lucetimods: (Default)
Luceti Mods ([personal profile] lucetimods) wrote in [community profile] lucetilogs2013-09-07 08:19 am

Mission #14 - The Iron Eye

Who:
Doctors: Yamanaka Ino, Trafalgar Law, Elizabeth (Bioshock)
Investigators: Luke Skywalker, Natasha Romanoff, Asch, Itachi Uchiha, Maron Kusukabe, Selphie Tilmitt
Diplomats: Freyjadour Falenas, Marita Covarrubias, Gai Tsutsugami, Jade Curtiss, Ororo Munroe, Temari, Peggy Carter
Quartermasters: Haruhi Suzumiya, Akimichi Chouji, Eleytheria, Rudy Roughnight, Vash, Elizabeth (Persona)
Guards: Clove, Karla, Vegeta, Suki, Steve Rogers, Yuffie Kisaragi

What: Mission #14: The Iron Eye
When: September 7th - September 11th
Where: The Desert of Region Nine
Summary: Volunteers are sent to check in one the Iron Eye, a group of mercenaries who have convened in the desert for unknown reasons.
Rating: J for Just Deserts


Departure

As you may recall from the mission briefing, selected volunteers are headed to the desert in Region Nine. Before the nitty-gritty mechanics of this mission are revealed, characters must first try and gather as much intelligence as possible from the NPCs made available to them. The nature of their presence in the desert, the context of the vote you will have to make, as well as the larger picture concerning the existence of the Iron Eye all depend upon solid investigation and shrewd interrogation. Or, perhaps, dumb luck.

Diplomat/Negotiator characters will be permitted to tag as many NPCs as the player wishes. All other characters will have to choose just one of the NPCs to tag -- choose wisely! You’re likely still going to uncover some sort of intel. (Do note, each NPC is played by a different mod. So if you see one NPC getting more hits than the other, consider hitting up a different one to help spread it out.)

Investigator characters will have a thread purpose-built to allow those players in particular to ask the mods particular (and pointed) questions about what can be observed. Please note that these questions should be direct and specific rather than vague. For example, ’are any of the Iron Eye members looking particularly upset?’ is a valid question. What is the group’s general mood?’ is not. Remember, these inquiries aren’t going to be done out of character. There will be an In Character thread to reply to, meaning that any move you commit to has consequences and could draw attention to your character. So be careful!

Doctor characters will not only look after their own, but they’ll get a chance to help the Iron Eye deal with their own wounded. Without any special powers, they’ll have to rely on good old fashioned know how. However, there may be some insight to be found in just what ails these mercenaries.

Quartermaster characters are primarily responsible for their own - other volunteers. The trucks they arrived on should be packed with necessary supplies to keep them healthy, but they may have to borrow from the MSF if any of the group turns out to be thirstier than the Malnosso anticipated.

Guard characters have the unenviable position of guarding the small convoy the volunteers arrived in, while also facing extra scrutiny from the Iron Eye. However, even with all the mercenaries around, there’s still things out in the desert to worry about. Lone Shift Hunters often hunt at night, where their dark skin and silent steps can make them incredibly stealthy, especially without special powers to aid in anticipating them.

The camp they’ll be heading to is large and staffed by the Iron Eye. They are at least five thousand strong with men and have their own supply of trucks, jeeps, tanks, and even a few helicopters. Although not nearly so uniform as the MSF, it’s clear that this is a group that means business. Their numbers are composed of men and women of many species, some with large wings and some with small. Throughout the mission, they’ll have their own people coming and going from different directions. Beyond their camp is all desert where brutal Shifts make powers unreliable and have been known to have sometimes lethal effects. Although the Iron Eye camp has set up a small amount of protection against these Shifts, it’s nowhere near as secure as what you’d find in a proper enclosure.

Playing in this mission means you guys have to figure out exactly what the Iron Eye are up to. On the tenth, a post will appear on [community profile] lucetiooc for you to vote on whether your character will assist the Iron Eye or sabotage their efforts, regardless if they are fully aware of what they’re up to. Or they can, of course, just do nothing and not vote.

