FIVE 10

[18:28:22] <@Fats> In the previous sessions of FIVE!
[18:28:22] <@Fats> So anyway, we cut the Johnson scene a bit abruptly, so I'll recap the deal: you go to Irkutsk (tickets for the train, third class, are provided, as well as a code word to enter the railway terminal through a side gate, without the usual weapon scans, ID checks and chemsniffers) [it used to be Khabarovsk, not Irkutsk, but beware my time-altering powers that rival and surpass the powers of a President!]
[18:28:22] <@Fats> Once in Irkutsk, without leaving the railway terminal (and thus without being subjected to another search at the entrance), you take a train back (second class tickets provided, two in one compartment and two in another). Somewhere along the route your Johnson's courier will join you in one of your compartments (code phrase established, "Tired of the Buryats killing each other").
[18:28:26] <@Fats> He'll leave, "forgetting" his luggage behind. The luggage is to be delivered to a meeting point arranged and handed to Johnson. Your train will be going just after an armoured train patrol, so security on it will be scarce, about a dozen armed men. Still, nothing too obvious and/or too bulky.
[18:28:31] <@Fats> The cars haven't changed much from the ones we have today, except the third class ("platzcart") one you're taking is a two-floor arrangement (you have a full compartment to yourself on the lower level).
[18:28:35] <@Fats> Irkutsk is three days of train travel away. You have, let's say, half a day until departure.
[18:28:41] <@Fats> Currently you're all riding in your van after the meeting with the Johnson; your bellies still full with noodles.
[18:31:09] <Che> * it's SUV, not van!
[18:31:11] <Nebokhod> - Job looks straightforward enough. Any bright ideas, though?
[18:31:42] <Che> - Looks almost too easy.
[18:32:28] <Nebokhod> - Yeah, no such thing as milk run.
[18:35:20] <Che> * Are our train tickets tied to our names?
[18:36:19] <Nebokhod> * to SINs, I would think.
[18:36:26] * Guns_n_Droids is now known as Kit_Remoni
[18:37:16] <Kit_Remoni> - Since this can't be milk run, too much money - then competitors are ON the train or at the destination of the train
[18:37:21] <@Fats> * to whatever SINs you chose to gave your Johnson; he assumes they will stand up to the cursory check at the train car's entrance
[18:38:05] <Kit_Remoni> - Still, since he expects courier will still be there in one piece when we arrive, then guys either are waiting on the train or more probably at the terminal
[18:39:06] <Kit_Remoni> - Crazy idea I'm currently forming in my brain probably stems from those noodles, but still: maybe we should NOT meet the opposition at all and return home some other way?
[18:39:41] <Nebokhod> - Like what?
[18:42:19] <Kit_Remoni> - Well, this is Siberia, so cars are out of question
[18:42:38] <Kit_Remoni> - Either LAV or a boat under one of the bridges
[18:43:45] <Kit_Remoni> - We get on the train, find courier, take the stuff, then jump the F out. Or actually.. can you FLY us out?
[18:44:37] <Nebokhod> - I think that LAV will cost than our entire pay to hire.
[18:45:04] <Nebokhod> = Why do you think they call me Nebokhod?
[18:46:18] <Kit_Remoni> = Well, I've never been clear on how much people can walk the sky WITH you, man. And going to the courier alone is kinda dangerous
[18:46:43] <Nebokhod> - Should be doable, i think.
[18:49:36] <Che> - We don't know what is that package - it can be fragile or hazardous or even alive.
[18:50:12] <Nebokhod> - Good point.
[18:50:46] <Che> - At least it should be pretty compact and unconspicious.
[18:53:35] <Nebokhod> - The size of suitcase or less, maybe backpack.
[18:55:15] <Kit_Remoni> - I specifically asked - it is neither fragile nor explosive
[18:56:37] <Kit_Remoni> - But LAV may be costly, yes. boat may be better solution, though it's slower.
[18:57:45] <Nebokhod> - Maybe you should look up the costs then?
[18:58:07] <Che> - And boat will be significally more low profile then LAVs.
[18:58:23] * Kit_Remoni opens couple of AR windows to check the costs | what to roll, Fats?
[19:00:31] <@Fats> * Hmm, do you have any contacts that'd be able to set you up with the people needed?
[19:01:28] <Che> * Well, I have that one mechanic...
[19:02:25] <Kit_Remoni> * me - no, seems that I did not write down any contacts. Nebokhod has a fixer, and Che has a mechanic
[19:03:05] <Che> *(And bartender. Don't forget bartender!)
[19:03:14] <Kit_Remoni> * myself I planned to do matrix search
[19:06:42] <@Fats> Kit searches the Matrix for runner and smuggler stories involving border crossings and other illicit activity along the Transsib, and it appears to him that LAV transportation prices from along the Eastern Transsib and back to Vladivostok run at around 20 thousand nuyen; well-armed speedboat prices range at about half as much.
