Thanks, Lauri. Please go for it, then.

You can have anything within 24hrs, but then the price goes up. This would be a situation of a negotiation roll. The more hits the lower the price. As this is demanded fast you will only get one roll for every contact used. I get to decide the mark-up based on the roll(s).

However, money also makes you friends for a short time. For every 10k you drop for buying items you gain one loyalty or connection for that one situation (i.e., 10k gives you 1/1 new contact, +10k gives you +1 loyalty/connection etc.). This is also known as a "private showing".

I'm hoping to be able to stick with the Fixer I have. No point wasting money.

I'm working on my list, honest. I'll add some stuff with availability to it.

It's our Wedding Anniversary today (13th) so no promises about how quick I can get it done....

Has anyone seen "Munich" starring Eric Bana, Daniel Craig, and the actor whom portrayed Julies Ceaser in HBO's "Rome"?

All of this talk about receipts is reminding me of the wacky Israeli treasurer that kept reminding Eric Bana's character to obtain/save receipts of all of the toys, goodies, weapons, and information he bought to perform the assassinations.

"Don't worry about Toreador's tone, SincereAgape, he's no worse than several anthropologists Professor has had to deal with in various university departments. "
-pbangarth.

He was originally written and created to be a lot worse. In the past I've played brash, arrogant, smug, and elitist type characters and it's either been crash or burn. Sadly, I recently had a PC play a Tir nationalist who was very aloof and racist. His character created some great in game dialogue, but some of the other PCs came up to me and said the character got annoying at times and took away from the fun. One of the reasons I've been trying to tone things down a bit. But I'll keep your words in mind Peter, thanks for the encouragement. I am still in the process of fleshing Tyler out and finding a niche for him.

-Other then that. *Pushes around the shopping cart as his fellow runners conduct their 60,000 nuyen shopping spree*

atm, Dick doesn't really need anything. Once he knows who he'll be impersonating, he'll be able to customize a disguise for the task.

Other than that, a couple medical knowsofts (those can be run through a commlink/trodenet combo, right?) could be useful in case he ends up impersonating our Good Doctor while someone tries to kill him.

oh, and SA, which Tir was he in support of? I've had a couple characters end up being Unseelie terrorists...

Tir Taingire. He was one of my favorite player characters and it was sad to kill him by a accident with a light pistol.

Yeah? So? Get with the program! We have a job to do.

Now, now Peter is always nice when a guy remembers his wife's wedding anniversary

But to the rest of you. Wishlist please as soon as possible.

Are there any other considerations I should be made aware of. Already thinking of the next post to get the game moving again.

Oh and from the 30th to the 3rd of May is the Finnish national get drunk out of your mind day week. I will be avoiding the port wine, but drinking quite a bit.

-Laurie

Behave Peter. Behave. It's the 13th Anniversary. You don't want to mess with that mojo chummer.

BUT

Crizh, by next year we're expecting you to have your priorities straight

Hey guys, I've been interstate, got a monday to friday 10-5 job and my internet connection has been pretty spotty, along with my computer being rebuilt. Sorry I haven't been checking in, though.

Can I get an analyze on Foxton's system, to find out what sort of ratings I'm up against?

Also, unless Toreador has photographs of the subcontractors, we should make sure we have nanopaste/latex mask disguises and Blackie can maybe pull some mugshots or better yet, take some photos himself of the tradesmen, and put his background and ware to use.

Also, perhaps some-one should scope out the physical security on the local Nexi. If only three people can go inside the apartment posing as tradesmen, maybe Blackie could tap a connection and use the bunker as concealment and protection. Also, it would be a great place to set a sniffer to pick up data traffic (ie. account passwords to the building) with a Sniffer.

Also, should we consider getting a flying drone to give us a good overview of the area at all times? A mini-blimp like the Stormcloud or the GTS tower would be good.

I'll also suggest some RFID Sensors. A handful of cameras and microphones. Maybe we should also install an ultrasound or radar sensor in the building to catch an invisible assassin.

Psycho write up a plan for me

First of all roll for an analyze of the Foxton's system. Firewall is a Rating 4, Response is 3.

