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Breakout and Beyond: September Plot Log

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

[Shiro had taken the time to pull his armor on. "Time" meaning just a handful of minutes. It was second nature by now. Simple as changing a shirt. The discs with their things, everything they could salvage from the house -- calling it home still hurt something in his chest -- were in a heavy bag slung over his shoulder.]

Angela's house.

[He could still fight while carrying the bag. Even while he hoped it wouldn't have to come to that.]

... where did you find hair dye?

I didn't. Took a chance with my magic. Hair pigmentation is determined by different amounts of melanin in the follicle. I figured if my magic can alter things at the base cellular level, I should be able to change my hair color temporarily. Worst case scenario, all of my hair falls out. I figured those were odds I could live with.

[He draws his hood a little tighter.]

What's there? Something we can use?

...

You can magically change your hair color and you never told me?

[Despite the absurdity of this conversation, and that question, he hasn't stopped moving. He knows the way by heart, after all.]

It... it was in a dream I had. Back in the compound. After the nightmare ended, I was there. It was safe.

It's worth a shot.

Praytell, how exactly does one bring that up? I'm still kind of figuring out what I can do with my magic, alright? I may wake up tomorrow and discover I can fire gamma rays out of my ass. This is all kind of one giant learning experience, alright?

[Darin shrugs.]

I'll take whatever we can get. How are you holding up? You sure you want to go back there?

Thank you for that mental image, Darin.

[He goes silent, as they near a corner. But when nothing appears for a few moments, and the coast looks clear, he picks up the pace again.]

We can't go back to the house. No one's been in Angela's for a long while now. It's ... as safe a place as any.

[Which doesn't really answer either question, but oh well.]

I could have been way more graphic and you know it. How do I look with black hair anyway?

[He's trying to lighten the mood. Going to Angela's house can't possibly be easy for Shiro and he sticks close, watching his six.]

That's fair. What should we do after we get there then? Settle in and bunker down?

You can't ask me that. I'm biased to black hair.

[He says it so matter of fact, it's hard to say if he's joking or not. Just keeps his eyes on the street ahead.]

Yeah. Make sure the others get there all right. And then make plans.

Plans? Plans for what exactly?

We're at a pretty stark disadvantage here. We don't even have a hand to play. We're sitting here flicking our joker while the savrii have the rest of the deck.

Can we really go back to co-existing after what they pulled on us?

Get a ship we can fly off-world, maybe. Or star charts. Maybe if we figure out where we are, we can get to the Castle's last location.

[It's not the best plan. It's not even the most solid. They don't even know if they're in the same dimension as the Castle ship.]

[But it's -- it's all he's got.]

Would you think less of me if... I said I hoped we could? Even a little.

[Darin stops in his tracks.]

You...want to look for the castle ship? Allura's castle ship?

[Darin can feel the hairs at the back of his neck stand on end, even beneath the cloak. He feels his blood go cold and he feels the rock form in the pit of his stomach.]

[He realizes then how he must look and quickly pulls the hood tighter around his face and lowers his head, quickly pressing forward.]

Works for me. It's an idea at least.

... We have to. You know that.

[He stops too. Looking back at him. The brush off goes about as well as Shiro's own do. Something isn't right.]

Darin.

What's wrong?

Nothing. You're right, if there was ever a time to get back on course, this is it.

[He keeps marching along, doing his best to keep some distance between himself and Shiro. He takes a point position, scouting ahead as best as he can.]

... You know we're bringing you with us. Don't you?

[The distance feels like a slap in the face. Even if it isn't. It probably isn't anything more than practicality. But all the same...]

[That draws a sharp inhale from Darin. The hand he's using to lean out from cover balls into a fist, and after what feels like an impossible amount of time, Darin makes a rather bold, though quiet, declaration.]

I'm not going with you.

[If the previous gesture was a slap in the face, this is a punch to the chest.]

[It's his turn to stop walking. His turn to stare stupidly, and feel like the warmth and feeling is draining out of his limbs.]

... So all that. All that you said before.

You were lying to me?

Don't. Don't even. Don't you put this on me, Shiro.

[His voice quivers. He really does not want to talk about this right now.]

We don't understand how any of this works.. The Ingress pulled us all here, right? Across space, across dimensions, across time.

If I get on your ship, if I leave this world with you guys, who's to say I actually get to finish that trip? Huh?

[He turns and marches back towards his friend.]

Who's to say I don't disappear the second we get too far from the Ingress? Or worse? And forget me for a second, what about Allura? She has her father back! What if something happens to him on the way because of the displaced timeline? I don't know about you, but I can't do that. Not to her. Never to her. And I sure as hell won't watch it happen either.

[He takes a calming breath to steady his nerves.]

