Episodes 52 thru 55 - Cyberpunk Adventures

Episode 52 – The Situation in Rio Starts to Boil

Cat (as Lena) meets with Yorgi Valenchenko to try and allay the FSB agent’s suspicions of their involvement in the death of his cousin. The absence of Luka from the meeting is both an annoyance and confirmation. Yorgi had his contacts look into the pair. Certain (intended) irregularities emerged that he wished to “discuss” with the gun runner. He is less prepared to confront Lena and thus leaves unsatisfied.

Someone tries to implicate Victor in the murder of a borg, or is it an attempt to get Ricco alone and extract him? Cat assumes a new identity as Sasha, a mechanic, hired to help the Team on the ground in Rio. The role allows her some freedom of operation with her other identities (Cat & Lena) under such close scrutiny. A black ops team breaks into Pedro’s gang headquarters and plants more bugs and remotes to spy on the gang leader.

The danger in Rio increases, as gangs and corporations smell ‘blood in the water’.

Background

The Team has arrived in Rio de Janeiro aboard their (pilfered) 194 foot mega yacht, the Windfall. They have been brought here by the Disney Corporation, who runs the giant theme park, Fantasia. The Brazilian Supreme Court is expected to overturn the 1975 Presidential Decree (The Fusion) effectively re-establishing the city of Rio as an independent city-state within Brazil. Factions have begun to align, in anticipation of this decision, to vie for control of the city. The notorious favelas of Rio de Janeiro present a powerful voting bloc, one that several of the players in the political struggle seek to eliminate. By taking away the voting rights of the poor, the conspirators hope to move closer to their ultimate goal of eliminating the favelas, reclaiming the valuable real estate for redevelopment. The Disney Corporation opposes this agenda and has contracted the Team as ‘consultants’ to counter the maneuvers of rival factions.

Dramatis Personae

The Team

Allison Cole: 17 yo kleptomaniac sex pot and one of Cat Fisher’s best friends from Atlantic City High School. She just graduated from that school and—when she became a suspect in a recent heist in Atlantic City—followed her friend to Jamaica. Perhaps not yet “world class”, her skill as a Prowler is formidable.

Cat Fisher/Ortiz: Officially she is Sam Fisher and the late Maria Ortiz’s 19 yo daughter. In actuality she is a full memory clone of late Caitlin Jones, the original biogenetic assassin construct built by the now defunct Bio Works Corporation. This is known only to Kyle Vaduva. Some on the Team know she is a Caitlin clone.

Doc Freeman: Former professor at UNLV, former assistant coroner and (formally) disgraced cyber researcher. He is the inventor of the “cyberbrain” with which he claims to have cured death itself. Although courts around the world are now looking into ramifications of his work, Disney Corporation has honored their agreements with the man and he is now rich beyond his wildest dreams.

Kyle Vaduva: Former C.I.A. agent, burned by the agency for crimes he did not commit. His efforts to expose and eliminate, the Section, a freelance spy and black ops ring that had infiltrated the C.I.A., led to a review of his record and exoneration. He was allowed to retire with full benefits. Kyle has been reunited with his lover from the Romanian Operation, Caitlin Jones (see Cat (Fisher) Ortiz above).

Victor Kane: He is a 28 year old street racer (Runner) who until recently made extra money by doing a bit of smuggling on the side. Before that he served as a security soldier with Petrochem before he was ‘let go’.

Ricco Torres: A former member of the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police who became a private investigator when his friendship with certain ‘unsavory’ characters came to light. Although he was not corrupt, he left the force before a case could be ‘made’ (manufactured) against him. Recently he has been hired by the Disney Corporation and been given a corporate ‘badge’. He serves as liaison between the Team and Disney.

Roca Terrier: Actually, she is one of the oldest characters from our game group. She is the only self-mobile A.I. in our game universe. Her existence is a result of a now ended secret military project. Her creator was a genius, who saw his attempt to create a self-learning A.I. built from his memories of his deceased daughter, perverted by the Pentagon in an attempt to create the perfect weapon system. Now a citizen of the Republic of Mars and a respected scientist, she was formerly married to General Pershing, the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States. Their divorce was a political move to advance the general’s career and the two are still very close. Roca is also a member of the Collective and sits on their ruling council. She and Cat know each other.

Nicholas (Nicky) Vaduva: Zar’s (Kyle’s) 18-year-old son from our Romanian adventure. Nicholas is unaware that Kyle is his father and believes the man is his cousin. He serves as second officer on the Team’s yacht, SS Windfall.

Wyatt: Roca’s personal technician. He is the son the original chief tech on the project that created the A.I. The father and Roca are fast friends and this son has replaced his dad who is now retired. To Wyatt, Roca is family and visa versa.

4.06531: A 4^th generation Nietzschean operative, who is masquerading as Kyle (Kyle 2.0) on the Windfall. He is also known as Janko Mesic during this mission.

Caitlin Diaz: One of Cat’s Biotechnica created clones, who is working with the Team masquerading as Catherine Ortiz (Cat 2.0).

The NPCs

Arabella Seurat: A boutique car designer and friend of Colin Hughes.

Brita Seguera: She is a former member of FARC and friend of Isadore. There is a rumored execution order out on her.

Colin Hughes: He is a (senior) executive from Petrochem on assignment in Rio de Janeiro. The man is from Victor Kane’s life path. Kane and Colin vied for the affections of Marybeth Bascom, daughter of Texas US Senator Howard Bascom. All three young people were “gear heads”. Kane beat out Colin, who arranged Kane’s separation from his job at Petrochem.

David Lau: A Chinese gun runner in Rio who is working with George.

Elash Husseini – A name that came up in Ricco’s investigation of George Brazzo’s lawyer. Certain payments had been made. The French DSGE are interested in him.

George Brazzo: A high level fixer and criminal in Rio. He is a facilitator that rarely gets his hands dirty himself. He has a large bribery slush fund and two lawyers that keep him out of trouble. When he was a Rio civil policeman, Rico Torres tried unsuccessfully to put him away several times.

Isadore Abuelo: An Argentine ‘bad guy’ and former member of FARC. It is rumored that FARC has ordered his execution.

Jacqui Driesen: A Petrochem corporate in Rio for a high level secret meeting.

James Culver: A mysterious man in a white suit who implicates Kane in a murder and sets up Ricco for an extraction.

Justin Gillroy: A Petrochem corporate in Rio for a high level secret meeting.

Lara: A new cast hire at Fantasia’s Dream Park and Melanie’s new roommate. She falls in with Victor and Maria’s set of friends.

Maria: A local girl who works as a maid for one of the hotels in Disney’s Fantasia. She gets picked up by Victor in a bar and her whole life starts getting turned upside down.

Melanie: A young, female employee of Disney Fantasia, who lives in Disney’s Arbor Estates employee housing.

Mohammad Shankav: A Petrochem corporate in Rio for a high level secret meeting.

Pedro de Costa: Leader of the set of the Rio gang, the Third Command, in charge of the Favela Barrio Nova Alianca, who runs a clinic that serves as a front for his drug operations. The man is passionate and sometimes reckless. He is working with Gustavo Benaziz, a known Islamic terrorist and half-brother of Marcellana Barbieri, a Commonwealth media. Pedro is having an affair with Marcellana.

Roger Kincaid: the Disney executive in charge of the political situation in Rio.

Solon: The A.I. that runs Kaliba Integrated Systems which built and runs the Rio Operations Center that controls the city’s security cameras, power distribution and police/fire communications. Solon wants to dispossess the favela residents of their voting rights and have them forced from the city.

Yorgi Valenchenko: A Russian FSB operative, cousin and partner of the late Kiril Vadjek, a gun runner working with George who was recently assassinated by Cat at Kyle’s bidding.

The Action

Thursday, January 18, 2046:

Kyle and Cat contact Roger Kincaid in the morning to request that all future missions or jobs be cleared with them on the Windfall. They also request that Disney provide the team (especially Doc Freeman and Roca) with a full-time media consultant.

After the conversation with Roger, they contact Ricco to pass along a list and initial research on the guests list from George’s party. Ricco asks if he should drop his current investigation of Raul Azevedo. He advised to continue his research of the Furnas executive, but given the timetable of George’s attack on the favela, digging up intel on the guests takes priority.

Cat makes one further request of the ex-cop. Isadore Abuelo and Brita Seguera are former members of FARC. Both have had prices placed on their head by the rebel organization. “See if the bounties can be collected by a freelancer.”

Given the recent difficulties the team has faced, Kyle and Cat agree that their ‘absence’ may be undermining the operational integrity of the team. They contact the Collective to secure new cover identities so they can assist Team while maintaining the illusion that they are somewhere in the Southern Atlantic.

Yorgi Valenchenko arrives for lunch with a personal bodyguard. While not an actual borg, the bodyguard is so highly augmented, he may as well be. Lena takes the unexpected +1 in stride, and invites them in. She has personally prepared a selection of traditional Russian dishes. As Luka is not present to greet him, Yorgi politely questions after the health (and whereabouts) of the gun runner. Lena explains that ‘something came up’ out of town. She is, however, Luka’s partner and is more than capable of engaging in a discussion of business. Pausing to consider the conspicuous absence (to him) of one of his hosts, the FSB agent finally decides to pose his questions to Lena. Questions about the geography and residents of Luka’s home village point to more than a passing familiarity. It is quite clear from the facts presented; Yorgi has made quite the study of Luka Graso’s past. Yorgi is particularly interested in the conversation his cousin had with them two months ago on Saturday, November 4^th at the Hipodromo de Gavea (Episode 45).

Lena explains. “We talked with him once at the Hippodrome. We were doing some ‘business’ with a gentleman, who shall remain nameless. Kiril came up to us afterward and warned that it was ‘not a good idea’ to do business with him, something about ‘mental instability in his family’. At first we were not sure if this was just friendly advice from one horse fancier to another or a threat. Well, Kiril was right. The ‘gentleman’ and his friends acted very … unstably. I believe they all died in some kind of misfortune recently. The important part of this story is it was quickly clear that he was giving good advice. We certainly wouldn’t wish for him to be dead.”

Yorgi appears to accept this explanation, or is at least willing to consider it. Lena admits that on the surface, they have a good motive for killing Kiril, but informs the Russian that it was George who approached them. This does have the advantage of being a true statement.

The young ‘Bulgarian’ continues, “Besides George’s favela plans, there is something else going on here. Another interested party in Rio told us of your impending arrival and all but tried to shove a rifle in our hands to take care of you. We really weren’t interested at the time and have since learned that your arrival time was bogus, bad intel. Now, we have good reason to think this may have been a test, but we don’t know. Right now, we don’t trust anyone really until we ‘see the money’!”

Lena then asks if he and his cousin had an organization down here and if so, why not ask them? Of course she knows full well that George has subsumed the whole group. Yorgi leaves with his escort. He is not totally convinced, but now has some more information to consider. Still, he wants a conversation with Luka.

***

Friday, January 19, 2046:

At the morning (NET) briefing, Kyle and Cat extend congratulations for a successful extraction. Victor is informed he will receive AV Pilot training from a new AV pilot/driver hired to fly Doc Freeman on a Disney corporate Boeing VS-7 Serrato spinner. The runner does not take the news well. He fears his position as the team’s wheel-man is about to be usurped.

Victor shows up for the filming of the final stunt. The setting is a gated mansion in one of the nicer neighborhoods of Rio. His instructions are simple. Crash the car through the front gate. On the approach to the house there will be an open topped trailer used to haul lawnmowers and other landscaping equipment. It will be positioned at the side of the drive, to act as a ramp. This will give him the boost he needs to clear the low wall and land the car in the swimming pool. At that point he will exit the vehicle through the open window and run to the pool house. After that he is to continue out the back door of the structure, run to the back wall surrounding the property and get over it. A van will be waiting to pick him up on the street.

Of course, the director fails to mention that all of this will be a surprise to the owners of the property. But they are supposed to be out of town. The moviemakers have an in with the grounds crew working on the estate and cameras are hidden here and there to catch the action. Kane gets a surreptitious look at the jump and decides he can do it.

By early afternoon Victor is in position and the shot commences. He crashes the gate and roars up the driveway. The trailer is in position and he hits it just right. The car sails over the wall and splashes down perfectly in the pool. The landing is jarring but Kane slips out the window before he is drowned like a rat. Swimming to the edge, the runner quickly pulls himself out of the pool and heads for the adjoining cabana. From behind him he hears a yell of “Halt”. Chancing a glance over his shoulder he catches sight of an advancing security guard whose sidearm is just clearing the top of his holster. Security personnel were not mentioned in the run-through of the scene. Kane decides to throw his weight on the door and break through, but the barrier proves surprisingly resistant.

Before once again launching his shoulder at the solid obstacle, the runner decides to try the door handle. It is unlocked and opens easily. A bullet whistles past his ear, thudding in the inward swinging door. The second round catches him in the shoulder (his armor deflects most of the damage). Victor intentionally goes down, using the momentum to carry him into the room beyond. Staying low, he makes his way across the richly appointed interior. The runner rolls out a back window and makes for the back wall of the estate.

With a running start, he is easily able to grab the top lip of the high wall. Flakes of concrete sting his face as two rounds thud into the wall nearby. Desperate to get out of the line of fire, the runner swings his leg over the wall and drops down on the other side. The drop to the ground, outside the wall, is much further than Victor anticipated, but his training allows him to land without injury. The runner jumps into the waiting van, which streaks off before the police arrive or security follows Victor over the wall. The director is thrilled. The sequence was better than he could have hoped for. Victor is given a (very small) bonus on the spot.

The success and extra cash puts Victor in the mood to party. He heads out for a night of dancing with Maria. Melanie, Ricco, Doc Freeman, Roca (accompanied by two of her bodyguards) joins them. Ricco decides to drive himself rather than squeeze into the Doc’s overstuffed limo. Having his own car will also allow him to cut out early if he finds some friendly female companionship at the club. Liquor flows and the music sizzles.

Victor is having such a good time that he is almost gracious when a non-descript man in a white suit runs into his back on the dance floor. The man is all smiles and raises his hands in a sign of non-aggression when the runner turns to confront him. He says something as he adjusts his glasses, but it is lost in the music. Maria’s coaxing arm and the apparent insignificance of his ‘assailant’ causes Kane to relent. With a shouted suggestion to be more careful, the runner turns back to his girlfriend and continues dancing.

