<< We still have a couple Narcojet gas grenades from Battery, maybe those can be useful to keep casualties at a minimum. Anna has them. Maybe I could take one of those, my armor is sealed, so I could just put it on my armor and trigger it when it makes sense. Also, how about external responses? Will the police interfere? Maybe we need something to keep them busy? Do we have enough explosives available for a quick diversion or two? Do we have enough to make the one tunnel big enough for vehicles inaccessible, so they cannot get out that way? Do we know where the guards have their armory with the heavier stuff? Would be good to prevent them from getting there. >>

<<I don't think they'll call regular police - too much explaining about the secret installation. The guards are stationed mainly on the ground level to secure the entrances.>>
Eliza replied, indicating on her map that the security station was pretty exactly in the middle of the complex, next to the elevator shafts.

<< Maybe not them, but someone else might. Unless they have soundproofed their whole facility, that is. >>

<<A few thousand tons of stone around is plenty of sound proofing>>

<< It's that deep in, eh? Alright, then. >>

"What do you know about their magical security? Do they have bound spirits patrol the astral, or simply mages ready to summon spirits if needed?"

<<That's a big distance to cover quickly. Is there enough space in there for us to drive a big armored truck right down their throat and back out again?>>

<<No bound spirits on guard duty, but strong Watcher constructs. Thanks to the big amount of earth and stone around, there is no easy way for spirits to enter from the astral except through the normal passage ways.

As I mentioned before, there is only one tunnel broad enough for vehicles, which is the one coming from the North. But there are several security gates of which only one can be opened at the same time. Motorcycles would possibly be an option to traverse the tunnels quickly.>>

"That's good news for once."
As much as Wraith regretted being unable to call spirits for aid, same would go for the enemy's mages.

"Now, about entering... We obviously need to be fast, before he gets his knives on Kerstin.
They know how dangerous Kerstin is, they'll have plenty of personnel escort her at the Steingasse. The sooner we strike, the thinner their forces should be at the other entries.
Then... To me the west entrance sounds like our best shot as long as they're distracted at the Steingasse, what do you guys think?

Problematic will be how we get bnc - they'll likely watch her as soon as she leaves. Any ideas for that?"

Suddenly, a voice message arrives the team channel. It's bnc's voice, and she sounds excited.
"Team? Ist that you? Can you hear me? I think, you must be close to me!"

Eliza replied at once on the team channel:<<bnc! Is that really you? Can you prove your identity with a random fact?>>

"Uhm. I had a fight concerning the concept of loyalty at the place where Anna hooked up with a random shadowrunner.
Look, I met a technomancer who might be able to open the doors quite soon. Have you already found out where we are?"

>>We were just talking about how best to kick down the door and drag you out.

>>Sprinklers cam the coffee machine and turned it into a weapon. Do you even need our help evil genius?

A million thoughts raced through Wraith's head. bnc! That crazy bitch did it.
He was relieved, incredibly relieved, that his friend was seemingly alive and rather well instead of lying on an chirurgic table. Not only relieved, he was also worried that something - anything - might happen, like it always does when things go too well. What could this be, an elaborate plan so Rosenberg can get the whole team?
"bnc? Hey, be careful with that techno.
Ugh, nevermind. We expect you to be on the third underground floor of the Kapuziner facility. There's only one lift that leads upwards.

"I know, she might be a trap. But why set a trap when he already has me? Bring yourself into position, and I see what I can do."

Nova only spoke in the real world. "This could very well be a trap. They want Kerstin, after all, not bnc. This way, they can possibly control our actions."

"Are you ready? She says she can open the doors now."

"We need just a few more minutes to get there."
"Team, ready to roll out? I'm not sure if Kerstin should join us, though, might be a trap."

"I don't know about that. If it's a trap, we are likely better off together than seperated. Just assume it could be one and be prepared for the worst."

"Whatever we do, we have to act now." Nacl's voice was calm but forceful. "You go and get in through the top exit. Since her companion seems to be able to control the sensors inside, it should be able to let you in undetected as well.
Meanwhile, I'll distract them in the Steingasse entrance. I have a few tricks I can employ for that.
Kerstin, you and Splitterbruch stay with me - I might need your help and - if all else fails - show them that you are actually there for the exchange."

