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

[Melpomene]

Vandermay Academy, CAS Zone, 10:43 AM, September 12, 2075

<<Mel smiled. "It is a completely understandable question, and one I was prepared for. I asked your father what to say in this event. He told me to tell you about the summer of your 10th birthday off of Menjangan Island, and how you and he swam next to a ray twice as big as you were.

"We haven't much time. There are at least two others who were asking about you before we arrived. Will you trust me?">>

[Lobo0705]

Vandermay Academy Host, CAS Zone, 10:43 AM, September 12, 2075

<<After a moment's pause, Bai nods, seemingly satisfied with Mel's response. "Very well, should I just go out the front door? Where did you want me to go?">>

[Melpomene]

Vandermay Academy Host, CAS Zone, 10:43 AM, September 12, 2075

<<@Team [Melpomene] Alright, Bai is on board. Tell me what to tell him to do.>>

[Jack VII]

Vandermay Academy, CAS Zone, 10:43 AM, September 12, 2075

<<@Team [JustJack] You've got his 'link MARKed, right? Tell him to clip it to his clothes so the camera is facing out, grab the feed on it and let us MARK it, so we can see what's going on around him. Then we'll probably have him start walking>>

Turning to Huiquing, Jack asked, "We're about to start moving Bai. What kind of security is in place on the dorms? Can anyone just walk in there or are there ID checks of some sort?"

[Melpomene]

Vandermay Academy Host, CAS Zone, 10:43 AM, September 12, 2075

<<"Bai, I'm going to ask you to take your commlink, and clip it to your shirt, so that the camera is facing away from you...that way, we can see what you see. I'll MARK it, and follow the feed. Once you've done that, I'll send you a message on when and where to go.">>

[Lobo0705]

Vandermay Academy CAS Zone, 10:43 AM, September 12, 2075

"The dorm requires authorization to enter it. Bai has access, as does any student. Parents are not given access normally, but if necessary I could contact someone to open the door."


Looking out the window he watches as the students move around campus, watching a single KE guard wandering across the campus about 150 meters away with a Fly Spy hovering at his shoulder. "We should hurry in any event. Should I come with you just in case?"

[Lobo0705]

Vandermay Academy Host, CAS Zone, 10:43 AM, September 12, 2075

<<Bai nods, and says "It is done." Mel adroitly manipulates the datastream funneling to Bai's 'link and splits it into 4 feeds, sending it to the commlink's of the team.>>

The feed shows the interior of a dorm room which is bigger furnished than Snap's apartment. and certainly more lavishly furnished. AR displays cover the walls showing classical composers along with a smattering of more modern ones. There is only one bed, although it is at least queen-sized, and although two dressers are in the room, it appears that Bai has a single. The door to the room is closed, but the view out the window is stunning, a panoramic view of the campus through the self-polarizing glass.

[Melpomene]

Vandermay Academy Host, CAS Zone, 10:43 AM, September 12, 2075

<<Mel's persona cocks her head slightly. "Hold for a moment. Your father and my people are close." Then she pauses. "Do you like classical music?">>

[Jack VII]

Vandermay Academy CAS Zone, 10:43 AM, September 12, 2075

Nonplussed, Jack said, "I'd rather not put you at risk, but if it's the only way we can get access, so be it."

<<@Team [JustJack] Mel, is there a map of the dorm somewhere in the Host? It would be helpful. If it looks like it might be too difficult to get, don't worry about it. All we're looking for is indications that there is a stairwell in the dorm. Maybe there are cameras in the stairwells?>>

[Lobo0705]

Vandermay Academy Host, CAS Zone, 10:43 AM, September 12, 2075

<<For the first time Bai's face showed any emotion, and the ghost of a smile played across his digital lips. "Yes, it is a passion of mine. Mozart, Bach, Tchaikovsky, they are like old friends. I hope to follow in their footsteps one day." The smile fades slowly, "However I do not believe the reality of my situation will allow this.">>

[Melpomene]

Vandermay Academy Host, CAS Zone, 10:43 AM, September 12, 2075

<<@Team [Melpomene] Searching...>>

<<"That would be a supreme shame...there are too few with the talent and commitment to follow in their footsteps."

