[Day: Thursday, October 4th. Time: 8:00 p.m.] [After an epic kappa battle... er, not really epic. Not really a battle, either... but after some kappa stuff at the zoo last night, you gather at the office.] [Session Start] * Herman isn't there. Maybe yet. * Togo is, as per usual, sitting at the desk in the office. His e-mail calling you all here was unusually detailed, in that he mentioned that it had to do with the Rosetta stone! Yay for even the vaguest details! * Alys is sitting idly in a corner, doodling on her arm with a permanent marker. Can we assume Togo gave vague details about the last mission in the e-mail to catch her up? (Giving out details is punishable by death, citizen.) ( Alys: Probably fairly detailed, actually, in a 'we kinda needed you' sorta way. ) (Togo knows how to make a girl feel wanted.) (Aw. =^^=) So what was it that came up that made you miss the last mission? * Lukas is also playing the late game. Huh? Oh, Alex was making me work. He lets me do this, but he said work is more important if he needs me there. Mmm... unavoidable, I guess. Will you be able to get around that if things start going critical? ... I can beg a lot? I think he'd understand if there was a big problem. Even if it does happen on a Wednesday. The book clubs are like sharks on Wednesdays. * Alys shudders. * Alys doodles book-eating sharks on her arm. * Togo shrugs. "Fair enough." * Herman opens the still unmarked door right about now and walks in. He's a lot... less wet than he was yesterday. The backpack's over one shoulder, and he's carrying his pipe. He looks at Togo, then Alys, then has a seat, turning the chair backwards, without even saying hi. (She's a daffy bird.) Hi Pipe Guy. Hi, Ward Girl. 'ey Herman. Sleep off the dart Volt hit you with? No. That's why I'm awake. * Khalil makes his way in the door and closes it quickly behind him. He's carrying his books in and hunched over, making his way in quickly. He glances from side to side, then looks at Togo for a moment. Then he glances at Herman. "I desire that you are feeling better this evening?" * Herman rolls his eyes. "I'm awake. I can feed myself. Is that better?" Marginally. I did fish you out of the river. * Khalil then swivels his head over to Togo. "We must discourse." Yeah. Thanks, Khalil. ( Is that anything like 'disco'?) Discourse away. (Disco hearse!) * Khalil walks over to Togo and sets the books down on the desk, then looks evenly at Togo. "Was it wholly necessary to open fire on two unknown female assailants like that?" * Herman frowns a little and watches, arms folded and resting on the back of his chair. * Alys stops drawing on herself and openly watches. Given that their boss had a gun to Herman's head, yes, it was necessary to fire. Whether it was necessary to keep firing until they were dead... debatable. Not at the time that you fired. And the latter is what I would like to discuss. * Togo nods. "Did I need to use deadly force? Maybe, maybe not. We were undermanned at the time, Herman was unconscious, Volt was wounded and isn't much of a combat threat to begin with..." ( Because he uses a SISSY GUN.) ( Eh, s'not such a bad gun. ) Do you have any non-lethal force? (Snicker. I remember Lukas asking that question last session.) If they were using incapacitation as a final result, we should as well. There is no indication that they wished to shoot Herman in the end. Often threats are used when lethality is discouraged. Otherwise, they would have simply shot him on the spot. I do. *pulls out a really, REALLY old looking, but intricately crafted revolver* Neural disruptor bullets fitted for this gun. Causes synaptic overload and eventually unconsciousness. Then... Problem is that it takes a few to put someone down. And, being undermanned with half our team either unconscious or wounded, I decided to err on the side of caution. * Khalil glances at Togo. He's amazingly even-toned during this whole thing. "I do not like to hear that lives were sacrificed for expediency." Wait. Back up. * Khalil turns to look at Herman. When was there no indication that she wanted to shoot me in the head? Was it *after* I got shot, or what? If she wanted to shoot you in the head, she would have shot you in the head, no? It is a simple way to prevent you from your task. Do you feel I am wrong in this concern? If that is so, I will back down. * Lukas finally shows, and even opens and closes the door in the process. Leather jacket blah blah grey shirt blah blah Ten head poking out of backpack like the cute little button she is. * Herman doesn't look over at Lukas. This conversation's more interesting. I can't speak for Herman on whether she wanted to shoot him, but you're raising a legit point. * Togo nods at Volt as he enters. Uh, Togo? For... for general peace of mind, at least, could you have a few more non-lethal bullets and things? I mean.... guns. It's not like you can control how hard they hit, or pull back once you've shot, or.... * Khalil nods back at Togo. "Thank you." He goes to sit down and spies Alys, bowing slightly. "Forgive me my rudeness. How are you this evening?" He rises and bows his head to Volt as well. * Alys looks extremely uncomfortable with the subject. Oh, hi Volt. * Lukas looks at Togo for a second, glances around to people (including Herman), then looks to Khalil. "Busy." He looks down to Alys and quirks a one-sided smile. "Hey." ( .oO( Mental Checklist... get a STUN LAW.) ) * Alys smiles at Khalil. "I'm