IC: Oriental Opportunities, Avoiding death in Hong Kong Options

[Seth]

[18 February 2072,11:48 PM Lantau Island, Hong Kong]
PAN = Passive | SIN = Dr Yang

<<@Team[Dr Yang]:You are correct again Dante. As Lao Tse teaches us The man who can hold the principle of Tao's must not be indulgent . I was being indulgent in my desire for haste.

Let us wait and see what our excellent hacker discovers>>

[sabs]

Fractal
[18 February 2072, 11:55:44 PM Best KTV, Mong Kok, Hong Kong]
PAN = Passive | Fake SIN(3) = Johnny Cash | Wuxing Corporate Citizen


<<I'm your Huckleberry. Lets not count our chicken-hawks before they feed. I still have to break into this monstrosity and edit out my presence, and figure out what all is going on.>> Fractal double checks to make sure his stealth program has all the juice it needs. He curses softly as an approach he was trying to use, doesn't yield the information he wanted.

It's disconcerting to see Fractal's Stylized Matrix Icon show up on the Karaoke Stage and belt out what is possibly the worse rendition of 'Black Hearts, Dead Nights' by the Goth Girls, one as ever heard. And to know he's doing it while simultaneously hacking away halfway across the city eve more so.

<<They're matrix security was put together well. I've sent the last hour of security cam footage down to my link. If you guys want to analyze it for security patterns and the like.>>

[phlapjack77]

19 February 2072, 12:45 AM, Best KTV, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
PAN = Passive | SIN = Liu Zi Ang
DragonFly 1 autosofts: Facial Recog
DragonFly 2 autosofts: Adaptability, Clearsight, Covert Ops
iBall: Weapon Watcher, Visual Spotter

After dropping Dr. Yang off at his house, Dante and Kim continued back to Best KTV. After parking once again in the underground lot, Dante carried the bag containing the measuring device with him as they reentered the shop. Finding the team's reserved KTV room, he slouched down on the couch and popped the top on another can of beer.

"We've got four here - Ting-Ting, Hope, Max and me. Let's start some mahjong!"

During play Dante kept an AR feed in his peripheral vision of the security cam footage, playing and replaying on a continual loop. Slightly distracted from the game, he hoped his subconscious would be picking out patterns in the movements of the security teams.

[Edana]

19 February 2072, 2:30 AM, Best KTV, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
As the others continue their discussions over a rousing game of Mah Jong, Fractal continues the agonizingly slow process of subverting the final node's security systems. Not wanting to risk a blatant attack on the defenses, he scans and probes, all the while avoiding the watchful gaze of the IC occupying the current node as it performs hourly rescans.

Finally stumbling upon a particularly obscure backdoor, he logs into the node and is relieved to find that he hasn't tripped any alarms on the way in. Almost instantly, both of the patrolling programs scan his icon, but appear to pass it off as nothing out of the ordinary, and return to their vigilant watch.

A quick look around the node's processes and visible files show that extremely sophisticated encryption and analysis programs are active, and there are links back to the other nodes he's already visited.

[Thanee]

19 February 2072, 2:30 AM, Best KTV, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
Ting-Ting | PAN = Passive | SIN = Xiao Ling

Ting-Ting apparantly has some experiences in gambling, but hours upon hours of waiting are somewhat taxing and she is growing tired eventually.

"Maybe we should call it a night and meet again tomorrow, once we are done here? I suppose we all could use some sleep."

[phlapjack77]

19 February 2072, 2:30 AM, Best KTV, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
PAN = Passive | SIN = Liu Zi Ang
DragonFly 1 autosofts: Facial Recog
DragonFly 2 autosofts: Adaptability, Clearsight, Covert Ops
iBall: Weapon Watcher, Visual Spotter

Slurring slightly, Dante cursed out loud as he lost yet another game. It seemed either Ting-Ting or Max were able to win every single hand. He squinted his eyes and stared blearily at the two of them, trying to figure out just how they were doing it. Cheating, probably. He would've suspected the Japanese one to be the cheater, but so far Hope had also been losing. Just wasn't as good of a cheater as the other two.

"dammit fratal! you finshd yet?"

