The elevator picks up speed and then slows down dramatically. It opens up with a hiss of compressed air- the doors opening vertically not horizontally. There seems to have been a bit of a...disagreement, as there are several dead bodies on the floor. None that you recognize, though. Hestia and Theros are on one side of the floor, trading fire with what looks like 3 men on the other side of the floor. There is a strange man huddling behind your friends.
Zinnius Dern wrote:
I- I KNEW it. I KNEW IT! Aliens STOLE MY HUSBANDS JOB! They used their...POWERS on him to STEAL his thoughts! It's odd. After finding "evidence" of her suspicions, she seems to have almost forgotten that Zinnius is an alien. She speaks animately and excitedly, and her attention is entirely upon him.
Spoiler: You both get it, but in different ways. Grace, you get that she's afraid of Zinneus- but you can't quite get why. You know that fear is at the root of a lot of bigotry, but more or less leave it at that. Zinneus, a memory of yours is tickled- a long, long time ago, when you were working with humans for the first time, you remembered hearing some nonsense story about Salarians visiting earth centuries ago and kidnapping animals and humans for all manner of "experiments", usually just flashing lights and making odd noises and then dumping the confused animal or human in a field and flying off. It struck you as incredibly stupid- but no, what was worse was that this had become part of the human zeitgeist, at least among small minded bigots who believed conspiracy theories. I mean, it's one thing to think that Salarians and Asari secretly control the economy through math and sex, but this is such a far flung theory that it beggars belief. Maybe she is such a person?
Grace Wright wrote:
Unfortunately, she quite literally sets her jaw in a way that would make your old DI think she was volunteering for a tour of the grounds. "I'm sorry, SIR," she says focusing on that last word. "This area is closed for maintenance." Her eyes flick to Zinneus, and you recognize the distaste there, but there's something else there too you can't put your finger on... Spoiler: Both of you roll Alertness with a +2 bonus for Zinneus
Grace Wright wrote: [dice="Alertness]4d3-8+2 Spoiler: She only has eyes for Zinnius. You are slowly, sadly becoming more familiar with this kind of Xenophobia. An organization that has problems with aliens would definitely have a woman like this working for them. You are more and more certain that she is some kind of low level agent, possibly very low level. No real way of dealing with this kind of woman without things getting ugly.
Grace Wright wrote:
Spoiler: You can tell the first woman is kind of ignoring you and looking at Zinnius. The second woman is very much unused to weapons in her day to day life. If anyone is going to give you grief its probably her. From what you see now that you are inside there are probabky more elevators throughout the building, but the ones the rough customers from earlier probably used are behind the second woman.
Okay. This is the second time my post didn't post even though I saw it post. Now I have to go with my memory of what I posted and I am frustrated. Going with Zinnius and Grace here. The stroll into the building is as casual as it can be when you are a pair of heavily armed agents walking into a civilian building. You attract more than a few looks from passersby, but noone goes screaming for security QUITE yet. You see the area that the rough looking people from earlier probably went to, but there is a woman there standing at a reception-like standing desk you KNOW wasn't there before. Spoiler: She gives you an appraising glance but doesn't exactly welcome you. Alternatively, you can go to the more populated reception area with no less than three receptionists, one of whom gives the two of you a weary, professional smile, although Make a Alertness check, otherwise Spoiler: it's clear the weapons make her nervous. Make an Alertness check, otherwise
Theron Iskios wrote:
He freezes in place, looking like a high end mannequin for all his slick corporate wear. A bit loud, perhaps, but this IS an insulated floor...chances are good that noone heard anything.
Hestia Harper wrote:
With a roll like that, his eyes glaze over, and he instantly starts fighting his friends. Guns: 4d3 - 8 + 5 ⇒ (2, 2, 3, 1) - 8 + 5 = 5 And with a roll like that, one of the men falls over, as a Pistol round is placed into the back of his skull next to the ear, he uses the pistol as it was designed.
