Nothing's Free in the Free Zone (OOC), Adventure 2: A Dish Best Served Cold Options

[Lobo0705]

So here is the OOC thread (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Some notes:

Here is where you communicate any OOC questions - if you feel like you want to keep the question secret from your fellow players, you can of course PM me.

When you post:

Anything spoken out loud should be in quotations and "cyan"
Anything communicated via commlink should be in side << >> and <<yellow>>
Anything you are thinking should be in italics and dark khaki

In addition to the dropbox, I'd like your first post to this thread to include your character, not only for easy reference but also to signify that you are ready to begin the adventure. Please also make sure that you can access the dropbox. If you cannot, please let me know, and we can address that.

A note on Perception tests - I will tend to PM you your results of Perception tests. I think this makes it more interesting, as it allows each player to share as much or as little of what they have learned to their teammates.

The IC thread will be up soon - please do not post in it until all 4 players have posted their characters into this thread.

I will be sending out "newsflashes" in game. These will be posted both IC and in the dropbox. Fair warning, in these newsflashes there will be some information that is completely false, some that are true but have no impact on the game, some that are germane to the adventure at hand, and some that will be used to set up future adventures. It is up to you as a group to determine which is which - don't automatically assume that something is important because I put it in the newsflash, but don't automatically disregard it either (IMG:style_emoticons/default/devil.gif)

Rigger rules all in one spot.

[ Spoiler ]

So, from my understanding, drones and vehicles can be controlled one of 4 ways:

1) Manual
2) Remote
3) Rigger
4) Auto

1) Manual Control - simple - you use your skills and stats, and it acts on your initiative pass

2) Remote - is the result of the Control Device action. If you look at the way that works (page 238), you are not telling the drone/vehicle to do something, you are actually doing it - hence you use your skills and stats, and it acts on your initiative pass. You can control multiple drones/vehicles to do the same exact thing i.e. fire at a target, and this action costs nothing extra. If it isn't exactly the same thing, then you have to split your dice pools among the different drones/vehicles. The way the rules are written, you would get the +2 dice bonus for Hot Sim VR, in that you gain +2 for all Matrix Actions, and Control Device is a Matrix Action.

3) Rigger - this is when you are "jumped into" the vehicle. You gain a bonus to the Sensor, Speed, Handling and Accuracy equal to the rating of the Control Rig. You gain a bonus to Vehicle tests equal to the rating of the Control Rig. Your threshold for Vehicle tests is reduced by the rating of the Control Rig (minimum 1), along with the +2 bonus for being in VR, and the drone you are jumped into acts on your init.

4) Auto - this is when the drone has been given a command - via a Send Message simple action. In this case, it acts on its own initiative, and uses its own Pilot + programs. Having an RCC allows you to command all the drones connected to it using a single simple action - and they do not have to be given the same command.

Matrix House rules

[ Spoiler ]

1) Public and Cross Grid Penalties as Noise
Instead of a -2 penalty for all matrix actions when connected to the Public Grid, being connected via the public grid counts as having 2 points of spam/static zone Noise, thanks to the spotty connection and increased advertising. Similarly, the penalty for working across a grid becomes a static/spam Noise 2 instead of a flat -2. Ignore all the rules about cross grid and public grid penalties applying in some situation and not others. As Noise, the apply unless compensated for with Noise Cancellation. Host systems continue to have no physical location, and thus no distance Noise.

2) Cyberprogram Tweaks
Programs are no longer separated between Cyberdeck and Rigger versions of the program. Additionally, Commlinks are able to run any of the Common Cyberprograms, but not the Hacking Programs. Commlinks can run a number of programs equal to half their device rating, rounded down. Rigger Control Consoles use their Sharing rating for program capacity in general, but only Autosofts are explicitly shared with drones.

3) Detecting Hidden Icons
"If you know at least one feature of an icon running silent, you can spot the icon (Running Silent, below)" on page 235's list of uses for matrix perception is interpreted to mean that if you know at least 1 feature of an icon you think is running in silent mode on grid or in a host you occupy, you may attempt to directly spot that icon instead of first attempting to determine the presence and number of hidden icons, and then picking randomly among them. The more details you have on a target, the more broadly you can define your search, so you don't need to know the exact make and model of a gun to locate it's icon if you know it's approximate location. If you search broadly, your GM will randomly pick among the applicable options: So looking for a hidden gun icon within 100 meters will get you a random gun running silent, which may or may not be the one the ganger has. Similarly, looking for the wrong thing automatically fails. Note: the Wrapper cyberprogram does not affect the direct targeting of icons. Just because your gun's icon looks like commlink doesn't mean "gun" isn't a feature of the device anymore. Wrapper is useful for running devices in public, not silent.
Valid Examples: "That gun that ganger over there is shooting at me with" or "The Payroll database."
Example of picking wrong: Attempting to locate Wired Reflexes when a character is using Reaction Enhancers.

4) Missing Prices
Local Grid access tends to cost about 200 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) for a week or 500 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) per month, but is included in the Middle Lifestyle for your home region. Traveling outside that coverage area will put you on the public grid unless you buy more access. Global Grid access tends to cost 400 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) for a week or 1000 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) per month, but one grid is included in the High Lifestyle. At Luxury Lifestyle you can access all the grids.

5) Base CyberDeck
The following cyberdeck is added to the list of options on page 227/439:

"Cobbled Together Links and Electronics," Device Rating 1, Attribute Array 3 2 2 1, Programs: 1, Availability: 2R, Cost: 20,000 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)

6) Cracking File Protection
The Crack Protection matrix action can now be down as the user's choice of Attack or Sleaze. However, if you choose to use it as a Sleaze action, you take a -4 die penalty.

Repairing Drones

[ Spoiler ]

Physical Damage.

All physical damage is categorized as two types: Structural and Non-Structural.

Non-structural damage would be bullets, electric shock, anything that leaves the structural integrity of the drone intact.
Structural damage includes explosives, fire, and crashes - damage which will destroy the chassis itself and force you to replace wholesale sections of the drone.

Cost:
Non-Structural damage costs 1% of the cost of the drone to repair per box.
Structural damage costs 5% of the cost of the drone to repair per box.

Difficulty:
To repair something with 7 or more boxes of damage, every 3 hits repairs 1 box.
To repair something with 4-6 boxes of damage, every 2 hits repairs 1 box.
To repair something with 1-3 boxes of damage, every hit repairs 1 box.

Structural damage increases the difficulty by 1 hit per box.

Example:

Grease has a Rotodrone that has 4 boxes of structural damage, and 4 boxes of nonstructural damage. To repair the first box of non-structural damage, it takes 2 hits. To repair the last 3 boxes of damage, it takes 1 hit per box.

To repair the structural damage, the first box takes 3 hits, and then the last 3 boxes take 2 hits each.

Time:
Non Structural Damage has a base time of 30 minutes
Structural Damage has a base time of 1 hour.

Required Tools
Non-Structural Damage of up to 6 boxes may be done at no penalty with a tool kit.
Non-Structural Damage of 7 or more boxes must be done with a shop, or suffer a -4 dice pool penalty.

Structural Damage of up to 6 boxes may be done at no penalty with a shop.
Structural Damage of 7 or more boxes must be done at a facility or suffer a -4 dice pool penalty.


Plans: 500 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) - gives a bonus of +1 die
AR Enhanced 1000 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) - gives a bonus of +2 dice

Availability = Availability of Vehicle/Drone

Glitches and Critical Glitches

If you critically glitch on the roll to repair your device,
that’s it. The device is permanently destroyed.

If you glitch, the device can be restored to
functionality, but it becomes a bit glitchy (the gamemaster
will tell you how at an appropriate moment).

