|
GM: Posh
Players: Lost, Scurry, Nubia (Imaki), Blackheart, Macro, Posh
Synopsis: Wan Mingwei recently bailed on his lease and moved into a mall in a AA security zone, and has been refusing to continue to pay protection money to Suen Qiang. He’s hired private security in addition to being safely inside the mall. Posh has been hired by Suen to show that his wayward associate is not so safe. She contracts, at a discount for him, to have the players break into Wan’s store and steal the pride of his collection: a set of exquisite porcelain cups for drinking baijiu once owned by Yuan Shikai. They had to pass both the weapons check for entering the mall, which was little occupied late at night, and then had to execute a quiet, nonlethal combat in order to take down the security hired inside the store, some tough local pros. It wouldn’t have been feasible were it not for the efforts of Nubia cracking the Orange-9 host for the internal security!
Date: 10/3/2075
«Plot» Posh says, "All right. In exchange for an opportunity for money, I'm going to demand some legitimate risk of you guys. ;) Also, I hope to post this on the wiki. That cool with everyone?"
«Plot» Imaki says, "I consent"
«Plot» Macro says, "Fair enough."
«Plot» Blackheart says, "sounds good :)"
You each get a personal message from Posh, who requests that you meet her in Sal's Diner. It seems today she's not dressed in her usual colors, the diner set at one of those street level affairs on the ground level of a cubicle farm, but instead is all femme fatale in black shades, and pantsuit. Seems like she's playing Miss J.
"Thank you for coming. I've got a very specific job lined up, and I think this team will be more than appropriate," she begins. The hum of her arm-mounted WNG prevents eavesdropping, but at this time on the weekend, nobody's in the designer aside from Deaf Sal, watching his smashball and cleaning his skillet. Posh has got two waffles, stacked one atop the other, in front of her, drizzled with butter and syrup, and she nips at her fork between words. "Have a look here." Posh removes a small trid display from her purse, connects her datajack two it, and manipulates so those present can see.
"This is the mall of of the Hotel Transcontintental, built as luxury service commercial back in the 2040s and only somewhat shabbier now. It's still got a lot of boutique shops, although the security system's a little old, and it's well-manned by experienced professionals. It continues to be popular because of its reasonable hardening: the front's got magnetic weapon detectors and cyberscanners. The security's contracted to Lone Star, as it's on the edge of the…uh…Asian sector, but some of the more high end shops might have their own additional security." She shows an inside display of the stores. The inside of the stores are actually quite large. They tend to all have their glass tinted to some extent to allow for some concealment of the inside, though of course there are allso displays outside the tinted glass.
"There is a camera system that monitors the stairwell and elevators, and there are also fire doors, monitored by cameras and locked by a smoke detection system," she says, zooming in on those. "Nubia, that will be your role: once we cross security, we will install a datatap for you so that we can get control of the cameras and doors."
She grins. "Anyway. With control of the cameras, we will be able to head up to the third level unobserved, which is where the target is. It is a shop owned by one Wan Mingwei, who has made the unfortunate mistake of thinking that abandoning his lease and reopening in a secure building means that he no longer has to pay money to Suen Qiang, who desires the prize of his collection as a statement: a set of baijiu drinking cups once owned by Yuan Shikai. We are not to destroy Wan's business, so we must steal nothing else," she says. "The cups are likely held in a safe set into the wall near the back of a building; I am equipped to try to defeat that, as the safe itself is likely offline. The main catch, though, are the heavies that Wan has hired: four private ex-military guys from Reliant," she says, showing a mockup of the capabilities that Reliant advertises. "These guys are experienced. There's no mages among them, but there's going to be a Watcher of course, down on the first level, so some way to obfuscate us from that would be ideal. This is a high level of security we have to defeat, but we have one major assistance: Scuttling Wu, working for Suen, will provide us with ECM support. When we initiate a jammer, it will mimic high energy interference in the area, and we will have twelve seconds to take down the security nonlethally.
I think if you keep your spells cast below a certain strength, you will also not activate the watcher, as there are talismongering shops in the hotel shopping center as such. Given that it's a public facility, the watcher is likely programmed to respond only to major aura disruptions in the area: very powerful spells, people dying, or powerful artifacts trying to be slipped from security." She grins. "At some point, we will have to trip the alarm, though we need a couple minutes to get through the safe. If we have total control of the security and the fire doors, Nubia can just open them for us, and we can descend the fire escape and get out. Response times in the area are quick: perhaps even less than six minutes if we trigger an alartm before we have to get out. That's while I'll be bringing a smoke bomb, we can fight our way out if we can. Suen's also covering the services of my smuggler friend, Sara, in order to pull this one off," she says. "So she'll be waiting in a van, both to deliver us, and to exfil.
"So, another quick run through. We pass security, which means weapons detectors and cyberscanners. We install the datatap and get control of the doors, letting Blackheart and Nubia in. Then, together, we head up to the target. We activate the jammer, take out the security force nonlethally, and exit via the fire doors. If at any time we get spotted, we drop the smoke bomb, and fight our way out via the fire doors." She grins. "The pay's forty-five grand each on this one: Suen doesn't like to be seen to pay to cross him, and in any case he'll be getting far more from the tea set. Well, any questions?" she asks. The trid display plays on loop, showing the inside of the hotel, and the suggested path, and the plan of six actions: cross security, install tap, go up stairs, clear out shop, break into safe, exit.
-----> Contact for Posh (#11342) <-----
Contact Name: Suen Qiang
Level: 1
Type: triad boss
GM Note: Suen Qiang is a 62 year-old human male and one of the major bosses of the Black Dragon Triad in Denver. Originally an immigrant from Hong Kong, he has lived in Denver since his early 20's.
While he sometimes takes advantages of his age to project a kind grandfatherly demeanor - he is actually a cunning - ruthless man whose grip on power has largely remained because he is an effective - uncompromising leader that demands respect from his subordinates and crushes opposition. He remains in mostly good health despite his age.
In the shadows, he occasionally operates as a Johnson for the Black Dragons - typically to contract shadow help for gang hits and any other operations for which he needs complete deniability. He's also a skilled mage (grade 5 initiate) assumed to have the following stats:
STR 4 QUI 4 BOD 4 CHA 5 INT 6 WIL 7 MAG 10
Assume 7 in relevant magical skills
5 in social skills
4 in physical combat skills.
"Hmm, so, Macro, Scurry and Lost go in first to secure the datatap for Imaki, then, when the weapons and cyber scanners are offline, the rest of us can follow in without triggering the alarms." Blackheart studies the trid display, then nods her head, "Yeah, more friends in the triads are always a good thing, I'll give him a piece back."
"Nonlethal's fine by me," Macro mutters. "Dead 'stars means they never stop hunting ya down." He studies the layout of the complex. Lots of relatively tight quarters suits him fine. "This sounds doable."
Imaki is in her usual attire when she's called for a job. Blonde hair, ice blue eyes, body covered in a slick bodysuit that forms to her figure and a pair of off-brand athletic sneakers. She wears one glove on her right hand with her satchel resting against her hip. She sits against the wall, watching the others carefully during the briefing. "If the security server is offline then yes, we'd need a datatap. It may actually be better if we can get the datatap set up outside, so I can take control of the scanners and spoof you through the doors. Also, please let this Suen Qian gentlemen take a token of my respect out of the pay."
Arriving at the Diner in shades, as well as a SecureTech jacket and a hooded sweatshirt thrown over her street clothes, Lost more or less automatically heads toward Posh's preferred booth, settling in and ordering herself a cup of soykaf, which she then proceeds heavily dilute with milk and sugar. Sipping it, she begins to listen before eventually grabbing her PocSec and beginning to take notes. "I must say, this seems to be a rather… reserved act of retaliation. I'm impressed… I would be happy to accept less for this one. Perhaps Suen Qiang would even consider it a personal favor to him." She chuckles, shaking her head, "Not a man I ever wish to cross."
Posh shakes her head. "No," she says. "The weapon and cyber scanners never go offline. What you will do is make it so that the cameras watching the fire door go down, and then that the fire door is unlocked, so that we can let Blackheart and you in quietly," she clarifies to Nubia. "The scanners themselves are closed circuit, connected by many different hosts to the outside," she explains. "Of course the hotel is ultimately interconnected, but it'll be much harder to come in from the outside," she says. "If the weapon and cyberscanners are offline, they'll likely notify the security at the main entrance, or they might not trigger properly," she explains.
