[IC] Behind the Shadows, First Iteration Options Track this topic Email this topic Print this topic Download this topic Subscribe to this forum Display Modes Switch to: Outline Switch to: Standard Linear+

[Chrysalis]

The Third Place bookshop is surrounded by fashionable coffee shops, bistros, and expensive brown houses. The University of Maryland draws a hip crowd with their newest commlinks and most fashionable enhancements.

The Third Place does not really fit, of course there are cracked leather spines on prominent display and the occasional new age book for procurement. There was nonetheless something off about the place a type of history that does not fit the sixth world a place where even the deepest of places should be but a shallow pool.

The rain was discomforting as it whipped its way past the stunted elm trees and along winnowing roads. It gripped your fingers leaving behind its wet touch, and seemed to mock mankind's 2000 years of clothing development with its icy breath.

The bookshop was light, warm and inviting. There was the smell of soykaf in the air and of heated cookies. Already some people had shown up, the bored university student, the hippie, and of course the conspiracy theorists. They all agnled around the in their own groups. It looked like a total of twenty people had shown up.

The only two who seemed to be pleased at all was a bespectacled man in his 80s. All angular features with a salt and pepper mustache. His commlink displayed a simple SIN with the heading: Joseph Meyer - Antiquarian. The other was animated and talkative. He talked with animation his eyes darting occasionally to the sides for dramatic effect, had to come around and pump your hand at least twice and introduced you to some of the less likely compatriots. Even some of the college students started to warm-up.

***

[This would be a good time to introduce yourself.]

***

"The man of the hour is nearly here. Ladies and gentlemen let me introduce you to ..." With a grandiose wave of his hand Isaac Davidson or as he insisted everyone call him - Izzie; opened up the door and a tall, lanky man walked in from the cold. He was dressed neatly, and could have been mistaken for any other passer-by anywhere in the suit and overcoat as a man of influence. His dark, but fading hair was neatly groomed and despite what could be considered a neutral expression a fire burned deep in his eyes. It was blue like his orbs and it lit them with a burning intellect.

"Conrad Tyrell."

He stopped to scan the crowd his umbrella creaking close and with a snap it was shut.

"It's a pleasure in meeting you all." He cracked a mesmerizing smile. "It's a pleasure seeing so many people come for a first-time publication." There was pride tinged wit a bitterness in his voice. Educated, east coast, and probably the kind of poker player you only can play against once.

He mingled a bit, attentive and smiling, nodding when proper and smiling further when polite. The initial discomfort smoothing back with personal magnetism and Izzy''s freneticism. Conrad Tyrell had a SIN, but it was not the numerous adverts for his book and the Publisher's link sitting in PAN it would be ominously empty.

As the mingling began to wane people drifted to the seats assigned to them until only Conrad stood.

"Thank you for coming, I wish to stop and explain a bit about the reasons why I started to write the history of the bogeyman of the American Intelligence industry. About ten years ago I worked in a company on the west coast near Sacramento. During that time I became aware of financial irregularities inside the company. While scoffed by my employers and coworkers I started putting together a labyrinth of different financial transactions. At the core was an organization and it's name was AEGIS. For the pat ten years I have been combing over documents and talk with names, each leading me further on into what is this organization."

"Ten years."

"The organization though started a little over 120 years ago. Its mandate was to study foreign intelligence agencies and directorates, infiltrate and subvert. It has been continuing that same mandate into today, but instead of agencies it has been corporations..."

The door opens and big man walks in. He takes up a seat at the back. His bald black head glistening with water. He simply sits there like an elephant trying not be paid attention to.

"..which has been doing its subversion. For example at the moment it owns a slient majority in Ares Macrotechnology."

In the next twety minutes he tantalizes the audience with promises of more. He stops and slips from salesman to a drier academic style as he stops to elaborate on a point or cite a reference.

The concept of AEGIS is that it is a pervasive organization, it works in the shadows and has numerous connections through-out the world. It does not influence directly, but often sets the stage for discoveries by others. An example he used was the upload to Shadowland in 2057 tentatively identified what are believed to be the five people who ran Alamos 20,000, known as the Central Executive. They were also the ones who caused a hit-and-run
of Dr. Dieter von Kammelburg - the man who would be later identified as the Nazi.

Financial and political sway are what it has been using recently and Conrad focuses primarily on the financial, the ebb and flow of money in a complex interplay of the web of AEGIS' wealth and influence. It is methodical and efficient and Conrad can spin out the book breath of this spider.

"We have some minutes for questions."

