Most of the children have cleared out of the living room for now. Its class time, where some of the kids who have been around longer teach the newer kids. So pretty much everyone is in the lab right now. Thankfully, its not your turn to teach, giving you some free time to yourselves.

"Everything okay, Mo?" Rick asks as she re-enters the room. He sips is soy-caff and waits for her answer.

Then, he continues: "I got some information on the Hosts-R-Us machines and a little bit on the Exchange. Why don't we wait for the others so I don't have to go through it more than once."

Something is stirring. As a blurry eyed class of youngesters depart from a large circular room occupying a turent corner of the old Victorian, the unmistakable post pubecent voice of System Ed, barks at those departing "For homework, get some sleep, and bring your iconigrapy sketches for friday". A young squatish ork wearing torn jeans and pink bunny slippers shuffels out, followed by a fuzzy monkey-like tail. A small crayon drawn sign reading "The Dungon" is taped to the door of the darkened room.
Ed is the advanced programming teacher, this now exausted class, had spent 72 hours working on what Ed referes to as "Symphonic Programming Suite Design".

Ed eventually shuffels down stairs, and promptly helps him self to Ricks soy-caf. "Ello gents, Id like to say that this crop has done exceedinly well. We only had four of them fall asleep." Ed notices the two older girls populating the living area and gives them a winning smile "Good morning ladys. How goes things? And whats with all the serious looks? Did I miss something again?"

gulping down the last of the horrid concoction thats is meant to help her immune system (followed by the screwed up and twisted face). She leans forward to put the cup on the floor and stuffs the bloodied cloth inside it.

" We've been asked by a pocket sectary to hack into Hosts 'R us and do some file deleting. Unfortunately the host is a little on the tough side. Trace and black as standard. Trace is easy to deal with it's the black im a little conserned about"

After say her bit she touches her finger to her nose to make sure it had stopped bleeding.

" Thing is, were not sure were going to get paid for this, all it has said is that were be Karmically awarded"

"From my search, the phrase "karmatic awards" seems to imply equipment, money, or both," Rick jumps in when the oportunity presents itself. "Seems like the loot is mailed to you. Which shouldn't be hard since they apparently already know that we live here. I also found out that they run an insecure and a secure host -- one green and the other red. Could get interesting if we have to go in the backdoor, as it were. Nothing on the Mona Lisa project, though."

The literary phrase "karmatic awards" brings a twinkle to Eds eyes. "Rrreeealy... I take it then you've paid these people a visit? Anyone taken some ratings on this red host? Better question, are we sure this data is on the red host? I can write something to..." Ed starts to ramble on about writing something excessivly complex and stop when he notices everyone else looking confused. "Umm, anyhow. Anyone have a plan?" He sits down and sips the bad coffee scanning the preplexed faces.

"Well i have some ideas, First concern it asked us to remove any files in reference to The Mona Lisa Project. That means to be totally through we have to start cross referencing files No? The trace IC we can deal with in advance by going a long way round or sat linking ourselfs there.
As for the Black, I have an idea for that. I don't like People missusing the natives of the Matrix so i might have a word."

By her tone and edge in her eyes, you get the feeling someone might be getting hurt.

"Yeah, I got the host ratings," Rick continues. "The easy one's a Green 9 - 14/14/14/14/12, while the other host is Red 9 - 15/15/11/15/14/."

Ed winces at the numbers for the Red9. "Thats pretty nasty, not totally brutal but still nasty. From what little I know this place wont quite sink the Titanic, but its not a happy place regardless. I still havent gotten the hang of sat links yet, maybe you should show me later. I just finished a new defroster with some toys on it, this might be a good time to test it out." He finishes the contents of the cup and goes back for a refill. He calls from the kitchen, "When you think we should go in? Id be ready after a nap, so mabey a few hours?"

"Myself i was thinking a full blown prep run in. Maybe we should create some basic accounts? So we can access the files a bit easyier? Maybe it will help warding off some of the IC as well."

Handing one of the young'uns a pillow to sit on she continues.

"Got some ideas, Before we run we set ourselfs up some basics accounts while we reconstruct their green host in a from more pleasing to the Deep Resonance. While this is being done some creates the accounts. The person who does the accounts would have to be the stealthest among us. Then later we do the real thing."

Looking off to one side i consernd expression shows it's self.

"I not sure if what we're about to do is right though.... I'm gonna ask"

I guess it's "rightness" depends on what the Mona Lisa Poject is," Rick muses. "What if we entered their hosts and tried an internal search for that information before we started hunting around. Maybe the information would be worth a more concrete reward to someone else?"

