The Shopping Trip From Hell

[Baelfyre]

The next morning, the three of you head to the conference room after breakfast. Coming out of the room, you see a giant of a man with sword over his back, a Hellbringer revolver on his hip and carrying a black bag on one shoulder. He has black hair cut short, almost in a buzz cut and leaf green eyes. He glances over each of you and nods a greeting, then continues out the back door.

The group continues into the conference room. In the room, there is Heaven, the two bodyguards, and one new person. On the table, there is a strange device made of crystal, with intricate circuitry embedded throughout the device and several wires running from it. The device is about a foot high, and six inches both across and wide. There are also two weapon crates on the floor against the wall.

The new person is a young boy somewhere between thirteen and sixteen. He’s about 5’6” with oriental features and a very slim build. He also has very startling violet eyes and blonde hair. He carries what all of you recognize as net running equipment, as well as a heavy pistol. He is dressed in close fitting denim; the solos will recognize it as Gibson’s Battlegear.

Heaven is dressed in a business suit, with her hair piled on top in an elaborate style. She has her jacket off, and an exotic pistol in a shoulder holster on her left side. With a graceful motion, each of them are waved into a chair, and she begins “Good morning. I trust you all slept well? Are you all ready to begin?”

[TinSoldier]

Mahmoud, transfixed by the shiny new tech on the table, murmurs "Yes."

[Baelfyre]

Heaven notices where his attention is, and smiles "Yes, this is the equipment you'll be installing then babysitting."

[Ladyfyreyes]

"Good Morning. My aren't you all spiffy looking today." Walking over to the table with the device on it. "May I?" Gesturing to the device?

[Kalzazz]

"Morning. Sure, I slept well"

[Baelfyre]

Replying to Spike, Heaven answers "Feel free to touch it. It's not activated, and it's embedded in a synthetic diamond structure and shell."

Continuing, she says "Your assignment is theoretically simple. Open up the Macy's in the Mall of the America's, clean any people and or critters out, and set up the device. There are, however, a few possible complications..."

[Ladyfyreyes]

Spyke turns her full attention to Heaven. "Complications?" "Aren't there always complications?"

[Baelfyre]

"Well, there is the possibility... possibility, mind you, that there may be a somewhat exotic creature in the store. I'll get back to that in a moment." Heaven says, then continues "The Mall of the Americas is an ornament of the Crash. Built in 2009, it was a mate to the original Mall of the Americas; instead of the amusement park in the center of the mall it had an exclusive apartment building."

At this point, Heaven gestures and a holographic map appears above the table...
http://www.mallofamerica.com/map_directory.aspx


"After the Crash, the mall was abandoned for several reasons; the primary reason was there were no customers left in Orlando, and that was complicated by the fact that the consortium of holding companies that owned the mall went bankrupt so quickly, and with such a confusion of records that ownership of the mall vanished into the shadows, leaving it in limbo."

"The Macy's that you will be entering was sealed by a special compound; a nanite impregnated carbon nanotube polymer that regenerates itself indefinitely. Essentially, the Macy's has been isolated from the world for the last 14 years."

*Note for the tech... the sealing material described is theoretical even today; in 2009 it was way past bleeding edge tech*

"The Mall itself was built with the best tech of the day. Including it's own solar power cell network on the roof and a large electrophoresis and purification plant underground that provides clean water. Not a whole lot in terms of what a metroplex uses, but sufficient to provide water for the apartment complex and the commercial uses for the stores. These features are NOT known to the general public, but are known the current inhabitants of the mall."

"Inhabitants are a mixed bag. There is a diner serving (primarily, anyway) truckers taking the old I4 route. There are two boostergangs and about four or five hundred assorted people living in and directly around the mall."

"The first boostergang is called the Street Sharks. They are somewhat cybered, but their real strength lies in their assortment of armed vehicles and motorbikes. The run Dorph, Synthcoke, and Lace into the metroplex. All the truckers pay them a set fee to use 'their' road, except a few of the most bad ass and intractable. It's usually a lot cheaper to pay them than to spend the ammo to kill them. They cluster around the Nordstroms, to the northwest."

"The other boostergang is a lot more exotic. It's called the elves, and it's composed of a bunch of kids that had themselves bodysculpted into Tolkienesque elves. They tend to have lots of bio and neural cyberware, and use bows and arrows. Don't laugh; they have managed to stop everybody that has tried to move into their turf cold. The elves tend to use monoblades and 25mm grenades to tip their arrows, together with an average ref of 9+. Very, very bad news. They also sell fresh fruit and meat, though nobody inquires to closely as to what kind of meat. They live in the old apartment complex. The building could hold about a thousand people, but nobody knows for sure how many Elves there are. At least a couple hundred."

"The Mall is on the old I4 bypass, about twenty miles north of Orlando. It is surrounded by about 4 miles of dustbowl, with a swamp both north and west."

"I have the codekey to disable the nanite regeneration on the sealant, but it will take a fairly major explosion to make it. It will draw attention. On the other hand, two rather unusual entrances were left open."

"The first is a set of vent shafts going in from the top of the mall. The shafts were build a little wider than code for a group to enter. But there are fans on a regular basis to move air that will have to be disabled temporarily for you to move through."

"The other route is a route leading up from the electrophoresis plant, but you would have to enter through a toxic swamp area and move through about 6 miles of half flooded, unlit tunnel."

"A little climb and a few fans seem like a good idea in comparison to me. Your safe passage through the boosters has been purchased, as long as you don't enter their immediate territory and don't cause trouble."

"Now, moving on to the possibility of more exotic danger. Your employer has informed me that the Macy's was closed in that way because of several disappearances that were traced to the Macy's. There is a possibility that there may be a creature of extra-terrestrial origin in the building. It's unlikely; even if it was real it's been sealed away from food for the last 12 years. But your employer has told me that IF there is such a creature there, there will be an additional 1000 EB bonus if you kill it."

"In all likelihood, there is nothing more exotic than some spinners in there. But..."

*GM note... spinners are spiders the size of football that hunt small to midsize animals, up to about 100lbs. This has included humans on occasion, particularly children.

"Your assignment is to get into the Macy's, attach the device to the main electrical and comm grid. If somebody comes after the device, you will send a signal through a chip you will be given that will cause it to self destruct. You are not to EVER go into the underground garage area for the mall. Everybody that has expressed the intent to do so has never been seen again. There aren't even any rumors about what's under there."

"Moving right along, over here are your weapons. They are MPK-11's that have been improved by a master gunsmith, including reflex red dot sights, modular underbarrel rails, and an improved barrel-bolt weld giving greater muzzle velocity. Included are 4 underbarrel 40mm grenade launchers and 4 burst capable 12 gauge shotguns, together with an assortment of ammunition for all of them."

"You will also be getting laptops, some improved nanite healing packages, and the aforementioned chip. I don't mind if Mahmoud takes the time to check the chips carefully for sabotage."

"Questions?"

[Kalzazz]

"What about the exotic creature?"

[Baelfyre]

"As I said, it's probably dead if it was ever there. And even if it is still alive, you get a 1000eb bonus for making it dead." Heaven smiles at her.

[Kalzazz]

"Oh, thats cool . . . . uh, but what is it?"

[Baelfyre]

"If it exists, nobody knows what it is." she replies, shifting back in her seat and crossing her legs.

[Kalzazz]

"Oh, so a surprise. Alright"

[Ladyfyreyes]

Looking around at the others Spyke says, "I've worked for Heaven before, this is way too easy. There will be complications. I have 20 that says the exotic creature is still alive."

[Kalzazz]

"I dont think Ill be taking that"

"Hmmm . . . if this place has been sealed off from the outside world, doesnt that mean there is still stuff there? Or is it all hopelessly out of date?"

[Baelfyre]

Heaven looks amusedly at Spyke "You never did produce any proof that I knew about the neurotoxin in the lipstick. And I DID get you the antidote. At cost, even. And who knows, you may have even learned a lesson about kissing on the job."

Looking over at Becca, she continues "Theoretically, you've been hired by the owner of the store. It was sealed 'as is', and you can take anything you want. There are... inidications" she at this point points at the table "that Blood has access to some very advanced tech, so god only knows what's in there. He's also the one that upgraded your weapons."

