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overjoyed_logs2017-04-10 08:50 pm
thenine) wrote in overjoyed_logs2017-04-10 08:50 pm
Entry tags:
Chapter 5
Who: OTA
Where: Quad
When: Week IX, Day II - Week XI, Day III
Summary: Chapter 5 prompts!
Restrictions/Warnings: Violence, blood, et cetera. For anything surpassing 'R' on a rating scale, please create your own log.
Notes: Please title your subject line in the following format -- Open / Closed | Date. OOC event information can be found here, calendar information/dates can be found here, warrant page is here, and Hyperion missions, here.
Quick Navigation
The Nine
The Company
Westies
Leith
Resistance
The RAC
Where: Quad
When: Week IX, Day II - Week XI, Day III
Summary: Chapter 5 prompts!
Restrictions/Warnings: Violence, blood, et cetera. For anything surpassing 'R' on a rating scale, please create your own log.
Notes: Please title your subject line in the following format -- Open / Closed | Date. OOC event information can be found here, calendar information/dates can be found here, warrant page is here, and Hyperion missions, here.
Quick Navigation
The Nine
The Company
Westies
Leith
Resistance
The RAC
The Nine: Superficial Alliance
On the surface, a nice space pleasure cruise is all it took to unify the Nine once more. Whether it be bowing to the Kendry show of power, or biding their time, the other families of Qresh have fallen in tow with the pervasive hard-line approach that has come to characterize their interaction with the citizens of the Quad. Citing the disorder on Westerley and the disrupted peace on Leith, the mantra of the Nine is restore peace to benefit all. A unified front for the sake of everyone under their rule. At least, on the surface. Land Hyponia has not lost their favor for the common man, though distinguishing citizen from Resistance from gang is nigh impossible from such a lofty position. Unable to touch base with the society they seek to protect, the family will put out warrants (by proxy) for RAC agents to discern how much honest Resistance remains on Westerley, and the intent and ability of such forces. They will also reach out to those in other houses who may have indicated a desire to help over the past months. Contact will be brief, subtle, and secret, but the mobility that others of Qreshi society enjoy is something Land Hyponia covets, and they will pay whatever they can for aid, even if that comes only in the form of information. Lastly, an anonymous network post, made by the Hyponia leader through several proxies, will appear on the network, asking all who can contribute for a 'state of the Quad' from their own eyes. Hacker and info broker characters may discern that this post comes from Qresh, but may not trace it back to Hyponia directly. |
The Company: Shifting Focus
With the concern of food shortages on Leith rising, scorched fields and wealth slipping between the cracks in reappropriation, the Company has shifted its attention to the quieter moon. To the dismay of many Leithans, Company officials - mainly those born on Leith - begin to arrive by the shipful, armed and ordered to maintain the peace as tensions rise. WIth them comes a Company organized food distribution plan, a task which many Enforcers can expect to be given. They must both collect supplies or funds from more well off Leithans, and distribute these resources from a main hub to organizations in need. Of course, some families will be less than happy to oblige, requiring verbal diplomacy some more accustomed to Westerley may struggle with. Additionally, there is the thread of raids taking place upon those laden with supplies, carried out both by the growing Resistance cells or agitated Leithans alike. Alongside the Company's humanitarian efforts, an order has been given to all assigned to the moon: stamp out any Resistance with utter efficiency. No need to arrest, simply kill and file a report. Stark as this change may be for the citizens of Leith, the Company does not wish to sour their relationship too much, as many of the more prominent families of Leith trace their ancestry back to those in the Nine. Violence should be non-public, if possible, and mere suspicion is not currently enough to justify an act of coercion. Save for the rare exception, those Company employees bred from Westerley will be left to monitor the situation at 'home', disconnected from their units or typical tasks, if necessary, to ensure their station on the moon. Others may be assigned to space, as all Scarback movement will become increasingly restricted, with their ships traveling or lingering in the Quad subject to search and seizure operations. In the face of such disruption, only those in the upper echelons of the Company are privy to the whole story, and even then it is only through inferences that such an end can be reached. The Company is looking to abandon Westerley, its society too broken and crumbling to be repaired in the state it's in. Now begins not a reallocation of forces, but an exit strategy, leaving only who they must behind as they review resources and examine options for a purge of the filth that has overtaken Westerley. To many, the best option is major carpet bombing, as has been utilized by the Company in the none-too-distant past at Sugar Point, but there have been no official decisions. Yet. Characters who will have direct access to data regarding the above directive: Rhys, Sion, Jack, Ango, Sui Feng Characters who may have some access to data regarding the above directive via hacking or info-brokering: Lapis, Angel, Kara, Badou, Noiz, Annabeth |
