FIVE 16

[18:25:09] <@Fats> The troupe is in Yakor v Glotke, the local runner bar.
[18:25:09] <@Fats> You've discussed the leads that you have on the Avenger and his supposed lieutenants.
[18:25:09] <@Fats> You have the mark leaving Khasan coast via speedboat three weeks ago, with the speedboat's registration in your dossier.
[18:25:09] <@Fats> You have someone contacting one of the city's smugglers, Flying Canuck, for a large shipment of high-grade weapons, armour and materiel, but it wasn't any of the large players in the city.
[18:25:12] <@Fats> And you have the recent recordings of the Avenger's vigilante hits: one with him watching from a skyscraper how a mage executes a Triads member; one with a gunmen ambush on a Vory limo; and one with a frontal assault of a Yakuza buraku parlor.
[18:25:18] <@Fats> And, of course, a recording of your previous employer being violently dismembered and his compound burned to the ground.
[18:25:21] <@Fats> It's already past midnight, but the drinking at the bar doesn't seem to stop: the local dregs are a loud bunch, and every once in a while you get a free beer as someone toasts to their comrades fallen in the ongoing syndicate war. A fair share of beer ends up on the floor as the locals intermingle, giving the bar a peculiar smell.
[18:26:33] * Heckfy[Ex] is now known as Nebokhod
[18:27:44] * Guns_n_Droids is now known as Kit_Remoni
[18:27:59] <@Fats> * waiting for your decisions, runners
[18:28:45] <Red_S> "If no one has any objections, I say we should get to the docks and find that smuggler."
[18:29:10] <Kit_Remoni> - Yep. He at least will ay, how and where to he delivered the shipment
[18:29:37] <Che> - Well, we can try, but he'll need some motivation to disclose his client.
[18:29:45] <Ronin> - Can't say I have a better plan.
[18:30:39] <Red_S> - Maybe he'll feel guilty that he's aided a criminal.
[18:30:41] <Red_S> Her tone is cynical
[18:30:56] <Red_S> - Or maybe we can offer him some extra bullets to persuade him.
[18:30:57] <Kit_Remoni> - Well, it's not any criminal
[18:30:57] <Che> - The thing is, so far we have surprise on our side, and overt operations, like visiting smuggler can alert our opponent.
[18:31:29] <Kit_Remoni> - I would think that disclosing this thing to one of Triad or Yaks would give them a good reason to chop his head off
[18:31:38] <Che> - But, eh, your run - your plan.
[18:31:39] <Kit_Remoni> - That's reasonable incentive
[18:31:39] <Red_S> - I doubt he'll take note of any runners looking to visit a smuggler.
[18:32:26] <Che> - So, it is dock then?
[18:32:46] <Kit_Remoni> - Yes.
[18:32:53] <Kit_Remoni> *cue driving montage*
[18:33:07] <Ronin> *cheesy 80's music*
[18:33:10] * Che browses his collection of dock's service vehicle's skins...
[18:33:24] <@Fats> * Any of you with any idea where you're supposed to be driving? You have the smuggler's name, that's it
[18:34:03] <Che> *can I roll, sy underground knowledge?
[18:34:03] <@Fats> * also, going in Che's SUV? or forming a cavalcade with Red? :3
[18:34:08] <Che> *a
[18:34:11] <@Fats> * Sure, go ahead.
[18:34:34] <Che> * Vladiks spec applies?
[18:34:42] <@Fats> * Yes it does.
[18:35:33] <Che> * damn, I forgot bot syntax again.
[18:35:44] <Nebokhod> 10#sd
[18:35:44] <ur_dnd_bot> Nebokhod: (pool 10) 3 hits
[18:36:07] <Che> 10#sd Underworld
[18:36:07] <ur_dnd_bot> Che: (pool 10) 2 hits
[18:36:12] <Che> *thanks
[18:36:56] <Che> * can we ask Myhalich?
[18:37:04] <Che> *i y
[18:37:34] <@Fats> * I guess you could try.
[18:38:04] <Kit_Remoni> * still, those hits did not help?
[18:38:22] * Che raises a hand to get Mihalych's attention.
[18:38:59] <@Fats> Che, that Canuck is a noticeable figure in the local underworld, being in perhaps top five of weapon suppliers in the city; you've heard all kinds of rumours on how cool his gear is and where he gets it, but nothing solid on where he can be found, other than perhaps he's operating from somewhere on Khasan Coast as well.
[18:39:35] <@Fats> The troll finishes pouring another round of beers before turning his attention to the man.
[18:39:58] <Che> * uh, now we are to raid one of the top smugglers.
[18:40:02] <Red_S> *not raid
[18:40:08] <Red_S> *we're just going to ask some questions
[18:40:28] <Red_S> - What good is a businessman if no one can find him?
