Cyberpunk Red - Session Four - "A Hot Minute"

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, (2a) Raven, (3) Death's in the Family.

The Players

Our players were all started at Rank 4

Garreth as Avery Hicks, Exec

and his Crew Member 'Jasmine'

Phil as 'Holliday' Nomad

Martyn as 'Klink', Medtech

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.

Session Four: "A Hot Minute"

Introduction

You have been summoned back to the office of Preston Garvey, the Acquisitions Exec at Budget Arms. Though it is evident that he has another job for you, the message you received did not explain anything about the nature of the job.

Garvey's Office

The three edgerunners stood in the lobby of Garvey’s office.

As before, the office lobby was modern and stylish. The screens continued to stream Network 54 news channels and screamsheets. Through the window, the Glen was illuminated in the pale red morning light. People went about their business blissfully unaware of the sort of dealings that the corporations carried out behind the scenes and the decisions that affect their everyday lives.

Anya Metallik, Garvey’s personal assistant, entered from the office. “Preston is ready for you now.” She said gesturing for the three men to enter the office. Avery took the lead, followed by Holliday and Klink brought up the rear.

As they entered, they noticed that the seating area that had been in the centre of the office on their last visit had been used to support a map table instead. Preston and his bodyguard, Kilo were standing around the map waiting for them.

Preston Garvey - Exec
Budget Arms, Acquisitions Dept.

Garvey begins. “Gentlemen, I have another job for you. Thanks to your previous efforts, I have the location of an underground vault abandoned during the 4th Corporate War. This vault contains valuable raw materials which could revitalise the manufacturing wing of the company. Needless to say, this is a critical opportunity for Budget Arms that could give us a serious advantage over our rivals.” He motioned towards Kilo. “Kilo will lead the team for this operation. You will accompany him and a squad of our security operatives. Kilo.”

Kilo took over. “I will lead the team and you three are to accompany us. Everyone will be issued with a radiation suit and a rebreather. We also have a number of radiation detectors that will be shared amongst the group. The Hot Zone is like the combat zones turned up to eleven. The gangs that haunt that place are insane, irradiated savages and cyberpsychos. In the event that we are confronted, we shoot first and ask questions later.” He cast an image from his agent onto the screen. It showed a ramp down to large armoured doorway. “We have the access code for the vault but nothing more. Once we get there. The team and I will form a defensive perimeter while you three enter and retrieve the target resources. There is an amount of gold registered on the manifest that is a key material component for electrical manufacturing. This is the objective. Once the gold is located, you reconvene with the rest of the team and we will exfiltrate back here. Though the radiation might be low level, we will still take the precaution of decontamination on arrival here. Any questions?”

EuroDollars or 'Eddies'

Avery addressed Garvey. “How much?”

“1000eb each” said Garvey presuming Avery was asking about the pay.

Avery snorted in derision and turned to leave. “I presume you wish to haggle.” Said Garvey evenly.

Avery stopped. “2000eb and a percentage of the take from the gold.” He said.

“There is no percentage, the gold belongs to the corporation once it has been recovered.” Said Garvey.

“2500eb then.” Snapped Avery.

“Yes, fine, that’s fair.” Said Garvey, barely even pausing. Avery couldn’t help feeling that he the Acquisitions exec had agreed too readily.

“Do we have a schematic for the bunker?” Said Holliday.

“Not as such.” Said Kilo. “The basic layout is an underground loading bay with a number of small individual vaults divided up inside. We have nothing beyond that.”

“How much gold are we looking for?” Said Holliday.

“There is 400kg of gold registered on the manifest. That is the objective.” Said Garvey. Holliday whistled to himself. “Do we get any other equipment? Ammunition? Smoke? EMPs?”

“We’re providing the suits, rebreathers and the like but anything more specialised is up to you to acquire.” Kilo concluded. “The missions begins at 1700 hours. Meet us in the underground parking lot here. If you have other business, you have until then to prepare and acquire any additional equipment you think you will need.”

“We’ll be sending you the bill for that too as it's an Acquisitions operation.” said Avery

Preparations

Nico - Fixer, Arms Dealer

The three edgerunners left office and made their way down to the front of the building. Avery called Nico, a fixer they had met a few weeks earlier.

“Hi, Avery isn’t it?” He Nico. “I don’t have a lead on that gun yet or do you need something else?”

“Yes Nico, this is Avery. I’m required to do a job that might need specialised equipment and I thought you might be able to help.” Said Avery.

“How specialised?” Said Nico.

Holliday leaned in. “EMP grenades?”

