Probably the inside team, we have lost 2-3 players with characters on the inside, leaving Ali, Lefey, and Lany as the only PCs in there (Bolo was turned NPC, while Violet is probably just not there anymore.) We most need Magical Support, our only Magic user's abilities are specializes around infiltration, but some more combat ability couldn't hurt; Lany is really the only one built for a fight.

Looking forward to having you on the team, no worries on the delay, RL happens to us all.

@adamu: Did you catch the part where Nikki is headed to set an ambush for them when they try and get into the building, not moving to directly engage

@Aria: I will be sure and mention the lack of any alarm in my next IC.

Yeah, I definitely did, and I will absolutely support that if she pulls it off.

The thing is, Al and Overdrive are already in position and poised for exactly that ambush, overwatching the circular drive (main, road-accessible entrances to both the residential and therapy buildings) from just north of the fenceline (fence is pre-cut to enable any of our vehicles to readily punch through).

My worry is whether SHE can get into an ambush position before them, since, reviewing her posts and Aria's, she is currently trailing them on the driveway through the compound.

If she hits them, I will start shooting.
If she ends up letting them pass, I will do the same.

If they get to the therapy building and try making entry before she has acted or a clear team decision has been reached, I'll decide at that moment whether to start sniping. Hopefully the drones will be in firing position by the time that moment arrives.


Final analysis, we are all just suffering from typical PbP fog of war, with positions and sequences of action a bit hazy - but if we all just keep communicating, it will sort itself out. The more I enjoy this thread, the more clear it is that that our remaining players are an extremely experienced and skilful bunch!

@adamu: Ahhh I see, when I first read your IC I wasn't sure if you caught it, I didn't realize you and Overdrive were pretty much already in position for an ambush there.

Truly, PbP Fog of War.

Character half complete. Should have him up tomorrow

I think I missed that

My take is that you are either coming up the drive behind them (to overtake?) or crashing the fence, perhaps in one of the pre-cut sections(?), to get ahead that way. Time is a bit fudgy at the moment but it won't take them long to reach the car park!

Near as I can tell, both of those are correct - Al and Overdrive in the position north of the fence, and Nikki in her Bentley coming up the drive behind them.

Anyone correct if wrong!

Only contacts, Knowledge skills and a bit more background to go. Hopefully have it done this lunchtime

What sort of character is it? Thinking inside or outside team?

Well following Always Overkill's suggestion I went for inside team combat oriented. I'm not big on magic users so he's a sammie. First time I've played one in a while though so should be fun

@LG: Before I pen the next bit I just want to clarify what our limo driving stunt woman is up to ...so AO, are you/Nikki going to try and drive past the two rovers to get between them and the therapy building? It'll take a good roll because a limo isn't exactly an off-road vehicle! You could always bracket them in from behind so they can't make a quick gettaway! As you are on your own I personally wouldn't recommend a point blank engagement with an unknown number of foes (even with sniper / drone backup)...but then that's just me

Once I've got a feel for the situation I'll update the map with some pins for the bad guys and where I think you lot are!

Small munitions question for this, by the way... Would Titus/Overdrive be assuming lethal or less-lethal loadout here?

Also, small rules question: were I to get some grenades for the Alpha, would the existing Targeting (Ares Alpha) autosoft cover it?

Here's my character. Originally it was a little rules experiment to see how much I could get out of second hand 'ware. Once I came up with a story to fit the theme though I started to really like him:



You'll have to let me know what situation he's been dropped into, and also if he has any weapons or armour on him.

Interesting backstory. Love the Timeline integration, I think I am going to steal that format for my own characters

As far as where to drop you in, we could use the support on the Inside team, and probably have you disguised as part of HVAC crew. We used the heavy HVAC equipment to bring in our larger weapons, so you could hide your Assault Rifle in there.

Armor-wise, you may want to pick up something you could wear under your HVAC jumpsuit; armor jackets are exceptionally bulky.

Only you or your team can answer that one!
Probably by RAW not as it's a separate weapon skill but that would mean all sorts of juggling of autosofts to change weapon modes so I'll be nice and say that it is covered! Of course if you get a forum response that unequivically says that you need 2 then I guess we ought to go with that...?

@Mr J: like the character! Only problem I see is that I don't believe you can have second hand cultured bioware (it has to be grown for you out of your own tissue samples!). You've got some essence to spare so it'll save you a bit of cash! You might want to get some vision aides?

@Always overkill: Yeah, I just picked the ArmourJack as a standard armour piece. I weren't sure if we had mission-assigned equipment or whatever. That could be subbed for anything.

@Aria: In 5th they removed (or didn't add) the Cultured Bioware not available second hand distinction. There is still a fluff description that says it's 'More expensive and harder to acquire' because it has to be tailor made - but that's not a rule. I figured Cultured Bio could be modified to fit. If you disagree with this I'll have to switch things around a bit (dropping a level of synaptic booster).

