I can answer the middle part... unfortunately, the clothes must stay behind.

Bye
Thanee

TY. I can see the need for some spell research

Heh. Yeah, that part of the spell isn't exactly handy.

Bye
Thanee

Spell casting: I am only after4 successes Optional power Guard
Its resistance: 1 success, again 4:1 rule soaks the drain

Status:
Healing foci: Force 3/3 successes Increase reflexes
Healing foci: Force 3/3 successes Increase reactions
Manip foci: Force 3/3 successes Deflection
Air spirit rank 2. Active services Concealment 2, Movement 2
Watcher spirit tracking the man showing an interest

Clothes:
Worker coveralls, with a respirator covering my face.

Edana, regarding Dante's wired reflexes: other than total surprise / ambush situations, can I assume any situation that has the slightest liklihood of needing it, they're on? or would you want me to say explicitly when Dante has turned the wires on?

p.s. he's turned WR on now

p.p.s. Seth, I don't think your air spirit gets an optional power at f2 - it has to be f3 to have an optional power. "each spirit also has one Optional Power for every 3 full points of Force."

optional powers: you are right. Thanks

Sorry for not getting to this sooner, stringing together a big enough block of time for me to gather my thoughts to write a post for this has been challenging this week.

Seth: In terms of out of combat time, breaking contact to cast a spell will be fairly easy in most areas. Hong Kong is a fairly dense city, so alleys are always an option, and around here you can find a bathroom or maybe some bushes. Dogs and the like aren't going to be super common in this area, but not unheard of either. More run-down or less developed areas will have them more commonly. And I think Thanee covered the clothing issue .

phlapjack: Yeah, unless you explicitly turn them off or are surprised in a situation where it's logical for them to be off, I'll assume you have them on.

sabs: I'll include most of this in the IC post, but you easily get in on the first action and no alert is raised by either the system, or the resident agent. Are you looking for anything specific? (System/Response/Firewall = 4/4/4)

I'm looking for who is this guy, and who does he work for, and what sort of things is he running.
Oh and can I tell what's slaved to his commlink

Oh and I want to decrypt the channel, as well as monitor the audio and video feeds.
decrypt:

ew(4)+decrypt(4)+ci(1)+pushed(1)+encephalon(2)

Not sure how many rolls I'll need so here are 4. 12d6.hits(5)=7, 12d6.hits(5)=2, 12d6.hits(5)=3, 12d6.hits(5)=7

EW+Sniffer
12d6.hits(5)=3 for looking at the communication channel.

Running programs: Analyze, Edit, an Agent (I'm unclear if you can get the programs the agent is running without a specific scan of it or not. I need to recheck that set of rules unless you happen to know offhand. Analyze is a given, and I'm not even sure if you care about anything else.)

Decryption takes 3 combat turns with those rolls.

Nothing is currently slaved to the commlink, but it has active subscriptions to cybereyes, smartlink and cyberears. This is the data that's being recorded.

I don't think the EW+Sniffer test is required since you have access to one end of the link anyway, unless you want to be able to capture it out of the air instead of transferring from his commlink. (In which case, you succeeded.)

As far as who he is/who he works for, you'll have to search for something more specific, or try other methods. There's not a lot of files on his commlink, other than the data being recorded and the log files.

where is the communication channel he has open going to? Can I trace it?

You can trace it. Computer+Track (10, 1 Combat turn). There's a -5 dice pool modifier as well.

I'm probably going to be gone most of the day tomorrow, but I'll try to get to this in the evening when I get back if you, or anyone else, needs any input from me .

Thanks for the summary about dogs etc.

I'm going to try and see how it goes, so I'll do it OOC before posting, just to see that the idea I have works. There are a load of assumptions in the following, so please check them for me. I haven't tried this before.

AS I am in a low stress environment, the 4:1 rule gives me 3 successes which is all I need, and the drain for the fashion spell
Shapechange spell: Dog. Body 5, Str 5, Agility 6, Reactions 7. But (gulp) no armor.
Fashion spell to turn clothes etc to panniers. I will have an obvious dog collar with a name on it "Fido". If the fashion spell doesn't help me put them on, I have an air spirit, or can cast magic fingers.
My commlink has a touch link, so I suspect I can still talk to everyone via commlink.
Resist drain for shapeshift: I take 2 stun

Status:

[ Spoiler ]

Healing foci: Force 3/3 successes Increase reflexes
Healing foci: Force 3/3 successes Increase reactions
Manip foci: Force 3/3 successes Shapeshift
Air spirit rank 2. Active services Concealment 2, Movement 2
Watcher spirit tracking the man showing an interest
Physical: full
Stun: down 2