Westies: Calming Storms
Change still boils on Westerley - though to the undiscerning eye, it seems to have cooled to a simmer. After the violence, rioting, and the prevalence of gangs in weeks past, it seems Westerley is finally getting it out of her system. Life is returning to normal, at least by Westerlyn standards. You're still likely to hear of people being killed in the streets, whether it's because of a deal gone bad or the Company exerting its force, but that's normal. Westerley is returning to its own version of calm, since with the situation growing worse on Leith, it seems that the Company is focusing their efforts there. However, there are stirrings that it may be more than just that. There are rumors that people important to the Company are being pulled off of Westerley entirely, and indeed, you're likely to notice far less of a Company presence as you wander the streets of Old Town. It's a fact that's met with mixed reception. On one hand, the resolution to violence comes partially in response to the decreased presence. No longer fearing for the repercussions of what the Company might do, gangs and other seedy organizations don't feel quite so threatened, and they don't need to enact a continual show of force to exert their rule. For any of the opportunists of Westerley, this vacuum presents an extraordinary chance. If you're looking to find a spot in the seedier organizations of the Quad, now is the time, since they're looking to bolster their numbers. If you have skill, then you're likely to be offered a position that might be a little more lucrative than simply scavenging around between odd jobs. You just have to be willing to look the other way when things get nasty. However, for the people with more legitimate business interests, it signals something different. What if the Company is losing its interest in Westerley? Westerley was once important to the life of the Quad, but as it's stripped of resources more and more, maybe this signals something to the effect that the Company's need of Westerley is waning. If the moon is no longer profitable, then the Company has no interest in it at all, and the Company is nothing if not thorough in taking every ounce of profit they can from their investments. But once they have, what's left is as good as trash. If you're a more concerned citizen, it might be a good idea to try and get your papers together, just in case. If the Company leaves Westerley entirely, then the whole moon is likely to become no better than Eulogy. Company inattention isn't the only matter for concern or profit, of course. As the breadbasket of the Quad--Leith--is crippled with civil strife and sees their own citizens go hungry, the impacts are felt across Westerley threefold. Those who rely on Company rations for sustenance are cut off with little warning while those who normally source their own food fare little better. Prices skyrocket, in part due to limited resources and increased demand, and in part thanks to the mercantile spirit of the locals. But that's not to say that the softer-hearted don't respond and mobilize in their own way. While the people of Leith are unfamiliar with such dire struggles, Westies have long endured periods of chaos and unrest, and many within the community have built emergency stocks for just such an occasion. Perhaps you're among those dooms-day prepping citizens, or perhaps you're fortunate enough to have an in and siphon the resources of your neighbor--but if you're not among either of those groups, your options will swiftly narrow. Supposedly, crime doesn't pay--but when times are tough and measures are desperate? It can, at least, eat. |
Leith: Society Declining
Leith is no longer the quiet, idyllic place it used to be. Between the disease that ravaged the planet and the uprisings after, Leith has been struggling far more than it’s used to. Perhaps that’s part of the reason the effects of tragedy are felt so acutely. The people of Leith have always enjoyed a relatively quiet, comfortable lifestyle compared to the unruly chaos of Westerley or the vicious politics of Qresh. Yet as the food supply sustaining the moon starts to dip lower than it should, Leith starts to share more in common with Westerley than Qresh. If you’re not someone of means, then you’ll find food both more expensive and in much shorter supply than you’re used to. And for the lowest classes of Leith, you may go hungry entirely. This kind of strife isn’t unprecedented for Leith, but it’s been a long time since they’ve ever struggled so. That’s why the Company is here, at least on paper. As the situation on Leith grows more tense, many Enforcers that are usually stationed on Westerley are likely to find themselves on Leith instead. It’s not quite as vicious or violent of crime as they may be used to, but the less food there is, the more that changes. The Bazaar was once a place for peaceful trading on lazy afternoons, but now the tension around food stalls is especially thick. If you’re a merchant, you have to balance the scales quite delicately. Some take the opportunity to sell to the rich and make a hefty profit, but others decide to keep their prices the same, maybe even lowering them, at the risk of going hungry themselves. It’s easy for violent fights to break out over something as simple as grain, and as stores grow lower, it’s becoming more common to see someone badly injured over it. If you’re in the higher society of Leith, you probably don’t have to worry, though. This is exactly why you have your influence and fortune, and while the well-off of