High Caliber Spectrometry

High Caliber Spectrometry
Part of The Arrival
Date 2084-11-07 GM Asmodeus Location Redmond, Seattle Status Threat Level: Deadly
Factions Involved
ShadowHaven Chaplain Carmilla Rosenkurtz	Major Corp
Argiope Astrid Blackhawk Eidolon Samsara	Character1 Character2

Summary

A group of runners venture across the dangerous streets of Redmond setting up for a future venture where the West Coast Monolith might be better prepared for whatever looming threats await the city of Seattle.

Background

The West Coast Monolith's well of luck has been nothing but drops lining the walls for several weeks. Members disappearing every other week with attacks from the Monolith occurring far more frequently and in more rapid succession. Posing a threat for them and the city as a whole. Needing to turn the tides somewhat in his favor Bolt devises a plan to give the West Coast Monolith a needed and deserved fighting chance against those that would attack them and the city as a whole.

The Meet

As the veil of night blanketed the city of Seattle the runners all headed towards the West Coast Monolith base. Each facing various levels of difficulty amidst the harsh Seattle streets. Eventually though our runners were able to finally meet up at the base. Bolt then explained the situation, the West Coast Monolith was on bad times and things were only getting worse for them and the city. He had a mission in mind to help change that, if just a little. In the near future a secure shipment was to be sent to the West Coast Monolith to bolster their strength. The shipment route however was risky as it crossed nearly the entirety of Redmond and attention is the last thing the WCM needs as of now. Bolt wants the route the shipment will be taking to be secured, various gates along the way unlocked as to allow safe passage through without raising alarms, the surrounding areas examined for any potential threats, and for various packages already in place picked up and delivered to the base. The payment being that of various crates "donated" by the Cutters full of various drugs that the runners could use or sell. With little to no room to negotiate given the West Coast Monolith's current condition, despite Samsara's... many attempts the negotiation was agreed upon. Though before leaving Samsara presented Bolt an offer by a member of the Skraacha, that they were willing to help the West Coast Monolith escape should any major attack occur to their base. Her answer was given both by Bolt's dismissal and the AR billboard outside that projected anti-Skraacha sentiment. With the meeting closed preparations for the venture began.

The Plan

Realizing that should some degree of combat break out, Eidolon and Blackhawk needed a more quiet way of assassinating an individual should the need arise. Subsonic and silenced firearms not being enough for a mission of this caliber. So they wished to be trained in the art of Archery, their teacher being a drone of Hextech that managed to sneak up on the two despite their acute sense. Whilst they trained it was agreed that Samsara and Astrid would do some basic reconnaissance of their own at least along the tail end of the route. Argiope having little stealth based skills decided to do some matrix research on what dangers they may want to avoid along the way. Blackhawk calling upon Sypech to also do some investigating or at least recall what he does know. Whilst the training and data searching went underway Astrid and Samsara investigated the tail end of the route near Glow City. Nearly immediately something felt off about the place as the tinge of radiation lined the air. Cautious of this and what it could entail Astrid summoned forth a guidance spirit to help track down someone that may know more about what was going on amidst Glow City. After navigating the city the two runners ran across a familiar face to the Haven known as Chaplain Carmilla. Who after a tiny bit of talking via Samsara revealed more of what was truly happening around Glow City. Recently a group known as the Monolith had been attacking the area semi frequently to varying degrees of success. Said onslaughts causing a slight displacement in the Rusted Stilletos for fear of losing more members. Chaplain Carmilla however when she can has been repelling the attacks of said Monolith members. Though more concerningly at various intervals toxic shockwaves have been emanating near the center of the city. Said waves causing any normal individual caught in them to die within moments of exposure. While spirits as a result of this are easily repelled and often badly hurt toxic spirits seem nearly completely unaffected. With this haunting news in mind the runners thanked Chaplain for her time before departing back to the West Coast Monolith's base to prepare for the mission tomorrow. Thanks however to Argiope's matrix investigation and Sypech's legworks the runners were able to figure out the relevant threats they may come across in their endeavor. The direct route they are taking crossing the territories of the Desolation Angels, Cutters, Skraacha, Meat Junkies, Ancients, Red Hot Nukes, and the Isotopes. A couple others of note surrounded the area such as the Specters but for now the runners main concern was the territories they would cross. With their prep work set up the runners set out upon sunset to hopefully secure their route.

