2072 [+4 Months], Multiple Players / GMs - Recruitment Always Open Options

[Slacker]

[edit]:Oops, accidentally posted my IC post here.

[Machine Ghost]

@NSEDM,

Mixing information sources: important implications for what Sprogget feels safe to do.
You had the gangers that Dubstep/Cat/Dante/Alex encountered using signal scanners to track pieces, apparently by listening directly in wireless for the ping 'signature'.  Given the OOC conversation around stealth, spoof, track, redirect, it appears to be possible to track down infected nodes through the matrix.  Did I/we break something by making asumptions out of line with intent?

Sprogget, through the knowsoft, picked up some information about the types of infected nodes, and apparently (more assumptions maybe) their physical location. (starting with the triangulation of MMO).  My assumption there was that the ping was providing the source for the type and location data.  That becomes important, because if anyone except Franken-Hunter can 'read' the ping information (more than that it exists), Sprogget just found himself on a bulls-eye, as one of the unique infection cases that he would expect 'corp hunters' to be very interested in.  Franken-Hunter on a remote task would be a moving target, hard to pin down, but sitting in LeO, he could become a primary target at any time.

If the reported type and location information is not contained in the ping, then Franken-Hunter got it from somewhere else.  Sprogget could get much of it by doing trace then analyze node based on each of 10000 pings in under half an hour, buying hits except where the node was running stealth (against the analyze).  The base data sprite could not have done it that way though, since it does not have the Track CF.  Once merged with a >1rtu@l5cr3@m piece, other options may become available.  This is the sort of details that the 'pages' of questions were trying to get information about, to be able to make reasonable decisions about the level of danger and precautions needed.  Sprogget needs some idea about how much information others have and can reasonably get about him and FH.  From the pings.  Or if there is another Franken-Hunter out there.  I do not know if the taxi driver counts, or all of the (few) other infected sprites. 

If the uniqueness of Frank-Hunter, or the unique circumstance of linking a knowsoft to FH made the information possible, then Sprogget will feel much safer.  That is a 'trick' that only a few TMs would be able to do.  Only Tutor sprites can do skillsofts, and only Dronomancer and Singularitarian streams have Tutor sprites, without getting them through submersion plus a sprite link echo.  With the 'few' infected bionodes and sprites, the odds are pretty good no one else tried the same thing.  Maybe a dissonant could get there another way.  They have their own streams, but RAW does not show anything about an entropic version of a tutor sprite, and does not show a Skillsoft CF in any of the entropic sprites, just an optional Autosoft UW179.

Does Sprogget think that others are likely to be able to identify the unique infections?  He expects that if the corps can, they would.  I would like to do posts that will eat time, and get some sleep, but Sprogget would need to have some measures in place that have a good chance of keeping the tribe safe before taking Franken-Hunter to the shop.  Or sitting in any one place very long.  Some ideas about that below (and next post), depending on above.

********

Assuming node type data is contained in the ping, then since FH is the only known active piece, and pings are unique, either the pings do not show anything about active/dormant status or Franken-Hunter *is* the only active piece (at least currently with matrix access).  Sprogget WILL check that somewhat, by analyzing/comparing the ping from FH with the others, to see if FH shows something different that could be interpreted as 'active' (making staying unnoticed harder and more important).

*********

If he is 'willing', in the spirit of getting/providing information about >1rtu@l5cr3@m, FH might be able to reinstate the knowsoft after moving to LeO.  The Sprite-Technomancer link SR4A241 works as long as there is a matrix path between them.
Is link to knowsoft valid/stable:
Through Sprite-Technomancer link?
When both are in the same node?
When FH in (visiting not embedded) bionode?
Need more than just visit bionode, but not 'required' to bring the data too?
I need another 'Professor Gadget' sprite (and FH might eat that too)?

Depending on how much of the information provided by the knowsoft (the pings?) is continuously updated, keeping the knowsoft may be lower priority.

*********

For Sprogget to get some (at least short term) history of which nodes have been disappearing, IC Post asks FH to start saving some tracking information, so be able to see which/where the pieces were that are disappearing.  To be used for pattern analysis, to see if there a specific location (matrix and physical), type, or rating that is more often vanishing.  Given the information about merges generating a new ID, merges should show up as a pair of disappearances from (matrix) close nodes.  To start getting a handle on how much the reducing count is from merges, and how much is from other things, and see where both are happening.  Locations could be fairly random, except that merges need to be close together in the matrix.  Non merges will give a better indication of 'attrition' from other sources (destruction, system offline, no matrix access).  A pattern/grouping there could show where the real hunters are currently working.

*********

Coming up (maybe): upgrade one of the other drones to response and system 5 (LeO is 6).  Can Franken-Hunter be convinced to move over there temporarily, while Sprogget works on LeO?  LeO has a couple of gremlins that need some shop time to (attempt to) locate.  FH might not be happy there while diagnostics, repairs, possible power cycling are going on.  Maybe he can eat the Machine sprite afterwards, to pick up the Diagnostics power.  From RAW Free Sprite reassembling, only one new power/program/skill can be picked up at at time (during single reassemble), if Frank/>1rtu@l5cr3@m is following that part of the rules.  AI creation/growth/realignment is different.

[Machine Ghost]

@Aria,

Your choice whether Sprogget finds any infected nodes as (identifiably) belonging to the attackers, in the sweep around the tribal turf.  Also about any call backs from this (and future) status reports.  If other sources identify another map location as a likely concentration of attackers, Sprogget could do another focused sweep looking for infections, if someone wants to ask him.

Sprogget will stay with the sweep team until the end of the current engagement, and enough after to run sensors over the Spined Drakes and their gear, then bow out saying he seems to be too dangerous to be around (matrix wise) for now while in contested territory.  Too many extra surprises from that sprite.  Beer offer still open for Crow at the shop, and re-offered to Scrapheap, who earlier said he might have other things to do this evening (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)   Unless NSEDM answers have Sprogget on the run all night (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Machine Ghost]

@NSEDM,

@Machine Ghost,

Holy posting Batman!
{grin} {bow}

Some more answers:
.. snip ..

The ping is like a cry for help. It is not being directed at the other nodes. If two nodes interact it might act as a wakeup allowing the two pieces to merge. It bypasses stealth meaning Sprogget has a big target painted on his icon for anyone looking for the pings. Indeed Redirect doesnt help unless someone is actively tracing (always bothered me) but proxy servers might help to at least give a warning that someone is coming.
With stealth specified as disabled, redirect minimally useful, FH ready to use countermeasure if matrix connection is lost, and even proxy servers only adding 4 to the threshold, nothing in that scenario would keep a tracker away for very long.  If you do not disallow it, I have a way to be quite safe.  SR4A230 Intercept Traffic.  Arrange things so that FH's ping has to go through a choke point (a single wired connection with wireless adapter on each end, to get out of a wifi blocked room), then capture and block the ping after FH sends it.  FH would still have matrix access, and receive the other pings.  Just the outgoing ping would vanish into the abyss after being sent.  Getting THAT stable would let Sprogget work and sleep easier.  Especially depending on answers about 'published' information (from the pings).

