02B- TTO Office

[Dom]

18:58
TTO Offices

Ace, Oriole and Friction enter the main lobby for the Tharsis Terraforming Office. A large fountain occupies the wall to the right of the lobby, synchronizing the jettisoning of the  water in such a way that certain words are created as they pour down. Reading through them, they are mostly TTO slogans about their ongoing efforts to terraform the planet. A female receptionist sits at a counter to the far side of the entrance underneath a large TTO logo: the left side of the ‘O’ is red and the right side is green. The secretary is sleeved in an attractive sylph morph. To the left, a large corridor leads to the main office hallways.

As far as getting replies from your contacts, your muses inform you that they are taking extra precautions and so are making sure to establish encrypted connections and messaging them in the most effective manner based on previous messages.

[OOC] You three decided to take extra time, so the results of the Networking rolls won’t be apparent yet.

[DancingWarPanda]

Khalil sits in front of the building in his cycle while determining the best way to get inside. He contacts the others while looking for any security. "If you guys have any ideas now would be a great idea to say something. I'm still waiting on info from my contacts on anyones identity I can borrow. I'm going to check out the front for a bit before I move in."

[Perception 30 + 20 + 10 + 10 = 70]

Rolling 1d100:

(21): Total = 21

[Robot Master]

Oriole moves past the lobby and continues a few steps down the street, hoping to find a food vendor that he can speak with while they work. All the while, he continues speaking with Ace and Friction on the secured communication channel. "I am unfortunately not very good at speaking with people. It is easy to converse with scientists, but it could be said that I lack the skill at conversing with less technical minds. My point is that I am excellent at entering buildings unnoticed, but very poor at mimicking the subtle mannerisms of many other societies of people."

[...loading mesh AR interface]
[Mission Recorder on]

With multiple opaque windows opening in his frame of view, Oriole sips from his takeout cup of hot tea while he begins scanning.

"Right now I am waiting to hear on my contacts as well, but I am also scanning for news, job hiring, any information on large purchases, and perhaps changes to the interior and exterior of their lobby to see if they have changed their security within the last few days. We do have Jakuta's credentials. It would deem interesting if they are hiring for a position that he occupied. Also, I am looking for clues." He pauses. "While I do this, I'll be casing the outside. It would be better to enter quietly or be invited. What can you tell me of the security they have at the lobby? All I saw was a fountain and a receptionist, which means there's something hidden to give the illusion of security."

Research (53, Mental Speed activated for one action phase, reading at 10x) Rolling 1d100:

(81): Total = 81

(Two extra mental Complex actions per Mental Speed, let me know if these actions are voided)

Perception (40) Rolling 1d100:

(84): Total = 84

Profession: Security Ops (45) Rolling 1d100:

(3): Total = 3

[Moondog]

Ace does the usual thing when casing a place out - he parks about a block away, arms the (admittedly excessive) security on his bike and walks the rest of the way over. Real casual like, he leans against the building, adopting a 'far away' look, as if he's deep in a mesh search, same way's you'd see any 'ol guy doin' it.

If this was a cheesy action movie, he'd put a hand to his finger to talk on the secure channel, but it isn't, so it's a silent, less interesting to look at kind of affair. "I tossed some questions the way of a few of my contacts, they should get back to me shortly. For now though, no need to do anything fancy. I'll play the part of a concerned friend. See if I can't find anything interesting out. Maybe ask if I can get a look at his work space. Might be something useful there, never know. . . and hey, if it works,  "

That said, into the lobby proper he goes, looking around like. . .a tourist, really. Not apparently paying enough attention catch any really fine detail - he'll trust his eidetic memory to provide a mental 'picture' as it were to go over later - which would seem suspicious, more looking to see what's around.

Finally, he settles on the secretary, his face lighting up in a genuinely friendly smile. "Smile when greeting someone you don't know. First impressions matter the most. " or so his father always told him. 

"S'cuse me, (sir or ma'am, whichever is applicable here, if no sex is obvious, if there's a name-tag, he'll just go with what's on the tag) I'm a friend of Rebby -er, Riviera's. He said he worked here. I don't really want to take up too much of your time, but. . . well," he pauses, sighing a bit, shoulders drooping.

