@E:PL /UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:38; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]
PAN - Active ; SIN - Maximilien Danton

Gemeaux grins in absolute satisfaction as he sees his shot decimate the drone. Regardless of any situation, he always takes time to appreciate his art. The fact that this particular work makes shooting his enemies easier is merely a bonus. He slips La Reponse back into its concealed holster on his chameleon suit.

<<[Gemeaux]: Vivienne, be a dear and switch The Retort back to burst fire.>>

<<[Vivienne]: Of course, Gemeaux. Switching to burst fire, reconfiguring smartgun system to match selection. Targeting solutions coming online.>>

<<[Gemeaux]: As always, you have my thanks. I would be lost without you.>>

<<[Vivienne]: As always, I will take note of that and remind you of it when you are about to do something stupid like ignore my advice.>>

You cheeky devil, Gemeaux thinks to himself, always amazed at how well the programmer captured his first flame's personality.

The assassin whips up the assault rifle with skill only time, money, and augmentations can provide. He matches the sight up to the targeting solution with a marksman's accuracy, and squeezes the trigger. Three bullets blast out of the rifle and shriek towards their target...

@E:Tribes / Travellers
[September 1, 2072 21:28 Senlis Residence, Bellevue]
SIN: Iwakura Lain, PAN: Active

Once more, she fell still and silent. But this time, it was on purpose. Morgan did not want to distract Sprogget. It was a somewhat delicate operation, especially under the circumstances. The implications of the tag had weighed so heavily on LeFey that she had barely noticed the removal. As if someone else was getting the impromptu surgery. She gingerly touches a hand to the bandage. The girl promised herself that one day, she would talk to her parents about it. For now, she would be satisfied with having one more connection to Ares Macrotechnology severed.

"Thank you."

What do you think?

About?

Aggression. Direct confrontation. Even outright conflict. Her paragon's enthusiasm did not sit well with her at all. It very much ran counter what she knew of the being's nature. Or had it been hiding this side all along?

Does it matter? It's something I will have to learn, and to live with. Next time, there might not be an chance to back away. They're my tribe now, and I can't let them down.

@E:PL /UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:38; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]

Gemeaux & Mordred

The drone sparks and goes down under Gemeaux’s response and then his burst strikes the illusive figure at the top of the stairs thanks to the guidance of Tsubaki’s spirit…the figure topples down the companionway ladder to land with an audible crunch at the bottom…quite surreal as the chameleon coating and dense smoke blurs his visible form.

Seeing Gemeaux dispatch his target Mordred draws a bead on the remaining illuminated figure in cover at the head of the stairs. Another burst streaks out and wings the figure. Although he staggers under the onslaught he swings up a longarm, difficult to see as it too is cloaked, and lays down a curtain of fire across the equipment that Mordred and Gemeaux are sheltering behind. The deafening discharge of the weapon suggests a combat shotgun but the rounds that spall off the metal near you gives of a dull thud and then a crackle of electricity…

Tsubaki

As you set about looking for something to open the door Monsieur Collot stiffens and grabs your arm "Someone spoke to me…I don’t know them, they say there is a boat inside dere…I have a map…it could be a trap, non?"

@E:Tribes / Travellers
[September 1, 2072 21:** Somewhere in Bellevue, heading south]

In The Van

Gliding nonchalantly away from the scene of the accident you aren’t too surprised to see two unmarked patrol vehicles streak past you with blue lights flashing…so corp cops rather than the Knights…thankfully they do not seem interested in you, for now…

On The Monobike

Impromptu surgery over, and nobody seeming to pay you any mind, it is time to head back on the road and rendezvous with the others. You are slightly concerned that Alpha now seems to have dropped off the grid along with Glyph…

On The Scooter

Time to go! The others glide away and your little scooter putters along looking as innocent as you can…

@E:Tribes; Scrapheap
September 1, 2072 21:29 Bellevue, heading south
PAN mode: Hidden | SIN displayed: Eric Jones

Scrapheap holds his breath unconsciously as the corp cops appear, then lets it out noisily as they go by without stopping. "You know any ways back home that don't involve tha highway, Tweak? 'Dem pigs'll be wantin' a piece of us for takin' that little bitch's 'link if nothin' else."

@Sprogget: The heat just blew past us, two guesses where they's headin'. If you know a way home that don't put us where they can find us easier it'd be a good time to say somethin'. Hope you got that little corp ho's 'link you swiped under wraps.

@E:Tribes, Sprogget
[September 1, 2072 21:38 Bellevue, near the Senlis residence
Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden and Jammed; 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)

Not getting a response, Sprogget quickly finishes closing the luggage pieces and gets in.  Buckling up he connects the 'only for show' cable from the commlink on his arm to the DR.  Relaxing his body, he then switches to VR and checks the jailbreakers direct connection information.
@self:Where'd Alpha get to?.  LeFey is right here, her TA is reaching Tweak's link.  Just barely from GPS info.  The stop to remove the tag is putting me behind.  Again.  There is Spring as well.  His link has the range to reach the TA, and Scrapheap is connected indirectly through Tweak's system.  But no Alpha or Glyph to be seen.  Glyph got sidetracked someplace before the rest of us got to Bellevue, but where'd Alpha Go?  He was right here.  Either he boosted out of here fast as soon as he finished with the CHN, or he as gone totally dark.  I thought the plan was to pick him up with the van on the way?

Whatever.  Can't wait to figure that out just now.

Oh drek, I need to get back legal until get out of Bellevue"!

Sprogget switches the 'Clip to active mode, setting it to also display the ID and license information from the DR, and verifies that wireless is still disabled for the monocycle.

CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Active; SIN: Paul Brickhill (R3)

That done, he jumps into the DR node through the skinlink connection, and with a brief warning to LeFey heads out.

@LeFey: <<Here we go.>>

@Jailbreakers: <<On my way starting from the soykaf shop.  Ease up a bit, and I'll catch you shortly.>>

Traveling quickly to make up the distance, but keeping to legal speeds, and not doing anything flashy that might attract attention, Sprogget heads south after the others.

@Jailbreakers: <<I lost track of Alpha while I was offline there for a bit.  Did he make new travel plans?>>

@E:PL /UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:38; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]
PAN - Active ; SIN - Maximilien Danton

Stick-n-shock? How bourgeouis of them.

<<[Gemeaux]: Mes amis, I recommend keeping your heads down. Our uninvited guests are using stick-n-shock ammunition, an effective tactic for those who lack both skill and talent. I shall try to neutralize the voyou using it.>>

Gemeaux reaches into his bag and flings another white phosphorous grenade at the gunman.

"Je peux sentir ta chatte, salope!"

@E:Tribes, Sprogget
[September 1, 2072 21:38 Bellevue, near the Senlis residence
Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden and Jammed; Analyze(3), Command(1), Edit(1), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Spoof(1), Stealth(3), Shield(1), Tacsoft(2), Simrig(1)
CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Active; SIN: Paul Brickhill (R3)

Pulling away from the curb, Sprogget sees the queued text message,

@jailbreakers: <<Just got your text Scrapheap.  The tronics is powered off and sealed in a bag, but I was planning on handing it to Alpha, so it is not as buried as it could be.  If they get to that level of search, I'm already in trouble anyway.  I don't know this area any better then you, so the initial mapping information to get us here is the best I got.  LeFey, your work at the KE office wouldn't have happened to provide hints about routes they tend to skim over would it?  Or at least roads to avoid, cause they pay extra attention there?  It seems 'the man' finally got around to checking on that vehicle accident, and might be interested in chatting.>>

Paying strict attention to the traffic, Sprogget still can't help mulling over LeFey's reaction to the confrontation at the accident scene.  It did not seem that intense to him.  After poking it around in the back of his mind for awhile, he decides,
@self:It's all English, but I think it is still a language problem.  Maybe that is a place to start.

