Umbrae Europae [IC] (part 3) - Mist of Nycthemeron, A third installment of the Umbrae Europae Campaing (started elsewhere) Options

[Jack_Spade]

<<A mutual beneficial agreement is certainly in the cards - we are neither interested in making enemies nor do we want to cause undue problems.
So tell me, what exactly do you want... and don't just say the book. Most of its content is freely available through the matrix, so you must be interested in a particular section.
I mean, I could be persuaded to grant you a digital copy of the book. If you are interested in the lore therein that should be enough for you, right?
Give me a reason to trust your word on this and we might get somewhere...


But even if that's not enough because you need the real artifact for a nefarious ritual, you still stand a better chance of obtaining it after we deliver it - after all it will be out in circulation again instead of buried beneath a bunker in the SOX or turned to ashes because someone thought he could send camo units toward the bunker and thought we wouldn't notice.>>

The last part, Rex simply added to give the opposition something to think about: Either they had done exactly that or they were wondering who Rex was talking about and if another party had entered the game.

[Haywire]

#136

"No problem Racer, let's make this fraggers eat our dust. However, how on Earth could this Professor know WHEN we would have come to get the book? I buy that he knew where it was, but we were very secretive about our movements and we used some time getting Racer fixed, so how did they know we would be here at this time? I fear somebody sold us. And we're gonna find out who, and tie up some loose ends..."
Waywalker was lost in his reasonings while the drone was moving towards the GMC Banshee with the precious book.

[Romain Pelisse]

[ Spoiler ]

As mentioned earlier in this thread, the timing is mostly a plot device, to make the scenario interesting for you, but let's explaining it in character

>>> ENTITY WAYWALKER. GIVEN WHEN YOU RETURN TO THIS PHYSICAL PLAN OF EXISTENCE AND GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF ... <<ACCESS IDIOMS DATABASE>> ... RED TAPE TO BE REMOVED TO ACCESS THE SOX WITH CORPORATE AND GOVERNMENTAL APPROVAL - PLUS GATHERING THE KIND OF FIRE POWER AND DEDICATED EQUIPMENT OUR OPPONENT APPEARS TO HAVE, I ESTIMATE A 97% CHANCE THAT OUR ARRIVAL AT THE SAME SITE IS COINCIDENTAL. SADLY IT APPEARS THE REPAIR YOU HAD TO HELP ME PERFORM COST YOUR TIME ADVANTAGE. <<ACCESS IDIOMS DATABASE>> I AM TRULY SORRY ABOUT THAT.

Even if Rex, or Waywalker would have like to reply to their AI partner, an incoming transmission from their opponent prevented them to do so:

"Digital? Do you to reproduce the book using fingers??? This will be gruesome... oh, pardon... What? Oh OK, you want to put the book into this little contraption? What an interesting idea! How quaint! Your world is fabulous for those who loves gadget, isn't it? Well, now, let me think... Despite your belief, I have no nefarious plan for the book. It was written at time where the mana was low, even absent of your world. While some nuggets of true magic may have made there way into it, I don't expect the original book to be either potent nor dangerous. Obviously, the main interest of this specific edition is that it is the unabridged, unedited one and the content of it might be ... more revealing."

The strange Fae took a short pause and continued:
"And, yes, as you mentioned, there appears to have extract of the book available on this thing you call the matrix. However I've been told by my kind sponsor that something called the "crashes" have wiped out a lot of information and the only one left are partial at best. Hum. Well, we certainly don't want the loss of even more knowledge, don't we? So, yes, I agree to your terms. We will stand on and accept a fingerized version of the book as you call it... What? Digital? That's what I say! Don't interrupt me uselessly, foot soldier!"
The comm shut down for an instant and then the voice came back:
"I've asked my "prone-to-brawl" commoner here with me to stand down. The knight next to me insist to point out that his troop will not get closer to your position, but will not retreat. This will have to do as a token of good faith. I apologize for this rude behavior, but the knights of your strange world appears obsessed by something called 'tactical advantages'. They deemed more relevant than honor and chivalry. What a rude behavior."

[Haywire]

#137

"So, Racer, you say it's only bad luck? Given our circumstance I find that refreshing. Rex, if you intend to give them the book I'll wrap it up in a databomb so it destroys itself without the correct password. But the real question is: do we intend to give it to them?"