okay. Sharks are eating my elbows. How're you?" More at ease now. It is a subject that bothers me. But if Togo agrees to be more cautious in the future... And...sharks? Yeah. I never really liked guns. * Herman doesn't even acknowledge Lukas' presence. And he ignores Alys. "So, what, exactly, happened after I was out?" * Togo leans back in his chair. "My instincts, unfortunately, tend toward the overkill end of the spectrum in a fight. It's one of many bad habits I'm trying to work on, but when things get ugly... old habits die hard." * Alys shows him the doodles on her arm. I...see. * Khalil blinks twice at Alys's doodles. "Is that permanent?" The marker LIES. It says it's permanent, but it comes off really easy. I should sue them for some real permanent markers. ( Vat exactly eez this...."naun....lee-thul?") * Khalil pauses awkwardly at first. "Why would you wish it permanent?" Do you want an elbow-eating shark? I won't charge for it. It'll be really cool. So the marker wouldn't be lying. ....Although, I guess I would get a little weird looking after a while. I'd end up with black arms. * Lukas looks over to Herman, as nobody answers his question, then finally says, "Uh, we got shot at and dumped in holes, mainly." Beat. "And the woman who was gonna shoot you went through one of those screaming fits." Got her brain wiped. Why draw on your arms at all? Yes...she mentioned...what was that code word? Ar-tee-mis? ( We're missing an Ashley. ) * Alys asks triumphantly, as if making the ultimate point in logic, "Why not?" Volt is looking into that. And, actually, Volt looking into things is why we're here tonight. Because you would, as you say, blacken your arms unnecessarily. Artemis. Greek goddess of.... war, I think? Greek mythology was a while ago for me. * Khalil then nods and sits down. * Togo leans forward in his chair. It's story time, kiddies! Wilderness I believe. Now that you mention it, I do seem to recall... * Alys pretends not to hear Khalil's silly logic. Long story short, I recognized the model of chopper that was used at the museum, and Volt managed to track down people who've been ordering replacement parts for it. * Herman looks at Khalil. "I thought it was the moon. Maybe it's both." Specifically, someone's been ordering spare parts to a box factory outside town and going to a lot of trouble to hide it. *looks over at Lukas* That about right? Oh, she was a virgin! That's it! * Togo clears his throat loudly. ...why is that the most prominent thing you remember about her? * Alys shrugs, then looks at Togo. But... if we have a lead, we should follow. * Lukas replies, 'That's more or less everything, yeah." But... Togo... I am curious... Relayed this info to our backers, and our job tonight is to check out said box factory. *turns to Khalil* Hmm? Is this from the agency employing us or your own personal curiousity? Though... I suppose you just answered that. I am still uncertain. I'm interested, and they're interested. Rosetta stone in the wrong hands could be big trouble. Very well... They seemed... unconcerned at first. s'because we had no leads. And there were giant turtle demons at the zoo. Why'd those chicks show up at the zoo, anyway? Oh yeah! Were the kappas cute? Did you get pictures? One- * Herman sighs. They wanted to capture the turtle demons I believe. I was going to say, yeah, that the lady who was going to fucking shoot me in the head but apparently didn't *want* to said that they were there for the demons. * Togo ignores Alys! "Could be. Could be that they were there for us. Get us before we could figure out what they were up to." Or they coulda been there for the kappa. * Lukas just listens now. It's a good talent. But they were also at the museum the day before. They didn't need to get the kappa at the same day and time we tried, right? It's a lot of coincidence. Maybe a two birds with one stone deal. * Togo stands. "Let's go ask them." I know that the museum and zoo are public areas and all, so they're noticable, but has anyone tried finding out if related stuff has happened to private property? * Khalil thinks for a moment and paces. "They also were not at the zoo. They were actually at the waterway, were they not?" * Herman gets up. "The waterway's in the zoo." Yes but...why not go directly for the kappa? * Alys hops to her feet, chains jangling. * Herman looks at Khalil. "Maybe they came across me on the way. Or maybe, just maybe, they know where we're going." * Lukas stands up as well. But much slower than all the enthusiastic people. ( Or maybe it's convenient way for some greater entity to get the two groups together. ) (Nah, couldn't be.) Why would they attack if they knew there would be people to cause brainwashing to be needed for semi-competent people? * Togo heads for the door. "Again. All questions we can ask if this lead pans out." * Khalil stands slowly. "Yes." He sighs. "Late night studying shall never get done at this rate." * Alys walk-bounces after Togo. "Kay." * Lukas glances over to Alys at her difficult to parse sentence, then shakes his head and murmurs, "Boxes," as he waits for people to leave. * Herman shrugs to himself as he walks after the others. Oh, is Ashley coming? D'you know? No idea. Haven't heard from him since the museum thing. Oh. * Khalil heads after people! * Lukas follows all the walking. Woo follow. By the way... anyone here a decent driver? I'm a really good driver! The city doesn't agree with me, but they' have no sense. I