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Post by Pelch Gobwit on Jul 2, 2010 9:40:32 GMT -5
Which probably means we're hosed to the max. The driver of the mid-sized Mercedes we lifted at the party was safely drugged in the trunk. He never saw what hit him and if we get him back to the party in time and propped him up in his seat he probably wouldn't say a thing about it.
It was late in the graveyard shift. As I had known in advance, the job cuts had taken their toll. Most of the remaining guards were asleep. The UCAS doesn't pay enough for them to stay awake. The bosses nod out first and the others when it's safe, usually taking turns with a buddy who will wake them if needed. Like I said a piece of cake.
There was no fragging fence. The alarms and cameras? I deactivated and reactivated as we made our way past. No one saw us. The doors would be a little more difficult, you think? They weren't. Simple lock bar doors not even fragging electronic. Old style manual locks. I had them picked so fast I might as well have had the key. Actually? I did have the Master key once I saw what they were.
The inside was a fragging dire rats maze of cubicles and desks. No major alarms inside, just a few ceiling cams that didn't even work. I guess some of the maintenance people got laid off too. See how your tax money is REALLY spent? All that money they say they are paying for upkeep and such is really siphoned off to pleasure trips to Vegas before it even gets here. Ever notice that in any civil servant type setting the boss has a big fancy office. The rest of the place looks and smells like drek?
I quickly opened the Boss man's desk, he wasn't there of course, and Izzy soon had the master password he had stored in it. Of course he had locked his door and desk. Yep, standard locks, factory issue, never been changed. Seconds dude.
I pitied the guys that worked there in that soul killing place. Imagine doing forty-two years in conditions like that? Every now and then we encountered a standard magnetic/electronic lock that required a pass-card entry. I had several makes of master bypass cards and the security obviously had not been changed or upgraded in a long time. I was easily able to issue a maintenance bypass order that opened the doors and did not even register in the logs let alone audible alarms.
My interior maps had proved accurate. We got to the vault door without setting off any alarms. The Doc had to get us past some elemental guards but they were low grade. He just flat out banished them before they could give a warning, but he kept feeding a magical signal to the creators that they were alive and well. Normally a mage knows when an elemental was destroyed. Doc had a spell that seemed to overcome that issue. Once we got back the elementals would suddenly register as dead. We would be long gone.
Now catch this bit of prime stupidity. The only security left was the large vault door itself. The thing must have been installed in the 1900's Maybe 1950 or there about. It had a standard for that period time-lock. The only change was the psycho/physio scanner and computer outside the door and of course the camera that didn't work. I guess now that money and transactions were mostly electronic they had felt no need for updating the security. It's sort of the old Fort Knox idea. Never heard of it?
When they went and made Goldfinger they showed this huge bank-vault door. Remember the scene? Well they didn't show the Secret Service guards in the bunkers underground out near the gates, just GI's and that door itself? It doesn't really exist, it was completely fabricated. The real interior is cargo pallets stacked in a room holding the gold with a FEW fluorescent light up top giving it a really gloomy atmosphere. The place looks like a dump. It is. It's how the public views it that actually keeps it safe. That and the thought of government retribution and the problem of moving that much heavy metal. Believe me government facilities can be easier to penetrate than your standard corp facility. Especially in hard times like this.
They're bears on security after something happens and they run around just like a fragging elf fire drill doing all kinds of stupid and commonplace things. Sort of like making lots of loud noises but not actually physically accomplishing much in fixing the problem which is replacing the money they siphoned off to bring things up to par. Then again, it's still run by people who usually don't know drek about real security. The scanner was easy. Locate the chips that controlled the scan. Replace them with some of my bypass chips. Stand in front of the door and let it read. It went to the computer. Computer registers no match. It sends the deny code, it hits my bypass chip and gets intercepted. The door not getting the deny signal opens the first lock. So simple it could make you cry. Then I just increased the electronic pulses to the time lock to extreme speed. It was opened in minutes instead of hours.
I watched as Izzy plugged into the Master Console, issued the Boss's password and she was in.
This was getting to easy. I kept waiting for the shoe to fall.
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Post by Pelch Gobwit on Jul 1, 2010 14:49:25 GMT -5
Gobwit and Dockery and I are at the party, correct?
Fall and Winter are also at the party sitting in the chopper, correct?
Gobwit has a fairly large crowd of ultra-bored rich around him. I must admit he's using just the right technique of boldness, rogue and scandal. The crowd is eating it up. Dockery is on the outskirts watching just in case. No one of course, is watching me. Just another personal secretary with one of the rich and famous.
Time for some more tip of the hand I suppose. Let's start with this little thought. Did you ever wonder why no one uses a full on magic attack against one of the rich guys vehicles? Seems pretty obvious. It's because they have Mucho protection, Omae. It seems like it would be easy to just astrally send some beastie in to rip all the occupants apart. Do you think no one has thought of this? Not likely.
Remember the old On-Star system? Someone jacks your wheels. Next thing they knew the police were on your hoop and the car doors were locking and the car was shutting down. You think those guys didn't add magical protection as well when it came out.
Any high corp car has enough innate protection around it, especially when transporting the big guys and gals that they would fry your brains if you even thought of trying. Gobwit's new vehicles have that kind of protection. Warded, and guarded the systems now perform LETHAL responses to any kind of attack. Sort of like you going up bare handed against a tank. Comprende?
Remember Dockery's talk about water elementals and how good with illusions they are? What makes you think Fall and Winter are even in that chopper? The UCAS or Villiers security is not going to mess with that corp chopper, physically or magically. IF say a water elemental was inside and maintaining an illusion of Fall and Winter sitting there with one of Dockery's aura masking spells who could say for sure? So where are Fall and Winter? It could be them in the chopper, right? Maybe, I'm just playing head games. However, under the right illusion spells and with no active magical scanning possible on all the guests vehicles, remember that would be bad form for the rich to do that, how could you tell if they didn't use part of that illusion to actually leave the chopper and blend in elsewhere? Especially since I could have done the disguises before we left.
As Gobwit and Dockery said. In this caper it's all about the timing! Pretty soon the party is going to become more lively. Some will get drunk. Some will slip away for a little extra curricular sexual activity. Some will imbibed their drug of choice. As Gobwit pointed out previously, people are going to be preoccupied with other things and when that happens, we will slip out.
So Fall and Winter, if they were smart, which they are, will know what guests are likely to stay all night. That means a smart rigger can deactivate the warning alarms on one of the cars, which we can use as transport to the UCAS depository, full fill our dastardly deed and come back. Then we just reverse the whole thing. We are effectively invisible. Split second timing.
See you at the UCAS.
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Post by Pelch Gobwit on Jun 30, 2010 11:27:10 GMT -5
OOC: "It appears the questions on magic have again come to the fore as I predicted it would. I'll insert this thought for contemplation. IF magic is a form of energy then there could be, as Braddoc points out, several ways to energize it or attune it to a human body. Now in SR magic is LIFE energy so it would make sense that the more LIFE energy a person has or can amass, the more powerful a mage would tend to be. Maybe that is why cyberware DETRACTS from magical ability. I think I'll wait a bit before I add to this to give others the opportunity to respond if they wish. For Braddoc's question at heart is; what path seems the most believable given the SR world?"