[18:40:34] <Kit_Remoni> 13#sd thread browse
[18:40:34] <ur_dnd_bot> Kit_Remoni: (pool 13) 4 hits
[18:40:40] <Kit_Remoni> 11#sd faderes
[18:40:40] <ur_dnd_bot> Kit_Remoni: (pool 11) 4 hits
[18:40:54] <Kit_Remoni> 14,24#sd search shadowsea
[18:41:18] <Kit_Remoni> 14,24#sde
[18:41:19] <ur_dnd_bot> Kit_Remoni: (pool 14, threshold 24) 5 passes, 24 hits
[18:41:23] <Che> - Mihalych, can I bother you with a question about Flying Canuck whereabouts?
[18:41:52] <Che> - Those people want to ask him some questions.
[18:41:55] * Kit_Remoni snaps virtual casefile cabinet into existance, and searches through the folders
[18:42:10] <@Fats> - If you add a jingle to that, sure, old chum, - the fixer replies with a grin.
[18:42:12] <Red_S> - 'those people'
[18:42:25] <Red_S> Mary mimics his tone unhelpfully.
[18:42:25] <Kit_Remoni> * looking for our smuggler through everywhere
[18:43:12] <Che> - Well, you can always count on our gratitude.
[18:43:27] <Che> - Right, people?
[18:43:38] <@Fats> - Five hundred nuyen, and you have an appointment.
[18:44:27] <Red_S> Mary nudges che and whispers so the troll can't hear -That's just a fraction of what we're getting for the job, we may as well pay up.
[18:44:47] <@Fats> Kit, as you browse Shadowsea, you piece together the data on your mark. He seems to operate a nomadic camp, never staying in one place for long, but you're reasonably sure there is a system to his movement.
[18:45:02] <@Fats> * you can roll logic+intuition to try and figure it out
[18:45:09] <Che> - People are accepting your offer, you greedy troll.
[18:45:43] <Kit_Remoni> * drop browse, 8#sd
[18:45:43] <ur_dnd_bot> Kit_Remoni: (pool 8) 0 hits
[18:45:47] <Kit_Remoni> * reroll
[18:45:52] <Kit_Remoni> 8#sd
[18:45:54] <ur_dnd_bot> Kit_Remoni: (pool 8) 4 hits
[18:46:43] <Che> - Ronin, now you see that our trade is a harsh one - everyone tries to rob you, even when you're doing community service.
[18:47:05] <@Fats> The ex-runner gives you a grin toothier than the last, and with a pop, an ARO appears before you with an address down at the docks, time constraints slapped under it. This time the Canuck seems to be staying long, as the departure time is three days and five hours from now.
[18:47:14] <Nebokhod> - People gotta eat.
[18:47:58] <@Fats> - And drink, - confirms Michalych. if you look around, that much seems obvious.
[18:48:34] * Che sighs.
[18:48:44] <Ronin> Ronin offers a wry smile in turn as her hand digs into her pocket. "Well, it is a burden I'm willing to sha-" Before she can finish the sentence, the display catches her attention and stops her in her tracks.
[18:49:02] <Red_S> -What's her problem?
[18:49:22] <@Fats> Kit, there is indeed a system to the man's movement, based apparently on a kind of fractal. However, the departure times in Michalych's ARO seem off quite a bit to you.
[18:50:33] <Kit_Remoni> + "Guys, this info does not compute with mine *shares his findings*
[18:51:26] <Che> + Let me guess, he has someone to meet people, while he safely away doing bussiness?
[18:52:04] <@Fats> * most of you lose the track of his reasoning as he gets to the fractal stuff
[18:52:21] <Red_S> + Not relevant as long as we get our answers.
[18:52:41] <Nebokhod> 11#sd log+int for fractal
[18:52:42] <ur_dnd_bot> Nebokhod: (pool 11) 3 hits
[18:53:09] <@Fats> * you don't, however, Lucas
[18:53:30] <Kit_Remoni> + We should move, anyhow, place is the same
[18:53:35] <Che> 12#sd log+int
[18:53:35] <ur_dnd_bot> Che: (pool 12) 5 hits
[18:53:35] <@Fats> * and yes, the departure date seems off to you as well
[18:53:50] <@Fats> * same to you, che
[18:54:33] <Nebokhod> * do we have any idea by how much it's off and the side it's off?
[18:54:36] <Che> - Mihalych, can you tell me, what'll be awaiting us there?
[18:55:48] <@Fats> Che does. It's off by some two days, and he's running late.
[18:56:00] * Ronin seems rather content letting them do the talking.
[18:56:09] <Che> * he is late from his last trip?
[18:56:25] <Red_S> *Or he's been silenced
[18:56:26] <@Fats> - Nothing out of the ordinary, I imagine. Never met the man in person, but haven't heard anyone complaining about him once they make his acquaintance.
[18:56:32] <Red_S> *we should go to his last location then
[18:56:56] <Kit_Remoni> * OK, what's his previous location?
[18:56:58] <@Fats> The arrival times seem to be in order, though.
[18:57:01] <Che> - Have you heard from him recently?
[18:57:14] <Red_S> *oh, hm
[18:57:31] <Che> * so he is late to departure on his nex trip?
[18:58:14] <Nebokhod> * Autobots, roll out, i think.
