Hey! Teacher! Leave Those Kids Alone!

[Dracos]

Dracos looks at rez and facepalms.  "Baka.  Don't you think ahead?"

Dracos

[Rezantis]

"Er.  You raise a valid point. Sorry."

Rez looks contrite.

[Ginrai]

Ginrai makes sure he has his cell phone before waving to Rez and Dracos and heading off towards Biowire.

[Dracos]

"G'luck," Dracos calls out before driving off to whatever nearby lan cafe he can find.

"It's alright Rez, just think though before shooting off your mouth.  Just because I apparently am shooting off mind, doesn't mean I actually am."  Dracos smirks, turning on the radio.

Dracos

[Rezantis]

"My Intrigue-fu is weak, I guess."

[Dracos]

"Of course it is.  You are sane.  Sanity is a natural -10 to intrigue rolls."

Dracos

[Rezantis]

"Whereas you, being a complete fucking loony, have no penalty to intrigue, but suffer the risk of being thrown into a padded cell if you push your luck too far."

[Dracos]

"Indeed, but I'm good to have on your side, no?"

Dracos

[Rezantis]

"Sure, sure.  And I've got Ginrai around to throw you at if you start foaming at the mouth all of a sudden, so who cares?"

[Dracos]

"Not that kind of crazy unless I'm pretending to be."

Dracos

[Rezantis]

Rez eyes Dracos suspiciously.

[Brian]

<Brian> Rez!  Dracos!
<Brian> Both of you are here, and Ginrai is not.
<Brian> Conveniently, this matches the in-game situation.
<Rez> Convenience!
<Rez> . . . how long does it take to make ramen?  >_>
<Dracos> Rawr
<Brian> Less time than it takes to read through Combat and You.
Dracos dances!
Dracos drives hunting lan cafes.
<Brian> After about ten minutes, you find one.  Family Computer Cafe, a few blocks away from where you dropped Ginrai off.
<Dracos> "This work, biatch?"
<Brian> About the same distance away from BioWire as the drop-off point, too.
<Rez> "Should do, yep."
<Rez> Rez gets out of the car and heads inside.
<Dracos> Dracos parks the car and checks out the area before heading in.
<Brian> Looks a little run down, but clean and functional.
<Dracos> Dracos nods and heads in to help out with his mad spot the problem skillz.
<Brian> Okay.
<Brian> How long are you spending on this?
<Rez> What's the time?
<Brian> Just about 1:00 PM.
<Rez> Hm.  Four hours or so.  Until it's done or until we're kicked out.  >_>
Dracos nods.
<Brian> Okay.  Barring, of course, a call from Ginrai.
<Brian> THEREFORE.
Rez is going to see if I can hook my laptop up
Rez nods sagely.
<Brian> We cut over to Ginrai.

<Brian> Ginrai, you're about three city blocks away from BioWire, and carrying a Polaroid camera.
<Brian> It's cold, but Dracos and Rez gave you an extra jacket picked up in hicksville, Virginia, and you can use a walk after the cramped journey all the way across the U.S.
Ginrai looks around, taking a snapshot here and there.
<Brian> Most of the buildings look pretty messed up from the earthquake....
<Brian> But the BioWire building is mostly okay, once you get to it.  It's two stories, and pretty much looks like a large, gray, brick.
Ginrai takes a snapshot of the outside
<Brian> There's a HUUUUUGE parking lot for such a small building, though.
<Brian> It takes up over half the block.
Ginrai checks to see how many other people are around
<Ginrai> Hmm... underground lab, most likely
<Brian> There's a few cars in the lot, including a black sedan that just pulled in.  A semi chubby redheaded woman and a dark-haired man in business casual are emerging, talking to one another.
<Brian> Ginrai, please roll 3d6
<Ginrai> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Ginrai ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> You can't make out their conversation, but you notice a discoloration in the middle of the parking lot.
<Ginrai> Just as I thought....
<Brian> The couple walks towards the building, and vanish inside.
<Brian> The windows are all tinted, mirror-reflective from the outside.
Ginrai takes a snapshot of the discolored area in the parking lot
<Brian> From closer, it looks like a patch -- perhaps old earthquake damage.  The spot is irregular, but roughly round.  Outside the perimeter of the patch, the asphalt is both darker, and spider-webbed with cracks.  At the very edge, it's nearly gravel.
Ginrai approaches the area cautiously... anyone else around me?
<Brian> This area is completely deserted, except for you, and the sound of the black sedan's ticking engine.
<Brian> From this side of the building, you can see the heating and cooling system -- or a part of it.  Your initial speculation is very possibly correct, as there are six vent-cases two meters square emerging from the ground, and running with a subdued roar of rushing air.
<Ginrai> Am I able to see if anyone's inside the sedan from where I am?
<Brian> You can tell it's empty, both of the passengers got out.
Ginrai heads to the side of the building and takes some snapshots of it
Ginrai now slowly approaches the back... are there any other buildings around it?
<Brian> The far side actually has a pair of semi-trailer sized generators sitting out, hooked up to the building but currently inactive.  Temporary cyclone fences close them off from where you stand, and you can see a security camera is mounted on the wall.
Ginrai takes a snapshot of it
<Ginrai> Where's the security camera pointed?
<Ginrai> And would I be able to evade it while heading to the backside?
<Brian> It's looking down at the pair of generators.
Ginrai goes around it and heads to the back
<Brian> The back of the building has a massive steel rolling garage or ware-house styled door.  A security console sits to one side, and another camera looks down at it.
<Ginrai> Is there anyone around?
<Brian> Again, it seems deserted.
Ginrai takes a few snapshots of it
<Brian> The security camera's LED blinks brightly.
<Ginrai> SHIT
Ginrai backs away fast
<Brian> You think you're already out of its range from your distance.
Ginrai grabs cell and speed dials Drac.
<Brian> Ginrai: Your phone beeps.
<Brian> You can't see why, because the screen is saying, "Dialing Dracos...."
Dracos answers his phone.
<Ginrai> "Drac, I think I might've been found out... bring car as fast as possible to a nearby area."
Ginrai keeps turns and starts to speedwalk away from the area
<Brian> Okay.  You start to walk away from the area.
<Brian> Dracos: No.  You only got Ginrai's message.
Ginrai stops and turns back to see if there's anyone coming out from the building
<Brian> You see no one emerge from the building behind you.
<Brian> Your phone continues to beep.
Ginrai checks his cell
<Brian> "Triangulation Warning"
<Ginrai> ... thought Ayame was gone
Ginrai shuts it off
Ginrai now runs from area
<Brian> Ginrai flees the scene....