[Jack_Spade]

<<Frankly, I don't see why we shouldn't give them a copy. I have no desire to make mortal enemies. Our contract doesn't forbid us to make copies and by our Johnson's assertion, the book does not contain "dangerous" knowledge. As long as he gets the original he should be happy.
I wouldn't even bother with the data bomb - we'll just send them the data page by page. Everybody gets a win, nobody has to die.
If you remember, I already destroyed a few 100.000 nuyen worth of drones. Giving them some form of compensation can't hurt.>>

Rex replied and helped the small drone on it's last climb with his telekinesis. Once the book was inside his circle, he began to carefully examine the book and gave Racer time to use his inside cameras to create high definition photos.

[Romain Pelisse]

While Rex has agreed to the term of the weird Fae, he knew he could not made them wait too much, so as soon as a first few pages were properly uploaded to the matrix, he started sharing the file with the commlink they had provided. With noise of the SOX and the high quality resolution it was extremely slow to transfer - at least compare to their usual transfer rate. The book was not in an excellent shape and Waywalker had to be very carefully when turning the page. The rigger had to do it because obviously paws were not the perfect instrument and magic fingers could get clumsy...

"Ohhh, excellent, excellent! Amazing contraption that you have! Far more faster and efficient than a copy spell or, of course, a trained monk."

The bizarre opponent did not want to cut the communication and they kept hearing some little scream of excitement now and then. Uploading was a slow task, but they finally got through it, and send the last pages.

"Ah perfect! The book is now complete... What? Yes, yes, of course, my good lord, now you can terminate them. We don't need anymore. What? What do you mean "my line is still open"?"

[ Spoiler ]

@Waywalker time for you to roll to resist being target lock!

[Jack_Spade]

<<I am a bit disapointed to hear that. Rest assured, the first man to come close dies... agonizingly. As will the second, the third and so on. Not to mention you won't get the page we left out. It's quite a beautiful map.
Ciao.>>
With that little barb send out, Rex took position to throw some lightning bolts at potential pursuers.

[Haywire]

#138

"The data bomb could have been useful...however, let's make them regret this."
In an instant Waywalker was in VR in the Matrix and targeting the commlink, the focusing his attention on the data from the sensors to avoid being locked down.
"This should come as a lesson: do not piss us off."

[ Spoiler ]

avoiding sensor lock: 17d6t5 4
Initiative: 5d6+14 33
agent teamwork (deck): 12d6t5 4
brute force on the commlink: 21d6t5 6
edit file: 16d6t5 7 (to delete their copy of the book)

[Romain Pelisse]

[ Spoiler ]

Resist Brute Force attack: 11d6t5 2 - commlink marked

The comm line, still open, let Waywalker hear that his plan worked like a charm...

"Wait, wait, where the book is going? What's happening!"

"Your line is still open, you moron! They heard you and now have deleted the file they give us..."

Suddenly, the merc voice turn into a guttural scream. Over it, Rex and Waywalker could still hear the voice of The Professor.

"You will pay me the respect I'm due, measly mortal."

[ Spoiler ]

I definitely give you point, and merits, for trying to resolve the situation without a bloodshed. The Professor, however, as you may have figure, is a rather evil being... (and from a narrative point of view, he'll do a perfect nemesis for the rest of the story (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Then, the line is finally cut. Racer had not wait to start maneuvering its away, but as soon as his large, metallic body clear the hill, Waywalker spot several missile being fired at them from the last functional ATV.

[ Spoiler ]

Target Lock on Racer GMC Banshee: 14d6t5 4 - no target lock!

Thanks to Waywalker help, Racer dodges the first wave of guided missiles and disappeared into the radioactive fields of the SOX...

[ Spoiler ]

Unless you have something specific to do next, I would like, tomorrow, to fast forward a bit, and start a new meet with your ghoulish M.Johnson. I would assume you are going to give him the book and give him a complete overview of everything you faced and discovers on your quest for the first book...

OOC question of you: do you want to part ways with Racer once you leave the SOX or do wish to extend to it an invitation to join your group?

