Shadowrun: Blackgate [Lorielle]

[Vhexo]

Character Sheet

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OJSgclE_Acg_DW80fWvqULPaPibNDNXjRY6GHwot6WE/edit?usp=sharing

-The year is 2075. The blending of technology and human flesh began in the late 20th century. Interfacing the human mind with computers was just the first step. Implants that 'jack up' reflexes and cybernetic replacements followed quickly. Then came the Awakening. A five-thousand-year lull in the flow of mystical energies subsided, and Magic returned to the world. Elves, Dwarfs, and Trolls assumed their true form, throwing off their human guise.

In this world, the megaplexes are monsters casting long shadows. As a Shadowrunner, that's where you live, in the cracks between the giant corporate structures. When the megacorps want something done but they don't want to dirty their hands, it's a Shadowrun they need, and they come to you. Though your existence as a Runner is not acknowledged by any government or corporate database, the demand for your services is high….-

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

The rundown streets of East Berlin are filled with smoke, smells and the torrential downpour that has been plaguing the city for the last two days. The lamp posts shine their dim light on the sidewalks as people hurry to their destinations, heavy rain soaking their clothes. Bright neon signs light the corners of the streets, advertising their products to anyone walking by. The rain drowns out all sound, and only the occasional rotor blades of a chopper flying over are able to beat the loud clattering of the water, a beam of light from the helicopter’s floodlight briefly illuminating the street. There is a small stand parked on the street, selling suspicious looking food but providing refuge from the rain with its shutters to a small number of people.

You are walking down one of those streets in the district of Lichtenberg, on your way home. Today hadn’t been a particularly great day, and both that and the rain had soured your mood a little bit. You haven’t had a decent payday for the last couple of weeks and you had hoped you could find something lucrative to do today to get some income, but no such luck, unfortunately, and no money means no progress. Your boots splash up water as you step through the muddled pools on the sidewalk. Strangers pass by as you make your way towards your home, hoping to get out of this damned rain as soon as possible.


Your walk takes a couple more minutes until you reach your apartment. It compares in nothing to the buildings you’ve seen in your brief time in West Berlin, but the Lichtenberg district is one of the better eastern districts, and that’s saying something. But at least it’s somewhat affordable.

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

The three-story tall building you call home for now looks better than the buildings that surround it, but it is still in a state of disrepair. Some of the windows are blocked off with wooden planks, and you can see scorch marks and bullet holes on the outer wall as a reminder to the turbulent past of the city. Other than that, it still looks quite nice.

You quickly head in through the front doors, passing by the grouchy landlord and his counter next to the door. The aging Troll looks up from his television, peering through his dusty rimmed glasses as the soft doorbell tinkles. “Your next rent payment is due next week, missy. If you don’t have the money you’ll be evicted, understand?”, the troll says to you in German, giving you an uninterested look before returning to the screen of his television, more intrigued in whatever show was on the screen. He’s not really worth your time at the moment now anyway, you rather get back to your apartment as quick as possible.

You take the stairwell up to the third floor, turn left and go down the corridor to your room, number 307. You press your entry code into the pad next to the steel door and watch it slide open. You step in and press the buttons next to the door behind you, shutting the door and turning on the single light that brightens your room.

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

It's... not too bad, considering what else you've seen around this side of the city, and at least you manage to keep it tidy. Your little apartment consists out of two rooms, the main room and the small bathroom behind the desk. The main room mainly consists out of your bed, a computer and a small stove you can cook your food on. There's only one light illuminating the whole room, but you have a window to let the sun and fresh air through. When the sun is there, that is...

Your computer is still on from when you left, and you forgot the finish your meal, which is most likely cold by now.

As you turn the lights on, one of the screens on the big servers next to your desk flickers on, emitting a soft blue glow, and you can hear the robotic female voice of your AIA,- your Artifical Intelligence Application-, speaking in perfect English to you when the door is shut. "Welcome back, miss Courtney. You have.. 3, new messages."

[Lorielle]

Berlin.. The east district no less. It's been tougher than she expected and the first signs of self doubt began to creep in as she had more and more difficulty finding jobs, but she had to keep trying. This place was a mess and she needed to do something about, Liliana looks down at her silver ring before moving on to her apartment complex.

