No identifying insignias or designations, although their tactics and coordination suggest some sort of professional outfit that is used to working together, as opposed to a collection of independent individuals contracting for this specific mission.

They are all dressed in black, military style night operations type clothing.

No spoken words overheard by her, best guess is they are communicating electronically.

Nothing that you have picked up so far or that they have given away.

Armor jackets, no headgear, including goggles. This leads to the implication they are at least cybered to some extent, to provide vision enhancements. A quick astral scan confirms headware, as well as some bodyware.

Weapons. The two by the NW and SW stairs are carrying assault rifles, one of each pair on Catwalks 1 and 3 are carrying a shotgun, the other four are carrying SMGs.

The catwalk pairs are within earshot of one another, but you haven't heard them say anything to each other thus far.

Re spoiler

Noted.

Noted.

She hasn't heard anyone in the new group speaking yet. The group downstairs is speaking Mandarin Chinese.

Scrap - As far as John can see, things are not looking good for our heroes.

Cao Jaan is badly wounded and obviously staggering to the NE exit.

Knight has fallen into a solely defensive role, trying to escort Cao Jaan to safety.

You can't see the elemental, although Alleycat is more than capable of relaying (if she chooses to) that the elemental is locked in a struggle with an enemy mage from Group A. So at best, it's currently neutralized the enemy mage and can eventually get involved in smashing the mundane foes from Group A. At worst, it buys you some time before being destroyed.

You also can't see Max anymore, so you have no idea where he is or what happened to him.

Obviously Lady Dove and Nora are with you, shaken but currently not physically worse for wear.

You have an unexpected and unknown ally in Alleycat who has just shown up literally out of nowhere. No data available on her usefulness or capabilities, although you're not sure what to make of the crazy idea she just insinuated.

The only bright spot is Blaze and ETG. Despite the enemy pressing in on their position, they're holding the line firmly. It appears that as long as nothing else goes horribly wrong, Cao Jaan and Knight will make it to safety, and given Max's last known position, he should as well. Theoretically.

If you hurry, it's reasonable to expect Scrapheap, Alleycat, Nora, and Lady Dove should be able to make it out the NE exit before it's overrun.

On the bad guys end of things, Group A is pushing hard and has control of 75% of the first floor of the warehouse. They've spread out to make it hard for Blaze or ETG to concentrate their fire on any particular group, and as a result, most of them are still standing. They're also pouring on the assault from multiple angles now, making it harder for ETG or Blaze to counterattack without exposing themselves to someone.

Group B is mostly ignoring everything on the first floor. There's two guys, one on the NW and one on the SW stairwells with assault rifles preventing anyone from heading in their direction or up their stairs. It's fairly obvious they're there to keep people from heading to the second floor.

The guys on the catwalk have (so far) only fired down to the second floor when fired upon. For the most part, once they hit the ground and detached, it seems they've solely focused on heading towards your position. They haven't started shooting at you...yet.

I believe that covers everything for both of you, let me know if I missed anything and I'll reply.

Meant -- who is within earshot of Alleycat? (same parameters)

Neutralised -- meaning what, as nearly exactly as Alleycat can tell? Also, Scrapheap can't make out the elemental -- but can our incoming opposition? Can they see the mage? Sorry, WinterRat: but I do need as close to specifics as I can, here. I'll relay information after Scrapheap's post, if I have words to spare!

May have to write up an observational post based on what you've described -- maybe not tonight though.

Do I get my three words over and above the complex action?

None of Group B has been within earshot of Alleycat at any point in time. By the time they entered the fight, Alleycat was already on the East side of the warehouse and out of hearing range.

There's no point in rolling perception either, because I'll flat out tell you they haven't said anything to each other you'd be able to hear, and reading lips is similarly not an option.

Electronic communication to some degree is a virtual certainty, given what you've been able to observe of them so far.

Neutralized meaning an enemy mage of Group A is currently tied up with trying to Banish/Destroy the elemental and has not being doing anything else since the elemental arrived on the scene.

Incoming opposition (Group B) - So far you see no evidence that they are acting towards either the elemental or the mage. Maybe they don't see them, maybe they don't care, maybe they feel it's best to let the two of them weaken/destroy one another before they jump in, maybe they're holding back, maybe they think they'll be gone before either becomes a factor. Not enough information for you to tell.

Was this a post you wanted me to write, or you are thinking about writing?

Yes.

Whether or not they do see them, are they in a position to be able to see them?

Reason I'm asking about earshot, WinterRat --

I'm no longer thinking in terms of her being able to overhear them. You'd already made it clear they were probably communicating electronically anyway.

I'm thinking in terms of them being able to hear her.

