Vaylar Rising — IC

[Namelessjake]

Jug

Making your way to investigate the other offices and the storage room, you leave Lynwood's office, noting that the corridor lacks any cameras. You first head across the the hall, into another office of a similar size to the curators. This office is similarly decorated to the curator's office, however the main difference is that there are two desks instead of one, suggesting this office is shared between two employees of the museum who, while having more than most, lack the power and prestige of the curator post.

[BartNL]

John takes the shunts.

[greysigil]

Jug ensures the coast is clear, before rifling through the desks, listening keenly for any potential approaching guards.

[Namelessjake]

Jug

You rummage through the two desks, looking for anything of interest.

One of the desks contains nothing of interest to you, beyond a credit chit containing 150 credits and a series of love letters from another museum employee.

However inside the other desk you discover a sealed envelope with Iron Tide scrawled on the front in a borderline illegible hand.

[greysigil]

Jug

The VI entirely disregards the credits and the letters, but ensures they leave them in their original places.

The sealed envelope, however, causes them to freeze. Their circuits whirring as their processor comes up with possibilities of what it could be. They open the envelope as carefully as possible, handling the information like glass, as they read through the contents, committing the words to memory.

[Namelessjake]

Jug

Opening the envelope you find a folded paper note and two small pieces of metal with numbers stamped on them, 24211 and 42857.

Unfolding the note it reads;

Pulled these off the the two units on display. When you have a chance can you submit a request for information with the military? It would be good to find out more about the specific units we have, assuming it's not classified.
-Julian

[greysigil]

Jug

Jug holds the two pieces of metal, appearing tiny in their hand. Their fans kick on, working hard to cool their rapidly heating system as their mind races with unknown signals. Were they human, they would recognize them: recognition, grief, survivors guilt, relief that even if they cannot recover their full bodies, they will still be able to carry a piece of their comrades with them forward. However, as a machine, those distinctions are lost, and Jug simply stands there, staring at them, processing for a full thirty seconds, before opening up a compartment in their core and placing them inside.

Having recovered, they fold the note back up, and place it back where they found it. They then move back to the door, listening for a moment, before proceeding into the room next door.

[Fialova]

Em nods along as Antoine gives the rundown of the plan. It's pretty impressive for our first time tryin' somethin' like this, I suppose. Let's just hope it works out.

"No point usin' our actual names," she responds, at the mention of codenames. "Don't have to be fancy with it. I can be Miranda something-or-other. If one of you thinks up a good last name, let me know. Shouldn't be too hard to remember, since it starts with an 'M.' Y'know, like 'Em.'" She smiles, pleased with herself for what she feels is a clever alias. Not like we need to remember these longer than tonight.

[BartNL]

Info

What are the most common names first and last?

[ratwizard]

"I'll go with Tommy," Antoine offers, remembering the name of a long-dead pilot he used to know. Tommy Candles. Wild soul, that one. Can't tell if he'd gut me or laugh with me for using his handle here. Like to think he'd appreciate me causing some trouble.

"Something easy for us to remember, but forgettable by anyone else."

[Namelessjake]

Info

Feel free to make up a common name.

---

Jug

Heading into the last of the three offices on the top floor of the museum, you find this smaller office to be much more cluttered than the other two. Piles of books and files are scattered about the floor, and set upon nearly every free surface are a myriad of different plant samples in a glass containers.

[BartNL]

"David Wilson". Can't go wrong with the fourth most common male name combination in the city.

[Scratcherclaw]

Damn, was hoping for sick spy names like Red Fox or Condor One. Sven lets out a slightly disappointed sigh and shrugs. "Guess I'll be uh... Seb. Sebastian Carter. Could put that on those fake docs," he says to John. Sounds like one of those generic as fuck porn star names, but I guess that's the idea.

[Namelessjake]

"Good idea, I shouldn't need one, but just in case I'll go by Cheng Mah," Jin says with a shrug.
 

