Tokyo in the Shadows, The story of Kambei Options

[Fuchs]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 0330

Kouki begs again for help, but does he want to be saved, or is this just a way for him to lure Kambei into the trap of the yakuza, in the hope of saving himself that way? Knowing Kouki, both.

But time is running out. The drones are circling, and the hackers will be taking over half the block given time, and yakuza footsoldiers are sure to be swarming out any minute. A distraction might help, if Kambei decides to save the zoku. But he won't be able to stay here for much longer, no matter how good a spot it is.

[Tabula Rasa]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 0330

Kambei struggles internally as he considers his various terrible options. In the end his conscience wins over because he just can’t watch someone die in front of him when he is begging for help.

Not even Kouki, and specially when he was involved in putting him in his current situations. Even though Kouki was as guilty as the Yakuza. Well, maybe a little less.

He pulls out a pair of thermal smoke grenades, grits his teeth and considers how he’ll make Kouki pay him back for this stupid risk he was taking.

Briefly, he wonders what Aoi and Ayaka were dreaming about right now and wishes he had stayed in bed instead of taking that phone call.

But before it’s too late he throws the grenade into the alley Kouki is in and tells him over the comm, “duck low and run, NOW!�

[ Spoiler ]

None of these rolls have modifiers applied to them, please subtract dice as appropriate:

Surprise Initiative Roll:
Kambei makes a surprise (+6) initiative roll: (17d6.hits(5)=8 ) Init: 19 (3 IP)

The grenade throw:
Kambei makes a throwing weapon roll: (10d6.hits(5)=2)

If throwing a grenade is a simple action and not complex, Kambei follows up with a burst at the nearest drone since he’s surely been spotted, but he tries to stay behind cover:
Kambei makes an automatics roll: (15d6.hits(5)=4)

[Fuchs]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 0330

[ Spoiler ]

initiative (9d6.hits(5)=4)
initiative (9d6.hits(5)=4, 9d6.hits(5)=3)

The grenade goes off, filling the alley with thermal smoke and blinding everyone. Kambei just sees Kouki starting to run, almost runing into a wall before the grenade goes off, then switches his attention to the closest spydrone, perforating it with a burst from his SMG. The pedestrians down on the street scatter screaming, but for the two yakuza Kambei spotted before, and two others who do not run, but try to spot where the grenade came from.

While the drone crashes to the streets below, those four look around, trying to pinpoint Kambei's position.

[ Spoiler ]

Perception to spot Kambei (5d6.hits(5)=3, 5d6.hits(5)=2)
Perception to spot Kambei (3d6.hits(5)=0, 3d6.hits(5)=2)

While most of them seem to miss him, one of the yakuza stares at Kambei's position - he might not have seen him, but he seems to have pegged the spot for the best position to throw the grenade and fire the burst. It's only a matter of seconds now until the next drone will home in.

[ Spoiler ]

Perception to get through the smoke (3d6.hits(5)=1)

Kouki should be running as fast as he can, unless he stumbles over some debris, or into other yakuzas. Kambei doesn't see him anymore.

[Tabula Rasa]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 0330

He's on his own now... and so am I.

Before the drones get a fix on his position and turn him into a sitting duck, Kambei gets up and sprints for the back ledge of the roof - on the opposite side of the ledge facing the action - and jumps onto the next building, trying to put distance between himself and the men on the ground.

[ Spoiler ]

Not sure what I need to roll for a running jump other than just a run test.
Kambei makes a running test: (10d6.hits(5)=4)

Kambei wants to get as far away from the men on the ground while on the rooftops so he can then go down on the streets to avoid the drones.

[Fuchs]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 0330

[ Spoiler ]

Jumping test (Agility+Gymnastics) (13d6.hits(5)=5)

Kambei is in top form and has no trouble clearing the gap to the next roof. He keeps going, on to the next rooftop, hoping his suit will keep him hidden from sensors.

[ Spoiler ]

Jumping test (Agility+Gymnastics) (13d6.hits(5)=3)

The next jump is not as far as the first, and Kambei almost doesn't make it.

After that he's faced with a house behind this that's three stories taller - so, it's time to drop to the ground. He slides down a copper pipe to the street, and has just reached the pavement when a Suzuki Aurora slides around the corner, driven by a man in a suit and wearing shades - in the middle of the night. Fortunatley for Kambei, he's still wearing his suit, and dropping low, he evades the man's gaze, who accelerates again, sliding around the corner.

[ Spoiler ]

Stealth Check (13d6.hits(5)=5)
Perception test (5d6.hits(5)=2)

If the man is as good as his quick reaction hints at, he'll be reporting that this side of the building is clear, which means there's a hole in the yakuza's net.

