Stealing Security Secrets
| Stealing Security Secrets | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Factions Involved | ||||||||||
| ShadowHaven | Aztechnology | Neo-Haven | ||||||||
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Huntress Katherine Tyler Shy Veles |
Aztechnology Corpsec Leopard Guards VIP Security |
Chaos Rocket Green Shogun Naked Werewolf Seductive Hazard | ||||||||
Summary
In which the runners assist with stealing the monthly access codes for a Blood Hawk from Aztechnology.
Background
See: Recruitment Drive, À Longueur D'avance, No Time to Die, etc. for more.
N-51 wants to get one over on the French government, and have decided that stealing one of their babies from Dassault is the best way to do so. Having long plotted to put the pieces into place and already made an aborted attempt, they're extra cautious this go around. Using their connections within SK Prime (who managed to compromise one of the Aztechnology engineers on the Blood Hawk project years ago), the mercs have discovered that the access codes to secure sites are swapped every month, and that one of the crafts are visiting the Seattle pyramid at the start of the month. Knowing this, they've resolved to steal them in preparation for their next crack at stealing the craft.
The Meet
The runners meet up at the N-51 forward operating base in Fall City, Redmond, and are escorted inside by the guards. Waiting outside Commander's office, they introduce themselves (or in the case of Kate and Shy, catch up since their time in the Rad Wars 2084) and get acquainted with one-another. Invited inside, Commander explains that in 2 days a VIP delegation will visit the Aztechnology Pyramid in Downtown, and they need to steal the access codes for the craft from a terminal near their landing pad on floor 64 without being caught - whether that means ghosting the job or creating a suitable distraction for themselves is up to them. In exchange for their service, he offers 10k worth of nuyen each plus access to their surplus supplies. A bit unsatisfied with the pay arrangement, Veles privately makes an deal with a much wealthier PMC - Lieutenant-Colonel Chantale Dutreil of MET-2000 - to sell them any other Aztechnology paydata acquired on the job.
The Plan
The runners are briefly taken aback when Kate voices the notion of working with a dragon that she knows within Aztechnology (see: Sangre Por Sangre and The Dragon Sleeps Tonight) to acquire the information, which she quickly retracts. Instead, Veles proposes a social infiltration to facilitate more proper physical stealth once inside, so the team work on getting burner SINs set up in the time that they have to work with. During that time they scout out the pyramid and assess things like ingress/egress points, getaway routes, and the RFID codes broadcast by the custodial and maintenance staff to get through the ET cordons, as well as forge credentials for their fakes and build up the intel needed for their long con. To extract, they plan to use Shy's new Aztechnology helicopter and input clearance codes when they're stealing the Blood Hawk's.
In order to acquire more detailed information, Kate goes digging around on the Matrix for old floor plans (exchanging some of her Dragon Knowledge for insider intel from Kathryn "Aphrodite" Riviera), while Shy performs a calling ritual with her own blood to summon Woedica Kryptman, former Aztechnology blood mage and current member of the Wild Hunt. Both Kathryn and Woedica have intimate knowledge of the interior of the pyramid from their time in the corp, and are successfully bargained with for their insider info (money and info for Kathryn, karma for Woedica).
The Run
Once the appointed day arrives, Shy finds a vantage point a kilometer or so away from the pyramid and takes a few pot-shots with her Garand rifle in the early morning hours, knocking out the signal lights near the landing pad before getting away cleanly thanks to her trusty chameleon cloak. Meanwhile, the rest of the team disguise themselves as Aztechnology personal and prepare to intercept the incoming call for maintenance; Kate is able to hack her way into the host and replace the repairperson's ID with Veles', granting her the clearance needed to enter the restricted area.
The trio are able to successfully talk their way past the ET cordon, with their fake SINs and disguises passing muster, after which Veles splits off from Kate and Huntress. Elsewhere, Shy heads to her helicopter and begins pre-flight preparations, while unbeknownst to the group, a team of Neo-Haven runners ((Green Shogun, Seductive Hazard, Chaos Rocket, and Naked Werewolf) have also infiltrated the Aztechnology pyramid, planning an extraction on the group of VIPs once they arrive.
After navigating their way through the middle levels of the pyramid and bypassing as many checkpoints as they can with their intel, Veles manages to con her way through security with her forged credentials and open up a maintenance door for Kate and Huntress to pass through unseen. Making it out to the landing pad on floor 64, Veles replaces the damaged lights and makes her exit while the other two locate the target terminal which logs the access codes of incoming craft; they're able to locate the wired connection leading into the wall using a data tap to connect to it directly.
Once the craft arrives and discharges the VIPs, it immediately takes off again - in this short window, Kate is able to steal the codes without being detected. Unfortunately, this is when the Neo-Haven team strikes, disrupting their otherwise-clean exit; not able to exfil via helicoptor with the leopard guards actively fighting the other runners on the landing platform, they are forced to find other means of egress. Shy, sensing an opportunity, navigates her own Aztechnology helicopter to the landing pad and convinces the other team to make their escape with her instead.
Veles is able to blend into the crowd of maintenance workers who are herded to a muster point, while Kate and Huntress attempt to surreptitiously disappear - however, they encounter a security patrol en-route to the elevator bay. Kate attempts to smooth talk them and pass herself off as security, but her attempt is seen through by the corpsec, so she and Huntress are forced to flee into an elevator before taking control of it and forcing it to go to the mall level. There, they are able to use their augmented swiftness to out-run the security forces and make it off of ET grounds, while Veles quietly exits the pyramid in the aftermath.
Aftermath
Despite the unexpected hiccup, the team are able to escape the pyramid with the codes for the Blood Hawk without their theft being discovered. Shy is also able to exfiltrate the Neo-Haven team, who - being quite eager for a new employer and grateful for the assist - agree to contemplate signing up for the N-51.
Rewards
10,000 nuyen
5 karma
10 CDP
+2 N-51 reputation
-2 Aztechnology reputation
Optional Contact: Commander (C5/L1 Mercenary Leader)
Optional Contact: Woedica of the Hunt (C5/L1 Wild Huntswoman)
Optional Contact: Kathryn "Aphrodite" Riviera (C4/L1 Ex-Aztech Decker)
Optional Gear Reward: Military Surplus (weapons/armor/ammo/equipment) @ 2:1 cost
For Veles:
Mundie Ascension rewards (for ghosting the gig) (5 RVP)
Narrative Consequences:
-N-51 manages to steal the March 2086 callsign codes for the Blood Hawk, gaining another piece of a puzzle for their upcoming heist; Shy also manages to extract a New Haven runner crew from the pyramid during the exfil - hooray for shadow solidarity.
Game Quotes
Player After Action Reports (AARs)
Huntress
"Captain, the mission was a success though not without faults. I met what we would call "legendary runners" on the assignment sir. However I must say they were... not exactly what I expected from someone of their reputation. The objective was in an Aztechnology Archology. I believe you are aware with my history with those sir. Once we were inside, I had to adapt socially to complete the mission after reconnaissance was provided. It was not my strong suit but I adapted accordingly. We managed to achieve the objective however another group of runners on a separate assignment managed to complicate things causing the archology to be put on full alert. As we were escaping a fellow runner... failed to trick security and I did not wish to leave her behind. So I stayed and together we managed to escape the chaos. Though even with my disguise I am not sure it was enough to avoid their ire entirely. That is all sir."