Healing:

[ Spoiler ]

Stun = Standard Extended Test, Full Extended Test can be attempted once per 24 hour period. That way stun is going to eventually go away, like it is supposed to, no matter how frail the individual (Granted, critical glitches can still happen), but it is going to take a few days for someone with a weak constitution to recover from a serious stun injury.

Physical = Standard Extended Test, New Extended Test requires trip to medical facility. That way serious physical injury is almost always going to require a trip to the doc, unless you're a hulking troll with insane body and willpower.

Barriers

[ Spoiler ]

Normal rules apply for physical damage. For non-physical damage, Gel rounds count as non-penetrating weapons that have their base DV cut in half (round up). Punching also counts as a non-penetrating weapon with its DV cut in half (round up).

Fencing Gear

[ Spoiler ]

When you fence gear on your own, once you've found your buyer (Charisma+Etiquette, needing 10 hits, base interval equal to normal Availability time), the Charisma and Negotiation of the buyer are rolled randomly using the tables below.

Charisma
1-5: 1
6 to 40: 2
41 to 70: 3
71 to 85: 4
86 to 95: 5
96 to 100: 6

Negotiation

1 to 20: 0
21 to 40: 1
41 to 70: 2
71 to 85: 3
86 to 95: 4
96 to 100: 5

Notoriety

[ Spoiler ]

When interacting with someone, they make a Knowledge check with a threshold equal to 6-(Notoriety+Public Awareness), and if they succeed you receive a negative dice pool modifier equal to your Notoriety.

[Jack VII]

Jack

Name: Javier Ramirez
Race: Ork
Gender: Male

[ Spoiler ]

ATTRIBUTES
BOD 6 WIL 3
AGI 3 (5) LOG 3
REA 3 (4) INT 3
STR 5 (7) CHA 3
EDG 5 ESN 1.16
INI 7 + 2D6
Limits (M/P/S) 4/9/4
Monitor (P/S) 11/10
Overflow: 8

Current Stun Track: 0/10
Current Physical Track: 0/11
Current Edge Pool: 3/5 (9/12 - 1 Edge: Climb Wall, 1 Edge: Organize Diamond Formation)

SKILLS
Active
Physical: Perception (4)
Social: Con/Fast Talk (3), Etiquette/Corp (3), Negotiation/Contracts (3)
Technical: Computer (2), First Aid (3)
Vehicle: Pilot Ground (1)
Knowledge
Academic: Economics (2)
Professional: Accounting (2), Business (2), Small Unit Tactics (3)
Interest: Music/Goblin Rock (1)
Street: Denver Area Knowledge (2)
Language: English (N), Spanish (2)

QUALITIES
Positive: Quick Healer, Toughness, Will To Live (2)
Negative: Dependent [Nic, Regular Inconvenience]

CONTACTS & REP
- Chapel, Male Human Fixer (4/2): Chapel has a solid rep throughout the UCAS Zone as a good fixer to work for. Friendly, outgoing, and protective of his runners as well as his clients, he operates on the belief that happy runners make a happy fixer. He is a little bit of a foodie, preferring to meet at various upscale restaurants throughout the Zone and the UCAS part of the Downtown Hub rather than the various seedy bars that most runners frequent. Runners who wish to work for Chapel are well advised to scrape together at least one nice suit in order to blend in at his "business dinners" - where he invariably picks up the check as another gesture of good will towards his employees. (10% bonus for Firearms/15% penalty for Magical Supplies)
- Nicodemus, Male Troll Scavenger (1/4): A cantankerous old troll who runs "Nic's Knacks" out of his squat in the Aurora Warrens. The troll scavenges weapons, gear, and "slightly used" cyberware from the urban battlefields of the Free Zone. (Access to used gear and cyberware at a 25% discount. Used gear has the Gremlins 1 Negative Quality and may not come with all of the standard accessories. No access to new gear)
- Honeypot, Female Elf Fence (4/3): A former prostitute, Honeypot learned pretty quickly that is was preferable to sell other things than herself. With equal amounts of charm and sarcasm, the elf has carved out a moderate sized network to move stolen goods. (10% bonus for Programs/15% penalty for Firearms)
- CPL Jason Sinclair, Male Human UCAS ZDF Border Guard (2/2): Young and fairly new to the ZDF Border Guard, CPL Sinclair bonded with "Diego Sanchez" over a shard love of goblin rock, the two having met during an altercation at a local concert. Sinclair is quietly jealous of "Sanchez's" lifestyle and hopes to one day follow in his footsteps.
- Shannon Greeley, Female Elf Community Organizer (4/1): A beautiful, idealistic young elf, Shannon Greeley is a representative of Rebuilding Together, a non-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of life of the poverty stricken not only in the Warrens, but all over the UCAS. She brings a high media profile to the Warrens, and is currently rumored to be in a relationship with another activist who goes by the name Chomsky.
- Jim, Male Human Motel 6 Clerk (2/1): A sharp-eyed survivor, Jim works the desk at the Motel 6 in No Man’s Land in the Warrens. Faced with the prospect of death in the event of a flare-up between the Fronts and the Yakuza, Jim manages to get by, turning a profit whenever he can. The Motel 6 is a good location for a quiet rendezvous, and Jim is your man to keep it off the radar.
- CPT Juan Ramirez, Male Ork Lone Star Officer (4/2): A former patrolman from the Vice division of Lone Star, Ramirez has risen through the ranks. He has a reputation for getting the job done, even if that means going outside the corporate structure. One of the few of the Bronze who gets respect from the street, he is one of the good guys.
- Brandy Simmons, Female Dwarf Real Estate Agent (2/1): An attractive dwarven female, Brandy is an associate at Whitney Real Estate. She is a shrewd operator, and may be willing to look the other way if it is worth her while.

Current Karma (0), Total Karma (12), Street Cred (1), Notoriety (0), Public Awareness (0)

GEAR
Streetline Special [APDS] w/Gecko Grip, Internal Smartgun, 2x Spare Mags [REG] & 10 Rounds [S&S] (W)
HK227 [REG] w/Improved Range Finder, Sling, 3x Spare Mags [REG], 1x Spare Mag [APDS], & 54 Rounds [GEL] (W)
Colt M23 [REG] w/Foregrip, Internal Smartgun, Low-Light Flashlight, Shock Pad, Slide Mount, Sling, 2x Spare Mag [REG], 1x Spare Mag [EX], & 1x Spare Mag [S&S] (W)
Bipod (W)
Flash-Pak (W)
Zoe Executive Suite w/Concealable Holster (W)
Actioneer Business Clothes (W)
Armor Jacket w/CP (2), FR (2), IS (2), NC (2) & Drag Handle
Forearm Guards
Armor Vest
Helmet w/Flare Compensation, Thermographic Vision, Vision Enhancement (1), Vision Magnification, & Ultrasound (2) (W)
Horn Rim Glasses w/Flare Comp, Image Link, Vision Enhancement (2) (W)
Earbuds w/Audio Enhancement (3) (W)
Hermes Ikon (5) [Browse & Signal Scrub] w/Subvocal Mic
Meta Link (1)
Gecko Tape Gloves (W)
Medkit (3) (3/3 Supplies) (W)
Trauma Patch (W)
4x Standard Credstick
Fake SIN (4) [Diego Sanchez]
Fake License (4) [Augmentations, Concealed Carry, Firearms]
1xMonth Low Lifestyle [Dangerous Area, Local Grid Access] w/Regular Inconvenience Dependent

Cyberware
Datajack [Alpha]
Handblade [Alpha]
Internal Air Tank (3) [Alpha] (W)
Muscle Replacement (2) [Alpha]
Skilljack (4) [Used] (W)
Skillwires (4) [Used] (W)
Skillsoft: [Automatics (4), Disguise (1), Diving (2), Free-Fall (1), Gymnastics (2), Navigation (2), Pilot Aircraft (1), Pilot Watercraft (1), Pistols (4), Running (3), Sneaking (4), Survival (2), Throwing Weapons (4), Tracking (2), Unarmed Combat (4)]
Smartlink [Alpha] (W)
Wired Reflexes (1) [Alpha] (W)

APPEARANCE
Jack is an ork of Latino descent standing 6'2 and weighing approximately 282 pounds. His features are lightly goblinized, although no one would confuse him for anything other than an ork given the jutting and prominent lower canines. His hair is black and a little wild. Jack is dressed fairly stylishly in a khaki three-piece armored business suit, an affectation to which he feels unconsciously attracted. The ork also wears a pair of stylish horn-rim glasses to complete the look of a successful corp saraiman.

