QSI People

[Frederic Bourgault-Christie]

Patrick Galloway was going to work with those left at QSI to handle jobs.

Fred was going with Bob to Aquarius to check it out and had just given TekWiz and Mike a metric assload of things to do.

Some of the things we commissioned:
*A submarine
*Barrier piercing items
*Chaos Sword-based skills (showed Tek Chaos Sword and Chaos Shield)
*Crowd control items like electric net projectors, syringe machinegun, etc.
*Long-distance hacking, maybe a microwave hacking device to reprogram enemy robots en masse
*Perhaps jumping boots, molecularly adhesive boots
*A gravity inverter?

[crazygeneral]

Tech and Deus are on the unexplored continent and found an assload of weird gel-like crystals. Apparently these things are worth tons of cash. We could steal 'em or we could trade for 'em. Tech's agreed to bring a few of the people down there with him, apparently they've been stuck underground for thousands of years.

[Frederic Bourgault-Christie]

Is there any other planning we need to get done? We just got that barrier generator. Any recruitment, mission, building, etc. concepts?

Oh yeah, in line with what happened to Bob: We need security cameras, lockdown procedures, keycard systems and more people to hire as basic guards. Maybe retinal, fingerprint or DNA scans for sensitive areas. Turrets (as Kyle pointed out), poison gasses, holding cells, heat-raising devices and oxygen deprivation areas, etc. are also needed. (If we really want to get spiffy, we can refine a teleportation and barrier system to really control our territory.) I'm thinking cheap droids, maybe little Droideka-like spheres that we hold in wall slots (possibly cheaper because they're smaller, easier to program, require smaller CPUs, etc.), or humanoids with basic weapons, whatever's cheaper. Then we need a central communications and security center, with face and voice recognition software.

We need these not to trade off with the public areas, and we need to work on those public areas (like gyms and such).

In addition, we need to have Tech create personalized power-compatible (or amplifying) exoskeletons and have Lintaran and Deus Enchant us some sweetly weapons.

[crazygeneral]

We need to include some magic into the security systems too because plenty o' mages and/or general freaks could morph into one of us and sneak right by. I say we hire tons of basic human guards armed with flimsy body armor and a pistol, and maybe Tech could create some kind of "Scouters" for them to wear to identify the presence of magic/psionics and read alignment.

[Frederic Bourgault-Christie]

Yeah, that's a good point, hence the fingerprint, retinal and passkey systems. A See Aura detector at vital chokepoints would be excellent. I like the Scouter idea, and it works only with human guards. If we can find some cheap droids (or create cheap undead that we can hide as not being undead), we should do that as well. Maybe we should buy out a Rent-a-Cop company.

Plus if we have communicators, if there's any question, they can call any of us and we'll teleport in and examine someone.

Mainly, I was trying to deal with the problem of some dude who clearly doesn't belong slipping in, like what happened with the Death Knight.

[KRoZ]

Human guards are cheap and plentiful. Just have to be sure they're on the level in a place like Arcadia. Then again if it is just a guy who's "Casing the joint" for his gang, he's going to quickly either realize that it's a bad bad idea, or that there's some valuable shit here.

They more than likely won't get away with anything they try, but it means they won't be doing their job as a guard, which may let someone else get away with something else.

Robot guards are much more expensive, but there's the bonus of never having to pay them and they never sleeping. Of course, after using them, where humans sign a waver in event of death, robots are your responsibility. Requiring you to repair or replace them every time. Naturally, many of your own members can cater to that. But on the same note, they could just ressurect Joe guard.

Undead say something about your establishment. Even if you can't sense undead, the place is bound to have an eerie feel with the cold, emotionless, single minded centurions patrolling the inside. But having undead cruising around your business is bound to bring interesting individuals out of the woodwork.

But if you wanted to take that route, Techmage or that Necromancer somebody met in the basement playing cards with a zombie would be ideal.


Either way, as of now your only line of defense is the scarce occasional wandering CSI member and the lady at the front desk.

