T-Town, A game in Alabama Options

[ludomastro]

Sunday, May 3rd, 2071; 14:08; Dr. Chen's Happy Chinese Wok, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

"An elf answering to Dominique will take delivery in the mall parking lot. I have left a contact number in the comm on the table."

He pauses for a moment when asked about the vests.

"All corporations fight over R&D. You are for the time being assets employed on our behalf. We would rather not see harm come to you while in our employ, if for no other reason than it works against our interests."

[Thanee]

Sunday, May 3rd, 2071; 14:08:22; Dr Chen's Happy Chinese Wok, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Raven; PAN = Passive [Skinlink]; SIN = Sabrina McCoy (not broadcast)

Raven sighs visibly.

"Ok. Let me rephrase the question. Is there anything about those vests, that should prompt us to use those instead of our own, customized body-armor?"

[fistandantilus4....]

Sunday, May 3rd, 2071; 14:08; Dr. Chen's Happy Chinese Wok, Tuscaloosa, Alabama



MITNick groans audibly, the first real sound out of him since the meet started. He crosses his arms, looking none to pleased.

I'd scan those vests, then check 'em twice. 'J' here is awfully eager to get outta here quick. So quick he almost forgets to pay. And trying to hack my comms while we're havin' our civil little conversation don't exactly fill a guy with conf'dence neither. 'S long as the pays good, we're good. Just stop givin' us reasons ta be nervous.


His look for the Johnson is not very cordial, but he waits in his seat, while starting a scan on the vests and the comm.

[ Spoiler ]

Threading up Scan, closing the call between Flash (and therefore dropping that Threaded Encryption
Results:3 5 1 3 1 2 4 6 5 2
HITS:3

Fading Resist
Results:4 1 6 5 2 1 5 6 6 6
HITS:6

Scan - Rating 4 Sprite - Scan CF Threaded to 5 - Electronic Warfare 2 = 11
Results:6 5 4 1 5 6 4 6 1 4 1
HITS:5
(pg 230 - Detect Hidden Node SR4a - Threshold (4)
Scanning the vests - seems a little obvious but wouldn't I look silly not to look at something so obvious. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[ludomastro]

Sunday, May 3rd, 2071; 14:08; Dr. Chen's Happy Chinese Wok, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Looking a bit confused, the old man says, "Uh, no, I suppose you can use your own vests. Feel free to check them my paranoid friend. I did not hack your comm. I only ... umm" The man before the team is completely different than the competent individual that was there before. He looks confused. The image that comes to mind is when someone's linguasoft or skillsoft quits working at the worst possible time.

[phlapjack77]

Sunday May 3rd 2071; 14:08; Dr Chen's Happy Chinese Wok, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Ludo; PAN = Active; SIN = Dwayne Johnson (broadcast)

Ludo accepts the vest with gratitude, feeling thankful that a troll-sized anything was ordered.

[Thanee]

Sunday, May 3rd, 2071; 14:08:57; Dr Chen's Happy Chinese Wok, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Raven; PAN = Passive [Skinlink]; SIN = Sabrina McCoy (not broadcast)

"Thanks, then... I guess, that is all?"

Raven looks at the man, slight confusion written over her face. She looks at his aura again, maybe now she could see something more about it.

[Redjack]

Sunday, May 3rd, 2071; 14:09; Dr Chen's Happy Chinese Wok, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Flash stand a moment, genuinely confused about the Johnson's angle regarding the vests. WTF? A vest? He looks around as his team mates snub the vest, except of course, the troll. Looking back at the vests, he does a quick calculation. Five vests. On hundred nuyen, give or take, fence value. Five hundred nuyen. And there not hot! I might get two hundred per. He scoops up the remaining vests as well as the com with their pay.

Having a little skill as both an armorer and building IEDs, he takes just a moment to see if he's carrying five personal, mobile, high-intensity DNA disbursement systems. He talks as he looks them over and purposely does not respond to the Johnson's suddenly turning into a pumpkin. "Listen, any other gear you feel th'a need to pass on. Just keep a passin'."

[Karoline]

Sunday May 3rd 2071; 14:08; Dr Chen's Happy Chinese Wok, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Step; PAN = passive (skinlink) SIN = Felicia Simons (not displayed)

Step examines the vests for a few moments, raising an eyebrow at them and then at the J. Puppet

"Those look both heavy and uncomfortable, I'll pass" she says before walking past without another look. I guess we know who isn't pulling the strings here then. With the exit open though, the terms settled, and the J being revealed as a stooge, she decides it is worth a look at that system. She waits until she is right at the exit to slip into VR, keeping herself standing with the back of her mind while she focuses on that node. Just as she is about to start threading in preparation for breaking in, she has second thoughts. It'd be safer to wait, no point in tipping her hand like the J just did. It might have even been on purpose to elicit some kind of response.