As the song ends, the party heads of the dance floor to cool down. Victor’s pocket ‘rings’. The runner reaches in and pulls out a phone that he has never seen before. He answers it, but no one responds. Repeated inquiries are met with continued silence so he closes it and puts it back in his pocket. Given recent events, Roca’s suspicion is aroused. She asks to see the phone. Shutting off does not appear to have severed the connection. Victor takes care of the signal (permanently) by dropping the phone into an unattended drink on a nearby table.

About 45 minutes later, two Brazilian policemen enter the club. They look around, talk to the bouncer and come towards their table. Ricco recognizes both officers from his days on the force. They ‘ask’ Victor to come down to the station. He is a ‘person of interest’ in a crime. The runner sees no reason not to go, so begins to leave with the officers. Ricco identifies himself (as Disney security) and asks to accompany the police and Victor. After a quick check of his credentials, the officers agree.

Ricco offers to drive Victor to the station, but the officers insist that he ride in the back of their car. The ex-cop follows them to the station in his own vehicle. At the station Victor is brought into a lineup. Ricco is instructed to wait. While in the hall, the ex-cop sees the man in the white suit (from the club) exit the door leading to the witness’s section of the line-up room. Ricco waits until he is finished with the police, then strikes up a brief conversation. The man identifies himself as James Culver. When Culver leaves the station (on foot) Ricco follows at a discrete distance. The ex-cop becomes aware of a car that seems to be following him or possibly Culver. The man in the white suit turns down a small side street. Something seems off with the entire situation. Thinking better of following Culver down the side street, Ricco turns back and returns to the police station.

Victor is eventually released. The police inquired about the runner’s whereabouts last Wednesday night. He is informed that a witness had picked him out of a line-up and that he is now a suspect in the murder of a cyborg. The interrogating officer shows the runner pictures of the scene and details of how the borg had been torn apart. Since Victor was busy aiding in kidnapping Daniel Gomez when the cyborg was being killed, he refers them to Roger Kincaid of the Disney Corporation. While not privy to Kincaid’s conversation with the police, Victor is soon released.

On the ride back to the club, Kane regales Ricco with the details of his interrogation. He seems proud that the cops think him capable of beating down a cyborg.

(GM Note: The player either misheard the description or heard what he wanted to. He insisted the interrogator said he was accused of physically beating the borg to death. Not remotely what I said, but what can you do.)

“They (the police) have that high an opinion of you?” asks Torres.

Ricco tells Kane his own story of their visit to the police station and of the friend in the white suit. Something definitely stinks, but they quickly put it out of their heads and return to the dance club to continue the celebration.

In the wee hours of the morning, the revelers stumble out of the closing club and head for Doc Freeman’s limo. All that is except for Ricco, who makes the long walk back to his own car, parked in the other direction down the street. Tired and slightly intoxicated, he is suitably put out when his car won’t start. Chock it up to years on the streets or the events from earlier that evening, an alarm of warning reaches through the alcohol induced fog.

The ex-cop subtly scans the dispersing crowd of club-goers. Ricco zeros in on three that seem out of place (very high awareness / notice roll). The trio, two men and a woman, are walking arm in arm down the sidewalk in his direction. Pulling out his phone he dials the police emergency number on his cell, but holds off on pressing the call button.

(GM Note: The player was second guessing the encounter and wanted to see what the three would do. Even if Ricco had successfully contacted the police, they would not have been there instantaneously. It’s not like rubbing a genie lamp.)

As the trio comes even with the passenger side of the car, the closer man snaps open a retractable baton and smashes the window. A small object sails through the broken window, bounces off the seat and comes to rest near Ricco’s feet. The subsequent explosion stuns the investigator. He is blinded but his audio dampers ensure he can still hear.

Nearly a block away, the limo crew hears the explosion, but most ignores it. One even suggests that it’s probably a car backfiring. Roca recognizes the sound of a flash-bang and realizes that it came from the direction their erstwhile liaison headed off in, alone. She takes off at a run towards the sound. The sudden action catches her bodyguards by surprise. They had been moving to cover her entry into the armored limo. Having their principle bolt towards the sound of danger was truly unexpected. They race to catch up, but the A.I. has a head start.

In the flash and concussion from the grenade, Ricco has become separated from his phone. Though disoriented, he attempts to pull his sidearm, while fending off his attackers. The ex-cop feels that he’s holding his own, till he is tazed.

The three almost have Ricco out of the car, when Roca rounds the corner. The A.I. gains speed and launches into a flying kick, aimed at the head of one of the attackers. The man quickly lets go of the ex-cop’s arm and dodges out of the way of the kick. On the other side of the vehicle, the other male assailant fires two shots at Roca. The woman pulls another grenade from her purse, pulls the pin and throws it at the feet of the A.I., forcing Roca to dodge away from the expected explosion. Rather than searing bits of shrapnel, there is only smoke. The three attackers disengage, running off in different directions. Roca’s trailing bodyguards get off a shot, but the A.I. does not pursue. She instead checks to make sure Ricco is alright. Everyone returns to Fantasia in Doc Freeman’s limo. Disney security is notified where Ricco’s (Disney’s) disabled vehicle is located.

***

Saturday, January 20, 2046:

In the morning, Ricco decides to report last night’s attempted abduction to the police. They dutifully take the report, but there is not much they can do since it was dark and Ricco didn’t get a good look his attackers. Inquiries about James Culver come up empty. His police contact information turns out to be bogus. In fact, the man is a ‘ghost’. He doesn’t exist.

Colin calls Allison, to let her know he is back in town. An AV picks her up and flies her to a hacienda outside of Rio. The young prowler notices that the estate’s security is tight. There are anti-missile systems on the roof and heavily armed guards discretely posted in many locations. Colin is most pleased to see her and introduces her to a few of his ‘friends’. They are Mohammad Shankav, Jacqui Driesen, Justin Gillroy and, of course Arabella Seurat (from Episode 43).

It becomes clear to Allison that the first three are high level executives of Petrochem. In fact this is less a social occasion and more of a high level corporate meeting. Something big is definitely up. Colin excuses himself for a few hours and the Petrochem people take a meeting under heavy security. The prowler’s curiosity is definitely peaked.

Around dinnertime, Nathan Forrest tries to contact Cat aboard the Windfall. Of course he gets Cat 2.0 (Caitlin Diaz). She greets her ‘Uncle Nathan’ warmly. After some brief pleasantries, the Deputy Director for Clandestine Services gets to his point. “Why is your man, Ricco Torres, looking into Elash Husseini?”

“He is looking into a lot of people, why?” Cat 2.0 responds.

“Anton Gedry,” Forrest continues. “Has that name come up in your investigations?”

“No, haven’t heard that one.”

“I want you to drop your investigation into Elash Husseini. The French DSGE is after Ricco because of his inquiries into him.” The C.I.A. spy chief continued.

Something in the man’s tone bothered the biogen. “Sure, Uncle Nathan. I’ll contact Ricco immediately.”

“Look, if I were you, I wouldn’t go back to Rio. Ricco is their secondary target. Chatter indicates that it is you and Kyle they really want. Be careful.” The man then ends his call.

Cat 2.0 immediately passes this information along to her sister, Cat. The biogen in Rio calls Roca and tells her that the DSGE is after Ricco. Cat asks if she can pick up their liaison immediately and keep him in her home under guard. The French will be loath to try to violate the diplomatic sanctity of her penthouse apartment. The A.I. agrees and dispatches a small team to pick Torres up. Meanwhile Cat calls Ricco to give him the bad news. The Brazilian ex-cop tells her that Elash Husseini was just a name that came up looking into George Brazzo’s lawyers. Some payments had been made, but they appear to have nothing to do with their current assignment. He had not pursued it any further. Cat tells him that Roca has agreed to protect him from the DSGE. The grateful investigator accepts the offer of sanctuary.

Back on the Windfall, Cat 2.0 mentions the French interest in Kyle and Cat. Concern crosses their Nietzschean captain’s face. He tells Kyle and Cat (2.0) that a French naval frigate is about 25 miles astern and now appears to be following them. He will keep a closer eye on the warship.

***

Sunday, January 21, 2046:

Roca and Victor both continue their churchgoing ways. Victor attends his new church, while Roca tries another congregation in her spiritual quest. Cat calls back Nathan Forrest and informs him that Ricco’s (and their) inquiry into Elash Husseini has been dropped. Cat also calls Colin Hughes and tells him about the attempted extractions on the Team. She fears an attempt may be made on Allison, and that might occur while she is with Colin. The call is framed as a ‘heads up’ from one friend to another.

***

Monday, January 22, 2046:

Details of Luka’s and Lena’s role (consisting mostly of weapon delivery schedules) in the destruction of the Favela Vila Parque da Cidade arrive in their NET drop box from George. The instructions are (extremely) light on details. Dissatisfied with the level of direction, Kyle calls George and requests a face to face meeting.

(GM Note: The instructions were intentionally ambiguous, to obscure George’s involvement in the illegal sale of weapons).

George invites them to come by the Jockey Club that afternoon. The fixer takes the meeting with Luka & Lena in his private box under heavy security. George verbally lays out the particulars of the pair’s part in the plan, but declines to commit any of it to writing. The tight security also makes it impossible for either to record the meeting.

They are to provide weapons for the gang, Fraternidade de Anjos (Brotherhood of Angels), using local fixers who are in on this plot. David Lau will be providing weapons for the militia, Homens de Aço (Men of Steel).

***

Tuesday, January 23, 2046:

Kyle contacts Victor in the morning and tells him to go to the train station to pick up the Team’s new contractor, Sasha (the mechanic). The ex-spy explains that she isn’t a new Team member, just a temporary hire. In other words, she is NOT ‘in the loop’ so to speak. Kane stands at the station holding up a sign with the new hire’s name. A young woman walks up and identifies herself as Sasha. She tells him to take her to the Team’s workshops out by the airport. Curiosity gets the better of the runner and he asks what she is doing here.

“Oh, I have been hired to pick up the slack,” she replies.

Kane starts to fume. “We have NOT been slacking off here!”

Of course that is not what she meant, but the runner immediately takes her presence as an insult and a threat.

“Well, I am in charge of the repair shop,” he informs her, “So you won’t touch any of the tools in ‘my’ garage bay.”

“That’s fine,” she replies. “I am here to get the van finished. There are more tools and parts arriving today. I won’t touch your tools, and you keep your hands off the new stuff.”

This is actually Cat in disguise and she is here to give the Team a technical boost and supply backup when they need it. The biogen intended to try to make Victor a friend, but her antipathy towards him gets the better of her and she twists the knife a bit.

When they arrive at the workshops, Kane cleans out one bay for her and goes to drop an angry e-mail in Kyle’s NET box. When he comes out of the garage office, trucks are dropping off a complete state-of-the-art master weaponsmith workshop (+2) and a master mechanic tool set (+2). Sasha hands Victor an e-pad and asks him for his opinion on her improvements to the van’s repair plans. He tells her he will look at them later. Sasha shrugs her shoulders and starts making something in the weapons shop.

Colin Hughes calls Allison to invite her on a trip to northern Brazil. She, of course, accepts and sends Cat a message that she will be heading off with Colin. This brings a smile to the biogen’s face. Her call to Colin of Sunday has borne fruit. It appears that Allison has finally got her hooks into the Petrochem executive. Soon it will be time to reel him in and attempt to bring Petrochem into Disney’s political camp.

In the evening, Victor meets Melanie’s new roommate (and Disney employee) named Lara. The new girl has been hired as ‘cast’ at the Dream Park.

***

Wednesday, January 24, 2046:

Roca gets a call from Solon and the two agree to a meeting at a neutral place in Low Earth Orbit. The A.I. then flies to the Team’s workshops. Victor greets her, but she is not here to see him. Sasha presents her with two custom made 14mm ET handguns. Roca knows this is really her friend, Cat, but treats her as a newly hired stranger.

Sasha now joins Kane in the auto shop to work on the surveillance van. The runner had looked at her plans, which was merely an improvement of the originals. Sasha leaves him to do the mechanical work, while she concentrates on the electronics. Victor’s attitude softens and the two work together harmoniously. He realizes she is not there to replace him and she seems to know her job. By the time the two quit work that night, they are getting along well.

***

Thursday, January 25, 2046:

Bella gives Victor a call and asks him out to lunch. During the day, Kane and Sasha continue to work on the Team’s surveillance van. The runner’s previous antipathy towards the ‘temporary hire’ has melted away as the two work to finish the upgrades on the vehicle.

That evening Cat (as Sasha) gets a call from the Nietzschean netrunner monitoring Pedro’s gang HQ. “You’ve got to see this.”

The transmitted video shows a team in full stealth gear as they break in and plant surveillance devices at key locations within the structure. In addition, they leave behind two small assassin drones. Fortunately, none of the Team’s surveillance equipment is found or disturbed during this op. Cat believes they are probably from ORG. Regardless, Pedro has a big mouth and this could ruin their carefully laid plans. They will have to make another change in operation and move on George. The approaching destruction of the Favela Vila Parque da Cidade and its inevitably massive death toll has been weighing on the biogen’s mind. She can’t allow another massacre like the Favela do Vidigel to happen again.

Episode 53 – Kyle and Cat Start to Make Their Move

Bella helps Victor with his phobia about A.I.s and cyborgs. They plus Maria, Roca and Doc Freeman visit victims of the violence that destroyed the Favela do Vidigal. The A.I. and the doctor save a young child by ‘borging him out’. Maternal feelings stir in Roca as she contemplates adopting the young boy they have ‘saved’.

Kyle and Cat begin to put together an alliance of corporations and agencies to bring down George Brazzo. Cat uses the situation to try and free her father from Federal prison before his enemies have him killed.