The Run

Across Redmond the runners encountered the following obstacles in their venture cross Redmond.

• Desolation Angels: The first stop along the runners way was the Desolation Angels, a matriarchal based gang that help and protect women around the area while greatly mistreating and having a distain for men. While Astrid and Samsara might not have a problem, the other 3 definitely would. And given Argiope's lack of stealth specialty and their large frame a plan was devised. Argiope walked alongside Astrid through the territories before getting stopped by the gang. Argiope then claimed to be Astrid's escort through the territory with Astrid obviously conglomerating the story. After a bit of tense back and forth the Desolation Angels seemed to believe their façade and offered Astrid a collar to "keep him obedient." Immediately declining the offer stating she wished for Argiope to be on more alert and free in case something happened, the Angels let the two pass as the other 3 snuck on by in the background undetected. With the Angels none the wiser as the runners regrouped they continued their venture.

• Cutters: The Cutters are a widespread gang amidst the UCAS with reaches into other pockets of the globe. Handling themselves very similar to how corporations act and conduct business. The runners had a lot more to do amidst the Cutters territory, both grabbing one of the shipments mentioned by Bolt and unlocking the gate that would bar the path forward. A tricky endeavor indeed but not one that the runners could not plan around. Argiope, Samsara, and Astrid would head towards and attempt to buy supplies off the Cutters for both a distraction and to find anything that may be useful in the near future. Meanwhile Eidolon and Blackhawk would sneak around the area and slowly pick up the shipment piece by piece before slipping through. Argiope got to quick work approaching a Cutters vendor who inquired to his intent. Stating the simple fact they were there to purchase goods the man quickly noticed him and the two alongside to be of above average pay grade so he escorted them to someone higher up the chain. That being one Jaine Mendoza, a cousin of the current leader of the Cutters who mainly conducts business in Seattle. After examining the Cutters wares for a short while Jaine took a liking to Argiope and gave him an offer to join the Cutters. Even offering some bonuses to sweeten the deal. While potentially tempted by this offer Argiope and the fellow runners had other matters to attend to and bid the women adieu. Meanwhile at breakneck speeds Eidolon and Blackhawk took the various segments of the supply drop and sent them where they needed to go. Though there lay one more problem, the runners needed to unlock the gate and ensure that its matrix security was disabled. But none of the runners seemed to possess the skill and know how to perform such a task. Though Argiope might be able to, the runners needed to not be caught by the Cutters in the surrounding area. With some assistance needed Astrid called upon a Task spirit to aid them in this endeavor. And while yes a Task spirit did arrive... the terms were a bit... interesting. The Task spirit that appeared was a famous local spirit that went by the name of Rosenkurtz. And upon hearing the runners' trouble he made an offer. Either accepting a donation of Karma or a creation of a local inventor liked him of which he wished to study. After quickly discerning he was referring to Hextech Blackhawk and Eidolon quickly informed her of the offer and with no hesitation told them to tell him to fuck off. With none of the runners wishing to give the spirit karma a compromise seemed to have been reached. Brainstorming an idea was proposed where in Hextech could make one specifically for Rosenkurtz rather than any of the constructs she had already made. Hextech agreed to this and the task spirit agreed to give his power to Eidolon to better break the matrix security on the gates. Undenounced to the spirit however, it was never specified WHEN the construct had to be made. With a totally fair and reasonable deal performed Blackhawk and Eidolon managed to unlock the gate that would eventually bar the passage to the West Coast Monolith. After the task had been performed the runners headed off towards their next destination.