[Jack_Spade]

Rex crumpled exhausted to the floor as the t-bird sped away: <<I stand corrected Waywalker. Damn, I really had hoped we could for once get out of the SOX without having to deal with getting betrayed. Oh well. I tell you what: The next thing I learn will be a radiation shield and a way to deal with background count. That whole operation nearly turned into a total snafu. Thank gods we have Racer on our side.

By the way: Racer thank you very much for your assistance. I hope you didn't mind the exitement, but you are doing really well as a shadow runner. If you don't mind we'll call on you again when we need a fast getaway.

Waywalker and I have to get back to Paris before those bastards can call for backup and waylay us. I want to be done with this cursed book sooner than later.>>

[ Spoiler ]

Obviously, I like Racer and wouln't mind to keep him around as a contact (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Having a recurring nemesis sounds like fun, but I can't promise that I won't just try to kill the bastard when run across him again

[Haywire]

#139

"Goodbye, fraggers!" Waywalker smiled as he helped Racer avoid the missiles and heard the Professor cursing.
"Maybe the SOX has really a bad influence other than the stories..." he shrugged, as one does when it's suddenly cold. "Racer, your help has been priceless. I'd be honored to pilot with you again. May our ways walk together next time. But I think it's safer if you drop us by my van so we can go more unnoticed. I too want nothing more to do with this damn book. Let's go to Paris and arrange a meet ASAP."

[Romain Pelisse]

[ Spoiler ]

The Professor is not a recurring nemesis, but the one of the villains of this story. Indeed, I think you guys forgot that this book is only the first step to get to a more crucial book, the Nuctéméron. I know this first step stretched for months, so I'm not surprise you lost track of that.

Regarding Racer, it seems that you want to leave in the SOX and does not offer it to join you, so I'll leave it there for now. Let's jump in to the meet with your ghoulish employer...

After days of playing cat and mouse around the border of the SOX, Racer had finally managed to drop his two "friends entities" at their van. From there, the duo managed to come back to Paris and organized a new meet, in the catacombs below the city with friendly, but rather harrowing, employer.

Monday 15th March 2077

They spend a long time summarizing him their recent adventures and how they ended up on the radar of the Order of St. Sylvester, before handing the ghoul the book they have so much fight to get. The ancient looking creature, Mr Corbitt, remains silent for almost a minute, before replying to them:

"... Hum. Well, I think, first of all, I must command your dedication. I don't think many of your ... peers, would have gone as far as you went, and be so diligent. That being said, I'm not entirely sure that sharing the content of the book with this... Professor, was a wise move, but I'm certainly not going to be, what do they say, oh right, to be a "backseat driver" on this decision. And I'm extremely grateful to you two to have helped secure this precious, but rather mundane book.

As I told when we started this endeavour, this book is in fact a most essential clue to get to a far more important - and clearly dangerous book, called the Nuctéméron. Thanks to you securing it, we have hopefully the lead in what has become - as I was afraid of, a race. I'll need some time, and probably a bit of assistance from Rex, to study the book and extract from it, what people during the War called 'actionable Intel'."

Weirdly enough, both Rex and Waywalker are unsure which war the ghouls was referring to.

"In the meantime, let me seek your advise on our next move. Like you probably are, I'm not very happy with the lack of actual knowledge on who is after this book like us. We know of this strange Fae who is clearly looking for it and has aligned himself, at least last time you saw him, with a delegation most likely sponsored by Order of St. Sylvester. But we are unaware their end game in this plot. We also have no idea if other factions might be interested too. You did leave the Camargue with the Draco Foundation aware of the break in. I wonder if there are now also aware of our little quest..."

Corbitt stopped, pausing to allow his mouth to rest. As the runners have seen already last time, he was in a pretty advance state of decomposition and it seemed that speaking was thus rather difficult for the ghoul.

"So... How do you think we should proceed to gather a bit more information, without tipping our own hand?"

[Jack_Spade]

Rex had gone to the trouble of manifesting to talk with their employer: "Reading the book - probably. It's all rather complex. I do have the astral signature of the person trying to spy on us. If I ask a strong enough Kami, I might be able to pinpoint his position and start a counter surveillance. But that is a rather risky and not at all sure fire way to get some intel.
The Draco Foundation will have to use advanced auguring techniques to deduce what we are really after.

