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

[JxJxA]

@ MG: Editing. The called shot is why I left things alone. I'm not sure how much it'll be, but it will affect my main roll and reroll. :-/ I have ultra and thermo on my goggles. I'm not sure how they affect range.

[Machine Ghost]

@ MG: Editing. The called shot is why I left things alone. I'm not sure how much it'll be, but it will affect my main roll and reroll. :-/ I have ultra and thermo on my goggles. I'm not sure how they affect range.

I think ultrasound would be rather extreme range. It would get -3 visibility. Thermographic is valid, but would get -4 total. SR4A136 Partial Light + Heavy Smoke.

[Aria]

Also ultrasound is an active sensor and would probably get you shot by HMG fire! Not nice!!! Sorry no more IC from me this week, will crack on for Monday!

[Machine Ghost]

Had this ready to go last night, but missed posting it.  Must have been tired or something.  Maybe found out why: initial posting this failed due to BBCode error. Probably posted, but missed seeing the error message.
After shutdown, I had an extra thought.  Do we need to back up for Oyl, the Mage, and the tacnet guy doing first aid?

SR4A163 Unconsciousness: when the track is full, fall unconscious.
SR4A338 has a stim patch acting as high pain tolerance.  This reduces the wound modifiers negative for actions, but does not heal the damage.  The track is still full, so the mage passes out, and will not wake up until some of the damage has been healed.  Minimum 1 hour.  With that, the only thing a stim patch will do for an unconscious person, is add another box of stun damage when it wears off.  Content below still has Oyl trying to make sure no one is going to wake up the mage, but if the above information is correct, her medical knowledge should tell her that anything short of full medical intervention, using specialized drugs with attendant risks, is not going to wake up the mage.

Ok, as you may or may not have seen from the IC yet, Spindle is out of it.  The one other mage (Firebox) is by no means a combat machine (the name is ironic!)…reclusive tinkerer is much closer to the mark and probably frightened of his own shadow…this is down to PCs now (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ork.gif)
Oyl will put him to work anyway.

Happy with the comms between Osha and Sprogget, will IC the info from the nodes and the spirits as best I can but the summary is here:

• Unconcious mage in open cocoon…damn those biomonitors!
• Mundane in another open cocoon (did you think they’d fall for the same trick twice?), presumably the rigger.  Has an active ‘link with firewall 7+ stealth 6 (buy hits = 3)!
• The Citymaster has no node on the matrix, probably slaved to the rigger’s link by direct access
• Two more in the Citymaster, one running the tacnet (stealth 6, firewall 6 / buy 3 hits) and the other with a bionode (firewall 4, stealth CF 6 / buy 2 hits) - Winter
• Tacnet guy is doing first aid on the mage…handy stim patch [6] coming up!

Biomonitor expected, but had to work with what is currently known

Feel free to ask some more specific questions beyond this based on your rolls…bear in mind that although we are sort of out of combat time I’m still keeping it in mind, so don’t scan for too long!
At least Sprogget is running on full matrix time.  Can do a lot with 3 IP, and 2 simple actions per IP.  From the rolls shown 'used', it looks like you have ignored the commlink for the Mage, or he does not have one.  Mage being unconscious should not take out the commlink.  No persona of course, but the node would still be there.  I expected it would be somewhat lower rated, unless he is part of the milspec group, and they all have standard gear.

Good luck trying to take over the Citymaster (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ork.gif)   I did try and warn you all!
Heh (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)   We were doing fine against the forces we could see (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

The link to Freedom is fragile but there…

I guess we can work out a tribal budget come the 2075 game…almost certainly less than you’d like (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ork.gif)
always.  Champagne taste, beer budget.

They will be running an encrypted tacnet (soldier boys have a separate one to that being run for the gangers).  The gangers one is originating from the second of the original APCs.  Firewall and encryption 6 for the soldiers, 3 and 4 for the gangers!  Intercepting the traffic is one thing, I suspect to falsify it you would need to be in the originating node…
From that wording, sounds like they are running a centralized tacnet UN125, same as Sprogget is.  That is a cheaper solution, though limited by the number of subscriptions the central node can handle, which is System x 2 UN55, and creates that single point of failure.  If the milspec group is all on a single tacsoft, it would require something like System 10 on the central node.  More likely each soldier has tacsoft, all the same rating, in their own commlink.  A single person could still be tasked to act as matrix overwatch / spider, to monitor the tacsoft and comms in the team/group.

Monitoring the tacnet data would need detection (doing that with the scans), decryption, then Capture Wireless Signal SR4A229.  Modifying the data would need Intercept Traffic SR4A230, which is not really practical in a wireless network.  Or as you say, pwn the node that is sending the information.

Oh, and just in case you haven’t read the IC yet…all hell is breaking loose!!!

