IC: Post or Die, Lifelines, and deadlines Options

[pbangarth]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:45 PM, Cross Town Gas, Redmond

Professor tires to make sense of what he is hearing at the moment. "I'm hearing motor and crash sounds from over where the dog is. What's this about punching ghouls? Anybody know what is going on?"

[Saint Sithney]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:45 PM, Cross Town Gas, Redmond

"Check my sensor feed in your AR. Some wack-a-doo is running around a booby-trapped toxic wasteland punching ghouls in the face." Oswald meanwhile lined up another shot.

[Red-ROM]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:45 PM, Redmond

The Woman turns to face the oncoming ghouls. One of them however, explodes quietly from the groin and drops to the street. The second attacks with the tenacity of an angry hornet, but with less success. The woman moves too fast, and what blows the man does land seem to do nothing. An informative scene for observers on the lady's talent in combat.
Meanwhile, in the virtual lobby of CATco Laboratories east tower, a Smart looking gentleman smiles at the metallic animal in front of him as he scans the Icon for irregularities

[Sephiroth]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:45 PM, Redmond

As the team's confused remarks about an audacious ganger fighting hand-to-hand with ghouls come flooding into his mind, Jovan struggles briefly to maintain a solid grasp on the the situation. He looks at his elemental Servant beside him with a baffled orange tint in his astral form, wordlessly requesting to be shown what the spirit means. The elemental mentally visualizes what it saw into Jovan's mind, and some of the orange bafflement and confusion leaves his Self. He smiles in slight amusement at the spirit's nonchalant way of conveying this strange event. That was quite aptly put, I must say. This is very unexpected, and utterly bizarre - from our view of things, it is a tiger. From my teammates' view of things, it is some sort of human ganger, high on audacity and bravado. He remembers something he read in a footnote in one of his hermetic books some time ago. Perhaps this is some sort of werecreature that has appeared. But what on earth is a weretiger doing out here?

He suddenly starts to see a pattern in the day's events. Everytime someone has been claimed by death, another runner has quickly popped out of nowhere to fill the vacancy. Heka, Thirty, Amber, all replaced with startling swiftness. Now, a mere few minutes after that shaman Acme was killed by architectural instability, some shapeshifting tiger creature conveniently pops out of nowhere in the middle of an abandoned toxin-ridden compound, kills the dog, and proceeds to deal Jovan a minor setback by attacking the ghouls leading him to Jonathan. It is as if someone is closely monitoring the group and subtly arranging replacement members shortly after a death. Ms. Johnson? Likely, but not necessarily the true mastermind. Ares? Bugs? Shedim contracted by some megacorp? Dunkelzahn's ghost? That smuggler person that Professor spoke of earlier? Someone... more like him? His mind continues to be plagued by these paranoia-induced thoughts, and his elemental can see it, but one thing stands out clearly in his mind: he will not tolerate this kind of invisible scrutiny upon him. Whoever this entity keeping such a close eye on him is, he resolves to himself that he will find them, and he will deal harshly with them. But for now, at least, I suppose I should be polite and take advantage of the newest pawn initiate in our newest asset.

Alright, let's get moving again. One of the metahumans said other ghouls were heading towards the East Tower. Let's head in that direction a bit and find that ghoul. I'll let a watcher deal with the tiger. He flies through the side of the building opposite to the tiger-dog-ghoul debacle and moves off towards the tower and the background count that surrounded it. Watcher, to my location, quickly. Time for you to make up for your earlier behavior.

[Seth]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:45 PM, Redmond

Jade Tiger steps back from the remaining ghoul the miasma of the spirit flowing away from here, and the unnatural green glow fades from her eyes. With hidden snipers around, the loss of control caused due to possession from a tulpwa could be dangerous. Assessing the direction that the bullet arrived from, she follows it's trail back to where a seriously stealthy blimp was hovering. Her eyes gazed into the blimp's cameras for a fraction of a second before she positions herself so that the ghoul is between her and the gun.

Focusing her mana she unleashes a bolt of sleep inducing magic at the ghoul, preparing to use the unconscious ghoul as a shield.

[Notsoevildm]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:45 PM, Redmond

Ferret1 freezes as the IC scans over him. His form shimmers, morphing into a generic CatCo employee icon, although he still retains his rodentlike features.

Just another corp drone coming to work. Nothing to see here. Move along! he chants silently, hoping the guardian IC sees nothing that will trigger it's full attention or worse, an attack.

As he holds his breath, he focuses part of his attention on Ferret2, hoping to glean some information from the transmitted data packet that he might be able to use to spoof his way past the watchful IC.

