0.2 What a week its been! You'll miss it! Pre-End of Days.

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Daniel
Daniel (Lars)
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0.2 What a week its been! You'll miss it! Pre-End of Days.

Post by Daniel »


GM Post 4
CONFLICTED
Hey Players, out of all the "conspiracies" in the world today (2019) name two conspiracy theories that you believe in, that other people may think are crazy. Briefly explain why you believe them to be true.

As a reward ... One time use of any Combat Edge. Good for this Quad only!





DECEMBER 14th, 2098 to DECEMBER 22nd, 2098
San Diego, California
Pre-Fall, Golden Age. Your week in review before the Christmas Party at the FJD



Some say that heroism is inborn, that it is a quality that can only be exposed by the worst situations. Many ordinary people found themselves with an extraordinary decision to make on December 22, 2098. Faced with an impossible reality as the world crumbled around them, individuals had to decide whether to take care of themselves or put aside their own needs and look to the greater good. Those that were not prepared to survive died in the hundreds of thousands. - Crazy Cade (January 3rd, 2099 Surviving Chaos radio broadcast in Nebraska)


Chaos Earth is the Apocalypse, Hell on Earth, Armageddon, and the definitive end of the Golden Age. Those who live during this cataclysm remember what they have lost, they knew a better life, and fight to get it back. The Earth is torn asunder by primal forces; Player Characters must survive or die in this swift collapse of society. From earlier Chaos Earth books we already understand some of the more fantastic elements, like NEMA’s heroism and super technology, the emergence and prominence of the Blue Zones (Ley Lines) - the magic’s brought with them and the terrors of otherworldly demons and monsters. Many of this dark time’s greatest stories are told through the lives of the era’s greatest heroes, those common citizens brave enough to stand against the darkness, or conversely, those that fall to their inner demons and turn against their fellow man. This, the struggle of the common citizen, both heroic and villainous, is our focus in First Responders.

For every person that answers the cataclysm with a need to do what is right, another responds by letting darker impulses take control. A terrible look at humanity’s worst aspects, they are a manifestation of the deepest, darkest, most insidious side of human nature - never fully regressed even in the Golden Age of Humanity.

In the initial chaos, gangs of rioters, looters, rapists and murderers are unleashed on the world, thrashing about in the kind of wild anarchy that only a terrible disaster can bring. As the chaos continues, these random assemblies develop any number of social structures and turn their desperation into organized, coordinated bedlam. Warlords and their private armies mark off territory where they prey on the weak, or wage war against rival factions without regard for those stuck in the crossfire. Bandits steal whatever they can at the point of a knife or the barrel of a gun. Rogues who were once part of the establishment built to protect citizens act in their own interests without regard for others.

Gangs and miscreants clash with do-gooders and self-proclaimed authorities, only for both sides to find themselves allied when confronted by some hell spawned creature. Such is the complex world of Chaos Earth, but so also go the stories of Player Characters trying to find a way to survive in Hell. Every bit as much as tales of NEMA, these are your stories, however you decide to go, hero or villain, or somewhere between, fighting to survive in the chaos.



Here comes the End of Days! The next GM Post will be the shocking cataclysmic events of the End of Days. For now please fill us in on your last week. As of yet the End has not Come. What were you up to over the last week? The next GM Post will be at 940 PM at the Party, when things get interesting... - Lars.







On December 22, 2098, the barista Savine from the Freshly Juiced Dragon, helped host a early Christmas Party at the FJD. After hours, for employees and special guests (ie. the regulars = You).

Please post a Interlude of what you have been up to in Character for the last week. If you need help deciding you can see the listed below ideas.
The week:
  • 1. Savine and the concert at RED EAGLE, how did that go?
Savine Concert
Image

  • 2. One morning two hover biker gang members of the Lost Skeletons Civilian Militia (LSCM) were in a televised pursuit that ended in them crashing outside the FJD and a fight ensued with local law enforcement right outside the FJD...did this fight spill over into the FJD? Did you assist the First Responders?
LSCM
Image

  • 3. The secret submersible Aircraft carrier, USS Ticonderoga, pulled into dock, and is in direct view of the front windows of the FJD.

USS Ticonderoga
Image

  • 4. Lukas vs 5-0 Turns out Lukas is quite the Prepper and Self Styled Survivalist and Conspiracy nutjob. He gets into a tussle with local law enforcement and you happen by as it happens.

Lukas, homeless and armed
Image

  • 5. Corporate Unrest, the KLS (they made the Glitter Boys) and the CAN (they made Archie) are at odds with each other. The KLS is running adds that the South American issue needs to be settled by a bunch of patriotic Glitter Boys defending the USA and the world from third world countries that have stolen nukes. The CAN calls for a recall on the newest model of Glitter Boys, saying pilots are being influenced by untested tech. Many corporations are at odds.
Corporations Gone Wild KLS Announcement
Image

  • 6. Online Cyber Event : Hackers, freaks, and cyber nuts are all gathering for a online Cyber Convention. The event is called Cyberpunk 2098. Game Companies, Security Specialists, Artificial Intelligence Advocates and everyday webites gather to see whats new in tech today. Did you attend?
Cyber Event
Image




After you write post, check this out. <--- this is how you get Adventure Cards!


Calendar 2098
Image
Benny on the Waves
RIM OF FIRE SURF COMPETITION (Jon) THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE WATER Image
Agents of Titan Robotics Industries (AoT)
The Agents (Players)
• Jim - Sparkmort Zipwidget: Male Tinker Gnome Power Armor Ace
• Derrick - Caiden: Male Human, Momano Headhunter
• Steve (Hans) - Berk: Male Simvan Psi-Druid Monster Tamer/Rider
• Murp - Rupetta Martin: Female Human MARS Merc Soldier (X-CS)
• Freemage - Lance: Male Dog Boy Techno-Warrior (Cyber[netic] Knight)
• CSC - Ozy “Oz”: Dragon

My Accounts:
Active
  • Daniel - Admin/GM of AoT
  • Jackal - IC (Neural Intelligence) - 7th SET
  • Vi - Space Pirate - Stars Without Numbers
  • Henry Grimes - CS Commando - Rumble in the Jungle

Not Active
  • Hondo - Wild Psi Stalker
  • Burn - Mega Juicer - Juicer Uprising (On Hold)
  • Blackfish - Ogre Combat Mage - 12th SET (On Hold)
  • Setrakian - Dragon Juicer - FoM Jungles (Retired)

NPC Accounts
  • Lord Coake - NPC
  • Valentine - NPC
  • Erin Tarn - NPC
  • James T - NPC
  • Hagen Lonovich - NPC

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Stones
Posts: 31
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Re: 0.2 What a week its been! You'll miss it! Pre-EoD.

Post by Stones »

Stones knows how into the waves @Benny Gumbo is and certainly makes time to be there. Stones however prefers to be under the waves and finds himself out deep water. Tracking pollutants in the water, day or night, makes no diffreence because it is dark below the waves.

