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epidemiology2018-04-15 05:19 pm
futurologists) wrote in epidemiology2018-04-15 05:19 pm
Entry tags:
- ! plot,
- 2b (nier automata),
- 9s (nier automata),
- adam jensen (deus ex),
- ahad (the inheritance trilogy),
- aleksandra zaryanova (overwatch),
- aloy (horizon zero dawn),
- andromache (the old guard),
- arya stark (asoiaf),
- bellamy blake (the 100),
- eli vanto (star wars),
- fiona (borderlands),
- gorō majima (yakuza),
- jason grace (camp half-blood chronicles),
- jester (critical role),
- keith (voltron),
- khada jhin (league of legends),
- korra (legend of korra),
- kylo ren (star wars),
- lance (voltron),
- laphicet (tales of berseria),
- levi (attack on titan),
- lissa (fire emblem: awakening),
- noctis lucis caelum (final fantasy xv),
- odinson (marvel comics),
- poe dameron (star wars),
- rey (star wars),
- rohan kishibe (jjba),
- simon jarrett (soma),
- takeshi kovacs (altered carbon),
- tenya iida (my hero academia),
- vanadi (original),
- veronica lodge (riverdale),
- wylan van eck (grishaverse),
- yusuke urameshi (yu yu hakusho)
EVENT ▸ WELCOME TO DRAKSTADEN
CITIZENS OF TOMORROW  It's raining when Guild Ophelia arrives in Drakstaden, a constant drizzle which doesn't let up for hours. The team all rift in separately on the lower levels, conveniently placed in alleyways, behind dumpsters, and in abandoned lots. They've already been outfitted in their Drakstaden clothes and, for the nonhuman members, cloaking devices, although Imogen reminds them that the cloaking devices will only make them appear human to outsiders; the magitek allows Ophelia to see them as they truly are, letting them recognize their teammates. The lower levels house the dregs of society. The tired, the poor, the huddled masses. It isn't uncommon to pass beggars on these levels, and overall, almost all of the citizens on the lowest levels are in bad financial shape. There are a few shops here and there, although many are manually operated rather than robotically, making them less efficient and, therefore, less profitable. The higher one goes, the more wealthy the people they pass appear -- and they will pass many people. It's almost impossible not to run into people, as they're all cramped in a quite small space. When it comes to crossing over lower levels, Ophelia might find themselves actually running into people, as the walkways tend to consist of nothing more than wooden planks, which aren't exactly roomy. On the higher levels, the passages between areas are sky bridges, often enclosed -- or at least roofed -- places with moving walkways that denizens need only stand on to be brought to their destinations. Also present in the higher levels are the Vakdir, Darkstaden's police force, making them appear analogous with wealth. There are little to no Vakdir in the lowermost levels, but the higher one goes, the more are patrolling -- and if they see you in clothes that make you look like you don't really belong here, you may wind up getting harassed. Everyone knows their place here, so you'd better learn quickly if you want to fit in. ▸ HOTEL DRAKSTADEN  The only interaction one will get here is with the lonely android receptionist, Edvard, who is very excited to see you, as it's been so long since he's had a guest! Tourists have stopped coming, you see, although he can't imagine why; it's a perfectly lovely place to live, if you ask him (although it has been a while since he was out of the hotel... why, he hasn't been outside the hotel since the day he was assembled, now that he thinks of it). He'll talk your ear off as he gets you a room, and even after, if you let him. He seems very sad to see you go, and asks you to please come visit him if you have any problems with the room. Each room contains a smart bed that adjusts its firmness to your movements and sheets with adjustable temperature, a smart shower with a touch-screen LED display of the temperature and water pressure (as well as displaying the date and time, and offering music options accompanied by matching visuals), and a TV that visually scans you, then matches you to the shows most favored by your demographic. Interestingly, one of the shows almost always includes pro-government propaganda. The hotel is not considered "fancy" by Drakstaden standards; this technology is old news for them. In fact, it's the bare minimum of what you'd expect from a decent bed, shower, or TV. A fleet of Roombas and Tidy-Bots arrive around noon each day to clean it from top to bottom. None appear to have any sentience whatsoever, just an overwhelming prerogative to clean your room. If you head downstairs in the morning, the automated kitchen's open to make you breakfast, or Edvard has a continually updated catalog of every restaurant within a short walking distance. The same goes for lunch and dinner, although they haven't got a bartender, so any alcoholic drinks that aren't bottled will have to be found elsewhere. All in all, it's a suitable place to sleep and rest, but not good for much else. In order to really sink your teeth into the city