[Al, Thursday August 22nd, 2075; 8:47PM, Well and Truly Down the Rabbit Hole, Seattle]
I ain't goin' back ta jail.
Al spoke into his mic without taking his eyes off the drone's progress. "If'n these fellers really is revenoors then that makes this the mother of all no-knocks - we all watched 'em off that pore gate guard purty as ya please, not even a how-d'ya-do. That means even if these sumbitches do got badges, they ain't the one-phonecall types - a white flag'll jist git us lined up an' shot, 'specially after we's eighty-sixed most o' they buddies outside."
Full Version: Looking Glass [2075: Game World]
[August 22, 2075, 8:47 PM, Unknown Matrix Node, Seattle]
As their revelation didn't result in a clatter of weapons hitting the ground the agents clearly decided that it was time to move on to the next phase of their plan - particularly once Al's neatly placed shot sent their skimmer crashing into the wall in a shower of sparks and drone guts...
Three bouncing objects came around the corner skittering in a pattern that didn't follow any predictable course, the vectored nozzles on the eye drones adding crazy jinks to their trajectories. The two figures that follow rapidly behind them have obviously been raiding the kit bags they lugged in with them...they are clad head to toe in military grade chem suits...now that really can't bode well!
As their revelation didn't result in a clatter of weapons hitting the ground the agents clearly decided that it was time to move on to the next phase of their plan - particularly once Al's neatly placed shot sent their skimmer crashing into the wall in a shower of sparks and drone guts...
Three bouncing objects came around the corner skittering in a pattern that didn't follow any predictable course, the vectored nozzles on the eye drones adding crazy jinks to their trajectories. The two figures that follow rapidly behind them have obviously been raiding the kit bags they lugged in with them...they are clad head to toe in military grade chem suits...now that really can't bode well!
Jan
[August 22, 2075, 8:47 PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
The drones scattered in and the team burst through. Jan quickly assessed the situation before filtering back into the group, shuffling 3 or 4 people in front of him in case the drones were scanning for him but making sure he still had line of sight to both Al and the intruders. It was gonna go down, but if Al could draw their fire he'd have a great chance to shoot them in the back while they weren't looking. Some would scoff at a tactic like this, but they hadn't grown up how Jan had. You took any edge you could get, and this one could make a difference.
[August 22, 2075, 8:47 PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
The drones scattered in and the team burst through. Jan quickly assessed the situation before filtering back into the group, shuffling 3 or 4 people in front of him in case the drones were scanning for him but making sure he still had line of sight to both Al and the intruders. It was gonna go down, but if Al could draw their fire he'd have a great chance to shoot them in the back while they weren't looking. Some would scoff at a tactic like this, but they hadn't grown up how Jan had. You took any edge you could get, and this one could make a difference.
[Al, Thursday August 22nd, 2075; 8:47PM, Well and Truly Down the Rabbit Hole, Seattle]
Crouched well inside one of the office doorways, Al topped up his magazine. Then he held up his big polished Zippo at as discreet an angle as he could and managed to keep a rough eye on the progress of the two bad guys in its reflection.
Across the corridor, Four (or was it Seven? Rent-a-cops all looked alike to Al) was on one knee inside an office of his own, taking slow, deep breaths to stay calm.
A lot of good it had done to take their Frisbee down, Al thought - here now they had these little spy-balls bouncing all about - one thing for certain, these boys had some walkin' around money. Government or corp, someone with deep pockets was bankrolling them.
Big money, culty religion, technowitches French and otherwise, matrix megas, and a whole barrel of lies no matter which way you sliced it. Curiouser and curiouser. And poor ol'Al caught in the middle.
Just like always.
Crouched well inside one of the office doorways, Al topped up his magazine. Then he held up his big polished Zippo at as discreet an angle as he could and managed to keep a rough eye on the progress of the two bad guys in its reflection.
Across the corridor, Four (or was it Seven? Rent-a-cops all looked alike to Al) was on one knee inside an office of his own, taking slow, deep breaths to stay calm.
A lot of good it had done to take their Frisbee down, Al thought - here now they had these little spy-balls bouncing all about - one thing for certain, these boys had some walkin' around money. Government or corp, someone with deep pockets was bankrolling them.
Big money, culty religion, technowitches French and otherwise, matrix megas, and a whole barrel of lies no matter which way you sliced it. Curiouser and curiouser. And poor ol'Al caught in the middle.
Just like always.
[August 22, 2075, 8:47 PM, Unknown Matrix Node, Seattle]
Aria sidled up beside Silk
"I've done some discrete digging and there's no chatter in the usual places about a Federal raid tonight. That's not to say it isn't genuine but if it is it's quiet, very quiet. At least that should mean your runners only have to deal with the bodies on the ground and not a host of reinforcements...for now at least..."
Silk isolated the view of the corridor from more or less Al's perspective and watched the attackers as they paused to consider the obstacle in their path...damn, the view was suddenly obscured by billowing clouds of hot pink smoke from the two canisters they lobbed past the debris...at least it should block their sight of Al and the other runners while they prepared for whatever was coming next...
Aria sidled up beside Silk
"I've done some discrete digging and there's no chatter in the usual places about a Federal raid tonight. That's not to say it isn't genuine but if it is it's quiet, very quiet. At least that should mean your runners only have to deal with the bodies on the ground and not a host of reinforcements...for now at least..."
Silk isolated the view of the corridor from more or less Al's perspective and watched the attackers as they paused to consider the obstacle in their path...damn, the view was suddenly obscured by billowing clouds of hot pink smoke from the two canisters they lobbed past the debris...at least it should block their sight of Al and the other runners while they prepared for whatever was coming next...
[Al, Thursday August 22nd, 2075; 8:47PM, Well and Truly Down the Rabbit Hole, Seattle]
Glancing around, Al did a double-take as he scanned the area to their rear, with its muster areas full of…well, whatever the folks here were. There, just behind a couple of the place's denizens, he spotted a pointy pair of keeb ears and between them were Jan's rugged features and head of light-brown hair, all decked out in local color. And then a couple of cannisters hit the ground among the spy-eyes and there was hot smoke everywhere.
"Criminy," he said, or thought he said. No voice. His first thought was his internal air, but that wasn't it - the tank fed his lungs, but he still expelled orally - he'd never had trouble speaking with it before. Tapped his Zippo on the barrel of his Defiance. Nothing.
No shot. No comms. Time to go.
He ducked through the smoke and across the corridor and, staying away from the guard's gun barrel, he tapped Four on the shoulder and beckoned him along. He hoped the smoke would mean they never spotted the wiring on his barricade, and felt a pang of disappointment at the realization that now he'd never know. They collected Seven and rapidly moved out into the wider oval area, slipping off any sightline from the corridor.
His choked rasp of a voice restored, he spoke rapidly: "These two inna monkey suits, they's the pointy end. Clearin' the way in. Leave them ta us'n. You two melt, stay outta sight an' wait fer their follow-on. Softer targets, but more important. An' shoot these things first," he finished, pointing to the three annoying metal balls that had clattered after them out of the cloud.
Then he loped off toward the far end of the chamber, looking for a good place from which to draw fire that they'd have to pass by Jan to get an angle on.
And wondered where the hell the women were.
Glancing around, Al did a double-take as he scanned the area to their rear, with its muster areas full of…well, whatever the folks here were. There, just behind a couple of the place's denizens, he spotted a pointy pair of keeb ears and between them were Jan's rugged features and head of light-brown hair, all decked out in local color. And then a couple of cannisters hit the ground among the spy-eyes and there was hot smoke everywhere.
"Criminy," he said, or thought he said. No voice. His first thought was his internal air, but that wasn't it - the tank fed his lungs, but he still expelled orally - he'd never had trouble speaking with it before. Tapped his Zippo on the barrel of his Defiance. Nothing.
No shot. No comms. Time to go.
He ducked through the smoke and across the corridor and, staying away from the guard's gun barrel, he tapped Four on the shoulder and beckoned him along. He hoped the smoke would mean they never spotted the wiring on his barricade, and felt a pang of disappointment at the realization that now he'd never know. They collected Seven and rapidly moved out into the wider oval area, slipping off any sightline from the corridor.
His choked rasp of a voice restored, he spoke rapidly: "These two inna monkey suits, they's the pointy end. Clearin' the way in. Leave them ta us'n. You two melt, stay outta sight an' wait fer their follow-on. Softer targets, but more important. An' shoot these things first," he finished, pointing to the three annoying metal balls that had clattered after them out of the cloud.
Then he loped off toward the far end of the chamber, looking for a good place from which to draw fire that they'd have to pass by Jan to get an angle on.
And wondered where the hell the women were.
[Thursday August 22nd, 2075; 8:47PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
LeFey returned to the physical world for a moment, hurriedly pulling on a gas mask in case the gas was intended for more than concealing the intruders. The other intruders. Lowering herself to the bottom of the duct, she slips back into the Matrix. The witch rushed into the basement node. Al was probably right. Whatever the true purpose of the newcomers was, her team would just be another group of hostiles in their eyes. Kneeling, she touched her fingertips to the surface of the host, allowing her influence to spread. The basement's defenses included a number of rail mounted drones. Entangling one in the Resonance, LeFey willed it to seek out one of the suited figures.