[Chrysalis]

The windows dribbled with water as a car past by as each one angled for a better position. "Please put away the weapon. I am not threatening anyone, I have lived long enough that death has become an old friend for me. Mr Dayton how would you like to get back into the Bureau? To our Professor, I can also get in contact with an acquaintance of mine who can get in contact with a mutual nemesis of ours. What I need is a bit of reciprocity and for that to happen I need your assistance with a job first. Reciprocity."

Perception test :

[ Spoiler ]

Anyone doing a perception test will find he has not moved an inch, he is earnest and sincere. Everyone else is still hanging with their heads down.

Professor

[ Spoiler ]

The bystanders in the room have an aura as if they are asleep. The bookshop's warding is strange as it crackles with a blue energy. What should be organic on the Astral plane looks almost man-made as pyroclastic basalt does.

[bmcoomes]

Snapping his head to Mr. Johnson's words. "As a mater of fact I would love too, but I'm currently working to overcome a shortcoming. I'm in for the job; I've got nothing else to do with my time." You can hear the wave of excitement and then the solace in his voice.

Well here is a chance I didn't expect to see.

[pbangarth]

"Every way I have to determine intent suggests to me that Mr. Johnson here is being sincere and presents no danger to us. I for one am very interested in what he just offered, and..." looking at the young woman, " ...am charged up for hearing what he has in mind. How about you, miss?" *sheepish grin*

[pbangarth]

GM:

[ Spoiler ]

[OOC - Professor really wants to remember everything he can about the nature of that ward around the room.]

EDIT: GM:

[ Spoiler ]

I guess that may call for an assensing test: 4 hits

[crizh]

Well, as he could have sent me on his mission without asking me I am willing to at least hear him out.

Doc

[ Spoiler ]

With a barely audible swish the shaft of the invisible Stun Baton collapses into the small metallic cylinder the young Elf is holding in her hand.

He has yet to offer me anything in return for service. He probably knows that if he could prove he is who he says he is I would work willingly for nothing.

[pbangarth]

"Phew."

[Mickle5125]

"You have my attention, Mr. Aegis. Whether or not you have my service depends on what you have to tell me about the job. Details about the individual, his suspected activities, potential dangers posed by the individual, and, of course, the budget you have available for this task would be a good place to start." Dick smiles at the bookshop owner now that the situation has defused slightly.

[Chrysalis]

The bookshop owner nods. "His name is Dr. Robert Karkoff. He is a former official in the World Health Organization. Your mission would be to conduct surveillance and install surveillance devices in his apartment without his knowledge. Three other doctors have been killed by fire in the past week. We strongly believe that he will be targeted next. We also want you to detain or eliminate the assassin. There is also member who has been previously recruited who is currently keeping an eye on Dr. Karkoff.

The bookshop owner sighs and runs his fingers through his hair "The names of the other three killed are Edward Turner, Charles Parnell, and David Miller. Dr. Karkoff was born in 1989 in the Soviet Union and was brought to the then United States through an adoption agency. I would recommend that you also conduct an independent investigation on the three murders. Unfortunately my regular channels are now circumspect, but I have set up a hidden node which will contain further details at the Korean War Veteran's Memorial. You can access it by touching the engraving of the number of those missing. You will also find that there will be an authorized transaction waiting which should cover personal and operational costs. If you wish to contact me leave a white rose by the during the day and I will arrange for a meeting there at 11PM."

[bmcoomes]

"let me get this right, we are to place surveillance on one Dr. Robert Karkoff. Apprehend or eliminate the threat on his life. Plus investigate the other murders of Edward Turner, Charles Parneel, and David Miller. How much are we talking about in this Personal and Operational account plus how long of a time frame are we looking at?"

[Mickle5125]

"Will we be working with the previously recruited member, or should we take steps to ensure that this individual is unaware of our interest?" Dick thinks for a moment, then adds. "And how long do you want the surveillance to continue?"

[pbangarth]

"I must remember to ask if the other three doctors were also employees of the WHO. And how is Dr. Karkoff employed currently?"

[Chrysalis]

The bookshop owner titled by the team Mr Aegis moved to stand next to Warrior. He was small and spry, being at least a head shorter than Warrior making him about 5'1".

"I am not recommending reopening the investigation on the other three doctors. I am simply recommending that you do a more indepth background check as that gives you an indicator on the modus operendi of the assassin. It may also give indicators to his or her physical appearance as well. The individual currently conducting surveillance will be working as a part of your team. We suspect that the assassin will be conducting the operation within the next four days. If nothing happens in a week, your contract ends. The operational account has 60,000 nuyen."

