[21:19] <Chamelaeon> <<ATC SESSION THIRTY-SEVEN, LIFTOFF! APATHY IS A DEATH
OFFENSE!>>
[21:20] <Isis> ( Z. )
[21:20] <Tim> ( Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! )
[21:21] <Chamelaeon> <<The present day: April 12th, three days after Isis and
Chako did their visiting with sister/roommate (last session). Present time: 1230
hours. Present location: the Annual Fruitcake.>>
[21:21] <Isis> ( I have a si... right. Ahaha! Ahah. Haha. Ha. )
[21:21] <Chako> (Stupid Fruitcake from the Cube. I'll give it to the Egg next
year.)
[21:22] <Chamelaeon> <<It's been three days of boredom and anger, really, since
the sneak Bug attacks have continued with no real pattern. They don't cause much
damage, just appear, terrorize, eat some people, and then vanish again.>>
[21:23] <Isis> ( Can I concentrate on ATC and Wario at the same time? *ponder* )
[21:23] <Isis> ( * Isis grabs a bug and piledrives it. "Have a rotten day!" )
[21:24] <Chamelaeon> <<Your suits have been delayed. Something about an
inability to keep the nanites at a consistent density. The Cube is, of course,
nochalant about all of this, assuring you you don't need to do anything.>>
[21:26] <Chamelaeon> <<Most of your troops are present, and you've been
resupplied up to your full complement of 1k. It's lunchtime, your cook is making
up tamales, and you're all in the common room, opting to eat there instead of
the mess in order to escape the crowd. The session opens with Vernon's email
alert going off: bingeley-bingeley-beep! [/END EXPOSITION]>>
[21:27] * Vernon grumbles, and brings up his e-mail on a terminal.
[21:27] <Chako> I'm getting to hate that noise, Vernon.
[21:27] * Vernon grins. "Sorry."
[21:27] * Vernon blinks, and peers closely at the terminal.
[21:28] * Isis is filing her nails. "At least it's not a female voice chirping
'Vernon-samaaaaaaaa! Mail desuuuuuuuuu!'."
[21:28] <Vernon> I have that in rotation, actually.
[21:28] * Isis looks up, brandishing the file. "Not any more, you don't."
[21:29] * Tim leans back in his chair, looking at the cieling. "That's trully
frightening. In an amusing sort of way."
[21:29] * Vernon grins sheepishly, and presses a few buttons. "Apparently not."
[21:29] * Chako snickers.
[21:30] *** Chamelaeon sets mode: +v Tim
[21:30] * Tim takes a bite of food. "I'm not the only one going slowly insane
here, am I?"
[21:31] * Isis inspects her hand. "If we are, at least it's a slow trip."
[21:31] <Charlie> So what is it? Did the grand ol' Cube give us something to do
yet?
[21:31] * Chako glances at her pad, shakes her head, and looks back up. "Whole
troop of soldiers with nothing to do while people are gettin' attacked, I think
you've got some company somewhere on the base."
[21:31] * Taluun`tzo looks at his food strangely. "Is all you do sit around all
day?
[21:32] <Tim> Not normally, no. Hence the going slowly insane.
[21:32] <Charlie> I'd love something to do, Taluun.. If nothing else, maybe
scout for raids in progress.
[21:32] * Vernon turns back from the screen. "Interesting. I just got an
encrypted e-mail, and the key is something I don't know."
[21:33] * Isis sighs. "Stupid Cube. I keep wanting to rearrange the monitors and
see if they come up the same color."
[21:33] <Vernon> Do any of you know the name of the Last Sleythin?
[21:34] <Tim> Sha'na'na.
[21:34] * Taluun`tzo blinks. "I hope he's not the last Sleythin. Otherwise, how
am I here?"
[21:34] <Chamelaeon> (Shanaa'na, but close enough.)
[21:34] <Isis> ( You're not, Mikage. You and Mamiya are going to have to leave.
)
[21:35] * Vernon thinks, and then turns back to his terminal.
[21:35] <Tim> I think it's more of a dramatic title than something literal,
really. He was the last Sleythin not in HyperVille, anyway. 
[21:37] <Taluun`tzo> Still, it's weird to take a title such as that when we're
still very much alive.
[21:37] <Chako> Hey, he's your tea-drinkin' weirdo. 
[21:37] <Charlie> Maybe they ment the last one outside of your hole in the
wall..
[21:38] <Charlie> (*meant)
[21:39] <Taluun`tzo> None of our history ever calls him 'The Last Sleythin',
though.
[21:39] <Chamelaeon> <<Prag9 floats in. He's wearing a small sombrero.>>
"Fascinating, this 'Mexico' place. Some nice soldier named Dirty Hernandez was
telling me about this tradition with alcohol and worms... oh, am I interrupting
something?"
[21:39] * Isis looks up, and makes a concerted effort not to crack up.
[21:39] * Vernon looks over. "..."
[21:40] * Tim grins. "Prag has discovered tequila."
[21:40] <Isis> I just want to say, I am so glad we brought you back with us.
[21:41] * Tim nods in agreement.
