ALL THE BRICKS - Prologue: What Rough Beast

[TillForPie]

Woodley looks grateful for Faust's intervention and goes quiet unless further interrogated.

What now?

 

[Mosier]

Duplicate post

 

[Mosier]

Woodley looks grateful for Faust's intervention and goes quiet unless further interrogated.

What now?

Lum, if you would be so kind as to drop me off about a block away from the meeting point? Once the meeting is over, I'll message you to transmit her coordinates to her comlink. You let her out of the car, and meet me...oh, let's say here." In AR, Herald marks a spot on a digital map of the area, on the opposite side of the meeting from where Woodley will be. He wants to put as much distance as possible between him and her. Herald transmits the marked version of the map file to Lum.

"A simple plan, for sure. But effective. They can't cheat or hurt me without risking Woodley. If the Johnson cares about her at all, there's no risk."

 

[Rubberneck]

Faust leans back and listens to the plan.

"You sure you're up to it?"

 

[Mosier]

Faust leans back and listens to the plan.

"You sure you're up to it?"

"Of course," Herald responds confidently. "You just concentrate on watching Woodley. The others may be...distracted."

 

[Rubberneck]

Faust nods and stares at Woodley.

 

[GlassEye]

Lum is having a blast flying the drone through the streets and driving the van at the same time. It's not something that he would do on any regular day but today has not been regular in any sense of the word. He grins, thoroughly enjoying the challenge. He hears Herald's request, receives notification of the file, and nods.

"Uh... sure thing. Just a sec."

Lum opens the file and layers it over the map he has minimized. After a quick examination of the map of the local area he heads to a lot where he can park for a moment to allow the drone to catch up. "Not there yet. This'll just take a minute. Keep an eye out." He hops out of the van and moves around to the back. When the drone gets within sight he'll pop open the back doors to the cargo area where he has more gear stashed. A large case holds Flakk's baby and the coolest thing he inherited from his mentor: an Ares Desert Strike sniper rifle.

When the drone flies down Lum gets to work changing out the drone weaponry and ammo. "I'll have an eye on you in case something goes south." He grins over at Herald but quickly goes back to work. When finished he closes the drone in the cargo space of the van and returns to the driver seat. He'll drive to a place about a block away from the meeting place and find a place to park and let Herald out.

 

[Shayuri]

Death Otter growls irritably at Faust when she realizes that Woodley's not going to talk at this point. It wasn't a giant big honking deal, but it WOULD have been nice to know more. Well, whatever. She had some work to do before the big meeting.

She tuned her attention back to the constant murmur of the Matrix, drumming on the crash set nestled in the folds of her brain. The pubic grid was a fizzing serum of crap, but somewhat quieter grids were just a hop, jump and a skip away. From there she 'listened' to the song of data streaming from her companions and their various gear. She had a pretty well-updated mental list of what was what.

What she was looking for was something not on that list.

It wasn't hard to stick an RFID tag into a bullet. And since they'd been on the run, it wouldn't have been a stupid idea for those douches chasing them to have done that; marking their prey just in case they'd managed to escape. Which, of course, they had. Death Otter didn't REALLY think they were that clever, or that considerate to whoever they'd been working with. BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT it was something to do, and it sure would beat being REALLY embarrassed if it turned out to be the case.

Once she was done sniffing for silent tags, Otter turned her attention to the deeper, broader currents of the Matrix proper. She wasn't sure how much time she had, but there were ways to see if any companies doing the kind of bio/pharma/whatever research that Pensodyne was up to had recently had any personnel openings. Or, she hoped there were. She was sure as hell going to give it a shot.

(So! Want to do some Matrix Perception and see if I can sniff out any unidentified devices running silently in the van here. Then I'd like to do a Matrix Search, looking to see if there's any companies that seem able and potentially willing (ie - with openings Woodley might fit until recently) to have invested in this endeavor. Focusing first on any direct competitors that Pensodyne has. With the understanding that it may take more time than we have to actually do that. )

 

[TillForPie]

This is when the Great Hiccup occurred. We lost several pages of play - this post exists to attempt to fill in the blanks as much as possible.

Death Otter performed her sweep of the van:

While the others are planning for the meet Otter is combing the Matrix for information. Not that her teammates could tell: She doesn't need to use a commlink to work with AR. At the most she might seem somewhat distracted.

