IC: African Righteousness Options

[budoka05]

Early Morning, 3 February 2072, Victoria Island, Lagos, Africa.

Noburo was 'saved' by a phone call:

"Hey Kid! It's Vice. I've got a great job for ya! I've got a friend who's looking for top talent to take out a 'den of evil.' He's guaranteed plenty of action, like nothing else out there! Head over to his lunch meet and greet. It's a restaurant in Ikeja district. Be ready and I'll get the transportation."

[budoka05]

12:17, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos

"Mr. Graystone is expecting me my dear"

Stepping toward the hostess, Fedora feels a slight calmness.

"Hello sir...oh," she said as her eyes opened. "Oh my, you are unique!" She reaches out and rubs her hands several inches away from Fedora's body. "Oh I'm sorry! I got carried away. Come right this way."

Upon entering the back room, Ghoster greets Fedora, "Ah Fedora! I'm happily surprised you were able to make the meeting. Please have a seat while I make introductions"

After introducing individual seated at the table, Ghoster began his detail-free description of the job.

"At this juncture, everyone here has heard about the job, and are clarifying their participation. However as our new arrival, your questions are welcome. If you need time to mull over the information I gave you, there is another room outside in which you can take some time to think it over."

[crizh]

Having listened to the job proposal Afrika wasted no time making his feelings known.

I am in, the cause is just and the clinic will benefit greatly from the money. As many of you will have noticed I am a mage of not inconsiderable skill but one of my primary specialities is Counterspelling and Shielding. I presume Mr Ghoster has selected me for this reason.

[Ezeckial]

Grinning at the young woman, Fedora can't help but wink. "I assure you miss, no apologies are needed. Indeed I'm flattered." He reaches up and brushes her cheek as he enters the room. "Thank you my dear."

Fedora sits down at the table and takes a look around the table. An interesting group, he muses to himself, his curiosity growing even more. He turns to Ghoster, "You left out just enough information to rouse my curiosity, how could I not be here?" He pauses as he looks around the table again, this time doing an inventory of everyones comms. "I'm in."

[ Spoiler ]

Fedora does a quick scan of peoples comm's to make sure nobody is running anything with glaring security holes in it.
Matrix Perception
Computer (4) + Analyze (5) + Technomancer Bonus (2) = 11 dice = Matrix Perception check on teams commlinks to ensure security. (11d6.hits(5)=4)
Asking for Firewall Ratings, Access ID's, that's about it.

[Faraday]

Ambalo noted Afrika's skills and figured it'd be good to fill in as well. "I'm not sure how much Ghoster knows about me, but I'll let you know, for what it's worth. I'm strong, I'm fast, I can even be quiet, and I don't use mojo to be that way. I happen to specialize in making holes in whatever, or whoever, needs it."

[ Spoiler ]

Fedora gets to notice Ambalo running a firewall 1, system 1 commlink with little more than a browser and a couple simple games on it. Further poking will note that it's hooked up to a higher-grade commlink.

[Digital Heroin]

Early Morning, 3 February 2072, Victoria Island, Lagos, Africa.

He almost ignores the audible ring of his commlink, in fact he almost does not hear it given the 'link is buried in a pile of clothing on the far side fo the master bedroom, but he knew that if he did not answer, and it was one of the studio executives, that they would just send up a PA, who would of course not bother knocking, and he did not feel like having some random kid catch him in the middle of a steamy shower with his girlfriend and some random local club-girl.

Fishing the phone out of his pants, Noboru answers in audio-only mode. He hears Vice out, and clarity seeps right into his morning.

`I will be ready soon, let us just hope your transportation is more reliable than last time.` Not that is was Vice's fault. You simply cannot plan for the local forms of 'fast-transit.'

When he hangs up, Noboru considers getting his gear together right away, but decides instead that he really does need a shower, and it would be rude to ignore his guest. He does, however, make a quick call to Bobby, and gives him a rundown of the gear he would like brought up. Bobby knew how to be discreet about things, and he would leave a case in the front hall of the suite for him to retrieve.

[ Spoiler ]

Noboru's gear for the meet: Aces High Jacket, Ares Viper Slivergun, Thermal Smoke Grenade, (5) Shiruken, Simrig, Transys Avalon, Contacts, Earbuds, and of course his Katana, which he is rarely without.

