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18:22, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Posted by Mr. JohnsonFor group 0
Mr. Johnson
GM, 239 posts
Fri 10 Apr 2020
at 14:20
  • msg #1

Prelude: Venom

:: HUD ::
>>>Node: *** (tag: OKL LTG)
>>>System Rating: ***
>>>Alert Staus: ***


Amid the glittering virtual landscape of the OKL LTG where any construct the imagination can dream of is possible there sits a lone white cube.  Unremarkable in every way the bland, prefab program structure sits among gleaming spires, futuristic moonbases and imposing monoliths.  Sometimes the complete lack of effort toward rendering program aesthetics can mean the worst countermeasures and thick IC.  In this case, however, the looks are not deceiving.

Liáng-Meier Digital is the subcontractor that provides matrix services to the Cal Free department of motor vehicles. The board of directors make every effort to meet minimum requirements and stay under budget. There isn’t much profit margin in public service delivery and investment in the appearance of their matrix construct is neither cost effective nor contractually required. Since the contract carries no incentive based bonus structure, Liáng-Meier does their best to barely meet their obligation to the republic.  You can almost feel the frustrated line up waiting to speak to an inattentive agent out there in the meat world.

"Minimum requirements.  You know what that means." Kali says.  Standing beside you the four armed, dark-blue skinned persona of your decking companion wears a necklace of skulls befitting the goddess of creation, time and death.  "System security protocols are going to be strictly according to contractual obligations. You read that copy of the contract I ripped from the public d-base?  What are we up against?" your mentor asks...

...you know this is a loaded question.  Did you do your research or are you winging it?

How did you prepare to slice this host - stealth and spoof or full frontal assault?

This message was last edited by the GM at 14:58, Sat 11 Apr 2020.
Venom
player, 1 post
Sun 12 Apr 2020
at 01:53
  • msg #2

Prelude: Venom

"I need to get my shit together." Venom thought to himself while staring at the cube. He'd been having his flashbacks again that were depriving him of the sleep he desperately needed. "How long have I been up for now?.... fuck it...".
Now probably wasn't the time to tell Kali what state he was in to run this mission, Kali would probably chew him out and luckily for him his Image wasn't conveying the tired red rimmed saggy eyes his meatbag was showing.

Turning to Kali he said "Of course I read that report Kali, what do you take me for?".

He waiting a few more moments before his conscience kicked in, he didn't want to risk what he'd be working on so hard for, a chance to escape his problems. He also didn't want to lose the trust or risk the life of the only person who gave him a second chance at life,

".... actually Kali... I couldn't read the whole thing, I've been having problems lately" He said avoiding eye contact.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 244 posts
Sun 12 Apr 2020
at 02:45
  • msg #3

Prelude: Venom

:: HUD ::
>>>Node: *** (tag: OKL LTG)
>>>System Rating: ***
>>>Alert Staus: ***


Recrimination and ranting weren’t Kali’s style, besides she could hear the resignation in your voice even though it was resonating through your desk’s ASIST module. She was here to cultivate raw talent. No sense kicking a guy when he was down.

“Back when you worked in the meat world, preparation was part of your business.” she replied softly but firmly. Neither hiding her frustration nor layering on resentment. “Ain’t no different under electron skies, chummer.  Time spent researching your target and studying security so you know what you’re up against is going to save you getting brain fried and help make sure you download the paydata you’re after. Trying to slice a system blind is bushleague pure and simple.” she adds appealing to your sense of professionalism if not your sense of self preservation.

“Fortunately I came prepared. Try to keep up.” she says before taking off like a laser riding the data stream down toward the DMV host.  Despite your self doubt she has enough confidence in you to let you make the run after all. If she didn’t, she would have dumped you back to your jackpoint and run it solo...

As you follow Kali down to the host describe what your matrix persona looks like and the programs you have running on your deck.
Venom
player, 3 posts
Sun 12 Apr 2020
at 09:42
  • msg #4

Prelude: Venom

What's the max number of programs I can have on my deck? Also should I ask questions here or on idle chatter?
Mr. Johnson
GM, 246 posts
Sun 12 Apr 2020
at 12:03
  • msg #5

Prelude: Venom

In reply to Venom (msg # 4):

Deck storage is the limiting factor, but you should be able to have 3-5 programs up and running. Just describe the effects or give me some program names, I’ll crunch numbers to make it fit in game mechanics.

Happy to field any questions you have in this thread while we complete the character generation.

In IC threads please use orange for OOC as it helps to easily pick up OOC questions / mechanics

Venom
player, 4 posts
Mon 13 Apr 2020
at 00:24
  • msg #6

Prelude: Venom

"Christ I hope I loaded the right programs for the job." he mumbled to himself before shooting off after Kali. "The 6 P's*, need to remember the 6 P's" he kept saying like some sort of mantra while submitting a program check on his deck.

++Venom Program Check++

Steamroller - LOADED - > READY
Hog - LOADED - > READY
Compressor - LOADED -> READY
Infect - LOADED -> READY
Evaluate - LOADED -> READY

"OK , let;s do this"

Venom's body was humanoid in shape and covered in a weird military like camo pattern of red and bright green that would probably be used to represent toxic radiation, bare chested but wearing fatigues of the traditional military colour scheme. He looked like the result of a child who had eaten a box of crayons and then vomited on the picture he'd just drawn.
The viper's head was taking in the sights of the Matrix almost feeding on it.

*
Proper Preperation Prevents Piss Poor Performance

Mr. Johnson
GM, 257 posts
Mon 13 Apr 2020
at 03:03
  • msg #7

Prelude: Venom


++Venom Program Check++

Steamroller - LOADED - > READY
Hog - LOADED - > COMPRESSED
Compressor - LOADED -> READY
Infect/Disinfect - LOADED -> COMPRESSED
Evaluate - LOADED -> COMPRESSED

Added deck stats and program mechanics to your PocSec. Give it a look and let me know if that generally captures what you want these programs to do.
Venom
player, 5 posts
Mon 13 Apr 2020
at 04:02
  • msg #8

Prelude: Venom

Seems good to me but do you think I should swap Steamroller out with something else in your opinion? If so what would be useful?
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 04:02, Mon 13 Apr 2020.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 258 posts
Mon 13 Apr 2020
at 15:59
  • msg #9

Prelude: Venom

You can perform any reasonable matrix action using only your deck. For example, although you don’t have a mask or sleaze program, you can still try to sneak through a node.  Not having an Analyse or a Decryption utility doesn’t prevent you from trying to do either once you’re in a host or have downloaded paydata. Generally speaking, programs give a bit of an advantage in certain situations or increase your options when you Sling Code (In terms of game mechanics, this is the primary matrix ‘move’).   All that to say that you can attack any IC without using Steamroller and your current configuration gives you a bonus when dealing with tar pit / tar baby (and that isn’t a bad idea).

If you think a more general purpose attack program might be a better choice... here are two options that would fit in your deck’s storage:

Acid [when you Rock and Roll: dmg 2, ignore 1 Hardening/Armor, if target has no Hardening or Armor you may choose to reduce CPU rather than deal damage, routines (attack x 2), size 4]

Black Hammer [when you Rock and Roll: dmg 3, relocate hostile programs to an adjacent node, routines (armor, bounce), size 4]

Finally, with a little legwork once we’re into a game thread, you’re going to be able to find any of these programs on the matrix gray or black market, so don’t stress if you want to make changes it won’t be too hard to pick one up later.

Venom
player, 6 posts
Mon 13 Apr 2020
at 22:33
  • msg #10

Prelude: Venom

Oh I see, for some reason I was under the impression that my attacks and such was limited to only what I had loaded on my Deck at the time which thinking about it now is a bit silly. Thanks for the clarification.
You know what, I'll keep what I have and just roll with it, I'll make changes later on down the line.

Mr. Johnson
GM, 262 posts
Tue 14 Apr 2020
at 18:30
  • msg #11

Prelude: Venom

:: HUD ::
>>>Node: Credentials (tag: Public SAN)
>>>System Rating: RED
>>>Alert Status: NONE


Touching down in the system access node that connects the Department of Motor Vehicles Host to the OKL LTG, Kali’s form changes from six-armed death goddess to a municipal services worker in an orange safety vest.  “How do I look?” she asks as her masking program takes over creating a persona image that is more appropriate to the host. “Should be a price of cake to waltz through the public areas but we’ll need to get creative when we slip out of the public nodes into the secured areas.”

If you haven’t stolen a passcode, hosts are far less likely to notice your intrusion if you look appropriate to the setting (Mask) or try to disappear entirely (Sleaze).  Feel free to try one on for size.

Seeing as you’re new to play by post, I’ll add that all you need to do in a situation like this is write up a post with your actions. Tell me that Venom wants to run a program that makes him look like a government official, or he wants to turn invisible, or he wants to go in guns ablazin’ (Leroy Jenkins!)... I’ll do the dice stuff if necessary and let you know how it goes.

Also, don’t be shy about nudging the story along... describe what you find inside the SAN and what you’re after in this run

Venom
player, 7 posts
Wed 15 Apr 2020
at 09:05
  • msg #12

Prelude: Venom

"Very stylish, it suits you" Venom said landing next to Kali, "I should probably play dress up also".
The almost unlimited freedom of the Matrix (depending you had the right skills obviously) was what got Venom's blood pumping, everything up for grabs as far as he was concerned.

++Launch Mask Program >> Municipal Wage Slave [Service Department]

"How creative are you thinking Kali? Security isn't going to be as tight as the big boy corps right?"
Venom really wished he had read that contract now, he hated looking like an idiot in front of people.


I'll try my best with regards to adding content although I'm not sure I have the artistic flair or knowledge of the world you have though.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:07, Wed 15 Apr 2020.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 265 posts
Wed 15 Apr 2020
at 16:50
  • msg #13

Prelude: Venom

:: HUD ::
>>>Node: Credentials (tag: Public SAN)
>>>System Rating: RED
>>>Alert Status: NONE


“Since the government can’t legally use black IC, we got that going for us.” she replies. “The datastores we’re after will be frosty with Blaster and Crash though. Get in, insert to data files we want to upload and get out.”

It was a fairly simple matter really. A local fixer had contracted Kali to get into the DMV system and insert some files into the system archives. Forged driving records for a handful of fake SINs. Someone somewhere was aiming to misbehave and wanted to do so using a false identity.

To get the job done you will need to find the driving records archives datastore, get past any IC guarding the data and the add the files so that the fake SINs have some added padding with data in the system just in case local authorities get clever and try to run some cross checks.  Despite the likelihood of encountering some heavy IC guarding the personal information of Cal Free’s registered motor vehicle operators, this one should be straightforward.  The next hurdle of course was finding the right datastore.

“Let’s get past the public nodes then split up, cover ground faster that way.” Kali added, moving through the SAN into a minimalist reception area where dozens of users were milling about.  A pair of DMV customer service agents were working their way through the group, directing queries toward a number of data lines leading out of the SAN to a number of different departments: ‘Services’ / ‘Registrations’ / ‘Fees & Licensing’ / ‘Records & Inquiries’
Venom
player, 9 posts
Fri 17 Apr 2020
at 09:14
  • msg #14

Prelude: Venom

“Sounds like a plan” He replied moving past the group of customers, giving the occasional nod here and there.  “You would have thought they’d have furnished this place out a bit, there’s no plants or anything. I’ve seen funeral parlours with more colour, maybe it’s their way of subduing potential troublesome customers by deadening their brains with this boring room” He said to no one in particular.
Insertion runs as far as Venom was concerned were fairly straightforward once you found your target, “Just a walk in the park” he mused to himself.

“I’m no brain surgeon by any means but I reckon ‘Records and Inquiries’ and ‘Registrations’ might be our best for finding the Datastores.  I could be wrong though. What do you think Kali?”

How would we be able to travel these data lines the Service Agents were pointing to? Am I right in thinking that SAN representations can be anything and that this reception has an elevator (that uses these data lines) or some such to take us places like a regular building would?
And obviously we don’t have access codes so could I try and hack or steal one off of one of the Service Agents?

Mr. Johnson
GM, 271 posts
Sat 18 Apr 2020
at 00:46
  • msg #15

Prelude: Venom

You can certainly try to hack one of the system's customer service agents (program) to try to get a copy of it's passcodes... that's a great idea!  You will have to convince one of the programs to follow you to somewhere a bit more secluded ... then you can hack it without an audience.
Venom
player, 10 posts
Sat 18 Apr 2020
at 12:05
  • msg #16

Prelude: Venom

"I'm here to help hone your skills, not hold your hand" Kali said firmly. "You have a brain, at least I hope you do, use it"

"Time to up my game"
Venom approached one of the Service Agents dealing with the increasing number of irate customers.
"Excuse me, I happened to come across a customer in need of your assistance, would you mind following me? He's just beyond this door here..." he said gesturing to the other end of reception.

Is there an influence or speech skill I would need to roll for something like this?
Mr. Johnson
GM, 272 posts
Sat 18 Apr 2020
at 14:35
  • msg #17

Prelude: Venom

:: HUD ::
>>>Node: Credentials (tag: Public SAN)
>>>System Rating: RED
>>>Alert Status: NONE


Venom:
"I'm here to help hone your skills, not hold your hand" Kali said firmly. "You have a brain, at least I hope you do, use it"


The hard edge in her voice waivers, just slightly, as she speaks. You’re never quite sure if her bravado is tough love to spur you onward, or own her defenses going up because she knows she might face IC on this job. Probably a healthy dose of both. As she walks away, she glances back over her shoulder and gives you a reassuring thumbs up.

Venom:
"Excuse me, I happened to come across a customer in need of your assistance, would you mind following me? He's just beyond this door here..." he said gesturing to the other end of reception.


It’s not the most original lie, but it is certainly appropriate to the setting...

Stay Frosty
10:25, Today: Mr. Johnson rolled 7 using 2d6+1
Weak Success


...so the agent dutifully follows along...

”As an agent of the Department of Motor Vehicles is my pleasure to assist you user name undefined.

...but...

“Please note, user name undefined that Liáng-Meier Digital registers a copy of all customer service interactions for market research and quality control purposes.”

Another agent, in the form of a camera lens with flapping bird’s wings follows along...
Venom
player, 11 posts
Sat 18 Apr 2020
at 22:22
  • msg #18

Prelude: Venom

"Ahh... yes of course.. that's fine" He said through gritted teeth. "Bloody cams" he muttered softly after.

