Shinsato, though he'd been vigilant in looking for maintenance and service areas, was unable to spot any...[Private to GM: until that is, Kattalin sent through to his hand terminal a shared map of Eros.  A maintenance hatch was clearly marked on the map.

Making every effort not to appear conspicuous, Shinsato lead the others to the hatch the best he could.]

---

OOC:


23:58, Today: Shinsato Hirotsugu rolled 9 using 3d6 with the AGE System with rolls of {3}, 5, 1.  Perception vs TN 16 (yikes).
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:04, Sat 13 Nov 2021.

OOC: As an FYI there is no 'map of Eros' available with the network down, nor any map uploaded sent to you guys from Kattlin.

I have edited Katalin's and Sato's post for continuity purposes.

I will note the results of the player's perception rolls in my next post.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:12, Sat 13 Nov 2021.

Asha looks around, but she's not so familiar with the casino area. She whispers to the others, "We really don't want to face those guards. Who knows what dey've got. A distraction is the only way past 'em. But I don't see a way around 'em."


08:02, Today: Asha Blackburn rolled 8 using 3d6 (3 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {3}, 3, 2.  Perceptions v. TN 16.

Dr. Kaos was paying more attention to the group, watching the new woman with his hand term and Shinsato's mother, than their surroundings.  He rather expected maintenance tunnels to be well marked with signs admonishing people to "Stay Out - Maintenance Only" or something similar and is mildly surprised when he doesn't see anything of the like.


OOC:  10:47, Today: Dr. Abang Kaos rolled 8 using 3d6+1 with the AGE System with rolls of {4}, 2, 1.  Perception Test vs TN 16.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 05:25, Sat 20 Nov 2021.

Shortly before everyone enters the Casino level, Kattalin uses the hand terminal she was given and sets up a direct line of site network and shows everyone the network name so they can join. With this everyone will be able to send/receive text, video and voice messages, provides there is nothing blocking the ‘line of sight’. In the large casino level ‘line of sight’ is easily maintained as a person can somewhat see the transit tubes and the exits to the dock. Of course between then two points is the casino itself.

With communications between the group established it makes it easier to split up to find some way down to the docking level. The casino level itself is a little over 100 meters in width and length.

Everyone in the small group sticks together, and heads towards the exits leading to the docks. Stopping a decent distance away they watch as a small crowd confronts the guards preventing anyone heading to the docks.

A chime sounds from the overhead speaker systems “Transit tubes have been reactivated, please allow those passengers exit the transit pods to exit before boarding.”

[Private to Kattalin Zubiri: About 50 meters away on the other side of several casino tables is a walled off pachinko parlor that is somewhat situated in the center of the casino level. You notice a pair of men open and enter a door positioned on the outside wall of the pachinko parlor. The door closes and you see a sign on it that says ‘Authorized Persons Only” in several languages.]

OOC: As we will soon be entering an action sequence, please be mindful of your character’s speed and how many meters they can move.

In other games I have run I have some players have posted their characters immediately ‘poofing’ from point A to point B in a post without any regards of distance and time.

Trying not to speak so loudly that nearby people would hear Hope says, "Hey, bosmang, the inners in charge are probably opening the tubes so they can leave, not for the beltalowda. This is our chance, but we need to avoid getting stuck in a crowd - make sure we stick together."

Shinsato nodded to Asha in response to the assertions she had made as to why boarding the transit tubes was now being permitted...and he understood her desire for caution and not getting caught in a crowd where their mobility and potential exit routes would become limited.  The group proceeded with the intent to board, but made sure to avoid entering into crowded areas.

Dr. Kaos lets Shinsato take the lead and motions for the ladies to "group up" between Shinsato and himself, that way the two 'Inners' were clearly bracketing the small cluster of 'Belters' (and one little old lady).  Yeah, it might look bad to other Belters, but Abang seems more worried about corp-sec, who tend to favor citizens of the Inner Planets.

Not in any position to complain about the details of their careful transit across the room Kattalin keeps her eyes open for opportunities that might be of value, and when one presents itself she points it out to the others with a nod of her head to give them a general idea of where to look to follow her directions.

”That door on the exterior wall of the pachinko parlor looks like it might be open, and lead to a path away from to many eyes.”

Sato guides the group to base of a support column located about 20 meters from the transit tubes. Thus, the group is on a good position to see the first set of transit tube cars arrive, and this is followed by an automated message.

“Transit tubes have arrived, please allow those passengers exit the transit pods to exit before boarding.”

Of course, people being people the automated announcement is ignored and a mass of people approach the still closed doors of the transit tubes. When the doors open there is a bunch of screaming yelling and people moving away from the transit tube cars.

The reason why becomes readily apparent as people stumble out the transit tube cars. The stumbling individuals have some sort of blue glow to them and are throwing up on the people they are closest to.

Then the gunfire begins as the armed CPM personnel begin to shoot at the people who exited the transit tubes. In some instances, the CPM personnel are inconsiderate of people in the line of fire....

OOC: OK you can all consider yourself in an action sequence. No need to roll for init.

"Stick together!" says Hope, in a bit of panic but retaining a little sense. She really likes Kattalin's idea now and suggests to Sato, "Let's take the door the new girl pointed out."

Given the situation, Shinsato wasn't in a position to argue...besides, he didn't have a better plan at the moment, and arguing would simply eat up what little precious time they might have.  He gave Asha a nod of acknowledgement and acceptance and then headed toward the door that had been pointed out.  Remaining ever ready to respond to any potential threat will equal or greater force.  His pistol in hand but concealed in the pocket of his jacket.  He wouldn't let harm come to his crew, his mother (or her care provider) if he had anything to say about it.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:32, Sun 28 Nov 2021.

