[IC] [SR4] What I want to do when I grow up, High School builds character Options

[Happy Noodle Boy]

Dare Mo bend down as to check his shoes and scoops up the chip palming the chip he then stands up and says to Angelo "Let's call it a night

as they head back to the car Dare Mo hands of the chips to Angelo The hand off

[Happy Noodle Boy]

Dare Mo gets to the Car. He first lightly taps on the window before entering
"Graciana I think we have a job". After Angelo settles in he explains Ms Arkwright's Job offer.

[Koekepan]

The essence of the job turns out to be, as explained on the data chip, that FullMatrix, the same charity which hands out so many free commlinks to poor kids, is handing out, according to public filings, over a million nuyen's worth of machinery and software every year - much more, in fact. Some months it's over a million, some months are fairly dry, but it's an implausible amount of money for a small regional charity.

The data on offer includes mostly public records - charitable activity filings over time, board member lists, health and safety filings, office locations, that sort of thing. The main office is in Seattle itself, while others are mostly temporary satellite locations where donation events are handled.

Then there are copies of press releases, the usual sort of thing with gap-toothed kindergartners grinning broadly at the camera with simsense nets or goggles on their heads, commlinks clutched in their hands, and board members and local politicians exchanging congratulatory handshakes and professional smiles.

Finally, there's some indication of their fundraising advertisements - mostly predictable stuff, about inequitable access to the benefits of modern communication technologies and educational opportunities. Boilerplate, really.

[Ziathra]

Graciana tells Dare Mo, "Awesome, I need money. I take it you want to go home? I remember Xavier and the vice-principal wishing there were a way to track kids 24/7 through some kind of electronics they'd accept. I thought of FullMatrix right away. We might want to get some of their stuff and take it apart."

[RdMarquis]

"Damn." Andrew shakes his head. "I was kind of hoping we were done with those people." Obviously, it was too much to expect. He smirks at the press releases. FullMatrix was so much of a cliche, he'd have been more surprised if the whole operation was aboveboard. "That sounds like a good idea. I'll call a friend and see if we can get a hold of one of their commlinks." Angelo looks a bit sheepish as he continues, "Can it wait till tomorrow, though? It's past midnight. I gotta get home." His uncle's schedule was somewhat erratic, but there was no point in making Shane worry.

[Happy Noodle Boy]

Todd rubs his eyes "sleep would be a good thing. I still need to do my morning shift, after which I get to find out whether someone has burned the school down yet.

Todd chuckles to himself Assuming we still have a school we should meet up again at 5 pm to compare notes if that's okay with everyone. Anyone have a preferred meeting place?

Todd send a private message to Graciana
@Graciana [Dara Mo] Are you in need of some cash?I could spot you some new Yen until after the Job.

Todd turns to Andrew " Sounds like a good ideal. We all should talk to our contacts before we meet up tomorrow.

[RdMarquis]

Angelo got home at 12:30. As expected, his uncle was concerned at his being out at the middle of the night, though Shane didn't seem angry. Once he was satisfactorily convinced that Todd and Graciana weren't delinquents, he actually seemed somewhat pleased ("It actually took me a couple of weeks to make friends"). Nonetheless, Andrew found himself answering questions about where he had been (even the type of place Cafe Frou Frou was) until bedtime. Fair enough. His attempt to break into the runner scene could be playing out far worse.

Andrew resented the need to wake up for school, especially since attending was no longer an option. Staggering out of bed, he reminded himself more than once that he was working his first official job. Getting an early start could only help him. Andrew took his usual bus, but transferred to a different line after a couple of stops. The ride would serve to kill time until he knew where to meet with the others.

@Todd, Graciana [Angelo]: Morning. You guys get back alright? We should meet soon and get cracking on this job.

After sending the message, Andrew began checking the FullMatrix node for directions on how to obtain one of their commlinks.

[Happy Noodle Boy]

Before Todd went to sleep he sent an encrypted message to WSG's drop box.

@ WSG [Dare Mo] There is a company called Fullmatrix that is giving away millionsf nuyen worth of comlinks, electronics and software to underprivileged children. These items in the hands of such a group could be used to exploit them and / or those that they walk among. Would anyone know if Fullmatrix is up to something with this act of charity or am I just being cynical?

While to Drop Box belonged to WSG ( Walter Samuel Garvey aka "The world's smartest garbageman) the reply would probably be sent by his local team leader Egg Shen, unless it was something that got the attention of WSG or the Burakumin.

On waking up drags himself out of bed, cleans up, gets dressed, gatheres his gear and heads out. On the way to the Happy Noodle Cart, he checks his mail as well as checking to see if there was any word of something going down at the school. Wouldn't want to walk into a firefight or a school on fire that last though had Todd laughing so hard that he had to pause a minute to catch his breath. Maybe Angela is right and I may bottling too many things inside

When he gets to the cart he helps Charlie with the morning set-up. Before the early morning crowd descends on them Todd grabs a cup of soy-caf and checks his mail one last time before he begins work.

