[IC] Behind the Shadows, First Iteration Options Track this topic Email this topic Print this topic Download this topic Subscribe to this forum Display Modes Switch to: Outline Standard Switch to: Linear+

[Chrysalis]

Tyrell looked back from his soykaf. "Well, the imagery was chosen with plenty of influence from Izzie here. AEGIS, at least in terms of the insect spirits are certainly protecting us from an alien influence. If you can believe in insect spirits... yes AEGIS is supposed to protect us from external incursions as well, whether soviet, spirit, or space originating."

[pbangarth]

Hmph. I can see how this guy manages to navigate difficult political waters, with evasive answers like that!

[Sir_Psycho]

Blackie ponders Tyrell's last words. If AEGIS is a real entity, then they would have to have massive resources, influence, and even direct power to defend Earth from metaplanar and extraterrestrial threats.

"Do they ever directly intervene, with their own operatives, perhaps, or per your example do they use the assets of other entities, such as Firewatch when dealing with the bugs? Do they have their own operatives, or do they hire, to use a corporate euphemism, deniable assets"

[bmcoomes]

Following the others back to Tyrell and overhearing Blackie's question about if AEGIS has it's own Operatives Philp's ear's perk up. "Yes that is a very good question I would like to know as well. It is similar to the question I asked earlier during the presentation." Philp pauses with anticipation to the answer and the meaning it would hold to him and getting out from under of this "dishonor" he has been dealing with.

[Mickle5125]

Dick stands back at the edge of the group, just close enough to hear everything, and let's others have their turns asking questions while he continues munching on grapes.

[crizh]

Cruze stared intently at the carpet until the heat in her cheeks subsided and when she glanced up the rough looking Merc had moved on to be inappropriate somewhere else. She made a point of starting a file on him, he seemed the sort that could easily lead to trouble.

She purchased a copy of the book using Certified Credit and started to flick through it while she waited for the other shoe to drop.

[pbangarth]

Professor begins to fidget as Tyrell ponders his answer.

[Chrysalis]

Tyrell ponders the question for an uncomforting moment. "I believe that AEGIS enjoys working in the shadows. While we can consider that AEGIS does have immense resources to call upon. I doubt that it enjoys using them. I mean lets take a case and point of the insect issue. In December 2050, almost immediately after the transmission I showed you at the question and answer session O'Connal suffered from supposed mental health problems and committed suicide. This would be a case of an operative or operatives.

"Between 2050-2055 individuals with covert Universal Brotherhood affiliations discovered themselves either shuttled into dead-end positions or then are now statistics in seemingly random deaths. The number of random deaths would indicate, to use the euphemism, done with deniable assets."

"In 2055 when the pieces were in place for AEGIS to arrange an extraordinary shareholders meeting. Damian Knight held a very confusing press conference because of it. Supposedly in charge, but no clue about who was giving the orders because he certainly wasn't. In this case Firewatch teams was the right tool for the right job."

"As AEGIS is a covert organization that does not file its taxes, hold public meetings, or keep offices open to the public, it likes using and utilizing individuals who are deniable by nature or then part of existing organizations and structures."

[bmcoomes]

"OK, that makes sense, but I'm ready to cut through the bull here why are we here? It is clear that we are not the normal types for a book signing." As Philip motions quotes on the words book signing. "Because no one hand Delivers mail anymore but I can assume that we all here had received one which is clear that it in it self means something more or am I wrong?" He shifts his weight and crosses his arms awaiting an answer.

[Mickle5125]

Dick's eyes widen slightly at what he perceives as Philip's complete lack of subtlety and gently eases a couple steps further away from the group before turning and scanning the room carefully, looking for anyone who may have overheard Philip and judging their reactions.

[ Spoiler ]

visual perception check: int(5)+perception(4)+vision enhancement(3)= 12d6=[2,2,1,2,4,2,3,6,6,1,2,5] = (3)

[crizh]

Cruze peered over the top of her copy of the book. She had been flicking through it looking for interesting pictures or highlights waiting for something to happen. That sounded like it starting.

She watches the others carefully to see who else reacts to the Bull in the China Shop. She replays the incident a couple of times in an AR window to make sure.

[ Spoiler ]

Observe in detail: Int (2) + Perception (4) + Vision Enhancement (3) + Attention Co-processor (3) = 12 Dice = 8 Hits.

