SDMB Shadowrun campaign, New World Orders - players only!

Chaggo replies, “Seems to me you lot have been on the wrong path ever since you took this gig. All the cards are on the table now, kids. You’ll get Arry safe and sound, and if cold blood’s your cup of tea you’ll get a burly ork Adept body to show off to your new masters, too. How’s that for ‘literal truths,’ asshole?”

Re: Nail’s inquiry - Goethe had previously stripped Chaggo of his gear, including his commlink. The group will be in possession of it, and Nail would certainly be able to access it.

Nail activates Chaggo’s comlink with one hand, using the other to hold his pistol to the ork’s temple. Chaggo is still bound, and Nail must operate the comlink for him.

“Speak slowly and clearly, please,” Nail says casually before pushing the transmit button.

Chaggo sneers at Nail soundlessly before speaking into the comlink.

“Tory, Jax, listen up. Synthcorp has your address, and they’re coming for Arry. Get out now, if you want to keep your guts on the inside.”

There’s a short delay before the response. A man says, “Copy, boss. What do you want to do with the Native?”

“Leave him,” Chaggo says. “You kill him, and you’re next on Synthcorp’s list. Just get out now while you still can. Got it?”

“Already gone. Good luck.”

Chaggo glances meaningfully at Nail holding the pistol to his head. “Luck? Don’t need it. Now stop transmitting, you idiot. They’re monitoring the signal.”

Nail deactivates the comlink. “Happy now?” Chaggo says.

Soon afterward, Donovan’s sedan pulls into the driveway of Chaggo’s ‘safe’ house. From all appearances it’s a normal residence, although the building is quite old by Seattle standards. There’s a garage locked shut at the top of the driveway, and a wood front door. A well-kept wood plank fence sections off the back yard, where presumably there’s a second entrance. The building is two stories tall, and approximately 2200 square feet.

I’ll accept orders for how to proceed making entry to the house now. Chaggo is still bound with the zip-tie restraints.

Nail listens intently to Chaggo’s communication for any sign of deceit or treachery. All he hears is firm authority and the respect indicative of the close bonds he shares with his compatriots. That apparently caring bond naturally reminds Nail of the home life he’s had to largely leave behind. He wonders if they miss him. Regretful thoughts flash through his head and his once cheerful mood blackens like white clouds turning to gray. When Chaggo finishes talking, Nail cannot respond with his usual sarcasm, only managing to let out a serious-sounding, “I’m working on it.” Nail then relaxes slightly and puts his gun away.

Addressing the group: “Somebody will have to stay behind and guard Chaggo. I’d know I’d be able to get out of these zip ties if my life was on the line. So naturally, I volunteer myself.”

Nail slouches down a bit and lights up a cigarette.

"I was thinking we bring Chaggo with us. That way Arry can see we’ve got him, and we can use him as a shield in case any of his gang decided to stick around. You and Seneth go in through the front with Chaggo. Donovan and I will go in through the back. When I’m ready to go in, I’ll give the signal over comm.

“But first, I think we should see if there are any thermal signatures in the building or garage. And by the way, we should be careful for any booby traps. If any of you have any skill in demolitions or such, now would be a good chance to keep your eyes peeled for them.”

Goethe will activate his thermal vision on his glasses.

Goethe’s thermal vision does not pick up any human heat sources on the first or second floor. If Arry is inside, he’s probably in the basement, with enough concrete around him to mask his heat signature.

"I believe there is too much risk that Chaggo will escape his bonds. However, I will follow this plan if the group agrees to it.

“If Chaggo’s goons have stayed behind, bringing Chaggo with us could make things a lot worse, not better.”

Nail sighs. “So Donovan, what do you think? It’s currently 2-1 for me taking a break with Chaggo, and you haven’t voted yet.”

Privately to the group:

“My dear children…I am not one to advocate unnecessary violence, but would it not make more sense to kill Chaggo and take…his head or something to show as proof of how powerful we are?”

“Gee, and I was only just starting to get to know the guy.”

Donovan pulls out his silenced pistol from within his jacket pocket.

"Mind you all that we were paid to kill Chaggo. I’m not going to take a write up on account of some conscience springin’ up around here.

“However, I’m not one to turn down a fair bargain, either.” Donovan points the gun at Chaggo, "So, your life for a little more info. You stole company intel from Synthcorp. What was it, and where is it kept? And who do you have on the inside? Names, and you walk out of here, presuming you leave town and never show your face here again.

“Which will it be?”

“I’ll tell you what, chump,” Chaggo says. “You want info, and I want assurance you won’t just pull the trigger soon as I talk. I ain’t afraid to die, but I’d prefer to live if I can help it. So here’s how I see it; we go somewhere public, where your trigger finger might be a bit less itchy. I give you a name and location, and then walk away. Sound good to you?”