Imaki grins a little, "Not offline, Spoofed. I can make the scanners show clear while you walk through them. And I mean place the datatap on wires by going through an exterior wall into a cable."
Posh looks back at Imaki. "Why do that, when we can just walk through, install the tap, and let some people in through the back?" she asks.
Posh shrugs. "If you think that's how we should handle it, all right, but you've got to take control of the cameras anyway, or else we'll never be able to get upstairs," she says. "Anyway, Sara's waiting outside, and Suen might be restrained in his statement, but he wants this done promptly," she says. "And I'm sure he'll appreciate the tokens of respect. Few respect hard tokens of appreciation more than leaders of organizations like his," she says.
Imaki shrugs her shoulders and leans back against the wall, "You're the boss, I'll wait til the datatap is in place."
Posh also shrugs. "But I'm not the decker. The only real mission parameter is to acquire that artifact. Resources have been invested in acquiring and arranging for the jamming that will enable us to prevent them from having comms for twelve seconds in the building," she explains. "But there've been no resources invested in how to deck. You're the expert, and that's why you're hired," she says, with a smile.
"However we handle the technological end of things," Lost begins with a slight grin, "I'll leave it to the experts. Not really my department, but I do have the advantage of being able to stroll right through a cyberscanner." Chuckling, she continues, "Anyway, I'm ready to go. Do you know if the Watcher will go to the mall's security if alerted, or if it's part of the store's own private security force? Because if so, I'd say a stunball in close quarters is the best way to deal with the guards, given the time window we have. Once the mage is down, we can banish the Watcher so it can't give the mage anything to go on. After that, we should have plenty of time to crack the safe or whatever the cups are in, then scram out the fire door."
"The mage is likely to be entirely off-site," replies Posh. "This isn't a AAA zone, with an on site mage, it's probably one mage that handles dozens, like a magical panicbutton. But a watcher can really only like…see auras and stuff. It has to be told when to react, right? So if I'm not mistaken, day to day activity would look normal. Since there are talismongering shops in here, there has to be legal spellcasting going on. So if you don't go crazy with the spells, and nobody dies, then it'll probalby just stay by the front entrance, right?" she asks. "If we alert that Watcher, though, by killing someone or casting to too strong a spell, then it'll alert the mage, and we'll have to scram."
"Ok," Lost nods, "That should be easy enough." Looking to Scurry, she shakes her head with a smile, "Not necessarily. As long as the mage knows the location, he can send a watcher there to keep an eye on things. But Watchers can only do so much."
"That means that the shopkeep payed personally, or the mall knows that he is a high-target," Scurry murmurs. "Posh, is your client amenable to us convincing him to pay the rent?"
Posh shakes her head. "No. This is part of his own negotiations to that end. What is precious to him must be taken from him," she explains. "The Watcher spirit is down at the front door, near the cyberscanners, like three levels and two staircases away from the shop in question."
Imaki nods to Lost, "If you can just walk through a cyberscanner lets go with Plan A, walk in, datatap, and I get to work taking over the system.
Posh turns to Imaki. "So, Nubia, you'd like to try to jack in from the outside, and spoof the weapon detectors, and turn off the stair cameras? You could leave the doors alone, and we could just use the smoke bomb after the op to unlock them via the smoke sensors and scram," she says, thoughtfully. "That would remove the step of us having to open a door before the fight with the extra security actually at the shop, and having to install the datatap, and there might be security patrols on the other levels," she says. "If you're game for it, that's fine by me. I think it's an orange host," she explains. "But I don't know for sure, Wu didn't want to touch it, but he's more of a jack of all trades than a decker."
"If the watcher's posted that far away, it won't notice anything going on in the shop, looks like we're clear," Blackheart smiles. "So, team A goes in and secures the datatap, and the rest of us follow through the fire exit. Sounds straight forward."
Imaki says "We could install the datatap on any hardwire of the building. That's why I was saying do it externally, either through a wall or from below, hell if we coul get on the roof even."
Macro nods. "We got uniforms ta do the janitor thing again?" he asks, grinning at Posh.
Scurry nods. "Okay," he says. "The question then becomes how we get in there. I say we arrive one and two apiece. Beyond that, we're the strike team; how the tech gets handled is the major issue here."
Imaki points at Macro, "That is a -hell- of an id
Posh nods to Blackheart. "Right. It'll notice if someone's aura winks out of existence, but so long as we don't kill anyone, and make sure none of us dies, that's not going to happen, right? And these guys aren't likely to be mages themselves," she says. She nods. "That's my original plan. But if Nubia can neutralize the cameras and weapon scanners, then we just have to pass the guards' Mk 1. Eyeballs and we then just go upstairs, activate the comms jammer Wu's arranged, hit the security, and go," she says. "Frankly, Nubia, it takes the plan from six to five steps, which is a plus. It'll be a harder hurdle to clear for you, but it'll make it easy for us, and it'll probably equally hard once you cross the bar into the hotel's systems. You're going to have to make this call, though," she says, with a grin.
Blackheart shakes her head, "No, if it doesn't have a direct line of sight, it won't see anything," she says, waving her hadn before her own eyes, "It's like normal vision, but… magic. If something's in the way, it's blocked."
"So what gets in the way of magic eyes?" Macro asks.
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 2 for "Computers Background":
1 1
"Anything, really. A curtain, a cardboard box. Earth is really good." Blackheart counts on her fingers the things that have foiled her in the past. "Car doors, tinted windows, you name it."
Imaki shakes her head, "No, if the system is interconnected, I can get into any system from any other system. You could datatap me into the automated shitters, and as long as they're connected to the main gateway Host in some fashion I can piggyback anywhere I want."
"But we cannot pry it from the summoner," Scurry says, nodding in agreement with Blackheart. "That's the primary advantage of using a Watcher. Anyways. The joy of doing a mallrun is that we can actually go in the front. With the sheer volume of customers, we can slip on through. And people like us have reasons to be there— Awakened, with foci, spirits, tattoos, et cetera."
"Essentially, yeah," Blackheart nods her head. "But if there's a bunch of talismongers in the mall, that shouldn't stick out so much."
"But wouldn't you have to potentially cross a more difficult Host if you're coming in from the outside, than if you were jacking in to a datatap already on the inside?" Posh asks. "I'm not saying you can't do it, it just seems to me that if I were designing the security, I'd put all the outside-accessible systems between my internal systems and my strongest gateway."
Lost grins at Macro, chuckling, "We could do that. But I'm sure there are other shops that are open there, right?" She looks to Posh for confirmation, "So at least Scurry and I can walk right in and through the cyberscanners. Nubia can take down the security system off site, or either Scurry or I plant a datatap. Either way works. Whatever's easier for you." Smiling, she continues, "But once the cameras are down, the rest of you can get in through the back, then we hit the guards." Nodding a few times, she seems ready to slide out of the booth, "I think the only thing left to decide is through which avenue we should attack the electronic security. Everything else seems pretty cut and dry."
"Well, I can get my 'ware through a scanner, Macro, Lost, and Scurry can. We just need Blackheart and Nubia to be able to be let in, but we also can't get up to the third floor without the cameras offline, right?" she asks. She nods. "Exactly, Imaki," she says. "I think you're missing the point though. Let's say you have a powerful gateway host. You don't connect everything directly to the gateway host, do you?" she asks.
The asian shrugs her shoulders as she looks towards Scurry, "I could try to look it up yes, probably wouldn't be too hard. It plays into the idea the Ork over there said, with the janitor costums. It might be one of the best excuses to be carrying the tools needed to implant the tap."
"We're not going to be searched just for having tools, and in any case, I can install a datatap," says Posh. "I mean, if your datatap is installed into one of the security cams," she says. "Then you don't have to jump hosts at all much, right?" she asks.
Macro tilts his head. "Bring my staff, or would that get confiscated by the scans?"
Posh adds, "I was going to hook a tac-comm to it, for datatransfer."
Posh shrugs to Macro. "A staff, it's more like is a guard going to hassle you if he sees you with it," she says. "Can you live without it?"
Blackheart grins to Macro, "It is a mall, afterall, we can hit the Target and buy a broomstick for .99 nuyen," she chuckles and has a sip of coffee.
