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>Out of darkness

A ray of light strikes your face through the window shades and you jerk to life as if struck by a rod. You had a deep dreamless sleep after your exertions last night that has left you well rested but the muscles in your back are, for lack of a better word, hostile.

The lump under your sheets murmurs and then yawns as you get up.

“Amanda?”

No response. Looks like she’s sleeping in.

You tiptoe out into your cramped living room to find that Jeremy is still sound asleep. You notice a single roach clinging to the ceiling above him. Must be keeping watch.

You take a shower and change for work, packing a simple peanut butter sandwich and a banana for your breakfast. You test the water again today to see if it’s improved at all. It hasn’t; you’ll have to pick up a drink on the way to work.

The van is sitting in front of your least favorite storekeeper’s shop, as always. The night’s condensation makes the door handle cool and wet as you grab it and get in. Time to do what you’ve been dreading since yesterday evening: go to work.

You decide that you’ll get in extra early today, both to show your devotion as an employee and to try and tell your side of the story before the inevitable shit storm takes full effect.

Looking at the GPS, you see that there’s a great deal of traffic for the van’s AI to route around today. Maybe you can do this one faster yourself, hopefully spotting a place to pick up some kind of drink so you can complete your breakfast.

>Drive Manual (Involves rolling 3d6+2)
>Drive Automatic

Rolled 2, 3, 4 + 2 = 11 (3d6 + 2)

>>42801382
>>Drive Manual (Involves rolling 3d6+2)
Check out my triple 1

Rolled 3, 1, 5 + 2 = 11 (3d6 + 2)

>>42801382
>>Drive Manual (Involves rolling 3d6+2)

>>42801353 that "fluff" pastebin is something else

Rolled 3, 3, 4 + 2 = 12 (3d6 + 2)

>>42801382
Still gotta call Lopez about speeding ticket and going out on a date with cocaine.

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>>42801427
>>42801468
>>42801511

>Success

You manage to carve a path through the byzantine sidestreets of Hong Kong to make your way to Kowloon, where GEC HQ is. You dodge idiots on bicycles and frazzled looking drunks trying to make their way back home but manage not to incur the wrath of any Scyths.

Must be too early for them.

You make a quick pit stop at a street vendors stand and pick up some overpriced water ($3) but it's worth it to wash the taste of your tap out of your mouth.

The parking garage at GEC is desolate when you arrive but the area around the elevator is buzzing with activity. A half dozen white-suited corporate investigators are scanning every inch of it.

As you approach, they turn to you and the low level augmentations in their eyes flash with surprise.

"Vincent Esperanza?"

There's no point in denying whats on your nametag.

"Yeah?"

"You're wanted for questioning. You can come willingly or we can trigger you."

Shit.

About ten minutes later, you're holed up in a back room of the GEC labs trying to convince a couple of hard nosed drones that you had nothing to do with yesterday's heist. They're not taking no for an answer.

"We know you met briefly with Dr. Xi before she entered her fugue state!"

"I was just flirting!"

"Are you sure you didn't drug her?"

"What would I have drugged her with?"

"Two microdoses!"

"Two what?"

"Two microdoses of fungi have gone missing from this branches labs in the past two weeks. Do you understand now? We're not stupid!"

Fuck. He's pulling out a bag of the same stuff you used on Dr. Xi.

"We're going to take this and shove it so far up your ass that you'll ingest it through your nasal cavity and then-"

BAM.

"Hold it right there. This man is a US citizen and has a right to refuse enhanced interrogation techniques."

"Who the-"

"I'm his boss and this man is a branch employee that I'm going to take care of on my own time. "

"You can't-"

[1/2]

>>42801832
Hey Simmons, what traits did we get for sleeping last night?

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>>42801832
"I can."

It's Devlinson, his chest puffed out and redder than you've ever seen him. The investigator's shrink from him, even as they continue to plead their case.

"You don't have the right-"

"I do have the right. I have discretion according to branch charter 59-a to grant this felon access to certain rights unless there's an airtight reason to take them away. So until you have irrefutable proof, we're out of here."