I'm sorry user name undefined did you say something?

"No, must be some faulty programming on your part, mate"

Passing through the double doors that entered into a long equally minimalist corridor lined with yet more doors Venom, before taking a quick peak through a door simply labelled 'Room 20' and finding it empty, ushered the two agents inside.


"user name undefined although I am happy to assist you I have a query, where is this customer you spoke of earlier?"

"Right here"

Now I wanted to sling code and try and hack both targets at once however I don't know if 3e has this ability or not, I saw something called Fork for 5e but that might be a newish rule.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 274 posts
Sat 18 Apr 2020
at 22:29
  • msg #19

Prelude: Venom

It can be done... in Sixth World this is the decker move Multitasker (check your PocSec).

Hmmm... I’ll let you try it but since it’s a move you don’t have, you will be glitched.

Venom
player, 12 posts
Sun 19 Apr 2020
at 00:22
  • msg #20

Prelude: Venom

I think I'll give it a go however what would I use to hack them though?
Mr. Johnson
GM, 276 posts
Sun 19 Apr 2020
at 04:46
  • msg #21

Prelude: Venom

It will be a Sling Code roll against both....

Multitasker
00:38, Today: Mr. Johnson rolled 10 using 2d6+1 ((3,6)).
glitched Weak success take -1 forward on second system...

Who do you hack first: the customer service agent or the recording program?

This message was last edited by the GM at 05:11, Sun 19 Apr 2020.
Venom
player, 13 posts
Sun 19 Apr 2020
at 21:45
  • msg #22

Prelude: Venom

I'll hack the recording program first
Mr. Johnson
GM, 284 posts
Tue 21 Apr 2020
at 02:07
  • msg #23

Prelude: Venom

:: HUD ::
>>>Node: Credentials (tag: Public SAN)
>>>System Rating: RED
>>>Alert Status: NONE


Fingers flying across the deck you...

Sling Code
21:45, Today: Mr. Johnson rolled 10 using 2d6+1.
Strong success


...immediately take control of the annoying little recording routine and send it flying off to bother someone else.  Turning your attention to your intended target...

Sling Code
21:46, Today: Mr. Johnson rolled 6 using 2d6-1.

Option 1
Miss


“I’m sorry user name undefined but that access is not permitted and I have no choice but to alert the system”
>>>Alert Status: PASSIVE


Option 2
Edge Bump +1 Weak success


“I’m sorry user name undefined but .... zzzzt .... but .... zzzt .... access granted.”

You have hacked the agent but Security Tally +1 and choose one:
- You only get part of the passcode and using it will be glitched
- The agent is not suppressed and triggers an alert
- The agent is not suppressed and triggers IC

This message was last edited by the GM at 15:08, Wed 22 Apr 2020.
Venom
player, 14 posts
Fri 24 Apr 2020
at 12:26
  • msg #24

Prelude: Venom

"God damn it" Venom said through gritted teeth.
<Brown>"well it's better than nothing I guess"
he said turning to Kali "I've got part of the security code, not sure what good that will do us though.".

Heading towards the exiting data lines out of the SAN it was time to use the code, well part of it. He hoped luck was on his side although considering what's happened to him over the years he wasn't too confident that lady luck would be dropping her panties for him...

Other than getting part of the passcode, why would you select the other two?
This message was last edited by the player at 12:27, Fri 24 Apr 2020.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 293 posts
Fri 24 Apr 2020
at 19:50
  • msg #25

Prelude: Venom

Hmmm... maybe it wasn’t descriptive enough.  My bad!

This is an example of what PbtA mechanics calls a Soft Move. I give you a choice to make that presents no clear ‘win’ but let’s you make a trade off... in this case:

If you take the complication that gives you part of the code then every time you try to pass it off in a new node, you’re glitched (and face another complication).  This is a safe choice now but leads down a path of more unknowns.

If you take an alert or IC complication you get the whole passcode and don’t have to worry as much about future complications, but will trade that for a problem that will almost certainly make your life miserable right now.


Mr. Johnson
GM, 298 posts
Sat 25 Apr 2020
at 17:13
  • msg #26

Prelude: Venom

:: HUD ::
>>>Node: Credentials (tag: Public SAN)
>>>System Rating: RED
>>>Alert Status: NONE
Security Tally: 1


Venom:
...he said turning to Kali "I've got part of the security code, not sure what good that will do us though.".


Kali split with you before you hacked the agent, she isn’t with you in the SAN anymore... but it’s all good, you can still communicate by private messages

:: Private Message ::
Kali says ++Well, it can’t hurt, Good job staying quiet. I’m heading into Registrations. Are you covering Records & Inquires?++
Venom
player, 15 posts
Sun 16 Jan 2022
at 00:42
  • msg #27

Prelude: Venom

Hello. [For anyone referring back later, this is a new player taking over.]

OOC: I had an idea, and I want to see if 1) it fits the mission objectives and 2) if it's something Venom can even do.

My guess (From the text so far) is that the general (Online and meatspace) UI of the DMV system hasn't been updated or maintained in a while. (One of Venom's dad's rants about people who don't know the difference between maintenance and repairs echoes in his head here) in a way that makes actually using it kind of a fistfight.

Rather than fight his way into the system, make perfect "Chaff" files to distract the system from the fake SIN files, etc, what I was thinking of doing is do a lateral-thinking solution and have Venom fix the (probably very minor, from his perspective) things wrong with the public interface (including what, if any, desk agents are using to enter data).

The idea is: the "chaff" would be a bunch of legitimate files allowed by the suddenly improved workflow of the office. [I can "pin it" on an outside contractor that "finally got the job done".] He'd aim it so the improvement won't be so spectacular that the difference is unbelievable- something that can generally be shrugged off or someone else might steal credit for. The actual users would, hopefully, be pleased by being out of the office/completing their quotas faster than expected.

Then, all he has to do is "drop it in the stream" as it were, and make sure the SINs are decent fakes.

This message was last edited by the player at 00:50, Sun 16 Jan 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 369 posts
Sun 16 Jan 2022
at 02:28
  • msg #28

Prelude: Venom

Your assumptions about the level of effort put into preventative maintenance is 100% correct. Nothing is done in this system beyond what is contractually obligated.

You have had access to that contract (Kali gave it to you before the run), so you could certainly have gleaned enough to know where efficiency could be 'improved' to allow the plan you have hatched to have a chance of success.

Now... how do you make it work?  What node or nodes do you need to take over in the system that will make it vulnerable to the flood of legitimate outside requests where you will hide the forged data?

Venom
player, 16 posts
Tue 18 Jan 2022
at 05:34
  • msg #29

Re: Prelude: Venom

Mr. Johnson:
Now... how do you make it work?  What node or nodes do you need to take over in the system that will make it vulnerable to the flood of legitimate outside requests where you will hide the forged data?


Well, he's got a 'backdoor' through the agent terminal, right now. His earlier research probably told him where the "logjams" are. [As a wild guess, the two bottlenecks are delay/timeouts in form entry and various printers taking too long- IDs, that sort of thing]

So, what he needs to do first is adjust the printers to work more efficiently (He can use an old "ink-saver plan" idea, and use microscopic "checkerboard" patterns in fonts to allow the system to print faster and cheaper. That's as easy as finding and modifying the node responsible for Physical Printing, and then dropping slightly different code in it.

After that, use the system terminal to enter the single most plausible of the 'chaff' the Johnson gave them. As a test. See where it hits a log-jam in the system, then center on those areas.

Probable plan of 'attack' after that would be to put a timer on the various bits of programming that apply to the trouble spots, so it looks like a single, benign Update rather than an individual working on a bit here and a bit there.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 389 posts
Tue 18 Jan 2022
at 05:50
  • msg #30

Re: Prelude: Venom

Access codes in hand and leaving the shattered remains of the two budget constructs on the drab carpet of Room 20, you double back to the SAN where you came in.

The data lines leading out of the SAN to a number of different departments: ‘Services’ / ‘Registrations’ / ‘Fees & Licensing’ / ‘Records & Inquiries’

Nothing immediately jumps out at you, except maybe the terrible resolution on the DMV system. It might be time to look around and see if you can find one of those printer control nodes you need to put your plan in motion.
Venom
player, 17 posts
Tue 18 Jan 2022
at 05:58
  • msg #31

Re: Prelude: Venom

Let's start there, with the printer nodes. (After covering his tracks... err, "cleaning up the remains")

If nothing especially thrilling happens, there, he heard Kali say she was in Registrations. So, can I assume that (back in the "planning phase") he ran the whole idea by her?

Also: does Venom know generally what is meant by "Services" in this case, or will this involve "physically" searching the "room"? [I believe Fees & Licensing is fairly straight forward- not a priority right now.]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:58, Tue 18 Jan 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 392 posts
Wed 19 Jan 2022
at 05:22
  • msg #32

Re: Prelude: Venom

Hmmmm... let’s go back and see how things played out when you were doing the legwork for this run...

<< REW

Venom’s Apartment, 48 hours ago...


Scrolling past the never ending legalese text in the contract, you’re fading fast. Kali challenges you with this stuff because she knows it isn’t your strong suit. Back in the army, mission briefs were done by staff officers and analysts before you got the target pack. Now you’re on your own and it’s sink or swim.

When you’re struggling with maintaining focus, what helps?

Choose one:

Built to last... the army docs found a little something extra in their budget and you ended up with a Mnemonic Enhancer.(Pro: a pretty wiz price of bioware that let’s you hold +1 for any move related to knowledge/memory ... Con: that’s all you got for cyberware out of your old army pals.)

A little pick me up... combat medics were never stingy in providing a little chemical enhancement.  You’ve got a supply of Psyche and know just the right dose to avoid any nasty side effects. (Pro: Take +1 for Citation Needed and it stacks with Professional making you a research ninja ... Con: overhead cost at 200¥ a pop, while supplies last.)

Venom
player, 18 posts
Wed 19 Jan 2022
at 06:02
  • msg #33

Re: Prelude: Venom

The little pick me up, I should think. [His very-bad surplus legs, he got from military connections, so for "continuity's" sake...]
Mr. Johnson
GM, 394 posts
Thu 20 Jan 2022
at 02:36
  • msg #34

Re: Prelude: Venom


Take 1XP for keeping it in character ... PocSec updated

Add to gear: Psyche (blister pack) 7/8 ... PocSec updated

Researching the contract:
Pop Pills 14:55, Today: Mr. Johnson rolled 5 using 2d6 ((3,2)).
Fail The drug has no effect, mark 1XP ... PocSec updated

Citation Needed 14:52, Today: Mr. Johnson rolled 13 using 2d6+1 ((6,6)).
Boxcars! Something good happens
Take 1 Prep


Maybe washing down the pill with a long tug off a bottle of Ol’ Nick’s wasn’t the wisest choice, but as luck would have it, even without the drug’s effect, you found exactly what you needed to know:

>>>>>excerpt from Liáng-Meier Digital obligation pursuant to the agreement with California Free State Department of Motor Vehicles for the provision of digital and matrix support:

In that the aforementioned service provider agrees to undertake, on behalf of the procurer of services, an obligation to provide digital and matrix support to the Services Division (hereafter known as ‘the division’) such that the division may provide, in a digital or matrix environment, the following to other divisions and sub-divisions of the department as designated by the procurer at the time of ratification of this agreement:
-support to digital and matrix based architecture as outlined in Appendix 3 to Annex B of this agreement
-group and user interface management
-workflow management
-print spooling and production management
-data security and intrusion countermeasures

Pertaining to subsection 3 of chapter 4 of the agreement...<<<<<

Yeeesh.  Reading this makes being shot at and getting blown up by insurgents seem not so bad.

So yeah... all that to say services is probably where you want to go...
Venom
player, 20 posts
Actual product may vary
Thu 20 Jan 2022
at 04:01
  • msg #35

Re: Prelude: Venom

So, services it is!


[Bonus bit of detail about Venom: he has a very small tattoo, sloping up on his left ribs (often blocked by his arm) that reads "Clare Middleton, I Love You Will U M***** Me? " with the asterisks representing unclear or blurry writing. It's a variation on this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/..._You_Will_U_Marry_Me (except in Shadowrun's timeline they kept the "Claire Middleton" and the "Marry" got blurred by a vandal so it could possibly say "Murder". It's a not-uncommon "I'm from Sheffield" thing, and one of the few identifying marks he has from his old life) ]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:14, Thu 20 Jan 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 406 posts
Thu 20 Jan 2022
at 19:37
  • msg #36

Re: Prelude: Venom

super cool detail... is the ink muddled because of the injury or is it a stylistic choice?

:: HUD ::
>>>Node: Services (tag: Services SAN)
>>>System Rating: RED
>>>Alert Status: NONE

Prep: 1


Wearing the DMV worker avatar and armed with the passcodes from the shattered construct, it’s easy to slip past the Services Kiosk (Access IC - nuisance) and into the Services SAN. It’s just and drab and boring as everything else in this system. Grey walls, grey carpets, three grey doors...

...but the SAN isn’t responding to the passcodes. You must need some kind of administrative access to bypass the SAN credentials checks.

”Is there something I can do for you user name undefined? asks a remarkably familiar looking construct.

Take over the SAN to learn more?

Walk past the construct like you own the place and just pick a door at random?

Venom
player, 21 posts
Actual product may vary
Thu 20 Jan 2022
at 22:31
  • msg #37

Re: Prelude: Venom

Take over the SAN, to learn more, please.

[About the 'muddle': In our timeline, the graffiti originally read "Clare Middleton, I Love You, Will U Marry Me?". It became something of a civic monument- like a symbol, in the decaying post-industrial city, that someone was staking a claim on the future and reaching out for someone. It's visible for miles, from the right angle in town- commuters arriving by the main train station could see it clearly. Urban legends sprung up about who the proposer was, who Clare was, etc. Eventually the building it was on was bought up by people who kept the "I Love You, Will U Marry Me?", but erased "Clare Middleton" for what they felt was privacy reasons. They promote it and even lined it with neon so it's even more visible.