Donovan to Chaggo:

"Did I ever mention I’m allergic to dumbass orks? Especially ones who try to dictate terms when someone is holding a gun to their head. It’s weird. I get this rash, right on my fingers. Mostly on this one finger right here, the one on the trigger. Gets so itchy, it’s crazy.

“Tell you what, you’re on. You’re coming with us. But we aren’t doing this your way. We find Arry, and we find Arry safe, and then you talk. If you do, you have my word you walk. If not, you die, right there. Think about that on the way inside. That’s your final chance.”

Donovan to the group:

“I have a survival kit in the trunk with some rope. Bind his hands real good, zip ties won’t do it. He goes in first, and he’s coming with us. Let’s go, we don’t have a ton of time.”

Seneth to the group:

“I must tell you something, my children. My source is a powerful Spirit-guide in the Astral Plane, the Owl I have mentioned before. I believe before we decide what to do with Chaggo, I must consult my guide. It is a Spirit of Wisdom, the very one who assured me this ‘run’(as you call it) was a good thing to be a part of. I will present both options for Chaggo’s immediate future to my guide and I will advise we take the direction the Owl suggests.”

Seneth wishes to contact the Owl

Edit: All the above was, ideally, out of Chaggo’s hearing range.

Nail goes to get his ass out of the car but before he can finish rousting himself, Seneth speaks.

“You just get better and better,” he quips.

Seneth stands in silence, expecting a sign or signal from his mentor spirit. None is forthcoming. After a long, awkward pause, it is apparent that Seneth must make this decision on his own.

Has the group decided to bring Chaggo into the house with them?

To the group:

“No words from the Owl. I leave the decision with all of you and will follow it and provide assistance.”

Nail fidgets for a few seconds.

Nail then gets the survival kit out of the trunk and binds Chaggo’s hands real good. “That Owl sure was a talkative fellow. Can’t catch a break around here, I guess. Well, let’s go.” “Nail says as he binds Chaggo’s hands and guides him up out of the vehicle.”

As Nail pops open the trunk and secures Chaggo, Goethe reaches into the trunk and pulls out his HK227X and AK97. He holsters the SMG on his belt and holds the AK97 in his hand. A feeling of everything being all right in the world spreads through him as he is reunited with his old friend–its craftmanship being head and shoulders above the cheap SMG he salvaged when dealing with Fortnight. The time for subtlety was over. There weren’t any Lone Star around. There weren’t any hostile targets necessary to keep alive anymore. There was just automatic goodness, a rating 3 gas vent system, a sound supressor, and a smartlink targeting reticule. That’s all he needed. He rotates his arm and wrist, feeling the elegant balance of the weapon and let’s a bit of a smile escape his usually stoic features.

Then snapping out of his reverie he addresses group.

"Let’s do this then. I’ll enter though the back as I said. I can do it alone, or one person can join me. If anyone wants a bit of extra firepower and can handle it, you’re welcome to borrow the KH for a bit. Otherwise, I’ll keep it as a backup. I can also loan the Predator IV if that’s more your liking.

“Just make sure you aim at the right targets.”

Unless there is any last-minute update, my next post will be in approximately 8 hours, at or near 1:00 am PST, and will contain the results of the team making entry into the house. Chaggo will be ushered through the front door by Donovan, followed by Seneth and Nail, while Goethe simultaneously enters through the back door.

Goethe enters the back yard of the house through a side gate. The back door is locked. “I’m in position,” Goethe says via comlink.

Donovan finds the front door of the house unlocked. With one hand holding a pistol to Chaggo’s back, Donovan opens the door with the other hand. As the door swings open, Donovan says to Chaggo, “you first.” Chaggo enters the house, with Donovan directly behind. Seneth and Nail follow. “We’re in,” Donovan says over the comlink.

Goethe immediately fires two rounds into the door, breaking both the handle lock and deadbolt. He ferociously kicks through the splintering door, and it bursts open with a CRACK. Goethe clears through a dining room and kitchen, and meets with Donovan and the others in the living room.

The house seems deserted. The furnishings are spartan, with only a few chairs around a simple table, a small assortment of dishes in the kitchen, and basic food supplies. Goethe and Nail sweep the second story, and find it to be similarly empty.

“He’s in the basement,” Chaggo offers.

“Shut up,” Donovan replies.

The group proceeds down a narrow staircase leading to the basement. Donovan gruffly shoves Chaggo forward as he opens the basement door. Goethe, Nail, and Seneth are quick to take position inside.

Inside the basement is Arry, handcuffed to a heavy duty pipe. He’s alone, and none of the group is able to detect signs of a trap.

“You the rescue crew?” the Native says with a heavy tribal accent. “It’s about damn time.”

If it isn’t super draining, Seneth will cast:

Detect Magic

and

Detect Enemies

on the room/area.