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GM: Shoeshine
Players: Wanderer, Raven, Diego
Synopsis: Again, Shoeshine acts as a fixer to pull in some shadowrunners to test Piotr Mobydeux's virtual reality 'Shadowrunner' game to its limits to make it as realistic as possible for the customers. As it turns out, this is a game that can actually hurt and kill you. At the end, the characters realize that there may be something going on that is a little deeper on this, and begin to start looking into it.
Date: July 14, 2073
«OOC» Shoeshine says, "Log on."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "This is a plot. People will try to kill you. You are warned. Provide appropriate consent."
«Plot» Wanderer says, "Only if I can kill them back, I consent."
«Plot» Raven says, "What Wanderer said."
«Plot» Diego says, "I consent to ICA=ICC"
It's a lovely summer's Sunday here in Denver and the work is slow. It's too hot even for the drug dealers to be out working the Warrens, and people are scamming for ice on the corners more than they are scamming for APDS rounds with their fixers. And it is in this that Shoeshine puts out the call to whoever will answer. Wanderer is the first. And Raven - who knew that she was still on his mailing list? And finally Diego, clearly looking to make connections and pass the time. "So I got some biz - you can meet me in the rent-an-office complex down on Sutter street, Cas sector, C zone. Kinda a funny one I got from a friend of mine. Equipment. light. Which is strange for me to say. Wanderer, it's another one like the one you just went on."
Diego takes a text through one of his burner phones, and sends a reply he will be there. He has been cooped up far too long making his new toys, and he has his new medallion under his clothing to save it for later. He uses his drones to scan the area before he moves in to meet at the office.
Raven huhs to herself and looks up at her schedule. "Yeah. I think I got time.' she says with a grin. Cas Sector, C zone… Got a building number for me?" she asks as she lounges in her crappy little apartment.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "diego, what is the stealth of your drones for cops to like, see them?"
Wanderer takes the bus downtown to where he had been before, walking into the office complex with a double stack icecream cone. He's wearing his long coat and hat, but seems more comfortable than he should be. A quick look will see he's packed frozen gel-packs under his coat.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Diego, what is the stealth of your drones for cops to like, see them?"
«Plot» Diego says, "Sparrow Drones, Sig 12, look like birds"
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 3 vs TN 12 for "cops spotting the bird drones.":
1 1 1 = 0 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Durr de durr de durr"
Shoeshine provides exact directions and no one is carrying anything absurd so the actual cops who can be seen every so often don't cause a problem. It's a low-rent office building, rows and rows of doors with dentists, lawyers, beauticians, private medical practices, matrix operations, ah, here it is, 'GameStart.' That's the office Shoeshine indicated, and that's the one to which he opens the door. There's a waiting room, and no secretary. "Here we are!" Shoeshine calls, and a man's voice comes back, "I'm ready back here." And Shoeshine will usher the three of you to what looks like a very slightly modified medical office, with five high-grade matrix chair set-ups. The kind that high end deckers and riggers might use - and rich people, because these also have induction rigs.
(The man that Shoeshine called to is also there - a middle-aged fellow, human, receding hairline, who looks you over and smiles winningly.)
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "If any of you have matrix knowledge that would tell you about a top game designer, let me know."
Diego is armed in stealth mode. Stilleto Pistol with concealed holster, check. Cougar Fineblade Switchblade with concealed holster, check. Briefcase Riot Shield, check. He has so little metal on him it would be unlikely he sets off a mad. As he arrives at the office he moves after Shoeshine, looking over the matrix chairs. "Nice equipment." he comments.
Raven shows up dressed as finely as she likes, light jewelry, elbow length gloves (her magical focus), a curiously unable to be stained or mussed gothic dress. She looks quite nice, and would fit in in any corporate setting, if only for being eye candy. She takes a seat in the medical office and glances around curiously.
Wanderer waves and stands near the door, recognizing most of the rig and hmming some as he tries to catch the dribbles of melting icecream before they get away. He waves to Diego and the new woman he's not met before.
Shoeshine, dressed in his dapper Denver attire and with the most threatening thing on him being the briefcase that houses the Savior Medikit that he's packing, introduces the middle-aged man. "Hi! Wanderer's already met him - this is Piotr Mobydeux." The man takes over with, "I design matrix games, amongst other things, and as I've explained before, I'm working on an honest-to-goodness realistic 'Shadowrunner' game! Where, just like Karl Kombatmage and others, you take jobs, infiltrate corps, and have heroic battles against the forces of evil! And now that I have it ready for alpha testing, I'd like to see how it interacts with real, honest-to-goodness shadowrunners. Are you interested?"
Wanderer nods and says, "Sure. I'll go again. Where do I put the quarter?"
Diego arches an eyebrow, but doesn't turn around just yet. "What sort of compensation do we get, and are you using any sort of biofeedback to represent damage and death in the simulation?"
Mobydeux says, "The fee is twenty thousand nuyen per person for your time, and yes, of course. It would be useless as a game without it."
Shoeshine opens up the case on his medical kit meaningfully.
Diego nods "I see, well, I'm willing to take part for the compensation, and to see just how the public will be viewing this in the end."
Raven grins. "A Shadowrunning Video game? How's it work?" she asks curiously. "And what's to prevent some enterprising Decker from say… Hacking into it? I'm sure it's got protections, but if there's a way to make money from it, you can be sure you'll have deckers trying to break it."
Mobydeux says, "Of course. You jack in or use an induction helmet just like any other personal matrix access, and then you're IN the game world, buying equipment, hunting for information, resolving missions. As for hacking, right now it's a closed system, and it has a variety of detections and encryptions and punishment mechanisms to prevent what you're talking about. I pride myself on secure design from the ground up."
Diego nods "I'll take the helmet myself, less likely something goes wrong and cripples me." He chuckles a bit at this. "Are we operating here then?" He mentally sends a remote signal for his drones to land in positions to watch the building, and alert him if anything with the word police on it starts showing up.
Wanderer chuckles at the mention of Punishment mechanisms. He finishes his frosty treat and says, "Diego, I promise you, it feels real. Frankly I prefer things less real, but that's me."
Diego waves a hand "I've dabbled in the trix, I know how real it can get, but trodes and jacks are a different world when it comes to some things."
Raven shakes her head. "I've never personally done much with the Trix. Way easier to do things by hand, or by simpler means. Of course… Y'know how gals are. Things gotta be just so. I'll take the helmet. So how does it work? How do we create characters?"
«OOC» Wanderer says, "That's a two week process with arcane text based interfaces and referring to a wiki"
Mobydeux says, "You'll sit down - if you have an appropriate jack, use the appropriate chair, and if not, use the induction helmet. It will scan you and automatically generate an appropriate character. I've worked with the equipment settings some since last time, so hopefully that part will be clearer - you should be able to access any normal unmodified piece of gear that you actually own, within limits. After you complete missions, you'll be able to 'unlock' more advanced gear. Magic will respond similarly. I've had some complaints that 'astral vision' doesn't look like real 'astral vision' and I'm still working on that. Astral vision is personal, however. I strive to put in all the appropriate information."
Diego pauses "It will scan me? Could you elaborate that a bit please."
Mobydeux says, "Just like a normal matrix connection reads your stimuli and impulses so that when you think you're moving your hand, so does the simulation. When you go into the equipment section and attempt to pick out gear, it will detect whether you believe you own the gear in question, or have rights to it, before you can pick it out."
Mobydeux says, "If you can lie to yourself, you might well be able to fool the simulation. it would be interesting to me if you were to try."
Diego chuckles "Ahh, and what about cybernetics? Drones, have you included all these options?"
Raven nods slowly. "Do you mind if I… take a look first? Perhaps have a spirit look it over?" she asks. "I haven't gotten as far as I have blindly trusting ANYONE."
Raven says "Oh yes, and how does it handle magic?"
Mobydeux says to Diego, "But of course - although you will begin with only unmodified drones until you earn an unlock." To Raven he says, "It should have functions for all of the commonly known spells and spirit summonings. The game will read your skills and expectations and provide an appropriate result. If you have a special or unique ability, that might not be covered. And you can certainly have a spirit check the chair, as Shoeshine has, and as you might with any appropriate technical skills you possess. "
Wanderer hmms? "Does my previous experience unlock things for them as well?"
Shoeshine says, "I'm here both as a fixer, and as medical attention. If you get hurt in the game, I'm here to provide immediate aid and get you out."
Mobydeux says to Wanderer, "You've earned one unlock, weapon or armor."
