Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:54 PM, In the Tunnel beneath the Tower in Redmond
Jovan glanced around at the gray, lifeless tunnel shadows around them as he thought. Indeed. We don't have that kind of time. I agree, let's head up and look for another way in at ground level. There might be certain places that would be the best to try first, given how sewers are generally laid out. Let us make haste, however. I don't know how much time we have before something dual-natured will come along and spot us - whether ghoul, metahuman, or that tiger. We must hurry.
Full Version: IC: Post or Die
Pages: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:56 PM, Annex in Redmond
<<[Jade Tiger]: Do we know if there is a connection between the Fat Man and Ghouls? He's not a Ghoul in disguise or anything is he?>>
<<[Jade Tiger]: Do we know if there is a connection between the Fat Man and Ghouls? He's not a Ghoul in disguise or anything is he?>>
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:57 PM, Near Annex, Redmond
<@team>Jade, let's not get paranoid <grin>...so if I am followin' Mr. J handed us off to Mrs. J whose our slitch, now Mrs. J may be tryin to frag with Mr. J's plan. Otherwise if Big daddy was involved with the ghouls an Fat Man's with the ghoul's why hire us in da first place? Seems more likely that Big Daddy Long legs made a deal with the ghouls and maybe the ghouls sent a representative ta talk to her.
Let's keep the job simple and just do what the J asked, get the gear and deliver it. But I am so expectin a double cross from the Mrs. J. But hey, dat why we iz paid da big bucks.
<@team>Jade, let's not get paranoid <grin>...so if I am followin' Mr. J handed us off to Mrs. J whose our slitch, now Mrs. J may be tryin to frag with Mr. J's plan. Otherwise if Big daddy was involved with the ghouls an Fat Man's with the ghoul's why hire us in da first place? Seems more likely that Big Daddy Long legs made a deal with the ghouls and maybe the ghouls sent a representative ta talk to her.
Let's keep the job simple and just do what the J asked, get the gear and deliver it. But I am so expectin a double cross from the Mrs. J. But hey, dat why we iz paid da big bucks.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:57 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond
Professor watched the woman as she flexed her arms and legs. She was tentative, but even so, her movements were fluid. she was a bit gaunt, but her muscles were like twisted ropes."I'm moving ok, but I might pass out if I stand up. What did you have in mind?"
Professor watched the woman as she flexed her arms and legs. She was tentative, but even so, her movements were fluid. she was a bit gaunt, but her muscles were like twisted ropes."I'm moving ok, but I might pass out if I stand up. What did you have in mind?"
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:57 PM, Annex in Redmond
While waiting for the drone to be dealt with electronically, Jade Tiger continues her preparation in case it needs to be dealt with physically. Her current thought form hasn't started to degrade yet, so perhaps time to focus some more mana into simpler constructs. Focus's hard, she internalizes the magic around her to allow her to move faster. Probably not fast enough to get out the way of the drone's gun, but every little helps.
While waiting for the drone to be dealt with electronically, Jade Tiger continues her preparation in case it needs to be dealt with physically. Her current thought form hasn't started to degrade yet, so perhaps time to focus some more mana into simpler constructs. Focus's hard, she internalizes the magic around her to allow her to move faster. Probably not fast enough to get out the way of the drone's gun, but every little helps.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:57 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond
"We have scouts out looking for the where to go next. We have discovered a group of ghouls in the neighbourhood. We may need to move quickly on short notice. Leaving you here alone is not an option. Could you please try standing, to see if you are able?"
"We have scouts out looking for the where to go next. We have discovered a group of ghouls in the neighbourhood. We may need to move quickly on short notice. Leaving you here alone is not an option. Could you please try standing, to see if you are able?"
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:57 PM, Near Annex, Redmond
The icon in his head sniffs for hidden nodes but he quickly realises there is nothing to find. It disappears with a 'sqeee' as he focuses his attention on the Annex's icon.
His virtual form twists and shifts as he switches around programs in preparation for hacking the node. Then he scuttles forwards and begins chewing and scratching at the node's firewall.
The icon in his head sniffs for hidden nodes but he quickly realises there is nothing to find. It disappears with a 'sqeee' as he focuses his attention on the Annex's icon.
His virtual form twists and shifts as he switches around programs in preparation for hacking the node. Then he scuttles forwards and begins chewing and scratching at the node's firewall.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:57 PM, Near Annex, Redmond
Zo looks at his AR overview. His smartlinked AK letting him know he had a full clip. He looked toward ferret expecting some news, not getting a response told him that this may take a while.
I'm thinkin dese teammates think I'll go off gunz blaz'in. Dey think cause I'm an ork barren orphan I'm just itchin ta fight at every chance. I might hav been a few years ago, but I've seen too much of dat stupidity already. I'm lucky ta be alive.
Zo grins exposing his tusks.
Zo looks at his AR overview. His smartlinked AK letting him know he had a full clip. He looked toward ferret expecting some news, not getting a response told him that this may take a while.
