IC: Dawn of the Artifacts., In Character Thread. Options

[pbangarth]

Hodder can feel several pairs of eyes and ears behind him, attending to what comes next.

[SincereAgape]

Ms. Johnson studies Hodder.

"Very well. But the information I am disclosing to your right now shall be the last questions I receive about the object in question."

Jane cues up her commlink. A circular projector extracts from the roof of the plane. It projects a golden light the rays of which form a floating map. Yes imagine an old treasure map.

[Similiar. Not an exact replica of what you see.]

A document filters into everyone's commlinks. The text information available for everyone to read. In addition an automated voice reads the information to each individual as well.

<<Voice@Hodder, Hawkeye, Vera, Pope, and Dartha.

-The Piri Reis Map
The artifact known as today as the Piri Reis map boasts a long troubled history, shrouded in mystery and controversy. Denounced as a sophisticated hoax and written off as an oddity, it is believed that the map hides a millennial secret that lay dormant until the Awakening.

Known History
In 1513, Piri Reis, a high-ranking officer in the Imperial Turkish navy, allegedly drew a mysterious mapa mundi based on a collection of older maps, including some that reportedly had survived the destruction of the Great Library of Alexandria. Inexplicably this map depicted the coastlines of the Americas, as well as an accurate portrayal of the Antarctic coastline, devoid of ice-surprising, indeed, since Antarctica wouldn't be discovered until nearly three centuries later. Even more mysterious, researches claim the last time the Antarctic coast was free from ice was likely 4,000 BC. Cartographers puzzled over the apparent use of spherical trigonometry, a technology what wouldn't be available for three hundred more years. While Piri Reis claimed he drew the map from other, older maps, cartographers were bemused by the fact that it appeared to be based off maps that not only acknowledged the Earth was round, but had calculated its circumference within fifty miles of the true measure. For centuries, the map remained an oddity, dismissed by researchers and cartographers as one of the many items that just didn't fit with their understanding of history...

For years, the map remained under lock and key at hte Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, where it was discovered in 1929. It remained there until the turmoil of the Eurowars swept through Turkey. Towards the end of the war, in 2034, the European forces seized Istanbul from the disintergrating Alliance for Allah. In the destruction and chaos that accompanied one of the most violent clashes in the Eurowars, many of the nation's most valuable treasures were lost---among them, the Piri Reis map."

The automated voice ends abruptly. The image unnaturally disconnects like someone had shut off a device.

"No more questions about the map until we get to Lagos."

[pbangarth]

In the air, on the way to Cairo

Hodder digests the information about the map. It is something he has reads about but considered to be a prosaic artifact of the 16th century. If it is under such scrutiny and hunted by so many, there must be more to it. he would have to investigate it via the matrix himself.

"Thanks, Jane. I'll wait till we get to Lagos and get settled before I broach the subject again." He wanders over to the card game. "I'm turning in. later, I'll be doing a bit of spirit work. Don't mind the funny stuff, it's just ritual."

Once the banter dies down, Hodder moves to a quiet (?quieter?) section of the plane and settles in. Ten hours, give or take till Cairo. Two hours for binding a F2 spirit. He sets his commlink to wake him in five hours. That should have him ready for the landing.

After five hours of restful sleep, Hodder is woken by his commlink. He rises, visits the facilities, and returns to his seat. There he spreads out a small cloth of Indian silk on the drop-down tray and lights a small candle in a glass cylinder. He lays out a series of small items in a semi-circle around the candle.

[ Spoiler ]

Summon Spirit of Air, F2
8 dice ==> 3 hits
spirit opposes 2 dice ==> 2 hits -- oh for Heaven's sake!) net 1 service
Drain 2S, resistance WIL 8 + LOG 4 = 12 dice ==> 8 hits - what a waste! no drain

One by one, accompanied by incantations in Ancient Hebrew, Hodder drops the laid out items into the flame, where they are consumed by the fire.