Oyl:
Summon force 2 plant spirit (5d6.hits(5)=1, 2d6.hits(5) =0)
5d6.hits(5) → [3,1,2,2,5] = (1) opposed 2d6.hits(5) → [2,3] = (0) Initial sneak attacker
Summon replacement Plant Spirit(2)
6d6.hits(5) → [2,1,6,2,5,2] = (2) opposed 2d6.hits(5) → [4,6] = (1) inventory citymaster
6d6.hits(5) → [5,5,2,1,4,1] = (2) opposed 2d6.hits(5) → [6,2] = (1) kill mage
6d6.hits(5) → [3,4,6,4,3,6] = (2) opposed 2d6.hits(5) → [2,4] = (0)

Spirit Melee Attacks
Melee Attacks
10d6.hits(5) → [4,6,5,2,3,4,1,2,5,2] = (3) initial mage engulf: IP1 Magic(2)+Net(2)-Resist(2) = 2S
10d6.hits(5) → [3,5,2,5,1,1,3,1,1,1] = (2) Unarmed attack: IP2 Str(6)/2+Net(2)-Resist(2) = 3S + 2S engulf, cumulative 7S
10d6.hits(5) → [1,2,3,6,2,6,5,6,4,6] = (5) Unarmed attack: IP1 Str(6)/2+Net(4)-Resist(2) = 5S + 2S engulf, cumulative 14S
10d6.hits(5) → [1,4,4,1,3,2,6,2,5,1] = (2) Engulf: IP1 Magic(2)+Net(2)-Resist(2) = 2S, assuming get there while still unconscious, or at least still prone
10d6.hits(5) → [3,3,4,1,6,5,1,5,1,5] = (4)

With the cocoons open, charge should be valid again.  I'm thinking materialize above / at the ceiling, and push/drop straight down.  Or come in a little from one side, if the 'attending physician' is partly in the way.  Should be equivalent to charge.

Note earlier watchers sent to find/shadow Jazz and Sprogget.  Earlier (than that) assumption is that wireless is blocked 'down stairs', but if/when the watcher finds Jazz, messages can be passed through the mental link, so they do not poke their heads up in the wrong place / time.  I'm thinking Jazz might even know a way for them to come out inside the mall.  That was outside of Sprogget's map from C&C.  They are starting almost at the wall anyway.

Sprogget
For the commlinks, assuming basic milspec device rating 6, (response, system) and main programs.  Signal could be less, but not going to get that far with the analyze anyway.  For winter and the bionode though, not enough information to fill in values.  If there has been no submersion / Echoes added, the values are tied to the attributes:
Response=INT; Signal=Resonance/2; System=LOG; Firewall=WIL; Biofeedback Filter=CHA
Since there is no direct way to check Resonance rating (that I see atm), checking signal level will give an approximation, and all ratings are limited to the resonance value.  For now I will assume resonance 5 or 6, which will give signal 3.  I assume that the mentioned encryption is for the wireless tacnet communication, not for the node itself.  Different things.

Matrix perception: Analyze Node, detected nodes at citymaster
14d6.hits(5) → [3,2,5,1,2,4,1,2,3,3,4,3,1,1] = (1) 1-nada!
14d6.hits(5) → [3,2,2,1,2,3,1,6,6,6,5,4,5,2] = (5) 2-Commlink: response 6
14d6.hits(5) → [4,5,3,5,1,6,1,6,4,3,3,2,6,4] = (5) 3-Commlink: response 6
14d6.hits(5) → [6,6,4,1,4,6,5,5,6,2,4,2,3,2] = (6) 1-commlink: response ?, resonance signature, firewall 4
14d6.hits(5) → [1,3,3,6,3,6,5,4,4,1,1,1,2,5] = (4) 2-no signature
14d6.hits(5) → [6,4,5,5,3,5,1,1,1,6,1,1,2,3] = (5) 3-no signature, firewall 6
14d6.hits(5) → [5,6,6,4,6,3,2,6,2,5,4,1,4,1] = (6) 2-Firewall 7, not encrypted, no alert
14d6.hits(5) → [3,5,5,3,5,3,3,5,6,5,4,5,4,3] = (7) 3-not encrypted, no alert, system 6, yes part of tacnet (central node)
14d6.hits(5) → [4,4,2,2,5,1,6,5,6,2,6,2,2,3] = (5) 2-system 6, yes on tacnet
14d6.hits(5) → [6,3,2,3,3,3,3,4,2,3,1,5,5,6] = (4) 3-tacnet signals encrypted
Note: this 'started' before the conversation with Oyl.  This is what Sprogget was working on when the 'interruption' occurred.  This is also only 5IP, under 2 combat turns.  He should be well ahead of Oyl, who is working at 1IP / combat turn.