Starting somewhat tentatively, but picking up confidence as he gets to the more technical details, he voices his thoughts,
@LeFey: <<LeFey? .. I know it's not really accurate, but the media has us labeled as following streams.  According to them, I'm a dronomancer, cause of the way I interact with physical tech.  What stream would you follow?  I think you said when I passed tagget to you, that he was a type you did not know.  Again the media labels are only general guides, but he was a Tutor sprite.  There seem to be very few streams that can work with Tutor's, so that is not unexpected, but you said you could not summon his type.  For me it is more like building, ... creating, molding, ... finding the form I want in the resonance.  I guess something between a sculptor finding the final shape in the raw materials, then freeing it from the extra stuff that surrounds it, and a craftsman building a tool from available parts.  Would that mean you are a technoshaman?  Regardless, one of the tools we should have in common is a Data Sprite.  As far as I can tell all TM's can work with them.  Anyway, a Data Sprite can be customized ... summoned with the ability to do translations for a specific language, if you design .. ask? for it.  That is typically used to handle completely different languages, but I was thinking.  It might be possible to use that same ability to translate between street and corp versions of English, to get intent across both ways, without getting too hung up with the words being used.  So you politely but firmly saying someone has the wrong idea will come through with the appropriate ... force, and someone street rat telling you that that you are full of it, with 'artistic' thoroughness, will come back as polite disagreement.  Needs a bit of testing to verify that actually works.

If it does work, more would be needed to use it to learn that your self.  Directly using a linguasoft is useless for learning a language, but the sprite could be tasked with providing a running 'side' translation, so you hear both versions.  That would make a start on learning the differences.  What do you think?>>

@E:PL /UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:38; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]

Like a carefully coordinated dance of a team of intimates Mordred squeezes off a snap burst at the shotgun toting wraith…as the rounds impact squarely the shotgun swings towards the immediate threat leaving the way clear for Gemeaux to hurl another fiery retribution at the intruder. Flames once more wreath the form and plunge the area above you into a nightmare of whirling smoke and white hot flame. The range is so close that the flames lick at the equipment that you are both crouching behind but whilst you feel the blast of hellish heat the insidious white phosphorous thankfully doesn’t connect.

Over the woosh of flame you can hear the baying of hounds outside…this just gets better and better!

Seemingly from nowhere you realise there is third attacker down here with you as a sharp burst off to your right indicates his approximate location some five or so meters beyond the stairs. In the smoke and darkness he is all but impossible to see other than by the distinctive muzzle flare of an assault weapon. Thankfully his aim is clearly as difficult as your own and the rounds careen off the equipment near Gemeaux’s cloaked form. You are further amazed as the attacker at the top of the stairs drops his weapon and, vaulting over the rail, hurtles down to your level like a blazing comet…

@E:PL /UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:38; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]
PAN - Active ; SIN - Maximilien Danton

Now things are getting interesting. Interesting is getting a bit tiresome, though. Let us end this quickly!

"Merde!" bellows Gemeaux, embracing the battle cry of one of his revolutionary forefathers. He whips Le Repartie up to level with the incoming voyou. He takes a breath, aiming the gun for the center of his target, and suddenly notices that he favors his right leg. With a wicked grin concealed beneath the cowl of his chameleon suit, Gemeaux pulls the trigger and watches as his bullets fly towards their mark...

@E:PL UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:38; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]
PAN=Active; SIN:Nina Okada

"A map?" Tsubaki expects to be able to see this map Mr. Collot has obtained out of thin air. "We won't be able to use that boat with a wall of concrete between us and it..." Once she receives it, she moves onto her task. In the usual manner of her tradition, the mystic adept burns an ofuda, and a curious creature with multiple tails manifests before her.

Hai~?

"Kono doa ga watashi no tame ni hiraku hitsuyō ga arimasu, onegaishimasu."

Tsubaki extends her arm in front of the Collots and leads them aside. The spirit turns to face the door that has been welded shut, opens it's fanged jaws, takes a deep breath and exhales, putting forth the makings equivalent to a flamethrower or a blow torch to melt the welding upon the door...

Then, after considering the usefulness of the said map and the possible location of a water-vehicle of some kind, Tsubaki sends copies of of the information in AR to her fellow runners on the front line.

<Right now, I'm working on an exit route on my side, but there appears to be a means of transport down below beneath this station...>

@E:Tribes / Travellers
[September 1, 2072 21:38 Bellevue, heading south]
SIN: Iwakura Lain, PAN: Active

"More than hints. Whenever they can, the staff send their busywork to me. Including reports. I could tell you quite a few stories about joyriding teens who didn't get off so easy." She smiled. "But their priorities will be adjusted based on the current situation with the virus. So, take what I say with a grain of salt."

Morgan glanced around the wheel of the vehicle. "Patrols will always make a pass through the border between here and the Barrens. Keeping...our ilk from getting into Bellevue is one of their more important (though unspoken) duties." She hadn't been quite sure how to phrase that. In truth, she felt a sense of belonging to both groups, all things considered. "There is a focus on the most populated areas. People want to feel safe and know their taxpayer dollars are at work. Seeing the Knights on patrol helps." She steeples her fingers. "If there is a crisis on their hands, I'd imagine they would actually place more emphasis on "essentials" like these. The point is maintaining control."

LeFey turns to look at Sprogget when he brings up streams. She hadn't imagined another technomancer could be so very different. Morgan supposed he had a more practical, utilitarian view of the Resonance. Though, she shouldn't have been so surprised. Just about anyone could be a technomancer, couldn't they? There could be enormous diversity in how they viewed their powers. "In my eyes, the Resonance is alive. As are its sprites and AI. What is code but DNA in a digital medium instead of a biochemical one? I don't compile a sprite, exactly (though that is the term people use). I only prepare a means for it to manifest. The spark of life and intelligence comes from realms deep within the matrix. And once we've "met", I only need to call the sprite by its name to summon it again." She smiles self consciously. "So, yes. Technoshaman."

She seems interested in the idea of the improvised translator. "Anything that helps me be a little less unprepared would help, thanks. If I can't hold a conversation with the locals, there are going to be problems."

@E:PL/Chi Town/Copperhead [July 8th, 2072, 23:43; Decaying building, somewhere north of Blackwater, CZ, Chicago]
Copperhead places her left hand on the elf's shoulder.

"Tanks but no tanks. Snake kicked my hoop fer a reason. Keep dem kids safe and finds a ways outta here. I'll handle da distraction."

As she speaks she draws the tainted mana into herself, She feels she could draw more if it wasn't so polluted, but in any case it's about as much as she could normally handle before.

At least if my spirits attract a bug, there are no innocents this time.

Ah, you can learn! My gift of knowledge wass not wassted.

She turns back to the open space and pulls a smoke grenade from her webbing, tossing it into the middle of the space even as she begins singing. It bounces off into a corner, but she pays it no heed instead focusing on the music and her magic.

"hmmm, hmmm,
waiting, waiting,

just an accident,
waiting ta happen..."

The first spirit responds, a smoky air spirit.

"Causse misschief and mayhem to my enemiess."

Yess, good. You can do it. Now again.

Slowly backing out of the open space, she draws on the mana again. This time a beast spirit responds, although not without a fight. The tainted thing hisses at her, jaws dripping with venom. She repeats her command.

Ignore the pain. Again.

The third spirit is a lizardman. It scoops up a rock from the floor and zips off as if keen to do her bidding.

One more. You can do it.

