Limit of Infinity: A Shadowrun RP (Game thread)

[drmigit2]

Venaticus looked at Nik, he had a point. Really, nobody else would be able to do the damage he could do inside Kilmer and do it efficiently. That said, if Roberts is going into the HQ, Venaticus had to make sure that his data would be wiped while he is in there.

"I can be the lead hacker on the Kilmer job. That seems reasonable. If that is the case, I will have to talk Roberts through disabling any and all automated security while he sneaks in there. I would like to tell him right now, but I don't share these things with an entire group, so whenever he is ready..."

Venaticus looked up, he missed the sky a bit. He had spent most of his life in a building, buildings were never fun. "Speaking of betraying the people I used to work for in front of everyone, I have a map of the entire area. It is in a file and I can send it to you all. In fact, I am doing that right now."

Spoiler: The Map

Floor 1:

This area is open to the public, but you must first pass through the security check points at each entrance. The shipping area (the area around the vehicle bridge) is not open to the public.

Floors 2-49:

The first three floors are a multi-floor security outpost. Mostly made up of physical security to check people comming in and out of the facility. the only ways up are through this out post or through the emergency escape routes - normally closed off by thick metal doors.

The next three of these floors are shopping areas for the residence of the Novatech facility. Groceries, barber shops, restaurants, (NeoNET approved) commercial goods, etc are all available for purchase for employees only.

The next two dozen floors are living areas for the many employees of the facility

The next three floors are another security outpost. This area is less about keeping people out and more about directing people where they should go. Elevators lead to the low-sec labs, the office areas, and the executive areas. The computer security offices are located on the third level of these three levels.

The remaining fifteen floors are labs and office space for lower-profile projects.

Each of the office/lab floors has six security terminals (shown on map) used for contact with security. These floors have no wireless matrix access to prevent breaches.

The center areas are all floors made of plasti-steel that are translucent to allow light all the way to the bottom garden. they can be walked on. they do not exist on the security floors.

A single metal tube (not pictured) runs down the center of the facility. It is the high-security elevator to the deep labs (see sub-floors). the metal tubes are several feet thick.

automated security on levels 1-49 consists of mounted cameras and wandering drones (no weapons)

The floors bet progressively smaller as you go up and the corners become more rounded.

Each floor contains an elevator in each corner that go from lobby to lower security level 1, lower security level 2 to upper security level 1, and upper security level 2 to the offices, labs, or executive areas (one in each corner) the emergency stair cases are in the middle of each side of the triangle.

Floors: 50-52

These floors are the executive offices. Each has access tot he high-security elevator.

Floor: 53 - Roof

This level is accessible by a stair case in the upper corner. It has a helipad large enough for any standard VTOL (vertical take off & landing) vehicle

Sub-Floors: 1-10

Floors 1-9 are only accessible by the high security elevator. Each floor has 8 labs with room enough for the lab workers to sleep, eat, and work. It has highly monitored matrix access through a cable that runs up the same shaft as the elevator. No one group knows what is going on in the other labs - they are allowed to leave at any time, but they cannot leave as the same time as another group of lab workers. They must pass through a security check point - a handful of officers with heavy weapons. Nothing aside from the people are allowed to leave (they must leave all possessions, even clothing, on one side ot the security office and pick up different equipment on the other side. Any augments are data wiped while passing through security.

Floor 10 is storage of high security equipment, high-sec server rooms, and the prison complex.

I know what is going on in none of the labs.

 

[Floris2123]

Finwe was listening to what was happening all around him he then though of something.
"Hey guys I know it might be dumb to ask this but they have magic guards right? Well won't they see through Roberts disguise?
I mean if Vougner is an mage they would know it immediately, and even if he wasn't he has allot of augmentations. Which they will surely see." Finwe looked around to the others. He wasn't sure if had just asked a smart or dumb question.

 

[drmigit2]

"Hey guys I know it might be dumb to ask this but they have magic guards right? Well won't they see through Roberts disguise?
I mean if Vougner is an mage they would know it immediately, and even if he wasn't he has allot of augmentations. Which they will surely see."

The key problem with the plan. There was a solution to it and that would highly alter the plan, but it could put Venaticus in a good position as far as deleting his files.

"Here is the thing. If he goes to Kilmer, they won't have the authority to question him. NeoNET keeps a tight leash on every single subsidiary they own. Kilmer won't be an exception. As long as he does not stick around too long, there should be no problems."

Venaticus peered down at his map. Something connected, he had an idea as to where the target was hiding.