The bunker works on a maglock keypass system (rating 3). Inside the metal cabinets are locked with mechanical locks (rating 1) and lead seals (need to be forged or then you need to get official crimpers). Once past that you have two primary physical access ports: a commlink access point (this allows you free access to the Matrix and let's you use the Horizon firewall as you are inside, but you have to hack to get into the nexi. You screw up and the system sends out an alarm and the nexi shuts down, which would set off all the alarms in the region). The second is a Horizon access point that demands a proprietary Horizon jack, it allows you into the Horizon nexi at admin level, there will also be maintenance connections to the next nexi and a standard connection to the DC communciation exchange node. A sniffer program at admin level gets you most data that is travelling through the nexi, however there is a lot of data to sift. Luckily all the security procedures on this bunker are all pretty standard and well documented if you know where to look.

There is space in the bunker but its a bit cramped for longer periods of time.

As I understand it, there are multiple subcontractors for the condo reno, so we could simply be another team in there working. Heaven knows, contractors do find ways to be away on other jobs in the middle of yours, so it would be easy to explain why new ones are onsite.

do we have photos and biometric readouts on our friendly neighborhood abortionist?

Do we really need into the local Nexus?

A bit of vandalism and my keycard copier ought to get us access. We'd still need the custom jack but we could work around that. Question is, do we need to take the risk? We can intercept all local traffic wirelessly anyway, the real problem is signals encryption.

Chrysalis posts a picture of Karkoff here. Don't know about biometrics.

I tend to agree with you crizh, except that there may be traffic we can't intercept wirelessly. I don't know to what degree this is a potential problem.

Lots of RL experience with that when I used to work in Scotland.



Physiological biometrics in the sixth world can be done with numerous ways. The most common for long distance surveillance is the use of a trideo camera. You can also use a MAD scanner around a door frame. Hotels, government institutions, and high scale boutiques use multiple CCTVs and scanners with assistive software to do a full physiological biometric scan. It's how the sales clerk knows that the dress you buy will fit you perfectly.

Fingerprints and behaviour can be learned by going through his rubbish.

About electronic surveillance:
You can also do much with simple wireless interception unless you are planning on conducting surveillance on everyone in the area.

Addendum on hacking :

The basic rules for hacking are:
1) Make connection with the target (that's either wireless or wired, increasingly wireless in SR4)
2) Exploit into the target (possibility of setting off an alert)
3) Do the stuff inside the target, GM can do stuff like roll random encounters with IC/security hackers whilst that's going on (somewhat arbitrary)
4) Clean up the data-trail and log out safely


1) The "make connection" bit - look for "intercepting wireless signals" in the BBB - it's pretty simple, and I think it involves an extended test [electronic warfare] + [sniffer] I think - in short that part is "a matter of time" - with enough time that part is easy

It only becomes difficult if there is a short time limit

2) Second stage is [hacking] + [exploit] extended tests versus the target's [system] + [firewall], and that is modified by (typically) +3 or +6 or more depending on the access level wanted. Generally, most hackers want admin level, because without admin level, they can't do much

Remember "the max attempts possible in an extended test = the total dice you roll for that test"

But - every time the hacker makes a test against the target, the target rolls an extended test of [system] + [analyse] with a threshold of the hacker's stealth program

If the target node completes it's test then it goes on alert. There's a section in the book about what that means exactly, but in short it's up to the GM to decide the action the node takes when it goes "on alert"

3) Then doing stuff inside is all about [hacking] + [relevant program] checks in order to do whatever it was you wanted. Random encounters might spice that up.

4) Then the last step is editing/erasing your tracks - an extended [hacking] + [edit] test

Also - you can have a multi-node setup ... in which case steps 2 and 3 may need repeating (for each node)

That's the quickest/minimal hacking rules

***

Foxton's system is 3, and firewall is 4.

I don't think you need to 'intercept wireless signals' to hack a node, you just need to know it's AccessID which you should get from a simple 'scan for wireless nodes'.

If you do 'intercept wireless signals' you don't get any access to the node but you do get to see all the data going in and out of it. Video feeds, files, log-on codes, etc, etc but you do have to break any Encryption before you can even intercept the signal.

Here's a first draft of the shopping list I send to my Fixer. I'm still working through Arsenal but I'm fairly sure that's almost everything we are going to need.



I'm wondering if the unit under renovation has a fibre-optic link to the outside world? We could put all those sensors in that unit and route them out to the nexus. If we can tap that and then run a laser link out a hole in the back we can monitor everything without any of it ever being broadcast wirelessly or transmitted over the Matrix.

Is it possible to have fiber optics running from condo to condo? Then we wouldn't need the nexus.

The other two condo's are occupied right?

Yes, but the empty condo is right beside the target condo, which is on an end of the row of condos.

Yes but we can't stay in the empty one. We can get in long enough to plant the bugs but we still need to monitor the feeds.

