@E:Tribes, Sprogget
[September 1, 2072 19:24:45; SH Mall, A Whole New You]
Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(3), Command(1), Edit(1), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Spoof(1), Stealth(3), Shield(1), Tacsoft(2), Simrig(1)
CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Active; SIN: Hugo Wright (R4)

As Sprogget is getting ready to head out, Glyph walks over by Alpha,
Sprogett winces.  Working with tech, off the cuff is a good way for things to go wrong, that timeline is why he needs to get moving soon, at least for the parts that are known, and will take some time.

@self:Yeah, I've been assuming Alpha has that system pwned.  All she says! right ALL.

Objections jump to the tip of Sproggets tongue.
@self:Wait!  Need to say this right the first time.  Cover what is most important first.

@self:Sure.  Convoy, same as sp^3 was doing earlier, then spread out. With the still running discrete travel knowsoft kicking in a few extra details.


Sprogett starts loudly,
@jailbreakers: "Are you"?
Cutting himself off.
@self:Whacked.

He takes a slow breath then starts over.  Trying to keep his voice only strong and authoritative, not raving.
@jailbreakers: "I'm not happy with traveling blind, but agree there is not enough time to lay it all out, and line it up.  The item I feel it necessary to strongly disagree with, is trying to handle any security tags so casually.  That sort of tech is my area, so believe me on this.  Simply jamming a monitored security tag could trigger immediate alarms and paint a bulls-eye on the last location the tag was seen at.  It might not, but it could.  Depends on how the monitoring is configured.  If we can avoid it, I would just rather not gamble.  The fix is a decoy, pretending to be the security tag, sending "I am here, all is well" signals from a nice safe location.

A second possible trouble point is a stealth tag.  That is a tag that sits quiet, and does not send any detectable signals until someone sends it a special key.  These are sometimes paired with security tags, so if the one is removed, the other can be remotely activated to act as a tracker.  They have the same range as security tag too, so you have to keep the jammer going until you are behind a good wi-fi inhibiting barrier, or in the middle of a static zone.  There might not be any stealth tags, there might not be a security tag, the monitoring software might not trigger an alarm when the security tag is blocked.  They are harder to find, but I have the right tools for it.  Guess wrong on one of those, and the whole area will be crawling with KE 'real quick'.  As scrapheap said earlier, they would see it as a kidnap attempt of one of privileged 'kiddies'.  Even if we all got clear, it sure would not be a 'quiet' exit.

If we must move before we could get the scanners to Morgan, then someone still needs to verify and handle those possible problems before she can safely walk out of the house, at least after whatever curfew is likely to be in the monitoring program".

Looking around at the group.
@jailbreakers: "I am guessing I am the best here with 'tronics hardware.  I expect that Glyph and probably Spring and Tweak are better at sneaking around".
Looking specifically at Spring, very seriously,
@jailbreakers: "Unless you have more hardware skill than you do with automotive"?

More heatedly,
@jailbreakers: "I mentioned earlier, this is NOT a time to just wave an eraser around, and just using a jammer is not safe either.".
Getting hold of himself again,
@jailbreakers: "What I suggested earlier, is the best path I can see for keeping things looking all nice and legal, with everyone where they are supposed to be for as long as possible.  Slower but safer.  If there is not enough time for that, then I need to grab the scanners and parts from my shop quick like, and we can figure out on the way how to get me into Morgans room undetected for about half an hour before she leaves, and see what can be done so the rest of the team is not noticed loitering during that wait.

I can cut that time down some without too much risk, by only identifying security tags, and creating a decoy.  That means though that the jammer has to stay running until Morgan is someplace stealth tags can not send signals from.  I think the overall risk is less, if as much cleanup as possible is done before Morgan leaves the house, where Alpha can control the environment, whether she does most of it, or we do.  I just did a quick search.  Using a good medkit, super safe and conservative defaults, and without a jammer, I should be able to remove a security tag myself, even without a virtual assistant, in about 4 minutes.  I would be affected by the jammer too though.  I have an idea that could reduce the effect of the jammer, but I have not actually tried it.  So I do not know.  The removal might have to wait until someone else can do it.

If the jammer is running, and we get stopped for any reason, the patrol might start to wonder why their equipment starts glitching when they get close to the jammer.  Any closer than 5 meters would block all but the strongest signals, closer than 10 would block most".
Sprogget mentally reviews what he said, and what he knows about tags and security options,
@self:I think that covered the most important stuff.  Maybe could have said that better, but they should all get the jist.
Relaxing some, just then realizing how tense he had been trying to make sure everyone understood the potential danger, Sprogget looks at Morgan, with a weak grin,
@jailbreakers: "My apologies in advance if I offend, but I must say that under other circumstances, sneaking into your room for awhile could be fun.  With this, I do not think fun and games would be on the todo list".

Somewhat abashed, and looking elsewhere,
@jailbreakers: "Oh, at least Scrapheap and I have bikes, so we can split up for travel at least that much.  The truck we have pulling the salvage trailer could be used too, although it is technically not mine to offer.  It would be out of place in Bellevue, but could hold 3, 4 if cozy, if want to switch around after leaving".
@self:Right now I wish the monocycle was a little less distinctive too.

Looking at Jazz,
@jailbreakers: "Whatever you want to say about not drawing attention, is likely fine by me.  But hardware I know.  I work with it every day".
@self:That article on the tribe private blog covers a lot of that.  Security tags are not its focus, but this is a straight extension, once you know that the capabilities are.  It even covers using the stealth tags, although the purpose is a bit different.

@jailbreakers: "If the consensus is that we can not take the time to get Angelo to deliver the scanners, I suggest we all get moving to collect what gear we can, and discuss details on the way.  Which is what I was about to do anyway, though I figured I was the one with the tightest timeline".

@E:Tribes, Hobber
[August 24, 2072 06:32:17; Mechancials Complex
Subscribed to Mechanicals Secure Blog]

Post By Hobber
Subject RFID Tagging, Security, and Equipment Sales

RFID tags are everywhere. They are in the the equipment we salvage, which sometimes allows us to trace its previous usage before we repurpose it. Tags are also in any purchased parts used to repair salvaged equipment. Those tags make it possible for the interested researcher to learn much about the supply chain history of each item, including that it contains parts that were purchased by the tribe at some point.

Those tags also make detection of the items awkward in some circumstances. Some of our more dis-crim-inating clients prefer equipment without tags, so that they are neither electronically detectable, nor traceable. For many, the first thing they do after purchasing equipment, is to ‘clean’ it with a tag eraser.

At the same time, other conditions could mean that the absence of tags could draw unwanted attention. During a physical inspection at a checkpoint, visible equipment with no emissions could result in a more thorough investigation or flagging, as being suspicious. Some tags are also useful. They are used to report diagnostic information, like metal fatigue. This may not be an issue for equipment that needs to always be deniable, but other things need to be electronically ‘invisible’ only some of the time.

The solution? Replace or modify any original tags with versions containing enhanced capabilities. The information from any static, manufacturing and supply chain related tags can be recorded before being wiped. The recorded data can then be written to new tags that have been modified by linking them to a pair of stealth tags. Sending the key to one stealth tag will disable all wi-fi emissions from the linked static tags. Sending the key to the other security tag enables the ‘regular’ tags again. This allows the user to choose when the equipment is electronically detectable.

There is much competition between equipment manufacturers. For many things, it requires a detailed physical inspection, or access to the supply chain databases and reading the embedded tags, to determine which corp and subsidiary built a specific item. Sometimes, for ‘political’ reasons, people will choose to only buy equipment produced by a specific supply chain. With some extra work, a specific supply chain could be used for the substituted tags, instead of the originals.

One more feature, would be to allow the user to modify that supply chain information after purchase. Perhaps by using a third security tag to enable switching between multiple configurations. For the power users, this could also provide the capability of easily creating a custom supply chain configuration, if they have access to the skills and data that would make it believable.

Each of these should be extra cost selling features for equipment to be sold to some ‘classes’ of clients.

• switchable {on/off} Tags
• Specific Supply Chain
• Switchable Supply Chain
• Editable Supply Chain

@Emerging: Tribe / Fre∑dom
[September 1, 2072 19:24:23; Senlis Residence, Bellevue]
SIN: Morgan Senlis, PAN: Active

Morgan nods quietly. "I suppose keeping track of every citizen at all times would be difficult." Giving the public the impression that a company could do so might be enough. And unlike her, breaking the law was probably the last thing on the minds of her peers. She begins wringing her hands again as the discussion turns to time. It was getting late. Even if they hurried and got the equipment to Andrew, would he be able to deliver it to her in time? LeFey lowered her gaze to the floor, beginning to feel out of her depth.

Flicking her wrist, Morgan brought up a document. Most of it was the manual she had been issued when she began interning with Knight Errant. Over time, however, she had added a fair amount of her own notes on Matrix security. "If you need to come to me, rather than the other way around, I can leave some doors open."