[Warlordtheft]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:45 PM, Cross Town Gas, Redmond

"Nice shootin Oz, remind me if I begin to slot ya off. I don't wann end up like dat."

Zo chuckles as he continues to examine the ghould carefully for any signs of it's origins or its commlink. Thinking for a moment he rips off the RFID tag off the shirt tag the ghoul has on him.

"Prof, when were done here, we might be able to track where dis ghoul came from using dis."

[Sephiroth]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:46 PM, Redmond

While the dual-natured shifter looks hither and thither in the astral, searching for the aura of a metahuman sniper who does not exist, a watcher appears on the scene through the wall of a nearby building, and manifests close by. It hovers a short distance away from the shifter, again taking the form of a disembodied eyeball roughly the size of a basketball. "Are you looking for something? I suggest not looking for it that way; blimps tend to be rather difficult to spot from the astral. I doubt it's aiming for you, though, so calm yourself, little beast.

'O tiger's heart wrapt in a woman's hide!' What a fascinating and highly suspicious encounter this is. Identify yourself, tiger. In addition, answer me this question: you are looking for some sort of job, correct? Some way to procure nuyen, food, transportation, et cetera?" It pauses, as if thinking of something, then continues in a slightly arrogant tone. "Oh, you likely don't know that term, do you? Perhaps 'that kinda stuff' is more at your level. My apologies."

Privately, in the seclusion of the barren astral space several streets away, Jovan shudders to himself in disgust at such base, illogical, unsophisticated vocabulary.

[pbangarth]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:46 PM, Cross Town Gas, Redmond

"That might work, Zo. We'd have to take a look at it to see if it has that kind of tracking memory built into it. That's not my specialty. Oswald or Ferret would be a better choice."

[Seth]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:46 PM, Redmond

Jade Tiger looks askance at the watcher spirit, while keeping an eye on the blimp. "As it happens I am free to pursue employment options. I have just completed a task for my current employer and have no obligations to fulfil for a few days. As for identification, I am currently using the name Jade Tiger, and I have just dealt with this trash that was bothering you. At this stage in our relationship I am unwilling to reveal more about myself"

"So what form would this employment take? I do not do assassinations. I try not to harm those who do not ask for it. I am unlikely to oppose the Yakuza. Should these terms be acceptable to you, and the mission acceptable to me, my rates are an equal share. "

[Red-ROM]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:46 PM, Redmond

The strange woman drags the second ghoul, who had dropped suddenly as if exhausted from hitting her, and held him up as a shield. The night was quiet once again, aside from the woman talking to a ghostly eyeball in a crumbling city. The smell of death began to creep from newly fallen bodies. The burnt flesh from the explosion earlier wafted east to the were tiger's nose.

Ferret began to move away from the IC and it fell in line behind him, It hadn't seemed to have found anything too wrong so far, but it was definitely gong to scan again. The second ferret flashed back some info from the alert sent out from the node. It was an alert of a security breech, but it's destination was destroyed, so the data packet sat in limbo. ferret tore into the code looking for clues to how this system was written, and what type of protocol was used. It was pretty secure stuff, but old and unchanging. Once Ferret got the gist of it he adjusted his stealth setup to accommodate the system. Maybe the second scan will satisfy the curious doorman.

Zo's text message came back with an alert, NO SIGNAL. Not a message you see very often in the 2070's, but there it was. He was in the jungle, and no one would find him if he died.

[Notsoevildm]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:46 PM, Redmond

Ferret's icon twists and shimmers as he works to incorporate the ancient security protocols. The IC was making him nervous and the slow system wasn't helping. His icon stabilizes into that of a CatCo security decker. It's not his best work but he hopes it is good enough.

It's job done, he let Ferret2 derezz with a pop as he focuses his attention on getting past the nosy doorman.

[Warlordtheft]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:46 PM, Redmond


Staring at the AR--Zo looks suprised. "Well frag me, I don't have a slotting signal with the rest of da trix." Zo goes back to examining the dead ghoul in front of him.