Theron Iskios wrote: Depends on how big the guns are - my own Pistol is a Weapon 4, so only 2 on the roll would do minimum damage (4). Assuming it's 3, then it's going to vastly (but not completely) deplete my Shield (4) These are pistols, and smallish ones at that. Great for the old base-of-the-skull-retirement, but not much for toe to toe combat.
Hestia Harper wrote:
If I am reading the rules right, it should be athletics for gunfire. If fighting hand to hand you can use fight, guns(Nothing stops a fistfight like guns) or athletics.
Hestia Harper wrote:
Resolve: 4d3 - 8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3, 1, 3) - 8 + 2 = 3 He takes it all in stride, and takes cover as ordered. He's a marshmallow, but not a complete idiot- this is not his world and he takes orders and acts accordingly as a result. Please roll initiative for yourself!
Theron Iskios wrote: Theron whispers, "Sell it," then lines up toward the door, placing a hand to his ear, "Blast, this isn't a drill. Hide behind something!", he shouts, then triggers his biotic ability, rushing forward, his power taking him through the door to strike at whomever is on the other side This is strange. I have checked this page multiple times since these posts were made and I didn't see this, not even once. I'll have to check with the message board staff because I would have posted literally weeks ago had I seen this. Anyway, back to the game. The door EXPLODES in plastwood splinters and Icantbelieveitsnotglass shards. There were- emphasis were- three men on the other side of that door who are spread out across the hallway now, unconscious...or not so unconscious. Unfortunately, they had friends further down the hall, though not many- three to your sight, whom you have taken by surprise. They seem to operate in a world similar to yours- wearing nice suits to blend in, no armor that you can see- but some high end semi collapsible heavy pistols that look like they could do some damage even to someone wearing light armor. Theron- and only Theron- make a special roll with a +2 bonus. Then roll initiative. Black Ops Cerberus(?) Initiative 4d3 - 8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 3, 3, 3) - 8 + 3 = 7
Hestia Harper wrote:
Spoiler: Unfortunately no...this is a dead end. That said this isn't a prison- there is a smallish window in one corner that provides an excellent view of the building across the way, and a considerably larger vent in the ceiling. All that said, this guy is WAY too big for either- you can fit through both of them(although the window wouldn't be fun) and Theron could fit through the vent with some difficulty.
Theron Iskios wrote:
He takes the proffered food, which seems to calm him slightly although he remains a bit flustered. "Intruders? What? Let me check the feed... He turns around, presumably to cycle over to the camera feed.
Hooboy. Not the greatest special rolls, but considering your backgrounds and the fact that it is the two of you together, you are entitled to some information: Hestia:
SOMETHING about this guy tickles a memory. You know he is a biotic though, but not a biotic the way you are- something in a class you kinda rested your eyes through... somw kind of non-eezo based biotic? Psy-something? Not sure what he has to do with classical music, buy you know it was Psy something, you are confident about that as strange as it sounds. He's definitely a weirdo, but a harmless one, especially with Theron there. Theron: You remember some conspiracy talk about humanity's biotic abilities long before eezo was a thing. There were "psychics" who could bend sporks or win contests or something like that. They were supposed to be really helpful to companies- the theory implied that humanity was able to complete on the new interstellar market because of these guys pulling strings somehow, supposedly every company has guys like this in a similar office somewhere in the back doing...SOMETHING, you arent sure what. You DID have to retire one attached to a company that was making life financially uncomfortable for Cerberus back in the day, and he was a lot like this guy. You get the sense they don't let them out a lot.
The infiltration team slips in JUST as the elevator doors behind them open- a few seconds later and it would have been an awkward reception in the lobby. You hear no footfalls in the hall approaching this mini-office, a likely side effect of the noise scramblers and plush carpet, but even without those, the music is near deafening. Despite this, the man at the computer whirls around in surprise. Spoiler:
The DM rolls very special dice: Special: 2 + 4d3 - 8 ⇒ 2 + (1, 2, 1, 2) - 8 = 0 Ah well. As this is a very special infiltration team, make an equally very special roll, Hestia with a +2, and Theron with a +3, otherwise, the shocked fellow is in his early 30s and has a few days of growth with respect to beard but otherwise looks very put together despite his lack of fashion sense. "You...aren't the regular crew. Who are you?" He immediately turns the music down.