"Most likely, our target is hiding in one of the high security labs. This means a few things, first, getting to her is going to be tough. However, it also means we have a way to find her should the Kilmer team fail."

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"If that is the case, I will have to talk Roberts through disabling any and all automated security while he sneaks in there." The detective remarked, which cause Sebastian to speak up, as if the man had forgotten the other skills that the assassin possessed.

"You know Detective, I could help with disabling any automated security over by the NovaTech compound. That way, all Roberts would have to do, is to make sure that the other team members for that assignment, can get in undetected. If there is information over at the compound, surely you'd want that removed from the field as well. Or, do you not trust me to remove anything sensitive?"

 

[Redryhno]

"Or, do you not trust me to remove anything sensitive?"

Wulf felt there was a need to respond to the so-called assassin,"I doubt it has as much to do with not trusting you as Rodrigo here knowing the limits of your abilities. By my... estimates," He gave a look through slitted eyes meant only for the machine, "He's got more hardware for hacking than skills you have for anything combined. NeoNET's the top software producer out there, and you can sure as hell bet they've got more firewalls, ICe, reverse viruses, and codes in long dead languages no one's even got a name for than anybody else out there. And that's just Renraku's basic security, you can bet there's worse coming from the lead manufacturer that everybody in the world uses."

He took a sip of his juice-like substance before continuing.

"The chances of someone without his particular...,"Another look,"Talents. probably has about as much chance cracking through everything unscathed as any old squatter does killing a fully-chromed and enraged troll slottin' 2XS chips and on more drugs than a dragon could safely take. In other words, you may be good against maglocks and Stuffer Shack servers, but I don't - and if I'm correct neither does he - think you're exactly ready for one of the Big Ten's secured compound's self-contained Matrix. That slag'll chew you up and drek you out faster than I can draw my weapons.

He again took another sip, glancing at Venaticus, judging his reaction. Nothing of course, machines didn't. He looked back at Sebastian and decided that he'd better continue before that look in his eye decided to come out and one of them got killed, he'd kept his other hand on the table, at an angle where he could easily draw his fletchette Predator.

"We had a ride-along like you, once, thought he had everything figured out, give him a deck, back before the Second crash you know, and he could get through almost any security we took him along for. The little shit felt he had what it took to take on Renraku's Matrix, barely five seconds into one of their company cred stick caches, his head melted so much and so fast, Lone Star here couldn't identify the creep barely half-an-hour later. Don't even think for a second you've got what it takes to hack a Big Ten Matrix, because most don't, and know better than to go looking for trouble that won't net them anything. Ironic too, street name was Hot Head, from out near Austin with Aztech, at least that's what he said.Could've been from about anywhere, I suppose."

Spoiler: Edit

Sorry Migit

 

[drmigit2]

Venaticus shot a look at Wulf. At least he was attempting to be subtle, sort of. "I can talk people through quite a few things and maybe even get you through Kilmer, but if you mess up that hack attempt, we would be short an assassin. If I must do the Kilmer job, then it is highly recommended that either I talk Roberts through the steps of getting the basic hacking done and then with the chaos ensuing, I sneak in and aid you guys. Or, you simply don't hack into anything."

The walls of NeoNET were tightly sealed, if any assassin could sneak in and break their whole defense network, their walls would be more like paper than steel. Only one person had ever truly disabled everything they had and he was being sent to delete a few files in another building. Either way, the files to his own project would be in the labs, where the good doctor would most likely be found. He did not have the time to wipe his own files when he escaped, but an invasion would make the perfect cover.

"I recommend the former option, mainly because we have an insect shaman who I am sure can spread some form of poison or another. Don't look surprised, I specialize in the paranormal, you are not very good at hiding your origins. To be honest, I was more curious about which insect you were than anything else."

Taylor fit the perfect profile of an Insect Shaman. It had taken Venaticus a bit to piece it all together, but flight combined with her behavior made it seem obvious. Those types specialize in neurotoxins and he doubted she would be any different.

 

[Asclepion]

Spoiler: drmigit2

Asshole. I wanted that to be a surprise. D:

Taylor was silent.

...

"Yes. That was my goal. Carry Marlowe to the building exterior. For all the structure's elaborate defense, it still must have a link to the outside world. Once in utilities, I can act from inside the vent. What I need is for others to keep the vent open, the fans going, and the filters sealed off. If you can somehow access the utility system, you can route the toxin to different sections of the building."

She put her hands up.

"And I hope you bring a gas mask."

 

[3quency]

Nik whistled. The secret was out.
As Taylor finished, he started to speak to her.