[Sephiroth]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:46 PM, Redmond

"A talking tiger named Jade Tiger. How enormously clever." The eye rolled itself. "The employment objective itself consists of the retrieval and delivery of several stolen trucks. Our employer hired a certain Big Daddy Long Legs and his team to steal and deliver the trucks from a larger Ares shipment to a location in Everett. After obtaining the trucks, Long Legs and his team proceeded to split and disappear. Thus the reason for sending us. Long Legs' hideout is somewhere in that toxic abandoned wasteland up ahead. Unfortunately, it seems that he has been overwhelmed and possibly eaten by a band of ghouls whose leader is apparently in league with the woman acting as our supervisor. Clearly the ghouls are intent on staying in this area, meaning that there is some sort of device or good within the trucks' cargo far more valuable than bombs, likely some sort of advanced tracking device or divining focus since the ghoul leader is no doubt aware of our approach. Oh, and there is also a mercenary group whose tactless belligerence has made them convince themselves that we want to wipe them out of existence. Complete nonsense. Our supervisor also knows more about them then she is telling, and is apparently in communication with them, which of course means she is aiding them in planning against us. So in essence, our employer, a band of brain-damaged ghouls, and a paramilitary outfit are all conspiring to bring about our doom, with the entire thing likely being a mere ruse by Ares to get their cargo back." Listening to such an explanation, one can get a subtle but distinct impression of the paranoia and slightly alien thought processes of the man communicating through the watcher.

The eye narrows its translucent pupil to focus on the woman more closely. "You look confused. I'm sure most of this is above your comprehension level, being an animal and all that. Perhaps my companions would be better able to explain it. They are just a few blocks south of here. I will bring you to them." At this, the eye turns around and flies off towards Cross Town Gas.

[Sephiroth]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:46 PM, Cross Town Gas, Redmond

"This one calls herself Jade Tiger. Professor, assense her aura when she arrives and I'm sure you will see why. I'll leave the explanation (or lack thereof) of her aura's unusual implications for us to your discretion. Anyway, she wishes to fill Acme's vacant spot in our group. I'm sending her to the station so that you lot can deal with job explanations and haggling and heartwarming introductions and all that; I must return to astral business."

[Saint Sithney]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:46 PM, Cross Town Gas, Redmond


Oswald watched the ganger, holding the Ghoul as a hostage. There seemed to be some kind of communication happening, so it was safe to assume that Jovan has made contact with the daredevil. Good instincts on that one, but not to much for brains. Holding that ghoul would only make it more difficult to maneuver. I ain't here to give lessons or shoot dead ghouls though. "Nothing's moving out there, and Joe seems to have engaged this new element. Unless he still wants gun support, it's probably safe to send the Tower out towards an area with signal. So, I could have you in fresh matrix a minute or two from now. Just gotta reposition." Oz put out a blast of smoke from the blimp and turned it back toward civilization.

[Seth]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:46 PM, Redmond

Only pausing for a moment to summon a replacement Tulpwa: a concrete thought form that is often mistaken by the mislead as a spirit, Jade Tiger follows Jovan's directions to meet up with the others. "I am called Jade Tiger. I greet you. I have made an arrangement with your mage, who appears a little ... excitable. The deal is that I join you and assist you in the task of recovering some stolen trucks, in exchange for which I get an equal share with the rest of you. Is this acceptable to you?"

Jade Tiger waits for some confirmation from the others then continues

"A few quick questions will allow me to assist you without causing problems: I have deal with the howling Barghest and your rigger and I have dealt with the ghouls. Are there any further immediate threats that I need to know about? Are we currently infiltrating anywhere...if so do you wish me to scout ahead?"

[pbangarth]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:46 PM, Cross Town Gas, Redmond

No end to the surprises in this business. Our new Metahuman Resources Manager is the team paranoiac.

No problem, Jovan. Send the new meat over.

'New meat'. Oh dear.

Professor feels his boosted physical traits melt away. He concentrates and threads mana through his muscles once again.

Oh... that feels good. I wish I could keep it like this!

[Saint Sithney]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:52 PM, Cross Town Gas, Redmond

With no threats on the immediate horizon, Oswald let the blimp fly autopilot and just fidgeted through his Cram high as he watched the drone's sensors in AR.

"Equal share?! Jove, what did you tell this girl? This ain't no money haul; it's a pay for play contract. You negotiate pay with the employer, not with us. But, if she wants to pay you the standard rate just for putting in the 30 minutes work it's going to take to kill our way through this toxic rathole, then that's between you and her. As to what's going on, the halfer with the wire in his head is locking down the PLTG, I'm patrolling the countryside and watching your ass from the sky, and the mage you talked to is covering the astral. Meanwhile, you, the jolly green giant, and the little guy in the Stetson are going to march 3 kilometers back in the direction you just came from to find us some trucks full of guns and, apparently, communications equipment."

He looked up at the newcomer and sighed.
"Follow those guys."

