Sons of the Skull I: Blood on the Dance Floor

GM: Kensai Players: Kensai, Cyrrius. Synopsis: A Red Oni concert is attacked by terrorists. A bloodbath follows. Date: Feb 1, 2084 Prelude - What is Done in the Dark "It is confirmed, then?" "Yes, cobra-san. They are planning an attack tomorrow night." "Excellent. And the Ronin…?" "The tickets were delivered this morning. We assume he is coming." "Superb," the first voice says with an audible self-satisfied smile. "Have the Mark III ready for use." "May I ask… what are your intentions with the Ronin?" The voice grows sly. "No blade worth having without the proving." Part I: Blood on the Dance Floor The Fox's Den - A warehouse near, but not quite in the 'renz, and the venue for tonight's Red Oni concert. A four piece band, including Crimson Tokyo -the eponymous red oni who has the range of an opera star and the raw vocal power of a power metal arist, a koborokuru dwarf named Kiki, a japanese elf named Mushi, and an another ork, the band shares a common background in having lived on yumi island. Big enough to hold 200, 300 are here and rocking out to the chrome rockers newest hit 'Fresh of the Island.' The last set is almost over, and Kensai runs into Cyrrius in the crowd! Kensai, dressed out in street fashion, including chains for umanori, and his long coat has the Red Oni's icon on the back. "Cyr!" He shouts, barely audible over the din. "What are you doing here?" Cyrrius is dressed for a concert herself, rocking a black leather halter and skirt combo with a pink jacket over it. She's over near the impromptu bar made of plywood stacked on kegs, a beer in her hand in a disposable plastic cup. She turns to look at Kensai as she hears her name, looking at him in surprise. "Me? I go to concerts! What are you doing here?" —- Kensai stops for a second, distracted even from the roar of the crowd - the press of which is enough to make this place hot and sweaty despite the cold outside. "I'm here for the band!" He calls back, turning to point at Crimson Tokyo herself, writhing like a goddess as she nails out the final guitar solo of the night, crooning about broken bodies but not broken dreams. "I love them!" The final chord is struck, and the crowd goes into a final exultant mosh-pit mode. «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) has the Contact Crimson Tokyo with the following information: ----—> Contact for Kensai (#8241) <----—- Contact Name: Crimson Tokyo Level: 1 Type: chrome rocker GM Note: Crimson Tokyo - a red oni, born to a shiawase family but exiled to yumi island, crimson tokyo eventually won her freedom with the aid of her friend Kiki and fled that place, leaving the nightmares - and whatever her birth name was - behind. Later on she would start a chrome rock band called the Red Oni. She is a physical adept, and is full of life - and anger, although that is usually very focused. +1 racism versus humans she doesn't know. Befriended Kensai after he helped protect her band from a halloweeners attack. She hasn't lost the common touch, and keeps her ear to the street. Useful for favors and information, and is always willing to offer accommodation with her band as a way of going to ground AND will help how she can in any way to help screw with a japancorps. Has spent time as a shadowrunner herself. She is about six feet tall, has red skin and silvery eyes. Her long dark hair usually hangs wild and free, and she favors sleeveless outfits that show off her powerful arms along with a general punk rock / metalhead aesthetic. Notable Powers: Commanding Voice .5, Astral Perception 2 (1.5)(geas: talisman: gold nose ring), Cool Resolve R1, Voice Control .5 , True Sight r2(.5). Iron Will r2 1 (.75) Geas: talisman, silver earring), Magic Resist r2 (1) Cyberware: datajack, chipjack, r2 synthlink Notable Stats: Int 5, Cha 6, Will 5, Gang Rumors 4, Street Rumors 4, Magical rumors 4, Singing 5, Guitar 5, Etiquette 4, Negotiation(bargain)3 (5), Megacorporate Lies 4, Japanese Society 4, Denver Music Scene (underground) 4 6), Karate 4 (kick, close-combat), Submachine Guns 4, Stealth 4 «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 5 for "crimson's guitar skill": 1 3 3 4 4 «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 5 for "her singing, +4 to this test.": 2 5 8 8 15 «OOC» Kensai says, "geeeeze the guitair playing is okay but her voice just delivered a world-class performance." - Cyrrius laughs, the sounds mostly lost. "Really? I would have thought you'd prefer a… More dignified scene." - You say "No," with a shake of his head, shaking off the spell as the band disappears back stage. "Not at all. She's amazing." He sighs, clearly smitten, that kind of small dorky smile on his face. The crowd starts to disperse, slowly, and he turns back to the pink-haired elf. "Want to meet them?" He asks. "I'm supposed to meet Crimson backstage."" - Cyrrius looks even more surprised. "What? You have a backstage pass? Hell yeah! Wait, how paranoid is their security? I am carrying, no surprise there." - «OOC» Kensai says, "perception check, audio based!" «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) has the Cyberware Cyberears with the following information (only to Kensai): ----> Cyberware Item for Cyrrius (#12262) <---- Item Name: Cyberears Type: ALPHA Contains: Cosmetic Modification (Ears) Dampener Hearing Amplification Spatial Recognizer High Frequency Hearing Essence: 0.24 Installed: Yes «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) rolls Intelligence: 2 2 3 4 5 «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Intelligence for "no hearing mods": 4 5 11 23 Kensai Grins. "I know her," he says. "And security is usually pretty chill. We're close to the renz, and…" There's a distant, distinctive, ratta-tat-tat… He swivels his head … "Wait… what's that? Gunfire?!? Shit, Crim! Come on!" He starts running, fighting his way through the crowd, the big man using his bulk and strength to help clear the way! At the same time, there's the sound of something coming through the air overhead… - Cyrrius follows after him, slipping into his wake to stay close. Her beer falls to the floor, gone but not unmourned as she triggers on her wires. And speaking of life not being fair, why do gunfights always have to break out when she's in heels? "There's a lot of randos here! This could get bad!" - «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Strength vs TN 4: 3 4 4 5 5 8 10 = 6 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) rolls Quickness vs TN 4: 1 3 3 3 4 4 10 = 3 Successes Upper-story windows shatter as cannisters crash through them, hissing as they release gas… the big megascreen is hacked, revealing first snow and then a burning yin-yang symbol as the words 'abonimations rot' 'sic semper freaks' and 'reclaim the night!' The crowd starts to panic, stampeding everywhere, but the pair are able to fight their way toward the back before the tear gas can spread too far… just in time to see a pair of men in military fatigues and skull masks come through a side entrance! They whirl, swinging around their uzis - "Rot in hell knife ear freak!' one shouts. «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Initiative with a result of 14. «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 1 for "+6": 3 «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 1 for "+6": 2 «Plot» Kensai says, "cyrrius 20, kensai 14, good 9, goon 8, cyr 10, ken 4" «OOC» Kensai says, "close range, good lighting, your fancy ears will keep all the noise from distracting you." «OOC» Cyrrius says, "Probably no available cover?" «OOC» Kensai says, "you can duck behind a staircase, or a crate, or whatever! behind a crate will give you +2 cover against them but a +1 penalty, staircase +4/+2" «OOC» Cyrrius says, "I'll take the stairs. I have a breacher chip to reduce my own cover penalties." «OOC» Cyrrius says, "So cover, quickdraw, double tap SA shots into what we'll say is the one on the right. Savalette Guardian, ExEx rounds." «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) rolls Reaction: 1 1 1 2 3 4 5 9 9 23 «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) rolls Pistols + Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 2: 2 2 3 4 5 5 10 10 = 8 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) has the Cyberware SmartLink-2 Package with the following information (only to Kensai): ----> Cyberware Item for Cyrrius (#12262) <---- Item Name: SmartLink-2 Package Type: ALPHA Contains: Smartlink Breacher Chip Personalized Safety Essence: 0.4 Installed: Yes «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) has the Cyberware Cybereyes (Pair) with the following information (only to Kensai): ----> Cyberware Item for Cyrrius (#12262) <---- Item Name: Cybereyes (Pair) Type: ALPHA Contains: Image Link Thermographic Vision Flare Compensation Cosmetic Modification (Eyes) Low-Light Vision Range Finder Ultrasound Vision Vision Magnification (Electronic) Essence: 0.16 Installed: Yes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Combat Pool: 6 vs TN 4 for "ack!": 1 2 2 2 4 5 = 2 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Combat Pool: 6 - 2 vs TN 4 for "ack! kp 1/3": 1 1 4 21 = 2 Successes «OOC» Kensai says, "4 successes is not enough to dodge!" «OOC» Kensai says, "damage?" «OOC» Cyrrius says, "11M before staging, so 11D?" «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 5 vs TN 7 for "oops": 3 3 4 7 10 = 2 Successes «OOC» Kensai says, "he takes a…. cyrrius! second shot?" «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) rolls Pistols vs TN 2: 1 2 3 4 5 9 = 5 Successes «OOC» Kensai says, "no dodge left on his part" «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 5 vs TN 7: 1 3 3 4 11 = 1 Success «OOC» Cyrrius says, "So another 11D" «OOC» Kensai says, "second bullet takes him down" «OOC» Kensai says, "kensai quickdraws knife, then attempts to disarm" «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) uses 2 of item 13: Ex Explosive Heavy Pistol Ammo from Weapons and Ammo (#12710). «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Edged Weapons + Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 4 for "guns are bad for my health!": 1 1 2 2 2 4 4 5 8 = 4 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 4 + Combat Pool: 4 vs TN 4 for "it's my gun!": 1 1 2 4 9 9 11 21 = 5 Successes «OOC» Kensai gets popped in the mouth for his trouble. guy's strength is 4. «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) has the Armor Rating Impact with the value '0 (3)'. «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Body vs TN 2: 1 5 7 8 11 16 = 5 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 3 + Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 6 for "+2 tn attacker in melee combat": 2 5 5 5 7 = 1 Success «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Combat Pool: 5 vs TN 4: 2 2 3 4 10 = 2 Successes Cyrrius ducks right on past Kensai into the cover of the staircase as the windows shatter, her first instinct to seek cover. She looks out over the steps and her eyes narrow at the broadcast