Cyberpunk Red - Avery 'Slick' Hicks - Solo Session - "Raven"

A roleplay session in the world of Cyberpunk Red

This session was written up by our Gamesmaster Matt and formatted for my blog by me.

Previous 'Gigs'

Story Arc One

(0) Spydar's Web, (1) Big Trouble in Little China, (2) Eye-Spy.

The Players

Our players were all started at Rank 4

Garreth as Avery Hicks, Exec

and his Crew Member 'Jasmine'

Gamesmaster

Matt as everyone else.

Scene introductions and 'speaking to the players' bits are written in Blue to distinguish them from the roleplayed parts of the scenes.

Solo Session: "Raven"

Introduction

Following the shoot out in the medcentre morgue, you have acquired the recordings from the unfortunate Mr Chan’s experimental cybereye. It occurs to you that the knowledge of a spy working within Raven Microcybernetics on behalf of one of their biggest rivals, Kiroshi Opticals, could be valuable and you have a mind to profit from it.

Your instinct is to find a contact within their sales department as an opening to a meeting where you can make your case. Raven is a higher tier corporation than Budget Arms however and it is unlikely that they buy any equipment from you. However, it does occur to you that Budget Arms may be a customer of Raven.

 

It is likely this would be handled by Acquisitions and that may be a good place to start. Fortunately you now have a contact within Acquisitions.

Acquisitions

Anya Metalik - Exec. PA
Budget Arms

Avery made his way up to the office of Preston Garvey in the Acquisitions department. The reception area was clean and luxurious as usual with the screens showing the latest screamsheets. Garvey’s personal assistant Anya greeting him as he arrived.

“Oh hi Avery, it’s good to see you. What can I do for you?”

“I was hoping to see Mr Garvey, I have a business opportunity that requires a point of contact.” Said Avery.

Anya typed a message into her agent. “Ok, I’ve sent you request for a meeting through. Take a seat.” After a minute or so, her agent pinged. “You can go in now.” She said.

The office was as Avery remembered it. It was expansive with seating and a meeting table in the centre and screens and shelving displaying screamsheets and decorations. Garvey was seated at his desk at the far end. “Ah, Slick Hicks, to what do I owe this pleasure?” He more or less sneered.

Players Note - Avery absolutely hates the nickname 'Slick' so I can only presume that our GM doesn't care if I kill this prick at some point in the future, lol.

“I have some information I’d like to Raven Microcybernetics.” Said Avery, reasoning there was no point in trying to hide his objectives. ”I was hoping you had a contact in Raven that I could go to with it.”

Preston Garvey - Exec.
Budget Arms Acquisition Dept.

“What sort of information?” Asked Garvey.

“Do you recall the medtech Klink?” Said Avery. ”He was recently employed to track down a missing person. It was a spy for Kiroshi Opticals operating within Raven.”

“Ah Avery,” Began Garvey “Have you heard of corporate espionage? You must be very naïve if you don’t think this sort of thing goes on all the time.”

He smirked arrogantly. “I hope whatever you have is more interesting than that.” He typed into his terminal. “I have one Mr Kurt Pavlov. He’s a sales rep over at Raven. I’ve done business with him before in regards to some of our more subtle operations."

“Thank you” said Avery standing to leave.

“Wait.” Said Garvey. “We have the need for some equipment in an upcoming job. While you are there, make an order for ten Radiation Suits, ten Rebreathers and two Chemical Analysers. Tell him the payment will be in the usual manner.” He turned back to his terminal. “Don’t let me keep you.”

Raven Microcybernetics

Heading down to the lobby, Avery took a full complement of weapons. He reasoned that as an Arms Dealer he had something of an appearance to keep up. A driver working for the corporation picked him up and drove him across the Glen to Raven.

Raven Microcybernetics were famously reserved. The building was unassuming with the logo discreetly on show but very little other signs that such a prestigious company were there. The lobby was exceptionally clean and full of white marble.

Raven seemed to prefer the minimalist contemporary style that was a far contrast from the faux wood and rich colours Budget Arms employed. It occurred to Avery that this was a corporation with no pretence where Budget Arms perhaps tried to appear more upmarket than they actually were.

Receptionist
Raven Microcybernetics

A beautiful woman sat at the reception desk ready to greet him. “Good day sir, how can I help you?”

“Hi there, my name is Hicks, I have a meeting with Mr Pavlov.” Said Avery. He turned up the charm to maximum and tried some small talk but it seemed that the receptionist was used to such advances and politely didn’t engage.

“Thank you sir, Mr Pavlov is expecting you. Please make your way through security and head up to the 6th floor.” She said.

Avery approached security and handed over his modified very heavy pistol. To his surprise and satisfaction, the security team failed to find his various other concealed weaponry and allowed him to pass through. 

He made a mental note to use this to his advantage later. The elevator was similarly Spartan though he noticed his bug detector pinged as he entered.

