2072: Game World, IC thread for 2072: Recruitment always open! Options

[Aria]

Balefire / Fractal
[May 09th, 2072; Safehouse, SE 6th St, Bellevue]

<<I’m here…>>

<<Fractal, good, come in…>> and a discrete ARO highlights the path to one of the non-descript suburban condos done up in shabby chic. It’s a corner plot surrounded by trees and other vegetation that shield it from observation. A quick scan reveals a dense amount of wifi traffic in the neighbourhood and you suspect that there are surveillance measures hidden in the mesh.

Inside there is a sparse selection of comfortable furniture and a sweeping AR Wallscape™ that currently depicts the surroundings of the house from multiple angles, including overhead.

“You can stash your stuff in the garage out of the way for the moment…you planning on a long stay then?” you are sure you hear Bale muttering something about kitchen sinks...

The team are waiting for you in the living room. From the walkers in the park they have transformed into the very image of runners…darkened armour suits, weaponry and various pieces of technological paraphernalia. Only Sirene is unchanged in her summer dress and bare feet…

[onlyghostdancesw...]

@ E:PL
[May 19th, 2072, 09:33:00; En-route to UK]

How much to tell him.... What do I tell this assassin? Anselm calmly rocked back in his seat and turned on the white noise generator he kept for the occasions like these that required discrete speech. "Indeed you would be, however I expect that the main concerns will have to do with either those who would like to, shall we say interview, our guests. Prominent researchers at places like Aztechnology and others of their ilk have expressed the desire to repay those who turn such as the father in to their human resourcing centers with very lucrative contracts. Now, I have nothing against free enterprise but for myself I would rather this particular man stay... unattached for the time being. Keeping him so will help us gain favor with some very interesting individuals; it's your job to see to it that the individuals, eco-rads and others, don't find us a little too interesting first."

[onlyghostdancesw...]

@Fortune's Forecast
[April 17th, 2072, 21:16:23 Крымские дворце (The Crimean Palace)]
[Quincy Mathews: PAN Passive][Jack Blades: PAN Hidden]

Hawke nodded in an understanding manner, "I thought that might be the case here, tell you what, I'll have josef go and pick them up for you but I'll take a favor in return if you don't mind? There's a tournament in two days over at Casino Corner, you've heard of the place?" When Jack nodded quickly, he continued, "As it happens, I have a team going to that tournament but they are short one person and you seem to be very good at cards and you are looking for experience... I want you to go with them, you don't know them of course but you'll meet them shortly before the tournament starts. I want you to play as hard as you can to win, but if you end up against them in the finals I want you to stack the deck in their favor, and if it comes down to you losing to make them win, do it. After that, you can come back and tell me all about your experience, keep your eye out for anything unusual and tell your old uncle."

[onlyghostdancesw...]

@Fortune's Forecast (Saint/Adrian)
[April 17th, 2072, 00:50:11; Everett, inside Everett Medical Center]

The nurse with the disturbing ear infection looked up and smiled, "Thank you for paying the paper work fees love but you missed the most important one, the payment for processing dear... it's also 500 nuyen and honestly our electronic systems have been having issues lately, you know how things go around here, never enough funding..."

She looked very pointedly at Saint and then at Adrian and tossed two badges onto the counter, "But I'm sure you'll be able to find that missing paperwork by the time you get back from your appointment. Right cyber-eye was it? Doctor Bailey just had an opening for diagnostics, he's in room 403, through the doors, take the first left then the second right and up the elevator, right on the fourth floor and second door on the left."

[sabs]

freΣdom / Fractal
[April 17th, 2072 11:12:42 – Safe House]

<<Erebos, lets meet. You pick the place, I'll pick the time. Some mutually beneficial business might be doable.>>

The one thing that's clear in the dossier, is that pretty much noone knows what race he is. Although everyone is fairly sure he IS a person, and not an AI or E-Ghost. People talk about meeting a Troll, an Orc, even an Elf. Noone can seem to agree on his personality either. That being said, he's known for being solid with the information, and providing excellent on the ground support.

Fractal, curious about this Erebos does some searching, contacting a few connections he has.