“We require some EMP grenades.” Said Avery.

“Those are expensive.” Warned Nico. “I might be able to get hold of some though.”

“How much and how many can you get?” Said Avery.

“Those are 500 apiece. I can get you…” He paused “Eight.”

GM's Note - I rolled a d8 for this and typically it rolled an eight. Thank you winds of fate.

“We may also need a chemical analyser.” Said Avery, reasoning that it might come in handy in the hotzone.

“That’s not usually my thing but I might know a guy. Give me an hour.” Said Nico “I’ll send you the location for the meet.” He hung up the phone.

EMP Grenades - Night Market

The location was in the University district bordering with the Glen. Nico waited with a large toolbox. “4000eb for the grenades” he said as Avery approached “and 1000 for the chemical analyser.”

Avery couldn’t help himself in any trade situation. “Will you do 4500eb?” He said. “Nah man, I can’t go that low. 4700eb is as low as I can go.” Said Nico.

“Capital. Budget Arms is picking up the tab for this. My boss is a prick trying to cut corners. Send the invoice for 5000eb to him.” Thanking Nico for the equipment, Avery turned to the others. “We have couple of hours. I suggest we talk strategy over lunch.” Avery then handed Holliday and Klink a hundred eddies each from the three hundred he had skimmed from the deal.

Finding a restaurant not far from Budget Arms, the three men plotted the operation. The restaurant was suitably upmarket to satisfy Avery’s social standing but also ready enough to admit the brutish looking Holliday and Klink. For the first time, Avery and Holliday observed Klink eating a meal he hadn’t stolen. 

Restaurant and Café - The Glen

The Medtech took a while to understand the concept of a restaurant to begin with but thoroughly enjoyed a bacon cheeseburger and an ice cream sundae once he got to grips with it. He experienced a lifestyle beyond kibble and saw that it was good.

“I suggest that we set up a private frequency for this job.” Said Avery “separate from Kilo’s team frequency.”

“You expecting a double cross?” Said Holliday.

“You don’t jump up 1500eb per person without a little pushback.” Said the exec “Not unless you don’t think the guy is going to be coming back to get paid.” He sighed. “Anyway, we’ve been used by this prick before. We have no reason to trust him.”

“So, either it’s more dangerous that he’s told us or we aren’t supposed to come back from the hot zone. Brilliant.” Said Holliday. “Guess we need to be on our toes out there.”

The Gig

Militarised Delivery Vehicle - Budget Arms

They arrived at the underground parking just before five pm. There was a delivery vehicle that had been modified to accommodate personnel parked in one of the bays surrounded by a number of Budget Arms security officers checking weapons and gear and helping each other into radiation suits. Kilo was amongst them, coordinating their preparations. Klink also recognised Boxer, a solo he patched up a few weeks earlier, it appeared he had been designated to drive the truck.

Kilo waved them over. “Here are your radiation suits and rebreathers. The rebreathers might be unnecessary but it’s better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them.” He handed over the gear and four large carryall bags, one each for Klink and Avery and two for Holliday. “These are for the gold. Now, get ready and then load up with everyone else.”

GM's Note - All perception checks from here were at -2 because of the radiation suit

Cyberarm - Popup Grenade Launcher

While Klink ripped an arm off his radiation suit and duct taped is sealed around his freed cyberarm, Holliday made for the cab. “Where do you think you’re going?” Said Kilo.

 

“I thought I might be useful in the cab.” Said Holliday.

“You’re riding in the back, I’m up front with Boxer.” Said Kilo, sending the huffing nomad back to the others.

The back of the truck had no windows to speak of and was illuminated by a single strip light in the middle of the ceiling. The three edgerunners were tightly packed in among the security operatives. It was cramped, claustrophobic and oppressive. No doubt the team were used to these sorts of conditions but Avery, Holliday and Klink were not.

For the most part the journey was quiet. The other passengers had very little to say and there was an atmosphere of concentration and focus. The drive started off smooth as the truck made its way north through the Glen. After a short while, Kilo spoke over the radio. “We are about to enter the Hot Zone.”

The Hot Zone - Blocked Roads

The ride immediately got more uncomfortable. The roads hadn’t been maintained for two decades and it showed. The truck juddered and shook as it navigated over rubble and potholes or swerved around obstacles in the route. As they journeyed further into the zone, the radiation sensors began to crackle into life.

 

Suddenly, the truck stopped and Kilo came over the radio again on the open channel. “The route is blocked.”

The edgerunners heard Boxer respond. “We could take another route, divert around and re-join on the other side.”

