Full Version: Legacy
"A couple fly-spies and a handful of bigger ones. The sorts of things that we'd bring out if we got into trouble."
Blink a second. Scroll back in my brain for a moment, through the log of the meeting about 2 hours ago... "How do you plan to get the bigger drones there? You didn't say crap to the fixer about smuggling them."
Nix resists the urge to smirk. This is shaping up quickly like Salt Lake He turns back to the conversation, "Time to make the arrangments if you haven't already."
"So do you guys want the bigger ones or shall we acquire them if-slash-when we need 'em?"
"I don't give a fuck. You're the professional, you tell me. Is this shit worth putting on a boat there, or not? You make the call. Tell us what you need to get on the boat, so we can arrange this link-up with the smuggler and get down to business."
The urge takes him this time; He smirks.
Dingo sits back and thinks for a minute before shaking his head. "Nah, we've been hired t' do this quietly, and, as much as it disappoints me t' admit it, m' bigger toys're far from quiet."
He nods to himself and then studies them. "So, what now?"
He nods to himself and then studies them. "So, what now?"
"I'm good, now. If you want to drop the shit you're gonna smuggle with me, we'll give it to the smuggler while you arrange for your bike."
Motion to Nix - "You wanna pass a message to the shipping guy?"
Motion to Nix - "You wanna pass a message to the shipping guy?"
Nix nods to Caliph, "Sure. Give me the list of what you all are sending. Everything I'm taking I'm wearing. Anything else I need, I can pick up local."
"I ain't shipping nothing but a tough box full of guns, bout 2m long, 1m wide, 1m deep. He shouldn't need a packing list.
Dingo taps his chin as he thinks for a moment. "Pistol, smartgun, ammo, knives, flyspies. Link I'll carry with me. Bike and bigger toys will stay here... And that's about it, methinks. If ye wanna take me back to my apartment, I can grab the things for the smuggler before taking care o' the arrangements for the things I'll be leavin behind."
"Aight. Works for me. You got anything you want?" Nod to Nix as I say that.
"On second thought, I think I'll ship my chameleon suit and tag eraser. Both may be needed before this job is done."
Pull the truck over for a while, move around to the back and pull my trunk from under the bed. Big trunk, actually, the big one the bandits used to make me lug around with the Stingers. Pull out the cut foam and dump in most of the stuff from my combat kit. The medkit, the climbing kit, the armor and the gear harness, etc. I got some room in there, so I motion to Nix and let him throw in his stuff if he wants. Lay in the foam bits, and lay my weapons in their approrpiate cut-outs. Once I'm done, key the lock with the cybersafety on my hand.
Once I'm done, get ready to roll. Biggest concern left is how the hell I'm going to get through the airport. I hate airports. 35% of me is illegal. But the fixer's good, and bribes do nice things, and bad wires look like skillwires sometimes.
Once I'm done, get ready to roll. Biggest concern left is how the hell I'm going to get through the airport. I hate airports. 35% of me is illegal. But the fixer's good, and bribes do nice things, and bad wires look like skillwires sometimes.
Two Days Later 3rd of April - London England
The suborbital trips have been horrendously fast. It seemed a whirlwind of activity at the Seattle INternational, with none of the team flying together. With sharp efficency that belies the tales of confusion at the airports, the runners were processed through, utilizing fabricated identities provided by the U.K. fixer, made especially for the trip. Each is billed as a security contractor for a different corp, with itineraries listing them as guests at a corporate security conference. Waiting for the bottom to fall out on the entire trip, putting their trust into an untried source. Plenty of shooters and nail bieters later (except for Caliph, who is required to wear "cyber restraints" for the wrist razors), they touch down, step off the plane, and step into the waiting cabbies.
The cabs drop them, each in turn, at a small two story flat on the edge of the district known as "the Squeeze". Actually being driven into the walled zone requires a hefty "bonus" for the cabbie. The district makes the Seattle runners feel right at home,surrounded wit hsquallor and waste, human and otherwise. The building it's self is made of a heavy, raindarkened brick, but the doors and shuttered windows are all intact. Inside, there's also a working telecom and wirelss node, plus a back up generator, and thank dog, a fridge. On the "dining room" table is a scrawled AR message reading~
Ring me when you get in gents. Your package arrives tomorrow. We'll sup together and discuss your more direct inquiries.
~The Little Man in the Hat
The suborbital trips have been horrendously fast. It seemed a whirlwind of activity at the Seattle INternational, with none of the team flying together. With sharp efficency that belies the tales of confusion at the airports, the runners were processed through, utilizing fabricated identities provided by the U.K. fixer, made especially for the trip. Each is billed as a security contractor for a different corp, with itineraries listing them as guests at a corporate security conference. Waiting for the bottom to fall out on the entire trip, putting their trust into an untried source. Plenty of shooters and nail bieters later (except for Caliph, who is required to wear "cyber restraints" for the wrist razors), they touch down, step off the plane, and step into the waiting cabbies.
