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

[Aria]

@E:PL/Chi Town/Copperhead
[July 8th, 2072, 23:43; Decaying building, somewhere north of Blackwater, CZ, Chicago]

You are only about five miles from the boat rendezvous…time to go, another couple of hours could see you clear of this hellhole! Behind you in the depths of the decaying building you here a crash as if something had given way followed by a scream that ended all too abruptly. Shouts break out as your other spirits inflict your wrath on your pursuers and confusion reigns.

From your connection to the spirits you get the impression of seven or eight individuals stalking through the building…at least they were. Now they are in complete disarray. The spirits may be paltry things due to the insidious taint in this place but they are all the more unexpected for all that and you briefly feel almost sorry for the mundane fools trying to track you.

[July 9th, 2072, 00:26; Cortland St, overlooking the river, CZ, Chicago]

You’ve made good progress considering. Steering east away from where you crossed the river before, and the confrontation just north of there, you are now or Cortland Street, looking out at the polluted waters and gathering the courage to make the break out across the open… you feel a tickle across the back of your spine and hear a hiss of warning…

[Slacker]

@Virtual Scream: Dubstep
[September 2, 2072, 10:23:15, Dubstep's Apartment, Downtown Seattle]
PAN: Hidden, SIN: Jo Datsik (Fake SIN Rtg4), Response 6, Signal 5, System 6, Firewall 6, (Analyze 6, Armor 3-Ergonomic, Attack 4-Ergo, Biofeedback Filter 6, Browse 6-Ergo, Command 6-Ergo, Disarm 3, ECCM 3-Ergo, Edit 6-Ergo, Exploit 6, Scan 6, Spoof 3-Ergo, Stealth 6)

Secondary PAN: Active, SIN: Jo Datsik(Fake SIN Rtg4), Response 3, Signal 4, System 4, Firewall 4, (Agent 3, Analyze 4, Browse 4, Edit 4, Tacsoft 2)


Dubstep did not sleep well at all last night. The club was a great release for the moment, but his introduction to Cat brought the earlier day's problems back to the forefront of his mind. And the planned lunch date kept needling him in his sleep with it. Dreams of swimming through a see of blood while various body parts and sundry organ fall apon him or attempt to drag him under kept waking him up.

Cindy's off tempo melody choice wasn't helping matters either. "Ugh. I'm up Cindy. You might as well play something to try making me energized about the day."

The agent software transitioned the music to something more upbeat though there still seemed to be a discordant tune underlaying it to reflect his mood.  "That's what I get for programming her too well to provide a soundtrack to my life..." He let out a big sigh at that thought.

He slowly pulled himself out of bed and started to wash up in the shower. Let's see. Doesn't look like Cat's sent me message about where to meet her or a time yet, he thought as the water ran down his thin frame. Guess I'll do a little work before then.

As he dried off. He pulled up the list of comm codes that he'd gotten for tracking Virtual Scream. Hmmm....wonder if Cat's commlink was on here at all. He idly wondered though it's not like it really matters.

Whatever the case, he dialed up the next one on the list. Rather than just diving in and extracting the body part, he followed a random thought about the locations that were hit by the virus/agent/IC/drek this thing was. 

Looking at the location, he said allowed "Wait. I've heard of that place.. Hai Fuk." His stomach rumbled at the thought of the noodles they are known for. With a smirk he also wondered what Cat would say about the ambiance.

Deciding to take it as providence, he shot a quick message to Cat's commlink.
<<How does meeting at Hai Fuk Noodle House sound for lunch?>>

With that, he moved on to pulling up has favorite warez site to see about the software Cat would need. Let's see what they've got on offer today, shall we?

A couple hours a fiddling around on the 'trix passed by in the blink of an eye for him, but certainly not for his stomach. It's grumbling finally got through to him. He quickly finished getting dressed and dashed off to see about meeting Cat and also seeing what might have happened in the real world to a place that got hit with Virtual Scream.

[Machine Ghost]

@E:Tribes, Sprogget
September 1, 2072 21:38 Bellevue, heading south
Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(3), Command(1), Edit(1), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Spoof(1), Stealth(3), Shield(1), Tacsoft(2), Simrig(1)
CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Active; SIN: Hugo Wright (R4)

"What do you think I'm doing out here?  Staying behind this wall and developing my powers would be impossible. I'd never grow without being able to use them freely or seeking the help of others like me."