Sprogget has a wifi blocked room/workbench in his shop.  That was all planned and paid for when preparing to spring LeFey from Bellevue (and previously mentioned OOC too), to be able to finish dealing with the removed security tag (that is still in a Faraday cage in Sprogget backpack).  Deliberately defeating the wi-fi blocking, with a length of fiberoptic cable plus a couple of wireless adapters (all in the backpack too) is trivial.  If it will work, will FH care?  Is he conscious of the ping being sent, and would he care that no-one is hearing it?  If knowsoft is blank on that, ask, starting with asking FH why the ping is being sent (OOC says a cry for help?), and what it is used for (FH perspective), bringing up security/safety concerns (again depending on answers about what others can tell from pings).  Even if FH is watching, Sprogget might keep the intercept unnoticed for awhile.  Hits from 16d6 is the perception threshold to see 'snooping' with matrix perception.  FH's base perception is 8d6.  Since ping is a 'broadcast' there should be no particular reason to notice it going away.

Frank will move out of the tacnet and into LeO at Sprogget's request. He will even move out of all the linked devices (LeO is big enough to hold all of Frank's data but Frank counts as 4 active programs so might slow LeO's response). This includes Sprogget's brain although the damage is done and the knowsoft will stop working.

Yes that will/would degrade response one notch, unless I park LeO, and shut everything down.  But I will also verify with you that Franken-Hunter counts as program load 4, since the base sprite runs on resonance, and AFAIK would not use up node resources for what it contains.  The slowdown would be a reduction in the sprite ratings, not the node ratings.  Franken-Hunter is of course 'special', so the program load would just be one more impossibility to boggle poor Sprogget's mind.  And maybe point him more strongly to the idea that his sprite is trying to birth an AI.  And that reconfiguring would maybe imply the Emulate quality UW169.  The Cookie Monster grouchy AI In Residence that Sprogget knows does not have that, so he is less familiar with the concept.

If that is truly the Emulate quality, then the answer to one of Sproggets questions to the knowsoft might be 'unknown', depending on how much that knowsoft == >1rtu@l5cr3@m == Franken-Hunter, and from asking FH, it would be 'whatever I need'.

By RAW, the autosofts are not available with the ergonomic program option, so pilot + maneuver + Frank is enough to hit the system limit.  LeO *is* good enough though, that even if all of the standard programs are running, it will only slow down two steps (total program load including Frank is 12 with base system of 6).  Shutting down one program or autosoft will keep that to a single point reduction.  I was already looking at 'managing' the loaded programs and autosofts to keep the speed up.  Replacing the ECCM and Encrypt programs with ergonomic versions would do the trick too.

@E:Tribes, Virtual Scream, Machine Ghost

Some more info for Sprogget
.. snip ..

Keeping tribal members safe/protected - uninfected links are safe from Frank now that Sprogget has given him a few life lessons. cutting connection saved the tribals from infection!
praise the deep resonance

Getting the infection pieces off of other Drakehunter's commlinks - seems non of the Drakes have active devices. If any of their skinlinked comms are infected, Frank will eat those up if exposed to them
That was referring to 'us', Sprogget's team that is hunting the drakes.  Covered earlier anyway, since Franken-Hunter likes LeO.
.. snip ..

Return to Sprogget's shop in the Mechanical's complex *IF* safe for the tribe - Frank wont attack/infect the tribe
Not enough to be safe (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Feeding more pieces to Franken-Hunter, but keeping some control - if you can find them
With the pings, finding general pieces will be no problem.  Back at the shop, with the ping bypassing Stealth, Sprogget can buy enough hits to trace the node for a ping in 5 seconds (2 hits per pass, 3IP).  If you meant finding some associated with the Spined Drakes, then yes that could be a problem.  Currently not planning a detailed hunt for them.  Just clear the area around the tribes (of infected wireless enabled nodes), while keeping an eye out for intruders.  Since the Drakes are using good wifi/matrix discipline, Sprogget probably won't find any, if only because that care could have kept >1rtu@l5cr3@m off their systems, just as Prospero managed to keep it off of the tribes systems.  Unless Aria says different.
.. snip ..

- Frank now knows the basic facts of life. He is content to make his home node in LeO and will only go after infected nodes for now. At least that is what Sprogget believes!
is that anything like assume ass-u-me?

.. snip ..

*************************************************************************

With the provided (selected) knowledge answers, I'll try from a different direction, with assumptions that Sprogget feels safe to make from what he does and does not know.  Please correct where something does not line up with expectations.

Only active pieces will create new infections, although 2 dormant pieces could merge if the hosting nodes interact closely enough.  Probably will merge if multiple pieces are on the same node (for very long).

No information available about what triggered the outbreak.  No information about what caused the active pieces to go dormant.  No information about what would cause a (or all) dormant pieces to go active again.

There is no direct information about the disappearing pieces/pings, but 2 ids going away when a new one shows up is a good indication of a merge.

The infected nodes where mostly random.  Whatever nodes were close while a scream piece was active were targeted.

[Notsoevildm]

@Machine Ghost,

Mixing information sources: important implications for what Sprogget feels safe to do.
You had the gangers that Dubstep/Cat/Dante/Alex encountered using signal scanners to track pieces, apparently by listening directly in wireless for the ping 'signature'.  Given the OOC conversation around stealth, spoof, track, redirect, it appears to be possible to track down infected nodes through the matrix.  Did I/we break something by making asumptions out of line with intent?
- Devices can also be tracked down through the matrix. That's what Frank originally did before he got infected. The signal trackers used by the gangers were listening for any active devices in range broadcasting a virtual scream ping.

Sprogget, through the knowsoft, picked up some information about the types of infected nodes, and apparently (more assumptions maybe) their physical location. (starting with the triangulation of MMO).  My assumption there was that the ping was providing the source for the type and location data.  That becomes important, because if anyone except Franken-Hunter can 'read' the ping information (more than that it exists), Sprogget just found himself on a bulls-eye, as one of the unique infection cases that he would expect 'corp hunters' to be very interested in.  Franken-Hunter on a remote task would be a moving target, hard to pin down, but sitting in LeO, he could become a primary target at any time.
- The ping only indicates infection. Frank filled in the blanks. He's pretty smart. Note that location information is based on his initial sweep and might not be up-to-date for mobile nodes.

If the reported type and location information is not contained in the ping, then Franken-Hunter got it from somewhere else.  Sprogget could get much of it by doing trace then analyze node based on each of 10000 pings in under half an hour, buying hits except where the node was running stealth (against the analyze).  The base data sprite could not have done it that way though, since it does not have the Track CF.  Once merged with a >1rtu@l5cr3@m piece, other options may become available.  This is the sort of details that the 'pages' of questions were trying to get information about, to be able to make reasonable decisions about the level of danger and precautions needed.  Sprogget needs some idea about how much information others have and can reasonably get about him and FH.  From the pings.  Or if there is another Franken-Hunter out there.  I do not know if the taxi driver counts, or all of the (few) other infected sprites. 
- Frank went out looking for information about virtual scream that led him to the nodes. I may have bent the rules a bit there. Only information the ping gives is that a node is infected. A trace and analyze would be needed to provide more. Taxi driver is not a hunter sprite but a driver, although intersting things might happen if Cipher asked it to find other virtual scream nodes.

