GM: Mr. Terrific
Players: Smart, Tank, Reyes
Synopsis: The Pope Is Coming To Town and the Swiss Guard (now PIKCorp) hires some runners to use their low-to-the-ground contacts to rustle up who might be gearing up for an attack on the Pope. The 'runners uncover an odd little plan by a strangely powerful group (two serious ork 'runners) and their Free Spirit Earth Elemental friend, just recently freed in another plot. They look at the force they face and what they have, and they wisely choose to send in the info and let a dozen guys with guns handle this one.
When they send in the info they are recruited for an add-on spy mission, which they complete… only spotted by the Earth Elemental Free Spirit, who doesn't know what he's seeing because he was, literally, born yesterday.
Date: March 20, 2071
The calls go out via the fixers and faces - an out-of-town corp without any presence on the ground is looking for some local assistance. The place to meet your Mister Johnson will be in a rent-an-office office park in the 'A' zone of the CAS, so careful on the weapons when you're coming to the meet. And the meet is Sunday afternoon, which just happens to be one of those times that Shadowrunners, just like anyone else, are fairly difficult to get ahold of.
The rent-an-office place is one of those places where they have Matrix connections and a dedicated core of secretaries, gofers, a cafe at the bottom, security guard, and so forth. Whenever you need a physical office with meeting rooms and projectors and such, you have one.
Luckily the young man known as Smart seems to frequen various places, where Fixers and Faces mingle. Being a loner or solitary guy, gets wind of the job, and heads out to designated meeting place, arriving about 15 minutes early. Lucikly for him, doesn't carry a lot of serious weaponry, except an smg that is very concealable.
West is one of those called, of course. Nikolai's hooking him up, it seems. The conversation over the phone is as brief and cryptic as their chats usually are, but the gist is gotten on both ends - a potential job offer from one, a firm acceptance of it from the other. Not really like West was going to do anything other than drink coffee all afternoon, anyway. A quick detour back to the Warrens is taken, in order to pick up his go bag and, judging by the locale of the meet, stuff a couple of choice items into the chemsealed smuggler's compartment in his 3220. Then the coupe's rolled out onto the cracked Warrens streets, and off he zooms out to the CAS district.
A rat skitters by ignoring Tank who is laying on his back on the floor watching the fan spin around. The day is quite not even a gun shot in the Crank is heard, everything but the whooshing of the fan. A buzzing noise is heard as it catches Tanks Hearing amplication. He looks around for a minute before sighing as he raises himself up off the floor. He searches his apartment high and is about to give till he hears where it is. He dives over the coffee table and into the couch digging hard and fast through the creases before he find it. Answering it quickly before they hang up. He responds giving the go to hear the job and agrees with it before gathering his gear. Shutting off the lights he exits his room and pays his rent to his nagging manager that just happens to always be scouring the halls on a sunday afternoon. He jumps into his truck and heads off to the meet spot.
The radio blarring some sort of heavy rock station as he pulls up to a vacant parking lot just a block away. Paying the partking meater Tank wobbles his way over to the rent-an-office.
West is last to arrive, it seems. He parks right out in the rent-an-office-park's lot, and a single look at the place informs him that it'd be a bad idea to wander on in loaded down with guns. So, foregoing any weaponry, he instead simply chooses to make his way in naked. Well, 'cept for the clothes, of course. Fortunately, it's a Sunday, so chances are he won't stand out like a whore in a nunnery due to the casual clothes - more like a whore at a bridge game. His Honda's keys are slung around one finger, lips pursing as though he were whistling, though no sound actually makes it out; he's been trying to pick up that particular skill for years. Towards the main entrance of the office park he strolls, finally slotting the keys back into a pocket.
Another inhabitant of The Crank, Reyes, receives a call as he was working his prowess into a patched up punching bag. Giving the beating a rest, he wipes off the excess sweat with a towel before picking up his phone. Without exchanging a single word to his contact, he closes the cell and slips it into his pocket before he reaches over to pick up his hoodie, slipping it on and concealing his pistols within before zipping it up and heading out. Locking the door, he heads down to the parking to hop into his car before departing off towards the CAS sector.
The building does in fact have two rentacops out front and a Magnetic Anomaly Detector, which West sails right through without a hitch. The rest of the gang either hesitate in front of it or get buzzed or take additional steps to stow thing in vehicles - but in any case the much-put-upon male secretary will call off the rentacops when you are going through the MAD. "They're 'expected.'" he says. "Room 201B, the meeting room." Which is easy enough to find, and will have a tall, fair-haired, blue-eyed man in a crisp blue suit waiting.