First up was clearing the van for any shady silent devices. Otter's talent for hijacking subway trains is useful, sure, but she knows that this is what she's really paid for - Matrix overwatch. All it takes is one slippery bug following a runner home and that's it - lights out, glittergirl. Sometimes she hopes to find something. At least then she can feel secure when whatever's tagged along has been bricked. This time she doesn't find anything and she's got to hope it's because there's nothing to find.

Next she checks on the search she's been running since the crew's exit from the subway terminal. She's reminded just how eager the megacorps are to tear each other apart. There are dozens of organizations that could be responsible for today's run. Woodley could have made a deal with any of the Big Ten or even a fellow Evo subsidiary. Complicating matters is the flood of news about this afternoon's attack just now hitting the Matrix. It's being reported that there were undetonated explosives found in the Pensodyne offices and that all the runners responsible for the job have been apprehended or killed. This is standard corporate propaganda: No need to panic the wageslaves or tip off rivals to weakness. Otter knows that they're not out of the woods yet as far as Pensodyne is concerned. But still - explosives? That's a chooby little tidbit to include. Might even be true. Just what was Lunchmeat up to? There might be answers to find and Otter knows she shouldn't give up yet - but an exhaustive search will take more time than she has at the moment.

The crew continued to Elmont, a neighborhood in Jamaica, Queens. The area is poverty-stricken and lawless with a large number of (mostly ork) people participating in a large block party.

Lum cases the housing complex they're supposed to meet Mr. Johnson at with his drone. The building is surrounded by partying people and the structure itself shows signs of gang violence. Lum identifies many of the people as members of a Queens gang called the Black Kennedys. He spots a helicopter circling overhead, likely Mr. Johnson waiting for the runners to arrive.

Lum is deeply involved with EmOne and is hardly paying attention to Herald but he is keeping the others apprised with muttered updates via commlink, a stream of EmOne's camera, and an overlay map with some hastily scrawled icons marking the things he's noticed.

"Copter inbound. Looks like it's hovering waiting for someone to show up. I guess that'd be us. Or you, anyway." He raised his eyes briefly to Herald but just as quickly returned to his RCC.

Otter investigates the Matrix presence of the helicopter.

Death Otter was sitting not far from Woodley, ironically enough, her head lolling over a bit as she rocked slightly to and fro. The Matrix in this 'hood was a bit muted...not too many good repeaters, at least not that lasted long before getting broken open for parts. Some grids were better than others though, and she found one that sufficed for her purposes.

Alerted to the helicopter, she started scanning for nodes that were out of place. The bright nodes of expensive systems sparkling in the sky like Lucy's diamonds.

For now Otter decides to see what's up with the helicopter. A glance reveals nothing - no Matrix devices at the point in the sky Lum indicated at all. It's all running silent. That's not a problem for her. Technomancers might be known for their resonance but Otter knows that everything in the Matrix has an echo of it. All she has to do is shut out the background noise and listen. A moment later she's found it: A device icon belonging to a Triox Ubermensch, one of the most powerful (and expensive) Rigger Command Consoles available. There's a rigger flying that helicopter and it's possible that everything inside has been slaved to his RCC. With that kind of flash it's likely that there's a dedicated spider on board (if the rigger isn't also a spider himself) and that a snooping attempt will be noticed. Is it worth the risk?

Herald leaves on foot to meet with Mr. Johnson alone.

Herald regards the others as if he were a connoisseur finding the wine to be just barely adequate. "Well, here we are," he says unnecessarily, perhaps betraying just a hint of unease at his own plan. "Remember, don't deviate from the plan. The Johnson may even threaten to kill me, but he won't follow through as long as we have her."

With a sudden burning intensity, Herald makes eye contact with Faust. "The Johnson must be certain that you are willing to kill her, Faust. Remember this. If he harms me, don't hesitate." He glances meaningfully at Faust's gun, completely unconcerned about the fact that he's very plainly discussing murder right in front of the potential victim. It doesn't even matter what she thinks about it, because she's powerless to object, especially now that her comlink has been surrendered.

"Otter and Lum will be busy with overwatch. It's up to you, Faust."

Otter and Lum engage in some banter. Otter suggests robbing the helicopter to Lum, who shoots down the idea. Later when Herald is being given a hard time by people on the street she suggests uploading video of his murder to make money as a snuff film.

