Twitter: @ELHMk1
Archive Link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RFjC4hLbsnPcoA8EZTNWj9THbki3yOLjADkiMidlmfk/edit?usp=sharing

Character Sheet & NPC Reference:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rzrQLrCE99M_fOu_RDG9zz5pemWhc_DPqXNOIv9kOuc/edit?usp=sharing

As we’re using a simplified Traveller system most rolls will be 2d6 versus a number (typically 8). In an attempt to allow the most people to participate in the rolls I let three people roll a single d6. The lowest is then dropped and the remaining two die added together with bonuses/modifiers (if applicable). Rolling double 1’s is a critical failure, while double 6’s is a critical success.

In the highly likely event that the Dice Gods are assholes you have the option of making a single roll result a 9. Most of the time this means an automatic success but it will come with a caveat of sorts in the narrative. Basically, I have a table for it. And it’s a FUN table. This can also only be used every other session so use it wisely.

There’s bound to be setting questions since we’re in a homebrew hodge-podge. Don’t be afraid to interrupt a monologue and ask! Also I encourage you keeping my answers honest with previous ones.

Other than that, sit back and enjoy!

>>39654450

Yet despite all that those contracts are the fastest ticket out of the slums. Cyberization is one of three ways you advance on Meridian, the other two being wealth and brains. But since the legitimate jobs with the kind of paycheck that matters are generally reserved for those individuals with at least brain augmentation there’s little to no chance of breaking through to a higher social class just by working hard. Of course you could always try and gamble with the Black Market when it comes to Transhumanism. Assuming you don’t mind the risk of the being busted for illegally-obtained prosthesis, a seedy doctor botching the operation, malfunctioning parts, and/or constant blackmail from the Mob that is.

Perhaps that’s why you finally reached out to an old friend, Taras, from your days in the underbelly of society. Not because you suddenly felt like having your leg lopped off and replaced (though you’ve definitely thought about it once or twice) but because there’s always money in freelance work. Every organization, from corps to governments themselves, uses “lancers” to do their dirty work now and again. It’s an open secret these days on Meridian. Half the news stories about corporate espionage and heists can be traced back to these lancers.

To that end you’ve gotten a tip about a potential job. Taras is the type of guy who would sell your mother on the corner in a heartbeat but you know he’s generally good when it comes to arranging contacts. That said you don’t have a whole lot to go on here. All you know is that you’d be meeting someone named “Don” in person before being taken to your actual employer. How many people Taras has told about this, whether or not you’re expected, and what sort of work you’d be doing is entirely a mystery.

>cont

>>39654480

But you’re used to that sort of arrangement. It’s how you survived on the streets for as long as you did before getting caught in some gang crossfire. Hell, if it wasn’t for that you’d probably be a full-on lancer yourself instead of a desk jockey these days.

You find yourself momentarily considering something your Boss at work said earlier as your leg cramps up in reaction to old memories and injuries. Every Friday Mr. Finnigan invites everyone in the office out for drinks in his typical overly-friendly manner. The kind that implicates “prostrate yourself before me and I may give you a raise because I’m a pathetic fuck who gets off on lording my limited powers over others.”

Okay maybe that last bit is you just being bitter but damned if he isn’t grating. It’s why you’re the only guy in the office who’s yet to attend such a social event. Not that it’s had an effect on your career. Or even that it could. You’ve seen the numbers - Finnigan’s just as much trapped as you are, though perhaps with a little more pocket money to go around. Still, you know you can hold your liquor way better than that balding cunt. Maybe you can turn the tables on Finnigan after a few rounds. All on his dime too if you play it right.

As the news report shifts to cover some fresh border skirmish between the Sechiaso Republic and the Atrusian Union you glance at the time: 6:14pm. You’ll need to head out soon. Even if you don’t attend either function you definitely are not the sort of person to stay in on a Friday night. Especially in the hole in the wall that is your apartment.

> [1] Head to the prearranged spot to meet up with Don.
> [2] Actually meet up with your Co-workers.
> [3] Drinking WITHOUT the Co-workers is always an option. Hell you haven’t seen Vern in your favorite dive bar in awhile

>>39654503
>> [3] Drinking WITHOUT the Co-workers is always an option. Hell you haven’t seen Vern in your favorite dive bar in awhile

>>39654503
>> [3] Drinking WITHOUT the Co-workers is always an option. Hell you haven’t seen Vern in your favorite dive bar in awhile

>>39654503
>> [3] Drinking WITHOUT the Co-workers is always an option. Hell you haven’t seen Vern in your favorite dive bar in awhile

>>39654503
>[1] Head to the prearranged spot to meet up with Don.

I do believe [3] has it. Writing...

>>39654503

Five minutes is all it takes for you to get ready. After a quick shower and shave you don your cloth body armor and then another layer of actual street clothes on top of that. It’s a “new” habit of yours since the incident several years ago that left you in your current state. Such protection back then might have meant the difference. Now though? It’s mostly paranoia. You never know what you’ll run into in the lower district of Ocrania.

Once outside you’re quickly soaked in the downpour. Even without artificially-enhanced senses you can practically taste the metallic tang to the liquid. Your best guess is that’s due to the new Air-Scrubbing Plant that just went online a few weeks back. Eventually everything should balance out but for now it’s just a tad too acidic. Luckily, the Rusty Bucket isn’t that far away.

Out of all the dive bars in the lower district the Rusty Bucket is the only one without a proper sign. Literally just an old metal bucket hanging above the door is all that indicates the bar’s entrance. It’s a hidden little gem that’s generally the perfect place to relax on a Friday night. A constant in an ever-changing world.

After stepping inside and hanging up your coat you blink several times and let your eyes adjust to the dim light. As usual the place is sparsely populated, with the only people besides you and the bartender being two smaller groups off in the corners. Just the way you like it. The moment you sit at your customary spot at the bar a glass full of scotch comes sliding over.

“Thanks Tim,” you say, snatching up the glass as it passes by. “How’s Vern been?”

Tim rolls his eyes and continues to scrub a mug in stereotypical bartender fashion. “James you know full well that ‘Vern’ is a damn plant.”

“Doesn’t make him any less of a good listener,” you reply.

> cont

>>39654996

Another eye roll is all you get. Even that exchange is habit. A ritual that kicks off your usual routine of drowning your sorrows while occasionally venting to the potted fern at the end of the bar. Sure, it’s pathetic on some level but it keeps you sane. Plus it’s way cheaper than seeing an actual shrink.

After a few hours you find yourself idly swirling the latest glass from Tim. You’re so lost in the activity that you don’t notice the person sitting beside you until Tim speaks.

“Ah, Ms. Hatos. It’s been awhile. Shall I fetch the usual?”

You pick up your head and glance around, surprised to see someone very out of place to your immediate right. A full body prosthetic sticks out like a sore thumb. Not because it doesn’t look human but because it’s too beautiful, too perfect. Combined with business suit that probably costs more than your monthly salary and you’re left staring mouth agape at the raven-haired woman.

“No. Not today Tim. Fetch number 23 and bring two glasses.”

Tim raises an eyebrow, “Two, miss?”

She nods. “Yes, one for myself and Mr. Weldon here. He's going to need it.”

> [1] “Hold on. How do you know my name?”
> [2] Remain silent. This is either a shakedown or a trap.
> [3] “Awfully kind and ominous of you.”
> [4] Write in

>>39655014
> [4] Write in
Get up and leave

>>39655014
>[3] “Awfully kind and ominous of you.”

>>39655014
> [3] “Awfully kind and ominous of you.”

>>39655014
> [3] “Awfully kind and ominous of you.”
Palm our holdout weapon.

> [3] “Awfully kind and ominous of you.”

[3] it is. Writing...

>>39655014

“That’s rather kind of you,” you say. “And rather ominous.”

The woman laughs and turns to you proper revealing unnaturally green eyes. “I take it you haven’t been paying attention to the news then. Tim, would you be so kind as to…”

The bartender’s already in motion and changing the channel on the screen above the bar. You’ve never seen him move that fast or so obediently before. Which just makes your paranoia about who this woman is even worse. Cyborgs like her don’t just make social calls for the hell of it, especially in the lower districts. But as the screen flashes and begins showing a news report you begin piecing it all together.

