Right about now, I keep seeing the opening scene of Michael Mann's Heat when I think "truck heist".

If any of you don't know what I'm talking about; go see that movie NOW.

Tashio? You there mate?

Eeep thought I had posted, my bad link ate up my responce I guess. I'll repost now.

Looks like pretty much everyone has agreed to the job. While we keep the RP going, I thought it would be a good deal to start hammering a plan OOC. Even if we don't have all the information yet, I'm pretty sure we can sketch something. The biggest issue, in my opinion, is the time constraint. We have 4 days to get the whole thing planed out. Four days is also a very short time frame if our plan requires some special gear.

Whatever the plan is, it will have these basic 3 steps:
1- Stop the van
2- Steal it's content
3- Get away

I also, quite frankly, don't see how we can do this in a stealthy manner. Unless we can "trick" them in pulling over and getting out of the truck, we're going to have to take it down really hard and really fast: box it in, ram it to a stop, fill it with lead and AV rounds, use explosives or rockets. Or any such combinations

Since this is a courier, they might even have some sort of defense measure; like smoke generator, flashpaks, gun ports, run flat tires, armor plating, bullet proof windows. Think... Brinks' truck, but on a really bad hair day.

courier's route:
-Leave from the main Dassurn property in the downtown area
-Takes the 5 south through the downtown
-Gets on the 520 into bellevue
-Once there it will take a number of smaller roads, making stops
-Heads into Tacoma on the 405

Hitting it while it's on the highway:
Good points:
-Easy access and getaway
-Easy to cause enough mayhem to make any sort of Star response slow.
-Easy to box/ram
-We can pretty much bring any sort of gear since we'll be in vehicles
-They won't expect it.

Bad points:
-Moving target
-Dangerous environment with a lot of unpredictable factors (other drivers)
We would also risk causing a huge crash, and thus, boxing ourselves in.

Hitting it while in smalls streets/at a stop/at a light:
Good points:
-Stationary target
-We can set an actual ambush
-Just plain "easier"

Bad points:
-Less getaway routes
-If they spot the ambush, it'll turn into a chase.

Our main concerns with the hit itself:
-Immobilizing the van
-Not destroying/damaging the "loot"
-Private Security Response
-LoneStar
-Bystanders

As for the skills George can bring to the table:
-Trained in Pistols, SMG and AR, hand to hand combat, grenade throwing
-He can take a lot of damage before going down.
-Basic demolition skills
-Can drive a bike
-Stong as a bull and solid as a brick wall
-Fast Initiative

I know from previous experience that Markus and himself can pretty munch thru any none juiced up "fighter".

I don't have a terrible problem with you guys planning OOC, but don't neglect the IC part, particularly regarding getting to know each other's characters, personalities, capabilities, etc.

Of course not.
I've just found that on PbB game, the planning goes smoother when done OOC.

So, anyone has any ideas?

I think that hitting the courrier while in smalls streets/at a stop/at a light would be safer and easier to pull than a highway stop. We'll be able to plan it more carefully, and "choose" the location of the ambush.

The info we are going to need mainly revolve around the courrier itself: what sort of vehicle is it? does it have an escort? what are it's exact capabilities (top speed, armor, defensive equipement, etc...)? What sort of cargo is it carrying? Is there anything in the cargo that can be dangerous in any ways (chemicals, biologicals wastes, explosives, etc...)? How big/heavy are the different things in it? If they are carrying mostly data and things like bonds, then, we shouldn't be too worried about moving/fencing them. But what is it's like... cyberware, or magical stuff. It could be fragile/clunky.

Also, if we can get info on the actual personel involved in the courrier run itself. Who's the driver? Where does he live? Does he have a family? How much is he paid? These are all important points, I believe, because the "human" element is always easier to deal with than machines.

We also need to know what sort of security responce a hit on the courrier will bring. Do they have a direct link up with some security agency, and if yes, how fast is their responce time? What sort of responce will they mount? What routes will they use to approach the courrier?

