Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:00, Annex in Redmond

Jade Tiger lowers Ferret gently to the floor.

<<We are trying to get coordinated. Jovan is off somewhere, and we hope to get him to lead the ghouls here. There is a nice ambush set up for them outside, so we'll lead them there. The Prof is heading here I think.>>

<<I'm going to check out the bay doors. Cover me.>> she glares as Oz he leers at her <<I mean shoot anything that tries to attack me>>

Jade Tiger moves over to the doors, sniffs, listens then extracts a set of mage goggles from a pouch on her belt and feeds the fibre under the door.

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:59 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond

"Well, I have a 3D map of the whole industrial park with the bike's location marked on it, if you think that will help. But before you head off on your fools errand, could you help me lock myself inside this armored security transport? I get the feeling that I'll need some bodily protection while you're away. Sandy, if you want to wait with me until the fighting's done, I don't mind. If you want to bolt for the bike, well, it might be operational."

The old man stood, still keeping an AR eye on his emulated screens, and offered Sandy a hand up before heading into the back of the flipped-over van.

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 11:59 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond

"I'm just getting antsy sitting here doing nothing while my teammates are in danger. I know it's foolish to wander off alone.

"Yes. The map info would help. If nothing else it will give me something to think about. Please share it with me." Professor opens a channel in his commlink for Oswald and marks it with an ARO.

"OK. So it's not a good idea to go for the bike. How can we get our team back together again? Quickly. Any suggestions?"

For the umpteenth time, he scans the surroundings astrally.

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:00, Annex in Redmond

Zo covers Jades position. He nudges ferret to cover in the opposite direction. Considering his options, he sets AK-97 to full-auto mode. The AR feed on his sunglasses confirming the fact.

If dese pasties start commin, They'll probably be commin in Mass at least the ferals will. Da intelligent ones iz da wonz we got ta worry about. Good thing dey gots poor eyesight and usually can't shoot worth a damm.

"Ferret, ya wanta watch da rear?"

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:00, Annex in Redmond

Jade is silent as she ascends the stairs. Leaning against the cold door, she sniffs the air. Her nose is hit with gunpowder and metal. coagulated blood, and maybe some thats fresh as well. Plenty of car exhaust and a dwarf that hasn't showered in a while make it hard to catch anything more subtle. Theres a beeping sound and grinding gears echoing deep in the belly of the warehouse, and the sound of a very small, high pitched whistle.Sliding the cable under the door, she scans the first room. A desk with heavy glass, and a waiting area with a vending machine. a door with outdated metal detectors to the sides. No signs of life yet.

In the Mall

Sandy tests her legs again to make sure she's sturdy,"I think I've spent enough time in this hell hole to be honest with you. I'd prefer to take my chances with the bike. "

Saturday, Sept. 11, 2071, 12:00 PM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond

"If I had a spare rod, I'd offer, but all I have is my laser pistol. I'm sure the Professor here will be happy to escort you to the bike in exchange for a quick ride to the rest of the crew. Just watch he doesn't get fresh with you."
The sour old man turned to the Professor before before he closed and latched the rear hatch of the transport.
"No time for love, Dr. Jones."

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:00, Annex in Redmond


"On it." grins Ferret, watching Jade Tiger move silently toward the building.

Too tall for me, but she's still got a nice ass.

<<Oz. Can you give me a feed from the blimp, just in case any ghouls try to blindside us."

He settles himself down, pistol at the ready, keeping one eye on Jade and one on his AR.

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:00, Annex in Redmond

Seeing ferret watch Jade, Zo scans the opposite area to ensure that they don't get hit from behind. He then moves up the stairs after Jade and takes what cover he can near the entryway.

<@TEAM>Hey prof, could ya just hoof it over here while we wait for you and Jovan to come to us. We might be waiting awhile for Jovan anyway.

Saturday, Sept. 11, 2071, 12:00 AM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond

Professor does a quick double-take towards Oswald. How does the old coot know my name? Later.

"Sure, come on Sandy, let's get the bike and get me to the rest of the crew. I suspect after that you will want to head out."

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:00 AM, Annex in Redmond

Jovan's astral form Eyed the glowing ball of ether suspiciously. That animal is very fortunate that a watcher is incapable of thorough assensing.

