Aggrandize

GM: Shoeshine
Players: Shoeshine, Wyvern, Ghostfist, 'Steve' (retired mid-session)
Synopsis: Shoeshine hires some runners to take his expensive, antique tricked-out motorcycle through the Warrens to someone who can use it, unlike him. (It's an antique because the character object was made by Craig in 2003 for Vixen in chargen. :) )
Date: August 24, 2072


«Plot» Shoeshine says, "As is traditional, I like many other gamemasters make the statement that there may be bad guys with guns in this adventure and bad things may happen. Therefore, I ask for your consent to the possibility that your in-game actions shall have reasonable in game consequences."
«OOC» Steve says, "I consent"
«Plot» Ghostfist says, "I consent to the consequences of my actions and the actions of my fellow runner(s)."
«Plot» Wyvern says, "I consent to anything that happens over the course of the plot."

And so the word goes out - a local shadowrunner, name of 'Shoeshine' whom you may or may not know, has a bit of a task he wants some help with. He offers no money, only his favor. He's rumored to be a white hat, which one might take to mean that if you're doing good things, he'll do his damndest to do good things for you. If you're available, you can meet him at the Pentabucks downtown. (Which might be an indication of how secret the job is.)

In spite of the warm temperatures, Ghostfist enters the Pentabucks with a long coat on over his usual jeans and t-shirt. The troll scans over the interior of the coffee shop as he waits on line, noting the occupants casually. One hand intermittently rubs near the base of one or the other horn. After several minutes, but with a few minutes still on the clock before the meeting officially begins, Ghostfist makes his way over to Shoeshine's table with a cup'a Johan in hand.
"Hoi, chummer."

Wyvern is always happy to meet up in a coffee shop. It means coffee, even if it's not being provided. She shows up a couple of minutes after Ghostfist, "Ghostfist." She says, giving a curt nod, as she looks to Shoeshine, "You must be Shoeshine." She sits down across from the dwarf, and sips her coffee.

Arriving with the air of a seasoned veteran of Pentabucks, Steve makes a beeline for the front counter, not so much playing the part, and more seemingly genuinely interested in order himself a drink. He talks the talk, ordering a cup of off the wall soykaf with all the trimmings in the soykaf addicts language. After paying, he sips from the cup casually and stares around the shop, pulling a scrap of paper out of a pocket and taking a moment to read it. He glances at the faces of the patrons and back to the slip of paper before his gaze falls on Shoeshine. He double takes the scrap of paper, and satisfied, crumples it, places it back in his pocket and then heads to the table. He pulls out a chair, taking a moment to glance purposefully at the hands of all the metas at the table and then sits, nodding curtly to all present, but says nothing.

Shoeshine gives a, "Heyo!" up to Ghostfist, making sure to get one of the special chairs for his table. "And hiya!" he says to Wyvern. He's wearing Warrens-style clothing, a little out of place here in the city but nothing illegal - like maybe he's a worker who commutes in. And he does have a valise with him with squirt tubes of chemicals and microfiber rags and what looks like a footrest, so it's quite likely he actually is a shoeshine. "And sir," he says to the third person who comes and visits. "Okay, here's the job. See that bike there?" And he points out the window to a beautiful dwarf-modded Harley Scorpion with, get this, the legit license place reading 'BAD ASS.' "I want to deliver it to this address." He turns over a bit of paper. And yes, the address is in the Warrens. It's in Central Orktown, in fact."

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "And if you have any motorcycle knowledge skills, you can tell me and roll them."
====================> Item 1 on Harley Scorpion <BADASS> <=====================
Item Name: Harley Scorpion
Item Type: ITEM
Quantity: 1
Fractional OK: No
Clonable: No
Players Can Link: No
Created For: Vixen (#1018)
Created By: Craig (#65)
IC Location: on the street
-----> Description for Item <------
This classic-heavy bodied Scorpion features folding aerodynamic panels that double as armor. The license plate reads BadAss and its been outfitted with extra armor.
-----—> GM Notes for Item <-----
Apr 20 2003 Chargen Note: 3 firmpoints purchased.
Apr 20 2003 Purchased 1 at chargen for 20000 in resources. Approved by Craig
(#65).
Feb 23 22:22 This bike has been modified for a Dwarf.
Feb 27 18:52 Harley Davidson Scorpion "Badass" Hand: 4/5 Seat: 2m Speed: 120
Fuel: Gas Accel: 6 Tank: 20 liters Body: 2 Econ: 10 km/l Armor:
3 Chass: Chopper SIG: 1 Auto: 2 Sensor: 0 CF: 4 Load: 20
Accessories/Mods: Adjusted Controls (Dwarf), 3 Firmpoints, +2
Armor (stats modified)
Feb 27 18:54 WEll, dunno if that read right or not, so: Hand: 4/5, Speed 120,
Accel 6, Body 2, Armor 3, Sig 1, Auto 2, Sensor 0, CF 4, Load
20, Seating 2m, Fuel Gas, Tank 20 liters, Econ 10km/liter,
Chassis: chopper. Accessories/Mods: Adjusted Controls: Dwarf, 3
Firepoints, +2 Armor (Stats above modified for such)
Feb 27 19:25 Firmpoints, not firepoints. Jeez


Remember his manners, Steve looks about the table politely at the reference to himself as sir, "Call me Steve, please. Look forward to working with you all." He looks out the window as indicated at the motorcycle. He whistles appreciatively and then frowns at the mention of Orktown. He turns and looks at the female elf expectantly.

«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Bike (to Shoeshine) for "Do I Know Me Some Choppas?":
1 5
You paged Ghostfist with 'I don't know if you looked at the stats, but you would be very aware that 1. it's been up-armored, 2. it has 3 firmpoints instead of the usual 1 that a Harley Scorpion has, and 3. it's an antique. One of the early models - not hideously valuable because of that, but maybe interesting.'.

Smiling cheerily, Ghostfist settles down on a chair - he may have dragged over a trog chair on his approach - and smiles to Wyvern. "Hoi," he replies cheerily. Taking a sip of his soykaf, Ghostfist waits until the mission is explained and quirks an eyebrow. "Sounds like an interesting afternoon," remarks the troll, "Besides. Who wouldn't want to be around a beauty of an antique like 'at?"

Shoeshine nodnods. "Yep! She's a beaut. I can barely ride her myself, though. Never learned how. Even though it's built for my size, it's not really my thing, yaknow? So I got someone down in Orktown to give it to. The first problem is, how do I get it over the border… it's not illegal or anything, but a lot of eyes will see it if I just drive it through. And second, how do I get it past all the gangs to the address I want to get it to without them seeing it and just taking it? Or starting a fight for it?"

"Well for what it's worth, killing gangers is something I'm good at, but I doubt you want that much attention on it." Wyvern replies, taking a moment to sip her coffee, "I don't suppose you have, or can get, a non-descript transport truck."

Shoeshine says, "I got a leather bag, some rags, and a sweet disposition," he says, smiling. That's an indication that all such resources will come from you.

Steve sips his coffee nodding his approval at Wyvern's suggestion, "Well I imagine we could swing by the local rent-a-truck and grab a small box truck?" He clears his throat, "Also, Orktown is pretty nasty lately, even more so than usual. That's something we need to consider."

"I know a couple folks that might be able to help us out," comments Ghostfist, rubbing his chin with one hand as he leans back on his chair. Said chair creaks ominously but does not break (yet). He sips his kaf again, casting a side-long glance at Steve and then Wyvern. "Depends on who you are."

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Basic knowledge indicates that you will pay a hefty premium for renting a truck if you intend to take it into the lawlessness of the Aurora Warrens - not to mention that doing so involves giving a SIN that will be checked to the sufficiency of paying for the truck if something bad happens."

Steve folds his arms and stares expectantly at Ghostfist, "What do you suggest?"

Shoeshine amuses himself looking from face to face, keeping out of the planning. If he had a way to do it himself he would already have done so.

Shrugging back at Steve, Ghostfist replies, "For one thing, I'd suggest the chica keep her ears out of sight. Orktown is especially unfriendly to elves at the best of times. Now?"

Trailing off for a moment, Ghostfist shrugs again. He takes a quick sip of his kaf and offers a genial, tusky smile to Steve again. "Otherwise? I'd say we're in the market for an old delivery van. Someone's old beater that they'd be willin' to part with for a shiny 'yen, but that's still got some plate on it."

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Do any of you have any contacts who might fix you up with such, I suggest?"

Steve nods his approval in a rapid, stacatto fashiom, "I was thinking the same thing…" He trails off, looking again at Wyvern's ears. "Well I'm sure most of us, know somebody somewhere. Shall we make a call or two and see who can get what for the cheapest?"
«Auto-Judge[]» Steve (#7833) has the Contact Big Moe with the following information (only to Shoeshine):
-----> Contact for Steve (#7833) <-----
Contact Name: Big Moe
Level: 1
Type: fixer
GM Note: A shadowy figure from SteveOs past, Big Moe is the pseudonym for a former military intelligence officer who served adjacent to SteveOs unit throughout many of the same conflicts their units particpated in. Retired from military service due to wounds received in combat, he used his extensive network of contacts inside various government and corporate entities to setup shop as a Fixer in the Warrens of Denver.


Without waiting to see what everyone is going to do, Steve pulls out his wrist phone and makes a phone call. Once the call is answered, he begins the conversation jovially, "Hey frag face. It's me. I need some sort of beat up delivery van or truck with an enclosed cargo area. What do you got for cheap? Yeah, I'm gonna be crossing a border."

The voice on the other side of the phone says, "At least I ain't the one you can smell over the radio. Number one, how big - you moving people or 'other'? You need what's inside hid, or not? And how long do we have?"