Diego sits down in one of the chairs, picking up a helmet. "Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained." He slips the helmet on, and then waits for things to get started.
Wanderer says, "Can I cash in the unlock for someone else?"
Mobydeux says, "You can ask within the simulation, but I doubt it."
«Plot» Raven says, "Attempting to summon a hearth spirit of rank… whatever I can reasonably manage?
«Auto-Judge[]» Raven (#7212) rolls Conjuring vs TN 4 for "Force 3 Hearth Spirit (Soul of The first gamer) :-p":
2 3 4 4 5 5 = 4 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Raven (#7212) rolls Charisma vs TN 3 for "Soaking 3L":
2 4 4 5 11 11 = 5 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 3 for "Spirit perception to check out the chair":
1 3 5
The hearth spirit comes into the room from the astral plane, looking like a scruffy janitor. He pokes and prods the chair with the induction helmet on it, like he's checking it for explosives, drug injector devices, and so on. "Looks fine to me."
«Plot» Diego says, "Did I sense any magic in the room besides raven and her spirit?"
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Intelligence for "((Tatto Bonus)) Thermo, Low Light, Vision Mag, Hearing Amp, Magic Sense (35m), Motion Sense (7m), Electromagnetic Sense":
1 1 1 3 4 4 4 5 7
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Raven's magic and yours is the only magic there."
Wanderer settles into the couch and leans back.
Raven smiles and nods. "Thanks." she says to the spirit, bowing a bit. "Now if you please, stand guard?" she asks with a smile.
The scruffy janitor stands stoutly and salutes with his whisk-broom!
Raven leans back. "Well, I'm satisfied. Count me in!" she says, flexing her gloved hands, cracking her knuckles.
And with that, senses swirl away. The real world becomes distant, only to be replaced with the matrix-style image of the seedy, smoke-filled back room of a nameless dive bar. In your vision, like a heads-up display, is the word 'Scanning.' and you can hear beeps. The three of you come more and more into view, with your clothing and personas rezzing in. Apparently it must be reading your self-images to define yourselves here, or maybe scanning your bodies. When the beeping stops, the man who walks in across from you is Mr. Johnson: Severe. Sparse. Spare. His mouth; a line, lips bleached to ease their redness. His flesh is an albino white. He is the suit he's wearing, Armante of course and perfectly fit to his above average human height. Slim black tie over white, pale onyx cufflinks. Exquisitely creased pants. Shoes so free of adornment the ground deigns not to soil them. A briefcase, of course. He sets up a holoprojector, which projects the image of…
A van. A non-descript, artfully dinged up van. Almost too artfully dinged up, to the trained eye. "Target!" he barks.
"Los Reyes Diablo have stolen this van within the past hour when its attendants were in the Stuffer Shack! They didn't know that it's a Lone Star surveillance van scouting the Warrens. Go to their chop shop, and secure that van!"
The Mr. Johnson icon archetype brings up a map of a two city block square of the Los Reyes Diablo territory, and in the middle, a nondescript warehouse, the chop shop.
«Plot to Diego» 'Was Diego at the recent Shadowrunner's halloween party?'.
«Plot» Diego pages: I think I was there for a minute, and left
«Plot» 'Perception tn 15 then.'.
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Intelligence vs TN 15:
1 2 3 4 4 5 5 8 10 = 0 Successes
«Plot after the Fact» Diego would have had a chance to recognize where this Johnson image was from. But not immediately important.
Diego takes a moment to look over what he can see, and think about his inventory of concealed weaponry, wondering if it came with him or was missed in the scan. He looks at the Johnson, frowning slightly. "I take it the van needs to be undamaged?"
Mr. Johnson says, "You will infiltrate here," he says, using a laser pointer on the holoprojected map to give a 'starting area,' "and when you have lost pursuit you will have exfiltrated. Full success requires that the van be in undamaged condition. Moderate success requires only that the surveillance equipment inside be secured before the van is dismantled and it is found."
Wanderer blinks, the intro room different from last time. He stands up and checks the image of himself again, then he looks over at the Mr.Johnson(tm) and listens at the barking dialogue.
Raven grins. "Give me a few minutes to get used to this…" she says quietly, stretching out and around, trying to get used to the feeling of being in a less… Physical body.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "As you look down, you are wearing the clothes you expect to be wearing. Armored if they are armored. However, not if they are security or military level, or if they are 'special' and have been modified after character generation. You have the weapons you brought with you, only in stock forms such as might be found on the wiki, and with no after-purchase modifications like dikote."
Diego tries to interact with the Johnson more. "And the pay for the different levels of success will be?" He looks at the other two, trying to see if they look like they do in the real world.
Mr. Johnson says, "The pay will be twenty thousand nuyen for full success. Fifteen thousand for moderate success. if you find special weapons, you may bring them back for investigation so that I may make them available in the future.
Diego nods. "Do you have any intel on the gang that took the van?"
Raven grins and chuckles to herself. "Well, Seems like an easy job. What do we know about this gang?"
Mr. Johnson says, "Los Reyes Diablo; a cell-based, loyalty-oriented gang. Well-armed, with a propensity for pistols, automatic weapons, and flashy, stylish clothing. They have armored vehicles for hot confrontations and drive-bys."
Diego nods, expecting the simple responses like this. "What sort of equipment and weaponry do we have available to us?"
Raven nods and flexes her body, stretching out kinks she didn't know she had. "And magical support? What do they have usually for astral viewing, detection, and other magical 'things'."
Mr. Johnson points Diego to the 'back room' which appears to have racks of weaponry and equipment, as well as a locked case for special unlocks. To Raven, he says, "Three top members are presumed to be Brujeirah in the grade four range. They may also have rare physical adepts among them."
«Plot After The Fact» The cahracters ask what the heck a 'brujeriah' is: Brujeria is the Spanish word for witchcraft. Brujeria also refers to a mystical sect of male witches in the southernmost part of Argentina. Both men and women can be witches, brujos and brujas respectively. Brujos is the plural term that can mean either a group of male witches or both male and female witches. Straight from Wikipedia.
Wanderer looks over his gear, finding the weapons he brought with him a bit under-geared, he looks over the gear and then down the hallway, he grumbles something about not being given his real world gear last time, but now he has. Had he only known that. He looks along the weapons racks as Diego pumps the J for information.
Diego pauses, turning to stare at the Johnson, and then he just sighs. "Of course, of course they would have adepts and shamen…" He grumbles something about videogames and goes to check out the gear selection.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Weapon/armor unlocks for Wanderer: You get one. You can pick one weapon, armor, or ammo that you have in the real world, to carry with you."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "So you could have your big-ass tricked out rifle, OR your super-hidey armor, OR apds ammo, but not two or three. One item with all its mods."
Wanderer scratches his chin, deep in thought.
Raven grins. "So we hit them hard and fast, before they have a chance to put up any magical defenses or summon any spirits to aid them. We'll hang back a ways, and I'll bring up a couple of heavy hitters. They're almost certain to have watchers active.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "The gear-up montage: You can go into the Equipment room and get any piece of equipment you have in the real world. Feel free to give me a broad overview. If you have a standard set of non-tricked out armor you wear, it's easy to wear that and maintain your usual ballistic and impact armor settings."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Any piece of legal armor as per the strictures given before."
Diego continues to look over the weaponry, then speaks to Raven. "It's a game, so the odds that we meet something flashy are going to be pretty high."
Raven nods. "And I'm pretty squishy, so I'm gonna be relying on you big guys to tank for me." she says with a grin.
Diego snorts at Raven, "I am not a tank."
Wanderer is more a glass cannon.
Wanderer ehs and says fuck-it, he uses his unlock to import his Barrett, because… barrett.
Wanderer sighs at the lack of his Ruth.
«Plot» Diego says, "Armor Vest with Plates, Helmet, FFBA Shirt. Forearm Guards. 6/5 armor. Browing Ultra with ExEx. MGL6 Grenade launcher mini-ipe grenades. And I'll pick up a stock Ares Alpha though my one at home is better."
And so, after the gear-up montage (where Diego looks either wistful, annoyed, or both at the fact that the APDS ammo is locked away from him and where Wanderer gets to revel in his massive Barrett) you can leave Mr. Johnson and go out the door into a waiting van, which takes you to the 'starting area' that was listed on the map.
Raven chuckles as she rides along in the van. "I wonder how this is gonna work for the kids who play it." she says idly. "It's not gonna be very fun if they only get to pick up things they own."
