Spy Tech, Class Three (24 Jan)

[mi6-m.livejournal.com]

Wednesday, January 24, Period 1

As the students entered the Danger Shop, they found themselves walking into what looked like a briefing room, with one glass wall looking out into some sort of engineering testing area. M was seated at the head of the table, and once everyone had arrived she turned on a projection screen.

“You are being assigned a mission today. A young woman has been kidnapped, and is being held in an abandoned laboratory off the coast. You will work in teams to infiltrate the building, locate the woman, and retrieve her. There will be equipment provided for you, but no outside assistance. Additionally, we have reason to believe that at least one of the persons responsible for the kidnapping has been spotted in the vicinity of the building where she’s being held. Also, the building itself has been damaged in an explosion, and part of the lower level is currently underwater.”

As she spoke, images appeared on the projection screen, showing a small and obviously damaged two-story building complex, situated literally on the edge of the ocean so that sections were obviously located beneath the surface of the water. Then, the image of a familiar-looking young woman appeared. “This is the kidnap victim. She’s a security professional, who designs lethal traps and other equipment freelance. Much of her business comes from the criminal world, and our people are very keen to get information on a specific system she designed. She recently evaded a capture attempt, but we have intelligence that suggests she’s currently being held by the customer whose system we’re interested in. Be warned, therefore, that she may not be entirely cooperative, as she will be taken into custody immediately upon your return.”

Once M was finished speaking, she led the group out into the testing area, where they were approached by a tall Englishman in a dark suit and protective goggles. He indicated a table holding various items.

“These are the items that will be available to you, when you reach your destination. Although I’m afraid that our funding doesn’t cover school experiments, so you’ll have to make do with some second-hand equipment that was salvaged from previous missions. Don’t worry, I’m certain it’s all just as good as new.”

As he was speaking, the sound of an explosion came from another part of the lab. With a worried expression, the man hurried off, and M stepped up. “Now, I want you to pair up, and then collect your equipment. You may each have either an underwater breather or a snorkel suit, but not both. You may each then choose three of the five remaining items to take with you, and two items that you already have on your person. Q will be available to answer questions about the equipment. Then I want you to step through that door--” She indicated a door labeled ‘PRIVATE’. “On the other side you’ll find a surveillance station. Use the surveillance equipment to learn about the target location. Then you’ll move from there to the abandoned building itself, and complete your mission. Are there any questions?”

[OOC Notes: Okay. Several things that need explaining here, so please read this carefully.

1. You will work in teams. First phase is surveillance, using the equipment described in the appropriate thread below. Second phase is search and rescue, using the equipment you picked up from Q. During the second phase you may encounter some outside interference in the form of the Villain. Also, your equipment may randomly malfunction (I’ll be using a RNG for each team to decide what happens). Additionally, the Victim may not be entirely cooperative. The search and rescue phase will have two threads: one for entering and searching the building, and a separate one for the rescue itself. The building has two levels: one above ground/water, where your "Search" will take place, and a flooding basement level where your "Rescue" will take place. The mission is not completed until you’ve actually removed the Victim from the building. It is entirely possible to fail this mission, either because your team is foiled by the Villain, loses the Victim, or winds up "killing" themselves. ;)

2. I will tag in as necessary to detail the results of your attempts at infiltration (if you attempt to blow something up, if an item you’re using malfunctions, etc.), but you are free to mod the results of your search of the building. Keep in mind that it’s a stereotypical Evil Mastermind Lab, abandoned and partially damaged by a mysterious explosion. Also, the basement is submerged and partially flooded, which means you may need to use your diving equipment to gain access. I am not available on IM during the day, so please ping me in the OOC thread if you have questions or would like to request a response from me in a specific place (a link would be much appreciated).

3. Please have fun with this! Your grade doesn’t rely on actually succeeding in the rescue, but rather in participation. So play true to your characters and their abilities, and feel free to engage in the crackiness. Also, the post is open for play to continue through the week.]

[ETA: Clarification -- Each player chooses one breathing apparatus and three additional items, which means that each team with receive eight items from Q. Additionally, each player may add two personal items of their own.]

ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK: Write a brief essay exploring the difficulties inherent in designing underwater espionage technology.

[Posting early for extended play. Please wait for OCD threads are up, you may begin!]

Syllabus
Class Roster
Linkdrop for classes

Comments

PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[mi6-m.livejournal.com]

Choose a partner and discuss the equipment you’ll be using from the list below. (NOTE: Something will be randomly malfunctioning at some point during the mission. Also, your character does not have IC knowledge of the inherent problems with the equipment unless you ask Q about them.)

Underwater breather (http://www.jamesbondmm.co.uk/q-branch/thunderball-gadgets.php?id=006) (you get 10 minutes of air before a recharge is required, can be shared with another person)
or
Seagull snorkel suit (http://www.jamesbondmm.co.uk/q-branch/goldfinger-gadgets.php?id=001) (it’s silly looking and unwieldy, but you get 30 minutes of air)

Underwater flashlight (http://www.globalspec.com/NpaPics/90/104486_030820041471_ExhibitPic.jpg) (casts light for up to 5 feet, batteries might not last long)
Handheld underwater torch (http://www.petrogen.com/UW%20torch%20Opt..gif) (good for cutting through metal, but will probably only work once)
Low-yield explosives (do not work underwater, will produce a small blast good for making holes and breaking things, but won’t bring the roof down)
Standard lock pick kit (http://www.airpistol.co.uk/images/mpxs-08.gif) (no good on electronic locks, obviously)
Grapple gun (http://www.jamesbondmm.co.uk/q-branch/goldfinger-gadgets.php?id=002) (20 foot range, prone to malfunction)

You may also add two items that your character would reasonably be expected to be carrying to class.