[21:41] <Chamelaeon> "Well, thank you. say, do you know what a ... 'pinyatah'
is? One of them shooed me out before they made me into one."
[21:42] * Isis raises an eyebrow. "For their own safety, it's best we all forget
you ever said that."
[21:42] <Chamelaeon> "Oh. Okay." <<HE settles on the table.>>
[21:42] * Vernon is too distracted by the terminal to do anything about this,
more's the pity.
[21:42] * Tim frowns.
[21:43] <Isis> If they bring it up again, remind them, on my behalf, that it's
hard to swing a stick without arms.
[21:43] * Chako blinks and her head comes up, having been almost as distracted
by her pad-thing as Vernon, and she gets an eyeful of Prag. "Oh, sweet jesus,
they are going insane."
[21:44] <Vernon> ...hey Tim, Chako? I think you'd better see this.
[21:44] * Tim smiles cheerfully. "Oh, good. Then it's not just me. "
[21:45] <Tim> Eh?
[21:45] * Taluun`tzo glances over at Vernon.
[21:45] <Chako> Uh... okay.
[21:45] * Vernon points at the screen.
[21:45] * Tim comes heads over to the terminal and looks. *look*
[21:46] <Chamelaeon> <<The screen reads (lines follow):>>
[21:46] <Chamelaeon> "Hello! You don't know me, but I know you very well."
[21:46] <Chamelaeon> "There's an R&D project going on, under all the radars.
Sponsored by you-know-who. Can't even say what here."'
[21:46] <Chamelaeon> "Sorry to make it a goosechase, but you've got to pierce
the veil."
[21:46] <Chamelaeon> <<It gives an IP6 addy and a username.>>
[21:47] * Chako pushes herself up out of the chair and reads.
[21:47] <Chamelaeon> "It's being moved. Find it, without making waves, and
intercept. This can't get into use, and it'll help you."
[21:47] <Chamelaeon> "Sincerely, Mr. Rondure."
[21:48] <Tim> ...well, it's something to do.
[21:48] <Taluun`tzo> What is it?
[21:48] <Vernon> Rondure...that means a circular or gracefully rounded object.
[21:49] <Isis> Eggs are more oblong, though.
[21:49] * Vernon nods.
[21:50] <Chamelaeon> <<Prag leans in to look.>> "Ooh, looks like some of those
spy novels I've been reading recently."
[21:50] <Vernon> What about that other thing one of the Beans mentioned? The
Cloud?
[21:50] <Isis> Besides, why would the Egg be contacting us instead of the Cube?
Or is there another damned solid we're forgetting about, like the Rhombus or the
Dodecahedron.
[21:50] <Isis> ( The Platohedron. Tim, we've decided to inflate your lips and
give you a sword. )
[21:50] <Tim> Cute. 
[21:51] <Chamelaeon> (.... gawd, no.)
[21:51] * Chako mutters, "Well, there's that whole damn Pyramid thing. Did you
hear about that?"
[21:51] <Tim> ( You have? Why? )
[21:51] <Charlie> I'm willing to assume at this point that every shape has a
brain somewhere.. and that they all know about us for some reason.
[21:51] * Taluun`tzo gets up and walks around, easily looking over everyone
else.
[21:51] <Charlie> So, can you make any sense of that message?
[21:52] <Tim> Okay. Am I the only one dreading the possibility of a third party
of AIs involved in this mess?
[21:52] <Vernon> Well, the address and the username may be interesting.
[21:52] <Charlie> I mean, how much more vague can you get?
[21:52] * Vernon looks at Tim. "Nope."
[21:52] <Chako> Innit a fourth party now?
[21:52] <Isis> 'Dread' would imply a lack of certainty. 
[21:54] <Tim> Fourth? That'd be even worse. Way I'd been seeing it was; there's
the ones using us, the ones using the bugs and hippies, and now this other one.
I'll call him 'ball' for now, sine it's much less cool than 'sphere'. 
[21:55] <Taluun`tzo> (s/sine/since?)
[21:55] * Vernon sighs. "Should we tell the Cube about this? Granted, he
probably already knows."
[21:55] <Chako> Oh. I was countin' each one as seperate.
[21:55] <Taluun`tzo> Are all AI's manipulative, or are we just lucky?
[21:55] * Tim grins. "I think we should investigate first."
[21:55] <Isis> It appears to be their nature.
[21:56] <Tim> Remember, there is a teensy chance that this isn't a trap, and
will actually benefit us in some way.
[21:56] * Taluun`tzo grins slightly. "It's something to do."
[21:56] <Chako> Aw, who the hell cares. You've got time to burn, why not check
it out
[21:57] <Tim> 'Xactly. I'd rather go on a goose-chase than go stir-crazy.
[21:57] <Isis> Indeed.
[21:58] <Vernon> Fair enough. Well, then.
[21:58] * Vernon types in a few commands, to find out who that IP address
belongs to.
[21:58] <Chamelaeon> (Are we doing this on a screen visible to everyone?)
[21:59] <Vernon> (Only this part.)
