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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

If they weren't needing to go into a store and try to be...presentable, she wouldn't even worry about his bloodied armor. Really, she kind of likes it. It really hammers in his strength and skill, how he rips into people and is this unstoppable force. But. Civilians. And ones they're trying to buy things from, best to look somewhat civil...

"Baby you don't mind it, but they might in there." She grins behind her helmet, reaching up to press a smudge to his visor before resuming getting him in order.

"Although, if they do get freaked out, we could probably get shit for free but...yeah, our armor is probably enough for that, don't you think?" She knocks her gloved fist on the side of his helmet, finally wiping away the fingerprint she left before bumping her helmet to his gently.

Maine snorts again. Fuck these people. After everything they've put his team through, any attempts he might have made at civility are long gone. He doesn't give a shit what they think.

But he tolerates the cleanup without fuss, if only because South seems set on it. Besides, the contact is nice. It's not the sort they had in the prison, of course, but it's familiar. Companionable. It reminds him of past missions and days spent on the Mother of Invention. He leans down to bump his helmet against hers, and he's reminded of home.

It doesn't strike Maine as odd that he's more at ease now — covered in blood and surrounded by enemies — than he has been in a long while. This is normal, for him. War is his whole life.

And looting? Looting is just a part of victory.

"Fuck 'em," he grunts. As far as he's concerned, all the Savrii are his enemies. They'll take whatever they need, and he'll kill anyone who stands in their way.

"I mean, if you're into that sort of thing but. I'll probably sit that out." She teases, she knows he doesn't mean to literally fuck them. But she can't help herself. This is his fault.

She lets her hands linger on his chest still, fingers curled at the edge of his armor before she chucks the cloth over her shoulder and drops her hand to curl a finger around one of his. "Just come on you big dope."

Walking hand-in-hand while wearing armor is a new experience, for Maine. An odd one, too. He decides, as he curls his finger in turn, that it's alright. Might even be nice.

He taps his free hand against her shoulder — she's the dope — before leading the way towards a shop that looks promising.

Perhaps predictably, given the violence in the streets, it's closed. Maine tilts his head, then raises his free hand to give the door a firm shove. It tears off its hinges and crashes to the ground. He glances at South and shrugs, a little smile in his voice as he says, "Open."

It's not something she's really ever done before, either, but she's definitely already planning it to happen again and again in the future. She'd like to feel his hand against her's without the gloved fingers, but she's adoring it more than she thought she would.

"Totally not, that's all you." She insists, more than a little happy to have picked up on his non verbal communication so much. She still gets confused or doesn't quite catch his meanings sometimes, but for the most part, she's keeping up and loving it.

She feels silly for cleaning him off to be presentable when the store is closed and there's no need to be less bloodied or anything. But she enjoyed it so whatever, she's just going to laugh as the door flings off.

"And here I was ready to pick a lock and impress you. Guess I'll just have to settle for my incredible presence to do it." South knows they should probably go in carefully, clear the room, all that jazz. But she's just going to pop her head around what's left of the door frame and glance around, not really worried about what they find since, well, they can handle it without breaking a sweat.

Maine, on the other hand, does want to clear the room. Especially since their entrance will be the opposite of stealthy. He grunts in objection and tugs her hand. He stops short of yanking her, but it's clear he wants her to get her fucking head back.

Whether she listens or not, Maine's moving forward. He planned to be the first one through the door; he'll just have to do so while immediately moving to block her head. And before he gets a chance to get the Brute Shot into position.

Fucking hell, South.

Edited 2017-09-29 11:50 (UTC)

Hey, she's pretty sure they gotta be alone- if the shop owner locked up, surely they left to safety too, right? Definitely not her fault, she's just curious.

She doesn't fight his tugging, even if she does give a roll of her head to let him know her eyes are so rolling. She does at least get her pistol in hand and moves to cover him, even if she thinks it's beyond unnecessary.

"Sooo dramatic." South teases under her breath anyways, and definitely isn't snickering a bit. It's funny! They just waded through bodies and enemies without a single issue, she's not worried. Cocksure and boisterous. Good ol' South.

A low grumble is Maine's only reply. He doesn't want South to get shot in the head. What's dramatic about that? Maine takes the Brute Shot from his back and moves forward, ready for anything. What he gets is ... nothing. A whole lot of nothing.

Good.

Still, it would be best to sweep the place. He signals quickly, indicating that he'll take left, and starts going through the familiar motions of clearing the room.