"Duly noted. I cannot discern where I am at the moment, there's too little detail here in these shadows, but it appears to be some sort of large warehouse connected to the Tower via underground roads. And suffice to say that we will not need to search the rest of the compound for the location of the trucks. There was some sort of whistle just now, however, and it's made the ghouls hurried and afraid. I fear someone is using these ghouls as nothing more than their pet guard dogs.

I will not send the sapient ones your way, at least not yet; I wish to attempt a more beneficial approach for us that I have in mind. As far as the feral ghouls go, however, well... 'nothing in their lives / shall become them like the leaving it,' let's put it that way."

Leaving the ball of ether behind, and with the air spirit following beside him, Jovan moved through the doors in pursuit of the ghouls, taking care to stay in the cover of astral shadows when possible.


Phoenix Mall in Redmond

The watcher-eye sidled up alongside Professor silently. "Yes, he seems to have a bit of a knack for discerning personal details we would prefer to keep hidden," it said, in response to the expression of surprise and mild confusion in Professor's aura. "Rather infuriating, actually. But in any case, make haste. I have located the prize. Soon it will be time to move in for the kill."

Saturday, Sept. 11, 2071, 12:00 AM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond

<<@team: Jovan is telling me astrally that he thinks he has located the prize. As soon as I can get a ride to the rest of you, we can work out the approach.>>

Professor thinks to himself, I have to watch my ruminations. I'm getting lazy and careless. Not that it much matters, but two teammates now have more info on my background.

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:00, Annex in Redmond

<<Hey guys, remember we are trying to draw them out not go in after them. Oz's blimp can't shoot through the roof. I'll hold here and cover your backs until the Prof arrives.>>

Ferret glances around nervously, hoping the Prof doesn't take too long. He doesn't like being here on his own, but he has no intention of following Jade and Zo into 'Ghoul Central'.

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:00:36 AM, Annex in Redmond

<<We iz nat about ta go in guns blazing yet Ferret. I"m just taking advantage of some cover. I'd suggest ya do da same.>>

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:00, Annex in Redmond

<<OK. I'll back out until Jovan gets a bit closed. If I leave the doors open we will have a bit more warning.>>

Jade Tiger opens the doors, and wedges them open with a bit of debris, then heads back and finds a place to watch and wait.

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:00:36 AM, Inside the Flipped Van

<<Look deep within your text logs, dear Ferret, and you'll see that the blimp's sensor feed has been with you all along. If you want me to start blind-firing through the roof to incite some action, just give me a little indirect fire guidance with your smart guns. That way, it won't give up your position to the stupid things.>>

Saturday, Sept. 11, 2071, 12:01 AM, Phoenix Mall in Redmond

<<An ambush is set, so flushing the quarry seems like a good idea. Wait till I get there, though, so we have one more on our side.>>

Professor and Sandy set out to for the bike. Amazing. This woman was an opponent not too long ago. Now I'm setting out in the dark in a ghoul-infested wasteland with only her at my side. Fuck.

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 12:12 AM, Redmond

Even at what the professor could only imagine was a slow pace for Sandy, She was moving quickly toward the bikes last known location. She would wait for him to catch up, taking cover and scanning the area. He began to feel like one of those reporters in some military unit traipsing through some war torn country.
It wasn't long before they found what they were after. The bike lay on its side, as if to mimic the dead dog lying a few yards away. The two took in the scene for a moment. The beast was pitiful now. A sad portrait of life's cruelty. Sandy's reaction was almost non existent. An assessment of the scene, and then moving to action. She righted the bike and checked the chassis. The damage was mostly cosmetic. She straddled it, and gave it a quick kick start. With a whine of the engine, she circled Proffesor once and waved him onto the back. With a jerk of speed they were off, zipping through empty streets. She rode all the way to the burned out van and dropped off the dwarf with his team. He turned to give some parting words, but was drowned out by the bike roaring away.

Saturday, Sept. 11, 2071, 12:12 AM, Annex in Redmond

Professor watches Sandy drive off. I wonder, if we ever meet again, whether we will be on opposite sides.

He hunkers down beside Ferret. "The other two have gone in I see. And you're covering their hoops."

<<@team: Zo and Jade. You want me to catch up to you or wait here with Ferret?>>

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 12:12 AM, Annex in Redmond
Ferret reviews his logs and finds the link to the blimp's sensor feed. Accessing the feed, he adds it to his AR overlay and then uses it to scan the area for any signs of life. He spots the bike and watches as Sandy and the Prof ride up.

He relaxes a little now that he has some company. When Sandy has gone he whispers to the Prof.