Edit: I started writing the IC post, but I just couldn't see how to deal with the clothers. I am not sure of who is nearby: is there one of us who I could give a bag of clothes to. If there is I will shapeshift, if not I'll just follow on foot

computer=track=11d6
6d6.hits(5)=4, 6d6.hits(5)=1, 6d6.hits(5)=3, 6d6.hits(5)=2, 6d6.hits(5)=3, 6d6.hits(5)=2, 6d6.hits(5)=0, 6d6.hits(5)=0, 6d6.hits(5)=2, 6d6.hits(5)=3
4 combat turns

con to lie to the shrine-keeper: Cha(4) + Con (2) + Trickster (2) = 3 successes

I started writing the IC post for the shapeshift, but I just couldn't see how to deal with the clothes, and I am not rich enough to afford losing my current set.

I am not sure of who is nearby: is there one of us who I could give a bag of clothes to? If there is I will shapeshift, if not I'll just follow on foot

Well, Max is in the shrine still. Of course, if you give your clothes to him, you will have to expect to search for them later.

A simpler solution might be to go on the toilet, close the door behind you, leave clothes there, shapechange and slip underneath the door so it remains closed (assuming toilets there look similar to the ones here, where a small dog can easily fit underneath).

Bye
Thanee

Bathroom floors are filthy, usually - poor doggie!

search for them? that's too easy... much more fun to use itching powder or something similar. Possibly just donate them to a homeless guy... *grins*

So, it doesn't look like any of you know Russian, so that's why I left the messages the way they are rather than translating for you. I figure you'll probably try to find a quick translation, so feel free to use google translate to simulate. (It's moderately humorous, but you'll probably get the general idea. Especially since I didn't really use proper Russian anyway .)

If I missed someone knowing it or having an actual linguasoft for it, let me know and I'll give you a more appropriate translation when you run it past them.

I am away for a couple of days, and I don't know whats happening IC yet, so I thought I would post my thoughts here:

OK my use of Babel fish left me confused, but that's why you should spend money on good Lingua softs.

I think he knows he's being followed. It also (duh) sounds like he might be part of the Vory.

This could make things very messy. I see we have a few options:
1: Can we move right now. This second. Before they get a chance to change things?
2: Do we abort: Probably very messy in a different way as Mr Johnson will be upset, and we have been made
3: Do we try and follow this guy even though he probably knows he's being followed? This might give us information
4: Anyone have a better idea?

I'd like very much if you can wipe his records Fractal, that way we don't have to worry about any video images he might have of us.

I'm suspecting somehow Dante got ID'd following that Vory delivery truck from last night. The messy part I see, is that I think the Vory could have a large stake in our garden target, and so if something bad happens to our target the Vory might be looking for payback.

Even if Fractal can't totally wipe out the video feed, all the guy has is Dante, a disguised Fractal, and Ting-Ting, also good at disguise So the only real danger is Dante. Does this put the run in jeopardy, if Dante is a "person-of-interest"? It might be unwise for Dante to show up for the cooking job. Maybe someone else could fill in for that role?

I think the best move, at the moment, is to try to erase the video, but even if that doesn't happen, I don't think it's so important. They already have info enough on Dante to find him and tail him, so wiping these particular commlinks don't seem like they'll undo the damage. I guess it would still be good if they don't have MORE info on Dante, so that it'll be easier to step back into the shadows...

Uh, oh, now I know why Hope is missing...

I havn't exactly followed the events with the delivery truck closely... how could they picked up on you, there?

Maybe you should simply confront him and talk to him? He knows you already, so there is not much to lose, really. And maybe you can convince him, that it was just a big misunderstanding or something like that.

As for the cooking job... don't they expect someone specific there?

Bye
Thanee

We (Hope and Dante) tailed the delivery truck a little ways, as it was leaving the garden retreat. I rolled a Shadowing test, and didn't roll very well, so I'm meta-game thinking that's where we might have been noticed. They somehow got an ID on us (although my truck has spoofed ID / morphing lic. plate etc) and now want to know why we were following "them" (Vory in general wondering why we're all up in their business).

Yeah, the confrontation route sounds like it could be a good option. Can't think of anything Dante will gain by pretending to not know about being followed...

The more I think about it, the more I like the confrontation idea. Dante and Dr. Yang can corner the camera guy in the store, after giving time to Ting-Ting and Fractal to find the other party involved and be on-hand in case that guy needs to be "confronted" too. Any thoughts?

