Infiltration Challenge, Examining situation variables Options

[Talia Invierno]

Glad it's still liked, and thanks for the vote of confidence, Shanshu Freeman. I'll keep running free-for-all scenarios as long as there's interest in them - but, like this one, they'll be exercises in planning and infiltration, not extensive characterisations and storylines ... although as it happens this series does have one.

In that quick summary top of thread, I forgot to include your tentative timeline, Doc Sportscar. Here it is, non-quote format for easiest reading (I hope):

"Tentative Timeline:

1930, or as soon after sunset as there's true dark: Infiltration drones hit the roof and gain access to the vent. The dataline tap is installed, and the decker makes a quick run to scout out the system layout, the security level, and if possible to locate the slaves he'll need to take control of the security system. He then logs off to avoid having to stick around in the system too long, hopefully with enough time to let his security tally reset before the real thing. Astral recon of the upper levels now, before the doggies come out.

2045- Assembly time for gangs, make astral recon of level -1 before the dogs come out.

2115- After a margin to give the cleaners time to leave, the fun starts outside as the gangs begin to exchange heated words. Decker begins his second run, this one for real as he uses the knowledge he gained before to seize control of the security system. Note that by this point the drones have had an hour and a half to recon the building, so if the girl is in an upper floor they should probably have found her, and level -2 should have been scouted.

2130- Hopefully, by this point the girl has been located and the decker has control of the building's system. Ghost lands on the roof, inserts into the building, extracts the girl, and returns while the gangs stage their fight. The Nightglider and drones leave, the gangs leave after a convincing interval, and everyone moves back to the medicine lodge.

If the girl hasn't been located, we'll play it as it goes, depending on how distracted the guards are and how easy it looks to be to get more information."

And my own added information from before:

Last of the regular employees gone ~17:30, cleaners 18:00-21:00, dogs released after 21:00, sunset at 19:20. Far from spring equinox, but not dead of winter either.

... Add that if the security protocol hasn't overly changed from that of the other company, the shifts should be 05:00-13:00 (8 hrs); 13:00-21:00 (8 hrs); 21:00-05:00 (8 hrs); with about a 20 minute overlap. But you haven't been able to confirm beyond the shift change at 13:00. More protocol from the previous company: about an initial hour before and after change was spent just on paperwork and monitor notations. Patrols didn't really begin before about an hour or so into the shift, but then they were somewhat random.

By this timeline, we are now at 20:35: some things took much less time than expected and the organisation of the gangs is more or less right on schedule (or maybe just a tad early), but the unexpected sight of the wageslave froze events for a couple of minutes while alternatives were quickly debated. Solitaire manages to gain control of the elevators just as the wageslave reaches them and is about to enter them - tally had reset but that last was a bit hairy. Decking always seems to be either the long boring stretches of searching or the rushed sequences of trying to take something over before the team gets there, without setting off an ungodly number of alarms: that last bit was definitely the second. (Just fyi there is IC but it's nearly all been white and probes so far, light as such things go until Solitaire got to the nested system: then it began to cascade and there was a hurried retreat.) The files already acquired moved off-line first np. At this point Solitaire won't really have time to go hunting for more and still be able to monitor. (You get a sharp retort: "What do you want me to do, follow the elevators, follow the worm, follow the money, follow the cameras, or go hunting for eyes in the sky?") For what it's worth, none of you noticed any earlier. Then again, you have been aiming to be unnoticeable yourselves.

As of 20:35 Ghost has landed and finds no real problems getting through the vents and into the top floor - is she working her way through the vents all the way down (can be done, but much slower and definitely not fun), or is she getting out of the vents earlier and using either the stairs or the (now decker-controlled) elevator (or maybe some other means of changing floors I don't know about)? Estimated time for vent-descent to -1 (crawling): 30-40 minutes. Estimated time for (cautious) stair descent: 15-20 minutes. Estimated time for elevator descent: well, it's a reasonably fast one, and there are more than one.

[Shanshu Freeman]

[Talia Invierno]

He hasn't been compromised - at least, not more than the place is making all of you a bit testy. He's now got an iota of personality. It usually only kicks in when he's trying to do three things at once and another gets tossed in :P

[Shanshu Freeman]

[Shanshu Freeman]

Bump. Needs moar attention.

