[X] My Assistant

[kzt]

Remember that being a Shadowrunner is kind of like a badge of honor, any runner worth the name won't sell out Mr. J unless they are given a damn good reason, because if they do it they basically will never get any work every again, which means that Mr. J usually doesn't have much to worry about when hiring runners unless he is either a) hiring green runners who don't have a rep, or b) not doing legwork on the runners.

We have you for 4 count of attempted murder, 13 counts of grand theft, two of kidnapping and 43 counts of illegal weapons possession. On average that's good for about 57 years of making little rocks out of big rocks. However the DA is willing to make a deal with you, as he would really like to know who hired you to do this. ...

[HunterHerne]

We have you for 4 count of attempted murder, 13 counts of grand theft, two of kidnapping and 43 counts of illegal weapons possession. On average that's good for about 57 years of making little rocks out of big rocks. However the DA is willing to make a deal with you, as he would really like to know who hired you to do this. ...

Do DA's really do much in SR? Especially in places where policing and criminal imprisonment are handled by the same corp (usually Lonestar or Knight Errant)?

[Paul]

The game does not officially address this in any significant fashion. For my own part I see no reason why the Justice system would cease to exist.

[Kirk]

The game does not officially address this in any significant fashion. For my own part I see no reason why the Justice system would cease to exist.

Ah?
Explain the barrens.

[Paul]

Well I said "Cease to exist" not "unchanged." One of the biggest parts of the setting as I see it is that "Justice" is no longer a "right" seen as available to all.

[Kirk]

Well I said "Cease to exist" not "unchanged." One of the biggest parts of the setting as I see it is that "Justice" is no longer a "right" seen as available to all.

So you're actually in agreement with Hunterherne's point?

[Paul]

I'd say we don't have completely differing opinions. As I read his post, he asked if the Justice system had any real use-since it only served the those involved in the system. I'd say overall, that's exactly how it works, but I'd say that it's not always the case. Does that make sense? Or am I as clear as mud? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[kzt]

It's extremely likely that in anything but a corp state that the decision whether to prosecute and what to charge someone with will belong to elected officials and not to a corp functionary. The the average SR player it matters not at all, as everyone is willing to throw the book at terrorists and criminals like them.

[Paul]

Learn to play the cards that are dealt chummer.

[CanRay]

Back to Meeting Mr. Johnson...

In my games, meeting places done by Professional Johnsons were done in neutral locations. Decent enough neighborhoods that surveillance was done, but not intrinsically pervasive. They'll make you check your firearm (And ammo for cyberguns) at the door, but could care less about your knives or spurs, that type of place. Neutral ground where both sides can feel comfortable. Some places in Tacoma or Auburn, typically, or on the border of Touristville in the Redmond Barrens.

The less professional ones would insist on a place they felt more comfortable, or a more stereotypical place like a dive in the Barrens like they saw on the 'Trid. One that was pretending to be a complete newb on the scene had the group meet at Club Penumbra, because, "Well, this is where you meet Shadowrunners, right?" (They never did get the second part of their payment for that one.).

[HunterHerne]

I haven't GM'd a group long enough to get them to the big leagues (I like to start small. Like breaking in to a Ganger HQ to rescue a kid, or infiltrating the local mall to alter records. Most of the group was also new to the game, though) so the Johnson's are usually not professional J's. The last one, was an NPC runner looking for a group that could get him out of the area. The meet happened in neutral territory (an unused warehouse) and they only got to talk to him after they rescued him from the Biodrone tracker/retrieval unit.

They weren't happy, in fact, the mage got her throat ripped out (I use severe damage rules), and they are currently part of the local police's checkpoint. Being inspected by K-9...

(The Johnson is still with them)

[Ol' Scratch]

The whole idea that the guy who is hiring "deniable assets" to commit major crimes will want the people he is hiring to know anything about him, much less see and talk to him, has always been a bit of SR insanity.

He's not (or shouldn't be) the one hiring anyone. Mr. Johnson is as much a deniable asset as the team is.

Instead, he was hired by someone who hired someone to go out and contact known fixers in order to meet with the runners in order to hire them for the person who hired the guy who hired him. At the very least for corporate-sponsored runs. Underworld and "little people" hirings either don't need or don't have the resources to go through all that trouble, and in the case of the latter they're not nearly as concerned about the "deniable asset" part.

[Kirk]

He's not (or shouldn't be) the one hiring anyone. Mr. Johnson is as much a deniable asset as the team is.

Instead, he was hired by someone who hired someone to go out and contact known fixers in order to meet with the runners in order to hire them for the person who hired the guy who hired him. At the very least for corporate-sponsored runs. Underworld and "little people" hirings either don't need or don't have the resources to go through all that trouble, and in the case of the latter they're not nearly as concerned about the "deniable asset" part.

Actually, I use a third category as much as possible. Every largish organization has its own troubleshooter(s). They might be part of the organization, they might be part of a personal staff, doesn't matter. Their job is to take care of it when normal procedures are not what are needed - deniability being the most typical reason.

Such a person always sets up a scapegoat in the corporation in case it's necessary.

[Wakshaani]

Yeah, that's one that I use but most others rarely use, I think.

Johnson is a Fixer, more or less, an intermediary between you and your client... the client needs a job done, so gets a Mr Johnson to act as the hiring agent.

Johnson sits at one end of teh table, the team at the other, and the Fixer *might* act as a go-between, depending on the team's relationship and whether or not they have their own faceman to handle contract negotiations. Johnson is USUALLY not the client.

Usually.

An example of this might be Mercy Graves, hiring for Lex Luthor ... she's clearly a rogue operative in his organization, a bad apple, and he wants to thank you for ferreting out such a traitor. (cough cough).

