4509 rounds the corner shotgun-first, the firearm’s muzzle equipped with a black sound suppressor. He seems ready to fire but at the last moment decides these men aren’t worth the ammunition. He tosses the weapon down and surges towards the nearest target as a set retractable chromed blades extend from his forearms.
Nail’s got this, but his player has to work this weekend and will type up a suitable lie as soon as he can. Sorry!
Nail puts out his cigarette and steps forward. “I can answer your questions. Whether you are satisfied with the answers is up to you. It’s a good-news bad-news situation, you see.” Nail stretches while saying the last part, trying to stay oblivious of the fact that the bad news part might go over like a lead balloon.
“You’ll probably want the good news first. We have Chaggo with us. We got him just as you said. Only problem is, when we found Chaggo, Arry wasn’t with him. Well, we gave Chaggo a one-over until we found out Arry’s location, but the orc was tougher than he smelled.” Here Nail pauses, letting the half-truths sink in.
Nail continues on, his voice rising in tension like a storyteller. “The damn pig lied to us. We found out that after he defected from you guys, he went to work for UO. He knew about the upcoming attack on Vayne, and the only lead we thought we got from torturing him was to head to the Dog Track. He played us for a buncha chumps.” Nail’s voice drops, channeling his shame from this whole mess with Chaggo and Donovan into his monologue.
“After that, I can’t tell you too much, to be honest. The attack happened in a flash, and between our mage and Vayne, we were hit with a powerful confusion spell. When we came out of it, Vayne was an ex-mage and the club was deserted. We were on our way back to continue to see what we could get from Chaggo when you called.” Nail lets out a small sigh.
“We knew you would be less than thrilled with the situation, but just because we’re Runners doesn’t mean we are going to disappear into the woodwork like so many roaches. We came, and now you have your answers.”
Nail takes advantage of the natural ensuing awkward pause to light another cigarette. “Well, how do they strike you?”
While taking a puff of his cig, Nail thinks to himself: *Huh, wonder if he’ll buy it. Only one or two things were blatantly false. The rest were completely true, from a certain point of view. *
Nail will use a point of edge for this exchange.
Nail has attempted to deceive Sasheille. Unfortunately for the crew, the elf is expertly able to mask his reactions. It would be nearly impossible to read his expression.
Nail now has one spent Edge.
“Very well,” the elf says in response to Nail. "I want to go over the events of the previous days with you more thoroughly. Unfortunately, now is not the time.
A Synthcorp rival is planning to assault this building, and we believe the attack is imminent. We are willing to overlook your utter failure to complete any of the tasks in your contract, in exchange for your support during the attack. Refusal is not an option."
Sasheille turns toward Donovan, clearly displeased with his employee. “You’ve bled with these people,” he says to Donovan. “Now you’ll have the chance to bleed with them some more. You’ll stay with them until we defeat the attack, and then your employment here with be reevaluated.” Donovan has no response.
The elf then speaks to a third party via comlink. “Dex, you may enter now.” Moments later, five men come into the room. They are Synthcorp veterans, part of the core of the corporation’s security team. One man in particular stands out among the others, a cyborg with obvious torso and arm replacements. Goethe casually sizes the man up and decides he is probably extremely dangerous in battle. “These men are to be escorted to the armory,” Sasheille commands the cyborg. “Make sure they don’t wander.” The elf then leaves the room.
“This way,” the man called Dex says, and the group begins walking.
Donovan glances at Goethe with an urgent expression. It’s clear to Goethe that Donovan does not want to go with this cyborg. Donovan has indicated he wants to make a move against the security team before the group gets to the armory, but he will wait for someone in the group to take the lead.
If someone in the group decides to attack the security team escorting them, it will be possible to “surprise” some (or possibly even all) of the security agents. Alternatively, you may allow the security team to finish the escort to the armory, against Donovan’s judgment.
The results of 4509’s surprise attack will be posted soon. Feel free to post what your characters inside the Synthcorp building are doing in the meantime!