[21:59] <Chako> (You have us in a common room. c.c;)
[22:00] <Chamelaeon> <<The IP is registered to a Melvin's Trucking service out
of Red Oakland, a podunk town in the middle of nowhere.>>
[22:00] <Tim> I'm gonna go grab my box. Vern, you want me to grab yours while
I'm out?
[22:00] <Vernon> Way to be inconspicuous. Yes, please.
[22:01] <Isis> "Melvin's Trucking". Oh, sweet Jesus. Vernon, Tim, invent a
subtlety chip, would you?
[22:02] <Tim> I'll try. They could definitely use it. 
[22:02] * Chako rubs her head, but doesn't say anything. Instead, she sits down
on the arm of the chair she was in before.
[22:02] * Taluun`tzo shrugs. "Melvin. Who's Melvin?"
[22:02] * Tim heads out to get computing goodness.
[22:02] * Vernon looks up the corporate registration.
[22:02] <Charlie> They could be using that service to thansport whatever they're
transporting.
[22:03] <Chamelaeon> <<Melvin's Trucking is registered to one Melvin Flannery,
who lives in Red Oakland. It's been operating for fourteen years under a Light
Trucking License from ATC.>>
[22:04] <Vernon> Looks moderately legit.
[22:05] <Chamelaeon> <<Prag blinks. (kachak)>>
[22:06] * Vernon looks over at Prag. "Hmm?"
[22:06] <Chamelaeon> "Oh, nothing, just backing up soft memory."
[22:06] <Vernon> Ah.
[22:07] <Isis> ( "...who are you again?" )
[22:07] <Chako> (*snickers*)
[22:07] * Chako sits there on the arm of the chair, muttering about AIs and
death and 'when I get my suit'.
[22:08] <Chamelaeon> <<Melvin has had three wives, all of them under twenty, and
all who had divorced him by twenty-two. He has named his three trucks after
them.>>
[22:09] * Vernon types away. "Charming fellow."
[22:09] * Taluun`tzo looks rather anxious. "I hate just waiting for stuff to
happen. Let's do something."
[22:10] <Chamelaeon> <<He mostly does shipping for ATC's document destruction
facility in Red Oakland, but he does occasional charter stuff.>>
[22:10] <Vernon> We will, as soon as Tim's back.
[22:10] * Tim gets back. With computers! And an evil archdemon sitting on his
shoulder.
[22:10] <Chamelaeon> <<Lenin laughs, like he always does.>>
[22:10] <Charlie> Can you find this guy's schedule?
[22:10] <Chamelaeon> <<Shipping schedule is not online.>>
[22:11] * Tim winces, sine it's right next to his ear, but otherwise ignores
Lenin. He gets the computers to booting. "Iiiit's funtime."
[22:11] * Vernon moves over to his own system, and flexes his fingers. "Indeed."
[22:11] * Chako looks over at Taluun, "Like what? Run around in circles and hope
the bugs pop up? Or smash this guy up because the shape of the day says so?
Screw that."
[22:12] * Isis goes to sit in front of the computer that Vernon was at. "Let's
indulge in some parallel processing."
[22:12] <Isis> ( I'm a hacker too, you know! Teehee! )
[22:12] * Charlie smirks at 'shape of the day'
[22:13] <Tim> Works for me. 
[22:13] <Vernon> (...oh, baby.)
[22:13] * Vernon grins. "All right."
[22:14] <Chamelaeon> <<Okay, guys, whatcha doing?>>
[22:14] * Isis cracks her knuckles. "Melvin's Trucking, and the document
destruction facility. Let's see what ATC's records turn up." *clickety*
[22:14] * Tim grins, too. Maybe it's the geek-at-a-computer thing.
[22:14] <Vernon> I'll set up some relays for the actual access.
[22:14] * Vernon starts typing.
[22:15] <Chamelaeon> <<Vernon, hacking roll at +1, since I assume you've got
prehacked relays.>>
[22:15] * Taluun`tzo sits down. "I just hate waiting like this."
[22:15] <Vernon> 2d6-3
[22:15] * Atom rolls for Vernon (2d6-3) and gets 1.
[22:15] <Vernon> (Oh hell yeah.)
[22:15] <Tim> Lemme know when we're go. 
[22:15] * Isis eyes Chako. "Take him to a sports bar and watch some bloodsport
matches. Seems like his speed."
[22:16] <Chamelaeon> <<Isis, hacking roll at +2 since you've got inside
knowledge.>>
[22:16] <Vernon> (Do you mean +2, or -2?)
[22:16] <Isis> 2d6-5
[22:16] * Atom rolls for Isis (2d6-5) and gets 2.
[22:16] <Isis> ( Uh, yes. That does indeed pass. )
[22:16] <Chamelaeon> (+1, rather, but she made it anyhoo.)
[22:16] <Isis> ( Eh, I knew what he meant. )
[22:16] * Vernon rattles off a set of numbers to Tim.
[22:16] <Isis> ( I generally read + as bonus, - as penalty. )
[22:17] <Vernon> (Ah, 'kay.)
[22:17] * Chako snickers. "Nah. If we actually have to go out and smash trucks,
better for us to be here."