message. She's not not sad that she doesn't keep gels preloaded, and these guys don't deserve the time to switch mags. Her pistol flashes into her hand and points out under the railing. Bang! Bang! Double tap, center mass, and one goes down in a ragged mess. "I better not get blood on this, it's real leather…" —- Kensai barrels in even as bullets are fire, headless of danger, but with the controlled steps of someone who's long accustomed to closing under fire. A long knife is in his hand in a blink as he steps up to engage the one still standing, trying to catch the gun and knock it away… a hair too slow, and he comes away reeling from a headbutt - which he shrugs off just in time to duck the man's uzi blast, taking a side step as he does to clear cyrrius's firing lane. «Plot» Kensai says, "short version: kensai tried a disarm attack, failed, soaked the counter-hit. the guy tried to shoot him and kensai died." «OOC» Kensai says, "and it's back up to you!" «OOC» Cyrrius says, "But shifting targets and another double tap. Maybe being a little more free with CP this time." «OOC» Kensai says, "kensai also moved so he's not giving cover to the poor sucker." «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) rolls Pistols + Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 2: 1 1 2 2 2 4 5 5 14 = 7 Successes «OOC» Kensai says, "he has no cp left. straight to soak!" «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 4 vs TN 7: 2 3 3 4 = 0 Successes «OOC» Cyrrius says, "11D" «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 4 vs TN 7 for " kp": 4 5 5 8 = 1 Success «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 4 - 1 vs TN 7 for " kp": 5 7 8 = 2 Successes «OOC» Kensai says, "still 4 net to you. dead." «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) uses 1 of item 13: Ex Explosive Heavy Pistol Ammo from Weapons and Ammo (#12710). - Cyrrius snaps her pistol a few degrees to the left, sighting in as Kensai clears a firing lane. Bang! One shot, just above the armored chest plate to leave a gaping hole where a throat should have been. Couldn't have happened to a nicer fascist. "Clear! Go, I'm right behind you! Are you good with smoke?" - «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Strength: 1 1 2 3 4 5 5 «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Strength for "kp": 1 4 5 5 5 9 13 Kensai doesn't need to be told twice and keeps moving, jumping onto the landing in front of the security door and just driving his shoulder into it and breaking it open. There's a hail of gunfire and then… silence. «OOC» Kensai says, "well, not silence. the gunfire in that back room went silent." - Cyrrius is right up and following with high heels clacking, pistol high and ready for fresh targets. - In the VIP room, it's a bloody mess. Two orks with 'security' written on their chest lie dead, as do four invaders… there's a back door that's hanging open, too. The dwarf drummer is on the ground, her arm jutting at a bad angle, and the ork bassist is in the corner with his face in his hands. Cyrrius comes in just in time to see Crimson Tokyo half-fall into kensai's arms with a strangled 'Jack!' He holds her, suprisingly tender with this woman who is half an inch taller than him - without her six inch heeled boots - and every bit as powerfully built. "They took Mushi!" "What about you?" He asks the oni. "Are you all right?" There is a brown skinned woman with them, visibly dazed, looking for a hand up. - Cyrrius reaches out and yanks the woman to her feet and out of the line of fire from the back door, pushing her to the side to move up and peek around the cover of the door frame. "Fuck it's cold out there!" - "Thanks," the woman says, breathing hard, and reaches up to adjust an earpiece, listening to something. "Security's moving in from outside, we'll have a van for pickup here in three minutes." She looks at Kensai accusingly. "Why is it whenever you come to the concert something bad happens?" "Maybe I'm a bad luck charm," he says, slowly releasing Tokyo. He holds the oni's gaze for a moment. "Pick up here," he says. "Get to safety, come back swinging. I'll get Mishu." He looks over to Cyrrius for confirmation. It is in fact very cold - but Cyrrius is able to see a blacked-out van peeling away in the distance. - Cyrrius holsters her pistol with a small curse. "Fuck, I see them, but they're moving. We're going to lose them. Have you got wheels? And comms?" - "I've got eyes on them," Fatima says grimly. "But corporate says Crimson Tokyo's the priority. I can't task resources for Mishu." "Fuck that!" The oni roars, lunging for her manager, but Kensai catches her - getting decked for his trouble, but the Oni relents. "It's not my call, Crimson," the brown-skinned woman says again. "You're hurt, half your band is hurt. They won't let me dispatch forces." She pauses. "But I -do- have discretionary spending, if your little boyfriend on the floor there wants to do something about it." "Not my boyfriend(girlfriend)" the two say in unison, but Crimson is hauling Kensai to his feet. They exchange looks, and Kensai looks back at Cyrrius. "Up for a fascist hunt?" - Cyrrius grins back at Kensai, her teeth showing bright white with bared fangs. "Something something this machine kills fascists. Especially racist ones. But I really hope you didn't bring a bike, or I will literally freeze my ass off out there in this skirt." - You say "I don't have my gear," as the new van rolls up, and armored security staff swam out of it. Corpsec armor bearing