They're moving toward us, so they should maybe be entering hearing range? (again, same parameters)

And the post is one I should probably write, once we have the information hashed through.

I thought you might

Understood. I'm definitely thinking the crack-whip stage voice now. Can you give me a sense of appropriate distance for that? Are any of them likely to enter into it by IP4? If Alleycat moves into the smoke, would that help?

This is going to be tight -- could you, or anyone, please help me with the rules re defence v. multiple defenders?

Are these the two questions you're referring to:

If you move into the smoke, the two who are on Catwalk 2 on the other side of the smoke would likely hear you with a crack-whip stage voice. It is unlikely anyone else besides those two will be within hearing range, either you of them or them of you by IP 4.

As far as a sense of appropriate distance, what exactly are you referring to? It would help if you gave me some idea of what you're intending so I can give more precise answers.

Yes, go ahead and post Max's actions. For the time stamp, use the time that will overlap the 'free' time I gave Scrapheap and Alleycat to talk.

Basically all you're doing is just ducking and running to the door as fast as you can, trying to get to safety while not drawing attention to yourself, correct? I'd be hard pressed to imagine Max suddenly getting hardcore and slinging spells around like Karl Kombatmage.

Posting returns to 'Combat Time' at 01:00:12, so you can end your post at that time Slip.

OK then, let me see here:

Scrap, Slip, Sedna - Think that answers all questions you guys had for me. Let me know if I missed anything.

Vegas - IC post will be forthcoming today or tomorrow, I'm not rushing cause I know you're busy and your last post was a bit open-ended.

Grendel & Cedric - To my knowledge, I'm currently up to date.

I see Blaze and ETG as bunkered down in the NE corner; the two guys on the catwalk that we're talking about around midway west side of the smoke cloud (which you've drifted down to the main floor); and the Triad mage also on the west side of the smoke cloud.

Thus, shouldn't the only recognised Awakened type that's visible from their perspective be the Triad mage?

Fyi -- climbing is not a realistic option unless we get some major concealment and at least some support going. (It has occurred to me that smoke rises.) This particular contingency is to pull on Gymnastics to tuck under the catwalks using the ropes, either to drop or to add the catwalk itself as additional cover (if necessary).

You know, I do have your cell phone number already, so if you are in denial about your desire to receive random dirty messages with heavy breathing, let me know and I'll do my best to oblige you.

Note: TOTALLY kidding about that. As an engaged man, I would not partake in such an activity. Unless I was paid to do so. Barring that, I would have to find one of my single friends to do it on my behalf.

NO! I have been looking forward to my first sighting of a drunken Quebecois trying to play Shadowrun for the past several months!

Oh, and I was looking forward to meeting you too, Mister Juan.

Frankly, its mostly the fact that renewing one's passeport here takes about 3 months.... and I'm starting to doubt it'll be back before GenCon.

And theres that whole money thing about planes and stuff

But GenCon is pretty high up on my list! I would get to try my hand at my first live SR game IN ENGLISH which would be totaly weird! I could always play a french character... I'm usually great a doing one of those REALLY french accent in english.

Anyhow; if I do get my ass down there I expect you all to drag me out of the nearest pub when I pass out. Then we'll start a game.

No, it does need to be during the previous turn, and thus a saved complex action. The reasoning is that whatever else, it (hopefully) eats their first CT4 IP1 actions -- and leaves mine free.

And re house -- that's just being sadistic! Too true -- but sadistic nonetheless. The get-together will happen, but at a much more reliable house -- eventually.

Lousy government bureaucracies!

You're in Down in the Gutter, for crying out loud! You must be coming up with all kinds of new and creative ways to make money!

Here's one to get you started if your brain is stuck for methods to fund your trip: Organlegging.

Oh the comedy...you HAVE to come. Must hear...native French speaker...come up with French accent in English...

I'm already buying you two drinks to help you down the road to passing out when/if you get here; but if you make it, I'll carry your passed out self back to our gaming location if need be.

I speak from experience, a Dewed up Grendel who has been running games for the last 3 days straight starting an SR game at 1am is priceless.

Yes. Yes you do.

Don't worry, we'll take pictures for you and tell you all about it when we get back.

You mean we won't have to game in what would feel like a location out of the 1800's? Outstanding. Somehow it would just feel weird to be playing Shadowrun by candlelight.

And on an actual serious, non-scattered note, that makes sense. Very well then, we'll pick up the action on CT 3, IP 4, with your saved complex action. It's your job to remind me, so make sure you do so when our 'Combat Time' resumes.

So this makes me wonder if airport security would look at me strangely and pull me aside if I checked the bag with all the clothes and just brought a 24-pack cube of Mt. Dew as my carry-on?