I'm thinkin dese teammates think I'll go off gunz blaz'in. Dey think cause I'm an ork barren orphan I'm just itchin ta fight at every chance. I might hav been a few years ago, but I've seen too much of dat stupidity already. I'm lucky ta be alive.
Zo grins exposing his tusks.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:57 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond
"Hold on a second and let me give her a shot for the muscle weakness. Her blood's likely to fill with lactic acid when she gets them limbs moving. Short term weakness, long term organ damage." A quick jab in the arm with the needle later and Oz was holding out some pills. "Sodium bicarbonate. Go ahead and take em. Will help reset your digestive tract after this bout of starvation and drop your blood's acidity even further while you soak up all that radiator water. Oughta keep you from getting kidney stones too. Enough acid in your blood and the nephrons in your kidneys fill with crystals, break off, and get jagged. Hurts like a motherfucker."
"Hold on a second and let me give her a shot for the muscle weakness. Her blood's likely to fill with lactic acid when she gets them limbs moving. Short term weakness, long term organ damage." A quick jab in the arm with the needle later and Oz was holding out some pills. "Sodium bicarbonate. Go ahead and take em. Will help reset your digestive tract after this bout of starvation and drop your blood's acidity even further while you soak up all that radiator water. Oughta keep you from getting kidney stones too. Enough acid in your blood and the nephrons in your kidneys fill with crystals, break off, and get jagged. Hurts like a motherfucker."
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:57 PM, Annex in Redmond
Jade Tiger settles into a meditative trance. There were few possible futures that did not include a fight with a load of ghouls, and being mentally prepared for that couldn't hurt. With luck they would get past this first obstacle without sounding an alarm. You never know she pondered it might just carry on its patrol, and we can get past it. Still where there was a sentry bot, there could be cameras as well, and she was pleased that a competent hacker was dealing with the matter.
Jade Tiger settles into a meditative trance. There were few possible futures that did not include a fight with a load of ghouls, and being mentally prepared for that couldn't hurt. With luck they would get past this first obstacle without sounding an alarm. You never know she pondered it might just carry on its patrol, and we can get past it. Still where there was a sentry bot, there could be cameras as well, and she was pleased that a competent hacker was dealing with the matter.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:57 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond
The girl watched the needle pop in and out of her arm. It happened fast, but she had already debated wether or not to fight it and decided to take the chance,"You're not a bad guy to have on the bench doc. I'm ready to get out of this hell hole. I'll drag myself out by one arm if I have to. Now about Charles, and what he's capable of, I couldn't tell ya. I did see him stop bullets in mid air like he was behined invisible concrete. I know the Fat man has a Shaman around, but I don't know what he's capable of."
In the old Matrix
Ferret squirmed his way through a crack in the firewall's routine. The old code itching at his biofeedback filter. Once inside the watery world of the main node gave way to an impossibly large junk yard, stacked high with scrap cars and old appliances. He could hear dogs barking in the distance, his display logging it as an alarm. As the glimmering rodent pops onto the digital dirt, there's a howl, and storm clouds begin to gather. The node is on to him. He's got nanoseconds to make his move.
In the Tunnel
Jovan had made a quick search for another way in, but the task was too complex for the time alloted. Flying back down he went for another approach, The ghouls had covered a little more ground, and he could barely make out the dogs without hovering over the pack of them. He cast his influece at the beast, trying to convey that its canine companion was challenging it's dominance. His gambut seemed to be working as the dog turned to its partner with a growl, but it left Jovan with a more immediate problem. The ghouls were jumping for him with dual natured claws glowing with adrenaline.
The girl watched the needle pop in and out of her arm. It happened fast, but she had already debated wether or not to fight it and decided to take the chance,"You're not a bad guy to have on the bench doc. I'm ready to get out of this hell hole. I'll drag myself out by one arm if I have to. Now about Charles, and what he's capable of, I couldn't tell ya. I did see him stop bullets in mid air like he was behined invisible concrete. I know the Fat man has a Shaman around, but I don't know what he's capable of."
In the old Matrix
Ferret squirmed his way through a crack in the firewall's routine. The old code itching at his biofeedback filter. Once inside the watery world of the main node gave way to an impossibly large junk yard, stacked high with scrap cars and old appliances. He could hear dogs barking in the distance, his display logging it as an alarm. As the glimmering rodent pops onto the digital dirt, there's a howl, and storm clouds begin to gather. The node is on to him. He's got nanoseconds to make his move.
In the Tunnel
Jovan had made a quick search for another way in, but the task was too complex for the time alloted. Flying back down he went for another approach, The ghouls had covered a little more ground, and he could barely make out the dogs without hovering over the pack of them. He cast his influece at the beast, trying to convey that its canine companion was challenging it's dominance. His gambut seemed to be working as the dog turned to its partner with a growl, but it left Jovan with a more immediate problem. The ghouls were jumping for him with dual natured claws glowing with adrenaline.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:57 PM, Near Annex, Redmond
Zo, still crouching behind the burnt out delivery van adjusted his position.
"C'mon Ferret--don't wanna face a gatling gun armed drone."