and get your job done, you'll need to head out. ▸ ROST: THE HIDEOUT   The hideout is located in a surveillance deadzone, at the edge of any Vakdir patrol zone and a surveillance drone blindspot due to electrical wires that hang overhead. Inside are computers and half-constructed gadgets, along with blueprints, notes, and more tacked up on the walls or spilling out of folders strewn across a salvaged table. It's disorganized, but thorough; this isn't just a fleeting whim. They want to take the government down by any means necessary. Froken introduces you to the lot of them: Bjalla, Eitur, Flader, Hakarl, Sparv, Varg, and more -- you get the feeling these are code names, as they stress that what they are doing is treasonous. In plotting against their government, they aren't only putting themselves in danger, but their family, friends, and even neighbors. Looking at their clothing and the state of their cybernetics (or lack thereof, in some cases), it's clear that most of Rost comes from the lower levels of Drakstaden, though there are a few who look to be middle class as well. The members of Rost explain the state of affairs of Drakstaden, the way the government controls everyone and everything. Those in the lower class are hit the hardest, trapped in the veritable slums of the lowest levels of the city, but the middle and upper classes are victims themselves, either believing the lies the government-sponsored programs broadcast over government-sponsored channels, or otherwise being unable to openly announce dissent. Those who even speak against the government, you see, are often never seen again. The only way for Drakstaden to be free, according to Rost, is to remove the current government and all who are complicit in the prime minister's iron fisted rule. By the hardened and grim looks on their faces, it's clear they did not ask Ophelia here to engage in a diplomacy mission. ▸ OOC NOTES Welcome to Mission: Drakstaden! If you have questions about this log or the mission, please direct them to the dossier. Questions about the game in general can be directed to the FAQ. ▸ Up now:
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no subject
Let's get to the front, here. [He makes his way through the crowd with Majima until they got to the front, in time to see a doctor trying to mediate the situation. It sounds like whatever's going on, the medical personnel are taking the heat without having made the decision. Amado's eyes twitch in the direction of one particularly incensed gentleman. He knows how to spot incoming violence by this point in his life. He moves. As the bulky man draws his arm back and throws a fist at the doctor.
Amado's own cybernetic hand snaps up and grabs his arm in mid-air, stopping him from hitting the doctor.]
Let's just keep calm here, okay. [He's holding on, firmly. Not squeezing. He doesn't want to hurt the guy. He just doesn't want him to hurt anybody else, either.] We don't wanna escalate this to the point where it might cause problems for everybody.
no subject
"We just finished paying off her circulatory enhancements, and now you want us to pay more?"
At this, the crowd erupted into a new series of shouts and accusations. This time, a man came at the staff from the other end of the steps, ready to swing what looked like a pipe wrench at the cowering staff. Naturally, Majima decked him, sending him sprawling on his back. ]
Settle the fuck down!
[ Though he was new to Drakstaden, Majima was an old hand at dealing with punks who were too quick with their fists. The solution? Be quicker... and meaner. Before, he'd been attempting to blend in, attract as little notice as possible. Now he flashed his teeth in a half-snarl, taking advantage of his height and apparent willingness to lash out freely to cow those around them into submission.
This seemed, at least temporarily, to give them all pause. ]
You think you're gonna get yer replacements if ya take a wrench to the only people who know how to do 'em? We'll talk to 'em. You jokers wait out here.
[ He threw a glance at Amado as the doctor stammered agreement. ]
no subject
Amado looks out over the rest of the crowd real quick. He spots somebody dragging a replacement leg that clearly isn't working right. This isn't all people complaining about whatever dumb, expensive piece of cybernetic fashion statement luxury item they have, some of these people have real, legitimate issues.
He releases the guy's arm and gives him a glare that very plainly says he's gonna be the one eating a fist next if he tries anything else. The guy gets the message and backs off, no less red-faced for his trouble. Amado shares a glance at Majima, then looks at the doctor. He nods in agreement. Majima's doing an effective job of bad cop right now, so.]
Please, just be patient and don't do anything rash. We understand that you need medical attention. We'll figure this out, just gives us some time.
[After that, he pretty quickly herds the doctor and the administrator back inside. He doesn't know how long they're gonna stay calm though, so it's probably best to do this fast.]
