Well, yeah .. there was that ONE guy

Silas can go ahead and make a Perception check too.

5E5 => 2 | die: D6

Ok, well you certainly heard the *ding* as the elevator arrived and started opening the doors. You also see the drone with a non-functioning gun hovering not too far from the bus and currently watching you, as well as two more drones incoming that really aren't too far away right now, maybe 80m (at the rate they are dropping they will be more like 20m before you go again, and will easily be in close range during IP2 which is when they open up with their guns).
You didn't see the any other activity going on...

You're doing it again !!! ... your inner monologue is doing the Evil Laugh !!!

and now I'm off home, another 2 hours drive ... /sigh

The Plant Spirit, will position itself between Silas and the doors that are opening. Everything in this building has been attacking our team, so he is positioning himself to defend against whatever might be moving out this way.

The Plant Spirit is already in the position. So no worries.

Intuition 4 + Perception 3 + Vision Enhancement 3 + Actively Looking 3 - Physical damage 1 - Stun damage 1 = [ 1; 5; 1; 5; 4; 4; 5; 5; 5; 6; 1; => 6 success(es) against 5 ] = 6 successes.

I just know that die roll is going to haunt me later.

You know, standing there when the doors open is going to make me leave you behind. The bus is almost destroyed, and if they open fire on it we have no escape vehicle. Sorry, but if you aren't on the bus when they open fire you might end up getting captured or killed.

Great roll! You see everything Silas saw, but as you're looking up towards the incoming drones a glint of light catches your attention. You very distinctly see the silhouette of a backup sniper lining up a shot on the running Silas.

Just so we are all clear. TundraWolf is already on the bus. He's standing inside the bus at the back door looking around to cover Silas's mad dash for the bus. And Gardner just landed safely on the ground next to the bus and unhooked himself from the rappelling gear.

Ok, I got a little confused when someone said they were holding their actions standing there waiting to see if anyone inside the elevator started opening fire.

I guess I can move forward with actions. The sniper high up on the roof takes her shot at the dashing Silas (-1 from range, -2 for firing from cover, -2 for having run to this position-not really, but i figure Silas will appreciate the extra help). Getting 6 hits! You get +2 from running and I'll give you +4 for good cover considering the difficult angle of the sniper's shot and you can certainly go on full defense. If it hits, base damage is 7P -7AP.

Her second shot is not nearly as good. She only got 1 hit! Same bonuses to your Reaction. So you should have no problem dodging this one (if you're still up after the first shot).

Inside the lobby of the building two new armored guards step out of the elevator to level their LMGs full of APDS ammo at the Plant Spirit.
Long narrow burst from Armored guard 5 gets 7 hits. Base damage of 5P + 5 from narrow burst + net hits - 4AP.
Long narrow burst from Armored guard 6 gets 6 hits. Same base damage.

Gardner, Needle and Mr. White can post their actions. Right before Mr. White goes the pair of incoming drones will get to about 20m above the bus and finally start braking.

Anybody that has been holding their actions or not posted yet, can post their actions for IP1 of CT9.

Hoped I could get a lead stream off at the guys coming from the elevator before they started shooting, but oh well.

Simple Action: Short, wide burst at...uhh...#5, I guess. Agility 7 + Automatics 5 + Smartlink 2 - Medium range 1 - Physical damage 1 - Stun damage 1 = [ 2; 5; 4; 3; 2; 6; 6; 1; 5; 2; 6; => 5 success(es) against 5 ]. All recoil compensated for. 24 rounds fired from this magazine. 6S(e) before net hits.

Simple Action: Short, wide burst at #6. Agility 7 + Automatics 5 + Smartlink 2 - Medium range 1 - 2nd target this IP - Physical damage 1 - Stun damage 1 = [ 6; 4; 1; 6; 4; 6; 1; 2; 5; => 4 success(es) against 5 ]. All recoil compensated for. 27 rounds fired from this magazine. 6S(e) before net hits.

Free Action: "Running dry, more drones incoming!"

The Plant Spirit's defense:
Attack 1 - 2 hits (5 net) -> 10P -4AP (+5 burst): Immunity
Attack 2 - 4 hits (2 net) -> 7P -4AP (+5 burst): Immunity

Gardner, with a warning of more drones, will cast another Net Spell F5 to try and disable them.
Spellcasting: 4 hits.
Drain: 3 hits (DV 5) -> 2 Stun taken

Oh boy.

Free Action: "Ladies and gentlemen, please return your seat-backs and tray-tables to their upright and locked positions as we'll be taxiing for take-off in just a moment!"
Complex Action (seeing as the pilot program is already set and the bus is running): Switching Stealth from LOADED to RUNNING.

Running Programs: Stealth
No Commlink Degradation until I hit 6 running programs (I checked - if it's equal to or less than your response rating you are ok. It's only when you exceed the rating that you start losing Response).


EDIT: I might go back and edit my action. Why? Because changing a program from LOADED to RUNNING is a complex action, meaning it will take me 5 IPs just to get the programs running that I'm going to need. Eesh!

