@Virtual Scream/Uller
[September 1, 2072, 12:18; Downtown, Seattle]
Sony Emperor: Active | SIN: Luke MacAuley ( Re 2 - Sig 3 - Fi 2 - Sys 2)
The elf glares back at his apartment for a moment, then shrugs. Weird technological shit is above his paylevel. Always has been. If he goes to see Harvey then not only might he get an answer about what the hell just happened - but he might find something towards his rent money. Plus, right now, Uller would love the chance to hurt someone. Not badly, just get things out of his system a little. Some deserving perp was going to get his.
Whistling ancient Southern folk tunes, his work bag slung over one shoulder, he sets out to see whether Harvey's in - shouldn't take him too long to walk it.
Full Version: 2072: Game World
Pages: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51
@E:PL /UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:26; Overlooking Clearwater, Exmoor, UK]
SIN: Spencer Lovett, PAN: Active
Gently, the adept eases himself from under Tsubaki.
"It'd be even worse proceeding further not knowing what we might run into." Mordred pulls off his dark blue suit to reveal the camouflaged armor beneath. He nudges the commlink toward them. "Which is why we need to check things out before hand. Here. Link that up with yours. This place looks to be off the grid, but we can still keep in touch." He adds a taser and shock glove to his arsenal. "I'll take the lead, then." The adept had been taught to remain unseen in many different environments.
"We're not far from Clearwater. Maybe we can get a glimpse of what this commune is all about." Mordred exits the RV, starting toward the pump station. Strange. If these people were some kind of environmental group, this wouldn't be so surprising. But they wanted to shelter a couple of technomancers. He definitely had to find out what this group was up to before anything else.
[May 21st, 2072, 18:26; Overlooking Clearwater, Exmoor, UK]
SIN: Spencer Lovett, PAN: Active
Gently, the adept eases himself from under Tsubaki.
"It'd be even worse proceeding further not knowing what we might run into." Mordred pulls off his dark blue suit to reveal the camouflaged armor beneath. He nudges the commlink toward them. "Which is why we need to check things out before hand. Here. Link that up with yours. This place looks to be off the grid, but we can still keep in touch." He adds a taser and shock glove to his arsenal. "I'll take the lead, then." The adept had been taught to remain unseen in many different environments.
"We're not far from Clearwater. Maybe we can get a glimpse of what this commune is all about." Mordred exits the RV, starting toward the pump station. Strange. If these people were some kind of environmental group, this wouldn't be so surprising. But they wanted to shelter a couple of technomancers. He definitely had to find out what this group was up to before anything else.
@Virtual Scream/Uller
[September 1, 2072, 12:18; Downtown, Seattle]
Sony Emperor: Active | SIN: Luke MacAuley ( Re 2 - Sig 3 - Fi 2 - Sys 2)
The walk to Harvey's workshop is uneventful and even the acid rain holds off. Uller is actually happy he has to walk, as the traffic is backed up something terrible. Looks like his trid player isn't the only tech playing up today.
He finds Harvey staring at the screen of an ancient terminal and cursing under his breath. He greets Uller with an angry rant.
"I'm busy. Keep it short and no fraggin dwarf jokes. Half my rigs got hit by the >1rtu@l5cr3am. I got a fraggin foot eating up half the system the resources in my truck and a nose in my rotodrone. A fraggin' nose, I tell ya. I knew I never shoulda installed that chem sniffer in it. And frag knows what's in my link, man. It's like veins or something. Grossing me out so much I had ta switch on this pile of drek. It don't even have AR."
All Uller can make out is several windows of code scrolling up the screen at an alarming rate. Harvey prods the screen with a couple of stubby fingers and a sheet of paper is ejected from the ancient terminal. He tosses it at Uller.
"Here, this just came in. Right up your alley. A pair of dumbass trogs tried ta use the chaos to rob a Stuffer Shack on the edge of Renton about an hour ago. The store manager blew one of them away. The other one grabbed the checkout girl and took off, on foot. There's not much in the way of cameras down there, so KE's put up a reward for information leading to an arrest. There's extra for bringing in big ugly and getting the chica back in one piece. So unless you came here for something other than work, why are you still here?"
The paper has a couple of pictures of a troll, one with a case number held up in front of him. His name is Solomon Dean, aka Slicer Dicer. There is a long list of priors including B&E, assault, possession of drugs and unregistered weapons. Seems like Slicer has been a busy boy considering his listed date of birth would make him about 17. No listed gang affiliation. Last known address is in Renton. Not a smart one, then.
[September 1, 2072, 12:18; Downtown, Seattle]
Sony Emperor: Active | SIN: Luke MacAuley ( Re 2 - Sig 3 - Fi 2 - Sys 2)
The walk to Harvey's workshop is uneventful and even the acid rain holds off. Uller is actually happy he has to walk, as the traffic is backed up something terrible. Looks like his trid player isn't the only tech playing up today.
He finds Harvey staring at the screen of an ancient terminal and cursing under his breath. He greets Uller with an angry rant.
"I'm busy. Keep it short and no fraggin dwarf jokes. Half my rigs got hit by the >1rtu@l5cr3am. I got a fraggin foot eating up half the system the resources in my truck and a nose in my rotodrone. A fraggin' nose, I tell ya. I knew I never shoulda installed that chem sniffer in it. And frag knows what's in my link, man. It's like veins or something. Grossing me out so much I had ta switch on this pile of drek. It don't even have AR."
All Uller can make out is several windows of code scrolling up the screen at an alarming rate. Harvey prods the screen with a couple of stubby fingers and a sheet of paper is ejected from the ancient terminal. He tosses it at Uller.
"Here, this just came in. Right up your alley. A pair of dumbass trogs tried ta use the chaos to rob a Stuffer Shack on the edge of Renton about an hour ago. The store manager blew one of them away. The other one grabbed the checkout girl and took off, on foot. There's not much in the way of cameras down there, so KE's put up a reward for information leading to an arrest. There's extra for bringing in big ugly and getting the chica back in one piece. So unless you came here for something other than work, why are you still here?"
The paper has a couple of pictures of a troll, one with a case number held up in front of him. His name is Solomon Dean, aka Slicer Dicer. There is a long list of priors including B&E, assault, possession of drugs and unregistered weapons. Seems like Slicer has been a busy boy considering his listed date of birth would make him about 17. No listed gang affiliation. Last known address is in Renton. Not a smart one, then.
@E:Tribes, Sprogget
[September 1, 2072 19:47:13; 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; Passive; SIN: Paul Brickhill (R3)
After collecting the direct connection details from LeFey, and providing her with an overview of the process for using Tagget and the scanners to find and kill the tags, Sprogget realizes from some of her responses that she knows more about electronics than initially believed.
@self:Sounds like she has decent hardware skills. She does not really need Tagget to walk through anything from that side. Maybe just a little prompting from him, until she gets a bit of confidence. I think she knows more than she thinks she does. Just not a lot of practical experience.
Finishing up the call, he agrees to stay available to handle questions, once Angelo delivers the package, to assist with the cleanup.
@self:By the time Angelo delivers the gear, I'll be at least out of Puyallup, and have a solid connection through Tagget. Ok, pass LeFey connect info along, and go dark. Glyph first.
Attempting to connect to Glyph, Sprogget finds she is already out of range.
@self:She didn't waste any time hanging around here.
Checking the filtered firewall connections on the CMT Clip, he finds no one left that he can connect to directly.
@self:Looks like all of the Mechanicals people are already on the way. Need to get moving, and catchup.
@jailbreakers: <<Here is LeFey's direct connect details {Meta Link address / Iwakura Lain ID}. I have a connection to LeFey, as long as I have a matrix connection. Glyph has already gone to direct connect only, and is out of my range. Someone at the mall, please pass to her. She should not have gotten past you yet. Also for Glyph, LeFey's commlink has only 100 meter direct connect range, at least until she gets that package.
Going dark myself now. Heading out, soon as I pack a bit, and should be able to connect again enroute.>>
Sprogget shuts down all existing subscriptions and connections to the CMT Clip, except for the skinlink connection, configures it for hidden mode, and to automatically check for and connect to the people and addresses in the jailbreakers rule set whenever they are in direct signal range.
CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Hidden; SIN: Paul Brickhill (R3)
@self:Just fill in this profile tag set, then change and get going. Lets see what the profile looks like ... student ... Japaneses name ... address ... UCAS ... general travel range ... shopping ... OK.
Sprogget feeds the profile details into a small matching program stored on the CHN, and gets back a set of tag data. He sends a command to the tag set to allow editing, bulk loads the tag information, changes the profile set back to read only mode, then turns it completely off.
@self:There. Basic set. Should be tuned later, but good as I can do for now, without more information about how 'Iwakura' wants to be seen, and more time to customize than I have now. I wonder if 'Iwakura' has any interest in stories about King Arthur, that LeFey goes on about? Don't remember a lot about that from school. My only real history interest, was things that overlapped with steampunk and technology. Ancient swords, even with magic legends, not so much. Speaking about school though, I need to get in some more class time soon too. All that for later.
Exiting from VR, Sprogget grabs the recently delivered shipment of armor, and a nanopaste container, then steps behind a convenient steampunk display, using it as a screen.
@self:I really need to do something about all that window space. Good for showing off the gallery, but really.
He quickly removes the armor jacket and outer clothes. Taking the container, he quickly smooths the paste on his hands and face, using a handy camera and holo projector to verify that he has it far enough up the arms and down the neck to be well under the gear about to donned.
@self:'Paul' is a techie working stiff.
He adds a bit of 'authentic' Maintenance Personnel scent, then puts on the form fitting body armor and coverall.
@self:Riding the cycle, the bike helmet is reasonable instead of the hardhat Covers the face too. Still want to use the paste though. Keeping the helmet on all the time might not be practical depending.
Loading a previously prepared profile from a data chip, he feeds it to the paste. The result on the holo display is reassuring. The visible skin shifts to a bit lighter tone, the features get a bit of an oriental cast, and the hair lightens towards brown, and gets some reddish streaks. Mixed ethnic background of some sort, but no longer looking typical AmerIndian.
@self:Osha and I did a good job on that. I can still see 'me', but that is still quite different. Glad she still likes playing with makeup and faces, even if she moved away from wanting to become an actress. To bad I can't do what she does with her voice. Her impression of 'uncle doing the lecture was so fun, and Sleeper was hilarious. {evil grin} Wonder what she could do with Jazz?
More soberly, @self:I hope Mom stays upstairs. Seeing this level of precautions would worry her even more.
Ok, back to preparations, this coverall is designed to hold a whole toolkit worth of 'stuff'. Today the 'tronix gear seems right, plus a few extras.
The coverall pockets get filled with the gear from the backpack, and off of the work bench.
@self:Should be mostly on the cycle tonight, but if on foot, speed probably important, so wear the inline skates. Shouldn't be anywhere those would be clumsy.
The commlink and knife are strapped on, the contents of the butt pack are dumped into a box at the work bench, sorted and reloaded. The just prepared profile tag set goes into a Faraday cage liner, then that goes into the butt pack. The backpack gets similar treatment.
One last look around the shop, while doing a mental inventory of the worn and carried gear.
@self:That seems to be everything I should need tonight. Going to have to seriously look at getting wheels with more hauling capacity, although the cycle is nice and maneuverable. Oh! Supper! Can't really eat while rigging the cycle, but should have time after we get to Bellevue, while LeFey is working on the tags.
Sprogget takes the meal package from the end of the workbench, and adds it to the backpack contents, then carries it over to the charging monocycle, and fastens it securely to the mount.
@self:May not be pushing as hard this time as last, but still need to make up some time. This better stay locked down!
He checks the fuel status on the cycle.
@self:A bit more than 3 quarters. That will be enough.
Disconnecting from the charger, he uses the safety harness to belt himself in, and connects the cycle to the commlink with one of the cables.
@self:A bit of redundancy. I'll use the direct skinlink, but this gives another wireless free connection to use, and most people still expect a visible connection if they can not detect a wireless connection. It's the details that people mostly do not consciously notice that make the image believable.
Going VR, then jumping into the cycle, Sprogget drives out of the shop, instructing the CHN to close and lock the shop door behind him. He heads out, bringing up an window to monitor the connections from the CMT Clip, so that he will be notified immediately when any of the jailbreakers show up in direct connect range.
@self:If anyone is still at the mall, I'll find out on the way past, otherwise I'll need to catch them on the road.
Now what music should I listen too while traveling? Let's start with the Wild Cards album from last year, Death of a Samurai. Not too loud though. Do not want to hide info from the cycle ears.
[September 1, 2072 19:58:32; Mechanical Complex, Leaving Sprogget's Shop]
Sprogget Gear
[September 1, 2072 19:47:13; 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; Passive; SIN: Paul Brickhill (R3)
After collecting the direct connection details from LeFey, and providing her with an overview of the process for using Tagget and the scanners to find and kill the tags, Sprogget realizes from some of her responses that she knows more about electronics than initially believed.
@self:Sounds like she has decent hardware skills. She does not really need Tagget to walk through anything from that side. Maybe just a little prompting from him, until she gets a bit of confidence. I think she knows more than she thinks she does. Just not a lot of practical experience.
Finishing up the call, he agrees to stay available to handle questions, once Angelo delivers the package, to assist with the cleanup.
@self:By the time Angelo delivers the gear, I'll be at least out of Puyallup, and have a solid connection through Tagget. Ok, pass LeFey connect info along, and go dark. Glyph first.
Attempting to connect to Glyph, Sprogget finds she is already out of range.
