FIVE 7

[18:15:43] <Che> I was under impression that we drove you home, when you become dizzy, so you can sleep it over and then scout docks during daytime.
[18:17:04] <Jelena> * if thats still the plan, we'll do that then - I'll wakeup whenever the time is right. Fraggin Mr Johnsons drink knocked me :O
[18:18:41] <Cheese_Samovar> So we return to the shady bar, where Che again is fishing the info out of people. His victim this time, ork-eared human with a clunky metal claw contraption instead of hand, answers to his questions in a slurred manner, while unknown braided lady, who likely eavesdropped on their convo, disappeared somewhere in direction of bar's restroom
[18:19:36] <Che> - Last time?
[18:22:22] <Cheese_Samovar> - Yeah, lastime, not all wanna talk abaut it. Lezz jus say I was in a drek situashun, but ma friendz and brozas were in a truly shitty 'un. Only Serega and our oldiez were left alife. *He sighs* Those Korny - he spits, - kindness, F my A.
[18:23:51] <Che> - Is this some kind of a gang stuff?
[18:25:20] <Cheese_Samovar> - Yu kuda said that.
[18:29:56] <Che> - Sorry, I'm not in the knowing about this shit, but I think I heard something about those "Korny". There were some fuzz about them in the news or matrix...
[18:30:58] <Che> - Did they raided your bussiness?
[18:33:23] <Cheese_Samovar> He downs his drink - while his speech is less understandable now, he seems quiter now, eyes like dark windows in the barrens during the night.
[18:37:28] <Cheese_Samovar> - 'dis guy, 'eir boss, - he wantz to be all like the Yaks overnight. And he'z ready to do whadever needz to be done to get 'dere. Stea..Ste..Stimrolld all over our turf, killed guyz, who juss wanned help da neirborhood. And many like you or Petka who juss walkd ner..ne-ar-by. But 'dey lefft us alife.
[18:38:44] <Cheese_Samovar> He looks at his claw, absent-mindedly carving the table before him.
[18:42:15] <Che> - Uh, why would they do that? Aren't they afraid of revenge or, dunno, cops?
[18:46:51] <Cheese_Samovar> He doesn't seem to react immediately, just staring at his hand, at the thin shaving of plastic made by his claw carving through.
[18:48:15] <Cheese_Samovar> Then he sighs and waves for another bottle.
[18:50:42] <Cheese_Samovar> He pours full glass for himself and for you, Che: - Did you eva see a ded body of sum-un, who was ya friend? A good friend?
[18:53:51] <Che> - Well, there was that incident at work with not-so-close buddy of mine 5 years ago, but you can't call it a body, what was left, that is.
[18:54:32] <Che> - But we were shocked...
[18:58:46] <Cheese_Samovar> - Youd not call what I saw a body either. It wasa.. like some padla waz drawin a picha but he only had bladez and human gutz. Korny make rreal sur 'dose who could fight are skared enuff not to. And 'dose who arent skared but angry - are too few to count.
[18:59:35] <Cheese_Samovar> - To ze ded, Van'Lee. Letz drink to ze ded.
[18:59:50] <Che> - Yes. For all people we lost, let's hope they got their eternal rest.
[19:03:02] <Cheese_Samovar> * you drank enough to feel his story. Tell him about someone real you have lost.
[19:04:44] <Jelena> * bonding over booze, the key to all good stories!
[19:06:33] * Che tells his carefully abfuscated story of an incident, that crippled him and killed his friend among other things. While most moments and feeleing are true, Che makes shure to make his story look like he was worked on some research vessel and not in the military.
[19:06:47] <Che> *feelings
[19:06:54] <Che> *sure
[19:07:22] <Che> *working
[19:09:58] <Cheese_Samovar> * 1) +2 karma. And later write this story for us with names and details.
[19:10:15] <Cheese_Samovar> * 2) Stozu, it seems to me that dialog is a bit longer than you planned it to be. What's your plan here?
[19:10:17] <Cheese_Samovar> * now
[19:10:20] <Che> *(and pictures?)
[19:11:03] <Cheese_Samovar> * it would be great! ))
[19:12:37] <Che> * well, I'll carefully prod him some more for details on background and current state of affairs between Silver's gang and korny and maybe chineese.
[19:13:43] <Che> * when it's over I'll go check restrooms, looking for a signs of that girl and then I'll buy some bottles of the OK-dring and go back to car.
[19:14:47] <Che> * Ah, and any details of interest are transmitted to Klutz so he can make his matrix magic on them.