'BEEeePP!' Tank steps back as the MAG goes off, he shrugs as he looks at the cops knowing it would go off but he likes to press his luck sometimes. "I have a pocket watch and a San Franando Valley Pen on me?" he says as the call is prccessed through to let him in. Tank chuckles as he walks through the MAG again BEEeepp!'. He makes his way up to the office knocking alittle as he steps on through, peering through the door as he spots the blue eyed crips suited man waiting. "Good afternoon." He says as he steps through and shuts the door behind him "I'm here for a job?" He smirks moving his hair away from his mouth.
Pulling up in the parking lot, the old Nissan is given a quick rinse as the gear is shift to neutral before finally coming to a stop. Stepping out the car, Reyes kept his weaponry safely stashed inside before closing the door and locking it. He takes a quick glance around, apparently still new to the city as he hasn't been here before, probably a good reason to his late arrival. Lowering the hood of his hoodie to seem less suspicious, he makes his way passed the security checks weaponless, however stepping in behind Tank, Reyes sets off the security as well as his cybernetics trigger it. He however stops abruptly as the door is shut in his face, causing him to quirk a brow. "Puta madre.." He says to himself in a hushed tone before opening it and stepping in.
When you are all present, the tall blond man gives a short bow and says, "A pleasure to make your acquaintances," with a slight germanic/swiss accent. "You may call me 'Mister Johnson.' Today I am here representing PIKCorp. As you may or many not know, PIKCorp is a direct descendant of the Swiss Guard originally hired to provide security for Vatican City - and by extension, the Pope." He bows his head and sketches the sign of the cross reverently. He touches the projector to show a view of Colorado Springs, and several locations encircled in red upon it. "In several months time, the Pope will be travelling in this area and making a stop in his ministerings in Colorado Springs. We are currently evaluating a number of locations in which to set up our usual security precautions. But that is the point…"
Tank looks at the others before going back to listening.
"Our security precautions are 'usual.' We have highly-trained guards, security armor, firearms, technology, security devices, even contracted spirits and mages. We are good at what we do. But any defense-in-place can be detected and defeated. What we don't have is eyes, ears, and forces on the ground, in the area, hooked into the local network to find out who might be plotting against us. And that takes more time than we have. That is where you come in."
Offers a silent nod to the one person he is aware of here, while listening to the johnson. Smart seems to be evaluating each one in return, as they are studied. Still might as well see, who and what he might be ealing with.
"We would like you to be the offensive team. Use your connections and investigation skills to find out who, if anyone, is plotting an attack on the Pope. As his itinerary, but not exact location, is now known, the planning on it will begin now. When you detect them, contact us, and if possible, engage in a counter-assault. Force them off balance. Prevent their attack before it happens. If you can, BE the person getting hired to do the job, and then we can arrange your failure."
Tank says "Put my reputation on the line?"
The blond man realizes what he's just said. "If you don't like that plan, it doesn't have to be on the table."
Reyes fishes out a cigarette from his pack, placing it inbetween his lips but not lighting yet as it was probably a non smoking area, he just needed it inbetween his lips to smell. "Agreed with that one.." He jerks a thumb to tank.
West crosses his arms across his chest and simply listens; at some point during the walk to 201B, he got himself a stick of gum, and he's chewing it slowly, green eyes focused on Johnson. "So, essentially, you want us to go poke around Colorado Springs shouting anti-Catholic shit and see who we manage to turn out from under a rock?" His eyes sweep the rest of the quartet, a slight smirk starting to edge up his lips. "Something tells me that nobody here is a counterintelligence specialist, mate."
Mr. Johnson says to West, "I'm hoping you have better connections than that. But the 'How' is up to you."
Tank shrugs "You two can be hired, but I can see this as a job I can do without needing to be hired by another force." He looks at the J "No disrespect, it's a plan that can work, but I am one not to do it." he steps forward "Perhaps just using our buddies or contacts can give us a good idea if anybody is, after that do alittle homework and try…" He stops midsentace. "Nevermind, scratch that plan." He says as he listens to what the J tells West.
Mister Johnson eventually says, "Is this acceptable?"
West scratches his chin thoughtfully, fingers rustling amongst the beard. "The Pope's a head of state, technically, isn't he? While not as big as, say, the Confederation, the Vatican's still the Vatican, last I checked. This'd be a bit like Daviar's people hiring out a coyote crew to go sniffing around a visit to Berlin. I just don't see the angle. You've already got some sort of threat in mind, and it's something you guys can't take care of yourselves."
Smart says, "We need a copy of the itinerary, so we can see possible points of attack. Since considering attacking the pope is like attacking a high-ranked ceo of a mega corp, the team will be demanding a lot, and be well organized. Still its just a matter, of having some Fixer's see whats out there."
Another glance around the room and Smart sighs.."Plus any groups with the money and backing who openly oppose the Pope, any known groups who will be protesting, we should be aware of? Any info you haven't shared with us, Mr. Johnson?"
Reyes jerks his thumb towrads West. "He's got a point, ese. You definately know more than you're letting on."