[Kalzazz]

"Once we are inside the Macy's can we open the doors to get back out?"

[Baelfyre]

"You can run the shutdown sequence and then cut your way out. The problem with doing that from the outside is that you will get attention" Heaven replies.

[TinSoldier]

Mahmoud picks up the device and examines it closely, trying to get a clue as to what it is and what its purpose might be.

He looks up, "Hmm. I doubt that anything could have survived in the store for that long without some kind of cryostasis.

"But I wonder whether there is some kind of connection between the old disappearances in the Macy's and the near total black hole that the underground garage has become.

"Not that I really want to find out, personally."

Mahmoud pauses, examining the device a little more closely.

"But I'm sure that nothing could get out of some kind of nanite-impregnated regenerative nanopolymer barrier. Except -- if we can figure a way in then obviously something in there might have been able to figure a way out.

"By the way, I will, indeed, want to check out the kit that we're expected to use. We have just met you of course, and at this point we have no more reason to trust you than we do to distrust you."

[Ladyfyreyes]

Looking at Mahmoud, "I can guarantee there is more to it then she has told us."

She ignores Heavens comment about kissing on the job.

"One thing about Heaven is she may tell you the truth but you can be sure it isn't the whole truth. Or perhaps it's more like the truth you hear isn't the one she is speaking"

[Baelfyre]

Mahmoud: Mahmoud picks up the device and examines it closely, trying to get a clue as to what it is and what its purpose might be.

Make an electonic tech roll.

He looks up, "Hmm. I doubt that anything could have survived in the store for that long without some kind of cryostasis.

"But I wonder whether there is some kind of connection between the old disappearances in the Macy's and the near total black hole that the underground garage has become.

"Not that I really want to find out, personally."

Heaven replies "I can answer that... there isn't between the garage and the disapearences. Most of what is in the underground garage is recent; approximately 3-5 years."

Mahmoud pauses, examining the device a little more closely.
Roll a d10+tech+1

"But I'm sure that nothing could get out of some kind of nanite-impregnated regenerative nanopolymer barrier. Except -- if we can figure a way in then obviously something in there might have been able to figure a way out.

Heaven says "That would be one reason why I doubt there is anything still there. But I could of course be mistaken."

"By the way, I will, indeed, want to check out the kit that we're expected to use. We have just met you of course, and at this point we have no more reason to trust you than we do to distrust you."


Heaven gives an ironic smile "You don't trust me? I'm hurt. And after all I've done for you, too. How sharper than a serpent's tooth..."

Roll cybertech to check the chips.
Roll weapons tech to check the weapons.
You have no idea what to roll to check the computers; they seem to be a single block of diamond embedded in a case.

Spyke: Looking at Mahmoud, "I can guarantee there is more to it then she has told us."

She ignores Heavens comment about kissing on the job.

"One thing about Heaven is she may tell you the truth but you can be sure it isn't the whole truth. Or perhaps it's more like the truth you hear isn't the one she is speaking"

"I certainly can't be held responsible for your lack of perception or grasp of the language." the blonde says, looking amused.

[Baelfyre]

GM SPEAKING:

This is how dice are going to work:

The honor system. Roll you own personal dice, or use a roller of your choice so long as it's not inherently rigged.

Post results as applicable.

[TinSoldier]

Make an electonic tech roll. (5) + 13 = 18

Roll a d10+tech+1(1) + 10 = 11


Roll cybertech to check the chips.
Roll weapons tech to check the weapons.(3) + 13 = 16
(3) + 10 = 16 (No skill in Weapons tech; I have 13 in Weaponsmith. I don't know why it's split into two.)

You have no idea what to roll to check the computers; they seem to be a single block of diamond embedded in a case.Even basic tech? Programming (which is chipped)?

[Ladyfyreyes]

With a smile and a wink at Heaven, Spyke sits down and begins going over the weapons.

(5) + 10 = 15

[Baelfyre]

Mahmoud looks at the device curiously, but the tech is completely unfamiliar. It looks like the circuitry is optical in nature, and etched directly into the diamond. It does have standard wiring fittings going into it for power and comm. However, as he handles the device, his vision shifts again, and he sees the man that left the room earlier making the device. He says "The dendrites have taken inside the optical chips. Beginning quantum entanglement check." His viewpoint shifts, and his awareness plunges into the device itself, as it considers the local environment and allows certain energies to leave it's area of effect.

His viewpoint shifts back to his normal self, and he feels a drop of blood coming from his nose.

The chips are definitely not behavior mod chips, and you don't find any kind of sabotage. But they are very complex comm chips; it looks like they will function as tactical comms as well as the emergency comm, and have extensive range as well (in the 20km range).

The weapons are beautiful. Standard high quality weapons that have been worked over by a master gunsmith. Modifications include improved balance, reflex red dot sights, sapphire coated barrels, full rail mounts for tactical options, and a few others. The trigger mechanism has been changed out, and the mechanical parts have recieved low friction, highly durable coatings. These things are worth in the 7000-10000 eb range, instead of the 1000eb range.

The computer uses a different operating system, and there is simply no way to access it's workings. It will take you quite some time to figure anything about it. As you play with it, the holographic figure of a woman appears and says "Hello, I am AIMEE. Can I help you?".

[Kalzazz]

Becca blinks as the holo appears, definitely not expecting that ((Holos normally require holotanks right?))

[Baelfyre]

There are a few very high end ones that can project, but they are in the 10-20 thousand EB range.

Heaven looks at the holo, and say "Hmm. That wasn't supposed to happen."

[Ladyfyreyes]

"Hmmm, Hello Aimie. What are your ablities?"

[Baelfyre]

The figure ignores Spyke, and continues to regard Mahmoud.

[TinSoldier]

"Hello, Aimee. How are you?"

[Baelfyre]

"Partial function. Higher order activities prohibited. Simple Agent routines enabled. All physical systems working properly." the holographic figure responds.

Heaven speaks a nonsense set of syllables, and the holo says "Emulation mode for standard windows 2020 voice control enabled. Aimee agent returning to sleep mode."

[Kalzazz]

"Uhmmm . . . . so . . what is it?"

[Baelfyre]

Heaven replies "It's not something to worry your collective pretty little heads about. Unless of course Mahmoud manages to activate it again. In which case, I strongly suggest doing with the device there active. For your own health."

[Ladyfyreyes]

"You know Heaven I've heard you catch more flies with honey then vinegar." "I love it when a job starts off with threats or is that promises?"

[Baelfyre]

"That wasn't a threat. Your employer wishes you well... within limits. That's one of them." Heaven replies, and then says "Trust me. You'll know when I threaten you."

[Kalzazz]

"So, what else do we have to discuss before we get this show on the road?"

[Baelfyre]

OOC- Unless somebody has more questions, I'm going to move the game to the mall tomorrow night.

[Baelfyre]

I need a group consensus on how the group is going to enter the Mall. Either through the underground passage or the roof of the mall.

[Ladyfyreyes]

I think the roof would be safer.

[Kalzazz]

I like the Swamp idea, if Mahmoud can do cool Medtech stuff to protect us from dieing of poison in the toxic swamp before we get there

[TinSoldier]

Let me think about this. I'll try to get back after I catch up on the other parts of the forum.

[TinSoldier]

I could go either way, but I think that the roof vents would be less risky, God willing.

[Baelfyre]

I'm not seeing a consensus here. Why don't you guys discuss among yourselves for a bit and see if you can reach one?

I will tell you that they are very, very different adventures.

[Kalzazz]

The idea of getting into fights inside a vent crawlway seems a bad idea to me, thats why I vote for tunnels. Are at least hopefully bigger than vents

[TinSoldier]

Hopefully there won't be any fights in either.

But through the swamp? The toxic swamp?

[Ladyfyreyes]

We may have encounters in the vents, we will have encounters in the swamp.