<@Ferret>Hey could ya hurry it up an make dat system ya bitch already?
Zo, still crouching behind the burnt out delivery van adjusted his position.
"C'mon Ferret--don't wanna face a gatling gun armed drone."
<@Ferret>Hey could ya hurry it up an make dat system ya bitch already?
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:57 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond
"That's useful info about Charles. Thanks. Yes, the Fat Man has a magician, who seemed pretty good at healing when first we met them on the Fat Man's boat." A far-off look comes across Professor's face.
"Did your team, including Charles, meet with the Fat Man on his boat?"
"That's useful info about Charles. Thanks. Yes, the Fat Man has a magician, who seemed pretty good at healing when first we met them on the Fat Man's boat." A far-off look comes across Professor's face.
"Did your team, including Charles, meet with the Fat Man on his boat?"
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:57 PM, Near Annex, Redmond
Ferret's meat body twitches and he mutters under his breath as if trying to respond to Zo's message. In the matrix, the silver ferret shimmers, brushing away the incoming message icon as he reacts to the alert at the speed of thought.
I'm in! Oh frag, I've triggered an alert. I hope that's an agent and not another decker.
He stands up on his hind legs and holds out a claw towards the coming storm. A glowing orb of code flickers to life in his palm and arcs out towards the clouds.
//security command override : return to standby mode//
If this doesn't work I'm in trouble.
Ferret's meat body twitches and he mutters under his breath as if trying to respond to Zo's message. In the matrix, the silver ferret shimmers, brushing away the incoming message icon as he reacts to the alert at the speed of thought.
I'm in! Oh frag, I've triggered an alert. I hope that's an agent and not another decker.
He stands up on his hind legs and holds out a claw towards the coming storm. A glowing orb of code flickers to life in his palm and arcs out towards the clouds.
//security command override : return to standby mode//
If this doesn't work I'm in trouble.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:58 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond
The woman watched the professor, trying to get more of a read on him. He didn't fit any of the normal stereotypes in this line of work,"Yea, the J was on a giant yacht. Part of his whole international shtick I guess. There was a whole crew, including servants and shit. "
The woman watched the professor, trying to get more of a read on him. He didn't fit any of the normal stereotypes in this line of work,"Yea, the J was on a giant yacht. Part of his whole international shtick I guess. There was a whole crew, including servants and shit. "
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:58 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond
Professor sits down beside the woman while the drug takes effect. "So did any of your team members, particularly Charles, take a jander around the yacht? Wander off from the rest of you a bit?"
Professor sits down beside the woman while the drug takes effect. "So did any of your team members, particularly Charles, take a jander around the yacht? Wander off from the rest of you a bit?"
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:57 PM, In the Tunnel in Redmond
Jovan threw himself to the side, managing to avoid the closest ghoul's dual natured claws. This unfortunately left him exposed to the other ghouls, though, and he felt the claws and teeth of several of them tear through his astral form. He could feel the stings of all their astral attacks building up quickly, even if they didn't nearly have the force of personality to be significant threats individually.
But he still had a major advantage over the ghouls in astral space. He could act at the speed of thought, whereas they were bound by the speed of their bodies in meatspace. Trying to concentrate through the growing pain, Jovan used his innate magic to hit a nearby ghoul with a powerful sense of fear to send the creature running. Moving quickly, he flew through the opening in the ghouls' formation and retreated away from most of the pack, bending the mind of another as he did so to try to create some disunity in the creatures' ranks. He allowed himself a small sense of relief as the pain quickly healed itself, but the nosferatu was unsure how long he could last against these mindless ghouls. This is insufficient. There must be a more intelligent method to be had. Let me think...
Jovan threw himself to the side, managing to avoid the closest ghoul's dual natured claws. This unfortunately left him exposed to the other ghouls, though, and he felt the claws and teeth of several of them tear through his astral form. He could feel the stings of all their astral attacks building up quickly, even if they didn't nearly have the force of personality to be significant threats individually.
But he still had a major advantage over the ghouls in astral space. He could act at the speed of thought, whereas they were bound by the speed of their bodies in meatspace. Trying to concentrate through the growing pain, Jovan used his innate magic to hit a nearby ghoul with a powerful sense of fear to send the creature running. Moving quickly, he flew through the opening in the ghouls' formation and retreated away from most of the pack, bending the mind of another as he did so to try to create some disunity in the creatures' ranks. He allowed himself a small sense of relief as the pain quickly healed itself, but the nosferatu was unsure how long he could last against these mindless ghouls. This is insufficient. There must be a more intelligent method to be had. Let me think...
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:57 PM, Annex in Redmond
Jade Tiger sinks further into the meditative trance, enjoying the calm before the storm.
Jade Tiger sinks further into the meditative trance, enjoying the calm before the storm.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:57 PM, Annex in Redmond
Zo just sits there. Waiting for Ferret to diable the drone.
Zo just sits there. Waiting for Ferret to diable the drone.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:57 PM, Near Annex, Redmond
As the clouds darkened over Ferret's Icon, he waited for his command to go through.
