Charm City II [IC] Options

[Koekepan]

Paul stays tight-lipped on his observations about the lungs, but he'll snip a few samples for preservation and later analysis while the fancy people talk it out. Other than that, once he's extracted what he cares to, and recorded the data for the data team, he starts cleanup.

[sunnyside]

Bello and Abeje look at each other as they think over Willie's question.

"Well," [/color]Bello starts "what I can say for sure is that it got nabbed pretty quick. Small shit I think. No way they could have hidden an assault cannon. "

Abeje jumps in "We're more than fucking fine when it comes to weapons and don't need to lift anything. But for most of the poor slags down there any extra nuyen is extra product they can get, or maybe a weapon finally gives them some power. A lot of the crews down there aren't so flush either. "


As Paul listens he realizes he can almost absent-mindedly look up what some of those codes and files he found correlate to in terms of the model of smartlink and what gun it was configured to work with since they need a model to get the ballistics right, or even just understand how far out the barrel is sticking from inertia sensors. Maybe Monifa's crew is flush with weapons, but not with folks savvy with the matrix or electronics, or they just really never started caring or asking questions themselves.

(OOC: Going through the tags in the data he downloaded, their smartlinks are loaded and linked with quite a number of weapons. But from the time stamps they weren't using most of them during their run. There's a set of activity among both of them at the same time, indicative of a weapons check. Looks like they each went in with an Ingram Warrior X SMG, a Ruger Super Warhawk, an Ares Viper Slivergun, and a Cavalier Scout hold out pistol. Also I should note that Paul had to hack into those systems. However he could physically see that the hardware wasn't upgraded, without the associated comlinks they weren't well protected at all, and Paul has some skill and software for cracking, so I just let him in without a fuss. But it does take at least some skill and tools to get that data.)

[Koekepan]

Paul doesn't bogart the data. He collates it as he goes along in a file, sorted by cadaver and cybernetic unit. He also adds general commentary on each cadaver, as overall observations so that the whole thing is easily searchable and then passes it along.

<<Here you go, chummers, it's all in there. Detailed testing on the lung tissue will have to wait until later, but for now it's what I have.>>

He gets up and stretches out the kinks, then tells their hosts: ""It's all good now. You can recycle the ghoulsnacks.""

[sunnyside]

Taking a break for hacking, having jumped out Monifa's systems after running into company in the toys node, Lenny starts scanning the data Paul has shared.

(OOC: Which also answers the questions about firepower).

Enjoying the privacy of his helmet, he thinks to the team <<I bet I can use this to track down the gear they brought into the building, assuming it's powered on. Actually, he found data on gear not in the building, that could be interesting too. Weird they didn't have any of their own hackers look into this stuff, but maybe they really didn't get curious until the chopper, and since then they've been working security instead of looking into stuff. >>

Down towards the other side of the apartment, towards the outside of the building, there's something of a commotion. Like an impact on plastic and things being wrench apart. Everyone hears it (OOC: Though you could of course make perception tests to try and pick anything else up.)

Nobody is shouting, but maybe nobody is down towards that end of this apartment area. From the kitchen area near the front door where all the freezers are arrayed, you can't see the area where the noise came from. Even if you move to the side to look down the hallway there's a closed door.

[pbangarth]

Bongo pays close attention to the sounds, trying to pick out some info.

[sunnyside]

Bongo listens and automatically compares what he's hearing with what he saw of the outside of the building. Like many of the balconies on this level in particular, the "bars" of the trellis have been removed in this apartment. The window was of the clear but yellowing plastic sort. The sound would match well with that being torn off.

Behind all that noise Bongo manages to make out the whir of small vectored thrust engines, like a T-bird, but smaller. (3 hits)

However, the extra thing Bongo is barely able to pick up separately from the nearby commotion is a similar sound coming from further away, likely at another similar apartment down the hall on the same level. (5 hits)

[pbangarth]

Bongo shares what he notices. "Looks like two ... drones? ... are doing some demo on two separate windows. Willie and I will check out the farther one. The rest of you, check out the closer one."

Willie takes the lead as the two of them head down the hall.

[Thanee]

Selina nods to Bongo. "Will do."

[Koekepan]

With this new development, Paul glances around for the nearest convenient alcove, or gap between furniture, or truss behind which he can wedge himself. He leaves the medkit, annelid and shankworm on the floor where he'd put them while he was working, but turns on the drones. He then calls up four interfaces to show him in his goggles the streams from those two as well as the FlySpy riding with Bongo, and the shankworm in the Range Rover.

<<If you want me to poke a drone in ahead of you, just say the word, Bongo.>>

He sends the shankworm in the building with them ambulating nearer the nearest chokepoint to the closer sound source.

