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.

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[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

[sketchycharacter]

I guess it is.

[Another long drink of coffee, just to give himself a few more seconds to think. He's not so different from Adrien, in some ways--he's been known to go on and on himself. It's his own way of thinking through a problem.

But he's never had a problem like this.]

Gonna be a real pain of Courser can't keep up and they eventually nab you, though. I mean, not that many people are willing to put up with my bullshit for so long.

[prorenataa]

Your vote of confidence is heart-warming, Nate. [ Adrien said in a dry tone.

Lifting his cup of coffee he took a sip and then looked down into it. There were any number of things he could try to explain, but ultimately he understood that there were some horrors you couldn't give life too through mere words, and maybe that wasn't a bad thing.

Eyes still on his coffee, his next words came softly. ]

Focus on yourself and Elena. You're the only two people I need to know are safe in all this.

[sketchycharacter]

[Hey, it's how he expresses friendship and appreciation of the "in case we die soon" kind without getting all fatalistic.

But then Adrien takes care of that for him. Well.]

I'm going to do my damndest to make sure we are. I promise.

[In this moment, there's no wiseassery to be found.]

[prorenataa]

[ Don't worry, Nate. How won't smear feels on you for too long. ]

I expect your damndest is more than adequate.

[ It was a backwards expression of faith in the other man's abilities. Respect even. ]

[sketchycharacter]

[It always has been before. He hopes it still will be now.

Nate finishes the last of his coffee and glances toward the door as there's another yelp from outside. Good boy, Courser.]

You sure I can't convince you to hole up somewhere less obvious? Courser has to sleep eventually.

[But it'll probably be fine. If not, Adrien's still probably not going anywhere.]

[prorenataa]

[ As a rule, Adrien didn't talk too specifically to his past experiences. Broad strokes, and occasionally he slipped in a narrow specific for Nate.

Tilting his head towards the yelp, he gave a small nod before turning back to his friend. He genuinely did not want to worry the man, or worse have Nate risk trying to get back out to the orchard out of concern for Adrien's well being. He could well remember Nate being a little taken aback during that one ship board fight ... so long ago, and he knew the larger man sometimes had a hard time looking at him and not seeing doctor/civilian.

So his lips did that rare, upwards twitch as he reached back to rub at the back of his head. ]

Nate, I was once awake for seventy two hours fighting a three thousand foot squid. Then an additional forty-eight hours after that patching people up.

Not twenty-four hours later we were under siege from the native species for another seventy-two hours leading into a search and rescue mission that lasted at least another seventy-two hours to retrieve hostages, and then treating them.

[ He paused to give Nate a moment to do the math. Then ... well ... then he actually smiled before sobering to something more intent than was usual; even for him. ]

Where I come from, I was a team lead for the operational warfare and logistic arm of my unit. [ Yes, Adrien of all people, and he looks as dismayed now as he did then. ] This? [ He lifted a hand to indicate outside, where another scream had just sounded. ] Is actually making me kinda homesick.

[sketchycharacter]

[Nate smiles and shakes his head as he stands.

It's not funny, but it's the closest thing to it for now.]

As long as you're content. Ish. Anyway, I should grab Barkley and get back to Elena.

[He starts to move toward the door, but stops.]

Seriously, though—be careful, all right? Even if you think you've got it covered. For my peace of mind.