[22:17] <Taluun`tzo> (You guys got some sick bonuses. You know that, right? :P)
[22:17] <Tim> ( Yup. )
[22:17] <Isis> ( I'm a spy. It's my job. :P )
[22:17] <Tim> Right.
[22:17] <Vernon> Set!
[22:17] * Tim goes after the info!
[22:17] <Taluun`tzo> (I'm not. It's not my job.)
[22:17] * Vernon does likewise.
[22:17] <Chako> I heard one old SOB of a soldier tell me that bein' a soldier's
all about waitin'. Sometimes I think he knew what he was talkin' about.
[22:18] <Tim> ( Roll, O Gm? )
[22:18] <Taluun`tzo> If all you do is wait, you never go into action, though.
[22:18] <Chamelaeon> <<What info are you going for?>>
[22:18] <Vernon> (System/network layout, hidden or suspicious stuff, files if
they're out in the open.)
[22:18] * Isis mutters. "Well, that didn't... really give me much. He gets
shipments every week, and 'Betty' takes them to be incinerated."
[22:19] <Vernon> (Oh, and the schedule and manifests.)
[22:19] <Isis> ( I wanna know what *kinds* of documents he's getting. Which I
suppose will mean going a little deeper. :P )
[22:19] <Chamelaeon> <<Roll at a 3 penalty for sysinfo, 4 for the schedule.>>
[22:20] <Chamelaeon> <<roll at no bonus, Isis.>>
[22:20] <Vernon> 2d6-1
[22:20] * Atom rolls for Vernon (2d6-1) and gets 9.
[22:20] <Vernon> (Damn.)
[22:20] <Tim> 2d6-2
[22:20] * Atom rolls for Tim (2d6-2) and gets 7.
[22:20] <Isis> ( As in, no skill bonus for me, or just unmodified roll? )
[22:20] <Tim> ( Made it, and )
[22:20] <Tim> 2d6-1
[22:20] * Atom rolls for Tim (2d6-1) and gets 7.
[22:20] <Tim> ( Made it. )
[22:20] <Chamelaeon> (unmodified roll.)
[22:20] <Isis> 2d6-3
[22:20] * Atom rolls for Isis (2d6-3) and gets 9.
[22:20] * Charlie just sits back and watches.
[22:20] <Isis> ( HAR. No, and it's a critfail, hahaha. Haha. Ha. )
[22:21] <Chako> (Good job, Atom.)
[22:21] <Isis> (Ass.)
[22:21] * Vernon sighs. "Can't seem to find their schedule."
[22:21] <Taluun`tzo> (You get the feeling the line is being tracked to your
location.)
[22:21] <Isis> ( Isis-sense... tingling. )
[22:22] <Chako> (Isis-sense is always tingling, ya paranoid spy.)
[22:22] <Isis> (Considering it's saved your life before, I suggest you shut your
hole, Corporal Linda Tripp.)
[22:22] * Isis mutters and cuts the connection.
[22:23] <Isis> Not that I'm concerned about ATC doing a line trace to their own
installation, but better safe than sorry.
[22:24] * Tim frowns.
[22:24] <Tim> 2d6-2
[22:24] * Atom rolls for Tim (2d6-2) and gets 4.
[22:25] * Isis rubs her temples. "Out of practice, I guess. Most of what they
give to him to dispose is equipment requisitions, so if there's some sort of
black project going on, he'd be the way to intercept the paper trail."
[22:27] * Vernon nods.
[22:27] <Vernon> (*coughhackcoughhackActifed* Argh.)
[22:27] <Tim> Looks like someone else has been here.
[22:27] <Vernon> Oh, really?
[22:27] <Tim> Got footprints from someone's roothack. Looky looky.
[22:28] * Vernon peers over at Tim's screen.
[22:28] <Isis> Now that's curious. I thought Red Bean was the hippie's big
hacker.
[22:29] <Tim> And then there's this.
[22:29] <Chako> Well... sorta makes sense, since that Round person had to find
it out somewhere.
[22:29] * Tim points to some file called 'Bealecipher'.
[22:29] <Tim> Might be a clue. If it's not something unpleasant, of course.
[22:30] <Tim> Vernon, you ever heard of a 'cryptonomicron'?
[22:30] <Chako> (Charlie? You go for the knees, I'll snap his neck.)
[22:30] <Charlie> (righto)
[22:30] <Vernon> Sounds like a bad pun to me.
[22:30] <Isis> (...dead. Dead dead dead.)
[22:30] <Tim> ( Hey, it's not my fault! ;_; )
[22:30] <Chamelaeon> (;_;)
[22:31] <Vernon> It looks almost like these were left here for us to find. Grab
the files?
[22:31] <Tim> Ditto here. Mind, if I were to guess, it'd be something used to
de-encrypt the rest of the file. Which sure looks encrypted.
[22:31] * Isis gives her the computer the eye, then decides to cut the power,
then turn it back on. "Sounds like a bad sci-fi vid pun."
[22:31] <Tim> Just what I thought.
[22:31] * Tim grabs the files!
[22:31] <Vernon> 2d6-2
[22:31] * Atom rolls for Vernon (2d6-2) and gets 5.
[22:32] * Vernon thinks. "Actually...it's an old book about World War II and
late 90s hacking."
