NPC

Turning from a shipping manifest he had in his hands, the man behind the counter gave her a nod and smile as he quickly grabbed the requested upgrades for the young woman and gently slid them up towards her, taking the card and giving it a swipe, he nodded as the recipt printed out. Ripping the piece of paper out of his register and sliding it along to Jenny, he gave her a nod. "Have a great day, kiddo. Just hope you and your navi aren't doing anything too dangerous, I'd be a shame if you lost em." He spoke simply with a smile, before turning around to back where he was a moment ago.

Jenny Lose: 24,050z
Jenny Gain: FastArmor NCP, NC 15-17 and PU 15-17

The shopkeeper took a moment to puzzle over the scrap of paper, squinting one eye as he traced the figures. He glanced up at Destin a couple of times in between.

"Let's see... So, you're navi's at..." He frowned and tilted his head the other way. "Right so that's nineteen to twenty three on the base, as Hp," he mumbled mostly to himself as he seemed to switch to his won way of thinking about the upgrades. "And then... Right." With a nod he set the note down and ducked behind the counter, shuffling for a moment, then retreated to the back room to elicit more sounds of stock being moved. It took another few seconds before he finally emerged with a stack of small, similar-looking items, slipping them all into a single bag before sliding them across the counter.

"That's quite some high end stuff your navi is up to... I'd say be careful out there, but it looks like you know what you're doing. There you go and have a good day. Come back if you need more!" He chatted as he ran the purchase through and returned Destion's card, before giving him another nod and a small wave off.

==
Destin Get: HPMem v11-15, PU v53-60
Destin Lose: 73,700z

On the other side of the kiosk, LinkMan gave only a small start as Tem arrived with a level of flourish and style usually reserved for something other than a convenience store purchase. Despite this, he offered her an amused grin and a nod of his head as she brought up her purchase request.

“And a good day to you there as well, miss. Let's see... Yep, that's all correct, I'll just grab those for you.” With a series of short hand motions, the navi pulled each of the data chips seemingly from the air to either side of him, though a perceptive eye might notice the equivalent packets phasing off some of the shelves behind the counter. In short order, he moved them across to her and took the payment.

“There you go, enjoy your new firepower. Hope it serves you well! Do come back again if you need anything else!” He finished with a small, friendly wave of one hand.

==

Tem/Rass GET: 2x SentinelGunHP: 50
Properties: Anchored
Object Damage: 10 + Impact
Damage Method: Telekinesis
Attack Damage: 10 Null + Stun 1
Accuracy: A
Description: Summons an autotargeting gun turret that fires stun bolts.
Duration: Until destroyed.
Element: Null
Special: RP quality does not boost or reduce this chip's accuracy. - This chip's accuracy cannot be boosted or reduced by any means.
Trader Rank: D, Satellite1Damage: 60 + Impact + Object Orbit
Accuracy: B
Description: Summons a Sparky virus and sends it across the field on a hard-to-avoid zig-zagging path. If it hits an enemy, it explodes into a ball of plasma. If it hits an object, it begins circling around the object and can damage near by enemies repeatedly.
Duration: Once, or up to 2 turns, if orbiting.
Element: Elec
Special: Object Orbit: The Satellite will orbit any object it comes into contact with. This chip cannot damage Objects, including Casings.
Trader Rank: D, 2x Untrap
Suien LOSE: 6500z

The shop-keeper appeared from the small door leading to what most people would probably presume was stock room, carrying an assortment of small packets that swiftly got filed into drawers behind the counter. IT took him a moment to notice Stephanie but he gave her a greeting not as he stood upright again.

"For those? That's right..." He didn't even seem to pause to think about the math as he moved part way along the counter to another hidden shelf. "Rough busting run? Well, it's like I always say, when your funds are tight, it's always best to focus on the core, and don't worry about chips until later." He grinned at her as he retrieved the upgrades, in between back-handedly shilling his business. "Let's see... theses ones. Here you are." In short order, the upgrades were pushed across the counter to her while he took care of her card, handing it back a moment after.

"That's all taken care of. Have a good day and stay safe with your navi; A healthy customer is a repeat customer. Do come again!"

==

Stephanie GET: PUv13, 14, 15
Stephanie LOSE: 4200z

The broadcast opens, as usual, on a pair of newscaster navis. Once more they've donned their token effort at seasonal attire: the male navi is dressed in a sharp black suit, but tailored in a way that suggests an older era, while his skin has been powdered up to look deathly pallid. A set of fake fangs peek out from the top of his mouth, while the buttons on his white undershirt are made to look like little silver bats. Beside him, the female news anchor is wearing a distantly gothic-styled dress, with an off the shoulder design, and a pair of red fang marks, complete with small trials of blood, on her exposed neck.

The set, too has been decorated; fake cobwebs are visible at the corners of the shot, and the backdrop is of an ancient castle, beneath a full moon, rather than the usual city-scape live feed. Once again, someone seems to have gotten their wires crossed and decorated the spider webs with plastic bats by mistake. The female anchor flashes a smile.