The fourth spirit resists, but finally an earthen colored serpent emerges from the floor. Her head pounding from the effort, she commands the earth spirit to join its brethren in covering their escape.

Then she turns and runs, heading after 'her team'. As she goes, she gives one last mental command to the spirits.

My brethren, there are tainted sspiritss in thiss place. If thesse inssects come, you are freed from your tasskss.

@E:Tribes, Sprogget
[September 1, 2072 21:38 Bellevue, heading South
Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden and Jammed; Analyze(3), Command(1), Edit(1), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Spoof(1), Stealth(3), Shield(1), Tacsoft(2), Simrig(1)
CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Active; SIN: Paul Brickhill (R3)

@Jailbreakers: <<Eyes on the barrens border?  Sounds familiar.  {drolly} Got to keep the gutterpunk out.  Hope that is where they keep most of their attention, since we're heading south across Renton.  Populated areas too.  Mentioning tax dollars, I assume you probably mean areas with people that pay the most taxes.  Of course there are no 'real' slums in Bellevue, but that is a place to start.  I have a mapsoft on the 'Clip {access link}.  Could you highlight the areas you remember getting the most attention, and add both a population and tax overlay on that for us?  Oh, and places they won't be going, because it is other corp extraterritorial.  As a guess, they probably keep an eye on those corp borders too?  Careful using the 'Clip.  It's set public, so a potential target for that virus.  I have it walled off from the monocycle node.>>

Feeling the DR shift, and seeing LeFey lean over to look ahead, Sprogget does a mental face Palm.
@self:Just because the DR can see, does not mean the passengers can.
@LeFey: <<{Link to DR and PAN sensor feeds}.  Sorry about forgetting to give you a window view.  My excuse is that I am not used to carrying passengers.  I've got all the usual wireless access disabled for security, so that is a mirror of what I get accessing through skinlink.>>

Closing with the others, the tacnet feeds start providing extra information about the surroundings, making navigation easier, and effectively extending the range of the sensors.
@self:Better!

After Lefey gives some perspective on her stream.
@LeFey: <<Alive?  {uncertainly} Well maybe.  The way air is alive.  It's there, and it supports and connects everything.  Sprites are ... an aspect of the ... soul? .. of the machines, the matrix nodes they are created from.

However it 'really' works, one thing I know, is I want to learn to be better at communicating and working with it.>>

@Virtual Scream / Gossamer
[September 1, 2072, 12:18, Argent's kid's school node]
PAN: N/A, SIN: None, Response *, Signal *, System (5), Firewall (4), (Analyze, Scan, Decrypt, Exploit [5, inherent], Stealth [6, inherent], Armour, Browse, Encrypt, Medic [6, ergo, optzd])
<<@Gossamer[Argent]: Good point! We'll hook your chassis up to the pod but won't put the power core back in until we're sure the virus is dormant. My commlink is a scream-free zone, if that works for you. Give me a moment to shut down my agent and a few programs to make some space for you. Is user access sufficient or do you need a security or admin account?>>

@Virtual Scream/Cipher
[September 1, 2072, 15:15; Downtown, Seattle]
The skeletal icon turns and blinks it's one eye, an eye that Cipher is pretty sure wasn't there before. But then, he is pretty unsure of anything at the moment.

The cab takes off at an impressive clip, weaving through traffic with apparent ease despite the continuing gridlock. It takes it under 15 minutes to make it from the car park to the emergency entrance of Ares Macrotechnology Seattle General Hospital.

Most of the people in the waiting room seem to be Ares employees, wearing a range of cheap suits and Ares tagged work uniforms. For a moment they are replaced by an image of a boardroom meeting but as you jerk back the scene reverts to the hospital waiting rooom.

As you make your way to the reception, a bored looking girl looks up and through you, not even bothering to take her eyes off her AR.

"What is the nature of your emergency?"

@Virtual Scream, Alex Bianchi
September 2, 2072, 12:30; Dennis' Drones
Renraku Sensei: Passive | SIN: Jimmy Delfino (Fake ID, Rating 3) (Re 2 - Sig 4 - Fi 2 - Sys 2)
As Alex frees the dwarf from the duct tape holding him to the chair, he gives a groan, opens one eye and launches into a bloody, spittle filled tirade.

"Fragging amateur fraggers. Shoulda made sure the fragging dwarf was fragging dead. Hah, fragging platelet factory, damage compensators and internal air tank for the fragging win. I'll fragging kill em for fragging with me."

He grunts and settles down a little, gasping for breath. His eyes seem to focus more on Alex.

"Bianchi, thank the frag. I got eyes on them but she's running low on juice. They got my computer, my commlink and your link too. You up for a bit of street justice? Got a piece? If you take the van, I'll even send Charlie with you."

"Don't worry about me, I'll live. At least that's what my biomonitor says. Hurts like hell though. There's a medkit under the passenger seat in the van. I'd appreciate it if you brought it here before you go."

"You do this for me and I'll owe you one. And cleaning your link will be on the house."

@Virtual Scream / Dante
[September 2, 2072, 12:30, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1
Jenny's face falls when Dante says he doesn't know how to get rid of it, but her eyes light up when he mentions that he could replace it for her.

"You would? That would be awe..."

Realising she was speaking English, she glances around nervously and switches back to her badly accented Chinese.

"<Chinese>That would be most kind. There are some files on it that I need for my first aid class. And some personal stuff. Do you think you could recover them too?"

She gives him her best doe-eyed, pretty please look.

"<Chinese>Well, everyone at the clinic was talking about the virus. They said it was what caused their accidents. And we also treated a couple of people for hearing problems caused by it. So yes, I think there are plenty of people who might need your help. Look, my shift here finishes at six and I start at the clinic at eight. It's not far from here. Why don't you meet me there?"

@E:Tribes / Travellers
[September 1, 2072 21:38 Bellevue, heading south]
SIN: Iwakura Lain, PAN: Active

"What do you think I'm doing out here?" She laughs lightly. Then Morgan busies herself editing the mapsoft. Major residential areas are highlighted in red, while corporate facilities are marked with their rating (AA or AAA). She continues talking as she works. "Staying behind this wall and developing my powers would be impossible. I'd never grow without being able to use them freely or seeking the help of others like me." She finishes by adding "x's" to half a dozen streets. "Hacker thrill gangs. Kids like me who can afford top of the line commlinks. They all end up using them to become nuisances or actual threats to people. They're fairly high on the priority list, too." The faster the issue could be nipped in the bud, the faster it could be swept under the rug by their parents and employers.

@Virtual Scream, Alex Bianchi
September 2, 2072, 12:31; Dennis' Drones
Renraku Sensei: Passive | SIN: Jimmy Delfino (Fake ID, Rating 3) (Re 2 - Sig 4 - Fi 2 - Sys 2)

Alex shook his head minutely. "I'm not doubting you're a tough sonofabitch, Harvey, but I'm gonna make sure you ain't gonna cack before I go running after those goons. I'll be right back with the medkit."

Alex jogged out to the van and dug the 'kit out from under the seat. Back in Harvey's office he sat it down next to the mauled halfer and began setting it up as efficiently as he could. They'd had training on the force with the automated systems, which he was glad now that he hadn't slept through. While he looked at readouts and checked IVs as the machine directed he looked over at his "patient".

"Who's Charlie, boss?"

@E:PL /UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:38; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]
PAN - Active ; SIN - Maximilien Danton

<<[Gemeaux]: Good to hear, my dear, but please work quickly. I enjoy challenges, but this quickly getting increasingly expensive and out of hand.>>

Monsieur Hill, I shall be sending you a bill for my expenses, and I plan to collect in person...