"Okay, I don't doubt that any folks here with Perception got you pegged pretty quick. I did but I wanted to be sure. Now I've got this problem. You guys kinda tried to mass possess the world, or your bosses did. Before we go any further with this mission I want a guarantee that I can trust you. Sound fair?"

In all honesty, as far as Nik was concerned he'd rather have kept this quiet so he could observe the shaman without arising her suspicion, but since she was now revealed it seemed the best idea was to confirm that she was safe. More than anything else, her answer would at least give him some idea of her intentions, if not the truth.

Just to be sure, he covertly snapped his fingers under the table. Nobody had seen his magical "tell" yet, but it did look out of place mid conversation. Channelling a small amount of energy he focused on the covert surface thoughts spell he'd used back in Club Raven, concentrating on Taylor as he did so.

 

[Terratina.]

And there it was, the big bad secret was out.

The magic users had seemed to be a tad spooked back in Club Raven and this was probably why. Charlie didn't really care about things like this, he was a bit selfish in that way - stuff only mattered when it affected him. It was how he coped with all the crazy things the Triads did with the weapon shipments he sold to them. Blissful ignorance, indeed. Then Charlie found out how they could shake up his life. Now, he was a little more cautious, especially since Taylor had got him involved, true he did volunteer for this part in the plan, but he never thought about what was she was. Marlowe was under the impression that she could fly by magic or something like that...

However unlike the mages that night, Marlowe kept his cool, one insect shaman was nothing, right? He adjusted his tie, Charlie was more worried about the possible confessional of everyone's secrets, including his. With one 'runner turning out to be a insect shaman hiding under everybody's noses, the group would be justified in asking everybody to tell their deep, dark secrets as anybody here could turn out to be anything. He hid his anxieties in a favourite fall-back - snarky remarks. But there was something Charlie needed to ask, as well...

"And I hope you bring a gas mask."

"A little neurotoxin never hurt anyone," Marlowe chuckled, "But since caution is needed on this 'run - gas masks for everybody. But I digress, which site will this staged at? If we pool all our resources in Kilmer, we'll run up short with the Novatech Compound."

 

[Asclepion]

"Okay, I don't doubt that any folks here with Perception got you pegged pretty quick. I did but I wanted to be sure. Now I've got this problem. You guys kinda tried to mass possess the world, or your bosses did. Before we go any further with this mission I want a guarantee that I can trust you. Sound fair?"

"Well, it's not like the rest of the world has done such a bang-up job."

 

[Redryhno]

If we pool all our resources in Kilmer, we'll run up short with the Novatech Compound."

"We've got the guard routines, know the basics of what we're up against, and we've got an eye out for the human with the arm. I've gone into cross-state shipment runs knowing less. Give me someone who can get into the mainframe they've got set up there, and someone that knows how to get around a place without being seen, and I can get the job done. The only problem being some of our fellow enthusiasts seem to have gone underground. Or got stupid and let Lone Star or the suits get to them. I have the equipment I need, and the talents to make it work, two of you competents and the job's as good as done. The only problem I'm foreseeing is my intel being bad and the Yak that hired us working the sides. Either way, we don't have enough time to re-evaluate. Getting the two jobs done in one night seems the only thing we can do without them getting spooked and moving that doc of theirs out of the Fortress."

"Well, it's not like the rest of the world has done such a bang-up job."

Wulf chuckled into his glass,"That's the answer you give him? You Insect Shaman are all the same, you think you can control that power and give cryptic and over-vague responses. You're all scum of the earth as far I'm concerned, you can't be trusted, you'll be toasted eventually, get that spirit you follow inside you, and then..." He paused a moment before draining his glass,"Well, we all know why Chicago's called Bug City now. So long as she's not on the Compound job, I'll tolerate her. As soon as this job's over though, if I see you in Redmond, know that a bug hunt's going to follow you pretty quick-like."

The Night Elf didn't trust mages in general, and Insect shaman were the worst of the bunch. Nothing but a bunch of low-lives that didn't have a place in any society, worse than old squatters looking for a hand-out in Ancient's territory. They were dangerous,true, but every mage was,in their own ways, and he had yet to meet the mortal that could survive a few shots to the head without at least some replacement necessary, which made them even more vulnerable, seeing as the more chromed they got, the less they could throw that damn magic around.

 

[3quency]

"Well, it's not like the rest of the world has done such a bang-up job."

Nik's eyes narrowed.
"Honey, the rest of the world isn't trying to summon the damn Horrors. When you ain't working for beings that want to destroy all life we can discuss ethics. Until then... An' you didn't answer me."

