epidemiology | EVENT ▸ ELECTRIC SHEEP

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EVENT ▸ ELECTRIC SHEEP

ELECTRIC SHEEP

After Ophelia spends some time getting the lay of the land and settling into Drakstadish life, Rost informs them that one of their secret sympathizers has gained access to information that has the potential to bring the Prime Minister down. One of his maids has found security footage of him talking to other governmental officials in his home about incriminating plans.

There is no time to explain what's in the recording, Rost member Froken explains, only that it has something to do with taxes: citizens of Drakstaden have had to pay an increase in taxes with the understanding that it will be used for revitalizing the lower levels -- including the promised Vakdir presence that has yet to come to fruition.

Ophelia will need to infiltrate the City-State Broadcasting Station in the upper levels, where another secret sympathizer is ready to get them into the the master control room and disseminate the incriminating recording for the entire city to see. Rost will be accompanying them, ready to act as distractions or sacrifice themselves to the Vakdir who patrol the station; Ophelia has a better chance of completing the mission, and that is the most important thing to the rebels.

▸ BROADCASTING STATION

The upper levels of Drakstaden are cleaner and brighter than the ones below; the pale blue sky of Heimland is visible here, peeking between gaps in the buildings. There are plazas here, promenades and courtyards and gardens built on the roofs of buildings that end before the topmost, giving the upper class places to walk and take in the fresh air that is foreign to the lower levels. But everything is colder here -- fewer people in the upper classes means less body heat, and although the taller buildings buffet the wind from blowing too harshly against the plazas, it's still present, along with the seemingly endless rain.

The Vakdir presence here is noticeably heavier than in the middle levels, though the upper class citizens' reaction to them is markedly different: whereas the middle class tends to cringe away from the Vakdir and avert their gaze, the upper class either ignores the Vakdir entirely or engages them in friendly conversation. It seems as though the oppressive force of the Vakdir is not so oppressive for the wealthy. You may want to take the time to explore.

The City-State Broadcasting Station is on the uppermost floors of one of the taller buildings, meaning that Ophelia and Rost will need to climb several flights of stairs to reach the doors. Once there, the "secret sympathizer" -- Petyr Larson, the janitor -- is there to let them in. It's the middle of the broadcast day, so everyone else will be busy in the broadcasting and control rooms, giving characters plenty of time to explore the station, though they'll still have to be on the lookout for the Vakdir patrolling the halls.

Larson's iris scan allows him to enter any room in the Broadcasting Station, including offices, and he has made copies of his iris scan on credit card-sized discs: the infiltrators only need hold the disc up to the scanners in front of any locked room for access. This allows for the team to split up into smaller groups or head out solo, and it keeps Larson out of immediate danger; though he's sympathetic to the rebel cause, he's a very nervous sort and is not exactly equipped to explain to the Vakdir why he's accompanying roughly 80 people around the station.

While exploring the whole station can potentially turn up useful information for Rost to use against the oppressive government, they'll insist that everyone's sights are set on the control booth so they can upload the Prime Minister's secret meeting. It'll have to be timed carefully -- there is a fifteen minute break between broadcast shifts where the majority of the staff breaks for lunch, and the control booth should be abandoned. Once inside, it's a small matter of plugging the drive into the console and hitting the button marked BROADCAST:

The recording is grainy-looking and from a high angle. It's a spacious, many-windowed room where the Prime Minister is seated at a desk. Seated across from the desk are three men, all dressed impeccably; their high-end cybernetics gleam even in the low-quality recording.

Prime Minister Ivarson speaks, his voice clear even though the visuals are muddy:

"So we're agreed, gentlemen. I assure you, your constituents won't mind the "repurposing" of their hard-earned funds once they realize they will earn it back thricefold once we clear out the... riff raff plaguing our fair city.

With our new involuntary labor force, we'll finally be living like we were meant to. And they'll be doing the same."

As this recorded "off the record" meeting continues, it seems to indicate that Prime Minister Ivarson does intend to stay true to his promise to fix the lower levels -- by jailing the majority of the lower class, thereby clearing the lower levels of crime and undesirables once and for all. The prisoners would then be used as a cheap labor force, driving the middle class into poverty as they try to compete with the unpaid workers, thereby establishing a new lower class and ridding the upper class of all competition.

It's certainly damning to the Prime Minister and will likely disturb the lower and middle classes, but it begs the question -- is it enough to drive the upper class against him too?