//Access denied /Firewall interrupt / Account anomalies ://
Lightning struck the ground a few car lengths down the lot, and a large troll woman appeared as if this was a Gob-rock video. She was a large spiky Valkyrie with a giant axe. Ferrets Analyzer was already flashing AGENT.
As the clouds darkened over Ferret's Icon, he waited for his command to go through.
//Access denied /Firewall interrupt / Account anomalies ://
Lightning struck the ground a few car lengths down the lot, and a large troll woman appeared as if this was a Gob-rock video. She was a large spiky Valkyrie with a giant axe. Ferrets Analyzer was already flashing AGENT.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:58 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond
"Where you going with this line of thought Prof? Someone wanders off and makes a side deal with the dragon-lady? Not sure if they'd need anything that overt. A simple comm message could do it. Still, this whole line of action with Chuck in the Hat and lady Silvereyes bumping someone off is giving me a rising urge to kill a bitch." He turned to the recovering woman, "Pardon my manners. Speaking of which, I don't think I got your handle. Mine's Oswald."
"Where you going with this line of thought Prof? Someone wanders off and makes a side deal with the dragon-lady? Not sure if they'd need anything that overt. A simple comm message could do it. Still, this whole line of action with Chuck in the Hat and lady Silvereyes bumping someone off is giving me a rising urge to kill a bitch." He turned to the recovering woman, "Pardon my manners. Speaking of which, I don't think I got your handle. Mine's Oswald."
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:57 PM, Near Annex, Redmond
<@Ferret>Hurry-up in there I taught the Matrix was supposed to be faster than me. My trigger finger is gettin itchy, an I think I'm in a target rich enviroment.
<@Ferret>Hurry-up in there I taught the Matrix was supposed to be faster than me. My trigger finger is gettin itchy, an I think I'm in a target rich enviroment.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:58 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond
The woman nodded her head towards Oswald, brushing her brown hair out of her eyes "I go by Sandy. like the desert, and I don't recall anybody wandering of during the meet. Of course, I was paying attention to a whole lot of things at the time, coulda missed it."
In the Tunnel
One ghoul was off and running, and a second was turning on his kin. Jovan had bought himself some breathing room. His air elemental and drifted back out of reach of the mob,"Can I serve you in some way in this sir?" he said, putting emphasis on the word "serve". The ghouls were already jumping his way again.
Up above, the Sentry gun slowly whirred down the rail, passing the huddled team behind the burnt out van. Aside from a few twitches, Ferret was unresponsive.
The woman nodded her head towards Oswald, brushing her brown hair out of her eyes "I go by Sandy. like the desert, and I don't recall anybody wandering of during the meet. Of course, I was paying attention to a whole lot of things at the time, coulda missed it."
In the Tunnel
One ghoul was off and running, and a second was turning on his kin. Jovan had bought himself some breathing room. His air elemental and drifted back out of reach of the mob,"Can I serve you in some way in this sir?" he said, putting emphasis on the word "serve". The ghouls were already jumping his way again.
Up above, the Sentry gun slowly whirred down the rail, passing the huddled team behind the burnt out van. Aside from a few twitches, Ferret was unresponsive.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:58 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond
"You may recall, Oswald, a lot of drek happened during our job meet on the yacht, and afterwards. It's an awful coincidence that someone seems to be working to usurp the Fat Man and an attempt was made to blow up his yacht while we were there.
"I go by the name Professor, Sandy. It's unfortunate that you seem to have been caught up in some double dealing by a teammate of yours. I want you to know that we made it clear to our employer that we were not interested in any sort of wetwork to punish those who diverted his cargo. He seemed content with that position."
"You may recall, Oswald, a lot of drek happened during our job meet on the yacht, and afterwards. It's an awful coincidence that someone seems to be working to usurp the Fat Man and an attempt was made to blow up his yacht while we were there.
"I go by the name Professor, Sandy. It's unfortunate that you seem to have been caught up in some double dealing by a teammate of yours. I want you to know that we made it clear to our employer that we were not interested in any sort of wetwork to punish those who diverted his cargo. He seemed content with that position."
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:57 PM, Annex in Redmond
<<[Jade Tiger] OK the gun has moved past. However if there is a gun there are probably cameras so I suggest we wait for Ferret to return. On the subject of waiting: any word from Jovan?>>
<<Are the rest of you coming? No pressure but there are a drekload of man-eating Ghouls in this place. I don't want them to get a taste for Tiger>>
<<[Jade Tiger] OK the gun has moved past. However if there is a gun there are probably cameras so I suggest we wait for Ferret to return. On the subject of waiting: any word from Jovan?>>
<<Are the rest of you coming? No pressure but there are a drekload of man-eating Ghouls in this place. I don't want them to get a taste for Tiger>>
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:57 PM, Near Annex, Redmond
Zo whispering to Jade. "Why wait? I can just throw da dwarf over my shoders an hoof it to the next bit of cover."
<@Team>Tiger tail? Heard it is delicious.
