IC: Post or Die, Lifelines, and deadlines Options

[pbangarth]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 1:05am, Touristville

Professor chuckles at that last remark. <<@team: At least, not again they won't.>>

[Warlordtheft]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 1:05am, Touristville

As Smidge nodded negatively to Zo's offer, Zo headed back to the cab of one of the rigs. Climbing in he locked the doors.

<@ Team> I'll get some shut eye den too. Set my alarm for 3:50.

He set his commlink alarm for 3:45, and began to fall asleep.

[Saint Sithney]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 5:40am, Oswald's warehouse in Everett

The trucks now sit crowded together in the center of Oswald's hanger/shop near the old Boeing plant while around them sit the team's assorted vehicles. Everyone is quite stressed out still from the drive, but they disembark and work quickly. Oswald directs the group to grab 4 posts and position them around the trucks. Quickly as possible, they begin wrapping chicken wire around the four posts and then tossing the roll over and under until the trucks are surrounded with a wire mesh. At that point, Oz hooks up the juice and the trucks are surrounded by a makeshift faraday cage.

"Well, that bullshit is handled. Someone tell Jovie to put up a ward. I'm starting to crash hard off this speed and my mouth tastes like it's fulla tinfoil." The old man starts shuffling off toward the offices. "I'm heading to bed. Don't you get into anything unless you like being exploded."

[Sephiroth]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 1:10am, Touristville

From the safety and seclusion of the Rover, Jovan described the events of the evening in detail and outlined his plan to his spirit of air, communicating telepathically so that he could not be overheard by Oswald or anyone else. Let us start with the ghoul leader, Archer, he said through the mental link, after he had told the spirit about what he had learned so far about Archer and Charles and the job they were on. The man no doubt serves the same cause that the messenger boy Jonathan is said to be serving, namely ghoul rights and providing care for those ghouls whose minds have eroded away under the influence of their condition. Normally this is something I would support wholeheartedly. However, he blatantly sacrificed those feral ghouls that he claimed to care for, thrusting them into ZO's overzealous line of fire so that he could protect himself and create an escape opportunity for himself. He is no pure and good-natured ghoul rights advocate, that much is clear. He is all too willing to resort to terrorism to achieve his ends, which endangers the cause for which my ghoul associates struggle so much, and he is clearly nothing more than a power-hungry monster who uses his condition as an excuse for his behavior and ambitions. He must be eliminated.

Here are my thoughts for dealing with him. I would have you critique it to the best of your ability. Archer can, in my opinion, best be dealt with by attacking him indirectly. I believe that having my two technologically-oriented teammates going into anonymous conversation groups (online chatrooms, they are called, though I do not expect you to know that), particularly those catering to military and paramilitary groups, and having them drop hints that Archer feels slighted by and is secretly plotting to overpower the toxic mage Mad Hatter, kill him, and take the bounty on the Mad Hatter’s head for himself in order to fund his own militant ghoul rights agenda. Since it is clear from recent events that the Mad Hatter and Archer are in league with each other, this would help to turn the insane Mad Hatter against Archer, eliminating at least one of our problems. In addition, I would have my teammates make claims that Archer was last seen with several military-grade pieces of communications equipment in his possession, and may be gearing up for a terrorist strike. This would introduce a red herring for the 12 Vipers, and would simultaneously distract them from their pursuit of my team and potentially also motivate them to go after Archer themselves, to get their gear back. Archer's chances of survival decrease significantly in this scenario. Of course, it's possible that he may try to leak to someone that I am an Infected, like him. That will be easy to deal with, at least as it concerns my teammates, so it is not extremely worrying. If they expect that he will try anything to destroy his enemies, including stooping so low as to accuse me of being the same kind of "monster" that he is, they will be less taken aback and less inclined to believe him if and when he does try such a tactic. Since I have spoken with Archer in person, while the rest of them have not, I will be able to take care of that myself.

There is more to my plan than that, particularly as it pertains to the Mad Hatter himself, but I would hear what you have to say of this part of the plan, spirit. That is what I summoned you for, after all. After I hear your critique and advice on that part of my plan, and I adjust it accordingly, we can proceed with the other part of my plan. So, what are your thoughts?

[Notsoevildm]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 5:40am, Oswald's warehouse in Everett

By the time they have finished wrapping the trucks in chicken wire, Ferret feels as beat as the old man sounds. As the stress winds down, exhaustion sets in.

