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

A. Morning - General Exploration
[The upper levels have a very different feel from the lower levels, which doesn’t surprise Korra in the least. She’d seen how Ba Sing Se was set up and while the technology and government were vastly different, there were still far more similarities than she could shake a stick at. After the Rost briefing, she has the beginnings of a plan for a way to make her way around the Broadcasting Station and hopefully even get people to talk. However, she has some time which means she’s about to take this investigation and infiltration mission to two places: 1. She is going to locate the nearest coffee or tea dispensary or cafe and 2. She is going to do some people watching.

Perhaps you’d like to enjoy some calm before the storm?]

B. Afternoon - Broadcasting Station
[Korra walks through the halls with her drink carrier, having split off from the initial group. She hopes this is enough to pass as an intern. She recalls a similar mission back home and how terribly it had fallen apart because she hadn’t acted the way she was expected to. She hears footsteps behind her and takes a breath. Don’t panic. Act natural. She comes to a fork in the hallway and stops. Now would be a good time to turn around and see if her ‘Hi I’m new here’ act will play out the way she hopes. She turns.]

Hello. So sorry to bother you, but I’m--

[She stops when she sees who it is. No point in asking this person for directions, they’re a fellow member of the guild as well.]

Oh, it’s you.

C. Late Afternoon - The Vakdir
[These are no longer friendly footsteps. Korra had long since delivered her coffee to the office, which is good because otherwise she might be just tossing it on the floor to run. The downside to this is she is still a little turned around in the facility and she’s not sure if she can get out without causing a scene. She rounds a corner without looking and slams into a body. The impact makes her stumble back and her eyes widen when she looks at the person in front of her.

The face belongs to a fellow guild member, but she knows for a fact the pounding feed behind her are not the same. She moves forward, grabbing their hand.]

We’ve gotta move! Come on.

(OOC: Note for Option C that Korra WILL be encountering the Vakdir at some point, though she will escape I want to have her on the fugitive list. If you want to escape without Vakdir seeing your person let me know. Also open for closed prompts/wildcards. Plotting on plurk or my plot post.)

Edited 2018-05-02 02:59 (UTC)

Doin' some early morning recon?

[ Majima was nursing a cup of coffee at a two-top by the window, looking out at the relatively happy, healthy people walking past the station. The longer he was in this place, the more comfortable he got talking over the magitek.

He hated feeling watched. ]

[Korra jumps a bit when she gets the notification. She was still getting used to this instant messaging system, though she had to admit it really did come in handy. She takes a sip from her tea, shifting in her chair, though she's pretty sure no one has been paying much attention to her.]

Something like that. We need to understand this part of their society as much as anything else.

[ Whoops. Good thing Korra was quick on her feet. Or rather, quick with her coffee. ]

I talked to one dude who replaced a perfectly good arm. Hope that don't come back later to bite him in the ass.

Once nice thing about standard issue: it works, and you don't gotta upgrade it.

It doesn't seem like anyone here is concerned about malfunctions or the tech falling into disrepair. For them it is all about the latest model and what might be good in the long run, but isn't necessarily meant to last if they can afford it. I mean most people don't have to get their body parts upgraded every few months.

[Meanwhile those in the lower levels were piecing together scrap as best they could and hoping it would function enough to give them the barest of legs up. Some of them needed the parts to function at all, though she had a feeling a lot of it was done just to get a little bit closer to the upper tiers.]

Edited 2018-05-08 01:29 (UTC)

[Allura has been passing herself off as a wealthy daughter of some so-and-so, acting as though she is seeking air time for her father's such-and-such business. it's gotten her far enough for anyone who stops to give her a look upon realizing she's here.

she's...seen this girl in passing, primarily at the hotel, enough to know vaguely who she is, and that, much like herself, this girl doesn't truly belong here. she stops midstep, raising her brow at the rather simple statement of 'it's you.'

because it's...a bit blunt?]

Uh, yes...is is me.

...remind me who you are, again?

[Disguise or not, there are some things Korra can't shake about her own personality. After all, it wasn't like she was trained to infiltrate places. Her own recognition of the other is just about as limited, although based on the way she's dressing she's trying to pull off something a little higher ranking than 'Broadcast Intern.']

My name's Korra. Sorry...I recognize your face but I'm not sure I remember your name.

[She offers a smile, very much aware that there might be people watching or cameras on them. She's got to maintain the act, right?]

I'm a new hire and a little lost. This place is easy to get turned around in, huh?

I am Allura. It is good to finally meet you, Korra. [Formally speaking, of course. But to anyone in passing she's at the very least remaining composed to have it seem like a meeting between two people having run into each other at the office.

She pauses, pursing her lips in consideration.]

It is...but...I do believe you were sent to help escort me around this facility. [She leans forward a bit, clasping her hands behind her back, giving Korra a sort of wink-wink/nudge-nudge kind of attitude and hoping she'll catch on.] Were you not?

Huh? [It then sinks in. Oh! Perfect! They can use each other to keep a cover story going. One woman wandering the halls might look suspicious, but two women chatting about work while being shown around shouldn't draw as much attention.

They have to look like they belong.]

Oh! Right, right, of course. I'm your escort for the day. [She then realizes she still has the to-go carrier of coffees in her hand and smiles sheepishly.] As soon as we drop these off, of course!

Excellent! I am glad to have you as my escort! I was worried I'd be left alone here.

[She draws back, perking up quite visibly, still coming across as a bright eyed daughter of some rich businessman. Glancing at the carrier of coffee her newfound partner is holding, she nods.]

