Do we want to do our planning OOC or IC?

Um...even if you had a perfectly up to date image of Fiona Seattle is a very big, sprawling city. It would take a great deal of time, we're talking weeks here at a minimum, for a spirit to look everywhere. If you had some sort of area for the spirit to target in his search that would help. They aren't omniscient or able to travel at the speed of light.

The airport is the best place to start. Check for flights coming from Greece last night. Talk to people who were there to see if anyone saw her.

See which cab companies have cabs parked out front, and see if any of those drivers saw her and/or call the cab companies and ask if they had a passenger matching her name last night.

Depending on difficulty, could hack or otherwise scan arrival/passenger records for her name.

I'll also call on a contact or two.

So, what's the plan for now? Everyone bustle on over to the airport? Hang out at a bar/club/Starbucks and see if the Matrix peeps can do their thing? I'm ride-less at the moment, so I'm hoping Legs will be gracious enough to offer us the use of his Rigger-mobile. If that's the case, I can start casing the airport's LTG to see how much difficulty I'm looking at getting in there.

Legs has a car, right? How much room does he have? Do we need to take separate vehicles? White is fine with taking a cab if necessary.

I've got a couple of contacts that might be able to help in digging up some details, but I'm inclined to do some legwork before calling contacts - since I doubt that any of them would respond "Oh! yeah! I just happened to have bumped into her/seen her at X place!"

So, yes to airport.

Legs actually has a RoadMaster, which (I think) should have plenty of room for everyone, though it might get a bit cramped with Gardner back there.

EDIT: I'm going to have Legs shoot off a quick message to his female Lone Star friend to inquire about Fiona, just to see if there's a chance she might be able to come up with something.

EDIT 2: I'll have a post up for Legs bringing the RoadMaster around shortly.

Legs give me a roll of Cha+Etiquette+Loyalty on that contact. Also, what was her Connection rating? (i don't have your character sheet in front of me at the moment)

Charisma (3) + Loyalty (3) = 5 hits

You know that's gonna be a glitch later.

Oh, and her Connection rating is 1.

Unfortunately with the Connection rating she doesn't know anything (she got 0 successes when i rolled Connection X 2 to see how much info she had). "Never heard of this chick. Is she
cute?" is her only response and she's not even connected enough that you could pay her for more info.

Figures. Maybe I shoulda had the fixer look instead.

Oh well. Live and learn.

How tricked out is the Legs-mobile? Wanna give it proper appreciation.

Ha...well, to be honest, you should probably think of the Millennium Falcon when you look at Legs' RoadMaster. It's painted a dark neutral matte grey over the entire surface, and looks a little beat up, nothing really visible on the outside that makes it look all that impressive.

But then again, Legs is more about function than form. As Han Solo would say, she may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts.

And yes, if anyone makes a disparaging comment about the RoadMaster, that's exactly what he's going to say, complete with the Star Wars reference.

Actually, I'm talking about using a Spirit with the Search Power (pg. 297), Spirits of Air, Earth, and Water, and even Watcher spirits all have it by default. Fire or Plant Spirits can get it as an optional power as well. So that would be all of the different kinds of spirits I can summon.


So the Search power would let a spirit search for any person, place, or object that it's summoner (me) can provide a mental image of. Now, I could see this being impeded by the fact that I haven't physically seen her, only a picture (hence my comment on its accuracy). If I am correct, this is one of the ways that Ritual Spellcasting is completed. A member of the ritual can use a bound spirit to use as the "spotter" for the spell, and the spirit can go and search for the subject the ritual is intended for...

But the power itself is legit Magic, as far as I can tell it finds the person in a mystical way. Like in movies, tv shows, or books when a spellcaster casts a locator spell using a crystal on string: the crystal points on a map, or pulls in the direction of the target. And it's up to the person using the power to follow it, which is why it takes time.

This is still an extended test, so it would be limited by the normal extended test degradation rules (-1 die per successive test), and the threshold is increased by distance, so I could see this still not succeeding, or even trying it, being told where she is and her having moved or something... And like I said, if the picture doesn't give me an accurate enough image, then it's perfectly reasonable for it to be a no go anyway.

