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05:19, 19th March 2024 (GMT+0)

[December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe (Crew: Oakland)

Posted by Mr. JohnsonFor group 0
Mr. Johnson
GM, 319 posts
Tue 5 May 2020
at 02:19
  • msg #90

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

“Go. Gang.” Freya says, testing the words, struggling to understand. “Territorial,” she adds exchanging a few words with her friends, still speaking in norsk. Somehow, without understanding the language you still gain a sense of what Freya is saying. Pixie magic.

“Marauders.” she says, the strange sounding language resonates with the magical harmony of her voice.  Sad, hypnotic, sincere and so convincing. ”Bandits. Criminals running wild on the streets.  This is a symptom of a wider problem. A sign that people have lost faith in the architecture of their society and can only find belonging as outsiders, thieves and killers. Is this entire city such a sad and lost place?”

She looks to Grendel, meeting his clear eyes with her gaze, silently imploring him to reassure her that the ‘plex isn’t only dissatisfaction, desolation and cold random death...
Grendel
player, 66 posts
Tue 5 May 2020
at 02:47
  • msg #91

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

"Well...yeah." Grendel replied, his soft tone sounded as if he was trying to be careful not to hurt her feelings. He took a deep breath and sat back  as far as he could manage, the howling was less persistent now that their speed had dropped, but it was still a low roar in the background.

"So I'm what we call a Nomad, my people don't even live in the cities because we think life is better in the wilderness. I'm just here to work." He thought about telling her about all the rigors of that life, the ever present threat of starvation of various types, how a bad summer could have them recycling urine "just in case". He thought about trying to paint the picture of humans dying in their forties from skin cancer, or their teeth rotting out of their skulls because they can't afford a dentist worth the name.

He decided to stick the with basics. "Most of the places outside San Francisco proper are dangerous, that's just the truth of it. Life it hard, so a lot of people do what they can to get by. Those guys ganged up" he jerked his big shaggy head towards the blown out window. "That's how they chose to deal with it."

He subconsciously worried a thumb against the stock of the shotgun in his lap. "The city's supposed to be real nice, clean, safe. But it's pretty much Humans only from what I hear, maybe a few Elves or Dwarves I would think." he leaned forward. "You guys ever been inside the walls? San Francisco I mean?" he clarified, having to call louder over the road noise.

He looked back to Freya. "Why? What's Scandinavia like?"
Mr. Johnson
GM, 321 posts
Thu 7 May 2020
at 23:58
  • msg #92

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

"The Scandinavian Union?" she asks switching back to English.  "We're not without our problems and I don't like to compare because I know so little about the world, but the parliaments in the union are held accountable.  Of course we have corporate influence and let's not forget violent criminals like the Vikings and Winternight, but people would not stand for collapse of social order and security."  A bit of revolutionary fervor twinkles in her eye.  "I think there would be open revolt."
Grendel
player, 67 posts
Fri 8 May 2020
at 00:29
  • msg #93

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

"Sounds nice." Grendel briefly had a vision of settling down in some place like the Scandinavian Union, a sod house sized for him, a fireplace, maybe a family. But he did not speak the language, he knew nothing about the culture, and he did not particularly like fish, especially after working in a packing facility. Just a brief daydream, a little respite from the reality of what had just occurred, what was occurring now.

"Lot's of folks in Cali talk about revolt, you just need to pick your flavor." he replied darkly. "But I'm sure you didn't come all this way to talk politics. We'll keep you safe, and then you'll be on your way home before you know it."

Again, he restrained himself. Grendel had not known many "legit" revolutionary types, most folks were just too busy trying to pay rent, put food on the table or maybe buy their kid a birthday present. He did know some nomads that fell well into the "eco terrorist" camp, but most low landers did not tend to empathize with "population reduction" philosophy or "Neo-primitivism". They were just as much the boogeymen as the CorpSec types. One might kick down your door, but the other might blow up your water pipeline.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 323 posts
Fri 8 May 2020
at 02:02
  • msg #94

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

Grendel:
"Lot's of folks in Cali talk about revolt, you just need to pick your flavor." he replied darkly. "But I'm sure you didn't come all this way to talk politics."


“You don’t listen to my music, do you?” she asks with a wry smile that gives her a vibe that lies somewhere between ‘teenage know it all’ and ‘old soul’.
Grendel
player, 69 posts
Fri 8 May 2020
at 02:21
  • msg #95

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

Grendel was not going to tell this girl that he had not even owned his own PocSec till yesterday. He was what he was but that was embarrassing even for him.