Maybe she's not as battle-ready for the building, but she's flying high on a cloud of cockiness and bravado, she's untouchable. Maybe it's how easy the Savrii go down, or simply having the combination of Maine and North at her side, or simply her wildly overconfident self.

Regardless, she's full of herself and it's probably best the shop is at least clear for now because she was definitely not in the 'be careful' mindset.

Even now, while she's following his direction and doing what she should be doing, she's not worried whatsoever, just going through with it for his sake. It seems important to him, and even if she feels they can just kick down a door and do what they will without an issue, she cares enough to take her time and do it right.

Fortunately, the shop is indeed clear. Maine glances over at South to ensure she's reached the same conclusion before he returns his weapon to his back. And then? Then, it's time to see what this place has to offer.

It is, he realizes, a pretty random assortment of merchandise. A general store? A thrift shop? It's hard to tell. He moves to South's side and jerks his chin towards the aisles, then tilts his head in a silent question.

What does she need? Where do they start?

"And here you were worried." She teases, confirming things are cleared on her end, too.

Looking around, she narrows her eyes behind her helmet. Should've brought a duffle bag. So that's what she looks for first, since she's sure there should be something...

"Here we are." She yanks up a backpack, looking it over before she looks up at him, "Babe, I don't know about you, but I'm getting all the jerky and snack cakes this place has."

Is it a warning? A threat? A challenge? She doesn't know if he's aiming for the same goodies, but she figures she should at least say something before he tries to get any of her now spoken for treats.

The snack cakes are all hers. The jerky, on the other hand? Maine grunts; he'd been planning to grab that, too.

"Share jerky."

Not now, but later. Come to think of it, they should probably hit a few stores for shit like that. Jerky, dried food, other survival gear. Maybe there's some kind of sporting goods store around. Or, better yet, a place that sells hunting equipment. They could use some extra ammo.

With those thoughts in mind, Maine looks over the merchandise again. Clothing. That would be a good place to start. Much as he loves his armor, even Maine knows they can't wear it all the time.

"I'll share with you. Possibly North. That's it." She insists, shaking a stick of it at him playfully before stuffing it down in her pack. She grabs some canned goods too, anything that looks like it'd be shelf stable.

She's...some what serious, she'd share with their team, but she'll be incredibly specific and stingy with anyone else, just a few friends, maybe. Possibly. Depending. She grabs some snack packs of nuts and such, mostly looking at some things she doesn't like so she can "share" them and be a nice person. It so counts for her to give away the shit she doesn't like. At least she grabbed it!

South sticks close to him, now and then bumping her elbow to his as she likewise looks for clothes in her size.

"Oh, here babe, this is perfect for you." She holds up a questionable pair of undies, thin and stringy and definitely can't be comfortable to wear. "Might fit your pinkie finger."

Maine is about to roll his eyes at the suggestion, but then he actually looks at them.

And then he looks at South.

Back to the very, very tiny pair of underwear.

Back to South.

... Well. That's an appealing image.

He tilts his head slightly and raises an eyebrow. Definitely a question. He's not wearing them ... but does she want to?

She catches onto his look looking quickly, rolling her eyes and taking aim to shoot them at him like a rubber band.

"Maybe if you ask, I'll get something fun to wear for later." She teases him, grinning and wiggling them towards her, "Or else I'm gonna have to shoot them at your face, and bring a lot back with me to attack you when you least expect it."

He hums, like he's actually considering that. Like there's even something to consider. Then he leans closer to plant a kiss on top of her head.

"Asking."

And he smiles. That counts, right? He thinks so.

"That's cheating and we both know it!" She laughs out, but does first check the size then tosses them in her bag. Yes, alright, she'll let that count. This time.

"So what are you gonna wear for me, then? One of those?" She teasingly gestures to a collar, it's a dog one so even if she wasn't joking, it wouldn't be the right type- but she has to tease a little bit at least.

The giant Freelancer looks to where she's pointing, and he stills. Blinks. Blinks again.

He's not sure if she's joking or not. What he does know is that arousal just shot through him like a fucking bolt of lightning. Holy shit.

"Yeah."

He's dead serious. He'll wear that. No question.

There's a pause as she looks between him and the collar a few times, looking to study him a moment to see if he's joking or not and, well.

He's definitely serious.

She gets a tingle up her back, unable to help a smirk from spreading over her lips. She hums in consideration, touching a hand along his chest as she goes over to pluck it off the display. It's big, leather, nice quality as far as straps or belts would go. It looks like it'd probably fit him...

"I mean, they probably have a store around here somewhere with more...appropriate ones, if you're serious." She's pretty sure he is- it's unexpected but good lord it's not unwelcome, she just wants to make sure she's not...misreading him if he's really joking. "Dunno if they'd be big enough, though."