LeFey finishes by adding "x's" to half a dozen streets.
"Hacker thrill gangs. Kids like me who can afford top of the line commlinks. They all end up using them to become nuisances or actual threats to people. They're fairly high on the priority list, too."

Sprogget watches in a virtual window as the map information is updated, doing preliminary planning for a route to avoid the most risky areas, while still getting out of the area as quickly as practical.  Another consideration is keeping it flexible, in case something unexpected shows up, like a blocked street and traffic jam due to another scream induced accident.  Once LeFey has finished updating, he considers for a moment, then adds 4 routes in blue from their current location to inside the Renton district.
@Jailbreakers: "These all look like usable routes".
Changing one of the routes to green,
@Jailbreakers: "This one is my initial preference.  A little more short term risk exposure than a couple of others, but gets us out of here about 10 minutes sooner.  Trading off longer time in safer, but not safe areas, with a little time with a bit more risk".
Changing a section of one of the remaining blue routes to orange.
@Jailbreakers: "This route seems good, but I do not like this stretch.  The useable area is too narrow.  If we need to detour for something unexpected, there is no good place to go, without the risk of stepping on KE toes.

Other ideas?

Some other time, it would be fun to bait thrill hackers.  They throw money at their toys, but quite often do not have any real idea how to use them.  Drop a honey pot in front of them, and watch them run in circles.  With the way that scream virus has been cutting through security, a some of them could be feeling a little bruised about now.  Another good place for KE resources, to they are not noticing us".

Understanding and agreeing with LeFey's need to learn and group, Sprogget says
@LeFey: "Others like and unlike.  You can learn a lot about your own abilities and limits from seeing how someone that is different does things.  Well several Fre∑dom members are part of the group dedicated to learning and teaching about TM abilities.  Not all of Fre∑dom, but enough to make a good start.  I expect you will be introduced fairly quickly".
@self:I doubt Prospero would go to the trouble of setting up for the extract, unless he intended for her to be included.

[Notsoevildm]

@E:PL/Chi Town/Copperhead
[July 9th, 2072, 00:26; Cortland St, overlooking the river, CZ, Chicago]

"Geddown" bellows Copperhead as she tackles the kids. As she pulls them to the ground, she makes sure she lands on her side and not on top of them.

If it's that fragging ghoul, I swear I will kill him with my bare hands.

She scans around looking for the new threat.

[JxJxA]

@E:PL /UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:38; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]
PAN - Active ; SIN - Maximilien Danton

"Putain!" Gemeaux exclaims when the gel round catches him in the ribs. However, the sting of the shot and the consequent throbbing of his ass when he is knocked unceremoniously flat upon it are nothing compared to the entire indignity of the episode.

The use of non-lethal weaponry brings the earlier encounter to the forefront of Gemeaux's mind.

This is either poorly timed revenge on the police's part, or another attempt to grab the technomancers.

The assassin gets up, rolls back into cover, and sends a wide burst of bullets at the offending aggressor.

[Machine Ghost]

@Virtual Scream: Sprogget
September 1, 2072 21:45 Bellevue, heading south
Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(3), Command(1), Edit(1), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Spoof(1), Stealth(3), Shield(1), Tacsoft(2), Simrig(1)
CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Active; SIN: Paul Brickhill (R3)

Loading the choosen route into the Doble Revolution dog brain, Sprogget considers what needs to be done when they get to the mall.
@self:Since I couldn't pass the link off to Alpha, and if he is not already at the mall when we get there, I'll need to at least look at it myself soon as I get back to the shop.  Might as well get the research prep done for that.  Even if Alpha ends up doing the later work, anything discovered now is not going to be wasted.

Verifying that the DR knows what the current section of the route is, and after having an extra look around through the DR and PAN sensors, he relinquishes control temporarily, to better focus on the matrix task.  Reaching his senses out to the local resonance, he searches for a pattern that he can mold into the tool that he wants.
@self:I really shouldn't be building this powerful of sprite without the benefits I get at home, but lets see how it goes.

The sprite that forms does not really look like the monocycle, but does have a similar feel.  It is in the form of a ring with virtual grippers for good traction getting around quickly, and a suite of sensors for locating information in the matrix.
@self:Well that was smooth. Not even anything added to the minor headache from before!
Admiring the result, Sprogget thinks,
@self:I'll have to remember this form.  A sprite with the spirit of the monocycle feels like a good searcher.  The form of the physical bike transfers well to a searcher tool in the matrix.  Unfortunately without the armor.
@Hunter:"Hoi Hunter.  I've got some matrix search work just right for your abilities.  There is an entity, that some are calling a virus, called >1rtu@l5cr3@m loose in the matrix.  I need more information about it.

