips up her mask, and feeling returns to her extremities. She enjoys VR, but her legs always tingle when she comes out of it.
She throws on her armoured jacket (it may be a party, but in this area of town you never go out without protection) and sends the wireless signal to change the display to a garish red white and blue flag. Going traditional British punk, tonight. Some light armaments for protection (no need for a two-handed sword or an assault rifle, but a good Brit punk is never without a knife or two), and the ensemble is complete.
A mental command queues up the band's album as she leaves her apartment. A smile comes across her face. Tonight should be fun.
-
"No, no tengo coche." Jane thought furiously. It was saying it didn't have money for a taxi but was offering to walk. So, wherever this was it was obviously within walking distance. But, she didn't really like walking in this neighborhood, and if they were going to an even rougher part of town she might need the pistol. Except she didn't really like taking the pistol. Wasn't even sure she could use it if it came down to it. I mean sure, she'd trained with one and knew how to shoot. Irish had made sure of that. But, she'd always shied away from ever actually pointing it at someone. She'd tricked her way out of every dangerous situation they'd ever encountered. Still, the drain from making this dish, whatever it was, might leave her far to spent to do much of anything afterwards. Well, she'd have to take that chance. Her funds were far to limited to stretch to gratuitous joy riding in taxi's. She opened her mouth to answer it and suddenly realized what this thing had to be! A watcher spirit! Not really spirits at all in the classic sense and they weren't banishable! They served for a short time only and were sort of like constructs. No wonder it hadn't attacked her. Realizing that she felt silly for her response, and relieved. Whoever sent it probably didn't want her dead. Jane smiled, suddenly feeling optimistic, and looking at it said, "Vamos a caminar."
-
One hour. Doesn't give me much time. Oh well, it's better to be a little late and look good, then be on time and look terrible
He moves off to go get ready, dressing up nice and looking all slick. He made sure he had what he needed..his holdout, taser, deck and the like. He left his place, locking up and moved to his car, starting it up, tuneing the radio to some techno, and heading off for the club.
((Intuition Check: 1 hit. How late he should be? (http://orokos.com/roll/186497): 2d6t5 1))
-
@Critter: Your boy is locking up just as you catch up, he puts his arm around yours making small talk as you walk toward the party
@Twisted Sister: The spirit floats slightly above the ground bouncing around you, and leading down the road. Está a unos diez kilómetros de distancia va a tener que caminar rápido para hacer antes de que se desvanecen. Entonces, ¿qué tipo de magia lo sabes? The spirit bounces around rambling small talk at you. While encouraging you to walk at a pace slightly faster then comfortable. Eventually you can hear as much as feel the thump of the base a few moments later as the sun sets the spirit fades. Espero que usted puede encontrar a partir de aquí.
@Phan05: About half hour should give you some time to let other people get there before you without getting turned away for the place being full.
You all arrive at the warehouse party. A two story industrial building. You can hear and feel the thumping of the techno goblin rock already starting for a block away. I line of people wraps around the building people dressed all sorts of different ways including more then a few with some heavy chrome make up the line. There's a set of bouncers at the doors two trolls, one looks like he might be a minotaur. It's easy to see that the line continues through the door. The a short sleazy looking dwarf outside peddling Deepweed, and a few others trying to sell chips with the various bands albums, posters and other merch.
Frankie arrives first. When you get there there aren't enough people line to make it out of the building. As you make it to the main doors into the building the two guards glare at you and the Minotaur looking one starts to give you shit before the other troll rolls his eyes and waves you past. When you get inside there's a two freight elevators. One is currently gone and moving up, the other one is made up like a ticket booth.
-
"Illusion. Pero quiero aprender más tipos." "Huh, If this guy wants to hire me shouldn't he know my brand of magic?" "Well maybe he does and it's just that the watcher doesn't." As the spirit faded she was glad she'd hired a cab for the last bit of the hike. It had given her time to catch her breath and ask a few questions she very foolishly hadn't thought of before she'd left. Including how she should dress. Jane looked down at her loose floral embroidered dress and grimaced. "Hmmm, I could make something more appropriate." Envisioning her older sister dressed to kill for a party. "I could make something like that." and then grimaced again at the thought of how that would look on her dwarven body. "I could just go invisible and not worry about it. Not that anyone notices me anyway." and the old familiar pain hurt once again. The cab arrived and she paid the driver and got out. Glad she'd walked most of the way as even those few miles were expensive. As she saw the line her nerves took a quantum jump. "Maybe I should have taken the cab the whole way so that he'd still be there with me." she thought nervously. She hoped the watcher was right and the bouncers would know her even without him. She looked at her dress one more time. "Well, I don't look ready for a party. And I don't look ready for a professional meeting for a job. And I probably don't look ready anyway. But if I use a spell for my vanities sake and make myself look like my sister for this I may not live to regret the mana drain. So this is what I've got and hopefully I get the job and learn better for next time." Screwing up her courage she put her best professional calm face on. It was a face she'd seen her mother use often enough and she had trained each of her daughters in it. Jane straightened her shoulders and with as regal a bearing as her squat dwarven body could manage she walked up to the front of the line and the minotaur. "Twisted Sister to see Ace." There, the die was cast. Time to see what fate had brought her.
-
Reaghan turns off her own music to hear the thumping of the warehouse, then surveys the line.
"So, we got advance tickets, or are we lining up?" she asks as she makes her way to the back of the line.
-
@Critter: Alejandro shrug, Their probably just patting people down for weapons. Maybe turning away folks who got a ticket but don't fit the bill. Looking around a bit he spots a shorter line inside the building forming up at the second freight elevator. I think that's where we need to go.
@Twisted Sister: The minotaur looks around for a few seconds before looking down the five feet or so of height difference and spotting you. Seeing your floral get up he quirks an eyebrow. Riiight... Putting a hand to his ear he subvocalizes something before turning back to you. Head on in. Take the elevator, Ace is in the VIP section. A few protests crop up out of the other people waiting in line. To which the Large bouncer responds with a bellowed. Shutaup! then back to you, If you've got any weapons you'll have to check them. He seems pretty doubtful you'll have to worry about it.
-
Reaghan shrugs and follows Alej.