It was the best she could get, a place to lay low and a place to sleep between jobs, her landlord certainly didn't mind her being armed when she walked in. Hearing his voice she glances over to the aging troll.

"Understood." She say in a curt and almost dismissive tone, she seriously needed another job.. Once back inside Liliana dropped her shoulders and let out a sigh of relief. It's been a long day and she sorta needed to sleep but as she began undoing her body glove her computer speaks up. "Just read the messages out to me I need a bath." Liliana said in an almost excited voice continuing to strip out of her armor before tip-toeing over to her bathroom and setting a warm shower.

[Vhexo]

You begin stripping, and thanks to the rain you’re completely soaked, as are your clothes, so you have to put some extra effort into getting out of your wet confinements which makes you let out a small frustrated sigh, but once you’ve undone the zip and freed your arms, it becomes somewhat easier. You have to sit down to pull your clingy suit off your legs and over your feet, and with a wet sound you pull it off from one foot at a time, until you're finally released and sitting in your undies.

As your bare skin is suddenly exposed, you can’t help but to make an involuntary shiver from the sudden cold. Damn, the rain got you good. Even your underwear is drenched.

You quickly remove your bra, stand up and step out of your panties before tossing them with the other wet clothes. You’ll clean that up later after you’ve washed up.

Looking down at your figure, you notice that your nipples have begun perking up due to the cold, just as another shiver runs down your spine. Better get under the shower quick.

You walk across the room and behind the desk towards your bathroom, only your toes ever touching the ground as your manner of walking adds an unintentional sway to your step, your hips softly swinging from side to side like a gentle wave in the ocean.

The bathroom is modest. Barely two square metres in size, but fortunately with all the necessities you could ask from a bathroom, with one of them, which you are duly grateful right now, being warm water.

You step into the rectangular tub shower and close the glass panel behind you, before pressing your hand against the shower switch. You’re immediately hit with an initial blast of cold water which makes you recoil, but the water is quickly warming up, and soon enough it’s hot enough for you to enjoy. You step under the shower and are greeted with a lovely warm stream of water splashing against your chest, as well as a deep feeling of gratification. The water rolls over your skin like a warm embrace, shooing the cold away with its touch. Your hand goes unconsciously through your cold, wet hair and softly grips your neck as you thoroughly enjoy the warmth.

”As you wish, miss Courtney.”

”The first message is addressed to you personally, send by.. Gereon Drach, regarding your outstanding debt. He requests to know when you plan to pay him back the monetary funds you acquired from him, and that he is willing to stall his fee collection this and following weeks if you are willing to accept a weekly interest rate of an additional thousand Nuyen, and that if you still require more funds he is sure you and he can come to a mutually beneficial arrangement.”

”The second message was sent through the Helix to an undisclosed number of Runners within Berlin by… unknown. It includes schematics for a… laboratory owned by Schering Pharmatics. Location undisclosed. The message also contains the words ‘Elise’s Candyhouse; 17.05, Wednesday, September 23th’. According to the Berliner city layout, Elise’s Candyhouse is in the Lichtenberg district, approximately twenty minutes from your current location.”

”The last message was sent to you personally by… Corporation Representative, real name undisclosed. It contains an unknown commlink number. That is all.”

”Do you wish to reply to a message, miss Courtney?”


Current Time of Day:

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

11:23 PM, Monday, September 21th, 2075

[Lorielle]

Liliana lets out a gentle sigh as the warm water finally washes over her near freezing frame, the feeling of hot water hitting the undersides of her feet was also tickling her as she giggles a bit rubbing the rain water and sweat she's accumulated from the day of walking the street. Hearing the messages though, the last 2 messages pique her interest, the debt collection was bound to happen sooner or later though.

"Yes lets reply to the first message." Liliana steps out of the shower and walks over to her computer, slowly drying her hair then body with a towel. "Tell Gereon that she needs at least another week and that if he wants they can discuss the 'mutually beneficial arrangement' if she cant pay after the week" Feeling a bit more confident in being able to pay off the debt now that she has a potential job.

The second message doesnt seem to need a reply if she wanted she could show up at the meeting location when needed, but that third message was... intriguing taking the commlink number she gives it a ring as she slips into a new set of panties and lays down on her bed.

