3A - To Heir is Human

Sam sends a LMGTFY link to the hotel's evacuation map from their public matrix site and mails that he doesn't have time to get the other stuff at the moment and won't until he's back from the wilderness.

Buki says that bombs aren't really his thing, but he'll take a look and get back in a day or two if you really want him to.

If we are in the limo with Sato, I go for the ride to check on Carl. However I do not know that there is much we can do at this point, and I'm sure Carl is no idiot, he has made it this long.

The limo heads over to Carl's. It's still day time and Carl seems to keep night hours for business so the place isn't all lit up as usual, but it doesn't look blown up either. From the limo you can spot a woman in the window walking around. She does not appear to be a customer as she is dressed in similar cowboy duds as Carl usually wears.

Chougou thanks Buki and asks him to let him know if he finds out anything, but that they are on an accelerated timeline so not to purchase them immediately if he finds them because they may have found another source.

DNI Torpor and Sato:
"Should we review the plan as it stands now? I'll make as many detonation devices as I can for distraction/defense, but should I stage the Nighthawk on the roof for an escape, or would you like to use it as an entry method? I can also try to get a sewer snake in to a bathroom of our choosing. I could rig it to detonate maybe..."

Chougou trails off in thought about how he could make an explodable sewer snake.

Sato comes out of his reverie

“Original plan was to have Topor and I go in for a day and scout only, then make a plan.”

“Let’s check out this situation - it feels like a trap, but we should vet it out as well.”

Sato calls Carl again and leaves a message. “We are lookin for you at your shop. If you are in trouble, meet us at the BBQ joint we discussed last time we met at 6pm this evening.” ((Meaning the Jehovian spot))

The message is left.

((did you want to check in to the hotel next or go ahead to try to meet Carl at the church?))

((If we have a choice, let's check in first so we can attempt to do some information gathering - e.g. get the marketing pitch from the conference booking people and chat up the daytime staff (front door bellman, concierge) ))

Sato looks across the limo to his two companions.  "OK, let's do some scouting at the hotel for a few hours before we meet up with Carl.  Let's discuss the plan.  Some ideas:

• Check in and get the overview of the facilities from the front desk staff.  Perhaps they have a "sky bar" that is close enough to the penthouse to release our drone.  
  
• Palm Chougou's drone past security and release it at an opportune time to get in position for scouting  ((I want to make sure we all have something to do - I figure Chougou will prefer the option to drive the drone from the safety of the car, but you tell me))
  
• Inquire about the conference facilities available for discreet and private meetings (hinting that we need to use their facilities for an important meeting that requires security)  Their pitch to us may involve some overview of their security (enough to know where to look)
  
• Liberally spread some tips around and chat with the day staff.  I can handle the concierge and bartender.  Maybe Torpor could have a cigarette with a security guy on break.  Goal isn't really to push for information ((yet)), just establish friendly relations, but we will take anything that is freely given.
  

"

Sato gives one of the VA pins to Chougou, just in case.  The other, he puts on his backup suit jacket in his briefcase (he plans to find a reason to open the briefcase in front of someone - an exec attempting to be discreet would not be obvious with his corporate affiliation)  The other two, he pockets for later.  

Sato brings his briefcase along, but leaves his duffel bag with all the shady stuff in the limo.  He goes in completely unarmed (he has a bodyguard after all) so no shock glove, no dart pistol, no spirit knife.  The only shady thing he brings in is his drone, which starts in his faraday pocket, but will get palmed out at a strategic moment.


((sorry for the mega post. Don't mean to railroad, but I also don't want to delay our start. I'm going to be tied up all day at work today and then on a red eye flight tonight. For the sake of expediency, Sato will take any reasonable additions or suggestions to the plan))

"If there is any distance between entrance doors and the security check point we can walk in with the drone and drop it by the window, garbage, blocked area then go over to the check point."

You head over to the main Otemachi building. The building is actually quite massive; a whopping 70 stories! Only the top 5 belong to the Aman hotel. You ride an elevator up to the lobby floor and quickly see that a hotel key is required to go any higher than that. As the doors open up, it is immediately obvious that this is no cheap chain hotel. You are greeted by a massive lounge with a gourmet restaurant, top of the line gym, swimming pool, spa and a meditative rock garden, because why not? There is no obvious security checkpoint on this floor, but this area is generally open to the public, albeit the services are locked off to guests.

((Everyone give me perception checks))

Sato strides into the lobby, his suit immaculate and his gait that of a purposeful businessman - efficient, but unhurried.  He appears to glance around like a new guest would when looking at the amenities for the first time.  He looks for signs of security and places to palm the drone like air vents or utility access hatches.  
  