@self:She didn't waste any time hanging around here.
Checking the filtered firewall connections on the CMT Clip, he finds no one left that he can connect to directly.
@self:Looks like all of the Mechanicals people are already on the way. Need to get moving, and catchup.
@jailbreakers: <<Here is LeFey's direct connect details {Meta Link address / Iwakura Lain ID}. I have a connection to LeFey, as long as I have a matrix connection. Glyph has already gone to direct connect only, and is out of my range. Someone at the mall, please pass to her. She should not have gotten past you yet. Also for Glyph, LeFey's commlink has only 100 meter direct connect range, at least until she gets that package.
Going dark myself now. Heading out, soon as I pack a bit, and should be able to connect again enroute.>>
Sprogget shuts down all existing subscriptions and connections to the CMT Clip, except for the skinlink connection, configures it for hidden mode, and to automatically check for and connect to the people and addresses in the jailbreakers rule set whenever they are in direct signal range.
CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Hidden; SIN: Paul Brickhill (R3)
@self:Just fill in this profile tag set, then change and get going. Lets see what the profile looks like ... student ... Japaneses name ... address ... UCAS ... general travel range ... shopping ... OK.
Sprogget feeds the profile details into a small matching program stored on the CHN, and gets back a set of tag data. He sends a command to the tag set to allow editing, bulk loads the tag information, changes the profile set back to read only mode, then turns it completely off.
@self:There. Basic set. Should be tuned later, but good as I can do for now, without more information about how 'Iwakura' wants to be seen, and more time to customize than I have now. I wonder if 'Iwakura' has any interest in stories about King Arthur, that LeFey goes on about? Don't remember a lot about that from school. My only real history interest, was things that overlapped with steampunk and technology. Ancient swords, even with magic legends, not so much. Speaking about school though, I need to get in some more class time soon too. All that for later.
Exiting from VR, Sprogget grabs the recently delivered shipment of armor, and a nanopaste container, then steps behind a convenient steampunk display, using it as a screen.
@self:I really need to do something about all that window space. Good for showing off the gallery, but really.
He quickly removes the armor jacket and outer clothes. Taking the container, he quickly smooths the paste on his hands and face, using a handy camera and holo projector to verify that he has it far enough up the arms and down the neck to be well under the gear about to donned.
@self:'Paul' is a techie working stiff.
He adds a bit of 'authentic' Maintenance Personnel scent, then puts on the form fitting body armor and coverall.
@self:Riding the cycle, the bike helmet is reasonable instead of the hardhat Covers the face too. Still want to use the paste though. Keeping the helmet on all the time might not be practical depending.
Loading a previously prepared profile from a data chip, he feeds it to the paste. The result on the holo display is reassuring. The visible skin shifts to a bit lighter tone, the features get a bit of an oriental cast, and the hair lightens towards brown, and gets some reddish streaks. Mixed ethnic background of some sort, but no longer looking typical AmerIndian.
@self:Osha and I did a good job on that. I can still see 'me', but that is still quite different. Glad she still likes playing with makeup and faces, even if she moved away from wanting to become an actress. To bad I can't do what she does with her voice. Her impression of 'uncle doing the lecture was so fun, and Sleeper was hilarious. {evil grin} Wonder what she could do with Jazz?
More soberly, @self:I hope Mom stays upstairs. Seeing this level of precautions would worry her even more.
Ok, back to preparations, this coverall is designed to hold a whole toolkit worth of 'stuff'. Today the 'tronix gear seems right, plus a few extras.
The coverall pockets get filled with the gear from the backpack, and off of the work bench.
@self:Should be mostly on the cycle tonight, but if on foot, speed probably important, so wear the inline skates. Shouldn't be anywhere those would be clumsy.
The commlink and knife are strapped on, the contents of the butt pack are dumped into a box at the work bench, sorted and reloaded. The just prepared profile tag set goes into a Faraday cage liner, then that goes into the butt pack. The backpack gets similar treatment.
One last look around the shop, while doing a mental inventory of the worn and carried gear.
@self:That seems to be everything I should need tonight. Going to have to seriously look at getting wheels with more hauling capacity, although the cycle is nice and maneuverable. Oh! Supper! Can't really eat while rigging the cycle, but should have time after we get to Bellevue, while LeFey is working on the tags.
Sprogget takes the meal package from the end of the workbench, and adds it to the backpack contents, then carries it over to the charging monocycle, and fastens it securely to the mount.
@self:May not be pushing as hard this time as last, but still need to make up some time. This better stay locked down!
He checks the fuel status on the cycle.
@self:A bit more than 3 quarters. That will be enough.
Disconnecting from the charger, he uses the safety harness to belt himself in, and connects the cycle to the commlink with one of the cables.
@self:A bit of redundancy. I'll use the direct skinlink, but this gives another wireless free connection to use, and most people still expect a visible connection if they can not detect a wireless connection. It's the details that people mostly do not consciously notice that make the image believable.
Going VR, then jumping into the cycle, Sprogget drives out of the shop, instructing the CHN to close and lock the shop door behind him. He heads out, bringing up an window to monitor the connections from the CMT Clip, so that he will be notified immediately when any of the jailbreakers show up in direct connect range.
@self:If anyone is still at the mall, I'll find out on the way past, otherwise I'll need to catch them on the road.
Now what music should I listen too while traveling? Let's start with the Wild Cards album from last year, Death of a Samurai. Not too loud though. Do not want to hide info from the cycle ears.
[September 1, 2072 19:58:32; Mechanical Complex, Leaving Sprogget's Shop]
Sprogget Gear
[ Spoiler ]
@Virtual Scream / Dante
[September 1, 2072, 16:33, Dante's flat, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1
Setting up the Faraday cage in his workshop is the easy part of the job. Dealing with the >1rtu@l5cr3@m proves somewhat more challenging.
He examines the hand icon floating in the middle of his node. It is a human hand, caucasion and cleanly severed at the wrist. He looks down at his own cyber hands. Was this some sort of sick joke?
He tries to delete it: <<Access denied : User does not have sufficient rights to perform this action>>
He tries to copy it to a datachip: <<Operation failed : Target device does not have sufficient capacity>>
He boots up the browser to search for a solution online: <<No signal>>
Putting his link aside for a moment, he turns his attention to the iBall drone. He carefully opens it up and runs a few checks. He quickly identifies the issue. The iBall is designed primarily to transmit data, not receive it. The >1rtu@l5cr3@m was pumping so much data into the drone that's its wireless receiver overheated and has shorted out. It's a simple fix to repair and the drone boots up, if somewhat slowly. Examining it, he sees that it too has been infected by the >1rtu@l5cr3@m. However, instead of a hand, the iBall icon is an eyeball, somewhat bloodshot and trailing an optic nerve. At least it is working again. Now, he just needs to work out how to get rid of the virus.
Maybe Jui Jui will come through for him. Even as he thinks it, his other commlink beeps.
<<@Dante[Jiu Jiu]: Dante-san, this is most unfortunate news. I had hoped you were spared. I am already looking for someone to help some of my other friends. I will add your name to the list, but I must warn you that it may take some time. Many have been affected by this virus attack and my friends with the talents needed to deal with it are amongst those most severely affected.>>
[September 1, 2072, 16:33, Dante's flat, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1
Setting up the Faraday cage in his workshop is the easy part of the job. Dealing with the >1rtu@l5cr3@m proves somewhat more challenging.
He examines the hand icon floating in the middle of his node. It is a human hand, caucasion and cleanly severed at the wrist. He looks down at his own cyber hands. Was this some sort of sick joke?
He tries to delete it: <<Access denied : User does not have sufficient rights to perform this action>>
He tries to copy it to a datachip: <<Operation failed : Target device does not have sufficient capacity>>
He boots up the browser to search for a solution online: <<No signal>>
Putting his link aside for a moment, he turns his attention to the iBall drone. He carefully opens it up and runs a few checks. He quickly identifies the issue. The iBall is designed primarily to transmit data, not receive it. The >1rtu@l5cr3@m was pumping so much data into the drone that's its wireless receiver overheated and has shorted out. It's a simple fix to repair and the drone boots up, if somewhat slowly. Examining it, he sees that it too has been infected by the >1rtu@l5cr3@m. However, instead of a hand, the iBall icon is an eyeball, somewhat bloodshot and trailing an optic nerve. At least it is working again. Now, he just needs to work out how to get rid of the virus.
Maybe Jui Jui will come through for him. Even as he thinks it, his other commlink beeps.
<<@Dante[Jiu Jiu]: Dante-san, this is most unfortunate news. I had hoped you were spared. I am already looking for someone to help some of my other friends. I will add your name to the list, but I must warn you that it may take some time. Many have been affected by this virus attack and my friends with the talents needed to deal with it are amongst those most severely affected.>>
@E:PL /UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:28; Overlooking Clearwater, Exmoor, UK]
Mordred
You slip out of the RV and huddle down into the gorse and rough heathers, briefly wondering whether you should wait for dark. Choosing to rely on the technological benefits of your chameleon suit instead you make your way down into the valley with barely a whisper to betray your presence. Taking care not to disturb the vegetation in ways contrary to the blustery wind you make your approach to the pump station. The wind coupled with the sunlight will hopefully mask your thermal signature from any sensors pointed your way.
Approaching the base of the valley you can see that the pump house door stands ajar and that water no longer seems to be flowing. Presumably this place was abandoned long ago when the populations were decimated by Vitas and there was no longer the requirement for fresh water…here at least, London and the other mega cities will always be crying out for more resources.
A quick burst of speed to the door and you are able to peer cautiously in…steps lead down into the darkness and there is an ever present drip of water…other than that the place shows every sign of being deserted…
Gemeaux
You are just as glad that Mordred has elected to make the approach…all that greenery is unnerving! It allows you to take position in the RV with your rifle and survey the scene for any kind of activity. Apart from a couple of small birds there seems to be nothing alive out here. Mordred’s stealth is impressive and only the icon on your link lets you follow his progress down to the pumping station.
Tsubaki
Well the boys are active, that leaves you to reassure the Collots that you have everything in hand and that there’s nothing to worry about, for now…
[May 21st, 2072, 18:28; Overlooking Clearwater, Exmoor, UK]
Mordred
You slip out of the RV and huddle down into the gorse and rough heathers, briefly wondering whether you should wait for dark. Choosing to rely on the technological benefits of your chameleon suit instead you make your way down into the valley with barely a whisper to betray your presence. Taking care not to disturb the vegetation in ways contrary to the blustery wind you make your approach to the pump station. The wind coupled with the sunlight will hopefully mask your thermal signature from any sensors pointed your way.
Approaching the base of the valley you can see that the pump house door stands ajar and that water no longer seems to be flowing. Presumably this place was abandoned long ago when the populations were decimated by Vitas and there was no longer the requirement for fresh water…here at least, London and the other mega cities will always be crying out for more resources.
A quick burst of speed to the door and you are able to peer cautiously in…steps lead down into the darkness and there is an ever present drip of water…other than that the place shows every sign of being deserted…
Gemeaux
You are just as glad that Mordred has elected to make the approach…all that greenery is unnerving! It allows you to take position in the RV with your rifle and survey the scene for any kind of activity. Apart from a couple of small birds there seems to be nothing alive out here. Mordred’s stealth is impressive and only the icon on your link lets you follow his progress down to the pumping station.
Tsubaki
Well the boys are active, that leaves you to reassure the Collots that you have everything in hand and that there’s nothing to worry about, for now…
@Virtual Scream / Gossamer
[September 1, 2072, 12:15:06, Argent's home]
PAN: N/A, SIN: None, Response *, Signal *, System (5), Firewall (4), (Analyze, Scan, Decrypt, Exploit, Stealth [5, inherent], Armour, Browse, Encrypt [6, ergo, optzd] Attack [5, targeting], Expert Defence [2])
With a cry of distress Gossamer retreated from the thing, at least as far as the confines of the node would allow pulling the tatters of her defensive programs around her. Her icon was sluggish from a combination of the damage to her code and the degradation of her node but she wasn’t about to give up just yet.
In increasing desperation she cast about her for a node that might be unaffected by this vicious attack. Turning on her spare ‘link she hurled herself out of her homenode and into the cramped memory space of her backup…hopefully it would be unaffected but as she waited the glacial time for the clunky tech to boot up she spread her awareness to other matrix nodes around trying to find one that might be clean.
[September 1, 2072, 12:15:06, Argent's home]
PAN: N/A, SIN: None, Response *, Signal *, System (5), Firewall (4), (Analyze, Scan, Decrypt, Exploit, Stealth [5, inherent], Armour, Browse, Encrypt [6, ergo, optzd] Attack [5, targeting], Expert Defence [2])
With a cry of distress Gossamer retreated from the thing, at least as far as the confines of the node would allow pulling the tatters of her defensive programs around her. Her icon was sluggish from a combination of the damage to her code and the degradation of her node but she wasn’t about to give up just yet.
In increasing desperation she cast about her for a node that might be unaffected by this vicious attack. Turning on her spare ‘link she hurled herself out of her homenode and into the cramped memory space of her backup…hopefully it would be unaffected but as she waited the glacial time for the clunky tech to boot up she spread her awareness to other matrix nodes around trying to find one that might be clean.