[crizh]

My current skills package may not be completely optimal for this mission profile. Can I rely on you to supply more appropriate code should it be necessary?

[Mickle5125]

"Don't forget you won't be working alone on this. We've been chosen because our skills cover a number of facets necessary to complete this task," Dick cuts in.

[pbangarth]

"Actually, all that information will be in the data stored for us at the Memorial. No need to ask here."

" I will assume details about where people work or worked will be in the data you have for us. I'm not quite clear where we would leave a white rose if we were to need to contact you.

"Is Dr. Karkoff aware of the danger he may be in, and do you wish Dr. Karkoff to be aware of our protection?

"60,000 ¥, minus expenses, for 6 team members is ... interesting. Is there any indication that the assassin may not be working alone. This could affect our estimation of whether the stated operational account will be sufficient."

"God, I hope someone else here is better at this sort of thing than I am. Give me a research proposal any day, but this face-to-face negotiation? *shudder* Several thousand ¥ right now would go a LONG way."

[Mickle5125]

"I'll be honest. 60k minus expenses for 6 of us seems awfully low for dealing with an assassin. I'm assuming that the surveillance devices you want us to install will be provided by AEGIS?"

Dick leans forward and smiles. "Listen, I understand this is just a test, but it still puts us at a fair amount of risk and takes us away from our normal lives. How does 120k sound?"

[ Spoiler ]

negotiation test: charisma(5) negotiation(3) Kinesics(5) = [6,3,4,2,5,6,2,6,4,1,1,6,4] = (5)

[Chrysalis]

November, 18th 2069: The Third Place Bookshop 20:57


The time seems to tick ever continuously forward as he stops to think. "Fine. You will be paid a further 60k on completion of the mission. All devices, bugs, or further equipment is under your purview to acquire. You are after all "deniable assets" and there is no lack of places in this world of corporate espionage to find the equipment you need."

"The Korean War memorial is framed by a round reflection pool, around the pool are inscriptions, one which will say 'missing U.S.A 7621, U.N. 460,212'. I hope that clears up the situation."

He coughs, "Now excuse me while we go back to the matter at hand."

There is a moment and the whole room is bathed in light as if a hundred light bulbs suddenly flashed.

Tyrell looks up, "I'm sorry, I seemed to have missed your question. Perhaps if you could repeat it I could."

Mr. Aegis cannot be seen in the bookshop anymore.

***

November, 18th 2069: The Third Place Bookshop 21:02

A woman collapses, one of the new age hippies, who may have once been beautiful but her hair is disheveled as she shakes her head. "They were here. I could hear them, buzzing and droning." She looks wild-eyed picking out Warrior. "He was there! I saw him! In his suit as they did their experiments on me."

The rest gather round as the woman's nerves are calmed down. She still looks at Warrior suspiciously. as she drinks a bit of water from a proffered porcelain cup.

"Well we are still here for the book signing. I guess there is something in the air tonight." Izzie says trying to put some kind of happy spin on what looks more and more like a disastrous evening. "Well the bookshop owner has allowed for a grab-bag of books, so once you collect your copy of Mr. Tyrell's autographed book, AEGIS: the history of this most secretive organization, feel free to collect a copy."

People once hushed start talking again, it is a nervous chatter as they shuffle past Tyrell his fountain pen scraping across the bleached, pulped matter of a dead amazonian forest.

Each of the team members gets a book: Warrior a book called Fleet Marine Force Reference Publication (FMFRP) 12-80, its yellowed jacket pockmarked with liver stains. The Professor the book Maya Hieroglyphic Codices, which someone has unhelpfully scrawled in the inside with comments and underlinings. Cruise a folio edition of Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There with its gilt cover and well thumbed pages. Dick a copy of Motorcycle Diaries. Blackie the well worn paperback of Hell's Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs.

[pbangarth]

"Well, looks like any more answers we want will come at the Memorial."

Professor walks slowly towards the exit, catching the eye of his new found fellows, and casually opens his gift book.

"I wonder... yes, printing 4A, with the latest errata. I see by these damn scribbles yet another self-proclaimed 'expert' has his own opinions."

[bmcoomes]

"Well that should make things easier and this will be a much better read."

"How about we all go get some coffee so we can talk shop? Some place we can do so in some thing close to privacy."

[Mickle5125]

"Well, this was a very enlightening experience, Mr. Tyrell. Thank you." Dick smiles at Tyrell before addressing the others. "Now, however, I find myself famished. I know of this lovely little cafe nearby that serves absolutely incredible pies. I believe I will head that way now. Feel free to join me, if you care, for a discussion on what we learned tonight."