The cabs drop them, each in turn, at a small two story flat on the edge of the district known as "the Squeeze". Actually being driven into the walled zone requires a hefty "bonus" for the cabbie. The district makes the Seattle runners feel right at home,surrounded wit hsquallor and waste, human and otherwise. The building it's self is made of a heavy, raindarkened brick, but the doors and shuttered windows are all intact. Inside, there's also a working telecom and wirelss node, plus a back up generator, and thank dog, a fridge. On the "dining room" table is a scrawled AR message reading~
Ring me when you get in gents. Your package arrives tomorrow. We'll sup together and discuss your more direct inquiries.
~The Little Man in the Hat
"Feels like home, eh boyos?" Dingo grins as he looks around their home away from home. As he does so, he calls up his stealth and scan programs and begins discretely searching for any surveillance equipment or otherwise suspicious items that may have been left when the flat was prepared.
Once done, he sends his findings to the others via text message.
Once done, he sends his findings to the others via text message.
[ Spoiler ]
Dingo's search does turn up a few interesting bits of tech. One is a wireless minicam, secreted at a ceiling joist in the upper floor. It's a decent piece of tech, but outdated. It looks to have been here for at least a year. A couple of micro bugs doing burst recording sessions show up as well, although none of them are of the same design. By all appearances, they are left overs by previous occupants, backed up by the fact tat they all use different frequencies and encryptions.
I hate airports. Thank god the suborbitals are short. I put down four tumblers of whiskey anyway, and a couple nips from my flask for flavor. By the time we touch down I've probably stored up enough sleep for three or four days, even though I know you can't actually do that.
Hit down at Heathrow and the terrain screws me up. Looks more like Seattle than home, but no hills. Never been anywhere like this before, so I'm a bit googly eyed. Drop that and the fact that all of the people talk like they're straight out of a cheesy trid show, and I start feeling wierd. The cabby is good enough, that must stay the same everywhere. In between chatting with him about various things, halfway to the destination I have him pop a sudden U-turn and stop over at a liquor store we passed. Two bonuses - get to see if we're being followed, and I can buy a passable bottle of scotch. Slip him 10
and ask for his card when he drops me off.
Safehouse is in a shitty neighborhood, so I actually have him drop me across the street (rather than a block or two off). Don't want to give the bored kids on the corner something to occupy their time with in the form of little old me. Roll on in - shortly after Dingo, turns out, and dump my bag in a corner.
<@Dingo (Caliph) - Just hack 'em and have 'em run a loop. Probably no harm in burning 'em, but never hurts to be sure. Think you could trace 'em?>
Hit down at Heathrow and the terrain screws me up. Looks more like Seattle than home, but no hills. Never been anywhere like this before, so I'm a bit googly eyed. Drop that and the fact that all of the people talk like they're straight out of a cheesy trid show, and I start feeling wierd. The cabby is good enough, that must stay the same everywhere. In between chatting with him about various things, halfway to the destination I have him pop a sudden U-turn and stop over at a liquor store we passed. Two bonuses - get to see if we're being followed, and I can buy a passable bottle of scotch. Slip him 10
and ask for his card when he drops me off.Safehouse is in a shitty neighborhood, so I actually have him drop me across the street (rather than a block or two off). Don't want to give the bored kids on the corner something to occupy their time with in the form of little old me. Roll on in - shortly after Dingo, turns out, and dump my bag in a corner.
<@Dingo (Caliph) - Just hack 'em and have 'em run a loop. Probably no harm in burning 'em, but never hurts to be sure. Think you could trace 'em?>
[ Spoiler ]
Time passed like drops of honey falling from a spoon into my tea: slowly, ending without clarity. Two days of not knowing if the deal was a set up, carefully orchestrated by BoP to siphon us into the light. Despite the concern, there was still preparation under the pretense that the run is legit. Blogs, tourist matrix sites and the virtual shadow scene provide basic information about the destination.
When the time comes my anxiety is high, but contained. Traveling to the airport alone isn't the problem. Being alone and vulnerable in a highly secure facility isn't the problem. Being at the start of the run, separated from my teammate is the issue.
Once in the meat grinder that is the passenger check-in & processing of Seattle International, the controlled chaos takes my focus. Check and double check. A few beads of sweat as the ID's are checked, brushed away with a casual hand. The ID's hold though. They are good; Damn good.
The flight passes quickly, my attention focused in AR the entire flight; Journals of notes about paranormal animals and the assembled data on London. What the hell am I thinking? London? Lack of local work and dwindling bank account. That's what I'm thinking.
I nearly missed the landing, either pilot or the pilot program are top notch. Heathrow is considerably different than SeaTac; Isn't every place different by its very nature though?
Exiting the cab, I look around and up. The neighborhood looks a lot like where I lived before Utah. Why is it that everything is a reference to Utah? Am I allowing it to define me? Perhaps. Time to be here, if I'm going to be here. There is there and there is done. Here is here, here is the now.
A watcher appears, summoned by my will. "See if anyone is home"
"Two" is its reply.
I call forth a small spirit of fire. "Protect me" It stays on the astral, hovering near me, vigilant.
TeamNet shows me Caliph is on site already. I assume the hacker is the other. Once inside, that is confirmed. I drop him a TeamNet ARO to join Caliph and myself. I feel strange, being the mage as the one doing it.
