T-Town, A game in Alabama Options

[fistandantilus4....]

I say we make for the van. Frag this guy and the dogs he rode in on.

[Redjack]

<<@Team [Flash] Yea. That clearing stinks of ambush.>>

[ludomastro]

The man sniffs the air a few times and calms down. You can get out that way, pointing toward a thicket of brush and brambles. Your vehicle is that way.

As the team looks to where he is pointing, the coyotes begin to move away. When they look back the man is gone but there seems to be one more - familiar looking - coyote in the mix.

[fistandantilus4....]

I've been in the sticks to long, if I can tell the diff'rence between these mutts.

MITNick starts to edge towards the thicket, then waits, figuring it's smarter to let Flash take the lead. He seems to know about these sorts of things. Nervously, he grips the deck tighter, the shotgun still in his other hand, stock tucked under his arm.

Whatever, let's just get the frag outta here!

[ludomastro]

In short order the team makes their way to the truck. It appears undamaged.

[Redjack]

Flash swings on up into the truck, "Let's get the frag outa here."

[Meriss]

"Ten four and good riddence." Steve mutters as he turns the ignition and starts the process of turning the truck around.

"So here's a fun convo, What ta fuck was up with hairball and his mutts?"

[fistandantilus4....]

Con Roll

[ Spoiler ]

Charisma 3 -1 (Defaulting) -1 (Virtual Personality) =1 +2 Edge
Results:

Dice:3,Edge:true(6/2)
Results:1 2 2
HITS:0
Wow ... not quite a critical glitch thanks to Edge. There's that 'virtual personality"Qualitiy" shining through. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) The dwarf apparently jsut doesn't know how to lie to someone's face. Yay for Matrix anonymity!

Who the frag cares. Lets just get back to some concrete and contact this Johnson.

MITNick starts checking out the deck to see if there's a way to hook it up for a wireless transmit. The J asked for hte Deck. He said nothing about the AI that decided to hitch along. While wondering if setting loose an AI would be a good way to make a new ally, he can't help but wonder if maybe the Tinman wants to get to this Johnson, and the mainframes he'll likely have the decked hooked up to.

None o' my concern. Tinman wants to go for a walk, that's all good to me. He wants to stay put, it ain't none o' my thing. Less I know the better.
Now where did I see that mutt...?

[Redjack]

Climbing into the back of the truck, Flash continues to stay alert.

<<@Team [Flash] That's what I'm talking about. Get the yen and get it on.>>

[fistandantilus4....]

<<<<@Flash[MITNick] Damn straight. Anything else is just background rez. You got any idea what was up with that old coot and his mutts? Seems like we've seen them dogs somewhere before.

In any case, I'll be glad to get back to civilization. >>>>


MITNick threads a quick encryption cypher, copying the key to a hard format, and handing it to the man, before kicking out a coded message to the man.

Threading up the Encrypt Form

[ Spoiler ]

Threading + Software + VR in the van for a couple of rounds to thread
Results:6 5 1 3 4 6 5 1 4 2
HITS:4

Resonance + Willpower =9 for Resisting Fading
Results:6 1 4 5 2 1 6 5 1
HITS:4

Encrypt Threaded up to Rating 6 - Share the Encryption key with Flash for some quick and secure comms.

<<<<<@Flash[MITNick] Obviously this chat is private. The kid is running his own show, and I ain't even sure the other guy is even on this run. We got some questions we gotta be askin' 'bout what Tinman's all about. Did it set up this run? I didn't see any way to communicate outside of that bunker, but it would explain the detailed floor plans. But then, it didn't seem interested in giving us anything but what it needed to get out, but the J gave us the whole lay out.

Does it want to go back with the Johnson? Does he know about the AI? How would he react to a piece of property being turned over with an AI inside it, most importantly? Are we talking haooy J givin' a bonus, or pissed J sayin' we were givin' 'im a trojan? Or should we make another side deal with the Tinman? Lotsa drek we gotta get straight while the Tinman is still in a deadzone.>>>>

[ludomastro]

The truck roars to life and the team is able to start heading out.

[fistandantilus4....]

While waiting for Flash's no doubt thoughtful reply, MITNick starts checking out this deck, running some systems checks on it, but carful to make sure there's no AI intruding into his own comms. He keeps only one connection up, through a comm line, and activates his own ice, and Crack Sprite to monitor the system. It's been a while since he messed with an actual cyberdeck, and he feels all nostalgic, almost 'back at home'. The things are wonderful, you don't need a microscope just to find the MCPC chip, unlike those damn tiny commlinks.

Wonder what makes this thing so damn special. Wonder if I should be trying to find out.

[Redjack]

Flash listens to the lengthy dissertation from the hacker and considers what he has to say. Letter of the law and profit motive kick in.
<<@MITNick [Flash] Johnson 's paying for the deck, not Tinman. I got way too many bills to pay to be giving charity. I say we cut a side deal with the... Well, what ever he is. >>

Visions of a bank account balance with a lot of zeros, not just one, floods his imagination.
<<@MITNick [Flash] Say.. Can't he just make nuyen? Its all ones and zeros and AR fluff.. Right? >>

[fistandantilus4....]

<<<<@Flash[MN] Doesn't really work like that. Counterfitting's got a lot to go into it. Every electronic transaction automatically checks to verify funds. It was alot easier ten years ago, but the system keep getting faster. You have to be able to convince the receiving system that the nuyen is legit, comin' from a legit bank. They use drek like water marks and receipt verifications. 'S easier ta' spoof a system inta' believi'n that ya' paid it than ta' make fake 'yen. 'Sides, then you got the Secret Service and the like on ya'. GOD if it gets real bad. Counter fittin' ain't all that easy, or every hacker'd be doin' it. Takes a lot of work, includin' back ground work. Easier to trick systems indipendently.