@Virtual Scream, Dante
[September 1, 2072, 15:15:00, Hai Fuk noodle house, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]

Dante is at least holding his own against 'Lucky' Lee. He wishes he had known the gangster's name upfront but maybe Lady Luck will smile on him for a change. There is a sizable pot sitting on the table and he is holding a good hand.

His attention is drawn from the game for a moment by a high-pitched whistling sound. He glances around but can see nothing obvious and no-one else seems to have noticed it. Which is strange because it is definitely getting louder. Surely someone else must be hearing it by now?

Then the lights flicker and when he turns back to the game it is simply gone and he is staring at a blank tabletop and an angry looking triad member.

'Lucky' Lee springs to his feet, clearly running on more than human reactions and fumbles for his gun.

"What you do? You no like to lose so you think you can crash game and steal my money?"

@Emerging: Tribe / Fre∑dom, Alpha Apex
September 1, 2072 19:24:23;
Physical Location: A Whole New You, South Hill Mall, Pullyallup
BioNode: Hidden | Meta Link: Active, SIN: Alan Shepard

Keeping his mouth shut throughout most of the conversation on meatspace security concerns, Alpha muses a bit on the crew in front of him.

So Spring is a summoner... Would be interested in chatting with him about his experiences asking for help from the creatures of the astral. Curious how similar to sprites they are.

And this Sprogget chummer... I have no idea what to think about him. Hardware junkie, that's for certain. *shudder* Man, whenever I log into a poorly crafted node on cheap hardware, it leaves an itch behind my eyes for hours. I just don't get the fascination. But isn't that the kind of person Zero One wants me to interface with? Isn't he EXACTLY the person that I need to help understand the power of the Deep Resonance, and whom Zero One wants to learn about as well? *sigh*

Glad Glyph has my back. She seems to be a good person, albeit a bit fuzzy. But who the hell am I to judge? I'm the one with a comlink for a brain.

LeFey is scared as hell. Don't blame her. I hope she pulls it together. I think we need to give her a specific task, something she can focus on and push away all those other scary thoughts we keep piling on her.

And what about yourself, Alpha? Are you going to be able to pull this off? You know how pissed off Zero One gets when you screw up. Remember that one time trying to hack the library? I couldn't get the stains out of my clothes for weeks... And I think this is going to have some harsher consequences than some ink packs. Keep it together, they're all counting on you.

Alpha rouses himself from his introspection, and looks over the crowd.

"Here's what I have done so far, and what I can tell is the plan we have concocted. Let me know where I am wrong."

Ticking off the points one by one on his fingers, Alpha proceeds:

"I have gained access to the matrix node of the house and installed a backdoor into the system that should make any reentry a piece of cake. From there, I should be able to disable any alarms or locks or cameras that are connected to the node of the house. I should be able to upgrade LeFey's user access to admin if we need to so we can have a second set of eyes and ears in the matrix. If there are things that are not connected to the house node, I will attempt to compromise them. As a last resort, I can just crash the whole system...but I really hope we don't have to do that."

"So step one is matrix prework. That's already done. I have access to the system, and hopefully can shut down any problems we run into."

"Step two is the the delivery of an RFID scanner/wiper to LeFey and RFID removal. We can get the stuff to Angelo, and he can deliver it, but that will likely have to happen ASAP, as a boy coming over to LeFey's house at midnight might rouse suspicions. We ID any security tags and burn the rest."

"Step three is physical removal from the location. That's what the step van is for. We come in, deal with the security tags, and get out."

"Step four is matrix cleanup. Cameras, access logs and anything else I need to clean up gets cleaned up just like we were never there."

@Virtual Scream / Cat
[September 1, 2072, 12:00, 524 7th Street Northeast / Anonymous Matrix Node]
PAN: Active, SIN: Moll Flanders, System: 2, Signal: 2, Response: 2, Firewall: 2

"He wants to pay me to attend a party? This is an iceberg waiting to happen, but at least it's something I can actually do!"

Cat affects an air of contemplation mixed with a casual acceptance of the privacy and financial requirements for a few seconds, just long enough to not appear overly keen but not so long as to be rude, and then delicately picks up the business card, turning it over in her paws before putting it in her jacket pocket, seemingly unperturbed by the effects of the reality filter.

"This sounds like a simple task, assuming appropriate assurances of competency regarding your viewing glasses."

She picks up the envelope and the purse, sliding open the first to reveal the location. She then places the envelope inside the purse, only coincidentally checking the balance inside.

@Emerging:Tribes; Spring
[September 1, 2072 19:25:30; SH Mall, A Whole New You]
Renraku Sensei: Hidden, SIN: Steven Brokvich (fake R3)

Spring and Tweak both nod as Alpha finishes and open their mouths. Tweak is a split second faster out of the gate.

Step 2a. Set up lookouts near the extraction point to have an eye on patrols. I volounteer me and my buddy here for that. Bet we can requisition some second-hand fancy stuff and play barrens rats doing some sight seeing.

Spring@Tweak: showoff!

Someone drop us off at Mech's and we'll ride in on my Scoot.

They trying to do this without us or what?

@E:Tribes, Sprogget
[September 1, 2072 19:25:30; SH Mall, A Whole New You]
Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(3), Command(1), Edit(1), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Spoof(1), Stealth(3), Shield(1), Tacsoft(2), Simrig(1)
CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Active; SIN: Hugo Wright (R4)

Sprogget is puzzled by this,
@self:Sure, between Alpha in the CHN and Morgan physically at the house, should be easy to get doors unlocked at the right time.  Why mention it?  Is she even more nervous than I though?

Alpha starts enumerating  points one by one on his fingers:
@self:Right, if it comes down drastic measures, we have not been quiet.
@self:Yep, that about covers it, and that is my cue to slot and run.

Even as he speaks, Sprogget is busy interfacing with the local AR environment, to provide himself a remote connection to the meeting.
@jailbreakers: "That sounds about right Alpha.  Which means I need to boost out of here, to grab that gear, and get it on its way to Angelo.  I could deliver it myself, but maybe someone more used to staying discrete would be better?  Glyph?  You got wheels to do an express courier to Renton?  You know where my shop is?  Here is a location tag".  Dropping a gps location reference ARO for the location within the Mechanicals complex on the local AR environment.  "I'll need about 5 minutes at the shop to put the gear in a pack, and I am not planning to be slow getting there.  Between the watch you have here around the mall, and what the tribe has around the complex, I should be fairly safe to blast through.  Morgan?  As soon as I get that package on the way, I'd like to go over some initial work you can do with just a standard commlink, to speed things up later.  An inventory of the obvious tags.  I can do that better from the shop, than on the road, but should have plenty of time to catch up.  A direct connection would be best.  Here", dropping another ARO in the display, is my public commcode".
Going out the door, headed for the truck and monocycle, switching voice to the AR connection, and the simplified Sprogget icon
@jailbreakers: <<You can call direct, or Alpha can patch us through.>>

@E:Tribes, Sprogget
[September 1, 2072 19:25:30; SH Mall, A Whole New You]
Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(3), Command(1), Edit(1), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Spoof(1), Stealth(3), Shield(1), Tacsoft(2), Simrig(1)
CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Active; SIN: Hugo Wright (R4)

Preoccupied with getting moving, Sprogget {really} hears Tweak and Spring's comments as he is leaving.

@Jailbreakers: <<Spring, can you handle the truck well enough to get it back to the barn?  I'm guessing your scoot is close to there anyway.  Don't bother unloading.  I'll do the apologizing to them tomorrow.  Direct them to me if they try to hassle you.

Oh, when collecting that fancy stuff, see if you can include some simple sensors.  If you can get enough active channels, I can run a tacnet for the group, whenever close enough together for the sensors to integrate the data.  Helps with getting around unnoticed, among other things.  Including when traveling as a group in multiple vehicles.>>
@self:And try not to let that sight seeing get you jailed, just cause KE does not like rats in Bellevue!

Already planning what need to go in the package for Angelo.

@Emerging:Tribes; Spring
[September 1, 2072 19:25:47; SH Mall, A Whole New You]
Renraku Sensei: Hidden, SIN: Steven Brokvich (fake R3)

@Jailbreakers: <<Sure, I can take it back home. Don't worry, I'll def point any trouble right at you.>>

Grinning, he turns towards Tweak and asks That time you got that thing from this guy?

Tweak hesitates for a moment, gets a mischievous smile on his face and answers He'll understand. Thataway.

The two boys head right for the hole in the wall they had come out from with a shouted C U! an afterthought just as they vanish from sight.

...

[September 1, 2072 19:28:12; SH Mall, Pet Paradise - Meet Your New Best Friend]

Tweak:Heh, good thing Surge's not here. Hang's around storage a lot. Doesn't say where's from but must've been somewhere nice, turned up with a whole car full of stuff. Hmm, here. Dunno if it's his old clothes or from a younger brother or something. Nope not this box, maybe... yes that one. Sure could do with some airing.