LeFey returned to the physical world for a moment, hurriedly pulling on a gas mask in case the gas was intended for more than concealing the intruders. The other intruders. Lowering herself to the bottom of the duct, she slips back into the Matrix. The witch rushed into the basement node. Al was probably right. Whatever the true purpose of the newcomers was, her team would just be another group of hostiles in their eyes. Kneeling, she touched her fingertips to the surface of the host, allowing her influence to spread. The basement's defenses included a number of rail mounted drones. Entangling one in the Resonance, LeFey willed it to seek out one of the suited figures.
[Thursday August 22nd, 2075; Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
@LeFey:
With your fingers dipped into the host’s processes you are able to send one of the rail mounted drones winging towards the incursion site. Rather than control the drone directly it is a simple matter of directing the dog brain to do its job and target hostiles as you designate them…the first order of business being the incoming surveillance drones. Normally such a shot would be difficult given their size and erratic movement but the drone is able to home in on their wifi transmissions and at the speed of light the laser stabbing down from the wall impales the bouncing forms…
@Al:
Something wizzes by your head as the drone, impossibly clinging to the wall, follows the hidden rail towards the foe. You are gratified to see the barely visible laser turn the annoying eyeballs into puffs of superheated components!
You feel further grim satisfaction as the lights suddenly dim…almost as if someone had done something improper with the electrical supply…
@LeFey:
With your fingers dipped into the host’s processes you are able to send one of the rail mounted drones winging towards the incursion site. Rather than control the drone directly it is a simple matter of directing the dog brain to do its job and target hostiles as you designate them…the first order of business being the incoming surveillance drones. Normally such a shot would be difficult given their size and erratic movement but the drone is able to home in on their wifi transmissions and at the speed of light the laser stabbing down from the wall impales the bouncing forms…
@Al:
Something wizzes by your head as the drone, impossibly clinging to the wall, follows the hidden rail towards the foe. You are gratified to see the barely visible laser turn the annoying eyeballs into puffs of superheated components!
You feel further grim satisfaction as the lights suddenly dim…almost as if someone had done something improper with the electrical supply…
[Al, Thursday August 22nd, 2075; 8:47PM, Well and Truly Down the Rabbit Hole, Seattle]
"Feel the love, you murderin' sumbitch," Al whispered to himself as the lights flickered. He hoped it was the one that had killed the gate guard. Now he'd given them something to think about; they'd have to tread more carefully from here on out. And blind - unless they had more damned drones.
He settled into his new spot, scanning the lines to make sure they'd have to expose their backs to Jan to get a decent shot on his own firing position.
He toyed with his mic. Eyes on Jan, he dearly wanted to ask the rest of the team for updates, but with the toys these yahoos were packing, they could easily be listening in. No, he knew his mates weren't downrange of him, and that was all that mattered for now.
And as long as he could keep the bad guys shooting at him, then they wouldn't be shooting at Peaches.
"Feel the love, you murderin' sumbitch," Al whispered to himself as the lights flickered. He hoped it was the one that had killed the gate guard. Now he'd given them something to think about; they'd have to tread more carefully from here on out. And blind - unless they had more damned drones.
He settled into his new spot, scanning the lines to make sure they'd have to expose their backs to Jan to get a decent shot on his own firing position.
He toyed with his mic. Eyes on Jan, he dearly wanted to ask the rest of the team for updates, but with the toys these yahoos were packing, they could easily be listening in. No, he knew his mates weren't downrange of him, and that was all that mattered for now.
And as long as he could keep the bad guys shooting at him, then they wouldn't be shooting at Peaches.
[August 22, 2075, 8:47 PM, Unknown Matrix Node, Seattle]
Silk winced as her view of the hall was momentarily whited out by the flashbangs as the intruders paved the way for their assault into the building. The smoke filling the entrance corridor swirled dramatically and Silk cursed quietly to herself as she recognised the vague form of some sort of spirit, probably an air elemental, wreathed in pink vapours that preceded the foe. It had been too much to hope for that a team this well-equipped wouldn’t have magical support…
When they came they came fast, moving in a loose formation giving them overlapping fields of fire and the maximum coverage. Two appeared in the entrance to the hall in firing positions whilst their team members bounded past them, fanning out into the oval hall…
Silk winced as her view of the hall was momentarily whited out by the flashbangs as the intruders paved the way for their assault into the building. The smoke filling the entrance corridor swirled dramatically and Silk cursed quietly to herself as she recognised the vague form of some sort of spirit, probably an air elemental, wreathed in pink vapours that preceded the foe. It had been too much to hope for that a team this well-equipped wouldn’t have magical support…
When they came they came fast, moving in a loose formation giving them overlapping fields of fire and the maximum coverage. Two appeared in the entrance to the hall in firing positions whilst their team members bounded past them, fanning out into the oval hall…
QUOTE (Aria @ Jun 11 2014, 03:05 PM) 
[Thursday August 22nd, 2075; Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
@Lany & Nikki:
The Director is rendered by a trid with a bland corporate persona bearing NeoNet insignia. Certainly nothing that would give away the person's identity.
"So you are the runners that eTher contracted to defend my facility? I was somewhat surprised by your quick arrival but it is just as well under the circumstances..."
@Lany & Nikki:
The Director is rendered by a trid with a bland corporate persona bearing NeoNet insignia. Certainly nothing that would give away the person's identity.
"So you are the runners that eTher contracted to defend my facility? I was somewhat surprised by your quick arrival but it is just as well under the circumstances..."
Frustrated and running low on patience, Nikki looks around the room, placing herself where she can see the door, the trid of the "Director" and Fischer. Before Lany can respond, Nikki mutters an oath under breath...Please tell me everything I want to know, and tell me now. There is more going on and we can't be effective without more information.... Nikki continues with a battery of questions then pauses, looks at Lany to see if she has anything to add to the inquiry...
The comms occasionally break in with sounds of the team and what they are experiencing. Law enforcement on site, that's not supposed to happen...
With a quick text message to everyone <<@Team - Lany and I are trying to get more information on the situation. What is everyone's status? Do you need any information or other support? Nyx, did you find the target?>>
Waiting for answers and responses, Nikki struggles to NOT tap her foot; she must maintain her composure in order to control the situation.
[August 22, 2075, 8:47 PM, Well and Truly Down the Rabbit Hole, Seattle]
Al quickly texted back the location of the hall they were in relative to the last place they had all been together. Then added: <<They breeched in force here, 4 heavies + 1 spirit. Hope you ladies are doing something useful on your end, cuz could sure use a woman`s touch down this way. PS they are expecting a chem attack, not sure if from us or themselves. Be ready either way.>>
Al quickly texted back the location of the hall they were in relative to the last place they had all been together. Then added: <<They breeched in force here, 4 heavies + 1 spirit. Hope you ladies are doing something useful on your end, cuz could sure use a woman`s touch down this way. PS they are expecting a chem attack, not sure if from us or themselves. Be ready either way.>>
[Thursday August 22nd, 2075; 8:47PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
"Simbi, O Simbi Ganga E, I'm calling Simbi Ganga hey!"
The loud chanting is easily audible from one of the rooms adjacent to the hall.
"They can bring knives, they can bring swords, but I am not afraid of them,
Simbi Ganga I'm not afraid of them"
Monique shouts at the top of her lungs:
"Simbi Ganga!!!"
Something ancient and powerful and terrible awakens and answers her prayers; the twice born spirit of an ancestor who have forgotten what it meant to be a living, breathing human many eons ago.
Monique is not afraid.
Simbi Ganga is here now, and he will set everything right.
"Simbi, O Simbi Ganga E, I'm calling Simbi Ganga hey!"
The loud chanting is easily audible from one of the rooms adjacent to the hall.
"They can bring knives, they can bring swords, but I am not afraid of them,
Simbi Ganga I'm not afraid of them"
Monique shouts at the top of her lungs:
"Simbi Ganga!!!"
Something ancient and powerful and terrible awakens and answers her prayers; the twice born spirit of an ancestor who have forgotten what it meant to be a living, breathing human many eons ago.
Monique is not afraid.
Simbi Ganga is here now, and he will set everything right.
[August 22, 2075, 8:47 PM, Well and Truly Down the Rabbit Hole, Seattle]
Al had just clipped his com to his sleeve to watch for any further texts from posh girl, and was taking the moment to top his rifle's mag up with armor-piercing rounds, when he heard the familiar ritual shouts from one of the other rooms off the hall. It was more a Carib sound than the Big Easy brand of power he'd cut his teeth on, but he knew what was coming now. He'd already given up on the crazy ever slowing down in this place, and now he smiled at the turn things were bound to take.
Of course most anyone else might have seen this as some sort of coincidence, a bolt from the blue. But for Al, it was no less spectacular but no more unexpected than the morning sunrise - the voodoo gods never let him down.
Al had just clipped his com to his sleeve to watch for any further texts from posh girl, and was taking the moment to top his rifle's mag up with armor-piercing rounds, when he heard the familiar ritual shouts from one of the other rooms off the hall. It was more a Carib sound than the Big Easy brand of power he'd cut his teeth on, but he knew what was coming now. He'd already given up on the crazy ever slowing down in this place, and now he smiled at the turn things were bound to take.
