Who: Everyone
When: September 9th-23rd
Where: Kauto
What: Escape from Dino Jail and taking the fight to the Savrii
Warnings: Probable violence and mental manipulation. Label your content.

the escape

Over the last few days—or weeks, for many—a number of preparations have been made. Some gathered resources. Others fashioned weapons or small bombs. A few pored over the schematics Mother provided, looking for a weakness in the field generator, while others took her offer of assistance more directly. Whether with information or training, tools or trades or promises, everyone has had a part to play. And on September 9, all of that comes to fruition.

It starts at the gate. Through careful observation of the supply groups, one team of insurgents has correctly identified when the gate will open: and prepared their very own dinosaur-mounted EMP. With the controls damaged and the gate locked open, the Savrii guards are met with a host of individuals armed with shock-sticks, home-made bombs, and one improvised laser—many of whom appear oddly immune to the pacifying effect of the intermediary present.

As terrifying as this proves to their morale, it seems possible the Savrii could turn the battle their way. They have superior weaponry. They have a single chokepoint to defend. They can and will call for backup as soon as the danger becomes clear. Still, there's one factor they couldn't have anticipated. One vulnerability of the dome field, pulled from the schematics by the more technically minded captives who spent time on the endeavor. This place wasn't a punishment, after all. The Savrii didn't want to inflict harm. Merely contain these dangerous people, for their own good. And so, the force field has a safety feature built in.

It decreases power, just slightly, in proportion with the biomass that comes in contact.

While the guards at the gate are busy with their fight, a brilliantly colored array of hazards break free from the forest grounds. Perhaps you're riding one of your new friends. Perhaps you're dangling dino-catnip just in front. It's possible, of course, that your dinosaur is motivated without help—possibly by the array of prey animals running in front of it. Regardless of the motives and the methods, when several hundred tons of dinosaur make contact with that wall?

The force field shatters.

Charge.

A World of Peace

The fact (and methods) of the "newcomers'" escape puts an end to any pleas for peaceful resolution. Within the hour, Thisavrou is placed under a state of emergency: transport locked down, all responders called in, and every combat force their peaceful worlds can gather called to defend against this menace. The Ingress Complex itself is sealed off entirely: a full-strength Artifixx force field raised to deflect (or destroy) incoming ships. Not that the storms outside the Ingress—or the cracks they've begun carving in the sky—look easy to navigate for even the best trained of pilots.

While those looking to fulfill their promise to Mother will need to find a way offworld eventually, events on Kauto are likely to keep Thisavrou’s Most Wanted busy for some time. The Savrii are in self-defense mode, ready to protect their world against those who refuse their gift of peace. Whether looking for a fight or trying to find shelter, travelers are most likely to encounter these groups as their hunters:

Security. These Savrii have been taken from their usual work in Ingress Security or similar professions. More like police than soldiers, they are still armed and formidable. Each small squad will almost always be accompanied by a single intermediary, capable of both detecting nearby targets and enforcing the non-violence field on those who did not accept Mother's link. These groups may try to talk characters into surrender and prefer non-lethal force at first. But as the days go by, they are likely to recognize this is futile and be willing to take ruthless measures.
Off-World Kill Teams. Those who traversed the wreckage of the true Midway hub, or participated in the extinction of Thiri have met these Savrii before. The ones who take dangerous away missions and purge worlds that have misused Ingress technology, these groups are versatile and ruthless. While less likely to be accompanied by an intermediary, they are more likely to have powers and advanced weaponry of their own. Regardless, they are specialists in their fields and fully willing to kill innocents for the greater good. Their skillsets range from fighters to hackers to assassins and more.
Civilians. The majority of civilian Savrii are more likely to hide than to fight, but among their number are non-professional fighters who are more than willing to form amateur groups or go out alone to take down the dangerous invaders. Their mindset may center on protecting their homes or taking revenge for past encounters such as the Shadows. While the weakest of the groups, they're still capable of doing damage. However, not all civilians are hostile or afraid; those who had good relationships with their newer neighbors or who were personally aided may show sympathy. This could come in the form of food, supplies, or temporary shelter, though they won't stand directly against the authorities of Thisavrou.