...

Looking at each other, tugging at the almost fitting, clothes they're not used to, the boys blurt out together: You look like a fool!

Tweak: Let's raid the shop next.

He again heads for a crawlspace, hesitates, turns around and goes for the door instead.

Spring: Fool.

Tweak: Hey, I didn't.

...

Grabbing a few sensors - Spring has seen similar before as the Mechanicals get most of their sensors from Freedom - the two finally head for the truck after Tweak has added a note to the shop's board listing what they've taken and why.

...

[September 1, 2072 19:37:55; SH Mall, parking lot]

Spring throws the bag with his clothes into the bag of their truck, settles down into the driver's seat and looks around the cabin for a moment.

Tweak: Watcha waiting for? Bet I could rig this thing better than you're gonna drive.

Damn, this thing is big. I'm never gonna live it down if I crash it.

Taking a deep breath, Spring sets the beast in motion.[/color]

Come on, it's just a short trip.

@Virtual Scream, Dante
[September 1, 2072, 15:15:01, Hai Fuk noodle house, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, SIN: Liu Zi Ang (4), Response 3, Signal 5, System 4, Firewall 5, Weapon Watcher 3, Encrypt 3, Agent 3 (Analyze 3)

Visual triggers flipped pre-programmed routines in Dante's nervous system, kickstarting the neurons and fibers embedded deep in his neural cortex into overdrive. Time slowed down as he felt a wave of heightened awareness wash over him. "Bullet-time", some games used to call it. Reaching behind his back and pulling his Ruger, feeling the slight electric pulse as the electrodes in the grip contacted his metal hand, sending their challenge-response through his body to interface with his PAN in mere nanoseconds, all these were as natural and smooth as if Dante were in his favorite VR game. A small targeting reticule appeared in his vision. Crouching low, he put his back to the wall and set up his shooting lanes to have a clear shot at the stairwell, the entryway, and Lucky Lee...if necessary. Dante wouldn't be too upset if it were.

"It wasn't me, gemer."

@E: Tribes
September 1, 2072 19:24:45;
Physical Location: Fre∑dom Home, South Hill Mall, Pullyallup
PAN - Passive; SIN - Calliope White


Glyph turns toward Sprogget as he speaks up and listens before replying.

"I've just recently been lectured about RFID tags and security and have been doing some follow up reading on the subject, so it not that I don't agree with you it's just that I don't believe we have the time given our constraints, but If you're confident that you can have everything ready quickly then I wont object."


Looking at Spring & Tweak, Glyph gives them an encouraging smile.

"It would be handy to have some eyes in the area early, there should be somewhere within a couple blocks that you can hang out at and not be noticed.


She turns back to Sprogget when she hears her name and smiles.

"I've got a Rapier, may be old and out of style but still fast. I can get the package to Renton no problem. Let me know when the package is ready and I'll go drop it off."


Looking around at everyone splitting up, she takes a look at Alpha and the AR LeFey.

"Looks like we're as set as can be, hopefully this will all go off without a hitch. Now I've got to go see about making me stand out a bit less, see you later."

@Virtual Scream, Alex Bianchi
September 1, 2072, 13:13:13; Carluccio's Restaurant

Selene easily outmaneuvers Alex's attempts to pay for the meal by snatching the bill from the table and tucking it down the front of her shirt between her armor vest and her breasts. She gives him a cheeky grin.

"Don't even think about it, Bianchi!"

Alex could point out that he was supposed to pay the bill as he was celebrating getting paid. But then the broad had gone and killed her cheating husband before topping herself. Was that really worth celebrating. And unlike him, Selene did earn a steady salary.

The whistling sound brings him sharply back to the present. While he had initially thought it was just steam from the espresso machine, is still going on and getting louder. Other people in the restaurant also seem to have noticed it and are looking around or covering their ears with their hands.

"What da frag is that?" asks his ex-partner with a pained expression, covering one studded ear with her left hand.

@Virtual Scream/Uller
[September 1, 2072, 12:15; Downtown, Seattle]

Shouting at sports on the trid has long been a tradition and with such a close and exciting game, Uller can forgive himself for joining in. His chair creaks under him as he cajoles and curses the figures on the screen. The game has been close throughout and could still go either way in these final minutes.

And then the power goes out.

Thumping the trid player to restore power is also a long-standing tradition. As he pounds on the top of the box, Uller realises it is still actually working. He can hear a high-pitched tone coming from it, one that is getting disturbinlgy louder.

@Emerging: Tribe / Fre∑dom
[September 1, 2072 19:24:23; Senlis Residence, Bellevue]
SIN: Morgan Senlis, PAN: Active

LeFey gives everyone a fleeting smile. "Good luck. And thank you. I'll see you tonight." The witch opens another hole in the wall and walks through. Her paragon was waiting on the other side, looking very eager. "Thank goodness you reconsidered your farewell. "Whether we pull this off or not..." I couldn't think of a better way to kill the mood."

Morgan stares. "You read my mind?"

She could see the paragon winking beneath her (its?) veil. "Would I need to? You have a dreadful habit of pessimism."

The witch rolled her eyes as she brought up the commcode for her intended courier. "Andrew, we're in kind of on a tight schedule, here, so I have to make this quick." The teenager on the other end was about to greet her, but she continued talking at a rapid pace. "In less than an hour, someone will stop by your apartment with a package. I need you to rush that over to me. Hide it with some school stuff so it just looks like you're returning something I forgot."

Angelo raised an eyebrow. "Hi, to you, too."

She frowned. "Sorry." Morgan stares at the ground. "I'm nervous. And I'm probably going to get worse. Tonight's the night. This breakout has to go off perfectly, or..." She didn't even want to imagine the consequences. "Can you help me?"

@Emerging: Tribe / Fre∑dom, Alpha Apex
September 1, 2072 19:37:55;
Physical Location: Parking Lot, South Hill Mall, Pullyallup
BioNode: Hidden | Meta Link: Active, SIN: Alan Shepard

"Oi! Chummers! Wait up!" Alpha is running out of the mall, waving his hands in the air trying to get Spring and Tweak's attention before they drive off. "I'm going to need a lift into Bellevue as well. More eyes and ears that way. Also, do we really want to trust a Barrens matrix signal when hacking in Bellevue?" Alpha looks a little sheepish at this point "Aaaaand...I don't really have a car, or know how to drive very well."

Not sure if I ever wanted a car, or needed a...car... Wait a second... Alpha quickly flips over to his AR linkup with the group:

"@Jailbreakers: Hey chums? Who is picking up the getaway van, and who is driving it when we're running for our lives? I'm pretty sure the van is in the basement of the mall, and I'm not sure if we need to fix it up or anything before we go..."

Alpha opens the truck door, and scoots Tweak over to the middle of the bench. "Thanks for the lift."

As the truck pulls away, Alpha starts to chat. "So, uh, you two are scroungers? Grabbing, repairing, and modifying tech? Could never get a handle on the hardware side of things...too many wires and bolts and fiddly bits to twist and get stuck on and short out..."

@Emerging:Tribes; Spring
[September 1, 2072 19:37:55; Parking Lot, South Hill Mall, Pullyallup]
Renraku Sensei: Hidden, SIN: Steven Brokvich (fake R3)

Forget it, I said I'd drive. Sides this thing's not fitted anyway.

Just before the truck reaches the first bend, Tweak spots Alpha coming up behind: Stop!

Spring steps heavily on the brake and the boys are thwrown into the seat belts. Tweak looks at Spring, raises his eybrows.

Spring: Oops.
Hope Scrap's done the tying down good.



Tweak: You're right in here then.



No prob.
...
Yup, if it drives, floats, flies or is bolted down, we'll find you the parts and get it going again.

Tweak: Electronics too, obviously.

Reading Alpha's message, Spring slows down and stops.

That's not gonna work. I can't take both of you on my scooter. Plus someone has to drive that van and I bet it's fitted for...

He is interrupted by Tweak's response to Alpha's message.

Tweak@jailbreakers<<I've got it. Log says it's fine. @Glyph: Are you riding with me or using your own?>>
Tapping his head, he adds IRL: It is. @Alpha: See you later, gotta go. But then, do you want a ride into Bellevue in a car instead of hanging on to his scooter?

This last sentence is followed by a grin directed at Spring.

@Emerging: Tribe / Fre∑dom, Alpha Apex
September 1, 2072 19:37:55;
Physical Location: Parking Lot, South Hill Mall, Pullyallup
BioNode: Hidden | Meta Link: Active, SIN: Alan Shepard

Alpha mockingly scratches his chin in deep thought. "I dunno... It IS a tempting offer. I'm sure we'd get all those high class Bellevue ladies tripping over themselves to get at us riding piggy back on a scooter."

Then he frowns and winks, "Actually, that might be too much of a distraction. It's hard to hack when you're trying to keep the ladies off you. Van it is. There's a coffee shop nearby the neighborhood that I want to hang out in when it all goes down. Would be a good place to drop me off."