"Yeah, I'm on overwatch. Oz's blimp is pulling targeting data from my gun, while I got a feed from its sensors in case anything gets behind us. Quite the symbiotic relationship, neh?"

"Jade and Zo have gone to take a look an see if they can draw any ghouls out."

Saturday, Sept. 11, 2071, 12:12 AM, Annex in Redmond

"Heh. Those two move faster than I do. I don't fancy myself as ghoul bait. I'd rather wait out here and shoot at them as they come out." Professor quickly scans the area astrally. Absentmindedly he gives in to his hankering for a Betel chew, and pops a piece of gum into his mouth.

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 12:12 AM, Annex in Redmond

"Prof, glad ya could make it, me'an Jade I is covering the door. Dere's an old security desk near da entrance. Ferret could ya use that ta get more information from da trix? Prof, watch da bay doors."


Zo continued the monitoring of the proped door waiting for and ghouls to prop their head out.

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:00, Annex in Redmond

Jade sniffs the air a little as the Prof approaches, and perhaps a little disappointment appears in her eyes as she sees him approach. Still everyone has weaknesses. If the Prof was working for her, there would be a short but violent scene about now.

<<OK Now we are (mostly) all together. Where is Jovan, and is he going to bring the ghouls to us, or should I? >>

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:01 AM, Inside the Flipped Van

The watcher eyeball had watched silently as Professor and the woman headed off into the night in the direction of the tiger newcomer's motorcycle. Once they were far enough down the street, the eye turned and flew into the overturned van. "So it seems that you are now my only pathway of communication to the others, now that they are all going to be enclosed in the background count," it said as it phased through the side of the van like a ghost. "Well, I am doubtful of how effective this routing attempt on the ghouls will be. It's looking like someone's got them on a psychological leash, ghouls and dogs both. Whoever it is, they may not permit the ghouls to run off by themselves into our ambush. This would also explain why the ghouls were carrying and not eating their food earlier; they're collecting bodies and flesh for whatever person has got them on a leash. I don't yet know why that person wants to collect bodies, but I smell a possible shedim plot. In any case, I am following the ghouls now, and will keep you updated."

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:01 AM, Inside the Flipped Van

"Shedim? Like evil Jewish ghosts? Does that mean you've seen spooks around the joint? That's a new one to add to the worry pile.. But yeah, you make a good point. On their own, all these zombie bastards seem capable of is charging at you and screaming. And those dogs, how the hell do you train something that can make you deuce your drawers with a glance? Is that even possible? Anyway, I think a trap could still cost them a good deal of their number. Even if they're being controlled, there has to be a response to a threat situation. Bait one and bait two go in and toss a few frags in the ghoulie's midst, they're bound to see a response. Those two just find a way to make their deaths part of the controller's ghoul action plan, and I imagine he'll send a force to engage them.

Are we confident that engaging them in this manner is the best option? I mean, violence is usually an expedient option, and I'm all for wasting anything that threatens me or mine, but if there's some evil controller in the mix here, have we tried contacting them or... hey! Where exactly are the trucks? How much dirt to they have on top of them? There's a possibility I might just be able to get a signal down to them if I drop my blimp down low enough."

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:01 AM, Annex sub level

Jovan kept back, keeping his astral form in the shadows of the mundane shelves. Slipping along, he followed the ghouls past the trucks to the other side of what seemed like a massive warehouse. The shelves stopped, and left the floor open for staging or maneuvering. There was a tunnel beyond leading up at a fairly steep incline for large vehicles. While these big rigs seemed to have had the clearance to get down here, it doesn't seem like the place was built for that purpose originally. There where some side rooms off to the left, but Jovan's focus was currently on the scene ahead. A bus had come down behind the trucks. there are even more ghouls congregated in front of it, and more dogs. The bus Is full of people being lead by gun point into a feeding frenzy. As some fight to escape, A large infected man with a rifle beats them down. The terror and hunger are blindingly vivid. What seems like two dozen ghouls are feasting on the ten or twelve passengers. Surrounding this carnage, is about six massive dogs, half are jet black, and the others ghostly white. Glowing drool froths from their jowls. The biggest stands at the heal of a man, a ghoul himself, He is shouting at the more competent of his group,"Get 'em unloaded, quick. I'm sick of hearin 'em cry. Any sign of Johnathan? "
An orc with a shotgun shouted back,"Nothin. If we go back tomorrow, we'll have to steal gas too."