can drive. Why? * Lukas looks at Alys oddly again, then says, "More of a motorcycle man myself. Haven't managed to destroy it yet." I rented a van to get us to the factory, but... well, trust me when I say that you really don't want me to drive. * Alys smiles at Lukas. "It's a very nice motorcycle." I... have not really had the opportunity It tries really hard at being a good motorcycle. * Alys looks at Khalil excitedly. "You should try, it's fun! I'll teach you!" * Lukas then looks to Herman, still with the hint of nervousness, "Uh, you wanna take it, or should I?" * Khalil blinks at Alys's enthusiasm. * Herman looks back to Lukas. "You go ahead," he says without open hostility. "I haven't driven anything in a couple of years." It's like a really neat game with lots of rules. Like, um.... you are not allowed to hit pedestrians. Even if they're very annoying. Good. Now that that's settled... * Lukas nods, then says with a low joking sarcastic tone, "Great. Computers and chauffer. I hope some of the boxes at this place are computer boxes." [Time: 9:00 p.m. You go to the box factory! The factory is somewhat removed from the rest of the city. It's a fairly big L-shaped building with a large parking lot. The whole lot is surrounded by a fence. It looks abandoned, with its faded walls and broken windows, but there's lights on. The gate is closed at the moment, and there's a sign next to it: "Caution!: Private Property. Security bot present."] [There's two cars in the parking lot, too.] 2d8 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Lukas (2d8) and gets 6. * Lukas parks youse, rather than busting through the gate. He steps out fairly quickly to look at the gate, then to look beyond the gate. ( Parking roll? ) ( +2 if you need to parallel park? ) (Something else. I have driving at 3, with a car spec. c.c;) (Trust me. For street driving with Lukas, you're more than set.) * Herman reaches over, opening the door, then climbs out. He slings his backpack over his shoulder. Pipe? Still there! * Togo steps outta the car. "Look deserted to you guys? Aside from the cars in the lot." * Lukas shakes his head slightly. "Supposed to be deserted. I'm not putting pounds on it anymore" * Herman shakes his head. He walks over to the fence, looking for the gate. * Alys gets out of the van, only slightly less cheerful after not getting to drive. * Khalil steps out of the van. He doesn't say anything as he glances at the place calmly. [The gate is there and closed.] (Locked? Is it a chain-link fence, or what?) ( Yes and yes. ) Wow. Seeing a creepy building gives me this weird urge for us to split up. I need to stop watching horror movies. * Lukas smirks thinly. "Good idea." Very much so. *eyes the fence* m'gonna try to pick the lock, if nobody has a better idea. * Khalil glances at Alys. "What would the groups be?" * Khalil then looks over at Togo. "Are you adept at that?" Um.... me, you, and Pipe Guy, and then Volt and Togo. * Herman looks at Alys for a sec, then says, "So who's the dog?" But I would disappear mysteriously within the first few minutes, because I'm blonde. * Alys looks at Herman oddly, not getting the reference. Somewhat, Khalil. Learned it back in my military days. Mmm... * Herman doesn't seem to get the blonde reference, either. He checks his own dyed black, spiked hair, then shrugs to Togo and gets out of his way. * Lukas rolls his eyes. "Somewhat's not good enough. I'll do the lock." * Togo pulls out his lock picks from his trenchcoat, and gets to work on the lock. * Togo waits! "Or I'll let Volt handle it." * Lukas mutters, mostly to himself, as he reaches into a side pouch and pulls out a burglar's kit, "M'not gonna stand here and get chewed up by a security bot." * Khalil sighs. "Are you certain?" And are you not a computer hacker? I would think you'd be most adept at the bot. * Lukas picks out a pair of tools and smirks, going at the lock. "Yeah, just toss me onto its back and get me a cutting torch." (Any penalty?) * Togo pulls out his SMG, with a silencer affixed to the barrel. "We can handle the bot." ( Pessimist. Should be asking if there's any bonuses. =p ) Not that we wouldn't rather avoid it, mind. Just saying. (Hey, I'd welcome a bonus. A 13 target is good, but it could always be better.) ( Nah, it's a simple lock ) 2d8-5 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Lukas (2d8-5) and gets 1. * Khalil snickers. "That is one way to hack." ( And by the way, dX isn't clear on whether you use B&E or Sleight of Hand for lockpicking, as both mention the opening of locks. So I'm going to rule that you can use either skill for it. ) (Goody.) [Lukas releases the lock.] * Lukas nods and puts his tools away in a practiced manner. "Besides. Real hackers tend to like toying with locks. They make great Christmas gifts for kids." He gestures at the door with his free hand. Good for hand-eye coordination, too. * Khalil nods. "Not bad." * Togo steps through, SMG at the ready, heading for the nearest available entrance into the building. * Herman walks on in after, looking around for the bot. * Alys mimics a curtsey at Lukas and follows after Herman. [Togo heads for the door on the long end of the L-shape.] * Khalil heads after, glancing at Lukas and the lock for a moment before he heads on. ( Don't worry, there will be square shapes, T-shapes, I-shapes and Z- shapes later. And then I'll ask you to make a Tetris out of them. ) * Lukas waits for everyone else to go ahead as