Manufacturers along the West Coast have been dropping a variety of pollutants into the Pacific and the currents have been pushing them to San Diego. Stones finds himself searching through microscopic material as Benny and others join the Ring of Fire competition. Using various sampling means, Stones has collected materials for research and actually heads back to his anchored speed boat three miles north of the competition.

In the dark he takes the speed boat back to the docks and marina near the FJD. Stones finds his way to his sponsors labratories in the Gaslight District. Going completely on foot and avoiding most vehicular routes , Stones cards himself in and spends the next few hours with a mass spectrometer and a microscope. The results of those three hours are logged and findings are uploaded to the net under a psuedo name, Astro Money Setec.

Stones findings showed that almost none of the major corporations along the coast were doing any kind o policing on their waste and bi-products. Pollutants were one aspect but the water temperatue had increased and sea life was migrating out and away from the coast, as the water temperatures were climbing. Stones hated that he was right. He hated even worse that he could not reach out to all of them and shut the entire lot of them down. It was times like these he thought about going home to the British Isles and taking up being a sheep herder.

Conflicted Response _
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
(Matthew 24 : 6 - 7)

Start here. It seems the last two hundred and fifty years of the Earth's life span has been covered in bloodshed of one sort or kind.
Wesley "Stones" McAlister
Parry:4, Toughness: 6
Conviction:
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Benny Gumbo
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Re: 0.2 What a week its been! You'll miss it! Pre-EoD

Post by Benny Gumbo »

Practice makes perfect.

With the Rim of Fire surfing competition moved up to the 20th Benny Gumbo, the owner of the trendy juice bar, spent most of his time out at the nearby beach. He appreciated @Ven Nealson helping cary his sticks. As the competition drew near his surfing schedule became more erratic and ill timed. The cold December waves were unforgiving and punished would be wave riders that were barney; especially true at night as he would soon find out. A-frames bombed and dumped, they felt like ice slamming down. Benny looked out feeling the sand beneath his toes. He had his wet suit on, more than capable of staving off the worst of the cold. His short board was clutched in his hands as he looked out at the moon lit ocean. The waves were rolling right which meant if he wiped he could be pulled under towards the rocky shoals. Not going to happen. I got this... One more practice ride and I’ll call it quits.

Benny paddled his stick out then caught a nug and went into a turtle roll... Rode it out best he could but wipped out agaist the rock filled shoals. Hindsight, he probably should had waited until morning. Only those driven by desperation ride the waves at night. A rock said hello in the only way it knew how. The world went dark as a flood light spread over him. There is a white light at the end, gnarly.

Benny opened his eyes. He was lying on a hard metal bed looking up at a series of pipes and bulk heads. A women with raven hair and bright alert blue eyes was looking at him intently. Benny had a skin graft on his forhead and felt a mild tingle. The woman had a saliors uniform on. Some kind of officer. Her face was soft and pale. Lips stark red. Beautiful babe.

He tried to get up but his head was pounding, The woman pressed him down firmly, ”You were struck in the head and nearly drowned. Stay lying.” No please or thank you the woman was direct and to the point.

Benny stopped his struggle to rise and instead looked up at the ceiling. A million questions circled in his head but one floated to the top, he struggled bust asked, ” My phone. Where is my phone?”

The question caught the officer by surprise and she smiled. It hit Benny then that he was looking up at a ten. I think I am in love.

She straightening her uniform and stood, ” Do you have any idea where you are Mr...”

” Gumbo... Benny Gumbo babe.” He smiled lazily a fuzz creeping into his head. Is this love?

Her smile faded at Benny’s attempt at familiarity, ” Ah I am aware Mr. Gumbo that you are the proprietor of a small juice shop on Sunset no?” Despite her attempt to be cold and direct, Benny could tell he was wearing down her abrasive front.

Benny smiled as if in a dream. He felt as if the metal table he was on had turned into a cloud. A nice soft floating cloud, ”You got it babe. Dragon Juice, its what I do babe... Oh my head... Haha.”

She bent over him looking him directly in the face eye to eye, ” Stay with me Mr. Gumbo. My name is Commander Britchtree. Stay with me Benny, I need to know why you were out in the water tonight.”

Benny looked up at her. The bright lights in the room had cast a warm glow on her alabaster skin. Babe... His words were becoming more slurred, ” I surf babe. Fire tourney in days. I think... I think...” Before she could react Benny Frikkin Gumbo grabbed her head and pulled her in for their first kiss. He did not notice the USS Ticonderoga insignia on her colar. Something struck him. When he came to, hours later sprawled in front of the Dragon Fruiter Juice bar with a welt on his cheek, he had no momory of meeting the love of his life. All he knew was that love hurt.

He saw Savine walking up the steps to the juice bar. Oh man the concert! He smiled like the jerk of a friend he was, ” I am so sorry Savine, I missed it... I was... I am not sure... I think I was surfing.” He rubs his tender cheek, ” I think something must of hit me.”

Savine gave him a side eye noting the smidge of lipstick smeared on Benny’s lips.
Denver Air Port
Why so big? If not the home of the new world order, then what is really beneath it? What?
Bermuda Triangle
You bet something weird is going on there.
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Daniel
Daniel (Lars)
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Re: 0.2 What a week its been! You'll miss it! Pre-End of Days.

Post by Daniel »

I wrote up a ... what my week was like before the end came too, from the point of view of a NPC the Party has not encountered as of yet. Just because I wanted to :)


Crazy Cade Williams sat back in his chair and looked out the window of the bunkers top floor. He'd been right. Of course he'd been right. Being prepared had saved him. Below him were several floors of ammo, guns, food, water, and survival gear. The only thing missing were ... people. Sighing he stood and stretchered his 70 year old back. Looking like he was in his late 40's due to advanced meds and gentics he stepped closer to the blast proof clear window and watched the ash fall across what was once part of eastern Nebraska and thought back to one of the interviews he'd been a part of, just last week a few days before the 22nd of December, 2098. Things had changed so much, now instead of warning, he needed to search, rescue and survive!

"I wonder if that mamsy pamsy interviewer is still alive, they struck me as the likely gunna die type. I suppose I'm gunna have to go out into this here dirty snow and ashstorm and look for survivors at some point. Really want to know what that glowing blue line of ... energy ... is. What's happened to Mother Earth?"





Famous Prepper, Crazy Cade interview, viewer caution, not for young audiances:

"Good afternoon, welocome to our daily interview. Today we are interviewing the increasingly famous Prepper, Cade Williams. A few have taken to calling you Crazy Cade, why is that?"

"Ha, cause them lily liveried snowflakes ant got no survival instincts, they gunna die. I am Crazy, crazy ready. I won't end up dead, this hog will rampage in the new world, prepared."

"Ughhh, yes, thank you, um a few questions:

  • What is this TEOTWSWKI thing on your shirt stand for?

"TEOTWAWKI, the end of the world as we know it. You know, when you gunna likely die. For me this means something unimaginably massive has happened, this is not your, "oh no the power went out and I can’t play my fancy computer games or text my girlfriend or other girly boys. No this is no small time local emergency, this is the event that throws all humans back into a prolonged mode of brutal survival.