[Sir_Psycho]

Blackie was for a moment wild-eyed and frantic. The world had returned to the facade of normalcy, but his heart was still racing.

Blackie's privacy was something he appreciated, coveted even, and his new employer didn't seem to respect that. He had no idea what they knew about him. His abilities? They must have been what had him selected for the operation. But if they knew his skills, did they know his background? Where he had been the past few years. Travelling under different identities, on the move. Was he lulled into a false sense of security, while his eye cameras scanned below in the shadows, there had been another camera, Aegis, always looking down. The hairs stood up on the back of his neck.

He looked inside the Aegis book cover. His heart missed a beat. Hunter S. Thompson, gonzo journalist. He looked up at the bookshop, tense and awkward, and couldn't stand it. He was heading out for a smoke.

Before he reached the door, he flashed his invitation towards Izzie, "excuse me. What process selected those to be invited? Also, did you happen to know one Meta Vaskiadis? He was a friend of mine, and this was the sort of place he might have liked."

[Chrysalis]

]Izzie's brow furrowed as if in deep concentration. "Why sending out invitations would be an excellent idea. We just let people know about the book signing through the Matrix. Meta Vaskiadis? No, no can't say that I have."

People were leaving slowly with Tyrell himself one of the first one's through the door with Blackie. He hedl his umbrella open while Blackie looked for his lighter. "I heard book signings were strange but this one was downright weird. I am still trying to sort out mass induced hysteria from supposed perceptions. Oh well. Good night to you." He nods at Blackie and walks down the street oxford twill of his overcoat blending well with the darkness. He walks up two blocks of the winding street and then turns to the right. A black car drives slowly along its windows tinted as it ambles up towards the bookshop speeding off down the same road Tyrell was walking along.

...


A short drive later iin a very different kind of car made the whole episode of the Third Place Bookshop seemed like a strange dream. The safety of soykaf, pies that while tasting really good had that indelible taste of plasticity. The ergonomically comforting chairs with the selection of colors chosen not for their pleasingness but for their supposed impact on the human psyche.

The place was between crowds, students were either studying or preparing for their parties. The older crowd was a mixture of disappointed office workers, small-time lobbyists, and government contractors each with their cheap suits and thick plastic AR glasses. Some sitting alone others in groups, each transfixed in a world beyond the real. The gesticulation and muttering of them all could be considered the imagery of insanity if not that surrounding each was a large swath of AR, the Matrix, and somewhere beyond safely locked doors the realms of shadows.

The Betty Page lookalike with her plastic kiroshi cybereyes of violet and her chromed nailpolished fingers served the table where your group were sitting, her mind shifted from television static to dead air as she filled your orders with droning precision. Her AR persona showed her to religion to be Nihilism and her contact details spelled out her sexual preferences and experiences in garish detail.

Dick was right. The pie was incredible.

[pbangarth]

[OOC - I suspect having shared soycaf and 'incredible' pie, we know each other's street names now. Though .... it would appear Professor is becoming Doc. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/frown.gif) I'm waiting for the Dick Doc jokes. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sarcastic.gif) ]

"You're right, Dick, I can't believe that pie! And the last time a woman showed me AR that explicit, she wanted a grade she didn't deserve. So is there anything we need to discuss before we get the details of the task at hand at the aforementioned location?"

[crizh]

Division of labour and skillsets. My current skillset is close to ideal for the bugging mission. I could possibly use a Fast-talk 'soft to round things out. I have appropriate gear and cover ID. I could use a number of video and audio bugs but they can be easily acquired.

As she talks she gently caresses the soft red cloth binding of the book she was given, it is clutched tightly to her chest, it's worn gilt glinting in the light of the diner.

When she mentions her ID, for a few brief seconds, her jumpsuit changes colour and a number of Neonet logos appear on it and on the breast a chirpy message announcing Cruze as 'Jane your Neo-network Engineer.'

You would be amazed at the number of places that gets you access to and the bizarre behaviour it makes appear completely normal. Claim you've had reports of an AI in nearby nodes and you can get away with murder.

That said she peered around Doc's shoulder at the retreating waitress.

Nice ass. I could use blowing off some steam tonight...


What with the nature of her 'employment' relationships were impossible so Cruze liked to collect 'Magic Moments' flicking her data filter off and on again so that she only ever remembered the good bits. Their waitress seemed like a perfect candidate for some no strings entertainment.

[Chrysalis]

[OOC: Uups. Clicked on the wrong button and ended up making an additional post. Wanted to do some minor tweaks to the post and not have it as a reply. Carry on.]