-
She quirks an eyebrow up at him. "If I needed them I wouldn't be here." with a subtle tilt to her head of arrogance. She was playing her mama now. The cool, calm, collected arrogance of her madre seemed like armor here where she was so far out of her element. She'd seen her mama face down trolls, literally and figuratively. She'd just have to do the same, Namely the troll that was her fear. Outwardly calm Jane headed towards the elevator, using the short, smooth steps that turned her walk into a glide. She made a point of not looking around, at least not with her head. But her eyes were very busily checking out everything in range. She'd never been invited to these sorts of activities. Her sisters had of course. They'd go out all dressed up and come home glowing and excited and full of talk on how much fun they'd had. Jane would hear them from her room. She'd make sure she'd take on a boss fight then so that the noise and concentration would help her not to feel. Seeing it all now, people drinking and laughing and excited to be here, or pretending they were bored because they'd done this just so many times before. It was an alien world, a happy world. A world where this man had a private box, and she was not dressed for the occasion. Jane was so afraid she was close to tears. And she was also at the elevator. She took a deep breath and pushed the button. And got a hold of herself. She forced down her fears. She needed this job. Her money wouldn't last much longer and she couldn't get a real SIN and get a job. They'd deport her, and the minute she got back home he'd know and she'd be dead. If not killed well before then when her real SIN was found out. No doubt he had tracer programs in place to alert him to her very much alive presence. So she needed this job and she needed to convince him that her skills were valuable despite her age, despite them being only illusion spells. Besides, it wasn't the spells that mattered as much as the ability to think and outfox the enemy, "A good general won the war before he ever set one soldier on the battlefield. A good general and a good mage Sun Tsu.' But she could also think and use her spells in a firefight when all the drek had hit the fan. Was good at it as a matter of fact. Now all she had to do was keep her face on and earn this job. The elevator opened up and she stepped in and turned around to face out. She could do this, had to do this. Ok, back straight, chin level, relax the arms, poker face, "I am Twisted Sister, a mage, and mages are to be feared.", she could do this.
Perception test to look around the club on the way to the elevator : 7d6t5: 4 [7d6t5=4, 6, 6, 2, 5, 6, 1] Perception test (http://orokos.com/roll/187198): 7d6t5 4] My perception is 4, Intuition is 5. I've gone ahead and applied a situational modifier of -2 for the ambient lighting. If you prefer something else I'm happy to oblige and re-roll GM.
-
He pulls up to the warehouse right on time. On time being half an hour late, of course. He took a breath and rolled his head along his shoulders. Show time. With a flourish he opened his door and stepped out, closing it behind him and locking it. He adjusted his suit with a cocky little grin, and spun sauntering to the club like he belonged. Because he did. Most deckers seemed to be reclusive. He couldn't live that live. He had to flourish and spread his wings. Like a bird. Or a computer virus. He sauntered past all the people in line, barely noticing most of them. Of course he did pause now and then to check out a particular pretty lady or an odd individual with good tattoos. Once he approached the bodyguards, he put on his most confident half cocked smile, imitating an aura of confidence and general feeling of belonging. Instead of addressing the bouncers right away, however, he turned towards the line and cocks his head back.Ladies and Gentlemen, I have arrived. That means that this party has indeed, officially, started!! Enjoy ! He spun towards the bouncers and winked to them with a grin again. Where's your VIP room?
-
Frankenstein gave a respectful nod to the troll who waved him past before heading over to the ticket booth. He pulled out his commlink again, summoning an AR window to queue up a transaction. "I would like a ticket, please," Frankie muttered to whatever puberty casualty was manning the ticket booth in this place. "I'm also hoping to meet the event organizer, Mr. AceofSpades? Do you know where I might find him?"
-
@ Frankenstein: The young sexy woman behind the ticket counter takes a look look at you For you, 25 Nuyen She proceeds with the transaction, Ace is upstairs good luck talking to him though. He'll be in the VIP section. You're able to make it upstairs. The floor is mostly clear and the music's already started. The walls are decorated with both AR and what looks like neon spray paint. There's a long bar on one wall with maybe a half dozen bartenders already running about. The first opener is setting up on the stage. On the wall opposite the bar is a raised area that has a white curtain separating it from the rest of the dance floor.
Two more bouncers are standing at the short stairs parting the curtains. One an extremely attractive elf man, naked from the waist up, and knees down. Long white hair pulled in a tight braid behind his head. Skin pale to the point of glowing in the black-lights, which makes the various tattoos cross-crossing his body, and his lean whipcord muscle, stand out that much more. The other looks like a heavily modified Ares Dualist Drone. Rather then the somewhat bulky samurai armor look they usually have this one is covered in what looks like slim Gothic plate.
@ Phan05: The Minotaur quirks and eyebrow at you while the troll checks a sheet of rigid SmartPaper. Heh, whatever. Take this he'll be up the elevator. The troll then hands you a name badge looking thing, on a lanyard.
@ Twisted Sister: For the most part the first floor looks like any other warehouse. On the far side there's a roll up door. There's a few cars, probably the most VI of the VIP's, A Mitsubishi Nightsky, two Ferrai's with His and Hers License plates, and a MBW 400GT. Then there was the one that stood out most a black paneled Bulldog Step-Van. As you make your way to the line for the freight elevator you spot Alejandro and Reaghan also in line. You know Alejandro in passing, picked up some basic supplies at his shop.
@ Critter: You're waiting at the elevator when you hear Phan05's entrance.
-
Critter looks toward the entrance at the racket, then rolls her eyes at Alej. Some of these people...
-
Jane steps to the elevator having gotten herself firmly in hand, Ok, hold that thought, "I am a mage and mages are to be feared." She looks at the people standing next to her at the elevator doors and wondered if they were mages also and if she was in competition for this job, or if they were going to be part of a team she was working with, or if they were just here for the show.
-
After paying and riding the elevator up, Frankenstein approached the the bare-chested elf guarding the VIP section. "Hey there, I know I'm early but I was hoping to speak to Ace. I understand he may be looking to hire some one of my talents?"
Charisma 2 + Con or Etiquette 3 + Tailored Pheromones 3 = (8d6.hits(5)=1) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4496285/)
-
He takes the badge on the lanyard and slips it over his neck. Adjusting his suit he grins a little, and makes his way past the bouncers to the elevators. He gives Critter a bit of a nod, then glances at the elevator, waiting for it to open. When it does he would step in and ride it up , making his way down the hallway towards the elf and the drone. He lifts his hand, to display his badge to the elf.
-
@ Frankenstein: The elf stares at you silently for a moment. Wait here. The elf slips through the curtain with it hardly moving. The drone turns it's featureless face toward you. After about 15 minutes people have started to fill in the dance floor. You'll see a few others walk past into the VIP area nodding or even addressing the Drone. Ace is busy at this time please enjoy a couple free drinks when he's ready he'll send for you. The elf says appearing suddenly and holding two florescent tickets.
@ Critter, Sister, Phan05: You three, Alejandro and about a dozen other party goes head up in the elevator together. By the time you guys reach the second floor there's plenty of other people dancing, drinking. More then a couple booth for activities that don't work so well on the dance floor.
@ Phan05: The elf nods to you. Far left closest to the stage. Ace will be with you before too long.