Bind Spirit of Air F2
8 dice ==> 3 hits
Spirit opposes 4 dice ==> 0 hits - critical Glitch! 2 net hits, 3 services total
Drain 2S (minimum), 12 dice ==> 4 hits no drain

Hodder puts his binding ritual materials away. He looks out the window and realizes they have been flying east long enough to run into the next dawn. "Excellent." he considers what is to come this day: searching for lodgings and transportation. Before that, though, they will need to land safely. He decides to summon a Spirit of Water, with the power to control weather.

[ Spoiler ]

Summon Spirit of Water, F4, optional power Weather Control
8 dice ==> 2 hits
Spirit opposes 4 dice==> 3 hits Oh SHIT!! no services
Drain 6P (OH SHIT!!), Drain resistance 12 dice ==> 2 hits
Use 1 EDG to reroll failures 10 dice ==> 1 hit [Really trying to kill myself before the game starts!]
3P damage still exists
"Damn, that hurt and I didn't get anything for it. Now what? Ask for help? That would be embarrassing."
Summon F4 Spirit of Tasks, with optional power First Aid
8 -1 (damage) = 7 dice ==> 3 hits
Spirit opposes 4 dice ==> 1 hit net 2 services
Drain 2P, drain resistance 12 dice ==> 4 hits no drain
"Take my flesh, O elohim, and heal me with your skill."
"Heal you I will, but strong are you in will. Surrender the magic that increases you, will you not?"
"Very well. Perhaps I am not so much in danger from my friends here, now."
Drop Increase WIL
Spirit possession attempt FX2 + 6 = 14 dice ==> 3 hits

##### I did the following resist possession incorrectly, not taking into account damage modifiers , so I have to redo this part between the pound signs #####
Resist possession WIL 4 + INT 4 = 8 dice ==> 3 hits no possession possible (This just gets better!)
##### above this needs to be redone #####
Resist possession 8 - 2 = 6 dice ==> 4 hits (same thing. I don't believe this)

"Thank you, you may leave, my friend."
"As you wish, Simon."
Hodder now considers for a moment. He needs to summon again, and to resist the drain of summoning, he should be strengthened by magic. But strong will makes it even more difficult for a spirit to possess him. He concentrates for a moment to overcome the pain.
Cast Increase LOG 12 dice ==> 3 hits LOG goes up to 7, switch concentration to cover sustaining this
Summon Task Spirit F4 with optional power First Aid 7 dice ==> 5 hits - who knows, eh?
Spirit resists 4 dice ==> 2 hits net 3 services
Drain 4P (!! Noooo!) Drain resistance 7 + 4 = 11 dice ==> 1 hit 3P damage remains from this wound
"Once again I ask, take my flesh and heal my wounds."
"Danger you are to yourself, Simon. Desist should you."
Possession 14 dice ==> 4 hits
##### This needs to be redone as well #####
resistance 4 + 4 = 8 dice ==> 2 hits possession succeeds
#####
resistance 4 + 4 -3 = 5 dice ==> 1 hit same effect

First Aid on one wound (1 service) Skill 4 + Attribute 4 + first aid kit 6 = 14 dice ==> 4 hits
(Damn, take off the last two dice, that should have been 12 dice because of the damage, still 4 hits)
First Aid on other wound (1 service) (one better because less damage) 13 dice ==> 6 hits

Damage reduced to nil. Hodder decides to push his luck no further, and holds on to the Task Spirit joined with him now, rather than going for a Water Spirit.

[Kerenshara]

As it appears that no more information is going to be forthcoming from anybody prior to arrival in Cairo, Dartha settles down to continuing to read her general information on Lagos which she picked up prior to arriving at the airfield.

As she continued to read, she thought to herself "Oh, drek. What a genuine shithole. Well, I'm not along on this little jaunt to have fun, but at least it should be interesting. A significant portion of the city is under Sharia? Well, that should be interesting if we wind up having to go there, given that we have four women, none of us particularly modest by nature. I'll have to bring that up if we ever have a pre-mission group-briefing. Water is going to be an issue, though thankfully I need a lot less than most people. I really hope they can get it together enough to coordinate things - Lagos doesn't seem to be the kind of place to be flying by the seat of your pants. I wonder if we're going to have a local guide we can trust at all? Maybe Ms. J will have that one covered. I hope so. I need to start looking at options to get the hell out myself if this circus all comes apart."

