Stars of the midnight Ranger

Stars of the midnight Ranger
Part of The Arrival
Date 2084-10-18 GM TidanShock Location Olympia, SSC Status Threat Level: Deadly
Factions Involved
ShadowHaven	Major Corp
Enter Heaven Nearl Ryuuji Stacy	Character1 Character2

Summary

In a quest for answers, our group of runners find out far more is going on than Seattle is ready for and the danger it may pose. At the very least, at least someone got closure.

Background

See Not so common sense for background info. In the aftermath of the event the Johnson of said run was confused and concerned that their backup had not arrived causing them to be jumped in the first place. After continuing to not hear anything from them, worry crossed his mind before calling upon another team of runners to figure out what had transpired.

The Meet

Meeting once again at a McHughes in Touristville, Redmond, the Johnson addressed the runners accordingly and informed them of the situation at hand. How they were able to establish contact with one of the members that were supposed to be guarding him when he got jumped. Said security detail being some more bribable SSC Rangers. But given the radio silence something definitely would have had to have gone wrong. Thankfully there was some degree of luck as the Johnson managed to find out they were at their usually drinking spot in the SSC, a local joint near Olympia that served harder than average liquor. With little to their name they offered decent pay but with Stacy's silver tongue they were able to get a bit extra for the job. With decent pay the runners left but not before Nearl talked to them briefly about they may be a different than others and have something alike. After some brief confusion and understanding Nearl regrouped with their fellow runners, hopefully ready to take on whatever may lie ahead.

The Plan

First thing was first however and the runners needed to find a way into the SSC, after some deliberation they were lucky enough to find out that Olympia had a dock so a passage via sea may be possible. Public transport was likely an alternative as well provided they did not bring their typical runner gear which for Enter Heaven at least was a no go. So for the sake of the other runners Stacy called up one Helena Iscariot. Hoping she could manage transport between Seattle and Olympia via boat to avoid any of the immediate borders and patrols therein. Helena had a solution but not one Stacy would like in the form of one Bilge-Rat Jones. Immediately choosing to use public transportation instead of dealing with that. Nearl and Enter Heaven however quickly agreed it may very likely be their best solution and agreed to hop aboard the rat infested bumpy ride. Before the runners left however, one more runner decided to join their group. Ryuuji was also called upon by the Johnson, realizing the team may need a bit more muscle and trusting him already given how Ryuuji helped him just a day ago. Ryuuji agreed to the payment without any hesitance and simply met up with Nearl and Enter Heaven ready to head towards the former capital of the state that was Washington in the 5th world. Once the runners arrived they were greeted with an interesting sight. A city almost trapped in time. 5th world architecture and design was a prevalent theme across the city. Efforts take to integrate nature however possible with trees and wildlife lining some of the sidewalks and streets. Stacy arriving in near perfect condition as she headed towards the bar Vincent currently resided. The other runners however arrived in less that tip top shape with Ryuuji and Enter Heaven's durability as well as Nearl's regeneration helping each of them make it out in relatively alright condition. Once at the bar the runners decided to lure him into an alleyway to discuss what he saw happen. After agreeing upon this Stacy entered the bar and talked up the former ranger. IT was the tiniest bit trickier than expected but with little difficulty Stacy lured him to the alleyway. His guard slightly raised the runners approached stating their intent. Some coercion later he reluctantly agreed to talk. He and his group of rangers were checking out disturbances and reports near Mount Reiner of their own volition. Only himself and a fellow squadmate named Veronica made it to the city with another squadmate named Ferdinand rumoured to be surviving surviving. One more bit of persuasion later, Vincent agreed to let Nearl read his mind to see what he saw exactly that night. After stating to not prod at sensitive SSC information the runners agreed (with a lot of attitude btw). Nearl witnessed and felt Vincent's terror that night wandering the woods and being on edge. Next they knew one by one fellow squadmates of Vincent dropped. Those that did not die immediately were seen near brief flashes of bright green light emerging from the forests followed by intense screaming as they ran. Only Vincent and the two others he described surviving the onslaught with Ferdinand running in another direction than Vincent and Veronica. After leaving his mind he told the runners that Veronica was apparently going to meet up with Ferdinand tonight but she did not want Vincent to go with. After giving the location via DNI he simply returned to the bar to grab another drink. With this information in mind the runners headed towards the location given in the hopes they may save the other rangers.

The Run

Before doing so both Nearl and Stacy performed astral reconnaissance on the building which turned out to be an abandoned kitchen attached to an equally run down soy burger shop. Yet emanating from it was a strong background count tied to negative emotions with tinges of toxic magic lingering in the air. Setting all of the runners on alert as they armed and readied themselves. With a brief kick thanks to Ryuuji they beheld two shades feasting upon the essence of both Veronica and Ferdinand with a homunculus in the corner of the room roaring to life with a surge of toxic power. With this the battle started as Ryuuji charged the golem with incredible speed where his punches did little to affect them. Nearl and their spirits in the meanwhile engaged the shadow spirits interrupting essence drain. Enter Heaven with little ability to engage the spirits assisted Ryuuji by shooting the homunculus in the weakened areas his fists struck. Stacy aided the runners in spirit... somewhat literally by encouraging them, hastening their efforts and acting as fast as possible to take the threats down. After blow after blown followed by shot after shot eventually the homunculus was taken down. While this transpired Nearl blasted the spirit with powerful force spells. In their rage the shadow spirits chased after Nearl but their their spirits' interception both Shadow Spirits fell and faded to the plane from which they once came.

Aftermath

With the situation dealt with and a brief anonymous call to Knight Errant, Vincent, then the Johnson, the runners returned home to Seattle. On the way back Ryuuji thought about what he had leaned from a previous venture that there had been rumours of toxic cultists around certain areas of the SSC. That likely they were the ones responsible for the slaughtering of the rangers. Said toxic cultists also rumoured to be tied to a gang in Seattle known as the West Coast Monolith. After returning to Seattle the runners informed the Johnson of the situation at hand and said Johnson gave the reward as offered with muttered curses and thanks.

Rewards

• 10k nuyen (5 RVP)

+4k (negotiations)

• Gear rates for Weapons/modifications and drugs up to 18F avail.
• 10 Karma (10 RVP)

+2 Karma (optional objective: figure out ties to Monolith)

• 6 CDP (3 RVP)

+2 CDP (Base)

Optional Rewards:

• Shoot First Don't ask at chargen rates for Enter Heaven (2 RVP)
• Dual Natured Defender for Nearl (5 RVP)
• Force 2 Weapon Foci (7 RVP)

Game Quotes

"Bang." -Nearl

Player After Action Reports (AARs)

Nearl

That disgusting lilin actually let me into his head. The things I saw there was enough to make anyone wretch. There'd be no saving them now, if it weren't for... her. I need to know more about her, I want to visit her at the lighthouse again. Perhaps that Lilin will... make things easier. I'm so sorry.