[Koekepan]

Andrew discovers early on that FullMatrix doesn't usually hand out individual commlinks, but if one were to arrive in person with some kind of demonstration of need, they're supposedly quite generous from whatever stock they have on hand. Usually they work with schools, or small children's activity clubs, or even sometimes gangs in the barrens, to get their commlinks to the kids.

WSG responds to Todd with the information that as far as the rumours have gone, the main problem with the FullMatrix give-aways is that they're really weak stuff, just about good enough for hitting the Matrix and running a program or two, and no more. Then again, to kids in the barrens, that's a cornucopia of possibilities, so really, who's counting? Granted, the kids are not skilled enough to defend themselves against any kind of attack, but why would they be? So exploitation has to be happening all the time.

[Happy Noodle Boy]

After the morning rush finishes he says goodbye to Charlie. I may have give up the morning shift in order to pursue the shadow trade. While Todd had no problem giving up the noodle cart he felt hesitant about also giving up the afternoon set up at the 'Happy Noodle' . I guess i would miss seeing Angela though I think it would be more on my part than her's. Why is it that I am attracted to women to virtually unobtainable or want to kick the crap out of me?

As he approached the school he paused to check for messages. He checked in a few of his classmates likely to be already at school to see if anything usual was going on.He noticed Andrew's message he replied

@Andrew,Graciana [Todd]: I managed to get get home and even got a few hours of sleep. found out that the products our 'friends' are really low end and in the hands of kids who would be walking around with the items and not even know if something wrong with them. Given how much they supposedly paid for these items they must be either giving out a LOT of these, someone is doing something funny with the funds, or there may be some thing about these items they aren't telling anyone. I heading to school, but before that I will check to see if anything might be happening now. Just because your paranoid doesn't mean someone isn't out to get you (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

Todd send a quick message to Ivan Annoying
@Ivan A [Dare Mo] Do happen to know if anything is happen at south Tacoma in light of the latest news?

Assuming he hasn't heard anything from his previous inquires. Todd attempts to blend with the crowd one with the crowd all the while looking for any signs of trouble Perception + security procedures

[Ziathra]

Graciana woke up late. She was perfectly happy, thinking it was Saturday, until she opened her eyes.

No alarm clock.

No school.

No school, ever.

No screaming from Mama.

Graciana realized she would miss her ecology class, but nothing else. Since time was literally money in the coffin motel, she took the fastest shower she could in the communal bathroom, got ready for the day as quickly as she could and checked out.

Graciana then drove to the nearest Stuffer Shack to find something for breakfast that didn't involve milk or heat. She also grabbed a few lunches, dinners and snacks that literally could be eaten on the run, no refrigeration, heating or utensils required. I'll get something better after I get a place.

Munching away on the sort of mylar-packaged breakfast pastry that throws dentists, doctors and parents into fits, Graciana looked over her messages.

@Todd [Graciana]: I may take you up on that loan. Let me see if I can find something cheaper than a coffin motel.

@Angelo, Todd [Graciana]: We probably should meet soon and get cracking, but you've got school, unless you already dropped out this morning. I can't tell you what someone at FullMatrix could be doing with the funds, or the items, but I can scout the place out for you.

Graciana checked her commlink's calendar after sending off the messages, paying particular attention to what she had to do that afternoon and whether it would be safe to show up and do it. She also reminded herself of the location of Future Home #1.

A magician is an agent of change, or so I've been told.

[RdMarquis]

@Todd, Graciana [Angelo]: Gonna be a bit late, but I'll meet you at school, Todd. It's probably our best bet as far as getting our mitts on a FullMatrix commlink. We made a decent bundle with that data. I figure I'll invest some of it in a fairly decent 'link and offer to trade someone with one of theirs.

Andrew adjusted his sunglasses, thinking. Really, that was the problem. Even if they were offering a better device, showing up out of the blue to trade commlinks like that would seem awfully shady. Morgan or one of the students from his "old school" might be silver tongued enough to pull it off, but he was hardly a negotiator.

Graciana? What do you have in the way of spells? You think you can convince somebody to part with a FullMatrix device? He looks out the window for a computer store.

[Ziathra]

@Angelo, Todd [Graciana]: I could only do that if a dog had a commlink. I can calm animals and control just one of them at a time. I can make disguises and make you invisible. I cah heal you and stun people. I also summon elemental spirits and Watchers.

[Koekepan]

To nobody's surprise, there is a rowdy crowd at the school. Ivan Annoying confirms this, as do Suzette Arkwright, and even a cursory glance at the school. The crowd heavily features orks and trolls, as well as a lot of rather cranky humans. Suzette's show is stoking all sorts of flames about discrimination, privilege, serfdom and so on.

Exactly how much is seen depends on how close one gets, but it's pretty clear that the doors are being blocked, and that Knight-Errant are putting in an appearance, although at this stage they're just standing by.

[Happy Noodle Boy]

As Todd viewed the spectacle before him he wondered if there would be a school to go to. While there is a part of him that wouldn't mind seeing the school go up in flames, he also realized that people would probably be hurt in the process. Johnny always said that the difference between him and those he killed was that he now valued the life of the innocent. Even now I am still not sure what his exact definition of innocence was.

