Atlanta 2070, Hot time in the old town tonight Options

[ludomastro]

System nods over his burrito. See, I told you this place was sweet.

<<@Team[System]The map was pretty messed up but that isn't what's scary. The land above the lab is owned by a few no name companies. The security perimeter is there for the honorable purpose of keeping down incidents of vandalism. No crime is ever reported there. The surrounding is a mix of light and heavy industry with a small collection of SINless housing. The Star suspects that the Yaks have an operation in that area. All the front companies trace back to one source. Any guesses? No? Ok, how does Saeder Krupp strike you?>>

System takes a breath and try to hide it by rubbing his stomach.

<<If S-K being the owner weren't bad enough, I haven't been able to find a security node for the place so I'm guessing they have an independent wireless system. The alternative is truly horrifying. I don't like the idea of being underground with a hard-wired system. The good news. Our J was correct. Deliveries are made on a pretty regular basis. Food in, garbage out. Busses full of people, etc.>>

[Redjack]

Book nearly chokes, then nearly spews his food across the room.
<<@Team [Book] Saeder Krupp?! Aren't they the company with the Dragon?>>

Dalton pauses with a mouthful of taco, the wheels turning.
<<@Team [Tank] How old is the facility? I gotta bet that was there before the crash.... and yea, that screams hard wired. It also screams a whole new level of security. Can't even dream what the escalation would be on the magic side, but on the mundane we're talking freakin' nanites. We're potentially talking wireless inhibitors, though I bet the concrete bunker inhibits the wireless plenty good so as to not even both with dampeners. You guys ever see Aliens XX? I was a rip off of Aliens IV, but the point is: They can seal each level from the inside. You simply always staff it from the inside with redundant systems.>>

Book's emotions are mixed. Snake wants to know what magic defenses are there. Eric thinks, piss on that. "I think I've bitten off more than I can chew."

Dalton raises an eyebrow trying to figure out if the shaman was referring to the taco... or the run.
<<@Team [Tank] Forty-Five is way light for this kinda of heat.>>

Book then turns a little pale.
<<@Team [Book] We can't even get saved by our man in blue here. We get caught inside, we make a big scene, in seconds Saeder Krupp takes legal possession of the site and declares extraterritoriality and we are screwed.>>
His appetite pretty well gone, he looks at the mess of food on his plate. Broken bits of taco shell, pieces of lettuce, cheese and meat. "This is messy."

Dalton looks over at what the shaman is looking at. "So let's plan on being messy." He begins breaking up his taco. "Now find the shell with my tooth mark."

Book looks at him. "Are you crazy?" Then back down at the plate, then back to the adept. "That will negate our bonus."

Dalton smiles. "Perhaps.... Perhaps not."
<<@Team [Tank] I can live without the bonus if get out alive.>>

Book looks to System.
<<@Team [Book] I assume this means you got access to external systems? Perhaps systems that track personnel and shipments? We got one day left to work out several contingencies.>>

[ludomastro]

<<@Team[System]Perephery systems might be a better description. See, the thing about facilities this size is that you can't hide everything. Back around 100 years ago or so, there was a facility in the old US that technically didn't exist. Called it Area 51. Everyone could see it but no one would acknowledge the place. Same problem - the support organization proved it existed.>>

System takes a large gulp of his soda and the continues.

<<@Team[System]Thing is, we have more information than the J let on. I can tell you when they get the laundry washed, when the food gets delivered, and more importantly, I can tell you when they are low on people and when they have the waste hauled out. That could be an alternate way in and/or a way out. Now, as to the age of the place. Best I can tell, it came online around five years ago. That's post-Crash but that don't mean that they didn't build it without wires. I can't tell you what they are doing there but it has a lot to do with electronic hardware - i.e. computers and a list of stuff that I didn't recognize.>>

He transmits a list of material to the team.