I used this power once before to have a spirit track down an object in a Mission. It took 40 minutes, maybe more for a Force 5 spirit to find it, and by the time it did, we had tracked it down through other means. In that situation, we had been given schematics, which wasn't good enough, so we had to track down somebody who had gotten vid feed on it. But that was a non-living object, and as I said we had to have actual photos of it before I could start, a schematic wasn't good enough.

Only reason I mention this is because it did work for me in the past (even if it wasn't useful in the end). If you rule the power works differently or something I'll understand but I wanted to make sure everything was clarified.

My vision of that power has always been that the mental image is more than just a photographic image. It would include the aura of the object/person. Even still. There is easily 200 kilometers of sprawl to Seattle(downtown being 93kilometers from your current location according to Google Maps). That's one hell of a threshold for the spirit to search through. Plus that picture is of the Salish wilderness, could she possibly have traveled into it again? That would add even more area to search.

So, like I said, you'd need some better idea of where to send the spirit searching.

Still. It is definitely is something you might try and I shouldn't stop you out of hand. You could get lucky. Tell me where exactly you will be doing the summoning so I can estimate the proper threshold. And roll up your summoned spirit and drain. I'm cool with that. I just wanted to make sure you understand the size of the task you're asking of the spirit.

So I guess everybody piles into the Roadmaster and starts off the the SeaTac airport.

If anybody else is going to try their contacts along the way, tell me who you're calling and what their Connection rating is; then roll Cha+Ettiquette+Loyalty.

Quixote, if you plan to try hacking your way into the SeaTac's Node(s), tell me what programs you are actively running, and how you are accessing it (AR/VR; i assume hot sim if VR). Also what you are planning to do there. You're easily able to find their public node and connect to it will a standard user subscription. You will find that the node is sculpted to idealized version of the airport's terminal area. There is a large display of the current Arrival/Departure times of flights and a smartly-dressed "stewardess" standing behind a desk with a cheerful smile fixed to her face. She greets you with a warm welcome and asks if she can be any service to you today.

Custom Commlink - R:5 Sig: 5 Sys: 6 (5) FW: 6
-Analyze 6 (ergonomic, optimized)
-Browse 6 (optimized)
-Disarm 5
-Decrypt 5
-Encrypt 5
-Exploit 5 (mute)
Stealth 5 (ergonomic)

According to Chummer, I should be at full response still. Going to AR hack (kinda what I built for :D). Also, I believe I have this right, but since I'm AR hacking I'd assume that black IC is just doing damage to the persona and not to my neural structure.

As for hacking rolls themselves, I prefer throwing a batch of rolls for actions that can take multiple rolls (exploit, searching, disarm, etc.) and you can feel free to discard whatever's there that may not occur if an alert is tripped or something similar. I'll hold off on the IC post until I have results, since I don't want to make assumptions and throw off reality again. :D

Analyzing the Node - Would like in this order: Rating of System, Rating of Firewall, and whatever other bits of info you think might be useful
Computer + Analyze vs Firewall + Stealth (if the node has a stealth program)
Analyze (6) + Computer (4) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) (12d6.hits(5)=3)

Going for Admin Access: Exploit + Hacking vs Firewall + 6
Exploit (5) + Hacking (6) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) + Codeslinger-Exploit (2) + Optimization-Exploit (1) (16d6.hits(5)=5)
Exploit (5) + Hacking (6) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) + Codeslinger-Exploit (2) + Optimization-Exploit (1) (16d6.hits(5)=3)
Exploit (5) + Hacking (6) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) + Codeslinger-Exploit (2) + Optimization-Exploit (1) (16d6.hits(5)=4)
Exploit (5) + Hacking (6) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) + Codeslinger-Exploit (2) + Optimization-Exploit (1) (16d6.hits(5)=9)

Disarming the node's Analyze program: Disarm + Hacking vs Firewall + System
Disarm (5) + Hacking (6) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) (13d6.hits(5)=6)
Disarm (5) + Hacking (6) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) (13d6.hits(5)=3)
Disarm (5) + Hacking (6) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) (13d6.hits(5)=8)

Searching the records for Fiona Craig (what flight she was on, arrival time, any records of her commlink interacting w/airport systems such as vending machines, cabs, etc)
Browse (6) + Data Search (4) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) (12d6.hits(5)=4)
Browse (6) + Data Search (4) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) (12d6.hits(5)=4)
Browse (6) + Data Search (4) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) (12d6.hits(5)=3)
Browse (6) + Data Search (4) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) (12d6.hits(5)=4)

Staying online in the node while we're on the way over, ready to start looking for footage (assuming I get a positive on her using her commlink at some point in the airport/have her getting off the plane).