I'm at the party being introduced around and making light conversation. The Skodas were there talking powder and guns to Ares of Ares Tech. Charles Mainboicher of Infinity Aerotech spotted me and spoke just loud enough to draw the attention of several people around him. "Gobwit? That clown? What's he doing here?"
Lady Shrapnel of Vesta Genetech nodded in agreement. "That's him. Everybody has been talking about him."
Victor Pallos of Pallos Medicines looked closely. "Are you sure that is the same man? Couldn't be. I've seen the commercials and this one almost looks human."
I approached the group non-chalantly and nodded politely. The chip made it clear that I should wait to be invited to the conversation. Lady Shrapnel looked at me in amusement. "Are you that dreadful man with those completely obscene commercials?"
"I am, madam. You may touch me if you wish."
"Why, you actually seem proud. Are you proud of your bad taste?"
"The problem today, Lady Shrapnel is to have any taste at all. I think I am lucky."
"Lucky but dreadfully indecent."
"Indecent but not dull."
"Dreadful but delightful. Why aren't you cavorting now?"
"I'm under the influence."
"Oh dear. Are you drunk? When will you be sober again?"
"I'm under your influence Lady Shrapnel."
"You totally wicked young man. Charles! Charles come here and save Gobwit. I'm ruining him."
Charles Mainbocher approached and look down his nose. "Gobwit, is it? Delighted. What do those ghastly commercials cost?"
"Forty thousand, Mainbocher."
"Good Lord, a month?"
"A week."
"My God, Why would you spend that much a week, a notable tightwad like yourself?"
"For notoriety, Mainbocher. I like people to know who I am and to see me often. It makes things so much easier to deal with." I was starting to gather a crowd as many crowded around to listen.
"Ha! Are you serious?"
Lady Shrapnel laughed, "I told you he was wicked, Charles."
Mainbocher laughed, "Damned refreshing. Victor! Here a moment. This impudent young man is spending forty thousand a week; for notoriety, if you please."
Victor Pallas looked at me curiously, "Good Evening Gobwit. Are you by chance a direct descendant of the original Gobwit Mining Corporation?"
"No Pallas, It's a title by purchase. I bought the company. I'm an upstart."
"My word, Gobwit! You're certainly frank about it."
Mainbocher shook his head in amusement. "Told you he was impudent. Very refreshing. There's a parcel of damned upstarts about, young man, but they never admit it. Elizabeth, come meet Gobwit of the Gobwit Mining Company.
I watched as Lady Elizabeth of Phaeton Motors approached. She spoke sternly.
"Is it true that you travel about by foot?"
"I do, I spend my money on the Foundation to Save the Dire Rat."
She looked surprised, "But why on Earth, Gobwit?"
"Well Lady Elizabeth, it's so difficult to spend money these days. We have to find the silliest excuses. If only someone could invent a new extravagance."
"You ought to travel with a portable inventor, Gobwit."
"I've got one. Haven't I got one Dockery?" Dockery nodded affirmatively as he watched amused. "She wastes her time building bigger guns. What I really require is a resident spendthrift. Would any of you care to loan me a worthless, younger son? Millions of NuYen for nonsense, but not one cent for taxes or civic improvement."
The crowd roared with laughter.
I was a success.
The only mistake I made was that I tipped the Seattle Mayor when I asked him the way to the john. Luckily, they all had a good laugh and accepted that I had done it on purpose."
Impudence of course.
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Post by Pelch Gobwit on Jun 29, 2010 17:02:34 GMT -5
....the opposite of a V is a pointy shaft. We either get this right the first time or we get introduced to the descendants of Vlad the Impaler.
We have to get out of the building without anyone knowing we got out. Flat impossible dude. We just went through creating all this security so people can't get in. So did you really think we were suddenly going to come up with some form of teleportation or a nifty secret tunnel we just happened to find that no one knows about? Not fragging likely. That means we have to find some way to fragging hose over our own high priced security. Not fragging likely there either.
See what I mean about V for Victory? To start our nifty plan we have to show everyone how we would go about circumventing our own security. It would be in all our logs. Sure IF we had a mainframe going we could, say, temporarily blank out the building power or some such and magically creep out. What actually happens if the building has a power failure? We have a hydrogen system that keeps critical stuff running. Like security. No one would buy that drek at all anyway. Unless of course you were Widow or Freddy or Headcrack or Mao, or BB, you get the picture?
How do you go about getting out without violating your security? You go where people can't follow you, someplace lots of people will see you. People with impeccable, rich and highly prestigious backgrounds. People normal security folk don't dare try to question directly and you violate their security.
Remember this statement a while back?
"Tomorrow, I meet with Richard Villiers social secretary as one of my patients. It should be fairly easy to wrangle a couple of invitations to the party the big man is planning this weekend."
Dockery was able to wangle an invitation. The rest of the crew would go as bodyguards, servant's or what have you. Good Old Honest Pelchey would go as himself. Let's call it my introduction to polite society. Now, what UCAS flunky would mess with Fuji Security?
We were going in my Helicopter. The copter would be seen at the estate and later that evening we would come straight back. The UCAS would of course track the copter by satellite or maybe drone. They would watch it like a hawk from a distance. The distance would be all we would need.
That evening all of us were dressed to the nines and maybe even the tens or twelves. Winter was going to drive. Our gear was already stored inside hanger and we would put it on board the copter without being seen. Carried up by Winter and Fall under the guise of getting the copter ready it was safely stored away. Hidden by Dockery's masking spell it should be safe enough since we weren't going to carry any bang-bang on our persons.
There we are at Richard Villiers party. He's in the receiving line. The helicopter is parked and Winter has stayed with it. Fall is also at the chopper, a bodyguard waiting for us to return. Izzy, Doc and I have been checked by Fuchi Sec and having nothing on us we come up clean. They look at the invitations and let us in.
So there we are. Three of us inside where the UCAS hasn't got any pipeline at all. They are watching Winter, Fall and the chopper. Now we have to sneak away from the party, break out through Fuji Sec, do the job, and then sneak back in. Easy Right?
With no ride, no tools. it isn't going to be easy. The only thing we have going for us is that Fuji will not be expecting us to try to get out. They will be watching to see that we don't try to swipe the family jewels.
Doesn't it seem like we went through all this for nothing?
All according to plan.
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Post by Pelch Gobwit on Jun 28, 2010 8:58:26 GMT -5
"You want to WHAT?" Izzy asked calmly in disbelief as we all sat around the conference table in the Lair. She looked at Dockery like she couldn't believe her ears.
Dockery looked amused, "I want to rob the UCAS Federal Depository." He stated again.
Fall spoke up also amused, "Do you realize how well protected that place is?"