"Mona Lisa project eh? Not that Im one to keep information from the world, but this guy wants it gone, lets make it gone. I can go in when ever your all ready. Im gonna go clean a little, Id like to sleep tonight."
Ed refills the mug with soy-caf and shuffels upstairs again to clear the maze of wires, cables, and other computer related stuff enough to roll out his futon and plug his decks in to charge. On a seemingly whim, He takes the time to plug his chip burner in, off loads his programming for a new Icon chip and set it burning, reveling in the symphoney of very high and very low tones.

"Before you get to settled Ed, I'm wanting to make sure everyone is clear on what they are doing. Me, I'm Ic and decker supression right?
Which one of you two are going after the file's? Ed? Rickard?

Also how are we going in? piggy backing a sat link? Or doing a matrix wonder?"

For once you notice that Mo is seeming a little scared and lost.

"We're not ready yet." The perceptive of you here her mutter under her breath.

Ed walks back down stairs after setting things up. "Anything haveing to do with files are my specility. If things get hairy I can dish it out too, so if you start getting blasted by ice I can get in the way a bit."
He (with all the swaveness a 14 year old ork can) does his best to comfort Mo "This wont be bad, dont worry. Id say trust me, but thats bad karma. I have an old dish in the basement I liberated, but you said you cant interface with it right? My only other thought is I boost us some service across town. Not sure where I could do that though..."

Realising that she was maybe overeacting, wrinkles her nose. and looks up.

"Most telecomucation buildings have sat uplinks. I'm just wanting this part out of the way before we even start, so i know the young'uns are safe. Though to be totally safe i think a matrix walk will be done as well"

Stopping on her way to getting somthing to write with, she turns back
"Anybody had the idea of invalidating all of their passcodes? i think i could just about do that, just another barrier for the sysops to get through. Even more so if we then accivate our own accounts just after"

"Hey now... I like that idea. Something to do before we ramp up for the dash for data. I just finished a very slick valadation program a few days ago, and Im aching to try it out." Ed give Mo the eyebrow. "Wanna come play?" He shoots a mischivious grin.

Turning and grining back.

"Sure why not. Here's a better plan though, We go in, find the files containing the contact numbers and telecom providers for all the Sysops as well as who's no and off duty. Then we delete the accounts, that way they can't be called in on a emergency. Then we go world hoping, go in invalidate the accounts for the on duty ones. Then go looking for Mona?"

"I think I can find those sysop files," Rickard interjects after listening to Mo and Ed plan. "And probably send Mjolnir out to look for the Mona files while I'm at that."

Calling from the kitchen

"I thinking that sending out Mjolnir to look for the Mona files before we actually start is not such a good idea, we wouldn't want to alert the owners of the file. Thinking about it, it would be nice to find out who the owners are. But thats not a goal though."

Walking back in after some cuboard banging with a bag of munchies.

"Right, so we've dealt with any Trace IC, Sysop's as well hopefully. You two do the file searching while i keep your backs clear."

Leaning against the door frame, finnishing her mouthfull "So when we going to get this ball rolling so to speak?"

"I'm ready when you guys are. I've got nothing planned for the rest of today, but tomorrow evening, I have to attend class in the matrix, so I can't really be in two places at once."

"Ill be ready as soon as I finish my coffee." Ed downs the last of the soy-caf in one swig, and winces at the nasty deamons living at the bottom. "*weaze* Ok, Im ready." he trots up stairs and returns with a mildly abused box containing his deck. Ed starts laying out cables and begins the boot up procedures, which include a confused look, followed by a swift *twack* to the deck which emits a dull whine and continues its work. "So we are just gonna take a stroll? Whos leading?"

Hold off for one day. I need to get the run planned out a bit more and this will give you time to have the idea that you need one more person. Raiko, as soon as you get a chance to make an introduction post, do so. Don't worry if you don't have the sheet to me yet, I want to get you started.

The Z-Zone Combat Taxi halted at the end of the street and Karl pushed a certified credstick into the payment slot.

As the armored hatch hissed open, Karl stepped out into the street and turned to look as the cab roared away even before the hatch had closed again.

Karl made his way down the street towards the tribes' house. He looked wearily at the gangers outside their doss across the street, they wouldn't bother him as long as he could kick ass for them in the matrix, but they still scared him. He felt naked outside the net, and couldn't wait to get back inside. He enjoyed doing jobs for MacKay, but couldn't understand why the private dectective insisted that the runs be conducted from his office. He'd missed loads of his favorite shows, and was sure that his league position would have slipped.

He walked up the steps and pushed the front door open, "Hi I'm back, what's hap'nin?"