[19:18:31] <Cheese_Samovar> * in tl;dr: he was late to the fight between korny and pirates. but it seems to him that korny want Silver to fuck up chinese somehow, and chinese want to fuck up korny, and Silver thinks he can fuck up them both. Your friend Toma is not in a state to get exact details of fuckuppery. Especially since yellow bastard in charge said that Toma is way too
[19:18:31] <Cheese_Samovar> improper for him to work with, so he's mostly on sidelines now.
[19:19:55] <Che> * any chance to get some intel on that chineese?
[19:21:21] <Cheese_Samovar> * besides what your friends already know - not much (that he's a mage and not really people person)
[19:22:28] <Che> * also do Toma knows of any Silver's plans in motions to fuck up his associates or it's only just words for now?
[19:22:28] <Cheese_Samovar> * and only shows up as astral form
[19:23:43] <Cheese_Samovar> * you are not sure, he doesn't remember or it's just wishful thinking. you'd need someone more sober to find out
[19:26:20] <Che> * ok, I thinks that's was all my questions.
[19:26:24] <Che> *-s
[19:28:07] * Che drinks some more with mr.Toma talking about various not related things like sports and news.
[19:28:59] <Cheese_Samovar> Che, you finish the talk upright, but with a significant effort, and seems that Toma is in no good shape at all either. He stands up, waving quite a bit, and heads to the exit, while you check the restrooms. You look for this strange girl, but she doesn't seem to be there. While you fire up excuses to those girls which _are_ there, and not happy to see you
[19:28:59] <Cheese_Samovar> barge in, - Toma already've left.
[19:30:31] * Che pays his tab, buys 3 bottles of the OK-drink from bartender and heads back to his car.
[19:31:18] <Cheese_Samovar> Meanwhile: Nebokhod, what are you doing?
[19:32:51] <Nebokhod> * well, since i'm back in my body, I fill in the team on what has transpired.
[19:33:22] <Nebokhod> - Ok, that slimey bastard set us up, apparently.
[19:33:58] <Cheese_Samovar> * let's assume we've skipped to everyone's at least at the same place, so you can discuss your options
[19:34:12] <Jelena> * was the girl part of the gang ya think?
[19:34:15] <Jelena> * fine by me
[19:35:20] <Nebokhod> - Not only this mermaid-thing is sentient and awakened, but it's guarded by heavy cybered crew, astrally perceiving adept and some kind of mage, maybe chinese.
[19:35:52] <Che> * dunno, we'll probably need Klutz to check current member list of gang and look if there are anyone who match description.
[19:36:34] <Che> - Yes, looks like this is handler from chineese side.
[19:37:38] * Che tells what he learned from this drink-night.
[19:39:09] <Nebokhod> - Can we find this Johnson dude? I want to teach him a lesson, for some reason.
[19:39:38] <Che> - If can obtain some proofs of the Silver's plans against his shinese masters, we can probably remove his magic support, then they should be easier to neutralize with magic stuff.
[19:40:56] <Che> - Well, we have agreed to the job, so I'd like to see it through, but nothing stop us from haggling him for hazard pay and other expenses.
[19:42:31] <Cheese_Samovar> (Klutz) - Anyone can be found, it's just matter of time and effort. But Che's right, we're already working, so I'd like to be paid for it. From all sides, only Johnson seems like a guy which will get us actual nuyen. Turning Silver in to either Korny or Chinese does not seem like a lucrative effort in itself.
[19:44:11] <Che> - I like the idea of turning him in, as this should make his masters less keen on tracking us and delivering troubles.
[19:44:55] <Nebokhod> - Is that laboratory from which they stole the mermaid even exists?
[19:45:13] <Che> - But before we can tip chineese and korny we'll need proofs.
[19:47:26] <Nebokhod> - Because I do not believe for a second, that the mage didn't knew about mermaid's nature.
[19:49:27] <Che> - As long as I get paid I don't care so much if mr.Johnson is valid corper or some kind of fighter for mermaids rights and freedoms.
[19:49:38] <Cheese_Samovar> * and for the sake of Jelena participating let's assume it's early morning when everyone who had booze earlier can talk sensibly.
[19:50:00] <Jelena> * pfhaha :P
[19:50:50] <Jelena> - How are we going to get these proofs now? They won't just let us walk in and grab what we want to do it, to much regret.
[19:51:14] * Che got back to his car, bought some more pirog's, and drove to Jelena's house so they can discuss things.
[19:51:47] <Che> - Yeah, that's one of the problems.
[19:51:55] <Nebokhod> - Ok, would you let sentient and potentionaly deadly critter be a tourist's attraction? Knowing that it could fuck your shit just by thinking hurty things strongly?