If the uniqueness of Frank-Hunter, or the unique circumstance of linking a knowsoft to FH made the information possible, then Sprogget will feel much safer.  That is a 'trick' that only a few TMs would be able to do.  Only Tutor sprites can do skillsofts, and only Dronomancer and Singularitarian streams have Tutor sprites, without getting them through submersion plus a sprite link echo.  With the 'few' infected bionodes and sprites, the odds are pretty good no one else tried the same thing.  Maybe a dissonant could get there another way.  They have their own streams, but RAW does not show anything about an entropic version of a tutor sprite, and does not show a Skillsoft CF in any of the entropic sprites, just an optional Autosoft UW179.
-Sprogget feels certain that Frank is unique. However, if he can do it then maybe one of the other unusual nodes could pull something similar, or a dedicated team of hackers could track down all the nodes one by one so the bullseye is still there.

Does Sprogget think that others are likely to be able to identify the unique infections? 
- Not without checking out every node. But that just takes time and resources

Assuming node type data is contained in the ping, then since FH is the only known active piece, and pings are unique, either the pings do not show anything about active/dormant status or Franken-Hunter *is* the only active piece (at least currently with matrix access).  Sprogget WILL check that somewhat, by analyzing/comparing the ping from FH with the others, to see if FH shows something different that could be interpreted as 'active' (making staying unnoticed harder and more important).
- node type data not included in ping. Frank looks like any other ping.

If he is 'willing', in the spirit of getting/providing information about >1rtu@l5cr3@m, FH might be able to reinstate the knowsoft after moving to LeO.  The Sprite-Technomancer link SR4A241 works as long as there is a matrix path between them.
Is link to knowsoft valid/stable:
Through Sprite-Technomancer link? Yes, but maintaining the link will maintain the 1 box of physical damage (but wont increase it). Frank is no longer a true sprite.
When both are in the same node? No, but Frank can provide info
When FH in (visiting not embedded) bionode? No, but Frank can provide info
Need more than just visit bionode, but not 'required' to bring the data too? No, but Frank can provide info
I need another 'Professor Gadget' sprite (and FH might eat that too)? Would have to make it very clear to Frank not to eat the sprite.

Depending on how much of the information provided by the knowsoft (the pings?) is continuously updated, keeping the knowsoft may be lower priority.
- Sprogget has most of Frank's knowledge now.

For Sprogget to get some (at least short term) history of which nodes have been disappearing, IC Post asks FH to start saving some tracking information, so be able to see which/where the pieces were that are disappearing.  To be used for pattern analysis, to see if there a specific location (matrix and physical), type, or rating that is more often vanishing.  Given the information about merges generating a new ID, merges should show up as a pair of disappearances from (matrix) close nodes.  To start getting a handle on how much the reducing count is from merges, and how much is from other things, and see where both are happening.  Locations could be fairly random, except that merges need to be close together in the matrix.  Non merges will give a better indication of 'attrition' from other sources (destruction, system offline, no matrix access).  A pattern/grouping there could show where the real hunters are currently working.
- Need a Computer + Data search + relevant bonuses roll (Frank or Sprogget)

Coming up (maybe): upgrade one of the other drones to response and system 5 (LeO is 6).  Can Franken-Hunter be convinced to move over there temporarily, while Sprogget works on LeO?  LeO has a couple of gremlins that need some shop time to (attempt to) locate.  FH might not be happy there while diagnostics, repairs, possible power cycling are going on.  Maybe he can eat the Machine sprite afterwards, to pick up the Diagnostics power.  From RAW Free Sprite reassembling, only one new power/program/skill can be picked up at at time (during single reassemble), if Frank/>1rtu@l5cr3@m is following that part of the rules.  AI creation/growth/realignment is different.
- Frank needs a minimum system rating 4, (net) response rating 1 node to be happy. He counts as 4 active programs in terms of system load

[Notsoevildm]

@Machine Ghost,

Yes that will/would degrade response one notch, unless I park LeO, and shut everything down.  But I will also verify with you that Franken-Hunter counts as program load 4, since the base sprite runs on resonance, and AFAIK would not use up node resources for what it contains.  The slowdown would be a reduction in the sprite ratings, not the node ratings.  Franken-Hunter is of course 'special', so the program load would just be one more impossibility to boggle poor Sprogget's mind.  And maybe point him more strongly to the idea that his sprite is trying to birth an AI.  And that reconfiguring would maybe imply the Emulate quality UW169.  The Cookie Monster grouchy AI In Residence that Sprogget knows does not have that, so he is less familiar with the concept.
- Frank's 'sprite' rating is locked at 4. He also counts as 4 active programs on any device he inhabits (he took over the tacnet initially to spread his program load rather than dump everything into Sprogget's head but got carried away and infected him anyway).

If that is truly the Emulate quality, then the answer to one of Sproggets questions to the knowsoft might be 'unknown', depending on how much that knowsoft == >1rtu@l5cr3@m == Franken-Hunter, and from asking FH, it would be 'whatever I need'.
- I hadn't considered but if Frank goes full AI he will definitely have Emulate as a quality!

By RAW, the autosofts are not available with the ergonomic program option, so pilot + maneuver + Frank is enough to hit the system limit.  LeO *is* good enough though, that even if all of the standard programs are running, it will only slow down two steps (total program load including Frank is 12 with base system of 6).  Shutting down one program or autosoft will keep that to a single point reduction.  I was already looking at 'managing' the loaded programs and autosofts to keep the speed up.  Replacing the ECCM and Encrypt programs with ergonomic versions would do the trick too.
- Talk to Aria for new programs!

With the provided (selected) knowledge answers, I'll try from a different direction, with assumptions that Sprogget feels safe to make from what he does and does not know.  Please correct where something does not line up with expectations.

Only active pieces will create new infections, although 2 dormant pieces could merge if the hosting nodes interact closely enough.  Probably will merge if multiple pieces are on the same node (for very long).
- Correct, although a new instance would only truly occur if a device was cut off from distributed system, creating a new dormant virus piece.

No information available about what triggered the outbreak.  No information about what caused the active pieces to go dormant.  No information about what would cause a (or all) dormant pieces to go active again.
- Correct. All initial pieces seem to have gone dormant once they infected the nodes. No info on what would make it go active.

There is no direct information about the disappearing pieces/pings, but 2 ids going away when a new one shows up is a good indication of a merge.
- Correct

The infected nodes where mostly random.  Whatever nodes were close while a scream piece was active were targeted.
- Correct

[Machine Ghost]

@NSEDM,

Note: Changing styling on inlined responses makes the old versus new content standout better.

Big post, but only a little new: mainly inline data search roll, and scenario at the end

@Machine Ghost,

Mixing information sources: important implications for what Sprogget feels safe to do.
You had the gangers that Dubstep/Cat/Dante/Alex encountered using signal scanners to track pieces, apparently by listening directly in wireless for the ping 'signature'.  Given the OOC conversation around stealth, spoof, track, redirect, it appears to be possible to track down infected nodes through the matrix.  Did I/we break something by making assumptions out of line with intent?
- Devices can also be tracked down through the matrix. That's what Frank originally did before he got infected. The signal trackers used by the gangers were listening for any active devices in range broadcasting a virtual scream ping.
What I figured.  And without matrix/hacking skills, it was just easier for them to grab the actual hardware.  And/or the people asking for the pieces did not yet know how to safely move pieces around.