There is a visible up swing in Eds demeanor as he starts getting his cyberdeck ready. In one almost unconscious action he flips a big red toggle switch labeled EJECT off and plugs the line into his data jack. He notices the front door open and the scrawny form walk in. "Morning Stormy!" In response "Well seems we got this little P-Sec thats telling us to go trash some files, in return we will be "Karmically Awarded". Its a party and we're all invited. Besides, from what Mo's telling us, we might need someone who can find these files pretty quick."

Rickard tosses him the p-sec and lets him peruse the information. Then he re-iterates the previous conversation in short form for the new comer and turns to the others, "I'll meet you on the other side."

Rick stands up, and heads for the kitchen, grabbing a glass of water. Chugging it down, he heads up stairs and takes a piss thinking to himself, "Never again will I skip this step." recalling the time he was on the 'trix for a few hours. When he jacked out he thought his bladder would explode!

Heading from the toilet to his room, he makes himself comfortable on his bed before jacking into the matrix.

_________________________________________


Thor opens his eyes and cracks his knuckles by flexing his hands. Looking around for a moment, he waits for his virtual senses to fully awaken and shrugs off the last vestiges of the fuzziness of the real world. Summoning Mjolnir to his side, Thor looks about, shrugs his shoulders, and waits for the rest of the team to arrive at their normal matrix meeting spot.

Ed plugs his deck into the wall and curls up in the fetal possition and flips the physical switch with his tail.
_________________________________________

The local node that is the Misfits home rezzes into view in sparkling color. A very high Rez version of a slightly younger and more fit looking Ed (sans tail) wearing ripped jeans and a tshirt looks around, waiting for everyone else. In the mean time he starts rifling though the silver messenger bag he has slung across his back, pulling different tools, and bits of electronics out to examine them. After a quick check he pulls a pair of slippers out of the bag and puts them on his feet.

Putting herself carfully on to her bed Mo adjusts the blankets to make sure she's not going to get cold or cut the circulation of to her limbs, reaching behind her head she takes a deep breath and holds it as she plugs the jack in...


The world quickly rezzing around her she stands there, her long brown her brushed and in a pony tail wearing a long black chinese dress. Looking around to make sure the others are all here. Spotting them she continues
"Well im going to visit these RTG's since im going to be tackling the IC, Are we going to make the sysop's uncontactable? or just invalidate their accounts?

After waitng for a response
Feeling herself full aware now, Mo pictures the RGT address's in her mind. Closing her mindseye she reaches out and starts grabbing them at random and putting them to one side in that order. Opening her eyes to look at the order she's been guided to pick.

"First stop Jamaica."

After finnishing her wonder, Mo heads for Host's r Us.

Getting outside, she pause's. Hmmm lets see how aware the powers that be are to my being here

Thor straightens his shoulders and looks at Mo, "Making them uncontactable would probably involve controlling all lines of communication throughout the building -- they can always just make a cell phone call to tell them there's a problem. I think all we can do is invalidate their accounts and hope for the best.

Ed does his best to keep up with the others. "I can do that, control the land phones I mean. I might be able to just shut down the phone system entirly, or just keep out going calls from going though. However, I wont be able to help with the admin accounts if I do that. And having the number for the admins would help a lot too... Hmm. But that cell phone problem..."

Apon reaching the Host's r Us node he starts pulling things out of his bag again, a flack jacket, a clear riot shield and an old cell phone. Ed peers around and stops for a second and whistles softly. "Nice look Mo, it suits you."

Once you reach the Hosts-R-Us host, I want you all to start making rolls for each operation. The main host is Green 9 - 14/14/14/14/12. The harder one is Red 8 - 15/15/11/15/14. You can use the IC thread to do your rolls in, just use before your rolls and before your post. I'll keep track of your security tallies and let you know if any IC shows up on the radar.

"It's not as difficult as it would first seem. But it is time consuming. We hack here to find the contact numbers, then talk to the phone company and delete them. They try to call, but the number no longer exists. No?"

"This isn't gonna be that easy. We don't owe these people anything remember that."

Assessing the situation "Ya know, this is gonna sound bad, but what do you think the chances of us just pulling a smash and grab are? This is very quickly departing from the KISS principle. We can hack us an account with the needed level of power, bash the files from there, and then bugger all it outta here. I for one cant shake a trace, so If I get pinged, I'm either gonna dump or crash it quick and ugly. Say have 2 people on keeping the ICE down, one person hack the account, and the last float to help where needed? Once we get into the Red host, finding the files isnt gonna be very hard."
Ed reaches into his bag again and pulls out a chromed Peacemaker Revolver and stuffs it in his waistband after screwing on a silencer. "In any case, I'm ready to head in."