▸ THE VAKDIR

The Vakdir are immediately alerted when Rost’s counter-propaganda is broadcasted; the handful of Rost members who stayed behind at the hideout let the infiltrators know that, and that it can only mean one thing: the broadcasting station has been compromised. For Ophelia, this means it’s time to get out, and quick. Vakdir backup is quickly descending upon the broadcasting station, and anyone caught nearby is being taken in and questioned.

Any safeguards against entering the broadcasting station don’t keep all of the Vakdir out; there are already several inside, searching the large building for anyone who doesn't belong there. You’ll need to be stealthy if you want to get out without being apprehended and arrested, which will obviously happen if you're found there. The Broadcasting Station has quite a lot of tech one might be able to hide behind, as well as rooms -- offices, closets, dressing rooms -- to duck into if the Vakdir are patrolling the halls.

If caught, characters can struggle to break free -- although they will still be known as a fugitive if they escape, and their likeness will be broadcast frequently as a wanted person. The Vakdir are equipped with powerful stun guns that will disable the average person almost instantly, as well as body armor that protects them from most attacks. Characters who do not escape will be brought to the prison, a high-tech complex adjacent to the Vakdir Headquarters, where they will be required to relinquish their possessions (it's your choice if your character's jewelcomm and/or specialization magitek is included!) and change into the grey prisoner uniform provided.

The prisoners are informed by a particularly slimy Vakdir officer that there will be no trial, and that their punishment will be severe; the Prime Minister is very displeased with their malicious attempts to destabilize a peaceful nation, and evil acts deserve justice. “Sleep well,” he tells them, locking the door to the cell.

On the bright side, due to severe overpopulation in the prison, all the prisoners from the broadcasting station have been thrown into one -- cramped, uncomfortable -- cell. In addition to whatever guildmates have been imprisoned, there are a few Rost members in the cell as well, as well as some innocent bystanders -- and Petyr Larson, the Broadcast Station's inside man. It looks like it's sleepover time!

But don't worry -- the Rost take care of their own, and rescue is surely on its way.

▸ OOC NOTES

This log takes place over several hours, with the next log -- featuring a jailbreak! -- beginning a few days later. In other words, there will be time dilation in place, meaning that only two IC days will pass between this log and the next.

Please note because this log has been posted so late in the month, you may use threads begun in April for May AC. You may not use the same thread for AC in both months.

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:

Optional. The Great Escape II player plot!
The Free Bird and My Fair Lady bounties are now unlocked, along with the upper level locations.
May calendar is live!
Plotting post for this log is up.

▸ Coming next (Futurology runs on timezone UTC):

30 Apr: Optional. Player plot sign-ups.
01 May: April AC begins at 00:01 UTC, ending on 5 May 23:59 UTC.
All characters accepted in April must provide one proof. Failure will result in an idle.
Reminder: bounty threads do not count toward !plot proofs. Please review the AC requirements to prepare!
01 May: Hiatus trimester turns over. Review what this means on the hiatus page!
05 May: Optional. Player plot log.
12 May: Next !plot log goes up.

▸ CR/Welcome Meme ▸ Drakstaden Dossier ▸ Drakstaden Locations ▸ Drakstaden Bounty Board ▸ May Calendar

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Compared to Majima's wide array of weaponry the handful of small vials and the palm-sized explosive that Wylan fishes out of his leather satchel might look unimpressive. (Much like Wylan.)]

What are your feelings on flashy distractions?

[Luckily, in this case, looks can be deceiving.]

[ Majima smiled. ]

The flashier, the better! ...uh, up to a point.

Whatcha thinkin'?

[ Big things came from small beginnings? He wasn't going to judge Wylan's arsenal based on appearances. ]

[Wylan pauses, considering his options before looking through his satchel again. He talks out loud as he does, walking his teammate through their options.]

We could go with a classic flash bomb. I have some that pack a bit more of a punch, if we need them. [He holds up one of the vials he set aside.] This'll release a bright green gas when activated. It's completely harmless, but bright enough to attract attention.

Alright, so we can get their attention, maybe pull 'em away from the door.

[ Majima paused for a moment to review what they'd been told about the basement prison. ]

That still leaves the locks... and the prisoners. According to them Rost operatives, the EMP bomb should work on the doors. But there're still going to be guards between them and the exit, even if they're all ready to run for it.

How're you at fightin' your way out of a jam? Don't think we're gonna get out of this without getting into a scuffle or two.

I... [He pauses, trying to think of the most reassuring way to say that scuffles are at the bottom of the list of things Wylan excels at. He shrugs after a moment.] I've gotten better at it?

...maybe you'd better take the laser gun. Provided you can shoot, that is.

