Tau 1: Cakewalk
node.13> Initializing file transfer ............ Completed
node.13> Decoding ...... Completed
node.13> View file? [YES/no]
node.13> Yes
>>>>>[ It all started with that slotting dog. That's also where it all ended for my chummer Ironside. Funny how something that seemed so innocent at the time could turn out to be the harbinger of armageddon... ]<<<<<
-Deus Nox (13:23:12/1-9-62)
The Setup:
The group is contacted by a previously unknown Mr. Johnson, who has heard of the group's reputation. On arrival, the PCs will be greeted by a kindly looking older man, without the usual bodyguards or muscle. The older gentlemen is in fact the Mr. Johnson in question. (If any of the PCs have a relevant history skill, have them make a check against a target number of 8. One success revels that the man looks vaguely familiar. Two successes revels that the connection is old politics. Three successes allows the PC to discover that Mr. Johnson is in fact a dead ringer for former US president Lyndon B. Johnson.) Mr. Johnson will attempt to make the party at home, and explain the job in pleasant terms, stressing that it is a public service and not in the least illegal.
The Job:
The job itself seems rather simple. Apparently, a VIP's pet dog was stolen along with the van it was while the driver was catching a quick snack at a King Soy-Burger restaurant near the Barrens. Mr. Johnson will offer each party member ¥5,000, plus reasonable expenses, just to go looking for the dog. An additional ¥10,000 apiece will be payed if the dog is returned unharmed. A further ¥25,000 will be awarded to group as a whole if the dog can be returned within the next three days. Mr. Johnson will provide the group with pictures of the gang members who stole the van and the pooch within. Sounds easy, no?
Behind the Scenes:
In the shadows of this deal, things aren't as straight forward. Surprise, surprise... The dog in question is actually a prototype bio weapon. [see Gamma Dog in the Critters section] The van was deliberately left out in the open, after tipping off the gang in question that there was valuable cargo inside. The entire operation is a combat readiness test for the new bio weapon. This information will only become apparent after the PCs have gained access to the Black Tau database in later adventures.
Scene of the Crime:
The King Soy-Burger franchise is completely unwilling to cooperate in any way. If the PCs want information, they have one of three choices: intimidate the manager, bribe an employee, or hack the system. The manager is highly bigoted against dwarves, and will not even see the party if one is present. If he is however seen, his willpower of 3 will not put up much of a fight. The employees are all on minimum wage, and are fairly easy to bribe using any three digit number. The security of the computer system is medium, requiring only moderate skill to access all the desired information. (As a bonus, a decker might also discover that the manager has been skimming his worker's retirement fund. If 'confiscated' by the decker, the funds are equal to ¥7052. It has already been laundered by the manager.) Any way the party accesses the information, they will be able to get some outside video feeds of the gang at work. In addition to confirming the identity of the thieves, it will show that they were only interested in the one vehicle.
The Slag Slashers of 338th Street:
A successful gang identification check against target number of (6) will revel the gang to be the Slag Slashers of 338th Street. The Slags are generally harmless, with a membership of only 20 to 30. 3 Success will also reveal the location of their headquarters, an old tenement house on 338th street.
Back Alley Wisdom:
If the party does not have a scholar of gangs, the next best place for information is the local squatter community. Again, the PCs have a choice: intimidation or bribery. Intimidation works well, but with unfortunate side effects (see below). Bribery also works well, assuming the PCs are using cash or equipment. Few if any in the community have a cred stick for standard transfers. Either way, the party should get directions to the Slag's headquarters.
The Cardboard King:
The Cardboard King is either a potential ally or a potential enemy, depending on the circumstances. He is the de facto ruler of the local squatters, as well as a very powerful Rat shaman. If the PCs attack or harass the squatters, the King will make their lives hell with summoned spirits and illusions. Otherwise, the King will be a powerfull ally and source of information, as he wants the dog out of his territory as soon as possible. He will be able to revel a far amount of information about the dog, and what it's been doing, as well as the fact that it is a dual natured monstrosity.
While You Were Out:
Once the PCs arrive at the Slag's headquarters, they should start to get suspicious. There is no activity at all in the building, and none on the surrounding street. Once inside, they find the scene of a slaughter. All 27 of the Slags have been brutally murdered, apparently by a large animal. Wherever they go in the building, they will feel as if they are being watched, and as if something monstrous was creeping up on them. The Gamma Dog will be in an upstairs room, and will attack the first thing it sees. It will not stop until all party members are incapacitated or dead.
Into the Fire:
At almost the same time the dog makes it's first attack, the second shadowrunner team makes its violent appearance. These runners will be two notches above the PCs, and clearly not the kind of people who would take the job as competition. Their orders are simple: Kill everyone involved, and destroy the dog. The reasons for this, and the people behind them, will not become clear for a very long time. The best option for the party is to make a run for it, possibly with the dog trying to chase down their getaway vehicle.
Picking Up the Pieces:
Assuming the party can escape, preferably with the dog, the second team will not persues them. Meeting back up with Mr. Johnson, they can make a case for still getting payed. If the dog is dead, Mr. Johnson will be disappointed, but understanding. He will give a cover story about the dog being a bodyguard for the VIP, as well as a loved pet. Money will be exchanged, and Mr. Johnson will give the group the address for another possible employer: Doctor Reagan. Onwards to part two!
Karma Awards:
- 1 point for surviving
- 1 point for finding the dog, independent from bringing it back
- 2 points for returning the dog's corpse
- 3 points for bringing back the dog alive
- 2 points for taking down the second team
All HTML and text is copyright© 2000, Edward Hall and GreyLight Internet and Multimedia, unless otherwise noted.
