IC - Mad World

[arcanus]

"That is correct, for some unknown reason you chose to stay behind" said the salamander, causing Curren to spin at astral speed.

"You haven't much time, your thread grows dim, I will guide you back"

Like lightning strikes the two forms launch into the sky, Curren able to almost keep up with the mighty spirit.
Crossing the continental Americas in 30 minutes, the bleak grey monolithic keep of the CZ loomed, elementals and Nature Spirit guardians imediately turned their attentions.

However none acted, allowing the flaming astral form to race across the fog of the CZs astral space.

Malthalamas Curren stared bleakly out of physical eyes, pondering the choices he had made, looking around he saw that he was alone.

Alone in the Chicago Containment Zone, alone in Bug City.

[arcanus]

The chamber was made from seemless Greek Penteli Marble, its whitish sheen holding a striking yellow hue.
The ceiling was vaulted in the same manner as a medievil church the difference being the arcane litany inscribed into the arched cross beams of yew.

In center place stood a large mahogany table, illuminated by the clear sunlight streaming through the oval window at the far end of the chamber.

"So let me get his completely clear" the senior elf hissed, "The individual of primary import was not extracted from Chicago!!!"

"That's correct my lord" replied the younger elf, his short whitish blond hair blanched by the sunlight.

"HOW?" the senior elves voice rising in both crescendo and power.
"He masked himself in some form of layed illusion, combined with his Astral form" replied the junior.

"And I naively believed that we had a comprehensive knowledge of the arcane, I thought our Intelligence indicated his Metatalents were limited and did not include the ability to Mask"

"That is correct my Lord, we believe he may have had assistance there are trace mana streams of a Greater Spirit"

"Get out" hissed the elder "Erthor" the younger elf stopped
"Find him!"

[arcanus]

The run had been difficult but had run smoothly.
Sinner scanned the area, several enhancements to his cybereyes gave him range, visual enhancement and light amplification.
His smartlink targeted acquired the nearest position of cover, as his team moved slowly forwards towards the series of tents making up the encampment

At just over 7 feet tall Kyber was short for a troll, and quiet. He appeared
from the darkness to their rear, and nodded an affirmation that they were not pursued.

The GMC Overlander rolled forwards slowly approaching 'La Carnival'

[arcanus]

Sinner regarded the two dwarves, in life he imagined them quite ridiculous, farsical, however here at this moment they were due respect.

Kyber gently removed the package, they had heisted from the UCAS Army, as if carrying a baby he proceeded to move the body to the pyre in front of the carnie workers.

The runner team moved to the back, as the family encircled the pyre. The dwarven twins unwrapped the body with solemnity.

The pyre roared and a cheer went up from the crowd, one of rejoice he had been returned, the canterous, old, drunken man had returned one last time for the send off he was due.

'Hubba' wiped a tear from his left eye, grumbling about 'something in his eye'.

Bubba watched quietly,
"Goodbye cowboy, happy trails"

[Nazir]

Both dwarves start at the sound of feet on gravel behind them.
Turning they see a man, bearded with arabic tattoos upon his cheeks and dressed more like he was in arabia.
"Fear not, young dwarves, he has gone to a place like no other. Do not dwell on this, but rest easy knowing that he is with the gods and getting all he is deserving of."
With that the man fades away before their eyes to be momentarily replaced by what looks like a huge jackel warrior, then it is gone.

The twins look at each other, and Bubba shrugs, "What the hell was that all about?"
"I dunno, maybe it was a wrong number!" Hubba guessed.
With a simultaneous shrug, the two returned to their contemplation.

[Alfred]