.. snip ..
- The ping only indicates infection. Frank filled in the blanks. He's pretty smart. Note that location information is based on his initial sweep and might not be up-to-date for mobile nodes.
.. snip ..
- Frank went out looking for information about virtual scream that led him to the nodes. I may have bent the rules a bit there. Only information the ping gives is that a node is infected. A trace and analyze would be needed to provide more. Taxi driver is not a hunter sprite but a driver, although intersting things might happen if Cipher asked it to find other virtual scream nodes.
.. snip ..
-Sprogget feels certain that Frank is unique. However, if he can do it then maybe one of the other unusual nodes could pull something similar, or a dedicated team of hackers could track down all the nodes one by one so the bullseye is still there.
But at least the bulls-eye is not automatically on the unique end of the shortlist

Does Sprogget think that others are likely to be able to identify the unique infections? 
- Not without checking out every node. But that just takes time and resources
.. snip ..
- node type data not included in ping. Frank looks like any other ping.

.. snip ..
Depending on how much of the information provided by the knowsoft (the pings?) is continuously updated, keeping the knowsoft may be lower priority.
- Sprogget has most of Frank's knowledge now.
And other information says the location part of it would be dated from whenever FH looked at the node.  Not updated except for the pings.  Also incomplete due to merges.  Any merged pieces have a new ping ID that FH would not have reference information for.  Except for a few recent, since Sprogget asked FH to keep track of the ping changes.

For Sprogget to get some (at least short term) history of which nodes have been disappearing, IC Post asks FH to start saving some tracking information, so be able to see which/where the pieces were that are disappearing.  To be used for pattern analysis, to see if there a specific location (matrix and physical), type, or rating that is more often vanishing.  Given the information about merges generating a new ID, merges should show up as a pair of disappearances from (matrix) close nodes.  To start getting a handle on how much the reducing count is from merges, and how much is from other things, and see where both are happening.  Locations could be fairly random, except that merges need to be close together in the matrix.  Non merges will give a better indication of 'attrition' from other sources (destruction, system offline, no matrix access).  A pattern/grouping there could show where the real hunters are currently working.
- Need a Computer + Data search + relevant bonuses roll (Frank or Sprogget)
For mobile nodes, the pattern will be fuzzier than initially expected, since the location information will be from whenever FH looked at the node.  Of course most nodes will not have moved as much as Sprogget has in the time FH has been doing the searching.  In the current situation, both Frank and Sprogget have an 8 dice pool.  Sprogget will jump that to 11 dice if/when he gets home.  There should be better data by then too, from a longer period of collection.  For now, Sprogget will just ask FH for preliminary information. I did 3 steps of a descending pool extended test. Since the collected data is all local, that should be very fast.
Data Search: vanishing and merging pings (8d6.hits(5)=3, 7d6.hits(5)=1, 6d6.hits(5)=2)
8d6.hits(5);7d6.hits(5);6d6.hits(5) → [5,5,4,3,2,3,1,6] = (3)
8d6.hits(5);7d6.hits(5);6d6.hits(5) → [2,5,2,1,1,4,2] = (1)
8d6.hits(5);7d6.hits(5);6d6.hits(5) → [5,3,2,4,1,6] = (2)

Coming up (maybe): upgrade one of the other drones to response and system 5 (LeO is 6).  Can Franken-Hunter be convinced to move over there temporarily, while Sprogget works on LeO?  LeO has a couple of gremlins that need some shop time to (attempt to) locate.  FH might not be happy there while diagnostics, repairs, possible power cycling are going on.  Maybe he can eat the Machine sprite afterwards, to pick up the Diagnostics power.  From RAW Free Sprite reassembling, only one new power/program/skill can be picked up at at time (during single reassemble), if Frank/>1rtu@l5cr3@m is following that part of the rules.  AI creation/growth/realignment is different.
- Frank needs a minimum system rating 4, (net) response rating 1 node to be happy. He counts as 4 active programs in terms of system load
So he will move while repairs are being done.  That should reduce issues.

@Machine Ghost,

Yes that will/would degrade response one notch, unless I park LeO, and shut everything down.  But I will also verify with you that Franken-Hunter counts as program load 4, since the base sprite runs on resonance, and AFAIK would not use up node resources for what it contains.  The slowdown would be a reduction in the sprite ratings, not the node ratings.  Franken-Hunter is of course 'special', so the program load would just be one more impossibility to boggle poor Sprogget's mind.  And maybe point him more strongly to the idea that his sprite is trying to birth an AI.  And that reconfiguring would maybe imply the Emulate quality UW169.  The Cookie Monster grouchy AI In Residence that Sprogget knows does not have that, so he is less familiar with the concept.
- Frank's 'sprite' rating is locked at 4. He also counts as 4 active programs on any device he inhabits (he took over the tacnet initially to spread his program load rather than dump everything into Sprogget's head but got carried away and infected him anyway).
Just one more impossible thing for Sprogget.

If that is truly the Emulate quality, then the answer to one of Sproggets questions to the knowsoft might be 'unknown', depending on how much that knowsoft == >1rtu@l5cr3@m == Franken-Hunter, and from asking FH, it would be 'whatever I need'.
- I hadn't considered but if Frank goes full AI he will definitely have Emulate as a quality!
{grin} I look at the displayed characteristics, and match that to RAW.  And find things that did not even exist in the original the characteristics were based on!  Sprogget is not the only one good at pattern analysis (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

By RAW, the autosofts are not available with the ergonomic program option, so pilot + maneuver + Frank is enough to hit the system limit.  LeO *is* good enough though, that even if all of the standard programs are running, it will only slow down two steps (total program load including Frank is 12 with base system of 6).  Shutting down one program or autosoft will keep that to a single point reduction.  I was already looking at 'managing' the loaded programs and autosofts to keep the speed up.  Replacing the ECCM and Encrypt programs with ergonomic versions would do the trick too.
- Talk to Aria for new programs!
Sure.  I figure to 'download' some updates while doing the repairs.  A little real life experience with the drones is showing Sprogget where a few simple improvements could be made (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

.. snip ..

You lost/did not comment on the quoted inline comments (in blue), about an alternate way of hiding the ping from observers.

With stealth specified as disabled, redirect minimally useful, FH ready to use countermeasure if matrix connection is lost, and even proxy servers only adding 4 to the threshold, nothing in that scenario would keep a tracker away for very long. If you do not disallow it, I have a way to be quit safe. SR4A230 Intercept Traffic. Arrange things so that FH's ping has to go through a choke point (a single wired connection with wireless adapter on each end, to get out of a wifi blocked room), then capture and block the ping after FH sends it. FH would still have matrix access, and receive the other pings. Just the outgoing ping would vanish into the abyss after being sent. Getting THAT stable would let Sprogget work and sleep easier. Especially depending on answers about 'published' information (from the pings).

