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

[ look inuyasha you yelled at her not to be sad once, you did this to yourself. ]

I'm not taking no for an answer, either! [ at least she's in disguise from an early bounty so she's not easily recognizable, but still. ] You run with me!

[He's gonna kick Maya's ass when this is all over.]

Fine, whatever! But right now, I'm not runnin'! [He levels Tessaiga in warning. With Maya here, it's offered the power to transform. The busted blade becomes a pretty ridiculous falchion, and he grips it steadily with both hands.]

Outta the way! We're coming through!

[He drives Tessaiga in a downward arc; the energy he puts into it is much too light, but it thankfully only serves to funnel a gust down the hall and bowl them over off-balance. He reaches back to grab Maya by the wrist.] Let's go!

[Then he runs.]

[ bring it, fool. ]

[ anyway, his sword is doing a weird thing but he's grabbing her wrist and pulling her along before she can do anything. she runs along with him, albeit a little smaller, her other hand hovering around her magatama in case she needs to shield or heal---- that's the case, even, as one of the vakdir's still standing -- a psychic purple shield forms in front of the two of them, and knocks the vakdir down as they barrel through. someone's been practicing. ]

Oof --- there are so many of these guys!

[Maya is still human, and too slow. Inuyasha can only go a quarter of his usual speed, but the shield Maya throws up helps them get through.]

I know.

[Around the corner and down the next hall, he lets go of her so he can make a way for them. There's no Vakdir blocking them off currently, but there's plenty of them that will be making chase from behind.

He splits the mechanical door diagonally from corner to corner with Tessaiga, crumbling it into several large pieces. He didn't know if it was barred or not security-wise, but he's not taking any chances.] Hurry up! Don't look back!

Stay in front of me, but don't do anything stupid.

[ gosh inuyasha she's doing her best, don't be rude. it's awkward for her to get in front of him when he's clearly the faster of the two (also because she really wants to look back, and nearly trips the one time she tries) but she shuffles in front of him. she's gotten pretty good at running from her time on missions and she's quick -- but she's only human, alas. ]

I'm going as fast as I can!! C-Can you... make debris with that thing or something?!

[ to slow them down. she can't use her own psychic power without intense concentration, so running while doing it is out of the question. ]

[The chasing Vakdir barrel around as they're clambering over the debris to get into the other hallway. He let's Maya keep going, but stops to form a guarding position in the destroyed doorway.] You ain't gonna get by me, so there's no use tryin'.

Don't you idiots have something better to do than torment everybody else?

[His ears swivel to each side. A masked, heavy Vakdir voice commands: Halt! from inside the other hallway, and Inuyasha whips around. They have what looks like a gun (to him) leveled at Maya as she comes through.] Over my dead body--

Maya!

[He grabs one of the smaller pieces of debris up and slings it through the doorway to smash it into the gunman in the front. Having an opening, the Vakdir behind fire their own gun--but it's not a laser one. Two prongs jab into his back, and even if Maya can't hear the current, she can hear the strangled yelling growl Inuyasha lets out.

He's never had his entire body tense in every muscle like this before, not really. All of him locks up, but it feels like his muscles are also reverberating and burning. He goes down over the other side, losing Tessaiga which turns right back into the busted katana.]

Yeah! Beat it, you creeps!

[ she glares them down even as they level the gun at her, concentrating and bringing up a shield--- it protects her and and inuyasha from most of the hits -- until she lowers it for three seconds to let inuyasha throw the debris, and the vakir take the opportunity to shoot. ]

--- Inuyasha! [ there's the anguished anime screaming of his name!! rather than doing the smart thing and running, she crouches by him and grabs the prongs with her bare hands to try to rip them out while simultaneously throwing the shield back up again. the good thing is that the shield cuts off the electricity -- but she still gets a bad shock and nearly passes out herself, and the damage to inuyasha has already been done. the shield flickers but remains up --- though for how long is hard to say, since they're all now openly firing on the two of them. she looks strained. ]

G-Get up.... Inu...yasha..... gotta go...... [ she's stiff and she looks half-ready to pass out, herself. ]

[Dammit, Maya! You can't just freakin' grab the taser prongs!]

Nng... What... the hell are... those things?

[With a loud yell, he rallies, summoning up more of the demon strength inside of him to shake off the stun.] I told... you... to... not worry about... me!

[She looks awful, he thinks. He has a choice: grab Maya, or grab Tessaiga. The sword would give him an upper hand, keeping him from tucking his tail between his legs. But then Maya will be vulnerable, and the shield will come down on top of it.] Damn...

[He hits Maya gently when he rolls and jumps to scoop her up. The Vakdir are startled by his speed, and they're even more startled by his lack of fear. They have to stumble out of the way when he barrels headfirst up the rubble and through the door to get down the hall, using his shoulders to finish knocking them down if they try to stop him.