@Emerging: Tribe; Spring / Tweak
September 1, 2072 19:38:01;
Physical Location: Parking Lot, South Hill Mall, Pullyallup

Spring
Renraku Sensei: Hidden, SIN: Steven Brokvich (fake R3)

@Alpha: Heh, you're probably right. Would've been a fun idea though. A coffee shop in Bellevue, maybe I'll get to do some actual sight seeing, too. Make sure to ping the location and I'll meet you there.

@Tweak: Don't crash the van, we'll need it later.

Seems like an OK guy; guess he and Tweak'll be able to handle any Matrix stuff. Now, let's get this rig home.

Still a bit uneasy at the controls of the truck, he slowly drives off towards te bus barn.

Tweak
Novatech Airwave: Hidden, SIN: James Teems (fake R3)

@Spring: Yeah, but the idea is not to get flagged by KE. Crash? You first.

@Alpha: Come on, let's have a look at the van. You never know if someone messed something up without bothering to log it. Wouldn't do if someone forgot something in it that KE doesn't like, either.

Walking towards the Stepvan, Tweak checks the van's log to see what it's been used for last.

@Virtual Scream / Cat
[September 1, 2072, 12:01, 524 7th Street Northeast / Anonymous Matrix Node]

As Cat reaches for the opera glasses, she becomes aware of a faint but piercing tone like an alarm signal. It is rather out of keeping with the carefully crafted node otherwise she would probably not have noticed it.

As she drops the glasses into her purse, she sees DRKH0R5E's ears twitch. Clearly he has noticed it too. The sudden appearance of his butler lends credence to the feeling that something is not quite right.

"Master, I have detected an attempt to breach theEEEEEEEEEEEE."

The butler jerks rigid, arms stretched to his side and head arced back. The screech emanating from his mouth is exaclty the same as the tone Cat could hear but is much, much louder.

And then he explodes in a shower of blood and gore. DRKH0R5E catches the worst of it by far, but Cat's avatar is also covered in blood and there seems to some very realistic looking internal organs resting in her digital lap.

@Emerging:Tribes; Scrapheap
September 1, 2072, 19:38; Fre∑dom's home
PAN mode: Active | SIN displayed: Eric Jones

Scrapheap just sat back and let the group make and argue plans, most of the talk going right over his head. After the group broke up to make the trek up the road to Bellevue, he headed back to where he'd parked his bike. While on the way he retrieved the commcodes for Sprogget and Spring and loaded them into his new 'link.

<< @s^3: I'll meet up back with you guys at home, need to grab a couple of things for tonight. Probably best if I play free safety on this job, handle any "problems" outside the 'trix, neh? I'll ride along in the van, don't want the KE's to scrap this whole thing early 'cause I'm "driving while trog."

The bike's motor turned over with a little heavier roar than he'd usually let it, frustration at being the "dumb one" in the crowd bleeding into the throttle. Wonder what the fuck Spindle was thinkin' sending us...me...here. A spray of debris fanned into the air as he sped out of the converted mall and towards Mechanical's territory.

@Virtual Scream / Gossamer
[September 1, 2072, 12:15:00, The Citadel]

The Citadel's myriad of characters and stories make it all too easy to lose track of time. It was the best of both world's for the AI: the freedom of the matrix plus the diversity of human interaction.

She has been discussing avatar names with a hobbit by the name of Bilbo666. Well more like Bilbo666 was ranting at her about how difficult it was to get any of the 'good' names anymore. He seemed somewhat lacking in imagination or perhaps he was just a bit too much of a Tolkien fanboi.

She zones out for a moment, listening to a new harmony in the background music. Although it is faint, her ears are sharp even here in the digital. It is quite high-pitched and could be disturbing to human ears but she finds the complex harmonies somehow pleasant, even hypnotic. So she is a little shocked when she realises that the sound is not coming from the Citadel but through her subscription to her home node.

"Hey, are you even listening to meEEEEEEEEE"

Her attention is drawn back to Bilbo666, who stands rigid, arms to his side and head arced back.

And then he explodes, splattering her from head to foot in blood and gore. Around her, chaos erupts as several other avatars also explode. Icons wink out as other players disconnect and a message appears in the sky above her head.

<CITADEL ADMIN TO ALL PLAYERS : THERE WILL BE A SHORT UNSCHEDULED MAINTENANCE TO ADDRESS A NETWORK ISSUE : PLEASE LOG OFF NOW : ALL NETWORK CONNECTIONS WILL BE TERMINATED IN 59, 58, 57...>>

@Virtual Scream/Cipher
[September 1, 2072, 12:42; Downtown, Seattle]

Cipher is scanning the latest results of his search when it hits him. Literally. The data file he was reading tumbles from nerveless fingers, shattering into a million pieces as the high pitched sound grabs him and shakes him to his core. It is almost all he can do to cover his ears to try and block out the noise. Yet, a part of him wants to listen to it and he scans around desperately, looking for the source.

Looming over the buildings around him, the icon is maybe a hundred meters tall and is as hideous as it is beautiful. It is rendered as the head and torso of a naked man. It has no feet or hands, these seemingly having been surgically removed. Data spurts from the stumps in huge gouts of red blood, showering the sheep in the streets below. Only, they do not see it. Only he can.

The icon's head is a gory mess, all distinguishing features cut away. Even the top of the skull is missing, cut clean off and Cipher feels certain that if he was to look inside, the brain would also be missing. As he watches, a red line runs from its throat down to its groin. Cipher notes that the icon's genitals are also missing. A second red line runs across the torso, just under the ribs and then the whole thing opens up to him. Data in the form of lungs, heart and intestines spill out towards him.

@Virtual Scream, Alex Bianchi
September 1, 2072, 09:38:42; Carluccio's Restaurant
Hermes Ikon: Active | SIN: Alexander Bianchi ( Re 4 - Sig 3 - Fi 5 - Sys 4 - Agent 4 [running Analyze 4] )

Alex winced as the keening grew louder, "I dunno, but damn..."

He stood up from his table and looked towards the back of the restaurant, trying to see if the kitchen or wait staff had any ideas as to what was causing the noise.

@E:Tribes, Sprogget
[September 1, 2072 19:25:10; SH Mall, Hallway]
Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(3), Command(1), Edit(1), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Spoof(1), Stealth(3), Shield(1), Tacsoft(2), Simrig(1)
CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Active; SIN: Hugo Wright (R4)

@jailbreakers: <<Glyph, not going to take long to be ready.  Everything needed is sitting on a shelf, ready to be used for ... {vaugely} something else.  If it takes you 10 minutes to stand out less, the whole package should be wrapped and ready by the time you can get to the shop.>>

Realizing that the meeting is breaking up fast, Sprogget figures a bit more prep is needed,
@jailbreakers: <<Alpha, before everyone gets totally away, maybe you could setup a conference call to keep connected?  Or maybe better, a matrix node we can keep a window open into, to coordinate.  I think you should have connection information for everyone involved.  My commcode is already on the ARO.  I have Spring's and Scrapheap's as well.>>

[September 1, 2072 19:29:13; SH Mall, tribe parking area]

Reaching the truck in near record time, Sprogget quickly grabs the backpack containing the tool kits, leaving the package of steampunk samples.
@self:No time to get everything to fit in the pack.  Don't need it for now, and I can collect that when I move the Peng to the shop tomorrow.
He is about to send a message to Spring about the samples, then reconsiders,
@self:Spring better be bright enough to not walk all over the merch.  If he isn't, I'll have a real reason to lecture him!

Carefully fastening the backpack to the mount on the cycle, Sprogget gets ready to really roll, buckling in securely, and connecting a fiberoptic cable from the commlink on his arm to the node on the Doble Revolution.
@self:This is a short trip, but would not do for the pack to come loose, the way I plan to push.  OK, let's see if I learned anything from those lessons.
Dropping into full VR, he subscribes to then configures it for wired only access. Finally he dives into the cycle, and does a quick check of the status.
@self:Feels good.
Feeling a bit hungry, he realizes that it is the cycle fuel level, not his own stomach.  He opens a window to his own goggles, which are now 'external' to him, to get that view too.
@self:Better charge up some before heading to Bellevue with this.  An exhausted battery would be real embarrassing  while running away.  The goggles view is just to the sides, but might help for avoiding cross traffic.  That fuel level reminds me though.  No food yet, and I was going to ask Jazz about an ID.  Just send a text for now, so can get moving without chatting.

@Jazz: <<Left too quick to get that meal.  Running tight on timing.  Do you have a decent ID in that pile I can use?  Something with a tech maintenance profile acceptable in 'better' parts of the sprawl?  Can pay regular rates, don't need another link -- Sprogget>>
@self:Although I 'should' update from the CMT, even it is is just for show and to hold data and ID.