he finishes packing things away and then goes after, last. (Brett You want some metal for enemies turn on RFM) ( Woo! ) (BLAGH MEGADEATH.) (=P) ( Cannibal Corpse! Woo! ) [That door is not locked!] * Togo waits until everyone is near the door... "How're you with security systems, Volt?" What security system? * Lukas points inward. "The bot IS the security system. Why waste money on door sensors?" Because it would actually be effective? * Togo shrugs. "If you don't think there is one, fine. For future reference, though, you any good with them?" Good enough. Good. *opens the door slowly; steps a few steps inside, sweeping his SMG left and right as he looks around* ( Not firing, mind. Just moving it with his line of 'sight' ) [Inside is a big room! But you can't really see it, 'cause theres boxes in the way. Lots of boxes, from cardboard to wooden crates to those big steel things you find at shipping docks.] * Alys peers inside before walking in. "Oh, cool. I want a giant metal box. I wonder how I could get it home...." * Togo frowns, and makes way for the others to get in as he looks around. "Khalil, would you need to change to get up on top of those shipping containers and scout for us?" [There's paths through the boxes. It's like a maze. A box maze!] * Khalil steps a bit inside, and then eyes Togo steadily. "It is...not that easy." * Khalil sighs and shakes his head. "I will try though. Is there a separate room?" Would stepping back outside be okay? No. But... * Khalil glances at the top of the shipping container. How easy would it be to get up? ( It's possible to climb up. ) ( Though not necessarily easy or quiet. ) ( The big containers are roughly 8 feet tall. ) (Any place to whip at the top to use as a rope?) ( Not really. The ceiling is much too high. Maybe 20 feet high. ) I wouldn't ask, but these corridors make it really easy for someone to ambush us. I'd like to have you at high ground scouting a bit ahead of us to keep that from happening. * Herman looks the container over. * Alys looks up at all the boxes. "Someone can lift you up? Maybe?" I've got it. * Khalil ponders as he glances. "That would perhaps work better." * Khalil then glances at Herman. * Herman just walks over to the container and presses his hand against it. He closes his eyes and starts chanting softly in that guttural tongue again. * Lukas looks to Herman's magic again, then shakes his head and looks away, instead settling for just standing there weaponless. [Horizontal bits of the crate jut out, almost like ladder steps.] * Herman keeps it up a little longer, then opens his eyes and looks at his handiwork. He finishes the chant, then steps away. Awesome! Can I try them out? Sure. That works. *pauses* Actually, it might be better if I worked from up there, since I can help out in a fight from that distance with no problem. * Togo turns to Khalil. "You wanna, or should I?" * Khalil shakes his head too. "I would save those kind of things for when they are necessary...but.." He looks about to thank Herman and then his gaze shifts to Alys oddly. * Alys climbs up the ladder, then waves down at them from the top before looking around. * Herman shrugs, setting his pipe against his shoulder. It is not that far of a distance. I can jump down if need be. If you would prefer though... * Togo shrugs. "Go ahead. I'll take point on the ground. Stay a bit ahead of us, especially near corners." 2d8-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Alys (2d8-2) and gets 5. * Lukas waits for people to be silly, looking slightly distant for a second before mming. * Togo waits for Khalil to get in position, and then heads into the boxes. * Khalil nods and climbs the stairs, making his way to the high ground and removing his whip. 2d8 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Alys (2d8) and gets 13. * Herman looks around, then heads quietly after Togo. 2d8-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Alys (2d8-3) and gets 9. * Alys calls down quietly, "The middle of the room is pretty clear, guys. And there's stuff missing where it used to be. And people. Existing people, I mean. The bot's there too." * Lukas follows the two combat people, rubbing his eyes, then his temples. (That's me! Major combat person!) * Alys crouches down in an attempt to be less noticable. ( Ok... Khalil, gimme a stealth (camoflauge) roll at -2. Everyone on the ground, gimme a stealth (silent movement) roll. -2 bonus for everybody but the pointman. ) 2d8-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Herman (2d8-2) and gets 5. 2d8-5 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Khalil (2d8-5) and gets 2. ( By the way, that's how I'm doing stealth. I figure the guy leading can warn the others a bit ahead of time, hence the bonus. ) * Togo nods, and responds quietly. "Keep an eye on them if you can, Khalil. When we get there, I'm gonna chuck in a flash grenade to disorient them so we can take out the security bot. After that, we'll deal with the people as necessary." 