[22:33] <Atom> ( He's lying. Get him. )
[22:33] * Vernon goes back to his machine and starts looking for a copy.
[22:33] <Isis> It's also Latin, isn't it? Means 'a book about codes' or
something similar.
[22:34] <Chamelaeon> <<While Vernon does this, do Tim and Isis do anything? Tim
is still connected, and you don't have the schedule yet.>>
[22:34] *** Disconnected
[22:36] *** Attempting to rejoin...
[22:36] *** Rejoined channel #atc
[22:36] *** Topic is 'Nothing to see here, no Bugs, really! |
http://chamelaeon.sandwich.net/rpg | Order: Charlie, Chako, IsisBB, Tim,
Vernon'
[22:36] *** Set by Chamelaeon on Wed Jun 25 20:50:10
[22:36] *** Chamelaeon (chamelaeon@12-247-92-166.client.attbi.com) Quit (Write
Error: Broken pipe)
[22:36] *** Cham is now known as Chamelaeon
[22:36] -> *NickServ* IDENTIFY manta1
[22:36] -> *ChanServ* op
[22:36] *** ChanServ sets mode: +o Chamelaeon
[22:36] <Chamelaeon> (OKAY.)
[22:36] <Chamelaeon> <<While Vernon does this, do Tim and Isis do anything? Tim
is still connected, and you don't have the schedule yet.>>
[22:37] *** Taluun`tzo (Zegon@12-213-43-67.client.attbi.com) has joined #ATC
[22:37] <Chako> (I just filled Cham in.)
[22:37] <Taluun`tzo> (What happened?)
[22:37] <Chamelaeon> <<Okay. Tim, hacking roll at 3 penalty.>>
[22:37] <Chako> (I'll fill in Taluun too. >.>)
[22:37] <Tim> 2d6-2
[22:37] * Atom rolls for Tim (2d6-2) and gets 6.
[22:38] <Tim> ( Made it. )
[22:38] * Charlie pulls out his data pad (that he had last session). At this
point, it's pretty beat up.
[22:39] * Charlie pokes at a crack on the side of it.. Then starts playing
solitaire .. again.
[22:39] * Isis hmms.
[22:40] * Isis reads off the screen. "Beale cipher: a cipher that builds an
encrypted message by taking the first letter of a word or line." Apparently it
was named after a man who did something similar to the US constitution in the
past.
[22:41] <Tim> Oh, this is cute.
[22:41] <Vernon> Hmm?
[22:42] * Vernon grabs a file. "Tim, do you have those Beale numbers?"
[22:42] <Tim> Found Mervin's own schedule. Has the weekly paper dump, but the
actual times are blanked out. There's also a charter by ATC Landscaping and
Ground division.
[22:43] <Tim> Yes, I do. Sending to you now. 
[22:43] <Vernon> Okay.
[22:44] <Tim> ( Oop. )
[22:45] <Tim> Clarification; the times for the new charter are blanked, not the
old paper dumping. 
[22:45] <Vernon> Interesting. Do we know which truck it's going to be?
[22:46] * Vernon types in some code, and runs it.
[22:48] <Tim> Yup. 'Martha'. The times aren't set until just before they're
actually supposed to happen, and it looks like 'Martha' is pretty much there
just for this. 
[22:48] <Vernon> Hmm, very interesting.
[22:49] * Vernon then turns back to his monitor, and watches it.
[22:49] <Vernon> ...oh, geez.
[22:50] <Vernon> Someone's leading us on a scavenger hunt. Here's another IP.
[22:50] <Tim> Goody.
[22:50] <Isis> What? "Bring the suitcase at midnight"? Snidely Whiplash tied the
Cube to the tracks? What?
[22:50] * Tim blinks, and then snerks at Isis' ref.
[22:50] <Vernon> Looks like we're going to need someone to act as a distraction
for this hack.
[22:50] * Isis cracks her knuckles. "Hopefully ATC's line trace is dead by now,
so leave that to me."
[22:51] * Vernon grins.
[22:51] *** Chako2 (Mecha@209.indianapolis-14rh15rt.in.dial-access.att.net) has
joined #atc
[22:51] <Vernon> Anyway, let's take a look and see who has this IP...
[22:51] <Chako2> (Stupid cord without a clicky thingy.)
[22:51] <Chamelaeon> (Pause.)
[22:51] *** Chako (Mecha@23.indianapolis-13rh16rt.in.dial-access.att.net) Quit
(Ping timeout)
[22:51] *** Chako2 is now known as Chako
[22:52] *** Chamelaeon sets mode: +vv Chako Taluun`tzo
[22:52] <Chamelaeon> (Unpause.)
[22:52] <Tim> Right. Looking...
[22:52] * Chako rolls her eyes. "AIs and their damn games."
[22:52] <Isis> I think we should get a little more usage out of What Would Jesus
Do, LLC.
[22:52] <Tim> ( "Games AIs play." I like it. )
[22:54] <Chamelaeon> <<The IP is registered to ATC's major competitor in
electronics, or a division thereof. Calhoun Electronics, "Alternative
Processing" division.>>
[22:54] <Vernon> Oh, this is going to be tricky.
