 2072: Game World, IC thread for 2072: Recruitment always open! |
  |
 May 13 2013, 03:51 PM
Post
#2276
|
|
|
Shooting Target  Group: Members Posts: 1,547 Joined: 29-July 10 From: PAN Hidden Member No.: 18,869  |
@E:PL/Chi Town
[July 9th, 2072, 00:26; Ghoul central, CZ, Chicago] QUOTE (Aria @ May 10 2013, 06:23 PM)  As you reach up towards the atrium balcony on the level where Snag was lurking you hear a brief noise from somewhere higher above you and then a scream of superheated air as a coruscating bolt of fire erupts from somewhere around the roof and streaks down a few metres to your right. There is a gargling scream and the sound of something metal being dropped onto the hard tiled flooring… What the frag was that? thinks Copperhead as she rakes at the wasted ghoul with her razors. Another ghoul races at you from the shadows, damn things have such a small heat signature it’s difficult to see in the gloom, it is a wastrel thing, almost pitiful…as is the blow that it aims at your torso as you clamber over the balcony. "Outta ma way, I'm after yer boss!" There iss another mage here. A follower of the faith. Which faith is that? It matterss not, they are all the ssame in the end. She feels her hackles rise as Snake hisses a warning. Beware my daughter. The one you called Ssnag has been posssesssed by Sspider. Copperhead focuses her senses where she thinks the ghoul's leader should be. Where is he then? Show me where he is and I'll cut out Spider along with his fragging heart. |
 |
 
|
|
May 13 2013, 10:20 PM
Post
#2277
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 619 Joined: 12-October 12 From: Calgary, AB Member No.: 56,960 |
@Virtual Scream
September 1, 2072 22:28; Near the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(5), Command(1), Edit(1), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Spoof(1), Stealth(3), Shield(1), CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Powered Off; SIN: Paul Brickhill (R3) As the scream builds, then abruptly cuts off, Sprogget finds that his minor headache is now throbbing enough to be annoying. @self:Glad that quit. I’ve got more than enough headache as it is, and I doubt I’m going to get much chance to rest for awhile! Examining the new state of his former simple data sprite, getting what information he can about its altered capabilities, he discovers a few interesting things. @self:Added programs? complex forms? for attack and exploit. Massive amount of data .. QUOTE (Frank-Hunter) <<Incorrect. This node is being jammed. Reconfiguring.>> @self:That is a fairly smart distinction. There is not much (perceptual) difference between being jammed and in a deadzone. Either way there is nothing to talk to. How bright? .. Reconfigure? What? Then Sprogget sees that the attack program is starting to change, becoming something else. @self:Whoa! Self modifying code is one thing, but this? Keeping an eye on the changes happening in real time, he continues to study the modified sprite. @self:This now has an ID for >1rtu@l5cr3@m? That should be my ID! how? ... Registered? How? No remaining tasks, but one still active ongoing task .. but that feels like it will continue beyond the normal 8 hour limit where a new task would normally be needed to keep going? A ‘self?’ regenerating task! Whatever this “marriage” is, it has given Hunter a much longer potential lease on existence! Reduced processing from the data load. That is a LOT of data! Trid and other media data from the format. Maybe more things hidden in the sheer volume? Still basically rating 4. Not just sprite any more. Not agent either, although that exploit looks more like a program than a complex form. Not fully AI either, although he might claim kin to MCM too... Then the attack program stops changing. QUOTE (Frank-Hunter) <<Beginning data playback.>> As the media content starts to flow, Sprogget realizes that he is connected to the matrix again, as local nodes start queuing up as accessible locations. @self:Frak. What happened to the jammer? He starts to reach for the jammer device diagnostics through his skinlink, then pauses as he realizes that the jammer is still running, and that the morphing attack program is now acting as an ECCM filter. He starts to reach for the jammer controls, to boost the power, then hesitates. @self:I don’t really want that scream to start again, and that ECCM looks strong enough to slice through the jammer at max power anyway. Dithering briefly about what he is capable of doing, to keep the virus from attacking the team, he realizes that there does not seem to be any attack. Just the data being played like random clips from a trid. |
|
|
|
|
May 13 2013, 10:22 PM
Post
#2278
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 619 Joined: 12-October 12 From: Calgary, AB Member No.: 56,960 |
@Virtual Scream
September 1, 2072 22:28; Near the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(5), Command(1), Edit(1), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Spoof(1), Stealth(3), Shield(1), CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Powered Off; SIN: Paul Brickhill (R3) With the media data starting to play, and no apparent attack, Sprogget realizes that, yet again, he has too many things to accomplish, and no time. Not even in matrix time. @self:Still dormant, like the initial report? Now IF Hunter is still accepting direction from me, maybe I can add some controls or limits. I also need to see about managing this report better. It could take way too long to understand this. No context, and I am still in the middle of a potential combat zone. Idea. Hunter’s original task was to collect and report information about what was known about >1rtu@l5cr3@m. Maybe I can use that to get some control here. How smart is this combined entity? Taking a look at the Sprite from a new perspective, Sprogget considers, @self:Are you something new and different? He remembers vividly the hysteria when Techmomancers were first brought to the attention of the public. The lack of understanding and distrust, fanned by the the corporate spin doctors. He also remembers history information about similar happenings when magic and UGE showed up, and the changelings after the comet. @self:Are you trying to find a safe place to be? @Frank-Hunter:“Hunter, please pause the data playback. To fully grok this information, I need to reduce distractions, and perhaps acquire a gestalt of the content in a different style|order|format. Directly observing the bits of data you are starting with could take significant time given how much of it there seems to be. Time during which this entity|person|icon|node could become non-viable due to external forces. The physical|meatspace node location is currently extremely non-optimal for data processing. There has been a recent physical attack {gang attack}, with more possible in the near future {Jazz response implications}. I also have current constraints|responsibilities for friends|allies|colleagues {jailbreakers} around mutual protection across multiple modes {matrix|meat|magic} of interaction. Your unexpected transformation while acquiring the requested data is perceived as a potential|possible risk to the mutual protection goals of the group. Your initial reaction to the loss of matrix access was damaging to me, and the known past interactions of the form|entity|capabilities that is now part of you have been damaging to others, either directly {simsense overload} or indirectly {accidents|over reactions}. Within your new|modified goals, can you agree to designate neutral|friendly nodes as non-targets for that damaging scream that you are now capable of? At least unless they are actively attacking you? For the much smaller subset of those nodes covered by my team|family|tribe groupings, I also ask that where possible perceived attacks be replied to by requests to remove the attack, to me and the actual source, instead of immediate direct attack. What you identify as an attack may not be intended as such, and a short explanation may get the desired result faster than attacking. Your response to loss of matrix access is an example. That was started only as a precautionary measure in an attempt to fulfill my agreement|obligations to the group. In exchange, I|we may be able to assist or provide resources you can use to work toward your goals. For example, now that I understand that you are not an immediate threat to the group, I can disable the device that was causing you stress. Can you actively assist my group while still working toward you own needs|requirements”? Watching Hunter’s response, especially the ECCM program, to see if it reconfigures again, Sprogget accesses the jammer controls through the skinlink interface, and turns it off. @Frank-Hunter:“Specific to the original task of acquiring information; are the existing resources {PAN devices|backpack wireless nodes} sufficient to store the {data without the scream}? If not, what additional storage resources would be needed? Alternatively, can you directly act as an interface|library|interpreter for that data, so that it can be accessed in other fashions, instead of the direct playback you started”? Remembering that the data playback did not start until matrix connectivity had been reestablished, he adds, @Frank-Hunter:“Is the data you were starting to show all included in your local data, or are you getting some of it in real time from other entities similar to you, or even real time from live sensors”? @Frank-Hunter:“Regarding you current goals; can you clarify any difference between them and the task that I initially sent you on? Can you provide information about what is now needed to reach those goals, and the external resources and assistance that others me|team might could provide to help in reaching them”? @self:Whatever you are now, it is nothing I have ever heard of. The news I saw earlier did not mention anything about TM or resonance. I wonder who else has already seen you this way? Even without this perspective, there are a lot of powerful corps likely taking an interest. Guessing that the morphing program ‘reconfiguring’ is part of the ‘standard package’, without mixing in the sprite. That would help account for some of the abilities described. Every corp is going to want to own|control that ability, and keep it away from each other, for as long as possible. |