Operating System ReRoute 25/744/01-001 -:
Alternative Power Supply - OK < 12%
>>Non-Critical Systems Disabled
Primary BIOS Read >>>>>>> OK
Language - English(US)
Additional User Dictionary - OK
Parental Language Filter - NOT FOUND
Date Calibration - Time Server NOT FOUND
Dafault Date - 00:00.00 24/04/2016
Date Set
Primary BIOS Load >>>>>>> OK
:.
:.
Cerebral Structure ReStart - Reason 99
>>Reason UNKNOWN
Full System Diagnostic Start - 00:00.79 24/04/2016
---/
Component Checklist - Found
:.LOAD Checklist >>>>>>> OK
:.LOAD Tactical BIOS v1.01.01 -! ERROR> Tactical Computer v1.01.01 NOT FOUND
>> Tactical Status - UNKNOWN
>> Threat Level - UNKNOWN
:.LOAD Sensory BIOS Driver -! ERROR> Sensory Device NOT FOUND
>> Visual Feed - NOT FOUND
>> Aural Device - NOT FOUND
>> Tactile Feedback Array - NOT FOUND
>> Olfactory Receptors - NOT FOUND
>> Oral Tactile Receptors - NOT FOUND
>> Sensory System Load Failure - 0/5
:.LOAD Memory Module -! ERROR> Memory Module NOT FOUND
>> Default Memory Check - 38%
>>WARNING! Internal Memory Damaged or Incomplete
:.LOAD Muscular Control Array -! ERROR> Required Input Not Recognised <NULL>
>> NULL value returned
>> Muscular Control OFFLINE
:.SMARTlink Control -! ERROR> Tactile Link NOT FOUND
>>SMARTlink OFFLINE
:.LOAD Neural Interlace - OK
>>Integrity - 60%
>>Status - Normal
:.LOAD Vocal Control Array -! ERROR> Vocal Device NOT FOUND
>>Vocal Broadcast Function OFFLINE
:.Multi-Organ Monitor -! ERROR> Input NOT FOUND
>>Init Alcohol Inhibitor NOT FOUND
>>BioOrgan Control Array OFFLINE
---/
Full System Diagnostic End - 02:11.55 24/04/2016
==

(c) 2014 Alfred Tallus Research

==
:.>_cmd stat -p
Systems Running @ 9%
Status - UNKNOWN
Status - UNKNOWN
Status - UNKNOWN
Status - UNKNOWN
:.
:.>_cmd viewlog &TClog -time des

Location: Echo Tower
Multiple targets detected
Establish target lock
Targets identified - 8
Target Lock Acquired - 8
Target 1 - Fire Right
Result- Hit (90% accuracy - compensate)
Target 2 - Fire Left
Result- Hit (92% accuracy - compensate)
ReAcquire Targets
Targets identified - 6
Target Lock Acquired - 6
Target 1 - Fire Right
Result- Hit (75% accuracy - compensate)
WARNING! Battle-Tac communication signal detected
Battle-Tac Signal Interference Protocol Running - FAILED
Threat Status = High
ReAcquire Targets
Targets identified - 9
Tactical Assessment: Multiple airborne targets
Airborne targets identified - Grenades:Yield = High
ReAcquire Targets
Targetting Failure! Multiple Targets
Select Targets where ThreatLevel = Highest
Targetting Failure! Multiple Targets
Threat Status = High
Threat Status = High
Targets identified - 9
Target 1 - Fire Right
Result- Hit (100% accuracy) Target terminated
Select Targets where ThreatLevel = Highest
Targets identified - 8
:
Risk Assessment:
Option 1: Destroy airborne targets
Analysis: Reload = True; insufficient time

Option 2: Exit Killzone; minimize damage
Analysis: Insufficient hardware
Log Addition User(Alfr3d):"Legs ain't what they used to be!"
:
End Risk Assessment
Tactical Assessment:_
Tactical Assessment:_
Tactical Assessment:_
:
Error: Tactical Assessment not available
WARNING!! Threat Level = Very High
Chance of physical damage = 99%
Log Addition User(Alfr3d):"...bastards."
Searching for available networks:
Found 2 users:(HAL),(CARNUN)
(CARNUN) Link established
Request data transfer
Data transfer accepted
Begin data transfer
....
>>WARNING! Transfer interrupted
Damage Report:
Hit Location: leg right
Hit Location: leg left
Hit Location: arm right
Hit Location: arm left
ReAcquire Targets
Targetting Failure! Visual Feed OFFLINE
WARNING! Firing mechanism OFFLINE
Hit Location: torso
Hit Location: torso
Hit Location: torso
Hit Location: torso
Hit Location: torso
WARNING! Heart Rate fluctuations detected. Seek Medical Assistance
WARNING! Blood Loss detected. Seek Medical Assista<
:.
:.>End of File