“Yes, Mr. Weldon. As you can see the bar where your co-workers were drinking tonight has been completely destroyed.”

Destroyed is an understatement. Decimated or erased would be a better word. The entire city block shown on the screen looks like a warzone. Holes from what might as well have been mortars pocket the building walls and countless bodies lay strewn across the street. Already the police and paramedics are working to clear the scene but it’s still a grizzly sight.

“Like I said,” continues Hatos as Tim returns with one of the most expensive bottles of scotch you’ve ever seen. “You’re going to need it.”

> [1] Shrug it off. It’s not like you were close to them anyways
> [2] Ask what happened and what it has to do with her being here
> [3] Curse the fact that this means you’re out of work, AGAIN
> [4] Have a drink in Finnigan's honor. He may have been a dick but he still wrote you a paycheck
> [5] Write in

>>39655319
>Fucking laugh, THE DICK IS FINALLY DEAD HAHAHA!

>>39655319
> [1] Shrug it off. It’s not like you were close to them anyways
> [2] Ask what happened and what it has to do with her being here

>>39655319
> [2] Ask what happened and what it has to do with her being here

>>39655319
>> [2] Ask what happened and what it has to do with her being here

>>39655319
>[4] Have a drink in Finnigan's honor. He may have been a dick but he still wrote you a paycheck

[2] it is. Writing...

>>39655319

You weren’t particularly close to any of your former co-workers but seeing their corpses is a little unsettling to say the least. You’re only human, after all.

“What the hell happened?” you ask. Moments later Hatos slides you a fresh glass of the good stuff. As she replies you take a sip of a liquid that’s worth more than the total sum of everything you currently own.

“I was hoping you actually might be able to help me with that.” She reaches inside her vest pocket and removes a very official-looking badge. “I’m with the Special Cyborg Unit. More specifically I’m Chief Rachel Hatos. I thought it best to come in person instead of sending one of my own.”

“I don’t know what to say,” you reply, taking another sip. “If you were able to track me here then you also know I wasn’t exactly friends with my co-workers.”

Hatos smiles and takes up her own glass. Cyborgs like her don’t even need food or drink yet here she is maintaining the illusion. “Very true. But you may have some insight and information that we lack. Specifically about Mr. Maxwell.”

“Maxwell…” You mull that over for a moment. The guy who sits near the window? Yeah that was him. Nothing out of the ordinary about him - just your average Joe really. Kept to himself but did always attend happy hour. So how was he wrapped up in all this?

> [1] Be forthcoming. It’s not like you have a grudge against the PD or anything.
> [2] Tell her some details but not all. Can’t hurt to be cautious
> [3] Deny ever knowing the guy

>>39655590
> [1] Be forthcoming. It’s not like you have a grudge against the PD or anything.

>>39655590
>[2] Tell her some details but not all. Can’t hurt to be cautious

>>39655590
>[2] Tell her some details but not all. Can’t hurt to be cautious

>>39655590
>[3] Deny ever knowing the guy
She wants to know, She has to pay

>>39655590
> [1] Be forthcoming. It’s not like you have a grudge against the PD or anything.

Never hurts to be on helpful terms with the fuzz.

>>39655590
> [1] Be forthcoming. It’s not like you have a grudge against the PD or anything.

>>39655590
> [1] Be forthcoming. It’s not like you have a grudge against the PD or anything.

>>39655590
>> [1] Be forthcoming. It’s not like you have a grudge against the PD or anything.

>>39655590
> [2] Tell her some details but not all. Can’t hurt to be cautious

>>39655590
1.

He just wasn't that interesting, yknow?

[1] it is. Writing...

>>39655590

“...he seemed pretty normal to me. Didn’t really stick out a whole lot, kept to himself, generally did good work that I didn’t have to fix, that sort of thing.”

“I see. Did he ever talk about a desire to become Cyberized?”

After thinking on it you reply, “Not that I can think of. But then again I never went to Happy Hour. It’s possible he talked about it there I guess. Why, did he do all this?”

Hatos frowns slightly, setting her glass down. “No. What you see now is a result of a clash between someone in the Mob we’ve been trying to catch and my own unit. Apparently Mr. Maxwell was mixed up with some very rogue elements.”

Her green eyes seem to bore straight into your soul as you formulate a reply. “And so given my past you thought I might know something more.”

She nods, “Exactly. Tell me, have you ever seen this woman before?” She holds out a hand palm up and from it projects a hologram of a rather remarkable cyborg. White hair, military-grade prosthetics, and even a prehensile tail.

“Can’t say I have,” you return truthfully. “I think I’d remember someone like that. Hell, I remember most people who had even a single limb replaced from back in those days because of how wary they made me.”

“Hmm…” The projection stops and Hatos returns to her beverage. “From what we can gather she and several of her underlings confronted Mr. Maxwell about a debt right there in the bar. Then in an act of defiance he revealed that he’d been hiding a weaponized right arm and fired at her. The ensuing firefight killed most people inside within moments. Mr. Maxwell died in short order too, but not before lingering long enough to give my people time to respond. Sadly we didn’t catch her despite our best efforts.”

> [1] Mutter something about how Cyborgs are nothing but trouble
> [2] Ask if she needs anything else from you
> [3] Change the subject to something a little more pleasant
> [4] Silently finish your drink and hope she wraps up the conversation for you

>>39655906
> [2] Ask if she needs anything else from you

Ploooot.

>>39655906
>[1] Mutter something about how Cyborgs are nothing but trouble

>>39655906
> [4] Silently finish your drink and hope she wraps up the conversation for you

>>39655906
>> [2] Ask if she needs anything else from you
Anything else?

>>39655906
> [4] Silently finish your drink and hope she wraps up the conversation for you

>>39655906
>[1] Mutter something about how Cyborgs are nothing but trouble

>>39655906
>> [2] Ask if she needs anything else from you

>>39655906
>[1] Mutter something about how Cyborgs are nothing but trouble
I can see no way this can go wrong!

>>39655906
[2] Ask if she needs anything else from you

[2] has it I believe. Writing...

>>39656043
It's a tie, Unless you count >>39656033
which isn't properly a vote

>>39656056

My bad. I'm using a smart phone and can vote again properly.

>>39656056

If it links the post and has a number in it it's fine. Missing a > isn't cause enough to drop a vote imo.

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So what would you say, Iggy, is the most likely to happen to the character in terms of upgrades?

Raiden from MGS:R style?
Jensen from Deus Ex: HR?

Or, because everything seems to spiral wildly out of control with influence from an angry red friend still lingering, pic related?

>>39656144

I'd say more Jensen or the Major from GitS than Raiden at the moment. The Mob woman in question is definitely Raiden-esque though. When I switch computers after the next update I'll post her picture.

Nanomachines are a thing too, but they tend to be bundled with the GitS style upgrades.

>>39655906

“I see,” you reply lamely. For several minutes the pair of you sit in silence. Then you finally ask, “Was there anything else you needed from me?”

A musical laugh escapes her lips. “Not at the moment, no. Not as it pertains to the investigation unless you have some source that might be able to track her down. If anything I think that’s something I should ask you. You are rather unemployed at the moment. Do you have any plans?”

You admit, “I can’t say I have. But I guess this means I won’t have to gripe to Vern about being stuck as a desk jockey now.”

Hatos nods sagely, “Ah yes. ‘Vern.’ Has Tim ever told you how that fern came to be in this bar?”

Tim and you share a look. He almost seems apologetic. “No, he hasn’t.”

The Chief lowers her voice and leans in slightly, “Just as a courtesy I’ll tell you this: that plant is a plant.”

“Then you mean to tell me…”

“Yes, we have a lovely file on you back at the office.” She beams and straightens back up. “Not that you need to worry about anything. At this point a few of our rookies actually like taking turns psychoanalyzing you.”

> [1] Well that’s just great. No job and Vern’s betrayed you.
> [2] Ignore it for the time being. Didn’t she say something about a source? Taras might fit that bill.
> [3] Ask what they think of you and your semi-occasional rants
> [4] Slump down and thank her for the drink. You definitely did need it.

>>39656265
>> [3] Ask what they think of you and your semi-occasional rants

Curiosity abounds.

>>39655906
"How would something like that get away unnoticed?"