|
|
|
|
May 14 2013, 11:01 AM
Post
#2279
|
|
|
Shooting Target Group: Members Posts: 1,547 Joined: 29-July 10 From: PAN Hidden Member No.: 18,869 |
@Virtual Scream
September 1, 2072 22:28; Near the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(5), Command(1), Edit(1), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Spoof(1), Stealth(3), Shield(1), CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Powered Off; SIN: Paul Brickhill (R3) QUOTE (Machine Ghost @ May 14 2013, 12:22 AM) @Frank-Hunter:“Hunter, please pause the data playback....Within your new|modified goals, can you agree to designate neutral|friendly nodes as non-targets for that damaging scream that you are now capable of? At least unless they are actively attacking you? For the much smaller subset of those nodes covered by my team|family|tribe groupings, I also ask that where possible perceived attacks be replied to by requests to remove the attack, to me and the actual source, instead of immediate direct attack. What you identify as an attack may not be intended as such, and a short explanation may get the desired result faster than attacking. Your response to loss of matrix access is an example. That was started only as a precautionary measure in an attempt to fulfill my agreement|obligations to the group. In exchange, I|we may be able to assist or provide resources you can use to work toward your goals. For example, now that I understand that you are not an immediate threat to the group, I can disable the device that was causing you stress. Can you actively assist my group while still working toward you own needs|requirements”? Frank-Hunter stops the data feed at Sprogget's request. The skull headlight once again rotates to face the technomancer as if listening to his questions.Watching Hunter’s response, especially the ECCM program, to see if it reconfigures again, Sprogget accesses the jammer controls through the skinlink interface, and turns it off. <<I am programmed to seek information about >1rtu@l5cr3@m. This cannot be achieved without matrix access. Countermeasures will only be activated to prevent loss of / restore access to the matrix.>> When he switches off the jammer, the ECCM program does indeed morph back into an Attack icon. QUOTE (Machine Ghost @ May 14 2013, 12:22 AM) @Frank-Hunter:“@Frank-Hunter:“Specific to the original task of acquiring information; are the existing resources {[color="#9ACD32"]PAN devices|backpack wireless nodes} sufficient to store the {data without the scream}? If not, what additional storage resources would be needed? Alternatively, can you directly act as an interface|library|interpreter for that data, so that it can be accessed in other fashions, instead of the direct playback you started”? <<I am storing and accessing data on available hardware resources. Bionode not suitable for storage. Attempting to download to bionode may result in system damage / loss of data. Minimum requirements for current data package would be system level 4.>> Remembering that the data playback did not start until matrix connectivity had been reestablished, he adds, @Frank-Hunter:“Is the data you were starting to show all included in your local data, or are you getting some of it in real time from other entities similar to you, or even real time from live sensors”? QUOTE (Machine Ghost @ May 14 2013, 12:22 AM) @Frank-Hunter:“Regarding you current goals; can you clarify any difference between them and the task that I initially sent you on? Can you provide information about what is now needed to reach those goals, and the external resources and assistance that others me|team might could provide to help in reaching them”? <<I am programmed to seek information about >1rtu@l5cr3@m. There are currently 9,669 infected nodes to review. Estimated data storage required for all nodes would be system level 10.>>
|
|
|
|
|
May 14 2013, 11:01 AM
Post
#2280
|
|
|
Shooting Target Group: Members Posts: 1,547 Joined: 29-July 10 From: PAN Hidden Member No.: 18,869 |
<double post>
|
|
|
|
|
May 15 2013, 02:12 AM
Post
#2281
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 619 Joined: 12-October 12 From: Calgary, AB Member No.: 56,960 |
@Virtual Scream
September 1, 2072 22:28; Near the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(5), Command(1), Edit(1), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Spoof(1), Stealth(3), Shield(1), CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Powered Off; SIN: Paul Brickhill (R3) QUOTE (Frank-Hunter) <<I am programmed to seek information about >1rtu@l5cr3@m. This cannot be achieved without matrix access. Countermeasures will only be activated to prevent loss of / restore access to the matrix.>> With a mental sigh of relief, Sprogget thinks,@self:GOOD!|Yes!|Thank You Seeing the ECCM morph back into an attack program after turning off the jammer, Sprogget tenses, ready to activate the jammer again, but there is no attack. @self:Phew. What I expected|hoped for, but was not sure that was the way it would go. QUOTE (Frank-Hunter) <<I am storing and accessing data on available hardware resources. Bionode not suitable for storage. Attempting to download to bionode may result in system damage / loss of data. Minimum requirements for current data package would be system level 4.>> @self:Sweedack! Bionode def not suitable! ?system? 4? For the data package? That data must be very tightly integrated|merged with the programs. Data by itself should not need any processing resources. It is just text|trideo|audio|numbers, and a data chip can hold a lot of that. Even multiple normal programs could be stored (inactive) on a data chip. Why limited by system?QUOTE (Frank-Hunter) <<I am programmed to seek information about >1rtu@l5cr3@m. There are currently 9,669 infected nodes to review. Estimated data storage required for all nodes would be system level 10.>> @self:LEVEL 10!!. Slot, but I’d love to see the tech that could support that. Beyond UV! Wait a sec. Level 10 system. Hunter is rating 4, needs system 4 to store the data, but can interact effectively with lower rated nodes|devices, because he lives in|is powered by|is partly resonance. If I work on improving my resonance a bit, then stretch myself to the max, I could|might, mold|pull|create a rating 10 sprite from the resonance. Probably|likely|could kill me too, but that’d be an awesome goal|sight|accomplishment! @Frank-Hunter:“Be aware that the current bionode location is in an area where matrix access is not fully reliable. Try not to panic if signal strength|quality is temporarily not sufficient for matrix access, even when no jammer is being used”. @self:What next? Try to scan|understand the raw data, to see if can find a good place to start? I also need to let the team {jailbreakers} know what is happening. Yes, and that corp kids commlink has a piece of >1rtu@l5cr3@m on it too. Should see what difference there is with a normal entity|instance looks like, compared to Frankenhunter. Heh, maybe I can get a tutor sprite to help with that! See if that kind of assistant can get me better access to the data that Frankenhunter has available, and through him, the rest of those 9000 plus nodes. I wonder if >1rtu@l5cr3@m is a distributed AI? But not initialized|configured|booted yet? A permanent {no derezz time limit} entity similar to Frankenhunter would make an excellent guard|supervisor|assistant for the clinic|hospital facility that Oyl wants to setup. I think that would be able to protect patient data, and keep snoops|trouble makers|thieves out way better than any IC I know about! ... Uh, assuming that all the major corps are not sending teams against it, because they want the guardian, not the guarded data? Start with creating|forming|designing the sprite|tool|assistant for that. Sprogget reaches into the local resonance, trying to mold it into a sprite with knowledge of >1rtu@l5cr3@m and interacting with matrix entities. The resonance seems to be slippery, fighting his manipulation. The lash back is extreme for the level of assistant he was attempting to create, but he manages to let most of it slide past him. Just a bit more for the headache. @self:Drek! That could have hurt. Come on resonance, be nice to me. The tool|creation I want is right there! Taking a few seconds to visualize the desired result, he trys again. Again he has difficulty getting ahold of it, though the slap for the attempt is weaker this time. Still he only slips past most of the effect, increasing the headache enough to be persistently annoying. @self:Slot! No cooperation yet. Take a bit of break here, before trying again. Wanting|dreaming of a rating 10 sprite!? Ha! Am having trouble getting a 3 here! |
|
|
|
|
May 15 2013, 02:25 AM
Post
#2282
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 619 Joined: 12-October 12 From: Calgary, AB Member No.: 56,960 |
@E:Tribes, Virtual Scream
