>>33870142
>>Quetzal and Tripwire. The magical support is bothering you. You know dick about magic and one of them sounds like a ghost, so a mage and a ghost can probably smell their own.

I think magic is the first thing we should look into since as it says in the option: "You know dick about magic"

>>33870142
>Quetzal and Tripwire. The magical support is bothering you. You know dick about magic and one of them sounds like a ghost, so a mage and a ghost can probably smell their own.

Time to have some fun.

As is customary at this point, the first vote gets a twenty-minute voting period, or just until we reach the point where I doubt there will be any more votes, whichever comes first.

>>33870142
>Quetzal and Tripwire. The magical support is bothering you. You know dick about magic and one of them sounds like a ghost, so a mage and a ghost can probably smell their own.

>>33870445
>>33870464
>>33870850
>Writing

>>33870142
You track down Quetzal and Tripwire, who are currently eating lunch. Despite being seated across from each other, neither one is speaking. You know Quetzal’s quiet, and it seems like Trip respects other people’s boundaries. Given the amount of time it took to find them, you imagine that neither has their commlink turned on. Quetzal’s a tech idiot, but what excuse does Tripwire have?

“Hey, Quetzal, I need to ask you something.” You say, clearly out of breath. Quetzal looks up from his bowl of ramen and stares at you. “First of all, spread the word that we’re doing a run on the Gate Casino tonight. I’ll have the full details in a little while.” Quetzal nods, still chewing a mouthful of noodles. “Second, do you know anything about a mage named Kyouken? Jabir tells me she’s in charge of magical security tonight.”

“Kyouken?” the chopsticks fall from Quetzal’s fingers and clatter against his bowl. “She’s in Seattle?”

“Yeah.” You nod. “Should she not be?”

“I heard she was in a bunker in Neo-Tokyo.” Quetzal ponders. “This is troubling. Kyouken is… violent.”

“So I hear. Jabir says they call her ‘Mad Dog.’”

“Indeed. She has a very powerful Beast spirit serving her, and she is highly territorial. Also, her family has very strong ties to the Yakuza. From what I hear, she’s close friends with Azuki Shigeda.” You swallow hard. Shigeda-gumi used to be the number one representative of the New Way Yakuza movement in Seattle. Rumor has it that the head Yak honchos didn’t like what the clan was doing and had them purged. If a Shigeda heir is still alive, and her best friend is in town, it’s likely that there will be another shadow war after this one dies down.

(cont.)

(also, I still can't find good art for Quetzal. I know, I know. "What do you mean you can't find pics of Hispanic elves?" I can, guys. They're just all of women.)

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>>33871288
“Additionally, miko are well-trained in warding ‘territories.’” Quetzal says. “In terms of warding and spirit combat, Shinto is one of the strongest traditions in practice right now.”

“Do you think you can deal with her?”

“It will be difficult, but I can manage.” Quetzal nods. “I’m more worried about her partner. Kyouken never works alone, and her usual partner is… mysterious. The name Rat King pops up on occasion, but I know nothing about him.”

“That’s because he’s one of ours.” Tripwire cuts in. “He’s a stealth mage, and a damn good one. Usually does assassinations. Don’t know why he’d be working security, though.”

“If he’s a ghost, he can hide in plain sight.” You posit. “He’d be there to react to threats Kyouken couldn’t get to fast enough.”

“Two mages.” Quetzal says. “Not to mention, the security mages on staff. This will be troublesome…”

“Too troublesome for you?” you ask. In response, Quetzal once more stares you in the eye. It always creeps you out when he does that. You don’t believe in the whole “mages are reading your thoughts” bulldrek that usually gets thrown around, but Quetzal has always had an unsettling feel about him.

“Your concern is unnecessary.” He says before returning to noodles.

“Don’t worry, Echo.” Trip shrugs. “Now that we know who’s working security, getting around them just got a lot easier.” Well, you’re glad about that at least. You pull up your contacts list on your commlink, and see that no one has theirs on. Looks like you need to move again. You’ll only have time for one more talk before you have to leave for your meeting.