@Virtual Scream, Alex Bianchi
September 2, 2072, 12:33; Dennis' Drones
Renraku Sensei: Passive | SIN: Jimmy Delfino (Fake ID, Rating 3) (Re 2 - Sig 4 - Fi 2 - Sys 2)

Harvey smiles a crooked grin.

"Always the cop, Bianchi. Well, let's just say I got a few secrets too. Ouch, easy with that."

"Charlie's the call-sign for one of my babies. The van's Alpha. Bravo is the rotodrone tailing the fraggers who did this. And Charlie, well that's Charlie"

He points over Alex's shoulder to the Doberman drone that has slipped quietly in behind them. Even standing up on its treads, it's less than a meter tall. But that's not what gets Alex's attention. The pair of hypervelocity SMGs pointing his way, that gets his attention. He remembers seeing a demo trid of one of these things suppressing a riot. Brutally effective even just using gel rounds, they were eventually deemed too dangerous and taken out of commission. He wonders how Harvey got his hands on one.

"Charlie, this is Det...this is Jimmy. Do what he tells you."

The SMGs on the drone turn to 'look' at Harvey then back to Alex. They move up and down in the rough approximation of a nod.

Harvey taps his head.

"Jimmy, my backup link doesn't have simsense so I can't remote rig him. I'll do what I can in AR but he'll follow any verbal commands you give just as long as they are clear. He's got an upgraded pilot and gunnery soft and is quiet as a mouse at normal walking pace. Try not to break him. And by the way, only the left is loaded with gel. The right is loaded with APDS. So it's your call whether you bring them in dead or alive."

@Virtual Scream, Alex Bianchi
September 2, 2072, 12:34; Dennis' Drones
Renraku Sensei: Passive | SIN: Jimmy Delfino (Fake ID, Rating 3) (Re 2 - Sig 4 - Fi 2 - Sys 2)

Alex nods as the dwarf lays out the specs of the drone, though the cop in him twitches at the mention of the magazine loaded with APDS. Holy Mary, mother of Jesus. That's practically a war-crime on treads.

"Let's hope I don't even have to think about using Righty, then." Alex looks at the medkit's readouts again, then gets to his feet. "Looks like you'll live, though I'd get whoever your doc is to look at that knock on the back of your head sooner rather than later."

He takes the Manhunter out of it's holster, checks that the magazine is seated and that the "chambered round" indicator is up, then reholsters it. "Charlie, go get into Alpha. We've got some thieves to run down." After the Doberman situates itself, Alex starts the van and drives it out of the shop, following the signal of the trailing rotodrone.

@E:PL UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:38; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]

Tsubaki

Whilst your companion sets to work on the door seals, melting through the crude welds, you estimate that it will be a couple of minutes before the door is clear. In the timescale of a firefight that can be an age! It does give you a couple of seconds to study the map that Collot has received from out of thin air from some mysterious benefactor.

The AR map is a three dimensional model of the complex and the first thing that strikes you is how extensive it is, stretching back into the side of the valley hundreds of meters with multiple chambers, interconnecting tunnels, and, to your relief, at least a couple of other exits apart from the chamber marked as containing the boat…

Gemeaux

With brutal efficiency you target the now all too visible attacker, wreathed in burning phosphor, who is lurching towards you. His fancy armour only slows the vicious assault from Le Repartie and he succumbs to his injuries, collapsing on the other side of the pump housing that you are crouched behind…it is just as well, if he had closed with you, you too might have been doused in that nasty chemical!

Mordred

Seeing Gemeaux dispatch your visible assailant you turn your attention to the other lurker. Moments ago you saw his muzzle flash but now the nightmarish combination of flames, smoke and chameleon suits. As he fires again you swing your pistol round but you can’t tell if your bullets strike home or not…

Gemeaux is not so lucky as the gel rounds catch him in the side knocking the breath from his body, it may be non-lethal tech but it still hurts like a bitch!

@Virtual Scream / Dante
[September 2, 2072, 12:30, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1

"Sure. For a pretty chica like you. Just let me see your link and I'll work on getting you a loaner until I can fix up yours."

After studying Jenny's commlink and noting specifics, Dante sat back in his chair.

"Ok, got it. I'll just wait around until your shift finishes, then I can give you a lift to the clinic."

With that decided, he ordered a beer for himself and looked around for anyone playing cards or mahjong. He needed something to occupy his mind while he waited, or the thought of the possibilities would keep circling around and around in his brain and drive him crazy. Usually when something like this happened he could put his mind at ease by working with his hands, fixing little things here and there. Lately he found that working on his truck or helping Toro out at his shop did the trick.

Taking a swig from his lukewarm beer, Dante settled in to wait.

@E:PL/Chi Town/Copperhead
[July 8th, 2072, 23:43; Decaying building, somewhere north of Blackwater, CZ, Chicago]

You are only about five miles from the boat rendezvous…time to go, another couple of hours could see you clear of this hellhole! Behind you in the depths of the decaying building you here a crash as if something had given way followed by a scream that ended all too abruptly. Shouts break out as your other spirits inflict your wrath on your pursuers and confusion reigns.

From your connection to the spirits you get the impression of seven or eight individuals stalking through the building…at least they were. Now they are in complete disarray. The spirits may be paltry things due to the insidious taint in this place but they are all the more unexpected for all that and you briefly feel almost sorry for the mundane fools trying to track you.

[July 9th, 2072, 00:26; Cortland St, overlooking the river, CZ, Chicago]

You’ve made good progress considering. Steering east away from where you crossed the river before, and the confrontation just north of there, you are now or Cortland Street, looking out at the polluted waters and gathering the courage to make the break out across the open… you feel a tickle across the back of your spine and hear a hiss of warning…

@Virtual Scream: Dubstep
[September 2, 2072, 10:23:15, Dubstep's Apartment, Downtown Seattle]
PAN: Hidden, SIN: Jo Datsik (Fake SIN Rtg4), Response 6, Signal 5, System 6, Firewall 6, (Analyze 6, Armor 3-Ergonomic, Attack 4-Ergo, Biofeedback Filter 6, Browse 6-Ergo, Command 6-Ergo, Disarm 3, ECCM 3-Ergo, Edit 6-Ergo, Exploit 6, Scan 6, Spoof 3-Ergo, Stealth 6)

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


Dubstep did not sleep well at all last night. The club was a great release for the moment, but his introduction to Cat brought the earlier day's problems back to the forefront of his mind. And the planned lunch date kept needling him in his sleep with it. Dreams of swimming through a see of blood while various body parts and sundry organ fall apon him or attempt to drag him under kept waking him up.

Cindy's off tempo melody choice wasn't helping matters either. "Ugh. I'm up Cindy. You might as well play something to try making me energized about the day."

The agent software transitioned the music to something more upbeat though there still seemed to be a discordant tune underlaying it to reflect his mood.  "That's what I get for programming her too well to provide a soundtrack to my life..." He let out a big sigh at that thought.

He slowly pulled himself out of bed and started to wash up in the shower. Let's see. Doesn't look like Cat's sent me message about where to meet her or a time yet, he thought as the water ran down his thin frame. Guess I'll do a little work before then.

As he dried off. He pulled up the list of comm codes that he'd gotten for tracking Virtual Scream. Hmmm....wonder if Cat's commlink was on here at all. He idly wondered though it's not like it really matters.

Whatever the case, he dialed up the next one on the list. Rather than just diving in and extracting the body part, he followed a random thought about the locations that were hit by the virus/agent/IC/drek this thing was. 

Looking at the location, he said allowed "Wait. I've heard of that place.. Hai Fuk." His stomach rumbled at the thought of the noodles they are known for. With a smirk he also wondered what Cat would say about the ambiance.