If the feeds get transmitted over wireless they can be intercepted. If we transmit them over the Matrix there is the possibility of being Traced. If we send them over local fibre to the nexus and then out of the nexus over a laser link to wherever we're set up the 'circuit' is closed.

You could set up fibre-optic connections in the empty condo and then have a laser-link to a nearby designated location - remember with most SigInt you have to know it exists to find it.

You could also utilize the landlines (trideo, security, etc.) in the condo, but you would have to check their state.

If we can get into the roof space I can run the laser link out of there but it might limit the scope of where we can set up.

The empty condo provides a convenient forward base of operations, one that is close enough to Karkoff that we could actually intervene if trouble finds him before we snatch him. If we were competent in our subterfuge, we could make it seem as if the workers had left for the day, but leaving a shift inside for close protection. Then we would not need to run any connection outside at all.

Is there any way we could effect such a subterfuge?

GM,

Here is my addition to the planning portion of this act of the run. Toreador will be summoning watcher spirits on a rotating basis to keep watch of their safe house in Fairfax (Temp) for astral intrusions.

Also. He'll be contacting his contact within the Tir military if he can find anything about Mr. Johnson, hoping someone took a snapshot of him at the bookstore. If Tyler has the photo, he will show it to his Tir contact (Or Tir Intelligence Gathering) to see if any information can be Earthed. The connection rating for the contact is fairly low, so let me know if you would like a roll for that.

Trid illusion and improved invisibility/chameleon suits?

Found something else to add to the list of stuff I sent to my Fixer.

According to the list this is 26,410 nuyen. Correct?

The custom Horizon optical jack for the nexus costs 1200 nuyen a day to rent and is 10F. It is 24,000 nuyen if you wish to buy it.

The majority of the systems can be delivered tomorrow by noon.

SincereAgape, Which contact will you be using? Send me infor that person by IM and I will reply with information about Mr. Johnson. A roll would also be recommended.


Thanks,

-Chrysalis

Ouch.

I figure we should rent the jack or 'jack' one from a real Horizon engineer.

edit - assuming we can get it all by noon tomorrow we can drop the Decrypt II. I only put that in because I expected a lead time of 4 days for Decrypt IV. That will knock 1000 off. We only really need one of each Biometric Reader so if we need to make more savings we can knock off another 4200.

I didn't include finders fees, which for my fixer are 5%.

The thing is that with it you can access the telecommunications backbone of the Eastern seaboard of America, it bypasses Horizon's firewalls and allows you admin access. Every hacker's and terrorist's wet dream. It is not just a jack, but also contains a proprietary information telematics software interface.

D.C. has a lot of facilities and stores, so I have decided to wave some of the availability rules. By also being a tristate area, means that what is illegal in UCAS can be easily bought in the CAS. In addition surveillance equipment is not that hard to find and not restricted as say alcohol, fire-arms, tobacco and telesma.

Well.... that's cool! Let's get two!



Ooooohhhhh .... now I'm starting to fantasize. (Pathetic, isn't it?)

I had some rules made up about availability, but as a rule of thumb, most things that are below rating ten (unless obvious in its military or law enforcement application) can be found in a shop or bought off the Matrix. Some things are behind a license, or then you have to give a good reason or a shell company.

I was planning on foastforwarding to noon, play out the part between the professor and Zoltan and let you try to insert the bugs. Howver, if you plan on hacking into Foxtons and monkey around with the schedules you will have to do that first. Clara?

OK, so technowhizzes, what should we do? I assume there will need to be some Success Tests rolled for some of the bugging and hacking actions.

If we are going to do insertion actions first, Professor will be happy to aid in whatever way he can, including invisible sneaking if necessary.

If he will meet with Zoltan first... well... I don't know exactly how to say this... but... well, Zoltan's kind of exuberant in a physical sort of way, and Professor would really like to be able to dodge, or at least minimize, that damn backslap the big guy likes to give his "Leetel Bahddy". I mean, for crying out loud they hardly know each other yet, and already Professor has bruises. What will happen if Zoltan ever comes to really like Professor?

Any chance Toreador could accelerate Professor with Increase Reflexes?

Well Cruze won't get her gear until noon so I guess you should do your meet before we try and plant any bugs.

Do we even have a proper Hacker?

That would be Blackie.Check here for his latest comments on the situation.

Good point about the bug planting. So since Cruze and Professor are both in Team Omega with Dick, why don't we as a Team go do our shopping while Team Alpha sticks around watching Karkoff. That way Blackie can do what he needs to do with photographing workers, hacking, etc. Toreador can keep direct contact with Karkoff, and Warrior can keep them both alive while they do it.