Right now we have the real book and I think we'll have to take it apart, page by page to see if there isn't anything hidden in the margins or between the covers. Only when that doesn't help us any further, I'd turn to espionage."

[Haywire]

#140

"Well, Mr. Corbitt, we have the book and they do not, so I think we should have an advantage. Do you have any information on who this "Professor" is?
"Waywalker paused for a moment to rally his ideas.
"While you two study the book, either physical copy or digital one, I could snoop around to see the latest rumors in the French shadows. Facts may be misleading, but rumors point very often where we should search."

[Romain Pelisse]

The ghoul turned its decaying face to Rex astral form. As Corbitt was dual natured, it barely noticed that the mage were projecting.

"Well, I certainly acknowledge your arcana acumen. I had not thought about such direct strategies. And I do agree with your own conclusion in regards of those - they are more risk of us being exposed than anything else. I must confess my line of though was mundane. I was hoping for you too to have connection, in the shadows, that could provided information. Or maybe that you would be up to some good, old fashion investigation work. It may not impossible, especially for two crafty runners as you are, to set up a discreet surveillance of either the Mount St Michel and/or the Draco Foundation, here in Paris? Or maybe even a break in to gather Intel. But again, I am, but a measly ghoul, living underneath the city of light. I have no idea if what I'm suggesting is realistic or not..."

Listening to Rex suggestions of taking the book apart immediately brought a face of utter disgust and horror on Corbitt.

"Gosh! Tearing apart this unique item! What a nefarious idea! We're not philistines, M.Rex. I have not hired you to commit acts of such barbarian level. I really do hope you were using a metaphor."

It was clear for the two runners that Mr.Corbitt certainly loves his books.

[ Spoiler ]

If you want more background on how much Corbitt loves his book, you'll have to dig up a Call of Ktulu scenario from 4th edition (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

"I do however intend to thoroughly study it, cover to cover. But as you said, this will take a bit of time..."

As Waywalker gave his own suggestion, the ghoul turned toward his general direction - again, being a blind creature came with a certain lack of precision in this regard (haha).

"Sadly, no, M.Waywalker, I have no inkling of whom this Professor might be... I am familiar with his brand of Fae however. The Professor, given your description appears to be a Croki. Those Fae are known for being either talented artisan or brilliant scholar. The white gloves they are always wearing are not a prop or for styling purpose. They are here to protect people from their touch which is, I've gathered, supposed to be a deadly one. I have no idea why this particular Fae was apparently kept prisoner in Brocéliande. That being said, maybe venturing into the Seelie Court may yield more information... But this is no small endeavour."

Corbitt paused a second to let his suggestions sinks in and continued:

"Gathering rumors and hearsay, through the Matrix? Hum. What an intriguing endeavor. Certainly a stealthy one. And you are right, it may give us a bit of context about our opponent moves..."

[ Spoiler ]

To be clear, this is a rather open part of the scenario. I really want you to be able to decide your next course of actions, and not, for once, being victim of the event, so feel free to decide to do whatever you want.

[Jack_Spade]

"If you remember, we aren't orignially from Paris and have very few - if any - connections to lean on. If you ware willing to pay our retainer, we certainly can continue our investigations.
Braking into the Draco Foundation or St. Sylvester Headquarters here sounds like a very, very, very dangerous undertaking.
Still, we can ask around and see who comes out of the woodwork.
But as mentioned: Let's study the book before we go out and inadvertendly alert our enemies to our inquiries.

Waywalker, we should start to prepare secondary and tertiary hiding places. France is pretty centralized and it doesn't require a genius to suspect that we might be holed up in Paris. Once they have spirits searching for me, one might get lucky and pierce both my obfuscated aura as well as my lodge's protections. Once that happens we have to bail out very rapidly."
Rex replied.

"In any case, we should establish a meet in a week or so. If searching the matrix as well as the book hasn't resulted in anything, we'll try the available alternatives."

[Romain Pelisse]

[ Spoiler ]

My Shadowrun games are generally pretty world wide and not focused on one place, which means that contacts are not only bound locally. So, for instance, a Berlin based SK exec might know what is happening in Paris, a smuggler in Sioux Nation may have heard rumors about dealing happening in Europort, and so on and so on...

