epidemiology | EVENT ★ THE SICK AND THE DEAD

EVENT ★ THE SICK AND THE DEAD

THE LAST HURRAH

STATE OF WOODHURST

Things are bad. There's more infected on the streets every day, ravenous since their would-be victims are all boarded up in their houses. Audentes members who are infected are likely feeling ravenous now, too, and some of them are far gone enough that they might need to be subdued.

The city is in a state of panic, and the military has been given permission to use lethal force if necessary to stop people from leaving quarantine; keeping the virus contained is the number one priority of the federal government. As for the local government, all non-essential persons have been given leave until further notice for their own safety.

The police department is still running, but they're in a constant war against the infected, forced to retaliate fatally more and more each day. They have no time to focus on any other crimes.

Some citizens would be thankful if Audentes ran some "errands" for them — attempting to loot what's left of the stores, for example — or accompanied them outside as protection. Many people have family to see, some of them on the other side of the city, but it's nearly impossible to get there without a bodyguard of some sort. Someone could possibly make some cash this way, but there's something more important to do.

MEANWHILE . . .

The hospital, formerly chaotic, has devolved into outright bedlam. Theft and fights with the staff are increasingly common, and frenzied people are constantly demanding a cure the doctors don't have. Fortunately, it looks like Audentes does. Science-minded recruits have been hard at work creating a vaccine, which is widely available already, and a cure, which is rolling out slower.

Administering the vaccine is risky, as it requires escorting people to the hospital without getting killed, as well as hoping the infected constantly wandering into the hospital have been taken care of.

Administering the cure is even more so; it's highly recommended that the infected be unconscious before being given the cure. Even Bristol sufferers have to sleep! If not asleep, knocked out or otherwise sedated will do. It is absolutely not recommended for anyone to go at an angry infected with a syringe, but it's not like anyone's going to stop you... except maybe the infected.

Escorts and security guards are necessary at the hospital. The police department has offered their services, with their main priority being the vaccine. Until everyone is vaccinated, the city can't afford to think of a way to safely administer a cure to the infected population, so anyone interested will have to do it themselves. Stock up on syringes at the hospital and get going!

DR. PERCY

For those more interested in seeking out the source of the virus rather than treating it, it's not difficult to surmise that "Doctor" Percy is hiding out in the sewers. Very deep in the sewers. He's apparently built a subterranean expansion: a series of winding, metallic tunnels with many forks and dead ends. Be careful when exploring, as you might run into one of Percy's robotic bodyguards before finding him.

But once he is found, tucked away in a wide cavern . . .

It seems he's preparing a hasty exit, with almost everything packed up and his human disguise dropped. Without it, he appears to be an alien of some sort, but not one that Audentes has run into yet. His skin is amber, smooth, and slimy. He has several pairs of wide-set eyes of different sizes, but no nose. His mouth extends far across his face, and below it is a wattle, not unlike that of a turkey. Peeling off him at all times are scales; apparently, he's shedding more than just his disguise.

He's completely alone, without another Zymandis agent in sight, and not a particularly good fighter. Subduing or killing him would be easy, especially when it's several against one. When first encountered, he says nothing if spoken to, and only attempts to run.

If attacked, he will summon several robot bodyguards -- seven-foot-tall bipedal constructs who only listen to Percy's commands, directed via remote control. They will fight to the death to protect their master, who will use the distraction to again try to run.

It looks like the choices are clear: Audentes must choose whether to non-lethally subdue him or kill him. If subdued, what happens to him afterwards is still up in the air. Whatever your decision, it's highly likely you'll meet some resistance from the other members of the team, so get ready to argue.

CYOA

Each character will only be able to officially do one of the following choices.

Confront Percy.
Protect citizens.
Spread the vaccine/cure.
Other.

For the sake of tallying, we ask that each individual character submit their choice separately rather than in a group. The Dr. Percy encounter will be open for 48 hours only, after which participants will receive the outcome, which will be based on their choices. The rest will be open for 7 days, will not receive a reply, and will only be used only for tallying purposes. Making a choice is not mandatory, but the choices will affect whether Audentes passes or fails the mission.