<Brian> Zip-pan to: Internet cafe.
<Brian> It's been about 20 minutes, so....
Dracos hangs up and turns off his phone.
<Brian> Dracos, Rez: First.  The results from your experiment.
<Brian> Dracos, please roll 3d6 for computer programming
<Dracos> Roll 3d6 for luck, programming, and DSA training
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 for luck, programming, and DSA training --> [ 3d6=14 ]{14}
<Dracos> ...
<Dracos> dammit.
<Brian> You have succeeded in completely destroying a 'guest' computer, and are contemplating likely excuses to the proprietor, when Dracos's cell begins to ring.
Dracos answers the phone.
<Brian> Ginrai says, "Drac, I think I might've been found out... bring car as fast as possible to a nearby area," and hangs up.
<Rez> "Ginrai?  Already?"
<Dracos> "You know, I think it be a bad day."
<Dracos> Dracos snaps his fingers, "Anyhow, let's do a pickup plan.  I want to drop you off nearby, you take him a mile off, and I'll pick you both up there.  That work?"
<Rez> "What happened?"
<Brian> The owner of the internet cafe looks up at you from his own PC.  "Something wrong?" he calls out.
<Dracos> "I have no clue.  He hung up after demanding we show up right away.  Which means we don't."
<Rez> "Ah, just a friend.  He's lost."
<Rez> "Idiot."
Rez smacks Drac. Quiet.
Dracos shrugs.
<Rez> "Go find him. If it's alright, I'll stay here."
<Brian> The guy grunts, looks somewhat leery, and turns back to his own PC anyway.
<Rez> "Actually . . . "
<Dracos> "eeh...I don't loike that."
<Rez> "Nah, I'll come with you.  Goddammit."
<Dracos> "Good idea.  Come on."
<Rez> "I am -so- going to hurt him."
Dracos leads the way out of the cafe.
<Brian> "Done already?"
<Dracos> "Yar,"
Dracos pays the man.
<Rez> "Yeah.  We'd better go get him.  Have a good one."
<Brian> He nods at the payment, and hands you a receipt.
<Brian> "Come again," he says without any real enthusiasm.
Dracos leads the way outside and gets into the car, heating up the engine while Rez gets in.
Rez gets in ze car.
<Brian> That guy's going to be peeved when he finds out you hosed one of his systems....
<Rez> "Drac, drop me at another net cafe, would you?"
Rez doesn't care. It happens all the time and is a five minute fix for any competent cafe operator.
<Dracos> "Sure, Sure..."
<Brian> Your phones begin to beep.
Dracos drives around looking for another net cafe first.
Dracos checks his phone, if triangulation, then shuts off.
Rez looks at his phone, swears, and turns it off.
<Brian> You just left the cafe closest to BioWire, and Ginrai.  Finding another could take some time, especially without phones.
Rez hmms.
<Rez> "OK.  Without the phones, we aren't going to find Ginrai, and if he's -really- in trouble, we're only going to make it worse by driving aimlessly."
<Dracos> "naw, we know the range he's in.  And if he's in real trouble, we'll have notice from the amount of ruckus it'll make."
<Dracos> "Trust to luck.  And good eyesight."
<Dracos> "But I'll drop you off first."
<Rez> "Drop me off.  I'll call you in an hour or so."
<Rez> "Make sure your phone's on."
<Dracos> "Um, as soon as we find a net cafe, mkay.  Or you want to go somewhere else?"
<Rez> "No, just drop me off here.  I'll go for a walk, and see if I can find him.  Discreetly."
<Dracos> "Hum...Okay, I'll get lodgings and meet you back here in 35 minutes."
Dracos pulls over.
<Rez> "Right."  Rez checks his watch.  "Either I'll meet you here or I'll call you."
<Brian> You find a spot, and unload Rez.
<Brian> The streets are pretty much empty, but you've come to expect that of this place.
Dracos nods and drives off, looking for one of the farther away hotels.
<Brian> Dracos passes out of sight quickly ... shortly afterwards, you see a helicopter zoom overhead, in the same direction Dracos vanished.
<Brian> And so, we turn our attention to Dracos.
<Dracos> Well Shit.
<Brian> You're about three blocks away from Rez, heading towards where you remember a hotel being on your map, when you hear a helicopter overhead.
<Brian> There's a chopper overhead.  What do you do?
<Dracos> I hear the copter and raise it continuing calmly driving on the roads, heading patiently around the urban sector, keeping an eye open for interesting underground tunnels.
<Brian> San Francisco has an interesting lack of tunnels.  Parking garages are out, after the quakes, and ... well, it doesn't matter because the chopper vanishes quickly once you deviate from your course.
<Dracos> Cool, after a brief time exploring the urban area, I go and find that hotel middling away that I was looking for.
<Brian> You quickly get back to the hotel you were thinking of.
<Brian> The lobby is nearly deserted when you enter, except for the somewhat chubby red-headed woman behind the counter, and the taller, dark-haired bellboy.
Dracos smiles and walks up to them.
<Dracos> "Greetings, what are the rates for a room?"
<Brian> "36.00$ for a single, 40.00 for a twin," the woman answers.  "More can be arranged, Mr. Bloom."
<Dracos> "I see."
<Dracos> "I think I'll look around."
Dracos heads back out to his car.
<Brian> You try to, anyway.  The bellboy seems inclined to get in your way.
<Dracos> "Nice to know you."
<Brian> He's a pretty tall looking guy, and he's between you and the majority of your weapons.
Dracos uses his slip past people talents to try and slip past the fucker
<Brian> "I think you should listen to what the lady has to say," he says, hands at his sides.
<Brian> Are you actually going to try and run past him?
<Dracos> "Oh?  I thought this was a hotel, but I'm listening.  Speak."
<Brian> The man nods, and takes a step backwards -- incidentally blocking the door.
<Brian> "Thank you," the woman says, stepping around the counter, and clasping her hands together.  "We've been watching you for a while, Mr. Bloom."
<Brian> As she speaks your eyes wander around the room.  There's a nearby lobby table, solid plastic by the look of it.  Similar tables sit in the corners, with large fake looking potted plants in porcelain vases sitting atop those.  The couches look pretty solid.  Neither the man nor the woman are visibly armed.
<Brian> "You and your friends," she corrects herself.
<Dracos> "I know.  You were...less than subtle about it." Dracos steps back, getting both of them in his view.  "Though, I'm unsure of thy name?"
<Dracos> "So you'd appear to have me at the disadvantage."
<Brian> "We would, and that's generally speaking ... how we prefer to operate."  The woman looks thoughtful.  "Caber, how close are the Workshop operatives?"
<Dracos> "Hmmm, that be understandable."  Dracos raises an eyebrow.  "Scanning equipment?"
<Brian> The man cocks his head to one side, as though listening to something just out of hearing range.  After a moment, he replies, "They're poking around the building.  Someone scared 'em."  Turning to you, he adds, "Yeah.  Good stuff."
<Dracos> "Interesting.  Now, I sense a need for haste, so perhaps you may cut to the chase?"
<Brian> The woman nods.  "We want to infiltrate the Workshop, and disrupt its operations as completely as possible.  We suspect you aim to do the same."
<Dracos> "Well, yes.  I do have a rather vengeful streak to those who blow up my property and kidnap friends.  Are you suggesting an alliance of convenience?"
<Brian> "For the moment," the redhead agrees.  "Caber, where are the doubles right now?"
<Brian> He shakes his head.  "Debriefing.  Dress-down for failure to acquire Ezmereth."
Dracos smiles curiously.
<Brian> She nods, and rubs at her temples.  "Very well, Mr. Bloom.  Our time is somewhat limited.  Caber, send focus, and do what you can to keep Taylor busy."  The man nods, and sits down cross-legged, his eyes going blank.
Dracos raises an eyebrow.
<Brian> Turning her attention to you, she says, "My name is Patrica McGovern.  Pleased to meet you.'
<Dracos> "I appear to be seeing stuff that should not be.  I am Philip Bloom.  The pleasure is mutual." Dracos turns to face her, listening for footsteps behind him if the bellboy tries to rush him but expecting him not to at the moment.
<Brian> He merely stares blankly.  "Understand, while we will be allied for convenience, the alliance is not likely to last longer."
<Dracos> "Oh, I understand how these things work.  Likely you'd be willing to slit my throat for knowing your name save for the fact that I currently represent a potential pawn."
<Brian> "We don't plan on turning on you, merely ... going our separate ways," she disagrees.  "We understand that you've found some use for Cassandra?"
<Dracos> "Cassandra, the oracle of Delphi?  Interesting spirit you sent us, yes.  Quite interesting."
<Brian> "She's become useless to us, with the default safeguards removed."  Patricia broods for a moment.  "She is in danger -- Manos will destroy her if you do not act quickly, and we will not engage Ceran for her defense.  Time is short.  We have information on infiltration, but I doubt you will like the plan I offer."
<Dracos> "It appears I likely have little choice.  I would like more information and promptly."  Dracos smiles.
<Brian> "I find honesty is the best policy," she says, shrugging.  "Very well.  Currently, Caber and I are acting as agents in the Workshop.  We have lacked the required impetus to throw the scale of balance for some time, but...."  She trails off.
<Dracos> "You've recently found the balance potentially capable of shifting due to...new employees?  Or new prisoners perhaps?"
<Brian> She nods.  "Prisoners."
<Brian> "Our plan is thus: We would bring you in and act as though you were captured.  You would, of course, be armed.  This will get you inside, where you can assemble a resistance among the prisoners."
<Dracos> "Hmm...  A risky gambit.  I like it little, but currently do not have any ideas otherwise.  You would allow me to acquire my comrades first?  And, as a curiosity, why were you trying to contact me earlier?"
<Brian> "Your friends, both of them, would then break into the back ways of the facility and distribute more weaponry to the resistance you assemble.  At the time of the signal, you would then lead the prisoners on an assault against the authorities, and Caber and I would destroy the automatic defense system that would hinder your escape ... our you may attempt escape back up the ventilation shafts."
<Brian> Caber mumbles, "Taylor's ranting again."
<Brian> Patricia smiles at that, then returns her attention to you.  "I won't lie.  There is a potential within you which can only be uncovered in the Workshop.  We may wish to recruit you, should you perform well.  If not, provided we can each go our separate ways, then we will simply part, and let that be the end of it."
<Dracos> "Hmmm... fair enough.  but I do wish to know how you decided to contact me and drop off Cassandra on my site.  More specifically...what is the real name of Ceran?"
<Brian> She hesitates.  "Not even he is allowed to know, as Cassandra does not."  She looks at Caber, who seems to wake up slightly.  He nods at her.  "Very well."  Turning back to you again, she says, "Nebuchadnezer."
<Dracos> "Old matrix quotes?  Or is that a bible quote, I forget.  My memory is not always so sharp.  Who is Manos?  It brings a recollection of an old and wretched movie, but not of a name I recall from mythology."
<Brian> "Merely another old soul," she replies.  "Manos would be Rasputin."
<Brian> "Ceran decided that you should be entrusted with the power to unbalance our current deadlock.  This is because of your ... affiliation.  More information on that is secured at this point.  I will, perhaps, see what I can divulge after this operation is completed."
<Brian> "And if we didn't do anything, they would have anyway," Caber adds, climbing to his feet.  "Taylor's laying into the new P-9.  I don't know if this is going to be hidden from her, so we need to act fast."
<Dracos> "The old Russian wizard is still alive?  Much amazes me that does.  I understand.  Hmmm...  Alright, time that we have left before such operation?  I think I will go with it.  But know this, if you betray me beforehand, I will find a way to get my vengeance upon you.  I can be quite vicious that way."
<Brian> Patricia nods.  "I find your terms acceptable.  Caber, can you get a lock on his friends?"  The man nods, and rises.  Patricia reaches a hand each for you, and Ceran.  He takes the hand without hesitation.
Dracos takes the hand, eyes bright with curiosity.
<Brian> Okay, you feel kind of silly, now, holding hands in an abandoned hotel lobby.  "Lock," Caber, says, just before God reaches out and pulls reality from beneath you.
<Brian> Rez: You're hunting for Ginrai.
Rez is hunting for Ginrai.
<Rez> And any interesting stores.
<Rez> >_>
<Rez> <_<
<Brian> You've not gotten far, when there's a loud cracking noise, and a high wind from an alley you're passing.
Rez puts his hand in the pocket with the tazer . . . and walks to the mouth of the alley to have a look. Goddamn curiosity.
<Brian> You see: A somewhat plump redheaded woman, a man with black hair, and a very dizzy Dracos, all holding hands.
Dracos shakes his head dizzily.
<Dracos> "Well...that was little fun." Dracos frowns, glancing about.
<Brian> Patricia releases yours and Caber's hands.
Rez boggles for a second, then ducks out of view of those in the alley.
<Brian> "Where is he?" Patricia asks, frowning.
<Dracos> "So...  Teleportation is it?  Intriguing."  Dracos adjusts his glasses. "Likely doing just what I would be doing.  Watching cleverly."
<Rez> Rez leans against the wall, listening.