Okay, gimme your best estimate, how many of those people need real help and aren't just pissing and moaning?
[The administrator gives a look to the doctor, then back at Amado.
"I-I don't know, at least some of them that I could see. It's hard to tell when they're all in a mob like that!"]
And how many of them are gonna be able to afford it?
[At this, they're quiet for a second. Amado narrows his eyes, making it clear he expects an answer. The doctor eventually just answers truthfully, sounding like they don't relish this at all.
"Probably none of them."
Amado runs his hand through his hair. He was about expecting that. He looks at Majima.]
What d'you wanna do.
[They could probably get this crowd to disperse relatively easy if they wanted to. But Amado doesn't wanna do that and he's not exactly hiding it.]
no subject
[ "W-we do," said the doctor. The administrator looked away. Majima gave the man a cool look. ]
So how much ya clearin' on that racket? 20 percent? 30?
[ Hearing it put so bluntly clearly put the administrator's back up; the man bristled visibly. "Those funds go to awareness programs and unavoidable overheard! They --"
"I'm not sure," said the doctor, "But the APR on them is 437%."
"435%," corrected the administrator, looking defensive. "And our margins are... none of your business, frankly!"
Which meant they were probably higher. Majima had expected the terms of the agreements to be shitty, but goddamn. Restaurants were considered to be turning a tidy profit if they got around 10%. ]
Then I got some advice for ya. Cut these people some slack. You got plenty of room to slash your rates and save yourself some serious grief.
[ "But our advertising revenue --" ]
no subject
[The Administrator looks kind of sick at this point, but it's still a point well taken. Amado let out a sigh.]
Look. We'll calm the crowd down and get them to disperse, okay? We will. But the people out there who need real help, who are relying on their cybernetics to get through their daily lives or deal with a serious affliction? You have to do something for them, they need your help. [He turns his head to the doctor and looks them in the eye.] Just ask them to pay what they can. Make out some kind of deal. Whatever...money concerns there are, whatever decision was handed down to you from way above your pay grade. I don't think you became a doctor to stand idly by while people need your help. Did you?
[The doctor quietly swallows, the answer being obvious enough from the way they suddenly avoid Amado's gaze. They look...close to being convinced. The administrator on the other hand...
"Well, that all sounds very nice, but you can't just expect us to give them something for nothing! We didn't choose to remove KlarTech's sponsorship, that decision came from far above us! You can't expect us to just foot the bill for it because they're angry at us!"
Amado sighs. He looks at Majima. Good cop's tagging out for the moment. Have at it, bad cop.]
no subject
[ Time for the carrot side of this routine. ]
Yeah, it ain't fair. They're holdin' you responsible for decisions you ain't technically make. That's the problem with bein' a public-facin' business.
On the other hand, what if ya take this opportunity to do a little pro bono work? Fix up some cute kids, take some photos with their grateful families. You can put 'em on your next brochure -- the KlarTech fiasco threw a wrench in the works, but ya swooped in outta the goodness of your hearts and did a little somethin' for the community.
That gratitude's gonna be real, and that's the kinda advertising you can't pay for.
This's your chance to take the straw they gave ya and spin it into PR gold. You understand what I'm sayin', don't ya?
[ The administrator was, in fact, wiping at their brow a bit in some mixture of surprise and mental salivation as the message slowly sank in. "Er... yes, actually. Now that I'm thinking about it, we could let our marketing team get started on the concepts this afternoon."
Okay, it wasn't exactly appealing to their sense of love for the common man. But you brought bureaucrats and their ilk on board by tugging at their pursestrings, not their heartstrings. ]
no subject
Just outta curiosity, what made y'have to cut off support for, uh, [He tries to not say it like he's only heard it for the first time a few minutes ago,] KlarTech's stuff in the first place?
[The doctor glances at Amado, as if mildly surprised he didn't already know, but they explain.
"The government pulled their sponsorship," they say simply. "You didn't know? It's been all over the news."]
Ah. [He taps his temple.] I really gotta get somethin' to get me this stuff directly so I ain't so outta the loop. [After a chuckle, he looks at Majima and tilts his head away.] Anyway. We're gonna go deal with the crowd.
[He walks a short distance away from the doctor and the administrator until he and Majima are out of earshot so they can talk a bit more privately. Before they go back outside, there's something he wants to talk about.]