[18:58:14] <@Fats> - Well, Che, I dunno how to spell it out for you, but we're not exactly lovers calling each day to ask what each one is doing. Ours is a strictly business relationship, - the troll gives you one more of his grins.
[18:58:16] <Red_S> *lingering then, or already dead
[18:58:44] <Nebokhod> - Thanks, anyway.
[18:58:45] <Red_S> - Whatever, we're losing daylight. We should get a move on and see.
[18:59:00] <Che> - Don't you procure some of your drinks from him?
[18:59:20] <Kit_Remoni> + Che, send your drone ahead to spy a bit
[18:59:26] <Nebokhod> - Moonlight, i'd say.
[18:59:35] <Kit_Remoni> * roll out, guys
[18:59:36] <@Fats> - I would if I could; but the man only deals in high-value stuff. No one in this shithole would order any of that!
[18:59:50] <@Fats> * cue next scene then?
[18:59:56] <Nebokhod> *yes
[18:59:58] <Red_S> -Yeah, well I understand not everyone can stay awake as long as me.
[19:00:39] <@Fats> * I love how Red is palpably unpleasant
[19:01:07] <Che> - Oh, well, thanks for help, looks like 'people' are eager for action.
[19:01:19] <Nebokhod> - And we are more sane for that.
[19:01:21] <Red_S> *Mary will drive seperately to her safehouse and grab her business armor and suitcase before meeting back up with the party.
[19:01:38] * Che transfer troll his newyens.
[19:01:42] <Red_S> *At the docks I mean
[19:02:00] <Red_S> *also so mean fats ;__;
[19:02:04] <Che> * -100Y from everyone, I suppose.
[19:02:09] <Nebokhod> *yeah
[19:02:11] <Red_S> *works for me
[19:02:52] <Kit_Remoni> * ok
[19:03:04] <Ronin> * alt+0165 for yen sign
[19:03:22] * Che paints his car with a chosen skin and prepares Optic-X to launch.
[19:03:41] <@Fats> The fixer salutes you as you leave; you pass a newbie runner with his face a bloody mess after a scuttle, his friends holding him back as he growls that "he ain't finished" and tries to get back to Yakor; and then you're again after Vladivostok's nighttime pouring rain, the wind from the ocean throwing it into your face.
[19:04:31] <Red_S> +Is the weather always this nice here?
[19:05:04] <Nebokhod> * it's november
[19:05:05] <@Fats> * Compared to Europe with its toxic floods it could even be called nice.
[19:05:26] <Che> + Yeah.
[19:05:47] <Red_S> *I don't think it would flood much up in the alps though right?
[19:06:26] <Ronin> * Planning on going skiing?
[19:06:35] <Nebokhod> * avalanches though
[19:06:48] <Red_S> *That's where
[19:06:49] <@Fats> Che, as you drive slowly, waiting for Red to catch up with you, your drone glides into the night to scout out the given address. It's in a relatively upscale section of the docks, rented by small- to medium-sized logistics and ship repair companies. You target seems to be a well-lit huge hangar at the waterfront; its doors are closed right now, and you can see a couple of Rotodrones patrolling above it in complex patters which remind you of fracta
[19:06:49] <@Fats> ls.
[19:06:51] <Red_S> *red is from
[19:07:23] <Red_S> *what's with this nerd and fractals?
[19:07:23] <@Fats> * Red_S, nah, the Alps seem safe, but Germany was hit pretty hard
[19:07:48] * Che tries all his new sensors and shares feed from Optic-X with team.
[19:08:32] <Red_S> -Think those belong to our new friend the canadian?
[19:08:37] <Nebokhod> = Looks like everything is in order.
[19:10:02] <Kit_Remoni> = Yes, style seems to be the same
[19:10:07] <Che> * Cryptochromic/hyperspectrum/UV/thermographic videofeeds and radioscanner.
[19:10:16] <Kit_Remoni> * What's cryptochromic?
[19:10:25] <Red_S> *hidden colors?
[19:10:31] <@Fats> * Encrypted!
[19:10:35] * Ronin leans forward in her seat to look out through the rain-riddled window. "So, who's up for knocking?" She asks in a half-joking, half-serious manner.
[19:10:58] <Che> * overlays with magnetic fields.
[19:11:46] <@Fats> Red, you rendezvous with Che's SUV at the time you agreed upon; it's only maybe a kilometer from your position to the hangar.
[19:11:55] <Red_S> -He probably already knows we're coming.
[19:12:20] <Ronin> * Dinner time here. I'll be back ASAP.
[19:12:30] <Che> - Well, so far looks pretty peaceful.
[19:12:48] <Red_S> -So do graveyards.
[19:13:21] <@Fats> * I wonder how you're talking aloud, most of the party being in the SUV, and Red outside in the rain on her bike :3
[19:13:24] <Nebokhod> - I do envy your ability to stay so cheerful.
[19:13:40] <Red_S> *you know what I meant, I'm not used to the notation
[19:13:50] <Che> - I were told, that with all those ghouls peaceful graveyards are things of history.