Mister Johnson rolls his eyes towards the ceiling, and the german in his accent comes out a little more heavily. "I know many things that are not relevant to our current proceedings and would not help you. If I had to tell you my greatest suspicion, it would be the Humanis Policlub and Alamos 20k. They commonly make abortive, low-power attacks quite intentionally to provoke a response - so that when we fire upon them, as we have every right to do, we look bad in the press. Your question allows me to make it clear that we would like you to interdict any rational, interdictable force who can be put off their feed by your attack. That way, we need not even fire a shot."
Reyes says "Well I don't have a problem firing the shot for ya mate. So long's the pay's there."
Tank says "Do we have a date or several days to plan?"
"The Pope will arrive in two months." Mr. Johnson provides a listing of the possible locations he may or may not be at. "The information as to his itinerary just broke this morning."
"Private itinerary any different from the public itinerary?" West asks, head tilting slightly. "Have to assume they have a way of getting at the secret version if they're any good." He pops his gum, then smiles, thinly. "And my potential colleague from the streets brings up a good point, mate. What's the job worth?"
Mr. Johnson says, "That isn't decided yet. All anyone knows is 'Colorado Springs,' including me. Unless they can see the future," he says.
Mr. Johnson continues, "On the subject of money, the job pays 10,000 =y= on delivery of actionable intelligence on a group or groups that are conspiring to make such an attack. It pays 10-20 thousand additional in hazard pay for your attack upon them. As an example, a small group of suiciders with pistols would be worth the minimum, a large group with heavy weapons and magical support would be worth the maximum."
Mr. Johnson adds, "That is, of course, per participant."
Reyes nods his head briefly as the price is listed. "Sounds reasonable enough, ese." He lights his cigarette subconciously, either he completely forgot if the place was no-smoking, or he completely lost care and his craving was too high. "Good 'nuff for me, ese."
Tank shrugs "Well, I'll do it." He looks around "A little homework here and there for 10K…if I find who it is."
"You can count me in as well" Smart says finally
"I'd need expenses covered as well," West answers, after running the numbers in his head for a moment. "Security consultant credentials would also be lovely, if we're going to be hopping around Colorado Springs. Nothing says the potential attackers are local to the area, but we'd have to check it out, aye? Three border crossings is a particular sort of nightmare. Fakes would be fine, as long as they're good work." As he speaks, his eyes are not on Johnson, but instead on the other three. "And if my erstwhile comrades could assure me they don't always look like they're about to take part in a Battle of the Bands down at Perilous, that'd be a considerable selling point."
Reyes says "You're a smart one, ese, but'chu got something wrong with what I'm wearing? I don't shit out money ese."
Tank notices the comment about battle of the bands and gets a idea that West is talking about him. He looks at West "Asking for a vit much?" Brow raised and hair in his face, Tank quickly slings it back to represent a 80's glam rock band but he is only joking.
Mister Johnson says, "If your actionable intelligence pans out so as to require security consultant credentials, they will be provided at that time. As for expenses, you would have to be more clear."
«Plot»Mr. Johnson offers to engage in Negotiation Test. West Declines.
Mr. Jonsons says, "Very well. We can discuss expenses when we are discussing the level of hazard pay, should you choose to seek it. " He passes over a chip. "That has the likely locations we are scouting, and the likely dates, all clustered together, of the Pope's visit. It also has three numbers, each usable once, to contact me with. If that is all, you may have the use of this office for the rest of the afternoon."
West's head shakes slightly. "I'd love to take it, but it doesn't match my skillset, mate. I'm also not convinced it's on the level." His shoulders roll in a shrug.
Mr. Johnson gestures towards the door.
West nods once at Johnson, uncrossing his arms as he starts to head for the door. A wink is flashed at the other three. "Best of luck, shipmates. Mind the Injuns down south."
Reyes shrugs his shoulders. "Easy money, homes. Missin' out." He says to West as the man takes off, he then drags his cigarette before looking back at the other two remaining in the job along with the Mr Johnson.
West is unmolested upon his way out, and can easily disappear into the all-concealing shadows. And the rest of you have access to a secretary, a 'trix connection, a scrambled satellite uplink, and what one presumes is an already-paid-for minibar because any Johnson worth his salt would assume that you're going to take every last thing in it.
Tank chuckles "Ok so what, we hire another or just go on with the intelligent check?"
Smart watches as the other man leaves..A slight shake of his head.., then his gaze shifts towards Tank "Is anyone else leaving, so we can get this show on the road?"
«Plot» Now we go round-robin with each character until we have 'actionable intelligence.'
Tank makes his way over to a chair and sits down. "Well I have a plan. Anybody want to hear it?"
Reyes crashes into one of the chairs as Tank offers a plan, he drags his cigarette and carelessly ashes on the floor while giving him his attention. "All ears, ese."