Whether it, you know, is like a deadly highly infectious disease that wipes out 90% of the world population, or maybe it’s a nationwide EMP that causes unrepairable electrical infrastructure damage, maybe it’s the nuclear holocaust, whatever the case what you really need to think about is, what it means.

Don't think the gov'ment, local or fed'ral, not the 5-0, not NEMA, no one is gunna save you, only you gunna save you, and most o'you just gunna die.

No more mowed lawns. No more daily traffic jams. No more video games. Not as many pets, but a lot more stray pets out there roam'n in packs, eaten people and such. No more restaurants, no fast food, or delivery, you gunna haveta hunt your own food yoy fat belly lily livers is going to have to get out and go hunting. Real books are going to be worth a whole lot more. Urban trees are going to be gone because I’m going to be using them for firewood, so as for heat. No more indoor plumbing, diseases man diseases. No more designer weddings, nobody gonna get married in the first place anymore, positive i'd say. More death, lots. Need flu shots and anabiotic‘s? Where you going to get them? More children going to be born, that’s because everybody’s going to be in survival mode thinking we don’t want to bring babies into this world, but then they gunna think: what else we got to do. No more professional sports. Not only that but the athletes themselves be with their families trying to survive as well, ant have time to play for you, what are you greedy? No more online purchases, never. It’s gone, no electricity, no Internet - Internet to buy stuff... you’re going to have to go to a local store do that. An you have a hard time doing that. No emergency services available, yeah you heard me, all them all, got to do their jobs to the best of their ability and for honor types, are out, they gunna be out there to save their own families. Large backyard gardens will be more popular than ever. Seeds sure. Seeds. No more movies or actors or actresses - that’s gone. No more concerts or fancy musicians. No more flying, those who did, they all going to die. Limited communications...Ham radios gonna need those. Roads are terrible to drive on and soon will be impassable, potholes will get bigger and bigger - bridges will crumble and eventually fall. Bikes are going to be much more desireable.

Mass unemployment - you’re not going to have a job, your new every day job will be surviving, gathering resources instead of going to work or college and university, going to mean people be less smart, not know how to do basic stuff. Horse is going to be popular. Long hair going to get popular for everybody. Money going to disappear it is probably going to be used for the keep warm. Correct prescription eyeglasses will become cherished, having blurry vision in the apocalypse is a huge disadvantage for survival. Blurry vision going to get you killed. Everybody going to want glasses, no more optic enhancements, no cyber docs, no docs... You might want to stock up. Firearms be carried by everybody - going to be the norm. What's the weather today, gunna be a complete surprise, you going to have no idea what the weathers gonna be like, no more forecasting, no more what’s the news say the weather going to be, be a surprise. No more toothpaste funky tooth people out there pretty soon. Vegans will convert, let me tell you right now. Make up gone, out the window, no more weed control, of any kind. Boots, shoes and sensible shoes right out in the trash, need boots. Stuff gonna be a much worse and a few things going to get better for those that are survivors that is. The world will no longer functions as it does now. You better get prepared for TEOTWAWKI.

  • Alright... so, what do you need to survive the apocalypse?

“Whatcha need? All you Metrosexualized Finger Lickin Latte Lovin Nancy Boys need a EDC Survivor kit!

Start wid your EDC. An EDC, Every Day Carry, kit is the set of items that you carry with you everywhere. If you haven’t given any thought to what is in your EDC kit you probably gunna die in the case of the collapse of a full blown society meltdown.

I reckon what the common man, the average man, or the average man who ain’t gunna die when the shit hits the fan needs the following in their EDC. Ammunition, a decent firearm, a big ass knife, a big flashlight that can whoop a whole bunch of ass, a big ass saw that can deforest the nearest national park near you.

Ant nothing going to get you through the ‘pocolyse like your EDC and yur sunny demeanor.”

  • O, kay. What are your recommendations for food and water?

“Big in. Bug out. Either way ya gunna need food an water. You can horde it or you can stop being a bunch o’ Sissified Snowflake fancy boys worried about catching some disease by drinking the swamp water, like a real man, that’s been prophesies by the scientific spaceman and their calculus and theories about bacteria and diseases, I just got one piece of advice for you; all ya need is some nice hardware like a tricked out AR-15X with at least two thousand in upgrades and some body armor. Ant no one gunna stop you from getting their water.

As fur as food. You don’t wanna be that guy that eats his dog in the first week of the ‘pocolyse. Save Fido for a real emergency. Trade him for ammo. Alls ya need is MREs. Lots o’ them. If it’s good enough for the army it’s better than anything in the civilian world. Stick those Mountains House fancy food packs in your rump. Even if the MRE tastes like cat turds it better for you and ya health.”

  • Well, there you have it. Thanks you for visiting the show today... Crazy Cade. Before we wrap this up, is there any thing else one needs to survive?

"Look all you need is Jesus Christ in your heart......and about ten thousand rounds of ammunition, enough food to last you bout 20 years, lots of water and a bunker dug so damn deep into the earth that you're rubbing shoulders with Lucifer himself in the underworld."



Conflicted
Dimensional beings or time travelers, or aliens....they are out there. Things like Area 51 and Roswell, IRL I believe. As far as Denver Airport.... I was there last week Jon, now you got me wondering!



|Lars|
Agents of Titan Robotics Industries (AoT)
The Agents (Players)
• Jim - Sparkmort Zipwidget: Male Tinker Gnome Power Armor Ace
• Derrick - Caiden: Male Human, Momano Headhunter
• Steve (Hans) - Berk: Male Simvan Psi-Druid Monster Tamer/Rider
• Murp - Rupetta Martin: Female Human MARS Merc Soldier (X-CS)
• Freemage - Lance: Male Dog Boy Techno-Warrior (Cyber[netic] Knight)
• CSC - Ozy “Oz”: Dragon

My Accounts:
Active
  • Daniel - Admin/GM of AoT
  • Jackal - IC (Neural Intelligence) - 7th SET
  • Vi - Space Pirate - Stars Without Numbers
  • Henry Grimes - CS Commando - Rumble in the Jungle

Not Active
  • Hondo - Wild Psi Stalker
  • Burn - Mega Juicer - Juicer Uprising (On Hold)
  • Blackfish - Ogre Combat Mage - 12th SET (On Hold)
  • Setrakian - Dragon Juicer - FoM Jungles (Retired)

NPC Accounts
  • Lord Coake - NPC
  • Valentine - NPC
  • Erin Tarn - NPC
  • James T - NPC
  • Hagen Lonovich - NPC

User avatar
Benny Gumbo
Posts: 19
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2019 10:59 am

Re: 0.2 What a week its been! You'll miss it! Pre-End of Days.

Post by Benny Gumbo »

It was late and well after the bar had closed. Benny turned off the tv and looked at his replacement smart phone. Not as slick as the one he had just lost but still had enough juice to run the AmazingMom marketplace app. After a couple of finger swipes he had a portable water purifier, AR-15x, EDC survival kit, and a build your own backyard garden how to book by Paul Dream that came with starter seeds. He glanced outside the FJD bar noting the grass needed to be mowed and messaged the local boy Timmy Thompson to do it first thing in the morning. ” Jeeze that Crazy Cade is something...” He shrugged and hit buy with two day delivery.
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Ven Nealson
Posts: 17
Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2019 4:43 pm

Re: 0.2 What a week its been! You'll miss it! Pre-End of Days.