[19:08:18] * PLC (~kvirc@91.211.105.86) has joined #TeamA
[19:09:41] <Che> * (sonetimes they return!)
[19:10:01] <Che> * m
[19:10:47] <Che> * What about not so armed fishing speed-boats?
[19:10:51] <@Fats> In the process, the search complex form enriches Kit's store of cool stories with such gems as LAV-flying smugglers flying along the Amur river, chased by a wing of Russian interceptors, and only surviving due to simulating a crash; and Yakutian telesma smugglers braving hundreds of kilometers of wilderness to bring their goods to Khabarovsk.
[19:11:31] <@Fats> * Che, these are cheaper, somewhere at 7k; but with China falling apart, the Amur waters aren't anywhere as safe as they used to be
[19:12:49] <Kit_Remoni> - Well, with our payday running at 6K per person, unarmed boat costs 7-8K, and we'll have to use our own firepower to defend. Or shell out 10K for armed one
[19:13:32] <Kit_Remoni> - Still, it is better since I can get my gundrones on the boat, but not on the train - suspension of disbelief can only do so much stretching, ya know
[19:14:56] <Nebokhod> - Essentially we will be paying seven to ten grands for changing one fight to another.
[19:15:19] <Che> - Are there any stealth boats?
[19:16:35] <Nebokhod> - Never mind that we could expect ambush on the way to handover.
[19:18:51] <Che> - Eh, in our line of work we could expect ambush anywhere anytime.
[19:21:07] <Nebokhod> - Aren't you the cheerie one.
[19:23:31] <Kit_Remoni> - M'kay, you want train fight - go on.
[19:24:49] <Kit_Remoni> * what would be a matrix search in criminal darknet about items having been stolen around day or so before we met bug-eyed Joe on the train path before khabarovsk?
[19:25:36] <Che> * I'd say around week before.
[19:28:10] <@Fats> Your Matrix search brings up all kinds of assorted luggage commonly stolen on long-distance trains; nothing of particular note, though.
[19:28:29] <@Fats> * I don't recall your Johnson claiming the item had been stolen from him?
[19:29:39] <Kit_Remoni> * not ON the train, in the places on the path of the train. It is (as I guess) not that fast, and this part of russia is not heavily inhabited, so there's only a couple of big cities.
[19:29:50] <Che> * I think, he meant to look for recently stolen valuables, which may be in need of further transportation.
[19:30:06] <@Fats> * Oh.
[19:30:06] <Kit_Remoni> * I assume courier stole the item FOR him from those people we need to protect the thing from
[19:31:08] <@Fats> Although you look long and hard, nothing comes up in the cities along the Transsib, or any of the towns and villages along it.
[19:31:30] <Kit_Remoni> * oh well
[19:32:01] <Kit_Remoni> - So what is *your* plan, Lukas?
[19:32:44] <Nebokhod> - Glorious improvization!
[19:33:40] <Nebokhod> - I'd like some muscle to take with us, but on such short notice...
[19:33:46] <PLC> http://riafan.ru/496393-kommunisty-trebuyut-s-piccerij-papa-john-s-procent-za-ispolzovanie-stalina
[19:33:51] <PLC> ой
[19:35:30] <Nebokhod> - Can you change our seat numbers when we will be onboard?
[19:35:51] <Kit_Remoni> - Sure.
[19:37:05] <Che> - Will courier find us then?
[19:37:50] <Nebokhod> - Why shouldn't they?
[19:38:21] <Che> - Well, if all he got is seat numbers...
[19:38:58] <Nebokhod> - Obviously, we'll change them after the handover.
[19:40:06] <Che> - Ah. I was under impression that you wanted to change not only seats but entire transport after handover.
[19:41:11] <Nebokhod> - No, that was Kit.
[19:46:04] <Nebokhod> - Have you any ideas, Che?
[19:47:28] <Che> - Well, we can try to intercept courier before train departure, but that will need some luck and information.
[19:48:45] <Che> - That is if courier boards train already with package and not after departure.
[19:49:26] <Kit_Remoni> - My impression was that he will board either in there or little earlier
[19:49:42] <Kit_Remoni> - Otherwise anyone could remove him before he meets us
[19:51:03] <Che> - I mean, there is chance that he'll board it via some couriermajiks en-route. Or he'll obtain package after departure.
[19:57:30] <Kit_Remoni> - Let's be simple
[19:58:23] <Kit_Remoni> - Most logical is that courier needed a fast getaway. There's no other way than a train, so they hastily hire us to make sure stuff gets through intact
[19:59:06] <Kit_Remoni> - Anyway, back to plan - we get in, we get package, we switch seats... then?
[19:59:09] <Che> - Well, haste or not, but we'll need 3 days to even get there.
[19:59:54] <Che> - Then we try to survive and deliver package!
[20:00:10] <Che> - Then profit.
[20:00:31] <Nebokhod> - Something along these lines, yes.