Smart appears to be listening as he focuses his gaze on the man, taking a seat along with the other.. For now the usually quiet young man, asks a simple question "No need in lapping, others area, perhaps it would be good if we spoke on the strength of our abilities?"
Tank says "So we ask around our contacts right. We see if we can find out who is planning something if somebody is. Once we got down a plan we use our reputation to try and get them to hire us as a security consultant and tell them our outlook on the Popes Security. We either do two things! Tell them either the security is way bat shit strong in hopes they chose to not attack then getting only 10K. Or we say how little security there is in hopes they send a small force easy to handle, and we get over 10K."
Tank says "Either way we only get hired to tell them how security will be. Then we defeat there force. No rep is ruined, and money is gained, job done we go home."
Reyes says "We'd have to choose after we get hired though. I mean, some locos out there will send their entire force to squash a bug sometimes."
Tank nods "Yes that is true, but we cannot predict that, either way we do it if that is the case we have to face the entire force." Tank moves his hair out of his face "But being the Pope I am sure a force wouldn't want an entire battalion of dead men giving all kinds of clues to who try'd. Right?"
Reyes says "Yeah..They'd have to be pretty small. Some urban guerilla strike force."
Reyes says "Big numbers are hard to hide."
Smart starts rubbing the right side of his head, near the temple area..then a sigh "Let's get started."
Tank nods "So any of you two have contacts that would be in such a field. Knowing mercenary groups or such?"
Smart nods.."Yep I have someone to contact, probably two."
Reyes butts the cigarette under the sole of his boot before looking up. "I'd have more luck in the streets, ese. My contacts don't reach that far."
«Tank's Turn»
«Auto-Judge[]» Tank (#4273) has the Contact Bingo with the following information:
-----> Contact for Tank (#4273) <------
Contact Name: Bingo
Level: 1
Type: talent scout
GM Note: Bingo doesnt deal in fencing, acquiring gear, locating safe houses, or many of the other activities most fixers have their fingers on. He prefers to concentrate on one thing, and doing it very wellfinding and procuring the services of talented runners. You name the job, he can put together the perfect team in less than 24 hours. His contacts span not only the sprawl, but the entire globe, so if you need a team to pull of a run in Amsterdam and youve never set foot in Europe, he can hook you up with some local talentor at least give you a push in the right direction.
Body:3 Qui:3 Str:3 Int:7 Cha:8 Wil:3 Rea:3
Computers=3 Con=3 Data Search=5 Hacking=3 Criminal Orginizations=5 Terrorist Orginizations=3 Coporate figure heads=2 Club Scene=3 Proffesional Body guarding=3
«Auto-Judge[]» Mr.Terrific (#7242) rolls 7 for "Bingo's Intelligence/Perception":
1 2 2 3 5 5 5
Bingo calls Tank back fairly quickly. "Yeah, funny you should mention the Pope today. You getting a nibble that I should know about? I just heard that someone else is trying to put a run together to STEAL something from the Pope when he hits town. Something that, I assume, he'd have to have on him. Which I thought was interesting."
Bingo finishes up with, "You want I should float your name for this stealing-from-the-Pope job? I'll tell you, it's not my job to put together, I just heard about it.
Tank smirks "Yeah that would be perfect if you could actually. Thank you Bingo, I owe you a bit of information the next time you need some, but you know it all." Tank chuckles as he hangs up.
«Smart's Turn»
«Auto-Judge[]» Smart (#5227) has the Contact Gamble with the following information (only to Tank, Mr.Terrific, and Reyes):
-----> Contact for Smart (#5227) <-----
Contact Name: Gamble
Level: 1
Type: fixer
GM Note: Someone Smart deals with, who does provide information, in doing jobs across the world, they have a mutual agreement, and Smart tips him when he can.
GM Note: This fixer is a human male, that he was introduced do too on one of his first missions. Gamble is up and coming, and is loosely affiliated with the organization that trained Smart, as they have used him in the past, more or less as one of the many buffers. However since he too has been getting his feet wet, its someone Smart deals with, who does provide information, in doing jobs across the world, they have a mutual agreement, and Smart tips him when he can. Gamble is a nice dresser, very mild mannered, and seems to know a thing or two about magic, which is why he doesn't have a problem dealing with mages, one of his bodyguards is a mage as well.
Gamble comes back with, "Well, about the Pope. You know today's Pope is not the same one as the one who issued the Creed about Metahumans. And people have always been trying to get this Pope to 'change his mind', right? And use magic to do it? Not to mention that he's in front of crowds all the time and like, any wizard who wanted to kill him could just have at, right? There's people who say that he's 'got' someting.. something that protects him from magic. Like a personal mana warp. Like the Holy Grail. And it has to be something he's carrying, some part of the Pope's holy regalia that he wears. Wizards look at him, and they say that his aura is impressive to look at, but no one's ever managed to woof off a spell on him successfully."