[Talia Invierno]

I'm around, the weekend is here, and for once I'll be able to monitor and reply. Quick question: Ghost is the only one physically entering, correct? What is she wearing? What does she have on her? (Again, discussion: jig as you feel necessary - but not after this point, please!)

[Shanshu Freeman]

[Doc Sportscar]

Had to go back and check the old thread, and we never specified Ghost's gear that much. It stated that she had "B&E Gear", which to me means a maglock passkey, a microtronics kit, and wire cutters. (Never liked sequencers personally- they're only good if your Electronics B/R isn't stellar, in which case you probably won't get the case off). We've also got "Gas Detector, Gas Mask, Plastic Explosives, Narcojet pistol, Manriki-Gusari (basically a long weighted chain, reach 2 str +2L),
Gas and smoke grenades" listed, and it sounds like that's stuff we'd bring. There's also "Runner stuff" listed, which to me sounds like a form-fitting full body suit, a camo full suit (urban, night pattern out, useless inside but potentially useful outside), and a fairly high-rating microtransceiver with encryption, ECCM, and a subvocal mic and some earbuds.

Anyone else has an idea, chip in. Sorry for the light posting, but until I go back to school in a few days I'm stuck in Dialup Hell.

[Crusher Bob]

I'd go for:

Black armored suit (5/3) with chemical seals
(suit semi-smart and has casualty carry handles and 'instant stretcher mode')
Helmet (+1/1)
Climbing Harness + spider silk w/ small grapnel
Gas mask that clips on to form fully sealed suit
Gas detector hooked into the radio (so the rest of the team can get the 'gas!' warning too)
Medical condition monitor (heart rate, bp, temp, etc)
Handless radio, with capability for video and external audio (hey team, look/listen at this...)
'radio' also will also do recordings if 'asked' to. (so you can either so a voice log, or record the conversation that you are watching)

plastic restraints + gag (set of 4)
Narcojet pistol (+ 2 spare magazines)
Manriki-Gusari
Flash-Bang Grenades (1)
Thermal Smoke Grenades (2)
Neuro-Stun Grenades (1)
Anti-pursuit Device (1) (self deploying claymore mine)
Breeching Charge (1) (will blow a man-sized hold in doors and interior walls)
satchel Charge (1) (5kg C-4 + detonators)
Medkit
Counteragents for Narcojet and Neurostun
Book of matches (for luck)

Maglock Passkey
Electronics toolkit
Small supply of Thermite (for burning out locks)
(any other B&E gear needed?)

The total load should be in the 15-18 Kg range, the satchel charge is obviously the heaviest item, and is mostly there to blow a hold in the exterior wall of the building, if Ghost needs to get out really fast.

[Shanshu Freeman]

[Doc Sportscar]

Second the motion. As for additional B&E gear, I suggest mechanical lockpicks (don't recall the cost, but they're not much- from SOTA 2063 if anyone has it). You've never experienced true embarassment until you realize that your heavily cybered, expensively equipped, breaking an entering ghost-agent-from-hell can't pick the old padlock your team just ran into... Wire cutters might not be a bad idea, either.

[Talia Invierno]

Following the discussion. Still needing to know how she was planning to get down from the top floor. Re "maglock passkey" - is that the one you acquired from the cleaning company?

[Doc Sportscar]

I think we meant the one from the SR3 main books that does voodoo magic on maglocks. On the other hand, Ghost should probably have the other one, too.

As for her getting down: we've got the elevators, let's use them. This might be time-critical, and we just have to make sure we jigger any in-elevator sensors. Any dissenters?

[Crusher Bob]

Yep, I forgot a multi-tool :oops: .

Since I have a bit more time right now, let me add a bit more in-depth info on this stuff, to show where I am coming from... (Mostly a SR world involving things like forged end-user certificates…)

I dislike the armor layering rules in general, so tend to avoid using them IMG, since they 'add' very little to the game...

I'll describe the smart suit as follows:

It starts with a form fitting suit of chemically sealed ballistic cloth (for those of you who came here to see Ghost as drawn by Shirow :D). This suit provides the medical monitoring, the last layer of chemical seals, interfacing with whatever data interface points the user has (i.e. smart link pads), in addition it provides for the moving of sweat away from the body, and so on. Think of it as being a very expensive 2/0 armored cat-suit.