[pbangarth]

In the air, on the way to Cairo

A few moments after Hodder finishes with the disastrous last summoning, he rises stiffly from his chair and walks back to the group. Any who are awake see that he is in pretty bad shape. As well, his skin seems ashen, and his eyes steely grey, not his original brown. Alarmed queries are answered, "I'll be alright. A summoning went bad. It happens, though this is the first time for me on a mission. For a couple of days I will have to concentrate to keep the pain from affecting me, and rest when possible, that's all. Well, and the small fact that I am easier to kill, now. It's the down side of the cool business of magic."

[Kerenshara]

Dartha looks up, hearing Hodder’s words, and takes note of his condition.

“Damn, that’s not good. I don’t even know him yet, but he’s my only Awakened backup; I don’t want him wandering amongst the mundanes in Lagos looking like that – can’t have them thinking we’re weakened. Well, maybe it will get me an in with him down the line. Hell, I could probably call it a marker if things go well.”

She subtly composes a quick text message to the dwarf:
>>@Hodder: You look like drek. I don’t want people thinking you’re weak when we land in Lagos; That place eats the weak. Can I help?<<

[pbangarth]

Dartha looks up, hearing Hodder's words, and takes note of his condition.

"Damn, that's not good. I don't even know him yet, but he's my only Awakened backup; I don't want him wandering amongst the mundanes in Lagos looking like that – can't have them thinking we're weakened. Well, maybe it will get me an in with him down the line. Hell, I could probably call it a marker if things go well."

She subtly composes a quick text message to the dwarf:
>>@Hodder: You look like drek. I don't want people thinking you're weak when we land in Lagos; That place eats the weak. Can I help?<<

Hodder assumes this comes from the only other magician on the team. >>@Dartha: Thanks, but it is Drain damage, and there's nothing you can do to help. It is a crying shame this happened now. It really was a perfect storm of conditions.<<

[Kerenshara]

>>@Hodder: I figured as much, but you'll heal faster if you're just resting and not getting up and down for things and if somebody makes sure you stay comfortable and does all that "good mom" stuff. I thought I would offer, since it's not going to take away from what I'm doing, and I don't want you down as badly as you look when we hit the ground running.<<

[pbangarth]

>>@Dartha: With a little concentration, I can overcome the pain so it doesn't interfere with my performance. The problem is that that concentration cannot be used to overcome other distractions, then. It's kind of you to offer your help. Maybe a cup of tea in a while would be good. Thanks.<<

[Kerenshara]

>>@Hodder: Now that, I can do. I'm honestly a lot less worried about your ability to perform than your ability to LOOK like you can perform. Have a seat and relax.<<

Dartha gets up and makes her way to the galley where she makes a cup of tea and wets down a towel and grabs a small foil pack out of the medical kit. Then she makes her way to where Hodder has seated himself and hands him the cool moist towel and the foil packet. Then she passes over the cup of tea. She lets one corner of her mouth quirk upward in a wry smile as she watches him until he opens the little pack and takes the two mild (and Awakened safe) analgesic tablets and washes them down. Then her smile broadens and she give him a little wink before turning and returning to her seat where she resumes her study on the shithole known as Lagos.

[pbangarth]

Hodder sips the tea and appreciates the contrast between the hot tea and the cold compress. Just the thing to take his mind of the embarrassment. He can concentrate to overcome the pain, but nothing helps the feeling he has made a bad impression on the team. He will have to work doubly hard to overcome this.

The kid is a bit of a conundrum. She seems nice, which is odd in itself in this business, but there is an undertone of something he can't fathom, not even in astral. Well, it would be impolite to reply to kindness with anything but more of the same.

"Thanks, Dartha, This is kind of you. It's good to have someone perceptive on the team. I hope I don't have to do the same for you sometime." He grins. "Now, what did that wink mean? Women. I wil never understand them in a hundred years."