shiawase logos, heavy assault rifles. "Jackboots," Crimson Dynamo asks, and turns to look at her manager. "What, we're with shiawase now, fatima?" "They're one of our sponsors,. Or do you think all of this comes from your underground pull?" the manager says smoothly as several of them storm into the building,and another pair head right for the runners… "No!" Fatima says. "They're with us. Hand him your Hurricane." The armored guards look confused, and the woman snaps. "I paid for the gear," she says. "Hand it over!" Kensai is given the long, angry looking black rifle - and then the other guard offers it to cyrrius. "Now you're armed. I'll patch you into rigger X," she says. "She'll get you there. I'll start allocating resources for your reward for… chastising these fucks." "What about rescuing Mishu?" Crimson growls, even as the band is starting to be led away, instruments and all. "Her too!" The woman calls, and looks at the others, flashing her best smile. "I'm Fatima," she tells Cyrrius. "I don't think we've met."" «Plot» Kensai says, "the runners are each equipped with Shiawase Hurricanes (basically Ares Omegas), with grenade links and shock pads, each currently loaded with APDS and IR smoke minigrenades." Crimson Tokyo pulls off her rocker-jacket and tosses it to Cyrrius. "Here!" she says. "It'll keep you warm!" - Cyrrius yanks the rifle out of the corpsec goon, ejecting the mag to check it, reinserting it and running the bolt through a quick function check. She catches the jacket and shrugs into it with a nod of thanks before pointing back to the goon's magpouch and beckoning with her finger. "Not bad, it'll have to do. Beats using a handgun in a long gun fight, at least. Alright, lets do this. The faster we move, the warmer we'll stay." - «OOC» Cyrrius says, "Internal SL on these?" «OOC» Kensai says, "smartlink-2,noless." «OOC» Cyrrius says, "Nice. And I was about to ask, but you already said grenade link. Which is nice." Kensai nods and gestures with his head. "Come on" he says, running out the back door - it will be faster than fighting through the club to get to the car… when a renraku-red Honda NSX-2083 pulls up, and its doors slide up and back. «Get in!» A digital voice barks from the car - which appears to be free of any passengers or drivers - «I'll get you there.» Kensai stares at it and gestures for Cyr to join him. "Fine," he says. "But I need to stop by my car to get my helmet." He looks over at Cyr. "need anything?" The inside of the car is plush elite leathers, with 8-point harnesses and cobra-hide steering wheel. - Cyrrius looks out at the parking lot. "I've got a couple of things in my car, but I'm not sure we have the time to lose. Ah, fuck it, I'm good with this." She does pull a scrunched up balaclava mask from a jacket pocket and pull it down over her head though, concealing her face and hair under it. - «Plot» Kensai says, "cyrrius's jacket is a tres-chic version of crimson sky jacket - a little oversized for you but pulling a cord zips it down a bit - it has 2 points of insulation and 2 points of fire resistance built in. it is jet black, real leather, with the red oni brand on the back" «She's right, Five,» the voice in the dash says. A screen appears, with a woman's face on it - beautiful japanese girl with anime-eyes - «You'll have to do without.» The doors shut as soon as the runners are in place. «Seatbelts,» She advises, and the car takes off, rocketing down the streets and plowing through the snow. «There are some masks in the glovebox. Never know when you'll need them… one will even suit you just right.» Kensai mutters, even as he's thrown back into his seat by the sudden rush, trying to make room for the awkward battle rifle. «Pulling down what we have on these guys as we speak. Sorry i'm slow but i'm doing like half a dozen things at the same time.» «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 5 (rigger-x's car) + Control Pool: 5 vs TN 6 for "on-road handling plus issues for snow.": 1 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 10 11 = 2 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 5 (rigger-x's car) + Control Pool: 5 + 5 (nitros) vs TN 6 for "on-road handling plus issues for snow. accell test, + nitros.": 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 5 5 9 9 9 = 3 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 5 (rigger-x's car) + Control Pool: 5 + 5 (nitros) - 3 vs TN 6 for "on-road handling plus issues for snow. accell test, + nitros. kp ?": 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 5 8 8 9 11 = 4 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 5 for "tracking the bad guys": 3 3 3 7 9 As the car drives at breakneck speed through the streets, information appears. Outfits match the 'Bones of Humanity' group, humanis offshoot, quasi-cultish in their beliefs. Standard anti-metahuman hate, especially targeted towards elves as 'satan's children.' Well-armed, fair training, specialize in suprise attacks … and a very specific form of lynching that involves setting far to someone and THEN hanging them, called 'the burning eagle.' They haven't been seen in Denver before, but they've hit a few metahuman bands around the country - including some at the fringes of Tir Tairngire. - Cyrrius belts herself in on the passenger side, then checks herself out in the mirror. Not out of vanity, but to make sure none of her pink hair is leaking out and showing. She gets the rifle into a position where she can raise it and get it out the window if she needs to, running a sync