Assuming you can afford them with your karma/nuyen rewards (and I know you've made a load of posts and are probably swimming in proverbial cash) then you can pick some drones up from Fre∑dom storage and get a couple more when you get back home!

The damage to the monobike was 'blast' rather than electrical and it is mangled! Juryrigger probably would work but given that it's on 6+boxes of damage (???) I'd probably give fixing it an hour interval, juryrigging it maybe 5mins (and don't go over any bumps! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ork.gif) )

The radios aren't sufficient bandwidth to run modern wifi through (the lot that attacked you weren't running a tacnet!). Presumably you can indeed detect them and probably easily break the encryption as it's dated! If you want to retroactively have a 'prisoner' from the lot you dispatched then I'm happy with that too!

Oh, and the AK is an assault rifle but Sprogget can call it a carbine if he wants without unduly changing anything!


Doing my best but this is going to be a busy week and then I'm on holiday for two weeks with uncertain internet access ((IMG:style_emoticons/default/frown.gif) )...

Yes, you can speak to Oyl and use her contacts...let's just say that the information she will have is out of date (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ork.gif)


Threat? Who me? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

As above, it's an assault rifle so you are fine!

Another Balefire post finally up. If anyone is interested in tracking the story so far:

Summer Storm

Feedback very welcome! I haven't got any from over there yet... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Post up for CoP. This should be entertaining. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

@NSEDM,
From the latest IC post, I am guessing you missed this in that book|block of posts.
Initially ignoring that for the next IC post, which will also get some of the higher priority (Sprogget’s perspective) questions from that big list explicitly asked.  Or at least ask explicit questions that should provide the start of the 'cascade chains' that should get to the related details.

Note: Analytical Mind quality RC96 gives +2 bonus for several things, including pattern recognition.

Re mapsoft: Visualizations I could do today, with the right tools:  base map with physical location mapped as icons.  Turn that 3D by making the height above the map be the device rating.  Switch that height to be the age of the infection.  Different icons for device types.  Change color for nodes that have vanished.  Icon size can be either rating or age, depending which visualization is being used.  Play back as a movie to see motion and time.  Play the movie showing only the nodes that will be gone by the end.
Repeat that using a matrix connectivity map as the base, instead of a real world map.  That will be more complex to visualize, since topology is more complex, and more dynamic, but there is a core infrastructure that sticks around over time.

@Mach_Ten,
Your recent post for Crow is not showing any commlink or SIN information.  Is crow not carrying / using a commlink?  Been staying that far off the beaten path?

@Aria
Given existing event sequence, I'll wait on your next post referencing the call to Cam before I post the next E:Tribes bit. Which is currently planned to (among other things) overhear Crow and say hi.

@Aria,
I am putting a post up IC for Oyl, at the soup kitchen/medical station.  Doc White should have been at the complex, as of 19:30ish.  If she is still around, and not tied up with Anna, she could arrive to help.
Resources: 1 medical station rating 6 AU124, supporting 2 simultaneous patients.  Was supposed to be 2 stations, but the money ran out first.  Hmm, I do have enough post cash to change that now though, so it is 2 medical stations, soon as I do the 'paper work'.
Also those are in 'sanitized' rooms next to the soup kitchen, 'certified' for medical use, with other rooms with pad/mattress on the floor for resting/recovery areas.  The soup kitten area doubles as the waiting room.

@Mach_Ten,
Sprogget has a full 'supper to go' package in his backpack, that he brought from home (courtesy of mother), that he has been just plain too busy to eat.  Available if Crow mentions something once he says hello.  It will even have some natural/real food in there (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Love the CoP posts (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Machine Ghost, will try and respond to your questions asap...

As an incentive to read through my Balefire stories (see the link a couple of posts ago) I'm offering karma incentives to anyone who reads and comments / questions the plot etc. Constructive criticism will net a little more (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Ahh yes sorry, that is the case,

in fact, if you want to mention it in IC it would act as a reminder that he has nearly forgotten what is standard when back in populated areas,
that the omission of something so simple makes him stand out in a crowd more than he would like to.

