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Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2023 3:11 am
by mudfoot
Intro: Into the Fire

SITREP: Primary Objective Incomplete. Target Dominica Salyers not on site. No signs of her presence located. Unknown cyborg prototype and (presumably) support equipment stolen. Mission time remaining: 4:37:22...21...20

• A text message comes from Erika Hoffner, your Johnson, to Bushwhack, Sandman, Shrike, Stygge, and Wraith: "Defensive lockdown. Comms are compromised and personnel are down. Backup is enroute, Callsigns: Greivous, Black Mamba, and Voice. Will contact you when able."

• Stygge stands and walks quickly outside saying she is "going to check on the rig".
• Wraith is already on her feet and politely excuses herself bowing slightly and muttering something in Japanese to check the back door. She moves swiftly and with great composure to the rear exit and steps out of sight.

• Team Voice arrives at the Green Dragon and exits the vehicle, a boring Americar, tastefully modified for Grievous, when things stop going smoothly. The rotors you heard in the distance are getting closer, roaring engines are VERY close, and as you stroll through the door...
• Suddenly, the rig goes up in a spectacular fireball that was probably visible from Mount Rainier. Windows shatter, concussion staggers smaller bodies and rocks the big kids. Panic erupts from the patrons who scream and run for the back door. Stygge's commlink goes offline.

• Engines roar, tires screech and shouting in Russian "Davai, Davai, Davai!!"(Go, go, go). A mismatched group of thugs with automatic weapons pile out of a quartet of Bulldog armored vans. Automatic weapons fire perforates the thinwalled bar from front and rear. Patrons fall dead and wounded.
• Wraith's commlink goes offline.
• Bushwhack takes a round to the head and falls heavily onto the table, collapsing in a heap. Blood is evident. His commlink goes offline.

• And then something wierd happens: All remaining unshielded equipment and commlinks that are Matrix enabled brick at the same time.
• ***Your ablative Matrix armor has just been bricked! ***

• The rotor noise suddenly is very close, creating clouds of dust obscuring Visibility with Heavy Smoke, White Noise, and Blinding Glare as multiple searchlights blast through openings in the wall and windows. [Cumulative shooting modifiers sit at (-10) or (-6) if you possess flare compensation, thermographic vision (not lowlight), and/or audio dampers.
• A handful of flashbangs are tossed into seperate corners of the room where they detonate immediately. Everyone soaks 10S. Anyone behind some kind of cover reduces damage by 4 for barrier protection.

• Status Note: (Remember: bricked items can be repaired). I am assuming all of you have slaved your online gear to your commlink. This is what professionals like to call a Good Idea. Therefore a coordinated attack would need to kill your commlinks before it could get to the slaved items and if those items are A) Running Silent and B) Have false ID using the Edit File Matrix Action (which any wageslave can do) from "I am an Ares Predator V model 2075" to something else like "I am a Toast-o-matic" then it becomes much more time consuming to correctly ID target items and brick them.

• Everyone who briefed with Erika remembers from the meet: "magical security was weak, but Matrix security was nova-hot and she lost two deckers scouting it." Connected? Too early to tell...

• Layout:
#Generally square main room with bar on the far wall.
#Front door is 12m away from the booth you selected in the corner (due to the Theory of Pandimensional Corners, this spot in any given establishment will ALWAYS be open, no matter how many Runners want to sit "in the corner").
#Kitchen door is 4m away next to the bartender who is on his hands and knees behind the bar.
#Windows are broken and jagged and useless for an exit.
#Nearest artery road is 3.5km South.
#There are air corridors all over the place. SeaTac is south of here.
#Knight Errant (aka Pawns or KE) has the Seattle contract so they are likely to respond quickly here in the industrial area near the port, especially to explosives in use.
#Secondary road to the rear, main road out front.
#Brick divider walls to businesses on either side.

☐ Sandman:
A hit and a miss in your search for the target! The Watcher, cheerily oblivious to your impending doom, reports in an irritatingly perky tone: "She isn't there (At the scone factory). Bye now!" The Spirit of Man says in what you can only guess is confusion: "Find what lies beneath." Clearly a metaphor refering to Lyman's Fifth Theorum of Astral Space. Utter rubbish. You disproved that in your doctoral thesis with alchemistry derived from Ferris-Schuller non-Euclidean geometry. The scholarship of spirits these days...it's high time to work with a better class of being. Then the rig outside explodes, guns start shooting everywhere, and you get hit by some kind of grenade! From your angle in the booth: Is the bartender praying over there? No...he's opening a trapdoor in the floor!


☐ Death Otter:
No time now for searches now: watching those icons blink out under the assault of a Matrix killteam is astonishing in its coordination, speed and power. Whoever is controlling these Agents is a master, even to a...tentacle-y...thingy Matrix...person. Gah! Why can't you remember these things when it would make a GREAT punchline!?! Your well practiced Matrix perception, honed from a lifetime of use, spots a key identifier. An indigo vapor of Resonance code wafting from below the bar. Indigo...Why is that color familiar? It would be enchanting if a host of Agents radiating lethal code were not swarming around you like massive enraged dragonflies. Somehow, they aren't attacking you, but you can see them pasting ugly looking MARKs on your persona. What the DREK!?! And then you are concussed by some kind of grenade while listening to gunfire punch drunk...


☐ Greivous:
You got a good look at the attackers: Rotodrones, an attack helicopter, and four Bulldog vans full of irate Russian thugs with zero interest in diplomacy. As rounds skipped across the pavement and whined past your heads you dove through the door of the bar into cover. Your teammates are...squishy and the flashbangs you just shrugged off show the difference. Not sure about the new guys over there.
• Weapons fire from front and rear. A rocket from a chopper took out the rig. These guys are rolling HEAVY.


☐ Voice:

• The money was great on this job, with a promise of medium term employment. Find Dominica Salyers, capture and deliver. Three man team to cover the angles. That slick looking elf guy...Yu! That was his name. Made it sound so easy. Of course he had a tell and you spotted it immediately. He's lying. Ah well, nothing ventured nothing gained. Getting out of the car, you heard rotors and engines but couldnt see anything wrong. That is until the rig parked outside blew you off your feet in through the door...pick yourself off the floor? Stay down? This ain't your gig.


☐ Black Mamba:
• A guy named Yu hired you on short notice to track some chica named Dominica Salyers. One off job that could be medium term. The Guy sent you here. The Background count here is awful. Typical of an industrial zone. Tastes like pickles. Eww! Why can't you pull the cozy bodyguard jobs for rich heiresses? That's what all the trids do. Anyway, you have some really posh sensor toys along with some well practiced magical techniques you are absolutely dying to try out. Never been to the Green Dragon before, it wasn't on the MCT approved list of recreational establishments. That was another life, another time. You're no pampered rich girl anymore. You are the Mamba. Time to make a name for yourself! With that brave thought, you strut confidently through the door in front of the skinny charming guy just in time to be catapulted off your feet by an explosion outside! You are unceremoniously tossed to the floor to sprawl in an undignified heap concussed and ears still ringing! Automatic weapons open up outside perforating the walls of the bar and patrons run screaming or fall wounded and dead. You have been thrown into the deep end on your first swimming lesson.


☐ Shrike:
• Automatic fire is long inaccurate bursts judging by impacts around the bar.
• Definitely AK-97s; very distinctive sound.
• Russian voices. No codes or shorthand. Not Russian military or Evo corp strike teams.
• Multiple rotors. Smaller ones are drones, probably Rotodrones. Bigger one is two blades, maybe a single seater.
• They are using Supressive Fire (so they don't care about collateral damage) covering a team stacking up for Dynamic Entry.
• You have a second or two before they breach and hose down the interior with lead.

As the reality of your impending death kicks your accelerated reflexes in gear, scattered thoughts of obedient mutes flutter through your mind...time to herd the cats...


Everyone Roll Initiative!

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2023 6:01 pm
by The Voice
Preliminary Negotiations
Negotiation + Charisma 10d6>4: [2, 1, 4, 1, 6*, 6*, 1, 4, 4, 2] = 2
First Time? 2d6>4: [5*, 6*] = 2
2 successes, unless this is the first time I've dealt with this Mr. J, in which case it's 4.
As they drove away from the Meet, The Voice was tense. He addresses his new companions--Black Mamba and Grievus. The Giant Street Sam looked solid--if nothing else, someone to hide behind when things go sideways. The Elf with the snake motif... she looked green, but he'd seen what happens to people who underestimate the Awakened. Just needs some seasoning, that's all. "He cut that negotiation short. He's in a hurry. Fact that we're gonna be meeting our new teammates means this was probably already a job that's gone south, they need us as back-up. Be ready for anything."

And sure enough, things go bad as soon as they got out of the car. The massive car explosion knocked him to the ground, and
Soak Body + Armor 11d6>4: [4, 4, 6*, 4, 3, 3, 3, 5*, 6*, 2, 5*] = 4 : 6S, -3 to rolls, OW.
. Then the flashbangs went off, for extra giggles. Still, he tried to
Initiative (-3) 1d6+3: [4]+3 = 7
to scramble to safety.

He attempts to stand up,
Simple Action--Fast Stand: 2d6>4: [5*, 2] = 1 Simple Action 2: Finish standing up
, before he
Movement: Run 8m to cover as close to the kitchen door as possible
through the bar to at least get away from the door and what are doubtless way too many guns.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2023 6:25 pm
by BlackMamba
Soak 6
14d6>4: [6*, 2, 1, 4, 4, 3, 1, 6*, 2, 5*, 6*, 6*, 6*, 3] = 6

10-6=4 Stun Damage for a -1 modifier going forward during the scene.
She lay on the floor for a moment after the initial blast, then shook her head and looked back over her shoulder to see if she could see who was coming. The bullets made her decide that it didn't much matter who it was so long as they were left behind while she got the heck out of there. She kept low to the ground and headed for the nearest exit that she could see, at least that is away from the people trying to kill everyone, the door to the kitchen.