“We haven’t got the intel on other routes. It’s too much of a risk that we run into more impassable terrain.” Said Kilo “We walk from here. Boxer, you stay with the truck, radio in if there are any problems. Everyone out!”

The door at the rear opened to reveal a ruined wasteland. The radiation sensors immediately picked up a low level of residual radiation and the three men exchanged a look, glad of their radiation suits. They were on a highway. Around them, the broken carcasses of high rise towers stood forlorn and empty. The ground was littered with broken glass and rubble and they could see the remains of groundcars scattered haphazardly around, many of them flipped over.

After the 4th Corporate War

GM's Note - Avery rolled really high for a perception test here. Shame there was literally nothing to discover.

Avery pointed away to the north east. “Arasaka Tower was that way. Weird to think a nuclear bomb went off right over there.” He shuddered. “It’s kind of creepy isn’t it?”

Holliday looked at the shape of the buildings while he checked over his shotgun. He could see that the majority of the damage to the buildings was on the sides facing the site of the towers.  “Damn, that must have been pretty heavy. I can see where the towers just seem to stop.”

“It sort of feels dead.” Said Klink “Not just abandoned but like there’s something missing you can’t put your finger on. It’s a fair shot different to the urban zones.” He adjusted his radiation suit, pulling up around his neck. “It kinda feels like we shouldn’t be here.”

Kilo gathered the ten of them around. “The objective is approximately 5km northwest of here. We go on foot.” He pointed at two of the operatives “You two take the rear, and keep watch for anything behind us.” He pointed to two others “You go ahead and scout. The rest keep your eyes on a swivel and hustle.” 

Klink waved forlornly at Boxer as they set off at a brisk pace into the hot zone. Kilo didn’t seem to want to tarry in there. 

Kilo Shamir - Solo, Budget Arms

Though they were not travelling directly towards the site or the Araska Towers, the radiation detectors occasionally pick up spikes in readings. The route took them further into the zone, passing crumpled and rusted road signs and the burned out carcasses of apartment buildings some still bearing the names of the corporations that owned them. At a crossroad, vehicles had piled up together blown about by the shockwave of the blast forming a barricade or twisted metal. The wind blew through the junction, creating a mournful howl that seemed almost alive in itself.

A street sign creaked suddenly and swung down screeching in the silence. The highly trained guards all snapped into action suddenly and then relaxed when they realised it was noting. The radio crackled into life. It was the forward scout team. “We are about one kilometre out from the objective. We think we heard movement from the east”

“Source?” Said Kilo “A vehicle of some kind. It didn’t sound large. Could be a scout or a courier or something.”

“Hold position, we are on our way.”

Militech Company Logo

The group picked up its pace. When they arrived, they found themselves on the perimeter of a Militech site. It seems that it had previously been some sort or industrial facility, possibly a logistics hub. There were a number of ruined and abandoned buildings that may have been garages or loading docks with a high fence that had several damaged sections that could easily be passed through around it. Nearby there was a guard hut, also abandoned by a checkpoint. The two scouts were waiting near a ruined gas station just outside the perimeter

“The sounds have stopped.” Said one of the scouts, “Whatever it was moved away from here.”

At the edge of his enhanced hearing, Avery could detect the hum of a turbofan. “Kilo,” He said “I can hear something incoming from above us.”

“Everyone into cover.” Said Kilo.

Avery sprinted into the security hut and checked his assault rifle’s magazine. Klink unslung his shield and took cover in the petrol station while Holliday dived down behind some rocks. The others all split up finding places to hide.

Suddenly a drone flew into view. It was small, about a metre square with a large camera on the front. Catching sight of one of the other security operatives, it gave off loud siren and zeroed in on the intruders. More drones converged on the team. There were three small drones with some sort of dartgun and two with firearms. A larger drone followed them hovering menacingly over the fences.

The drones moved in rapid darting bursts firing at the men below. 

Biotoxin Loaded Darts

Avery took aim with his assault rifle at the largest drone, blasting through the rotors that held it aloft. It spun wildly out of control crashing somewhere beyond the fence.

Holliday crippled one of the smaller firearm wielding drones with his shotgun as he ran from cover to cover. One of the security operatives fell to the ground clutching at his throat where a long green tipped dart had pierced his suit. Klink ran to cover him with his shield while shredding the drone with automatic fire.

All around, the security operatives were in disarray. They were used to fighting in cohesive units against other security forces but the unpredictable drone attack had taken them by surprise. Kilo, cold and calculating as he was, seemed unfazed as he calmly shot drones out of the sky with his rifle. Avery shot down a second drone and Holiday finished off the final one with a well-placed shot from his pistol.