Sharkboy did one last check of his arrows and grenades before heading towards the top exit. "Alright, we'll get inside and then engage when you ring the bell."

"You better hurry! I don't know whether the security breech has gone unseen! On your word!"

"bitch" she murmurs to herself "genius irresponsible bitch"

"It is unlikely that bnc still have her deck... Didn't they scan her for cyber-Bioware? or assense her?

Inside her head or not, a deck is detectable for a facility of this proficiency. Isn't it so?

Why didn't they take the deck out? Perhaps bnc does not know that it is a trap?

Kerstin, what about your agent drone? We need some independent decking ability. Or perhaps Eliza can help us? "

"They were in quite a hurry and not too much time has passed. They might not have gotten around to scanning her, yet. And they might not know about her implanted deck. Think positive, I guess! But stay alert. Anyways, let's go. Good luck, everyone!"

Anna is paranoid and thinks that they are sloppy for missing out on a deck when Anna can get to the other side of town within minutes and assense. Full mages are rare, but cooperations with secret magic research... they should have access. If not to technology. Also happening to meet a technomancer friend that can control the facility seems like the stars themselves have aligned in perfect formation. Any time things feel too good to be true, Anna assumes that they are not true.

Without thinking, she texts bnc one of her sexy pictures in a bikini with the caption >>I can't wait to feel you again. My body is still shivering from the last time.

Rationalizing the deed, later Anna explains to herself that bnc knows that Anna is furious for being electrocuted, and abused and physically in pain because bnc lacked the people skills to buzz her off more gently. (To Anna's view). She expects that the genius decker would put 1+1 together and figure out that Anna is not flirting with her. Not at all, Anna is actually sending a message that is not what it appears to be to indicate to bnc that she suspects that things may not as they appear to be with her story. The sophistication is necessary because as far as Anna is concerned technomancers can break the rules of the matrix, and who knows... maybe the technofriend can read messages to bnc.

The way up the Kapuziner Hill was steep and strenous - especially at night with ice and snow on the not-cleared foot paths.
Still, with the right motivation, the runner made it to the point marked by an ARO. Barely visible under the snow he saw the hatch, looking for all the world like the cover of a cistern. Kerstin had - reluctantly - given her hacking drone to Sharkboy. And indeed, it took the little drone only a few seconds until the maglock changed from red to green, allowing him to enter the shaft.

bnc responds to Anna on the personal channel.
"Either you got hacked or you really do have a bad sense for romance. Let's first survive, then say sorry and then continue creepy stalker stuff, so-ka?"

She responds >> Don't judge a book by its cover.


Prior to their arrival to the location, Anna asks "What do we want about spells? I can provide some invisibility or some safety with magic... if we are interested."

Sharboy waits to get word that they're clear of active sensors before proceeding through the upper entrance-way, chattering back at Anna in the meantime.

"That's for you and Wraith to figure out. I can't really sense what we're up against, so make the best call you two see fit.

Prep my music. We make our entrance when you give the signal."

Meanwhile, Nacl had moved into position and opened a feed to Dr. Rosenberg:
<<Alright. Against my better judgement, Kerstin is ready to exchange herself for her sister. Bring her up and into the open.>>
Almost immediately, Dr. Rosenberg replied, asking for Kerstin to enter the Steingasse entrance for the exchange. It was clear that the team wouldn't have more than five minutes before the negotiations reached an impasse.

"The techno is now going to open our cells. Let's move!"

"" Depends if we want to move quickly or stealthily.
But personally, I guess their cameras and watchers will spot us anyways, so we might as well come with some magical protection. I'd say it's worth the risk of drawing a little extra attention - our special snowflakes are a beacon on the astral anyway. "

"So invisibility against mundane means?" she suggests.


...


Later "When the Maglock opens, Anna sneaks in and takes a quick look for both sides.

"If you can keep so may people invisible, that sounds great."

Wraith had kept his astral sight active around the entry and looked for astral security measures.
When the lid was opened, he carefully listened for any sounds that might indicate close-by activity.
"Everything clear?", he asked Anna after she snuck in. "This will be the last opportunity to summon a spirit - I'll try calling for one if we're clear."