Salted Wounds [IC], a Deep Black Sea game Options

[Luckace]

Meanwhile, Wraith had gagged and blindfolded their prisoner. "If it eases your mind, I can try to look for an implemented backstop or something in his thoughts - if it comes to that.
bnc, why don't you drive us inside that garage? I guess by now Schorsch heard the van regardless. Should be no prob for you to get that open, right?"

[Volker]

"Because garages have doors, and doors can be shut, and I don't want our vessel to be trapped just in case."

[Jack_Spade]

Inside the warehouse is no astral threat to be detected. Schorsch is still mundane and besides a large car there isn't much inside the building either.

A closer inspection reveals, that the garage door is a very simple aluminium affair - not really designed to trap someone who has a car capable of just ramming through. If it is a trap, it's certainly not one where the garage door plays the deciding factor.

[SquirrelDude]

Sharkboy focused on his extra-sense to see what is immediately in the area while the team discusses what to do.

[ Spoiler ]

Electroception: 10d6t5 4 Hits were on 4, 6, 9, 10 so remove hits for noise accordingly. With 2 or more hits he recognizes the presence/direction and type of electrical source. Starts to get much more specific with 3 and 4 hits.

[Gilga]

she texts bnc >> You do know that we intend to sell the man our looted treasures... As much as I like beetles and becoming a zombie - no point in keeping these things or in carrying them around looking for buyers.

Anna does not wait for the team to decide and does not seem concerned about a double cross or a trap. She exits the van and walks toward Schorsch, she calls his name in excitement and welcomes him with a slight hand wave and a charming smile. "Schorsch!" she approaches the man, and then quietly says "We come with gifts - perhaps you have some hard liquor to celebrate with us? I know you are not really a barman, but it is worth a try... heh? "

[Jack_Spade]

Sharkboy noticed quite a few gadgets around, but no other human being.

"Who says I'm not a real barman?" Schorsch replied with a bit of real indignation but mostly good cheer.

"The boss tells me, your heist went well. Give me a second, and he can tell you himself."

Schorsch took out a small disk and tossed it in the air. It turned out to be a hover drone with an integrated trid projector.
Abdecker appeared as before as a holographic avatar.

"I had some rotordrones around to keep an eye on things. As far as I can tell, you made a clean getaway. The firebrigade is only now letting the police get close.
So, what do you have for me?"

[Luckace]

Wraith left the van after Anna and greeted the handsome barkeeper with a friendly nod.
To Abdecker's question, he replied: "We mostly have the chips, a top-notch simsense-recorder, their head of operations... and an offer: We can get you any information you want from him. You're talking to an awakened mindreader - If you want to know anything he knows, I can use my magical gifts to search his thoughts for even his best-hidden secrets."
He then awaited Abdecker's reaction before going into details.

@team:
<< Wanna offer his equipment as well, or r u gonna keep it?>>

[Thanee]

<< We might have some use for extra guns, who knows. And they won't make much of a difference, anyways. Maybe his commlink is of use to him, but the again bnc might want to take a look at it also? Let's see what he has to say for now. >>

[Jack_Spade]

Abdecker looked pensive: "The head of operations is good, but what about the chip specs? Without them it will be years before I can crack the encryption of their mesh network. I need to get cracking asap before they have a chance to change it.
And thanks for the offer of magical interrogation, but I'll need this thoughts in machine readable code. I've got time booked in a UV-Host That should do the trick nicely.

So to business. You kept your part of the bargain - at least mostly. If you still want to meet up with Bean Si I'd recommend you visit Salzburg. Beside a lot of very old and interesting architecture, museums and clubs there is also a secret MCT research facility beneath the Kapuzinerberg. Someone might try to hit the facility during the night of Rosenmontag to Fat Tuesday - March, 3rd.
That will leave you with a bit over two weeks to find her."

[Gilga]

Anna grins and stands by the 'bartender' to watch the holo. >>Any specific reason not to give him the specs? She texts the team before reminding their Jhonson about the burner SIN and payoff for the loot.

[Volker]

When none of their sensors and senses hinted to a trap, bnc finally gave in and steered the van inside the garage.

After a pause in which no-one says a words, bnc speaks up. "Not mostly, but fully, and more than that. The chip is ready and close by. I assume that you would not have come to this meeting without, again, providing one means or another to confirm that we speak the truth, so be it mind-reading or sophisticated lie-detecting, you'd be warned of schemes and plots. Here stand I, sister to the one you call Bean Si, giving you my word that the chip will be yours. But first, we'd like to collect what you promised us, as we - other than you - have no means to tell a false promise from a true one. You don't even stand before us in flesh and bone.
So, what information do you have about my sister's whereabouts? Why would you recommend Salzburg? Do you mean the city or the land? On which kind of source do you rely? How old is the information? What do you know about the assault-to-come? Please, Sir Abdecker, try and be a tad more specific."