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 12:12 AM, Annex in Redmond

Ferret cautiously follows after Jade and Zo. Entering the reception area, he circles the desk and examines the terminal there. He places his pistol on the desk, pointing it at one of the doors leading into the building and takes a seat. He links his fingers and stretches his short wiry arms, cracking all his knuckles at once. Then he leans over the terminal's keypad and begins typing, slowly at first then with increasing speed as half-forgotten typing skills kick back in.

He mutters to no-one in particular, "The system's taken a dislike to me. I don't fancy going up against any axe-wielding IC again so I'm gonna have to do this the old fashioned way."

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 12:12 AM, Annex in Redmond

Zo moved to the security desk keeping a look out for tripwires and possible pressure plates. Moving into position, he takes cover behind the security Desk, and watches the 1 dorr leading further into the warehouse.

"Ferret, if dey's bring an axe, should'n ya bring a gun? Hey can ya pull up a map of dis building from here?"

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:12, Annex in Redmond

Jade Tiger ponders then:

I'm not seeing a plan involving talking with the ghoul-meister working. I think we have waited a while. We have our recon report. We now need to decide whether to attack or flee.

The attack plan is interesting. I take on board Jovan's comment about the psychological leash, but if we keep tossing frag grenades at them they have to come for us or lose ghouls. I suspect the psychological leash is based on fear, and that it will snap in the face of frag grenades. I am happy to be bait 1, and I suspect Jovan will be happy to be bait 2. I'm not particularly afraid of feral ghouls, and men with guns, almost no matter the number. The dogs however are scary, and have magical powers.

The running away plan is the safest, but I feel will damage our reputation as runners that deliver.

My vote is to fight: I dislike these ghouls, they are like Jackals and they offend me. However I leave it to the rest of you to decide as I am the newest. In either case we should decide quickly."

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:12 AM, Inside the Flipped Van

"Oh shit, did I leave the comm channel open? ..I mean.. Good! Good! I'm glad you agree. I've got four loads of ordinance to drop. Each one should be able to clear out an area of about 20 meters, so make sure you've got a big head start on the bone-chompers when you come running out. Honestly, you should have at least two fall-back positions, and the guys with the stubby legs should be holding down the second one. I should be safe from the dog's howl while I work in VR. I already tuned my sound filter to try and block it out. If any of you have earbuds or headphones with a sound filter on 'em, I can send the info to you. Don't know if it'll work, but it's worth a shot."

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:12, Annex in Redmond


"Oz, we'll try to do dat. But ah have you heard from Jovie as to how many iz down there, how many have guns, you know somethin useful?"

Friday, Sept. 11, 2071, 12:12 AM, Annex in Redmond


It doesn't work like that in the matrix. The axe is just a visual interpretation of...wait a minute, maybe it does. Hmm, I'll need to think on that. In any case a lot still depends on the quality of the program, not what it looks like. And I'm hoping to get more than a map. If I can get in, I can potentially access any working cameras and other security measures like that perimeter drone."

He turns to look at Jade. The crazy lady seemed unconcerned about tackling a bunch of flesh-eating ghouls.

"Well we do need to get to the trucks and the ghouls are between us and the trucks. So I guess we are going to have to deal with them one way or aother."

Saturday, Sept. 11, 2071, 12:12 AM, Annex in Redmond

"Nice idea Oz. I'm going to have to get a pair of those earbuds... once I survive this. I have nice cover here. I'll hold here as a fall-back position. If anyone is going to use gas, let me know, and I'll put on my gas mask. Any news from Jovan whether the ghoul he is looking for is among these?"

Professor keeps an eye out for any other threats approaching. His pistol is ready and trained on the doorway his teammates used. He makes sure the magazine is full.

As he is watching for further threats, he looks for another defensible position retreating runners can take up. Maybe one that would offer crossfire in conjunction with the one he is currently occupying.

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:02 AM, Annex sub level

Jovan watched passively as the carnage unfolded in front of him. That seems a bit unnecessary for them to do. They're ghouls, they could have at least killed their food before they ate it. Tsk tsk. He thought silently to his elemental servant, We need to stay out of sight and watch for the moment, while I discuss the best course of action with the others on my team. I may have use for you soon, though.