<<@Team[System]What do you make of that?>>

[Redjack]

Looking the list over, Book groans.
<<@Team [Book] That is magical components. Lots of them.>>
He bows his head in resignation for a moment before continuing.
<<@Team [Book] Tank - We need to be ready to blast our way back out. System - I need to know how many of the support personnel are mages. We also need..... We need to assume the identity of some of the folks inside once we are in to facilitate our ability to move around. We need to plan for the worst and hope for the best. >>

<<@Team [Tank] Worst case is spirits are intermingled with the people meaning that area affect weapons will need to be lethal to deal with all combatants. Worst case also is that there are more spirits than you can handle...>>

For the countless time in this short conversation, Book again sighs.
<<@Team [Book] We will need to locate the mages quickly. System - I will definitely need a complete count of the mages you expect to be onsite. If you can get personnel logs on them that would be cream. I really need to know how many of them have offensive spells and how many are conjurers. If that count is too high, we will have to consider scrubbing the entire run.>>

Tank continues to eat. If I'm gonna die, I'm gonna be well fed first!
<<@Team [Tank] I have a pair of fragmentation grenades. I better get a case more. I also am short on lethal rounds. Better get a few clips of those as well.>>

Book picks over his food, waiting for further details from the hacker.

[ludomastro]

System smiles. Finish up your food and we'll head over to my place.

<<@Team[System]It's time I showed you what I have been working on for the past several weeks. Finish up and we'll head over that way.>>

-----

After reaching a non-descript building on the outskirts of the city, System opens a door leading to a small office with the name "Richard Blazon, PI" engraved on the door. It opens to System's touch. The front part of the office looks lived in but resembles the stereotypical PI office from the trid shows. The back however, looks like a computer graveyard. There are open circuits in a fish tank connected to flash memory and some type of whirring device. The lighting is a mix of various types of bulbs at various settings. There is a loop of copper wired around the whole room woven into and around the various parts. At least seven comms and what looks like an old cyberdeck are wire in as well. In the center of the room is a comfortable looking chair.

System beams with pride as the two take in the room.

Now, we can get somewhere.

[Redjack]

Book pushes the plate away, his appetite gone. Tank on the other hand scarfs his down. No sense going hungry...
--------------------
The duo follow the hacker through the building and into the office. Book takes in the surroundings, more interested in the hacker than the surroundings. Again, Tank shows himself to be the shamans opposite. He lingers in the front office amazed at this new aspect of the ork before proceeding into the back room and finding yet another side of the hacker. The second room however is more of what he expected to find and he smiles at the sight. "Quite a command center."

Book nods. "Show us what you have."

[ludomastro]

With a smile from one ear to the other System responds, Grab a chair out of the other office and pull up a piece of wall - just don't touch my stuff. This allows me to hear the ebb and flow of the matrix. Shortly the lights dim but maintain their relative brightness. System goes limp in the chair as the AR wallpaper springs into existence. It is formed of jungle plants covering buildings. The reality of the AR is impressive. A tall muscular ork in robes and holding a staff approaches you. I would be careful here. This part of the matrix is a bit more lively than most. I'd suggest that you sit tight. The wizard waves his hands and two dog like creatures and a horse appear at his side. Like a streak of lightning the "wizard" is gone.

After what seems like hours the wizards appears with a torn cloak and smoking and blackened staff. The AR wallpaper drops and the two of them are faced with System clutching his head and drips of blood coming from his nose.

Damn ... that hurt. I got to the data we needed but got caught in the crossfire between their matrix security and icons wearing samurai and ninja clothing. Whew. I ... don't think anyone knows I was in during the attack ... but I'm glad they were there to keep the security occupied. We got schedules ... and you are looking at the three newest employees for the facility. ... Now, I gotta sleep for a little.

System passes out in a comfortable position.

[Redjack]

Tank goes and gets a chair as soon as System mentions it. Book on the other hand stands, watching the hacker as he shifts to the virtual world. They both listen silently as he briefs them. Book considers the chair then sits on a spot of the floor with clean spot of wall.

Tank dives into the current e-copy of UCAS Military Today. You can take the man out of the military, but you can't take the military out of the man.

Book sits considers what he just saw. The ork dreamed the dream of touching mana. He considered himself a wizard of the matrix and in a way, he is. Of course, the problem is that System will never truly know what it is like. The difference is like a book. As Tank sits reading through the ezine, he cannot begin to fathom the depths and emotions in a well read printed book. Something you can hold, touch and most importantly feel. Seeing the hacker as a wizard, he feels a twinge of sadness. The magic of the matrix will never properly interpret that which it is to touch real mana. The feel the ebb and flow of the living, moving mana.

After about half an hour, Tank has had his feel of reading. Seeing both his teammates in unconscious states, he settles back and tries to get comfortable in the office chair.