INIT 8 Run 3 Sux
INIT 5+1d6-1: [4]-1 = 3

Guess the 5+ part didn't work so Init 8
Stand and Run while injured (Body 2 + WP 3 -1 injury penalty=4) 4d6>4: [5*, 6*, 3, 6*] = 3

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2023 8:06 pm
by Grievous
mudfoot wrote: Fri Feb 17, 2023 3:11 am Intro: Into the Fire
Greivous: You got a good look at the attackers: Rotodrones, an attack helicopter, and four Bulldog vans full of irate Russian thugs with zero interest in diplomacy. As rounds skipped across the pavement and whined past your heads you dove through the door of the bar into cover. Your teammates are...squishy and the flashbangs you just shrugged off show the difference. Not sure about the new guys over there.
• Weapons fire from front and rear. A rocket from a chopper took out the rig. These guys are rolling HEAVY.
31d6>4: [4, 3, 6*, 5*, 1, 6*, 2, 4, 2, 4, 6*, 5*, 3, 6*, 6*, 6*, 5*, 6*, 3, 4, 2, 2, 5*, 1, 6*, 5*, 6*, 2, 5*, 6*, 4] = 16

: 2d8+6: [4, 2]+6 = 12


The Giant taking cover, spouts quickly and very loudly as he finishes closing the door. His slight Eastern Block accent permeates his words, “What the Drek did you do to the Russians to make them send an army, tiny ones?”
He pulls a grenade off his belt, activates it and throws it through the window. Again like a bullhorn he says, “That may give us a second. What’s the plan? Good ideas only.” Surprisingly, the Giant has a face more resembling an Orc than a Giant or even their Troll cousins. He looks at the group as a giant explosive detonates outside followed by the walls rattling and screams.

Free Action: Rise far enough from cover to see assailants through Window or accessible hole created by assault.
First Simple Action: Active High Explosive Grenade:
Second Simple Action: Throw Grenade into middle of front lInes.
Grenades High Explosive
Pool:7|Accuracy:12|Dam:16P (-2/meter)|AP -2|RC: 5
Dice Pool: 7d6!: [6!, 2, 1, 2, 4, 2, 2, 4] = 23 did that incorrectly
Dice Pool Grenade: 7d6>4: [6*, 3, 1, 6*, 1, 2, 3] = 2
Damage: 16P (-2/meter)

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2023 6:51 pm
by Sandman
Soak 6S (I am assuming a Dwarf in the booth has cover)
  • Soak: 16d6>4: [6*, 1, 3, 5*, 2, 1, 6*, 6*, 2, 4, 6*, 2, 6*, 1, 5*, 5*] = 8
Result: 8 - No Stun.

Initiative: 7+d6
  • 1d6+7: [5]+7 = 12
Result: 12

2 Quick Actions.
  • Action 1: get out 2 Infusion Bottles
    Action 2: Recklessly Cast Improved Invisibility (Force 3)
    • Spellcasting: 12 Dice
      • 12d6>4: [6*, 3, 5*, 6*, 2, 3, 4, 6*, 2, 6*, 2, 2] = 5
      Drain: 12 Dice vs. Drain of F(3)-1+3(Reckless Cast)=5
      • 12d6>4: [2, 5*, 4, 3, 3, 1, 4, 2, 3, 3, 2, 6*] = 2
        • Spending Edge to Reroll Fails (10):
          • 10d6>4: [5*, 2, 2, 1, 6*, 3, 4, 4, 3, 2] = 2
      Result: Improved Invisibility (Force 3) with Threshold of 3 (Limited due Force), 1 Drain (After spending 1 Edge).
      Note: Sandman has Focused Concentration 5 and can sustain this spell without any of the normal drawbacks.


After giving his head a quick shake to clear the effects of the grenade, Sandman takes out two small vials off of a sort of bandolier he was wearing, and puts them on the table. With a deep breath, Craig yells...

"You guys drink
A Force 3 Potency 1 Draught of Improved Invisibility (Contact) for Shrike and a Force 3 Potency 3 Draught of Improved Invisibility (Contact) for Death Otter. Roll Force + Potency for Threshold to resist. Quick Action to use.
.


With that, Sandman points at himself and then points to the bar. After covering himself, Death Otter, and Shrike with his
6 Dice of Protection for up to 6 Targets as a Free Action
, Sandman recklessly starts to draw mana.
As the burn from the mana Sandman recklessly draws through himself in order to quickly turn himself Invisible starts giving him a headache, he disappears from sight. Once the magic has fully set in, he looks towards Shrike and Death Otter to make sure they took their Draughts.

I always hated when they made us Recklessly cast spells in school... and the headache is worse than what I got from that grenade... but now with @Death Otter faceplanting it, I have to take care of her body too while she is Astrally Projecting... or whatever it is that Hackers like her call it.

Used below for second init pass
6d6>4: [4, 2, 6*, 1, 1, 4] = 1
12d6>4: [3, 4, 3, 1, 3, 4, 3, 1, 6*, 1, 5*, 3] = 2
12d6>4: [5*, 2, 4, 4, 1, 2, 5*, 6*, 2, 4, 5*, 6*] = 5

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2023 4:53 pm
by Shrike
Soak
OOC Comments
14d6>4: [1, 4, 2, 6*, 5*, 2, 6*, 1, 5*, 1, 2, 5*, 2, 6*] = 6
Initiative
OOC Comments
3d6+10: [1, 3, 1]+10 = 15
OOC Comments
Pass 15 quick action - grab rifle, action upend table, switch all slaved devices except smartlink to offline

Pass 5 quick action drink potion, free action eject clip action change clip to explosive rounds
The flare compensation on his contacts and select sound filter on his earbuds kick in as his wired reflexes slow down the world around him. He upends the table to provide some scant cover, whilst grabbing his rifle, the mixture of cover and armour protecting him from the effects of the grenades.

"Retreat into the bathroom and stay out of the way!" he shouts to the patrons, hoping that they can hear him. He wanted to minimise the casualties as best he could. Seeing all the others he'd been working with previously, their comlinks suddenly going offline, he wanted to rush and check on them. However...

My comlink is down too and we have incoming. Survive first, establish their condition when you get chance.

He necks the potion, grimacing at the taste. I hope he knows what he is doing and isn't poisoning me and it needs some flavouring.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2023 9:43 pm
by Death Otter
Death Otter's armored stealth suit stiffened as the shock wave from the grenade rolled over her, knocking her over in her seat. If not for the booth getting in the way; shielding her from the brunt of the blast, it would have been worse. As it was, her too-soft giblets were spared damage this time.

There was no time for patting herself on the back though; she'd already spotted trouble in the Matrix. The kind of trouble that required a direct hand. She plunged into the digital world fully, even as a swarm of shadowy icons swirled around her...too symmetrically perfect to be living things, each one illuminating her with a bright red laser beam, like target designators.

Her persona, sculpted to resemble an otter that had undergone extensive military-spec cybernetic upgrades, glared around at the things. Normally she'd have said there was no way to fight all of these things at once, but there were subtle patterns in their movements, in their behavior. Otter had seen that kind of emergent behavior before in botnets. This was more sophisticated of course...but even then it was like a tacnet. They were being coordinated through a single source.

She just needed to spot that source before she got her brain fried.

"Alright boys," she said, raising her stubby little cybernetic paws. "You got me."

The cruising, vaguely sharklike shapes swarmed over to her, intent on doing harm most likely. But in a glimpse between the shifting melange of predatory software showed that there was now, in the exact spot Death Otter's avatar had stood, nothing but a wooden log with a stuffed otter head nailed to the top of it.

Otter herself scrambled free of the melee in the momentary confusion...conscious that this was a bit of a rush job and not quite sure what her backup plan was if one spotted her hightailing it away.

Even so, in the shadows of the bar's Matrix representation, she crouched, watching, waiting to see what they'd do.

OOC Comments
Actions: Death Otter focuses on the Matrix threat first, going into Hotsim, clearing her marks with Ninja Vanish as a free action; spending 1 edge to do so, and Hiding as a complex action.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 12:08 am
by mudfoot
Several things happen simultaneously. First, the grenade thrown by Grievous has the desired effect. It stops the front side breaching team cold. They all are unconscious or fall back to the trucks. Fire slackens as every thug ducks into cover. The Helicopter backs off immediately as do the Rotodrones. But almost at once, Blinding strobes and a popular Orxploitation thrash metal song "Neon Flight" come blaring in from all across the store front in multiple sources at a volume that makes your heart jump.
Second, another engine roars in (a bigger one this time) and screeches to a halt outside. It is completely obscured by the Glare and almost totally drowned out by the music.
Third, a group of thugs has entered the bar from the rear exit. Their automatic weapons are firing.

Things to notice:
1. All vision to the front is obscured, that direction is functionally blind.
2. There is so much noise, verbal communication is impossible.
3. The bartender has slipped down into the trapdoor behind the bar!

Death Otter:
The Agents...stop. Its like watching a trid freeze frame. No further action. If you were confused before, now its just wierd. The Agents didn't MARK you with Hack On The Fly while Running Silent. They deliberately did it in the open. Now, when they could be hunting you...they don't.


Grievous:
The door defense was more successful than you hoped for but it seems your teammates are a bit rattled by the excitement and skittering off behind the bar where you can see an open trapdoor. Can't see or hear anything with all that racket but no bullets is a good start. Also, nobody seems to have any Good Ideas. Except the elf who yelled something you couldnt quite make out. "I have to go to the bathroom?" Uh oh. That sounds like a breaching team inside the kitchen!


Sandman:
After palming those Potions and giving yourself a headache casting, you noticed that punk girl face down on the table. Mm. The bartender climbs down into the cellar!


Shrike
The flare compensation is helping but you still can't make out what's happening out there. A big truck engine...the rotors back off...then this racket starts. Also the "cats" are predictably NOT going into the bathroom. They ARE congealing around the backside of the bar where that trapdoor is open. Small victories.


Voice:
You made it! It hurts but you managed. You are behind the bar next to an open trapdoor in the lee of that ridiculous Glare trying to decide what to do next when you hear shouting in Russian (oh so faintly) and automatic fire in the kitchen.


