Salted Wounds [IC], a Deep Black Sea game |
Salted Wounds [IC], a Deep Black Sea game |
Sep 30 2018, 06:38 PM
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#576
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Dragon Group: Members Posts: 4,877 Joined: 18-September 13 From: Germany Member No.: 154,444 |
Anna was able to perceive the usual living auras that any city produces. More important was the fact that a very powerful Watcher construct patrolled the building site. And now that she took a closer look she also realized that it was from the same tradition that she had already witnessed in Munich: A Dr. Singer trained mage, or probably rather circle of mages, had created the construct.
She realized that the Watcher had both recognized her and Wraith outside on the street... |
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Sep 30 2018, 07:49 PM
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#577
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Great Dragon Group: Members Posts: 5,037 Joined: 12-June 16 From: Israel Member No.: 200,423 |
Anna retreated into the van and her first word as she opened her eyes was "Biscuits... Harvesters have noticed us. Big watcher this time, probably the work of a skilled cabal. We play our cards too recklessly, all of us are hot except James which is invisible from the astral, and Nova. Watcher has identified Wraith which means that they may engage us if they associate Wraith with the Shark. We played a bit stupid, we need to understand that wherever we go we'll have a watcher in the astral, and we have less magic than them. So we need to be smarter."
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Sep 30 2018, 07:56 PM
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#578
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Shooting Target Group: Members Posts: 1,970 Joined: 22-July 17 From: Austria Member No.: 211,160 |
[ Spoiler ]
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Sep 30 2018, 08:27 PM
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#579
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Dragon Group: Members Posts: 4,877 Joined: 18-September 13 From: Germany Member No.: 154,444 |
bnc on the other hand had found some hidden weapons: All worker drones were equipped with tasers - cyber tasers and stunbatons to be exact, integrated into their arms
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Sep 30 2018, 10:14 PM
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#580
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jacked in Group: Admin Posts: 9,356 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 463 |
"I guess that means we are to expect some trouble coming in, soon?" Nova asked, but did not hesitate to prepare for some upcoming attack on them.
She put her extra armor pieces on, including the ballistic mask, and assembled her rifle, just in case it was needed. While she did, she continued to ask: "What did this watcher do, after he spotted you? Do they know what it knows? Or does it have to carry the message to them, so to say?" |
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Oct 1 2018, 01:31 PM
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#581
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Great Dragon Group: Members Posts: 5,037 Joined: 12-June 16 From: Israel Member No.: 200,423 |
Anna replied "Not necessarily, they are monitoring the places related to Kerstin in case she goes back. The fact that we go snooping there as well is not directly a reason to use violence. Shark did kill one of them, but I am not sure if they understand the relation yet. Was Wraith seen with him? Where the rest of us... I guess we'll know if they try to geek us.
It is technically a watcher, but much larger than the previous one. Difficult to create alone, it did not do much just continue watching. Watcher telepathically linked to its creators but think of it as a phone call, they do not sense what it senses and do not share its sight. Depending on the watcher's orders it reports stuff to its masters... So likely that the watcher noticed that two mages approached the house. I don't think it noticed the Shark, and I am not sure that the Shark is identified from the astral. What I am saying is that they know someone is poking around Kerstein's contacts, and once they investigate this random piece of information further we may be in big troubles for geeking one that mage. In any case, there is little we can do now to avoid a fight if this is what they have in stored for us. Though, as it is the second watcher, we should be much more careful in the future. If only due to the bad blood between us. " |
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Oct 1 2018, 05:31 PM
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#582
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 539 Joined: 15-July 18 From: Germany Member No.: 221,430 |
Wraith had opened the second beer to "Cheers!" with the stranger, but he wasn't drinking a lot, it was mostly for implementing companionship.