I will place a call to my fixer (Connection 4). Doubtful she'll know anything, but it's better than sitting like a lump.

Charisma(2) + Ettiquette (2) + Loyalty (2) = 2 hits (and almost but not quite a glitch...phew)

Good point on just how much area we're talking. We probably need to narrow it down a bit...

Gardner will mention that once we've narrowed down our search to maybe a few kilometer (10 or less?) area, he can possibly use a spirit to guide us the rest of the way.


As is, I still have that Facial Recognition software that could aid in a camera search if someone's getting access to sensor systems.

AR versus VR. Not sure if i'm forgetting something on your character sheet. But normally, AR hacking uses your regular Initiative, not your Matrix Initiative and does not grant you extra initiative passes. VR with cold sim uses Matrix Initiative (Response + Intuition) and grants you an extra initiative pass(total of 2 passes). VR with hot sim uses Matrix Initiative + 1 and grants you 2 extra initiative passes for a total of 3 passes.

Black IC and the Black Hammer program have no effect on AR users, only on users in Full VR are effected.

Quixote Analyzes the system and determines it is System 3, Firewall 3, and you can tell that this is a basic customer interface node. There are multiple other nodes connected to it (visually they are designated byhallways off to the sides of the desk you stand before along with a few doors of varying build/security quality).

Your first hacking roll is sufficient to grant you admin access. With a glitch in the movement of her neck the "stewardess" looks at you with a more genuine smile. "Oh...sorry sir. I apologize for not realizing who you were. What do you need access to?"

Your first roll to turn of the Analyze program similarly succeeds. Though as its taking effect the stewardess no longer has a smile. She is looking at you quite sternly. "Excuse me sir. Are you supposed to be here?"

I assume you're carrying on with your hacking? For reference, each attempt at Data Search on a single Node or all Nodes you are subscribed to takes a Complex Action. General/Public information has a threshold of 6 and Not Publicized information has a threshold of 12.

If you are gong to continue with those Data Search rolls you already made, why don't you go ahead and give me an Initiative Roll.

ChromeZephyr your fixer contact asks if you tried calling the cab companies yet? And then she smirks a little and says if she might know a guy that could help you...depending on what it's worth.

Well, with Improved Reflexes 2, I'm already playing at 3IP, so I think I'll stick with the AR hacking for now.

Initiative: Reaction (2) + Intuition (3) + Improved Reflexes (2) (7d6.hits(5)=2)
So, 2 hits for a total of 9.
Writing up the IC post now. Before proceeding with the data search, debating restarting the stewardess (who I assume is IC or an agent) or just checking for any alerts and squashing them. Rolls needed either way?

I'll say you were able to tell from your previous analyze roll that she is more a part of the environment, the visualization of the user interface that allows normal users to query current flight arrival/departure times, prices, etc. With admin access you'd be able to use her to search archived data like passenger info and such.
Quixote is familiar enough with the Matrix to suspect that his last action may have triggered and alert on the node and thus the changed attitude on the stewardess, though you still have full admin privileges and can use her for your search if you wish.

So, yeah, checking for an alert and squashing it might be a good idea.

Curious if multi-tasking gives me free perception checks in the matrix. If so, coolios, I'll take that as a free action and analyze the node for alerts. If not, suppose I'll just assume there's an alert.

Matrix Perception to check the node for an alert: Analyze (6) + Computer (4) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) (12d6.hits(5)=6)

Turning the alert off, I'm thinking needs to be done via editing the logs? Hacking + Edit to pop it off the logs and make everything hunky-dory again? Gonna assume that for the moment.
Complex action to load up Edit. And that'd be the end of me for this IP.

Wow, the dice are definitely not in your favor at least from the nodes side of rolling things. I rolled a d6 twice to have a bit of randomness to what it's response was and both times it was a 6!
But rebooting the system seems too harsh and would make this go too quickly. So, instead i'll just throw it's IC at you.
Following the loading of your edit program. The room echos with sound of an arriving airliner's engines followed immediately by a door behind the stewardess opening and a Pilot stepping out. "I don't believe you belong here sir. I'm going to have to ask you to leave now." As he walks forward he tosses the pilots wings that are pinned to his jacket at you. As soon as they are out of his hands they begin to flap their way to you (you would guess that he is attempting to trace you).