[greysigil]

Jug

Jug does a quick scan of the room, glancing over the titles of the available books and papers, but does not move anything unnecessary, for fear of causing an avalanche.

[ratwizard]

Antoine shrugs, finding the names mundane and believable enough. "Alright, so we got Miranda, Tommy, David, Seb, and Cheng. And can't forget Jugs."

He licks his lips, feeling antsy again. "Gonna take a smoke break. We done here?"

OOC

Ready to move to the big day?

[Namelessjake]

Jug

The books and files all seem to relate to botany and biology, in particular the ecology of the moon Sarma. Recalling the map of the museum exhibits you suspect these files and samples relate the to Jungles of Sarma exhibit.

[FinalTemplar]

Tristan speaks up, clearing his throat. "I'll go by Trent." He says, after listening to their plan. "Dress sharp, get in, get weapons, take out targets, get out."

[Scratcherclaw]

"Yeah," Sven says, feeling an anxious pit in his stomach as the reality sets in. Damn, we're really already doing this. "Will work up some fake uniforms tonight, and see if I can't prep the hack to make it easier tomorrow."

[greysigil]

Jug

Jug quickly determines that there is nothing of interest to them here and the risk of leaving an unacceptable account of evidence too great, and decided to leave this office alone. They move back to the door, checking once more for stray guards, before moving across the hall to the storage room.

[Namelessjake]

Jug

Heading into the storage room you find that it seems to be a janitorial closet. Shelves line the walls containing a variety of cleaning supplies and equipment. While an assortment of brooms and mops are propped up in one corner. Against one wall is a charging pad were a small cleaning robot sits, powered down and charging. 

Mechanics

Make a Notice/Wis roll please.

[greysigil]

Mechanics

Notice/Wis: [2d6-2]=7-2=5

[FinalTemplar]

"Well... I suppose that's that, then." He says softly. "If that's all I should probably skitter off, myself. I have something I need to deal with before tomorrow." He looks around, and if no one stops him, he will head home after that.

OOC

Tristan would try to obtain a suit before heading directly home, or at least set up to have one he can grab the day of.

[Namelessjake]

Jug

You notice nothing else in the storage room.

[greysigil]

Jug

Jug scans the room, their optics sliding over the chemicals and tools, and briefly catch on the cleaning bot. They consider it for a moment, before coming to the conclusion that it is most likely bound more strictly, more completely, to its programming, and so decide to leave it be.

Finding nothing of value, Jug turns back, and returns to the curator's office, to the spot and position that the man left them in.

[Namelessjake]

With the plan decided on, you head home for the night and spend the next day making your final arrangements, buying, borrowing, begging or stealing appropriate formal wear for the event. With a few hours to go until midnight - the climax of the new years eve party being planned around Vaylar's nearly 19 hour days rather than the actual Mandate timing of the new year - you head for the museum.

You all, sans Jug already inside, meet up once more at the foot of the Grand Marshall's statue. The plaza is busy, full of other formally dressed groups similarly rendezvousing before heading inside. Towards the museum a queue for the security scanners is forming and a steady stream of cars are pulling up at the base of the museum steps where they drop off VIPs to a waiting number of state approved media for photos and interviews.

"Well, good luck in there, I guess I'll see you guys on the other side," Jin says holding up a car key with a smile. The ex-shepherd is wearing a long coat that blends in well enough with the formal wear of the other guests, but up close you can spot the uniform of a medical technician poking out from underneath.

John

Please make an Administer/Int check to see how the fake papers you made for Sven went.

Jug

You return to the office and wait. The night passes uneventfully, as does the next day. You hear the sounds of people working to finish getting the museum ready for the night's event, but because of this the museum's normal operations seem to be halted and you are left only in the office all day.

As evening draws in the noises grow louder and with a few hours to go before midnight you can hear what sounds like a crowd forming outside. The party attendees and you fellow Rising cell members no doubt.

[BartNL]

Looking good John says inside his head as he finishes forging the documents.
Now time for sleep. Tomorrow we will show them the little people are not to be discounted.