September 1, 2072 22:28; Near 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; Powered Off; SIN: Paul Brickhill (R3) It has only been a few seconds since Sprogget asked LeFey to activate the jammer, but overall status has changed significantly. Tentatively comfortable that Frankenhunter is not going to randomly start screaming, and attacking nodes, he shifts his attention from VR, back to AR, wincing slighly at the headache. @Lefey: “The jammer was not effective for long, but I seem to have control over what the sprite does. Hunter {indicating the monocycle ARO} switched to an ECCM form to bypass the jamming, which the original sprite does not have. Very strange combination of sprite and agent or AI. It seems to need access to the matrix. The blast that I got until he figured out that going around was easier than going through the jammer was NOT fun. Was not even aimed at me. Working slowly as he talks, Sprogget takes the now turned off jammer from under the harness, and puts it in a pocket of the coveralls. Undoing the safety harness, he collects the toolkit that it was in from LeFey. Separating LeFey’s travel pack and the Bag containing the powered down and infected commlink, he puts the toolkit back in the backpack. @Lefey: “I expect to be opening regular commlink communications, and restarting the tacsoft, again shortly, once I verify a couple more things. I suggest you ride in the van from here though. That was actually the original intent, until the previous scream caused plan changes. Hunter tells me that there are currently over 9600 infected devices, but the number is going down a bit. He also says that all of the infections are currently dormant, so until that changes there should not be any more scream attacks. Unless someone blocks matrix access to one of them. Regular comm usage should be safe for now. Or as safe as it ever is anyway”. Handing LeFey her pack, Sprogget takes the Airware out of the bag, putting it in another convenient pocket. About to put the empty bag back in the backpack, he reconsiders. @self:Let’s keep this where I can get to it quickly. Just in case. Openning his hip pouch, to put the bag there instead, he notices the snuff. @self:I’ve been using that too much today, but ... it is useful. Should cut the distraction from the headache a bit. Taking a dose of the snuff, he puts the empty Faraday cage bag in the hip pouch, closing it and the backpack, making sure everything is secure for travel. Fastening the safety harness again, he gives LeFey a twisted smile. @Lefey: “Talk to you soon on the commlink. ... I hope. I’ll get caught up on other things there”. Settling back, he switches his attention back to VR, letting meatspace go, except for the VR window displaying the output from the PAN sensors. |
|
|
|
|
May 15 2013, 02:45 AM
Post
#2283
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 619 Joined: 12-October 12 From: Calgary, AB Member No.: 56,960 |
@Virtual Scream
September 1, 2072 22:28; Near the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(5), 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; Powered Off; SIN: Paul Brickhill (R3) Returning to VR, the headache is still there, but has been pushed away a little. Sprogget takes a moment to assess the immediate situation. @self:Frankenhunter said system 4 for the data, and dormant. That should mean|implies that no devices are currently|actively being infected|attacked|exploited. Also Frankenhunter himself is not going to be too interested in nodes with less than system 4. OK, let’s get ready to travel. If this works safely, I can add LeO to the mix next. Keeping an eye on Frankenhunter, he opens a live connection to the Doble Revolution through the skinlink interface. @self:Ready to give directions, or jump in if needed. Now .... Using the open connection, Sprogget merges the cluster of PAN sensor devices with the monocycle sensors, creating a single cluster that is now 'owned' by the monocycle node, and routes a copy of that data to the existing, and now expanded, meatspace display window. @self:Back to molding|crafting that contrary tutor. Why limited by system? Theory|guess that both the data and programs could be stored on a data chip, but that the they have something like a Data Bomb .. not Data Bomb, IC, attached to them that aborts data transfers unless the desired|required conditions are met. Actually, since this is an active|running|live entity, it would just be part of the core program to intercept transfer requests, and do the abort. Even if forced to permanent storage, by powering off, before transfer, the program would open when the file was opened. I wonder what it would do if that happened on a bitty box, less than the configuration calls for? Putting those interesting thoughts aside for the moment, Sprogget focuses on the current task, blocking out distractions, and once more grasping the intangible substance of the resonance, sculpting it into the assistant he wants. This time it does not twist out of his grasp, and the required effort is much less. He easily shrugs off the tiring that can be caused when manipulating the resonance. Professor Gadget forms from the stuff of the resonance, looking like a stylized and steampunked cartoon of Sprogget himself. @self:There. Only one task, but that is all I need for now. @Frank-Hunter:“Configure to provide Professor Gadget access to the data that you have|have access too about >1rtu@l5cr3@m, to use as a data source for a knowsoft”. @self:I wonder if he could have reconfigured to act as a knowsoft directly? I can ask in a minute here. @Professor Gadget:“Provide me with your knowsoft skills, using the data available through Hunter|Frankenhunter for >1rtu@l5cr3@m”. Professor Gadget plugs directly into Sprogget’s knowledge centers, then reaches a connection out to Frankenhunter. New knowledge appears in Sprogget’s mind, like it had always been there. |
|
|
|
|
May 15 2013, 07:39 AM
Post
#2284
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 590 Joined: 30-January 12 Member No.: 48,557 |
@E:Tribes, Virtual Scream
September 1, 2072 22:28; Near the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup SIN: Iwakura Lain, PAN: Passive For a moment, she simply stared. "I'll get back to you when I come to terms with the fact that my knowledge of the Matrix is even more limited than previously imagined." Before Sprogget spoke the words, she had known them to be impossible. LeFey cringes at the sight of the sprite. It was a horrified fascination, tempered by a new idea. "You don't think it Threaded the new form, do you?" She trades items automatically, lost in thought. So, what was Hunter now? Had the virus gone as far as to change its nature? Did the traditional relationship it shared with its technomancer still apply? She bites her lip, then flicks at her glasses. "Be careful. This can't be over." Even if the scream had somehow passed, like a natural disaster, there was still the matter of finding out what on Earth it was. "At best, we have a temporary reprieve." She turns around to join the others. |
|
|
|
|
May 16 2013, 01:33 AM
Post
#2285
|
|
|
Runner Group: Members Posts: 3,473 Joined: 24-May 10 From: Beijing Member No.: 18,611 |
@Virtual Scream / Dante, Dubstep, Cat
[September 2, 2072, 13:20, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle] Those who start to clean the restaurant get nothing but a quick glance from Dante before he returns to what he was doing. He is not at all inclined to help - that's not his job. Those below him, those less than him, it is to them to clean up afterwards. His job had been to deal with the threat. His job right now was to make sure there would be no more surprises like this one and to wait for Xiao Hong's men to arrive. He takes a position near the front door that's as tactically advantageous as possible, trying to have a clear view (and field of fire) of the entrance. The uzi and Colt America are held loosely in his left and right hands, respectively. Meanwhile he communicates with those who now are as close to a team as he's had in awhile. <<@Dubstep, Cat [Dante]: Have you fixed the drone with success? I can use it when it's ready. What paydata can you find on the commlink of these assholes ?>> |
|
|
|
|
May 16 2013, 04:35 PM
Post
#2286
|
|
|
Dragon Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 4,258 Joined: 9-March 10 From: The Citadel Member No.: 18,267 |
@E:Tribes
September 1, 2072 22:29; S Meridian, heading south to the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup Jailbreakers Sprogget shakes off whatever was bothering him and a slightly shaken LeFey climbs into the somewhat battered van with Tweak and you are all ready to head for home as fast as your wheels (and rotors in LeO’s case) can take you. When you get there it’s like a kicked ant’s nest with people frantically moving around without any clear direction. It seems the attack has passed on for now otherwise surely they would all have been under cover and hidden away. As you swing into a loading bay Jazz jumps down from the upper level, a heavily customised hound drone landing heavily beside her, the machine gun on its back tracking any movement. Almost instinctively Sprogget recognises the work of another Daedalus techno, interesting that you didn’t spot it before but perhaps you were too busy trying not to be pissed at her attitude towards the Mech rube! "You made it back in then? Good, sounds like you had more luck than Charlie and his patrol. I want you to head back out…we need to make our presence felt, let them understand they haven’t beaten us…it’ll only get worse if they think we’re running scared. They seem to be using hit and run tactics so watch your backs! Don’t stray too far, backup is being spread thin and we can’t afford to pull anyone out of the fire." she goes quiet for a moment as she listens to some internal voice "Damn, I’ve got to go…shit, Tweak, Spring, get your hoops out of there…I’m not sending kids out to fight for us. And you’re her?" addressed to LeFey "I’m sorry about this…Prospero wants to see you…" and she’s gone, running out of the dock before any of you can get a chance to question her… September 1, 2072 22:33; 39th Ave SW, south of the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup Crow "Hoi, Chummers! .. No one tell you it's dangerous to go kicking 'Drake' nests? …easy friend, just looking for food or barter, thought you might have needed a hand after I seen the ordnance they were toting!" The aggressive response from the big orc is about what you were expecting but the AK he is vaguely waving in your direction is a little unsettling… "Dis ain't no fuckin' Drake's anything, dey shoulda been smarter dan to try and come back. You wanna barter, mebbe you helps kick the rest of 'em back to whatever hole they crawled outta. Otherwise, keep on walkin'." A large explosion draws every eye and you see a plume of smoke rising from somewhere towards the Mechanical’s territory off to the south of you… Lilly So what now…the street has emptied, not that it is ever populous around here, that explosion is between you and your destination. They won’t be please back home if you come back without the part but they wouldn’t expect you to walk through a fragging war zone… |
|
|
|
|
May 16 2013, 07:33 PM
Post
#2287
|
|
|
Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,113 Joined: 24-January 13 From: Here to Eternity Member No.: 70,521 |
@E:Tribes