He takes you by the arm and leads you out of the room and towards the elevator. As you both get inside and the door closes, he releases his belly and turns to you excitedly.

"So, did you really do it?"

>Maybe.
>I have no idea what you're talking about.
>Of course not! I just wanted to get laid by Dr. Xi!
>write-in

>>42801861

You didn't sleep much but you gained the following, already added and/or subtracted from your character sheet.

>Driver: +1 when driving manually, (1/5) progress to next level
>Getting Fit: Progress [4/10], This trait represents the initial journey to fitness from Vince's initial state as a flabby ex-pat. Completing it will result in bonuses and several additional upgrade paths.
>Paternal Instinct (promotion from “Boy Lover”): Your strong desire to protect your surrogate son grants a +1 bonus to your actions when he is in danger. You’re starting to assume a position of fatherhood.
>Animal Handler: Complete. You now have a +1 on charisma rolls involving charming or luring animals.
>Landlubber's luck: You have an unnatural knack for fishing despite a lack of previous experience. Certain DCs are lowered when dealing with aquatic creatures. This trait can be developed by spending more time on the water.
>Soaring Eagle: Your flag waves longer than most.
>Hidden progress

Traits lost:
>Mediocre flirt - Your multiple failures with flirtation give you a -1 to flirtation rolls until you learn to do better
>Tinnitus - Recent exposure to high quantities of gunfire at close range has left you with a temporary case of partial deafness and ringing in your ears. -1 to awareness.
>Injured foot - -1 from total health (0 days remaining)

>>42801937
>>Hidden progress
Oh boy.

>>42801915
>I have no idea what you're talking about.

But glad you're so happy about the thing I apparently did.

>>42801915
>write-in
You're...happy that someone got corporate royally pissed off?

>>42801996
>>42802043

"I really have no idea what you're talking about." you say, giving your boss your best deadpan.

He gives you a scrutinizing look for a few seconds and then chuckles to himself before turning away.

"Of course you didn't, Vince. Of course you didn't. Those investigators couldn't tell their head from their arse. Come on, let's go get you your assignment."

The elevator opens and you pause.

"Mr. Devlinson, why are you happy about this? Corporate is swarming through here, they must be burning your ass."

"Corporate only burns you if you don't know their rules. I memorized them the minute I was promoted just in case of an occasion like this! They don't know what to do with me! Now let's go!"

It's hard to resist... or understand how jovial he is.

>Are you really so happy just to bully corporate?
>Tell me about today's assignment then.
>I'd almost think you were getting something personally from this, Boss...
>(pretend to be a model employee, like you planned)
>write-in

>>42802144
>>I'd almost think you were getting something personally from this, Boss...

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>>42802187

"Boss, this isn't rational. Those people are here to tear us apart and you're acting like they're handing out cubans!"

Devlinson levels his famous stare on you as you walk.

"Cigars or sandwiches?"

"Cigars, obviously."

He beams and opens the door to his office for you.

"Vinnie, some crew of jackasses heisted us last night. Stole three specimens, two of which were dead-ends research wise and the third of which had dubious value at best. Now, I don't know what they got on the street for that but each of those specks was insured for a hundred grand each, as per company policy. And as per company policy, if the insurance verifies the claim, I get 10%."

>It seems like that would encourage fraud...
>Alright, gimme the usual dossier.
>Shit, what do you think the street value of those specks really was then?
>How did they heist you?
>write-in

>>42802312
>Alright, gimme the usual dossier
Best to get down to business

>>42802312
>>It seems like that would encourage fraud...

>>42802312
>>Alright, gimme the usual dossier.

>>42802312
>>How did they heist you?

>>42801504
You're welcome.

>>42802358
>>42802419

Dossier

>>42802432

Heist

Dossier takes it. Writing.

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>>42802521

"...that sure explains a lot. Let's get down to brass tacks though. What hell hole are you sending me to today?"

"It's not a hell hole per se..."

"Where, Devilinson. Where."

"The Sha Tin Water Treatment Works, Vince. And I'm going to be honest with you, they should have called us weeks ago."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, the problem is something has been spawning in the sewage treatment side of the plant. Some genius decided that was just fine and now..."