BACKGROUND

[ Spoiler ]

********************************************************************************
AZTECHNOLOGY PROPRIETARY INFORMATION//RESTRICTED DISTRIBUTION//EYES ONLY
Project: Jack of All Trades, v7.0
Subject: Javier Ramirez
Project Status: Terminated

Executive Summary: Jack of All Trades, v7.0 (JACK VII) is the seventh iteration of the Jack of All Trades Project (JACK). As you know, JACK is Aztechnology’s initiative to develop a cost-effective, mass-producible warfighter through cyber & bio augmentation. One of the key features of the program is leveraging cybernetic skill emulation technology to turn any randomly selected individual into a competent soldier. The previous JACK subjects had met with varying levels of success, although none remain functioning at this time.

Javier Ramirez, our subject for JACK VII, was an Aztechnology employee working in the contracting office of one of our Seattle logistics affiliates. After careful screening, he was selected for the program due to his completely average attributes. He fell within the 40th to 60th percentile in every measurable category for his metatype. As for his metatype, Ramirez was our first ork subject. While we would have preferred a human subject, Ramirez was the only one available on short notice. It was relatively easy for us to arrange a staged negotiation where Ramirez performed poorly and gave him the option to join JACK to correct his “failed” negotiation.

In any event, Ramirez was actually quite successful as a JACK subject. His performance exceeded all previous test subjects, which we expect resulted from a combination of Ramirez’s metatype and the advances made in the skill emulation technology. Unfortunately, JACK VII was terminated when a transport helicopter in which Ramirez was traveling was lost somewhere in Denver. We have yet to determine who or what downed the helicopter, but we are not ruling out interference from Ghostwalker. Our forensics teams were unable to find any trace of the subject. Based on the number and locations of the badly charred corpses, the forensics team believes JACK VII was lost in the crash with a 95% confidence interval.

Using the research gleaned from JACK VII, work has already begun on Jack of All Trades, v8.0. For information on that project, please direct inquiries to the Aztechnology’s Seattle R&D Branch. Please present proper clearance credentials when initiating contact.
********************************************************************************

Jack’s first memories were filled with smoke and flame. Well, smoke, flame, and the ugliest troll he had ever seen. When you’re trapped in the burning carcass of a Hughes Stallion helicopter and the next thing you see is a mechanical claw reaching in to pull you free, you may not be off the mark if you think things are getting worse rather than better.

But that was simply Jack’s initial reaction, he now knows he owes Nic his life and he has worked hard to pay the troll back over the past few months. Getting on to the story, Jack was roasting away in a crashed helicopter when an itinerant troll scavenger named Nicodemus showed up to pick through the wreckage before anyone else had the chance.

Nicodemus is a sight to see. You already heard about the crazy arm claw, but his most interesting augmentation (and the term is used loosely here) has to be his right leg or (as he puts it) his left left leg. As the story goes, Nicodemus ended up on the wrong end of a gang hoop beating and lost the use of his right leg. Unfortunately, the only thing he had managed to scavenge close to his own size was the left leg from an ork street sam who had bought it a year earlier. Making a horribly sour lemonade out of the lemons the gang had given him, Nic installed the smaller left leg where his right leg had been and has been hobbling and lurching around ever since.

Enough about Nic though, you wanted to know about Jack. So Nic pulls this unconscious ork out of the helicopter. The ork is wearing a jumpsuit with the nametag JACK VII sewn over the left breast pocket. Nic pulls Jack off to the side and tries to get him to wake up so he can figure out what’s worthwhile to take. The ork, however, is out cold and not waking up. Nic proceeds to pick through the wreckage as quickly as he can. Grabbing what he could, he dumps everything into this grocery cart along with the unconscious ork. Nic didn’t know how the helicopter had crashed, but he didn’t want to hang around for the owners to show up and hoped that he might be able to make some money off the ork by rescuing him from the fire. As Nic departed, he noticed a few vehicles turning the corner at a nearby intersection and heading to the crash at high speeds.

Returning to his squat/shop, Nic tended to what injuries his limited medical skills could address and took note of the wiz cyber Jack was sporting. After a bit of medical attention from a local street shaman named Amy, the ork finally woke with no memory of what had happened to him or of anything before the crash. Grumbling, Nic realized that the dreamed of payday wasn’t in the cards. At the same time, he realized he had a pretty valuable potential helper in front of him and offered to let Jack stay with him while he recovered. Not really having any other idea of what to do, Jack accepted and has been staying with the troll for several months.

Slowly, some of his memories have returned, mostly from his childhood although a few flashes of his adult life have popped up, mostly images of cubicles and meetings. Jack has learned how to access the varied cyberware in his body and recently accessed the trove of skillsoft stored on his skilljack. The revelation of the downloaded skills have made him wonder what the frag is going on, given that the brief flashes of memories from his adult life and his frequent recollections about corporate life don’t seem to jive with the military skillsoft.

Alias: Diego Sanchez, former Aztlan soldier and sole proprietor of Sanchez Security, is a certified personnel protection specialist and bodyguard. The training and cyberware he received as a member of the Atztan military lend themselves well to his chosen profession. His primary business is providing personnel protection to non-local clients visiting Denver, providing him a diverse client base.

Gear in the CAS (Not all necessarily on his person, some in Mr. T)

[ Spoiler ]

Streetline Special [APDS] w/Gecko Grip, Internal Smartgun, 1x Spare Mag [REG] & 1x Spare Mag [S&S] (W)
HK227 [REG] w/Foregrip, Improved Range Finder, Low-Light Flashlight, Sling, 2x Spare Mags [REG], 1x Spare Mag [APDS], & 1x Spare Mag [GEL] (W)
Flash-Pak (W)
Zoe Executive Suite w/Concealable Holster (W)
Armor Jacket w/CP (2), FR (2), IS (2), NC (2) & Drag Handle
Forearm Guards
Armor Vest
Helmet w/Flare Compensation, Thermographic Vision, Vision Enhancement (1), Vision Magnification, & Ultrasound (2) (W)
Horn Rim Glasses w/Flare Comp, Image Link, Vision Enhancement (2) (W)
Earbuds w/Audio Enhancement (3) (W)
Hermes Ikon (5) [Browse & Signal Scrub] w/Subvocal Mic
Meta Link (1)
Gecko Tape Gloves (W)
Medkit (3) (3/3 Supplies) (W)
Trauma Patch (W)
4x Standard Credstick
Fake SIN (4) [Diego Sanchez]
Fake License (4) [Augmentations, Concealed Carry, Firearms]

[DrZaius]

Henry "Grease" Kemble
Metatype: Elf
Gender: Male

Priorities

[ Spoiler ]

Priority A: Skills
Priority B: Resources
Priority C: Attributes
Priority D: Race
Priority E: Magic

Attributes & Combat Pools

[ Spoiler ]

Body: 3
Agility: 3
Reaction: 5 (7)
Strength: 2
Willpower: 2
Logic: 3
Intuition: 3
Charisma: 6
Edge: 2
Edge Pool: 2 of 2