<Brian> Patricia nods.  "It's quite useful, if a bit draining.  We don't have much time, though.
<Brian> "
<Dracos> "Hmm, fair enough.  You say he should be here?  Then he is.  Rez, It's Drac, we got trouble, questions, and some fucked up plans.  Now get the shit over here."
Rez sighs and steps around the corner. I'm sure there's quite a story behind this, so spill.
<Rez> "I'm sure there's quite a story behind this, so spill."
<Dracos> "Right, short of it.  Meet Pax, They are as subtle as I'd guessed.  They also want a temp alliance for destroying or disrupting the workshop but one that puts us all at risk and my neck directly on the blade."
<Rez> "Oooh, fun fun fun.  Explain."
<Brian> "To make this faster, we should find your other friend first," Patricia interrupts.
<Rez> "I'm sure he's around somewhere."
<Dracos> "Right, right.  Rez, they do teleport.  No worries, ne?" Dracos smirks, glancing swiftly at Rez' hand and back to them.  "You seemed to have sensing abilities, can you sense where the baka is?
<Brian> "I've got him -- he's about a block north of here," Caber announces.
<Brian> "Then, let's walk," Patricia decides.  Caber leads the way, marching swiftly down the street.
Dracos follows with his own swift gait.
<Rez> Rez looks faintly peeved.
<Rez> "I just went through there!"
Dracos pats Rez on the shoulders.
<Rez> "And that's where he is?"
<Brian> Ginrai, as you hoof it down the block, you see headed towards you:  The redhead and the guy with her, and Rez and Dracos, as well.
<Dracos> "You can punch him when we find the baka."
Ginrai starts to back away...
<Dracos> "Gin, you run, and I'll run after you.  trust me, you don't win that.  Now get your arse over here."
Rez eyes Ginrai.
<Ginrai> "I saw those guys heading to the Biowire building before."
<Dracos> "Yes, I know.  Now get over here and let's get somewhere we can talk more...at ease?"
<Dracos> "if there is such a place?" Dracos glances at the two.
<Rez> "Ginrai . . . where's this 'trouble' you're in?"
<Brian> "Not easily," Patricia says, frowning.  Caber stiffens.  "Trouble?" she asks.
<Ginrai> "Security camera started to beep while I was checking out the place."
<Rez> ". . ."
Rez facepalms.
<Dracos> "Gin, you are an idiot.  Remind me to never send you on recon again."
<Rez> "And you promptly panicked?"
<Brian> "Taylor's P-9 just tried to attack Peterson," Caber replies quietly.  "The guards tranqued him, but he's out -- this buys us a very small measure of time."
<Ginrai> "Well, it started to do so the moment I began to take pictures of the back."
<Rez> "What?"
<Dracos> "Anyhow, guys, plan of action.  They sneak me in with a weapon.  I form a revolt and break out with the goon squad.  You guys break in with..."  Dracos turns to the others, "You do have backup for my blokes, right?"
<Rez> "What?"
<Ginrai> "What weapon are you going to take?"
<Brian> Caber nods.  "You will have all of my assistance," he replies.
<Rez> "And you're -agreeing- to this plan?"
<Dracos> "Do you see a better one?"
<Ginrai> "Sounds like we don't have much of a choice here... have any other plan, Rez?"
<Dracos> "I might be an insightful chap, but three on a fortress does not sound sound."
<Brian> Caber raises an eyebrow.  "I am legion," he replies, with the closest thing you've seen to a smile on his face yet.
<Rez> "Artillery bombardment?"
Rez looks at Caber.
Rez sighs and deflates.
<Brian> "Lacking in subtlety," Patricia counters.  "And your friends need to escape alive."
<Rez> "Alright, I'll go with it."
<Rez> "That was sarcasm."
<Brian> Caber nods.  "You shall take the majority of me with you, then."
<Dracos> "Mmm...right.  Anyhow... Rez, if this is a trap, you should know what to do already.  Anyhow, I'll take my claymore."
<Rez> "The what?"
Rez raises an eyebrow at Dracos.
<Dracos> "Hmmm...  Just a bet, Clones Or some shadow magic?"
<Rez> "You left it in the car, didn't you?"
<Brian> "Close enough."
<Rez> "So when's this happening?"
<Dracos> "Yeah, I did."
<Ginrai> "My pipe's there as well, isn't it?"
<Brian> "We must see you armed," Patricia decides.  "Come with me, then."  She offers you her hand again.
Rez hmms.
Dracos takes the hand.
<Brian> This time, it feels merely like you've been kicked in the head with a Buick.
<Brian> But, you're at your car.
Rez taps his foot.
<Dracos> "Wow...that was funnnn..... " Dracos shakes his head and gets his claymore, including related claymore holding equipment.  "I take it my car will be somewhat safe."  Dracos gets the damn pipe too.
<Brian> "It should be," Patricia says, nodding.  "Are you ready again?"
<Dracos> Dracos locks the doors and takes her hand, "Ready as ever babe."
<Brian> She blinks at the comment, but you find yourself standing between Rez and Ginrai again.
<Brian> "That weapon will be difficult to conceal," Caber says doubtfully.
Dracos shakes his head.
Rez snickers.
<Dracos> "God damn fucking hell."  Dracos gives Gin the damn pipe.  "That's a trip.  Yeah, well, I'd prefer not to be stuck in there with a bloody short sword thank you."
<Rez> "Subtlety was never your best point."
<Rez> "Tact and subtlety TO THE FACE."
<Brian> Caber nods doubtfully.  "I can conceal it for you for the moment."
<Dracos> "Hell no.  DAT RIGHT"
Rez sighs.
<Dracos> "Cool, cool.  Keep it safe.  It's an oldie."
Dracos hands Caber the blade and holding sheath/backholder.
Rez looks at Caber mournfully. You see what I have to deal with?
<Rez> "You see what I have to deal with?"
<Dracos> "Rez, you get no sympathy, bitch. Now stop whining."
<Brian> Caber takes the sword in one hand, and the baldrick in the other.  He frowns for a moment, but nods decisively, and the weapon vanishes.  "Very well.  Lady?" he turns to Patricia.
<Rez> "I'd like an explanation, before we entirely start."
<Brian> Patricia nods, and rubs at her temples again.  "What do you need to know?"
<Rez> "You're Pax Arcana?"
<Brian> "Yes."
<Rez> "Why did I get sent the Oracle?"
<Brian> "So that you would be more effective when you resisted the Seventh Cabal," Patricia replies bluntly.
<Rez> "Fine.  She thinks she's in danger.  Why and how?'
<Brian> "Another like her is trying to destroy her," she replies.  "He is in this installation."
<Rez> "Convenient.  Why's he trying now?"
<Brian> Patricia and Caber share a worried glance.  Patricia admits, "One of your friends is a P-9 -- a precognitive.  The information was taken from his mind."
<Rez> "One of?  There's more than one in there?"
<Dracos> "Hum...  precog...I don't know any precogs...  Can't be the one we know is there, he wouldn't know.  So...  hmm, Rez, you know, there's only four people we know who know of her."
<Brian> Patricia looks surprised.  "Your friends, Mr. Christianson, and Mr. Fujinaka.  I believe his alias is 'Shade'?"
Rez says a bad, bad word.
<Ginrai> "When did he get caught?"
<Dracos> "You know, next time I tell him to go to Poland, he is going to Poland or being stabbed in the eye."
<Brian> "Yesterday," she replies.
<Ginrai> "How?"
<Rez> "How the hell did that happen?  He was in Japan two days ago, healing up, or something."
<Dracos> "You question with teleporters around?"
<Rez> ". . . alright, stupid question."
<Ginrai> "Still, how did a guy that paranoid end up getting caught?"
<Rez> "Bloody hell."
<Brian> "That exceeds my range," she says doubtfully.  "He was brought here by Ezmereth."
Rez raises an eyebrow at Ginrai.
<Dracos> "Ginrai, paranoia does not equal fucking being smart."
<Rez> "Alright.  Who's trying to kill the Oracle?"
<Dracos> "And more importantly, what are his weaknesses and name in the company."
<Ginrai> "I realize... still, wanted to know if it was due to bad luck or an act of utter stupidity."
<Brian> "Manos, once Rasputin.  He's currently under the direction of the leader of the DataPod group."
<Rez> "God knows.  Probably bad luck.  We'll ask him when we find him."
<Brian> "He cannot abide the spoken word," she says, shrugging.  "I suspect mental instability, but he allows none of his underlings to communicate vocally."
<Dracos> "Interesting.  He'd hate me then.  Anyhow... any other ideas blokes?"
Rez hmms.
<Rez> "You can give us floorplans and the like, right?"
<Brian> "I can," Caber says, nodding.  "I know the ventilation systems, which is how we will enter."
<Dracos> "How many guards, and what do they tend to use there?"
<Rez> "Alright.  Then I've just got one more question before I start pumping you for details . . . why the hell have you people been doing what you have with people like the Oracle and 'Rasputin'?"
<Brian> Caber raises an eyebrow.
<Brian> Patricia replies, "Information is power.  There are those that would turn people into tools to get more of that same."
<Brian> "For the armaments," Caber says, "Mostly non-lethal weaponry.  Tranquilizers.  There are forty guards, scattered about the installation.  The primary concern will be the enemy specials.  Those with powers that are considered paranormal."
<Rez> "Is this a bad time to mention that I can't hit the backside of a barn with a gun, tranquilizer or otherwise?"
<Dracos> "Trank darts?  Shit.  Not guns at least but still."
<Brian> "Do you have another weapon?" Caber asks, frowning.
<Rez> "I have a mean throwing arm."
<Brian> He looks doubtful at this.
<Ginrai> "Bring your bow, Rez."
<Brian> Caber nods.  "That would be an acceptable weapon."
Rez nods.
<Brian> "Let's get this done," Caber decides.  "Lady, can you deliver us to a lower ventilation shaft?"
<Rez> "Of course, a bow is lethal," Rez flashes a look at Ginrai for a second, "but I guess.  Got any flashbangs or the like?"
<Rez> "We're going now?"
<Brian> "Not on me," Caber replies.  "Yes."
<Dracos> "Swear later."
Dracos nods.
<Dracos> "Okay...let's get this party started.'
<Brian> Patricia offers her hands to Ginrai and Rez, and Caber stands behind her, one arm on her shoulder.
<Rez> "Guys, I don't have my damn bow."
<Ginrai> "It's back in the car?"
<Brian> "We'll go there first, then," Patricia decides.  "Ready?"
Rez takes Patricia's hand.
<Brian> Patricia looks at Ginrai expectantly.
Ginrai takes her hand as well
<Brian> The world falls out from underneath you ... and you are now standing near a hotel, and more importantly, your car.  "If you have flashlights, you should bring those," Caber suddenly says aloud.
<Rez> "I don't think we have any.  But can I have a minute alone to talk to Ginrai?  This won't take a second."
<Brian> They nod, and step away.  "We need to move something," Patricia says, before they vanish.
Ginrai turns to Rez. "Something up?"
<Rez> Rez pops open the trunk and drops the bag out of stuff-space or whatnot.
<Rez> "No, I just wanted them not here when I did this."
<Ginrai> "Ah."
Rez pulls out the bow, arrows, and a couple of stunguns.
<Rez> "Anything else you want?"
<Ginrai> "Can I have one?"
Rez gives Ginrai one of the two stunguns.
<Ginrai> "Stungun, that is."
<Ginrai> "And got any knives?"
Rez also tosses Drac's shortsword in the bag, zips it up, and re-off-hands it.
<Rez> "No.  Make do with the pipe and tazer."
Rez puts the bag back in his other-other hand and shuts the trunk.
<Ginrai> "True, should be more than enough."
<Rez> "Much more than enough.  You don't usually need two spare weapons."
Rez grins.
<Rez> "But hey."
<Ginrai> "You never know..."
<Rez> "You've only got so many pockets.  Deal."
Rez hums, and starts putting a bunch of arrows into a quiver.
<Brian> Patricia and Caber reappear, Caber no longer carrying Dracos's sword.
<Brian> "Are you ready?" Patricia asks.
Rez checks his bow, then nods.
<Brian> Patricia offers her hands again.
Ginrai takes her hand
Rez shoulders the bow, buckles on the quiver and takes her hand.
<Brian> Again, that horrid sensation, and this time, you've gone someplace cold, stuffy, and completely pitch black.
<Brian> "Okay, be careful," Patricia says, as Caber turns on a flashlight.
<Brian> You're currently standing on a hub, in some massive maintenance shaft.  Directly above you is a six meter wide bore straight upwards, with a ladder on each side of the wall.  Four apertures loom in the darkness, each about two meters square, and numbered sequentially: 01, 02, 03, 04.
<Rez> "Useful trick, that.  Where are we, and what're the numbers mean?" Rez says quietly.
<Brian> Patricia is nowhere in sight.  "To section four," Caber announces, pulling a spare light from one pocket, and handing it to Ginrai.  "Let's go."
<Rez> "Question.  If we get separated, which way is out?"
<Brian> Caber touches a section of the wall, and brushes a thick layer of dust off.  A line of tape beneath the dust has green arrows pointing to the shaft.
<Brian> "This tape is along every section of the shafts," he says.  "These bores are through raw cement.  Let's get into position."
<Brian> Without waiting for a reply, he begins marching down corridor 04.
<Rez> "And if we need to walk out?"
<Brian> "The elevators.  Can't miss 'em."
Rez sighs, unshoulders his bow, and walks after Caber.
Ginrai does the same
<Brian> The corridor branches -- a lot.  But there's one 'main' shaft, and an array of much smaller 'side' shafts, some far too small for a person to enter.  Eventually, you reach an area where you can see dim light.  Caber checks his watch, and nods, then motions you to silence, and shuts off his flashlight.
Rez leans against the wall . . . and waits.
<Brian> He creeps up to the light slowly, and you can see that it's a grill, looking into a huge room, with skies and fanciful animals and cartoon drawings on the wall.  "We wait here for the signal," Caber mouths, edging back away from the light, and pulling a gun from one pocket.

