epidemiology | EVENT ★ I PREDICT A RIOT

I WANNA START A FIGHT

RIOTS

In the time between the quarantine and now, the virus has spread unnaturally rapidly, with the amount of the population infected estimated to be around 1.5% or approximately 3,750 people. Understandably, the panic has increased considerably. People who were taking the virus seriously before have begun to work themselves up into a frenzy, and even those who were calm are beginning to get anxious.

An infected teacher went on a violent rampage at the local elementary school yesterday, leading the school board to close all Woodhurst schools for the rest of the week while the entire staff is studied for symptoms. There’s no test for the Bristol virus, however, so it’s impossible to tell for sure. This, of course, worries the parents. The unrest starts with a protest at the school, calling for schools to be closed indefinitely until the quarantine is over for the safety of the children, but it doesn’t stop there.

Unrest turns to rioting before long; the majority of the riot is focused at city hall, where citizens are demanding answers, but there’s also mayhem at stores as the people of Woodhurst loot them, stocking up for what some assume is an impending apocalypse. Those who don’t believe this have locked themselves up in their homes not for protection from the infected but the rioters. Suffice it to say, most of the citizens out on the streets are of the slightly unstable variety, although some just found themselves caught up in the riots and became worked up by the crowd.

Local police forces -- including ALASTAIR agents posing as police officers -- have been dispatched to deal with the rioters at city hall. Rioters who attempt to leave the city are taken care of by officers sent by the federal government to enforce the quarantine.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

It might be a good idea to see what supplies can be found at the supermarkets, although you run the risk of getting attacked by a violent looter. The police won’t necessarily turn away anyone trying to keep order at city hall, but any supernatural powers will only incite the already violent crowd, so it’s recommended characters keep from utilizing their powers if they want to stay in one piece. Then, of course, there’s always the option to protect innocents who happen to be stuck out on the streets in the middle of the riots.

While the entirety of the police force is focused at the quarantine borders and outside city hall, now is possibly one of the only chances to get full access to buildings in the city. There are still some workers who haven’t been sent home and some of the buildings are locked up, but there are few police officers that can be spared to go check out a simple break-in.

Now is the time to search the city, if you're feeling brave. If you’re really ballsy, you can even try to slip in through the back door of city hall and go through their records. The only important building in town that’s not able to be searched is the hospital, which is incredibly busy due to the high number of people injured in the riots and traffic accidents.

Of course, just because rioters aren’t around doesn’t mean you’ll be left alone. There’s always a chance you’ll find yourself alone in a building with someone very hungry. Willing to take the chance?

Submit all CYOA choices to this thread.

OOC NOTES

The Bounty Board is now open! If you are looking for ways to get involved in this mission's optional objective, this is a good place to start. We’d also like to remind everyone that ALASTAIR does not invent cover stories for characters -- that’s all them! The only jobs they’ll help with getting are in the police force and government; everything else is up to characters to interview for.

Questions about Woodhurst can be submitted to this thread. Questions about the game in general should be directed to the FAQ. You may submit mission ideas or player plots at any time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I promised! [ comes the answering yell, followed by some clattering and a muffled curse. the thing is — Stiles is one who won't shy away from lying if it's necessary, from subterfuge and breaking the law if it suits him... but promises, when he makes them, are important. if his word is worth nothing... what does he have? if he doesn't fight to keep his word, what is there for him to say when he needs others to trust him? when he needs the people he trusts to trust him in turn?

yeah, it might be a dumb promise, for a dumb task... but damn if he's not keeping it. ]

There was this woman down — at the — precinct, and she told me the police never take care of the requests they get, so I said we'd deal with the next one ASAP, and —

[ more clattering, scuffling sounds, and voila!! one Stiles, emerging victorious, holding another bunny... one that he's apparently caught by stuffing it in a bag. a bag that's now wiggling furiously. ]

And this was the request we got. I mean, from ALASTAIR instead of the people, but you know, same difference.

