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GM: Posh
Players: Bull, BillyBob, Scurry, Posh, Muse
Synopsis: One of BillyBob’s old friends, one Cousin Roy, hires the team to take out a troublesome road crew that has been tipped off. The team takes care of smuggling a valuable cargo of novacoke and beats off an assault from the road gang.
Date: 12/29/2075
«Plot» Posh says, "Posh sends a message to all: Meeting at the Keeps, got some roadwork that might be interesting."
The advantage of being Bull, is that he is already at the Keeps. The large 'Taur doesn't really leave unless its on business, so he is one of the first there.
Muse showed up at the first message, kind of chilling out at the bar drinking some kind of.. glowing.. blue drink. In a salted martini glass, no less. Using real salt. REAL SALT.
BillyBob rolls into the Keeps garage in his Ford-Canada Bison, jacking out and swaggering from the spacious interior with a cup and a bottom lip full of berry Skoal dip. He spits in the cup and nods to Bull and Muse. "Hullo! I got a ring 'bout some road work?"
Posh, for her part, arrives herself at the Keeps, sliding up in her electric-powered Luna van and hopping into the garage. She's got a chilled plastic pitcher of cheap margaritas, as well as a few brews for the gentlemen, and she pours out drinks as she plugs a datajack into a hatch that opens in her forearm, in to the trix.
"Well," says Posh. "Apparently one of BillyBob's acquaintances in the smuggling game reached out to him, to see if he could get a team together to help him out," she says. "Thanks for the nod, Billy," she says, with a little grin. "Anyway, he needed short notice help, so we'd be rolling out, well, just about now," she says. "Muse, you'd be able to hang out here, if you wanted, or use the sat dish in the van.
She passes out a drink and pours a marga for herself and Muse, then takes a sip, parking herself against the back of the couch as she takes direct control of the tridscreen.
"Apparently there's been a tipoff about a novacoke shipment that was going to be taken up northwest on 40 through the badlands," Posh says. "It's an entire truck's worth, so if we get caught by the cops, well," she says. "That's not going to be good news. But in addition to making it past the border with novacoke in the smuggling compartments, we're going to have to deal with an attack by some Cartel thugs. So we'll need to make sure we have all the authorizations correct and no observation. If we have to defend ourselves against an attack, we'll need the local Sioux security forces off our tails," she says. "I'm hoping you can handle that," she says, with a smile to Muse. "Bull, well, you and I will be crew, and Billy'll be the wheelman."
Muse looks back at Bull and sips at her drink. Average gamine elf. Check. Messenger bag. Check. Wheelchair next to couch. Check. She listens to the mission parameters and shrugs, "Tie me to the van, plug me in, null sheen. I'll handle the rest."
Bull listens attentively to the mission parameters, idly nodding along to Posh as she deails the job. He rubs his neck idly, glancing at Muse when she is given the often to remain here, at the Keeps. That actually brings a little bit of a relieved relax to his shoulders. "Clear that up. We are the ones transporting the Novacoke? And we know someone else is gonna be hitting us at some point?"
BillyBob spits more chaw spittle into the styrofoam cup he's holding. "Yah, Cousin Roy is my Aunt Flo's boy and he smuggles dat novacoke. Don't want no Sioux wildcats comin' after us."
Posh chuckles. "You've got it. The sat dish is in. So you don't even have to come with, if I'm not mistaken. Anyway, I think I really want to wow this smuggler fellow with our ability to take road jobs, so I think I'm going to call in a little magical support on this one," she says, dashing off a pocsec message to Scurry to await a pickup to go on a little road trip.
Posh nods. "Apparently 'Cousin Roy,' as he goes by, smuggles a lot of novacoke out to the resorts," she says. "We're going to be protecting a shipment that we know has been tipped off. It's a way to ferret out a leak in Roy's operation, as it seems," she says. "Cousin Roy's apparently making a move to slice himself a bigger piece of the pie of the rather lucrative operation to smuggle coke out to the ski resorts," she says. "There's a bit of a vacuum, after all, now that the 'White Tiger' is no longer in business," she explains. "So yes. We've got reason to believe that there'll be trouble on this run, and that's why they want to hire us. They're offering a hundred grand to make sure it gets there safe," she says. "Knowing that there'd be trouble, well, I let Roy know that we'd take his opening bid, but as a favor - and with the hope that he'd consider us friends of Billy's and willing to advance his operations should have have other tasks like this one."
Posh nods to Scurry. "So," Posh says. "That's going to also be part of your job: making sure that Billy's…socially presentable enough to get past the border guard. I'll probably have to stay out of sight, I suppose…or I could ride in the van as escort. If I do, though, that'll likely make us a little more obvious."
Posh nods. "All right," she says to Muse. "Actually, that's our satlink, so Bull and I are likely to be hiding in the back," she says. "Likely in the big smuggling compartment, with all the novacoke. We'll need minirespirators, because it's chemsealed. Luckily, I've already got them," she says, with a grin. "So. BillyBob and Scurry take us through the border, then we hop out and guard the vehicle," she says. "Muse plays eye in the sky and guardian angel. Sound good?"
"I have done this before," Scurry says, never letting his gaze waver from Posh. "I can do so again. Billy, do you think you can drop the accent and affect a less distinct mannerism? I can work Cinderella magic, but I cannot affect speech patterns. Or would you rather I move us through the border with my sparkling personality?"