@Virtual Scream / Dante
[September 1, 2072, 18:00, Dante's flat, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1
After trying for some time to delete or copy the virus, Dante finally throws his tools down in disgust. Every thing he knew how to do, the virus had a counter for it. Granted, Dante didn't have that many tricks in his bag. Still, the...thing...on his commlink seemed dangerous like Dante had never seen before. He definitely didn't want it to contaminate any of his other gear, or even worse, transmit any of his data. Who knew what would be done with his datatrail. Leaving the commlink and drone in the Faraday cage, Dante stepped out and read the message from his fixer.
Hmm. Jiu Jiu replied to my message, which means I'm not totally out of his favor yet. But he's not willing to help me either, which means I'm not yet back in favor either. He says "I am already looking for someone to help some of my other friends". I think he's asking me to help, but doesn't want to ask directly. He also says that those with technical skills haven't been useful so far, and so he's asking someone not so technical, like me, to get involved. Interesting. I can parlay this into guanxi with the Red Lotus and Jiu Jiu in the same stroke!
Dante smiled a little at this, imagining having both groups in his debt.
Getting in his truck, he quickly sent a message to Jing Cha, his contact on the KE police force. Maybe there were some official reports he could learn from.
<<@JingCha[Dante]: I have some information on a virus called ">1rtu@l5cr3@m". Want to compare information? Meet me at the Ling Hung Tea House in the Barrens at 19:00.>>
As he drove his truck out of the workshop bay and onto the road, Dante figured he would stop by Xiao Hong's place again to check on the two goons. If they had the virus also, maybe he could see if their commlinks had any clues on them. Then to the tea house for dinner and a meetup with his contact.
[September 1, 2072, 18:00, Dante's flat, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1
After trying for some time to delete or copy the virus, Dante finally throws his tools down in disgust. Every thing he knew how to do, the virus had a counter for it. Granted, Dante didn't have that many tricks in his bag. Still, the...thing...on his commlink seemed dangerous like Dante had never seen before. He definitely didn't want it to contaminate any of his other gear, or even worse, transmit any of his data. Who knew what would be done with his datatrail. Leaving the commlink and drone in the Faraday cage, Dante stepped out and read the message from his fixer.
Hmm. Jiu Jiu replied to my message, which means I'm not totally out of his favor yet. But he's not willing to help me either, which means I'm not yet back in favor either. He says "I am already looking for someone to help some of my other friends". I think he's asking me to help, but doesn't want to ask directly. He also says that those with technical skills haven't been useful so far, and so he's asking someone not so technical, like me, to get involved. Interesting. I can parlay this into guanxi with the Red Lotus and Jiu Jiu in the same stroke!
Dante smiled a little at this, imagining having both groups in his debt.
Getting in his truck, he quickly sent a message to Jing Cha, his contact on the KE police force. Maybe there were some official reports he could learn from.
<<@JingCha[Dante]: I have some information on a virus called ">1rtu@l5cr3@m". Want to compare information? Meet me at the Ling Hung Tea House in the Barrens at 19:00.>>
As he drove his truck out of the workshop bay and onto the road, Dante figured he would stop by Xiao Hong's place again to check on the two goons. If they had the virus also, maybe he could see if their commlinks had any clues on them. Then to the tea house for dinner and a meetup with his contact.
@Virtual Scream/Cipher
[September 1, 2072, 12:42; Downtown, Seattle]
Gritting his teeth, Cipher flies forwards, bursting into the entity's mouth and out the other side, into it's.... ...head? Whatever it was, it was like no place he'd seen before. Not in any world.
He spun around frantically trying to see everything, gathering as much information as he could. He strained his mind, summoning all the will he had to focus on analyzing this thing before he felt his conciousness fading.
He just hoped, if he woke up on the other side, he'd remember what he saw.
[September 1, 2072, 12:42; Downtown, Seattle]
Gritting his teeth, Cipher flies forwards, bursting into the entity's mouth and out the other side, into it's.... ...head? Whatever it was, it was like no place he'd seen before. Not in any world.
He spun around frantically trying to see everything, gathering as much information as he could. He strained his mind, summoning all the will he had to focus on analyzing this thing before he felt his conciousness fading.
He just hoped, if he woke up on the other side, he'd remember what he saw.
@E:CoP/Johnny Awesome
[August 20th, 2072, 21:45; NeoNet Tower, Oxford]
After another half an hour of dancing Johnny finds himself thanking his Improved Vigour genetherapy. Wasn't that a few hundred thou' well spent! Lesser men would have crumbled, but his Clean Metabolism and Silky Skin left him looking as trim and pristine as when he entered.
The conversation had been flowing too, though he couldn't recall a single thing they'd talked about. This was all a facade he was starting to tell. The easiness of the conversation only highlighting the professionalism of them both as they easily chatted without ever really talking about anything. Ryl was not going to give anything away. He liked that though, he found. It provided a challenge so rarely encountered these days. He could work on this girl for hours and he was in no doubt that it would prove just as fruitless as right now. This one was a long game.
He grabbed them both drink after drink, but never quite drinking as much as it seemed, leaving half empty flutes on tables and grabbing full replacements.
"So how do you know our host?" he said, finally trying to cut through the chit-chat with something that might be meaningful. He disguised it as conversation. But she probably knew that...
[August 20th, 2072, 21:45; NeoNet Tower, Oxford]
After another half an hour of dancing Johnny finds himself thanking his Improved Vigour genetherapy. Wasn't that a few hundred thou' well spent! Lesser men would have crumbled, but his Clean Metabolism and Silky Skin left him looking as trim and pristine as when he entered.
The conversation had been flowing too, though he couldn't recall a single thing they'd talked about. This was all a facade he was starting to tell. The easiness of the conversation only highlighting the professionalism of them both as they easily chatted without ever really talking about anything. Ryl was not going to give anything away. He liked that though, he found. It provided a challenge so rarely encountered these days. He could work on this girl for hours and he was in no doubt that it would prove just as fruitless as right now. This one was a long game.
He grabbed them both drink after drink, but never quite drinking as much as it seemed, leaving half empty flutes on tables and grabbing full replacements.
"So how do you know our host?" he said, finally trying to cut through the chit-chat with something that might be meaningful. He disguised it as conversation. But she probably knew that...
@Virtual Scream, Alex Bianchi
September 1, 2072, 14:48:24; Alex's Everett apartment
Renraku Sensei: Hidden | SIN: Jimmy Delfino (Fake ID, Rating 3) (Re 2 - Sig 4 - Fi 2 - Sys 2)
5 minutes of "reaching" for his Browse utility's normal cues and assists in Matrix searches was Alex's limit, and he disconnected. I am not taking my livelyhood to LinkShack. Time to see if anyone else knows a good "cleaner". He switched the Sensei off and stowed it back in the footlocker, making sure to relock it and rebury it under it's normal pile of "dirty laundry". He grabbed the Ikon from where it rested and sat back in his chair in the living room, took a deep breath, and powered it back on.
Hermes Ikon: Hidden | SIN: Alexander Bianchi ( Re 4(3) - Sig 3 - Fi 5 - Sys 4(3) )
He let the breath out as the Ikon didn't begin screeching again, though it was still molasses-in-January slow. He remembered something that one of the guys in Matrix Crimes had told him a while ago and began shutting down his normal programs until the OS and the disgusting stomach icon were the only things active. The commlink's response sped up, though it was still slower than it should be, and the visuals jittered and reset oddly from time to time. Better than nothing, I suppose. Sad part is this is still faster than "Jimmy"....Let's see if anyone's on-line and maybe has some answers, or at least knows someone who might.
<< @Selene: Did your 'link get fragged by that godawful noise earlier? Mine's being system-hogged by something called ">1rtu@l5cr3@m", with an icon that looks like a (disturbingly real) stomach. I'd bet Carluccio's system has the same thing. If so, do the guys down in MC have any clue what the deal is? >>
<< @Steven Dark: Afternoon, Mr.Dark. Was wondering if you were free this evening, as I believe I still owe you a nice dinner for pointing me towards the bagman at the Hilton a couple months back. A veritable goldmine of information, that man is..or was, can't believe someone with less morals hasn't shut him up yet. Also (because there's always business to talk, neh?), maybe we can compare notes on something that happened earlier today, I'm sure you're already on the >1rtu@l5cr3@m story. Let me know, yeah? >>
September 1, 2072, 14:48:24; Alex's Everett apartment
Renraku Sensei: Hidden | SIN: Jimmy Delfino (Fake ID, Rating 3) (Re 2 - Sig 4 - Fi 2 - Sys 2)
5 minutes of "reaching" for his Browse utility's normal cues and assists in Matrix searches was Alex's limit, and he disconnected. I am not taking my livelyhood to LinkShack. Time to see if anyone else knows a good "cleaner". He switched the Sensei off and stowed it back in the footlocker, making sure to relock it and rebury it under it's normal pile of "dirty laundry". He grabbed the Ikon from where it rested and sat back in his chair in the living room, took a deep breath, and powered it back on.
Hermes Ikon: Hidden | SIN: Alexander Bianchi ( Re 4(3) - Sig 3 - Fi 5 - Sys 4(3) )
He let the breath out as the Ikon didn't begin screeching again, though it was still molasses-in-January slow. He remembered something that one of the guys in Matrix Crimes had told him a while ago and began shutting down his normal programs until the OS and the disgusting stomach icon were the only things active. The commlink's response sped up, though it was still slower than it should be, and the visuals jittered and reset oddly from time to time. Better than nothing, I suppose. Sad part is this is still faster than "Jimmy"....Let's see if anyone's on-line and maybe has some answers, or at least knows someone who might.
<< @Selene: Did your 'link get fragged by that godawful noise earlier? Mine's being system-hogged by something called ">1rtu@l5cr3@m", with an icon that looks like a (disturbingly real) stomach. I'd bet Carluccio's system has the same thing. If so, do the guys down in MC have any clue what the deal is? >>
<< @Steven Dark: Afternoon, Mr.Dark. Was wondering if you were free this evening, as I believe I still owe you a nice dinner for pointing me towards the bagman at the Hilton a couple months back. A veritable goldmine of information, that man is..or was, can't believe someone with less morals hasn't shut him up yet. Also (because there's always business to talk, neh?), maybe we can compare notes on something that happened earlier today, I'm sure you're already on the >1rtu@l5cr3@m story. Let me know, yeah? >>
@Virtual Scream / Gossamer
[September 1, 2072, 12:15:06, Argent's home]
PAN: N/A, SIN: None, Response *, Signal *, System (5), Firewall (4), (Analyze, Scan, Decrypt, Exploit, Stealth [5, inherent], Armour, Browse, Encrypt [6, ergo, optzd] Attack [5, targeting], Expert Defence [2])
Can an icon shake? A trembling Gossamer certainly believes it is possible. Her code is glitching, but she is safe for the moment. Her commlink might not be described as spacious but there is no sign of the >1rtu@l5cr3@m agent/virus here. At least not for the moment.
[September 1, 2072, 12:15:06, Argent's home]
PAN: N/A, SIN: None, Response *, Signal *, System (5), Firewall (4), (Analyze, Scan, Decrypt, Exploit, Stealth [5, inherent], Armour, Browse, Encrypt [6, ergo, optzd] Attack [5, targeting], Expert Defence [2])
Can an icon shake? A trembling Gossamer certainly believes it is possible. Her code is glitching, but she is safe for the moment. Her commlink might not be described as spacious but there is no sign of the >1rtu@l5cr3@m agent/virus here. At least not for the moment.
@Virtual Scream / Dante
[September 1, 2072, 18:15, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1
Just as Dante arrives at the Hai Fuk Noodle House, his link pings a response from Jing Cha.
<<@Dante[Jing Cha]: Just finished my shift and got your message. >1rtual5cr3@m, you say. That one has been keeping me busy all afternoon. I can be at the Tea House in an hour. But it's on your tab, chummer.>>
Inside the noodle house, there are no signs of the earlier chaos. There are a few more customers and a different geisha girl is waiting the tables. She approaches Dante to seat him. When he points at the two bodyguards sitting in the corner drinking tea, she escorts him over to them, then bows and leaves.
"I surprised you come back, gaijin. You come to pay the money you owe me, neh?" sneers 'Lucky' Lee. His partner, 'Silent' Bo just rolls his eyes and gives an exasperated shrug.
[September 1, 2072, 18:15, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1
Just as Dante arrives at the Hai Fuk Noodle House, his link pings a response from Jing Cha.
<<@Dante[Jing Cha]: Just finished my shift and got your message. >1rtual5cr3@m, you say. That one has been keeping me busy all afternoon. I can be at the Tea House in an hour. But it's on your tab, chummer.>>
Inside the noodle house, there are no signs of the earlier chaos. There are a few more customers and a different geisha girl is waiting the tables. She approaches Dante to seat him. When he points at the two bodyguards sitting in the corner drinking tea, she escorts him over to them, then bows and leaves.
"I surprised you come back, gaijin. You come to pay the money you owe me, neh?" sneers 'Lucky' Lee. His partner, 'Silent' Bo just rolls his eyes and gives an exasperated shrug.
@Virtual Scream, Alex Bianchi
September 1, 2072, 14:55; Alex's Everett apartment
Hermes Ikon: Hidden | SIN: Alexander Bianchi ( Re 4(3) - Sig 3 - Fi 5 - Sys 4(3) )
Alex's commlink rings almost as soon as he has sent his message to Steven Dark.
<<You been hitting da booze chummer>> laughs Selene.