• Skraacha: The Skraacha were a popular ethno gang populated by Orks looking after their own kind with their main turf being the underground. Running protection rackets for any groups of Orks around the city, their members also usually augmented to aid in these endeavors. The area surprisingly was very simple. Though Samsara did spy a familiar face with chainsaws for hands with whom she frequented regularly. Thanks to Samsara's connections and the teams stealth they fully managing to leave before any complications seemed to arrive.

• Meat Junkies: The meat junkies are a gang primarily focused on raw firepower with little to nothing else concerning them. With armored vehicles and large weapons belonging to every member. Stealth was key as next to no diplomacy could be attempted with the gang. Though something strange did seem to be going on, the constant bombardment of firearms and large bursts of flames seeming to be coming from the city streets. Cautiously the runners investigated the commotion to see it being a chase involving the Meat Junkies, Knight Errant, and a singular woman with red hair screaming about villainy as she bombarded the gangers with massive gouts of flame. Samsara not wanting the lone woman to die in the ensuing chaos she attempted to help by casting spells at the closely approaching gangers. Though the help did not seem to be needed as the red haired woman simply drop kicked her way through a store display window and ran through the store. Once she was gone a fight broke out amidst the gangers and Knight Errant. Not wanting to get caught in the crossfire the runners decided to cut their losses and head towards the next objective.

• Ancients: The Ancients being an elven ethno gang and partial paramilitary order did not bode well for anyone non-elf. Believing themselves superior to all other metatypes and willing to prove it through whatever means necessary. The Ancients territory loomed over the runners as even the border seemed next to impossible to pass. With this in mind Eidolon had an idea to call upon an old... acquaintance he knew as a child. An ex-Ancients member who found some degree of joy in Eidolon pulling the trigger at such a young age. The man in the shadows simply known as Asdrubael. The two conversed for a little while with Eidolon stating the need to pass the Ancients territory before Asdrubael told Eidolon that there was clearly something larger at play than simply crossing the territory. Stating that if he found the answer amusing he would likely agree to help. After some tense deliberation Eidolon simply stated how with this run by proxy of happening would upset Urubia and essentially flip her off in her own territory. Hearing a chuckle with tinges of respect over the comm the runners knew they had acquired some help from Asdrubael. Who sent over a nicely decorated slightly over the top car to drive Eidolon through the Ancients territory, where from within he would point out the various places and best routes to sneak on through. Though as Eidolon passed through the territory something became more and more clear... the border was more for show than anything else. While well armed ancients did patrol the area most of their forces as it seems were likely focused elsewhere on other matters. Though this did bode well as a shipment was within the territory. Blackhawk and Samsara agreeing to stealth over to it and divide the load. Once arriving an astral presence patrolling the area was detected by the pair. Unfortunately for the pair though despite having nearly unrealistic levels of stealth, the observer detected Blackhawk's astral presence. But thinking quick and with a variety of spells, the observer was distracted long enough for Blackhawk then Samsara to make their escape with the shipment in toe. With a bullet dodged and threat determined, the runners continued onwards.

• Red Hot Nukes: A primarily dwarven ran guild that prioritize in explosives, very few actively mess with them without suffering significant damages to either their property... or themselves. As the runners approached their territory two things loomed over the runners' heads. One of which being the lack of members. Nearly eerily quiet, especially due to their ties to explosives. The second thing being an aroma Blackhawk managed to pick up through his powerful sniff-snoff. That being lingering residue of explosives expertly hidden under the earth next to untraceable with the metahuman eyes. Obviously troublesome for nearly every runner present though it could not be ignored as the next gate was within the mine laced territory. Plan after plan was thought up, one of which involving making Eidolon into a potato by removing his swappable legs. But after Eidolon's rejection of the idea Blackhawk simply agreed to lead Eidolon through the territory by leaping from rooftop to rooftop that were not laced with landmines. Eventually this plan worked as they arrived at the gate where the pair managed to unlock and disable the gate with their skills figuring out the 4 digit code for when the time arrived to cross. Now... only one danger was left.