"It spread to the clean water?"

"Yup."

"It's some kind of amphibian, Vince."

"I thought amphibians had all died off?"

"Me too, but this one seems to have beaten that trend."

>How bad is it, really?
>This seems like a big job. Why are you just sending me?
>Have they tried using poison?
>What the hell kind of amphibians are they?
>Write-in

>>42802672
Are you only sending me this is kind of a big job also this explains so much about our tap water situation

>>42802672
Oh boy we're gonna need a lot of bait.

What if we sett he water on fire? Or boil it all?

>>42802672
Also wait a minute crocodiles are amphibious as clearly is that Loch Ness monster we caught the other day

>>42802672
>>This seems like a big job. Why are you just sending me?

>>42802739

Sorry, I should have said tetrapod vertabrates from the class amphibia that go through a larval stage. I'll be more clear in the future.

>>42802719

If you could figure out how to do those things, they might help you.

>>42802714
>>42802754
>Big job

Writing.

>>42802787
I'm sorry for being nitpicker keep up the good work Simmons

>>42802837
Eh, don't mind me. Didn't sleep much last night after the Quest.

>>42802787

"This seems like kind of a big deal. I mean, that's the biggest water treatment plant in the city, right?"

"Yup."

"So why send me alone?"

"Welp," belches Devlinson, adjusting himself in his chair, "The truth is I have to keep up appearances for the investigators somehow."

"What?"

"Yup. Gotta look like I'm punishing you."

He lights up a cigarette.

"It's what's best for both of us, really."

You suppress your rage.

"But-"

"Look, you're the only person in this branch right now who could handle a job like this. You'll be fine."

"But I started just-"

He reaches over his desk and puts his hand on your shoulder.

"You've got natural talent, Vince. Use it today. And go see Pete, he might be able to give you something to make this job go down a little easier."

You shake your head and stand up, dossier in hand.

"If I die today-"

"Then at least corporate didn't kill you."

You walk out.

>examine dossier
>check in to Silver Pete's
>do it live and get in your van right now.

>>42802923
>>examine dossier

>>42802923
up late writingr that sweet sweet fluff

>>42802923
>>examine dossier

>>42802974
Have you been posting from your phone since yesterday anon

>>42802923
Let's examine the dossier it seems like this job won't require most of the same equipment we already checked out which we might have to pic up from our lady friends boat

>>42802990
Yep it's a pain in the ass but I said I would participate in the threads and so I'm doing it

What if we asked Silver Pete... for a specimen to attack the frogs?

Like lizardbro.

If they're squishy and unarmored amphibians, sending glass shards spraying everywhere, or dragging a big horrible glass shard-covered net through the tank, should tear them up into bloody shreds.

>>42802951
>>42802990
>>42803049

“The Sha Tin plant suffers from a severe infestation. We estimate there are between 50 to 300 hundred of the creatures in the area and extreme caution is advised when approaching them, as they appear to be extremely territorial.”

“The creatures seem to be related to the now extinct giant Chinese salamander except for the fact that they are about two feet longer, have much stronger jaws, and possess a brightly colored collar of venomous spines around their necks, which flare out when threatened. It is our hypothesis that the spines are actually a type of sophisticated excretory organ, developed to deal with toxic runoff from the battlefields of the War. Thus, likelihood of vulnerability to poison or conventional water purifiers is low.”

“The creatures normal diet is unknown. A great deal of cannibalism has been observed between members of different social groups..”

“Recommended course of action is either to kill each salamander manually or cut the water supply to the largest water treatment facility in Hong Kong in the midst of a heatwave. We leave the choice to the certified exterminators expert discretion.”

It all sounds terrifying but you're coming to realize that's standard. It might be a good idea to pack your personal heat for this mission, just in case.

>Go see Silver Pete, you need to find out if that scuba gear ever made it back.
>Do it live, you got this. You got this, right?

>>42803210
>>Go see Silver Pete, you need to find out if that scuba gear ever made it back
See if he has anything else that might help

>>42803210
>>Go see Silver Pete, you need to find out if that scuba gear ever made it back.