Post by Ven Nealson »

Conflicted
Hmm, not much for conspiracy theories. But two that have been more or less proven true:

Facebook/Google/etc. are listening: You were just talking with your spouse about how nice it would be to get out of town and take a vacation. Next time you check Facebook, what do you no -- it's a targeted add for an Airbnb a couple of hours away. What a coincidence! But the Facebook app on your phone that's allowed to access your phone's microphone for voice activation would never, ever log keywords from your conversations to filter them into its ad services algorithms. Nope, never.

Special interests quash tech advances for nefarious ends: Electric cars, driverless cars? We'd have had 'em 20 years ago if not for oil industry meddling. "Smart Guns" with biometric safeties? Kept off the market by NRA string-pulling. Medical cures? Why fix a problem we can treat more profitably?
Ven looked up from his datapad as Benny stumbled into the Dragon looking like he'd been giving Eskimo kisses to a coral reef.

"Hold on Nadine ...," he said into the wireless mic hanging from his collar. "Benny, what the hell man? I thought you were dead. I called the Bay Watchmen when you wiped and didn't swim in. They found your phone, but the biometrics said you were still breathing somewhere so they called off the search. Anyway, here's your comm."

Ven tosses Benny the waterlogged device, then looks back at his slate.

"Look Nadine, I really don't care what they're offering. I don't want to do it. I don't want to program a new AI for the Germans so they can plug the leaks in the Berlin refugee zone, and I don't want to help those scumfucks at CAN build variable frequency lasers just so KLS stock takes a hit. Every project I've worked on for the last decade has been twisted into something to kill human beings, or fuck 'em over in ways that would make them wish they were dead. I mean, they figured out a way to twist the goddamn cellular solar tech into a human fusion block!"

Ven takes a long drink of his malted espresso mocktail, wishing he had something stronger than cane sugar to shoot into his veins.

"Everything is just going to shit, you know. That freakin' militia, with the hoverbikes? That was right outside the juice bar by my place. The homeless guy that went nuts with the ion rifle? I played Battleship with him last week. Speaking of -- there's a goddam submersible aircraft carrier docked outside, just daring every nuclear power on this hemisphere to take a shot."

Ven thinks back to the quantum datachips hidden back at his pad, the zettabytes of data encoded on them.

"I just want to do something that helps people for a change. Not sure yet what that is, but I've got a couple of ideas. I'll let you know when I've got a more solid plan. Yeah, yeah, I know. You're my best gal, Nadine. There's a reason I put you on retainer, and that was before you kept my ass out of prison. Also, any way you can get my daily allowance raised a bit higher? They raised the prices at the ramen stand, and I'm gonna have to start cutting out lunch if it happens again."
Ven Nealson
Quick Stats
That Science Guy Who Lost His Shit
Bennies: 3/3
Attributes: Agility d6, Smarts d10 Spirit d6, Strength d6, Vigor d6
Charisma: -; Pace: 6 (1d6); Parry: 4; Toughness: 5; Strain:
Hindrances: Curious (M), Hesitant (m), Shamed (m)
Common Knowledge d6, Notice d4, Persuasion d6
Edges and Abilities of Note: Calculating (ignore 2 pts of penalties if initiative is 5 or less), Jack-of-All-Trades, Hesitant (draws two initiative cards, takes lowest unless a Joker)
Notable Cybernetics: Datajack
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Stones
Posts: 31
Joined: Tue Jun 18, 2019 8:50 pm

Re: 0.2 What a week its been! You'll miss it! Pre-End of Days.

Post by Stones »

Stones sat within the FJD Bar looking out the window and then back down at his tablet. From his tablet his gaze went to his computer which was open and running an anlaysis on the water currents, temperature gradients, and his previous months findings on the maritime ecologies in SoCal.

He really had no desire to resort to eco terrorism or industrial espionage but the data proved that things had gotten decidedly worse. Stones that he was done five years ago and then he had gotten a call and funding. Now he was back.

Stones held his head in his hands and struggled to focus.

While all the Big Corp were going head to head with each other, they were rapidly flushing the Earth down the drain. That is when he overhears the discussion @Ven Nealson has with another person over the phone.
Ven Nealson wrote: Fri Jul 05, 2019 3:10 pm "Look Nadine, I really don't care what they're offering. I don't want to do it. I don't want to program a new AI for the Germans so they can plug the leaks in the Berlin refugee zone, and I don't want to help those scumfucks at CAN build variable frequency lasers just so KLS stock takes a hit. Every project I've worked on for the last decade has been twisted into something to kill human beings, or fuck 'em over in ways that would make them wish they were dead. I mean, they figured out a way to twist the goddamn cellular solar tech into a human fusion block!"

Ven takes a long drink of his malted espresso mocktail, wishing he had something stronger than cane sugar to shoot into his veins.

"Everything is just going to shit, you know. That freakin' militia, with the hoverbikes? That was right outside the juice bar by my place. The homeless guy that went nuts with the ion rifle? I played Battleship with him last week. Speaking of -- there's a goddam submersible aircraft carrier docked outside, just daring every nuclear power on this hemisphere to take a shot."

Ven thinks back to the quantum datachips hidden back at his pad, the zettabytes of data encoded on them.

"I just want to do something that helps people for a change. Not sure yet what that is, but I've got a couple of ideas. I'll let you know when I've got a more solid plan. Yeah, yeah, I know. You're my best gal, Nadine. There's a reason I put you on retainer, and that was before you kept my ass out of prison. Also, any way you can get my daily allowance raised a bit higher? They raised the prices at the ramen stand, and I'm gonna have to start cutting out lunch if it happens again."
Stones looks at Van very intently, with a great deal of respect. Here is someone with finacial backing that could make a gigantic impact on the world. Stones wonders to himself if he could influence Van enough to help curb some of the problems in the ocean.

The Earth, if left to herself, and the humans cease to be. The Earth could and would restore itself. Stones' worry is more founded on the idea that the Earth presses the Ginormous Reset Button and humanity is suddenly gone. Earth is back to square one. Why hasn't Mother Earth done that all ready? What is she waiting on?

Stones looks back up at his screens and the data being represented and sighs heavily. The cup of Chai Seed Tea certainly chilled and cooling.

Deciding to put it all away, Stones pushes it across the table to where it all is resting on the table against the wall.

Stones looks carefully at @Benny Gumbo, "Looks like the waves caught you last night." Stones points to his forehead where Benny met the rock.

"And judging from the smear on your lips, which ain't strawberry passion fruit chapstick, he met someone after the night surf accident and she did not take well to his approach." Stone's finger points first to where the smear would be on Benny's face on his own and then over to his cheek where there appears to be a very forceful handprint.

Stones smiles at Benny, "You certainly are keeping yourself busy before the Rim of Fire. Sure that is wise?"
Wesley "Stones" McAlister
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Stones
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Re: 0.2 What a week its been! You'll miss it! Pre-End of Days.