Book is unable to get a word in edgewise between System's return and subsequent passing out. After taking a moment to digest the hacker's words, he instead fills in Tank. "System seems to have gotten us an alternate entrance."
<<@System [Book] When you get a chance, send us the details of the three IDs. Also, how does our arrival as employees correspond to the arrival of the equipment?>>
"We should be able to send our gear and your drone via the other route. Once inside, we will need to identify the security details and locate all the mages. From there, we can refine our assault strategy. It appears those details will have to be dealt with on the fly. Our exit strategy is another issue. We need to see Digger."

As the duo leave, Book sends a wave of mana washing over the hacker, though not nearly as powerful as he intended.
---------------------
The duo make their way to the Cube. Once there, Book immediately sets to the task of warding the back rooms. Tank on the other hand sets to inspecting the physical security of the club.

[ludomastro]

As Book floats in the astral, the ward around the back rooms springs into existence. It warps around the area like a protective shell.

-----

Tank is able to determine that the Cube needs better camera placement around the entrances and the scanners in the door frames need serious updating. Given the nanite issue, Tank decides another set of scanners near the VIP room is warranted. Also, it wouldn't hurt to have a wifi scanner set up to detect out of place signals. After reviewing the bouncer training, it would be wise to have them cross-train each other. Digger has good people but they don't overlap much.

-----

Digger pops up at some point and asks how things are going.

-----

After a few hours System responds, <<@Team[System]I'm awake and feeling mostly human. To answer the question from earlier, we are bringing in a special shipment of back up supplies. We can't stay long but we don't intend on it either. I have us as two humans and an ork laborer. Niffty, uh? Where do I need to be?>>

[Redjack]

Book absorbs himself in the task of creating the ward, distracting his mind from tomorrow's task. Snake whispers of of the secrets to be had from meeting sponsored by the fixer. His words speak to Book's soul and cloud his mind driving him to distraction. A few secrets couldn't hurt...

Tank finishes his assessment and finds a booth, as well as a bourbon and coke, to create his security report. He is done some time before the shaman is finished. I waited till the middle of the afternoon. That should be good.
----------
Eventually the dwarf shows up. Tank is milking his second drink by then, knowing that the day is still young and there may yet be work to do. He is however bored out of his skull and happy enough to provide the report and discuss the details.
----------
<<@Team [Tank] Book is kinda checked out for the mumbo jumbo at the moment. I'm at the Cube. I'll come get you, hopefully Book will be done by the time we get back.>>

Once Digger's questions are answered, Tank heads out to get the hacker.

[ludomastro]

Digger slides into the booth with Tank while chomping on a cigar. He nods at the suggestions and makes several notes.

-----

Tank is able to slide over to System's new locale. As they leave, System turns on the security system and adds a few layers of his own.

-----

The return trip takes longer as there was a three car pile up at an intersection. The Star is already on the scene and directing traffic around the area.

[Redjack]

Tank was glad the meeting with Digger went well. As the two sat in cruiser watching the cops work the accident, he thought about the task ahead and the subtle changes to the plan. The quick in and out is better than hanging around.

As he drives around the accident scene he wonders what crime this accident is covering up? What hacker had caused the accident to cover up a run? His mind slips back to the job. As he runs the details through his head over and over, he realizes they have arrived back at the Cube. Tank leads the way, nodding the bouncer bored at the front door. Its still early enough that the bouncer's job is more hold up the wall than provide security.

Inside, Book has finished up the ward. He emerges from the back as Tank and System are making their way inside, nodding in kind. The trio make their way to their fixer. Book speaks, "We need to discuss some details about this run. System has us an alternate means to get inside and I have a few surprises once we get there, but there are a few concerns about our ability to get out. Since our Johnson-san has already broken the trust, we need an alternate exit in case she thinks to clean up any loose ends. I'm thinking the t-bird team will have standing orders to clean up after they have the device. Probably at the drop off so as to not make a mess in the bird. We need to short circuit that."

[ludomastro]

Digger scratches his head for a moment. "Hmm. That could be a tough one. I don't have any T-brid contacts in the area right now. Most are up Denver or Seattle way. You don't suppose a car left next to the fence would work do you?" Digger thinks for a moment. "Wait! I have a few markers I can call in - " He looks at the three of you. "you'll owe me later - that can help you out. I can get you some armored wheels and a small escort when you are ready to get out of dodge but it's a one way trip with these folks. They owe me but not enough to go into the lions den and certainly not back into the lion's den."