It's a remarkable simulation of the Warrens - you even know what street you're on in the Los Reyes Diablo territory. Gang huckleberries can be seen doing the do, people going about their business, the groups of stylishly dressed gang affiliates on the corner, and about 200 meters away, a full city block, is the warehouse you've been told to hit. You're in an alleyway and not immediately seen.
Diego nods "I'm sure they get to spend nuyen to buy the good stuff. How else is the creator going to get paid." He surveys the situation, frowning a bit as he thinks. "Alright, well, I suppose we should try to sneak up, can you make us invisible?" He looks to Raven.
Raven rubs her chin. "Hmmm… Probably for the best if we scout a bit first." she says after a moments thought. "Anyone have any objections if I summon a watcher to scout things out a little?" she asks. "And yeah. I'm good with the whole invisibility thing. Might be a bit rough holding it on three people, but hey, I'll do what I can."
Wanderer looks for ladders on the alley wall and nods, "Scout away, I suspect gangers are unlikely to have much magical support." He looks around for somewhere to get a better vantage from. He tilts his head to Diego, "Microtransactions? Would our benefactor stoop to such low tactics of revenue?"
Diego shakes his head. "No scouting, I'm not sure how the code mechanics work, but the watcher may trigger an early response. Also they are notoriously stupid and that could very well be how they act here. Your real watchers may be smart, but the game watchers could be another story. I suggest we move in under invisibility, if we get spotted by magic we simply fight our way out. Spirits cant hurt us unless they join our plane, and the mages can easily be shot."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "So, let us begin with what you can see from here. 200 meters, roll vision based perception, and give me your vision modes. Obviously, vision mag is most important, thermo is also nice."
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Intelligence for "((Tatto Bonus)) Thermo, Low Light, Vision Mag, Hearing Amp, Magic Sense (35m), Motion Sense (7m), Electromagnetic Sense":
2 3 5 5 8 8 11 14 17
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Intelligence for "Thermo/Lowlight/Vision Mag3/Squinting REALLY hard.":
1 2 3 11 11
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Well holy geebus."
«Auto-Judge[]» Raven (#7212) rolls Intelligence:
1 2 2 3 4
Between the two of them, Diego and Wanderer put it together: There's two dudes at the warehouse loading bay door where you can drive cars in and out - one has an SMG and the other an assault rifle to go with them both having backup pistols. By watching heat signatures, they can tell that there are likely four people inside the chop shop warehouse moving around, although what they have can't be told. Ouside, in the whole two block area, there are three groups of three people who look to be dressed stylishly enough, project the correct machismo, and have the usual heavy pistol that Los Reyes Diablos favors (Predator 3) who would also count as lookouts or affiliates or just people who would call you in if they spot you and who would shoot you for being dumb. Raven can see that the warehouse is NOT warded and doens't look to have any magic on it.
Wanderer again scans the nearby alley and streets for a way to get to the roof.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "There are various ways to climb to the roof that would take some kind of climbing roll. You might have difficulty firing inside the warehouse (except for through the walls blind.)"
«Plot» Wanderer says, "Have we spotted the van or is it presumed indoors?"
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "It is presumed indoors. You can't see it with heat signatures through a wall."
Diego nods as he finishes surveillance. "Ok, invis me. I'll go in and grab the van and try to drive it out. Sniper boy here will shoot anyone that follows me. If I contact you with an alarm, I want a city spirit with orders to confuse anyone hostile to me. So summon the spirit now, then invis me. We will stay in contact via radio."
Wanderer blinks. "Sniper boy?" He looks hurt, "I am a sniper MAN, thank you. Or at least a sniper Dude." He nods and says, "But I like the plan. I'm going to head up, check comms?"
Commlink-Loxley> Wanderer says, "Testing."
Commlink-Deuce> Diego says, "Roger."
Commlink-Azeroth> Raven says, "Yo. Raven here."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "You don't recall having comms, but somehow, all of you have communications gear working properly."
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Athletics for "Climbin', clambering, wigglin":
2 4 13
Wanderer shoulders his toy, checks nothing's going to fall off as he climbs, and pulls on the urban camo. It's not Ruth, but it's something. He starts to climb up, looking for handholds and making his way to the rooftop. From there he surveys the area, mapping it with his headware and feeding as detailed a map to Diego as he can.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Raven: The TN for your city spirit will be 4 for the force and +2 for the Warrens background count. Minus any centering."
«Auto-Judge[]» Raven (#7212) rolls Conjuring vs TN 6 for "Force 4 City Spirit":
2 3 3 3 7 11 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Raven (#7212) rolls Charisma vs TN 5 for "5M stun drain":
2 4 4 4 5 15 = 2 Successes
«Plot» Raven takes light stun and has a F4 city spirit with 2 services.
Wanderer moves in close enough, via rooftops, to be in short range with his rifle and then sinks down to get cover from below and to stealth.
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Stealth for "+4 Urban Camo":
2 3 3 3 8 11
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 vs TN 15 for "The dudes outside have a chance to notice Wanderer moving in 50 meters atop the roofs":
4 4 7 10 = 0 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Now the invisibility. Sorcery + spell pool, -1 die for illusion spell due to Wise Warrior totem."
«Auto-Judge[]» Raven (#7212) rolls Sorcery + Sorcery Pool: 5 - 1 vs TN 7 for "Improved INvis F5 on Diego":
1 1 1 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Raven (#7212) rolls Sorcery + Sorcery Pool: 5 - 1 vs TN 7 for "Improved INvis F5 on Diego Karma 1/5":
1 2 2 3 3 3 5 5 7 11 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Raven (#7212) rolls Sorcery + Sorcery Pool: 5 - 3 vs TN 7 for "Improved INvis F5 on Diego Karma 3/5":
1 1 2 2 3 4 7 15 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Raven (#7212) rolls Willpower vs TN 5 for "5M drain, 5/2 is 2 because you round down, +1 for imp invis is +1M, +1 for background count in warrens":
1 2 2 5 8 10 = 3 Successes
«OOC» Raven says, "Another light stun -_-"
«Plot» Shoeshine says, " All right! Pose it up - it feels strange, and you definitely feel the drain of magic grinding at you in an odd way, but he disappears just like he should!
Raven's face looks… Strained as she reaches for the magic. "This is freaky." she says to herself as she draws up a six-armed Trash-Kali from the grime and dust of the streets. Her eyes are bloodshot, her fingers are old hypodermic needles, and her body is made of trash, refuse, and old body parts. "Looks alright…" she says as she turns her mojo on Diego. She covers him in a shimmering curtain that sinks into his skin, causing him to fade.
Commlink-Loxley> Wanderer says, "I'm in position. Yes."
Diego waits, watching as Wanderer climbs to his sniper perch, then he looks to Raven and finally feels the magic surround him as she casts. He gets on his comm «Ok, hide and be ready for backup magic girl. Sniperman, you have a firing solution?» He then starts, using actual cover as he does, cause he knows you can't see magic through a wall, but it glows well in the open. He starts towards the building, looking to get inside so he can see if the keys are in the van.
The trash-Kali stands ready to cloud the mind of anyone looking too carefully at Diego. Meanwhile, he stealthily makes his way towards the warehouse…
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Stealth for Diego!"
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Stealth:
1 1 5 13
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 vs TN 5 for "I need four fives to see through the illusion, and I have three dudes on the walk up, and then two dudes at the door":
2 4 5 17 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 vs TN 5:
1 3 4 8 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 vs TN 5:
2 4 5 5 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 vs TN 5:
2 3 3 8 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 vs TN 5:
1 3 4 10 = 1 Success
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Now hearing, to hear a dude sneaking by on the street trying to cover the sound of his footsteps and gear and breathing and so forth with the ambient sounds of the Warrens"
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 + 2 vs TN 13 for "5 total dudes, just +2 dice and 1 roll":
1 3 3 5 5 8 = 0 Successes
No enemies appear to see or hear Diego ghost the 200 meters to the warehouse. He finds himself able to skirt all around it with ease. There's the loading bay door, the two dudes in front of it who are smoking cigarettes, pitching pennies, and hassling chicas who walk by but not leaving their posts, there is a disused-looking office door, there's boarded-up windows high up on the faux-brick-siding wall.
Wanderer settles down to a prone posture and has the rifle out, loaded and ready. He settles in and dials up his vision mag, waiting to hear what's going on down below and keeping his eyes peeled for the signs of anyone spotting. He checks the rifle as well, making sure it's all there, from the silencer to the smart link and biometric safety. Should anyone look like they spotted Diego he will attempt to silence them with a sudden onset of exploding head disease.