[Brian]

<Brian> Now.  We cut to Dracos.
<Brian> Patricia and Caber are gone for only a heartbeat before they reappear.  "Are you ready?" Patricia asks, looking winded.
<Dracos> Dracos brushes his hair back, "As ready as ever, Patricia.  Let's get this crazy suicide trip going."
<Brian> She nods, and offers her hand to you again.
Dracos takes it.
<Brian> Again the disorientation ... though far less.
Dracos blinks his eyes, shaking his head to throw off the disorientation and looking around.
<Brian> You find yourself in a smallish room, two guards in standard security gear (bulletproof vests, batons, tazers) jump to their feet, looking alarmed.  "Miss McGovern?" one of the guards asks.
<Brian> Caber quickly moves to hold your arms behind your back.  "We've got one -- the other two are somewhere near the Bay Bridge," he says.
<Brian> "It's taking a lot out of me.  I'm going to move that Peterson send Taylor out to retrieve them," Patricia says.
Dracos struggles slightly against Caber gauging his strength but then relaxes, looking at them with narrowed eyes.
<Brian> "Where does he go?" the leftmost guard asks, eyeing you with suspicion.
<Brian> "Section four," Caber replies.
<Brian> "I'll be the judge of that," a new voice announces, someone stepping into the room.  It's a thin man in a lab-coat with dark, unkempt hair, and wire-frame glasses.  He's sporting an obvious bruise on his chin.  "What are his abilities?"
Dracos blinks, turning to the new voice and examining him carefully, a feral smirk leaping to his face.
<Brian> "He's ... unknown at this point, Garret," Patricia says, frowning.  "But, according to Taylor's report, he's--"
<Brian> "I do believe I make the judgement calls," Peterson growls.  "Take him to section one, with Witherspoon."
<Brian> "But--"
<Brian> "I will take your consideration of Taylor's reassignment into account," the doctor replies.  "Section one."
<Dracos> "Why not just let me go?  This is obviously...a misunderstanding.  You probably got the wrong guy."  Dracos frowns.
<Brian> "I suspect otherwise," Peterson says dryly.
<Brian> Caber and Patricia seem unhappy about this, but nod, and begin to lead you away, both of the guards following, tranq-guns at the ready.
Dracos follows, tranquilly, slowly returning to his natural smirk.
<Brian> "I've just read the most fascinating report, Mr. Bloom," the doctor says to you, walking ahead of you into a large elevator.
<Dracos> "Oh?  What might it be?  Though I think you have me at quite a disadvantage, Doctor."
<Brian> "Yes, yes I do."  He presses a button, and the doors close before the elevator whirrs to life.  "Normally, we're not able to access any of Cassandra's predictions.  And normally, we wouldn't be interested in furthering them.  But your arrival is most fortuitous."
<Dracos> "I would guess that by the smile on your face.  Though I have no doubt you'll tell me more."
<Brian> "Perhaps you're already a pre-cog, this will be MOST interesting," he says, nodding.  "I've found that whatever you are now, the Oracle of Delphi knew a secret to unlock your potential.  But she chose not to share it with you.  Your friend found out anyway."
<Dracos> "That'd be unlikely.  More likely is that I'm just a snarky bastard.  You though should already be noticing that.  That's quite interesting.  Deduction tells me... Insane-chan?"
<Brian> "That's what you called him, yes," he agrees.  "Now, Mr. Bloom, we're going to perform a slight alteration to you."  The doors open into a huge operating room.  From where you are, you can see two S.W.A.T. armored guards, a woman with shoulder-length brown hair strapped to a table, and a somewhat stocky asian man being held back by two more lightly armored guards, as well as a small number of assistants.
<Brian> "This may sting a bit."
<Brian> Patricia looks visibly disturbed.
<Dracos> "Fun, Fun, I'm used to that.  Mind being...so magnanimous as to inform me before what you are going to do?"
<Brian> "I'm going to open up whole new worlds of vision to you, Mr. Bloom," he says, marching to a currently empty operating table, and retrieving a hypodermic.  "It's nothing personal, you realize."
<Brian> -...I know you...- you hear in your mind.
<Dracos> "Don't worry, if I go nuts later and blow up the East Coast, it won't be anything personal either.  I understand work, after all." -Well, that makes one of us, I don't know you.  Who are you?-
<Brian> -A friend ... of Bjorn...-
<Brian> "Now, then, unless you have anything else to say, I'd like to begin.  Hmm?"  Caber and Patricia both look anxious about this.
<Brian> "Uh, actually, I messed up my knee pretty bad bringing this guy down," Caber says.  "I'd like one of the nurses to look me over, if you don't mind, Dr. Peterson."
<Dracos> -Bjorn?  I see.  Got any escape routes handy before this all goes to hell?-
<Brian> The doctor looks annoyed.  "Make it quick," he snaps.
<Brian> -...tell ... my husband ... I'm sorry...-
<Dracos> -...understood.-
<Brian> "I'm kind of shy, though, can I use, you know, a private room?" he whines.
<Brian> The doctor glares at him.  One of the nurses shakes her head, and indicates a side room.  "Make it quick," Dr. Peterson repeats.
<Brian> -...and ... trust...-
<Dracos> "Actually, and this might seem a bit out of touch, mind if I use the bathroom first?"
<Brian> Caber nods, and lets go of your wrists.  Patricia is standing a distance away, and rubs her arms.  Ignoring you, Caber limps into the side room with a nurse.
Dracos idly drops his hands to his sides, flexing his wrists to make sure the blood is still moving in them.
<Brian> Caber has a tight grip, but not that tight.
<Brian> Dr. Peterson raises an eyebrow, then shakes his head.  "I'll deal with the consequences," he says flatly.
<Dracos> "Ah, feh.  Oh well...  I'll hold.  Let's see what craziness you guys churned up.  Out of idle scientific curiosity, what's contained in the hypodermic?"  -Trust?-
<Brian> "A simple anesthetic.  Unless you'd prefer to be aware the entire time?"
<Dracos> "Well, I actually tend to be pretty damned durable, but I'm rather curious about the procedure at large.  What type of alteration could really require putting me down?"
<Brian> "He never told you?" the doctor asks in astonishment.  "Oh, this is TOO rich."
<Brian> -...and ... vengeance...-
<Brian> Caber emerges from the side room, smiling slightly, the nurse shaking her head and quickly taking up her previous position.  "Sorry about that," he says, moving to stand near Patricia.
<Dracos> "I have no doubt that it is.  But insane-chan can't be trusted to recognize the proper time of day, much less hold any real information."
<Dracos> -I...see... but don't...-
<Brian> -You.... WILL seee.....-
<Brian> Dr. Peterson eyes him, then turns back to you.  "I think we'll just let that be a surprise, and see how well you adjust, hmm?  Now, anesthetic, or would you prefer to be aware?"
<Dracos> "I'm arrogant, but not quite that arrogant." -Fun.-
<Dracos> "Anesthetics I guess."
<Brian> He nods, and approaches you with the needle.
Dracos calms his nerves.
<Brian> He pulls up your shirt sleeve, and sticks you with the needle.
<Dracos> "Yay." Dracos waits calmly.
<Brian> Your body very quickly goes entirely numb, and you're only barely hanging on to consciousness.  Two nurses catch you before you fall, and you're quickly loaded onto the table.
Dracos blinks.
<Dracos> "Fun...fun..."
<Brian> Your own voice sounds like it's coming from far away.
<Brian> -I'm sorry....-
<Dracos> -Win some...sleep some...curse some-
<Brian> They strap you down despite the complete lack of muscle control you're enjoying at the moment, and quickly attach a frame to the bed which keeps your head immobilized.
<Brian> -I can ... make you ... forget this ... if you ... would like...-
<Brian> A further attachment keeps your eyelids propped open.
<Dracos> -Naw.  it's a bit difficult to drive a madman further insane.  I mean, what more can they do?  Tear my bones with their bare hands?  Been there.-  Dracos mentally focuses on going to fucking sleep to ignore the maximium amount of pain from the procedure.
<Brian> I am going to require you to make an Ego roll.
<Dracos> What do I roll?
<Brian> please roll 3d6.  You want to get less than 8.
<Dracos> even with my ego of 17?  Ouch.
<Dracos> Roll 3d6 for damned low pain
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 for damned low pain --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
<Dracos> ...
<Brian> Yes, well, there's a steep penalty involved with this.
<Dracos> Thanks Suu.  I love you too.
<Brian> About the time you realize that they're going to remove your eyes, you heavily reconsider the offer to forget about this.
<Dracos> -Okay, okay, forget about it... and anyone manage to have a gun and shoot?-
<Brian> Your consciousness is swept away into nothingness.  You have a dim image of plants ... lots of plants ... and a small child ... and then you wake up, lying on the table, strapped down.
<Brian> No gear holding your eyes open, though everything looks ... funny.
<Brian> You feel completely fine.  No pain, no dizziness, no lethargy from drugs.  You do feel someone pressing their fingertips against the sides of your face, though.
Dracos blinks.
Dracos glances up.
<Brian> You hear someone sobbing.
<Dracos> and back.
<Brian> The asian man is standing above you, pressing his hands against your face and whimpering.  "Doctor bad, doctor bad," he mumbles, like a mantra.
<Dracos> "What the fuck did he do?"
<Brian> You're still strapped down, though you don't feel weakened at all.
<Brian> You see a dim silver glow around the man who's holding your head.
Dracos blinks.
<Brian> You also realize that you're not wearing glasses.
<Brian> But you can see clearly.
<Dracos> "Since when do I see magic lights?....and see this clearly without my glasses?  And can someone please un-strap me from this confounded chair."
<Brian> "Thank you, Jonah," Dr. Peterson says.  "Guards, escort him to section four.  Have Miss Witherspoon's remains disposed of, and give the patient a day before we resume further P-testing."
<Brian> The doctor's face looms into view above you.  "Feeling well, Mr. Bloom?" he asks pleasantly.
<Dracos> "Living.  What the fuck did you do to me, Good sir?"  Dracos smiles back.
<Brian> "Awoken you to a new world of possibilities," he says pleasantly.  You can see something on him ... something like red lines.  For some reason, they make you think of dice.
<Brian> The Asian man snaps, and releases you, lunging at the doctor and howling, "Doctor bad!  DOCTOR BAD!"
Dracos blinks.
<Brian> The guards jump on him, and struggle to pull him off.  One of the nurses says, "You have no idea how bad I feel about that," in a very low voice, while undoing the straps holding you down.
<Dracos> "That's nice to hear," Dracos smirks, "Now...why not be literal about it...what the heck was that operation?"
<Brian> There's a 'shhhk!' and the straps are cut.  The nurse presses the medallion into your hand, and whispers, "They put her eyes in your head, and used Jonah to heal the damage."
<Brian> The guards succeed in holding down the Asian man at this point, and Dr. Peterson steps away, straightening his lab-coat in annoyance.  The three other nurses look back from being distracted, and see that you're sitting up.  One of them screams.
Dracos blinks at the nurse and quirks his head.
<Dracos> "Happy to see me I presume?" Dracos turns to the doctor, "Now, again, scientific curiosity, what the hell did you gain from such a transplantation and such brutality?  Surely there was a purpose other than giving me whatever sight powers she apparently had."
<Brian> She hands you the claymore, then draws a pistol.  "I am Legion," she says, stepping away from the table while the nurses back away in shock.
<Brian> Dr. Peterson is unimpressed, and the two guards (the others must have left while you were unconscious) have their pistols trained on you and (you assume) the Caber-nurse behind you.
Dracos spins around with the blade, swinging swiftly in a called strike right at the doctor's neck.
<Brian> The original Patricia and Caber are no-where in sight.
<Brian> We'll enter combat time here.
<Brian> Phase zero, held actions, ranged attacks first.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Dracos> shit.
<Brian> -thwip- -thwip-
<Brian> That kinda stings.  But it's not instantaneous.
<Brian> Go ahead and roll your attack.
<Dracos> Roll 3d6 for his fucking Skull
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 for his fucking Skull --> [ 3d6=7 ]{7}
<Brian> This is a hit.
<Brian> roll 6#1d6 for luck
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 6#1d6 for luck --> [ 1d6=6 ]{6}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=6 ]{6}
<Brian> Your sword falls short, and smashes into the ground, the blade is chipped.  Your medallion begins to warm up in your off hand.
<Brian> "Well, you tried," Dr. Peterson assures you condescendingly.
<Brian> Caber's move.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=16 ]{16}
<Brian> The pistol shot goes wide.  "Damn new body," she swears.
<Brian> Now, phase 4, speed 3s.
<Brian> Dex 16 first.
<Dracos> Me first?  ...oh shit.
<Brian> Dr. Peterson whips a .22 from his pocket, and grins at you.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> Dracos, the medallion is still in your hand (making using the claymore somewhat awkward).  Roll 6#1d6 unluck vs. Peterson.
<Dracos> Roll 6#1d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 6#1d6 --> [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=2 ]{2}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=2 ]{2}
<Dracos> ...
<Brian> This is crazy.  The bullet reflects off of the blade, and careens into a wall.
<Brian> Dr. Peterson blinks in surprise.
<Brian> Caber goes.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=7 ]{7}
<Brian> roll 2d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> Well, that settles that.  A bullet through the neck leaves one of the guards gurgling, as he slams into the ground.
<Brian> Phase 6, the nurses are cowering.
<Brian> The remaining guard attempts to fire at Caber.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> Dracos, you have a held action.
Dracos roars in rage, trying to use adrenaline to push off the fucking tranqs running through his system as he brings his sword around and down at Peterson's shoulder using both hands.
<Dracos> Roll 3d6 for spines split in two!
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 for spines split in two! --> [ 3d6=15 ]{15}
<Brian> roll 6#1d6 for luck
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 6#1d6 for luck --> [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=2 ]{2}, [ 1d6=6 ]{6}, [ 1d6=2 ]{2}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}
<Brian> You miss.  Barely.
<Brian> Phase 8.  First up -- Peterson.
<Brian> He spins his gun around his finger and fires at you again.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> Dracos, roll your unluck vs. him.
<Dracos> Roll 6#1d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 6#1d6 --> [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=2 ]{2}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=5 ]{5}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}
Brian blinks.
<Brian> The bullet, again, bounces off your sword.  This shouldn't even be possible.
<Brian> Your turn.
Dracos spins aiming cross his chest at the largest possible target on his fucking body.
<Brian> Go ahead and roll.
<Dracos> Roll 3d6 for death and republic
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 for death and republic --> [ 3d6=16 ]{16}
<Brian> Unfortunately, you missed.
<Brian> Caber turns on the remaining guard.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=15 ]{15}
<Brian> And misses.
<Brian> Phase 12, everyone acts.  First up, Peterson.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=6 ]{6}
<Brian> Dracos, roll your unluck vs. Peterson.
<Dracos> Roll 6#1d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 6#1d6 --> [ 1d6=5 ]{5}, [ 1d6=2 ]{2}, [ 1d6=5 ]{5}, [ 1d6=5 ]{5}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=2 ]{2}
<Brian> roll 2d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> Everything goes black as you fly to the ground....