Mamba:
You struggled up and got yourself behind the bar next to the Voice and that trapdoor. Not safe yet though: guns shooting in the back! Noise and Glare out here. You've been in tighter spaces...nothing comes to mind though.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 12:33 am
by BlackMamba
She scrambles to a stop having been running full toward that kitchen door. Seeing the trapdoor, she doesn't take but a split second to change directions. She pulls a feather from her pocket and jumps down through the trapdoor trusting that her Levitation spell will go off before she lands. If she fails and breaks her legs, well, better that then dead.

Levitate-4sux
Magic + Spellcasting 11d6>4: [6*, 3, 6*, 2, 6*, 4, 1, 2, 2, 1, 6*] = 4
Once she is through she moves to the side to get out of other people's way and lowers herself to the ground before dropping the spell.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 6:57 pm
by Sandman
Quick Action 1: Reckless Cast Levitation (Force 3)
  • Spellcasting: 12 Dice
    • 12d6>4
      Result: 2 - Able to lift up to 400kg at 3m per combat turn. This one is sustained as normal.
    Drain: 12 Dice vs. Drain of F(3)-2+3(Reckless Cast)=4
    • 12d6>4
      Result: All Drain Resisted.
Quick Action 2: Feed Death Otter the Force 3 Potency 3 Draught of Improved Invisibility
  • Infusion: 6 Dice: 6d6>4 - 1 Success. Invisible with a Threshold of 1.


With another deep breath and almost a wince at how it may feel afterwards, Sandman wraps the diminutive hacker in mana and lifts her up, bringing her close enough to feed her the Draught of Improved Invisibility and have her wink out of sight. With a quick look, Sandman floats Death Otter over to behind the bar as he follows behind on foot.

Uhhh... what did I get myself into...

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2023 5:04 pm
by Shrike
Second initiative pass
OOC Comments
Pass 5
free action grab potion, action shoot nearest goon
shooting 13d6>4: [6*, 3, 2, 1, 5*, 5*, 3, 5*, 6*, 4, 6*, 6*, 2] = 7 12P -3AP semi auto burst -2 to defend against
So much noise, nobody can hear me he gripes to himself as the situation becomes too noisy for words and comms are down for now.

Shrike scoops up the potion left for him by as some new goons burst through the back.

No time for subtlety and these frakkers are between me and my team he decides, turning his assault rifle on the nearest one, letting loose with a burst at the nearest one with explosive rounds.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2023 11:39 pm
by Grievous
Second Pass

Pass 2
Move to Kitchen Door
Kick Door Open
Fire Cavalier Falchion Shotgun at first goon seen.
Pool - 12d6: 6 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 5 + 5 + 3 + 6 + 6 + 2 + 6 + 5 = **51** = 7 Successes
Cavalier Falchion Shotgun
Pool: 12|Accuracy 4(7)|Dam:12P|AP -1|Mode: SS|RC:6|Ammo: 8(m)
GH3 22
—Shotgun Range: 0-10 | 11-40 | 41-80 | 81-150


As the others move through the door in the floor, Grievous covers their descent by firing at the breech team in the kitchen.
He kicks open the kitchen door and fires at the first armed person he sees. Then rolls to the side of door. “All you have to do to keep your lives is turn around and leave. Keep coming and you can keep dying.” once everyone else has left through the trap door he will size it up. If he can fit he will follow.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2023 11:38 pm
by mudfoot
Into Darkness

Post Text
☐ First Mamba and Voice, Then Sandman with Death Otter in tow descend into the cellar. Shrike lays down suppressive fire into the kitchen just behind Grievous blasting a thug off his feet. Like the true professional he is, Shrike gives Grievous a hand signal indicating he is peeling before he too slides down the ladder after the bookish professor followed by the sound of the ear bursting music and the painful erratic flash of strobes. Grievous comes down last with an enormous crash that collapses the cellar floor and drops the entire floor down into darkness!
☐ The crashing of broken structural material continues for some time. Clouds of dust are in the air that gets in your mouth and clogs your nose. Total black except where a team member has a penlight or backup commlink. Clothing is lousy with grit.
☐ The sounds from above are gone, whatever collapsed here, there is a lot of it between you and the surface.
☐ One by one each of you claws your way out of the wreckage, dusty, disheveled, and disoriented. You see what might be a service tunnel, relatively square in cross-section and 8 feet high by 12 feet wide. It extends down away from the surface past the reach of your meager lighting. This is certainly not in the city records: these supports look very old.

☐ Death Otter:
A moment before you were totally committed to a death duel with this unknown hacker and his tribe of Agents who were acting absolutely bizarre. Then it was like the lights went out. Now you have just one source of data. It isnt what you are used to, but it is strangely enough. This strange indigo vapor Resonance manifestation contains code, data, even artistry to it. Fascinating. The indigo Resonance vapor leads down the tunnel beyond your perception.

☐ Grievous:
Did that tough guy just call you a trog??? In sign language?!?

☐ Mamba:
Worse spots. Yup. Here we are. Sigh.

☐ Sandman:
Well...this IS beneath the bar. Maybe NOT a reference to Lyman's Fifth Theorum? Nah! These spirits are all talentless hacks!

☐ Voice:
Its a bit difficult to talk with people when you have the minor inconvenience of a BUILDING ON YOUR HEAD. You are SO getting more money outta that leafeater Yu!

□ Shrike:
Tactical Sitrep: No hostiles detected. Team Status: All present but it looks like that hacker chick you picked up at the scone factory is out. Those two that came in with the giant are a bit wobbly on their feet. Ammo count: Green. Lights? Hmm. Could be an issue down here since the lowlight is degraded. No grenades are coming down through the wreckage, no bullets are flying. Could be worse. Not much mind, but it COULD be.

Your move, omae.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2023 3:51 am
by Shrike
Shrike

Pulling himself out of the debris, he brushes himself off before looking around more thoroughly.

"Where the slot are we?" Shrike verbally exclaims, looking just a tad irritated.

Area Knowledge: Seattle 6d6>4: [4, 2, 2, 2, 3, 6*] = 1

Looks like it might be the Orc Underground we might have encroached on. Don't know how that's going to go.

"Everyone alright?" he asks, looking at Sandman and Death Otter as he suddenly aims his rifle vaguely in the direction at the new arrivals.

"As I keep getting attacked today and most of my team just got geeked, would you three like to identify yourselves? I recognise you got shot at same as us, but I'm not in the mood for any drek. "

When the others identify themselves with the names, Shrike visibly relaxes and raises his rifle.

"Good, you're the backup. Sorry, the way things have been going, I had to make sure. I'm Shrike, that's Sandman and that's Death Otter. Welcome to the drekshow. This run has gone from simple to clusterfuck in a few hours."

He waits for them to say anything.

"Everything has been hosed. Sandman, Death Otter, tell me some good news please that you've found the target?"

As he realises Death otter is down, he moves to check up on her.
first Aid 5d6>4: [1, 5*, 3, 5*, 4] = 2

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2023 12:17 am
by Sandman
Hmmm... I wonder if there is any magical fungi down here. With these moisture levels, I wonder if I will find some Tricholoma Matsutake Arcana...
Shrike wrote: Wed Mar 15, 2023 3:51 am
"Everything has been hosed. Sandman, Death Otter, tell me some good news please that you've found the target?"

As he realises Death otter is down, he moves to check up on her.
"Death Otter did whatever Technomancers do that is analogous to projecting Astrally for Mages. If it follows the same rules, we need to keep her body near where she left it to help her find her way back. Now for the Target... the Spirit I sent to find him told me 'Find what lies beneath.' My only guess is that maybe it meant these tunnels?!?"

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2023 7:16 pm
by Grievous
“Drek!!! We are in the Ork Underground. Make sure you holster and stow your weapons. Weapons will be drawn on you. But you must remain calm. We have the Voice explain we are just trying to get out and they will get us out of here. You will be treated the way that Ork’s are treated topside, if this angers or offends you, you have some soul searching on why you have treated them that way or why you stood silent when someone else did. Stay behind me. In case we run into a jittery inexperienced patrol.”

Grievous puts his shotgun in his holster. He draws his Daicho and stabs it in the ground. He. Takes his armored jacket off. He reholsters his Daicho and put his Jacket back on locking the Daicho in place so that it can’t be drawn.

“Making it clear we don’t pose a threat.”. When everyone is ready Grievous will lead the way.

If Death Otter can’t be awakened He will fireman carry her.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2023 8:56 pm
by Death Otter
"Purple...clown bubbles! What?"

Death Otter sat up and looked around, her 'head' just breaching above the 'surface' of the deeper Matrix, like a seal poking its nose up to take a breath. In this case, into her meatsuit. The LACK of AR objects caught her attention, and then the rubble. And the dust. But this wasn't the bar that had been nuked. They were...basement? A different building?

Whatever. No one was shooting at them.

"Look, these guys brought BUTTER with their GUNS, okay?? Simultaneous physical and digital attack. I had to get CREATIVE to get my jimmy johns out...and then everything just STOPPED. Something's up. The hacker's using a swarm of agents, but they're all centrally controlled or something. When I gave the central control the slip, they ALL lost me. Which is...just...UGH. Okay anyway. POINT is. I have a lead. I'm following it. There's something weird around this section of the Matrix. Something weirder than ME, and OBVIOUSLY I can't have that!"

She coughed and spat out a mouthful of plaster dust, scowling.

"I'll stick to AR for now, but if I have to go full sim I'll need someone to drag my sorry ass along with you until the heat's off."

Otter clapped her hands. "Good? Good! So! What did I miss?"

She was only half-listening though. Most of her attention was on that resonance trail, already following it into the misty deeps of the Matrix, way past where GOD itself feared to tread.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2023 9:33 pm
by BlackMamba
Her voice is filtered, probably the only part of her augments that still is working at the moment but they hear a woman with a decidedly old world British accent respond when asked who they are. "Black Mamba." She groans a bit as she works her way out of the debris being careful to keep the mask on even where it hinders her progress. She makes it after a bit then starts dusting herself off a bit while the others are cursing. "Would being invisible be good or bad here?"

Ork Underground...something about that sounds familiar. It's just at the edge of her brain. She shakes her head then taps on the mask a bit trying to get bits working again. It doesn't do any good. She's not a repair tech and doing it while it was on would probably be difficult anyway. It was going to be costly to fix. She sighs.