>Hardesty and Dreadnought. Find out about Bismarck.
>Terminal. Talk about the hacker trio.

>>33871551
>>Hardesty and Dreadnought. Find out about Bismarck.

>>33871551
>Hardesty and Dreadnought. Find out about Bismarck.

>>33871551
>Hardesty and Dreadnought. Find out about Bismarck.
Could someone remind me of the particulars of our plan once we're inside the party?

>>33871551
>Hardesty and Dreadnought. Find out about Bismarck.

Looks like we will have to deal with the hacker trio.

>>33871800
You don't have one yet. Right now, it's "Break in (somehow), avoid Declan's detection (somehow), meet with a Horizon representative (somehow), and sell them Declan's secrets (somehow). Learning about your opposition, the meeting you're about to go to and Jabir working behind the scenes are helping resolve some of those somehows.

>>33871737
>>33871790
>>33871800
>>33871887

>Writing

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>>33871551
You decide that you can deal with the hacker trio on your own. Dealing with them will be a pain, but you’ve got military technology on your side. A bigger concern is physical security.

You find Dreadnought and Hardesty climbing out of a van at the hotel counts as its parking garage.

“Hey, you two.” You say. “Running an errand?”

“Yeah…” Hardesty looks confused. “My fixer’s arranging a gear sale for us. I told you I was looking to get us more equipment. Did you hit your head?”

“No, madam.” This damn attendant is still stalking you! What is her deal? “He was-“ You clamp a hand over her mouth and desperately hope your foray into the digital unknown didn’t actually damage your memory.

“I talked with Jabir earlier. Looks like we’re infiltrating the Gates after all.” Hardesty flashes a satisfied smirk. “It looks like they got some serious runner support for this party. I was hoping one of you might know something about a German sniper named Bismarck.”

“Just when I thought we might have a chance.” Hardesty sighs and shakes her head. Dreadnought also looks disconcerted. “Is it really Bismarck? Are you sure you didn’t get the name wrong?”

“Well, I might have, but I doubt Jabir would have. What, is she awesome or something?”

“This is not the problem, Echo.” Dreadnought says. “Both Hardesty and I have cut our respective ties in a rather sudden manner. Bismarck’s severance from Saeder-Krupp was on relatively good terms.”

“That’s… not good.”

“You’re damn right it’s not good.” Hardesty says. “When she went freelance, SK gave her the full-course goodbye: handshake with her supervisor, nice severance package, they even let her keep her corporate-issue gear. The only caveat was that she was their consultant whenever they needed her.”

You sigh and grind your teeth. This just keeps getting better and better.

(cont.)

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>>33872367
“So, what can Bismarck do?” You know you won’t like the answer, but the question still warrants asking.

“Social stealth is a big one.” Hardesty says. “Wherever she goes, she fits in with the crowd there.”

“Must make sniping hard.”

“You don’t snipe without casing the location, idiot.” Hardesty rolls her eyes. “Anyway, I learned from experience that she knows how to blend. The only time I ever fought her, I didn’t realize I was shaking Bismarck’s hand until she drove a knuckle into my carotid. Oh, right. I should also mention that she’s heavily-augmented. Bio-auged, specifically.”

“She is no amateur in close-quarters combat.” Dreadnought says. “Echo, we will find a way to locate and counter her. Should you encounter her on your own, I would recommend running.”

**

A little under an hour later, you’re walking into a run-down Irish bar in Downtown. Bunny’s in the car you borrowed with a gun up her sleeve in case something goes awry. You walk into the smoky bar, and a tall, thick-necked guy in a suit immediately pats you down. You’re surprised when he doesn’t take your sidearm. You’re waved through and led to the backmost booth, where a dark-haired and pale-faced man with ugly scars on his hands awaits.