[September 1, 2072 19:31:51; SH Mall, tribe parking area]

@Tutor Sprite:"Roadrunner, monitor me here, but don't kibitz unless I am really messing up.  Going to push this.  The goal is minimum travel time, consistent with reasonable safety.  Report after the trip".

Sprogget takes a last look around, making sure the way is clear, then 'pushes' out of the starting blocks, as hard as he figures he can safely maintain.
@self:It's only a KM, even though the shop is on the west side of the complex, but twists all over the place getting there.  With the handling on this thing, and the way it ignores potholes, even a racing bike would have to work to keep up!  No straight pieces long enough for them to get up to speed that would blow past me, while I hold most of the speed I got while taking the sharp corners!

[September 1, 2072 19:35:21; Mechanical Complex, Sprogget's Shop]

Approaching the shop, Sprogget signals ahead, sending the code key to unlock and open the shop door.  The door opens just as he arrives, now back down to a more sedate speed.  Pulling up to the charging connector, he exits the vehicle node, then VR, disconnects the cable, unbuckles and gets out.
@self:Yeah, that was fun!!  Hope I don't get into too much trouble for that stunt.  The watchers are bound to have seen me.
He realizes that he has a wild grin on his face.
@self:Really, I don't care if I catch it.  It was worth it to see what the bike and I can do together!

RoadRunner:"Given the stated constraints, you did alright for your current skill level.  You were overreaching your sensors much of the time.  You could not see far enough around several of those corners far enough to detect obstacles before encountering them.  Even the improvement from running virtual would not have saved you if something unexpected occured.  Only your familiarity with the environment, and lack of traffic allowed you to succeed".

Still grinning, but somewhat chastened.
@Tutor Sprite:"Right, need better sensors, and more practice".

@E:Tribes, Sprogget
[September 1, 2072 19:35:21; Mechanical Complex, Sprogget's Shop]
Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(3), Command(1), Edit(1), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Spoof(1), Stealth(3), Shield(1), Tacsoft(2), Simrig(1)
CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Active; SIN: Hugo Wright (R4)

After setting the monocycle to get some extra charge, Sprogget starts gathering the gear to help Morgan get electronically clean.
@self:Better check in, and let them know I'm not staying long.
@Orenda: <<Hi Mom, I'm back in the shop, but going out again shortly.  Tribe business.  I'll try to grab a bite before I leave -S>>

@self:Ok, the packaging I use for the steampunk is here, the 'tronix detector is on the hook there, the backpack liners are on this shelf, the signal scanner should be in this ... drawer? ... Oh there it is.  Take one of the wireless adapters, to edit the tag data, the cables are in the backpack.
Digging the tag eraser and jammer out of what appears to be a pile of scrap parts, Sprogget lays the loot out on his harware workbench.  Picking up each piece of gear in turn, he uses the default skinlink interface to switch the default to short range wireless mode, and powers them down again.
@self:Morgan may not have skinlink access, so set everything to start in low signal range wireless mode.  Make sure all of the gear going in the package is in full stealth mode.  Nobody is going to detect any of this stuff before it is turned on by just noticing an RFID tag.  That signal scanner is pretty small.  Easy to misplace.  Lets stick it on ... Yes, this piece of scrap plastic.  Might be good to have Morgan on the tacnet, and

An ARO pops up showing that Jazz is calling.  Taking the call,
@self:I need to go find a ring tone for Jazz.  Something a bit pushy and in your face maybe.
@Jazz: {carefully respectful} <<Hello Jazz.  Thanks for calling me back so quick.>>

Jazz:"I wondered why you did not pick it up earlier.  Prospero said you would probably be wanting it.  Too busy thinking about your stomach"?

@self:Prospero knew did he?  Guess I deserved that shot about the food.
@Jazz: <<Last I talked to you, I did not know enough yet to know I would want it.  Then I was rushing against a timeline.  Still am.  What did Prospero line up?>>

Jazz:"Here's the profile {document ARO}, and here's the account to pay to {payment ARO}".

Sprogget quickly scans the related fluff.
@self:(Paul Brickhill, repair tech, multiple districts, reliable, has worked upper neighborhoods.
@Jazz: <<Looks like just the ticket.>>
@self:Yeah, Prospero knew what we were going to need to do, at least in outline.
Releasing the the funds to the ARO,
@Jazz: <<Could you ask Prospero, if he, or one of your group, can improve my regular ID, or do I need to create a complete new one?  What's this going to show as on the transaction?>>

Jazz:"Nice doing business with you Paul, {Paul Brickhill Fake SIN R3} you are now the happy owner of 3 limited edition, hard copy only, prints by the great dwarven artist Earthen Split.  Enjoy them in good health".

Click.

@self:Right, I'll just hang them in the gallery.  Seems to be annoyed with me.  Hope she remembers to ask Prospero.
Starting to turn back to the gathering, Sprogget has a thought.
@self:Paul Brickhill?
One {very} quick matrix search later, he finds a historical reference for Paul Brickhill
@self:{sarcastically}Right!  Just call me CJ.  Escape to Danger, The Great Escape, Escape - Or Die, even Dam Busters.  Good thing the book authors name is not as well known as the movie.

Shaking his head, he turns back to the packing.

@E:Tribes, Sprogget
[September 1, 2072 19:35:21; Mechanical Complex, Sprogget's Shop]
Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(3), Command(1), Edit(1), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Spoof(1), Stealth(3), Shield(1), Tacsoft(2), Simrig(1)
CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Active; SIN: Hugo Wright (R4)

@self:Let's see, sensors for tacnet channels, .. in a separate envelope to not lose in with the rest of this.  The adapter and cables, for editing the tag data, and just in case we need to access something directly instead of through Morgan.  Still fairly short range, but Alpha should be able to patch through from the CHN.  Oh yes,
Picking up the jammer again.
@self:this is powerful enough to block way more than really wanted.  Lock it to level 4, so it will only jam security tags and less, and then only when within 5 meters.
Taking the box of stealth tags down from the shelf.
@self:That leaves the decoy tags.  Going to have to replace these, to control the tag packages for the gear to be sold at crime mall, but glad they are ready.  Just need to load the code from the security tag, and set it to transmit continuously once activated. {thinking} Best would be to tie this to a sensor so that it automatically takes over when the original goes off air.  Takes to long.  Instead, I can hardware connect from one of the tags, to one or more others, so that sending the code key to the first tag will turn on the others.  Then we just need to manually synchronize turning the jammer on at the same time as turning the decoy on.
Grabbing a bit of mounting material from shop supplies, Sprogget tack glues down 4 stealth tags, connecting them with bits of fiberoptic cable, so that sending the stealth key code to the first tag triggers the other three, and that once triggered, the 3 continue to repeat.
@self:If we find more than 3 security tags, we'll need to abort, and have to REALLY reevaluate how much of an escape risk someone thinks Morgan is.  Test time.
@Stealh Tag 1: <<st1id:go>>

Stealth Tag 1:<<done>>
Stealth Tag 2:<<here ... here ... here ...>>
Stealth Tag 3:<<here ... here ... here ...>>
Stealth Tag 4:<<here ... here ... here ...>>

@self:Aces.
Manually resetting the tags, so they can be triggered again later,
[/indent]@self:That just leaves being able to load the decoys with the right value when we have it.  Better test that too.  No workbench, minimal tools, and minimal experience when that has to work.  Worst case is the tag signal is encrypted, and we, well probably Alpha, will have to break that before loading to the decoys.

Orenda arrives unannounced from upstairs carrying a 'meal to go' package.  Her eyes scan across the work spread out on the workbench, then jump back to the jammer, then to Sprogget.
@self:Oh oh.

Orenda: {sternly}"Knowing you, you would be in too much of a rush to get that food.  Take this, and make time to eat it".

@Orenda: {sheepishly}"Yes, mom".
Setting the food down on the workbench, away from the work in progress, Orenda stalks out without another word.

Glaring at the jammer,
@self:Why did I have to leave that out?  She knows enough tech to recognize what it is, and knows it is not used for casual business.  Now she is going to worry.  Telling her we intend to spring a TM from Bellevue would NOT help.  I better ping her soon as we are clear, and again when I get back home.  She'll tell me tomorrow that she slept fine, and did not get the texts until morning, but I bet she will not sleep until am actually back in the house.  Slot.  I'll have to think of something trivial to send, so everyone can pretend.

Connecting the wireless adapter to the first stealth tag using a larger piece of cable, and another connector, he checks that he can change the 'here' message on each of the 3 connected tags.
@self:Only need to hook in one place, since they are already hardwired together.
Putting 2 of the folded liners and the smaller pieces into a third liner for a bit of extra protection, Sprogget starts packaging the whole collection up, then hesitates, glancing at the time.
@self:Should be a couple of minutes before Jazz gets here yet.  I want to know.  Roadrunnner is still here, giving me access to the discrete travel skills, since I never canceled that.
Taking just the jammer, and moving away from things he might knock over, Sprogget sits on the floor, starts his simrig recording to a data chip.  Carefully setting the jammer so that it will turn off if he lets go of it, he gingerly activates it.