You also have what I call "Mrs Smith", which is a client-Johnson combination, usually someone who's never done this sort of thing, has no idea how it's supposed to work, relying heavily on trid/sim programs. They're nervous, they speak in badly broken codewords, they seek out seedy bars because "That's how it's done, right?" and they usually don't pay that well... but th ejobs are usually easy, it's good karma, and sometimes the intel you wind up with is astounding. Good ways to try out new team members, too. If they can't handle a "Mrs Smith" run, they'll never work on a Johnson run.

[Saint Hallow]

Saint Hallow, I'm talking about the IC side. You can't run (repeatedly) with people you don't even trust enough to go get the job. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I agree with you. Realistically & honestly, IC distrust should stop me from going on the run. However, there are runs in which some solo folk have to work with others. My character is a gunbunny. If I have to work with a hacker on something, so be it. I don't know the guy/girl or really trust them... but I have to accept that its a part of the job. That's why I've been IC keep going with these people. Cause I need to get the job done. Plus I have no desire to get rid of my character, just to bring in a new guy so a clean slate can be had.

[Saint Hallow]

Well, its moot now. The entire party died on a run. New slate for everyone. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

[Mayhem_2006]

Whilst moot, there was always the possibility it was a test.

"If the Runner's can't get in to see me without getting arrested, they are not good enough for me to hire."

[CanRay]

Well, its moot now. The entire party died on a run. New slate for everyone. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

Know when to retreat.

[kzt]

Know when to retreat.

Yes. And know when to say "Fuck the bonus"

[CanRay]

Yes. And know when to say "Fuck the bonus"

Bob Hauk: "You going to kill me, Snake?"
Snake Plissken: "Not now, I'm too tired. [pause] Maybe later." - Escape From New York

[Zoot]

Well, the Missions scenarios specifically say the Johnson will only pay for the runners who show at the meet. So send a proxy. Or several...


To boost our numbers we hired some porn extras (one of the characters is a pornstar/hacker. don't ask. no seriously, the first rule of porn club is we don't talk about porn club). We briefed them it was an improv audition for a Carl Combat Mage spin-off and fed them lines wirelessly. Our 2 man party got paid for 6 runners. got paid 9k per head, paid the extras 200 each. Sweet.

[Midas]

There are all manner of Johnsons in SR canon, from the nervous newb to the smooth-talking AAA corp troubleshooter. The former may let their mask slip a little through nerves or naivety, but the latter will take all manner of precautions often including disguise and a fake commlink leading to a red herring corp (with their 'real' commlink turned off until they are well away from the meet and sure they are not being followed).

The Fixer is the glue that binds the Johnson to the runners - he/she vouches for the deniable assets and tells the J that they are capable of getting the job done, and also vouches for the Johnson to the runners, having confirmed that the Johnson is good for the payment. The Fixer will have connections with a number of clients and runner teams, and he/she neither wants to lose these valuable assets or his paying clients. Hence, if the run goes south the fixer will be screaming blue murder to the runners, and if the Johnson double-crosses the runners the fixer will do his/her best to help them out. Fixers live and die on their contacts and reputation, so they want to take their cut and see both runners and clients walk away satisfied.

As for the meet, it can be done virtually or face-to-face, and the GM should make sure it takes place in a variety of locations, spice of life and all that. In general, the Johnson will choose a place where they can be anonymous; after all, should the runners hose up and get captured or killed, the Johnson will not want to have been seen with them by anyone who could join the dots and connect the Johnson to the run. Hence the staple meet location of a back room in a random restaurant/bar which the Johnson can pay for anonymously in cash/certified credstick. The zoo and the funfair are also legitimate anonymous places for a meet.

If the Johnson wants to meet all the runners, he/she may have to compromise on a location which all the PCs can access, or just meet with those runners who can get in. You takes your choices ...

[Midas]

Well, the Missions scenarios specifically say the Johnson will only pay for the runners who show at the meet. So send a proxy. Or several...

To boost our numbers we hired some porn extras (one of the characters is a pornstar/hacker. don't ask. no seriously, the first rule of porn club is we don't talk about porn club). We briefed them it was an improv audition for a Carl Combat Mage spin-off and fed them lines wirelessly. Our 2 man party got paid for 6 runners. got paid 9k per head, paid the extras 200 each. Sweet.

YMMV, but that wouldn't wash in my game, not unless the fixer was gonna vouch for a bunch of porn extras. And no fixer worth his reputation would be prepared to do that ...

[Wakshaani]

The Fixer's also there to keep both sides relatively unsure of the other side's ID, even if he knows it.

Should the PCs start sniffing around Johnson's ID, the Fixer should step in and be, like, "Look, I told you he was legit. EIther you trust me on this or find another deal-maker." ... Johnson's employer relies on being a deniable resource, just as he needs the Shadowrunners as deniable assets. When names come out, everybody's in trouble.

Similarly, the Fixer won't call you 'Jeff' in front of the Johnson, even if you married his brother. You get to be 'Mad Dog' as long as an outsider is around.

So, the groupings look like:

Shadowrunners --> Fixer --> neutral <-- Johnson <-- Client

SOmetimes, Johnson *is* the Client, but usually not.

(edit)
Oh, and, yes, teh Fixer's rep is on the line, almost as much as your own. Trying to scam the Johnson makes the fixer look bad and hurts his business. Never a good idea.

[Paul]

Well, the Missions scenarios specifically say the Johnson will only pay for the runners who show at the meet. So send a proxy. Or several...

To be honest that's one of many reasons why I don't use any of the Missions stuff. I can see the appeal to some people, but I generate my own stuff, and like ti that way.