Deciding to take it as providence, he shot a quick message to Cat's commlink.
<<How does meeting at Hai Fuk Noodle House sound for lunch?>>

With that, he moved on to pulling up has favorite warez site to see about the software Cat would need. Let's see what they've got on offer today, shall we?

A couple hours a fiddling around on the 'trix passed by in the blink of an eye for him, but certainly not for his stomach. It's grumbling finally got through to him. He quickly finished getting dressed and dashed off to see about meeting Cat and also seeing what might have happened in the real world to a place that got hit with Virtual Scream.

@E:Tribes, Sprogget
September 1, 2072 21:38 Bellevue, heading south
Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(3), Command(1), Edit(1), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Spoof(1), Stealth(3), Shield(1), Tacsoft(2), Simrig(1)
CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Active; SIN: Hugo Wright (R4)

Sprogget watches in a virtual window as the map information is updated, doing preliminary planning for a route to avoid the most risky areas, while still getting out of the area as quickly as practical.  Another consideration is keeping it flexible, in case something unexpected shows up, like a blocked street and traffic jam due to another scream induced accident.  Once LeFey has finished updating, he considers for a moment, then adds 4 routes in blue from their current location to inside the Renton district.
@Jailbreakers: "These all look like usable routes".
Changing one of the routes to green,
@Jailbreakers: "This one is my initial preference.  A little more short term risk exposure than a couple of others, but gets us out of here about 10 minutes sooner.  Trading off longer time in safer, but not safe areas, with a little time with a bit more risk".
Changing a section of one of the remaining blue routes to orange.
@Jailbreakers: "This route seems good, but I do not like this stretch.  The useable area is too narrow.  If we need to detour for something unexpected, there is no good place to go, without the risk of stepping on KE toes.

Other ideas?

Some other time, it would be fun to bait thrill hackers.  They throw money at their toys, but quite often do not have any real idea how to use them.  Drop a honey pot in front of them, and watch them run in circles.  With the way that scream virus has been cutting through security, a some of them could be feeling a little bruised about now.  Another good place for KE resources, to they are not noticing us".

Understanding and agreeing with LeFey's need to learn and group, Sprogget says
@LeFey: "Others like and unlike.  You can learn a lot about your own abilities and limits from seeing how someone that is different does things.  Well several Fre∑dom members are part of the group dedicated to learning and teaching about TM abilities.  Not all of Fre∑dom, but enough to make a good start.  I expect you will be introduced fairly quickly".
@self:I doubt Prospero would go to the trouble of setting up for the extract, unless he intended for her to be included.

@E:PL/Chi Town/Copperhead
[July 9th, 2072, 00:26; Cortland St, overlooking the river, CZ, Chicago]

"Geddown" bellows Copperhead as she tackles the kids. As she pulls them to the ground, she makes sure she lands on her side and not on top of them.

If it's that fragging ghoul, I swear I will kill him with my bare hands.

She scans around looking for the new threat.

@E:PL /UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:38; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]
PAN - Active ; SIN - Maximilien Danton

"Putain!" Gemeaux exclaims when the gel round catches him in the ribs. However, the sting of the shot and the consequent throbbing of his ass when he is knocked unceremoniously flat upon it are nothing compared to the entire indignity of the episode.

The use of non-lethal weaponry brings the earlier encounter to the forefront of Gemeaux's mind.

This is either poorly timed revenge on the police's part, or another attempt to grab the technomancers.

The assassin gets up, rolls back into cover, and sends a wide burst of bullets at the offending aggressor.

@Virtual Scream: Sprogget
September 1, 2072 21:45 Bellevue, heading south
Bionode: Response 4(5), Signal 2, System 4, Firewall 3; Hidden; Analyze(3), Command(1), Edit(1), Scan(1), Sniffer(3), Spoof(1), Stealth(3), Shield(1), Tacsoft(2), Simrig(1)
CMT Clip: Response 1, Signal 3, System 1, Firewall 1; Active; SIN: Paul Brickhill (R3)

Loading the choosen route into the Doble Revolution dog brain, Sprogget considers what needs to be done when they get to the mall.
@self:Since I couldn't pass the link off to Alpha, and if he is not already at the mall when we get there, I'll need to at least look at it myself soon as I get back to the shop.  Might as well get the research prep done for that.  Even if Alpha ends up doing the later work, anything discovered now is not going to be wasted.

Verifying that the DR knows what the current section of the route is, and after having an extra look around through the DR and PAN sensors, he relinquishes control temporarily, to better focus on the matrix task.  Reaching his senses out to the local resonance, he searches for a pattern that he can mold into the tool that he wants.
@self:I really shouldn't be building this powerful of sprite without the benefits I get at home, but lets see how it goes.

The sprite that forms does not really look like the monocycle, but does have a similar feel.  It is in the form of a ring with virtual grippers for good traction getting around quickly, and a suite of sensors for locating information in the matrix.
@self:Well that was smooth. Not even anything added to the minor headache from before!
Admiring the result, Sprogget thinks,
@self:I'll have to remember this form.  A sprite with the spirit of the monocycle feels like a good searcher.  The form of the physical bike transfers well to a searcher tool in the matrix.  Unfortunately without the armor.
@Hunter:"Hoi Hunter.  I've got some matrix search work just right for your abilities.  There is an entity, that some are calling a virus, called >1rtu@l5cr3@m loose in the matrix.  I need more information about it.

If you encounter an >1rtu@l5cr3@m icon in your travels, don't touch.  If it takes an interest in you, get away.  You are not equipped to handle the punishment this ... creature .. can dish out.  Find out what others have discovered, and bring the information back to me.  I am traveling {tentative route plans} with a group {jailbreakers matrix ids}, all trying to avoid notice by that virus and others, so connecting back with me could be a challenge.  Worst case, I can meet you at the Puyallup library node, after I get physically back to the shop.

To speed things up, limit your searches to new data.  As in since 8:00 this morning.  If you happen to find information within those limits, that points to older data, that would be interesting for possible later followup, but the information I already found says people started noticing this about noon today.  Some things that I think I already know:

Successfully targeted devices start outputting a 'scream' with whatever channels are available.
An attack can overload devices enough to cause physical damage.
The payload included with the virus on infected devices uses up a lot of resources.  Both storage and processing.
After the initial attack, the virus can go dormant, still using resources but no longer screaming.
The virus has good matrix attack capabilities, and will use them against anything that tries to interferer with it.
At least some of the attacks seems to be synchronized, with multiple devices being hit simultaneously.

Oh, just to be complete, I figure that virus name is 1337 for "More than 1 or 2 will scream".

That is mostly either directly, or interpreted from, the fluff and ... scream ... sheets though.  More, and more technical details are needed.

I figure there is already a bunch of con and scam sites in the trix, offering to either remove the virus, or protect against it.  Try to filter the worst of those out of the results.

I am interested in knowing everything about this ... call it entity ..., but some specifics to focus on for start: What are its capabilities?  From the little I can decipher, it has aspects of (at least) a virus, a worm, an agent, a botnet, and ICE
How can we protect against it?
How can it be removed from a device?
What does it target?
Who else is showing interest in it, other that those normally associated with protection from matrix threats?

You're bright, and I think you understand the kind of things that are currently important.  Go find what you can about >1rtu@l5cr3@m, and get the information back to me.  Do your best".

Sprogget watches Hunter peal off into the matrix, leaving a small curl of resonance in its wake, then satisfied he has done what is practical while traveling, returns his attention to the driving.  Giving the dog brain a quick caress, he reasserts full control of the DR.

@E:CoP/Johnny Awesome
[August 20th, 2072, 22:00; Balcony on the NeoNet Tower, Oxford]

As he genteelly fastens the clasp on Ryl's dress Johnny brushes his hand against her neck, feeling the buzz of energy tingle in his fingers and run through his body.

