Emerging, Emerging Experiment IC Thread Options

[kxU]

<double post>

[Aria]

18:16 23 Mar 2070 Tacoma - Flemming's Grocery... or close
(POV: Scytale black.Nexus: Active Security: Hot Encryption: Running)

# Newsflash – Is there weird SHIT going on in the matrix? – source Scream! (publication now offline) #

He switched tracks and cranked the volume up another notch whilst watching the fluctuations in the Horizon share price and penning an email to a contact. It had been a while since he started this investigation, and he’d satisfied the first clients with the safeguards he had set up for them, but now there were a couple of important clients who had come to him for his assistance, it was just irritating that other business had kept him from tying up loose ends. Still, he was close to a breakthrough and he just needed some corroboration to satisfy them of his thoroughness…shouldn’t cost him too much and the profit would still be acceptable for the time he had spent on the project.

<<Mr Sinclair, I understand from a mutual acquaintance that you may be able to assist me in a delicate matter. Please contact me on this number if you are in a position to conduct some sensitive investigative work without disturbing the subjects. Your discretion is appreciated.>>

He switched the video feeds over…yep, the new girl was definitely shaping up after her ‘talking to…’

[Aria]

15.57 11 Jan 2070 Golden Tiger Lilly Restaurant
(POV: Mama Lee PAN: Active)

She nodded to Mr Wei as he got up to leave from his late business lunch, she appreciated his custom but more than that, his presence spoke of his confidence in her and her establishment, reputation was everything. His minders rose up smoothly behind and in front of him as he left and she noted with alarm that the dangerous looking man also lifted to his feet, a decidedly predatory look crossing his features.

As he left the restaurant he held his hands out and two enormous pistols dropped in to them out of thin air. Wei’s minders dropped as if pole axed by some equally invisible force and Wei was unceremoniously bundled in to an anonymous looking van that pulled up in front of the confrontation. The whole thing had barely taken ten seconds.

A clatter from the kitchen and a waft of spices brought her back to her senses. She raced around her counter and slammed the discretely placed panic button…nothing…

“Someone call the cops, please…”

[kxU]

18:20 23 Mar 2070 Location unknown...
(POV: Milo PAN: Hidden)

<<Hello mysterious stranger, my schedule is open, I'm ready to work, and discretion is my middle name. Well, actually I don't have a middle name, but if I did, it would be discretion. What are the details of the job, and if I may inquire, who is our mutual acquaintance?>>

[Ezeckial]

14:23 17 March 2070
(POV: Dugmaren, PAN: Hidden)

The garage he'd rented wasn't the best place he'd ever lived in. But it certainly wasn't the worst. Nothing was falling apart (yet) and the neighbors weren't too bad. But the one thing he'd noticed was that Seattle had shit for beer. He'd bought a case of what promised to be real beer at the stuffer shack earlier today, and the only thing that was keeping him from using it for target practice was the fact that the beer he'd bought yesterday was worse.

He took a swill of his beer and scowled, at least it was cold.

Maybe he could have some beer sent to him from Germany. But for that he needed cred. And cred means he needed a job.

Maybe one of his cousins knew of something. Or maybe they knew where to get a decent beer.

Either way, it was too early to start drinking.

Time to make a few calls.

[Aria]

18:21 23 Mar 2070 Tacoma - Flemming's Grocery... or close
(POV: Scytale Nexus: Active Security: Hot Encryption: Running)

He grimaced at the taste of the soykaf and focused part of his attention on the email conversation with Sinclair…

<<My name is Scytale, I work indirectly for Monarch who gave me your contact details. Here is the verification protocol *****. I have been investigating some strange matrix phenomenon for two influential clients who have been personally affected. The incidents seem to be entirely related to matrix use but I would like to rule out magical tampering with memories or some other influence. Without wishing to prejudice your investigation, I do not believe that there is any mystical influence involved; I simply wish to rule it out for my clients’ peace of mind. I will require a written report if that is acceptable although I understand that physical evidence of your findings may be harder to log. One of my clients is a political officer on the Dzhugashvili ticket and the other is a senior Lone Star manager who has chosen to seek private assistance for his own reasons. I would prefer it if the clients were not alerted to your investigation. Please contact me if you require further information that I can provide otherwise here is a brief summary of the clients’ identities *****.>>

[kxU]

18:25 23 Mar 2070 Location unknown...
(POV: Milo PAN: Hidden)

After checking Scytale's verification protocols to make sure they're on the level, Milo synthesized a simple response.