<<Just kidding. My link is fine. I had it switched off in case da chief called while I was dere. Nottin else at da scene except one fried music system. As for da patrons, half of dem skipped without paying and da other half is connected so we aint gettin nuttin from dem without a court order and then dey will have conveniently lost dere links. I suggest you do the same or some skinny junior detective will have your ass down here quicker dan I can say 'court order'. Den da boys in MC will strip yer fancy link and its fancy agent down to its component parts and you can kiss it goodbye as evidence.>>
<<A gut you say? Ha fragging ha. I always thought you were more 'by da book' dan gut feeling. Anyways I'd a guessed it woulda been a liver for you. Look, dere's been a bunch of incidents and the boys in MC is takin it personal dat something tried to hack da mainframe. It didn't get in but it did put two of dem in da hospital. And dey is saying one of dem might not make it.
<<Hmm, I know dis one guy you could talk to who might be able to help. He was a rigger at the Star but had a big mouth and didn't make it across. His name is Harvey Dennis. Does some freelance stuff now and he's in da book. Don't make any short jokes and you'll be fine.>>
When he hangs up there is another message waiting for his attention.
<<Unable to deliver message to : Steven Dark : That number is not available at this time : System will continue to attempt delivery for next 24 hours>>
September 1, 2072, 14:55; Alex's Everett apartment
Hermes Ikon: Hidden | SIN: Alexander Bianchi ( Re 4(3) - Sig 3 - Fi 5 - Sys 4(3) )
Alex's commlink rings almost as soon as he has sent his message to Steven Dark.
<<You been hitting da booze chummer>> laughs Selene.
<<Just kidding. My link is fine. I had it switched off in case da chief called while I was dere. Nottin else at da scene except one fried music system. As for da patrons, half of dem skipped without paying and da other half is connected so we aint gettin nuttin from dem without a court order and then dey will have conveniently lost dere links. I suggest you do the same or some skinny junior detective will have your ass down here quicker dan I can say 'court order'. Den da boys in MC will strip yer fancy link and its fancy agent down to its component parts and you can kiss it goodbye as evidence.>>
<<A gut you say? Ha fragging ha. I always thought you were more 'by da book' dan gut feeling. Anyways I'd a guessed it woulda been a liver for you. Look, dere's been a bunch of incidents and the boys in MC is takin it personal dat something tried to hack da mainframe. It didn't get in but it did put two of dem in da hospital. And dey is saying one of dem might not make it.
<<Hmm, I know dis one guy you could talk to who might be able to help. He was a rigger at the Star but had a big mouth and didn't make it across. His name is Harvey Dennis. Does some freelance stuff now and he's in da book. Don't make any short jokes and you'll be fine.>>
When he hangs up there is another message waiting for his attention.
<<Unable to deliver message to : Steven Dark : That number is not available at this time : System will continue to attempt delivery for next 24 hours>>
@Virtual Scream / Cat
[September 1, 2072, 23:52:00, The Looking Glass]
The better part of the evening passes with Cat drifting from bar to dance floor and from dance floor to tables. She easily mixes with the locals, exchanging compliments on extra arms here and small talk with fur covered creatures of various sizes there. Years of training and her own gifts make her comfortable in most environments, but surrounded by her fellow freaks she feels particularly liberated. The targeting reticule in her AR vision occasionally stalls for so long that her looks risk getting awkward, but she always manages to smooth the conversation over.
Perhaps I can make it to Anathma this evening still, if this thing doesn't have me look at every meta, commlink, barstool, and light rig in the building!
[September 1, 2072, 23:52:00, The Looking Glass]
The better part of the evening passes with Cat drifting from bar to dance floor and from dance floor to tables. She easily mixes with the locals, exchanging compliments on extra arms here and small talk with fur covered creatures of various sizes there. Years of training and her own gifts make her comfortable in most environments, but surrounded by her fellow freaks she feels particularly liberated. The targeting reticule in her AR vision occasionally stalls for so long that her looks risk getting awkward, but she always manages to smooth the conversation over.
Perhaps I can make it to Anathma this evening still, if this thing doesn't have me look at every meta, commlink, barstool, and light rig in the building!
@E:PL/Chi Town/Copperhead
[July 8th, 2072, 23:37:16; Storm Drain, somewhere beyond Blackwater, CZ, Chicago]
The ghoul squeals in pain as Copperhead's razors bite into its flesh and she hauls it off her back. It hisses and tries to sink its teeth into her arm. Her steel and ceramic, armored arm. She shrugs it off and drives her other hand into its gut with a satisfying squelch. The ghoul tumbles back into the water but she is not certain if it is dead.
The first one she shot at hangs back, cautious, while other three in the water close in. The kids fire wildly, but other than slowing the ghouls approach a little, their shots have little effect.
Then they are on them. Two of them try to grab Copperhead and pull her in. But it will take more than a pair of skinny ghouls to move 200 kilos of angry troll. Jon is not so lucky and is pulled into the fetid water by the third ghoul. Katie screams and shoots at the one that grabbed him. With more luck than skill, her shot strikes true, missing Jon by mere centimetres but clipping the ghoul.
With a roar, Copperhead leaps over the ghouls attacking her and lands with a massive splash near the one that grabbed Jon. Her razors leave red lines across its face as its buddies turn to attack her from behind. From the corner her eye, she spots a faint thermal pattern as the one that had first attacked her slinks off down one of the tunnels.
Not dead then. Pity!
Behind her, she hears Katie screaming as the cautious ghoul makes a move towards her. Katie backs away still firing wildly and Copperhead feels one of the rounds impacting her armor.
Then there is an explosion from somewhere above. Distracted, Copperhead fails to connect with the ghoul that has at least now let go of a spluttering Jon. Under a hail of fire from Katie, the second ghoul chooses discretion over lunch and turns tail.
The three ghouls in the water all try to pile onto Copperhead but she easily fends them off with her long, cybered arms.
Light suddenly fills the chamber, making her glad of the flare compensation in her lenses. The ghouls freak and run, but not before she gets a last strike at the one with the cut face. Her long arm reaches out and around its throat. Its momentum does the rest and she rips its throat and neck open as it tries to flee.
As it sinks gurgling into the water, she grabs Jon with one hand and her gun with the other.
Katie is still pulling the trigger on the empty pistol.
"Easy kid, you did good. Dey is gone and we is still alive. Frag, I didn't even need to use plan B. Dat's B fer Boom, heh."
"DOWN HERE!" she shouts towards the light. "Yer fraggin late."
She hauls Jon out of the water and quickly checks him over.
"Did it bite ya or scratch ya. I'll give you a broad spectrum shot once we is outta here just in case. Frag knows what crap is in da water."
[July 8th, 2072, 23:37:16; Storm Drain, somewhere beyond Blackwater, CZ, Chicago]
The ghoul squeals in pain as Copperhead's razors bite into its flesh and she hauls it off her back. It hisses and tries to sink its teeth into her arm. Her steel and ceramic, armored arm. She shrugs it off and drives her other hand into its gut with a satisfying squelch. The ghoul tumbles back into the water but she is not certain if it is dead.
The first one she shot at hangs back, cautious, while other three in the water close in. The kids fire wildly, but other than slowing the ghouls approach a little, their shots have little effect.
Then they are on them. Two of them try to grab Copperhead and pull her in. But it will take more than a pair of skinny ghouls to move 200 kilos of angry troll. Jon is not so lucky and is pulled into the fetid water by the third ghoul. Katie screams and shoots at the one that grabbed him. With more luck than skill, her shot strikes true, missing Jon by mere centimetres but clipping the ghoul.
With a roar, Copperhead leaps over the ghouls attacking her and lands with a massive splash near the one that grabbed Jon. Her razors leave red lines across its face as its buddies turn to attack her from behind. From the corner her eye, she spots a faint thermal pattern as the one that had first attacked her slinks off down one of the tunnels.
Not dead then. Pity!
Behind her, she hears Katie screaming as the cautious ghoul makes a move towards her. Katie backs away still firing wildly and Copperhead feels one of the rounds impacting her armor.
Then there is an explosion from somewhere above. Distracted, Copperhead fails to connect with the ghoul that has at least now let go of a spluttering Jon. Under a hail of fire from Katie, the second ghoul chooses discretion over lunch and turns tail.
The three ghouls in the water all try to pile onto Copperhead but she easily fends them off with her long, cybered arms.
Light suddenly fills the chamber, making her glad of the flare compensation in her lenses. The ghouls freak and run, but not before she gets a last strike at the one with the cut face. Her long arm reaches out and around its throat. Its momentum does the rest and she rips its throat and neck open as it tries to flee.
As it sinks gurgling into the water, she grabs Jon with one hand and her gun with the other.
Katie is still pulling the trigger on the empty pistol.
"Easy kid, you did good. Dey is gone and we is still alive. Frag, I didn't even need to use plan B. Dat's B fer Boom, heh."
"DOWN HERE!" she shouts towards the light. "Yer fraggin late."
She hauls Jon out of the water and quickly checks him over.
"Did it bite ya or scratch ya. I'll give you a broad spectrum shot once we is outta here just in case. Frag knows what crap is in da water."
@Virtual Scream/Cipher
[September 1, 2072, 12:42; Downtown, Seattle]
For a brief moment, knowledge fills Cipher's head. He can see everything and everyone. He understands it all. He know the truth.
And then it all goes dark.
[September 1, 2072, 13:42; Downtown, Seattle]
Someone or something is kicking him in the head. He feels nauseous and his eyes hurt as he forces them open. He is slumped over in the back of the cab, presumably still somewhere downtown. A small pool of blood stains the seat where he was drooling and his nose is blocked with dried blood. As he pulls himself upright, he sees his reflection in the rear-view mirror. It is not a pretty sight. His eyes are blood shot, his mouth and nose are bloody and there is even dried blood in his ears.
Drops of blood have also stained the front of the nice shirt he is wearing. His throat is dry and his voice cracks when he tries to speak. He wishes he knew how to turn off the pain and fix his appearance without having to act it all out.
Then he notices the driver. The skeleton's bones are bleached white and despite the fact that its has no hands, it seems to be driving the taxi without any problem. As he stares at it, its eyeless skull, the top neatly sliced off turns to him and asks politely,
<<Do you wish me to continue circling the block, sir? If so, I will need to stop briefly to recharge. The vehicle's fuel cells are running low.>
It sounds like the 'sprite' he created to take over the cab but it sure as hell doesn't look anything like it.
[September 1, 2072, 12:42; Downtown, Seattle]
For a brief moment, knowledge fills Cipher's head. He can see everything and everyone. He understands it all. He know the truth.
And then it all goes dark.
[September 1, 2072, 13:42; Downtown, Seattle]
Someone or something is kicking him in the head. He feels nauseous and his eyes hurt as he forces them open. He is slumped over in the back of the cab, presumably still somewhere downtown. A small pool of blood stains the seat where he was drooling and his nose is blocked with dried blood. As he pulls himself upright, he sees his reflection in the rear-view mirror. It is not a pretty sight. His eyes are blood shot, his mouth and nose are bloody and there is even dried blood in his ears.
Drops of blood have also stained the front of the nice shirt he is wearing. His throat is dry and his voice cracks when he tries to speak. He wishes he knew how to turn off the pain and fix his appearance without having to act it all out.
Then he notices the driver. The skeleton's bones are bleached white and despite the fact that its has no hands, it seems to be driving the taxi without any problem. As he stares at it, its eyeless skull, the top neatly sliced off turns to him and asks politely,
<<Do you wish me to continue circling the block, sir? If so, I will need to stop briefly to recharge. The vehicle's fuel cells are running low.>
It sounds like the 'sprite' he created to take over the cab but it sure as hell doesn't look anything like it.
@E:PL UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:28; Overlooking Clearwater, Exmoor, UK]
PAN=Active; SIN:Nina Okada
Tsubaki picks up her feet and moves them aside. She watches the two gear up and tend to the overall matters of the situation. Well, it's probably the woman's turn to look busy, too, then. She glances over to the Collots in the back of the vehicle. Before she goes, Tsubaki allows her commlink to connect to the others for open communication, then from her seat, she gets up, approaches the father and son, and sits down across from them. Straightening her back and placing her hands neatly in her lap, the woman smiles at them. "Comment allez-vous~?" Tsubaki isn't a native speaker of the French language, but sometimes a little bit can go a long way...
In the meanwhile, Tsubaki doesn't forget to share an interesting fact to her fellow runners' commlinks.
<I believe we're on or near a Royal Ley Line.>
[May 21st, 2072, 18:28; Overlooking Clearwater, Exmoor, UK]
PAN=Active; SIN:Nina Okada
Tsubaki picks up her feet and moves them aside. She watches the two gear up and tend to the overall matters of the situation. Well, it's probably the woman's turn to look busy, too, then. She glances over to the Collots in the back of the vehicle. Before she goes, Tsubaki allows her commlink to connect to the others for open communication, then from her seat, she gets up, approaches the father and son, and sits down across from them. Straightening her back and placing her hands neatly in her lap, the woman smiles at them. "Comment allez-vous~?" Tsubaki isn't a native speaker of the French language, but sometimes a little bit can go a long way...
In the meanwhile, Tsubaki doesn't forget to share an interesting fact to her fellow runners' commlinks.
<I believe we're on or near a Royal Ley Line.>
@Virtual Scream / Dante
[September 1, 2072, 18:15, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1
Dante wasn't sure if these two had the virus or not. Lee's attitude seemed like he wouldn't be that cooperative, at least willingly. Dante ignored the insult. Lee wasn't the sharpest wrench in the toolbox, so...
"I came back to help you get rid of that virus on your commlink, asshole. Or didn't you notice it?"