• Isotopes: The Isotopes was a group of individuals turned and mutated by the radioactive nature of Glow City. Worshiping the dragon Kalanyr as a form of leader or deity. Seeing various prophetic dreams as they sleep. While weird to most their strength and terror known across Redmond. Now with only one area left to scout out, the runners headed towards the ominous Glow City. Only one shipment was left in their adventure and it was located inside the territory. With this in mind the runners headed forwards. Though near the supply point commotion was heard alongside dead bodies of what were believed to be the Red Hot Nukes. Some of the members in active combat with what could only be assumed to be the Isotopes given the fain traces of radiation emanating off of their body and the large mutated adept and a looming powerful figure that repelled from the rooftops. Despite the nature of stealth tied to the mission Samsara's nature compelled her to intervene to protect the Red Hot Nukes. Left with no other choice the runners chose to engage the toxic threat. The runners being dragged by proxy as Argiope aided with matrix support, Astrid summoned a powerful spirit of water, and Blackhawk/Eidolon sniping from the roof where the shipment was to be picked up. Unfortunately the odds continued to be stacked as a powerful toxic spirit joined the fight on the Isotopes side. Seeing that the situation was likely handled and wanting to live given Samsara's request to leave, the Red Hot Nukes retreated back to their turf as the runners engaged the toxic foes. With Samsara's prowess the mutated adept was disabled meanwhile the powerful fur lined opponent seemed to grin as both enemy and friend harmed him. His combat abilities seemingly only increasing as the battle continued. Astrid's water spirit eventually however was able to disband the toxic spirit with its power but at the cost of it also being destroyed in the collision. The battle waged on as lead and magic filled the streets. Being left alone the looming figure eventually raised in hands in a form of surrender given how Samsara broke his gun. Stating it simply wished to leave the general area via a projection on its forearm guards. Agreeing to let it leave the figure simply picked up its AA-16 and fled deeper into the radioactive city. Now worried as to how to explain this a simple yet easy solution was decided that would also warrant more pay. The runners agreed that should anyone inquire they were simply there to hunt toxic spirits and given the stunned adept directly behind them to turn in they had a nice payday ahead indeed without sabotaging their mission. And with one last shipment picked up the run was completed.

Aftermath

While bumpy and with some setbacks lain throughout, Bolt was satisfied with the outcome and offered the runners their respective pay. Maybe there was some hope for the future after all.

Rewards

• 20 Karma (20 RVP)
• 6,000 Nuyen (3 RVP) - Thanks for selling Kevin Crimes' Novacoke bricks, jackhoots!
• 20,000 Nuyen (10 RVP) - Draco Foundation thanks you for delivering this dangerous mutation adept to safety!
• 2 CDP

+3 West Coast Monolith Reputation -1 Isotopes Reputation

• Mundane Ascension for Argiope and Eidolon

• For Samsara: Tough As Nails at Chargen Rates & Hextech's Black Box (Radio Shack Remote Controller w/ R6 Agent "Mister Nuclear," Browse, Toolbox, Increase Data Processing, Increase DP & Lower FW Modifications)
• For Argiope: May swap Karma and Nuyen for 132,000 Nuyen worth of Ware upgrades (GRADE ONLY, NOT RATING). May join the Cutters and take Janine Mendoza as a 6/1 Contact (6 RVP/12 CDP)
• For Astrid: Tough As Nails at Chargen Rates for eating a fuckton of Drain
• For Blackhawk: +2 WCM Reputation & May exchange 1 Karma for 1 Street Cred (max)
• For Eidolon: +2 WCM Reputation & May swap Karma and Nuyen rewards for 132,000 Nuyen worth of Ware upgrades (GRADE ONLY, NOT RATING). May also upgrade the Fly-Spy with this.

Game Quotes

Amusing quote from game.

Player After Action Reports (AARs)

Blackhawk: "Alright... way too many close calls for me to list off. I'm just thankful others had my back. And once again some good people finally get some degree of hope. Though... I begin to worry how much power those fuckers have. I saw their base and I know what they're working with but.. was that really all there was? Given what they can apparently do, I do not know. But that aint gonna stop me from bein ready. Just gotta make sure I have the right rounds for when they do show up."