Essence: 3.32
Magic / Resonance: N/A

Initiative: 10 + 1d6
Matrix Init (Cold-Sim): 7 + 3d6
Matrix Init (Hot Sim): 7 + 4d6

Composure: 8
Judge Intentions: 9
Memory: 5
Lift/Carry: 5
Movement: 6 / 12

Physical Limit: 5
Mental Limit: 4
Social Limit: 6

Karma: 2
Total Karma: 12
Street Cred: 1
Notoriety: 2
Public Awareness: 0

Qualities

[ Spoiler ]

Home Ground, "You know a Guy", UCAS zone. Positive, 10 points
Exceptional Attribute, Reaction. Positive, 14 points
Addiction, Moderate, Novacoke. Negative, 9 points
SINner, National SIN, UCAS. Negative, 5 points

Skills & Languages

[ Spoiler ]

Acting Group 5 (6)
Influence Group 5 (6)
Pilot Ground Craft 6
+ Wheeled +2
Pilot Aircraft 4
Gunnery 4
+ Ballistic +2
Automotive Mechanic 3
Aeronautics Mechanic 2
Electronic Warfare 4
Automatics 4
Pistols 4
Perception 4
Intimidation 3
Disguise 3
Sneaking 3
Hardware 1
Unarmed 1
Smugglers 3
Denver Knowledge 2
Street Races 2
Street Drugs 2
Street Rumors 1
English N
Sperethiel 1
Spanish 1

Augmentations

[ Spoiler ]

Control Rig
Reaction Enhancers, Rating 2 Alphaware
Tailored Pheremones, Rating 1

Gear (Name, Rating, Cost, Notes)

[ Spoiler ]

Current (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) :3,090
RCC & Programs:

[ Spoiler ]

Essy Motors Dronemaster. Device Rating 3. Data processing 4, Firewall 4
Encryption program. +1 Firewall
Signal Scrub program. +2 Noise Reduction
Toolbox program. +1 Data processing
Virtual Machine program. 1 extra program slot, 1 extra unresisted damage when attacked
Armor program. +2 Dice to resist matrix damage
Wrapper program. Change matrix protocols for device appearance.
Biofeedback Filter. +2 dice to resist biofeedback damage
Denver Mapsoft
Clearsight Autosoft 2. For Doberman (RHex).
Clearsight Autosoft 2. For Fly-Spy 1.
Clearsight Autosoft 2. For Fly-Spy 2.
Clearsight Autosoft 2. For Microskimmer.
Electronic Warfare Autosoft 2. Doberman
Electronic Warfare Autosoft 2. For Fly-Spy 1
Electronic Warfare Autosoft 2. Fly-Spy 2
Electronic Warfare Autosoft 2. or Microskimmer
BMW 400 GT Maneuvering 1. For BMW GT
Ford Americar Maneuvering 1. For Ford Americar (Gypsy).
Doberman Maneuvering 3. For Doberman
Rotodrone Maneuvering 2. For Rotodrone (Bumble).
AK-97 Targeting 3. For Doberman
Fly-Spy Maneuvering 1. For Fly-Spy 1
Fly-Spy Stealth 2. For Fly-Spy 1
Fly-Spy Maneuvering 1. For Fly-Spy 2
Fly-Spy Stealth 2. For Fly-Spy 2
Rotodrone Stealth 2. For Rotodrone.
Microskimmer Maneuvering 1. For Microskimmer
Microskimmer Stealth 2. Microskimmer
AR Plans for Doberman. +2 to B/R checks.

Vehicles:

[ Spoiler ]

BMW 400GT (as Hyundai Shin-Hyung) w/Rigger Adaptation
Ford Americar. Painted like a Cab (Gypsy) w/Rigger Adaptation.
GM-Nissan Doberman (RHex) with mounted Ak-97 with gas vent 2, external smartlink (200 rounds regular ammo loaded)
MCT-Nissan Roto-Drone (Bumble) with mounted Ak-97 with gas vent 3 (200 rounds regular ammo loaded)

SINs & Licenses

[ Spoiler ]

Fake SIN (Henry Wilson) Rating 4 (For Henry Wilson)
Firearms & Ammo Possession Rating 4 (For Henry Wilson)
Firearms and Ammo Carry Rating 4 (For Henry Wilson)
Cyberware License Rating 4 (For Henry Wilson)
Bioware License Rating Rating 4 (For Henry Wilson)
Fake License (Cab Driver) Rating 4 (For Henry Wilson)
Fake License (RCC) Rating 4 (For Henry Moss)
Fake SIN (Henry Moss) Rating 4 (For Henry Moss)
Firearms & Ammo Possession Rating 4 (For Henry Moss)
Firearms and Ammo Carry Rating 4 (For Henry Moss)
Cyberware License Rating 4 (For Henry Moss)
Bioware License Rating 4 (For Henry Moss)
Fake License (RCC) Rating 4 (For Henry Moss)
Firearms & Ammo Possession Rating 4 (For Henry Kemble)
Firearms and Ammo Carry Rating 4 (For Henry Kemble)
Cyberware License Rating 4 (For Henry Kemble)
Bioware License Rating 4 (For Henry Kemble)
Fake License (RCC), Rating 4 (for Henry Kemble)

Weapons & Armor:

[ Spoiler ]

Ares Light Fire 75. 4 clips regular ammo, 3 clips gel Ammo, Concealable holster.
Ingram Smartgun X. 2 clips Regular Ammo, 1 clip Gel Ammo, 1 clip APDS ammo.
Colt America L36 with 2 clips regular ammo.
Berwick Custom Suit. Armor 9, +1 to social limits, -2 to concealability, +1 to social tests when wireless enabled. Built in White Noise Generator (rating 6), Bug Scanner (Rating 6), Tag Eraser.
Actioneer Business Clothes. Armor 8, Concealable Holster.
Armor Vest, Rating 9.

Other Gear:

[ Spoiler ]

Low-Lifestyle with Special Work Area (1 month)
Vehicle Repair Shop
Vehicle repair kit
Disguise Kit
Contact lenses with flare compensation, smartlink.
Micro Transceiver
Tag Eraser (loose)
Sound Suppressor for Assault Rifle (Not attached).
Meta Link. Slaved to RCC
Novacoke, 6 doses.
Cram, 8 doses.

Contacts

[ Spoiler ]

