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.

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.

:: 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

"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.

:: 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’

“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?

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.

"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?

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



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.



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...

"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.

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.

I think I'll give it a go however what would I use to hack them though?

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.

I'll hack the recording program first

:: 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.

"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.

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.

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



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?++

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.)

The little pick me up, I should think. [His very-bad surplus legs, he got from military connections, so for "continuity's" sake...]