Commlink-Deuce> Diego says, "Is that gun silenced sniperboy?"
Commlink-Loxley> Wanderer says, "Well the muzzle is, what it hits isn't."
Commlink-Azeroth> Raven says, "Hey, you boys want me to make a distraction at the other end of the building? Maybe distract the guards?"
Commlink-Loxley> Wanderer says, "I was thinking about that, myself."
Commlink-Deuce> Diego says, "No, hold your position mage girl. I want sniperman to fire off a shot and break a window across the street. If a door opens, I'll go in during that time, at the least it might lure someone away."
Commlink-Loxley> Wanderer says, "Can do."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "You can roll a rifles check, then a stealth check to not be seen (the muzzle flash, in the day, it does make noise, etc etc"
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Rifles for "Vision Mag 3, inanimate object, looking for a window over some trashcans to make a suitably loud noise, also using thermo to make sure he's not about to perforate an NPC or occupied apartment.":
2 3 3 5 8 10 11
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Stealth:
1 4 4 4 4 8
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 6 vs TN 12 for "5 dudes so +2 dice, base tn 8, +4 silencer on Barrett.. possible to spot":
1 2 2 4 5 5 = 0 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "But they don't."
Crash tinkle tinkle! The huge bullet easily batters through the plastiglas window, making enough noise for the dudes at the warehouse to look up. Can't see where the shot came from, didn't look to be anywhere near aimed at them, but it is their territory. They whip out their pocsecs and make calls.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Any immediate actions while they telephone?"
«Plot» Diego says, "Lstening with hearing amp"
Commlink-Loxley> Wanderer says, "Deuce, do I let them make a call?"
Commlink-Deuce> Diego says, "Let's see whats happening first. If they are calling for help, we rush them, if not, we wait"
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Intelligence for "((Tatto Bonus)) Thermo, Low Light, Vision Mag, Hearing Amp, Magic Sense (35m), Motion Sense (7m), Electromagnetic Sense":
1 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 8
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Lip Reading:
3 3 5 9
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Diego is in an optimum position to listen in. The guy on the left is calling the dudes inside the warehouse, saying, "Hey, gunshot in the territory, might be a spent bullet, but it's too close. Keep on the lookout." The guy on the right is calling the three roaming groups of three dudes, one after the other, telling them to look out for whoever might have shot that rifle." Is that calling for help, exactly?"
Commlink-Deuce> Diego says, "Not calling in any new folks, but they are on alert now."
Wanderer chambers the next round, quickly taking a bead on the one furthest from Diego and getting ready to put a hole in one of them.
Raven stays where she is…
Commlink-Azeroth> Raven says, "Hey… You want me to confuse a few of them near the door so you can get in without being spotted?"
Commlink-Deuce> Diego says, "Doors closed, opening it would give me away….I need one of them to open it…"
Commlink-Azeroth> Raven says, "You want me to check what's on the other side of the door? I could look astrally and see if there's anything."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "If you depart from your body, you drop the spell on Diego, as departing from your body is an exclusive action, I think?"
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "You can send in a spirit and ask him. But it's a hearth domain in there?"
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "So it would have to be a watcher."
Commlink-Deuce> Diego says, "No, just wait, anyone got an idea to get them to open the door?"
Commlink-Loxley> Wanderer says, "How about ground floor windows?"
Commlink-Loxley> Wanderer says, "Or back doors?"
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "No ground floor windows. Only windows are high up, needing climbing, and boarded up."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "There's one office door, it appears disused."
Commlink-Loxley> Wanderer says, "Or I just shoot these two fuckwits and you stay hidden when they come after me?"
Commlink-Deuce> Diego says, "Let me try the office door first, if that fails, we go to attack mode."
Diego moves along towards the office door, moving to check it to see how its locked.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "When you turn the doorknob, Diego, the doorknob.. turns. And keeps turning. and keeps turning, like it's not connected to an actual locking mechanism. A light push on the door itself does not open it."
Diego feels along the door, checking to see if the knob is the only spot where the door is actually locked, or if possibly there is a padlock on the inside higher. Once he knows where it appears the door is locked, he will pull out his tool laser to cut where he suspects the locking bolt to be, right along the frame.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "By feeling along the door and using your skills, you can detect two spots where the door is truly 'fastened'. it looks like on the other side it is either barred or fully bolted closed. You would have to melt through those bars/bolts with your tool laser."
Commlink-Deuce> Diego says, "I'm going to have to try an upper window, if this fails, be ready to fight."
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Athletics:
1 4 5
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Looks like Atheltics tn 8 - a sheer wall made of a soft plastic fake brick facade, you will be digging your fingers or spikes into the plastic. So no go without tools."
Commlink-Loxley> Wanderer says, "I can make handholds if you like."
Commlink-Deuce> Diego chuckles "Hang on."
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Intelligence for "To See Diego":
1 4 5 5 5
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Intelligence - 3 for "To See Deigo, kp:1":
2 3
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "So, Wanderer can't see Diego."
Diego looks around, then starts to grab at what he thinks will support him, only to have it crumble. He frowns, then pulls out a spray can and starts using the freeze foam to make handholds and footholds.
And so, Diego makes white sticky blobs that foam up solid, gripping to the plastic of the wall-facade exactly the way they are supposed to surround a person and grip him to the floor. Note: this is an invisible guy making white blobs on a wall that become visible as they leave his possession. To be sure, Diego tries not to do this while dudes were like, looking right at him, but still….
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 vs TN 4 for "it is tn 4 to see something obvious, especially when they were put on alert":
3 4 14 28 = 3 Successes
«OOC» Shoeshine coughcough
«OOC» Diego says, "It's bird poop!"
«OOC» Wanderer says, "I do not wish to meet that bird"
One of the Los Reyes Diablo members out front shouts loud enough (with both the pocsecs still on and transmitting, one to the dudes inside, one to one of the gangs of 3 dudes outside), "Holy shit, it's an invisible guy making a ladder with freeze foam! Shoot him!"
Raven snaps her fingers at the trash spirit. "Confuse them." she says.
Commlink-Deuce> Diego says, "Kill."
Commlink-Loxley> Wanderer says, "I am become death, destroyer of heads."
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Initiative with a result of 17.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "I will roll init for the F4 city spirit:"
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 1 for "+14 city spirit":
4
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 2 for "+6 Two dudes out front":
4 13
«Auto-Judge[]» Raven (#7212) rolls Initiative with a result of 7.
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Initiative with a result of 32.
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 1 for "+4 3 groups of 3 dudes with pistols":
8
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 2 for "+7 some dudes inside":
3 5
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Diego 32, Wanderer 17, Door-dudes 16, Inside dudes 15 if it comes up, Pistol-groups 10, Raven 7, city spirit taking her orders at 14."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Diego!"
«Plot» Diego says, "Well, I guess its time to take my ares from the sling on my back and fire. So simple draw, simple burst EXEX ammo at anyone I can see."
«Plot» Diego says, "Base TN 4 range, -1 Smartlink, no recoil. Vision Mag, Thermo, Lowlight. Any other mods?"
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Launch Weapons + Combat Pool: 5 vs TN 3 for "Firing IPE Mini Concussion Grenade, 16M damage base.":
1 2 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 7 11 = 9 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls 3 for "Scatter":
1 2 5
«Plot» Diego says, "-36 meters on scatter for successes"
«Plot» Diego says, "0 Scatter"
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 8 vs TN 5 for "Assault rifle guy diving away from point blank grenade in face":
1 2 4 4 4 4 4 5 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 8 - 1 vs TN 5 for "Assault rifle guy diving away from point blank grenade in face kp1":
2 2 2 2 4 5 8 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 8 - 1 - 2 vs TN 5 for "Assault rifle guy diving away from point blank grenade in face kp3":
3 3 4 5 5 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 6 vs TN 11 for "Need 1 success to take serious…":
1 2 3 3 4 5 = 0 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Deadly for him, he'll go down."
Diego grumbles, and mentally is thinking that the game is rigged for combat, cause everyone loves to shoot in games. He steps away from the wall in a blink, reaching behind him to pull the alpha on its sling around so he can get a hand on the grip. Targeting links up with his smartlink and he gets a trajectory, slight raise, but not too much. A loud twump is sent out as a concussion grenade is launched into the air, landing right on the chest of the assault rifle wielding fellow. BOOM
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 6 + Combat Pool: 8 vs TN 3 for "the guy who is 8 meters away soak attempt":
3 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 8 8 16 = 14 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "He successfully dives away and gets behind cover."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Wanderer!"