Dr. Grizz Jacoby (L: 2, C: 3) A Seattle ex-Pat, Dr. Grizz Jacoby is famous (or infamous, depending on who you ask) as a literal ambulance chaser. Depending on how well you pay, he is either a very good street doc, or a very efficient organ legger. He also is tapped into some cyberware connections (provided his patient trusts him enough to be put under that long). Overall he's a good friend to have, and as long as your cred is good he's reliable. He has been known to quite literally take debts in flesh, so it's best to pay up front. [10% bonus to bodyware, -10% to headware]
Deiter Schimmer (L: 3, C: 3) Deiter is a rising middle manager in Saeder-Krupp. He shares Grease's love of fast cars, and often spends his time talking to him about races (especially illegal ones). Grease has fixed Deiter's BMW on several occasions. Deiter is willing to talk shop about his work with Grease as their friendship has developed, thinking he is in "Marketing" for a AA corp. He also is tapped into the politics of the megacorps in Denver, and is able to let Grease know when he hears rumors from the water cooler.
Sling (L: 2, C: 1) Sling is a mid-level ganger with the BBs. He is Grease's street contact, giving him a feel for the pulse of the undercity. In addition, he's Grease's drug connection; he most often gathers information as part of a normal buy. Sling doesn't know Grease well enough to trust him about the BB's inner workings, but he's more than willing to talk drek about the other gangs in the city that they run up against on a regular basis.
Lt. Alex Murphy (L: 2, C: 2) Lt. Alex Murphy is a cop who was born with the disease of expensive tastes. He's willing to share information provided he's given the proper incentive; enough to "whet his beak" as he puts it. As someone who complains often about his cop salary, He's managed to get a nice car as well as an above average house from "gifts" for his various street connections. If Grease is involved in something extremely serious Murphy isn't going to stick his neck out, but provided the information isn't too hard to find and doesn't risk his job he's willing to help.
Chapel (L: 3, C: 4) Chapel has a solid rep throughout the UCAS Zone as a good fixer to work for. Friendly, outgoing, and protective of his runners as well as his clients, he operates on the belief that happy runners make a happy fixer. He is a little bit of a foodie, preferring to meet at various upscale restaurants throughout the Zone and the UCAS part of the Downtown Hub rather than the various seedy bars that most runners frequent. Runners who wish to work for Chapel are well advised to scrape together at least one nice suit in order to blend in at his "business dinners" - where he invariably picks up the check as another gesture of good will towards his employees. [10% bonus for firearms, 15% penalty for magical supplies]
Shannon Greeley (L: 1, C: 4) A beautiful, idealistic young elf, Shannon Greeley is a representative of Rebuilding Together, a non-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of life of the poverty stricken not only in the Warrens, but all over the UCAS. She brings a high media profile to the Warrens, and is currently rumored to be in a relationship with another activist who goes by the name Chomsky.
Jim (L: 1, C: 2) A sharp-eyed survivor, Jim works the desk at the Motel 6 in No Man’s Land in the Warrens. Faced with the prospect of death in the event of a flare-up between the Fronts and the Yakuza, Jim manages to get by, turning a profit whenever he can. The Motel 6 is a good location for a quiet rendezvous, and Jim is your man to keep it off the radar.
CPT Juan Ramirez (L: 1, C: 4) A former patrolman from the Vice division of Lone Star, Ramirez has risen through the ranks. He has a reputation for getting the job done, even if that means going outside the corporate structure. One of the few of the Bronze who gets respect from the street, he is one of the good guys.
Brandy Simmons, Female Dwarf Real Estate Agent (L: 1, C: 2) An attractive dwarven female, Brandy is an associate at Whitney Real Estate. She is a shrewd operator, and may be willing to look the other way if it is worth her while.
"Slick" (L: 0, C: 2). Slick runs "Slick's Autobody" on the corner of E. Kentucky and S. Norfolk. Slick always looks like he took a bath in motor oil. His coveralls are stained permanently, the sleeves rolled back to reveal the markings of a former BB member gone "legit". Slick and his crew do enough business out the front of the autobody shop that they can do a significant amount out the back without attracting too much attention. Slick lives out of an apartment over the shop, and he and a number of his employees are there around the clock, working or carousing with members of the BB's and the ganger groupies. He was introduced to Grease by his contact Sling to repair one of his drones.

Background

[ Spoiler ]

Henry "Grease" Kemble grew up in an army family, so he moved around quite a bit. As a result he's always been able to make fast friends. He eventually settled for himself in Denver after deciding that it suited his particular skillset and tastes. His ability to blend into new circumstances and travel between sectors has given him plenty of work as a runner, and he is just now starting to score more legitimate jobs for himself. He got into the business with his "No questions asked" cab business, which he still runs on occasion. In essence, he would transport who or whatever they wanted around the district in his licensed cab, provided the pay matched the risk. He's on his 4th cab so far (the others being burned [literally] with the fake SINs they were associated with), and hopes to expand into more cars once he gets enough capital. It would appear there is no shortage of customers for a cab without a pilot who will take people anywhere, while driving them to the hospital afterwards.

Description

[ Spoiler ]

Around 6'2, with slicked back black hair, tanned skin, and a smile that's bright enough to distract you from the oil under his fingernails, you decide that if he wasn't called "Grease", "Slick" would have been a good back-up nickname. Grease seems confident in both his appearence and manner, and fits in everywhere. He knows everyone somehow, and cares more about his car than you do about close family members. One item of concern that you have heard about is that he has a bit of a drug problem. He "goes to the bathroom" quite a bit, and is becoming less subtle in his reasons as time goes on (but it's nothing to worry about just yet). At the moment he is just another gregarious, cocky elf who happens to like driving really, really fast.

Aliases

[ Spoiler ]

Henry is known as "Grease" to almost all his business associates (very few people know his given name, and especially his real name). Currently, he operates his fake Cab business under the name "Henry Wilson" (Fake SIN #1) He has a license under this name, which allows him to conduct business in Denver. Lonestar is not (as of yet) aware of the illegal aspects of this business endeavor. Henry's 2nd fake SIN, "Henry Moss", is what he uses when he is doing illicit business outside of his cab business. He will switch out this 2nd SIN as much as possible to avoid drawing suspicion to his actual name. Nominally, Henry Moss is in "Marketing", and will bullshit long enough for anyone interested in inquiring further until they get bored. Day to day, he will use his legitimate SIN As a UCAS citizen, Henry tries to avoid tarnishing his "real" name as much as possible. Henry Kemble's "profession" is as an automotive mechanic of a small independent shop that specializes in foreign cars. He does not do a lot of work, but the work that he does do he assures the IRS is "very lucrative".

[Chrome Head]

Snap

Street names: Snap, Amy (she's been known only as Amy until recently)
Real Name: Amy Jennings
Archetype: Street Shaman/mystic adept

Background

[ Spoiler ]

Physical Description

Amy is a young elf of 25 years, 6 foot tall and 145 lbs. She has deep brown eyes and half of her black hair is shaven to show off her gears tattoo (see image). As an elf, she is naturally very attractive and graceful, yet it is obvious just looking at her that she comes from the streets. She will usually wear tough boots with straps, jean shorts, a worn gray top under a leather vest, and her long black armor jacket over it all.

Personality and motivations

Amy is a gentle and caring person at the core, yet she has become hardened by growing up in a slum. She will usually show a tough exterior to strangers, as a means to protect herself from harassment and bullying and will often rapidly resort to violence if provoked directly or if someone she cares for appears to be hurt. Once you get to know her though, she shows a much softer side. Her priorities in life are clear: to get out of poverty and misery. But she does not intend to accomplish this within the current “system”, nor does she want to do it alone. Her aims are to get the whole community of the Aurora Warrens to get a better life, and it's certainly not politicians or corporations that will help with that. She also has hopes of building a fair society, and will try her best to help out in this regard. Shadowrunning for her is just a quick way to make a buck at the expense of corps.

Background

Amy was born and raised in the Aurora Warrens, receiving no formal education. Most of her childhood was spent helping out her mother in her various occupations: sadly that amounted to very little since she was a homeless alcoholic, broken by a life that included prostitution and generally hanging out with the wrong crowd. Amy never met with her real dad, though her mom claims he was an elf just like her, also supposedly rich, beautiful, and powerful. To Amy, being an elf actually amounted to being harassed, ridiculed, and beaten up more than once.

She awakened at a very young age, and magic is an integral part of her. It set her apart even more than being an elf ever did though, and people in the neighborhood were now rather terrified of her. From that point on, her whole life has been centered around trying to be accepted and appreciated.

Thankfully, some people were welcoming. Hubert, an old ork shaman following the dog totem helped her understand her capabilities. He played an essential role in teaching her the basic skills that let one harness magical energies, as well as give her the ethical compass that would guide her on how and when to use them. He also guided her in understanding the calling of the Great Protector, Amy's mentor spirit, and the strange magical aptitudes she also developed physically.

To really understand Amy though, we have to talk about Chomsky. Not the 20th century guy no one really remembers, but the community leader called Jared and who now wants people to call him by that strange name. While not that close to Amy, he had a tremendous influence on her with his speeches. He would teach the SINless crowds about the real motivations behind governments and corporations, and also how they can better their lot! He has a grand project of a truly free society in mind, and looks for like-minded people to help him create it. Amy has become part of that because of her motivation, her talent, and her loyalty to the cause. He's the one who told her she should try her hand in the shadowrunning business, given how good she is at defending herself and others when the situation calls for it.