"Are you all familiar with Yu?" She didn't know him well and given the bumps and bruises she is currently unable to count, she's mighty suspicious of the setup. Not that the people around her are known to her but they got shot up just like she did so if Yu sent all of them here either he's compromised or he did it on purpose. Either way it wouldn't be good.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2023 10:11 pm
by Grievous
BlackMamba wrote: Fri Mar 17, 2023 9:33 pm "Are you all familiar with Yu?"
Grievous looks pensive for a few seconds and says, “Do any of us know ourselves? I mean my therapist says this whole jaunt in running is just trying to hold on to what I lost, that the hunt to hurt those to hurt me is a way of coping by hanging on to the things I need to move on from. And maybe she’s right. But so what? Maybe that is what I need now. Maybe this is just one path to finding who I really am now. Maybe this where I will find my purpose. I am good at it. Anyway, that has been nagging at the back of my mind. Never thought I would meet a Runner who was empathetic enough to ask a a question, I need asked. Thank you! Black Mamba is it? Pleasure to meet you. I’m Grievous.” he extends his massive hand for a shake.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2023 3:16 am
by The Voice
The Voice introduces the three of them, and notes everyone. He nods in understanding of Grievous' comments--he'd already twigged to it being Orktown, but appreciated the advice on conduct. He makes sure his own weapons are well-stowed, though he takes the Predator's holster out of the concealed spot and just loops it over one arm--a lousy place for a fast-draw, but maybe being willing to both show his big gun and make it less accessible will buy them some points.

When Otter surfaces, he replies. "We fell through about four or five levels of fraggin' sub-basement before winding up down here; we're about to try to get through Ork Town to get out. If you gotta go dormant again, I think Grievous, here, has you covered. No one on our side died in the firefight up top, and I don't think they're gonna be chasing us down here any time soon. 'Fore we go on, tho, I'd appreciate it if one of you mage-types could unring my bell. I'm a little concussed, here, and I don't wanna start doin' the Funky Chicken halfway through negotiatin' safe passage, yeah? Stim patches don't do me much good, unfortunately."

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2023 12:54 am
by Sandman
The Voice wrote: Sat Mar 18, 2023 3:16 am When Otter surfaces, he replies. "We fell through about four or five levels of fraggin' sub-basement before winding up down here; we're about to try to get through Ork Town to get out. If you gotta go dormant again, I think Grievous, here, has you covered. No one on our side died in the firefight up top, and I don't think they're gonna be chasing us down here any time soon. 'Fore we go on, tho, I'd appreciate it if one of you mage-types could unring my bell. I'm a little concussed, here, and I don't wanna start doin' the Funky Chicken halfway through negotiatin' safe passage, yeah? Stim patches don't do me much good, unfortunately."
"There isn't any way for me to use magic to 'Unring Your Bell'. Best I can do is offer the use of my
Rating 6
... or we can find a bolt hole down here and let Father Time help you. @Death Otter Next time give a Dwarf a warning when you are about to face plant into your drink. I used my Magick to conceal you and float you down here. With some warning, I can float float you and conceal you easier. @Grievous All I have is a pistol that may even have a trace of the original packaging on it... and even that is in my backpack. If anyone is physically hurt, I have a Spell to help with that... and I HOPE someone here has the knowhow to fix up my Ikon after it got bricked back there... I don't want to go more into debt with the Vory to get a replacement."

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2023 3:52 pm
by Shrike
As Death Otter becomes alert again just as he reaches her, he doesn't bother to check up on her. Then Voice starts complaining about being a bit bruised. This made him actually have to pay attention to him rather than his eyes just gliding past him.
Sandman wrote: Sun Mar 19, 2023 12:54 am There isn't any way for me to use magic to 'Unring Your Bell'. Best I can do is offer the use of my medkit...
Shrike takes the first aid kit from Sandman.

"Let me," he says as he starts checking Voice over, "now hold still. This won't hurt ... too much. Now, where is that rectal thermometer?"

First Aid 4 successes
OOC Comments
first Aid 5d6>4: [1, 5*, 3, 5*, 4] = 2
first aid kit 6d6>4: [6*, 4, 6*, 2, 2, 1] = 2

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2023 1:53 pm
by BlackMamba
Grievous wrote: Fri Mar 17, 2023 10:11 pm
BlackMamba wrote: Fri Mar 17, 2023 9:33 pm "Are you all familiar with Yu?"
Grievous looks pensive for a few seconds and says, “Do any of us know ourselves? I mean my therapist says this whole jaunt in running is just trying to hold on to what I lost, that the hunt to hurt those to hurt me is a way of coping by hanging on to the things I need to move on from. And maybe she’s right. But so what? Maybe that is what I need now. Maybe this is just one path to finding who I really am now. Maybe this where I will find my purpose. I am good at it. Anyway, that has been nagging at the back of my mind. Never thought I would meet a Runner who was empathetic enough to ask a a question, I need asked. Thank you! Black Mamba is it? Pleasure to meet you. I’m Grievous.” he extends his massive hand for a shake.
To the outside viewer she just seems to stare at him for a moment before she speaks. "That's...I am glad I could help." She shakes the Ork's hand with her relatively tiny one. In general, she isn't -that- small. Slender, yes but she is tall for a woman. Still, his hand makes her's look like a child's. She looks at the others, grateful that the mask probably keeps her looking stoic and calm. Her voice certainly seems calm.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2023 4:52 am
by Shrike
As he finishes up with Voice, he starts considering what their next plan should be. Considering he knew Death Otter and Sandman the most and that had started about an hour ago, getting some idea of what was going on seemed prudent.

"What do you know of what the run is?" he asks the group, his voice on edge as he scans the area "and not meaning to be rude, but could you all give some indication as to your speciality please? This team has been thrown together and the people I did know are currently lying dead upstairs!"

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2023 5:29 pm
by The Voice
Shrike wrote: Thu Mar 23, 2023 4:52 am As he finishes up with Voice, he starts considering what their next plan should be. Considering he knew Death Otter and Sandman the most and that had started about an hour ago, getting some idea of what was going on seemed prudent.

"What do you know of what the run is?" he asks the group, his voice on edge as he scans the area "and not meaning to be rude, but could you all give some indication as to your speciality please? This team has been thrown together and the people I did know are currently lying dead upstairs!"
The Voice nods his thanks, definitely looking better for the care, though still a good ways off from top-notch. "Not rude at all, chummer. Good practice, really. I go by the Voice, s'all anyone ever really remembers, anyway. The three of us got recruited by that cockroach Yu to join your team, 'cause you were having troubles. As for specialty, well, I'm the face-man. If the orks give me a chance to talk, we should be able to get some kind of deal for passage. Oh, and the job now pays 4K a head--I'm not green enough to jump at the first offer a Johnson makes. On top of that, I've got connections I can use on behalf of the team, if this becomes a long-term partnership--including a fence who can take any side-drek we pick up at a fair-for-a-fence-in-the-Sprawl price--but sadly, not much at this particular address. I'll let the others lay out their skill-sets for you."

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2023 5:43 pm
by BlackMamba
"Ostensibly, find someone named Dominica Salyers. Directed to the bar." She points up to indicate the place they wound up below. "Hadn't even started when we were nearly blown up and riddled with bullets." Since no one is vouching for Yu, she's pretty ready to say screw it. She's not in the business to die.

Long before she can make that decision, though, they need to get out of where they are. She looks around for a path without yet moving from where she is standing. "Healing could be called my specialty. Made some friends with it.
Though I have a rather rounded mix of skills. Oh, and spirits rather like me."

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2023 9:06 pm
by Grievous
Shrike wrote: Thu Mar 23, 2023 4:52 am "What do you know of what the run is?" he asks the group, his voice on edge as he scans the area "and not meaning to be rude, but could you all give some indication as to your speciality please? This team has been thrown together and the people I did know are currently lying dead upstairs!"
Kind of countering the The Voice, “Money’s nice but the Johnson said this job will make a name for me. Build my rep. As you may have heard, I’m called Grievous. My specialty is making sure you don’t end up like your friends upstairs.” He pauses then says,“I am sorry for your loss, I wish we are could have got here earlier.” He Hesitates reaching and holding his neck awkwardly. “I am not gonna ask specifics but those Russians were excessive. That looked like they had an Army ready and waiting for you guys. I would watch my back with anyone that knew you were doing this run.”

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2023 10:06 am
by Shrike
BlackMamba wrote: Thu Mar 23, 2023 5:43 pm "Ostensibly, find someone named Dominica Salyers. Directed to the bar." She points up to indicate the place they wound up below. "Hadn't even started when we were nearly blown up and riddled with bullets." Since no one is vouching for Yu, she's pretty ready to say screw it. She's not in the business to die.
"Yu your fixer or your Johnson?" Shrike asks, interest slightly piqued, "it wasn't Yu that gave us this job, so they may be a subcontractor."
Grievous wrote: Thu Mar 23, 2023 9:06 pm I am not gonna ask specifics but those Russians were excessive. That looked like they had an Army ready and waiting for you guys. I would watch my back with anyone that knew you were doing this run.”
"Russian meaning Vory. Considering one of the people they shot was a Vory Enforcer by the name of Mulpa, that's definitely not good."

After everyone describes what they do and adds their piece, he gives them the rundown on the run.

"Well then, to sum up, we got hired to extract Dominica Salyers from her place of employment, allegedly a cookie factory. When we started carrying out recon, it turned out to be a secret Ares facility, carrying out research into something that seems to involve Technomancers," he points at Death Otter to explain before continuing.

"However, things went to drek as a Tir hit team turned up and started fragging people, then another group involving the most chromed person I've ever met was literally ripping people apart and random people got involved. The end result was that the facility was a mess, the target wasn't there, the ripper was dead, somebody, probably both by both other groups, had killed all the personnel on site, the other random people when they woke up after being hit with gel rounds had no idea what was going on and why they were there, the Tir team left when they encountered us and the target wasn't there. We regrouped at the bar, with a trailer with the ripper in to try and figure out who they were and what was going on. That's where you three come in. If the Vory are after us, I don't know if that's because half my team owed them money, Ares decided to blame us for what happened at their factory and subcontracted it out, or they were like the randoms and seemed to be under someone else's control."

