ic Shadowtrot IC - Collateral Friendships

[BlueHamsterBean]

Gale%20nods%20to%20Forest.%0A%5Bcolor%3Dnavy%5D%22Since%20we%20can't%20tell%20what%20it%20is%20until%20we%20get%20closer%2C%20keeping%20our%20distance%20for%20now%20seems%20wise.%22%5B%2Fcolor%5D%0A%0AShe%20scratches%20her%20forehead%20with%20a%20wingtip%20for%20a%20few%20moments%20before%20looking%20to%20Terrabit.%0A%5Bcolor%3Dnavy%5D%22You%20don't%20happen%20to%20have%20the%20makings%20of%20a%20simple%20reconnaissance%20drone%20on%20hoof%20do%20you%3F%20That%20could%20shed%20some%20light%20on%20the%20situation%20over%20there.%0A%0AThough%20it%20may%20not%20be%20necessary%20if%20your%20hacking%20finds%20the%20answer%20first.%0A%0AIt%20also%20might%20draw%20unwanted%20attention...%20Eh%2C%20it%20was%20a%20thought.%22%5B%2Fcolor%5D%0A%0AShe%20shrugs%2C%20and%20then%20turns%20to%20Forest.%0A%5Bcolor%3Dnavy%5D%22Well%2C%20are%20you%20ready%20to%20go%20scouting%3F%20I'm%20ready%20when%20you%20are.%22%5B%2Fcolor%5D

Gale nods to Forest.
"Since we can't tell what it is until we get closer, keeping our distance for now seems wise."

She scratches her forehead with a wingtip for a few moments before looking to Terrabit.
"You don't happen to have the makings of a simple reconnaissance drone on hoof do you? That could shed some light on the situation over there.

Though it may not be necessary if your hacking finds the answer first.

It also might draw unwanted attention... Eh, it was a thought."

She shrugs, and then turns to Forest.
"Well, are you ready to go scouting? I'm ready when you are."

 

[igordragonian12]

"I am ready. The nerd pony wanted to check the net first." Deepwood reply.

"And bah. I dont trust drones."

[Digodragon]

Terrabit works his technical magic, peeling back the layers of background electromagnetic noise to find juicy bits of data broadcast through the air. The compound has a broadcasting tower. It is communicating on two fairly common radio frequencies used by commlinks to communicate to each other. There's also a radio signal from station KTROT downtown that reaches out this far (call sign of the radio station run from the "Shadows" that caters to Trotters).

A fourth, weak signal is coming from the south, and sounds like a number station.

 

Deepwood and Gale start their scouting outside and around the compound from a safe distance. While the guns aren't on top of the walls right now, there are armed ponies patrolling from up on the walls, keeping an eye out for intruders. They seem armed with rifles, but you're not close enough to figure out the model. There's some trees and ruined buildings to the north that might be useful for hiding if you wanted to sneak closer to climb the wall. The east side has a ditch where sewage pipes dump treated water out into. Some of those pipes probably connect inside the compound.

You remember that the kirin detective told you there was an animal sanctuary not too far from here that might know something about diamond dogs in the area. You don't see any diamond dogs though.

[igordragonian12]

Deepwood scout, with a prowling body launguage, like a veteran street cat ready to invade a trash can.

 

"I think to take a closer look." he wishper and point at trees from the east side.

"I guess you might want to talk with the dogs... I'm just.. a terrible talker. I am more exprienced at pushing mu muzzle where it doesnt belong."

[BlueHamsterBean]