Background

The Team has arrived in Rio de Janeiro aboard their (pilfered) 194 foot mega yacht, the Windfall. They have been brought here by the Disney Corporation, who runs the giant theme park, Fantasia. The Brazilian Supreme Court is expected to overturn the 1975 Presidential Decree (The Fusion) effectively re-establishing the city of Rio as an independent city-state within Brazil. Factions have begun to align, in anticipation of this decision, to vie for control of the city. The notorious favelas of Rio de Janeiro present a powerful voting bloc, one that several of the players in the political struggle seek to eliminate. By taking away the voting rights of the poor, the conspirators hope to move closer to their ultimate goal of eliminating the favelas, thereby reclaiming the valuable real estate for redevelopment. The Disney Corporation opposes this agenda and has contracted the Team as ‘consultants’ to counter the maneuvers of rival factions.

Dramatis Personae

The Team

Kyle Vaduva: Former C.I.A. agent, burned by the agency for crimes he did not commit. His efforts to expose and eliminate the Section, a freelance spy-and-black-ops ring that had infiltrated the C.I.A., led to a review of his record and exoneration. He was allowed to retire with full benefits. Kyle has been reunited with his lover from the Romanian Operation, Caitlin Jones (see Cat (Fisher) Ortiz above).

Sam Fisher: Retired Delta Force sniper, CIA black operative, assassin, cleaner, you-name-it. He has just been ‘unofficially’ released from prison—after pleading guilty and serving a five year sentence for extortion—by his old friend, Nathan Forrest, and sent to Rio to help Cat and Kyle. He is there under one of his old aliases, Tyree Jones, a mixed race Virgin Islander.

4.06531: A 4^th generation Nietzschean operative, who is masquerading as Kyle (Kyle 2.0) on the Windfall. He is also known as Janko Mesic during this mission.

Caitlin Diaz: One of Cat’s Biotechnica created clones, who is working with the Team masquerading as Catherine Ortiz (Cat 2.0).

Rianna Prescott: A younger woman from Sam Fisher’s past, who reconnected with him in Atlantic City and stood by him through his years in prison.

The NPCs

Adigwe Matombo, a male black African member of Gustavo Benaziz’s terrorist cell, who comes to Rio to help Luka and Lena run their gun running operation.

Barabbas: A sociopathic thief and murderer attached to Pedro de Costa’s set of the Third Command. He is actually a spy of Gustavo Benaziz set to watch Pedro.

Brita Seguera: She is a former member of FARC and friend of Isadore. There is a rumored execution order out on her.

Carlos: A young boy from the Favela do Vidigal dying of his burns in a public hospital.

Consuelo: A female member of Gustavo Benaziz’s terrorist cell, who comes to Rio to help Luka and Lena run their gun running operation.

David Lau: A Chinese gun runner in Rio who is working with George.

Dorit: A female member of Gustavo Benaziz’s terrorist cell, who comes to Rio to help Luka and Lena run their gun running operation.

Gustavo Benaziz: A follower of the Voice of the Wastes and a known Islamic terrorist and half-brother of Marcellana Barbieri, a Commonwealth media. He is working with Pedro de Costa of the Third Command.

Isadore Abuelo: An Argentine ‘bad guy’ and former member of FARC. It is rumored that FARC has ordered his execution.

Jacqui Driesen: A Petrochem corporate in Rio for a high level secret meeting.

Justin Gillroy: A Petrochem corporate in Rio for a high level secret meeting.

Kiril Vadjek: A Russian gun runner who also served as a C.I.A. asset for Deputy Director Nathan Forrest. Kiril was working with George Brazzo until Cat (as Lena) assassinated him entering one of his favorite nightclubs. He was originally from the Romanian Campaign.

Lorne: A female member of Gustavo Benaziz’s terrorist cell, who comes to Rio to help Luka and Lena run their gun running operation.

Maria: A local girl who works as a maid for one of the hotels in Disney’s Fantasia. She gets picked up by Victor in a bar and her whole life starts getting turned upside down.

Marcellana Barbieri: She is a minor media who works for the Sky News Network. She is a dual national of Great Britain and Morocco. Her mother is Moroccan and her father Italian. Her half-brother is Gustavo Benaziz, a known and wanted Islamic terrorist.

Mohammad Shankar: A Petrochem corporate in Rio for a high level secret meeting.

Major Victor Katanga: Formally a colonel in the Army of Mali, who was cashiered for the massacre of Islamist rebels in the north of that country a year or two back. He now works for the Orochi Resource Group (ORG) and heads one of their Special Reaction Forces (SRF). ORG is working with the C.I.A. in this area.

Morris: A male member of Gustavo Benaziz’s terrorist cell, who comes to Rio to help Luka and Lena run their gun running operation, who looks to be Spanish but Kyle suspects he might have had a ‘white man’s shot’.

Nathan Forest: C.I.A. Deputy Director of Covert Ops. Nathan is also an old friend of Cat’s father, Sam Fisher, who until now has been in jail back in the States.

Roger Kincaid: the Disney executive in charge of the political situation in Rio.

Veronique: A Russian SVR operative sent to bring FSB officer Yorgi Valenchenko back to Russia when his government learned about his personal crusade.

Yorgi Valenchenko: A Russian FSB operative, cousin and partner of the late Kiril Vadjek, a gun runner working with George who was recently assassinated by Cat at Kyle’s bidding.

The Action

Friday, January 26, 2046:

Luka leaves an emergency message in Gustavo Benazzi’s drop ‘box’, asking for a meeting as soon as possible. The Windfall arrives in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.

Victor and Maria lunch with Bella. The A.I. attempts to engage Victor in a conversation about how A.I.’s treat humans compared to how humans treat each other. Bella calls on the lessons in torture imparted to her by Dr. Vera Zelinke (during the Romanian Campaign), as well as deep knowledge of the atrocities perpetrated by the Third Reich (studied under the suggestion of Dr. Zelinke, when her own meager knowledge of the art of torture was exhausted).

(GM Note: Rather than finding an apt pupil that reveled in sadism for its own sake, Dr. Zelinke’s tutelage had the opposite effect on Bella’s development. It contributed to a cognitive crisis that helped the A.I. move beyond her programming and achieve true sentience.)

After several graphic descriptions of “man’s inhumanity to man”, Victor stops her—mostly for the sake of Maria, who is fighting to keep her lunch down. The runner cuts to the chase and asks, “What’s your point?”

Bella explains that humans are in the end insignificant as far as most A.I.’s are concerned. “Why should A.I.’s even bother to try to wipe you out?” She is quick to point out that she and Walt do not share this opinion.

Kane expresses the opinion that humans and A.I.’s should be equal in status and work together. Both species are exponentially stronger working together than working separately. Victor says that his main fear is in regard to cyborgs. They often go cyberpsycho and can kill you in a heartbeat. Bella explains that these stories are highly sensationalized and, with the exception of Roca, there is a huge difference between A.I.’s and cyborgs.

The three enjoy their lunch and Bella ends by offering to take Victor and Maria to visit a hospital where the remaining victims of the Favela do Vidigal fires are being treated. The two accept. Bella then calls Doc Freeman and Roca and invites them as well.

Meanwhile Allison is soaking up the rays pool-side at the hacienda in the north. Colin is in another endless meeting, leaving her to amuse herself for most of the day. Her quiet siesta is interrupted by the buzzsaw roar of a minigun. Turning quickly, she catches sight of a puff of smoke in the distance, as the anti-aircraft weapon eliminates a small flying target, possibly a spy drone. With the excitement over, she turns to lay back down on her chaisse, doing her best to present an air of blasé indifference. As a precaution, security asks guests to move inside. Unable to enjoy the sun or a dip in the pool, Allison tries to find other diversions to amuse herself.

Bowing to political pressure, the United States Marine guard detachment at Roca’s penthouse is replaced by a security contingent from the Martian Diplomatic Security Service. Three of six security personnel are Nietzschean warriors, one is a cyborg and two are exceptionally trained human operatives. Ricco continues his research at Roca’s apartment behind its formidable wall of security. The French DSGE don’t wish to create an international incident by trying to snatch the Brazilian ex-cop from a protected diplomatic residence.

Gustavo responds to Luka’s message and a secure NET link is established. Luka tells Gustavo that Pedro is hopelessly compromised and must be eliminated. The ‘gunrunner’ admits to the terrorist that he had bugged Pedro’s headquarters, quickly adding that it was before they reached their current arrangement (to share the Brazilian gang lord’s services). Luka explains that the surveillance devices do not stream data, but must be physically picked up. Given their new working relationship with the gang leader, he has been more respectful of ‘operational boundaries’, but some disturbing information has come to light.

Luka plays the footage of the intrusion team planting devices and releasing drones in Pedro’s headquarters. Gustavo is still reluctant to cut Pedro loose, so Luka plays his ace. The gunrunner asks Lena to leave the room and asks Gustavo to have his people do likewise. With great sadness and feigned reluctance (backed by a great acting roll) Luka plays the footage of Pedro in ‘flagrante delicto’ with Gustavo’s sister, Marcellana Barbieri (Episode 44). He follows up with the recording of Pedro bragging about his conquest to his fellow gang members and saying that he will/intends to ‘off’ Gustavo if it becomes a problem. It is apparent that Gustavo’s plant in Pedro’s organization didn’t inform him of this. The recording does the trick. Benaziz is visibly angry, but maintains his cool.

Luka defends Macellana as an unwitting dupe of Pedro’s machinations. The gunrunner plays the confidant, telling Gustavo that it is time for truth between them. He reveals that he and Lena are actually Goren Kovac and Ivanka Balakov, the terrorists wanted for the incident in Timbuktu a few years back (Episodes 27 thru 29). This doesn’t appear to surprise Gustavo. It seems the bread crumbs the two have been dropping in this regard had been picked up.

Gustavo now agrees that Pedro must be dealt with. He reveals that his agent in Pedro’s set is Barabbas. He and Barabbas have a contingency plan in this regard. Pedro and his group will be led to attack Ernesto Cruz. In that way, the Red Command will rid them of their problem (and hide their involvement with Pedro). For now, Gustavo will contact Barabbas and start putting the plan into action. He agrees that Luka and Lena should go to Pedro’s and ‘discover’ the bugs planted there.

Luka brings up one more issue. With Pedro now about to be out of the picture, Luka still needs ‘boots on the ground’ in Rio. Could Gustavo provide personnel to help run their operations in Rio? They have a major deal going down soon and need people to do the grunt work since they will be out of the country handling other operations. They offer to split the profits with Gustavo’s group. The Islamic terrorist leader promises them a few people by Monday. All three agree to work together on this.

Kyle and Cat are ecstatic. When (and if) they succeed in exposing George Brazzo’s plot to the Brazilian government and the world, half of the arms dealers caught will be bona fide wanted international terrorists.

Luka and Lena go to Pedro’s headquarters and ask for a meet. Prior to any discussion, Lena pulls out her bug detector to sweep the room. Low and behold, she ‘discovers’ a listening device. Further examination finds that the place is literally infested with bugs of various designs and functions. There are many more than the two they saw planted. In addition to the bugs within the structure, a sharp sighted survey of the surrounding buildings reveals at least two cameras angled to watch the approach and entrance to Pedro’s headquarters. Pedro seems strangely unconcerned about this discovery.

The two collect a sampling of the devices to study later. They also meet privately with Barabbas and discuss the implementation of Gustavo’s plan to end Pedro and his group. Lena talks with Luka in front of one of their own operational camera/listening devices and speaks about George’s promise that she can kill Yorgi Valenchenko when the Favela Vila Parque da Cidade operation is complete. She says she will shoot the Russian with the same gun that George had her use to kill the FSB agent’s cousin, Kiril Vadjek.

Later Cat and Kyle examine the now deactivated bugs found at Pedro’s. It is a collection of Brazilian, Chinese, Russian and custom devices. It seems as if the entire world was listening to everything going on in there.

***

Saturday, January 27, 2046:

Bella brings Victor and Maria to the burn ward at one of the hospitals treating victims of the fires that ravaged the Favela do Vidigal. Doc Freeman and Roca accompany them. Maria is horrified. The ward holds the most terminal cases (those most seriously burned). Disney has been helping to cover the cost of their treatments, but the outlook is bleak. Most heartbreaking of all, at least half a dozen children are among the victims. The doctors accompanying them say it is only a matter of time before they die.

As the group walks by the beds, one of the young patients recognizes Doctor Freeman. He asks hopefully, “Doc Freeman, can you save me?”

“Not legally,” the doctor replies.

“What does that matter?” The kid challenges him. “I’m going to die anyway.”

“Ask your parents,” the Doc tells him.

“They’re dead,” the youth shoots back.

“Write your congressman then,” Freeman instructs him.

The burned child looks at the doctor and asks, “What’s a congressman?”

Roca is listening to this conversation and becomes quite taken by this boy’s attitude. Here he is, dying, in pain, and his spirit has not been broken. (It helps that he’s also shot full of pain killers.) An idea comes into her head. She turns to Doc Freeman and asks, “What if we put him in a borg body? They do make them for children.”

This takes Gordon Freeman by surprise, but he thinks about it. They ask the Brazilian doctor who is escorting them through the ward if he thinks the young man could survive the surgery. The answer is a qualified probably, but it would have to be done quickly. Roca asks the boy his name.

“Carlos,” he tells her.

“Carlos what?” She inquires.

“Just Carlos,” he says.

“Well, Carlos, would you like to be put into a cyborg body?” Roca asks.

“If it means I’m not gonna die now, yes!” is the response.

It just so happens that child borg bodies are manufactured in Brazil. The factory that produces the Belo Horizonte Sebastian, a borg body for children, is located nearby. The burns make it difficult to tell what the boy’s appearance was like before the fire, so Roca asks Carlos what he wants to look like.

“I want to look like Henrique,” he replies.

Doc Freeman and Roca call Disney and the corporation’s legal and publicity teams spring into action. The A.I. and Freeman agree to split the cost with the Doc doing the surgery. Roca asks to become young Carlos’ legal guardian and begins to consider adopting the child. Somewhere in Roca’s electronics, the soul of her creator’s daughter—on who her personality was originally based—stirs.

That evening, Cat, as Sasha, goes to the favela where Ricco’s investigations indicated that Isadore Abuelo and Brita Seguera were living. As darkness falls, Kyle and Roca join her in stealth mode sliding across the roof tops. It only takes a few hours, but the three locate the two ex-FARC members who now work for George Brazzo. It is Cat’s belief that these two have a part to play in the upcoming plot against the Favela Vila Parque da Cidade. The two’s skill sets will be needed by George.

