Atlanta 2070, Hot time in the old town tonight Options

[Redjack]

As Tank whips up two of his nasty concoction, he replies. "I... I'm not really sure." Looking down, "Come to think of it, can you find mine as well?" He then looks around for two relatively clean glasses and pours the concoction in. Someday I'm either gonna get a maid or live somewhere with an auto-roomer...

Walking back into the bedroom area of the apartment he stops for a moment to drink in the beauty of the young elven woman. He snaps out of his stupor and hands her one of the drinks, "Drink it fast. It will make the hangover seem a whole lot less unpleasant." He drinks his down, then shakes his head as if trying to shake off the drink. "Or something like that."

He finds his clothes and dresses. "You gotta work today?"
--------------------
Book awakes from his half sleep. Looking at the girl he takes a moment himself to remember the night before. "We are at a motel a few blocks from where the rave occurred. You don't know me well, but that's ok." He pauses a moment. "If you choose to, you may find many things different than you expect..... I should call Tank to come get us. Where can we take you?"
--------------------
In response to System Error's call.
<<@SysError [Book] We'll be there.>>

Nothing else to do in the interim, but drop off their guests, they do so, grab food and make their way to The Cube before noon.

[ludomastro]

He finds his clothes and dresses. You gotta work today?

Beth responds, No. I try not to party on the nights I have to work. I appreciate the good time.

------

Where can we take you?

Melinda thinks for a moment and then asks, Can you drop me off at my apartment building?

------

At The Cube, Book and Tank find System Error waiting for them outside in the parking lot.

Bono jorno, amiki. Me havas informeso por vi.
It dawns a split second later that neither of them have understood a word he said.
Sorry. I'm used to speaking a different language. Good morning. I have information for you.
He thumbs over at the club and says, The owner seems to be paranoid about my abilities and wanted me to wait out here. Truth be told, I prefer outside to inside his club anyway. Shall we move this to a more private location.
His demeanor and confidence seem much improved now as compared to earlier.

[Redjack]

Tank's Apartment - Mid Morning
Tank smiles at her reply. Ah.... youth....
He considers his plans for the day. I'd really like to taste that and remember the meal.... "Well, looks like we have some time then..."
As she sits in the bed naked drinking her drink, he begins taking his clothes back off ending with just a big smile and a ........
----------------
Book's Motel Room - Mid Morning
Book attempts to call Tank but just gets a voice mail response. "Well, Tank seems not to be up yet... I think there is a McHugh's or a Denton's around here somewhere. Shall we have breakfast first?"
----------------
Parking Lot of the Cube - Noon'ish

After the hacker greats then, the two return greetings.
Book: "Bonjour. Ça va ?"
Tank: "¡Buenos días! ¡y una qué buena mañana es!"
The duo get a chuck as System realizes neither of them speak Italian...

Tank replies to their new team mate. "Digger's a lot like that. Yea, climb in my ride" he says gesturing to his Chrysler-Nissan Patrol. "We can start there. I think we should probably talk to Digger about a safe house later today."

After climbing into the vehicle Book asks, "What do you have for us?"

[ludomastro]

You asked for information on the garbage trucks. The museum is serviced by Waste Management. Pickups are Wednesdays and Saturdays.

His eyes loose focus for a minute and then he continues, I have a couple of cheap IDs for you. They will work for the museum with no problem. I wouldn't get attached to them though.

He smiles.

La fina peco. The security work up. MPS provides security for the museum; however, the magical oversight is provided by an independent contracting group that calls themselves Black Hat Productions. I couldn't find which mage creates the wards. I did narrow it down to two: William Dodgeson and Marcus Atraeus. Human and Elf respectively. The public information I found on them is here. He pushes some information to each of them.

[Redjack]

The duo switch to AR and subvocal communications.
<<@Team [Tank] So want to elaborate on the plans?>>

<<@Team [Book] Its really pretty simple. First, we need to establish some new employees for Waste Management. We should all look like orks that day, so make all three IDs orks. That should throw off potential police reports and we'll leave the accounts in place to help throw a false trail.>>

<<@Team [Tank] Excellent!>>

<<@Team [Book] System - You will need to identify all cameras and security in the area. We want to use them to our advantage. Tank and I will enter the museum magically masked while you stay in the garbage truck. We'll need to loop any security video to insure that there is not an immediate response, but I need you to loose a glimpse in the system of me, masked as one of the security mages, shifting to that an ork garbage collector.>>

<<@Team [Tank] What about other elements of physical security?>>

<<@Team [Book] System will need to have control of the museum security system by then. I will use a pair of earth elementals to load the statue into the trash truck. We then make our delivery to Johnson's protected location, collect our pay and be on the way.>>