[Chrysalis]

Vera almost puts away the cards before seeing the interplay between Darla and Hodder. She knew that was very little she could do to him. Magical drain was not something she had much experience with. She continued to lose to Hawkeye and Dexter, all the time getting slightly more conspiciously drunk.

"Pope, I think. Its best that I head off for some sleep. We will be landing in a couple of hours and I should look my best. If you need me, I'll be right over there." She pointed at the two vacant seats she had previously occupied. She set her sleep regulator and before she knew it she was sound asleep.

[SincereAgape]

Monday, April 9th, 2072. 0550 Hours. Cairo Egypt
Cairo International Airport.

The rest of the flight and to Cairo was uneventful. From the airplane, the crew could see Cairo as a teaming metroplex which had developed over the past sixty years. The city had expanded it's range of urban development to the a large area encompassing the northern shores of the Mediterranean sea. There had also been great expansion along the Gulf of the Suez. The shores of the entire channel was filled with structures and buildings which traveled all the way to the mouth of the Red Sea. There were arcologies built around the shores of the Suez Canal.

The city itself was a blinking of glowing lights with many large pyramid shape corporate buildings which raised high in the sky.

[Shot of Cairo]

[Bird's Eye View of the airport]

[Pictures of the main hanger for Cairo International.]

The flight had taken roughly ten hours. But because of the time zone changes, the crew had lost another 15. The time was 0550 hours. The sun was just beginning to rise in the distance, dawn was approaching. The plane touched down on a private airport in Cairo. Cairo international was known for it's beauty and luxury. Even in 2072 it is one of the busiest airports in the world, and one of the busiest in the area formerly known as the Middle East and Northern Africa.

The airplane docked on a circular airfield which lead connected with the private runway. [Picture a large culdesac.]

[Image of Cairo Runway and Docking Area.]

The area was surrounded by one warehouse like private hanger as well as two large flight towers.

[Airport Hangar]
[Model of the two Flight Towers]

On the runway were two Hermes stepvans with two drivers and one Troll awaiting the arrival of the airport. There was also an Ork present. The plane comes to a stop as Digits the Dwarf pilot announces the arrival and grants the team the "Okay" to move about in the cabin and exit the plane. Jane turns to all of you.

"We'll be spending about an hour here. The vans contain a few items which were ordered by Vera and myself. There should be a medical kit with awakened medicine which should help Hodder recover from his current state. Our sixth and final team member is also on the runway."

Jane leaves the airplane and begins to walk down the movable staircase/ladder that was not parked outside of the jets doorway.

[pbangarth]

Hodder pulls himself out of his chair and stretches. He walks slowly over to the doorway and steps outside into the fresh (!) air of the Cairo airport. He greets the sunlight with mixed feelings: joy at the sensation, frustration at the damage he dealt himself in the summoning gone awry. "Maybe I depend just a little too much on the elohim. Maybe I can make a few judgment calls when on a job, and not keep myself at full power. Just a thought, Hodder my boy."

Hodder looks around from the top of the ladder, scanning the area for useful information, possible danger.

[ Spoiler ]

Visual Perception Test: INT 4 + Perception 1 + visual enhancement 3 + active search 3 = 11 dice ==> 7 hits !
[OOC: Now you're just toying with me, SincereAgape. You've rigged the dice, haven't you?]

"Wow! The air sure looks clear today. I wonder if it is always like this in Cairo? Way better than Seattle if it is!"

[Kerenshara]

Dartha watches as Hodder makes his way off the plane after Jane. She keeps a wary eye on the rest of the plane's passengers as they deplane and decides a little constructive paranoia's the better part of valor. Reaching out with her magic sense, Dartha detects no abmormalities in the local background count in her immediate vicinity. She focuses and concentrates for a few moments, gathering her Awakened strength, and gestures as she imposes her will on the energy around her.

[ Spoiler ]

Re-activate the Spellcasting Focus. Reactivate the Counterspelling Focus. Reactivate the Sustaining Focus.