[Mickle5125]

[19 February 2072, 2:30 AM, Best KTV, Mong Kok, Hong Kong]
PAN = Passive | Fake SIN(4) = Zhao Shang | no-name street performer

Max's playing strategy for Mahjong seems to be as loud and flamboyant as a good follower of monkey should be. Every move is as grand and over the top, with some plays not even beginning to make sense.

"So, what if one of us approached Mr. Gardener seeking an apprenticeship? If he is a geomancer, it's definitely a skill that could come in handy in the future..."

[sabs]

Fractal
[19 February 2072, 02:31:44 AM Best KTV, Mong Kok, Hong Kong]
PAN = Passive | Fake SIN(3) = Johnny Cash | Wuxing Corporate Citizen

A swirl of Fractals changing and morphing get projected right onto the table, briefly obscuring the Mahjon game. "Omae, This is delicate work. I'm almost done. You sound like you drunk enough tonight. Maybe, time for bed.."

[Edana]

19 February 2072, 2:30 AM, Best KTV, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
As he scans through the files on the node, Fractal spots an encrypted archive that looks like a promising location for the access logs that appear to be shunted to this node from the rest of the system. A quick analysis determines that while the encryption is strong, it's not quite as strong as that guarding the node itself, probably due to the resources needed to keep it encrypted as new information is constantly being added.

While he's sizing up the likely log file, a link to another node catches the corner of his consciousness, tucked away in a virtual corner. It appears to be obscured in a sort of digital cloud, making in-depth observation very difficult, but what he does see appears to be on the bleeding edge, certainly more sophisticated than even the current node.

[sabs]

Fractal
[19 February 2072, 02:31:47 AM Best KTV, Mong Kok, Hong Kong]
PAN = Passive | Fake SIN(3) = Johnny Cash | Wuxing Corporate Citizen

Fractal is about halfway through his download, and examining that disturbingly high tech node that's just sitting there, begging to be examine when all hell breaks loose. First his system makes him aware that his Stealth has been breached, and secondly he realizes that this new node, is just, slightly out of his league.

Seeing the IC Agents coming to attention, Fractal mentally curses, as he stops the data transfer, and logs off the system. His tracks are mostly covered, and hopefully he hasn't made things too difficult for later.

With a start, he sits up from his slacked jawed lazy stance on the couch. "So, I hate to break up this party. But it's time to go." He flashes Dante a smile, "Good news is, I got a lot of info, bad news is, their security system finally noticed me." He flips his commlink around, and with a deft hand of practice pops the power-supply out of it. "So, where we meeting next? I recommend avoiding this place, until we see how good they are."

[Mickle5125]

[19 February 2072, 2:33 AM, Best KTV, Mong Kok, Hong Kong]
PAN = Passive | Fake SIN(4) = Zhao Shang | no-name street performer

"Got caught, huh? Happens to the best of us."

Max's preparations to leave are just as practiced. He whispers a quick prayer and suddenly picks up speed, his fingers flying as they pocket the mahjong tiles as he gives the room a quick look-over for anything that could be used as a focus for ritual magic. Satisfied with his cleanup, he grins to the others.

"I think the Monkey shrine would be a great place for the meeting. Nobody in their right mind would think about going there to do an ambush... Well! I'm off. Anyone need a quick invisibility before I vanish?"

[Thanee]

19 February 2072, 2:33 AM, Best KTV, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
Ting-Ting | PAN = Passive | SIN = Xiao Ling

Ting-Ting wonders why the mage likes the mahjong tiles that much, but figures that he probably doesn't have his own set, yet.

"Ok with me. Tomorrow afternoon? Two PM?"

[phlapjack77]

19 February 2072, 2:33 AM, Best KTV, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
PAN = Passive | SIN = Liu Zi Ang
DragonFly 1 autosofts: Facial Recog
DragonFly 2 autosofts: Adaptability, Clearsight, Covert Ops
iBall: Weapon Watcher, Visual Spotter

"Who needs ride hom? I'M DRIVNG!!!"