You may of course thread out other options, but they will not count for the purposes of the pass/fail tally. Again, you may only officially choose one option per character.

OOC NOTES

Because this log is being posted late in the month, threads are eligible for March or April AC, but not both. Though the encounter with Percy will be a short one, the rest of this log will last two IC weeks. After that, characters will be immediately rifted away from Woodhurst without warning.

THOSE WHO RECEIVE THE CURE: As the virus is not a degenerative disease, characters will suffer no lasting (physical) trauma caused by it. Side-effects from the cure may include nausea, weakness, vertigo, rash, brain fog, numbness of the face, insomnia, dizziness, fatigue, heart palpitations, or vomiting. This may last for anywhere up to four weeks.

THOSE WHO RECEIVE THE VACCINE: Side-effects may include irritability and hunger for anywhere up to four weeks.

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.

All bounties listed with a 3/25 due date are now closed. There are two open bounties remaining on the Bounty Board, which will need to be turned in by the end of the mission on 8 April. ( 1 2 )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[PROGRESS TOWARDS MOB'S EXPLOSION: 68%]
A;
[At this point there are entire neighborhoods abandoned or boarded up in town, the residents either ill or fleeing for less infected locales. But, by now...less infected locales are getting harder and harder to come by in general, aren't they? Never mind how it seems to change by the hour now--one moment a street's peacefully empty, and the next moment it's teeming with figures hungry and unsteady. Which is just Mob's luck, really, because here he is--later in the evening, trying to cross from one neighborhood to another, only to discover quite a lot of infected passing through at the same time. It's either running away, or fighting, or hiding and waiting out this influx of infected traffic...and he's still not a very good runner, and he still remembers the mission dossier clearly, impossibly tucked away alongside a lot of other things in the little magic(??) brooch now pinned to the front of his hoodie. Stay discreet, don't openly use...abilities that would be strange. Like psychic powers. The idea in itself isn't so oppressive--he still doesn't like using his powers like that anyhow--but now there's still a problem on his hands here, if he can't get himself hidden away fast...

Almost all the houses on this street are boarded up too tight for easy entry. But one of them has a small garden plot up against the front porch--weedy and wilted with the chill of the season and the disrepair of the area, now. Mob finds there's plenty of seeds in the soil, though, seeds that still grow with some encouragement of the telekinetic variety. ...The tomato plants that result are...decidedly larger than the norm. Large enough to qualify more as a tiny grove of enormous tomato bushes, complete with tomatoes nearly as large as one's head. But that's not important. What's important is that they're bushes large enough to effectively hide inside, now, shielded from view outside both by the large leaves and the deepening evening.

So here Mob is, hunkered down among the giant tomato plants with a close eye on the street when a form comes into view that neither wobbles nor slavers. The closer they come, the more evident it gets that they're not sick at all--or at least aren't showing the symptoms too drastically yet. The latter is certainly a risk, but Mob is willing to try his luck if it means ensuring the safety of another uninfected person--which is why he stands up, and leans out of his makeshift patch of bushes, a small form with a pale face waving from between enormous tomato leaves.] Hey...come over here. Are you okay?

B;
[But sometimes there aren't any tomato plots to hijack, and sometimes you end up in the wrong place at the wrong time anyhow. Backing into the alleyway hadn't been intentional at all, but Mob hadn't been paying attention, and the large man in a very late stage of infection had been persistent. In the end, Mob doesn't even realize he's cornered himself until his back bumps into the dead end of the alley wall behind him.

It's an enclosed area, and it's only the barely-cognizant infected man looking at him now, and these factors combined with the duress of the situation finally push Mob into action, reluctantly. He hasn't got a plan, a strategy of escape--he's tired, and still disoriented, and his thoughts clatter about in a very not-useful sort of way at the moment--so instead it's instinct that kicks in first, has him extending his hands palms forward right as the man charges for him. --And stops, three yards away, limbs freezing and locking, face contorting in a mixture of confusion and rage. Mob exhales slowly, focus bent forward, closing his telekinetic grip about the man and directing him as gently as he can. Move the legs, make him take a step back, and then another, despite how his muscles might work and resist. Slowly, slowly--he doesn't want to hurt this man, he's just very sick--Mob has the man walking backwards all the way to the mouth of the alley.