[Kalzazz]

I figure we are likely to face encounters either way, and crawling through vents single file seems the worst way to encounter them

And if Mahmoud can do some cool antidote thing or such, the swamp shouldnt kill us

But if everyone is convinced the vents are the way to go, Im willing to go that way

[Baelfyre]

The young Asian gentleman speaks up softly "Why should we make a decision now? It's certainly within our contract to recon the area before entering. So why don't we take a look at the Mall and the attached toxic swamp before we make a final decision?"

[Kalzazz]

"Alright. That sounds a good enough idea"

[Ladyfyreyes]

Looks over at the Asian man. "That sounds like a great idea but first things first. Introductions. The names Spyke, solo by profession. My prefered weapons is an SMG."

[Baelfyre]

The young asian man bows, and says "I currently hold the name Henry Jones. I am a netrunner, with some tech skills and martial art skills."

[Kalzazz]

"Im Becca. Solo. Handguns"

[TinSoldier]

"My name is Mahmoud. I can fix you if you get broken, either meat or metal.

"And a few other minor skills here and there."

[Ladyfyreyes]

"Its a pleasure to meet you all." Sitting down in front of Henry, "Now, I'm really glad you're here. We need any information you can get on the events surrounding the sealing of the store. Any maps and blueprints that are available and Anything you can get on more recent events."

Looking over at Heaven "What type of transportation do we have available?"

[Baelfyre]

"Its a pleasure to meet you all." Sitting down in front of Henry, "Now, I'm really glad you're here. We need any information you can get on the events surrounding the sealing of the store. Any maps and blueprints that are available and Anything you can get on more recent events."

Looking over at Heaven "What type of transportation do we have available?"

Henry says "I've managed to get a bit more information on the closing of the Mall itself. Just before the crash a US senator called Daniel Dalton was killed, together with his family in several physically separated incidents that nevertheless happened within seconds of each other. The bodies of his wife and oldest son were identified, and his two daughters and youngest son's bodies were not found. He was the owner of the mall, but his will disappeared and the various heirs didn't know enough about his holdings to even find them, much less lay claim to them. The family was rich, but it's holdings expanded exponentially in 2006 with the introduction of several breakthrough technologies that the youngest son created."

"The sealant was probably developed by the younger Dalton. The idea that an extraterrestrial was involved appears to come from two datum. The first datum is a picture from a Chinese spy satellite of a needle-like spear of metal about ten meters long that came in from orbit with an apparent destination of Orlando. The second datum seems to be that eight bodies were found over the three week period following the alleged landing. The interesting thing about these bodies is that they were each missing several organs; in one case the organ was the brain and entire central nervous system; without any openings in the skin or bones around."

Heaven waits for Jones to stop speaking, and then replies "I have an old panel van you can have for 200eb if you like. It runs. Most of the time, anyway."

[Ladyfyreyes]

"Has there been any recent reports of unusual deaths like this in the area?"

Smiling at Heaven, "Thanks."

[Baelfyre]

Henry concentrates for a moment, then blinks and says "I can't really tell. There's nothing in the police reports, but... eight deaths in a couple of weeks was a big deal then. Now, it's a slow Tuesday. The only way I can think to check would be to hit the body banks and talk to them... but they don't keep records on line and are notoriously vicious bastards."

Becca, btw... You recognize the swamp area from your little camping trip. It's the one the alligator that tried to eat your motorcycle came out of.

[Kalzazz]

"Oh, I recognize that area. I went camping there earlier. A Toyotagator tried to eat my motorcycle"

[Ladyfyreyes]

"Now that is why I'd rather go through the Vents. Those things have skin like an armored tank. They eat anything that doesn't eat them first. And I hear that's not all there is in the swamps."

[Baelfyre]

Henry speaks again, still very quietly "I believe that it is true that the vents would be safer. However, I believe that going in through the tunnel will provide us with far more information. The question becomes which is safer in the long run; temporary safety or more information."

[Kalzazz]

"I said it tried, not that it succeeded. I scared it off"

"Whatever nastiness is in the vents, we wont have room to deal with it"

"And more info could be good"

[Ladyfyreyes]

"I'm going to have to agree on the more information being good."

[Baelfyre]

Henry says "So we have a decision to go in through the swamp. Shall we go get our vehicle?" Turning to Heaven, he continues "Where is this van? And what kind of shape is it in?

Heaven replies "It should be in very good shape; there's a tech living in it restoring it for me. He may be joining you as well."

[Kalzazz]

"I have a motorcycle. I think Id like to bring it. If this is a big panel van we can probably load the motorcycle on it if we dont want to be seperated in transit"

[TinSoldier]

"*sigh* okay, the swamp it is. While I still don't relish the idea of motor-vehicle-munching alligators, I agree that one can never have too much information, God willing."

[Baelfyre]

Heaven gives a sardonic grin, and says "Well, I imagine the trip down the gators insides will be quite informative. Though I'm not sure how useful information about a gators digestive tract is going to be..."

"Ah well. Shall we go, then?"

[Kalzazz]

"Sure, lets. No sense keeping the Toyotagators waiting"

[Ladyfyreyes]

"Everyone going to put money in for the Van? Here's my 50."

[TinSoldier]

"Mine, as well," Mahmoud offers.

[Kalzazz]

Becca hands over 50

[Ladyfyreyes]

Looks over at Henry questioningly.

[Baelfyre]

Henry hands the money over. Not happily, mind you.

Heaven takes your money, and makes it disappear into her jacket. "Well, ladies and gentlmen, your chariot awaits".

The six of you then walk to a close by block of duplexes. The duplexes may have started as a bright yellow, but over time they've faded to a putrid puke yellow, with patched windows and walls in varying degrees of shabbiness. You see the alleged van. It's not just older than you are... it's probably older than all of you put together.

An old VW hippy bus. Complete with a funky reversed "V" with a line through it painted on the side.

Well, it was originally painted on the side. Now it looks like a rust shape. Not that that's a bad thing, mind you. The rust is probably the only thing holding the van together.

Heaven goes to one of the doors, and knocks. A hand comes out, holding an envelope, cash, and keys. Heaven says "Thankyouverymuch", and turns to face the group. The cash disappears again, and she hands the envelope to Spyke. "There's the registration. Insurance is paid up through the month. The van needs to be moved within twenty four hours, or it'll be towed."

[Kalzazz]

"Whoa . . . . that thing should be in a museum, we may get tetanus by osmosis"

[Ladyfyreyes]

"I guess should go look at it to see how much we are going to have to pay to fix it." Sigh....

[Kalzazz]

"Heaven said it runs. If its lasted this long, its probably okay"

[Ladyfyreyes]

"Heaven said it runs. If its lasted this long, its probably okay"

That doesn't mean it will move.

[Kalzazz]

"Well, we could always try towing it with my bike or something . . . . I threw in some money to buy the thing, that doesnt mean I plan to spend even more money fixing it"

[Baelfyre]

The inside of the van is all torn up, but it looks like somebody was working on it. Structural supports have been replaced, and when you open the engine up it gleams. And starts the on the first turn of the key.

Anything else anybody wants to say or do before I move the scene to the swamp?

[Ladyfyreyes]

Nope, I'm ready to continue.

[Kalzazz]

Onwards!

(filler)

[TinSoldier]

Mahmoud says a little prayer under his breath.

[Baelfyre]

Ok guys. I need you to pick your final combat loads; particularly if you take the shotgun or grenade launcher for your underbarrel mount.

The list is above, with the addition of 48 DP .454 Casull ET rounds for Becca's pistols.

[Kalzazz]

((Can you relist what exactly our choices are?))

[TinSoldier]

((What Kal said...))

[Baelfyre]

Sorry, I thought I'd posted this.

The basic weapons are improved MPK-11's. They have reflex red dot sights, low friction coatings, sapphire coated barrels, a full set of rails for tactical accessories, and improved balance. The sights improve the ability to engage targets quickly and accurately, providing both an initiative and accuracy bonus.