Isadore and Brita are good, but no match for Cat. She puts two bullets in each one’s brain before they know what is happening. With Roca and Kyle on overwatch, the biogen cuts off the two’s heads and hands and bags them up for delivery to the fixer holding the contract. She deliberately leaves the place a bloody mess. Sasha delivers the grisly proof and collects the reward. She makes the exchange just sloppy enough that, if George looks into it, he will discover the name Sasha.

***

Sunday, January 28, 2046:

In Trinidad, Cat 2.0 quietly hands over command of the Windfall and Nicholas is promoted to 1^st Officer. Sharin Vaduva is flown by executive Disney jet to Trinidad and boards the Windfall. Kyle and Cat 2.0 continue on with the executive Disney jet arriving early evening in Rio. They go directly to the apartment which Roca has ‘opened up’ and staffed with a new security force. Two members of the new ‘security force’ are Kyle and Cat. Everyone changes identities!

Victor and Roca go to church as usual. Kane and Maria spend the day together. Their relationship is beginning to blossom into something serious.

In the early afternoon, Doc Freeman operates and puts young Carlos in a borg body, thus saving him from his impending death. Afterwards he reads a statement to the press that he and Roca Terrier will be forming and funding a charity to help the victims of the fiery holocaust of the Favela do Vidigal. While applauding the two’s generosity, local religious leaders express concern over putting children in borg bodies.

***

Monday, January 29, 2046:

In the morning, five members of Gustavo Benaziz’s terror cell arrive to meet Luka and Lena at their offices in Rio. They take over the day to day operations and begin supplying weapons to the Fraternidade de Anjos (Brotherhood of Angels). There are three women of mixed race: Consuelo, Dorit and Lorne and two men. Adigwe Matombo is a black African. Morris looks to be Spanish but Kyle and Cat suspect he may have altered his pigmentation using a nano-booster.

Luka and Lena make sure that all engage in enough ‘incriminating conversation’ in range of their surveillance devices to make it appear that this terrorist cell is fully involved in George Brazzo’s plans to burn down the favelas. After turning over the operation, the pair leaves to ‘acquire more ordinance’.

Upon returning home as Kyle and Cat, they report to Disney security that Sasha is fired and they suspect her of being a ‘contract killer’. Disney security and the Brazilian police are provided with her pictures and fingerprints. While it may seem odd to burn your own false ID, it serves the purpose of legitimizing this new identity as a different person for use later, on other operations. Cat calls her ‘Uncle Nathan’ (Forrest) at the C.I.A. and lets him know that she and Kyle have arrived back in Rio. The agency honcho feigns disinterest. The biogen plays her card and asks his help in identifying a ‘man’ that has come to their attention during a surveillance operation. Nathan says he’ll try. Cat forwards him a file with Gustavo Benaziz’s photo. Kyle calls Major Katanga of ORG and asks him to lunch, tomorrow at the two’s beachfront penthouse in Ipanema. The Major eagerly accepts.

That evening, Roca’s tech, Wyatt, performs a series of AV hops in the area surrounding Pedro’s headquarters and Luka and Lena’s house and offices. These quick landings and dust-offs are meant to provide ‘proof’ that the team is retrieving data caches from their surveillance equipment. The hops also provide an opportunity to simulate upgrading the surveillance recorders to live feeds. (In anticipation of turning them over to the police and intelligence agencies they are trying to put together to bring down George and his backers.)

***

Tuesday, January 30, 2046:

In the morning, Cat receives an encrypted call from Nathan Forrest at the C.I.A. She is to meet him immediately at a secure location in the NET. When she arrives, the man does not look pleased. The biogen breaks into a big smile and says, “Hi, Uncle Nathan, how are you?”

The spook just replies, “You push that picture (of Gustavo Benaziz) across my desk; what do you want?”

“What do you mean?” Cat asks innocently.

Forrest’s eyes narrow at the young woman. “I know you, Cat. Don’t play games with me.”

The biogen drops her smile and says, “I want my father back.”

“You know I can’t do that.”

“You could if you wanted to,” the young woman insists.

“He’ll be out of prison in about ten months, if he continues his good behavior.”

Cat’s voice breaks. “They’ll never let him out, Uncle Nathan. He’ll be framed for something to keep him in jail or just killed in some random ‘incident’, you know that.”

The deputy director breaks her gaze for a moment. In his heart he had considered this a likely possibility, but had always pushed it to the back of his mind.

“Look,” the biogen continues. “Our surveillance program has uncovered something really big. Too big. You said it yourself. The DSGE is looking to extract us. They already have tried to pick up some of our team. We need protection here. I need him.”

“What is this all about?” he asks.

“You heard about the fighting and fires in the Favela do Vidigal a few weeks ago? We believe the man in the picture is involved along with a few of his associates and a lot of locals down here. I am short of personnel and resources. If the French get to us, then it will all happen again.”

The deputy director thinks for a moment before replying. With a weary sigh he tells her, “I’ll see what I can do,” then disconnects.

Major Katanga arrives promptly for lunch. The meal is pleasant as is the conversation. The major is forth coming with his account of the incident (massacre) at Taoudenni that led to his ‘retirement’ from the Army of Mali. He does not come off as a cold heartless mass murderer, as is his typical portrayal in the media. Katanga again makes a pitch for the pair to return to his beautiful home country. Rather than decline the offer, Kyle turns to the business at hand.

They show him photos of Gustavo Benaziz and Youssef. The Major’s face hardens. Kyle takes the lead and lays out the plot they have uncovered that threatens ORG’s interest in the Favela Vila Parque da Cidade. They play surveillance recordings proving Pedro’s people were responsible for the deaths of Katanga’s men on the docks (few months ago). Kyle ties the gang leader’s actions to George Brazzo through two as yet ‘unidentified’ operatives. The proffered pictures are of Luka and Lena. The hook is baited.

Major Katanga shares some information of his own. Pedro de Costa is a paid police informant! Of course, the gang leader is as crooked as they come, and is betraying everyone. In a flash, the two realize why Pedro was so unconcerned about his headquarters being bugged. It wasn’t carelessness. He knew all about it.

Kyle and Cat have been trying to weave a story of local corruption, tied to international terrorism. One of the weaknesses of their ‘conspiracy theory’ is the lack of outside corroboration. Pedro’s duplicity could very useful to their end goals.

The two propose that they join forces. Bringing down this ‘conspiracy’ would be of great benefit to the city of Rio. It would also greatly benefit both of their corporate employers (ORG for Katanga & Disney for Kyle & Cat), not to mention their own careers. The Major appears to already be convinced of the merits of such an alliance, but just to sweeten the pot Cat implies that other parties are also considering involvement.

“Our greatest fear is that the rich and powerful backing the plot will slip away unpunished unless we can expose their involvement. This will require a powerful combination of corporations, intelligence agencies and media.”

As a further incentive, Kyle and Cat dangle the possibility of returning to Mali as guests of the Major after the current situation is resolved, to help with his campaign to rehabilitate his reputation over the ‘Taoudenni Incident’. Major Katanga is interested and agrees to bring it to his corporation’s attention. The two hope that ORG’s connections to the C.I.A. will also draw the attention of the intelligence organization.

The fate of the remaining four Brazilian orphans dying in the burn unit of the charity hospital in Rio has been weighing heavily on Roca’s mind. That humans would just allow children to slowly die like that is unfathomable to her. She decides to adopt and save them all. Maybe she can’t save the world, but she can save just this little piece of it. The A.I. contacts Roger Kincaid, who is surprised, but agrees to help. He nixes the idea of a press conference at this point. Her adoption and ‘borging out’ of young Carlos has stirred up religious opposition. He feels it is better to handle everything quietly and avoid a protracted legal battle that will only end in the deaths of the children.

Allison continues to hang out at the hacienda while the Petrochem bigwigs have their ‘secret’ meeting. She acts the happy mistress and takes note of all the comings and goings.

Victor drives Doc Freeman to and from work.

In Federal prison, Sam Fisher is brought out of his cell in the ‘protected’ wing and placed in gen pop (general population). He is prepared for an attempt to be made on his life. He doesn’t have to wait long. The guards are distracted as two prisoners approach with shivs in hand. With his skills he fends off their attack easily. Security descends on all three and they are taken off to the hole (Solitary Confinement Unit). After being given some time to stew in his new digs, Sam receives a visitor. A man in a black suit walks into his cell. Without the formality of greeting or introduction, the non-descript visitor informs Sam that the inmate he ‘stabbed’ has died. The ex-C.I.A. operative is flabbergasted. True, he had broken one of his attackers’ arms, but he had been unarmed. It is an obvious set up, probably to add more time to his sentence.

Sam is notified that he is being transferred to another facility. The operative makes a show of ‘accepting his fate’ all the while calculating his chances of escape.

After being shackled, Sam is led away by two grim faced guards. He is put in a van and driven out of the jail. After about an hour’s drive, the van pulls up behind a black sedan parked on the side of a country road. The ex-operative is ordered out of the vehicle. Thinking that the powers that be have finally decided to put him down like a dog, Sam prepares to fight for his life. The guards are, however, very attentive. They also seem to have backup. Another non-descript man in a black suit steps out of the back door of the sedan. After a quick scan of their surroundings and a nod to the guards, he motions someone out of the backseat of the car. A man bearing a passable likeness to Sam, in an identical orange jumpsuit and shackles, exits the vehicle, followed closely by another black-suited figure.

The prisoner shuffles the short distance from the sedan to the van and enters without any urging from the guards or black suited figures.

The two men in suits take possession of Sam and lead him to their car.

“What’s going on?” the ex-Delta Force Colonel demands.

“Be quiet,” he is told. His shackles are NOT removed.

A few hours later they pull into a private airport where a small Fabrini Air jet is waiting. Sam Fisher is put on the plane. When they are airborne a small video screen comes to life. A shadowy figure with an altered voice speaks. Although he can’t make out the man’s features, Sam thinks it is probably his old friend, Nathan Forrest.

“You are being released provisionally to help the agency with a mission. This jet is on its way to Rio de Janeiro. There you will meet your team. You are NOT in charge. Your daughter Catherine is. You owe your release to her. She is a very persuasive young lady. You are to assume your old cover identity of Tyree Jones, who has just been released from prison. Your job will be to act as bodyguard for Catherine and Kyle Vaduva. Your cyberware will be activated. There is a briefing file in the lock box sitting in front of you. It contains cover information and a computer aged photo of what Tyree would look like after all these years. Study it and be him. Screw this up and it will be the last thing you ever do.”

Sam pulls out the file and begins to read.

Kyle and Cat decide on their next move. The ex-C.I.A. agent calls Yorgi Valenchenko and invites him to lunch to discuss the death of his cousin, Kiril. Yorgi seems surprised by the call and apparently has heard of Kyle Vaduva. He hesitates at first, but agrees to come to their penthouse apartment. The FSB agent asks if he can bring a second. Kyle agrees, but asks that he bring someone that he trusts with sensitive information. Yorgi agrees to that.

That night Nathan Forrest places a video call to Cat in Rio. Kyle answers it.

“Hiya, Uncle Nathan,” Kyle greets him.

The C.I.A. honcho’s face hardens a bit. “Is Cat there?”

The expectant young biogen appears on the screen, and Forrest continues. “All right, it’s done. Your father will be arriving tomorrow in Rio under the name Tyree Jones.”

Cat’s face lights up with a smile, “Thank you so much, Uncle Nathan.”

“Thank me by delivering what you promised,” the deputy director reminds her.

“I will,” she assures him. “Oh, by the way, do you know a local laboratory down here that can do some DNA work and maybe run the results through your database for identification? These are people connected to Gustavo Benaziz.”

The older man sighs and tells her yes. He instructs her to send the items to Gene Pro in San Paulo and ask for Damien Little. Cat thanks him.

Kyle adds, “Yes, thanks a lot, Uncle Nathan.”

The deputy director’s face darkens even further. “Kyle. Don’t call me Uncle Nathan.”

Kyle breaks out in a smile and replies, “OK, Uncle Nathan,” and terminates the call.

“You really shouldn’t bait him like that,” a worried Cat tells her lover.

“Why not,” Kyle replies. “We have him by the balls.”

That is not what is really bothering her. She knows Gene Pro. They developed the tests to identify biogens during the ‘Biogenetic Crisis’ (20 years ago) and made a fortune selling home test kits by whipping up anti-biogen hysteria. Cat is not eager to deal with them.

***

Wednesday, January 31, 2046:

Cat flies out early to drop the DNA samples off at Gene Pro. This ‘evidence’ consists of hair and skin samples procured from the bedrooms of Luka and Lena (Kyle and Cat’s alternate IDs) during an intrusion at the two’s apartment (which never actually happened). There are radar records of Wyatt flying the ‘intrusion team’ in to do the job. The samples are from the real Goren Kovac and Ivanka Balakov, who have been held in braindance by the Collective. Cat knows full well the C.I.A. has Goren and Ivanka’s genetic profiles. It shouldn’t be a problem for the Agency to figure out Luka and Lena’s ‘true’ identities. The biogen maintains her calm as she meets Damien Little. After a brief conversation she leaves ‘the lion’s den’ and returns to Rio.

Cat returns in time for lunch with Yorgi Valenchenko and his companion, an attractive woman who calls herself Veronique. Kyle takes the lead as it was Lena who met with Yorgi earlier. They are careful to make interactions very different from those with Luka and Lena. It is not lost on either of them that their guests are well-trained investigators. Veronique has the grace and manner of a trained operative, and the FSB officer appears to be deferring to her in the conversation. Yorgi informs their hosts that they (Yorgi & Veronique) will soon be leaving for Russia.

Valenchenko asks where the bathroom is and Kyle takes him there as Cat and Veronique talk. Once out of ear shot Kyle gets to the point. “We know you’re working with George Brazzo. Either you have completely sold out and abandoned any human decency to work with the man that killed your cousin, or you are building a case against Brazzo. On your own time, I would guess.”

Yorgi is taken aback. He admits his presence here is unofficial and he is here to find his cousin’s killers. Unfortunately, the SVR (Russian’s foreign intelligence service) got wind of his rogue operation and Veronique was sent to bring him home. He gained entrance into George’s cabal, but doesn’t have enough evidence to convince his agency that their country’s interest is at risk.

