IC: High Order Options

[Spookymonster]

Nice, clean setup, Skee thinks to himself. Despite their reputation as a heavy-hitter in the arms business, the AIS building's security appeared to be exceptionally understated. No cannon turrets lining the rooftops; no wired hellhounds with tactical nukes strapped to their backs wandering the compound. Even the magical security seemed non-existent.

Of course, you didn't need to tell a master illusionist like Skee that appearances are often deceiving.

The Fox shaman ponders the facility's meager defenses as he waits out the night, and the arrival of the next shift.

[Ecclesiastes]

Durring the course of events, Wraith puts a call out to Fink, his Snitch contact.

"Hey buddy, I need you to put your ear to the street for me. See if you can dig up any dirt on employees at the Ares Integrated Solutions R&D Facility. A ton extra if you can get me something on security."

[grendel]

"Yeah, sure man, I'll see what I can find out."

[grendel]

The Ares public matrix host is a vast and welcoming place, a virtual showfloor for all of the corporation's many products. Drifting amidst the brightly lit displays are numerous helpful expert programs, each dressed as one of their more successful simflick stars.

Sif slips through the host in silence, uninterested in the latest offerings from the corp. Her destination lies beyond. Responding to her interrogations, the host provides the location of the access to the corporate PLTG. The entrance is guarded by a squad of icons that look like UCAS Marines in full urban combat gear. Sif's icon flickers momentarily, her usual ghostly appearance shifting to the utilities of a Marine Staff Sargeant. She flashes an ID at the door, and the portal opens for her. Inside is a squad bay full of icons, kitted out as if preparing for a major battle. All of them turn to look at Sif as she enters.

[grendel]

The morning dawns bright and cold, with a biting wind blowing off the sound. The bells of the Cathedral of St. Jude announce the eight o'clock hour with crisp, distant tones. A pair of Ares Citymasters arrive at the front gate, carrying the next guard shift. Passing through the security checkpoint, they disappear into the loading bay. Ten minutes later they depart, muscling their way into the morning rush hour. AIS staff begins to arrive at the same time, the influx of cars peaking about 0900 before tapering off. As the team watches, something else becomes apparent. You are not the only ones surveiling this building.

[Ecclesiastes]

Wraith turns to Niome, "You catch that other car casing the place? Lets check it out."

[Whizbang]

"Sounds like a plan...too much of a coincidence for someone to be casing the place while there's an experimental missle in residence..."

[Ecclesiastes]

"Exactly. Switch to second radio freq and go in full stealth. You come in on the passenger side and I'll take the drivers."

With that, Wraith slips away from his vantage point and creeps his way towards the car.

[Whizbang]

Niome only nodded and made the change before silently leaving her perch to creep around to the other side of the car.

[grendel]

The vehicle is parked by the curb with three other cars in front and four behind. As you approach, you realize that the engine is still on and idling, but the tinted windows prevent you from seeing if anyone is inside.

[Ecclesiastes]

Wraith moves around to the back of the car, neals down and picks something out of one of his many coat pockets. Quietly, he reaches under and bumper and attaches one of his AOD tracking signals.

Transduced over the comm, "Lets go."

[Whizbang]

"Who's bright idea was tinted windows, anyways?" Niome transduced back as she moved to follow Wraith.

[Ecclesiastes]

Once back at their viewing spot, Wraith says, "Want me to make a call and see if I can snag a Laser Mic?"

[Whizbang]

"That would help. Of course, that's assuming we get it before they make their move..."

[Ecclesiastes]

"Right."

Wraith puts a call out to Zoe.

"Hey Zoe, its Wraith. Can you get a line on a laser mic, asap for me?"

[grendel]

"Give me twelve hours and I'll have something available for you."

[Ecclesiastes]

"Just let me know where to meet ya."

Hanging up, he says to Zoe, "I'll have one in 12 hours. I'm gunna call up the team and let them know the situation."

Wraith then opens up multiple comm links, letting the other members of the team know whats going on.

[Spookymonster]

"Beat-up Americar, tinted windows... got it," Skee says, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Want me to zoom over and take an astral look-see?" he asks groggily.

[Ecclesiastes]

"Sure, just be careful not to spook them."

[Spookymonster]

Skee chuckles. "Null persp. Be there in a tick." He hangs up the phone and takes a deep breath. His body sinks back into bed as his astral form zips out of the room and speeds across town. Within seconds, his astral form is hovering next to Wraith.

"Boo!" he says, manifesting his grinning face in front of Wraith. Giving the mundanes a moment to adjust to his sudden appearance, he asks them where exactly the car is.

"Cool... I'll check it for mojo, see what they've got in the trunk. Back in a flash"

[grendel]

The greater nature of the manasphere surrounds Skee as he observes the indicated vehicle. The sharpley defined gray mass appears inert, unresponsive even when he peers inside the trunk. The only sound is the purring idle of its electric engine.

[Spookymonster]

Skee pokes his head through the back seat of the Americar cautiously.

[grendel]

The vehicle is empty.

[Spookymonster]

"Huh... It's empty," Skee says, reappearing before Wraith and Niome. "Maybe it's rigged?"

[grendel]

Off in the distance, you hear the bells of the cathedral of St. Jude. It's now 1300.