He will then activate it and move it to passive ID: Jim Crow and I'll post it up

cheers

@NSEDM

Finally got a Cipher post up. Sorry it's taken a while. It's only a short one because I wanted to see the reactions of the kidnappers before deciding whether to run for it or try and sneak away/blend in.



Also, I'm on holiday next week. My games aren't generally fast-moving enough as you'd notice I was gone, but I thought it's polite to say so anyway (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

Will do, but next post in that thread/location/timeline holding pending Aria update. Sprogget is in full VR until then, laying in the back of the van. Then he will be busy in AR for a few minutes, doing emergency repairs to the monocycle, so he can hear/chat 'in the physical'.

Sorry the IC is a bit brief...I wanted you all to have something to work with while I'm away...

@E:CoP
Looks like you are free to interact with one another without any input from me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

@E:PL
Ok, post up, I’ve tried to leave it a little bit open so that you aren’t in combat immediately and you can post up some IC and actions without needing my direct input. JxJxA…you aren’t in a clear position to take the shot so you’ll need to move to target the TM… NSEDM and OGDWD, Snag is running from you (coward!), feel free to hunt him down! I’m assuming the spirit will need to sweep for him as there isn’t a clear LOS and it will probably run into some spidery interference too!

For the hunters in the hab complex can I have a series of surprise checks please? Just want you to get the feeling that it’s a nightmare, nail biting hunt through the ruins of civilisation…collapsed ceilings, rabid ghouls…feel free to play up the melodrama here!!!

@E:T
I’ve also tried to keep the IC deliberately open so you’ve got some choice of direction / action. I’m happy for you to interact with NPCs, gather gear etc as needed, I think I’ve given you some clues as to what’s going on so I don’t think you’ll derail anything too much by posting your own NPC responses…

If I can get online while I’m away I’ll try and respond to questions but I doubt I’ll be able to do any IC until I get back.

I've managed to catch up with the thread, so I'll try to get something up tonight or on the weekend.

Aria,
E:Tribes Jailbreakers timeline.  Need to move that forward a bit.  Scrapheap went into the Mall to get the upgrades to work with the AK.  Sprogget was going to take a few minutes for temporary/juryrigged repairs on the Monocycle, but from the wording you have us on foot here.
Still want a little time to bring LeO down, reload, then find out if LeO's gremlin activates.  Also to grab the new drones from storage.

New scene gremlins test for drone (1d6.hits(5) → [3] = (0)
No gremlin active for now.  LeO gets to provide air cover (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Who's currently with the Jailbreakers ==> Recon team? I haven't seen anything from Spring/Tweak since the fire spirit. LeFey is likely way outside of her comfort zone with sneaking around the barrens looking for gangers that seem to have gone crazy. I'm guessing Crow is joining us, but I've not seen Lily arriving yet.

More Sprogget IC coming while still at the loading dock, when I get a bit of time. Maybe tomorrow afternoon.

I tried to make the IC vague about your mode of transport and who exactly is along for the ride...there are pros and cons to having a vehicle(s) along...equally the time line can be massaged a bit if needed!

Hopefully we haven't lost the quiet players but forge on anyway, they can catch up as needed and either join you later or just be lurking in the background with you...

Aria, E:Tribes

This is later than initially expected.  I did a bunch of playing with drone specifications.

E:Tribes ideas
Both Fre∑dom and Mechanicals have reported disruption/holes in the sensor networks.  Ask Jazz/Cam for data on specifics to overlay on mapsoft, and notifications if changes occur in what parts are up.  Identify patterns, look for longer open paths into/through the covered/protected area(s).  Seems like likely places to find Spined Drakes lurking, where the coverage has been taken down.  Also Suggest to either/both that the sweep be used to [re]place some sensors.  Want to run this past OOC first, otherwise could be several IC while rest of team either nothing to do, or already out on recon.  What happens once actually start is open of course (that explosion), but that looks like a good IC reason to temporarily play with a new drone.

Modification and sensor specs below for a fairly purpose specific drone to help with that: take/use then return to free up the funds for a different drone (the tribal trade in/up).  By RAW, Disguise skill would provide a bonus when trying to hide the sensor placement, though Artisan and Forgery look like possible alternatives.  At this (game) level, should not matter.  Individual sensors are not likely to be important.  Just the mesh.