"Not as well protected as they would have you believe." Gobwit said complacently. "I'm not saying it will be easy, but it is possible. Let me prove my point. First; we are in a big recession. That means budget cuts and one of the first things that suffers is security. I also own the company that used to service their electronic alarm systems until they let us go. I had them program in a back door so we can actually walk right through most of them. That means all we have to do is avoid the human guards. Many of them were laid off and the ones left are the cheapest and least likely to be alert and troublesome."
"Second; this depository does not actually print NuYen, it's a secondary site that distributes money to the businesses and banking institutions that have a need for cash and charges them a hefty fee to do so. They also take old money and destroy it as it wears out. Being a secondary station it is not as well protected as you might believe. So they contract a lot of things out. That means I have complete plans of the interior, the guard patrols, the work schedules and all the basic routines. That means too that I'll know when the most money will be available and when the least amounts are on hand."
"The final problem is the final door. Eight inches of ten point steel. It could shrug off multiple blasts from a Panther and not even show a scratch. The lock is of course a time lock but it also uses a physio/psycho scanner linked to a remote identity computer. If the wrong person attempts to access it alarms go off all over the place. I studied up on the type of lock and I know I can bypass it. Given all that it means we can be in and out so fast it would make your head giddy."
"As an added incentive. Did you know that since I was supposedly caught doing this the last time through a supposed betrayal, they never upgraded anything security wise? Why upgrade when you stop someone? What the usual idiots in charge failed to recognize was that I never had the chance to make the attempt at all. It makes their belief irrelevant but useful to us."
Dockery spoke up, "It also gives us some incentives. We get to kick the UCAS in the gilhoolies again. The percentage we stand to gain should fatten our bank accounts quite a while even after we finish laundering it. It will provide a distraction. Let's not assume the UCAS has gone away, they pulled back a bit but you can bet your bottom line they are not anywhere out of the game. They will expect us to go after the criminals next. Let's zig when they expect us to zag."
Winter looked unconvinced. "How do you plan to move that much hard cash out of there, hide it long enough to use it, and launder it? Sure, it sounds easy to get in but the real problems start when they realize it's gone and start turning the city upside down for us. Even we can't keep those with a UCAS warrant out of the Lair. We can buy some judges and slow them down but stop? No way."
Izzy smiled, "Why do we physically need to move the cash?"
Dockery smiled. "I knew you would see it. "He said approvingly.
Izzy continued, "Look they keep hard currency in there to replace what is lost or damaged, and in some case where corporations need cash money for payoffs and such. However, to balance the accounts most of the money passing through their would be electronic transactions. Now the UCAS would tend to protect those transactions very well from the outside, but less so from the inside. I suspect inside that vault are transaction terminals for moving NuYen into accounts. If security is as poor as Gobwit believes, then they are going to be very lax inside that vault. Get in their and we can electronically move the money. The trick will be to move large sums then destroy the transaction records inside so they can't trace where it was moved to. We do like the scammers did, we hide it inside other much larger transactions."
"The we destroy the records and equipment." Winter said thoughtfully. An ECM pulse inside the vault will easily do the job. I could whip one up in practically no time from supplies we already have. They won't have a clue what's coming by us buying a specialty item outside the Lair. We would just have to delay it's registry and reorder through the supply computer for a couple of weeks. A technical glitch."
"I can easily arrange it consider all the mainframe work we have done here."
Fall smiled, "So a warrant won't do the UCAS any good. They can suspect and believe but they won't have a shred of evidence where the money actually went. Considering how much they watch us all we have to do is convince them we never left the Lair when it all goes down. They can be the alibi for us. Legally, their stymied."
Dockery nodded, "Easy enough to arrange with suitable masking spells. Let's get down to the timing, the planning and the details. We're only going to get one shot at this but if we pull it off, the UCAS is going to be chasing it's own hoop for a long time trying to live this down."
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Post by Pelch Gobwit on Jun 27, 2010 13:04:04 GMT -5
I woke the next day feeling like a million NuYen. The last thing I remembered yesterday was the doc telling me that sometimes chips should not be accessed right away and that they could have some strange affects on the brain. Not that I believed him even a bit, but I was feeling tired so just to humor him I went to bed. I was surprised at how fast I went to sleep.
Now today I was feeling alive and alert. I accessed my chip and called in my manservant to help me get ready. I was just sitting down to a fine breakfast when the doc walked in. "How are we feeling this morning, Gobwit?"
Why is it doctors always say 'we'? It's stupid, but polite was embedded in my chip and it offered me several options. I chose one. "Fine doc. I'm all ready to pillage the corporate world this morning. Thanks for asking. How is everyone doing down in the Lair? I hope you haven't been working them too hard." In reality, I hoped he was working their hoops into the ground making me money, but as the chip pointed out, people would not react well to that and it could cause trouble later.
He smiled and seemed satisfied with my answer. "Good, I think your chip has finally integrated properly. You seem to be much improved over yesterday. Speaking of yesterday, how much of it to you remember?"
I drank some fresh squeezed orange juice and thought. I remember going to Corndork's and flashing my card. I remembered buying the chips and slotting them. I groaned. "GGAAAHHHGGG!" I exclaimed in horror. The recall got worse. I felt like getting sick. The chips quickly reminded me that people did not like to get barfed on and that I should excuse myself from the table. "GGGGAAAAAHHHHGGG!" As more memories flooded through my mind. "I had bought a Lear Jet with maintenance for a year, a Rolls Phaeton with two chauffeurs and guards, a helicopter, enough clothes to last me a life time...and the list kept expanding. I had them done as iron clad contracts so my suppliers could not weasel out.
"GGGGGGGGGAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHH!!!"
The chips kept reminding me that I should not say GAGH.
The doc looked worried. "Are you all right, Gobwit?"
Of course I wasn't all RIGHT, you twit! Was what I wanted to say to him, but the chip kept telling me other things to say. I chose one.
"Why didn't you stop me?" I asked plaintively. All that money spent. I was a dwarf disgrace.
Dockery looked at me steadily. "You didn't give us a chance remember? You struck out and did this all on your own. There we are trying to save you from the UCAS and you go out on your own. In this case the only person you hurt was yourself. When we finally found out what you had done we finally managed to get you to go to sleep. We couldn't stop you or protect you if you give us the slip. As it was if not for us, you would be worse off."
I hated it but he was right. I had indeed, done it to myself. I considered the interest rates on my card. It was going to take me at least a year to pay this off. I mentioned that to the doc.
He smiled, "It doesn't have to be that way."
I looked at him, light at the end of the tunnel? Probably a train.
"First you have made some gains. The chip is helping you to improve. That's got to help you in business and contact wise. The items you bought will be useful to us all. You already placed them as part of the business, and we have Izzy taking care of a lot of those contracts now. She's got a good head for the business side. Finally, the UCAS helped you get into this. If you think you can work with us, we could get the money out of them. Why don't we make a test run against the UCAS Depository? It would give us a chance to break in the troops. According to the logs you had the idea over a year ago. Let's make them finance our upgrade with interest. None of us like the UCAS much anyway."
I had Hope. Maybe this bunch wasn't out to frag me over, or at least the doc wasn't.
Hmmmm. Get the UCAS to pay for it all. I get the stuff they get the bill and the interest goes away when I make one big payment. My credit rating goes up.