<<@Team [Tank] When?>>

<<@Team [Book] We now have two windows when the trash truck is expected. What is the times of the pickups?>>

(( What day is it? ))

[ludomastro]

(( Saturday around noon ))

<<We missed the first one. They came through about 0100 this morning. They pick up between 0030 to 0130 with the average being right at 0100. I'll have to work up a third ID and tweak these to make us Waste Management employees - that shouldn't take long. I don't see a problem with museum security; however, the Vatican may had added some independent layers. I noticed something that seemed a little off when I went over the museum earlier. Let me do some more work on that front. Do you want me to whip us up some tickets so that we can make a walkthrough today?>>

[Redjack]

<<@Team [Book] I'd like the first walk though today. That will give us the maximum time between our visit and the run. I need to assense the wards as well. That should help me narrow down which mage created them.>>

<<@Team [Tank] We need two different sets of IDs, right?>>

<<@Team [Book] Yea. One set for today that we walk away from after our visit and a second set for use only on the day of the run. We use the second set only on that day and then walk away from those as well.>>

<<@Team [Tank] System, you need to be careful not to leave your signature on any of those IDs.. You know, no way to trace them back to you.>>

<<@Team [Book] That's for sure..>>

Tank looks back at System before asking:
<<@Team [Tank] You going with us to play tourist or staying behind?>>

[ludomastro]

<<No, I'll pass this go rough. One less and no orks works better, don't you think?>> He smiles. <<Let me get you some tickets and a half decent SIN.>>

His eyes loose focus more about ten minutes.

<<There you go. Tank, you are now Richard Merriwether and Book, you are now Arthur Doyle. I figure if anyone checks on the tickets, I inserted at the will call box, they will find enough information to pass you through. Don't try to buy any trinkets though or you might get burned.>>

System Error takes his leave of the group at that time. He promises to meet with them on Monday. He explains, I want to check out this Resonance ... uh church group.

------

Tank and Book arrive at the museum without incident. The bored security troll with bad breath - troll-sized bad breath - reminds them to read the museum rules in AR and abide by them. He leave very little room to question him. Then he goes back to reading his book. An honest to goodness book. Made of dead trees with a cover.

The statue is obviously the big attraction and finding it is not a problem. Waiting in line for their turn; however, is a different matter entirely. It makes the lines at Six Flags look like child's play.

[Redjack]

The pair thank the hacker before the team splits.
They stop and pick up a pair of hats and glasses on their way to the museum. They also stop and pick up a microcamera, disguised as a button.
Book then uses his fashion spell yet again to alter their clothes, working the microcamera into Tank's clothing.
Tank parks his cruiser at a mall some dozen blocks from the museum.
The twosome then catch a bus that takes them to the museum.
-----------------
Tank and Book do their best to appear disinterested in the guard as he is in them. Once they arrive at the museum, Book attempts to assense the warding.
Argghh.... His inability to discern the signature of the ward is a blow to the shaman.. Snake is not pleased at his failure to pull the secrets of the creator from the ward.

The duo walk the museum taking note of the physical security measures. They move nonchalantly, acting as casual museum goers, Tank recording as they go. They are careful not to focus on the statue too much. Book will identify if there are multiple wards to pass through to get the statue out.

[ludomastro]

The duo wait their turn in line. The statue holds a place of honor in the museum with a large quarter circle window of clean glass letting in the sunlight that manages to filter in through the smog. It is perched on a square base so that it can be seen better. Perhaps the base also holds some electronics as well?

There are armed guards stationed around the area. They are a mix of human, ork, and elf. Two of them are conversing in Italian while guests file by. While John Q. Public might not notice the tell-tale bulges under clothes, anyone who has some experience notices right away. Book passes through another ward upon getting close to the statue.

Tank notices several fixed camera locations as well as some obviously wired cameras. They appear to be from before the Crash.

[Redjack]

Book switches his gaze to the astral, scanning the ward, attempting to discern the signature of its creator. Just a little wrinkle... Two wards and all... No luck. He changes his attention to the three guards. Reading the aura of a living person was really his specialty. Now, lets see who's awakened.... He also takes a look at the statue itself.

Tank is unsure as to why Book walks nearly the whole museum, but does so quietly, understanding the need for discretion during a stake out. On the way out, Book again assenses both wards and the statue... Disgusted with his continued inability to discern the inner ward, but pacified by his success on the outer.

During the bus ride back to Tank's vehicle, the two sit mostly in silence. However when they get inside the vehicle, Tank inquires as the the shaman's observations.