If you/rest of team agree, Sprogget could remain physically at the mall, or more likely ride the monocycle again, but run as a rigger.  Jumping between the monocycle, installation drone, LeO, and a pure sensor platform CD Dragonfly (spec’d but not shown here) as needed.  A walking (speed) recon, using the monocycle for a rigger cradle. I did not spec/price out any mesh sensors or other materials, figuring that the tribe would supply the cargo to be installed. Like some of the day job work.

If approved, would also like to over modify the drone to included Touch Sensors, to help with handling, since 'lighter than air' reduces handling to -2.  Would also need a karma spend, to get Pilot Aircraft.  Plus specialization 'remote', since Sprogget does not really expect to fly a real plane, and all of his training has been VR (games).

Some tech considerations for what can be seen|noticed using Ultrawideband Radar (UWBR) sensors (both the sensor placement drone, and the dragonfly pure sensor platform):
UWBR AR60 acts same as Radar Sense AU36, and can 'see' through up to rating x 2 (cumulative) points of barrier structure ratings SR4A166.  With the usual distinction between 'seeing' and noticing/perceiving, but simple walls are not going to block LOS for detection purposes.  That means that rating 4 (the max) can see inside a room with a brick/concrete wall (BSR 11/13), but would not be able to see through the second wall out the other side.  Windows are only BSR 1 (5/9 for ballistic/armored glass), so that would also provide a 'window' to see through the second wall.  A moving sensor would get a sweep view through the second wall as LOS through the first window moves across the other wall.

UWBR is signal rating 2 for range consideration, so 100 meters.  It is vulnerable to jamming, but ECCM software can reduce/counter the jamming AR105.  A drone with response 3, UWBR(4), ECCM(6)+Optimization(3) would need an area jammer(11) SR4A329 within 5 meters, or directional jammer(11) within 20 meters to affect the sensor information.  I would accept that the sensor ECCM is separate from the matric signal ECCM.  I even discovered that the chummer program allows adding sensor software and ECCM directly as plugins to a drone sensor package.

UWBR uses ultrasound visibility modifiers SR4A136 so fog and smoke can reduce dice pools, but since it can not see anything related to lighting, color, visual features, the partial and full dark modifiers should not apply.  Of course I see no reason for those to apply to ultrasound either.

UWBR can also act as cyberware/millimeter wave scanner SR4A262 for cyberware/weapons detection, and is not affected by camouflage or invisibility spells.  Chaff, Chaos, Chaotic World would affect it though, if beat object resistance SR4A183 (4 or maybe 6)

Dice pools are unclear around sensors and sensor software.  Normal perception would be Perception|Clearsight + Sensor Rating.  However scanners SR4A262 seems to show as rolling just the device rating versus a threshold.  Sensor software is also strange.  Empathy software says it can *add* its rating to social skill tests.  Several of the descriptions say "use the software’s rating as the dice pool" (for Perception Tests).  I expect that should be add the rating to the perception test, or maybe use the rating in place of the Perception skill (keeping the attribute portion).

Ideas for perception related dice pools?  If you want some pre-rolls (as Jumped in, as autonomous drone(s))
Clearsight(4)|Perception(2)
+ Sensors(6) | UWBR(4) | Specific Sensor( R )
+Actively Looking(3)
+Tacnet(2)
+Wildlife Spotter(6) (sensor software) | Motion | Ambush | Metahuman
+Audio(2)
-Wounds(1/2)

Specs for a fairly purpose specific drone to help with sensor mesh placement/installation:
Cyberdesigns Designs Dalmatian modified with

• lighter than air
• mechanical arm
• cargo storage compartment (to hold sensors and installation materials {like glue, maybe paint for disguise})
• lowlight searchlight. (very expensive: flashlight would do for intended usage)
• signal boosted to 5

Custom sensors(6) for detailed short range work, with specializations for creating/maintaining sensor network:

• UWBR to get density readings, see through walls
• radio signal scanner to locate existing sensors/nodes, and verify mesh connectivity ranges
• laser range finder for fine maneuvering when placing sensor on wall / in tight quarters
• thermometric to monitor ambient temperature all around the drone (versus only the camera angle for thermographic)
• 3 (trideo) cameras with multiple options (maximum avail 16) and miscellaneous other sensors
  • Low Light, Thermographic, Vision Enhancement, Vision Magnification, Audio Enhancement, Spatial Recognizer
  • Ultrasound to help check exact positioning for sensor placement (and motion clearances)
  • Select Sound with 'active' channel set to detect people moving around
  • Atmosphere sensor, Motion Sensor
  • Non-Linear Junction Detector: locate dead/inactive electronics
• no (regular) radar that would normally be used on a drone of this size/type
• hacked ECCM(6)+Optimization(3)+Ergonomic to counter any sensor jamming

Cameras used to look for people that might be watching the sensor placement, LOS for what any visual sensors could see, surface matching and placement verification for how well hidden the sensors are.
Base list price, before any tribal discount, or adding other software is 18505

wow, slow down there Johnny Five, "need moar eeenput!" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I'm with you so far, depending on team composition and bearing in mind any concerns about PC safety out there, this seems the simplest solution to get "eyes on!"
and rather than risk the entire team scouting, one volounteer with tech backup and drone overwatch would be ideally suited for the task.

BUT this kinda leaves that one person gettign all the fun IC.. so Alternatively, a small quiet team would have better odds of survival if the drek hits the turbine and they need to bug out.

Thinking about what Aria said above, vehicles have Pros and Cons, extraction with vehicle is a must, but sneaking around and placing sensors would make us pretty obvious to any naked eye surveilance.
I'd prefer to be on foot with you rigging and with a backup vehicle if possible BUT .. having played an "in the Van Rigger" for the last year of tabletop, I would never ever ask someone to play that support role.
do we have contacts that we can "pay" to play taxi ? especially as 20,000 :nuyen is a lot of investement on your part to become a rigger, unless you want to

I was actually figuring small team.  The drone speced out above would do the actual sensor placements.  'Officially' the team would be there only to support/protect it, but in 'reality' it's presence gives the team a reason/camouflage for being there.  If they spot gangers, that are not {yet} attacking, they could pretend not to see them, being occupied with the sensors.  Then follow them.  I'll have the drone painted dark/camouflage for night work, but not enough modification slots to add the chameleon coating.  With lighter than air plus mechanical arm, it can do the work well out of reach of people on the ground.  Sprogget is a dronomancer UN138, effectively a Technomancer rigger.  That problem of sneaking around is intended to be partly solved by adding a covert ops autosoft to the Doble Revolution monocycle.  Sprogget would jump between 3 different drones plus the bike, but while the bike is on its own pilot, it can still stay discrete.  With that smart wheel/tire and handling, it can go almost anywhere a walking person could, except narrow hallways with sharp corners.  RAW does not say, but I have been treating it as electric powered (plug in to recharge), so it should be fairly quiet, especially when rolling around at a walking rate to keep up with other people sneaking around on foot.

If we have the same PC's as the group that picked you up and just arrived at the mall, it would be Scrapheap, Sprogget, Spring, Tweak, LeFey, Crow.  Plus I am guessing we are intended to meet up with Lily-of-the-valley, since the latest post there had her close to that explosion.  Links to all of the character sheets can be found here.  Spring and Tweak were 'ordered' by Jazz to 'get inside', but Aria also said they were free to ignore that.  LeFey is similar.  She was supposed to go talk to|meet the Fre∑dom leader.  A quick look at the character sheets shows that all except Lily have some infiltration skill, and she has a couple of useful spells: detect enemies, clairvoyance.