Increase Reflexes (Health), Force 3
MAGic 5 + Spellcasting 6 + Mentor 2 + Specialized Sorcerer 2 + Focus 3 = 18 Dice;
(Buy 3 Hits) = 3 Hits, cast the spell into the sustaining focus.
INItiative rises by 2, gain 2 Initiative Passes.
Drain = [F ÷ 2] + 2 = 3;
[WILlpower 7 + CHArisma 5] = 12 dice;
(1,2,3,3,3,3,3,4,5,5,5,6) = 4 Hits. No Drain

Detect Enemies, Extended (Active), Force 5 {Range = F x MAG x 10m = 250m}
MAGic 5 + Spellcasting 6 + Specialized Sorcerer 2 + Focus 3 = 16 Dice;
(1,1,1,2,2,3,3,3,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6) = 4 hits.

Just 4 Hits on 16 dice!? I could have bought that! This isn't encouraging…

Drain = [F ÷ 2] + 3 = 5;
[WILlpower 7 + CHArisma 5] = 12 dice;
(1,2,2,3,3,3,3,5,5,5,6,6) = 5 Hits. No Drain.

*Breathes a BIG sigh of relief* OK, I'm breathing again.

Sensing nobody with hostile intent towards her within 250 meters, Dartha makes her way to where she stowed one of her bags in the cabin closet and takes it with her back to the small but efficient onboard shower. Leaving the water turned off, she changes out of one set of hunting gear and into another. The black leather, lace and silk are replaced with practical and durable fabrics. The corset stays on under the rest of the outfit for now, awaiting transformation. The Globetrotter Khakis fit more loosely that she'd like but they are festooned with pockets and well ventilated while designed specifically to help keep out insects and vermin. She pulls on a pair of highly practical combat boots, and frowns at the complete lack of aesthetics... and height. "I'm not quite ready to concede that much height to her just yet, and we're not in a serious danger zone just yet, either. Ok, I can put them back later before we arrive." On top of that ensemble goes her long flowing black robes with the deep hood and broad sleeves. Despite their appearance, being constructed from the latest in smart fabrics, the robes actually remain quite comfortable in both high and low temperatures and flow easily with her movements, seeming much heavier and more opaque than the material actually is.

[ Spoiler ]

Fashion (Physical), Force 5
MAGic 5 + Spellcasting 6 + Specialized Sorcerer 2 + Focus 3 + Specialization 2 - Sustaining 2 = 16 Dice;
(1,2,2,2,2,3,3,3,4,4,4,5,5,5,5,6) = 5 Hits ( OR 3 ) = 2 Net Hits, well tailored and fit
Drain = [F ÷ 2] = 2;
[WILlpower 7 + CHArisma 5] = 12 dice;
(1,1,1,2,2,2,3,4,4,5,5,5) = 3 Hits. No Drain.

Once again imposing her will on the mana around her and sweeping her hand broadly from the crown of her head and downwards, the black robes transform into a very light sand color, lighter than the underlying khaki of the fatigues. The fatigues themselves adjust minutely to better fit her frame while the corset changes back to it's normal form as Form Fitting Body Armor, precisely tailored and comfortable. The boots become much more feminine, and the heels narrow and elongate, giving her those important extra centimeters of social confidence; They are still of both a height and width she can easily run in them, but now they proclaim her feminine grace in a rich saddle brown.

Dartha looks down at herself and permits herself a smug and appreciative smile. She packs her discarded items carefully into the carry-on and stows it back in the closet where she removed it from. She then drops her comlink in one of her copious pockets, loads the bits of her desert survival gear into some of the others and straps on her belt with the GPS unit and medkit. Taking a moment to properly still her facial features, she steps off the plane into the pre-dawn day.