September 1, 2072 22:33; 39th Ave SW, south of the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup Crow holds his hands out to the ork in front placatorily, he looks from him and to the south only now registering the plume and recognising it for what it is then making the mental connection between these people and what he supposes is their intended destination. "I can help, you don't seem the types ta turn down a friendly assist, all I ask is a place ta rest and food to trade for" Crow shrugs non commitally " your choice, but I guess i'm heading your direction either way so, a ride'd be 'preciated" |
|
|
|
|
May 16 2013, 11:55 PM
Post
#2288
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 869 Joined: 8-March 02 Member No.: 2,252 |
@Virtual Scream, Alex Bianchi
September 2, 2072, 12:50; Not quite the Barrens Renraku Sensei: Hidden | SIN: Jimmy Delfino (Fake ID, Rating 3) (Re 2 - Sig 4 - Fi 2 - Sys 2) Alex watched the rust bucket rattle down the street until it turned the corner and he couldn't hear it anymore, then his shoulders slumped and his hands started trembling as the adrenaline dump he'd somehow suppressed when Twitchy popped his spurs flooded his system. Damn. Damn. Not twenty years old anymore, Bianchi. He took a few deep breaths and tried to find the calm spot the department shrink had half-assedly taught him after his first officer-involved-shooting, but it was…blocked…somehow. Alex frowned, then shook his head and started grabbing the items off of the table. He pocketed his own commlink in the inside pocket of his jacket, then filled the outside ones with the other 'links and players. The last item he held in his hand and contemplated. He recognized it as a wireless sniffer, he'd used them before when he and Selene had been part of a Matrix gang takedown several years before. What he couldn't figure out was what it was doing here. Finally, he shrugged and put it in the pocket with his 'link. Maybe Harvey'll have some insight on it… He hefted the terminal, then looked down at Charlie. "Thanks for the assist. Let's get back to Alpha and return to base." The machine-gun mounts "nodded" and the two of them left the building. Once Beta and Charlie had situated themselves back into the drone racks Alex climbed into the driver's seat and gave Alpha the commands to return to the garage. Then he relaxed as best he could in the seat designed for a dwarf and closed his eyes, trying to blot out the burgeoning headache clawing at his temples. After a moment the sounds of traffic and the city faded, and the memory of the gangers played in his mind's eye. [ Spoiler ] Alex blinked as a drop of sweat slipped into his eyes, then drew in a breath he didn't know he was holding. A glance in the rear-view mirror showed his hair matted to his forehead with perspiration, and then his stomach rumbled. He was famished, as though he hadn't eaten in days. Jesus. It looks like I've run a marathon while boxing with Selene. He barely noticed when the van pulled into the bay of Harvey's garage, then the back doors opened and the two drones dropped from their racks and headed towards their fueling stations. Harvey limped out of the back area, bandaged and bruised, a well-used assault rifle in his hands. "Hands where I can…fraggin' hell, Bi–Jimmy, you take a swim in your clothes?" Alex winced as he finished getting out of the van, his back protesting where the dwarf-sized chair had dug into it on the trip back. "No, just been a tougher afternoon than I've had in a while. I got the gear, I'll bring it back to the office in a second. Doc leave you with any meds, my back and head're killin' me." The dwarf nodded. "Yeah, I'll get it while you bring the stuff back. They didn't do nothing to it, did they?" "Not as far as I could tell. They had something else, too. Show you in a second." Alex grabbed the terminal from the van and lugged it and the other electronics into the back room. Harvey set a glass of water and a couple pills on the desk, indicating where to put the terminal on the desk with a tilt of his chin. He ignored Alex while he hooked cables back to it, then breathed a sigh of relief as it booted up normally. "Job well done, Jimmy. Your 'link is showing it's good, as well." Alex nodded, swallowing the last of the water. It eased the worst of the hunger pangs, but he knew he'd better get something in his stomach soon if he didn't want to start getting nauseous. "Wonderful. Here's the thing I wanted you to have a look at. I'd like it back after you have a look, give me any ideas why three Young Guns would have something like it, not their normal racket." He handed over the wireless sniffer to the dwarf. Harvey looked it over, then turned back and tagged a few keys connected to the terminal. A smaller box hummed on another desk behind him, and he dropped it onto it. "Give me until tomorrow morning, doc says I gotta let my head clear. I'll even give ya my "chummers" rate…this time." The weary detective shook his head minutely, but he knew that "biz was biz". "Sure thing. I'll see you tomorrow." September 2, 2072, 14:20; Alex's Everett apartment Hermes Ikon: Active | SIN: Alexander Bianchi ( Re 4 - Sig 3 - Fi 5 - Sys 4 - Agent 4 [running Analyze 4] Alex finished eating the third Nuke Burger he'd microwaved upon getting home and finally his stomach gave a contended rumble. He threw the packages into the trash compactor, then grabbed his commlink with hands that were no longer shaking. He shifted through the contact list until he found the number for "Bobby's Cleaners" and hit the dial button. After a few rings, a nasally Italian voice rumbled on the other end of the line. "You've reached Bobby's Cleanas, we're all inna back pressin' suits. Leave a message." "Hey, Bobby, it's Joe Johnson. Think I left a couple optical chips in the gray pants I dropped off last night just before you closed. They've got some family pics on 'em my wife'll kill me for losing. Give me a call, let me know when's a good time to come pick 'em up." Alex killed the connection, hoping his cousin hadn't changed the codewords in the last couple of months. It was time to replace the fake ID and licenses, anyways. Twenty minutes later the incoming call indicator flickered in his vision. "Mr. Johnson, we found the chips you left us a message for, you're a lucky man. Those pants were just about to go into the press." The voice on the other end was a soldato that accompanied his cousin to the family reunions, and he sounded a little put out. Alex winced; this was going to cost. "Good to hear. When I swing by and get them?" "Come by at 7, we'll have 'em waiting for you in the after-hours pickup. Ciao." The line went dead. Cafe Molise, then. Ricky must be wanting seafood. Yeah, this is gonna be expensive. Though it does mean I've got time for a nap ahead of it. |
|
|
|
|
May 17 2013, 04:02 PM
Post
#2289
|
|
|
Dragon Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 4,258 Joined: 9-March 10 From: The Citadel Member No.: 18,267 |
@Virtual Scream / Gossamer
[September 1, 2072, 17:04, Living Doll node] PAN: N/A, SIN: None, Response 5*, Signal 3*, System (5), Firewall (4/6), (Analyze, Scan, Decrypt, Exploit [5, inherent], Stealth [6, inherent], Armour, Browse, Encrypt, Medic [6, ergo, optzd]) As the van rumbles through Bellevue and towards the barrens Gossamer spares a bit of her attention to test the parameters of her new temporary home. The sluggish response is gone as the enhanced Spark chip hotlined the system but without finally committing to make this node her home it wouldn’t benefit from the integration of her codebase. From Cutter and Slater’s reaction to her current form she was beginning to rethink the strategy of using a child’s body to help go unnoticed. She had recognised the differences in the way children were treated but perhaps had not appreciated the limitations that would be placed on her because of it. Her core programming had prepared her to be an unobtrusive, watchful servant of metahumanity and since her awakening she had felt compelled to uphold those ideals. She diverted part of her attention away from the trip they were making and did a rapid search on humanoid drone sales. Immediately dismissing the endless adverts for the Manservant and the more security minded Tandem drone she honed in on the Mitsuhama Nadeshiko Android Mk-4. She immediately dismissed some of the more voluptuous models, clearly designed to be sexbots for the rich and lonely. Whilst sex was clearly important to metahumanity, and her core programming had included it, such creations would hinder her need to blend in. The one that appealed was strikingly similar to her original form and she wondered if the designers had shared input, such things weren’t unknown… As they arrived in the barrens she carefully noted the security measures around them and immediately began to plot escape routes, hiding places, anything that would help in the event that things ‘went south’ as the humans said. Once they were settled into a semi-hospitable room she turned to Slater "So, we have two potential targets, do you want to go in tandem or separately? I don’t know yet what we are facing so I don’t know if a distraction is warranted but it would probably be best to plan for a number of possibilities. For now I will probe their nodes for weaknesses and then we can progress from there…" |
|
|
|
|
May 17 2013, 06:48 PM
Post
#2290
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 619 Joined: 12-October 12 From: Calgary, AB Member No.: 56,960 |
@E:Tribes, Virtual Scream