“Liam Finnigan.” He puts out a hand, which you shake out of courtesy. You look to see that he has a gun up his sleeve, and you can tell from his eyes that he’s confirmed the same of you. “Have a seat, Mr. Tracer. We’ve heard from your fixer that you’re looking to make a deal. But business can wait. What’s your poison?” Liam’s demeanor, as well as his bodyguard’s, tell you that this is less a question than an order.

>No drink. Be defiant.
>Write in a drink order.

(Also, twenty-minute break while I eat.)

>>33871920
It occurs to me that, Horizon is a megacorp like any other; why are we trying to meet with them here, when we can just have Jabir set up a meeting with one of his Horizon Johnsons (assuming that he's got one)?
I mean, I understand that time is of the essence here, but rather than getting on the bad sides of the Finnigans and all these Prime Runners, why not just make a meeting somewhere and sometime else?
Or, just grease some palms and get invited. Then we can breeze through security, and if Declan tries to start something, those runners we're planning against, will actually have to help us.

>>33872831
White Russian

>>33872831
>Write in a drink order.
Guinness.
Or whiskey.
They'll know it's an obvious attempt to suck up to them, but at least we're being fair.

>>33872831
Irish car bomb

Rolled 3

>>33872957
>>33872994
>>33873069

I'm rolling between these three.

>>33872898
This is a question that I will gladly answer at the end of the thread, if you don't mind sticking around until then.

>Writing

>>33872831
“An Irish Car Bomb would be good.” You say. Liam nods in satisfaction before shouting towards the bar.

“Giselle!” he shouts. A moment later, an obviously-biosculpted elf with dyed red hair approaches. “The man will have an Irish Car Bomb. It’ll be a Rusty Nail for me.” The elf gives you a look, a wink and a fake smile before vanishing returning to the bar. A few moments later, Giselle returns with a pub glass and a shot glass, both full of dark liquid, and places them both in front of you, along with Liam’s Scotch.

“So, what’s your friend’s name?” you ask Liam, referring to his large-bodied bodyguard. Looking closer, you can see that he’s actually an ork, bio-modded to appear human.

“That would be my brother, Liam Finnigan.” Liam’s brother Liam gives a curt nod. You struggle to remain straight-faced. “You have any brothers or sisters, Mr. Tracer?”

“I’m an only child.” And proud of it. Not that you would’ve been jealous for parental attention, but you couldn’t stand the thought of someone else touching your stuff.

“That’s a shame. Even down here, family can be what keeps you alive.” He takes a sip of his drink. Your choice of an Irish Car Bomb was clever. Once you mix the components, there isn’t long before the drink curdles. You more-or-less told Liam that that you don’t intend to drink until business is done. “But you can’t be out here alone. Any brothers or sisters? A ladyfriend, maybe?”

“I appreciate your concern for me, Mr. Finnigan, but neither of us have much time for pleasantries today. If it’s all the same to you, I was hoping we could start business a little early.”

“As you wish.” Liam shrugs. “On to business then, Mr. Tracer.”

(cont.)

>>33873920
“I understand that you plan on breaking into The Gates Casino tonight.” Liam says with a smirk. “And you would like the Finnigan Family to… overlook your presence there?”

“That’s correct.” You say. “I’m meeting with a Horizon Group manager there, and getting in without appropriate credentials will be complicated.”

“And you just have to get in on the night of a major get-together between Emerald City Graphics and Declan Futures?”

“Unfortunately, this will be the only feasible time for a Horizon manager to be in The Gates Casino on business, and what we have to discuss will lose some of its relevance after tonight.”

“And would this ‘something’ that you’re discussing have something to do with tonight’s event?”

“Suppose it does?” you ask. “What then?”

“Then I’d like to know what you’re prepared to give us to let you set up clandestine dealings in Finnigan territory.” Liam pauses for a drink, which gives you time to prepare an answer.