[September 1, 2072, 18:15, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1
Dante wasn't sure if these two had the virus or not. Lee's attitude seemed like he wouldn't be that cooperative, at least willingly. Dante ignored the insult. Lee wasn't the sharpest wrench in the toolbox, so...
"I came back to help you get rid of that virus on your commlink, asshole. Or didn't you notice it?"
@E:PL UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:28; Overlooking Clearwater, Exmoor, UK]
SIN: Spencer Lovett, PAN: Active
Mordred pulls out a flashlight and switches it on. That's not too promising. "Looks abandoned," he whispers into the subvocal microphone. "There's a dark, spooky basement, but no signs of life." The adept scans the area. Abandoned though it was, there were still traces of water. Could someone have started using the pump station again? "I'm heading down." He descends slowly and as quietly as he can. Admittedly, the flashlight would give him away almost immediately. It didn't mean he had to make sure he was heard, too.
Tsubaki's message gives him pause. The mana is strong here. The dragon sounds almost pleased. But little else.
Yeah. I wonder... Was it reminding him of something?
He stops to send a reply. <Could you ask Monsieur Collot how he and Luc are doing? The kid seemed pretty upset by the jammer. If they can still use their powers, I'd like them to try and get a message to Argent. Ask her how to proceed.> Short of cupping their hands over their mouths and shouting, any mundane methods of long distance communication were disabled. Bad time to start making things up as they went. He couldn't imagine handing the Collots over to anyone now. Not when there was no way to assure their safety.
[May 21st, 2072, 18:28; Overlooking Clearwater, Exmoor, UK]
SIN: Spencer Lovett, PAN: Active
Mordred pulls out a flashlight and switches it on. That's not too promising. "Looks abandoned," he whispers into the subvocal microphone. "There's a dark, spooky basement, but no signs of life." The adept scans the area. Abandoned though it was, there were still traces of water. Could someone have started using the pump station again? "I'm heading down." He descends slowly and as quietly as he can. Admittedly, the flashlight would give him away almost immediately. It didn't mean he had to make sure he was heard, too.
Tsubaki's message gives him pause. The mana is strong here. The dragon sounds almost pleased. But little else.
Yeah. I wonder... Was it reminding him of something?
He stops to send a reply. <Could you ask Monsieur Collot how he and Luc are doing? The kid seemed pretty upset by the jammer. If they can still use their powers, I'd like them to try and get a message to Argent. Ask her how to proceed.> Short of cupping their hands over their mouths and shouting, any mundane methods of long distance communication were disabled. Bad time to start making things up as they went. He couldn't imagine handing the Collots over to anyone now. Not when there was no way to assure their safety.
@E:CoP/Johnny Awesome
[August 20th, 2072, 21:53; NeoNet Tower, Oxford]
As this tireless young thing whirls you back onto the dance floor to join the more sedate couples around you, you briefly wonder if she is doing something as crass as running empathy software. It’s not often that someone can evade your golden tongue with such ease. Perhaps she’s some sort of social adept? If only you had the ability to read peoples’ auras as well as you can normally read peoples’ faces.
"Our host? Celedyr introduced us! Dear Gregory has some interesting ideas…" and the flippant use of that name tells you far more than all the rest of the conversation so far but before you can respond she nods to the band and the pace changes from graceful waltz to energetic tango and you are forced once more to up your pace.
[August 20th, 2072, 21:53; NeoNet Tower, Oxford]
As this tireless young thing whirls you back onto the dance floor to join the more sedate couples around you, you briefly wonder if she is doing something as crass as running empathy software. It’s not often that someone can evade your golden tongue with such ease. Perhaps she’s some sort of social adept? If only you had the ability to read peoples’ auras as well as you can normally read peoples’ faces.
"Our host? Celedyr introduced us! Dear Gregory has some interesting ideas…" and the flippant use of that name tells you far more than all the rest of the conversation so far but before you can respond she nods to the band and the pace changes from graceful waltz to energetic tango and you are forced once more to up your pace.
@Virtual Scream / Gossamer
[September 1, 2072, 12:15, Argent's home]
PAN: N/A, SIN: None, Response *, Signal *, System (5), Firewall (4), (Analyze, Scan, Decrypt, Exploit, Stealth [5, inherent], Armour, Browse, Encrypt [6, ergo, optzd] Attack [5, targeting], Expert Defence [2]) +Command [6, ergo, optzd] (-1 response)
Trembling in the comparative safety but restricted confines of her link, Gossamer gathered her anger about her as a form of armour against the horrors that were being inflicted on her body. Realising how woefully unprepared she was for an, admittedly unprecedented, event such as this, she reached into her memory and called forth a command program. It felt strange to be remotely operating her body rather than feeling it…
As the protocols engaged and the verification codes flew back and forth she watched detached as she opened the service panel in her stomach, the skin splitting open along invisible seams to reveal her beating heart – the hydrogen fuel cell that powered her being. Bypassing the safety systems she reached inside and with a vicious twist wrenched the cell out…
…she quaked as she lost contact with her home node, feeling lost in the vastness of the matrix. She knew that she now had a limited time to either restore the node or find a new one before she began to fragment in the info stream.
<<@Argent: Bee has been compromised by a virulent virus. I have had to remove my core in order to preserve the drone and prevent it being totally compromised or turned against you or the children. I am afraid they might be distressed if they return home and find me there without any warning. I will try and find out what is happening but for now messages to this link will reach me.>>
For now she had two goals, find out what the hell this >1rtu@l5cr3@m virus is and locate a more comfortable node from which to mount her search.
[September 1, 2072, 12:15, Argent's home]
PAN: N/A, SIN: None, Response *, Signal *, System (5), Firewall (4), (Analyze, Scan, Decrypt, Exploit, Stealth [5, inherent], Armour, Browse, Encrypt [6, ergo, optzd] Attack [5, targeting], Expert Defence [2]) +Command [6, ergo, optzd] (-1 response)
Trembling in the comparative safety but restricted confines of her link, Gossamer gathered her anger about her as a form of armour against the horrors that were being inflicted on her body. Realising how woefully unprepared she was for an, admittedly unprecedented, event such as this, she reached into her memory and called forth a command program. It felt strange to be remotely operating her body rather than feeling it…
As the protocols engaged and the verification codes flew back and forth she watched detached as she opened the service panel in her stomach, the skin splitting open along invisible seams to reveal her beating heart – the hydrogen fuel cell that powered her being. Bypassing the safety systems she reached inside and with a vicious twist wrenched the cell out…
…she quaked as she lost contact with her home node, feeling lost in the vastness of the matrix. She knew that she now had a limited time to either restore the node or find a new one before she began to fragment in the info stream.
<<@Argent: Bee has been compromised by a virulent virus. I have had to remove my core in order to preserve the drone and prevent it being totally compromised or turned against you or the children. I am afraid they might be distressed if they return home and find me there without any warning. I will try and find out what is happening but for now messages to this link will reach me.>>
For now she had two goals, find out what the hell this >1rtu@l5cr3@m virus is and locate a more comfortable node from which to mount her search.
@E:PL/Chi Town/Copperhead
[July 8th, 2072, 23:37:16; Storm Drain, somewhere beyond Blackwater, CZ, Chicago]
With the ghouls rabbiting into the depths of their underground world you are left with soaked in gods knows what and guarding two quivering teenagers, one of whom looks like he might rapidly go into shock. There is a nasty claw scrape on one leg and quite apart from whatever crap is floating in the water there is the ghoul’s fingernails to consider – they aren’t exactly renowned for their table manners and are infamous for their dietary requirements.
There’s some muffled swearing and a splash as Requiem descends down to you, constantly sweeping the bright xenon spot around the chamber to hopefully keep any more of the denizens of the area at bay.
"Frag you! But yeah, sorry we’re late. Looks like you managed without us though. You’re a tough slitch for a spell slinger! Now let’s get the hell out before the smells draw anything else down on you! Stitch is up top keeping an eye out for that bird but we seem to have lost it for now. Clear run to the wall now right?" and he fails to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
[July 8th, 2072, 23:37:16; Storm Drain, somewhere beyond Blackwater, CZ, Chicago]
With the ghouls rabbiting into the depths of their underground world you are left with soaked in gods knows what and guarding two quivering teenagers, one of whom looks like he might rapidly go into shock. There is a nasty claw scrape on one leg and quite apart from whatever crap is floating in the water there is the ghoul’s fingernails to consider – they aren’t exactly renowned for their table manners and are infamous for their dietary requirements.
There’s some muffled swearing and a splash as Requiem descends down to you, constantly sweeping the bright xenon spot around the chamber to hopefully keep any more of the denizens of the area at bay.
"Frag you! But yeah, sorry we’re late. Looks like you managed without us though. You’re a tough slitch for a spell slinger! Now let’s get the hell out before the smells draw anything else down on you! Stitch is up top keeping an eye out for that bird but we seem to have lost it for now. Clear run to the wall now right?" and he fails to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
@E:PL UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:28; Overlooking Clearwater, Exmoor, UK]
Mordred
The beam from your torch flashes through the underground room. You can see now that the water is literally coming through the walls from the reservoir beyond and running down to pool at the bottom. It adds to the general sense of decay but is clearly not about to cause imminent collapse or anything drastic to occur…the salt deposits suggest it has been like this for a very long time.
Descending the rickety metal staircase you step into a couple of centimetres of water at its foot and proceed into the gloom. Your torch beam picks up something considerably newer down here and playing it around you can see that it is a high gain satellite dish pointing in the general direction of the ceiling. There are no blinking telltales though and they appear to be as inactive as everything else down here. The power cables lead off into the distance towards the far shore of the reservoir and reluctantly following them you head on.
The door that finally blocks your path is clearly a relatively new addition to the otherwise dated structure. The maglock shows a dim red indicator so there is clearly power of some kind down here…
Gemeaux & Tsubaki
There seems to be nothing to do but wait and watch whilst your forward scout does his thing. It certainly does nothing for your nerves when baby Collot begins to whine and then cry, perhaps sensing the tension in the air this close to your goal. His dad rocks him gently and eventually the grating noise quiets leaving just the tension.
[May 21st, 2072, 18:28; Overlooking Clearwater, Exmoor, UK]
Mordred
The beam from your torch flashes through the underground room. You can see now that the water is literally coming through the walls from the reservoir beyond and running down to pool at the bottom. It adds to the general sense of decay but is clearly not about to cause imminent collapse or anything drastic to occur…the salt deposits suggest it has been like this for a very long time.
Descending the rickety metal staircase you step into a couple of centimetres of water at its foot and proceed into the gloom. Your torch beam picks up something considerably newer down here and playing it around you can see that it is a high gain satellite dish pointing in the general direction of the ceiling. There are no blinking telltales though and they appear to be as inactive as everything else down here. The power cables lead off into the distance towards the far shore of the reservoir and reluctantly following them you head on.
The door that finally blocks your path is clearly a relatively new addition to the otherwise dated structure. The maglock shows a dim red indicator so there is clearly power of some kind down here…
Gemeaux & Tsubaki
There seems to be nothing to do but wait and watch whilst your forward scout does his thing. It certainly does nothing for your nerves when baby Collot begins to whine and then cry, perhaps sensing the tension in the air this close to your goal. His dad rocks him gently and eventually the grating noise quiets leaving just the tension.
@Virtual Scream / Dante
[September 1, 2072, 18:15, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1
Lucky Lee pauses for a moment, clearly checking his AR. Then he pulls down his glasses and peers at Dante over the top of them with one eyebrow raised. It is clearly a practised pose.
"Nice one, gaijin. But, no viruses here. What about you Bo?"
Silent Bo just shakes his head 'no'.
"Now you planning on paying up or you planning on leaving?" continues Lucky.
[September 1, 2072, 18:15, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1
Lucky Lee pauses for a moment, clearly checking his AR. Then he pulls down his glasses and peers at Dante over the top of them with one eyebrow raised. It is clearly a practised pose.
"Nice one, gaijin. But, no viruses here. What about you Bo?"
Silent Bo just shakes his head 'no'.
"Now you planning on paying up or you planning on leaving?" continues Lucky.
@E:PL/Chi Town/Copperhead
[July 8th, 2072, 23:37:16; Storm Drain, somewhere beyond Blackwater, CZ, Chicago]
Copperhead lets out an involuntary sigh of relief at the sound of Requiem's voice.
"I need two minutes ta check da kid and pump him full of whatever antibiotics / antivirals is in my medkit. Don't want him catching anything."
Especially not HMHVV!
"Den I think dis little tourist trip is over. If anything else wants a piece of me tonight, I am opening a troll-sized can of whupass on its ass. I is covered in...I don't even wanna think what I is covered in. I been damn near blowed up, attacked by bugs, chased by a goddamn VTOL and chewed on by ghouls. Dis girl has had enough."
Rant over, she herds the kids out of the sewer. She knuckles the scarred ork as she finally climbs out of the sewer. Then, she unhooks her respirator and takes a deep breath of the cool night air, regardles of whether it is radioactive or not.
Then pulling the two kids into the nearest cover, she checks over first Jon and then the still trembling Katie.
[July 8th, 2072, 23:37:16; Storm Drain, somewhere beyond Blackwater, CZ, Chicago]
Copperhead lets out an involuntary sigh of relief at the sound of Requiem's voice.
"I need two minutes ta check da kid and pump him full of whatever antibiotics / antivirals is in my medkit. Don't want him catching anything."
Especially not HMHVV!