[Frederic Bourgault-Christie]

Human guards are cheap and plentiful. Just have to be sure they're on the level in a place like Arcadia. Then again if it is just a guy who's "Casing the joint" for his gang, he's going to quickly either realize that it's a bad bad idea, or that there's some valuable shit here.

I mean, yeah, it'd be nice if they could fend off a gang, but what we really don't want at least for now is a repetition of when Evan's DK broke in. Some kind of deterrent to make sure someone isn't planting a bomb or cheap shit like that.

Robot guards are much more expensive, but there's the bonus of never having to pay them and they never sleeping. Of course, after using them, where humans sign a waver in event of death, robots are your responsibility. Requiring you to repair or replace them every time. Naturally, many of your own members can cater to that. But on the same note, they could just ressurect Joe guard.

Fewer people on the team can resurrect Joe Guard than fix a droid, though sometimes droids get damaged beyond repair. What would be cheaper: humanoids or small spherical or square robots? Maybe a combination of the spheres/squares and some Rent-A-Cops?

Undead say something about your establishment. Even if you can't sense undead, the place is bound to have an eerie feel with the cold, emotionless, single minded centurions patrolling the inside. But having undead cruising around your business is bound to bring interesting individuals out of the woodwork.

Damn good point, but we have normal people coming into the building on occasion. Undead would be better for the garage and for levels off limits to civilians.

Either way, as of now your only line of defense is the scarce occasional wandering CSI member and the lady at the front desk.

Go Gristham! Identify that crime!

We do actually have a full building barrier, but that's sort of throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

So, Fred will actually look up any security specialists, whether they be turret installers, Rent-A-Cops, droid salesmen, or camera/keycard installation folks, and give them a call.

[KRoZ]

Ahem... QSI...

There are three security specialists in Arcadia. One of whom gets all the business because he was here first and built a reputation. The other two are difficult to find information on since they aren't so well known. They are bound to have cheaper prices, not being the head honcho business, but they may or may not have lower quality work.

They are in order of popularity:

Safe-T home and personal business securement solutions.

Homefront defensive systems.

Watchdawg security inc.


When you think on the subjects, other businesses you know who have defensive systems come to mind:

Richard, your local arms connection, has a force field and automated turret setup in his shop, as well as a slide away wall concealing members of the "Harry's boys" merc ensemble.

Mike, owner of Mad Mikes Monster Car Emporium, has a number of patroling robots on the premises.

Other than that you could probably check with members of the rival merc company which has since mysteriously burned down, to see what measures their premises had taken.


The prices on humanoids vs. robots depends on what you outfit either with, and if you buy or lease the robots. That all depends on who you contact.

[Frederic Bourgault-Christie]

That all makes sense. I think I'm going to move from the mundane to the expensive, If the cheaper guys use cheaper components or shoddier work, we have master technicians on stand, as long as we get them to do the first part of the work. Fred calls Safe-T, Homefront and Watchdawg, asking them how much (both as a net sum and in individual parts) it would take to get:

*Cameras
*Quarantine/lockdown prerequisites such as heavy doors
*Retinal, fingerprint, DNA scans and keycard systems
*A unified, central security room where we can monitor the cameras and have the computer system to manage as a group automated turrets and other defense systems

In addition, ask them for a quote on any... unorthodox defenses. (If they don't have any, don't broach the issue; if they do, ask about poison, fog generators, etc.)

Then it's time to visit Rich, Mike and find the remaining members of that gutted merc company. See if Rich sells those turrets and see what hiring Harry's Boys as Rent-a-Cops would cost. (Point out to Harry's Boys that when they're not on shift they can use QSI's gym and other amenities.) Then check with Mike to see what she has in terms of robots.

Do I have any contacts in this city courtesy of Ellis, before he became almost totally crazy?

[KRoZ]

Ellis' sphere of information didn't stretch outside the Company City unfortunatley. He was still rather small time.

Your contacts reveal the following:

Safe-T says they can take care of all that if you provide propper authorization and documentations. Which you can do. No discussion of price has come up as they have not yet seen the premises. In terms of unorthodox defenses, they tell you that they can have a catalog shipped to you which details all the systems that Safe-T offers.