2d8-6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Lukas (2d8-6) and gets 8. ( That way the non-stealthy characters don't necessarily screw everything up :P ) ( Heh. ) (... Jesus. All that bonus, and still I suck it up. Hope this is mind and not body. ;_;) ( Khalil, gimme an awareness check. ) 2d8-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Khalil (2d8-2) and gets 1. * Khalil nods, crouches and keeps watch, moving as close as he dare. [You sneak in towards the center! ... until Lukas kicks a loose pipe on the floor. It rolls around noisily.] * Togo leads the group towards the center, holding a flash grenade in his free hand... and winces when Lukas kicks said pipe. * Herman starts, turning and trying to stop the pipe with his foot. They're coming this way! * Lukas frowns himself at the pipe and mutters, "Forest for the robot, Lukas. Idiot." * Khalil gets close and looks for something to dislodge from up above and knock down on the other side of the room. ( Gimme init rolls! ) 2d8+14 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Khalil (2d8+14) and gets 28. 2d8+13 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Alys (2d8+13) and gets 29, a CRITICAL FAILURE!!! "You always hurt the ones you love. I love you very much." 2d8+14 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Togo (2d8+14) and gets 20. 2d8+7 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Herman (2d8+7) and gets 13. 2d8+7 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Lukas (2d8+7) and gets 18. (Yay for the low init team!) (Woot!) [Alys, Khalil, Bot, Guard 1, Togo, Guard 2, Lukas, Herman] [Alys's turn] * Alys digs some pens out of her pocket and throws them across the room, hoping they'll make enough noise to distract the guards. [The guards look over that way. But the bot beeps. "Possible intrusion detected. Trespasser is advised to leave immediately."] [Khalil's turn] ( The bot's voice sounds very robotic. ) ( Easy to pick out. ) * Khalil moves quietly over towards the other end of the room on top of the crates, if he can. He waits for the guards to make their move. (Hold action) [The bot beeps again. It stands stock still, it's upper body moving from side to side as it scans the room.] [The first guard moves towards where Alys threw the pens, but seeing nothing there, he starts to go back towards your side.] [Togo's turn] * Togo decides to stick with the plan, hopes that everyone remembers what a flash grenade does, and chucks said flash grenade into the midst of the bot and the two guards. 2d8-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Togo (2d8-3) and gets 4. [The grenade bursts into a bright flash. One of the guards growls and rubs his eyes, but the other was facing away and unaffected. The bot also seems unaffected.] ( See? That was plenty non-lethal! ) [The guard starts rushing at the boxes, grinning. "Humanssss!" As he comes into view, you notice both guards are wearing red baseball caps.] [Lukas's turn] ( /me pats Togo on the back.) ( They're St. Louis Cardinal fans? KILL 'EM! ) ( Wait, non-humans! Woo-hoo! *breaks out the grenades* ) 2d8-5 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Khalil (2d8-5) and gets 8. * Lukas says, "Okay... that's just creepy..." as he pulls out his dart gun, aims it at Gollum the guard, and fires! 2d8-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Lukas (2d8-3) and gets 10. [The dart flies harmlessly by the guard. The bot announces, "Armed threat confirmed." It also starts towards the crates.] [Herman's turn] * Khalil meanwhile creeps up quickly on the guard and takes his whip in two hands, using it around the neck to strangle the one who can still see. 2d8-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Khalil (2d8-4) and gets 5. * Herman starts and backs away. "Okay, damned creepy." He hears the bot coming, and he raises his pipe, chanting in that guttural tongue again. The air around him begins to charge. [Alys's turn!] * Alys stays where she is and throws a ward at the guard Khalil's got. 2d8-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Alys (2d8-2) and gets 8. [The ward lands on the guard's head. He'd scream except he's being choked.] [Meanwhile, the bot beeps. "Engaging enemy." It opens fire with two machine guns on Khalil. Yes, this places the guard in danger too. The AI isn't that great.] * Khalil maneuvers to the best place for the guard to get hit instead of himself. 2d8-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Khalil (2d8-4) and gets 12, a CRITICAL FAILURE!!! "Some things just aren't meant to be." 2d8 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Khalil (2d8) and gets 9. [The guard surprises Khalil, turning and pulling him so that *he* is in the line of fire of the bot. Khalil gets shot multiple times in the back.] [The first guard blinks a few times, trying to clear up his vision.] [Togo's turn] * Khalil hisses and slumps a little. Not quite how he planned it. * Togo curses, moves away from the others so as not to present a clumped target, and opens fire on the bot with his SMG. 2d8-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Togo (2d8-3) and gets 4. [Togo fires! Many of the bullets ricochet off the bot's thick armor, making a few small dents.] [The first guard tries to free himself from Khalil. Body - unarmed (grabs)] 2d8-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Khalil (2d8-4) and gets 3. [Khalil maintains his hold, despite his injuries.] [Lukas's turn!] * Lukas glances to Khalil's getting perforated, then tries to nail the unoccupied guard with another stun dart. (Full attack.) 