Of course most anyone else might have seen this as some sort of coincidence, a bolt from the blue. But for Al, it was no less spectacular but no more unexpected than the morning sunrise - the voodoo gods never let him down.
Finally Haze reaches the top of the fire escape and peeks in the window and makes sure it is safe. With all the explosions, gun fire and shouting I smack the window and break the glass and slip inside scanning the room with my crusader leading the way. Seems clear now to find the rest if the team and let them know I am here, releasing two fly spies and sending them off for recon and to find the team. Slipping behind a desk and checking the incoming information from gnat and skeeter. Hope they are ok sounds like a lot of Drek for a fast in and out. Of course when is anything ever as they say it would be. Always just another bomb waiting to explode.
[August 22, 2075, 8:47 PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
@Al:
Well, well, well... the interlopers react to the chanting like scalded cats with a flurry of hand signals which loosely translate as shit, get ready to geek the damn mage, at least until one of them begins to thrash about as if something is trying to climb inside his skin. The disturbance in the air you'd identified as the hostile spirit whips back and engulfs the poor unfortunate...
<<@Team [Overdrive]: I'm sorry, I'm taking serious heat out here. I'm going to try and lure the topside forces away. I've left the exfil wheels in place and Hollywood has the codes. I've arranged for a buddy of mine to swing by as he was in the area and owed me one. Haze should be joining you soon. Luck Amigos!>>
@Jan:
You'd thought she was just another patient, a young pretty patient, but when she begins her chant you feel the hairs prickle on the back of your neck as the air becomes charged with power. Before you can stop her she steps to the doorway and peers, albeit cautiously, out into the hall. The whisper of incoming fire strikes the area around her with a strange sound and you realise that the rounds are injection darts rather than ricocheting slugs...it would seem these bastards want live ones!
@Dominique:
Reaching the door you cautiously peer round, letting your gaze slip into the spirit realm. There the smoke that the intruders are using to conceal themselves holds no sway and you can see into the corridor to the barricade loosely formed by your supposed allies. Brushing aside the strange taint in the astral, one you are more than accustomed to by now, you think you can make out a further four auras. It's difficult to see well but you believe one of them is the cold hardness of a hermetic...before you are forced to duck back from the incoming fire
@Nikki/Ali/Lani:
The director drones on for moments providing little information before a wave of static passes through her image and it goes into flickering pause. Honed instinct makes all three of you turn as the three patients enter behind you. A stun baton crashes into Lany and the small girl crumples before you can react. The second engages Ali and although the element of surprise is lost a lucky strike floors her too...
@Haze:
As you proceed along the unfortunately well lit and echo ridden corridors a message comes in via the channel that Overdrive set up for you
<<@Haze [Silk]: Welcome to the rabbit hole omae. The team are ahead of you on two levels, I'm sending you a maplink now. I suggest you liaise with Hollywood at the breech where the foe are incoming and support his move. He or LeFey can give you a tac update>>
@Al:
Well, well, well... the interlopers react to the chanting like scalded cats with a flurry of hand signals which loosely translate as shit, get ready to geek the damn mage, at least until one of them begins to thrash about as if something is trying to climb inside his skin. The disturbance in the air you'd identified as the hostile spirit whips back and engulfs the poor unfortunate...
<<@Team [Overdrive]: I'm sorry, I'm taking serious heat out here. I'm going to try and lure the topside forces away. I've left the exfil wheels in place and Hollywood has the codes. I've arranged for a buddy of mine to swing by as he was in the area and owed me one. Haze should be joining you soon. Luck Amigos!>>
@Jan:
You'd thought she was just another patient, a young pretty patient, but when she begins her chant you feel the hairs prickle on the back of your neck as the air becomes charged with power. Before you can stop her she steps to the doorway and peers, albeit cautiously, out into the hall. The whisper of incoming fire strikes the area around her with a strange sound and you realise that the rounds are injection darts rather than ricocheting slugs...it would seem these bastards want live ones!
@Dominique:
Reaching the door you cautiously peer round, letting your gaze slip into the spirit realm. There the smoke that the intruders are using to conceal themselves holds no sway and you can see into the corridor to the barricade loosely formed by your supposed allies. Brushing aside the strange taint in the astral, one you are more than accustomed to by now, you think you can make out a further four auras. It's difficult to see well but you believe one of them is the cold hardness of a hermetic...before you are forced to duck back from the incoming fire
@Nikki/Ali/Lani:
The director drones on for moments providing little information before a wave of static passes through her image and it goes into flickering pause. Honed instinct makes all three of you turn as the three patients enter behind you. A stun baton crashes into Lany and the small girl crumples before you can react. The second engages Ali and although the element of surprise is lost a lucky strike floors her too...
@Haze:
As you proceed along the unfortunately well lit and echo ridden corridors a message comes in via the channel that Overdrive set up for you
<<@Haze [Silk]: Welcome to the rabbit hole omae. The team are ahead of you on two levels, I'm sending you a maplink now. I suggest you liaise with Hollywood at the breech where the foe are incoming and support his move. He or LeFey can give you a tac update>>
Roger that Silk.
Haze affixes his silencer to his crusader and predator. Sending the fly spies along the map coordinates sent by silk. Forwarding this tactical info to team as well. As I move along the hallway will keep watch for targets and keep them marked by ARO so all team members will see the targets.
Once to Hollywood will send out 2 of the fly spies to cover both floors to give a complete lay out of the area and the enemies.
Haze affixes his silencer to his crusader and predator. Sending the fly spies along the map coordinates sent by silk. Forwarding this tactical info to team as well. As I move along the hallway will keep watch for targets and keep them marked by ARO so all team members will see the targets.
Once to Hollywood will send out 2 of the fly spies to cover both floors to give a complete lay out of the area and the enemies.
[Thursday August 22nd, 2075; 8:47PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
<Only because you asked so nicely.> LeFey adjusted the gas mask on her head. Not nearly as effective against chemical weapons, but it was all she had. Awkwardly, the technomancer makes her way down the air duct. She positions herself right outside of the basement before returning to the digital. They were quite thoroughly outgunned at the moment, but was it possible to change that? The Resonance ripples like water as she infuses it with her will. A quick command keeps the turret firing. And the motion of the digital realm intensifies as LeFey focuses on a different task. She was searching for icons representing the equipment of their attackers.
<Only because you asked so nicely.> LeFey adjusted the gas mask on her head. Not nearly as effective against chemical weapons, but it was all she had. Awkwardly, the technomancer makes her way down the air duct. She positions herself right outside of the basement before returning to the digital. They were quite thoroughly outgunned at the moment, but was it possible to change that? The Resonance ripples like water as she infuses it with her will. A quick command keeps the turret firing. And the motion of the digital realm intensifies as LeFey focuses on a different task. She was searching for icons representing the equipment of their attackers.
[Thursday August 22nd, 2075; 8:47PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
Monique dives back into the room, narrowly dodging the hail of fire from across the hall.
"Enbesil!!!" she curses in Creole
"Se mwen menm yon enbesil!"
Her next prayer to the Loa is much less confident, overflowing with panic and despair. Begging for the lord Eshu to save her, she reaches out to him and steps into the threshold between the mortal and spirit realms, disappearing completely from sight.
She takes a deep breath to calm herself before dashing out from the side room , back into the hallway, and to the barricade before the enemy assault team storms her position and frags her.
Monique dives back into the room, narrowly dodging the hail of fire from across the hall.
"Enbesil!!!" she curses in Creole
"Se mwen menm yon enbesil!"
Her next prayer to the Loa is much less confident, overflowing with panic and despair. Begging for the lord Eshu to save her, she reaches out to him and steps into the threshold between the mortal and spirit realms, disappearing completely from sight.
She takes a deep breath to calm herself before dashing out from the side room , back into the hallway, and to the barricade before the enemy assault team storms her position and frags her.
[ Spoiler ]
[August 22, 2075, 8:47 PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
Having failed to find their target before the aggressive infiltration of the other team had begun, Ali had doubled back into the Director's office to meet back up with Lany and Nikki. She had been listening to the Director prattle on and on and talk in circles and vague concepts when the hair on the back of her neck raised and she could sense movement behind them and a trio of patients entered and blocked the doorway.
Before she could register that the trio weren't actually patients of the facility it was too late. She watched Lany crumple to her left and as she keyed her mic to broadcast team-wide.
"They're he..." Was all she was able to get out before she was falling to the floor and her world went black.
Having failed to find their target before the aggressive infiltration of the other team had begun, Ali had doubled back into the Director's office to meet back up with Lany and Nikki. She had been listening to the Director prattle on and on and talk in circles and vague concepts when the hair on the back of her neck raised and she could sense movement behind them and a trio of patients entered and blocked the doorway.
Before she could register that the trio weren't actually patients of the facility it was too late. She watched Lany crumple to her left and as she keyed her mic to broadcast team-wide.
"They're he..." Was all she was able to get out before she was falling to the floor and her world went black.
[August 22, 2075, 8:47 PM, Off with Their Heads Territory, Seattle]
Grinning as he watched the voodoo god grapple the chemsuited sucker's soul, and then grinning bigger still when he saw their spirit move to contain the situation, he knew now was the time to hit them. This was going to be a turkey shoot.