[22:55] <Chamelaeon> <<Hacking roll at a no penalty to set up a front as WWJD,
Isis.>>
[22:55] <Isis> 2d6-3
[22:55] * Atom rolls for Isis (2d6-3) and gets 5.
[22:55] <Isis> ( Yay for succeeding. )
[22:56] <Tim> Oh, cute. Calhoun Electronics, Vern.
[22:56] <Chamelaeon> <<Isis is now the middle manager for the Red Bethlehem WWJD
Corp facility. His name is Norman.>>
[22:56] * Vernon nods.
[22:56] <Isis> What kind of distraction are you looking for?
[22:57] <Vernon> Hmm. Tim?
[22:58] <Tim> Hmmm. Dunno. Anything'll work, really, as long as it isn't an
obvious distraction. What'dyou think?
[22:58] * Charlie 'gently' tosses the datapad to the floor right in front of
him. "Wanna go get a drink, Chako?"
[22:59] <Vernon> Hmm. Start hacking their public servers, maybe, and hit just
one or two of the alarms?
[22:59] <Chamelaeon> <<Lenin nibbles on Tim's ear.>>
[22:59] * Isis nods. "Something simple. Let's try... personnel."
[23:00] <Isis> Payroll. Slip a "Have you formed a personal relationship with
Christ?" message into the check dispersment mails...
[23:00] <Chamelaeon> <<No roll required to trip alarms. ^_^>>
[23:00] * Chako shakes her head. "Nah. I gotta stay here. Damn job."
[23:00] * Tim moves his ear further from Lenin.
[23:00] <Chamelaeon> (If you and Taluun wanna split, Charlie, you can do it. The
bar is nearby.)
[23:00] <Chamelaeon> (Like, the one in the base.)
[23:01] <Chako> You feel free to go, though. I'm sure we can grab you if we have
to run.
[23:01] * Taluun`tzo gets up and stretches each of his limbs individually.
"Anything beats waiting here."
[23:02] <Chamelaeon> <<And boy, do the alarms trip. Isis get some traces on her,
and alarms on her end trip as people wake up and start to manually inhibit
her.>>
[23:02] <Tim> Hey, Taluun. Do me a favor and take the bird with you? Please?
[23:02] * Isis doesn't stay long. Just keeping 'em busy.
[23:03] <Charlie> Very true. *he kicks his datapad out of the walkways.. so
nobody will step on it.. and.. break it.*
[23:03] <Chamelaeon> <<Vernon, Tim, you jump in when you're ready.>>
[23:03] <Chako> (/me lolls back in the chair, and continues muttering to
herself. 
[23:03] <Chako> (Er. Actual /me. Stupid keyboard.)
[23:03] <Chamelaeon> <<Taluun, Lenin, and Charlie can join #soggyfruitcake.>>
[23:04] <Vernon> (Sorry, back. Argh.)
[23:04] <Taluun`tzo> Sure thing.
[23:04] <Charlie> We'll be at the Soggy Nutcase.. or whatever that place is
called nearby.. If ya need us.
[23:04] * Tim slips in around the horde of admins with pitchforks and torches
and goes info-huntin'!
[23:04] * Vernon starts on in, too, through a bunch of relays.
[23:05] <Chamelaeon> <<Okay, Tim, Vernon, rolls at a 4 penalty.>>
[23:05] <Tim> 2d6-1
[23:05] * Atom rolls for Tim (2d6-1) and gets 6.
[23:05] <Tim> ( Made it. ^.^ )
[23:05] <Vernon> 2d6
[23:05] * Atom rolls for Vernon (2d6) and gets 2.
[23:05] <Vernon> (Yatta!)
[23:06] <Chamelaeon> <<You're in!>>
[23:06] <Charlie> Let's split, Taluun. *he heads out*
[23:06] * Taluun`tzo nods and heads out.
[23:07] * Tim looks for the 'Alternative Processing' division and tries to get
in there, too.
[23:08] * Vernon does likewise.
[23:08] <Chamelaeon> <<Okay. The account you are currently in is also a
roothack, though less obviously this time. It's in the Alternative Processing
Division, and there's two files in here.>>
[23:09] <Tim> Cute.
[23:09] * Tim checks the files!
[23:09] * Vernon sighs. "Not again."
[23:09] * Vernon grabs copies of them.
[23:10] * Chako mutters, "Not again what?"
[23:10] <Tim> Yeah, again.
[23:10] * Vernon leans over to glance at Tim's terminal.
[23:10] <Tim> The 'hey, look, here's some secret info for you' bit.
[23:10] * Tim grabs copies, too. Grab!
[23:12] <Tim> ( BRB. )
[23:12] <Chamelaeon> <<Okay. One of them is a project overview file (i'll get to
it) and the other is a text file - "Delivery is on what the writer of the
original Beale Document and the master who lost a game to a proto-AI share."
[23:12] <Chako> Aw, christ. 
[23:13] * Chako mutters, "Which goddamn way to jump, eh?"
[23:13] <Chamelaeon> <<Who's doing what? The overview will take a bit to read.>>
[23:14] * Vernon is reading the files on his terminal now.