Regardless of whether fugitives are are caught unaware or go out looking for trouble, one thing is certain: they are likely to do better if they work together. While Mother's link isn't the only method with which to fight the intermediaries, groups without at least one immune person may find themselves put down with ease. At the same time, even those who can resist intermediary manipulation may be overwhelmed by force.

Still, death is rarely the end on Thisavrou, and even now, the technology that allows for resurgence remains in your hosts' possession. Those killed fighting the Savrii may be seen again, and there is always the chance to rescue those who are captured. But would the reunions be happy ones?

Points of Interest

Where to go? What to do? Even without leaving Kauto, there's a literal world of possibilities. Still, the conflict at hand won't go away, and some of your peers have been preparing for it for some time. Between Mother's request, your own needs, and data gleaned from a Trojan implanted in the Savrii's systems, a few objectives might present themselves. And whether you're hunting, hiding, or helping, there are a few places you might want to keep in mind.

Home
As soon as characters were unknowingly brought into the Midway Hub simulation, Savrii agents were dispatched to enter homes and search them for any items of potential danger. Mundane possessions will still be there, including pac-discs for those who had them. Settling down for a night at home is likely to get people caught, but now is a great time to pack anything travelers want to keep. However, to find weapons and items taken during the simulation...
Reclamation Depot
Established just one month ago, this unremarkable complex is buried in the maze-like streets of Region Five. Rumors describe it as a research site: somewhere to examine hazardous materials and see how they could be turned to the societal good. You might better know it as an impound center. Specifically, where they put your weapons after throwing you into "detainment".

Fortunately, research efforts haven't gotten far. Less fortunately? This is the first place all those reinforcements go. The facility contains a set of laboratories aboveground and a storage complex underneath, as well as an adjoining kennel for containing pets. Your companions won't have been harmed, but you can bet the Savrii will harm you trying to get to them.
Network Hub
The data recovered from the Trojan indicates one very important fact: that all of your data has been monitored from day one. Those interested in safeguarding their communications (or disrupting the Savrii's) may wish to make a certain site in Region One a priority visit. A towering skyscraper over a hundred stories in height, the communications tower that controls the TAB network is a masterpiece of engineering. It's also, predictably, guarded. Still, the amount of reinforcements on this site will vary strongly depending on how openly—or how literally—you broadcast an attack.
Mediation Centers
Simple buildings designed for a sense of comfort and peace, these structures can be found in all residential centers of Thisavrou. They serve as the workplaces of the intermediaries, the so-called glue that binds Thisavrou together—or, the mind-controlling oligarchs, if your new acquaintance is to be believed.

Under the current crisis? They're a little understaffed. Still, if you're looking for the intermediaries, this is a better place than most to check. Just don't walk inside alone, or your friends might end up looking for you.
Sewers
With so many forces acting against them, where can travelers find shelter where they can rest, regroup and plan? A base of sorts may be found in the sewers where a team once sought the contaminant. With access to much of urban Kauto, enough distance from the surface to go undetected by intermediaries, and a few larger spaces to provide some breathing room, the sewers may not be a pleasant sanctuary, but they may be the place most able to give characters more than a moment's rest.

A Dinoriffic Note: While characters may keep their dinosaurs with them after the breakout, now that their prehistoric pals have reached adulthood at an artificially fast rate, they will find that dinosaurs are also designed to wean off dependence on their handler, and over these weeks, character-dinosaur pairings will grow farther apart. Although the dinosaurs will always have a softer spot for those who were around during their adolescent days, alas, these partnerships are not destined to be permanent.