Steve smiles at the voice on the phone, "I dunno how big. Need room for at least 4 people. One is a big chummer, so extra leg room." He smiles at Ghostfist, then continues, "As far as cargo, need several meters cargo space. I'm telling you a big ol' ugly van would be fine. Cargo is legal, so we're not smuggling anything, but the destination warrants a bit of discretion."
«Auto-Judge[]» Steve (#7833) rolls Etiquette vs TN 4:
1 3 5 = 1 Success

Big Moe says, "I can have one like that for you first thing tomorrow morning. It's being 'cleaned' right now. Be five hundred. More if you can't bring it back in one piece. Sound good?"

Steve wrinkles his nose a bit, and places a hand to cover the mic on the phone, and then looks to Shoeshine, "Chummer I know can get us a van by tomorrow morning, first thing. That timeline work for you? Also gonna cost us 500, unless we get it shot to drek, then it'll be more."

Shoeshine says, "I am not under any time constraints, so tomorrow is fine. I don't have any money to pay it, so it would have to be out of pocket. I can try to make it up to you later." The whole, no pay, all I got is a bag of rags kinda thing.

Wyvern had someone she was gonna call, but her van is shiny and new and Wyvern doubts she'd get ahold of the keys. But Steve makes his own call, and Wyvern puts her phone away.

Steve nods, "I can front the cash. Call it paying my dues I guess." He nods and then turns back to the phone, "Yeah boss, that'll work. I'll have the cash on hand. Our normal meeting place?"

Big Moe says, "So it is written, so it shall be."

Steve hangs up the phone and places it back in his pocket, then turns to the rest of the group at the table, "Ok, that takes care of transportation. Let's talk about getting over the border, and what the hell we're gonna do if someone gets froggy."

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "All right. You will have a large beat up cargo van to put the bike in. And since Shoeshine does have rags, he provices one of those canvas bike covers you can put around a motorcycle. It's obviously a motorcycle under it, but its details - which are interesting to the naked eye as Ghostfist pointed out - will not be known. Is there anything you would like to do before tomorrow morning and the arrival of the van? Ah, discuss!"

"I think we've set ourselves up as best we can for what we have right now." Wyvern states, "We may need somewhere to stash the bike until the morning, though." She looks back at Shoeshine.

Shoeshine says, "That I can handle. It's perfectly legal here, I will stick with it."
Shoeshine knows it's perfectly legal in Aurora too, it's just dangerous, because it's nice and valuable.

Steve nods at Wyvern, "I think you're right. But just remember to keep the ears low key, them fraggers in Orktown are running around with AKs right now, and they are thirsty for elf blood." He turns to Shoeshine, "Well then looks like I need to go make a cash withdrawal. If no one has anything else to add, I'll see everyone in the morning."

Shoeshine provides you with his pocsec number so you can call him.
Shoeshine , if permitted, drives off and will meet you at the appointed time at the appointed place, to drive the Harley Scorpion clumsily up a little ramp and into the dirty white scratched up cargo van, then bungee it down and canvas it over.

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "And so from here I would ask you who is in the van when you drive it over the border and what have they got with them."

Shoeshine says, "I am legal and can cross the border - I don't have any dangerous stuff with me but I can get some a little after we cross. If you want me along. If you don't, then I can just meet you at the address."

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Cutting back for Ghostfist a touch…"

After the meeting, Ghostfist hops a bus ride into the Warrens with a knapsack full of whatever food he can pick up at Stuffer Shack before the ride. The troll carefully picks his way over to one of the usual haunts for Lila, a small human teenager and "professional street urchin". Delivering to Orktown isn't easy and Ghostfist would love to find out all the important details.

Lila is only too happy to chatter with Ghostfist and soak up the ambiance of his protection (because people generally don't mess with you when GF is around) and of course, the serious foods. "Well, first you're gonna cross into Heather Gardens, right? At the CAS checkout? No one should bother you there unless they have you scoped out already. Then you go southinto Mission Hills.. that's the Sinners, and they're pretty serious, yaknow? Always stealing little girls for bunraku. They'll make you pay a toll. Then you go south into Shenandoah, for the Saints, they're smarter but less mean and they don't like anything coming from Sinners land.
"Then you go south again to the Laymen, who are kinda dead average, and then east into Orktown, where you'll have to pass by the Horsemen before you get tothe Sons of Sauron if you're going where I think you're going," says Lila. "All the other routes go through Tir Llewn and the Warzone, and that would be like rilly rrilly dumb."

Nodding, Ghostfist listens intently while providing food for Lila. He tilts his head and muses thoughtfully over some of that information. "Who would I ask to talk to 'bout gettin' a two-way pass through Saints' turf when we hit their borders, Lil'? Somebody's gotta be in it for the biz, yeah?"

"Oh, they'll take your money at the checkpoint if they want to let you through," says Lila.

"Same thing with the Horsemen?" inquires Ghostfist, quirking an eyebrow as he takes a long swig from a Soya Cola.

Lila bobs her head.

"Hm. Good to know. Anything else goin' down on the streets I should know 'bout?" inquires Ghostfist, fishing out the remains of the 6-pack for Lila.

Lila says, "Nah, just that people is kinda, yaknow, tight? Wound up? The 'runners around here are always giving, like, rockets to Tir Llewn and mortars to Orktown, thinking that that will make them all military and win, and it never works out that way because they ain't.

"Course they ain't. I dunno 'at rockets and mortars'd help even if they were," replies Ghostfist. He smiles cheerily and adds a few ration bars to the pile for Lila. "Thanks for the info, chica. You need anything, you gimme a call, yeah?"

Lila gives Ghostfist the cutest possible hug - it's a special urchin skill they all learn. Usually they pick your pocket during it too but Lila leaves off - she's already been paid.

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "(Although the rest of you should detail what you got when you go over the border and what preparations you have made.)"
«Plot» Steve will be crossing with his medical backpack, a concealed taser, with his fake CAS SIN information on him.
«Auto-Judge[]» Steve (#7833) has the Fake SIN CAS-07833-0014N1-0009RY-DUL (Robert Francois Deblanque) with the following information (only to Shoeshine):
----------—[ Shadowrun Denver ]—-
=====================> SIN Information for Steve (#7833) <=====================
SIN: CAS-07833-0014N1-0009RY-DUL
Name: Robert Francois Deblanque
Rating: 3
Created: Sat Jun 23 19:40:49 2012
Player: SteveO (#7833)


«Plot» Shoeshine says, "So, you are going to slot a fake sin, rating 3, going into the warrens?"
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "And Wyvern, any particular weaponry I should know about?"
«Plot» Wyvern says, "Pistols."
«Plot» Wyvern says, "Just two pistols."
«Plot» Wyvern says, "Specifically a 99SC and a Cerberus."

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Am I correct in saying that Steve is driving?"

You paged Wyvern with 'So , are you, like, actually in disguise?'.
Wyvern pages: I'm wearing my balaclava like a beanie hat, to hide my ears.
Wyvern pages: That's about the extent of my disguise.
Wyvern pages: Also I'm probably in the back with the bike.
Wyvern pages: Where I won't be terribly visible.

Driving through the checkpoint, the friendly low-paid Lone Star agents do in fact make the driver roll down his window, make eye contact, have you filmed by a camera that's behind them and the cop-cam on their chest, and ask you to slot your SIN to pay the incredibly small toll. (In reality, you wouldn't imagine the number of missing person cases they solve down at the mortuary with a scan through this film loop.) So they are only too happy to take the slotting of Steve's fake SIN in the reader.

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "SIN check rating 3:"
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 3 vs TN 3 for "The border checkpoint against Steve's SIN":
2 5 5 = 2 Successes
«OOC» Wyvern says, "Well this went to hell fast."
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 3 vs TN 3 for "Steve's SIN rating 3 against the rating of the border checkpoint test.":
2 4 5 = 2 Successes

The SIN checker gives one of those long, pregnant pauses. The friendly Lone Star policeman (a human black woman) glances over at Steve in the intervening time.
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 3 vs TN 5 for "To spot Steve's concealed taser.":
8 9 10 = 3 Successes
«OOC» Steve says, "lol"
She turns her eyes back down to the SIN checker, shaking her head.

«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 3 vs TN 3 for "The border checkpoint against Steve's SIN":
1 2 5 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 3 vs TN 3 for "Steve's SIN rating 3 against the rating of the border checkpoint test.":
1 2 9 = 1 Success
«OOC» Ghostfist is trying so hard not to laugh.

The SIN checker continues to pause and hang. She looks up to Steve and says, "Sir? Have you been in the Aurora Warrens before?"
You paged Steve with 'What kind of armor are you wearing if any?'.
Steve pages: Just regular clothing

Steve looks directly at the female cop, "Once. It scared the living hell out of me. Been trying to convince my grandma to move out for months, but she's stubborn as they come. Something about austerity and all that drek. If you ask me, she's just having a hard time making ends meet, but aren't we all these days?"

She gives Steve the total poker face. "As a member of Lone Star Security Serrvices I must advise you against what people commonly refer to as 'slumming'. Now is not the time. The security alert level is 'red' which means 'imminent.' Please check your map for no-go areas. And let me personally advise you to carry something with more than two shots - and wear some kevlar." She waves the van on through.

And indeed, as you drive through there's a helpful map display board, like a billboard, showing Tir Llewn, the Warzone, and Orktown as no-go areas. (Although the pixels on the Warzone portion are getting dim, it's always lit up.)

Steve smiles, "Thanks for the advice, and have a nice day officer." He accelerates through the checkpoint slowly and then looks into the rear view mirror, speaking to the other occupants of the vehicle, "Alright, what's the best way to get through this hell hole?"

Helpfully, Ghostfist chimes in with a description of the route that Lila suggested. He may be seated on the floor in the back, just to ensure he has enough head and leg room.