"No, haven't had the chance yet. Do you get into this stuff?" Grendel asked as he watched a vehicle they had recently passed, the driver so zoned out they did not even seem to recognize the state of the Limo.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 333 posts
Mon 18 May 2020
at 02:34
  • msg #96

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

”Yeah, maybe a little bit,” she replies.

From the carnage of the CTTR it’s a short and blessedly uneventful drive to a nice boutique hotel in Emeryville, a B-rated neighbourhood close to Matchsticks.  Fortunately the valet directs you to park the limo in the secured underground garage which should at least keep the local KE patrols from noticing the bullet holes and smashed out rear window.

“Wow, that was real wiz!” the trid techs gush as they pile out of their Land Rover.  Hauling equipment into the hotel, they continually chatter between themselves.  “That is gonna give us some real cutting edge footage for this documentary trid.”

Inside the tastefully decorated lobby, a handsome elf in a slate grey hotel uniform waits at the check-in desk.  After a few moments, a bellhops escorts you all up to your rooms.  Freya and her friends are in the spacious Republican suite.  There’s clean bottled water, California champagne and real fruit in the complimentary welcome basket.  The runners and the trid crew are all put up next door, six to a room with three beds, a couch and a couple of cots... guess you're not being paid to sleep or to be comfortable.

Still, it beats sleeping in a coffin or in your van.

Got anything you want to do while the talent is getting settled in?
Kord
player, 82 posts
Fri 22 May 2020
at 12:10
  • msg #97

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

In reply to Mr. Johnson (msg # 96):

What is the security like at the hotel and does GI have a feed into their security cams? And does GI have a decker on overwatch at all times monitoring those cameras?
Mr. Johnson
GM, 339 posts
Mon 25 May 2020
at 00:47
  • msg #98

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

As one might expect of an upscale B-zone establishment on the edge of the D-zone, security is highly visible and heavily armed.  Looks like Damion Knight has a lock on security in this part of the 'plex; a pair of guards sporting uniforms from Ares' budget private security brand, Wolverine Security, are on standby in the lobby with slung SMGs and headset radios.  Security cameras cover the entrance but without a decker in the system, you wouldn't be able to tell if they are being watched by guards on site, a spider in the system or a central monitoring service.

@Kord: The contract with GEI is for venue security.  They are already looking at slim profit margins on this job and have not dedicated assets to monitor the hotel system.
Hellfire
player, 73 posts
Wed 27 May 2020
at 00:54
  • msg #99

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

I am going to put my micro skimmers in the emergency stairwells, I will have then tucked in a corner or in a vent, somewhere out of the way if I can. I will put them on the floor below us. The dog brain have instruction to Ping me every time something enters the stairwell. Including sound. Did I bring my Rotodrone? if so it is in passive scan mode right inside Freya's suite.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 342 posts
Thu 28 May 2020
at 01:18
  • msg #100

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

@Hellfire: There really isn’t cargo space in the limo for the rotordrone, but you’re not far from Matchsticks so if you left the VW parked there you could call it over.
Hellfire
player, 74 posts
Sun 31 May 2020
at 05:04
  • msg #101

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

nawh! funner if I don't have it. I will just go with the skimmers in the stairwells ;)
Kord
player, 85 posts
Sat 6 Jun 2020
at 19:03
  • msg #102

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

"Hey Hellfire, you dialled in with your skimmers?" he asked once they were in their hotel room. "How've you set them up? Grendel, you fancy checking on Freya and her companions? With just a pair of rent-a-cops in the lobby you and I might need to take turns standing guard outside her door."

He then used his PocSec briefly to contact Angel at GEI HQ.

:: LTG# 904 (57-8019) :: {Kord}
++Angel. I need a quick bit of background on Wolverine Security. I think that they're a budget private security corp owned by Ares but I need to know how reliable they are. What's their rep? They've got the security contract for the hotel so I need to know if they're the kind of idiots who'll take a bribe from a fan to let them get up to the VIP. Any intel appreciated.++

Message sent he then turned to the trid techs. "OK guys. Glad you like the footage earlier on. A couple of things. Firstly, any time there's any action like that our faces need to be blurred. Got it? Secondly, what's your names? I'm Kord." He offered his hand in greeting, intending on using his most intimidating handshake, a full squeeze to hurt someone.
Grendel
player, 75 posts
Mon 3 Jan 2022
at 20:04
  • msg #103

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

Grendel did not mind at all, and gladly began making his way to check on Freya and the others.
"You got it." he replied to Kord, and adjusted his suit jacket on his inhuman frame as he left the room.