And then the worst possible thing happened.
He was just lining up his shot on the biggest one, when his earbud crackled to life. "They're he…"
PEACHES!!!
Pulling back out of sight of the main hall, he forced his voice to be calm. "LeFey, tell me you got a twenny, girl. Haze, yore prob'ly closer, amigo - git there. I'm headed that way now."
Dammit, they'd spread too thin. Moving down the passage back the way they'd come, he kept talking: "Jan, gotta give up some real estate. Bleed 'em a bit now while they's off balance or jist stay quiet on they six - yore call."
Running as fast as he could, he reckoned at least they'd found the mole they were worried about.
Grinning as he watched the voodoo god grapple the chemsuited sucker's soul, and then grinning bigger still when he saw their spirit move to contain the situation, he knew now was the time to hit them. This was going to be a turkey shoot.
And then the worst possible thing happened.
He was just lining up his shot on the biggest one, when his earbud crackled to life. "They're he…"
PEACHES!!!
Pulling back out of sight of the main hall, he forced his voice to be calm. "LeFey, tell me you got a twenny, girl. Haze, yore prob'ly closer, amigo - git there. I'm headed that way now."
Dammit, they'd spread too thin. Moving down the passage back the way they'd come, he kept talking: "Jan, gotta give up some real estate. Bleed 'em a bit now while they's off balance or jist stay quiet on they six - yore call."
Running as fast as he could, he reckoned at least they'd found the mole they were worried about.
Haze hears the sudden cry for help.
Realizing his team mate is under the gun Haze speeds up down the hall letting the fly spies fan out while he moves. Crusader in hand and ready for combat he rushes to the call for help ready to open fire.
Realizing his team mate is under the gun Haze speeds up down the hall letting the fly spies fan out while he moves. Crusader in hand and ready for combat he rushes to the call for help ready to open fire.
[Thursday August 22nd, 2075; 8:47PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
<Go. Get going.> LeFey doesn't argue. She would do the same if it was her brother. <I can handle this.> Hopefully. She goads the drone into another attack. Several of the attackers were clearer to her perception now. They (or rather, their devices) stood out in the digital like rocks in a flowing stream of data. No time to break into any devices. They needed something quick, and hopefully effective. The Resonance gathers around her, coalescing as a shimmering purple orb in her palm. It sprouts wings, then a body, becoming a stylized butterfly of the same vibrant color.
It flies quickly, landing delicately on the icon of the nearest person's gun. And it explodes. The host is briefly lit by flash of purple as the technomancer works her magic on the weapon.
<Go. Get going.> LeFey doesn't argue. She would do the same if it was her brother. <I can handle this.> Hopefully. She goads the drone into another attack. Several of the attackers were clearer to her perception now. They (or rather, their devices) stood out in the digital like rocks in a flowing stream of data. No time to break into any devices. They needed something quick, and hopefully effective. The Resonance gathers around her, coalescing as a shimmering purple orb in her palm. It sprouts wings, then a body, becoming a stylized butterfly of the same vibrant color.
It flies quickly, landing delicately on the icon of the nearest person's gun. And it explodes. The host is briefly lit by flash of purple as the technomancer works her magic on the weapon.
[August 22, 2075, 8:49 PM, Unknown Matrix Node, Seattle]
Silk watched helplessly as a key part of the facility defence went haring back into the complex, damn, she should have recognised personal issues when she put the team together. They had spread themselves too thinly through the complex and things were definitely going south in there.
It was confused but it seemed like a gaggle of patients had exited one of their muster stations and converged on the group of runners on the upper mezzanine. Her view of the scene had been lost when they attacked but she hoped that Haze would be able to provide her eyes on the scene shortly…it just didn’t make sense, there were too many of them up there to be a mole or inside job, this spoke of something else and she struggled to see the Patterns in it all, what her intuition was beginning to whisper to her filled her with a deep sense of forboding, particularly in view of the chemsuits the opposition were sporting…
“Aria, you know something about this facility? Something you haven’t told me? Or your contact does…?”
“Who me?”
“No time for games, is it what I think it is? What are they really researching down there…?”
Aria became uncharacteristically sober, “I’m not sure you want to know…”
There, Haze had reached the mezzanine and could see the crowd of patients gathered outside the room where her runners had been talking to the Director. Back at the breach one of the opposition dropped his gun as smoke and sparks erupted from it so LeFey was clearly working her magic, but equally clearly she wasn’t alone in the system as the laser drone she’d been putting to good effect suddenly reversed direction and headed away from the hall, the AR message hovering over it reporting a maintenance fault…
On the mezzanine three of the patients turned back as Haze hove into view. Concerned faces and open palms they walked towards him…
“It’s Sybil isn’t it, she’s here…?” Silk whispered…
Silk watched helplessly as a key part of the facility defence went haring back into the complex, damn, she should have recognised personal issues when she put the team together. They had spread themselves too thinly through the complex and things were definitely going south in there.
It was confused but it seemed like a gaggle of patients had exited one of their muster stations and converged on the group of runners on the upper mezzanine. Her view of the scene had been lost when they attacked but she hoped that Haze would be able to provide her eyes on the scene shortly…it just didn’t make sense, there were too many of them up there to be a mole or inside job, this spoke of something else and she struggled to see the Patterns in it all, what her intuition was beginning to whisper to her filled her with a deep sense of forboding, particularly in view of the chemsuits the opposition were sporting…
“Aria, you know something about this facility? Something you haven’t told me? Or your contact does…?”
“Who me?”
“No time for games, is it what I think it is? What are they really researching down there…?”
Aria became uncharacteristically sober, “I’m not sure you want to know…”
There, Haze had reached the mezzanine and could see the crowd of patients gathered outside the room where her runners had been talking to the Director. Back at the breach one of the opposition dropped his gun as smoke and sparks erupted from it so LeFey was clearly working her magic, but equally clearly she wasn’t alone in the system as the laser drone she’d been putting to good effect suddenly reversed direction and headed away from the hall, the AR message hovering over it reporting a maintenance fault…
On the mezzanine three of the patients turned back as Haze hove into view. Concerned faces and open palms they walked towards him…
“It’s Sybil isn’t it, she’s here…?” Silk whispered…
Jan
[August 22, 2075, 8:49 PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
Jan gripped his concealed rifle tightly and was about to unleash hell when the call came from Al that he was bailing out. Dammit. Emotions had no place out here. He relaxed his body and stepped back into the crowd. If the intruders saw this as a retreat then maybe they'd chase and give him the perfect opening.
[August 22, 2075, 8:49 PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
Jan gripped his concealed rifle tightly and was about to unleash hell when the call came from Al that he was bailing out. Dammit. Emotions had no place out here. He relaxed his body and stepped back into the crowd. If the intruders saw this as a retreat then maybe they'd chase and give him the perfect opening.
Haze sees the group of patients moving about.
They should be locked down, what is going on here?
Haze hears and sees the gun misfire and start smoking, our people need eyes
Fly Spy 1 moves to the ceiling and into the room behind the group of patients.
Fly Spy 2 moves to the ceiling and moves left over the enemy into the room to give a view of the room and close enemies.
Fly Spy 3 moves to the ceiling and gives a view of what I see to the team.
Broadcast all views to team network giving all current views.
Message:
Haze on site, all fly spies view broadcasted.
Multiple contacts.
Patients moving about in the open.
Patient casualties high probability if combat proceeds.
Message Sent:
Switching to gel rounds for non lethal
Matrix Commands:
Doberman 1 (Spot), Doberman 2 (Fido) Prepare for deployment
Lethal Ammo Load
Standby for command.
They should be locked down, what is going on here?
Haze hears and sees the gun misfire and start smoking, our people need eyes
Fly Spy 1 moves to the ceiling and into the room behind the group of patients.
Fly Spy 2 moves to the ceiling and moves left over the enemy into the room to give a view of the room and close enemies.
Fly Spy 3 moves to the ceiling and gives a view of what I see to the team.
Broadcast all views to team network giving all current views.
Message:
Haze on site, all fly spies view broadcasted.
Multiple contacts.
Patients moving about in the open.
Patient casualties high probability if combat proceeds.
Message Sent:
Switching to gel rounds for non lethal
Matrix Commands:
Doberman 1 (Spot), Doberman 2 (Fido) Prepare for deployment
Lethal Ammo Load
Standby for command.
[August 22, 2075, 8:49 PM, Off with Their Heads Territory, Seattle]
After a minute or so of hard running, Al was nearly to the point where he thought Peaches was when he got Haze's welcome message. Hearing commotion just around the next corner, it took all he had to stop short and study the incoming info. Seconds counted, but he'd do her no good dead.
Struggling to quiet his ragged breathing, he took in all that the three drone-cams had to offer.
After a minute or so of hard running, Al was nearly to the point where he thought Peaches was when he got Haze's welcome message. Hearing commotion just around the next corner, it took all he had to stop short and study the incoming info. Seconds counted, but he'd do her no good dead.
Struggling to quiet his ragged breathing, he took in all that the three drone-cams had to offer.