[19:14:04] <Kit_Remoni> - Well, don't exaggarate
[19:14:10] <@Fats> * The shedim, lol
[19:14:41] <Kit_Remoni> - In any case, I'll probably stay here with the heavy arsenal
[19:15:36] <Kit_Remoni> - Red, you leading, I suppose?
[19:15:47] <Red_S> =So we just walk on in? If they know we're here being stealthy will just make us suspicious.
[19:15:49] <Nebokhod> - Let me check the site from astral, first.
[19:16:42] <Nebokhod> * I leave body and slowly aprroach the warehouse
[19:16:53] <Red_S> *god damn shamans
[19:17:11] <Che> * sheman
[19:19:20] <@Fats> Lucas, the astral space seems remarkably clean for a district that used to be slums just a couple dozen years ago. As you thrust your consciousness out of your body, you're surrounded by the familiar synesthetic kaleidoscope of auras. As you approach the warehouse, through the astral murk you see it guarded by a spirit which you'd place as summoned by a New Zealand Maori whale rider
[19:19:21] <Nebokhod> * do you want peanut butter with your jelly?
[19:19:56] <Kit_Remoni> = I would say walk on in. We've checked stuff out outdoors, breaking into those drones just for kicks seems to amateur to me
[19:19:59] <Kit_Remoni> *too
[19:19:59] <Nebokhod> 7#sd assensing
[19:20:00] <ur_dnd_bot> Nebokhod: (pool 7) 7 hits
[19:20:13] <Red_S> *wow
[19:20:40] <@Fats> * not bad, bot, not bad, have all their good rolls :3
[19:20:50] <@Fats> * Nebokhod, what is it that you want to know?
[19:20:55] <Red_S> =Then let's go. Mary looks rather different in her chameleon suit and carrying a large briefcase.
[19:21:36] <Nebokhod> * about spirit mostly, and if there are barriers of some sort
[19:22:01] <Ronin> * Back while I eat.
[19:22:04] <Che> - Let's wait for our mage returning first.
[19:23:12] <@Fats> Nebokhod, you see a faint glimmer of mana barriers through the semi-transparent construct of the hangar. The spirit seems to be a Force 5 spirit of water.
[19:23:43] <@Fats> You can see the astral umbilical cord tying it to someone within the hangar.
[19:24:05] <Nebokhod> * i return to my body.
[19:25:03] <@Fats> * You do so without issue.
[19:25:28] <Kit_Remoni> - Any news, Luke?
[19:25:42] * Che calls back his drone.
[19:25:43] <Nebokhod> = There's a Maori mage with a Water spirit on premises.
[19:25:59] <Nebokhod> = Anyone has flamethrower in his pocket?
[19:26:55] <Che> = No?
[19:26:56] <Red_S> =Let's just not start any shit and we'll be fine.
[19:27:07] <Nebokhod> = Otherwise we are good to go.
[19:27:41] <@Fats> * So, who goes where?
[19:27:48] <Che> = Ok, let's go ask some questions. Nicely.
[19:27:53] <Red_S> *I'm just going to head in, as Che said
[19:28:13] <Nebokhod> * counterspelling is LOS?
[19:28:43] * Che drives closer.
[19:28:56] <Kit_Remoni> * I stay in the car with the drones, to facilitate a quick getaway if needed
[19:29:05] <@Fats> * Nebokhod, yes.
[19:29:26] <Nebokhod> * i go in then.
[19:29:48] <Che> * Che is going too, probably.
[19:30:26] <@Fats> As you park near the hangar, you see a metahuman-sized side door, mocking you with its featurelessness. A doorbell-shaped ARO is floating to the right of it, at hip level.
[19:30:28] <Che> * Or we can let those sociopaths to make all the talking, hmm...
[19:30:49] <Che> * not near - 1-2 blocks away.
[19:31:30] <Ronin> * Ronin will head inside as well.
[19:31:30] * Che makes inviting gesture to the Red.
[19:31:35] <Red_S> Mary simply presses the doorbell, no reason not to.
[19:33:36] <Che> * looks like you need to press it again.
[19:34:05] <Red_S> Mary angrily jabs it again, growing impatient.
[19:34:53] <Nebokhod> 14#sd detect life
[19:34:54] <ur_dnd_bot> Nebokhod: (pool 14) 3 hits
[19:35:11] <@Fats> All is silent for a few seconds, as apparently the drones above scan you. Then the doorbell lights up green, and the door unlocks with a click. Behind it lies the hangar interior, taken up in its entirety by Flying Canuck's T-Bird. The thing looks magnificient, even with its gimbal autocannons pointed your way. The covers are off the right engine nacelle; and you can see a technician working with the turbine.
[19:35:15] <@Fats> * still typing
[19:35:40] <Nebokhod> * disregard then
[19:35:41] <Red_S> *I know but the impatience was funny
[19:36:35] <Ronin> * T-bird?