At this point, Mel looks like she is looking for something.

"Forgive my distraction...just looking for floorplans to help us extract you.">>

[Melpomene]

Vandermay Academy Host, CAS Zone, 10:44 AM, September 12, 2075

<<Mel takes out a violin, tunes it for a moment, then begins to play Mozart's Symphony No. 41. The notes reverberate through Bai's persona, and a number of files, resembling sheets of music, slide out from him. She continues playing as each file begins to vibrate in tune and unfold, letting Mel look at the contents. The music isolates on one file, and that file floats in virtual space as the others return to Bai. Mel then stands up and plays a bit louder, spinning in place, almost losing herself in the music. The effect is almost like a localized tornado...pieces of paper, newspapers, train schedules, contracts, journal paper, all coming through the windows of the dining car. Mel continues to spin, and the papers begin revolving around her like planets around a star. Mel then stops spinning, still playing, and focuses on one train schedule. With a triumphant note, she dispels all of the others, and replicates the one piece, which then breaks into bits of code and is absorbed into her persona.>>

<<@Team [Melpomene] Got it. ARO of the building's floorplan exloaded.>>

<<Mel then puts away her violin, straightens her dress, and sits again. "Just another moment, young sir.">>

[Lobo0705]

Vandermay Academy Host, CAS Zone, 10:44 AM, September 12, 2075

<<Bai's persona listens raptly to Mel's rendition of the Master's work. As the notes fade away, he produces his own violin, and starts to play himself. The haunting chords of Komm, süßer Tod, komm selge Ruh float through the Matrix, Bach's despair crystal-clear as the song filters through the DNI into Mel's brain.>>


Vandermay, CAS Zone, 10:46 AM, September 12, 2075

Sisco glides the Renault into a parking space near the dorm. Looks more like a luxury hotel than a high school dorm. Must be nice. The two orks and Huiquing exit the vehicle, and move up the pathway to the front door. They draw looks from several different students in the area, but no one stops to comment as they approach the door.

A keypad next to the door bars entry without the proper code, but Huiquing simply presses the "Call" button next to it. A moment later the group sees the persona of a KE security guard appear in AR in front of them. <<"Good morning sir, how may I help you?">>

Huiquing speaks, his persona a mirror image of his physical body, albeit not as disheveled as his meat body. Although he still looked respectable, a night sleeping on a couch in an abandoned factory did not make him look his best. <<Hello, I am here to see my son, Chen Bai. If you could buzz me in I would appreciate it.>>

<<The guard nods a moment, checking the records to verify that Bai was a resident of the dorm. "I do see he lives here sir. Please transmit your SIN so I can verify you are on the visitor's list.">>

Huiquing presses a button on his commlink, and Jack and Sisco both stand nearby, trying to look as if they belonged.

<<"Very good, Mr. Chen. Thank you, enjoy your stay.">>

The persona vanishes from sight, and a loud buzzing noise comes from the door. Jack steps up and opens the door, waving Sisco inside first, and then follows after Huiquing.

[Jack VII]

Vandermay, CAS Zone, 10:46 AM, September 12, 2075

Jack checked his Streetline Special to make sure it was only loaded with non-lethal rounds. If he was being honest, it probably didn't matter what was loaded in the pistol, as it was unlikely to do much damage in any event. But a gun was a gun, so if push came to shove, firing a few rounds might clear a hallway. He checked his suit one more time and made sure he looked the part of a proper bodyguard. Figuring they could use another set of eyes, the ork sent a message to Mel.

<<@Team [JustJack] Mel, can you send the FlySpy to come inside with us? I'd like to send it up the other stairwell so we have eyes on everything>>

Following behind Huiquing, he waited for the man to confer with security before heading in. "If you all want to wait here, I'll see about fetching Bai." Jack took a second to arrange all of the AR video feeds so that they didn't interfere with his vision but could be glanced at easily.