Sprogget has a wifi blocked room/workbench in his shop. That was all planned and paid for when preparing to spring LeFey from Bellevue (and previously mentioned OOC too), to be able to finish dealing with the removed security tag (that is still in a Faraday cage in Sprogget backpack). Deliberately defeating the wi-fi blocking, with a length of fiberoptic cable plus a couple of wireless adapters (all in the backpack too) is trivial. If it will work, will FH care? Is he conscious of the ping being sent, and would he care that no-one is hearing it? If knowsoft is blank on that, ask, starting with asking FH why the ping is being sent (OOC says a cry for help?), and what it is used for (FH perspective), bringing up security/safety concerns (again depending on answers about what others can tell from pings). Even if FH is watching, Sprogget might keep the intercept unnoticed for awhile. Hits from 16d6 is the perception threshold to see 'snooping' with matrix perception. FH's base perception is 8d6. Since ping is a 'broadcast' there should be no particular reason to notice it going away.

Does Sprogget think (after talking to FH) that that will work?  (and will it really (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) )

Proposed scenario: Quickly discuss security and the dangers of corp attention with Frank, and likelihood/ease of tracking the ping (which he probably knows from collecting the data already).  Then send him off to collect a bit more data (trying for minimal risk), with the intent to keep moving to hamper trace attempts.  Perhaps checking on some of the apparent fresh merges after looking at the prelim data above. (with warning for extra caution, since others could be interested in those too).  Every few minutes, Frank is to check in with Sprogget.  When the ping blocker is ready to go, Sprogget calls Sprogget home (to the upgraded drone, since that is quicker than the gremlins work on LeO).

Then Sprogget can focus on finishing up with the Spined Drakes bikers, and get home to start the repairs and upgrades.

That is also ignoring / glossing over the scene time jumps, which could have given trackers time to find Franken-Hunter. If they had been actively trying to find him when the (matrix) location stabilized.

EDIT: big post up that provides IC context for attempting the ping blocking. All the GM interesting questions are in the blue 'talk' to Franken-Hunter.

[Notsoevildm]

@Machine Ghost,

Data search
Bulk (90%) of disappearing pings are results of merges based on 2 disappearing and 1 new appearing. More analysis / data required to detect a pattern
For remaining 10%, it is imposible to tell if they are just trapped in offline devices or have been destroyed.

Hiding ping
Frank does not know how to/does not want to turn off ping.
Frank is willing to go looking for more data - that is what he was designed for
Hiding Frank using intercept traffic trick will work assuming you don't glitch the roll!
Frank will accept staying in the room for a bit.

[Aria]

@All: sorry for my delay in getting any IC up...been sick as a parrot for the last few days! Will try and get some up when I can, once I manage to trawl through the wall of text anyway (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

[Machine Ghost]

@NSEDM,

As creatures of resonance, sprites may travel to and from the resonance realms as they please. This allows them a kind of shortcut, taking a path from one node to another via the resonance realms, rather than through the Matrix. This does not, however, give them a free pass to bypass firewalls and system security. A sprite may only use this shortcut to access a node in which the technomancer to whom they are registered is present (i.e., the technomancer calls them into the node), or in which they have legitimate account or backdoor access. Otherwise, the sprite must hack into the node, following the same rules as any other hacker.

So more RAW about why it could be hard to trace Franken-Hunter as long as he keeps moving, and keeps to 'public' nodes.  Of course with the extreme exploit ability, even public is not a limit.

Can/will Franken-Hunter block his own ping using the intercept traffic method?  While inside the wifi blocked area, he can access/subscribe to the wireless adapter that would be retransmitting the ping, and use edit to remove it from the data/signal.  Since he is still inside the wifi wall, just 'reaching' through the fiberoptic cable, the ping should still only originate inside the area, even though FH's 'fingers' are manipulating the signal stream before it leaves the wireless adapter.  He does not even need to reconfigure, since the base data Sprite has an Edit(4) complex form.  Good enough to buy 2 hits on the continuous delete of the ping.  Perhaps Sprogget needs to demonstrate the edit first, so FH can take it over.  At the shop, Sprogget gets 10d6 on the pool, and again could buy 2 hits.

If 2 hits is enough to delete the ping, should be no problem with glitching.  The initial intercept has a good dice pool, and the hits there would only be to keep the intercept itself hidden from observers.  Once the edit was in place, others would have to be perceiving the wireless adapter to notice anything, since the ping is being totally blocked.  No signal remains to notice the edit/monitoring.  Not like editing something out of live transmission, where it is possible to notice that it has been edited.

If FH can/will not do the edit himself, I was figuring on using a (normal) sprite to do it.  A tutor(4) sprite looks good, with the stability power preventing glitches (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) , and it could buy the 2 hits for edit.  If one edit hit is enough, I could use a rating 2 or 3 sprite instead.

Re Resource limitations: I am thinking that a distributed AI might like nexi UN196.  With Osha aiming for a hospital/clinic, Sprogget already has a task assigned to assist in designing the support nexus, with input from Fre∑dom.  Accommodating an AI's preferences for a home, to get that performance bonus would be simple decision.  Corps are doing it, no reason for a tech tribe not to.  UN166 My Home Is My Castle

Just noticed/realized, that the original Hunter sprite has the optional Sniffer CF. Once he learned enough to recognized the pings, he could use that to initially locate infections, before he became Franken-Hunter, with the possibility of reconfiguring to use Track.

[Aria]

@E:PL:

Ok, taken some liberties to bring you all together…hope nobody minds?

@E:T:

I’ve assumed LeFey would pass the info to Jazz…? Otherwise I’ve just nudged things along a bit and changed the street that the Drakehunters are now on…

@E:CoP

Moved you to Cardiff to meet Ryl…she’s the most interesting NPC I’ve got lurking at the moment so it makes sense to have you talk to her rather than wandering on to a new plotline (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

@Virtual Scream

Will try and get some actions for Gossamer posted next week…the two probes I rolled still count or are we going to ignore any probe on the master company in favour of MMO??? I’m guessing with the firewall on alert I can still get in, it will just be harder…once I’m in I’m reasonably confident of not being found for a while… (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) As I've got more karma than I can shake a stick at do you have any objection to me raising my inherant stealth program to 7??? That coupled with -6 to matrix perception to spot me should rival any TM stealth machine!

[Mach_Ten]

Crow will follow Scrapheaps lead,

I'm on holidays for a week but should have enough connectivity to post infrequently

[Machine Ghost]

.. snip ..
@E:T:

I’ve assumed LeFey would pass the info to Jazz…? Otherwise I’ve just nudged things along a bit and changed the street that the Drakehunters are now on…
.. snip ..

Hmmm, the map around the tribes shows the corner of 96Ave E and 39Ave SW to be where Alpha Apex initially had his corner where something important was supposed to happen (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)   Strange street addressing there.  96Ave East is also/exactly 7St SW.

.. snip ..
Sprogget

Whilst you are distracted by the impossibilities of FH you are still able to track the approaching drakes through the murk.  They are a pair of orcs, hunched against the biting wind and stinging rain.  They stop their heavy hogs just short of your location and proceed cautiously on foot, hugging the walls at the side of the block, scurrying where they need to pass an opening.  Although it is difficult to tell they seem to be carrying the distinctive AKs and using the outmoded, and offgrid, coms to talk to one another over the howl.  They look back together and one of them makes a forward gesture reminiscent of the trids… hugging the ground you make out the buzzing form of a rotodrone that hurtles between them and on towards your current location.  From its speed and manoeuvring you would guess that it’s not being piloted by the dog brain…
.. snip ..