Seeing Donovan’s expression, Goethe makes a slight nod to indicate his understanding. When he gets a chance (i.e. most likely after leaving Sasheille’s presence), he will gesture at his eyes and then point to himself, hoping that Donovan understands that Goethe wants him to wait until he gives the signal.
Goethe will also wordlessly pass the message on to Nail.
I’m assuming that since Goethe and Nail have run enough together in the past, they have an fairly extensive battlefield communication scheme worked out, enough to indicate pretty common occurrences such as “let’s not let these guys get to their destination” and “follow my lead” all without saying a word.
Assuming Nail’s on board, Goethe will then try to signal to Seneth the intent. However, realizing that Seneth has only been running with Goethe since the beginning of the Synthcorp mission, Goethe won’t be surprised if Seneth doesn’t get it. He will, however, put his fingers to his lips when he first gets Seneth’s attention, hoping that the warlock at least understands not to vocally speak any confusion he might have.
Goethe will also try to indicate that he’ll hit Dex and the others can choose other targets for the start.
Then waiting until they’re at a fairly isolated portion of the journey, Goethe will position himself behind Dex, signal Donovan and Nail (and Seneth, if he actually figured the signals out) and slip his silenced pistol out its arm slide putting a slug point blank in the back of Dex’s head. If the targeted shot alone doesn’t take him out, he’ll put a second one in.
4509 has extended his retractable cybernetic arm blades, and rounds the corner to leap at the man on the left. As soon as 4509 is in action, the Universal Omnitech squad veteran springs into action, drawing a long dagger from a sheath on his thigh.
Start Round 1
The maintenance workmen are completely taken by surprise, and helpless against the two seasoned warriors. 4509 slashes a large gash across the left man’s back, and knocks him to the ground, immediately diving upon him like a bird of prey. The man isn’t dead, but he has a foot in the grave and will not be able to put up much resistance to the cyborg’s next attack.
The second man turns just in time to see the UO agent drive his dagger into the left side of his chest. The blade slides between his ribs, but not at a perfect angle to immediately incapacitate the man. He pushes off the UO agent and stumbles backward. Impressively, he brings his fists up in a feeble attempt to fight back.
Initiative pass 2
The UO agent wastes no time in finishing the kill. The agent advances on his target, pining him against the wall with his left hand, as his right uses the dagger to finish the job. The man falls, critically wounded and unconscious into a heap on the floor without even having the chance to fight back.
End round 1.
Begin round 2
The man beneath 4509 tries to shout in fear, but the cyborg’s left hand covers his mouth before the sound can escape. With one more careful, deliberate strike, he kills the maintenance man with the cybernetic blade on his right arm. The rest of the UO commando crew rounds the corner, and together the group continues to their destination…
Meanwhile, Goethe is preparing to give an attack signal to the rest of the crew. The cyborg named Dex stops suddenly in his tracks as a transmission is broadcast to him. Your crew can not hear what is being broadcast.
“Did you catch that?” Dex says to his crew.
“Yes sir,” one man confirms. “Looks like it’s starting.”
Dex begins issuing orders. “Fallon, with me. They’re in the drain system. The rest of you, double-time to the armory. Get these mutts armed, and to the surveillance office.”
Goethe may give his signal now, and attack the entire Synthcorp squad, or wait for Dex to depart along with the agent named Fallon before giving his signal.
At seeing Goethe’s signals, Nail wil initially express surprise, then doubt and reluctance, but a few seconds later he will comply. He’s been on too many runs with Goethe to second-guess him now, especially seeing how anxious Donovan looks. When the attack goes down, Nail will throw his jacket at the nearest two goons while loudly saying, “hold my coat!” Immediately after he will execute a brutal jump kick on the guards.
**Wait, we were supposed to help fight on an expected attack against Synthcorp, but now we are fighting the “crew” that was going to fight along side us? …becuase we don’t want to or something? Before Seneth does/doesn’t receive his signal of what is going on, I’d like to make sure I understand what is going on.