check through her smartlink one more time to be sure. "Alright, get us into range and we'll stop them one way or another." - Kensai opens the glove box and pulls out… a blood-red mempo. He stares at it, his face going pale like he's seen a ghost. «Really, X?» He asks. «This?» «It's What I have, Five,» the woman's voice replies. «Now simmer down, I need to focus on this AND keeping their air raiders at bay AND tracking their van. I should be able to stop it for you… I think.» «OOC» Cyrrius Cyrri revised her EDC after her last gunfight in heels, just a few weeks ago. I don't think I put the armor parts in it, but a balaclava is pocket sized. «OOC» Kensai says, "perception test" «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 5 (rigger-x's car) + Control Pool: 5 vs TN 6 for "on-road handling plus issues for snow.": 1 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 5 8 = 1 Success «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 5 (rigger-x's car) + Control Pool: 5 - 1 vs TN 6 for "on-road handling plus issues for snow. kp": 1 2 2 3 3 5 5 9 10 = 2 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) rolls Intelligence: 1 2 2 5 5 «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 5 (rigger-x's car) + Control Pool: 5 - 3 vs TN 6 for "on-road handling plus issues for snow. kp": 1 3 3 4 4 4 5 = 0 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 5 (rigger-x's car) + Control Pool: 5 - 3 vs TN 6 for "on-road handling plus issues for snow. kp": 1 1 2 2 2 4 5 = 0 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 4 vs TN 8: 3 4 5 5 = 0 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 3 + Control Pool: 3 vs TN 2 for "sustaining damage": 1 1 1 2 4 5 = 3 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) rolls Intelligence: 1 2 3 4 9 «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 3 + Control Pool: 3 - 3 vs TN 2 for "sustaining damage kp": 3 5 8 = 3 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 4 vs TN 4 for "van soaking damage": 1 3 5 5 = 2 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 4 vs TN 9: 3 3 4 5 = 0 Successes - Cyrrius sits in her seat, eyes gazing out the windshield looking for their quarry. "Oh, great, anti-elven cultist fascists. They want Satan's children, they're gonna get one tonight. Uh, one and a half, you can be an honorary one for tonight. Sound good?" - The car chews up the distance, even through the snow, picking up speed second by second. As it cuts through the city, back and forth, soon the blacked out van comes into view. The poor van, moving at a high rate of speed, is still struggling with the icy roads and then the honda picks up more speed, and more, and more and suddenly the sports car is sideswiping the van,sending it spinning off to the side to crash into a lamppost - the car spins, too, wheels screeching, but the nitros are applied to brakes and the car stops. There are sirens in the distance, but for the moment, the street is deserted - the van sitting there, hood smoking from its crash. The sports car, red against white, its headlamps glowing silver in the growing night. The doors to the car open. «Go get 'em, tiger.» Cyrrius can see the driver of the van slumped over, head oozing something and as the van opens, there are more stirring inside. Slowly. The car is completely undamaged, except for one long scratch. «Plot» Kensai says, "as the car sustained no damage, the runners face no damage." You say "Deal," stepping out, stumbling for a moment as he regains his equilibrium, slinging the big rifle around and synching up to its smartlink. "What a beast," he mutters, regarding the Hurricane. "I love it." «OOC» Cyrrius says, "Quick question, are any of the windows in the van broken open?" «OOC» Kensai says, "none." «OOC» Kensai says, "despite mr driver appearing to have cracked his skull against one." «OOC» Kensai says, "please roll athletics to make your way through the snow quickly. followed by a body test to resist cold." «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Athletics: 2 3 4 5 <Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Body: 3 3 4 4 8 11 «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) rolls Athletics: 2 2 4 5 «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) rolls Body: 2 3 7 9 «OOC» Kensai says, "okay we're good. continue!" - Cyrrius jumps out, getting on the move fast toward the van with her commandeered rifle shouldered and at the ready. Her rifle dips and she lets loose a smoke grenade aimed under the van with a THUMP! Then she hustles forward, holding fire until she can ID the extraction target. - Kensai reaches down, pushing his coat back enough to touch a small bag, and something about him shifts as he reaches out to the sight beyond sight. "Copy," He says, rifle snapping up to his shoulder with the practiced ease of professional soldier. The door to the van slides open, and more smoke billows out…. «Plot» Kensai switches to astral vision to help with the vis mods. Bad guys are ALSO deploying smoke. «OOC» Kensai says, "perception tests, and then we'll go to +init!" «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) rolls Intelligence: 1 2 2 2 5 «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) rolls Initiative with a result of 15. «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Intelligence: 1 1 5 5 «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Initiative with a result of 12. «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 3: 4 5 11 «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 2: 