On his way he passed a mirror and did a double take, a sidelong glance that caused him to heave a sigh. Here he was, dressed up like a mannequin with his hair combed and his braided beard trimmed. It was a nice suit, and part of him even believed that he looked good in it, but at the same time he felt like sellout. He desperately needed the money, and he was excited to have it, but playing this game hurt in a way that he hadn't expected.

At least things seemed to be going well.

As unobtrusively as he could manage given who he was, he checked in on Freya and the others, his clear blue eyes flicking around the room dutifully.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 350 posts
Mon 3 Jan 2022
at 22:39
  • msg #104

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

The pale blonde twins are just inside the suite, lounging in a pair of matching easy chairs.  Airo sleeping, Aano immersed in simsense.

You find Freya lying on the bed, diminutive but with gossamer wings spread wide across a king sized mattress worth more than your pickup.  The pixie rolls up onto her side, clearly eager for the chance to talk.  A social creature, she is silent for a brief moment while giving you a careful once over that would be off-putting if she didn’t have such an unobstrusive and genuine way about her.

Taking in your blonde hair, blue eyes, braided beard and noticing the runic markings on your sawed off pistol grip, she finally speaks. Her words like a pair of towhees singing on a spring morning in Donner Pass. She chatters away in pixie tongue but her magic lets you understand her meaning without knowing the language. ”Back in the limo, you described yourself as a nomad, an outsider to this city. Your features, your hair, the way you wear your beard and the markings on your weapon, they all remind me of my homeland.  The old ones of my island tell many stories of your race from the times before magic left the world.  I wonder if we are both of the people of the north?”

With her words come waves of empathy, curiosity and caring. Her magic giving you insight into her emotions as well as her thoughts.

Without even trying, she has your rapt attention.  It’s easy to see why Apogee wants to make her a rock starlet so badly...

...and more than a little sad that something so pure and real could become just another revenue stream for money grubbing corporate taskmasters like Devlin.
Grendel
player, 76 posts
Mon 3 Jan 2022
at 23:08
  • msg #105

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

The magic was as potent as it was subtle. Grendel found himself wanting to listen to her, wanting to talk, wishing that he could just listen to her even if her native words were beautiful nonsense to his mind.

He eased into the room, shut the door behind himself and padded softly over nearer to the bed. "No idea honestly...whatever my family was before we goblinized, this is what we are now." he said softly, so as not to disturb the others, his voice rumbling through the floor and walls despite his efforts.

"I grew up with a lot of Trolls, which was nice...but, it's all new. All of this, we don't really know who we are...so like a lot of curious kids I guess, I went looking for something to belong to." be smiled with a tinge of sadness.

"Trying to read about Trolls, I found Norse Mythology, read all the Sagas and then I found Beowulf." He explained. "Sure, Grendel was the bad guy, but he was tough as nails and people were afraid of him...lost an arm and kept fighting, and he had family that fought for him too. Even if they lost...they went down hard, ya know?" he shrugged his massive frame and glanced back to the Pixie.

"So yeah, I don't know about my blood, but in my heart at least, I'd say we probably come from the same place. I like to think so at least." he smiled his toothy, bearded smile down at the little supine figure.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 351 posts
Tue 4 Jan 2022
at 07:27
  • msg #106

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

”I would like to think that too.” she replies, switching to English and allowing the pixie magic to fade. ”Besides, everyone knows trolls aren’t nearly as frightening as frost giants!” Even without the pixie magic, the growing bond of friendship, perhaps kinship, is still there. Behind her rockstar trappings and your street samurai armor, you’re really just a couple of teenagers thrust into the unpleasant realities of the sixth world well before adulthood.

Returning to her back, staring up at the ceiling, she continues ”I find this city so exciting, but it’s so tumultuous and dangerous. Something like what happened back on the highway is unimaginable back home. Back there in the limo we agreed that those people were all just trying to find somewhere to belong and that the violence came with their chosen path. I understand that, but there has to be something worthwhile here to bring all of these people together in one place.  To keep them here rather than divorcing themselves from the city and moving out into the mountains...” She rolls to meet your blue eyed gaze ”What’s good about this place? What’s cool and fun and real?” she asks earnestly.  ”Is there somewhere we can go and have a little fun without getting shot at?”

Almost on cue, Aano pops his head around the doorframe “How far are we from a place called Kadie’s Ork Pit?” He asks, then, speaking to Freya adds: “Remember that guy we met in Boston, Bazur? That guy who does sound work for Tuzk? He messaged me saying they are all headed down there tonight. We should meet them!”
Grendel
player, 77 posts
Tue 4 Jan 2022
at 17:40
  • msg #107

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

Grendel found himself enjoying the conversation, and while part of him remembered that she would be gone soon and that he was still in the middle of an important job, his "inaugural" job that would hopefully help to get his name out there, part of him sort of basked in the novelty and joy of the moment.