Gamble finishes with, "He must have mages on his security, but there's a big difference between 'mages on your security' and 'no one's ever gotten a spell off on him."
Nodding to whats returned, Smart begins to utilize the satelike uplink, to respond again to gamble.. While doing so punches in a series of numbers, like a long code, and waits for a response.. the message reads after the code series..*Good to know for future reference, heard the Pope was making a trip, any work -running- wise, headed his way?* «Alas, Gamble knows no more.»
«Reyes' Turn»
«Auto-Judge[]» Reyes (#8436) has the Contact Luigi Di Cosimo with the following information:
-----> Contact for Reyes (#8436) <-----
Contact Name: Luigi Di Cosimo
Level: 1
Type: fixer
GM Note: Luigi is Mario's cousin, who was Reyes former employer. After Reyes was wanted in Aztlan, Mario shipped him over to Denver where his cousin Luigi, a fixer, could watch over him and offer him some odd-jobs.
«Auto-Judge[]» Mr.Terrific (#7242) rolls 5 for "Luigi's Intelligence as Perception - to see how close his ear is to the ground.":
1 2 3 3 8
"Well, I'd never take a job against the Holy of Holies," says Luigi, piously crossing himself. This from a man who has people gunned down in the street. "But I did hear that a Yak just hired a few orcs to try and steal something from the Pope. Sounded strange to me, so it stuck in my head. Maybe it's some metahuman thing, they're gonna sneak in some orks looking all humble for the foot-washing thing."
Luigi, when you ask about alamos 20k, says, "Not any time recently."
«Tank's Turn»
-----> Contact for Tank (#4273) <------
Contact Name: Saint
Level: 1
Type: bounty hunter
GM Note: Gorges, talented, deadly with a gun. Saint is that female elf you lusted over when you were a kid, the one every male would die to get in bed. Saint and Tank go way back, back before Tank enlisted. Doing little jobs here and there for various gangs in the Sprawl. Now Saint runs a riggers buisness chasing criminals for some of the biggest names in Denver.
Elf Body:4 Qui:8 Str:3 Int:5 Cha:7 Wil:3
Pistols=5 Shotguns=3 Edged Weapons=4 Athletics=4 Stealth=6 Rifles=3 Criminal Orginization=3 Bounty Hunters=3 Data Research=4
«Auto-Judge[]» Mr.Terrific (#7242) rolls 5 for "Saint's info":
2 3 3 5 5
Saint says, "Not.. SPECIFICALLY… the Pope, in general, has always been a big friend to the ork community. And no, I don't know any local Talismongers who would have a line into something special the Pope would have that protects him from all magic and looks like the grace of god or anything lke that."
«Smart's Turn»
-----> Contact for Smart (#5227) <-----
Contact Name: Shelia
Level: 1
Type: talismonger
GM Note: Someone Smart deals with her on the basis of doing jobs, to help her get things she needs and referrals of customers.. As a result, he offers him discounts on spells, and when he is ready to get some talismans and foci, who willl provide info for jobs as well.
GM Note: An elven woman, of nice beauty. Smart was introduced to her, when acquiring about some spells, thru Gamble. seems this woman does have a shop setup, but somehow manages to get orders done not only through the matrix, but by spirits and all sorts of ways. So she is able to provide her customers with anything they need, she seems to stay on the move to keep governments from targeting her. So far tSmart deals with her on the basis of doing jobs, to help her get things she needs and referrals of customers.. As a result, she offers him discounts on spells, and when he is ready to get some talismans and foci, she will provide info for jobs as well, as long as its primarily magic based or on the search for materials and such She collects books and even cursed items, for what reason its anyone's guess.
Smart contacts Shelia, to see if if she knows anything of this item, or if it is something that can physically taken from him, and has she heard of people attempting that in the past or recently?"
«Auto-Judge[]» Mr.Terrific (#7242) rolls 6 for "Shelia's Ear to the ground":
1 2 4 5 5 11
Shelia says, "I HAVE heard this rumor. There IS a public church group that handles the Pope's regalia and clothing and does all his sewing, and they DO have a long pedigree reaching back to the 1400s, and they DO have access to all the Vatican's magical historical information which is a library second to none. They could easily have a unique magical focus that, with the correct ritual of investment, could make a normal human of strong will and devotion immune to magic. So I deem it credible. I would never dare go up against the Pope's security, but the rumor is credible."
Shelia continues, "I would look for something crystalline or jewel-like as the basis of it, and then it would have scrollwork in special patterns around it. I believe there is something like that on his hat, at the very least, as well as on his outer clothing."
"Thanks Shelia, I owe you one, working on some stuff where I'm at, and will send you some information fee yen, when i get finished with this job, now my last question is could it be easily taken off his body by force? I have heard about someone going after something on his person," Smart asks.