>>39656265
>[1] Well that’s just great. No job and Vern’s betrayed you.

>>39656265
> [4] Slump down and thank her for the drink. You definitely did need it.

>>39656265
>> [3] Ask what they think of you and your semi-occasional rants

>>39656265
"Wait, you mean you put the plant here to spy on me? That's just... stupid."

Full Invader Zim achieved.

>>39656265
>Just as a courtesy I’ll tell you this: that plant is a plant.”

Not even flora can be trusted
Shadowrunningintensifies.gif

> [1] Well that’s just great. No job and Vern’s betrayed you.
> [3] Ask what they think of you and your semi-occasional rants

I dont really want to get Taras into some shit, and this seems like a fine way of doing that.

>>39656265
>[1] Well that’s just great. No job and Vern’s betrayed you.
> [3] Ask what they think of you and your semi-occasional rants

"And I thought Vern better than a Shrink. So... What's the Verdict? Doomed to mediocrity or accident waiting to happen?"

>>39656265
> [3] Ask what they think of you and your semi-occasional rants

>>39656265
>[3] Ask what they think of you and your semi-occasional rants

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[3] has it I think with a little [1] flavor mixed in for good measure. Writing...


Also, pic-related is the Mob woman the SCU is after. It's great to finally have an in-game use for a commission I had done years ago.

>>39656458
Does she have a badass helmet that pops up outta nowhere?

This is important.

>>39656536

Yup. It's part of the neck piece you see there. The back spines also extend.

>>39656567
Want.

>>39656265

You whirl in your chair and shake a fist at the potted fern at the end of the bar. “ET TU, VERN? ET TU?!”

“Hey man, Tim keeps telling you talking me isn’t healthy.”

“YOU CAN TALK TOO?!”

Hatos laughs behind you as Vern replies from an unseen speaker, “Uh… No. You’re just imagining things. I am a fern. Just a fern. Look at how green and lush I am.”

“Oh stop it. You’ll give the poor guy a heart attack,” remarks the Chief.

Spinning back around, you ask her, “So… was all this just to spy on me or what? And what do they think of me anyways?”

Another grin crosses her face. “We sometimes use this place as a nice way to leak information now and again. You simply just became a nice diversion now and again. Something to remind us why we got involved with the SCU in the first place. What we’re working to protect, that sort of thing.”

You stare back at your now-empty glass, stunned. “You’ll excuse me if I don’t believe there’s actually someone on Meridian, let alone in Ocrania, that gives a shit about the little guy these days.”

Suddenly the glass is full again. Looking up amazed you see your original being swirled mid-air by Hatos. “That’s understandable. But I meant every word. It’s up to you whether to believe or not. So have the rest of this bottle on me. And if you ever want to get in touch with us… Well, just say the word to Vern.”

With that she winks and stands. Tim bows reverently as she turns to leave.

> [1] Thank her for the bottle at least
> [2] Comment that if this is her roundabout way of trying to hire you…
> [3] Nod your head respectfully but remain silent until she’s gone

>>39656686
>[2] Comment that if this is her roundabout way of trying to hire you…

>>39656686
>[2] Comment that if this is her roundabout way of trying to hire you…

>>39656686
> [1] Thank her for the bottle at least
> [2] Comment that if this is her roundabout way of trying to hire you...

>>39656686
> [1] Thank her for the bottle at least
> [2] Comment that if this is her roundabout way of trying to hire you…

>>39656686
>[4] Accept here and now, not like we have a job, and better to work with people who know you?

>>39656686

> Since [2] has it

Calling after her, you say, "If this is your way of asking me whether or not I want a job..."

Hatos stops in place. When she looks back at you with those damning green eyes you have your answer. "And if it was? What then, Mr. Weldon?"

> [1] I'll think about it
> [2] Just tell me where to show up on Monday
> [3] Pass. But thanks for the Scotch.

>>39656882
>[2] Just tell me where to show up on Monday

>>39656882
> [2] Just tell me where to show up on Monday

>>39656882
>> [1] I'll think about it, thanks for the scotch.

Tempted, but I think it would be prudent to explore other avenues as well.

>>39656882
>[2] Just tell me where to show up on Monday

>>39656929

I should note that as I said in the 00 thread this isn't a "route-lock." Not yet anyways.

>>39656882
>> [2] Just tell me where to show up on Monday

>>39656882
>> [2] Just tell me where to show up on Monday

Not like I have other prospects falling over themselves, Course I haven't checked in with the Ficus yet.

>>39656949
I'm aware, I just want to look at other stuff -before- we give the wrong impression to the woman.

>>39656974

Of course. Even if [2] wins out this vote there will still be chances to explore down the road. Again, just so you know and before anyone starts worrying about trains going somewhere they don't want.

And it does indeed seem [2]'s won out for now.

Writing...

Gotta admit. First I was curious about this quest. Now I'm interested. I like this lady.

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>>39657236
?

>>39656882

You smile back at her. “Just tell me where and when to show up Monday.”

Her chuckle catches you off guard. “Monday? If you want the job you’ll show up tomorrow bright and early at the OBI building. Then, if you make a lasting impression on my unit I’ll consider making it official.”

“And by that she means 6am,” adds the Not-Fern from your right.

“Great,” you mutter. “Yeah I’ll be ther-”

In the time it took you to blink Hatos has vanished. Freaking Cyborgs.

You spend the next half an hour enjoying the premium liquor that was poured out for you before picking up the bottle itself and waving goodbye to Tim the Bartender. He silently nods in approval as you leave. Once outside you retrace your steps back to your apartment. Without the heavy downpour from before the return trip is far more pleasant. If anything the mixture of moistened concrete and metal, neon lights, and a little optimism gives the lower district a new look. It’s still a shithole but maybe it’s one you’ll be leaving shortly.

Inside your apartment proper you find three emails waiting for you at your terminal:

### Taras: Good thing you didn’t show, Johnson was a dud. LMK if you want a new lancer contact ###

### [RESTRICTED]: Attached are directions to the OBI building and your interview time. Please arrive… ###

### Mom: Are you okay? Wasn’t that block on the news near your work? Dad says hi too ###

You smile at that last one at least. Sure your parents are a country away and you aren’t exactly close but at least someone checked to make sure you were alive. You’ll get to that reply later. As for Taras’ email though…

> [1] Tell him to set something up but keep the timing loose. You don’t know when you’ll be free now.
> [2] Thank him anyways and ask if he’s heard anything about this Mob gal
> [3] Ask what he knows about the SCU
> [4] Write in

>>39657276
I have no idea what that's referencing.

>>39657300
>> [2] Thank him anyways and ask if he’s heard anything about this Mob gal

>>39657300
>[2] Thank him anyways and ask if he’s heard anything about this Mob gal
>[3] Ask what he knows about the SCU

>>39657300
>> [2] Thank him anyways and ask if he’s heard anything about this Mob gal
Killed everyone at my job, thinking of laying low for a while before trying anything shady. You don't know for how long.

>>39657300
> [2] Thank him anyways and ask if he’s heard anything about this Mob gal
> [3] Ask what he knows about the SCU

>>39657300
> [2] Thank him anyways and ask if he’s heard anything about this Mob gal
> [3] Ask what he knows about the SCU
> [4] Write in
Tell Mom were fine, may be getting a new job

>>39657306
He's the mostly human member of section 9 in GitS.

>>39657475
A.K.A. his gun is cooler than him, but he's still relevant, somehow.

Since [2] has it (more or less) let's try out our first rolls for the night.

Remember it's three anons rolling 1d6. We then drop the lowest and add up the remaining two. The target number to beat is an 8.

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>>39657488
Hey, it's a really cool gun.

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>39657499
Roger.

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>39657499

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>39657499

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>39657499

And here we go...

>>39657508
>>39657509
>>39657511

Well would you look at that. Our first roll is a 9.

計画通り

Writing...

Got it by one, then?

>chargen rolling a shit

>in-game rolling is bretty gud.

Well, it could be worse.

>>39657539

>計画通り

...Hoo boy.

>>39657539
But has it intensified, yet?