[August 22, 2075, 8:49 PM, Unknown Matrix Node, Seattle]
Silk pushed aside the feed from the breach for a moment as it seemed the threat balance had swung far the other way, back to the mezzanine where Al, Haze and the ladies were...and Fischer somewhere too, she hoped for their sake he was clean...
The feed from Haze's drones showed the inside of the room and the three downed runners, presumably unconscious. There was a grey clad guard in there leaning over Ali whilst one of the patients, an elderly, comfortable looking man prodded at Lany's still form. The third person in there was the troll teenager that Jan had taken down earlier. Livid bruising covered her face and she looked like she shouldn't even be standing let alone fighting
On the mezzanine itself Haze was being confronted by three other patients, one was a scrawny teenage boy with a bad case of acne, the second was a middle aged woman Silk vaguely recognised from Stillwater and the third was a more robust looking orc. They were all dressed in the pitifully thin white pyjamas or empire line dresses and really didn't look like a threat, Silk desperately hoped that was true...
Silk pushed aside the feed from the breach for a moment as it seemed the threat balance had swung far the other way, back to the mezzanine where Al, Haze and the ladies were...and Fischer somewhere too, she hoped for their sake he was clean...
The feed from Haze's drones showed the inside of the room and the three downed runners, presumably unconscious. There was a grey clad guard in there leaning over Ali whilst one of the patients, an elderly, comfortable looking man prodded at Lany's still form. The third person in there was the troll teenager that Jan had taken down earlier. Livid bruising covered her face and she looked like she shouldn't even be standing let alone fighting
On the mezzanine itself Haze was being confronted by three other patients, one was a scrawny teenage boy with a bad case of acne, the second was a middle aged woman Silk vaguely recognised from Stillwater and the third was a more robust looking orc. They were all dressed in the pitifully thin white pyjamas or empire line dresses and really didn't look like a threat, Silk desperately hoped that was true...
Haze faces the 3 patients in front of him realizing his team needs help.
Hello, I can see you are all having a busy day but I need to check on the wounded people. I would appreciate it if you would please take your friends and move to the other side of the room so I can check on them. And to show how thankful I would be after we finish up here I would be happy to run to Stuffer Shack and bring back burgers and shakes for all of you kind enough to help me out. I mean I know it has to beat cafeteria food. Would do you think? I personally think my way is much more convenient than the other way, I always prefer offering a reward for good judgment.
Message to team:
I sure hope they pick burger and shakes. I really don't want to shook sick people.
Message Complete:
My friends aren't moving so I am kind of in a rush here. And please tell her to stop poking my friend she might be causing more harm to her. I am sorry to rush you but I need an answer or we are going to have to change options to move this along. With my friends down I am on a deadline. Okay okay if you really twist my arm I can add in fries too but you have to move away now.
Matrix Command:
Smartlink target orc
Burst Fire setting
Matrix Complete:
Hello, I can see you are all having a busy day but I need to check on the wounded people. I would appreciate it if you would please take your friends and move to the other side of the room so I can check on them. And to show how thankful I would be after we finish up here I would be happy to run to Stuffer Shack and bring back burgers and shakes for all of you kind enough to help me out. I mean I know it has to beat cafeteria food. Would do you think? I personally think my way is much more convenient than the other way, I always prefer offering a reward for good judgment.
Message to team:
I sure hope they pick burger and shakes. I really don't want to shook sick people.
Message Complete:
My friends aren't moving so I am kind of in a rush here. And please tell her to stop poking my friend she might be causing more harm to her. I am sorry to rush you but I need an answer or we are going to have to change options to move this along. With my friends down I am on a deadline. Okay okay if you really twist my arm I can add in fries too but you have to move away now.
Matrix Command:
Smartlink target orc
Burst Fire setting
Matrix Complete:
[August 22, 2075, 8:49 PM, Mezzanine of Madness, Seattle]
Despite all that was going on, Al had to suppress a chuckle at the dwarf's patter. Halfer had a pair, no question there. Amusing as it was, though, for now it was enough he was distracting three of them that were between himself and Peaches.
Hefting his Defiance, he broke cover and started for the office door, questions flying through his mind unanswered with each passing step: a guard plus a handful of patients didn't hardly fit his "mole" profile; the troll girl was still on her feet; what had this motley bunch done to take down the hottie squad - Peaches maybe, but the other two were full-on Girls with Guns; were the stiffs Jan was hiding amongst going to turn on him as well?
Figure it out later, he was at the door.
And once he got inside, there was going to be hell to pay.
Despite all that was going on, Al had to suppress a chuckle at the dwarf's patter. Halfer had a pair, no question there. Amusing as it was, though, for now it was enough he was distracting three of them that were between himself and Peaches.
Hefting his Defiance, he broke cover and started for the office door, questions flying through his mind unanswered with each passing step: a guard plus a handful of patients didn't hardly fit his "mole" profile; the troll girl was still on her feet; what had this motley bunch done to take down the hottie squad - Peaches maybe, but the other two were full-on Girls with Guns; were the stiffs Jan was hiding amongst going to turn on him as well?
Figure it out later, he was at the door.
And once he got inside, there was going to be hell to pay.
Haze watches the upset looking gentlemen carrying the really big zapper run towards the room where the 3 ladies appear to be unconscious.
Well I guess there is more between him and one of the wounded ladies than you read on a team briefing, and considering he just rushed the people that you were trying to buy burgers for the decision is made.
Okay folks my team mate is obviously more worried about the ladies, but most medics do take it personal when their friends are hurt. So time is up. Please move now or this is going to get ugly fast.
Haze matches action to words and moves in guarding Al's back.
I hope he knows what he is doing.
Message To Team:
Al moving in, following in to cover.
Non Lethal options in use.
Dobermans incoming in defensive mode non lethal ammo in use
Cameras broadcasted to team
Message Complete:
Matrix Command:
Spot & Fido move in to my current location
Defensive mode
Non lethal ammo only (gel rounds & Stun grenades)
Broadcast camera views to team
Matrix Command Complete:
Well I guess there is more between him and one of the wounded ladies than you read on a team briefing, and considering he just rushed the people that you were trying to buy burgers for the decision is made.
Okay folks my team mate is obviously more worried about the ladies, but most medics do take it personal when their friends are hurt. So time is up. Please move now or this is going to get ugly fast.
Haze matches action to words and moves in guarding Al's back.
I hope he knows what he is doing.
Message To Team:
Al moving in, following in to cover.
Non Lethal options in use.
Dobermans incoming in defensive mode non lethal ammo in use
Cameras broadcasted to team
Message Complete:
Matrix Command:
Spot & Fido move in to my current location
Defensive mode
Non lethal ammo only (gel rounds & Stun grenades)
Broadcast camera views to team
Matrix Command Complete:
[August 22, 2075, 8:49 PM, Unknown Matrix Node, Seattle]
The angle wasn't great from the bobbing view point of Haze's drone but Silk watched Al barrel his way past the two in the doorway. No doubt inside the room itself the roar of his shotgun was shockingly loud but via the drone's mic it was a muted thunder. The armour piercing round cored the sec officer through the centre mass, the tiny hole in his front belied the enormous exit wound...the blossom of innards behind him did not...he slumped like a boned fish into a messy heap. Another shot rang out as the crouching patient fired up at Al but his preternatural instincts kept him clear effortlessly, similarly allowing him to duck under the wild swing from the troll girl...
Out on the mezzanine the patients seem torn between going back to help those inside and confronting Haze...
In the outer hallway the advance continues as the chem suited invaders cautiously clear each room with a combination of flashbangs and rapid entry tactics. Silk briefly hoped that Jan was able to get clear before they assaulted his position, the group needed to consolidate and make a stand, they were spread out and vulnerable at the moment, particularly if the patients have picked this moment to revolt...
The angle wasn't great from the bobbing view point of Haze's drone but Silk watched Al barrel his way past the two in the doorway. No doubt inside the room itself the roar of his shotgun was shockingly loud but via the drone's mic it was a muted thunder. The armour piercing round cored the sec officer through the centre mass, the tiny hole in his front belied the enormous exit wound...the blossom of innards behind him did not...he slumped like a boned fish into a messy heap. Another shot rang out as the crouching patient fired up at Al but his preternatural instincts kept him clear effortlessly, similarly allowing him to duck under the wild swing from the troll girl...
Out on the mezzanine the patients seem torn between going back to help those inside and confronting Haze...
In the outer hallway the advance continues as the chem suited invaders cautiously clear each room with a combination of flashbangs and rapid entry tactics. Silk briefly hoped that Jan was able to get clear before they assaulted his position, the group needed to consolidate and make a stand, they were spread out and vulnerable at the moment, particularly if the patients have picked this moment to revolt...
[August 22, 2075, 8:49 PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
Al quick-stepped away from the bruised she-troll and put his back to a wall. The old codger on the floor must have realized he wasn’t strong or smart enough to use Lany’s shiny new Jap rifle, but he’d grabbed the Predator off the child’s hip, and that would make just as big a dent in his day. Well, at least the feller had had the decency to choose American, Al thought as he fired from the hip milliseconds before the guy got his next shot off. The slug ripped about a third of the man’s neck out, and he started thrashing about on the floor as he drowned in his own blood.
