Behind the Crown [IC], Behind the crown are shadows Options

[pbangarth]

"""If the machinery is still in diagnostic mode, maybe I can speed up the healing process. At work I've had to get a number of different spells to handle poisons, diseases and damage. What do we know?"""

[Koekepan]

"""I don't know. I mean, sure, whatever you can bring."""

Heather leans back against the kitchen counter. """There was an autoject gun by her side, but who knows what was in its syringe? Could have been something as old-school as heroin, but isn't she a chemist? Could have been any kind of custom sleepyjuice. She's alive, and breathing, but I think the autodoc's just keeping her in maintenance mode for now. If you can detox her, go for it. I have things to do, so if you need anything, it'll be easier for me to do a delivery run than for you to run around the streets looking like a target."""

[pbangarth]

"""Yes, by the monitor stats it looks like I could bring her back to consciousness. From past experience, having her verbal is not necessarily a good thing, but we may be able to find out what she took ... or was forced to take. Then you might be able to find a street source for a chemical antidote, like naloxone works for opiates."""

Connor ponders the comatose Cindy for a moment, then places one hand over her heart, and one on her forehead. He draws down mana and casts the Antidote spell.


EDITED:

[ Spoiler ]

Antidote spell: Sorcery 5 + spell pool 7 + Owl bonus after dark 2 = F3 spell @ 14 dice, Target 5: 7 successes
Only 3 successes applicable to the effect because of F3, so the other 4 successes go to reducing the time to permanence.

Drain (assume damage level is M?) WIL 12 + Owl 2 = 14 dice Target 2(M): 13 hits !!!!!!!!!

Uh, no drain.

[Koekepan]

The spell does nothing very obvious at first, but as it starts to take hold the autodoc gets excited. Heart rate rising! Brainwaves adapting! Cortical responses modifying! If a piece of machinery could hyperventilate, this one probably would be.

More to the point, Cindy mumbles and stirs. Her eyes lazily open - her pupils as wide as can be - and she looks blearily at Connor.

"""Aren't you a little hairy for an angel?"""

Her eyes close again. She says quite clearly, with only a slight slur to her sibilants: """If you used me like your doll I'll never forgive you not having pictures. And if you didn't, I'm really disappointed in you. Mitsuhama sex is the best sex."""

The autodoc settles down after that revelatory personal testament, and declares that she's asleep.

[pbangarth]

"""Well, it looks like she's out of the worst of it, and now sleeps normally. Don't know how long that will last, but I guess we have time to wait, don't we?

"""You brought us here at the request of some unknown person or interest, for a time to hide out. I guess you are here to, what, watch over us? Keep us safe? Keep us ... contained? Is this what you do for a living? Who are you?"""

[Koekepan]

"""Hopalong.""" She holds out a hand for Connor to shake.

"""Private, contract security for specialty needs. And in your case, to give you a hand escaping a net created by Mitsuhama. The ones framing you for child abduction, remember? Great guys. Contract lasts a week; after that, you're on your own though I'll give you a hand getting back on your feet if you want. If you want to leave right now? I can't stop you. But I think you're too smart to want to.""" She glances at Cindy. """Maybe some of you aren't that smart."""

She takes a deep breath and goes back to the kitchen area, and says: """Honestly, if you have something useful to do, I can help you do it. My contract doesn't stipulate keeping you here, it is just to keep you out of Big M's clutches for a week. This was just a good place to lay low. You're not my prisoners or anything like that."""

[pbangarth]

"""No, I'm happy tto sit here and wait for the heat to subside a bit. Contract security for specialty needs. Hmmm. I seem to be in between jobs at the moment. How does one get into your line of work?"""

[Koekepan]

"""It's really not that hard. All you need is useful skills, a rich client with a need, and a deathwish. The few, the crazy, the dispensable. If you're asking if I'm looking for a partner, let me save you time and say no. But wizards don't go looking for long, so I can pass your contact to a couple of brokers. You could be dead inside the month, easy."""

Hopalong speaks casually, but if she's bluffing she has a hell of a poker face.

[pbangarth]

"""Sure. Thanks. I could use some contacts out in the real world."""

[Koekepan]

Hopalong nods at that, and then wanders off to the garage, gets in her car and leaves.

Carlos and Chuck are cheerfully engrossed in electronic entertainments. Chuck because he can, as far as Connor can tell, and Carlos because he understands the concept of waiting for the heat to die down. So that part's stable.