Zo whispering to Jade. "Why wait? I can just throw da dwarf over my shoders an hoof it to the next bit of cover."
<@Team>Tiger tail? Heard it is delicious.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:57 PM, Annex in Redmond
Jade quickly scans her usual list of put down lines
None of them seems appropriate. She quite liked Zo's attitude in general. Instead she pointedly ignored the comment and...
"Ok. Lets go. Keep your hands on your gun."
With that she threw the dwarf over her shoulder and hoofed it to the next bit of cover
Jade quickly scans her usual list of put down lines
- "Sorry, but after meeting you I'm thinking of becoming a lesbian."
- "OK Mister, how many times do I have to flush before you go away?"
- "See no evil, hear no evil, date no evil."
- "Just out of curiosity, are your parents siblings?"
None of them seems appropriate. She quite liked Zo's attitude in general. Instead she pointedly ignored the comment and...
"Ok. Lets go. Keep your hands on your gun."
With that she threw the dwarf over her shoulder and hoofed it to the next bit of cover
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:57 PM, Near Annex, Redmond
Zo followed Jade as they moved closer to the Annex, keeping his gun ready should the drone return.
Zo followed Jade as they moved closer to the Annex, keeping his gun ready should the drone return.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:58 PM, In the Tunnel
Jovan thought about the situation for a moment. There! An idea went through his disjointed mind. A simple idea, but effective if done properly. He switched his attention to the spirit as he began to move backwards down the tunnel again. "Such impatience. You can assist me in this situation. 'Serve' is not the appropriate word. Come, this way. Direct confrontation against these ghouls is useless and crude. Best to exploit their physical limitations in their own physical plane than to fight them upfront." He began leading the pack of hungry ghouls down the tunnel, towards the fork in the path.
Phoenix Mall in Redmond, Near the Overturned Truck
The hazy floating eyeball had been surprisingly silent for several minutes as Jovan continued to deal with the ghoul pack. Suddenly it broke the reverie of silence. "The basement of the tower, where that shootout took place. What did Ferret find there that was still working? The security drones, are they still functional? And the door, does it have any sort of electronic locking mechanism wired to the building node?"
Jovan thought about the situation for a moment. There! An idea went through his disjointed mind. A simple idea, but effective if done properly. He switched his attention to the spirit as he began to move backwards down the tunnel again. "Such impatience. You can assist me in this situation. 'Serve' is not the appropriate word. Come, this way. Direct confrontation against these ghouls is useless and crude. Best to exploit their physical limitations in their own physical plane than to fight them upfront." He began leading the pack of hungry ghouls down the tunnel, towards the fork in the path.
Phoenix Mall in Redmond, Near the Overturned Truck
The hazy floating eyeball had been surprisingly silent for several minutes as Jovan continued to deal with the ghoul pack. Suddenly it broke the reverie of silence. "The basement of the tower, where that shootout took place. What did Ferret find there that was still working? The security drones, are they still functional? And the door, does it have any sort of electronic locking mechanism wired to the building node?"
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:58 PM, Near Annex, Redmond
Ferret's meat body twitches as one of the lightning bolts fries the command code in his digital paw.
//Access denied /Firewall interrupt / Account anomalies ://
Frag...
He doesn't finish the thought. Instead he's moving. Moving at the speed of thought. Dropping to all fours he scuttles between troll Valkyrie's legs, slashing with one claw at her achilles tendon in a desperate and likely vain attempt to slow the agent down.
I just hope that axe is a vanilla attack programa and not Black IC.
He cuts sharply left into the nearest alley between the compressed data stacks. Twin beams of light flare from his rodent eyes as he scans for the security drone's icon.
Ferret's meat body twitches as one of the lightning bolts fries the command code in his digital paw.
//Access denied /Firewall interrupt / Account anomalies ://
Frag...
He doesn't finish the thought. Instead he's moving. Moving at the speed of thought. Dropping to all fours he scuttles between troll Valkyrie's legs, slashing with one claw at her achilles tendon in a desperate and likely vain attempt to slow the agent down.
I just hope that axe is a vanilla attack programa and not Black IC.
He cuts sharply left into the nearest alley between the compressed data stacks. Twin beams of light flare from his rodent eyes as he scans for the security drone's icon.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:58 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond
"I'm surprised I recall anything about that meeting. Seems like it was a year ago after all this mess."
"I'm surprised I recall anything about that meeting. Seems like it was a year ago after all this mess."
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:58 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond
"Yeah. 'What a difference a day makes' the old song says. Listen, Sandy. We know of your rigger, your magician, the young hacker we haven't found yet, and you. Is there anybody else we should watch out for? Most everyone and everything we meet in this place seems to be out to eat us, and our trigger fingers are getting twitchy."
"Yeah. 'What a difference a day makes' the old song says. Listen, Sandy. We know of your rigger, your magician, the young hacker we haven't found yet, and you. Is there anybody else we should watch out for? Most everyone and everything we meet in this place seems to be out to eat us, and our trigger fingers are getting twitchy."
