Breakout and Beyond: September Plot Log

[savmods]

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!]

Comments

[nishizono]

[ he notices the wings only after they've moved - chalk it up to his constant exposure to all sorts of weird crap in space on top of the weird crap from back home. he's a little inured to what usually counts as out of the ordinary; after all, he's not ordinary by a long mile, himself. he can't really judge.

but this brings in a question: what is she? an angel? a genetic experiment? gakuso had that one memorable flaw where a cluster of clones developed wing-like protrusions on their back, but she doesn't look anything like them.

aaaaaaaAAAAAAAAA— ]

No sodas, then. Uh. What else do we have?

[culver]

[Nill does her best to collect herself. She can't just go staring at people because they want to eat a lot--that isn't exactly abnormal. A deep breath, and she moves to a nearby box that is filled with bottles of water. She grabs one for him, and on her way back past the fire she gestures to the pot hanging over it. Water and coffee, friend. These are your options.]

[nishizono]

[ a water bottle and a pot - and she hasn't said a word yet. tetora's confusion is apparent on his face, as he watches her (as discreetly as he can manage) walk up to him with her hands full. he can't help from stepping back when she gets close; he's covered in soot, and while he normally wouldn't give a shit, he wants to not transfer the dirt over to her.

he has enough manners to him to keep his mouth closed while chewing, at least. ]

Water and coffee. Got it. [ tetora wipes one hand on his trouser leg, not that it cleans it much. ] I'll take the water.

How come you don't talk?

[culver]

[When she sees him move away, Nill freezes for a moment--she remembers the last time someone had avoided being close to her. The moment she'd even gotten close to touching him, he'd almost ripped her to shreds.

But he'd also turned out to be the one person in the world she trusted with her life.

So instead of inciting fear, his evasion only touches a little tender spot in her heart. She doesn't know why he's acting this way, but it isn't her place to ask or judge. Mindful of her hand, she holds the bottle out for him by the bottom, so there's plenty of room for him to take it without touching her. Whatever his reasons, she isn't here to make him uncomfortable.

At the question, her wings flutter and she uses her free hand to gesture to her throat. Nill shakes her head, offering an apologetic smile. She can't, is all.]

[nishizono]

[ oh. she can't talk. something about her throat? tetora takes the water bottle and twists the cap off with his mouth, spitting it up in the air and catching the cap neatly with the same hand holding the bottle. it's a tiny moment of showboating, but let him have it - he's covering his delayed embarrassment by draining the bottle's contents in one go.

he takes a moment to breathe, recalibrate his comments into something less rude than the default; it's a bit of an effort. ]

Someone took your voice, or something. Am I getting that right? Or you just can't?

That's okay, though. No one's gonna hassle you for conversation when you don't feel like it, so that's a plus. Did you set up the whole... [ he points at the assortment of pans and pot bowls. ]

[culver]

[During her relatively short life, Nill has never spent much time around people prone to showboating. So his trick with the bottle genuinely impresses her, and she doesn't try to hide as much, watching him with slightly parted lips and wide eyes.

He's so cool.

Nill blinks a few times, and then nods, holding up a finger to indicate the first option. Yes, someone took her voice. Technically, she never had one, but that was still because of a person. Even after all this time, it can be hard for her not to think about it.

She smiles a bit at his comment--that's true, nobody could hassle her for not talking. But she also ends up listening a lot because she can't exactly say she doesn't want to. Most of the time she doesn't mind, but there are instances where she wishes she could just tell someone to shut up. Not now, of course, but it's definitely a feeling she's familiar with.

The blonde nods, cheeks going a bit pink. It just hadn't seemed as if anybody was thinking about the people who didn't want to fight, or who got hurt while fighting. So she'd just taken it upon herself to gather some supplies and make a space for all of them.]

[nishizono]

[ imagine this: tetora, proud killer of his sworn enemies, cheekily proficient in the ways of bombs and guns and knives, is blushing at the tips of his ears. (it's not his cheeks, thank fuck, but it's a close thing.) ]

I don't think anyone thought to cook, much less set up a mess hall thing like this. So, uhm. Thank... you.

[ there's a bit of an awkward silence now, as he nurses bowl he's holding. he's not sure where to put down his trash, either - and he can't be a pleasant smell, he's been through fight, fire, and garbage. this isn't a great first impression. ]

Uh.

I'm not tired yet, I've got adrenaline to burn through. Is there anything I can help you with?

[culver]

[Were he not so covered in soot and such, Nill might have noticed the blushing. She herself is very prone to being obvious about her embarrassment because of her pale skin, so she's become very good at spotting it on other people. But lucky for Tetora, the grime covering him hides his blush from her sight and he gets a pass. This time.

She offers a smile--you're welcome. Nobody ever seems to consider what the people who aren't predisposed to conflict will do during times like these, so she's just glad she was able to take the initiative.

Silently, Nill turns back to the fire, poking at it with a stick while he drinks his water and eats his soup. Her wings perk, however, when he addresses her again, and she turns to face him a little too quickly, fire-poking stick still in her hand. Realizing this, she uses it as a prop, gesturing to it and then the fire.

They need more wood.]

sorry for the short tag :(

[nishizono]

[ her actions are easy enough to guess at; between the fire and the stockpiles, he figures the fire is burning through the available wood faster than is expected. it's easy enough; tetora puts his bowl away, dusts his hands and pushes his sleeves up a bit. ]

More wood, got it.

[ he's not trying to impress-- well, maybe just to leave a good impression. this is a good thing, right? this is socially acceptable. people do this for other people because it's "the right thing to do" or something.

whatever, augh.

he sets off to look for wood and comes back with less than he would've liked, but he did find combustible items like rags and some blocks of paper, all of which he leaves at the small pile nill must've pulled together. ]

This is as much as I could find. Uh, sorry. It's not much.

do not be it is perfect and so are you

[culver]

[She's relieved when he understands her gestures, and it shows in the slight drop of her shoulders. There have certainly been times even before she left her own world when people had trouble understanding her pantomimes, but she's glad that this is not one of those times.

When he leaves to search for firewood, she does the same--but she doesn't wander too far. She doesn't want him to return and have to wait around for her. So she's back before him, arms also full of slightly less than what she wanted, but a smile on her face nonetheless. Between the two of them, the fire should keep going for a few more hours, and that's something to be happy about.

Her eyebrows do raise at the rags and such, but she isn't about to question it. They'll burn, just like anything else.

When her hands are free, she waves them at him dismissively, smiling. It's alright, he did his best. And it's something, at least. Nill looks down, shy, and then back to him. After a beat, she gestures to him and then mimes wiping her face. He looks like he... might want to wash up. Not to be rude, but he is covered in an awful lot of soot and God knows what else.]