One last letter

One last letter
Part of The Arrival
Date 2085-03-20 GM TidanShock Location {{{place}}} Status Threat Level: High
Factions Involved
ShadowHaven	Major Corp
Bumble Sticks Stryker Thunder	Character1 Character2

Summary

Runners venture through the city of Moses Lake to deliver a letter from a member of the WCM.

Background

As the siege of the WCM base intensifies Vincent, a recently joined member sees the writing on the wall that the time for a push is upon them and so writes a letter on paper to send to the one he loves in the SSC, a woman named Amelia. He managed to get in contact with his old friend to help deliver the letter. Knowing it may very well be the last request he makes, the Johnson agrees and seeks out runners in an attempt to fulfill the request before it becomes too late.

The Meet

Meeting in an old styled bar/inn in Touristville named the Old Iron's rest Thunder and Stryker arrive with Sticks tagging along wanting to aid his friend in the run to come. After some talk with the bartender, easily seeing Sticks was out of his element, a key was handed to the runners who headed into one of the upstairs run where the Johnson awaited them. Sighing heavily that Stryker brought an extra plus one to the meet. But after realizing some talking would be good should a situation arise, the Johnson reluctantly let Sticks partake in the run. Saying there would be slightly less pay, the runners still agreed to undergo the run. A camouflaged pigeon then flew to the window seal where the Johnson gave them a physical letter to deliver to one named Amelia, a small time punk rock artist in the SSC. Stating the sooner they could get it done the better, and that the border to the SSC would be tightly guarded so good SINs were nearly essential. With initial dealings out of the way the runners headed towards the border.

Doing reconnaissance for the run, Stryker called up his contact Benny, hoping to learn more about this supposed rock star and where she may be. After some brief investigation Benny was able to fight she was the lead singer for a garage styled band called the "Cyberskulls." Them being last sighted near a certain section of the city, with them not even performing for about a few days which is unlike them given how rapid yet consistent they were. A new performance almost daily. With that information acquired the runners headed towards the border, also being given the information a closer runner to the area had been hired to do recon for a little while, and they would give the information to their fellow runners upon their arrival. With that knowledge in mind the runners headed forth to the meet hoping to deliver the letter with little difficulties.

The Plan

Arriving at the border difficulties arose, Sticks' fake SIN was almost caught as they were brought in for questioning. Being able to remember all the information that was represented on his SIN, they were set free and allowed to continue on to Moses Lake. Where upon the way there a clear sky greeted them void of light pollution, rare for the sixth world and especially for those who live in poverty. Eventually however they all arrived in a local fueling station near the edge of the small city where a fellow runner named Bumble was awaiting them after doing a few days recon. Finding out that Amelia had been pursued by spirits and had recently gone missing. Leading to more red flags and the runners on alert for what to do. Hoping to show a spirit a photo of her before realizing they had no method to show a physical photograph to any spirit they summon. There were plans to break into the local library but instead the runners decided to head towards the local trailer park, where Amelia's other band mates resided.

Arriving at the run down trailer park the runners knocked on the bands RV marked with endless bits of graffiti of various symbols and phrases. Not too long after the runners were met with the lead drummer who appeared tired. Some brief negotiation later the runners were let inside to converse about Amelia and where she may be in the city. Her hesitancy lingered but with a minor magical push she let the runners investigate Amelia's room to see if they could find any hints as to where Amelia may be. While there was not physical or matrix evidence available on her terminal, the runners came across a physical photograph of her and Vincent, the writer of the letter. With this in hand investigation was seldom needed as all they need do was have the spirit search the surrounding area for clues or information. And within only a few minutes the spirit found Amelia near an abandoned apartment complex in a run down barrens area of the city. With a location in hand the runners quickly dispersed towards the apartment to deliver the letter and potentially save Amelia.

The Run

Arriving at the scene of the apartment the runners pondered how to approach before violence was immediately chosen as Bumble struck down the first ganger with their arrow. With combat quickly going underway the runners rushed into action. With shots being fired on both sides and the runners spirits assailed the battle raged. With a dead cup of noodles and Stryker badly damaged they won and pressed on to the room where they saw several other armed individuals with their leader holding Amelia at gunpoint. The negotiations were tense, unsure of how to proceed as Stryker approached with the other runners providing stealthed back up in the event things went south. Faking out the armed figure however by strapping grenades to his throat Stryker was able to hand to letter and state they were leaving. Which gave the runners the window to take out the leader and other armed guards before the window closed. All remaining gangers surrendered easily and the runners made out with Amelia in toe.

Aftermath

After redelivering Amelia to her band trailer the runners felt some degree of joy. Being able to deliver the letter and achieve a run well done.

The Letter

Amelia… to say it has been a while would be the understatement of the sixth world. And for leaving you in the dark I truly and utterly apologize. But several circumstances keep my mouth shut and I fear it may never open… even for you. I hope you know I miss you, more than you can ever know or imagine. Those words seem hollow to you, at least I assume. To be honest I lost track of time before I even noticed the snow starting to melt… so lord knows how long it has actually been. I just wish I can say my conditions were sustainable.

Amelia, I hope to whoever or whatever power is listening you understand I still love you… to heaven and beyond. I remember your violet eyes… your raven hair… I just wish the rest was not fading away. To see you again… what I would not give to see you again. To hold you… to hear you say it would be alright like you always had. But I know if I did reach out… in any way other than this… your life would be at risk. I can’t risk it. You mean too much to me. And several others.

I write this cause the walls are closing in on me. Closing in on everyone I now work besides and I have no clue how much longer we will hold on. An all or nothing gambit is all that is left… all that is left if we want any hope of living past the end of the next month. And I have no idea if I will make it even past that. Hell, maybe I won’t even see us leaving, Harold just bit a bullet as I was writing this so maybe that is far more likely than I’d like to admit.

I know you will likely tear this apart, simply torn to shreds and likely burnt but I need to at least let you know I reached out. That I tried to reach out and connect to you or talk to you at least once before I potentially never appeared again. If I do make it out… I will try again. If not… I am sorry. I truly am for all I have done and continue to do. I hope you can forgive me. I hope you keep smiling like you do and brighten others around you. This world doesn’t deserve you, but it is far better with you in it. I fight for you. I fight for them. I fight for us all.

-With love and hope, Vincent

Rewards

High 19 RVP (16 x 1.2 for overtime)

• 8k nuyen (4 RVP)

+3k Negotiations

• 10 Karma (10 RVP)
• 8 CDP (4 RVP)

+2 base CDP

• Extra Negotiations for saving Amelia: +2k nuyen or 1 karma

Gear rates for foci up to avail 15 (R and F included)

Game Quotes

"No, the elf is not aerodynamic."

"The only thing up for debate here is if the Cup of Noodles dies."

Player After Action Reports (AARs)

Stryker This was way more trouble than it was worth it. But a Job is a Job and I always try to do my best to finish it.

Thunder I like those people we're working for and it was a pleasure to reunite Amelia with her friends. Bad choice of boyfriend though. Told her not to go with a gang-banger, but who am I to offer any advice?

Bumble "Loved that run, couldn't ask for a cleaner finish, rescued an innocents with little risk to myself, got paid, killed some bad guys. A great day."