“How many did we lose?” Said Avery to Kilo. He couldn’t help thinking that if his fate was in the hands of the infamous solo, then it would be best if the edgerunners were seen as part of the team.

Klink's MedKit

“This one is in a bad way.” Said Klink kneeling over the darted soldier. “I can manage a temporary fix but he’s in no shape to carry on.” The man looked pale through his visor. Klink had treated him as best as he could and duct taped up the hole in the radiation suit but it was clear the man could barely carry himself.

Kilo waved one of the other operatives over. “Take him back to the truck. When you pass the rear guard, tell them to hustle up and reinforce us.” He turned to the rest of them. “Looks like we will be short manned as we reach the vault.”

Klink analysed the destroyed drones but found nothing that was salvageable. The drones had Militech branding and Klink theorised there must be some sort of charging point nearby for the drones to still be active after so long separated from the rest of the city.

The vault was at the centre of the compound. Working their way around the other buildings the party came within sight of the ramp down to the door.

There were a few wrecked vehicles here, one large articulated lorry on its side had seemingly been about to enter the vault when the shockwave hit it. The shipping container it had been transporting had landed about ten metres away from it.

Kilo directed the operatives into defensive positions around the door behind the truck and around the container. “We will wait here for the stragglers and make sure nothing follows you in.” He cast the door code to Klink. “That will get you inside. There could be other defences out here so work quickly.”

“Well, here we go!” Said Klink, manically. He inputted the code and jumped back as the huge heavy doors slid ponderously apart.

Much like the city outside, the vault was eerily quiet. There was a faint hum or air circulation coming from vents in the ceiling but it did nothing to reduce the sense that this vault was as dead as the rest of the hot zone. The edegrunners found themselves standing in a wide corridor, large enough to accommodate a truck. There was a checkpoint set up about ten meters into the corridor. 

The Vault

As they set off into the bunker, the vault door, it slowly closed behind them.

Holliday started to creep slowly and quietly down towards the checkpoint with an EMP grenade in hand at the ready. Avery covered him from behind while Klink, as ever kept back out of the way.

“I can see a camera covering the checkpoint.” Said Avery. “Looks like it’s there to I.D. drivers but I imagine it will alert any security systems if it catches us here unauthorised.”

Silenced Heavy Pistol - Avery's

“We could EMP it.” Said Holliday “seems a waste though, these things were expensive.”

 

“I’ll knock it out.” Avery said. Taking his pistol he put a shot through the cameras lens. The three men tensed waiting for the sound of alarms. The vault remained silent. With a collective sigh of relief, they continued down underground. In the silence of the bunker, they could hear their own footsteps echoing down into the facility.

The corridor opened up into a wide loading hall. It was octagonal in design with separate vaults opening off each side. The road circled around the room with loading bays next to each vault. There was a concrete barrier separating the walkway from the road with is a raised platform in the centre on which stood two large spider drones. With a siren blast, they turned to face the intruders. Two smaller ground drones rolled into sight around the platform from the right.

'Spider' Armoured Security Drone

Avery, Holliday and Klink dived behind the concrete barrier to the left of the podium as a hail of automatic fire scythed into it blasting chunks of stone over their heads. To their horror, a grenade bounced over the wall landing between them. They stared at it in shocked silence for a second before it started releasing a cloud of teargas. Safely inside their sealed radiation suits, they breathed a sigh of relief.

Avery was quickest to react, leaning over the top of the barrier and blasting automatic fire at the closest spider drone riddling it with bullets. Holliday sprinted out of cover hurling an EMP grenade aimed between the two giant drones and then diving behind the barrier on the right. The grenade bounced and rolled under the right hand drone and burst into a flash of blue light. The drone fizzled and sputtered as its legs froze up but continued to aim its guns at him.

Ecstatic at being able to use his pop up grenade launcher at last, Klink fired an incendiary grenade, revelling in the pyro-maniacal glory of the two smaller ground drones bursting into flames. A dual burst of the spider drones SMG fire turned his excitement into fear and he dived back behind the quickly disintegrating wall.

The burning ground drones fired at Holliday, burying small arms fire into the barrier in front of him. He leant his shotgun over the top and blasted one of them to pieces. To his left, he saw Avery pour more fire into the fully functioning spider drone again. The drone fired back, as the exec ducked back into cover. Klink covered him, peppering the spider drone with automatic fire and drawing the attention of the immobilised drone which blew the concrete wall to pieces with its SMG. Klink and Avery threw themselves behind the next section of concrete.