[Tabula Rasa]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 0330

Kambei says a quick prayer to his ancestors and tries to get through the Yakuza's net before it's too late.

[ Spoiler ]

Kambei makes an Infiltration roll: (13d6.hits(5)=6)

[Fuchs]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 0400

30 minutes of running, hiding and riding his bike later, Kambei seems to be clear. He's tired from the running, but the Long Haul still allows him to remain awake and alert. Neo-Tokyo is waking up now, a lot of delivery vans driving around, and a number of them causing Kambei to be alerted, but no van spilled a squad of yakuza soldiers near him so far. It's anybody's guess if Kouki made it, but calling the zoku from a compromised number runs the risk of the yakuza traceing him through the telecom company net - they have had enough time to place agents to trace his connection, should he use the number again.

[Tabula Rasa]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 0400

Kambei slows down and then eventually stops to catch his breath and collect his thoughts.

This night started a lot better than it ended. Guess the Yakuza don’t like being made to look like asses. Who would have thought…

Kambei pulls back on the road and finds a gas station to fill up his bike and buy a candy bar. Long haul sure as fuck kept you awake, and it’s amazing how much you have to eat when you are up for three to four straight days. Before he leaves he does a quick RFID scan of his car to see if he was somehow tagged.

After that’s done, he gets back on the bike and drives around for another twenty minutes before deciding he was definitely not being followed and then he heads back home.

Hopefully Kouki makes it out… I wonder if that commlink really had anything useful on it. Doubt it though, no one brings anything that useful to give away when they really just plan to kill you.

[Fuchs]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 0430

Back home, the duo is still sound asleep. The peaceful sight is a stark contrast to the scene Kambei just has gone through. Compared to Kouki, doctor Nakano or the yakuza, Ayaka and Aoi are the picture of innocence, despite their somewhat impish nature.

While Kambei doesn't need to sleep, some rest is in order after the physical exertion he went through. It's more than half a day until his meeting with Mr. Tanaka anyway.

Not much about the case on the news so far. A "prank with a smoke device" this morning, written off as some tech students fooling around, and a small note that BTL-related death are on the rise - it looks like they found the dead Falcons.

[Tabula Rasa]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 0530

Kambei takes a quick shower and then carefully lays down in bed so he does not wake up the girls. He lays there, his eyes closed, trying to relax while thinking over all the recent events.

Hopefully this is the end of it and the Yakuza just lick their wounds and forget about it. He almost laughs at the absurdity of that thought. [/i]At least the Yakuza almost never get third party help anyway, so it’s not like I lost a customer.[/i]

As he continues to lay in bed, going over the day’s news, his mind kept jumping to worse case scenarios of them tracking him down to his apartment.

After about an hour of worrying, Kambei has had enough, and he unlocks his gun cabinet and stuffs his Predator under a corner of his pillow. Never hurts to be safe…

[Fuchs]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 0700

Ayaka and Aoi wake up one and a half hour later, yawning and stretching. The notice that Kambei is awake, which brings more mischief before they start breakfast. Kambei notices just from observing that the two are used to share a room, they haven't just started rooming together when they came to Neo-Tokyo.

During the meal, both girls wave of questions about courses, stating that they are following today's early lesson through the matrix. They have to be at the second lesson though - that professor is "very old fashioned", and requires attendance in person, unless one has a medical dispensation. More gossip about the university follows, and some prodding at Kambei's activities.

[Tabula Rasa]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 0700

Kambei enjoys the diversion from his worries and lets himself be distracted from recent happenings.

When questioned about his job, he resists at first, but after some prodding he gives away little bits and pieces about what he does, but he doesn’t mention any criminal activity or violence.

You never really know how people will react to you if they find out you’ve killed people before to make a living.

Eventually he tries clumsily to turn the conversation back to them and asks, “so how long have you two been living together anyway?�

[Fuchs]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 0720

That Kambei noticed they had been living together seems proof for the duo that he is a private eye, like from the recent Trid-Series "City Sweeper". As they explain, they went to a boarding school in Kansai together, and add a few anecdotes from their time there. Apparently, it was a rather strict school and the two got often into trouble for pranks and sneaking out. Somewhat similar to how Ahiko's experiences at school must have been.

[Tabula Rasa]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 0720

Kambei tries not to think about how similar their experiences could have been to Ahiko’s if he had let the zoku have them and instead just enjoy himself.

Tonight, I’ll get this meeting over with, get rid of the commlink, take my pay and wash my hands of this shit. Then hopefully the next job won’t get so complicated.

He continues to chat with the girls – trying to keep the conversation on pleasant topics – while constantly watching the time, hoping they decide to stay a bit extra to keep him company. Today was not a day he wanted to be left alone with his thoughts.