Meanwhile, Fractal shows up at his meeting with Summer, using her codes, and armed to the gills. His Fractal form pulsates to an unheard background beat. <<Summer, it's unfortunate we can't meet under more pleasant circumstances. I've been contracted to determine events that happened recently. I was led to believe that you might be able to shed some light on this rather baffling problem?>>

[sabs]

Balefire / Fractal
[May 09th, 2072; Safehouse, SE 6th St, Bellevue]

Fractal grins, "Not particularly. Just long enough to pull off the job, let the heat if any die down. It was time to clear out of the life I was borrowing anyways. I have others in the works." He considers for a second, as if about to say something, but then seems to change his mind and goes to stow his gear into the garage. All, except for a couple of items, which he seems to carry in a small backpack, the kind you might see couriers or students carry. Fractal disappears into the bathroom, and emerges 20 minutes later looking completely different again. The Fractal that comes out is a dead ringer for Johnny Matrix, the hacker in the Sunflower Guns™ TV show.

He plops down in the living room, and gives the entire group of killers a smile. "lets get down to brass tacks." It's subtle, but it's obvious that he's wearing a full body suit under his clothes, and from the look the clothes he is wearing are armored, though.. subtly. He sits down on the couch and leans back, relaxed, though he does have two guns tucked into shoulder holsters.

[Ears]

@Fortune's Forecast (Saint/Adrian)
[April 18th, 2072, 00:50:11; Everett, inside Everett Medical Center]

Hmm, a thousand to see this ominous 'doctor'; wonder what she does with her cut that's more important than having her ear treated.

<<from:Sport to:Saint>Let's get going. I'll cover the other 500.>

Nodding at the nurse, Adrian grabs one of the badges and starts to head for the doors. Near which stands a small group of people - the Ork orderly from before and two nurses berating him. They seem to blame him for that troublemaker's behaviour. And he seems to not care a bit. Maybe he's used to it?

[JxJxA]

@ E:PL
[May 19th, 2072, 09:33:00; En-route to UK]
[Erika Elite, ID "Maximilien Danton"]

Gemeaux grins bitterly at the mention of "Aztechnology and their ilk." Ah, the elegant simplicity of the megacorp mindset---so essentially human. It wants, it desires, and it thinks nothing of the actual humans it now considers "lesser beings."

"That is a wide range of potential enemies," he says, returning La Repartie to its case, "and while I would prefer more details, I suppose that will have to do for the time being. I must confess that I am ill-equipped to handle magical threats, but I suspect that is an issue you can attend to if it arises."

He withdraws one last effect from his luggage---a sterling silver flask and a pair of crystal wine glasses. He takes a seat across from the priest, pouring the man and himself a glass of fine Cassis wine. He offers the glass to the priest.

"Now, can you tell me a bit about arrangements once we arrive in the UK? I suppose 'traveling in style' is too much to hope for..."

[Aria]

Balefire / Fractal
[May 09th, 2072; Safehouse, SE 6th St, Bellevue]

Bale snorts in amusement as you enter the room in yet another guise. Sirene smiles at you too, clearly looking beyond the physical form to the unmistakable cast of your aura (or whatever it is that these spirits do…). Requiem looks uncomfortable and you notice a distinct tic in his jaw line that perhaps doesn’t bode well. Silk on the other hand ignores you, sunk in some state of inward looking contemplation.

“Ok, now you’re here…” a slight pause while Silk takes in your appearance “anyway, let’s decide how we are going to penetrate the location undetected and make off with the goods. We have the layout and some information about the services for the building. It’s not over a major sewer route so underground isn’t likely to be an option. Security is tight but we don’t know much more than that…any thoughts Fractal? Bale and I can’t exactly forget what we know about the place so this planning session is in your hands…”

[Aria]

freΣdom / Fractal
[April 17th, 2072 11:12:42 – ShadowSEA meeting node]

You step into the node and straight into a lurid garden scene reminiscent of Alice in its strangeness. The iconography has clearly been manipulated since you were last here, ShadowSEA don’t usually have the funds to sculpt their meeting nodes to suit their clients.