[OOC: Please check out this OOC post for more information on character options and objectives! Additionally, this is the last chance for free exploration of the current setting, as events will push toward the arc climax after this log. If there is anything you OOCly want your character to have or do, please take advantage!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You guys!

[He's reaching down to cover wherever he thinks Merle Jr.'s ears are. He absolutely is covering the wrong spot.]

Come on, you're going to hurt Merle Jr.'s feelings! He's trying his best!

Oh, we're not blaming him, we're blaming you.

[Merle jr is innocent!!]

I'd say it's 50/50.

[ Merle Jr. is not innocent. ]

You could you could lumber him into a wall? Shortcut us right to our stuff? [ And. I guess. Steven.]

[Merle Jr. is already taking a moment to stop and graze. Magnus also looks a little frustrated with Merle Jr. but he cares about him too deeply to admit to it.]

Yeah, I could do that. Or, uh, it's kind of a ways, so maybe Merle Jr. should wait here as a getaway and we should go on foot?

Maybe Merle Jr. could figure out a getaway path for us while we go in. Two, birds one stone, except the only one that's gonna get it is grass. And maybe a small fence.

[ Well Taako wasn't going to be the first one to suggest they leave sweet Merle Jr. behind, because it probably would have resulted in Magnus' taking it personally, but now that the situation is brought up he's in the clear. Home free.

Leaning down to eyeball the dinosaur, probably with more sourness than really necessary considering Merle Jr is totally ignoring anything directed at him. On account of him being pretty dumb. ]

You know it's my thing to be Good out here. You can't just horn in on my thing. I just want to be clear, my dinoman, that this is not signaling any change in the group dynamics for good, capiche?

Yeah. [He knows Lup is being sarcastic, but he'll take it.] Hear that, buddy? You need to find a getaway path for us. But stay safe, don't go near anybody you don't know, okay?

[Giving him a smooch on top of his little head ridge and then leaping off. Merle Jr. does not visibly react to either Taako or Magnus; he just starts walking off in another direction.]

Well! You guys ready? Between my fists and your magic, these fuckers won't know what hit 'em.

Far thee well, Merle Jr. You were a sorry excuse for transport but your efforts were um, well more noticed than appreciated.

[Lup waves the dinosaur off. He's probably going to go off to the closest tree and just eat.]

Oh-[She cracks her knuckles and little sparkles of magic flutter down from her hands.] I'm so fucking ready. It's gonna be lit.

[ God Taako wishes that were him. Left here to chill out and hang out eating some snacks. Shrugging, since these two eager beavers seem to have all the excitement for Heists necessary. ]

Rush on in, my dude.

Okay!

[And he's running off. Where? Who knows! He sure doesn't know where he's going.

Looks like there's a gang of security types approaching? So he's already punching somebody.]

[Lup follows close behind Magnus, both to protect him and for protection. She's got limited spell slots and even worse, limited casting materials, so while she would never admit it, she's somewhat more vulnerable than usual and she's not a fan, fam.

When Magnus punches a guy, Lup ducks and picks up the gun he had been holding and then starts firing on the other members of the security team. It doesn't shoot bullets, but instead shots of energy that shock and stun on contact.

Within the first 5 shots, she downs two of their enemy.]

Powerful and yet dodges any moral questions. Sign me the fuck up, I love it!

[ Taako, having never paid any attention at all to where Magnus is in relation to him in a fight not even once, is wherever the fuck he wants to be. Probably completely vulnerable to taking damage from the security team that no one can prevent, because he's an idiot.

Instantly into this idea of lighting motherfuckers up, laughing like a maniac and holding his arms up. ]

Holy shit! Split the goods, I want in!

[That's okay, Lup. Magnus positions himself between her and any of the enemies, taking a punch to the gut instead.]

Hey, you guys have magic! I get the weapons! [Punching someone else in the face as he says this.]

Breakout and Beyond: September Plot Log

the escape

A World of Peace

Points of Interest

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