Why would we do this(if I’m understanding this correctly)?**
Synthcorp still thinks you’re on their side. It’s the whole reason you’re able to infiltrate their headquarters to begin with.
Synthcorp is the enemy. We’ve seen evidence of what they do to successful runner teams they hire. We were sent on a mission the real purpose of which was to recover sensitive information extremely damaging to them. We failed on that mission. If they kill successful teams, they certainly have good reason to kill the failed ones. Especially because they can’t risk us knowing what’s in that information. It is unlikely that we will get out of this building alive working with them. Seneth has been filled in on all that. Right now, Synthcorp apparently still believes we and Donovan want to work for them. But we have been hired for far more money to sabotage them instead by UO, who are currently trying to invade Synthcorp. And UO is unlikely to kill us. Their motives are profit-driven. Synthcorp’s motives are cover-your-ass. People in CYA mode are more unpredictable.
So our team will get paid more and stand a considerable higher chance of being able to spend that money by betraying Synthcorp.
Upon realizing that Dex is about to take off, Geothe thinks quickly:
You got two choices here. Let Dex go, and then you and your party can easily jump the rest, or take Dex out now, which will prove considerably more difficult. Dex alone would pose a significant difficulty to the party as it stands, and he’s got backup. Fortuntely, you have the advantage of surprise. And you and Nail are quick. You’ll be able to get multiple shots at point blank to Dex’s head before he can so much as flinch. You take him out, and this fight is easily winnable. Plus, if you let him go, who knows what he’s got planned for the UO infiltration teams. Not to mention that he might just double back and take you out anyway. Better the Devil you know than the one you don’t. Just don’t fuck up.
Geothe will give the signal to the group, and loosing his pistol will fire a silenced slug into the base of Dex’s skull at point blank range. (I.e. called shot to do maximum damage), assuming Dex doesn’t die from that, he’ll sink another one in for this initiative pass in the surprise round.
Nice summary Hoopy.
Oh, and in case it matters in terms of the action economy, before Nail tells the guards to hold his coat and throws it at them in response to Goethe’s attack on Dex, Nail will have taken it off first on the guise of being warm.
Seneth isn’t particularly looking for any signals from anybody, but he’s also not particularly caught up in thought.
If he perceives anything from any team member, he will go along fully.
Goethe and Nail act nearly simultaneously, ambushing the Synthcorp crew. The four standard security agents are taken by surprise, but the cyborg Dex is too professional for the ruse to work on him.
Goethe’s hidden pistol slides into his hand as he makes a called shot at Dex’s head.
A called shot suffers an attack penalty, simulating the difficulty of hitting a particular vulnerable area. The benefit is that if the shot hits, only armor which is worn on the area targeted will apply against the shot. In this case, Dex has significant armor due to his cybernetic body replacements, but his skull has not been artificially replaced. Also, Dex’s armor vest will not help him so Dex will receive no armor benefit for this attack. Calling a shot costs a free action. Unfortunately, Goethe has already used a free action this round to quick-draw his pistol, so this called shot will cost a simple action instead.
Begin Surprise round -
Goethe slides the pistol up to Dex’s head and pulls the trigger, but something in the cyborg tingles with a sixth sense of danger. Dex turns to face Goethe a split second before the bullet fires. He’s not fast enough to get out of the way, but its just enough to prevent certain death. The bullet pierces through the right side of Dex’s jaw at an upward angle. The damage is spectacular, shattering the bones and joints in the area of impact, but is not fatal.
Without hesitating, Dex draws his own pistol, and fires back at Goethe as he leaps behind a large decorative planter. His aim is hasty and rushed, but still accurate. Goethe feels the familiar searing sting of a bullet wound, hitting him in the left calf. Luckily, it seems like no serious damage has occurred, and Goethe will be able to fight on without penalty.