Basic MPK-11

SMG 0 L 4df6+1 30 20 ST 200m

The underbarrel shotguns were pulled off of a Chadran Urban Reaper, and modified to fit any standard underbarrel attachment point. They are short burst capable, but not fully automatic.

sht -1 - - 4d6 (12gua) 10 3 ST 50m

And the GL's are M-205's with these basic stats

HVY +1 N P Varies 1 1 VR 200m


There are six MPK-11's, 4 shotguns, and 4 Grenade Launchers

The improved weapons:

The Reflex sights give a +2 initiative when using either the main or secondary weapon.

MPK-11(i)
SMG +2 L 4d6+3 30 30 VR 220m

Shotgun
These shotguns have an internal magazine, not a clip. They have to be loaded one shell at a time.
SHT +1 N P 4d6 (12ga) 10 3 VR 50m

Grenade Launcher
HVY +3 N P Varies 1 1 VR 220m

Ammunition
30 clips for the SMG
1200 rounds 12mm Dual Purpose Ammo
1200 rounds 12mm standard Ball ammo
300 rounds 12ga buckshot
50 rds 12ga slug 4d6+2 against 1/2 armor
30 rds 12ga HE 4d6 1m radius
20 rds 12ga HEAT 4d6 against 1/2 armor
10 rds 12ga Thermite 8d6AP, heals at 1/3 rate, damages barrel
10 rds Slasher shells 4d6 against 1/3 armor

Grenades
12x HE 7d6 to 5m radius
6x HEDP 4d10 AP to target, 4d6 to 1m radius
6x bean bag 2d6 damage + Stun Save + knockdown
6x flash/bang save vs stun/blind/deaf
6x Grapnel
2x Net
2x Splatshell (acid)
2x White phosporous 4d6 to 10m radius for three turns
2x Slasher grenades 4d5 against 1/3 armor, 3m line

[TinSoldier]

OOC: So, the only guns available are MPK-11's with or without attachments, right? I mean, the shotguns are just attachments and not standalones?

If so, Mahmoud will take an MPK-11, as unfamiliar with the weapon as he is. He hopes that maybe one of the reflex chips can help him out a bit.

[Baelfyre]

Yep. The MPK-11 is flexible enough in format that it can be fired with either SMG or Rifle skill. The underbarrel shotguns can be fired with either skill as well, but the GL uses the Heavy Weapons Skills.

[Kalzazz]

Hmmm. Not sure what I should take, any suggestions? Is one of my skills usable for planning?

[Baelfyre]

Not per se, Kal. Your character is highly trained in combat, but not very experienced. It comes to what kind of encounters you think of as more likely. The Shotgun allows a bit more flexibility and endurance; the grenade launcher allows a single, heavier strike.

[Kalzazz]

MPK-11 with Shotgun mount
6 clips DP ammo
40 x 12ga shotshells

4 HE grenades, 1 HEDP, 1 flashbang

The 48 .454 Cassull DP ET rounds

[TinSoldier]

Mahmoud considers further and takes an MPK-11 with 5 magazines of DP ammo, and maybe some extra rounds to reload -- about 60 or so? 30 round magazines? That's gonna be pretty heavy. But about two reloads.

He attaches one of the underbarrel shotguns to the MPK-11 and loads it with buckshot (how many rounds does the mag take?) along with enough rounds of buckshot to reload three or four times.

"Just some basic protection, I guess. I should be fixing you guys when you get broke, not breaking the bad guys myself, God willing."

[Baelfyre]

Everybody makes last minute checks to their gear as the surprisingly well working bus goes down the road. It seems that everything works... even the air conditioner.

This is somewhat scary to those who know Heaven.

The five of you make the trip in companionable silence, with the translucent girl in the front seat singing softly along with the radio. The trip takes about half an hour, and takes you to the spot where Becca had tried to spend the nigh. A dust and rock bowl, with mud baked into almost stone and the wind kicking dust around. The marsh is about a mile off the road.

After the terrain get's too dangerous to drive, the four of you get out and make your final adjustments. Henry takes a helmet out of his kit, and puts it on. Then he drops the odd pistol down about two inches down his right leg, and resecures the holster in what looks like an old gunfighters style. Then, he takes a short sword of some kind and attaches it to his back at hip height, horizontally with the handle sticking out a bit on the right side. Several knives go into forearm sheaths, and then he slings the MPK-11 across his shoulder (he took the GL). He takes time to move after it's all attached, and makes several small adjustments, including re-tying his shoes.

Make your final prep, people, and it starts tomorrow.

[Ladyfyreyes]

Sorry I've been so slow posting this. Question are the guns smartlinked?

MPK-11(i) (2 if their enough of them.)
Underbarrel shot gun Shotgun

Ammunition

6 clips for the SMG
120 rounds 12mm Dual Purpose Ammo(in clips)
120 loose
24 rounds 12ga buckshot
10 rds 12ga slug 4d6+2 against 1/2 armor
10 rds 12ga HE 4d6 1m radius
10 rds 12ga HEAT 4d6 against 1/2 armor
2 rds 12ga Thermite 8d6AP, heals at 1/3 rate, damages barrel
2 rds Slasher shells 4d6 against 1/3 armor

[Baelfyre]

It's almost cliche, but it does feel like the sun is beating down on you, adding an extra ten pounds as you start walking. You have about a mile of desert before you hit swamp, and it's a fairly quick march. Flat terrain, and sand. The sand is coarse, and smelly, and you pass a stack of leaking barrels on the way.

After which, you all get purple spots on your skin. It's rather fetching, really.

If you like leprosy.

A few deserted strip malls greet you a bit further along, with broken out glass greeting like so many razor lipped smiles. The road is broken and washed out in quite a few places; it looks like flash floods happen with dismaying frequency.

Finally, you reach the edge of the swamp. It starts with an old drainage canal, filled with a soup that makes raw sewage smell like roses. The four of you take a moment before you head in, and then go in.

The noise of the swamp closes over the dead sound of the desert as you enter; the buzz of mosquitos matched by soft splashes and other quiet sounds. Mind you, the mosquitos you see seem to be about three inches long...

You have about three miles to go through the swamp; and a gps mapper to direct you. Normally, you could walk that in somewhere between one and two hours; in this terrain you could be looking at six hours. Or more.

[Kalzazz]

"Dont worry . . . the purple spots are temporary"

[Ladyfyreyes]

"Purple isn't my color so I hope they don't last long."

"By the way did anyone else notice the girl in the front of the Van?"

[Baelfyre]

Spyke "By the way did anyone else notice the girl in the front of the Van?"

Henry replies "Yes. Our transportation seems to be haunted. But at least she's a quiet ghost."

[Kalzazz]

"Oh, I thought they were standard on all VW Minibuses"

[Baelfyre]

Henry replies "I believe it has more to do with buying things from Heaven than the options package. Though I suppose I could be mistaken."

[Ladyfyreyes]

I have to admit it never occurred to me to ask her if the van was haunted.

[Baelfyre]

On that note, I'm going to need some rolls, please.

Awareness rolls for everybody; Solo's add your combat sense to the roll.
Becca needs to make a d10+empathy+1 and a d10+cool+1
Mahmoud needs to make a d10+IQ+1 roll

[Kalzazz]

My base rolls are 8,1,8 . . .
so 19 Awareness (29 awareness if apparently Int factors in)
You havent told me my final calculated Empathy yet, but, given I rolled a 1 that cant go well
16 Cool

[Ladyfyreyes]

Roll of 9 +7 +7 +5 = 28

[TinSoldier]

Mahmoud:

Awareness: (roll)9 + (int)10 + (skill)4 = 23
IQ: (roll)4 + (int)10 + 1 = 15

[Baelfyre]

You're coming to a clearing, about 30 meters across. There is a large tree in the center, with water on all sides for approximately ten meters. On first glance, the tree looks something like a mangrove, but there is something... wrong.

The solos both notice the shapes moving toward the group under the water around the tree. They are small; maybe a couple of feet long; but there are a lot of them. More than a dozen.

Becca feels... hungry. These... whatever they are... are invading her territory. Despite the flash of emotion, she remains in full control of herself, but she has taken one point of damage and is bleeding from her left ear.

Mahmoud, though, has the oddest feeling. On some level, the tree is a machine, and dangerous. More dangerous than a full borg with a 20mm HE assault rifle. Much more dangerous. But he does NOT see the forms under the water.