"What other shopping did you have in mind?"

-----

A few hours later, Digger calls to let you know that your ammo has arrived at the storage warehouse he uses for various drops.

[Redjack]

Book shakes his head. "I'm not looking for another t-bird team so much as an alternative or perhaps the ability to mitigate them as a threat."

Tank says, "Well.... we could get ourselves a couple of C-4 vests. They're not gonna want to nuke us in the 'bird and if it gets hairy, we would be in a position to dictate the landing spot."

"Perhaps." Book acknowledges, "But I really don't want to get blow up accidentally. Though if Digger has not other options, we may have to go with that one."

[ludomastro]

Digger leans back in his chair. "Now, suppose that we can combine the options. I can get you some vests and call in my marker for the group to give you an alternate LZ if that is what you want. I suppose that you are planning on going in with your own entrance rather than theirs? The only thing else that I can think of would be some armor if you don't have enough. What am I missing?"

[Redjack]

Book shakes his head. "The chameleon suits should be armored as much as I can handle without being restricted. We are going in via our own entrance, work our way through the facility as best as we're able, call for extraction and detour them to the alternate LZ."

Tank cocks his head. "How do we get paid?"

"There in lies the rub. The T-Bird ride may get a little hairy if they try to screw us. We'll have to play it by ear. Hope for the best, plan for the worst."

Tank raises an eyebrow. "I hate playing it by ear. That usually means I'm going into the pharmacy alone...."

Book smiles. "This time we're all headed for the meat grinder."

[ludomastro]

Digger nods and punches up a few AR windows. "Now, let me get this straight. ... "

After Digger goes over the various lists with the guys before they end their meeting. Then Digger swoops away to woo his patrons for the night.

-----

Later the group finds itself back at a "vacant" apartment in an upper section of town that System has "borrowed" for a few hours. They are a third of the way through some excellent food and wine at deep in conversation when the door bell chimes.

System slips on a jumpsuit and tells the two of you to step away from dinner for a moment. You can vaguely hear the conversation. "No, Senor. Mi empleador umm my employer is not here. Message? Yes. Gracias. Thank you."

"It's amazing how much you can get away with when they start by looking down at you." He laughs and throws back another flute of champagne.

[Redjack]

"The vests are our insurance policy. If the t-bird ride gets hairy or Johnson-san tries to eliminate the loose ends, namely us, then we will have to put them into play." Book looks around at his concerned team, "I don't want to die and I'm hoping the t-bird crew doesn't want to either. We use our alternate entrance, play it by ear while we are inside and use the t-bird team for extraction. I expect that clearing the payment will be every bit as tough as the run itself.... but I'm hoping that this is just paranoia and Johnson-san simply pays us."

Tank thinks through all the holes in the plan. "Why am I not reassured...?"
---------------------
Tank cuts another piece of prime rib as Book eats a bite of grilled salmon. For Book, the potential correlation to a last meal was not lost. While Tank merrily partakes of this fine repast, he is not quite so merry.

As System orchestrates a ruse to maintain their access to the upscale apartment, the duo take their part in stride. After all, staying hidden is always their preference.

Once they trio are seat again, Book speaks. "There are really not a lot of upsides to this. We can't talk about this when its done. If Saeder-Krupp takes this personal, we are gonna be dodging their assets for a while as well. If Johnson-san screws us we may not get paid and we may be dead."

"Then again, I could get hit by a bus while crossing the street and my shit life would be over. What's the difference?"

Book actually had no response other than to look at the adept for a few minutes before finishing his meal in silence. He actually has a point....

[ludomastro]

The repast passes with some light conversation.

-----

Too soon they find themselves at Digger's warehouse to claim the various items they requested. A fat elf with a bad attitude and two missing fingers hands over the vests.

On the way out, System says, "Get some rest. We'll have to get the van around 0300 hours."

-----

Early the next morning, System has the van warmed up and ready to go at the corner of two random streets at a quarter to three. The team sees an elf corp exec with a couple of munecas (ork and human) and a dwarf cop shaking down a short troll over some beetles. A bum rolls from one side to the other. Of the six people in the alley besides the team, not a single one even glances over their way.