A few things kind of happened at once, Freya asked about the City, Aano asked about what sounded like an Ork bar, and then Freya added that the group some how knew Tuzk. The Tuzk. Grendel may have not been familiar with the haunting tones of Freya's singing, but he sure as shit knew Tuzk. Not a hard core fan, but still.

"I grew up in the mountains, so I'm new to the city myself, but I guess you could say it's kind of like a big...casino." he began, gesturing a little with his huge hands. "Anything can happen here, and it does. You can make enough in an hour to last you a year, or you could lose it all, everything, even your life. There's all sorts of characters from all over the world, and so much new tech, and food, and music, and so much happening under the surface that you could never experience even a fraction of it, it's always changing." he explained. "I'm not even a city guy, I don't plan to be here longer than a few years, but even I have to admit...I can't really go anywhere else to get the kind of money or experiences this place has on offer."

The prospect of heading to "Kadie's" was a daunting one. It was definitely not safe, and more likely than not would be "ghetto" as anything Grendel had ever known, but if these people were really looking for an experience, getting thrown into Kadies Ork Pit for a few hours would definitely qualify. He could just imagine the stories they could take back to Iceland.

And they knew Tuzk...

Well, for good or ill it was not up to him. He could pass it up to Kord.

"Nothing's very far from anything around here." Said Grendel, who was used to days on the road. "Is that something you are in to? I can let Kord know."
Mr. Johnson
GM, 352 posts
Tue 4 Jan 2022
at 22:44
  • msg #108

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

”One shoot out a day isn’t enough for you?!” Kord replies pulling his red tinted glasses down to look you in the eye.  Although only a few years older than most of you, it seems like Kord has been doing this kind of work for his entire life.  It’s only natural that that the newly formed team has deferred to him as leader.  As you could have expected, he is not coming out in favor of an Orkland excursion.

”Orkland is home for me and I’ve been to Kadie’s plenty of times” Hellfire chimes in, full of late teenage excitement ”It’s a bit rough, sure, but we can take my van, keep it low profile and maybe we get some more footage to collect on that bonus the suit offered up. Meeting Tuzk in my hometown would be so fragging cool.”

Acme just shrugs, either keeping up his aloof facade or just letting the path be revealed before him.

Kord slides his goggles back down with a laughing growl. ”Frag it all, looks like democracy is alive and well in CalFree after all.”  Putting away his PocSec, he adds ”If we want to pocket that bonus, we need to keep this one off the books, keep GEI out of it. That means we are on our own if the drek hits the fan.  No back-up. I gotta say, I like the thought of squeezing a bit more out of Devlin. Any day that bullet catchers like us can stick it to the suits is a good day. Ok, let’s gear up. Oh, and Hellfire, since it’s your hometown bar, first round is on you choom!”

|| Paused

@ Grendel: We’re at a tidy break in the narrative. If you’re good with it, let’s put this thread on pause to give other players some time to return or maybe I’ll look to recruit some replacements. We can still play your one-on-one thread (link to a message in this game)... that cool?

Grendel
player, 78 posts
Tue 4 Jan 2022
at 23:03
  • msg #109

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

OOC: Of course! Sounds good. I will stand by for the others.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 423 posts
Sat 22 Jan 2022
at 08:21
  • msg #110

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

>>>>>excerpt from the Oakland Tribune scream sheet serial Inside Orktown penned by the one and only DeiterX:

Kadie’s Ork Pit, dive bar par ex in cellence, has taken over the old naval base NCO club.  Somewhere underneath the grime is an old, utilitarian, military building, fortunately lost forever to graffiti and spilled hurlg.  A cross section of Orkland’s community gather at this favorite watering hole, making it (unoficially) neutral territory for legal, quasi legal and entirely illegal undertakings.<<<<<

You pull up to a squat, blocky building. Utterly utilitarian, splashed with garish pink neon light from a sign struggling to flicker Kadie’sOrk Pit has been scrawled beneath the neon in fading green spray paint.

@Grendel, @Hellfire - you are here with Freya, Airo, Aano and the trid crew all in tow.  Feel free to post up any legwork you did before showing up ... you probably had a couple of hours to prepare before driving over from the hotel.

Kord is here too (played by me for now until things slow down enough for him to rejoin the game).

Acme seems to have wandered off. That’s not unusual for a shaman. Besides, for all you know, he could be here now.

@Hellfire - this is home for you, feel free to show your guests around!