Sprogget IC in the works/pending.  I'll go back and edit numbers/details, if it gets done before details known.

[Aria]

Had this ready to go last night, but missed posting it. Must have been tired or something. Maybe found out why: initial posting this failed due to BBCode error. Probably posted, but missed seeing the error message.
After shutdown, I had an extra thought. Do we need to back up for Oyl, the Mage, and the tacnet guy doing first aid?

SR4A163 Unconsciousness: when the track is full, fall unconscious.
SR4A338 has a stim patch acting as high pain tolerance. This reduces the wound modifiers negative for actions, but does not heal the damage. The track is still full, so the mage passes out, and will not wake up until some of the damage has been healed. Minimum 1 hour. With that, the only thing a stim patch will do for an unconscious person, is add another box of stun damage when it wears off. Content below still has Oyl trying to make sure no one is going to wake up the mage, but if the above information is correct, her medical knowledge should tell her that anything short of full medical intervention, using specialized drugs with attendant risks, is not going to wake up the mage.

Ah yes, they have however changed the mechanism in SR5 to ‘remove rt boxes of damage, get back rt+1 unresisted at the end’ – yes I know we aren’t playing SR5 yet but in this instance I think it means there is an argument for medical intervention and Osha needing to finish the job…guilt trip later anyone? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ork.gif)

Oyl:
Summon force 2 plant spirit (5d6.hits(5)=1, 2d6.hits(5) =0)
5d6.hits(5) → [3,1,2,2,5] = (1) opposed 2d6.hits(5) → [2,3] = (0) Initial sneak attacker
Summon replacement Plant Spirit(2)
6d6.hits(5) → [2,1,6,2,5,2] = (2) opposed 2d6.hits(5) → [4,6] = (1) inventory citymaster
6d6.hits(5) → [5,5,2,1,4,1] = (2) opposed 2d6.hits(5) → [6,2] = (1) kill mage
6d6.hits(5) → [3,4,6,4,3,6] = (2) opposed 2d6.hits(5) → [2,4] = (0)

Spirit Melee Attacks
Melee Attacks
10d6.hits(5) → [4,6,5,2,3,4,1,2,5,2] = (3) initial mage engulf: IP1 Magic(2)+Net(2)-Resist(2) = 2S
10d6.hits(5) → [3,5,2,5,1,1,3,1,1,1] = (2) Unarmed attack: IP2 Str(6)/2+Net(2)-Resist(2) = 3S + 2S engulf, cumulative 7S
10d6.hits(5) → [1,2,3,6,2,6,5,6,4,6] = (5) Unarmed attack: IP1 Str(6)/2+Net(4)-Resist(2) = 5S + 2S engulf, cumulative 14S
10d6.hits(5) → [1,4,4,1,3,2,6,2,5,1] = (2) Engulf: IP1 Magic(2)+Net(2)-Resist(2) = 2S, assuming get there while still unconscious, or at least still prone
10d6.hits(5) → [3,3,4,1,6,5,1,5,1,5] = (4)

With the cocoons open, charge should be valid again. I'm thinking materialize above / at the ceiling, and push/drop straight down. Or come in a little from one side, if the 'attending physician' is partly in the way. Should be equivalent to charge.

Oh yes…he’s going to be finished off!

Note earlier watchers sent to find/shadow Jazz and Sprogget. Earlier (than that) assumption is that wireless is blocked 'down stairs', but if/when the watcher finds Jazz, messages can be passed through the mental link, so they do not poke their heads up in the wrong place / time. I'm thinking Jazz might even know a way for them to come out inside the mall. That was outside of Sprogget's map from C&C. They are starting almost at the wall anyway.

Jazz and Sprogget are both located relatively easily. The sewers don’t run under the mall (any that do were blocked to avoid anyone getting in that way)…

Oh, and one of the soldier boys and one of the gangers had magical signatures!

Sprogget
For the commlinks, assuming basic milspec device rating 6, (response, system) and main programs. Signal could be less, but not going to get that far with the analyze anyway. For winter and the bionode though, not enough information to fill in values. If there has been no submersion / Echoes added, the values are tied to the attributes:
Response=INT 3; Signal=Resonance/2 3; System=LOG 3; Firewall=WIL 4; Biofeedback Filter=CHA 7
Since there is no direct way to check Resonance rating (that I see atm), checking signal level will give an approximation, and all ratings are limited to the resonance value. For now I will assume resonance 5 or 6, which will give signal 3. I assume that the mentioned encryption is for the wireless tacnet communication, not for the node itself. Different things.