Post by Stones »

Stones went to grab the cooled off mug of Chi when Savine swooped in with a replacement mug. "Just wouldn't do to have you drinking something cold that was meant to be hot. Especially not after last night. I am feeling good."

Wesley looked at Savine, "Thanks. It has been a long night. Running into what seems to be an even longer day. Anyway, great gig last night at the Eagle." @Lars

Savine looks at Wesley, "You made it?"

"Most definetly. I know the sponsors, MAGen 5, for the event last night."

Savine looks to Wesley with a great deal of curiosity. "Never took you for a music fan."

Then it was Wesley's turn to laugh. "Savine I follow trends. Old ones. New ones. And hopefully some future ones."

"I went to university with the grandchildren of the original Massive Attack. That was where I got introduced to archealogy. I got hired for a time to study music and its evolution and definitive signatures and lots of other things.?"

Wesley pulls out a couple of pieces of paper from his cargo pants pocket. Spreading them out on the table with one hand while he drinks the tea from a mug with the other. When he is done straightening them out, their are two decent sized posters on the table. One is from the Red Eagle concert last night and the other is for an upcoming release of Cyberpunk 2098.

Savine seeing the Red Eagle poster gets a little misty eyed and puts her hand on the name of her band, Neon Chrome Carbons. "It was a great show last night. Can't say much for the crowds, as the set was sectioned off from the rest of the crowds by a good twenty feet. Come to think of it the lighting did not let us see the crowds either. They were a kind of duall roaring vibration on the set though."

Wesley gentley moves Savine's fingers and places them on the MAGen 5 logo. "You and your band and every other gig that played last night were being recorded and sampled. Security, at least for the set, was top notch, rivaling many of the Big Corps." When Savine gives him a look of "I don't believe you." Stones continues.

"Your unique sound. Savine your vocals were like a sensous mix of Amy Lee and Tracey Thorn. The old world riffs from your guitarist. The deep tones of your killer basist. Even the snappy drumming. You guys were being ... 'sampled'."

To prove his point, Stones pulled over his laptop. Closing out the water flow charts, he opened up a web page to MAGen 5. On the login page was a splash art for the new, soon to be released, Cyberpunk 2098. Savine again looked at Wesley with a mild bit of boredom, until Stones pulled up the video footage and recordings from last night at the Red Eagle. The footage was clean and crisp and well one of the best recordings, live, anyone could ask for.

"I particularly liked the song, Last Days with My Heart." Tapping on an icon on the web page main screen, music comes through the speakers and fills the diner. Every so often Savine stops and looks quizically at the screen. When the piece finsishes she looks at Wesley. He responds before she can ask. "No violation of contract because they did nothing but ask to record you guys live. The contracts probably had a line or two that said something about the music being the solo ownership of the artists. The way you played it last night, you own it that way."

"MAGen 5 took unique features and blended them and spliced them into new music. Your vocal quality is captured in that last song. You most likely heard the riffs, bass, and drumming as well. Segments were shortened. some were drawn out. Others played with other instruments. The title of the piece is different though. That is how MAGen 5 works. They combine AI with DNA to make something entirely unique but the same."

Moving his laptop over and off of the posters, Wesley points to the second poster. Big splash art for the release of Cyberpunk 2098. On the bottom of the poster it has POWERED by MAGen5.

Wesley sips his tea as Savine looks at the poster, nods and returns to the counter and the customers.
Wesley "Stones" McAlister
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Benny Gumbo
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Re: 0.2 What a week its been! You'll miss it! Pre-End of Days.

Post by Benny Gumbo »

Beeny took his water logged phone from @Ven Nealson and as @Stones joined the two he grinned at the both rubbing his face. ” I met a babe out in those waves. A real mermaid. I got to push myself Stoney if I am going to beat Ted Danson.” Benny’s narrowed for a moment as a brief look of fury over took his normal laid back countenance. He muttered darkly joking, ”ghaHvaD HoH jIH.”

With a quick shake of the head he was back and looked down at his back up phone. Sure it was a tad slow but it still reported the weather conditions. ” I got to get back out tonight and get my roll on. Rim of Fire is just a few days away. I was thinking we could do a party wave. I got enough sticks for everyone, but if you want to go you’ll need your own blubber suit. The water is a bit hard this time of year.”

Benny waved over to Savine and she brought out a few shots of pure dragon juice. ” Enjoy dudes, on the house.” He tapped a few times on his phone, ”Also shot you guys a wave about our christmas party.”
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Daniel (Lars)
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Re: 0.2 What a week its been! You'll miss it! Pre-End of Days.

Post by Daniel »

A few days before the Freshly Juiced Dragon Christmas Party on the 22nd. After this post Sgt Thomas does not return to the FJD, nor does the homeless man Lukas, both usually are daily regulars. No amount of inquiries will net you any information on either man. (Maybe Sgt. Thomas will come to the Christmas Party on the 22nd, he said he would) -

December 20th


Image

Shadow moves quietly between patrons of the Freshly Juiced Dragon, a soft nuzzle here, a friendly woof there, obviously looking for goodies. Tongue lazily hanging out of his mouth the US Naval K9 dog could be smiling, its hard to tell, he's a dog after all, but one would be right if they imagined it, Shadow is quite friendly. As no one, other than Sgt. Thomas Prosek in the FJD has ever seen Shadow in action, at work, its hard to imagine the fuzz ball being the Fuzz.

The US Naval officer is seated in a plush chair sipping his drink and intently reading news articles on his handheld, muttering aloud, "...and to think I am related to this Beverly Prosek, State Senator for Illinois, how can she vote yes for Bill 890F...geez."

As the front door opens and a man walks into the freshly juiced Thomas, per his nature as a cop, takes in the newcomer. The Navy cop sets down the handheld and quietly lets out a low whistle. Nothing loud, likely missed by anyone else, and Shadow immediately moves to Prosek's side.

The newcomer looks around. Anyone noticing the man, sees a hard looking, gaunt, and young male, doing his best to contain excitement and with a quickened pulse trying to pass as calm.

Dirty torn boots, soiled blue jeans, and a light leather ratty and dirty jacket the man is bald and has a bruise on his right cheek.

Stopping a few feet into the juice bar he speaks: "Captain Steven Nealson? Sergeant Benny? Sergeant McAlister, Juno, are... um... blast tob lojmIt ... vIngeHlI' ngoq Dara' ngoq 11, 20, 73 ... is that you Sir?"

Stepping closer to Ven the young dirty man looks at Ven, "Sir? You look so different without the facial scars Sir. I brought you the ..."

"Hey!" The shout is from Sgt. Thomas Prosek, "Those cloths belong to Lukas man! What did you do to Lukas? Come here." Shadow growls.

The man turns to look at the Naval cop and K9, "Don't. Stay back! Keep away from me, I need to report to Cap'n Nealson!"

Stepping closer to the man, Thomas looks like he is reaching for a set of handcuffs. Now that he had brought it up, others recognize the homeless man, Lukas, cloths are being worn by this newcomer.