"Now, even for a man of society such as myself I have to say this is a situation I seldom thought I'd find myself in." He whips the tray of champagne up into his hand and offers it around before taking a long swig of it himself.

"Now, you know I suspected something about you. Maybe this, even. But still I have to ask myself why you're showing me all of this. Two lovely young creatures such as yourselves would make a younger man, a lesser man forget himself". He paused for effect. He liked to from time to time. He wasn't quite vain enough to assume everyone loved the sound of his voice as much as he did. "But still I can't help but feel that this is about something more than money and support for a good cause. After all, I'm sure attractive ladies have no problems finding willing donors. Girls can do that to a man, ghost knows they've cost me enough over the years."

"So, I've come backfull circle. What is it you'd request of me? Once that's dealt with we can get back to enjoying our own little party..."

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

Cipher looks at the sheep girl disbelievingly, his hands clasps firmly on either side of his head, trying to hold it all in. He mouths wordlessly at the girl before letting out a high pitched scream, a small trickle of blood running out of his ear for effect.

Now he'd got the girl's attention he managed to find words. "Argh....brain....ngah... ....emergency CAT scan.. ..head... angh. Pleas.." Before, again for effect, collapsing to the floor.

@Virtual Scream / Gossamer
[September 1, 2072, 12:19, Argent's ‘link node]
PAN: N/A, SIN: None, Response *, Signal *, System (5), Firewall (4), (Analyze, Scan, Decrypt, Exploit [5, inherent], Stealth [6, inherent], Armour, Browse, Encrypt, Medic [6, ergo, optzd])

Abandoning, for now, the safety of the hidden node, Gossamer propelled herself through the glories of the matrix and ensconced her code base in the haven of Argent’s link, revelling in the improved performance of a SOTA node rather than the antiquated system she had been inhabiting moments before.

<<@Argent[Gossamer]: Thank you, I have arrived in your ‘link and I am accessing the camera feed so that I can see what is happening. It is strange to be looking on my body from the outside like this, I feel somehow vulnerable. I hope that the people you have drafted in to help will be able to purge the virus from my system…I do not think I can bring myself to inhabit the node if it is lying there dormant, it would be like sharing your house with an abusive partner, and there is no knowing when it might wake up again and what its agenda might be. I am certainly keen to find out. It seems to be too targeted for there not to be some sort of purpose despite how wide spread it was. I am sure we will all find out more as the hours pass, there will be too many people looking for answers for them to be concealed for too long. I want to make sure that those answers are in the right hands though, if this isn’t already some corporate weapon I do not want to think about what they might engineer it into given the opportunity.>>

@E:Tribes, Travellers
September 1, 2072 22:28 Approaching the Fre∑dom mall, Puyallup

The journey back has been largely uneventful. Everything seemed to be very quiet after the chaos of your original trip and you avoided the Knights and anyone else that might have given you any unwelcome attention. As the air gets grittier and the ash begins to coat your vehicles once more you all start, perhaps with the exception of LeFey, to relax a little bit.

Avoiding the 512 and its greater risk of confrontation with rowdy go-gangers you are gliding down S Meridian with your goal almost in sight when the impromptu stinger flashes out across the street from a seemingly derelict and burnt out Americar that is already blocking one of the four lanes…

@E:Tribes, Sprogget
September 1, 2072 22:28 Approaching the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup
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)

After getting clear of the high security Bellevue district, Sprogget had switched the CMT Clip from Active to passive mode.  When they reached the 'low rent' area of Puyallup, he had switched to hidden mode, accepting the risk of being stopped.  The smaller exposure to the >1rtu@l5cr3@m seemed to be worth the risk.  The virus made a good talking point if someone noticed and cared.

Sprogget sees a line being thrown from a road kill Americar.
@self:What?  A spike strip?.  Some people just have no class!  If that is a spike strip, they don't know much about this bike!
Evaluating the situation quickly, he decides,
@self:They waited long enough to make it hard too stop in time, which seems to be what they want anyway, and that might be a zapper instead of just spikes.  But with the maneuverability I have, I should be able to go around.
@jailbreakers: <<Weapons free group.  Some joker seems to have thrown a home built road strip in our path.  I think I can avoid it.  The PAN sensors might be showing more detail shortly.  I'll try to give you more information on the way past, but that shotgun might need cleaning shortly.>>
Setting the sensors to record, instead of trying to stop short of the potentially dangerous road strip, Sprogget waits as long as he can, then takes the DR sharply across to the opposite side of the Americar and onto the verge of the road.  He leaves enough separation that the monocycle should be out of reach of a Troll swinging an axe from inside of the car, and accelerates past, hoping to catch them by surprise.
@self:Love this smart wheel!

Once past the trap, he swings back on to the street.
@self:I really should have driven right over top of that eye sore.  Spoke tracks right down the center line.  Don't want to panic LeFey that much, and going around seems simpler.  Over is just so much more ... stylish.  Poke a few spoke holes through the roof for a bit of emphasis.

As soon as he is sure of stable control on the street again, he opens a new windows on the tacnet, and plays back the recording of going past the car in slow motion, from when he cut across in front of it.
@jailbreakers: <<Let's see if we can get a look at who is in that bucket of bolts.>>
As well as looking for the Americar occupants, Sprogget also takes a close look at the recording of the road strip, trying to determine how dangerous it might be.

@E:Tribes / Travellers
[September 1, 2072 22:28 Approaching the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup]
SIN: Iwakura Lain, PAN: Passive

They hadn't been in Puyallup for fifteen minutes before Morgan started coughing heavily. She covered her mouth with a sleeve and glanced guiltily at Sprogget. Yet another problem to worry about. "Sorry. I have issues with polluted air." She tried in vain to clear her throat. "Might have mentioned it earlier." Morgan reached for the gas mask in her bag. A bit of a desperate solution, but it beat hacking up a lung. She whirled around to check her tacnet display. Hurriedly, she pulled the mask on. If they were in danger, the last thing she wanted was for her respiration issues to get in the way.

"Who do you think did that?" Morgan glared at the footage of the car. The comment that weapons might be needed made her nervous. But this time, she was not going to freeze up. Slowly and carefully, the girl reached for her taser, mentally running through a half forgotten marksmanship lesson. Keep your finger off the trigger until you need to fire. Use both hands to keep steady...

@E:Tribes, Tweak
[September 1, 2072 22:28 Approaching the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup]
Novatech Airwave: Hidden, SIN: James Teems (fake R3)

Tweak had exhaled audibly when their small convoy reached Puyallup. A known area. Maybe not safe by most people's standards but his neighbourhood.
Almost home, just a little...

The boy couldn't believe his eyes. A makeshift trap by some random street goons. That's what you get for evading KE.

Watching Sprogget's unicycle zoom past the obstacle, options start to flash through Tweak's mind.

Follow? Van too wide. Turn around? Too slow, suicide. Stop? Are you crazy? Run over stingers? No run-flats. So?

Tweak's voice comes out of the Van's speakers Uhm, brace for impact!

Frak, I've always wanted to say that in real life.

A feint smile can be seen on the boy's face as the Van picks up speed and angles for the hood of the wreck that used to be an Americar.

@Virtual Scream / Dante
[September 2, 2072, 13:05, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1

Dante was tucking in to his first bowl of noodles and his second beer when the Amerind with the over-sized headphones stepped through the doors of the noodle house. It wasn't so remarkable at first, an Amerind in a place like this. Xiao Hong's gang was all Chinese, but they had plenty of business dealings with other groups. And Amerinds got hungry just like any other metahuman. It was more the way he was dressed, the way he held himself. His apparent confusion on entering meant it was likely the first time this guy had been in here. So why here? It wasn't the kind of place a person would pick to go to on a whim. At least he wasn't Japanese.