I'm just making up the small difference that (in the SR timeline) the "Clare Middleton" stayed up, and also some second vandal came in at some point, tried to paint "Murder" over "Marry", and the whole thing looks like two words written over each other and fixed badly.  Venom's tat replicates what the graffiti now looks like. Stylistic choice, you might say.
]
This message was last edited by the player at 22:33, Thu 20 Jan 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 410 posts
Fri 21 Jan 2022
at 01:58
  • msg #38

Re: Prelude: Venom

Sling Code
18:50, Today: Mr. Johnson, on behalf of Venom, rolled 9 using 2d6+1 ((6,2)).
Weak Success


The SAN bends to your will, but the construct looks up and says flatly "That's not permitted here user name undefined

>>>Alert Status: PASSIVE


Or ... use 1 Prep to bump 9 to 10 Strong Success

The SAN bends to your will. For a microsecond it seems that the construct is going to say something, but suddenly another user enters the SAN. The construct turns to the newcomer and asks: "Is there something I can do for you class one driver's license holder M345-0978-456, Sykes, Wanda?

>>>Alert Status: NONE


Take a consequence or burn your Prep?
Venom
player, 22 posts
Actual product may vary
Fri 21 Jan 2022
at 03:09
  • msg #39

Re: Prelude: Venom

Burn the Prep ("Get this over with, quick and quiet.")

Venom stays still as "Wanda Sykes" does her business.

(I'm guessing he wouldn't recognize the name, unless she's an active comic in the 2050s, or... wait, she worked for the NSA before she was a comic. Crap. Playing the odds- hold still, hope for nothing to happen or even being noticed, until she leaves. He does note the number, though...)
This message was last edited by the player at 03:36, Fri 21 Jan 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 417 posts
Fri 21 Jan 2022
at 20:25
  • msg #40

Re: Prelude: Venom

With Sykes, Wanda distractingly the service agent, you discreetly download a report on the SPU.

Door #1: Security Node ... rating red ... function: store inactive IC ready to respond to irregular activity in the system

Door #2: Process Node ... rating red ... function: sub-routines and permissions controlling user and group access

Door #3: Control Node ... rating red ... function: sub processor and master controller for a variety of attached devices
Venom
player, 23 posts
Actual product may vary
Fri 21 Jan 2022
at 20:59
  • msg #41

Re: Prelude: Venom

So- stepping OOC for a second: If I understand what you said, just there, I can use Door 2 to get myself permissions before going to Door 3?
Mr. Johnson
GM, 419 posts
Fri 21 Jan 2022
at 22:38
  • msg #42

Re: Prelude: Venom

That would work. Tidy solution that really only requires you to hack the Process Node to pretty much get the keys to the kingdom...

You could also go for the direct approach and own the print controllers to inject your code... Control Nodes are generally less protected then Process Nodes...

Or you could find the database and stuff the fake data right into it... Datastores get pretty good protection too, probably somewhere between the Process and Control node in a system like this.

Venom
player, 24 posts
Actual product may vary
Sat 22 Jan 2022
at 04:23
  • msg #43

Re: Prelude: Venom

Well, this may be an entertainingly-bad decision, so here's the thought process:

-It's been smooth and quick sailing so far. I've got the time to do this properly, no rush jobs.
-If I don't get greedy now, I can use these accesses later as a permanent backdoor- always useful- or just sell off the access through Kali for extra dosh, if I don't want to be holding the bag.


He's going with Door Number Two!
Mr. Johnson
GM, 425 posts
Sat 22 Jan 2022
at 17:21
  • msg #44

Re: Prelude: Venom

Through the grey door, walking down a grey hallway into a drab grey office with another service agent construct waiting dutifully.

”Is there something I can do for you used name undefined?

If you didn’t know any better, you would think it was the SPU again.  Minimal effort put into making this system.

The shining red armor of the Renraku Samurai v2.35 (Blaster IC - Peer) sitting idle in the corner is a helpful reminder that you have in fact entered the process node.

:: HUD ::
>>>Node: Process (tag: Services Process Control)
>>>System Rating: RED
>>>Alert Status: NONE

:: WARNING: Intrusion-countermeasures detected ::


The IC program is idle, but you’re one misstep away from a fight... how do you play it?

Sucker Punch you have the drop and can get a shot in before the IC is active.

Nothing to see here play it cool, spoof the node and get what you came for.

Venom
player, 25 posts
Actual product may vary
Sat 22 Jan 2022
at 20:45
  • msg #45

Re: Prelude: Venom

Venom was just thinking how shockingly sloppy this system was, when he saw the Samurai. Drek.

He got his composure back- this was like a bouncer at a pub- just sat there unless there was trouble, not really patrolling. (Except a pub with an expensive bouncer, you skipped, and a target with good security, you kept.) He took a breath and let it play out.

[ he does two things- play it real cool, get the job done, but also- keep an eye out for anything in the 'room' that looks valuable as a secondary target to grab.

His plan is in this order- spoof the node if possible.

If not, try again.

If that's not possible, take down the security if there's no witnesses.

If it's a fight with reinforcements coming, that's stupid- his plan is then to grab something valid but completely unrelated and make a break for it, to throw suspicion off of what they were actually doing, so a next try is possible

This message was last edited by the player at 20:47, Sat 22 Jan 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 432 posts
Sun 23 Jan 2022
at 02:24
  • msg #46

Re: Prelude: Venom

Outnumbered and facing a tough fight if this goes poorly, this might be a time you would consider an Edge Boost

Edge Boost a point of Edge may be used before a roll to make the PC boosted.

Boosted there are no specific modifiers for any moves, although when a PC is boosted  they are unable to fail.

Venom
player, 26 posts
Actual product may vary
Sun 23 Jan 2022
at 02:46
  • msg #47

Re: Prelude: Venom

This sounds good. Please do.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 435 posts
Sun 23 Jan 2022
at 03:13
  • msg #48

Re: Prelude: Venom

Sling Code
20:02, Today: Mr. Johnson, on behalf of Venom, rolled 8 using 2d6+1 ((6,1)). boosted
Weak Success

Edge 2/3


:: HUD ::
>>>Node: Process (tag: Services Process Control)
>>>System Rating: RED
>>>Alert Status: NONE

:: WARNING: Intrusion-countermeasures detected ::


You snag access to the process node and begin creating a new profile for yourself, complete with administrator access to the Services SPU.

Ignore Access IC and Take +1 forward in any node attached to the Services SPU but...

The construct looks up and says flatly "That's not permitted here user name undefined

>>>Alert Status: PASSIVE

...and the Samurai remains at rest... for now
Venom
player, 27 posts
Actual product may vary
Mon 24 Jan 2022
at 04:50
  • msg #49

Re: Prelude: Venom

[Here's where Venom would probably know something I wouldn't- the "That's not permitted here"- is the operative word 'permitted' (ie, it's just not a function that can be allowed) or 'here' (Ie, I could do it somewhere else?) ]
Mr. Johnson
GM, 447 posts
Mon 24 Jan 2022
at 05:17
  • msg #50

Re: Prelude: Venom

Nah, just some in character color.  I certainly didn’t meant to hide any meaning there.

But...


Since Venom hadn’t designed the system, it’s hard for him to tell what the programmers meant by the phrase. He had what he came for and can almost hear Kali telling him to shake it off and slip the node before tripping that IC.

Maybe it was something, but even odds it was just lazy programming to cut costs and the construct is simply using a stock phrase to indicate that a user has attempted to make the node do something it isn’t designed to do.

In terms of game mechanics, you got the access privileges you wanted, but it came with a complication because of the weak success (triggered an escalation in alert status).  Hope that all makes sense?
Venom
player, 28 posts
Actual product may vary
Mon 24 Jan 2022
at 05:28
  • msg #51

Re: Prelude: Venom

Right then- if I have the right authorizations (I do, right?), I'll have him stick to the plan and go to Door #3.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 453 posts
Tue 25 Jan 2022
at 02:24
  • msg #52

Re: Prelude: Venom

Back through the SPU and past the ubiquitous service agent construct...

"Is there something I can do for..."

Not waiting to exchange pleasantries, you shoot down the dataline through door #3.

:: HUD ::
>>>Node: Control (tag: Services Control)
>>>System Rating: RED
>>>Alert Status: NONE

:: WARNING: Intrusion-countermeasures detected ::


Another drab grey room, but this one ends at a balcony overlooking a hub that opens onto over fifty catwalks, each leading to a different device node.  Looks like every camera, printer and vending matching in the DMV office out there in the meat world is routed through this node.

"Is there something I can do for you administrative rights user?
Venom
player, 29 posts
Actual product may vary
Tue 25 Jan 2022
at 02:47
  • msg #53

Re: Prelude: Venom

Game On!

Time to carry out the plan. This should take some doing, so Venom mentally broke it down into a few smaller steps.

Step Zero would be making sure the coast was clear- no "eyes" on him or what he was about to do. Then....

First, he would s(t)imulate a typical "system pause". (That is, these systems seem to have constant 'time-outs' that amounted to short microcrashes. He just meant to trip one that was going to happen anyway. This would be just seconds in meat-time, but an eternity to him.)

Second, a time bomb. He would first 'drop the updates': A more modern "Ecofont" printing scheme, producing the same results with fewer resources, for one- it would also speed up the printing process just enough to make it worthwhile.

A smoother process for forms. This would, of course, cause just enough of a logjam at the processing end to allow him to introduce the files he was meant to 'drop', and with a little tweak, it would allow authorized user-verified files to shoot through without further challenge (something he wished he could see the desk-operators' reactions to- at least two less 'are you suuuures?' per interaction). This would let his work go through with the hundreds of updated files, without arousing suspicion.

He then gave the credit to a random IT firm contracted to the FreeState... innnnn let's see: Sacramento. (He didn't know them, but he suspected they'd do the opposite of finger pointing when business opened the next day and they got hefty completion bonuses for overdue work. Nobody would look that in the mouth. And any further questions would go to them.)

Finally, he set the whole thing to 'go live', pause and all, on his mark.

When this was set, he contacted Kali and told her "Stand by for justice!". It was a favorite movie line of his- she'd know it meant to be ready. When he gave the word to go, she'd input the "new files" from her end and.... voila.

Now to make the world safe for bureaucracy...
Mr. Johnson
GM, 458 posts
Tue 25 Jan 2022
at 03:42
  • msg #54

Re: Prelude: Venom

It was a solid plan and with administrative privileges, it would take a major miscalculation for it to fail...

Sling Code
20:32, Today: Mr. Johnson, on behalf of Venom, rolled 3 using 2d6+1 ((1,1)).
Take +1 forward: 4
Snake Eyes, something bad happens!
Take 1XP PocSec updated


...and sometimes you get beaten by bad luck.  Just as Venom was about to exploit that system pause, a security decker (Peer) happened by the control node.

"Well now, what have we here?" said the glittering silver spider baring her fangs.

Combat!
Venom [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] - Hardening 1
Spider [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] - Hardening 1

Venom
player, 30 posts
Actual product may vary
Tue 25 Jan 2022
at 04:41
  • msg #55

Re: Prelude: Venom

[As the OOC newb, here, what are my options? Is combat on, and I just have to choose what I'm trying to do, or is there an option to bluff Venom's way out?]
Mr. Johnson
GM, 459 posts
Tue 25 Jan 2022
at 05:15
  • msg #56

Re: Prelude: Venom

No problem. Decker stuff can be challenging even for experienced players in a table top game.

I see matrix systems kinda like a straight up D&D type dungeon crawl. Every node is a possible trap, treasure or monster encounter. To use the dungeon crawl analogy in this case: you’re basically picking the lock of a treasure chest in an empty storage room when the captain of the guard enters the room looking for a flagon of ale and catches you red handed. It would be tough to talk or bluff your way out of this one (but not impossible).

This is a good chance to work through the combat mechanics too. It’s your Prelude scene, so we’re not playing for keeps yet. A one-on-one fight where you have a friend close by to bail you out if you get in over your head is a good place to take a few practice jabs at a fairly benign target. The original player had a few ideas for programs. You can find them in your PocSec thread. Give them a look and let me know if you want to use one of those or reconsider your toolkit.

Venom
player, 31 posts
Actual product may vary
Tue 25 Jan 2022
at 05:32
  • msg #57

Re: Prelude: Venom

Okay then, if I'm reading the PocSec thread right, what I think I want to do is Rock & Roll (it's proverbial Go Time), but for a bit of style, I'm going to start with Hog, to crash a program on the Spider's deck.

If possible, I'd like to crash their ability to "call for help" for a little while (alter the Alert Status, etc).

This message was last edited by the player at 05:32, Tue 25 Jan 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 460 posts
Tue 25 Jan 2022
at 06:18
  • msg #58

Re: Prelude: Venom

Pulling aside your coat, a little glass piglet jumps from your pocket and charges the spider...

Rock and Roll
23:10, Today: Mr. Johnson, on behalf of Venom, rolled 10 using 2d6+1 ((4,5)).
Strong success


...and, turning into a glazed ham, dives into her gaping jaws. Her laughter, like nails in a chalkboard, quickly subsides “Clever...” she growls, raising up on her pair of hind legs...

with a strong success, you are not exposed to a threat move, so that’s this round of combat resolved (quick and easy, no dice crunch).

The spider is closing for an attack... Combat continues!

Venom [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Spider [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

Venom
player, 32 posts
Actual product may vary
Tue 25 Jan 2022
at 07:01
  • msg #59

Re: Prelude: Venom

Is it possible to hijack the "Samurai" I saw earlier, using the access codes? "Making it look like an accident" might be useful
This message was last edited by the player at 07:02, Tue 25 Jan 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 461 posts
Tue 25 Jan 2022
at 14:01
  • msg #60

Re: Prelude: Venom

That would be possible using the move Subversion but you need to be in the same mode as the IC
Venom
player, 33 posts
Actual product may vary
Tue 25 Jan 2022
at 18:28
  • msg #61

Re: Prelude: Venom

This is probably a longshot,but wth, longshots are fun:

A direct attack on the user, in the manner of the nastier type of anti-intrusion program, but with a difference. Instead of really damaging the person permanently, we're going to 'flashbang' the sensory filter in the thalamus.

(This is the brain center that prioritizes some sense input over others, so you aren't constantly noticing how your shirt feels on your back, socks on your feet, tongue in your mouth, hair on your head, and that's just touch. So, rather than try to fry the operator or cause seizures or something, we're gonna try to turn off the filter, "open the doors of perception" for a while, and let them try to sort it out a bit while Venom sorts his work out.)
This message was last edited by the player at 18:29, Tue 25 Jan 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 465 posts
Wed 26 Jan 2022
at 00:35
  • msg #62

Re: Prelude: Venom

It’s a long shot, but you go for the decker’s ASIST module, hoping to scramble the spider long enough to finish up your dirty deeds...