Leith generally know better than to flaunt that, very little changes other than being a little more protective of just who comes onto their property. The desperate are looking to scavenge what they can, so the greedier landowners are likely to make sure their crops are protected. Side work to protect land has become quite popular as a result, so if you’re looking for some extra work and don’t mind camping, then there’s a Leithian happy to hire you. Just be careful as you camp out in the remote forests of Leithian land. Rumor has it that there are Resistance groups residing hidden in those woods, and they’ll very viciously defend the gatherings they’ve kept clandestine. Of course, if you’re more generous, you can always share and give what you have. While humanitarian efforts continue to decrease as everyone’s purse-strings tighten, they’re not gone completely. Philanthropic efforts to feed the hungry are still in vogue, so if you’re of a good heart or simply a politically shrewd one, there’s no better time to give back. Just be careful how your altruism is presented. It doesn’t take much for the grateful to instead decide that the offer is just condescending. |
Resistance: Concerted Efforts
Now that the teams have had time to acclimate to working with one another, it's time to set deeper laid plans in motion. Thus far, all of the tasks and missions provided to the individual cells have seemed, in large part, to not be related - at least, probably not from the view within said cells. For the one(s) pulling the strings from the shadows, however, there has always been a method to this madness. Materials and supplies purloined by the individual groups and turned over to their benefactor have been broken down to the basest components, sectioned off, and set aside for each of the four teams with the utmost thought and care. Nearly everything needed to complete this next wave of tasks will be provided, though some may need to use their creative genius to acquire additional, outside resources - be they additional parts and supplies, or humans with the know-how to help them finish the task. The methods and means with which each team reaches their respective goal is entirely up to them - as well as how they dispose of any witnesses (NPCs) or silence them (PCs). The situation may seem bleak for the PCs involved, but there are chances to fight back. From resisting the cell's requests to tinkering with the machinery, those with more technical skills may be able to gain something from their unfortunate fate. As made obvious by their kidnapping, the cells holding them hostage do not possess the skills to build, much less monitor or examine, the required components. Planting a tracking device, a data mining program, or any other such implement that does not transfer control is feasible for those with the know-how. Better installed systems might go unnoticed, but even the more shoddy of attempts may be accepted by Hyperion, should they seem useful. Unlike previous missions... this one has a specific time-table, and each team is building vital components to the most lethal of weapons, and Hyperion will not suffer negligence on their part with kindness. This month's tasks come with a warning, at least: ramifications of a failed mission will result in an immediate, and individualized, reprimand. It's important to note, as well, that while the cells were formed independently in order to protect their anonymity... they were never actually forbidden from reaching out to others within their covert world. If members of one cell can make contact with another, well. It may just provide them the opportunity to begin to piece together just what end-game Hyperion is really playing at. |
The RAC: Double Blind
The higher-ups within the organization were dismayed that they have no new Level 5's to show for their efforts, and are concerned that this shows a declining loyalty to their purpose. Expect that each mission will be given a thorough review by Internal Affairs once completed, even as that same department quietly begins to asses the individual agents. Now is the time for them to turn their focus in, once more, to see which of their field agents have begun to exhibit a faltering neutrality. An especially important task, given that the RAC's own neutrality has been questioned more and more as of late. Between the increased presence of Killjoys in support of Company missions and their increased demand to bolster Qreshi personal security, it seems they've been slowly commandeered by the whims of the Nine. And this does not necessarily sit well with many of the agents in the fields, or the sources of warrants that normally come from outside the Quad. In order to curtail this growing dissent both within the organization and throughout their client-base, they've begun fielding their warrant to display a more balanced pool of jobs. Even if, in doing so, they suspect that they are playing both sides of an impending war. Because while some agents are set to guard Scarbacks in the face of growing censure, others are set to either help Land Hyponia's attempts at subverting Land Kendry's growing rule or protect the scions of the most formidable houses - and still others are given tasks that further the cause lead by that nebulous entity called 'Hyperion', though this last they cannot confirm with confidence. The warrant is all. |
no subject
Probably valuable intel, but arguments turn into arguments and it just makes the members more oblivious. Julius removes one of the guns holstered in his uniform. ]
Let's disable them while they quarrel.