Think yer right on Tin man. Shall we pitch it to em?>>>>>

[Redjack]

Flash grimaces. Why the hell can't it just be easier now?!

<<@MITNick [Flash] So ka. Let's do it... and having a Ghost in the Machine, so to say, would be a big plus for us...>>

Despite the conversation, Flash keeps watch all around and overhead. This run isn't over yet...

[fistandantilus4....]

Nodding to thir silent convo, MITNick opens a private chat line, sending an invite both to the Tinman and to Flash.


<---Tinman, Flash---->
-Tinman, we got your digi-hoop outta the box. We're headin' back towards civ'lization, so nows the time ta get our ways straight. You prob'ly, already know that this deck's promised ta' someone. So unless ya' wanna end up as some corp property, ya' might wanna share with us exactly what ya'd like to do ta get outta the showbox here. We're willin' ta' help ya out a bit, but we gotta know what yer lookin' for first. -

[ludomastro]

As the vehichle lumbers forward the trees hum past on either side.

<<@MITNick [Tinman, Flash] You don't know what corp is going to get this deck? Are you trying to kill me? Let me think.>>

[fistandantilus4....]

MITNick rolls his digital eyes.


<<<<@FLash, TINMAN [MITNick]
Don't be obtuse. If we were trying to kill you, I'd hit the DELETE button, or throw the deck out the window. WHen we took the job, you weren't a factor. You weren't involved in this at all until we found you inside. The Johnson asked for the deck. There was no mention of any sort of AI , or even programs. All he wanted, all we were hired for was hardware. We can help each other out.>>>>

[ludomastro]

<<@ MITNick, Flash [Tinman] I suppose we can. What are you proposing? I have been out of circulation for a while now. Perhaps you would allow me to utilize a wireless connection?>>

The truck keeps getting closer to civilization as storm clouds begin rolling in.

[fistandantilus4....]

~Private line to Flash

<<<<<@Flash[MITN] How 'bout we work him out as a side liner. I'm usually a bit more of a one-timer, but I think we cover each other's soft points pretty damn well. You wanted a "Ghost in the Machine", so let's see if he's up for the job. Only question is just how he'll want to get paid, but I got an idea on that.>>>>




<<<<@Flash, TINMAN [ MITNick] Well, like ya' said, yer knew to the Wide Wireless World. You're gonna need to get yer hoop otta this box, and you aren't really pr'pared for what's out there, even if ya can slice the code with somma the best. So, work with us. We take jobs as they come, and with you on my back, we'll have some serious matrix muscle. In exchange, I can do yer hardware work. Yer gonna need more than a distri'bited network, 'specially in this burg. I can get ya some serious tech, or build it myself. Wit hthe jobs we take, we can get cash ta' upgrade ya'. You help us, we help you. Soka?>>>>

[Redjack]

<<@MITN [Flash] Yea, not really sure how we pay him. Not like he's a genie in a bottle where we can rub the lamp for wishes. I'm up for following your lead. Accidental karma has come back to me in the past. I'm not above playing it straight with him.Not sure how we get leverage once he's free in the matrix anyway.>>

<<@MITN/Tinman [Flash] Yea. What he said. We help you in the meat, you help us in the virtual.>>

<<@MITN [Flash] Just tell me this isn't some split-personality dooms-day code....>>

[ludomastro]

<<@MITN/Flash [Tinman] Sounds like a reasonable plan to me. However, before I accept, I will need access to the matrix to look around. Take it as my one condition. Do we have a deal?>>

As the truck bounces and bobs, the team passes the first signs of civilization.

[SinN]

Chester almost jumps out of his seat.

Oh thank god! Ive had just about enough of this forest thing.

He looks to the team.

So whats the plan? What do we tell the J? And what about our little tinman friend?

[fistandantilus4....]

<<<<@Flash[MITN] "Dooms day" wha...? Man, you watch too much trid. You know that's just the kind of thing They want you to think. Trid's full of subliminal programmaning anyway. Takes days to extract it all. I'll go over children's sims with you one of these days.[>>>>





<<<<<<@TINMAN, Flash [MITNick] NP, we'll make a quick stop and get some parts. SImple commlink and some cords should do the trick.


MITNick pulls up a listing of local vendors, setting a route for an electronics shop. No one is looking for them, so he brings his comm back onto private mode, but keeping his ID open. He makes a quick "store run", grabbing a bottom of the line commlink with some extra gear to boost its bandwith (assuming that an AI is going to have some serious sized code to broadcast). He grabs some adapter cables for the deck, and some munchies for the road. He's been watching his waist line since the days of sitting around in his mother's basement with a deck, but today's haul is definitely worth some snacks and an energy drink.

Once back in the van, he tosses around a few snacks (no energy drink for the kid) and goes to work on TINMAN, giving him wireless access (making sure his own comm is secure, as well as the van).

[ludomastro]

Mere instants after he is online, Tinman responds.
<<@ Team [Tinman] It would appear that my former owners were absorbed during the years I was absent. I wish to work with you for one more job. I will pay. I am still formulating all details. Complete your transaction without mentioning my existence and I will explain later.>>

Now fully engaged in civilization the team can smell the normal acrid and decaying odors of the city.