--

The volunteers were transported to the outskirts of the desert courtesy of a cargo plane. Given the variety of participants, the pilot would only feel secure after turning the power cap on to one hundred percent, even though his co-pilot insisted they had nothing to worry about. After all, he said, Lucetians almost never try to escape. All the same, power cap it was, and the long flight set in. When they landed at the airstrip in Region Nine, it was revealed to be little more than just that. A paved area to land, a few buildings, and then a caravan of trucks that were to be handed over to the volunteers to make use of.

Several miles into the trip, it became obvious when they arrived in Iron Eye territory. Scouts from the mercenary crew spotted them even miles before they had arrived and cautiously followed them into the encampment. The soldiers greeted them with suspicion and weapons raised, but called off their attack. After all, the leader of this particular outfit was already well-acquainted with these new arrivals. Hoi Hidekan had dealt with them before now. Many of the other members of the Iron Eye likewise recognized Lucetians. Many of them weren’t so happy to see familiar faces, having been slain by Lucetians in the battle at Depot 8. Hidekan himself was on edge. He didn’t like where this seemed to be going, but it was with gritted teeth he allowed the Lucetians entered. Immediately, he assigned a guard to watch over them. He watched Trafalgar Law carefully in particular, but said nothing. For the moment, at least.

It wasn’t until a particularly jovial and blue man arrived that things eased up. Sir Catherine, known to the organization as Bilirubin, wore a wide grin as he came to meet the Lucetians. He greeted them warmly despite the situation.

“Ah, what are the chances of meeting out here in this place? I do hope the organization hasn’t sent you out here to arrest me. I imagine by now you may have heard about that eensy problem I ran into regarding my little plan to eliminate Count Zompano. Ahaha, well, I think we can all agree that absolutely went dreadfully. Who would have thought he’d join up with the cultists? In any case, I’m afraid I won’t let you do that. I’ve hired the Iron Eye, you see. I shan’t be turned over to the organization. Not when there’s work to do. In any case, I look forward to speaking to you all individually. Please, relax! Pitch a tent. Have some of our water. Enjoy the sights. The nights are rather bland, given the lack of stars, but the sand dunes to the west are rather splendid to look at once you’re good and properly dehydrated. In any case, off I go!”

And just like, Bilirubin popped back into one of the tents, but he’d be out and about again before long. Hidekan was less pleased and followed the blue man, leaving the Lucetians to figure out how they were going to make do for the next four days. Sticking close to Hidekan was a young woman, another former member of the MSF. But only one of the group would recognize her as Aka Furuka. After all, Gai had been involved in the same mission that involved putting a stop to her and the people she was working with. It was clear that she didn’t relish the idea of being recognized. Nobody would. The incident at the hospital was messy business.

With that settled, the volunteers were left to set up camp, figure out their supplies, and make themselves ready to investigate the surroundings, deal with any creatures that bump in the night, and tend to any other difficulties that would arise in their four days.

--

Any other questions and/or plotting can be handled at the Announcement post here.


PLEASE MAKE YOUR VOTE HERE - other plotting and IC discussion is on this post as well.
deathsdoctor: (Neutral | That far off horizon)

[personal profile] deathsdoctor 2013-09-08 04:49 am (UTC)(link)
Law, like his partner, is unused to planes. Only being on one prior flight to Rataneran Keep before had already left him with a particular dislike of takeoff and turbulence, and it didn't look like this go around would be any different. Grim faced, the co-pilot's words still echoing in his ears, he eventually tries to strike up discussion to share information about the Iron Eye from those that had been at Depot 8.

The face is only partly because of the plane, really. He already knows who he'll find. Knows it in his bones even while there's no way of really knowing.

Once there, most might wonder why Hoi Hidekan watches Law the most closely of all. Some already know. Law's own expression suggests they have history. Which they do. Depot 8. The Tyr's Revenge.

Law has a different expression for Bil, though. An arched eyebrow - hand caught in the cookie jar so to speak? Dear, dear. There's history there too. The mission to Rataneran Keep. TERRACE. Being Bil's primary physician in Luceti, his caretaker, and the one beside him as he died.

The pirate wonders if Bil and Hidekan realize what they share in common when it comes to him.