[19:53:03] <Jelena> - Personally, no. But people do basejumping still, even visit the Mojave Desert, what with its spirits and other unhelpfulness. So, what is the plan thus far?
[19:53:36] <Che> - Yeah, that Silver is in some weird drek.
[19:54:59] <Che> - Well, I plan to sleep for a few hours and then get to work trying to find us some mermaid-mobil.
[19:55:05] <Nebokhod> - Would be nice to know what the chinese scam is.
[19:55:05] <Che> *e
[19:56:05] <Che> - Yep, we know almost nothing about them, and that shoulb be fixed.
[19:57:28] <Nebokhod> - Also, I should probably find someone with a ward for me to hide behind.
[19:57:33] <Cheese_Samovar> * roll relevant knowledges?
[19:57:53] <Che> - As for plan for the active phase of operation, I think we should remove magic support from this chrome guys and then screw them with our own majiks.
[19:58:49] <Che> - Attacking them physically is probably not so smart, as that's their home turf and specialization.
[19:59:17] <Jelena> - This I can agree with.
[19:59:41] <Nebokhod> - And how we can remove this support short of nuking them with the slobs of mana?
[20:01:08] <Che> - I was thinking more of a diplomatic way. Or, as we're short on time, we can try to lure mage out and deal with him out of reach of Silver's gang.
[20:01:19] <Jelena> - Try to dig up drek on the mage, then we draw him out and knock him out?
[20:01:27] <Che> - Yep.
[20:02:22] <Nebokhod> - And what's to stop the chinese from sending another mage or two?
[20:02:39] <Che> - But we need info. Either some personal details on the mage or proofs of the Silver's misbehaving.
[20:02:43] <Jelena> - Time? If they want to send a mage, they'll send one.
[20:03:16] <Che> - Yes, we'll need to act fast.
[20:03:59] <Che> - Well, actually, I have one more idea, but I think that you'll not like it.
[20:05:17] <Nebokhod> - Do tell.
[20:07:24] <Che> * wait a sec, trying to dig some details from log.
[20:10:59] <Che> - See, after all this drinking and thinking, this girl, Terry, and Korny butchers, it's all become a little to personal, so, if chineese need someone to deal with Korny's, we can probably apply for a work, if they drop Silver's gang.
[20:12:15] <Che> - After all, Korny's really need to be stopped before they continue they massacres.
[20:12:16] <Nebokhod> - And that helps how exactly?
[20:12:20] <Nebokhod> *us
[20:13:57] <Che> - Well, that way we don't need hard proofs to remove chineese support from Silver. We can even obtain some backdoors or shortcuts for our job.
[20:15:17] <Che> - But then, yes, we'll need to work with chineese removing Korny problem, and that'll probably be a mess.
[20:15:18] <Nebokhod> - The way i'm seeing it, they do not support Silver, but own him.
[20:15:54] <Nebokhod> - And we'll probably have a better luck in exchanging mermaid for our help.
[20:16:31] <Nebokhod> - With Silver, is what i meant.
[20:16:35] <Che> - Or that, yes.
[20:17:41] <Che> - Except, I'd prefer to work with chineese, not Silver - he doesn't looks like a good and honest guy.
[20:18:15] <Nebokhod> - He's a ganger, what did you expect?
[20:21:35] <Che> - Anyway, we need more intel on chineese and Silver, so, Len, I think it's your time to visit Silver's bar.
[20:22:08] <Nebokhod> - Would be good to know if the adept is a part of the gang.
[20:23:43] <Che> - Also look for the ways to quickly remove civilians from area, so in case of fight there'll be no casualties.
[20:23:53] <Jelena> - Sure thing, sure thing. Is anyone going to come with me?
[20:24:46] <Nebokhod> - I can't go, since i've caused quite a commotion last time.
[20:25:25] <Che> - I'll park somwhere nearby, so Klutz can keep an eye on you, while I sleep.
[20:26:30] <Jelena> * so I'm a bit ooc'ly lost here - whats the rundown of whats happening right now? Mermaid can kill by thinking, theres a mage, whos Silver, etc? :P
[20:27:32] <Cheese_Samovar> * guys, can you summarize or should i?
[20:27:50] <Nebokhod> * Mermaid is awakened and sentient, there's adept with weapon focus on premises, there's something hidden behind the magic barrier and there was a mage on astral overwatch.
[20:28:32] <Nebokhod> * we are pretty sure, that the mage was wounded by spirit, but not killed.
[20:28:39] <Che> * Serega aka Silver is leader of this chromed up gang, who own that bar with mermaid.
[20:29:35] <Jelena> * Gotcha!