The troll was still on him, and he slipped under the arc of her stun baton’s swing to come out behind her. Tried to warn her. Looking up at her, he said, “Listen, Toots, ol’ Al wouldn’t like ta hit no girl, ‘specially one in her PJs, but’cha keep wavin’ that there spark-stick around...” When she threw herself at him again he stopped her short by stabbing the barrel of his shotgun into her solar plexus, and instead of pulling the trigger he swung the stock across the side of her head when she doubled over.
The old guy’s choked gurgles stopped, and the echoes of the shotgun blasts were still ringing around the room, making Al glad for his damper. All he wanted to do was check on Peaches, but he needed to talk to Jan, and he needed to help Haze out there. He scanned the room and the doorway for more threats as he prepared to get moving.
Night wasn't getting any younger, after all, and he had a date with a witch to get to.
Al quick-stepped away from the bruised she-troll and put his back to a wall. The old codger on the floor must have realized he wasn’t strong or smart enough to use Lany’s shiny new Jap rifle, but he’d grabbed the Predator off the child’s hip, and that would make just as big a dent in his day. Well, at least the feller had had the decency to choose American, Al thought as he fired from the hip milliseconds before the guy got his next shot off. The slug ripped about a third of the man’s neck out, and he started thrashing about on the floor as he drowned in his own blood.
The troll was still on him, and he slipped under the arc of her stun baton’s swing to come out behind her. Tried to warn her. Looking up at her, he said, “Listen, Toots, ol’ Al wouldn’t like ta hit no girl, ‘specially one in her PJs, but’cha keep wavin’ that there spark-stick around...” When she threw herself at him again he stopped her short by stabbing the barrel of his shotgun into her solar plexus, and instead of pulling the trigger he swung the stock across the side of her head when she doubled over.
The old guy’s choked gurgles stopped, and the echoes of the shotgun blasts were still ringing around the room, making Al glad for his damper. All he wanted to do was check on Peaches, but he needed to talk to Jan, and he needed to help Haze out there. He scanned the room and the doorway for more threats as he prepared to get moving.
Night wasn't getting any younger, after all, and he had a date with a witch to get to.
Haze hears the roar of the shotgun and watches the 3 people look to the room and try to decide if they should rush in to help their friends.
Thinking I tried to tell you people to move but no you have to be difficult.
Haze feels the crusader buck in his hand as the first burst rips away at the large orc, the gel rounds sound like hail raining on a tin roof as the orc falls back under the barrage of non lethal rounds.
I must insist you all retreat or this game is going to have a more permanent resolution.
Matrix Command:
Eject clip
Target to the left
Matrix Command Complete:
Haze slides in the red taped clip to the Crusader.
Message To Team:
Live Ammunition in use
Al coming into room don't shoot me.
Message Complete:
Haze starts to move forward to the room, looking at the patients with the you have had your last warning look.
Thinking I tried to tell you people to move but no you have to be difficult.
Haze feels the crusader buck in his hand as the first burst rips away at the large orc, the gel rounds sound like hail raining on a tin roof as the orc falls back under the barrage of non lethal rounds.
I must insist you all retreat or this game is going to have a more permanent resolution.
Matrix Command:
Eject clip
Target to the left
Matrix Command Complete:
Haze slides in the red taped clip to the Crusader.
Message To Team:
Live Ammunition in use
Al coming into room don't shoot me.
Message Complete:
Haze starts to move forward to the room, looking at the patients with the you have had your last warning look.
[August 22, 2075, 8:49 PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
@Al: With your back to the wall you briefly have time to regret having to put down the troll teenager, she looks like she has had more than enough abuse for one evening, but she will insist on coming at you again...the old guy's blood has sprayed distastefully all over Peaches but the two in the doorway loose their indecision and enter the room, rather suicidally going for the various weapons scattered about the floor...
@Haze: One of the patients grins evilly at you and makes a 'come on' gesture and the three spread apart so that they can't be taken out simultaneously. They are closing the distance to you, and while they are unarmed it is time to do something now or not at all...
@Al: With your back to the wall you briefly have time to regret having to put down the troll teenager, she looks like she has had more than enough abuse for one evening, but she will insist on coming at you again...the old guy's blood has sprayed distastefully all over Peaches but the two in the doorway loose their indecision and enter the room, rather suicidally going for the various weapons scattered about the floor...
@Haze: One of the patients grins evilly at you and makes a 'come on' gesture and the three spread apart so that they can't be taken out simultaneously. They are closing the distance to you, and while they are unarmed it is time to do something now or not at all...
[August 22, 2075, 8:49 PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
The guard, sure, but the old geezer? And the girl he’d just laid out on the floor? Damned shame, and made no sense at all. And now the next two were going banzai charge. Hated to kill them, but that was on whoever or whatever was putting them up to this craziness. He stepped up to place a worn Doc Marten's on each side of Peaches’ still form, calmly aimed and fired at the one reaching for posh-girl’s Alpha.
Crying shame to waste armor piercing slugs on these bedsheet types, but there wasn’t exactly time to reload, them reaching for weapons. Hopefully Jan and the others were paying attention to Haze’s feeds.
The guard, sure, but the old geezer? And the girl he’d just laid out on the floor? Damned shame, and made no sense at all. And now the next two were going banzai charge. Hated to kill them, but that was on whoever or whatever was putting them up to this craziness. He stepped up to place a worn Doc Marten's on each side of Peaches’ still form, calmly aimed and fired at the one reaching for posh-girl’s Alpha.
Crying shame to waste armor piercing slugs on these bedsheet types, but there wasn’t exactly time to reload, them reaching for weapons. Hopefully Jan and the others were paying attention to Haze’s feeds.
Haze sighs, I have to kill people being used, I know I have no choice my team needs me. But I swear who ever is pulling your strings will be right behind you. They are already dead they just don't know it yet.
The crusader jumps twice as two 3 round burst of pure armor piercing death fly. The first speeds to the large orc as the smartlink shifts to the next closest target and the second burst explodes towards the ugly grinning face.
The crusader jumps twice as two 3 round burst of pure armor piercing death fly. The first speeds to the large orc as the smartlink shifts to the next closest target and the second burst explodes towards the ugly grinning face.
[August 22, 2075, 8:49 PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
Sounds like muffled thunder slowly filtered through the darkness. Something warm and slimy lingered against her skin but she couldn’t will her hand to raise to her neck to brush it away. Then she was greeted with the sharp stab of pain at her right scapula that snapped her right to attention, full and present in the moment with all the chaos that developed around her.
Ali fought back a groan as she slowly started to open her eyes, too quickly greeted by the bled-out remains of the elder gentleman in front of her which quickly led her to come to terms about the dampness that coated parts of her hair and stained her coveralls. She knew someone was just above her but before she could make a move she recognized familiar Docs and held still for a moment longer as relief flooded through her. Her hands instinctively snaking to her waist, beneath the half-open coveralls to seek the reassuring grip of her Browning.
Once she drew clean of her coveralls with a good dose of pain she leveled her weapon with slightly shaky hands at the Troll girl who was contemplating having another go at Al with the stun baton. As soon as she saw Ali, she paused and at least appeared to think twice and go still as more gunfire erupted around her.
"Al! To your left!" she called out as another patient decided to throw themselves into the fray and make a grab for weapons.
Sounds like muffled thunder slowly filtered through the darkness. Something warm and slimy lingered against her skin but she couldn’t will her hand to raise to her neck to brush it away. Then she was greeted with the sharp stab of pain at her right scapula that snapped her right to attention, full and present in the moment with all the chaos that developed around her.
Ali fought back a groan as she slowly started to open her eyes, too quickly greeted by the bled-out remains of the elder gentleman in front of her which quickly led her to come to terms about the dampness that coated parts of her hair and stained her coveralls. She knew someone was just above her but before she could make a move she recognized familiar Docs and held still for a moment longer as relief flooded through her. Her hands instinctively snaking to her waist, beneath the half-open coveralls to seek the reassuring grip of her Browning.
Once she drew clean of her coveralls with a good dose of pain she leveled her weapon with slightly shaky hands at the Troll girl who was contemplating having another go at Al with the stun baton. As soon as she saw Ali, she paused and at least appeared to think twice and go still as more gunfire erupted around her.
"Al! To your left!" she called out as another patient decided to throw themselves into the fray and make a grab for weapons.
[Thursday August 22nd, 2075; 8:47PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
Isolated and surrounded by hostile people. It was not a good feeling. But for LeFey, it was a familiar one. Her last week as a corporate citizen (not that she knew it at the time) saw her exposed as a technomancer. There might as well have been a wall between her and her classmates, the way they retreated. And that included her former friends. The only ones to acknowledge LeFey after that would curse her or stare and speak in fearful whispers. She suspected a few of her peers might even have tried to harm her, if not for her parents' standing in the company.
That wouldn't stop the gunmen directly below. On the other hand, she had long since learned that she wasn't alone. LeFey summoned another swarm of glowing insects. This time, the butterflies do not touch the enemy icons. Yet. She examines each in turn, looking for clues as to the identities of these people. She calls her sprite, <Return to my side.> They weren't alone either, as far as the Matrix was concerned.