Matrix perception: Analyze Node, detected nodes at citymaster
14d6.hits(5) → [3,2,5,1,2,4,1,2,3,3,4,3,1,1] = (1) 1-nada!
14d6.hits(5) → [3,2,2,1,2,3,1,6,6,6,5,4,5,2] = (5) 2-Commlink: response 6
14d6.hits(5) → [4,5,3,5,1,6,1,6,4,3,3,2,6,4] = (5) 3-Commlink: response 6
14d6.hits(5) → [6,6,4,1,4,6,5,5,6,2,4,2,3,2] = (6) 1-commlink: response ?, resonance signature, firewall 4
14d6.hits(5) → [1,3,3,6,3,6,5,4,4,1,1,1,2,5] = (4) 2-no signature
14d6.hits(5) → [6,4,5,5,3,5,1,1,1,6,1,1,2,3] = (5) 3-no signature, firewall 6
14d6.hits(5) → [5,6,6,4,6,3,2,6,2,5,4,1,4,1] = (6) 2-Firewall 7, not encrypted, no alert
14d6.hits(5) → [3,5,5,3,5,3,3,5,6,5,4,5,4,3] = (7) 3-not encrypted, no alert, system 6, yes part of tacnet (central node)
14d6.hits(5) → [4,4,2,2,5,1,6,5,6,2,6,2,2,3] = (5) 2-system 6, yes on tacnet
14d6.hits(5) → [6,3,2,3,3,3,3,4,2,3,1,5,5,6] = (4) 3-tacnet signals encrypted
Note: this 'started' before the conversation with Oyl. This is what Sprogget was working on when the 'interruption' occurred. This is also only 5IP, under 2 combat turns. He should be well ahead of Oyl, who is working at 1IP / combat turn.

Sprogget IC in the works/pending. I'll go back and edit numbers/details, if it gets done before details known.

Winter’s approx. stats in bold.

Regarding the tacnet – the milspec one will be distributed, each soldier boy running a copy of the program and it being overseen by the guy in the Citymaster. The gangers are running a unified one run from inside the undamaged Russian APC. It’s not as good but it’s being controlled by the Disonant…!

Idiot question about encryption – is there a reason not to encrypt the node? Yes, the signal will be encrypted, why not the node too?

The aerial drone is unarmed…it’s a spotter not a fighter. Won’t be much longer before it hones in on you all (or gets struck by lightning!). Osha can make some sort of relevant knowledge skill roll to see if she recognises the profile…?

[Machine Ghost]

.. quote snipped ..
Ah yes, they have however changed the mechanism in SR5 to ‘remove rt boxes of damage, get back rt+1 unresisted at the end’ – yes I know we aren’t playing SR5 yet but in this instance I think it means there is an argument for medical intervention and Osha needing to finish the job…guilt trip later anyone? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ork.gif)
Only a little (guilt trip).  That mage was a foreign invader attacking the body of the tribe who's health is at the top of her priority list.  Not much guilt over squashing a virus/disease.

.. quote snipped ..
Oh yes…he’s going to be finished off!
.. quote snipped ..
Jazz and Sprogget are both located relatively easily.  The sewers don’t run under the mall (any that do were blocked to avoid anyone getting in that way)…

Oh, and one of the soldier boys and one of the gangers had magical signatures!
Noticed by the watcher spirits?  Something for Oyl to pass along.  In that crowd, it is probably to much to ask to get a hard fix to tag them in tacnet, but knowing they exist means tankkillers can watch out for them.  OOG, I assume the ganger is Skyfall, and that is the same guy the jailbreakers encountered north and east of the mall.

.. quote snipped ..
Winter’s approx. stats in bold. 
Which post?  The only thing I can find is Firewall 4.  The stealth CF rating 6 Sprogget would not know, it was just used to reduce the pools for the perception.  That probably means resonance 6, but CFs can be learned/boosted higher than resonance.

Regarding the tacnet – the milspec one will be distributed, each soldier boy running a copy of the program and it being overseen by the guy in the Citymaster.  The gangers are running a unified one run from inside the undamaged Russian APC.  It’s not as good but it’s being controlled by the Disonant…!

Idiot question about encryption – is there a reason not to encrypt the node?  Yes, the signal will be encrypted, why not the node too?

The aerial drone is unarmed…it’s a spotter not a fighter.  Won’t be much longer before it hones in on you all (or gets struck by lightning!).  Osha can make some sort of relevant knowledge skill roll to see if she recognises the profile…?
Oyl does not really have the specific knowledge for that, and it will be even worse filtered through what the watcher can recognize.  It's a chunk of metal, about this size and shape.  The idea was to give tankkillers a location, so they know where to look for it.  That 'actively looking' perception modifier again.  The general size and shape might be enough for Sprogget, or others, to narrow it down some, although customization makes big differences.  Radar takes up 5 capacity AR105, which needs at least a small drone sensor package SR4A334, though it could be the only sensor in a minidrone with improved sensor package upgrade.