I have another post pending that would invite them, ask them to weigh in on the general plan, once either Aria or I put up IC for Jazz's response.  If it does reduce to a couple PCs on the ground plus drones, Sprogget is good with that too.  He would 'like' to get back to his shop at the Mechanicals complex for various reasons, so he could take the monocycle home using on board pilot while shepherding the drones to start the recon.  At least if he does not get intercepted on the way.  His shop happens to be on the far East side of the complex, so about as far from the known attacks as possible.  Knowing which parts of the sensor meshes were still up, he should be able to navigate through and stay safe.  Team size is another trade off.  More is usually safer (for a given situation), but fewer makes sneaking easier.  Except for fixed scenarios, the opposition tends to adjust to match the team anyway.  The shop is also in direct contact range of the drones, so no downside there.  Sprogget physically with the team was more so he did not seem to hiding from the physical risks.  As a physical combatant, his only skill is blades, so he does not expect to be much help in a firefight.  He does have influence group skills, so could help if we needed to convince someone to help out.

As far as a 'support' roll doing the rigging, LeO makes a good avatar when direct action is needed.  A dronomancer is 'comfortable' using drone senses.  Not a virtual personality by any means, but he likes riding the tech.  The drone mentioned but without specs shown is insect sized with very good sensors.  That is the 'body' to wear when doing the quiet investigation.  With all of the drones and team members using (centralized) tacnet (out of Sprogget's head).  Up to 9 (including Sprogget) people/drones total.  All that means Sprogget could stay very busy IC while rigging the drones.

If the real/full goal was pure recon, rigging that insect sized drone by itself would seem to be the best option.  With concealability -4 as a base, in near dark, with infiltration skill, plus a bit of planning (peaking over roof edges), it should be almost invisible.

I had not really been thinking about a pickup / extract vehicle, but the van you arrived at the mall in is riggable, and Tweak is a (tech not TM) rigger.  We never did anything with the van in autonomous mode, and the vehicle was donated by Aria/Fre∑dom, with no customization mentioned (beyond rigger enabled), so it has generic sensors and pilot.  As is, I do not know how effective it would be when given a command like 'follow us, staying back but close enough to come get us quick'.  It would also become a separate target for the hostiles, so that is another tradeoff.

@karhig, Slacker

Ya'll have anything else for the scene? I'm dying waiting for it to move forward (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

So drone is covertly doing the real sensors and the team is deploying dummy equipment and keeping eyes open for gangs, but not actively pursuing them,
that works for me,

perfect, just didn't want you to be the primary target in a vehicle if you didn't have to, especially dancing the 'Rigger Slump' while we try to escape, I guess you don't have that drawback ? not read any TM stuff before (I Play 3rd ed)

I'll post a catchup IC intro with the others asap, apologies to Lily, I'm a bit blunt about my introduction, taking advantage of the GM's good nature to insert myself abruptly (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I'm ALWAYS happy for remote overwatch, if that is where you feel safer that's fine by me, spend cash to make the drones stealthier
talking of which, I have some cash to spend after the IC, I'll buy some ear buds with enhancements from that place you mentioned, that should be enough to make up to the TacNet requirements

this would be my initial concern, what is our goal.. I'll cover it in IC asap,
Who is calling the shots, who is organizing things, what's our purpose as a team... are we under obligation here or is this a "side quest" for our team are we on the way somewhere else currently.

***EDIT***

MG ... what sensors do I need to make up the tacnet subscription ? thought I had enough covered (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I've also been a bit slow to post, but if I don't see anything from karhig or Slacker, I'm planning to send them on their way and have the boss and his lackeys arrive to move it forward.

Something tells me this is going to be a tough week for gaming. I'll post for Mordred when I have a spare minute. But where is LeFey? Is she still waiting to meet Prospero?

Don't forget Sprogget in that. Some answers would be good, even if it is just "information not available". I don't have details of your design for >1rtu@l5cr3@m, or what Hunter 'knows' that can feed to the knowsoft. So IC Sprogget is a bit stuck. The next (intended) step, before seeing about researching MMR, CSS, is to do a full analyze of the >1rtu@l5cr3@m instance in the system(3) commlink, to compare to the changed Hunter, then see if pointing/linking Hunter to that improves the available information any. IE compare the data packages to see if hunter's (rating 4) is a superset of what is in the commlink, or if the commlink has more that hunter does not have.

First Aid to treat Stitch's most immediately threatening injuries. And if possible, prevent him from being infected by a ghoul.

Logic (5) -1 + Medkit (6) = 10d6
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4068073/

6 hits.

Post is mostly written in my head, working to get it into the digital.