@Graciana, Andrew [Todd}; issuing comlinks to dogs, now that's funny. actually Graciana I was wondering if any of your friends in the charity business might know something more about FullMatrix that could help us. Right now I am outside of the school. It looks about even odds that someone will overreact. Andrew I going to check to see if our link into the school is undetected, if so I think you could find out what the clowns in admin are up to.

Before Todd sends his message he attaches a 30 second videos of the front of the school then he sends it out.

Todd does a check to see if their hidden link is still in place Analyze plus computer

[Ziathra]

Graciana laughs and laughs over the video. She also looks closely at the orks, just to see if any of them are Sons of Sauron.

@Todd, Andrew [Graciana]: I can always go ask my friends about FullMatrix. I'm not sure what they'll know.

Graciana stays in the Stuffer Shack parking lot for a while longer, in case there are any replies or more news.

[Koekepan]

Graciana laughs and laughs over the video. She also looks closely at the orks, just to see if any of them are Sons of Sauron.

There is no immediate development to the news, since an active riot has not yet broken out, but many of the protesting crowd show signs of a lidless eye, somewhat stylised. That said, they don't appear to be letting anyone into the school, so if it goes up in flames casualties should be minimised.

[Ziathra]

Graciana says, "SI!" when she spots the Sons of Sauron. Snickering and making jokes about the Ring, she moves her truck to a spot at the fringe of the Stuffer Shack parking lot, so no one will mind her sitting there. Then she calls up a local newsfeed, so she can watch what happens at the school.

The Ring is mine! I almost hope they do burn it down!

[RdMarquis]

Andrew observes what he assumed were the results of their work, frowning slightly. It wasn't as satisfying as he had hoped. Though he didn't have much pity for anyone involved with Xavier, a few innocent faculty members might get blamed for their actions as well. Not to mention the consequences for the students. Andrew sighed heavily. He shouldn't have expected the whole mess with the school to go neatly.

@Graciana, Todd [Andrew]: Either of you recognize that eye symbol? Andrew noticed it when he watched the video a second time. Also, any more thoughts on a way to get a FullMatrix device? Since magical persuasion isn't an option, we could try to swipe a commlink from someone. Maybe leave them a nicer device as consolation.

[Ziathra]

Andrew only has to wait a bit for a reply.

@Andrew, Todd [Graciana]: I think that's the Lidless Eye of Sauron, symbol of the Sons of Sauron. I could always walk into FullMatrix under a disguise spell and just ask for a commlink.

[Koekepan]

The demonstration shows signs of getting angrier when Knight Errant sends loudspeaker demands for the crowd to disperse. Those who are in a position to hear it can hear chants from the crowd, in Or'zet. They don't sound like happy songs of peaceful cooperation.

One huge troll grabs a flagpole in front of the school, and with a couple of wrenching yanks, breaks it off to the cheers of the crowd. An ork rips the flag off the top, and a couple of others quickly tie on a banner with their eye icon. Another chant goes up: "Pinky school closed!"

Looks like it'll be a party to remember.

[Happy Noodle Boy]

Todd continues to record to events unfolding. I am beginning to think there will be no school today

@Graciana Andrew [Todd] More action at the school [steaming video link) .

Todd cues up his agent Dear Kunoichi could you get me a Schedule for the GED program at the local community college. I may be need to continue my education elsewhere Todd thought he heard a discreet snicker from his agent before she went off for her appointed task.

Todd finds out that the access him and Andrew is still in the system and the school system is on alert

@Andrew [Todd]: Looks like the school system is on alert. Do you think it would be worth the effort to check the system in case they may have information on the Full matrix program (before the school burns down) or should we move on and start looking elsewhere?

[RdMarquis]

@Graciana, Todd [Andrew]: Actually...yeah, that could work. Andrew didn't want to say anything, out of politeness. But she was the type of person FullMatrix wanted to provide with Matrix access. Leaving the store, Andrew got on a bus headed for their school. Watching the developing situation at their school, he felt his stomach turn a little. Damn. This could end with a lot worse than some of the faculty getting hurt.

Let's give it a look. If it doesn't pan out, we have other leads to look into. He got off at the second closest stop to their school, walking the rest of the way. Andrew stops at a safe distance from the school and checks if their hard wire connection is still in place.

[Ziathra]

Graciana, meanwhile, is still cosily tucked into her truck, watching Todd's streaming feed. "One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them/In the land of Mordor where the shadows lie."

@Andrew, Todd [Graciana]: Okay, I will hop over there just as soon as things quiet down at school. I really want to see this.

Hmm, better disguise myself as human instead of an ork or troll after this.

[Koekepan]

The Kunoichi returns to Todd, and bows as she offers him AR scrolls. They are, of course, the schedules of several local community colleges. She also provides the locations, operating hours and catalogues of several local libraries. She's nothing if not thorough.

Andrew steps off and finds out that quite a few kids apparently had the same idea. It's not a crowd of pupils, exactly, but there are faces he recognises here and there, craning their heads to get a better look while a pack of orks suddenly bursts from the mob and overwhelms a Knight Errant rent-a-cop in heavy armour. What they intend to do with him is anybody's guess but it probably won't be nice.

A few gunshots echo off the street and buildings, and the crowd roars.