1 3 «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 1: 2 «Plot» Kensai says, "cyrrius - even through the smoke, you can see a drone coming in through the east, hotly armed." «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 3: 1 4 11 «Plot» Kensai says, "dynamite 22, skybane 19, cyrrius 15, kensai 12, thug 12, goon 8, dyn 12, sky 9, cyrrius 5, ken 2, thug 2, dyn 2" A figure comes out of the back, staggering, and will squeeze off a blast at … «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 1 for "odds kensai, evens cyrrius": 4 «OOC» Cyrrius crosses fingers for thermal smoke interference. :) «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 5 + Combat Pool: 5 vs TN 11 for "light stun, -2 smartlink, +8 vis penalties.": 1 1 2 3 3 3 5 5 5 17 = 1 Success «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 5 + Combat Pool: 5 - 1 vs TN 11 for "light stun, -2 smartlink, +8 vis penalties. kp ?/?": 1 2 3 4 4 5 8 11 16 = 2 Successes «OOC» Kensai says, "3 successes coming at you, single burst. tn 5 to dodge." «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) rolls Combat Pool: 8: 1 1 1 2 4 8 10 10 «OOC» Kensai says, "dodged it!" «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 5 vs TN 7 for "sensor lock on kensai. +2 tn from smoke.": 1 1 1 2 3 = 0 Successes The stumbling figure recovers himself quickly, squeezing off a remarkably accurate three round burst at Cyrrius. Meanwhile, the rotodrone overhead begins looking for firing solutions… «OOC» Cyrrius says, "Putting two bursts into the chucklefuck that almost shot me. Gotta even the odds fast." «OOC» Kensai says, "go for it! close range, plenty of light because headlights and snow, thermal smoke. he has no cover." «OOC» Cyrrius says, "I'm seeing TN 5 (Base 4, -2 SL, +2 Smoke (4 halved due to ultrasonic), +1 attacker walking)" «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) rolls Assault Rifles vs TN 5: 1 1 5 8 10 = 3 Successes «OOC» Cyrrius says, "Base 13D, APDS." «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Combat Pool: 5 vs TN 5 for "dodge": 2 2 3 4 4 = 0 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Combat Pool: 5 vs TN 5 for "dodge kp": 2 3 5 8 13 = 3 Successes «OOC» Kensai says, "dodges first one! but now he's out of cp and can't dodge the 2nd." «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) rolls Assault Rifles vs TN 5: 2 2 4 4 7 = 1 Success «OOC» Kensai says, "he has 7 armor. so that's cut to 3. so rolling against 10d." «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 7 vs TN 10: 1 2 2 2 4 4 5 = 0 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 7 vs TN 10 for "kp": 1 1 3 4 4 5 8 = 0 Successes «OOC» Cyrrius says, "All recoil is comped, as I mathed out." «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 7 vs TN 10 for "kp": 1 2 3 3 4 5 8 = 0 Successes «OOC» Kensai says, "he's dead." «OOC» Kensai says, "dodges the first burst, but second tears him apart." «OOC» Kensai says, "kensai approaches the van, holding action. second guy, goon, is going to poke his head out to take a shot, kensai will tag him first." - Cyrrius stalks forward into the smoke, her rifle barking out in loud bursts as the gasses leaving the barrel cause the smoke to twist and slither around her. The first burst misses the target as he desperately dives aside, and she coolly adjusts her aim for the second and perforates the target with extreme prejudice. Which is their brand! She steps past the body as it falls, searching the smoke cloud for their kidnap victim. - «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Assault Rifles + Combat Pool: 4 vs TN 7 for "attacker walking, +2 for astral targeting. going to go ahead and say he can't use his smartlink and do that at the same time.": 1 1 2 3 3 4 5 22 = 1 Success «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Assault Rifles + Combat Pool: 4 - 1 vs TN 7 for "attacker walking, +2 for astral targeting. going to go ahead and say he can't use his smartlink and do that at the same time. kp": 1 2 2 7 9 14 14 = 4 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Combat Pool: 6 vs TN 5 for "Oh my fuck thug dodge!": 2 3 3 4 7 8 = 2 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Combat Pool: 6 - 2 vs TN 6 for "Oh my fuck thug dodge! kp": 2 5 5 5 = 0 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Combat Pool: 6 - 2 vs TN 6 for "Oh my fuck thug dodge! kp 3/3": 1 2 2 3 = 0 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 5 + Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 11: 2 2 4 4 4 4 10 = 0 Successes Kensai follows along with cyrrius, his rifle held up and ready, matching her pace even as he rotates out - his gaze, however, is softened, eyes seemingly glowing with a glint of red over his red samurai mempo. He sees a figure duck out, ready to return fire… seeing is the wrong word. He senses the aura pass his line of sight, twisted by hate - and now fear - and he triggers a tightly controlled burst. His stomach lurches as he watches life itself, vile though it is,extinguished on the astral,the thread of life cut by his own hand - but he doesn't stop. Forward motion, unchecked. «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 4: 1 3 5 5 «OOC» Cyrrius waves. «OOC» Kensai says, "goon doesn't have the chance to even think about the smartest move. he's gonna throw blind." «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 3 + Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 12 for "throwing a grenade, +8 for blind fire.": 2 2 3 3 4 5 = 0 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 