2d8-5 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Lukas (2d8-5) and gets 2. [Lukas shoots the guy with a dart. He grunts and falls over.] [Herman's turn] ( Question: Are we doing the 'only talk during your turn' semi-rule? ) * Herman keeps chanting. He steps around the crate, getting a good view of the robot, and points his pipe at it, saying the final word with a tone of finality. A bright shock of lightning forms around his right hand, courses through the pipe he's holding, and springs from the end towards the bot. 2d8-5 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Herman (2d8-5) and gets 2. ( Yeah. I think it works better that way. ) [That's somewhat more effective than the SMG. Electricity crackles around the bot as it beeps. Even when the electricity stops, it's left sparking.] [Alys's turn] * Alys ignores the bot-fighting in favor of throwing a stronger ward at the guard Khalil's holding. 2d8-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Alys (2d8-2) and gets 13. (DR.) 2d8-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Alys (2d8-2) and gets 7. [The ward lands on the guard's foot. He screams silently in pain as it burns.] [Khalil's turn] * Khalil gets a better hold on the guard and maneuvers again so that it's between the bot and him. Even if he goes limp, he'll still make a decent shield. And he needs that now. [The guard tries to get free again! Body - unarmed (grabs)] 2d8-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Khalil (2d8-4) and gets 8. [Khalil keeps hold of him!] [The bot selects a target and opens fire. The unlucky guy is Togo!] 2d8-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Togo (2d8-3) and gets 6. 2d8-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Togo (2d8-3) and gets 6. [Togo ducks behind the steel crate and avoids most of the bullets, but one of them clips his shoulder.] [Togo's turn!] * Togo winces as he gets clipped in the shoulder, then pops back out... holding a FREAKING ROCKET LAUNCHER. "Shoulda aimed better." 2d8-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Togo (2d8-3) and gets 5. (We love you, freaking rocket launcher.) [Togo hits the bot dead on. One small explosion later, all that's left are some little bits.] [Lukas' turn] * Lukas shields himself from the explosion for a second, then exhales, relieved, before trying to finish off dear old chokey. (FA again. It means he can hit.) 2d8-5 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Lukas (2d8-5) and gets -3, a CRITICAL SUCCESS!!! "My momma always said, you gotta take the good with the bad. Here's some good." (Did he ever.) ( Wow. ) (For some reason, though, FAs seem to give me successes by lots.) [Lukas shoots the guard directly in the chest, and he goes limp. (I never FA and get, like, a mere success. c.c;) (But if I don't FA, I miss. It is truly a cruel dicejoke.) [From a door at the far side of the room emerge two more guys in baseball caps, flanking a man in a leather jacket. "What is going on in here?!" He shouts.] [Herman's turn!] [New order is Alys, Khalil, Man, Guard 3, Togo, Guard 4, Lukas, Herman] (If I were more cynical, I'd wonder why all people are male.) ( o/~ ) (I mean, this clearly can't be the same organization.) * Herman turns to look at the guys in baseball cats and the leather jacket guy. His free hand goes beneath his jacket, reaching for something, but he doesn't say or do anything. (Hold my action.) [Herman notices that the guards have claws, and pointed teeth. They all have beards too, and they're butt-ugly.] [Alys's turn!] [And yes, they're all male. Shock!] * Alys throws a stronger ward at Leather Jacket. Throwing wards from atop a box is much safer than fighting below. 2d8-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Alys (2d8-2) and gets 10. (Unfortunately, it is apparently very inaccurate.) [Alys's ward doesn't quite reach the guy.] [Khalil's turn] * Khalil sighs and lets the limp guard drop. "Wonderful." He readies his whip until after the jacketed man acts but so far does nothing. (readied action to disarm if he tries to attack.) [The man most certainly does, grabbing a small steel crate and flinging it at Alys as he rushes across the room. He reveals his own fangs as he cried, "Whoever you are, you're fucking dead!"] ( Range def, Alys ) 2d8-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Alys (2d8-2) and gets 10. [Alys is hit in the leg with a big steel box. It hurts!] [Guard #3 also rushes across the room, claws in the air, ready to strike.] Ow! Ow ow ow! [Togo's turn] * Alys grabs her leg and whimpers a bit, looking at it to make sure it's not too bad. [It's not bad enough so that Alys can't stand. Just painful enough that she wouldn't really want to. The crate he threw was steel and heavy; no way a normal person could've tossed it like that.] * Togo puts away the used LAW, pulls out a grenade, and chucks it (after pulling the pin, of course) at the man. "We need to talk." 2d8-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Togo (2d8-3) and gets 8. [The man and his goon try to dive out of the way as the grenade explodes. The guy in the jacket makes it, but the goon just sort of stops and looks at it before it explodes. Amazingly he's still standing afterwards, though not in great condition.] [The fourth guard also charges.] [Herman's turn] * Herman backpedals, his free hand outstretched. He starts to chant in that old language, and the ground trembles slightly. [Lukas's turn] * Lukas stays, hopefully, steady on his feet as he fires at Guard 3, this round's Most Personally Threatening Mookface. "Somehow, not seeing talking in the gameplan..." 