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

"So long as she's not on the Compound job, I'll tolerate her."

"Listen, big guy," Clay started, "we can't all accomodate to what you feel you can 'tolerate'. We need her at Novatech, we need her to get somebody up top to cut off the good doctor's escape. And that neurotoxin business she was goin' on about sounds like a great way for her to be even more useful. She can eliminate any threats the security team sees and she can do it quietly. Also gives Sebastian somethin' to do after instatin' the new and improved security recruitment list, other than twiddlin' his thumbs. He can gain access to the maintenance systems and reroute the ventilation to wherever we need it. It won't be any problem bringing in gas masks to the executive offices, we'll just smuggle 'em in with the weapons."

 

[drmigit2]

"Honey, the rest of the world isn't trying to summon the damn Horrors. When you ain't working for beings that want to destroy all life we can discuss ethics. Until then... An' you didn't answer me."

Venaticus butted in, "Nik, neither is she. Look at her for a second, that whole incident that is making you shit your pants happened when she had hardly even been conceived of. All I see, are a bunch of murderers picking on someone who seems to have hardly done anything. If I thought there was a risk to an adolescent insect shaman, I would have said I thought there was a risk. I simply said she was one because she could be useful. If you and Wulf intend to bully her more about things she can not change, this will not get anywhere. Nobody ever forced you guys to become assassins and murder people for money."

Admittedly, Venaticus was putting his own prejudicial views on the table. He could hardly trust any of these people, a mix of the crooks he had long ago sworn to hunt. Insect shamans were nothing next to a gun crazed adept in a shopping mall with two machine guns.

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

"Nobody ever forced you guys to become assassins and murder people for money."

"Alright, alright," said Clay, putting his hands up as he tried to nip this ethical argument in the bud. "Before this becomes some kinda big debate over right 'n' wrong, good 'n' evil, let's just all get focused back on the task at hand. You can all tear each other apart once this is done and over with, just let's not fuck this up so I don't have to worry about whether or not I'll be getting my paycheck in lead. That sound fair?"

 

[Redryhno]

"we can't all accomodate to what you feel you can 'tolerate'.

"Have you seen what one of her kind can do, kid? Have you seen people be torn limb from limb by just one of those things she can summon at a moment's notice? I have my prejudices just as I'm sure everyone else here does, and I know what she can do. I just don't want her anywhere near me on my part of this job, I'll take care of the Compound, so long as she stays over there, on the other side of the city for all I care, taking care of getting our good doctor out."

If you and Wulf intend to bully her more about things she can not change, this will not get anywhere. Nobody ever forced you guys to become assassins and murder people for money."

Wulf's voice oozed with contempt for the machine in front of him,calm, but obviously furious below the surface,"Just as I'm sure nobody ever forced you to do what you do, chromey. And for the record, I've never killed anyone for money, respect,stupidity on their part, and selling out others is another matter, however. She may be an adolescent as you claim, or not. No one knows her ultimate goals, but as I said before, for as long as this job is on, she doesn't have anything to worry about from me. And there is always a risk involved in taking almost any mage or shaman along, so get whatever hardware you've got for a brain wrapped around that concept. Because you may know computers, but you don't know drek about metahumanity."

Could no one see the danger she was? Had none of them seriously ever seen what one of her kind could do? Nevermind that she was an adolescent, as Rodriguez had said, she was a magic-user, and they were never truly adolescents, there were the ones that could control their power, the dead ones, and then there were the shaman like her. She'd eventually succumb to the Insect she communed with, that he was sure of, and when she did, all hell would break loose.

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"...All I see, are a bunch of murderers picking on someone who seems to have hardly done anything." The Dectective said, trying to break up the arguemeny between various members of the group who were targetting Taylor the Insect Shaman. Sebastian decided to enter the conversation.

"It may not be Taylor specifically that they have a problem with Dectective Rodrigo, but Insect Shamans in general. Some people have problems trusting someone, especially after someone or a group of people caused trouble in the past; even if that person in question wasn't connected to what happened at all, or is trying to help change things for the better. I for one, have no immediate concerns with Taylor, and since I have never worked with an Insect Shaman before; I shall considered this an invaluble learning experience." Sebastian remarked, giving his overall opinion on the current situation before sitting back in his chair.

"I'll be sure to add gas masks to the inventory. Although, my armour does have sufficient breathing equipment, it does help to have a backup in case something goes wrong." He then added with a thoughtful look on his face.

 

[3quency]

Nik raked a hand through his hair.
This conversation was going against him, this was precisely why he tried to keep his damn trap shut. He took a deep breath, and continued.