no subject
And then the order comes. Giovanni's face splits open around a serrated smile.]
Yes, Sir.
[Guns, this time, not bare hands, he thinks, pulls both pistols from the holsters at his thighs even as he begins to move forward, the shake and the rattle in him growing and the excitement all up inside his head and he closes the distance with terrifying speed, pulls the triggers, bang-bang.
Two of the criminals drop to the ground with strangled cries of pain and Giovanni lets out a short clipped laugh only part-concealed behind the sound of gunfire. It's alerted the others, though, the first two taken by surprise but already the shouts of alarm and anger are going up, the remaining Resistance reaching for their own weapons and descending on them in a panicked rush.]
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He doesn't have time to say 'surrender or die', so it's just straight to dying. He brings down the flat of the blade on a man reaching for Giovanni's side, stunning him and shoving him against one of his fellows. ]
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He's mindful of his Handler though and always his eyes return to the man, ensure he's close yet out of range of the bullets that fly from him like deadly confetti. He shoots down another, then a fourth, spins on his heel and aims his gun just as another member of the resistance takes shaking aim with his own weapon, eyes wide and desperate and full of intentional violence. The shot-- it hits home. Slams into Giovanni's shoulder with a brighthard ache that rattles through him and yet which goes perfectly ignored. He keeps moving, keeps fighting.
Fails to notice, for the moment, the lack of smoke rising from the open wound. The fact it isn't healing.]
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The last one who had kept largely to himself, a gun in one hand and a machete in the other. He rushes at them, stepping over the bodies of his companions, blade aimed to cut down the Dog. It's a matter of time if Julius can get there to counter first. ]
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At least, under usual circumstances.
As such, the machete comes down heavy and quick, knocked off course by Julius' counter yes but not deflected entirely, slams into Giovanni's side just as the Dog raises a pistol, fires point-blank into the man's horrified face with a clatter of animal laughter. The rebel falls, drops like a deadweight to the ground as the last of the life goes out of him and Giovanni takes one step back, two--
--and a wave of sick dizziness hits him, the continuation of pain that should already have receded making his head reel. He glances down at himself, at the blood spreading slick and dark from his wounds, at the lack of smoke, flesh that ought to be knitting itself shut still spliced open and bleeding. His face-- it's a picture of panicked surprise. He staggers back then, utters a kicked-dog sound of pain and surprise, sinks suddenly to his knees.]
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Good thing their assailant was already dead. ]
Hey, hey! Are you okay?
[ Volitional is left stabbed into the dirt next to him as he rushes forward to support the other. This is most definitely not natural. Was it poison? He has to move quickly and evacuate this place. ]
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I don't...
[For a moment words fail him, breath coming sharp and quick and then--]
What's happening?!
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Julius isn't too familiar with how Giovanni's own structure works, but seeing Sion's own abilities malfunction is drawing some sort of eerie parallel. ]
You're hurt. Did your implants glitch?