Yeah, lets do that. Chrysalis, go for the shopping meet first, then.

Now the game's afoot.

-Chrysalis

Tally ho Holmes!

Hi guys,

I just want to make sure everyone is good and that everyone is happy with how the game is going. I have been thinking of putting a few more plot hooks so that you all have more to do.

-Lauri

I'm fine with how it's going.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to apologize for being so inactive. My job has me working 12 hour days starting at 4am, and I head straight to class afterward until 10pm. I've been getting about 4 hours of sleep a night and have been spending most of my free time working on homework. Luckily, in about 2 weeks time, everything will be over and my free time will skyrocket. Until then, however, the most I can do at the moment is keep an eye on things and post short replies to anything that immediately requires my attention.

I'm fine with out it's going too, I'm just busy like everyone else it looks like. I'm on the road crew right now at work which is I take six low risk inmates out to pick up litter or dump sites around the county so I'm not in the office like normal and in so I can't post as much as I like too. I have a few projects going on at home too so that eats up time also. But I'm following along and if things need killing I'll get involved.

Thanks,
Brent

Great to know you guys are OK and still involved. Thanks for the heads-up on time constraints. As I just did, given that folks want me to play Professor as team-leader, I will on occasion try to glean ideas from players and then take my best shot at a decision. Let me know how that works for you.

Chrysalis, assuming the arrangements are satisfactory with Zoltan, Professor will have to analyze the triptych carefully, using online resources to which he would have familiar access. The things he would look for are as follows:

1) Any historical record of artwork such as this, or even this one in particular. I assume this will require a Data Search. (Man I am going to have to deal with that skill soon!)

2) The symbolism of the imagery may be meaningful (aside from the obvious religious connotations). Again, online help may be available for this. (Oooohhh ... "You are now entering Dan Brown Territory")

3) Translation of the text, if it doesn't come with a hit on 1). Now that I look at the picture, it may not actually be ancient Greek, but an offshoot. Hmmm.... now this is getting really interesting! If he can, Professor will use online translation tools to help, augmented by both his Linguist Quality and his Linguistics adept power. Neither of those are described as affecting translation, but I am hoping that since both of them cut learning time in half and are about

"a natural gift for learning and understanding languages,
grasping vocabulary and grammar much more quickly than others would."


they have some effect on decrypting a new language.

Please let me know what to roll for these Tests.

At first pass, it looks Coptic.

Peter,

1) Data Search roll

2) You will also have to do some cleaning. The images are heavily blackened. Another Data Search roll.

3) Knowledge: linguistics to identify what language is in question. After that deciphering might be possible.

OOC: It is not Coptic. Close, but there are noticeable differences.

Clean artwork: use Archaeology Knowledge skill to clean artifacts (Professor will bump his AGI with Attribute Boost during cleaning of the tricky parts, just to be sure he doesn't break anything. The Drain will be 1S, but he has WIL+BOD of 9, which can buy 2 successes, so can we just assume he's OK?)


Data Search:




Yeah, noticed them. Sheesh! Best roll was on the cleaning of the artifact. "Sorry, Zoltan, I can't make heads or tails of it, but it's shiny now!"

In short, all you know is that it was not made in the past one hundred years (wood was also a dead give away), most likely Russian orthodox, and the cleaning brought out two angels, each face towards the central image of the Virgin Mary. On each left and right panel is a similar script as on the obverse. The angels carry in one hand glassen globes with a stylized X in the middle and a rood in the other. There is a stamp on the silver on the bottom, with the Greek inscription ἀειπάÏ?θενος ινε á¼”Ï?γον érgon.

You also know not to clean the silver too much as that removes the patina and actually cuts down its value. In addition some of the darkness of the silver is part of the silversmithing process to highlight the designs.

Feel free to use RL sources as this is just a fun piece for you to play with.

Thanks, Chrysalis. I am running my own game today, so I will be drawn away from Professor for most of the day.

EDIT: If the game progresses today, we can just return the item to Zoltan as per the plan, and I can play with the research later, maybe giving Zoltan an update.

So far so good. It's usually a good sign when you can simply enjoy a roleplaying session by simply kick your feet up on a chair and read/watch the interaction of your fellow PCs and GM.

and Peter, Increased Reflexes is also a go

Yes, I've felt the same way in this group. And what a useful guy Toreador is!

The classic "Heh."

*Breaks the fourth wall and runs into the story to high five Le' Prof*