No, don't worry, if they've removed the rule that's fine!

I typed this out before Aria said it was fine before, but I think I'll use this version anyway.

Here's an edit:



Changes Summary:
Changed all Cultured Bio to Standard (Sleep Regulator and Synaptic Booster)
Upgraded Muscle Aug and Toner from level 2 to 3
Removed DataJack
Removed Streetline Special
Swapped Black Scorpion and Ares Alpha for Ares Crusader 2 and AK-97
Swapped ArmourJack for ArmourVest
Added Knife
Swapped Fixer and Tamanous contacts connection rating (was wrong before)

Notes:
I didn't go for the vision enhancements as the character is quite 'low-tech' in that sense. Doesn't use a smartlink either. As an Elf he does have low-light anyway. I've also removed his DataJack as it was his only Cyber. Cape Town is described in the Almanac as a Hub for Bioware so I've stuck to that. Also note that Jack-less he only communicates on his Commlink using the built-in earbuds and a subvocal mic. He doesn't see AR.

@mister_joshua: Hey, a fellow insomniac. Lany and Jan probably had plenty of late-night bonding experiences during the planning process for the mission, as long as he doesn't mind underaged company.

Small point: Why so little ammo? Seems like you could run out long before the end of the mission. Aside from that, if you're gonna have Heavy Weapons why not pack the Alpha and some grenades for it?

Honestly, because I completely ran out of money. Spent up to the last nuyen. I picked heavy with the intention of getting some grenades but couldn't afford. I figured ammo is the easiest thing to pick up in game later. I might ru and rework it again but it'll mean dropping something important like my comlink or SIN

@LG - I've been off-line and will catch up with the story now.

EDIT:Read the IC - Nikki was willing to not engage if the team was opposed. With the information she has, she would back off - not go into the facility - but if everyone's already got her vehicle in the driveway, I don't know how to handle that.

@justkelly & LG

I THINK - and anyone (esp. Aria) correct me if I'm wrong - I think you could still play it either way - I think at the moment your car is still behind the guys on the drive - not sure if they've noticed you - you could still back off maybe, and we could let them pass, go for letting them and site sec kill each other for us.
(If they HAVE noticed you…?)

At this moment in IC, Al is getting ready to shoot someone - catch the smug bastards between you, him, and Overdrive - but he will stand down if Nikki waves him off.

And Overdrive's basically just backing her play because he's not going to leave her to go in alone; he's not entirely sold on starting the shooting just now.

Anyone fancy giving me a quick catch-up on what's happening and where/what I'm dropping into. I read through the IC thread before making my character but it's easy to miss things when you're not taking part, and I didn't read back through the OOC for stuff.

Anyone fancy giving me a quick catch-up on what's happening and where/what I'm dropping into. I read through the IC thread before making my character but it's easy to miss things when you're not taking part, and I didn't read back through the OOC for stuff.

@mister_joshua: Here is a breakdown of our team, mission, and objectives in addition to a summary thusfar

Our crew was hired on to plant a mole in the Sound Mental Health Facility in Bellevue, exchanging out a patient for an operative sent to gather intel (we can only assume.) In addition, there are 2 other patients who we are to break out if possible, if they are even there. Our team is divided into an Interior and Exterior team, the first is disguised as an HVAC crew here to work on the ventilation system, whose job revolves around infiltration of the facility, finding the patients, inserting the mole, and getting out with our hides intact. The exterior team is the cavalry, whose job it is to be a hammer to nail down any outside threats or interference, and provide backup to the inside team if needed.

Since our arrival, we have hit several major complications. Perhaps one of the biggest, we discovered that the Facility has a massive basement not in any of the building plans or records, that looks to be filled with Technomancers cut off from the Resonance and the Matrix. There are few patients or live workers (just a lot of creepy Evo Orderly Drones,) in the above ground portion of the facility, and have found none of the 3 patients we are looking for there, leading us to conclude they must be held below. The most recent complication that has confronted us is an unidentified assault team in a pair of black Range Rovers who just shot there way through the front gate of the facility. We believe this team must have a man on the inside, probably a guard, as there have been no alarms since the shooting, and the shooter who went nonchalantly into the Security building alone which should have contained at least 4 more guards. Right now the outside team is getting into position to ambush the assault team on their way to the basement, while the interior team is readying to head down into the basement via the ventilation system.

That's everything I can remember off the top of my head. If I am leaving anything out, my apologies, but let me know and hopefully I can answer any other questions you may have.