If you encounter an >1rtu@l5cr3@m icon in your travels, don't touch.  If it takes an interest in you, get away.  You are not equipped to handle the punishment this ... creature .. can dish out.  Find out what others have discovered, and bring the information back to me.  I am traveling {tentative route plans} with a group {jailbreakers matrix ids}, all trying to avoid notice by that virus and others, so connecting back with me could be a challenge.  Worst case, I can meet you at the Puyallup library node, after I get physically back to the shop.

To speed things up, limit your searches to new data.  As in since 8:00 this morning.  If you happen to find information within those limits, that points to older data, that would be interesting for possible later followup, but the information I already found says people started noticing this about noon today.  Some things that I think I already know:

Successfully targeted devices start outputting a 'scream' with whatever channels are available.
An attack can overload devices enough to cause physical damage.
The payload included with the virus on infected devices uses up a lot of resources.  Both storage and processing.
After the initial attack, the virus can go dormant, still using resources but no longer screaming.
The virus has good matrix attack capabilities, and will use them against anything that tries to interferer with it.
At least some of the attacks seems to be synchronized, with multiple devices being hit simultaneously.

Oh, just to be complete, I figure that virus name is 1337 for "More than 1 or 2 will scream".

That is mostly either directly, or interpreted from, the fluff and ... scream ... sheets though.  More, and more technical details are needed.

I figure there is already a bunch of con and scam sites in the trix, offering to either remove the virus, or protect against it.  Try to filter the worst of those out of the results.

I am interested in knowing everything about this ... call it entity ..., but some specifics to focus on for start: What are its capabilities?  From the little I can decipher, it has aspects of (at least) a virus, a worm, an agent, a botnet, and ICE
How can we protect against it?
How can it be removed from a device?
What does it target?
Who else is showing interest in it, other that those normally associated with protection from matrix threats?

You're bright, and I think you understand the kind of things that are currently important.  Go find what you can about >1rtu@l5cr3@m, and get the information back to me.  Do your best".

Sprogget watches Hunter peal off into the matrix, leaving a small curl of resonance in its wake, then satisfied he has done what is practical while traveling, returns his attention to the driving.  Giving the dog brain a quick caress, he reasserts full control of the DR.

[mister__joshua]

@E:CoP/Johnny Awesome
[August 20th, 2072, 22:00; Balcony on the NeoNet Tower, Oxford]

As he genteelly fastens the clasp on Ryl's dress Johnny brushes his hand against her neck, feeling the buzz of energy tingle in his fingers and run through his body.

"Now, even for a man of society such as myself I have to say this is a situation I seldom thought I'd find myself in." He whips the tray of champagne up into his hand and offers it around before taking a long swig of it himself.

"Now, you know I suspected something about you. Maybe this, even. But still I have to ask myself why you're showing me all of this. Two lovely young creatures such as yourselves would make a younger man, a lesser man forget himself". He paused for effect. He liked to from time to time. He wasn't quite vain enough to assume everyone loved the sound of his voice as much as he did. "But still I can't help but feel that this is about something more than money and support for a good cause. After all, I'm sure attractive ladies have no problems finding willing donors. Girls can do that to a man, ghost knows they've cost me enough over the years."

"So, I've come backfull circle. What is it you'd request of me? Once that's dealt with we can get back to enjoying our own little party..."

[mister__joshua]

@Virtual Scream/Cipher
[September 1, 2072, 15:15; Downtown, Seattle]

Cipher looks at the sheep girl disbelievingly, his hands clasps firmly on either side of his head, trying to hold it all in. He mouths wordlessly at the girl before letting out a high pitched scream, a small trickle of blood running out of his ear for effect.

Now he'd got the girl's attention he managed to find words. "Argh....brain....ngah... ....emergency CAT scan.. ..head... angh. Pleas.." Before, again for effect, collapsing to the floor.

[Aria]

@Virtual Scream / Gossamer
[September 1, 2072, 12:19, Argent's ‘link node]
PAN: N/A, SIN: None, Response *, Signal *, System (5), Firewall (4), (Analyze, Scan, Decrypt, Exploit [5, inherent], Stealth [6, inherent], Armour, Browse, Encrypt, Medic [6, ergo, optzd])

Abandoning, for now, the safety of the hidden node, Gossamer propelled herself through the glories of the matrix and ensconced her code base in the haven of Argent’s link, revelling in the improved performance of a SOTA node rather than the antiquated system she had been inhabiting moments before.