Sling Code
17:26, Today: Mr. Johnson, on behalf of Venom, rolled 8 using 2d6+1 ((4,3)).
Weak success


...dropping the deck’s sensory dampers and letting the node touch the decker’s mind unfiltered, if only for a millisecond. The spider writhes in pain as the matrix overwhelms the decker’s fragile meat.

But...

...flailing in pain, the spider clips you with a barbed leg.

Security decker Deals damage CPU 3 - 1 Hardeneing = 2

(1) You have the drop and can act without the decker making a move next turn
(2) Will it be enough to get the job done?

Venom [/] [/] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
Spider [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] - stunned

This message was last edited by the GM at 00:39, Wed 26 Jan 2022.
Venom
player, 34 posts
Actual product may vary
Wed 26 Jan 2022
at 05:27
  • msg #63

Re: Prelude: Venom

She couldn't call for help, and was out-of-commission for a few minutes. (She'd live. She might even get the urge to go make art or something- Venom heard tales.)

Venom opted to just crush the avatar, rather than go for a kill- if nothing else, the stakes weren't quite murder-high on this job.

Would Steamroller be appropriate for this? I thought I'd let it take a try at it, while Venom queues the 'update'.

  What sort of evidence of him being here will he have to consider?

This message was last edited by the player at 05:54, Wed 26 Jan 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 473 posts
Wed 26 Jan 2022
at 21:56
  • msg #64

Re: Prelude: Venom

I missed something. Do you want to attack the spider or insert the run payload and escape?

An attack on the spider doesn’t need to be fatal, you can use Rock and Roll to attack the deck, not the decker.

The original player made Steamroller as an attack program to give an advantage on attacking Tar Baby and Tar Pit IC. Attacking a decker with it would not give any advantage or disadvantage; it’s the same as Rock and Roll.  If you want to ditch this program and get a more general purpose attack program instead, no problem, just let me know.

It’s good to be concerned about leaving tracks. In this case, the decker still doesn’t know what you are up to and won’t be able to tell what you do next (since the decker is stunned).  With the way you described the plan for inserting the data it would take a lot of analysis to find your fingerprints. Sacramento doesn’t pay for that kind of analysis. Assume if you get the data in, you do it with not chance of it coming back in you and Kali.

So: attack the decker or insert the payload?

Venom
player, 35 posts
Actual product may vary
Thu 27 Jan 2022
at 04:07
  • msg #65

Re: Prelude: Venom

I'll switch his loadout between missions, I guess. It's fine for now.

My original plan was 1) set something automated on the Spider, let it work on its own 2) insert the payload and then 3) do whatever still needed doing (finish it off, clean up, run for it, etc)

Thanks for the clear picture of the situation.

New plan: He'll insert the payload, see to it that it got through, and get away. (Hopefully before the stun wears off.)

This message was last edited by the player at 04:08, Thu 27 Jan 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 503 posts
Thu 27 Jan 2022
at 05:24
  • msg #66

Re: Prelude: Venom

Ahhh... got it.

You can set up an autonomous program to do tasks for you. This effect is achieved through a hacker move Compile Agent but since you don’t know the move, you can try it, but you will be glitched

Still the safe bet to inject the payload into the node and get out of there, but *picking up dice* if you want to go for it, just let me know!

Venom
player, 36 posts
Actual product may vary
Thu 27 Jan 2022
at 05:46
  • msg #67

Re: Prelude: Venom

The mission is effectively over now- opposition's down, nobody's coming, all that has to happen is depositing the files, and we're good to go. Besides, the important thing right now is that he not cause an expensive enough problem for anyone to care to follow them back.

And, if I read the room right, Venom can make it look like 'I caught him at something, he threw down a flashbang and ran, but he didn't finish whatever it was' with very little effort. This seems about right. Then he can scarper with the finished job and a valid set of Admin codes.

Mr. Johnson
GM, 505 posts
Thu 27 Jan 2022
at 05:54
  • msg #68

Re: Prelude: Venom

With the spider stunned, you crack open the data flow and upload your payload...

Sling Code
22:49, Today: Mr. Johnson, on behalf of Venom, rolled 10 using 2d6+1 ((6,3)).
Strong Success


:: Private to Venom
Kali: I see it. Tidy bit of driver’s history for these IDs. I’m ghosting. Catch you at Syberspace to split the cred?
Venom
player, 37 posts
Actual product may vary
Thu 27 Jan 2022
at 05:58
  • msg #69

Re: Prelude: Venom

You know it!

Annd... get clear of the DMV, and take the safe way home.


Annnd.... credits Music! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KinU-QX51OQ)
This message was last edited by the player at 06:13, Thu 27 Jan 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 507 posts
Thu 27 Jan 2022
at 16:57
  • msg #70

Re: Prelude: Venom

As soon as you hit the DMV SAN, the worker avatar is gone and you’re away like a flash, riding the data lines of the OKL RTG.  Time to get paid, but before you get to the local Syberspace access node and skip across to it’s PLTG, you mind buzzes with a message...

You have a contact left to finish before we’re done with your character sheet. Who is calling?
Venom
player, 38 posts
Actual product may vary
Fri 28 Jan 2022
at 15:52
  • msg #71

Re: Prelude: Venom

Submitted four possible contacts- let's see who you like. That one. :)
Mr. Johnson
GM, 516 posts
Sat 29 Jan 2022
at 02:04
  • msg #72

Re: Prelude: Venom

"Ummm, hey Venom?" comes the woman's voice on the other end of the line. "It's Sunan from the, ummm, crowd over at People's University. Kind of hit a bump in the road and hope you can help us out. Can we meet up? Tomorrow?"

The Circle, PocSec updated.

Prelude ends. Character sheet complete. Give it a reveiw and let me know if there is anything you want to change before the next scene.

Venom
player, 39 posts
Actual product may vary
Sat 29 Jan 2022
at 04:15
  • msg #73

Re: Prelude: Venom

Everything looks fine. :)

Just for fun: We both know about as much about Venom, so- how much work do you reckon it'll take for him to be presentable in public? (since she wants to meet IN PUBLIC, which he's not gonna be happy about....)

I'm gonna just put it out there that this is the first time for a face-to-face meeting. He's not gonna be thrilled, she's gonna be taken aback, it'll be fun on a stick. ;)
This message was last edited by the player at 04:20, Sat 29 Jan 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 520 posts
Sat 29 Jan 2022
at 13:26
  • msg #74

Re: Prelude: Venom

let’s say you have a full day of downtime between finishing up the DMV job and meeting with Sunan.

That gives you some time for whatever legwork you want to accomplish. Just let me know what Venom is up to and we can see how it all plays out...

Besides, I’m sure ‘presentable in public’ still gives a pretty wide margin for interpretation in 2060 Berkeley!

Venom
player, 40 posts
Actual product may vary
Sat 29 Jan 2022
at 20:59
  • msg #75

Re: Prelude: Venom

Day off:

In general:
-Health check: Anything new or unusual (Ie, is any of his usual conditions getting worse)?
-Normal exercise: He mainly wants to be able to get around if his cyberlegs.. aren't.
-General check for bugs, worms and wiretaps- just general “this is my job” stuff. [Might 'hold on' to them if they're traceable- he could misinform people rather than remove the bug entirely.]
-Weapons maintenance on his Colt and general 'R U OK' on his deck.

-Check the local buzz. Particularly the local “police blotter” (incomplete as it probably is). Trying to get a picture of who the immediate at-your-doorstep players are, where he is.
-Check the sports scores. [He favors British soccer and pro fights in general. Though he’ll take anything, really.]
-Get “dressed up for a day on the town”. This will involve  hacking his beard into acceptable fashion and generally cleaning up.

-Q: Is there a thrift shop nearby?

Side projects:
-Generally check the area he currently lives in [Since we didn’t use the area w/ Mr. Timu, yet, he doesn’t live there yet.]

First: This is an ‘informal sublet’- he pays rent to someone who actually holds the lease, somewhere else. (If you want him to have roommates, that’s a wacky detail. IRL I once did this, in a three-BR apt, with five other people.) The name on the door-buzzer isn’t his, etc.

So: General background checks on the person he’s renting from, roomies if any, the guy (whose name is on stuff) who he’s supposed to say he’s “a friend of”, as much information as he can get about other people in his building [alarm bells and interesting news only, nobody needs every tenant], anything “Red Flag” about his area in general.

If anyplace in the neighborhood looks- from “outside”, in the Matrix- like it shouldn’t be as fancy as it is, that’s a “check this out later” flag. He has no intention of hitting anywhere close to where he lives, but it’s good to know anyway.


Last Mission:
-Aftermission: Any feedback from Kali? Any particular ‘news’ as a result of the last mission? Did Venom break any ‘ground rules’ that need addressing?

“Loadout” (Black Market check):

-Check around, see what kind of skill chips are 'in stock' locally, right now.
-Some kind of 'utility knife'.
-Look into micro-drones. Venom probably used something LIKE a drone in his “old job”, but probably not what’s available to buy. [I started with a pre-drones SR setting, so if it requires new training or something that’s news to me.]

-While I’m thinking about drones- is there unusual amounts of drone traffic in his area? How about pigeons? Unusual radio signals (like numbers stations)?

-Looking for someone selling “Bushmasters”. (This is a one-shot, very much NOT silenced, bullet-in-a-tube that can be set to go off on a timer or net-capable signal. It’s a real bullet (though he’ll settle for a blank), not “aimed” at anything in particular. It’s meant to be a diversion or to build the illusion of backup. If they’re cheap, buy a few and give the illusion of a LOT of backup.

CODING:
-That “flashbang” trick worked out nicely. Research: is there a way to make that a standard part of the arsenal?

Next Job: This is more or less prep for what he’s getting ready to do:

-Q. Did Sunan Pranee name a particular time/place to meet, and if so, where/when is it? Does anything immediately seem unusual about either?

[I'm trying to figure out how to get Venom to attract as little attention as possible. I have a default idea for this, but will tailor it if anything interesting comes up.]

-Check the “Campus news”- Every campus worth its salt has an official newspaper, but also a bunch of unsecured “chat feeds”, open blogs, gripe forums, stuff like that. See if any useful news has happened, and if they’re talking about any trends or issues that might be of interest.

(This includes the campus security blotter, which is usually open to the public so people know to avoid things.)

-Quick, “Retail level” net search for the usual suspects in this group, including Sunan Pranee. Nothing to trip any alarms, just…. Keyphrasing them. [Basic stuff- where they’re from, are they from money, what obvious connections do they have, majors if any, stuff like that.]

-If- during the process of cruising these places- any unusual Matrix traffic shows itself, just notice it.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:01, Sun 30 Jan 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 524 posts
Sun 30 Jan 2022
at 03:57
  • msg #76

Re: Prelude: Venom

The local buzz now isn't this interesting? The police blotter has something about a gambling parlor suspected to be run by the Black Chrysanthemum Clan being hacked by an unidentified competitor.

Thrift Shop in the C-zone, every shop is kind of a thrift shop.

Background checks nothing noteworthy enough to check out later, but hey, it's only a quick check, you got other things to do right?

Aftermission it's not unusual for Kali to go dark for a few days, or weeks at a time. It's a symptom of a wider problem.

Drones there are a ton of drones that aren't black market. You can order Kanamushi, Fly Spy or Pigeon from Big Mart and they will be delivered this week.  Microskimmer or a ground drone like Gerbil might even be delivered same day. Anything restricted, well, you'll need a contact to handle that kind of purchase or you'll need to wander the dregs for awhile and find someone selling illegal goods out the back of a van.

Knife Big Mart Ranger, 4" locking blade, 50¥, delivered today, just click buy now.

Skillsofts, Knowsofts, Linguasofts complex skillsofts to run with skillwires are tough to find, but not impossible. Knowsofts and Lingusofts are a dime a dozen (figuratively... literally they are about 100¥ and you can download them with your phone and a tech guy like you probably has a chip cooker).  Music, maps, virtual instructors are always available too.

Bushmaster might have do do some legwork to track one of these down. Shouldn't be too strenuous, but will take some time.

Coding that's totally possible, but an all day coding grind to map your code on top of an existing attack utility. Those are restricted, so you'll need to find a friend who knows someone who can get you hooked up or repurpose the Steamroller... it has the basic programming framework already.

Will pick up on stuff about the meet after downtime
Venom
player, 41 posts
Actual product may vary
Sun 30 Jan 2022
at 04:04
  • msg #77

Re: Prelude: Venom

[OOC: I think I'm repurposing Steamroller- I think I get Flashbang better than I do Steamroller.

The Chip thing: He's concerned about skill atrophy (he lost a LOT of steps since just five years ago), so he might try making up for lost time by 'chipping it'. A language chip for whatever likely 'let's talk behind his back' language they're likely to use at the University these days is a good idea.

Knife: Check!
I'll check out the drones later. I think something really basic for now. Top of the line stuff might attract attention.

-Putting out feelers for the Bushmasters now, for later payoff.
-Stashing the information about the Black Mums, for later. That IS useful. Maybe he can find work.]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:56, Sun 30 Jan 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 527 posts
Sun 30 Jan 2022
at 19:16
  • msg #78

Re: Prelude: Venom

You open the guts of Steamroller, crack your knuckles and get to work...

Sling Code

12:06, Today: Mr. Johnson, on behalf of Venom, rolled 5 using 2d6+1 ((2,2)).
Fail
Take 1XP PocSec updated


...it does not go well, maybe the stress of this face to face meeting has you distracted. Looks like you need to make another attempt when you have a clearer head.


Knife purchased
Linguasofts purchased
PocSec updated

Coming soon: The Meet...

Venom
player, 42 posts
Actual product may vary
Sun 30 Jan 2022
at 22:41
  • msg #79

Re: Prelude: Venom

So, there's three possible "blend ins"-

One, he has a reasonable blend-in of a suit, pomade enough to slick back his hair, and a Japanese-style coughing mask. (It was large enough to cover most of his facial scars. He'd look like a very... strange sarariman.