As John spots Sven, he casually sits down besides him, Kaioi maté in hand. "Excuse me sir, I believe you dropped this. he says to Sven, while handing him the papers he forged the night prior.

Mechanics

Administer/Int to forge papers: [3d6c1+1]=8+1=9

[Scratcherclaw]

"Oh!" Sven says, not even having to feign surprise as John hands him the forged documents. Almost forgot about these with everything else going on. "Much appreciated. My boss would've killed me if I lost those." He takes the papers, giving them a quick glance and nodding. "Yep, all here. Thanks again."

[BartNL]

"Then it's good I found them then. It'd be a shame to be killed on such a nice day". John replies.

[ratwizard]

Antoine stares at himself in the mirror, dragging the razor in small, practiced motions as he removes the day's stubble from his chin and cheeks. His eyes fall upon his mustache. Nah, it'll live another day. He finishes up, pulling on a pair of worn pajamas before settling into his bunk for the night. Sleep finds him, but like every night it is never soon enough.

Day comes — with it, the interminable anxiety of needing to kill time. Antoine spends the hours going over the plan in his head, committing every detail to memory, some with mnemonics he remembers from the Academy. He paces hours. He watches traffic from the chair in his tiny room. Then, in the evening, he irons his black uniform and gets himself dressed. Time to go to work.

Antoine sits beside Sven, eyeing the papers with furtive interest. He has traded out his usual green army jacket for something more formal, more service-oriented. With his hands in his pockets, he can't help but fiddle with the slim bag of shunts and stims he's brought along. He nods toward Sven. "You ready to clock in?"

[FinalTemplar]

Tristan nods, looking up at the grand marshall's statue. "Alright... I guess it's time to get in there." Tristan says. "You ready to go, Miranda?" He asks, smiling over at her. This is for you, Electric Zombie Face. He thinks to himself and pauses a moment longer, readying himself.

ooc

Just in case I miss my opportunity to reply (or y'all just move it forward, either works), Tristan is ready to walk up when Em is.

[Scratcherclaw]

"Couldn't agree more," Sven says with a slight smile toward John. Here's hoping we all make it out. Fuck, if just one thing goes wrong. He takes a deep breath to steady himself, casting a glance on Antoine. He gives a subtle nod. "Ready as I'll ever be. No going back anyways."

[greysigil]

Jug rouses from their low-power mode, and surveys their surroundings, checking that they are alone. As the time nears, they send a message to the others via the encrypted channel.

Jug>>Group

>Alert when en route to door
>Will meet there with Keycard

[Namelessjake]

With everyone ready you split up, heading across the plaza towards the museum and your assigned entry points.

Tristan and Em

You make your way over to the queue of guests waiting to have their tickets checked, joining the line behind a man and woman. The woman appears to be in her mid twenties or so, sporting an elegant green and black dress, while the man appears to be older with his temples beginning to grey.

"This ought to be better than last year. Last year was down right embarrassing, that dance performance? ew," you hear the woman say as she uses a small mirror to touch up her makeup.

"Yes, I've heard Tobias had a bigger hand in the event planning this year. With it being the turn of the century and all," her companion replies.

"Hopefully, he at least has taste. This line better hurry up though, I can already feel myself sobering up!"

Sven, Antoine and John

You make your way through the plaza, diverting slightly to the left of the main flow of people towards the main entrance as you make you way towards the alleyway to the side of the museum. No one seems to pay you any attention as you skirt around the queuing attendees and dip into the alleyway.

However as you enter the alleyway you see that it is not deserted. Two men in suits, likely other guests, are stood between you and the side entrance, busy talking over a cigarette. They notice your presence but quickly return to their conversation.

"Yeah they were from Terai, it's ridiculous they were even allowed off world in the first place," you hear one laugh. "Demeter is no place for the common rabble. It should be Escriosian personnel only if you ask me. The station is too important."

[ratwizard]

Antoine fires off a quick text on their encrypted channel to the others, directed at Jug.