"I haven't been able to get in touch with him lately, so I thought maybe the people he works with would know where he is, or if something had happened to him. So, uh. . .do you?"

[Dom]

Oriole and Friction look around for the security. No cameras are visible, but Oriole knows that it is likely that the building is chock-full of microbugs and smart dust. Stealthing a signal could work, but there is bound to be other security devices deeper inside the building, most likely Biometric keypads and Wireless codes. The task might be more difficult than needed, so perhaps recieving an invitation would be the way to go.

As Friction and Oriole stand outside they notice a group of people walking briskly towards the door of the building: four hypercorp execs from the looks of their dark suits, followed by two guards with dark sunglasses and sleeved in Olympian morphs. One of the execs looks of far more importance than the others, an is leading the group with a fast pace. They are engaged in a violent conversation as they walk. Oriole, standing closer to a Comfurt vendor, is not able to hear their conversation. However, as Friction is closer to the door he is able to hear a part of the conversation.

A nervous-looking exec speaks up above the chatter "The media black-out will probably end shortly, we need to make this public now or the repercussions will be..."

"I know this already!" The main exec cuts him off harshly, "But the black-out stands for now. This will bring a storm upon all of us. There hasn't been an incident like this since the Fall so we need all the time we can get to prepare for riots in the streets."

The group walks past Friction and inside the building.

Meanwhile, Ace receives a puzzled look from the receptionist. "I'm afraid Mr. Riviera is not in tonight and has not come to work for several days already. We also do not normally give personal information about our staff. Do you wish to leave him a message?"

[Moondog]

Ace nods. He'd expected that response. "Yeah, he said you guys had that kind of policy, but I figured I'd ask anyway. S'what friends are for, y'know? Look, I, uh." There's a bit of a pause.

"I'm pretty worried about him. He's a pretty reliable guy. You know the type, eats dinner every night at 9, finishes by 9:15, that kind of thing? He hasn't checked in, so. Sorry, I'm rambling." He takes a breath, as if trying to calm down from his obvious worry. "I know I probably shouldn't ask, but. . .can I take a look at his desk or somethin'? There might be something like a note he forgot to pass me, or you know, anything I can really use to help get in contact with him. I'd really appreciate it."

(Since Ace is lying through his teeth, I think Deception would be a better fit to *really* convince 'er that Ace is indeed just a well-meaning, worried friend and it would be totally ok to let him see Reb's stuff, if any)

Deception (65) Rolling 1d100:

(69): Total = 69

[DancingWarPanda]

Khalil kept himself from drawing any attention as he heard the exec and his entourage talk about some impending emergency. When one of them mentioned that nothing like this had happened since the Fall Khalil immediately goes into action.

[Coza send that audio to everyone else, make sure they hear it.]

He then sends a message to Ace over their encrypted channel. “Ace there is a party entering the building, four executives and two body guards. I need you to intercept them and distract the guards. I think I may be able to get some info out of the big dog in the group. Oriole, see if you can get some info on these guys using facial recognition software and search the mesh for his image. You should be able to find some open source software if you don’t have any. Things are about to get interesting gentlemen.”

Khalil briskly and confidently walks up to the group while activating his emotional dampers. He needs to get close enough to the target to touch them so Khalil thinks of a quick lie that will let him shake the man’s hand. “Hello sir, my name is Christopher. I am working on a report for school and would love to interview you. Your career has been an interest of mine since your name came up in my searches and I would love to do a piece on you.”

[Coza I need a name, help Oriole and his Muse find info on this guy.]

Deception 50 + 30 from emotional dampers
Rolling 1d100:

(29): Total = 29

If the exec takes his handshake Khalil will follow up with using his Deep Scan sleight. The subject will sense something in his mind but unless he knows of Asyncs he probably will just rack it up to stress or something along those lines. If the scan is successful Khalil first looks for what they were arguing about outside. If he gets any other successes he looks for info on other people working on this emergency and if Reb was related to it.

Sense (Deep Scan) 70(80)

Rolling 1d100:

(43): Total = 43

Strain
Rolling 1d10+1:

(2)+1: Total = 3

OOC: So with both our Muses helping you that means a +20 to your research test.