"Den I think dis little tourist trip is over. If anything else wants a piece of me tonight, I am opening a troll-sized can of whupass on its ass. I is covered in...I don't even wanna think what I is covered in. I been damn near blowed up, attacked by bugs, chased by a goddamn VTOL and chewed on by ghouls. Dis girl has had enough."
Rant over, she herds the kids out of the sewer. She knuckles the scarred ork as she finally climbs out of the sewer. Then, she unhooks her respirator and takes a deep breath of the cool night air, regardles of whether it is radioactive or not.
Then pulling the two kids into the nearest cover, she checks over first Jon and then the still trembling Katie.
@Virtual Scream / Dante
[September 1, 2072, 18:15, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1
"You're lucky today - I'm leaving."
With a nod to Silent Bo, Dante got back in his truck and headed to the meet.
[September 1, 2072, 18:45, Ling Hung Tea House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1
Dante pulled up a block away from the tea house and found a spot on the street to wedge his truck into, between a trash dumpster and some trash that probably should've been in the dumpster, if the dumpster wasn't already overflowing and partially on fire. The tea house was definitely in one of the more dangerous sections of the Barrens. Setting the anti-theft on his truck was second nature to him as he got out, almost as second-nature as making sure his pistol was secure in the small of his back, as it always was. The walk to the tea house was short but intense, Dante having to make sure his walk was that of a predator, not prey. Cold, dead eyes watched his every move, weighing, calculating. Arriving at the door, he pushed his way in past customers who were just leaving, looking as tensed up to be going outside as he had just been coming in.
Inside the tea house, Dante took a seat in a corner where he could watch the door and ordered some noodles and beer for two. As they arrived he briefly considered waiting for Jing Cha, but then decided he didn't want the noodles to get cold or the beer to get warm, so he tucked in with gusto.
[September 1, 2072, 18:15, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1
"You're lucky today - I'm leaving."
With a nod to Silent Bo, Dante got back in his truck and headed to the meet.
[September 1, 2072, 18:45, Ling Hung Tea House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1
Dante pulled up a block away from the tea house and found a spot on the street to wedge his truck into, between a trash dumpster and some trash that probably should've been in the dumpster, if the dumpster wasn't already overflowing and partially on fire. The tea house was definitely in one of the more dangerous sections of the Barrens. Setting the anti-theft on his truck was second nature to him as he got out, almost as second-nature as making sure his pistol was secure in the small of his back, as it always was. The walk to the tea house was short but intense, Dante having to make sure his walk was that of a predator, not prey. Cold, dead eyes watched his every move, weighing, calculating. Arriving at the door, he pushed his way in past customers who were just leaving, looking as tensed up to be going outside as he had just been coming in.
Inside the tea house, Dante took a seat in a corner where he could watch the door and ordered some noodles and beer for two. As they arrived he briefly considered waiting for Jing Cha, but then decided he didn't want the noodles to get cold or the beer to get warm, so he tucked in with gusto.
@E:PL UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:28; Overlooking Clearwater, Exmoor, UK]
SIN: Spencer Lovett, PAN: Active
The adept reaches for the small, metal case hanging from his belt, but thinks better of it. <Someone's using this place to get utilities. I can get in, but I'll need someone to watch my back while I work. It wouldn't hurt for more of us to have a look at this, either.>
He moves to the wall, where he can keep an eye on both doors. Then, he begins setting out his tools, looking up every once in a while to confirm he was alone. Mordred was curious about the extent of the changes made to the station. But more importantly, control of someone's water and power supply could prove valuable, just in case their destination was not what they expected.
[May 21st, 2072, 18:28; Overlooking Clearwater, Exmoor, UK]
SIN: Spencer Lovett, PAN: Active
The adept reaches for the small, metal case hanging from his belt, but thinks better of it. <Someone's using this place to get utilities. I can get in, but I'll need someone to watch my back while I work. It wouldn't hurt for more of us to have a look at this, either.>
He moves to the wall, where he can keep an eye on both doors. Then, he begins setting out his tools, looking up every once in a while to confirm he was alone. Mordred was curious about the extent of the changes made to the station. But more importantly, control of someone's water and power supply could prove valuable, just in case their destination was not what they expected.
[September 1, 2072, 18:55, Ling Hung Tea House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1
As he tucks into the noodles his commlink beeps.
<<@Dante[Bo]: Talk to the waitress.>>
It is another half an hour before Jing Cha finally swaggers into the Tea House. Despite the street outfit, there is something about the way he moves that almost screams cop. But he flaunts it in a way that the locals recognise: bent cop.
He flops into the stool across from Dante.
"Are the noodles any good?"
He waves the waitress over and places his order, pointing at Dante.
"It's on his tab."
He waits for his beer to arrive and takes a satisfyingly long swig from it, wiping his lips with the back of his hand.
"Free beer always tastes better. Now, you mentioned you knew something about >1rtu@l5cr3@m. Sure hope it's worth me hauling my hoop down to this part of town."
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1
As he tucks into the noodles his commlink beeps.
<<@Dante[Bo]: Talk to the waitress.>>
It is another half an hour before Jing Cha finally swaggers into the Tea House. Despite the street outfit, there is something about the way he moves that almost screams cop. But he flaunts it in a way that the locals recognise: bent cop.
He flops into the stool across from Dante.
"Are the noodles any good?"
He waves the waitress over and places his order, pointing at Dante.
"It's on his tab."
He waits for his beer to arrive and takes a satisfyingly long swig from it, wiping his lips with the back of his hand.
"Free beer always tastes better. Now, you mentioned you knew something about >1rtu@l5cr3@m. Sure hope it's worth me hauling my hoop down to this part of town."
@E:Tribes
[September 1, 2072 19:55; Heading north to Bellevue]
As you each make your respective ways north it is clear that something unusual is happening in the plex tonight. Grid guide seems to be on the blink in places and the traffic snarl-ups are even worse than usual. Angry drives get out of their vehicles and yell at each other, the unfortunate Knight Errant officers who are trying to deal with the situation, and anyone else who catches their eye.
Sprogget’s monocycle and Spring and Glyph’s bikes bypass the crowds although it can be a little hair raising at times. For Scrapheap, Alpha, and Tweak stuck in the step van the waiting is frustrating and more than a little dangerous as vehicles around you act in an unpredictable manner.
[September 1, 2072 19:55; Heading north to Bellevue]
As you each make your respective ways north it is clear that something unusual is happening in the plex tonight. Grid guide seems to be on the blink in places and the traffic snarl-ups are even worse than usual. Angry drives get out of their vehicles and yell at each other, the unfortunate Knight Errant officers who are trying to deal with the situation, and anyone else who catches their eye.
Sprogget’s monocycle and Spring and Glyph’s bikes bypass the crowds although it can be a little hair raising at times. For Scrapheap, Alpha, and Tweak stuck in the step van the waiting is frustrating and more than a little dangerous as vehicles around you act in an unpredictable manner.
@E:PL/Chi Town/Copperhead
[July 8th, 2072, 23:42; Storm Drain, somewhere beyond Blackwater, CZ, Chicago]
Getting close to midnight, you’ll be just as glad when this clusterfrag of a day is over!
The kids are both a little battered and are clearly on the brink emotionally but it could have been considerably worse all things considered. You patch up Jon and dose him to the eyeballs and they visibly relax as your healing magics finally begin to knit the wound together leaving an angry red slash in his arm that will fade with time. Interesting that it takes magic to reassure a couple of techno freaks!
You suspect the bird is still hunting you all from the occasional flashes of light you see off to the south but both Katie and Jon confirm that whatever was marking them out seems to have faded. There is now considerable distance between you and your pursuers, but there’s further to go to reach the edge of the CZ and sitting around isn’t bringing it any closer.
[July 8th, 2072, 23:42; Storm Drain, somewhere beyond Blackwater, CZ, Chicago]
Getting close to midnight, you’ll be just as glad when this clusterfrag of a day is over!
The kids are both a little battered and are clearly on the brink emotionally but it could have been considerably worse all things considered. You patch up Jon and dose him to the eyeballs and they visibly relax as your healing magics finally begin to knit the wound together leaving an angry red slash in his arm that will fade with time. Interesting that it takes magic to reassure a couple of techno freaks!
You suspect the bird is still hunting you all from the occasional flashes of light you see off to the south but both Katie and Jon confirm that whatever was marking them out seems to have faded. There is now considerable distance between you and your pursuers, but there’s further to go to reach the edge of the CZ and sitting around isn’t bringing it any closer.
September 1, 2072 20:20:02;
Physical Location: Angelo's Apartment Renton
PAN - Passive; SIN - Nicole Deveraux
Glyph gives Angelo a once over as she speaks
"Yes I do, I believe you are expecting this."
Glyph hands Angelo the package.
"Are you going to have any trouble getting this to where it needs to go?"
Physical Location: Angelo's Apartment Renton
PAN - Passive; SIN - Nicole Deveraux
QUOTE (RdMarquis @ Dec 7 2012, 12:25 AM) 
Ms. Deveraux, right? The speaker is about sixteen. Angelo is a human with dirty blonde hair and brown eyes. Three of the fingers on his left hand are bandaged, and aside from the cap on his head (which bears the Pathfinder logo), his clothes look used. His SIN identifies him as Andrew Jensen. "You said you had a package for me?"
Glyph gives Angelo a once over as she speaks
"Yes I do, I believe you are expecting this."
Glyph hands Angelo the package.
"Are you going to have any trouble getting this to where it needs to go?"
[ Spoiler ]
@E:Tribes, Sprogget
[September 1, 2072 20:00 Heading north to Bellevue]
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)
Heading north from the complex, Sprogget expects it will take a little time to catch the others. However, he discovers that grid guide is glitching, causing worse traffic snarls than usual. With the maneuverability of the cycle, he is able to slip through without too much difficulty, though it does keep the heart rate up a bit.
@self:If this keeps up, I might have to make good on the comment to just drive right over a few vehilces with this smart wheel! Wouldn't want to attract any extra attention from KE though. They look ready to chew on anyone that annoys them.
The mess slows the van more than the cycles, so he catchs up quickly. An indicator shows up in the window opened earlier, showing that first Spring, then shortly after Tweak, Scrapheap, and Alpha are in direct connection range.
@local jailbreakers: <<What a mess. Hey Fre∑domers, did you get any more info about what the matrix mess is about, and is grid guide and this traffic part of the result? Glyph should be making fairly good time on that Rapier, but LeFey is going to need a bit of time with package before we pick her up. Alpha, will you need to be managing the CHN before she starts, and do you think it is safe for you do that while on the road?
Spring, think we can help that van navigate through this? We can act as eyes to help them out. We can travel faster than they can, but do not see a real point in getting there much ahead of them. Drivers please slave your 'links here {sprogget bio node address}, to setup local tacnet. Passengers can join as well, if you have at least 4 sensor channels, but unless those sensors can get extra information, it won't help much. Maybe whoever is riding shotgun can see enough to help out.
Springs scooter is too small to get any of this traffic to give way, but this armored wheel might. I'm going to see if I can break trail a bit. Use the cycle maneuverability, and the armored wheel for intimidation, to try to get you some extra driving room. That's going to keep me busy here. Alpha, can you see about plotting us a route to get around the worst of this?
Let's dance!>>
@self:This is going to be different than just getting speed through the traffic. I need to see about opening holes to let the van through, not going for speed. Won't always work, but sometimes I should be able to get others to move away from the armored wheel. To bad I can't really do 'angry Ork' to add some flavor to that. Need to stay jumped in to get the most out of the cycle. So it's got to be angry Ork rigging the wheel of doom.
[September 1, 2072 20:00 Heading north to Bellevue]
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)
Heading north from the complex, Sprogget expects it will take a little time to catch the others. However, he discovers that grid guide is glitching, causing worse traffic snarls than usual. With the maneuverability of the cycle, he is able to slip through without too much difficulty, though it does keep the heart rate up a bit.
@self:If this keeps up, I might have to make good on the comment to just drive right over a few vehilces with this smart wheel! Wouldn't want to attract any extra attention from KE though. They look ready to chew on anyone that annoys them.
The mess slows the van more than the cycles, so he catchs up quickly. An indicator shows up in the window opened earlier, showing that first Spring, then shortly after Tweak, Scrapheap, and Alpha are in direct connection range.
@local jailbreakers: <<What a mess. Hey Fre∑domers, did you get any more info about what the matrix mess is about, and is grid guide and this traffic part of the result? Glyph should be making fairly good time on that Rapier, but LeFey is going to need a bit of time with package before we pick her up. Alpha, will you need to be managing the CHN before she starts, and do you think it is safe for you do that while on the road?
Spring, think we can help that van navigate through this? We can act as eyes to help them out. We can travel faster than they can, but do not see a real point in getting there much ahead of them. Drivers please slave your 'links here {sprogget bio node address}, to setup local tacnet. Passengers can join as well, if you have at least 4 sensor channels, but unless those sensors can get extra information, it won't help much. Maybe whoever is riding shotgun can see enough to help out.
Springs scooter is too small to get any of this traffic to give way, but this armored wheel might. I'm going to see if I can break trail a bit. Use the cycle maneuverability, and the armored wheel for intimidation, to try to get you some extra driving room. That's going to keep me busy here. Alpha, can you see about plotting us a route to get around the worst of this?
Let's dance!>>
@self:This is going to be different than just getting speed through the traffic. I need to see about opening holes to let the van through, not going for speed. Won't always work, but sometimes I should be able to get others to move away from the armored wheel. To bad I can't really do 'angry Ork' to add some flavor to that. Need to stay jumped in to get the most out of the cycle. So it's got to be angry Ork rigging the wheel of doom.