"I'm in. So what's the plan?"
Doc smiled.
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Post by Pelch Gobwit on Jun 26, 2010 11:15:51 GMT -5
Janey was reviewing the recent purchases made by Gobwit. The little fragger had gone completely insane, for him. She had the complete list from Corndork. Addams came in with more reports.
"Gobwit's throwing around money likes it's doomsday and he just realized he can't take it with him. He' got them redecorating his new penthouse. They also have been doing something with their computing power. Maybe we can compromise them through their supplies. They have to have people come in to restock. They aren't doing it themselves."
"The supply system they have is all automated. As they use something or need something a request is sent automatically to various suppliers. They deliver it at a loading dock in the underground area. Which is guarded by Lone Star as it is unloaded. Every piece of cargo is bar coded. As it comes in automated arms unpack it, sort it and place it in racks. All under the watchful eyes and scanners of the Lone Star guards."
"When something is needed inside the Lair it's automatically shipped through an access tunnel where it is scanned cleaned and inspected by more automated attendants. Once inside machines place it where it's needed. It's really quite an efficient setup."
"With the mainframe being changed, I would suspect it's not operating correctly now."
"The supply system is independent and tempest shielded from the mainframe. So it's still in operation. It's integral only to the Lair and is a relatively simple machine. You have to be INSIDE the Lair itself to get access to it."
"So how does it send out the requests if it's shielded inside the building."
"Through the satellite linkage. One way. It transmits but does not receive. We can of course pick up the scrambled transmissions and we break the code easily. They haven't changed it in forever because they are dealing with outside suppliers and would have to give them the new codes if they did."
"I know how to beat that system. Why aren't we doing it?"
"Not necessary. We backed off for a reason. They passed their test. Gobwit has a team. Now we want them working on the problem and everything points to the fact that they are indeed working on something big. The fact they raided the Lonestar database for their information was quite clever. They didn't come to us at all and avoided the traps we had set for them. By now they may have even figured out how the job was done. This group seems to be very active."
"If they have gotten that far then their next step should be to go confront the criminal, so why aren't they moving?"
"Preparation. Dockery is smart. He worked for Shin Bet, one of the finest intelligence services in the world. He sees more than just the one crime. Unlike the last group he is in no hurry to complete the simple part of the mission. He is looking ahead to the next encounter."
"Then he's sunk. The biggest liability every team has had to date has been Gobwit."
"Agreed. Despite the fact that Gobwit has very good skills in certain areas, he is basically a loose cannon. Which means that Dockery is going to have to find some way to control Gobwit, without Gobwit having a clue that he is being controlled."
"Which is a foolish thought. The head-ware changes usually conflict with the slotter basic personality and he reverts. It never holds true. He has to want to change himself. He has a paranoid reaction to anyone slotting with his head. Drugs are too obvious and don't last long enough with his constitution. The final problem is Gobwit's head has been mucked with so much, by Headcrack, BB, Krass and Crew, and who knows who else, that it's like walking through a minefield to do anything to him. It's all in the rather extensive psych report we had Headcrack work up for us."
"I know, I've read the same report. Headcrack is completely correct. Still we are dealing with Dockery. Cyber Surgeon, Mage, Magical Researcher. Certainly one of the top ten in the world. I don't expect Dockery will get an instant result, but we may see a noticeable improvement. It will start very minor of course, but if it is a success, then I suggest we then contact the new team and get them on our side before the enemy does."
"Do you think they have figured out yet that Tony is the one doing the killing?"
"Time will tell."
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Post by Pelch Gobwit on Jun 25, 2010 13:41:40 GMT -5
We had completed our dinner when Dockery finally made it back. Fall had kept his dinner warm. We all joined him at the table as he sat down.
Winter spoke first, "Don't tell me we're going to have to put up with that snob for the rest of this job." She grumbled.
Dockery spoke with a slight smile, "It depends on how creative we want to get." He looked at Izzy, "Refresh my memory, when these things happened to Gobwit previously the group attempted to adjust to the new personality, correct?"
Izzy nodded in agreement, "For the most part. I guess they felt they didn't have the right to change his personality but they certainly did nothing to remove any of the ill effects the changes in patterns cost them. This kind of thing seems to happen to Gobwit whenever he was subject to some kind of education or upgrade technique that is completely at odds with his personality. It seems to meld and create another layer of irritation for everyone."
Winter growled again, "I have no intention of putting up with that kind of stuff. How about a 20,000 volt enema?"
Dockery smiled, "Let's leave the medical options to me for now. Gobwit, when he made me the chief medical practitioner in the building also signed a contract placing himself and all of you under my care. Under pretense of giving him a thorough exam I asked to examine the chips for medical reasons. I was VERY persuasive. He needed a long rest anyway to help with his integration he'll be at least twenty-four hours sleeping." He placed the chips on the table and looked at Izzy.
"My idea is to see if we can reprogram these chips to remove the offensive parts of his personality while keeping the knowledge, perhaps we can even improve on certain irritating mannerisms he has."
Izzy shook her head no, "The programing is an integral part of the chip. It's not something you can just over right the chip itself is designed with the code right inside it. The chip would have to be totally remade from the beginning and the information placed into it during the time it is being made."
Winter picked up the chip. "I can remake the chip. Even copy the color scheme so that it looks just like the original, but if I copy the way the circuits are laid out we only get the same dumb program."
Dockery looked thoughtful. "Izzy you can read the chip right?"
Izzy nodded in agreement. "Sure with the equipment here in the Lair it would be easy. It's pretty well outfitted for that kind of work."
"I suspected as much," Dockery smiled, "map the chip, just remove the snobbish, upper-crust attitude. Don't add anything to it for now. That should just remove a section of the original chip. Show Winter what sections to remove and then let her copy the rest of the chip. How long to cook up two duplicates?"
Winter smiled, "If Izzy can show me within the next hour I'll have them ready by daybreak."
Dockery smiled, "Perfect. Remember though we do not want to interfere with any of the other attitudes EXCEPT the snob part. Then we cam experiment when we know more later. Like giving him some loyalty and willingness to work with his team. That should be quite an accomplishment."
Everyone smiled.
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Post by Pelch Gobwit on Jun 24, 2010 11:41:56 GMT -5
We took the elevator up to the Penthouse. When we got out there were guards of course on the door. They stopped us. It seems we didn't have a appointment. It took Dockery forty-five minutes to get the new secretary to even check with Gobwit to get us in. She let it be known that she would have to reschedule all his appointments. I flipped her the bird with kisses. When I caught up with Gobwit I was going to kick the living drek out of him. Fall looked like she was considering the same but was too amused to be taken seriously.
We were ushered by a manservant through the office and into a the living area. A couple of girlie boys were arguing about the decorations. In the bedroom Gobwit was trying on some ties. Clothes and people were everywhere. "I'll be with you in just a moment. Oliver, why don't you take them out and fix them a drink." He commented to us.
The butler took us out. We waited about fifteen minutes and he came bouncing out into the room looking like something out of GQ. He sat down and collected a drink. "What can I do for you?" He asked in a business like tone.