[Ladyfyreyes]

"In coming."

"Any one with a concussion grenade fire it into the water. NOW!"


OOC
How many of them are coming?

Are we in the water? If so how close is the nearest dry land?

How many could I hit with a full burst?

What modifiers are there for firing through the water?

[TinSoldier]

Transfixed by the tree, his nervous system not even bothering to whisper "fight" over screaming "flight", Mahmoud says, "What? Water? What about that tree!

"I've got a bad feeling about this! It almost seems as if we're approaching some kind of mechanized defensive perimeter. One where they take defense very seriously."

[Baelfyre]

OOC
How many of them are coming?

Are we in the water? If so how close is the nearest dry land?

How many could I hit with a full burst?

What modifiers are there for firing through the water?
Edit/Delete Message

More than a dozen forms are arrowing in from different directions. The first one or two will be here at the end of this combat round, and the rest one round after.

You are on a muddy embankment, overgrown with brush about .3-.6 meters high. There is a more solid hill about 20 meters back in the direction you came. There are mangrove trees and other assorted plant life spread out around you.

Three

Modifiers for firing into water would be approximately +4 on the difficulty to hit and minus one die of damage. ie, a 4d6+3 weapon would do 3d6+3 and a 6d6+4 weapon would do 5d6+4. There would be additional modifiers for deeper water.

The group automatically has initiative for the first round.

[Kalzazz]

"There just hungry animals . . . they think were trespassing on their home"

Becca will pull her flashbang grenade and toss it at the critters when they emerge from the water to try and scare them off

[Baelfyre]

Henry tries to grab Mahmoud (who can resist if he chooses to (Diff 32 on a Martial Arts roll)), and jumps them both into a mangrove tree, about three meters off the ground.

[TinSoldier]

No resistance; Mahmoud was considering asking for Henry's help/advice about the tree anyway. He is a bit surprised about the manner of the help/advice though.

[Ladyfyreyes]

Spyke backs up to the nearest drier less slippery land while aim so she can hit the creatures as they come out of the water. She is expecting snakes.

[Baelfyre]

Spyke is backing up, and see's the flashbang thrown, so she doesn't need to make a REF save. The others are far enough away that I'm just going to make them make a save against 15 Ref to avoid being blinded for a turn, with no stun/shock possible.

Coming out of the water, the two creatures are worth staring at. An obscene combination of a worst characteristics of a rat and a snake, they make a sound between a squeal and a chitter when the flashbang goes off, and flee back into the water.

The other ten don't seem to have gotten the message, though.

[Ladyfyreyes]

Spyke takes a three shot burst at the one on the right.

[Baelfyre]

Roll strike and damage; you will more than likely hit.

[Ladyfyreyes]

First three shot burst: 5 + 17 = 22 - 2 = 20
If it hits I hit with 2 shots.
18 and 21

Second three shot burst: 7 + 17 = 24 - 4 = 20

If it hits I hit with 1 shot

17

[Baelfyre]

Spyke's short burst cuts the raccassin in half; the flash bang has blinded and panicked the second one as it emerged; it's diving back into the water.

Mahmoud needs to make his reflex save (difficulty 15) to avoid being flash blinded.

This leaves a half dozen or so coming out of the water on initiative count 15, and another four or so coming out at initiative 10.

On his initiative, Henry will be unloading the anti-tank grenade from his grenade launcher and loading a HE grenade and firing it. That will end up with him firing the grenade somewhere around initiative 18 at -4 for having taken two actions.

The evil tree has made no threatening moves as yet.
:dazed002:

What is the rest of the group doing?

[TinSoldier]

Mahmoud: (Ref)10 + (roll)5 = 15

[Kalzazz]

((How fast do they seem to be closing?))

[Baelfyre]

Mahmoud spotted it in time to get his eyes closed with no problem.

They are covering approximately 10m in 3-5 seconds.

[Kalzazz]

Becca will draw her revolver and shoot once at two different targets

[Ladyfyreyes]

Spyke does another set of 3 shot burst at two different targets.



7 + 17 = 24 - 2 =22
two shots hit
for 16 and 13

10 + 17 = 27 - 4 =23
two shots hit
for 21 and 13

[Baelfyre]

Kal: Roll d10 + Pistol Skill + weapon Acc + 2; -2 for the first roll and -4 for the second.

[Kalzazz]

Get a 3 and 9

11 and 15 total

[Baelfyre]

Gah. Sorry, add ref to that Kal.

So that would be a 23 and a 27, which hits nicely.

Roll 6d6+3 damage for each of them.

[Kalzazz]

25 and 26

Damage roll filler

[Baelfyre]

You blow holes clear through your two targets; they both die before they hit the ground.

[TinSoldier]

"Umm, Henry? What are we doing?"

[Baelfyre]

Henry replies "Well, as soon as I get this anti-tank grenade replaced with an HE, I'm going to shoot it in the water and let the shockwave do the rest. What are you doing?"

This is, I might add, while standing balanced on the tree limb and changing the grenade in the launcher.

It's a really good thing Henry has a 15 Ref.

[TinSoldier]

"Well you dragged me up here so that's why I though that I would ask."

Mahmoud searches for some kind of control or terminal to the tree defenses itself.

[Baelfyre]

"Oh, that."

"I just thought it was a bad idea for the medic to be eaten alive." he grins.

With that, he pulls the launcher up and fires into the water. The explosion sends up a tower of water... and bleached bones, hundreds of them, remain on the shore as the water drains away...

Roll d10 + int + awareness, and d10 + Int +1

The Evil Tree continues it's vile plot.
:sasmokin:

[TinSoldier]

(roll)7 + (int)10 + (awareness)4 = 21
(roll)1 + (int)10 + 1 = 12

[Baelfyre]

Spyke's twin bursts hammer another two rats to pieces, and Mahmoud suddenly falls, with blood leaking from his ears...

[Baelfyre]

The two rats swarm over Becca's legs, biting at the Gibsons. The first one bounces from the armor, but the second penetrates for 1 point of damage.

Make a stun/shock roll, Kal. Roll a d10 under your body.
Also, make a Bod save (d10 + Bod).

[Kalzazz]

Roll 1: 10+9 = 19, not under 14 (assuming it caps)
Roll 2: 1+14 = 15

Dice gods are mocking me

[Baelfyre]

OOC: You did it right Kal.

And the dice gods are not just mocking you... They're mocking everybody in the group.

Ask Mahmoud.

Origen, STOP PLAYING WITH OTHER PEOPLES DICE!



Becca drops like a rock from the sheer pain involved as her leg feels like it catches on fire. That is, by the way, an exactly accurate description of how the bite feels...

[Ladyfyreyes]

Spyke tries to catch Mahmoud before he hits the ground.

Ref + Martial Arts - 2? That would be a 21.

Catching him she bitches about idiot going up trees when they can't stay in them.

Second and third action Spyke draws a knife and stabs one of the creatures on Becca. The creature squeals and twitches.

Ref + Melee + 1 - 6? That would be 16 to strike.

Damage is 2 d6 + 8 - 3 for armor and btm. That would be 12.

[Baelfyre]

At this point, the last surviving raccasin runs for it life, squeaking in rattish "You bastards! You killed Kenny!"


Anyway... the last racassin heads back into the water. Henry was knocked off the tree by the recoil of his GL, but does a fancy flip midair, landing perfectly on his feet.

Becca get's another stun shock save; if she makes it she'll be functional but in EXTREME pain.

Spyke catches Mahmoud somewhat clumsily, but still managed to cut one of the last two rats in half with her mono-knife.

Mahmoud is regaining function, but will have a tendency for a bit to scramble his words and sensual tenses (ie. mistake sight for touch in speech, though it's a general tendency not limited to sight and touch)

[Kalzazz]

I get another 1

[Baelfyre]

A 1 is a good thing in this case. Rebecca is conscious and somewhat functional. Her left leg is disabled, though.

[Ladyfyreyes]

Slinging Mahmoud over her shoulder, Spyke scoops Becca up with the other arm and retreats quickly from this evil tree before it takes the rest of the party out. At this time she believes it is responsible for both party member going down. After all a rat bite should not take someone down. (She'll feel foolish later.)