Interior Role | Deployment:

Bolo (NPC): Infiltration/HVAC Specialist (Infiltrator)
Lefey: Comm Control/ Lead Hacker | CIC (Central Interior Command post) (Technomancer)
Lany: Physical Security/ Backup Infiltrator, Mole Protection, and Patient #1 & #3 search | CIC (Face/Assassin)
Ali: Magical Infiltration, Framing the Doc, and Patient #2 search (Sneaky Adept)
Jan: Weapons Specialist, Physical Security| CIC (Soldier)

Exterior Role | Deployment:

Nikki: Extraction Specialist | Outside the North perimeter (Assassin)
Al: Sniper Cover/ Evac Driver | Outside the North perimeter fence (Dockworker)
Overdrive: Comm Control/ Drone Support/ Evac Driver | Outside the North perimeter fence (Rigger)

Perhaps a final summarization of the plan is in order?

1) Get inside the Facility disguised as HVAC crew.
2) Locate the patients we have been advised to extract.
3) Frame doctor for medication theft.
4) Once everyone is in place, set off the Hazmat Ruse
5) Insert the Mole disguised as another HVAC crewmember in place of the patient we are extracting.
6) Get Out?


Interior roles-

Tracking Patients- I think one patient each for Lany, Ali, and Violet, with the one designated to find the Mole's patient providing babysitting for the switch. I will keep the Mole with Lany and LeFey at the CIC until we are ready to pull the actual switch.

Interior Security and Support- Lany is running physical security on the inside, and will be stationed at the CIC to go provide assistance to anyone who needs it on the interior crew.

Framing the Doctor- Ali, or Lany (all have locksmithing and palming skills necessary)

Escaping the Facility- Violet, Ali, or Lany (depending on how each of their objectives have progressed, can help whoever needs it during evac.

Vehicles- I think we need another vehicle going inside with the HVAC van (which needs to be able to fit 8+; from the inside 5 crewmembers plus up to 3 patients) just to be sure to have the room

HVAC "Hazardous Spill" aka: the Hazmat Ruse- Bolo, Lefey, Ali- this is the measure we will be using to make the switches, calling out an accident with some toxic chemicals that will require part of the facility to be evacuated. We don't pull this until all patients have been located and we are ready to pull the switch for the Mole and the other patient extractions.

Protocols if Comms go down- Good question here justkelly, as the interior and exterior teams will in all likelihood lose contact. Perhaps a simple beacon from the inside could send a visual signal to one of Overdrive's Drones on overwatch if we need extraction.
-the outside contacting the inside after comms go down would need to be much more overt for us to have a chance of noticing it while inside the facility- a series of flares, sound blasts from a siren or megaphone? Suggestions could be useful for this point

@LG: Good summation!

LeFey, don't forget you have camera access to the above ground facility...this includes the therapy wing, security building and exterior cameras...could be an edge there... also time is passing so expect your overwatch score to slowly creep up!

@Tribes / Drace: I've not forgotten you, honest!

@CoP: Same goes for you, just been swamped and free time disappears soooo fast at the moment

I have a few quick questions

As this doesn't seem the type of run that would, is there a reason we thought an Outside team would be necessary? Were we expecting this kind of 'trouble'? Also who is the mole? Is (s)he useful to us in any way? Where is this CIC and what does it consist of?

@mister_joshua:
On if we expected trouble: The person who put this job together hired on a team of 8 (or more) runners, some of them combat specialists who wouldn't normally be a big part of an operation like this. I think this led to the assumption that the Fixer or Johnson must be expecting trouble, and that the team should be prepared for it, wherever the trouble may come from.

About the Mole: The mole's name is Collot, who has been advising us as the mission has progressed. He is a Technomancer, something of a mentor to LeFey. (I believe his character is from one of Aria's previous campaigns, I remember reading about him somewhere, just can't seem to remember where exactly it was.)

The CIC is the workstation we have set up right in front of our main access to the ventilation system. It has the HVAC equipment and supplies, (where we hid our larger weapons,) and the workstation where LeFey and Bolo are running their HVAC diagnostic software, which is how we found the basement. At the moment, I think the whole inside team is there, (though Ali may just be getting back after completing a mission objective; framing one of the Facilities Doc's for pharmaceutical theft. This is the Doctor who would have been in place to notice our Mole's insertion, who had cosmetic surgery and a voice box replacement to play his part in replacing the original patient.)

Ok, that's fair enough. Something else I wondered - as this mission is starting 'in the action' as it were, was the plan entirely player devised or was the setup done by Aria?

It was mostly player devised, with a few invaluable contributions from players who ended up having to drop out for lack of time. Aria gave us this basic premise and we built from there.



Other than the information that Aria added during the planning process this is basically where we started the plan from. The planning was actually a very fun process, shame you hadn't joined up a little sooner.

But hey, better late than never!