Instead she accesses the paycomm and transfers her portion of the advance to her own accounts, leaving a note for whoever uses it directly that she's already taken her cut.

Now outside of the establishment and out of earshot of the J, Step figures it is best to get to know the rest of the group. "You can call me Step, and I'll most likely be matrix overwatch for this little job." she turns to the troll "So I'd appreciate it if you kept between me and people with bullets, I don't exactly have the armor or anything to take a hit." She tells him quite bluntly. Even though he doesn't look to be wearing a ton of armor himself, he is still a troll, and thus naturally good at being shot. "Should we keep calling you Mr. Johnson?" she asks with a slight grin in the Ork's direction, a reminder of the earlier confusion.

[phlapjack77]

Sunday May 3rd 2071; 14:09; Dr Chen's Happy Chinese Wok, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Ludo; PAN = Active; SIN = Dwayne Johnson (broadcast)

"Hello. Very nice to meet you, Step. My friend calls me Ludo, I am not sure why. I have to admit, although you are all probably aware, that I'm a novice at this kind of work. I will be happy to be your protection, if that is what is required. I can be very good cover, with the earth as my ally." He says this last part with a small smile.

[Thanee]

Sunday, May 3rd, 2071; 14:09:00; Dr Chen's Happy Chinese Wok, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Raven; PAN = Passive [Skinlink]; SIN = Sabrina McCoy (not broadcast)

As the others are about to leave, Raven stands up and moves around the table to the side of the old man, extending a hand towards him.
If he doesn't take her hand, she will just tap him on the shoulder lightly. She wants to see, if he is actually there in flesh and blood.

"Thank you and good bye!"

Then she turns towards the exit as well.

[Zyerne]

Sunday, May 3rd, 2071; 14:09; Dr Chen's Happy Chinese Wok, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Angel watched Flash in silent amusement, wondering how he was going to manage five vests and a briefcase. With a mental shrug, she headed for the tunnel, planning out a couple of calls, one she'd definately be making, the other only a maybe 'til she talked to the others.

[Redjack]

Sunday, May 3rd, 2071; 14:10; Dr Chen's Happy Chinese Wok, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Flash takes a moment to put the vests, one over another, smallest to largest then puts his right arm through the arm and neck holes then picks up his briefcase with the left and nods to the old man. "I'll make sure these get put to good use." He then follows the rest of the team out through the tunnel, squatting as walks out.

Once outside, as the others talk, he pulls up the map of Tuscaloosa and searches for pawn shops. Hearing the word novice, he wonders the potential impact on the 6k bonus as he hands the com to Nick. He looks to the team. "Anybody drive here?"

[Zyerne]

Sunday, May 3rd, 2071; 14:10; Dr Chen's Happy Chinese Wok, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

"Depends how silly you want to look." Angel replied, raising her bike helmet and giving Flash a grin.

[Redjack]

Sunday, May 3rd, 2071; 14:10; Dr Chen's Happy Chinese Wok, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Flash looks at the helmet, then the stack of vests, the briefcase and up & down the block.... "That's possible?" Then over at the troll. "Oh. That's how." He looks back at Angel, a malicious smile forming on his lips before turning you Nick. "You drive?"

[Zyerne]

Whilst Flash was sorting out a ride that didn't involve the back of a motorcycle, Angel stepped off to onside, pulling out her commlink and putting in a call to Dex.

[Thanee]

Sunday, May 3rd, 2071; 14:10:00; Dr Chen's Happy Chinese Wok, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Raven; PAN = Passive [Skinlink]; SIN = Sabrina McCoy (not broadcast)

Seeing the others heading out already, Raven moves towards the exit as well.

[fistandantilus4....]

Nick nods to Flash, still a bit distracted by the magical Brain Dissapearing Johnson.
Wha... uhh... yeah. The van from the last ... uhh.. get together we had was kinda nice. Bought me one. Seems like a bad cliche. You know, little nerd guy with a van full o' tech and shit. Mines mostly full o' wrappers and has a booster seat.

Nick shrugs as if to say "it is what it is". He gives Flash the traditional head jerk for "come on".

Those vests scan clear, but don't be think' I'm carryin' any o' that shit for ya'. Sides, just cause they don't have trackers in'em don't mean they can't track 'em. They could use a custom chemical and trace the vapors. They coulda been stolen from the cops. Hell maybe a mage could trace 'em. MITNick looks about suspiciously.

Ya' never know.

Quickly, Nick scans the comms around him, shooting a contact number to each. He takes an extra moment to check out what Step is doing and how her comm looks, although he's not so intrusive as to pick away at it. He's still itching from the Johnson's intrusion.