Posh bites her lip. "Blackheart, can you fly Nubia up to the roof, without being noticed, with a low Force spell?" she asks. "It's way too far for a grappling hook, but nearby here, and with a fire door leading out there that we could open if she secures, there's an external camera on the internal circuit," she says, thoughtfully. "I think it's because it's for the roof pool, but nobody will be there at this time," she says.
A shrug. "I'm fond of it, but in a pinch anything long and sturdy'll do. They got a sports store in that mall?"
Nubia looks apprehensive at the idea of flying as she flicks those glacial blue eyes over Blackheart, "We could.. fly across from another building's rooftop maybe.. please don't drop me."
Blackheart nods her head and chuckles to Macro's point on the staff. "Fair enough." Then to Nubia and Posh, "Sure, I can get her up there, no problem."
Posh hands the datatap over to Nubia. "All right," she says. "The fire doors are always unlocked if you push from the inside, what we need you to disable specifically is the alarm that goes off when they are opened, and the camera that watches the door to the roof pool. "All right. So Blackheart, bring your suppressed SMGs and Macro's staff. Well head in, eliminate any security that might be patrolling by the back door, nonlethally and quietly, while you disable the cameras and the fire door alarms. We'll let you in, then we'll get up, take out the security at the target, break into the safe, and leave via the first floor fire door," she says. "There. Any more questions?" she asks.
"There's another hotel, much easier to get in, no scanners, or anything, across the street," says Posh. "It's more than a hundred meters, too far for a grapple line, because its courtyard is huge, but if you want to fly across instead of up against the wall, please feel free," she says. "Ideally, you'd do it invisibly; there are normal outdoor cameras everywhere, and on other buildings too."
Posh turns to Scurry. "Can you take care of an invisiblity spell for Nubia with one of your Captain Planet friends?" she asks. "And it might be easier on Blackheart if Lost could do one for her," she says. "Until they're up and safe, and have installed the tap into the camera."
Posh grins to Macro. "There. That gets you your staff. You like that now?"
Macro grins back. "Ya know me, I'm easy ta please…"
"If it's just a matter of getting to the roof, I can shapeshift and fly to the top," Scurry says. "Or simply levitate Nubia here while invisible. That isn't a problem at all. We just need someone who can provide astral masking whilst doing so."
Blackheart nods her head to Nubia, "Sure does, this will be a piece of cake," she says confidently, slipping out of the booth, she claps her hands, "Let's get this show on the road!"
Posh smiles at Scurry. "But it's not just a matter of getting to the roof. It's a matter of opening the doors from the inside and taking out any security who might have a patrol past the fire door in question," she says, patiently.
"Okee-dokee," Scurry says to Posh. "Shall we go?"
"I'm ready!" Lost chimes in, having fallen quiet for awhile. She slips out of the booth and takes a few steps away from it, giving the rest of the team space to get up and out, "I can definitely provide invisibility as needed to Blackheart or Nubia. Or potentially both, since all I really have to do is walk through a cyberscanner." Grinning, she continues, "If Nubia can hack from the roof, one of us can let her in through the roof door after we've blitzed the security room, right? I think we've got this." She adds, confidently.
Posh shakes her head. "That's right. We have to walk past a cyberscanner and security," she says. "So that we can let them in after they disable the cameras," she says. "We're not going to hit the security room, but we are going to hit anyone patrolling near the door on the second floor above the pool, where we let them in," she says. "After they are in, we knock out the extra security in the shop itself, break open the safe, and exit via the first floor fire door," she says, with a smile. "All right, well, I suppose we can have Sara take us there now, we can do our magical preparation nearby, and then get to it," she says. "But it's in a AA zone, so please take any precautions about hiding your magic, or keep the Force as low as possible," she says. "All right. I can also touch up any disguises on the way, too," she adds, reaching into her purse for her kit. "All right. So we're headed to the van now, stopping by our stashes, and then Sara will take us to the target," she says.
«Plot» Posh says, "Posh provides Imaki with the datatap given to her by Wu on behalf of the client. The van is waiting. On the way, you will be able to cast the spells necessary to render Blackheart and Nubia invisible, and hopefully to mask them as well. Posh and Macro will escort your weakened spell sustaining selves past security, help neutralize anyone back there, and so on.
«Plot» Posh says, "We need to get everyone, unnoticed and together, for the fight against the 4 tough security guys guarding the target, at least based on the provided intel."
«Plot» Blackheart will be casting the spells, if Lost/Scurry are maintaining them, the watcher will see the tethers
Nubia nods and puts her hands on the table when she stands up, "Alright everyone, lets have some fun out there yeah?" She grins slightly then follows along after Posh for the van, having everything she needs on hand in her satchel."
«Plot» Blackheart will be casting the spells, if Lost/Scurry are maintaining them, the watcher will see the tethers
«Plot» Posh says, "OK."
«Plot» Posh says, "What if they have elementals maintaining them?"
«Plot» Scurry says, "We'll wait till she's on the roof and release them :D"
«Plot» Posh says, "I suppose that works, Scurry. ;)"
«Plot» Blackheart says, "your lack of confidence in my abilities is reassuring ;)"
Blackheart gets her gear all together, including a couple of carabiners to clip Nubia to her for the flight. Clicking them a couple times, she grins to the decker, "Make sure your belt's on tight, I don't want to slip and let go from twenty stories up," she winks, a cocky grin as she rides along in the van.
Lost just gathers up her Savior kit in the duffle bag it normally calls home. Once she's saddled up in the van, she grins at Nubia and Blackheart, "Have a safe flight, guys. We'll see you once we get those doors open. As long as we do this quick and quiet, and not break out any nuclear spells, we should be able to avoid kicking up any heat."
«Auto-Judge[]» Blackheart (#12120) rolls Sorcery + 5 vs TN 5 for "Levitate F4, sustaining focus. 1 BC":
1 1 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 8 9 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Blackheart (#12120) rolls Willpower vs TN 4 for "soaking M drain, need 4":
1 1 1 2 2 2 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Blackheart (#12120) rolls Willpower vs TN 4 for "soaking KP1":
1 1 2 4 5 20 = 3 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Blackheart (#12120) rolls Willpower - 3 vs TN 4 for "kp3":
1 1 2 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Blackheart (#12120) rolls Willpower - 3 vs TN 4 for "kp3":
2 3 5 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Blackheart (#12120) rolls Willpower - 3 vs TN 4 for "kp3":
2 3 5 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Blackheart (#12120) rolls Sorcery + 5 vs TN 5 for "Improved Invisibility F2, sustaining focus.":
1 1 2 2 4 4 4 5 5 5 11 17 = 5 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Blackheart (#12120) rolls Willpower vs TN 3 for "soaking M drain, need 4 for soak.":
2 3 4 5 5 10 = 5 Successes
«Plot» Blackheart says, "6KP spent FML"
«Plot» Blackheart says, "The spell extends to both of us if we're close enough"
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Disguise for "for Lost, with kit":
3 4 5 8
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Disguise for "for Macro, with kit":
3 3 4 16
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Disguise for "for Scurry, with kit":
2 4 4 9
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Disguise for "for Blackheart, with kit":
2 3 3 3
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Disguise for "for Blackheart, with kit KP 1":
3 3 3 4
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Disguise for "for Blackheart, with kit KP 3":
3 4 7 13
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Disguise for "for Nubia, with kit, +2 hair eyes":
1 1 3 5
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Disguise for "for self, with kit, +2 hair eyes":
1 3 4 10
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 5 vs TN 2 for "Camera watcher piercing invis?":
1 3 4 5 14 = 4 Successes
Nubia glares a little at Posh as applies makeup, her eye color shifting to a bright green and her hair slowly filtering from platinum blonde to raven black.
As the indoor team approaches the lit up mall, it looks like faded high-end shopping. A few of the storefronts are closed up, with elegant 'For Rent' signs, and there isn't much traffick. There's three security folks out front, and a peek at the astral would show the Watcher waiting there too, as well as a security person watching a screen and a marked pathway that another is directing the folks through. It's not deserted, but, but a sign shows that Level 1 is still open, while Levels 2 and 3 closed about an hour ago. They are darkened, but not dark, and the occasional glimpse of the watchmen patrolling up there on level 2, as well as the vague flash of the folks in the target store way up top, likely watching a game or something, is visible on the ceiling.