Shelia says, "It could be taken off his body like clothing. Once you had it, you could examine it in great detail. That particular focus? Probably only works for Popes - it will likely only work for anyone who has been specifically invested as the Pope. But if you had it, you could study it, and make something very like it, maybe not as powerful, for some other position. A lower-power version for the 'Pope' of a really large gang, say."
«Reyes' Turn»
Reyes goes about finding a lone ork ganger that he can beat up and intimidate into giving them some information on whoever these ork guys might be.
«Auto-Judge[]» Reyes (#8436) rolls Street Rumours:
3 4
«Plot»The difficulty to find a low-level ork ganger is 3. The difficulty to find one that is alone and away from his gang and is beat-uppable is 4. So, this you do.
«Plot» All of the gang are there backing up Reyes, so they have left the A zone and have all their gear. They get a +2 bonus on their Intimidation because they outnumber the lone ork.
«Auto-Judge[]» Reyes (#8436) rolls Intimidation (Physical):
3 3 4 7 17
At first he's all, "Screw you, man, you got nothing on me!" And he'll even try and belly-bump you off of him. Then he turns to walk away and sees you already got a man where he was going to go with an incredibly poorly concealed SMG half-drawn. And when he looks for the other direction to go he's been bracketed by a man-mountain of human. And it dawns on him that this whole thing was a set-up and he's been trapped off his turf and he is so, so fucked.
Reyes says, "Who hired the orks! What are they after!" The classic lapel-grab and piston-back-and-forth to induce whiplash in the neck is helpful here.
"It was the Yak! Izutsu Takuya! He runs the UCAS right outside the Warrens, we can't get in or out without him! He hired the Crow brothers! I don't know what they're after! They don't tell me! They're heavy hitters! Please?!?!"
Reyes says "The Crow Brothers, pendejo. Where they at. Or where do they hang out. More details, more chance you have to walk back home."
Smart continues watch, every so often, glancing around to make sure backs are covered, since things could quickly turn ugly
Smart chuckles at the word 'pendejo'
The lone ork squeals, "They eat at the chinese place on Henderson! (He's referring to a place a couple blocks out of the Warrens into the UCAS.) And they stay in Orktown, and they go to the Souk! (The Souk is the marketplace in The Rez.)"
Reyes says "Good, cabron. Now scram."
Tank steps in front of the Ork "Hold up!"
You'd think he was wired, he runs so fast - thump, into Tank's chest and falls on his butt.
Reyes says "I do lie sometimes however.."
Smart says in Spanish, "* * * * *"Quite a few curse words, was all that nessesary?"* * * ***"
Reyes lowers his head to place a cigarette to his lips, lighting it up before looking at Smart.
Reyes says in Spanish, "* * * * ***"
Tank pulls out a metal restraint he has in his coat and holds it up "We can't be having you run and tell them Crow Brothers before we get to them." He smirks.
He grabs the ork and turns him over, using force if he has too.
"I won't tell, I swear! Besides, they're 'runners, they cna handle themselves! I don't NEED to tell them!"
«Plot» Mr.Terrific says, " He fumbles and fumfuhs at you. He doesn't make it easy, but with 3 of you you can easily cuff him."
Tank chuckles "If I had a stuffer shack for everytime I heard that…." Tank puts the restraints on him after a few struggles with his arm. He then drags him over to a secluded spot "Now, I will come back to set you free when I am done, or somebody will find you. Hopefully not a racist, or a opposing gang." Tank gives him a wink before standing up and turning to the others.
«Auto-Judge[]» Tank (#4273) uses 1 of item 3: Metal Restraints from Backpack (#10059).
He shuts up - since it looks like you're going to leave, and not just shoot him right there. I mean, that would get your restraints there all bloody and nasty. No doubt he'll shout for his orky pals when you are gone, but that will give you some time.
Smart peers down at the Ork, and remains quiet, having said, all he was going to say..A look towards the others,, waiting for them to lead the way..
Reyes says "Well we can check that restaurant.. About hungry myself, they might be there."
«Auto-Judge[]» Mr.Terrific (#7242) rolls 3 for "Randomness":
1 4 10
When you head to the UCAS, to a B zone just 2 blocks from the wall that separates the UCAS from the Aurora Warrens, you can scope out the restaurant. There are several chinese, japanese, ork, troll, elf, dwarf in there, all of a lower class, eating on their way right after work. This is the dinner rush. And indeed, there are two of the three fabled Crow Brothers, right there. They are talking with a third human, an indistinguishable caucasian, and they appear to be teaching him how to use chopsticks. The two Crow Brothers are armed and armored, with secure jackets and heavy lined coat dusters, so nice for the weather around here and for concealing deadly weapons beneath them.
"Well lets do this, I see them in there." Tank says as he slips his last armour on.
Reyes says "Plan?"
Tank chuckles.