Currently, Amy is somewhat known locally, mostly by the “followers” of Chomsky and other neighborly friends. She helps out however she can, and truly cares for them and wants to protect them. When her childhood friend Rosie died far too young a few years ago from an HIV related infection, Amy adopted her daughter Sam and took her under her roof, promising to protect her and help her however she can. Sam is a relatively hyperactive 7 year old and caring for her has been taxing, but very rewarding.

Recently, following Chomsky's and Overkill's advice, Amy agreed to sign up on a shadow matrix site, hoping to be called up for a “run”. She was told by Hubert to classify herself as a “support magician”, listing healing, illusion, and combat as her specialties.

Character Sheet

[ Spoiler ]

Attributes

Body 3 (+2 to resist damage)
Agility 3
Reaction 3 (6)
Strength 2
Charisma 7
Intuition 5
Logic 2
Willpower 6

Edge 2
Initiative 11 + 4D6
Essence 6
Magic 6

Physical Limit 5
Mental Limit 5
Social Limit 9

Karma 0/12

Street Cred 1
Notoriety 0
Public Awareness 0 (+1 when being perceived astrally)

Active Skills

Influence group 2
Intimidation 1
Spellcasting (Illusion) 6 (+2 Health from mentor, +2 Illusion)
Counterspelling 4
Summoning 6
Binding 6
Banishing 4
Perception 4 (+2 from adept power)
Assensing 2 (+2 from adept power)
Survival (Urban) 1
Sneaking (Urban) 2

Knowledge Skills

Sprawl life 4
Area Knowledge: Aurora Warrens 3
Utopian Societies 2
Conspiracy theories 2
Denver Street Gangs 2
Street Drugs 1

English N

Adept Powers (6)

Combat Sence 1 (0.5)
Improved Reflexes 3 (3.5)
Astral Perception (1)
Enhanced Perception 2 (1)

Contacts

Hubert [Street Shaman/Talismonger] (C2/L5)
Hubert is an old ork who taught Amy most of what she knows about shamanism, spirits, spellcasting, and even ethics and spirituality. See background.

Jared “Chomsky” [Community Leader/Idealist] (C3/L5)
Jared, aka Chomsky, is a young idealist who tries to build a utopian society from the ground up out in the Warrens. He has had a huge influence on Amy's thinking. See background.

Kevin Spatz [Technomancer] (C1/L6)
Kevin is a teenager going through basically the same things that Amy has gone through. He's a troll which is even worse than being an elf, he's poor and mostly abandoned by his family just like her, and he's a strange kid with weird powers over machines, which is pretty much the same as using magic for Amy. As an outcast, Kevin found refuge with Amy who understands him and wants to help him. She encourages him to mess around with all the electronic parts he puts his hands on, and to really hone his skills, since that what makes him happy. She's also really helped to make him more likeable and agreeable to others, as he really struggled with his urges to sometimes try to hurt others physically as retribution for being mistreated.

Chapel [human fixer] (C4/L1) (+10% firearms, -15% magical supplies)
Amy got into contact with Chapel through Grave, who has worked for him before.

- Tony “Turbine” [Limo Driver] (C3/L1)
Amy used his services a few times, and gave very good tips. Tony is Italian, he is used to the Warrens.

- Jim [Motel Desk Clerk] (C2/L1)
Amy and the team have been there a number of times during Broken Star.

- Shannon Greeley [Activist] (C4/L1)
The elf has become heavily involved in Chomsky's activism, in a plan to reduce drug addiction and help the unprivileged people of the Warrens. Amy more or less saved her life, with the help of the team, when Lynx attempted to arrest her and Chomsky at a rally during Broken Star.

- Cpt. Juan Ramirez [Lone Star and one-time Johnson] (C4/L2)
The Johnson during Broken Star, Amy's first ever employer. A good business relationship was established.

- Mary Tantello [Awakened activist/charity worker?] (C2/L0)
Amy and team saved her life when Mary was about to be sacrificed on a cross by Truck and others in the Arsenal. She had been kidnapped during an attack on the Sisters of Divinity house and Amy also gave her a commlink.

- Stingray [Talismonger] (C3/L0)
He owns Stingray's Fetishes and Foci, near the Mi Pueblo market in the UCAS Sector. He had attacked members of the mafia, and then collaborated in letting Amy and the team know where the bodies ended up, which helped in the investigation. Between the first two runs, Amy bought for over 8,000 nuyen worth of reagents from him.

- Ram [Squatter] (C?/L0)
One of Amy's squatter neighbors who's watched over Sam in the past.

Spells

Ball Lightning
Clout
Detect Life
Heal
Resist Pain
Increase Body
Mass Confusion
Invisibility
Phantasm
Analyze Truth

Qualities

Protection Mentor Spirit (based off Bear) (5)
Focused Concentration 3 (12)
Quick Healer (3)
Uneducated (-8 )
Dependents (-9)
Radical prejudice: Politicians (-8 )

Gear

Armor Jacket
Trusty jacket that keeps her warm and protects her from far worse things as well. Amy's used to wearing it at all times.

Armor Vest
A less bulky option for protection, bought for 575 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) during the first run.

Squatter Lifestyle (rent 450 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) )
Dangerous area -20%
Obscure/difficult to find +10%
She used to live here with Sam in an abandoned 4 story apartment that's more or less falling apart. Kevin also crashed the place often enough. The Aurora Warrens are a dangerous area, but at least this flat is difficult to find.

Low Lifestyle (rent 2,600 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) )
Dangerous area -20%
Extra secure +20%
Extra Tenant (Sam) +30%
A nice little apartment situated not far from Hubert's house. Sam gets to enjoy a relatively safer environment where Amy allows her more readily to go play outside during the day. Amy pays good money to the local gang to keep an eye out for extra security.

Ordinary Clothing (50)
She basically has two sets of clothes. And they aren't fancy.

Extra sets of clothing (40)
"Nice" dress (25)
Bought at thrift shop during the first run.

Renraku Sensei
subvocal mic
Fake SIN rating 4
Fake Magic license rating 4
Trodes
This perfectly good commlink was assembled from scratch by young Kevin. Fake SIN and license were acquired from Chapel after Broken Star, and trodes were taken from Jack's helmet before he got a datajack.

Burner Commlink Rating 1
Bought during first run.

AR Contact Lenses (image link)
Bought for 295 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) during first run.

Survival Kit
Respirator rating 4
Those represent a few possessions that Amy accumulated to help her survive in the harsh environment she lives in, especially when utilities go out in the building.

Set of work overalls
Gas Mask
Acquired for the assault on Lynx's apartment during Broken Star.

Reagents: tracked in dropbox
145 had been provided by Hubert initially. Some were acquired as loot and traded in for shamanic reangents.

Monetary assets are tracked in the dropbox.