Alice herself appears like the Cheshire cat in a phase of pixels…

“Fractal? Thank you for meeting me. You are working for Prospero? I offered to help him myself but unfortunately the runners I sent were intercepted. So, you want to know what’s going on? Well, it will come as no surprise to you that since our emergence my kind have been hunted. Prospero was generous enough, or foolish enough, to shelter a number of us. It would seem that our hunters have found a fast way of identifying us, something that ought to concern everyone. Particularly as I don’t know where they were taken or who is responsible, or to what use they will put those they have taken. Perhaps you will be able to piece this tale together? I hope so! You are wondering about how much trust I am placing in you? Let us just say that I have seen the aid you can, and will, give us in the future…”

[sabs]

Balefire / Fractal
[May 09th, 2072; Safehouse, SE 6th St, Bellevue]

Fractal seems to ignore the scowls, and just focuses on the work at hand. It's interesting that his entire body language is completely different than it was before. Given enough time it might well be possible to detect the similarities, but the short term effect is fairly confusing. Even the speech pattern is different. And if he's giving offense by not trusting these people he just met with his real face, he doesn't seem to care.

"lets bring up the lay out, and the services. See what they tell us. We're also going to need to do some recon. Are there any deliveries, does anyone come and go." He looks up at Sirene, "What magical defenses are there. It would be swell if we managed to get to the cheese, just to realize there's an invisible magical cat waiting to eat who ever is there."

He considers. "wireless network suppression. Duct systems. There's so many ways we could do this. We need to narrow it down some. Is the place currently abandoned? Or is there armed security?"

"The preferred plan would be something along the lines of" As he speaks, a bullet point list shows up on a holo projector Fractal places down on the table.

* Sirene and Fractal disable security measures
* Bale infiltrates and retries item, possibly with Silk?
* Requiem acts as Johnny on the spot should problems arise.


"I will need a day or so to analyze the target. See what's going on. See if I can compromise their security system a head of time. Brute force is so inellegant."

[SoyKaf Adict]

@Fortune's Forecast
[April 17th, 2072, 00:50:36; Everett, inside Everett Medical Center]
PAN=Passive, SIN: Erica Hallowford
PAN=Hidden, SIN: Vivica Leman

<<@Sport: Damnit, classic blunder, I just over-paid by not thinking. Payments like that usually get taken care of through credsticks. Never be in a hurry to pay someone when the charges can go up. This curiosity is getting expensive. [Saint]>>

She had to bite her tongue and smile. Extortion was worth every nuyen, and this place would've crumbled long ago without it. She takes the other badge and follows Sport through the doors and past the three quarreling staff members.

Room 403. Through the doors, first left then the second right and up the elevator. Right on the fourth floor and second door on the left.

She didn't have time to react toward them, more than likely he was being chastised, no doubt, for bringing KE onto their doorstep. She ran a stopwatch in AR from 5 minutes, counting down. They weren't likely to have that much time, but it was something to keep mindful of.

[DaedalusK71]

freΣdom / Fractal
[April 17th, 2072 11:15:42 – Downtown]

Erebos' PAN chirps.
<<Erebos, lets meet. You pick the place, I'll pick the time. Some mutually beneficial business might be doable.>>

Keep your head down Erebos, you’re hot at the moment, be careful who you accept work from! Pocket's words echoed in his ears as Erebos stood on the street corner just up the street from where he had seen the vans.

<<The corner of Spring and Madison. I'll be there with bells on...>> Erebos hesitated; uncertain he wanted to go down this path. Not that he had many choices... [send]

Looking up at the street sign, 'Spring St. / Madison', Erebos walked to the end of the block and slipped into an alley and, after ensuring there were no cameras, sat down to wait for this ... Fractal's reply.

[Trigger]

@E:PL
[July 3rd, 2072, 4:15 PM; Ælias' Apartment, Auburn, Seattle]

He had needed to work quickly gathering the things he needed for the trip to Chicago, especially after the unexpected need to spend three days in bed. Luckily, most of the things he needed were easy enough to find, just a stop off at the local Sports Stop™ and a few thousand nuyen later he had what he had what he came for. At least the legal and easily available stuff.

His next stop was at a Renraku One-Stop Electronic Shop™, where he had one little, but important sensor to grab. At a rather hefty 550 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) a pop, Ælias got a Sensor RFID Geiger Counter, and they even did the injection into the lower dermis of his forearm for free with his purchase. He mentally turned the wireless signal on it off after leaving, letting his own natural skinlink integrate it into his biological PAN, a small number in the corner of his eye, just another one among the many AR displays he kept active when he had to be present in his meat.