What are you considering as 'just short' of our location?  The UWBR (currently turned off) has a range of 100 meters.  Banjo is probably closest to their location.

The 'ambush' layout I envisioned would have LeO the furthest away, around a corner, so that he could time it to have a bit of speed when coming around the corner to face the direction the bikers were coming from, when they reached a position where Crow and Scrapheap would also have been effective.  The monocycle also off to the side a bit to be out of sight.  G’Eye would be close to whoever was with the prisoner (to get a look at the carried tech).  Banjo would be making like a shadow under a roof edge, if that is available, a bit towards the direction the bikers where coming from.  The preferred location would be just around the corner at the side of a building (between buildings), so the intruders would pass in front of (and below) him coming down the street.  Spread out enough to increase the team sensor footprint, close enough together for support and tacnet bonuses.  G’Eye would have been a better forward lookout, but I figured the dragonfly would be too slow with them coming in on bikes.  The pause to dismount would have given him time to get into position.

The radio signal scanner in Sprogget’s pocket is part of the sensors clustered with the sensors, slaved to the monocycle, and part of tacnet.  If as implied by IC, that drone is rigged, that should have a chance of detecting the signal.  Especially when it knows physically where to look.  Assuming that the node is hidden, that is still going to need a detect hidden node action SR4A230 to locate it in the matrix, before hacking can be attempted.  With a threshold 4 (5 if it is using nonstandard link UW196) scan test to locate, the available dice pools do not look good.  A Crack sprite(4) could have 8 dice.  Sprogget himself would only have 5 or 6.  I need to add a good scan program to the drones.  With that, Banjo would have 10 dice.  More simple stuff to do when get to the shop.
The extended test to find all hidden nodes would take longer than probably available (23 to 45 seconds buying hits, assuming threshold 15).  There does not seem to be a RAW way of doing an extended test to look for a single physically visible node.  Note that the success test is a complex action while the extended is a combat turn (not pass) interval.  What would you allow for a test sequence to try locating the node for a single device that you are fairly sure should exist?

Since not in combat yet, Sprogget will try to get access to that drone.  If he locates the node before everything is over anyway, he intends to take a simple action to analyze node, to see (some of) the node specs.  Response, System, Signal, more depending on perception hits.  Base drone would be all 3, unless upgraded.

IC pending, about commenting on tacnet that they seem to know we/someone is here, but may not yet know we are aware of them.  Plus a bit of info about the base capabilites of an MCT-Nissan Roto-drone, and that it seems to be rigged.

*IF* there seems to be time before the drone (that seems to now be in the lead) makes contact, send G’Eye in full stealth mode toward the approaching drone, staying right along the buildings, picking up a bit of speed.  At an appropriate time, switch chameleon Coating (assuming drone has not noticed yet) to look like are normal minidrone, switch from covert ops to (full) defense, and 'dart' across the street to another building (into or between).  Maybe get the drones attention, to give the ambushers a better chance, or delay it while the rigger decides what to do.  Even without the stealth settings, G’Eye is not that noticeable in this sort of weather.  Extra time would of course go toward locating and hacking the incoming drone node.  Call off G’Eye if drone node has been located before time to dash across the street.

If the rotodrone is coming past Banjo’s position at a reasonable speed (along that side of the street, close to the building), he could drop down, and use the mechanical arm to try grabbing it on the way past.  No targeting autosoft, but that is currently Sprogget’s preferred drone to be jumped into, and Sprogget does have minimal Unarmed Combat skill.

Unless you say the drone has a piece of >1rtu@l5cr3@m installed, I’ll leave FH as a distraction in the E:Tribes thread.  From Virtual Scream thread, he could be used/convinced to slice the firewall.  Once the node has been located.  Or he might be gone again depending on timing.  If there is a >1rtu@l5cr3@m ping coming from it, that should be easy.  NSEDM said there is only / maybe some 'little stuff' to be found around the tribe turf.

All sorts of options, depending on (expected) timing and positioning. Pick some of the apparently possible actions (based on what tacnet is currently showing), and I’ll do some preparation IC.

[Notsoevildm]

Will try and get some actions for Gossamer posted next week…the two probes I rolled still count or are we going to ignore any probe on the master company in favour of MMO??? I’m guessing with the firewall on alert I can still get in, it will just be harder…once I’m in I’m reasonably confident of not being found for a while… (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) As I've got more karma than I can shake a stick at do you have any objection to me raising my inherant stealth program to 7??? That coupled with -6 to matrix perception to spot me should rival any TM stealth machine!

I'll add something for CSS unless you specifically want to go after MMO.
No objection to raising inherent stealth to 7 - instead I'll just cry in the corner as you stealth undetected around triple-A nodes.

[RdMarquis]

@E:PL:

Ok, taken some liberties to bring you all together…hope nobody minds?

@E:T:

I’ve assumed LeFey would pass the info to Jazz…? Otherwise I’ve just nudged things along a bit and changed the street that the Drakehunters are now on…

Works for me. Sorry for my absence. I've been having problems with my internet connection.

[Aria]

Hmmm, the map around the tribes shows the corner of 96Ave E and 39Ave SW to be where Alpha Apex initially had his corner where something important was supposed to happen (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)   Strange street addressing there.  96Ave East is also/exactly 7St SW.

What are you considering as 'just short' of our location?  The UWBR (currently turned off) has a range of 100 meters.  Banjo is probably closest to their location.

I'm assuming that they stop their bikes on the east-west road and proceed south along the north south road which you are about 200m or so down towards where the explosion was. You can hide off this road to either side with no trouble. Effective visibility is crap, probably down to around 50m with thermal/lowlight...yes all your other sensors will work just fine...but then so will theirs (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ork.gif)

I'm also assuming that there are links through to other roads from the bottom, GMaps currently shows it as a dead end...assume the buildings are ruined low rise apartment blocks rather than the small domestic stuff I'm looking at...it's all in ruins anyway so makes no great odds...swathes of swirling ash everywhere!

The 'ambush' layout I envisioned would have LeO the furthest away, around a corner, so that he could time it to have a bit of speed when coming around the corner to face the direction the bikers were coming from, when they reached a position where Crow and Scrapheap would also have been effective.  The monocycle also off to the side a bit to be out of sight.  G’Eye would be close to whoever was with the prisoner (to get a look at the carried tech).  Banjo would be making like a shadow under a roof edge, if that is available, a bit towards the direction the bikers where coming from.  The preferred location would be just around the corner at the side of a building (between buildings), so the intruders would pass in front of (and below) him coming down the street.  Spread out enough to increase the team sensor footprint, close enough together for support and tacnet bonuses.  G’Eye would have been a better forward lookout, but I figured the dragonfly would be too slow with them coming in on bikes.  The pause to dismount would have given him time to get into position.