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:58 PM, Annex in Redmond
<<[Jade Tiger] Not wanting to chase you guys or anything, but are you heading here <embedded ARO> and if so what is your ETA. This looks like Ghoul Central, and a bit of support would be good. While we are at it, has Jovan reported back? A report from an astral scout would be useful>>
<<[Jade Tiger] Not wanting to chase you guys or anything, but are you heading here <embedded ARO> and if so what is your ETA. This looks like Ghoul Central, and a bit of support would be good. While we are at it, has Jovan reported back? A report from an astral scout would be useful>>
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:59 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond
Professor holds a hand to his ear, in an archaic demonstration that a message is coming through. <<@Jade Tiger: Yeah, we're finishing up here. Heading out momentarily.>>
"Listen, Sandy. Our buddies are having some ghoul fun down by the Annex. We're going to have to head down there. You alright to tag along, or you need to rest here some more? Either way, we have to move."
Professor holds a hand to his ear, in an archaic demonstration that a message is coming through. <<@Jade Tiger: Yeah, we're finishing up here. Heading out momentarily.>>
"Listen, Sandy. Our buddies are having some ghoul fun down by the Annex. We're going to have to head down there. You alright to tag along, or you need to rest here some more? Either way, we have to move."
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:59 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond
"Are you out of your mind? You want to wade further into this hell? I can point and click at targets just fine from here. If anything, I'd be happy to lock myself into this nice armored truck and run my bots from the security of two solid inches of plastisteel. Sandy can wait with me if she's still too weak to try and run for it, but I'll be fucked if you think I'm walking into that warehouse until it's cleared."
"Are you out of your mind? You want to wade further into this hell? I can point and click at targets just fine from here. If anything, I'd be happy to lock myself into this nice armored truck and run my bots from the security of two solid inches of plastisteel. Sandy can wait with me if she's still too weak to try and run for it, but I'll be fucked if you think I'm walking into that warehouse until it's cleared."
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:59 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond
"Do you think we're safer here, just the two of us?"
"Do you think we're safer here, just the two of us?"
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:59 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond
Looking around, Sandy asked half to herself,"Did you guys come on foot?"
In the Matrix
Ferret's Icon gnawed at the Valkyrie's leg, but the firewall was really hampering any damage he tried to inflict. The Large troll woman swung the ax down on the tiny rodent with a blast of bad code. Ferret was already reaching out to find the Drone before he gets crashed. His security access still got him what he was looking for. He popped open a window with a list of drones, crossed with the location, it popped up the rail drone. It's status reported that it was out of ammo. He barely had time to absorb the information before the electric Amazon shot lightning from her eyes.
In the tunnel
The ghouls had started following Jovan with intensity, but a harsh sound stopped them in their tracks. A high pitched whistle filled the ghouls with a mix of fear and urgency. They began to run back the other way. The whole group, dogs and all began to head through the large doors at the other end.
Looking around, Sandy asked half to herself,"Did you guys come on foot?"
In the Matrix
Ferret's Icon gnawed at the Valkyrie's leg, but the firewall was really hampering any damage he tried to inflict. The Large troll woman swung the ax down on the tiny rodent with a blast of bad code. Ferret was already reaching out to find the Drone before he gets crashed. His security access still got him what he was looking for. He popped open a window with a list of drones, crossed with the location, it popped up the rail drone. It's status reported that it was out of ammo. He barely had time to absorb the information before the electric Amazon shot lightning from her eyes.
In the tunnel
The ghouls had started following Jovan with intensity, but a harsh sound stopped them in their tracks. A high pitched whistle filled the ghouls with a mix of fear and urgency. They began to run back the other way. The whole group, dogs and all began to head through the large doors at the other end.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:59 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond
"Never seen a zombie pick a lock. Besides, the truck is out of doors. They come by, and I'll start popping their heads like balloons. But, yeah, we came in on foot for a ways. Word is this place is littered with booby traps, and, not knowing where they were had the more cautious of us on edge. The less cautious one drove her recently stolen motorcycle into some kind of evil dog thing. It might not be totally scrapped. Should be nearby."
"Never seen a zombie pick a lock. Besides, the truck is out of doors. They come by, and I'll start popping their heads like balloons. But, yeah, we came in on foot for a ways. Word is this place is littered with booby traps, and, not knowing where they were had the more cautious of us on edge. The less cautious one drove her recently stolen motorcycle into some kind of evil dog thing. It might not be totally scrapped. Should be nearby."
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:58 PM, Annex in Redmond
<@Ferret>Jade is moving your meat bod. Don't be suprised if you wake up looking at her ass.....
Have fun.
<@Ferret>Jade is moving your meat bod. Don't be suprised if you wake up looking at her ass.....
Have fun.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:59 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond
Ever the egoist, Jovan's thoughts did not sound pleased with being ignored as they came in through the floating eyeball while the ghouls ran after him elsewhere. "Doth thou have no ears? Doth thou understandeth telepathy not? I have an entire pack of mindless things eager to consume me, and you two are sitting here in idle chatter! I say aga-"
Suddenly, his voice halted as something must have caught his attention. Nothing came from Jovan for several seconds, so the watcher decided to explain. "Master is confused!" it said cheerfully.