The days are full of wounded soldiers (when he isn't dealing with their own) and the nights are cold and the starless sky is damning. He listens, learns what he can, and is always open to talk to the next person.
Edited 2013-09-08 04:51 (UTC)
voidseeing: (Ash like snow)

[personal profile] voidseeing 2013-09-08 05:57 am (UTC)(link)
Their ragtag little party has barely been in camp for an hour when Gai sees something that sets off alarm bells in his head. Not that he lets this on to anyone else, of course, but as soon as he gets his own things set up, he's off in search of the doctor with the intent of having A Conversation.

Law likely knows him well enough by now to recognize the look on Gai's face when he walks up-- it's his "I have something we need to discuss right now" face, though to anyone else it would just appear as his usual stern expression. He's not going to waste words, not until he's sure they're in a place where no one can overhear them.

This is not a subject he wants getting loose for several reasons.

[personal profile] malnosso 2013-09-08 12:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Hidekan would not invite conversation. He would not begin it. Nor, however, would he repulse it should Law choose to speak first. But as it was, the stern-faced man made a first attempt to sidestep the Lucetian and walk beyond him -- continuing his paranoid patorl.

[personal profile] malnosso 2013-09-08 12:47 pm (UTC)(link)
He looked up. Eyed the chair. The woman. And long after shook his head.

"...No. Feel free." The words were said with no small amount of wryness, but he still gestured gently with two fingers and invited her to sit across from him. His tray was near empty, but he had a considerable mug of coffee still to complete.
calmbeforethe: (blue eyes)

[personal profile] calmbeforethe 2013-09-08 01:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Ororo waited patiently under his careful scrutiny, content to stand until he finally invited her to sit.

"Thank you." she replied with a smile, setting her own food down. Ororo took the time to slide into her seat gracefully and make herself comfortable before she raised her eyes to him. "... It's good to see you in good health, Mr. Hidekan."
yourfononsarewhack: (assessment)

[personal profile] yourfononsarewhack 2013-09-08 02:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[Jade casually strolls up beside her while she's watching others. He takes a moment to adjust his glasses.]

See anything you like?
yourfononsarewhack: (Default)

[personal profile] yourfononsarewhack 2013-09-08 03:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Jade Curtiss was walking with his own boots - his own purpose. He maintained an air of friendly formality as he came to fall into stride beside Hidekan during his patrol. He hadn't exactly expected Hidekan to take this route, but he wasn't particularly surprised, either. Jade unusually seemed untouched by the elements - no signs of sweat or fatigue. His primarily scent was something that seemed oddly like cologne.

He made a brief adjustment of his glasses as he tried to talk with him. "A pleasant day for a stroll, wouldn't you say?"
biliruben: (Businessman)

[personal profile] biliruben 2013-09-08 04:07 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ah. A threat? I'm used to having something of a guard, but I've never come under threat from Luceti people. oh, certainly verbally. But even on my deathbed, at the mercy or your people, I had little to fear. So by all means, escort away."
biliruben: (My boy!)

[personal profile] biliruben 2013-09-08 04:08 pm (UTC)(link)
"There are more things in this world than just the cultists and the organization, my boy. These mercenaries should be proof enough of that."

[personal profile] malnosso 2013-09-08 04:13 pm (UTC)(link)
The last of the pack was irritated as he was caught in conversation with the teenager. He pulled his hand away before rising, hand moving to the gun holstered at his side. The threat was obvious. He would think nothing of killing her, if that came to it. There was no justice in the desert. Only them.

"About? We're about survival. We're paid to fight the battles the MSF can't and do the things the Malnosso won't. You won't find little girls playing heroes. Next time you touch one of us, you better have something more in mind than just stupid questions."

Hand still firmly on his holster, he turned to leave.
yourhatred: (movement)

[personal profile] yourhatred 2013-09-08 06:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Surely not all residents of Luceti could be considered to have the same agenda, but in this instance Bil is right. He has nothing to fear from Itachi as far as a physical threat goes. Just the opposite, as the ninja intends to be good on his word. So he leads on just as instructed.

"I hope the environment here has been treating you well. I'm admittedly a bit pale, and have been trying to avoid too much exposure."
dangerouswind: (neutral)

[personal profile] dangerouswind 2013-09-08 06:51 pm (UTC)(link)
It was the woman's tendency to watch that drew Temari's attention first. In her experience, those quiet watchers were the ones who knew the most interesting things. (Hey, she should know. As the bodyguard of the Kazekage back home, that had been her position. Sort of; she did have some privilege, thanks to being family to the Kazekage as well.)

