Contract #1: Big Man, Japan!

[GM Nick]

Kato squints as he probes his memory.

"Two fire doors in back of pachinko parlor, linked up to alarm. Boss likes to stay in his office on the second floor. Security cameras all over... security patrol..."

[Conway]

((not sure Kato needs to meet us at the parlor if he sends a pic of the target?))

[GM Nick]

Tyros and Sinjin thunder into the swarming metropolitan sprawl of Little Japan, Seattle. The big Pathfinder weaves in and out of traffic, passing tiny egg-shaped economy cars, nearly the same size as the bike. Holographic billboards crowd the skyline--rosy cheeked supermodels selling vitamin drinks next to cartoon mascots peddling the latest in sim-sense programming.

Unlike Chinatown, Little Japan seems to be home to a slightly more affluent, slightly classier crowd.

The troll and ork catch more than their fair share of irritated looks as the large motorcycle slides off the avenue.

Happy Hour pachinko parlor is located at the end of a large drag, located cater-corner to a noodle house. A group of salary-men are gathered out front, puffing on cigars and exchanging stock exchange war stories. A cacophony of electronic sounds, mixed with the barrage of a million tiny ball bearings on pins emanates from inside the smoke-filled den of distraction.

[GM Nick]

The rover rolls down the interstate, wheels belting a soothing hum as the dampers work their magic. The leather steering wheel (Sportsman edition!) feels natural under Doc's hands as he operates the manual driving mode.

Kato leans forward from the middle of the first row of passenger seating so his head is in between Max and Doc.

"This a real A+ joint, so we need to be subtlety."

[Drew Buddy]

Doc nods silently, and activates the vehicle's signature masking as they approach their destination.

Peering out the windshield, he looks for another similar looking vehicle, and punches that car's license tag into the morphing license plate.

"You know the area. Can you think of a place where we can stash the car, and approach on foot without too many witnesses?"

[Elliott]

[Pachinko Parlor]

Tyros pulls the bike into a side alley, half a block down the street from the Happy Hour Pachinko Parlor. Looking himself and Sinjin up and down, "I don't think we fit in here, buddy, so walking casually in the front door probably won't work. I have a disappearing trick which will let me get inside. How are you at climbing? Maybe you can get in through a window or vent on the second floor or roof? We need to whack the boss in his office and set the place on fire. I'm thinking I'll make my way to the kitchen and convince one of the cooks to open up the gas pipe. I'm pretty compelling. I can head up to the office after that if you need help, or you can take care of the boss your own way. You're the infiltration expert, I suppose, got any better ideas?"

[John]

(( Not to backseat drive, but Tyros doesn't have an intimidation pool. While it would make sense that he could intimidate his way through situations, you're going to be rolling 0d6 on that one, so I'd suggest going some route other than the intimidation one. Also, if the boss is obviously murdered, I don't think the sabotage will seem like an accident. Maybe find a way to lock him inside while you burn it down? ))

[Conway]

"No that sounds about right. I imagine if you wait out here a minute, someone will open up to take the trash out from the kitchen. That's your window, right where you want to be. If that don't work, Ill try to let you in myself. Kato mentioned surveillance cameras on the exits though, so a little invisibility will go a long way if I don't have to be seen opening up the shop. If I can get inside through the A/C ducts, I should be able to crawl my way to the second floor. Now....eenie meenie miney mole...window, vent, or other hole..."

Sinjin looks for the least conspicuous entrance, scanning the walls for air vents, windows or access to the roof. ((Perception?))

[Conway]

"About the target...obviously we cant be too obvious in taking him out or this ruse isnt gonna stick. I'll have to try to lock him in, or knock him out and place him in a likely exit path where he umm...unfortunately succumbs to smoke inhalation. If I cant get close enough though," he pats the equipment hidden beneath his coat, "Ive got a few tricks of my own."

[GM Nick]

Sinjin's eyes sweep the skyline.

Perception Test

[Perception (3) + Int (3) + Enhanced Perception (2) = 5]
5 3 4 5 6 5 4 5

A window on the second floor is slightly ajar. Additionally, the ventilation system looks to be pretty old and service the entire block--there could be potential for an entry there.

[John]

(( Tyros flying through that window could be a good bet rather than entering through the kitchen? Btw, if my suggestions are unwelcomed, I'll butt out. ))

[Elliott]

((Yeah, by "compelling" i mean Tyros will take over the guy's fucking mind with his magic, no intimidation necessary.))