He mumbles vaguely coherently, "Sleep..gonna get...be in van."

He crawls into his van's cab, locking the door behind him and barely cuts his matrix access before falling asleep. For once, his sleep is peaceful.

[Warlordtheft]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 5:40am, Oswald's warehouse in Everett

After helping with the Faraday cage, Zo just feels exhausted. He goes to a nearby sofa in the warehouse and lies down. He sets his commlink's alarm for noon. His AK-97 lies propped up against it, he also makes sure his pistols are still within easy reach.

[pbangarth]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 5:40am, Oswald's warehouse in Everett

Professor finds a comfy pile of tarps on which to stretch out. "Last I saw Jovan, he was having quality time with one of his spirits. A ward of any strength at all will take hours to set up. We'll be gone before it materializes. I'll nap here, keeping an astral eye open. If Jovan surfaces, I'll ask him to put out a watcher or two to patrol." He closes his eyes but stays astrally aware. As much as one can be when nodding in and out of sleep.

[Saint Sithney]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 1:10am, Touristville

The spirit swirls around Jovan's space in a convection of renewed power. I am very glad to be out of that other place. There was a terribleness there. I can not imagine any creature not born of suffering would dwell there for long. It pauses momentarily. If the man is truly mad, then threats against his person will be of less effect than you might expect. It is the nature of the mad that their priorities are different than most. This is their strength and their weakness. They will act without fear in situations where others would pall, and they will fall apart at what others might see as little more than a pinprick. So, to direct a madman, you must know how to needle him. What do you know about him?

[Saint Sithney]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 8:18 AM, Void's apartment, outskirts of Loveland, Puyallup Barrens.

Void waits for what seems like forever for a reply from Oswald's autoresponder. About to give up and go about his daily routine, Void is suddenly surprised by a honk from outside his door. After a moment of puzzlement and several more of paranoia, he checks outside and sees a late model jackrabbit idling out front with no one inside. Its lack of occupancy is made obvious by the lack of a roof. As he's peering out at the vehicle, it honks again, and a message pops up on his comm <<Hop in. It would be best to leave before this vehicle's owner notices its absence.>> At least the acid rains haven't started yet this morning.

[Saint Sithney]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 11:35am, Oswald's Everett Warehouse

Just before noon, ZO starts to get pings back from his earlier queries.

First from K-P. <@ZO - I don't just have that stuff sitting around, chum. I got some people I could call, but you'd have to pay out the nose if you want it on short notice. Probably get you some knockoff explosive rounds a lot quicker. As to your Johnson family, they don't match anyone I know. Not my crowd. I could put feelers out, but that's a delicate business.


Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 11:52am, Oswald's Everett Warehouse

Then from Roper <@ZO - Vipers are a merc outfit. They operate where ever there's people hiring mercenaries, so they'd have some sort of mobile command base, likely. There's a bunch of them. More than just 12 of them, at least. They claim that only their best get numbers. That's all freely available knowledge and easy guesses. You want me to find real dirt on these guys, I can, but it'll be my price to name based on what you can tell me of the situation. Less you tell me, more it costs.

As to looking into the guys you're working with, that's a separate job. If you really want me dredging up their histories, I'll need an infodump. Trid, habits, aliases all that. Send me a file. Careful though, runners are at their most paranoid in the middle of a job, and that's problems for me and you. Fact that you don't just ask them about themselves means that you already don't trust them. Fact that you're asking me to snoop on them means they shouldn't trust you. I say take that feeling and go with it.

[Warlordtheft]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 11:37am, Oswald's Everett Warehouse

<@K-P - No rush yet--just get some in on your next regular shipment, ya know I'm good fur it. Yeah beein out of towners, not sure who's connections the Johnson family come from. Not local from what I understand. Maybe new to town though. I'm guessing dey ain't workin with da Crow.

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 11:52am, Oswald's Everett Warehouse

<@Roper- Danks for da tidbit, do ya have a contact number for dem? I may need ta make a to them dats all. Da group I'm workin wit has something dey want badly. We don't care about their stuff, just an accident we ended up wit it.