The next layer of the smart suit is a day/night reversible camo-suit that goes over this. It provides the second layer of chemical seals and very minor protection against radiation. (For a full NBC environment, a third layer would go on top, giving you defense in depth against corrosive agents, and some protection against simple wear and tear. The second layer suit is 4/3 armor (providing a total of 5/3). This suit upon radio command can either extend 'handles' of the back to facilitate dragging the wearer, or stiffen up and provide something of an 'instant stretcher' for the wearer. Either of these functions can be disabled or overridden by the wearer. (Via DNI as a free action, or a simple action otherwise).

The armored suit has ‘break-away’ panels if you need to take it off quickly (or the team medic needs to do so; the under-suit can be cut quite easily by medical grade equipment (the under-suit has no impact armor).

The ‘Anti-pursuit device’ is basically a mine that you can throw over your shoulder while running away, and have it take care of itself. If is about the size of a softball, weight around 1-1.5 KG. The user arms if and then emplaces it, or simply throws it. A user-set time afterwards (between 3 seconds and 3 minutes) the mine deploys several 5 meter long pressure sensitive wires. These wires are slightly sticky when first deployed, so they will stick to walls, ceilings, trees, etc. If these wires are disturbed, then the mine goes off. An internal computer has a pretty good chance of telling the difference between environmental conditions like wind or rain, and actual people. Though sleet, heavy rain, or hard wind will tend to confuse the mine. The mine will self destruct after a user set time (4 hours to 4 days). The mine is also capable of doing basic color matching on it surroundings, so that it gets to camo-colored bonuses when being looked for.
If the mine goes off try 15D(f) -1/Meter on for size (IPE AP grenade).

The breeching charge is around 3 meters of explosive cylinder (well more trapezoidal, a bit bigger around that a garden hose maybe…) that is sticky on one side. To emplace, you stick it to the offending wall or door in a circular patter, attach the provided detonators and set it off. You can stand within a meter or two (better make that two) of the charge going off, though it will be quite hard on your eyes and ears. Anyone within maybe 3 meters of the other side of the wall may take a little damage, and anyone actually leaning against the wall or door is probably going to be toast. It will also be hard on the eyes and ears of the people on the receiving end of the charge (like a flash-bang, more of less).

The ‘satchel charge’ is just a bag containing several 1Kg charges of explosive and several ways of setting said explosives off.

The maglock passkey is the thing in the BBB. Using the original availability rules you gave us, I think we could get a rating 4 one (don’t quite remember).

[Talia Invierno]

For action: fast-forward to Ghost on elevator arriving at -1. There are some concealed heat detectors and linked cameras in the elevators (the cameras start recording if the heat detectors are triggered): Solitaire will tell you that they look to be timed - right now they're just registering and reporting (he's dodging that second - a brand new +1 for the security tally) but they aren't set to automatically alarm-react without a proper code until after 21:00. The elevator has a back door; the corresponding button on the bank is for main floor (rear). The bank of buttons additionally has the "If trapped call ..." button, an internal alarm button, a magreader, and a place to insert a key.

I still don't know what Trogdor (astral) is doing after seeing the wageslave arrive at the elevators. (I'm jigging time a bit - some things are not quite simultaneous.) The drones are still stranded in that -1 vent corridor. Gangs are arriving with Diamond, who maybe is looking for a quick exit?

Rating 4 works - we need detail but none of us want to get bogged down in it. Of that list, what (besides the smart suit and the cleaners' passkey which she uses to get into the elevator, Solitaire could do it but this does it automatically, without complications) is Ghost currently wearing and/or actively using (as opposed to having on tap for later)?

[Siege]

Notes on the B/E kit:

A flashlight of some sort, an ultrasound detector and a means of detecting IR/UV light.

A monocle with microscopic and teleoptic vision options.

(since I don't recall the spook's powers, I'm not sure how much of this would be redundent)

For all the gear the thief is hauling, the armor rating on the body suit is a little high (IMHO) -- I would either say no armor (ala second skin) or something a little lighter, along the lines of a form-fitting suit. If the character is going to be slithering through ducts, a helmet might be a bit much to haul around with _everything_ else the adept's going to be humping around.

Body harness and monofilament climbing line with anchor and remote flywheel (visual: MI: 1 and related thief-films)

I might even go so far as to suggest some sort of powered, hand-held tool with cutting and drill heads.

For caltrop options, I'd suggest one or two flashbangs, a concussion grenade or chemical grenade for quick distractions.

Depending on how the GM rules on antidote patches, a biomonitor and external autoinjector in case of chemical contamination or critter poison.