Nodding to Sinjin, "I think thats a good call. I'll wait at the back door for someone to come out, or even knock a few times to get their attention. As soon as they see me, they will do whatever I want. The Yaks might not know until an autopsy is done that the boss was taken out prior to the fire, so I dont think it's that critical we make him succumb to natural causes. Afterall, it's supposed to look like an accident to the public do that nothing can be proven, but if the Yaks dont get the message that this is the consequence or crossing our employers, the job won't be effective either. All in all though, I agree, knock the guy out, bind his limbs, and make sure the fire burns that room is the best plan. I'll leave you to gain second story access."

With Sinjin's agreement, Tyros makes a quick gesture with his hand channeling power simultaneously between two new rings the glitter on his fingers, one ruby, one sapphire (centering (plus centering foci), invis, f4, sustaining foci) and vanishes from sight. "Talk to you on the inside.", Tyros makes off towards the read enterance, looking for a someone to disarm the alarm and open the door for a trash run.

[Drew Buddy]

(( In danger of doing some backseat driving myself, it actually does matter if the Yakuza find out it was Shiawase hit. Shiawase wants this done without the Yakuza knowing who did it (or that "it" was done at all). The danger isn't bad PR in the public sphere, it's avoiding a corpo/gang war as a consequence of what we do here. ))

[Conway]

Sinjin stares openly at the seemingly vacant space his friend just occupied. "Now that's a neat trick." he says aloud.

Cracking his knuckles, Sinjin prepares himself for the engagement ahead. Steadying his breath, he readies his mind to deal with the stress and inevitable adrenaline surge he will feel when he begins. A clear head finds a clear path. he reminds himself.

With a quick nod, as if to say, "Here goes nothing.", Sinjin vaults forward with practiced skill, deftly catching the edge of a commercial ventilation system spanning the gap between the parlor house and a neighboring building. Crossing his ankles around the cold aluminum for support, he works the screen and filter free before worming his way into the tight passageway. Sinjin feels his heart rate slow as he edges forward, his entire being focused on making as little noise as possible.

[GM Nick]

Improved Invisibility (f4)

[Spellcasting (6) + MAG (6) + Power Focus (2) = 5]
6 3 3 3 1 5 1 5 1 3 5 3 3 5

Resist Drain

[WIL (4) + LOG (6) + Centering (3) + Focused Concentration (2) = 5]
2 4 6 4 3 2 1 2 6 5 1 4 5 2 6

Tyros dematerializes.

Climbing Test (3)

[Climbing (3) + STR (5) = 3]
2 1 5 4 2 5 2 6

Whilst his comrade scales the side of the building and squeezes into the ventilation system.

Infiltration Test

[Infiltration (5) + AGI (5) = 4]
2 6 5 2 6 6 2 2 2 4

[Conway]

Sinjin crawls through the airway, making his way deeper into the building. Keeping track of his orientation in his head, he shuffles forward to survey the adjoining vents and openings. He peers through the slotted screens of each exhaust vent as he passes, looking to identify what would be the security office and the location of his targets private quarters.

[John]

[ Near Data Center, Seattle ]

Max looks at the building and turns to Val,

"What do we need to do to get you access? There's a good chance I could talk us inside as long I know what I need to say-- like if we're there to do some kind of maintenance on the ducting or something-- but we need to know how far inside we need to get you so you can work your magic."

Max looks down at himself and the way his cohorts are dressed, and adds,

"This would be a lot easier if we didn't look like mercenaries, though... "

(( I don't strictly think Stephen will actually know this, so perhaps some GM intervention is necessary on this topic. Also-- any place around where we could get some regular clothes real fast? Maybe if something that looks utilitarian, like a city employee would wear? ))

[GM Nick]

The rover rolls to a stop in the bowels of a parking garage, roughly a city block from the Yakuza data center.

[John]

(( I suppose you could roll area knowledge for a place to get a change of clothes. [EDIT: To clarify, I'm not talking about disguises. I'm talking about clothing that will allow us to look like something other than a group of mercenaries.] ))

[Stephen]

"How close I need to be depends on how smart the family's matrix security guys are. They've likely got it in a lead-lined room, which means I may need to actually be in the room to gain access. Otherwise, if I can find a way in through a gateway node that's hooked up to the matrix... hmm... I'll need to check into that. How bout one of you guys work on the clothes, and I'll do some preliminary scouting? Oh, and uh, if one of you'd watch my meat for a moment, that'd be swell."