@Tribes/Aria

Haha it is all good, you got 3 games to run and a lot of players to please. I'm working on stuff for Revenant anyways aswell as getting all the info I need for Lock & Load ready.

@LG just a quick heads up/FYI, I'm going comms down (or at least extremely limited) starting Wednesday morning and I should be back up to speed the following Thursday. I will try to get another post up for Ali before then, but I have a ton to do and still have clients tomorrow as well as pack...

@Aria I will try to at least shoot you a quick "what Ali would do if" set of scenarios to keep things moving if necessary

Final question then. Where do I pop up, and what am I tasked with a la 'The Plan™'?

@mister_joshua: Well, I believe we should just drop your character into the CIC on the inside team. As far as what part of the plan you would be responsible for; looking over your sheet, you would probably be Physical Security. In all honesty, given Jan's level of experience, I probably would have put him in charge of that over Lany, (who is capable, but VERY young and inexperienced.)

Since we are just getting you in, I think having the two sharing physical security duties for the interior team would be best. Lany would be looking to learn from Jan, and would follow his lead if Jan stepped up during crunch time. Could also put him in charge of the equipment, as his military background would give him a lot of experience with different types of firearms and assault weapons.

I probably would have assigned you to patient search #3 as well, but as none of our targets are above ground as we had hoped in the planning stage, its a moot point.

@Adamu: Just wanted to say I love the IC you're putting up in the General IC

@Drace: Seems like now would be a good idea to move your/Revenant's explorations into the Tribes thread! That keeps it moving, might attract new players, and hopefully I'll be able to rope you in with Frizzen (yes that might get confusing but what the hell, it'll make GMing interesting ). I don't seem to have linked Revenant's sheet in the beginning thread, can you link it again and I'll copy it over there for reference! Thanks

@mister_joshua: I had Lany give Jan a nod in my last IC, the "you've been there the whole time," sort. Also I am having her refer to you as the weapons specialist.

@Tribes @Aria

The character sheet I added to the same post as both Frizzen's and Bandits so it would be the same link thought it would be easiest and least hassle lol

And sounds good, I could rp him just looking around and inquiring and have the dates match by having him just hang around for awhile and make his presence known.

Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed it.

My last post there is of getting the call from the fixer for the Looking Glass run.
I put that three days before the run.
Might fill those three days in - just with pure fluff of course - nothing that would affect the run in progress.

Part of that would involve nights at the tattoo place, of course.

But for any of my Looking Glass compadres, if anyone wants to set up some sort of RP interchange that might take place in downtime during the run prep, just PM me. I am sure we can come of with a cool scene or two (as long as you can handle Al's obnoxious personality!).

@LG:

Cheers, thanks for that. I'm just reading back through to catch up before I try and get a post up today. Just a minor point, it would be helpful (to me at least) if everyone began their posts with their character's name. Reading back and not immediately knowing which players are which characters is hard to follow. In the CoP thread every post was started by the character's name in bolded white which makes is easier to follow. I think people will find conformity better in the long run

Right, caught up with the IC. Looks like I jumped in just in time, things are getting exciting

I'm assuming that the vents are indeed big enough to fit a man down. Do we have any rappelling equipment or is it drop and hope? I'm fine with either. How far down is it?

I'm thinking I'll go for the handle 'Butch' - short for Butcher, but he'll also answer to Jan.
After an IC post I'm going to try, at some point, to post in the general IC as kind of a background to the character, telling his past.

@LG: a placeholder IC up to give you some more to go on about what you're seeing...sorry it's not up to descriptive scratch but I wrote it in a rush to keep you going will try to do better as I'd like you to get a feel for the images in my mind's eye (could be scary )

The ducts are indeed big enough to fit in. The basement starts about 6m down (that's 2 storeys more or less so significant!) You can either break in from ground level (not subtle) or go up into the ceiling and break in there. That will take longer though so down to you...

Descriptive enough to make me worry…

So, does any of the info we have show another ground level way into the therapy building for the outside team to use that (A) bypasses any baddies left at the main entrance, and (B) seems realistic on our timeline?
Shot in the dark, but worth asking…

Otherwise, guys, we may be back to plan A of hitting at least some of these guys out here in the parking lot. (At least RHat could make best use of his drone regiment!)

Got my first post done for the inside team. Let me know if what I imagined isn't correct. Weren't sure also if I had my rifle or only my MP.

Dude - YES - less consensus-building and more ACTION.
Let's get this party started!

LG MAP updated with where I think everyone is. Can't seem to change the colour tags for you runners but will do so when I've got more time!

Cool, I didn't know there was a map. That helps a lot. Who on the map is Hacker? Did I miss that bit?

No, that was the bit of info I haven't revealed yet...the hacker is the opposing runner who strolled into the security centre...call it a freebie and LeFey will find out soon enough anyway