[ the rabbit in anakin's hands still squirms, though less so. fighting a metal hold is an exercise in futility, and one even fuzzy, white and gray mammals eventually pick up on. it trembles instead, ears laid back and listening for every sound. it remains terrified, but there is no risk of it getting killed.

the same cannot be said for stiles. ]

I thought you were in trouble! [ anakin glares. ] You said it was urgent!

[ and it was about catching vermin? ]

Well, obviously it was!

[ he holds up the wriggling bag as though that is plenty to make his point. ]

I couldn't have caught these bunnies alone, man. Didn't you get the memo from Oska? The animals could be carriers of the virus, too. Do you really want to take the chance that they go around, spreading the infection even more?

[ do you, Anakin, do you really. ]

[ anakin would like to shake stiles. luckily for stiles, he brings up a good point. anakin rolls his eyes up, seemingly praying to the force or the stars or obi-wan for patience.

muscle still working in his jaw, he finally sighs. anakin holds his hand out for the bag. ]

Give it to me. [ so he can get rid of the other shaking bunny. ] Next time, just tell me what you need me for.

[ he will strangle somebody, stiles, you know this. you know this. ]

[ yes.... yes, he knows. sometimes, it's easy to forget than anakin skywalker is actually anakin skywalker but it's moments like these that make a small voice scream at the back of his head, look, that right there is a sith lord in some universe, approach with caution!! ]

Right, here you go —

[ cautiously. cautiously handing him the bag. ]

... that might have been a good idea, yeah. But, uh, thanks for showing up, man. [ he's actually sincere, here. ] I wasn't kidding when I said I can't catch them all by myself. And there's a ton of them still left! [ he could maybe sound less cheery when saying this, god, why is he finding this whole situation hilarious, maybe there's really something wrong with the part of his brain responsible for self-defense. ]

I wouldn't leave you stranded. [ spoken flatly; as if his sincerity has to fight past his irritation ( it does. ) but as the adrenaline begins to recede, anakin allows himself to relax. this is a pain in the ass, yes, but it does need to be done. he slips the rabbit into the bag and twists the top shut. ]

Does the request say how many are loose?

I know, [ he responds with a small smile, the corners of his mouth barely tugged upwards. as much as Anakin is... well, Anakin, he knows he can count on him no matter what. ] And I owe you one for this, seriously.

[ he considers saying that he'd do the same, really, that if Anakin ever so much as asked for his help, he'd have it. but this isn't really the time... and honestly, it shouldn't be a surprise, or something he even needs to say out loud. ]

Nope, it just says that animals were let loose. I'm assuming that means all of them, or nearly all, anyway. Has there been any reports of animal sightings around the city?

Maybe. Priorities are other tonight.

[ and most nights. there isn't enough manpower to attend to the crisis and the more normal, day-to-day problems. that hasn't stopped the citizenry from calling in with complaints. unfortunately, it does mean a lot of those calls are lost — deemed not important enough, filed to be handled "when the opportunity comes."

still, it's worth a try.

anakin slips the police radio from the inside pocket of his jacket and lifts it to his mouth. he speaks briskly, still too military to be only police, so maybe it's a good thing he included an honorable discharge in his cover. after a short conversation, he shakes his head. ]

Nothing yet, though he'll keep a look out. Looks like we're on our own.

Tonight like every other night?

[ he sighs in understanding, though — what with the chaos that is Woodhurst at the moment, it isn't a surprise that not much energy is spent on anything not directly related to the riots and the attacks of the infected.

Stiles waits as Anakin contacts the hq, not expecting any results and yet still somewhat disappointed when the call yields nothing. ]

Right, guess it's a wild goose chase for us, then. ... If you were an animal that's escaped from a shelter, where would you go?

[ deductive reasoning 101!! or not, but you know. they have to start somewhere. ]

Away from humans for a start. [ #relatable. still, away from the lights, away from the chaos… somewhere they could hide. anakin looks around. ]

Stay close, [ he warns stiles, ] in case we find something bigger and more prone to biting.

[ and then they spent a night picking up rabbits. at one point, anakin was indeed covered in rabbits. it was a thing. it was delightful. stiles was sworn into never speaking of it. to anyone. ever. ]

EVENT ★ I PREDICT A RIOT

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