@Virtual Scream / Dante
[September 1, 2072, 19:22, Ling Hung Tea House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1
Dante raises the can in a quick toast before taking a long swig of his own. He sighs, smacking his lips before letting out a loud belch.
"Noodles are good. Have to eat them fast, they're not good if they're cold."
He eats some more, drinks some more, then continues.
"This virus is hitting the shadow community hard. It seems wiz tech guys are hit the hardest. You said you've worked all day on this? Who did you see who was affected?"
[September 1, 2072, 19:22, Ling Hung Tea House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1
Dante raises the can in a quick toast before taking a long swig of his own. He sighs, smacking his lips before letting out a loud belch.
"Noodles are good. Have to eat them fast, they're not good if they're cold."
He eats some more, drinks some more, then continues.
"This virus is hitting the shadow community hard. It seems wiz tech guys are hit the hardest. You said you've worked all day on this? Who did you see who was affected?"
@E:PL /UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:28; Overlooking Clearwater, Exmoor, UK]
PAN - Active ; SIN - Maximilien Danton
"That is---how you say...ah, yes, that is good to know. Distressing, but good to know." Gemeaux grimaces at the thought of being near the royal ley line. When the toddler cries, he looks from him to the father.
"Monsieur, do you sense anything? It could mean nothing, but it could also mean life or death. I rely on my machines to do my bidding. I shudder to think that there could be some voyous that would turn my weapons against me..."
[May 21st, 2072, 18:28; Overlooking Clearwater, Exmoor, UK]
PAN - Active ; SIN - Maximilien Danton
"That is---how you say...ah, yes, that is good to know. Distressing, but good to know." Gemeaux grimaces at the thought of being near the royal ley line. When the toddler cries, he looks from him to the father.
"Monsieur, do you sense anything? It could mean nothing, but it could also mean life or death. I rely on my machines to do my bidding. I shudder to think that there could be some voyous that would turn my weapons against me..."
@E:PL/Chi Town/Copperhead
[July 8th, 2072, 23:43; Storm Drain, somewhere beyond Blackwater, CZ, Chicago]
As she is packing away the medkit, she glances over at the two mercs.
"You guys good to go?"
"We'll live."
She then checks the Enfield. It will need to be cleaned properly when they get out of here, but should be okay for now. She stands up wearily, drawing herself up to her full height and rolling the muscles in her back and neck.
"Okay, den let's move it. And keeps yer fingers crossed dat we don't run inta anymore of da local wildlife before we gets out. Say, I don't suppose you boys could make a girl's night by tellin me ya gots a truck stashed outside da CZ that will fit all five of us?"
[July 8th, 2072, 23:43; Storm Drain, somewhere beyond Blackwater, CZ, Chicago]
As she is packing away the medkit, she glances over at the two mercs.
"You guys good to go?"
"We'll live."
She then checks the Enfield. It will need to be cleaned properly when they get out of here, but should be okay for now. She stands up wearily, drawing herself up to her full height and rolling the muscles in her back and neck.
"Okay, den let's move it. And keeps yer fingers crossed dat we don't run inta anymore of da local wildlife before we gets out. Say, I don't suppose you boys could make a girl's night by tellin me ya gots a truck stashed outside da CZ that will fit all five of us?"
@Virtual Scream / Dante
[September 1, 2072, 19:23, Ling Hung Tea House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1
Tucking into his noodles, Jing Cha talks while eating.
"Not just the shadow community, omae. GridGuide's been messed up all afternoon. Downtown's been turned into a massive parking lot and tempers are running high. I've been called to two assaults and a shooting just because of that. We've also had people trapped in elevators, a bunch of electrical fires and a couple of geeks brainfried from running hotsim links when it paid them a visit. It even tried to get into our systems. Couple of cybercops got themselves chewed up by it. One is in pretyy bad shape."
He picks up a piece of orange soy, masquerading as a carrot, with his chopsticks and waves it gently back and forth.
"They're not sure if there's going to be much left of him even if he makes it. If you know what I mean."
[September 1, 2072, 19:23, Ling Hung Tea House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1
Tucking into his noodles, Jing Cha talks while eating.
"Not just the shadow community, omae. GridGuide's been messed up all afternoon. Downtown's been turned into a massive parking lot and tempers are running high. I've been called to two assaults and a shooting just because of that. We've also had people trapped in elevators, a bunch of electrical fires and a couple of geeks brainfried from running hotsim links when it paid them a visit. It even tried to get into our systems. Couple of cybercops got themselves chewed up by it. One is in pretyy bad shape."
He picks up a piece of orange soy, masquerading as a carrot, with his chopsticks and waves it gently back and forth.
"They're not sure if there's going to be much left of him even if he makes it. If you know what I mean."
@Virtual Scream/Cipher
[September 1, 2072, 13:42; Downtown, Seattle]
Cipher pauses, momentarily confused. Was this it? Was it finally happening? All of this pseudo reality was crumbling, folding in around him.
"Um, yes please driver. And when you stop for fuel I need to use the bathroom."
He tried dropping in and out of the Matrix, to see if it was still there, if it was still seperate or whether this reality was that one.
Nggh. Damned head hurts so much.
He looked out of the window of the cab, looking for any clues, anything that may give him a world to hold on to.
[September 1, 2072, 13:42; Downtown, Seattle]
Cipher pauses, momentarily confused. Was this it? Was it finally happening? All of this pseudo reality was crumbling, folding in around him.
"Um, yes please driver. And when you stop for fuel I need to use the bathroom."
He tried dropping in and out of the Matrix, to see if it was still there, if it was still seperate or whether this reality was that one.
Nggh. Damned head hurts so much.
He looked out of the window of the cab, looking for any clues, anything that may give him a world to hold on to.
@E:CoP/Johnny Awesome
[August 20th, 2072, 21:53; NeoNet Tower, Oxford]
Johnny keeps pace effortlessly, though it's more of a chore than he'd have liked. What had happened to his night? He'd planned some drink, some dancing and probably some extracurricular activity with a barmaid in the toilets, but now he was embroiled in this game and he couldn't stop playing.
"So you know him through work, then? You know, I'm a little surprised at your opposition to De La Mar. I would've though that NeoNET would be in favour of having more control over their matrix."
He pauses for a few seconds and looks at her to see how his comment landed. Was he starting to win? It felt that way. He hoped so.
[August 20th, 2072, 21:53; NeoNet Tower, Oxford]
Johnny keeps pace effortlessly, though it's more of a chore than he'd have liked. What had happened to his night? He'd planned some drink, some dancing and probably some extracurricular activity with a barmaid in the toilets, but now he was embroiled in this game and he couldn't stop playing.
"So you know him through work, then? You know, I'm a little surprised at your opposition to De La Mar. I would've though that NeoNET would be in favour of having more control over their matrix."
He pauses for a few seconds and looks at her to see how his comment landed. Was he starting to win? It felt that way. He hoped so.
@Virtual Scream, Alex Bianchi
September 1, 2072, 14:58; Alex's Everett apartment
Hermes Ikon: Hidden | SIN: Alexander Bianchi ( Re 4(3) - Sig 3 - Fi 5 - Sys 4(3) )
When it rains, it pours. And my attorney would take this month for his Carib vacation... Alex found this Harvey Dennis' number in his LTG guide and opened a vid-call window.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Dennis. You were recommended to me by Detective Walks-With-Purpose from Knight Errant, as I have a rather obnoxious tech problem. It seems I was hit with the ">1rtu@l5cr3@m" that's hitting Seattle, and she thought you might be able to help me get my 'link back to working order."
September 1, 2072, 14:58; Alex's Everett apartment
Hermes Ikon: Hidden | SIN: Alexander Bianchi ( Re 4(3) - Sig 3 - Fi 5 - Sys 4(3) )
When it rains, it pours. And my attorney would take this month for his Carib vacation... Alex found this Harvey Dennis' number in his LTG guide and opened a vid-call window.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Dennis. You were recommended to me by Detective Walks-With-Purpose from Knight Errant, as I have a rather obnoxious tech problem. It seems I was hit with the ">1rtu@l5cr3@m" that's hitting Seattle, and she thought you might be able to help me get my 'link back to working order."
@E:Tribes, Scrapheap
September 1, 2072 20:00; Heading north to Bellevue
PAN mode: Hidden | SIN displayed: Eric Jones
Scrapheap smirked at the hapless wageslaves as they tried to deal with GridGuide being spotty from his spot in the back of the stepvan. Never been without that safety net, and now they don't know what to do...poor babies. The smirk faded a little as he watched one angry driver interrupt the tirade of the person he'd rear-ended with a pistol shot to the head. He shook his head, then checked that the shotgun was still hanging securely across his shoulder from it's strap.
"Don't take much to act like da worst of us, yeah?" he called out to Alpha and Tweak. "Hope no-one decides to take any potshots at us."
September 1, 2072 20:00; Heading north to Bellevue
PAN mode: Hidden | SIN displayed: Eric Jones
Scrapheap smirked at the hapless wageslaves as they tried to deal with GridGuide being spotty from his spot in the back of the stepvan. Never been without that safety net, and now they don't know what to do...poor babies. The smirk faded a little as he watched one angry driver interrupt the tirade of the person he'd rear-ended with a pistol shot to the head. He shook his head, then checked that the shotgun was still hanging securely across his shoulder from it's strap.
"Don't take much to act like da worst of us, yeah?" he called out to Alpha and Tweak. "Hope no-one decides to take any potshots at us."
@Virtual Scream/Cipher
[September 1, 2072, 13:42; Downtown, Seattle]
The cab takes off at a brisk pace, dodging around the other traffic with the sort of manuevering typically only associated with a human driver.
Cipher focuses his attention on the 'real' world and while the skeleton disappears from his vision, he knows it is still there in the matrix.
He cradles his pounding head in his hands, and for a moment, he can feel where the top of his skull has been sliced off. His fingers touch the soft, slimy tissue of his brain. With a gasp, he looks up into the rearview mirror and for a just a second, he sees his exposed brain. Then he blinks and it is gone, and all he can see and feel is sweat-matted hair.
Looking out of the window, the sheep-people seem to be unaware of anything strange going on. A voice in his ear says, "...third quarter results...". And out the corner of his eye, he sees a group of people sitting around a conference table in the middle of the sidewalk. But when he turns to look at them directly, all he sees is the autocab's empty driver's seat.
[September 1, 2072, 13:42; Downtown, Seattle]
The cab takes off at a brisk pace, dodging around the other traffic with the sort of manuevering typically only associated with a human driver.
Cipher focuses his attention on the 'real' world and while the skeleton disappears from his vision, he knows it is still there in the matrix.
He cradles his pounding head in his hands, and for a moment, he can feel where the top of his skull has been sliced off. His fingers touch the soft, slimy tissue of his brain. With a gasp, he looks up into the rearview mirror and for a just a second, he sees his exposed brain. Then he blinks and it is gone, and all he can see and feel is sweat-matted hair.
Looking out of the window, the sheep-people seem to be unaware of anything strange going on. A voice in his ear says, "...third quarter results...". And out the corner of his eye, he sees a group of people sitting around a conference table in the middle of the sidewalk. But when he turns to look at them directly, all he sees is the autocab's empty driver's seat.
QUOTE (faultline @ Dec 13 2012, 07:38 AM)
September 1, 2072 20:20:02;
Physical Location: Angelo's Apartment Renton
PAN - Passive; SIN - Nicole Deveraux
Glyph gives Angelo a once over as she speaks
"Yes I do, I believe you are expecting this."
Glyph hands Angelo the package.
"Are you going to have any trouble getting this to where it needs to go?"
Physical Location: Angelo's Apartment Renton
PAN - Passive; SIN - Nicole Deveraux
Glyph gives Angelo a once over as she speaks
"Yes I do, I believe you are expecting this."
Glyph hands Angelo the package.
"Are you going to have any trouble getting this to where it needs to go?"
[ Spoiler ]
"No problem." Angelo slips the package into a small, plain looking backpack. "That's why they pay me the big bucks," he jokes. "Or rather, small to middling." The teenager hurries for the door, pulling on a coat that looks at least one size too large for him. "Sorry to run off on you, but the clock is ticking. You're probably in a hurry too, huh? Oh, and thanks for what you all are trying to do." Initially, Andrew had planned on taking the bus. Considering there appeared to be a virus laying waste to the Seattle grid, now, public transportation would be difficult.
He settled for mirroring their approach to Bellevue. Angelo could usually count on a ride from his father's former teammates, especially if he helped pay for fuel, and in this case, allowed himself to be dropped off Downtown (his mentors didn't feel like trying to blend in). Shouldering the backpack, he briefly stopped at a Microdeck to confirm the grid was still experiencing problems. And for the benefit of anyone watching, it had to look like Andrew was stopping to browse before going on to visit his friend.
He reaches Morgan's house just after eight.
"I'll get it! I'm expecting someone." To her credit, she managed not to rush out of her room as soon as she heard Angelo ring the bell, opting to wait for a second or two. Morgan notices one of the housekeepers flash a disapproving glance at the door.
"You left these on your desk." He hands Morgan the bag. "Oh, and..." Angelo's voice drops to a whisper. "...I think we're about to find out why Flo was sick this afternoon. Check the news, and watch your back online." He turns to leave. "I gotta get home. See you tomorrow." The girl walks back to her room, remembering to remain calm and meet people's eyes. "He's my friend. Not some kind of spy. And for the record, we aren't going out." She had caught them staring.