Kyle asks if Veronique can be trusted.

In the other room Veronique passingly mentions, “Those two have been gone awhile.” Although she makes no move to check up on Kyle and Yorgi, it is obvious her suspicions are aroused. Cat laughingly calls out to the two men, “Hey did you two fall in?”

Kyle and Yorgi return immediately. Based on Yorgi’s assurance, the ex-agent lays out George Brazzo’s plan for Veronique. His talk is punctuated by surveillance evidence displayed on the apartment’s large screen. Kyle makes sure to play Lena’s ‘confession’, her plans to kill Yorgi after the new favela is burned to the ground. He weaves the conspiracy to deprive the favela residents of the vote into the local Islamic terrorist network. The two Russians ask a few questions, but it becomes clear that it is Veronique who is in charge.

The female SVR operative finally asks, “Why should we help the C.I.A., or are you trying to set us up?”

“We’re not C.I.A.,” Kyle tells her. “I’m retired.”

Veronique’s polite smile is replaced with an amused grin. “Of course you’re retired.”

She continues, “I know who you are: a ‘retired’ C.I.A. agent and the daughter of one of their most infamous assassins. You bring this to us? Why didn’t you just give this to your ‘former’ agency?”

“We tried,” Kyle informs her, “but it isn’t in their interest to get involved. I won’t lie to you. I am using my agency connections on this, but they won’t get officially involved.”

“So, why is this in Russia’s national interest?” the SVR agent asks, while studying her nails.

Cat cuts off Kyle’s response and blurts out, “Because Kiril Vadjek, a Russian national, supplied weapons, RUSSIAN WEAPONS, to one side of the massacre in Vidigal (the Favela do Vidigal). We also have evidence that Yorgi here (jabbing her finger towards FSB agent) attended George Brazzo’s little meeting, where they talked about destroying another favela. Yorgi has been seen in public hanging with George’s crew quite on a regular basis. It’s all going to come out. We are not the only people who know this.”

As she listens, Veronique’s pleasant demeanor drains from her face and is replaced by a cold stare.

Now that she has the SVR agent’s undivided attention, Cat continues. “We both know the Russian government wasn’t involved, but no one is going to believe it. Anyway, can you really sit there and let thousands of people die to let a bunch of corporations fill their pockets? How do you want this to play out? One way has Russia being either an active participant in gruesome massacres or unwitting dupes who can’t control their own operatives. The other way has Russian intelligence and police services chasing the flow of illegally obtained Russian weaponry to their destination with a brave and fearless FSB investigator going undercover under the direction of the SVR to expose a monstrous plot against the Brazilian people. This gives you jurisdiction. I am sure this second way will also put SovOil in a favorable light with the locals.”

Veronique’s face softens a bit as she considers this and what it would mean to her career.

Sensing her mood swing, Cat moves to the soft sell. “We have strong corporate backing (partly true), connections with the Brazilian media (well, Disney’s Brazilian media at least) and the ear of the Brazilian Federal police and prosecutors (OK, not yet, but they will be working on it). What we need now is a credible eyewitness to the plot to testify.” The biogen looks to Yorgi.

Veronique sits in contemplation before replying. After an interminable pause she quietly acquiesces. “I will bring this to my agency.”

“We have to know soon,” Kyle reminds her. “Things are picking up speed and it will all be out of our hands soon.”

The SVR operative nods and the four part company.

In SoCal just outside Los Angeles, a C.I.A. team appears at the house of Rianna Prescott. They inform her that her life is in danger and they are taking her to a place of safety. She is nervous, but this is clearly NOT merely an invitation. Rianna is allowed to collect some things and then is brought to a small private airport. Hours later she arrives on the deck of the Windfall. Rianna is relieved to see Sharin and Nicholas Vaduva. She realizes that the end of this day has brought her life, not the death she was expecting. Well, for now anyway.

About this same time, Doc Freeman’s C.I.A. contact calls him. The Doc is informed a man from his past, Tyree Jones, whom he worked with during the Fourth Corporate War, will visit him this afternoon. Tyree will be looking for a job. They are to chat a bit and then the doctor will suggest he go see Kyle and Cat, who are looking for a bodyguard. Doc Freeman is a bit surprised by the call, but agrees to do it.

An hour or so later Tyree Jones (Sam Fisher), a mixed race native of the Virgin Islands, lands in Rio. A car takes him immediately to Doc Freeman’s laboratory. There the two engage in a little small talk. A spinner arrives to pick up Tyree (Sam).

Back at their beach front penthouse, Cat paces nervously as Kyle sits calmly and waits. A spinner lands and a tall, older mixed race man exits the vehicle and is brought into the house by 4.06531 (Nietzschean operative). As Tyree enters the living room, Cat approaches him cautiously and then sniffs his scent. She lets out a short, sharp cry before throwing herself into her father’s embrace. The two’s tears mingle. It is true they are not blood, but they have chosen each other. They are father and daughter in every way that really matters.

Eventually, Kyle comes forward and greets his old friend. Cat introduces her father to 4.06531 and then to her ‘sister’ (biogen) Caitlin Diaz. Diaz surprises Sam/Tyree by embracing him also and calling him Dad. Then she quietly gooses the ex-C.I.A. cleaner’s butt. Unknown to Sam, Caitlin Diaz is in heat and has a lot of conflicting emotions going on right now.

Episode 54 – Oh What a Tangled Web We Weave!

Solon and Roca meet to discuss the problems of A.I.s in Rio and the general relations between their ‘race’ and humanity. Roca realizes that Solon’s support of Disney’s corporate enemies is not strong. Solving the impending power issue looming over Rio is the key of winning him over.

Roca adopts a brood of burned and dying orphans. While she has them put in cyborg bodies, she keeps DNA samples of their tissue in hopes of growing the children new bodies once they return to Mars.

Kyle and Cat finish tying their tale of Islamist terrorists to George Brazzo’s plans to clear the favelas. The two “shop” their version of the truth, to numerous government agencies and corporations. Roger Kincaid proves he is more than just a corporate flack. Allison offers Colin Hughes a way out of Petrochem’s current troubles.

Kyle gives Cat the one thing she needs to make her a person, real and whole.

Background

The Team has arrived in Rio de Janeiro aboard their (pilfered) 194 foot mega yacht, the Windfall. They have been brought here by the Disney Corporation, who runs the giant theme park, Fantasia. The Brazilian Supreme Court is expected to overturn the 1975 Presidential Decree (The Fusion) effectively re-establishing the city of Rio as an independent city-state within Brazil. Factions have begun to align, in anticipation of this decision, to vie for control of the city. The notorious favelas of Rio de Janeiro present a powerful voting block; one that several of the players in the political struggle seek to eliminate. By taking away the voting rights of the poor, the conspirators hope to move closer to their ultimate goal of eliminating the favelas; reclaiming the valuable real estate for redevelopment. The Disney Corporation opposes this agenda and has contracted the Team as ‘consultants’ to counter the maneuvers of rival factions.

Dramatis Personae

The Team

Allison Cole: 17 yo kleptomaniac sex pot and one of Cat Fisher’s best friends from Atlantic CityHigh School. She just graduated from that school and—when she became a suspect in a recent heist in Atlantic City—followed her friend to Jamaica. Perhaps not yet “world class”, her skill as a Prowler is formidable.

Kyle Vaduva: Former C.I.A. agent, burned by the agency for crimes he did not commit. His efforts to expose and eliminate, the Section, a freelance spy ring that had infiltrated the C.I.A., led to a review of his record and exoneration. He was allowed to retire with full benefits. Kyle has been reunited with his lover from the Romanian Operation, Caitlin Jones (see Cat (Fisher) Ortiz above).

Roca Terrier: Actually, she is one of the oldest characters from our game group. She is the only self-mobile A.I. in our game universe. Her existence is a result of a now ended secret military project. Her creator was a genius, who saw his attempt to create a self-learning A.I. build from his memories of his deceased daughter, perverted by the Pentagon in an attempt to create the perfect weapon system. Now a citizen of the Republic of Mars and a respected scientist, she was formally married to General Pershing, the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States. Their divorce was a political move to advance the general’s career and the two are still very close. Roca is also a member of the Collective and sits on their ruling council. She and Cat know each other.

Sam Fisher: Retired Delta Force sniper, CIA black operative, assassin, cleaner, you-name-it. He has just been ‘unofficially’ released from prison after pleading guilty and serving a five year sentence for extortion by his old friend, Nathan Forrest, and sent to Rio to help Cat and Kyle. He is there under one of his old aliases, Tyree Jones, a mixed race Virgin Islander.

Wyatt: Roca’s personal technician. He is the son the original chief tech on the project that created the A.I. The father and Roca are fast friends and this son has replaced his dad who is now retired. To Wyatt, Roca is family and visa versa.

4.06531: A 4^th generation Nietzschean operative, who is masquerading as Kyle (Kyle 2.0) on the Windfall. He is also known as Janko Mesic during this mission.

Caitlin Diaz: One of Cat’s Biotechnica created clones, who is working with the Team masquerading as Catherine Ortiz (Cat 2.0).

Rianna Prescott: A younger woman from Sam Fisher’s past, who reconnected with him in Atlantic City and stood by him through his years in prison.

The NPCs

Captain Salazar: A BOPE commander who is an honest and hardworking policeman friend of Ricco Torres.

Carlos: A young boy from the Favela do Vidigal dying of his burns in a public hospital.

Hank Bozeman: The head of the C.I.A. South American desk. James Marsden, who is working with ORG reports to him.

James Marsden: A world class sniper and contract killer. He ostensibly works for the highest bidder but many of his employers are friendly with the United States or indirectly tied to the C.I.A. Under his latest cover identity, Simon Cahill, he is acting as liaison between the Agency and ORG. Marsden is known to Kyle, Cat and Doc Freeman. He was first introduced in the Romanian Campaign.

Jarren Jareaux: An agent of the French DSGE (Secret Service). He draws the short straw and is sent to deal with Kyle, Cat and the Disney Corporation.

Kiril Vadjek: A Russian gun runner who also served as a C.I.A. asset for Deputy Director Nathan Forrest. Kirl was working with George Brazzo until Cat (as Lena) assassinated him entering one of his favorite nightclubs. He was originally from the Romanian Campaign.

Logan Hawke: A deceased ex C.I.A. asset silenced by the agency to avoid his being braindanced due to a murder he committed in Atlantic City in 2042.

Maria: A local girl who works as a maid for one of the hotels in Disney’s Fantasia. She gets picked up by Victor in a bar and her whole life starts getting turned upside down.

Nathan Forest: CIA Deputy Director of Covert Ops. Nathan is also an old friend of Cat’s father, Sam Fisher, who is currently in Rio under an old cover identity from his C.I.A. days, Tyree Jones.

Roger Kincaid: the Disney executive in charge of the political situation in Rio.

Veronique: A Russian SVR operative sent to bring FSB officer, Yorgi Valenchenko back to Russia when his government learned about his personal crusade.

Yorgi Valenchenko: A Russian FSB operative, cousin and partner of the late Kiril Vadjek, a gun runner working with George who was recently assassinated by Cat at Kyle’s bidding.

The Action

Thursday, February 1, 2046:

Solon and Roca meet in the NET on a work shack in LEO (Low Earth Orbit). Roca wastes no time beating around the bush and asks the Kaliba A.I. if it’s true that he wants to have the favelas cleared and their residents banished from Rio. Solon seems to take this blunt questioning in stride and replies in kind.

“If you wish strip out all of the complexities of the situation and portray me as a villain, then yes, such a simplified explanation would be appropriate.”

Roca makes an impassioned plea for Solon to use his power to help the people. The Kaliba A.I. laughs ironically. “What power do you think I have? I manage the system, but have power to set policy. You would have better luck talking with a politician…well maybe not.”

While it’s true Solon oversees the city’s support systems: security cams, power flow, water and sewer etc, any changes, repairs or upgrades to the status quo must run the gauntlet through a gauntlet of committees staffed by corrupt politicians and bureaucrats. If it’s possible the Kaliba A.I. sounds tired and disheartened as he describes the top heavy political machine that is driving Rio towards destruction. It becomes apparent to Roca, that Solon, while not a monster, is a bitter cynic.

He holds out little hope that the situation will improve after Rio becomes an independent city-state. “Corruption is endemic. The vote of the Favelas is not based on any democratic values. It is a popularity contest. If politicians can’t buy the vote, they hire the gangs to suppress supporters or their rivals. After the change over, we need time to establish a new system. Things can not keep going the way they are. I’ve done the projections.”

The Kaliba A.I. grants Roca access to an enormous pool of data. In his mind the numbers don’t lie. “The people in the favelas need to be counted (to pay taxes) and included in a city ID system. As it is, the millions of favela residents siphon water, power and other resources from the city.” Solon’s projections are dire. Rio faces collapse and revolution in ten years.

“The existing government can’t or won’t make the radical changes necessary to avert this. In the end the favela residents will be powerless and more will die in the ensuing riots and crack downs. The collapse of the power grid may also mean the deaths of many A.I.s.” To Solon, the logic is inescapable. The favelas as they currently exist are not sustainable. Some will perish in the relocation, but many more will die if the inevitable collapse is allowed to occur.

The data pool opened up to Roca reveals startling information about how bad things really are.

There are aging power stations 20 years beyond their life expectancy still in use, because their projected replacements have yet to come on line. One plant is operating at 40% due to a fire that killed 10.

Intentional rolling blackouts plague the city.

Two substations damaged in mudslides; one almost completely buried.

Projected growth rates of the favelas and resource (power, water, food, etc) consumption levels.

Projected drop-off of output from hydroelectric resources due to increased water usage and lowered rainfall.

The files roll on and on.

Roca proposes a possible solution to removing some of the demand on the collapsing power grid. She presents various low tech solutions utilized in New York City that could be adapted to bring power to the favelas. Many could be initiated quickly and cheaply.

(GM Note: Roca had prepared for her meeting with Solon with Cat. The biogen saw many of these low tech solutions, first hand, when she lived for a time in the Manhattan combat zone; during our New York Campaign)

Before the Kaliba A.I. has an opportunity to raise any objections (or ask any questions), Roca launches into the second phase of her pitch, lauding Henrique’s investment firm and its microloan program. Solon appears intrigue, but other matters require his attention. The two A.I.s agree to meet again in the near future.