-----

12:17, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(PAN: Hidden)

In the end Vice's transportation had not materialized, but Noboru had anticipated this, and had called Byron, asking him to bring the Morgan around and prepare for a jaunt into Ikeja. The former SAS man had taken the request calmly, and with an expert hand and surprising knowledge of the city's back roads and shortcuts had even managed to cut some time off of the already late journey. It did not hurt, of course, that the ATV was in peak condition, and that Byron was less than afraid to run through obstacles as long as they did not look like habitats.

Late to the party, but not so late as to be anything but true to his vapid Hollywood reputation, Noboru steps into the small restaurant, slipping off his mirror shades as he does so. He had erred on the side of local habits and decided not to wear a respirator for the meet, since the pollution was no worse than the industrial slums he had frequented as a teenager. He was, however, looking quite out of place with local fashion, dressed in comfortable designer clothing highlighted by the WWII American Bomber patterned Aces High jacket (a delicious piece of fashion irony, given his heritage). There is also the fact he has a katana strapped to his back, however plain the scabbard and sword may seem.

Greeting the hostess with a warm smile and a half bow, he informs her of the expectation of his host for the lunch, and in short order he joins the others, quietly entering, so as not to interrupt the meeting already in progress.

[Darquewing]

12:20 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(PAN:passive)

While listening ot the details of the job, Solo orders a thick porterhouse steak. From a cow, even. With a baked potato smothered in butter, sour cream, and all the fixin's, and a pint from the bar. Once Ghoster is done talking, Solo smiles, gesturing with a cut of steak on his fork. "And people say all the good folk have gone Walkabout! Leave it to the pikers to fix the world, right mate? Well, seein' as the work may be more... interesting than usual, I need a little extra insurance before givin' it a burl."

Solo gestures around at all the other runners at the table, "You see, all of us would be puttin' our lives on the line, which aren't worth a zack anyhow. But I need to know that any part of mine goes to where it needs to, if I cark it. If we can nut out those arrangements, then it's London to a brick that I'm in."¹

[ Spoiler ]

If needed:
1) CHA 4 + NEG 2 = 6d6.hits(5) = [1,6,5,6,5,6] = 5)

[budoka05]

Ghoster replies, "Certainly any conditional arrangements can be made in regards to payment recipients. Since this is your first time working for me and my employers, as a sign of good will we are willing to pay 55,000 of the 80,000 up front.

[ Spoiler ]

Ghoster's comm comes back as as rating 7 firewall.

[AzureusJake]

12:20 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos, Africa.
(PAN: Passive)

Kano observed the new arrivals as they entered and took a seat at the table.Nice hat, pal. Something about the dark haired pretty boy who showed up last bothered him, Is that jacket real leather? The sword is a nice touch.

[ Spoiler ]

Hammer's comlink has Firewall 3, System 4 running two active smart links

[pbangarth]

12:20, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(PAN:passive)

[ Spoiler ]

Commlink is Rating 3 all around.

"I too am a mage, with a general spread of spells, maybe with a couple of less common information gathering tools. I am strong in all aspects of Conjuring and Spellcasting. My focus has been in dealing with hostile spirits and other astral beings."

The very generous offer up front only magnifies his concerns about the severity of the situation to be dealt with. "If there is to be some advance payment, it would be good to know the time frame of the operation. Is there time to do some acquisitions?"

[Ezeckial]

12:20, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(Honeypot:passive)

Fedora takes the opportunity to light a new cigarette and take a deep drag as the others list off their skill sets, mentally noting each of them."If we're talking about acquisitions, I'd recommend a few of you get better firewalls." He flicks his cigarette to clear the ashes. "If I were bored I'd be having a great time right now." He grins at Ambalo. "Even a decoy needs a better firewall. As to the business at hand, if everyone is in, I'm interested in the details."

[pbangarth]

[ Spoiler ]

[OOC: I fugure I should put a little effort into English 1. So Yazata's conversation will show a bit more strangeness.

12:20, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(PAN:passive)

"I don't doing machines very well. If you could give assistance in such an upgrading, Fedora, I would appreciate."

[Faraday]

12:20, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(PAN:passive)

The muscles under Ambalo's lack of eyebrows rise up on the mention of over half up front. This gig must be pretty damn hot for THAT much up front. We're gonna need to organize for this kind of operation. I guess the more things change, the more they stay the same. Ambalo thought back on his merc days of doing scouting and planning before an op.