<Brian> ...you come to your senses ... you're not sure how much time has passed, lying on the ground.  The Asian man is passed out, one hand on a bloodstain on your stomach.
<Brian> Peterson is currently very calmly strangling Caber, while the remaining guard is trying to crawl brokenly towards the elevator.
<Brian> "Doctor ... bad," the Asian man manages before becoming completely still.
Dracos leaps to his feet, grabbing his sword if he sees it and rush stabbing Peterson, otherwise yanking a fucking pen from his pocket, flicking the cap off with his thumb, and stabbing Peterson in the eyes.
<Brian> Your sword is still in hand.  As is the medallion.  It is MUCH warmer, now.
<Dracos> THRUST AND STAB WITH RAGE!
<Brian> Go ahead and roll to attack.
<Dracos> Roll 3d6 for removing the guy's head.
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 for removing the guy's head. --> [ 3d6=15 ]{15}
<Brian> Well.
<Brian> roll 6#1d6 for luck
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 6#1d6 for luck --> [ 1d6=2 ]{2}, [ 1d6=5 ]{5}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=6 ]{6}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}
Brian calculates.
<Brian> With your pushed strength, the damage causes the sword to shatter into about a million pieces against the stone floor.
<Brian> Please roll your 12 dice of unluck against Peterson.
<Dracos> Roll 12#1d6 for making his head explode
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 12#1d6 for making his head explode --> [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=2 ]{2}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=5 ]{5}, [ 1d6=5 ]{5}, [ 1d6=5 ]{5}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=6 ]{6}
<Brian> The flying fragments of steel launch themselves into the air, improbably striking the doctor with the force of shrapnel.
<Brian> Please roll 1 and 1/2 d6 killing damage.
<Dracos> Roll 1d6 For Death
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 1d6 For Death --> [ 1d6=6 ]{6}
<Dracos> Roll 1d3 For Republic
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 1d3 For Republic --> [ 1d3=3 ]{3}
<Brian> roll 1d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 1d6 --> [ 1d6=2 ]{2}
<Brian> The razor-sharp shards of celtic blade, as though guided by the hand of a vengeful celt, tear along his back like the claws of an angry mountain-lion, shredding through his clothes and his flesh.
<Brian> He screams like a little girl, and fals to the floor, clawing at his back.  "No!" he shrieks.  "I was promised better!"
<Brian> The Caber-nurse gasps for breath, and rolls over, heaving deeply.  "Kill him ... before he gets ... lucky again," she gasps.
<Dracos> "Promises are made to be broken.  May the pigs piss on you in hell."
Dracos rips the blade up through the guy as hard as possible.
<Brian> No amount of luck will save him now.  You eviscerate the man who stole your eyes, and he bleeds to death very quickly.
<Brian> Caber climbs (slowly) to his (her?) feet.  "We're ... behind ... schedule."
Dracos pulls out the fucking needles and whatnot in him.
<Dracos> "No shit Sherlock."
<Brian> "You alright?"
<Dracos> Am I?
<Brian> You feel like someone's torn out your eyes, replaced them, shot you, brought you back from the brink, and still has your friends in custody.
<Brian> While physically okay, you feel ... like ... CRAP.
<Dracos> Good to know.
<Dracos> "I feel like leaving a pile a pile of dead from here to Kansas."
Dracos looks for a blade and slips the medallion over his neck if it has a neck-string.
<Brian> And ... starwipe.

[Brian]