BillyBob says "Uh, maybe you should do da talkin'."
Posh takes the van to Cousin Rey's dropoff over in the CAS Sector, where he's got the truck stashed at Bill's garage. The gruff man in the hoodie gives a nod to Billy as the van rolls up with Posh, Billy, Scurry, and Bull inside, and all disembark. Posh has offered burner smartguns with EXEX, as well as EXEX ammo belts from her statsh, while preparing to head out.
Directed by Posh on the autonav, Posh brings out the duffel with the guns on the way. "All right," she says, taking a look at the huge truck.
"I got the smuggling compartment here, replacing the gas tank, which actually runs off the fuel now," says Bill. "And since this is the long haul version of the 4201, well, there's a lot of coke that'll be powdered in there along with you. Easily a couple million worth. So don't fuck this one up, or you'll have folks after you. And above all, don't lose it to the cops."
The van hums away, back to Muse where it will then serve, with its fixed base sat dish, as her jackpoint, back at the Keeps.
«Plot» Posh says, "Summary: Posh, BillyBob, Bull, Scurry ride in Posh's van to Roy's dropoff in the CAS Sector, where the truck with the novacoke is presently. After dropping off the team, the van goes back to the Castle Rock Keeps to serve as Muse's jackpoint center."
Bull definitely loads up on the EXEX for his SMG. The large 'Taur also has his polearm with him, though it seems he is iffy on if he is actually bringing it or not. He shifts to move to look at the smuggling compartments when Billy mentions it… Given he is so fucking big. He wants to be sure there is room for him!
«Plot» Posh says, "From Roy's dropoff, the team will embark the 4201, cross the border into the Sioux Sector, and then take the road up the 40 to the destination about 250 miles northwest."
BillyBob hops into the GMC 4201 and jacks in, preparing to drive off. "All board! Hide dat polearm," he says to Bull. To Scurry he says, "Hey, at da border, you do da talkin'!" And off they putter toward the proper Sioux border with a million nuyen of cocaine in the gas tank!
Commlink-Muse> Muse sends, « I'll just be here. Waiting for the van. Park the van outside, Posh, when it returns. Let me know what you guys need me to do. Decker reporting. »
The large 'Taur would conceal himself, likely with Posh of course, where the place was made. He'd need to wait for a rebreather, cause he chooses life over suffocation.
It's easy for Posh to snug in along with Bull along with the sealed packages of novacoke. "Let's leave the hatch open, and only use the rebreathers when we're crossing the border," says Posh. "We can open it from the inside, but we'll probably be cut off from signal then. So it'll be just Billy and Scurry to take us through the border."
Commlink-Posh> Posh sends, « Can you edit a presence for us, or some kind of clearance, perhaps to avoid a check at the border? Or create a fake manifest that means they would be unlikely to open the back, like manure or something else unpleasant? »
Commlink-Scurry> Scurry sends, « We do need a good cover for why we're hauling this giant automobile through a border. That screams "Smuggler". I can mask the vehicle, but they might sense the heka. »
Commlink-Muse> Muse sends, « Uhm. Yeah. »
Commlink-Scurry> Scurry sends, « Or give us clearance credentials for moving precious cultural artifacts back into Sioux lands. »
Commlink-Muse> Muse sends, « I'll wait for the van, then send a message when I'm done. »
Commlink-Scurry> Scurry sends, « They love that stuff. »
The vehicle that sits in Bill's garage is a big transport an eight wheeler: two in the front and six in the back. It's a heavy hauler, for sure, usually carrying modular freight. They're just small enough for comfortable highway driving, although a Rabbit driver would have to tighten her hands on the wheel if one of these big trucks blew past. The back is presently empty.
Bull can't help but make a little crude joke about being wedged into tight places with Posh. "I can think of far worse jobs I've done then this." He grunts as he settles in with the curvy elf. But he tips his head and nods. "Fair deal. We'll close the hatch when we have to."
Commlink-Posh> Posh sends, « Sounds like we've got something brewing. Anyway, Bull, I suppose we're going to be going out of contact. See you on the other side. The van should be back in a few minutes, Muse - by that time we'll be all settled and BillyBob and Scurry will be in the cabin, ready to go. »
Commlink-Scurry> Scurry sends, « It also has the advantage of indicating that the artifacts are carefully packaged and sealed, meaning if some dipshit border guard insists on inspection, they risk breaking it. »
«Plot» Posh says, "In order to create this cover, Muse would A) Need to spoof temporary museum credential data that self deletes over one of Scurry's Fake SINs, and B) Create the fake manifest of fragile cultural artifacts and undisturbable funereal remains.
Then, Scurry would need to convince the border guard that he is who he says he is, and that BillyBob is his troglodyte driver. Once Scurry and BillyBob's SINs check out, they are just waved through. (If all goes well :) )"
Posh chuckles a bit, wedging into the smuggling compartment and closing the door. "Our role is really going to be more towards…well, once things get hectic. Apparently it'll be a road crew that'll be after us - bikes and Kalashnikovs on tough guys, expecting a quick kill, that sort of things.
«Plot» Posh says, "Muse: Roll to get onto the RTG, and then to the archeological society's credentials database. There do two operations to upload data."