The 'Materials' Vault - Gold Ingots

Holliday wrecked the remaining small drone and angled around from the two remaining drones on the podium. Avery finished off the damaged spider drone with a well-placed single shot that pierced the battered armour and ricocheted around inside the turret. The three men spread out firing at the immobilised drone from different angles, confusing its logic systems and eventually destroying it.

“Thank fuck for that.” Said Avery with a sigh. They walked around the now empty loading bays until they found vault three, labelled “Materials”. Inside, they found a pallet of palm sized gold ingots. Avery turned to Holliday. “Even with your enhanced strength this is going to be a lot of lifting. Let’s look for a pallet truck or something.”

The three of them checked over the other vaults. Holliday caught sight of a giant spool of wiring that he thought the nomads could use but he had no way of getting it out of the vault. He made a note to remember it in case he could risk coming back at a later date. 

Shotgun Pistol - "In need of Repair"

Avery found some old and corroded weapons in another vault left over from before the war. Many were ruined beyond any use or used pre-caseless ammunition that would simply be too much trouble to source. He did find a shotgun pistol, not unlike the one he had asked Nico to find for him. It was in rough condition and could do with a strip down and rebuild, but it was functional. He dropped it into his carryall.

 

Klink meanwhile has located a pallet truck and was wheeling it over to vault three when Avery got a call on his agent from a hidden number. He answered. “Hello?”

“Avery Hicks?” said the voice.

“Yes, who is this?” Said Avery.

“Listen, you’re in danger. You’ve been set up.” Avery’s blood ran cold. “Listen to me. This is Spydar, Terrence Tulcha. You nabbed me from my apartment last month.”

 

“I recall.” Said Avery guardedly.

Spydar - Netrunner, Prisoner of Garvey

“Garvey has had me prisoner. He’s been forcing me to do his dirty work for weeks. He’s tortured me, took my chrome away, fuck, I have nothing. I’ve managed to rig together this signal using salvaged computer parts.” Avery could hear the desperate panic in Spydar’s voice. “Kilo has orders to flatline you all, why else do you think you’ve been sent to the hot zone where nobody will look for you? Garvey has some fucking issue with you. He’s been planning this for a while. He blames you for the death of someone he knew.”

“I had a feeling something like this would happen.” Said Avery.

“The way I see it, you owe me, your interference has ruined me, but it was on Garvey’s orders, we have a common enemy. Get me out and we’ll call it square.” Said Spydar.

“Agreed. Should I survive this, I will do whatever I can to get you out.” Said Avery. “If you don’t hear from me in the next 24 hours, assume I’ve been killed.”

Budget Arms Headquarters - The Glen

“Thanks.” Said Spydar. “He is keeping me in the basement at the tower. There are a couple of guards. I’m not a fighter, I can’t get out on my own. Good luck, I hope I hear from you soon, for both our sakes.” The call ended.

The others looked at the execs stony faced expression. “Garvey has ordered we are not to return.” Said Avery.

“Motherfucker.” Swore Holliday.

“Kilo has orders to flatline us all once we have the gold. Spyday, the netrunner we pinched a month ago has been kept prisoner in the basement back at Budget Arms. He called to give us the heads up. I’ve promised to rescue him if we survive the rest of this mission.”

“Seems the right thing to do.” Said Holliday grimly. “Let’s make a decoy for Kilo and then shoot him in the fucking face when he checks it.”

A Selection if The Outfit's Grenades 

“We could tell him the bars are bigger than expected and we need more help carrying them up.” Said Avery. “Ambush him on our terms.”

“I like that plan better.” Said Holliday. He turned a grenade over in his hands. “We could rig the decoy with explosives, hope to reduce the number of targets before we go into another pitched battle.”

While Klink and Holliday piled scrap and empty magazines into a carryall and rigged the zipper to a grenade pin, Avery called Kilo on the radio. “Kilo, we have good news and bad news.” He said.

“What is it?” Said Kilo. Avery could detect the slight hint of anxiety in his voice.

“We have the gold but there’s more of it than we expected. We need help bringing it up.” Said Avery.

The solo paused for a second, seemingly weighing up his options. “I’ll see what I can do. We have problems up here. We lost contact with the guys heading back to the truck and the rear guard never made it here to reinforce us. Something isn’t right out here.”