[20:00:42] <Kit_Remoni> - OK
[20:01:57] <Che> - That's the most simple plan.
[20:02:50] <Kit_Remoni> * then I suggest cut to "we are on the train"
[20:03:42] <Che> * No further preparations?
[20:04:56] <Che> * Ok, I'll take with me Fly-Spy.
[20:04:57] <@Fats> * So you don't prepare any alternative means of transportation, then? :3
[20:04:58] <Nebokhod> * will you ride the train with us?
[20:08:02] <Kit_Remoni> * well, since obviously we are short on money
[20:08:42] <Che> * and time.
[20:10:15] <@Fats> * Skipping to the train, then? What do you bring to the train with you?
[20:11:12] <Che> * Guns. And Fly-Spy.
[20:11:26] <Nebokhod> * the usual, drugs and food.
[20:12:13] <Nebokhod> * medkit.
[20:12:15] <Kit_Remoni> * autodoc chair and microdrone
[20:13:05] <Kit_Remoni> * and pocketable stuff
[20:13:44] <@Fats> * it's pretty obvious that the chair won't fit in the narrow passages of the railroad car
[20:15:54] <Che> * They're no so disabled friendly are they?
[20:19:40] <@Fats> * it's future dystopic Russia we're talking about, you should be thankful you're not running inside a gulag camp
[20:20:35] <Kit_Remoni> * well then, I'll take medkit with me
[20:20:48] <Kit_Remoni> * At least sprite will be able to suggest how to use it
[20:21:20] <Che> * I'll take everything on me + drone.
[20:21:58] <Che> * It's not that I have huge illegal arsenal or there'll be security checks...
[20:25:47] <Che> * Hm, or leave Elan at car, as it tied to my legal SIN?
[20:26:01] <Che> * Alta, not Elan.
[20:26:53] <@Fats> Your SUV safely passes the side gate your Johnson marked on your maps. You dismount and proceed. The railway terminal lives its normal life: crowds of passengers hurry to board their trains; soldiers in their bulky military-grade armour loiter around the armoured trains, servicing the drones, cleaning the armoured cars or simply smoking. The terminal stinks of hot steel and old machine oil; the wing brings the stench of burned gunpowder and missil
[20:26:53] <@Fats> e fuel from the armoured trains.
[20:26:54] <@Fats> You pass through the crowd and after a cursory check of your ticket AROs board your train. The third class car is a tall two-level arrangement with low ceilings and narrow passages, your companions for the ride mostly blue-collar people from the towns along the Transsiberian. Luckily, you have a whole compartment to yourself; still, people often pass through it, and loud chatter, drunk voices and crying babies can regularly be heard as your train
[20:26:59] <@Fats> leaves Vladivostok and heads for the West, preceded by an armoured train escort.
[20:27:01] <Nebokhod> * maybe you should arrange for car's safekeeping.
[20:27:51] <@Fats> * the terminal has a parking lot in its safe zone, and the parking fees I'll just include in your lifestyle costs, so that isn't a problem.
[20:28:00] <@Fats> * anyone with any plans for the journey?
[20:28:18] <Nebokhod> * nah.
[20:28:22] <Che> * we have 3 days of matrix surfing and sleep?
[20:29:05] <Che> * Also, is Remoni with us and without his chair?
[20:29:10] <@Fats> * also, people browsing, yes.
[20:29:15] <@Fats> * yes, both
[20:29:21] <@Fats> * well, apparently
[20:30:10] <Che> * Was he provided compact collapsible chair?
[20:30:22] <Che> * with
[20:30:38] <@Fats> * feel free to describe your intentions for the day; *with a; and no, not by the RZD
[20:30:53] * Nebokhod catches himself up on magical securuty research and celebrity gossip.
[20:33:00] * Che looks for information relevant to his side jobs, news from Irkutsk, updates on stolen valuables and so on. Also sleeps. And eats...
[20:34:03] <Nebokhod> * how much is a souvenir-grade glass-holder, btw?
[20:34:51] <@Fats> * About 5Y I'd say
[20:35:01] <Che> * Cheap!
[20:35:26] <@Fats> * Альзо, у меня тут труба зовет; пауза на полчасика или сохранимся?
[20:36:05] * Nebokhod buys himself a glass-holder.
[20:36:16] <Che> * Dunno. Save, I think.
[20:36:23] <Kit_Remoni> * save is a good idea
[20:36:39] <Che> * Save often and on different slots!
[20:36:39] <Nebokhod> * ok.
[20:37:00] <Kit_Remoni> * we could try matrix-scan separately with Fats, since it would be faster
[20:37:42] <Che> * Not a bad idea.
[20:38:17] <@Fats> * okay, as you wish. Sorry for cutting this short, hopefully next week we'll kick of to a more involved start, if things go to my keikaku
[20:38:20] <Nebokhod> * yeah,also, see if you can't hack the train back.