September 1, 2072 22:28; Near 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; Powered Off; SIN: Paul Brickhill (R3) As the new knowledge flows through his thoughts, with nothing immediately showing any more risk than already anticipated, Sprogget continues to prepare the tacnet for use by the team. @self:Looking good. Strange, but acceptable|workable. Lot’s to still consider|do|think about, but that can wait. Need a last couple of safety checks before providing a full connection and tacnet to the team. Switching his attention back to AR just long enough to power up the CMT clip, he returns immediately to VR to watch Frankenhunter as the commlink goes through the full power on and boot process. Once that is done he logs on to it, then initializes the tacnet complex form and commands the CMT clip to slave itself to his bio node, and join the tacnet. CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Hidden; SIN: Paul Brickhill (R3) @self:Good. Tacnet running, and not a twitch out of Frankenhunter. Now for the acid test. If anything around here is going to tempt Frankenhunter to move without explicit instructions, it’s LeO’s custom node! Watching Frankenhunter carefully, Sprogget brings LeO into the tacnet. @LeO[Sprogget]: <<Login: Sprogget; Authentication {Sprogget ID}.>> @Sprogget[LeO]:<<Ready, {Sprogget ID} logged in as admin.>>@LeO[Sprogget]: <<Command: Slave to {Sprogget ID}, join tacnet at that address.>> @Sprogget[LeO]:<<Ack>>@LeO[Sprogget]: <<Command: Go autonomous overwatch mode; environment barrens mixed/hostile.>> @Sprogget[LeO]:<<Ack>>Watching Frankenhunter for indications he is going to overwhelm the drone, Sprogget notes LeO’s depleted ammunition level. @self:Slot, but you can spit a lot of lead in a hurry! @LeO[Sprogget]: <<Command: Set firing mode to reduce ammunition consumption.>> @Sprogget[LeO]:<<Ack>>@self:Great! Time to get everything back to normal. Enabling the Jailbreakers access ID list again, Sprogget sends a voice message out through the direct connection addresses. @Jailbreakers[Sprogget]: <<I’m back. Matrix issues are under control. Slave your links to {Sprogget ID} again, to rejoin the tacnet.>> @LeFey[Sprogget]: <<Watching the combined entity work, I do not think that what it did was threading. What I could see was an existing attack program or complex form that changed .. twisted .. in place, becoming an ECCM program. Or the same program but with different capabilities. When I shut the jammer off, it did the same thing reverse, ending up looking like an attack program again. I have no idea how it did it, but the effect was like an object rotating in a higher dimension, showing a completely new aspect here, but still the same single object. The change was continuous, with no sharp breaks or jumps that I could see. I can not say with any certainty whether it is a program or complex form. I am going to be looking at the corp kid’s commlink in a moment. Maybe a piece of the scream that is not woven into a sprite will tell me something more, but I have my doubts. Yes we need to be careful, and watch out for repeats, or something additional. Still have to work with things as they currently exist.>> Sprogget uses the skinlink interface for the CMT Clip to access the commlink. He removes it from the tacnet, then adds it to the cluster of devices already being used for the monocycle sensors. @self:No extra tacnet channels, but that reduces the number of connections I need to keep track of, and still lets me use the commlink to make notes. I need to make careful notes here, about what I know about >1rtu@l5cr3@m, since I am going to forget when the professor ends that task. |
|
|
|
|
May 17 2013, 10:53 PM
Post
#2291
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 619 Joined: 12-October 12 From: Calgary, AB Member No.: 56,960 |
@E:Tribes, Virtual Scream
September 1, 2072 22:29; Near 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) Starting up the edit program on the CMT Clip, Sprogget makes a few initial notes about >1rtu@l5cr3@m. @self:This edit program is weak|junk|clumsy, but it will do for a scratch pad. About to setup to inspect the infected commlink, Sprogget is distracted by tacnet tagging something Scrapheap is carrying as an unknown article. @self:Unknown? What’s he got there anyway? Turning his attention more specifically to Scrapheap using the available sensors, Sprogget sees that Scrapheap is carrying a rifle @self:Good! He got the AK off of that junker. One less thing for them to use later. But why is tacnet saying unknown? Focusing his attention, and available sensors on the weapon, including the radio signal scanner, he takes a closer look. @self:Ah, he has not added it to his PAN, and it is not publishing any information about itself. It looks like a rifle, but it might as well be a void as far as matrix is concerned. Pretty good matrix security on the part of that bunch of Spined Drakes. I wonder what else they might have done? No visible markings. Not even a manufacture logo that I can see. No signal sources to show any RFID tags. No signal for the weapon AR interface. Wow, it looks like it would take a MAD scanner to even tell that thing exists, unless you have hands or eyes on it! And it looks new, not refurbished|modified|upgraded. Does it use skinlink for access? No marks|scars|scuffs where manufacturer markings were removed. That looks like something I have heard that black|clandestine corp teams would use, when their owners|masters|bosses want to be able to deny any association with events. The Spined Drakes are not that tech savy. Where did they get something like this? Where did it come from? @Jailbreakers[Sprogget]: <<Scrapheap, that AK you collected is raising questions. It seems way too good compared to the rest of the tech we saw, and how tech savvy the Spined Drakes are supposed to be. I think we should have a close look at it when we get to the mall. I have a scanner in my pack that might tell us more. Spring? Have you seen anything like it? Tweak and LeFey, I am not finding any signals associated with that weapon, and it sure does not look like tech old enough to not have a node. Here {radio signal scanner address} is the scanner I used, if you want to have a look yourself. The NLJD does not have the range to look from here.>> @self:Right now I wish that the Non-Linear Junction Detector was in the van instead of my backpack. It would have been, except I pulled it out of LeFey’s pack when I was removing the tracer|security tag|sliver! Nothing more I can do about that for now. Time to have a first look at that >1rtu@l5cr3@m on the commlink that corp’r donated|gave away. Switching from VR to AR for a moment, Sprogget gets the empty Faraday cage bag out of his hip pack, and puts it open in a large pocket of the coverall. Full, the bag would never fit in the pocket, but empty there is lots of room. He arranges it, so that the Airware commlink can be placed inside the bag, where it still has matrix access through the open top, but so that the bag can be closed quickly to block signal access. Powering the Airware on, he immediately places it in the bag, then returns to VR to wait through the startup process. @self:Frankenhunter’s task|purpose|programming is to seek|acquire information about >1rtu@l5cr3@m. I wonder ... @Frank-Hunter:“This {Airware node icon} contains an instance|part|segment of the >1rtu@l5cr3@m entity|virus that I wish to review. Can you provide me access|credentials to get in there, or have the instance already in there open the door to let me in? That is without changing it. I want to look at it when it is not merged with|part of|fused with|inside of a sprite”. @self:Or am I going to have to break down the door|firewall? If so, I wonder if I can use that ping Frankenhunter told me about to make it easier? I don’t use Exploit enough to be good at it. I could use a 'Cracker', but then I'd lose the Professor, and I want to have the knowledge when looking at the real thing. Maybe LeFey could help, if Frankenhunter can’t|won’t. This is not like the Fre∑dom sensor mesh. This time I do care about triggering alerts. Although a normal standard commlink couldn’t do much more than tell an authorized user, which does not exist here, or shutdown|reboot. There shouldn’t be any IC. An Airware does not really have the resources for that. |
|
|
|
|
May 18 2013, 03:02 AM
Post
#2292
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 619 Joined: 12-October 12 From: Calgary, AB Member No.: 56,960 |
@E:Tribes
September 1, 2072 22:32; Fre∑dom Mall, Loading Bay 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) Arriving at the Fre∑dom Mall, Sprogget takes in the frenetic looking activity. @self:I hope someone is directing traffic|overseeing this|knows what is planned. It looks more like running in circles. Jazz’s arrival with the drone is another surprise. @self:That drone! It’s been rebuilt. By someone ... yes I’m sure|almost positive|convinced that was done by a Daedalus disciple|follower|student! And it seems to be Jazz’s! I had no idea she was even a TM. I seldom see her in person, don’t think I’ve ever seen her in VR. Mostly comm calls. Never seen her with a drone before. Well! We may have something to talked about later. Attitude tends to get lost fast going over a set of plans, or a workbench with pieces of tech spread all over it! Listening to her rapid fire information, suggestions, orders, motherly advice, he thinks drily, @self:Yep, still got the attitude. Did Prospero assign her as 2IC, and nobody thought to mention it? Trying unsuccessfully to get a word in about the sample of tech from the Spined Drakes, he still hesitates when she pauses, since it is fairly obvious she is in communication with someone else. Then she is off again, then off and running. @Jazz[Sprogget]: “Hey, hold it, you need to see this!”. But it’s too late. She’s gone. Giving an exasperated look after Jazz, Sprogget shrugs and turns to Scrapheap. @Scrapheap[Sprogget]: “Let’s have a look at that salvage you picked up”. Looking around at all of the activity, he continues. @Scrapheap[Sprogget]: “The back of the van looks like the safest workbench around at the moment, where things will not get kicked, stepped on, or tripped over. At least as long as someone is standing in front of the door”. Getting both the radio signal scanner and NLJD hand scanner out of the backpack, he configures both to activate both the wireless and skinlink interfaces, and pops an ARO from each, so that interested bystanders have access to the scan output, but not the scanner controls. Dropping the signal scanner in a pocket, he joins Scrapheap at the back of the van. He sets the radio signal scanner to searching for signals in the space occupied by the AK on the floor of the van, much more accurately than he could while ridding the monocycle. He then moves the hand scanner carefully over the rifle, looking for any electronics. Talking absently, with most of attention on the scanner controls and output, he says, @Scrapheap[Sprogget]: “This has a 2 meter range, but a close look is best. Yes, some electronics. Looks like a standard device node for control. Some built in sensors, for things like strain and heating, not seeing any RFID tags, no stealth tags, no signal off the sensors either. Ah, there, it’s faint, but I see a shadow for the cabling to connect the sensors to the main node. That external smartlink is obvious, but again no signal. Wired to the main node. And here, electronics in the grip, again wired to the node. That looks like a skin link connection.”