[pbangarth]

"Hmm. That's likely to stir things up! Ah, yes. Look at people glancing over their shoulders. Maybe I'll have a look around too. While I'm at it, maybe an astral scan will be in order."

[ Spoiler ]

Physical: 2 hits

[ Spoiler ]

Astral: 6 hits

[Chrysalis]

Everyone looks uncomfortable as Tyrell looks back at Philip. He clears his throat for a moment. Cruze notices the bookshop owner moves quietly centre stage. "Excuse me, perhaps I can help."

"End simulation." Everyone suddenly nods off as if asleep, including Izzie and Tyrell.


"Now then young man, you really stirred things up with that question. Excellent. Excellent."

"Now then Gentlemen and lady, you have my undivided attention. Oh and please do not move around too much. Most get confused when you appear in strange places after five minutes of memory lapse. In some cases it can cause problems."

"I am from AEGIS. Now then the reason why I sent you was that we need a bit of help. We have an individual that needs to be placed under surveillance. Unfortunately we suspect there is a mole in AEGIS... so we cannot go through regular channels."

"There will of course be incentives after demonstrating your integrity. And yes this is a test Mr Dayton."

Professor

[ Spoiler ]

The Bookshop is astrally warded.

[crizh]

Panic gripped Cruze's heart. It was as bad as she suspected, she was compromised!

Assessing the situation she was pretty confident she could take down everyone in the room in a few heart beats. Five-O with the big mouth and the wandering eyes might be a problem, she'd have to take him first, getting close to him shouldn't be difficult.

She tucked her new purchase into her rucksack and shouldered it, sticking her hands nonchalantly into her pockets she drifted into the center of the room where she relaxed into a ready stance within striking distance of everyone.

You must know that you will need to rapidly convince me of your credentials and my desire to work with you. Contacting me in the open like this was very brave.

Breathe slow, remain focused. If it goes bad Five-O first and Mr Aegis, then tidy up the witnesses.

[ Spoiler ]

Delay. Readying to pull two concealed Stun-batons and lay waste to the place River Tam stylee.

[pbangarth]

"Cool! I wonder how he did that. I will ask him if I live through the next 'five minutes'. I think I will just stay astrally aware. What does this guy really want, though?"

[ Spoiler ]

Judge Intentions INT + CHA: 1 hit

"Hmm. The woman is moving ... changing the pattern. If this works out, I will have to remind her to get back to where she was standing. Her aura...? That's an idea. Check them all."

[OOC - Professor assenses them all ... Bookshop owner, then the questioner, then the woman who moved, then the other two, closest first. This should keep him busy for the next 15-20 seconds, unless shooting starts!]

[ Spoiler ]

5 Assensings: 3hits, 2 hits, 3 hits, 0 hits, 0 hits - no glitches]

[Chrysalis]

The old man looks at Cruze intently before shifting his eyes to the rest,
"Let me think for a moment. I can tell you about your mother and father, but that could have been taken from anywhere. My dear we do not carry badges or identification documents that tell of our affiliation. Suffice it to say that this whole environment was never open, it has always been completely controlled. You can be compelled to work under my tutelage, but that is not our purpose. I am sincerely asking for help and the rewards are very much real."

Professor

[ Spoiler ]

The bookshop owner does not have an aura. This person on the astral plane either does not exist or then is very well protected.

The mercenary looking fellow, his aura flickers between agitation and annoyance. There seems to be blackened bands that pulse with his anger.

The woman's aura goes through confusion, betrayal, and then becomes calm.

[Mickle5125]

Dick smiles politely and folds his arms across his chest. "You hint at rewards, but you list nothing concrete. Why should we take time from our busy lives to serve under your banner?"

[ Spoiler ]

the crossed arms have allowed him to bring his hand close to the concealed Savalette Guardian in the concealed holster in his Actioneer Business Suit.

[pbangarth]

Professor pulls his awareness back fully into the physical plane.

"It would appear that a Mr. Johnson who is -much- more than he seems is looking for some runners.

"I am kind of curious, and interested in 'rewards'. I get the sense that some of the five of us who were invited are worried about this meeting. I also get the sense that we are in no immediate danger. Please, those who are considering .... forceful ... actions, can we be calm?"