«Plot» Wanderer says, "Recap who's where and who's shooting my supplier?"
«OOC» Wanderer says, "Love or hate him, he's the guy who supplies my cordite addiction."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Recap: there is a dude with an SMG 20 meters from Diego. There are three dudes who could shoot him with pistols like 40 meters away. there are three dudes who could shoot you and Raven with pistols 40 meters away from you two, although you have cover and Raven is pretty much around the corner and unshootable."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "There are three more dudes in a quandrant of the map where they can't affect anything, and there are four dudes inside who can only fire through walls."
Wanderer shifts in and aims at the guy with the SMG, muttering, "Shoot my fucking dealer, will you?"
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Rifles + Combat Pool: 7 for "TN:6, Short Range, +4 cover, -2 smarlink":
1 1 2 2 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 10 =1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Rifles + Combat Pool: 7 - 1 vs TN 6 for "TN:6, Short Range, Vision Mag3, etc. KP:2 (I am short range.)":
1 4 4 5 5 5 8 10 10 10 11 11 16 = 7 Successes
«Plot» Wanderer says, "That's 8 successes, Starting at 14D +8, APDS"
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 6 vs TN 8 for "No combat pool, 14d + 8 successes, even with spending karma and rerolls it is impossible for me to get enough successes even with my 8 ballistic to take that anywhere but deadly, you may pose your shot of delight":
1 1 2 2 3 3 = 0 Successes
Wanderer settles the simulated rifle into his shoulder and breathes out, then pulls the trigger and watches the over done blood effects of the video game turn him into dancing chutney. Bits spin and spiral and blood spatters everywhere, giving Diego a rosy glow around him. Then Wanderer turns and finds the nearest guy with a pistol to give him a bad day.
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Rifles + Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 3 for "Second Simple, TN:3, Short Range, Vision Mag3, etc. KP:2 (I am short range.) (Recoil totally compensated)":
1 2 2 3 3 3 4 5 7 8 = 7 Successes
Wanderer squeezes off another round, sending the bullet zipping towards the guy in the lead of the group with pistols.
«Plot» Wanderer says, "14D +7, APDS"
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls Combat Pool: 6 vs TN 4 for "Mook dodge single shot":
2 2 3 4 5 11 = 3 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls Combat Pool: 6 - 3 vs TN 4 for "Mook dodge single shot kp1 and only":
3 3 4 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 5 vs TN 8 for "6 ballistic, needs 5 successes to live":
2 2 4 4 10 = 1 Success
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "And no, another kill. He tried though!"
Commlink-Loxley> Wanderer says, "This is more fun than shooting real 100 nuyen rounds at schmucks."
Wanderer feels the second shot sink against his shoulder from the recoil and the group of dudes is running through a blood red fog.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "The groups of dudes!"
The gang of three that's furthest away shouts and looks and comes a running but it'll be ages before they get into pistol range. The gang of three that was close to Diego is now two and goes scrambling for cover, unloading some harassment shots into his general area. The gang of three that's close to Raven and Wanderer will try to get their location.
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 + Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 12 for "tn 4+8 blind fire":
3 4 4 5 5 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 + Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 12 for "tn 4+8 blind fire second shot":
3 3 7 9 11 11 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 + Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 12 for "tn 4+8 blind fire dude 2":
1 3 3 4 4 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 + Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 12 for "tn 4+8 blind fire dude 2 second shot":
3 4 4 4 5 5 = 0 Successes
Backeta backeta backeta! Nothing but pockmarks on the walls all around.
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 5 vs TN 12 for "It was tn 12 last time for Wanderer, stealth 8 +4 silencer, let's try again":
2 3 5 5 8 = 0 Successes
And they too fan out, grab for cover, and try to narrow down quadrants of thwere the shooting might come from.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Raven! Still ordering your spirit like before?"
«Plot» Raven says, "No reason not to!"
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Who would you like to confuse? One of the three dudes close to you, one of the two dudes shooting at Diego?"
Raven points at one of the shooters aiming at Diego. "Him first. Bring his worst nightmares to life." she commands the Trash Goddess.
And so it is, with him clutching first his head and then his belly as the world goes crazy on him and he can barely hold his Predator.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "End of first pass, Diego, 22!"
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Assault Rifles vs TN 6 for "Base 2, +4 Cover. Shot 1, shoot a guy":
1 2 2 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Assault Rifles vs TN 6 for "Base 2, +4 Cover. Shot 2, shoot a guy":
1 1 3 5 = 0 Successes
«Plot» Diego says, "I miss!"
Diego switches firing modes, his smartlink quickly adjusting the weapon to semi-auto. He raises it and fires two shots downrange at one of the men not confused, but Diego is not a diehard warrior, so his skill is lacking enough that he misses.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Wanderer! on 7."
Wanderer watches Diego spray ExEx ammo at the two dudes and sighs, looking down real quick.
Wanderer scoots back from the edge so his muzzle flash isn't as visible from the ground and goes for one of the two harassing Diego still. If one looks confused, and Wanderer knows that feeling, he'll shoot the other one.
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Rifles vs TN 7 for "TN:7, Med Range, Vision Mag3, etc., Cover":
1 4 5 5 8 9 11 = 3 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 2 vs TN 4 for "Unfortunately, this dude used up 4 of his combat pool":
1 7 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 5 vs TN 8 for "need 4 successes to take serious":
2 3 4 5 5 = 0 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Dead, second shot?"
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Rifles vs TN 7 for "TN:7, Med Range, Vision Mag3, etc., Cover (Recoil Compensated) (Let us end his confusion.)":
1 2 2 3 5 9 13 = 2 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "the dodge is tn 4 +4 confusion is 8, or tn 14 - 6 ballistic is 8, so he soaks!"
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 5 + Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 8 for "needs 4 successes to live":
1 2 4 4 5 5 7 = 0 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "And another one bites the dust, make your stealth."
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Stealth for "+4 Urban Camo, +4 Cover":
1 1 2 2 4 4
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Stealth for "+4 Urban Camo, +4 Cover KP:3":
1 2 2 3 4 5
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 5 vs TN 9 "also using flash and limited noise not just sight so not all that camo is helpful":
1 3 4 5 11 = 1 Success
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "One guy figures it out, from muzzle flash and limited, repeated, silenced shots - he points it out to the other fellows, and to the guys on the phone. However… they don't have actions this round and can't shoot. The only one on this pass is Raven's spirit, who confuses the closest guy, who is quickly punished. However, one can assume that the bad guys have called for help… how long till it arrives? And the three guys from the other quadrant?"
Wanderer stares at the two that Diego shot and wonders if he shoots them fast enough that Diego thinks he got them. He watches one then the next jerk and fall down, gaping wounds where vital portions should be. He clearly must have dropped some brass or something, getting someone's attention.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Third pass, Diego only, no targets closeby. Three targets about 160 meters away. Or the warehouse."
«Plot» Diego says, "What kind of door was the one being guarded?"
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "loading bay door? Corrugated sheet metal that rolls up?"
«Plot» Diego says, "Will a concussion grenade affect it?"
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "A flash-bang may scar the outside but will not rip through, only a real damage grenade will rip through."
«Plot» Diego says, "Ok, let my alpha dangle from the sling, draw my MGL6 simple, Fire IPE Offensive Grenade at loading bay door simple."
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Launch Weapons + Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 2 for "Firing at a door, shouldnt miss, 4 base, -1 smartlink, -1 stationary target":
1 2 2 2 4 5 5 7 8 = 8 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls 3 for "Scatter, -32 for successes":
2 8 9
«Plot» Shoeshine says, " You make a manful attempt to go wide, but the fact that you are shooting at the broad side of a barn makes it quite easy. You rip open a 1/2 meter hole through the corrugated door, through which some assault rifle and shotgun fire immediately comes (via readied actions)"
Diego lets his assault rifle fall, the sling leaving it at his side. He draws the smaller bulky pistol looking object, raising it to point at the door and then sending a mental order to the smartlink to fire. The grenade hits the door and explodes, blasting a hole in the metal and showing him the inside.
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 2 for "+7 the dudes inside":
1 3
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 1 for "+4 the dudes outside":
5
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Initiative with a result of 36.
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Initiative with a result of 25.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "While the dudes inside are in-duh-viduals, they are similar enough that they all go on the same inits. Like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, you can tell them apart mostly by the weapons they carry."