Feeling a little lighted headed, and off balance, like the floor is further away than it is supposed to be,
@self:Well, this is not exactly a FUN time, but nowhere's near what I remember.
@Tutor Sprite:"RoadRunner, you doing something to block the effects?".

RoadRunner: Soundly vaguely puzzled, "I do not believe so.  That blocked my direct view of the local nodes, but resonance is still there.  The resonance is always there".

@self:OK, what else is different this time?  Oh, I am still connected to the PAN!  How come? ... The Skinlink!  Need another test.
First turning off jammer, he removes and sets aside all of the skinlink gear he currently has connected.  CMT Clip, Goggles, Earbuds, Subvocal microphone, and AR Gloves.
@self:Play safe here.  Temporarily disable the skinlink on the jammer too.
Sprogget again gingerly activates the jammer.  The floor gets further away, and now it is precessing a little too.

Waiting just long enough to get a few seconds recording, Sprogget releases the jammer to turn it off.
@self:OK, less fun.  Seems I want to have connections.  Still not as bad, having Roadrunner sitting there helps by itself.

Putting the gear back where it belongs, Sprogget considers briefly.
@Tutor Sprite:"OK Roadrunner, I release all of your tasks.".
Sprogget watches as the sprite does an animation of the road runner cartoon fast exit as it derezzes.
@self:Great, a piece of the resonance with a sense of humor.
Activating the jammer again, he records a few more seconds of simsense.
@self:About the same.  Maybe a little worse than sprite without PAN.  Now to repeat the original test for completeness.  I really don't want to do this.
Sprogget sets the PAN gear aside again, then gritting his teeth, activates the jammer.

Vertigo.  Nausea.

Sweating, he releases the jammer, and turns off the recording.
@self:Drek! Yeah, that is what I remember.
Recovering quickly, he gathers the PAN gear together, and resets the jammer so skinlink works again, but defaults to wireless on power up.
@self:I better warn Morgan, that if she is using the jammer herself, you can turn the jammer ON wirelessly, but not off again, if you are jammed.  Unless she has skinlink.
Glancing at the time ARO, Sprogget quickly gets up, grabs a pair of gloves, and some standard industrial cleaner.  Cleaning the pieces individually, most carefully the stealth tag setup, he finishes packing the gear that needs to be taken to Angelo.
@self:Would not be good to leave prints or DNA samples at the scene.  Only the tags should be staying behind, but best to be safe.  Glyph should be here any sec now.

[September 1, 2072 19:45:03; Mechanical Complex, Sprogget's Shop]

@E:Tribes, Sprogget
[September 1, 2072 19:45:03; Mechanical Complex, Sprogget's Shop]
Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(3), Command(1), Edit(1), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Spoof(1), Stealth(3), Shield(1), Tacsoft(2), Simrig(1)
CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Active; SIN: Hugo Wright (R4)

@self:Ok, everything ready to go, let's see what that text message was.
@self:Huh?  Eric Jones?  ...  Oh, must be Scrapheap's new link and ID.
Adding the calling commcode to the existing profile information.

@self:Trog or no, new id or no, we really do not need to be seen as our selves in Bellevue.
@Scrapheap: <<Hey 'Eric'.  I was busy packing the 'surprise cake', so just got to your message.  Even if that trog face does not get you hassled, it **is** sort of distinctive.  I have a few cans of nanopaste that could do something about both.  Depending on your timing, you could stop by the shop, or I can take with and meet later.  My bigger concern, once change the face, is to make sure that the papers on that room sweeper of yours are good.  I'm taking the cycle, which is more recognizable than I like, but it's going to be 'Paul' driving it, with a new face. -- Sprogget>>

Thinking as he works, Sprogget does a bit more preparations while waiting for Glyph to come collect the package.
@self:Load that new ID on the 'Clip, transfer some 'walking about' funds to it, make it active.  For safety, move the Hugo Wright information off to a data chip.  That profile looks good.  Prospero, or whoever, did a good job.  I'll memorize details in a bit.

Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(3), Command(1), Edit(1), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Spoof(1), Stealth(3), Shield(1), Tacsoft(2), Simrig(1)
CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Passive; SIN: Paul Brickhill (R3)

Not quite ready to add the disguise, and change clothes, or pull the sprite from resonance, till the package is on its way, Sprogget spends a bit of time gathering the bits he want to carry along.
@self:I could reasably take a lot more in the Peng You, when it is ready, but for now, need to limit to what I can take with a pack, on the bike.  Let's see, extra sensors, nanopaste, medkit, stim and trauma patches, hardware and industrial toolkits, some extra 'tronics tools and fluff.  I need a check list.  Of maybe Paul does.

@Emerging: Tribe / Fre∑dom
[September 1, 2072 19:35:21; Senlis Residence, Bellevue]
SIN: Morgan Senlis, PAN: Active

"It's a little after 7:30. Yeah, I should be able to get it to you around 8." Angelo's expression changes to a more serious one. "I know you've probably heard this before, and it goes without saying, but watch your back out there. I've been to the Barrens. Once, which was more than enough." He swallows hard. "Pollution, desperation, and violence as far as the eye can see. Your best bet is to stay with the tribe and in a safe place as often as possible. I'm not trying to be insulting..."

Morgan smiles sadly. "But I couldn't fight my way through wet paper. At least in meatspace." Even on the matrix, she usually depended on Paladin sprites to defend her.

"You said it, not me." The teenager reaches for a jacket. "I'll see you soon. And on the other side."

@Emerging: Tribe; Spring
September 1, 2072 19:40:23;
Physical Location: Mechanicals, Bus Barn, Puyallup, Seattle
Renraku Sensei: Hidden, SIN: Steven Brokvich (fake R3)

Letting the big rig roll into the bus barn, Spring breathes out audibly and kills the engine.

Hope not too many people saw that near miss. Sounds strange, shouldn't it be near hit?

He logs on to the barn's node and adds a note to the vehicle log.
<<Truck returned, cargo's gonna stay on it for a while, though; don't like that - ping Sprogget
<timestamp> Spring>>

Next, a message to send. @Tweak, Alpha: <<Scrapheap's changed comms <commcode>, wanted to ride with you.>>

Finally he takes his clothes and takes them to his sleeping corner, drops them onto a heap, fishes his gun out, reconsiders, tosses it back, heads out, comes back, picks up his harp, pockets it and finally heads for his scooter.

Nobody says you need a license for your good luck charm. Not yet, at least.

He sits down on his scooter, brings up a map of Seattle and starts charting his route.

Damn, I knew Bellevue was almost on another planet, but that's ridiculous. Better get it over with.

Accelerating as hard as his scooter can to make up for lost face, he heads north.

@Virtual Scream / Cat
[September 1, 2072, 12:01, 524 7th Street Northeast / Anonymous Matrix Node]

Gesturing at the blood and guts everywhere with a vague hand wave, Cat begins her log off sequence.

"DRKHOR5E, this is hardly appropriate, even for the Matrix. I'll be in touch."

@Emerging:Tribes; Scrapheap
September 1, 2072, 19:45:38; Mechanical's turf
PAN mode: Passive | SIN displayed: Eric Jones

Scrapheap backed the bike into it's spot and let it land a little rougher on it's kickstand than he probably should have, but time was becoming more and more of the essence. Grabbing the shotgun from it's holster on the bike, he bolted up the stairs towards his little corner. The new text indicator made him slow for a second, as he was still getting the hang of the new OS visuals compared to his older 'link. He grunted, then ignored it for the moment as he reached his "room". Gonna need the expensive toys tonight...hope they don't get fragged, those were hard to get that hob to part with.

The footlocker at the foot of his cot squealed loudly as he opened it, and he carefully picked his goggles out of it. The new commlink synced to it quicker than he was used to, and it almost seemed like the visual quality was better. Nahhhh...still, this new 'link is something else. Wonder what else I can get it to do that the older one would choke on...older one. Right, don't bring that. He placed the MetaLink where the goggles had been.

Scrapheap grabbed the second stimpatch out of the locker and dropped it into the pocket with the other one he had brought on the field trip. He ejected all of the rounds from the shotgun and reboxed the shot shells. Those won't do shit if we get into it, no way the heat isn't tanked up. He reloaded the Remington with the slug rounds and dropped the remaining two shells from the box into the pocket with the flashlight.

He locked the trunk and stood up, checking that the knife in the thigh scabbard and the machete on his waist were still secure, then grabbed the wire clippers as an afterthought. Might come in handy, hope the van ain't left without me.

<< @jailbreakers: This is Scrap, on my way back to Fre∑edom. Think I'll ride in the back 'o the van, so the heat don't start askin' questions. >>

<< @Sprogget: My ID's got a bounty hunter license, so the ugly, the boomstick, and the pigstickers all sync up with that. Besides, if I'm doin' somethin' other than babysittin' the new tribal on the way back somethin's gone bad already. I'll see you when we hook back up with the rest o' them. >>

Satisfied that everything was in order, Scrapheap got back onto his Triumph and hauled ass back towards Fre∑dom turf.