[ Spoiler ]

Intuition 5 + Perception 3 + Enhanced Perception 1 + Image Enhancement 3 - Sustaining 2 = 11 Dice;
(1,2,2,3,3,3,4,4,5,5,6) = 3 Hits for VISUAL perception
Below average, again. Hodder's not the only one not starting out in top form.
Intuition 5 + Perception 3 + Enhanced Perception 1 - Sustaining 2 = 8 Dice;
(1,1,1,1,2,3,3) = 0 Hits for AURAL perception and >= ½ "1's", NO Hits = CRITICAL GLITCH… though I'm not sure how that would apply in this situation. She's not deafened by the engines because she has Audio Damping as a power. Geez, Peter, I think I just passed you as the worst luck with the dice yet. Hopefully this is just me getting it out of my system…

[Chrysalis]

Vera leaves the plane looking around her surroundings. The heat is not much at 5 am, still feeling chilly, but the sun is coming out, burning up any cold quickly. It would be the usual burning day in Cairo today.

[ Spoiler ]

11d6.hits(5)=4

She gleefully takes the one larger hold-all and the smaller bag held by the rather brusque ork. She zipped it open coughing at the large amount of dust that was disinterred from it.

She gave the top layer a good shake, revealing further dust. Once finished she brought them back inside. Since the bathroom in the plane was in use, she simply changed in the plane, giving anyone who was around an eye full.

In about ten minutes, she had struggled into her PPC outfit and changed into a pair of smart environment pants and a worn rough v cut black shirt that said "I fucked Jetblack and all I got was this lousy t-shirt."

She replaced her heels with more sensible running shoes. She looked cute and noticable if nothing else than looking like a throwback to a four year old fashion craze.

She put on a pair of pilots glasses and grabbed a small tote bag with a large Médecins Sans Frontières patch and old company ID card with a faded and mostly corrupted AR display indicating "Maria Vasquez, Aztechnology Bioweapons Division". She went out of the plane and smoked an old cheroot on the tar-mac.

Finally she picked out the medkit and looked over Hodder on the tar-mac. "I recommend that if you do any magic you do it on the ground. The higher you fly, the more likely it is that you will tire yourself out, as you are not in as close proximity to mother earth as before. Pull down your pants please."

She gives Hodder jab with the hypospray. "That's your shots taken care of. Even so, I don't recommend any swimming, not just because of cramps, but because this does not protect you against the numerous diseases and parasites that we do know about in Lagos."

[Mister Juan]

When the plan starts to bank, lining up the runway, everyone begins to wake and stirr themselves in action. I slip my jacket back on, my cyberhand pulling the heavy revolver out from its holster. The motion is smooth, muscle memory working by itself as the cylinder makes an audible click. It swings out, dropping the unfired frangible shells into my hand. I shove them inside my jacket's pocket, grabbing a few explosive core .44 magnum and swapping them out. The wheels are barely down on the tarmac that I'm up from my seat and moving to the aft exit door. The pilot squawks in that we can get out of our seats... but fuck that, I'm already by the door. Sure, it's a scheduel stop. Sure, those people on the ground are probably Miss J's. But I haven't gotten this old by taking chances. Ever. My shooting hand is still inside my jacket, wraped around my weapon. I ain't worried this is already the end of the line for us, but, 'sfar as I'm concerned, my job's to be cautious. So I am. I ain't got no clue how well these guys can handle themselves in a fight... so until I know they can look after themselves, I'm gonna have to play babysitter. When I'm finally sure the ground crew ain't here to kill us, I step aside to let Miss J and Hodder out. The little guy looks a bit less like shit than before. Hope the cat nap did him some good, cause I need his eyes out there. I follow them out. I ain't ever been to Cairo, but that don't matter a whole lot. With age, I've come to the conclusion that every single place you go is exactly the same. Sure, the flavor of the month ain't the same everywhere, but its pretty fuckin' close if you ask me. In the jungle, people stab you in the face. In the 'plexe, they stab you in the back of the head. Thats the only real difference.

For a second, I'm thinking about going round the plane and getting my rifle out. I feel real fuckin naked with nothing but a .44 canon. Thats one of the thing I hate about the “unofficial” side of the private sector; you gotta be subtle and sneaky. It ain't good to walk around showing off firepower. Not like when you're wearing a uniform. I fucking hate having to pass for a civilian.