[Jack_Spade]

"I'm talking about the city. The information is from early January when Bean Si visited me and asked for my help to locate the MCT facility. I did what I could and managed to locate it - under the Kapuzinerberg as I said.
She said that she intended to use the carnival atmosphere in the city as a cover to her break in - since the regular police will be occupied otherwise and it will be harder to spot her when everyone walks around in disguise.
As to where she hides... No idea, but she'll likely be around the city, trying to nail down the details. The entrance is at Steingasse 47.
But I know, she wants to break in and get either a fresh sample of what she was inflicted with or better yet find a cure. She expects the head researcher to be there as well.
I supplied her with an assortment of weapons and a few kilos of plastic explosives as well as an armored van - and of course more of the special ammunition, including Looper rounds to discreetly disable sensors.
That's all I can tell you about it. She didn't tell me more and I didn't ask or pry into her secrets.

And I have to admit, I'm slightly hurt hearing about this level of distrust. I do have a reputation to consider. But no harm done as far as I'm concerned.
As to the loot: Schorsch take a quick inventory. 40% market value as agreed."

Schorsch did as he was told and replied:
"All in all, I'd say the equippment and the chips are worth about 250.000€. So at 40% that's 100k for all of you."

[Thanee]

Nova shrugged and said: "There's a lot at stake here and a certain level of paranoia has to be expected. I'm sure you understand that."

"So, you mentioned that you would be offering your services as a fixer. Should we just make a list of items we might want to purchase, and you tell us, if you can get them quick enough before we depart? Time is of the essence, after all."

[Jack_Spade]

"That would be the first step, yes."
The hologram replied.

[Volker]

While Nova is talking, bnc messages James to return to the garage.

"I'm sorry to hurt you, chummer", bnc replies. Her voice is void of emotions, showing neither any sign of empathy nor of sarcasm. "I left Europe as a teenager and shadowrunners were but myths to me. Surely your ego can stomach the fact that your reputation never reached me. Unlike you, I have no contacts here whatsoever - as I'm sure you found out yourself - and all I know of you is that you're as distrustful as I am (she gestures at the hologram) but (she looks up the phrase in English) "hold the whip hand. Paranoia can be healthy.

As can be informations. While my comrades write their list, there's another thing I might have to offer. What would it be worth to know who is behind the whole operation?"

[Gilga]

While the adults talk Anna shadows Schorsch as he takes inventory she is not suspicious but seeks to make some small talk "Is Abdecker always like that? Have you ever met him in person?" when he announces the evaluation she mentions Abdecker " and you also agreed to give us some burner SINs..."

Once all is done, she asks Schorsch "So... What about drinks 'real' bartender" she place just a little bit of emphasis on the 'real' in an attempt at teasing or mildly flirting.

[Jack_Spade]

I want you to raid a certain warehouse were the local chip production is and secure for me both the schematics as well as whoever is behind that operation.
Do that for me and I'll help you get close to Bean Si - and if it works out it will take care of the Crusaders too as soon as I have the keys to infiltrate that P2P network of theirs."

Abdecker replied: "As per our bargain you owe me that information anyway.
There is a difference between distrust and being a two-timing asshole trying to alter the deal after the fact.
I kept my end so far and intend to do so further on. I expect you to do the same."

Schorsch replied to Anna: "Don't worry about the SINs, I got those in my pocket.
As for the Boss: He is very careful not to spread his condition. He hates his urges and tries to do as much as possible remotely and per Matrix. That said, yes I've met him in person. I am very glad he has that policy."

[Volker]

"W-"
bnc is nonplussed. Even sophisticated sensors wouldn't find a bluff in that. Frantically, she searches the conversation logs and looks for the moment when they closed the deal, seemingly looking into thin air. Finally, she swallows.
"You ... are right. I'm sorry, I didn't remember that."
Jeez, that would have become a big shit of mess if I hadn't become curious back there. Frag, bnc, stop spiking on runs!

With a (very much unwanted) flush on her cheeks, bnc orders the rotordrone to make its way here.

[Thanee]

Nova couldn't help but show a little mischievous grin while she nodded and said: "Great! With that out of the way, we can proceed as planned."

She focused on the holographic image again. "I have made a list of items here, that I would like you to acquire for me. How long would that take?"

