Perilous Detour

Perilous Detour
Date 2082-09-02 GM Dejapes Location Redmond, Sophocles Status Threat Level: Medium
Factions Involved
ShadowHaven Dr. Tony Hanks Redmond Street Docs	Cutters	Halloweeners
Catharsis Bedhead Final Clown Ryōma Katherine Tyler	Cutter Gunman Cutter Grunt Cutter Basher Cutter Drones	Cyber-Troll Sniper Grunts Hellhounds Amateur Deckers
Casualties and losses
	Gunman, Grunt, and Drones	Hellhound

Summary

In which five runners are hired to protect a supply van carrying vital medical solutions for Redmond's street doctors.

Background

As part of its public outreach program - and a none too subtle part of its ongoing efforts to win over the sprawl's populace - the Salish-Shidhe Council has donated some rare medical supplies to the the street doctor community of the Redmond Barrens. An armored van carrying these supplies were to be delivered to Dr. Tony Hanks' clinic for further distribution throughout the district.

Meanwhile, the Halloweeners and the Cutters continue to struggle over the territory of Sophocles. (See: The Life and Times of One Kevin Crimes). A chance skirmish over ownership of a popular intersection between a street market and a tenement neighborhood leads to an escalating clash in which lower-level gangers fortify opposite sides of the street while heavy hitters from both gangs are brought in.

By chance, the medical supply van is caught in the middle of the fighting, and the driver has to stash the vehicle in an abandoned building's garage while making the call for help.

The Meet

Dr. Tony Hanks explains the situation to the five runners, who all agree to take on the job despite its modest pay.

The Plan

Initially, the runners plan to divide into three groups. One aimed to create a distraction, the other would go in and secure either the van or its cargo, and the third - consisting of Catharsis - would remain in the hospital and provide matrix support from afar.

Bedhead and Final Clown decide to first scout the area via astral projection. They don't have long to assense the area, as they are soon spotted by astrally perceiving members of both gangs, who begin to conjure spirits to deal with the possible spies. However, they do get a sense of the street layout and the challenges facing the team as they approach the van.

Meanwhile, Catharsis decides that close-in support is necessary if the team runs into a decker employed by one of the gangs.

Revising their plan, the team decides to move in as a single group, with Ryōma on his bike and Katherine Tyler driving the others in her truck.

The Run

The team succeed at safely and quietly driving close to the abandoned building where the van was holed up, dismounting in a secluded lot and sending their own vehicles back home on autopilot. After some spirit shuffling, Final Clown succeeds in obtaining a clown assistant that he finds sufficiently useful.

The group approach the building, only to encounter an advance party of Cutters that were attempting to bust down the door to the garage in order to find out who was holed out inside.

Combat ensues, wherein Bedhead and Final Clown sling spells to damage or frighten the enemy, Katherine Tyler firing accurate shots to kill or disarm their targets, and Ryōma engaging and defeating enemies with both gun and sword. Catharsis bricks and shuts down one of the roto-drones attacking the team from the flank.

After securing the van and meeting up with the nurse driving it, they set out. They opt to rumble through Halloweener-controlled territory, as it consisted of a more open street market as opposed to the tightly-packed tenement buildings in Cutter control.

All is going well until a cyber-enhanced troll steps into their path, catches the front of the van, and grinds it to a stop in the middle of a street. The team has to fight off a Halloweener ambush, contending against shotgun-armed grunts, fire-breathing hellhounds, a hidden sniper, hidden amateur deckers, and one very armored troll. They manage to hold out long enough for Catharsis to brick one of the troll's arms, permitting the van to skid off and escape. The team members who exited the vehicle manage to re-board it at the last minute, and the runners escape with the supplies.

Aftermath

With the job done, the medicine makes its way to Dr. Tony Hanks, who distributes the much-needed supplies to Redmond's street docs.

Meanwhile, the Cutter and Halloweener battle for Sophocles rages on.

Rewards

For Kate:
- Another level of Battle Hardened (4RVP)
- 7 Karma (7RVP)

For Catharsis:
- Go Big or Go Home (6RVP)
- 5 Karma (5RVP)

For Bedhead:
- Focused Concentration (lvl 1) (4RVP)
- 7 Karma (7RVP)

For Ryoma and Final Clown:
- 11 Karma (11RVP)

For Everyone:
- ¥4,000 Nuyen (2RVP)
- 2 CDP
- Optional Contact: Dr. Tony Hanks (2/2) at 3RVP or 6CDP
- Reputational Changes: -1 Rep with the Halloweeners and the Cutters. +5 Rep with the Street Docs of Redmond

Game Quotes

"People fuck around with doctors; that's not cool, man." -Bedhead "Basically I'm here to fuck shit up." -Catharsis

Player After Action Reports (AARs)

Katherine Tyler

Perilous indeed. I've never seen the Cutters or the 'Weeners up close, and I don't ever want to again unless it's behind the sights of my gun. I met even more Runners from the Haven. It's nice to work with professionals again. It's also refreshing to see another soldier. Even if they change everything they can, you never lose the look. The pay was...alright, but the feeling of helping out those who need it makes up for it.