The cooking job - my fixer provided me with some credentials, not sure if it's a "real" fake SIN or what. Maybe Ting-Ting has some abilities to take on the general look provided by the credentials?

Well, if those credentials fit to Dante (i.e. male cook), I really doubt it would be within Ting-Ting's ability to pass for that.

Bye
Thanee

A little loose clothing here, a hat to cover the hair there, some five-o-clock shadow makeup, and bam! Ting-Ting could be Dante

But seriously, if noone posts something against the confrontation idea soon, I'm going to post something to that effect IC

So, I'd like to drop 2K Nuyen on a rating 4 linguasoft. Figure I can just do a quick graba nd download it's availability 2

With Logic 5 + Linguasoft 4 + linguist (2) + mnemonic enhancement (2) = 13d6 2 2 5 5 5 4 4 5 4 5 2 2 4 (5) hits

WOot, I'm speaking like an almost native

And Dante you responded to a message that I hadn't forwarded yet...

Let me get my IC post in before you go all paranoid

dang! sorry about that IC post...I didn't realize it hadn't been forwarded yet...let me revise a little...

Actually, Edana, can I grab a Pirated Russian Linguasoft for 200 Nuyen instead? Pretty please with sugar on top. If not, I'll grab the full fledged one from Rosetta Stone™

phlapjack: The ID for the cooking job is essentially a throwaway R1 SIN. There's enough there for it to get past the casual inspection you'll get at the house, but any serious inquiry is going to find out it's a fake in short order. But, yeah, it's a close fit to Dante's general build, so it would be a bit hard for Ting-Ting to use it .

sabs: You'll have to buy a legit copy if you want it 'right now' . <We need more info on the people he was talking to.> <I was made. I'll cut through Han's and head back to you.>

fair enough consider it 2k well spent

Intuition + Disguise + Facial Sculpt 2 hits

Attribute Boost (Body) 2 hits
Attribute Boost (Agility) 1 hit
Attribute Boost (Strength) 3 hits

Bye
Thanee

I;m back from deepest darkest London. You will be surprised to find that you can actually find a hotel without Wifi. I was rather surprised.

Anyway I see that we are moving toward's a confrontation. How exciting!

Heh. It is not that uncommon in europe, actually. And most hotels who do have wifi charge money for it. Quite pathetic, really.

Good that I usually have my own internet access with me.

Bye
Thanee

Thanee is a Technomancer!!! Quick, get the bounty!

Should be caught up now.

Thanee: I'll need a visual perception test from you, and some kind of idea as to how you're going to go about looking for the second guy .

sabs: I'm assuming you're going to try to hack the other end of the link. You can make a matrix perception before that if you'd like. (Stats are straight 5's, no data bombs. Let me know what else you want to know depending on how many successes you get.)

I was kinda hoping for Fractal being able to give me something more specific (he will have some time before I arrive there, considering there is a little distance to cover) ...

Perception 8 hits

Bye
Thanee

I'll hold off on posting this time until Fractal has passed on the message

My juvenile desire to blow stuff up is warring with my attempt at being more "professional"...what to do, what to do...

Analyze: 14d6
4 1 2 3 3 4 6 3 6 1 5 2 5 6 (5) hits
(what kind of ic is he running, what kind of OS, what kind of subscriptions does he have)
Hack on the Fly: 17d6
Roll 1: 6 5 2 4 5 6 6 6 5 1 2 5 4 1 3 2 1(7) hits
Roll 2: 3 1 2 2 4 4 6 3 1 3 4 6 6 5 6 2 (5) hits
Roll 3: 1 5 3 3 5 6 4 4 3 6 4 1 5 4 4 (5) hits

Stealth: 16d6
5 5 3 3 2 6 6 5 5 2 6 2 5 6 3 5 (10) hits (booya)

So I'm in with a user account in 1 IP.
I think my stealth holds up against anything he's got. Though That commlink is hardcore, 5/5 hope he doesn't roll well on his sytem+analyze.

hacking+edit to create myself an admin account. 17d6: 2 4 2 2 5 4 4 5 6 6 5 6 6 6 4 6 (9) hits
going to log in using the admin account (so IP 2, and 3)
On IP 4, going to have his commlink display an ARO that only Ting-Ting can see.

The ARO is Giant Mickey Mouse Hands, pointing at his head.

Looks pretty good!





Bye
Thanee

with 8 hits, I think you can see the hands without using AR

And sabs...damn...that's an epic roll...only bad thing now is, who's gonna get it when karma evens out?