@ Sister, Critter: A strange woman approaches you both. Generally her appearance fits perfectly with the rest of the attendees. Going for a Techno shaman look, a long headdress with bright colors falls over her shoulders. Her torso is covered in loose toga which shifts in color in time with the music. Then the strange part as her bare feminine feet don't quite touch the ground. Twisted Sister, Critter. My shaman would like to speak with you. He gives his word the band won't start till you're ready to see it. The spirit smiles warmly. Waiting for your response.
-
Reaghan sighs. "It's Crwydr," she thinks to herself, holding her tongue. She's used to people not being able to pronounce her name properly, and she accepted the moniker of Critter back in Germany. It still bugs her when even spirits get it wrong, though. Probably the fault of their summoners, anyways.
She wonders just how this shaman knew she would be here, anyways, but doesn't linger on the thought long. People have their ways in the shadows. Probably set her up to be here in the first place.
Reaghan looks at Alej and shrugs. "Prob'ly business. D'you know the shaman she's talking about?"
-
Jane nods, "That is most gracious of your shaman and the pleasure will be mine to speak with him." "The further invitation to the concert is a pleasure that shows his graciousness." she was furiously thinking, trying to emulate elven graciousness in her response from her studies of their culture. She just couldn't think of anything else to add that wouldn't sound like toadying so she just gave up and thought, "alea jacta est" and straightened up and put her face on. The impassive one that her mother hated, "Sonrisa, hija, nada tiene mas fuerze." she would say. But Jane really didn't see the point, she did not possess her sisters charm or beauty. Nobody noticed Jane, smiling or not.
-
Frankenstein's glowing red cybereyes widened slightly as the elf re-emerged with some free drink tickets. Either damned decent of Mr. Aces or an attempt to get me to go away... either way, best not appear rude.
"Much obliged," Frankenstein murmured, accepting the tickets with a polite dip of his head. "And of course I understand, Aces is a busy man. I'll be at the bar, please let me know when he's available." Frankenstein made his way over to the bar and grabbed one of the scant few seats; the place was already filling up and the crowd seemed more interested in dancing and Zen than slouching over a glass.
"I will take the nicest synthbeer one of these will get me," Frankenstein said with an improbably creepy smile. The bartender, ever the professional, served one right up and he began nursing it. Frankestein also made sure to send a tip of 5 nuyen over to the bartender's public commlink; just because you were given free drinks does not mean you have a right to be a stingy bastard, and Frankie had been in North America long enough to understand the importance of tipping. As well as the importance of not being a completely unrepetant bastard.
As time passed and Frankie nursed his synthbeer down to the foamy dregs, the dance floor began to fill up even more. Every once in a while, a haggard party girl tripping on Zen or Bliss or spirits knows what would wander near Frankie, perhaps attracted by his synthetic pheromones which were working overtime in the humid confines of the warehouse. He'd smile and nod at whatever they babbled politely, but they inevitably lost interest and wandered over to somebody younger and hunkier. Frankenstein, for his part, was all business, scanning the new comers for anybody who looked like a potential Shadowrunner.
And then he saw her. No... it can't be? Could it? Critter? Frankenstein polished off the last his drink, waiting to see if she noticed or recognized him. It looked an awful lot like her, but when he'd last seen her she'd been so young. And considering the nature of their acquaintenceship, Frankenstein was not at all certain how he would be received.
-
When the spirit addressed the other woman, Critter?, Jane knew she wouldn't be alone in speaking to this Ace, and was both relieved and more nervous. An athletic looking beauty, Ace was bound to pay far more attention to her than Jane and her mistakes wouldn't be as noticed. On the other hand if this Ace was interviewing both of them, no way Jane was getting the job. "No, don't defeat yourself before you even start. A mages abilities are not based on their looks but on their knowledge and their power, and that has nothing to do with looks. And if this Ace has the money for all this, then he should be smart enough to know a pretty face and body do not make a mage." She looks over to take a real look at Critter, and that when she see's, "Alejandro" the word slips out with recognition, startling even Jane.
-
Reaghan looked over, and then down, at the dwarf woman, then back up at her boyfriend. "Friend of yours, Alej?" she asked, cocking her head to the side. She looked back at Jane. "Twister, was it?"
(Reaghan isn't currently paying attention to the bar, so she won't see Frankie.)
-
Taking a sideway look at Alejandro Jane turns to Critter and holds out her hand to shake hers, "I am Twisted Sister. Are you then a summoner mage?" "Might as well know if she's competition or needed for a separate task." Jane thought to herself. "I've been in Alejandro's shop a few times." she says by way of explanation.
-
"My apologies, Twisted Sister. Mage? No." Reaghan shakes the dwarf's hand. "Warrior adept. They call me Critter."
With a nod to Alej, she turns to the spirit. "I guess we have business, then."
-
Jane is about to turn as well when she see's a large man staring at Critter and starting to head towards her. She cocks her head just a hair, her eyes narrowing almost imperceptibly as she pauses a moment making sure of it and then says, "Do you know him? I think he's heading towards you." up at Critter.
-
Reaghan turns, starts a little. "Huh. Didn't think this would be his kind of concert." She leans a little towards Jane. "We're... acquainted."
-
Noticing he'd been spotted, Frankenstein left his empty bottle on the bar and made his way through the crowd to the young woman he thought was Critter. "Well, look who it is," he said once he was within earshot, peeling his lips back in an uneasy smile. He didn't say anything more; if Critter told him to buzz off, she would be well within her rights. But Frankenstein couldn't help but wonder if she was also here to meet Aces, or if she was just here to dance.
-
Alejandro thinks for a minute running through a list of Shaman he knows, but is interrupted before he gets very far by Jane speaking. Again before he can speak Jane explain how they know each other. Alejandro smiles and gives Reaghan a rather chaste kiss on the cheek. Give me a hollar if you need anything babe, I'm gonna see if Jace or any of the guys are here. He gives Jane a little nod before nodding the spirit and heading into the crown.
The spirit looks around the group smiling politely. Yes we do have some, in fact Mr. Frankenstein if you'd be willing to follow as well I'll show you all to your table.
-
"Frankie. Still unsettlingly ugly, I see." She turned to follow the spirit.
-
Jane begins following the spirit, her mind storing the information regarding Critter, Alejandro and Mr Frankenstein for later.
-
Frankenstein was surprised when the spirit asked him to follow, but he wasn't about to argue with a metaphysical entity he didn't understand at all. Maybe it's working with or represents Mr. Aces? Frankenstein gave the bar one last wistful look before following after the spirit as well.
-
He nodded and made his way to the booth to the far left, closest to the stage. He slipped into it and leans back, making himself comfortable. His eyes scanned around for a possible waitress to take a drink order.
