GM: Adam
Players: Annie
Synopsis: Annie does some legwork into The Fortunates and finds herself being offered a role in their 'Game' as a Herald— tasked with distributing 3 keys to worthy players.
Date: 3/30/2070
Annie contacts her new Fixer, 'Teeg', giving him a temporary matrix node to meet her in. She jacks in her deck and then heads off to meet the fellow, routing her trail through a half dozen countries and a few organized crime databases. She pops into the host and takes a seat at the one virtual table the place is populated with, then waits for the fixer to arrive.
The Fixer, Teeg, rezzes into the room with a sharp suit and a perpetually full martini glass in hand. He swings around to an open seat at the virtual table and takes a seat. Casually he asks the other icon, "What can I help you with?"
Annie gets right to business, "I've been hearing quite a bit about these 'Fortunates' all over the 'trix.", she shrugs, "Thought you might have some info available on them. With all of the stirrings in the shadows lately, and the Ute business, I am trying to keep an eye on all the newcomers that might throw a monkey wrench in Denvers mix."
"Funny you should mention that," says Teeg as he takes out a small envelope and slide it over towards Annie. "I don't know who these guys are— but I was approached and told to give this to the most competent of your 'class'. I can't think of anyone more appropriate." He takes a drink, "I was tempted to open it a couple times. See what was inside. But after what happened to that one poster…" he shivers.
Annie reaches toward the envelope, her deck automatically running a virus scan and databomb evaluation before allowing the data to be uploaded as her icon actually makes contact with the envelope. She rolls her hand through the data to scroll through the info, projecting it privately before her on a text heads up display. She chuckles and offers a nod as she reads through the data, "Thanks.", she gestures toward the envelope icon in her hand, "Do you need anything for your time passing it on?"
The virus scan reveals that the file is clean. Teeg replies, "Yeah— you can. Information for information. I want to know who they are too. Lots of people are asking, so that makes it paydata."
The file opens and a file structure appears. The information is a loose collection of threads from other Shadowland nodes. It looks like SeaTac is in here too, from Seattle. It all starts the same way on each Shadowland node.
A group of people, called 'The Fortunates' herald thier coming. Alpha is always first— followed by Pink, Grim, Shady, Digital, Metal, and Spirtual. They bring to the region what it called the 'Shadow Games'— an event that seeks out the best of the best in the region with some heavy rewards, or 'Fortune' to be had by those who come out on top. The whole mechanic is very ironed out— and people only 'play' as defined, registered teams. The kicker is that the teams don't require any solid ID— they only require registration. Then the leader is granted 3 keycodes. It requires any 2 keycodes to accept these weekly 'Game Events' which are equivilent to very high paying Shadowruns.
The benefit to these runs is more than JUST the payout. People have reported to score some otherwise unobtainable thigns through these Games. Deltaware. Artifacts. Prototype Weaponry. Obscene money. And rep— thats what is the longterm benefit. The street cred from these games can make or break a runner's carrer.
No one is truly certain who the 'Fortunates' are, but there are theories. AIs and Dragons— bored and wanting something to do behind the scenes— ex-shadowrunners with great clout or Top Level Executives looking for private contracts. Free Spirits that are Player motivated. No one is truly sure. All they know is that the influence they wield is immense— and fleeting. The last time the Fortunates posted was two years ago, and that was in Seattle.
At the very bottom of these files you notice a very small 'pi' symbol that seems out of place for this file structure.
Annie chews on her virtual lip as she goes through the data, offering Teeg an absent nod of agreement, "Sounds like a deal.", then narrowing her eyes as she spots the pi symbol. "Hello", she mutters as she tentatively 'reaches' toward the symbol, "What do you represent? A keycode perhaps?"
As Annie goes towards the Symbol— it activates— revealing a link to a Shadow Node and the access code to enter it. The code itself is not a password or algorithm— but a spinning coin that has small, ever changing writing on it.
Annie reaches out and takes the coin, her deck whirring softly as it commits the icon to it's storage memory after verifying that it isn't a viral trap or something along those line. She holds it for a second in the palm of her hand as she tries to make some sense of the writing. Absently she passes a copy of the background file over to Teeg, to allow the fixer a chance to peruse the rumors and innuendo it possesses.
The coin itself is scanned quite easily. It presents itself as an authentication codebit as well as a morphing destination string— something of a necessity for fading hosts with high security. The writing itself looks to be various coding languages— HoloLISP here, Renraku there, something undistinguishable in other places. It constantly is writing over itself, making the full string difficult to dissern.
Teeg looks over the data and whistles, "You know, I heard about this— about three years back. I thought it was just some gang— or some corporate interest subsidiary. I may have to dig into how all that played out."
Annie takes her eyes off the icon after a few seconds, looking over at Teeg. "I would appreciate whatever you find out. This sounds like something that might be a good distraction…get my mind off the political morass that has become the Denver shadows.", she grins, "And if there is any betting involved, I might need a backer."
"I know where my money is safe at," Teeg says to Annie with a wink.
Annie pulls out a small circular smiley-face button, then flips it over to Teeg. "That ltg leads to one of my stable data drops. If you need to get ahold of me, or drop off some info…you can leave it there. I have an agent that monitors it for incoming communications and will notify me." She stands up from the table, "Thanks again Teeg.", offers a wave and then exits the LTG and heads off to see where the coin data leads her.
Teeg offers a digital wave over to Annie's icon as she heads out.
The link itself speeds Annie through a dark corner of the Matrix. It is the environment that the ever morphing Shadowlands and so many illicit nodes lay. Without proper access codes, one would be lost is so much formless darkness. After a weightless travel through this barren grid, the destination address puts her directly in front of a blackened oak door. It lacks a knob of any sort— but has one small slot for key or coin.