Shrike rubs the bridge of his nose, thinking things through. Whatever happens, can't go back, so might as well go forward and try and complete this run. Sandman says the target seems to be down here, though why a Humanis would hide here is another matter, unless that wasn't accurate either.


"Let's move. Grevious you first. The Ork Underground is less likely to shoot you on site, I'll cover the rear and the squishier members of the team in the middle. Voice, you get behind Grevious for most protection and to negotiate with anybody we run into down here. Sandman's spirits indicate the target may be down here, so anything we can do to narrow our search parameters would be helpful." Shrike barks orders with military precision as he preps his weapons as per Grevious, but with the ability to reload quickly just in case, "Any questions?"

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2023 4:53 pm
by mudfoot
As the dust settles and the broken heap of structural material stops making disturbing rumbling sounds, everyone notices a distinct sound in the distance down the tunnel. The echoes of voices approaching. They sound conversational but it's much too far away to discern words or language. Powerful spotlights are waving back and forth.

After a few minutes, you make contact with a group of four Orks wearing high visibility coveralls and festooned with safety gear, tools, and lights. They wear hardhats and all are wearing pistols. One of them, stout bodied with grayish skin and a pair of glasses perched on his pug nose addresses you all with a great deal of tension in his voice: "Don't anyone move! That rubble behind you might shift any moment! Do exactly what I tell you and we'll get you to safety."

If you comply, he and his team work with you to move step by careful step away from the debris.

If you do something else, they all back off quickly with a fearful eye on the ceiling calling to you loudly to STOP! If you continue, they flee, the roof collapses and you take 5P from the falling debris.

After a tense minute of extremely cautious extraction, the pug nosed spectacled ork addresses you in an authoritative tone: "You rascals have a lot to answer for! I don't know what you did to cause this, and I don't care. You are going to explain yourselves to the Warden while we get another team out here to keep this whole area from collapsing!" He then sends one of his men back down the tunnel at a run with orders to "Get the Warden and a structural team!"


Things to notice:

1. The rubble and dust have settled. Whether that means it is now stable or on the edge of another cascade is anyone's guess.
2. The tunnel (in which Grievous STILL has to bend over and accomodate that absurdly large sword of his) is roughly 8 feet tall by 12 feet wide and stretches straight on ahead. It is a cement floor broken only by a minor slope into a shallow drain in the center.
3. The Ork workmen appear far more afraid of the ceiling than your scruffy and combat oriented appearance.

Black Mamba
These workmen are wearing MCT coveralls. You saw guys dressed exactly like this after MCT took over.

Death Otter
You are pulled on by this Resonance vapor. A picture of a woman's face appears briefly in the mist. She is handsome rather than beautiful, black hair in ringlets to midback, wearing a street punk outfit. Data swirls around her like an eddy. Height, GPS position, last comcall time... The more you study this, the stranger it looks. This is nothing like what you've seen at work, when you cruise the Resonance off work...nothing similar at all. The Resonance doesn't have this kind of symmetry; it's more chaotic and malleable.

Grievous
You don't recognize these guys. Thank Ghost for that! You hear someone mutter "Traitor" in Or'Zet. You are keenly aware of the rumor network that moves information faster than the speed of light. You won't be under the radar for long.

Sandman
Those droppings? They're Hell Cat spoor. And that fungus on the walls? It ain't black mold. It's a neurotoxic Awakened mold called astragenica formenica, or Shiva's Curse, that drains Essence. Also, it's known to be harmless to mundanes.

Shrike
Tactically you have good position if Grievous is your Shield Wall. These guys are carrying Colt Government 2066 in standard thigh huggers. Nothing special and they aren't setting up for clear lines of fire. You reckon they aren't experienced shooters.

Voice
Your cold read is these guys are not hostile. Their body language indicates fear and tension. You hear them muttering in Or'Zet about "that traitor" and "he ought to be taking a dirt nap". The guy with spectacles is not lying, he is extremely earnest both about the tunnel stability and you lot being in a lot of trouble.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2023 10:13 am
by Sandman
Shrike wrote: Thu Mar 23, 2023 4:52 am As he finishes up with Voice, he starts considering what their next plan should be. Considering he knew Death Otter and Sandman the most and that had started about an hour ago, getting some idea of what was going on seemed prudent.

"What do you know of what the run is?" he asks the group, his voice on edge as he scans the area "and not meaning to be rude, but could you all give some indication as to your speciality please? This team has been thrown together and the people I did know are currently lying dead upstairs!


"As you know, I was brought in by the Vory for Awakened assistance to you in the middle of the run, and took a sort of overwatch over the site until you all pulled out. I am a formally trained Hermetic Mage, and my best subjects were Counterspelling, Sorcery, Alchemy, and Ritual Casting. I only have taken the basic courses on Assensing, Summoning, and Magickal Theory. I am new to the Shadows, but my Magick will prove useful enough for me to contribute to any project we have. I am here to get Nuyen to pay my debts to the Vory, as well as to pay to further my magical education. @The Voice, since you seem to be not combat oriented, maybe you should carry the two
A Force 4 Potency 3 Healing Draught (Contact) and a Force 4 Potency 4 Healing Draught (Contact)
to hand out as needed. They should be able to heal a light and maybe even a moderate wound on anyone not cybered."
"


Now after the Orks show up...
mudfoot wrote: Fri Mar 24, 2023 4:53 pm Sandman
Those droppings? They're Hell Cat spoor. And that fungus on the walls? It ain't black mold. It's a neurotoxic Awakened mold called astragenica formenica, or Shiva's Curse, that drains Essence. Also, it's known to be harmless to mundanes.
"So how long have you had a
Parazoology to determine all that Sandman knows about Hellcats
  • 11d6>4: [1, 2, 2, 4, 2, 2, 4, 6*, 2, 6*, 4] = 2
problem down here? If you have had any unexplained disappearances, it could be due to their hunting.

I also assume that you keep any of your awakened friends away from that black coloured mold... it is Astragenica Formenica, or more commonly known as Shiva's Curse, and it can be deadly to awakened people, and works as a neural toxin to us. If
Paramycology to determine all that Sandman knows about Shiva's Curse
  • 11d6>4: [1, 6*, 1, 5*, 2, 3, 6*, 6*, 5*, 5*, 6*] = 7
by non-awakened, it can be an effective protection from awakened beings, perhaps even used as a poison against those Hellcats. I think that if you use a 2 to 5 ratio mixture of urine from an awakened metahuman and a solution of 190 or higher proof alcohol, you should be able to wash off a sample of the Shiva's Curse and make it dormant. It should be able to survive dormant in that medium for about 3 months. If you spray that mixture across an opening, it will form a line that paracritters should not cross under most situations. These lines should last for around 2 weeks before needing to be renewed. Weaponizing it in its non-dormant form is too risky if you are near any awakened people or paracritters you do not want to risk killing. It would risk contaminating the surrounding area with enough viable spores to grow another full viable colony of Shiva's Curse. Just like the Stachybotrys Chartarum, commonly known as Black Mold, that it resembles, if you disturb it before turning it dormant or killing it, it will expel spores throughout the area, and unless the area is properly treated, it will just grow an even larger colony. If you spray it with a similar 2 to 5 ration mixture of mundane metahuman's urine and that same 190+ proof alcohol, that should kill it without allowing it to release its spores."


Note that Sandman IS keeping a good distance away from the mold, and pulls on his gas mask as a precaution.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2023 2:43 pm
by Grievous
mudfoot wrote: Fri Mar 24, 2023 4:53 pm "Don't anyone move! That rubble behind you might shift any moment! Do exactly what I tell you and we'll get you to safety."
Grievous looks back at the others and says "Do exactly as they say. If they say it is going to collapse it is going to collapse." Hope they listen to me.
mudfoot wrote: Fri Mar 24, 2023 4:53 pm "You rascals have a lot to answer for! I don't know what you did to cause this, and I don't care. You are going to explain yourselves to the Warden while we get another team out here to keep this whole area from collapsing!" He then sends one of his men back down the tunnel at a run with orders to "Get the Warden and a structural team!"

"We aren't looking for trouble, we were topside when the floor collapsed. We didn't come here on purpose. We will meet with whoever you want if we can hurry up and get out of here."
mudfoot wrote: Fri Mar 24, 2023 4:53 pm Grievous - You don't recognize these guys. Thank Ghost for that! You hear someone mutter "Traitor" in Or'Zet. You are keenly aware of the rumor network that moves information faster than the speed of light. You won't be under the radar for long.
In Orcish with an obvious accent. "You call me a traitor standing behind your cohorts? Yellow doesn't suit you chummer. A real Ork would say it to my face and accept what would be coming to them. In this case it would be ripping off your arms and beating you to death with them." This is the first

Or'zet: 1d6!>4: [1] = 1 Roll of 1 : The above is what he intended to say but not sure what he said.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2023 1:09 am
by BlackMamba
"Johnson." Anything else she might've added is lost when the Orks appear. What little moving she had been doing ceased at the sight of the overalls. She frowned. She wouldn't trust that they wouldn't know any language that she could try to speak and without the ability to broadcast she can't tell the others what she knows. She keeps quiet and follows instruction but casually herself to the center of the group as much as possible. Furthest from the Orks. (Center if they are front and back. If the Orks are only in the front she'll be at the back.)

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2023 11:10 am
by The Voice
OOC Comments
Modifiers applied to Negotiation roll below: Suspicious -1, Desired Result Advantageous (it's literally what they said we should do) +1, Lack Background Knowledge -2 (though the other guy should get this to his dice pool, too), Wounds -2, First Encounter +2: Net -2. Negotiation capped at 3 due to Language Skill. Net dice pool 7.
The Voice nods and takes the two Healing Draughts from Sandman. "Yeah; I'm better at combat than most civvies, but it's definitely not my forte."

Once the Orks come out, he follows instructions to the letter, keeping his hands well away from even a hint of trying to draw a weapon. Things should be good. I'm sure this Warden will be annoyed, but I should be able to negotiate passage--they didn't come out shooting, so this is definitely a situation I can work-- His musings are cut short by Grievous' outburst. Or we can do this, instead....