[20:34:09] <Jelena> - Probably best I stick it alone then. If I say the word 'lucky' over the comms, be sure to call my commlink and fact a family emergency, is that okay?
[20:34:55] <Che> - Just put some nice photo on our contact.
[20:36:16] <Jelena> - Troll pictures from the matrix you say? Sure thing! Huhuhuh.
[20:36:57] <Jelena> * alrighty, how shall we do this? Quick bit of rolling, as to not drag it down to just one person?
[20:37:39] <Cheese_Samovar> * as we did twice already?
[20:37:42] <Che> - Well, it's not that it's we who will need to explain to itchy chromebois why you have some oily trolls in your family.
[20:38:40] <Jelena> * naw mang, that was info gathering, and I was trying to piece things together. Trying
[20:39:02] <Jelena> - Fiiiine, you'll be human I guess, huhuhuh.
[20:40:26] <Che> - I kew that you're into round ears!
[20:40:31] <Che> *knew
[20:41:11] <Jelena> - Huhuhuh, alright, let us do this thing and pray I can walk out of there. I won't drink the drinks this time, I am sure of it.
[20:42:02] <Che> - Suuure.
[20:42:22] <Che> - Oh, my head...
[20:44:31] <Che> - Ok, if averyone is fine with our current course of actions, then let's start moving.
[20:46:04] * Che loads new skin to his car: now one of an independant taxi.
[20:46:37] <Che> - Khod, do you want a ride to home?
[20:47:08] <Cheese_Samovar> Four of you get back to the che's van, and drive back through the Korny neighbourhoods to the Kerosine Pirates' haven.
[20:47:20] <Nebokhod> - Would be nice.
[20:47:29] <Cheese_Samovar> *BTW, anyone wants to roll for info about those chinese needlez?
[20:47:46] <Cheese_Samovar> * or not-needlez, as it might-be
[20:48:04] <Che> * what needlez?
[20:48:57] * Che drops Nebokhod near his chosen location and then drives back Silver's turf.
[20:49:18] * Nebokhod calls Madam Darya to see if she knows anyone in the area, that could hide him from astral search.
[20:49:22] <Cheese_Samovar> * well, info you had earlier said that some people with whom Kerosine pirates did work were smugglers named Needles, from mainland china.
[20:50:01] <Che> * ah, those needles.
[20:50:01] <Cheese_Samovar> * it may of course be unrelated, but just to remind and all
[20:50:16] <Che> * I can roll underworld.
[20:50:40] <Che> * if I haven't already.
[20:51:27] <Che> * do they count as local Vladivostoc specializationf of skill?
[20:51:31] <Che> *k
[20:51:39] <Che> *-f
[20:52:56] <Cheese_Samovar> * I'll allow it in this case
[20:53:09] <Che> 10#sd
[20:53:09] <ur_dnd_bot> Che: (pool 10) 3 hits
[20:53:21] <Cheese_Samovar> * someone also could roll on behalf of Klutz
[20:55:33] <Che> * ummm, Nebokhod?
[20:55:44] <Nebokhod> *what?
[20:56:08] <Che> * be Klutz @ roll rolls !
[20:57:16] <Nebokhod> * he has sprawls and syndicates
[21:03:08] <Cheese_Samovar> * and matrix
[21:03:59] <Nebokhod> * well, then someone that knows how matrix works shoud roll for him.
[21:04:09] <Jelena> * can I roll Safe Houses knowledge to see if this place thats walled off is actually some kind of, well, safe house? Or maybe Exotic Building Design to figure out what their stuff is all about?
[21:07:42] <Cheese_Samovar> Meanwhile, Che remembers, that: Needles have appeared on local scene not too long ago, about 9 months, they worked through Pirates mainly, probably because Pirates had a good record of not getting caught by border guard. Recently, 2-3 months ago animosity between them and BlackTide has raised, as they were trying to get themselves more customers. They're
[21:07:42] <Cheese_Samovar> known to use magic and trust in feng-shui
[21:08:14] <Cheese_Samovar> Jelena, how are you dressed, as you walk to the place?
[21:08:57] <Jelena> * Unsure, I assume 'well' for the bar and area, based on its reputation and current standard of clothing allowance
[21:09:23] <Jelena> * If not, mah boi over there can fashion me into something more fitting - or less fitting, so I can play 'duck out of water' :P
[21:12:13] <Cheese_Samovar> * yes, basically I want to know who you're trying to play
[21:14:05] <Jelena> * We'll go for the fish out of water routine, little bit of innocence, will pretend to have a thing for Adepts :)
[21:14:19] <Cheese_Samovar> OK
[21:14:57] <Cheese_Samovar> * also do we skip or do you go there in the morning right after the planning?