-
The Spirit smoothly leads the group past the bouncers. The Elf nodding to Frankie as you all walk past. Once past the curtains you'll notice two things. first that the loud chaos is muted to a comfortable din that brings the music through much clearer then the chaos of screaming talking party goers. Second that the white cloth appears nearly transparent on this side, affording you a clear look at the still growing crowd while offering some privacy from it, and the slight raise of the VIP platform also puts you right about stage level were the opening act is belting out their one song that people might actually recognize. The spirit leads to the table that Phan05 is sitting at. And distributes some gift bags to each of you. And passing a VIP badge and lanyard to those who don't have it. Complements of our host. Now please take a moment to get to know each other, Ace of Spades will be here shortly. Is there anything I can get you while you wait? The girl/spirit's melodic voice coming through clearly in the din of party goers.
The bags are your standard paper with tissue paper sort of affair used when someone wants a gift to look nice but doesn't feel like wrapping it. Inside you'll find a Micro-transceiver in a high end stealth design, a data chip, set of flats with the logo from the concert flyer silk-screened on them, and what looks like a fancy case for business cards containing five chem patches, two labeled Bliss and three labeled Novacoke the chem patches look like ace of spades playing cards.
-
Reaghan puts on the lanyard, pockets the micro-transceiver, and examines the datachip to see what it might be. (She's not about to slot it yet, though.) The rest, she leaves tucked in the bag. Free drugs before a first meeting are an... interesting opener, but she prefers her mind to be clear.
She watches to see how the others react to the gifts.
-
Jane watches the others go through their bags, and then goes through her own without actually taking anything out of the bag. When she's done examining it she places the tissue paper back in the bag and places the bag on the table in front of her. She isn't really paying attention to the others at the table. Drugs are common enough in aztlan. The corp only really cares about having it's cut and restrictions on border crossings and sales are only about making sure they maintain their profits, not about deterring people or about keeping them safe. The corp was founded by a family owned drug cartel after all. But she didn't like it. In fact, she hated it. Making a sudden decision she stood up and looking at Reaghan says, "Excuse me please." and slides away from the table. Looking around for the spirit she doesn't see it and so turns once again to Reaghan, "Please tell our host that I am not interested in the job." and she walks back the way she came, her back unconsciously erect and her shoulders set, and though she doesn't know it, her mama would recognize the look on her daughters face right now, for it is her fathers face, the face of someone who will brook no evil. Jane walks back through the noise and the crowd and the party and the people many of whom are no doubt on something to "help them set the mood". But if this Ace thought of drugs as a party favor, he was not someone she wanted to be associated with.
-
Critter slides out of her seat, and before the dwarf realizes, is walking, backwards, next to Jane, as they reach the exit of the VIP area. "Whoa, hey. Something wrong?" she asks. She doesn't stop Jane, nor try to slow her down.
-
Frankentein wore a neutral expression in response to all this VIP treatment and hospitality. He went through the gift bag with disinterest, picking through the different items. The data chip interested him the most, but decided against slotting it on the off-chance it held some malicious code. It wasn't exactly like he could afford to replace his Avalon. The young dwarf lady's exit barely registered on Frankie's radar. If the mere presence of party drugs offends this young lady's sensibilities, then she clearly hasn't been running the shadows for long. Although it is odd to supply your potential employees with opiates. What is this Aces guy buttering us up for? Is this just how they do things here?
When the spirit asked if there was anything more she could do, Frankenstein reached into his pocket and pulled out his second drink ticket. "I would actually like another beer, ma'am, if it isn't too much trouble." He felt a little weird asking a being of pure magical energy to act as a barmaid, but since she offered...
-
Barely looking at her Jane continues to the door. "No. I simply do not wish to work for someone for whom drugs are such an easy way of life that they pass them out as easily as they would pass out candy from a piñata." Her chin juts out and makes a small sweeping gesture indicating the crowd around them. "I know that many people use drugs as an enhancement." "But." *sigh* "It's hard to explain." She stops then, looking for the words to explain what she herself really hadn't thought through. "If he hands that out now, before he even knows us. What types of activities is he going to ask of us. What things are the drugs going to dull our sensibilities to?" She pauses again, her lips fold inward, a look of indecision on her face, trying to decide, and then she looks up, and into Critters eyes and admits, "I have done things that are illegal," "But, I am not prepared to do evil." "And on this path, the path of shadows, it is I think far to possible to take one small step towards evil every day. Until you no longer recognize the person in the mirror. And to keep taking those steps until the evil that is outside calls you brother." "Drugs dull your senses to all of that, and evil becomes just a part of the good times" she pauses again a thoughtful expression on her face. "It would be easy for me to try and escape all of this." and she makes a sweeping gesture with her hand to indicate herself. "But if I do not have the courage to live my life and face it's pains with honesty, then," she pauses again searching for her feelings, "then, I am not my fathers daughter. Jane straightens again, calm, glad she understands herself better now. Glad even that she has found what she will not do, And turns once more to the door. She's not bothering to look around at all the party-goers anymore. Her young longings to be part of the fun, the old tears at never being invited, the pain at not being good enough gone. This isn't for her, this, isn't good enough for her.
-
Reaghan places a hand on Jane's shoulder. "Wait." she says. "You're not wrong. But you can hear someone out, and do jobs for them, without becoming them."
She straightens up, removes her hand. "You can't always choose who you work for. Heck, you don't always KNOW who you work for. But you can choose what you do, what you're willing to do." Reaghan stares off into space for a second, then comes back. "Come back to the table, let's hear what is being asked. And if it's on the steps towards evil, as you say?" she stares Jane straight in the eye. "Then I'll be right beside you, walking out that door."