The guy's headphones didn't look store-bought, or if they had been, it had been a long time and many repairs and mods ago. Dante could appreciate handiwork like this. Could mean the guy was a runner, here for some reason or another. Dante suddenly got nervous. He'd been caught in too many ambushes, meant for him or otherwise, to not get a little tense when someone who didn't belong showed up at a place like this.

While his left hand continued to drink his beer, his right hand strayed under the table to his tactical pouch where the iBall drone was waiting. Dante was just about to command it to roll out and start surveillance when he remembered the virus. Dammit. He couldn't trust the drone right now. The hand under the table moved from the pouch to the concealed holster of his Ruger.

Then he remembered Jenny Ho. He motioned her over and said in a low voice in Chinese,

"Go over there and talk to that foreigner. Find out why he's here, but be subtle about it."

@E:PL UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:38; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]
SIN: Spencer Lovett, PAN: Hidden

The adept grimaced at the man who had leapt down the stairs. On fire, no less. Either you were out of your mind, or my colleagues and I are something special. It was almost a shame he had no intention of talking. He was honestly curious if the three of them warranted that kind of recklessness. <<Good. Keep at it. We've managed to keep them pinned down here.>> Naturally, one of the remaining enemies chose that moment to shoot at them. Mordred threw himself behind cover. <<Get the exit ready, first. Then see about the transport.>> Adjusting his sights to where the burst had come from, he returned fire.

@E:PL/Chi Town/Copperhead
[July 9th, 2072, 00:26; Cortland St, overlooking the river, CZ, Chicago]

You feel horribly exposed out here, particularly as a gibbous moon chooses this moment to loom out of the cloud. Given that there’s not that industry in the CZ any more there seems to be a permanent lingering murk and the sudden flash of bright white light is all the more startling for it.

As you peer out into the suddenly dark shadows you catch flashes of movement that are too big even for the mutated devil rats that haunt the zone.

A single bullet spangs of the broken asphalt ahead of you, tracking from somewhere behind you. Stitch points back along its path and you see a flash of grey skin as the ghoul ducks back into the ruins. Moments later another round flies in your direction, once more with appalling aim, assuming he is actually trying to hit you.

You hear a hiss of indrawn breath from one of the ruined buildings on your right and a skitter of something dislodged…sounds like he has brought his friends to play again, they should have learnt the last time!

"Well you’ve stirred this hornet’s nest" Requiem observes dryly as he checks his pistols and looks to you for direction

@E:PL /UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:38; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]

Gemeaux

The bullets streak across the space but they are accompanied by a rather discordant clunk as the gun jams. It’s probably due to the tiny blob of white phosphorous smouldering near the smartlink camera, so it’s as likely to be a software glitch as a physical malfunction. You do see with satisfaction the blurry form of your attacker as he absorbs the burst more or less in his centre mass…

Mordred

Taking your cue from Gemeaux you let fly at the sole attacker this time, in spite of the poor visibility you see the flicker that means your bullets have hit their target…you also hear, all to clearly the whomp of the underbarrel weapon that your attacker swings between you and Gemeaux and see, almost in slow motion the small projectile become all too visible as it leaves the chameleon coated weapon. It flies past both of you and with a hiss ejects a cloud of metallic filings and you have a moment to duck before the air around you becomes lit with an incandescent light and a deafening thunder as the concussion grenade detonates.

@E:PL UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:38; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]
PAN=Active; SIN:Nina Okada

Once the metal door becomes undone, Tsubaki will send the Collots out with instructions for the spirit to guard them while she is away... Away to where? Well, to get that damn boat somewhere at the bottom if this facility, of course! The woman has plans to bring the boat to shore and pick up everyone there...

Every second counts!

@Virtual Scream: Dubstep, Dante, Cat
[September 3, 2072, 13:05:23, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: Hidden, SIN: Jo Datsik (Fake SIN Rtg4), Response 6, Signal 5, System 6, Firewall 6, (Analyze 6, Armor 3-Ergonomic, Attack 4-Ergo, Biofeedback Filter 6, Browse 6-Ergo, Command 6-Ergo, Disarm 3, ECCM 3-Ergo, Edit 6-Ergo, Exploit 6, Scan 6, Spoof 3-Ergo, Stealth 6)

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


As Dubstep steps into the Hai Fuk Noodle House, he's a little disoriented by the decor and women in traditional geisha attire; not what he was expecting from the little he'd heard about the place and it being located here in the Barrens.

After a second, he shook his head and moved to a table where he could have his back against the wall and face the door. Doesn't look like Cat has made it yet. Guess I'll see what I can find out if anything obvious happened when the 'Scream hit here yesterday.

As he settles in to his seat, one of the geisha's walks up to his table and bows politely. Greeting in Mandarin, she quickly switches to English when he obvious doesn't speak Chineser."Nin Hao. How may we be of service to you this day?"

Pulling up the AR menu, Dubstep is surprised by the large variety of noodles. Who knew they could do so many different things with noodles?

"Um....whatever you'd recommend would be fine. First time I've been here."

Taking the opportunity to find information for Dante, Jenny asks "Oh? It's your first time? I am sure there we can find something to meet your needs. What made you decide to come here?"

"Oh I'm not here for anything.....special, he says with a glance upstairs. "Just meeting somebody for lunch to help them with something. Dubstep hesitates because he's not sure how openly he should be investigating the virus attacks, but he can't think of any other way to find out what happened."Say, you wouldn't happen to know if anything....um...weird happened here yesterday afternoon. Would you?"

Jenny's mind of course jumps immediately to how she's having Dante take a look at her commlink. Guardedly she responds, "Maaaaybe. What business would that be of yours? Thought you said this was your first time here?"

Realizing he'd set her on guard, Dubstep assures Jenny that he's heard about something hitting commlinks in the area and he's trying to look into it. In fact that's what he's meeting his friend about this afternoon. He's going to be clean a nasty virus off her commlink.

Instantly, Jenny's eyes brighten up. "You know how to clear it off my 'link!?"

In the next few moments, she briefly describes what happened the previous afternoon. She starts to mention that Dante had offered to help her get a new commlink, but a glance in his direction makes her hesitate. "Hey let me go get your order in and maybe a little later you could take a look at my 'link too.

Dubstep agrees. "Sure, sure. After I meet with my friend I should have the time to take a look.

As she walks off, he wonders who or what she had been glancing at. Probably her boss or something with how long we were talking to each other. He shrugs and refocuses his attention into his AR feed while he waits for the food.

@E:Tribes; Scrapheap
September 1, 2072 22:28; Approaching the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup
PAN mode: Hidden | SIN displayed: Eric Jones

The drive south had been uneventful enough that, after retrieving the shotgun from the floor of the van, Scrapheap had begun to daydream. Deep enough that when Tweak's voice broadcast from the van's speakers he jumped. "...the fuck??"

His eyes widened when he saw the burnt-out sedan fast approaching the front windshield. He grabbed the back of the seat with the hand not holding the Remington and braced his feet as hard as could against the floor. Hope this seat belt's designed for more than just breeders!

@Virtual Scream / Dante, Dubstep, Cat
[September 2, 2072, 13:05, Hai Fuk Noodle House, Redmond Barrens, Seattle]
PAN: hidden, Response 1, Signal 3, System 2, Firewall 1

Jenny went and placed the stranger's order, glancing nervously over her shoulder at Dante several times. After the order was placed, she picked up a beer and brought it over to his table. His hand on hers as he took the beer could feel the shaking running through her body. It was clear the girl was excited and nervous at the same time. He held contact a moment longer than necessary, trying to calm her down. Also it would keep her here until Dante had found out what he wanted to know.