[Robot Master]

"Excellent suggestion, Friction." Oriole sends over their encrypted line. Blinking twice as the muffled effect of the city street moving in slow motion from his Mental Speed augmentation suddenly rushes back to real time. "I advise caution. There are likely microbugs and smart dust in the lobby, and the security is only going to become more efficient the deeper you go into the building. I have an understanding that presenting a calm lobby is an aesthetic that builds confidence in the company. We should try to gain an invitation, as unwelcome access is likely to expose us."

Accepting the datapacket with the voice signature of the speakers and including his own facial recognition program's data, he prepares a packet for another research attempt.

[Ripley, meet Coza. Coza is Friction's muse. It is a pleasure to work with you, Coza. Let's include the voice of the speakers and cross reference it with the facial scans...]

Research @73 (53+20 from both muses) Rolling 1d100:

(63): Total = 63

While searching, Oriole steps up to the Comfurt vendor with a pleased look on his face. "May I have the coconut flavored protein cup, please?"

[Dom]

[OOC] I'll let Friction keep the roll for Deep Scan and the mental strain to use if he manages to touch the main exec.

As Friction walks close to the group and stretches out his hand, one of the bodyguards moves forward and intercepts him. Without saying a word, he keeps a hand out in front of him making Friction stay a ways back. Friction suddenly feels an urge to grab the bodyguard and extract his memories. The sudden urge surprises Friction for a second, but his surprise is not apparent to anyone else due to his emotional dampers bioware.

"Get this undergrad away from me, I don't have time to deal with this now!" The main exec casts a furious glance at Friction and tries to keep walking past him, along with the rest of the execs.

Oriole, aided by Ripley and Coza, immediately gets the information he wants. The leader of the entourage is a man called Murrak Aghassi, the Assistant Secretary of Defense in the Tharsis League. He has apparent ties with the Planetary Consortium and assists the Secretary of Defense with managing the law enforcement agencies and security contractors. The nervous-looking man is a representative of the Secretary of Communication, and the other two are representatives of the Secretary of Internal Affairs and Public Safety, respectively.

The vendor hands Oriole his Comfurt cup, "That will be 75 credits, sir."

Meanwhile, the receptionist says "Well, I suppose it is strange for Mr. Riviera to be missing for so much time... He is normally always on time and we haven't been able to reach him either." An expression of concern crosses her face, followed by one of determination. "Please wait a moment, I will call up someone to escort you. He should be here in just a second."

[Moondog]

The detective and would-be best buddy of one Reb Riviera breathes out a very noticable sigh his shoulders moving down with apparent relief. He smiles at the receptionist.

"Thanks, miss. Knew there were still good people in the world. This really means a lot to me. Here's hopin' we find something that can help, yeah?" Play the part to the hilt. That's how to do things.

"Sorry, Friction. Got my hands full at the moment, won't be much of a distraction. "

[DancingWarPanda]

It’s ok, I shouldn’t have put you on the spot. I think I can get close to him myself.

[Khalil our new buddy came through. We got some good info on this guy]

[Beam it to me, I could use it.]

As the mans identity slowly takes shape Khalil gets an idea to make him listen. “Sir I think you should reconsider. Your opponent for reelection Jordan Kovass, a recently removed power player from the Planetary Consortium, has been using his PR team to develop a relationship with many college campuses and in doing say winning the younger vote. Some analysts are saying that while you may gain the support of the older demographics without branching out to incoming voters from younger age brackets you could lose your position. Students like me may be your best hope. You could ignore me and live in the bubble your yes men have created or you could listen to someone who is a bit closer to the street then you are.

Interest: Hypercorp politics 60
<img src="http://slangdesign.com/forums/Themes/default/images/dice.gif" alt="" />Rolling 1d100: <div style="background-color: #919191;">(87): Total = 87 </div>

(New Politics Roll with Sociology bonus)

Hypercorps politics 60 + Sociology 20
Rolling 1d100:

(7): Total = 7

EDIT: I think it would be a waste of a post to just make one roll and I can't really think of anything to say so I'm going to edit the roll in and hope it doesn't change the roll from before. If it does the original was 87.