Happy for you to mark on your preferred locations on the GMap...or some variant of it...I think when I do a new SR5 version of this thread I'll have a local GMap for every thread aswell as a master one with borders. I need to go back and look at all your notes about combining maps too (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

The radio signal scanner in Sprogget’s pocket is part of the sensors clustered with the sensors, slaved to the monocycle, and part of tacnet.  If as implied by IC, that drone is rigged, that should have a chance of detecting the signal.  Especially when it knows physically where to look.  Assuming that the node is hidden, that is still going to need a detect hidden node action SR4A230 to locate it in the matrix, before hacking can be attempted.  With a threshold 4 (5 if it is using nonstandard link UW196) scan test to locate, the available dice pools do not look good.  A Crack sprite(4) could have 8 dice.  Sprogget himself would only have 5 or 6.  I need to add a good scan program to the drones.  With that, Banjo would have 10 dice.  More simple stuff to do when get to the shop.
The extended test to find all hidden nodes would take longer than probably available (23 to 45 seconds buying hits, assuming threshold 15).  There does not seem to be a RAW way of doing an extended test to look for a single physically visible node.  Note that the success test is a complex action while the extended is a combat turn (not pass) interval.  What would you allow for a test sequence to try locating the node for a single device that you are fairly sure should exist?

Since not in combat yet, Sprogget will try to get access to that drone.  If he locates the node before everything is over anyway, he intends to take a simple action to analyze node, to see (some of) the node specs.  Response, System, Signal, more depending on perception hits.  Base drone would be all 3, unless upgraded.

IC pending, about commenting on tacnet that they seem to know we/someone is here, but may not yet know we are aware of them.  Plus a bit of info about the base capabilites of an MCT-Nissan Roto-drone, and that it seems to be rigged.

*IF* there seems to be time before the drone (that seems to now be in the lead) makes contact, send G’Eye in full stealth mode toward the approaching drone, staying right along the buildings, picking up a bit of speed.  At an appropriate time, switch chameleon Coating (assuming drone has not noticed yet) to look like are normal minidrone, switch from covert ops to (full) defense, and 'dart' across the street to another building (into or between).  Maybe get the drones attention, to give the ambushers a better chance, or delay it while the rigger decides what to do.  Even without the stealth settings, G’Eye is not that noticeable in this sort of weather.  Extra time would of course go toward locating and hacking the incoming drone node.  Call off G’Eye if drone node has been located before time to dash across the street.

If the rotodrone is coming past Banjo’s position at a reasonable speed (along that side of the street, close to the building), he could drop down, and use the mechanical arm to try grabbing it on the way past.  No targeting autosoft, but that is currently Sprogget’s preferred drone to be jumped into, and Sprogget does have minimal Unarmed Combat skill.

Unless you say the drone has a piece of >1rtu@l5cr3@m installed, I’ll leave FH as a distraction in the E:Tribes thread.  From Virtual Scream thread, he could be used/convinced to slice the firewall.  Once the node has been located.  Or he might be gone again depending on timing.  If there is a >1rtu@l5cr3@m ping coming from it, that should be easy.  NSEDM said there is only / maybe some 'little stuff' to be found around the tribe turf.

All sorts of options, depending on (expected) timing and positioning. Pick some of the apparently possible actions (based on what tacnet is currently showing), and I’ll do some preparation IC.

The drone is running hidden, obviously, and is being rigged by a Disonant (not that you know that yet (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ork.gif) )...he's jumped in (hence my comment about knowing it's rigged. Safe to say it's non-standard, who wants to jump in to an off-the-shelf drone??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

It's flying low in the centre of the street (to avoid getting blown into the side of a building!) The air currents are getting seriously unpredicatable! The G'Eye trick might work, not so sure Banjo will be much help...lemme know if you want more info before ICing...?

[ChromeZephyr]

@NSEDM: Gah, I had a post saved on my computer from last week and now it's gone. I'll try and get it typed up today.

@Aria: I'm assuming it's okay to have Michiko and Laurence in scene with the Baron, seeing as Ryl is bringing her own meatshields bulletcatchers personal protection specialists. Let me know if that's not okay.

And writing for Scrap is hilarious, the first and second response from him was "curb stomp the little shit." I've apparently found my inner anger issues and am channeling them via ork gutter rat. Will have a (non-curb-stomping) response soon.

[Aria]

And writing for Scrap is hilarious, the first and second response from him was "curb stomp the little shit." I've apparently found my inner anger issues and am channeling them via ork gutter rat. Will have a (non-curb-stomping) response soon.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Aria]

I'll add something for CSS unless you specifically want to go after MMO.
No objection to raising inherent stealth to 7 - instead I'll just cry in the corner as you stealth undetected around triple-A nodes.

Well there has to be some advantage to being a 'creature of the matrix' ...after all hackers / TMs can do wizzier things than AIs can (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

I've always been of the impression that if the game requires me to be seen then I will be! I've got no objections to that at all! RAW is there to be bent beyond all recognition in the best interests of the story...as long as the players know you're doing it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ork.gif)

[RdMarquis]

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4123658/

1 hit for Security Procedures (Matrix), if it would help get rid of the loop. For some reason, I seem to remember the best way being to reset them all.

[Machine Ghost]

I'm assuming that they stop their bikes on the east-west road and proceed south along the north south road which you are about 200m or so down towards where the explosion was.  You can hide off this road to either side with no trouble.  Effective visibility is crap, probably down to around 50m with thermal/lowlight...yes all your other sensors will work just fine...but then so will theirs (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ork.gif)
That was why I wanted to cut the active sensors.  The active signals would themselves be potentially detectable.  Radar, UWBR, ultrasound.  The information feed from Cam located them for us.  As long as we pick enough information off of the sensor mesh to track their location, there is no reason to give them a signal they could home in on.

I'm also assuming that there are links through to other roads from the bottom, GMaps currently shows it as a dead end...assume the buildings are ruined low rise apartment blocks rather than the small domestic stuff I'm looking at...it's all in ruins anyway so makes no great odds...swathes of swirling ash everywhere!
Excellent.  As long as there is enough space between the blocks to get the drones through, that should work fine.

Happy for you to mark on your preferred locations on the GMap...or some variant of it...I think when I do a new SR5 version of this thread I'll have a local GMap for every thread aswell as a master one with borders.  I need to go back and look at all your notes about combining maps too (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)
The new 'Maps Engine Lite' has some interesting capabilities, but so far I have not had real good results.  Keep running into the 'Lite' limitations.
My SR4 Seattle map is the best result so far, combining district boundaries, points of interest from several sources, and most of the content from your map.  I think it is fully available for others to edit.  Just noticed on that map, that Underworld 93 nightclub (Seattle 2072) might be just about where your explosion was.  Putting 4819 96th Avenue East, Puyallup, WA, United States into Google maps gives a location north of Puyallup, in Tacoma.  That would be just off 44st Ct E.  4819 96th Ave E, Puyallup, Pierce, Washington is near that dead end.  Seattle 2072 p90 says Underwood 93 should be in Puyallup district.  According to Google maps, get directions, that second location is on the east side, 250m south of the intersection where you had the gangers leave the bikes.

I have added icons/place markers to that map to match what I see from the various descriptions so far.  Takes a bit of practice to get the icons on the right layer, and to get the information correct for the icons to look right (set the type field).  Also need to limit the number of different icons (styles) on a single map layer, to be able to select and style them.  This would be easier if could use more than 3 layers for a single map.  I am filling in more map detail than really needed, exploring capabilities.  Like adding links to the IC and OCC posts used for reference.