«Plot» Tank appears ready to just wade into a crowd of innocent dinner-goers and countless witnesses to take on the three of them, but Reyes holds him back by asking for a plan and Smart holds him back with useful information.
Tank shrugs "No gun fire, maybe lead them away or wait for them to leave. Too much eyes and hears.
Reyes says "Y'know this place well? I'm still new in town.. Somewhere with some cover.. Dunno what they're packing."
"They're prolly packing well." Tank watches the crowd for any body that might be on their security payroll/
«Auto-Judge[]» Tank (#4273) rolls Intelligence for "Does anybody look like they're watching the Crow Brothers backs?":
1 1 2 4 5 11
«Plot» Tank determines that this place has security cameras. It also has a kitchen back door where the help steps out to smoke.
«Auto-Judge[]» Reyes (#8436) rolls Intelligence: "to see what they are packing"
2 4 4 4 9 13
«Plot» Reyes determines: That orc on the left? He has an Ingram Smartgun SMG under that duster jacket, as well as two Ares Predator 3's, an extendable baton, and Taser Shock Gloves. That orc on the right? He has an Ares Predator 3, he's wearing Hardliner gloves, and here's the kicker - He has a monofilament whip concealed under that jacket, and that can get you dead real fast. The innocuous looking human they have with them? He has no weapons and no armor, and that is odd in and of itself."
Reyes says "The one on the right is the first priority.. He's packin' deadly shit.. The other has a sub machinegun, looks like an Ingram Smartgun.. Both of em are packin' pistols.. However the human has jack shit.."
«Auto-Judge[]» Smart (#5227) rolls Intelligence:
1 4 4 4 5 5
«Auto-Judge[]» Smart (#5227) rolls Aura Reading:
1 1 4 9 11
«Plot» Most importantly, Smart determines that the innocuous human with the no gear, and just the clothes? He is a Force 8 Earth Elemental Free Spirit. That's why they are teaching him how to eat with chopsticks. He is a magical force of nature and they seem to be training him. In addition, he determines that the guy with the monowhip is a Physical Adept, and so he likely has special bonuses with the monowhip that can't be matched.
«Plot» Mr.Terrific says, "In terms of rules, that Force 8 Earth Elemental Free Spirit will be immune to any normal weapon attack that has a Power of 16 or less. He is vulnerable to magic and magical weapons, and can be attacked with Willpower as a fighting skill and Charisma as a damaging stat."
«Plot» Smart says, "damn, that definitely makes things interesting"
«Plot» Word of God says: "You have now found the people who have been hired to make a go on the Pope. They are a small force, they are well trained, and they have magical backup. You were told "small, incompetent force' would be 10k and 'large force, well trained, magical backup' would be 20k." If your Johnson was fair about that, this is 18k.
"You said deadly?" Tank looks at Reyes.
Reyes says "One of those whips.."
"Mono whip." Tank sighs as he looks at the other two "Any of you good at handling long range, anybody here a wizard or spell slinger?"
Reyes says "I didn't bring my guns for nothing."
Smart begins to frown, as he looks around, then says.."Okay, so we need to determine a plan of attack, unless one of you is capable with dealing with the adept, and the force 8 earth elemental," he said quietly to the both of them.
Tank says, "I can handle the sammy and stand with the Mono guy….maybe the mono guy."
Reyes says, "Hmm, well I could support Tank and keep the mono guy easy. Two guns firing at you usually keeps your attention."
Reyes says "Our best bet might be to seperate them.. I got nothing on the elemental."
Smart begins to frown, as he looks around, then says.."Okay, so we need to determine a plan of attack, unless one of you is capable with dealing with the force 8 earth elemental and physical adept, with a monowhip.. I can take on the earth elemental, but they are tough unless you have serious firepower, that's the human who is wearing just clothing."
Smart says "Which is why, i asked earlier what you guys were capable of."
Reyes says "Break jaws and shoot people, ese."
Smart says "I will take the elemental, the key will be to seperate them, but I have to prepare first."
Reyes says "Well we gotta find a way to seperate them to begin with, ese.. Take your time."
Tank says "I can't handle the Elemental, but I can handle either the adept or the sammy."
Reyes glances towards Tank. "I can handle two targets or focus on one while you take the other..Our safest bet is to neutralize the adept first."
Tank says, "I can prolly just make my way inside and clock the adept upside the head really fast.":
«Plot» Conversation goes around and around as the orks eat their chow, un-knowing that their death may await outside. And everything comes back to that elemental. There's just no way to beat it, not here, not with what they have, not with trying to put down a for-real sammie and a for-real monowhip expert at the same time.
Reyes says "So.. What's it gonna be boys."
Reyes drops his cigarette on the ground, stomping it out.
Tank shrugs and sighs waving his hair out of his face. "Well boys I am going to play this smart and just grab the 10k." He looks at the others.