[Melpomene]

Name: Katherine Vaughn
Alias(es): Melpomene, Mel
Archetype: Decker

Race: Human
Sex: Female
Height: 1.57m (5'2")
Weight: 48kg (106 lb)
Age: 23

A Picture
(only with blue hair, and fewer piercings)

Karma:0

Starting Nuyen: 5,495

Character Sheet

[ Spoiler ]

Attributes
Body 3
Agility 4
Reaction 4
Strength 2
Willpower 4
Logic 6
Intuition 5
Charisma 4
Edge 5
Essence 5.12
Initiative (P) 1d6+9
Initiative (CS) 5+DaPr+3d6
Initiative (HS) 5+DaPr+4d6

Limit
Physical 4
Mental 7
Social 6

Qualities
Positive
Codeslinger (Matrix Perception) [+10]
Home Ground – You Know a Guy [+10]

Negative
Distinctive Style [-5]
Scorched (Black IC/Short-Term Memory Loss) [-10]
Addiction: BTLs (Mild) [-4]
National SIN [-5]

Skills
Active
Acting Group 2
Clubs 2
Perception (Audio) 3 (+2)
First Aid 2
Cybercombat 3
Electronic Warfare 4
Sneaking 1
Pistols 3
Automatics 2
Computer 6
Hardware 3
Software 2
Hacking 6


Knowledge
English N
Sperethiel 2
Denver Area Knowledge (Street) 2
BTL Dealers (Street) 2
Deckers (Street) 2
Street Gang Identification (Street) 2
Corporate Security (Street) 2
Street Gang Politics (Street) 2
Electronic Dance Music (Interest) 3
Audio Engineering (Academic) 3
Club Scene (Interest) 2

Gear

[ Spoiler ]

Cyberdeck - Renraku Tsurugi
Programs
Browse
Configure
Edit
Encryption
Toolbox
Signal Scrub
Virtual Machine
Armor
Baby Monitor
Biofeedback Filter
Exploit
Guard
Sneak
Stealth
Shell
Wrapper

Urban Explorer Jumpsuit
+ Non-conductivity [Rating 2]
+ Chemical Protection [Rating 2]

Stun Baton

Ares Crusader II
+ Integral Smartgun System
+ Gas Vent (Recoil Suppression 2)
120 rnds regular ammo
40 rnds Gel ammo
5x spare Clips

Fichetti Security 600
+ Detachable Folding Stock
+ Laser Sight
120 rnds regular ammo
5x spare Clips

Ares Viper Slivergun
+ Integral Smartgun System
+ Integral Silencer
120 rnds flechette ammo
5x spare Clips

Flash-Bang Grenade x3
Flash-Pak x3

Burner Commlink

Electronics Kit

Glasses
+ Low-Light
+ Flare Comp
+ Smartlink

Datajack [Alphaware]

Cyberears [Rating 2]
+ Sound Link
+ Select Sound Filter [Rating 2]
+ Damper
+ Audio Enhancement [Rating 3]
+ Spatial Recognizer

Medkit [Rating 4]

Fake SIN [Rating 4]
Fake Gun License [Rating 4]
Fake Explosives License [Rating 4]
Fake Melee Weapons License [Rating 4]
Fake Cyberdeck License [Rating 4]

Lifestyle: Squatter + Extra Secure (1 month)

Global Grid (1 month)

3x Tripsense BTLs

Contacts

[ Spoiler ]

Chapel (Con 4, Loy 2) - Chapel has a solid rep throughout the UCAS Zone as a good fixer to work for. Friendly, outgoing, and protective of his runners as well as his clients, he operates on the belief that happy runners make a happy fixer. He is a little bit of a foodie, preferring to meet at various upscale restaurants throughout the Zone and the UCAS part of the Downtown Hub rather than the various seedy bars that most runners frequent. Runners who wish to work for Chapel are well advised to scrape together at least one nice suit in order to blend in at his "business dinners" - where he invariably picks up the check as another gesture of good will towards his employees. [10% bonus for firearms, 15% penalty for magical supplies]

DJ Kinetic (Con 2, Loy 3) - Real name: Eric Schultz. Male Elf, 26 y.o., top DJ at Tempus Fugit. Wears a deep blue hoodie and dark pants normally. He and Mel dated for a little while, and are still very good friends. He lives in the Warrens, not far from the club. He's very well known and respected in the area, and has a lot of knowledge of the goings on of the Warrens.

“Hacksaw” Janie Serafinowicz (Con 1, Loy 2) - Female Human, 33 y.o. Not a happy person...wears dark clothing and her attitude is fairly morose. A combat medic that did some work for Carter...now runs independently. A lot of medical skills (and where she got her nickname).

Artemio (Art) Hernandez (Con 2, Loy 2) - Male Human, 47 y.o. Owner of the Tempus Fugit. Balding, middle-aged, but smart. Keeps control of his place with a combination of cash and cunning. Hired Mel a few months back and volunteered a secure room for her in the basement of the club.

Character Background

[ Spoiler ]

Kathy Vaughn was more than a bit of a nerd. Good with computers, she spent most of her teenage years in her room either listening to music, playing music on the guitar, synth keys, or drum machine, or using her rig to create crazy musical mashups. She loved it...she could manipulate sound like a master, bending it to her will. Her parents, Mike and Shelly, even though they were concerned about Kathy's lack of friends (at least in the Real World), they saw her awesome potential. When she hit 18, her parents did two things for her. First, they had her outfitted with state-of-the-art cyberware installed in her inner ears, as well as an alphaware datajack. It was like Heaven. She could hear so much more than before! She no longer needed headphones...the hundreds of gigabytes of music she kept on her music players copied easily into her internal drives, and she could listen to them with a thought. The second thing her parents did was get her accepted into an accelerated Master's Degree program at the University of Denver. It was the dream of a lifetime.

She lasted eight months.

It wasn't like it was too hard. Exactly the opposite. The first year courses were stupid easy. Even the so-called "prodigies" were no match for Kathy's talents, especially coupled with her 'ware. Music was so much more to her than just sound. It had breadth and substance. She realized that school wasn't right for her anymore and dropped out. But she knew that this would devastate her parents, so she tried to explain it to them. God bless them...they actually accepted the decision! It was too much though! So much nuyen! The schooling! The 'ware! Kathy was determined to pay them back, and she packed up and left...going on her own to the streets.

She saw there was good work for people good with computers, and eventually started working for a fixer named Carter. He hooked her up with a better deck and some fake IDs (since her National SIN was going to be a problem if she got in real trouble). When he thought she was ready, he put her in a new group of runners he was forming...the Muses. All girls, and all real good. Carter thought it would be cool to have each of the five members go by a different Muse from Greek mythology: Calliope, Thalia, Terpsichore, Erato, and Kathy, now known as Melpomene. They were good, and Kathy (who just became Mel to her friends) finally HAD friends. Friends that had her back.

The Muses made real money, and were getting mad respect. Then came NeoNet.

Carter got this big run...he was real excited. A big money client contracted the Muses through Carter to hit a NeoNet R&D installation. Simple smash and grab. Gave him entry codes and everything. Mel stayed in the van, running hot sim, moving through the NeoNet host like she owned it.

Then it all went south. When the rest of the team got through the third security door, the host lit up with icons. Security had been expecting the Muses. The place locked down hard, and the others were cut down in a firefight that lasted three hours. Mel tried her best to get them out...throwing everything she could into bricking the doors open, anything. But she was geared for stealth, not brute force. Then the Black IC found her.

Mel had dealt with run-of-the-mill Intrusion Countermeasures before, but she'd never faced Black IC. It tore through her mind, bursting blood vessels and burning out synapses. Mel's body seized in agony as her mind was shredded. Mel cut her link before the IC was able to link-lock her, and she puked as dumpshock ravaged her system. Delirious with pain and barely conscious, she was able to jump into the van's driver seat and speed away. She immediately assumed that Carter had set them up and went to confront him, rage and sorrow rolling out of her like a wave. At his home, she found Carter's headless corpse. Clearly, whomever hired the Muses wanted all of them to die, and then finished off their fixer. She dumped the van and the fake IDs, blending into the shadows. Her friends were gone, her fixer was gone, and Mel was a target. She stayed off the grids, and started squatting in the worst spots in the Warrens.

About six months later, she was at a club in the Warrens called "Tempus Fugit"...new place that had really good acoustics in spite of its run-down exterior. The lead DJ (called Kinetic) was a real hot Elf...but even better, he could spin like a demon. Mel met him after a show and they went out for soykaf. Then ended up hooking up that night, and started dating. At the same time, she let him hear some of her music. He was so impressed, he introduced her to Art, the club owner. After a short audition, Art hired Mel as a DJ. And she ROCKED as a DJ. So much so that Art wanted to protect his talent, and cleared out a storeroom for her to stay.