Ambalo smiles at Fedora. It's not a pretty one, thanks to the orkish tusks and sharp ghoul teeth. "Really now? I suppose this little thing I run ain't much, though you should know I generally run skinlink on my important stuff. Like my Abiola here." Ambalo pats his rather bulky assault rifle. He then moves on to other business.

"The upfront money is appreciated, although I also wonder how long we'll have to get what we need. Considering this is an extraction with some serious firepower on our side, I already have a shopping list going. By the by, if any of you happen to need weapons or ammo, I know folks who will always appreciate new business."

[budoka05]

Ghoster answered, "Our time frame is the next few days, but sooner the better. My employers have already accumulated extensive intelligence,, but we understand that you'll need some time to prepare."

Ghoster continued, "Since it appears that most of us are on board, I will now give a moment for any who change their minds." Ghoster then took a another sip from his cup.

Addressing those who stayed, Ghoster spoke again, "Gentlemen, I thank you on behalf of my employers for taking on this important task. Now for the grand reveal: a Shedim is your target."

Pausing for dramatic effect, Ghoster took a breath. Bringing a metallic case, Yareen stepped into the back room. Ghoster continued, "We have a device that will allow you to take it without disrupting it." Yareen opened the case on the table to reveal mage cuffs, belts, mage masks, and other restraints. "These will prevent the spirit from disrupting. As long as the body is not disintegrated, the spirit will not depart from the vessel. In addition the devices will stop the Shedim from using any of its powers, and they will disrupt any spells that it has casted. The only exception is quickened spells."

Ghoster picked up the cuffs. "To work they must be placed around a body part. Mere contact will not work by itself on the creature. Fortunately, these will do nothing to non-Shedim, so you can wear them however you like." Ghoster slipped the cuffs on and sprayed light from his finger tips.

"Please feel free to examine the equipment. We will require them back after the mission, but you are welcome to carry them with before the mission."

[Faraday]

Ambalo considered Ghoster's words and tried to think of what he knew about Shedim.

[ Spoiler ]

Street Knowledge for Shedim. Intuition (5)-Defaulting (1)=2 Hits

"You mean one of those corpse stealers? Will sticky shock even work on them? I doubt any sleep poisons would do much here."

[Darquewing]

12:30 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(PAN:passive)

"I've heard they are some kind of ghostie runnin' about in parts of Lagos¹. You want with us try and bring one in? Crikey mate, I hope this team has got enough mojo to handle it. I can do a lot on the meat side of it, but I'd be more useful in the Never Never, than facin' off against anything from the Dreamtime."

Solo takes a long draw from his pint. "But, if we've got enough hoo-doo to grab 'im, I can get you in and get you back out, no worries."

[ Spoiler ]

Fedora-> Solo's commlink is cutting edge, non-military. Firewall 6. It can only be controlled through the cable to his data jack, which embedded in the left side of his rib-cage. His commlink is strapped onto the shoulder harness, behind the Hammerli, on that side. Its the armored, black-box.

¹Street Knowledge(Shedim): INT 4 + (default)-1: (3d6.hits(5)= [3,5,4] = 1)

[pbangarth]

12:30, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(PAN:passive)

"Shedim!" Yazata almost spits out the word. "I see now why Ahura Mazda has leading me here. I have dealing with those demons before, though I must saying, I destroy them always in the past. Never keep them alive... if can use that word.

"One good thing for you. Shedim hate me. This one, when it seeing me, will shower its evil on me before any of you. I will making good decoy for rest of you." He smiles grimly.

"This will taking much planning. Shedim are as cunning as they be evil. If this one is leader of organization here, then likely is a Master Shedim. Much worse. Very bad news. Only the strongest of will can even get close enough to place these things," he indicates the devices Ghoster has produced, "onto body. It give me pain to think I not destroy this evil right away. But you say, Ghoster, that you need information from this demon about others. What kind of evil works with things like this?

"This will taking much planning. I am... committed... to this hunt." Short and swarthy, Yazata may be overlooked in the throngs. But there is a steely determination in his eyes. Death will be the least feeble of excuses for failure in this endeavour.

[Crank]

Very Early Morning, 3 February, 2072 Oshodi-Isolo District, Lagos

Rasul pushed open the door to the shanty. Inside, Baako took a drag off his cigarette; long and slow. He appeared calm, despite what he must have heard outside a few minutes before.