Moving back, away from Ven and away from the cop, the newcomer bolts for the the front door. Being the closest to it, the newcomer beats Thomas and Shadow to the door by mere inches, blasting out the door into the street beyond, the K9 Shadow is right on the mans heels and Thomas is not far behind Shadow.

Seen through the all glass window of the front door those inside the FJD seen Shadow bite onto the clothing thief's arm dragging the man downward, Thomas rushes closer with a set of hand cuffs. Then the rain and wind explode on the street, streaking the view through the wet glass and making it hard to see whats happening outside.

A boom! and the windowed front door and all the front windows of the FJD rattle and few hairline cracks rip across their surfaces. Darkness outside after lightning has struck the ground, then its quiet.

A moment or two later and the rain stops and wind slows, Sgt. Thomas stumbles back into the FJD and drops to a knee coughing. Shadow at his side woofing.

All this in around one minute, since the newcomer entered, to now, though it seemed longer.

Looking outside there is no sign of the man who was wearing Lukas's cloths, no more strangle weather, almost as if it never happened.

After assuring the others that he is okay, Thomas says, "Ven? You a Captain somewhere? Never mind that. I am headed out to my hover squad unit to go look for Lukas to see if he is okay. I'll come back later today, to ask you a few questions Ven."

The US Naval officer and K9 Shadow head out to determine the homeless man Lukas' fate and whereabouts.

Sgt Thomas does not return to question Ven today, nor the next day, nor the next, maybe he'll be at the party?
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Sam Higgs
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Re: 0.2 What a week its been! You'll miss it! Pre-End of Days.

Post by Sam Higgs »

Conflicted
Conspiracy Theories:
First off:
In virtually every war the US government has ever engaged in, there has been an 'inciting incident' that rallied the normally war-shy civilian population to support military action. Some of these incidents (Gulf of Tonkin comes to mind) were outright frauds, but in far more of them, ever since Fort Sumter, the US took actions designed to provoke a response, making sure that the enemy took the first overt action, then called it a 'surprise attack' and used it as the justification for military action. In these cases, invariably it's discovered after the fact that the US government knew that some sort of attack was imminent--not necessarily the day and time, but that there would be some form of retaliation for the various actions we'd been taking. (It seems likely, therefore, that whatever's going on down in South America fits this pattern.)

Second:
The plastic tips at the end of shoelaces are called 'aglets'. Their true purpose is sinister.

Okay, okay, seriously, let's go with... There's a serious effort by various corporate influences to keep people on unhealthy diets, particularly at lower income statuses, which is why obesity--historically a 'wealthy disease' has become so commonplace among the poor.
The Concert

Sam slipped into the bar about an hour before the band was due, taking up a position in a corner that provided a clear view of the room, especially the area between the stage and the rear exit--just in case. It was almost unnecessary--despite the bar's rep, the clientele apparently views the band as 'off-limits'. One guy didn't get the memo, though, but Sam was close enough to catch his wrist before the bottle got airborne, and a few carefully chosen words, drowned out to anyone not involved by the loud music, were enough to persuade the biker that perhaps this was not the best place for him to remain.

Once he takes off, there's no other incidents that require his attention, leaving Samuel free to enjoy the show. It's not really his music scene, but, well, he has to admit Savine puts on a good show.

Lukas

Sam rushes out into the street when he sees the cops hassling Lukas. "Hey, hey! He's harmless, and he's not violating any laws." The officers give him a heavy stink-eye, but he knows enough of the lingo to seem like a legit cop-friend, and apparently the beat cops in Diego haven't been informed about the plot against him by their higher-ups yet, (or there is no inter-city plot among the brass, but that's just living in a fantasy world).

They chat for several minutes, and he manages, somehow, to not piss them off into making the beat-down a twofer. At that point, he finesses them for a bit. "Look, guys, the Dragon Juice has a camera on this street--you don't want to be the subject of tonight's news report, do you? This guy isn't worth six months of media heat."

The cops see the wisdom in this, at least, and head off--as does Lukas, without so much as a thank you. Samuel shakes his head, and goes back inside to finish his drink.

December 20th
Samuel had actually jumped up to follow Thomas and Shadow after the guy, after hearing him shouting about Lukas--but just as he'd gotten to the door, his hand in one pocket, slipping on the brass knuckles in it, when the thundercrash and lightning hit outside. The light and sound hit him like a kick to the chest, and he staggered back, just in time to let the navy cop and his dog enter. He looks up at the windows cracked by the force of the blast, and shakes his head. "Dammit, the bastards actually are testing those weather-control satellites..."

Grumbling, he gets up and heads out to do his own (ultimately fruitless) investigation into Lukas' whereabouts.
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Maria Mendoza
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Re: 0.2 What a week its been! You'll miss it! Pre-End of Days.

Post by Maria Mendoza »

San Diego/Freshly Juiced Dragon
December 14-22, 2098/Morning
Conflicted
I’m not sure if these are really conspiracy theories. Censorship of conservative or non-progressive Left voices by social media giants, and disbelief in gender pay gap. Also maybe a belief in racial/gender IQ. And now I’m banned and hated?
CONCERT

Rio lounged against the bar at the Red Eagle, listening to Savine’s band perform. They were good. Really good. A good end to a weekend. She sipped her Dos Equis and looked around, spotting Nero and some of the Tres Reyes crew that ran the place. She nodded. They were on good behavior, and policing the place pretty well. The clientele was even a bit higher class than usual.

Rio made her way through the crowd as the set ended, heading for the backstage area. She gave Savine her congratulations, but the attractive barista was pulled away by some guy in a suit.

“Hope that’s good news,” Rio commented to the lead guitarist. The redheaded woman with piercings and tattoos seemed to be checking her out. An hour later Rio and the guitarist burst through the door of the loft above Rio’s garage, kissing and tugging off clothes, and Rio got to learn just how talented the musician’s fingers were.


LSCM

Rio walked into the FJD with that freshly fucked glow about her and ordered her usual -- with extra kick to counteract the lack of sleep she got last night.

“Savine, good show. Hey, chica, what was the name of your guitarist again? I forgot to exchange numbers.” She slid her business card across the counter to Savine with her personal cell number on it.

That was when there was lights and sirens outside the juice bar and a crash. There was yelling and the sounds of a fight as Rio looked out the window.

“Damn it! The Skellies again!” Rio cursed, instinctively reaching for the back of her jeans. But her 9mm was in her glove compartment. All she had on her was her stun gun and pepper spray. Tres Reyes and the Lost Skeletons Civilian Militia often fought turf wars over their neighborhoods. The FJD was supposed to be in neutral ground.

One of the Skellies -- face painted like a skull -- burst into the Dragon, eyes wide, looking around frantically for the back exit. As he rushed through, Rio put out her foot, tripping him, and shoved her stun gun into his gut as he fell. Then, because she was feeling mean, she pepper sprayed him in the face, leaving him twitching, crying, choking, and pissing himself on the floor.

“Clean up,” Rio called out. “Thanks for the pick me up, Savine.” Rio turned and stepped over the sobbing man and out onto the street to begin her day.