<<@Team [Nix] I assume we should contact our Johnson? Assuming he doesn't take us for a ride tonight, I think a ward will be in short order. I'll leave physical and matrix security to you guys.>>
(( Assuming no dissent ))
<<@Johnson [Nix] We have arrived and are at the safehouse. >>
When the time comes my anxiety is high, but contained. Traveling to the airport alone isn't the problem. Being alone and vulnerable in a highly secure facility isn't the problem. Being at the start of the run, separated from my teammate is the issue.
Once in the meat grinder that is the passenger check-in & processing of Seattle International, the controlled chaos takes my focus. Check and double check. A few beads of sweat as the ID's are checked, brushed away with a casual hand. The ID's hold though. They are good; Damn good.
The flight passes quickly, my attention focused in AR the entire flight; Journals of notes about paranormal animals and the assembled data on London. What the hell am I thinking? London? Lack of local work and dwindling bank account. That's what I'm thinking.
I nearly missed the landing, either pilot or the pilot program are top notch. Heathrow is considerably different than SeaTac; Isn't every place different by its very nature though?
Exiting the cab, I look around and up. The neighborhood looks a lot like where I lived before Utah. Why is it that everything is a reference to Utah? Am I allowing it to define me? Perhaps. Time to be here, if I'm going to be here. There is there and there is done. Here is here, here is the now.
A watcher appears, summoned by my will. "See if anyone is home"
"Two" is its reply.
I call forth a small spirit of fire. "Protect me" It stays on the astral, hovering near me, vigilant.
TeamNet shows me Caliph is on site already. I assume the hacker is the other. Once inside, that is confirmed. I drop him a TeamNet ARO to join Caliph and myself. I feel strange, being the mage as the one doing it.
<<@Team [Nix] I assume we should contact our Johnson? Assuming he doesn't take us for a ride tonight, I think a ward will be in short order. I'll leave physical and matrix security to you guys.>>
(( Assuming no dissent ))
<<@Johnson [Nix] We have arrived and are at the safehouse. >>
When Nix pops up on the radar, send him a confirmation of arrival and a hand when he rolls in. Give hime a warm enough "What's up, how was the drive? and an exaggerated eye roll towards the bugs. I staked out a corner of the safehouse with my crap, and montion him wherever else. Offer him a sip of the scotch.
<<@Team (Caliph): Gotta roll on subvocal till Dingo gives us the all clear. You talking? Got a list of questions to roll by him, when you get a word in.>>
Assemble the questions into a short text - 1. Who/what/when/where/how do we we meet the package tomorrow? 2. Are the kids in the neighborhood paid off? Know not to hassle strangers? 3. When do we meet them local boys who tripped the last run?
Aside from that, I hit up the local net, looking for a cheap car rental place more or less nearby.
<<@Team (Caliph): Gotta roll on subvocal till Dingo gives us the all clear. You talking? Got a list of questions to roll by him, when you get a word in.>>
Assemble the questions into a short text - 1. Who/what/when/where/how do we we meet the package tomorrow? 2. Are the kids in the neighborhood paid off? Know not to hassle strangers? 3. When do we meet them local boys who tripped the last run?
Aside from that, I hit up the local net, looking for a cheap car rental place more or less nearby.
In a few minutes, Nix receives a reply from his message to the Johnson/Fixer.
Welcome to the Smoke boys. I'll do ya' one last good turn and favor ya' to a pint o' good heavy, and drink ta our arrangement. See you gents tonight, call it 10 o'clock. Hope you adjust to jet lag well.
I'll be in the back corner booth. You'll know me and my associate when you see us.
The message includes a city map with directins laid out to a small irish pub called "O'Malley's".
Welcome to the Smoke boys. I'll do ya' one last good turn and favor ya' to a pint o' good heavy, and drink ta our arrangement. See you gents tonight, call it 10 o'clock. Hope you adjust to jet lag well.
I'll be in the back corner booth. You'll know me and my associate when you see us.The message includes a city map with directins laid out to a small irish pub called "O'Malley's".
<@Team (Dingo) - A loop it is. Anyone got a white noise generator? It'd be easier to let 'em see us set it up before I loop the cam than to create enough boring soundbytes to make 'em lose interest.>
Dingo yawns and stretches before sprawling out in a chair. "Wake me up when it's time for us to go, will ya?"
With that, Dingo's eyes drift closed as he slips into VR and begins tracing the signals before having his wicked way with the closest microbug and working his way out from there. Having learned his lesson earlier, he decides to avoid half-assing anything and pulls up his stealth program before having his agent begin scanning frequently for anyone watching him.
Traces:
Hacking in:
Editing for loop:
Dingo yawns and stretches before sprawling out in a chair. "Wake me up when it's time for us to go, will ya?"
With that, Dingo's eyes drift closed as he slips into VR and begins tracing the signals before having his wicked way with the closest microbug and working his way out from there. Having learned his lesson earlier, he decides to avoid half-assing anything and pulls up his stealth program before having his agent begin scanning frequently for anyone watching him.
Traces:
[ Spoiler ]
Hacking in:
[ Spoiler ]
Editing for loop:
[ Spoiler ]
Upon seeing his partner, Nix gives Caliph a firm, friendly hand-shake. He also takes the scotch and downs it. "The drive was not near as well as this drink."