[ Spoiler ]

Nova would be interested in buying the following from her funds (20k¥ from this plus 10k¥ from Nacl):

Full Body Armor (2,000¥)
- YNT SoftWeave (2,000¥) -- if that is possible for armor suits; not entirely sure (if not, I can just drop a few things, no big deal)
- Electrochromic Modification (500¥) -- if that is possible for armor suits; just want to be able to change colors or display text/images (like Police or SWAT or some security company logo)
- Gel Packs (1,500¥)
- Chemical Seal (6,000¥)
- Nonconductivity 6 (1,500¥)
- Fire Resistance 6 (1,500¥)
- Shock Frills (250¥)
- Faraday Pocket (50¥)
- Flashlight (25¥)
Full Helmet (500¥)
- Electrochromic Modification (500¥) -- if that is possible for armor suits; just want to be able to change colors or display text (like Police or SWAT or some security company logo)
- Flare Compensation (250¥)
- Low-Light Vision (500¥)
- Thermographic Vision (500¥)
- Vision Magnification (250¥)
- Ultrasound 2 (200¥)
- Camera 6 (600¥)
- - Low-Light Vision (500¥)
- - Thermographic Vision (500¥)
- - Vision Magnification (250¥)

Form-Fitting Body Armor, Full Suit (500¥) -- in case, we can use the ones from the german 2050 book, where they are armor accessories
Form-Fitting Body Armor, Half Suit (250¥) -- in case, we can use the ones from the german 2050 book, where they are armor accessories

Jazz (2) (150¥)
Shock Gloves (550¥)
Silencer/Suppressor (Assault Rifle) (500¥)
Refit for the Personalized Grip (Ares Alpha) (50¥)
Extended Clip (Enfield) (2) (70¥)
APDS Ammo (Sniper Rifle) (20) (240¥)
APDS Ammo (Assault Rifle) (170) (2,040¥)
EX-Explosive Ammo (Shotgun) (50) (600¥)
High Explosive Minigrenades (7) (700¥)
Suzuki Mirage (white) (8,500¥)
- Chameleon Coating
- Morphing License Plate (1,000¥)
- Spoof Chip (500¥)
- Gridlink Override (1,000¥)
- Smuggling Compartment (1,500¥)
- Runflat Tires (500¥)

Total 38,525¥ -20% = 30,820¥

[Gilga]

No drinks... I must be losing my touch.

Anna's smile widens as suddenly she is not the dumb one in the group. "Great show bnc you will make a great chaos mage."

She thanks Abdecker "Thank you Abdecker for the job and information, and good luck with the Crusaders. Feel free to ping me in the future if you need my services."

Anna's attention currently lies within exploring her talents, and so she does not make an order. She does intend to blow off some steam... " I feel like doing something fun, like dancing or something. "

[Thanee]

"As things are, we probably have to stay a few days at least, so there should be plenty time for distractions and preparations. We also might need to find a place to stay. Any ideas?" Nova asked noone in particular.

[Jack_Spade]

Abdecker nodded molified: "Alright then, no harm done. Let's have a look at that list."
After staring with a blank look for a moment, Abdecker nodded again: "The armor is no problem - I know a guy who recently got some factory new Knight Errant FBAs. Those should be possible to modify with your required specs. Though integrating the cyberware scanner at that level is likely impossible. R3 is the maximum anyone can fit into a suit of armor. I'd recommend getting a CCOB - Combat Communications and Operations Backpack instead. Good way to carry your electronic gear and to integrate additional toys.
The Suzuki you can get tonight, if you don't mind it having electrochromic armor. Just a tad more expensive."

To Anna he says: "Thank you for the offer. I'll take you up on it, should you stay around."

[Thanee]

"Aha, I see. The ads for that scanner made it sound like it could fit in anywhere. Never believe the ads, right?" Nova chuckled. "I will just change it to a camera, then. That backpack sounds fun, maybe at some point. For now, it is not really a priority."

"As for the bike, I'm afraid that won't fit into my budget, anymore, with that chameleon coating, as nice as it may be."

[SquirrelDude]

"Surprisingly, I'm a simpler man to please than the rest of these folks. I mostly just need a restock of ammunition."

Sharkboy pulled out one of his metalinks and sent over a text list to Schorsch.

<<@Schorch cc @Team
- 5 Stick n Shock Arrows with Rating 8 Static Shafts
- 2 Explosive Arrows with Seeker Shafts.
- If possible I'd like to replace the shafts on the 18 other arrows I have with Rating 8 Seeker Shafts as well. I'd need someone to perform the tooling for me.
- 2 HE grenades
- Oh, and a new metalink commlink.
>>

[Volker]

"Go fuck yourself, Anna...", bnc grumbles.
Self-consciously, she lets the others come forward, before she herself adds:
"Uhm, actually ... James is pretty high-tech in many regards, but he doesn't have good optical sensors. So, if you could get your hand on those..."

[ Spoiler ]

These work like cybereyes, rule-wise, don't they? Stuff like thermographic vision, vision enhancement, and stuff.