3 + Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 12 for "throwing a grenade, +8 for blind fire. kp": 2 2 3 10 11 11 = 0 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 3 + Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 12 for "throwing a grenade, +8 for blind fire. kp": 2 4 5 7 8 9 = 0 Successes «OOC» Kensai says, "full miss" «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 2: 2 2 «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 1: 10 A grenade sails out of the van, the figure inside not even looking, and it falls around 8 meters to Cyrrius's left. And then the air fills with a hail of bullets. Unable to get a target lock, whoever is in the overhead drone has aborted to suppressive fire, storming the area with bullets… «Plot» Kensai says, "suppressive fire. on their next turns, cyrrius and kensai will have to move out of their zones or drop prone to avoid having to dodge fire. moving towards the van will also force them to dodge." «Plot» Kensai says, "your turn, cyrrius! the area around you is full of machinegun fire!" «OOC» Kensai says, "firing at 50m… +2 tn for its movement rate, and your standard penalty for the smoke." The pair of runners are approaching a blacked out van, shrouded in smoke: their ride, a bright red honda nsx-2083, waits for them. Two of the badguys have already fallen prey to their attacks, but another waits - and there's that roto drone unloading on them. «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) rolls Assault Rifles vs TN 6: 1 2 2 3 4 = 0 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) rolls Assault Rifles vs TN 6 for "kp:1/7": 4 4 5 5 8 = 1 Success «OOC» Cyrrius says, "Ok, dodge that." «Plot» Kensai says, "rigger is not currently in the drone, so it can't dodge." «OOC» Cyrrius says, "then soak 13D APDS?" «OOC» Kensai says, "apds has no effect on drones. it being a vehicle cuts that damage to 5m, burst raises it to 8s." «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 2 vs TN 8: 4 10 = 1 Success «OOC» Kensai says, "drone takes S damage and must roll for crash test." «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 2 vs TN 10 for "pilot rating 2, base tn of 3, +2 weather, +3 damage, +2 terrain": 2 3 = 0 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 2 vs TN 8: 1 4 = 0 Successes «Plot» Kensai says, "you shoot it, do it serious damage, and it slams into a building." «OOC» Cyrrius says, "Are there any other targets visible at this point? If not, I'll pass turn." «OOC» Kensai says, "there are not." «Plot» Kensai Will charge into the van and squeeze off a single bullet at point blank. «OOC» Kensai says, "…but first he'll have to cross that field of fire." «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 6 for "dodging in his zone, need 2- 4 +2 for snow": 1 2 7 = 1 Success «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 2 + 2 vs TN 6 for "pilot+gunnery": 1 4 7 8 = 2 Successes «OOC» Kensai says, "suppressive fire lasts until its phase, regardless of whether or not they're tthere. think of it this way - the bullets have already been fired" «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) has the Armor Rating Ballistic with the value '0 (4)'. «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Body vs TN 5 for "serious": 1 1 4 5 8 14 = 3 Successes «OOC» Kensai takes an M. «OOC» Kensai will save the last 2 for soak. «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 2 + 2 vs TN 6 for "pilot+gunnery": 2 2 2 5 = 0 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Assault Rifles + Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 8 for "single shot, astral targeting": 1 4 4 5 9 10 = 2 Successes «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls Combat Pool: 3 vs TN 5 for "what the hell": 1 5 10 = 2 Successes «OOC» Kensai says, "oop, tn 6. forgot he had moderate stun." «OOC» Kensai says, "so 1 succ" «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 5 vs TN 8 for "soaking S": 1 2 4 5 10 = 1 Success «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 2 for "professional rating": 2 9 «OOC» Kensai says, "pose hitting it, and it crashing. i'll pose next, and we'll see how the rest shakes out." - Cyrrius hits the pavement, gritting her teeth as it starts leeching heat out of her bare legs. Still better than catching a bullet though. She aligns her rifle skyward, and rips off a burst into the air. And then can help but sneer in satisfaction as the drone reels, careening off into an inelegant crash into a building. Not that anyone else sees it under her mask, of course. - «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 4 vs TN 8: 2 2 2 5 = 0 Successes Kensai never drops. He can hear the machine gun, but with his eyes on the astral he can't even -see -it. He trusts that Cyrrius has it handled, and he darts for the van - part headlong run, part standard evasive pattern drilled into him by rote in the heart of the forge. There's a hostage in there - there's just no time. He's almost immediately staggered as some of the bullets rip into him, but it doesn't matter. He grits his teeth even as his shirt begins to fill with blood and he leaps into the van… and as he lands, shoulder first, he fires a single precision shot. THere's a cry of pain as Mishu's body absorbs the impact of Kensai's power slide, but his bullet finds his mark, and the other gunman takes a bullet in the lung. He falls, too, but he still has a gun… and he's pointing it at the prisoner! «Plot» Kensai free action shouts. "Drop it, ASSHOLE!" «OOC» Cyrrius