<<@Nix [Team] Actually on DNI myself; Spider set than all up the the skin-linking.>>
<<@Johnson [Nix/Team] Excellent. We will be there. Couple of quick questions: What is the status of the local tuffs? Are they already paid off to avoid the house and guests? Or do we need to insure there is an understanding? In regards to the first team, have arrangements been made for us to meet them?>>
<<@Nix [Team] Dingo: Can you arrange a rental vehicle?>>
Nix looks for a reasonably clean seat and sits down. I think I need to find a spell to clean.
<<@Nix [Team] Actually on DNI myself; Spider set than all up the the skin-linking.>>
<<@Johnson [Nix/Team] Excellent. We will be there. Couple of quick questions: What is the status of the local tuffs? Are they already paid off to avoid the house and guests? Or do we need to insure there is an understanding? In regards to the first team, have arrangements been made for us to meet them?>>
<<@Nix [Team] Dingo: Can you arrange a rental vehicle?>>
Nix looks for a reasonably clean seat and sits down. I think I need to find a spell to clean.
<<<<<@Team[Johnson] There's a little group of punks, call themselves the Bastard Kobold Kings, that claim the area of their own. They know to ignore anyone using the flat, and keep an eye out for anything else out of the ordinary and report it to me. For the rest, let's have us a sit down, discuss it like proper gents. This friendly little chat is more liekly to get peeped in on then our little lock down discussion before.
Caliph - Safehouse, the Squeeze, London
Glance at Dingo, sideways - didn't expect the white noise generator idea. Don't have mine on me, but it's a good idea anyways. Shrug in response. Reciprocate Nix's hand shake and smile - he's asking Johnson all the questions I was thinking about.
Keep up the search for a car rental place, and check the time.
<<@Team (Caliph) - I'll leave for the meeting site about two hours early and scope the neighborhood. I don't get jet-lagged.>>
Until I find a car place or the time hits for the meet, I mostly just keep still and get my stuff ready.
Glance at Dingo, sideways - didn't expect the white noise generator idea. Don't have mine on me, but it's a good idea anyways. Shrug in response. Reciprocate Nix's hand shake and smile - he's asking Johnson all the questions I was thinking about.
Keep up the search for a car rental place, and check the time.
<<@Team (Caliph) - I'll leave for the meeting site about two hours early and scope the neighborhood. I don't get jet-lagged.>>
Until I find a car place or the time hits for the meet, I mostly just keep still and get my stuff ready.
Rental sites are easy enough to find. With a few more euros tossed in, a car can be remotely activated and sent out to meet up with you at your residence. Nothing comes into the Squeeze of course, but the safe house is near the edge of the district.
Caliph - Safehouse, the Squeeze, London
Glance at Dingo, gesture to the bugs in the room, and wait for the thumbs-up/thumbs-down that the bugs have been disabled. When I get the thumbs up, pipe up with "Well, I got some rental car services queued up. After we meet with Johnson and confirm details, I'll have one of the rental car places send us a car to whatever the convention hotel on our visa indicates."
I've laid out most of my stuff in the corner by now, and strung up a line for my clothes. Annoys me that I can't just throw my shit in the trunk. Make a bed on whatever passes for sleeping space, and wait for work.
Glance at Dingo, gesture to the bugs in the room, and wait for the thumbs-up/thumbs-down that the bugs have been disabled. When I get the thumbs up, pipe up with "Well, I got some rental car services queued up. After we meet with Johnson and confirm details, I'll have one of the rental car places send us a car to whatever the convention hotel on our visa indicates."
I've laid out most of my stuff in the corner by now, and strung up a line for my clothes. Annoys me that I can't just throw my shit in the trunk. Make a bed on whatever passes for sleeping space, and wait for work.
Nix - Safehouse, the Squeeze, London
<<@Johnson [Nix/Team] Got it. See you then.>>
<@Calpih [Nix/Team] I was thinking that Dingo would acquire one, or two, so he could disable the GPS and we could pump & dump the vehicle if a situation goes south. We can follow a little closer to the meeting.>>
<<@Johnson [Nix/Team] Got it. See you then.>>
<@Calpih [Nix/Team] I was thinking that Dingo would acquire one, or two, so he could disable the GPS and we could pump & dump the vehicle if a situation goes south. We can follow a little closer to the meeting.>>
Dingo eventually sighs and relaxes. That was more annoying than anything.
<@team[Dingo] Problem solved, boyos. I'm gonna keep an eye on them for a couple days, but for now, we should be dandy. Do you want me to do anything immediately about the vehicles? 'Cause, if not, then I want to go ahead and start working on the security at the target's home. Somethin' tells me this isn't a job I'll wanna rush if I can avoid it.>>
<@team[Dingo] Problem solved, boyos. I'm gonna keep an eye on them for a couple days, but for now, we should be dandy. Do you want me to do anything immediately about the vehicles? 'Cause, if not, then I want to go ahead and start working on the security at the target's home. Somethin' tells me this isn't a job I'll wanna rush if I can avoid it.>>
Caliph - Safehouse, the Squeeze, London
I shrug at Nix and Dingo's suggestions. "Fine by me. I'm pretty much useless until the meet or my shit arrives."
I shrug at Nix and Dingo's suggestions. "Fine by me. I'm pretty much useless until the meet or my shit arrives."