[19:36:48] <Red_S> *thunderbird I think it's a jet or a helicopter
[19:37:04] <Che> * lowflying jetcopter
[19:37:24] <Ronin> * Aaah.
[19:37:26] <@Fats> You are greeted by a thin and pale man, his jumpsuit covered in dancing fractal colours. He has so much headware in his skull you suspect there's more fiberoptic chip than brain matter there, and thanks to all the interface ports, his face looks as if someone slapped it onto a side of a nexus node.
[19:38:01] * Che smiles and greets him
[19:38:04] <Nebokhod> * more like flying ifv
[19:38:04] <Che> *.
[19:38:29] <@Fats> * Red_S, you notice someone lurking in the shadows up above, over the door, behind you, apparently in a chameleon suit.
[19:38:48] <Kit_Remoni> * wave and smile )
[19:39:28] <@Fats> * Red_S, Ronin, you see that the right engine is surrounded by canisters labeled "HIGHLY FLAMMABLE". You are sure a couple well-placed bullets can turn the whole hangar into a blazing inferno.
[19:39:41] <Nebokhod> - Greetings, eathling, we come in peace.
[19:39:57] <Ronin> *There's two types of ninjas in a room. The ones you can see, and the ones you can't see.
[19:40:29] <Red_S> Red forces a smile. -You must be the Canuck. I'm glad we could get in touch.
[19:41:07] <@Fats> The man returns your smile. He has an annoying habit of grabbing his slim blond goaty as he talks, and with how nervously he fidgets, it looks like he might just pull off his face off that electronics stack
[19:42:36] <@Fats> - Ah yes. A Flying Canuck, that I am. An arms supplier and a smuggler extraordinaire. To what do I owe this rare pleasure of seeing such a large group of visitors at once? Armour? Weapons? Military materiel? What suits your fancy today?
[19:43:03] <Red_S> -Information. Recently you brought in a lot of hardware that didn't go to any major syndicate, correct?
[19:43:17] <Ronin> Ronin keeps her hands interlaced in front of her, well out of reach of her weapons.
[19:43:50] <@Fats> - I do sell various baubles now and again to private buyers such as yourself, yes.
[19:44:05] <Ronin> * Clean up time. Back soon.
[19:44:56] <@Fats> Red_S, you notice the man shift uncomfortably, as he leaves the line of fire between you and the T-Birds autocannons, which look straight at your forehead at the moment.
[19:45:16] <@Fats> * both mounts, actually.
[19:45:55] * Che sighs.
[19:46:14] <Red_S> -Well, to be honest I'm working a simple run and I need to get in contact with the so-called faceless avenger. She walks to the side casually as though she were a person who can't think and stand still, putting him in the line of fire again.
[19:47:29] <@Fats> * with the two gimbal mounts on the bird, you can place him between yourself and only one of these.
[19:47:50] * Nebokhod shifts his vision to astral and looks around.
[19:47:50] <Che> - We understand that you want to protect privacy of your clients, but we have all means to suspect that that package was for someone named "faceless avenger", who cuntinues to sow chaos in the cities underworld.
[19:48:03] <Che> *o
[19:48:08] <@Fats> - You understand the peculiar conditions of our work prohibit any customer detail disclosure.
[19:48:16] <Red_S> *I was going to pretend to be interested in joining him
[19:48:48] <Che> - Yes, but we hope, that you understand too, that his actions are bad for bussiness.
[19:49:10] <Red_S> - You sell to the syndicates too right?
[19:49:10] <@Fats> - I am truly saddened to hear he does, my friend, but I fail to see how that concerns me. Even if some of what I ship did end up in the wrong hands, this has precisely nothing to do with my honest courier services.
[19:49:27] <@Fats> * that was in reply to Che.
[19:49:41] <Che> - And if you haven't lost any of your clients or contacts to him, then it's just a question of time.
[19:49:57] <Red_S> -Do you know that the avenger is looking to stop the wars between syndicates? If the wars stop who will buy guns?
[19:50:24] <Nebokhod> - Well, we're pretty sure that yaks or koreans, sweet people that they are, will understand your position.
[19:50:33] <@Fats> - I sell to anyone willing to pay my prices, - the man lets out a small laugh, - But truly the world will end before the people willing to buy implements of war.
[19:50:56] <Ronin> *Back.
[19:51:23] <@Fats> * Okay, Che, Red, want to roll Negotiation now? Nebokhod, how about an Intimidation attempt?
[19:52:00] <Red_S> *I've got a dice pool of 2 for negotiation, you don't want me to roll that
[19:52:12] <Nebokhod> * nah, it's longshot roll.
[19:52:30] <Red_S> sd#2
[19:52:34] <Che> * Mmm, if I put my edge to it it'll be edge+dicepool?
[19:53:17] <Nebokhod> * yes and all the dice are exploding
[19:53:19] <Che> * also, I'm probably upping my edge with all that free karma.
[19:53:31] <Che> * So, should I?
[19:53:48] <@Fats> * up to you :3
[19:53:59] <Red_S> *go for it
[19:54:17] <Che> *Ok, is it 7#sdx?