Any money Mel made from spinning (along with anything she had from The Muses), she'd put on a credstick and couriered to her parents. She was determined to pay off her debt. Her parents would always pay the courier double to return to Mel with a note expressing their love and not to worry about the money. Mel just kept working.

Then one day a man came to Tempus Fugit. His name was Chapel, and Mel remembered him...a friend of Carter's. Chapel had heard from a contact that there was a girl with a blue mohawk making fantastic music at a dive in the Warrens, and Chapel (who had heard about Mel's talents {and look} from Carter) had to see for himself. Chapel waited for her after her show, and told her that he was looking for a decker for a runner team. Mel wasn't sure she wanted to go back to that life, especially since the NeoNet Black IC had left her permanently Scorched. But she needed money. For her parents.

She said yes.

[Lobo0705]

IC thread is up (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I'll be posting intro's for Grease, Mel, and Snap over the next hour or two.

[Jack VII]

Whoop-whoop!

Do you want me to wait to reply until you get the intros set?

Oh, not that it matters, but I imagined the datajack as a temple datajack rather than base of the neck. I seem to remember some fluff from old editions about datajacks being located near the temple to access that area of the brain and VCRs being installed at the base of the neck to get closer to the middle/lower brain functions with which the VCR was more concerned. It doesn't really matter, particularly since you can get datajacks pretty much installed anywhere on you, LOL.

[Lobo0705]

Whoop-whoop!

Do you want me to wait to reply until you get the intros set?

Oh, not that it matters, but I imagined the datajack as a temple datajack rather than base of the neck. I seem to remember some fluff from old editions about datajacks being located near the temple to access that area of the brain and VCRs being installed at the base of the neck to get closer to the middle/lower brain functions with which the VCR was more concerned. It doesn't really matter, particularly since you can get datajacks pretty much installed anywhere on you, LOL.

You can go ahead and respond - I was actually going to ask about the datajack - I'll adjust my IC post accordingly (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Jack VII]

<cough> September 11th? Actually, did that even happen in the SR timeline? I mean, it obviously didn't in earlier editions, but does anyone know if it was retconned in? I guess I could check Stolen Souls, I'm sure something would be mentioned in there since it covers Manhattan.

[Lobo0705]

<cough> September 11th? Actually, did that even happen in the SR timeline? I mean, it obviously didn't in earlier editions, but does anyone know if it was retconned in? I guess I could check Stolen Souls, I'm sure something would be mentioned in there since it covers Manhattan.

I don't believe it was ever put in. In 2005 (per Stolen Souls) there was a huge earthquake that leveled most of Manhattan.

ETA - Rolled for Mel's test to avoid slotting the Trip Chip

I believe this is psychological, and not physical:

10d6.hits(5)=3

She passes (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Good to know that you wont start both runs with someone high at the meeting (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[DrZaius]

I'm going to be out of pocket for the remainder of the afternoon; I'll try to check in near the end of the workday.

@Lobo: If you wanted to have Grease post a, "Great- see you then" in respond to Chapel telling him the time, that'd be fine by me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cyber.gif)

Thanks,
-DrZ

[Lobo0705]

@Grease,

No problem - done (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

@Mel,

So you know, the way we keep track of equipment you are carrying is easy. When you write your first post IC in a new environment, just put your equipment you are carrying on you in a spoiler box at the end of your post.

It is still great to describe it IC the way you did, but you don't want to have to list EVERYTHING you are carrying, so it is easy to cut and paste into a spoiler tag for your first post at McCormicks (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Melpomene]

@Lobo

Okay, I'll definitely remember that for next time.

Also, I attempted to register for Invisible Castle, and have not gotten a confirm...I did this yesterday...has anyone had problems with them before?

[Jack VII]

Also, I attempted to register for Invisible Castle, and have not gotten a confirm...I did this yesterday...has anyone had problems with them before?

I think some people are still waiting for the confirmation message from when we started the first thread, LOL.

Shouldn't be a big deal, Lobo pretty much rolls everything to keep the tempo moving.

[Melpomene]

Oy! Okay, I won't worry about it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Thanks!

[Lobo0705]

Next issue of the Tribune is up (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

@Mel - as Jack said, don't worry about Invisible Castle.

@Jack - can you update the Ammo counter to include Mel's ammo?

[Jack VII]

Yeah, I'll take care of it.

Speaking of, does Mel have access to the Dropbox?

@Mel: I'm going to PM you a link to the map we're using. We'll need to figure out where Tempus Fugit is in the Warrens.

ETA: Poor Tayvon Charles, I was hoping that would be a fun run for us.

[Lobo0705]

He does have access to the dropbox, and yes:

@Mel,

As you know, the Warrens is in different zones of control. Do you picture Tempus Fugit as in Yak territory, Front's territory, some unaligned gang territory, or Vory territory?

If you could also post a description of the bar, then we can choose a location and Jack can add it to the map.

(Thanks in advance Jack (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) )

[Melpomene]

As Lobo said, I do have access to Dropbox, but for some stupid reason I can't access Dropbox's servers from my work comp...only home.

As for Tempus Fugit, I imagine it's probably in either in Front or another unaligned gang's turf.

As for a description:

Tempus Fugit is a club and bar that looks from the outside like a dilapidated warehouse. The inside is actually fairly clean and the acoustics are quality. It has a main floor, with a stage and a DJ booth, two main bars off the floor, and two staircases at the main doors that lead up to a mezzanine with seating and two more bars. The place is very popular for underground music...many people have never heard of this place, and a lot of its patrons are fine with that.

[Jack VII]

As Lobo said, I do have access to Dropbox, but for some stupid reason I can't access Dropbox's servers from my work comp...only home.

At work, I can only access it through the DB website, which means I have to download everything and upload it back to save changes, rather than being able to open it within the server. PITA

@Lobo: Just give me an address and I'll drop a pin. Also, the resource tracker is up to date.

[Lobo0705]

At work, I can only access it through the DB website, which means I have to download everything and upload it back to save changes, rather than being able to open it within the server. PITA

@Lobo: Just give me an address and I'll drop a pin. Also, the resource tracker is up to date.

Corner of E. Mexico and S. Naples - that puts it squarely in Front's territory.

[Jack VII]

Corner of E. Mexico and S. Naples - that puts it squarely in Front's territory.

I'm not actually seeing those two intersecting on the map. It looks like S. Naples dead ends on either side? It looks like it intersects with Norfolk though. Dropping the pin in the vicinity, should work either way.

Right down the street from Horseshoe Park!

[Lobo0705]

I'm not actually seeing those two intersecting on the map. It looks like S. Naples dead ends on either side? It looks like it intersects with Norfolk though. Dropping the pin in the vicinity, should work either way.

Sorry - you are correct - actually, that works out better - it will be located in the cul-de-sac at the end of S. Naples (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Mel was probably too engrossed in her music to hear the gunfire...

[Lobo0705]

So, just a further note, let's wait until Chrome chimes in before we actually get to the meet, then based on who arrives first I'll put up the transition scene, and each of you can then arrive.

Jack is arriving around 5:40. Dr. Z and Mel, what time did you want to get there?

Also, Mel, you'll have to figure out whether you call Mile High or Amendola's Taxi (you can check them out in the drop box on the Locations file) - their price per km is in the Cost of Living document.

you'll have to drive about 5 km in the Warrens and then about 15 more - so it would be 65 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) with Mile High and 40 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif) with Amendola.

@Amy - you are looking at about the same distance out of the Warrens but then an additional 25 km - so either 75 or 50 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nuyen.gif)

[Jack VII]

How much is my ride? I think I'm closer to Amy than anyone else now.