Homefront says they'll do it, no questions asked. Documentation helps though. They give an estimate per system, about 6-25k to get cameras through the whole building, give or take if you want full coverage or just hot spots (and if you want those cameras to pick up thermal and other anomalies besides plain old film), 8-12k to set up the monitoring equipment for the cameras, about 1.5k per reinforced automated lockdown door, 18k for a full retinal system database, 14k for handprint (22k for the two combined), 12k for a six tiered keycard system on a "per floor" elevator implementation, more expensive of course for more levels of access or access points. Gun turrets vary on make and model. They can do robot and droid leasing, but that requires more information regarding your needs opposed to a brief quote on the phone.

Watchdawg can do security cameras and armed thugs and "Hook you up". Hook you up with what, you are unsure.


Richard got his security system from Safe-T which includes force field generators, security cameras, a single automated turret, blast plating in the back wall and counter, and a shifting wall-door.

Harry's Boys note that you'd have to talk to Harry. They give you his number.

Mike got her robots from Homefront. At least her security robots. Her lifting/loader droid she custom ordered from an off planet utility robotics dealer and she customized it herself. Her security force is a half dozen small almost russian doll shaped bots on treads with two arms, each with an electronic discharge emitter that can scale from harmless hair standing to stopping hearts and incinerating flesh with electrical burns. She also goes out of her way to say she's working on your vehicle, sounding a bit nervous edgy on the subject, possibly thinking you called regarding it.

You get a hold of a few of the guys from the ex-rival company to find that they also used Safe-T. However, Deus tore up the building and got away with it so...

[Frederic Bourgault-Christie]

Fred smiles at Mike. "Hey, really, it's no problem. I'm sure you know I'm not hindered by not having my bike. You've done great work for us and treated us with respect, and I consider you a friend. Work at the rate you need to make sure the job is done right, and we'll continue pointing business your way." Does she have the contacts for those robots?

Tell Homefront and Watchdawg that I'll come back to them. Ask Safe-T to investigate the premises - put a rush order on it, even if that'll cost a little more. Check with my contacts in the police to see if Watchdawg and Homefront have ever had fraud complaints, litigation or criminal investigations against them; I don't want hired muscle to steal from us. If it'll help, I'll go to Safe-T's actual premises, as well as Homefront and Watchdawg's, picking up a catalog or pamphlet from each. Look up robot leasing as well, see if there's independent providers. We may go with Safe-T's services as the basis, then hire Homefront's robots and use their special stuff, then go with Watchdawg for the rest, including armed thugs. Fax them an incomplete copy of the building's blueprints, keeping some secrets and identifying that it is incomplete, as well as a list of what I want, using the appropriate euphemisms for some of the more unorthodox systems. To Watchdawg, don't mention which of the rooms/floors are mine, Deus', Fred's, and the first gen vampire's, and leave out most everything about the building that isn't publically available - I don't trust them yet; identify that it is complete to them.

What is the best makes and models of turrets? What would it cost for Watchdawg to provide us with thugs with nightvision goggles, basic kevlar, tazers, stun batons, a pistol and an assault rifle, with the provision that they can use any publically available facility for free and with an under-the-table provision that we can do security work for them as well? And for Homefront to provide us humanoid drones with energy rifles or sniper rifles as well as stun equipment, or small droids as I specified earlier?

Is there anything left in the building that could be scavenged? And offer any of them positions with us, with my sincere apologies.

Call Harry and arrange a meeting.

[KRoZ]

Ah, didn't know you wanted to go in person. That being the case, you'll note that when you arrive Mike is working on a different vehicle that isn't yours. Her face contorts comically while she fishes for some kind of lie as to why she's working on it instead of yours before you just stop her with whatever you say.

She still has contacts with the utility robot export company and gives it to you.

Safe-T says they'll have someone out tomorrow to check the building out.