>>39657300

Thinking on it you reason that showing up with information on the Mob woman might be a good way to earn brownie points. But you have to be careful with your wording here in the reply to Taras. Too forceful or desperate and he’ll disappear or overcharge you for information. It’ll require finesse, and as luck would have it that happens to be one of your specialties. It’s why you haven’t had to pay a single dime to the slimy bastard in years.

After you shoot off a reply you glance around your tiny apartment for clothes to wear tomorrow. You can’t say you actually own a suit or even a tie for that matter. But you do at least have a semi-nice collared shirt and jacket that should go well with…

A beep from your terminal interrupts your thoughts. Taras’ reply was short in coming, rare for him.

### Taras: Unless you have a deathwish, avoid her. She’s the main driving force behind every bit of cyberization that happens off the books these days. Keep your head down and pray she thinks you died tonight. ###

Well that’s encouraging. Still, maybe you can wheedle a little more out of him…

> [1] Couldn’t hurt
> [2] Don’t risk it

>>39657539
>計画通り
>keikaku doori
we are fucked

>>39657664
>[1] Couldn’t hurt

>>39657664
> [1] Couldn’t hurt

>>39657664
>[1] Couldn’t hurt
got it, avoid her.

......how? Where should I not go?

>>39657664
>[1] Couldn’t hurt

>>39657664
> [2] Don’t risk it

>>39657664
>> [2] Don’t risk it

If he is saying to hope that she thinks we're dead then pushing more might make him skeedaddle for a while. Until he is convinced we're not fishing for info on her behalf

>>39657664
> [1] Couldn’t hurt

>>39657664
>
> [2] Don’t risk it

>>39657664
> [2] Don’t risk it
asking more is just painting a target on our back

>>39657664
>> [2] Don’t risk it

>>39657664
> [2] Don’t risk it

>>39657664
>don't risk it

5 for [1] and 6 for [2]. Writing...

>>39657664

...though in re-reading his email you come to realize that pushing him on this isn’t the wisest thing to do. Someone that powerful isn’t someone you want knowing you’re asking around about them. Doubly so if the question-vector is through a guy who gets off on being a contact go-between. So for now you opt to play it safe and simply thank Taras for that much.

The rest of the night passes uneventfully. Since you’re a seasoned drinker you awake the next morning at 4am feeling semi-refreshed rather than hungover. Unlike the night prior you actually put some effort into your shower and shave, wanting to look your best. In the end it makes no real difference but you at least feel more prepared when you walk out of your front door thirty minutes later.

The OBI building is located in one of the higher districts, hence why you left so early. You’re fully expecting to get hung up at one of the many checkpoints that limits the flow from one district to another. Yet you’re not. At any of them. It’s almost eerie in a way. Whenever you hold up your ID and papers stating you’re expected at the OBI building the guards at each checkpoint waive you through without question. Not a single question asked or an eye batted.

As such you’re left with an hour’s worth of free time before you’re expected. You’ve never been to this part of Ocrania before, how could you have? Even this early in the morning there’s already plenty of foot traffic, all of them varying degrees of cyborg. These are the true white collar members of society, the scientists, the scholars, and the businessmen. You couldn’t be more out of place if you tried.

> [1] Look around for a bit
> [2] Head straight to the OBI building. Best to be early

>>39657997
> [2] Head straight to the OBI building. Best to be early

>>39657997
>[1] Look around for a bit

>>39657997
> [1] Look around for a bit

>>39657997
> [2] Head straight to the OBI building. Best to be early

>>39657997
>Walk to OBI, but look for escape routes

>>39657997
>> [2] Head straight to the OBI building. Best to be early

Don't want to stick out too badly, any trouble that comes from it might make us late

>>39657997
>[2] Head straight to the OBI building. Best to be early

>>39657997
> [1] Look around for a bit

>>39657997
>[1] Look around for a bit

>>39657997
> [1] Look around for a bit

>>39657997
> [2] Head straight to the OBI building. Best to be early

>>39657997
>> [2] Head straight to the OBI building. Best to be early

>>39657997
> [2] Head straight to the OBI building. Best to be early

[2] has it it seems.

Give me another roll if you would. Again the target value is 8.

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>39658157
I smell samefaggotry

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>39658157

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>39658157

>>39658181
>>39658200
>>39658202

Yeah you don't pass that one. But [2] still happens without incident. Writing...

>>39658181
>>39658200
>>39658202
FFFFFFFFFFFFF-

>>39658200
>>39658181
We fucked up walking to a building. Nice.

>tfw we cant get the job now because they saw us get lost like no one's fucking buisiness.

>>39658224
we fucked up looking around for a bit

>>39658238
ELH would have to lose his mind several times over to become that retarded a QM, don't be stupid anon.

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>>39658255
>tfw someone doesn't see what a joke is

>>39657997

You end up beelining to the OBI building both out of a desire to be early and because you feel severely judged by all the looks you’re getting. The skyscraper’s fairly easy to pick out from its fellows, being the third tallest building in the cluster next to the main space elevator. It’s fairly standard on the outside, though your impression makes a 180 the second you step into the lobby.

It’s not five-star hotel fancy but you hadn’t imagined people actually worked in a place like this. It feels like a mansion, office space, and a laboratory combined into one. Unfortunately this is where your directions stop being useful. They simply say to be in the lobby by 6am sharp. You have no idea where to go from here and there’s no one staffing the front desk at the moment.

“So you’re early then.”

A voice from somewhere unknown echos around you. You can tell it’s female in nature but it’s not Hatos.

“He may be early but he was easy as hell to tail,” replies a male voice, also in the ominous fashion. “This is the guy who we’ve listened to all this time? I don’t know what the Chief sees in him.”

The female voice responds jovially, "We were all fresh meat at one point, Sako."

> [1] Try to make a good first impression with… whoever this is.
> [2] Ask why you can’t see them
> [3] Remain silent

>>39658330
To be fair, it was a shit joke.

>>39658425
> [3] Remain silent

>>39658425
>> [3] Remain silent

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>>39658432

>>39658425
>[1] Try to make a good first impression with… whoever this is.

>>39658425
> [4] I assume you used the past tense in a more literal fashion

>>39658545

I count this as a vote for [1] in this instance.

>>39658425
> [1] Try to make a good first impression with… whoever this is.

> [3] Remain silent

For the sake of argument I'll mix them ([1] & [3]) so we can keep moving.

Writing...

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>>39658425

Cyborg you are not but you don’t need extra senses to know when you’re being tested. So you remain silent, looking around for the source of the voices.

“Good, he knows when to question his surroundings,” rings out an actual female voice from somewhere above you. When you look, though, you see nothing.

“I still don’t see why I had to be the one to babysit him last night.”

The woman laughs, “Because you drew the short straw, plain and simple.”

By now you’ve figured out her voice is coming from a spot on the high vaulted wall about thirty feet up. Squinting, you can’t see any speaker there. Yet as you keep staring the air begins to shimmer.

“Well, no sense terrorizing him any further.”

With that a strange heavy cyborg phases into view. Her lower body is spider-like in nature, though it only has six legs as opposed to the customary eight. Even though each of the spike-tipped limbs is covered in faux fur you know full well that it’s a military-grade body. You weren’t much of a history or war buff in school but you know an U-Oni class tank killer when you see it. At least now you have more context as to what caused the damage you saw last night.

She drops from the wall and lands right in front of you. As she does you hear a telltale hydraulic woosh from her legs. Now that she’s closer you can see she’s sporting a grey bodysuit and matching flak vest on her human half. Like the Chief, she has unnaturally colored eyes, though this time they’re bright blue. As for her hair, it’s shoulder-length with two longer bits in the back and red in color.

“I guess that’s why you used the past tense in a more literal fashion,” you get out as you try to remain calm.

> cont

Imagine pic-related just a little more mechanical and/or Tachikoma-ish

>>39658894

“Heh, she does that to everyone kid,” remarks Sato as he too uncloaks and lands next to the spider woman. “You get used to it.” He’s sporting a fairly athletic type body in casual street clothes, though his eyes are covered by a visor.

> [1] R-Right....
> [2] The only thing that surprises me is how you hid like that
> [3] So I guess this really is the SCU then. Is everyone a cyborg like you two?
> [4] It’s nice to meet you. I’m James.

>>39658914
> [2] The only thing that surprises me is how you hid like that
> [4] It’s nice to meet you. I’m James.