I uh... I got nothing. Put gun and phone away and strap in!

First drone gets 0 hits and is disabled. I guess you're air spirit is still around to catch it and bring it to the ground safely.
Second drone gets 1 hits. So it is not disabled, though seriously hampered in it's agility. It will need to make a pilot test on it's next pass to see if it can brake in time for the fall.

You have no way to see the guys coming from the elevator. You are outside, in a bus, and 20m along the side of the building. They are roughly 20m straight back from the front doors inside the building. The only thing that can see them and subsequently the only thing they can see is the plant spirit.

The drone and the sniper 250m up on the roof are the only threats you can see currently.

Full defense you say ... good plan
REA 7
DODGE 1
Gymnastics 6
running 2
cover 4
Stun -2
18E5 => 5 | die: D6, ones: 5

"DREK! and OW!"
resist 8P
ARMR 13
BOD 5
bone lace 2
-7 AP
13E5 => 6 | die: D6, ones: 3

2P taken, 8 total - one box off unconscious

REA 7
DODGE 1
Gymnastics 6
running 2
cover 4
Stun -2
18E5 => 5 | die: D6, ones: 3
dodging like a Mutha Fragger
"NEEDLE, thoughts yous did for dat sniper, Girl ? .... I needs a Band-Aid here !"

I guess since your Plant Spirit is so invincible, I really should start letting these guys use their second simple actions.
Armored Guard5 fires a short narrow burst getting. Only 5 hit.
Armored Guard6 also fires a short narrow burst getting. Only 4 hits.

Yeah. I know the Plant spirit is likely going to be immune, But eventually maybe they will get through despite suffering double recoil on the extra uncmopensated bullets due to using heavy weapons. That one shot only missed getting through by 1 point after all.

Good job. And to clarify. This is a new Sniper on the roof. The one Needle and Gardner's spirit took care of is still unconscious on the balcony right next to Randy Jones.

just Banter, pending an IC post just trying to keep Needle on her toes

Lol. I kind of figured that, but there's been too many misunderstandings of the situation. Just wanted to make sure that I hadn't been plain enough with what was going on.

You guys are on your way to getting the frag out of here with the goods. The Plant spirit should be able to keep those armored guards inside the building busy long enough for you to get out.

Oh, well then, never mind. I just keep waiting, then. Nothing worth shooting, so 21 rounds fired from the remaining magazine.

The Plant Spirit will continue its dodge:
Dodge 3: 1 hit (4 net): 9P -4AP (+2 burst): Immunity
Dodge 4: 0 hits(4 net): 9P -4AP (+2 burst): Immunity

It will then take its delayed action and use Noxious Breath while it moves forward toward the two guards. (It knows they're a threat now)

Also, forgot to mention, I am in fact heading to get into the bus.

The plant spirit's noxious breath has zero effect. You may have missed my earlier mention that the admired guards are in heavy armorial that is chemically sealed.

Ah, had missed that, yeah. But at the same time, the spirit would have trouble knowing that too. It's possible to have full armor that isn't sealed, so it probably doesn't know about it.

That's cool. It can certainly tell that nothing happened when it blew its noxious breath on them. So it knows now to do something different next pass.

Which I guess we are currently at. So, what does your plant spirit decide to do for IP2?

Screw it. Tell me what programs you would typically run by default. I'll let you have those automatically loaded when your commlink booted up. You will have to spend the complex actions loading any non-default programs though.

Alternatively, you could back up the bus so that somebody, say TundraWolf who was holding his actions could grab Silas and you could start driving away. You wouldn't get very far this pass between the backing and making sure Silas is on board, but at least you would be at a dead stop next pass.

if it's IP2 now, I used my complex for Full Defense, but am still moving and can cover the remaining 2 metres to the bus
or if Needle hits the Gas, I can make a gymnastics test to make a grab for the door and launch onboard

Not sure of the distance down in the lobby, so I'll post two options for the spirit.

Option A: It charges forward to the two guards and attacks with its Engulf Power

Melee Attack (Agility(6) + Unarmed Combat(7) + Charge(2) + Touch(2)] Test: 8 hits (opposed by Melee Defense/Full Defense)

Effect: Inflicts damage, and again every time Plant Spirit's turn comes up. DV: 7S+net hits (Resisted by Body + half Impact (rounded up)). Target cannot move, but may attempt escape on their turn by making a Strength + Body test.

Option B: It charges forward but can't make it the whole way, in which case it Makes an eery groaning sound (think the trees from the Two Towers movie), using its Fear Power on one of the guards.

Willpower(7) + Magic(7) Test: 3 hits (opposed by Willpower)

Effect: The target runs in terror and will hide for 1 Combat Turn per net hit. Must make a Willpower + Charisma (net hits) to return.

Typically, the default programs loaded would only be Analyze, Scan and Stealth. Anything else (Exploit, Edit, Command, etc.) would need to be loaded up on the fly as needed. Analyze is primarily to keep others out of my node, Scan is for Matrix Perception tests, and Stealth...well, you know what that's for.