Gale%20follows%20Deepwood's%20lead%20as%20a%20good%20wing%20pony%20does.%20Part%20of%20her%20is%20glad%20to%20be%20soaring%20in%20the%20open%20sky%20again%20(medicine%20doesn't%20lend%20itself%20to%20frequent%20flying)%2C%20but%20she%20can't%20help%20but%20be%20a%20little%20concerned%20about%20being%20so%20close%20to%20the%20base.%0A%0AShe%20looks%20to%20Deepwood%20and%20glances%20at%20the%20trees%20below.%0A%5Bcolor%3Dnavy%5D%22...This%20is%20probably%20the%20point%20at%20which%20I%20%5Bi%5Dwould%5B%2Fi%5D%20be%20more%20hindrance%20than%20help.%20Just%20be%20careful%3A%20if%20you%20get%20hurt%20here%2C%20Zee%20will%20probably%20go%20nuclear%20on%20both%20of%20us.%22%20%5E%5E%3B%5B%2Fcolor%5D%0A%0AShe%20will%20head%20to%20the%20animal%20sanctuary%2C%20making%20sure%20to%20land%20before%20showing%20herself.%20She%20checks%20its%20position%20on%20the%20map%2C%20and%20then%20takes%20in%20her%20surroundings%2C%20and%20the%20general%20atmosphere%20of%20the%20area.%0A%5Bi%5DDiamond%20dogs%20are%20the%20undisputed%20masters%20of%20tunneling%3B%20that%20may%20be%20why%20we%20didn't%20see%20any.%20Still%3A%20gangs%20leave%20a%20trail.%20Follow%20the%20unease...%5B%2Fi%5D%0A(From%20Discord%3A%2012%20sense%20motive%20and%2013%20perception.)

Gale follows Deepwood's lead as a good wing pony does. Part of her is glad to be soaring in the open sky again (medicine doesn't lend itself to frequent flying), but she can't help but be a little concerned about being so close to the base.

She looks to Deepwood and glances at the trees below.
"...This is probably the point at which I would be more hindrance than help. Just be careful: if you get hurt here, Zee will probably go nuclear on both of us." ^^;

She will head to the animal sanctuary, making sure to land before showing herself. She checks its position on the map, and then takes in her surroundings, and the general atmosphere of the area.
Diamond dogs are the undisputed masters of tunneling; that may be why we didn't see any. Still: gangs leave a trail. Follow the unease...
(From Discord: 12 sense motive and 13 perception.)

 

[igordragonian12]

"Well, I think there is a chance you wont screw it up."

Deepwood agreed.

"Break a leg."

and then goes to sneak and study their target closer.

 

---

 

Stealth

 

Perception

[Miltonian]

"Ooh. Comms-hacking," Terrabit coos as he discovers this juicy little bit of info. He will save the frequencies they use and attempt to listen in to their conversations. If he can tell what they know, he should be able to confuse any response. Additionally, this will allow him to collect samples of various voices, which he can then run through an algorithm to generate prepared voicelines that he can broadcast into their network. The plan, if things go south then, is to jam their actual communications and fill their channels with false reports and bad intel made from samples of their own voices. That, he reckons, should properly confuse any coordinated response, when the time came.

[Digodragon]

On 12/17/2023 at 8:07 AM, BlueHamsterBean said:

She%20will%20head%20to%20the%20animal%20sanctuary%2C%20making%20sure%20to%20land%20before%20showing%20herself.%20She%20checks%20its%20position%20on%20the%20map%2C%20and%20then%20takes%20in%20her%20surroundings%2C%20and%20the%20general%20atmosphere%20of%20the%20area.%0A(From%20Discord%3A%2012%20sense%20motive%20and%2013%20perception.)

She will head to the animal sanctuary, making sure to land before showing herself. She checks its position on the map, and then takes in her surroundings, and the general atmosphere of the area.
(From Discord: 12 sense motive and 13 perception.)

The animal "sanctuary" is an old gas station that's been half boarded up and surrounded with fenced in areas.

Each of the half dozen penned areas has foxes, badgers, deer, and turtles. There is a mare in a blue jumpsuit watering the troughs for the pens and checking something on her commlink. She seems to be busy.

 

On 12/17/2023 at 8:39 AM, igordragonian12 said:

"Well, I think there is a chance you wont screw it up."

Deepwood agreed. "Break a leg." and then goes to sneak and study their target closer.

Deepwood manages to get a better look from the north trees. The guard on the north wall seems pretty tired. He is yawning a lot and not paying much attention as he should. Guards on the other walls seem more awake, but each guard focuses on just their side. They only talk to each other by radio if needed.

 

But the east walls have the most cracks and broken spots, so its the easiest to climb up.

 

On 12/22/2023 at 12:32 PM, Miltonian said:

"Ooh. Comms-hacking," Terrabit coos as he discovers this juicy little bit of info. He will save the frequencies they use and attempt to listen in to their conversations. If he can tell what they know, he should be able to confuse any response.

The first radio channel is the guards checking in with each other every so often, like 10-15 minutes. The next shift starts in an hour as this shift is getting tired.
The second radio channel is with a van coming to bring in food supplies. They'll arrive in 2 hours.