The last things on his list were going to be the hardest: he wanted to get vials of Wyrd Mantis Essence. He had heard from some reliable posters on various shadowhavens that it worked rather well to keep most bug spirits away. One poster had commented about barely escaping a couple of Mantis spirits while wearing the stuff, but many agreed that the risk was worth it to keep the others away. He stopped at four different talismonger shops before finally getting a lead on the stuff. It took another two stops and then a quick trip down a back alley to a musty basement to pay another 1400 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) for two bottles of it. He knew the price was high, but he didn't have the time, nor frankly the skill to find it for cheaper. This job was going to worth a lot, both monetarily and in potential with Stillwater, for him to complain too much, but that didn't keep his credstick from feeling the ache.

After two days out and about on the town, dropping thousands of nuyen on new gear that would be useful, but unlikely to be used again in his opinion, Ælias had one last thing he needed to do before his trip across the continent. He needed to find a way to get his gear there. Sure, some of it could come with him on the suborbital flight, but he didn't need the hassle of declaring his Predator, nor did he want them to find the combat drugs he knew he would probably need, nor his collection of disguise tools, makeups, and nanopaste containers. After asking around with The Refugees, he came up with the name Technicolor Wings. Apparently they were a courier service that was very shadow friendly, as well as a frequent employer of other unwired individuals like himself. He wired Brer Fox another stipend for the connection (that guys seems to know everybody) and gave a call to someone named Inbus, apparently an employee of TW and a technomancer.

<< @Inbus: Hoi, Brer Fox passed your digits my way, said you were a friend of The Refugees. I have a package that needs to be dropped off in Chicago, not much bigger than two briefcases. Going to be there in four - five days. Sound possible? ~Ælias >>

[Ears]

@Fortune's Forecast
[April 18th, 2072, 00:51:19; Everett, inside Everett Medical Center]
PAN=Active, SIN: John Taylor

Hmm, I'd better get a few of them, then. Never know when they might come in handy.

Turning left after the doors, Adrian and Saint enter a corridor that may have seen better times. Maybe back then someone had been able to decide on either green, white or gray. Today, it's hard to tell which colour was the original one and which ones were painted over lateron.
The second on the right is another corridor, which leads straight towards a pair of elevators in between which is located an ancient-looking card swiper.

Guess the badges aren't just for decoration, eh?

[SoyKaf Adict]

@Fortune's Forecast
[April 17th, 2072, 00:51:27; Everett, inside Everett Medical Center]
PAN=Passive, SIN: Erica Hallowford
PAN=Hidden, SIN: Vivica Leman

<<They wouldn't want people just randomly moving about the hospital, that would mean people going for the free plan could sneak into scheduled appointments. We can't have poor folk taking advantage of the system, that doesn't make money.>>

She slid her card through the reader, fully expecting a broken down elevator with a sign, "please use service ladder."

"Open sesame."

No such luck, or lack thereof, the thing sounded like an over-sized metal coffin, so there was the bright side. She pressed the button for the fourth floor. It blinked to life, but nothing happened. A "stick-it" ARO let her know that it needed a good punch, after a stress relieving couple of smacks the elevator came to life. The doors closed and up they went. Apparently this was a popular floor.

[Notsoevildm]

@E:PL
[July 3rd, 2072, 7:23 PM; Cheap motel, Chicago]

Copperhead yawned and stretched, her metal fists banging against the wall above the lumpy bed's non-existant headboard and her bare feet against the wall just beyond the bottom of the bed.

Frag, glad I'm short for a troll or this place would be really pissing me off.

She climbed out of the bed, the thin sheet wrapped around her and lumbered into the tiny room that pretended to be an ensuite bathroom. The shower didn't work and was so filthy she wouldn't have used it anyway. Instead, she hung the sheet on the back of the door and washed in the lukewarm water from the tap.

Lucky me, the water's almost warm today.

Somewhat clean she returned to the small room and dressed. Last year's sports underwear, a tight fitting top, her form-fitting armor, combat armor and biker boots, respirator and goggles. She adjusted the trode net woven into her hair and called Dealer.