2d8-5 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Lukas (2d8-5) and gets 6. (Ah, there we go. Only made by 1. Thank you, FA!) [The dart hits the guy, but he gruns and pulls it out, still conscious.] [Herman!] * Herman gestures at the closest guard, shouting out the last few words. The rumbling intensifies, and vines break through the concrete around and under that guard, attempting to grab and pull him to the ground. 2d8-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Herman (2d8-3) and gets 2. [They do a good job of it, and he goes down!] [Khalil now.] * AFKgryphon is now known as RDMgryphon (Hey, RDM-Ten! You're in my backpack!) * Khalil watches the crate throwing with uneasiness. "Now I do wish I had planned ahead..." He rushes forward towards the other guard, despite his injuries, and snaps the whip. 2d8-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Khalil (2d8-2) and gets 7. [Khalil lashes the guard's arm.] [Alys's turn] * Alys tests out her leg, decides it's not worth getting up and moving, and throws a ward at the guard Khalil has. 2d8-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Alys (2d8-2) and gets 6. [The ward connects with his head, and he screams as it burns. Oh, the burning!] [Khalil again!] ( It burnsessssssssss! ) * Ten has joined #besm * Khalil calls out. "I can take care of him. But I do believe the remaining one is the greater of threats." He draws the whip back and snaps it again. 2d8-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Khalil (2d8-2) and gets 11. (That a miss) [Khalil misses the guard!] [Meanwhile the man closes in with Togo. "You got that right!" He yells as he throws a haymaker.] [Guard #3 is all tied up.] (Magic is useful!) 2d8-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Togo (2d8-3) and gets 10. [Togo is punched square in the chest and lifted off his feet. He flies back and topples a pile of cardboard boxes.] [Togo's turn! And that hurt, a whole lot.] * Togo gets up to one knee, wincing but now holding his shotgun. "Where's the Rosetta stone?" *KA-CHAK* 2d8-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Togo (2d8-3) and gets 6. [He blocks with his arm. Which isn't to say he doesn't take damage from it, but... "The fuck you on about, man?"] [Guard #4 meanwhile slashes at Khalil!] 2d8-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Khalil (2d8-4) and gets 5. [Khalil ducks, and the claws swipe harmlessly over his head.] [Lukas's turn] * Lukas suddenly seems slightly distracted, not managing to put his heart into a full attack as he shoots for Togo's guy. Since Khalil can 'handle it'. 2d8-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Lukas (2d8-3) and gets 3. [Lukas shoots him in the chest. He looks down at the dart and casually pulls it out of his chest. "What the fuck, man?! This shit doesn't work on vampires."] [Herman's turn] * Lukas mutters to himself, "Sorry for not looking you up in the Standard Book of British Evil." * Herman blinks once, then twice, then holds up his free hand, palm to the ceiling. He chants a few words in Latin, and a globe of light, rather like a miniature sun, appears not far above it, flooding the area with light. ["Damn straight. I- AUGH!" He grimaces and starts burning.] [Alys's turn] ( It burnsesssssssss s'more! ) * Alys rolls her eyes. "Of all the things Dad was right about... eh, holy water is a pain to carry around." She throws a ward at the already-burning guy. 2d8-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Alys (2d8-2) and gets 11. [Alys throws a bit too far.] [Khalil's turn] * Khalil sighs. "Well... one way to do this." He lashes the guard that he's fighting and tries to fling him into the burning vamp. Who knows? Maybe he'll catch fire too! 2d8-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Khalil (2d8-2) and gets 9. [Khalil tosses the guy! He doesn't quite hit the vampire, but he does land with a hard thud.] [Meanwhile the vampire throws a punch at Herman. "You're so fucking dead!"] 2d8-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Herman (2d8-3) and gets 9. [Herman is punched! He's lifted off his feet and flies back into a wooden box, breaking it.] [Togo's turn] * Herman lies there, very undignified. The miniature sun, however, still hovers and burns just as brightly as before. * Togo fires another shot from his shotgun at the vampire. "If you had nothing to do with stealing the stone, then why are spare parts for the same kinda chopper used to steal it being delivered here?" *KA-CHAK* 2d8-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Togo (2d8-3) and gets 2. [He doesn't answer, because he's shot in the back and falls to the ground, burning to a crisp soon after.] [Guard 4 swipes at Khalil again, ignoring the ward on his head.] 2d8-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Khalil (2d8-4) and gets 7. [Khalil narrowly dodges out of the way as the guard swipes at him.] [Lukas's turn!] * Lukas sets his feet and aims at the big bad's head, then fires, trying to land one in the eye! 2d8+3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Lukas (2d8+3) and gets 12. [Herman's turn!] * Herman climbs to his feet, rubbing at his head. "Fuck." He picks up his pipe and looks around, orienting himself. [Alys's turn!] * Alys throws a ward at the guard, and hopes the enemies run out before her wards do. 2d8-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Alys (2d8-2) and gets 4. [The ward connects. The pain from the burning is so much that he falls over and collapses.] [Which leaves you in a room with a bunch of unconscious guards and one who's all tied up.] * Alys very carefully starts