Ever the egoist, Jovan's thoughts did not sound pleased with being ignored as they came in through the floating eyeball while the ghouls ran after him elsewhere. "Doth thou have no ears? Doth thou understandeth telepathy not? I have an entire pack of mindless things eager to consume me, and you two are sitting here in idle chatter! I say aga-"
Suddenly, his voice halted as something must have caught his attention. Nothing came from Jovan for several seconds, so the watcher decided to explain. "Master is confused!" it said cheerfully.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:59 PM, In the Tunnel
What is this new development? Jovan was taken a bit off guard. He had begun to think that his chances of finding the ghoul Jonathan in this place were vanishingly slim, that the man had left his entourage in Redmond to attend to whatever conspiring business he had with their metal-eyed employer. But perhaps not. Perhaps it would be possible to hunt him down here in Redmond. Of course, the existence of the possible trainer that had blown that whistle did not necessarily imply that it was Jonathan himself. With these thoughts going through his mind, he drifted forward towards the twin doors at the end of the tunnel. We must move out of line of their Sight for the moment, elemental. Behind the door. He moved into the gap between the open left-hand door and the tunnel wall, and quietly manifested into the physical world to try to listen in on what was happening beyond the doorway.
What is this new development? Jovan was taken a bit off guard. He had begun to think that his chances of finding the ghoul Jonathan in this place were vanishingly slim, that the man had left his entourage in Redmond to attend to whatever conspiring business he had with their metal-eyed employer. But perhaps not. Perhaps it would be possible to hunt him down here in Redmond. Of course, the existence of the possible trainer that had blown that whistle did not necessarily imply that it was Jonathan himself. With these thoughts going through his mind, he drifted forward towards the twin doors at the end of the tunnel. We must move out of line of their Sight for the moment, elemental. Behind the door. He moved into the gap between the open left-hand door and the tunnel wall, and quietly manifested into the physical world to try to listen in on what was happening beyond the doorway.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:59 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond
The troll valkyrie shrugs off his attack as he expected. He never had been good at cybercombat. His eyebeams highlight the drone's icon and data flows.
//Ammunition:0//
<<No ammo! The drone has no ammo! Squeeee....>>
Let it not be black IC. Let it not be black IC. he chants to himself. Out, out, out!
//Command:logoff//
The troll valkyrie shrugs off his attack as he expected. He never had been good at cybercombat. His eyebeams highlight the drone's icon and data flows.
//Ammunition:0//
<<No ammo! The drone has no ammo! Squeeee....>>
Let it not be black IC. Let it not be black IC. he chants to himself. Out, out, out!
//Command:logoff//
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:59 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond
Oswald sighed and opened up the vocal comm channel for Jovan's benefit. <<Hey Ferret. Joe wants to know if there's any automated systems in the the tower basement. Guns, security doors, whatever. I think he may be tits deep in angry ghouls and looking for a way to take care of them.>> Oswald turns to the floating eyeball. "If all you want is to see the ghoulies dead, just show them the sky. Soon as that happens, I'll kill the whole lot of them."
Oswald sighed and opened up the vocal comm channel for Jovan's benefit. <<Hey Ferret. Joe wants to know if there's any automated systems in the the tower basement. Guns, security doors, whatever. I think he may be tits deep in angry ghouls and looking for a way to take care of them.>> Oswald turns to the floating eyeball. "If all you want is to see the ghoulies dead, just show them the sky. Soon as that happens, I'll kill the whole lot of them."
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:59 PM, Annex in Redmond
Jade Tiger focus's for a moment, then summons a simple watcher. "Find Jovan, tell him where we are, and that we are prepared to deal with the Ghouls. We can help lure them outside, and provide support if needed. Return to me with any message that he may have"
<<[Jade Tiger] I'm sending a watcher with this message too, but if you can tell Jovan where we are, and that we are prepared to deal with the Ghouls, then we can help pull them outside>>
Jade Tiger focus's for a moment, then summons a simple watcher. "Find Jovan, tell him where we are, and that we are prepared to deal with the Ghouls. We can help lure them outside, and provide support if needed. Return to me with any message that he may have"
<<[Jade Tiger] I'm sending a watcher with this message too, but if you can tell Jovan where we are, and that we are prepared to deal with the Ghouls, then we can help pull them outside>>
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:59 PM, Annex in Redmond
Zo talks in almost a whisper trying to keep his voice low. "Jade, do you da mojo to know how many pasties are in da place? So we knowz what we up against, and if dey are gun carry'n type? Dat an tossin grenades around corners is allota fun."
Zo talks in almost a whisper trying to keep his voice low. "Jade, do you da mojo to know how many pasties are in da place? So we knowz what we up against, and if dey are gun carry'n type? Dat an tossin grenades around corners is allota fun."