KTROT is currently playing "Stick it to The Man" by Dead Kirinese.

The number station is currently repeating 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42.

[igordragonian12]

Deepwood try to discern if the guards have uniforms or specific model of weapon.

 

He looked back at Zee- unsure what she is actual capable of.

>>>I will see how deep I can get. Maybe I'll learn something. Just sneaking.

he text and go sneak to east walls- he has wings, but most his teammates dont- and he try to collect useful data for heist.

 

Assuming he sneak succesfully, he would study the wall, and calulate ways to get in.

 

---

 

Stealth

 

perception

[BlueHamsterBean]

Gale%20pauses%20for%20a%20moment%20and%20tries%20to%20listen%20to%20what%20the%20mare%20is%20hearing%20on%20her%20radio%2C%20but%20is%20too%20far%20away%2C%20and%20doesn't%20want%20to%20come%20off%20as%20a%20snoop%20in%20case%20this%20mare%20is%20part%20of%20the%20gang.%0A%5Bi%5DWell%2C%20no%20where%20to%20go%20but%20through.%5B%2Fi%5D%0A%0AGale%20approaches%20and%20waves%20before%20clearing%20her%20throat.%0A%5Bcolor%3Dnavy%5D%22Ahem!%20Err%2C%20sorry%20to%20interrupt%2C%20but%20if%20you%20have%20a%20moment%2C%20I%20was%20hoping%20to%20ask%3A%20this%20is%20the%20animal%20shelter%2C%20right%3F%20I%20was%20hoping%20to%20volunteer!%20The%20name's%20Shutterfly%3B%20what's%20yours%3F%22%5B%2Fcolor%5D%0A(Bluff%20of%2027%20rolled%20on%20Discord.)%0AGale%20pays%20attention%20to%20the%20mare's%20reaction%20to%20her%20to%20gauge%20how%20legit%20this%20operation%20is%2C%20and%20whether%20there%20is%20something%20off.%0A(Sense%20motive%2024%20rolled%20on%20Discord.)

Gale pauses for a moment and tries to listen to what the mare is hearing on her radio, but is too far away, and doesn't want to come off as a snoop in case this mare is part of the gang.
Well, no where to go but through.

Gale approaches and waves before clearing her throat.
"Ahem! Err, sorry to interrupt, but if you have a moment, I was hoping to ask: this is the animal shelter, right? I was hoping to volunteer! The name's Shutterfly; what's yours?"
(Bluff of 27 rolled on Discord.)
Gale pays attention to the mare's reaction to her to gauge how legit this operation is, and whether there is something off.
(Sense motive 24 rolled on Discord.)

 

[Miltonian]

Terrabit pauses, eats a sandwich, and compiles all the data he can on the guard's voices. Unfortunately, none of this sounds quite panicked enough for what he has in mind, so he is going to see if he can break into their comms network from here and play annoying music in order to get someone to start bellowing orders.

[Digodragon]

On 12/26/2023 at 9:27 AM, igordragonian12 said:

he text and go sneak to east walls- he has wings, but most his teammates don't- and he try to collect useful data for heist.

Assuming he sneak successfully, he would study the wall, and calculate ways to get in.

Deepwood notices that a section of the wall by the pipes is cracked and broken. If you could squeeze through the space in the cracks, you could get inside without being spotted. There is a chance you could get stuck if you're not careful.

 

On 12/28/2023 at 7:01 AM, BlueHamsterBean said:

%5Bcolor%3Dnavy%5D%22Ahem!%20Err%2C%20sorry%20to%20interrupt%2C%20but%20if%20you%20have%20a%20moment%2C%20I%20was%20hoping%20to%20ask%3A%20this%20is%20the%20animal%20shelter%2C%20right%3F%20I%20was%20hoping%20to%20volunteer!%20The%20name's%20Shutterfly%3B%20what's%20yours%3F%22%5B%2Fcolor%5D

"Ahem! Err, sorry to interrupt, but if you have a moment, I was hoping to ask: this is the animal shelter, right? I was hoping to volunteer! The name's Shutterfly; what's yours?"

The mare jumps, spreading her wings and dropping her watering bucket. "Oh! Hello there, stranger. Startled me you did!"