<<Chinese>>
"What did the foreigner say?"

Jenny's eyes flashed with excitement at the question. She snuck a peek over at the stranger's table, than looked back at Dante.

"He said...he said he could fix my link! Wipe the virus and everything! So you don't have to bother. Maybe he can help my friends at the clinic too!"

Dante's eyes narrowed at this information. He wasn't sure how he should take it. On one hand, it was good news that he might have someone who could actually get rid of the virus. On the other hand, it would make things more complicated to figure out how to make some cred from the situation. His hand released Jenny's with a small squeeze.

"I'll deal with this. Don't tell anyone else what he said, it could be dangerous for you". Possible, or not. No need for Jenny to run around flapping her mouth and spreading rumors. A long pull on his beer accompanied several moments of thoughtful silence from Dante as Jenny went back to her normal routine of waiting tables. He mulled possibilities over in his mind, discarding each one with a slight shake of his head. Finally one idea rose above all others, a way to take advantage of this new situation.

Taking the extra beer along with his own opened one, Dante approached the foreigner's table and pulled up a chair. He set the extra beer on the table in front of the man and smiled at him. The effect of the smile and his air of confidence was muted somewhat by Dante's appearance. A somewhat disheveled ork with salt-and-pepper hair in a buzzcut, the tusky grin stood out among small patches of wispy beard in various random places on his face. His grimy clothing showed signs of having been worn many days (weeks?) in a row yet still seemed good quality.

"This is free for you. My name is Dante. We can do business if you want. You know about the virus?"

@E:PL /UK
[May 21st, 2072, 18:38; Clearwater Pumping Station, Exmoor, UK]
PAN - Active ; SIN - Maximilien Danton

<<[Gemeaux]: Vivienne, see if you cannot get--->>

The flashbang interrupts Gemeaux's train of thought.

The assassin grits his teeth as his eyes and ears suffer the ignoble injury of being assaulted by blinding light and deafening sound. The explosion causes him to gasp in shock. The force of the explosion nearly knocks him from his feet. Whether through force of will or the potential shame of failure, he manages to keep going despite the the increasingly poignant and throbbing pain.

I shall take this one's life at the very least!

<<[Vivienne]: What was that?>>

<<[Gemeaux]: Find out what is wrong with The Retort while I deal with this odious pig-dog.>>

Gemeaux lets Le Repartie drop to his side, gripped in his offhand. He reaches back and deftly withdraws La Reponse from its concealed holster once more. He levels it at his attackers head, and squeezes the trigger twice. The gun pops twice, sending a pair of bullets whistling towards his enemy.

<<@Group [Gemeaux]: This is a losing battle, my friends. We need to retreat now, or else my employers will miss out on the distinct pleasure of paying me.>>

@E:CoP/Johnny Awesome
[August 20th, 2072, 22:00; Balcony on the NeoNet Tower, Oxford]

Ryl frowns at Bronwyn, currently by your shoulder with a hand resting lightly on your wrist as she accepts the glass of champagne. You can feel the warmth of her arm through your clothes and her intoxicating scent wafts around you

"She wasn’t supposed to interfere until you threw yourself over the edge, be thankful she was here, I might have left you… " she smiles to take any sting out of her words "As to why we are showing you all this, let us say it was a test, one you passed, and failed I might add! Money, causes, power, effect…what difference does it all make in the end? I wanted to sound you out because you interest me, more so than any number of those sycophants in there. If you can help us, so be it, if not or if you are unwilling then I have lost nothing and had a stimulating conversation to while away the evening. Sometimes I get tired of this form and it is good to stretch the wings and test the air. I have to say I did not anticipate you flinging yourself so forcibly out of my presence" she has a wry smile until Bronwyn interrupts, insinuating herself between you

"I want to play with him now Ryl…" but she flinches back as something flashes between them. Whatever the true dynamic between them is, the younger of the two seems to have the authority. Pouting she slides off your arm and disappears in the direction of the party. A part of you regrets that she didn’t get to play with you…but a more rational part of you has an image of a cat with a mouse…

"We argued about who should approach you. I am sorry that her methods are a little overt. I know you would enjoy her company, but perhaps a little too much! For a follower of the Invisible Way she has an interesting perspective on what that means. But then we all hide behind many masks do we not?

So, what do we request of you? I’m not sure that we do… If you happen to put a speed bump in front of that woman’s plans then we won’t complain, but it was just a topic of conversation wasn’t it?" and she is back to being coy again, bloody women, drakes, and their games…

@E:Tribes,
September 1, 2072 22:28 Approaching the Fre∑dom Mall, Puyallup

Sprogget (and LeFey)

As you fly past the wrecked Americar and run your sensors over the interior you pick out the startled face of an orc teenager. It’s difficult to place her exact age as orcs age faster but she’s probably around thirteen, scrawny for her metatype and looking increasingly worried. She’s wearing the gang colours of the Spined Drakes, the small time gang that used to rule the mall before the Fre∑domers politely asked them to spare some space or move on to other parts.

As you relay the images to the Jailbreakers there is a sickening crunch and the Americar whips around, narrowly missing clipping the mono. The stinger flashes around as the whole thing grinds up on to the pavement on its bare wheel hubs…

Tweak (and Scrapheap)

Ramming Speed! The van ploughs into the wing of the Americar and you are jolted but otherwise unharmed as the wreck bounces off your front and swings round, sparks dragging from the rims.

From somewhere behind you there comes the whicker of bullets as someone opens up on the side of the van with some sort of chattergun

Spring

You watch with amazement as Tweak rams the hulk off the road to avoid the stinger. From one of the buildings at the side of the road you catch a flash of movement and then see a bright muzzle flash as someone fires at the van…

@Virtual Scream / Gossamer
[September 1, 2072, 12:19, Argent's ‘link node]
PAN: N/A, SIN: None, Response *, Signal *, System (5), Firewall (4), (Analyze, Scan, Decrypt, Exploit [5, inherent], Stealth [6, inherent], Armour, Browse, Encrypt, Medic [6, ergo, optzd])

<<@Gossamer[Argent]: Glad you are back and safe.>>

"Gents, Gossamer is back in my 'link and looking out through my lenses."

Argent looks around the kitchen stopping at each of the people present. The first is a tall, skinny elf in a stylish but rather grubby gray longcoat. His white hair is spiked up and he has several earrings in each ear. He is leaning against the sink and gives a casual wave to Gossamer.

"This is Slater. He's not much to look at, but he's a pretty decent hacker. And all I could get at short notice."

"You wound me, madam. What's wrong with this look?"

She moves on over the elf's complaints. The second figure is a large, dour looking ork. He is dressed in black leather, slashed with crimson and emanates a sense of coiled danger. He is sitting in the reinforced chair that Argent has for troll guests.

"This is Cutter. He's the muscle."

The ork gives the merest nod of his head. Slater pipes up again.

"So you really are an AI. First time I've met one. That I know of at least. I'd like to meet up with in the digital sometime. Get a closer look at your code, if you know what I mean."

"Slater, this is not the time to be chatting up Gossamer. We need to deal with the virus."

"Hey I'm working on it. But careful like. There are plenty of reports coming in. At least to the boards that are still up. Seems widespread but pretty random. No idea of the source yet, or how to deal with it. I'd like to boot Gossamer's chassis back up and check out the virus in there. The one in your home node seems dormant. I'm guessing the one in the drone will be too."

He peels himself away from the sink and heads to the room containing Gossamer's recharging pod. Argent and Cutter trail after him.