is absolutely in the mood for doming people right now. The fucking around has occurred, the finding out is nigh. She's got a mag of APDS rounds, the smokes gonna clear fast, and that heat sig is gonna stand out to her within seconds. «OOC» Kensai says, "at the moment, inside the van, he has total cover… although you could always try to target his heat sig and shoot THROUGH the van." «OOC» Cyrrius says, "That was my plan. Just keep him busy until the smoke clears. I think that's like one more round in the open like this?" «OOC» Kensai says, "i think you're right. feel free to take 2 actions to aim!" «OOC» Cyrrius says, "Which, by the way, isn't entirely realistic. If it's not really windy, smoke grenades linger a while." «OOC» Kensai says, "it's incredibly windy and gross out atm." - Cyrrius climbs back to her feet and sidesteps up and around the closed side of the van, rifle raised and looking hard for a target to lock and pop. - In the car… the terrorist, wearing the same winter-combat fatigues as his buddies, and his skull mask, stares at kensai through the dead eyes of the skull. He's bleeding from the chest, and he's prone, but his gun is aimed at his prisoner… Kensai lies on his side, also bleeding, but he has his bullpup rifle leveled at him. The grenade goes off in the snow, blasting its anti-personal flechettes around in a devastating radius too far away from cyrrius to harm her. They stare at each other. "Drop the gun," the terrorist says. "Or the knife-ear dies." "My job is you," Kensai says. "Your choice is - head shot or gut shot." Mentally, he transduces a simple text to cyrrius. «Acting on 3.» Kensai growls. "One way or the other," he snarls… you die…" Himne… two… On three kensai coils up every ounce of strength he has left to… spring himself sideways and cover Mitsu's body with his own! «Plot» Kensai says, "cyrrius, reaction, v tn 4." «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) rolls Reaction vs TN 4: 1 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 8 8 = 8 Successes «OOC» Cyrrius says, "8 seems good." «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 6 vs TN 7 for "guy's reaction.": 1 2 2 5 5 11 = 1 Success «OOC» Kensai says, "all right! you have the edge! let's see. you can't use ultrasound on blindfire, but in this cold his thermo signature is BRIGHT. so you'll only be suffeing a +4 for not being able to see him." «OOC» Kensai says, "-2 for smartlink" «OOC» Kensai says, "-2 for your aim" The snow swirls. The sirens are getting closer. Wind whips down the streets. The red car waits for extraction. The moment is now. «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) rolls Assault Rifles + Combat Pool: 5 vs TN 4: 1 1 2 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 = 4 Successes «OOC» Cyrrius says, "Fuck it, 1 KP to be sure." «OOC» Kensai says, "burst or single shot?" «Auto-Judge[]» Cyrrius (#12262) rolls Assault Rifles - 4 + Combat Pool: 5 vs TN 4 for "KP:2/8": 2 3 3 3 4 5 = 2 Successes «OOC» Cyrrius says, "Single shot, gotta be careful near a hostage" «OOC» Kensai says, "sweet. okay. a) the vehicle reduces your power by its armor (4). so that takes you to 6. your apds applies when it hits his armor, cutting it to 2. so he's rolling versus 4, and can only use half kp. and he needs… 4 not to die." «Auto-Judge[]» Kensai (#8241) rolls 4 + Combat Pool: 2 vs TN 4: 1 1 3 3 4 11 = 2 Successes «OOC» Kensai says, "and he's out of kp. you do, in fact, shoot him through the van. he takes a Deadly wound - on top of the 6 boxes he has already, he goes straight to dead." «OOC» Victor says, "Right in the carburetor." «OOC» Cyrrius says, "The carburetor is a load bearing organ. :)" - Cyrrius waits in the snow, the cold biting her as the moment hangs in careful balance. Then there's a BOOM! as the rifle bucks in her hands once, and the moment of tension is broken and passed in a spray of fresh blood inside the van. She lowers the rifle, smoke trailing up from the barrel. "It is time to go." - Kensai winces as he's caught by the blood splatter. Mishu is weeping. Kensai forces himself up, with a wince of pain, and slings the rifle over his back. "Come on, mish," he says, his voice muffled by his mempo. "Let's move." Mishu looks at Kensai, uncertain, but then glances at the last kidnapper. He grabs the uzi and nods. As soon as Mishu clears the van, the car is rolling forward, and its doors open again… but there's no room for three. Kensai looks at the pair, and shakes his head. "You two go," he says, looking around wildly. "I will…go ground, and find help." Kensai unslings his rifle and offers it to Cyrrius. "Keep track of this for me?" - Cyrrius sweeps her gaze up and down the street one more time, than strides back to the waiting car for evac, holding the door open for Mishu first with her rifle held leaning up against her shoulder. She takes Kensai's rifle and slings over her other shoulder. "Alright, but if you don't make it back and end up making out with that singer tonight, I am going to be super disappointed in you. Good luck." - Mishu looks at her, then at Kensai. "Kitigawa-san?" He asks, and Jack nods, slapping him on the shoulder. "Hai. Bubblegum-badass and X will get you safe. Have them send me the safehouse data, hai?" He grins at Cyrrius. "Blood's all over the van," he says,smiling through the pain, his face and hair splattered with blood and a little bit of brain. "But at least it's not mine. Sayanora." He looks left, he looks right, and he darts into an alley. «Plot» Kensai says, "End Part 1!"