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 6 vs TN 8 for "Rating 6 cyberscanner vs beta.":
2 4 4 4 4 8 = 1 Success
Inside the van, Blackheart gets close to Nubia and uses the caribeners to clip her belt to Nubia's. "Ready for a fun ride?" She asks, casting the spell on her belt buckle, the silver skull with wings empowering her with flight now. After that, she slips her mirror shades on and the pair disappear from sight. Once the van door opens up for the shoppers to diesmebark, Blackheart and Nubia slowly fly out, drifting up at a liesurely 3.3 m/s, keeping close to the wall, and avoiding any windows when possible, following along the structural supports and shafts of the building so they're not seen by any astral watchers on the inside.
Macro cranes his neck as he sizes the site up from the outside. "Place has seen better days," he murmurs, then looks at Posh. "Shouldn't be too hard…"
Nubia nods, swallows down some bile, and wraps her arms around Blackheart's waist. When the pair actually start ascending she squeezes her eyes shut presses her face against Blackheart's neck to avoid squealing like a little bitch.
One of the security guys interrupts Posh. "Hold up, miss," she says. "Looks like we've got presence of cybernetics in your arms," he says. "Would you mind a quick search of your person?" he asks.
"Not at all," Posh says, glad that there wasn't enough information to provide more detail, for that would have been trouble. She steps forward and places her arms out, to submit to the search - but shince she is concealing no outside of her body and the only things he could find would in fact be her cyberarms, she is rather confident.
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 5 vs TN 10 for "30 second search":
2 3 4 7 11 = 1 Success
Scurry is waiting behind Posh with his arms crossed, looking like an annoyed customer.
The security officer seems to pat carefully around Posh's shoulders, for a moment. "Remove your jacket, please." Posh does so, and smiles. "Cyberarms, as I said," she says, politely. "You've found them!"
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Etiquette vs TN 6 for "Little me?":
1 2 4 4 8 16 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Nubia (#9271) rolls Intelligence for "Looking for external cameras on the rooftop.":
1 3 4 4 7 8 9 15
«Auto-Judge[]» Blackheart (#12120) rolls Intelligence for "scoping the rooftop for wires and snipers and stuff. Thermo/lowlight/astral vision":
2 2 3 4 4 5
The man finishes his search; everything seems to check out. "All right, enjoy your evening, ma'am," he says, boredly, leaving Posh a little red-faced. Since Scurry, Lost, and Macro have no cybernetics nor do they have any weapons on them, they manage to get through unmolested, shortely after as well, waved through after passing through the scanner.
Blackheart and Nubia have a rather harrowing ride up, a security camera mounted externally at level 1 level surprising them, perhaps, scanning over but there is no sign of any alert, likely Blackheart's magic saving the day there. They manage to alight on the roof of a pool, which is closed for the season, though the entrance to level 2 on the mall is closed and locked, apparently without any sort of handle or access (it must be openable only from the inside, and kept open when in use, and guarded by a camera, though that cannot detect Blackheart and Nubia under the influence of the spell.
Commlink-Posh> Posh sends, « All right. How are you up there? Let us know when the datatap is in. We can't go up to Level 2 until the cameras are down. »
There are no snipers up here at the unattended outdoor pool, the pool itself covered and the chairs stacked under an awning. An entrance to the hotel itself can be seen as well, but there is no mission-critical reason to enter there, aside from providing an explanation for why there'd be a one-way fire door into the mall from the pool. Evidently the pool is primarily accessed from the hotel, but provides part of the fire safety measures for both the hotel and the mall.
As it's hardly SOTA, if Imaki gets right up to the camera while invisible, she could likely remove part of the housing near the base and get access to its wiring.
After getting a look around and getting her belt snatched by the mage, Nubia reaches back with her right hand to slip her hand into Blackheart's belt and tug the woman along towards the camera she spotted. Once they get against the wall Nubia lets go of Blackheart, flips open her satchel and pulls out a small rolled bundle. She undoes the ties and with a flick of the wrist the bundle unrolls. She selects a few tools, putting two between her teeth and holding onto another before she lets the rest of the tools fall to the ground in the kit. She turns her attention towards the camera's housing now and begins working at prying it loose.
«Auto-Judge[]» Nubia (#9271) rolls Electronics B/R + 1 for "+1 from task pool, breaking apart the camera's housing without having it show up on the camera feed.":
1 2 3 4 5 11
The housing capitulates to Nubia’s ferocious assault, leaving its delicate wires vulnerable and at her mercy.
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls Etiquette vs TN 6:
2 2 3 4 5 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls Etiquette vs TN 6 for "KP1 Becaue scurry is a classy guy.":
1 2 3 3 4 4 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Etiquette + 4 vs TN 6:
1 1 1 3 4 4 7 7 8 11 = 4 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Lost (#4658) rolls Etiquette vs TN 6:
1 3 4 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Lost (#4658) rolls Etiquette vs TN 6 for "KP1":
3 5 7 9 = 2 Successes
«Plot» Posh says, "Macro, TN 4 for you, as Posh is kinda covering for you."
«Auto-Judge[]» Macro (#5668) rolls Etiquette vs TN 4 for "Lookit me being all nice and nice…":
1 8 10 = 2 Successes
It's taken a lot of coaching, but Macro's managed to learn how to smile at someone without showing bigass tusks.
Lost hardly even acknowledges Posh's suggestion. That might draw too much attention. Instead, she just walks straight ahead, eyes on her PocSec, confident that Scurry will follow along, "Omigahd, did you see what Jennifer was wearing today?" She gossips before making a face, "Ugh. I wouldn't have been caught dead wearing those shoes." Just normal bullshit banter, nothing to see here.
«Plot» Posh says, "Nubia! Electronics roll now to actually install the tap. :)"
Scurry walks right into one of those people at a kiosk in the middle of the aisle. He's about to reply to Lost but several things confound him at once: shoddy magic merchandise; an overly pushy salesperson; a false claim in advertising. "That's absolute nonsense!" He says, and promptly walks straight into and then through them.
«Auto-Judge[]» Nubia (#9271) rolls Electronics + 1 for "+1 Task Pool, attaching datatap to camera's feed.":
4 4 5 5 5 11
Macro follows in Posh' wake, nodding amiably at her chatter as suits a combination low-profile bodyguard and packhorse for shopping, all the while glancing at everything from below the rim of his cap.
«Plot» Posh says, "Indoor team, roll Intel"
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Intelligence:
1 2 3 3 4 4 7 9
«Auto-Judge[]» Lost (#4658) rolls Intelligence:
1 1 2 2 4 5
Imaki/Nubia is able to get direct access into the Host, it seems, that is controlling this camera, as well as all of the other internal cameras. It's the only one of the cameras that are outside of the building that are on the internal circuit, likely because it focuses onto an outdoor space that's not normally accessable except via the usual channels. A money saving move that may cost them. In any case, it seems like a rather swank high end casino, with lots of casino tables that represent different operations, croupiers acting as data servers, and utilities that are delivery data in the form of drinks and other high class amenities on there.
«Plot» Posh says, "Access Rating: 8"
«Plot» Posh says, "Lost and Scurry are able to notice that there seems to be a relatively big patrol up on the second floor. It's hard to pick out how many might be there, because of who's out of sight, but it seems like a patrol of three of the mall's normal security guards, not the extra heavies hired by the target, are making the rounds up on Level 2."
Nubia gets to work skillfully dismounting the camera's housing. Once it's off she reaches into her satchel, gets the datatap on hand as she slices into the right wire and inserts it in. A few quick splices and she's all set to go. "We're good." She quietly whispers to her invisible companion, "Go ahead and unhook and head back down." Then she's putting her tools away and rolling them back up before stuffing them into the satchel. Once that's done, she reaches in, unspooling on datacord to jack into her wrist, the second datacord coming out a second later and into the camera. She sends a quick comm before she sits down against the wall and send her conciousness through her deck. «Once I'm inside I'll set up a secure Matrix communications line so when the blackout hits we'll still have comms.»
It takes a moment, but Lost eventually notices that Scurry is no longer by her side. With a dramatic, exasperated sigh, she just keeps on walking, eyes glued to her PocSec. « Heads up, guys. » She mumbles over the comm line, « Looks like we've got some mall security making the rounds on Level 2. We'll either have to wait for them to pass, or find some other way to deal with them. Nubia, if you have access to the building's power grid, it might be helpful to cut the lights up there… but my personal suggestion is waiting them out. We've only got the one jammer, after all. »
Scurry catches up to Lost, looking mildly annoyed. "It has a pressure pump and they're selling it as if it were a real fountain creating water!" He hisses in a whisper in response to Lost's exasperation. "That's ridiculous!"