Academics: Sociology 50
<img src="http://slangdesign.com/forums/Themes/default/images/dice.gif" alt="" />Rolling 1d100: <div style="background-color: #919191;">(24): Total = 24 </div>

[Robot Master]

"Thank you very much. Here are an extra few credits for your troubles." Oriole replies, paying the street vendor a total of eighty credits for his purchase. Turning to face the street in the direction of the TTO offices, Oriole rips the pull tab on the Comfurt cup and prepares his first spoonful. Meanwhile, he continues to have his private conversation over the network.

[Thank you very much Ripley and Coza. You are both excellent at what you do.]

"Friction, Ace. Be advised these are high ranking individuals." Oriole says over the network. "The leader is Murrak Aghassi, Assistant Secretary of Defense in the Tharsis League. He has ties to the Planetary Consortium and assists the Secretary of Defense with managing law enforcement and security contractors. The apprehensive man is a representative of the Secretary of Communication. The other two are representatives of the Secretary of Internal Affairs and Public Safety."

As Oriole speaks, he sends the datafiles to their muses to match the faces with the professions in their entropic displays.

"I would not test the bodyguards. If there is indeed a crisis about to happen, which judging by their temperaments is quite likely, they are likely armed and ready for violence. I will try to get information involving the media blackout and maintain this position for now. Have either of you secured welcome access to the facility?" Oriole adds, trying to look at best like a bored employee on a Comfurt break while enjoying the coconut flavored yogurt-paste.

[Ripley? The representative from the Secretary of Communication is speaking of a media blackout, which means that the media programming has either been halted against their will or is being kept quiet by law. Doesn't this remind you a little of Radio Argosy? Let's scan the n-blogs, feeds, Argosy, and conspiracy channels to see if anything strange was reported and then inexplicably forgotten about and set the time-line to start with Jakuta's request for backup. Focus on anomalies not related to regular crimes.]

Research (73) [53+10(taking time)+10(muse assisted)]Rolling 1d100:

(40): Total = 40

[Dom]

Ripley and Oriole start scanning the n-blogs, looking for anything strange happening in Mars in the last few hours. They come up with some information: it seems like the law enforcement agencies have been put in high alert. Maglev trains have been temporarily requisitioned by the Tharsis League for reasons unknown. Funds have been transferred to both Direct Action and Gorgon Defense Systems for an unspecified military defense contract. More information can be gathered from the blogs, but it will take more time.

Murrak Aghassi stops, his face no longer showing anger but instead that of piqued interest. He turns to the group and says, "Gentlemen, go ahead to the meeting room, I will follow in just a second. Otis, stay with me." The men look at one another but then keep walking towards the corridor, followed by one of the bodyguards. The other stays with Aghassi, his face that of professional indifference.

"I'm sorry friend, I did not intend to seem so aggravated, there is simply an event happening- nothing too important of course, you shouldn't worry about it." He gives a confident smile and stretches out his hand, "My name is Murrak Aghassi, though you probably know this already. Tell me Christopher, which college do you represent?"

[Robot Master]

"This does not appear to be good news." Oriole emits quietly over the secured band. "Law enforcement has been placed on high alert, maglev trains have been temporarily requisitioned by the Tharsis League, and funds have been transferred to Direct Action and Gorgon Defense for an unspecified military defense contract. I am going to continue digging into this information but per definition it would appear that preparations are being made for martial law."

Oriole takes another few spoonfuls of the Comfurt while keeping an eye on Friction.

"Ace, please give me status updates. The rest of the entourage is heading your way."

Research (73) [53+10(taking time)+10(muse assisted)]Rolling 1d100:

(51): Total = 51

[Moondog]

Ace stands with his hands clasped behind his back as he waits, looking dignified to most observers. Patient or observant people would, however, notice him shifting from side to side every so often, as if worried but trying this very best not to show it too much. Don't tell, show.

Over the secure band, however, it's pure business. "Sit-Rep's all normal. Will have access to Reb's workspace in a few moments, just had to convince the receptionist I was a good friend. Will work from there. Not even gonna give the bodyguards cause to look me over twice. Still. I'll pass along anything I overhear."