-
Jane looks Reaghan straight in the eye, about to refuse. But she can't deny the sense of the woman's words. "Shadowrunners don't always know who they're working for, or even the real job they're being paid to do." she thinks, "And in a world where that's true can I ever really know the evil my actions may cause another?" and then the memory of a painful conversation with her father came with a suddenness that took Jane by surprise, "No, this is justification, and when you find yourself having to justify your actions you are in the wrong." her fathers words, her fathers voice, echoed in her mind. And the pain crushed. Jane looked down, her gut twisting, and tears blurring her vision. She took a deep breath and forced them away and looked up at the woman about to refuse. Judge Intentions Baby Steps (http://orokos.com/roll/192125): 7d6t5 2 And saw the innate honesty of the woman. This was a person worth knowing, Even if she sat down and refused the job, it was perhaps worth sitting there just to get to know her. She looked like she'd been running the shadows for awhile, and heaven knew she needed a few honest contacts in her life. Jane nodded her assent, and walked slowly back to the table, hoping she could tell good from evil when it came in tiny steps
-
After Jane and Reaghan take their seats again The spirit returns with Frankie's beer. On her heels is an older man maybe late 40's early 50's. Average height and broad shoulders. He has a shaggy mane of black wavy hair with several beads and charms braided into it with a bit of silver mixed in here and there and more so on the short German style goatee. His skin is tanned golden from time in the sun, natural rather then the common artificial body dyes you usually see in urban sprawls. He wearing a suit with a custom cut expensive but comfortable, Over it a high collared long coat hanging loose on his shoulders to the floor. His shirt lays mostly open revealing a silver amulet. At his hip an old fashioned Rapier, not one of those car antenna things used in the Olympics but solid strong steel that could punch through plate armor. On his cheek a rose Tattoo, and on his right hand a golden filigree tracing arcane shapes over the skin. A smirk reveals the creases around his eyes, which are the bright green. His voice thick with Russian accent. Rainia, how did et go? He asks the spirit. The spirit floats to his side, Well my shaman, none of them used the patches, or chips. In fact the little one made quite a show of it. She fears you would have her do evil. The man listens intently. Da good. Danka Raina you are dismissed for now.
Taking a seat at the head of the table. 'ello I am Ace of Spades.
-
Reaghan leaned back in her chair, crossed her arms, and fixed her stare on Ace, saying nothing.
-
Jane doesn't move. Her eyes take in the details of his appearance and his words. Every part of her being is focused on his movements and his voice. He had the outward appearance of a mage, and the spirits had obeyed him. But IrishTwoTimer had been able to fake being a whole lot of things. Jane had never known when Irish was lying or telling the truth. So, she had developed the simple rule of assuming that Irish was lying. But, that rule was dangerous, and she couldn't use it here. She'd just have to pay close attention. His words were trying to make it seem as though the drugs were a test. But, they had come with his personal stamp on them, and as a test that was a bit far to go. As common as party drugs were, a test was unlikely then. More likely it had been a simple gesture meant to encourage them to have fun. Meant to make him seem as a benefactor. So, every word, every nuance, every movement needed careful attention and that presented problems. Because she needed to gauge him in the astral, but, that put her at severe disadvantages on observing every detail here and now. She had to take that chance though, because she needed to SEE him. Jane relaxed into the world where her soul was at home. The bright, sometimes dangerous world of the astral, and looked carefully at Ace, trying hard to see what he might not want found.
This first roll is a Judge Intentions roll GM as Jane focus's on Ace for the first time : Meeting Ace (http://orokos.com/roll/192282): 7d6t5 3 The second roll is an assensing roll as she perceives him in the astral Assensing Ace (http://orokos.com/roll/192287): 11d6t5 5 The third roll is with the -2 to perception that Jane takes when she's astrally perceiving Like a hawk (http://orokos.com/roll/192288): 5d6t5 2 After she's had a good look at him and then a check of the others at the table she'll return all her attention to the here and now. After all, she doesn't want Mater Yoda chiding her for inattention.
-
Intentions he seems to be on the level if not somewhat cautious. He's not nervous or stressed per-say more like coiled and at the ready. He also seems to be clearly analyzing each of you. Possibly even on the astral. Your gut tells you he's careful with a health dose of paranoia but not hostile.
Assensing will tell you a lot more about him. His mood is one of excitement. Health wise he's doing well especially for someone of his age. His right arm and eyes are deltaware and there's a mass of bioware on his brain-stem and spinal column. That's probably why his essence is set at 5. His aura has been masked but you're able to see through it, at first it looks like he's got only a mere 4 Magic but in reality his magic is at 8. He does have several auras, probably foci and active spells on his person. His arm, sword, amulet are all Foci, but will require further tests to learn more about them. He's not suffering from any maladies but does have a little bit of alcohol in his system. He is clearly not a Technomancer. You've never seen his aura before of that you're totally confident.
As for the appearance of his aura: He appears much the same as you see him, but younger maybe in his early 20's, his aura is rimed in blue and violet light and sigils and words made of light wrap around him like stylish armor. And while it appears as him but younger, it also has an old depth to it, something like fatherly pride. As your Sight opens wider still you can see a sort of pain, like loss or regret which has knotted itself around his heart, while the knot threatens to strangle, it also seems to burn away by the same blue and violet light.
The perception test reveals few details not already described. But you do notice the shape of a shoulder rig for some kind of smaller fire arm under his jacket. Also you'll notice that several of the pockets bulge slightly but not enough to make out their contents.
-
Frankie graciously accepted the beer from the helpful spirit, but did not have a chance to open it before Aces appeared. Frankenstein watched Aces closely as he emerged. When the spirit answered her master's questions, Frankenstein let out a low chuckle. "Ah, so it was a test. I like." And then, without a trace of irony, Frankie opened up his synthbeer and took a slug, waiting for the meeting to start.
-
When asked if he could be helped, he'd order the most unique and exotic sounding cocktail on the drink menu. He'd peek through the bag, eying the others curiously, then looking at the chip with a grinning interest. He scoops it ups and examines it,but before he could slot it, Ace shows up and he slips it into the bag. An activity for later. He grinned at Ace's introduction and nodded in return. Phant05. A pleasure. As his drink arrived, whatever it was, he'd take a swig of it before setting it down, eying the others and ace intently and expectantly.
-
Ace leans back in his chair the picture of confidence.I am attempting to organize a team for some of the odd jobs that come across my plate. A team that's versatile enough to handle a wide variety of jobs. But before I decide to make this team permanent I'd like to see you in action. To that end I have a handful of simple jobs for you if you are interested. Should I be impressed, I can promise you plenty of more work, and other benefits. He pauses for what is apparently dramatic effect. The first is a simple delivery. Looking to each of the runners before him in turn. Any questions before I get to the details?
-
Jane continues to strain every sense listening to him trying to figure out his game. "Far to many things are a contradiction." she thinks. To every outward appearance she is a mouse just sitting at the table, not really paying attention to anything. You're eyes slide over the top of her head without ever really noticing anything about her. Even if you were particularly paying attention to everything going on at the table you're eyes would soon pass over the little dwarf, there's just nothing about her worth noticing. She stays like that, continuing to split her focus between the astral and the material plane, watching and waiting to hear and see the truth.
-
"Yeah, I got a question," said Reaghan, leaning forward. "Th'fuck's with the chems and chips? Y'want a team that'll be loaded? Dependent? S'that what you mean by benefits?"