He clears his throat, speaking in Or'Zet--he's not a native speaker, of course,
Negotiation+Charisma: 7d6>4: [4, 1, 5*, 5*, 5*, 6*, 3] = 4
. "My I suggest we table that discussion until we are in a place less prone to falling in on us?" He turns to the primary spokesman of the quartet. "Now I believe you mentioned something about meeting the Warden? Sounds like he's the one who'll decide what to do with us, yeh? Our lads here can then settle whatever grievance they might have after the big man's had his say."

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2023 2:13 pm
by Shrike
Shrike
Condition Track - no injuries
Perception 6d6>4: [1, 5*, 6*, 3, 2, 3] = 2
BlackMamba wrote: Wed Mar 29, 2023 1:09 amJohnson
That's odd then. Just as he is about to reply to Black Mamba, the situation changed again.
mudfoot wrote: Fri Mar 24, 2023 4:53 pm "Don't anyone move! That rubble behind you might shift any moment! Do exactly what I tell you and we'll get you to safety."
Noting that the new arrivals weren't setting themselves up in a kill zone, he decided to trust them and follow their instructions. Even so, he was the last across in case he needed to offer fire support.
mudfoot wrote: Fri Mar 24, 2023 4:53 pm After a tense minute of extremely cautious extraction, the pug nosed spectacled ork addresses you in an authoritative tone: "You rascals have a lot to answer for! I don't know what you did to cause this, and I don't care. You are going to explain yourselves to the Warden while we get another team out here to keep this whole area from collapsing!" He then sends one of his men back down the tunnel at a run with orders to "Get the Warden and a structural team!"
Shrike decides not to argue and decides waiting for the Warden to arrive to explain their presence would be the best option. Then, as Grevious and Voice start speaking in a language, Shrike drifts to a better firing position just in case. His hands weren't near his weapons, but his speed would be far greater than anybody else here.

Something got him riled up. Might be nothing, but might be a situation.

"Is there a problem here?" he asks calmly, as a general question for anybody to answer.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2023 4:09 pm
by Death Otter
This was where Death Otter took advantage of her smaller frame and lack of heavy armaments. She scooted over when the orks showed up, making a show of compliance and watching where they were looking, waiting for that moment when they'd dismissed her as a possible threat. They were pretty canny though...and truth be told, Otter didn't fancy her chances running off on her own just yet. Topside maybe, but down here? Even now, she figured her odds were better if she was seen as part of a group.

But she stays quiet, doesn't attract attention, and uses that low threat level to investigate the 'face.'

It was weird...something embedded in Resonance, but somehow 'pinned' to a physical place, like an ARO almost. Not to mention, Resonance entities was not usually this comprehensible. It was carrying normal data, about...a person? But why?

With a quick glance to make sure she wouldn't be inviting bullets, Otter went to the spot the Resonance ARO was situated in the room, then hunkered down to see if there was an object it was attached to, or if it was just that place.

The negotiations she'd leave to the people less likely to get them all killed by pissing off their new pals.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2023 3:29 pm
by mudfoot
The pugnosed foreman listens to Grievous and Voice, nods and thanks the Voice. "Im busy, but instead of just shooting you you can explain yourself to the Warden. If he likes you, all right. If not..." He checks himself as Grievous attempts his response to the muttered insult. An odd expression crosses his face. One of them repeats the word you used for yellow: "Sharku". All three of them burst into gales of laughter only made worse when they repeat it as: "Turu Sharku". The pointing and wheezing laughter wouldn't be so bad if they would just let you in on it. They set to work still chuckling at variations on the original.

The Warden turns out to be an Ork of such breadth and thickness he makes Grievous look normal. He and his band of hard faced deputies are a mismatched lot armed mostly with shotguns but no standard apparel beyond a red armband. You are unceremoniously hustled past the structural team who have exactly the same attire as the first four and are pushing a cart laden with huge trusses and new heavy duty tools. They are clean shaven, they have neat haircuts, clean clothes...is that cologne!?!?

Down the tunnel there is an excavation. The neat tunnel sides end cleanly at a perpendicular intersection. You are all hustled into an alcove just inside and seated on hard benches. The Warden stands in front of you and drawls,
"I'm Nord. I am the law here. You lot were involved with a tunnel collapse that endangered my people. That is a capital offense if I find you guilty. Spill it in turn. Names, reason you're here, and what did you do to my tunnel?"
He listens with raptor-like focus, taking notes, and only interrupting to clarify. When your statements sputter to a halt he then asks individual questions.
"You. Squat. What do you know about my people disappearing? And how am I suppose to verify that Black Mold is...what did you call it? Shiva's Curse? Can you prove it? I have seven Awakened deaths from untyped cardiac failure and those families need some closure. And three disappearances this month you claim is Hellcats. You are giving me some hope here but Ghost help you if you are lying."

He turns to Grievous and says flatly "Ben."

Things to Notice:
1. The Warden and his band are competent, well armed, scruffy and mismatched.
2. The work teams are clean cut, shaven, dressed in uniform coveralls and have zero interest in a bunch of vagrants (that's you)
3. The old concrete tunnel has been neatly cut to open a new tunnel into the surrounding sediment. The tunnel turns past the alcove and you cannot see anything else. The floor is heavily trafficked and reinforced with fibreboard.

Black Mamba
With your Astral perception pinging an aura on the walls you find yourself drawn to them. You cannot look away. So compelling...so very...and then you are elsewhere. Its like a movie clip. You dont know what happened inbetween. You are sitting on a hard bench looking at a huge ork and his burly deputies. The tunnel alcove you are in is not the same as the 8 x 12 concrete tunnel you fell into. The big guy is looking at you expectantly with a piercing gaze that sees right through you.


Death Otter
The purple Resonance vapor is collecting like an eddy around an odd looking intricately machined key you would have missed without the Resonance overlay. When you touch it the eddy jets away down the tunnel stopping just on the edge of sight, as if it were a train following a track of the miniscule stream of vapor. The data streams, repeats, flows in and out, fractalized, then swirled like watercolor...Dominica Salyers, (a feeling of Resonance), Indigo, Indigo, 01, 01...then it repeats


Grievous
Sharku...what is so funny about saying "yellow"?? And Turu Sharku? It may have been a major faux pas, but nobody shot at you... Son of a half troll! Nord is a DIMAS. Bad bad bad bad bad...


Sandman
You get the distinct impression this Warden is honest and desperate for resolution but will tolerate zero drek from you.


Shrike
Where the workmen were not combat types, these guys definitely are. They carry in low ready position, keep firing lanes open, check their spacing, they miss nothing, and communicate with subvocals or commlink messaging. They are disturbingly competent. They aren't hostile. Yet.


Voice
Being distracted with the potential of tunnel collapse didn't seem to prevent you from doing your thing. Kudos! This Warden Nord though, he sees right into your soul. You don't fancy your chances at lying to HIM. That said, he doesn't give off the power vibe that bullies do. Neither does he seem to be angling for a bribe. He might be a Boy Scout with all the complications that entails.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2023 9:06 pm
by Grievous
mudfoot wrote: Sun Apr 02, 2023 3:29 pm The pugnosed foreman listens to Grievous and Voice, nods and thanks the Voice. "Im busy, but instead of just shooting you you can explain yourself to the Warden. If he likes you, all right. If not..." He checks himself as Grievous attempts his response to the muttered insult. An odd expression crosses his face. One of them repeats the word you used for yellow: "Sharku". All three of them burst into gales of laughter only made worse when they repeat it as: "Turu Sharku". The pointing and wheezing laughter wouldn't be so bad if they would just let you in on it. They set to work still chuckling at variations on the original.
Grievous gets a stern look on his face, mixed with frustration. He is obviously holding his tongue. What did I just say? Drek I always screw up the syntax. Turu Sharku. Something Yellow. He looks at the leader and says, “Take us to this Warden.”
mudfoot wrote: Sun Apr 02, 2023 3:29 pm "I'm Nord. I am the law here. You lot were involved with a tunnel collapse that endangered my people. That is a capital offense if I find you guilty. Spill it in turn. Names, reason you're here, and what did you do to my tunnel?"
He listens with raptor-like focus, taking notes, and only interrupting to clarify. When your statements sputter to a halt he then asks individual questions.
When he gets to Grievous, he answers his questions, “Nord, I go by, Grievous. We were running top side found ourselves surrounded by by the Vory. Our combat seemed to weaken the structure and the floor collapsed, and that is when your workers found us.”

He then waits for the others to answer in turn.
mudfoot wrote: Sun Apr 02, 2023 3:29 pm He turns to Grievous and says flatly "Ben.
Drek, I didn’t see the resemblance but now it is obvious. Grievous then says, “So it is Nord Dimas I presume. We have never met but the resemblance is undeniable. I know I am not welcome here. I have steered clear for that reason. That would have remained the case but structural failings and gravity had different plans. These folks are associates only. They don’t know me outside of this job. Whatever you have against me, shouldn’t be held against them.”

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2023 3:45 am
by Sandman
mudfoot wrote: Sun Apr 02, 2023 3:29 pm
"You. Squat. What do you know about my people disappearing? And how am I suppose to verify that Black Mold is...what did you call it? Shiva's Curse? Can you prove it? I have seven Awakened deaths from untyped cardiac failure and those families need some closure. And three disappearances this month you claim is Hellcats. You are giving me some hope here but Ghost help you if you are lying."
"I need to prove the presence of Shiva's Curse and Hellcats? I would expect some credit for being able to predict some of the problems you have encountered just by looking at the evidence I found. If you need more proof...
  • If you send some people out back into the area near where me and my friends entered your tunnels, anybody there who is good with animals and tracking will find some cat scat that looks a little unusual. You need to include a few people who are good in combat to take care of the rest. If your tracker can follow their trail, you should see some evidence, but be careful... Hellcats are ambush predators like most felines.
  • Now the Shiva's Curse... the best way to relatively safely prove it to you is for you to have one of your non-awakened personnel gather some of the mold with the tincture I described earlier using the awakened urine in some bottles. Make sure he SEALS it in an airtight and water tight bottle or something like it. Assuming you men will have encountered the some of the Hellcats earlier and so believe in their presence, if you put those sealed mold filled bottles within about fifteen feet apart across any openings, the Hellcats should be able to sense the mold. They will be dual natured and should be able to assense its presence and not get too close to the bottles, but keep any awakened personnel and any paracritters you don't want to endanger. This should stop the Hellcat attacks, if you don't decide to hunt them down. For more information on it... Siva's Curse's spores are neurotoxic, but only to the awakened. It... sorta feeds on their essence, I think is the best description I have heard. If it eats enough of their essence, they die... usually from a cardiac event or a stroke.