[23:15] <Chamelaeon> <<Tim? Isis?>>
[23:15] * Isis stops her distraction and starts with the "I am a hedge, move
along" followup.
[23:18] <Chamelaeon> <<They take the bait.>>
[23:18] * Tim is doing the same as Vernon, for now.
[23:21] <Tim> ...I don't like this one bit. I mean, aside from the impressively
high coolness factor.
[23:21] <Vernon> Well...now, we just have to figure out the riddle.
[23:21] <Vernon> And grab it.
[23:22] <Tim> Yes. And does anyone else wonder if these other AIs that're making
so much of a racket might be failed prototypes that didn't care to be turned
off? Or am I reaching?
[23:22] <Vernon> Hmmm.
[23:23] <Chamelaeon> (Remember, only you and Vernon have read the documents.)
[23:23] <Chamelaeon> (So you might want to elaborate for Isis and Chako.)
[23:24] * Tim ponders. "Too bad we can't just set up an AI to break this little
code for us."
[23:24] * Vernon is lost in a world of his own. "The possibilities..."
[23:24] <Chamelaeon> <<Prag shifts on the table. He's been silently watching.>>
[23:25] <Tim> No shit. In theory, you could feed a simulated childhood to one of
these and come up with a functionally human psyche. Or something a hell of a lot
like one.
[23:25] * Chako is still lying back, every once and a while making sure the base
hasn't exploded. She slowly pulls herself upright again, and says a bit angrily,
"You two could start talking, for one. For all we know, they could be moving
right now, with whatever the hell is or ain't goin' on."
[23:26] * Vernon blinks. "Oh...sorry, Chako. Okay, what we've got here is an AI
that you can set up very quickly, with any base of knowledge."
[23:27] * Isis frowns. "I don't really like the potential consequences."
[23:27] <Tim> Right. You feed it data on the sort of thing you want it to be
good at, and it gets very good at it. 
[23:28] <Chako> Fuckin' hell. 
[23:29] <Tim> Exactly.
[23:29] <Vernon> So, we've got this riddle.
[23:30] <Tim> Yup.
[23:31] <Vernon> By the latter part, I think they mean Garry Kasparov. He lost a
series of chess matches against one of IBM's AI research projects.
[23:31] <Isis> And the riddle is?
[23:31] * Chako shrugs. "I ain't too good with riddles... but yeah. Might wanna
take it in order, boyo." She smirks.
[23:31] * Vernon reads from the file. "Delivery is on what the writer of the
original Beale Document and the master who lost a game to a proto-AI share."
[23:32] <Vernon> So, who wrote it?
[23:33] <Isis> A man named Beale, on the US consitution. I said so before.
[23:33] <Isis> Supposedly, it referenced a hidden treasure.
[23:34] <Tim> Well, second part's prolly Garry Kasparov. 
[23:34] <Isis> I would guess, we need the birthdate of Beale and Kasparov.
[23:34] <Chamelaeon> (Crap, I did say Constitution. I meant Declaration of
Independence. x_X Good lord.)
[23:34] <Chamelaeon> (Sorry, guys.)
[23:34] <Tim> That works.
[23:34] <Isis> ( You did say constitution. So YOU get to fix the log. )
[23:34] <Tim> ( 'Salright. )
[23:34] * Tim gets those dates!
[23:34] <Chamelaeon> (I will.)
[23:35] * Chako scratches her head. "Alright, so I ain't so helpful after all.
Still, at least we know we gotta go get it now, no matter who's pullin' the
stupid strings."
[23:37] * Tim googles. All praise to google!
[23:37] <Taluun`tzo> (Did you google it?)
[23:37] <Tim> Hm... no date on Beale.
[23:37] <Isis> ( RED google. It's red. )
[23:37] <Vernon> Hmm...
[23:37] <Tim> Kasparov was April 13th.
[23:37] <Chako> (The underworld, and all.)
[23:39] * Isis checks where she went before. "Thomas Jefferson Beale. Or so the
story goes."
[23:40] * Tim frowns. "Beale... eh?"
[23:40] <Tim> Thomas Jefferson, like the president?
[23:41] * Isis nods. "Apparently his full name was Thomas Jefferson Beale. The
'treasure' was some amount of precious metal hidden in the US in the 1800's."
[23:41] <Vernon> Hmm...
[23:41] <Isis> ( Witness simultaneous IC/OOC googling. Fear my mad wind ninja
research. ;)
[23:41] <Tim> Ah ha. Well, his birthday should be all over the place. *looks*
[23:42] <Tim> ...well, Jefferson's is also April 13th. Not Beale's, mind, but
Just Jefferson.
[23:42] <Tim> Shucks, you suppose there'll be a shipment tomorrow?
[23:44] <Isis> ( It's April 12th? )
[23:44] <Chamelaeon> <<Tt is.>>
[23:44] <Chako> As long as Mr. Roundy isn't lyin'.
[23:44] <Vernon> Sure sounds like it.