[Warlordtheft]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:52 PM, Cross Town Gas, Redmond

"Names Zo, and she ain't no ganger--so I'z got no problems with her. You can take his share" Zo thumbs toward the smashed corpse of Acme. Zo continues,"Not sure what the eyeball ghost told ya, but he's our astral security. Prof here is ou[r rsident data analyst and on-site wiz support. Ferret does the trix, Oz can too but he's da wheelman, me I'm the hired gun and I guess resident tour guide for Redmond.--Acme was also wiz support--so do you sling spells or what?"

[pbangarth]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:52 PM, Cross Town Gas, Redmond

Professor studies the newcomer astrally. Her Were nature becomes clear, as well as her magical talents. A creature of action, rather than planning. A good foil to Professor's love of analysis. Planning sessions should be fun.

!! Now there's something you don't see every day! This group gets stranger and stranger as we go.

"Well, well. A cool cat as they used to say in the old days. Now I know why you were unafraid to get close and personal with the ghouls. You could be very useful in this situation. My name is Professor. I welcome you if you are willing to work with us, and yes, the share allotted to our newly departed friend, Acme, is up for grabs.

"I should warn you. I don't know what the hell is going on, but there seems to be a phenomenal attrition rate on this run, as well as an equally odd propensity for replacements to show up, even before we call for them, as is the case now.

"I can't say for sure something or someone is manipulating the run ... I'm not quite as focused on hidden agendas as Jovan is ... but a keen, cautious eye about you is in order."

[Seth]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:52 PM, Cross Town Gas, Redmond

The professor was not wrong about Jade Tiger being a creature of action. Still action has to be tempered with preparation. Only when the time is right, and the chance of a kill is high does the tiger pounce.

"I understand your concerns about a high number of deaths. Probably the weaker among you died. My mother taught me that even the weak have value, and that compassion has its place, as long as it doesn't get you killed, so I express my regrets for the deaths of your companions. She also taught me that if you are being hunted, and it sounds as though you are, then you have to circle back and hunt the hunters. Do you know who hunts you?"

"If you do not know who is hunting you then we must draw them into the open. We can do that by hiding, or by stealing the prize. I personally find it difficult to run and hide at a time like this, so I propose that we steal their prize. "

"I gather you are investigating a place. Do you wish me to use my not inconsiderable stealth skills to investigate that place, or shall I stay here?"

[pbangarth]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:53 PM, Cross Town Gas, Redmond

Professor endures the reciprocal Assensing of his own aura. Turnabout is fair.

"An interesting take on the loss of our erstwhile teammates. In the metahuman jungle, it is sometimes the strong who are targeted first. And sometimes bad luck just happens.

"The original owners of the cargo, Ares Corporation, is known to be seeking it, but we have not met their agents yet, to the best of our knowledge. Our guess is they have lost track of their quarry.

"We are at odds with a mercenary group called the 12 Vipers. Our last encounter with them reduced that number significantly. It appears they are after Big Daddy Long Legs too, though ostensibly for a different cargo. That may be a ruse, and they may be agents of Ares. Through some distorted, militaristic honour-ego trip, they feel we are their mortal enemies now, despite having been offered the opportunity to join forces and reach our respective goals without further wasted effort on competition.

"There is also a ghoul presence in this area, of unknown numbers, led by a sentient ghoul who has some connection to our employer, which employer is not forthcoming with details of that connection. You just met part of that presence.

"The attrition we have endured seems only partially attributable to those forces.

"As far as reconnaissance, our hacker" he points a thumb at Ferret, "is currently checking out the target area via the local, antiquated Matrix. We also have drones and spirits available to check things out before we risk lives. Personally, I am glad to see a warrior on our side again, and would appreciate you staying here for the moment while we learn as much as we can about the objective through those three means. Especially since the virus that creates ghouls from metahumans is not likely to cause you any harm."

[Seth]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:52 PM, Cross Town Gas, Redmond

Jade Tiger nods. "Very well"

Jade Tiger moves to seek a vantage point that will offer a good view of her new colleagues, and any incoming threats, while allowing her concealment and cover.

Muttering a few words to focus her mind she blurs her appearance making her look like one of the predators from the old 2D movies.

[Saint Sithney]

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 10:54 PM, Cross Town Gas, Redmond

"We've apparently cleared the way to the complex. Staying here is not helping. If we start walking now, we can be there in 30 minutes. If we haven't managed astral recon by then, or if Ferret hasn't established BDLL's presence on the network and gained control of whatever booby traps he may have left wired in, then it's never going to happen. If you still wanna talk, then talk and walk. For now, I'm sick of sitting here smelling dead elf."

Oswald stood and walked out the gas station, heading north, laser in hand, AR in his eyes.