<Brian> Rez, Ginrai.
<Brian> On standby.
<Brian> Shade:  You wake up.  You feel ... strange.  Like someone's been rummaging in your head and didn't put everything back in the same place.
<Shade> "Ow."
Shade checks himself out mentally and physically.
<Brian> Physically, you're okay.  You think one of the guards threw a kick at you at some point before hauling you back to your room, but nothing horrible.
<Brian> Just a little bruise on one leg.
<Brian> Could be worse.
<Shade> "My kingdom for a few hundred pounds of explosives and some blasting caps."
<Brian> Mentally, it's hard to focus.  Your head is fine, but your mind hurts.
<Shade> what kind of hurting? Dull throbbing or sharp splitting?
<Shade> Or does it feel like my brains were sucked out and thrown in a blender for awhile?
<Brian> Kind of a general, 'took a good beating' ache.
Shade checks out his surroundings
<Brian> You're in your room where you're imprisoned.  The door is open.
Shade blinks.
Shade walks up to the door and cautiously peers out
<Brian> The hallway is deserted.  You remember, distantly, that there's a 'playroom' at one end, and a sealed security door at the other.
Shade checks the sealed security door side.
Shade walks up to check it.
<Brian> It's pretty firmly sealed.  Nothing behind it but a steel bulkhead.
Shade looks for how they open this thing
<Brian> No knobs.  No levers.  No handles.  No card readers.  You'd guess they open it from the other side.
Shade checks for smoke detectors on the ceiling
<Shade> and cameras while I'm at it
<Brian> None you can see.
<Brian> No sprinklers, either.
<Shade> "Not very concerned about their patient's wellbeing, are they?"
Shade goes to the playroom side
<Brian> It's got a few people in it.  One of which you remember from the dream with the lancer of fire.
<Brian> Bjorn: You see the new guy wander into the playroom.
Shade blinks as he struggles to recall the dream
Shade approaches Bjorn and says "So, were you Bjorn yesterday?"
Bjorn looks up from the fountain, and then at Lazarus. -Wait. Aren't we supposed to go looking for him?-
<Brian> -I think Megan's plan was flawed,- Lazarus shakily sends.
<Bjorn> At the sudden intrusion, Bjorn looks away from Lazarus to stare at the newcomer.  "Assuming that you were, in fact, trying to tell the second oldest joke anyone has ever told me, how do you know my name?"
<Shade> "Well for starters, to make sure I'm not that crazy. Shade ring any bells?"
Bjorn blinks. "No, not off hand."
<Bjorn> -All right.  Is it time to start simplifying, then?-
<Brian> -I think,- Lazarus's thoughts cut off, and he looks at Bridgett.  She looks up from the fountain.  -Bridgett wants to show you something,- he sends instead.
Shade bends down to whisper in Bjorn's ear softly "So how's the silver doing?"
<Brian> Mikey is brooding nearby, looking at Shade curiously.
<Bjorn> -Is this guy mentally stable?- Bjorn asks Lazarus, as he gets up and walks over to Bridgett, keeping an eye on the stranger behind him.
Shade sighs
<Brian> -I doubt it -- he's had his thoughts shuffled around while they drained him of all useful information,- Lazarus sends.  -Let him recover his senses for a day or three.-
<Bjorn> In sigil-sign, Bjorn asks Bridgett, "What is it?"
<Brian> -Bridgett wants you to put your hand in the pond, and imagine ... what?  She wants you to imagine the ideal sword.-  Lazarus looks confused.  -She wants me to send her the ... oooh....-
Shade inspects the room
Bjorn blinks, and then does so. Slightly short katana, wide, broad tip, large, solid tsuba, comfortable grip....
<Brian> It's big.  Oval shaped.  Six corridors like the one you came from.  Two more security doors.  Cafeteria doors (judging by the sign) opposite the security doors.
Shade eyes the cafeteria doors
<Brian> Bridgett takes your hand, and you feel somethign ... soft, maleable, like clay, but after a second, it starts to take on the dimensions in your mind.
<Brian> something
Shade checks out the cafeteria area
<Brian> After about a minute, she nods, and pulls her hands from the water, then makes a motion to Mikey, and a series of slow hand-signs you recognize.
Bjorn focuses harder on the image.
<Brian> The doors to the cafeteria are currently locked.
<Brian> The sword becomes almost a reality in your hands ... but you can't see it in the water.
<Brian> It FEELS solid, though.
Shade checks out the security doors
Bjorn looks at Bridgett.
<Brian> Shade: Same as the ones at the end of the corridors, only these have guard-stations and guards behind them.  No visible bulkhead, though.
<Brian> The signs are ... she wants to execute Mikey as an application to move you as a file to ... the balcony with the guards?
Shade goes back to Bjorn and says "Long way from #void, aren't we? Funny though, I don't recall you being so slow when I was Death."
Bjorn slowly grins, ferally.
Bjorn blinks distractedly at Death. "Uh, yeah, we are. Um. If you'll excuse me a second," he says, standing, still holding -- whatever -- in his hands, and walking towards Mikey, "I think I have something I need to do."
<Brian> It's completely invisible, even outside of the water.
Shade follows Bjorn
<Brian> Mikey looks at Bridgett, then Lazarus, then nods slowly at you, hunches over, and acts like he's stretching, making a platform of his hands..
Bjorn smiles and nods at Mikey.
<Bjorn> And then I step forward again.
Shade eyes Bjorn curiously
<Brian> He's geared up to catapult you (carefully, you hope) up onto the balcony.  If your timing is right, you're going to land either right on, or behind one of the guards.
<Bjorn> "Yabure-gachi," Bjorn quotes under his breath, and nods at Mikey solemnly.
<Brian> He nods back.
<Brian> Shade: A voice in your mind suddenly says, -Run to the security doors!  Quickly!-
Shade runs towards the doors without having to be told twice
<Brian> All the guards turn to look at the sight.
<Shade> who, me?
<Brian> Correct.
<Brian> Bjorn: now's the perfect time.
<Bjorn> "Time to escape the whale, Mikey."
<Brian> "Ready!"
Shade flips the Guards the bird as he runs
<Brian> roll 4#1d6
<Brian> Er.
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 4#1d6 --> [ 1d6=6 ]{6}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=2 ]{2}, [ 1d6=2 ]{2}
<Brian> roll 4#3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 4#3d6 --> [ 3d6=6 ]{6}, [ 3d6=10 ]{10}, [ 3d6=10 ]{10}, [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> You're narrowly (by a margin too small to want to consider) missed by four tranq-darts in rapid succession.
Shade hopes whoever wanted him to run appreciates it
<Brian> Mikey lunges into motion, and seizes Bjorn about the waist while the guards are aiming at Shade, and flings up upwards.
<Brian> Bjorn, make a dex roll.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> You land on your feet.  Your opponent is shocked, and wheels to face you, trying to bring his rifle to bear.
<Brian> You're now on the balcony.
Bjorn steps straight at the guard, sliding under the rifle, and cutting him down.
Shade stops running before he crashes into the doors and turns around
<Brian> Ginrai, Rez, Caber lunges into motion, shoving both of you as hard as he can towards the grill.  He goes sprawling as a bulkhead slams down through the ventilation shaft separating you from him.  The grill is smashed outwards, and you land atop a guard (and the grill).
<Brian> We'll enter combat time here.
<Brian> Phase 0 actions first.
<Brian> Bjorn, Shade, that's you.
<Brian> Since you've already declared, Bjorn, roll to attack, and which type of attack is it?
<Bjorn> Defensive Strike.  All +3 to DCV for this round.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=14 ]{14}
Shade takes cover
<Brian> Luckily, your opponent is at 1/2 DCV for being braced, and a further -1/2 for being surprised.
<Brian> You hit by exact count.  Roll your 2d6 of killing damage (penetrating).
<Bjorn> roll 2d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> You sever his head cleanly.
<Brian> We now move to phase 4, speed 3s.  Shade, you dove under a table.
<Brian> Ginrai, Rez, you spend the round climbing to your feet.
<Rez> ;_;
<Brian> Phase 6, Bjorn, it's your turn.
Shade yells to the others on the floor "Take cover!"
<Brian> The majority of them do.
<Bjorn> I'm going to move towards the next guard, kicking the rifle of the one I just killed down to the main floor as I go.
<Bjorn> If I can get to the next one in time, Defensive Strike.
<Brian> Okay.  You're going to take a while to reach him because of the size of the room.
<Brian> Also on phase 6, the guards act.
<Brian> You've got the guard over the tunnel to your room.  If the security door is 'west', then Ginrai and Rez (though, you don't recognize them) are 'north'.
<Brian> And you're at south.
<Brian> The security door guard looks up from aiming at Shade and attempts to fire at you.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> He misses.
<Brian> The cafeteria guard attempts the same.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=4 ]{4}
<Brian> A dart comes whistling out of nowhere and tags your shoulder.
<Brian> It kinda stings.
<Brian> The guard to the north manages to climb to his feet.
<Brian> The gun hits the floor at this point, and Mikey begins lumbering towards the security door.
Shade slides for the rifle.
<Brian> Using your held action, you do so.
<Brian> You'll reach it at the end of your next phase.
Shade nods.
<Brian> Speed 3s, phase 8.
<Brian> Ginrai, Shade, Rez, you act.
<Brian> Dex order, Rez first.
<Ginrai> where's the closest guard to me?
<Brian> Standing right in front of you.  You just landed on him.
Rez delays.
<Ginrai> I'm on top of him?
<Brian> No, you climbed to your feet, and he did, too.
<Brian> He's holding a rifle, and you have a lead pipe.
<Ginrai> damn
Ginrai swings the pipe towards the guard
<Brian> Please roll 3d6 to attack
<Ginrai> roll 3d6 for the pipe!
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Ginrai ... : 3d6 for the pipe! --> [ 3d6=16 ]{16}
<Brian> The guard's at 1/2 DCV because he's just gotten to his feet.
<Brian> You still miss.  Roll 1d6 for luck.
<Ginrai> roll 1d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Ginrai ... : 1d6 --> [ 1d6=1 ]{1}
<Brian> Yeah.  You missed.
<Brian> Rez: Your turn.
Ginrai throttles Suu
<Rez> Where exactly are the other two guards?
<Brian> At 45 degree angles from some guy who just waved a hand and decapitated a guard.
<Rez> Right.  I'm going to try and rapid fire.
<Brian> The other guards seem to be focusing on him.  He's headed to the one on your right....  At which targets?
<Rez> Both fire arrows.  >_>  First shot into the guy we just landed on, second shot into the guard to the left.
<Brian> Please roll 2#3d6
<Rez> I'll put my +1 on OCV for this turn . >_>
<Brian> Probably a good idea.
<Rez> roll 2#3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 2#3d6 --> [ 3d6=5 ]{5}, [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> Well, if you had called the further guard first, you would have hit both.  As is, you can't recover quite that quickly, and your second shot goes into the fountain below, creating a small explosion of steam.
<Brian> Your first arrow was good, though.  Roll 2d6 for your fire arrow damage.
<Rez> roll 2d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=4 ]{4}
<Brian> Now roll your 1d6 stun multiplier
<Rez> roll 1d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 1d6 --> [ 1d6=4 ]{4}
<Brian> He grunts, and gets knocked back.
<Brian> Phase 12, everyone but Mikey acts.
Rez pat-pats.
<Brian> Dex order.  Shade, you're first.
<Shade> Who's left?
<Brian> Three guards.  One over the security door, cafeteria door, and one fighting two guys to the side opposite Bjorn.
<Shade> Which one is targeting Bjorn?
<Brian> The two not facing off against the two guys who just showed up.
Shade fires at the one farthest from Bjorn that's attacking him.
<Shade> both +1s to OCV
<Brian> Okay, that's the one over the cafeteria door.  Roll to hit.
<Shade> roll 3d6 For vengence
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Shade ... : 3d6 For vengence --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> I'll consider that a hit.
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=9 ]{9}
<Brian> Tagged his shoulder, which is armored.  He ignores it.
<Brian> Next in Dex order, Rez.
Rez delays until after Ginrai has gone.
<Brian> Dex 9s, that's Ginrai, Bjorn, and all the guards.
<Rez> I thought speed came before Dex?  o_O
<Rez> If it involves me delaying until after the guards, I won't.
<Brian> Thought so.
<Rez> ^^
<Rez> Is the guy in front of me down, or just pissed?
<Brian> Pissed.
<Brian> With a burn mark on his armor.
<Rez> And still at half DCV for bracing?
<Brian> Yes.
<Rez> Rapid fire again, same two targets (in the same order).
<Rez> roll 2#3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 2#3d6 --> [ 3d6=14 ]{14}, [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> You hit the first guard, and your second shot hits the ground, leaving a scorch mark.
<Rez> Roll 2d6 for damage?
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 2d6 for damage? --> [ 2d6=5 ]{5}
<Brian> Yes.
Rez rolls eyes.
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> You hit his neck, in the small gap between his helmet and his armored suit.  He gurgles a bit, then goes down.
<Brian> Dex 9s.
<Brian> Ginrai, Bjorn, remaining guards.
<Ginrai> Is the guard still in front of me?
<Brian> Rez just took him down.
Dracos is now known as Drac-sleep
<Ginrai> where's the closest guard?
<Brian> Either left or right.  It'd take you a while to reach either, though.
<Ginrai> Either of them attacking someone at the moment?
<Brian> You see someone else running towards the one on the right.
Ginrai nods and runs towards the guard on the left, ready to swing the pipe when he gets close enough
<Brian> Though, if you attack the one on the left, you'll leave Rez without a target (unless you want him to attack past you with the bow.  That could be bad...).
<Brian> Okay.
<Brian> Bjorn?
<Brian> You can reach the guard and attack this phase.
Bjorn ignores the dart in his shoulder -- and now that he's hit, he's got no real reason to worry about defense, and lots of reason to worry about taking all the guards down as quick as possible.
<Bjorn> So, if I can reassign the +3 to OCV, I do so, and I'm using Offensive Strike.
<Brian> It's a zero phase action, so you can do so.
<Bjorn> Er, Martial Strike.
<Brian> Make your attack roll.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=9 ]{9}
<Brian> That's a hit.  Go ahead and roll your 2 and 1/2d killing damage (2d6+1d3).
<Bjorn> roll 2d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=8 ]{8}
<Bjorn> roll 1d3
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 1d3 --> [ 1d3=1 ]{1}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
<Brian> Chest.  He leaps backwards, but not far enough.  Now that it's lined for a moment in blood, you can actually see the edges of your sword.  It sweeps through his armor like tissue, coming just short of his spine.  His eyes widen behind his mask, and he goes down.
<Brian> So.  That guard's action is to twitch a little.
<Brian> The remaining guard turns to Ginrai, and attempts to fire at him.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> He misses -- again, barely.
<Brian> Everyone takes a recovery (recover your REC in END and Stun).
<Rez> Brian: How much END do I have left?  >_>
Bjorn hasn't been keeping track either, sorry. >.<
<Brian> Rez: 10.
<Brian> Bjorn: 17.
<Brian> Ginrai: 16.
<Ginrai> Okay... so, who's next?
<Brian> This is after your recoveries.
<Brian> Speed 3s.  Rez first.
<Rez> Do I have a clean shot at the one guard left standing?
<Brian> You do, though Ginrai's very shortly going to be in your way.
<Brian> Thankfully for this situation, the walkway and the wall are curved, not straight lines.
<Rez> Well, in that case, it'd be criminal not to take the shot.
Rez shoots that guard with another fire arrow. :) +1 on OCV, again.
<Brian> Make your roll.
<Rez> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Rez> Bam.
<Brian> Er.  You hit.
<Rez> Roll 2d6 for allegiance!  Or Death!  BIGFIRE!
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 2d6 for allegiance! Or Death! BIGFIRE! --> [ 2d6=9 ]{9}
<Brian> roll 1d6-1
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 1d6-1 --> [ 1d6=3 ]{2}
<Brian> Huh.  You hit him.  He goes down, clutching his rifle to his chest as he drops.
<Brian> Phase 6, speed 2s act.  The doors burst open, and two S.W.A.T. armored guards and two guards in lighter armor rush in, looking around in bewilderment.
<Brian> Shade, you have a held action.  Bjorn, the effects of that dart are kicking in.
Shade takes a throat shot at the nearer lighter armored guard
<Bjorn> Where are the guards, exactly, in relation to me?
<Brian> Directly beneath you.
<Shade> still putting the bonuses in ocv
<Brian> Shade: Make your roll at -8 OCV, -2 for range.
<Shade> roll 3d6 for miracles
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Shade ... : 3d6 for miracles --> [ 3d6=7 ]{7}
<Shade> "I could use some help down here!"
<Brian> You miss.
<Brian> By a bit.  Stuck his vest. The guard looks surprised, and very confused.
<Shade> >_<
<Brian> Their action was a full-move into the room.
<Brian> Bjorn: Do you do anything at this point?
<Bjorn> There has to be a doorway leading directly onto the walkway.
<Bjorn> Where is it?
<Brian> There are two.  One to either side of you.
<Bjorn> Buggar.  So quite some distance away.
<Brian> Er.  No.  And another two opposite you, where another guard just took a fireball to the chest, leading into (you assume) the cafeteria.
<Brian> They're on either side of the door, and 20 meters up.
<Bjorn> Ohhh.
<Bjorn> So they're right next to me.
<Brian> Yes.
Bjorn is going to hold his action, and try to go through one of those doors.
<Brian> Well, technically, that's an action. :)
<Bjorn> Well, then, I'm not holding my action. ;)
<Bjorn> But I'm trying to be prepared and alert as I go through the door.
<Brian> The doors are unlocked, and lead into currently empty barracks-style rooms, with stairs leading down.  It's got (at a glance) eight bunks.
<Brian> The stairs are to your left.
Bjorn will head down the stairs when he can.
<Brian> Okay.  You make it down a half switch-back.
<Brian> Phase 7, speed ones.
<Brian> Shade, you've lost your cover.
<Brian> Someone uprooted the cement table.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> Roll 14#1d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 14#1d6 --> [ 1d6=5 ]{5}, [ 1d6=6 ]{6}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=5 ]{5}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=5 ]{5}, [ 1d6=6 ]{6}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=6 ]{6}, [ 1d6=5 ]{5}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}
<Brian> The table explodes into a cloud of rubble, smashing one S.W.A.T. armored trooper, and burying him completely.  The others skitter away nervously in surprise.
<Brian> Phase 8, speed threes.
<Rez> Hm.
<Brian> Ginrai, you've made it to a pair of doors, and a rifle.
<Brian> But, Shade goes first.
Shade fires at the legs of the guy he shot at before
<Brian> roll, at a -4 OCV to hit.
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : at a -4 OCV to hit. -<Shade> roll 3d6 of pissed offness
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Shade ... : 3d6 of pissed offness --> [ 3d6=8 ]{8}
<Brian> The dart tags the guard right above one knee.  That shot had surgical precision, baby.
<Rez> I Brace and shoot at the still-standing swat trooper, another fire arrow.
<Brian> Make your attack roll.
<Rez> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Rez> Brace and shoot, yah.  >_>
Shade yells to the light armor guys "Surrender or Die!"
<Brian> You hit.
<Brian> Barely.
<Rez> Barely or not, it's a hit.  >_>
<Rez> roll 2d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
<Brian> roll 1d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 1d6 --> [ 1d6=4 ]{4}
<Brian> 7 body, 21 stun before defenses.
<Brian> The armor was not meant to resist heat as much as ballistics, and you stagger him (he is Dazed, and loses his next action).
<Brian> Ginrai: There's a pair of doors behind you, and a gun on the guard at your feet.
<Ginrai> My turn, finally? ^^;
Ginrai picks up the gun and turns towards where the other guards are, getting ready to aim towards one
<Brian> Okay.  And using his held action, someone (you don't SEE who), levitates numerous chunks of rubble, and sends them whirling towards the one currently uninjured guard.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> roll 5#1d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 5#1d6 --> [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=6 ]{6}
<Brian> He gets bludgeoned pretty badly by the apparent poltergeist.
<Brian> As all of the guards are effectively stunned or dazed, and outnumbered about 40:3, I will rule combat to be over at this point.
<Rez> Ha.
Ginrai sniffs at his inability to get much of an attack going and so uses his pipe to crush the head of the guard Rez downed earlier
Shade will run over to the guards and loot the 4 bodies
Rez is looking at the guard on the ground with a look of faint surprise.
<Brian> Mikey lumbers over to the guards, and kneels, inspecting them.  Someone (you don't know her name) uses strips of cloth to bind their hands, and their wounds.
<Shade> I'm bludgeoning any of them still conscious with the butt of the rifle
<Brian> They're not fighting anymore.
<Shade> Hold that.
Shade searches the bodies
<Rez> "Who knew that a few guys could have so much blood in them?"
<Rez> "Except God, of course."
<Rez> "God knows everything."
Rez hmms.
<Shade> "Thanks!"
<Rez> "Hey, should we clean this up?"
Shade yells up to the guys on the stairs
<Brian> Bjorn: You come out (feeling mighty dizzy at this point) into a control room.  There's a clearly labeled control panel to release the security doors between you and the playroom, and a large bank of monitors.
<Ginrai> "What'd you say, Rez?  I couldn't hear you over the sound of the skull being shattered."
Bjorn hits the switch to open the security doors, and then starts studying the monitors.
<Brian> You can see what's going on in the monitors, and it doesn't look too happy for the guards.
<Bjorn> Oh?
<Brian> The inmates (plus balcony assistance) seem to have subdued the guards.  The ones on the balcony are dead, those on the floor captured alive.  There's also a locker (with a key in it) beneath the control counter, though you're about to fall asleep.
Bjorn staggers to the door and stumbles out, heading for the door to the playground.
<Brian> It's open.  Behind you, someone already sealed the bulkhead.
<Bjorn> "Shhhhiiiiiiit...."
<Brian> Shade: The other inmates strip the guards of weapons first.  Each guard has a baton, and a tazer.
<Shade> Brian: Hah?
Rez steps off and runs away from Ginrai, towards where the choppy-guy went.
<Brian> Ginrai: Rez vanishes into the door opposite where you're standing.
Shade sighs in disgust, its like Fate is determined to keep him empty handed
Bjorn leans heavily on the door to the playground. "Mmmmmiike'?"
Shade yells up "So what's the plan?"
<Brian> Gin: You've brutalized the corpse of one of the men who imprisoned your friends.
<Brian> Bjorn: One of the inmates approaches you (after trying up the guards) and pulls the dart from your shoulder.  You feel more alert afterwards, and then she goes to tend the guards.
Rez ducks down the stairs.
Bjorn blinks and shakes his head, and then tries to concentrate enough to lower his defenses. -Lazarus?-
<Brian> Rez: You pass through a control room.  It's full of security monitors, and there's a locker (with keys) under the counter.
Ginrai stops the crushing and follows Rez, taking the rifle along with him.  And pipe, of course.
Rez checks out the security monitors. Do I see anything notable?
<Brian> Rez: You see the room you just left.
<Brian> -Yes?- he sends back wearily.  -We made it?-
Rez checks out the locker, and looks for the controls for the monitors.
<Bjorn> -Phase one.  Though I think we should have worked a little harder on the "bullet-proof" part.- Bjorn thinks, still a bit confused. -They've sealed off the bulkhead.  Hold off on having Mikey tear it down -- I want to see if there's an override or something in the guard booths to keep the gas from going off in the corridor.  And what's the situation with Megan?-
<Bjorn> With that thought, Bjorn ducks back into the control room.
<Brian> Controls are all over the place.  There's probably over a hundred cameras you could look through, though only 50 will display at a moment.
Shade goes up the stairs to check out the guard rooms
Rez turns around as Bjorn enters.
<Brian> Shade: it's actually through the door.
<Rez> "Bjorn, I'm Rez.  This," he points, "is Ginrai."
<Rez> "And Drac's around here somewhere.  I hope."
Bjorn blinks.
Shade goes through the door
<Brian> The locker contains four .22 pistols, and two clips for each.
<Bjorn> "Well, you don't look like guards.  What the hell are you guys doing here?"
<Bjorn> "No, wait."
<Rez> "Guess."
<Bjorn> "Don't care.  Let's ask that question after we answer, 'how the hell do you guys plan to get out?'"
<Rez> "The elevator."
<Rez> "We're sorta here to try and bust you out.  But Shade, what the fuck are you doing here?"
<Shade> "Long story short, I fucked up."
Rez turns back to the cameras with a growl. The plan went very fucking awry.
<Ginrai> "Explanations later.  First let's find Drac."
<Bjorn> "To get to the elevator, we have to get through a corridor that will start leaking tranq gas the minute we step into it."
<Shade> "Oh and if you see a short haired blonde woman, shoot her for me please. A lot."
<Rez> "Yeah, well, thanks to you the oracle is now in deep trouble."
<Bjorn> "So let's see if we can find a way to turn that off here, eh?"
<Shade> "I know, I know
<Rez> "Well, start digging.  And guys, guns."
Bjorn searches the guard room and control panel.
<Shade> "But if you can get me to a terminal, I think I can make up for some of it."
Rez grabs a gun and two clips from the locker.
<Brian> There's two security rooms, actually.  One on each side of the corridor.
Bjorn will check the one he's in first, and then the other.
Shade looks for the control room.
<Brian> The far one has no gun locker, but does have a terminal.
Ginrai takes one of the guns and two clips and stuffs them into his pocket.
Shade grins "I think we're in business."
Shade commences to attempt to hack in.
Bjorn examines the terminal.
<Brian> You seem to be in the 'watch the playroom' room, and the other one appears to be more of a 'monitor who comes in and who goes out' room.
<Brian> It's X-windows.  Right now it's asking for a password.
<Bjorn> "Sunuva..."
Bjorn heads back out to the playground and looks for a conscious guard.
<Brian> -I searched -- I can't find Megan.  I don't know what's going on.-
<Brian> You find Lazarus standing next to them, actually.