[19:54:28] <Kit_Remoni> * I suppose as a worst case you could buy that info
[19:55:05] <Che> * I'm not that rich. That tip from Mihalych costed me almost 20% of my cash.
[19:55:15] <Che> **15%
[19:55:32] <Che> 7#sdx
[19:55:32] <ur_dnd_bot> Che: (pool 7, exploding) 2 hits
[19:55:43] <Che> * Oh you.
[19:56:21] <Red_S> 5#sdx
[19:56:22] <ur_dnd_bot> Red_S: (pool 5, exploding) 4 hits
[19:56:23] <Che> * That was me negotiations, yes.
[19:56:30] <Red_S> *lol git gud
[19:56:34] <Che> *y
[19:56:37] <@Fats> * Red, what was that?
[19:56:43] <Red_S> *negotiate with edge
[19:57:17] <Che> * Che can
[19:57:24] <Che> **'t into face
[19:57:51] <Red_S> -This isn't about moralizing, it's about your money. More fighting more money, and I assume you care about making more money.
[19:57:58] <Kit_Remoni> * well, I do hope this will be enough
[19:59:23] <@Fats> - I have high expectations for the underworld weapons market worldwide; but yes, I guess you are right, undermining my own core clientele might not be the smartest choice. What is it that you desire to know?
[20:00:00] <Red_S> -How can we get in contact with the faceless avenger or his lieutennants?
[20:00:28] <Nebokhod> - And a rough inventory of the goods you sold to him would be nice.
[20:01:12] <Red_S> Mary chimes in through a subvocal microphone =Don't push our luck
[20:02:18] <@Fats> - You seem to misunderstand my modus operandi, friends. Look, you walked in here, and what I asked wasn't your identification papers, but your desire. It works the same for everyone. If you have any details on the shipment you're looking for, I might be able to help you, but you can rest assured I do not have a database with entries like "Faceless Avenger: two assault cannons and a missile launcher".
[20:03:19] <Red_S> -Fair enough. Mary looks over the notes her chinese contact gave her.
[20:04:27] <Ronin> - Does your drones record what they see?
[20:04:33] <Kit_Remoni> + I'm pretty sure database exists, though
[20:05:14] <@Fats> * You have the shipment supposed date and its estimated contents. The data seems pieced together by some highly advanced data mining expert system, Red_S.
[20:05:46] <@Fats> - Of course, my dear, all drones record everything that they see; just like your Optic-X does.
[20:05:47] <Nebokhod> + He didn't exactly said it doesn't exist though.
[20:05:55] <Red_S> -Does any of this look familiar? She hands the dossier to the smuggler.
[20:06:47] <Nebokhod> - Oooh, dead trees. How quaint.
[20:07:19] <@Fats> He browses through the dossier in silence for a good share of a minute, the only sound in the hangar being the technician welding something inside the T-Bird's engine, leaving a stench of burning metal in the air.
[20:07:42] <@Fats> * is it in dead trees, though? The Johnson passed it as a file...
[20:07:47] <@Fats> * so anyway
[20:08:02] * Nebokhod looks around for a place to sit.
[20:08:41] <Ronin> Ronin takes a discreet look around, still assuming the "bodyguard" pose with her shoulders wide and hands in front.
[20:08:52] <Red_S> *my bad
[20:09:08] <@Fats> Lucas, you're on a walkway running along the length of a T-Bird. While there are seats inside, you're sure, and the steel of the walkway looks as clear as it can be in an aircraft hangar, you're pretty sure the oil stains you see on it aren't all too inviting.
[20:09:24] <@Fats> Finally, the man seems to recognize something: "Ah thiiiiis".
[20:09:25] <Nebokhod> * printers do exist, i'm sure.
[20:09:41] <Red_S> *assume she wrote it down on something I guess?
[20:10:14] <Che> * soypaper!
[20:10:32] <Che> * Or is it krillpaper here?
[20:12:24] <@Fats> - See, this was almost a month ago. Not too large of a shipment: four military-grade Ares Myrmidon armour suits, some twenty SK Dragonhide armour vests, and Ingram Smartguns to match. Hmmm, what else. A few cases of ammunition, a Ranger Arms SM-4, I believe that was pretty much it.
[20:13:38] <Red_S> -Know anything about the people who picked it up?
[20:14:23] <Red_S> *sounds like the lieutennants are wearing nice armor.
[20:14:55] <Kit_Remoni> * sounds like your sniper rifle and Ronin's sword will have something to do )
[20:15:09] <Ronin> - Perhaps, if you still have the footage, we could learn more. Put a face on the faceless, if you'll excuse my humor.
[20:15:22] <@Fats> - A most peculiar character arrived to pick it up, yes. A cyclops, I believe they're called. Had a nice boat he moored just over there, - the man points towards the waterfront, - Loaded the thing all by himself, and off him went, poof!
[20:15:30] <Ronin> * I am expecting a "That still only counts as one!" moment between the two of them.
[20:16:15] <@Fats> *off he went
[20:17:15] <Nebokhod> + I believe we had some info about a speedboat.