climbing down the boxes to the floor, significantly favouring her good leg. * Khalil slumps again and feels behind him to find out how many bullet holes he has in his nice robe. [Lots.] Is everyone okay? Or at least, not in danger of fainting? * Herman wobbles, then takes in all the damage again. "Not gonna pass out, no." I have been better. * Lukas mutters and puts his gun away. "I got out clean today. Guess that makes up for yesterday." * Togo wanders over to the others, holding his ribs. "Been better. Been much worse." If we can believe that vamp, then it looks like this wasn't such a hot lead. Still, dead vamp's a good day's work. Can we take tomorrow off, d'you think? Because walking any real distance is probably too much to ask of me right now. [There's another room connected to this one, which the vampire and his other two guards came through. Might not've been clear.] [Presumably, it leads to the smaller part of the L-shape.] Believe him as far as what? He did not mention one way or the other. * Herman points at the tied guard with his pipe. "He's still conscious, you know." That is what the pipe is for, is it not? I doubt he would be the most intelligent of hostages. * Lukas snickers, then glances to Herman before saying, "Could always see if he says anything other than 'Grr'. I'm gonna check the next room." Walk on, hacker, walk on! * Herman shrugs. "Just figured you might want to ask him something." * Alys limps after them. I'll keep an eye on the guards. And when we're done, I've got a nanite medpack with three charges for anyone that wants. * Togo reloads his shotgun as he keeps watch on the guards. How about now- * Herman then does a double-take at Khalil. "Holy shit, man. Were you shot?" Yes. Multiple times. Unlike Togo, I cannot say I have had worse. ( Yet. ) (Yes. Yet.) * Herman walks over to Khalil, taking a look at the bullet wounds. "Why are you still breathing? Jesus." * Khalil looks evenly at Herman and says simply, "The mysteries of Allah?" [Amazingly they missed all his vital spots.] Yeah, mysteries of something. Take off your shirt. * Khalil takes off his robe and his shirt. Fan service for Herman! Woot! His tail swishes back and forth lazily. (Also, strip healing is the best healing.) ( Sexual healing o/~ ) (Ha!) * Herman lets out a low whistle as he looks Khalil's back over, then sets his backpack down and opens it, pulling out a bottle of water. ( I'm just gonna sip this Perrier while I admire your wounds. ) (*snerks*) If you want the medpack, Herman, I'll give it to ya. Takes about five minutes, and you can only use it once a day on any person safely, but it works damn well. * Herman unscrews the cap and pours some water onto his left hand, washing it. He shakes the water off, then pours more on. "Didn't I tell ya I know about healing?" I know. But I know how you magic types can run outta juice. Consider this a useful backup. I'm not running out anytime soon. * Khalil just takes in a deep breath as he makes a bloody mess over his back and lets them talk it out. * Herman takes a breath and lets it out, then starts chanting in an old language again, using his wet hand and fingers to trace along Khalil's back and over his wounds. As he does so, the bleeding slows, and the bullets actually start to remove themselves from the wounds, making clinking noises on the floor. Good to know. *winces has a turn to check on one of the fallen guards aggrivates his rib injury* Nice trick with the fake sun, by the way. Lightning was pretty good too. * Khalil winces slightly as well as the bullets work themselves out, just from the weird feeling. "I am sorry I was not of more assistance but...that form is more trouble than it is worth at times." * Herman doesn't respond. He's too busy working his magic, and that takes concentration and words. He keeps it up until the bleeding's stopped, and the wounds are scarred up, well on their way to naturally healing themselves. * Herman removes his hand. "There you go." * Khalil experimentally works his limbs. "I am in your debt." * Herman nods. He turns to Togo. "Never actually used that spell on vampires before, but I figured sunlight's sunlight." Good assumption. I believe I shall go check on the others. Good to know that you have that in reserve. *pauses* I really hate vampires. Well, except one. But all the rest. * Khalil gathers his stuff and starts walking to where vampy came out. * Herman has a drink, then screws the cap onto his water bottle and puts it away. This is followed by him picking up his backpack and his pipe. He has a seat on one of the crates. Gotta remember to pick up another LAW before the next mission comes around. Yeah. Where'd you get that from, anyway? I'm still affiliated with the main American supernatural control group, and they've got resources coming out their ass. * Herman blinks. "They good for spell components?" Never asked. But I've been running around the London occult scene for a few years now, so I could probably hook you up with a few reliable guys. * Togo hmms. "Reminds me. I gotta give Alys the card of that ward maker I know." Oh. Nah, I've got it covered for everything I'm likely to cast. I was just wondering. If you needed something really obscure, I could definately ask for ya, though. * Herman nods. "Could be useful." * Togo nods. "With our backers not exactly being generous with the actual backing, it pays to take advantage of the other resources I have." [Official End-type brackets!]