[Vhexo]

The steam has condensed on the glass paneling of your shower as you open it and step out, grabbing yourself a towel.

”As you wish, miss Courtney.”, AIA replies.

As you pat yourself off with the towel and get dry and comfy, you can hear the rain tapping hard against the window, an occasional lightning strike followed by its rumbling sound of thunder, and you’re glad you’re inside now, where it’s actually cozily warm. You pick up your soaked clothes and now wet towel, putting them away to be washed later.

You grab yourself a fresh pair of panties from your small drawer as your AIA sends the commlink number to your commlink on your demand, and slip your legs through the holes as the number starts dialing, pulling the piece of clothing snugly against your nether regions before laying yourself down on the bed, waiting for your call to be taken.

It rings once… twice… and it’s in the middle of its third time before you hear the click of someone connecting to your commlink and accepting your call.

”I assume you are Frost.”, an unknown masculine voice asks in perfect English but with a slight German accent, his question sounding more like a statement than a question. His voice is suave and warm, but at the same time calculated and cold. Most definitely a corp man.

[Lorielle]

Liliana is somewhat caught off guard by the immediate response of the call but feels pretty good about the professionalism shown.

"Yes this is frost. And what will this job be Mr. Johnson?" The former soldier sits up at attention actively listening to every word the man would need to say. This would be the first time she'd ever received an anonymous job so even that aspect excites just a little

[Vhexo]

”You’re quite to the point. Very well, so will I. Your job, would you choose to accept it, consists out of two parts. I want you to stake out a certain cargo transfer my employer finds of interest. No witnesses, no one can know you were there. The second part consists out of a basic bodyguard assignment. I will disclose further information when you have accepted the contract. Sending to your computer now.”, the man replies swiftly and then puts you on hold, leaving no time for you to get a word between.

As the mystery man finishes his last sentence, a soft ping noise can be heard from your computer and its screen brightens up, a pop-up suddenly visible on your desktop.

[Lorielle]

Hearing that there would be two assignments Liliana springs to her feet and over to her computer. "I'll review the missions you sent me and be in contact as soon as possible. If I were caught on the first mission though would I be disavowed?" Frost's voice moving towards her work persona.

Once at her computer she looks over the two mission files especially the bodyguard detail. As she hasn't had to escort someone in a number of years.

[Vhexo]

You’re not met with a response as the line stays quiet while you jump up from bed and make your way over to the computer.

On the screen, you can see a big Helix file has opened up. The publisher is anonymous, and a big part of it censored, but from what you can read the first job would have you tail a certain cargo vehicle to a disclosed location, wait to see what happens, and report your findings back to your contractor.

The second part is somewhat peculiar. Although you can’t read much since it’s still censored, you can make from the text available that you will have to escort and guard a VIP from a location to and on a location, but the interesting part is that the job description explicitly states that no visible weapons may be carried for reasons disclosed.

Another pop-up appears on your screen, this time being the contract you would have to sign if you would accept this job. It’s contents basically tell you that you are required to fulfill the jobs as descripted, under no circumstance break the contract during the mission, if you fail no ties will lead back to your contractor and you’ll be on your own, and the basic yada-yada.

But the real eye-catcher is the reward. According to the contract, the success of both jobs would net you ¥12,000 Nuyen, immediate payout upon completion. That’s… quite the reward. So big in fact, that you feel your senses starting to tingle. This must be quite the special job…

If you’d choose to accept, you would have to place your thumb on the accept button, link your Credstick with the contract to be able to receive payment and give a verbal agreement to your computer you accept the contract once the button was pressed. Then, further information would be disclosed to you.

[Lorielle]

"No visible weapons huh... I may only be able to sneak my revolver in that case, maybe the sword if I wear a jacket.." She mumbles to herself as she examines the rest of the files, not wanting to skimp on the details. But for the most part the jobs looked up her alley. Recon and escorts were nothing new for the ex-military woman, so she follows the procedure to link her account and accept her new jobs.

[Vhexo]

The moment you complete the procedure, the blurred out words on the contracts clear up, making you able to read what is actually expected of you.

Mere moments later, you hear another click from your commlink, and the now familiar voice of your contractor speaks again. ”You accepted. Good. Let me explain what is required of you.”