Encryption basic answer: watch the program load, to keep the response reasonable.  SR4A66.  With higher end 'links, it would be practical, especially where 'typical' programs like browse and edit are not going to be needed.  For a military team, even scan could be shut down, although that means they are blind to other nodes around them, except the teammates they have an explicit connection with.

For a public (business) node, encryption would make it hard for potential customers to access.  For a private / hidden node, encrypting it requires processing resources.  An extra encrypt program always running, since a node is not like a file.  A file can be encrypted, then left, since it is static information.  A node is dynamic, and like the communications is going to need encrypt actively running to maintain it.  For the communications, only one end of the connection needs the program running.  The other end just needs the password/key, but every encrypted node is going to need encrypt running.  For centralized tacsoft, I think only the central node needs to run encrypt for communications.  For distributed, I think each node would need to run encrypt (or technically every node but one), since every node talks to every other node in the group tacnet.

If the gangers are running centralized tacsoft, controlled by the dissonant, how many gangers are there on that tacnet?  Each member node needs to be slaved to the central node, either the dissonant, or a node run by him (wherever the tacsoft is running).  Each slaved device uses up a subscription on the main node, and the subscription limit is 2 x system rating.  Something that Sprogget has been needing to track.  He was running at the edge of what he could handle there for awhile.  Assuming the Firewall 3, Encryption 4 mentioned at the end of this post means system 4, the limit will be 8 plus the Dissonant on the ganger tacnet.

Oh, the tacsoft rating will also be limited by the (lowest) number of sensor channels available from each of the individuals tacnet members.  UN125.  That was why, wwaaayy back, Sprogget was handing out extra sensors to those that might need it.  Soldiers with standard equipment, smartgun systems, goggles, earbuds, with enhancements will have no trouble handling tacsoft 2 or 3.  4 might need a bit of tuning.  More individualistic gangers may need some tweaking for higher rating tacsoft.

[Machine Ghost]

@Aria,

Sprogget
Compiling(2)+Resonance(4)+VR(2) vs Crack(4)+Decrypt (8d6.hits(5) → [5,4,5,1,6,1,1,2] = (3) opposed 4d6.hits(5) → [5,4,6,6] = (3))
0 tasks
Resist fading(6) 8d6.hits(5) → [3,1,3,4,5,3,2,6] = (2)
4 more stun: 10 stun total, reduced to 6 by stim patch 4
That exactly fills his condition monitor. Is he unconscious, or is he using the SR5 rule same as that mage? Previously configured deadman trigger will activate if he passes out. No edge left.

[JxJxA]

Oh boy, looks like I'm dragging an unconscious player again...

[Machine Ghost]

Oh boy, looks like I'm dragging an unconscious player again...

Actually not. He is nicely harnessed into a Horizon-Doble Revolution monocycle. It has been acting as a (rather open) rigger cocoon for him, and the dog brain has instructions to haul his hoop home (a few blocks) to the Mechanicals complex, if the biomoniter shows he goes unconscious. Team tacnet will go down though, and that deadman trigger will temporarily disable all wireless on the team commlinks, since the trigger was also intended as a response in case Sprogget got attacked in the matrix by the Dissonants.

[Aria]

What works (or would have done) for the mage, works for you too so I'm happy to use the SR5 rules in this instance! Not ready for Sprogget to be out of it just yet (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ork.gif)

Crow is gone...at least for now...

Stats: Response=INT 3; Signal=Resonance/2 3; System=LOG 3; Firewall=WIL 4; Biofeedback Filter=CHA 7

Tacnets: Gangers have few sensors and the Disonant is slaving a few at a time rather than all. +1D at most and probably moot after Crow's grenade! Milspec tacnet will be encrypted on a link by link basis - easy to run on a rt 6 without slowing things down, particularly with 'ergonomic' ...

[Aria]

Sorry yesterday's IC and OoC was a bit rushed...was trying to crack something out to keep you going...if I'd known DS was going to be down I might have put in a tad more effort and posted today but ah well (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

Shout if I've missed any vital details or more input from me is required...

[JxJxA]

I think I'm good. Probably time to bug out with Crow quite literally taking the bullet(s) for me. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

[RdMarquis]

I should have let you know a while ago. School is proving to be much more busy than I expected, and I just can't find the time to post. With midterms approaching, things will be even worse. I want to get back into the game at some point, but that likely won't be anytime soon.

[Aria]

Not to worry! We may or may not be ready for the SR5 version depending when you get back... you'll be welcome back whatever!

[Machine Ghost]

@Aria,

If that sensor drone gets within 100 meters of Banjo’s or G'Eye’s location, the UWBR has a chance of spotting it, and providing both detail about what it is, and a hard fix on it’s location, though currently Tankkillers seems to be missing any firepower.  Scrapheap is in the sewers with Jazz, Crow is MIA, Gemeaux is bugging out.  With RL taking RdMarquis away, Mordred is out, and no help is coming from LeFey matrix side either (though Sprogget does not know that yet).  Sprogget has a knife, and LeO is down for the count.