From the back of the van, Wyvern frowns a bit, "Truthfully I don't know. Just try to stick to the main roads as much as possible. Back alleys and side streets are suicide." At least they're through the checkpoint. Wyvern is sitting opposite him, with her balaclava pulled over her head to hide her ears.

Steve nods his approval, "Yeah, I don't plan on making any unscheduled stops." He keeps the van moving at a brisk, yet controlled pace, sticking to the route Ghostfist has described to him.

That would be south, through Heather Gardens. Which are dingy, and have lookouts and drug dealing in the open on the corners, but no gang checkpoints. So things are pretty clear, until you get to Mission Hills where the Sinners are. That's where you hit your first checkpoint - several rusted out hulks of cars block the road, with some 'ladies of the evening' with submachineguns manning the checkpoint.

«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 5 for "Stealthiness":
1 2 4 5 5
«Auto-Judge[]» Steve (#7833) rolls Intelligence:
1 2 3 8 9
«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Intelligence + 5 (Enhanced Perception) for "Natural Thermo, Improved Hearing, Improved Scent, Magic Sense":
1 1 2 2 4 4 4 4 8 11
You paged (Ghostfist, Steve) with 'The two of you can both see the spike strips underneath the rusted out cars to kill the tires of people who try to run on through, as well as the guys inside the garage to the left with more SMGs. Looks like they have some kind of vehicle.'.

The provocatively dressed synthleather-and-lace clad ladies wave to the van to indicate a stop.

Shifting his position, Ghostfist peers out through the windshield. He breathes slowly and deeply, allowing his senses to blossom outward and take in all the detail he can. Moments later, he half-playfully intones, "Toll booth."

Steve clears his throat loudly, speaking to the van's passengers, "On your toes folks, time to go to work." He slows down as indicated and pulls the van to a halt alongside the ladies, throwing an occasional glance at the rear view mirror to look behind the van.

"Hiya," says the first lady, a blonde. "Whatcha got in the back? So we know how much to chargeya."

In the back of the van, Wyvern draws her 99SC and rests it in a position where it's easy to move and fire but she doesn't look like she's planning anything hostile, just in case these gangers decide to open the back door up. She looks to make sure it's locked, just to be on the safe side.

Steve flashes a gentlemanly smile, as he finishes rolling the window down, "In the back? Big trog bastard. Can't fit in a regular chair, so his big hoop has to ride on the floor of the van. Selfish bastard won't kick in the cash to get a troll sized chair and I hate driving vans. But he could smash my face so what am I to do?" He grins and makes it a point to check out the ladies outfits appreciatively.

On cue, Ghostfist leans forward to peer at the blonde. "Hoi chica. What's the good word?" rumbles the troll.

«Auto-Judge[]» Steve (#7833) rolls Etiquette vs TN 4:
1 3 4 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 vs TN 5 for "The girls figuring out that they are being misled":
1 1 1 5 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 3 for "Shadowscene players to recognize Ghostfist":
2 3 17
----------—[ Shadowrun Denver ]—-
===============================> Prestige List <===============================
Runner Call-sign Archetype Prestige Hat
Ghostfist SpectralClutch Adept 328 Grey

"Ooo!" squeaks the blonde. "You're that guy!" She giggles and shimmies. "I didn't hear you were coming here today… are you going to the Coliseum?" (The coliseum is where the Sinners do bare-knuckle fights and bloodsports.) Aside from that, she says, "Oh yeah, it's be 50y to pass."
The brunette looks bored.

Steve lifts his backside out of the driver's seat and reaches into his pocket pulling out a few bills of nuyen. He counts out 75 nuyen and then hands it out the window to the blonde, "50 for the toll, and 25 for stroking my chummers ego. Maybe he won't make me sweep his floor today for that."

Offering a tusky smile - first to the blond, then to the brunette - Ghostfist shakes his head. "Wasn't plannin' on hittin' the Colliseum, we were just passin' through to talk some biz… But if you chicas're gonna be headed there, I'll try 'n' swing by later."

The blonde passes the time of day with Steve and Ghostfist while the brunette calls over the guys in the garage. They have a rigged-up forklift which they use to move aside one of the junker cars. They even move the spike strips for you so you don't have to get out and do it yourself, which is what they do to people who don't tip. And so one can pass down south to… the Saints.
The Saints don't use rusted cars. They have actual metal barricades. And bulky men with priestly collars are manning this one. Far more serious, far less distracting. They hold up a hand to gesture you to stop on your path.

«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 5 for "Stealthiness":
2 2 2 3 4
«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Intelligence + 5 (Enhanced Perception) for "Natural Thermo, Improved Hearing, Improved Scent, Magic Sense":
1 1 3 3 4 5 5 5 5 11
The rotodrones in the air about 100 feet up are painfully obvious. These guys have rigger support backing them up.

"How many bloody checkpoints can one gang set up." Wyvern mutters mostly to herself, though Ghostfist can hear her too.

Steve pulls the van to a stop where indicated and slowly rolls down the window just far enough for his head to be visible, and waits to be approached by the gangers.

"Different gang, chica," replies Ghostfist as the beat-up delivery vehicle rolls toward the next stop. He promptly leans forward to poke his head over Steve's shoulder, watching the Saints with an intensely curious expression.

These guys are AB, All Business. They have impressive Predator-shaped bulges underneath their 'priestly vestments.' "What is your business?" says the younger, more fresh-faced one.

Steve flashes a friendly smile, "Just passing through. Heading to visit my grandma, asked me to bring some friends over to play bingo."

Offering a cheery smile, Ghostfist helpfully replies, "Just passin' through. Don't want to make no waves for you or your turf." He casts a sideways glance at Steve, but resists the urge to look utterly quizzical about the human's seemingly jovial answer.

He holds up a hand to his ear in the universal signal of someone getting orders over a radio commlink. "I can't help but notice that you're heading south, which would eventually take you to Orktown." His gaze at Ghostfist's peering face is a penetrating one, but not insulting. "We currently aren't allowing any weapons transports over our territory. Would you like to turn around?"

«OOC» Shoeshine says, "He seems to be making an offer: "If you happen to be carrying a cargo van full of weapons, I am offering you this chance to turn around and leave safely.""

Steve purses his lips together nodding thoughtfully, "I can imagine why you all would be implementing that policy. Wouldn't dream of transporting weapons through anyones turf though." He glaces up above the van, "As you can probably see, only thing worth mentioning is the big bastard in the back taking up all the breathing space."

"Then you won't mind opening up the back and letting us have a look?" he says, gesturing to the back.

Steve grins and gestures with his head towards Ghostfist, "So long as the big guy don't mind. He was napping earlier, and he doesn't sleep with pants on."

"I've seen worse," says the older man. "I was in Cal-Free."

It's hard to get Ghostfist to riled up by just a look. He's gotten pretty accustomed to giving and receiving looks of varying magnitude. "I got nothin' to hide," replies Ghostfist, smiling broadly, "You want me to step out?"

"We want you to open the back so we can search the van," the younger one says patiently. "Stepping out is incidental."

Wyvern quickly slips her weapon back inside of it's holster. She definitely doesn't want these guys to think she's planning some kind of ambush. The bike isn't a weapon, so it should be alright if they do plan on checking out the back.

Steve looks into the rear view mirror and nods to Ghostfist. He hits the automatic door lock release and then gesture towards the back of the van at the ganger, "Sure thing chummer. Have a look."

Shrugging, Ghostfist starts to withdraw back into the rear of the van. He pops the door and rumbles, "I'm opening the door, me 'n' a chica are stepping out." The troll promptly slides his enormous frame out of the back and turns to face the nearest Saint, "While you guys're lookin' for imaginary weapons, who gets the toll money?"

While their hands will make sure of their guns before they do it, let's be honest. These guys are sacrificial meat if shit goes down. It's the rotodrones who are watching you who will both relay information to others as well as gun you down from on high if something squirrely is going down. And it's that sacrificial meat-hood that makes them calm. I mean, either something will happen, or it won't. The door opens, a troll and a woman step out, and there's something that is obviously a motorcycle under a cover. "After the inspection," they say to Ghostfist. "Take off the cover."
Obviously, if the motorcycle is a Harley Scorpion, those are commonly known to have light machine guns mounted on the frontwards mount, and that would be what we call 'a violation.' As for the personal weapons Ghostfist and Wyvern have, they so totally don't care. They're looking for crates of weapons, boxes of C-12, mortars, rockets, grenade launchers, nerve gas, that kind of stuff.

For the first time in a long time, Ghostfist rolls his eyes. "No speeding bureaucracy, huh?" The troll leans back into the van and starts peeling the cover off of the bike. He's really hoping Shoeshine didn't slap some Vindicators on the front or something while he wasn't looking. "How much is the toll anyhow?"

«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 3 vs TN 8 for "They don't know anything about bikes, so the tn is 4+4 to default is 8.":
4 4 21 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 3 vs TN 4 for "Using their chemical sniffer.":
1 5 7 = 2 Successes
They look at one another when the bike is revealed, then back. No, the front mount doesn't have a gun on it, and neither do the other two weapon mounts. The two Saints look at each other, shrug, look back, and run their chemical sniffer over the floor of the van as well as a few locations on the bike. "100y for all the song and dance," says the older one. "It's an antique," says the younger one to the older one, as if to explain to him why you guys were tentative. Such a comment doesn't cause him to raise the price."
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 vs TN 6 for "Telephone, telegraph, tell a girl. How fast is the rumor mill, now that you've had the door open and rotodrones with riggers watching have seen that you have an expensive antique bike in there?":
1 2 4 8 = 1 Success

At the annoucement of the toll, Steve reaches back into his pocket and begins counting out nuyen taking his time in order to allow Ghostfist and Wyvern time to get back in. He counts out the 100y plus 25 more and holds the fold of bills out the window at arms reachs for the Ganger to take, "Toll plus a little extra for not being a drek face about it…."