Isolated and surrounded by hostile people. It was not a good feeling. But for LeFey, it was a familiar one. Her last week as a corporate citizen (not that she knew it at the time) saw her exposed as a technomancer. There might as well have been a wall between her and her classmates, the way they retreated. And that included her former friends. The only ones to acknowledge LeFey after that would curse her or stare and speak in fearful whispers. She suspected a few of her peers might even have tried to harm her, if not for her parents' standing in the company.
That wouldn't stop the gunmen directly below. On the other hand, she had long since learned that she wasn't alone. LeFey summoned another swarm of glowing insects. This time, the butterflies do not touch the enemy icons. Yet. She examines each in turn, looking for clues as to the identities of these people. She calls her sprite, <Return to my side.> They weren't alone either, as far as the Matrix was concerned.
[August 22, 2075, 8:49 PM, Unknown Matrix Node, Seattle]
Damn, damn, damn, now the patients were turning on her runners too! Silk recognised some of them from Stillwater and she wasn’t about to let them commit suicide against the lethal runners she had sent down there. She felt blind, the information was out there but the Pattern refused to coalesce into something that her magic could read or make sense of. The AR feeds were too limiting and the situation too confused, she needed to be there to read it. Not for the first time she regretted taking on Argent’s network and distancing herself from actual events. The overview certainly gave her a better grasp of the momentous times but it was the minutiae that would be the undoing of all their work…
Aria slipped up to her and wrapped her small hands around Silk’s arm
“Silk, sweetie…I sent your video files over to our sponsor and she seemed to be as horrified as we are. She doesn’t think like you though, and whilst she didn’t say so I think she may be preparing for a final resolution to the problem. Given who she is that is likely to be a scorched earth resolution…”
“What? But there are children down there, people I know, people you know…what about the runners, she hired them to defend the place?”
“Yes, but if it really is Sybil we can’t afford to let it loose. You will have to watch those runners closely, assuming they make it out…”
“And what about Summer’s predications, the extraction targets?”
“Seer’s can be notoriously inaccurate, and Summer’s gifts come from the Resonance rather than the astral, some would be more sceptical…”
“You manipulate the Resonance don’t you? I would have thought you’d have been defending her methods? And you and I know that she is more right than wrong…”
“But perhaps this time she is simply wrong? Or perhaps events will shape themselves without our intervention? They do say that observing the future changes it, perhaps that is what is happening?”
Too fast, too many unknowns, Silk wished she had the release of pacing but here in the matrix such a desire was fruitless so she sought for the calm instead
<<@Team [Silk]: Abort the mission! Pull out and let the Feds have the place if that is indeed what they are. Take your package back out with you but discount the original brief. I will see that you are compensated but this run is too far gone and I don’t want any more blood on my hands. Do not attempt to bring any of the staff or patients out with you. I would advise you to purge any footage of yourselves from their host as a precaution. No trace!>>
Damn, damn, damn, now the patients were turning on her runners too! Silk recognised some of them from Stillwater and she wasn’t about to let them commit suicide against the lethal runners she had sent down there. She felt blind, the information was out there but the Pattern refused to coalesce into something that her magic could read or make sense of. The AR feeds were too limiting and the situation too confused, she needed to be there to read it. Not for the first time she regretted taking on Argent’s network and distancing herself from actual events. The overview certainly gave her a better grasp of the momentous times but it was the minutiae that would be the undoing of all their work…
Aria slipped up to her and wrapped her small hands around Silk’s arm
“Silk, sweetie…I sent your video files over to our sponsor and she seemed to be as horrified as we are. She doesn’t think like you though, and whilst she didn’t say so I think she may be preparing for a final resolution to the problem. Given who she is that is likely to be a scorched earth resolution…”
“What? But there are children down there, people I know, people you know…what about the runners, she hired them to defend the place?”
“Yes, but if it really is Sybil we can’t afford to let it loose. You will have to watch those runners closely, assuming they make it out…”
“And what about Summer’s predications, the extraction targets?”
“Seer’s can be notoriously inaccurate, and Summer’s gifts come from the Resonance rather than the astral, some would be more sceptical…”
“You manipulate the Resonance don’t you? I would have thought you’d have been defending her methods? And you and I know that she is more right than wrong…”
“But perhaps this time she is simply wrong? Or perhaps events will shape themselves without our intervention? They do say that observing the future changes it, perhaps that is what is happening?”
Too fast, too many unknowns, Silk wished she had the release of pacing but here in the matrix such a desire was fruitless so she sought for the calm instead
<<@Team [Silk]: Abort the mission! Pull out and let the Feds have the place if that is indeed what they are. Take your package back out with you but discount the original brief. I will see that you are compensated but this run is too far gone and I don’t want any more blood on my hands. Do not attempt to bring any of the staff or patients out with you. I would advise you to purge any footage of yourselves from their host as a precaution. No trace!>>
[August 22, 2075, 8:49 PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
Al took the poor schuck down before the Alpha cleared the ground. Then he heard Peaches' warning and threw himself to the floor as another patient used Lany's new toy to spray a couple dozen high-velocity rounds around the room. Bracing himself on his elbows, he put a slug through the shooter's face before he could destroy any more of the place.
Looking across the blood-drenched floor at his friend's daughter, he thanked the saints she was still breathing. In no particular hurry to stand up, he listened to the chatter of Haze's weapon. Then, just as he was reckoning he ought to get up to lend a hand, he heard Silk's message.
About damned time, he thought. He reached into a cargo pocket and pulled out a wad of patches, pressed them into Peaches' hand. "See if ya kin git these little darlin's mobilized," he said, and hauled himself to his feet, nearly slipping on the crimson gore.
Al took the poor schuck down before the Alpha cleared the ground. Then he heard Peaches' warning and threw himself to the floor as another patient used Lany's new toy to spray a couple dozen high-velocity rounds around the room. Bracing himself on his elbows, he put a slug through the shooter's face before he could destroy any more of the place.
Looking across the blood-drenched floor at his friend's daughter, he thanked the saints she was still breathing. In no particular hurry to stand up, he listened to the chatter of Haze's weapon. Then, just as he was reckoning he ought to get up to lend a hand, he heard Silk's message.
About damned time, he thought. He reached into a cargo pocket and pulled out a wad of patches, pressed them into Peaches' hand. "See if ya kin git these little darlin's mobilized," he said, and hauled himself to his feet, nearly slipping on the crimson gore.
[August 22, 2075, 8:49 PM, Unknown Matrix Node, Seattle]
While Al and Haze were dealing with the rogue patients with efficient brutality Silk also had a clear view of Jan making his fighting retreat. It would seem the invaders were reluctant to take any fire, presumably for risk of penetrating their chem suits, and that worked to Jan’s advantage and he was able to hold them off.
Suddenly armour glass doors slid down out of the hidden recesses over the muster station rooms…they couldn’t be part of the standard defences otherwise presumably they would have deployed when the facility was first compromised? Then clouds of grey white smoke began to billow into those rooms and Silk suspected that she was seeing the scorched earth that Aria had warned her about, particularly as a hand suddenly appeared pressed up against one of the glass walls and a panicked face, clearly struggling to breath…Silk forced herself to look away…
Jan barely made it out of the hall before a subsequent glass wall sealed it off from the corridor through to where the other runners were gathering. Gas billowed out of ceiling vents behind him and Silk barely made out the dark clad form of Fischer appearing from somewhere and engaging the invaders before the view from Haze’s flyspy became too opaque. Silk felt a qualm of regret that Fischer should be throwing his life away like that, but then again if the rumours were true perhaps he wasn’t Fischer any longer.
While Al and Haze were dealing with the rogue patients with efficient brutality Silk also had a clear view of Jan making his fighting retreat. It would seem the invaders were reluctant to take any fire, presumably for risk of penetrating their chem suits, and that worked to Jan’s advantage and he was able to hold them off.
Suddenly armour glass doors slid down out of the hidden recesses over the muster station rooms…they couldn’t be part of the standard defences otherwise presumably they would have deployed when the facility was first compromised? Then clouds of grey white smoke began to billow into those rooms and Silk suspected that she was seeing the scorched earth that Aria had warned her about, particularly as a hand suddenly appeared pressed up against one of the glass walls and a panicked face, clearly struggling to breath…Silk forced herself to look away…
Jan barely made it out of the hall before a subsequent glass wall sealed it off from the corridor through to where the other runners were gathering. Gas billowed out of ceiling vents behind him and Silk barely made out the dark clad form of Fischer appearing from somewhere and engaging the invaders before the view from Haze’s flyspy became too opaque. Silk felt a qualm of regret that Fischer should be throwing his life away like that, but then again if the rumours were true perhaps he wasn’t Fischer any longer.
Haze takes the second of confusion from the armor piercing rounds striking the patients to sprint into the room with Al.
As he tries to stop he notices he is sliding on pools of blood.
Al we gotta go.
I used the fire escape to come in I suggest breaking a window and using it to exit quickly.
Matrix Command:
Fly Spies exit protocol
Dobermans exit protocol provide cover fire as needed.
Message To Team:
With Al and company working our way to fire escape for exit. Dobermans preparing for cover fire. Fly Spies showing exit route.