[Brian]

<Brian> Dracos, you're standing in the operating room, Peterson's twitching corpse shedding liberal amounts of blood.
<Brian> Caber checks him for a pulse, then nods, and hands you Peterson's .22.
Dracos fehs.
<Dracos> "Heh...I'm not a bloody gunmen."  Dracos checks his hilt for how much remaining blade is on it, and smashes the bottom end over Peterson's head for good measure.
<Brian> *splutch!*
<Brian> Caber shrugs, and surveys the room.  The cowering nurses flee to the side-room Caber used earlier when she points to the door.  "The alarm's been set by now," she says, reloading her pistol.
<Dracos> "Well Legion, have the others moved or are we the only ones in this fucking hell room?"
<Brian> "I can't tell -- your friends got separated from us by a bulkhead.  We're not strong enough to tear it down," Caber replies slowly.  "This means that according to SOP, all of the specials on defense would be down at the main elevator, as the primary exit.  We're going to need to find another way in."
<Dracos> "Fun...  Pardon me for a second."
Dracos takes a moment turns to an empty wall and empties his stomach.
Dracos then turns around
<Dracos> "Okay, you fucknut, how the hell do we get over to that side."
<Brian> "There's a back elevator," Caber replies, taking an IV stand and shoving it through the loops on the door the nurses are behind.
<Dracos> "Lead away."
<Brian> "Sure," she says, rifling through Peterson's pockets.  She comes up with a silver-cigarette case, a cell-phone, and a security card.  She tosses you the case, drops the phone, and pockets the card.  "This way."
<Brian> She steps into the elevator, which you see now opens on both sides, and swipes the card through a wall-mounted reader.
Dracos blinks, pocketing the case and following behind her.
<Brian> The elevator whirs into motion, going down ... there's no display to tell how far, though.  After a few seconds, the elevator comes to a gentle stop.  Caber motions you against one wall, and presses herself against the opposite side of the elevator.
Dracos gets cover beside the wall.
<Brian> The door slides open with a whoosh and a chime.  You hear silence beyond that, and Caber cautiously peeks through the door.  Nodding, she steps out, and jogs into the hallway.
Dracos follows, glancing left and right cautiously, more than a little paranoid and still a bit violent.
<Brian> "Come on," she calls back to you quietly.
Dracos follows, keeping his eyes wide open.
<Dracos> "Yeah, yeah, I'm coming."
<Brian> You're at one end of a long hallway.  It appears to lead up to a T-shaped intersection.  There are no doors in sight.  Caber reaches the junction ahead of you, then skids to a halt and backpedals, nearly running into you.
Dracos sidesteps against the wall, getting ready to move quickly as he eyed the junction.
<Dracos> *up against
<Brian> Caber presses herself into the wall next to you, as you hear footsteps approaching from around the corner behind you.  "We need more backup," Caber hisses.  She reaches a hand towards you.
Dracos takes it curiously.
<Dracos> "No shit," Dracos hisses back, "plan?"
<Brian> The sensation is sudden, and really unnerving.  It feels like she just stepped into your body, fitted you like a suit, and then stepped back out.  But now she's not a nurse anymore, she's a copy of you.  Two more of you step out from the Caber-Dracos.  "Rush," he replies, just as four guards bearing sniper-rifles round the corner.
<Dracos> "Shit..."
Dracos runs fast at them, diving down at the legs of one quickly, barreling to knock the guy off his feet.
<Brian> Combat time here, this is phase zero.
<Brian> First, Dracos.
<Brian> Enemies are surprised, and at 1/2 DCV.
<Brian> Roll for your Move through.
<Dracos> Roll 3d6 To hit the ground.
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 To hit the ground. --> [ 3d6=16 ]{16}
<Brian> Even surprised, he manages to move out of your way, and you're on the ground.
<Brian> Now Caber, Caber, and Caber will act.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=14 ]{14}
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> roll 3#1d3
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3#1d3 --> [ 1d3=2 ]{2}, [ 1d3=2 ]{2}, [ 1d3=3 ]{3}
<Brian> roll 3#1d5
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3#1d5 --> [ 1d5=2 ]{2}, [ 1d5=5 ]{5}, [ 1d5=1 ]{1}
<Brian> The other three guards (you see now they're unarmored) are each stabbed with sword hilts, to varying degrees of success -- guard #2 yells in pain, as does #4.  #3 is dropped like a bad habit.
<Brian> Phase 4, speed 3s.  That's Dracos, Dracos, Dracos, and Dracos.
Dracos kicks to his feet, twirling his blade and glaring "There is nowhere to run, it's just you and me ... and me and me and me and me."
<Brian> Please roll 5d6 for your presence attack.
<Dracos> Roll 5d6 to make them piss their pants.
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 5d6 to make them piss their pants. --> [ 5d6=18 ]{18}
<Brian> They're visibly shaken, and you've put them at -1 OCV and DCV.
<Brian> The Dracos-clones now swarm.
<Brian> roll 3#3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3#3d6 --> [ 3d6=6 ]{6}, [ 3d6=15 ]{15}, [ 3d6=5 ]{5}
<Brian> roll 2#1d3
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2#1d3 --> [ 1d3=1 ]{1}, [ 1d3=3 ]{3}
<Brian> roll 2#1d5
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2#1d5 --> [ 1d5=4 ]{4}, [ 1d5=4 ]{4}
<Brian> Guard #1 (the one facing off against you originally) is left unharmed, #2 succumbs to his wounds, and #4 is laid open, though that Caber/Dracos broke what was left of its sword in the process.
<Brian> Phase 6, guards.
<Brian> Guard number one shakily attempts to shoot you.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=16 ]{16}
<Brian> His shot goes way wide, though.
<Brian> Phase 8, speed 3s.
Dracos stabs him, "I really fucking hate people that shoot at me."
<Dracos> Roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> Go ahead and roll your 1 die of killing damage.
<Dracos> Roll 1d6 DIE BITCH
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Dracos ... : 1d6 DIE BITCH --> [ 1d6=6 ]{6}
<Brian> roll 1d5
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 1d5 --> [ 1d5=2 ]{2}
<Brian> The guard jumps as you drive the entirety of what remains of your sword into his chest, the crossguard slamming into his rib cage hard enough to bruise.  His eyes widen, and his mouth works, as though he's trying to say something.
<Brian> But he doesn't, and his eyes roll into his head as he slumps over.
<Dracos> "Nice knowing you."  Dracos pulls the sword out.
<Brian> The Caber Dracoses blur together, and return to nurse form.  She starts hauling the bodies out of sight from the elevator.
<Brian> "Nice work," she grunts, hauling on a guard's leg.
Dracos glances over if any of them have a combat knife on them.
<Brian> There's an awful lot of blood in this hallway....
<Dracos> "Legion, it's prolly useless hiding them.  The blood alone would leave a trail."
<Brian> No combat knives, though each was carrying a clip of tranq rounds, a rifle that can use it, and a pair of handcuffs.  She hesitates, then looks up at you with a frown.  "Guess so," she admits.  "This is a maintenance area.  We should be above section four."
<Dracos> "Lead the way.  Let's keep moving."
<Brian> Rising, she looks left, then right, and moves to the right.  The hallway curves, like a huge oval, and the lighting is somewhat dim.  To your left, you can see a patch where the wall is discolored.
Dracos checks out the discolored wall a bit curiously, ready to leap back if something moves.
<Brian> It looks like the cement there has been replaced at some point.  Possibly earthquake damage.
<Brian> Caber ignores it, continuing around the curve of the long hallway.
Dracos follows swiftly behind Caber
<Brian> In due course, you reach what you guess is the opposite end of the sector from the elevator.  A doorway leads into the interior of whatever you've been skirting around.  Caber looks at it hesitantly, then looks at some wiring boxes on the wall nearby.
<Dracos> "Electric stuff?"
Dracos checks the boxes out.
<Brian> "These control the bulkheads," she says.  "We can unseal the bulkheads, but we can't control the gas release from here.  Additionally, this is a sniper vantage over into section four itself."  She points further ahead, through the doorway.
<Dracos> "So...you know the floorplan better than I.  What would you suggest for getting me and my friends out of here fast and getting to Manos?"
<Brian> It's an electrical control panel.  You could re-wire it pretty easily, so that the circuit was always off, or always on.  Right now, the lights say that whatever it controls is in the 'on' position, and there are eight of them.
<Brian> "We should see how your friends are doing," Caber says, going through the doorway.
<Dracos> "Wait a sec...  I'll get the bulkheads open and jammed open.  That way they can't use gas release as they'd be getting everyone, themselves included."
<Brian> "I wouldn't suggest that," Caber warns.  "They have metahumans, too.  One of them can control wind and air."
<Dracos> "Hmmm...  Okay...  feh."
Dracos turns and follows, heading after Caber.
<Brian> The room Caber entered has a low ceiling, and then a long, horizontal gap about ten centimeters high, and eight meters wide.  It looks down past some lighting structures into a foot-ball field sized 'playroom'.
<Brian> You think you see Rez and Ginrai down there....
Dracos ponders and sees if he can get closer to them easily.
<Brian> Unless you can squeeze through that gap and make it down about fifteen meters to the walkway below, it probably wouldn't be a good idea.
<Dracos> Do they look like they are within sensible calling distance or not?
<Brian> Very possibly.
<Dracos> "Hey Rez, you fuck."
<Dracos> I am ready to dodge if they try to shoot me for some ungodly reason.
<Dracos> Using the cover of the higher ground.
<Brian> Looks like he can't hear you from the ground.  Ginrai is on the walkway below you, and looks up, though.  "Drac?"
<Dracos> "Yeah, it's me.  This fucking plan shits.  You guys alive and got Bjorn?"
<Brian> Ginrai nods, looking up, though it's pretty clear he can't tell exactly where you are.  "We're stuck down here, though," he says.  "Everyone else is messing around with a computer in the guard's booth.  Looks like that Caber guy ditched us."
<Brian> The nurse looks mildly annoyed.  "I got trapped," she grumbles.
<Dracos> "Hey Legion, what door needs be opened for them to get out or up here?"
<Brian> "There are no doors directly -- only the ones that have gas valves on the corridors between them."  She frowns.  "There must be a control for the gas lines around here.  If we can find it, and cut it off, then we can open the bulkheads."
<Dracos> Dracos nods.  "Gin, you guys stay there and keep an eye out.  We'll get the doors open."
<Dracos> "Let's go.  Lead the way, Legion>"
<Brian> "I'm not sure where it is, though," she warns, turning around and examining the pipes along the walls.  Some are labeled water, some look like they've probably got cables or electrical wiring through them.  Now that you're looking, though, you realize that there are an awful lot of them.  This could take a while.
Dracos attempts to deduce through his electrical knowledge of wiring practices which ones can be ignored and if any look like they are probably the right one.
<Brian> Okay.  We'll get back to you on that one in a moment.
<Brian> Shade, currently you and Rez are in the security booth with the terminal.  It's asking for a password.
<Brian> Not any written down near the terminal itself, no.
Shade checks around to see if the guards left any clues be the terminal for the password
<Rez> "Get away from there."
<Shade> "Why?"
<Rez> A bag appears in Rez's hand, and he drops it onto the floor.
<Brian> That's a pretty big bag, too.
<Rez> "Because unless you're a magical l337 hacker, you're going to get us in trouble."
<Rez> "And I came prepared."
<Shade> "Actually..."
<Rez> "Don't."
Shade sighs and leaves the terminal to Rez
<Brian> Ginrai pokes his head into the room.  "Hey, there's another section of walkways through the room opposite this spot -- can someone come with me to check it out?"
Rez rummages through the bag that just appeared, and grabs out Ayame's CD.
<Brian> Shiny.  CDey.  Ayameish.
Rez checks for a CD drive on the terminal. >_> If not, he grabs out his laptop.
<Brian> No CD-drive.  But it does have a spare ethernet port.  Actually, a whole hub.
<Rez> "Sorry, Shade, but you don't guess this shit."
<Brian> Ginrai looks impatient.  "There could be other guards over there."
<Shade> "Rez, Actually I was planning on asking the guards."
<Rez> "Then ask."
Shade goes down to the guards
Rez boots his laptop and plugs it into the spare ethernet port.
<Brian> Ginrai gets annoyed, and trudges off to examine the far walkways alone.
<Rez> "Ginrai!"
<Brian> "What?"
<Rez> "Remember how this was area 4, or whatever?  Can you run and ask Bjorn if he knows what the other areas are, and if he knows 'Manos'?"
<Brian> "Uh ... okay."
<Rez> "Thanks.  It's important."
<Brian> Bjorn: You're currently outside, where three of the guards are awake.  The fourth is unconscious, and looks pretty horrifically bruised.  Their armor has been stripped off and set to one side, and they're tied up around one of the cement picnic tables.  Mikey and Lazarus are keeping watch on them, while a group of inmates is working on the doors to the cafeteria.
Rez portscans the terminal, now that I'm hooked in, and checks for anything obvious like Samba.
Rez has little hope, but hey.
<Brian> *
<Brian> The terminal drops everything except for DHCP requests.
<Brian> "Hey, uh, Bjorn, this is Ginrai," Ginrai says.  "So, Rez wants to know if you know anything about the other areas, or 'Manos'?"
Bjorn turns to Ginrai. And blinks. "Manos? As in, 'Hands of Fate'? Don't you think we have something a little more important to be doing?"
Shade goes over to the drowsy guard.
<Bjorn> "Lessee.  There are three other sections.  Don't know anything about section One.  Section Two is for people who volunteered to be augmented to metahumans, and section Three is for cooperative metahumans."
<Brian> Ginrai nods.  "Okay, I'll pass that on to Rez."  He vanishes into the security booth, as Shade approaches the guards.
Bjorn snaps his head around to follow what Shade is doing, and trades a look with Lazarus and Mikey.
<Brian> -Is he dangerous?- Lazarus inquires.
Shade says in a soft pleasant voice to the drowsy guard, "Hi, I'm new here and I need the pass for the control room."
<Bjorn> -I don't know.  Watch him.-
<Brian> "Nnnnnuuuuuuh," the guard groans, wobbling back and forth.
<Brian> This is the one you tagged with a dart.
Shade smiles sadly at the guard, "You see, I've had a rather bad couple of days so far and it would be really nice if for once something goes right."
<Shade> "So please, the password for the terminal?"
<Brian> "Mmmmmm..." he elaborates.
<Brian> "Leave him alone," one of the other guards snaps.
Bjorn rolls his eyes, and walks over to the speaking guard.
<Shade> "I will, soon as I have the password to the terminal, please."
Shade walks over to the bruised guard.
<Bjorn> Crouching, he looks that guard straight in the eyes, and says, very quietly, "Tell me the password to the terminal."
<Brian> "It's Ajax4," he says.  "Just don't hurt us."
<Brian> -He's telling the truth -- he thinks that we won't get past the gas.-
<Bjorn> "Thank you," Bjorn says, rising.  "And we won't."
Shade sighs
<Bjorn> -That was a promise, Lazarus.  Make sure it gets kept, please.-
<Shade> "You really shouldn't make promises for others like that."
Bjorn turns to Shade. "Do you want to go tell Rez that? Make sure the bulkhead doesn't get opened until we figure out the gas."
<Shade> "Gas?"
Shade looks at the guard "What kind of gas?"
<Bjorn> "Yes.  Tranquilizer gas.  In the corridor outside the bulkhead."
<Bjorn> -Lazarus, where's Bridgett?-
<Shade> "Flammable?"
<Brian> The guard looks nervous.  "Course not, you think we're stupid?"
Bjorn stares at Shade, oddly.
<Shade> "What kind of tranq?"
<Brian> -She's helping to open the cafeteria doors.-  She's actually making all of the glass melt from around the wire-frame windows.  One of the TKs is then unraveling the wire, bit-by-bit.
<Shade> "Inhalant or by skin contact?"
Bjorn rolls his eyes heavenward, and walks back to the terminal room to deliver his message himself.
<Brian> "You think I'm a fucking rocket scientist if they make me a guard?  It's knockout gas, genius."
<Bjorn> -Thanks, Lazarus.-
Shade smiles at the guard, "So where are your gas suits?"
<Shade> "And masks, for that matter"
<Shade> "Or did your employers consider you...expendable?"
<Brian> "'Gas 'em all, let god sort 'em out'," he quotes faithfully.
<Brian> In the meantime, Bjorn enters the control room, where Rez is watching his laptop get sacrificed for the greater good ... one hopes.  It's doing SOMETHING on the network, that's for sure.
<Shade> "I'm glad you feel that way."
Shade shoots the guard in the throat with his tranq rifle.
Shade goes up to the control room again.
<Brian> Ginrai mentions, "Dracos said something about gas.  He said he'd look into it from his spot."  You here the muffled bark of a tranq-rifle firing, followed by an angry yell.
<Brian> Mikey sounds unhappy.
<Brian> -Bjorn, the guard's going to be okay, but that new person is trouble, just like Megan said.  Keep an eye on him.-
<Bjorn> -If he tries anything, stop him.-
<Rez> "Bjorn, you going to grab a pistol?  They had .22s in the locker."
<Brian> -He's heading for you.-
<Bjorn> "You're... Rez?  Okay.  I'll grab one.  The password to the terminal is Capital-Alpha, jay, alpha, x-ray, four."
Rez points at the bag. There are two pistols in the top.
<Rez> "Thanks."
Rez tries that password.
<Brian> It gets you into the security terminal.
Bjorn swaps the invisible sword to his left hand, and picks up a .22. 'Going to have to figure some of this out...'
<Rez> Do we see any nice friendly user interface?
<Brian> You do.
<Rez> "Be careful with that gun.  It won't do anything to the armored guys, but it'll scare people."
<Rez> "And it -will- piss them off."
<Bjorn> "I know how they work.  I grew up on a farm."
<Rez> "I dunno about you, but I'd rather they kept using tranqs."