Kilo Shamir - Solo
"Something's Not Going to Plan"

It occurred to Avery that this might be a ruse to lure the edgerunners out into the open, but the strain in Kilo’s voice made him think the ruthless solo was being genuine. “Hold tight, I’ll talk to the others.” He said.

Holliday and Klink looked up as he walked back. “Somethings got Kilo rattled.” He said. “Things aren’t going to plan.”

”I don’t think that’s it.” Said Avery. “He’s lost contact with the other four security officers. It might be we have another problem we haven’t planned for.”

“We might need Kilo if we are about to get third-partied.” Said Klink. “We might need to work together to get out of the shit.” He paused. “Do you think Boxer was in on this?”

“Might be we can’t take the risk he isn’t.” Said Holliday.

 

Klink looked glum. “I’ll wait down here in case you need to retreat back down.” He said. “I can lay down covering fire if need be.”

“Ok,” said Avery. “I’ll risk going up.” He radioed Kilo again. “Hold tight, we’ll come and reinforce you.”

“Be careful when you open the vault door. I feel like I’m being watched.” Said Kilo.

“I’ll go with you.” Said Holliday readying his shotgun again.

Holliday's Trusty Shotgun

The two of them walked back up the long road to the vault door and being careful to stay in cover, entered the code to open it back up. The vault opened into the cooling night air. Despite the insulation of their radiation suits, they shivered as they felt the temperature drop. Kilo was waiting with the remaining two men. “We have lost the rear guard. They never showed up. Something must have taken them unawares. They didn’t even radio through a warning. It’s time to get out of here. I don’t know what else is out there, we should keep the pace up and try to get back to the truck ASAP.”

“I got a communication from Spydar.” Said Avery watching Kilo’s face carefully. “Garvey has a grudge against me and he’s ordered you to kill us.” Kilo remained silent. “If there’s something out there, you’re going to need our help to fight it off. I can’t help you if I can’t trust you not to flatline me.”

Old Enemies

Kilo seemed to be weighing his options up in his head. Avery could imagine that he was considering the lives of his squad against the orders he’d been given. He seemed to come to a decision. “Ok, it seems…” Suddenly, his head exploded.

"They Have a Fucking Railgun..."

The other security operatives all dived for cover and Avery and Holliday backed into the vault as more shots rang across the silent plaza. The edgerunners could hear the screams of the security operatives as the high calibre super velocity slugs pierced through their cover. “They have a fucking railgun!” Cried Holliday. He edged around trying to get sight of the sniper nest. “It’s somewhere to the North East.”

From the southeast, a figure appears flanking around the wounded and dying security operatives. He was tall and heavily built and could be described him as “islandy”. He walked with the practiced rigorously drilled professionalism of a hardened soldier. A hard look of focus was set in his eyes. Under the extensive Militech branded cybernetic reconstruction was the face of a dead man. It was Reaver, Jago Rulan, back from the dead.

GM's Note - Their last encounter with Jago is detailed HERE

Vault Door - "The Door Opens..."

“Shit!” Said Avery as Holliday tackled him back into the vault and closed the door. The exec retreated further towards the security checkpoint while the nomad jury rigged an EMP grenade to the door.

“Klink we’ve got a problem!” He shouted into the radio. “Kilo and the others are dead and we’ve got incoming.” He followed Avery back towards the checkpoint. Behind him, the vault door opened setting off the grenade.  It brought Avery a few seconds to fire off a headshot jerking the solos head back.

Reaver’s attention was transfixed on Avery. Perhaps it was identifying him as a threat or maybe it was the residual memory of the man that had killed him. He started firing his assault rifle at the exec who ducked and dived trying to get away.

 

Holliday lobbed a frag grenade at the solo’s feet causing him to leap backwards towards the door. He rolled back to his feet with his weapon ready, weathering more shots from Avery’s persistent fire and firing back obsessed with killing him. To buy more time, Holliday threw a flashbang, causing Reaver to dart back again now outside the vault. He continued to prioritise Avery firing more automatic fire down the avenue.

Jago 'Reaver' Rulan - Solo, Back from the Dead

When Holliday’s call had come through, Klink had considered hiding, but realising that if the others died, he would be next no matter what, he found himself racing towards the sound of gunfire. As he rounded the bottom of the avenue, he could see the heavily augmented Reaver firing his assault rifle down at Avery. He readied his grenade launcher and taking careful aim fired it at its maximum range towards the distant figure. The grenade flew true, striking Reaver in the chest and bursting into flames. He let out a scream that was more mechanical groaning than human cry and collapsed in the centre of the plaza.