[20:17:19] <@Fats> - Sure, let me look something up, - the man pauses for another fifteen seconds or so, then returns to his senses, - There you go! - He sends you an ARO of a drone cam recording of the cyclops loading his boat.
[20:17:48] <Red_S> -If we're lucky we can find out the boat. It might be registered.
[20:17:55] * Che check if he knows this guy.
[20:17:56] <Red_S> -And how many cyclopses can one city have?
[20:18:21] <Che> 10#sd underworld
[20:18:21] <ur_dnd_bot> Che: (pool 10) 3 hits
[20:19:25] <@Fats> Che, you don't know any in the Vladivostok shadows, but you're reasonably sure you heard of a cyclops running in Magadan. A nasty piece of work, that, earning his Butcher nickname the hard way.
[20:20:12] <Che> - Looks like we have guests from Magadan...
[20:20:18] <Ronin> Ronin bows in true Japanese fashion at the fidgety man. "You have been most helpful. We appreciate your aid." She's being pleasant, at least for the time being.
[20:20:38] <Red_S> *Magadan?
[20:21:07] <Red_S> -If all goes well, I'll be sure to stop by and pick up some hardware. I expect to be busy.
[20:21:11] <@Fats> * A port up in the North, in Awakened Yakut. Their largest port, in fact.
[20:21:19] <Nebokhod> - That's better than to be a guest in Magadan.
[20:21:57] <Nebokhod> (to Canuck) - Do you have some pamphlets or catalogues, by the way?
[20:22:10] <@Fats> - Drop me a line if you need anything particular, dearest, - he sends out an ARO with an anonymized mailbox address.
[20:22:37] <Ronin> *Do we all get that address?
[20:22:40] <Che> - Thanks, Canuck, we owe you one - if you'll need some troubleshooters just call.
[20:23:16] <Red_S> *leave it to a canadian to be so polite
[20:23:21] <@Fats> - Given enough time, I can get you anything on the market, man; just give me an advance warning.
[20:23:41] <Red_S> -Let's find that boat.
[20:23:52] <Nebokhod> - Very impressive.
[20:24:05] <@Fats> - Ha, sure I will, - the man replies to Che.
[20:24:26] <Che> * Contact? Contact!
[20:24:42] <@Fats> - Non-impressive smugglers only deal small-time. I mean, fly candy to Trans-Polar Aleut or something, haha.
[20:25:03] <@Fats> * 6/1, I'd say; feel free to add it to your charsheets.
[20:25:09] <Red_S> yoooo
[20:25:10] <Nebokhod> - That is true.
[20:25:14] <Red_S> *oh whoops yoooo
[20:25:22] <Che> - Speaking of funny natives, do you work with yakuts?
[20:25:40] <Ronin> *Inb4 Renraku Red Sam armor.
[20:25:41] <Che> - In case we'll need to exfiltrate someone from here.
[20:26:38] <@Fats> - Who doesn't, in this market? They have a huge demand for materiel, but I can't say their money's too good. And yes, we could exfiltrate someone for you; for a price of course, - he adds with a smile.
[20:26:57] <Nebokhod> - Goes without saying.
[20:27:02] * Che nods.
[20:27:15] <Ronin> - I suppose the line between smuggling goods and smuggling people is blurry at best.
[20:28:22] <Nebokhod> - Goods do not talk.
[20:28:25] <@Fats> - But people are a good in a few jurisdictions, dearest! - the man lets out a laugh.
[20:28:57] <Red_S> -Hilarious. She doesn't sound amused. -Let's go.
[20:29:31] <@Fats> - Let us not get terminological, - the man replies to Lucas, - Yes, we have a repair to attend to. Was nice meeting you, come again.
[20:30:04] <Nebokhod> - Best of luck with repairs.
[20:30:08] * Nebokhod walks out
[20:30:26] <Ronin> Ronin follows along.
[20:30:43] <@Fats> As you leave, the autocannons follow you still until the door slams shut behind you; the drones still circle in the sky.
[20:30:59] <Red_S> -That went well.
[20:31:29] <Che> - No windows were harmt.
[20:31:39] <Che> *harmed
[20:31:45] <Ronin> - Can't argue there.
[20:32:15] <Kit_Remoni> - Luckily, our target has publicity issues
[20:32:45] <Nebokhod> - He has a host of issues.
[20:32:54] <Red_S> -It shouldn't be hard to find a cyclops named Butcher. Did you save the footage he gave us?
[20:32:55] <Che> - PR is cornersome for some bussinesses.
[20:32:58] <Red_S> *is the boat in the footage?
[20:33:11] <@Fats> * Yeah, it is.
[20:33:18] <Kit_Remoni> - Did he name the guy?
[20:33:43] <Kit_Remoni> 13#sd
[20:33:43] <ur_dnd_bot> Kit_Remoni: (pool 13) 5 hits
[20:33:45] <Kit_Remoni> 11#sd
[20:33:45] <ur_dnd_bot> Kit_Remoni: (pool 11) 6 hits
[20:33:54] <Nebokhod> - Now, i do believe we have registration for some speedboat in those files. Maybe it's the Butcher's.