I spoke up. "Listen, you squid. What do you think you're up to now?"
"Upgrades, of course, Miss Winter." He stated with a slight smile. "I found it essential to change my basic outlook at this particular time."
Izzy spoke calmly, like she was talking to a child, "Why is that Pelch?"
"Gobwit." He corrected her sternly. "Just call me Gobwit or Mr. Gobwit, Miss San Del Los Muerte. My reasons were both personal and private. I'm a very busy man, so can we move along on why you were so insistent upon meeting with me?"
His attitude made it obvious to me, his reasons were not to be shared with lesser individuals. I reached for my taser but Dockery stopped me with a slight shake of his head.
"Izzy, take the others out for now. I'll meet you back at the Lair when I get done with Gobwit." She nodded and we went out.
"What do you make of that?" Fall asked with some amusement. "He acts like a complete limp wristed gimp. I haven't seen anything so funny in a long time."
I replied, "I'd like to run about 20,000 volts through his head-ware. I don't think I like this version any better than the previous one. The last one was a greedy NuYen pinching miser, while this one is a supercilious, fat headed twit."
Izzy shrugged, "I'll bet this one will pay better."
Fall laughed, "Want to bet?"
I tended to agree with Fall. Sure, the fragger was snob polite but he's still just as greedy as he always was. Now he would be trying to treat us like the hired help. I said as much.
Fall laughed, "WE ARE the hired help."
I glared. The elevator closed on the guards and we headed down. Maybe I could hot wire his chair.
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Post by Pelch Gobwit on Jun 23, 2010 11:37:49 GMT -5
Isabella was the first to get a hint that something was not quite right. She had been working on debugging the code so that it would work with the new upgraded hardware Winter and Fall were busily installing. She stood up to stretch and looked at the clock. They had all been at it for a good three hours. She went to the refrigerator and got some soda, high in caffeine.
"Where's Gobwit?" She asked as she made her way back to the terminal through random piles of parts.
Winter was underneath bolting in a large storage module that Fall was holding for her. Winter spoke sharply, "In the back room working on his kit." Izzy nodded and sat back down to work.
Three hours later Dockery walked in from his room where he had been researching and formulating a plan of action. Izzy was deeply involved in a manual. Fall was running cable. Winter was fitting electrical outlets and air conditioning for the Multiphase Infinite they had purchased. Rubbing his neck he went over and punched up lunch for all of them. He smiled as he remembered how Gobwit had screamed at the price of the Insta-Chef but it was worth it's weight in gold in a situation like this. It was just as important for morale, as it was for the team to be at their best. Neglecting nutrition was a great way to make Lots of mistakes.
"Where's Gobwit?" Dockery asked curiously.
Izzy answered without taking her head out of the book, "Winter says he down in the supply area working on his kit."
Dockery looked at her confused, "No he's not. I just came from my room and looked in several of the rooms on the way. I didn't see him at all."
Izzy looked up. "Are you sure?"
Dockery looked irritated, "OF COURSE, I'm SURE!" He exclaimed. "When is the last time anyone saw him?"
Izzy looked at the clock. "For me it was over six hours ago."
Winter's cold voice came from under the mainframe. "Fragged if I know."
Fall shrugged, "Quite a while."
Dockery still irritated, "Search the place."
A quick half hour search showed no sign of the errant dwarf. Dockery was royally angry. "The little sod has done a runner!"
Izzy quickly went to her deck and tied into the Security Logs and Cameras starting with those in the Lair itself. She located Gobwit's image and went forward from there. "He left the Lair eight hours ago." She reported in disgust. She continued to punch deck rapidly. "He went out through the garage and headed South down the street. He caught a bus still headed South. One of our Lone Star Security teams picked him up as he left the building. They are tailing him per orders."
"Where did he go?"
"Corndork's. It was in the information packets I gave you."
"I remember." Dockery stated thoughtfully. "He's used her before according to the logs from here. The UCAS will know this too. She's probably already under surveillance by them or she is a paid informant. Did our team follow him inside?"
"No. Personal space. Unless otherwise ordered, they will follow any of us if we leave for our own protection, but unless we are attacked or threatened they won't interfere in personal space. It's all in the contract."
Dockery nodded, "So that means he is probably buying something and the UCAS will know what it was but we won't. The idiot may be signaling our intentions to his worse enemy. Frag it, I should have locked his hoop up."
Fall shook her head negatively. "It wouldn't have done any good and you know it. One thing the little coward is good at is slipping locks."
Izzy spoke up quietly, "I've put a parasitic hold on Corndorks outside telecom line. In this short a space of time I can't get any closer than that without decking in but I can monitor any calls she makes out. Would you believe she is burning up the phone lines but not to the UCAS? She's called H. Huntsman in LA, KORRIPHILA DE in Tucson, Phaeton Motor Works in Seattle, and Knight Errant Security in Seattle. She's making a lot of purchases, high priced purchases, real fast."
Winter spoke sarcastically. "Then it ain't for Gobwit. He's so cheap he would never in a million years make purchases like that."
Dockery looked thoughtfully at the group. "He might under certain conditions. Remember the shot I gave him. It was an inhibitor blocker. He may still be under some lingering side affects from the shot. I know all those places he's buying from. It's just the kind of places a nuevo- riche would think were status places. Especially if he had plans of joining the rich and famous."
Izzy caught it right away. "Chip syndrome?"
Dockery nodded in agreement. Winter and Fall looked confused. Dockery explained. "You've all heard of chip addiction. Someone slots a chip that makes them think they are Slade the Sniper, or Brittany Spears or some such person. They come to believe they are that person and it usually gets them killed. Like most things, these things work on a bell curve. Some people are more susceptible than others at certain levels."
"Your normal education chip mostly does not deal with emotional attitudes. They just teach you the mechanics of certain actions with no real thought involved. They use a rote method to teach you how to shoot, fence, martial arts, golf, or even drive a car. Those chips are pretty safe for almost all the population."
"The next grade of chips not only teaches a skill but it may teach you an attitude or a new way of thought. Let's say that Gobwit, still suffering from an inhibitor, slotted a Custom, Manners and Etiquette Chip. Given that he has no real mental defenses it could have changed his whole persona."
Winter snarled, "You mean the idiot thinks he someone else?"
Dockery spoke quickly, "No, he still believes he's Pelch Gobwit. He retains all his knowledge of the past but now his manners, motions, reactions will all be greatly changed by the chip he is using. He may react differently to certain stimuli. It will be his attitude that changes, not his knowledge or history."
Fall smiled, "You mean he's gotten some Fishey Education Chips? Fishyed Chips?"
Winter snarled at her sister to shut up. Turning back to Dockery she asked? "So he's going to be worse?"
Dockery shrugged, "Maybe, maybe not. I suspect larceny is a big part of his attitude, given this impetus he might tend to rise above petty thievery. I won't know until I can observe him but we have just a good of a chance that it might turn out better for us than worse. You must admit his attitude is pretty bad, to me his only avenue is up."