If you need more of a lesson, you can call me Sandman, not 'Squat', and ask nicely. Otherwise, I have given you enough information to deal with those problems. I have earned my Bachelors in Applied Magick at an internationally recognized college, and Parazoology and Paramycology were two of my areas of study. If you want for me to tell you everything I know, I won't even have to use my Magick to put you to sleep... you will pass out like most of us did in our lecture halls!"

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2023 3:42 pm
by BlackMamba
She looks around startled. "Where...?" Her eyes taken in the people around her and she tries to not let panic overtake her. Seeing Snake nearby does help somewhat. The ork may be expectant but since she has no idea what he is expecting, he can keep expecting until he explains.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2023 4:32 pm
by Shrike
Shrike
Condition Okay - voice modulator active
Comlink - bricked

mudfoot wrote: Sun Apr 02, 2023 3:29 pm "I'm Nord. I am the law here. You lot were involved with a tunnel collapse that endangered my people. That is a capital offense if I find you guilty. Spill it in turn. Names, reason you're here, and what did you do to my tunnel?"

"Shrike," he responds, his voice modulator changing the pitch of his voice slightly, "I'm going to let Voice here explain the details, but fundamentally, a building collapsed on us." He looks back at the wreckage and sighs, "Honestly, this could have been a lot worse."

As Grevious explains and responds to Nord, Shrike shakes his head. Slot, he's an exile or something like that. Makes this situation more complicated.

Noting the professional fireteam vibe he was getting, he makes a surreptitious move to break their fire lines.
BlackMamba wrote: Mon Apr 03, 2023 3:42 pm She looks around startled. "Where...?"
Shrike's focus immediately switches to Black Mamba. He didn't know her or if this was normal behaviour for her, but anybody suddenly looking startled wasn't a good sign. They'd just been shot at, so he was going to be hypervigilant for a while until things calmed down.
"What's wrong?" he asks, his voice showing a little bit of concern, even with the voice modulator active.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2023 1:47 am
by BlackMamba
"Weren't we just in the room that collapsed under us? How did we get here?" She keeps her voice quiet, trying not to interrupt the conversation with the Ork In Charge. OIC...Oink. No...stop that. No jokes even in your head. This is a very dangerous situation. No time to get distracted. Even if her own mind was fighting her on that front.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2023 1:51 am
by The Voice
Negtiation 3 Hits
Negotiation:
Cha+Negotiation 11. Modifiers: Damage -2, Lacks Background Info -2, Advantageous to Target +1, First Impression +2, net 10d:
10d6>4: [4, 4, 3, 1, 5*, 3, 2, 1, 6*, 6*] = 3
The Voice lets the Warden say his peace first, of course. And in the Q&A, he is scrupulously honest. This time, he moves back to American English, since he needs his full faculties for this. He does balk at violating employer/employee confidentiality, however--he doesn't lie, or dissemble in any way, simply says he can't break confidence. If that seems a sticking-point, he points out, "Honestly, if we were the sorts to break confidence just because of a little inconvenience like being beaten to a pulp, then you'd probably be better off just slitting our throats--I mean, I assume that any deal we come to includes us keeping our mouths shut about what we see down here. If we break our word to our Johnson, we'd be the same sort of honorless drek-heads who'd sell you out as soon as we hit the surface." That point made, he will move on to business at hand.

"We did not mean to end up on your doorstep, and part of our broader agenda will entail putting a hurt on those responsible for us being here. Right now, I'm simply trying to negotiate a reasonable exchange for safe passage. Obviously, if we were the sorts of folks who have enough money to make it worth your while, we probably wouldn't be taking the sorts of jobs that got us here in the first place." He doesn't quite wink, but he will throw in a small, self-deprecating chuckle there.

"I see a couple of broad possibilities--an immediate service or services, if you have some issue right now that needs addressing, beyond my associate's advice on the black mold and Hellcats--consider that to be a down payment, as well as thanks for not shooting us on sight--then we can certainly deploy our skills on your behalf right away. If, on the other hand, you've got nothing too pressing at the moment, and you think it's at least reasonably likely that we'll survive our current job, then there's always the popular, ''Favor To Be Named Later'--a Nokh-Khai, yes?" He briefly lapses into Orkish for that one phrase--the rough translation "Blood Debt" refers not to how the debt was incurred, but rather the penalty for failing to honor it. It's not the biggest oath in Orkish--that would be Nokh-Khai-Kher, or 'Heart-Blood Debt', basically a straight-up death sentence, usually tortuous, to the one who welshes out--but it's still no light thing to offer. Of course, their premature death would cancel the debt, and if they're getting buildings dropped on them, the Warden might opt for a lesser but more immediate (and thus certain) 'payout'.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2023 10:08 pm
by Death Otter
Death Otter reached in her pocket to get a stick of gum out, resulting in an orc immediately grunting and covering her with a very nasty looking pistol. She lifted her brows and held up the gum so he could see it. The orc's eyes narrowed but he relaxed a little, letting the gun barrel dip again...if not completely moving it away from Otter's position.

She tossed the gum into her mouth and dropped the wrapper, then swore to herself and stooped over to pick it up again, then stuffed it back into her pocket. At the orc's glare Otter shrugged and said, "Don't wanna be a litter bug, yeah? Or...if anyone ever comes down to find the bodies, better not to leave 'em any sign we got out." She grinned.

The orc just muttered, "You haven't gotten out yet, breeder."

The key, of course, was wrapped in the wrapper when she picked it up again, and now lay in her pocket. The ARO when whizzing away down the corridor, but even as Death Otter started brainstorming ideas for some kind of distraction followed by a clutch chameleon suit activation and rapid getaway...the 'parlay' with the rest of the team seemed to conclude.

And even if it didn't end with the rah-rah 'you can go, it was just a misunderstanding' she might hope for, it also didn't end with bullets. So it was the best kind of win. A technical win.

She eyed the passage the ARO had gone down, creating a very quick and dirty map on her beater commlink that hadn't been wrecked by the cyberattack topside. Sooner or later they'd need to go down that passage. Just not when being frogmarched by a bunch of burly, surly orcs.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2023 4:52 pm
by Shrike
BlackMamba wrote: Sat Apr 08, 2023 1:47 am "Weren't we just in the room that collapsed under us? How did we get here?" She keeps her voice quiet, trying not to interrupt the conversation with the Ork In Charge. OIC...Oink. No...stop that. No jokes even in your head. This is a very dangerous situation. No time to get distracted. Even if her own mind was fighting her on that front.

Slot, the spellworm is acting like she's been dumpshocked. Shrike sighed, what kinda team did they saddle me with?

"The orcs moved us out of the area to somewhere safer. You were chill when they did so. Do you not remember it chummer?" His voice is calm and polite with Mamba as he isn't sure what is going on with her.

As he hears Voice negotiate, he walks over and whispers into his ear. Somebody has to keep their eye on the run.
"Don't forget our target being down here."

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2023 7:15 pm
by BlackMamba
She shakes her head. "Not a bit of it." He could hear the frown in her voice. "This is not normal." She feels the need to point out as they don't actually know each other.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2023 6:55 am
by mudfoot
Nord listens carefully to each of you in turn before thinking a bit. He then responds in an unhurried way:
"My people dont know about all those details you just laid down, Mr. Sandman. I believe you are the person best equipped to handle this and it would mean a lot to this place if you would do it for us.

As for you Mr. Shrike, you look ex military to me and like you're ready for a fight. Keep your cool and you'll have no trouble from me or my deputies. I can't speak for the citizens, but I emphasize what I said earlier: I won't have fighting. Keep your nose clean.

Mr. Voice, I will consider your debt and that of your team paid and then some if you can deal with these issues for me. That's the deal.

Ms? Didn't catch your name...You look a little under the weather. Anything you want to share? We don't have much for medical help but I can offer it if you have cred.

And that brings me to....YOU."

He says with obvious heat as he turns a steely gaze and grinding teeth on Grievous. "My position reequires that I think of my people first and I don't have the luxury of shooting you and feeding you to the pigs. When you are clear of this, we are going to have a *thorough* conversation about my cousin."

Finally, there is Ms....Deaf Odder?"

"*DEATH OTTER!!!!*"
He waves his hands in a placating gesture before responding in a tone that said he cared precisely zero "Right, right. What do you have--TAKE YOUR HANDS OUT OF YOUR POCKETS! HANDS!!!" His command tone has everyone reflexively doing just that (Composure 2 to remain still) before Death Otter tenses, eyes wide and face pale. Every weapon is trained on her head or covering the rest of you with disturbing speed. Her right hand remains in her pocket and a VISIBLE indigo stream of what can only be described as #CODE# bursts from her pocket and spirals around her creating a barrier around her form. It's form appears geometric or mathematical (Math or Physics Threshold 3) and shifts into ever more complex variations until, in a flash, it vanishes! Death Otter is not there and a large, complex looking metal key drops to the bench where she was sitting.
Open shock paints every face (you can choose your reaction) for a full minute before everyyone begins talking at once. Pandemonium reigns until someone tries to assert some order.

Tthings to Notice:
1. Composure 2 to resist Nords command about hands
2. Math or Physics 3 to understand the code patterns
3. React to Death Otter disappearing!

Your move, Omae

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 10:03 am
by The Voice
The Voice didn't even try to resist the order to pull his hands out--they hadn't been in, in the first place, but just to be sure, he snapped them up at the elbow in the classic pose known to all late-night storeclerks encountering a SIMhead with a Saturday Night Special. He clears his throat to see if he can figure out what trespass this team of rookies has committed when all of a sudden, things get... weird.