GEAR

[ Spoiler ]

Streetline Special [S&S] w/Gecko Grip, Internal Smartgun, 1x Spare Mag [REG] & 1x Spare Mag [APDS] (W)*
Flash-Pak (W)*
Zoe Executive Suite w/Concealable Holster (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 (W)*
Meta Link (1) (W)
Trauma Patch (W)*

Cyberware
Datajack [Alpha] (W)*
Handblade [Alpha]
Internal Air Tank (3) [Alpha]
Muscle Replacement (2) [Alpha]
Skilljack (4) [Used] (W)*
Skillwires (4) [Used]
Skillsoft: [Pistols (4), Sneaking (4), Unarmed Combat (4)]
Smartlink [Alpha]
Wired Reflexes (1) [Alpha]

[PraetorGradivus]

Vandermay, CAS Zone, 10:46 AM, September 12, 2075

Sisco felt naked without his Smartgun. Uncle Morty would say it serves you right for not having a pistol along.

Hopefully, they'll wait till we leave the campus to start whatever they're gonna do. Should have brought an overcoat along and then I could have hidden the Smartgun behind my back. Oh well.

[ Spoiler ]

Sisco is wearing his Executive Suit and earbuds...no weapon

[Melpomene]

Vandermay Academy Host, CAS Zone, 10:46 AM, September 12, 2075

<<Mel listened intently, her aural processors analyzing the music flowing through her DNI. If anyone were to look at her meat-side at this moment, they would see a tear rolling down her left cheek. In the Matrix, Mel's persona sat listening to the beautiful music Bai played.>>

<<@Team [Melpomene] Rerouting the fly-spy to your location. Tell me what I should tell Bai to do when you're ready.>>

[Lobo0705]

Vandermay Academy, CAS Zone, 10:46 AM, September 12, 2075

As Jack straightened out his AR feed, he held the door open long enough for the Fly Spy to zip inside and keep low to the ground as it shot through the vestibule and hugged the wall along the office to their right. Sisco and Huiquing stayed in the lobby as Jack moved down the hallway to the left, passing the elevator on his way out. The ork and the Triad boss shifted uncomfortably in silence as they waited, watching the feed from the Fly Spy as it headed in the opposite direction of Jack.

Jack passed several students, each of them looking so young. Wonder what I was like at that age. Trying not to look intimidating, although he bulked twice their size, he tipped his hat and slid past them on his way to the staircase. He glanced inside the multi-purpose room, not one but two 70" trideo sets, with three boys watching a rerun of an old action flick, while a couple snuggled on a couch in front of the other, watching a news feed.

What made Jack do a double take however, was that although the couple were dressed in school uniforms, the male was a human in his late 30s, while the "girl" was even older. Both were human, and both were either Chinese or Japanese.

[Jack VII]

Vandermay Academy, CAS Zone, 10:46 AM, September 12, 2075

Jack kept walking past the multipurpose room but sent a message to the team.

<<@Team [JustJack]Two possible contacts in the multipurpose room. Dressed in school uniforms, but in their 30s, one male and one female, asian descent. Not sure who they're trying to fool. Maybe some kind of magic involved? May want to relocate Huiquing to the van>>

[PraetorGradivus]

Vandermay Academy, CAS Zone, 10:46 AM, September 12, 2075

Well ain't that special as my Uncle Morty used to say. Too obvious... must be backup somewhere else.

Sisco takes a snapshot of the room with the built-in camera of his cybereye as he passes the room. He quickly transfers the image to his commlink. He vooms in on the image and sees only teenagers.

What the heck...fraggin mojo. And our mage is outside.

<<@Team[Sisco]Looks like the couple Jack just described have some kind of spell on them. They look just like teenagers to me.>>

[PraetorGradivus]

Vandermay Academy, CAS Zone, 10:46 AM, September 12, 2075

As Jack climbs the stairwell to go get Bai, Sisco motions Huiquing to stay in the corner. He presses himself next to the stairwell door preparing to knock out the next person who goes through.