[Baelfyre]

Henry throws a somewhat amused glance at the tree, and follows Spyke. Everybody is functional and conscious within the limits above.

As they move away, the evil tree cackles to itself.. it's evil plan has gotten two of them already... and they aren't looking where they're backing...

[stormbane]

Going to go ahead and put up my loadout for when I get introduced:

Same as Zombie Apoc except the HK being replaced by the modded MPK-11 w/grenade launcher:
4 clips standard ball (120 rds)
4 clips dual purpose (120 rds)

Grenades:
6 HE (1 loaded)
1 HEDP
2 Flashbang
1 Splatshell
1 WP
1 Slasher

[Ladyfyreyes]

After backing up about 20 feet Spyke carefully lowers the two to the ground and using first aid tries to determine if she can treat either of them and which one is in need of help the soonest.


edit: I forgot to post my die roll 9 +1 first aid + 7 int.

[Baelfyre]

Ok, that'll let you do triage on them. Becca's leg is swelling badly, and the wound is really ugly. There is the possibility of poison. Becca is awake and aware.

Mahmoud looks physically unharmed except for some blood coming out of his ears. He is somewhat stunned, but seems functional.

[Ladyfyreyes]

There is nothing she can do for a head injury so she will try to help Becca. She will try to put a tourniquet on the leg to stop the spread of poison. The whole time talking to Mahmoud. "Do you have a snake bite kit? Try to focus. Did you hit your head when you fell?"


Roll 8 +8 = 16.

[Kalzazz]

"Owww . . . and I had to pick the swamp . . karma, I hate you"

[TinSoldier]

Mahmoud: "Huh? Snake bite? Nooo... I don't think so."

*checks*

"I just... that tree, that... thing is impossible. No one has that kind of tech. No one."

Murmurs "mustn't damage it. Have to get away..."

[Ladyfyreyes]

"How far away do we need to be? You need to pull yourself together. I can't treat either of you I barely know first aid. How's your head feel?"

Spyke is thinking she knew the tree was responsible.

[TinSoldier]

"I don't know how far away. I just know -- somehow -- that there are a few others nearby too. Four, five, maybe six.

"No, five sounds right.

"It seems to be part of a system which is actually cleaning this environment, but it is also a weapon against mutations. It is able to quickly synthesize a toxin able to kill a living being.

"I, think I'm okay. I can help with Becca. Let me see what I can do. But we should probably be getting out of here as well."

[Kalzazz]

"Trees are sedentary, sessile . . go around?"

[Baelfyre]

Henry drags one of the corpses over, and points out the poison dripping from the incisor.

"Becca may be in trouble, Mahmoud. Get your ass together and get to work, medic!"

[TinSoldier]

*gets to work*

[Baelfyre]

Make a diagnosis roll, please. (Diagnosis + Int)

[TinSoldier]

(roll)7 + (Diagnose Illness)4 + (Int)10 = 21

I also have a medscanner, a medkit, a drug analyzer, and various other sundries that may help.

[TinSoldier]

Mahmoud shakes the last of the cobwebs from his head as he realizes that there is work to be done. He utters a small prayer to Allah which from its tone almost might have been a curse.

He pushes Spyke away roughly, as much as she is willing to let him, and says, "Get my duffel bag out of the van. It has my medical kits in it."

Without waiting further, Mahmoud rips the clothing away from Becca's wound. "Henry, I'll need you to help hold her. This will hurt. A lot." When he gets his gear, Mahmoud gives Becca a dose of anti-venin. And then another. And then a third.

Working feverishly, sometimes muttering something that sounds like a benediction and sometimes words that sound like a curse, he does his best to save Becca's life and leg. He cuts out the dead flesh from the wound site. He gives her an IV bag of synthetic blood from his surgical kit, while he drains the worst of the affected blood from vessels near the bite.

At one point her vital signs take a pretty deep dive, and he considers using the defib, but the moment passes and she stabilizes without it.

And he was right. It did hurt. A lot. However, he administers a couple of doses of painkiller and anti-shock medicine to keep the brunt of the trauma out of Becca's consciousness.

It takes a bigger portion of his resources than he would like, but everything seems to work. He covers her with a thermal blanket from his medkit.

"You're still going to feel sick for awhile, and I wouldn't recommend trying to move too quickly for a day or two, but you are going to be okay.

"I can't close the wound right now; whatever poison is left will continue to ooze out and the air will help neutralize it. I can stitch it up and apply the synthskin in a couple of hours.

"As for the skinweave? I can't fix that here out in the field. Sorry. But it shouldn't be too big of a deal."

Mahmoud looks at Spyke and Henry.

"Can we get out of here now?"

[Kalzazz]

Becca gives Mahmoud a weak smile, "Thanks doc"

She tries to test out her new status

[Baelfyre]

Becca can move, it's just quite painful beyond moving real slow.

Henry says "That would be a really good idea. I don't like being this close to a Sinner Tree. This is a much closer look than I ever wanted."

With that, the group is ready to get moving again. I'm going to assess a -1 ref penalty on Becca for either the next day game time or two weeks realtime, whichever comes first.

[Kalzazz]

"Whats a sinner tree? And cant we press on, just, go around the tree? I dont much like being defeated by a plant and a muskrat with delusions of granduer"

[Baelfyre]

Henry replies "Yes, I think we should move on as well. A Sinner tree... my dad read a book a long time ago and tried to design something that would do the same job as a thing from the book... but he could never get a feasible design." He then helps Becca up and starts walking (and chuckling) 'A muskrat with delusions of grandeur... priceless.'"

[Ladyfyreyes]

"Well obviously someone figured it out. What does it do? What else can we expect it to throw at us? Will there be more of them? What else can we expect to find? And who exactly is your Dad?"

[Kalzazz]

"Can we shoot it from a distance then?"

[Baelfyre]

"Well obviously someone figured it out. What does it do? What else can we expect it to throw at us? Will there be more of them? What else can we expect to find? And who exactly is your Dad?"

Henry looks a bit amused, and replies "Obviously. The theoretical Sinner tree analyzes the local area for poisons and mutations, and cleans them up. The one Dad designed was strictly theoretical; there wasn't enough computer capacity on the planet to run it and it would have been the size of a skyscraper at best. I have no idea what else is here, and my Dad is the one that designed the widget we are carrying."

He looks at Becca, and says "I suggest we avoid it. As you said, it doesn't seem to move."

[Ladyfyreyes]

Nodding, "Yes avoiding is good. I once so an old show in which they tried to take a tree down with a gun. It didn't work real well and I dont' think I want to make it mad."

[Kalzazz]

"Well, you cant believe everything you see on TV, but alright"


((So I think we are going to go try to go around the tree))

[Baelfyre]

Tracing their way around the tree's and it's evil plans, the group proceeds through the swamp. On the other side of the tree, they come across the corpse of a Toyota-gator that looks to have been dead for a week or so. Continuing, the group passes through the remaining swamp without further incident. You pass near one of the trees, again with a clear pool around it. An hour or so later, you come to the structure that leads into the mall.

It's a concrete bunker, about 5 meters high, and 10 meters by five meters wide. There is a dark opening about 3m by 3m with water rushing in rapidly.

[Kalzazz]

"See . . . . the swamp wasnt that bad, things only tried to kill us once, thats positively neighborly in this day and age"

Becca draws her pistols before trying to move into the bunkers

[Ladyfyreyes]

Yeah but now we have a mile and a half of dark, nasty dank sewers. With no room to manever and not enough light to see what's coming.

[Kalzazz]

"Least we dont have to crawl"

[Ladyfyreyes]

Anyone have a glow stick or something we can throw in ahead of us?

[TinSoldier]

Well, my eye has a thermograph sensor in it. But really, it doesn't work very well over distances and is meant more for diagnostic use than for tactical vision.

[Kalzazz]

Becca pulls a pocket flashlight from her belt pouch and shines it in

[Baelfyre]

Looking in the dank tunnel, you see about ten to fifteen meters clearly. There is a concrete ledge to either side of the tunnel about six inches wide. Dim lighting comes from crystalline wedges embedded in the ceiling, and the quiet 'whoosh' from the water is constant as it moves swiftly down the tunnel.