As the glow emerges from Otter's pocket and the surprised looking woman is whisked away in a chain of... math formulas--that hurt his head to look at, much less try to decipher, his eyes gravitate towards the Key. He shakes off his shock, then shouts first to any of his teammates who haven't complied with the original order. "Everyone, hands out, now!"
Negotiation 4 Hits
Negotiation:
Cha+Negotiation 11. Modifiers: Damage -2, Lacks Background Info -2, Advantageous to Target +1, First Impression +2, Target Suspicious (I would be): net 9d. Note that Nord is probably ALSO suffering from Lacks Background Info unless he already knows what the deal with the key is, so if he rolls to resist, should be at -2. Spending one point of Edge to Push the Limit: Final roll = 14 Dice with Rule of Six
Negotiation: 14d6>4: [4, 2, 6*, 3, 2, 5*, 3, 4, 4, 1, 3, 3, 4, 5*] = 3
Rule of Six: 1d6>4: [5*] = 1
Total of 4 Hits.
Then he turns to Nord, hands still kept nice and visible. "I swear, I have no idea what the frag that was about. Would you be willing to let my team's other mages examine that key to see if we can figure it out? That thing, well, not to state the obvious, but it very well might be dangerous, and if Death Otter triggered it, or even brought it in here, I don't want you or your people to have to deal with our mess."

If Nord agrees, he turns his head over his shoulder. "Black Mamba, Sandman, you two are up. Sandman, you seem like the..." He crosses off the word 'bookworm' in his mind and continues. "... academic sort of mage; could you make any sense out of that... stuff?" He finishes a bit weakly. His knowledge of bippity-boppity-boo is definitely lacking. Wonder if I can get a skillchip to at least get some academic inights in a situation like this....

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2023 6:49 am
by Grievous
mudfoot wrote: Sat Jun 24, 2023 6:55 am "My position requires that I think of my people first and I don't have the luxury of shooting you and feeding you to the pigs. When you are clear of this, we are going to have a *thorough* conversation about my cousin."
Grievous looks up at Nord and says, "As for the threat, I don't take kindly to those. You trying to feed me to the pigs, is a good way to end up with a bunch of dead folks and a bunch of hungry pigs. Take solace in the fact they shall feast on Hellcat tonight. As for the conversation, I owe you that. Although, understand, it is not something I can't do lightly or easily so you are going to have forgive any emotionality when that time comes."
mudfoot wrote: Sat Jun 24, 2023 6:55 am Finally, there is Ms....Deaf Odder?"[/b]
"*DEATH OTTER!!!!*"
He waves his hands in a placating gesture before responding in a tone that said he cared precisely zero "Right, right. What do you have--TAKE YOUR HANDS OUT OF YOUR POCKETS! HANDS!!!" His command tone has everyone reflexively doing just that (Composure 2 to remain still) before Death Otter tenses, eyes wide and face pale. Every weapon is trained on her head or covering the rest of you with disturbing speed. Her right hand remains in her pocket and a VISIBLE indigo stream of what can only be described as #CODE# bursts from her pocket and spirals around her creating a barrier around her form. It's form appears geometric or mathematical (Math or Physics Threshold 3) and shifts into ever more complex variations until, in a flash, it vanishes! Death Otter is not there and a large, complex looking metal key drops to the bench where she was sitting.
Grievous in light of the tension placed his hands up in the air. What is she doing now?. Once she disappears, he says, "This is why I hate deckers. Always up to shenanigans. Anyone have an idea on where she's gone, or what that key is. I know I have no applicable skills. I would like to get topside by morning light so lets make this speedy so I can get to finding these Hellcats."

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2023 10:24 am
by Sandman
mudfoot wrote: Sat Jun 24, 2023 6:55 am Nord listens carefully to each of you in turn before thinking a bit. He then responds in an unhurried way:
"My people dont know about all those details you just laid down, Mr. Sandman. I believe you are the person best equipped to handle this and it would mean a lot to this place if you would do it for us.


"We should be able to take care of the Hellcats, assuming they are relatively solitary and do not group into prides like Lions... and any reported locations of the Shiva's Curse."

12d6>4: [3, 2, 3, 6*, 2, 4, 6*, 3, 4, 4, 6*, 3] = 3

Untrained... so with a 5 Logic...
  • 4d6>4: [5*, 2, 4, 1] = 1


Hmmm... A disappearing Technomancer... not NEARLY as disturbing as some of the distractions my professors used to try to make us mess up our Rituals to test our meditation skills... and that Orc's giving orders is not much more.

"Now... Voice... I am an academic, but that does not mean I can study everything. I only took math in physics in the first year classes... and those I memorized and dumped after the exams. Now, Nord, I would think that you would prefer my fingers stuffed INTO my pockets instead of free and out. It is a little hard to do my Spellcasting if my fingers are restrained. I have no idea what she did, other than to say I don't think it was Magic. I can turn people invisible with either a Draught or by Spellcasting, but it would not go all Sciencey. They would just seem to phase out. Black Mamba is a Shaman, I believe, so would also not have her go all Sciencey. If I am allowed, I can try to summon up a Spirit of Man to find her, but Spirits are not my specialty"

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 3:26 pm
by Shrike
Shrike
mudfoot wrote: Sat Jun 24, 2023 6:55 am As for you Mr. Shrike, you look ex military to me and like you're ready for a fight. Keep your cool and you'll have no trouble from me or my deputies. I can't speak for the citizens, but I emphasize what I said earlier: I won't have fighting. Keep your nose clean.
"I will take that as you do not wish for any of the Hellcats to be captured," Shrike nods
mudfoot wrote: Sat Jun 24, 2023 6:55 am Death Otter is not there and a large, complex looking metal key drops to the bench where she was sitting.
Open shock paints every face (you can choose your reaction) for a full minute before everyyone begins talking at once. Pandemonium reigns until someone tries to assert some order.
As Nord shouts, he seems similar enough to his drill sergeant that he moves his hands away from his rifle.

What am I doing he shakes his head and puts his hands back down.

As pandemonium ensues, Shrike slowly draws his sword and moves towards the spot where Death Otter was and the key now is. No idea what any of this is. Just when you think the day isn't getting any stranger, it keeps trying to one up itself.

"Stand well back," he says calmly and firmly, the sword being held at a distance, where he prods the key gently with the end of the blade to see if there is a reaction.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2023 3:13 pm
by BlackMamba
Assensing=4 sux
6d6!!>4: [10!!, 3, 8!!, 14!!, 32!!, 2] = 69
Her head whips around as Death Otter vanishes. There is a moment of pause before she murmurs "Who betrayed you so badly?" and she leans over to pick up the key and pocket it for later use. They are on a mission and now is not the time to pursue with no lead as to where she went.

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2023 3:14 pm
by BlackMamba
Sandman wrote: Thu Jun 29, 2023 10:24 am "Now... Voice... I am an academic, but that does not mean I can study everything. I only took math in physics in the first year classes... and those I memorized and dumped after the exams. Now, Nord, I would think that you would prefer my fingers stuffed INTO my pockets instead of free and out. It is a little hard to do my Spellcasting if my fingers are restrained. I have no idea what she did, other than to say I don't think it was Magic. I can turn people invisible with either a Draught or by Spellcasting, but it would not go all Sciencey. They would just seem to phase out. Black Mamba is a Shaman, I believe, so would also not have her go all Sciencey. If I am allowed, I can try to summon up a Spirit of Man to find her, but Spirits are not my specialty"
"Hmm, spirits are more my thing but is it a good idea to do this now while we are on a mission? I can see that she left but no trace of where she went so I doubt a couple hours will change our ability to follow her."

Re: Into the Fire

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2023 5:28 am
by mudfoot
As Voice asserts a wee bit of order, Nord calms down enough to grunt his approval. Wraith steps across and pokes it with lackluster results. <tink>
Finally while Sandman is explaining to Voice his qualifications, Mamba steps up and pockets it like a true pro. Mission clock, boys. You are all impressed at the new blood. Greivous' response is noted, but Nord doesn't press it any further.

Nord looks a bit confused at the question of *capturing* Hellcats. "Are you saying you can...train those critters? Whoa. That'd be...I mean...whoa. My security problems would be over.

I tell you what: I'll pay a bounty on each Hellcat you kill or double for each trainable critter you can deliver plus a bonus in helping my deputies learn how to wrangle 'em until they are competent. Fair?"


Your move, Omae.

Re: Into the Fire

Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2023 1:28 am
by Sandman
mudfoot wrote: Tue Jul 11, 2023 5:28 am Nord looks a bit confused at the question of *capturing* Hellcats. "Are you saying you can...train those critters? Whoa. That'd be...I mean...whoa. My security problems would be over.

I tell you what: I'll pay a bounty on each Hellcat you kill or double for each trainable critter you can deliver plus a bonus in helping my deputies learn how to wrangle 'em until they are competent. Fair?"

"I can magically knock them out... and then we can bring them here for you to decide. I even have a plasteel restraint that SHOULD be able to hobble one of them after they are knocked out, and I hope you may have some more or at least plastic restraints to use or quickly get for us.

As for the training... I am assuming you have some people used to handling... dogs for security? Dogs would be a low cost security system that need little upkeep. I am HOPING to find a litter of kittens, but if not, you would need probably a Troll animal handler since until you have them trained, they will look at you as a food source. Paracritters are also known to be more... spirited... than mundane animals. I am more a book learning person, but I SHOULD be able to come up with a good diet for them for you to use. You also may be able to sell them to another group who has people with those skills."

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2023 2:33 pm
by Shrike
Shrike
Condition Okay

He listens as Sandman explains

"Yeah, we're not exactly set up for that kind of job at the moment, but we'll do what we can." he adds, nodding at Sandman.

"Okay, we have our assignments. Get moving." and lets hope today doesn't get any stranger

He cocks his rifle using his smartlink, making sure it was still working after the fall. "Make sure your weapons work. I don't want them jamming when we need to shoot things Chummers."

Re: Chapter 2 - What Lies Beneath

Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2023 8:54 pm
by BlackMamba
She simply nods and waits to head off with her group.