So. To me, it sounds like who the people out there should really be pissed off at for making their KlarTech gear into paperweights is the government.
Maybe while we're sharin' the good news with 'em, we should remind 'em of that.
no subject
[ Vakdir. Whatever. ]
You ready?
[ Amado had better be, because the crowd outside was getting rowdy again. "Well?!" demanded a woman with an elaborate cybernetic piece fitted over her spine. "What did they say? ]
Yer in luck. They're still workin' out the details, but we got 'em to give you a break on prices for your replacements. 'specially for those of ya with serious medical needs.
no subject
He smirks a little as he hears the Kansai dialect coming on stronger as Majima speaks to the crowd. Boy, it's been a while since he's heard anybody else talk like that.]
They understand the position you've all been put into, so please try to understand theirs too. It'll take them time to get to all of you and people with serious medical needs are gonna have to go to the front of the line. [There's tangible relief from some people - others have quickly figured out where in the line that puts them and a few of them aren't happy about it.]
Who here has things that need to be attended to immediately?
[Some people immediately raise their hands and try to make their way to the front of the crowd -- the parents and her girl from before among them. Amado encourages a couple to come forward and head inside. A couple others, he gives their ostentatious cybernetic a suspicious glare and tells them to make way. Eventually, one of them gets mad about being given the brush off.
"Hey, who the hell put you in charge of this?! I paid top dollar for these enhancements, I should go long before these --" A dismissive hand gesture. "--lower level thugs!"
At 'lower level thugs', Amado slowly turns his head in their direction.]
You'll get your help, eventually. But these people have to go first. If you want somebody to get angry at, don't get angry at me or them or the doctors inside -- [He orates a little more clearly, so the crowd can hear.] -- if you want somebody to get angry at, get angry at the people who actually caused this. [He points up.] Get angry at the government. They pulled KlarTech's sponsorship. They're the ones who put you here and they're the ones not helping you deal with the fallout!
[A few people seem to actually accept that. A couple lower-class looking people give a surly nod. They'd been afraid to express it, but they've already thought it themselves. Some others just look even more incensed at the anti-government things coming out of Amado's mouth.]
no subject
Was that a thing? Either way, she was getting right up into Amado's face about it. A few more of the troublemakers from earlier were coming forward now, and Majima eyed them with interest. So they didn't want to be reasonable, huh?
"Wait in line, like good little sheeple? No one talks to the Red Suns like that!" This from a man with a brightly colored fauxhawk and extensive enhancements on both legs. He swung at Majima, who sidestepped the blow with a scowl on his face. "You think you're gonna come in here and ruin what we've got going? Then we're going to teach you a lesson."
Majima gestured at a young woman who'd stepped up when Amado had called for people with immediate medical needs, indicating for her to step inside the hospital before things got uglier. ]
Gonna ruin your whole damn day, actually.
no subject
Trust me, normally I would be all too happy to knock your rooster-headed ass up one end of the street and then back down the other, but this is not the place or the time. Just back off before you get hurt.
[He really doesn't think he'd have any trouble dealing with this blowhard if it got physical. But there's people around that could get hurt and he doesn't want them getting caught in it if this turns into violence.
Probably a little on the futile side, but worth a try.]
no subject
In response, the woman pulled a knife and lunged at Amado -- only to have Majima aim a headbutt to her forehead. She staggered back, at which point a brief chop to her wrist got her to drop the knife, but the other members of the gang were already closing in on them.
Luckily, it seemed that the non-gang members had some sense of self-preservation; they broke from the crowd to flee, head into the hospital, or out-and-out rubberneck to see who'd come out on top.
...several of them were cheering one side or the other on. ]
What a town.
no subject
He looks around at all of them. About 10 and all. He rolls his shoulders a bit and looks at Majima.]
How many can you handle? I'll take the rest.
no subject
[ And that was it. A man came at Majima, knife in hand and ready to start circling with his friends as backup, but a spinning kick knocked the blade right out of his hands.
The attacker was left staring at his open palm as Majima braced a hand against his temple and simply dashed the man's head against the nearby wall. The punk crumpled at once. ]
no subject
[Amado cracks his knuckles. Another one comes at him with a chain. He grabs it out of their hand, jerks it away with one pull, then makes a fist with his hand and buries it in their stomach. The attacker hacks up their breath and bends over. Amado drops his elbow into the back of their neck, dropping them to the ground.