((the drone is in his Faraday pocket for now))




((visual perception = 10, audio = 8, regular = 6))

Vents are pretty high on the walls. Sato would not be able to reach them, and even if he could, he would look strange reaching for them. The drone will have to get up there itself (which is not likely to be too much of a problem with a kanmushi or similar drone). He notices that there are some hidden cameras in the lobby. They are not the usual obvious ones that many businesses use to keep people honest. A quick glance at AR shows they either have no wireless access or have their icons hidden to prevent people from noticing them.

Torpor cones into the floor and looks around.

((Perception check 1+6))

Torpor carried out 7 launched of one d6 :

, , , , , ,

Torpor notices the same things Sato does.

Disguise in place, Sato strides confidently across the lobby.  As he moves, he reaches into his pocket and reboots his comlink.  After it comes up, he slaves it to Chougou's deck.  He shares what he sees about the hidden cameras to the team via secure DNI and recommends Topor do the same.  
 
He strides up to the check in desk and flashes the smile of a man who is used to being obeyed.  "Good evening.  I am Hiro Tanaka ((his fake SIN)).  My staff arranged a room for the evening for me and my associate," he gestures to Torpor.  "If possible, I would like a high floor away from the elevator."

((he has more to say and do, but don't want to type a lot first.))

Torpor walks over and slaves his commlink as well, "I noticed the camera as well. "

Chougou can now see from the inside of Sato's pocket, but I assume the shielding makes the signal harder to reach. But assuming he gets a connection link he DNIs to them:

"Connection established, just put me anywhere near a corner and I can do the rest. Maybe behind a chair that is near a wall if that's available? Plants are good too."

((the Faraday pocket completely blocks all wireless signals. You can't communicate with the drone while it is in the pocket))

The desk clerk checks a terminal and says, "Yes, I see your reservation. All of our suites are on high floors given that the hotel itself starts at the 65th floor. We have you reserved for a room on the 68th floor. I am unsure how far 'away from the elevator' is, but it is not next to it at any rate."

She hands over a keycard for room 415.

((I'm confused, is this building 50 or 70 stories tall?  In any case it sounds like the hotel is 5 stories tall and we are on the 4th floor, so have a room the floor below the penthouse.))

Sato flashes a smile at the desk clerk.  "Thank you.  That will do nicely."  
 "We have not had the pleasure of visiting your hotel yet.  Can you give us a short overview of the amenities and house rules?"


He also DNI's Chougou. "Hang tight, I need to get the lay of the land first before we can let you go. Watch out in case we are scanned."

((brainfart, it's 70 and your room's on 68))

The clerk says, "We have a gym, spa, pool and restaurant of course, as well as a concierge service that can arrange anything you may want that we do not already have. As for rules, there aren't any particular ones other than what common sense would suggest. As long as you are not causing a safety or security concern to other guests, you are probably fine. You are allowed to go anywhere your keycard allows you entry. All of our facilities are 24 hour, so feel free to take advantage of them at your convenience. All charges will be made to your room, so all you need while on the premises is your keycard."

"Thank you.  Is there a rooftop bar?  I have a professional interest in seeing the world from the sky.  It relaxes me."

Sato sets his briefcase down on the check-in counter, opens it just long enough to remove his ebony credstick for payment for the room.  If the desk clerk is paying attention, he will see the extra suit jacket folded inside with the VA pin on it.

Sato closes the briefcase and makes eye contact with the clerk.

"One more thing.  We are in town for business and have a few sensitive meetings to conduct.  Is it possible to speak with someone about renting a secure conference room where we will not be disturbed?"

The clerk says, "There is in fact and open air bar on the roof, though it will be closed until after the typhoon has passed. On that note, in case you have not been informed, many of our services will be operating at limited capacity tomorrow due to the storm. Such services will be shut down tonight until the storm has passed, though they may remain unavailable if damages from the storm force us to do so.

"As for a conference room, of course, sir. That will not be a problem. When would you like the room?"

“I apologize, I do not wish to be indiscrete.... Due to the sensitivity surrounding this particular negotiation, my employer has requested that my security consultant and I personally review the security details of the conference facility. Is it possible to discuss these details with your conference manager in a more...” Sato subtly looks around at the nearby staff and guests...”private environment.”

The clerk says, "If you would like to take a look at one of the conference rooms, please wait a moment and I will have one of our specialists escort you to one of our available rooms and discuss whatever you like. Extra security is available upon request, if needed. We can also accommodate most requests for any other needs you might have for your conference."

A few minutes later a woman in a business suit approaches, a tablet in her hand. "Hello, Mr Tanaka. I am told you are interested in our conference rooms. How big of a room will you be needing? We can go there and discuss any other concerns you may have privately."

Torpor looks around while trying to look the part, almost like part of the scenery. All while keeping an eye on what's going on around him.