Avery drew his pistol. “I’m not having him coming back again.” He said, walking towards the burning body. As he approached, he saw the light in Reaver’s eyes fading to nothing and then he heard a beeping begin. It is slow at first but began to speed up. Giving up on the plan to finish the downed solo up close, Avery turned and ran. Moments later he was blown from his feet as the body exploded. “Well, I guess we’re not salvaging him for cyberware.” He said dryly.

“Ah shit!” Said Klink re-joining them at the checkpoint.

 

"Well, It Looks Clear..."

“We know there’s a sniper out there with a railgun.” Said Holliday. “Who knows what else?”

“Maybe we can scare them off?” Said Avery. He set his radio to a wide open frequency. “Well, we’ve successfully killed that bastard for a second time. Does anyone else out there want to die? Of course we will accept your surrender.” The radio remained completely quiet.

“Either they’re gone, or they’re waiting to ambush us.” Said Holliday. He took a deep breath. “Guess I’ll have to find out.” Gingerly he stepped out into the plaza. Nothing happened. “Seems to be clear.” He said.

GM's Note - They were so paranoid by this point they suspected everything.

After disarming the trap they had made for the decoy, they loaded the gold onto a pallet and took turns pushing the pallet truck through the ruins back to the truck. When they arrived, Boxer greeted them. 

“What happened? I haven’t had any contact for quite a while.”

“It went bad.” Said Holliday.

“Where is everyone else?”

Boxer - Solo, Budget Arms

“Dead.” Said Avery. “Look, I’ve had a long day and I’m in no mood to sugar coat this. Garvey gave orders to Kilo to kill us. Whose side are you on in this?”

Boxer look shocked and a little bit afraid. “I didn’t know nothing about that! As far as I was aware, this was a simple job, easy pick up and home kind of thing.”

Avery studied him for a second and realised he was telling the truth. “Klink vouches for you, but Holliday is the best driver here so you’re getting in the back.” He said.

“This is all awfully touching.” Said Holliday “but we don’t have time for it, there was someone shooting at us with a fucking railgun.”

“Fuck!” Said Boxer. “Exactly.” Said Holliday. “Let’s load up and get moving.”

On the drive back, Avery filled Boxer in on what had happened. “There’s a very real possibility that Preston Garvey’s position is about to become vacant.” He said. “We owe Spydar for his help, but my plan is to go and shoot Garvey in his fucking face.”

“We could split up then. Klink and I can head down to free Spydar.” Said Holliday. “If it goes well upstairs I can smooth that over.” Said Avery. “Of course, if it goes badly, there’ll likely be a price on your heads.”

“Boxer can come with us.” Said Klink. “Give us some credibility.”

 

“Good idea.” Said Avery.

Budget Arms

The truck pulled into the underground parking lot. There was a decontamination tent set up ready and waiting. As they disembarked, they were directed straight into the tent and scrubbed down. Once they had removed their radiation suits, the security chief approached Avery. “Where’s Kilo?”

“Someone scoped the place out and hit him with a railgun. He’s dead.” Said Avery.

“Shit.” Said the chief. “I thought that son of a bitch would live forever.”

“Considering the complications, I’d like to report this back to Garvey myself.” Said Avery. “I'd hate for you to get it in the neck as well, you know how the exec's like to share the blame?” He looked over at Klink and Holliday. “I told the others that Boxer could give them a tour for their service. Is that ok.”

“I can’t see any reason why not. They’ll be with Boxer and he’s trustworthy.” Said the chief.

Anya Metalik - Exec P.A.
Acquisitions Dept., Budget Arms

“Capital. I’ll head upstairs.” Said Avery heading for the elevator.

Leaving the elevator Avery walked into the lobby. Anya stood to meet him as he came in. “Hi Avery, how did the missions go?” She asked. “Not entirely to plan I’m afraid my dear.” Said Avery. “I need to talk to Preston and I think it could get heated. Perhaps you might go down to the canteen for an hour or so? I wouldn’t want him to take his displeasure out on you.”

Anya looked at him slightly concerned. “You’ll be alright?”

“I’m sure I’ll be fine. I’ll talk to you later.” He said.

Inside the office, Garvey was sat at his desk. To his credit, he showed no surprise at Avery’s arrival. “Late for a visit isn’t it?” He said evenly.

“Yes, but I thought an immediate report was important.” Said Avery standing in front of the desk. “How did it go?” Said Garvey.

Avery decided to be blunt. “Kilo took a shot to the head while debating whether or not to carry out your order to kill me.” He said.