Val's body goes limp as he shifts to VR. Streams of indigo data shimmer and coalesce over his semi-translucent, amorphous, and only vaguely humanoid icon which is all the more disconcerting because of its lack of a face. He fires up his Scan program and attempts to detect any hidden nodes in the matrix which appear to be situated within the building, intending to Analyze them as soon as he acquires any.

[John]

Val now under, Max admits with some shame,

"Was I the only one a little afraid that he was going to whip out his cock?"

[Drew Buddy]

Adams snorts.

"Not sure what I thought, but I am sure glad that he didn't. Do you want to see about the clothes? I don't know the area, so I can stay here and keep an eye on our decker." Doc taps the battle rifle.

[John]

Max nods and steps out of the rover, leaving his ordinance behind and stripping off his gear that would otherwise scream 'I'm a trained killer' to the world.

[Elliott]

Tyros walks to the back of the Pachinko parlor and examines the exits, looking for the door that most likely leads to the kitchen. Knocking on it loudly several times, Tyros steps back and waits for it to open.

[GM Nick]

(( You're in the downtown commercial/office district, so a clothing store is a bit of a stretch.))

Max slips out of the van and shrugs off his kevlar coat. His heightened perceptions detect the faint signs of people entering and exiting the business park's parking lot every few minutes.

[GM Nick]

[ Pachinko Parlor ]

A few moments after the troll's walnut sized knuckles rap against the door, a small Japanese man in a soiled apron flings the door open. He stares at the empty alley, looking both left and right.

"Who there?"

[John]

[ Data Center, Seattle ]

Keeping it cool-as-a, Max does his best Mr. Cucumber stroll toward the entryway to the parking lot and sets up position to observe security and travel patterns.

[Drew Buddy]

[ Data Center, Seattle ]

Doc keeps low and slouched in the driver's seat. From where he sits, he keeps an eye on the parking garage, looking for anyone taking an undue interest in the vehicle.

[John]

Max comms to Doc and Val,

<I remember this neighborhood now that I walk around it a bit, and I think we're drek outta' luck on getting a change in clothes. I noticed something about the parking garage, though-- call it a hunch. Gonna take a good look at the entrance.>

Opening the comm channel to the whole team, Max continues,

<You know, we could probably get away with taking out a guard or two here and there as long as they vanish and are never seen again. Just a thought. If we have to take somebody out, we need to make sure the body and evidence disappear.>

[GM Nick]

[ Pachinko Parlor ]

Sinjin creeps through the cramped confines of the ventilation system. The only sound that can be heard is his heartbeat thumping out a rhythm in his inner ear. The stealthy ork stops at the first grate and peers through the narrow slats.

The view below reveals a smoky room filled with row after row of pachinko machines. Groups of salary-men and weekend tourists sit slack-jawed, their faces illuminated by the vibrant colors of the noisy devices. A group of joygirls flits about, cozying up to the wealthier-looking patrons.

[GM Nick]

[ Business Park, Seattle ]

Max stands mostly obscured in the darkness behind a stairwell, watching the entrance to the business park with keen eyes. Every few minutes a stray wage-slave will descend the stairs or step off the elevator and cross through the parking garage towards an arbitrary destination. Though diverse, the group is mostly the same--John and Jane Doe salary-worker, going about their daily duties. None of them appear to have any augmentations or obvious weapons.

The elf's finger traces a pattern on top of a bottle of bliss and he hums tunelessly, his attention concentrated on profiling the civilians.

[Elliott]

[ Pachinko Parlor ]

Standing invisible in front of the little Japanese man, Tyros makes a reaching motion (centering) and lets his mind flow with his magic through his outstretched hand and into the cook's third eye, wrapping around his brain like a vice (Control Thoughts, F5).

Having the cook firmly under control, Tyros follows the cook inside before ordering him to shut the door and lead the way to the kitchen.

[John]

(( Any of these wage slaves ever walking near the rover? If so, I'd like to grab one and drag him inside. ))

[Conway]

Taking advantage of the background noise, Sinjin takes a moment to check in with Tyros.

<Im inside. Im just over the main pachinko floor now, continuing onward. Whats your status?>

Wasting no time, he continues his slow crawl deeper into the building.

[GM Nick]

(( They're crossing through, it wouldn't be too much trouble. ))