"Thanks for your honesty. So no clue where she went? The guys snooping around... How where they asking for her? Did they know her full name, or did they just follow her to your door? Oh, and Emma mentioned you were allowed to stay. So... did you perhaps meet anyone in charge of the construction site?" "Any further questions for the guy?" He cursed silently when he heard the news about the watcher. Drek, how did I miss that? Dumb, dumb, dumb! Really gotta be more careful. "Only time I was visible with Sharkboy was up the fire exit. Unless they monitored that, I don't think they can connect us. But they can make assumptions, of course. Bnc, Elizia: how about spoofing some story in the forums that sounds like the chipheads have picked up some connection to Bean Si's past and sent someone to inquire? Anything that makes the Harvesters take us for Crusaders instead of a third party?" |
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Oct 1 2018, 05:45 PM
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#583
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jacked in Group: Admin Posts: 9,356 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 463 |
"You might be overthinking that connection with you and any past incident," Nova said.
"Two mages, that are not theirs, poking around here should be enough to trigger a response, so be on your guard!" |
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Oct 1 2018, 06:02 PM
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#584
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Dragon Group: Members Posts: 4,877 Joined: 18-September 13 From: Germany Member No.: 154,444 |
The janitor shrugged:
"I can't be sure, but I think she came back to Linz to talk to someone and that someone wasn't me. She did mention something odd: She said she was "riding the tiger now" - whatever she meant by that. Those goons did know exactly who they were looking for: Knew her name, that she had lived here before and that she had come to the city a day earlier. They asked if I had seen her and who was with her. I just told them that she hasn't lived here for three years and that I couldn't tell them anything about her whereabouts beyond that." He paused with the beer on his lips: "Yeah, that was kind of funny: From one week to the other they had everone out of the building - set them up in a new build high rise at the same rent rates and with three months free living. I'd have taken that offer as well, but no-one talked to me about that. I just got a mail from the owner that he had sold the block and that the new management wants me to stay on and around in case there are any issues. Since then I'm basically on vacation. No-one has spoken to me or visited me." He was interrupted by a knock on the door - or rather a very loud thump that made the old door rattle in it's hinges. Outside, the team saw that there seemed to be a shift change about to happen. The anthro drones went down from the scaffolding, towards a container that was connected to a very big powerline, while from the container a bunch of identical looking drones emerged. Only those didn't climb the ladders and stairs, but instead went around the house... |
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Oct 1 2018, 07:03 PM
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#585
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Great Dragon Group: Members Posts: 5,037 Joined: 12-June 16 From: Israel Member No.: 200,423 |
Anna said "Response yes, violence - not for poking around. Why engage us before we find Bean Si... I'd assume they'll track us. "
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Oct 1 2018, 07:21 PM
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#586
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 846 Joined: 19-July 17 Member No.: 211,063 |
"If they aren't going to engage us then it may be better to pretend we didn't notice them. No reason to tip them off that we know we're being watched.
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Oct 1 2018, 09:36 PM
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#587
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jacked in Group: Admin Posts: 9,356 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 463 |
"Well, that sure does not sound like friendly visitors," Nova mentioned after they heard the loud thumping noise through Wraith's microphone.
"We should not sit here idly, he could be in trouble just about now." With that the russian woman made her exit and dashed towards the backside of the building. [ Spoiler ] |
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Oct 1 2018, 11:11 PM
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#588
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 846 Joined: 19-July 17 Member No.: 211,063 |
Why do people make it so hard for us to just leave them alone.
Sharkboy pulled his jacket around himself and slung is bow and quiver over his back, pushing himself out the back of the van. He cracked his knuckles and sent some energy into his body in case he needed to punch a spirit or two in the face. Hopefully that van has a microwave somewhere in it, or our dinner is going to be frozen solid by the time we get to it. [ Spoiler ]
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Oct 2 2018, 06:47 AM
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#589
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Great Dragon Group: Members Posts: 5,037 Joined: 12-June 16 From: Israel Member No.: 200,423 |
"Wait!" Anna cried but to no avail "I have a summoned spirit on call much more discreet than guns and bow..." but that last part she said to herself. She shrugged with annoyance and said to bnc "Okay, I get it... we are annoying and uncontrollable. Can you at least move the car as close as possible to Wraith? I am not leaving you alone in the car this time."
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Oct 2 2018, 01:05 PM
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#590
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 539 Joined: 15-July 18 From: Germany Member No.: 221,430 |
"Track?! they're kicking the fragging door in!"