With the panicking crowd, attempting to escape the blue glowing people vomiting brown goo, and CPM personnel shooting at them regardless of who was in the line of fire the casino level had turning into a chaotic environment.

Kattalin leads to way to the door she had pointed out as the group tries to stay together as panicking people push their way past them in every direction. There is the snaps, cracks and hisses of bullets passing by and above everyone but luckily nobody is hit by a stray round.

The real danger was getting split up from the group and possibly being trampled by the panicked crowd.

OOC: Please make a dexterity roll TN 12 to avoid getting split off from the group. Yes, you may use fortune to bring your roll up to 12.

Kaeya, assists Ms. Hirotsugu by keeping the two of them close to and if possible, keeping the others in the group to her front and sides.

19:55, Today: Darkside Trooper, for the NPC Kaeya, rolled 14 using 3d6 (5 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {5}, 5, 4.  dex roll TN 12.
PASS

19:56, Today: Darkside Trooper, for the NPC Ms.Hirotsugu, rolled 14 using 3d6 (6 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {6}, 2, 6.
PASS

Dr. Kaos draws his holdout pistol and keeps to the rear moving to assist anyone who is hard pressed by the mob.


02:25, Today: Dr. Abang Kaos rolled 13 using 3d6+2 (3 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {3}, 3, 5.  Dexterity (+2), TN 12 to remain in group.
[roll=1638429947.71605.360150]  PASS

Hope's slender body makes it that much harder for her to avoid getting pushed around by the crowd. She quickly gets shoved aside.

05:33, Today: Asha Blackburn rolled 8 using 3d6+2 with the AGE System with rolls of {2}, 3, 1.  Dexterity TN12 to stay with group.
That's such a low roll even Fortune cannot bring it to a 12.

Shinsato had been so focused on ensuring that his mother and her aide made it successfully through the mob that he'd lost sight of Asha.  It wasn't until they were finally in the clear that he realized Asha had gotten swept away by the throng of people they'd attempted to pass through.

Seeing that all but Asha had made it through the horde of people, Shinsato turned and approached the populous mass.  With an assertive and authoritative voice, one loud enough to be heard over the din created by such a large group of people, he instructed:

"Please, I implore all of you, Make way for the woman on the other side of this large group.  Allow her to quickly pass through you so that she may join us over here."

---

OOC: there may be more to my post? Waiting on a GM response.

11:51, Today: Shinsato Hirotsugu rolled 14 using 3d6+3 with the AGE System with rolls of {1}, 6, 4.  Dexterity TN12 to stay with group.

[Private to GM: would it be possible to make a communication (persuasion) check  to address the portion of the crowd blocking Asha's movement to us, and use Oratory (expert) if necessary?]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:36, Fri 03 Dec 2021.

Leading the way to the door Kattalin doesn't waste time looking back, focused instead on the advantage of haste she pushes through to the door, trying to open it as soon as she gets there so she can be out of the way for anyone else.[Private to GM:
Kattalin Zubiri rolled 11 using 3d6+1 with the AGE System with rolls of {3}, 2, 5
Not sure I have to roll to keep pace with myself but if I do the 3 fortune is worth it to avoid failure.]

The group is hit by a mass of panicking people which threatens to break it up. At first it looks like both Asha and then Kattalin would be pushed/shoved away from the group and then possibly trampled to death, but Sato’s booming voice intercedes and calms most of the panicking crowd surrounding the group.

Thus, the group manages to stay together and reaches the aforementioned door. Kattalin tries to open the door which opens inward. The doorknob is free indicating that the door isn’t locked but the door itself only moves a crack having apparently been blocked by something heavy...

OOC: Sato’s oratory roll means that any fortune Asha or Kattalin were intending to spend was not spent. Basically, a cause and effect of character action. But this same cause an effect is why the door is barred, because the two players who entered the door blocked it...

With Sato's comment helping, Hope slips through to rejoin her compatriots. "This is bad, bosmang! Gotta get to the ship."

With the door barred things are bad as Asha has pointed out. But they get worse. A trio of sick looking individuals begin to approach the group. Only 10 meters away it’s clear something is very wrong with them as parts of their skin have a blue glo to them.

About the only good news is three sick people are not moving very fast.

Kattalin shakes the door to see if she can determine how it is being held shut, its own lock, a wedge on the other side, or a heavy weight all being different enough to sometimes feel, but doesn't let that distract her entirely from the rest of the room.  ”I suppose none of you have any kind of cutting tools?  Or a large caliber weapon with more ammo than you need?”

"XO, let's shoulder that door open, it's not bared, just has something heavy behind it, come on..." Dr Kaos steps over to the door and starts to motion for Kattalin to move, then he realizes he's looking up.  "Miss, if you don't mind, while you're taller than I am, you're also injured."

Hope, way to weak to help force the door, keeps an eye out of the approaching sick people, letting those working on the door know the distance so they'll all have a chance to run if the sick people get really close.

Dr Kaos lines up on the door and waves for someone to join him, "On three... one... two..."



OOC:  23:53, Today: Dr. Abang Kaos rolled 8 using 3d6 (4 stunt points) with the AGE System with rolls of {4}, 2, 2.  Shouldering the door, hopefully with assistance.  [roll=1639284836.06933.360150]
Willing to spend up to 12 Fortune to turn that Drama die into a 6 (hits TN 10) if that gets a success... or 6 to bump a 2 to a 6 (hits TN 12) if necessary (hoping neither is required with Shinsato or Kattalin throwing a shoulder in, but...eh... I have a feeling this is at least a 14 to 16 TN).