Hey, any you think the J's usin' something like a data filter or some shit? Corp spies use that kinda stuff ya' know.

[ludomastro]

As the newly minted team mills about the mall parking area, a car detaches itself from the herd and begins heading toward them. The windows drop and automatic weapons fire rings out with bullets not so much aimed as sprayed in their direction.

As quickly as it started the car is moving away.

[Thanee]

Sunday, May 3rd, 2071; 14:11:00; Mall Parking Area, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Turn 1 | Pass 1 | Init 7
Raven; PAN = Passive [Skinlink]; SIN = Sabrina McCoy (not broadcast)
Sustained Spells - Increase Reflexes (F4, 4 hits)

When the bullets start flying, Raven ducks down to take cover, and she is lucky to not get hit.

The shaman then concentrates on a spell, in case more trouble abounds, while moving a few steps back into cover.

[Karoline]

Sunday May 3rd 2071; 14:11; Outside Dr Chen's Happy Chinese Wok, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Step; PAN = passive (skinlink) SIN = Felicia Simons (not displayed)

Though she notices the car coming around faster than it should be, and sees the tell-tale signs of barrels poking out of the windows, Step's body simply isn't able to keep up with her mind, and she catches a bullet very poorly, the metal slug ripping through her lightly armored dress as though it wasn't even there, making a clean little hole in her side.

Setup! Step limps closer to the troll so that his bulk will provide her with cover and then collapses as she slips into VR, allowing her senses to be more fully cut off than normal for her to dull the pain of her new wound.

She focuses improving her scan and then begins looking for the car's node, hoping to be able to hack in and then bring it to a stop, despite the pain nagging at her mind even through the dulling effect of VR.

[Redjack]

Sunday May 3rd 2071; 14:11; Outside Dr Chen's Happy Chinese Wok, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Flash; PAN=Passive [datajack] SIN=John Simmons

The swerving of the car, the crackling of gunfire.... Sounds like home. Flash ducks slightly, but not quickly enough. A number of rounds impact into the pieces of armor under his suit, putting bullet holes in his suit. As he ducks, he is dropping the vests, hitting the release catch of his briefcase with his left hand and grabbing his Ingram Smartgun with his right. As his hand touches the grip, cross hairs and range telemetry immediately appearing in his field of vision. He swings the weapon out of the case, leveling it towards the vehicle. He flips open the stock, locking it in place. A second later the Ingram begins coughing rounds towards the shooter.

[ludomastro]

Sunday May 3rd 2071; 14:11; Outside Dr. Chen's Happy Chinese Wok, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The bullets rip through the offending car and flatten the tires. Despite the lack of pressure, the car keeps trying to move.

[phlapjack77]

Sunday May 3rd 2071; 14:11; Outside Dr. Chen's Happy Chinese Wok, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Ludo; PAN = Active; SIN = Dwayne Johnson (broadcast)

Ludo felt the bullets hitting him in an abstract kind of way, like getting punched by four little fists. He centered his body to absorb the blows, balancing on his feet and rocking slightly with each impact. The bullets weren't nearly powerful enough to distract him from seeing blood erupt from Step's body. He moved quickly, putting his bulk in between the screeching car and her limp form. He then hunkered down protectively over her.

Putting his hands palm-down on the ground, he began to sing, weaving his pain and the pain of his friends injury into the melody. The slight ache left by the bullets was forgotten as he requested the aid of the Great Spirit. In his mind he saw the energy swiftly erupt out of the earth in response to his distress, more fierce than normal, and a voice spoke powerfully in his mind.

"What do you need, brother? Ask, and you shall have it!"

[Karoline]

Sunday May 3rd 2071; 14:11; Outside Dr Chen's Happy Chinese Wok, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Step; PAN = passive (skinlink) SIN = Felicia Simons (not displayed)

Step can tell that the pain is having a detrimental effect on her threading, but pushes on regardless, not having the time to refocus on another attempt. Her long familiarity with hacking however pays off as she feels herself sliding through the firewall of the car's node almost without effort, attempting to leave it as undisturbed as possible so as not to draw any attention to her intrusion. Her first objective is to stop the vehicle so that they can't get away. Then she can focus on gathering what information she can on these people between travel records that might still be on the car and that non hidden node she saw earlier. Provided of course she doesn't bleed out first...

<<Medic!!>>

[fistandantilus4....]

Sunday May 3rd 2071; 14:11; Outside Dr Chen's Happy Chinese Wok, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Not having enough cover (behind Flash) doesn't help, as Nick takes a round hard. Diving for cover, he takes a moment to assess himself and what's around, making sure that no one else is coming from a different angle. He's already dragging out his medkit when the cry for "MEDIC!" goes out. He takes a look to where Step is to see how bad she is, and if he can help her get some cover of her own.