[23:44] <Isis> ( Was that in the bad Lain impersonation? I should read those. )
[23:44] <Tim> ( That's what Cham said at the beginning of the session. ^.~ )
[23:45] <Vernon> So, we'll need to track down Martha.
[23:45] <Tim> On it. *does that*
[23:46] <Chamelaeon> <<Hacking roll, -1 bonus.>>
[23:46] * Chako eyes her pad, and snorts. "Well, we'll be mostly suitless for
it."
[23:47] * Isis looks up from her computer. "That's what Taluun is for."
[23:47] <Tim> 2d6-6
[23:47] * Atom rolls for Tim (2d6-6) and gets 2.
[23:47] <Isis> ( Well, that and getting broad swords for the king of Endor. )
[23:47] <Chamelaeon> <<Also, Vernon, uh.... computer roll, specialty "cake". I
mean, specialty administration.>>
[23:47] <Tim> Heh. "A giant monster jumped out of nowhere and attacked me!"
[23:48] <Vernon> 2d6-3
[23:48] * Atom rolls for Vernon (2d6-3) and gets 5.
[23:48] <Vernon> (Yup.)
[23:48] <Chamelaeon> <<Tim finds out Martha's being stowed in the garage at
Melvin's.>>
[23:49] <Chamelaeon> <<Vernon notices an incongruity in the account - there's a
hole leading elsewhere.>>
[23:49] <Tim> Martha's in the garage at Melvin's. So. Isis, Chako, how do you
wanna work this?
[23:49] * Vernon blinks, and looks at his terminal. "Tim, something's odd in
here. There's a hole going somewhere else."
[23:50] <Isis> Probably just the Cube monitoring our every move.
[23:50] <Tim> Eh?
[23:50] * Chako snickers. "Yeah, that's life."
[23:50] <Tim> Shall I have a look, or should we pretend it's not there?
[23:50] <Vernon> Let's take a look.
[23:50] <Isis> ( Beginning... to lose... focus. )
[23:50] * Chako looks over at Isis, and says, "Well, you're the contract spy.
Sneak up on it early, or spring on it in transit?"
[23:51] <Chamelaeon> <<Hacking roll Vernon, Tim.>>
[23:51] * Tim takes a look!
[23:51] <Tim> 2d6-5
[23:51] * Atom rolls for Tim (2d6-5) and gets 5.
[23:51] <Vernon> 2d6-4
[23:51] * Atom rolls for Vernon (2d6-4) and gets 5.
[23:51] <Tim> ( That's a 'yes'. )
[23:51] * Isis thinks. "As much as I would enjoy seeing the Sleythin play
Godzilla, that would be a serious risk. I think we should hijack it in transit
or, barring that, put some kind of surveillance device on it." She looks at Tim.
"Does it make any scheduled stops or just go straight from one facility to
another?"
[23:52] <Chamelaeon> <<In an odd security loophole, you sneak into an ATC
account from this other corp. In here is a file with two addresses, one of the
Alternative Processing division, and one of an ATC location that's supposedly
just a supply depot in Red Poughkeepsie.>>
[23:53] <Isis> ( WHY is there a Red Poughkeepsie? )
[23:53] <Vernon> Interesting.
[23:53] <Tim> No kidding. Is this a trap, or are we just playing more
goosechase?
[23:54] <Isis> Even if it is a trap, we have no choice but to walk into it, so
to speak.
[23:54] <Tim> Good point. Here we go!
[23:54] * Tim looks!
[23:55] <Chamelaeon> <<Another txt reads "Here's your route. This has been set
up by you-know-who - and ATC insiders in Calhoun. Er, what is Tim looking at???
[23:55] <Chamelaeon> <<Oh, stops. There aren't any stops mentioned, no.>>
[23:56] <Tim> ( Nothing. Yu just had a brainfart. )
[23:57] <Chamelaeon> <<Anyways. Text continues. "This is it - good luck.">>
[23:59] <Chamelaeon> <<There's nothing else in here.>>
[23:59] <Tim> Well. This is all terribly convenient. 
[23:59] <Vernon> You don't say.
[00:01] <Tim> I do, in fact, say. 
[00:01] <Chamelaeon> (Okay. So, do you want to get to a decision tonight or hold
it till next session?)
[00:01] * Chako rolls her eyes. "Geeks."
[00:01] <Vernon> Well, I say we go after it.
[00:01] <Taluun`tzo> (Join us in the bar!)
[00:02] <Tim> Works for me.
[00:03] <Chamelaeon> (Make decision or hold? Some people need to go to bed
soon.)
[00:03] <Tim> ( DEcision. )
[00:04] <Vernon> (Whatever works.)
[00:04] <Chamelaeon> (Isis, Chako?)
[00:05] <Chako> (Shrug. I don't seem to be doing much decisionmaking. Tim and
Vernon apparently have it all planned out. ;P)
[00:05] <Isis> ( Hold, for charlie etc. )
[00:06] <Vernon> (Okay. ^_^)
[00:06] <Chamelaeon> (I say Hold, also.)
[00:06] <Chako> (Then hold. c.c;)
[00:06] <Chamelaeon> <<SESSION THIRTY-SEVEN, LANDED! HOW INTRIGEUEY!>>