She was already being watching, just because she was from Luceti. It drew stares from everyone. No sense in trying to approach the woman without being seen. She could have attempted it; didn't really want to try.

So she walked right up to the woman, not really smiling but expression pleasantly neutral. (Give nothing, take nothing: first rule of diplomacy. Always be on equal footing.) She holds out her hand in greeting when she's close enough. "I'm Temari."
materiathief: (Ninja clothes)

[personal profile] materiathief 2013-09-08 06:52 pm (UTC)(link)
The ride here wasn't the most pleasent experience Yuffie had. She had to work through the motion sickness, and then deal with the fact that they she was going to be stuck in the desert for too long. Then when the ride was over, and she could get out, she finds the closest shaded area she can find (Even if it's a persons shadow) to get herself back together.

Once she got over that, she got up, and looked around, having one weapon on her back, and holding the other in her hand. She's hoping to find someone she knows. She mostly knows what she's supposed to do, but finding a friend is nice when one is on their first mission, and the people she's never seen before, don't look all that friendly.
yourfononsarewhack: (curious tear)

[personal profile] yourfononsarewhack 2013-09-08 07:12 pm (UTC)(link)
It's not often that one gets to call him 'boy'.

"Is that so? I've certainly pondered such possibilities. But I assume it would be too much to ask for some manner of encyclopedia."
deathsdoctor: (Other Supernovas| Drake)

[personal profile] deathsdoctor 2013-09-08 07:22 pm (UTC)(link)
That was a change. The man he met before wouldn't have hesitated, he thinks. But there had been many changes in the world even as it remained achingly the same. This was just another example.

So he lets him sidestep. Lets him get three paces away before speaking.

"... I thought you wanted to talk." Watching, even as the tone and the delivery is mild and even. Watching Hoi's back as carefully as the man watched him ever since they had arrived - had singled him out by watching him the most carefully of all. Was watching him, perhaps, even without looking. "... guess I thought wrong."

He makes it easy in this moment for Hoi to blow him off. To say no, and leave. But that option feels an awful lot like running, doesn't it?

[personal profile] malnosso 2013-09-08 08:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"Pleasant enough," he answered, stressing the bare minimum of pleasantries both in tone and context. If Hidekan noticed Jade's comfort with the climate, he made no indication thereof. Instead, he simply slowed his step and cast a careful eye to his left.

[personal profile] malnosso 2013-09-08 08:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"Is that so?"

He lifted his mug to his lips after speaking these scant few words.

[personal profile] malnosso 2013-09-08 08:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Hesitation? No -- there was no hesitation here. What Law took for hesitation was more a moment of due care. Although he was right in thinking there was a change about the man.

His steps slowed. "Talk?" A brittle laugh. "Just because a man takes note of you, you expect he wants to talk?"
deathsdoctor: (Neutral + Wary | side glance)

[personal profile] deathsdoctor 2013-09-08 08:54 pm (UTC)(link)
"Perhaps 'wants' is the wrong word here, thinking about it."

Let's try another and see if it fits. Needs.

Maybe that's wrong. But the brittleness is telling.
Edited 2013-09-08 20:58 (UTC)
winds_voice: (Gathering Clouds)

[personal profile] winds_voice 2013-09-08 09:11 pm (UTC)(link)
The ride to the desert was strange enough for Eley. He'd never seen any of these strange machines before... metal things with wings that could soar through the air and big boxes on wheels that could move without being pulled. The Spirit didn't particularly like being stuck in enclosed spaces as it was, let alone in contraptions he was unfamiliar with.

He couldn't let it get to him though. No, he had to focus on the task he had been given, one he knew he would be fine with. If he found himself gripped by more worrying thoughts, he tried to remind himself why exactly he was doing this. It wasn't hard... given that another of the volunteers was behind that reason.

Once they were there and things had been put into motion, Eley was on hand with the other quartermasters to keep everyone hydrated. He didn't take any for himself, assuming he would be fine as a Spirit, but others might notice it starting to take a toll on the human body he had been given since arriving in this world. It seemed that this desert heat was too much for even him to tolerate without drinking something.