While they await news of Roca’s meeting with Solon, Kyle and Cat refine the details of their plot to frame George. Exposing the fixer is not enough. Neither is just killing him. The only way to make sure his backers cannot ‘sweep this under the rug’ is to bring a level of scrutiny, so great, that they are left with no room to maneuver. Their intent had been to form an alliance of intelligence agencies, corporations, media outlets and government officials working together to take down the conspirators. Distrust and self interest being what is, the best they can hope to manage is a loose collection of competing factions vying to outdo their rivals. It’s messy and inefficient. Factions will probably spend as much time keeping an eye on their competitors as they do ferreting out the conspiracy, but in the end it should work.

Kyle and Cat have no illusion that they can control events once the scandal breaks. Their only hope is press the right buttons then escape the shit storm coming down the pipe.

Major Katanga calls to inform them of ORG’s interest in their proposal. He invites them to a late lunch, tomorrow, at his hacienda outside of Rio.

The DNA tests are back and (Uncle) Nathan wastes no time contacting Cat. Based on the genetic samples she collected Luka Graso and Lena Petkov are actually Goren Kovac and Ivanka Balakov. Cat asks the C.I.A. honcho if he can arrange a meeting with representative of the French DSGE. She and Kyle need to find out why they tried to extract Ricco and want to do the same to them.

Forrest has a strong suspicion as to the reasons, but does not share them. “I’ll see what I can do, but lately it’s been ‘shoot first, ask questions later’ when terrorists are involved.”

(GM Note: The Agency’s (C.I.A.) investigation of the nuclear terrorist attack on the U.S. space dock has been hampered by this European policy. The Easies have in recent years stepped up their efforts to eradicate terrorist cells, both at home and abroad.)

Kyle (as Luka) responds to a request left by George (Brazzo) in the gunrunner’s drop box. He lets the fixer know, the items he requested (ten Stinger V missile launchers) are obtainable. Acquiring them will however require that both he and Lena meet with their contact personally. George considers delaying the transaction, but Luka assures the fixer that their staff (those sent by Gustavo Benaziz) are more than up to the task of delivering arms to the Fraternidade de Anjos. Though not the way he would prefer it be handled, George agrees to Luka’s solution.

After disconnecting, Kyle and Cat smile to each other. Sometimes things do work out!

The pair decides it’s time to bring Ricco up to speed on what is going on. Roca (accompanied by her security team) brings the Disney cop over to their Ipanema penthouse. It is a comprehensive overview of the situation, with a few minor details omitted; such as the fact that they are Goren and Ivanka. Neither sees a need to burden Ricco with such knowledge. His mind is already blown by the information they do share.

What they need now is to bring in an honest (Rio) cop to act as the local representative on the task force they are putting together. Ricco suggests Captain Salazar, a BOPE commander that helped ‘mop up’ after the destruction of Vidigal (the Favela do Vidigal). A meeting is arranged for tomorrow morning. For the time being, Ricco will remain at their apartment.

That night Tyree/Sam pulls Cat aside to talk. His expression is a mixture of guilt and concern. Once sure that they are alone, he opens up. “Cat, you are my daughter and biology be damned. I love you more than you can imagine. You need to get out of this business. In Romania, you gave me back my soul. Now, I‘m not sure if I can ever escape my past. I seem to be doomed to be sucked back into this life, but I don’t want that for you. For you it’s not too late, please get out while you can.”

The biogen looks in the man’s eyes. There is the same love that greeted a frightened and confused child, five years ago when she arrived in Atlantic City. All that had grown between them since, Maria, Logan Hawke and Kyle melts away. Standing before her is the love of a father she always craved.

The biogen hugs the man and speaks, “Kyle and I already decided this would be our last job. I‘m tired of all this death. I want to live a life with Kyle and be happy.”

“You’re sure you can do this?” her father asks.

“Yes,” she replies with confidence, “And so can you.”

The man hugs his ‘child’, who is more important than his own life. He pushes aside the doubts and fear in his heart, at least for a moment.

***

Friday, February 2, 2046:

In the morning the Windfall departs Port-of-Spain, Trinidad for Rio de Janeiro by way of island of Fernando de Noronha. Aboard are Rianna Prescott, Sharin Vaduva, William Eller and a security contingent. Meanwhile, the streets of Rio explode with a riot of color, music and dancing as Carnival begins!

BOPE Captain Salazar arrives promptly. Ricco makes introductions and the two Disney operatives launch into their (by now) well rehearsed briefing / sales pitch. George’s plan (with their own additions of course) is laid out in stark detail. The BOPE commander is no friend to Rio’s poor, any crimes committed by residents of the favelas pale against those perpetrated by George and his supporters. The Captain appears to be on board, if a little less enthusiastically than they had hoped. He, of course, wants to confirm the information presented before proceeding.

Doc Freeman, Roca and Victor go out to enjoy Carnival. Their participation and enjoyment of the vibrant street celebrations is hampered by the tight security they feel forced to bring with them. Allison remains close at Colin Hughes. She continues to listen and learn what she can about Petrochem’s current problems.

As Kyle, Cat and Tyree prepare for their meeting with ORG, Veronique calls. They are ready to talk. She invites the two to join her at a local roller rink. If her tone is anything to go by, it sounds as if the Russians may be on board. Time enough to ponder that later, for the moment they need to concentrate on the meeting with Major Katanga.

Cat’s Jaguar XKF – AV 3 lands at a hacienda outside the city. The compound and surrounding area is deceptively pastoral, but even an untrained eye could spot the weapons and man power deployed to protect the estate. ORG is either making a statement to their enemies or things are more dangerous that Kyle and Cat suspected.

Major Katanga greets the three warmly and introduces his staff. Along with the ORG personnel, the Major introduces Simon Cahill as a liaison for Hank Bozeman. It goes unsaid that Bozeman is the C.I.A. Director for South American Operations. While Mr. Bozeman was not implicated in Gregory Michael’s intrusion of the Agency, he was portrayed (by the Team) as a dupe to Section’s plot.

Bringing the meeting to order Major Katanga informs the Disney operatives that ORG is willing to participate. Their interests lie in the elimination of Pedro de Costa and the destruction of Gustavo Benaziz’s group. Neither Kyle nor Cat has a problem with this. To further the operation (and ORG’s goals) Katanga shares the corporation’s file on Youseff Kabir. The name is new to the team members, the face unfamiliar. Katanga explains that Kabir is one of Gustavo’s bagmen. They discuss the feasibility of disrupting the terrorist organization’s revenues or planting tagged currency to track their income stream (money trail).

Dissatisfied with the direction of the conversation, Cat tries to draw them back to focus on what, to her mind, is the primary objective of their operation. “George’s backers can not be allowed to get away. They can get more pawns. We need to hit them where it hurts. They think they are above the law and must be brought to justice.”

The biogen’s idealistic view of things is in the minority among those assembled. Still Katanga and his staff have no objections to the end result. Several of the fixer’s supporters have hindered ORG’s expansion into Brazil. Taking them down will open opportunities. The good publicity wouldn’t hurt either. The Major easily agrees to Kyle and Cat one concession. When the time comes to arrest George, Ricco Torres will be the one to bring him in. So long as the corporation shares in the credit, Katanga could care less who slaps the cuffs on the fixer.

With an agreement in place, the subject turns to tactics. Rather than sticking to the role of silent sentinel guarding his principles (Kyle & Cat), Tyree (Sam Fisher) can’t help but throw in his own ideas. His astute assessment and insightful suggestions are met with stunned silence.

Kyle is aghast. Tyree (Sam Fisher) was instructed not to speak.

Katanga finally enquires, “Do you usually let your bodyguard participate in tactical discussions?” His tone is mild; almost apologetic. Typically he would rebuff a subordinate for speaking out of turn, but ever the consummate host, he is willing to accommodate the customs of his guests (within reason). From the expressions around the table, it is clear that not all of his men are concerned with such niceties.

Cat covers for her father’s faux pas by vouching for his skill. “Tyree Jones is much more than a mere bodyguard. We value his tactical advice.”

The Major and his staff seem mollified. Cahill’s expression is harder to read. Kyle struggles to present a calm exterior. Sam may just have blown his cover, to James Marsden. A photo of Cahill along with some other choice pieces of intel came to light while Kyle was investigating C.I.A. operations in Brazil. It was only upon meeting the liaison and listening to him deliver his evaluation during the briefing that the ex-agent put the pieces together. Looking to his two companions, it is clear, that they are dangerously unaware of whom they are talking to.

Emboldened by Cat’s praise of his abilities, Tyree makes a critical error by boasting, “I’ve done some work for Bozeman in the past,”

Hyper-attentive to the actions of the disguised assassin across the table, Kyle catches a subtle change in posture and facial expression at Tyree’s unintended revelation. He wants to scream at Sam to shut up, but it is already too late. Marsden may not know that Tyree is Sam, but with his connections (and who he works for) it may not be long till he makes the connection. Such a revelation might put Nathan Forrest in an awkward position and could throw the Team’s entire operation into jeopardy.

The ‘liaison’ tries to engage the ‘bodyguard’ in conversation about his past dealings with his boss (Bozeman). Tyree rebuffs his inquiries with a snarky reply, “That’s classified.” Kyle quickly tries to turn the conversation back to the business at hand.

Once safely back in their penthouse in Ipanema, Kyle dresses down Tyree/Sam.

“Great! You just outed yourself to the rest of the C.I.A.”

“I don’t see how?” Sam growls.

“Oh, no?” Kyle says. “Simon Cahill is really James Marsden.”

“So?” retorts Sam. “This ID is classified. As an asset, he doesn’t have the clearance to uncover it.”

Kyle’s eyes narrow, as he assesses his old friend. The ex-agent can’t decide if 5 years in jail has made him sloppy or if he just no longer cares. Either way, it puts the operation and more importantly Cat and himself in danger.

“He will certainly report the presence of Tyree Jones to his boss, Frank Bozeman, who is NOT one of our biggest fans. That man does have the clearance. How long do you think it will take him to put this together?”

Silence descends on the room. Ricco is suddenly wishing he was back at Roca’s. The threat of violence hangs in the air. Cat breaks the standoff by interjecting. “In a few days the task force will hopefully be a reality. It will take time for Bozeman to figure it out. Besides, I don’t think he hates us enough to commit treason and betray us.”

On this, all do agree.

(GM Note: Cat’s assessment is true, though there will be complications down the road from this. The players can expect that Hank Bozeman will figure out that Sam Fisher was not in isolation in Super Max and that it was Nathan Forrest who arranged it. Hank will tuck this card away to play another day!)

Kyle calls Roger Kincaid and asks (demands) that he stop by their beachside condo (now). Otherwise engaged, (it is Carnival after all) the Disney executive tries to postpone the meeting. Kyle insists that the matter can not wait. Sobered by his tone, Roger tells the Disney operative, “I’m on my way.”

Kincaid arrives within the hour. The last vestiges pf his festive mood melt away as he catches sight of the grim expressions on the faces of Kyle, Cat, Ricco and Tyree. He is offered a chair facing the large display on the wall.

“As you know,” Kyle starts, “We began running a surveillance operation as part of our efforts here in Rio. We’ve run across a plot that is counter to Disney’s corporate interest. We now feel we have enough evidence to bring you so Cat, if will you begin please?”

The biogen activates the video board and commences her now well-rehearsed power point presentation of their punched up version of George’s Plot. The images of fiery death and destruction flicker in Kincaid’s eyes. The surreptitiously recorded ‘confessions’ of terrorists, gang leaders and others are played for the executive. The physical evidence with the independent verification (by Gen Pro) is presented. The status of the growing international task force is reported.

When Cat finishes, Roger Kincaid is speechless. Kyle quickly takes over. “What we need now is for you to bring in the Federal officials and police who backed you on the Deputy Minister Chaves’ incident. Also, Disney’s media machine needs to be prepped to put this in the headlines and keep it there. Once the Russians are on board, which should be tomorrow, Yorgi Valenchenko’s testimony will be able to break George Brazzo’s organization. With everything we have, your corporate enemies will not be able to wiggle out of this.”

Roger had begun to consider hiring Kyle and Cat’s Team as a mistake; before this meeting there hadn’t appeared to be much movement. He now looks upon them with a mixture of respect and fear.

“Oh, one more thing,” Kyle adds. “We have been having trouble with the French Secret Service, the DSGE. They have tried to extract Ricco and are planning to do the same for us. We have put out feelers to talk with them and find out what they want, but all we get is denials. Maybe you could do something to get us an interview to settle our differences peacefully before we have to take ‘other measures’ to stop their interference.”

An hour ago Roger would not have been concerned about the term ‘other measures’. But now, he has no illusions this team is willing and capable of going to war with the DSGE. In hopes of forestalling more violence (and bad publicity for Disney) he agrees to see what he can do.

***

Saturday, February 3, 2046:

Doc Freeman, Victor, Maria and Roca continue to enjoy the Carnival festivities going out of their way to be seen in public. Allison and Colin enjoy carnival, but it is clear to the prowler that something is weighing heavily on her boyfriend’s mind. The high level meetings, snippets of information about oil rig ‘accidents’ and other bits of information are beginning to point to corporate sabotage.

Kyle, Cat, Caitlin Diaz and 4.06531 go to the roller rink to meet Yorgi and Veronique. On the surface it seems like an odd place for a clandestine rendezvous, but with the music and noise from skaters eavesdropping would virtually impossible. The party members skate their way to a lounge –like area at the center of the rink. Veronique lounges on one of several comfortable couches arrayed within the oval. Kyle and Cat suspect that Veronique was sold quickly on the plan, but didn’t want to appear too eager. For Yorgi, who looks extremely uncomfortable (and out of place) in their current surroundings, this is the only way to salvage his career and perhaps his life.

The details of Russia cooperation are hammered out quickly over the roar of skates and the blare of retro pop music. Publicly, credit will go to the Russian police and intelligence agencies for undertaking the initial investigation. The international nature of the conspiracy necessitated the cooperation of Brazilian police services and the Brazilian government. Corporate security for both Disney and ORG will be specially commended for the aid and support each provided during the investigation. Like Major Katanga, Veronique has no issue with Ricco having the honor of making the arrest of his arch-enemy George Brazzo.