Watchdawg has had two complaints about their guards. One about one being too thorough and hassling everyone who came into the building, employee or no, and another who simply didn't show up some days. Generally it seems that Watchdawg isn't thorough enough in deciding who to hire. Additionally, they don't have the funding or capabilities to get much else but guys with batons, flak jackets, badges, and pistols.

Homefront has had no complaints and an excellent customer service rating. They can provide small security drones or full sized humanoid enforcer droids (though they are in shorter supply by far, only six opperational units right now. the company is still small.)

You can't scavenge things from the merc building because it still belongs to people. Cleanup hasn't finished and the employees and rightfull owners of things are claiming them first, followed by the organization and families where the original owner was killed in the blaze. A few of them consider employment with you, though they are hesitant after the crazy goings on at their last job.

Harry is skeptical talking to a kid on the phone, but after you prove yourself to be a representative of QSI, including giving your Merc ID number to him and the like, he agrees to meet you in the park near the fountain tomorrow around 2PM.


As far as turrets go, there are many varieties including but not limited to:

Ballistic: Low and high caliber bullets, riot control rounds, explosive darts, tranquilizer or poison needles.

Energy: Low and high frequency lasers, stunning rays, tasers, plasma death.

Other: Flame jets, dissolvant glue, high frequency sound emission, stuning concussives, EMP.

Best make and model depends on what you're looking for and where you put it. Naturally you wouldn't want to defend a computer mainframe with explosive darts and EMP.

[Frederic Bourgault-Christie]

I thought I'd be visiting Mike in person - she deserves it. I colossally don't care.

Watchdawg sounds okay, then. We can filter out bad guards. We may have to purchase our own equipment to provide them.

What is the lease and buy costs for said droids? And do Homefront and Safe-T provide guards of any type? If they don't, we'll get some rent-a-cops from Watchdawg and augment those with Harry's Boys.

Fred will also set out an announcement over the loudspeaker and put it up on the whiteboard: "At least three QSI members must be in the building at all times. Repeat: At least three QSI members must be in the building at all times. This security announcement will stay in place until we have improved the security situation." That includes Ripper and other robots as well as our crappy members like Chris and people who are currently in training, so I imagine that won't be too difficult.

You can't scavenge things from the merc building because it still belongs to people. Cleanup hasn't finished and the employees and rightfull owners of things are claiming them first, followed by the organization and families where the original owner was killed in the blaze. A few of them consider employment with you, though they are hesitant after the crazy goings on at their last job.

Fred will point up the amenities: room and board, access to training by some of the greatest warriors and experts around, etc. And point out that now that maniac would be on THEIR side. We won't deprive people of their legitimate legal stuff.

Harry is skeptical talking to a kid on the phone, but after you prove yourself to be a representative of QSI, including giving your Merc ID number to him and the like, he agrees to meet you in the park near the fountain tomorrow around 2PM.

Fred is a pretty huge dude (Build 10) and is 16, so he's going to sound pretty adult, but yeah, still like a 16 year old weightlifter. Anyways, I'll accept that meeting.

In front of important areas, we want a few lethal and a few non-lethal turrets. Everywhere else, non-lethals, a mix of energy and physical of all types. Buy EMP turrets for non-computer intensive areas. Also see if we can get poison vents installed in security-intensive areas.

Does any of these companies accept the offer of security work or other merc stuff in exchange for discount or credit?

[halfhero]

Fred. you better hope the people you are hirin from the other merc company didnt see my face, cause if so, i am gonna fucking paint my walls with their blood. also, when we return from our little adventure, deus is gonna put extensive rune locks on the doors to fred, tech, deus, the vampire, basically everyone of mid high to high power. the locks will take the form of a pattern of runes on the doors, and you just have to touch the proper ones in sequence.
also, deus and tech are going to work on TW mines for outside the buildin that wil be able to sense any harmful intent and blow up with explody death. (run these by the fire department to assure that they wont blow the whole city up when they go bang)

[halfhero]

Also, I have been meaning to give our secretaries penknives with the "full treatment" poison and pain enchant on them. I want them to have a hidden way to incapacitate lesser assailants. Make sure to use these knives on a fish while they watch or something so they understand the power in their.... pens.