. Continuing more briskly, @Scrapheap[Sprogget]: “To use this effectively, you’ll want to add a skinlink module to your commlink, as well as a smartlink”. Touching the grip cautiously, Sprogget opens the skinlink interface. @Scrapheap[Sprogget]: “No obvious security, no user personalization, diagnostics look 100%, full clip. Seems to have been test fired, and not much more. No corp hardware or software logos visible here either. I don’t have the plans handy, but as far as a can tell, this is a generic AK-97 Assault Rifle. Just with no source markings of any sort. Somebody went to a lot of trouble to make this untraceable”. Thoughtfully now, @Scrapheap[Sprogget]: “This thing is so new you should be able to smell it. Even the node tastes new. And that smartlink. External, but look how it fits. Exactly the same color and texture as the stock it mounts to ... {incredulously} This was printed! It was produced by a nanoforge or nanofax! But word is that those are always hard-programmed to etch serial numbers in every item produced”. Creating a rough wire-frame model of the AK, Sprogget goes over the real item visually now, using the vision magnification built into the goggles, turning it to see all sides, and mapping the examined areas to the model. Examination finished, and confirmed on the model that nothing got missed during the check, he puts it back down softly. @Scrapheap[Sprogget]: “No serial number. This was not purchased. It did not fall off the back of a truck”. |
|
|
|
|
May 18 2013, 05:14 AM
Post
#2293
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 619 Joined: 12-October 12 From: Calgary, AB Member No.: 56,960 |
@E:Tribes
September 1, 2072 22:32; Fre∑dom Mall, Loading Bay 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) Reviewing the information and logic that lead him to the conclusion, Sprogget searches for an error in the chain. Finding none he says to no one in particular. @All[Sprogget]: “Trouble. ... BIG trouble ... Jazz, VR”. Slumping quickly beside the AK on the floor of the van, he shifts to VR even as he is punching an emergency priority call at Jazz’s comm, overriding every filter he has access to. @self:Pick it up Jazz, now! Waiting for the slow AR speed response, to recognize then respond to the call, he opens a new document in the edit program, and starts dumping information into it for a report summary/outline. @Sprogget[Jazz]: <<This better be important.>> @Jazz[Sprogget]: <<Very. I won’t call you grandma anymore if it’s not. Who is coordinating, working strategy for Fre∑dom? I have intel they need NOW.>> Jazz is silent for half a second, but either the promise or Sprogget’s tone gets through. @Sprogget[Jazz]: <<Nimbus, paired with Cam for you. He would not take a call from 'Paul' just now. Patching.>> @self:Knew it would be Cam, if he could stand, or even sit. Waiting again Sprogget continues adding points to the report. By the time Jazz connects back with Nimbus, the point form report is ready. [ Spoiler ] @Sprogget[Nimbus]: <<{briskly}You have something?>> @self:Good, does not sound frazzled. But that tone says if I'm wasting his time, he'll tear a strip. Then Jazz, then Cam. Then Spindle. I better not have misinterpreted this. @Nimbus[Sprogget]: <<High level interpretation: Someone is hunting TMs again. Here {attached} is a summary data file that leads me to that.>> Sprogget considered adding that he expected if that was known, Jazz would have mentioned it when she asked for a sweep, but squelched the urge. That was not needed here. The line is silent for about 5 seconds. Long enough to open the document, skim it, then read the main points. When he comes back, the voice is sharper, demanding. @Sprogget[Nimbus]: <<Tech corroboration?>> @Nimbus[Sprogget]: <<Here {NLJD scan data} {signal scanner non-data} {visual scan data}.>> A longer silence this time. @self:Might as well update the team while waiting. Using the Jailbreakers direct connections link, Sprogget sends a text message to the team, with the same data attachments. @Jailbreakers[Sprogget]: <<Reporting to Nimbus as I type. Someone MAY be hunting TMs again. See attachments The only marginally good news, and even that is mixed, is the final conclusion -- Sprogget.>> After a delay, that seems forever, but is really only a few more seconds, Nimbus responds. @Sprogget[Nimbus]: <<We’ll check.>> And he is gone. Sprogget realizes that Jazz is still on the line. @self:At least he did not reject it out of hand. @Jazz[Sprogget]: <<I need to report that direct to Cam as well, though I expect Nimbus will forward it. Nice hound by the way.>> Realizing is rambling, he wills himself to shut-up, but just has to add one more comment. @Jazz[Sprogget]: <<So do I get to call you grandma?>> @Sprogget[Jazz]: <<I don’t know.>> And she is gone too. @self:Right then. Cam. Recent, maybe ongoing, attacks against and around the tribe. I need to tag this call with tribe security codes, showing important info, but not a call for help. And tag it with “Sprogget” too, since the commlink is going to show “Paul”. Sprogget threads a simple encrypt complex form from the resonance, and places the call. |
|
|
|
|
May 20 2013, 10:57 PM
Post
#2294
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 869 Joined: 8-March 02 Member No.: 2,252 |
@E:Tribes, Scrapheap;
September 1, 2072 22:29; Approx 600m from the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup PAN mode: Hidden | SIN displayed: Eric Jones Scrapheap stares down the newcomer over the sights of the AK for a few seconds longer, then lowers it. "Hope you got skill with dat piece ta trade, dat's prolly all they'll be lookin' for. But you even twitch wrong on the way back an' I'll splatter ya, scan?" The maimed ork drops off of the car and heads for the van. September 1, 2072 22:32; Fre∑dom Mall, Loading Bay PAN mode: Passive | SIN displayed: Eric Jones Scrapheap listens as the ork tech-head spins out a metric ton of data about the Kalashnikov, most of it going over his head but a surprising (to him) amount actually understandable. The part about not falling off the back of a truck pulls the (functioning) edges of his mouth down into a frown. "The Drakes ain't got dat kinda pull, no way. Someone's pullin' big strings to hit da Tribes." Seeing that his fellow Tribal is staring off in the direction that Jazz went with a farther-away-than-normal look in his eyes and not paying the slightest attention to him, Scrapheap grabs his new gun and toggles the Contact list up from his commlink until he finds Dumptruck. @Dumptruck[Scrapheap]: << Skraa, boss. Survived a hit from summa those fuckin' Drakes, got me a new piece. [attachment: image from Srogget] Need a skinlink mod for dis new 'link and a smartlink chip for my goggles. Know anyone over here in Geekland that can help a trog out 'fore I go back out to bust some more heads? >> Sprogget's update message comes in just after he hits the send key, and it takes only a few seconds for a reply to come back from the troll scavenger. @Scrapheap[Dumptruck]: << Ain't you tha lucky one. We lost three of da crews to dose fucks. Nice toy, go talk to Servo over dere. He's one of dose hobbs, little greenskin bastard, but he's got some good shit. And put it to good use, da Drakes forgot we was nice in lettin' em walk outta dere alive last time. Not dis time. >> Scrapheap grabs one of the people running willy nilly, who nearly faints when he gets a view of the ugly ork holding his arm. "Where's Servo at?" The frightened man pointed towards the central part of the mall. "He's in the old Tech Haven store, please don't hurt me..." Screapheap rolled his eyes at the man, then tromped off to go get his gear upgraded. There was a small crowd clamoring outside his shop, but Scrapheap simply elbowed them aside until he got to the front. A small, sharp-toothed little man with welding-goggles over his eyes looked up (and up) at him, a sneer under his pointed nose. "I know you orkses don't got manners, but those are my customers, Mechanical." "Yeah, 'n dey can fuckin' wait. Dumptruck said you got the best gear to help me kill more 'a dem Drakes. If ya don't, fine, keep sellin' shit to tha fucks who won't take da fight to the people hittin' us." A grumble from the people behind him made Scrap turn around and stare the louder of the people down, his eyes daring anyone to step up; no one did. When he turned back Servo was giving him an appraising look. "You're on the counter-strike teams? Why didn't you say so, then? What you need?" "Skinlink module for comm, smartlink chip for the goggles, connects to dis." Scrapheap dropped the 'link and the AK on the table. The hobgoblin muttered under his breath in a language Scrapheap had never heard before as he looked over the items, then up to the goggles on the ork's head. "Done, give me a minute." Servo took the items back into his shop, and emerged a few minutes later holding them. "Ready to go. Good hunting." Scrap just nodded and headed back to the vehicle bay to meet back up with the rest of the crew. |
|
|
|
|
May 21 2013, 01:03 AM
Post
#2295
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 869 Joined: 8-March 02 Member No.: 2,252 |
Virtual Scream; Alex Bianchi