"Okay, first things first. The Bugs. Are. Evil. This ain't a personal opinion, it's a fact. Their entire existence is based around consuming life and possessing everything they can get their feelers on. I wish that was hyperbole. Rodrigo, call me a killer if you want. I won't hide from that. But this a force you don't have a frame of reference for. Bad News with capital letters. I've got nothin' against Miss Taylor, but knowing what I know I can't help but feel wary. The last time we twigged the Bugs were around we lost a city. So I'm hopin' you can see why I feel justified in asking her why exactly she's in the city."

He looked to Clay.

"Sorry buddy, this kinda goes beyond the job. I know I shoulda spoken about this as soon as I knew, but I didn't so I'm sayin' my piece now."

He paused. He hated speaking this much. If he could have just accepted the job and quietly found a sniping point to work his business... things were getting complicated and they weren't even on the run yet.

The comment about murdering people for money had really stung. Of course it was true, but that didn't make it any less painful. How had he ended up here, on this path? If he'd been smart he would have just concentrated on mage-work after he quit and... become a corporate slave or something.
Shit. He thought. This is really going to get out of hand.

 

[drmigit2]

"It may not be Taylor specifically that they have a problem with Dectective Rodrigo, but Insect Shamans in general"

"Be that as it may, we are a team, and if Taylor has to worry about Wulf stabbing her in the back, she might not go at full capacity. Likewise, if Wulf is too busy raging about a shaman on the team, he might make a mistake. Mistakes will lead to someone getting killed." Venaticus had not moved for a while now, he started fiddling with his necklace to seem a bit more normal.

Admittedly, he had made one mistake when he was leaving NeoNET. When he overloaded the communications and disabled all automated defenses, one guard saw him and chased him outside the grounds. That mistake forced Venaticus to take the man's life. By accident, he did not know the strength of the robot body he had taken. He covered it up and still uses that man's face and look today. To remind him of what mistakes can cause.

"Okay, first things first. The Bugs. Are. Evil. This ain't a personal opinion, it's a fact. Their entire existence is based around consuming life and possessing everything they can get their feelers on. I wish that was hyperbole. Rodrigo, call me a killer if you want. I won't hide from that. But this a force you don't have a frame of reference for. Bad News with capital letters. I've got nothin' against Miss Taylor, but knowing what I know I can't help but feel wary. The last time we twigged the Bugs were around we lost a city. So I'm hopin' you can see why I feel justified in asking her why exactly she's in the city."

The cop was now looking conflicted. Something Venaticus said had to have struck a chord with him. Maybe he wasn't beyond saving, interesting thought for later. They all seemed to doubt Venaticus's understanding of the shamans. One of the larger databases he had was on that particular group.

"I hear everything you are saying, I really do. I have read all the statistics, seen all the numbers and while I never witnessed the atrocities, I can appreciate your concerns. I however; judge a person as an individual, not as a member of whatever group, club or race they happen to be affiliated with. Compared a few certain members," Venaticus peered at Wulf; "Taylor seems level headed. That is all."

"That sound fair?"

Venaticus let his necklace down and looked at Clay as he said in his normal apathetic voice, "Fair."

 

[Redryhno]

"That's the problem, metal head, they all seem level headed, until they bite back, and anyone smaller than a full grown ork on chips and drugs won't keep moving after that bite. Statistics are bulldrek and corps looking out for themselves. You don't know the streets half as well as you think you do if you just sit looking at databases and screens. And, if you had listened to what I said before, then you would know I have no problem so long as she does her job with one of the groups, and I can do mine. If she goes to the Barrens after this is over, I'm under no such obligation, and I can spread information fast through the streets.

"Once this job is over, she's free to do what she wants, as am I. You can trust me to do my part, but can you trust whatever damn thing she communes with to not slag up the most important part of the job?"

Wulf sat back and sighed,"Nevermind, you people and your damn ethics, you don't make a deal with Lofwyr and expect everything to go your way, do you? The same situation here, a bug would just as soon rip you to shreds as notice you, and this is one of the few insane enough to worship the bastards, you don't see that, do you?"

At least LoneStar here knows what a bug can do, too bad everyone else is too wrapped up in their ethics and judging a part of a known danger group by the individual. Hmph, that machine Rodrigo really needs to get that bug out of his software, he's not going to make it on the streets much longer if he thinks everyone of a certain group is different. The streets don't run like that, and they never will, too much time in the corps back pocket, oblivious to the world, running diagnostics and reading databases, he can't function in real society, probably why no one I know has ever even heard of him, he hides himself.