These are all rich snooty kids. They won't use a stairwell when there's an elevator. Well hopefully not, or some poor kid is gonna end up with a bloody lip. Oh the joys of running.

<<@Team[Sisco] Jack's on his way. Mell, I'm pinging my location. Can you shut down the lights in this stairwell-first floor only.>>

[Lobo0705]

Vandermay Academy Host , CAS Zone, 10:46 AM, September 12, 2075

<<Mel brought up another window in her vision, and with a wave of her hands enlarged it so it dominated her vision. Other smaller windows were in the corners of her eyes, Bai sitting playing his violin, the feed from the Fly Spy as it made its way up the stairs, but she pushed them aside momentarily. With a quick little ditty, she called up a schematic of the Vandermay Host, and the icon she was looking for was in one of the coal cars. With a slight change in tempo, the surroundings rapidly changed until she found herself standing in the coal car itself. Slowing down the music some, she let it caress the icon, slowly bringing it more in tune with her own persona, until she could then reach out and flip the switch with her hand. Looking quickly over her shoulder, she heard someone coming down the aisle toward her...>>

Vandermay Academy, CAS Zone, 10:46 AM, September 12, 2075

Jack hurries up the stairwell, quickly disappearing from sight. Sisco quickly bends his knees slightly, his left hand cocked under his chin, his right hand slightly extended, waiting. Within seconds, the lights flicker off, plunging the stairwell into near darkness, but a tiny sliver of light from under the door is enough for his lowlight enhanced cybereyes. He sees the lever on the door handle start to turn, and the door swings open, revealing the male teenager he saw watching the trideo...

[PraetorGradivus]

Vandermay Academy, CAS Zone, 10:46 AM, September 12, 2075

Sisco wastes no time giving the 'teenager'a resounding kick to the groin that lifts him a foot off the ground and drops him prone in agony. Taking no chances, he stomps on his head hearing a sickening crunch. If the 'teenager' wasn't dead, he shortly would be without quick medical help.

<<@Team[Sisco] Just took out one of the 'teenagers'. Followed us into the stairwell.>>

Sisco drags the body away from the door letting it close and sets up back in ambush hoping the second 'teenager' was just as stupid as the first.

While waiting he thinks to himself, I don't think my sensei in Atlanta would have liked this but I didn't have time to finish him off in a less lethal fashion. Don't know where the second one is. However,I know what Uncle Morty would say: "Got to be pragmatic like the Clintons." He never would explain who the heck the Clintons were. But I get point. Sorry Chummer, but maybe you'll have better luck in the next go around.

[Jack VII]

Vandermay Academy, CAS Zone, 10:46 AM, September 12, 2075

Impressed with the silent take-down, Jack paused and sent a message back.

<<@Sisco [JustJack] Need some help?>>

[PraetorGradivus]

Vandermay Academy, CAS Zone, 10:46 AM, September 12, 2075

Sisco was tempted to as Jack to come back down but thought better of it.

<<@JustJack[Sisco] Get Bai- gut feeling you need to get to him before the other operative does.>>

Uncle Morty would have said that we should have altered our plan. Jack can see through the mojo and has a gun so he should be here with the Paper Fan and I should be the one running up to intercept Bai. But I really don't like wasting the time having him come back down and then me start going up. Those seconds might mean the difference between an extracted Bai and a dead Bai.

[Melpomene]

Vandermay Academy Host , CAS Zone, 10:46 AM, September 12, 2075

<<Mel looked back at Bai. "My young sir, my compatriots are going to be here in a moment, and I cannot stay much longer. Be ready to jack out, then move out of your room and head to the stairwell on the west side of the building. Go down one floor, then move to the east side stairwell and start heading down. My friend will meet you there. He is an ork, and his name is Jack. He will protect you. I will tell you here when to move, though if I must jack out, I will send you a message through your 'link.

"Do you have any questions?">>