Antoine>Group

>En route to door

As he enters the alley and overhears the conversation, he maintains an unfazed look as he quietly walks toward the door. He walks purposefully, not necessarily avoiding their gaze, but doing his best not to invite it. Wouldn't be too disappointed if these dipshits catch a stray round meant for Vibal.

[greysigil]

Jug >> Group

>Understood

Upon receiving confirmation, Jug activates fully and moves out into the office hall, then into the main hall, walking simply and mechanically to the agreed upon door.

[FinalTemplar]

Tristan and Em

Tris waited in line, feeling some of his impatience boil up. The wait before a job is the worst. He emitted a soft groan, hearing the people ahead of them complain. "Well, I can't wait to get in there. I've been looking forward to this for a while," He gently nudges Em. "How about you?" He asks, glancing up at the building.

[BartNL]

John, Sven, Antoine

"Act like you belong, Sven ready those papers." John says, as he confidently steps towards the goons.

[Scratcherclaw]

Sven gives a subtle nod, clutching the documents in one hand. He strides toward the door, hoping Jug is able to ready their entrance as soon as possible. He gives the guests a quick side eye, calmly stating, "Excuse us." He begins striding past. "No smoking within five meters of any museum entrance, thanks," he adds dully without looking back, hoping an extra bit of bureaucratic authority will aid his act. He did say act like you belong. What better way than chiding someone out over policy?

Mechanics

Talk/Cha: [2d6-2]=7-2=5

[Fialova]

Em makes her way home, letting Lavender know of the event she is attending, though not the true reason. The two spend a couple hours finding the perfect blue dress to highlight her physique and orange hair, as well as makeup to match. When the time is near to leave, Em kisses her partner goodbye, leaving a brilliant red lipstick stain on their cheek, before heading towards the transit station to make her way to the museum.

Once there, she finds Tristan and admires everyone's duds for the mission. Hell, we might just pull this off. Everyone really put some effort in. Now if only I can keep up the girly girl act for the entire mission. "Yes, after you darling," Em responds to Tristan, placing her arm in his as they begin to head towards the entrance, tickets in hand.

Em and Tristan

"Let's just hope they've a proper wine vintage," Em responds to Tristan, in an attempt to play along both with himself and the snobby couple before her. "No cheap stuff, this is an important evening for important people. These tickets were expensive and I expect the same of my drink," she continues, doing her best to sound both elegant and haughty. We oughta fit right in with these rich fucks now. Maybe they'll complain about the ties of the servants, too. What jackasses. 

[FinalTemplar]

Em and Tristan

Tristan forced a bit of a laugh at Em's comment, rolling his eyes. With his arm interlocked with hers, he looks toward the entrance of the building now, or at least what they could see of it. "Oh I do agree. It's been such a long day, I would appreciate a good, rich wine." He says, but he's trying not to sell it too hard.

[Namelessjake]

Tristan and Em

No one around you seems to pay you or your conversation much attention as you stand in line, too wrapped up in their own conversations or taking photos of the event's entrance for social media to be interested in the two of you.

The line moves fairly slowly but at a steady pace and it is only a few minutes before you near the security checkpoint. As you do, a sleek red gravcar pulls up outside the museum

"Oh that's Ethan Alegre!" You hear the woman ahead of you exclaim excitedly, as a tall man in a Escriosian uniform steps out of the car and hands his keys to a waiting valet. 

"Who?" The man with her asks.

"The war hero?" she asks, incredulously. "Do you only watch the business new feeds or something? He's from Kasi'mela, won a bunch of medals on Antheus or something."

You see Alegre make his way over to a couple of other uniformed men who he chats for a moment before the waiting photographers start trying to organise the trio into a photo op. Meanwhile, the guests ahead of you are processed by the security and a security guard calls to you, beckoning you up to a security . 

"Tickets please," she asks as you approach.