Cindy keeps up with her Sleeping Beauty act long enough for Connor to grab a bag of KrilPopz from the kitchen, and then mumble when he's on his way back: """Don't clench, it'll only hurt more."""

Then she sleeps again. Who knows what she put in her bloodstream, but the autodoc's readout says that she's recovering from whatever-it-was, so there are maybe three hours, on the current trajectory, before she's really lucid. If Connor feels the urge to check her for wires, Mitsuhama tattoos or anything else, now might be his chance. Then again, Hopalong probably did so before wrapping her up and dragging her here.

[pbangarth]

+++ Hmm. "Don't clench, it'll hurt more." Sounds like someone forced this on Cindy. If they forced a drug, maybe there are other intrusions. +++

""" If anyone wonders, I'm checking Cindy for hidden mics and other tracers. Don't get any ideas. """ While she is asleep, Connor checks Cindy over for anything physical that might be on her surface or inserted. Yeah, I know. But better safe than found out.

[ Spoiler ]

Perception test : INT 4, Target 4(?): 2 successes

---OOC The rest follows if Cindy doesn't wake up and slap Connor upside the head, and the boys don't leave the game for some live action. ---

[ Spoiler ]

Assensing Test to determine a) anything foreign inside and b) Cindy's state from this perspective

Aura Reading 3 Complementary test, target 4: no hits No luck. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/frown.gif)

Assensing INT 4, target 4: 1 success

[ Spoiler ]

Summon a F3 hearth spirit to be on call. Conversation with spirit to follow if one comes.

Conjuring 4 +2 Owl = 6 dice, target 3: 2 successes 2 services.

Drain CHA 4 + Owl 2 = 6 dice, target 3(M): 5 successes No Drain.

[Koekepan]

Hopalong's gone, and Carlos and Chuck might as well be, for all the attention that they're paying. As long as Connor finishes up before one of them takes a break to refresh a drink or hit the facilities (such as they are), he'll have free rein... not that it means much. He checks the usual and the obvious - nothing visible in hems of clothing - signs of recent dental implants (negative), signs of healing tissue (none that doesn't have alternative explanations - backed up by the autodoc's readout), the usual folds and crevices (null response there). During this last check, she stirs a bit, and her eyelids move, so Connor deems any knowledge less immediately valuable than the potential for screams and violence might be damaging. Sure, it's all for science, but science can be misunderstood, too.

However, she doesn't actually wake when Connor stops his intrusions, so he has time to consider her aura. Such as it is, it looks normal, mundane - and fitfully asleep. No surprises there.

He is about to start the process of summoning, when he hears the garage door opening and closing, and Hopalong returns.

She strides in, unhurried but without delay. She has a couple of chips in one hand, and a Stuffer Shack bag in the other. She glances around, sees that Connor's the only one paying any attention, and addresses him, offering him the chips. """Hey, Big M's been busy while you were sleeping. You should check these out. The blue one is for all of you - it's what's on the news reports now. The green one is your eyes only. Told you wizards don't stay idle long.""" She plonks the chips down on the edge of the autodoc before heading to the little kitchen area to stuff some drinks and snacks in the fridge. Probably it's just a break from the rather spartan fare otherwise stuck in the cupboards.

[pbangarth]

"""Hey, boys. Put the game on pause for a minute, would you? Our benefactor here has brought us some news feeds about us. Let's see what Mitsuhama is on about now."""

Connor will hold off on the personal info until he has a chance to see what more trouble they are in. He hooks in the chip to the game display and sits back to see what's up.

[Koekepan]

Turns out, Mitsuhama has some trid footage of the four miscreants performing a street-level snatch of an innocent moppet. Yup, that's them. Connor doing some kind of weird voodoo dance thing while Carlos drives a bizarrely gang-painted van, Cindy barks orders and a leering Chuck manhandles a squealing teenager into the back of the van. According to the footage commentary in the prepackaged newscast, this happened in downtown Seattle.

Cindy's asleep. Carlos is offended on multiple grounds, not least being that he'd never run those colours, and even if he did, surely not on those streets, doing anything like that. Chuck is dumbfounded at first, and then full of outraged denials.

Hopalong nods, looking unimpressed. She obviously doesn't believe the footage for a moment.

[pbangarth]

Connor stands and waves a hand at the screen. """Looks like Mitsuhama doesn't like to lose. I wonder how long this campaign will last? I'm gonna take a break and think a bit.""" He walks back to the bathroom, pulling out the other chip, tapping it to his temple and giving a nod to Hopalong as he passes her.