Matrix Commands Complete:
As he tries to stop he notices he is sliding on pools of blood.
Al we gotta go.
I used the fire escape to come in I suggest breaking a window and using it to exit quickly.
Matrix Command:
Fly Spies exit protocol
Dobermans exit protocol provide cover fire as needed.
Message To Team:
With Al and company working our way to fire escape for exit. Dobermans preparing for cover fire. Fly Spies showing exit route.
Matrix Commands Complete:
[August 22, 2075, 8:49 PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
Al was delighted to see the dwarf fight his way through his opposition. One less thing to do. Topping up his magazine with buckshot cartridges, he said, "Damn straight we gotta go, bro." He held out a burn-melted hand for a quick shake. "Trouble is, ol' Al ain't one ta leave a man behind, or a woman, fer that matter," he said, glancing at the prone forms of Posh Girl and Gun Child. "See if ya kin help Peaches here get 'em on they feet, reckon that's step one."
Then he spoke into his mic: "LeFey, humpin' our way back up those ducts seems like a lotta work right now, an' last I checked we din't hardly bring no rope. What say you an' Bolo bring the Frog outta there an' we go out the way our new drone buddy done come in?"
Finally, glancing anxiously down the hallway for foe but more hopefully for friend, he said: "Where ya at, Jan? You comin' ta us, or am I comin' ta you?"
Al was delighted to see the dwarf fight his way through his opposition. One less thing to do. Topping up his magazine with buckshot cartridges, he said, "Damn straight we gotta go, bro." He held out a burn-melted hand for a quick shake. "Trouble is, ol' Al ain't one ta leave a man behind, or a woman, fer that matter," he said, glancing at the prone forms of Posh Girl and Gun Child. "See if ya kin help Peaches here get 'em on they feet, reckon that's step one."
Then he spoke into his mic: "LeFey, humpin' our way back up those ducts seems like a lotta work right now, an' last I checked we din't hardly bring no rope. What say you an' Bolo bring the Frog outta there an' we go out the way our new drone buddy done come in?"
Finally, glancing anxiously down the hallway for foe but more hopefully for friend, he said: "Where ya at, Jan? You comin' ta us, or am I comin' ta you?"
[August 22, 2075, 8:49 PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
Ali's fingers tightened around the patches Al had placed in her hand. She wiped the stray blood of the others from her left hand as she tore into the first patch and placed it on the back of her neck, the room quickly snapping into sharp focus. Stowing her Browning back beneath her coveralls, she crawled across the floor through the gore to Lany and Nikki's sides.
She applied patches to the two girls with as much speed as she could muster, watching as each of them slowly came to and struggled to get their bearings and a grasp on just what had happened.
"Yeah, the shit hit the fan. Can you both walk out of here on your own powers? We need to bail out, and quickly."
When both women nodded but took their first shaky steps, Ali rushed over to help with an arm around each of them as they made their way carefully out into the hallway.
Ali's fingers tightened around the patches Al had placed in her hand. She wiped the stray blood of the others from her left hand as she tore into the first patch and placed it on the back of her neck, the room quickly snapping into sharp focus. Stowing her Browning back beneath her coveralls, she crawled across the floor through the gore to Lany and Nikki's sides.
She applied patches to the two girls with as much speed as she could muster, watching as each of them slowly came to and struggled to get their bearings and a grasp on just what had happened.
"Yeah, the shit hit the fan. Can you both walk out of here on your own powers? We need to bail out, and quickly."
When both women nodded but took their first shaky steps, Ali rushed over to help with an arm around each of them as they made their way carefully out into the hallway.
[Thursday August 22nd, 2075; 8:49PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
<I know, I know!> Back to the main host, then to the camera controls. LeFey had the footage from the last few hours displayed before her. As short on time as they were, she forced herself to work steadily. <Just give me a few minutes. It won't be much of a getaway if they find us later. We'll meet you at the exit.> She pauses briefly to send Bolo and Monsieur Collot a tagged map of the facility. <There's our exit. Better get a move on. I'll be right behind you as soon as I'm done.> One more minute. Give or take...
<I know, I know!> Back to the main host, then to the camera controls. LeFey had the footage from the last few hours displayed before her. As short on time as they were, she forced herself to work steadily. <Just give me a few minutes. It won't be much of a getaway if they find us later. We'll meet you at the exit.> She pauses briefly to send Bolo and Monsieur Collot a tagged map of the facility. <There's our exit. Better get a move on. I'll be right behind you as soon as I'm done.> One more minute. Give or take...
[August 22, 2075, 8:49 PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
Al watched the painfully slow progress of Peaches as she helped the other two hurt women out of the room. he was loathe to let her out of his sight again, but he couldn't run off without the others, and they'd easily catch up to the walking wounded. If he gave the girls a head start, they'd all be out that much faster.
Unless they ran into more crazed patients.
"All right, Haze baby, you lead the way an' keep these ladies safe as houses, ya hear? Push comes ta shove, reckon they all still got some fight in 'em." He emphasized the point by handing the two groggy girls their assault rifles.
"I'll be right behind ya once I gather the others."
And he was off the short distance to the vent they'd exited, which he was also back in the direction he hoped Jan would be coming from.
Al watched the painfully slow progress of Peaches as she helped the other two hurt women out of the room. he was loathe to let her out of his sight again, but he couldn't run off without the others, and they'd easily catch up to the walking wounded. If he gave the girls a head start, they'd all be out that much faster.
Unless they ran into more crazed patients.
"All right, Haze baby, you lead the way an' keep these ladies safe as houses, ya hear? Push comes ta shove, reckon they all still got some fight in 'em." He emphasized the point by handing the two groggy girls their assault rifles.
"I'll be right behind ya once I gather the others."
And he was off the short distance to the vent they'd exited, which he was also back in the direction he hoped Jan would be coming from.
Haze checks the fly spies feed to make sure it is clear to the fire escape.
You got it Al, we are on our way.
Haze puts in a fresh clip and gives the ladies a nod.
We are going down the hall and out the window, I know your hurt but we need to move as quick as we can.
Haze follows Al out and down the hall, keeping close watch for patients. As they exit the room heading to the hall Haze fires a couple burst at the floor close to the remaining patients as he hurries his group past them. Watching the floor being chewed up by burst fire and chuckling to himself. Yep that's right I would hide from the mean looking little human guy too.
I really need to get some flash bangs next time I am actually going into the building.
Okay ladies here we go, out and follow the fire escape, watch for the 2 little dogs at the end they are there to watch over us.
Message To Team:
Ladies on the fire escape, Dobermans guarding their retreat to the van.
Need me to come help you Al?
Message Complete:
You got it Al, we are on our way.
Haze puts in a fresh clip and gives the ladies a nod.
We are going down the hall and out the window, I know your hurt but we need to move as quick as we can.
Haze follows Al out and down the hall, keeping close watch for patients. As they exit the room heading to the hall Haze fires a couple burst at the floor close to the remaining patients as he hurries his group past them. Watching the floor being chewed up by burst fire and chuckling to himself. Yep that's right I would hide from the mean looking little human guy too.
I really need to get some flash bangs next time I am actually going into the building.
Okay ladies here we go, out and follow the fire escape, watch for the 2 little dogs at the end they are there to watch over us.
Message To Team:
Ladies on the fire escape, Dobermans guarding their retreat to the van.
Need me to come help you Al?
Message Complete:
[August 22, 2075, 8:50 PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
The answer to Haze's text was Hell yes!
Chemsuited SWAT ninjas, computer witches, poison gas, and some sort of mass mind control, damn straight he needed help!
But that wasn't the response he typed as he continued toward the vent hide secreting the others.
<<Negative, chummer. I'll explain later, but those three ladies are mission critical. Imperative you stay with them and keep safe. We are right behind you anyway.>>
The answer to Haze's text was Hell yes!
Chemsuited SWAT ninjas, computer witches, poison gas, and some sort of mass mind control, damn straight he needed help!
But that wasn't the response he typed as he continued toward the vent hide secreting the others.
<<Negative, chummer. I'll explain later, but those three ladies are mission critical. Imperative you stay with them and keep safe. We are right behind you anyway.>>
Jan
[August 22, 2075, 8:50 PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
Jan headed back the way he'd come. It wouldn't normally be his first choice, but all other options seemed cut off to him. He moved at a forced run, not a full sprint, the auto-pistol in his grip spraying off a handful of round behind him every few meters. He knew they'd be scared to follow; he'd seen that in their previous engagement. This new gas had a feel of being the 'not nice' kind.
The lower level was empty now, and his exit swift. There was a chance he'd see the rest of the team but he hoped they'd already bugged out by this point.
[August 22, 2075, 8:50 PM, Sound Mental Health Facility, Kilarney Way, Bellevue, Seattle]
Jan headed back the way he'd come. It wouldn't normally be his first choice, but all other options seemed cut off to him. He moved at a forced run, not a full sprint, the auto-pistol in his grip spraying off a handful of round behind him every few meters. He knew they'd be scared to follow; he'd seen that in their previous engagement. This new gas had a feel of being the 'not nice' kind.
The lower level was empty now, and his exit swift. There was a chance he'd see the rest of the team but he hoped they'd already bugged out by this point.
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