Nix - Safehouse, the Squeeze, London
<<@TeamNet [Nix] Let's take care of the vehicles first, then meet with the fixer. Several cab drivers already know we're here and that's more than I want. Then tonight you can scout the house from the matrix and I will run an astral recon. I agree about taking our time.>>
<<@TeamNet [Nix] Let's take care of the vehicles first, then meet with the fixer. Several cab drivers already know we're here and that's more than I want. Then tonight you can scout the house from the matrix and I will run an astral recon. I agree about taking our time.>>
Caliph - Safehouse, the Squeeze, London
<<@TeamNet [Caliph] - that's fine with me. I suggest two cars, rented on these throwaway travel IDs and delivered to the hotel our visa lists. Might as well try to keep in cover.>>
In the mean time, I bring up the map of the area around Lord Stanton's hosue and start looking for nearby landmarks - the nearest towns, etc. Look a little on the net about paracritter feeding habits, specifically since if nobody has been feeding thm, they'll be happy to see us... Reminds me, note a question for the fixer - who's had access to the house since?
<<@TeamNet [Caliph] - that's fine with me. I suggest two cars, rented on these throwaway travel IDs and delivered to the hotel our visa lists. Might as well try to keep in cover.>>
In the mean time, I bring up the map of the area around Lord Stanton's hosue and start looking for nearby landmarks - the nearest towns, etc. Look a little on the net about paracritter feeding habits, specifically since if nobody has been feeding thm, they'll be happy to see us... Reminds me, note a question for the fixer - who's had access to the house since?
The Stanton estate lies on the edge of an area classified as Wild Lands. It's the only home for approxiametly 8 kilometers. A search on a matrix map site shows the designated Wild Zone, including Danger warning signs. The estate it's self is within a kilometer of heavy forest, but the region the house sits in is classified as a Cautionary zone, and inlcudes everything from 5Km out.
Hell hounds are mainly meat eaters, unsurpsingly, with a particular preference towards heavily charred meat. Charcoal also shows up occassionally as a preffered snack.
The Fixer replies that no one should have been in the safe house for at least three weeks.
Hell hounds are mainly meat eaters, unsurpsingly, with a particular preference towards heavily charred meat. Charcoal also shows up occassionally as a preffered snack.
The Fixer replies that no one should have been in the safe house for at least three weeks.
Beautiful, nothing but open ground around the place... That's wonderful for the way I like to run things. Until then, I wait till the meet, unpack and clean what stuff I have, and begin to roll out early.
<<@TeamNet [Caliph] - I'm rolling to the meet on foot. Want to get the lay of the land a bit. See yall there.>>
Since it's a new area, I confirm a route on the map and check on assorted matrix sites to see what the street crime level in the areas are. It would be... awkward... if I got in a firefight on the way to the meet in a foreign country.
<<@TeamNet [Caliph] - I'm rolling to the meet on foot. Want to get the lay of the land a bit. See yall there.>>
Since it's a new area, I confirm a route on the map and check on assorted matrix sites to see what the street crime level in the areas are. It would be... awkward... if I got in a firefight on the way to the meet in a foreign country.
It's about an 8 km hike to the meet bar. The Squeeze is a mostly walled off area that Seattlites would called a "Z" Zone, but thankfully, the safe house is on the edges. Most of the area around it is low rent "C" areas.
Smile, stretch a little, glad at something to do. Pop a message to the Nix and Dingo - <<@TeamNet [Caliph] - Yo, I'm going to roll out, look over the meeting site. I'll find a spot for the vehicles and get the lay of the land. Any of yall need me to pick up anything?>>
Check my stuff - flask with the scotch I bought, topped off, on the left boot; holdout slivergun, topped off, in the right boot; shrug into my coat and my hat, grab my smokes and my throwaway commlink, wait for the gents, and walk out. Leaving about two and a half hours early, should give me an hour on station before the meet.
On the way, half of my brain is playing with a map of the city as I walk through, the other half is paying attention to where I'm going. The weather feels like Seattle, but the city is so different...
Check my stuff - flask with the scotch I bought, topped off, on the left boot; holdout slivergun, topped off, in the right boot; shrug into my coat and my hat, grab my smokes and my throwaway commlink, wait for the gents, and walk out. Leaving about two and a half hours early, should give me an hour on station before the meet.
On the way, half of my brain is playing with a map of the city as I walk through, the other half is paying attention to where I'm going. The weather feels like Seattle, but the city is so different...
Walking through the Squeeze isn't all that different from walking through Redmond, or any other serious Z-zone in the world. Old instincts kick in automatically. Don't stick too close to the wall, keep a weapon in sight, avoid blind turns and alleyways, and don't make eye contact. In a lot of ways, people are like animals, especially in the barrens, where survival is the only thing that is important. Respect territory, don't make challenges you don't have to , and above all, do not be perceived as prey.
Roll Intimidation or Etiquette (S) Street
Roll Intimidation or Etiquette (S) Street
[ Spoiler ]
Move down the street, keeping focused on the people around me. It's little cues, but the eye contact and posture will deter them or challenge them... either way, I hope it'll deter anyone without a profound urge to get in random trouble. As I note the passers by (and they note me.... nothing better to do here), I realize how out of place I am. Too many buildings, alleys, etc. Even more packed than Seattle. My tan is too deep, my clothes too American, and my features scream 'not from here.' Nothing to be done about it, save move in a weird routes so they won't get the clue of tracking me back to the safehouse.