«Plot» Posh says, "Satellite->RTG->Locate->Museum->->Locate->Upload Data*2"
Once the van returns, Muse finishes her drink and moves onto her wheelchair. Which is probably the most laborious of all the tasks she has to complete at the moment. Once in her chair, she rolls out the garage, though the door, then to the Van. Gets in the van via the access lift. Straps herself in, and plugs in her deck. Now to tune the satellite.
«Plot» Posh says, "Please state DF."
orange-8/16/17/15/13/14
3 - Masking Crippler-6 Expert Defense
6 - Masking Crippler-12 Shifting
11 - Passive Alert
14 - Trace-8 with Killer-8
17 - Bod Crippler-12 Armor
22 - Blaster-8
25 - Active Alert
28 - Sparky-6 Shifting
33 - Blaster-8 Shifting
36 - Shutdown
39 - Bod Crippler-6 Expert Defense
«Auto-Judge[]» Muse (#1921) rolls Computers vs TN 2 for "Rolling Computers.Hardware to locate a satellite constellation. Suburban environment (TN3) with a large fixed base dish, -2. Final TN 2. Base time 1 minute.":
2 3 4 5 17 = 5 Successes
«Plot» Muse says, "It takes me 20 seconds to find a satellite"
«Plot» Muse says, "Entering Masking Mode, spending 6HP to achieve DF13. Taking my hit to Body, upping Masking."
It's easy for Muse to wheel up into the satellite while everyone else gets ready for the journey, prepares disguises, and the like. Posh has the duffel bag of guns with her along with Bull in the compartment, while Scurry and BillyBob await in the cabin.
«Auto-Judge[]» Muse (#1921) rolls Computers (Decking) + Hacking Pool: 9 for "Deception R8, Logon to RTG, This will take me to a random RTG anywhere on the globe":
1 1 1 1 2 3 3 3 4 5 5 5 5 7 9 10 11 17
«Auto-Judge[]» Muse (#1921) rolls Matrix Background for "Comp roll":
3 4 4 5 11
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 8 vs TN 13 (to no one) for "Vs Muse DF":
2 2 3 4 4 5 8 8 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 3 for "Where in the world is Muse Sandiego?":
1 4 4
«Plot» Posh says, "As luck would have it, you landed on the Ecuadorian RTG."
«Auto-Judge[]» Muse (#1921) rolls Computers (Decking) + Hacking Pool: 9 for "Browse R6, Looking for American RTG. Lol.":
1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 8 9
«Auto-Judge[]» Muse (#1921) rolls Matrix Background for "Comp roll":
1 2 2 3 8
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 8 vs TN 13 (to no one) for "Vs Muse DF":
2 3 4 4 5 5 7 11 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Muse (#1921) rolls Computers (Decking) + Hacking Pool: 9 for "Browse R6, Searching for Sioux LTG":
1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 11 14
«Auto-Judge[]» Muse (#1921) rolls Matrix Background for "Comp roll":
2 2 2 5 11
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 8 vs TN 13 (to no one) for "Vs Muse DF":
2 4 4 4 4 4 4 10 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Muse (#1921) rolls Computers (Decking) + Hacking Pool: 9 for "Deception R8, Logon to LTG, Sioux":
1 1 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 11
«Auto-Judge[]» Muse (#1921) rolls Matrix Background for "Comp roll":
2 4 4 5 7
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 8 vs TN 13 (to no one) for "Vs Muse DF":
1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Muse (#1921) rolls Computers (Decking) + Hacking Pool: 9 for "Browse R6, Looking for a museum. I'm not picky.":
1 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 8 11
«Auto-Judge[]» Muse (#1921) rolls Matrix Background for "Comp roll":
1 2 2 2 3
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 8 vs TN 13 (to no one) for "Vs Muse DF":
1 1 2 2 2 2 3 9 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Muse (#1921) rolls Computers (Decking) + Hacking Pool: 9 for "Edit Data, Read/Write R6":
1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 7
«Auto-Judge[]» Muse (#1921) rolls Computers (Decking) + Hacking Pool: 9 for "Edit Data, Read/Write R6 KP1":
1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 11 11
«Auto-Judge[]» Muse (#1921) rolls Matrix Background for "Comp roll":
2 2 5 9 11
«Auto-Judge[]» Muse (#1921) rolls Computers (Decking) + Hacking Pool: 9 for "Edit Data, Read/Write R6":
1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 7
«Auto-Judge[]» Muse (#1921) rolls Computers (Decking) + Hacking Pool: 9 for "Locate Paydata, Validate R6":
1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 4 5 7 8 11 14 15
«Auto-Judge[]» Muse (#1921) rolls Matrix Background for "Comp roll":
1 1 1 3 7
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 8 vs TN 13 (to no one) for "Vs Muse DF":
2 2 3 4 4 5 8 8 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Muse (#1921) rolls Computers (Decking) + Hacking Pool: 9 for "Edit Data, Read/Write R6 KP1":
1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 11 11
«Auto-Judge[]» Muse (#1921) rolls Matrix Background for "Comp roll":
2 2 5 9 11
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 8 vs TN 13 (to no one) for "Vs Muse DF":
1 3 4 4 5 5 8 11 = 0 Successes
«Plot» Muse says, "I've inserted some BS about them expecting a rare shipment of Sioux artefacts. Super old. Hermetically sealed and climate controlled."