Theron Iskios wrote: Theron pauses a moment, blinks, ....waitaminute..., and quickly tries to force a diagnostic to ensure this is a live feed and not an (old) loop. From what you see, it is quite live, or at least real. The mannerisms are all too human, even advanced AIs don't twitch, cough, and scratch itches that way.
Who is that masked DM? wrote:
Quote: Theron quickly flips the camera to ensure he's not walking into worse than the goons following him... or something that'll tip them off immediately, either. It's a somewhat sad scene- one lone corporate drone sitting at a state of the art computer rig that is easily the price of a small home in an office that is larger than the setup, though not by much. Make a perception check, otherwise he is simply kind of bopping to the beat of the song he is singing along with, admittedly badly. Quote:
You are trying to find the seams for the door to the rooms that are doubtless there, but you find nothing. Just then your gaze falls to the floor and you see an imperfection there. Then it hits you- Oh crap. These aren't doors to other rooms. They're PRIVATE ELEVATORS. The old-school kind that open vertically, not horizontally, they melt perfectly into the walls in this decor. You hear them rumbling quietly. Someone- several someones- are on their way to this floor.
Theron Iskios wrote:
It's an out of the box security system. You're through it in moments. You can open the door, flip the camera to see what's inside, or first one and then the other.
Hestia Harper wrote:
You are aware that there is more to this hallway, but have no idea where these phantom rooms are. It strikes you as an uncanny waste of space at the moment.
Theron Iskios wrote:
You can use Investigation for this, where Hestia has failed
Who is that masked DM? wrote:
Quote: One subtly, the other less so, the infiltration team makes their way down the hall. The lighting is a bit too infrequent, the carpet a bit too plush, and the door reading "Room 101" is a at what Hestia notices is a far too long hallway- there have to be some extra rooms hidden somewhere along this corridor- for a few moments, but then, you are right there. The door is closed and there is a very obvious, private home style BRING doorbell doubtlessly linked to a camera for the inhabitants next to the door. Hestia hears someone singing along badly to some kind of music, but his off key screeching turns her off to whatever type of music it might be.
Zinnius Dern wrote: ”We should warn them. I do not think a frontal assault is advisable in this location - which is rare for me to say. But do we know they are after our team - or is something other than normal business going on here?” The group makes a hard right as they go inside the building, and Grace swears they speak to someone, maybe? Make a Perception check to see whom, or Zinneus can attempt a Systems check to listen in[ooc] before disappearing down a hallway, any pretext at being a deliery person. You know that hustle.
Theron flashes back, Thanks for the head's up. We'll try to give 'em a wide berth, though I worry that someone else may be poaching our quarry. He does his best to blend in with the scenery when he steps off the lift, trying to figure out if he has a clear way out... before remembering himself, and watching for Hestia. One subtly, the other less so, the infiltration team makes their way down the hall. The lighting is a bit too infrequent, the carpet a bit too plush, and the door reading "Room 101" is a [ooc]Theron and Hestia make a Perception check, otherwise it is merely a bit too far away
It is not that hard at all to hack, it's just a matter of doing it subtly...and...done. You have access to the floor in question. The trip up is quick, soft and professional, and when the two of you step off the elevator it is onto what only Theron notices is an aqua-colored carpet that has markings on it very reminiscent of asari...hmm... that is the very definition of plush. Recessed lighting makes the hallway seem dim, however, and you could swear the very little sound you make is eaten bywhat only Theron swears is a sound scrambling device that would keep anything up to moderate caliber gunfire muffled to the immediate area. In real life terms, it would be like putting your ear next to one of those old, huge speakers for our parents stereo system, but the sensation is a bit disorienting. And a hallway is all it appears to be, a T shaped intersection with the bottom being the elevator and a small sign at the end of the hallway reading Room 101, indicating you should turn to your left to get there. Downstairs, the remainder of the team remains in position, Zinnius and Grace watches the procession of food service workers going about their duties but Zinnius notices a few brief squelchs of radio static that Grace notes synchronizes with a few human men a bit larger and rougher seeming than the average person making deliveries from seeming to walking faster and in tandem as they make their way to the entrance .