Once in the bathroom he'll slot the chip into his assistant and see what it's about.

[Koekepan]

On Connor's way, he hears Hopalong trying to calm Chuck down, pointing out that it's obviously a fake that Mitsuhama created - not because they particularly care about Chuck nearly so much as that they care about not being thwarted.

Cindy shows signs of stirring in all the commotion, but Connor's past before she finds someone to blame for her circumstances. Instead, in the temporary privacy of the bathroom, he finds that the chip contains a sort of want ad. Someone is looking for a talented operator, or crew, to negotiate a cessation of hostilities. The ability to bring some power to bear, if necessary, would be a distinct plus.

The range of compensation is vague, but a "speedy and satisfactory" conclusion should pay to the tune of "five figures".

[pbangarth]

Connor replies to the contact, <<<Interested. Give contact info. Does 'speedy conclusion' mean tonight?>>>

He draws Hopalong aside with a sideways nod. Once away from the uproar he says,"""I may have to go out tonight if that contact you gave me pans out. I'll work on disguise so I am not easily recognizable."""

+++I guess disguise includes a new name. I'll have to work on that as well.

Hopalong? I wonder why she picked that?+++

[pbangarth]

The instant reply from his personal assistant reminds Connor that he is in a Faraday cage. +++ Oh yeah. I have to step outside to make the connection. Isolation has its drawbacks, I guess.+++

[Koekepan]

Hopalong looks unsurprised. """Yeah, so long's Mitsuhama don't grab you, I don't care. Safer in here, but I reckon safe ain't your thing. Just in case, I'd rather drop you off away from the safehouse, than have you walk out."""

[pbangarth]

Connor smiles. """Sure, I'd appreciate a ride, though I have to be outside this ... Faraday cage? ... to connect with my prospective employer. And maybe you could give me some advice on the etiquette of such job meets.

"""In any case, walk or ride, it won't be Connor Tupolev who exits this door. I'm going to do some further modification of my appearance before I go. It will take me a few minutes to achieve just the effect I want.""" Connor grins even wider. """ I'll be back out to see if you like my work."""

He heads in to his room where his duffel bag is stashed. He takes out both the secure long coat and the armor clothing, considers them, and decides on the long coat. Next he considers style, and settles on a business-suit-with-evening wear accents.

First the clothing layers. In his mind, Connor imagines dark blue suit with thin sky blue pinstripes, and a sky blue cravat. Dark blue, wide brimmed hat. Blonde hair and blue eyes should be appropriate. +++This might take a few tries.+++

[ Spoiler ]

Fortunately, Makeover and Fashion do not limit successes to Force. I'd like 4 successes.

Makeover spell
F3, Sorcery 5 + spell pool 7 + Owl 2 = 14 dice target 6: 2 successes Hmmph. Not good enough.
Drain WIL 12 + Owl 2 = 14 dice, target 2(M):12 successes Whoa! No drain.

Try 2: Makeover 14 dice, target 6:1 success Yuch.
Drain 14 dice target 2(M):10 successes no drain.

Try 3: 14 dice target 6: 3 successes
Drain 14 target 2(M):10 successes no drain.

Connor considers this reasonable look. The clothing is good, but the hair and eyes are a bit off. Keep going.

Try 4: 14t6: 1 success Oh, the suit looks like shit!
Drain 14t2: 11 successes no drain

Try 5: 14t6: 3 successes Not bad.
Drain 14t2: 13 successes no drain.

*sigh* try a few more. This has been less than half a minute in game time.

Try 6: 14t6: 1 success
Drain 14t2: 13 successes no drain.

try 7: 14t6:2 successes
Drain 14t2: 11 successes no drain.

OK, the next one with 3 or more is enough. This is silly!

Try 8: 14t6: 2 successes
drain 14t2: 10 successes

Try 9: 14t6: 3 successes alright, that's enough.
Drain: 14t2 : 13 successes no drain.

Well, it'll have to do for now. Connor considers how he might get better at this. He'll work on the long coat next. Same dark blue.

[ Spoiler ]

Let's just assume 3 successes, and no drain, OK? Please? I can roll if you want.

Holstered handgun under the long coat, one shot items arranged for easy access in pockets, fully clothed and made over, Connor steps out to show off his handiwork.