Anyhow, it's still going to take too long to load up programs to be of any use in this situation, so I will take the advice of our GM and back up the bus to that TW can grab Silas and we can start getting the frak out of here.

no need, I'm right here ... a forward direction is all that is required .. but delay until we are both on the same initiative.

I had previously told TundraWolf the elevators were 20m inside the building or I'd let you do Option A.

Oh well. One of the guards runs off screaming in terror (he was so close to resisting it too, he rolled 5, 6, 4, 4 but that still gave the spirit 1 net hit). He will be running away for one combat turn before rolling to see if he will come be able to return and face the terrifying spirit.

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BTW...my internet is acting really wonky today so I'm not sure how much I'll be able to post (every time I try replying to something I get disconnected and then have to re-login to dumpshock, then get disconnected again when I try to post a reply, bleh)

In case you hadn't figured it out I was trying to give you all the bonuses to defense for being in a moving vehicle a little bit early should something happen before you get to jump inside. Also, having a slight start is better than nothing when it comes to getting out of here before the drone arrives.

Anyway, Silas, Eclipse, and TundraWolf can post their actions for IP2.

Technically the sniper should be going before Silas due to his wounds (which is why I was suggesting Needle back up the bus and somebody pull him in on the previous pass). She will try to get off another shot on Silas. Though I don't think that's really going to matter considering how poorly she fired, even with using her first simple action to take aim, she still got only 2 hits (what a crappy roll). You can add the +3 for being in a moving vehicle and +4 for good cover. So I believe you'll be able to dodge without a problem.

Actually, Gardner and Needle can also post up their actions for this IP too.

The armored guard still standing in front of the charging plant spirit (not sure that I specified, but the other guard is running off deeper into the building) changes tactics and fires off a long wide burst and a short wide burst.
On the long wide burst he only got 4 hits. Which I believe ensures the plant spirit will be immune
On the short wide burst he got 6 hits. It at least has a chance since the spirit will be at -3 dice to defend (-2 from wide burst and -1 from already defending).

Oh and the plant spirit can also see that another elevator will be arriving at the lobby at the start of the next combat turn.

Didn't the last sniper only have 1 IP?

Either way... Gardner will be settling himself into a safe spot on the bus (possibly a seat, although I'm not sure if there is a space like that big enough for him).

Let me know (anyone) if you have something else I can do, I doubt I can spot the sniper all the way up on the building with the penalties I have right now...


EDIT: Adding in the Plant Spirit's dodge:

Dodge 1: 1 hit, but a glitch (not sure how you want to handle that. If it would make sense, this being a defensive roll, it could use an edge to negate the glitch.). 3 net, 8P -4AP: Immunity
Dodge 2: 5 hits!?! (Seriously, rolled 5,5,5,6,6,1 on the dice roller app I'm using). 1 net, 6P -4AP: Immunity

Good job dodging.

And yes, the first sniper only had 1 IP, much in the same way the suited guards earlier had 2 IP, but the armored guards coming to respond now have 3IP.

Sorry, i see where you are coming from now, Didn't realise Needle had held actions as opposed to this pass.

I'm not in the van yet, so rolling reaction plus running

7E5 => 4 | die: D6, ones: 1

And gymnastic fantastic to get on the bus, 13E5 => 5 | die: D6, ones: 3


Aaaaaaand collapse...


Open one of dem packs of SUPASOY NOODLES, .... Or a stim patch ...

Eclipse will get bored and start triage'ing.

Who looks the worse off? Also... for medical purposes, how much essence(loss) does everyone who wants a bandaid have?

From what I understand, the following are in need of bandaids before magic takes the pain away:
Silus
Tundra Wolf
Garnder

I know Gardner's taken a heck of a beating, TW should be unconscious, and Silus is... Silus... (I'll just get him a sammich at stuffer shack)

If everyone is on the bus, I'll start pulling out and driving off. Otherwise, I'm holding my action.

It really is a good thing Needle owns a bus. Everybody is inside and ready to go when Needle's turn comes up. I'm willing to say that the bus has at least one troll sized seat in it. And everybody else can find plenty of available seating.

There is a drone within 20m, that could be opening fire momentarily. And another one that's just hanging around watching all of you (one that is uninjured and has a higher top speed than the bus even before the bus too so much damage). You guys might want to consider doing something about those before those T-birds the Maitre D' mentioned get closer. Just saying...

Everybody is on board.

"Hey, drive by my apartment so I can grab my guns..."

I take it you plan to do something about the drones before you actually get there? Or are you just wanting Horizon to know where you live?

That one! How else would they know where to bring my dry cleaning?

...though I suspect I'll be moving after this mission. On the off chance my commlink was compromised and they worked through the "Fake ID" file, how long until they check their list of Matrix Connection subscribers? F' that!

What do you think that security hacker has been doing those 4 passes each combat turn when I didn't post about him doing anything special!?