Session 4: Bite the Hand That Feeds

Shadowrun
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Chapter 2
22: Nippon Teikoku e Youkoso 23: Rift Closed/Opened 24: F.A.T.E. Unravels 25: Hotel California 26: Welcome Home 27: New Beginnings
Chapter 1
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F.A.T.E. PCs
Anastasia Ellison - CS Dmitri - CS Eric Black - CS Gideon Wexler - CS Hector Radcliffe Kumiko Nakamura - CS Oni - CS

Briefing

Through an anonymous from a magicians group known as the Pythagoreans, F.A.T.E. has found themselves with their hands on a device that has the potential to revolutionize the sixth world. Never before has mana been harnessed by a mechanical or electrical device, but it appears that the devices captured from the Shiawase Corporation by F.A.T.E. operatives are designed to do exactly that. F.A.T.E. researches, led by Dr. Kefeng Yau, have been unable to get the device to work. They believe, however, that the purpose of these devices is to convert mana into electrical energy. The implications of this are wide ranging, and the potential profit for corporations is unfathomable.

There are murmurs on the matrix about the repercussions of such a device. Magicians are concerned that it could have drastic effects on mana fields. Mundanes see it as a new energy source that could revolutionize portable electronics and perhaps much more. F.A.T.E. wouldn't have taken action if they didn't think the device was harmful to the people of California. Dr. Yau was overheard describing the device as a "small nuclear bomb," a description that J.P. Redman and other F.A.T.E. employees were not comfortable with, knowing that the doctor was tinkering with it in the next room.

J.P. Redman has been quiet lately, even allowing his agents to take care of a private matter for Doc on company time. He has been spending his time considering F.A.T.E.'s next move. The missing devices have caused quite a stir even among some in the California government. Senator Yasuji Shimada, a member of the Technocratic Party, has been using every resource at his disposal to hunt for the missing devices, and Redman fears that it won't be long before he discovers they are in F.A.T.E.'s hands.

With this in mind, Redman has decided to act boldly. Like most senators, Shimada has racked up a long list of unproven crimes in a corrupt environment with almost no enforcement. Getting a warrant for his arrest, however, would be a futile task. Redman wants to set up an operation bring in Shimada on fresh charges with irrefutable evidence of wrongdoing. Exactly how this is done is the topic of F.A.T.E.'s next meeting.

Major Players & Locations

• Yasuji Shimada is a California State Senator representing the Marin district, which covers Marin County (including Drakes Bay) as well as parts of northern San Francisco. He is a member of the Technocratic Party, holds dual California/Shiawase citizenship, and has deep connections with the Shiawase Corporation. He is known to travel with Shiawase corporate security and to possess some magical ability.

Notes

• The equipment has a component that is dual-natured. Be careful taking the equipment outside of a warded area; it is easy to detect astrally.
• Shimada must be not be killed -- his death would be a disaster for F.A.T.E.
• FATE's team stipend balance: 2,430¥

Session Synopsis

After contentious debate, and resisting the temptation to turn it into an assassination mission, the group agreed that framing the Senator for the theft of the Shiawase mana batteries was the best approach. Dmitri pulled up a list of properties owned by Senator Shimada. Among the properties was a ranch in the outskirts of Marin County. Though guarded by watcher spirits, there was an unpatrolled shed in the back of the property that was perfect for hiding the device.

The team made a dry run first, infiltrating the utility shed and verifying that the device would fit. The group decided that planting the device as well as a dead body in the utility shed would be enough to grab the media's attention. A few nights later they proceeded to move the device, using a Falcon bike to tow the device from an open field nearby. The plan went off without any problems, due to some convenient perception test glitches at every opportunity.

They took a photo of the device and body in the shed and leaked it to the police. The dead body was intended to draw attention to the Senator and put him under investigation. The group hoped that Shiawase would see the photo as well and recognize their own device, thus placing the Senator in a very awkward position with the company he "represents" in the California Congress. Only time will tell how successful their plan would be.

The following was charged to the team stipend account:

• 200¥ silencer for Eric's gun

Aftermath

December 17, 2072

SAN RAFAEL, California — Lone Star has re-opened a month old murder investigation after a dead body was reported missing from the Green Street Mortuary at Russian Hill. Officials suspected the body was stolen by organleggers, but the body was found (intact) several hours later in a small garage on property owned by Senator Yasuji Shimada (T-Marin County). A maintenance worker at the property reported it to Lone Star upon discovery.

Lone Star has not said if there is any connection between Senator Shimada and the murder case. An estate employee who wished to remain anonymous said that the estate was hosting a party for Shimada's niece but the Senator himself was not present. A photo of the body on the property was released on the Matrix. Lone Star is in the process of interviewing the party's attendees and employees of the estate. A spokesperson for the senator would not comment on the ongoing investigation. The senator cancelled a scheduled appearance today at a fundraiser in Sacramento, citing personal reasons.

((Photos of the Lone Star investigation are attached to this news article. They show the shed surrounded with police tape. The magical device is not in the shed in these photos.))

Results

Status: Complete
Dates: December 15-17, 2072
Quote of the night: "It's San Francisco, it'd look suspicious if we didn't have bicycles." - Tony
Nuyen: 2,000¥ mission award
Stipend: 2,230¥ remaining
Karma Awarded: 7