With this dire proclamation, Dante stumbled to the parking garage, weaving precariously as he went. Pausing to relieve himself at a retaining wall, he stared blearily around in the half-light, trying to locate his vehicle, trying desperately to remember if he was even on the right level. Finally remembering AR and map overlays and how to use them, he unlocked and started the truck on his way. He retained the presence of mind to choose the Pilot of his truck as the actual driver, right before nodding off into a deep slumber in the driver's seat as the wheels rolled forward.

[Edana]

19 February 2072, 2:35 AM, Best KTV, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
After the announcement by Fractal that it was time to leave, a quick cleanup and payments for the evening are taken care of as the remaining members of the group head out to catch a bit of sleep and some recovery from the night's drinking. At the very least, it doesn't appear that being noticed was cause for immediate concern, with everyone arriving safely at their own places. Only time will tell what the full ramifications will be though.

19 February 2072, 4:38 AM, Dante's Place, Hong Kong
Never the subtle or conscientious one, Jones attempts to prod Dante from his slumber with bright lights and an annoying high-pitched alarm, before dumping a file onto his commlink.

<<Li Shen Chang: Born ~1980 (Unconfirmed, but multiple sourced) Lhatse, Tibet. Studied: Lhatse Chode? (Unconfirmed). Moved to Kowloon in 2009. Single. No registered vehicle. Official records end 2022, same residence, now within the Walled City [Map attached](Outdated). Gardening business incorporated 2044 [Contact info attached], mostly deals with aesthetics and arranging, no menial labor, possibly some security design? (Unconfirmed). Current contracts: Kuroyama Geosource, Designer Genes (Unconfirmed, subsidiary of Monobe International), Wong's Garden Emporium (local). **You're worried about this fossil? Though, I will say you at least picked someone that lives mostly off the grid. You owe me.**>>

[Seth]

[19 February 2072,6:15 AM Victoria Park, Hong Kong]
PAN = Passive | SIN = Dr Yang

Dawn finds Dr Yang in his favorite park. Victoria park, was full of people, young and old, performing the slow graceful Tai Chi forms. Joining them he feels the harmony of his movements with the dawn, the grass, trees and the slight wind.

After a very contemplative hour, feeling calm and at one with his mana, he checks his commlink, nods as he reads what the others have discovered over the evening, and cycles home to tend to his first patient.

[sabs]

Fractal
[19 February 2072, 03:31:47 AM Best KTV, Mong Kok, Hong Kong]
PAN = Passive | Fake SIN(4) = Richard Wei | Hong Kong Citizen

Fractal makes his way to the ever present public transportation, activating his walk around town and be casual commlink, and id. Fractal loads up his Whiskey Noir skillsoft cluster, to help make sure noone is following him. It takes him the better part of an hour to get back to his crash pad, not so much because it's that far away, but because he takes a rather circuitous route to get there. He keeps going over the matrix run in his head, seeing where he went wrong, and what he needs to do to avoid that in the future. Of course, that super-drekhot node even farther down the rabbit hole keeps pulling at him. All that is later, for now he needs some sleep.


Fractal
[19 February 2072, 10:31:47 AM Home, Hong Kong]
PAN = Passive | Fake SIN(4) = Richard Wei | Hong Kong Citizen


Fractal rolls out of bed to the sound of his favorite Trideo Blog being projected by the Home Node. He has the house drone bring him a Congee breakfast that was delivered in the morning, and he sets about doing some modifications to his work link, so he can use it again later. He's probably got a ton of messages to deal with.

[Edana]

19 February 2072, 7:45 AM, Dr. Yang's, Hong Kong
Prompt as always, Dr. Yang finds Dao, one of Shen Li's advisors, waiting for him up his arrival at the office. The older man is well-dressed, and greets Dr. Yang with a deep bow, "Good morning doctor, I hope all is well with you. Our dear friend Shen Li sends his regards. He did indicate that you could perhaps offer a bit of tea or something to soothe this slight cough." The last bit is said with a slight wink and a bit of throat clearing.

Once the pleasantries are taken care of, and the two are in a more private room, Dao opens, "I hear you may have need to deal with a certain man called Chang, and perhaps a property on Lantau? I have seen much in my time, and few would mourn the passing of that Tibetan bastard. But, I get ahead of myself. I will aid you with the answers to as many of your questions as I can. Are there any specifics that you are looking for?"