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 1 for "+14 city spirit":
1
«Auto-Judge[]» Raven (#7212) rolls Initiative with a result of 6.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Diego 36, Wanderer 25, Spirit 15, Inside 11, Outside 9, Raven 6"
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "three dudes nearish to Raven and Wanderer, three dudes a ways away, four dudes inside with guns pointing at hole"
Commlink-Deuce> Diego says, "Just keep me invisible and wait!"
Commlink-Loxley> Wanderer says, "I have no visuals on the ones inside, Deuce, angle's wrong."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Diego, 36!"
«Plot» Diego says, "I'll blast a bigger hole in the door and move to cover."
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Launch Weapons + Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 2 for "Shooting a door":
1 1 2 3 3 3 4 8 = 6 Successes
Diego fires off another round, making the hole in the door even bigger, hopefully big enough he can enter when the time comes. He then moves over to take cover for the time when everyone starts shooting at where they think he is.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Wanderer, 26"
Wanderer dammits and scoots forward to shoot at one of the three goons coming his way. He levels off the barret, trying to judge if any have grenades.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "It's hard to judge in split second when they haven't drawn it. Conceal is 7 so you can roll perception."
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Intelligence for "Thermo, Vision Mag, yadda yadda, Camera so I can take a quick still and zoom in":
3 4 4 5 10
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Why yes, that guy does appear to have a grenade or two. Probably they all do just in case."
«Plot» Wanderer says, "I called shot the grenade bundle."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Harrumph. Short range tn 4. +4 cover. +2 called shot. -2 smartlink is tn 8"
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Rifles + Combat Pool: 7 vs TN 8 for "SL 2, Vision Mag, Yadda yadda.":
1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 4 5 11 15 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Rifles + Combat Pool: 7 - 2 vs TN 8 for "SL 2, Vision Mag, Yadda yadda. (KP4)":
1 1 1 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 10 11 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 6 vs TN 4 for "Dodging single shot, need 5 successes":
1 1 1 4 5 11 = 3 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 6 - 3 vs TN 4 for "Dodging single shot, need 5 successes kp 1 and only":
1 2 3 = 0 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "No dice."
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 5 vs TN 8 for "need 3 successes to live before grenade follow on explosion":
3 3 3 4 7 = 0 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "describe your fa-boom.. and there's your second shot to go."
«Plot» Wanderer says, "Aw. I was hoping they'd be close enough to enjoy a group grope."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Surely there is a point bonus for style that you're racking up somewhere."
Wanderer doesn't be quite so fancy for the next shot, instead just going center of mass in goon 2 in the close group.
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Rifles + Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 6 for "SL 2, Vision Mag, Yadda yadda. (Recoil Compensated)":
1 2 2 2 3 4 4 5 8 8 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 6 vs TN 4 for "might just dodge this one!":
2 3 4 5 5 8 = 4 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "And a full dodge! Gasp! A miss!"
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "The spirit! Just when I had a dude who can see Wanderer and can theoretically do something about it, confuses the only unconfused guy that I have who can possibly threaten the two of you."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "The two dudes who are living and confused! First they need Willpower checks tn 4 to act at all."
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 vs TN 4:
2 4 5 5 = 3 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 vs TN 4:
4 5 9 11 = 4 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Now they go to pull their backup grenades and toss them up onto Wanderer's rooftop, hopefully getting close enough to blow him the frag up. (Get it? Frag grenade?)"
Raven lights up a nice fat joint as she watches. Maintaining the spell and the spirit is work enough. She really needs to relax a bit.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Long range, tn 8, +4 confusion so tn 12, scatter 1d6 meters."
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 1 for "dude 1 scatter":
8
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 + Combat Pool: 4 vs TN 12 for "Can he bring it in?":
1 1 1 5 5 10 13 16 = 2 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "so by my reading, that's -4 meters per success for aerodynamic grenades, which means that's right on top of you. It's 10S against impact damage."
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) has the Armor Rating Impact with the value '0 (6)'.
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Body vs TN 4:
2 2 3 5 11 = 2 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "So, Impact of 6, and no combat pool, it's 10S +2 successes, -2 successes, is a Serious wound."
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 1 for "scatter on dude 2":
5
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 4 + Combat Pool: 4 vs TN 12:
1 2 3 3 4 7 8 8 = 0 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "No successes, it lands 5 meters away. scatter direction - 1-2-3 is off the wall"
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 1:
2
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "It lands in front of the building, no damage (otherwise it would be 10s -5 -6 or 2S damage in any case."
«Plot» Wanderer is without karma or combat pool and eats a frag grenade, the sniper's natural predator.
Commlink-Loxley> Wanderer says, "Ah christ… *cough*"
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "And, Raven!"
Commlink-Loxley> Wanderer says, "*coughs* Yeah… Ruthenium instead of rifle next time.""
Commlink-Azeroth> Raven says, "I'm sending help."
Raven concentrates. "Kali Durga, cloak my companion in a shroud of utter darknes… Then return to smiting the minds of our foes."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "So it will be written - Wanderer will be concealed when the spirit's turn comes around again."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Second pass, Diego, 26"
Diego moves up quickly, using the remaining portion of the door as cover, and then he turns to fire twice quickly into the room. Two grenades thump from his MGL6, each one hitting very close to his intended targets.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "After you are done shooting, that will trigger their readies."
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Launch Weapons + Combat Pool: 5 vs TN 3 for "Base TN 4, -1 smartlink, Shot 1, SA now. Between the right two guys":
1 1 2 2 3 4 4 4 5 7 11 = 7 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Launch Weapons + Combat Pool: 5 - 7 vs TN 3 for "Base TN 4, -1 smartlink, Shot 1, SA now. Between the right two guys KP:1":
5 8 9 10 = 4 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Launch Weapons vs TN 3 for "Shooting a second grenade, same guys":
1 3 3 3 5 5 = 5 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "I presume you choose a location 5 meters from 2 dudes. You have: shotgun ork 1, Ork with (sigh) bow and arrow, assault rifle human, and spear-chucking troll. Interestingly, as you can see in just a split second, the assault rifle human is not dressed in flamboyant clothing. He is dressed more normally.. indicating that he might have been one of the undercover guys that this van was stolen from. The two orks and the troll are dressed like mechanics kinda, this being a chop shop. So this is troll and human?"
«Plot» Diego says, "Yes."
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls 3 for "Scatter 1, -16 m for successes":
2 4 8
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls 3 for "Scatter 2, -20 meters success":
2 3 3
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls Combat Pool: 9 vs TN 5 for "first grenade dodge, AR human":
1 1 2 2 2 4 4 5 10 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls Combat Pool: 9 - 2 vs TN 5 for "first grenade dodge, AR human kp1":
1 1 1 4 5 7 11 = 3 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 8 vs TN 6 for "AR human soak, impact 5, 5 meters, looking at 6m +2 successes now":
1 1 2 4 4 5 10 16 = 2 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "He takes D because of 11 successes, moving to troll."
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 7 vs TN 5 for "full dodge on first":
1 2 2 3 4 4 16 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 7 - 1 vs TN 5 for "full dodge on first kp1":
1 1 2 3 8 10 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 12 vs TN 4 for "against 4m +8 successes":
1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 7 8 10 = 7 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 12 - 7 vs TN 4 for "against 4m +8 successes kp2":
2 3 4 5 11 = 3 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 12 vs TN 4 for "against 4m+5 successes":
1 1 1 1 2 2 3 4 4 4 9 10 = 5 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "M on first, and S on the second. 9 boxes."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Readied actions! Spear chucker troll chucks spear!"
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 6 vs TN 19 for "tn 4 +3 wounds +8 invis +4 cover":
1 2 2 3 3 4 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 6 + Combat Pool: 6 vs TN 16 for "incredibly strong bow and arrow orc shoots! tn 4 +8 invis +4":
2 2 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 8 11 14 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 6 + Combat Pool: 6 vs TN 16 for "assault rifle first burst":
1 1 1 1 1 2 3 4 4 5 8 9 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 6 + Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 16 for "assault rifle second burst":
1 2 2 2 4 5 5 5 10 = 0 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "You see, I didn't roll for their intelligence to penetrate the Invisibility because their intelligence can't get 4 successes on TN 5. :)"
An incredible hail of gunfire pours out and around the hole - shotguns, arrows, spears, assault rifle, everything they have. It seems that whatever their guesses, they're all wrong, chewing up the door on the wrong side of where Diego crouches, and he gets off freaking scot free. Clearly it's time for the grenades.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Wanderer, serious wound, second pass on 13, go. You have two confused dudes."