[Jack_Spade]

[ Spoiler ]

Oh, cool.

[Romain Pelisse]

[ Spoiler ]

Yep, it makes PCs more mobile, and, let's face it, if a french , a german and an italian can have a PbP game in our day and age , people are bound to be even more connected in Shadowrun (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Haywire]

#141

"Do not get this wrong, Mr. Corbitt, but I do not intend to go in the Mist anymore unless is critical. Last time we barely escaped the mercs by my wits, and I'm not so keen on tempting my luck again."
"By the way, I think I can ask around in the Matrixwhile you two study the book. And sure, we can make some arrangements to change safehouse regularly, if you so desire. Let me remeber where we find them..."
"Do you know where a man spill his beans? I think I know a situation when this happens and the person to talk to..."

[ Spoiler ]

Safehouse Location Knowledge: 13d6t5 3
I want to send a message to Trixie, the high end escort from Berlin, to ask here if she heard something about the Professor or this operation.
Then I want to search the Matrix for rumors and leads:
agent teamwork (deck): 12d6t5 9
matrix search: 21d6t5 9

[Jack_Spade]

[ Spoiler ]

I assume, reading the book will be an extended test in magical theory:


Magical Theory: 12d6t5 4
Magical Theory: 11d6t5 3
Magical Theory: 10d6t5 2
Magical Theory: 9d6t5 3
Magical Theory: 8d6t5 4
Magical Theory: 7d6t5 1
Magical Theory: 6d6t5 2
Magical Theory: 5d6t5 1
Magical Theory: 4d6t5 0
Magical Theory: 3d6t5 2

And that's where I'd stop before I get a critical glitch for a total of 22 successes over approximatively 10 days

I'm calling my Talismonger Contact Jeremy Jones, British ex-pat about the book

Rex nodded: "I'll study the digital copy, as that will be easier to use with a translation software. Also, I'll call an expert on magical artifacts that I know. He might be able to help us out."

Rex returned to his body and used the trode net to call an old fashioned answering service to leave his request: <<Dear Mr. Jones, I hope you are well and both business and weather is to your satisfaction. I am currently investigating the whereabouts of a certain rare text and would appreciate your scholarly insight on the matter. Please find attached to as separate mail the details on said text.
Thank you for your help in advance.
Yours sincerely
Reginald>>

[Romain Pelisse]

"Oh, M.Rex, rest assure, the book is quite safe here and I have taken extra precaution to shield it - as you may have felt when you arrived here..."

[ Spoiler ]

In terms of game, the amount of dirt above your head already provided sort of a mana barrier, but Corbitt had a mage ward his hideout. Rex being allowed to cross it, none of its spell were disturbed.

"...But do contact your friend about the book. I'm sure you are far more used than me in this sort of dealings and will thus keep the appropriate amount of discretion needed."

Listening then to Waywalker discretion, the old man replies to the rigger:

"Oh, I'm quite sorry, M.Waywalker, I've been uncleared and assumed very wrongly you were familiar with astral travel. But rest assure, the course of action I'm advocating here is not at all take you anywhere near the Mist. Apparently the Mist led you to a plane known as Brocéliande where you clearly saw soldiers of the Queen of the Seelie somehow keeping the Professor prisoner. Or so it seems."

The ghoul paused for an instant to check that Waywalker at the time to digest what he just said.

"I suggest to travel to the Court of the Seelie, where the Queen herself reside. And there try to learn more about this Croki and understand why he was jailed where he was. I do realize it is definitely outside of both your comfort zone, but it might be a very efficient way to learn more about the Professor. That being said, you may prefer other course of actions. As said, I ultimately do trust your operational experience in this regard."

