Machinations and Research
| Machinations and Research | |||||||||
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| Part of Arma Ex Machina | |||||||||
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| Factions Involved | |||||||||
| ShadowHaven | Major Corp | ||||||||
| Asura |
Character1 Character2 | ||||||||
Summary
Asura through her efforts is able to find a valuable piece to a larger puzzle, and find a friend in one very similar to her.
Background
As the plans of a certain figure continue to brew amidst the shadows, the next step pertains to finding key information. But in order to begin the hunt for this information, said figure must first learn where to look. Asking one Ashen Hand for assistance, they hope this location may be found.
Ada Mathers
The Meet
Meeting in a higher end barbeque joint in southern Downtown, Ashen Hand asks Asura for a favor. An anonymous contributor to Horned Bear wants a favor requested and Ashen Hand can't risk the blowback to Horned Bear if it goes south. So, he needs a reliable runner and capable fighter to take care of the mission by themselves. Asura was tasked with finding one Dr. Rodger Matthews, an Ares scientist stationed near Kodiak Island before they went into hiding amidst the streets of Seattle. Most recently seen in Puyallup in an abandoned hotel close to the Fort Lewis border. He knew a list of people that worked with a scientist named Ada Mathers. Ashen Hand needed that list of people for the contributor, offering 10k nuyen as payment if she agreed to do this. Asura did in fact agree and headed off towards the abandoned Motel.
The Plan
Scouting out the location Asura managed to find the mercenaries hired by the scientist, seemingly nobodies with decent protection and one FLR among them. Armored jackets, PPP, and helmets over them indicating a degree of strength to them. Ares Alpha's being a slight concern but none she couldn't handle usually. Looking around at the building she found what would be most likely the best course of action to take. With no time to waste she took off, chameleon suit and Ares predator ready for the danger ahead.
The Run
Asura managed to step onto the roof of the motel stealthfully before lining up a perfect shot with one of the unaware guards, killing them instantly. From there the battle devolved as Asura's frame while not pushed to its absolute limits was badly damaged as round after round of APDS found its way onto her. Through her pain editor and resilience however, she was able to take out the targets one by one. Her pain editor keeping her awake despite what would have been agonizing pain from the plethora of rounds.
Once inside the room that housed Rodger, she found him with a twin barreled pistol pointed towards the door in one hand and a commlink in the other. As he made his threat about calling Ares HTR backup to their location so they would both be down, Asura shot it out of his hands, triggering the dead man's switch. With time not on her side and a pain editor shrieking she had roughly 55 minutes till it would stop operating, she hurriedly tried to negotiate with the scientist. Who in his confusion of the situation eventually accepted her offer after she agreed to help him escape the incoming Ares HTR. After removing an activated tracker chip in the back of his neck Asura and Rodgers managed to escape the hotel but now with the looming threat of HTR time was now in shorter supply as the Pain Editor continued to state how much time was left and to seek medical attention.
Realizing the state of things Asura called for help from two individuals, one Dash and one Lord Emberrage. Summoning a wild spirit resembling a large panther to communicate with him and offer a deal. Emberrage wandered towards her. After explaining her situation and that she wished for his help in protecting the Ares Scientist from the small group of corporate forces after him, Lord Emberrage required karma and a favor given the nature of this deal. 2 karma later and a debt to be paid, he agreed and using his muscle within the district, the scientist was kept safe. One call later and 1500 nuyen spent Dash guaranteed the scientist will be transported safely out of the city and somewhere more secure.
After securing his safety the scientist relented and offered the list of names Ashen Hand was requesting, the list containing the following.
- Dr. Wallace Evans
- Dr. Amelia Davidson
- Dr. Gabriel Castle
- Dr. Robin Grey
Asura then asked what Ada Mathers was like, after clearly trying to defend corpos in absolute vein he described her as something else. A cold machine, relentless in her pursuits. Thanking him for this Asura called Ashen Hand that the job was done but she required medical attention. Thankfully he was not far away, driving over towards her as quickly as he could. Arriving there just in time to help patch up her wounds with a savior medkit and his natural talents with first aid, bullet wounds, and cybernetics. Asura stepped foot in the vehicle and told him where to drop her off, close to her hideout in Downtown. Afterwards she faded into sleep. The pain editor no longer able to keep her awake as her body needed rest.
Aftermath
Waking up in Ashen Hand's car next to her place he thanked her for her efforts and handed a silver credstick with the nuyen inside. Though this would take a turn as he handed her a bag of left overs she forgot at the barbeque place. The two cybered-up fighters having a talk. Their troubles, the wisdom they had earned, and what was to come. The two managing to find common ground on many things and bonding as a result. And with the bond strengthened and Ashen Hand agreeing to help her however he can come to terms with who she was, Asura headed home. Peacefully heading to bed but not before one last "please seek medical attention" played in her mind.
Rewards
Medium: 12 RVP (NO OVERTIME FOR ONCE! HOORAY!)
- 10k nuyen (5 RVP)
- 5 Karma (5 RVP)
- 4 CDP (2 RVP)
+2 base CDP +1 reputation: Horned Bear
- Asura can increase Ashen Hand's loyalty to 4
OPTIONAL QUALITIES
- Through training and discussion with Ashen Hand, Asura can take Cyber-Singularity Seeker at chargen rates (12 karma)
RUN CONSEQUENCES
- Asura has sacrificed 2 karma to Lord Emberrage in addition to owing him a chip.
Game Quotes
Player After Action Reports (AARs)
Asura
"...Who I am now is...both simple and yet complicated. But...I'll find that answer as well. I'll hold onto that."