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Rifles vs TN 11 for "SL 2, Vision Mag, Yadda yadda. Serious Wound. Cussing.":
1 2 3 3 5 9 16 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 8 for "I need both dice to succeed for dodge":
2 4 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 5 vs TN 8 for "I need 3 successes to live ":
3 4 5 5 5 = 0 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Dead, next shot"
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Rifles vs TN 9 for "SL 2, Vision Mag, Yadda yadda. Serious Wound. Cussing. (Recoil Compensated)":
2 3 4 4 4 5 8 = 0 Successes
Wanderer drags his bleeding carcass to the edge of the roof and fires off two shots at the grenadiers, hearing the satisfying sound of one shuffling off the mortal coil. He misses one but the other at least is dead.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Diego! Third pass. do you relentlessly blow up these dudes?"
«Plot» Diego says, "Last 2 shots on MGL 6, 1 shot at shotgun ork, 1 shot at bow ork"
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Launch Weapons vs TN 3 for "Shotgun Ork":
1 1 1 2 3 10 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Launch Weapons vs TN 5 for "Second target, Bow Ork":
1 3 4 5 5 9 = 3 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls 3 for "Scatter 1":
2 3 5
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls 3 for "Scatter 2":
3 7 8
«Plot» Diego says, "-8 first scatter, -12 second scatter"
«Plot» Diego says, "2 meters away grenade 1. 6 meters off grenade 2"
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 9 vs TN 8 for "2 meters makes 16m into 14m, 6 impact is tn 8,":
1 1 2 4 4 5 5 8 8 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 8 vs TN 4 for "6 meters makes 16 into 10, 6 impact is 4":
1 1 2 2 3 4 5 5 = 3 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Serious wound on the shotgun ork and a serious wound on the bow and arrow ork."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "And their last actions on the second pass:"
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "They take out their backup grenades and try to lay them right out the hole at your feet."
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 1 for "scatter":
5
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 3 vs TN 11 for "tn 4 +4 cover +3 wounds to get it through a hole and right on the other side, need to reduce spread to 0":
2 5 9 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 1 for "scatter on bow ork":
1
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 3 vs TN 11 for "tn 4 +4 cover +3 wounds to get it through a hole and right on the other side, need to reduce spread to 0, only needs 1 success":
2 2 5 = 0 Successes
In all the smoke and confusion and grenades, and calling for help on cellphones and flashing and banging, their grenades bounce off the walls and do nothing.
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 6 vs TN 19 for "the spear-chucking troll has to try his last time":
1 2 2 3 3 5 = 0 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "third pass, Diego."
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "then Wanderer, then Diego, please finish it. :)"
«Plot» Diego says, "How many standing in front of me?"
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "3. Ork with S, ork with S, troll with 9 boxes"
«OOC» Diego says, "I'll drop my mgl6, simple draw alpha, simple burst at S ork"
«OOC» Shoeshine says, "If you hit he is down, so as to end this faster."
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Assault Rifles + Combat Pool: 4 vs TN 6 for "Base TN 4, -2 SL2, +4 cover":
1 2 2 3 3 3 3 8 = 1 Success
«OPlot» Shoeshine says, "Pwang! You pick him off. He goes down."
Diego drops the mgl6, the readout on the smartlink showing its empty now. His hand grabs the alpha on the sling and raises it, the new readings showing ammo count on the weapon and the dot of its aim on the ork on the left. He squeezes the trigger and sends three rounds into the guy, sending him to the ground.
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Wanderer!"
«Plot» Wanderer says, "What's left?"
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "There are three dudes that are too far away to do anything with their pistols. They are getting into their low-rider vehicles."
Wanderer waits for them to pick a car to get into and shoots the driver in the head. (Delay)
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "fourth pass, Diego!"
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Assault Rifles vs TN 7 for "Burst at ork, burst 1":
1 1 8 11 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Assault Rifles vs TN 13 for "Base 4, -2 sl2, +5 recoil, +2 second target, +4 cover.":
2 4 4 15 = 1 Success
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "You pick him off too. And you will go long before the troll goes in the beginning of the next round, and be unwounded and invisible and have all your pool while he is half dead and has no grenades. Pose your mighty efforts and then I will pose."
Diego quickly moves his sights to the next one in line. A squeeze of the trigger, and three rounds find their target, a shift again, now the target is the troll, and three more bullets thump into him.
It would appear that the three distant pistoleros have gotten into their drive-by special vehicles in order to 1. close the distance and 2. be ready to follow you and have some kind of a car-chase scene when you hotwire the stolen vehicle and drive away - just like Mr. Johnson said, you will have won the scenario when you have made an appropriate getaway. The scenario didn't exactly take into account Wanderer having a Barrett that can shoot through ordinary vehicle armored glass not unlike tinfoil, and even though he's wounded, these guys aren't riggers - they're sitting ducks as they try to accelerate. So no chase scene.
However, four IPE grenades in a chop shop where several vehicles, including the unarmored surveillance van that you wanted, are not really good for its tires and windows. The car is not amazingly driveable. However, Diego has copious time to fetch out the memory core and surveillance gear, which is what they wanted.
Meanwhile, outside, people are running and screaming and hiding, the way they do when massive military style grenadey gangwars comes to town. It's remarkably realistic to Warrens life that way!
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Athletics for "to climb down":
1 2 5
Wanderer lands gracefully in the heap of trash immediately to Raven's right, with an OOMPH! and the clatter of his rifle a moment later right behind him. He lays there in the trash staring up at her for a moment, eyes unfocused.
Commlink-Deuce> Diego says, "I have the datacore, let's get out of here before more trouble arrives."
Diego moves away quickly with the gear, regrouping with the team and making their way out on foot to the rendevous point. Less pay is better than no pay or being dead, that's how a real runner thinks, failure is death, no point taking the risks in a game and getting sloppy habits.
«Plot» We check Wanderer's essence and biotech for Raven to magically heal him. (BWAHAHAHA!) It's TN 14 with background count.
«Auto-Judge[]» Raven (#7212) rolls Sorcery + Sorcery Pool: 5 vs TN 14 for "F6 Serious heal":
2 2 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 8 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Raven (#7212) rolls Sorcery + Sorcery Pool: 5 vs TN 13 for "F6 Serious heal Karma 4/5":
2 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 7 8 = 0 Successes
Raven picks up Wanderer and drags him into the van. "Come on tough guy. Let's get the fuck outta here."
Wanderer isn't unconscious yet, he just had an ungraceful dismount from the roof, he gets up and gathers up his rifle, heading away with Raven, "Thanks for trying. Yes, Mr. Programmer, the fucking game feels real enough. I've got two or three broken ribs."
And when, by dint of unregulated destruction and a complete lack of finesse, you depart the map area… it's not so much that you have 'evaded' attempts to follow you but you have sufficiently cleared the map before reinforcements could arrive such that there's no one capable of following you. It's a success, but the albino Mr. Johnson clearly doesn't look happy, and offers you the 15k payment. And in the distance of the equipment room, a chk-chunk! can be heard. Something has unlocked!
And when you jack out, Wanderer isn't bleeding, but he has matching shrapnel bruises all over his body where, inside the game, he was dotted with blood. And Shoeshine is at him with the medical kit. For his part, Piotr Mobydeux says, "I will have to speak with the weapons designers.. I had no idea the Barrett and the grenade launchers could be this.. unbalancing. And I'll run another check on the detection AI.. make sure it's properly compartmentalized and not bleeding data in memory leaks…" When he's undistracted, he'll be sure to give you all your payments for a fairly harsh, and outside the usual pale kind of 'testing.'
Diego removes his helmet and nods. "Grenade launchers are unbalancing in Z zones, anywhere with cops and you have a rapid police response. Even the warrens will get 'attention', just not as fast."
Wanderer sits up and strips off his shirt for Shoeshine to work, grunting.
Mr. Mobydeux asks, "But if you get away fast enough, aren't you essentially free to use such things as you would?" He seems, perhaps, shaken by this. But then, his combat map was only a two block square, after all.
Wanderer nods, "That's pretty much the point of a smash and grab. You get out before proper response is formed."
Diego nods "Imagine the target is a box in a room. You line the hallway with traps, you put guards in the room, all that……then someone lays thermite on the wall of the 50th story cause they use magic to fly, burn a hole into the room and quickly kill the two guards in the room, grab the box and fly away. This takes maybe 5 seconds."
Diego says "Do you think the guards in the hall can do anything in five seconds?"
Mobydeux says, "Yes, I allowed for all those possibilities with emergent gameplay and matrix techniques. It's still so strange to see it in action! That's why I needed to hire real shadowrunners to help me think through all these things. Very interesting… very interesting indeed!"