Nestle a paper cup full of coffee in my cyberhand and the holdout slivergun in my real one (in my pocket). Who knows.
Nestle a paper cup full of coffee in my cyberhand and the holdout slivergun in my real one (in my pocket). Who knows.
[ Spoiler ]
Maybe it's the obvious cyber, maybe it's the bulge in the pocket, or maybe it's just that the sun is still up, hard to tell. Caliph moves with just enough speed to avoid the groups that give him a second look from their stoops. Their words follow him though.
"Indian."
"Goblin."
"Rackin' greenie."
There's hostility there, and it goes beyond tusks. Even a few other orks grumble racial slurs his way.
Keep walkin' Ghandi.
Apparently anywhere you go, ignorant hate is there and waiting. Caliph makes his way out of the Squeeze eventually, more than a few eyes following him. The biggest change from Seattle to London is the most unexpected; few really cared about the bulge in his pocket, more eyes were on his chrome.
As Caliph walks out into London proper's gray, worn streets, passed the breaks in the wall around the Squeeze, a roaring crack rolls through the sky. Already a soft gray, the clouds quickly darken and roil. In only minutes, the rain comes out of a sky that minutes ago was only slightly overcast. After only a minute in the unexpected downpour, he can begin to understand the thinking that led the english to attempt the construction of the district spanning domes, now spread far over head like rotting skeletons.
'Ey Mate! Mate! Over 'ere!
Caliph's eyes shift to the side, to the form of what appears to be a gnarled ork huddled in rags, halfway in the darkness of an alley.
"Indian."
"Goblin."
"Rackin' greenie."
There's hostility there, and it goes beyond tusks. Even a few other orks grumble racial slurs his way.
Keep walkin' Ghandi.
Apparently anywhere you go, ignorant hate is there and waiting. Caliph makes his way out of the Squeeze eventually, more than a few eyes following him. The biggest change from Seattle to London is the most unexpected; few really cared about the bulge in his pocket, more eyes were on his chrome.
As Caliph walks out into London proper's gray, worn streets, passed the breaks in the wall around the Squeeze, a roaring crack rolls through the sky. Already a soft gray, the clouds quickly darken and roil. In only minutes, the rain comes out of a sky that minutes ago was only slightly overcast. After only a minute in the unexpected downpour, he can begin to understand the thinking that led the english to attempt the construction of the district spanning domes, now spread far over head like rotting skeletons.
'Ey Mate! Mate! Over 'ere!
Caliph's eyes shift to the side, to the form of what appears to be a gnarled ork huddled in rags, halfway in the darkness of an alley.
Two feelings characterize my walk through London - amusement, that these dumbasses can't seem to figure out what kind of Indian I am, and (once the rain starts), thanks for the expensive enough English greatcoat I'm wearing. I pass by so many huddled masses in the Squeeze that the one who hailed me barely registered a second glance, before he brought attention to himself. Old habits die hard, and it is an instantaneous decision that prevents me from diving behind a car and pulling the rifle that I'm not carrying.
Instead, I glance his way, photograph him and his alleyway, and then pretend to ignore him. I turn off route, down the next street perpendicular to him, and look for an alley. As I do, I start glancing in the reflections of windows and car mirrors, checking for a tail. When I find an alley, I check to see if I'm clear and duck inside it.
The part of me that is bored from the flight begs for him to tail me; the professional part moves me deep into the alley and into concealment, the paranoid part checks out my new hidey-hole.
Instead, I glance his way, photograph him and his alleyway, and then pretend to ignore him. I turn off route, down the next street perpendicular to him, and look for an alley. As I do, I start glancing in the reflections of windows and car mirrors, checking for a tail. When I find an alley, I check to see if I'm clear and duck inside it.
The part of me that is bored from the flight begs for him to tail me; the professional part moves me deep into the alley and into concealment, the paranoid part checks out my new hidey-hole.
[ Spoiler ]
Caliph moves quick but sure, hearing a curse from the alley he left behind. Turning the corner, he gets himself on a good eye on a choke point, the unavoidable turn with no spots for a tail to hide in. It's a mistake.
WELL well, w'at 'ave we 'ere. Look a this boys. We got us a tusker, thinks he can walk through Night Boys terr'i'tory, 'appy as he pleases. Ye' got some reason ta be 'appy tuska'!?
Stepping off the stoop just across the narrow street are six humans, they're rough leathers and chains universally marking them as street thugs and gangers. The ears tusks hanging from jackets mark them as worst. Some already have blades out. A ganger with his head shaved and tattooed in celtic designs points his hefty knife Caliph's way.
Oi, Steph, check out the shine on this one! That's a hefty chunk o' tek for a tuska' like you.
The leader of the group nos, grinning.
Tha' it is Jack. That. It. Is. What say we ... "take it off 'is 'ands then". The six begin laughing as they start to spread, moving like pack hunters.
WELL well, w'at 'ave we 'ere. Look a this boys. We got us a tusker, thinks he can walk through Night Boys terr'i'tory, 'appy as he pleases. Ye' got some reason ta be 'appy tuska'!?