[Redjack]

"I was able to discern the signature of the outer ward, but-"

Dalton cuts in, "How many wards are there?"

Eric interlaces his fingers and looks to his team mate. "Two. You gonna left me finish?" The adept silently nods and the shaman continues, "I was unable to discern the signature of the inner ward. This is going to be a problem."

Dalton frowns. He didn't like problems, they tended to interfere with party time.. "You have a plan for that?"

It's Eric's turn to frown. "Working on that. We gotta transfer the video to our new hacker friend so he can help us figure out the security system. So far most aspects hold true, but we have a problem in that response time may be decreased due to the inner ward."

"What about the guards?"

"Truth be told, I really wasn't expecting extra physical security. There will have to be adjustments. You have GEL ammo?"

Dalton looks away for a moment. "I... Uh.... I can get some.."

Book tries to call System Error, while Tank calls Michael Richards, his local arms dealer.

[ludomastro]

The response is quick. System Error's persona pops up in AR. What can I do for you?

-----

... yeah, that sounds good. No, I don't care where you put the champagne, no ... hold on. Yes, Michael here.

[Redjack]

Book pulls over the video that Dalton collected and hands it to the virtual ork.
<<@System [Book] We have some footage of the physical security so that you can compare that cameras and systems you locate in the museum's security node. We are also going to have to hit both security mages the same night as well. I'm gonna need their schedules for the windows of opportunity added to their dossiers.>>
------------------
<<@Richards [Dalton] Yo, chummer. How are things?>>
After a few minutes of small talk, Tank gets to the point.
<<@Richards [Dalton] I need about three clips of GEL and a dozen flash-bang grenades for my XM30. That workable?>>

[ludomastro]

System Error's persona says Not a problem.

-----

Michael answers with a smile, I don't see a problem with either. You know that I always say for enough money, I can get the Pope's mitre. Where do I need to drop off your package and when do you need it?

[Redjack]

<<@System [Book] Thanks. I'll be in touch later.>>
Book leaned back in the seat, fighting off the headache that was circling his temple looking to strike. A lot more complicated. Always more details... If this were only a game where I could just map out the perfect solution.....

Tank on the other hand continued his conversation while his vehicle marched along using GridGuide™.
<<@Richards [Dalton] In the next few days will be fine. I'm also gonna need a glue sprayer with about 3 doses of glue, half a dozen neuro-stun grenades and a pair of gas masks... Say, what's the price and time frame on a doberman with an SMG... Maybe an Ingram? And three clips of Stick-N-Shock?>>

[ludomastro]

Michael pauses for a moment, Hold on ... Yes, that is where I want the cake, no the other decorations go over there. ... OK, I can get the common stuff in a couple of days without any problems.

A doberman? The market has been hot for those recently and since I haven't seen any fall off the back of a Lone Star Truck, it could take a bit. You want me to look into it? The Star is on the hunt for neuro-stun ever since Humanis used it to bomb a chapter of MOM. I'll have to tread carefully there. If you need it, let me know. Just understand it will take longer.

[Redjack]

Tank curls an eyebrow. This was so much easier with Supply Sergeant Dixon. He could find anything
<<@Richards [Dalton] Yea, look around for the doberman and the neurostun. Even if it takes a while, those are good to have on hand. Thanks!>>

The initial recon of the museum done, the duo finish their return trip in silence. Both are biding the time awaiting additional results on the pending legwork. The hacker was looking into anomalies in the museum security system as well as gathering the schedules of the security mages. Richards was tracking down additional hardware.

With nothing to do but kill time, Dalton gives a call to Suzan. Time to find out how sweet that little hostess actually is...

Book on the other hand considers the little restaurant near his home. The one thing that helped him pass the time was cooking... I've been going there for months. Time to make some introductions. Eric could have been a world class chef had he not heard the call of Snake.

[ludomastro]

The next morning, Tank gets a call from Michael. You wouldn't believe your luck kid. I found a buyer who wants to get out from under a doberman and I found a partial case of nuerostun as well. Don't worry, I checked the seller out. I don't think that a Troll would be working for Humanis. Anyway, I can have everything except the doberman ready in two days. The doberman will take another two for a total of four. Let me know if I should set up the meet. After a brief pause he adds, The normal stuff will run you around 250 nuyen plus drinks. The doberman, with Ingram, will be around 4200.

[Redjack]

Book arrives at the little restaurant late, after the majority of the customers have left. His timing is such as to try to catch the owner to chat. The conversation does not go the way Eric intended. His plan was to dazzle the owner with his knowledge of Cajun cooking, which back fires.