September 2, 2072, 18:55; Café Molise, Downtown Hermes Ikon: Active | SIN: Alexander Bianchi ( Re 4 - Sig 3 - Fi 5 - Sys 4 - Agent 4 [running Analyze 4] ) Alex pulled the Lexus to the valet station and stepped out, taking the ticket from the young man who was going to park the car. The restaurant's system picked up his ID and brought up a map of the seating, showing him his table was upstairs, and that his two guests were already waiting for him. He flicked through the wine list with his eyes and selected a Chianti Superiore that Ricky liked and added a martini for himself to be sent to the table as he climbed the steps to the front entrance. As he handed his overcoat to the coat check woman he focused his concentration on his Pattern, shifting it just enough to shutter the star of Talent in his core that he felt pulsing along with his heartbeat. The America holstered behind his hip felt heavier than normal as he walked though the restaurant, but he chalked that up to feeling out of place in a restaurant that he came to maybe once every other year. Ricky nodded at him as he sat down at the table, a small plate of antipasto and bread with oil and vinegar already waiting. The soldato from the phone gave him a flat once-over, then returned to watching the movements of the crowd as if he expected Triad or Yakuza assassins to burst from the kitchen at any second. Which, given his cousin's line of work, Alex couldn't really fault him for. He cleared his throat and dug into his memories for the Italian he spoke far more infrequently than he should. "Good evening, Richard. How are Kathleen and the boys?" Alex spooned a small amount of the appetizers onto his plate with one hand and slipped the white noise generator from a small sewn-in pocket of his jacket sleeve onto the table behind a candle holder, activating it with a flick of his eyes into the corner of his glasses. "They're well. Ricky Jr. is smashing records on the links for his school team, and Serena was just elected the president of her class." He paused, then continued when his bodyguard nodded that the generator was working as expected. "This is a touch earlier than you normally change masks, cousin. Is there trouble?" Alex hesitated as the server brought the wine and his drink to the table and took their food orders. After she left, Alex took a sip from his martini and shook his head minutely. "Nothing that obvious, Ricky. The recent troubles with communication had me in a bad part of town under Jimmy's hood, and I think I'd rather dump it than risk having any connections to it come back to bite me. I don't think they will, but something's telling me to be cautious." "A whisper in your ghost?" Both Alex and Ricky looked at the soldato blankly, who colored slightly and went back to watching the crowd. "I see. Well, it's not really my business why you need the change, but Grandmother would flay the skin from my bones if I didn't at least ask, yes?" Ricky chewed contemplatively on a piece of bread slathered in real butter, then tapped twice on the table with his ring finger, and the bodyguard casually slipped a padded envelope from inside his Armani suit jacket and slid it across to Alex. "A new face, as requested. I'm glad you mentioned caution, as the Family is feeling similarly due to the Knights making noise due to their new contract. These are somewhat more robust, which means I must unfortunately insist on passing on the costs. I'm sure you understand." Alex could almost feel the money sluicing out of his accounts, but he simply nodded. "Of course, cousin. One must always pay for good craftsmanship. Speaking of which, here are our meals." While the three men ate, Alex shunted the funds to the 5 shell accounts that the soldato provided in an unlabeled text message. When dessert came the three enjoyed a tiramisu that was widely regarded as one of the best in the city, after which Ricky and his escort bid Alex goodnight. He twitched a little when the bill came, but paid it anyways. Keep your contacts happy, and they'll keep you alive. An older P.I. had told Alex that when he was being drummed out of the force, and he repeated it to himself like a mantra as he exited the restaurant to pick up his car. September 2, 2072, 21:48; Alex's Everett apartment Hermes Ikon: Hidden | SIN: Alexander Bianchi ( Re 4 - Sig 3 - Fi 5 - Sys 4 - Agent 4 [running Analyze 4] ) Alex hummed along with an aria of his favorite opera, Turnadot, as he finished arranging his preferred set-up on his false 'link, checking to make sure that the Manhunter sitting on the table next to it registered the correct identification. "Jonathon Gozzi", deep cover indeed. Still, when you couldn't make them yourself, you were at the mercy of those that could. He still hadn't heard from Steven yet, which was a touch odd for the reporter. He opened a message window and fired off a quick message. @Steven Dark[Alex Bianchi]: << Haven't heard from you from yesterday, you get the message I dropped you? Let me know, yeah? >> His stomach full of delicious dinner and his mind burdened by the events of the last two days, Alex decided to call it a night. |
|
|
|
|
May 21 2013, 03:02 AM
Post
#2296
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 619 Joined: 12-October 12 From: Calgary, AB Member No.: 56,960 |
@E:Tribes
August 22, 2072 18:41; Mechanicals Complex, Sprogget’s Shop Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(3), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Stealth(3), Simrig(1) CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Active; SIN: Hugo Wright (R4) Having put the final touches to a new steampunk piece, a simple monocle with a frame containing a set of interlocking gears of various sizes, Sprogget examines it critically. Several of the gears move in response to changes in the very real settings of the device. An ARO overlay enhances the effect, making the fixed gears appear to turn as well, and ejecting small puffs of AR steam when a couple of the bigger gears stop and reverse direction. Putting the monocle through its paces, shifting between settings in both typical and unusual patterns, he watches the real and AR results, as well as the data output from the Monocle. He can 'feel' the node and data for the electronic part of the monocle in his mind. This sort of detailed testing is second nature, and nearly automatic. The initial design, and simulations of them, were checked and verified before the first gear was mounted. The changes were completely integrated with the built in diagnostics, which have all passed. No errors or glitches detected. This is just the final hands on checking to satisfy himself that no problems snuck in. Doing the work almost on autopilot, he starts thinking about the interaction of the node with the wider matrix, which leads to the matrix, and the resonance that he uses to access and manipulate it. Thinking back over how he has been progressing with his TM abilities, Sprogget is somewhat dissatisfied. @self:I have been slowly adding to|improving|tuning the complex forms I typically work with, and I am getting better working with the somewhat smart tools|sprites|assistants I can mold from the resonance, but there should be more|better|different. I see hints on the message boards that there are other ways to use resonance, and get more out of it, or use it more efficiently. I need to learn more. Finishing the manual testing, he puts the monocle in a box containing other work, some steampunked, some not, to be taken to the Mall. @self:I wonder who will be interested in that piece? It has good technical capabilities and the punking is first rate! It works|responds fine for me, but others just do not seem to get how to use the gear. It’s so obvious. Why don’t they see that? Anyway, some like the look, even if they find it awkward|clumsy|slow to use the gear. I might get a good profit off of that. Or I might end up with it back, and it will go in the Gallery for a while. @Daedalus[Sprogget]:“Dae, you see any reason why others have trouble using the gear I enhance|create”? Sprogget can feel Daedalus shift its attention to him, then back to the Monocle he was working with. There is a feeling of momentary intense focus, first on the device itself, then on the plans used to create it, and finally on Sprogget’s memory and feeling of working with the Monocle after it was complete. Then the focus vanishes, leaving a bare thread as Dae attention goes .. inward? .. Then Dae comes back. @Sprogget[Daedalus]:“This device, like most others you have done, is fully functional. The cosmetic|steampunk alterations|additions| you have made do not impair its performance in any way. It responds quickly|cleanly|smoothly to your request|orders|manipulation, and the changes flow smoothly from one to the next. There is no need for or use of resonance in the device or interface. The problem|issue must be with the others using the devices. They simply do not think the same way you do”.@Daedalus[Sprogget]:“So there is nothing that can be done to make things more useful for others?”. @Sprogget[Daedalus]:“Not unless you learn to think the way others do. I do not recommend the attempt. If successful, it would also likely affect, not in a good way, your ability to work with the technology. That difference is part of why devices respond so easily|well when you want to manipulate them”.Shudder @Daedalus[Sprogget]:“Right. Don’t want THAT. Others will have to make do with what they can understand then”. @Daedalus[Sprogget]:“I do want to get better with the tech and resonance though. How to I go about doing that”? The feeling of being the subject of intense focus returns, but with a subtle difference. Previously the target was quite narrow. This time, the target is much more diffuse. No, that’s not it, this also has sharp focus. But ... it seems to assess something that is outside of .. sideways from .. what Sprogget knows, although the focus is definitely very much on him. Something that Sprogget can almost, but not quite define. The focus snaps off again. @Sprogget[Daedalus]:“You are not ready yet”. |
|
|
|
|
May 21 2013, 03:07 AM
Post
#2297
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 619 Joined: 12-October 12 From: Calgary, AB Member No.: 56,960 |
@E:Tribes