Garvey was fast. He made the decision to end Avery in a heartbeat and his hand darted to his gun viperously quick. Avery, had been on a knife edge all day, his reflexes were quicker. He drew and shot Garvey through the eye, killing him instantly.

"A Single Bullet to the Head..."

GM's Note - Garreth didn’t know how close this was. He rolled off against Garvey for this and won the roll by one. 

Satisfied, he pushed the body onto the floor and sat behind the desk.

Holliday, Klink and Boxer took the elevator down to the second sub-basement where Boxer said there were some cells. “They’re mostly used for when customers lose their temper and need to cool off.” He said. “I guess Acquisitions have other uses for them too eh?”

There were two guards sitting in a makeshift station just outside the elevator. “Howdy” Said Holliday walking up to them.

“What are you doing down here?” Said one of the guards to Boxer, while eyeing the hulking nomad.

Holliday took his attention. “Business with the fella in the cell.” He said.

“We haven’t been told about it.”

Holding Cells - Budget Arms

Holliday leaned on the desk, looming over the man. “I’m telling you about it now.” He said.

 

“Does Garvey know about this?” Said the guard, talking to Boxer.

“You can call him if you like.” Said Holliday. “I’m sure it will be very illuminating. Saves me having to explain it to you.” The man stood, squaring up to the nomad threateningly. “Sure, we can play,” said Holliday “It’s been a mighty vexing day.”

The other guard put his hand on his friends shoulder. “Relax. I’ll call upstairs.”

The phone on Garvey’s desk rang and Avery picked it up. “Hello?”

“Uh, Hi?” the man sounded confused. “We have some guys down here wanting to see that netrunner.”

“Yes, indeed.” Said Avery.

“Is Mr Garvey there?”

"Holliday Being Persuasive..."

“I’m acting with his full authority.” Said Avery. “Don’t get in the way of those men. There’s a rough looking one?”

“Yes?”

“Don’t get in his way or he will beat you to death. Don’t annoy the other one either for very different reasons.” He put the phone down and started to contemplate how he was going to spin the day’s events to the board.

In the basement, the guard said “Let them in, they have clearance.”

Holliday, Klink and Boxer walked into the cell. Spydar saw them coming and looked hopeful if a little concerned. Holliday produced some handcuffs and whispered “Theatrics.” As he bound the netrunner’s hands. The three of them escorted Spydar back up to eh parking garage. The truck from the day was still there waiting. “This one good to go back out?” Shouted Holliday to a nearby logistic worker. He pointed at Spydar. “This one needs transporting out tonight.”

The logistics officer barely looked up. “Yeah, you’re good.” He said.

They piled back into the truck. Klink’s agent chimed. “It’s a message from Avery.” He said. “Garvey is dead. Looks like we’re in the clear.”

"Rebuilding the Aldecaldos Camp"

“Hah!” Snorted Holliday. He texted a message back to Avery ‘The King is dead, long live the king.’ He turned his attention back to Spydar. “What are you going to do now?” He asked.

“I had plans to become a fixer.” He said.

“Hmm.” Holliday mused. “I got no hard feelings to you. A job is a job. I know some people who could do with some technical support. It’s out the way, you won’t get no city trouble with them and there’s some great views out there.” He said.

With the first hints of daylight started to show on the horizon, Holliday headed out towards the Aldecaldo’s camp. Spydar would be a useful ally to the Prylor group and this truck would go a long way to helping them rebuild.

He smiled softly to himself. “All’s well that ends well.”

To Be Continued in "Hunter's Hunted"

GM's Round-up 

Well this one was great fun from my point of view. The look of surprise on the player’s face’s when Kilo went down was priceless. It certainly seemed to keep them on their toes and by the sounds of it they loved it.

This also seemed like a good narrative point end the story arc and give them a role rank upgrade. 

GM's Note - Instead of allowing players to buy role upgrades for their primary role I'm instead giving them Rank upgrades when the story warrants it. They can still buy Rank upgrades in a second Role using Improvement Points but can go no higher than half their points in their main Role.

The next arc is going to change it up a bit. They’ve moved up in the world so they’re going to be dealing with a different class of allies and villains and a city that is beginning to notice them.

I wonder what sort of trouble they will get themselves into.

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, Jasmine is Dichen Lachman, 'Holliday' is Wes Chatham, 'Klink' is Mackenzie Crook, Preston Garvey is Jon Hamm, 'Nico' is Idris Elba, Kilo Shamir is Jason Statham, 'Spyder' is Joe Pantoliano, Jago 'Reaver' Rulan is Manu Bennett and 'Boxer' is Tom Hardy.