And now it's Quixote's action again.

Yeesh, just not my day today is it? Okay then...

If I remember correctly, tracing takes a bit of time to happen (ie a combat turn or three unless that's a very lucky IC).
So, if that thought's correct, I'd like to just go ahead and cancel the alert w/Hacking + Edit.
Edit (6) + Hacking (6) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) (14d6.hits(5)=9)

Assuming this is successful/if I have the necessary actions available, I'll cancel the IC and send it scurrying back where it belongs.

If the assumption that tracing takes a decent chunk of time is not correct (at work, don't have my books in front of me, sorry!) then I'll attempt to disarm the trace.
Disarm (5) + Hacking (6) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) (13d6.hits(5)=4)

You are correct in that Trace typically takes multiple initiative passes. It's an extended test. Be aware though that this action is your second/last initiative pass in the combat round and IC, being a purely digital form automatically has 3 initiative passes....

Anyway, with that kind of roll on your edit, you definitely succeed in turning off the alert.
And then it's the IC's turn for two inititiative passes before you go again....
When the wings first left the pilot's hand they had made it to just under half way to you. On the next pass, they seem to slow down, but still they make it to roughly 2/3 of the way to you.
And on it's final pass? Like I said, the dice are not with you. The wings turn back into an inanimate object as they pin themselves to your avatars chest.

"You do not have a ticket to board this plain sir. Security should arrive shortly to escort you from the premises. Thank you for flying Seattle-Air we will be in touch..." says the pilot. He makes no further move towards you, but you can tell that the node is once more in alert status and the "sky" outside the windows is getting stormy.

At this point, I would recommend your next action be to try to redirect the Trace (Opposed Hacking + Spoof vs. the tracking icon’s
Computer + Track) and get out before the security spider arrives.

edit: just noticed you didn't load spoof yet. But really this scene wasn't meant to be so rough on you. So I'll let you roll it as if you had already loaded Spoof. For a change, the IC didn't roll so well and so you only have to beat its 2 successes.

...don't I have three IP in meatspace thanks to improved reflexes 2? I was under the belief that extended to matrix actions as well when I'm utilizing AR.

My apologies, you would be correct. For some reason I was thinking you only had two passes.

Still, you have a threshold of 6 for the attempt to Disarm (System 3 + Firewall 3). So you tried to swat the pilot's wings way (or however you wish to describe your attempt to disarm the IC) before it moves in for the last bit and affixes to your avatar. And the security spider would still be alerted.

So, we are at the top of the combat round again. What would you like to do? You can continue to try to disarm the IC, try spoofing the trace, or something else entirely.

My apologies if I wasn't clear in my previous post. I'd assumed that cancelling the alert against my account would restore my admin access, and if that were th e case that I would then be able to just deactivate them Ic with my third ip, the same as moving a program from running to just loaded. I'm fine with the current outcome, and will post again later when I've had time to think and poke at my books

In all honestly, I don't have that much experience with the hacking rules and I was unable to find anything at all in the core book or in Unwired regarding how or even if an alert can be turned off. If you find something specific please do reference it here and we can play accordingly.

I did find a could things of note though, one is that when one node goes on alert, all the nodes in a network go on alert. So even if you were to turn off the alert on this node, you have not gained access to the various other nodes I mentioned this one is connected to.

Since the IC is part of the security for the network of nodes, I'm ruling that you would not be able to just turn it off from this public facing node.

Ok... seems we need to back it up a little because the GM forgot about a itty-bitty modifier that basically makes it impossible for this level of program to trace Quixote. My apologies for the confusion.

So, instead of getting 5 successes on its initial Trace roll, it critically glitched and the pilot's wings flew away to smash into the stewardess, crashing the alert (for this node).

With that in mind, what will Quixote do next?