Stepping off the stoop just across the narrow street are six humans, they're rough leathers and chains universally marking them as street thugs and gangers. The ears tusks hanging from jackets mark them as worst. Some already have blades out. A ganger with his head shaved and tattooed in celtic designs points his hefty knife Caliph's way.
Oi, Steph, check out the shine on this one! That's a hefty chunk o' tek for a tuska' like you.
The leader of the group nos, grinning.
Tha' it is Jack. That. It. Is. What say we ... "take it off 'is 'ands then". The six begin laughing as they start to spread, moving like pack hunters.
Mother. Fuckers. I. Hate. New. Cities. The situation in front of me, and the mistake behind me, calculate immediately, as fast as the chrome running down my spinal cord can send it. The fact that they picked the wrong game to play means less than the fact that I can't afford to play right now.
The coffee cup leaves my cyberhand, straight towards the face of 'Jack', as I tuck down and MOVE, running as fast as I can. It ain't as hot as I wish it was, but he doesn't know that.
The coffee cup leaves my cyberhand, straight towards the face of 'Jack', as I tuck down and MOVE, running as fast as I can. It ain't as hot as I wish it was, but he doesn't know that.
[ Spoiler ]
Caliph gets the "drop" on them, the confident gangers not expecting the ork to react quite so quickly. The race is on.
Roll Throwing Weapons(+2 for "spread" for the hot coffee shot)
Roll Running
Roll Throwing Weapons(+2 for "spread" for the hot coffee shot)
Roll Running
The coffee leaves the hand in one of those zen-like moments of confidence, but I am already turned and moving. Sprint down the street I just turned off of, making for distance now, but looking for a gap between cars to put some mass in between me and them if they decide to pull firearms. I don't even notice when my hand left my pocket, but now it's moving with the other one, the barrel of the slivergun poking out between the index and middle fingers.
[ Spoiler ]
As Caliph makes the decision to hike out, Nix sits back waiting on a vehicle. With nothing but time, his mind wanders.
"Chief, get your ass over here." The man speaking was a gruff human throwback from two centuries back. He cared little for people not of his own race, tolerating those that furthered his own agenda. "Conjure up some mojo and tell me what's going on in that security office."
Nix, known as Grey Eagle in those days, tentatively stepped forward. He was in his early twenties then, fairly green to shadow running and lacking the confidence to stand up to the leader. "Listen its-"
Tick, the leader, turned sharply to mage, "I didn't ask for excuses. Get your ass in there."
The relatively inexperienced and much younger Nix laid down in the soft grass and stepped out of his body. He cautiously approached the security station; That same grass, dark with the night of the physical plane, glowing bright on the astral plane. The security building itself was a sharp contrast; Grey and dead. Floating over and around the building he saw the foot patrol: A mundane and dog.
They appeared to be ending their patrol and heading towards the facility's back door. Nix floated around behind them to get a look inside. That's when it started falling apart. The dog turned and begin sniffing at the air. Nix moved. It turned with him. He jumped into the sky and it began to howl. As he sped back to body, spotlights were coming on, sweeping the field between the security station and the team's position.
As he gasped a labored breath from the weight of his body pulling on his spirit as the two rejoined, he realized he was being held in the air. Tick was yelling at him, then it came. The human threw a fast, hard punch sending the sleight elf over three meters through the air. He landed hard.
"You stinking, stupid, red-skinned, dandelion eating.." The human was enraged and stalking the short distance between them, spurs now extended.
Nix had little choice. He summoned the most powerful stun bolt he was able. He released with a force that threw both through the air, the force of the mana release burning the palms of his hands from overcasting.
As the security forces began to close in, he turned and ran. Cut and run. Sometimes there was no other choice. But that wasn't the real lesson here. The real lesson was around one of trust and paranoia. One of bigotry and betrayal. Be careful who you trust and always watch your back.... and the true definition of the word assume.
He sits up, looks over at the hacker, then around the room. He summons a watcher. Look over my body. He sits back, walks out of his body and around the building, checking the astral.
"Chief, get your ass over here." The man speaking was a gruff human throwback from two centuries back. He cared little for people not of his own race, tolerating those that furthered his own agenda. "Conjure up some mojo and tell me what's going on in that security office."
Nix, known as Grey Eagle in those days, tentatively stepped forward. He was in his early twenties then, fairly green to shadow running and lacking the confidence to stand up to the leader. "Listen its-"
Tick, the leader, turned sharply to mage, "I didn't ask for excuses. Get your ass in there."
The relatively inexperienced and much younger Nix laid down in the soft grass and stepped out of his body. He cautiously approached the security station; That same grass, dark with the night of the physical plane, glowing bright on the astral plane. The security building itself was a sharp contrast; Grey and dead. Floating over and around the building he saw the foot patrol: A mundane and dog.
They appeared to be ending their patrol and heading towards the facility's back door. Nix floated around behind them to get a look inside. That's when it started falling apart. The dog turned and begin sniffing at the air. Nix moved. It turned with him. He jumped into the sky and it began to howl. As he sped back to body, spotlights were coming on, sweeping the field between the security station and the team's position.
As he gasped a labored breath from the weight of his body pulling on his spirit as the two rejoined, he realized he was being held in the air. Tick was yelling at him, then it came. The human threw a fast, hard punch sending the sleight elf over three meters through the air. He landed hard.