They don't waste any time in firing, and chips of building are eaten away on each sides of his path by the lasers; a few try to snag him with the stunning prongs from the stun gun, too, but they don't come close to making it.

He doesn't stop. The hall comes to a T-intersection, but he doesn't turn left or right. Tucking Maya close to his chest he twists and leaps through the long row of windows, using his shoulder and back and what ounce of demonic strength he can. The drop is higher than expect, yet gives him enough time to turn over. The fall isn't as slow as he can make it when he's tired, so he lands on the ground with his feet cratering the walkway before stumbling to a knee.

Thankfully, it's a window on the side, and several Rost members fleeing freeze to look back at the commotion.] Hey!

Come take her! [Standing back up is such a chore, but he refuses to drop Maya on the ground.] Hey. [Softer, not the bark he gave Rost.] Maya?

[ watch her, bitch. inuyasha will get another unpleasant jolt when he touches her --- because according to ace attorney, maya's a pikachu. ]

--- Stun gun. [ she thinks that's what it is, anyway? also: ] Sorry.

[ her muscles are seized up pretty tight but he's apparently fine -- because he's just grabbing her and running off. well, she's not complaining, even though she's pretty sure he needs his magical transforming sword. the shield flickers in and out as she struggles (but ultimately manages) to maintain it through this dramatic chase scene and all the mario jumping. which, in any other situation she'd appreciate, but now she's just concerned. ]

J... Just leave me, don't p-push yourself.

[ is her weak protesting through all of this, but it's probably getting ignored. when he falls on one knee she actively tries to wiggle out his arms so not to add to his struggling, but she freezes again when she hears him say her name. ]

--Inuyasha?

[ this is going to be some shounen bullshit isn't it. ]

[A sudden burst of relief washes over his face. (There's probably shounen sparkles and shit.) Thank God. The last thing he wants to do is hold another dying girl in his arms. He's had about enough of women in his life dying!!

Anyway, he doesn't seem to want to let her go at first, probably because he thinks she's going to be injured, or fall down, or some other dumb, girly business.] Are you okay? What'd you do somethin' like that for? Didn't I say not to do anything stupid? [Finally, he relinquishes his grip, but just barely. He's holding her hand for all of, like, three seconds before pulling it away as the Rost members run over.

Slowly and a bit unsteadily, he gets to his feet.] Take her back. She got shocked by whatever it was they had--stun guns. Just get her outta here. [And then, uh,

he promptly turns right back around to head back.]

[ and then she just

dies

in inuyasha's arms tonight. must have been something he said. ]

[ ok no, she's just dazed and out of it, but fine --- she gives him a little relieved grin, even, when she sees he's alright. ] I should be saying that you. What was that stunt all about? You left your sword behind and everything....

[ alas, her relieved mood is short-lived, though, when he passes her off and starts to turn like he's going to run back in there??? now she's trying to wriggle free of the rost dude. ]

Wait---- I'm going too! [ fortunately she's not physically strong enough to get herself free but gosh is she trying. ] Inuyasha, don't..... [ go alone, is what she wants to say. ]

[sipp i'll fucking kill you

He stops only because she claims she's going to go back--he's two seconds away from telling her off, and he's got all the words jumbled in his mouth for it. But her condition changes his mind.] I said to stay here!

I have to get the Tessaiga back, and you'll just get in the way. [He doesn't know how to say he gives a shit because he's a moron. Also, he's too stubborn not to just rush off anyway.] They'll get you outta here.

Don't worry about me. I can handle it.

[ fight me anna. ]

No, I--- [ i want to go with you, is what she wants to say, but then he says the magical tsun words and she kind of looks like she's been punched in the face. see, he's not the first teammate to call her a burden or tell her she just gets in the way and it's a sore spot for her to begin with, so far as words to say to get her to stay put, that's pretty effective. except that it also hurts her tender feelings. wow. she eventually settles on a: ]

I'm not gonna l-let you just.... run in there on your own! What if you get caught!?

[ but despite her protests the rost guy holding her is already starting to run off with her, and she isn't strong enough to get free, so looks like inuyasha wins!! for now. ]

[Being stupid, Inuyasha doesn't realize that his words hurt her so badly. But he does realize she's suddenly upset, in a way.] What're you cryin' for?!

I don't wanna see your ugly crying face! So knock it off! [He doesn't stop Rost from trying to cart her off; however, he also stands there in the drizzle to watch her go, to make sure she's safe.] I'm not gonna get caught! I'm getting Tessaiga, and I'll see you after or whatever. [ha ha] Just go with them and stop complaining!

Idiot...

[ she's not cryig, inuyasha, stop accusing her of crying every time you hurt her tender feelings!!!!! ]

You better not get caught or I'm going to make your ugly face cry!

[ though it's obvious she doesn't really mean it. either way, though, inuyasha is free -- she's soon out of earshot, even for his yelling voice. ]

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EVENT ▸ ELECTRIC SHEEP

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