The doors opened to the sixth floor, revealing the waiting Pavlov. He was a handsome red haired man in an expensive looking black suit. “Good day Mr Hicks, it’s good to meet you.” He said.

Kurt Pavlov - Exec. Salesman
Raven Microcybernetics

“Call me Avery.” Said the exec. He followed Pavlov into his office. It was once again, contemporary and minimalist, unassuming and refined. Pavlov was much the same. He was confident but not arrogant. A man completely at ease with his role and his position. Avery respected that. Pavlov offered him a seat.

“So, Avery, what can I do for you today?” He said.

“I have been asked to put in an order with you.” Said Avery. “Ten Radiation suits, ten rebreathers and two chemical analysers. I’ve been told that the payment will be handled in the usual manner.”

“That won’t be a problem.” Replied Pavlov.

“Forgive me,” said Avery. “I’m a recent transfer to Acquisitions and I’m finding my feet as it were. What do you think of Mr Garvey?”

“Preston?” Said Pavlov “He seems to have his head screwed on. He’s very driven, organised. We have done business with him many times and he’s always been reliable with pay.”

“That’s good to know.” Said Avery “It always pays to know a man’s character. I have one other order of business.”

'Bry' - Head of Security
Raven Microcybernetics

Pavlov seemed mildly confused. “What’s that?” He said.

“I was recently tasked with locating a missing person.” Said Avery. “Upon locating the sadly deceased individual, I discovered a security breach relating to Raven Microcybernetics that I felt duty bound to disclose.”

“This sounds serious. Should I summon security?” Asked Pavlov.

“Yes, perhaps you should.” Said Avery. Pavlov activated an intercom on his desk. “I have been made aware of a security breach. Could I get some assistance please?”

After a few minutes, a slight, stern looking man also dressed in Raven black, entered the office. “This is Bry” Said Pavlov, pointedly omitting all other details. “He is our security chief.”

“Is there a problem, Mr Hicks?” said Bry.

Ignoring that this new arrival knew his name without introduction, Avery pressed on. “Theoretically, if I knew of an individual who had bypassed your security with a fake identity and recorded his activities here on a hidden camera, what would that be worth to you?” Asked Hicks.

Kiroshi Optics Cybereye
Used for Industrial Spying

Avery noticed as he spoke that the information was unsurprising to both Pavlov and Bry up to the point he mentioned the camera. “Recorded you say?” Asked Bry.

“Yes” Said Avery. “The spy had an undetected camera that bypassed your security. Incidentally…” Avery calmly produced three concealed weapons and laid them on Pavlov’s desk. “Your security also missed all of these.”

Bry looked stony faced and Avery had the distinct impression that someone would be losing their job in the near future. “This will need to be thoroughly investigated.” He said, calmly but with a cold finality that was faintly chilling.

“What is your price for this information?” Said Pavlov, recognising a negotiation when he saw one.

“Raven is a market leader in cyberware.” Said Avery “I would wager that rather than monetary recompense, we could agree to some hardware installation and the relevant therapy to adapt to it. My own employer is somewhat less able to provide many of the fringe benefits available to execs of the top tier corporations.”

Cyberware - Cyberarm - RealSkinn Covering

“There are other corporations to work for.” Said Bry.

Pavlov studied them both for a moment. “We agree to the cyberware but the therapy is hourly for the therapist, you will need to pay that yourself.”

“Agreed” Said Avery. He took out a memory chip and placed it on the desk. “This is the recording. The spy didn’t find anything significant before his accident. There is also the data about the recording device. I think you will find that quite enlightening.” Bry plugged the chip in and began to watch the playback.

Avery rose to leave. “Thank you for your time. I have to say, I like the way you operate here. Should a vacancy come up, I’d be very interested in joining you.” He handed the exec a business card. “My work of course extends beyond Budget Arms. I have to support my lifestyle after all so if you have any tasks that your own operatives find unsavoury then perhaps you can subcontract?”

Pavlov smiled knowingly. “There’s nothing available here right now but you’ve made an impression, I’ll keep you in mind. Bry will see you out.”

Security Checkpoint

The journey back to the lobby was silent. As they exited the elevator, Bry said “Good day Mr Hicks, we may meet again.” He turned back towards security. Avery didn’t envy them, Bry had an air or terror about him he couldn’t put his finger on.

With a charming smile to the beautiful receptionist, he walked back out into the waiting city.

To Be Continued in "Death's in the Family"

GM's Round-up

This was an interesting one. I expected Avery to try and barter for a group benefit but it seems he had other plans. He has chosen some specific upgrades however that will keep him in good stead should any future negotiations go wrong with him in the middle of it.

He’s a sly and wily one that Avery Hicks.

Acknowledgement's

I've used pictures of real people to represent some of the characters and art for others so in no particular order Avery Hicks is Tom Ellis, Anya Metalik is Gillian Anderson, Preston Garvey is Jon Hamm, Raven's Receptionist is Christina Cole, Kurt Pavlov is Damien Lewis and Bry is Mark Strong