>Tell him you’ll pay the Family a cut.
>Tell him you have intel about the little shadow conflict going on the last few days.
>Tell him there’s a Yakuza contact in security and you plan to do something about it.

>>33874126
>Tell him there’s a Yakuza contact in security and you plan to do something about it.

Also, because this is the first vote after coming back from eating, this vote will last a little longer than normal.

>>33874126
>Tell him you have intel about the little shadow conflict going on the last few days.
>Tell him there’s a Yakuza contact in security and you plan to do something about it.

I combination of these would be nice.

I'm sure they would be very interested in knowing about the Yakuza in security.

>>33874126
>Tell him there’s a Yakuza contact in security
>Tell him you have intel about the little shadow conflict going on the last few days.
Don't assume that we want to be on the hit list of the Yakuza if we can help it.
As for the cut, we'll give it but only when asked.

>>33874587
This sounds good to me.

>>33874306
>>33874492
>>33874587
>>33874623

>Writing

>>33874126
“Well, I have some information that I think will be of relevance to the Finnigan Family.” You say. Liam glances towards his brother Liam before returning his attention to you.

“Okay, I’m listening. What do you have?”

“For starters, I’m sure the Family is aware of the little conflict that’s swallowed up the Downtown shadowrunner community the last little while.”

“We’re aware, yes.” Liam nods. “It’s cost us a good bit of business. Plenty of the dead runners have been working for us. What do you know about it?”

“I know that it ends tonight. And if you help me into that casino, it ends with the people responsible facing serious retribution.”

“Would you do that for us?” Liam asks sarcastically. “What proof do we have that you even know anything?”

“Right now, my proof is the only leverage I have. If I reveal it to you, my advantage dries up.”

“Well, that’s all well and good, but that’s not gonna be enough for us.” Liam jerks his head towards his brother Liam, who takes a step closer.

“Hold on. If information about a current shadow war won’t do it, what about one that hasn’t happened yet?” Liam’s brother Liam stops. Liam shifts his gaze between him and you. “Shigeda-gumi’s making a comeback.”

“Bullshit. Shigeda’s done for.”

“There’s an heir. Well, an heiress. Azuki Shigeda lives, and she’s got her best friend a hitmage working security at tonight’s party. Even if you help me get into the building, going where I’ll need to go will mean crossing them. You don’t send a hitmage to anything but make a hit, right?”

“Why don’t you just say it directly, Mr. Tracer.” Liam asks.

>Tell him you’ll stop the hit.
>Tell him you’ll kill Rat King.
>Tell him you’ll kill Rat King AND Kyouken.
>Other (write-in)

>>33874922
> her best friend a hitmage

That should be "her best friend and a hitmage"

>>33874922
>Tell him you’ll stop the hit.
The heir to a disgraced monster failing in this way would have their own problems at hone to deal with.

>>33874922
>Tell him you’ll stop the hit.

"Technically" saying that means we may or may not kill said person or just thwart said hit.

>>33875168
Meant to say mobster, not monster.

>>33874922
>Tell him you’ll stop the hit.

>>33875168
>>33875323
>>33875376
>Writing

>>33874922
“I’ll put a stop to the hit tonight.” You say. “Shigeda’s plan fails, a Irishman lives and if anyone asks, you didn’t have anything to do with it.”

Liam looks at his brother Liam, and the two look like they’re conversing without words. When he looks back at you, he smiles.

“You certainly drive a hard bargain, Mr. Tracer. Color me impressed. You’ve got yourself a deal. I’ll arrange things to get you into Bellevue unmolested, and a few of my boys will help you and yours into the building when you arrive tonight. But this is just to get in, understand. Once you’re inside, you’re on your own.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“It’ll be a pleasure doing business with you, Tracer.” Liam raises his glass. “Here’s to a good partnership.” You drop the shot glass into your pub glass and drink half of its contents in a few gulps. Then you remember that ordered an Irish Car Bomb…

>Roll 1d20

>>33875566
Goddamn this post has so many typos. Whatever, you guys knew what I meant.

