010: Off to The Deeps

[Tiglath]

Or slip in and handle it before slipping back out, you sneaky bastards.

Do recall that the purchase was for aiding in removing the taint and preparing the people on Aki to stand up to it better. It wasn't part of the search for a psionic institute.

(OOC: Ah, no! That might have been either the clever part of helvorn's plan - or the bit for which I wasn't need to know (on grounds of my own buffoonery)... or both! )



Realizing that the purchase is vital for the greater good Garvin will gladly don his (original) "suit for doin' the business" (which looks like a business suit) and take possession of William's credit card / bring William along in order to complete the purchase.

He gives a good natured smile and declares "This is my kind o' caper!"

Sadly while Garvin moves like a ghost William is less proficient but still very good by "mere mortal" standards (Stealth +4??? vs Garvin's +12).

"Prince Consort you're the lookout" then he grins at William "I didn't realize quite 'ow much I'd enjoy sayin' that! Stay 'ere while I go an 'ave a butchers' "*

The first part of the plan, as ever, is to "case the joint". Garvin stashes their hired transport nearby then activates his stealth suit and surveys the perimeter looking for sniper roosts first (using his "matchbox" of flying micro drones for areas he can't see from the street). If none are visible he next looks to spot a car full of bored looking "roadmen" with a direct line of sight to the front door of the premises in question.

(OOC:
Stealth (+full motion camo):
[2d6+12]=9+12=21
Streetwise (spotting "Roadmen"):
[2d6+5]=9+5=14
Recon (checking tactical vantage points):
[2d6+9]=6+9=15

...and "Butcher's hook" = "Look".

[terrymixon]

Or slip in and handle it before slipping back out, you sneaky bastards.

Do recall that the purchase was for aiding in removing the taint and preparing the people on Aki to stand up to it better. It wasn't part of the search for a psionic institute.

(OOC: Ah, no! That might have been either the clever part of helvorn's plan - or the bit for which I wasn't need to know (on grounds of my own buffoonery)... or both! )

Realizing that the purchase is vital for the greater good Garvin will gladly don his (original) "suit for doin' the business" (which looks like a business suit) and take possession of William's credit card / bring William along in order to complete the purchase.

The payment was made. The paperwork must be filed and the transfer paperwork signed in the official setting.

He gives a good natured smile and declares "This is my kind o' caper!"

Sadly while Garvin moves like a ghost William is less proficient but still very good by "mere mortal" standards (Stealth +4??? vs Garvin's +12).

"Prince Consort you're the lookout" then he grins at William "I didn't realize quite 'ow much I'd enjoy sayin' that! Stay 'ere while I go an 'ave a butchers' "*

The first part of the plan, as ever, is to "case the joint". Garvin stashes their hired transport nearby then activates his stealth suit and surveys the perimeter looking for sniper roosts first (using his "matchbox" of flying micro drones for areas he can't see from the street). If none are visible he next looks to spot a car full of bored looking "roadmen" with a direct line of sight to the front door of the premises in question.

(OOC:
Stealth (+full motion camo):
[2d6+12]=9+12=21
Streetwise (spotting "Roadmen"):
[2d6+5]=9+5=14
Recon (checking tactical vantage points):
[2d6+9]=6+9=15

...and "Butcher's hook" = "Look".

The situation is actually more complex than Garvin expects. There are some cars within blocks of the government offices, but they seem set up to have multiple routes covered. There are also scouts on grav bikes seeded in the area and around where the auction took place. Unless you miss your guess, there is an air vehicle in the overwatch position. This is not standard gangland stuff. This is almost military in its precision.

[Tiglath]

Garvin withdraws and cueing William to match his move abandons their hire car as already compromised before walking several blocks in stealth mode prior to hiring a cab for the trip back to the ship.

He speaks on the neural link "Team, we've got a big planet sized problem 'ere. We're not up against the local mob, or a few bent politicians. From what I've just seen we're actually facin' off against the actual entire Aki establishment if we want to covertly bring about change. Their ruddy security services or possibly straight up military are deployed to scupper our move to stop the mob buyin' up a local firm that they drove into bankruptcy. Unbelievable but this goes way beyond our immediate ability an' available time resource to fix! What a pack of..." he pauses and, then politely over the open comm, adds "... 'ounds".

"We're returnin' to the ship. We'll 'ave a regroup there".

[joertexas]

"We're returnin' to the ship. We'll 'ave a regroup there".

"Should Roscoe and I continue," Jaelah asks over the link.

[terrymixon]

"We're returnin' to the ship. We'll 'ave a regroup there".