[Mickle5125]

[19 February 2072, 12:00 PM, Best KTV, Mong Kok, Hong Kong]
PAN = Passive | Fake SIN(4) = Zhao Shang | no-name street performer

BEEP BEEP BEEP!

Max, in a half-asleep daze, slaps a few times at his alarm clock before finally finding the snooze button and falling back asleep... for all of five minutes.

BEEP BEEP BEEP!

"Oh sonuva!" rumbles out of his throat as Max grabs the alarm clock and slings it across the room. It smashes into ity bity little pieces. Once he realizes what he did, he groans. "Oh sonuva... That's the third one this week..."

Max sighs, gets out of bed, and shambles off to perform his "morning" routine.

[phlapjack77]

19 February 2072, 4:40 AM, Dante's Place, Hong Kong
PAN = Passive | SIN = Liu Zi Ang
DragonFly 2 autosofts: Adaptability, Clearsight, Covert Ops

Realizing that he owed Jones, Dante slowly, slowly got up from his cot. Accessing the soykaf machine and setting it to double-strength, he trudged downstairs to the entertainment room.

"Alright, bastard. Slot WE:Ultimate and get ready to get wiped out!"

19 February 2072, 7:23 AM, Dante's Place, Hong Kong

Finding that the win-loss ratio was a resounding 0-25, Dante sipped his 6th soykaf of the morning. The sun had risen slowly, stealing it's way between the cracks in the window-shades. Jones was just then greedily bathing in the total annihilation of Dante's defensive line, posting the 9th goal of the half. Sighing, Dante could tell it would be a long day. If he could just control the shaking from all the kaf. Thank the gods today was a holiday, and noone would be selling anything on the street anyway.

[Seth]

[19 February 2072 7:45 AM Dr Yang's Apartment, Hong Kong]
PAN = Passive | SIN = Dr Yang

Dr Yang looks inscrutably at Dao.

"Some tea perhaps?" He pours the old man a cup then sits down drinking his own.

"As Shen Li and your good self are aware I am from out of town, until last night I had heard nothing of Mr Chang: at least not by that name. This gardener is an ... obstacle ... to an endeavor that I have agreed to undertake. I am more than a little perturbed by what I am finding out. He is old, works with the Chrysanthemums (A most unpleasant group of individuals), he smells of sulfer, and his Feng Shui is very powerful. You will not be surprised to discover that some of his financial dealing have been uncovered, and I am astounded by the amount he can charge for his services."

"All of this adds up to a very dangerous individual: probably the greatest threat is that of ignorance. We are not aware of the depth and range of capabilities yet, and are not yet sure if we can survive an open confrontation with him. "

"Any information that you could give would help greatly should that conflict take place. What can you tell me of Mr Chang."

[Edana]

19 February 2072, 7:50 AM, Dr. Yang's, Hong Kong
Dao sips his tea as he listens to Dr. Yang's explanation of the situation, letting the orc's question hang in the air a moment before responding, "It is true that you are not yet entrenched in this city's politics and relationships, and that may work in your favor here. Chang isn't one to be trifled with, but not for the reasons you seem concerned about. While I have no doubt he's capable of defending himself, he would be no match for a determined and skilled foe if they could catch him alone."

A thoughtful look crosses the older man's face, as he continues, "No, the problem with Mr. Chang lies in who he knows. His tendrils run deep, the Chrysanthemum's are merely the tip of the proverbial iceberg. He has worked for or with a great many people over the years, and love him or hate him, most wouldn't dream of risking the misfortune he might bring by crossing him. It isn't all bad news for you though. While most wouldn't cross him, he doesn't seem to have many close associates that would go out of their way to avenge him either. So, if you can get past his eyes and ears, your task may have unexpected benefits.

As to the financial data you may have, you might wish to look deeper. I am certain he would be well compensated, but his long term contracts with Kuroyama and Wong's provide him with more than enough income to cover his living expenses. I would imagine that any side deals he has are for goods or services that would be difficult to acquire through normal channels. It might even have to do with the rumors that his relationship with the Chrysanthemum's is a business one. Given their areas of expertise, I don't think I personally care to delve too deeply into that one though."