Second was just what he was wearing now, fuck 'em. (This didn't seem that great an idea)

Third, he had crutches. His plan was to wear clothes from a vending machine, sunglasses, a headkerchief, a baseball cap, 'stash' his prosthetics (and his usual clothes and such) in a duffel bag, crutch his way along to a decent location, and deploy The Sign. (The sign is a 2' by 1' foot, folding handwritten, cardboard sign that says:

"ALL HELP APPRECIATED-
I am in needing of 500¥ for train fare back to San Diego.
I have until FEBRUARY 2nd to see my brother before they foreclose on his dog


and (with the cap next to him, and no eye contact) it's guaranteed invisibility.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:57, Sun 30 Jan 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 533 posts
Mon 31 Jan 2022
at 02:38
  • msg #80

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Sunan sets the meet for the student centre at PU on the old Berkeley campus.  Most courses have broken for winter break and the campus is pretty slow, which makes it a pretty good spot to avoid any prying eyes. She has a study room signed out where you two can talk in private.  It seems strange that she wants to meet in private without others in The Circle, it’s not unheard of, just normally decisions are made democratically so a one-on-one seems a bit out of character.

A scan of the university public forums reveals nothing about The Circle. If it had, would you even consider working with them?

Shadowlands however gives a bit of perspective...
This message was last updated by the GM at 02:39, Mon 31 Jan 2022.
Venom
player, 45 posts
Actual product may vary
Mon 31 Jan 2022
at 05:32
  • msg #81

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

okay, lay it on me...
Mr. Johnson
GM, 537 posts
Mon 31 Jan 2022
at 05:34
  • msg #82

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Venom
player, 46 posts
Actual product may vary
Mon 31 Jan 2022
at 14:17
  • msg #83

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

This is kind of a meta-question here, but how exceptional should I assume Venom is? I mean, he spotted the Black Mums' breakin problems off the police blotter pretty easily, and judging by the Shadowlands thing, it's not exactly a state secret that the Circle were involved.

This is just to temper my IC response- if it's a quiet thing that requires a delicate touch (and Venom is just ahead of the curve), that's a different scene than "Literally every Shadowrunner has access to this information, the Black Mums know it was you, what, exactly, do you want me to do about it?"

This message was last edited by the player at 14:18, Mon 31 Jan 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 540 posts
Tue 1 Feb 2022
at 00:59
  • msg #84

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Fair question... I tend to push a lot of info rather than have PCs roll for every tidbit, so take that into consideration regarding your unprecedented streak of successes in finding information that should be difficult to find.

Shadowlands is not really public knowledge. It’s like the dark web. Most people don’t even know it exists and about 90% of what is out there is garbage. Maybe even the stuff you found is lies...

Venom
player, 47 posts
Actual product may vary
Tue 1 Feb 2022
at 02:22
  • msg #85

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

OK, cool. If the more mundane methods of turning stuff up don't turn stuff up, I think I'm good to proceed, then. :)
Mr. Johnson
GM, 543 posts
Tue 1 Feb 2022
at 02:32
  • msg #86

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Great. I'm not sure how you intend to arrive at the meeting though, you gave me three options on how Venom will try to blend in. How do you arrive at the meeting?
Venom
player, 48 posts
Actual product may vary
Tue 1 Feb 2022
at 02:33
  • msg #87

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Public transit, such as it is. I don't believe he lives walking-distance.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:34, Tue 01 Feb 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 545 posts
Tue 1 Feb 2022
at 17:54
  • msg #88

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

can you pick up the thread with a post of Venom arriving at the student centre? It seemed like you had an idea of different ways Venom would approach this and being out in public is an aspect of the character we won’t see often since he will mostly hang out online.

The meeting isn’t a trap or anything.

Now that I’ve said that it probably seems like a trap. But it’s not. Really. No trap.

Venom
player, 49 posts
Actual product may vary
Tue 1 Feb 2022
at 20:20
  • msg #89

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Absolutely. Hang on. I have an idea.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:21, Tue 01 Feb 2022.
Venom
player, 50 posts
Actual product may vary
Tue 1 Feb 2022
at 20:54
  • msg #90

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Venom, despite being rusty with them, remembered his seven Ps. (“Prior planning & prep prevents piss-poor performance”).

Which is why, when he was called by Sunan Pranee to meet, in person (rather than via a secure connection, like the last time he did an odd-job for The Circle), he did his homework. It screamed either “this is a trap”, “this is Amateur Hour”, or both.

He thought all this as he threw on a disguise. That wasn’t the hard part- he tied on a headkerchief to hide the ‘trodes and hair, got some second-hand clothes from a vendor to so’s not be dressed in his usual, stored his leg prosthetics in a duffel bag (with spare clothes and The Sign), and crutched his way to a bus stop. On the way, he mentally reviewed what he knew.

He wanted to know what the problem might be, before he set foot in the meeting- that way, he’d hear Ms Pranee out, and see how much of the truth he got out of her without trying.

 A little digging found that the Black Chrysanthemums were snapped about some clever-clogs messing with their gambling business online. A little dip into the Shadowlands suggested the cause was local talent, from the vicinity of Berkeley. So, Venom suspected that this was the Circle having bit off more than they could chew.

Panicked people postpone proper planning, he joked to himself, and set out to do some proper recce before charging in- even if the Circle weren’t planning to do something stupid to Venom, he figured, someone might be watching them, and it might give him a good idea of how much trouble he was diving into. He hated being forced to go out in public, like this, and he’d inevitably figure out some appropriate payback, but he owed them his best work.

The next inconvenience was that he was supposed to meet Pranee at “the Student Centre”. Getting off the bus at what he thought was a close-but-not- too close stop, he realized there were easily a half-dozen places that could be ‘The’ Student Centre, on this campus. There was something he liked about these Circle kids- some of ‘em, anyway- but sometimes there was the damndest gaps in assumed knowledge, dealing with them.

After checking out the likely candidates, he sat on a short wall and unfurled The Sign:
"ALL HELP APPRECIATED-
I am in needing of 500¥ for train fare back to San Diego.
I have until FEBRUARY 2nd to see my brother before they foreclose on his dog


Combined with a ball-cap for the (never-coming) donations and shades, that little slab of handwritten cardboard  might as well have been a cloak of invisibility.

Still a bit early. Good. Venom wanted to see where Pranee came from, who was with her, what her demeanor was, and- if any- who seemed to be watching her. He was sure this wasn't a trap- for him. He wanted to be sure about them.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:05, Wed 02 Feb 2022.
Venom
player, 51 posts
Actual product may vary
Tue 1 Feb 2022
at 20:58
  • msg #91

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

[Once he was sure that there'd be no surprises (someone else on lookout, third parties watching either Venom or Pranee etc) anything like that, he hid The Sign, found a restroom (the Center would have them), reattached the legs, folded and duffel-bagged the crutches, changed into appropriate clothes (Still keeping the hair under wraps and wearing a 'coughing mask' to hide most of the facial scars), and approached her in time for the start of the meeting.

He was packing, under his outfit.

He let her take the first move, (introducing herself, seeing how she verified it's him- this was their first time meeting in person- etc) so he can read her mood and any other information she gave off. And let her talk.

OOC: It was all a big "Check the Situation" (on different fronts, up to how she seemed coming up and if she was alone, followed etc), with a tiny bit of "Make them Sweat" (he's letting her take the lead, see how she handles it, etc). I'm not sure what Move the research was, but he's leaning on that.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:31, Tue 01 Feb 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 550 posts
Thu 3 Feb 2022
at 02:13
  • msg #92

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Hit the Books

It's not that The Circle are bush-league, it's just that they are fish out of water. Smart kids playing shadowgames. Maybe they have bit off more than they could chew here, but there is so much raw potential that playing on their side might be a good long term investment.

The Black Mums are the biggest organized crime outfit in the 'plex. That's pretty common knowledge. Being the biggest makes them dangerous, but it also means that they ain't got no friends. Smaller yakuza clans, Russians, Tongs, Triads, the Blindfish and all manner of smaller upstart outfits are all biting at the giant's exposed flanks trying to get their piece. The Circle is small, agile and unpredictable. That just might be enough to get them out of this mess.

Take 1 Prep

Check the Situation


You post up with a good line of sight watching the doors of the student center...

18:48, Today: Mr. Johnson, on behalf of Venom, rolled 8 using 2d6+1 ((5,2)).
Weak success


You've never met Sunan in person, but you catch sight of a petite woman wearing a longcoat and mirrorshades entering the student centre. Instinctively, you know it must be Sunan as you watch her through the glass door...

"San Diego?" a passerby slurs slightly, "Why don't cha go back to Azzieland, ya traitor? Fought 'gainst yer kind in the war of '36... damn vampires, always sneakin' up on ya..." he continues to mutter, stumbling off.

Dammit, she was out of sight for only a moment... where did she go? Despite the fact that the old rummy's disturbance caused you to lose sight of her it's pretty clear that she is either paranoid, or prudent. Arriving incognito is a sure indication that she is afraid someone might be watching her or that she is trying to shake a tail.

Playing it cool, you saunter past the study room door.  Glancing inside, you see that it is empty with only an LTG number scrawled on a whiteboard.

995 (345-4895)

Hmmmm, nice bit of trade craft there. Maybe Sunan isn't quite as bush-league as you initially feared, or maybe she just watches a lot of James Bond trids.
Venom
player, 52 posts
Actual product may vary
Thu 3 Feb 2022
at 03:48
  • msg #93

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Venom checks the telephone number before dialling it, using whatever indices are available to him.

[OOC: I did it, myself, IRL. The Area Code is Georgia, but the telephone number's an Equine Veterinary center just outside Salinas, CA, near Monterey.]

Checking Dewey led to books about Papua New Guinea- Venom doubted that this would lead anywhere important, but he did suspect that going to that section of the library would show him to somewhere quiet enough to call the number in peace.

[Just dialing it. If initial research makes it seem like it leads to a BBS or something, do it online] :)
Mr. Johnson
GM, 557 posts
Thu 3 Feb 2022
at 05:23
  • msg #94

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

The LTG hits some kind of veterinary set up in the CAS. Node as boring as hell, just a trid clip showing a couple of black horses standing in front of the old red barn and a beat-up Chrysler-Nissan Jackrabbit.

Confounding...

Maybe you’re tempted to walk, call this one a bust, but then you notice the name of the campus bar... Black Horse Saloon
Venom
player, 54 posts
Actual product may vary
Thu 3 Feb 2022
at 05:53
  • msg #95

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

[OOC: Sweet, I was supposed to notice. :) ]

And so, he made his way toward said bar.

Also, run the plates on the Chrysler-Nissan Jackrabbit, using my DMV backdoor? (Barely seems worth a jack-in, but...)
This message was last edited by the player at 05:54, Thu 03 Feb 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 560 posts
Thu 3 Feb 2022
at 16:48
  • msg #96

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

The old picture of the Jackrabbit shows a plate from another country (the Confederate American States) so CalFree DMV won’t be any help to you

Through the old time saloon style double swing doors, it’s a step into the faux plastic old west. Cowboy kitsch and old bar room neon compete for space on cluttered pasteboard walls while an old electric bull sits idle in the corner.

The winter break crowd is thin and the orc bartender is distracted by something he is watching on his PocSec. It’s a good place to be nondescript, but no sign of Ms Trenchcoat Mirrorshades.

You do notice that across the bar, painted on a mural of a big red barn, a sign flickers lifelessly ‘Parking at Rear’...
Venom
player, 55 posts
Actual product may vary
Fri 4 Feb 2022
at 03:58
  • msg #97

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Naturally, Venom makes his way out back.

[Is it the same barn as in the picture?]

Just to be careful, as he goes out the back door, he "slices the pie" (An old CQC room-entry maneuver he has somewhere in his permanent memories: https://sofrep.com/gear/basic-tactics-slicing-pie/)
Mr. Johnson
GM, 565 posts
Fri 4 Feb 2022
at 04:57
  • msg #98

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

It’s a vinyl transfer of a cartoonish looking barn. Not at all the same as the barn in the picture.

Through the barn doors there is a short hallway. At the end of the hallway, an exit sign hangs uselessly, broken from the wall above a heavy steel door that someone had scrawled ‘follow the white rabbit’ across in haphazard graffiti.  You slice the pie and find no threats, only a VW Messenger painted in the blue and orange Zipcar paint scheme sits in the lot.  Across the street, a white Jackrabbit pulls away from the curb and starts heading off campus toward Hearst Avenue.

Clever college kids, annoying but clever.
Venom
player, 56 posts
Actual product may vary
Fri 4 Feb 2022
at 05:43
  • msg #99

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Right.

Seeing as Venom's on foot, an auto chase is right out at this phase.

Quick reachout, is it possible to see if the car has a functioning GPS tracker?
Mr. Johnson
GM, 566 posts
Fri 4 Feb 2022
at 13:38
  • msg #100

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Zipcars are cars for hire. Just slot a cred stick and away you go.
Venom
player, 57 posts
Actual product may vary
Fri 4 Feb 2022
at 17:35
  • msg #101

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

[OOC: I get what a Zipcar is- they're also GPS-tracked, can be remote-stopped and "go ahead... take this car, mister" is running against basic security instincts. ("You wanna get carbombed? This is how you get carbombed".)]

If no other prospect for stopping them or tracking them presents itself, he begrudgingly takes the Zipcar before the trail runs cold.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 568 posts
Fri 4 Feb 2022
at 17:49
  • msg #102

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

I’ll always try to give you an option to avoid leaving the PC standing around wondering what to do, but you have the option of doing something else as long as it isn’t wildly out of character or defies the laws of reality.

Maybe I misunderstood the question about the GPS tracker. Worried about being tracked? Tell me what Venom would do about it and I’ll tell you how it plays out.

Or skip the ZipCar altogether and try to find another way to track the Jackrabbit.

Get the plate and run it through a tracking system using Gridlink?
Get into the campus network and track it on traffic cams?
See if the car itself is in the network and hack it or track it?

All that to say, don’t feel constrained if you think Venom would do something differently.

Or... *evil grin* let’s do a car bomb where Venom narrowly escapes unharmed!

This message was last edited by the GM at 19:46, Fri 04 Feb 2022.
Venom
player, 59 posts
Actual product may vary
Sat 5 Feb 2022
at 04:42
  • msg #103

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Nah- at first I wanted Venom to see if the Circles' car had a tracker on it, so he could casually sort of toddle after it. Or use the "LoJack" to shut the car engine off until he comes over to say "hi". The "honestly? You want to put me in a box?" thing jibes with his PTSD-jitters, but I could just as soon have him do the ZipCar thing. Whichever moves things along quickly, I suppose?
Mr. Johnson
GM, 575 posts
Sat 5 Feb 2022
at 18:15
  • msg #104

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

I soooo want the car bomb, but no need to make Venom even more paranoid!