<<@Argent[Gossamer]: Thank you, I have arrived in your ‘link and I am accessing the camera feed so that I can see what is happening. It is strange to be looking on my body from the outside like this, I feel somehow vulnerable. I hope that the people you have drafted in to help will be able to purge the virus from my system…I do not think I can bring myself to inhabit the node if it is lying there dormant, it would be like sharing your house with an abusive partner, and there is no knowing when it might wake up again and what its agenda might be. I am certainly keen to find out. It seems to be too targeted for there not to be some sort of purpose despite how wide spread it was. I am sure we will all find out more as the hours pass, there will be too many people looking for answers for them to be concealed for too long. I want to make sure that those answers are in the right hands though, if this isn’t already some corporate weapon I do not want to think about what they might engineer it into given the opportunity.>>

[Aria]

@E:Tribes, Travellers
September 1, 2072 22:28 Approaching the Fre∑dom mall, Puyallup

The journey back has been largely uneventful. Everything seemed to be very quiet after the chaos of your original trip and you avoided the Knights and anyone else that might have given you any unwelcome attention. As the air gets grittier and the ash begins to coat your vehicles once more you all start, perhaps with the exception of LeFey, to relax a little bit.

Avoiding the 512 and its greater risk of confrontation with rowdy go-gangers you are gliding down S Meridian with your goal almost in sight when the impromptu stinger flashes out across the street from a seemingly derelict and burnt out Americar that is already blocking one of the four lanes…

[Machine Ghost]

@E:Tribes, Sprogget
September 1, 2072 22:28 Approaching the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup
Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(3), Command(1), Edit(1), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Spoof(1), Stealth(3), Shield(1), Tacsoft(2), Simrig(1)
CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Hidden; SIN: Paul Brickhill (R3)

After getting clear of the high security Bellevue district, Sprogget had switched the CMT Clip from Active to passive mode.  When they reached the 'low rent' area of Puyallup, he had switched to hidden mode, accepting the risk of being stopped.  The smaller exposure to the >1rtu@l5cr3@m seemed to be worth the risk.  The virus made a good talking point if someone noticed and cared.

Sprogget sees a line being thrown from a road kill Americar.
@self:What?  A spike strip?.  Some people just have no class!  If that is a spike strip, they don't know much about this bike!
Evaluating the situation quickly, he decides,
@self:They waited long enough to make it hard too stop in time, which seems to be what they want anyway, and that might be a zapper instead of just spikes.  But with the maneuverability I have, I should be able to go around.
@jailbreakers: <<Weapons free group.  Some joker seems to have thrown a home built road strip in our path.  I think I can avoid it.  The PAN sensors might be showing more detail shortly.  I'll try to give you more information on the way past, but that shotgun might need cleaning shortly.>>
Setting the sensors to record, instead of trying to stop short of the potentially dangerous road strip, Sprogget waits as long as he can, then takes the DR sharply across to the opposite side of the Americar and onto the verge of the road.  He leaves enough separation that the monocycle should be out of reach of a Troll swinging an axe from inside of the car, and accelerates past, hoping to catch them by surprise.
@self:Love this smart wheel!

Once past the trap, he swings back on to the street.
@self:I really should have driven right over top of that eye sore.  Spoke tracks right down the center line.  Don't want to panic LeFey that much, and going around seems simpler.  Over is just so much more ... stylish.  Poke a few spoke holes through the roof for a bit of emphasis.

As soon as he is sure of stable control on the street again, he opens a new windows on the tacnet, and plays back the recording of going past the car in slow motion, from when he cut across in front of it.
@jailbreakers: <<Let's see if we can get a look at who is in that bucket of bolts.>>
As well as looking for the Americar occupants, Sprogget also takes a close look at the recording of the road strip, trying to determine how dangerous it might be.

[RdMarquis]

@E:Tribes / Travellers
[September 1, 2072 22:28 Approaching the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup]
SIN: Iwakura Lain, PAN: Passive

They hadn't been in Puyallup for fifteen minutes before Morgan started coughing heavily. She covered her mouth with a sleeve and glanced guiltily at Sprogget. Yet another problem to worry about. "Sorry. I have issues with polluted air." She tried in vain to clear her throat. "Might have mentioned it earlier." Morgan reached for the gas mask in her bag. A bit of a desperate solution, but it beat hacking up a lung. She whirled around to check her tacnet display. Hurriedly, she pulled the mask on. If they were in danger, the last thing she wanted was for her respiration issues to get in the way.