”Your first job involves tailing a cargo vehicle belonging to the AG Chemie Corporation that is scheduled to transfer goods tomorrow night. My employer has recently gotten information that suggests a particular cargo vehicle of said Corporation could hold something of value for them, and anything of value to them piques the interest of my employer, but we have no information what the actual contents of the cargo vehicle could be. That’s why we send you. We want you to tail the vehicle to their drop point, where they will make a scheduled cargo transfer with an aircraft. Once the contents are on that aircraft, they’ll be out of our sight, so make sure you have your eyes open. The cargo vehicle will be heavily guarded with both ground and air support, so stay out of sight. Also, we chose you for this because we heard you work alone. This is a solo mission, too many eyes may attract suspicion. Make sure you are there on time, stay hidden, take note of what they’re transporting, and report everything back to me. Information about time schedules, vehicle schematics and location are in the file on your computer.”


”The second part of the job would have you escort and guard a Saeder-Krupp official by the name of Alastair White. He’s a big fish in the corporation, and his safety is of importance to my employer. Within three days, a group of representatives of the Corporate Council, including your VIP, have a meeting planned in the Postdam district to discuss certain business arrangements, the details of which you do not need to know. Your job is to accompany Mr. White from his residence to the place of meeting and stay at his side until the meeting is over and Mr. White has safely returned to his residence. Now, we do not suspect any attempts on Mr. White’s life, but his presence at the meeting is important for my employer, so it is for you as well.”

”The meeting itself will be hosted by prominent citizens of the city of Berlin, so you are under no circumstance allowed to show your weapons, or even let them know you are a guard, unless Mr. White’s life is at stake. This means that you will have to disguise yourself appropriately to blend in with the other guests, and you will take on the role of Mr. White’s personal secretary. We have given you extra funds at the value of ¥4,000 Nuyen to be used for compensation for the expenses you will make to buy the necessary equipment for your disguise. If you have anymore questions, consult the files. The location of Mr. White’s residence while be given to you twelve hours prior to your demanded presence there as a security precaution.

Good luck.”, and with that, you hear another distinctive click in your commlink as your contractor ends the call. At the same moment, your Credstick begins to glow and beep, and upon closer inspection, you can indeed see that an anonymous donor has made you ¥4000 Nuyen richer.

[Lorielle]

The details came hard and fast as the information suddenly cleared up for her and she dove into her mission details with a fervor. The tailing mission seemed easy enough. All she needed to do was employ her old tactics and keep out of sight, nothing special required, maybe she'd need to ditch her rifle as to draw less suspicion if she was caught. With the information at hand though she felt like it'd be best to set up points at which to intercept and view the whenver the delivery was gonna make a stop then set the best place to capture evidence of the trade from truck to air craft, even with air-support a roof vantage point would be best for that and she may need a monocular scope or something.

The second mission though seemed interesting. Firstly she'd look up any extra information on her VIP Mr. white, if she was to be his personal secretary the man probably has a type. Being disguised as a personal secretary also gave her an excuse to carry a hand bag that could easily hold her revolver and a couple spare ammo clips. She'd also need a snazzy dress.. Maybe more than the 4K nuyen she was alloted... If she wanted to blend in it'd be paramount she didn't look like gutter trash.

"Computer open a line to Drach, looks like I'll be discussing this 'Mutually beneficial agreement' a bit earlier than I'd like." Liliana quickly throws on a bra as she tip toes over to her closet and bends over to the dresser at the bottom of the closet to pick out a nice lacy bra that matches her panties. Once the line is open Liliana speaks before Drach can weasel anything out of his mouth.

"Drach, i got your email, No i cant pay right now, yes i need you to extend my pay date by at least a week and yes i need some extra cash, about 7000 nuyen, what do you need me to do, because right now im almost willing to do anything." Liliana says dropping her cold tone for just a moment as she puts her mission and its success first before anything, even if that means owing a favor to a loan shark.

[Vhexo]

”As you wish, miss Courtney.”, AIA replies, and you can hear your commlink beginning to dial as you step over towards your closet and pick up a bra to conceal your bare breasts, your still semi-hard nipples slightly stroking against the fabric.

Once you’ve put your bra on, you hear the distinctive click of your commlink as the recipient of your call accepts.

”Ah, mi-...”, a familiar, raucous voice with a heavy German accent manages to speak out in English before you cut him off.