[Fuchs]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 0920

Ayaka and Aoi stay until past 9 am, then they have to leave for University - as they put it "every other prof understands that students can do attend in the matrix, just this old geezer is different, as if students would not surf the matrix inside the classroom anyway".

Once they are gone Kambei is alone again, but for their scent and the memory of last night. About 10 more hours until the meeting. A quick search on the matrix shows no hit for corpses that fit Kouki's description, but since he was a ganger his probably would be filed as "natural cause" evne if the yakuza chopped him into little bits. Dr. Nakano is not reported dead either.

[Tabula Rasa]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 0920

Before they leave, Kambei tells them he’ll probably be done with work around ten or so tonight, unless some emergency work shows up on his doorstep.

With them gone, he has all the time in the world to think about all the bad things he’ prefer not to think about and begins searching the net for signs of any known casualties. Finally convinced that either Kouki and Dr. Nakano are dead, or he’ll be unable to find the information on the matrix with his current skills.

With that thought in mind, Kambei goes sifting through his normal routine trying to kill time, and while he is at it he sends a quick message to Rattler: “Hey, I’m thinking of buying an exploit program. Hit me up when you get a chance.�

[Fuchs]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 1100

Rattler pops in with a live visit in the VR, so to speak, not just a message.

"Hi, Kambei-Kun. You'd not have anything to do with the recent activity of a certain yakuza family?"

The snake grins broadly, and "slithers" through the VR space.

"So, I heard you're thinking of buying an exploit program? Tsk Tsk... but I guess it's not too bad, most samurai's didn't forge their swords themselves either... so, what exactly are you looking for?"

[Tabula Rasa]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 1100

Kambei smiles, “I guess it depends on who’s listening…�

When asked about his message regarding the program, Kambei responds, “yeah, I need to spend some time sharpening my… erm… skills.�

He whips out a mock VR gun and gives it a twirl, “I need to be able to hack at least as well as I can shoot a gun. I’ve been doing pretty good with you riding shotgun… but I need to be able to walk on my own just incase I can’t find you on any given moment.

“So, given that, where do you think I should start?�

[Fuchs]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 1100

Rattler sounds amused as usual, but there's an undertone of respect, well hidden though, in his voice.

"That's an easy question: First you need to get in a node, which means an exploit program. And often do you need to find a node, which means scan. But exploit first - there are enough nodes you can find already. But it'll be a looooooong way until you're as good in the matrix as you're with a gun - if you don't get your brain fried before that.

Of course, it's also a question of your budget..."

[Tabula Rasa]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 1100

Kambei nods, “I’ve got a good scan program. I actually have a pretty good catalogue of basic programs that are as good as my commlink can run.

“So I guess I’ll start with an exploit program.�

He pauses for a second, “far as money’s concerned. I’ve got enough to pay I’d think if the exploit program is priced like the stealth program you sold me.

“Quick thing though, with stealth and exploit I can go into a node right? So what would I need after that?�

[Fuchs]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 1105

Rattler starts with some run down of the most common tasks - edit to change data, command to use devices through the matrix, spoof to give drones and agents fake orders, sniffer to intercept data, track to find users, decrypt and encrypt... he goes on for quite a while, his icon wearing glasses and a teacher's hat, and using virtual screens to illustrate his explanations.

[Tabula Rasa]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 1135

Kambei listens to the lesson with good humor. How could you do otherwise when your teacher is a snake wearing a hat and glasses.

After the lesson is concluded he says, “okay, I guess I’ll go with the exploit program first and maybe a spoof or sniffer program after that. I’ll have to wait for the other ones till I have a little more cash on hand.�

“I’d forgotten how much it costs to actually try to enjoy yourself in Neo-Tokyo.�

[Fuchs]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 1135

Rattler laughs - a sound file taken straight from a hyena anime character, or so it sounds.

"Ain't it the truth! Of course, you can program such stuff, if you have free time. Cheaper in the long run..."

[Tabula Rasa]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 1135

"You know, I think I'd rather get shot at rather than sit down and stare at code all day," Kambei laughs. "I mean I get you coding and shit because you were probably born a natural," he continues, "I'm not like that, that would be like me picking up gunsmithing cause I can shoot like cowboy."

"I'll just settle on making money and tossing it at you for my code."

[Fuchs]

Neo-Tokyo - 04/23/2008 – 1135

Rattler laughs, a booming sound this time.

"That's ok, Kambei-Kun. And don't forget tossing money at me for my services."

The snake grins widely.

"So, what exploit do you want? And how should it look? If you say "I don't care", then I have this kawaii magical girl scepter skin I think would be perfect for you..."