After a quick exchange of cred and a brief explanation to the dogbrain in the Volkswagen, you're off. The micro-compact sluggishly accelerates onto the Gridlink and falls in behind the Jackrabbit.

The cars fall into the light mid-morning traffic around Berkeley and start making their way through the residences of Northside and off toward Berkley. Outside the grimy window of the Zipcar, the residential B-zone gives way to more densely urban downtown that has gobbled up the city out to Westbrae. Compared to the campus, abandoned for winter break, the downtown is a bustling hub of traffic and people.

A good place to try and blend in.

Also a good place for an ambush.

As a city bus pulls in front of the Jackrabbit, forcing it to slow down to yield, a black and yellow Shin-Hyung pulls in front of your hired VW. A black clad man leans out the passenger side window leveling a sub-machinegun at the Jackrabbit, about to open fire.
Venom
player, 60 posts
Actual product may vary
Sat 5 Feb 2022
at 18:53
  • msg #105

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

[OOC: Hopefully this comes off as funny, or at least absurd. :) ]

Venom had a good idea who this was- it had "Black Chrysanthemums" written all over it.

Now Venom knew the triad by reputation- it was hard not to. And he had no interest in making enemies of them, for free and for no reason. But at the same time, it just didn't do to let people kill paying clients.

So, here was his plan: This little ZipCar didn't know what was going on, the dog just knew to follow the rabbit. Venom intended to just let it keep on doing what it was going to do. People did that, just... sunbathed, while the car did the work.

The man in the car, with the gun, had no reason to spot Venom yet. But it wouldn't be long before he got to work. He was planning to hit and run, from the looks of it, because public attention was bad. (And not just cops- the longer you hung around in public, you also lost... mystique.)

So, he'd pop off a quick shot with his pistol (aiming calmly for shooting-range accuracy, for once, since they hadn't made him yet). "Shoot the gun out of his hands" wasn't good- it was a low-percentage shot and a miss could hit a civilian. "Shoot out a tire" was better- a miss would skip the tank, ricochet up into the car's undercarriage and hit the transmission, which would achieve about the same goal.

So- in as few motions as possible, this was the play: Before they shot the Rabbit, shoot the tire. Pull the seat recline with the other hand. Be a sunbather. Lie on the gun (hidden, but drawable).  They (hopefully) get out to look for where the shot came from (which should keep them busy for a few minutes), or flee the "unexpected ambush". Get some sun. Roll on past them.

[OOC: I'm banking on it being 'lateral thinking', because nobody would actively make this plan. :)]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:56, Sat 05 Feb 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 582 posts
Sun 6 Feb 2022
at 02:15
  • msg #106

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Taking careful aim, tiny red dot of the laser sight dancing across the Hyundai's tire before the Colt barks...

Rock and Roll
19:04, Today: Mr. Johnson, on behalf of Venom, rolled 10 using 2d6+1 ((6,3)).
Strong Success


...and the tire explodes.

You lay back, out of sight as the shooter drops back into their seat. Your hired car passes the wounded sedan just as it limps off to the side of the road coming to a stop near a steaming noodle car.

After a few moments, the Jackrabbit pulls into the parking structure for the Berkeley Pyramid MegaMart. The car finds a spot tucked between two large concrete pylons, out of view of of any passersby.  A good place to lay low for a meet...
Venom
player, 61 posts
Actual product may vary
Sun 6 Feb 2022
at 05:42
  • msg #107

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

In what he hopes is an impressive fashion, Venom pulls the lever to make the seat go up.

(If what he sees- straightening up- is the client, he pockets the gun, and gets out of the car. His plan is still to have her "Take the lead" in this conversation, so he can figure some stuff out- like how much she's telling the truth, for instance.)

[OOC: Incidentally, cover aside, how far are we (in minutes) from the car Venom just shot? I'd feel pretty silly if he got down to business and they just pulled up!]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:44, Sun 06 Feb 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 585 posts
Sun 6 Feb 2022
at 21:23
  • msg #108

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

The garage is about ten minutes drive from where you left the Black Mums assassins... but in dense urban area, you might as well be on the moon... it's very unlikely that they would stumble onto you here... if they are tracking the Jackrabbit though, that's another matter...

"Sorry about the goose chase," Ms Trenchcoat Mirrorshades says opening the passenger door. "Couldn't be sure I wasn't being followed."
Venom
player, 62 posts
Actual product may vary
Tue 8 Feb 2022
at 18:35
  • msg #109

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

It was Venom's turn. He'd given his online contact a call-and-response to use as a confirmation, so he used it.

"Oranges and Lemons..." [The 'expected'- by those who didn't know the password- would usually be '...say the bells of St Clemens".
The actual response he's expecting is "...Nonesuch."]
Mr. Johnson
GM, 594 posts
Wed 9 Feb 2022
at 00:25
  • msg #110

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

”Nonesuch.” she replies. ”Glad I’m not the only one worried about unwanted attention. Hop in so we can talk?”
Venom
player, 63 posts
Actual product may vary
Wed 9 Feb 2022
at 02:05
  • msg #111

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Sending the little ZipCar on its way, Venom gets in.

"So... you got me here. Talk to me."

And then, he just listens.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 596 posts
Wed 9 Feb 2022
at 04:16
  • msg #112

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

"So, it's like this..." she says taking a long haul off a coral pink nicotine vaporizer.

Tell it to them straight
"The Circle has been set up.” she says, the words of her sentence formed around a long slow exhalation of strawberry scented vapor. "More accurately, I guess I'm being set up. The last Circle project I led was a casino. Strictly Matrix based and staying away from the games the Yaks run. I didn't run Go, Pai Gow, Saigon 5-card... hell, I wanted to stay so far away from the competition that I didn't even run traditional games. I gave my clientele 21 Duel and 777 dice. No other spot in the LTG running those tables."

"So anyway, we're up and running, making tidy bank and our host crashes." she continues keeping a watchful eye on the parking garage outside the Jackrabbit window. "We naturally suspect a hack and some of the computer-savvy guys in the Circle dig into it.  Listen, I'm no decker, so all I know is that when they were digging around in our crashed host, they let something loose and it went out after the Black Mums. Since the attack came from my casino host, the Mums naturally blame us...Not us... Me. Now I'm running around with a price on my head and every Yak razorboy in the east 'plex is looking to carve up my smexy brown ass."

"Somewhere in our host, or maybe in the Mums' host, there has to be a clue about who set me up. I'm hoping you can help a girl out.
Venom
player, 64 posts
Actual product may vary
Wed 9 Feb 2022
at 04:41
  • msg #113

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Well, this just opens up a bunch of questions:


Before he asks anyone else, just 'remembering' some stuff first-
-"They let something loose and it went after the Black Mums"- does that sound more like loose IC or some sort of AI?

-What would be typically-fair price to set? My initial instinct is that 'removing a price on your head can't be less profitable than the price on your head' as a standard, otherwise why not turn the 'target' in?

-Would there, typically, be any sort of working record that would fill the role of "checking the tapes" for the net incident she's describing?

-Is there anything so far that suggests anyone BESIDES the Mums? An inside job or something?
-Is it me or does her demeanor seem pretty laid back for someone in her position? Especially an amateur?


Mr. Johnson
GM, 597 posts
Wed 9 Feb 2022
at 04:48
  • msg #114

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

All great questions. You have great RP ideas and I can tell you are in tune with how Venom would think and react to this situation. Let’s play this out IC.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:08, Wed 09 Feb 2022.
Venom
player, 65 posts
Actual product may vary
Wed 9 Feb 2022
at 05:28
  • msg #115

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Fair!

"Gi' me an idea- how much bounty're we talking?" (He could explain why he wanted to know, but he first he wants to see what her reactions are like.)
Mr. Johnson
GM, 598 posts
Wed 9 Feb 2022
at 15:00
  • msg #116

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

She gives you a sidelong glance. ”Thinking about selling me out?” she asks. This one is street savvy in a way you wouldn’t expect from the college kids in The Circle. ”Anyway, I can’t say exactly. Seems enough to attract young upstart razors, but not the pros. If it was more than a few thousand, I’d be dead already.”
Venom
player, 67 posts
Actual product may vary
Thu 10 Feb 2022
at 05:10
  • msg #117

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Venom takes that in.

"Just seeing what the price-range for this is gonna be.

I'm gonna have to talk to your netboys, look at your records, see what kind of genie got uncorked, do the do with that, maybe do some light diplomatic work with the Chrysanthemums, who might be a bit mardy about the whole thing.

Got an offer for me?
"

That said, he was probably going to cut her a preferred-customer discount (for the repeat work and prompt payment), but he wanted to hear numbers from her, first.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 615 posts
Sat 12 Feb 2022
at 17:37
  • msg #118

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

She purses her lips for a long moment, wrestling over wether or not she should come clean. Finally, she says with a long sigh ”Because of the heat, I’m out of The Circle.  That means my resources are a bit limited. I can do 5K. There is more cred trapped in encrypted data in my crashed casino host. I can come up a bit in my end, make it 8K all in if you can help bring the host back up.” she takes a reflective pull in her vape then adds, ”A chat with The Circle deckers might be possible. Let me see if I can work that angle. I’ve got no ins with the yakuza, so if you can bring them to the table, that’s great, but I’m no help.”

”I can provide my casino host LTG, access to the back end programming and passcodes to get into the CPU if you can recover it.” she adds helpfully.  ”I’m sure that will get you going on tracing the source of the attack in the Black Chrysanthemum host.”
Venom
player, 70 posts
Actual product may vary
Sun 13 Feb 2022
at 03:50
  • msg #119

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

quote:
Because of the heat, I’m out of The Circle.


 When were you going to tell me that, I wonder? Venom thinks, but says nothing.

quote:
I can provide my casino host LTG, access to the back end programming and passcodes to get into the CPU if you can recover it.” she adds helpfully.  ”I’m sure that will get you going on tracing the source of the attack in the Black Chrysanthemum host.”


" 'Right, then." Venom answers, in a well-go-ahead-then manner.

[Assuming he gets the access and passcodes, he moves on.]
"So. I'll be having a word with your lads, next. They may have a different story- that happens, sometimes. What d'you think theirs'll be?"

[OOC: I'm having Venom view this as the equivalent of a wreck-dive- you want to know what they know is down there, so any surprises are genuine surprises instead of a massive cockup. The Wireheading is making him want to go into the Matrix, now, but he's biting back on the impulse. Also, this will be awkward and embarassing for the Circle, but at least that means that's going around and not just to Venom. ;) ]
Mr. Johnson
GM, 623 posts
Sun 13 Feb 2022
at 17:26
  • msg #120

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

She passes a chip across the car. "LTG, passcodes, all access pass." she says. "The Circle code slingers that went into my host were Ferriz and ToxSix. They usually hang out in the Burnt Node club online or at Electric Blue here in Westbrae on nights when they want to party. I'll send them a text and let them know you are looking for them."

In response to your question, she adds, "I'm not sure what they saw. Or think they saw. They did say 'something got loose' exactly like I told you. Does that mean anything to you?"
Venom
player, 72 posts
Actual product may vary
Sun 13 Feb 2022
at 20:04
  • msg #121

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

"Might."

[OOC: I have no idea if Venom knows anything that this sounds like. I'm sort of unsure if it's anything I've heard of in-game. I do know that it's not good form to admit you've got nothing, and giving away stuff for free if you know. So "might" is what he's going with.]

"The money sounds about right- let's make it three-K up front, eight-K more once I get it settled. Got a secure contact? I'm not doing this twice."
Mr. Johnson
GM, 627 posts
Sun 13 Feb 2022
at 22:37
  • msg #122

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Venom can have any theory you like here… it’s all conjecture that just adds to the character anyway, so whatever you want to come up with is fine. Better than fine, it’s great!

She slides a stick of unregistered cred over to you. ”We can avoid the games next time or meet online at Burnt Node. You have my number, I have yours, we can just send a time and we’ll know where to go.  We’ll need a fall back plan if we can’t make it?  Oh, and if you send anything other than a time to meet, I’ll assume we’re burned?”
Venom
player, 75 posts
Actual product may vary
Tue 15 Feb 2022
at 02:18
  • msg #123

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

She was enjoying the subterfuge thing a bit too much, like an exercise boxer who hadn't gone full-contact.

"I doon't think the double-bluff will be necessary, this time, unless you insist. We've done the Handshake."

He felt for the doorhandle, his signal that if she was done, so was he.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 643 posts
Tue 15 Feb 2022
at 16:41
  • msg #124

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

She seems a bit deflated by your rebuff. Perhaps she was enjoying the cloak and dagger routine, of course, it could be due diligence since all manner of yak cutters are out for her blood.

“Fair enough,” she replies. ”But I will assume you’re burned if you send me anything other than a time for a meet. I have a strong desire to not get killed before you help me sort this out.”

Feel free to fast forward to let me know if there is any legwork you want to tackle… either online or offline.
Venom
player, 80 posts
Actual product may vary
Thu 17 Feb 2022
at 04:01
  • msg #125

[January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Next move is to hit up the two Circle netboys- preferably separately- and see if their stories line up with eachothers' and hers.

Before we do that, a quick "light background check" of the two of them, same as the first time, see if there's anything special I should know about them before getting closer.

Venom is doing all this 'analog' because he's pretty sure that the two of them would be able to posture and bluff their way through an online meeting if he did that first.

Mr. Johnson
GM, 662 posts
Thu 17 Feb 2022
at 18:16
  • msg #126

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Citation Needed 11:11, Today: Mr. Johnson, on behalf of Venom, rolled 4 using 2d6+1.  Citation Needed. Fail

Take 1XP or Adapt and Overcome?


Scanning Shadowlands, the Round Square and a few other likely decker forums reveals little. Ferris and ToxSix seem relatively green in the shadowgame;  no surprise since The Circle is largely emerging talent.

Mr. Johnson:
"The Circle code slingers that went into my host were Ferriz and ToxSix. They usually hang out in the Burnt Node club online or at Electric Blue here in Westbrae on nights when they want to party. I'll send them a text and let them know you are looking for them."