You think I want to leave you? To leave this? Shiro, for the first time in...I don't know...my entire life? I was happy. But I'm not selfish enough to keep you guys from the war you need to finish.

And what if you don't!

[What if this all works out. What if they get a ship. What if Pidge manages to make some kind of tracking implant. What if the future they warned him about never comes to pass. What if Allura doesn't have to lose her father all over again. What if they'll have him at her side. What if Pidge doesn't have to lose another family member. What if he doesn't have to abandon Keith. What if he has another chance to tell Lance he's proud of him. What if Hunk gets to be right and it's going to work out.]

[What if what if what if.]

[They're never, ever, going to know if they don't try.]

[He'll never know.]

What if it doesn't have to be like that. Any of it. Do you... do you really think I want to hurt Allura like that? Do you think I want to see it happen to her?

I was there when she lost him. [Both times. Both when she realized he was gone, and when... when she had to erase his AI. Seeing her like that a third time is the furthest thing from what he wants. Any more than he wants to see her lost to the Galra again.]

But if you think she's going to let you stay behind any more than I am, for any reason, you're an idiot.

[Don't make this about her. Don't. She's stronger than that.]

[Even if, right now. Shiro isn't.]

Don't... you dare go back on your words. Not now. You can't just give up on us!

Give up? Give up?!

[Before he realizes what he's doing, his hand snaps out and seizes Shiro by the top lip of his armor, just above his collarbone.]

How the hell do you think I feel about all of this?! Ah?! Don't you think I'm tired?! Three times, Shiro! Three times I've lost my home! I watched my birth home burn to the ground! I had to leave the life I had with Acteon behind! And now this! What if I go with you, only to find that I get left behind again?! What then, huh?! I can't deal with that! I can't place my hope in a future with you all when there's a very real chance that I might end up all alone again!

[He grits his teeth and forces the lump in his throat back into the pit of his stomach.]

Ever since we met, you've just pulled me along with you! You roped me into this team! You made a place for me! Even when I fought back, you kept pulling me along and now look at us! Now I'm facing a future where you guys might be gone! I've been here for an entire year, Shiro! My world might be gone too! So what the hell do I have?! At least things were certain here! They were concrete! I had a life and a future and I didn't have to hear the words 'prophecy' ever again if I chose not to!

I don't want to give up on you but every fiber of my being is screaming that there's no way my luck can hold out if I go with you! I will lose you all and if that happens...!

[He lowers his head]

If that happens then--

[He's cut short as a hunting party of Savrii rush around the corner, weapons raised. Quickly, Darin shoves Shiro behind cover and jumps behind with him. Maybe an emotional shouting match was not the best idea when they're being hunted.]

Edited 2017-09-23 06:48 (UTC)

[There is a hot, angry reply in his head. In his throat. Boiling in his chest, and he wants to shake Darin until he understands. Until all of this stops. Three times, he says. As if he's the only one who's ever lost anything at all. As if the team hadn't lost families and friends and homes and entire lives and whole worlds too.]

[Despite himself, despite the tight, heavy hand of control he has on himself, it comes out. Everything wearing him down to the breaking point.]

And they haven't? They haven't had to live with losing their families? Their homes? Their worlds? And now you want to take more away, because you're scared? You're not even going to try? You--

[It's not the hand holding his armor that quiets him, abruptly. It's the accusation. One more slap to the face, one more punch to the chest. It's all your fault. All of this is your fault. He could have done more, could have tried harder.]

[It's all your fault - you lost Allura - you left Matt - you killed the prisoner - you were gone - you weren't there - it's all your fault.]

[And now look what you've done.]

[What makes you think --]

[The arrival of pursuit doesn't even register in that moment. Nothing does. In that second, there's nothing but that familiar sting of GUILT threatening to pull him down. Instead, he's shoved behind a crate. And sort of sits there, before realizing what's happening.]

Don't -- Don't hurt them!

Yeah? Try telling them that?!

[Despite the annoyance in his voice, Darin is already working. The Savrii haven't opened fire yet, but he supposes that's less to their credit and more that they're trying to flank them. He pulls back his cloak enough to expose his left arm. His bandaged left arm. He leans down and tears at the cloth around his forearm with his teeth, yanking the wrappings off hurriedly to reveal a gleaming bracer. It's not made of metal, but rather the same type of material that the paladin armor is made of; something durable yet flexible. On the forearm, just above the wrist, is a small flat disc that's molded into the bracer itself; bearing a glowing 'V'; the same emblem that the paladins proudly wear on their chest.]