<<What exactly are the incidents you referred to that you wish that I investigate?>>

[Aria]

18:25 23 Mar 2070 Tacoma - Flemming's Grocery... or close
(POV: Scytale Nexus: Active Security: Hot Encryption: Running)

<<The two individuals have both had matrix encounters with people who are confirmed as deceased during the second matrix Crash. Needless to say they were both concerned that they have been compromised in some way or being targeted for some as yet unknown scam. As I said, I believe this to be solely related to the matrix but I would like to include evidence in my report that rules out magical interference.>>

[Aria]

17:46 19 Mar 2070 Back of FB’s Trailer – Somewhere in Renton
(POV: Alexander Goldschmidt PAN: Passive)

He accessed his comm. and sub vocalised in to it whilst still maintaining his attention on the AR displays that floated tantalisingly on the walls around him…damn that piece of kit would set off his private collection exceptionally well…

<<Dug, I know you’re after some work, a contact of mine has mentioned that he might have something that might interest a man with your credentials…man, you gotta see this place, I really wouldn’t expect to be impressed by stuff outside the office but Frank has some serious kit in here…what did you say the spec was on that item…and you’ve got an SK 47a-9? Sorry Dug, what was I saying, Frank Bishop would like to meet you, neutral ground or here in his parlour, your choice, personally I’d come here if I were you but it depends how paranoid you’re feeling today. Here’s the node where you can set a location for a meet ***** and I’ll let Frank fill you in on the rest… an Ares…, heh they haven’t released the specs on those yet, well of course I understand, in your position, yes I can get you that…Dug, give the man a call. And come round for dinner sometime, Ma would love to see you.>>

[kxU]

18:27 23 Mar 2070 Location unknown...
(POV: Milo PAN: Hidden)

<<Mr. Scytale, I can let you know straight off that magic doesn't quite work in the Matrix, so any magical interference would have to be secondary, such as an Alter Memory spell. Nevertheless, I'm just a plain jane mundane with no astral perception capabilities, which may not matter since any astral signature that such a spell would've left would've probably long faded. You can put that in your report, or I can investigate the incident further in a more traditional matter if you feel it's still necessary. >>

[Ezeckial]

17:46 19 Mar 2070 Dugs Garage
(POV: Dugmaren PAN: Passive)

He let out a loud belch having just drained another one of the <i>Beers</i> and then smiled as the blinking light of an incoming call materialized in his heads up display. Mentally keying his connection he listened as his cousin rambled on.

<<Calm Down Kid..... breath....... that's it, spit it out. He in the node now? Okay, I'll talk to you later then, I'll come over for dinner as long as your Mom cooks Spetzel. Thanks again Kid.>>


The kid wasn't one to be flustered by fancy tech, which intrigued him even more.

"Hey lazy, come guard my body while I'm out" His voice resonated with power as it called the spirit from the astral where it had been watching the Garage. The Fiery form shimmered in the damp garage as it seemed to scowl.

"You couldn't have picked a nicer climate could you? Something not quite so damp maybe? I mean really, is that too much too ask?"

"Watch my Ass, I'll get us a job, and we can move in somewhere with better climate control, understand Chummer?" With that he connected the Fiberoptic cable to the jack in his lower back and drifted into full VR. His well coded Avatar flowed through the Matrix on it's way to the node to meet this Bishop.