Once settled, System hands out some pillows and light-weight thermal blankets. "Settle in. I have a friend who will get us there." There is a faint outline of a bat cat sitting in the drivers seat of the van. It appears perfectly normal except for the stream of data symbols where its eyes should be.

-----

The van pulls off the road near the facility after the nearly two hour drive. System rouses everyone and packs the equipment away. "Alright, we are scheduled for a 0530 delivery of parts etc. Get your game faces on."

The van creeps up to the guard shack where two orks with semi-autos step out and then the van stops. They start asking questions in the bored way that only someone at the end of a shift can do.

[Redjack]

Their gear collected and nothing to do but wait, the duo exit the warehouse and head back to Tank's ride. For both, the night's rest is light; Anticipation and anxiety both keep their sleep from being deep.
--------------
As they load up with System, Tank is unusually quiet. This op has him feeling a little off his game and out of his element. Book on the other hand hears the song of snake, who is anxious to have the secrets of the day revealed. Book also drops a confirmation to the extraction team that they call will be coming later in the day.

As they go down the alley, both keep their senses tuned to their respective mediums. Neither expects trouble, but that is when it usually comes out to play.

Tank waits as both his team mates load into the van first, then he brings up the rear. Of all the roles for today, mine is the most straight forward.
--------------
Book nods as the hacker breaks the situation down. Tank shakes his head to clear the cobwebs and grasp at consciousness. Both also do their best to slip into the role of groggy delivery men and provide similarly disinterested replies to the inquiries. Book eyes one of them, "There a break room I can pick up some soykaf?"

[ludomastro]

One of the orks grins and says, "Sure, but it ain't what I'd call good. Third door on your left - jus' make sure to show your badge."

The other ork seems annoyed by his companions friendliness with the crew. He pulls up some AR windows and checks the ID on the van against the delivery invoice.

"Unload your stuff, pick up the trash and get the hell out of dodge. Don't make trouble for me would ya. I got 29 minutes till my shift ends."

The gate opens, the tire spikes drop out of sight and the van moves forward. The facility is no where to be seen. The road leads to a small hill. Once the van gets close the hillside begins to move. It opens like a giant garage door and the inside of a hanger is exposed. Another guard - a troll - waves the van forward where it is positioned over the elevator and lowered into the blackness. After being lowered for what feels like forever, Another set of doors approximately three stories tall come into view. Once opens and yet another guard - this one a dwarf with a uniform and some indication of rank steps forward.

His accent reveals he is not local - "Put tha vahn over thahr." He points to an empty spot a few meters away. "Then come see meh for yohr pahper work."

[Redjack]

Tank considers a dozen snarky replies to the ork, but lets it go. He kicks back and relaxes as the van proceeds forward.

Book shifts his perceptions to the astral, looking to see if the entrance area is warded. He is careful as they proceed to not remain in the astral, fearing the effects of being a dual natured dropping onto a ward and being squished in the van.

As they exit the van and enter the dwarf's presence, they move with a minimal hustle. Enough to appear relatively efficient without seeming overly enthusiastic. The casually look around the area without appearing too interested. In reality, Tank is scrutinizing physical security while Book is checking the astral.

<<@Team [Book] First impressions?>>

[ludomastro]

The entrance is warded in a very efficient manner. The ward almost has a silvery sheen to it.

There are no obvious spirits in the area but a plethora of small wards over offices, vehicles, random corners.

Tank notices that the area doesn't seem to have a lot of guards but that there are plenty of cameras and heavy doors. The dwarf was armed with a pistol. The patrolling guard has a sub-machine gun on his shoulder harness.

[Redjack]

The layers of wards meets with Book's expectation, given the warning of higher than normal magical defenses. Tank scrutinizes the guards looking for signs of alert fatigue; There comes a point where being on high alert for too long without realizing a threat is counter productive. The security forces get used to the routine. Their attention level is reduced and thereby their response time and ability to accurately recognize threats. He's hoping to find that here.

[ludomastro]

As he looks more closely, Tank notices that for all the bravado in the dwarf, the rest of the guards seem bored.

Book notices a few watchers flitting between various areas. However, they seem concentrated toward the other side of the vehicle bay where the blueprints indicate that the mages are living.

-----

As they work they notice that the dwarf seems ill at ease - he keeps staring at his watch.