Inside the Flipped Van

"Here is your update, Oswald. Make sure to alert the others of this. There is a bus of some sort driving down into the room. Did you see such a bus drive in here while I was in the tower? There are passengers in it, maybe a dozen, being led off to be fallen upon by the ghouls. Many ghouls. I count twenty, probably more, not including the one who looks to be a leader of some sort and the other one who is armed and keeping the prey from escaping. I think that last one is a ghoul, at least. They've got three more of those mongrel black dogs from earlier, and another three paranimal dogs of a different variety. I see an orc on the bus as well, who seems to be part of the entourage even though he is not Infected. He too is armed. It seems this is how they've been keeping those ghouls fed in this toxic, trap-ridden compound. Oh, and it sounds like they're looking for Johnathan, too. What an amusing coincidence."

The watcher pauses for a moment as Jovan thinks. "I believe we have placed ourselves into a highly advantageous position. It is clear to me that the best course of action is to attempt communication and negotiation with the leader of these ghouls. You can do it, or I can do it; it is up to you, but I think they would have a bit more respect for a fellow predator than someone they'd view as their prey (but do not tell the others that). If I am the one to speak with him, then while I work, you and the others will need to stack the deck in our favor should violence break out, such as getting your blimp in bombing position, making sure Ferret takes control of the building's security, having the others place themselves in good firing positions with decent cover, and other things of that nature. I'd prefer not to have to kill any of the ghouls unless necessary, but methinks we will come out on top one way or another.

It will be a total win-win situation. If I am completely successful, then we will get the trucks that we came for; we will acquire a useful potential ally against the Vipers, Block Cutters, and Ms. Johnson; we will find out exactly what happened to Big Daddy Long Legs; the others won't have to risk getting themselves infected with HMHVV; and almost no one else will have to die. If I fail, and violence becomes necessary, then we will be able to collect a bounty on the heads of all of the ghouls; likely sell the parts of those dogs as telesma to interested talismongers; and we will still most likely acquire the trucks that we came for. Beautiful, isn't it?" Jovan's voice said proudly. "'Put not yourself into amazement how these things should be: all difficulties are but easy when they are known.'"

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:12, Annex in Redmond

<<[Jade Tiger] I am heading in acting as bait 1. I have a frag grenade and some spells to attract their attention. I'll be withdrawing along the route that I enter by. If anyone is in touch with Jovan could you let him know, so he can be bait 2, or if he has a better plan we can use it. If the ghouls swarm me, please lay down suppressing fire (not grenades) where I am: it hurts a lot but it's only pain.>>

Taking a last look through the mage goggles to check the next area, Jade headed through the double doors and scanned the next area for ways deeper into the annex.

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:12, Annex in Redmond


"Hey Jade, Here's a flash pak too. Ya might need it."

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:12, Annex in Redmond

Ferret stops typing for just a moment and adjusts his pistol to point at the double doors. He briefly connects his 'link via a fibre cable to download his Exploit and other programs onto the terminal but stays in AR mode while he does just in case the axe wielding agent is still looking for him. When his programs are running on the terminal to his satisfaction, he reels in the fibre line and continues with his attempts to break into the ancient terminal.

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:12, Annex in Redmond

Jade Tiger snatches the Flashpak out of the air and nods in appreciation. "Make sure you have some nose plugs: you might need those too...". Jade then focuses on her thought form, and begins to head into the Annex.

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:12 AM, Inside the Flipped Van

"Well, Joe is still holding on to the negotiation plan, so let's not light this sucker until we get that sorted. As to numbers, you're looking at a quarter cent - twenty five - three armed with shooters and 6 of those dogs besides. If it comes down to lighting the fuse, you're going to need to be smart about it. Twenty ghouls will over-run you in a heartbeat."

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:03 AM, Annex sub level

Resolved that there were no immediate outstanding objections, Jovan moved out of his hiding place in the astral shadows of the shelves. He thought to his air elemental, Come hither, and stay close. I am going to need you in clear sight with me, for intimidation purposes. But be ready to move into cover if those dogs look to attack us again.

Moving towards the middle of the sub-level, and taking care to remain close by the trucks to use as cover from the dogs if needed, Jovan Spoke to the ghoul barking orders at the others. "Did you say Johnathan? The ghoul named Johnathan, collector of ferals?" he said, simultaneously planting a suggestion in the ghoul's head to make him a bit more cooperative. "I've heard of that man recently. Are you looking for him?"