Once they're cleared, Wyvern jumps back into the back of the van without a word to the gangers either way. Maybe she's being rude. Or /maybe/ she can't talk at all. It's not the latter, but those guys don't know that.

They take the money, nod officiously, and pull aside the barricade for you. And so the gang can head down down towards the Laymen.. wondering just how many people have seen what. The Saints know there's a million stories in the big city, and sometimes when one passes you by, you take the 125y and let it sail right past.

Pulling the cover back down over the bike, Ghostfist turns to look at the pair of Saints. He rubs his chin a moment or two, "I'll give you guys all the cred I got, a grand, to make sure anyone hearin' 'bout the bike hears it's in a covered bed pick-up."

The older one says, "Make it fifteen-hundred. I gotta spread it around everyone looking in on the cameras."

The troll smiles slyly and replies, "Sixteen and you lay it on thick, yeah?"

They're not allowed to smile, it is clear. "Deal," he says, and is only too happy to take the cred.

With a quick count, Ghostfist passes over couple of certified credsticks to cover the bill. He promptly climbs back into the van, cheerily intones, "You guys have a good day," and then closes up the back of the van.

Steve waits for the barricade to be completely pulled aside, for all passengers to embark the vehicle and then drives off in the direction of the next checkpoint.

With that, the riggers (who have also heard all of this on microphone) will begin lovingly describing the trip and the firmpoints and the loving up-armoring and the vehicle mods. You can practically feel it hit the trix and the local newsfeeds, buzzing in people's pocsecs. Who knows how many people are looking for a covered bed pickup with a canvas-covered motorbike in it? Likely a decent number. And so you remain unmolested until you get to the Laymen - you're actually going to have to catty-corner their turf to get to Orktown. They have some rusted vehicles, but the middle of them is open except for some spread caltrop stuff on the ground. The gangers here are both male, both young, and both wearing cheap ratty synthleather and cheap ratty jeans. One has a vibroblade, the other a Remington Roomsweeper.

«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 5 for "Can someone in this damn town hide?":
1 1 2 4 11
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "All righty. TN 15 is the perception difficulty here."
«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Intelligence + 5 (Enhanced Perception) vs TN 15 for "Natural Thermo, Enhanced Hearing, Improved Scent, Magic Sense":
3 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 10 16 = 1 Success
You paged Ghostfist with 'Two guys in camo with sporting rifles on two different rooftops, about 90-95 meters away, using the lip of the building for cover and bracing. They have clean lines of sight to this area.'.
«Auto-Judge[]» Steve (#7833) rolls Intelligence vs TN 15:
1 2 4 4 5 = 0 Successes

As the van rolls toward the checkpoint (chokepoint?), Ghostfist does his usual thing. He leans forward, breathes slowly and deeply, and lets his senses expand outward. "Huh. They ain't playin' around," hisses the troll, "Snipers on the rooftops, sporting rifles though, but with overlapping lines of fire on us."

«Second Session»

When last we left our protagonists, they were rolling towards the Laymen checkpoint - a few rusted out cars, an opening to drive through, two thugboys (one with a pistol, the other with a vibroblade) waving them to stop. It is Ghostfist the wily troll who does his usual thing. He leans forward, breathes slowly and deeply, and lets his senses expand outward. "Huh. They ain't playin' around," hisses the troll, "Snipers on the rooftops, sporting rifles though, but with overlapping lines of fire on us." And with his direction, the other two of you can see what he pointed out. Two snipers each on a different roof, about 90-100 meters away, with camo and the lip of the building as cover, and clear sightlines down to you.

Steve nods at Ghostfist's direction, "If things get nasty, I'll try to keep the van moving." He slowly rolls down the window pulling the van to a stop alongside the Laymen gangers who have indicated them to stop at the checkpoint, taking care to angle the van for easy acceleration if needed.

At this point Wyvern does wish she'd gone ahead and bought that rifle. Still, she could probably take one of them with a pistol, even at this range. She smiles a little bit at how surprised he'd be should something like that happen…But she'd rather just avoid violence all together.

And at first all goes according to the plan of the previous gang checkpoints. The guy with the vibroknife, the talker, gestures with it as he says, "Hey yo. Whatchoo got in-" which is when the shot rings out.

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Reaction check, tn 4."
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 3 vs TN 4:
1 5 9 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Steve (#7833) rolls Reaction vs TN 4:
2 4 5 5 = 3 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Wyvern (#3315) rolls Reaction vs TN 4:
2 2 2 2 3 4 5 5 = 3 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Reaction + 2 (Sixth Sense) vs TN 4 for "Spider Sense Tingling":
2 2 2 3 4 5 10 = 3 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "So you all have gotten more successes than the person trying to surprise you so no one is surprised. Initiative goes normal."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Roll for init."

«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 2 for "+3 for the surpriser.":
2 4
«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Initiative with a result of 11.
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 2 for "+5 for the other guy":
1 5
«Auto-Judge[]» Steve (#7833) rolls Initiative with a result of 10.
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 2 for "+4 groundpounders":
4 8
«Auto-Judge[]» Wyvern (#3315) rolls Initiative with a result of 19.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "So, I have Wyvern at 19, Groundsmen at 14, Ghostfist at 11, Awake Sniper at 11, Steve at 10, Sniper stoned on Zen at 9. And let me scoot back a touch."

Placement: I think that Steve is in the driver's seat, Wyvern is in the passenger's seat, and Ghostfist is in the back, all doors are closed, all windows tinted. We begin initiative not with the actual shot, because he didn't surprise anyone, but with Ghostfist drawing Steve and Wyvern's attention to the two snipers, and the three of you all successfully noticing that Sniper 2 is jerking around in a hinky fashion. What you choose to do about it is up to you - first tell me if my conception of where everyone is is right, and then it will be Wyvern's turn.
The snipers are 95 meters away and up on third floor rooftops, about half a block away.

«Plot» Wyvern will draw her weapon when she sees the sniper getting froggy up there.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Okay. We are placed then. Wyvern, it is your go. Your draw is a simple action. Any other simple actions, any movements? If not, you can pose it."
«Plot» Wyvern says, "Is the shot being fired on the sniper's turn?"
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Yes, it will be, though of course you don't have that magical knowledge. :)"
«Ploit» Wyvern says, "Indeed!"

Wyvern glances up out of her window, looking for the snipers that Ghostfist warned them about. She frowns and her hand slips to the side of her vest, pulling her 99SC out of it's holster and slipping it just out of view of anyone who would approach the Driver's side.

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "The groundsmen don't notice anything and are engaged in speaking. Their previous pose stands."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Ghostfist!"
«Plot» Ghostfist says, "I'm going to hold my action."

For his part, Ghostfist doesn't do anything more complicated than adjust his position. The troll leans slightly to one side, shifting his bulk to properly support him in this new, more comfortable position as he watches the goings on at the checkpoint. It's not like he knows a sniper's about to try and shoot him.

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Sniper 2 also doesn't notice anything, although he is a good soldier, focused on you all, with his Remington 950 locked on your front windshield."

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Steve!"
«Plot» Steve says, "I'd like to use a simple action to move my driver seat further back giving wyvern an unobstructed firing path out the driver window if she chooses to take it."

Steve brings the van to a halt, but keeps the vehicle running and in gear with his foot on the break. He reaches down to the side of the driver's seat pulling on the level allowing him to slide back about a foot or so, bringing the majority of his body out of the line of fire from the passenger seat to the driver side window.

The three hyper-alert runners can't know what's going on inside the head of the hinky-looking sniper, but it's best put this way: A smartlink allows you to mentally control your firearm. 'Zen' is a psychedelic hallucinogen that makes you see things which aren't there. What happens when you mix these two abilities? >BANG!<

«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 + 4 vs TN 3 for "tn 4 for short range on a sporting rifle. -2 for smartlink. +1 for Zen. Targeting windshield with 9s base rifle, ExEx ammo for 11s.":
1 2 3 4 5 5 8 9 = 6 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Since you aren't a rigger, I do not believe your windshield can dodge. Damage to vehicles is halved in power and the damage staged down so the attack goes from 11s to 5m +6 successes. Your vehicle is a base cargo van, the Ares Roadmaster, which has 0 base armor unless you do something special. Body of 5…"
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 5 vs TN 5:
2 3 5 5 8 = 3 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "6 successes - 3 successes is 3 left. That stages the damage to S. Posing."

The shot rings out! Now, police will tell you that Saf-T-Glas will cause the darnedest ricochets, and this is one of them. Instead of being holed right through and crashing into nothingness, the whole windshield spiderwebs, held together by that flimsy plastic sheeting through the middle that they use to keep the glass together and from doing damaging things in just such a situation of this. Hey, someone's shooting at you! It's that guy! That guy up there! And of course, when he shoots, the other guys think he must have a reason to do so, right?

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "I didn't say sides of streets. The awake guy is on the right, the Zen guy who just shot is on the left."

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "And that is everyone in the first pass. Ghostfist, do you want to step forwards?"
When the windshield spider webs and half-explodes, Ghostfist jerks his head back while his right hand slides up under his long coat. The troll pulls out his Manhunter, pointing it at the floor of the car, and smoothly flips off the safety before cocking it. He narrows his eyes and scans over the scene outside of the van with something approaching anger. Clearly shooting them without even asking for the toll is just not cool in his book.

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Okay! Now to Wyvern."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "The vibroblade guard is in talking distance out on the driver's side, the heavy pistol guard is in talking distance on your side, Wyvern, a little out front."