Compiling(2)+Resonance(4)+VR(2)-wounds(2) vs Crack(5)+Decrypt: 6d6.hits(5)) → [5,3,2,5,1,3] = (2) opposed 5d6.hits(5) → [1,2,5,2,4] = (1))
1 task, 2 (physical) fading to resist, buy fading hits

UN55 Actions needing subscriptions UN55: Tacnet UN125
Tacnet + Encryption still only one subscription slot UN55
Maximum subscriptions = System x 2, which is 12 for the milspec System 6 commlinks.  Either that means a maximum of 13 nodes in the tacnet (each node connecting to 12 others), or each node connects to the entire tacnet with a single connection.  In the later case, cracking the tacnet signals encryption one time should give access to all of the data.  Modifying anything is a separate problem, but Spoofing an access ID might be able to make very temporary changes for what others see coming from one node (IE the Citymaster planned actions / targeting).  Very limited, since most information is going to be continuously updated.  It might work for a adding a new fake target/contact, but erasing something is more difficult.

For encryption of both node and tacnet signals, I think that 2 separate Encrypt programs are needed.  Comparing to Initiate Cryptanalysis(Decrypt) SR4A230, which says it takes multiple Decrypt programs to simultaneously work on decrypting different encryptions.  Can a TM/Sprite, start up multiple copies of the same complex form (probably limited by sprite rating/resonance/system)?  The decrypt information says that once started, it runs autonomously, so other actions can be taken while it runs.  If so, then the sprite can start a new decrypt on each combat turn, to get 3 decrypts going at once, which will finish much sooner.  It is going to feel slow enough to Sprogget anyway, since that is a complex action (combat *pass*) to start it, but combat *turn* interval extended test.  Back on Oyl’s speed here, and she will get ahead, even with spotting the second mage.

If not, then Winter’s node will not be encrypted, if he is also part of the encrypted tacnet.

Cryptanalysis: Electronic Warfare(5)+Decrypt(5) (6x2, 1 combat turn)

[ Spoiler ]

10d6.hits(5) → [3,5,2,5,1,5,6,1,5,6] = (6)
10d6.hits(5) → [2,4,5,1,3,2,2,4,6,3] = (2)
10d6.hits(5) → [4,2,2,1,5,6,2,6,1,2] = (3)
10d6.hits(5) → [2,5,3,5,2,2,2,2,5,1] = (3) Rigger done (14), 4 combat turns
10d6.hits(5) → [2,1,6,3,3,2,5,6,4,5] = (4)
10d6.hits(5) → [3,5,3,3,5,5,2,6,2,2] = (4)
10d6.hits(5) → [3,6,3,2,5,6,1,3,1,4] = (3)
10d6.hits(5) → [2,1,6,5,4,2,5,5,6,2] = (5) Tacnet signals done (16), 4 combat turns
10d6.hits(5) → [4,5,3,6,1,4,5,5,2,6] = (5)
10d6.hits(5) → [4,3,4,5,3,1,3,3,3,4] = (1)
Cryptanalysis: Electronic Warfare(5)+Decrypt(5) (6x2, 1 combat turn) (10d6.hits(5)=3, 10d6.hits(5)=2, 10d6.hits(5)=3, 10d6.hits(5)=6)
10d6.hits(5) → [4,2,5,6,2,3,5,4,3,4] = (3)
10d6.hits(5) → [3,4,3,4,2,6,2,4,5,1] = (2)
10d6.hits(5) → [2,4,3,2,5,1,6,1,1,6] = (3) Tacnet manager done (14), 5 combat turns
10d6.hits(5) → [5,5,2,1,5,2,3,6,5,6] = (6)
Generally decent dice, bad order.  If they get interleaved, first 3 combat passes are used to start all 3 decrypts, and all of them start on the next combat pass/turn, then 2 will finish in 3 combat turns, the 3rd on the 4th (if Sprogget does not get impatient, and abort to get a new sprite to hack the rigger node, based on what happens in the first 4 (including startup) combat turns: 12 seconds).
6 3 3  = (12) Rigger
2 4 5 1 = (12) Signal
3 4 5  = (12) Tacnet manager

Non-Interleaved would take a total of 13 to 16 combat turns, depending whether the first extended test combat turn starts the same combat pass as the complex action or not.  Sprogget is very likely to get impatient here.  Try not to jump too far time-wise with response IC posts.  Want a *chance* to have a spirit intervene, if it looks like more milspec are going to be boarding the Citymaster before get a chance to try to hack the node.  What’s Sprogget’s estimate on how long before the Citymaster could pull up and stop by the group, relative to starting the decrypts, which would be after the perceptions, complex actions to compile 2 sprites, and the message to Oyl about over exerting?