«Plot» Muse says, "I'll wait for the signal from the GM that it's safe to log out."
The Matrix reveals its secrets to Muse as she dives through tear after tear, her deck and persona invisible to the sensors and host protections of the RTGs, LTG, and then finally the museum itself. She is very easily able to find the musty file cabinet that holds the file folders that represent the different credentials for museum staff, and soon she is placing the information, creating fake, self-deleting jobs for the fales names that she's going to establish.
Information about the shipment itself is also added, saved in there, and Muse raises no further alars, even, as the shipment of the 4201 is registered as a rare set of priceless artifacts, creating an excellent reaosn for the vehicle's inspection to be waived: they've got the right e-paperwork, now, after all.
«Auto-Judge[]» Muse (#1921) rolls Computers (Decking) + Hacking Pool: 9 for "Graceful Logoff, Deception R8":
1 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 7 8 15 17
«Auto-Judge[]» Muse (#1921) rolls Matrix Background for "Comp roll":
1 2 3 4 4
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 8 vs TN 13 (to no one) for "Vs Muse DF":
1 2 2 2 3 5 7 7 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) uses 2 of item 4: Mini-Respirator from Run Team Stash (#10861).
Commlink-Muse> Muse sends, « Job completed. The museum is expecting you. Check pocsec for paperwork. »
Posh gives Bull one of her mini-respirators, and closes the hatch as BillyBob steers the 4201 into the border line for the checkpoint. «All right, Scurry, make sure that your disguises are in order and that you don't trigger any suspicion»
She then closes the hatch. It's a rather risky endeavor - after all, if Scurry and BillyBob don't get through the border in a half an hour, it's open the compartment…or suffocate.
BillyBob jacks in to his GMC transport and it goes rumbling toward the border. "Scurry yer gunna hafta pull off a proper archaeologist doctor type! I don't know nutin' about artifacts and shiz. And this thang handles like a fat hog." The massive transport putters up to the border crossing line.
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls Sorcery + 6 + 6 vs TN 6 for "F6 Disguise Self on Scurry":
1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 9 9 16 = 3 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls Centering vs TN 3 for "Resisting L Drain":
1 1 2 5 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls Willpower vs TN 3 for "Resisting L Drain":
1 1 2 4 4 5 = 3 Successes
«Plot» Scurry says, "Assigning Disguise Self on Scurry to Earth Elemental."
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls Sorcery + 6 vs TN 4 for "Physical Mask F4 on BillyBob":
1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 3 4 5 5 9 = 4 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls Willpower + 6 vs TN 3 for "Resisting M Drain":
1 1 1 2 2 2 3 4 4 5 11 15 = 6 Successes
«Plot» Scurry says, "I'll maintain the spell on BillyBob myself until we are through the border."
Bull settles in with Posh, the large Taur easing down and closing his eyes. He takes slow and regular breathes, trying to control his breathing. Its probably too early to worry about it, but he likes to conserve oxygen anyway. Just in case.
Scurry has plenty of time, a good fifteen minutes before the 4201 can pull ahead in front of the Sioux border guard, who seems to be a reasonably competent fellow, young and fit.
"Billybob," Scurry says, leaning forward with his hands folded atop his knees. His eyes are wide; his face is innocence incarnate. "I want you to close your eyes and dream of a far-away place. NO PEEKING," He says sharply, should Billybob even try. "An enchanted place filled with meadows, and rainbows. Sun-dappled pools. Buttercups and posies."
While he speaks, he reaches into his coat pocket to withdraw a bag of what looks to be the very essence of magic: sparkling fairy dust of silver, red, and green. He carefully pours it into the palm of his hand. "And WAKE UP." With the crushed Christmas bulbs in his hand, he palm-slaps BillyBob's cheek, spreading the shards of Xmas past into the spell.
BillyBob closes his eyes with his foot on the brake and DREAMS. There are meadows full of poppies and posies and other assorted flowers. Rainbows. Unicorns. then SNAP, he wakes up, and is slapped. "Hey!"
«OOC» Posh says, "Run your own etiquette check (TN 6) and border crossing (Sin Check Rating 4)"
Scurry is chanting quietly in Latin before he snaps his fingers and his own magic disguise settles into place. "Sometimes, the truth hurts," He says to Billy with a devilish grin.
As the big ol' truck rolls up to the checkpoint and the borderguard stands there, looking up and giving Scurry and BillyBob the once over. "Would you two step out of the vehicle please? Transfer for inspection," he says, looking a little warily, almost double-taking at Scurry's presentation a bit. "What brings you to Sioux territory?"
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls Etiquette vs TN 6:
3 3 4 5 5 14 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls Etiquette - 1 vs TN 6 for "KP1":
1 1 2 5 10 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» BillyBob (#10588) rolls 4 vs TN 4 for " Rating 4 SIN Cletus Van Damme vs. Level 4 SIN Check BORDER CROSSING":
1 2 4 10 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls 4 vs TN 4 for "Rating 4 SIN: Clemence Thomson vs TN 4 Sin Check, Sioux Border Crossing":
1 1 3 11 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 vs TN 4 for "Vs Cletus":
2 2 2 5 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 vs TN 4 for "Vs Clemence":
1 1 2 5 = 1 Success
«Plot» Posh says, "No successes in favor of the SIN checker. Both SINs pass."
