Runnin' from the Dock of the Bay
| Runnin' from the Dock of the Bay | |||||||||
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Black Sabbath Kadō Bunny Hop Joule | |||||||||
Summary
After a blast a few piers away during the events of Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let Down Your Bear, a ship belonging to the Knights Hospitaller has ended up stuck in port, caught in the middle of a tense standoff between the Vory owners, the Yakuza who want the dock for themselves, and a group of dockworkers. Runners are called in by Angélica Cabral to get the ship out of port.
Background
The Vory have control of some sections of the Tacoma docks, and the Yakuza covet them. When a hotheaded Yakuza lieutenant named Fumo has laid siege to a Vory dock, leaning on their contacts in Knight Errant to keep the cops out of the way - but it's taking too long and he's under pressure to break the siege without losing face.
On the other side, the Vory have nobody of hugely significant talent or leadership skill at home. Fyodor Karamazov is nominally in charge - but there's a smooth talker named Ivan Samovich who's well connected in the ranks as well.
The workers have gathered behind the Head Tugboat Captain - who's co-opting the docks' normal security to annoy the Vory into giving them concessions.
All the while, a mixture of food and medical aid sits on a ship, in danger of going bad before they can be shipped to those who need them most.
The Meet
The meet's in a cafe on the southern end of the Downtown district - where a SURGEd woman is waiting for the team. It's quickly explained that they were chosen for their nonviolent reputations, and for their ability to navigate situations without causing undue suffering. Briefly, the political situation is explained - and the Johnson lays out their request.
Get their people out. That's what they care about most - 10,000 for that, at a minimum. Getting the supplies out is worth another 4k, and doing so while not stamping on either faction's toes - that's worth 2k more. Priorities set out, the team is set free to do their research.
The Plan
Research into the situation proceeds quickly.
Joule astrally projects and confirms numbers and threats that the team may be facing - coming back with solid numbers, and clarifying the situation on the ground.
Kado reaches out to Kakei Steve for aid - who's able to provide her with some information on the Yakuza lieutenant, as well as provide a potential source for a contact in the Vory: Artur Czechlaw.
BHop confirms the information on the Yakuza - and finds an angle they might be able to pursue. A quick check of the area finds cameras, railroad equipment, and various industrial equipment - all slaved to an industry host for protection. More importantly, BHop notices that the equipment isn't slaved to anybody in the Vory's camp.
The Run
The team starts by walking directly through the police blockade - courtesy of Kado's Yakuza connections, they're able to approach where the Yaks are camped out. With a pair of trolls flanking her on either side, the face leverages what she already knows to pressure Fumo into making a concession. He'll pull back, so long as they can save face - and so long as the team gets them access codes into the dock's host for later use. The deal's struck quickly.
The prospect of walking out across the more open area where the crates of this ship ought to be unloaded by now - that's more fraught with danger. Kado leans the Vory contact she was provided, and gets in touch with Ivan on the inside, who stops the guards from shooting on the approach.
The team huddles up - then Joule takes the lead. The Vory would hardly respond favorably to Kado right now after all - she's Japanese, and was just negotiating closely with the Yakuza while in viewing distance. But in her negotiations, Joule's unable to close a deal with the Vory - instead, the team is tasked with handling a favor for them.
So they approach the place where the dockworkers are holed up - led by the rigger for the tugboats of this particular dock. A thrown wrench draws gunfire from the Vory, with the party caught in the middle of drones on one side and syndicate goons on the other. Foreman stands tall in the face of fire - absorbing shots meant for Joule and Kado. With the face shouting encouragement, Joule turns things around by flinging spells, leaning on Foreman to eat drain beyond what she could ever hope to sustain herself. A water spirit spins into being from the harbor below, contributing to bringing the goons down.
And when the dust settles, a trio of washed up Vory get chewed out by Joule for their role in the chaos.
With a favor complete, the Vory give way - and the team has successfully navigated the politics around the standoff with a minimum of gunfire and no deaths.
Aftermath
Johnson is impressed - offering her commcode to the team, as well as her gratitude. All parties walk away happier than any of them had any right to.
Rewards
Run Rewards for "Runnin' from the Docks of the Bay" (13 RVP - Medium)
10k Nuyen (5 RVP)
6k Nuyen - Negotiation Bonus for Achieving Additional Objectives
6 Karma (6 RVP)
6 CDP (2 RVP + Base)
Optional Qualities: Joule - Closer (4 RVP)
Optional Contacts:
For All: Fixer Angélica Cabral, Connection 4 Loyalty 2. https://shreloaded.net/wiki/Angélica_Cabral
For Kado: Vory member Artur Czechlaw, Connection 5 Loyalty 1. https://shreloaded.net/wiki/Artur_Czechlaw