Depending on the size of the courrier van, and how armored it is, we have multiple ways of stopping it:
-Blunt force: litterally ramming it off it's wheels. Which means we're going to need like semi... and a lot of speed.
-Explosives: either destroy the cab, the motor, or just blow the thing off it's wheels.
-Literally kill/disable the driver(s): filling the cab/engine part with as much lead as possible or going all the way with actual Light Anti-Vehicular weapons... and I mean freaking rockets.

I've got something, it turns out that every problem has an engineering solution:

1. Stopping the car.

If we can hack a couple of streetlights along the route, especially if two are right next to eachother, and spoof gridguide in the area we can have a great deal of control over the number of cars between the lights. I think we could use this to lay an effective trap, using other vehicles to block it in. All it would hinge upon is getting some gang contacts to screw with the grid guide transponders (does Russ know anyone?) and getting close enough to tinker with the streetlights without being noticed, which wouldn't be too hard of a con game. Of course, we can also slash its tires once we get close enough.

2. Dealing with the courier

One crafty solution that springs to mind, depending on the design of the courier, is to seal people in the front seat with freeze foam or a laser welder. The cars are designed so people can't break in but make convenient prisons when tampered with.

Of course that only takes care of the front seat, not the security response, or anyone in the back (and possibly no one at all). Another positive note is that, if we go for freeze foam, we can pllug any murder holes and possibly weapons stuck out of murder holes, with the stuff.

3. Information we need

We absolutely need the model and layout of the van and the route it will travel. Infromation about armaments and people woudl be nice too.

4. Spite

I am here if I am needed. Otherwise feel free to continue planning as much as you desire. Don't neglect the IC thread. any actions you wish to take must be in that thread.

and remember, Hobbes did give you a disc featuring details of the courier van.

I am concerned about the lack of posting. If you are active please check in so that I can know who we are waiting on, and who is waiting.

Hey

Sorry I've had a crazy week and a bit moving, I'm into my new place and setup. Will start posting full speed again.

If there is some sort of vid screen, or whatever in the room, George will slot in the chips that Hobbes gave the team. Might as well look at what we're up agaisnt.

There is no telecom or anything similar in the room, but something as simple as a poc-sec will play the data just fine.

Still here, just don't want to be posting all by my lonesome.

Still here too, just wanted to get through the introductions (looks like just Brian left now), and see what was on the disk before getting too far into the planning.

Sicarius
Just wondering mate; what time of the year is it in game?

ISO 1 took place in september. I believe I said it was three months from your last gig, so it would now be November. To be specific, it is November 9th, 2063. I will try to remember to attach that to posts from now on.

I was just wondering in case we needed to hide some heavy firepower under longcoats Like... if its summer, we might look suspicious

no its November in the Emerald city, plenty chilly enough to wear a long coat.

Are a datajack and Image Link sufficient to access the chips?

Yes, that sounds like it would work. (unless anyone else knows otherwise)

I apologize for my lack of posting. Was on a roadtrip, whereupon I got robbed of some rather important electronics of necessity while in Denver. Don't go near the FRFZ. Those CAS/Azzie bastards will rob you faster than anything.

Did you go ghostwalker on the fraggers?

sorry to hear about your trouble man, welcome back.

Out of town the next two days.

Markus Perception Test

4 4 5 7 8 10

Edit: Oops had 1 instead of 7 in there.

Caitlin's perception test:

08, 05, 02, 02, 01, 01.

Cortex's perception test

9., 3, 2, 3, 15., 5, 5, 1, 5 -- note that he has the perceptive edge.

I have a few B/R skills and tech school education -- any allow me to default for the complementary test?

I'm a bit weak on what Tech School education does. My book is at my house. (assuming I can steal my neigbhors wireless) I will let you know if that will work. neithe computer b/r or electronics b/r will help

Edit: Looked up Tech School education when i was at home. I think in this case, because its only a complimentary roll, i'm going to say no. You crushed the perception roll anyway so it wouldn't matter one way or the other.

George's perception roll :
09 03 01

Sorry for the lateness (is that even a word?), I had completely forgotten about the roll.

Just to be clear: how many guards total seem to be in/with the van?