Izzy cut in, she had continued to trace the dwarf's movements. "Did you know that he leased himself the penthouse at the top of this building? Charged it too his company of course for the tax write off. It's being redecorated by Falstaff and Winstons-Ames the top decorators in Seattle. He's there now with the H Huntsman people."
They all headed for the elevator.
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Post by Pelch Gobwit on Jun 22, 2010 17:36:24 GMT -5
"A new life." I told her. I could see that the reply confused her for a moment. She decided it was some kind of Gobwit drek and she motioned me inside.
When we were in private I told her what I wanted. She didn't believe me at first or second or even third. Money does talk even to the most brain-dead. When I told her what her share of the commission would be and paid half of it up front, she became a willing ally in my scheme, even though she was totally convinced that I had gone completely off my trolley.
I already had top of the line head-ware, and bio add-ons, courtesy of BB. I decided not to muck with any of that. The chips inside the head-ware, required immediate upgrade. I picked up a 'culture' chip first. 'Etiquette and Manners' version 8.5 and an upgraded vocabulary chip, 'Upper-class English 9.4'.
Once I accessed the chips my outlook and attitude radically changed. For the better I hoped.
I concentrated and turned my immediate intentions on upgrades to my kit. You might remember that my Thieves Kit consists of the following. All still quite useful of course, but things happen in a year and things that the old Gobwit thought might be too pricey suddenly became a necessity.
I had standard lock probes and cutters, several laser probes, some bypass leads including fiber optics, a key card reader/coder, a biometrics resource kit, a multimeter, an electronic emissions detector, heating iron with solder, jumpers, several small shapers, spare electronic components, lock-picks, a tumbler detector, a small but powerful hand computer that simulates a variety of frequencies and loaded with standard factory pass codes and diagnostics, a small but powerful holographic recorder for both video and magnetic media. A data 'capture' device that is quite small and is capable of infrared or ultra violet recording in the dark. Both devices are roughly 1" x 2" and just under a 1/4" thick and combined for easy portability, a portable key pad with universal fittings, and all this fits into a belt sized unit or standard armored coveralls with a variety of Velcro patches that I can change. Sort of like a service uniform. None of this stuff is hot and I have a UCAS license as a locksmith so that I can carry it legally.
To add to that dwarf made items list I added a sonic cutter with adaptable tools, several laser probes, energy reflecting gel, circuit interrupters, a software reader with integral code inserter, and an ultrasonic scanner and probe. I also purchased some high explosive, detonators of various types, thermal packs and gel. I added some climbing equipment for upper story work. You never know, I might get the urge to put Pink Gloves in ladies boudoir's.
I needed clothing and bespoke. Bill Blasted while fairly good just wasn't going to make it in my new world. The cheap old Gobwit had thought to buy his new clothes here. Cheaply. I could see why some had considered him an idiot. I continued to access the chip and I was quickly learning a whole new way of thinking. When you have an empty head it's easier to learn. Luckily, I also knew how to accomplish what I wished in the way of decent apparel. I needed the best and one of the best was H Huntsman Number 11 Savile Row.
Henry Huntsman established this firm at №11, in 1849, and received a royal warrant in 1865 from the Prince of Wales. Since the 1950s, they have been known for a silhouette based on a riding coat and featuring firm shoulders and a nipped, sculpted waist. Huntsman has a reputation as having the most expensive starting price for a two-piece suit on Savile Row; suits start at well over £3,000 ($5,000) tax included. They have outfitted Royalty and some of the great actors.
In Tom Wolfe's novel The Bonfire of the Vanities, the narrator refers to flamboyantly rich Sherman McCoy's jacket, he observes "Huntsman, Savile Row, London. Cost a god-damned fortune."
You get what you pay for.
Luckily for me in 2060, they had also expanded their operations. They now had a branch in LA. I had Corndork contact then directly and fly up to outfit me at my HQ. They are extremely efficient. Ask James Bond. I was going to look so good.
Corndork couldn't believe it. Especially, when I offered special incentive for immediate service.
I had need for a special weapon. Let's face it off the shelf Ares, Colt, Remmington, H&K wasan't going to make it. The days of Two Gun Pelch the Terror of the Dire Rats, are over. I chose the pistol KORRIPHILA HSP 701, that is an innovation based on the KORRIPHILA HSP 70. The new roller block locking system reduces shooting recoil to a minimum. The double action feature guarantees utmost safety and reliability. It's also one of the most expensive and reliable hand built pistols still available. When you include a plethora of special accessories, well, let's just say it's exactly what I needed. It's also very concealable. I got all the accessories with it of course, Red dot sighting, silencer and suppressor, combat grips, fast target acquisition, extennded mags, different types of ammunition. Very nice. This model was called Odin's Eye.
Technical data and special items of the HSP 701: Caliber: .45 ACP Overall length: 207 mm (5" Version), 182 mm (4" Version) Overall height: 136 mm Thickness on slide: 25 mm Thickness over grips: 34 mm Barrel length: 127 mm (5"), 101 mm (4") Trigger weight: SA about 1.800 g; DA about 4.800 g Weight with empty magazine: about 1.200 g (5") , about 1.000g (4") Magazine cartridges: 7 rounds .45 ACP, extended mag 14 rounds Rear Sight: adjustable in height and sidewards Breech-locking syst.: delay roller block (BUDISCHOWSKY-System) Material: stainless Damascus Steel.
My final purchase was a Steel Gray armored Rolls Phaeton V with all the extras. The marvelous armored transportation even had bathroom. It came with a chauffeur and a guard with the electronic safety devices all set to lethal response. The Spiked Trolls couldn't blow this one away so easily. I made sure it had all the proper paperwork, insurance and registration. Registered to my corporation of course. It's a tax write off as a company car. I had to check into a Jet and Chopper soon as well. My immediate purchases complete I was driven back to the Lair. I suspected I would be missed soon by my comrades. I really wanted to get into my new clothes. Pelch Gobwit, Gentleman Thief. I liked the sound of that.
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Post by Pelch Gobwit on Jun 20, 2010 14:09:47 GMT -5
I finished putting my kit together. Everyone was very busy. It was no trouble for me to just walk right out the door when they weren't looking. Face it, When you're being watched sooner or later people get bored and when they are working? Eventually they are going to get totally involved in that work and forget to watch you. I was patient and kept always in sight early on, then eventually I would vanish for short periods. The periods got longer and longer. Eventually I did not reappear. They wouldn't notice me gone for a while.
They had taken a vote.
I don't remember when I hired them that they would get a vote. You don't make the Johnson happy and he penalizes you. I could wait. I'm paying expenses but I ain't given them there pay yet. I might never do that.
The fraggers are taking my coin. They work for me. I pointed this out. Did they listen? Winter, that slitch reminded me that as the Johnson I don't get to do diddly squat about telling the team HOW to do the job.
Which added up to, I can give them a job and then I better scramble around and HELP them with it. Last time I looked; ain't no one paying me to be anyone's hoop boy. Why should I have to be part of their team?
So?
I'm fragged off.