<<Hey void-boy, I'm up and ready to roll. Gonna go find some breakfast. Any word from da J?>>

She reflexively checks her fetishes and foci, then scoops up the big Enfield combat shotgun. They might not be in the containment zone yet, but this part of Chigaco was as bad as the Redmond Barrens so it paid to be prepared. Mumbling a spell as she leaves the room, she turns to the snake spirit curled under the bed.

Her shamanic mask flaring around the goggles and respirator, she hisses, "You eatss anyone dat comess in, okay?"

The beast spirit hisses back with anticipation.

Sure beats a guard dog or drone. Thank you, Mama Snake for the service of your eager servant.

As she exits the motel, she carefully checks up and down the street in the evening's fading light, then heads off in search of 'breakfast'.

[Ears]

@Fortune's Forecast
[April 18th, 2072, 00:51:45; Everett, inside Everett Medical Center]
PAN=Active, SIN: John Taylor

Heh, last time I went up in anything that unwilling to start, the thing lost a few parts on the trip...

As the lift reaches the 4th level, Adrain nods at the opening doors and adds Good thing we didn't need the 'chutes this time.

So, right and... second left...

Stepping out and turning right, Adrian enters an corridor that seems a little better maintained than the ground floor.

[SoyKaf Adict]

@Fortune's Forecast
[April 17th, 2072, 00:52:06; Everett, inside Everett Medical Center]
PAN=Passive, SIN: Erica Hallowford
PAN=Hidden, SIN: Vivica Leman

This close to a lead, Saint felt her pulse quicken. The realization of what this man could easily do to her with a slip of his hand came crashing down. They'd have to play this one cool, she'd have made her body weight in platinum-rated credsticks by now if things always went smooth, though. This just needed to go quick and clean, or she'd be showcasing an orange jumpsuit for awhile. The other possibilities she pushed to the back of her mind.

Following Sport's reiteration of the directions, she kept her eyes peeled for fire safety procedure signs, and her mind focused on alternate exit strategies. The clock was still ticking, and she had to take a few deep breaths before they stood in front of the medical examination room.

<<Can I get a twitch for good luck?>>

[Ears]

@Fortune's Forecast
[April 18th, 2072, 00:52:23; Everett, inside Everett Medical Center, outside 403]
PAN=Active, SIN: John Taylor

In response to Saint's message, Adrian's arms tremble for a moment and he starts rubbign them agaisnt each other as if he's having to fight to control them.

<<0800-RENT-A-TWITCH, at your service>>

I just hope this doesn't really turn into a habit.

[onlyghostdancesw...]

@Fortune's Forecast
[April 18th, 2072, 00:52:23; Everett, inside Everett Medical Center, outside 403]


The Door to the medical bay seems to be slightly more used than most but ironically in better condition despite the fact. Saint noticed several fading escape plans still hanging in their faded yellow covers by the intersection. The emergency lights were probably never a design factor that had been given much attention though as many of them were apparently missing from the brackets mounted on the walls and ceilings that would have normally housed them.

Written in neat block letters on a small placard midway up the door were the words, Doctor Maxwell Bailey Diagnostics.

[Gortrek Bloodspl...]

@Fortune's Forecast
[April 17th, 2072, 21:20:53 Крымские дворце (The Crimean Palace)]
[Quincy Mathews: PAN Passive][Jack Blades: PAN Hidden]

Jack thought long and hard about his answer. "Ok, I can easily set your guys up for a win...but I don't like losing, ever, for any reason. It looks bad on my record. I will agree, but as an added favor I want you to hook me up with some high stakes tournaments I don't have to lose."

Jack thought that would be fair since he'd have to make up the loss with additional games for the setback it may cost him to get invites to other games. Jack was tired of feeling played. He preferred games he could win, and his woman was seriously damaging his calm. He would be hard pressed to play a decent game of poker with his current mindset anyway. The sooner he got what he wanted from her the better. No hard feelings to Alexi, but his family tree needs some pruning. Hopefully this annoying chapter of his life was coming to a close.

Jack wanted to live and knew full well that the ability to defend himself would be a necessity soon. The events earlier had already displayed how ill prepared he was for life away from the corp. That didn't mean he had to like having his chain jerked around by someone who should be in a mental facility or retirement home or both.