Death Otter burst out into a cackle of laughter, with seemingly no provocation and messages flashed up on everyone's HUD from her.

Inside the message was a snip from an online shopping site showing the Ubermensch control rig along with its price. Appended was the text

>>Sure you don't want to just gank them and take their stuff?

The little cartoon cybernetic otter icon attached to it was batting its lashes in a parody of a 'come hither' look.

>> I can try to wiggle in, but if they're rocking that kind of hardware they're going to have good eyes on the Matrix. Might hack them off if I get my grubby paws all over their nice, expensive control console.

Lum's underside view of the helicopter is soon dotted with Otter's larcenous suggestion and online shopping links. The chopper isn't outwardly military but if there's that much cha-ching aboard (not to mention a Mr. Johnson) it's likely also carrying a small squad of highly-paid boys in black bristling with miltech. If Otter could somehow disable the helicopter it might be a possible take. But Lum remembers how much trouble the crew had geeking a couple freaks on a subway train - and several of the crew are still injured.

The other problem with Otter's suggestion is obvious to everyone: If word got out that they'd betrayed their Johnson they'd have extreme difficulty finding work in the future. They've been relegated to garbage detail for months now - how willing is the crew to screw up their first real gig?

On the other hand, should they pull it off they'd be sitting on perhaps a few million nuyen worth of military gear... Assuming they didn't trash it all in the attempt.

Lum snorted at Death Otter's joke about uploading a vid of Herald's death. At least, he hoped it was a joke

On the way to the apartment complex Herald is accosted by members of the Black Kennedys. At the entrance to the complex he encounters an ork named Diablito. He mentions he's meeting someone rich enough to pay off the gang on the roof and Diablito agrees to "escort" Herald upstairs. Lum's drone overhears a nearby troll calling in for gang backup - they're planning to raid the helicopter using a "pig-sticker".

He tore his eyes from scanning the crowd to read Death Otter's message and cursed to himself. How the hell was he supposed to find this 'pig-sticker'?

Lum had EmOne gain a bit of altitude and began visual scans of surrounding buildings, upper-floor windows and roofs, for movement and the appearance of anything carrying heavy weapons. Especially something that might be able to take down a helicopter.

Faust and Woodley have a conversation in the van about the nature of corporations and her decision to switch employers. He calls her out on her naivety and tells her that she needs to change her perceptions of the companies she works for.

Herald arrives at the roof where he's taken at gunpoint by Mr. Johnson's security to the helicopter. Mr. Johnson is a black woman wearing a pistol under her jacket.

"Safe with my fellow Runners, for now!" Herald shouts. The roaring helicopter is making the social dance quite complicated. "We were ambushed by a crew that knew exactly where we were, and why. Please pardon me for not taking any chances."

Herald tosses Woodley's comlink to the Johnson. "This is hers. We'll send you her coordinates once I am safely away."

When she learns Herald doesn't have Woodley with him her men force him into the chopper, which takes off with him hanging out its side. Herald provides her with coordinates for a nearby street where she can meet with the other runners. He warns her about the Black Kennedys and the helicopter pilot confirms that there is a lot of rooftop activity. She orders her men to stay alert and the chopper dips down close to the street level, flying between buildings on its way to the meeting point.

Herald is uneasy. This Johnson is clearly not taking the Black Kennedys seriously, and it might just cost Herald his life. But, he can't think of a way to tell her that doesn't come across as threatening, cocky, or paranoid. His discomfort and fear are at odds, until finally, fear wins.

Herald communicates a thought to his fire demon, who still owes him a service. Maybe by creating a scene, Herald can delay the Black Kennedys, or urge the Johnson into more decisive action. Kill the one called Diablito, Herald orders. The spirit is not particularly strong, and will surely be defeated by the gang. But he has to do something.

The above-quoted post was the latest in the game prior to the forum database crash occurring.

 

[TillForPie]

The helicopter advances through the dark city at speed. Fifty feet below people are shouting, pointing, and ducking - nobody expected this kind of party crasher. The crowds split as people instinctively dive away from the low altitude aircraft. It arrives at a small intersection where it reduces altitude further, turning to give the badges inside a good view in both directions down the main street. The crew's van is in an alley less than a block away.

"Tell your team to hurry!"