"Who do you think did that?" Morgan glared at the footage of the car. The comment that weapons might be needed made her nervous. But this time, she was not going to freeze up. Slowly and carefully, the girl reached for her taser, mentally running through a half forgotten marksmanship lesson. Keep your finger off the trigger until you need to fire. Use both hands to keep steady...

[Dakka Fiend]

@E:Tribes, Tweak
[September 1, 2072 22:28 Approaching the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup]
Novatech Airwave: Hidden, SIN: James Teems (fake R3)

Tweak had exhaled audibly when their small convoy reached Puyallup. A known area. Maybe not safe by most people's standards but his neighbourhood.
Almost home, just a little...

The boy couldn't believe his eyes. A makeshift trap by some random street goons. That's what you get for evading KE.

Watching Sprogget's unicycle zoom past the obstacle, options start to flash through Tweak's mind.

Follow? Van too wide. Turn around? Too slow, suicide. Stop? Are you crazy? Run over stingers? No run-flats. So?

Tweak's voice comes out of the Van's speakers Uhm, brace for impact!

Frak, I've always wanted to say that in real life.

A feint smile can be seen on the boy's face as the Van picks up speed and angles for the hood of the wreck that used to be an Americar.

[phlapjack77]

@Virtual Scream / Dante
[September 2, 2072, 13:05, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1

Dante was tucking in to his first bowl of noodles and his second beer when the Amerind with the over-sized headphones stepped through the doors of the noodle house. It wasn't so remarkable at first, an Amerind in a place like this. Xiao Hong's gang was all Chinese, but they had plenty of business dealings with other groups. And Amerinds got hungry just like any other metahuman. It was more the way he was dressed, the way he held himself. His apparent confusion on entering meant it was likely the first time this guy had been in here. So why here? It wasn't the kind of place a person would pick to go to on a whim. At least he wasn't Japanese.

The guy's headphones didn't look store-bought, or if they had been, it had been a long time and many repairs and mods ago. Dante could appreciate handiwork like this. Could mean the guy was a runner, here for some reason or another. Dante suddenly got nervous. He'd been caught in too many ambushes, meant for him or otherwise, to not get a little tense when someone who didn't belong showed up at a place like this.

While his left hand continued to drink his beer, his right hand strayed under the table to his tactical pouch where the iBall drone was waiting. Dante was just about to command it to roll out and start surveillance when he remembered the virus. Dammit. He couldn't trust the drone right now. The hand under the table moved from the pouch to the concealed holster of his Ruger.

Then he remembered Jenny Ho. He motioned her over and said in a low voice in Chinese,

"Go over there and talk to that foreigner. Find out why he's here, but be subtle about it."

[RdMarquis]

@E:PL UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:38; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]
SIN: Spencer Lovett, PAN: Hidden

The adept grimaced at the man who had leapt down the stairs. On fire, no less. Either you were out of your mind, or my colleagues and I are something special. It was almost a shame he had no intention of talking. He was honestly curious if the three of them warranted that kind of recklessness. <<Good. Keep at it. We've managed to keep them pinned down here.>> Naturally, one of the remaining enemies chose that moment to shoot at them. Mordred threw himself behind cover. <<Get the exit ready, first. Then see about the transport.>> Adjusting his sights to where the burst had come from, he returned fire.

[Aria]

@E:PL/Chi Town/Copperhead
[July 9th, 2072, 00:26; Cortland St, overlooking the river, CZ, Chicago]

You feel horribly exposed out here, particularly as a gibbous moon chooses this moment to loom out of the cloud. Given that there’s not that industry in the CZ any more there seems to be a permanent lingering murk and the sudden flash of bright white light is all the more startling for it.

As you peer out into the suddenly dark shadows you catch flashes of movement that are too big even for the mutated devil rats that haunt the zone.

A single bullet spangs of the broken asphalt ahead of you, tracking from somewhere behind you. Stitch points back along its path and you see a flash of grey skin as the ghoul ducks back into the ruins. Moments later another round flies in your direction, once more with appalling aim, assuming he is actually trying to hit you.