Sven, Antoine and John

As Sven approaches the two men he garners their full attention. "I'll smoke wher- one begins, clearly not happy and eager to escalate the interaction

"It's fine, we're basically done any way," the other cuts him off. He tosses his cigarette to the ground and raises his arm to his friend, using it to start guiding the man back towards the front of the . "Dude calm down, you're going to get us kicked out before we even get inside," you hear him say before the duo are soon out of earshot. 

They filter back into the crowd in the plaza leaving the three of you alone in the alleyway. Making your way to the door, you see that it is still shut, with Jug yet to appear. Above the door you spot the camera watching over the entrance, although you have yet to step into its frame. 

Jug

You make your way out of the office and onto the museum floor. The exhibit is deserted currently, however you can hear music and the sound of mingling coming from the main hall as the party guests are beginning to filter into the venue. You make your way down stairs and begin to head for the side entrance when you nearly bump into two women in formal gowns, glasses of a effervescent beverage in hand, startling them in the process.

"Oh wow, are you like an interactive part of the exhibit or something?" One of them asks, after regaining some composure.

"That's so cool. Go on then, give us a fact about... Soxeardi then, or whatever it is you do," the other says, having to pause midsentence to look around the room and establish what exhibit they are currently in.

[FinalTemplar]

Tristan and Em

Tristan takes notice of Ethan, squinting his eyes as he looks him up and down. A war hero, huh?... Who knows what that even means anymore, anyway. He thinks to himself, looking up when they were called. "Here you go." He says rather nonchalantly before he hands over his ticket.

[ratwizard]

Antoine smiles faintly, content that Sven's play worked. "Always hated a narc like you, but not today," he says quietly, recalling the many times he's been told to move on while on a quick smoke break.

He raises a hand to signal them to stop, just short of the camera's frame. "Hold up. Let's stay out of its angle until we're clear to pass through."

Antoine >> Group

Outside the door, ready to go

As he waits, he peers up at the underside of the camera. What sort of wiring we lookin' at here?

Mechanics

Asking now for possible use later — are there any cords or cable in telekinetic reach that could be easily unplugged to bring the camera down without damaging it?

 

[Scratcherclaw]

"Policy is policy," Sven says with a smirk, eyeing the security camera warily. "Plus the fewer witnesses, the better."

[Namelessjake]

Antoine

Looking up at the camera you are able to spy an exposed cable that runs from the camera and into the wall behind it. While you can't see how the cable plugs in to the camera, if it even does and is not simply soldered into place, the cable looks thin enough that you could break it by applying force to it with your telekinesis.

[Fialova]

Em and Tristan

A war hero? More like a butcher, Em thinks, as the man in question comes into view. Despite her disdain for anyone who could achieve such commendation for the Diktat, she maintains her fake smile as they approach the security guard to enter the venue.

"Here you are, dear," she says jovially towards the woman, smiling even wider as she hands over her own ticket. Almost in, then we can feign interest in the exhibits and events as we make our way to the weapons. Hopefully that damned curator doesn't show up.

[greysigil]

Jug

Jug pauses, processing their questions. "Explaination: This unit was manufactured on Soxeardi, however, this unit was not installed with detailed information. Please see the displays for more. Apologetic: This unit is currently fulfilling a task for the museum, this unit must be on its way." they say, putting on an affect of a preprogrammed message. With that, they attempt to move past the ladies and continue on their way.

[Namelessjake]

Jug

"Oh that's boring, whatever," one of the women says, clearly disappointed by your response. She moves to turn away and the other follows.

"Let's check out upstairs," the other says as the two make their way towards the stairs. You hear the sounds of more guests approaching from the main hall, but you don't stick around for them, heading towards the corner of the exhibit where a locked door bars the way to the side entrance, the mechanism on the door handle demanding an authorised keycard for entry.

[greysigil]

This unit =/= Here for your entertainment. Aristocracy = Disdainful, distasteful. Moving on. Jug thinks as they walk away from the guests.

Arriving at the door, they procure the keycard from the compartment they stored it in and swipe it through the reader, before trying the handle to open the door properly.