The long day that it was, Eric fails in his attempts to convey an expertise of the art verbally. The owner, Durant, was raised in the Mississippi bayous. Finally, Book realized he was headed down a dead end path trying to talk about it. "Listen, let me show you. Either I put up and impress you or I shut up and not mention it again."

Eric got down to business when he got to the kitchen. I've got ground to make up... I sounded like I didn't know the first thing about being a line cook, let alone a chef.

When all was said and done, Eric had actually outdone himself and actually gave pause, considering giving up running and becoming a full time chef... No Snake, don't worry... I like to cook, just not all the time....
-------------------
Tank on the other hand makes arrangements to go out with Suzan. The evening starts off well enough, but Tank starts drinking a little and loses some of his charm. Suzan is beginning to suspect he may be a player and begins giving him the cold shoulder.

Tank realizes he's losing this fish so he backs off a little and tries to play it cool. By the end of the evening, he is dropping her off. He gives her a small kiss on the cheek and watches her head up to her house. He hadn't lost her, but he hadn't made any points. Gonna have to pull an ace out of my pocket for the pocket..
-------------------
The next morning, Book rises with the sun, rather proud of himself. Cooking helped him relax and he'd made a good impression on the owner last night.. after a few initial missteps. I found that place about the same time I met Jazz... wonder what ever happened to that girl? He put the thought out of his head as he headed down the street to a cafe for a spot of coffee and something real to eat.
-------------------
Dalton was also pretty happy with himself. He awoke as Beth crawled out of bed looking for her clothes, trying to get herself presentable for work in time to not be late. He'd called her up after not making any progress with Suzan. She didn't want to go out, having to work the next morning, but Dalton was able to talk her into staying in. Looking around her little apartment, the first impression he had was how girly it was... But as she shook her body squeezing into a tight dress, he was ok with the girlyness of it all.

Not a total jerk, he did get out of bed and drive her to work. Just as he was dropping her off, the call came in from Richards.
<<@Richards [Dalton] Let me first distance myself from any doubts I had about you. That all sounds great. I'll make the transfers, half now, half upon delivery... And hey, if you ever need my services, let me know and we can work a deal the other direction.>>

[ludomastro]

Affecting a french accent, Michael replies, But of course.

-----

Book gets a call from System Error:
I need a shower and some sleep, then we can talk. I also need food. Pick out somewhere with lunch and we can discuss my findings. The ork sounds exhausted.

[Redjack]

Dalton had just made it back to his apartment when the call came in from Book. He grabbed a quick shower, some reasonably clean clothes and headed back out the door. He had to pick up System Error and Book, then drive everyone to lunch. I may be the damn chauffeur, but at least I'm a well paid one.

A casual drive around town had him picking up Book from a bench at a small park. Dalton didn't understand why he'd never been to the shaman's home. While he doesn't know where Book lives, he has a pretty good idea what neighborhood it is... a least one of two.

The duo then drove to the location designated by System Error to pick him up and then to Gianelli's, a little Italian restaurant Book picked out.

[ludomastro]

System Error lays his head back on the seat. It is obvious that he is tired. When Dalton pulls up to the restaurant, he perks up a bit and says, Italiana Manjajo. Que boneso!

After being able to eat his fill, prompting a few looks from the waitress and the owner, System Error settles back into his seat and speaks.

It took me a while to find it all but I've got it. He smiles. Your museum security is pretty good but not great. I would rank it as a six or 7 out of ten. There are some extras though that the Vatican must have set up. The statue is on a pressure sensor which sends a signal to MPS, the Star and the Vatican security forces that are staying near the museum. If the logs can be trusted, the Vatican guards take a break after the museum closes for the night. However, the night watchman is still there.

The wired cameras are outside of what I can do from here; however, they appear to feed into a central data recorder which is downloaded daily. Also there are motion and heat sensors as well as some ultra-violet lasers around the area. That's about it. So, what questions do you have?

[Redjack]

Dalton didn't realize how hungry he was until he stopped halfway through his third plate, now satisfied. Eric on the other hand ate light.

When it comes time to discuss the run, the duo utilize subvocals to communicate:
<<@Team [Tank] Can you suppress or disable the pressure sensor?>>

<<@Team [Book] Yes that will be a requirement. I also assume you can take over all other measures than the cameras? If so, we can actually use those cameras to earn our bonus. Can you also take control of the door locks?>>

[ludomastro]

The ork grinned. Security is tight but not perfect. The pressure sensor can't be disabled but I can suppress the signal easily enough. The only thing that has me concerned are the wired cameras. Those may take some thinking. If they have a line out from the recording booth, we could have trouble.