@E: Tribes
September 1, 2072 19:27:42;
Physical Location: White Residence
PAN - Passive; SIN - Calliope White


Glyph opened the door to the apartment and locked the door behind her. Hanging her helmet in the usual spot she headed to the bathroom, and started digging through the bag of gear searching for the hair dye Natasha had gotten for her.

Good thing the meet was in the mall, would have sucked having to play around with this dye in a public bathroom. I just hope this dye does the job.

Glyph pulls out a couple of bottles of a shimmering dark opalescent liquid, and a spay can all with the same logo, a tombstone with the epitaph "2 dye 4", and begins reading the directions on the spray can.


September 1, 2072 19:45:42;
Physical Location: Mechanicals Complex
PAN - Passive; SIN - Calliope White


Glyph slows her Rapier to a manageable crawl as she nears the Mechanicals Complex.

<<@Sprogget: Do you have a vehicle entrance to your workshop or am I going to have to park my bike?>>

@E:PL/Chi Town/Copperhead
[July 8th, 2072, 23:37:16; Storm Drain, somewhere beyond Blackwater, CZ, Chicago]

<<Copperhead? You there slitch? We picked up your signal, guess we’re somewhere above you from the distortion.>>

<<@Stitch, Requiem: Well I sure am glad ta hear ya ain't dead. I is down in storm drains wid da kids and we is up ta our hoops in ghouls. See if youse can find an exit and secure it fer us and we'll be right there wid you.>>

She can't maintain her mask and mentally work the commlink at the same time, so she lets her magic fade for now. She adds the runners' comm signal to her AR with and arrow and distance marker and moves off towards it. As 'up' is not a possible choice of direction for the moment, she moves to the junction from where the ghoul was taunting her.

She keeps the big gun ready, held up at eye level for easier aiming, and hisses at the kids.

"Da cavalry is upstairs. Stick close and we might still gets outta here before we gets eaten."

@Virtual Scream, Dante
[September 1, 2072, 15:15:01, Hai Fuk noodle house, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]

As Dante backs away from the two gangers, the sound becomes an ear-piercing screech. The gangers can obviously now hear it too, as they both seem more intent on covering their ears with their hands than trying to shoot him. Dante realises that at least some of the sound is coming from his own commlink although its agent has as yet given no warning or alert.

Then, he hears the geisha girl waitress give a shriek of pain/fear. And despite the distracting noise, he also hears footsteps on the balcony above his head.

@Virtual Scream, Alex Bianchi
September 1, 2072, 13:13:16; Carluccio's Restaurant

Alex quickly realises that at least some of the sound is coming from his own commlink even though Gabriel has not raised an alert or made any attempt to shut it down. However, that element of the noise is a mere whisper compared to the howling scream coming from the ancient music system behind the counter. As his eyes fall on the retro device, the wine glasses stacked above it start to shatter, one by one by one.

The other restaurant goers are starting to panic, some pushing passed him to get to the exit. Over the noise, He can hear Selene shouting.

"Stay calm people. Move in an orderly fashion to the exits."

@Virtual Scream / Cat
[September 1, 2072, 12:01:03, 524 7th Street Northeast / Anonymous Matrix Node]

As Cat's fingers run through the motions to log off from the node, DRKH0R5E pushes back his chair and rises smoothly to his feet. He makes a small gesture with his hands like shaking off water and his icon snaps back to its original spotlessly clean form. He turns to where his butler was standing and watches for a moment as something begins to resolve in the air.

As the true horror of the new icon slowly resolves into stunning detail, Cat wills her commlink to respond. The bloody torso is missing its hands, feet, genitals and head and blood spurts from the clinically straight wounds. Its torso has been cut neatly down and across the center, the skin and bones pulled back to reveal an empty carcass. Her eyes are drawn back to the twitching liver(?) sitting in her lap.

Over the howling shriek that fills the node, she hears DRKH0R5E's voice, as calm as her own was just a moment before.

"Miss Flanders, this node has been breached by this entity, which also took out my agent with no apparent effort. While I do apologise for the mess, I strongly recommend you log off before it does to you, what it did to Geoffrey. I look forward to our next meeting and hope it ends less distastefully than this one."

And with that, he snaps his fingers and disappears, leaving you alone with the bloody corpse.

<<Connection terminated>>

@E:Tribes, Sprogget
[September 1, 2072 19:45:42; Mechanical Complex, Sprogget's Shop]
Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(3), Command(1), Edit(1), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Spoof(1), Stealth(3), Shield(1), Tacsoft(2), Simrig(1)
CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Hidden; SIN: Paul Brickhill (R3)

Just as Sprogget is about to start gathering the gear he wants to take, a message ARO opens in his view.
@self:Right, she has not been here before.
@Glyph: <<Big door, east side, I've tagged an ARO to your ID, so you should see it, and the door will open when you get close.>>
Hastily doing what he said, rolling out the AR welcome mat.

As he is checking one last time that the package is ready for shipping, a couple of text message ARO's pop up one after the other, at the edge of his view.
@self:'gone bad' is actually the best reason to not want your own face on any monitors, but ... {shrug}
@Scrapheap: <<Your choice -- Sprogget>>

As the door opens, and Glyph wheels her Rapier in, Sprogget is just walking up with the package.  He notices the bike first.
@self:Hey!, those wheels are near antique.  That would look good punked up.  I do like the art to be functional, not just for show.
Sprogget makes a mental note to do a design plan around the rapier, just for fun, then does a double take at Glyph.
@self:OK, that black fur is going to blend in at night WAY better than her natural coloring.  It also hides that glow.  Spring said she glowed faintly, but I think that is just his, or maybe Tweaks eyes.  There was too much light at the meeting to be sure, but I thought that in low light conditions, she could be used for a flashlight.
@Glyph: "Right, black furry ninja in the dark of night.  If not for thermal, you would be nearly invisible out of the light".
Remembering what is important just now, he hands over the package.
@Glyph: "Try to make sure we have a way of getting the package back from Angelo, if he can not deliver it.  We'll need the contents if going in directly, and I would like to get most of it back eventually.  I don't have spares right now".
@self:Right, important things.  I wonder how doc is doing with Anna?  I did not even verify that doc made it here yet.  If she didn't, Jazz is going to get more than attitude!
Offering a couple of RFID sensors,
@Glyph: "You got enough electronic compatible sensor channels to support level 2 tacsoft"?

@E:PL UK
[May 21st, 2072, 17:12; Outskirts of Exeter, headed north]
PAN=Active; SIN:Nina Okada

As the Cat vehicle trudges along the roadless terrain, Tsubaki glances over the woodsy scenery outside her passenger window, and then the peculiar stillness of the waters in the reservoir, and the vacant sky above. The level of mana in the area tickles her interest... She makes note of their location on the GPS in her commlink. Back inside the Cat, the Collot pair look to be in their own little world right now. Then, the silver-haired woman turns around, leisurely curls her body up into a ball into the small, back corner of her seat, and like some kind of elegant feline appearing, slowly lifts, stretches, and rests her legs and feet upon the conveniently placed knee of whomever happens to be sitting closest to her. Tsubaki chooses that brunette male with the stern, blue eyes—Mordred. The toes of her short-cut boots wriggle at him friendly-like. To her fellow runners, she asks, "So, what's on the agenda~?" Then, glancing at Gemeaux and in regards to his predicament with his compromised commlink, Tsubaki has be certain of, "You didn't have anything worth the trouble, did you?"

@E:PL /UK
[May 21st, 2072, 17:12; Outskirts of Exeter, headed north]
SIN: Spencer Lovett, PAN: Active

"Ahem." Mordred apparently doesn't know what to make of Tsubaki's gesture. He simply decides to let her remain as she is while he talks. "If we are still on the right track, we should continue on. That said..." With some awkwardness, the adept reaches underneath his seat for his duffel bag. Producing a collapseable stock and a scope for his gun, he continues, "An abandoned road is a good place for something bad to happen. Let's keep an eye out." He checks his commlink for a matrix signal. The area couldn't have been uninhabited as it looked, could it?

@Emerging: Tribe / Fre∑dom, Alpha Apex
September 1, 2072 19:50:55;
Physical Location: Basement Loading Docks, South Hill Mall, Pullyallup
BioNode: Hidden | Meta Link: Active, SIN: Alan Shepard

<<@Scrapheap: Tweak and I are in the basement loading docks of the mall checking out the van, location here.>> Pings a spot on an overlaid map. <<Glad to have some muscle along for the ride, although personally I hope are so bored you get to take a nap back there...>>

Walking around the van, Alpha occasionally bends over to take a close look at random parts of the van...not really knowing what to look for when inspecting it, but not wanting to just stand around while Tweak gives it the real once over.