>>39658914
> [2] The only thing that surprises me is how you hid like that
> [4] It’s nice to meet you. I’m James.

>>39658914
>> [3] So I guess this really is the SCU then. Is everyone a cyborg like you two?

>>39658914
>[4] It’s nice to meet you. I’m James.
Keep our cool, we could guess they would all be cyborgs from where their office is.

>>39658914
> [2] The only thing that surprises me is how you hid like that

Mix of [2] & [4] I think. Writing...

>>39658914

Well now’s a good a time as any to introduce yourself even if they both know who you are all too well. It can’t hurt to be polite.

“I’m James Weldon. It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Sako and Ms…?”

“Coretha,” she replies, extending one of her clawed hands. “Though you can just call me Cathy. Everyone else does.”

You shake her hand, all too well she has enough power in that single hand to rip the armor off most any combat vehicle. Yet her handshake is surprisingly delicate. After that’s done you follow suit with Sako. His is definitely what you expected - a metric fuckton of grip but not enough to actually hurt your hand.

“Honestly, what surprised me the most was how you hid like that,” you remark as you try not to wince.

“It’s called Thermoptic camouflage. Fresh from R&D and not yet approved for military use. Short of rain hitting you you’re practically invisible even from artificial eyes.”

Turning around you see Chief Hatos walking into the lobby from the street with a tray of coffee. Almost immediately Cathy rushes past to pluck out the largest cup of the group and begins sipping at it like a gleeful schoolgirl. Hatos pays her no mind as she comes up to both you and Sako.

“Let’s get the tour started. And feel free to take a cup before Sako runs off to deliver the rest.”

Sako nods, already holding out a hand to accept the tray before it’s even offered. “Ma’am.”

Instinctively you take one of the coffees. Then Sako runs off with the tray to the elevators.

> [1] You run a pretty tight ship, I see.
> [2] Do you buy every potential recruit drinks like this?
> [3] Thanks again for the opportunity
> [4] Write in

>>39659300
>[1] You run a pretty tight ship, I see.

>>39659300
>> [1] You run a pretty tight ship, I see.

>>39659300
>all too well aware*

I do so love it when gdocs eats words like that.

>>39659300
> [1] You run a pretty tight ship, I see.
>So why bust out the newest toys for a guy who should have no way to actually spot you? Showing off or making a point?

>>39659300
> [1] You run a pretty tight ship, I see.
> [3] Thanks again for the opportunity

>>39659347
>knowing all too well*
ftfy

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>>39659347
Tell your sister to leave your stuff alone?

>>39659300
>[1] You run a pretty tight ship, I see.

>>39659300
> [1] You run a pretty tight ship, I see.
> [3] Thanks again for the opportunity

P sure [1]'s got it. Writing...

>>39659366

Same difference [/pout]

>>39659300

“You run a pretty tight ship, I see,” you say to the Chief as she begins to lead the way.

“Most of our members are either ex-military or from the police force proper,” she replies. “They’re used to it. Especially since they have to be ready to mobilize on a moment’s notice.”

“Is that why I’m getting to see all the newest toys? Would it be more accurate to say you’re showing off or making a point?”

Hatos stops before the elevators and stares at you with those green orbs of hers. “A bit of both. You need to understand the sort of group you’d be joining. We’re not above the law but we do have access to things that can be easily abused in the wrong hands. Trust is everything in this line of work.”

The elevator doors ding and open up. Once inside the Chief presses a button for a floor half-way up and continues, “Which is why I’m going to admit I wasn’t entirely truthful with you last night. The real reason I came to you personally was because we had very much reason to believe that woman I showed you would be hunting down loose ends.”

You pause, forming your words carefully. “Given what I’ve learned about her, that’s makes sense. I guess. Though I still don’t understand how I’m a ‘loose end.’”

Hatos raises an eyebrow at you. “Oh? Well do enlighten me.”

Leaving out Taras you tell her that you know this woman’s behind a large portion of the illegal prosthetic trade. The Chief bobs her head in acceptance. “Yes indeed she is. Which is why you’re a loose end of sorts. You interacted with Mr. Maxwell and thus may have known where he kept his assets or something about her that would be damaging. Luckily for you it seems she believes everyone related to him died last night.”

> [1] That’s not coincidence, is it?
> [2] Well thanks for looking out for the little guy
> [3] Hold up the coffee like it were real liquor and have a sip of gratitude

>>39659699
>[3] Hold up the coffee like it were real liquor and have a sip of gratitude
>So, what would my place in this team be?

>>39659699
> [1] That’s not coincidence, is it?
> [3] Hold up the coffee like it were real liquor and have a sip of gratitude

>>39659699
>[1] That’s not coincidence, is it?

>>39659699

> [3] Hold up the coffee like it were real liquor and have a sip of gratitude

>>39659699
> [1] That’s not coincidence, is it?

>>39659699
> [1] That’s not coincidence, is it?

>>39659699
> [1] That’s not coincidence, is it?

>>39659699
>> [3] Hold up the coffee like it were real liquor and have a sip of gratitude

[1] and [3] seem to be the big ticket items.

Writing...

>>39659699

Being the semi-socialite you are you raise your coffee cup and bow your head before taking a sip. When you finish, you ask, “That’s not coincidence, is it Chief Hatos?”

She grins. “You catch on quickly. Not everyone here has been fully Cyberized. In fact you wouldn’t even be the first all-natural member. Though technically he’s now leading up our long range support division…”

Hatos shakes her head as the doors ding and open once more. “In any case, we have a few here that specialize in information warfare. Hackers, to use a more colloquial term. As soon as we deployed we erased most of your existence from public record. ”

“Makes me glad I decided to come in then,” you muse. “I take it then you’re also why it was so easy for me to get past the checkpoints.”

“Nope! That’d be me!”

A twintailed brunette sticks her head out of a command center to your right. Inside is a wall of screens showing a variety of information from the night prior. “I also beefed up your terminal’s security just to be sure. I can’t believe you were still running that old…”

The Chief cuts the girl off mid-sentence and motions to her. “Mr. Weldon, this is Mariet. Aside from Cathy she’s our best hacker.”

Mariet puffs out her cheeks in protest at that. “Chieeeeeef. I keep telling you the only reason she’s better than me is because…”

Hatos rolls her eyes and points silently back into the command room. Mariet whines but does as she’s ordered. The moment the door closes the Chief says, “Sorry. If I let her get going we’ll be here all day. Lovely girl but since she’s one of the ones that isn’t from a structured background like the rest she tends to be a bit more…”

> [1] Wave her off, you get it
> [2] Comment that she seemed perfectly normal to you
> [3] Be paranoid and ask if you should worry about Mariet snooping on your emails
> [4] Write in

>>39660068
>> [3] Be paranoid and ask if you should worry about Mariet snooping on your internet browsing history.

I'd assume we have a few searches there we wouldn't want people knowing, and that might attract a certain pink demon from the last quests attention.

>>39660068
>[2] Comment that she seemed perfectly normal to you
She's probably listening in from somewhere, and we know quite a few dregs anyway.

>>39660068
> [1] Wave her off, you get it

>>39660068
> [2] Comment that she seemed perfectly normal to you

I thought we had a cyber leg or something from a ban injury or am I misremembering the first thread?

>>39660127
We wanted a cyber leg, we never got one, they are expensive as hell. Our contact could have gotten us one. But we bailed and he was a bust, likely an assassination attempt.

>>39660068
>> [2] Comment that she seemed perfectly normal to you

>>39660127

Nah you just got patched up like any normal Joe. Scar tissue, some muscle damage, that sorta thing. It's why it hurts on occasion but why you can still walk/run.

>>39660068
> [2] Comment that she seemed perfectly normal to you
> [3] Be paranoid and ask if you should worry about Mariet snooping on your emails

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>All of the upper classes get significant portions of their bodies replaced by robotics.
So, wait... how do they have kids? Tube babies? Artificial wombs?

>>39660187
Probably designer babies.

>>39660187

Yes. That or they have it before going Cyborg.

>>39660068
>> [3] Be paranoid and ask if you should worry about Mariet snooping on your emails

[2] with maybe a passing remark about [3]. We'll see. Writing...