Theron Iskios wrote: Oh, I'm totally behaving on this first trup - it's just that stunt lets me find traps and the like via Security instead of just Alertness Okay just checking. It is not that hard at all to hack, it's just a matter of doing it subtly...and...done. You have access to the floor in question. The trip up is quick, soft and professional, and when the two of you step off the elevator it is onto Hestia and Theron make an Alertness check, otherwise it is a carpet that is the very definition of plush. Recessed lighting makes the hallway seem dim, however, and you could swear the very little sound you make is eaten byHestia or Theron can make a Systems check, otherwise it is something you can't quite put your finger on, but the sensation is a bit disorienting. And a hallway is all it appears to be, a T shaped intersection with the bottom being the elevator and a small sign at the end of the hallway reading Room 101, indicating you should turn to your left to get there. Downstairs, the remainder of the team remains in position, Zinnius make a Systems check, Grace make an Alertness check, otherwise you are doing little more than watching the procession of food service workers going about their duties.
There isn't too much to see aside from the uniformly garish colors of various eatery employees, which are the sole spot of color in a drab corporate landscape. The local networks are flooded with advertisements for the Commander Shepard icon for the newest Ancient Circle game, making the omnitool link cluttered, but functional. The food packages are to a company on the 64th level, and the packages themselves allow for entry to that floor- but your target is several floors up. Still, despite being on the wrong floor, an element of the team IS in the building.
Hestia Harper wrote: "Awesome! Sounds like a deal!" Hestia beams at the salarian, beckoning Theron over. "My friend just started, too. He thought I'd have better luck finding where to get a uni than he would. More hands to help with the lunches! Hey, what about tips? Does anyone ever come across with gratuities? And where are we going to deliver? Offices or residences or both? Are they gonna charge us for the uniforms?" She keeps a running stream of chatter going at the poor courier to keep him from being able to think too much, and starts grabbing orders. The salarian almost seems happy- its hard to tell with them sometimes. He hoists over lunches for each of you and notes that your omnitool will let you know where it is supposed to go.
Hestia Harper wrote:
The salarian you approach lets out an exasperated sigh. "I wish I could say I was surprised. Things have been going downhill since Voulet left. That said, I'm not going to turn down help. Why not help me carry in a few of these lunches, and I'll see about getting you a uniform later?"
Some observation during your conversation reveals very little- Noveria is a very unique place and you all get the feeling that its ebb and flow is more akin to an oversized corporation than an actual planetary settlement. It takes a while for an exploitable sign to pop up, but one does in time: what looks to be a surge in individuals wearing green and black uniforms, delivering individual meals from local restaurants to individuals tenants in the building. From where you are it does seem as if building security talks to them for the briefest of moments, but quickly allows them to move on to make their delivery. You can't quite make out anything more detailed than that.
The Reverend Building area isn't too hard to find. A series of rather severe looking edifices that stick out from the uniformly Corp comfortable architecture of Noveria. There IS a strangely religious atmosphere here, the buildings do look like repurposed earth cathedrals in passing, although they have been wholly given over to worldly concerns as numerous medium sized businesses have purchased entire floors. Some of the upper floors are doubtless residences- the views are too spectacular for anything else. Passing by one you notice an unusual quirk- the smaller the number, the higher the address is- number 1 would be the penthouse, and number 101 would be the start of the private residences- whoever this guy is, he's living high on the proverbial hog.
And with that, all of Noveria is open to you. The women and their turian superior kind of melt into the background. The question is- where to next? Directly seek out whom you are looking for, or perhaps take a note from the ERCS you have allied yourselves with and melt into the surroundings before moving on?
The ladies part like a curtain for the turian, and he walks over to the party with a series of forms on his omnitool for someone to sign, although his eyes flick towards Grace during his stroll over. "If you'll just sign here, you will be considered a temporary part of our agency, with all the rights and responsibilities that involves."
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