As ta the team I'm wit, I know Ferret---I'm just checking in ta see if da others have excess baggage, solid reps, an ain't an undercover KE operative or some such drek. Just cover'n my tusker hide. Would you trust me if ya met me in a dark alley in da barrens? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ork.gif)

[Glyph]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 8:18 AM, Void's apartment, outskirts of Loveland, Puyallup Barrens.

Void blinks, startled, although it shows as a mere flicker across his impassive face, then he nods (more to himself than in response to the comm), and grabs his duffel. After a brief hesitation, he grabs the case holding his lethal, and very, very illegal, sniper rifle, as well.

Bad if I get stopped - but if I get stopped, I will be in an obviously stolen vehicle, so it would come to shooting, in any event. Hurrrm. Not sure I like how I am being treated. It seems a bit... flippant. And not just because flippant is the word on my Word of the Day calendar. But as Nietzsche says, "The man of knowledge must be able not only to love his enemies but also to hate his friends." So it is all good.

Void boards the vehicle, having overcome his trepidations. He forces himself to settle back in the cheap car and assume the semblance of a relaxed pose, although the fingers of his left hand still drum restlessly against the dashboard.

[Saint Sithney]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 11:38am, Oswald's Everett Warehouse

<@ZO - I'll call you with news.>

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 11:52am, Oswald's Everett Warehouse

<@ZO- They've got a Matrix presence, but I ain't got a line on them. As to your pals, I could dig a bit, but they ain't got reps as I seen. Still, you want me to search up on them and grab the V's contact info, I can do that for 300. If you got an undercover on your team, you're already pretty screwed, though. Even if you run..

[Saint Sithney]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 8:30 AM, Lower Tacoma, Riding in a Barren's junker

After a bit of driving, the janky Jackrabbit has made it out of Loveland and a ways into Tacoma. Before it can get too deep though, it stops on a mostly empty street and an Autocab pulls up along side, its door opening automatically. <<@Void: Thank you for your patience. I have acquired a less conspicuous transport for the second portion of your trip. If you would like to coordinate your arrival, you might find it helpful to contact this man. [link] He is known as the Professor.>>

[Warlordtheft]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 11:52am, Oswald's Everett Warehouse

<@Roper- Sounds reasonable. Which account should I transfer da cred ta?

[Glyph]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 8:35 AM, Lower Tacoma, Riding in an Autocab

Void boards the autocab with no appreciable hesitation - it's a bit late for any qualms now. He frowns thoughtfully, and laboriously composes a comm message to this next link in the chain.

<<@The Professor: I am a professional, designation: Void, who is representing parties who have a greivance with an individual named Charles. I have been in contact with Mr. Dr. Spaceman's agent, regarding how your team might help me locate my prey, and how I might assist in removing this thorn from your side. I am en route, in transportation provided by Mr. Dr. Spaceman, and I wanted to coordinate my arrival, so as to not alarm you or your other associates. I can assist you in expediting your other matters, but my primary concern is my target. As Sun Tzu says, "Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack.">>

He nods to himself, pleased, before sending it out. He got to use the word "expediting" and include a good Sun Tzu quote.

[pbangarth]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 8:35am, Oswald's warehouse in Everett

Professor jerks awake at Void's message. Well, well. Yet more cannon fodder. Our employers never cease to amaze.

<<@team: We have someone incoming, saying he has clearance and contact from Oz. That so, old man? Person by the name of Void. Says he has a grievance with Charles, and is hunting him, so you may be especially interested, Jovan. Void offers assistance in our other pursuits, but is focused on getting Charles. >>

<<@Void: Acknowledged. Wait one.>>

[Notsoevildm]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 8:35am, Oswald's warehouse in Everett

There is an insect buzzing in Ferret's ear. He tries to wave it away and go back to sleep, but it ignores his feeble swats. As sleep gives way, he sluggishly realises it's his commlink buzzing. He looks around for a moment, bemused and only half awake. Waking in a strange location is not unusual, but it still takes him a moment to recognise the roof of the warehouse he can see out of the van's windscreen.

He shuts off the buzzing and cranks up the signal on his commlink, revelling for a few moments in the high quality matrix connection compared to the poor or no signals he is used to in the Barrens. Then he remembers the incoming message that woke him.

Void? Charles? Oh, the red queen guy.

<<@Team: If Oz vouches for him then I guess it's okay to let him in.>>

He yawns and rubs at his eyes. He looks in the passenger mirror at a grubby, dishevelled dwarf with bags under his eyes.