When a dwarf is as fragged off as I am the question becomes;
How do I get fragging even? Or Uneven with a heavy revenge motif against the perpetrators of said anger wave. I ain't been this fragged off since the last house got burnt despite all those mafia guards. Mao split though to 'FIND' himself with that Bimbo BB so I guess that part made it some gain.
Why is it every time I start to do really well, some group of hoop fraggers comes along and tries to tell me how I got to run my own business?
They're worse than the UCAS.
My business, my rules.
The problem is that right now? I do need them. I may be ignorant, but I'm not stupid. The UCAS has backed off a bit, but I'm going to need to find a way to make them back off permanently.
I headed down to Corndorks by bus. I was doing some deep thinking.
Let's face it. I've never made it as a steel-hooped street samurai. Time to shelve that dream and do something I'm good at. I ain't getting any younger you know. I was doing my best work as a thief. It was time to make some more changes in my life-style.
I HAD learned something in all this recent mess. Money, style and rep keep the fraggers away and open doors for you. It was time for me to upgrade my image. I was in serious need of some 'class'. When you haven't got any, You purchase it.
They don't say then that you have no class, they say you're eccentric and an innovator. That's me innovating new ways to part rubews from their money. Better to part rich idiots from their money and the poor, but I'm not choosy. Do them both say I.
Corndork was still doing a good business down at the cemetery. It's the North side that has the undead problems. Corndork is on the South side in case you lost track of where she is. I didn't have an appointment. I pounded on the door.
"Frag off and die!" came out of the speaker at me. She obviously hadn't looked in her sec cam. I wasn't the ratbag I used to be.
"Open the fragging door, I got lots of money."
She didn't believe me. "Prove it!"
I showed her my UCAS Express chip. The diamond one issued to corp executives. This was going to be the first time I used it. Honest Pelchey's card. No upper limit.
Man, that door opened fast. She examined it and ran it through a verifier. You can't steal these things. To much security on it. She checked three times anyway. Well.... you can steal it if you know what you're doing but there are only three people in the city good enough to get away with it right now. One of them is me. In this case it was the totally legit kind. I had a couple of other I had messed with security wise under other Sin's but no need to be undercover on this.
Grudgingly, she let me in. I was going to do some heavy weight shopping. She looked at me warily. "Whatcha want?"
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Post by Pelch Gobwit on Jun 19, 2010 9:28:04 GMT -5
Winter had Fall helping her as they are refitting parts into the mainframe. The problem is we're pretty much on hold until we get it up, running and secured.
Why?
To try to use an unsecured system at this stage would be to negate everything we have already accomplished. Look how far we've come. We've just broken several total surveillance crews on us. We got some hard fought working space for the first time in all this mess. To give them a chance to compromise us through the matrix again would be cretinous. We want to expand our area not hand it all back and say; well played, let's do it all over again.
Given the fact that this particular type of scam has been operating for some time and requires a certain amount of time to pass to work properly, it's not going to be easily shut down unless they feel threatened because like Gobwit says, 'No one walks away from a sweet deal like this without good reason'.
The only thing the criminals know is that we have formed up and are still organizing as a team. Everything the slotters can see pretty much points to that. We haven't gone out looking for clues nor have we tipped our hand about how much we know already.
The information is all here in just one tight little group. None of us are out where we can give it away either before we are all ready to do it according to plan as a team. Better yet? We don't have to pass our information onto a possibly compromised UCAS, Krass Industries or other corp. Need to know can go both ways.
Under the old setup all the information was passed up and the controls were constantly interfering in the group. That is partly where they made their mistake. Bosses never thought that maybe the UCAS and Krass were just as badly compromised as they were. Like I said it's usually the big guys that compromiose their own security first. It's obvious now that they were indeed compromised.
Interesting, isn't it? We, from our vantage point in time, can see the mistakes the original teams made with their assumptions. They were never secure. The people they were working for we're as badly compromised as they were all along. No wonder that UCAS controller Janie Andrews was trying to build a new team but she made the same mistake as the others. She never considered that her new allies were compromised already.
That means we get to make all NEW mistakes with our assumptions. Let's hope they are not lethal ones. We are not going to be so blind as to trust anyone even inside our group. Gobwit is the one we'll be mainly watching. He's part of the old crew.
These killer scammers are frosty and patient. They go by the numbers and that means they are not going to panic just because we started to look. They're not the kind that will jump the gun like a bunch of gutter-punks or Spiked Wheels. When they come at us they will do so with backup, a good plan, professionals and some intelligence.
Having us jump at them at this stage? Criminally stupid. Sure we know some things about what they are doing but we have some big gaps in that information too. In our world information is ALWAYS the first step. We have a problem with equipment and maybe even some shakedown time as a team. While we have some experience and we now have some decent leadership, we are definitely not ready to go driving out the door in our Batmobile to takle on the Joker, yet.
So what was everyone doing at the moment?
The Doc is our best researcher and leader. We certainly aren't going to put Gobwit in charge of this. It would be like giving a loaded gun to an idiot chimp. Gobwit may be paying the bills, but that just makes him our fragging accountant. We will keep him around for thief duties too.
We are all going to be keeping a close eye on him. We don't want his kind of hairbrained Chaos out there messing us up like he did the last groups. Even dogs can be trained. A shock collar around his neck, perhaps?
Doc runs the team, end of message. Right now? He's going over what we do know so we'll have a plan ready when the time comes.
Like I said, Winter and Fall are on the mainframe at the moment. With us using a large corp like the Star for Physical security the chance of re-compromise is a lot smaller. We are screening the security troops ourselves and we are keeping them compartmentalized in certain areas for each team. That means they have limited information. The enemy would have to have spies in every section. The odds get harder for them. Then we have them working in teams watching each other. The odds are greater against them being able to accomplish anything really destructive. Finally, none of them get in the Lair itself. Like I said, breathing room.
Gobwit, is over at his area putting together his "Penetration Kit". It's a thieves pack and belt. We may need him to be ready soon enough and it keeps him out of trouble.
I'm finishing the OS and ICONOLOGY. The software for our new mainframe. It's not COTS (Commercial off the Shelf) I'm writing my own based on a lot of the systems I have penetrated over the years. Seeing what they did wrong and right makes it easier for me to devise a real secure monster. We are going to need it.
Once it's all put together, when I go out to penetrate databases, I'm going to have the power and speed of a mainframe, not just a deck to fight the other systems. I won't have to be in the Lair to do it either. I can use my deck to link and then come at them from anywhere.
When we get it done?
It's going to be a real whiz piece of work.
When we're ready.
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Post by Pelch Gobwit on Jun 18, 2010 8:05:11 GMT -5
I'll admit it, I was in a tight spot. Two of the four riders of the Apocalypse were moving in on me from either side with the evil intentions of ripping my secrets from me. Isn't this how most people go anyway? Bunged over by their closest friends, coworkers, relatives, and buddies because they didn't croak fast enough in life to leave them all your hard earned? It's a tough world out there at any age.
Izzy was watching intently and held up her hand a moment like some kid in a school. Maybe she wanted a vote about how much of a share she would get. The two trolls disguised as dwarfs stopped for a moment. Watching intently.