«Plot» Simple to open door, simple to shoot.
«Auto-Judge[]» Wyvern (#3315) rolls Pistols + Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 3 for "Firing at Pistol Guard":
1 1 2 2 4 4 5 8 = 4 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "What ammunition? Base damage on the 99sc is 8m, so right now you are at 8m+4 successes. And if you want to reroll with a point of karma, you use: +roll pistols+cp:3-4 because you already got 4 successes."
«Auto-Judge[]» Wyvern (#3315) rolls Pistols + Combat Pool: 3 - 4 vs TN 3 for "Firing at Pistol Guard KP 1‘":
1 2 2 11 = 1 Success
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "The ganger tries to use all his combat pool to dodge. Single shots are dodge tn 4."
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 7 vs TN 4 for "He needs to exceed Wyvern’s successes to totally dodge.":
1 1 2 2 3 3 4 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 7 - 1 vs TN 4 for "He needs to exceed Wyvern's successes to totally dodge. kp1":
2 5 7 9 10 10 = 5 Successes

When the shot goes off, and the winshield shatters, Wyvern's reaction is relatively quick, as she raises her pistol up from it's position at her side, opens the door with her off hand, and leans out enough to level a shot at the guard closest to her. It's not a particularly pretty shot, however, as she is just trying to return fire as quick as possible, "Run it!" She yells at Steve, "Run the damn checkpoint!"

The ganger, for all his close range, is jumping and diving for his own barricade even before Wyvern's shot goes off. Maybe that's why he lives. For now.

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Second pass, Groundpounders: the one with the heavy pistol ducks behind his burned out car barricade (movement) draws his pistol (simple) and shoots back at Wyvern."
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 3 vs TN 7 for "TN 5 for medium range, -2 smartlink, +4 for Wyvern's cover from the car door. And yes, he's out of combat pool, he spent it living.":
3 3 4 = 0 Successes
His frantic shot back at Wyvern is no better aimed, nor more fortunate than hers.

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "The one with the vibroknife, however, runs up to the front tire to stab it."
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 + Combat Pool: 4 for "He was after all, the one coming into conversational distance to speak - the 'talker'. Now, how hard is it to stab the tire on a motionless object? We'll use TN 4 just because.":
1 2 2 4 5 5 11 15
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "That is 6 successes, car doesn't defend or dodge. Vibroblade is (str)M which is 6m, halved and staged down is a base of 3L. 6 successes stages that up to 3D…"
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 5 vs TN 3 for "Body of 5 staging down":
1 7 8 9 19 = 4 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Car takes a Moderate wound focused on the tire. For dramatic reasons, that means that tire is popped, and you will be running on ground rubber and eventually on rims. (When the car itself has taken D it will be inoperable.)"

The 'talker' knows his job. The shit is going down and he's got to pin you down, get in close, keep you here. The longer you stay here, the more forces come to bear. Whyalls didn't you all give up? Why does everyone fight?

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Ghostfist."
«Plot» Ghostfist says, "I'd like to lean forward and jam my hand down on the accelerator in vain hopes of getting us the hell out of here."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Accel is '3' on the roadmaster. I think that means that you raise your speed from 0 to 3 meters."

There is too much shooting going on and, as far as Ghostfist knows, not nearly enough faces on the team to smooth this crap over. He takes a moment to assess the situation, frowns to himself, and promptly throws himself between the front seats to thrust punch the accelerator with his left hand. It's really the only move available to the trog, short of hopping out and commencing to the gunplay.

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "The last person to go this round is the awake sniper. Reacting off of the first sniper, he'll shoot one shot to finish the window (which has taken a serious) and then another to shoot someone he sees within."
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 + Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 2 for "He knows he'll get his combat pool back so he uses it cheezily":
2 3 3 4 5 5 10 = 7 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls Body vs TN 5 for "against 5m + 7 succ":
1 1 1 2 3 5 14 = 2 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "The windshield takes Deadly, and is now shattered into splinters. His targets are Steve, in the driver's seat, Ghostfist, leaning over and through, and Wyvern, in the passenger's seat."
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 1 for "1=steve, 2-5 is Ghostfist, 6+ is wyvern":
2
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 + 4 vs TN 6 for "tn 4 -2 smartlink +4 cover to shoot ghostfist's massive shoulder/arm/head":
2 2 2 3 4 4 5 7 = 1 Success
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "11S + 1 success to you, Ghostfist."
«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Combat Pool: 5 vs TN 4 for "Dodge Test":
1 1 2 5 9 = 2 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Woo-hoo! You dodge fully. Pose as you would."

On the floor, Ghostfist just barely hears the report of a rifle. He tucks up and uses both hands to shove himself backward into the rear of the van once more. The bullet rips through the remains of the windshield, leaving a neat hole in the center line, and *WHUD*s into the floor where the troll's shoulder would have been a half-second before.
"DRIVE, FRAG IT! DRIVE!"

«Third Session»
When last we left our protagonists, it was their task to transport an antique, tricked-out, up-armored Harley Scorpion through the Warrens into Orktown. With 'Steve' at the helm of a cargo van that he rented from a friend, the gang was cautioned at the Warrens Wall that violence was heavy. Through a variety of subterfuges, misdirections, honest actions, and payoffs, they managed to get to the second-to-last gang checkpoint, the Laymen, when tragedy struck. Apparently, one of the riflemen about 90 meters away on a rooftop is high on Zen and seeing giant spiders crawling all over your windshield. When he opened fire, naturally his fellow gang members started similarly opening fire and engaging in their planned activities. Things got confusing, but here is what we have:
90 meters forwards/up three stories are two riflemen. They are armed with standard hunting rifles. The one on the right is perfectly competent at shooting and the one on the left is hallucinating. Seven meters to the right of the car, on Wyvern's side, is a ganger taking cover behind a burned out car with an Ares Predator. Wyvern, similarly, has cover from her opened van door shooting back. On Steve's side, the driver's side, is a ganger with a vibroblade who just cut up the driver's side front wheel (doing Moderate damage to the vehicle and limiting your speed). The vehicle is moving forwards at about 3 meters a turn because Ghostfist, from the back, used his long troll arms to jam down the gas pedal - but he had to yank his hand back to avoid gunfire.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Ghostfist and Wyvern have both spent 1 kp, as has the ganger with the predator. No one is wounded. It is the beginning of the round. Oh, and the bullets that the rifle is firing are known to be ExEx rounds."

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "We have just discovered that Steve is 'retired'. I will be using him to modify things."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "I am thinking that he may run out of the car and engage the vibroblade guy and leave the two of you to deal with the rest of the situation. Is that a decent solution?"
«Plot» Ghostfist says, "That's fine by me."
«Plot» Wyvern says, "Good to go"
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "So let me do that out of initiative since it is really an out of game thing."

Steve shouts, "Go it!" and busts from the car door, running flat out. He fires his taser - only one shot - at the vibroblader, sticking him in the shoulder and giving him something more fun to do than cutting up your other tire. Instead, he runs after Steve, in order to cram that taser up his ass. They quickly disappear down an alleyway.

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "And now, inits!"
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 2 for "+4 guy with predator":
3 3
«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Initiative with a result of 6.
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 2 for "+3 for the guy on zen":
2 3
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 2 for "+5 for the competent guy":
3 5
«Auto-Judge[]» Wyvern (#3315) rolls Initiative with a result of 17.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Wyvern 17, Rifleman 13, predator 10, zen 8, Ghostfist 6."

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Wyvern!"
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "The guy with the predator has base Cover for +4 tn, and is at 7 meters for base range of 'Medium'"
«Auto-Judge[]» Wyvern (#3315) rolls Pistols + Combat Pool: 5 vs TN 7 for "Trying to take down the guy in cover":
1 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 7 7 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Wyvern (#3315) rolls Pistols + Combat Pool: 5 - 2 vs TN 7 for "Trying to take down the guy in cover, kp2":
1 1 2 2 2 3 5 5 = 0 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "So, to totally dodge, he needs 3 successes at tn 4 just with his combat pool. He will roll it all just to be sure."
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 7 vs TN 4 for "looking for 3 successes":
1 1 1 2 4 4 5 = 3 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "He ducks behind the car and avoids the first shot. Second shot?
«Auto-Judge[]» Wyvern (#3315) rolls Pistols + Combat Pool: 1 vs TN 8 for "Round 2, +1 recoil":
1 2 4 5 9 11 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 vs TN 3 for "He has a body of 4 and a Secure Jacket for ballistic 5, going against 3m with 2 successes":
2 4 4 5 = 3 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "That takes away the 2 additional successes, leaving him with an M wound.

From her spot behind the door, Wyvern fires off a shot from her pistol, which pings off of the cover. She takes a second to take aim, and then fires between part of the burnt out car, striking her opponent in the shoulder. It's just a scratch, but at least he knows she can hit him…Those snipers are still a bit of a problem, however. Deciding she needs a bigger bang, she holsters the 99SC and breaks out the Cerberus, switching to APDS rounds as she draws.

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "The competent rifleman!"
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "The competent rifleman has seen that there is a troll in there. A troll whose abilities are unknown. So he's going to give that troll something to do with his time. He's at Short range for the rifle, with a smartlink, firing through the busted windshield (+4 cover) at Ghostfist."
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 + Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 6 for "Shooting an 11s single rifle shot at Ghostfist with ExEx ammo.":
1 4 5 8 10 11 = 3 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Stand."
«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Combat Pool: 4 vs TN 4 for "Dodge Test":
3 5 5 7 = 3 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Combat Pool: 4 - 3 (Successes) vs TN 4 for "Dodge Test KP: 2/20":
9 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 + Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 7 for "Shooting an 11s second rifle shot at Ghostfist with ExEx ammo no recoil comp, tn goes up to 7":
1 2 3 4 5 21 = 1 Success
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Stand."
«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 4 for "Dodge Test 2":
4 7 13 = 3 Successes

The rifleman sails a few more bullets through the windshield, watching the troll jerk about. Doesn't see any blood through the scope. But he sure does dance nice!