"Should Roscoe and I continue," Jaelah asks over the link.

“I am in the security service systems,” Roscoe said. “They are not on alert or even aware of any activity. The military would give them a heads up, and there is no sign of that either. Are you sure that is who it is?”

[Tiglath]

"We're returnin' to the ship. We'll 'ave a regroup there".

"Should Roscoe and I continue," Jaelah asks over the link.

Garvin replies "Well, I reckon "Proceed at your own Discretion" applies as ever but, in this case, mine's "the better part of valour". Now, I'm good but I just can't blag me way past an army on alert - especially since they know exactly where we're goin'. This is a prime set up an' no mistake! Gates 'ave bin shut, alarms set off, lights on, dogs let out - the 'ole works. If this isn't their military then it actually makes things worse! It means someone is effectively operatin' a broad brush full scale private paramilitary op in broad daylight... an' no one's even blinkin' an' eye!"

He ruefully adds "Did I mention they've got ruddy aircover? Stay safe an' I'll see you back at the ship".

[helvorn]

Donovan will smile and bid 10 and 1/4.

[ateno]

"Air cover how, what about avoiding everything on the ground and sending in EM drones disguised as gunships or tourists to draw cover and come in on grav bikes about the same time, land on the roof and head that way? How much time do we have?"

Arkar

[terrymixon]

Donovan will smile and bid 10 and 1/4.

Welcome back! However, Donovan is in a different game. William already made the purchase but you and Garvin are running into issues filing the final paperwork.

[terrymixon]

"We're returnin' to the ship. We'll 'ave a regroup there".

"Should Roscoe and I continue," Jaelah asks over the link.

Garvin replies "Well, I reckon "Proceed at your own Discretion" applies as ever but, in this case, mine's "the better part of valour". Now, I'm good but I just can't blag me way past an army on alert - especially since they know exactly where we're goin'. This is a prime set up an' no mistake! Gates 'ave bin shut, alarms set off, lights on, dogs let out - the 'ole works. If this isn't their military then it actually makes things worse! It means someone is effectively operatin' a broad brush full scale private paramilitary op in broad daylight... an' no one's even blinkin' an' eye!"

He ruefully adds "Did I mention they've got ruddy aircover? Stay safe an' I'll see you back at the ship".

I should mention that the people you’ve seen on the ground still look and act more like mob goons than military. Something is definitely odd here.

[Thumper]

I’m a little lost. What building did Garvin just scout? The Auction House?

[terrymixon]

I’m a little lost. What building did Garvin just scout? The Auction House?

They were leaving the auction house. They were scouting the government office where the final paperwork must be signed and filed for the auction to be final.

[Thumper]

Aha. So, a high security government office building? Need to file and sneak out…or fly out. We have grav belt embedded clothes.

[Tiglath]

"Should Roscoe and I continue," Jaelah asks over the link.

Garvin replies "Well, I reckon "Proceed at your own Discretion" applies as ever but, in this case, mine's "the better part of valour". Now, I'm good but I just can't blag me way past an army on alert - especially since they know exactly where we're goin'. This is a prime set up an' no mistake! Gates 'ave bin shut, alarms set off, lights on, dogs let out - the 'ole works. If this isn't their military then it actually makes things worse! It means someone is effectively operatin' a broad brush full scale private paramilitary op in broad daylight... an' no one's even blinkin' an' eye!"

He ruefully adds "Did I mention they've got ruddy aircover? Stay safe an' I'll see you back at the ship".

I should mention that the people you’ve seen on the ground still look and act more like mob goons than military. Something is definitely odd here.

On the way back to the ship Garvin speaks to William (and the team) via neural link "I reckon we need to rethink our approach in light of recent discoveries. Bear in mind that in reaction to an unexpected auction result the opposition has called out, in criminal terms, a very well equipped "small army". They have air support and are able to freely operate with no interference from the civil authorities. My opinion: they've got Aki tied up as tight as a drum".

"It looks like there's now no point in us just buying up a local medical firm because if the local mob can deploy this much resource at the drop of a hat then they're 'ardly goin' to break a sweat shuttin' our new business down. In fact it's odds on that they ran it into the ground in the first place so they could buy it up cheap. So, if we want to pursue that direction then we need a supportin' strategy".

[terrymixon]

Garvin replies "Well, I reckon "Proceed at your own Discretion" applies as ever but, in this case, mine's "the better part of valour". Now, I'm good but I just can't blag me way past an army on alert - especially since they know exactly where we're goin'. This is a prime set up an' no mistake! Gates 'ave bin shut, alarms set off, lights on, dogs let out - the 'ole works. If this isn't their military then it actually makes things worse! It means someone is effectively operatin' a broad brush full scale private paramilitary op in broad daylight... an' no one's even blinkin' an' eye!"