One nice thing, is that this seems to allow zooming in closer for accurate placement and separation.  Have a look at the difference in detail zooming in on Best Buy in the mechanical complex use the old Google map, compared to mine using maps engine lite.  What would previously have gone to Street view zooms in a few more steps instead.  Enough to sit people around a table.

I've put the explosion (GM event location) 200m south of the intersection where the bikes are, on the West side, so that the bombers leaving there, headed towards Mechanicals complex and away from us would be headed East across the street and south (when LeO got them).  Ambush starting locations placed relative to that.

The drone is running hidden, obviously, and is being rigged by a Disonant (not that you know that yet (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ork.gif) )...he's jumped in (hence my comment about knowing it's rigged.  Safe to say it's non-standard, who wants to jump in to an off-the-shelf drone??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

It's flying low in the centre of the street (to avoid getting blown into the side of a building!)  The air currents are getting seriously unpredicatable!  The G'Eye trick might work, not so sure Banjo will be much help...lemme know if you want more info before ICing...?
Plenty for IC, but did not get any guide on what rolls, interval to use to try locating the rotodrone.  I'll put up a bunch of Detect Hidden Node (Electronic Warfare + Scan) sprite rolls, and let you tell me if/when the rotodrone matrix node is found.

dice rolls and actions for IC Post

[ Spoiler ]

movement commands for DR and G’Eye
2 Sprogget complex actions

Compile Crack(4)+Scan
5d6.hits(5);4d6.hits(5) → [1,3,4,1,4] = (0)
Sprite resistance 5d6.hits(5);4d6.hits(5) → [3,1,4,3] = (0)
buy 2 hits resist fading
Compile Crack Sprite(4)+Scan vs Sprite resistance
5d6.hits(5) → [2,4,5,2,2] = (1);4d6.hits(5) → [4,6,5,6] = (3)
Resist Fading(6) : Int(4)+Res(4)+Edg(3) (11d6.hits(5) → [6,6,4,4,2,6,1,2,4,6,5] = (5)
)
Reroll edged 6’s for fading resist (4d6.hits(5) → [4,6,4,5] = (2)
2)
Compile Crack Sprite(4)+Scan vs Sprite resistance Compiling(2)+Resonance(4)-Wounds(1) (5d6.hits(5) → [5,2,2,1,3] = (1); 4d6.hits(5) → [3,3,4,2] = (0))
buy 2 hits resist fading
3 Sprogget complex actions = 1 combat turn

Crack(4)+Scan sprite, Detect Hidden Node : Electronic Warfare(4)+Scan(4) (8d6.hits(5))
8d6.hits(5) → [6,6,5,5,5,1,4,5] = (6)
8d6.hits(5) → [6,2,1,6,3,5,6,3] = (4)
8d6.hits(5) → [3,5,2,1,1,3,1,1] = (1)
8d6.hits(5) → [1,4,5,2,1,2,6,2] = (2)
8d6.hits(5) → [2,4,1,3,6,1,6,5] = (3)
8d6.hits(5) → [4,4,1,3,5,1,5,6] = (3)
Looks like he found it with the first complex action.  Did not even need to go to extended tests.  SR4A230, threshold increased by 1 if using non-standard wireless link UW196.

Path about 70+180+70=330m; Banjo accel 8/20, speed 60: accel 20,20,20,0,-15,-15,-5,-5,-5,-5,-5,-5,
movement 20,40,60,60,45,30,25,20,15,10,5 = 11 combat turns
1 Sprogget complex actions to instruct Banjo

Assumption: foot patrol "cautious" approach, "hugging" walls, and "scurrying" past openings, will average no more than walking rate of 10m/combat turn (orc), so 200m will take them at least 10 combat turns (30 Sprogget IP).

Free action: Buy 1 threading hit to boost Analyze(3) to Analyze(4) CF, and 2 hits for fading resistance
Matrix Perception (Analyze Node) : Analyze(4)+Computer(2)+TM(2)+VR(2)-Wounds(1) (9d6.hits(5)=3, 9d6.hits(5)=4, 9d6.hits(5)=3, 9d6.hits(5)=3)
9d6.hits(5) → [6,1,6,6,4,1,2,1,1] = (3)
9d6.hits(5) → [4,6,3,5,6,1,2,2,6] = (4)
9d6.hits(5) → [3,6,4,2,3,3,4,6,5] = (3)
9d6.hits(5) → [4,6,6,3,4,3,4,1,5] = (3)
SR4A230 Matrix Perception Data: Node Response attribute, is node encrypted?, Node Firewall attribute, Is node on alert?, Node system attribute, Node Signal attribute
Analyze node: Simple action x 4; barring strangeness some place, should get that information on the first couple of simple actions = 1 IP.  I think that the jumped in dissonant should be leaving a matrix signature SR4A243 on the node, and any of those perception tests should be enough to see it.

Free action: buy 2 hits for threading "Tech Spotter" sensor software, and 2 hits for fading resistance
At that range (under a couple of meters), I dropped the UWBR (ultrasound) vision negative modifiers.
Jumped in perception : Sensor(6)+Perception(2)+VR(2)+tacnet(2)+Spotter(2)+Actively Looking(3)-Wounds(1) (16d6.hits(5))
16d6.hits(5) → [4,4,4,6,6,4,4,1,3,1,6,5,1,5,1,2] = (5)
16d6.hits(5) → [1,4,3,4,3,4,2,4,5,4,3,5,4,1,6,6] = (4)
16d6.hits(5) → [4,1,3,6,1,6,5,5,6,1,1,3,4,3,3,1] = (5)
16d6.hits(5) → [6,4,6,5,2,4,3,3,2,3,3,2,5,4,6,1] = (5)

First time I've used edge here.  What gets edge to refresh?

[Notsoevildm]

@Aria: some random rolls for Copperhead to justify upcoming IC post. Assuming the scrawny ghouls don't dodge/soak any of the damage and are knocked down by any hit doing 3 or more boxes of damage.

Shooting at scrawny ghoul 1: Shotgun 4 + Agi 3 + smartlink 2 = 9d6.hits(5)=3, 10P
Shooting at scrawny ghoul 2: Shotgun 4 + Agi 3 + smartlink 2 - changing target 2 = 7d6.hits(5)=2, 9P

Slashing at scrawny ghoul 3: Cyberweapons 4 + Agi 3 + Reach 1 = 8d6.hits(5)=1, 5P
Crushing scrawny ghoul 4: Unarmed 2 + Agi 3 + Reach 1 = 6d6.hits(5)=1, 5P or 4S

[Aria]

I've put up the recruitment drive for 2075 now...I want to start small and feed in the threads from this one as we close them out so don't worry that I will abandon this thread but I am keen to ride the SR5 wave (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I honestly don't know how the conversion of SR4 to 5 will work yet so if you want to post your current character up there we can do our best to create the SR5 version together - or just post a new body for the new world (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Aria]

First time I've used edge here.  What gets edge to refresh?

My whims more or less (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ...I tend to refresh it at the beginning of a new major encounter which this counts as...yes it means that probably is more often than a table top game but then it can take months of time to pbp through things and it saves me a headache!

[ChromeZephyr]

Think Scrap's gonna end up dying to the plague between now and 2075 if something else doesn't kill him first; I don't have the money to buy SR5. Brightest candles burn the fastest, yeah?