[21:17:57] <Jelena> * morning I assume, to get the daytime surv over and done with
[21:19:57] <Cheese_Samovar> The morning in Vladivostok today is rainy, but sun is breaking through clouds, making asphalt shine. Rain has distinct acid odour, and slightly burns your skin if you let any of it show.
[21:22:55] * Jelena approaches the bar, eyes wide and rocking the sunflower dress once again, almost eager to see this mermaid up close and in person.
[21:23:46] <Cheese_Samovar> The bar seems to be deserted, which is reinforced by the door sign saying 'Closed'. However, you do hear some sort of commotion inside. * roll perception(hear)
[21:25:00] <Jelena> 6#sd
[21:25:00] <ur_dnd_bot> Jelena: (pool 6) 1 hit
[21:27:29] <Cheese_Samovar> Jelena, you do hear voices inside, deliberately lowered. You can't discern what they are saying, but they're also seem to be moving something heavy. What do you do?
[21:28:12] <Jelena> * gonna peek my preverbial nose in and act all sneaky boss. Want a stealthy test?
[21:33:46] <Cheese_Samovar> As you try to quietly open door, you understand, that it is indeed closed, with a simple bar. However, you could try and overcome it somehow, or look for windows or a backdoor, which does exist according to Nebokhod
[21:34:28] <Cheese_Samovar> At least if you'd be closer to the noise, you'd get better idea what is going on
[21:34:34] <Che> * aren't that a little dangerous?
[21:34:57] <Cheese_Samovar> * Sure thing it is. Other way would be to wait.
[21:37:39] * Jelena hums and ahh's at the possibility, but lacking any real breaking and entering equipment she decides to retreat before she gets sensed or spotted.
[21:37:55] <Jelena> - Small problem, it's not open right now. Wasn't it suppose to be open?
[21:37:55] <Cheese_Samovar> * you do have monochainsaw
[21:38:17] <Jelena> * :|
[21:39:13] <Cheese_Samovar> * did you never dream of monochainsawing people?)
[21:41:12] <Cheese_Samovar> [Klutz] = It is, I assume, though gangers operating a bar are not exactly the punctuality incarnate.
[21:41:51] <Jelena> * Was there any intel that the bar would be closed now, or is it unscheduled for them?
[21:46:05] <Cheese_Samovar> The bar does not post specific timeschedule, claiming to be open at all times, though it is only natural that late evenings and nights are more profitable, what with all the workforce getting out, tired and desperate for a drink to soothe their dispairs. Sign did look 'temporarily' as well, so something must be afoot
[21:49:29] <Jelena> * I don't recall what your specific 'talking over commlink' line was, but the previous IC talking was over commlink
[21:49:50] <Cheese_Samovar> * it's ok, sure
[21:50:14] <Cheese_Samovar> usually we use = for commlinks, but no issues at the moment
[21:54:32] <Cheese_Samovar> * Che, are you with us still?
[21:55:13] <Cheese_Samovar> * And Nebokhod - let's assume you can get access to a certain lodge to wait it out. You could still use mundane communication to cooperate with the team
[21:55:32] <Nebokhod> * noice.
[21:56:18] <Cheese_Samovar> * Let's focus on Jelena now, and we can detail lodge stuff later.
[21:56:23] <Jelena> = Shall I cut my way in? Do we have eyes on the back door?
[21:56:28] <Che> * i'm back
[21:57:28] * Che is asleep in his car.
[22:01:18] <Cheese_Samovar> [Klutz pokes Che a bit] - Hey, junior, I remember you had drones in your backrack besides bottles of booze. Wake up and do perimeter check
[22:01:48] <Che> - ...Huh? What's happened?
[22:02:25] <Jelena> = Che, hey, do you have eyes on the backdoor? They're up to something secretive.
[22:04:01] <Che> = Hm, I can try to infiltrate with a drone, but I think it's easier just to hack internal cams. Klutz?
[22:04:30] * Che rubs his face and starts preparing drone.
[22:04:50] <Jelena> = Buzz that whack, I'm going in. If you don't have eyes on that door, I'll be going in totally blind.
[22:05:13] <Che> = Hey, no need to be a hero.
[22:05:16] * Jelena begins to sneak around to the back entrance, not crouching down to make her ability to bluff this away a little easier if caught.
[22:05:34] <Che> - Oh drek.
[22:05:52] * Che launches drone.
[22:07:20] <Jelena> * Rolling infiltration with urban speciality. In a dress~
[22:07:22] <Jelena> 13#sd
[22:07:22] <ur_dnd_bot> Jelena: (pool 13) 2 hits
[22:07:43] <Cheese_Samovar> * diceroller does hate you.