"You're ridiculous!" Lost snaps back playfully in a hushed tone, nudging Scurry with an elbow.
Commlink-Sticks> Macro sends, « Agree. We're not on a tight deadline, we can wait ta see how long it takes for 'em ta leave. »
"Will you be okay up here?" Blackheart asks, as she gets ready to head back down to the ground level, making sure she still has Macro's staff. She slings her submachineguns and grasps it tightly, waiting for word that Nubia has control of the cameras so she can depart without raising a stir.
«Auto-Judge[]» Nubia (#9271) rolls Computers (Decking) + 2 vs TN 2 for "+2 dice hacking pool, -6TN from decieve r6":
1 1 3 3 4 4 5 9 10 11 = 8 Successes
Commlink-Posh> Posh sends, « We only have one jammer, but if you can cause a diversion elsewhere, or something, then that'll avoid us. I think we can take those security guys before they can even react, though, if we hit them hard. THese are the regular guys, not the heavies around the target. »
The security guys on Level 2 seem to be making a lackadaisical round around the central shaft, which looks open but is not, as each level is glassed in. So that's, perhaps, why unsilenced weapons wouldn't be too loud for this scenario. However, it seems like that group will have to be dealt with to let anyone in on that level.
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 8 vs TN 5 for "Tally":
1 1 3 4 5 5 5 9 = 4 Successes
«Plot» Posh says, "Next action?"
«Plot» Posh says, "Security tally 1."
Commlink-Posh> Posh sends, « Why not? »
Commlink-Posh> Posh sends, « If you've got an idea, go for it. »
«Plot» Posh says, "It can't record her."
With that said, Blackheart leaps off the side of the building, trusing in her spell to give her a soft landing—it's still active, right? RIght?! It turns out it is, and she drifts down to the designated fire exit, Macro's staff in one hand so she can land in a classic 3 point stance.
«Plot» Posh says, "Index - 7"
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 8 vs TN 5 for "Vs Nubia's Masking":
1 2 2 2 2 2 3 4 = 0 Successes
Lost just makes a face at Scurry before one hand darts in to tickle at her fellow elf's ribs. That accomplished, she tries to maneuver into a better position to survey the situation on Level 2. « Looks like they'll be hanging around for awhile. Looks like we may have to just knock them all out if we want to be able to get where we need to go. »
Commlink-Posh> Posh sends, « So are we going to take them out, or are you cooking up a diversion, Scurry? We've got to get moving. Nubia's already into the system. »
«Auto-Judge[]» Nubia (#9271) rolls Computers (Decking) + 5 vs TN 2 for "+ 4 hacking pool, +1 task pool, -6TN from Analyze r6":
1 1 1 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 5 7 8 = 10 Successes
Nubia pages: With 7+ succsses, I get to know every stat of the host and it's security code. Orange-8, etc.
You paged Nubia with 'Orange-7. Stats: 8 7 8 9 7'
Within the datascape of the 'casino' a shadow being looks about and then sets to work sending out a dozen little white butterflies from its palms that begin analyzing the code of the casino's structure.
Within the datascape of the 'casino' a shadow being looks about and then sets to work sending out a dozen little white butterflies from its palms that begin analyzing the code of the casino's structure.
A waitress comes up and offers her a 'drink,' the 'drink' containing an information packet about the Host that our butterfly heroine requested.
Once the butterflies return to the shadow creature it nods and then waves its left hand. A panel opens up showing a feed from one of the cameras in one of the closed shops on the second floor. She begins trying to edit the live feed so that it shows someone tagging the interior of the shop with graffetti.
«Auto-Judge[]» Nubia (#9271) rolls Computers (Decking) + 4 vs TN 3 for "+4 from hacking pool, -6TN from Spoof R6, Edit Slave.":
1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 5 5 = 6 Successes
"Guards! Guards!" Scurry cries out. "Someone is breaking into that shop!" He points to the ceiling. But he specifically says this to the nearest employee.
Once the butterflies return to the shadow creature it nods and then waves its left hand. A panel opens up showing a feed from one of the cameras in one of the closed shops on the second floor. She begins trying to edit the live feed so that it shows someone tagging the interior of the shop with graffetti.
«Auto-Judge[]» Nubia (#9271) rolls Computers (Decking) + 4 vs TN 3 for "+4 from hacking pool, -6TN from Spoof R6, Edit Slave.":
1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 5 5 = 6 Successes
The nearest employee looks up at Scurry, bored. "What the hell are you talking about?" she asks. The nearest employee happens to be a checkout counter. Nobody's paying attention to Scurry yet. In fact, a number of guards approach, here on the level, and as Scurry makes a scene a few customers stare. "We have cameras and everything's kosher, everyone." He turns to Scurry, looking stern, and at Lost as well, who's with him. "I think you'd better leave, sir. Now." He indicates the main entrance. "This way."
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 9 vs TN 5 for "Security tally":
1 2 2 3 3 4 7 8 11 = 3 Successes
«Plot» Posh says, "Scurry, roll Etiquette. TN 10."
Commlink-Nubia> Nubia sends, « Distraction is set. Can't pop the doors until they take the bait, gotta stay in this Host to keep the spoof going. »
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls Etiquette vs TN 10:
2 2 2 3 5 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls Etiquette vs TN 10 for "KP2":
2 2 4 5 5 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls Etiquette vs TN 10 for "KP3":
1 2 5 8 9 10 = 1 Success
«Plot» Posh says, "Security Tally is 3."
«Plot» Posh says, "Slave is 9, for spoofing the camera in the stairwell."
Lost just rolls her eyes at Scurry, "I can't take you anywhere, can I?" She says with an exasperated sigh, before shooting an apologetic glance in the guard's direction. Still, she doesn't lay it on too thick as Scurry tries to talk himself out of a pickle. Instead, she looks at the floor, a chastized expression on her face. But, Scurry manages to work a big of verbal magic, and as soon as the guard is gone, she pats the other elf appreciatively on the shoulder. "Nice going." She whispers, grinning. « OK, as soon as the cameras are down, looks like we can creep up the stairwell, hopefully without incident. »
"Darling?" Scurry says, turning around to Lost. "Darling have Marcia put the shoes in the car, she needs to be able to carry the sweaters."
While the shadow maintains the spoof going on in the knicknack shop, several other windows start appearing before it with subtle motions of its fingers. A moment of consideration before she nods to herself and then holds up her left hand. A series of black tendrils begin creeping from her fingertips and into the camera feeds.
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 9 vs TN 5 for "Camera vs Nubia":
1 1 1 2 2 4 4 8 11 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Nubia (#9271) rolls Computers (Decking) + 4 vs TN 2 for "+4 hacking pool, -6TN from Crash utility, Camera blackout time.":
1 1 1 2 2 2 4 4 4 5 5 10 = 9 Successes
Commlink-Nubia> Nubia sends, « Cameras are dead, completly black. You can roam freely for the next… I give it ten seconds before they reboot. »
Commlink-Posh> Posh sends, « Roger, moving fast. »
Commlink-Nubia> Nubia sends, « I'll move to the doors now. »
Commlink-Posh> Posh sends, « So far so good. All right. Next, can you disable the alarms on the fire doors, or should I try to hack this one electronically? If I make any mistake it'll trigger a tampering alarm. »
Scurry will scamper after in the wake of the directions.
Lost flashes a grin back at Posh, moving toward the stairwell as soon as the all clear is given. Ten seconds isn't long, but hopefully it's long enough for her to make it past the cameras and join the rest of the group.
Blackheart gets up and brushes her hand off, grimacing at whatever was mixed in with the puddle of rainwater she landed in. Waiting patiently by the door, she tries some moves with the staff, thankful that she's still invisible so that people can watch her blundering about with the lengthy weapon.
It only takes a few seconds to get past the camera in the stairwell.
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 5 vs TN 8 for "Does security notice that one of the cameras is out?":
2 4 4 5 15 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Intelligence:
1 1 2 3 3 3 4 4
«Auto-Judge[]» Macro (#5668) rolls Intelligence:
1 3 3 5 5
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls Intelligence:
1 2 2 2 2 4
You paged Macro with 'You overhear 'and now one of the camera's out on level 2? You two go up there and check it out.''.