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Predator! The guy with the predator pops off one shot at Wyvern and then on his second simple action, takes full cover behind the car so as not to be shot."
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 3 vs TN 9 for "tn 5 for medium range, -2 for smartlink, +4 for cover car door, +2 for moderate wound":
3 3 5 = 0 Successes
The guy behind the car's shot goes wide, obviously affected by his bleeding wound. He ducks down to check it out and consider his options in like, not getting shot. And letting the guys with rifles do all the work.

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "The guy on Zen! He is going to shoot randomly and not hit anything."
The hallucinations of the guy on Zen have much better special effects than what everyone else is seeing. In his head he's having an epic battle against the spider on top of the van. All Ghostfist and Wyvern get to see is the puckered dimples in the roof of the van created by the explosive ammo.

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "And finally, in the first pass, Ghostfist."
«Plot» Ghostfist says, "I'd like to try and pull myself into the driver's seat so we can get the hell out of here."
«Plot» Ghostfist will draw and ready his Manhunter while yelling at Wyvern.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Is it your desire to shoot stuff or to have full cover?"
«Plot» Ghostfist says, "My desire is not to shoot this round. It's to take cover and have my gun out and ready."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "I am hearing full cover then. Excellent. :)"

Honestly, Ghostfist would argue with Zen Guy about who has the better special effects budget. The troll, half-sprawled in the back of the van, praises the Great Spirit and every ghost whose name he can think of for his hearing. Ghostfist rocks, rolls, twists and squirms his way out of the way of the bullets whose approaches he can hear.
Scrambling, Ghostfist moves his bulk up behind the front seats, trying to keep them between him and the rifles while he pulls his Colt Manhunter from its holster under his long coat. Ghostfist yells at Wyvern, in the meantime, "GET US THE FRAG OUT OF HERE!"

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Second pass. Wyvern!"
«Plot» Wyvern says, "Swapping weapons."
«Plot» Wyvern says, "Holster the 99SC, break out the Cerberus."

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Second pass, competent rifleman: He is out of ammo. He ejects his clip mentally, jacks in his next clip of ExEx, and looks for targets. Hm, the troll is hiding. He takes a moment to scan the area. There's the woman drawing a pistol. He orients to her, taking a moment to say to his compatriot, "What the hell?""

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "End of round. All pools refresh. Let me mention that the Cerberus is a Heavy Pistol and so it has a range of 60 meters, while the rifle guys are now 87 meters away. Now, while the bullet goes further than 60 meters, da rules don't let you shoot that far. I do, but the TNs get very ugly and unfair."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "And inits!"
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 2 for "+3 zen guy":
3 3
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 2 for "+5 rifle guy":
1 3
«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Initiative with a result of 8.
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 2 for "+4 Predator guy":
3 5
«Auto-Judge[]» Wyvern (#3315) rolls Initiative with a result of 20.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Wyvern 20, Predator 12, Rifle 9, Zen 9, Ghostfist 8. Wyvern goes first."

«Fourth Session»
When last we left our heroes, they were cowering in a shot-up, cut-up, unarmored van with one tire popped by vibroblade, the front windshield shot out, and holes in the ceiling. The van is coasting forwards at a grand 3 meters every three seconds, resulting in you being approximately 84 meters away from the two guys down the street on opposing rooftops with hunting rifles - one of whom is somewhat competent and the other of which is high on Zen and seeing things which caused all the shooting to start. On the passenger side, where Wyvern is taking cover, about 7 meters away and 3 back is a ganger under full cover with a Predator, moderately wounded, talking into his radio about how 'that bitch shot him' or something. On the driver's side, 'Steve' has run hell-bent for leather, pursued by the vibroblade ganger, thus keeping him from fully immobilizing the vehicle. Both riflemen have shot their first clip of ExEx dry, and have reloaded.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Neither of you are wounded, and… you have both spent 2 kp."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "We had just begun a new combat round, and the inits were: Wyvern 20, Predator 12, Rifle 9, Zen 9, Ghostfist 8. Wyvern goes first."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Wyvern!
«Plot» Wyvern says, "Okay, I am going to hold my action until such time as an opporitunity to shoot him or one of the snipers presents itself."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Verra well! The snipers at at 84 meters and your gun tops out at 60, so it could be a bit."

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Wyvern holds! Predator! The guy with the Predator stays under full cover like a whiny little bitch, complaining to his fellas on the radio. You know right where he is, he's behind that wheel well using the rancid tire for full thick cover."

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Competent guy with rifle! He holds to see if someone pokes his head into view."

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Guy on Zen! He shoots twice, at the ground between Wyvern and the whiny bleeding guy. Maybe the complaining is affecting him."

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Ghostfist!"
«Plot» Ghostfist says, "I'd like to spend my action trying to reach blindly around the driver's seat for the accelerator and yelling at Wyvern."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "So basically, trying to get some more acceleration going?"
«Plot» Ghostfist says, "Yessir."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Roll Stealth and I will see if the guy gets a target."
«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Stealth for "Sneaky Troll":
1 1 3 5
«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Stealth for "Sneaky Troll KP: 3/20":
1 2 8 10
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#7242) rolls 4 vs TN 10 for "The gunner's int against your stealth":
1 2 4 10 = 1 Success

«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#7242) rolls 4 + Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 8 for "tn 4 -2 smartlink +6 for 3/4 full cover, first shot, 11s for exex hunting rifle":
1 1 2 2 5 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#7242) rolls 4 + Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 9 for "tn 4 -2 smartlink +6 for 3/4 full cover, second shot +1, 11s for exex hunting rifle":
3 3 5 5 5 5 = 0 Successes
Kapow kapow! Two direct hits on the driver's seat! Ghostfist's arm remains unharmed. while he sneakily floors it.

While Wyvern is busy waiting for a good shot to make itself available, Ghostfist presses himself firmly against the back of the driver's seat and starts squirming. He snakes an arm around the side, his horns and part of his face appearing intermittently as he gropes around the floor for the accelerator. The troll eventually seems to manage the feat of pressing his palm against it as rifle bullets rip through the tattered, crystalline remnants of the windshield and the floor boards around him.
"GHOST FRAG IT, WOMAN! DRIVE!"

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Wyvern it is."
«OOC» Wyvern says, "How fast can we get going if I jump in the driver's seat, or is the meter per second speed the best we can manage?"
«OOC» Shoeshine says, "The vehicle has an acceleration of 3. Each action you press the accelerator (action or turn, hard to say) you can increase your speed per turn 3 meters. Right now you are trundling straight forwards on one busted tire and three good ones. It is a tribute to modern engineering that you haven't listed dramatically yet, though that could happen as you speed up."
«OOC» Wyvern says, "Oh well."
«OOC» Wyvern says, "I'll jump in the driver's seat, jam down on the gas, and pray my Cars stat holds out."
«OOC» Shoeshine says, "You know that the driver's seat has a mere +4 cover, right?"
«OOC» Wyvern says, "I can't drive from under the dash board effectively."
«OOC» Shoeshine says, "This is true!"
«OOC» Wyvern says, "Unless I magically turned into a rigger in the last six seconds."
«OOC» Ghostfist checks for massive essence loss.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "I will save the drive check for next round when you are going faster. Pose as you would. Ghostfist has gotten 3 meters of acceleration, and you have gotten another 3, so the machine is going 9 meters per round and at the end of this round will be at 75 meters from bad guys."

"We have no cover and snipers, and you want me to stick my head out there?!" She yells back, staying in her covered position for a moment, before she sighs, "If I get my head blown off I'm going to haunt you forever." She says, before she mounts up onto the driver's seat and jams down the accelerator, making sure not to stomp on the troll's hand.

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "The last person to go this round is the guy with the Predator, who continues to whine about his M wound."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Inits."
«Auto-Judge[]» Wyvern (#3315) rolls Initiative with a result of 17.
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#7242) rolls 2 for "+4 guy with Predator":
2 4
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#7242) rolls 2 for "+3 guy on zen":
1 2
«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Initiative with a result of 7.
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#7242) rolls 2 for "+5 for the competent guy":
4 5
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Wyvern 17, Competent guy 14, Predator 10, Ghostfist 7 Zen 6. Now at 75 meters. Wyvern."

«Plot» Wyvern says, "Do my best to drive and keep my head down, once we get up to speed, start to sweave, as best as I can with the blown tire."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "The Drive check is a base tn 4, pretty basic maneuver, +2 because the vehicle is Moderately wounded - all the gunshots and busted tire. If you fail we will do a 'crash check' but you're going so slow you can't take any damage - the only bad thing that happens is that you come to a stop and lose your 9 meters per second forwards acceleration that you have and are dodging bullets for. If you succeed your enemies will have a harder TN to hit you. "
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "So cars TN 6."
«Auto-Judge[]» Wyvern (#3315) rolls Car vs TN 6 for "Trying to do evasive":
1 3 5 = 0 Successes
«OOC» Wyvern says, "So close.."
«Auto-Judge[]» Wyvern (#3315) rolls Car vs TN 6 for "Trying to do evasive KP3":
2 2 3 = 0 Successes
«OOC» Wyvern sad panda.

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "The evasive action slews the vehicle to a stop somewhere about 70 meters from the bad guys over the rest of the turn. Your 'velocity' has become zero.

The truck is a piece of crap to begin with, but the damage to it brings it back to a halt as Wyvern runs over what looks to be a traffic cone with the blown out tire, bringing the vehicle to a stop, "Frag it!"

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "The next guy is the rifleman! Who has a target! A moving target."