He ruefully adds "Did I mention they've got ruddy aircover? Stay safe an' I'll see you back at the ship".

I should mention that the people you’ve seen on the ground still look and act more like mob goons than military. Something is definitely odd here.

On the way back to the ship Garvin speaks to William (and the team) via neural link "I reckon we need to rethink our approach in light of recent discoveries. Bear in mind that in reaction to an unexpected auction result the opposition has called out, in criminal terms, a very well equipped "small army". They have air support and are able to freely operate with no interference from the civil authorities. My opinion: they've got Aki tied up as tight as a drum".

"It looks like there's now no point in us just buying up a local medical firm because if the local mob can deploy this much resource at the drop of a hat then they're 'ardly goin' to break a sweat shuttin' our new business down. In fact it's odds on that they ran it into the ground in the first place so they could buy it up cheap. So, if we want to pursue that direction then we need a supportin' strategy".

To be clearer, my intent was to take the mob one step up. In other words, like they’ve brought in someone with skills to direct the goons. Garvin is rating them higher than I tried to make them. I’m not trying to make them as big a deal as they are becoming.

[Tiglath]

To be clearer, my intent was to take the mob one step up. In other words, like they’ve brought in someone with skills to direct the goons. Garvin is rating them higher than I tried to make them. I’m not trying to make them as big a deal as they are becoming.

No worries. I think the wrinkle will quickly sort itself out IC and, in fairness, part of the "madness to my method" was to pull out and regroup so that now everyone has an opportunity to punch gangsters if they want to!

The thing we maybe need to decide on is our "posture" - whether we're covertly or overtly an Imperial retinue and/or if we want to "go dark" and then just illegally achieve our ends.

Alternative options I'd thought up along these lines include the "Ciencia charm offensive". Do they really want to oppose the Empress to be while she's in the media gaze doing overt "pro bono" work for the people of Aki??? Or... just release Metz in "Bond villain mode" and (with no absolutely consultation) just have him go ahead and seed (infest) the planet with his atmosphere scrubbing flora and fauna... because he can!

[Thumper]

I thought Metz’ air cleaner plants would only have a marginal effect and better feed people. True success depended on the industrial-strength cleaners. But I like the thought of droning seed batches around anyway. Sounds like the kind of thing we’d just do, ‘cause we can.

Therefore, I suggest we go with the Ciencia charmer plan.

Perhaps we’ll learn for from the Tarsus Institute shortly as well.

[Tiglath]

I thought Metz’ air cleaner plants would only have a marginal effect and better feed people. True success depended on the industrial-strength cleaners. But I like the thought of droning seed batches around anyway. Sounds like the kind of thing we’d just do, ‘cause we can.

Therefore, I suggest we go with the Ciencia charmer plan.

Perhaps we’ll learn for from the Tarsus Institute shortly as well.

I agree and in fairness (despite very generous GM prompts) I don't think we can retro react to the mob (that much resource that fast and in context) any other way - even if they are in reality "gangsters with help". Hey, the help paid off - they look like a QRF / the secret service!

The "Charm Offensive" has much reduced risk* and plays our best hand.

Equally we seem to have possibly hit the strategic "big cheese" with the Tarsus Institute.

* Of us "showing out" as Psionic Uber/Unter(?)menschen (and thereby utterly undermining the entire Imperium) - no pressure! ).

[terrymixon]

Do remember that Ciencia is on Capital with her parents. She won’t be back for a while most likely.

[Thumper]

One of the intended/unintended consequences of Terry killing Walt off once already is Walt’s confidence in Bilis to do her thing and recreate him, as needed.

Therefore, Walt would be willing to wear his Rexwell suit and do an orbital dive with William or infiltrate on a G-bike (the Rexwell can bend light like “Predator” to create invisibility and the G-Bike has a holographic invisibility). The G-Bike/orbital dive and Rexwell should get William into the building to register his purchase, then he can fly/levitate up for pickup by Walt to smoke any air support tailing them. A pure technological advantage exploited by Walt and William.

Record the whole event from ship-based cameras and micro-drones following the bad guys back to their lair and find the culprit bosses after Walt and William escape. The films can be exploited for public broadcast as needed. Deal with the bad guys then through public outcry and Imperial interference in Aki politics and title revocation as permitted.

Should the worst happen, a remote controlled grenade should disintegrate Walt and/or William and we start anew a few hours later…

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