As Waywalker and Rex were left pondering about the strange proposal of their employer, Rex was surprised that his contact had already replied. While reading the message, Rex could almost the thick British accent of his librarian's friend:

>>> Hi Reg', nice to hear from you, mate. It's been a while. Business here is good, thanks for asking. As for weather, it's shit, but still better than home! Quite an old little nugget you find yourself looking at. Nobody care about so-called wizard of the 19th century since arcanist came up with the UMT (Universal Magic Theory). Back in the 40's, this kind of book was hot. People kept searching in them for hope to find glimpse of "true power". Reasoning was that if those fellows had managed to perform magic back in the 5th World, they must have been quite good? Neh, for me this never hold the water... Anyway, your little book is certainly back in fashion these days. Your are not the first of my contacts to ping me about it... The strange thing is that the book itself is devoted of any true magic. It's not an artifact or one of those magical book that come up here and there. It's just good, old fashioned esoteric crap! Anyhow, if you are interested in who else is looking for the book I might be able to help... Well, in exchange of a little participation in my retirement pension (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) . Let me know!

While Rex was reading the message, Waywalker and Corbitt had kept discussion an idea of the rigger, and Corbitt looked interested:

[ Spoiler ]

@Jack_Spade I'll sum up the result of an email exchange I had with Haywire to clarify what he meant above

"So, if I get your idea right, M.Waywalker, you want to see if you can find a 'lady of night' that one of the exec either at the Draco Foundation or in the vicinity of the Order of St Sylvester is ... visiting often. And maybe get this person to 'spill the beans'. That is an interesting idea indeed. However, where to look?"

Waywalker smiled and winked at both Rex and Corbitt. He picked up his phone and dial the number of Trixie, the high end escort girl they had dealings with, back in the RRMP, when they started looking for Bernie. After a brief and warm discussion - Trixie was always very nice to discuss with, but that might be due to her profession - Waywalker hanged up and his smile grew even more. It turned out that Trixie had heard of high end brothel, in Rennes, so quite close to the Mont St Michel. Apparently, the woman running it, called Madame Claude, as this is customary in France, often hired girl with a certain young and innocent appeal. Rumors in the business was that it was to cater, discreetly, to the need of some local member of the clergy.

In exchange for 500 nuyens, Trixie was willing to share how to connect Madame Claude and the exact location of the Brothel.

[Haywire]

#142

Waywalker was not very fond of the mojo implied in the words "astral travel". "Well, I'm glad we do not need to go to that haunted place anymore."After the conversation with Trixie, he sent her the money and waited for the reply with the details.
"I think I got ourself a lead..."

[Jack_Spade]

Rex replied to his contact: <<Thank you Jeremy, I'll gladly pay for this information and whatever else you can dig up about the texts I mentioned.>>


Rex returned his attention to Waywalker and nodded after learning about that plan: <<I say onward to Rennes. I'll have time to study during the drive.>>

[Romain Pelisse]

[ Spoiler ]

Don't forget to pay both Trixie (500 nuyens) and Jeremy (500 nuyens)

As soon as Waywalker transferred the money to her, Trixie shared the location of the brothel in Rennes. Located quite inside the historical center of the city, the old, fashion house looked pretty nice. Nothing in the matrix was betraying its true nature. Once the runners are back on the surface, it will take 2 to 3 hours to get there. Rennes is a bit too close to the Mist for Waywalker's taste, but the closet sighting of the mysterious fog has never been closer to 30 km.

In the meantime, Rex gets a reply from his contact: "Nice of you, mate! I'd look into that and came took when I have a better idea of the movers and shakers behind those request. Good day!"

The study of the book is a tedious one. First of all Rex has to translate it using his commlink, and try to assert if the translation is good enough. Then he has to decipher, behind esoteric sentences, if there is a piece of truth, meaning if what is being described actually related to proper magic...

The duo arrives in the vicinity of the brothel in the early evening. Rennes used to be a very lively student city, but since the arrival of the Mist, decades ago, the city had become a bit more gloomy. Especially at night, as small patch of fog - regular one, but still due to the Mist, often invaded the street. So when Waywalker and Rex arrived, the city looked deserted and foreboding. A few shadowy figures could be seen walking in the street, looking, through the fog, a bit aimless.

Once they got eyes on the brothel, the nice looking, old house looked indeed very normal. No red light, no ARO to offer "services", the all things was pretty hush, hush. Only two thing betrayed the "discreet" business: the walls laced with bacterial lifeforms to make the building impervious to both thermographic vision and astral visit and the few discreet security cameras, monitoring the vicinity from all the angle...