[JxJxA]

Ah, cripes. I thought I had typed and submitted a post, but I guess I accidentally closed the tab. I'm working on something now to detail what Gemeaux is doing.

[JxJxA]

Also, here's an infiltration roll as I try to safely traverse this shitstorm...

Infiltration: Slinking towards the sewers
Agi(9) + Infil(3) + Spec-Urban(2) = 14d6 for 2 hits. Edge rerolling misses for 6 more hits. 8 hits total, and I'm hoping that's enough to get my croissant kissing ass out of there. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) That leaves me with 2 points of edge left.

[Aria]

@Aria,

If that sensor drone gets within 100 meters of Banjo’s or G'Eye’s location, the UWBR has a chance of spotting it, and providing both detail about what it is, and a hard fix on it’s location, though currently Tankkillers seems to be missing any firepower. Scrapheap is in the sewers with Jazz, Crow is MIA, Gemeaux is bugging out. With RL taking RdMarquis away, Mordred is out, and no help is coming from LeFey matrix side either (though Sprogget does not know that yet). Sprogget has a knife, and LeO is down for the count.

Yep! That’s why I offered you the chance to grab Jazz’s cyberhound (and there’s a certain amount of poetry to that) or some other firepower…going up against a tank with a knife is not likely to have a good life expectancy modifier! Of course going up against the tank with anything isn’t exactly prolonging your life!!! Good (if crazy) karma though!

The drone is circling so it will inevitably come into range of your drones. Just to clarify, are you using active radar to spot it? That is likely to get you targeted! Anyway, it’s an Optic-X running with an improved sensor array, UWBR etc…

Compiling(2)+Resonance(4)+VR(2)-wounds(2) vs Crack(5)+Decrypt: 6d6.hits(5)) → [5,3,2,5,1,3] = (2) opposed 5d6.hits(5) → [1,2,5,2,4] = (1))
1 task, 2 (physical) fading to resist, buy fading hits

UN55 Actions needing subscriptions UN55: Tacnet UN125
Tacnet + Encryption still only one subscription slot UN55
Maximum subscriptions = System x 2, which is 12 for the milspec System 6 commlinks. Either that means a maximum of 13 nodes in the tacnet (each node connecting to 12 others), or each node connects to the entire tacnet with a single connection. In the later case, cracking the tacnet signals encryption one time should give access to all of the data. Modifying anything is a separate problem, but Spoofing an access ID might be able to make very temporary changes for what others see coming from one node (IE the Citymaster planned actions / targeting). Very limited, since most information is going to be continuously updated. It might work for a adding a new fake target/contact, but erasing something is more difficult.

In this case I think that a single squad tacnet isn’t likely (more likely for a spec ops unit) and that they would all be sharing info so you only need to break in the once. Inserting false data would be easier than removing something as it’s harder to cross verify. Feeding false info from the drone overhead might be the way to go as it’s a single source…or you could try and blow it out of the sky of course…

For encryption of both node and tacnet signals, I think that 2 separate Encrypt programs are needed. Comparing to Initiate Cryptanalysis(Decrypt) SR4A230, which says it takes multiple Decrypt programs to simultaneously work on decrypting different encryptions. Can a TM/Sprite, start up multiple copies of the same complex form (probably limited by sprite rating/resonance/system)? The decrypt information says that once started, it runs autonomously, so other actions can be taken while it runs. If so, then the sprite can start a new decrypt on each combat turn, to get 3 decrypts going at once, which will finish much sooner. It is going to feel slow enough to Sprogget anyway, since that is a complex action (combat *pass*) to start it, but combat *turn* interval extended test. Back on Oyl’s speed here, and she will get ahead, even with spotting the second mage.

If not, then Winter’s node will not be encrypted, if he is also part of the encrypted tacnet.

Cryptanalysis: Electronic Warfare(5)+Decrypt(5) (6x2, 1 combat turn)

[ Spoiler ]