[ He pulls out the knife from a hidden pocket and starts shredding his jacket so it can be used as a bandage. He can probably carry Giovanni back the way they came from, get him some attention. But first, he has to make it out alive. ]
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[Another wave of dizziness sweeps over him, blood spilling thick and soaking his clothes and he's not healing he's not healing, something is terribly horribly wrong and when Julius' words come the fear that had been almost present in the Dog's face becomes suddenly, sickeningly overt. Did his implants glitch-- they must have done, mustn't they? There is no other explanation for this and if that's the case then what does this mean is he malfunctioning faulty falling apart? Something comes over him, then, a sharp twist of pain that fills up his head and behind his eyes there's the image of a room, a library he thinks, Mother standing on a balcony above him and he's still and straight as he glances up as he sees her face--
("you look like you have something to say. Go ahead."
"When this mission is done...I'd like to take some personal time."
"Personal time?"
"I want to see him...one more time..."
"Do as you wish. However, don't lose sight of the main goal."
"I know."
"Then take care, my dear Giovanni.")
--She turns away from him and just like that it's gone, but with that dissipation comes a hot-penny taste in his mouth sliding slick along his throat and there's blood, more blood, splattering his face from his nose. His thoughts scud back to the strange fleeting visions he'd had at Rhys' Lethian retreat, the pain in his head and the sudden sick feeling, flashes and starts of something like memory (perhaps a dream?) that both did and didn't belong to him.
There's something wrong. There's something wrong with him. If he's breaking, if he's flawed, they'll put him down. They'll dispose of him.]
No...no...
[he shakes his head, grits his teeth, tries to push himself back to his feet despite the cresting nausea in him, the black clouds that threaten to swallow him up, drag him down into unconsciousness.]
I'm fine...it's nothing, I'm f-fine...
[Except he isn't fine at all.]
no subject
Please, hold still!
[ He had always made a personal rule to not command the other, but perhaps this can make an exception.
Thin white branches snake out from ports incised into his back, under his shirt and out through his sleeve. He's still supporting Giovanni by the side, so it's only a short distance for the vines to cross and plug into the Spine on the other's back. There's a few moments of fumbling while they try to find a point of entry, but they are able to elongate into extremely thin strands and would fit the almost-invisible ports inside.
The first thing that hits him after interfacing is the confusion. Something running wild, something distinctively canine, and it sends a shiver down his own back in how similar it was to the curse that once threatened to tear him apart. But in this way it's easier to get a purchase and force his own will upon the rampaging machines - a searing force that had once caged his own darkness, brought to bear on that which haunts another.
In that instant, Giovanni might see a vision of trees. A forest with blue sky and white bark - tranquil, and not of this world. ]
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And yes, on interfacing with the Spine, on connecting with the thing in him, the thing that makes him what he is-- well. It's sure to be an unpleasant experience, encountering something hot and warped by violence, something quite, quite mad. Julius might experience a sensation like something panting heavy and thick and dark, the metallic scrabble of claws, the clacking of teeth, an unsteady rush and push like its trying to find a way outoutout-- but then purchase is found, and behind Giovanni's eyes a vision forms. Not like the last one, no, not accompanied by pain and blood but something almost (almost) soothing, blue sky white bark beautiful and it steadies him, has his eyes once again widening and a quiet intake of breath pushing from between slightly parted lips.
Slowly but surely, smoke begins to rise from the wounds in Giovanni's shoulder and side, caused by the fierce kinetic energy of skin and nerves and veins unnaturally knitting themselves closed.]
no subject
And soon it is over. The dog caged once more, still defiant but also obedient, by a will that belonged to a soul of trees.
Julius lets his awareness retreat, just fast enough for him to be sure that the calmness would stay that way; for he had no desire to invade another's will nor mental space unless absolutely necessary. He still keeps a watch on the other as his wounds heal just in case. ]
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One moment, two, then he lifts his head to look up at the other man, the lines of his face made hard and subtly fraught by the shock of what just happened. He still feels dizzy, a little weak, blood loss making his head reel, but it'll replace itself now that he's fully functional again, the process slowed by the forced reboot, but happening all the same.]
My apologies, Sir.
[His voice is quiet, soft against the darkness of the enclosing trees.]
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No need to apologize. It wasn't your fault. Let's get you somewhere safe.
[ There are a lot of dead bodies, but at least they have the coordinates, so Julius can phone for retrieval. ]