«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#7242) rolls 4 + Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 8 for "tn 4 for range, -2 for smartlink, +4 for cover, and +2 for the speed of the vehicle, equivalent to 'target running' for +2 tn. First shot.":
2 3 5 5 8 8 = 2 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "11s with 2 successes to you. Combat pool dice dodge at TN 4 and if you get 3 successes just on them, you dodge fully. I do have a second shot, at TN 9, coming up."
«Auto-Judge[]» Wyvern (#3315) rolls 3 vs TN 4 for "Ducking below the dashboard":
3 5 10 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Wyvern (#3315) has the Armor Rating Ballistic with the value '0 (4)'.
«Auto-Judge[]» Wyvern (#3315) rolls Body + Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 7 for "Going for broke":
1 1 1 3 3 5 10 = 1 Success
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "So, no staging down, that's an S wound, 6 boxes."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "As I am insufficiently bastardlike, I will shoot at Ghostfist with my next exciting shot."
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#7242) rolls 4 + Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 11 for "tn 4 -2 smartlink +6 cover +2 target moving at running speed, +1 recoil":
1 2 4 4 4 11 = 1 Success
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "11s +1 success to your arm, Ghostfist."
«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 4 for "Arm Dodge":
1 2 7 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Combat Pool: 3 - 1 (Success) vs TN 4 for "Arm Dodge KP: 4/20":
1 5 = 1 Success
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "yea verily, you have dodged."

Finally, a hit, a palpable hit. On a chick. In the belly. Spray of blood, and everything. Call it mercy, call it intelligence, he is, after all, the smart one on the team. Switching to the troll's arm is his way of letting you all back down rather than continuing to shoot and shoot into a heavily wounded body. He knows full well what a clusterfuck this is, it's just that he happens to be shooting high on the hog and can't exactly let you guys get off scot free for shooting his pal.

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Predator! Guy with the predator continues to hide. He has no idea that his side has scored a hit."

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Ghostfist!"
«Plot» Ghostfist says, "I'll try to drag Wyvern into the back of the van this round."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "I presume she doesn't fight it, so go ahead and pose it. If you want to fight it, let us know."

"Wyvern? Drek, chica! Wyvern?!"
Ghostfist heads the *WHUD* of the bullet punching through her armor. He can smell the tangy stink of blood and bullet-burned flesh. A moment of terror rolls through Ghostfist, socking him dead in the gut and guiding him through recoiling his arm out of the way of the second bullet that was headed for his elbow. The troll bites down on his emotions and reaches around the seat again, grabbing Wyvern by the lapels, as it were, and dragging her bodily out of the driver's seat and into the back of the van.

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Wyvern it is, on pass 2."
«Plot» Wyvern says, "I suppose I'll sit back here and bleed for now."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Fortunately, due to the magic of the system, your condition does not worsen."

The shot was surprising. She wasn't expecting them to actually hit her, and more so, she was hoping the armor would do what she paid for it to do. Neither of those things happen, and the round rips through the vest and slams into her gut. She lets out a sound, a grunting noise, and brings her hands up to her stomach instinctively. As she starts to slump over the troll grabs her and hauls her into the back. She finds herself sitting against the side of the van, "Frag.." She holds her hands as tight as she can against the wound, "I am so haunting you."

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Second pass, competent guy: He rifles a shot into your front hood to disable your engine as you coast to a stop. His free action will be to eject the magazine, and his second simple to load his third magazine."
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#7242) rolls 4 + Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 2 for "tn 4 for car, -2 smartlink, it's coming to a stop now. Base damage is 11S, against vehicles that is 5M. No armor on the cargo van.":
1 1 2 2 4 4 5 = 5 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "No one is driving, no dodge. Body on the van is 5 fopr the Ares Roadmaster."
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#7242) rolls 5 vs TN 5:
1 2 3 3 21 = 1 Success
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "5m +5 successes, -1 success is 4 successes, stages M damage to Deadly damage. The van, already at at least 3 boxes, takes 10 more."
«OOC» Ghostfist says, "Good thing Steve was the one that borrowed the van."

This last shot is aimed forwards some. Does the guy have cybereyes or is he just lucky? He rifles that explosive slug right into the middle of the hood, where its high velocity keeps it from exploding until it gets in the guts of the engine. Oh, that's an ugly sound in there, all grinding and gears and the engine sputtering to a halt.

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "And I forgot the Zen guy."
One last round from the guy hopped on Zen spangs into the rusted-out car that the guy with the Predator is using for cover. "Hey!" you hear him call.

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "New round. Inits if you want them. Say yea or nay."
«OOC» Ghostfist says, "Nah, I think we're good on dropping into 'NoShooty'."

Desultorily, the shot-up-van scrapes to a stop, grinding on the shreds of cut-up tire. The many gunshots fade, leaving ears ringing for those without ear dampeners and leaving a pleasant tone for those with ear dampeners. Two people are shot. Just a regular afternoon in the big city. And Ghostfist and Wyvern are there huddled in the back of the van with Shoeshine's antique dwarf-modified Harley.

In the back of the van, Ghostfist grits his teeth as the van grinds to a stop. The sound of that engine's horrible, messy death may haunt his nightmares for a while. He shifts his attention to Wyvern as he drops the Manhunter to the bullet-gnawed floor boards.
"Hang on, chica. We'll get through this quick as we can, get you back to novahot."

"You're assuming they don't just open the door and kill us outright." She responds, feeling very pessimistic while bleeding out, "At least they've stopped shooting. Still wondering why they started shooting in the first place.."

Normally it might be hard to hear someone who is outside an enclosed car and hiding on the other side of cover and trying to talk into a radio quietly, but there's so many holes in this van and he doesn't have ear dampeners so he's not talking as quietly as he thinks. "I'm not going out there! I got the fraggin' bullet in me!" says the guy with the Predator behind the rusted out car, likely into his radio.

This sort of thing grinds on Ghostfist's nerves. He looks at Wyvern and then at the back doors of the van. With a derisive snort as his preamble, the troll roars, "SOMEONE BRING ME A GHOST FRAGGED MEDKIT AND SOMEONE I CAN FRAGGING NEGOTIATE WITH, /NOW/!"

The guy with the Predator shouts back, "And while I'm at it I'll call for a fraggin' pizza! We can send out to the Stuffer Shack!" You can hear the little slides and clicks of him fussing with his Predator semi-one-handedly to check how many bullets he has in it just in case his automatic readout isn't working right. Or maybe to make a frightening noise if you charge him. "You can fraggin' talk to me, I'm on the radio, we got plenty of guys coming to 'help out'!"

"You're so sweet when you're angry." Wyvern jokes, as she coughs up a bit of blood, "Oh man. They are totally gonna kill us." She starts to fish around under the front seat with one of her blood covered hands, trying to see if her pistol fell down there.

"Why the /FRAG/ did you start shooting at us?" roars Ghostfist, rolling his eyes. The troll shifts his weight a little bit, settling into a seated position as he plays the only cards he has. Looking toward Wyvern, he wags an admonishing finger when she starts rooting around for a gun.

"Duh, doofus! You started shooting at us first!" says the guy with the Predator.

"No. We were waiting for you and the guy with the vibro-knife to tell us how much the fragging toll was. All of a sudden, *BLAM*, bullet through the fragging windshield from the tweaker on the roof," calls Ghostfist in turn. He pauses a moment, looking at Wyvern thoughtfully.

Finally getting ahold of the pistol, the elf pulls it out from under the seat, "Fraggin' tweaker probably wasn't keeping his finger off the trigger. This was just a misunderstanding."

"Fraggin' re-riting history! Ten kay on a credstick and you can push your damn van right back around!" he says, using his mighty ganger powers to both be impervious to the truth and to make large, unreasonable demands.

"I'll give you five kay for loan of a van and another grand to pay for the toll both ways," calls Ghostfist, his eyes focused on Wyvern. "If you got a medkit, I'll even patch you the frag up."

"Seven kay and you can push your van through the.. where the hell are you going anyway?" he says. Like he'd trust you with drugs and sutures. He can take his own drugs, thank you.

"This guy thinks he can just take us for whatever he wants. Like we're chumps." Wyvern says, keeping her voice as low as she can, "But I don't think we're shooting our way out of here, either."

"Tell you what," calls Ghostfist, "I'll give you six kay, here and now, for a van ride to Orktown. We get there in one piece, I'll get your driver another two kay for all your troubles."

"Yeah, like I'm pulling a magic van outta my ass. If my homies get here and we ain't got a deal, it won't be pretty. You're gonna push your fraggin' van and they're gonna laugh at you," he says, like the laughing at you is part of the payment, which has not changed in number.

Releasing a great blast of air through his nostrils, Ghostfist looks at Wyvern. He considers her carefully for several moments, "You think you can hold out till I shove us to the meet?"

"Fine. Seven kay it is," yells Ghostfist. He shifts back to a crouching position in the back of the van and puts both hands up over the back of the front seats, "I'm climbing out. Try to keep Twitchy up there from shooting me."

"Credstick in hand, chupling, credstick in hand," he says. And no, twitchy doesn't shoot.

Rolling his eyes again, Ghostfist pulls himself into the front seats. Somewhere in the process, he smashes the gear shifter to Neutral. As he leverages his bulk out of the ruined passenger side door, Ghostfist fishes a couple of certified credsticks out of his long coat, holding them out with his lead hand.

And yea verily no shootin' commences. Some grinding occurs in the jamming into neutral. Good thing this isn't all electronically controlled in there. And so the vehicle will push just fine. Of course there's a heavy motorcycle in there, but trolls are mighty, so it evens out. Should you toss the credsticks over, you will have a good seven minutes of pushing before the Laymen's pals show up to point and laugh and share out the money as you work your way around to the Orktown side.