Might as well restock on trank darts.

Even though they might be immune.

I don't think Vince's +3 bonus to animal charming will work this time.

Sounds like we need a chainsaw, that can't run out of ammo.

>>42803210
>Go see Silver Pete, you need to find out if that scuba gear ever made it back.

>>42803231
>Go see Silver Pete

Pete is waiting for you, his hands played out as he looks over a particularly complicated piece of equipment resembling a chainsaw on steroids.

"Mr. Esperanza," he begins, not looking up from the equipment, "Do you feel like a fool?"

"Wha?"

"I got your equipment back yesterday and it wasn't even wet."

"Oh, yeah. I ended up not using it."

"Well, I hope you don't feel cheated."

"I.... don't?"

He heaves the from the counter and places it on a nearby shelf.

"I read your case for today. Something about salamanders."

"That's right?"

Your voice takes on a questioning tone, unsure of what he's driving at.

"Well, I've got just the thing for you!"

He pulls up a large bag and empties it all over the counter. You recognize the devices that fall out as taser grids.

"They're in the water treatment pools, right? Just toss one of these babies in and it'll fry an entire tank, no chemicals needed."

"$80 bucks a piece."

You consult your dossier and see that there are at least 10 tanks outside Sha Tin, nevermind what you'd have to take care of inside...

>Sounds like a deal (buy 10)
>That's price gouging! They should be $20, tops.
>...No, I think I'd prefer to stock up on tranquilizer darts.
>How much for a nanomesh net?
>Write-in

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_giant_salamander
>The Chinese giant salamander feeds on insects, frogs, crabs, shrimp, and fish.
>insects

Got a terrible of Bring Your Sonfu To Work Day of Jeremy sending out scouting roaches into the water plant from the safety of the van.

But dunno what his range is, we'll have to ask. And also dunno how many waterworks employees are there as witnesses to weird bugs behavior. Plant better be abandoned and automated.

>>42803468
>>Sounds like a deal (buy 10)

>>42803468
>>That's price gouging! They should be $20, tops.

Wait.

>at least 10 tanks outside Sha Tin
Outside?

And should we get more than 10, then?

>How much for a nanomesh net?

>>42803468
>>That's price gouging! They should be $20, tops

>>42803468
>He heaves the
The what,t he suspense is kililng me. The mystery thing?

>>42803468
>That's price gouging! They should be $20, tops.
>...No, I think I'd prefer to stock up on tranquilizer darts.
>How much for a nanomesh net?

>>42803524
>>42803533
>>42803615

>barter time

"That's gouging! They normally cost $20 and you know it!"

"There was a problem with the last shipment! It fell of a mountain!"

"That's ridiculous!"

>Drive home the bargain, roll 3d6+3!

Don't they have a rechargeable model of taser that can fry a tank?

We can mooch off the plant's power outlets.

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Rolled 6, 2, 6 + 4 = 18 (3d6 + 4)

>>42803647
need to boost?

Rolled 6, 4, 6 = 16 (3d6)

>>42803647

>>42803696

You could use nerves in this particular case but something tells me it's not warranted.

Rolled 1, 6, 4 + 3 = 14 (3d6 + 3)

>>42803709
>forgetting the modifier
>wasting all that luck
solve sudoku
>>42803647

Rolled 2, 3, 3 + 3 = 11 (3d6 + 3)

>>42803647

I guess that 84 they rolled yesterday made sure they noticed Vince lunching with Xi huh.

>>42803726
>>42803709
>>42803696

>Crushed it.

As the shouting match continues, you get a feeling in your gut. A hunch even.

"You son of a bitch!"

Pete recoils at the direct attack, just like any con that's been caught off guard. It's as good as proof.

"You think I didn't notice? You think I'm stupid?"

You play up your anger, carefully playing off his obviously mounting fear.

"I didn't do anything!" he protests.

"But you did! You sabotaged my scuba gear!"

He cringes. Perfect.

"Yeah, you did. That's why you were so surprised to see it back and not sunken to the bottom of the sea where you could charge me an arm and a leg for it."