[22:08:08] <Nebokhod> *nah, it's just that the dress is getting in the way.
[22:08:46] * Che places his sea-gull painted Optic-X on a circular track high above bar.
[22:08:59] <Cheese_Samovar> * Che, what do you roll for drone piloting? roll it now
[22:09:10] <Che> - Let's see what we got there...
[22:11:40] <Cheese_Samovar> * seems to be 9+2 for rig
[22:12:16] <Che> 11#sd
[22:12:17] <ur_dnd_bot> Che: (pool 11) 4 hits
[22:12:30] <Che> * oh sorry, missed request.
[22:14:14] <Jelena> = Nebokhod, ummm, what are you up to? Might need some astral scouting over here, just light stuff. If the mage is on site and looking out for folks, he will see me really easily.
[22:14:24] <Cheese_Samovar> Che, your drone gets there barely in time for you to warn Jelena - a truck is there, and a dangerously looking chinese person is there together with an ork guard.
[22:14:46] <Cheese_Samovar> They seem to focus on each other
[22:15:21] <Nebokhod> = I'm currently hiding from that mage, why?
[22:15:57] <Jelena> = Okay, just wondered. Hey Che, can you see anything? About to turn the corner~
[22:16:17] <Che> = Len, there is truck with guards.
[22:16:55] <Che> = It's probably not a good time to snoop.
[22:17:48] <Nebokhod> = How big is that truck?
[22:17:51] <Jelena> = Dang. Shall we come back later so I can get inside, or you want me to check what they're arguing about near the front door?
[22:18:14] <Cheese_Samovar> * back door, Jelena, but otherwise correct
[22:18:52] <Che> = Better play it safe - we don't want to ruin our surprise.
[22:19:18] <Jelena> * Oh, I thought the truck was out back. Was tempted to break in the front door
[22:19:19] <Nebokhod> = They are probably moving the mermaid though.
[22:19:21] <Che> - Klutz, can you hack their cams?
[22:19:47] <Cheese_Samovar> As the feed from the drone is redirected by Klutz to reach Nebokhod in his hiding, ex-army mage thinks that the chinese guy is quite familiar. Meanwhile, feed shows him throwing something on the ground. It is not big, and looks like... a augmetic hand. Very old and clunky, almost a claw
[22:20:22] <Che> = I'm keeping my eye on a truck for now. If they want to move mermaid, maybe we can stole it en-route.
[22:20:26] <Jelena> = Oh snap. Maybe they know Mr Johnson is wanting to take the mermaid back and are moving it? If thats the case, and we can keep watching, shall we hit their truck when its on route?
[22:20:48] <Jelena> = *Audible chuckle* We are of the same mind, Che.
[22:21:02] <Nebokhod> = You know, this chinese guy could be our mage.
[22:21:37] * Che checks out this hand. Is it from Toma?
[22:22:14] <Cheese_Samovar> * It surely looks the part
[22:23:24] <Che> = I don't like this claw-hand. It looks like one from one my night contacts...
[22:23:52] <Cheese_Samovar> Jelena, roll perception(hear)
[22:24:03] <Jelena> 6#sd
[22:24:03] <ur_dnd_bot> Jelena: (pool 6) 2 hits
[22:24:21] <Jelena> * I ain't the most perceptive of folks :O
[22:24:42] <Cheese_Samovar> You hear chinese guy say something in mandarin. do you have language?
[22:25:13] <Che> * use your knife-ears!
[22:25:37] <Cheese_Samovar> If not, you could use your commlink later to translate
[22:26:00] <Cheese_Samovar> Meanwhile, chinese guy gets into the truck and drives off.
[22:26:11] <Jelena> * No language other than russian, sorry chummer!
[22:26:38] * Jelena attempts to turn the input on her commlink up, hoping it will record part of the Chinese guys rant.
[22:26:39] <Che> * were there any indication that they loaded mermaid into truck?
[22:29:17] <Che> = Ok, I'll try to follow this truck with my drone. Len, try to not get into troubles.
[22:29:36] <Cheese_Samovar> * Che, you haven't had a good look inside
[22:30:38] * Che commands X-Optic to stealthy chase truck and launches Fly-Spy.
[22:31:07] <Cheese_Samovar> Jelena, you managed to get part of the phrase: '..ready by dusk'
[22:32:00] <Che> = Len, do you see any openings that a mini drone could use to get into building?
[22:32:19] <Jelena> 6#sd Perception
[22:32:20] <ur_dnd_bot> Jelena: (pool 6) critical glitch!