10d6.hits(5) → [3,5,2,5,1,5,6,1,5,6] = (6)
10d6.hits(5) → [2,4,5,1,3,2,2,4,6,3] = (2)
10d6.hits(5) → [4,2,2,1,5,6,2,6,1,2] = (3)
10d6.hits(5) → [2,5,3,5,2,2,2,2,5,1] = (3) Rigger done (14), 4 combat turns
10d6.hits(5) → [2,1,6,3,3,2,5,6,4,5] = (4)
10d6.hits(5) → [3,5,3,3,5,5,2,6,2,2] = (4)
10d6.hits(5) → [3,6,3,2,5,6,1,3,1,4] = (3)
10d6.hits(5) → [2,1,6,5,4,2,5,5,6,2] = (5) Tacnet signals done (16), 4 combat turns
10d6.hits(5) → [4,5,3,6,1,4,5,5,2,6] = (5)
10d6.hits(5) → [4,3,4,5,3,1,3,3,3,4] = (1)
Cryptanalysis: Electronic Warfare(5)+Decrypt(5) (6x2, 1 combat turn) (10d6.hits(5)=3, 10d6.hits(5)=2, 10d6.hits(5)=3, 10d6.hits(5)=6)
10d6.hits(5) → [4,2,5,6,2,3,5,4,3,4] = (3)
10d6.hits(5) → [3,4,3,4,2,6,2,4,5,1] = (2)
10d6.hits(5) → [2,4,3,2,5,1,6,1,1,6] = (3) Tacnet manager done (14), 5 combat turns
10d6.hits(5) → [5,5,2,1,5,2,3,6,5,6] = (6)
Generally decent dice, bad order. If they get interleaved, first 3 combat passes are used to start all 3 decrypts, and all of them start on the next combat pass/turn, then 2 will finish in 3 combat turns, the 3rd on the 4th (if Sprogget does not get impatient, and abort to get a new sprite to hack the rigger node, based on what happens in the first 4 (including startup) combat turns: 12 seconds).
6 3 3 = (12) Rigger
2 4 5 1 = (12) Signal
3 4 5 = (12) Tacnet manager

Non-Interleaved would take a total of 13 to 16 combat turns, depending whether the first extended test combat turn starts the same combat pass as the complex action or not. Sprogget is very likely to get impatient here. Try not to jump too far time-wise with response IC posts. Want a *chance* to have a spirit intervene, if it looks like more milspec are going to be boarding the Citymaster before get a chance to try to hack the node. What’s Sprogget’s estimate on how long before the Citymaster could pull up and stop by the group, relative to starting the decrypts, which would be after the perceptions, complex actions to compile 2 sprites, and the message to Oyl about over exerting?

Ok, I’ve been fudging pbp / RAW times but I guess this needs some spelling out as the decrypt could take considerable ‘time’ (in game terms if not in actual perceivable time). Citymaster has accel 5/30 so it’s not going to take long to cover the 50m (or so) to the breech. I’ll say it’s not going to get to full speed because of the intervening burnt out cars etc but it is still only going to take a matter of 4-5 turns (maybe as much as 30s tops…). So that’s the time to grab the node info, Osha’s spirits to do their attacks and begin the decrypt. For ease of brain function (and possible drama!) let’s say the decrypts will finish in the turn it arrives…of course that leaves considerable time for the soldier boys to do something…

[Aria]

Also, here's an infiltration roll as I try to safely traverse this shitstorm...

Infiltration: Slinking towards the sewers
Agi(9) + Infil(3) + Spec-Urban(2) = 14d6 for 2 hits. Edge rerolling misses for 6 more hits. 8 hits total, and I'm hoping that's enough to get my croissant kissing ass out of there. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) That leaves me with 2 points of edge left.

Yep, that's quite sneaky! The building is beginning to come apart round your ears but you avoid direct fire with that roll! Let's say 2 turns to get out of the building, a turn to get to the sewer access and then a turn or two to get to Scrap, should put you about level with Sprogget again with a little bit more fudge! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[JxJxA]

@ Aria: Works for me. Just let me know when I should start acting/rolling again. ^_^

[Aria]

Working on an IC right now but if you want to post something about your lovely trip into the sewers then I can pick it up from where you see Scrap ahead...

[Machine Ghost]

@Aria,

@E:Tribes
.. snip ..
Ways of doing that are getting rather scarce though.
.. snip ..

Unless you want Jazz's drone to show up at the breach, trailing her, since LeFey is not around. Single shot / burst and retreat, to take out that other mage would give a bit more opportunity for Oyl to keep things stirred up while Sprogget works to stay conscious long enough to retarget the Citymaster weapons.

If Sprogget is going to notice that, and use/command, a bit more specs would be good. Either G'Eye or Banjo could be close enough to notice it sneaking around. Getting access fast enough could be more of an IC problem.

[ChromeZephyr]

Just a quick post to let you guys know I'm not dead. Had a family member get in a very serious car accident across the country, still not out of the woods. I'm home now, but am in desperate need of sleep. I'll get one up tomorrow.

[JxJxA]

Just a quick post to let you guys know I'm not dead. Had a family member get in a very serious car accident across the country, still not out of the woods. I'm home now, but am in desperate need of sleep. I'll get one up tomorrow.

Sorry to hear that. Godspeed to you, your relative, and your family.

[Aria]

Yes, hope all is well!

Work has been $£**%!!! this week but I hope to get some IC up for you all before the weekend!