But before he can push him out further, far enough to make a break around him and down the street, two more infected people stagger up to the front of the alley. Mob stops short, shifting one hand, locking the both of them in place too. But with his attention divided between three different bodies now, and any lapse of focus being sure to free one limb too many, Mob can only stand there, poised just inside the alley with both hands outstretched towards the infected that lean and strain for him, as if held back by a pair of invisible leashes. He's not sure how to proceed short of outright bodily flinging all these people away, which he still does not want to do...and this is probably a very weird sight from an outside point of view. Mob hopes a local person doesn't happen upon this. (But a person from--Audentes, that would probably be very helpful about now....)]

C; [Wildcard!! Hit me with a prompt of your own, or contact me at

hollyjolley if you'd like to plot out something! Feel free to assume that any of these prompts can be dated at any point during the two week span of this log.]

( she's small and fast and wary and while she does try to stay in side, these days she cannot. there are vaccines to distribute, and while she may not be qualified for much, she can run. oh, she can run, and she can carry, and so she does.

Chihiro makes herself useful. it's how she can stand being here; it's how she handles the horror.

the tomato bushes give her pause further down the street. they're so large, so impressively healthy in winter that she's immediately taken aback. it's like seeing a neon sign for "look here," only she's not sure what the purpose of that is when the big problem here is how many people can't think of anything at all other than a need to feed that leaves everyone feeling bad. it's hard to be angry at sick people. it's easier being angry that this was inflicted on them, but that's... not all right, but it can be managed. the vaccine. the cure. her need for running.

... and now these tomato plants. she admits her suspicions run toward magic; magic runs toward Audentes, and Audentes means team members. but she's still slow and cautious as she approaches, a ten year old girl wearing the uniform's pants and a generic sweatshirt with bleach stains on the arms and splattered across her chest. it's fine. at least it's clean.

she spies him when he leans out, trying to catch her attention; hesitates and looks from the gigantic fruits and the incredible leaves to his pale face once more. )

I'm... is this you?

( she makes a scoping sort of motion, not wanting to point; gesturing broadly toward the tomato bushes and biting down on her lower lip before shaking her head. )

I'm okay. My name's Chihiro. Um... ( she straightens, takes a step closer. stops. ) Does the name Audentes mean anything to you?

[The boy in the impossibly large tomato bush must be around middle school in age--a slighter middle schooler, to be sure--dressed in jeans and a bright blue hoodie with "COOLIE" stenciled in pink letters across the front. He stares out at her from between the giant leaves, watching the way she hesitates--and honestly, could he really blame her for that? Ah, she looks even younger than he is...what's she doing out here, all by herself?

Before he can ask she's asking questions first, though, and her initial one earns a stammer.]

O-Oh. ...Maybe? I mean, um-- [Mob almost immediately regrets the answer as soon as it comes out--he has no idea if she's another Woodhurst civilian, after all, and nearly admitting to having a hand in giant tomato bushes probably...isn't something he should be doing in front of civilians. But he doesn't have to stammer for too long, because then she asks another question...and a very faint, almost imperceptible relief tinges his features.] --Audentes? Yes, it does. ...Then, you know about it too...

[Mob pauses, looking down the street now, before shifting back a couple of paces with a rustling of leaves. To make room for Chihiro, in this particular bush.] This is a hiding spot. There's a lot of room in here...if you'd like to use it.

Edited 2017-03-26 06:19 (UTC)

( he's inviting her to hide in his giant tomato bush. it's not strictly a terrible idea, but it also feels like a terrible idea. especially when she still doesn't know his name.

but he has to be new through the rifts. that's her understanding of their team, with ALASTAIR. that they're the team for the misfits and the new arrivals through the rifts; they get transferred elsewhere, time to time, but the new ones seem to end up here. like she had.

she takes another step forward, tensing and looking around. it's a furtive movement, like that of someone or something used to being hunted. this is dangerous; but then again, what isn't? not being boarded away is dangerous. their lives are dangerous. so are so many of the people around them, and through no fault of their own. )

Yes, I do. I'm part of the team. ( she announces as calmly as she can manage. it's pretty darn calm. ) What's your name?