Raven rubs her chin as she undownloads… "Well… That was freakish and unnatural." she says. "And pretty fun. Though I think I unbalanced things a touch more than they did." she says with a smile.
Wanderer raises an eyebrow and looks skeptical, "I like the idea but then?"
Wanderer gets up and limps to the door. "Mr. Mobydeux, entertaining as usual, but I am going to go home, drink something alcoholic, and go the hell to bed. Diego talk to you soon and Raven, a pleasure meeting you. Shoeshine…. damn gel rounds, my ass."
Wanderer tries to catch Diego's eye as he leaves.
Diego stands up, waiting for his payment to be setup. "I suggest you think of a storyline honestly. Missions like this won't entertain your gamers long, you want some epic consipiracy, isn't that what a good trid is all about? Put your players in a story, not just a shooter."
«Auto-Judge[]» Shoeshine (#844) rolls 6 for "Mobydeux's stealth":
1 2 2 4 5 8
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "You can perceive against TN 8 if you like after Diego makes that statement."
«Auto-Judge[]» Raven (#7212) rolls Intelligence:
1 1 1 5 9
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) rolls Intelligence for "((Tatto Bonus)) Thermo, Low Light, Vision Mag, Hearing Amp, Magic Sense (35m), Motion Sense (7m), Electromagnetic Sense":
1 1 1 1 3 4 4 5 8
«Auto-Judge[]» Wanderer (#10733) rolls Intelligence:
1 2 2 5 9
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "All three of you catch a little flinch from Mobydeux as Diego says that."
Commlink-Loxley> Wanderer says, "Hey Deuce… Ever wonder if a corporation would pay big money to have data on local runners and their methods?"
Diego smiles faintly "You know, a year ago I saw a documentary…where runners were hired to rescue someone, turns out another team had been hired to kidnap them first, and this group filmed the whole thing. You'd think it would have just been cheaper to hire actors, instead of people who likely kill folks for betrayals." He looks over at the Jay, "Luckily, I'm just an actor myself, I just happend to be a decent gamer. World War Z is my preference."
«Plot» Raven says, "I'm going to attempt to read Mr. Msomethings aura."
«Auto-Judge[]» Raven (#7212) rolls Aura Reading vs TN 4 for "GRRRRSTARE!":
1 1 3 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Raven (#7212) rolls Intelligence vs TN 4:
2 3 4 5 9 = 3 Successes
«Plot» Shoeshine says, "Aura: his aura in bright and intent, focused, interested, and deep. He has brainware, headware memory, enhanced mental processing, and a datajack - basically, useful things for a computer jock/creative person."
Commlink-Deuce> Diego says, "I'll do a little digging on our friend."
Commlink-Loxley> Wanderer says, "Good. Find out where he lives and the location of any tall buildings nearby."
«Plot» Diego says,"I'll text with my wireless, to my decker contact to start doing a full datasearch on this guy and his game."
«Auto-Judge[]» Diego (#2074) has the Contact Snow with the following information (only to Shoeshine):
-----> Contact for Diego (#2074) <-----
Contact Name: Snow
Level: 2
Type: decker
GM Note: Snow is a female in her mid twenties that is a hardcore hacker. She is one of those that not only does it for the money, she does it for the thrill. she has a fairly good selection of programs and a hot deck that lets her cut through most systems with ease. She doesn't do freebies though, no matter how interesting the job. For data searches she has an agent program to handle most of that dull work, so she charges normal rates even if it is a bore.
GM Note: Corp Decker MJLBB. Diego often has need of a decker, and he always turns to Snow. Diego got her name through Teeg years ago, and they have kept a good working relationship since then.
You all go your separate ways, though with appropriate eyebrows raised and proper considerations thought of, mild threats made. Background info comes back - Piotr Mobydeux is a well-known matrix game designer.. he had a string of mild hits, some of which anyone who games would have heard of, though whether it floated their boat is another thing. His speciality is freeform, open world games, trying to make them as real as possible. His last three or four games haven't been quite so critically received, however, and he's getting old as game designers go - he's in his honest sixties and hasn't been leonized or doesn't seem to want to be or doesn't think that will give him whatever it takes for another hit. In fact, 'word on the street' was that he had retired, but you know how it is with matrix/computer guys/game designers/shadowrunners. You never really retire. You just go into hiding working on the next big thing.
Commlink-Loxley> Wanderer says, "I'm wary of the data this guy's gathering on us."
Commlink-Deuce> Diego says, "I suggest we have a chat with our dwarf 'fixer.'"
Commlink-Azeroth> Raven says, "Sounds like a plan to me. Not that he got much on me other than 'she summons spirits and sits on her duff'."
Shoeshine is easy enough to corral at Falstaff's, where he can be found in his Warrens gear tossing back a tall cold one. Of Orange-lime NERPS, his favoritest flavor ever.
Wanderer limps into the bar, looking better, having gotten some real medical attention, and sits across from Shoeshine.
Diego will arrive shortly after, moving in to join the dwarf at a table. "So, I'm curious where the man got his funding for his project here. Seems to be quite a bit of money to spend on this kind of research, most companies just use a closed beta test."
Raven nods slowly. "Yeah… I'm not up on the whole matrix thing though. It's ahhhh… Not something the Totems particularly enjoy."
Shoeshine says, "So, to fill you guys in with what I know: I got this job from Kuryakin, my fixer at the Draco Foundation. He supposedly got the job from Mobydeux. But he was interested enough in it to follow it up. Which in and of itself says something right there, amirite?"
Diego arches a brow. "So you're saying all the trust here is on your third party. Honestly this seems more like a security simulation than anything else, a method to test corporate security. I don't see all that much money in it as a game, there are plenty of other games out there."
Wanderer says, "Forgive my burgeoning paranoia but wouldn't a great way to find out about runners be to build increasingly difficult simulations to test the variety of runners you have in a local area? That information would be very valuable to security contractors."
Shoeshine says, "They say it ain't a shadowrun until your Johnson's screwed you twice. So who's the Johnson? And who's screwing who? No, all this paranoia is good - this is no ordinary matrix game. I can tell that just by watching the wounds spurt up on you guys. Do you know about how it uses biofeedback, Diego? Wouldn't it have to use black ice or something to mimic real injuries?""
Raven rubs her chin. "Yeah… The magic felt… Weird in there… Dirty almost." she says, groping for words to describe how she felt.
Shoeshine says, "I'd like to imagine that Kuryakin isn't setting me or you up for anything. It hasn't been his style. But he does work for a corp."
Diego looks to Wanderer and shakes his head. "Depends, most folks die fast honestly, building data on them really only has one use, making them work for free until you're ready to kill them." He looks to Shoeshine "That's actually rather difficult, black Ice fries your brain, it doesn't normally break your ribs, that's highly invasive, you basically have to take command of the body and tell the muscles in your side to contract fast and hard. If you could do that, you could literally remote control a person."
Wanderer says, "I think Shoeshine was standing beside me with a lead pipe and just hit me when the grenade went off."
Shoeshine says, "One thing I thought of was like a test - like they have a scenario in the real world, and they're trying to either find top people, or train top people, to put into it."
Shoeshine is totally referring to at least one old movie, maybe several, right there.
Diego shrugs "Possibly, but this scenario was not worth any test."
Wanderer says, "Anyway, let's just continue being cautious. I need to go find a doc and get patched up."
Shoeshine says, "I've done two of them so far. Wanderer has been in both. The first one had.. a little more finesse."
Wanderer looks over at Shoe, "Really? Was it the same one I was in, when we shot the dudes and took their lunch money and ran? Seemed much like this one."
Shoeshine says, "I said a little."
Shoeshine huhs and thinks. "When he got hurt in the game that's when the injuries appeared. I wonder what would have happened with the magical healing? Could it have fixed the injuries too?"
Wanderer nods, "Well that'll have to do, I guess. I am going to go home." He reaches down and, without even thinking about it, purely on instinct, picks up the bottle cap from Shoeshine's drink and puts it in his pocket as he stands.
Raven shudders quietly. "I don't like this… The more I hear the worse it starts to sound."
Diego shrugs "One and walk should be fine, I'll probably not be volunteering for the next test."
Shoeshine says, "Should I not call you?"
Shoeshine thinks maybe he'll call Rex and Tycho for the next one.
Diego shakes his head. "No, I'd rather not get too deep into this, this was enough for me.
Raven nods. "I'm in. If nothing else, I'll be able to help us GTFO."
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