You hear a hiss of indrawn breath from one of the ruined buildings on your right and a skitter of something dislodged…sounds like he has brought his friends to play again, they should have learnt the last time!

"Well you’ve stirred this hornet’s nest" Requiem observes dryly as he checks his pistols and looks to you for direction

[Aria]

@E:PL /UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:38; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]

Gemeaux

The bullets streak across the space but they are accompanied by a rather discordant clunk as the gun jams. It’s probably due to the tiny blob of white phosphorous smouldering near the smartlink camera, so it’s as likely to be a software glitch as a physical malfunction. You do see with satisfaction the blurry form of your attacker as he absorbs the burst more or less in his centre mass…

Mordred

Taking your cue from Gemeaux you let fly at the sole attacker this time, in spite of the poor visibility you see the flicker that means your bullets have hit their target…you also hear, all to clearly the whomp of the underbarrel weapon that your attacker swings between you and Gemeaux and see, almost in slow motion the small projectile become all too visible as it leaves the chameleon coated weapon. It flies past both of you and with a hiss ejects a cloud of metallic filings and you have a moment to duck before the air around you becomes lit with an incandescent light and a deafening thunder as the concussion grenade detonates.

[Fairy]

@E:PL UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:38; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]
PAN=Active; SIN:Nina Okada

Once the metal door becomes undone, Tsubaki will send the Collots out with instructions for the spirit to guard them while she is away... Away to where? Well, to get that damn boat somewhere at the bottom if this facility, of course! The woman has plans to bring the boat to shore and pick up everyone there...

Every second counts!

[Slacker]

@Virtual Scream: Dubstep, Dante, Cat
[September 3, 2072, 13:05:23, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: Hidden, SIN: Jo Datsik (Fake SIN Rtg4), Response 6, Signal 5, System 6, Firewall 6, (Analyze 6, Armor 3-Ergonomic, Attack 4-Ergo, Biofeedback Filter 6, Browse 6-Ergo, Command 6-Ergo, Disarm 3, ECCM 3-Ergo, Edit 6-Ergo, Exploit 6, Scan 6, Spoof 3-Ergo, Stealth 6)

Secondary PAN: Active, SIN: Jo Datsik(Fake SIN Rtg4), Response 3, Signal 4, System 4, Firewall 4, (Agent 3, Analyze 4, Browse 4, Edit 4, Tacsoft 2)


As Dubstep steps into the Hai Fuk Noodle House, he's a little disoriented by the decor and women in traditional geisha attire; not what he was expecting from the little he'd heard about the place and it being located here in the Barrens.

After a second, he shook his head and moved to a table where he could have his back against the wall and face the door. Doesn't look like Cat has made it yet. Guess I'll see what I can find out if anything obvious happened when the 'Scream hit here yesterday.

As he settles in to his seat, one of the geisha's walks up to his table and bows politely. Greeting in Mandarin, she quickly switches to English when he obvious doesn't speak Chineser."Nin Hao. How may we be of service to you this day?"

Pulling up the AR menu, Dubstep is surprised by the large variety of noodles. Who knew they could do so many different things with noodles?

"Um....whatever you'd recommend would be fine. First time I've been here."

Taking the opportunity to find information for Dante, Jenny asks "Oh? It's your first time? I am sure there we can find something to meet your needs. What made you decide to come here?"

"Oh I'm not here for anything.....special, he says with a glance upstairs. "Just meeting somebody for lunch to help them with something. Dubstep hesitates because he's not sure how openly he should be investigating the virus attacks, but he can't think of any other way to find out what happened."Say, you wouldn't happen to know if anything....um...weird happened here yesterday afternoon. Would you?"

Jenny's mind of course jumps immediately to how she's having Dante take a look at her commlink. Guardedly she responds, "Maaaaybe. What business would that be of yours? Thought you said this was your first time here?"

Realizing he'd set her on guard, Dubstep assures Jenny that he's heard about something hitting commlinks in the area and he's trying to look into it. In fact that's what he's meeting his friend about this afternoon. He's going to be clean a nasty virus off her commlink.

Instantly, Jenny's eyes brighten up. "You know how to clear it off my 'link!?"

In the next few moments, she briefly describes what happened the previous afternoon. She starts to mention that Dante had offered to help her get a new commlink, but a glance in his direction makes her hesitate. "Hey let me go get your order in and maybe a little later you could take a look at my 'link too.

Dubstep agrees. "Sure, sure. After I meet with my friend I should have the time to take a look.