BillyBob has a trucker hat on. He presents his credstick and steps on out of the vehicle, not making any trouble and keeping quiet.
Inside the smuggling compartment, Posh is trapped in there with Bull, deep in the dark. He likely can see things, with his infravision, but her vision is limited and grainy in there. She waits…it's been nearly twenty minutes. And hopes everything is all right. With ten minutes to go, she's going to have to open the hatch, because that's when the respirators run out.
"We were not given the details. You know, lower-level things," Scurry says. Although his appearance is substantially different— older, jowlier, more human— the mellifluous voice that Scurry's allies know well sings from Clemence's throat. "But I believe it is a transfer of artifacts? Cultural relevance. Long battle to get them back into the proper hands of their owners, and out of the museums of the imperials." He presents his info to the man.
«Plot» Scurry says, "Posh, is this man Awakened?"
Bull can see just fine. And hey, he is alone with Posh squeezed in the dark. Bull may as well enjoy himself!
«Plot» Posh says, "He is not."
The man nods. "All right, all right. Just send it through the sniffer," he says, finally acquiescing. "Godspeed," he says, turning away. After all, nothing seems out of the ordinary, the SINs checked out. And so BillyBob and Scurry are permitted back into the GMC transport, to trundle htrough the chemsniffers.
They can hear the bumps a few minutes later of Posh and Bull exiting into the back, and then heading up through the door into the cabin. "Well," Posh says, grinning as she checks over the two pairs of smartguns. "Nicely done, I must say," she says, offering a pair to Bull. "Now, we just have to find some way to deal with the trouble that we're expecting," she says. "Scurry, do you have any ideas to prepare a nasty surprise?" Posh asks.
Scurry looks at Posh with shock on his face. "Why yes, of course I do," He says. "Just tell me what the goal of the surprise has to be, and I'll see to it."
Bull appears in the cabin with a grunt to Posh, making sure his polearm is easy to reach as he lays it down on the ground. "Got a window or a place I can pop out of if I need to ventilate something driving?"
BillyBob jacks back in and drives. "Uh, this thing has two doors and I think a hatch. But I dunno. It's a big ol' off-road transport, popular in wild Sioux lands an' such. We won't look outta place."
Posh looks around a little bit, incredulously at Bull. "I don't know. Like I told you. We're probably going to get embushed by a road crew. I'm guessing that usually means bikes and guns," Posh says. "I really haven't seen this actually happen before, I mean, I've done an ambush, but all I'd know about this is on trid," she says. "You should be telling me what I can do to help, more like."
"I can mask the vehicle," SCurry says. "Or we can play the old "We're stuck by the side of the road" game. Posh and Billybob take front. Scary Fucking Minotaur hides in rear, puny mage sets up very nasty spirit attack surprise. How does that sound?" He asks, glancing from one person to the other.
BillyBob grunts at Scurry. "Are you crazy? I ain't sittin' on the side of da road with a million nuyen of coke! They're gunna hit us on the road, but I ain't gonna wait fer it!"
Bull shifts to get a window seat, and gets comfortable as he keeps his eyes out on the road. "Well. At this point, if we know we are getting ambushed, the goal is to wait for it and ambush them harder." He says dryly, glancing towards Posh then around at those present. He quirks a brow at Scurry. "Might be a good plan to mask it. Thing is, we are supposed to take the hit and beat it. And if they are waiting for us to drive by and don't see us, they ain't going to launch a strike." A glance at Billybob, and he snorts.
Posh nods. "Exactly," Posh says. "We don't know where they're waiting, but we do know they're in ambush. We're supposed to demonstrate, for the customer, that his shipments are more trouble than it's worth to attack," Posh explains. "But we also have to get the delivery safely through. That's where we're getting the big nuyen from."
Scurry listens as Bull speaks, his eyes not on the other man but on the dashboard while considers the words. And then Posh. "So we have to drive until we get hit," He says, nodding in understanding. With a wave of his hand, he drops the disguises on both himself and Billybob. "Let me call my elementals up and get them ready. I can't drive this thing."
Bull cants his head to Scurry, and glances to Billybob. "Drive until we get shot at. Then stop. We'll deal with it and move on." He says, glancing to Posh. "Sounds like a plan, mm? Make them think we are giving up, and just roll out on them? We don't have any support vehicles, they ain't gonna be expecting so many of us crammed in here."
BillyBob rigs in to get a more complete feel for the large and unwieldy vehicle. He drives on up the Sioux highway. "Roll out on 'em?" he asks over the intercom through his remote control deck. "I guess we could do dat. You don't want to run and gun 'em, shooting out the back and shiz?"
Posh nods. "All right, if that's the plan," Posh says with a nod. "So we're stopping dead as soon as we see them approaching. That'll probably give use clearer shots, but the same for them too," she says, with a frown. "We'd just better hope they don't have any good weapons, it'll be really hard for the rigger to dodge in a stopped vehicle."
"I say we give chase unless they take us down," Scurry says. "We can all three of us handle ranged projectiles while Billy drives. If worse comes to worse and we get stalled out, then we take it to the ground."