He cursed again, quite audibly this time. Wraith's heart started racing, pumping a mixture of tension, anger and anxiety through his body, a bitter-sweet kick that the runner had fallen in love with during his first steps in the shadows. High on adrenailne, he scanned the room for other possible entries or exits. "Take cover!", he hissed towards the janitor and for a quick moment, he even thought about giving the man his gun to defend himself - the man seemed to be a war veteran after all - but ultimately decided against it. Getting some sort of cover seemed like the higher priority for now. Wraith ducked behind the door stock to the next room, where he took a deep breath and focussed his energy, grasping the magical connection to the crucifix on his armband. He fixated the door from his cover, ready to rain fire and fury on any intruder. [ Spoiler ]
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Oct 2 2018, 02:28 PM
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#591
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Dragon Group: Members Posts: 4,877 Joined: 18-September 13 From: Germany Member No.: 154,444 |
Wraith hadn't finished his warning - which wasn't exactly necessary, seeing the janitor had jumped behind the kitchen counter on his own - when the door was kicked down, revealing two of the building drones, staring down on them with their cold, painted on smiles and the cute LED screen eyes. Both made a neat step aside to let two identical drones pass through which had raised their arms in unisono, displaying the business end of two heavy duty tasers.
Before anyone could react, they had fired the two shots at the Janitor, trailing wires from their electrodes. Nagl yelped at the pain although he didn't lose consciousness as he instinctively ripped at the wires. Another pair of drones came in while the two previous attackers stepped as neatly aside as the first pair to give them room. The new comers fired also their weapons, this time at Wraith. Meanwhile, Sharkboy and Nova had started a dead sprint towards their chummer, rounding just the corner to see the last pair of eight drones enter the appartment. |
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Oct 2 2018, 02:51 PM
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#592
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Great Dragon Group: Members Posts: 5,037 Joined: 12-June 16 From: Israel Member No.: 200,423 |
Anna sent her spirit with an order to "Protect Wraith", she texted Wraith to let him know she did so.
[ Spoiler ]
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Oct 2 2018, 03:45 PM
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#593
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 539 Joined: 15-July 18 From: Germany Member No.: 221,430 |
Thanks to bnc's drone-feedback, Wraith knew what to expect: The moment the door broke under the relentless assault of the drones, the runner's routined eyes had identified the kitchen counter as the best cover.
As the drones raised their arms, he instinctively dived down behind it. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit! where his thoughts, as he saw the heavy taser go off into his direction - yet he had been a split second quicker than the mechanical menace, and he managed to evade the shot by inches. [ Spoiler ]
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Oct 3 2018, 03:33 PM
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#594
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Shooting Target Group: Members Posts: 1,970 Joined: 22-July 17 From: Austria Member No.: 211,160 |
[ Spoiler ] Still before the situation escalated, bnc herself gave an opinion on why there were still watchers and armed drones. Anna replied "Not necessarily, they are monitoring the places related to Kerstin in case she goes back. The fact that we go snooping there as well is not directly a reason to use violence. Shark did kill one of them, but I am not sure if they understand the relation yet. Was Wraith seen with him? Where the rest of us... I guess we'll know if they try to geek us." "I believe that Nagl has been left here deliberately as a trap. Why else would he be the only one who wasn't removed? Why didn't they geek him when he didn't hand out what information they wanted? They left him here so that someone else can pry the info out of them, and they can then be captured. And tortured, and eliminated. Or something along that line. Which is us. Stay wary." It didn't take long for bnc to realize that the warning was not only useless in the first place (as they assumably have been wary anyway), but also way too late. "Only time I was visible with Sharkboy was up the fire exit. Unless they monitored that, I don't think they can connect us. But they can make assumptions, of course. Bnc, Elizia: how about spoofing some story in the forums that sounds like the chipheads have picked up some connection to Bean Si's past and sent someone to inquire? Anything that makes the Harvesters take us for Crusaders instead of a third party?" "Good thinking, but no. That would draw real Crusaders to Nagl and maybe even the gnarled witch. I will not risk any harm to them." Again, bnc's assessment was a tad ... late. The robo army could have been an indication that it wasn't necessarily safe for Nagl to host us even without crusaders. "I'm coming, chummers." |
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Oct 3 2018, 07:09 PM
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#595
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Dragon Group: Members Posts: 4,877 Joined: 18-September 13 From: Germany Member No.: 154,444 |
Without having tracked the individual drones, bnc had to guess which drones where which on the board. (Which group gets hit: 1d4 4)
Her attack was a partial success: The last drone pair was about to enter the flat as suddenly one of the pair fell down as if the power had shortened out. The synchronicity broke down as well and the other drone lost it's graceful movement as well. It didn't stumble for long, as Nova and Sharkboy came around the corner and took the now much slower drone out with a quick application of lethal force |
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Oct 3 2018, 09:57 PM
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#596
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Shooting Target Group: Members Posts: 1,970 Joined: 22-July 17 From: Austria Member No.: 211,160 |
Don't mess me with me in the matrix, you freaks!