[ The small radio that Rost had provided crackled quietly. "Don't forget about us. All you two need to do is get the prisoners to the agreed-upon point. From there, we've made arrangements to get them to safety. Hopefully." ]

Yeah, we gotcha. Oh yeah, almost forgot -- name's Majima. Bruiser specialization.

I've never needed to learn. Some of my explosives work fine close range. [He's not completely useless in a fight, even if his methods are different than most people's.

He falls silent at the message, listening intently, relieved to hear that there is a plan already in motion.]

Wylan. I'm an inventor.

Explosives, huh? Might need those by the time this's through.

[ You know what, he was just going to trust that Wylan knew what he was doing with those, because god help them if he didn't. Majima had been in one explosion already, and even that was one too many. ]

Going to be a guard changeup soon. Anything else you wanna talk through, or we good?

I have spares if you'd like some. [Not that he thinks Majima will need them. He seems to know what he's doing without the help of Wylan's chemical arsenal. Still, it's polite to offer.]

I'm ready if you are. [The words sound a lot more confident than he looks. Wylan may be in a gang, but he's still not a fan of dangerous jobs. He always feels like he's in over his head, drowning in a lack of knowledge and skill. They make him nervous, make him assess all the ways he's not suited for them. But talking about their plan isn't going to help him get over his nerves.]

Nah, you keep 'em. Probably ain't the best time to experiment with new gadgets.

[ "Remember," said the Rost member, "Your spare uniforms should get you through to the basement. But if you stick out and attract attention, we won't be able to help you."

Well. A good warning to keep in mind. Majima moved back over to the exit, ready to step back into the hall. After a brief listen, he opened the door.

Not everyone in the headquarters building was a uniformed officer; they needed IT, administrative, and other staff just like any other similar organization. In this, they had at least a little leeway. In the meantime, Majima would speak over the magitek. ]

Lemme know when ya spot a good place to use that flash bomb of yours.

[ ooc: hey so do you want to run into/fight any vakdir for this, or no? also, how many prisoners would you like to rescue :') ? ]

[Wylan listens to the message Majima sent him (probably not the stealthiest move), and begins his search for the perfect location. There's a small group of uniformed guards gathered near the path toward the prisoners. They're also not too far away from a corner where Wylan can easily roll one of his famous flash bombs. He speaks into the Magitek, voice barely above a whisper.]

There. Close your eyes when you're ready.

Ready.

[ Majima shut one eye; he was long past worrying about the other. They'd have to move fast after this, book it to the holding cells. ]

Let's see what ya got, buddy.

[Wylan pauses for just a moment, silently hoping that he doesn't mess this up. He can't stall forever though, not with his teammate already prepared. He rolls the bomb into the corner, shutting his eyes just as it hits the wall. When it, it erupts in a flash of bright white light that threatens to fill the entire hallway. Simple, but extremely effective.]

[ The air was filled with shouting and confusion as the officers rushed toward the scene, shoving aside staff and anyone caught flatfooted by the detonation. The perfect chance to slip off towards the basement entrance, where Majima activated the EMP bomb.

The doors unlocked with a heavy clunk, stopping just ajar enough to get through. Inside, the sounds of the prisoners, excited and confused both as the alarm began to sound. "What's going on?" "Is it Rost?" ]

Hell, let's get in and get out.

[Wylan looks just a little surprised at how successful his plan was. He pauses, waiting for Majima to take the lead. If they want to be successful, they'll need to play to their strengths, and Wylan has done his part.]

Lead the way.

[ Majima slipped through the gap. ]

You're right -- Rost sent us. So if ya don't wanna spend the rest of time in here, then follow us out.

[ This seemed like good enough reasoning to the prisoners, since the alternative was waiting for the guards to get back. An older man clasped Wylan's hand. "Thank you for coming for us!" ]

It was no problem. Really. [Wylan reassures the prisoner, though he seems a little overwhelmed by the attention. He's still doing his best to encourage any stragglers to join them. Most do seem willing to follow him and Majima, though there are a few that have questions.

One young woman tries to get Majima's attention, even as she's moving to follow them to freedom. "Where are you leading us?"]

There's a rendezvous point that Rost set up beforehand. They got transportation outta here, but... hey, old man. You comin' with, or not?

[ There was a young woman at the elbow of an elderly captive, brow furrowed as Majima addressed her cellmate. "Mikkel can't accompany you; he's very ill. I've been taking care of him..."

They didn't have a lot of time here, but Majima also didn't feel right just turning their backs on this old dude. ]

What if we carried him?

[ Mikkel coughed, shook his head resignedly. "Young man," Mikkel said, turning to Wylan. "Were you the one who created that distraction?" ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

EVENT ▸ ELECTRIC SHEEP

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