"Okay, you can have the grids for $20 each just-"

"$10 each, and I want twenty."

"Fine."

He sets out twenty taser grids and you hand him $200. Even if you don't use them all today, you figure this is a one time only deal...

Pete hides his face in one of his gnarled old hands.

"Is that all?"

>meshnet
>Darts
>write-in

>>42803938
>>meshnet
>>Darts
Buy at regular price

>>42803938
>>Darts
We're low, we need another 12.


>meshnet
...how much is this?

>>42803938
>>meshnet
>>Darts
But don't fuck with my equipment again or I tell everyone what your doing.

>>42803938
>meshnet
>Darts
>Nice job by the way, woulda worked on anyone else.
Stuff at regular price

>>42803938
Great that brings us up to 21 taser grids.

>>42803938

>meshnet
>Darts

Also this: >>42804007 gotta compliment your kin

>>42803976
>>42803993
>>42803994
>>42804007
>>42804032
>darts, meshnets, and compliments

Writing.

>"Well, I hope you don't feel cheated."
That was projection then.

>>42804055

"Not quite. I'm going to need some trank darts and I'd like to know what you'll sell me a meshnet for."

"Darts are just a dollar. The nano-mesh net is $35, you already know what it does."

His voice is hollow, almost like you've knocked the wind out of him.

"Don't look so glum, chum. A dupe like that is pretty good but you shouldn't try and run it on professionals."

"I'll take 15 of the darts and..."

>Buy the meshnet
>Don't buy the meshnet

>>42804122
>>Buy the meshnet

>>42804122
Let's leave it

>>42804122
>Buy the meshnet

Better to buy and regret, than regret not buying it at all

>>42804122
>>Buy the meshnet
Might get lucky and get one.

>>42804122
>Buy the meshnet
Better to have and not need, than to need and not have.

>>42804122
Buy the net

>>42804178
>>42804176
>>42804165
>>42804195
>>42804252

"...I'll take the meshnet too."

"Fine."

He hands you a closed disc that fits in the palm of your hand.

"Uh, just remind me what this does again?"

"You literally just requested it..."

"Just tell me."

He sighs.

"The nano-mesh net is made of extremely hig strength fibers, so thin that they'll slice through most anything, assuming anything is pushed into them fairly hard. The net you have in your hand is probably 20 by 20."

"Okay, that's what I wanted then."

>Before I go, one last item... (write in)
>Get the hell out of here before he hangs himself in front of you

>>42804272
>>Get the hell out of here before he hangs himself in front of you

>>42804272
>>Before I go, one last item... (write in)
>hand the poor man a dollar

>>42804272
>>Get the hell out of here before he hangs himself in front of you

>>42804316
ha, ill second that as well as A.

>>42804316

this

>>42804316
That's a silly taunt when you're already handing him money.

>>42804283
>>42804316
>>42804337
>>42804398
>>42804400

"Before I go, I'd like one last thing."

"What's that?" he asks, as you pull out your wallet once more.

"Your dignity."

You lay out your most crisp bill on the counter for him.

"Go ahead, I'm paying you fair market value."

"Get out."

"Are you sure?"

"Get out now and I'll forget about this."

You comply happily and, as you turn the corner, you glimpse him tucking the dollar into his pocket.

You take your new tasergrid collection and toss it into your van but keep the grid in your pocket. Then you plug the coordinates for Sha Tin and drift back to sleep...

>End Thread

Unfortunately I have to call an early end to the thread here, guys. There's some urgent stuff going on that just came up and I've got to take care of it. I'll try and run an extra thread on Thursday to make up for this.

>>42804428
He tried to cheat us out of hundreds of dollars, I don't mind making him feel a little worse.

>>42804503
Don't worry was fun. I have a question though, do we have Captain Amanda's number?

>>42804503
aww, oh well it was a fun thread anyway. looking forward to Thursday!

>>42804531
I think she is still at our house

>>42804531
Vince doesn't even own a phone.

>>42804503

good run, I only came here for the last parts but it was a good laugh in the end