With that, Dao returns to sipping his tea, waiting for any reactions or further questions from the doctor.

[Thanee]

19 February 2072, 3:07 AM, Ling's Penthouse, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Ting-Ting | PAN = Active | SIN = Xiao Ling

After saying her good-byes, Ting-Ting set off to her bike and then to her home. She was used to staying up long, and this was not nearly as physically exhausting as her usual work days, so she wasn't exactly tired and sat in front of her huge trideo screen for about two hours before catching some sleep.

19 February 2072, 9:32 AM, Ling's Penthouse, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Ting-Ting | PAN = Active | SIN = Xiao Ling

She doesn't sleep much, 3-4 hours a day are more than sufficient, very useful if you like to get home late and get up early. So there is enough time for her morning routine, which does take nearly as long. Ling spends another hour working out and jogging in the nearby park. Her sporty-skimpy hot pants plus bra outfit does turn a few heads, as usual. Sometimes she needs the reassurance, that the mirror cannot give her.

19 February 2072, 1:13 PM, Ling's Penthouse, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Ting-Ting | PAN = Active | SIN = Xiao Ling

Ling checks the clock. About three-quarters of an hour left until they would meet again, at the Monkey shrine this time, to continue the planning. Once more, she changes her appearance to look like she already did on the day before. Then she heads out.

19 February 2072, 1:59 PM, Monkey Shrine, Hong Kong
Ting-Ting | PAN = Passive | SIN = Xiao Ling

A sleek, white motorcycle pulls up and gets to a halt on a nearby parking lot. The driver, being at least equally sleek, glides off the seat kicking the stands in position. The woman wears a tight leather suit, all black, that nicely underlines her slender figure. She doesn't wear a helmet, and a tiny messenger bag seems to be all she is carrying; and there won't be much hidden under her clothes for sure. Ting-Ting puts up a smile as she strides towards the entrance.

[phlapjack77]

19 February 2072, 11:55 AM, Dante's Place, Hong Kong
PAN = Passive | SIN = Liu Zi Ang
DragonFly 2 autosofts: Adaptability, Clearsight, Covert Ops

Having been beaten every way possible with every team possible in every combination of tournaments possible, Dante shook his head in feigned disgust. It was time to get moving. The noodles he downed earlier had helped take the edge off somewhat. The slight shaking, well, that he hoped would go away with the water he had started drinking. He just about had time to visit Ayi, make sure she had something to eat, before heading to the meet at the designated time...

[sabs]

Fractal
[19 February 2072, 12:30 PM Home, Hong Kong]
PAN = Passive | Fake SIN(4) = Richard Wei | Hong Kong Citizen

Fractal spends some time designing the perfect face for his latest diguise. "this should do nicely." He gathered the right clothes and accessories, and got himself ready. After about a half hour, he looked perfect. An old Chinese man, ready to go out on a nice slow walk. Nothing to see here, no threat. Fractal made his way out the door, and onto the public transportation system.


Fractal
[19 February 2072, 13:57 PM Home, Hong Kong]
PAN = Passive | Fake SIN(4) = Richard Wei | Hong Kong Citizen

Fractal's bus stop was not too far from the Monkey Shrine, and he slowly walked the rest of the way. This gave him time to scan the area for nodes, to see just how much eaves dropping was going on around here. And it gave him the opportunity to enjoy Ting-Ting's entrance. Damn, but that girl knew how to turn heads. Fractal made his way towards Ting-Ting, a slow, elderly chineseman.

In perfect Cantonese, "Young Lady. What would the Ancestors say, if they could see how you dress" He tutted, and shook his head.

[Thanee]

19 February 2072, 1:59 PM, Monkey Shrine, Hong Kong
Ting-Ting | PAN = Passive | SIN = Xiao Ling

Ting-Ting turns around as the old man speaks to her. At first, she is a little irritated, but then she sees a few flaws in the otherwise really perfect disguise. A normal person would probably never notice them, but she was hardly normal in any sense of the word. Her eyes were very hard to fool.

"Oh, I'm pretty sure they would approve. So far, I havn't had any complaints," she says with a wink and a smile.

"Besides, traditional clothes do not offer much protection when riding a motorcycle."