Izzy looked at me calmly. "You know amigo, I don't think you thought this through too well. First, whatever scam is being run, they aren't going to share it with you. They'll more likely put you on their death list immediately. Why should they share, it's obvious that you won't, even with the people who are trying to save your hoop? Second, we are the ones you hired to help you. If you freeze us out, then you are just paying us for nothing, kind of a waste isn't it? Third, the UCAS is still out there waiting. You really think they are going to let you do this sweet deal for your own benefit? If that doesn't convince you to give up the info, then you're a lot dumber than I thought. You see your big choice is this; do you want to live to make your dinero another day or not?"
Frag it. I wished she hadn't put it like that. Survival or money. Survival or Money. Survival or Money. Survival won out by a hair. Also the fact that I was paying them Macro loot to save my hide in the first place. I shrugged.
"OK, OK, maybe I have a clue how it would be done."
The girls sat down and everyone watched me, patiently, like a big cat scoping out a fresh antelope. FAST FOOD.
"If I was doing it like this I wouldn't try to collect off the back end of the transaction. I'd set it up so that I have ALREADY collected off the front end. The bungers already have their money. It's my suspicion that way back before the people got killed, and I'm sure they were killed, they made one huge cash outlay to someone. If it WAS me I'd make the money transfer happen about the time they actually retired."
I could tell they knew where this was leading. Izzy and the Doc were already starting to go through the records again. Now that they knew WHAT to look for in all the records, it would stand out like a dump in a punch bowl.
Still haven't figured it all out? It's simple like all good scams. You got to put yourself in the situation chummer and think, how would I do it? Look, when someone retires they make a lot of large cash outlays. They have to and it's nothing unusual.
How so? Like moving their retirement money into investments, paying off houses, redoing insurance, maybe taking that vacation they always wanted. That's just a few of the adjustments. There are payouts and such from various corporations, tip of the iceberg chummer. That's the perfect place to hide another transaction. Especially, since some retiree's get some of their money up front in awards and good bye gifts.
What I would look for was some type of investment they made where they don't actually collect the interest money, but it keeps building in some other account. It would be a figure that they could reasonably afford and normally a lump sum from a check they received that they would move in total without cashing it, from one company to another and paid by the corp where your leaving from!
It would be just another transaction not touched by the retiree himself but authorized amongst the many documents already being generated but you wouldn't see it because it's being handled by some receiving corporation or group that's not listed on the stock exchange. Not a matter of public record. Amongst all that, compared to what the geezer was getting, it would seem small and not too noticeable.
"Eureka." stated Izzy. "The amount varies in each of the accounts 100,000 here, 75,000 there, another 250,000 in the third. He's right, compared to the amounts being moved around from one corporation to another it's chicken feed for them. Multiply that times say 200 people and it starts to look like money to kill or die for. The amounts were moved to different companies but they probably all lead back to one parent company. It will be a small investment company I suspect. It's going to take me some time to check this out. I don't think we should do it until we get the mainframe ready and on line."
The doc nodded, "It's beginning to make some kind of sense as to what's happening. I suspect the people were enticed, after a suitable time, to go pick up a dividend. A hefty one and probably all expenses paid, to some exotic local. Somewhere along the way, they were killed and a mage took their place for a short time and then just changed disguises when it was time. The police are investigating the WRONG crime scenes. The crime's in all this mess happened much sooner in the chain of circumstance. No wonder they never discovered anything. These people are slick."
He looked at Pelch. "Which proves that sometimes you have to be a slick thief to catch a slick thief. I begin to understand why the UCAS has an interest in you." They all watched me.
They were wondering in what way I was going to rip them off.
How can you steal from someone when they don't trust you?
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Post by Pelch Gobwit on Jun 17, 2010 13:45:00 GMT -5
The fraggers are going to run me into galloping bankruptcy....again. We all know that's happened to me several times before and each time I find a new and better way to lose it all with the help of all the so-called minions, toadies, paid sycophants, and just down right hoop buddies around me.
They got LONE STAR! FRAGGING LONE STAR! MOTHER FRAGGING, HOOP JUMPING, BASTIAGES LONE STAR. To protect me. It's fragging insulting and down right expensive. Then they decide to 'rebuild' the mainframe. Do you have any idea how much it costs for one of those? They even redecorated! Plush carpets, crushed velvet wall covers, leather upholstery, the real stuff and you know how much real leather costs these days? New appliances, they even got one of those automated food preparation units, you push a button and it delivers a piping hot dinner of some fancy dish I never heard of!
I yelled. I screamed. I did a little war dance. Winter glared at me and hauled out all my bank accounts. She pointed out that I could probably afford half of Seattle with just my pocket change. Izzy pointed out that if they could rape my accounts that easily, then I needed the upgrades. Fall told me to shut up. Wanker growled and tried to piss on my leg. The mage got out another needle. When I pointed out he had his own place, he said he was maintaining that one as a trap and he and 'IZZY' were going to be living down here in the nicely remodeled rooms, free.
Help! I'm being held prisoner by a bunch of maniacs!
Someone shoot me. Please.
When we sat down for dinner, at my expense of course, The mage started briefing us. I admit, I got interested. It sounded like a really good scam except no one could see the payoff.
Winter suggested maybe it wasn't the money but some kind of revenge motif.
Maybe, it wasn't business related at all.
Maybe we we're dealing with a nutter.
The mage admitted it MIGHT be possible to be some kind of revenge but there was no connection in their leisure activities, backgrounds or anything in their past that suggested it.
As for a nutter?
That certainly seemed likely. To me, anyone running a scam like this, with no payoff in any way had to be a nutter. Why go to all that expense for no payoff?
Then I got me a flash.
I smiled.
I knew how they were doing it. It would take a guy that knows how and when to scam. The payoff was so obvious that I marvelled at them not seeing it. Deciet and Craft beat brains again.
I knew how to track the bastiage down and maybe get a percentage of a sweet deal. This was the kind of deal that could add some more gold to the stockpile.
I must have been too obvious with that smile. I had two dwarf women watching me, and if you ever been married to a nagging shrewish wife you know what that means. Stereo baby, I was in the deep brown and smelly. I needed to work on my poker face.
Winter, "The bastiage knows something. IT's written all over his face. He's planning to stiff us in some way."
The mage looked puzzled, "How do you know?"
Fall grimly, "He smiled and he stopped complaing about how much were spending. My guess is he figured out how the bastiage is getting a payoff."
I protested that it was just gas from all the rich food. Fall didn't buy it. The mage and Izzy looked at me, then the girls, then me. They weren't sure.
Fall, "You going to start talking or do I have to crush it out of you?" She flexed small meaty looking hands.
I protested my innocence.
Winter smiled, "I'll get the electric probes. " Her smile got wider, "I hope you have a good singing voice."
To Couryics Seventh Hell with them all. When there's money on the line, I ain't giving them squat. They wouldn't dare anyway.
Would they? Nah... They wouldn't do that. The doc and Izzy will stop them.
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