[crizh]

Let it play. If the Cell were compromised he wouldn't need to go through all this hoopla.

I am no gun for hire. Even suspecting that I am more than an ordinary Wageslave makes you all a clear and present danger.

And yet, you seem to know who I am Mr Aegis. Why the elaborate ruse, why ask for consent? You could have just tasked me and let me do your dirty work completely unaware of your existence.

If he is, indeed more than he seems then Five-O can wait. Breathe, center, let go, let the training and your body do what is necessary. Feint high and strike for the Solar-plexus and then follow up to the throat chakra.

[bmcoomes]

Once Philip started seeing the small female elf's pre-attack indicators of securing her pack and taking a dominate position and to top it all off with taking a ready stance. He then put distance and something between them. Addressing

"Easy now, this is a business opportunity not a blood bath. No body here suspected that you were more than a possible deniable asset not some covert agent that you yourself have given away. Plus now with your body language that your going to clean us. I find outlandish, I'm not saying that you couldn't. I'm saying that it's highly unprofessional and your only making more work for your self. I'd like to hear the deal and what the job is before you go ape shit on us, do you mind?"

Turning his attention to the old man.

"I'd love to her the offer and what the reward is before I commit, but I'm all ears."

[crizh]

As Dayton backe away from her she re-assessed him. A real threat would never have surrendered dominance like that, he'd have stepped up, made himself the primary target and faced her down before the situation could escalate. Then he started desperately to try and placate her. Mentally she re-labelled him as 'The Washout.'

Yes but Meyer already knew what I am, dumbass..

It was like listening to the panicked squawking of a chicken before the knife came down. She tuned him out.

So, old man. Why risk exposing yourself like this? Why would I not 'Clean' you and all these nice innocent bystanders?

She hadn't thought she'd appeared threatening. Consciously she relaxed, pulled her hands from her pockets and folding them over her chest. She placed all her weight on her left foot, thrust her hips out to the left and cocked her head to the right, waiting for the old man's reply. She's still pouting and annoyed but the unprofessional jibe seems to have taken the wind out of her sails.

[ Spoiler ]

She loads up her Infiltration Active-soft and puts on her best 'petulant we girlie' in a snit because she isn't getting her own way and pretends to relax. In reality she has deployed both Chamo-coated stun batons and is winding up to Edge a Full Attack on Meyer if she doesn't like his next answer.

Infiltration = 5 Hits.

...fear is the mind-killer, the little death that brings complete annihilation, I will face my fear....

[Mickle5125]

"That's it, girlie. Relax." Dick reaches up with one hand and adjusts his glasses calmly. "There'll be plenty of time for 'cleaning' after Mr. Aegis has a chance to tell us more."

"Besides, girlie," He continues as his grin becomes just a little more predatory. "Do you really think that you were the only one with an interesting story that they would go to such trouble to bring in?"

[ Spoiler ]

visual perception to notice Cruze's actions: [6,3,4,2,5,4,5,5,6,6,5,3] = (7)

His hand starts slipping into his coat towards the pistol, just in case the fecal matter strikes the rotary.

Palming: [5,2,1,3,2,5,2,5,3,3] = (3)

[pbangarth]

People are still positioning themselves. "Damn. I've never died at a job interview before."

Professor opens up to the astral again. "Might as well see it coming. I'll watch the two who are maneuvering. Wait a minute... watching won't mean drek to these people. I don't think Mr. Johnson here will -let- anything major happen, considering what he did to the crowd, but I might as well get some cred with this bunch."

Professor ambles over to beside the woman. he whispers,"If you're going to freak out on us, would you kindly take me first? I don't feel like waiting."

[bmcoomes]

Remain where he is, Philip watches on.

[ Spoiler ]

Perception test: Perception 3 + Intuition 4 + vision enhancement 3 = 6 hits

[crizh]

Cruze glances at the Professor and slowly arches one eyebrow.

Be careful what you wish for Doc.

She slowly lowers her gaze to the Professor's Sternum. Barely a millimetre from his chest tiny arcs of electricity are sputtering in thin air.

Doc

[ Spoiler ]

With your Perception score you'll be able to tell that a Chamo-coated Stun Baton is extending a foot from Cruze's hand, which is folded across her chest. She's about a hairs breadth away from zapping you into a coma.