Reyes says "Hmm.. Elemental got you thinkin' twice?"
Tank says, "It does, also the lack of knowledge about the other two and well one job is done, the other is optional."
Smart looks between the two, then glances at the Orks then elemental.."Whatever you decide is fine with me, I suppose the question remains do we pack enough firepower to take each one out single-handedly."
Reyes says "Well the elemental is out of my league, so he's up to you."
Reyes says "I could probably take one of the two orcs."
Tank chuckles "Prolly, but I got other plans." He gives the two runners a piece sign before he then turns around "I suggest doing the same."
"Time tocollect 10k" Smart says following Tank "Let's go back and I will call Mr. Johnson."
Reyes looks briefly back at the orcs "Bah.. Puta madre.. Really wanted some good dough too.." He says while turning and following the other two.
Smart says "I will make it from a cellphone, and inform him where to meet us, on a location of tank's or reye's choosing."
On the staticky phone (being cleansed from their end), Mr. Johnson says, "So you're telling me.. a Yakuza named Izutsu Takuya hired a group of ork runners, called the 'Crow Brothers', to steal the Pope's regalia, on the assumption that it makes him immune to magic? And that they would be able to study it, duplicate it?" Somehow, when he says it that way, it sounds a little ludicrous. But on second thought, his voice softens. After all, the Pope's Regalia, whether or not it is magical, is worth millions if it were stolen in good condition. Mr. Johnson himself might not know if it's magical or not. And who knows how hot, how prime, this ork gang might be? They're runners, and they would make trouble, and this is the whole point of hiring these sniffers on the ground to let them stop trouble before it starts. And "A Hept-rating eight earth elemental free spirit? An unkillable, comes-back-in-a-month free spirit? They grow them big here in Denver." He thinks a moment.
Mr. Johnson says, "Two thousand, five hundred nuyen to get me pictures of these 'Crow Brothers' and their tame earth elemental, for each of you."
«Plot» They decide to take this offer.
"So who is up for some picture taking? or you cyber folks, have a way of downloading that?" Smart says to either of them.
«Plot» Tank says, "I can act like a overconcieted asshole from a rock band and I walk on in and act like I am taking a picture of myself. Make it look as if my camera on my pocket sectratary is facing my face but instead I take a picture of the ork over my shoulder."
«Plot» Reyes will pretend he spots said Rock band star and wants his picture.
«Plot» The characters have a covering action, and put their plan into effect.
«Auto-Judge[]» Reyes (#8436) rolls Street Rumours: "For Hip Bands!"
5 5
«Auto-Judge[]» Tank (#4273) rolls Acting for "Can I make myself out to look like a douche bag with long hair a good voice and a big….shotty?":
2 4 5
«Plot» Reyes' knowledge of street music and Tank's acting add up to a +4 bonus to their stealth to take misdirected pictures. Tank will 'lead' the stealth roll, and Reyes's stealth, divided by 2, will be complementary to the Open Test.
«Auto-Judge[]» Reyes (#8436) rolls 2:
1 10
«Auto-Judge[]» Tank (#4273) rolls Stealth:
1 2 2 2 9 10
«Plot» They both get base difficulty 10, which makes the enemy difficulty 14."
«Auto-Judge[]» Mr.Terrific (#7242) rolls 3 vs TN 14 for "Sammy":
4 4 4 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Mr.Terrific (#7242) rolls 2 vs TN 14 for "Physical Adept":
2 5 = 0 Successes
«Plot» Mr.Terrific says, "And here's the funny one"
«Auto-Judge[]» Mr.Terrific (#7242) rolls 8 vs TN 14 for "Earth elemental free spirit":
1 1 2 3 3 4 5 15 = 1 Success
«OOC» Tank says, "Stupid spirits!!"
The two of you put on your act - it's like you're a grunge band, slumming. Reyes primes the crowd, who takes half-note of you, and completes the act while you film yourself over your shoulder. Only lame-o bands would use their pocsec cameras to take film of themselves. That's so weak nowadays. The sammy and the Phys-ad are busy with the lychee fruits - they're the kind who are dumb enough to actually get desserts at a chinese restaurant. The earth elemental looks at the two of you with a curious look on his face, glancing from the little camera lenses on your pocsecs to you. The thing is, he was born yesterday, and has absolutely no knowledge what cameras are, save that you two are pointing them at him, not at yourselves. It's just odd. He'll be sure to ask his orky pals about it when he's back at home with them!
«Plot» Reyes says, "Time to make like a tree and GTFO."
And with that, when you call Mr. Johnson on the second number he gave you, you can download a series of pictures that capture the visages of the two orks in great detail. Does it capture the Earth Elemental? Well, some of these spirits can change their faces and some can't. If this is one that can't, then this picture is a really valuable one of a spirit that could become a major player later.
The money should be showing up in your accounts any time after that.
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