[See, Darin hadn't been resting on his laurels all the time that he's been here. He'd always been interested in the bayards that the paladins wielded, but he lacked the material and understanding to make such a thing. However, when Lucio introduced him to the wonders of hard light tech, Darin's mind went alight with possibilities. Drawing inspiration from both, he'd been developing gear to make him more useful to his team. He'd wanted to keep it a secret but now was as good a time as any to put his new gear through its paces.]

[The emblem on the disc pulses and grows bright. Darin gives Shiro an unreadable look; a bit of a lopsided grin that's half apologetic for the things he was shouting, and half pleading with him to pay attention. Shiro accused him of giving up on them, but the fact is he's internalized every lesson he's learned from them. He's made them his own and now he bears them with pride.]

[He turns then and steps out from cover, much to the Savrii's surprise. Weapons already drawn, they waste no time opening fire. Darin sucks in a breath and raises his bracer, clenching his fist and activating the raised disc. The Voltron emblem flares to life and a massive, curved, tower shield of hard light flashes into existence. It doesn't deflect the shots, since that could lead to potential injuries and would defeat the shield's purpose. Instead, it absorbs the impact and diffuses it, causing ripples throughout the hard light shield. Darin reaches around and twists the disc, like the aperture of a camera, widening the projected shield into more of a massive barrier. He leans over and grabs Shiro, hauling him to his feet.]

We're getting out of here. Any objections?

Don't!

[He doesn't mean to make it an order, but it comes out as one, regardless. If they hurt them, they really are the enemy. If they attack, they'll have no quarter if things escalate. Not fighting back might be the only thing they have. And, god... if they end up hurting civilians in the crossfire... they're no better than the enemy themselves.]

[- a monster like you - whispering in his mind and - all your fault - echoing in a refrain that keeps his limbs from moving when they should. Keeps him from doing anything but calling out in the hopes he'll be understood. In hopes his reasoning will be understood.]

[He doesn't want to think their friend was really giving up on them. He doesn't want to think they're going to all be separated. That this cobbled-together little family of theirs is going to break. None of that is appealing. None of that is anything he wants to focus on. He doesn't think he can, and keep himself put together.]

[One hand grabs for Darin again, as he steps from cover. A vain attempt to keep him back here, or keep him close at hand again. To keep him from leaving.]

[What happens instead is more surprising.]

[Instead of damage, there's only a shield. Like what they'd project in the training room or out of their armor. Like Allura would project in the command center of the castle. He's staring openly at it. A little impressed, he'll admit. But at least, it looks like, no one's going to be hurt. Not by what Darin is doing.]

[Why does he think he isn't part of their team, that they wouldn't need him around, when he's doing exactly what they would do? When he's making a shield of Voltron? Why wouldn't he be able to come back with them? Why couldn't whatever force was inherent in the Lions, in Voltron itself, be able to do something for this?]

[... it would mean relying on the mystical powers that be to clean up his mistakes, that's why.]

[He's hauled up, despite the ringing of the voices in his head, despite the dizzying fear and guilt choking him. "Any objections", he's asked.]

... Angela's house. Quick.

[They can argue all they want there. And maybe something better will come of it.]

Lead the way, fearless leader.

[Theres no trace of sarcasm in his voice. It's absolute control and respect and deferment to Shiro's command. He reaches up to the disc on his forearm that's projecting the barrier, gives it a quick twist, and pops it out, releasing it to hover tethered to the barrier in front of them. He quickly reaches into a pouch on his belt, procures another disc, and presses it into the now vacant indentation on the bracer. Another quick twist and an audible click is heard, locking it into place.].

I've got four more of these so let's try to keep encounters to a minimum.

Really wish I made more of the damn things...

[He isn't sure how to respond to that. He really isn't. Sure, he can tell it's sincere -- that much is clear. It's crystal clear. But somehow it stings. Like he's been taken away from something closer than "leader". Pulled back somehow.]

[Leader. Not friend.]

[His expression schools over. They have a job to do, an objective to achieve. Get to the house, get the others there safely. Whatever happens afterward... happens. Focus. If they get through this, then he can try to wade through the guilt.]

We can see what supplies are there. If any. Maybe Pidge has something.

[A pause.] We're not done talking.

We'll be fine. This isn't the only thing in my bag of tricks.

[Despite saying he would follow Shiro, he takes point and moves off down a side road, more of an alleyway, really. He's got his eyes glued to the rooftops, waiting for any of the Savrii who broke away from the main group to come bearing down on them.]

Oh goody. I do so love our talks.

[Okay so maybe there was some sarcasm there.]

As long as we don't kill them... we've got leverage. They can't paint us as murderers if we don't do it.

[At least he hopes not. There's always the chance the Savrii won't care. But he has to hope it's going to be otherwise.]

[Someone has to keep up hope.]

You know it needs to happen.

Breakout and Beyond: September Plot Log

the escape

A World of Peace

Points of Interest

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