[Frederic Bourgault-Christie]

James: We were exonerated of all charges by Riven, remember? The cops ended the investigation.

You could definitely make the mines electric, agony, time stop, cryogenic, or otherwise.

[KRoZ]

Actually the other mercs concern was more in the terms of "Some guy did something crazy and everyone caught on fire" and less "Some guy from your company did something crazy and everyone caught on fire."

They don't actually know who deus is or that he's at fault, and only a couple people saw him when he wasn't on fire and running, and those people are ash or in pieces.

IE: no longer in the equation.

[Frederic Bourgault-Christie]

Oh. Well then tell them that the crazy man who was on fire won't bother them and give them a synopsis of our strongest people's abilities (leaving out secrets, of course).

I like the idea of one-shot penknives that the team can distribute to have one insta-kill.

[KRoZ]

They will consider the idea, but after seeing something like that, it's understandable that they be a bit reluctant to get back in the biz.

[Frederic Bourgault-Christie]

Quite. So: Moving onto other topics? What about the other quotes I asked for/sent in? And once that's done and I've done all I can for today: Are there any jobs? If there aren't, I may take Chris out for dinner.

[crazygeneral]

We should also buy a bunch of viscious dogs and then cybernetically enhance them to patrol the grounds. I should also go back to work now.

[halfhero]

haha, yeah.

Yeah I like the idea of having small daggers that will only withstand one use, but they doo a horrible death spell plus pain plus this and that, basically experiment with loading the maximum amont of hurt into a small dagger, then commision people to make very hidden locations on their person(no justin, not in your anus please, its impractical in combat) and we can nicelittle last resorts. Perhaps the daggers can leave some sort of qsi signature or identifying mark, for coolness factor.

[halfhero]

Lets make the mines have large amount of paralyze spell energy in them and emit a psychic signal of sorts that will alert us of their being tripped. Then we can dish out some interrogative techniques (rubs hands together).

[Frederic Bourgault-Christie]

We'd want the dogs to have been nice and kind, actual good guard dogs, in the first place so they don't maul customers. But they should be vicious to those we don't like. Otherwise, hell yeah, son! Maybe I should earn Fred a dog mastery ability.

Do you guys have any more short-term plans or proposals for me?

[halfhero]

well, i think short term proposals are somwhat null since we are outside of contact i believe.

[Frederic Bourgault-Christie]

They'd be OOC. And Tech designed us communicators with fairly much unlimited range.

[KRoZ]

Once tech and deus get back, yeah. putting things into motion would seem more sensible.

But hey, if you're using cyber dogs you can just have aggression inhibitors installed. Calm as a pup during the day, but at night time or when you aren't supposed to be in that area, they will fucking eat your lungs.

As for the ubar knives, sure. That'll work.

If you guys end up with some kind of Logo, which I guess right now is just the letters QSI, you can devise a way of marking the target, or the knife itself once the charge has been used.

Having a twisted, slightly burned, awful looking husk of a corpse lying contorted in agony on the ground with the letters of your business carved into it's forehead might raise some questions, but one of those questions will not be "Hey, you wanna fuck with those guys?"

[Frederic Bourgault-Christie]

Especially if the killing was based on a legitimate assignment.

So: Any response from those companies and anything more I'm aware of so far that I need to do?

[KRoZ]

Your day is pretty clear till tomorrow when the Safe-T guy is gonna come take a first hand look at the premises and you have a meeting with Harry out in the park near the fountain.


Also, Techs communicators can't reach outside the sandstorms interferance and all the dirt and rocks and remains of space shuttle they're under on the other side of the world.

So, if you want to take Chris out, you've got plenty of time. It's only about 5PM

[crazygeneral]

I think for the time being we should start a mini Tech-Deus adventures in the unexplored continent forum, so as to avoid clutter. And also we should get done exploring that bitch and come back with riches beyond any mortals wildest dreams, but since we're not mortals the riches we'll find will seem mediocre if not down-right insulting, considering we deserve to have 100 square mile palaces built of gold and platnium to use as our bathrooms.