As she walks off, he wonders who or what she had been glancing at. Probably her boss or something with how long we were talking to each other. He shrugs and refocuses his attention into his AR feed while he waits for the food.

[ChromeZephyr]

@E:Tribes; Scrapheap
September 1, 2072 22:28; Approaching the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup
PAN mode: Hidden | SIN displayed: Eric Jones

The drive south had been uneventful enough that, after retrieving the shotgun from the floor of the van, Scrapheap had begun to daydream. Deep enough that when Tweak's voice broadcast from the van's speakers he jumped. "...the fuck??"

His eyes widened when he saw the burnt-out sedan fast approaching the front windshield. He grabbed the back of the seat with the hand not holding the Remington and braced his feet as hard as could against the floor. Hope this seat belt's designed for more than just breeders!

[phlapjack77]

@Virtual Scream / Dante, Dubstep, Cat
[September 2, 2072, 13:05, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1

Jenny went and placed the stranger's order, glancing nervously over her shoulder at Dante several times. After the order was placed, she picked up a beer and brought it over to his table. His hand on hers as he took the beer could feel the shaking running through her body. It was clear the girl was excited and nervous at the same time. He held contact a moment longer than necessary, trying to calm her down. Also it would keep her here until Dante had found out what he wanted to know.

<<Chinese>>
"What did the foreigner say?"

Jenny's eyes flashed with excitement at the question. She snuck a peek over at the stranger's table, than looked back at Dante.

"He said...he said he could fix my link! Wipe the virus and everything! So you don't have to bother. Maybe he can help my friends at the clinic too!"

Dante's eyes narrowed at this information. He wasn't sure how he should take it. On one hand, it was good news that he might have someone who could actually get rid of the virus. On the other hand, it would make things more complicated to figure out how to make some cred from the situation. His hand released Jenny's with a small squeeze.

"I'll deal with this. Don't tell anyone else what he said, it could be dangerous for you". Possible, or not. No need for Jenny to run around flapping her mouth and spreading rumors. A long pull on his beer accompanied several moments of thoughtful silence from Dante as Jenny went back to her normal routine of waiting tables. He mulled possibilities over in his mind, discarding each one with a slight shake of his head. Finally one idea rose above all others, a way to take advantage of this new situation.

Taking the extra beer along with his own opened one, Dante approached the foreigner's table and pulled up a chair. He set the extra beer on the table in front of the man and smiled at him. The effect of the smile and his air of confidence was muted somewhat by Dante's appearance. A somewhat disheveled ork with salt-and-pepper hair in a buzzcut, the tusky grin stood out among small patches of wispy beard in various random places on his face. His grimy clothing showed signs of having been worn many days (weeks?) in a row yet still seemed good quality.

"This is free for you. My name is Dante. We can do business if you want. You know about the virus?"

[JxJxA]

@E:PL /UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:38; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]
PAN - Active ; SIN - Maximilien Danton

<<[Gemeaux]: Vivienne, see if you cannot get--->>

The flashbang interrupts Gemeaux's train of thought.

The assassin grits his teeth as his eyes and ears suffer the ignoble injury of being assaulted by blinding light and deafening sound. The explosion causes him to gasp in shock. The force of the explosion nearly knocks him from his feet. Whether through force of will or the potential shame of failure, he manages to keep going despite the the increasingly poignant and throbbing pain.

I shall take this one's life at the very least!

<<[Vivienne]: What was that?>>

<<[Gemeaux]: Find out what is wrong with The Retort while I deal with this odious pig-dog.>>

Gemeaux lets Le Repartie drop to his side, gripped in his offhand. He reaches back and deftly withdraws La Reponse from its concealed holster once more. He levels it at his attackers head, and squeezes the trigger twice. The gun pops twice, sending a pair of bullets whistling towards his enemy.