"You stinking, stupid, red-skinned, dandelion eating.." The human was enraged and stalking the short distance between them, spurs now extended.
Nix had little choice. He summoned the most powerful stun bolt he was able. He released with a force that threw both through the air, the force of the mana release burning the palms of his hands from overcasting.
As the security forces began to close in, he turned and ran. Cut and run. Sometimes there was no other choice. But that wasn't the real lesson here. The real lesson was around one of trust and paranoia. One of bigotry and betrayal. Be careful who you trust and always watch your back.... and the true definition of the word assume.
He sits up, looks over at the hacker, then around the room. He summons a watcher. Look over my body. He sits back, walks out of his body and around the building, checking the astral.
Caliph
The shot of espresso takes the bold leader full in the face, buying those precious seconds as most of the gangers react differently, shifitng back in surprise, or derisive laughter for a few. The more violent take it as the "go" sign, reflexivley moving to hurt. A lot.
Caliph sprints, his ork muscle and augmentations giving him the precious edge he paid so handsomely for.
0 hits for leader to dodge
3 hits for gangers run test. Caliph has the lead.
Caliph's action on second Initiative pass
The shot of espresso takes the bold leader full in the face, buying those precious seconds as most of the gangers react differently, shifitng back in surprise, or derisive laughter for a few. The more violent take it as the "go" sign, reflexivley moving to hurt. A lot.
Caliph sprints, his ork muscle and augmentations giving him the precious edge he paid so handsomely for.
0 hits for leader to dodge
3 hits for gangers run test. Caliph has the lead.
Caliph's action on second Initiative pass
Nix
Stepping out of himself, feeling the world around him, the "safe"house takes on a whole new feel. His only explanation for not feeling it before is the constant miasma of despair and loss that clings to the Squeeze. There are strong wards blocking off the safe house from the outsdie, but even so, longering emotions clong to the place, a mess of impressions ; fear, excitement, distrust, contempt, pain. Lots of pain. Someone was almost certainly tortured in one of the rooms. The place has the old feel of something passed from many hands, many lives intersecting over the years, one impression pressing over another pressing over another. There's an almost washed feel t it, as if someone has attempted a cleansing or two in the past. Nix can feel something even nastier outside, something foul. Sending his spirit beyond the confines of the ward might be something left for a more serious need.
Background count 2 within the safe house
Background count 3 within the Squeeze in general
Stepping out of himself, feeling the world around him, the "safe"house takes on a whole new feel. His only explanation for not feeling it before is the constant miasma of despair and loss that clings to the Squeeze. There are strong wards blocking off the safe house from the outsdie, but even so, longering emotions clong to the place, a mess of impressions ; fear, excitement, distrust, contempt, pain. Lots of pain. Someone was almost certainly tortured in one of the rooms. The place has the old feel of something passed from many hands, many lives intersecting over the years, one impression pressing over another pressing over another. There's an almost washed feel t it, as if someone has attempted a cleansing or two in the past. Nix can feel something even nastier outside, something foul. Sending his spirit beyond the confines of the ward might be something left for a more serious need.
Background count 2 within the safe house
Background count 3 within the Squeeze in general
Caliph
I hear the shout behind me, but it doesn't register quite. I keep sprinting and try to keep focused as I take a quick glance behind and around me, looking for the outline of a gun. A corner of my brain pulls up the mapsoft, and I copy the next intersection from it and add the words "need help. now." to the end.
Simple Action: Keep running
Simple Action: Observe in Detail.
Free action: Compose Text Message.
I hear the shout behind me, but it doesn't register quite. I keep sprinting and try to keep focused as I take a quick glance behind and around me, looking for the outline of a gun. A corner of my brain pulls up the mapsoft, and I copy the next intersection from it and add the words "need help. now." to the end.
Simple Action: Keep running
Simple Action: Observe in Detail.
Free action: Compose Text Message.
[ Spoiler ]
Caliph hauls out over the rough streets, the gangers staying close on him, but still behind. They know the terrain, they're in their home turf, but he has surprise and strength still putting him ahead. Sharp enough to know not to keep you back wide open, Caliph sacrifices a little speed for a glance at his six, spotting a ganger hauling back some sort of blade for throwing.
Thrown Weapons : 3 Hits
Thrown Weapons : 3 Hits
He moves about the house, the astral thick and muggy like a Seattle day in the Puyallups when the air is dry and wind is kicked up. He has the same gag reflex which causes his to ponder, Can I upchuck astral fluff?
Outside the flop is worse; Even thicker. He returns to his body dismayed at the realization. Watchers are worthless here.
He sits up and breaths air into his physical lungs. He sits a moment on the feeling. Normally, the physical world weighs him down in contrast to the astral. Now, here, the physical world is lighter. He lets a sigh escape. I hate this nasty place. Then reconsiders. Perhaps hate is not strong enough a word...
Outside the flop is worse; Even thicker. He returns to his body dismayed at the realization. Watchers are worthless here.
He sits up and breaths air into his physical lungs. He sits a moment on the feeling. Normally, the physical world weighs him down in contrast to the astral. Now, here, the physical world is lighter. He lets a sigh escape. I hate this nasty place. Then reconsiders. Perhaps hate is not strong enough a word...
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