>>39660068

“She seemed perfectly normal to me, Chief.”

“She would. All she has in the way of Cyberization is a full brain case.”

“I meant more her mannerisms,” you gently correct. “I’ve worked with crazier types in the past. Although…” You lower your voice and add, “Should I be worried about her snooping around my emails and such?”

There’s that grin again. “Generally no but this is Mariet we’re talking about. While she’s here she follows the letter of the law. On her off hours though? It really depends on the person. I’d say you’re probably fine.”

“I heard that!” blares a speaker on the wall as you two continue walking. “And for the record he has nothing good in his search history!”

You try and fail not to cover your face with your hand as Hatos chuckles at your expense.

From there the Chief introduces you to the crime lab crew - two gentlemen by the names of Sergio and Cetus. They seem like relatively nice guys though you can tell by the way they avoid talking about their autopsy findings that they don’t trust you. Understandable you suppose. After that is a trip to the indoor range. There you meet Demian.

“Ah! Is good to see you Chief!” calls out the man in a very heavy accent. “I was wondering when you would be showing me the new guy.”

“Mr. Weldon this is Demian. He’s the head of our long range division.”

From what you can tell he seems relatively normal as well. Except for the single eyepatch-like mechanism over his right eye that is. “Do we know how good of shot he is yet?”

Both he and the Chief look at you expectantly.

> [1] I’m alright…
> [2] Don’t ask me to hit any barns
> [3] Well run me through your range and we’ll find out

>>39660425
> [1] I’m alright…
For given value of alright.
> [3] Well run me through your range and we’ll find out
I'm probably rusty. Shooting is expensive.

>>39660425
>[3] Well run me through your range and we’ll find out
We don't know what their standards are, so we can't say.

>>39660425
> [3] Well run me through your range and we’ll find out
We could hit a target, if it was close, and not moving, and we had a lot of ammunition...

>>39660425
> [3] Well run me through your range and we’ll find out

I gotta head to work now, thanks for the thread boss

>>39660425
> [2] Don’t ask me to hit any barns

we've got plenty of Dex and Gun Combat listed in the charsheet, so we shouldn't be hopeless

>>39660425
I've had some practice, but I'm no marksman

>>39660425
>[3] Well run me through your range and we’ll find out

[3] seems to be the winner.

Luckily for you you get some bonuses!

+1 from your Dex mod, and another +1 for Gun Combat specifically. That means you technically only have to beat a value of 6 to pass!

Though doing better than that is obviously desirable

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>39660603
Come on big money.

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>39660603
we rolling 1d6?

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>39660603

>>39660650
>>39660665
oh for fucks sake

this system is shite

>>39660650
>>39660661
>>39660665
Didn't call for rolls or list dice guys.

>>39660650
>>39660661
>>39660665

Lame

>>39660650
>>39660665
Looks like we're a filthy noguns.

>>39660672
Let it be known the d6 especially hate /tg/.

Let it also be known, that man is very salty.

>>39660603
>That means you technically only have to beat a value of 6 to pass!
So that means we need a miracle for the most basic of tasks with these dice...

Yeah I'm just going to go do other things right now considering you're using /tg/ d6's which are biased as fuck.

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>>39660650
>>39660661
>>39660665

Ooooo so close. You're just rusty, that's all!

Writing...

>>39660672
See pic-related. Dice Gods just hate you.

>>39660702
>See pic-related.
Which is entirely irrelevant when dealing with /tg/ dice so good job there.

>>39660702
Yeah, but, well. I've seen more than one quest die out because the dice gods hate us too much. I'm not leaving just yet, or even implying that they do- this is what, our third roll? Just a note.

>>39660702
WE might as well blow our brains out now. We're going to die in the tutorial anyways when rolls will be needed for combat.

>>39660729
>wiped out so hard QM had to give us a mercy number in chargen

>have failed all but, what, two rolls? So far.

>>39660702
>Dice Gods just hate you.
No, you're just using shit dice.

>>39660715
/tg/ dice: Rolling 1s on D100 50 % of the time sincve always.

>>39660702
>See pic-related. Dice Gods just hate you.
That hasn't been a valid argument since the first rolls in chargen, you saw the dice then, how the flying fuck can you still believe this shit is good, balanced or fun?

>>39660744
And this was using the only skill we have, with the best stat we have, yeah real fucking promising right there...

>>39660702
The RNG that /tg/ uses aren't truly random. It doesn't give a completely fair roll.

Demian directs you to the firing range, handing you a handgun and a pair of earmuffs to wear, you put them on, and look to the chief for approval, receiving the nod to go ahead, you aim and shoot... and manage to accidentally let off an additional shot into the ceiling and, congratulations!, you have managed to hit a major weakpoint as well, triggering a catastrophic collapse, there are no survivors.

>Reroll character

Rocks fall, everyone dies

If the dice continue to be a real problem I'll see about changing it. But in reality you're already getting a built in reroll on a 2d6. Try not to stress as hard as you are about it. It's not like Moot's sitting there giving you only 1s.

>>39660770
They are not random at all, they are low swinging because of the retarded seed generator isn't even close to being fake random let alone true random.

>>39660779
In case you forgot moot isn't sitting anywhere giving us anything any more, he resigned...

>>39660744
>
Wait, we did? Shoot, I'm behind. I thought this was the intro thread. Wasn't paying attention to the OP. Apologies.

>>39660779
>If the dice continue to be a real problem
They've been a problem since the first chargen thread where it was very evident how much of a problem they were.

>But in reality you're already getting a built in reroll on a 2d6
Oh so generous oh a 2d6, yeah we've already seen how pathetic that is in practice.

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>>39660791

>>39660425

After being handed a simple pistol Demian runs you through his course. Whether it’s because it’s up to military standards or because you’re rusty it definitely doesn’t go as well as it could have. In the end you end up scoring in the lower to middle percentile.

“Eh… could using some work,” comments Demian. “Technique is there but needs refinement and practice. Not worst I’ve seen. Very easy to fix.”

“Thanks, I guess,” you reply rather ashamed. You used to be so much better than this.

“Worst case Chief will find you something you are good at. Everyone can be useful here!”

Hatos nods and waves for you to follow her. “Indeed. We don’t require everyone to be experts at everything. Only one or two in SCU might fit that bill and they’d never admit it.”

“Right. Well, I appreciate you letting me use your range, Demian,” you say with a head bob.

“Of course! Be coming back any time!”

The rest of the tour is pretty uneventful. You see a few more labs and command rooms, all staffed by androids or operated remotely. Apparently the other two members of SCU are out on field work. The tour itself ends with Hatos’ office proper. It’s a standard public servant’s office, right down to the ornate wooden desk and high-backed chair. Of which the Chief wastes no time in sitting in.

“So, what do you think of it all? Interested?”

> [1] Of course!
> [2] If you can excuse my earlier performance, then yes.
> [3] It’s all very impressive but I fail to see how I fit into it
> [4] I need to think about it

>>39660967
> [2] If you can excuse my earlier performance, then yes.
> [3] It’s all very impressive but I fail to see how I fit into it

>>39660967
> [3] It’s all very impressive but I fail to see how I fit into it

>>39660967
> [2] If you can excuse my earlier performance, then yes.
> [3] It’s all very impressive but I fail to see how I fit into it

>>39660967
>> [2] If you can excuse my earlier performance, then yes.

>>39660967
>> [2] If you can excuse my earlier performance, then yes.
>> [3] It’s all very impressive but I fail to see how I fit into it
Whats there to decide, its this, unemployment, or becoming a male prostitute, and we don't have the body for prostitution.

>>39660967
> [2] If you can excuse my earlier performance, then yes.
> [3] It’s all very impressive but I fail to see how I fit into it

>>39661045

You forgot about work through Taras. Aka actual shadowrunning once/if we find a group we like. I suppose we could also try and get in with the Mob.

>>39661064
His last job hit was a bust apparently, who knows how long it'd take for him to find another (not any time at all because PLOT but who cares)

[2] and [3] it seems. Writing...

>>39661045
>we don't have the body for prostitution.
Look at our dex. We're pretty limber....

>>39661297
>10

>only +1 mod

Yeah, sure.

>>39661411
>>39661297
On that note, we take a slug to the leg that gives us chronic pain and our shitstat is Str instead of Dex?