"I don't know. I've got no intel on it. It's just guesswork," says Posh. "They could have zapper rockets for all I know. I mean, they're expecting to roll up on a truck and stop it. Think they just have sawedoffs and SMGs?" she asks.
Posh looks around a little curious. "I don't know what's going to happen. I just know that we're going to be…I don't know exactly. We've got a few people expecting a big payday. That means that so long as they think that they've got a payday coming, they're not going to destroy the truck, right?" Posh asks. "I mean, that's just logic, right? So isn't it obvious that for as long as possible, we should pretend as if we're trying to run until we're forced to cooperate?" she asks.
"I'm actually with Bull," Scurry says in a flat tone. "I get what the Jay wants out of this mission, but I myself would like to just kill these idiots, let one live to tell the tale I'll weave in his mind, and we go on our merry way with our bags of coke."
BillyBob thrums along the highway on his six-wheeled transport. "I say we give 'em a run fer the money!"
Scurry stares off into space for a second. "I have… An Air elemental, two Water, two fire, two earth."
Posh nods. "Well, I don't know. I just feel like stopping puts us up to all sorts of extra risks. In case they have a weapon like…some kind of explosive. I don't know. To me it's like…do we want to be moving targets, or sitting ducks?" she asks. "Yeah, I think that makes sense. But like…why would we be stopping? Stopping for what? The way these road crews usually work is they just pretend to be like bikers. Then the shotguns come out at point blank. If we stop way out of range," Posh explains. "Then they'll get spooked, lightly, right? And our real job seems to be to wreck this crew. To send a message." She gives a little smile. "BillyBob, open the back doors when you want us to shoot at something' I suppose."
Scurry hooks himself into a chair next to Bull, and for that matter, bungies himself to his chair. If doors are to be opened, the mage is clearly placing bets on the minotaur reeling the mage in.
«Plot» Posh says, "As BillyBob takes the 4201 onto the highway, Posh takes up position on one of the seats of the 4201. There are a few passing drones that scatter by on the air, some traffic, but for a number of hours there is no incident. The sun sets, and the 4201 heads quite a ways northwest on 40, to the edge of Colorado, where it will be dropped at a rest stop."
«Plot» Posh says, "Perception rolls."
«Auto-Judge[]» Bull (#4176) rolls Intelligence:
4 4 4 5 5
«Auto-Judge[]» BillyBob (#10588) rolls Intelligence:
2 2 2 3 5 11
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls Intelligence:
1 3 3 3 4 11
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Intelligence:
1 2 2 5 7 7 10 11
«Plot» Posh says, "Adjustments: Partial light (lit highway)."
Soon after rounding a bend a few hours out of Denver, there's the sudden roar and buzzing of a number of turbocharged engines. Bursting out the opposite direction, and then roaring in u-turns about three hundred meters behind the 4201, five bikes, all of them lightly armored and bearing a crew of savage bikers, two orks and three humans, one of the orks female and with a cyberarm with a rather rickety looking but effective gyromount, holding a subgun. The others are brandishing a mix of similar weapons, uzis and combat shotties, beefy with tats and eyes bloodshot with Kamikaze. They accelerate, now coming up about half again the speed of the 4201. It seems they mean business.
«Plot» Posh says, "Inits"
Bull moves towards the back of the van, since the targets are behind the vehicle. "Awesome. Billybob, pop the back open when they get within range." Bull shifts towards the back, and gets ready to provide cover for the others. With what? Why, with his giant brass balls. Cause he just sort of waits near the opening for the door to open so he can shoot.
«Plot» Posh says, "I'm ruling that there's like…a round of preparation you could do upon hearing them, before they come into sight."
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Small Unit Tactics for "Tactics upon hearing the opponents, TN 3 for cyberlinked within LOS and self, TN 4 for Scurry/BillyBob with personal units":
3 4 4 5 15 16
«Plot» Posh says, "+3 init for Posh and Bull, +2 for Scurry and BillyBob if they choose to spend a simple action to access data."
«Plot» Posh says, "During their prep round."
«Auto-Judge[]» Bull (#4176) rolls Initiative with a result of 22.
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Initiative with a result of 26.
«Auto-Judge[]» BillyBob (#10588) rolls Initiative using a VCR rating 2 with a result of 19.
«Init Tracker» Posh (#11342) has set BillyBob's init to 21.
«Plot» Posh says, "Scurry: Your prepped stunball can hit any two of the bikers as soon as the pack of five comes into vision. TN is +4 for cover as they are hard to center the spell on as a living target. Go ahead and roll it. Background count out here on the road is only 1 - it's developed and a whole lot of car accidents over the years and such."
BillyBob accepts the taccomm data feed and jumps back into the heavy transport.
«Plot» Scurry says, "What is the Willpower of the two bikers?"
«Plot» Posh says, "4."