Goethe has done 5 damage to Dex, and Dex has returned 2 physical damage to Goethe. Dex is now protected by partial cover, which will make it slightly harder to hit him. Goethe’s actions were free-quick draw,simple-call shot, simple-fire pistol. Dex’s actions were the following: free-leap to cover, simple-standard draw pistol, simple-fire pistol. Goethe may use a free action to call a shot next initiative pass, as long as he does not take another different free action!
Meanwhile, Nail has thrown his coat toward the nearest Synthcorp agent, and engaged the next closest agent in melee. He leaps at the agent, delivering a crushing kick to the man’s ribs. The man gasps in surprise, and Nail follows up with a powerful uppercut punch to the man’s chin. The man reels, but doesn’t fall.
Nail has done 5 stun damage to a Synthcorp agent, who was not able to defend himself due to surprise. Nail’s actions were the following; free-throw coat, complex-melee attack. One agent must spend a simple action next round disentangling from Nail’s coat.
Donovan was also astute enough to catch Goethe’s signal. He roars with surprising fury as he charges at a Synthcorp agent. Seneth sees a flash of magic as Donovan’s fist impacts a Synthcorp agent’s jaw.
He’s an adept! Seneth realizes with sudden delight. Now, it seems so obvious to the warlock. His ring is a weapon focus! Seneth flashes back to the first battle he had with the crew, where Donovan knocked a giant troll unconscious with a single blow at Fortnight’s hideout. Now, Seneth is forced to view Donovan with a new found respect.
The Synthcorp agent Donovan struck stumbles backward two steps, and falls to the ground. Seneth can’t tell for sure, but it looks like the man is not breathing.
Next round will be a full combat round (not surprise) which all characters may participate in. Seneth was not able to participate in the surprise round, but he may take his first initiative pass as normal in round one of the standard combat phase.
End Surprise Combat Round
Meanwhile, the cyborg 4509 receives a transmission from Walken via comlink.
“Synthcorp has been alerted to your presence. Your group is to stand down, in order to give Goethe’s crew time to upload the virus. Otherwise, the Synthcorp security drones will be unhindered and able to thwart you. Wait until we have confirmation that the virus has taken effect. Please acknowledge receipt of this transmission.”
“Impressive, my child!” Seneth yells at Donovan. “But not as impressive as this.”
Seneth casts Manabolt at the nearest Synthcorp agent he sees.
Nail will continue fighting melee and making wisecracks as appropriate. If it looks like he will be fired upon, he will dodge or use the nearest guard as a shield.
4509 looks at the commandos he’s with, then down the drainage system leading deeper into the facility. He sighs, responding: “Yeah, I heard you.”
*So he was expecting it. It appears this guy’s as paranoid as you are. Well, at least you got him worse than he got you. However, you need this over quick. After all, the team has a lot to do and spending time here isn’t getting any of it done. Besides, you don’t want to give a chance for backup to come, and if Synthcorp is on to the attack, the assault groups are likely to be waiting on your team to finish its goal.
BTW, it appears you’ve been underestimating Donovan all this time.*
Goethe will make another called shot to Dex’s head. He will aim first and add an edge pool to the attack roll.
Nail moves to attack the agent he has already hurt, looking to finish him off.
“You’ve got something on your nose!” Nail says, as his left hand lashes out to hit the man’s face. The agent blocks the attack, but Nail follows up with a right hook that weaves through the agent’s defense and hits him in the face. In a desperate gamble, the man reaches out with both hands and attempts to tackle Nail, who casually sidesteps out of reach. “Tag! You’re it!” Nail taunts.
Nail has done 3 stun damage to the previously injured Synthcorp agent. The agent doesn’t have much fight left in him, but he’s not out yet. Donovan has taken out 1 agent in the surprise round, and another is disentangling from Nail’s coat. There is 1 more agent not accounted for yet this round.