You know...speaking of muscle, I might need a little extra muscle in that node in case some spider comes crawling onto my web.

"Hey Tweak, let me know when you give the van a clean bill of health. I'll be over here..."

Alpha moves to a quiet corner of the docks, sits crosslegged on the grimy floor, and pulls his perception inward to the resonance...

Oh, denizens of the Deep Resonance, heed my call for aid. Oh, denizens of the Deep Resonance, heed my call for aid. Oh, denizens of the Deep Resonance, heed my call for aid.

A large sprite, looking like a Cylon wearing the garb of a Knight Templar appears in Alpha's matrix view, and kneels with the point of its cruciform sword in the ground.

"Thank you for your aid. Zero One thanks you. Wait for my call in the Deep Resonance, and prepare yourself for battle."

The sprite salutes, and pixellates out of view.

@Virtual Scream / Gossamer
[September 1, 2072, 12:15:00, The Citadel]

With the matrix seemingly coming around about her ears and simultaneous attacks on four different nodes Gossamer's first thought was simply to disconnect her home node from the matrix and sever any connection through which an attack could come. She baulked at the idea of losing her connection though...being trapped, or worse still true death was not a prospect she would countenance without more evidence of the threat.

Instead she proceeded to log off, first the Citadel with its crumbling architecture, then Shadowland and finally the CHN leaving her to bolster her defences in her natural place inside Bee. As she left each node, her icon slowly fading away, she cast out her senses to try and determine what the hypnotic whine was...

@E:PL/Chi Town/Copperhead
[July 8th, 2072, 23:37:16; Storm Drain, somewhere beyond Blackwater, CZ, Chicago]

Plunging ahead into the side tunnel you can almost feel Jon and Katie begin to quail. Their grip on things is starting to unravel and it’s only your presence that has stopped them falling apart already.

Your options become worse as the tunnel opens up into a series of huge chambers filled with rushing water, rusting gantries and a million hiding places for a bunch of hungry ghouls. You are just glad that even though their body temps aren’t human standard they will still show up against this fetid mess to your enhanced sight.

Gauging a route is difficult but you suspect that at the far end there is an inspection ladder that leads up…the best chance of it heading towards Req and Stitch…and the best place for the shit to hit the fan!

@E:Tribes
[September 1, 2072 19:47:13; Various Locations]

<<@Fre∑dom [Prospero]: There is something unusual happening in the matrix today and before it impacts on us I am going to sever our main connection to the Seattle LTG before the effects become more serious. It may be nothing but until we have more information matrix access will be restricted to within the mall. Please do not use your ‘links outside the mall until we know more. I know that various people will be pissed at us for disrupting their matrix connection but direct any flak to me or Arial and we will handle it. I will keep up a dedicated link and some of us will be investigating what’s going on. I will let you know as soon as it looks like things are going back to normal.>>

<<@Mechanicals [Prospero, Fre∑dom]: I’m sorry but we are going to have to suspend the matrix links for a while. If you have any connections to the Seattle grid I suggest you do the same until we have had time to verify what the hell is going on in Seattle today!>>

@Emerging: Tribe / Fre∑dom, Alpha Apex
September 1, 2072 19:50:55;
Physical Location: Basement Loading Docks, South Hill Mall, Pullyallup
BioNode: Hidden | Meta Link: Active, SIN: Alan Shepard



Alpha's temper flares quickly and obviously at the news. He quickly swipes his view over to the internal mall node and stomps over to Prospero's avatar.

@Prospero: "WHAT THE HELL?!? Are you fragging kidding me, Prospero? How long do we have before shutdown? Seconds? Minutes? Hours? Gimmie a timeframe! Hard to get the job THAT YOU SET ME UP WITH done without a 'trix feed!"

Alpha opens up a second window and fires off a quick text: <<@Phobos: Phobos! What the heck is going on tonight? Prospero is shutting down the mall access because of "something unusual." Been a little busy planning lately to hop on the hacker news network...>>

Back in the basement loading docks, Alpha seethes a little, and tries to cool off... "Frag it." he says to noone in particular, and kicks a stray piece of scrap that was lying around, and promptly stubs his toe. Grimacing a little bit, he turns to Tweak. "Glad we're headed out for coffee in Bellevue tonight, eh Tweak? Maybe some of my buddies will have some info...but first we need to get me a matrix signal."

@Emerging:Tribes; Scrapheap
September 1, 2072, 19:53:38; Fre∑dom's turf
PAN mode: Passive | SIN displayed: Eric Jones

The Triumph's throaty rumble announces Scrapheap's arrival into the loading bays of the converted mall, and he drops the kickstand next to the step-van the "team" is planning on using for the night's activities. He slides the shotgun out of it's holster as he gets off the bike and lays it casually back across his right shoulder, watching Tweak inspect the vehicle. He raises an eyebrow at Alpha's thundercloud expression.

"Thought I was supposed to be the bad cop tonight.", he says with a sardonic grin.

@Virtual Scream, Alex Bianchi
September 1, 2072, 13:13:30; Carluccio's Restaurant
Hermes Ikon: Active | SIN: Alexander Bianchi ( Re 4 - Sig 3 - Fi 5 - Sys 4 - Agent 4 [running Analyze 4] )

Alex starts to head back towards the kitchen area to check on the staff of Carluccio's, but is stopped by Selene's hand on his shoulder. "That means you, too, Alex." The sting of the order is softened by the sad look in the ork detective's eyes, and Alex just nods while angry responses bounce off the back of his gritted teeth.

"Old habits die hard don't they, part– Selene." He sighs, and heads for the exit at the back of the throng of patrons. "I'll drop you a line later, right?"

The screech emanating from his commlink grates on his nerves as he walks back to his Lexus, and he fishes it out of his jacket pocket as he drops into the driver's seat. It's about as responsive as a brick, but after about a minute and a half of AR commands and button pushing he gets it to shut down and reboot into "Safe" mode to see if there was anything obviously wrong with it and why Gabriel hadn't responded.

@Virtual Scream / Dubstep
[September 1, 2072, 12:15:03, Dubstep's Apartment, Downtown Seattle]

With no music to discract him, Dubstep listens to the tone, trying to work out what it is and where it is coming from. He realises that it is not coming from any external source but from the headphones themselves, meaning his backup commlink.

More worrying is that the sound is now also coming from inside his own commlink's node and the sudden increase in volume is almost painfully distracting. Worse, something is slowly beginning to resolve inside his node. It appears to be some sort of agent, although it is like nothing he has ever seen before. It resolves into the head and torso of a man. Its hands, feet and genitals have been cleanly removed along with the top of its head. It has no eyes, ears, nose, lips or even teeth in its screeching mouth. Blood drips from the surgically precise wounds, staining the digital floor.

The blood is clearly some sort of data transfer although it appears to be encrypted and he can almost feel his response times slowing as gigapulses of data rapidly fill up his link's available memory. He also realises that the scream is not a single tone, but a complex harmony that conceals several programs including an exploit, spoof, attack and a black IC program. If he is reading their capabilities right, both the agent and its programs are operating at a level that is way above the recommended load ratings for his commlink. It that melting solder he can smell?

As he prepares to engage the agent, he gets a brief message from Cindy.

<<Unathorised agent detected. Starting shutdown proceEEEEEEEEEEE...>>

@Virtual Scream/Uller
[September 1, 2072, 12:15; Downtown, Seattle]
Sony Emperor: Active | SIN: Luke MacAuley ( Re 2 - Sig 3 - Fi 2 - Sys 2)

Uller stares at the screen. He's no technical expert - in fact, he's virtually illiterate by the standards of the age - but he knows the trid player isn't supposed to do that. And the noise is beginning to get on his nerves. Which means there's only one thing to do.

The elf starts to dial in Harvey's number, hoping that the ex-rigger is picking up.

@Virtual Scream: Dubstep
[September 1, 2072, 12:15:03 Dubstep's Apartment, Downtown Seattle]
PAN: Hidden, SIN: Jo Datsik (Fake SIN Rtg4), Response 6, Signal 5, System 6, Firewall 6, (Analyze 6, Armor 3-Ergonomic, Attack 4-Ergo, Biofeedback Filter 6, Browse 6-Ergo, Command 6-Ergo, Disarm 3, ECCM 3-Ergo, Edit 6-Ergo, Exploit 6, Scan 6, Spoof 3-Ergo, Stealth 6)

Secondary PAN: Active, SIN: Jo Datsik(Fake SIN Rtg4), Response 3, Signal 4, System 4, Firewall 4, (Agent 3, Analyze 4, Browse 4, Edit 4, Tacsoft 2)

Great Ghostwalker, what is that thing? Dubstep quickly sets his sound filters to edit out the scream though he doubts it will have any effect on this mysterious intruder. Making note of the Access ID link to the Agent for future research, he takes a moment to try decrypting some of the massive amounts of data pouring onto his commlink.