All of you, at this point, receive a text on your cell's. "There is another tech on the way. She'll be joining you shortly. Don't shoot her. Don't wait on her, either. -Heaven"

[Kalzazz]

"Hmm . . . think we could move along the ledge?"

Becca goes and tries to find a stick or something to try and test the water depth

[Baelfyre]

The ledge is strong enough, but it would leave all of you bent almost in half; it's only about a meter, maybe a meter and a half to the ceiling from the ledge.

The water is about a meter deep, and not as nasty as you'd expect. Nasty, mind you, but say stormwater nasty as opposed to sewer nasty.

[Ladyfyreyes]

Sighing deeply, Spyke checks her gear making sure everything is as water proofed as it can be quickly. Making sure slugs are loaded into her shot gun. "I'll take the lead. I suggest Becca follows me. Sorry I know you're hurt but you are a solo. I would suggest Henry bring up the rear because he seems to be quite knowledgeable about not only what to expect but with his weapons."

Looking at Mahmoud and Becca "Are you two sure you are up to this? It could get nasty. I would think this would make a good lair for one of the gators." To Mahmoud; "Is your weapons loaded with the AP ammo? If not, I'd suggest changing that."

[Kalzazz]

"Sounds good to me"

[TinSoldier]

Umm, sure. I'm up for this. *checks his gun*

You know, I have been in several drops into the Combat Zone. Although I'm not usually the one carrying the firepower.

[Baelfyre]

The water is warm. Blood warm.

The four of you slide into the waist high water with a minimum of noise, and start into the tunnel. You each feel a kind of rhythmic pulse through the water, pulling it into the dimly lit reaches in front of you.

There is no hum of machinery, no sounds of life... just the sound of the water lapping against the concrete edges of the tunnel.

[Kalzazz]

"At least were not worried about freezing"

[Ladyfyreyes]

"Interesting. I wonder what is causing the water to move so quickly, it's not natural." Spyke turns her flashlight on (she has one attached to the top of her gun so it's hands free.). "I really don't like this."

[Baelfyre]

Henry puts his hand in the water, then moves it towards the edge of the concrete. "Hmm. Ionic pump. No moving parts. Probably last a thousand years, easy. Well, as long as it has power, anyway."

[Ladyfyreyes]

"Hmmm...Something else your father worked on?"

Spyke moves forward at a brisk rate but slow enough to keep an eye out ahead. She is staying close to the edge in case the bottom suddenly drops.

[Baelfyre]

"It's his style, anyway. Not that I remember much." Henry replies.

[Ladyfyreyes]

Glancing back at Henry, "I'm sorry."

[Baelfyre]

"It's no problem. I had to get a limited mindwipe before I left home. I'll get it back in a few years." he replies.

[Kalzazz]

"Oh . . . my parents didnt do that with me, or at least I dont remember them doing it"

"Any sort of defenses youd expect in this place?"

[Baelfyre]

"From my limited memory, this wasn't supposed to be defended at all. It's defense was how hidden it was. That doesn't, mind you, mean that whoever took over the underground hasn't installed their own."

At this point, the group has moved about two hundred meters through the tunnel, and everybody needs to make an Awareness roll. Solo's add their combat sense. If you have cyberaudio, post that with your roll please.

[Kalzazz]

((Im at school, so you can roll for me))

[Baelfyre]

I am, at this point, using writers fiat.

ARGHHH!

All of the characters make their Awareness rolls. There are noises coming from in front of the group, and behind.

From the front, it's a loud, rapid, and rythmic *POCK* *POCK**POCK* *POCK**POCK* *POCK*.

From behind, somebody is approaching rapidly, and loudly, through the water.

[Kalzazz]

"Well, this cant be good . . . lets head toward one or the other to try and deal with it first? I dont want to become the tasty and edible filling in an evildoer sandwich"

[Ladyfyreyes]

Roll: 7 + 12 = 19

[TinSoldier]

Mahmoud looks to the Solos for a clue as to what to do.

[Ladyfyreyes]

Smiling at Mahmoud, "we are expecting someone to join us so the running footsteps is probably them as for the noise from in front...that doesn't sound like a gator to me."

[Kalzazz]

"Sounds more mechanical to me"

[stormbane]

Same as Zombie Apoc except the HK being replaced by the modded MPK-11 w/grenade launcher:
4 clips standard ball (120 rds)
4 clips dual purpose (120 rds)

Grenades:
6 HE (1 loaded)
1 HEDP
2 Flashbang
1 Splatshell
1 WP
1 Slasher

Re-posting that just in case someone forgot. :P

Do I hear the noise of the group I am approaching? Or am I making too much noise to hear anything other than myself?

[Baelfyre]

Stormbane: Your character hears both noises.

[stormbane]

She readies her weapon as she approaches the noise.

[Baelfyre]

Henry says "I've got the rear.", and lowers himself down into the water without a ripple.

A few seconds later, Jani hears a quiet male voice behind her "Heaven send you? If so, what color are her eyes?" (the answer is violet btw).

[Ladyfyreyes]

Is the noise from the front getting closer?

[stormbane]

*whispering to the man* Yes. Her eyes are violet. I am Janie. Who are you guys?

[Baelfyre]

The man then says "Alright, I'm moving up with another tech. Nobody shoot us!"

Spyke, the noise does not seem to be getting closer.

[TinSoldier]

"As salaam aleykum!" Mahmoud calls out, maybe a little too loudly.

[Kalzazz]

"Sure, no shooting, got it" Becca blinks and turns toward Mahmoud, "Just because were going through a monster and trap infested tunnel doesnt mean you can cast spells you know"

[TinSoldier]

*Mahmoud glares at Becca*

"It means Peace be upon you. It is a traditional greeting for some of us; anyone who wasn't socially retarded would know this.

"What is your excuse?"

[Kalzazz]

"Oh . . . right . . sorry . . uh, Ill watch for monsters or something . . " Becca turns away and looks toward the noise

[Baelfyre]

The noise in front starts fading away as Henry brings the newcomer up. "This is Janie, the other tech Heaven sent." he says quietly.

[Kalzazz]

Becca waves, "Hey. Im Becca"

[Ladyfyreyes]

"I'm Spyke, do you have any combat experience?"

[TinSoldier]

My name is Mahmoud. What kind of tech do you practice?

[Ladyfyreyes]

"Well lets get started again. Becca if it's okay with you if we encounter anything I'll aim to the right and let you take what ever is on the left the first shots." Smiling back over her shoulder. "That way we don't waste ammo on the same target and hopefully anything we find here will be small enough to not need a concentrated attack."

[Kalzazz]

Becca nods, "Sure, will do"

[Ladyfyreyes]

"Then we should move out." Spyke begins moving ahead quietly.

[stormbane]

She whipers to the group answering their questions - "I am a combat tech, so with that invariably comes combat experience. I can hold my own, so no worries there. I do not really specialize in any specific area of tech other than avoiding med-tech like the plague."

She moves up into formation covering spyke.

[Baelfyre]

Henry says "Then perhaps we should move ahead quietly. Either that or fire off a few grenades to make whatever is ahead unhappy."

Becca, your head is feeling a bit odd. Almost like comfortable whispers from each of your team mates, and three screaming mad agonized heads going "01010101010100101010100010101010101001010101010101
0101010101010101010101010101010101010"

[Kalzazz]

Becca grits her teeth and tries to hold up and focus

[Ladyfyreyes]

Whispers, "Grenades could cause the ceiling to come down. However, flash grenades is a possiblity. Also keeping our lights covering all surfaces so we can't be ambushed. Two of us cover the water, one each on walls, and ceiling."

[TinSoldier]

Mahmoud covers the right wall.

[Baelfyre]

Ok, I need Awareness/Notice rolls from everybody, and a d10+Int +1 from Becca and d10+Tech+1 fromMahmoud.

Solo's, don't forget to add your combat sense.

This is a Hearing awareness roll, if you have cyberaudio.