The Synthcorp agent with Nail’s coat angrily tosses it aside, and draws his pistol. “You’re dead, slim!” The agent shouts at Nail, as Donovan charges him. He barely has time to react as Donovan throws a savage haymaker punch at his head. The man ducks just in time, and blocks Donovan’s left hand followup, but he doesn’t completely avoid Donovan’s third swing. The man flinches away from the blow instinctively, causing it to glance off his ribs. Even so, there’s a loud “crack!” of breaking ribs, that Nail can hear even above the sound of Goethe and Dex’s pistol shots. The agent shoves off Donovan and staggers backward.
The agent Donovan injured will participate in the next initiative pass. He used a free action to speak a phrase to Nail, a simple action to disentangle from the coat, and a simple action to draw his pistol. Donovan used a free action to close distance, and a complex action to engage in melee.
Nail hears an ominous “click” as the safety is disengaged from a firearm behind him. He turns to see the uninjured agent pointing a burst-fire rifle at him.
“Game over,” the agent says, and pulls the trigger.
Nail attempts to leap out of the way, but the agent tracks him with the rifle as he fires. A short burst of pure hell leaps from the barrel of the rifle, and Nail feels at least one of the bullets shredding through the flesh of his abdomen in mid-air. He lands with a “thud” on the ground, in immediate agony.
Nail has taken 4 physical damage from an assault rifle. Nail’s defense pool was reduced for this attack, as it was the 2nd incoming attack he rolled against this round (the first was the agent attempting to tackle him). Attacks incoming from multiple sources are quite dangerous! The agent used a free action to speak to Nail, a simple action to ready (draw) his weapon, and a simple action to fire.
The agent stands over Nail, with a smug, gloating expression, as he is suddenly hurled backward against the wall by a powerful force. “Impressive, my child!” Seneth yells at Donovan. “But not as impressive as this.” Seneth’s manabolt spell crackles with energy that seems to dance across the man’s body for a few moments after impact.
Seneth has caused 8 points of physical damage with his manabolt spell. It’s nearly enough to knock the agent unconscious, but the man is heroically still trying to fight, and will participate in the next initiative pass. Seneth has suffered 1 point of drain by casting this spell.
Dex and Goethe are in something of a standoff. Dex has nowhere to go, but Goethe is waiting for the precise moment when Dex exits cover to blow his head off.
“You can’t win!” Dex says. “No matter what happens to me, you won’t walk out of this building!” The words are still intelligible, although garbled due to the damage to his jaw.
Goethe remains silent.
With a sudden flurry of motion, Dex leaps sideways through the air from behind his cover and brings his pistol to bear against Goethe. His finger tightens around the trigger as he lines up the perfect shot against the ork, but he never gets to take it. His lifeless body falls to the ground, dead before his feet even touch the floor, a single bullet hole in his forehead.
Goethe has killed the cyborg Dex, spending a point of Edge to do so.
End First Initiative Pass
Time is running short! Donovan can direct you crew to the Security mainframe, but the longer it takes, the more preparation Synthcorp has against Chaggo’s awakened warriors, and 4509’s commando squad. Three Synthcorp agents are still fighting, but all of them are injured and can only put up a small resistance.
Begin Second Initiative Pass
Donovan rushes to Nail and helps him to his feet. “Follow me! There’s no time!” he shouts to Nail, and rushes down the hallway, away from the fight.
Donovan has spent his 2nd initiative pass helping Nail to his feet, speaking a simple phrase to him, and running, presumably toward the Security mainframe. Nail may follow him, or stay and finish the fight.
Goethe will participate in the 2nd initiative pass, but Seneth may only participate by spending a point of Edge.
Seeing the interaction between Donovan and Nail, Goethe as a free action will say to them:
“Go! I’ve got this part covered!”
He will then shoot his pistol at the agent with the rifle. If that doesn’t finish him off, he’ll fire again, otherwise, he’ll fire his second action at the one that Donovan injured.
If it is a free action, Seneth will leave the battle and follow to the security main frame.
To Goethe:
“Owl will help you, my child, but I can not continue to fight for now. These children are quite weak now and will be dead soon. If you wish, leave them on the ground and come with us!”