Leads to chase down:

Hitting Burnt Node to seek them out or find people who know them?

Going clubbing at Electric Blue in hopes of finding a lead on one of them?

Something else?

Venom
player, 81 posts
Actual product may vary
Thu 17 Feb 2022
at 20:00
  • msg #127

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Take the 1 XP. (Reason: It probably just seems like 'successfully finding nothing' rather than 'failing to find something' given how low-rep the Circle is.)

Going clubbing sounds like it would be hilarious, given the circumstances (Venom is starting to look more like himself, he's pushing thirty going to a college club, and he's probably intending to throw these guys off their game in the first place.) Let's do that!

Mr. Johnson
GM, 666 posts
Sat 19 Feb 2022
at 03:37
  • msg #128

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

1XP ... PocSec updated

Electric Blue occupies three floors of a former office building, gutted and taken over by free-spirited non-conformist neo-anarchists. The club boasts three distinctive vibes rooted in three distinctive sounds.

You enter into the throbbing bass and relentless tempo of frenetic electro-rave coming from a trio of DJs manning the stage. The few college kids of Berkley move as one on the dance floor while silver haired go-go dancers occupy cages suspended from the ceiling.

Up a steep set of stairs, you find a small army of black clad party goers. The teens and twenty-somethings writhing to the electronic industrial wall of sound emanating from twelve foot tall speakers that form the edges of the sleek, dark dance cavern.

The final floor is densely packed with soft red velvet couches and heavy draperies to accompany the lounge trance vibes. You could easily lose yourself in the warm embrace of the lush surroundings.
Venom
player, 84 posts
Actual product may vary
Sun 20 Feb 2022
at 02:57
  • msg #129

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Venom takes a look around, see if either of the Netboys are there.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 675 posts
Sun 20 Feb 2022
at 06:31
  • msg #130

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

How would Venom know them? Is he asking around? If he is, how does he approach the subject among the club goers?
Venom
player, 85 posts
Actual product may vary
Sun 20 Feb 2022
at 09:55
  • msg #131

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

[Even an extremely shallow scan for information should've come across a Student Directory with photos of various undergrads (essentially a Faces Book). Leaving alone student media like blogs and such.

Then, playing both extremes, he looks either for two guys being local-celebrities or trying too hard to be inconspicuous. (If they were actually being inconspicuous, they'd be somewhere else.]
Mr. Johnson
GM, 679 posts
Sun 20 Feb 2022
at 18:44
  • msg #132

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

It's hard to know exactly if you have a bead on the right people. Unfortunately none of the prospective criminal master hackers are openly bragging about their crimes on social media and none were voted most likely to successfully participate in an organized crime ring in the People's U yearbook.

After a long while, your wall flower routine bears meager fruit. There is a group of celebrants gathering, not quite ten, a mix of college kids from Berkley and unless you miss your guess, one of your prospective deckers is in the mix.  They are gathered in the VIP area on the first floor of the club, awash in the throbbing rave. A pair of wiry razor boys stand guard at the velvet ropes.  This party is by invite only.
Venom
player, 87 posts
Actual product may vary
Mon 21 Feb 2022
at 00:17
  • msg #133

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Is there a way to catch his eye from there? No matter.

Venom removes the headkerchief, letting the chrome and hair go free, and removed his filter-mask, letting his scars go visible. This was the rare fun part.

Walking up to the razor boys at the ropes, Venom puts on an all's right with the world attitude completely at odds with his appearance. Not a bit of menace or growl to him, just all bonhomie and professional respect for the doormen. While looking like more than they're paid for, hopefully.

"Ey up, lads. How's it?" He started, laying the Sheffield on thick, "Not here to start nothin', on the job m'self. " (Hands up, slightly- not fully- it was just a gesture, not a 'search me') "Got a message here for a Mister [Guy's name], 'ere, can either go in and give it, or wait for 'im 'ere, whichever suits ya.

[My general plan here: If they make him wait, he's just gonna casually hang out by their ropes looking like himself and scaring off the nice ladies. Again, not actively threatening a thing. This should get him somewhere.

If they ask who sent him (or similar), "Miss Pranee" will do.

If they ask for a message to pass on, Venom used his Japanese chip to come up with "Kiku O Kiku". (It's easy, catchy, sounds like a song lyric, and means "Listen to the Chrysanthemums". Which should get his attention if nothing else does.)]

This message was last edited by the player at 02:13, Mon 21 Feb 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 685 posts
Mon 21 Feb 2022
at 04:26
  • msg #134

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

There is a brief moment where it seems like the bouncer is warming to you, but it passes as quickly as it comes. "Listen here chummer, these nice people pay my boss a fat stick of cred not to be disturbed. My boss pays me somma that cred to make sure they stay that way. I hose that up, I don't get paid." he shrugs with finality.

"Couldn't hurt to pass the message, could it? the second bouncer chimes in.

With a snarl and an icy glare, the first bouncer replies "You work here as long as I have, you get a feel for these VIP types. Trust me choom, they don't want to be disturbed." he turns back to you and adds pointedly, "So buzz."

The other bouncer hastily looks away when he catches your eye, seemingly deferring to his partner.

Your story is holding up, but the lead bouncer isn't biting. The other guys seems maybe a bit more sympathetic though...
Venom
player, 88 posts
Actual product may vary
Mon 21 Feb 2022
at 04:59
  • msg #135

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

[OOC: So far as Venom knows, is this the main entrance/exit that a guest would use?

If so, the plan is simple: That wasn't a negotiation, it was a statement of intent. Venom simply stays there, and uses his appearance to make the pretty people decide somewhere else would be more fun, which will cost them money. He isn't leering or harassing, he's just letting the magic of economic pressure happen.

 It's a modified yakuza sokaiya move, only more 'ew' and less 'Who is that jerk at our stockholder meeting?!"- and he doesn't need to make a single hostile move until someone else does.

What I'm attempting here is either a Make Them Sweat or a Fuck It Up (though more of a social fuck-it-up than just trashing the place). If he can exploit the (minor) difference of opinion, so much the better.

These guys are working guys, doing their job. Nobody really needs to die here, so Venom isn't going down that road. (And threatening is starting down that road, right now.)

In the meantime, he gladly has any conversation not to do with him leaving or somehow not doing his job. ]

This message was last edited by the player at 05:01, Mon 21 Feb 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 688 posts
Mon 21 Feb 2022
at 17:32
  • msg #136

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Banking on the fact that the bouncers won't simply stomp your meat and send you packing seems a risky prospect...

Fuck it up 10:25, Today: Mr. Johnson, on behalf of Venom, rolled 12 using 2d6+1 ((5,6)). Strong success

...and yet, for some inexplicable reason, the bouncers keep talking instead of trying to improve your facial scars with some impromptu cosmetic surgery by smashing your face off the bar.

"Damn persistent, aren't ya?" says the bouncer. "Ya know, if you dressed the part a bit better and maybe helped me and my friend here out a little with this month's rent we could maybe sneak you onto the guest list."

Pointing toward a large grey metal door, the other adds "Lost and found in the staff room.  You'd be surprised the club clothes these kids leave laying around."

The first bouncer nods with finality, "Come back in ten, looking like you fit in and with some cred to help make it worth the risk."
Venom
player, 90 posts
Actual product may vary
Mon 21 Feb 2022
at 23:15
  • msg #137

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

[I think about 400 Y ought to do it, but that's me. Does Venom's sense of what would be a fair amount say something different?]
Mr. Johnson
GM, 693 posts
Tue 22 Feb 2022
at 05:06
  • msg #138

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Yeah, a couple hundred each is more than fair for this…
Venom
player, 91 posts
Actual product may vary
Tue 22 Feb 2022
at 14:24
  • msg #139

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

"Now then." he says, accepting the terms. "See? Everyone wins." Venom (slicing the pie, even though his gun's not drawn) goes into the offered Staff Room.

[If there's anything of note in the room, he probably notes it. Especially as he slightly, intentionally, overpaid. Let's see how weird the clothes get....]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:24, Tue 22 Feb 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 696 posts
Tue 22 Feb 2022
at 15:18
  • msg #140

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

In the lost and found you find an eclectic mix of odds and sods from dozens of rave and goth kids. The staff room is blessedly empty and you are free to sift through feather boas, cartoonish backpacks and leather accessories without an audience.

I’m excited to know how Venom disguises himself to fit in with this crowd.  You find whatever you want, spare no details!
Venom
player, 92 posts
Actual product may vary
Tue 22 Feb 2022
at 15:37
  • msg #141

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

[OOC: Without actually looking like this, the effect I think Venom is looking for is this: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/441775044685990736/

Just a riot of different stuff, around a total deadpan expression. Also, whether out of ignorance or just disinterest, Venom doesn't discriminate between subcultures. Kohl under the eyes like a Goth, but covering the scars with finger-stripes of white kabuki-raver paint (making the damage look like "work"), feather boa like a club-kid, His usual boots (making it look a bit 'biker', his usual stuff in a half-sized, abandoned Hello Kitty backpack, some high-collar jacket that might have been left by a Ming the Merciless cosplayer. An ankh, rave whistle and a pacifier, on different chains. Bell bottoms. Some kind of mesh shirt. A pin for a band called Stabbity Jones. Some kind of glowing light-up necklace.

He just decides to let his hair be his hair. An electrode might spark at an opportune moment, though.) ]
Mr. Johnson
GM, 703 posts
Wed 23 Feb 2022
at 14:46
  • msg #142

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

You return to the throbbing rave, perhaps feeling self-conscious in your slapdash costume, but the more you look around, the more you realize how much better you now fit in. These kids are looking for escape. Abandon. The sweet embrace of not remembering their troubles for just a little while.  The outlandish outfits and frenetic dancing are their way of letting it out. Literally leaving it all on the dance floor.

Appropriately camouflaged in feathers and kabuki paint, the kids no longer stare at you as an outsider. You slip in amongst them. Another bizarre freak in a sea of freaks.

”You blend right in,” the bouncer says, placing his hand on your shoulder and leaning in to yell over pounding music while discreetly holding out his hand to collect the bribe.
Venom
player, 94 posts
Actual product may vary
Wed 23 Feb 2022
at 17:50
  • msg #143

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

[Venom hands over the agreed amount. If there's no further difficulties, he beelines for the guy he's looking for (Name check, please)? ]
This message was last edited by the player at 22:54, Wed 23 Feb 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 708 posts
Thu 24 Feb 2022
at 02:56
  • msg #144

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

The decker called ToxSix looks up as you approach.  He's rail thin, chrome haired with golden cyber eyes and wearing baggy pants covered in zippered pockets.  His tight black t-shirt explodes in festive colors, a rainbow gremlin who does some old school breakdance moves, then fades back to black.

He looks up as you approach, sips something green out of a plastic cup and goes back to nodding his head to the throbbing bass.
Venom
player, 97 posts
Actual product may vary
Sat 26 Feb 2022
at 01:37
  • msg #145

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Venom walks up, and leans against the bar, facing the same direction as ToxSix.

(I got this far by not doing direct confrontations, why not keep it going? he figured. So long as nobody's being a dick about it, we're just two guys at a club, hanging out.)

He'd also been in enough clubs to know that whole "What? Whaaaaat?" routine- at most he could get a word or two out and be understood. So he went with "Circle business."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:38, Sat 26 Feb 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 716 posts
Sat 26 Feb 2022
at 18:37
  • msg #146

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

He glances over at you, but turns away, much like you, facing out of the VIP overlooking the club. "Sunan mentioned you. Console cowboy looking into her fragged up casino?"
Venom
player, 98 posts
Actual product may vary
Sat 26 Feb 2022
at 21:25
  • msg #147

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

"Something like, yeh." Venom said, with a slight nod. "I want to hear what happened, straight from you."
Mr. Johnson
GM, 721 posts
Sun 27 Feb 2022
at 17:11
  • msg #148

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

ToxSix just shrugged under heavy bass and energetic treble. "Not much to say really. As soon as the system came back online, it crashed again. In the microsecond that it was up, something was activated, maybe some kind of construct that was dormant in the system. Ferriz and I were dumped almost immediately, so who knows, man?"
Venom
player, 101 posts
Actual product may vary
Mon 28 Feb 2022
at 03:54
  • msg #149

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

[OOC: Before I have Venom say something that makes him look inexperienced... this isn't a normal thing that happens, right? It just seems like a) a super unusual thing that b) he's inexplicably laid back about. Am I wrong?]
Mr. Johnson
GM, 729 posts
Mon 28 Feb 2022
at 04:41
  • msg #150

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

You have a good handle on this situation… tell me why he is so laid back.
Venom
player, 103 posts
Actual product may vary
Mon 28 Feb 2022
at 04:45
  • msg #151

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Not able to 'see' his body language, obviously, but: is he visibly lying?
Mr. Johnson
GM, 734 posts
Tue 1 Mar 2022
at 03:41
  • msg #152

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

ToxSix moved away from the bar and stretched out languidly on one of the nearby couches in the VIP. It's hard to tell, cybereyes never really change, even when drunk or high.  The fluid movement, the detachment, maybe this guy is psych'd...

...if he is all you need to do is get him to focus up on something he finds interesting, then you'll be able to get him to share more about the trouble in the system.
Venom
player, 104 posts
Actual product may vary
Tue 1 Mar 2022
at 15:05
  • msg #153

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

A good lie is about 80% true, Venom was always told.

Here's the truths that he was going to build this upcoming, particular lie on:

-This kid is way too laid back (even with chemical assistance) about what he claims to have seen.
-This kid is from a group of overachievers- he will want some idea that he's 'made it' or otherwise "passed" some sort of invisible test.
-This sort of kid is always a bit on the defensive, due to impostor syndrome. He wants to prove something. Otherwise, for example, he'd be "relaxing on a couch" at home rather than here.
-Venom, for what it's worth, is somewhat exotic in this milieu- he has to be made to 'fit in', for one thing. He's foreign, and he's older, so the assumption is that he's much more experienced.

So he's going to do a little bit of the "Walter Mitty" (making up experiences about his time in the Forces), and he's going to pull this kid's ticket (so he either backs up what he says happened, or admits some sort of cover up). He leaned into the mockney (playing into expectations) and started.

"Right. So, I hear some ****s think that taking a nap during a business-meet is some sort of 'power move', so I'll allow you that for a security-blanket- owing to the amount of trouble you're in. I'd want one, myself, in your spot.