[pbangarth]

<<Gotta get used to people with tech being part of the team. Sure! DGIF!>>

"Tubesnake is sending a drone along to go in first, Willie," says Bongo.

"Awww," says Willie. "Where's da fun in dat?" Every once in a while, still, Willie slips back into his old vernacular.

[Thanee]

<< Normally, I could also use a spell to take a peek remotly, but in this astral mess, I am a bit hesitant to use any magic that is not mandatory. Happy to rely on your drones for reconnaissance here, Tubesnake. >>

[sunnyside]

Tubesnake gets behind the kitchen island and the trunk freezers and gets his drones activated as an explosion rips through the apartment. None of the team were in position to look at the door, which was just as well as now chunks of it can be seen flying down the hall, though all the way on this side of the apartment, the explosion is just loud instead of dangerous. Some bullets flying barely targeted are more dangerous, while spread out and hitting more walls than people Abeje, who had been moving to investigate, takes a round and gives a stifled yell as they spin and hit the ground.

Out in the hallway Bongo and Willie hear a similar explosion at the apartment they're headed to, with rather less muted yells as well. In between the apartments, they can see the spray of drywall as rounds being fired in both apartments exit through the walls across from the respective hallways.

Monifa's people who had been hanging out around the areas to the North where the meeting with Monifa had taken place jolt.

(OOC: Maybe technically this should be a surprise, but especially without any LOS on party members that's clunky enough I think just rolling initiative would be more appropriate.)

[Koekepan]

Tubesnake is as good as his word, but in the back of his mind he's already planning to add a tactical overlay to the views of anybody who wants it - priorities coming thick and fast.

[pbangarth]

Willie considers the job they just got hired for. Should they run back and protect Monifa? Nah. Selina and the others are there to bolster the crew she has. It looks like whoever is coming this time is attempting two beachheads. Better to cut this one off before they get started.

<<Willie: Tubesnake. Send your flyspy here with us over to see what you can see through this door. Maybe send imagery on to us? >> He moves to the railing, away from the wall and motions Monifa's crew on the other side of the apartment to do the same. Crossfire at the door without putting any of the defenders in the line of friendly fire. His SMG is loaded and his trigger finger itches.

Bongo wonders why he didn't bring the ballistic shield he uses at performances in tougher neighbourhoods. Well, Willie is setting himself up at the railing, so Bongo places himself behind Willie. He gets four throwing daggers ready, three in his off hand and one in his main. And he keeps his senses tuned for any other possible intrusions. He nudges Willie forward a bit so the range for his daggers is optimum.

[ Spoiler ]

With his Adept Powers, short range is up to 10 meters, DV = ((STR 4 + Power Throw(3) 6)/2 + 1 + Missile Mastery 1)P = 7P

Willie accommodates the shove. He's seen what those cannonball daggers can do. They both have flare compensation for the likely flash that will come through the door first. Hopefully Monifa's crew have the same.

[sunnyside]

In the room that started off with bodies on the floor Bello moves towards the hallway with his Ingram up. He and something else trade simultaneous bursts. Bello takes a few rounds and spins, falling backwards. He's not out at least and he manages to start crawling away from the firing lines of the hallways towards the relative protection of the freezers. Manages to get out "Hit a drone in the hallway!"

Abeje is in motion as well, aparantly not dead she rolls over and draws a bead on the hallway, scooting backwards to get behind the kitchens "island"

Lenny moves over towards a freezer near Tubesnake with his Taser in hand, getting full cover behind it and thinks <<I'll see if I can mess with a drone!>>

The rest of the team can't see far enough down the hallway to tell the effect Bello had on the drone. (OOC: But they also haven't shot at you yet. Next is Paul then Selina. )

--------

In the promenade, the rush doesn't seem to materialize, at least not right away, Lenny and Willie can hear a lot of shooting and yelling coming from the apartment. Not crowding to door means the rounds coming through aren't a threat to them though. However a couple poke through in other spots, so aim must be shifting. More internal walls to slow those down.

To the extent they can perceive split second motions behind them, they might notice that the nearer gangers seem stuck in molasses (at least at Tubesnakes initative) while some of the ones nearer to Monifa's HQ over on the north side of the tower have some hustle.

[pbangarth]

Every once in a while even Bongo gets and idea. He messages the crew. (OOP: Using up his action, I would think.)

<<Hey! These appear to be drones attacking a couple of apartments. After what has come before surely these drones are a distraction, not the real thing. Monifa is the target we are supposed to protect. >>

Figuratively, a light bulb appears over Willie's head. A tap on Bongo's shoulder and a thumb pointing back to her digs, and Willie leads the two of them at a dead run back to where they think she had gone.