Jesus, I look like shit!

<<@Team: What's his ETA? Have I got time to use the bathroom? Get some soykaf? Maybe even take a shower?>>

[Saint Sithney]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 8:35am, Oswald's warehouse in Everett

A reply comes quickly from the old man's comm. <<@team: Yeah, he's solid. I've got a full background on the guy. Professional operator who specializes in magical threats, and we're doing him a favor by letting him help us. Turns out that Chuckie has a bounty on him big as our original payday. Taking that into consideration I defend the choice to bring him in with the facts that 1) Charles is a priority threat since he can just drop spirits on us over and over, 2) we're all of us wasted right now and we had trouble with the last spirit when we were on high alert, and, most importantly, 3) he has no connection to our Lady Silvereyes. She has no idea. He's our ace in the hole against the heinous bitch who set us up to die. So, who's your pappy?>>

A few seconds pass and then there's another blip. <<@team: Almost forgot four. 4) It's my fraggin house, and I can invite who I damn well please! So, guess who's coming to dinner? It's a murderous Trog bastard from hell! HAHAHAHAHA!!>>

[Notsoevildm]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 8:35am, Oswald's warehouse in Everett

Just great! I finally make it out of the barrens and out of the drug business, so why do I feel my life expectancy has gone down, not up?

<<@team: I guess at least it means the murderous Trog bastard from hell is on our team rather than playing for the other side! If Oz vouches for him and it is his place, then let's at least see what he has to say about Charles. Now I'm gonna take a dump and wash up, so at least I'm semi-presentable by the time he gets here.>>

Yawning, the dwarf pulls some clothes and a toilet bag out from under the passenger seat of his van and heads towards the warehouse's bathroom.

[Warlordtheft]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 8:35am, Oswald's warehouse in Everett

Zo stirs a little, and send out a comm. Too lazy to get up.

<@Team> Good call Oz, we might need another one.

[pbangarth]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 8:35am, Oswald's warehouse in Everett

<<@team: Alrighty, then.>> Professor chuckles. What a mix this team is!

<<@Void: Welcome to the party. Come on in, you are expected. Looking forward to mutual help. Follow the astronaut's directions explicitly, though. Otherwise an explosive surprise may ruin your day.>>

[Glyph]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 8:36 AM, Lower Tacoma, Riding in an Autocab

A terse reply comes back quickly.

<<Understood.>>

Void is not as rattled as most people would be in his situation - in a strange vehicle, preparing to be guided through a paranoid security setup. Truthfully, the implication of a heavily defended home base is a reassuring sign to him. And he is content enough to be sit passively for the moment, enjoying a respite from having any vexing decisions to make.

[Warlordtheft]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, Sometime between 8:35am and 12:00 Noon, Oswald's warehouse in Everett

In his dreams Zo sees hundreds of M23's piled around him. He wanders amoungst the apparent rubble of a warehouse. He notices a robot wandering around with a walking stick yelling "Get off my lawn! Get off my lawn!" Zo goes for his pistols but finds his hands empty. He grabs one of the M23's and smacks the robot in the head causing it to crumble. Out of the piles of M23's, dozens of ghouls appear---Zo freezes for a moment then begins swinging with the M23. He goes to swing one more time, but sees his long lost sister apparently turned to a ghoul. He hesitates, she bites him in the throat--

Zo wakes up, grabbing his pistol quickly looking somewhat panicked. Scans the room for a moment then goes back to sleep as if nothing happened.

[Notsoevildm]

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 8:35am, Oswald's warehouse in Everett

With the murderous trog bastard from hell already on his way to the warehouse, Ferret decides to skip the shower and settles for a quick wash and a heavy dose of deodorant. He puts on some clean flats and with a vague sense of deja vu, returns to the main area of the warehouse cradling a cup of soykaf.

He puts his dirty laundry back in the van and scoops up his machine pistol and tucks it in his pants.

I guess Zo is right, I really should get a proper holster for his or one day I'm going to shoot off my dick.

He leans against his van, eyes half-closed as he compares the chickenwire around the trucks to online descriptions of Faraday cages.

It's pretty A-team, but I gotta give the old man his due. He does know his physics.

He uses the remaining time before Void arrives to surf the matrix in his AR, catching up on gossip and downloading some of his favourite shows and music for later.