TICONDAROGA

Rio didn’t have any clients lined up for the morning, so since she was in the area, she decided to head on over to the Navy yard and get a look at that new submersible carrier that was parked front and center. She saw Sgt. Prosek and Shadow manning security at the front gate and gave the cop and K9 a smile. “Who’s the tall, gorgeous lady officer giving tours?” she asked, sipping her morning coffee as she listened to the commander talk about the new ship to a gaggle of schoolchildren.

Rio’s admiration was interrupted by her unregistered phone ringing. She tapped it on. “Que pasa, Nero?” she asked.

“Got a delivery for you. Down at the convention center.”

“What’s going on down there?”

“Some big nerd con. Cyber something.”

Rio wracked her brain. “Cyberpunk 2098?”

“Sure. Whatever. Nerds and geeks and gamers. Prime retail space. I’ve got Julio down there workin’ it, but he’s runnin’ low on product. That Ritalin sells like cocaine to a former child movie star.”

Rio sighed. So much for an uneventful morning. “Fine. Text me the pick up addy. I’ve got Julio’s number.”

“Gracias, babe. You’re a lifesaver.”


CYBERPUNK 2098

Rio hung up and headed back to her Dodge Charger. She went back to her old neighborhood and the stash house. Esteban was on the street waiting with a brown wrapped package that definitely sounded like pills when shook, as well as a pass for the convention. Then she headed for the convention center.

Rio flashed her vendor pass and headed inside, looking for the room Julio had said to meet him. She grabbed the arm of someone passing by. “Hey, can you tell me where 233 is?”

He stared at her from behind thick glasses, stammering to try and make a coherent answer.

Rio rolled her eyes. “Dios! Have you never seen a girl before?” she asked, releasing him and walking off. It took her some time, but she finally found the right room. The response was much as it had been with the guy she questioned, pimply, nerdy faces staring up at her from their games and drooling.

“Yeah, okay, get a good look,” she said, lifting her shirt and flashing her scarlet bra. “Julio!” she yelled.

Julio pulled off his headphones and hurried over. He was a slight man, not the usual Tres Reyes banger. He didn’t sport tattoos other than the small Tres Reyes tat under his sleeve, clean shaven. But he was good with computers, and so useful to the gang.

Rio handed over the package.

“Gracias, Rio,” Julio said.

“Say, how much rep would you get if you had a girlfriend like me?” she asked with a mischievous smile.

Julio blinked. “Que?”

Rio just grabbed his shirt and kissed him hard. Julio was still trying to kickstart his brain when she shoved him back. “More where that came from later tonight, lover,” she said, turning to saunter out of the room with extra sway in her hips.

***

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Ven Nealson
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Re: 0.2 What a week its been! You'll miss it! Pre-End of Days.

Post by Ven Nealson »

Lars wrote: Sat Jul 06, 2019 11:30 am Stopping a few feet into the juice bar he speaks: "Captain Steven Nealson? Sergeant Benny? Sergeant McAlister, Juno, are... um... blast tob lojmIt ... vIngeHlI' ngoq Dara' ngoq 11, 20, 73 ... is that you Sir?"

Stepping closer to Ven the young dirty man looks at Ven, "Sir? You look so different without the facial scars Sir. I brought you the ..."

"Hey!" The shout is from Sgt. Thomas Prosek, "Those cloths belong to Lukas man! What did you do to Lukas? Come here." Shadow growls.

The man turns to look at the Naval cop and K9, "Don't. Stay back! Keep away from me, I need to report to Cap'n Nealson!"
Ven looked up as the strange kid walked in wearing Lukas's clothes.

"Uh, do I know ...," he started. Something about the kid tugged at his brain, but he couldn't place him, and the gibberish he was spouting didn't ring any bells.

Did I buy drugs from this kid? he thought. Most of 2097 was a blur, and there had been a period where he'd been on a break from the San Diego office and doing a lot of MDMA^3.

"I think maybe you've confused me with ..." Ven doesn't get to finish that sentence, either, before the kid runs back out the door with Shadow and Sgt. Tom hot on his heels.

Things get a little hard to track for a minute -- Are flashbacks a real thing? I thought that was all horseshit propaganda from the last century. -- then the sergeant stumbles back in.

"Ven? You a Captain somewhere? Never mind that. I am headed out to my hover squad unit to go look for Lukas to see if he is okay. I'll come back later today, to ask you a few questions Ven."

Ven bobs his head.

"Sure thing, Sarge. Uh, not to my knowledge. Dropped out of the Scouts after I got the flashlight and the pocket knife."
Ven Nealson
Quick Stats
That Science Guy Who Lost His Shit
Bennies: 3/3
Attributes: Agility d6, Smarts d10 Spirit d6, Strength d6, Vigor d6
Charisma: -; Pace: 6 (1d6); Parry: 4; Toughness: 5; Strain:
Hindrances: Curious (M), Hesitant (m), Shamed (m)
Common Knowledge d6, Notice d4, Persuasion d6
Edges and Abilities of Note: Calculating (ignore 2 pts of penalties if initiative is 5 or less), Jack-of-All-Trades, Hesitant (draws two initiative cards, takes lowest unless a Joker)
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Benny Gumbo
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Re: 0.2 What a week its been! You'll miss it! Pre-End of Days.

Post by Benny Gumbo »

Benny spit out his dragon juice cucumber malt when the dirty dude came spouting nonsense. Code... What Code? Benny wiped his face, ” Hey dude... Not in here. I am not a sargent br-“ Damn if he was wearing Lukas’ clothes. Benny tossed Savine his keys while tapping a few key strokes on his older model phone. Savine caught the no look pass. He grinned, ” I am going after him. I just sent you the details on the Christmas party, make sure everyone gets them. I lost all my contacts when I wiped. Lock up huh?” It was more than a Christmas party, it was when Benny was going to tell all his friends... He had cancer. Early stages, in the brain... He had just found out two weeks ago himself during his routine physical. He had not told a soul, not even Savine. It was partly why he had amped up his training for the Rim of Fire tourney. An explosion and Thomas came back in... Benny looked around taking a quick look at everyone and then darted into the street looking for the dirty man and Lukas.
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Juno Reyes
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Re: 0.2 What a week its been! You'll miss it! Pre-End of Days.

Post by Juno Reyes »

UC San Diego Hospital

"...and I said, 'I AM HECTOR ALVAREZ REYES, AND YOU ARE...'"

The man narrating a story in grand fashion was standing up in front of a wheelchair, clad in a hospital gown. A slightly-older-than-middle-age Latino man with close-cut shiny black hair, sporting a trimmed mustache and goatee-style beard, with wide, expressive eyes. In his younger days he'd been compared to a shorter Raul Julia...or so he liked to boast.

"Hey," called a young woman as she strolled into the room. "Is this the Walmart one?" She was Latina, with a slim, athletic build and dark hair with the sides of her head shaved to stubble.

Hector paused and gave the woman a sour look as the four nurses arrayed around him smirked and giggled. "No," he said with a wounded tone. "It's the Amazon one."