Baako exhaled and snuffed the cigarette out on the table in front of him as Rasul stepped inside.

"It's been a long time, Baako," Rasul said, lowering the scarf the had concealed his face.

"It has, Rasul. Pity it could not be on more pleasant circumstances," Baako replied.

"You've only yourself to blame for that. You should have left well enough alone. I wouldn't have wasted my time with you."

"Alas, the bounty on you... It was too tempting."

"I suppose I would normally hold nothing against you for that. The greed is natural. But your men killed several others to get to me. Innocents lives. Now you owe a debt in blood to them," Rasul said as he moved closer.

Baako's hand began to twitch. "Please..." he whimpered. Yet, they both knew it was futile.

====

Rasul approached the building with some hesitancy. A lone light shone in one of the front windows. He had fought men that others would find terrifying without giving a second thought, yet merely coming to this place always gave him pause.

He reached out with a clawed finger and gave a couple sharp taps on the door. Loud enough to catch the notice of any that were awake inside, but hopefully quiet enough not to disturb the sleeping.

A few moments later, the door opened reavealing, Ata the priest. "Greetings, Rasul. What can I do for you this evening?"

Rasul grunted, "I have brought another donation, priest." He held up a cloth bag for Ata to see.

Ata nodded and motioned for him to enter. Once inside, Rasul felt, as he always did when he entered this shelter, as though a small weight were lifted from him. Inside, the building was two rooms, the small of which Rasul now stood in with Ata. Through a doorway Rasul could see the larger room, nearly filled with cots and bunk beds, each filled with a child or two of varying ages.

"Let's see what you have brought us," Ata said, stepping over to a small table. Rasul dumped the contents of the sack and various pieces of gold jewelery and loose bills of various denominations spilled on the table.

"Very nice, Rasul," Ata said, rummaging through the various items. "This will help much. We are grateful."

Rasul nodded, his attention sliding back to the other room.

"You should visit during the day, Rasul. The children would love to meet their newest benefactor."

"I... I wouldn't want to scare them."

"Nonsense, Rasul. You can pass for human so they need not know otherwise. Besides, children can see when someone cares. But it wouldn't be just for them; the visit will do you some good as well. You have come far the past few months, but you have far yet to go."

"I will think on it," Rasul replied.

[Ezeckial]

12:30, 3 February 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(Honeypot:passive)

Fedora takes another drag on his cigarette "Corpse Stealers, I'll let the folks with the voodoo decide if we have enough mojo for that. I'm more of an electrons and bits type of guy. Although from the sounds of it, I'd be more happy to put a bullet in it's head than take it out alive. I don't envy you Yazata if your going to be playing decoy."

<<@Yazata: I'll find you a better firewall, free of charge, wouldn't want your electronics being.... possessed now would we. Just throw some of that magic my way when the drek hits the fans. Consider it an exchange of services.>>

Fedora tips his hat back a bit and looks to Ghoster, "Speaking of experiments and defenses, what environment does this.... Shedim... Find himself in? And what, if any, physical and matrix defenses does he have?"

[budoka05]

"You mean one of those corpse stealers? Will sticky shock even work on them? I doubt any sleep poisons would do much here."

Replying to Ambalo, Ghoster said, "Indeed, one of those corpse stealers. Fortunately, Shedim and our target are vulnerable to any metahuman weapon at your disposal. Stick-n-shock will have a solid effect."

"For those who do not know the details about a Shedim, they are creatures from alien astral realms. The can only exist in dead bodies on our realm and otherwise fade into nothingness. They have several notable special abilities: they can drain one's life's energy, or Karma, in which to feed themselves. However, such a process takes much time. Second, the creatures have projects an area around them that will promote decay and death. A sapient creature must will themselves to enter such a field. However the field can be turned on and off by the Shedim. Our devices will shut them off. Third, they can paralyze by touch, but it takes several moments of contact to do so. Our devices will neutralize that ability as well."

"You want with us try and bring one in? Crikey mate, I hope this team has got enough mojo to handle it. I can do a lot on the meat side of it, but I'd be more useful in the Never Never, than facin' off against anything from the Dreamtime."

Ghoster: "Precisely, capturing it is your main objective. Fortunately we have very talented magic here in this room and for your backup. I expound on that in a minute."