Annie pauses near the door, checking it out for a second then shrugs. "Hail Mary", she mutters absently then slots the coin into it's supposed receptacle on the door.
The door predictably opens up a room. Its is a very eloquent board room. On one end of a fine obsidian table are 7 chains. On the other side, the one closest to Annie, is one. There is food already catered and a fine wine selection along the sides. Despite being digital, it still presents itself hospitably.
Annie walks on into the room, closing the door behind herself (if it doesn't do so automatically). She makes a brief check around the room, her scanner program running in overtime as she analyzes the icons present for any hidden trapdoors or datafiles. Finally she simply shrugs to herself and takes a seat in the chair that was closest to her when she entered the node.
The scanner program goes into overtime— reading…
Node-Exit-1 [OK]
Node-Exit-2 [OK]
Grid 1A [OK]
Grid…
There is a momentary pause in the program as the text says: You are in a nonhostile environment. Please relax.
Blip. The program service is turned off, but it can be turned back on again— its not tarred or eatten.
The door does shut behind Annie. When the door does finally close, a door from the other end of the roomopens and a man in a black suit and tie enters. He closes it behind him, motioning Annie's icon to a seat on the 1-seat side as he claims one for himself on the 7-seat side.
Annie nods to the man, taking the indicated seat and plopping herself down into it. "So, are you one of the Fortunates?", she inquires curiously.
"I represent The Fortunates in this transaction. You may call me Delta. If I am one, I do appologize, but I can not confirm that. It violates the rules," the man says in an even voice. He takes out a folder and opens it, "Breeze, correct? You are quite a talented person. Thank you for meeting us on such short notice and data. I understand this may be disserning— but the task we would request of you requires it. I am to assume you have seen the screamsheet on 'The Fortunates' then? What do you think they are?"
Annie nods solemnly and then cracks a wry grin, "That's correct. And thanks. It does my mercenary heart good when my reputation manages to precede me.", she pauses a moment to consider the question, "My immediate thought is that the Fortunates are a group of corporate affiliated black ops recruiters. Moving from area to area, sponsoring a series of tests in order to interview potential local talent that meets their exacting standards."
The icon smiles as he nods his head once. "We have a job proposal for you— a vital role to play. We wish you to be the Herald— a member of the community to distribute 3 of these." A trid-like projection appears above the board room table. They look like actual keys that you would slot into a key whole, only the teeth fo these keys are completely rectangular and the head of the keys is large and boxy.
"We would like you to distribute these to members within your community. People you feel able and willing. In exchange— we give you a choice between fifty thousand nuyen and a total of three questions you may ask The Fortunates at any time. They will answer them truthfully, so long as doing so does not violate the rules."
Annie considers Deltas words carefully, finally offering a nod. "Very well. What are the constraints or terms I must operate under if I accept? Am I prohibited from competing in the objectives?"
"On the contrary," says the man in the suit, "You are tied for first right now. You and another individual. We are looking forward to your participation." There is a shake of the head, "The only constraint is that you may want to act swiftly. Your own key can not be delivered until those three are distributed."
Annie considers the statement and then nods, "Very well…I'm in. Are there any desired traits in people who receive the keys? Or is it merely up to my judgement as to whether someone is worthy."
"You have sole disgression," the man says, "but know that your decisions there shall effect your 'scoring' for this task." He closes the folder in front of him, "Which payment do you seek for this service?"
Annie doesn't really consider long, "I will take the Three questions." She considers asking the first question now of 'What are the real names and identities of the Fortunates', but figures that might be akin to wishing for more wishes.
"Very well," says the man as he stands, "you will find the contact method with your parcel." Delta nods— and goes back towards the door he came from to leave all the same.
Annie nods to Delta, standing as the man departs the node. She takes a final look around and then does a graceful logoff.
When the digital world fades and the physical world comes to— there is a blip on the radar. It looks like someone is following the Bison— but has a transponder hailing the vehicle on neutral grounds. A visual sweep of the 'blip' reveals that of a single man on a bike, with a notable biker helmet on concealing his or her face.
"Disengage defensive protocols Obie", Annie orders the Bison before it can pop the minigun to threaten the tail.
The Bison rumbles in it's pleasant alto, "Disengaging. How was the matrix today?"
Annie chuckles as she responds to the Robot pilot, "A bit more enlightening than usual. I really should hardwire you a deck so you can accompany me on one of the trips." She directs the Bison to pull over, then hops out of the vehicle after verifying the clip on her pistol. She offers the bike rider a brisk one handed wave to indicate that she is ready to talk.
The bike rider nods his head as the courier swings alongside. He (or a very flat she) doesnt get off the bike. He takes off the backpack he was wearing and places it on the ground near the Bison. The man(?) does not confirm her identity— simply nods one more time to her and speeds off into the twisted Warren streets.
Annie checks the pack out with a Detect Bugs and then a Detect Explosives, finally scanning it astrally to make sure that no astral baddies are connected to it. Once satisfied she picks the pack up and moves it into the Bison, instructing Obie to plot another time wasting route while she examines the contents.
The pack is thankfully clean of things that would blow up or otherwise bother Annie. The backpack itself holds a briefcase that has no locks on it. Within the briefcase— three keys that she saw earlier along with a single cell phone. The cell phone has three registered enties— each labeled 'Q1, Q2, and Q3.'
Annie picks up the phone, checks it for a moment, then tucks it into the Bisons faraday cage to prevent any signals from getting out without her knowledge or allowing the vehicle to be tracked via cellular triangulation. "Questions number one two and three I presume", she mutters as she does this. She takes a look at the three keys, then tucks them into the pockets of her coat.
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