Your sudden outburst of words seemingly take Drach by surprise as his side of the call keeps quiet for a couple of seconds after you’ve finished your plea.

”...Well, well, no worries! I’m happy to help a lady in need, especially someone as lovely as you, miss Frost! I will happily let you borrow more of my funds, my sweet! Seven thousand Nuyen, you say? That can be arranged! And of course, I will give you more time to pay me back, with an interest of course, if that is what you wish!...”, Drach speaks out in English afterwards with a slight hint of content.

”...Buuut, unfortunately, there is a slight problem, miss Frost…”

[Lorielle]

"And what would that problem be...Drach.." Theres a slight hiss to Liliana's words as she wasnt exactly excited to hear what he would need to say to allow her to borrow more money. Knowing him it'd be a crazy interest rate or something more.

[Vhexo]

”Well, you see miss Frost, I have no problem with lending you the money you need, but I do need some kind of… let’s say, ‘insurance’, to make sure I will have a way to get my money back eventually. It’s not that I don’t trust you will deliver, my sweet, but it’s bad business to lend without having… collateral.”, the loan shark responds, oblivious to your tone of voice.

”So, what do you have to make me confident that I will get my investment back?”

[Lorielle]

Liliana bit her lip at the statement, she knew there wasnt much she could off, but she was a professional and used to haggling..sort of. "Well..I..dont have any physical assets i can offer you at this moment and i wont disclose any details of the job i need this money for. But I will..i will give you my word that i can pay you back.." Liliana's voice choked up a little as she felt a bit desperate, though tried hard to conceal the fact. "Look, i'll owe you one, a favor can go a long way and i'll do anything for you after this job is complete"

[Vhexo]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Negotiation Roll: Drach vs. Liliana
Vhexo rolls d20+1 = 9
Lorielle rolls d20+2 = 15
Success!

”Hmmm… well, I usually don’t take risks, but what is life without spice? Very well, I will be satisfied with a favor for this time. I scratch your back, you scratch mine when I need scratching, yes? I will of course earn my interest over both amounts you’ve lend from me, but we can discuss the finer details later, yes?”, Drach says thoughtfully after a moment of silence.

”If that is all, I will transfer the extra funds you need to you shortly, and I will receive my payment in due time then.”

[Lorielle]

"Thats fine by me.." Liliana bites her tongue a bit, but relents as she gets ready to hang up. "Thank you Drach.." She says sorta holding the last syllable of his name as the words sorta fall out of her mouth with no real weight or emotion.

With the worst of it out of the way Frosts gets to the real prep of her mission, first she'd need just a cheap NV scope to use to tail the truck transfer, a handbag and an expensive dress for the guard detail mission. Once she was done with that she'd plan out her route for tailing the vehicles, hoping to use Berlin's dark alleys to her advantage to make tailing a vehicle on foot easier and to find rooftop access to observe the hand off at the air field.

[Vhexo]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Current Net Worth: 11,000
Current Debt: 11,500

With that, and no more response from Drach, you end the call. Shortly after you do so, you hear your Credstick bleep again, and a quick check confirms that Drach has just transferred ¥7,000 Nuyen to your account, rounding your total funds up to 11,000, although you know your debt has just risen by 7,000 as well… But there are other things to take care of now.

You know that there are many shops all around the city, both West and East, that can sell you the things you need for your mission. West Berlin tends to be a lot more expensive, but also has way better quality, while East Berlin tends to be cheaper, but the quality is debatable, and the origins tend to be very shady…

The file on your job has all the information you need to be able to figure out what route to take to tail the truck, but right now it’s getting close to midnight, and although that usually doesn’t matter that much to you, you start to feel the tiredness you felt on your walk back home creeping back again, making you let out a big yawn.

[Lorielle]

Hearing the beeping on her credstick made her a bit happier, but then the realization that she was deeper in dept made her wince at the idea of owing Drach a favor, but it's fine..for now. Once she's done she lets out a yarn and stretches her arms out. Tiredness was filling her body and normally these long nights wasn't so bad but tomorrow was a new day and she could do the shopping then. She'd explore the east district for the scope then going into the western district for the appropriate clothes and hand bag to fit in with a bunch of snobby corporate folks.