[Aria]

18:29 23 Mar 2070 Tacoma - Flemming's Grocery... or close
(POV: Scytale Nexus: Active Security: Hot Encryption: Running)

<<My apologies Mr Sinclair, I saw that you were a paranormal investigator and I made an erroneous assumption. Your assertion will bear the necessary weight of authority, however, and I would appreciate it if you would compile a brief report, I will ensure you are suitably remunerated.

As an aside, there are some interesting effects that I have witnessed in the matrix recently that can’t as yet be understood with the conventional wisdoms. Are you entirely convinced that magic can not affect the matrix? Are they not both in essence an altered state of mind? I may have other work along these lines if that would interest you?>>

[kxU]

18:31 23 Mar 2070 Location unknown...
(POV: Milo PAN: Hidden)

<<I do not presume to know everything there is to know about the world of magic, but if it is discovered that magic can indeed affect the Matrix, it would probably be the biggest breakthrough in the awakened world since Ryumyo popped up in Japan. It would be difficult to conduct an investigation without the subjects' knowledge, but I can probably tail 'em for a few days to make sure there's nothing funky going on around them in meatspace. It shouldn't take too much time, and I'm always looking for new work.>>

[Aria]

17:47 19 Mar 2070 FB’s Matrix Meeting Node
(POV: Frank Bishop PAN: Active)

He waited for contact, interested to see what form the runner’s icon would take. They so often told him more about the person than they believed, certainly more than a rep sheet did. He ran a digital hand over an equally digital tusk and smiled.

This was an interesting job and his cut suggested to him that it was personal, although no need to let that one slip. It’d been a while since he’d acted as a fixer rather than a broker of merchandise but he was confident that there would be a good profit to risk ratio on this one…for him at least. Hopefully this runner was up to it solo, he didn’t feel like diluting his income more than he needed to. Business first…

[Aria]

13:15 28 Mar 2070 Thomson’s Downtown
(POV: Tess Archer PAN: Active)

She felt on edge and wary…there was stuff going on that she didn’t understand and that always made her nervous.

<<Milo, Tess here…it’s a bit of a long shot but I’m hoping you’re free for some investigative work. A friend of mine, one of the reporters at Scream! was on to something but I’ve lost touch and they seem to have gone offline and the screamsheet’s node is dead. I think it was something matrix related which I know isn’t exactly your ball game but if anyone can get to the bottom of this it’s you! Call me!>>

[Ezeckial]

17:47 19 Mar 2070 FB’s Matrix Meeting Node
(POV: Dugmaren PAN: Active)

A small hole appears in the reality of the node, slowly expanding and swirling with arcane colors into a portal. Stepping through the portal is an exquisitely crafted icon of a male dwarf dressed medieval armor. He carries a large hammer covered in runes and glowing with power. As he steps through the portal closes and he looks over to the man he's supposed to meet, his eyes glinting with inner light.

<<You rang?>> Even in the matrix his deep voice rings with authority.

[Aria]

17:48 19 Mar 2070 FB’s Matrix Meeting Node
(POV: Frank Bishop PAN: Active)

Hmmm, impressive coding, this one would do.

<<Welcome Dugmaren. I’ve got a task that might interest you. It’s the infiltration and reporting on a community on the outskirts of the Barrens. My client has reason to believe they are harbouring a criminal element that are detrimental to his interests and he wishes sufficient intelligence gathered before he acts. The community are in the Stillwater region and call themselves transhumanists, they are reportedly a mixture of magic users, scientists, ecologists, hackers and perhaps smugglers. My client wasn’t specific as to what his concerns with the community were but I would like you to provide me with as complete a report on their activities as is possible. As a mage and technologist yourself you should easily fit in to their agenda and be welcomed by them. Although I don’t have any contacts with them myself I may be able to arrange an introduction unless you would rather handle that aspect yourself.>>

He paused to see how his pitch was being received and then continued…

<<Payment is negotiable and dependant on the amount of hard data you retrieve and the time required to get it. I will cover living expenses to the sum of two hundred nuyen a day, capped at six thousand, and an additional ten to twenty thou depending on the data. That figure could be increased if you want to take it as tech rather than nuyen…feel free to browse my catalogue while you are here.