Oh. And duct tape. :grinbig:

-Siege

[kevyn668]

"bump"

c'mon, guys! on the edge of my seat here!! its like the season finale is a cliffhanger and I have to wait for the next season to find out what happens.

scene: two gangs approach eachother, looking menecing. Diamond can be seen in the back. Solitaire snaps into the mic telling the rest of the team if they think they can do better than come down and try. Trogdor...uh, zips around the astral. The drones scurry around in the vents trying to find a way down. Ghost desends to the roof and takes the elevator down to -1. Just as the doors are about to open...

To Be Continued...

[Raiko]

*bump again*

This is too good to be forgotten, keep up the good work Talia.

[Velocity]

Can I get a *bump*?

[Talia Invierno]

I've not forgotten! I just need to know what the other PCs are doing before I can update, and what's being used actively among Ghost's equipment (as opposed to what's being carried on the "just in case" basis). I've already kinked "simultaneity" about as far as it will stretch. (I'll use the generous interpretation for antidote patches. Sorry, missed that implied question earlier.)

You guys can suggest things too, you know :D

[Doc Sportscar]

Diamond is probably a) making sure the gangs don't start their "diversion" too early and b) scouting for any possible escape routes for Ghost and the package. Ghost is making her way down. The rigger is trying to move the drones so that they can descend with Ghost's elevator car (into a vent that leads to the shaft, from there hopefully into the car and into -2.

As for Trogdor...um..well...

I think astral recon is more or less out where we're going, so I'm not entirely sure what he's going to be getting up to. If he has some combat spells, how about getting him moving towards the site in case we need to do the extraction phase the fun way?

[Raiko]

Talia, if you like I could post completed characters for Solitaire and /or Advent, I'd be able to do both over the weekend, so at the least they'd be available for the follow on runs.

As for the escape plan if things go badly wrong on level -2, the rigger in my campaign has a Westwind fitted with a remote control system so it can be used as a large drone, he also has a MCT-Nissan roto-drone fitted with a retransmission unit and power amps.

If Advent has these in his inventory, then if Solitaire can open the parking area door, the Westwind could be sent down to level -2 to evac Ghost and hopefully the girl, the rotor drone can hover at level -1 to retransmit Advents signal down to level -2 and also provide covering fire.

[Talia Invierno]

Raiko: I think everyone would like! If someone else wants dibs on one of those two, I'll assume they'll speak up by tomorrow. (Weekends seem to be when everyone but me is most Internet-accessible ... and I do remember what the first week of school is like!) Re Advent's equipment: such vehicles and drones as were already fixed (ie. used in this adventure) I reposted earlier in this thread (Aug 16 2003, 09:49 PM). Beyond that, it's open season, subject to original nuyen and availability restrictions as noted in the original thread. I'm asking also that modifications be kept minimal or specifically cleared through me: I won't have too much issue with most sensor levels up to security level, though. Off-hand, the Westwind and the MCT-Nissan roto-drone sound acceptable ... you might run into nuyen issues though.

[Entropy Kid]

If the decker is able to securely and discretely communicate with other denizens of the Matrix, I'd like those files sent to a trusted (very trusted) contact who can quickly crunch numbers and get back about what they are. Are there any decker friends, cult of otaku, pure data fetishists, etc. as contacts?

This run already involves two gangs, so more outsource labor shouldn't be a big deal, the only issue is the reliability of the contact. The decker can pay them some of his/her cut if necessary or better yet, get some gear (cred, whatever) from Johnson, since it was necessary for the run's success (in a way).

If this makes sense, I want to know what those files are. Could this have started shortly after finding the files or is it too late for that?
-------------
EDIT
If the drones can't investigate level -2 and the decker has nothing on it, then Trogdor (astral edition) might as well take a quick look around since it sounds like Ghost is going there anyway. A spirit would see Ghost just as well as T, but at least mundane security is a non-factor for the mage. If T is careful, I don't think it's too risky to follow the spooky wageslave down to lev -2 (is that where he's going?). Better that Ghost has some idea of what's down there, or at least what it looks like.

[Talia Invierno]

You'll need an appropriate contact (note for Raiko). It could have been done prior to start of active run (let me know if it was - within the structure of these threads I'll definitely let it slide), but it's much too soon to expect an answer. (Ah, the joys of converting raw numberage back into concepts and then into interpretation.)

In any case, "securely" is a relative concept :D