Another took the chance to get the jump on him with a pipe. It hits the back of his head with a thunk, but. It doesn't make the sound metal impacting against skin should. And when Amado slowly turns his head back towards them, it's clear that it didn't have the effect it should've had either. He glowers at the Red Sun just long enough for them to realize how much trouble they're in and then grabs them, burying one knee, two knees into their stomach. Then he lifts them into the air and slams them back onto the ground on their back.
At this point, the others are noticing that he's doing all of this without using his cybernetic arm at all.]
I'll say this one more time because despite what idiots you're being right now, I don't wanna hurt you: just walk away.
[It kinda has the opposite of the desired effect. If a pretty obvious gulf in strength and skill between these two guys and the rest of them made them hesitant, then getting blatantly pitied like that just pissed them off all over again. The remaining three charge Amado at once. It's tempting to just use his magitek shield and have them all run into it like a brick wall, but there's too many witnesses around for him to do anything really flashy like that. He turns his head and keeps all of them at least in his peripheral as they try to surround him and slips into more of a defensive stance.
One of them comes at him with a knife. He slips back. Another kicks him in the back and it actually gets him to stiffen a bit (cybernetic legs. boy, those do pack a bit of a wallop, don't they). He spins and sweeps their other leg out from under them. On their way down, he grabs them by the waist, lifts them up a bit, then drives them down, their back colliding with his knee. He flips them over, lifts them up again and drops them again, this time their knee smashing into their chest. He tosses them at the ground after that and they immediately curl up. The one with the knife is coming again. He snatches their wrist, this time and squeezes it. The gang member gets a chance to see Amado slowly shake his head before he wrenches their wrist. They yell in pain as the knife drops out of their hand. It clatters to the ground and he stomps on the blade, breaking it in two. He then leaps into the air, delivering a bicycle knee that hits them on the bottom of their chin and snaps their head up before they fall backwards onto the ground, out of it.
That leaves just one. They look around at their buddies and quickly realize they're alone. Concern doesn't seem to work on these guys, so Amado tries to intimidate him into leaving. He takes a couple steps forward, taps his cheek a couple times as if to say 'come on, give it your best shot'.
That doesn't work either. They step forward, bringing up their own cybernetic arm and lay it into the side of Amado's head. His head turns, he falls back all of a half-step, then he turns his head back to glare at them. They step forward and strike him again, it making the same thunk sound as the pipe. He still just glowers, unhurt and, apparently, undamaged. Somewhere between panicked and pissed off, the gang member grabs Amado's head with their other hand and just starts laying forearms and punches until eventually, Amado gets tired of letting them punch the side of his head and delivers a forearm of his own into the side of their head and their legs immediately buckle and they drop to one knee. He pats them on both shoulders. They look up at him.]
I'm gonna give you some free advice to share among your buddies when you're all conscious again.
Go home. Get a haircut. [Pot callin' the kettle black, there.] Get a real job. Don't cause any more trouble.
[His knee snaps up and hits them right in the dome. They go down. Amado's pretty well aware that his advice is probably gonna go unheeded, but, oh well.
He looks over to see how Majima's doing.]
no subject
Majima was just saying hello to them, really -- nothing more than some surface slices until the last man standing aimed a punch at him that practically pulverized the stone facade behind him. If he'd actually been slow enough to be in its way when it landed, the fist might have broken some ribs.
In other words, fair game. Majima slipped around the blow in an instant, letting the dagger bite deep just under the man's rib cage.
By the time Amado turned around, he was already sliding free with the blade; the man, suddenly wobbly on his feet, slumped over.
That guy was stabbed when he got here!! ]
no subject
Ah, geez.
[The hard look he was giving the rest of the punks drops as he runs over and grabs the guy before he hits the ground. He looks back. Good thing they're near a hospital, huh!]
We gotta get him inside.
no subject
[ Speaking of cybernetic enhancements, did they really just hand augmented strength to everyone who had the cash? Majima hauled the man up, supporting him under one shoulder as he began to drag the guy to the double doors. ]
no subject
Okay, we gotta drop this guy off and then get outta here before the cops show up.
[Bright side, the crowd's thinning out. Somebody gets stabbed and the party's over, apparently.]
no subject
Better make it fast. C'mon, I scoped out an alternate route earlier.
[ Through a series of side alleys, it turned out, where it was easy to get lost in the milling of foot traffic and close-pressed bodies. ]