[Koekepan]

Paul sends his Flyspy forward to look into the room that Willie and Bongo had been approaching anyway, to confirm what had been observed. While he's sending it, he checks his interface to the drone in the Rover to see whether anything has changed there.

[sunnyside]

Bongo was starting to move away from the door, but had only managed a couple steps when the flyspy slips off and zips through the slight opening in the doorway.

The basic design of the apartment is the same, except that the kitchen looks like people actually use it to eat instead of storage. Judging by the mugs and chips sitting around people had been doing just that recently. Now they're trying to counterattack down the hallway.

Or rather they were. A pair of orks look very shot up at the entrance to the hallway. A third took at least something of a hit and appears to have fallen back and knocked over the kitchen table. A fourth is standing in front of the refrigerator. She's got a submachinegun in her arms and seems to be considering whipping around to shoot down the hall.

What the flyspy can see down the hall is a trio of drones advancing. A small short tracked drone is in the front, a medium sized wheeled drone is behind it, and a larger long vectored thrust drone is near the ceiling. The bottom two have rifles in turrets, and the flier has panels that have slid back, likely indicating one or two fixed internal weapon mounts. With the different heights they would have all been able to fire down the hallway at the same time.

(OOC: Even on a quick look, Tubesnake could make a knowledge roll to get some more specific info on the drones).

Paul glances at the feed from the van. He'd picked the spot to be away from crowd, to be able to get some warning if someone was suspiciously approaching the van. The few people around seem quite distracted by the noise from the tower, and doors are starting to open. (OOC: It still hasn't been very much time at all).

[Thanee]

Things are happening fast, multiple assailants, and multiple wounded, already. Selina has to be able to act faster as well.

Therefore, she draws power from Fiona through their mystical connection, in order to cast a spell that increases her reflexes.

And since her ally is pretty much out of the picture - with the Background Count here she won't be able to have as much impact as she would normally have - at least, she can help keep Selina's concentration free by sustaining the spell as well.

[ Spoiler ]

Fiona uses Aid Sorcery and Spell Sustaining.

Selina casts Increase Reflexes F3 (F5 due to the BC for Drain purposes): 6(3) hits (No Drain, Phew!).

Initiative goes up to 8 with 3 IPs from next Turn onwards.

[sunnyside]

Lisa also gets down, leaving Selina the last one standing in the room. She skuttles the short distance over to Bello and casts a spell on him, but stays in cover herself.

As drones and gangers move around, Willie and Bongo are able to act again.

[pbangarth]

Willie and Bongo see nothing in the concourse that appears to be an enemy, so they continue to try to get to Monifa, pushing themselves to get there as fast as they can.

[ Spoiler ]

Running Test:

Willie: STR 10 + Running 3 = 13 dice:4 hits

Bongo (Rrright! Defaults to STR of 4): 3 dice:2 hits!!! Holy Sh!t!!

The two speed up, with Willie pulling ahead a bit.

[sunnyside]

As a second or so ticks by Bongo and Willie get a few confused looks as they run the opposite direction from where Monifa's people are running.

Back in the apartments the drones are advancing, but not at full speed after those exchanges. None of the drones in either room can see anyone, so the middle drones can be heard firing into the bedrooms. (Which doesn't threaten any player character since none of you are in one).

(OOC: Third initiative pass. I think just Willie among the PCs. So folks can go ahead and roll for the next pass. Normally I find it an unnecessary extra step to re-roll, but at least this time there are some things going on with initatives. )

[pbangarth]

Bongo and Willie communicate as they run, assimilating the info Tubesnake passes on to the crew. "Drones only," says Willie. "Distraction for sure."

"Yup," responds Bongo. He messages the contact they got to introduce themselves to Monifa's crew. << Distraction attacks by drones in two locations. Suspect real attack to come for Monifa. Help us get to her. >> He includes their current location.

[Thanee]

<< Those drones still need to be dealt with, also. They do have quite some firepower as it seems. >>

[sunnyside]

Tubesnake recognizes the drones roughly. All Ares models, trying to edge in on the market of the more common small chariot delivery drone (though armed with an obvious turret and obviously up armored), medium sized doberman security drone, and large dalmatian vectored thrust drone.

It isn't obvious what would have been making all that sound around the window with those three, and while the vectored thrust drone could perhaps carry some weight, especially if they didn't add a bunch of armor or features on it, but all the drones seems a bit much for one.

(OoC: I was about to write more, but Tubesnake initiative makes a difference for where the flyspy is and what it sees . Also I should hustle to do something anyway. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif) . )