The commlink failed so miserably in its analyze, the running IC made a valiant effort vs those 10 successes, but never really stood a chance .

The commlink is currently running Analyze, Encrypt, an IC/agent (Analyze, Armor, Blackout).

I'm not sure you can create an admin account from a user account (If you know where this is in the rules, let me know. I'm not strictly opposed to it, just can't find anything to support it.), but there's no reason you couldn't just do the ARO thing as a normal user, other than it'd likely be noticed sooner. Regardless though, you should probably be aware that restricting its view to only Ting-Ting means you need to be putting in some information that allows it to identify Ting-Ting's commlink.

I think Fractal could broadcast the info over the team network, without having to give out our information. Use the GPS in the hacked commlink to obtain coordinates, then tie those coordinates into an ARO package that's broadcast on the team channel, and so any of us that want to subscribe to it can start receiving the ARO - coordinate package. No need to give them info and it lets us use the location info for visual / tactical / other uses. Have Fractal's commlink run a loop every few seconds to "ping" the hacked commlink to see if there are updates to the GPS coords.

Just a thought, hope it makes sense...

I remember seeing rules for creating yourself accounts. I just need to figure out where it is.

found it
Pg 97 Unwired
A hacker who has hacked the node may also create a “legit”
account on the system (see Hackers & Editing, p. 225, SR4) and
then hide the fact that they created it. This requires a successful
Software + Editing Test if you have at least security privileges on
the node, or a Hacking + Edit (2) Test if you do not. For securitylevel
access, increase the threshold to 3; for admin access, increase
it to 4. New accounts of course show up on security audits and
are usually carefully scrutinized for legitimacy. All of the account’s
actions are also logged—it’s not hidden, as it was created with the
façade of a legitimate account. A verifiable account on a corporate
system combined with a fake SIN and/or records that the hacker
is employed by that corporation can make a very convincing cover
story for an infiltration.

so I need 6 successes for doing that (2 base, +4 admin) and I got 9
What I can do is have the commlink send ME it's gps info, and I can put that over the Team Channel, that way the commlink can't identify Ting-Ting, just me :)

you've got a user / admin account. it would be like querying itself for the GPS data. The fact that you're shipping the data back to your own commlink won't be any more identifying than all the other datatrail you could leave from hacking the commlink in the first place

Thanks for the quote, not sure how I missed that . Technically, you apparently need 4 successes to hack a legit admin account, since it says to raise the threshold to, not increase it by. (Seems low to me, I'm curious as to why they didn't use the same +3/+6 that hacking in does, maybe because the account has a full datatrail associated with it after creation.)

Either way, your 9 successes is more than sufficient, and you querying the commlink for gps data and updating your team link is definitely a safer way to go than putting the decision logic on the other guy's commlink.

Data Searche+browse+etc is 15d6. 2 6 2 4 5 3 6 1 6 1 3 5 1 6 4 (6) hits
computer+edit to clean up my data trail, especially the account creation:
1) 6 1 2 4 1 3 1 1 5 1 4 4 1 5 4 (3) hits.
2) 2 5 3 4 1 4 6 3 6 5 4 6 2 3 5 (6) hits. (so 2 IP to edit that)

I want to know what's on this commlink, who this guy is, what his various licenses are, who it says he works for.. etc. Pictures, emails, commID's.. everything.

Unload the IC Agent. (that's a simple action, no rolling with an Admin account)

This commlink is in hidden mode, and doesn't currently have any credentials/SIN being displayed.

Subscriptions:

1. Commlink (Encrypted)
2. Commlink used to get here (Decrypted for you)
3. Commlink (Quick query gets SIN being broadcast for: Det. William McCann, Ares Citizen, HKPF OCD)
4. Smartlink
5. Cybereyes

Data-wise, he's got several files that look to be parts of the video/audio stream being recorded from the other man, mostly stills showing Dante and apparently every person he's talked to since about noon. Most are tagged 'Low Priority', including one with Fractal in his old man disguise. There is also a recent one with Ting-Ting marked 'Contact? Check DB'.

He's got commID's labelled 'Ser' (Which matches the other commlink you've already hacked), 'Al', and 'Em'.

Is this an Ares Commlink running the Ares OS?
Whats' the Make and Model of the commlink.

Can I do somethign to his cybereyes so they don't display ting-ting? is that possible? and if so, what should I roll.

Just making sure I'm not getting mixed up in my magic systems...

Spells from an astral form cannot effect the physical plane, correct? There's no way for an astrally projected mage to hit the physical plane with spells. However, the astrally projected mage CAN summon spirits to materialise and smash on bad guys.