----------—[ Shadowrun Denver ]—-
============================> Initiative Listing <=============================
Combatant Name…………….. P1(B) P2(-10) P3(-20) P4(-30) P5(-40)
Posh……………………… 29 19 9 — —
Bull……………………… 25 15 5 — —
BillyBob………………….. 21 11 1 — —
Psycho1…………………… 20 10 — — —
Orkette…………………… 19 9 — — —
Psycho3…………………… 16 6 — — —
Ork………………………. 15 5 — — —
Psycho2…………………… 15 5 — — —
Scurry……………………. 12 2 — — —
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls Sorcery + 6 vs TN 8 for "F6 D Stunball on Pyscho1/Orkette":
1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls Sorcery + 6 vs TN 8 for "KP2":
2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 9 10 10 = 3 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls Willpower + 6 vs TN 2 for "Resisting D Drain":
1 1 1 1 1 2 4 4 4 5 7 8 = 7 Successes
«Plot» Scurry says, "Stand with 1 level L stun."
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 vs TN 6 for "Vs F6 Stunball Orkette":
2 3 3 4 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 vs TN 6 for "Vs F6 Stunball Orkette KP 1/3":
1 1 2 11 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 - 1 vs TN 6 for "Vs F6 Stunball Orkette KP 3/3":
2 4 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 vs TN 6 for "Psycho1":
1 3 4 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 vs TN 6 for "Psycho1 KP 1/3":
4 5 7 14 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 - 2 vs TN 6 for "Psycho1 KP 3/3":
1 2 = 0 Successes
What surprises she may have had are neutralized, however, as well as another of the bikers. Almost comically, their bikes continue to go forward, slowing down as their autonavs take over, while the forms of the she-beast orkette and one of the psychos simply slump down on the bikes, leaving the three other bikers, assuming a likely more nefarious spell, to charge forward, two of the human psychoes and one of the orks, getting closer now, brandishing their shotguns.
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Submachine Guns + Combat Pool: 5 vs TN 10 for "xtreme range, gyromount 6 round FA Smartgun EXEX vs Ork":
1 1 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Submachine Guns + Combat Pool: 5 vs TN 10 for "xtreme range, gyromount 6 round FA Smartgun EXEX vs Ork KP 1/6":
1 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Submachine Guns + Combat Pool: 5 vs TN 10 for "xtreme range, gyromount 6 round FA Smartgun EXEX vs Ork KP 3/6":
1 1 1 2 2 2 3 4 4 4 5 15 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 6 vs TN 6 for "Dodging":
2 3 3 4 5 9 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 6 - 1 vs TN 6 for "Ork Dodging KP 1/3":
1 5 8 11 16 = 3 Successes
Posh launches a reasonably accurate burst downrange at the ork, but he dodges it effectively in a quick swerve on his bike: he's a tough target at this range, it seems.
«Plot» Posh says, "Orkette and Psycho1: Unconscious. Posh and Ork: 6 CP spent each. Posh: 3 KP spent. Ork, 1 KP spent. Bull up."
----------—[ Shadowrun Denver ]—-
============================> Initiative Listing <=============================
Combatant Name…………….. P1(B) P2(-10) P3(-20) P4(-30) P5(-40)
Posh……………………… 29 19 9 — —
Bull……………………… 25 15 5 — —
BillyBob………………….. 21 11 1 — —
Psycho1…………………… 20 10 — — —
Orkette…………………… 19 9 — — —
Psycho3…………………… 16 6 — — —
Ork………………………. 15 5 — — —
Psycho2…………………… 15 5 — — —
Scurry……………………. 12 2 — — —
«OOC» Bull says, "Whats the range?"
«Plot» Posh says, "Closing speed is net 20 meters per phase"
«OOC» Bull spends both actions aiming on his first pass.
«Plot» Posh says, "All right. Billybob, action?"
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 vs TN 4 for "Handling Test":
1 2 4 8 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 vs TN 4 for "Handling Test Okr":
2 2 4 4 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 vs TN 4 for "Handling Test Psycho2":
4 4 5 7 = 4 Successes
All of the engines of the three remaining bikers roar and they pop simultaneous one too three wheelies as they advance, heading forward, one of the psychos closing a bit better to approach within the range of his auto shotgun. Such a weapon might even be backup loaded with rounds that could do serious damage even to a big vehicle like the 4201.
They're smart enough to spread out now on their approach, too close for the mage to take them out immediately.
«Plot» Posh says, "Scurry, action?"
«Plot» Scurry says, "I'm calling my two air elementals to manifest physically, which is an exclusive action for this round for them and me."
«Plot» Posh says, "Let me know when they pop."
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Submachine Guns + Combat Pool: 5 vs TN 10 for "xtreme range, range finder, gyromount 6 round FA Smartgun EXEX vs Ork":
1 1 1 2 3 3 3 3 5 5 7 10 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls Submachine Guns + Combat Pool: 5 - 1 vs TN 10 for "xtreme range, range finder, gyromount 6 round FA Smartgun EXEX vs Ork reroll 1 (4/6 spent)":
1 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 8 9 10 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 vs TN 6 for "Ork Dodging":
2 4 5 16 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 - 1 vs TN 6 for "Ork Dodging KP 2/3":
1 3 4 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 7 vs TN 8 for "Soaking 15D (6 round Smartgun ExeEx) 7 ballistic armor":
1 2 3 4 5 11 11 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 7 - 2 vs TN 8 for "Soaking 15D (6 round Smartgun ExeEx) 7 ballistic armor KP 3/3":
2 3 3 4 13 = 1 Success
«Plot» Posh says, "S Physical from Posh EXEX Smartgun. Ork does not have Professional rating of Elite."