With their business concluded, most are more than ready to leave. Veronique, appears ready to skate the floor. Cat, eagerly joins her. Between her genetically modified reflexes and high Athletics skill the biogen makes a good show of it. As they skate and talk, Catherine begins to like the Russian agent. In some ways they have much in common. Given different circumstances they might have even become friends. For Cat, her antipathy for all things Russian (due to her experiences in one of their prisons) is fading.

***

Sunday, February 4, 2046:

The Team continues to enjoy the Carnival festivities, but still take precautions. They do not appear all together. Kyle, Cat and Ricco especially make very few appearances. The French DSGE continues to ignore attempts to arrange a detent. They instead make another grab for the Disney liaison at a smaller Samba competition. With his body guard suitably distracted the Brazilian ex-cop is taken down with knock out darts. Two agents sweep up the unconscious body and start to whisk him away. They receive a rude surprise when ‘Ricco’, or rather the cyborg masquerading as the ex-cop, ‘wakes up’ and detains his attackers. A Disney security team that has been waiting out of sight quickly swoops to grab-up the rest of the extraction team.

The plan had been arranged by Roger Kincaid. With his overtures for a peaceful meeting rebuffed, the Disney executive decided to put a gun to their head. Rather than risk a potentially embarrassing international incident, the French Secret Service agrees to a ‘friendly’ sit-down to discuss the situation. The DSGE will send a representative to Disney’s Fantasia tomorrow to talk with Cat, Kyle and Ricco.

In addition to baiting the French, Roger has secured the support of the Brazilian Federal Police and two trusted Prosecutors. They will join the international task force, working with Major Katanga (representing ORG), Ricco Torres (Disney’s man), Veronique and Yorgi Valenchenko (representatives of the SVR and FSB respectively). Kyle and Cat turn over all the surveillance feeds (Pedro’s HQ, Luka and Lena’s office and apartment) to Ricco for the task force.

***

Monday, February 5, 2046:

Just past noon a very unhappy Jarren Jareaux (of the French DSGE) shows up for a meeting in a secure room at Disney’s Fantasia. Again Cat gives her power presentation on George’s Plot. To sweeten the pot for the French, Cat makes it a point to highlight the plot’s ties to illicit gold smuggling from French Guyana. While they have no proof to tie the smuggling to Islamic terrorists, they do offer rumor and supposition that could be construed as confirmation.

Given their involvement in other aspects of the plot (supplying arms to the favela) they see no reason that Islamic terrorists might not be involved in the financing as well. This provides a perfect segue in discussing the payments from the law firm in which one of George’s lawyers is a partner, to Elash Husseine. The pair is ‘forthright’ in their declaration that they have no information on Husseine, beyond the payments. His name came up as part of their investigation and after the attempted extraction of Ricco, they haven’t had a chance to look into him any further.

Cat and Kyle’s participation in the rescue of the Timbuktu 12 (Episode27 – 29), shows they are not friends to terrorists. The two hope that their past history and candor during the meeting will satisfy the DSGE. It may also give the French security agency a new target. If a case could be made against the law firm or George’s attorney was to disappear into a French interrogation chamber, the fixer would lose a key layer of protection.

(GM Note: Of course, it is not public knowledge that Kyle and Cat under the guise of Goren and Ivanka helped the Azawad rebels seize the city in the first place.)

The two make it clear to Monsieur Jareaux that they feel trials for these ‘terrorists’ would be a waste of time. ‘Justice’ should be served quickly. These words are music to the DSGE man’s ears. The meeting which started as a tense confrontation has become downright friendly. As a sign of good faith the French agents are released. Jareaux gives his personal assurance that Ricco will be removed the DSGE’s ‘to do list’. The DSGE officer readily accepts the spot offered on the task force.

Roca’s plan to augment and adopt the remaining four dying orphans from the Favela do Vidigal fires has reached the ears of the Roman Catholic Church. Her plans are protested by the Brazilian Church, but the Rio diocese does little to actually hinder her plans. Doc Freeman again does the surgeries over the next few days after Ash Wednesday. Five poor children from the slums of Rio escape death ….. for now.

***

Tuesday, February 6, 2046:

Fat Tuesday and the end of Carnival arrive. The celebrations in Rio reach their climax. Kyle and Cat’s intricate web of lies and conspiracies has spawned an international task force that should bring down George and his sponsors. The situation is now out of their hands. If all goes well, they will have succeeded (to their minds) in pulling off one of the greatest cons of all time. If their machinations are exposed, there is no place on Earth that they can hide.

One last thing remains. In order to bring overwhelming support to the side of Disney, they need to line up one last corporation. Allison has spent months on Colin Hughes. It is now time to reel in the Petrochem executive. The energy conglomerate is obviously experiencing serious issues within the region. If the high level meetings are anything to go buy, they are searching for a solution. For their support, the Team may be able to offer them a solution.

That evening the entire Team attends the Gay Gala Ball. Allison is escorted by Colin Hughes. It takes little effort to get the Petrochem executive alone for a private conversation. The approach is straight forward. Kyle, Cat, Roca and Allison make their pitch to bring Petrochem off the fence. Colin’s interest is stirred by the possible involvement of Furnas in George’s plot, but his support won’t be bought so easily.

Roca weaves her tale of a brewing A.I. civil war. Petrochem, as a power company, could provide the solution to the looming energy meltdown. The advantages of being the ‘white knight’ that saves the A.I.s of Rio are not lost on Colin. Having them in his company’s corner would provide a key advantage in dealing with his Russian and Chinese rivals.

As everyone is putting their cards on the table, the Petrochem executive decides to show his own hand. While very fond of Allison he is not an idiot. He looked into the Team. Petrochem has a problem that needs attention, but given the current political climate, the corporation can’t be seen to be involved with the solution. If the team takes care of his ‘little problem’, he sees no reason why Petrochem shouldn’t support Disney (and profit in the downfall of their rivals). He will of course need to clear it with corporate.

Finally alone in their apartment, Kyle looks at a pensive Cat. “What’s wrong? And don’t say nothing, I know you too well.”

“What do we do now, when this is all over?” she asks.

“As long as this doesn’t blow up in our faces and we are not hunted down like rabid dogs before being killed slowly and horribly, you can finish college like you wanted. The French might even let you into their country to go the Sorbonne. You’ve always talked about that,” Kyle replies in a cheerful tone. “Maybe I’ll open an agency that hunts down missing and stolen antiquities.”

“No, what about us?” the biogen responded. “I know you love me, and that could be enough for me, but ….”

It finally dawns on Kyle. She is more human than even she will admit, so he asks, “Do you want to get married or something?”

“Yes,” she fires back almost before he finishes his question. As she looks at him with eyes wide in anticipation, the realization of what she just said makes her break his gaze.

“When I was created, it was pounded into my head that I was not a person. I was a thing, a tool. The only sense of pride I was allowed was to be the best ‘tool’ any master could hope for. Those of my kind who did not ‘measure’ up were terminated often in ways as an object lesson to the rest of us. A child will do and believe anything to please a parent figure. In me they created a monster and I didn’t even see it.”

Cat turns to stare at the ex-C.I.A. agent. Barely contained tears moisten the corner of her eyes and glow in the reflected light.

“Ten years ago in Romania, I told you that I was a cat, and that I had imprinted on you as my master. Despite everything that happened, through disaster and death, you’re still here. You have never treated me like a ‘pet’, regardless of the occasional ‘ball of string’ jokes. We have pledged to each other ‘us against the world’ (Episode 22). I told you then that I was not sure that I was even capable of loving anybody but myself. Well, now I know I can and I do, and I don’t doubt for a second that you love me. I want the whole world to know. That is what getting married means to me.”

Kyle Vaduva looked at the woman before him, not a cat or a biogen, but a woman. He placed one knee on the ground before her and asked, “Catherine, will you marry me?”

Cat wrapped her arms around the man kneeling before her. Tears flow and she quietly gasps, “Yes.”

Episode 55 – Death in the Amazon

It’s time for the Team to step aside and let the ‘big boys’ handle things in Rio. Ricco still has his part to play in their little scheme. He has to stay in Rio. Roca and Doc Freeman have their research. They too will be remaining behind after the group splits up. Others (mainly Kyle, Cat, Allison and Sam) finalize plans to be elsewhere when things go down. Being subpoenaed to testify is not their chief concern. The frame job could still unravel. There is also the danger Bozeman will figure out who Tyree really is. But, before heading for the hills, there’s one last job.

Background

The Team has arrived in Rio de Janeiro aboard their (pilfered) 194 foot mega yacht, the Windfall. They have been brought here by the Disney Corporation, who runs the giant theme park, Fantasia. The Brazilian Supreme Court is expected to overturn the 1975 Presidential Decree (The Fusion) effectively re-establishing the city of Rio as an independent city-state within Brazil. Factions have begun to align, in anticipation of this decision, to vie for control of the city. The notorious favelas of Rio de Janeiro present a powerful voting bloc, one that several of the players in the political struggle seek to eliminate. By taking away the voting rights of the poor, the conspirators hope to move closer to their ultimate goal of eliminating the favelas, thereby reclaiming the valuable real estate for redevelopment. The Disney Corporation opposes this agenda and has contracted the Team as ‘consultants’ to counter the maneuvers of rival factions.

Dramatis Personae

The Team

4.06531: A 4^th generation Nietzschean operative, who is masquerading as Kyle (Kyle 2.0) on the Windfall. He is also known as Janko Mesic during this mission.

Caitlin Diaz: One of Cat’s Biotechnica created clones, who is working with the Team masquerading as Catherine Ortiz (Cat 2.0).

Rianna Prescott: A younger woman from Sam Fisher’s past, who reconnected with him in Atlantic City and stood by him through his years in prison.

The NPCs

David Lau: A Chinese gun runner in Rio who is working with George.

George Brazzo: A high level fixer and criminal in Rio. He is a facilitator who rarely gets his hands dirty himself. He has a large bribery slush fund and two lawyers who keep him out of trouble. When he was a Rio civil policeman, Rico Torres tried unsuccessfully to put George away several times.

Nathan Forest: CIA Deputy Director of Covert Ops. Nathan is also an old friend of Cat’s father, Sam Fisher, who is currently in Rio under an old cover identity from his C.I.A. days, Tyree Jones.

Nine Person Edgerunner Team: Working for the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).

Roger Kincaid: the Disney executive in charge of the political situation in Rio.

The Action

Wednesday, February 7, 2046: Ash Wednesday

The splendors of Carnival give way to the beginning of the Lenten season. Crews are still cleaning up remnants of the four day festival as Kyle, Cat, Roca and Allison drive out of the city for a meeting with Colin Hughes. The Petrochem exec confirms Allison’s reports (to the Team) of corporate sabotage. Attacks on the corporation’s offshore test rigs have delayed exploratory drilling. These ‘accidents’, along with planted memorandums, have called into question the energy giant’s safety record, jeopardizing negotiations with the Brazilian government.

With time and some effort, Petrochem corporate security has been able to identify the parties responsible for these acts of sabotage. There is also strong intelligence pointing to the identity of their employer, the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC). The sources of this evidence and how it was acquired make it problematic to involve the local authorities. Even if they could, Chinese influence within the Brazilian government would most likely quash any investigation. Petrochem would take the matter into their own hands, but negotiations are already tenuous. They can ill afford to be associated with a counter assault on the saboteurs, but they need the attacks to cease.

The Petrochem executive is more than willing to support Disney’s political agenda, if the Team will take care of his problem. Intel indicates that the CNOOC squad is preparing for another hit on Petrochem. Colin’s people have pinpointed their current location and mode of transport. In order to move negotiations along (help the Team decide quickly) Colin emphasizes the time-sensitivity of the intel. They have less than a week. After that he doesn’t know where the CNOOC squad will be.

(GM Note: Petrochem is encountering strong resistance in their attempts to expand into the Brazilian energy market. The strong ties between Chinese and Brazilian energy concerns are hard to break through. While Petrochem corporate doesn’t care one way or the other about voting rights in the favelas, forging an alliance with Disney and its political allies could help their own interests.)

Securing the Team’s assistance, Colin happily turns over briefing material provided by Petrochem security. The saboteurs are currently aboard a freighter moored at the floating docks in the Port of Manaus. Manaus is the capital of the Brazilian State of Amazonia and main transport hub for the entire upper Amazon Basin. That ship is scheduled to sail for the coast in one week.

Included in the file is a ship schematic. Before there is any confusion, Colin explains, “This is not the target vessel, but it’s a fairly common bulk freighter. This is the standard layout for a ship of its class. I can’t guarantee the target hasn’t been modified below decks, but this should give you something to go by. The crew compliment is approximately 25.”

He continues, “We have been able to nominally identify at least 9 saboteurs. We’re still running down leads, but the preliminaries are in the sub-file, there.”

The file contains a scattering of surveillance images and details on the CNOOC operatives.

Gersen Villiers, a bio-podded cyborg with four known bodies: an Eclipse, a highly modified Sampson and two Gemini’s.
Deng Xang Zhuan, a partially modified explosives expert. Augmentation occurred after injury during a bomb disposal mission.
Maruf, there is no information on him other than a name.
Marisol, a female close combat expert and semi-professional fighter. There is file footage of several of her bouts.
‘Zev’ (Sevigne), a French woman who is a remote operations specialist and weapons tech.
Carlton Griess, another close combat specialist experienced in Sambo, Muay Thai and small arms.
Mora, sex unknown, a netrunner and backup weapons specialist.
Benedict Cullen, an explosives and communications specialist.
Gerald Kuss, nothing is known for sure, but rumored to be a solo.

The four return to Rio to study the intel and confer with members of the Team not present at the meeting with Colin Hughes. While awaiting their arrival, Cat contacts the Collective with ‘checkbook in hand’ to arrange transportation and two safe houses in Manaus. Expecting the need for a quick exit, she also secures extraction routes out of the city. The preparations will be expensive, but worth the effort.