Just to play up the rebellious teen act, Morgan slams the door (wincing at the noise) and locks it loudly. She then lowers herself into a kneeling position. "Are you with me?"
"I've never left your side, my pet."
"And Tagget?" She senses the temporary bond, still. "Time is short. We need to prep, then squeeze in a quick practice before it comes time for the real thing." Morgan unzips the bag.
@Emerging: Tribe / Fre∑dom
[September 1, 2072 20:50:34; Senlis Residence, Bellevue]
SIN: Morgan Senlis, PAN: Active
With the contents of the bag laid out before her, Morgan sat in silence, focusing on the sounds of the matrix. On the steady, rhythmic pulse of the Resonance. Gradually, the sound of wireless traffic grew almost loud enough to block everything out. The Resonance pulsed in time with her heartbeat. She removed her glasses from their perch on her collar. "Okay." Morgan slipped them on.
After that, she noticed the slight, but significant change in Tagget's appearance. Many of the gears and levers had gone, leaving behind living flesh. Furthermore, the pages of the books were now yellowed with age.
You follow the Resonance along different paths. When these paths interact, the results can be quite unusual.
"I see." At a touch, the book on RFIDs flipped open, moving its pages rapidly. Too quickly to read in any conventional way. Yet, by the time she reached the back cover, Morgan found herself with a newfound wealth of knowledge on tags. She worked meticulously with the tag eraser, trying to get as many of them as she could. Morgan reminded herself to hurry, even if she wasn't looking forward to the next step. Putting aside the devices, she transferred the sim file to her commlink. Then, she put on the trodes.
All of her encounters with jamming devices had been mercifully short and long ago. Her memories of the feeling were vague enough that she wasn't ready to experience it again. First came the oppressive quiet. The familiar sounds of the matrix faded until they were barely more than a whisper. Then, the strange numbness. It felt as if the silence was spreading to her sense of touch. But the sim didn't become truly difficult to bear until the last part.
For a moment, the world was gone, replaced only by the jammer. Morgan had to remind herself she could move and breathe. There was only one other instance in which she had experienced such helplessness, and that was the Crash. As soon as it was over, she ripped the trodes off and staggered to her bed. "Tell him I've done all I can," Morgan says to Tagget. "The actual escape will reveal whether it is enough. And bring him the list of tags I found."
[September 1, 2072 20:50:34; Senlis Residence, Bellevue]
SIN: Morgan Senlis, PAN: Active
With the contents of the bag laid out before her, Morgan sat in silence, focusing on the sounds of the matrix. On the steady, rhythmic pulse of the Resonance. Gradually, the sound of wireless traffic grew almost loud enough to block everything out. The Resonance pulsed in time with her heartbeat. She removed her glasses from their perch on her collar. "Okay." Morgan slipped them on.
After that, she noticed the slight, but significant change in Tagget's appearance. Many of the gears and levers had gone, leaving behind living flesh. Furthermore, the pages of the books were now yellowed with age.
You follow the Resonance along different paths. When these paths interact, the results can be quite unusual.
"I see." At a touch, the book on RFIDs flipped open, moving its pages rapidly. Too quickly to read in any conventional way. Yet, by the time she reached the back cover, Morgan found herself with a newfound wealth of knowledge on tags. She worked meticulously with the tag eraser, trying to get as many of them as she could. Morgan reminded herself to hurry, even if she wasn't looking forward to the next step. Putting aside the devices, she transferred the sim file to her commlink. Then, she put on the trodes.
All of her encounters with jamming devices had been mercifully short and long ago. Her memories of the feeling were vague enough that she wasn't ready to experience it again. First came the oppressive quiet. The familiar sounds of the matrix faded until they were barely more than a whisper. Then, the strange numbness. It felt as if the silence was spreading to her sense of touch. But the sim didn't become truly difficult to bear until the last part.
For a moment, the world was gone, replaced only by the jammer. Morgan had to remind herself she could move and breathe. There was only one other instance in which she had experienced such helplessness, and that was the Crash. As soon as it was over, she ripped the trodes off and staggered to her bed. "Tell him I've done all I can," Morgan says to Tagget. "The actual escape will reveal whether it is enough. And bring him the list of tags I found."
@Virtual Scream/Uller
[September 1, 2072, 12:19; Downtown, Seattle]
Sony Emperor: Active | SIN: Luke MacAuley ( Re 2 - Sig 3 - Fi 2 - Sys 2)
"Why Harvey, you know I came here just to annoy you," Uller said with a bright smile as he accepts the piece of paper, giving it a scan with a sharp pulse of interest. Career criminal, happy to victimise anyone who looked like they couldn't stand up for themselves. He hated scum like that. Shame he'd have to bring him in alive, which presented difficulties in and of itself. But not that easy either, particularly when he'd been relying on Eirik for wheels. He had no particular illusions about being to carry a Troll out of Renton. This was why working with a partner had been gone. He might just kill the Troll, doing everyone a favour, and bring in the girl. Besides, he didn't much care for the idea of trying to subdue a Troll.
"What the hell is this virtualscream anyway?" he asked curiously. "Is that why my trid player's stopped working?"
[September 1, 2072, 12:19; Downtown, Seattle]
Sony Emperor: Active | SIN: Luke MacAuley ( Re 2 - Sig 3 - Fi 2 - Sys 2)
"Why Harvey, you know I came here just to annoy you," Uller said with a bright smile as he accepts the piece of paper, giving it a scan with a sharp pulse of interest. Career criminal, happy to victimise anyone who looked like they couldn't stand up for themselves. He hated scum like that. Shame he'd have to bring him in alive, which presented difficulties in and of itself. But not that easy either, particularly when he'd been relying on Eirik for wheels. He had no particular illusions about being to carry a Troll out of Renton. This was why working with a partner had been gone. He might just kill the Troll, doing everyone a favour, and bring in the girl. Besides, he didn't much care for the idea of trying to subdue a Troll.
"What the hell is this virtualscream anyway?" he asked curiously. "Is that why my trid player's stopped working?"
@Virtual Scream/Cipher
[September 1, 2072, 13:46; Downtown, Seattle]
As the cab pulls up at the charge station, Cipher jumps out and darts quickly into the toilets. He grips the edge of the sink hard, staring into the cracked mirror, assessing the damage to his meatflesh. He splashed water up at his face and rubbed the blood stains from his nose and ears. What was that thing? He had to find out.
Walking towards the services' vending machines he quickly spoofs some payments and they obligingly cough up an energy drink and a packet of asprin. He takes 3 and rinses them down with a sugar hit.
Turning back towards the cab he studies his sprite. At least it was still obeying him, that was something, and maybe it'd make it easier for him to figure out. After a few seconds doubting his judgement he climbs back into the cab and asks the driver to take him to a parking lot. He needs somewhere to work, and hopefull no-one will notice the cab is missing if he stays off the grid.
[September 1, 2072, 13:46; Downtown, Seattle]
As the cab pulls up at the charge station, Cipher jumps out and darts quickly into the toilets. He grips the edge of the sink hard, staring into the cracked mirror, assessing the damage to his meatflesh. He splashed water up at his face and rubbed the blood stains from his nose and ears. What was that thing? He had to find out.
Walking towards the services' vending machines he quickly spoofs some payments and they obligingly cough up an energy drink and a packet of asprin. He takes 3 and rinses them down with a sugar hit.
Turning back towards the cab he studies his sprite. At least it was still obeying him, that was something, and maybe it'd make it easier for him to figure out. After a few seconds doubting his judgement he climbs back into the cab and asks the driver to take him to a parking lot. He needs somewhere to work, and hopefull no-one will notice the cab is missing if he stays off the grid.
@Virtual Scream/Alex Bianchi
September 1, 2072, 14:58; Alex's Everett apartment
Hermes Ikon: Hidden | SIN: Alexander Bianchi ( Re 4(3) - Sig 3 - Fi 5 - Sys 4(3) )
An image of a dwarf appears in Alex's AR. He has lank hair under a reversed baseball cap and a smudge of oil on one cheek. He couldn't look more like a car mechanic, if he tried.
<<"Dennis' Drones. How can I...frag, did you say Selene. Man, is she ever gonna let me off the hook. She pulls me out of a burning squad car that one time and I owe her for the rest of my fragging life. Hey, wait a minute. Don't I know you? Aint you the cop that got fired for banging the captain's daughter. Brass Balls Bianchi, right?>>
<<Hehe, man that had us laughing down in the vehicle pool for months. Well, right up till they outsourced our asses. Say, did you say >1rtu@l5cr3@m. Well, join the queue chummer. Half my drones caught a bad case of it too. And a couple of my buddies already been on the blower wanting me to look as some piece of junk that's been hit by it. So sure, drop on by and I'll add yours to the pile. Here's my {address}. I got a couple of ideas and I'll do some digging online. It might take a day or two, but I'll get rid of it for you.>>
September 1, 2072, 14:58; Alex's Everett apartment
Hermes Ikon: Hidden | SIN: Alexander Bianchi ( Re 4(3) - Sig 3 - Fi 5 - Sys 4(3) )
An image of a dwarf appears in Alex's AR. He has lank hair under a reversed baseball cap and a smudge of oil on one cheek. He couldn't look more like a car mechanic, if he tried.
<<"Dennis' Drones. How can I...frag, did you say Selene. Man, is she ever gonna let me off the hook. She pulls me out of a burning squad car that one time and I owe her for the rest of my fragging life. Hey, wait a minute. Don't I know you? Aint you the cop that got fired for banging the captain's daughter. Brass Balls Bianchi, right?>>
<<Hehe, man that had us laughing down in the vehicle pool for months. Well, right up till they outsourced our asses. Say, did you say >1rtu@l5cr3@m. Well, join the queue chummer. Half my drones caught a bad case of it too. And a couple of my buddies already been on the blower wanting me to look as some piece of junk that's been hit by it. So sure, drop on by and I'll add yours to the pile. Here's my {address}. I got a couple of ideas and I'll do some digging online. It might take a day or two, but I'll get rid of it for you.>>
@Virtual Scream/Uller
[September 1, 2072, 12:19; Downtown, Seattle]
Sony Emperor: Active | SIN: Luke MacAuley ( Re 2 - Sig 3 - Fi 2 - Sys 2)
Harvey grins at Uller's comeback, but it quickly fades back to a frown when the bounty hunter mentions >1rtu@l5cr3@m again.
"Some sorta virus is my best guess. I prefer hardware to software, so I ain't SOTA when it comes to all that matrix crap. But I'll do some digging, see what I can find."
"Your trid player stopped working. Did you bring it with you? Then how the frag am I supposed to know if the virus hit it? Sheesh, enough with the puppy dog look, just bring it over once you've dealt with Slicer and I'll fix it for ya."
[September 1, 2072, 12:19; Downtown, Seattle]
Sony Emperor: Active | SIN: Luke MacAuley ( Re 2 - Sig 3 - Fi 2 - Sys 2)
Harvey grins at Uller's comeback, but it quickly fades back to a frown when the bounty hunter mentions >1rtu@l5cr3@m again.
"Some sorta virus is my best guess. I prefer hardware to software, so I ain't SOTA when it comes to all that matrix crap. But I'll do some digging, see what I can find."
"Your trid player stopped working. Did you bring it with you? Then how the frag am I supposed to know if the virus hit it? Sheesh, enough with the puppy dog look, just bring it over once you've dealt with Slicer and I'll fix it for ya."
@Virtual Scream/Cipher
[September 1, 2072, 13:52; Downtown, Seattle]
The top floor of the car park is mostly empty, which is unusual for this time of day. But maybe it is because all the roads have been turned into one giant car park.
Did this thing, whatever it was, take out GridGuide? In any case, his skeletal driver seemed to know its way around it. So while no-one else was moving, his cab had flitted through the traffic with apparent ease.
He looks more like himself in the rearview mirror, the blood mostly washed away and some color back in his cheeks. The mix of sugar and aspirin have also cleared his head a little, although he is still getting flashes of images and sounds.
[September 1, 2072, 13:52; Downtown, Seattle]
The top floor of the car park is mostly empty, which is unusual for this time of day. But maybe it is because all the roads have been turned into one giant car park.
Did this thing, whatever it was, take out GridGuide? In any case, his skeletal driver seemed to know its way around it. So while no-one else was moving, his cab had flitted through the traffic with apparent ease.
He looks more like himself in the rearview mirror, the blood mostly washed away and some color back in his cheeks. The mix of sugar and aspirin have also cleared his head a little, although he is still getting flashes of images and sounds.
@Virtual Scream/Cipher
[September 1, 2072, 13:52; Downtown, Seattle]
Cipher sits for a moment in the quiet of the car park, letting the silence wash over him and clear his mind. He walks to the open shelf of the carpark roof and leans over the railing, staring down at the city below. It seems to have hit everywhere. Traffic stationary, the familiar hum of the city somewhat dulled.
He flicks online, in AR this time, and checks the news feeds, tech blogs and every source he knows for information of what's been going on. Once he finds out what everyone else knows, only then can he figure out what's actually happening...
[September 1, 2072, 13:52; Downtown, Seattle]
Cipher sits for a moment in the quiet of the car park, letting the silence wash over him and clear his mind. He walks to the open shelf of the carpark roof and leans over the railing, staring down at the city below. It seems to have hit everywhere. Traffic stationary, the familiar hum of the city somewhat dulled.
He flicks online, in AR this time, and checks the news feeds, tech blogs and every source he knows for information of what's been going on. Once he finds out what everyone else knows, only then can he figure out what's actually happening...
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