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:12, Annex in Redmond



<@Jade> Won't bee needed. An AR overlay of hundreds of ghouls getting gunned down by a minigun flashes briefly before Jades field of vision>

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:12, Annex in Redmond

<<@Zo <laughter and an ARO flash of something steamy> My porn is lot simpler...>>

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:12, Annex in Redmond

Jade moves through the old security checkpoint into a long hall. Its over six meters wide and maybe three times as long. The place is devoid of light. She finds herself relying on astral sight more than anything. There are two sets of doors to the right a few meters apart with card swipers. about halfway down on the left is a large set of double doors, followed by an Identical set further down, and another straight ahead at the end of the hall. The first set of doors has a large dent in the bottom as if hit from the other side, as well as a smattering of smaller dents across it. There were blood stains in the hall leading to the second door on the right. An older camera sits in a dome in the center of the ceiling, but there is no immediate threat.

The Matrix

Ferret struggles with the pace the machine is moving. It's like waiting for paint to dry. He loads his programs onto the poor wageslave Icon. The trideo glows, lighting up the once dark room. Watching the business man walk around in the junk yard was kind of comical, but Ferret didn't have much of a chance to appreciate it. His analyzer told him an alert was tripped. His poor stealth program was starved for processing power. The clouds rolled in again.

Annex sub level

The man grins, his aura lightens a little, a trace of boredom disappears. "Easy Diana," He said calmly as he pats the overgrown white mastiff on the head. "Let's see what we have here," He raised his voice as he addressed the mage. It was booming and confident."A nosy wizard and his pet. You came to my house. Shouldn't I be asking the questions?"
Many of the ghouls looked to Jovan now. Some of the ferals kept eating. A small fat man in a raincoat shouted "help us!" to a mage he couldn't see before being slashed open. Jovan's suggestions seemed to have been rebuffed. His will was strong. Unusually strong."I tell you what, come over here where we can have a nice chat and I don't have to yell." A few of the dogs began to growl. There anger showed in there aura like heat waves on the desert sand.

Ferret throws up his hands in frustration as a pixellated troll valkyrie dices up the poor sarariman icon on the terminal's monitor.

"Frag it!"

<<@Team: Sorry guys but this node really hates me. If I had more time, I could open it up no problem. But right now we're going to have to rely on Oz's 3d-plan and our own eyeballs. Let's just hope Jovan has better luck trying to negotiate with them.>>

He scoops up his pistol and heads towards the exit.

<<@Team: I'll be outside with Prof, covering the exit.>>

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:12, Deep inside Annex in Redmond

Jade Tiger concentrates for a moment, and separates from the thought form

<<@Team, Its all black in here. Thermal is not working too well: which is good. Probably means no ghouls around.

I can just make out a camera. Ferret any idea if it's active? I am fairly well concealed so it should be OK to continue: anyway we want to invite the ghouls to play ::evil grin::

Loads of doors off here: I'll stick a probe through under each one and see what I can find. One of the doors has blood stains...I'll go through those if I cannot find a better route >>

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:12, Annex in Redmond

<Jade, do ya need me ta come an back ya up? Ferret has left the buildin ta squat with the professor. He's not had much luck with the old trix-so I cant tell ya if da camera is working. Ya could just break it to be sure.>

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:12, Deep inside Annex in Redmond


<<To break or not to break that is the question. So hard to tell with these tech widgets. Breaking could set off on alarm, and at the moment it's pretty hard down here. As far as back up goes, you are only a few seconds away at the moment, and all set up. I'm planning on bringing them back into your field of fire. If I scream though, feel free to come running>>

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:12, outside Annex in Redmond

Professor chimes in. <<I'm set up out here. There's a good location nearby my position to retreat to for some cover. {video link} Ferret can double up with me and Jade and Zo can head to the second cover, drawing the ghouls out after them. With Ferret and me shooting from our location, Jade and Zo cross-firing from theirs and Oswald from above, it should work. Jade, can your spirit speed up the two of you and Zo?>>

Friday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:13, Deep inside Annex in Redmond


<<Just make sure I have an ARO map: I'd hate to get lost, and lead the ghouls the wrong way. Yes I can speed us both up. >>

<<@Team: Now that I can handle. {map+ARO data} It's no Tacnet, so might not update in real-time if people move around a lot or quickly, but at least you should know where everyone roughly is.>>

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2071, 12:13 AM, Inside the Flipped Van

"Let me know whether you need guns or bombs before you come out the door. If it's bombs, I have to coordinate timers, speed, altitude and direction in order to get the blast to happen at the right time. This ain't really a weapons system so much as high speed trigonometry and a fuck-ton of grenades."