“Greetings for the spooky season from your news server! It's that time of year again, when the young and young at heart get up to mischief and prowl the night seeking treats to sate their hunger for horror!”

“That's right, Mina, and this season, in between the spiced drinks and scary movie marathons, Soryu's Chip Shop is sponsoring another chip-trading charity event.” The male anchor took over smoothly with the barest glance at his notes. Most impressive was the delivery of his lines while fighting to prevent his plastic fangs from causing unprofessional lisps. He managed, just. “Just donate a chip to the event email address, and you'll receive a new chip in return, courtesy of Soryu.”

“It's very generous, John, isn't it?” The female anchor picked up again, with a constructed smile for her co-host. “These trades help generate donations for a number of charities and non-profit ventures, this year focusing on navigators in need. Each chip trade sponsors a matched donation! The event will be running all through the spooky season, so there's plenty of time to make your trade.”

“There certainly is, Mina, but don't delay, because the turn around from the mailing lines is prompt and you could be out there making mischief with your new chip in minutes! Details for the mailing lines will be on your screen now, and remember to play safe and stay safe these holidays.” The war against his false fangs was beginning to get the better of him, but he soldiered on bravely while his co-host took over.

“From all of us here at your News Server, have a spooky night!”

===

((This year's hallows event can be found Here! Normal trader rules for events apply, further details in the email thread.))

After entering and listening for a short while, ScorchMan eventually reached out to find a shopkeeper using some fairly safe quick deduction. He was somewhere just shy of the middle area of the store, by his best guess, but the voice the responded as he made his enquiry was helpful and profession.

“Hi there, just one moment sir...” There was a pause of about a second or two, and the sense of the navi nearest him moving slightly; small sounds of small objects contacting and sliding against larger displays followed before he had the sense of the other navi giving his attention more fully to him.

“Well, as you say, this is your first last and only stop for any navigator needs. Not just new battlers, but experienced virus busters and grizzled veterans alike as well. We stock everything you could need for navis of all capabilities.” There was another pause as, presumably, the speaking navi assessed ScochMan properly; the list and chip was received and accepted out of his hand.

“That ought to be no problem at all, if you'll just step this way...” ScorchMan was able to sense the close proximity of the navi moving near him, though the shop-keeper didn't ever actually reach out or touch him directly. “Just left here sir... that's right. And here we are...” A short digital registry and transfer sound followed, before a slim data loop rested neatly over one of ScorchMan's hands; it immediately communicated itself as a short tether to a number of products whose signatures matched his requests.

“Everything is in order there. Do have a good day.” There was another short pause, but the shop navi spoke up again after clearing his through quietly. “I know this might be out of place, sir, but I feel I ought to mention it, just in case, but as well as navigator supplies we do also handle a number of deeper system processes, repairs and recovery operations for navigators who suffer long term detriments – permanent crashes of various systems, that sort of thing. Your operator would have to make a more formal appointment, of course, but there is a lot we can do. I apologise; I don't know your circumstance. Many newer navis aren't aware that we offer those services though, so I felt it was worth mentioning. Either way, good day to you, and do come again!”

==

ScorchMan GET: HPMem 1, PowerUp x1, Element Shot, PU v1-5
ScorchMan LOSe: 4000z

By the time Griffin approached the counter, trailing a small space of other customers giving him a wide berth behind, Soryu looked between the man, the extended wander he'd taken about the store, and the pittance he was putting forward. A single eyebrow raised.

"Right." The response was dry and droll. With a flick of one hand, he retrieved the purchase and made the exchange. "Do be sure to comeback if you need anything else."

Griffin GET: 2x MiniEnergyPack
Griffin LOSE: 100z

As the nervous operator returned to the store, he was almost bumped into by another customer leaving at a run - a teenage girl in casual clothes who grinned and offered him an embarrassed apology and a wave before running off. The store seemed well frequented today. At the counter, Suitachi looked to the new arrival and his eyebrow quirked at the top of a wry expression.

"There some sort of busting tournament on here today that I missed? All these kids and their repeat visits all at once... Well, what can I get you this time, young sir?" He eyed Eric up and then his PET, while the boy placed his order. The corner of a knowing grin twitched at one corner of his lips as Amy filled in the extra blanks, though curiously, Suitachi had already been reaching below the counter as she spoke, almsot like he had known in advance which ones they'd need.

"Sounds about right. One second... Ah... here we are." He stood again with a neat pile of slim packages, each securely sealed, and slipped them into a larger paper bag with the store logo on it. "Enjoy your upgrades, and good luck out there. Come back if you need anything else." Payment was exchanged and the bag crossed the counter towards Eric and Amy.

Eric GET: HPMem v2&3, PU v5&6
Eric LOSE: 3850z

Suitachi looked up from carrying a box to a shelf when Jenny came in, looking slightly less out of breath than the last time she had been there. The shopkeeper smiled to himself in small amusement and slid the box into a corner next to the shelf, brushed himself off and made his way back to behind the counter. "All right, let me get those for you, then," he said, taking the card and pinging it onto the counter to scan it with one hand, while moving about behind the counter and deftly picking out the upgrades with the other. Stacked on top of each other in front of Jenny in five seconds were the upgrades she requested.