Once Ghostfist has squeezed himself out of the now irreparably mangled doorway, he tosses the credsticks roughly in Laymen Predator's direction. The troll assesses the situation and finally just grips the front bumper, lifting and tugging as he walks, slowly, in reverse toward the Orktown border.

The pointing is one thing. The laughing is another. The distant calls of 'trog boy' and 'trogdor'. Their desperate struggles to come up with something clever that fail, maybe that's heartening. Are they taking pocsec pictures? That would suck.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "You may amuse me by +proving your Str and Body."
«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) has the Attribute Strength with the value '8'.
«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) has the Attribute Body with the value '9 (10)'.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "It is a test of both Strength and Endurance to perform, but it is well within human capability which you are substantially above. Your awesomeness just means you can do it faster, and hold more of the weight off the busted tire."

Finally, the Orktown border hails into view. And the guards there - serious pipe-wielding goblins backed up by the occasional Roomsweeper or SMG. They are waving you in.

Every. Single. Second. Ghostfist does nothing but contemplate how best to kill every last Laymen member around him. His fury may not know end for weeks. Physically the only thing he does is haul that van and keep his head down, just in case there are pocsec pics being snapped. Sweating and grumbling to himself, Ghostfist crosses the border and, as he passes the guards, inquires, "You guys have a medkit I could borrow?"

Incredulously, another troll says, "Sure! Gotchoo covered." He waves to someone and indeed a medikit is brought, with which to sterilize, disinfect, and it even has a metal scanner to dig out fragments of the exploded bullet.

«Fifth Session»

«Plot» Shoeshine says, "You are over the border into Orktown. The actual address of delivery is about three more blocks. But hey, medkit."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "First aid TN is base 8 for a Serious wound, -1 for body 4, +1 for bad conditions (back of shot up cargo van). Every success on a biotech will heal one box. It takes 15 turns to do so. (You could also reduce the time, but no point.)"

Weary and borderline broke after this exciting adventure through the Warrens, Ghostfist heaves the van to a stop well behind the goblin line. He turns and takes the proffered medkit with one hand, the other one gripping the sleeve of his long coat so he can wipe the sweat from his brow. "Thanks, omae. I owe you guys a synthahol," he rumbles.

Ghostfist promptly pops the rear doors of the van and hauls himself inside. Crouching down over Wyvern like a guardian(?) angel (of death??), Ghostfist cracks open the medkit and sets to work cleaning up the outside of the hole in her abdomen. He abrades the worst tissue around the edge of the hole before starting to extract whatever bullet frags he can. It is a slow, methodical process that Ghostfist employs… But hopefully it's a worthwhile use of his time.

«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Biotech + Karma Pool: 2 vs TN 8 for "First Aid on Wyvern, TN 8 for S Wound, -1 for Body 4, +1 for Bad Conditions, 3 Karma Spent for Extra Dice":
2 4 4 9 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Medicine + Karma Pool: 2 vs TN 8 for "Comp. Skill, 3 Karma Spent for Extra Dice":
3 3 3 10 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Medicine + Karma Pool: 2 - 1 (Success) vs TN 8 for "Comp. Skill, 3 Karma Spent for Extra Dice, KP Reroll 1":
3 5 7 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Ghostfist (#3238) rolls Medicine + Karma Pool: 2 - 1 (Success) vs TN 8 for "Comp. Skill, 3 Karma Spent for Extra Dice, KP Reroll 2":
2 5 13 = 1 Success
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Excellent. The grand total of all that is 2 boxes healed, leaving Wyvern at 4 boxes of damage, and stable. She could even walk. And shoot people, at mild penalties."

The elf smiles faintly as her big troll angel shows up, "Guess my armor did a good enough job since it didn't just outright kill me." She muses, as he removes the vest and her shirt and goes to work doing his best to patch her up, "You know if you can just stop the bleeding we can make it back okay. I don't think it did anything worse than destroy my intestines."

The bleeding has slowed to a healthy, cleansing ooze and the metal scanner incidates no fragments remain."

"You got lucky," replies Ghostfist, "Sorry."
The troll continues to operate in a slow, methodical manner until he's certain that he's staunched most of the bleeding and removed every last fragment. Ghostfist only then starts packing the wound with gauze and covers it over with some bandaging. When he's done, Ghostfist backs out of the van and slams the doors shut, turning to face the other tuskers.
"I 'preciate the help, chummers," he intones, offering the re-closed medkit to the nearest gob.

"T'ain't no thang. That an elf chica you got bleeding in there? That's the kind of 'on the rag' we like." Smiles, everybody, smiles, which is good considering.

They're lucky Wyvern is very out of it, and still in a lot of pain, or else she'd be finding new ways to put holes in their bodies. For now she just leans back against the side of the van, "Let's just get this stupid bike delivered." She mutters, as she tries to find something to wipe her hands on.

"Yeah," replies Ghostfist, "She had an "accident" back in Laymen turf."
Ghostfist smirks slightly, though he puts no heart in it. The trog's too drained to put the effort into charm. Instead, he offers a shrug and comments, "I still got part of a delivery to make. Figure I gotta take 'er back where I got 'er. Doubt the buyer's gonna want pre-damaged goods."
Oh Orktown, how charming you are.

"We hear tell Robby's waitin' for you three blocks down. With that dwarf guy. Hang a right and go into the courtyard when you get there."

"Nova," replies Ghostfist, "Thanks for the help, omaes."
Ghostfist ambles back to the front of the van, crouching to heft the van again. With the front end of the van suspended in mid-air, Ghostfist glances around the side of the van to add, "I'd be happy to pay a grand for a ride for two back outta the 'rens when I'm done. On top of a round for all you guys, yeah?"

The 'courtyard' is an enclosed area created by makeshift barricades built up between four otherwise ordinary decrepit apartment buildings, kept up as best they might be by the orks living here. It has a homey, third-world squalor to it, with the naked kids running around, the piles of garbage in the corner awaiting illegal incineration, older kids kicking a soccer ball, and various adults who for all their poorness still may have new sneakers or a late-model pocsec to go with otherwise ratty or donated/secondhand/thirdhand duds. And there's Shoeshine, jumping up from where he was talking with a young, fresh-faced seventeen year old orkish type in synthleathers. "Oh, hey!" says Shoeshine and rushes to help pull the car in. He manages not to ask, "Did you run into any trouble?" because the shot up car is enough. Instead he asks, "Are you all right?"

Hauling the van along steadily, Ghostfist resists the urge to shrug at Shoeshine. Instead, the troll replies, "I could use a six-pack. Wyvern could use a few weeks of bed rest." Ghostfist sounds tired, presumably from hauling a van for blocks and blocks.

"Would you care to do the talking, Ghostfist? I'm not in much of a mood to negotiate." Wyvern says, as she slowly climbs out of the back of the van, being very careful not to reopen the wound.

Shoeshine asks, "Do you need to get to a hospital, or are you stable?" He will wait for the answer to that question before he does anything, but the opening of the back door attracts a crowd who keep a respectful distance. At first it's the bleeding elf, but then, oooooo, shiny! Not just a motorcycle, but a mint condition motorcycle. An antique! (Funny how they all seem to know that. And why they don't mob Wyvern. It's because this is Horsemen territory and they do motorcycles - this isn't the Sons of Sauron obsessing over elves.) Or maybe it's the extra armor plates that attract their eye, and the additional pintle mounts which say 'moar dakka' very loudly. One might get the idea that this was the whole point.

"She's stable. Could probably do with some drugs and antibiotics, but the hood needs those more'n we do," replies Ghostfist, "No offense, chica."
Ghostfist sets the van down and, once Wyvern's out, starts wheeling the bike out of the back. He looks over at Shoeshine as the crowd starts to form up, "We straight on delivery 'n' all 'at?"

"I'm not gonna die on your doorstep." Wyvern says, holding one hand to her stomach, "But the sooner I can get out of here the better, so if the bike is here, and in working order, we can settle up, if it's not too much trouble."

Shoeshine has a big smile. "Yes, we are." And he turns to Robby, that ork fellow who is apparently his compatriot. "I didn't really have a place to put this, so I thought maybe you could do something with it," which is his way of saying he's giving it to the kid. Who breaks out in all smiles, even though it's dwarf-modded. Cue now the montage - it had a full tank of gas, so Robby gets to tool it around the courtyard, giving all the kids rides, popping wheelies, with his knees all bent to put his feet on the dwarf-sized footrests. It is a thing of laughter and joy, a beautiful celebration.. until reality sets in.
The thing is, it's too nice. Nice, in the Warrens, makes you a target. And it's not SO nice that it makes you invulnerable. Robby, no matter how skilled he is with it and he's pretty good, is not going to be able to keep it. "Uh.. you know I can't keep it, right?" says Robby. "I'm gonna have to give it to my boss." Shoeshine says, "Yeah, I know. But you get to enjoy it while you got it!"

Watching the show, Ghostfist lets his spirits lift along with the rest of the crowd. It's hard not to smile at something like this. The troll folds his arms across his chest as he considers Robby's dilemma, looking sidelong at Wyvern. He may be asking an unspoken question.

Epilogue: And, in fact, Robby's boss, the head of the Aurora Mayhem, a sub-gang of the Horsemen, is too small to keep it too. He has to trade it up to his sponsor in the Horsemen, getting valuable street cred towards earning his own colors and not being a sub-gang member. And then that normal Horsemen member, not being a dwarf and not exactly being of a size to keep it either, trades it up to the well-known, particularly ill-tempered dwarf who's one of the top guys in the Horsemen. He IS big enough to keep it, AND to outfit all of its special weapon mounts with the best machineguns money can buy. It's like the motorcycle has set off an avalanche of credit, payoffs, and reputation enhancement, making everyone more happy with one another as the gift-giving triggers like a chain of dominoes. And you're the ones who made it all happen.

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