-
Ace grins. Quit the opposite. There's only so much info I could get from about each of you. I don't work with junkies, at least not on my teams. He says somewhat flatly. The benefits I'm referring to are more like those data chips. He pulls out a disposable commlink and sets it on the table, he pulls out a chip identical to the ones you have and slots it. Immediately in AR a half dozen or so shop-softs open up, Armor, Firearms, survival gear cars just to name a few. All of my teams will have access to high quality equipment, training, astral assistance that sort of thing. I want you to get the jobs done and come back alive. Assuming you're up to the task. He keeps grinning. Of course don't mistake this for a bribe. More like bonus pay.
-
Reaghan leans back, picks up the drug packet, and flips it open, showing the Ace of Spades logo. "So are you a dealer on the side? Or is the logo just part of the show?"
She takes her chip, and pockets it. Seems useful.
-
While I do keep a supply of particularly useful pharmaceuticals available. Those ARE bribes. Just not for you. I don't like junkies on my teams, but occasionally they can provide useful services in exchange for a slap patch. They are a tool, use them or don't. Through the accent his voice is mater of fact. There's an underlying tone of simple advice.
-
Reaghan nods, keeping an eye on Jane's reaction. Fair enough. Seems like labeling them is somewhere between completely narcissistic and just stupid, but whatever. It's not my name.
-
Still sipping his beer, Frankie finally spoke up. "I understand your need for caution, Mr. Aces. But I do have one question... these first few runs? These test runs? These are paid, ja?" Rent was still a concern, after all.
-
Of course! Will 11,000 Nuyen be sufficient? He waves a hand dismissively. Each?
-
Reaghan glances at Frankie, then back to Ace. "Could be." she says, barely containing her surprise. "Let's hear about the job."
-
11,000? Come on man, it cost me almost that much in gas to get here. He said with a grin, leaning back in his seat. Of course it was an exaggeration. And a joke about the ridiculous gas prices in Seattle. Either way, it was worth testing the water to see if Ace was open to negotiation for this and future runs. If you can pay to give us all favors, you can do a bit better then 11,000, yeah? He put on his best grin and watched ace, sipping slowly from his drink as he did.
(Cha3,Influence 5, tailered phermones 2)[7]Negotiating A deal (http://orokos.com/roll/192938): 10d6t5 5
-
Ace keeps on grinning clearly pleased you didn't accept the first offer. Alright then an extra twelve hundred. Can't have you running out of gas half-way there. After thinking for a moment. And if you get it done quick and clean another bonus.
-
Reaghan smirks. "I can handle quick and clean. Frankie, your specialty's more slow and messy, innit? Think we can change it up this once?"
-
She is still watching. Watching Ace. Watching the others. She hears the negotiations. But so much of her attention is on the astral the world around her, her body is difficult to address. almost there (http://orokos.com/roll/192990): 5d6t5 2 She sees that the one across from her is manipulating his own body. Raising the stakes. (http://orokos.com/roll/192979): 11d6t5 5 "His aura is tinged with the Seductress," she thinks "He would be accustomed to getting his way." Irish was like that, but Irish couldn't manipulate his body like that. No matter, if he could have gotten those implants he would have. Irish was quite determined about getting his own way. She hears Critter speak, Jane admires the direct openness of her concerns and her manner. Jane turns her spirit to observe her and, The Dragonslayer! Jane had only ever seen a picture of that spirit in one of her precious tomes, and this image differed in several aspects. But looking at it Jane had absolutely no doubts. It was the Dragonslayer. That spirit never accompanied evil. Critter is someone for whom might will never equal right and for whom honesty and integrity are not ideals but the only coin that mattered to her. Jane breaths a sigh of relief that she was right about her. For a moment the Dragonslayer turns to glance at her, and Jane felt her own lack and was glad when it turned away. She had to continue, this was important, this seeing and Jane forced herself to look away from the Dragonslayer and across the table once again "Hmmm" she thinks. "The near machine is difficult to read, his aura nearly gone, but he is . . . is . . . lost." She can't explain why she feels that about him, doesn't even know what he would be lost from. His concern about pay is the only strong thing about him. "I am new to so much of this. But, I don't think I can tell that about someone really. I think I'm trying to hard, assigning emotions because it's what I feel." she thinks. And for a moment is lost in reverie "Wait! Eyes front! Pay attention!" and her attention turns once again to the myriad contradictions that is Ace of Spades.
-
Terrible shame if I ran out of gas. Yeah, alright. I'm in. So what's the specifics? Another swig of his drink and a cocky little grin as he successfully talked up the price. He eyed the two talking familiarly, guessing they knew each other already, and then his eyes fell upon the others, that cocky grin never leaving his face as he did. His eyes turned back to ace to await the explanation.
-
Frankenstein couldn't help but smirk at Critter. "I was not so slow when first we met, was I, liebchen? But messy... hmm. Your point is taken, but not so much my style these days." Turning his attention away from his one acquaintance at the table, Frankenstein focused fully on Ace of Spades. "For that price, I am in. I am very interested in hearing details, Mr. Aces."
-
Reaghan grins, though she raises an eyebrow at the "liebchen".
-
Ace steeples his fingers and leans forward in his chair. Alright then. I have a client who needs some specific gear, however the only drop point they can access is on a corp controlled soy farm. So you're going to take the gear, sneak it past corp check points, of which their are three, unload it, and get out. Ideally without anyone being the wiser. I just sent you the drop location and the check point locations. It's a bit of a drive so you should plan to leave here around 600 hours.
-
"Specific gear", eh? Alright, so we aren't to know. No problem. Reaghan's face turns serious. "How big is the package? Any... dangers that it may present?" Please don't say it's explosive.
-
There are four plasteel tuff boxes. Each is about one and a half meters long, one meter wide and half a meter tall. They're currently loaded on to a van that you'll be loaned for transport. As for dangers... well I'd strongly advise against allowing the crates to be searched by LoneStar. Or letting them get hit by a hardy fire ball.
-
"Explosives." Frankenstein murmured dryly. "Great." Frankenstein pulled out his commlink and brought up an AR window, reviewing the checkpoints. Where exactly the cargo was going was going to greatly determine the difficulty of this mission. "If this is your idea of a test run, then I suppose you really are a big shot, Mr. Aces." Frankenstein's tone was perfectly neutral; neither flattering or (overly) sarcastic.
-
He opened his Ar and examined the checkpoints silently, scanning through them curiously. He glances up at the others then back at the information sent to him over Ar, combing over it.
-
Heh, we'll just have to see won't we. Shifting his posture, Unless you have any other questions I'll leave you to enjoy the concert.
-
"One last question," Reaghan said, pulling up the AR. "You said the farm was corp-controlled. Which corp?"
-
Why Aztechnolgy of course! Still grinning his posture changes again clearly expecting that fact to result in more questions.