Sheeeeeiiiiit.

>>39660967

You take a few moments to formulate a reply, choosing your words carefully. “If you’re still interested despite earlier then yes. But I must confess I do not see why you’re interested in someone like me. Surely there are better candidates with better training out there…”

A knock on the door behind you interrupts you. After being given permission to enter by the Chief Cathy strides into the room. Between her and all the furniture the room seems all the much smaller for it.

“I thought I should come make sure Mariet didn’t scare him off,” says Cathy as she lowers herself to the floor and pulls her legs close. “Lord knows it wouldn’t be the first time.”

Hatos smirks and motions at you. “I think he’s trying to scare himself off at this point. He doesn’t see why we need someone with minimal cyberization in the field.”

Cathy tilts her head at you, a puzzled expression on her face. “How familiar are you with Cybernetics in general, James?”

You shrug, “Just what they teach in school and that I could never afford it.”

“Hrm… Pass me that datapad, would you Chief?”

Cathy deftly catches the pad in one hand. With the other she reaches behind her neck and pulls out a connection cord. “I’m going to give you access to my vision for a moment. It’ll prove my point better than words.”

After a moment she tosses the pad to you. Displayed on it is her current field of view which happens to be you and the Chief. “Seems normal, right? But how do you know for sure when that signal can just as easily be faked?”

> cont

>>39661430

Suddenly you and the Chief disappear from the screen without a trace. “It’s not something the lower classes would know about, no offense. But there’s a very real threat of someone taking over your external inputs if they’re skillful enough. Granted, that sort of thing is relegated to hackers like myself but it still can happen. So we need someone on hand that can verify what WE think is real actually is.”

“It’s a form of accountability and security,” adds Hatos. “A flesh brain can’t be hacked. It can’t have false memories implanted without your knowledge. It can’t be taken over and enslaved to another. For all the good the Cyberization brings it also comes with a whole slew of new problems and types of crimes. For example - if a man’s brain is hacked and someone forces him to kill his family is he himself responsible? How would you know?”

You scratch your head in thought as you and the Chief reappear on the screen. “Philosophy was never my strong suit. But I think I get it. You need someone around who can’t be controlled or manipulated except by the old-fashioned methods like torture and brainwashing.”

“Exactly. For someone like Cathy there who’s essentially a brain in a jar being fed external sensations there’s always that sort of lingering fear that her reality isn’t real. So you’d be that constant, much like what Vern was to you. And even if you got Cyberized yourself down the line it wouldn’t be an issue since we could find a replacement. Make sense?”

“Plus with you we don’t have to beat out old habits and training,” adds Cathy with a smug grin. “And you’re already in some level of danger from Her so the safest place you could be right now is with us.”

> [1] I suppose. Where do I sign?
> [2] This is a lot to take in. I need time to think on it.
> [3] As humbled as I am I must decline

>>39661448
>[1] I suppose. Where do I sign?

>>39661448
> [1] I suppose. Where do I sign?

Someone wants to kill us, our records are wiped, and we have a lucrative job offer right here. Yes please.

>>39661448
> [1] I suppose. Where do I sign?

>>39661448
>[2] This is a lot to take in. I need time to think on it.
I think we should drink, I mean think, about it.

[1] it is. Back in a bit.

Again I should note this isn't a route-lock. Not yet.

>>39661608
>Again I should note this isn't a route-lock. Not yet.

No, the anons have spoken.

It's been decided. I doubt they will even spare a thought to other options at this point.

Oh well. At least not!Motoko is still cool.

>>39661477
Pretty much this.

>>39661665
We're just setting up a big score anon. We'll double cross for mad dosh, don't you worry, chummer.

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>>39661793
>this

>on /tg/

>>39661448

“I suppose. Where do I sign?”

Cathy smirks and picks herself up. “You never truly sign anything to be a part of SCU. None of us save the Chief there actually exist as far as the public’s concerned. All they know is we’re a part of the Special Forces that gets called in to deal with the crimes and problems the normal police force can’t and the military won’t. Essentially, we’re the legitimate form of what lancers aspire to be.”

That… actually makes sense. “So… All I say is yes?”

“Indeed,” remarks Hatos as she readjusts a few piles of paper on her desk. “Of course we’ll have to get you moved up here into a safe house somewhe-”

A voice emanates from the datapad still in your hand. After a moment you realize it’s a cybercomm.

## Chief, Cathy, we’ve got two guys in suits asking questions around Weldon’s old residence. They match the description of the two that accompanied Aria last night. ##

You look alarmed at the two women, unsure if you should be hearing this. They don’t seem to mind, though they reply subvocally via their comms.

## Are you 100% sure? ## asks the Chief. ## If they aren’t a complete match her lawyers will have them out on the streets again in no time ##

## Mariet, Run a- ##

## Oh hush Cathy I’m already on it. And yes. I can say with 99.9% accuracy that these are the guys. Just have our fresh meat verify it. ##

Cathy bites her lip as Hatos shrugs. ## That “fresh meat” is currently able to hear everything you just said. ##

You hear a sputtering as Mariet tries to recover before the datapad screen wipes. In place of Cathy’s feed you’re given a side by side image of two men. On the right is a security camera feed from the bar and on the left is a live feed from what you assume is another camera near your apartment based on the angle. Best you can tell? They’re the same.

“Yeah, that’s them. I mean I think anyways.”

> cont

>>39661899

“Great,” replies Cathy. She goes silent for a moment then smiles. “We’re having them picked up and brought in. We’ll need to figure out a way to get you linked into our comms that doesn’t involve plugging something into your brain for the time being.”

Hatos looks over at her, rubbing her temples. “I’ll try and run interference and give you as much time with them as possible. Even with positive verification they were present at the bar last night it’s likely her lawyers will still find a technicality to get them out. As for you…”

She turns to you then points at Cathy. “If they already found your old apartment then you’re going to be put into one of her safe houses. If she can’t keep you safe no one on this planet can.”

You glance at Cathy and muster a smile. “I guess I’ll be in your care then.”

She rolls her eyes and starts to extract herself from the office. “Whenever you’re done playing eager new rookie with the Chief we’ll probably need you down in Interrogation.”

“Sure thing, Boss.”

> Housekeeping next post

>>39661842
I....I don't know what you mean.

We run shadows all the time.

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>>39661918

Sooo generally I think that pretty well for a first thread. But we do need to address the dice problem.

Ideally James is supposed to come across as a low-powered guy until he gets Cyberized if he ever does at all. Once that happens those characteristics that are pretty low rocket up into the norms pretty quickly.

Now that said, I can't wave a magic wand and make the /tg/ dice not suck. Changing systems is always an option but that involves re-stating Weldon. And I'm not entirely convinced going to a d20 or d100 system will change how fickle the Dice Gods are.

I'm certainly open to suggestions on this point but you gotta give me something that allows for equal chances success and failure without me needing to open up 12 splat books like in KQ.

>>39661954
Roll 4 keep 2?

>>39661954
I'm fine with the current thing. It's kind of ridiculous but whatever.

Also magic when?

>>39661954
I have a few ideas:

>roll 1d6, best 2 of 4
>critfail requires 3-4 1s

or

>critfails happen on a total of 2 AFTER modifiers

or

>dice only account for 50% of a skill challenge

>>39661954
Take difficulty down a tier.

Shooting a weapon qual should be a routine task for someone with military experience, etc.

>>39661954
Personally I think the problem is that d6 seems to roll RELIABLY at and mostly below 3.

Its why we would have had a single +1 modifier at chargen and everything else be 5 or less.

I mean, we are thoroughly below average overall as a human being according to stats. (Unless those stats dont compare to baseline human, I dont know)

Personally I dont trust d6s, but I wont fight your decisions either way, cause I trust your judgement.

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>>39661985
>>39662010

That could work. But I still wonder if that would fix the confirmation bias against d6's in general.

>>39662005
When you find a Dragon.


>>39662038
Believe it or not average's the recommended difficulty when it comes to Gun Combat in Traveller Core. Of course like 40k there are further bonuses for range/etc but I'd like to keep this pretty Rules-light if I can help it. What hurt you all here was that 1, best I can tell.