[Aria]

Balefire / Fractal
[May 09th, 2072; Safehouse, SE 6th St, Bellevue]

There’s a pause while Silk considers your words, “Let’s assume for now that this represents a secure research facility. It’s an old brick fire station on three floors, the majority of it being the garage, let’s assume that’s the main lab for the building and our target is in one of the upper rooms here…” and she gestures to the rotating three dimensional model projected in the air in front of you… “I’m sure we can fabricate a delivery service if you wanted to take that approach. Magical defences, let’s say a ward and watcher patrol with an on call mage? Sirene and Bale should be able to deal with that, distraction is probably the key, or looking like we belong. We can assume an armed guard presence and certainly drones on station…beyond that?”

She waves at your bullet points

“I will normally take point, it’s what I do…Bale will back me up and I think we ought to see how you do in the field and bring you along. Req can provide fire support as needed and Sirene will deal with the magical security as you suggested…we’ll leave you to work on the node for now. Anything else?”

[sabs]

Balefire / Fractal
[May 09th, 2072; Safehouse, SE 6th St, Bellevue]

"I think that's the basics for now. We are lacking so much knowledge. I will go dig up what I can, and we can talk at lunch time tomorrow?"

Fractal is already thinking about what he's going to do, and packing up his holodisplay, part of his mind already reaching out to see if this place has a Matrix node he can access remotely, or if this is going to take a more personal touch. He seems to be almost sleepwalking, as he makes his way back to the cot set aside for him.

[Aria]

@E:PL Chicago / Ælias
[July 7th, 2072, 8:26 PM; O’Hare Airport, Chi Town]

As you step out of the air conditioned foyer you immediately feel the change in the air from the soggy dampness of Seattle. The wind is blowing crisply from the East and is refreshing to the senses, even if you are well aware that it will be as laden with pollutants as the air back home.

Nobody has questioned your credentials and you passed through security with ease. There are two messages awaiting your attention, one from Inbus indicating that your gear is en-route and will arrive as scheduled at twenty three hundred hours on a drop off point on the shore of the lake, and the second from Argent requesting that you meet your fellow travellers at Fawkes Bizarre tomorrow morning at ten.

Now you just have some time to soak up the sights of one of the most notorious grey zones in the whole of the UCAS…there should be plenty of local flavour to keep you occupied until your meet…the Corridor beacons.

@E:PL Chicago / Copperhead
[July 7th, 2072, 8:51 PM; Somewhere on the Corridor, Chicago]

Four fragging days you’ve been hanging about waiting for the others that are to be joining you on this little jaunt. If there was some urgency then why the hell didn’t you go in sooner with local talent? Ah well, presumably Argent and your Johnson knew what they were about. At least its colourful here, with plenty to see a do with always that hint of feral danger to keep the nerves tingling! So, Fawkes Bizarre tomorrow morning and a meeting with a Jess, apparently muscle, Erebus, another mage by all accounts, and your hacker support Ælias…hopefully Dealer would be back from whatever errand pulled him away so suddenly…

@E:PL Chicago / Erebus
[July 7th, 2072, 10:32 PM; En-route to Chicago]

You’ve heard of flying under the radar but this is ridiculous. When you’d agreed to this job, in desperation admittedly, you hadn’t really considered how you were going to get to Chicago. Now you are crammed into a hold too small for a human with a re-breather strapped to your face and a thermal blanket to make up for the fact that there is zero life support in here and you suspect you were bloody high until a precipitous plummet hurtles you towards the ground…bloody riggers! A packing case shifts and digs into your ribs, only your arms keeping you in place stop you being bashed into paste. You silently vow never to fly Technicolour Wings again…

A message appears on your comm

<<Arrival at 23:00 as anticipated. We’ll be flying low for the rest of the trip and it might get a bit bumpy back there…>>

@E:PL Chicago / Joe/Jess
[July 7th, 2072, 10:57 PM; En-route to Chicago]

The toothy smuggler leers at you once again and you vaguely wish for the anonymity of commercial travel. With the amount of ‘ware that you are sporting it is only usually at the behest of a corp that you get to travel in comfort…otherwise you need to make do. Although this particular fixer, Argent, can afford your fees, corporate she is not.

The trip to Chicago has been uneventful and you have mostly zoned it out. Now you have some time before you need to make it to a meet at Fawkes Bizarre tomorrow morning…