"Ah yeah. Turned out to be a cat, right?"

"Ladies," said Hector, "May I introduce the soulless husk that was once my daughter."

Juno lifted a paper bag with 'TTTB - Taco Kisses' stenciled on the side. "You sure about that, old man? If I was a 'soulless husk,' as you say...there'd be nothing to stop me from eating your chimichangas. Right here. In front of you."

With an alarmed look, Hector stepped forward, then quickly added, "You know I can't eat when they're doing the tests, Juno. Here, I'll show you where to, ah...safely dispose of them."

One of the nurses followed him and gently, but firmly, took hold of his elbow. "Okay Mr Reyes," she said with a smile. "Lets have you sit down, okay?"

"I feel fine," he protested, but allowed himself to be sat back down in the wheelchair.

"And you will," the nurse agreed mildly. "Right up until dizziness hits you and you fall right over. Trust me, I see it all the time."

Juno went over to the wheelchair, bent over and planted a smooch on Hector's forehead, then said, "I got this," to the nurse, who stood aside so Juno could get behind the chair to push it.

"No food," she reminded Juno. "Seriously, his digestive system has to be completely empty. Insurance won't cover a botched test."

The paper bag crinkled and emitted mouthwatering odors of salsa and greasy cooked beef as Juno rolled it up. "It's for afterwards, don't worry."

As Juno started wheeling Hector away from the cafeteria, she said, "You got some nerve, old man. What would mom say if she caught you hitting on nurses, huh?"

Hector laughed. "She'd tell me to get off my ass and get to work. Find a new wife." He gave Juno an unrepentant smile. "She'll never get to see grandkids from Heaven if we leave it to you, is what she'd say."

"Ugh, really? You're gonna pull that one?"

"Eh. Something about being in a hospital makes you think about legacy, you know? What happened to that boy you were seeing?"


Juno shook her head. "I wasn't 'seeing' a boy. There was...a guy...at the base I was stationed at, but..." She shrugged.

Hector brightened at that. "Well, give him a call!"

"Nuh uh. He was a superior officer, rules are pretty clear on that."

"Junie, you're not even a soldier anymore."


She grimaced. "He's also deployed, and not coming home anytime soon, and we've barely even SPOKEN. All I EVER said was that he looks good in BDUs." Then her traitorous mouth added, "And out of them."

At that Hector's eyebrows lifted. "You saw him out of his uniform?"

"Don't get excited. It was like a hundred and twenty every day, and the air's so humid you can swim in it. No one wore their goddamn BDUs unless they actually HAD to."

"Language."

Juno scowled. "Yeah yeah."

"Speaking of legacy..." Hector's tone softened considerably and he looked back forward, avoiding his daughter's eyes. "...did you get the paperwork filed?"

"Jesus, dad..."

"Language!"


Juno hesitated, then plowed on, "Look, you're feeling better. You're back at home...except for when they're doing tests...but everything shows you're getting better."

Hector sighed at that. "So you didn't." At her silence he added, "Look, I get it. It's hard. If my dad had handed me that kind of thing, I'd do the same thing, mija. You know how this works though. I can get better, I can feel fine, then tomorrow something slips and...boom. You're the only one I can trust with this. To make the right choice."

She was quiet for a long moment, then nodded. "Alright...I'll find some time to get it down tomorrow. I got some dead space after my first shift."

"What about tonight? I could help you out with it."

"Nah, can't. Going to a concert."


Again that speculative lifting of his eyebrows.

Juno laughed. "No. I'm not going with anyone. I know someone in the band, and scored an invite and backstage pass and all that."

"Ah you know someone. Is he good looking? Nice?"

"She's super cute, dad."

Now Hector craned his neck to look back at Juno. "Blonde?"

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah. Kinda. But younger than me, so way too young for you."

"Hmm. Any chance you could get two of those passes?"

"Just for that, I'm not going to leave you these chimis. That and the empty stomach thing."

Her dad groaned. "That's not really a RULE. It's a guideline. Like turning off your phone in a plane."

"...pretty sure that's an actual rule. Wait, you don't turn your phone off?"

Hector scowled, perilously close to a pout. "Doesn't matter now. My flying days are over."

Juno nodded at that. "Good thing too, apparently." She held the sack of food out. "This is for you, after the tests are done tonight, since I won't be able to come back for dinner. Don't eat anything until you're done."

He reached out to take the bag, giving Juno a reproachful look. "I'm going to have to smell this for hours. You know that?"

"Yeah, well...builds character or something." She grinned, then leaned over to kiss his forehead again. "I gotta go get ready. Take it easy, dad. I'll come back tomorrow for lunch."

"Okay, mija. Have fun. Don't drink and drive or any of that. And no drugs, obviously. Just...be careful." Hector waited until it was clear Juno was watching him, then grudgingly tucked the meal away in a drawer by his bed.

Satisfied, Juno gave him a last wave, and headed back home.

=======
RED EAGLE - Later that night

It wasn't half as bad as Juno had been concerned about. The crowd was loud, but didn't seem overly rowdy. She'd done some bouncing right after getting out of the service, so drew on that as she surveyed the crowd, looking for signs that someone meant trouble. What she saw, almost right away, was that she wasn't the only one doing it. The gang...different colors than before she'd left, the place must have changed hands...had a good handful of guys spaced out through the club.

It was kind of disappointing, in a way. She'd kind of liked the idea of getting to play hero for a change. That said, it did free her up to actually listen to the show. Savine's music wasn't Juno's preference, but it wasn't by any means bad. It'd be good for a high intensity workout, or maybe playing in the background of an action scene in a movie. Or, you know, to dance to. Place like this though, 'dancing' meant joining a giant mass of people and just kind of getting tossed around in it. Not her scene.

A couple of times she politely, but firmly turned away a guy who saw a girl sitting alone at a table as an invitation. There weren't any hard feelings about it, but Juno wasn't here for that either. Since her original plan of watching Savine's back was bust, she really just wanted to unwind a little. Way easier to do that alone.

She stayed through to the end, applauded like most everyone else, then finished off her drink and hurried out to catch the next bus back to the east side.

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Freshly Juiced Dragon - December 20th

Juno watched the weird-ass scene with Thomas and...the guy wearing Lukas' clothes...in a kind of haze. Truth was, she hadn't been sleeping too well lately, and this kind of thing wasn't helping. The packet of paperwork she had to finish up felt like an actual weight in her skull. She got up and went out after them, though not so much to give chase as just to make sure Thomas wasn't going to do anything he'd regret. She didn't think she'd ever seem him that mad about anything before.

She herself wasn't quite so sure about the clothes thing. Did any of them pay enough attention to the crazy guy to accurately remember what he usually wore? So precisely that they'd be willing to get into a fight over it? And what if Lukas gave some clothes away to someone, and he had another set? Homeless didn't necessarily mean FLAT busted. And there were ways, and places, that you could get clothes even if you WERE flat busted.

Too late though, they'd both already gone out of sight by the time she was looking outside. So Juno went back in and scooped up her cup to throw it out. As she did, she asked to the bar in general, "Anyone know what THAT was all about?"
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