"Yes, this is the animal shelter it is. Name's Willow." Willow picks up the dropped bucket, tucking her commlink under a wing. She seems to have bought Gale's story. Studying Willow's face and body language, it seems Willow was not expecting Gale to show up and was honestly scared.

She puts the bucket up on a shelf next to a water pump. "Well, Miss Fly, I can't say I get offers to volunteer out this far. What brings you over to this wasteland?"

 

21 hours ago, Miltonian said:

Terrabit pauses, eats a sandwich, and compiles all the data he can on the guard's voices. Unfortunately, none of this sounds quite panicked enough for what he has in mind, so he is going to see if he can break into their comms network from here and play annoying music in order to get someone to start bellowing orders.

It doesn't take long for the guards to start complaining about the music.

"Who is playing that racket?"

"Oi! turn that music off!"

"It isn't me! Jake, is it from your corner?"

"I'm not even at a corner!"

"Seriously, someone stop it right now!"

"I think it's broadcasting from somewhere?"

 

[BlueHamsterBean]

Gale%20puts%20an%20embarrassed%20look%20on%20her%20face.%0A%5Bcolor%3Dnavy%5D%22Oh!%20I'm%20so%20sorry!%20I%20didn't%20mean%20to%20scare%20you%20like%20that...%20%3E.%3E%0A%0AIt's%20good%20to%20meet%20you%20though%20Signora%20Willow!%22%5B%2Fcolor%5D%0A%0AGale%20offers%20a%20hoofshake%20as%20she%20answers%20Willow's%20question.%0A%5Bcolor%3Dnavy%5D%22Well...%20let's%20just%20say%20my%20new%20landlord%20made%20this%20neighborhood%20look%20much%20more%20attractive%20on%20paper%20than%20in%20practice.%20%5E%5E%3B%0A%0AI%20just%20moved%20here%20from%20Roam%20you%20see.%20And%2C%20well%2C%20I%20was%20pleasantly%20surprised%20to%20learn%20there%20was%20an%20animal%20shelter%20here!%20I%20figured%20I%20could%20use%20a%20hobby%2C%20and%20that%20the%20wildlife%20might%20want%20a%20little%20extra%20company.%22%20%5E%5E%3B%5B%2Fcolor%5D%0A%0AShe%20looks%20around%20the%20shelter%20and%20sighs.%0A%5Bcolor%3Dnavy%5D%22...It%20seems%20some%20of%20what%20I%20heard%20of%20Equestria%20is%20true.%20The%20cities%20don't%20give%20animals%20much%20place%20to%20live%20anymore...%20well%2C%20except%20the%20cities%20themselves.%22%5B%2Fcolor%5D%0A%0AShe%20continues%20to%20monitor%20Willow's%20reaction%2C%20not%20entirely%20trusting%20this%2C%20but%20figuring%20things%20will%20work%20themselves%20out%20if%20she%20keeps%20prodding%20gently.%0A(Definitely%20tell%20me%20if%20I%20need%20to%20roll%20something!)

Gale puts an embarrassed look on her face.
"Oh! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to scare you like that... >.>

It's good to meet you though Signora Willow!"

Gale offers a hoofshake as she answers Willow's question.
"Well... let's just say my new landlord made this neighborhood look much more attractive on paper than in practice. ^^;

I just moved here from Roam you see. And, well, I was pleasantly surprised to learn there was an animal shelter here! I figured I could use a hobby, and that the wildlife might want a little extra company." ^^;

She looks around the shelter and sighs.
"...It seems some of what I heard of Equestria is true. The cities don't give animals much place to live anymore... well, except the cities themselves."

She continues to monitor Willow's reaction, not entirely trusting this, but figuring things will work themselves out if she keeps prodding gently.
(Definitely tell me if I need to roll something!)

 

[Miltonian]

With a giggle, Terrabit compiles these reactions. In hindsight, rick-rolling the Diamond Dogs may have been a bit mean, but he wasn't all that broken up about it. He will begin synthesizing a variety of orders and responses, both calm and angry, for later use in the hopes that these will give the team an edge. After all, if the dogs can't bring their full might to bear, then their greater numbers will at least be partially nullified.

Deciding to be kind, he will cancel the auditory bombardment. For now.

[igordragonian12]

Deepwood type to Zee

.--> "Can you widen the gap here, if the need arise? So it wont be this difficult to get through, or pull somepony out. Not right now. In theory.

 

 

And then squeaze in