«Plot» Posh says, "The fire doors, as well as the fire prevention systems, are all on this same Host. It is 9 to temporarily disable the fire door alarm."
Commlink-Sticks> Macro sends, « Camera out spotted. Be careful. »
Commlink-Posh> Posh sends, « Lost. Scurry. Unless you can sneak really well, get back in the stairwell, above where the camera was. »
Now that the camera feed is black, the shadow dismisses all but the one camera feed from the knickknack shop that still shows the shadowy figure tagging the interior walls. Several security systems now pop up before it, and she begins scanning for the fire door alarms.. A split second later and she begins overriding the slave telling the system that the doors are closed.
«Auto-Judge[]» Nubia (#9271) rolls Computers (Decking) + 4 vs TN 3 for "+4 from Hacking pool, -6TN from Spoof, The doors are closed I tell you!":
1 1 1 2 2 4 4 5 5 11 13 17 = 7 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 9 vs TN 5 for "Vs masking":
1 1 2 2 2 4 5 5 14 = 3 Successes
Posh hears the footsteps of the guards coming up the turned off escalator, as that's a shorter route than the stairwell, clank clank clank. She pushes the security door open, creating a pathway for an invisible Blackheart to sprint directly to the stairwell and join the others, holding the door open for Nubia to enter as well, as soon as she logs off.
Commlink-Nubia> Nubia sends, « Doors are good to go, you can open them without the alarm going off. I'll hold myself here for twenty seconds, if you don't get through those doors by then I'm out of the system and they'll ring if they're not closed. »
Commlink-Posh> Posh sends, « Can you not force it to reboot and then get through before it's fully online? »
Commlink-Nubia> Nubia sends, « I'm not jacking out, just moving systems, seeing if I can't cause some chaos somewhere else. I'l get off the roof when one of you coems and gets me. »
Commlink-Posh> Posh sends, « That's an on the fly change in plan that we have no plan for. »
Commlink-Nubia> Nubia sends, « That would crash the whole system, it might just make the alarms go off and the security system might go into lock down mode. »
When the door opens up, Blackheart slips in, tossing Macro his staff to test the ork's reflexes. "Good to see yall," she says with an invisible grin, "Sounds like we've got company from the comm chatter, are we going to take them down, or evade?"
« Roger that. » Lost transmits as she freezes in her tracks, keeping above the camera in the stairwell for now. The wonders of astral sight allow her to see Blackheart, the mulleted mage getting a grin in greeting, "Well, if we can evade them, that'd be wiz. But if not… I think we can take these guys without much trouble. "
«Auto-Judge[]» Macro (#5668) rolls Reaction vs TN 4 for "Catching":
1 1 3 4 5 5 5 5 10 = 6 Successes
Macro snags his staff out of mid-air and slings it into its holster behind his back in one smooth move. "Thanks fer takin' care of it… An' not sure we've got /room/ ta evade. We may have ta hit hard and fast, take 'em before they sound an alarm."
Scurry stops just near Lost, and smiles pleasantly at Blackheart. "Welcome back, darling. I can make us all invisible in a second, if it helps.
Posh grits her teeth, as Nubia comms to her, and lets the door close. «If you knew about this, not cool, Nubia. How the hell are we going to include you in the exfil now» With Blackheart through, she lets the door close and heads to the stairwell; since Nubia's not coming that at least creates more time. «All right, we're safely in the stairwell, between level 2 and 3, no camera above us. And someone help work out an extraction plan for Nubia from that pool, because we were going to drop the smoke bomb and book it, out the level 1 fire door, originally»
Commlink-Posh> Posh sends, « Wiz job so far on the security system, though. You're a star, Nubia »
Commlink-Nubia> Nubia sends, « We've still got a flyer in the group right? »
Commlink-Posh> Posh sends, « 3m/s. That's a minute we might not have. »
Commlink-Nubia> Nubia sends, « Can you magic types make me fly mid fall? »
Commlink-Scurry> Scurry sends, « I can get her in a handful of seconds. »
Commlink-Jett> Blackheart sends, « it's only 2 stories, barely took ten seconds »
« Isn't there a fire door on the roof? » Lost asks over the commline, « The smoke should open all the fire doors, right? So she goes in through the fire door and then we exfil out of the level one fire door. That should work, right? I mean, after we blitz the security guys, we should have enough time to push open a door, right? »
Commlink-Nubia> Nubia sends, « If ya'll can't magic me out I'll find a way out, I'm resourceful. Worry about the task at hand, eighteen seconds before I swap systems. »
With Nubia outside, Posh quickly reaches into her purse and pushes open the door again, a wrist-mounted grapple gun skittering outside the door. She then tries to make it back, quickly, though a flashlight beam sweeps over her just as the guards arrive to inspect the back door from the inside.
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Stealth for "Danger":
1 1 2 3 9 16
Posh manages to make it to the others in the stairwell, pointing upwards. With the door behind her closed, it's soundproofed enough to allow the entire team, minus Nubia, who now has a wrist-mounted grapple gun she can set on unreel that will lower her down from the edge, quietly, though she might have to pass the 'external' camera. Still, in the confusion given that the plan calls for a smoke bomb, that shouldn't be an issue.
When the entire group sneaks up on level 3, they can see that across the gap, there's the shop, the four security guys in the front room of the large Chinese antiquities stoor, the door of the safe just visible. Posh gives a quick grin over to the others. "All right," she says. "Macro, you're up first…you're probably gonna rocket someone. Let's sneak up and take them out." Resolved, for that, Posh gets ready, herself and Macro up front, Blackheart, Lost, and Scurry in the rear, ready to provide mana-based stunning support! Posh checks her rebound rounds in her armguns, and then nods. "All right. Sounds like we're ready."
«Plot» Posh says, "Okay. Nubia has been given a wrist-mounted grapple gun."
«Auto-Judge[]» Lost (#4658) rolls Initiative with a result of 8.
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Initiative with a result of 20.
«Auto-Judge[]» Macro (#5668) rolls Initiative with a result of 18.
«Auto-Judge[]» Blackheart (#12120) rolls Initiative with a result of 21.
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls Initiative with a result of 8.
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 2 for "+10 guard1":
2 2
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 2 for "+10 guard2":
2 4
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 2 for "+10 guard3":
8 14
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 2 for "+10 guard4":
5 5
----------—[ Shadowrun Denver ]—-
============================> Initiative Listing <=============================
Combatant Name…………….. P1(B) P2(-10) P3(-20) P4(-30) P5(-40)
Guard3……………………. 22 12 2 — —
Blackheart………………… 21 11 1 — —
Guard4……………………. 20 10 — — —
Macro…………………….. 18 8 — — —
Posh……………………… 18 8 — — —
Guard2……………………. 16 6 — — —
Guard1……………………. 14 4 — — —
Nubia…………………….. 13 3 — — —
Lost……………………… 8 — — — —
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 6 vs TN 4 for "Guard1 reaction":
2 2 2 3 4 11 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 6 vs TN 4 for "Guard2 reaction":
1 1 3 3 5 8 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 6 vs TN 4 for "Guard3 reaction":
1 1 2 3 4 7 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 6 vs TN 4 for "Guard4 reaction":
1 2 3 3 5 9 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Macro (#5668) rolls Reaction vs TN 4 for "Surprise! (Assuming we don't have ambush bonus)":
1 2 4 4 4 4 4 10 11 = 7 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Blackheart (#12120) rolls Reaction vs TN 4:
1 2 2 4 9 14 = 3 Successes
«Plot» Posh says, "Macro, if we can resolve one good attack, is everyone good with pausing and continuing in half an hour, so Scurry can shower and stuff?
And then suddenly there's no more time to talk or think — there's they're face to face with the op force and their window can be measured in heartbeats.
… Well, normal people's heartbeats. Macro is moving quite a bit faster than a normal human as he erupts into action, drawing and extending his staff in one smooth practiced move as he slams it into the face of the nearest guard.