Do you have any questions?>>

[FooFighter]

13:53 02 Jan 2070 Puyallup Barrens - Abandoned Storehouse, Back Room
(POV: Void PAN: -)

Harper, smirking slightly, had his holographic avatar nod. He appreciated it when his contacts displayed a businesslike, straight-to-the-point attitude - a favor he'd certainly return.

<<It is a quick, clean extraction that I'd like you to perform. There's one problem, though - despite our rather extensive information network, we haven't been able to obtain more than the most basic intel about our target - the man's a ghost in the system, and doesn't seem to be very fond of changing that. We haven't even been able to pin down his exact location - but that's where I'd like you to enter the play.

Through means I shall not elaborate on further, we've managed to obtain the address of a heavily secured Downtown penthouse. We want you to go in, sweep the place for him, or, should he not be present, his whereabouts and, here comes the catch, exfiltrate, all in a clandestine fashion. Neither our target nor his associates must be given anything that could rise their suspicion. One of my associates will link up with you over the matrix and accompany you on your operation. Naturally, a mission like this will yield you a generous monetary compensation, and should you require any special equipment, we might be able to pull some strings for you as well.

Now, is there anything else you'd like to know...?>>

[Aria]

13:56 02 Jan 2070 Puyallup Barrens - Abandoned Storehouse, Back Room
(POV: Mother PAN: Hidden)

She frowned slightly and nodded to Bale after his text message pinged across her vision.

<<This sounds like something we would be able to assist you with, but with all due respect to your associate we know neither them nor yourself and I would be potentially jeopardising my team and our security by allowing a stranger along for a ride. I would like to offer a compromise, however. I will offer you a secure link to our C and C and give you real time video feed of the run. This presents us with the required level of distance and deniability but gives you a chance to see first hand what we do. I trust this is acceptable?

Assuming this isn't a deal breaker, can you give us any further information about the target so that we know what to look for?>>

She paused, looking around at the others, knowing that they would back her play…there was no way she was letting some strange decker screw things up for them during a run, whilst they might be highly professional and competent it shouldn’t be their risk to run…they’d built sufficient rep now for someone to value their discretion and trust they’d get the job done.

[FooFighter]

13:57 02 Jan 2070 Puyallup Barrens - Abandoned Storehouse, Back Room
(POV: Void PAN: -)

<<That would be...perfectly acceptable, yes. I'd prefer us to stay in contact during the mission, however; we might be able to provide additional intel on the fly, based on your findings within the target's penthouse.

Your second request seems reasonable as well. We will gladly provide you with any information we have that you feel might ease your operation. While, as I believe I've already mentioned, out file on the target is rather small, we will transmit it to you in it's entirety as soon as we come to an agreement. Until then, let me assure you that it is but a man you will be going for; augmented, but not heavily so; should you manage to find him, he should be fairly easy to take into custody for a team like yours, even in case he resists.

Now, while we're already negotiating, let's get to the issue of money as well. My offer would be ten to fifteen kays depending on the amount of information you manage to obtain. Twenty-five to thirty if you manage to locate and extract the target. Do we have a deal?>>

[Aria]

14:00 02 Jan 2070 Puyallup Barrens - Abandoned Storehouse, Back Room
(POV: Mother PAN: Hidden)

<<The money is quite acceptable for an infiltration and possible extraction, provided you mean ten kays each, after all you are paying for the quality of work that we expect to deliver. But we do have one caveat before we finalise this deal. We recognise that the world is a brutal place but we have staked our reputations on not undertaking certain types of runs…can you give us your assurances that whatever happens to this man once we find him that you do not intend to kill him? We will not be party to an assassination and we are happy to walk away now with no further questions asked.>>

She paused to see how her words were taken but it was impossible to read the holographic avatar…

<<We don’t expect you to have this gentleman’s best interests at heart but we will bring him to you alive and kicking and we’d like him to remain that way…>>

[Ezeckial]

17:48 19 Mar 2070 FB’s Matrix Meeting Node
(POV: Dugmaren PAN: Active)

Dugmaren's icon flickered imperceptibly at the mention of being paid in tech, his eyes glowing a bit brighter as he thought of the possibilities.