A second burst from Posh's smartgun is more on target this time, and the tightly spaced, closely aimed BRAAAAAAP of SMG fire catches the ork full in the chest. His vehicle slows, and he seems to barely hang on, his weapon clattering off to the side. It seems he's trying to disengage as best as he can now, his bike starting to brake as his blood spatters along the road and he lets out a squeal-scream.
«Plot» Posh says, "Bull! You're up."
«Init Tracker» (On deck: BillyBob at 11.)
«Plot» Posh says, "Range is about 120. With the 3 aims, TN is 7 on this shot, on Psycho2 yes?"
«Auto-Judge[]» Bull (#4176) rolls Submachine Guns + Combat Pool: 5 vs TN 7 for " Aiming at Psycho2, Burst SMG EXEX":
1 1 1 2 2 3 4 5 5 10 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Bull (#4176) rolls Submachine Guns + Combat Pool: 5 - 1 vs TN 7 for " Aiming at Psycho2, Burst SMG EXEX kp reroll 1":
1 1 2 2 2 4 4 5 11 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Bull (#4176) rolls Submachine Guns + Combat Pool: 5 vs TN 9 for " Aiming at Psycho2, Burst SMG EXEX off hand.":
2 2 2 4 7 10 10 10 11 15 = 5 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Bull (#4176) rolls Submachine Guns vs TN 10 for " Aiming at Psycho2, second volley primary hand, SMG Burst EXEX":
1 2 2 5 10 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Bull (#4176) rolls Submachine Guns vs TN 12 for " Aiming at Psycho2, second volley Off hand, SMG Burst EXEX":
«Plot» Scurry says, "Two F4 Fire elementals. Init= 4 + 12 + 1D6"
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls 1:
4
«Auto-Judge[]» Scurry (#1304) rolls 1:
3
«Plot» Scurry says, "F1 init is 20, F2 init is 19."
«Plot» Bull says, "So, Psycho2 needs to dodge one SMG burst of 2 successes, 5 successes, and 1 success. All of them should be 12D before scaling."
«Plot» Bull says, "So, Psycho2 needs to dodge one SMG burst of 2 successes, 5 successes, and 1 success. All of them should be 12D before scaling."
«Plot» Posh says, "You subtract successes and then figure damage. ;)"
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 6 vs TN 5 for "Dodging Burst 1":
2 2 3 5 5 5 = 3 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 4 vs TN 5 for "Dodging Burst 2 remaining CP":
1 2 4 7 = 1 Success
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 6 vs TN 6 for "Soaking EXEX Burst":
1 2 4 5 9 10 = 2 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 6 - 2 vs TN 6 for "Soaking EXEX Burst KP 1/3":
1 1 4 5 = 0 Successes
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) rolls 6 - 2 vs TN 6 for "Soaking EXEX Burst KP 3/3":
2 3 5 17 = 1 Success
«Plot» Posh says, "Stages up to D with 2 successes for the attacker (5 vs 3) on the second burst. Pose devastating his body in a spray of accurage fire."
Bull is calmly just standing in the open… at the back of the truck. With the door open. He isn't a subtle target. But he is a slow one. While the vehicle gets closer he draws a bead and waits patiently, lining up his shots. A barrage of BRAAAAPs fill the air before one of the machine guns is hosed down with a withering barrage of automatic fire. Then another pair for good measure peppering the bike as it flips and sends its corpse of a rider skittering down the highway.
As Scurry's pair of fire elementals manifest and assault the remainder of the bikers, he finally brakes and flees to join the ork, leaving a single corpse on the road. However, such an incident is hardly uncommon, and with simple EXEX used against the attackers it's likely to simply seem like one of the many biker wares that spat out.
It's relatively easy, then, for a quick dropoff, for the vehicle to be dropped off at the roadstop where Cousin Roy awaits - or rather, his proxy, a wizened cowboy, who's waiting inside in the diner.
"I heard you lady and gentlemen did a fine job," he says, in a syrupy voice. "Glad you got my delivery okay. Here. Why don't y'all order another pie," he says. "Have a good luck figurin' out how to get back home," he says, departing, and moving to take over the truck, which peels off into the night a few moments later.
Posh takes a bite of the pie that she goes ahead and orders, a few minutes later, with a chuckle, looking at the huge troll, the slim Scurry, and BillyBob, the gang getting a few nervous looks in the diner. "How -do- we get home anyway?"
«Auto-Judge[]» Posh (#11342) spends 3000 nuyen for " Uber?".
"I'll call my ride." Bull grunts. "I've got a smuggler that can get us back across the boarder easily enough."
Posh nods. "All right, that sounds good," Posh says. "I'll certainly cover that, too, for all of us."
Sara Sloan, the elf smuggler arrives! Bull loads in his gear, and then thumb jerks for the rest to join them in her vehicle. She knows the routes. "Thanks for having me along." He grunts, glancing at Scurry then back to Posh. "Easy enough that one was."
A few hours later, Bull's pal slides up to the entrance to the Keeps, allowing folks to head out and return to Muse. "Well," Posh says. "I suppose that one went rather smoothly. And we got lucky as they were coming in." She grins. "Let's hope they all go that nicely."
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