«Auto-Judge[]» Macro (#5668) rolls Pole Arms/Staves - 4 (Geas not invoked) + Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 2 for "It's clobberin' time!":
1 2 2 3 4 4 4 5 5 16 = 9 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 5 + Combat Pool: 5 vs TN 8 for "4 impact, all comat pool":
1 1 2 3 4 4 5 5 8 9 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 5 + Combat Pool: 5 - 2 vs TN 8 for "4 impact, all combat pool KP 1/6":
1 2 3 4 4 4 9 11 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 5 + Combat Pool: 5 - 4 vs TN 8 for "4 impact, all combat pool KP 3/6":
2 2 3 4 4 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 5 + Combat Pool: 5 - 4 vs TN 8 for "4 impact, all combat pool KP 6/6":
4 4 4 10 14 15 = 3 Successes
The guy seems to get some little hint of what's about to happen, but that doesn't help as Macro's staff smacks into his chest, leaving him gasping. The others move quickly, but it seems like the sneaky team got the drop on the security guys in this desperate situation.
«Plot» Posh says, "Blackheart, your action! One guy is pooled out. You could catch any 2 in a stunball."
«Auto-Judge[]» Blackheart (#12120) rolls Sorcery + 5 vs TN 5 for "Stunbolt F4 M targeting guard 4":
1 1 2 2 3 3 3 4 5 5 5 11 = 4 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Blackheart (#12120) rolls Sorcery + 5 - 4 for "kp 7 on that":
1 2 3 3 5 5 5 7
«Auto-Judge[]» Blackheart (#12120) rolls Willpower vs TN 2 for "Soaking M drain need 4 to full soak.":
1 1 3 3 5 9 = 4 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 vs TN 6 for "vs Blackheart":
1 2 5 9 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 - 1 vs TN 6 for "vs Blackheart KP 1":
1 2 2 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 - 1 vs TN 6 for "vs Blackheart KP 3":
2 2 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 - 1 vs TN 6 for "vs Blackheart KP 6":
4 5 8 = 1 Success
«Plot» Blackheart says, "FINALLY!"
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Submachine Guns vs TN 5 for "shooting at 3rd guard":
2 2 3 4 4 28 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Submachine Guns vs TN 5 for "shooting at 3rd guard":
2 3 3 4 5 5 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Submachine Guns vs TN 5 for "shooting at 3rd guard":
1 1 2 3 3 11 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Submachine Guns vs TN 5 for "shooting at 3rd guard":
3 4 4 5 5 13 = 3 Successes
After Macro dashes up and gets 2 minutes for crosschecking, Blackheart peeks behind one of the mall pillars and fires a stunbolt down the way at the guard, putting him to sleep before he even knows what's going on.
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 5 + 8 vs TN 6 for "soaking SMG 10S":
1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 4 5 7 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 5 + 8 - 1 vs TN 6 for "soaking SMG 10S KP 1":
1 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 5 5 5 7 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 5 + 8 - 2 vs TN 6 for "soaking SMG 10S KP 3":
1 1 2 2 2 2 3 4 4 4 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 5 + 8 - 2 vs TN 6 for "soaking SMG 10S KP 6":
1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 7 15 = 2 Successes
«Plot» Posh says, "M stun"
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 5 vs TN 6 for "soaking burst 2":
3 3 3 4 5 = 0 Successes
«Plot» Posh says, "S stun"
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 5 vs TN 6 for "soaking burst 3":
2 3 5 5 11 = 1 Success
«Plot» Posh says, "D stun and down. Lost! You're up. There's only two guards left, and one is slightly woozy from Macro's blow."
«Plot» Posh says, "Yes."
«OOC» Macro says, "Also, if you attack that one in melee, you get an extra -1 because of Macro's presence. (Whirling negates *enemy* FIMM benefits, not allies'. You want to see something scary? Put three melee experts with whirling on one side against a crowd)"
«Plot» Lost says, "F4 Stunball!"
«Plot» Posh says, Lost, roll it now! Both willpowers are 4. +1 BGcount"
«Auto-Judge[]» Lost (#4658) rolls Sorcery + Spell Pool: 4 vs TN 5 for "F4 Stunball at a couple mooks, M damage.":
1 2 3 4 4 4 4 5 8 8 = 3 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Lost (#4658) rolls Sorcery + Spell Pool: 4 - 3 vs TN 5 for "F4 Stunball at a couple mooks, M damage. KP2 total":
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 vs TN 8 for "resisting Lost":
1 2 2 7 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 vs TN 8 for "resisting Lost KP 1":
2 3 5 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 vs TN 8 for "resisting Lost KP 3":
5 5 16 17 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 vs TN 8 for "resisting Lost KP 6":
4 4 5 11 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 vs TN 8 for "resisting Lost":
3 3 4 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 vs TN 8 for "resisting Lost KP 1":
1 1 3 3 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 vs TN 8 for "resisting Lost KP 3":
3 4 5 11 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 vs TN 8 for "resisting Lost KP 6":
4 4 5 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Lost (#4658) rolls Willpower + Spell Pool: 2 vs TN 2 for "Resisting S drain, need 6 suxx":
1 2 2 3 3 4 5 11 = 7 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 5 vs TN 7 for "Melee counter vs Macro":
1 2 4 4 9 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Macro (#5668) rolls Pole Arms/Staves - 4 (Geas not invoked) + Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 2 for "Inna FACE!":
1 1 1 2 3 3 4 4 4 5 = 7 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Macro (#5668) rolls Pole Arms/Staves - 4 (Geas not invoked) + Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 2 for "Inna FACE!":
1 1 1 2 3 3 4 4 4 5 = 7 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 5 vs TN 8 for "soak":
1 3 5 5 10 = 1 Success
Lost takes the opportunity to throw a big ol' ball of bluish magical energy at the two guards that are still standing. It's not quite enough to take out both of them, but at least there's only one left.
The last of the four guards goes down hard, everyone unconscious but breathing, and as Wu's jamming operation, which had been triggered by a quick mental text from Posh, fades, there's nobody to sound the alarm. Especially with Nubia able to control the cams, she can also let the team know if anyone's walking up on them.
The last of the four guards goes down hard, everyone unconscious but breathing, and as Wu's jamming operation, which had been triggered by a quick mental text from Posh, fades, there's nobody to sound the alarm. Especially with Nubia able to control the cams, she can also let the team know if anyone's walking up on them.
… Yeah. "lucky" him. At least, that’s what Macro’s staff probably calls him.
Posh is already at the safe as the last of the men fall down. «Great job, everyone. Keep an eye on the security, if you can, make sure we're okay» And then Posh moves to go to the safe at the back, but…on other cameras, Imaki can see that there's a group of guards beginning to look to head upstairs. She could get comms access, or work on some way to distract them on the lower floor.
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Electronics B/R vs TN 6:
3 4 4 8 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Electronics vs TN 6:
1 1 2 2 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Electronics vs TN 6 for "KP 1":
1 2 11 13 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 10 vs TN 7 for "Autopicker":
1 1 1 2 2 3 4 4 5 11 = 1 Success
The lock itself needs to have a housing taken off, and the keypad further rerouted so that it still thinks the keypad that controlls the electronically driven and calibrated manual lock is properly concealed. Then, Posh pops off her fingertip to reveal an autolockpicker, which starts to whirr and work on the tumblers.
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 9 vs TN 5 for "Vs Nubia's masking":
1 2 2 4 4 4 5 10 11 = 3 Successes
Commlink-Posh> Posh sends, « Someone come up where with me. I've got a small softcase in my purse. You'll need to quickly and carefully load the porcelain drinking set into the case as soon as I open the door. Be careful…it's fragile. »
The security team that's starting the sweep is already ascending the first floor escalator, which is turned off at night. It won't be long before they get to the top, walk around, and ascend to the third floor, to begin a top-down sweep.
While she continues the spoof of the graffetti artist and holds down the fire door alarms from going off the shadow figure takes stock of the Host for a moment, appreciating the design that was done. Now that it's time to hack the safe the shadow creature decides it is time for one last distraction. She pulls up all the camera feeds, even the one she crashed as it reboots.
She begins altering the feed, showing the figure from the shop dart off screen to the left, to reappear in the lobby feed from the right, look at the camera, dart off feed to the right, appear on another shop all the way across the mall on the left of the screen, trying to make it look like some magical trickster poofing around the mall.