Going to utilize the stewardess to go looking for the information on Fiona Craig on the day she would have landed (since the alert is cancelled, I should be an acceptable admin now). Going to roll a standard data search + browse, if there's any bonus for the stewardess assisting feel free to toss those dice out yourself. Since I think it's a standard action to data search, that'll end this IP for me (at the point where I just wanna get the info and get out, heh).
Browse (6) + Data Search (4) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) (12d6.hits(5)=3)

Edit: Dang browser freaked out and submitted my roll a bunch of times. I took the first one listed for the time I did the roll at. Shame too, that 6 success one was pretty.

I'll give you +3 dice for her assistance, though i just rolled it for this first test to no effect. You can roll them the rest of the time. Data search has a threshold for info (i think I posted it earlier). 6 Successes would give you the general flight info, to get info specific to Fiona you'll need a 12 successes.

So on the pilot's next pass, he again throws a pair of pilot wings at you, but your Stealth program makes it slide right off you and hit the large display that was display current arrival/departures. The image of the pilot becomes staticy for a a split second. Then he shakes his head. "I'm sorry sir. I should get back to my duties. Safe flying to you."

In game terms, he critically glitched again and the alert has ended across the entire network of nodes. You can again act outside initiative.

Data-search a rooney

Browse (6) + Data Search (4) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) + 3 (Node Assistance) (15d6.hits(5)=4)
Browse (6) + Data Search (4) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) + 3 (Node Assistance) (15d6.hits(5)=3)

Think that hits the threshold for information on her. If it's possible to further drill down in this node (ie, get records of her commlink interacting with airport services (ie, she bought a soykaf from that vending machine, hailed a taxi at X exit, etc.) I'd like to attempt that as well with the following searches. If the assistant doesn't apply anymore, feel free to knock off the last three dice on each roll.

Browse (6) + Data Search (4) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) + 3 (Node Assistance) (15d6.hits(5)=6)
Browse (6) + Data Search (4) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) + 3 (Node Assistance) (15d6.hits(5)=4)
Browse (6) + Data Search (4) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) + 3 (Node Assistance) (15d6.hits(5)=5)
Browse (6) + Data Search (4) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) + 3 (Node Assistance) (15d6.hits(5)= 8)

You were able to find her flight information and confirm that the she arrived in Seattle on it. You are even able to find a photo ID from her passport. There are links in her file to encrypted information on another node for her SIN and banking information used to purchase the ticket. You do see that the only residence listed on the passport is in Greece.

From what you have browsed on this node and the way the stewardess says "I'm sorry sir, I don't understand your query" when you start searching for data such as purchases she made and such that this node only has rudimentary customer data and flight data. It is a customer facing node designed to assist people in booking flights and knowing flight times.

You do find a file listing services offered by the airport including the list of 3 different cab companies and 5 different car rental companies with kiosks at the air-port. But those companies would have their own system for customer interaction. The stewardess points down one hallway that will guide you to where you can pick a rental company to navigate to; or to the glass doors to your right that will connect you to the cab company nodes for your convenience.

I assume if I wanna start playing in those other nodes, my current admin access does not apply and I'd need to hack a new account, yeah?

That would be correct, basically the visualization of the hallway and the glass doorways are the Matrix equivalent of a hyperlink to a different website. They are not even connected to this network of nodes.

The encrypted files I mention for her SIN and banking info seem to be linked to one of the secure doors behind the stewardess. That would also be another node, but is part of this network of nodes. Your admin privileges on this node would allow you to open the door for you to try to connect to it, but you would not have any special privileges upon reaching that other node. And it will likely be a much harder node to crack considering it has banking info on it.

You would guess some of the other doors would lead to a security office node that would have camera footage, data on MAD scanners and other devices in the airport proper, etc; another may lead to the air traffic control towers system, another might lead to a personnel database with scheduling and such.

You would need to Analyze each if you want to get an idea of where they go.

Yeah, I'll throw an analyze out to get an idea of where various nodes lead. Feel free to provide them in whatever order, the main one Quixote is interested in locating is the security section. If it's possible to analyze said node as well to determine system and firewall after finding it, that'd be great.

Analyze (6) + Computer (4) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) (12d6.hits(5)=5)

Which would you prefer, seeing the system/firewall of nodes or what they lead to?
Basically the nodes range from 3/3 to 5/5. But I'm not going to tell you all of that at once.

Well, rest of you guys, any suggestions? Wants me to try poking around the security section for footage of her and possibly try tracking her through the airport via the footage, or should I start looking for cab/car rental records?