:.LOAD Backup Communication Protocol - OK
>>Attempting Communication Bridge - OK
>>Response OK
>>Parse init Handshake
>>Response OK.. (1) User Found
>>Encryption level - UNKNOWN
>>Language - UNKNOWN
>>Text Input - Enabled
:
:.>Incoming Message. Accept? [Y/N]
:.>Y
:
:
:User(ANON):Welcome back Alfie, yous stubborn old bastad!
:.>cmd voicerecog >internal
:.Message Recognition Running.
>>(1) Result Found:-
>>Demon

[arcanus]

The district of 'Boyle Heights' stood close to El Inferno, the walled Gang enclave within LA.
Back in the 90's the LA Council had attempted to redevelop the Heights or Flats as they were known, however the awakening had brought change and not nessessarily for the
better, with several quakes hitting the metoplex and flooding significant areas of lowland Flats, which were saddly all too close to the Los Angeles River.
What resulted was a gang infested area of deserted, delapitated buildings and walled Corporate facilities, not unlike the Redmond Barrens in Seatle.

The ferrocrete surfaces had that light consuming blackness to them, brought on by the absence of available street lighting.
Standing in an isolated square, were some 12 figures stood in the shadows, adjacent to a Toyota and a GMC van.
The area was loosely secured by a mix of asian and caucasian figures, each culture on an opposing side of the square, the division not just territorial but blood deep.

Within this security circle stood a mixed group, the first for an unlucky outsider to notice would be a truly gargantuan troll, in Homo Sapien Ingentis terms he was not tall, however his bulk was truly excessive for even a troll, easily wider than three of the enhanced humans near him.
Bishop wore his trademanrk mono-brow shades and muttered at an audible level that only his companions could pick up about the injustice of such a low fee, however to his employers a mask of professionlism.

The next was a seven foot tall elf, his hair black, shades and his entire wardrobe being black or near variations, his face completely unreadible.
Silk was next shorter than the other two, an amero-asian mix, which brought undisguised looks of disapproval from the asian contingent.

Last but not least was possibly the most bizare of the runners, a figure standing some 18 inches tall and wearing what could only be described as a pirates outfit, however their was a gleam in the gnomes eye that was at the very least unnerving, to all except Silk who smirked knowing the source of such excitement in the Gnome.

Contained within the runners circle were six figures, two were technical aids who were currently hooking their masters into their armour and combat harnesses.

The job it turned out was to protect two important figures, clearly in competition with each other, while they stalked through the waterlogged remains of The Flats old central plaza.
Cardinals threat assessment had indicated the primary threats to their charges were resident gangs, native critters and their prey.

Slightly further into the Flats stood a further contingent of armed men, some restrained uncomfortably large dogs clearly enhanced, while the remainder restrained two bound individuals, it was these individuals who Cardinal had surmised were the prey.

With cold indifference the asian hunter, pointed to Cardinal and Silk indicating that they were to accompany him, the anglo stubbed out his cigar and allowed Bishop and Drake (Who was upon his shoulder) to accompany him.
The two prisoners were then released and began running, as if the devil himself were pursuing them, the anglo counted down on his watch, 3 minutes that seemed to be the weight of hours ticking by, before accompanied by his runner guards the two groups jogged into the dark maze of 'Boyle Heights'.

[Sinner]

***Unit For Hire***

Need 'Specialist' assistance in the Los Angeles area?

A 5-man team is ready and available for overt and covert tasks.

Fee negotiable.

Contact Mogul or this Matrix Dead-drop LTG: )&^&%^£$%"$%£^*(&*(&*(&^&$%^*$&&*^&*^*^ (if you can't decrypt this then don't bother to call)

[Sinner]

Sinner sprinted for the wall, his borrowed assault rifle poised to fire should the samurai show himself. Upon reaching the grime covered ferocrete enclosure he pressed himself tightly against it and listened for movement.
Hearing nothing he advanced around the corner slowly making his way to fresh hole created by Drake’s hurled car.
There was still plenty of dust in the air restricting visibility. The car had done a surprising amount of damage, obliterating this section of wall and finally bringing this side of the already weakened building down.
Sinner peered around the edge of the ruined wall searching for signs of the samurai that had brought his drone down. He had a pretty good idea where the drone had been but his quarry had had time to move since then. But he couldn’t have gone far, not with a bound prisoner to escort.
Sinner’s cyber-eyes flicked through all of their enhanced vision modes as the elf scanned for his target.

Perception + Intuition roll: 11 5 5 5 4 3 3 2 2 (5 hits)

[arcanus]

Body+Armour (5 Dice) roll.