<<You have a reputation for being a purveyor of fine technology that makes your proposition enticing. However I have a few misgivings. These transhumanists seem to be people I would enjoy sharing a beer with. Now, if there was an element that had infiltrated them and would be causing them trouble in the future..... But for this I'd need more information as to what exactly your benefactor is looking for.>>

His icon reaches out, and unfurls a scroll from thin air.

<<Your catalog contains a few items that interest me. I'm sure we can come to some form of agreement. Payment commensurate with the lack of information of course.>>

[Aria]

17:50 19 Mar 2070 FB’s Matrix Meeting Node
(POV: Frank Bishop PAN: Active)

He considered Dugmaren’s icon with grudging respect, it wasn’t often that runners had qualms about what their actions might lead to…hopefully in this case it wouldn’t get in the way of business.

<<I can’t honestly say what my client wants with the information as he hasn’t seen fit to tell me. It may be that he is looking for an individual within the community or wants information on the group’s activities… Perhaps the best course of action would be for you to approach the group and then pass on any gathered intel that you feel will not damage their interests or clash with your principals? I and the client will then have to judge how much your info is worth and pay accordingly. There doesn’t seem to be a rushed timeframe attached to the job so I leave you to determine what the implications of that might or might not be…

Now, did you have anything in mind techwise? I’ll see what I can dig up that might be of interest…>>

[Aria]

22:17 05 Jan 2070 Downtown Seattle – 300m from Target Apartment Block
(POV: Mother PAN: Hidden)

This was the district edge and security would be tighter if they got any closer. The Roadmaster would be too conspicuous in that sort of upscale neighbourhood so she had stopped them in this service yard of a small tech distribution company.

<<Aria, is the uplink ready for Mr J and his hacker?>>

<<Ready to go, and I’ve uploaded some IC to our node if they try and bypass the firewall. I’m sure everything will be fine though, they just want to see how a real team operate!>>

<<Just keep an eye on them, we don’t want something distracting us during the run. Bale should be back from his astral recon sh…>>

“I’m back. The place is warded as we expected but no sign of spirit patrols or mages on the outside so hopefully that will be the extent of our difficulties. I dare say there’s someone on call but even a joint like this doesn’t keep a permanent mage on site.”

She turned back to her AR displays and traced the progress of Silk and Escapade as they made their approach. Everything looked good and the retrans drone was on station to extend their network coverage. Wind shear was acceptable and they shouldn’t have any trouble making a clean landing.

<<Ok Aria, bring them in, let’s get this show on the road…>>

[Aria]

22:21 05 Jan 2070 Downtown Seattle – 300m from Target Apartment Block
(POV: Mother PAN: Hidden)

<<Ok Mr J, the plan is deceptively simple. Silk and Escapade will approach the penthouse from the air on low signature gliders. There is sufficient drone traffic at that flight ceiling that they shouldn’t draw attention to themselves. Once there they will patch a physical backdoor in to the security system which will allow Aria to take over the building’s node which is isolated from the matrix. Once inside their systems we should be able to determine whether or not the target is on site. If he is then we operate our extraction, if not, Silk and Escapade go inside and sweep the penthouse for a revised location.

We are operating on our own nexus and have no connection to the matrix other than Aria’s signal. This was one of the reasons we were reluctant to allow your hacker to accompany us as it would potentially jeopardise our signal security.

Video feeds are coming through now, enjoy the show!>>