[Koekepan]

Hopalong's eyebrows rise, and she whistles low. The others, including Chuck, are distracted from Cindy, who is expressing herself in no uncertain terms regarding the fact of having been abducted, manhandled, shanghaied and otherwise abused against her will. She looks as if she would flail or run, but right at the moment Hopalong is leaning with one hand firmly on Cindy's sternum, holding her back against the autodoc's frame.

Hopalong says: """Dang, I wish I had a makeup crew like that."""

Cindy says: """I will turn you inside-out and sell your organs to the lowest bidder!"""

Hopalong says: """You look pretty sharp like that. I like the pinstripes. Very professional."""

Cindy says: """Stop talking to your pet puppy pimp and prepare yourself for dissection!"""

Hopalong says: """Like the hat. Stylish, good for the weather. Shouldn't wear a hat indoors, though."""

Cindy says: """I don't care if you're a robotic cyberbitch whoredoll from Ares, when I get in reach of the cleaning supplies I will dissolve your bones inside your flesh until your mewling pleas choke out in asphyxiation!"""

Hopalong says: """Well, I can take you out of here on the quiet, and we can have a less interrupted discussion about the hows and the whys. If you have a destination, what the hell I'll wait for you. Not nice to leave you to walk like that. I reckon Chuck and the Carlos can handle hot-and-spicy here if'n I show them where the duct tape and baling twine are."""

[pbangarth]

It's been a rough day. Despite the sleep till sunset, Connor is a bit cranky. He's had enough of Cindy. Time to summon something to add gravitas to his words to follow. But first, he doffs his hat in a sweep of salute to Hopalong.

[ Spoiler ]

Summon hearth spirit F2 : Conjuring 5 + Owl 2 = 7 dice Target 2: 5 successes
Drain CHA 4 + Owl 2 = 6 dice target 2(L): 4 successes no drain

Connor's first command to the hearth spirit will be to have it materialize in the air to the side of Hopalong and Glare menacingly at Cindy.

[Koekepan]

The hearth spirit arrives at Connor's command, and materialises in the form of an angry-looking woman in hair curlers, a terrycloth bathrobe, eyes of coal black with neither whites nor irises, tribal tattoos and a carving knife longer than Connor's legs. This produces temporary aghast silence in Cindy, and Chuck dances back quite sharply. Carlos is cooler about it, but gives the spirit its space. Hopalong assesses the situation for a bit, then says: """Okiedoke. Reckon you two have a little backup here. Chuck, get down to the basement and find the repair supplies. In there you'll find tape and quick-setting foam. Cindy-girl just lost personal autonomy privileges."""

Cindy starts to protest, but Hopalong has clearly had just about enough of personal threats, so says to Connor: """Go to the car. I'll be right with you. Shouldn't take long. If girly here doesn't get the picture she'll find out knives and fists are way faster than poison."""

Cindy's having a hard time keeping her eyes off the spirit, which moves softly around on its bunnyslippered feet to keep that glare fixed on Cindy's eyes.

Carlos nods and says: """Man, you find any zip-ties, bring 'em too. I know how to set them up right."""

[pbangarth]

"""No problem, Hopalong, but I have a piece to say.

"""Cindy, I could just as easily have something come and eat your liver before your eyes as you die. I'm tired of your attitude. I demand respect, both for me and the person," he points to Hopalong, "who saved your life and continues to protect you. Biozu has been taken over by Mitsuhama and they have found you to be a redundant asset. The only reason you are alive is because she brought you here and we healed you.

"""Behave accordingly. Spirit, you may go ... for now."""

+++No need for Cindy to know the spirit will disappear once I step out the door.+++

With a flourish Connor replaces the hat and steps out to the car. Once outside, he considers re-sending the message to the potential employer, but maybe Hopalong will have some guidelines for etiquette in such situations.

[Koekepan]

Hopalong follows not long after. Behind her, Carlos and Chuck are to be seen strapping up a vociferously protesting Cindy, but with Chuck spraying quick-setting foam over her mouth, her volubility reduces rapidly.

"""Sorry 'bout that. I guess the deportment school lessons didn't take. Anyway, do you have a meet set up? If not, best get that going and then we'll be off. Don't know if you've ever done this before, but tonight's a night to be on your good behaviour for all the best reasons. Assume everyone's lyin', but pretend like you believe everything. I'll drive you and watch yer back, but that's where I stop. Turns out, if they gak you, I still get paid. So far, I like you. Cindy may find out she's just as valuable to me as a head.""" Hopalong might as well have been saying that the sky were a greyish shade of blue, and the grass a dusty shade of green; there's no heat in her words at all, but she seems to mean them just the same.