[20:34:04] <Red_S> *che's knowledge of the magdan cyclops is called butcher I think
[20:34:39] <Kit_Remoni> 15,24#sde
[20:34:39] <ur_dnd_bot> Kit_Remoni: (pool 15, threshold 24) 5 passes, 27 hits
[20:35:02] <Kit_Remoni> * searching for prominent cyclopii in the vladik shadow area
[20:35:13] <@Fats> Red, just as you're hopping back on your bike, Katja drops you a line: "So I looked through that dossier, and looks like you're not the only one interested in that man. The port authority logs have been wiped, including the backups; and the man who did it is on the run. I managed to track him to Verkhovaya-16 airfield up north from Vladivostok, you know, that old abandoned military thing; must have someone waiting for him there I figure".
[20:35:38] <Kit_Remoni> * is he there now?
[20:35:59] <Red_S> -If we're lucky we might be able to catch them.
[20:36:00] <@Fats> * She doesn't say because she doesn't know.
[20:37:00] <@Fats> Kit_Remoni, you come up empty. While Vladivostok shadows overflow with oni and koborokuru, you can't quite find anyone one-eyed in the city.
[20:37:14] <Red_S> *by "that man" does she mean the faceless avenger or the butcher guy?
[20:38:01] <@Fats> * You asked her about Faceless Avenger when you sent her the dossier; and you never brought her up to speed on Butcher. So Faceless Avenger, of course.
[20:38:11] <Red_S> *just making sure
[20:39:03] <Red_S> -We ought to check out the airfield, the man who wiped the data knows something and it'd be risky to let him get too far.
[20:39:19] <Nebokhod> - Makes sense.
[20:40:03] <Che> - Ok.
[20:40:21] * Che plots route to airfield.
[20:40:49] <Red_S> Red messages the Katja back +Thanks for the heads up, will investigate. Found a lead on a cyclops called butcher. LDS
[20:40:58] <Red_S> *Red will follow
[20:41:13] <@Fats> The rain stops, the clouds part, and a full moon glides through the sky in its eternal glory, shining silver on the drenched city. You can't help but wonder what it feels like for the cosmonauts to look back at you from its surface.
[20:41:59] <Kit_Remoni> - Okay. So this cyclops was here a month ago and no one in the shadows heard of him. Low profile even for a outsider.
[20:42:06] <Red_S> *Mary's glad that she doesn't have to sleep as much as most people, especially on time-dependant jobs like this
[20:42:35] <Che> - He seems to be from Magadan. I wonder if our mark is based there too...
[20:43:00] <@Fats> The airfield is ways out of the city, half a hundred kilometers or so. With the kind of roads the countryside offers, you will be there in two hours, unless you want to spend the next day servicing your suspension.
[20:43:25] <Red_S> *vroom
[20:43:27] <Nebokhod> - Probably no one wanted to work for him here.
[20:43:55] <Ronin> *Mad Myhalich: Bumpy Road.
[20:44:11] <@Fats> * :3
[20:44:51] <Nebokhod> * sing Brother Barrett, sing brother Ingram.
[20:45:19] <@Fats> * So, what is it you do, runners?
[20:45:31] * Che drives and cuts tails and spoofs chips and changes paintwork and prepares Optic-X again...
[20:45:56] * Nebokhod naps while on the road.
[20:46:00] <Red_S> *We need to recon the airfield, is there an elevated position nearby?
[20:46:49] <Che> * you mean "sky"?
[20:47:21] <Red_S> *I mean something like a hill or a building that's taller than the field
[20:47:27] <Che> * also someone can hack us some cameras.
[20:47:47] <Nebokhod> * can you shoot from these cameras?
[20:48:07] <Ronin> Ronin reaches down to unholster her UZI IV and procures a magazine from her pocket with a blue strip of tape around the bottom. She inserts it into the weapon, then holsters it once more without chambering a round quite yet. "Would there be a traffic control tower? The roof of such a building may prove adequate, depending on where the target is."
[20:48:23] <Che> * Are we planning to shoot or to recon?
[20:48:40] <Nebokhod> * both
[20:49:00] <Red_S> *first one then the other.
[20:49:22] <Che> * Traffic control tower that is then. It is full of windows after all...
[20:49:46] <Red_S> *what?
[20:49:57] <Nebokhod> * SPOILERS
[20:53:36] <@Fats> * okay, I suggest we save here. I know that cuts the session short, but that's a reasonable place to stop, logically speaking :3
[20:53:46] <Ronin> - Red, do you carry non-lethal amm-
[20:53:50] <Ronin> *Alrighty.
[20:53:53] <Red_S> *I have a taser
[20:54:11] * Red_S is now known as Finch
[20:54:19] <Che> * okay.
[20:54:39] * Nebokhod is now known as Heckfy[Ex]
[20:55:17] <@Fats> Three karma, everyone