Hellfire
player, 81 posts
Sun 23 Jan 2022
at 02:02
  • msg #111

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

The drive to Kadie's was thankfully uneventful, Hellfire had no issue with a loaner getting tagged but his VW... Well that would be a different story. It wasn't like he was expecting trouble, especially the closer he got to Kadie's, and woe be to any dull fragger who did try to go him. These were his streets, his bar and he had more than enough local chooms he could call if this took a poor turn. Not that the idea of owing favours ever appealed to him. Short of brand new tech there wasn't much else he was goin' out on a line for.

Hellfire stayed in meat-space and regailed stories of Orkland and Kadie's while on the drive, perhaps oversharing at times at the base brutality and lawlessness of the area. While none of the stories were about him specifically, from the way he chuckled in remembrance it seemed the Ork was well desensitized to the violence and was not unfamiliar with working around the law. Eventually the pink neon sign lit the street ahead and Hellfire parked the van on the street, close to the front door of Kadie's.

It wasn't until Hellfire had guided the group to the front door that he realised he was stilll in that suit. There was an inward groan as he approached Tiny, the giant Troll served as muscle for Kadie's and was very serious about handing out serious beatings to anyone who gave serious trouble.  He nodded to the Troll, who was somehow perched on a stool just inside the entrance. "Tiny. Got a new crew with me tonight." He cast a look behind him where his fellow runners, 'Freya and Friends', and the trid crew were all lined up to get in. He frowned at just how many they were, he definitely wasn't used to running with so many.

Stepping to the side he kept up the small talk with Tiny as the crew filtered in.
Mr. Johnson
GM, 434 posts
Sun 23 Jan 2022
at 03:01
  • msg #112

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

"Hoi choom." Tiny replied giving Hellfire a fist bump.  "Big crowd tonight, that who I think it is?" he asked nodding his big, horned head toward Freya.
Hellfire
player, 82 posts
Sun 23 Jan 2022
at 05:45
  • msg #113

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

Dwarfed by the trolls fist Hellfire bumped his own in greeting, "Hey, you recognise her huh? I must be the only one outta the loop. Yeah, I'm her driver for the next few days an' the others with me are runnin' security." He looked to Freya, who seemed to be chatting excitedly to her posse, before looking back to Tiny. "Want an introduction?" Should Tiny accept then Hellfire will gladly introduce the two, doing his best to talk up the troll.

By way of a more general introduction, he turned to the group following him, "Alright gang listen up. This is Tiny, any static he'll take care of it." He pointed to the bar along one wall. "Broad on bar is Spriggan, a good friend. Y'all treat her well yeah?" At a wave from the aforementioned Spriggan, who appeared to be a slim, comely elf of middle years, Hellfire stepped ahead of the group and walked into the bar.

Past the small, dark entrance alcove, home of the troll, the bar opened up into a single large room lit by dim neon signs on the walls and fluorescent tubes hanging from the ceiling. Seating was plentiful, stools at the bar, chairs around tables and quiet booths around the walls for those wanting a bit of privacy. What would have been a concrete box without the furnishings had been turned into a trendy punk bar, although it seemed the style was driven more by the patrons than any conscious decision by the owner.

Torn, paper promotional posters covered the walls, some showing the age of the establishment advertising bands long out of style. Graffiti and tagging remained uncleaned from the walls, although it would have seemed more out of place having a bare space of wall than the colour of languages, slang and names of the local community. Standing by the bar and talking to Spriggan Hellfire waved everyone to an empty booth on the far side of the room, perhaps it was coincidence but a 'HELLF!RE' was sprayed on the wall above the booth in bright orange and reds.
Grendel
player, 99 posts
Sun 23 Jan 2022
at 18:45
  • msg #114

Re: [December 2059] Mayhem and Mistletoe

One would think that having a big Troll along in a place like this would be an innately good thing.

Numbers, muscle, reach.

But despite his size Grendel was no better at fitting in at Kadie's than Freya was. There was obviously the suit, but more than that he just looked out of place. He was big but he did not look "hard", his eyes were too kind, his gait was too hesitant, and his style too "off". He did not have a single tattoo for one thing...

There was a very slight sigh and a knowing look as "Tiny" was introduced. Grendel was not going to say anything, but the "hah hah, he's a big Troll and people call him tiny" exasperation could be seen by the especially observant. It's not like he was not used to it, even where he had come from.

"How's it goin" he nodded respectfully to the other Troll as they filed in. One working Troll to another.

Inside didn't recognize the music, but the scent of the booze was familiar at least. He stuck close to Freya, obviously a little nervous about the outing. This could go well, he hoped it would, but it had a lot of potential to get dicey.

How did Freya get through her day? It felt like any one of these patrons could unknowingly sit on her and do some real damage...
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