"12,950 zenny in all... Alright, that looks right. Thanks for coming! Have a nice run," he smiled.

Jenny GET: NC Expansion x2 (#7-8), [FirstArmor] NCP, [FirstBarrier] NCP, Process Upgrade x2 (#13-14)
Jenny LOSE: 12950z (13110 -> 160)

At the scolding, Wrangler only bobbed in place, still smiling. He watched Tem retrieved and red the paper while, beside himself, the affable prog began to nimbly spin a rope lasso with casual and dexterous ease, which, it had to be said, was remarkable given the limited nature of his hands.

"An' perhaps if ye saved some o' that there venom fer the viruses, you'd be gettin' paid already, missy!" He was still smiling, but as he spoke, the prog switched the lasso to the other side, passing his body through the loop in the process. Once Tem had selected her virus, the lasso cracked out to the side, though it seemed to disappear from sight as it passed the edge of the wooden stall. It came back looped improbably around a fresh sheet of paper which was deposited on the counter in front of Tem with another flick of the lasso.


Bounty Reward for Dynamite1 (Dynamite)

Area: Netopia, Beach

2 kills: 480z, turn-in available
5 kills: Dynamite1HP: 100
Properties: Light
Object Damage: 100 Null + Blast2
Damage Method: Throw, Knockback, Microburst, Telekinesis, Gust
Attack Damage: 100 Null + Blast2 + Line Attack + Seeking
Accuracy: D (thrown) / A (trigger)
Description: Sets a lightweight laser trip bomb. When something crosses the sensor beam, the bomb detonates a shaped charge that blasts an entire line. It can see through Invisibility. This weapon is very dangerous to use, caution is advised.
Duration: Until destroyed or until it attacks.
Element: Null
Special: Laser TAG: Attack triggers when something moves through the targeting laser beam, no matter who or what that may be.
Trader Rank: D; OR 1200z
10 kills: 1920z
15 kills: 2880z
20 kills: Dynamite2HP: 100
Properties: Light
Object Damage: 150 Null + Blast2
Damage Method: Throw, Knockback, Microburst, Telekinesis, Gust
Attack Damage: 150 Null + Blast2 + Line Attack + Seeking
Accuracy: D (thrown) / A (trigger)
Description: Sets a lightweight laser trip bomb. When something crosses the sensor beam, the bomb detonates a shaped charge that blasts an entire line. It can see through Invisibility. This weapon is very dangerous to use, caution is advised.
Duration: Until destroyed or until it attacks.
Element: Null
Special: Laser TAG: Attack triggers when something moves through the targeting laser beam, no matter who or what that may be.
Trader Rank: C; OR Dynamite1HP: 100
Properties: Light
Object Damage: 100 Null + Blast2
Damage Method: Throw, Knockback, Microburst, Telekinesis, Gust
Attack Damage: 100 Null + Blast2 + Line Attack + Seeking
Accuracy: D (thrown) / A (trigger)
Description: Sets a lightweight laser trip bomb. When something crosses the sensor beam, the bomb detonates a shaped charge that blasts an entire line. It can see through Invisibility. This weapon is very dangerous to use, caution is advised.
Duration: Until destroyed or until it attacks.
Element: Null
Special: Laser TAG: Attack triggers when something moves through the targeting laser beam, no matter who or what that may be.
Trader Rank: D + 3600z; OR 4800z
30 kills: 6000z
50 kills: Dynamite2HP: 100
Properties: Light
Object Damage: 150 Null + Blast2
Damage Method: Throw, Knockback, Microburst, Telekinesis, Gust
Attack Damage: 150 Null + Blast2 + Line Attack + Seeking
Accuracy: D (thrown) / A (trigger)
Description: Sets a lightweight laser trip bomb. When something crosses the sensor beam, the bomb detonates a shaped charge that blasts an entire line. It can see through Invisibility. This weapon is very dangerous to use, caution is advised.
Duration: Until destroyed or until it attacks.
Element: Null
Special: Laser TAG: Attack triggers when something moves through the targeting laser beam, no matter who or what that may be.
Trader Rank: C + 3600z; OR Dynamite1HP: 100
Properties: Light
Object Damage: 100 Null + Blast2
Damage Method: Throw, Knockback, Microburst, Telekinesis, Gust
Attack Damage: 100 Null + Blast2 + Line Attack + Seeking
Accuracy: D (thrown) / A (trigger)
Description: Sets a lightweight laser trip bomb. When something crosses the sensor beam, the bomb detonates a shaped charge that blasts an entire line. It can see through Invisibility. This weapon is very dangerous to use, caution is advised.
Duration: Until destroyed or until it attacks.
Element: Null
Special: Laser TAG: Attack triggers when something moves through the targeting laser beam, no matter who or what that may be.
Trader Rank: D + 4800z; OR 8400z

"Dynamites! Careful with those ones, ye hear? They can catch ye unawares an' then it's gold rush time again. Meaning, everything gettin' blown sky high fer no good reason. Good luck, missy!"