My, they certainly keep you new hires drawn thin. Where to?

I'm sure they'd never do that to someone so important.

[Korra is continuing to charade of Allura being an important client...not that anyone is necessarily ease dropping but that's the whole point of all of this, right? Korra chuckles anxiously -- feeling like she's trying too hard.

She wishes she knew the building better, she'd scanned over a list of offices, names, and departments but that had really only given her floor numbers and rooms. It didn't tell her an actual map to find them. She glances at the nearest room: 'Storage.'

Well that's not helpful.]

I...think we keep heading straight to get to the elevators. There are some editing and broadcast rooms on the next floors up.

[She blushes, to go along with the charade, and there's a dismissive laugh.]

Is flattery a part of your training? But yes, that sounds like a fine idea. I've yet to go to the upper floors. Lead the way!

[Not exactly no, but Korra's no slouch at it either. After all, she's charmed quite a few people back home without necessarily meaning to. Instead she shakes her head, smiling still.]

Not really. But I'm glad you're flattered.

[She continues to lead the way to the elevators. One step at a time with this and as long as they didn't run into any one they should mostly be fine. They reach the elevator with little interference, but of course it's once Korra has pushed the button that she hears footsteps approaching from the left. She turns, doing her best to look uninterested, even if she's immediately on guard.

It's someone pushing a cart of equipment of some kind. He sees the button has been pushed though and gives the two women a glance.]

You two don't mind sharing an elevator do ya? I gotta get this equipment up to ads.

[She's glad to have run into a fellow guildmate who's friendly, and as they walk towards the elevators she keeps up the persona of a rather affable young woman taking a tour, walking in tandem with the intern 'they' stuck her with. But even under her calm, amicable facade she remains alert, casting a wayward glance down each corridor they pass.

She remains to Korra's right as they wait for the elevator, shoulder hitching up a bit as the man approaching them stops in front of the elevator as well.]

Oh! [She lets out another small laugh. Perhaps trying too hard to sound bubbly and friendly.] Of course not. The elevator is big enough for all three of us-- [she leans over, examining the cart] and your trolley.

[ Laphicet lets out a yelp of surprise at the collision. ]

Miss Korra?!

[ Being smaller than most of his team members, the impact nearly sends him toppling over, yet he manages to stay on his toes. Probably because he's on high alert at the moment. Yet as Korra grabs his hand, he struggles to keep his feet planted on the floor, trying to resist if she tries to tug him along.

He shakes his head. ]

The others need help getting out of here!

Laphicet!

[Of all the people she might have guessed she'd run into...he wasn't exactly at the top of her list. But, she understands why he's here. Everyone wants to be helpful when they can be, right? She frowns slightly when he doesn't move, looking over her shoulder.]

Where are they at? We're about to have company of our own!

[She'll help, but she knows they ALSO need to get out if they can.]

[ He worries for the well-being of others more than himself, to the point that he might wind up getting himself hurt. As for who he's trying to rescue, they might be a little too late. He flinches, hearing the sound of a nearby stun gun coming from further behind them and bodies falling with a thud.

The Vakdir reach down, hauling a Rost member to take back as a prisoner. ]

Over there! [ He tugs his arm, trying to either pull away from Korra or her along with him. Also, completely opposite from the exit they're heading for... ] We can't let them take anyone!

[Korra has the strength, if she wanted to she could haul Laphicet up and get him out of there. But, she understands that he is just as much a member of this guild as she is. Technically he could be her superior (if it worked that way) since he'd been with the guild longer. She does two things.

First, as he tugs, she lets him go. Second, she follows his suggestion.]

Let's help them then and get all of us out of here, okay?

[Her legs are longer though and she rushes at the Vakdir attempting to take his Rost prisoner. Korra swings a hand out, casting a blast of fire in the Vakdir's face. She makes sure to angle it in a way that the Rost member probably only feels warmer, while the Vakdir officer has to deal with his sleeves suddenly being on fire.]

Yeah!

[ ...And hauling Laphicet up could have also been an easy option, for sure. For a boy who's strong at casting strong magical artes, his small stature makes himself easy enough to simply tote off. He might be a superior in a way, but he's only completed one mission really.

The Rost member collapses to the floor, having been incapacitated by the stun gun. Korra might have to handle carrying them to safety...

The Vakdir officer's occupied with a flaming sleeve, flailing his arm wildly to put out the fire. Of course, he isn't alone. Behind him emerges two more reinforcements, advancing either towards Korra or the fallen Rost prisoner.

Throwing his arm out, Laphicet sends out a blast of wind strong enough to send flaming guard stumbling right into his allies. And with that wind and the fire that Korra started, those flames might just spread onto them too. ]

[The combination of wind and fire gives Korra an idea. She leaps over the fallen Rost member and throws both fists forward. The fire blooms larger and the three Vakdir stumble back in shock and alarm. Korra kneels down and scoops up the Rost member, tossing him on her shoulder like a sack of flour. She's definitely muscular enough to carry him, but it will also limit her fighting ability.

The Vakdir's uniforms appear to be somewhat resistant to flame and the two new arrivals were able to avoid most of the flames getting to them. One of them starts to produce his own stun gun, likely to try and take out Korra since she's now weighed down, but Korra is quicker. She pushes out with her free hand and more wind whips forward and the stun gun's shot goes off course, harmlessly striking the wall.]

I need back up!

[If she's going to carry the Rost member out here, she can't use her bending as effectively.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

EVENT ▸ ELECTRIC SHEEP

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C sorry for the late!! i've been slowing down a bit... orz

don't worry -- I understand that.

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