August 22, 2072 18:41; Mechanicals Complex, Sprogget’s Shop Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(3), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Stealth(3), Simrig(1) CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Active; SIN: Hugo Wright (R4) Feeling a bit disoriented from trying to follow where that focus had been aimed, Sprogget is a bit slow replying. @Daedalus[Sprogget]:“Not ready? When will I be ready? What do I need to do to get ready”? @Sprogget[Daedalus]:“You will be ready, when you are ready. Soon, I think though. You need to harmonize yourself more with the nature of resonance, and its interaction with the matrix”.@Daedalus[Sprogget]:“Soon? Soon enough that preparations could be started? Are there things I could do, or at least start, now that would either make that learning easier, or just reduce the delays, when I am ready”? This time the focus really is diffuse, seeming to assess him in toto as he exists now. The focus is not going where Sprogget can not grasp it, although he does not really know what the goal is. @Sprogget[Daedalus]:“You are impatient, but have sufficient commitment. Yes there are things that could be done now that will easy the acclimatization when the time comes. These are not necessary, and could be delayed until you are ready. However your impatience would impel you to haste, once you know you are ready for the next step. Having the support available ahead of time harms nothing, and the effort of arranging for it could also lead you closer to being ready.With his Mechanicals urban tribe history, Sprogget is more keen on a stable and known group, than a group of random strangers. @Daedalus[Sprogget]:“Well this is preparation ahead of time, and some of those same forums should have hints about locating the more stable groups as well. Even if they do not advertise for fear of bringing undesired attention from corp experimenters”. @self:Like happened to Fre∑dom. @Daedalus[Sprogget]:“If I can not find anything suitable in time, the parties will still be available”. @self:Fre∑dom .. They have TM members. That is why they were being hunted. I wonder ... I need to talk to Jazz, maybe Prospero, maybe the members directly. Start with Jazz The tone of the thought is more approving than usual. @Sprogget[Daedalus]:“That would be effort well spent. A guild could have some additional benefits later on. If you locate a party before you are ready yourself, it would not hurt to participate, in a supporting roll, to aid others advance. It will not be the same. Nothing external can really prepare you for the reality of merging yourself with the resonance, but observing the effects on someone else could at least give you a hint of just how large the change is going to be.@self:Deliberate virtual damage that affects the meat? NOT LIKELY. @Sprogget[Daedalus]:“You do not yet have the patience for the longer term work needed to create a {Source Code master piece}. Perhaps later. I would be interested to see how your steampunk artisan skills mix with what you have learned about the interaction between resonance, matrix, the drones you inhabit, and what I have taught you.@Daedalus[Sprogget]:“So locate parties, guilds, and free sprites. And make friends”. @Sprogget[Daedalus]:“Correct. And continue to learn more about the resonance through personal study|use|practice”. |
|
|
|
|
May 21 2013, 03:08 AM
Post
#2298
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 619 Joined: 12-October 12 From: Calgary, AB Member No.: 56,960 |
@E:Tribes
August 22, 2072 18:47; Mechanicals Complex, Sprogget’s Shop Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(3), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Stealth(3), Simrig(1) CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Active; SIN: Hugo Wright (R4) Sprogget’s fills in a mental check list of things to do, with more items and details to be added as he learns more, and makes progress. @self:Submersion prep; Things to do:
Picking the commcode from his address book, and initiating the call, he gets. @Caller[Jazz]:<<Sorry and all that. I’m discomm atm. Leave a message or try later>>.@self:Frak, I don’t feel like doing the careful|polite message right now! Disconnecting, he considers, @self:Who else to try? That will take a call from a Mechanical, and should know enough to point to the right place? Maybe Tweak? Pretty young|juvenile for a breeder. I don’t know him that well, but he seems to be nosy|inquisitive|curious, and probably knows about most of the people|activities going on at the mall|with the tribe. Probably more than he is supposed to know. That commcode, Sprogget does not have on is own list, but it only takes half a minute to look it up in the “Friends Of” database on the tribal server. @self:Tweak, no other name shown, but there is a commcode. Alright, let’s see if he is home. The call goes through almost immediately, and Sprogget can hear him still talking excitedly to someone else. @Sprogget[Tweak]:<<I told you, jump right, or that trap will squish you flat. Hello.>>@self:Must be a game in progress, though sounds like someone just got flattened. @Tweak[Sprogget]: <<Hello Tweak. Sprogget from Mechanicals here. Wonder if you could do me a favor? I’m looking for who best to talk to at Freedom about learning more about Technomancer things. I don’t know everybody over there yet, but figured you probably know the best place to start.>> Sprogget hears a muffled exclamation, then the background sounds cut off. @Sprogget[Tweak]:<<Ah, learning about Technomancer things?>>@self:He can’t decide whether to be pleased to be asked, or nervous cause he is not sure how much to say. @Tweak[Sprogget]: <<Right. If you did not already know, I’m a TM myself though I work more with drones and tech than straight matrix stuff. I’d just as soon that info did not get outside the tribes,>> @self:But you already knew that last part. @Tweak[Sprogget]: <<and I’m looking to talk to others. Not a lot of other TMs here.>> There is silence on the line, but Sprogget patiently waits for Tweak to decide how to handle this. He seems to decide that he does not want to be directly involved in tribe business. @Sprogget[Tweak]:<<I seen some of your stuff, but can’t go passing friends contact info around, even to Mechanicals.>>@Tweak[Sprogget]: <<Wouldn’t want you too. But you do know who I should talk to? You can pass on that I’m looking? This commcode is good, and I expect I’m in your database.>> @Sprogget[Tweak]:<<Yeah, I can do that.>>@Tweak[Sprogget]: <<Much appreciated. Now go show them how to avoid that trap. See you around.>> |
|
|
|
|
May 21 2013, 12:59 PM
Post
#2299
|
|
|
Neophyte Runner Group: Members Posts: 2,113 Joined: 24-January 13 From: Here to Eternity Member No.: 70,521 |
@E:Tribes, Crow;
QUOTE (Scrapheap) "Hope you got skill with dat piece ta trade, dat's prolly all they'll be lookin' for. But you even twitch wrong on the way back an' I'll splatter ya, scan?" The words ring true for Crow, he nods a confident acknowledgement to the other of his 'kin' sizing him up, simultaneously slinging the weapon to his side Walking to the transport, although it's not far to their destination, he is loathe to abandon his first contact and then risk having to making another impression on the owners or operators of Fre∑dom Mall, especially at a time of obvious conflict. Strangers usually gettign the cold treatment. "Survived this long alone, to know I got your back! Name's Crow by the way, They got some good grub up there?" he enquires indicating the mall with another nod of his head. But the other Ork is already walking away and doesn't hear the question, obviously satisfied in his appraisal that regardless of outcomes, he can handle the newcomer. "Looks like you're off the menu Jack, ya lucky bird! .. real food for us tonight" He chuckles under his breath, trying to make light of the situation despite his fears that after all his time alone, he is now reliant on 'people' and in turn, they will be reliant on him. September 1, 2072 22:32; Fre∑dom Mall, Loading Bay The amalgam of sounds and smells and the volume of activity in the mall takes Crow aback at first "Too long away Jack, too long!" the shadow of the bird perched atop a rusting but obviously well used and maintained loading crane assembly Cawws back at him in response "Yeah, just keep your beak clean while we look around, you'd look stupid if it got chopped off!" Trying, now to remember not to vocalise with the spirit in the presence of others he wanders after his newfound associates into the mall proper, looking for supplies and ammunition, listening to the interactions as they occur, one question arises and he speaks outloud "The Drakes, I don't recall them being so organised nor equipped, not even so motivated ... what's gotten them so riled up to attack directly ?" |
|
|
|
|
May 21 2013, 04:09 PM
Post
#2300
|
|
|
Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 590 Joined: 30-January 12 Member No.: 48,557 |
@E:PL/Chi Town
[July 9th, 2072, 00:26; Ghoul central, CZ, Chicago] SIN: Spencer Lovett, PAN: Hidden Blue. Just like his. Mordred barely stops himself from recoiling as the man's corpse hits the ground. He hadn't done that since he was a teenager. He fights on. The hesitation might have cost him valuable time. And the carnage was somehow preferable to considering his victim's reasons for being part of the mob. Nonetheless, in between cleaving swings of his limbs and pulled triggers, a few grim thoughts form. That this man who had eyes like his descended into savagery and cannibalism, somehow managing to blend in with the ghouls in the process. That a wendigo was somehow involved. Depressingly, the "best" possibility was of the man being simply a resident of the city who saw an opportunity. Mordred catches a glimpse of the other runner. Change of plans, then. If the adept didn't make sure he survived trying to save his friend, they'd be down to just him and Gemeaux. Mordred's elbow collides with a ghoul's (or was it another human's?) temple as he moves to help the runner. |
|
|
|
|
|
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 23rd February 2025 - 12:18 AM |
Topps, Inc has sole ownership of the names, logo, artwork, marks, photographs, sounds, audio, video and/or any proprietary material used in connection with the game Shadowrun. Topps, Inc has granted permission to the Dumpshock Forums to use such names, logos, artwork, marks and/or any proprietary materials for promotional and informational purposes on its website but does not endorse, and is not affiliated with the Dumpshock Forums in any official capacity whatsoever.