Rolled 4

>>33875566

Rolled 13

>>33875566

Rolled 10

>>33875566
Time to not get smashed.

>>33875649
>>33875650
>>33875665

>Writing

(I'm not gonna lie. The same part of me that sometimes hopes for natural 20s was hoping for a natural 1 for a second.)

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993 KB GIF

>>33873920
>Liam's brother, Liam

I just caught up with this thread. Thank you, Null

>>33875566
You’re not sure what you regret more: ordering a drink to sound tough or drinking half of it in three seconds.

Probably drinking half of it in three seconds.

Your vision swims for a second as alcohol floods your system. You manage to finish the rest of your drink before it curdles while still pacing yourself enough to not become completely inebriated. You’re still wobbly from your encounter in the Matrix, and the drink isn’t helping. You get to your feet without appearing half as wobbly as you feel, and certainly are aware that you shake Liam’s hand before his brother Liam escorts you outside. Once you get to the car, Bunny gets one look at you before laughing to herself.

“You’re about to ask a sixteen-year-old to be your designated driver, aren’t you?” she asks. You nod slowly. “Okay, but I’m not slowing down for you. If you throw up on anything, that’s your fault.”

It looks like, for the time being, the deal with the Finnigan Family has swung in your favor. But with a Yakuza hit to stop, your night just got even more interesting.

[THREAD 16 END]

That's all for tonight, folks. Shadowrun Hacker Quest returns next Sunday at 18:00 EST. Be sure to follow me on Twitter for schedule updates and be the first to know when the next thread goes live.

https://twitter.com/NullFearQuests

As usual, I'll be around for the next little while and I'll be archiving the thread shortly. In the next post, I'll be answering a question asked earlier in the thread. If anyone has any other questions, I'll be glad to field them if I can.

>>33875954
Okay, so >>33872898 had a question about our proceedings here. So here's my best effort to field it without resorting to "it's just how the story goes." I really wanted to save this until Jabir got back to you about it, but if it's bothering you that much, I don't mind giving the rationale for all this risk.

The Declan data is very sensitive. While the run in Harriet's leg-cluster took longer than you expected due to reasons that should be obvious to at least someone, the entire thing was still more or less being handled by two very effective hackers, one of whom had military hardware. It's very possible that the file transfer just happened too fast for Declan to sniff out and catch it. A domestic file transfer, however, especially one originating and ending in Seattle, would be something they'd immediately notice. Even if they don't, taking a risk once is no reason to take it twice. Handing over the data physically would be the safest way. Even if Trace wouldn't mind the data transfer, Horizon might.

The second thing to keep in mind is that corporate forces move very slowly. Runner/Corporate Johnson meetings are clandestine operations that need to be set up on the Johnson's side well in advance, and need to take place in a secure location. For a media corp like Horizon, getting the exclusive is everything. Getting a Horizon media team with someone from corporate on-site in what is generally considered to be Ares territory was a bureaucratic nightmare already. Getting another one in would be asking too much on the corp's side for a deal that might not pan out.

tld;dr: The reason the meeting has to be at the casino is because Horizon's going to tell you that you either play ball or find another buyer.

Sorry if that seems a little forced, but that's the rationale that I have.

>>33876281
Null on a scale of 1-fallen of the wagon how unk'd are we right now?

>>33876375
4 and slowly increasing. Alcohol takes some time to fully hit your system, and a few hours to work itself out. Echo will be more or less fine by the next thread, whether it's because the booze metabolizes itself or because he induces vomiting when he gets back. Imagine which ever you please. Unless if course, you folk think it would be more fun for him to be drunk for an entire thread.

>>33876461
I think this, but you should know what I think

>>33876461
>Unless if course, you folk think it would be more fun for him to be drunk for an entire thread.
Maybe not full thread but first two or three posts sure.

Also thanks for running Null