[22:32:33] <Jelena> * Why dicebot, whhhyyyy
[22:35:18] <Cheese_Samovar> * guys, you do get that mini drone is quite big?
[22:36:01] <Cheese_Samovar> * as in big enough to have effort hiding in closed quarters
[22:36:03] <Che> https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ4IgWfCMkOEkCyIOIjxqGh4kLN_8mvw9hrIVKW30Kr9AroobDO
[22:36:23] <Che> * large insect?
[22:36:34] <Cheese_Samovar> * ok, my bad. then how the F it is 'mini'?
[22:36:38] <Cheese_Samovar> *anyway
[22:36:50] <Che> * dunno.
[22:37:06] <Nebokhod> * The size of a large insect or mouse, minidrones range from 10 to 25 centimeters in length and fit in the palm of one’s hand (or a pocket).
[22:37:23] <Cheese_Samovar> * 10cm. LARGE insect.
[22:37:37] <Cheese_Samovar> * as in 'WTF IS THIS THING' insect.
[22:37:46] <Jelena> * OH GOD ITS AN AWAKENED KILLER WASP!
[22:37:47] <Che> * well, it still hard to spot, right? Right?!
[22:38:07] <Nebokhod> * praying mantis
[22:38:41] <Cheese_Samovar> * compared to meta - yes. Also, Heckfy, I've seen mantis firsthand, it is not 10cm, barely five if he's not flying.
[22:38:50] <Cheese_Samovar> * but back to Jelena
[22:39:03] <Che> * that was small baby-mantis!
[22:40:43] <Cheese_Samovar> Jelena, good news and bad news. Good news: you've managed to get just in time as the guard returning back into the building did not close the door properly, and point it as an entry vector, so Che's flyspy could get in. Bad news, - guard got back faster than you thought, and is looking at you now.
[22:41:05] <Nebokhod> * Larger mantises sometimes eat smaller individuals of their own species,[25] as well as small vertebrates such as lizards and frogs
[22:41:07] * Jelena walks back to the front of the club, looking for any entrances a mini-drone can squeeze in and attempting to act casual. She brings up a semi-transparent ARO of an email she types out to one of Klutz' more legitimate sounding message accounts.
[22:41:09] <Jelena> * Ahh
[22:41:22] <Cheese_Samovar> * sorry. critical glitches are critical
[22:41:35] <Cheese_Samovar> - Hey, babe, what's going on? You're lost or what?
[22:41:39] <Jelena> * Can I be typing the message like a ditz, and he doesn't buy it?
[22:42:12] <Jelena> - Oh, hey. Isn't this place suppose to be open? Is it, liiiike, totally closed right now?
[22:42:12] * Che uses guard distraction to infiltrate building.
[22:43:00] * Jelena keeps on talking.
[22:44:01] <Jelena> - 'Cause liiiike, I heard it was suppose to be cool, and I had an hour to kill before I had somewhere to be, you know? So I thought, Jelena, why not check this place out, see if its worth your time, and then liiiike, the doors shut. Was hoping I'd meet a nice Adept for once, get him to flex his muscles of whatever they do, you know?!
[22:44:49] <Cheese_Samovar> Guard seems agitated: - Yeah, that's what a sign on the front door is saying! Wha... What did you say about adepts?
[22:46:03] <Cheese_Samovar> * Jelena, roll con
[22:46:04] <Jelena> - Liiike, Adepts! Don't you watch the trids? They're super cool, jumping around on walls and stuff! Its kind of a thing I like in a man nowadays, you know?!
[22:46:24] <Jelena> * I won't count this as Seduction. Heaven or Hell, lets rock!
[22:46:29] <Jelena> 10#sd
[22:46:30] <ur_dnd_bot> Jelena: (pool 10) 3 hits
[22:46:46] <Jelena> * Wait, have FIrst Impression
[22:47:16] <Jelena> 2#sd On top of that Con
[22:47:17] <ur_dnd_bot> Jelena: (pool 2) 0 hits
[22:49:47] <Cheese_Samovar> Meanwhile, che, roll infiltration with drone size bonus
[22:52:22] <Che> * mmm
[22:53:06] <Che> * what's his bonus?
[22:54:00] <Nebokhod> * -2
[22:54:25] <Nebokhod> * it's probably penalty on the other guy's pool.
[22:54:40] <Cheese_Samovar> * ok, then roll normal infiltrate
[22:54:52] <Che> 7#sd
[22:54:53] <ur_dnd_bot> Che: (pool 7) 2 hits
[22:56:00] <Che> * wait forgot +2 for rig.