-
He continued his research silently, listening to the others talk but not really asking anything else himself. He moved to pull up info on the nearby roads,highways and the general path of approach, and perhaps an overview rough map of the area(much like google maps). He'd also try to pull up any info on what this farm produced, and perhaps how tight the know security of the place would be.
Matrix Search Of The Farm And Such (http://orokos.com/roll/194766): 6d6t5 1
-
Jane watches the others carefully. They seem to have accepted the job. But, if they were going to do this they really needed far more information. "A good general does not commit a single troop in the battle before he has won, and there is no victory without the information to plan efficiently and effectively." she thinks She speaks up then, her mouth barely above the level of the tabletop. "Yes, I have more than a few questions." What time frame are we looking at for pick-up, transport and delivery." "Is there any other competition that might want the crates that we should be aware of." "How is the vehicle set-up."" Is it rigged for large weapons? drones? faraday cage?" "Are you confident enough of the pick-up point not to want us to check the boxes for anything specific on the outside since we're not to know the contents on the inside." "Is there hidden storage on the vehicle that could be used for weapons?" "The Az are well known for multi-layered security measures, so what's the known security on the site?" "How do you want us getting past that security?" "Is this stuff so bad or so valuable that someone might just find it in there interests to call in a tip to KE, or Aztech?' "Who are we turning this stuff over to, and how will we verify their identity?" "You've intimated that these crates contain either armaments or ordinance, and I will let that stand." "But, I also know that boxes of that size can contain many, many things and if this goes south then a viable target to distract our attackers is to target those very valuable crates." "It would therefore behoove the person receiving them to make sure any security measures that they're aware of have been temporarily turned in another direction." "And I say they because I do not believe the person who will serve as point man for this delivery is acting alone, or will be alone." "Suffice it to say that any company he brings to the party needs to be sure to have a very calm temperament." She stops then, waiting for the answers.
-
@ Phant05: You get all of that information and more, local weather report, free subscription to the farms newsletter, even the names of a handful of the employees. The next time you check that data or send it to someone else you realize that your got your coordinates switched around and are actually looking at a farm on an Island off the cost of Madagascar.
The crates are in a van down stairs. I'd suggest leaving at around 5am, between traffic and the check points you may be delayed and the package must arrive as close to Noon as possible. As far as the van itself is concerned it's just a 73 GMC Bulldog Step-van. It's an order from Ares everything in there requires a license or military license to carry. How a person reacts to it could very will include calling the authorities. The person you'll be delivering to will have a micro-transiver like the one you've each received. As soon as you get with in range he should contact you via it. The crates themselves are modified Manna Coffins. Does that clear it up?
-
hmm...looks pretty Quiet. Names of employees...nice. That might be useful. Should probably save that.... He paused and looked up as what he felt a thousand questions were asked, blinking at the sheer amount of them. He then looks back to his deck quietly. Estimated Travel Time..145 hours. Wait what? That can't be right?? A...drek. He sighs and tries it again, a little more careful putting in the numbers.
Matrix Search Of The Farm And Such Part 2 (http://orokos.com/roll/195135): 6d6t5 1.
-
Jane noted that the answers he did give were at least consistent with the information he'd given before. And that he was very consistent in his non-answers as well. He'd refrained from saying, No, or "I don't know." to a number of key questions. Best to be very careful in asking questions of him. She waited then for the others reactions to the information.
-
Judge Intentions - Ace (http://orokos.com/roll/195536): 7d6t5 2
Critter listened, making sure everything sounded like it was on the level.
-
"Alright, then," said Reaghan, leaning forward a bit, and looking around at the group. "Looks like we're in."
She grinned at Frankie. "I suppose we should know who we're working with. I'm called Critter. Physical adept. Gymnastics, swords, and guns, mostly. I'm a decent driver in a pinch, and I can be pretty sneaky when it's called for." She looks around the table, expecting someone else to go next.
-
@Phan05: You're able to find a little info on the seattle grid. Basically a Wiki article explaining when the farm was built, and how it was "Improved" when Aztec took over. Anything other then that keep directing you toward the visitor center. However before you get to look any further you accidentally select an UPDATE NOW from you search program. So now it's shut down and is updating before reloading gonna 1 Minute... 26 minutes... 3 Weeks... 1 days, 22 hours... Some amount of time before it's done and you can search again.
@ Critter: He doesn't seem to be lying but he is being evasive, could be he's hiding something, could be he's just a shady guy but everything he's told you is on the level.
I am Ace, I've been working the shadows for the better part of two decades. Took a few years off when I lost my arm. Other then a little Wizardry I let you young folks handle the real action. If you prove you can handle yourselves, you'll be the fourth team I Fix for. And if you need me use the mics, much more secure then they look. Ace smiles happily sharing as though he's just part of the team. Looking to see who goes next.
-
"No, you're not." Jane said flatly. "But, we have quite a lot to do in the 9.5hrs we have until we have to leave. We need someplace secure that we can talk and get the data we need." She looks over at the guy with the deck. "Can you get not just the info on what the farm does publically. But also all it's purchases from the last 6 weeks and the last 6 months." "Backtrace the data on the purchases to see what else those companies buy and ship and any discrepancies in both inventories. "By that I mean what are they supposed to have, and what are they actually out of stock on." "What are they regularly buying more of despite the inventory "not moving" "Where is it stored?" "Is that storage far in excess of it's needs?" "Is it far more than what would actually be needed?" "But that info is on a nice to know basis" "Prioritize the data on who the farm uses to ship supplies in and out with as well as the info on those deliveries." "Get me pix on those trucks and on what that material looks like when it's packed for shipment.' 'If you can hack their security database for training SOP's on how to handle deliveries we'll need that. As well as much intel as you can get on their security guards and any possible weakness they may be hiding. particularly on the guards we can expect to encounter on this run.' 'Get personal info from their social media as well. just in case one of them is on a "friendly basis" with one of the delivery drivers." "I've had a thought to disguise ourselves and the cargo as a routine shipment if we can get that data. Possibly even have a message "come from the farm manager about an emergency need for XYZ so that they're expecting us." "But then, I'm an illusionist.' 'And when you're a hammer everything looks like a nail.'" "So, if someone else has another plan we can work on that as well." "I'm not opposed to 4 different plans actually, because plan A can become plan fubar all to fast." She looks around the table then. "I'm Twisted Sister, and the only thing I can do is illusions" She frowns a bit at that, "It's really so little to offer on dangerous jobs. So very little really" she thinks to herself, her mind flashing back to her last sight of the others.
-
Reaghan stares at Jane for a minute, letting her mind catch up to the mile-a-minute dwarf.
"...alright, then. Illusionist. Got it. That should be useful, for moving things stealthily." She looks at Phan05. "Is all that even possible for you... mister... deck... guy...? Because that would be awesome. I've run jobs where we barely knew the name of the property owner."