bnc almost absent-mindedly steers the car over to the nearest dore while taking a split-second of time to maximize the firing power of her deck. Now show me that you're worth more than half a million! With a silent Yeeeehaaaw!, bnc unleashed a rain of harmful data at the well-protected drones. One after another, the worker drones fall to her attacks, and after only a couple of seconds, four of the six remaining worker drones are down, sizzling and puffing, and another one is jerking heavily. |
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Oct 4 2018, 08:10 PM
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#597
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Dragon Group: Members Posts: 4,877 Joined: 18-September 13 From: Germany Member No.: 154,444 |
The remaining drone ineffectually whaled against the spirit when Sharkboy came to the scene: Five drones laid scattered across the floor of the small flat, still streaming sparks and clearly out of order. Still, nothing that a skilled tech couldn't fix with a few new breaker chips.
The remaining drone took a step away from the spirit, ignoring it's ineffectual attacks, while focusing on the two runners that just had appeared in the doorway. It didn't raise it's weapon arm but instead just stared at the two. Meanwhile, bnc received a message from Eliza: <<You should all go - quickly. I just had a short but very intense fight with a corporate decker and a very sophisticated deck. He took refuge in a security host where I can't easily reach him - and he can reemerge at any time. By the way: Do you remember which flat you and your sister lived in? I managed to gain a MARK on him and could siphon a bit of conversation: It seems there is a mage set up in this building working ritual magic.>> |
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Oct 4 2018, 09:19 PM
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#598
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 846 Joined: 19-July 17 Member No.: 211,063 |
Without turning back, Sharkboy motioned with his arm for Nova to stay out of the doorway as he entered apartment. "Sorry we're late." was all that he sent over his comm before walking and grabbing the momentarily disinterested under it's shoulder, lifted it from the hip and threw it like a lawn dart out the back door. He just gave Nova a nod, "He's all yours, ma'am" [ Spoiler ]
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Oct 5 2018, 12:39 AM
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#599
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jacked in Group: Admin Posts: 9,356 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 463 |
Absentmindedly, she lowered her gun and shot the drone to bits, with the silencer on her rifle taking some of the noise away.
"Guess it only wanted some intel. Not that it got much, with the masks and all..." << So, what's the plan, now? Do we pay that mage a visit? >> Nova asked via their team channel. [ Spoiler ]
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Oct 5 2018, 06:04 AM
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#600
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Shooting Target Group: Members Posts: 1,970 Joined: 22-July 17 From: Austria Member No.: 211,160 |
[ Spoiler ] Still exhilarated from the massacre under the worker drones, the message hits bnc like a bucket full of ice water. Almost instinctively, she transfers the message to the group channel (if Eliza hadn't sent there anyway). While still talking over the commlink, she quickly reboots her deck. "Yes, to the mage asap. Second floor, after the staircase turn right, second door on the left. Sending in James." She sends three drones there at once: While the Noizquito in the corridor stays goes for the next window to do outdoor surveillance, one of the Noizquitos she had outside steers to the set of windows of her former apartment. The roto-drone with the sniper rifle is also sent there but stays out of sight. At last, James begins his ascend along the wall to come in through the windows. (James is equipped with gecko tape gloves and two pairs of rectractable climbing claws). "Good job, Eliza. Anna, can you defend the car for a moment? I wanna pinch that bugger with pliers or however you call the maneuver in English." |
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