<<@Group [Gemeaux]: This is a losing battle, my friends. We need to retreat now, or else my employers will miss out on the distinct pleasure of paying me.>>

[Aria]

@E:CoP/Johnny Awesome
[August 20th, 2072, 22:00; Balcony on the NeoNet Tower, Oxford]

Ryl frowns at Bronwyn, currently by your shoulder with a hand resting lightly on your wrist as she accepts the glass of champagne. You can feel the warmth of her arm through your clothes and her intoxicating scent wafts around you

"She wasn’t supposed to interfere until you threw yourself over the edge, be thankful she was here, I might have left you… " she smiles to take any sting out of her words "As to why we are showing you all this, let us say it was a test, one you passed, and failed I might add! Money, causes, power, effect…what difference does it all make in the end? I wanted to sound you out because you interest me, more so than any number of those sycophants in there. If you can help us, so be it, if not or if you are unwilling then I have lost nothing and had a stimulating conversation to while away the evening. Sometimes I get tired of this form and it is good to stretch the wings and test the air. I have to say I did not anticipate you flinging yourself so forcibly out of my presence" she has a wry smile until Bronwyn interrupts, insinuating herself between you

"I want to play with him now Ryl…" but she flinches back as something flashes between them. Whatever the true dynamic between them is, the younger of the two seems to have the authority. Pouting she slides off your arm and disappears in the direction of the party. A part of you regrets that she didn’t get to play with you…but a more rational part of you has an image of a cat with a mouse…

"We argued about who should approach you. I am sorry that her methods are a little overt. I know you would enjoy her company, but perhaps a little too much! For a follower of the Invisible Way she has an interesting perspective on what that means. But then we all hide behind many masks do we not?

So, what do we request of you? I’m not sure that we do… If you happen to put a speed bump in front of that woman’s plans then we won’t complain, but it was just a topic of conversation wasn’t it?" and she is back to being coy again, bloody women, drakes, and their games…

[Aria]

@E:Tribes,
September 1, 2072 22:28 Approaching the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup

Sprogget (and LeFey)

As you fly past the wrecked Americar and run your sensors over the interior you pick out the startled face of an orc teenager. It’s difficult to place her exact age as orcs age faster but she’s probably around thirteen, scrawny for her metatype and looking increasingly worried. She’s wearing the gang colours of the Spined Drakes, the small time gang that used to rule the mall before the Fre∑domers politely asked them to spare some space or move on to other parts.

As you relay the images to the Jailbreakers there is a sickening crunch and the Americar whips around, narrowly missing clipping the mono. The stinger flashes around as the whole thing grinds up on to the pavement on its bare wheel hubs…

Tweak (and Scrapheap)

Ramming Speed! The van ploughs into the wing of the Americar and you are jolted but otherwise unharmed as the wreck bounces off your front and swings round, sparks dragging from the rims.

From somewhere behind you there comes the whicker of bullets as someone opens up on the side of the van with some sort of chattergun

Spring

You watch with amazement as Tweak rams the hulk off the road to avoid the stinger. From one of the buildings at the side of the road you catch a flash of movement and then see a bright muzzle flash as someone fires at the van…

[Notsoevildm]

@Virtual Scream / Gossamer
[September 1, 2072, 12:19, Argent's ‘link node]
PAN: N/A, SIN: None, Response *, Signal *, System (5), Firewall (4), (Analyze, Scan, Decrypt, Exploit [5, inherent], Stealth [6, inherent], Armour, Browse, Encrypt, Medic [6, ergo, optzd])

<<@Gossamer[Argent]: Glad you are back and safe.>>

"Gents, Gossamer is back in my 'link and looking out through my lenses."

Argent looks around the kitchen stopping at each of the people present. The first is a tall, skinny elf in a stylish but rather grubby gray longcoat. His white hair is spiked up and he has several earrings in each ear. He is leaning against the sink and gives a casual wave to Gossamer.

"This is Slater. He's not much to look at, but he's a pretty decent hacker. And all I could get at short notice."

"You wound me, madam. What's wrong with this look?"

She moves on over the elf's complaints. The second figure is a large, dour looking ork. He is dressed in black leather, slashed with crimson and emanates a sense of coiled danger. He is sitting in the reinforced chair that Argent has for troll guests.

"This is Cutter. He's the muscle."

The ork gives the merest nod of his head. Slater pipes up again.

"So you really are an AI. First time I've met one. That I know of at least. I'd like to meet up with in the digital sometime. Get a closer look at your code, if you know what I mean."

"Slater, this is not the time to be chatting up Gossamer. We need to deal with the virus."

"Hey I'm working on it. But careful like. There are plenty of reports coming in. At least to the boards that are still up. Seems widespread but pretty random. No idea of the source yet, or how to deal with it. I'd like to boot Gossamer's chassis back up and check out the virus in there. The one in your home node seems dormant. I'm guessing the one in the drone will be too."

He peels himself away from the sink and heads to the room containing Gossamer's recharging pod. Argent and Cutter trail after him.