-
The hell is it gonna update now? ugghhh. I swear I gotta reconfig this thing. He blinks and stares at the dwarf then immediately looks over to ace. Did the Dwarf get an extra large soycaf or something? Seems wired. He grins and looks to the group as a whole. I'm Phant05(he pronounces it Phantos), you've probably heard of me. For those locked away in the digital stoneage, I'm a Matrix Savant and general all around social rockstar. He then purses his lips and smirks. You basically want me to hack into Aztechnology to grab lists and pictures of trucks. Is it possible? Yeah, probably. Once i find their host..once my damn deck stops updating. But it seems to me that the reward of the score isn't worth pissing off aztechnology, since our job is to deliver goods, not break into the farm. We just gotta get past these three corp checkpoints. Which means we hide the goods, and bribe our way across them if need be. He glances to the goody bag in thought, before continuing. There's a visitor center right at the edge of the farm, which means that up until that spot the area's probably public. So as long as we aren't caught hauling anything, should be a smooth drive. The visitor center is also about a mile from the drop point, so that'll be good. The problem comes when we hit the farm, as accessing the farm itself is probably restricted. But I could probably tackle that a bit easier from the visitor center itself. I'm more of a Hands on guy.
-
Frankenstein scoffed as Phant05 expounded on his own merits. Better watch out for the decker. He has an ego. As he listened to what Phant05 had to say, however, Frankie started to bob his head in appreciation.
"Phant05 is right. This could be a simple job if we all just keep cool and sleaze our way past the checkpoints. This is something I'm confident I can do. Are you all?" Without really waiting for an answer, Frankie continued. "That said, I do have some heavier ordinance at my apartment if we have time for a pit stop. Better to need it and not have it, they say." Frankenstein's neon-red gaze flickered over toward the uptight dwarf for a moment. "And just to be clear, I sincerely hope to not need it."
-
Reaghan checks the time on her AR. "We've got plenty of time, Frankie. How about you go get your gear, Phant05 keeps seeing what he can dig up, and we'll meet up at the pickup location at 4:30. I need to get some stuff as well." She thinks for a second. "After the concert."
-
Jane listened to the others assessment of the run and kicked herself. "Did you really think they'd listen to you?" She hated being lied to. And Ace was lying to them and manipulating the information he gave them about the run and about himself. But no more than any other fixer she'd ever had. And while the info she'd asked about would have let them discover a few truths for themselves it wasn't strictly necessary to make the run. "Just necessary to know which side to be on when it all went sideways." she thought ruefully. Still, the others knew what side they'd be on, their own, same side she'd be on when it came down to survival. A habit she'd better get into. Did they need her to do this, no. Did she need the cred? Yes. So she'd better keep her mouth shut and just ride along and make the cred. "Ok" She leaves the concert and hails a taxi for home not liking the thought of walking home in the dark alone.
-
Yeah once my deck decides to stop updating shadowtunes, i'll see what else I can legally dig up. Or illegally, if something peeks my interest and I need to dig deeper. With that he'd slip it away, and lean back in his seat, enjoying the concert and whatnot. He had all the gear he needed stashed away in his trunk. He didn't carry much for missions. He hated gunfights, so he hoped this would be smooth and he could either socialize his way through it or hack his way through it. The two ways he loved to deal with problems.
-
Frankenstein nodded to Critter and started to stand up from the table. "I like that idea, Critter. You enjoy the show. I look forward to working with you again!" Frankenstein flashed his acquaintance a skin-crawling grin before turning to the others. "Anybody willing to give me a ride? If not, I can take a cab, if somebdoy wants to split." Showing a new team mate your hideout was obviously risky, but time stil mattered. He wanted to breed an environment of trust in the new team... and, honestly, if somebody had a vehicle and was willing to give him a ride, Frankenstein's broke ass would take it.
-
Jane barely heard the near machine ask about splitting the taxi. And as wrapped as she was in self-disgust almost missed it. She mulled it over for a moment debating on the pro's and con's of riding with a stranger over saving part of the fare. She needed the cred, but the thought of being in such close proximity to someone she didn't know was frightening. She'd be riding with him in a few hours anyway. Riding with all of them. But, she just couldn't make her self do it. She continued walking toward the door both relieved that she wasn't going to be in the cab with a stranger and disgusted by her own fear.
And then her fathers voice, and a memory of him teaching her to swim. She'd had a deathgrip on her father, the 3 foot end of the pool well above her head back then, "Valor no se encuentra en las cosas grandes, pero en el pequeño." "You are small my Jane, but in you I see courage to face even things much bigger than yourself." "Come, we will start here, and I will hold you." "And you will find in yourself the courage to face every big thing." She hadn't believed him, but he had so much love and trust in her that she'd had to try, and she had eventually learned how not to sink. And he'd been proud of her even for that much. He'd promised she'd learn more, that he would teach her, and the pain knifed her gut again. She'd never had the courage to try and swim without him. But, she could find the courage to face a stranger.
Jane walked back to the table and looked at the near machine. "I'd be willing to split the taxi." she said. There, it was out. "He probably wouldn't hear her anyway." Jane clutched at the relief that that thought brought her. "That's right, no one ever hears me, neither will he." "But, that's not my problem." Jane thought, "I offered."
-
After a a great show and maybe a few hours of rest you all find yourselves in the garage below where the party took place. It's empty expect for a white panel van. A large drone that's fulling it up and a human mechanic wanders over to you. He's an man in his mid to late 30's close cropped salt and pepper hair. He's wearing heavy boots and an Urban Jumpsuit, anyone looking in AR will notice he's got a score of specs and manuls open around him, none directly blocking his face at the moment There they are, call me Ted, That there is Jack. He says pointing to the drone, Say hello Jack! The drone responds by waving one of the multi-tool arms in your general directions.
-
Jane holds her had out to shake his. "How do you do Ted." she shakes his hand and steps back so that the others can talk business and find out what Ted needs to tell them about the van. As a matter of habit she shifts her perception into her world, the world of the astral where the mana flows strong and bright and she is free of this squat dwarven body. Assenssing the room and the van . Assessing the room (http://orokos.com/roll/200464): 9d6t5 4
-
Reaghan leans on her bike and nods at Ted. "So, this is the cargo, eh?" she asks rhetorically, as she stands up and walks over to inspect the van.
<Questions for GM: How many seats does the van have? Is the cargo space full, or could someone ride with it? Is the cargo as described?
-
He would arrive a few minutes late, and wearing his suit again. His nose is buried in his deck, making sure all the systems and stuff are ready to go. He gives an idle wave at the introductions and continues his system checks.