Everyone seems to kick into gear; stretching, grabbing stuff left and right. Hodder looks around like he's checking out for the local massage parlour. Vera goes back inside, and Dartha locks herself in the bathroom. So be it. I get busy by staying at the bottom the plane's stairs, arms crossed, and my best “fuck you” face. From here, I can keep half an eye on almost everyone. I ain't doing it because I don't trust them. If someone got a hidden agenda, they ain't going to show it off now, of all time. I'm just trying to keep myself busy by doing my job... which as far as I'm concerned, is making sure everyone stays in one piece.

I swing my head round as I hear someone's feet on the stairs. It's Vera. She ain't a half bad looking broad, when she cleans down instead of up. The fancy dress' finally off, which is a good thing. The lights a smoke as she comes down on the tarmac.

I give her a small nod.

“Hey kid. Nice shirt.”

I ain't really the smiling kind, so I go for the nod instead. Seems to put some people at ease. Makes 'em know I got their back. I wasn't too sure about that chick, when she up at the bar. But quite frankly, since Hodder and her are the two only other adults on this fucking team, I can't ignore her. At least, I can count on her to keep her own head down if the leads starts flying.

When she orders Hodder to pull his fucking pants down, I can't help myself but laugh a bit.

[Chrysalis]

Vera looks back at Dexter and grins "Pope, you're next. All of you will be getting a shot. And it will be in the posterior."

[pbangarth]

"Thanks, Vera, now I get to star in my own trid: Moon Over Cairo." Hodder drops his pants and displays a hairy ass to the city. As the hypo spray injects the prophylactics, he muses, "Good thing I have a Task Spirit in me. With my luck right now, a spirit with an aura of energy would burn Vera for poking us."

Hodder abstains from any of the loading duties, making sure he does nothing to exert himself. "Sorry. Just taking a bit of care right now. A day or two and I should be healed."

Hodder is glad to see the team begin to look like it is going into 'deepest, darkest Africa'. The jibes are taking a more collegial note, too. Good.

[SincereAgape]

The flight crew which consists of Digits, the troll, and two humans snicker at Hodder's expense. Jane in her good nature laughs as well.

[Spoiler for Belloq and anyone who gets five hits on their perception test]

[ Spoiler ]

You notice a reflection in one of the flight towers. A blinding glare. It's like the sharp light one would get reflecting direct sunlight using a silver dollar.

[pbangarth]

"Hoy, chummers," Hodder likes the sound of the slang, "Is there any reason a sharp light or signal should be coming from the flight tower over there?"

[Kerenshara]

Dartha notices first Hodder then Dexter getting a shot in the ass. It would seem these are the shots she heard about. She's still not detecting any fell intent, so she walks over towards Vera. "Well, I guess not having time to get chemical protection on this outfit's going to come in handy at least in one special circumstance. Unfortunately for Vera, I happen to know that hypospray will go through the layer over my ass, which I just know is going to spoil her entire party. How sad," she finishes with a nasty little girl voice in her own head, not letting a trace of it show on her face.

She realizes that Hodder just said something actually directed generally, not to somebody specific. "What was that, Hodder?"

[pbangarth]

"Look at the flight tower over there, Dartha. There's an unusual glint of light coming from it. Not a reflection in the window. Something else."

[Kerenshara]

Queued in precisely by Hodder's precise instructions, Dartha spots the light he's talking about.

[ Spoiler ]

Intuition 5 + Perception 3 + Image Enhancement 3 - Sustaining 1x Spell 2 + 1 Improved Perception + 7 from Hodder's "teamwork" assist (he had 7 Hits originally) = 17 Dice
(1,1,1,2,2,2,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,6,6,6,6) = 8 Hits

SincereAgape, remember, she's maintaining Detect Enemies with 4 Hits out to 250 meters, if that makes a difference.

"What the hell IS that?"