>>39662078
Looking into baseline humans, he's still higher than most. A score of 5 costs no points when doing a point buy. And a point buy in Weldon's case would be 24 points. See pic-related.

>>39661954
Thanks for the thread.

Question, our role here is to not be cyberized, but our stats and char progression mechanically is entirely dependant on getting cyberized to even just become average in terms of stats, that makes no sense at all. What I'm asking is, can we get minor cyberisation, a limb here, an upgrade there, without loosing our ability to be the "fresh meat" the job requires, and also raise our stats and skills?

>>39662182
>can we get minor cyberisation, a limb here, an upgrade there, without loosing our ability to be the "fresh meat" the job requires, and also raise our stats and skills?
If cybernetics are available, what about non-replacement augments and equipment?
Like, Augmented Reality goggles with a cable connection (no wifi connection to be hacked) to our gun, for improved accuracy?
Light exoskeletal powered armor for enhanced strength and thermoptic camouflage?

>>39662182

Yep! You can get pretty much everything short of your brain replaced. But once you start messing with the grey matter your roll as the meat stops.

Also there's going to be some sort of advancement that handles skill and characteristic progress as time goes on. Maybe once every couple of threads or something I'll let you all roll on the charts again or pick the optimal upgrade myself. We'll see. This is all very much an exercise in learning and trying out a new system as well as enjoying a new story.

>>39662135
>Looking into baseline humans, he's still higher than most. A score of 5 costs no points when doing a point buy. And a point buy in Weldon's case would be 24 points. See pic-related.

All that says to me is that if we had point buy our stats would be far higher. Since with the original rolls we had two 3s, one ten and all 5s. Getting up to ten costs either 6 points, or a cumulative cost of 17 points (which I doubt is the case). With the former that means we would have 22 points left to spend, the latter still leaves us with 11 points.

Lets say we went with point buy to get the stats we currently have, that is 9 points spent overall, leaving us with 13 points into other things.

I dunno. Numbers make me angry.

>>39662135
>What hurt you all here was that 1, best I can tell.
But we got a 3 and a 2

It just seems that the stats you've had us roll up is pretty much at odds with the system that's meant to make him viable and he seems anything but viable in my opinion, I mean our stats are fucking atrocious, no buts about it, we have ONE stat that is above modifier of -1...

>>39662135
I think the main issue is that what works with physical dice can be completely weird on /tg/'s roller.

>>39662262
Our stats are perfect for being a sadsack office worker who gets drunk and talks to potted plants.

It's not Iggy's fault that you guys jumped off the deep end and joined the SCU

>>39662250

It's the skills that are throwing that off too. He's got quite a fair number. But generally yes, you might fair a little better going by point-buy but farming that out to a collective entity like /tg/ is difficult. Getting consensus on where to allocate things like stats are very touchy subjects for some reason.

>>39662262
Two actually. Social Standing and Dex.

>>39662242
Well hopefully you don't roll d6s for those upgrades, but outside if the other issues with our stats and dice, this quest looks pretty fun so far, if only the dice cooperated instead of being firmly against us

>>39662262
We're an average Joe, more or less. Don't be surprised we suck.

>>39662292
>It's the skills that are throwing that off too. He's got quite a fair number
0s cost a single point, yeah? And 1s cost two? That's ten points, leaving us with 3 or 12, depending on which case you go by.

Unless I'm royally fucking my math, or there are things in the char sheet I cant see.

>>39661954
>Ideally James is supposed to come across as a low-powered guy until he gets Cyberized if he ever does at all.

Could either be pretty cool or real boring, depends on how you write it I guess. I hope there's some regular-ish, tangible progress though.

>>39662279
>>39662311

>>39662279
>>39662311

>>39662355
**
If I wanted to be some Joe Schmo in a deadend job I'd get off 4chan and go to work early. I wanna be morally ambiguous Adam Jensen here

>>39662250
Yeah point buy would have been infinetly better and I hope we can do that and replace the abysmal mess we've got now

>>39662292
>Getting consensus on where to allocate things like stats are very touchy subjects for some reason.
What the fuck are you smoking? You were there for when we allocated our stats were you not? Seriously there e is no oaaue there for us picking stats, hell you could just have us allocate stat points using point buy, but with emphasis on where our current status sit in terms of focus, then we would have the same style and type of character and not be the safest sack of shit I've seen

Your argument for withholding us from being AVERAGE I entirely invalid, hell you could stay us up with point buy and keep the rough percentages with a modification or two for UA to cote on for the next tread and it qould MASSIVELY improve things

>>39662292
>Getting consensus on where to allocate things like stats are very touchy subjects for some reason.
Make a couple pregenned allocations, give a 10-20 min or so no vote discussion period to see if anyone comes up with anything good, then hold a vote for the different allocations with the new customs included. Much better than letting everyone vote on exactly where to stick it.

>>39662311
We're so far below an average Joe it's now funny

>>39662378
Ducking phone

OP you should stat us up with point buy with the kind of focuses we have for our current stats and see how that is, because your writing us off and causing major issues over invalid concerns

>>39662342

By point-buy, you'd have 5 points remaining:

> 9 in Social = 5 points
> 10 in Dex = 10 points
> 6 skills at Rank 0 = 6 points
> 2 skills at Rank 1 = 4 points
> -3 in Str = -2 points

So I suppose you could pick up one more thing at 9 or spread it around a little.

>tfw everyone wants pointbuy

>tfw it wont do shit because /tg/ dice

>>39662390
Fucking this, honestly using the consensus falacy to not deal with this is stupid, we had consensus on stats very easily in chargen, why do you think we're magically unable of that now?

>>39662447
>10 in Dex = 10 points

6 points* sorry. Typing and math is hard apparently.

>>39662447
I'd be more interested in taking away all of our penalties, myself. A minus anything on d6 is rough as shit.

>>39662447
I'm confused, why does having 10 in Dex only give us a +1?

>>39662370
Then run your own quest.

>>39662472
Its a wider margin, I guess. Just like 3 is still only -1

>>39662468
Yeah same, keep our focus on Dex and soc, but level out the others so we're not crippled, then we can be a poor not well off slightly cyberized non-pussy version of togusa

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>>39662472

Pic-related.

>>39662468

You could put everything at 6 and have one point left over for a skill or to bump one thing up to 7.

>>39662397
It's pretty damn funny.

>>39662459
Don't be salty

>not spending all our points on enhanced meat-vision

>>39662503
We only would have 5 points to spend, right? 3 for the 3 fives we have, then two to get str up to 5

>>39662530
Going by the chart I linked in >>39662135 and treating it like a fresh character means you spend one point per characteristic to make it 6.

>>39662530
Or we could get dex to 12 so it hits the +2. Str at 5 is just as shit as it is at 3

>>39662555
Huh, well I got nothing, then, the other anons can decide what to do with an extra point.

I just wanted to alleviate some stress from the rolls. It'll probably still wreck our shit because lel /tg/, but hey, I'm trying.

>>39662561
Dex 12 sounds good to me

>>39662555
Which is 4 for +0s, 6 for Dex, 5 for SS, 2 per lvl 1 skill is 4 for skills = 4+6+5+4=19, 5 points left over, right?

I suppose I should technically say that 2 points are being granted by that 3 in STR. If you change that at all you only have 3 points instead of the 5 as I outlined in >>39662447

>>39662588
If you did it that way, yes. But that's assuming you cut all level 0 skills.

>>39662555
Doing the math we cant get every Stat up to 6 plus the dex and SS score we have with the skills we have, we'd have a single point deficit.

Getting dex to 12 would also not work, even if we took a three due to our skills.

>>39662629
So we could get no negaatives, 12 to Dex, and 1 level 0 skill in addition to the 2 level 1s, or get no negatives and have to drop one current level 0 skill, since we have 6.

>>39662672

Let's make it a vote.

> [1] 12 Dex and drop 5 skills
> [2] No negatives and just drop a single skill

>>39662694
>> [2] No negatives and just drop a single skill

5 skills. Yeesh. Rather not have just a single point bonus if it means we become THAT much less competent

>>39662694
> [2] No negatives and just drop a single skill
But what skill are we dropping?

>>39662717
>But what skill are we dropping?
Well, thematically losing athletics works, I doubt he can actually run all that well on his bum leg.