Maine watches as she picks the collar up. Turns it over in her hands. Inspects it. He doesn't know what she's looking for. Doesn't know what she means by 'more appropriate ones.' That one looks just fucking fine to him. Then she mentions its size, and he hums again. He guesses that could be an issue.

But there's an easy way to find out if it fits, isn't there?

And so, Maine leaves his helmet and half-filled bag with the clothing, and he moves to her side. He doesn't reach for the collar; he doesn't want to put it on. Instead, he leans down, so that his neck is within easy reach.

The bodysuit covers his neck, but it's skintight. It won't allow him to feel the collar properly — which, for some reason, doesn't sit right with him. But it won't interfere with sizing.

Okay, so, she definitely knows they have more important things to be doing, but he comes over and leans down and, well. They can deal with the rest in just a minute, this is important right now.

"If this becomes a thing, I'm getting a purple one for you." She informs him as she carefully loops it up around his neck, gentle, pressing her nose to his cheek a second as she adjusts it.

After a moment or two, she leans back, grinning at it and looping her fingertip where the leash would attach to a D ring. She breathes out slowly, loving how it looks more than she thought she would, or probably should. But it looks nice, a plain black leather right now, for now, almost blending with the undersuit.

"Feel alright?" South asks, giving the ring a little tug, testing it, him, maybe herself a little. Seeing how they both like it.

At the mention of a purple collar, Maine gives her a slightly dubious look. He likes this black one just fine. Why would she want a purple one, instead? He says nothing, though, waiting patiently as she puts it on. Smiles a little, when she touches his cheek. Then it's on, and he watches her face. Watches her, as she looks at him.

She gives it a little pull.

Fuck.

Maine's lips part in surprise. He looks at South through half-lidded eyes and tries to figure out how the fuck he's supposed to communicate exactly how alright it feels. How utterly insufficient 'alright' is.

What the fuck.

He swallows. Feels the movement against the collar. Shivers.

Fucking hell.

In the end, all he manages is a little grunt. Yes. Yes, it's good. He doesn't know why it's good, but it's good.

The way his lips part and that look on his face, his eyes, she just fucking melts. She watches with glee, eager to see his reaction and not one bit disappointed by any of it.

"Good." She breathes out, tugging him closer by it so she can press a kiss to the corner of his mouth, not even bothering to try and comprehend why she's loving it so much.

She's played with bondage and kink before, what the fuck, it never took her breath away like this or made her stomach flutter.

"Yeah, gotta find a perfect purple one. Make sure no one misunderstands who you belong to." South says, still keeping her finger hooked in the ring and looking up at him, seeing how that lands with him. If it's too much.

He could resist. He could refuse to move, when she tugs on the collar to pull him closer. It's not as though she's using any real force. It's not as though he couldn't rip the thing off, if it so much as annoyed him. But the thought of resisting doesn't even cross Maine's mind.

She pulls, and he moves with her. She kisses him, and he returns it before she draws away. He doesn't pursue. Stays where he is. Where she's holding him with a single finger.

Maine is abruptly reminded of exactly how tight his armor is in the crotch. He's getting hard. South's literally leading him by a collar, and he's getting hard.

What the fuck.

She speaks again. She says he belongs to her. He stares into her eyes. Thinks that he should object. Wonders why he doesn't. Wonders why he doesn't even want to. He swallows again, feels the leather around his throat, and he likes it. He's bent at the waist, and South is leading him with a single finger, and he's getting a fucking hard-on.

He doesn't know what to think. He says nothing.

Maybe it's knowing he can resist that makes it different, maybe it's because she actually cares about him, it's not just some physical thing. She doesn't know, doesn't care to ask. She just enjoys the feeling tightening in her chest, too warm and kind if tingly, a slow moving vibration that's making it hard to keep focused on the real task at hand.

Whatever the reason, she just lets it be, her free hand reaching up to caress his face again, rubbing her thumb over his cheek and considering him for a moment.

She leads him back for another kiss, not moving to close the distance herself but just tugging to bring him closer, kiss him a little harder than before. Eager for more, loving how he keeps looking at her, a look of almost awe on her face. They should set up a safeword, just in case, and do things...properly. But she's not planning to go too far with it, just pull him a little, kiss him a bit. She's not quite catching on to his arousal just yet.

the escape

A World of Peace

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NSFW CONTENT STARTS HERE. sexual situation!

Re: NSFW CONTENT STARTS HERE. sexual situation!