( another step closer, though he's now lost in his bush. it's not safe to stay out here. they really need to get moving; she really needs to make sure the people who need the vaccine are still getting it, and those who can administer such are doing so with supplies on hand. )

How long have you been hiding here?

( he's older than she is, but he's newer, and she knows he's managing much better than she would have, dropped into this team at this point in a mission that can't make much sense, even after reading the write ups provided to them all. )

[Wow Chihiro maybe he was inviting you into this bush out of the goodness of his heart?? THIS IS A PERFECTLY INNOCENT TOMATO INVITATION

But no, it's true, his newness is probably very obvious here--no doubt it's the air of uncertain disorientation, in comparison to the resigned tiredness of the teammates that have been here for a larger part of the mission. In Mob's eyes everything here is still extremely new and unpleasant and alarming in multiple different ways, and having only a few days thus far to soak it in really isn't a lot.

He notices the differences, too--the girl's furtive checking around, her clear and practiced calm. Her refusal to properly enter the bush. It's almost as troubling as it is surprising; just how long has she been here, dealing with all this? But there's no time to wonder about that right now...and she reminds him that he hasn't even introduced himself back yet. Ah, right...]

I'm Shigeo Kageyama. [Mob bows a bit, as well as can be managed when immersed in giant tomato leaves, his own tone maintaining its same even quietness.] ...I've been here for a little bit. There's a lot of sick people passing through this area, so I thought maybe I should wait them out before moving again...

[He pauses, peering back at Chihiro. At the very least, he doesn't seem particularly fearful necessarily--actually, it's a bit hard to tell what he's feeling in general, neutral as his expression seems to be stuck right now. Instead the there's smaller cues in the tone of his voice, the slight uncertain halting in his words as he tries to figure out where this small girl here might be coming from.]

...I guess you don't want to hide. That's okay. But...are you by yourself? Where are you going?

( friendo she never doubted your intentions, only your wisdom in hiding in a giant tomato bush in the middle of a virus inflicted city still in winter. IT IS A PERFECTLY OBVIOUS TOMATO INVITATION

when he bows, she bows in return, startled into better manners than she's been practicing here for the last few weeks. it's... grounding in a way she didn't expect. )

It's nice to meet you, Shigeo-kun. I'm Chihiro Ogino.

( her introduction hadn't been fully proper before, but now it is, along with the bow she gives again. proper. it feels... nice, even as she straightens up and glances around. )

I'm running supplies. Alcohol pads to where people are moving with the vaccines. It doesn't need to be much to matter.

( which answers some of what he's asked. she won't dictate what he should do, but... he does have some magic, she guesses, blithely rolling along with the assumption for now. this isn't the time or place to break down her curiosities. )

I'm alone right now, yes, but I'm not going to stay that way. Um... how about you? Do you have anyplace to go, Shigeo-kun?

[Look these zombie people want to eat other people, not tomatoes??? ......But ok admittedly it. Seemed like a better idea at the time...whoever owns this house may or may not return one day to marvel in bemusement at these bizarrely vital off-season tomatoes now overtaking their garden, at any rate.

This is a nice and polite introduction, at least--somewhat grounding in the middle of the rest of this mess, especially when Chihiro bows back, indicating moreso than her name already does that she's probably Japanese too. It's a very surprising spot of familiarity in the middle of a lot of very unfamiliar things, and Mob finds he's glad for it.

Her question has Mob glancing down briefly, a faint frown tugging at the corners of his mouth.]

Not anymore, no. There were two nice people who let me stay in their house for awhile, but we got separated today. I've been, sort of trying to look for them...but I don't know if I'm going to find them. [At this point he just hopes they're alright. They were a very nice civilian couple, taking in a wandering kid on the assumption his family must have gotten infected. Having had no plans or ideas as to where to stay here otherwise, when Mob had first arrived, the unexpected generosity had been quite a lot of help. But now...] So, I've been trying to help people hide. In all this.

...But would you like somebody to come with you for a bit, where you're going?

shigeo kageyama | ota

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