[TinSoldier]

Awareness/Notice:
(roll) 1 + (int + awareness) 14 = 15

Tech:
(roll) 5 + (tech) 10 + 1 = 16

[Kalzazz]

((Ah, realized Im supposed to be rolling (player failed notice check), no dice at the moment so you can roll, sorry))

[Ladyfyreyes]

Awareness check is 28 total.

[Kalzazz]

Okay, I get a 7 and a 10 as my dice rolls. With wounds and everything Im not sure what the final results are

[stormbane]

Awareness roll is a 7(roll) + 5(skill) + 7(int) = 19

[Baelfyre]

The tunnel opens into a rounded hexagon shaped room, with the water falling down through holes in the off walls and continuing straight down a tunnel identical to the one you came down. The room is about 15m across.

Light is dim, continuing to come from the flourescent strips embedded in the stone.

Spyke, you hear servomotors from directly above you as you enter. You also see holes in the wall, precisely 1m spaced going straight up on the opposite wall.

Becca, you feel four minds directly above you... three feel hollowed and mad, and third is so dark and alien that your new talent shuts down so that your mind doesn't wander screaming into the dark...

Mahmoud, there is something mad, an inhuman patchwork of screaming, mismatched cybernetics near. You can't make out the location, but it's close.

Jaina, you see and hear nothing, but you feel... a smear of color that moves with flickering speed and takes Becca's head off...

Initiatives, all.

[TinSoldier]

Initiative: 19

(OOC: Woo! I rolled high for a change!)

(Edit: I didn't take any modifiers into account. Just my roll + my init)

[stormbane]

Initiative: 13 (edit: actually that is 15 with the MPK-11)

[Ladyfyreyes]

6+21 for 27

[Kalzazz]

((9 is the roll. How is init figured?)0

[Baelfyre]

Roll+Reflex+Combat Sense+bonus

(the other members of your group are using the custom MPK's that offer a +2 bonus. Becca is a solo, so that's not usually as important for her since she gets a bonus from her Combat Sense. Her pistols do considerably more damage than the SMG's, but will be a little slower. Becca can also do tricks with her pistols because of her character concept, though it may raise her difficulty to hit. For example, a ricochet will typically add +5 difficulty. A Fast Draw will add a +(1/2 pistol skill) to her initiative, but will also add +5 to her difficulty to strike.)

[Kalzazz]

((Ah, using her pistols. Not fast drawing, I think already drew earlier?)

[Ladyfyreyes]

Motioning for everyone to stop Spyke shines her light on the holes in the opposite wall. Can she make out anything else?

[Baelfyre]

I need to know anything else people are going to do in the next 5 seconds or so.

[TinSoldier]

Mahmoud tries to find the source of the inhuman screaming.

[Kalzazz]

Becca is going to try and blast the dark inhuman thing which sent her mind away

[Ladyfyreyes]

"Cover me." Spyke will attempt to quickly cross the space landing facing the group so she can see what is waiting above the opening. Would that be an athletics roll?

[Baelfyre]

Mahmoud is trying to get more information about the blast of random numbers that just flooded into his mind. Roll d10+1(cyberkinesis) + Tech

Becca moves forward to get a shot at the inhuman thing. THings will occur from there. Make an awareness roll again.

Jaina stays well back.

Henry dives into the water.

Spyke somersaults across the room and turns around. General athletics roll.

[TinSoldier]

Mahmoud: (roll)10 + 1 + (tech)10 = 21

[Ladyfyreyes]

Athletics roll 8 + 3 +12 = 23.


If she makes it she's going to lay down covering fire over the opening, hopefully hitting whatever is waiting in ambush.

Init roll: 7 + 12 unless cyberoptics or cyberaudio applies.

[Kalzazz]

5 is the roll

[Ladyfyreyes]

Sorry I missed the request for an awareness check.

Roll 7 + 18 = 25

[Baelfyre]

Just as Spyke moves in a greased flash, two mini missiles roar straight down in to the water and explode, sending sprays of water up and trashing the groups visibility. Coming through the spray, an insane concatenation made up of cyberarms, cyberlegs, cyber heads, and horrible fanged mouth out of a nightmare comes in from the ceiling, cyberlegs hammering spiked feet into the roof.

Rippers extend from one hand as it makes a swipe on Becca, and a popup SMG from another arm hammers at Mahmoud.

Make your attacks, people. Everybody except Spyke is at penalties on the attack due to visual conditions.

Becca, make a d10 roll, please, for your characters attempt to block/avoid the rippers.

Init Order
Becca
Spyke
The beast
Mahmoud
Jaina
Henry (on 1, I might add.)

[TinSoldier]

Mahmoud fires off a three-round burst with his MPK-11 at the center mass of the abomination.

(roll)4 + (rifle)2 + (ref)10 = 16 (I don't know if we're at close/medium range to take the extra +3 modifier or any modifiers for the gun itself).

[Baelfyre]

You are essentially at point blank range; less than 3m and it's moving FAST; MA 15 (That's 15m per round). You were at +5 difficulty for visibility (water spray) and -3 for the opponents Ref

That hit's, roll a d3 to see how many bullets hit, and 4d6+3 damage and a d10 for hit location per bullet.

[TinSoldier]

2 rounds hit, damage is 18 and 18, hit location is 8 (and 7 if I need two hit locations).

I was thinking of dodging but I think I'll try that next round.

[Ladyfyreyes]

As she see what is happening she shouts "Look out on the roof!"

Spyke will take a three shot burst with each gun.

First shot 8 + 19 +2 +3 -2 = 31;
All three shots hit, (if that hits)
18 to the 5
14 to the 10
18 to the 9

Second shot 6 + 19 +2 +3 -2 = 29
All three shots hit, (if that hits)
11 to the 8
14 to the 7
25 to the 1


{I hope I did the negative right its been a long time since I figured the numbers myself.

[Kalzazz]

Okay, get a 4 for dodgem, that doesnt sound good

Becca will try and blast the thing with both pistols as it seems very antisocial, provided shes alive to do so (get a 1 and a 8)

[Baelfyre]

Becca starts off the lead rain on the creature with two shots, one of which goes wild and parts Spyke's hair; the other hits one of the monstrosities cybernetic legs, blowing a hole through the leg. Spyke hammers the rear of the creature with a burst from the SMG's, doing damage to several assorted limbs with the first one. Something the second SMG hits seems vital, as it sprays ichor all over the group as well as doing more damage to assorted cyberlimbs.

The thing gets it's licks in then, as a set of wolvers scythe down onto Becca's left shoulder, cleaving through her armor and cutting to the bone (4 pts damage, roll a d10 stun/shock save). Another arm fires a heavy popup SMG full auto into Mahmoud, hitting with 9 bullets. (Left Leg, 1,2 Right Leg 1,2,0 Left Arm 0, Torso 0,0 Head2 (make 5 d10 stun shock saves; the last two are at -1).

Despite doing a good imitation of swiss cheese, Mahmoud gets off a three shot burst and blows one of the damaged legs clean off, leaving a sparking, useless stub hanging out of some kind of obscene tendrils. Jaina hammers back at the thing full auto and point blank, hitting it in several cyberlimbs, particularly two cyberlegs which are hanging by a thread.

Coming in last, Henry comes up out the water in a leap, drawing his ninja-to and striking twice with what seems a single movement. One of the damaged legs and the cyberarm with the SMG fall severed into the water.

(Make your stun shock saves, all, and ask any questions you need to declare your next actions)

[Ladyfyreyes]

"Eak! Skull plating. I must get skull plating."

Spyke repeats her actions from last action. 2 3 shot bursts.

Init: 1 + 12 = 13 (is one automatic last action?)

First burst 10 + 19 +2 +3 -2 = 32;
1 shot hit 14 to the 3

Second burst 10 + 19 +2 +3 -2 = 32;
3 shots hit
1st shot 17 to the 2
2nd shot 21 to the 10
3rd shot 14 to the 1


(I need some new d6's)

[TinSoldier]

Mahmoud's stun/shock saves:1, 6, 10, 4(-1 = 3), 4(-1 = 3).