[22:56:05] <Che> 2#sd
[22:56:05] <ur_dnd_bot> Che: (pool 2) critical glitch!
[22:56:59] <Cheese_Samovar> Jelena, guard steps towards you and grabs you by the throat. * you may dodge and make it a fight
[22:57:53] <Jelena> * I'd rather roll Con and go for full innocence mode, puppy dog eyes and everything. I'm unarmed and not very good at combat, so he'll likely thump me if I dodged or something. May I?
[22:58:19] <Cheese_Samovar> * basically your con is not to resist
[22:59:17] <Jelena> 10#sd Con
[22:59:17] <ur_dnd_bot> Jelena: (pool 10) 4 hits
[23:02:43] <Cheese_Samovar> Che, you bzz over the guy's shoulder and get in. Inside it's half-lit from the lamps, windows closed by the metal shutters, a necessity in this neighbourhood you'd say. Inside the main room on the black vend-clothing lies Toma's body, gut open. His lifeless eyes look at your drone's mechanical ones. Another guard, sitting next to the body, closes them with
[23:02:43] <Cheese_Samovar> his hand. He swears and lits a ciggarette, flame reflecting of his silver cyber-eyes
[23:05:34] * Che hides drone somewhere near ceiling so it can hear and see things.
[23:07:26] <Cheese_Samovar> Jelena, guard grabs you, lifts effortlessly, and presses to the wall. Other hand gets on your mouth, preventing you from screaming: - So you like adepts, right? Well, I don't. I hate those bozos, who think if they're blessed by magic and their deities and their code, they can look at us normal metas like we're dirt. Like we're scum and they're effing next
[23:07:26] <Cheese_Samovar> evolution step. Rule us, kill us, fuck us - anything is okay. You wanna see what your super cool adepts do to people like us? Do you?
[23:08:30] <Cheese_Samovar> He almost shoves you to the door, and drags to the main room with the body.
[23:08:31] * Jelena desperately want's to say yes, but gives in to the natural ebb and flow of panic and quickly shakes her head left and right, still hoping he will show her, just to spite her.
[23:10:03] * Jelena is careful to look at things as she enters. Doors, locks on those doors, lighting arrangement, anything that she can use later on, or soon.
[23:10:08] <Jelena> 6#sd Perception
[23:10:09] <ur_dnd_bot> Jelena: (pool 6) 2 hits
[23:11:33] <Cheese_Samovar> [Guard 2] - What the...
[23:11:33] <Cheese_Samovar> [Guard 1] - Look at this, and look well. This guy wan't killed in an honest fight, he was gutted like a fish! That's your adepts and their supercoolness!
[23:11:41] <Jelena> * That wasn't planned folks, weee!
[23:12:12] <Jelena> * Was hoping THIS was the adept, instead I get the PTSD guard with an axe to grind :P
[23:13:03] * Jelena nods slowly, eyes wide as she takes it all in, eyes occasionally flicking around the room and at the other guard.
[23:14:03] * Che carefully watches.
[23:17:48] <Cheese_Samovar> [Guard 2] - *To the other guard* You mad? You want to end up like Toma? *to Jelena, drawing pistol fast enough to suggest speed-up implants*: - Listen, girl. You haven't seen anything. You haven't heard anything. This guy here talked too much, and if you say a word about this anywhere, any-fuck-where, - you will end up even worse. I've seen your face, and
[23:17:48] <Cheese_Samovar> I'll see to that, believe me. *to the other guard* Now get her the F outta here.
[23:17:48] <Cheese_Samovar> * Jelena, roll perception again.
[23:18:07] <Jelena> 6#sd
[23:18:08] <ur_dnd_bot> Jelena: (pool 6) 3 hits
[23:18:16] <Jelena> * thank you dice jesus
[23:21:20] <Cheese_Samovar> Jelena, when you looked around initially, you've seen the mermaid. Dark body in the equally dark aquarium, barely visible, only eyes shining bright. And now you _feel_ it, or him, as you get somehow. Feel him touching your mind. He's really worried, and he wants something from you, - that you get. And now you're being dragged away
[23:22:36] <Cheese_Samovar> The further you get, the more desperate feeling is. He needs your help
[23:22:55] * Jelena gives in to being dragged away by the guard, squeezing her eyes shut. She mentally shouts in her head, hoping the creature can hear her, 'I will try.'
[23:23:42] <Che> = Ok, I thin it's safe to assume that adept is a chineese too. And there is some conflict now...
[23:23:43] <Cheese_Samovar> *Do we do cliffhanger or do we continue? in latter case I need coffee break
[23:24:19] <Che> * Cliffhanger, I think.