<Bjorn> "You heard about the gas, right?  Don't open the bulkhead 'til we take care of that."
Rez looks for useful applications: Bulkheads. Gas. Floorplan. Section information? Power. Security records.
<Rez> "Gotcha.  And you don't know anything at all about section 1?"
<Bjorn> "I'll be right back.  I don't know what's going on back there, but it doesn't sound good.  For now, you keep this pistol, I think.  And no, sorry."
Bjorn heads back into the playground.
<Bjorn> -Lazarus?  What's going on?-
<Rez> "Suits me.  I'll stick with the bow, but I'll have it around if you want it."
<Brian> Security records, yes.  Comm. tools, also yes.  The bulkhead controls require another password ... but you have that.  The system is also really slow.
<Brian> Like the network's being DDoSed, or just really sucks.
Rez checks out the security records - and if I can delete them. I bet I'm not that lucky.
<Brian> Nope.  Admin access is required for that.  But you get a listing of everyone currently in section 4, and the security personnel.  Also, information on which doctors have clearance to remove patients.
Rez blinks.
<Rez> And they are?
<Brian> Dr. Peterson, Dr. Richmond, Dr. Kelley, Dr. Gold, and Agent Taylor.
<Brian> Shade: You enter the control room at this point.
<Shade> "So was the password any good?"
<Rez> "Yes."
Rez checks out comm tools . . . and checks out the CD on my laptop to see if there're any useful applications. :)
<Shade> "What's the access level?'
<Rez> "User.  I can hit the bulkheads, but I see nothing on the gas."
<Shade> "Can you set off any alarms?"
<Rez> "I'm looking."
<Shade> "Say, for instance, in all the other sections of the building?"
<Brian> According to the CD, it's got all sorts of handy office utilities.  The comm tools seem to be basic messages like, "Alert over," "Secure area," and "Shift Change".  There is an option for "other" where you can type in another message, though.
<Rez> "I think they know where we are."
<Rez> "Besides, if we do that, we tell them we've compromised the security system."
<Rez> "All I can do is turn off the alert in here."
<Shade> "They don't have any fire alarms?"
<Shade> "Or hazardous material breach alarms?"
Rez fires up the word-equivalent office utility!
<Brian> None that can be accessed from the security panel.  The complex is largely cement, though....
<Rez> "I'm sure you could claim one, but they know what's going on and they won't believe you."
<Brian> The Word utility opens, and looks like a slimmed down, feature-poor version of the same, for X-Windows.
<Shade> "Actually...."
<Brian> It asks if you would like to install an office assistant.
Rez clicks 'yes' and checks if there's anything else useful I can see at the security terminal.
<Brian> That's about it, other than the ability to take a record from the camera-bank, make a log, and send it to the doctors on the cleared list.
<Brian> The office assistant would like to know which avatar you'll use (default is a paperclip) and what you'd like it to be named.
Rez names it Ayame, and . . . hm. How many security personnel are meant to be in Section 4? *checks on terminal*
<Brian> Depends on the shift.  Currently, there are 10.
<Rez> "Shade, go and tell Bjorn that there are meant to be ten guards on shift in here, and ask if they've all been accounted for."
<Brian> 'Ayame' says, (in a word-balloon):  "It looks like you're trying to hack a covert network!"
<Rez> "HAH!"
Rez bursts out laughing.
<Brian> "Would you like to A: Automate the procedure, B: Steal all their data without leaving a record, C: Crash their shit hardcore?"
Rez chooses B.
<Shade> "And where is Bjorn?"
<Brian> Your laptop whirrs away for a bit....
<Rez> "Outside in the main room, I guess.  You'll find him.  But if there are two guards loose around here he needs to know."
<Shade> How many did you guys take out on the balcony?"
<Brian> ...eventually to return with, "Your hard-disk lacks sufficient resources to complete this operation.  You will require an additional: 240 GB of space."  The paperclip looks sad.
<Rez> "Four up top.  Four down below.  That makes eight."
<Shade> "Ah."
Rez selects C: Crash their shit hardcore.
Shade goes back down
<Brian> The little paperclip vanishes, as your system drops graphics for performance.
<Brian> The laptop beeps on occasion to notify you that it's managed a new combination of exploits to get somewhere it shouldn't.  It's not kidding when it says it's out to cause a mess....
<Brian> Bjorn, you're now surveying the field.  The cafeteria door has had both windows taken out, and Bridgett is about to climb through the opening to hit the release from the other side.
Bjorn heads directly over that way. "Bridgett, wait!"
<Brian> She pauses, and looks at you in surprise.
<Bjorn> "Let's be safe here.  Are you sure no-one's inside?"
<Brian> Shade, you're on the ground floor, too.
<Brian> She shakes her head uncertainly.
Shade yells to Bjorn "Rez says to be careful, there may be two more guards running around somewhere"
<Bjorn> "Well, that's a good reason to be careful."
Bjorn goes over to ask the guard another question, and stops when he sees his state. "Who the hell did this?" he asks, controlling his temper.
<Shade> In a more normal voice Shade asks Bjorn "So what areas did you guys not check out yet?"
<Bjorn> "Ginrai said something about an upper walkway.  Did you do this?"
<Brian> -That was the new one,- Lazarus reminds you, carefully not looking towards Shade.  -There are two more guards?-
Shade nods.
<Bjorn> -Apparently.  I'm guessing they're in the cafeteria.-
Bjorn exhales sharply.
<Brian> Bjorn: The inmates all look at Lazarus, and then back away from the cafeteria door cautiously, before looking to you for direction.
<Bjorn> "You're a goddamn idiot.  Now, you have a choice.  You can get the hell out of my sight, or you can be the one who goes headfirst into the cafeteria, to find out if there are any guards left in there."
Shade walks to the cafeteria.
<Brian> The cafeteria doors are closed, and locked, but the windows have been taken out.  It'll take a bit of climbing to squirm through the gap.
Shade climbs.
Bjorn carefully approaches the cafeteria doors, staying well back, and gesturing to everyone else to stay back, as well.
Shade leaves the tranq rifle on the ground to make his climb easier
Rez dashes outside, onto the gantry.
<Rez> "GUYS!"
Bjorn snaps his head around to look at Rez.
<Brian> You squirm over the sill of the door, and land on the ground awkwardly.  It's lit, and has a walkway overhead just like the other room.
Shade looks up
<Rez> "Two guards, in cafeteria, with pistols.'
<Brian> You appear to be in a large cafeteria, with dimmer lighting.  No one is in sight.
<Rez> "Behind a counter!"
<Rez> "Try and talk them into surrendering, if you can?"
Shade says out loud to the cafeteria "Ready to talk?"
Bjorn hits the deck, rolling to the side of the door.
<Brian> You hear no response.
Shade listens
<Brian> The switch for the door is nearby.
Rez dashes back inside the control room and checks out monitor again.
<Brian> Rez: The guards are in the same location, one of them rocking back and forth nervously, both clutching handguns.
Shade walks forward
<Bjorn> -Lazarus?  If you see someone on a video screen, can you establish a mindlink with them?-
Rez runs downstairs and out into the main room, towards where I see Bjorn.
<Brian> -No, I have to see through someone's eyes.-
Bjorn gestures at Rez to move quietly and out of the line of the door.
Rez nods and moves against the wall.
<Brian> The cafeteria echoes, emptily, ominously.
<Bjorn> -Well, so much for that idea.  Are you linked to the new guy?-
<Rez> "Two of them.  One looking kinda panicked.  Both with handguns.  Behind a counter at the back of the room."
Rez whispers.
<Brian> -No.  Can you see him?-
<Bjorn> -Only if I stick my head out where they can shoot me.  Let's call that Plan B.-
Bjorn nods at Rez.
<Bjorn> "Shade went in."
Shade says out loud as he walks "To be perfectly honest, I have no interest in your welfare. But since one of the others decided to make a promise you get a chance to get out of this alive and intact."
<Rez> "And can we try an negotiate before we walk in and kill them al-oh shit."
Rez whispers again.
Bjorn closes his eyes, and exhales quietly.
<Brian> Shade: I'm going to assume you picked up the rifle after you made it into the room.  We'll enter combat time here.
<Brian> Phase zero, those with held actions.  Which is everyone.
<Brian> Dex order.  Guard stands up from behind the cafeteria counter, draws a bead on you, and tries to fire.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=15 ]{15}
<Brian> He misses, maybe because he's frightened, and maybe just because he's a lousy shot.
<Brian> Shade: Your action.
<Shade> Brian: guards armored?
<Brian> Vests, but they've also got the cover of being behind a counter and the sneeze guard.
<Brian> A bullet would pierce the Plexiglas, but you don't have that guarantee with a dart.
Shade dives for cover
<Brian> Nearest cover would be behind a table, which doesn't offer much protection.  This is the kind with the bench built into the table, so you can't really tip it over.
<Brian> Still, you make a full move to get behind one, as it offers better cover than anything else.
<Brian> The next guard climbs to his feet, and takes a shot at you as well.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Shade> Brian: can I get under one and start crawling forward?
<Brian> 'forward' is relative, as the tables are all on the opposite side of the cafeteria from the counter.
<Brian> He misses.
<Brian> But you could work your way back towards the door.
<Shade> ah
<Brian> Phase 4, speed 3s.
<Brian> Rez, you're, uh, outside a door with the windows knocked out of it.  You don't have a good angle of fire, as you can only see Shade, however.
<Brian> One of these guards is a speed 3, though.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=11 ]{11}
<Rez> If I move, can I get line of sight to the counter?  >_>
<Brian> Probably not without getting inside first.  The angle is bad to fire a bow through the window.
<Brian> Shade: One of the supports near you reflects a bullet, missing you closely.
<Brian> It's now your action.
Shade fires a tranq, aiming for an arm on the nearer guard.
<Brian> Go ahead and make your roll, at -6 OCV.
<Shade> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Shade ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=13 ]{13}
<Brian> Your dart slides up the sneeze-guard.
<Brian> Phase 6, speed 2s.  The other guard goes.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=7 ]{7}
<Brian> roll 3d6 for hit location
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 for hit location --> [ 3d6=9 ]{9}
<Brian> roll 2d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=11 ]{11}
<Brian> A bullet tears through your shoulder.  You can't feel your right arm.
<Brian> You're also bleeding -- a lot.  You feel no pain, as you are entering shock.
Shade decides now is a good time to go to sleep.
<Rez> "GUYS!  FUCKING STOP SHOOTING!  YOU DON'T WANT TO DIE AND NEITHER DO WE!"
Bjorn puts a hand on Rez' arm.
<Brian> Rez, please roll, 2d6 for your presence attack.
<Rez> roll 2d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Rez ... : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=6 ]{6}
Rez punches the door. Hard.
<Brian> The guards don't respond.
<Rez> Using STR+10.  >_>
<Brian> It's not budging.
<Brian> Phase 7.
<Brian> Mikey attempts a Move Through on the door.
Rez dodges! O_O
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
<Brian> A door is an immobile object, and thusly, it does not dodge.
<Bjorn> "Mikey, no!" Bjorn shouts, rather belatedly.
<Brian> roll 13#1d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 13#1d6 --> [ 1d6=6 ]{6}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=2 ]{2}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=6 ]{6}, [ 1d6=5 ]{5}, [ 1d6=1 ]{1}, [ 1d6=6 ]{6}
<Brian> The door doesn't really resist much before it explodes across the room, sending an obscuring cloud of debris everywhere.
<Brian> He takes half of that damage, which causes him to rebound outside the cafeteria, and look very dizzy, but otherwise unhurt.
<Bjorn> "Stay down, Mikey!"
<Brian> Phase 8, speed 3s.
<Brian> Shade, the guard is holding his action, so you go first.
Shade attempts to slow the bleeding
<Brian> You can clap your left hand over your right shoulder and slowly squirm your way towards the open door.
<Brian> Underneath the table.
Shade will settle for clapping his hand, moving will only make the bleeding worse.
<Brian> Okay.  Rez, your move.
<Rez> "Listen!  Can we send in someone to get our guy out?  He's going to die if we leave him there!"
<Brian> Bjorn: The guy you recognize who was juggling beanbags waves a hand, and motions towards Shade.
<Bjorn> -Lazarus?  Can you connect me with him?-
<Brian> "Don't come any closer!" someone yells at you from inside the cafeteria.
Rez puts his bow down outside the door and walks in, slowly.
Rez ducks back again.
<Brian> -I can try.  His mind is clouded with pain.-
<Rez> "Guys, he's going to die!  Can't we fucking negotiate?!"
<Bjorn> -I meant the juggler, but Shade is better.  I want to speak with the guards.-
Rez looks at Bjorn, points at himself, and waves towards the door quizically.
Bjorn holds up a finger -- 'One second.'
<Brian> -I don't know .... Let me try.-
Rez nods, and looks worried.
Dracos is now known as Drac-eats
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=12 ]{12}
<Brian> -I can't reach him,- Lazarus relays.
<Bjorn> -Well, then, we'll do it the old fashioned way.-
Bjorn stands up, and goes to stand beside the door, out of the line of fire of the guards, and raises his voice, but does not shout.
<Bjorn> "This is going to end with us escaping.  If anything stops us, it won't be you.  You know what we can do, and you know you have no chance.  If you surrender now, then you will not be harmed."
Bjorn fills his voice with all the grim certainty he can muster.
<Brian> Please roll 4d6 for your presence attack
<Bjorn> roll 4d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 4d6 --> [ 4d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> "You're going to kill us all!" one of the guards yells back, opening fire again.
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Brian> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=6 ]{6}
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=10 ]{10}
<Brian> Alrighty.  The guards would have gotten Shade, had the TK not gotten him first.
<Brian> Shade, you feel like someone just put you on a stretcher and launched it towards the door, weaving through the table supports and back into the main room.
<Brian> Since this is a standoff, we'll move out of combat time for the moment.
<Brian> The healer woman rushes to Shade's side, and fusses over the wound.
Bjorn looks at Rez. "Ideas?"
<Rez> "Goddamn idiot."
<Brian> roll 3#1d6
<Rez> "Ahm.  Keep trying to negotiate?"
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Brian ... : 3#1d6 --> [ 1d6=3 ]{3}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}, [ 1d6=4 ]{4}
Bjorn shrugs. "Feel free to give it a go."
Rez looks almost sick. I'm no good at this.
<Rez> "I'm no good at this."
<Brian> Shade: After the bullet is dug out, you feel much better, though your shoulder still hurts.  It's as though the wound was transformed into merely a really nasty bruise instead of a gunshot wound.
<Bjorn> "Okay."
Bjorn raises his voice again.
<Bjorn> "We don't want to kill you.  But we are also going to leave.  Don't force our hand."
<Brian> Please roll 3d6 for your persuasion skill.
<Bjorn> roll 3d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 3d6 --> [ 3d6=15 ]{15}
<Brian> The guards are less than convinced.  "You don't need to come here to get out!"
<Rez> "Guys, -please-!  We've tranquilized what guards we can, but we can't leave you behind us with guns!"
<Brian> "Then you shouldn't have busted down the door!"
<Rez> "We had to, to get him out!  We didn't know he was going to be such a goddamn idiot!"
<Bjorn> "As he said.  You say we're going to kill you if you surrender, and we say that's not true.  But the question is, how long will you live if we attack you?"
<Bjorn> "You know me.  I'm the one you're all scared of.  I'm the one who's strong enough to hold back Ashnod."
<Bjorn> "Do you really want to find out what I can do?"
<Brian> Please roll 6d6 for your presence attack.
<Bjorn> roll 6d6
<Chibi-Suu> Them bones was tossed for Bjorn ... : 6d6 --> [ 6d6=17 ]{17}
<Brian> "...you promise we won't be hurt?"
<Bjorn> "I promise."
<Bjorn> "My quarrel is with Peterson, not with you."
<Brian> There's some clicking, then the clattering of two pistols thrown across the counter and sliding over the floor.
Bjorn picks up the pistols.
<Brian> The guards come out through a service door warily, holding their hands over their heads.
<Bjorn> "Thank you, gentlemen."
<Bjorn> "Three of your friend are sitting over there.  If you'd join them, we'll tie you up."
<Brian> They're quickly stripped of gear and tied up with the others.
Rez exhales and closes his eyes, shaking uncontrollably.
Bjorn goes over, and awkwardly pats Rez on the shoulder.
<Bjorn> "You okay?"
<Brian> Mikey looks around, and seeming satisfied that no one's hurt (seriously), goes to sit near the fountain.
<Rez> "Sorta.  I have more work to do."  Rez gets up, grabs his bow, and walks towards the control room.  Somewhat unsteadily.
Bjorn looks after Rez, and turns to Bridgett.
<Bjorn> "You okay, too?"
<Brian> She nods, looking at the guards in surprise.
<Bjorn> "That's good.  Now, please, stay near Lazarus, okay?  I don't want you getting hurt."
<Brian> She nods again.
<Bjorn> "Thank you."  Bjorn smiles at the girl.  "Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go see how Rez is doing."
Bjorn heads back to the terminal room, stopping along the way to say to Mikey, "If the new guy wakes up, don't let him get near the guards, okay?"
<Brian> Mikey nods in understanding.
<Bjorn> -Lazarus, let me know when he wakes up -- and especially if he goes for any weapons.-
<Brian> Ginrai has been overseeing the laptop's progress.  "Everything okay out there?"
<Brian> -I will.-
<Rez> "Ah, gunfight in the cafeteria."
<Rez> "Shade got shot."