[DigitalOYABUN]

Friday, April 6th, 2072, 1045 hours, Cairo Egypt

It was hot in Cairo today, Jack noted to himself as he sipped on a small cup of coffee at his second floor balcony overlooking the busy street full of shisha bars and coffee houses. A breeze was steady but provided no relief to Jack, even in the light cotton dishdashas of the local populace it was still hot enough for Jack to sweat through the brim of the taqiyah on his head. A paper lay bundled up, unread on the table next to his right hand….Jack was not sure these days if it still could be considered his hand. It was metals, ceramics, wires and artificial musculature, not his old flesh and bone anymore.

The imaging software targeted movement, it had been all morning, but this time the probability match on the facial recognition started clocking at 70% and kept climbing. A slight smile crept across Jacks heavily bearded face as the final read out gave a 98.996% match. The mustached man took a seat at the café across from the balcony. Another tip from Uncle Abbadis that was correct.

One last thing to do….

Jack wills the ‘link to open up a screen in his glasses, and commands the two programs to execute. Jack watches as the mustached man begins to murmur to himself, but has an open audience to what is being said. Another link opens in query mode, an incoming message. Jack minimizes it to his periphery for later glance; his attention is elsewhere for the moment.

The German speaks first “Yes Abdeeb.”

“You need some information?”

“What information?”

“What do you mean what information? You called me Günter.”

…confirmation….

“No, you called me. Abdeeb? You still there? You need to run, now!”

Abdeeb looks confused as he begins to rise from his seat, looking around nervously as panic begins to fill him. The first burst sends him back into his chair clumsily as the rounds impact into his upper chest and throat. The impacts barely have time to begin soaking and staining the white linen dishdashas under his grey suit jacket in the crimson red of blood, when the next set slams into his midsection, a final round enters his skull as he slumps forward onto the table. It is only then that an attack is obvious to those on the streets and in the café, women begin screaming and men duck and running away unsure of where the silenced rounds came from.

On the balcony Jack rises slowly from his seat, keeping the bundled paper, and the slightly smoking and silenced Scorpion Machine Pistol it’s hiding, at his side as he walks inside to the apartment with his half full cup of coffee. After placing the cup on a table Jack draws the slatted door to the balcony shut then he removes the dishdashas he’s wearing to reveal a blue-grey suit underneath. From a small black cloth bag he removes a large squirt bottle. He begins to spray down the area with the cleaner including the cup and the outer clothes he was wearing, before putting them into the bag along with the suppressed machine pistol. He dumps the rest of the cleaner in the bag before exiting out the door.

“That you Jack?” Gunter says over the still active connection.

“Answer me you filthy mongrel tusker.”

“When I find you, I’m going to kill you this time tusker”

Smiling “You’ll have to find me without your snitch this time Euro-trash.” Jack says as he severs the line mentally.


Outside the door is a man of Arab decent in a light colored suit, he takes the bag and escorts Jack down the stairs into a waiting Mercedes sedan. They speed off as he looks at his message. A smile forms on his face as he reads it, and replies.

<Yes I can be in Cairo. Terms acceptable.>

Jack then connects to his Uncle’s disposable MSP, where it is picked up after two rings.

[In Arabic, spoken aloud]

“Everything was as it should be nephew?”

“Yes Uncle, I have much to thank you for.”

“Non-sense, you are my nephew and an attack on you is upon me as well….and who I represent.”

“I won’t be needing a way back home, I’ve made other arrangements.”

“Will you need the safe house? The arrangements have already been made.”

“I cannot further impose on you Uncle.”

“Non-sense, it has already been arranged so use it.”

“Thank you again Uncle.”

It is 45 minutes before the sedan pulls into a walled driveway. Jack and the other two Arab men exit. The driver asks in Arabic if he would like them to stay. Jack replies back that he appreciates their help, but it isn’t needed. The occasion of their leaving is marked with formal cheek kissing and congratulations. Jack enters the dark house and secures himself within, taking the time to busy himself on cleaning and maintenance of his working gear, and in two days that’s a lot of busy work.



It is a simple matter to arrange a commuter van to the airstrip.