(NOTE: No, you do not get wet suits. Or even bathing suits. But your clothes will be returned to their normal dry state following the exercise.)

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker decided on the snorkel suit, then tapped her fingers on the table, trying to decide which three out of five items to take with her.

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"When we end up underwater, do you think she'll pull points from us if we go naked?" Jack walked up behind Parker and leaned over her shoulder. "I hate swimming in clothes."

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker batted at him, then nudged him in the side, amused. "No, but I doubt she'll give 'em back. And if any bits get hurt, I don't think she'll give you a bandaid, either." She indicated the array of devices. "What do you think? Explosives, or underwater torch? I mean how necessary are they, if the place is already falling down?"

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Grimacing, Jack nodded. "Good point. Clothes it is, then." He considered the items on the table, touching each one in turn. "If it's falling down, chances are we're going to find someplace we need to get through blocked. I guess the question is will that place be underwater or not? And do you know anything about explosives? Cause I don't, and I don't think it's the sort of thing you can pick up on the fly. I vote for torch. It can double as a weapon, and even though it's for underwater, I bet it can be used on land."

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[courier-gavin.livejournal.com]

Jake regarded the gadgets thoughtfully. He dismissed the lockpick kit, since he'd discovered in Spying that he could just use his fingers. Provided there was any light at all, he should be able to see underwater just fine, and he was almost sure he could manage to grow gills if he really had to. Therefore Jake grabbed the underwater breather, the torch, explosives and a grapple gun. "God, I hope I never need to use this stuff in real life."

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

Annette approached him rather hopefully, "Jake? Do you have a partner yet?"

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[courier-gavin.livejournal.com]

Jake glanced towards Krycek, but shook his head. "Nope. Wanna team up?"

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

She followed his eyes, "If you've already got it set up with someone else, that's fine. No problem at all."

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

Anders went with the snorkel suit. Silly-looking, sure, but he kind of wanted those extra 20 minutes' of air.

He'd taken to carrying the lockpick set Aly had given him at all times, and he had his yo-yos (hey, they were damn useful), so he picked out the underwater flashlight, the grapple gun, and -- for some reason -- the low-yield explosives.

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[sound-loyalty.livejournal.com]

Kabuto took the underwater breather device, confident in his ability to hold his breath if it was necessary. Aside from that, he took a flashlight, lockpicks, and the underwater torch. He always carried his ninja pouch with him, which held his scrolls and exploding tags.

And there was, of course, always his chakra skills, which didn't count as an 'item'.

A little annoyed that they had to work in teams, Kabuto picked someone at random. "Well, would you like to team up?" he asked pleasantly.

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

Anders looked at the guy he didn't recognize and nodded. "Yeah, sure. Why not?"

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[sound-loyalty.livejournal.com]

"Yakushi Kabuto," Kabuto introduced himself. "But just call me Kabuto. Do you have any sort of special skills, or...?" He gave the other boy a glance-over. "Because I'm a ninja, and I'll use everything at my disposal to succeed here, even if it means doing it on my own."

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[bound2blade.livejournal.com]

Setsuna thoughtfully scanned over the options, while also scanning over her classmates and wondering who'd make a good partner.

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[2-twin-devils-2.livejournal.com]

Hikaru may have made eye contact with her as she scanned, but whether or not she acknowledged it was a different story.

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[bound2blade.livejournal.com]

She did, shoulders squaring slightly. Setsuna looked at him quietly for a moment before shrugging. Why not? They made a good team with things like this, after all.

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[2-twin-devils-2.livejournal.com]

He smiled a little as she quietly made her decision. Good thing she wasn't the type to hold terribly bad grudges..

"Don't mind being my partner today?"

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[imac-kenzie.livejournal.com]

Mac is looking at the options a little uncomfortably while she waits for someone to partner up with. She doesn't really like to do the hands on part of this normally. Gadgets, yes. Actual espionage, not so much.

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[dorky-broots.livejournal.com]

"Hey, need a partner?"

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[imac-kenzie.livejournal.com]

Mac grinned when she saw Broots. "I do," she said. "Hey, Broots. Not seen you around in a while."

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[cat-in-the-box.livejournal.com]

Scrhodinger grabbed an underwater breather, on the basis that he didn't particularly care if he ran out of air anyway.

Most of the items he didn't particularly need, but he grabbed a handheld underwater torch, a flashlight, and a lockpick kit.

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[dbiers.livejournal.com]

D looked over the items and carefully considered each one.

She was leaning toward the snorkel suit, underwater flashlight, low yield explosives and the lock pick kit to add to her waterproof camera (http://pics.livejournal.com/krycek_rat/pic/0001pecx/g12) and shockproof lighter (http://pics.livejournal.com/krycek_rat/pic/00021z31/g12) that Krycek had given her last christmas.

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[krycek-rat.livejournal.com]

Krycek noted Jake had already found a partner, so he approached D'anna with a smile. "Need a partner?"

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[dbiers.livejournal.com]

"I can't say that I'd object." D smiled. "How do you feel about explosives?"

Re: PAIR UP FOR YOUR MISSION

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

John debated between the seagull snorkel thing and the underwater breather. As well as the other things.

What was really tripping him up was figuring out if the garbage bag and duct tape to protect his cast constituted two items or one, since he didn't go anywhere without his multitool.