Victor and Ricco are absent from that evening’s planning session. The group has come to the consensus that the runner just doesn’t have the skills for this job. Rather than making the trip, Victor will remain behind to maintain the illusion that Doc Freeman is still in Rio. Ricco’s work with the task force makes it too dangerous for the ex-cop to attend. Kyle and Cat don’t feel that he would be totally on board with a contract hit anyway.

The plan is simple. The safe house inside the city will be the operational HQ and weapons depot. The house close to the docks will provide a forward observation post from which to run surveillance. Once their targets have been identified, they will look for patterns. Do they congregate off the ship at a local watering hole? Do they travel alone or in small numbers? The Team has a few days to observe their targets, before they make their assault on the boat.

Tyree suggests a backup plan. The Team has access to just about any equipment. Why not take out the boat with a small cruise missile. It’s a messy alternative, especially given the cargo vessel’s volatile cargo. Still, it would be effective. Cat is loath to use a missile strike while the ship is still moored. With the proximity of other vessels and the size of the explosion, the collateral damage would be catastrophic. If however the ship sails early or storming the vessel proves untenable, they can bring up the C-23 and blow the vessel out of the water!

Cat contacts the crew of her C-23 Sherpa, to have them break down her weapons workshop and chemistry lab and fly the equipment to Paraguay. This should provide plausible deniability if they are forced to go to plan B. With a plan in place, Cat broaches the subject of what comes after the mission is over. Regardless of the outcome of the operation in Rio, the Windfall will be a target. Since they won’t be able to enjoy their prize, she floats the idea of selling of the Windfall to William Eller, Doc Freeman and his hotel group. Regardless of the group’s decision (on the sale) the crew will be informed to quietly begin making preparations for a voyage.

***

Thursday, February 8, 2046:

The Team’s gear is transported to the two safe houses. Wyatt is briefed on his role to convince everyone that Roca is still in Rio. Doc Freeman’s secretary cancels all appointments for the next week as the doctor will be busy with ‘very sensitive experiments’. Kyle and Cat visit Victor. They give him the racing car free and clear. Cat makes an additional gift of her two master mechanic tool sets (one of which is a +2) and suggests he open a speed shop. All she asks is that he work on her race car when she and Kyle are back in town. The three part as friends.

Leaving the runner, they meet with Roger Kincaid for the last time. All agree, now would be the best time to terminate the Team’s contract. Kyle and Cat do however request that their corporate immunity be extended till the original end date of the contract. This is not only to protect themselves (and the Windfall), but Disney. It’s in everyone’s best interest if they don’t have to answer potentially damaging questions about their time in Rio. After they assure Kincaid that they’ll be leaving the country for an extended cruise, he has no issue with continuing their coverage. He thanks them both for their efforts and authorizes full payment. The entire Team (except for maybe Victor) has delivered beyond all expectations, but the Disney executive won’t be sad to see them go.

Later that evening Cat turns to Kyle and says, “We have to save Gustavo Benaziz and his sister.”

Shocked, Kyle asks, “Why?”

“Insurance. Look, Goren and Ivanka are going to escape. Even though Pedro (de Costa) will take the heat for bringing down Gustavo’s cell, they’ll (Goren and Ivanka) share a bit of the blame. What if just before they kick in his door (in the Tri-border area) we tip Gustavo off about the raid? We may also want to tell him they’re looking for his sister (Marcellana) too. It will solidify our terrorist credentials. We warn him. Tell him we are going underground, but keep up contact and maybe slip him and his group some funds every now and then. If things go wrong, we’ll still have a ‘card’ to play to save our lives.”

Kyle has to admit, it’s a good idea. “OK, Ricco is going to give us a heads up when this goes down. We’ll give it a try.”

***

Friday, February 9, 2046:

Cat 2.0, Kyle 2.0, Tyree & Allison (the doubles) board a commercial flight to Fortaleza, to put on a show of being on vacation in the Brazilian State of Ceara. 1500 miles away, the Team members begin to arrive in Manaus. Everyone has taken the time to alter their appearance prior to arrival. Roca and Cat begin drone surveillance with visible light, IR and thermographic sensors. They begin to identify the ship’s crew and members of the CNOOC squad. Positions aboard and movements on and off the ship are recorded.

***

Saturday, February 10, 2046:

The deck under the stern castle and rear cargo areas appear to be IR baffled. Allison, Roca, Tyree, Cat and Kyle commence physical surveillance sweeps and take turns following their targets when they leave the boat. With a few exceptions, the crew of the ship and the sabotage group do not appear to interact. There are also two crab-like remotes prowling the area around the stern of the ship.

***

Sunday, February 11, 2046:

The Team has a good idea of patrols and general movements of the crew, the opposing team and the remotes aboard ship. They have only seen eight of the suspected saboteurs. It’s decided that a Grid Bug (drone remote) should be sent in for a closer inspection. If all goes well, they’ll strike Tuesday night.

Kyle 2.0, Cat 2.0 along with the recently hired doubles for Allison and Tyree continue their vacation in and around Fortaleza. Being an A.I., Roca is able to bounce back to her Gemini body in Rio. She makes sure to be seen in public.

***

Monday, February 12, 2046:

An hour after midnight, Cat flies a Bell Mini-Bee to the target ship. Roca pilots a GRID bug out of the Mini-Bee’s storage compartment. With its cargo inserted, Cat moves the Mini-Bee to a position high above the ship, to await extraction. The grid-bug’s progress is painfully slow, but eventually it reaches the stern castle hatch. Before it can attempt to negotiate the portal, one of the enemy drones skitters around the corner of the bulkhead.

Threats quickly mount, as the hatch is hastily thrown open and Gerald Kuss steps onto the deck. Roca holds the GRID bug very still. Kuss’s drone appears to be searching for the tiny remote, but the deep shadows on the deck obscure its position. After half a minute of fruitless searching, the saboteur turns to the crab-like remote. “Where?” he asks in frustration. The enemy remote extends an accusatory limb and points directly at the GRID bug.

Realizing that the jig is up, Roca skitters as fast as possible towards the edge of the deck. Vibrations, felt through the sensitive appendages of the GRID bug, indicate Kuss is in hot pursuit. The tiny remote reaches the edge and jumps over the side into the dark waters below. Those Team members watching the small remote’s progress all hear the sound of 9000 euro flushing down the toilet—or in this case the Amazon. The Mini-Bee watches as the whole ship goes on alert; so much for the drone intrusion.

(GM Note: In addition to the patrolling drones, the opposing squad had set up surveillance cameras to watch the access points and approaches to their area of the ship. The precautions were as much to watch the crew as for any thought of outside attack. A player rolled both the awareness / notice roll for the guard and the stealth roll for the Grid Bug. It was multiple 10s for 27 on the dice alone for the guard, and a 3 for the stealth roll. Still, the Grid Bug only lost by 2 due to modifiers.)

Daylight brings new activity aboard ship. Two specially constructed cargo containers are hauled out of the aft hold and deposited on the back of a flatbed. The Team scrambles for vehicles as the saboteurs pile into two SUV’s bound for god knows where. They are able to follow their quarry to the airport. Shadowing the CNOOC operatives into the terminal, Kyle and Cat observe five members checking luggage. The pair balks at following the saboteurs past airport security, but it appears that most of the CNOOC squad is catching a commercial flight to the Atlantic coast.

The remaining three escort the flatbed with its cargo to a commercial hanger on the other side of the airport. Cat tells the group to bug out. Roca bounces back to her Gemini in Rio. Doc Freeman heads for his exit route, with the A.I.’s eclipse body in tow. Kyle, Allison and Tyree (all in disguise) board their rented spinner and head for Fortaleza on the coast. Armed with a scorpion missile launcher and one spytech covered missile, Cat maneuvers her stealth spinner bike into the forest outside the airport. She hunkers down in specially tailored (and really expensive) spytech clothing (pants, jacket and helmet) and waits.

A commercial flight, possibly the very one carrying the five CNOOC operatives, accelerates down the runway towards her position. Ten years ago she would have cheerfully killed all the innocents on the plane to get at those five targets. That was another life and in many ways another person. She spares the climbing plane one fleeting glance before turning back to the tarmac to scan for her true target.

Cat doesn’t need to kill the entire squad to put them out of action. Gersen Villiers, his two companions and their precious cargo are about to have a bad day. The Wyvern taxis to a position not far from the tree line. A flight crew of two is acceptable collateral damage in the biogen’s mind. Cat takes aim, but waits to fire till the tilt-rotor’s crucial transition from horizontal to vertical flight. The anti-missile system on the Wyvern fails to detect the spyteched weapon and does not engage. An engine hit (motive gear hit) catastrophically destabilizes the craft. It begins to pinwheel.

Twin jets of fire unexpectedly erupt from the cockpit as the pilot and co-pilot are catapulted from the dying craft in their ejection seats. Cat absently hopes the crew survives the low-level bail out, while watching the Wyvern finish its death roll and crash to the ground. There is an initial explosion, but no secondaries. There are also no additional chutes. Satisfied that the three edgerunners are somewhere in the burning wreckage, Cat slips the launcher into the makeshift sleeve on the side of her spinner bike. With the weapon secured, she quickly escapes the area at tree top level.

Rendezvousing with Kyle, Allison and Tyree outside of Fortaleza, she leaves her bike and gear to her Collective contacts. Elsewhere that evening, the Windfall drops anchor in the harbor of the island of Fernando de Noronha and goes through Brazilian customs. The shooting down of a chartered Wyvern in Manaus is all over the news. There were only two deaths (Zev and Mora). The biopod of the cyborg, Gersen Villiers, survived, but authorities have been unable to establish contact with its occupant.

***

Tuesday, February 13, 2046:

Cat, Kyle, Tyree & Allison change places with their doppelgangers during a day trip out of Fortaleza. With their job finished, the doubles scatter and leave the country by separate routes.

Coverage of the downed cargo plane and the expanding investigation leads the news, but the tenor of the stories has shifted (thanks in part to Petrochem). Questions about the victims and their cargo accompany images of broken borg bodies strewn among the wreckage. With few answers, the talking heads veer into speculation and wild conjecture. The news cycle continues to spin as the four catch a flight to Fernando de Noronha and board the Windfall. After their arrival, William Eller and his staff leave the ship and fly back to Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.

Back in Rio, Doc Freeman and Roca make carefully staged appearances. Their press people focus on their research and what it means for the ‘betterment’ of mankind and the economy of Brazil. Ricco and the task force will begin making arrests tomorrow. Kyle and Cat use the ship’s sophisticated communications gear to warn Gustavo. No mention is made of what is about to go down in Rio.

***

Wednesday, February 14, 2046:

The Windfall sails out from Fernando de Noronha for Rio de Janeiro. On board are the Vaduva and Fisher families and Allison. Kyle and Cat move to the owner’s deck. Rianna is overjoyed to be reunited with Sam, though adjusting to his new appearance (as Tyree) may take a while. Sharin is cautiously happy for Kyle, Cat and their impending nuptials. Allison realizes that these people are more than co-workers or friends. They are her family, the only one she really has. Those Team members with a stake in the Windfall gladly sell. Like them, the ship is too hot. The extra money will help them stay under the radar that much longer.

(GM Note: The Windfall is being sold to William Eller and Doc Freeman’s hotel interests, to be operated as an exclusive ‘floating hotel’ in West Australia.)

Massive raids sweep up the plotters, some of their patrons and the Islamic terrorists operating Luka and Lena’s offices in Rio. Operations in the tri-border area are a blood bath. Forewarned, the terrorists put up spirited resistance. Gustavo is not among the dead or captured.

The Russian government, Disney, ORG and France grab the lion’s share of the press and public thanks from the Brazilian government. Still there needs to be a home town hero. The Team’s handpicked media contacts are in place to cover Ricco’s arrest of George Brazzo. Vids of the ex-cop, backed by a cadre of police in tactical gear, confronting the fixer in his private box at the Hippodrome (Hipodromo de Gavea), go viral. He becomes an overnight celebrity.

As intended, nowhere are Kyle, Cat, Doc Freeman, Roca, Victor, Tyree, Nip or Allison mentioned. None of them want to take credit. They are happy to console themselves with the ridiculous sum of cash they were paid for successfully pulling off the mission. This is not to say that they get away scott free. They may be publicly anonymous, but those in the know, chiefly the aforementioned members of the task force, have their eyes on the Team. Kyle and Cat realize there is now nowhere in the world they can go and not attract such attention. That’s fine. They’re retired now.

The Windfall turns southeast, heading towards Cape Town, South Africa. From there, it is a slow cruise to Perth, West Australia to turn over the vessel to its new owners. Sam (Fisher)’s prison sentence should be over by the time they arrive. The wedding will have to wait till Sam is officially released. Cat is adamant that her father walk her down the aisle. She also feels that Nicholas Vaduva deserves to know the truth about his own parentage (that Kyle is really his father). Then there are the issues of Nip’s past and current mental health. So much to sort out, but there’s plenty of time for that. Now, it’s time to relax and reflect on a job well done.

In Washington, Nathan Forrest spares a moment to consider his wayward ‘children’ cruising happily in the South Atlantic. He will let Kyle and Cat play house, but retire? Silly girl! Sam and Kyle should know better. They are all too valuable. Yes, they’ve earned a break, but Sam still owes him. For now, though they can enjoy the illusion of a happy ending!

(GM Note: What force of arms could not have achieved, was won through guile, deceit and trickery. We’ve reached the end of the Rio story arc and of the Burn Notice Campaign. Looking back on the most recent leg of the story, I’m amazed at how it played out. The mission to undermine Disney’s opposition definitely felt more like a long con than an intelligence operation. A good agent’s skill set is not all that dissimilar from that of a con-artist. The difference lies in execution and motivation.

Kyle and Cat wanted one last big score to set up their retirement and get them out of the game. The way they managed the Team and dealt with the competing powers in Rio was always towards achieving that goal. As the PCs broke down their operations, divvied-up the take (or made arrangements for where to send their share) and then quietly slipped out of town, I couldn’t help but hear the theme from ‘The Sting’ playing in the back of my head. Cue “the Entertainer”.)

Next: Epilogue

Episode 52 – The Situation in Rio Starts to Boil

Episode 53 – Kyle and Cat Start to Make Their Move

Episode 54 – Oh What a Tangled Web We Weave!

Episode 55 – Death in the Amazon

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