I doubt she is still at the airport, or I guess I should say hope she isn't. I don't want to think about what we would have to go through to get in and get her if she were...

So I would say that you should start working your way through how she left instead... Find out where she was headed, then I can use that picture to possible try and find her with my spirit once we have a better starting point...

Well, part of the idea behind getting into security is to track her from cam to cam after she got off the plane, allowing us to hopefully determine what brand cab/rental car she got into, or if she was taken before getting even that far. I'm more than willing to go searching through the cab companies, but at three of those and a few car rental agencies...well...won't take a long game time (minutes I'd imagine due to matrix speeds) but it might drag out in posting.

With her SIN/commlink info, you might be able to a bit of searching without doing a full-blown hack maybe? I really don't know how easy some info would be to get... or if in this setting just all companies keep everything proprietary and private (possible based on some of the stuff I've seen in Shadowrun).
For now, I just know that Gardner is chilling in the back seat, and while I'm willing to lend a hand if I can, I don't think there really is a way for me to do anything. I don't mind waiting a bit longer if it's safer for you (and us), but feel free to go with what you think your character would do...

Hokay. Slacker, I'd like to track down the security node and analyze it if possible with the number of hits that I got. If I only get a partial analysis, I'd prefer the firewall value first please and thank you.

You are able to figure out that the door with the iconography of a MAD scanner built into the frame is the most likely candidate for security cameras and the like. It's got a rating 5 firewall. You'd have log onto the node to get more than that.

Alrighty then. Going to take a moment to unload encrypt and decrypt, and load spoof. This should have me running Analyze, Attack, Browse, Edit, Exploit, Stealth, Spoof. Chummer still lists me as being at full Response.

After doing that, going to edit the access log to get rid of my traces.
Edit (6) + Computer(4) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) (12d6.hits(5)=4)

Attempting to hack into the security office.
Going for Admin Access: Exploit + Hacking vs Firewall + 6
Exploit (5) + Hacking (6) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) + Codeslinger-Exploit (2) + Optimization-Exploit (1) (16d6.hits(5)=8)
Exploit (5) + Hacking (6) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) + Codeslinger-Exploit (2) + Optimization-Exploit (1) (16d6.hits(5)=3)

You may have wanted to take a look around before just jumping to try to get admin privileges, especially with a Spider sitting in front of a virtual array of computer screens.
As you step through the doorway behind the stewardess, the scenery drastically changes. It is still exceptionally clean, but where the previous node had been bright with cheerful light, this one is rather dark and the only illumination appears to be from simulated terminal screens.

Many of the screens are easily identified about as video feeds from cameras on site at the airport. Others seem to have be showing stats on security systems such as MAD scanners and roaming drones. While still others show environments far too idealized to be the real world. So you'd guess they look in on the other nodes of this network.

Immediate following your first roll for Admin access, you notice a figure sitting in front of the monitors manipulating a keyboard which produces a flash red light and the screen is filled....well it's filled with an image of your avatar. The Spider just managed to get the 5 hits needed to see through your Stealth program. He smoothly turns around and confidently says to you "So, I take it that wasn't a false alarm a moment ago. Goody goody. It has been a while since some full thought they could hack an international airports security system."

The Spider looks over your avatar... "And through AR even!?! You are either a noob at this or just plain stupid."

Anyway, it's your action again and you are aware that the network of nodes is again on alert.

I'm hoping/thinking that multi-tasking, with it's free action observe in detail perk, will allow me a free action for matrix perception as well. If it does, I'd like to analyze the spider's icon and determine what programs he has running. If I'm not directly involved in combat quiiiiiite yet (since neither side has technically attacked) I'd like to use my second free action to analyze him again. Again, looking for what programs he's running. If matrix perception isn't a free action/I don't get two actions, just lemme know.

Analyze (6) + Computer (4) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) (12d6.hits(5)=2)
Analyze (6) + Computer (4) + PuSHeD (1) + Encephalon (1) (12d6.hits(5)=4)

Sure... let's see, he is running Analyze, Armor, Attack, Blackout, Bio-Feedback Filter, Browse, Command, ECCM, Edit, Encrypt, Medic, Scan, and Track.

What kind of information about the Spider are you looking for other than what programs he's running?