Here's why I don't trust this story. Back when I was working out of Sandhurst, Signals Intelligence said they'd spotted some sort of self-directing IC cloud. AI-like, you might say. At distance.

 These were professionals- the real thing, hardened geezers, you understand- so when I say they just about wet themselves at the notion, even at that distance, you can see why 'We just opened the box and ,'whoosh', it flew out, gimme another, barman' don't cut it.

If you'd seen what you claim...If you had any idea what it was, you'd want tell someone you didn't have to explain it all to, and if you had no idea, you'd be asking for all the help you could get. Because you'd understand how deep you've gotten and you'd have a theory, or you'd want the cavalry. What I wouldn't see is you hitting the chaise longue and lolling about."

"Now, I'm led to understand you're the techboy of this outfit, so- just the once- I've extended the courtesy of greeting you as a peer instead of how this sort of job usually goes. Just the once. But you've got problems, I'm brought in to solve them, and if you insist on faffing about, you're going to wish you hadn't."

Mr. Johnson
GM, 742 posts
Thu 3 Mar 2022
at 02:34
  • msg #154

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Venom::
-This kid is way too laid back (even with chemical assistance) about what he claims to have seen.


He hasn't actually claimed to have seen anything really, so the laid back attitude may not be an act...

Make Them Sweat 19:10, Today: Mr. Johnson, on behalf of Venom, rolled 10 using 2d6+1 ((5,4)). Strong success

...either way, he isn't so laid back anymore.


"Hey, hey, chill chummer, chill." TosSix replies a bit on edge. "I'm not making any claims, it's like I said, we got dumped. I'm grasping here man, really I am." he continues, hands up in supplication. "It went down like this, OK? Ferriz and me go into the box, from the SAN we see that the host is trashed, nothing up and running. Ferriz jacks out, flashes the hardware and I wait on the SAN. By the time he comes back online the host is back up, so it looks to us like that hard reboot has got it up and running again. We get into the host, sleaze into the first subprocessor, everything looks good, no alarms, no IC. All good but then it isn't. Whatever it was came down the dataline from the CPU. Just a flash of data ripping past us, masked I'd guess. It hits the SAN and bam! System crash."

Still chattering, he adds, "We didn't know it at the time, but a minute and a half later, the Black Mums casino goes black. I dunno what one of your self-directing IC clouds is, but if it can be buried in a system then go off like a cruise missile into another system and crash it hard, maybe that's what it was. Like I say, I didn't get a good look."

Ferriz was out of the system with direct and unobserved access to the hardware... sounds like he had opportunity to get up to something.
Venom
player, 107 posts
Actual product may vary
Sat 5 Mar 2022
at 11:25
  • msg #155

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

[OOC: There's (probably) no such thing as a 'self-directing IC cloud'- Venom was bullshitting, there, just like there's (probably) no signal intelligence group at Sandhurst. It got ToxSix talking, though, so it did the job.

So, recapping to be sure I get what happened-
1) ToxSix was checking out their host online, Ferriz was checking the hardware "live".
2) Either the same thing that crashed them then crashed the Mums' setup, or it was made to look that way.
3) The guy who really knows the deal is probably this Ferriz guy?]

Mr. Johnson
GM, 756 posts
Sat 5 Mar 2022
at 18:22
  • msg #156

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

In reply to Venom (msg # 155):

1. Correct
2. Either of those could be correct based on what ToxSix has said.
3. Is this what Venom thinks? Makes sense to me too...

Venom
player, 108 posts
Actual product may vary
Sat 5 Mar 2022
at 18:26
  • msg #157

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

"Right, so your chum Ferriz... where might a fella find him, about now? Or, I suppose, you could call 'im down here?"
Mr. Johnson
GM, 759 posts
Sat 5 Mar 2022
at 19:12
  • msg #158

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Golden gears spin in his clockwork eyes, "What's that gonna be worth to ya?" he asks a bit shakily.
Venom
player, 109 posts
Actual product may vary
Sat 5 Mar 2022
at 19:17
  • msg #159

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

"Well... Right, then. You can dance with me. Just the once."

(COMPLETE deadpan, total reprise to the 'don't fuck with me' demeanor from a minute ago. See what he makes of it. :) )
This message was last edited by the player at 19:17, Sat 05 Mar 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 760 posts
Sat 5 Mar 2022
at 21:30
  • msg #160

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Still holding advantage from the first intimidation roll, so...

"Ok, ok, be chill." he replies flipping open his PocSec. "Lemme see if he is around." A few long moments pass and he locks the PocSec screen. "No joy, probably at Burnt Node."
Venom
player, 110 posts
Actual product may vary
Sat 5 Mar 2022
at 21:59
  • msg #161

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

{OOC: Wow, this guy really didn't want to see how well or badly Venom dances, huh. :) }
Venom
player, 111 posts
Actual product may vary
Sun 6 Mar 2022
at 02:18
  • msg #162

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

"Right, then. Any little shibboleths I ought to know? Passwords, secret handshakes, things of that kidney?"
Mr. Johnson
GM, 766 posts
Sun 6 Mar 2022
at 19:33
  • msg #163

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

"Nah, nothing like that. Burnt Node is a legit club. Music and simsense programs tuned for dopamine release without straying too far into the big dumps like a BTL." he replies truthfully, "You never been there? Need the LTG?"
Venom
player, 115 posts
Actual product may vary
Fri 11 Mar 2022
at 19:50
  • msg #164

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

[OOC: He hasn't, so he does.]
Mr. Johnson
GM, 787 posts
Sat 12 Mar 2022
at 18:07
  • msg #165

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

ToxSix beams the LTG to your PocSec. ”You have it now.” he says over the thumping music.

Anything else for ToxSix?

If not, anything before you jack in and hit Burnt Node?

Venom
player, 117 posts
Actual product may vary
Sat 12 Mar 2022
at 18:19
  • msg #166

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Find someplace that isn't here to jack in. This place seems like a Bad Idea.

Q. Given Venom's knowledge of the area, is there a good place that isn't just going home?

Mr. Johnson
GM, 791 posts
Sun 13 Mar 2022
at 16:44
  • msg #167

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Finding a possible jackpoint isn’t a problem. The night time streets of Berkeley-Westbrae are teeming with a rowdy weekend crowd of party goers. Any number of coffee bars and entertainment arcades have open terminals where you can jack in. Nothing secure enough to run anything that might get the attention of corporate countermeasures or GOD, but for a night in the town, these public terminals will do nicely.
Venom
player, 121 posts
Actual product may vary
Wed 16 Mar 2022
at 01:17
  • msg #168

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Picking a place that looks like he won't get his stuff jacked while he's "away", Venom gets to work. (He also swaps out for his non-club clothes, unless something looks cool to keep. Sweet backpack.)

He simply doesn't have the rep, yet, to have to decide on which icon to wear. So he goes with blandguy. (That's the guy in his portrait). If he had to change out to Big Ugly, he could do that as a surprise.

With that, he goes in.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:18, Wed 16 Mar 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 810 posts
Sat 19 Mar 2022
at 03:08
  • msg #169

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

The exterior of Burnt Node is a simple flat diamond spinning on its bottom point.

The interior is a psychotronic kaleidoscope of blinking computer consoles, clumsy robots and buxom green aliens. As you move through the host, you notice the deliberate flatness of many of the constructs. Intentionally devoid of texture, depth and shadow giving the place the feeling of a bad sci-fi B-movie set.

The weekend crowd is a dense collection of noobs who know only enough to find this host, script kiddies, seasoned console cowboys and elite deckers. The problem of course is telling one from the other.
Venom
player, 124 posts
Actual product may vary
Sat 19 Mar 2022
at 20:01
  • msg #170

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Well, then time to Check The Situation.

Venom isn't the most experienced at being virtually online, but being online (in general) is kind of his Gig.

Filter out the most off-the-shelf icons

(It's possible that this kid is hiding as one of those, but if he really wanted to be inconspicuous in an online way, he'd just log off. Also... these kids don't seem to be acting like people who have pissed off the Yakuza, in general, so Venom would either expect no camoflage or something extravagantly overdone in an "ain't I clever?" sort of way. "Off the rack" icons don't seem to be It.)

If possible, let's filter out any connections coming from a suburb or corpville.

This is, basically, to try to rule out anyone posting on their parents' accounts. This will probably overlap a lot with the first one, but it pays to be thorough.

Look for a herd of groupies
Just playing a hunch, it's possible this kid has the same setup as the last guy.

Is anyone trying TOO hard to be inconspicuous?
the real big guns probably don't want to be bothered, but Venom wouldn't even be seeing them if that were the case. Everyone here wants to be visible, or at least make contact. There's no equivalent of "I just want to drink my rye and not be bothered" in a public forum like this. So, anyone who wanted to come out, but also didn't wanna be seen to be here, might go on the list.

Once he does that, we'll see what we've got.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 819 posts
Tue 22 Mar 2022
at 02:49
  • msg #171

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Filter out off the shelf icons
With a few quick keystrokes and a flick of the mind, tags begin to appear over each of the avatars, giving you a bit of information about the code behind them. It’s easy to find the ones that are custom, but as you might expect in a club of deckers, most of them have been highly modified. Not much about this place is ‘out of the box’. From here, it’s all relative; some avatars are heavy custom jobs, others tweaked just enough to make them look sick all day.

Filter out connections
Scanning more passively isn’t possible, pinging avatars for their source is the same as running Trace. In this culture, that kind of thing is epically uncool at the best of times and will trigger a straight up attack at the worst.

Look for a herd of groupies
This crowd just isn’t the type to attract groupies, and Ferriz dumping a system on what should have been a simple job doesn’t seem likely to attract that kind of affectionate attention. If he is anything like ToxSix, he is probably hanging out with a cooler scene and trying to up his rep through association.

Look for someone trying to be inconspicuous
Inconspicuous is definitely not the aim here. Every icon and avatar is a custom job and it seems like everyone is vying for attention by showing off their coding skills. All over the club, at any given moment, it looks like I do usual magic shows as code snaps, crackles and pops in laser light shows and showy fireworks.

Check the Situation
20:50, Today: Mr. Johnson, on behalf of Venom, rolled 10 using 2d6+1 ((3,6)).  STRONG SUCCESS Hold 3. Spend Hold to ask a question or add a useful detail.

This message was last edited by the GM at 02:52, Tue 22 Mar 2022.
Venom
player, 125 posts
Actual product may vary
Tue 22 Mar 2022
at 21:34
  • msg #172

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

So, it's more likely that Ferriz would be in with the groupies than one of the groupies. Got it. So maybe it becomes a matter of, from what Venom knows about Ferriz, the sort of person he'd be at all likely to try to glom onto. ]

That changes the parameters a little. Venom tried to remember if anything ToxSix said about Ferriz would be any kind of telltale,in this crowd. (Unless by 'cooler scene', this means Tox sent Venom on a wild goose chase, in which case, he may have to add charges.)
 

This message was last edited by the player at 21:35, Tue 22 Mar 2022.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 823 posts
Wed 23 Mar 2022
at 03:33
  • msg #173

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Spend 1 Hold

Tox didn’t give any clues to help find Ferriz. In his defence, you did shake him down a bit and that made him a tad hostile. Not the type of trusting relationship that you could count on for him to volunteer information…

…you do remember that you have Sunan’s system logs. What are the chances that Ferris uses the same avatar here as he does on a run?
Venom
player, 127 posts
Actual product may vary
Wed 23 Mar 2022
at 03:36
  • msg #174

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Worth a try.... :)
Mr. Johnson
GM, 825 posts
Sat 26 Mar 2022
at 18:01
  • msg #175

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Setting up a partition on your deck, you dive into the system logs from just before the crash. You're standing on the SAN with a four-armed man with glowing green skin and a wolf-headed druid wearing a white cloak covered in microelectronic schematic patterns.

After a few seconds, the wolf druid disappears for a long moment, then returns...
Venom
player, 132 posts
Actual product may vary
Wed 6 Apr 2022
at 00:08
  • msg #176

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

[OOC: Sorry to ask this, but I'm sure I lost track of something of my situation in passing. Venom is in this virtual space looking for Ferriz, to hear his version of the story about the wreck, and how close am I to finding him, more or less?]
Mr. Johnson
GM, 865 posts
Wed 6 Apr 2022
at 03:10
  • msg #177

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Well, now you know Ferriz uses an avatar that looks like a sort of druid werewolf so you are that much closer (assuming of course Ferriz uses a similar avatar in social circles.)
Venom
player, 133 posts
Actual product may vary
Tue 12 Apr 2022
at 03:47
  • msg #178

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

In for a penny, in for a pounding- Venom approaches the first Druid Werewolf thingy he sees and greets them.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 877 posts
Sat 16 Apr 2022
at 18:35
  • msg #179

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

sorry about the misunderstanding, the druid werewolf is in the copy of the logs from the botched Ferriz/ToxSix run on the gambling node... not unlike watching surveillance footage from an earlier incident you have learned what Ferriz 'wears to work'... in the here and now, you're in Burnt Node searching for a lead on Ferriz (who you now know uses a druid werewolf avatar)... although no one you can see here right now has the same avatar, you can still investigate the club a bit further.
Venom
player, 135 posts
Actual product may vary
Tue 19 Apr 2022
at 11:10
  • msg #180

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

Okay, then!

Venom, making some effort to be unobtrusive, investigates the club further- though with a time limit, as it's starting to feel to him like a possible dead end.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 888 posts
Sun 1 May 2022
at 23:29
  • msg #181

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

I thought Venom was going to give the club a once over or start asking around after Ferriz?

But, if you want to call this a cold trail, it kind of works if Venom comes up empty and begins to suspect something is off with the Ferriz lead.

Was Ferriz snatched by the Black Mums?

Was it an inside job and now Ferriz is gone to ground?

Is Venom just paranoid and seeing threats behind every corner?

Venom
player, 137 posts
Actual product may vary
Mon 2 May 2022
at 13:18
  • msg #182

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

That works. Also, the sooner Venom gets this resolved, the fewer people get hurt.

I've been calling the upcoming online investigation into what happened a "wreck dive", but what sort of preparation would be reasonable for him to take?

Venom
player, 138 posts
Actual product may vary
Fri 13 May 2022
at 03:50
  • msg #183

Re: [January 2060] Double Blind (Solo: Venom)

[Just bumping- still interested]
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