"This will taking much planning. Shedim are as cunning as they be evil. If this one is leader of organization here, then likely is a Master Shedim. Much worse. Very bad news. Only the strongest of will can even get close enough to place these things," he indicates the devices Ghoster has produced, "onto body. It give me pain to think I not destroy this evil right away. But you say, Ghoster, that you need information from this demon about others. What kind of evil works with things like this?"

"Yazata, you've made some very important observations. Yes, we believe the thing to be a Master Shedim. However, we also know it has been masquerading as metahuman and has been actively masking itself. Since it continues to act covertly, it can be taken by surprise."

"Regarding its associates, our intelligence indicates a wide variety of corporate and private interests. Those interests do not know the creature's true identity. If there are, we will be sure to take care of them in the future."

Fedora tips his hat back a bit and looks to Ghoster, "Speaking of experiments and defenses, what environment does this.... Shedim... Find himself in? And what, if any, physical and matrix defenses does he have?"

"The thing has setup a base in the Western district of the city, in Alimonsho. It looks like an operating minor corporate facility, but it's anything but. It utilizes well concealed cameras at the facility's perimeter. In side the facility, there will internal surveillance that can to some degree identify intruders. Several of the doors in the stair ways and lower levels have computer controlled doors to lock in individuals. Obviously, that is where you come in."

Turning to the group Ghoster continued, "While my associate brings in the holo projector, I shall describe the layout. The physical layout of the building is straight-forward. The building has 3 floors and a basement. It's shaped in an obtuse L with a leg pointing toward the east and the other leg pointing north-west. Inside the L is a main entrance and parking area. At the L's elbow, there is loading dock and helicopter port."

"For magical security, the facility has an extensive number of wards covering the exterior. Inside, the floors are warded from each as well as many of the walls separating sections of the building. In areas surrounding the Master's Shedim's lair at the basement, there are several special wards and quickened spells that have thus far prevented a direct assault by my employer's assets. Obviously, we know there are many Shedim patrolling the inside in various bodies. Some bodies include the form of insects that appears to act as a rapid response team to an intrusion. Other Shedim appear to know how to use firearms, but not proficiently.

[pbangarth]

12:35, 3 September 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(PAN:passive)

"Mithra's chariot! There are insect spirits as well? Is there no end to the horrors this thing visits upon the world? Your maps will be very helpful. I can update them with my own ...reconnaissance?... from a distance without alerting the defenders, though the wards may block my view of some areas.

"These devices of yours. Just so we are sure, they work only once placed on the demon, yes? We will still have to deal with it and its powers until we place them on it?"

[budoka05]

12:35, 3 September 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos

Ghoster spoke quickly, "Heavens no, they are Shedim in the bodies of dead insects. We don't know how they managed that feat, but they have the advantage of swarming in small spaces."

"Yazata, you may certainly perform extra reconnaissance, but Fedora might be more apt. We've yet to tap into their video."

[Faraday]

12:35, 3 September 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos

Ambalo takes notes down on his comm. "Can Shedim see with other sight, your aura? This suit has a chameleon coat and can be made to release no warmth to show up in heat vision, so the only other ways to see me are through sound and my aura. Also, do you know how hard the doors are? I may be able to open them by force if needed. I also wonder what other magic defense there is. Is it really just wards and these shedim?

Oh, and I'm with Solo as far as dealing with magic is concerned. I can put an arrow through an armored car and out the other side, my Abiola can spit bullets almost as fast as a minigun, and my axes will cut through military armor, but I can't turn someone into a Gomatia."

[Ezeckial]

12:35, 3 September 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos

Fedora's eyes seem to shimmer from within at the mention of a challenge. "Their internal camera's are probably accessible from outside. The internal security doors are probably segmented from the rest of the network, and may require on site work to override. First thing I need to see if I can access the node from here, or if I have to get closer."

Fedora opens an AR window and starts searching for the 'minor' corp facilities node.

[pbangarth]

12:35, 3 September 2072, Ikeja District, Lagos
(PAN:passive)

"Good. Controlling the electronics would be great advantage. Maybe my Spatial Sense would serving better in seeking out alternative entries, such as from underground. I don't knowing how big facility is, but if are buildings nearby, I could map the terrain above and below ground from there. Maybe is something like sewer or older construction below ground we could use. Not likely to be cameras there."