Most of the time however, he can be found around camp keeping an eye on people, Lucetian and Iron Eye alike. He might not be part of the investigation team but it was in his nature to observe and he couldn't help but ponder over the comments he heard in passing. It seemed there was a lot more out here that he didn't understand...

Passersby should feel free to talk to him. Even when not distributing supplies, he'll try to keep himself open to anyone who needs to chat or vent their feelings. He brought a harmonica with him too if they want some rather... poor entertainment.

No matter where Eley was though, he couldn't help but feel terribly... vulnerable out here. It bothered him more than he likely let on.
yourhatred: (tell me again)

[personal profile] yourhatred 2013-09-08 09:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Itachi made his way to the outskirts of the camp. There was nothing stealthy about his movements just then. He wanted to be seen, and he wanted to be seen as non-threatening. He stopped near the edge, tilting his head up as though taking in the area's protection, then began walking along the perimeter.

He didn't prod at anything, didn't make any other movements aside from slow, careful strides. Any guards that might have been on patrol there weren't avoided, just walked by. In fact, he was rather hoping that one might stop him to question his actions.
tearmeanewone: (Columbia)

[personal profile] tearmeanewone 2013-09-08 10:02 pm (UTC)(link)
The cargo plane was familiar enough, even if it was terribly loud and lurched a great deal on take-off. Elizabeth preferred airships, hands down, and the entire journey she spent holding Gai's hand and keeping her head on his shoulder. No talking, she felt a little sick from the motion.

The greeting the team received (drawn weapons) put Elizabeth on edge, but even then she couldn't feel a single tear anywhere. It was as though someone had thrown a blanket over her head, and she could barely see through it or hear anything outside of it. This must have been what the message had been talking about concerning 'abilities' being unreliable, but the camp was huge and Elizabeth was very well versed in... borrowing things to use as supplies.

But really, what were three doctors supposed to do for a camp of nearly five-thousand people? Elizabeth felt they were incredibly understaffed should something bigger happen, but what could she do? Not much aside from walk through the camp with her medical bag displayed very prominently. Even so, it seemed like people were staring at her and muttering things even when she was working. At the very least, there was less need for emergency-based medicine. She had time to work instead of quickly pull the patient back to life.

The work was tiring, but after the first day she had adjusted a bit more. Smiling, making whatever conversation she could with her patients, generally trying to make the best of the very tense situation. She kept herself close to the medical tents, but occasionally took breaks to read, have tea, or re-pin her hair up in a sheer white ribbon. It was almost obsessive, how careful she was about keeping her hair back and out of her eyes.

And the heat... She and the heat were not getting along at all. How could anyone volunteer to camp and live in such heat? She hadn't packed for this at all, of course, and rolled her stockings down and her sleeves up in a desperate attempt to stay cool.

Her corset? She abandoned five hours after landing. If she hadn't been working at something she felt good about doing, she would have been absolutely miserable.
Edited 2013-09-09 06:39 (UTC)
deathsdoctor: (Neutral | Don't like the sound of that)

[personal profile] deathsdoctor 2013-09-08 10:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes. That's the I Need To Talk To You Now face. Law's eyes slide to the right, appraising what's going on around them. He doesn't want to take this to a tent - he'd rather be able to see their surroundings.

Hmm, they'll need to take a walk, then. Alright, he'll provide an excuse for any ears that want to listen, one that Gai would know is just a ruse.

"You seen Vash anywhere? Some of my supplies aren't where they should be."
biliruben: (Charm)

[personal profile] biliruben 2013-09-08 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"There is no amount of data storage sufficient to store the knowledge of the Malnosso, Mr. Curtiss. Many worlds have empires than span many planets, some even galaxies. But our reservoir of knowledge extends to all reality and every reality. I suspect even you might find it daunting."
biliruben: (Goodness!)

[personal profile] biliruben 2013-09-08 11:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Bil let out a weary sigh, pulled out his bottle of water and refreshed himself.

"Oh, it's absolutely miserable. Blue skin is the absolute worst for all of this, I assure you. I would've been so much happier had I turned red."

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