You all feel a chill down your spine. You are the children of the Matrix, but this host is something you haven't faced yet. Black IC. The word hangs in your mind and you feel your meat body start to sweat...

The time is now.

Thor turns to Ed, "I'm all for smash and grab. Like I said, I think I can probably find the files once we're on the red host, once I've found them, though, I'm not the best at dealing with the actual files to get rid of them.

"Well i'm happy on getting the IC here to dance to my tune, And i should be able to keep the alerts down as well."

Turning to look at each of you in turn

"So who wants to help me find a dancing partner?"

With that Mo steps forward and melts away.


Channel:- Access-Deception 4 (8 ) Plus path of the Technoshamen. Tn's 5
Logon to host: 1,1,2,3,3,4,5,5,5. 3 Success

With a playfull smirk "Thor, files are my specility. You get me near them, and I can do whatever I want." Ed looks at the door symbolizing the entrance to the public side of Host's r Us and takes a calming digital breath. He pulls an oversized key from his bag and opens the door.

Log on to host
Deception 8 (TN 6 I think)
01 02 05 11 02 11 06 04, 01 02 10 02 10 03 02 09 (6 sucesses)

Karl walks up the stairs to his room, and lays back on bed. He reaches for the lead hanging from the dataport in the wall, and grins as he slips it into his jack.
________________________________________

Maelstrom materializes in the matrix, he adjusted his white kung-fu outfit and puts on his shades. Then he steps out into the Redmond LTG and up to the RTG above...

Several hops later Maelstrom arrives outside the Hosts-R-Us system with the others. He does a security check, then decides to concentrate on hiding more. His icon immediately blends further into the background noise of the matrix, invisible to all but his companions.

"I say it's safer to disable the phones from here, the phone peoples host is just as secure as this system and they always have loads of decker around, trying to spoil our fun."

Switch echo to adjust persona to B6/E8/M12/S10.

"Ok smash and Grap sounds like fun. I'll keep an eye out for pesky spoil-sport deckers, and lock them out if I see any. See how they like it."

Maelstrom laughs and steps into the Host.


Log onto Host
Deception 8 + 8 Hacking Pool
08 04 04 04 04 03 02 02 01 01 / 10 08 04 03 02 01 01 01

You all appear in a long hallway, with hundreds of doors leading off of it. Each door has a sign above it.

@ Ed

As you step through the doorway and onto the host a camera pops out of the wall and points at you.

Ed turns an eye to the sudden apperance of the camara and mutters under his breath "Well that didnt take very long..."

Following the others Thor shrugs and logs on as well:


Access 5 + 3 Hacking Pool: 13 08 07 04 03 02 02 02
Mjolnir: 08 04 04 01 <-- damn, that might not get him in.


Looking at the cameras, Thor curses under his breath. Looking at the others, he shrugs and comments, "Looks like the party started with out me."

Thor opens the door and steps through onto the Hosts-R-Us server, but just as he steps inside, the door slams shut and locks Mjolnir out.

Ed looks at the others "Mind if I take care of this?" He pulls a jewlers monocule from his bag and stuffs it in his eye and peers at the annoying IC.

Analize 3 (TN beats me)
01 02 03 13 07 11 09 01, 01 02 22 02 01 07 05 09

"Bah... I hate these..." Ed reaches into the magic bag of tricks and pulls out a 6" cannon mounted on a pistol grip and points it at the camara.

Not attacking yet, just pondering it.

Your Analize tells you that the IC is Trace 10.

Roll Initiative.

Thor curses for a moment at becoming lost from Mjolnir. Well, he can handle himself, Thor thinks to himself.

Turning to Ed and the Camera, he says, "Be my guest."

"Oh fair enough and there was little ol' me going to drape my hanky over it."

Turning to the group, "Why do people bother with sure boring iconography?" Looks up to the host "Hello this is the matrix! perhaps use your imagination sometimes"

Putting her hanky away into nowhere "Can't reach anyhow" She says with a small grin.

Ed grins a bit, takes aim and fires, the thundering of the charge compresses your eardrums.

Init 21

8D attack (TN 2 baby)
05 05 04 04 03 03 02 02 02 02 02 02 01 01 01 01 (12 total sucesses)

The camara blasts into a shower of sparks, then falls limp.

Are you going to surpress the IC? If so, let me know if you want to reduce your detection factor by 1 or your hacking pool by 2.

"Nicely done," Thor remarks, smirking at the remains of the camera. "Unless I miss my guess, the files we're looking for will be on the Red host. But, do we want to do a preliminary search on this one, just in case?"

Ed pulls a small dustbuster from his bag and vacumes the fallen remnints of the camara. "Lets hope thats the last one for a little while"
DF drops to 9