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:59 PM, Annex in Redmond
Jade Tiger whispers in reply"Unfortunately not. From the smell of them, there are quite a few. I have thoughtforms that can scout, but they take around 10 mins, and I suspect we don't have that long. I can however toss grenades around corners, fly, melee, break things and I have a few respectable area spells. If you stay so that I cannot see you, then you will be mostly safe from them."
"The problem with astral scouting as opposed to mojo is that the ghouls will see the thoughtforms and chase them. If you want, I could get one to lure some this way... It would be quite nice if we are the ambushers instead of the ambushees"
Jade Tiger whispers in reply"Unfortunately not. From the smell of them, there are quite a few. I have thoughtforms that can scout, but they take around 10 mins, and I suspect we don't have that long. I can however toss grenades around corners, fly, melee, break things and I have a few respectable area spells. If you stay so that I cannot see you, then you will be mostly safe from them."
"The problem with astral scouting as opposed to mojo is that the ghouls will see the thoughtforms and chase them. If you want, I could get one to lure some this way... It would be quite nice if we are the ambushers instead of the ambushees"
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:59 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond
"Yeah, on foot seemed to be the better idea at the time. I honestly don't like the idea that we are so spread out. Were either of you astrally capable, I would try to head out and check the motorcycle. At least I can try to figure out where it is. If you have any location information, Oswald, let me know."
Professor gets as high as he can on some lampposts and triangulates from his position to locate where he thinks the bike is.
"Yeah, on foot seemed to be the better idea at the time. I honestly don't like the idea that we are so spread out. Were either of you astrally capable, I would try to head out and check the motorcycle. At least I can try to figure out where it is. If you have any location information, Oswald, let me know."
Professor gets as high as he can on some lampposts and triangulates from his position to locate where he thinks the bike is.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:59 PM, Annex in Redmond
<@ Team>Could somebody get ahold of Joe? What da frag is he up ta anyway? I'd think he'd be done with da scoutin by now. Haz he contacted ya Oz or Prof? Anny of ya fraggers comming to joing the ferret, tiger and orcs <oh my!>. I could start singing follow the yellow brick road but I don't think it would help.
<@ Team>Could somebody get ahold of Joe? What da frag is he up ta anyway? I'd think he'd be done with da scoutin by now. Haz he contacted ya Oz or Prof? Anny of ya fraggers comming to joing the ferret, tiger and orcs <oh my!>. I could start singing follow the yellow brick road but I don't think it would help.
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:00 AM, Annex in Redmond
The Thunder in Ferret's ears faded like the sound in headphones as you take them off. He's in one piece, though his icon was nearly cut in half. Zo and Jade look like they're ready to make a move, and the drone on the rail ahead has just turned the corner.
The warehouse is long. The parking lot in front of them is barely large enough to hold the trucks that would back up to the doors. The building is two stories tall. and most of the bay doors don't reach the ground. There's a set of stairs leading to a door to the right of that, followed by two bay doors that start at ground level.
The thought form Jade summoned takes off in search of Jovan.
Just outside the bay doors in the tunnel, Jovan tries to see what's going down. The next room is a huge space with large racks going from floor to ceiling on either side of a wide space. In this space is parked a row of large trucks. The ghouls are making their way passed these tractor trailers as a glowing ball of ether slides up beside the mage and conveys the weretiger's message.
The Thunder in Ferret's ears faded like the sound in headphones as you take them off. He's in one piece, though his icon was nearly cut in half. Zo and Jade look like they're ready to make a move, and the drone on the rail ahead has just turned the corner.
The warehouse is long. The parking lot in front of them is barely large enough to hold the trucks that would back up to the doors. The building is two stories tall. and most of the bay doors don't reach the ground. There's a set of stairs leading to a door to the right of that, followed by two bay doors that start at ground level.
The thought form Jade summoned takes off in search of Jovan.
Just outside the bay doors in the tunnel, Jovan tries to see what's going down. The next room is a huge space with large racks going from floor to ceiling on either side of a wide space. In this space is parked a row of large trucks. The ghouls are making their way passed these tractor trailers as a glowing ball of ether slides up beside the mage and conveys the weretiger's message.
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:00 AM, Annex in Redmond
Ferret rubs his temples. Fortunately the troll agent was only running a standard attack program, but he could still feel the axe as it had bit into his digital body and his headware was a mess. He kills his attack prog with a thought, booting up his medic program in its place. It would take it a while to clean up his system but nothing seemed really fragged.
"Okay, I'm back in my meat body. The drone is out of ammo but this system has taken a dislike to me so I can't help there unless we get to the main server inside. Any sign of the trucks or the ghouls?"
Ferret rubs his temples. Fortunately the troll agent was only running a standard attack program, but he could still feel the axe as it had bit into his digital body and his headware was a mess. He kills his attack prog with a thought, booting up his medic program in its place. It would take it a while to clean up his system but nothing seemed really fragged.
"Okay, I'm back in my meat body. The drone is out of ammo but this system has taken a dislike to me so I can't help there unless we get to the main server inside. Any sign of the trucks or the ghouls?"
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.