«Auto-Judge[]» Lost (#4658) rolls Sorcery vs TN 4 for "Erasing astral signature":
2 3 4 5 5 5 = 4 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls Sorcery + 6 vs TN 4 for “Same”:
1 1 1 2 2 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 9 = 7 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Nubia (#9271) rolls Computers (Decking) + 5 vs TN 3 for "+4 HP +1 TP, -6TN from Spoof. Chase the dancing man.":
1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 8 10 = 7 Successes
Nubia manages to insert an image, and suddenly the security personnel on the floor below take off to try to inspect the store area back on Level 2. Posh gives a smile back at Lost, as the safe pops open in time. "Whew," she says. "I'm glad we pulled that one off." She glances at the living, but unconscious bodies of the security personnel around here. "None of us got wounded on this one too. I think we're as as safe as houses. Think you can cast that cleanup spell in case?" she asks. "We may not even have to trip the fire alarms…if we don't, we're less likely to get spotted and remembered, because that'll link the time to the escape. I'd recommend that we avoid Level 2, though - it seems like Nubia's causing trouble there."
It's a relatively easy path down the stairwell, however, though Posh waits with the rest at the camera. «Nubia…hate to ask this, but we're in the stairwell now. Can you take care of the camera on the way down? Then, you should be free to exfil yourself…might want to spraypaint that camera you're jacked into, though, or something, before heading down.»
Commlink-Nubia> Nubia sends, « You're clear to go now, I have the feeds running on loops so I can insert my running man through them easier. »
«Auto-Judge[]» Lost (#4658) rolls Sorcery + Spell Pool: 4 vs TN 5 for "F4 Sterilize spell, +2 TN modifier to rolls to identify for every suxx, max 4.":
1 1 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 10 = 3 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Lost (#4658) rolls Willpower + Spell Pool: 2 vs TN 3 for "Resisting M stun, need 4 suxx":
1 2 3 3 3 4 5 5 = 6 Successes
Commlink-Posh> Posh sends, « Roger, roger. »
Once the group is down to the first floor, with the alarm still not raised, it's relatively easy to just sneak over to the back door and push out. Without a door alarm going off, the security likely assumes some minor illicit transaction is all that happens by the fire exit.
Taking a deep breath of fresh air, Posh grins over at the others. "All right. We've probably not got long before something amiss is discovered" She looks up the twenty or so meters up to where the pool is. «You happy getting down there with the aid of the grapple gun, Nubia?» she asks.
«Auto-Judge[]» Nubia (#9271) rolls Computers (Decking) + 4 vs TN 2 for "Graceful logoff, +4 HP, -6TN from Decieve R6":
1 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 5 5 5 9 = 8 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 7 vs TN 5 for "security":
1 1 2 3 4 5 11 = 2 Successes
«Plot» Posh says, "Security Tally 7."
Nubia gets a hint that IC is going active, just a heartbeat too late, as Nubia is already logging off, leaving no trace of her avatar's presence.
Once the team is out the door and Posh mentions something about getting down the shadow being figures it is time to cut tails and run. She opens up her hands and a dozen silk worms spread out along the system, erasing all of her dataprints and activities within the server before she logs off and shunts into her deck. A split second later and she's back inside her own head, standing up quickly.
She undoes all her cords, spools them back up and takes her electronics tool kit back out, setting to work on the camera to remove the datatap and disable the camera while doing so.
«Auto-Judge[]» Nubia (#9271) rolls Electronics B/R:
1 2 3 5 5
With the housing already off, it is child's play for Imaki to damage the exposed cable and render the camera useless. Now all that's left is for her to grapple down the building - but will the probably alerted operator of the camera system spot her? In any case, it will likely matter little, as Nubia can already see a discreetly armored van pulling around. Looks like Posh called for Sara. This is perhaps the most dangerous part of the mission, as the gaggle near the edge of the pool might draw the wrong attention, especially if anyone sees Nubia climbing down. But it is at night, and such a thing is far from guaranteed.
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 6 vs TN 8 for "Collective perception.":
1 2 5 5 5 9 = 1 Success
Nubia finishes off her work, tucks her tools away and bends down to collect the grapple gun that Posh had slid out the door for her. looking over the side she sees the van so she plants the hook, gets up on the edge and hooks the gun's carabin to her belt. A deep breath and she drops down and hits the descend button.
«Plot» Posh says, "If you were climbing, you'd have to successfully shoot with it. But you can just tie one end of it to something, and then jiggle it to loosen the knot and then reel it back when you're down."
«Plot» Posh says, "Nubia: Stealth (Shadows)"
«Auto-Judge[]» Nubia (#9271) rolls Stealth (Shadows):
1 2 3 3 4 4
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 6 vs TN 8 for "Collective perception.":
1 2 5 5 5 9 = 1 Success
«Plot» Posh says, "And give me a pose about using shadows as you rappel down. There's plenty of architectural features to supply them."
Once the initial four meters is cleared the asian pulls herself up against the building and into a crevice along the artistic flair that runs up the wall. She looks about then slowly edges herself into the shadow the raised feature creates against the building's exterior wall and begins slowly descending with her feet while her hands hold onto the gun's controls to ease herself down.
A uniformed Lone Star foot patrol officer, perhaps unluckily, spots the descending person on the grapnel gun. "What the…" He seems to be getting closer, taking a closer look, and then reaches for his microtransciever, as if he's about to radio this one in. Posh, is looking a bit deer in the headlightsy…at least right now.
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls Negotiation (Fast Talk):
1 2 2 7 19
"Hi." Scurry immediately steps forward, an enormous smile showing off his pearly whites, hand extended for a shake. "Chuck Hanson? Of Hanson, Hanson and Hedges?" Scurry winces his eyes as if the light from his own smile were blinding him. He reaches forward to vigorously shake the man's hand. "We're here today," Scurry begins to slowly explain in the tones of someone talking to an elder with dementia, "On behalf of Hanson, Hanson and Hedges Management LLP, an LLP LLC HDIC, to provide emergency management upgrades for the security men? And the security men and staff? Have you ever wanted to grapple down the side of a sexy building but found yourself stuck? Taking the stairs? Waiting in line behind someone with a soft-baked pretzel who clearly isn't as important as you and who blocks the whole escalator?
"We here at Hanson, that's Hanson Hanson and Hedges? We're licensed to authorize the provisions of materials to secure authorization for you to request your very own personal security needs. It has been an honor working with your staff today."
The guard seems to lose interest, though. "That's okay, buddy, I get my rocks off some other way.
And as she finishes rappelling down, the guard, who'd remember faces if it weren't for the disguises that everyone had put on earlier, moves to move on, allowing everyone to climb into the van with Sara, and the prize. As the van leads off into the night, Posh lets a shaky one exhale. "Whoo…I can't believe we pulled that one off. I figured we only had about a 50/50 chance of not having to scram. Oh, that was a good one, though." She grins.
The sight of the van pulling around the corner is a welcome one for Lost, and likely the rest of the group as well, "Right on time…" She says with a grin. Her jubilation quickly turns to dismay as it would seem Nubia has been spotted by a dedicated law enforcement officer! In the interval before she starts to outright panic, Scurry swoops in to save the day with a torrent of words. Wiping her brow, she pats Scurry on the shoulder as soon as the bamboozled guard shuffles off into the night, "Nice save!" She breathes before turning her attention back to the armored vehicle that is their ride out of there, heaving herself into the van and a seat, buckling her seatbelt. "Looks like we're in the clear! No bodies, no evidence left behind, and no alarms raised. Job well done!"
Once inside the van the asian undoes the grapple gun from her belt and hands it over to Posh, her hair slowly shifting back to blonde as her eyes return to that chilling ice blue. "Indeed, good work everyone. Their datascape was really interesting, I wonder if they have any poker tables in that hotel.." She grins at her fellow teammates and then looks back to Posh, "You got a wipe I can scrub this crap off my face with?"
"Are you sure you, Posh, don't want this, a grappling gun?" Scurry says, that obnoxious infomercial smile still on his face. "It's got everything a modern woman needs in a compact. Slim. Slip-free case." He winks and clicks his tongue before snapping two fingers at Posh. "Put your hand into a Hanson Hanson and Hedges grappling gun today."
Blackheart climbs in the backseat of the van and likewise lets out a sigh of relief. "That's some smooth talkin, Scurry," she compliements as she leans back, cracking her neck as she looks over the rest of the team, the city passing by through the windows.
Posh rolls her eyes. "All right, all right, Scurry. You were even quicker with that tongue of yours than I am, today," she says, with a chuckle. "Mmm. What a candidate for pheremones you'd have been," she says, with a teasing chuckle."
|
