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.
yourhatred: (know what you don't)

[personal profile] yourhatred 2013-09-13 09:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Itachi nodded. He took his secrets to the grave. (His co-conspirators weren't always so tight lipped.)

"I would have to agree."
biliruben: (My boy!)

[personal profile] biliruben 2013-09-13 09:56 pm (UTC)(link)
"Then it's your move."

Bil's smile made for the perfect poker face.
yourhatred: (tell me again)

[personal profile] yourhatred 2013-09-14 04:21 am (UTC)(link)
"Is it?" Itachi might not be smiling, but stoic was his general demeanor and he covered his feelings with it well.

"You have a lack of reigns that I do not. A wrong move on my part could put not only myself, but all I care for in jeopardy. From that perspective, it should be you providing the incentive.

"You are a devious man, 'Sir Catherine'. Let's not pretend otherwise. You asked a question earlier, and it seems I may be able to provide more on that than I let on. But what can you provide me in exchange?"
biliruben: (Charm)

[personal profile] biliruben 2013-09-14 11:14 pm (UTC)(link)
"Much more than you can, I suspect." Bil smiled and then shrugged. "But I have things I must do. You think about what you might ask for me and if it's worth giving up what you have. If you do, meet me by the dunes in the evening. We can talk, then."
yourhatred: (tormented by)

[personal profile] yourhatred 2013-09-15 04:17 am (UTC)(link)
Itachi's eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded his head. He walked Bil the rest of the way in silence.

Come evening, he was at the requested meeting location, and it felt as if he'd been given more questions for every answer he'd found. Hopefully he might be able to clear up at least some of that.
biliruben: (How unfortunate)

[personal profile] biliruben 2013-09-15 11:15 am (UTC)(link)
"Mr. Itachi. Welcome back. Please, sit."

Bil already had a chair set out for him, likewise facing the dunes.
yourhatred: (in this silence)

[personal profile] yourhatred 2013-09-15 06:31 pm (UTC)(link)
The ninja hadn't expect the chair. He was tempted to tell the man he preferred to stand, but then reconsidered. He was already walking dangerous ground just by doing this in the first place. So he sat, but not before nodding a quiet greeting in Bil's direction.
biliruben: (Businessman)

[personal profile] biliruben 2013-09-15 10:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Once Itachi was seated, Bil spoke up.

"So. What do you have for me?"
yourhatred: (holier than thou)

[personal profile] yourhatred 2013-09-15 10:43 pm (UTC)(link)
"I do recall telling you some of what I had to offer already. Does that no longer interest you?" Because he'd prefer to address a matter that he believes won't be as harmful to give intel on before moving to something else.

He also didn't like the way Bil was asking for information straight up, but he held his tongue on that.
biliruben: (Oh dear)

[personal profile] biliruben 2013-09-15 10:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Bil nodded. "I am very interested."
yourhatred: (i saw everything)

[personal profile] yourhatred 2013-09-15 11:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Well. He can work with that. "Then I have something to ask from you in return. I have already gathered details about the weapon you have here that we were not given, but I would like to hear from you what those beneath you might not be able to say."
biliruben: (Businessman)

[personal profile] biliruben 2013-09-15 11:05 pm (UTC)(link)
To that, Bil paused. There was a frown, but he did not give anything away just yet.

"And what weapon might that be?"

He would not be tricked into simply giving something away like that.
yourhatred: (look down upon you)

[personal profile] yourhatred 2013-09-15 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Caught him off guard a bit with that, had he? This too, he could work with. Hopefully.

"Were you willing to work with me without knowing the extent of my investigative skills?" He tilted his head. "I'm telling you I'm aware of the shift bomb, Sir Catherine. Would you like me to continue?"
biliruben: (Terribly unfortunate)

[personal profile] biliruben 2013-09-15 11:53 pm (UTC)(link)
So there it was. For once, Bil looked noticably concerned. He leaned back in his chair.

"... very well. I'll tell you everything about it." A pause. "Provided you make good on your offer."
yourhatred: (bitch please)

[personal profile] yourhatred 2013-09-16 12:11 am (UTC)(link)
Itachi nodded. He wouldn't let on everything he knew. Bil was worried enough that he was aware of the bomb.

"You wished to know of the recent incident with the filial spirits. I'm not sure what you're already aware of, but the situation involved opening a Pandora's box of sorts. One that had been held away for some time was released, with the other spirits employing certain countermeasures to try and keep it in check." That wasn't all he would say on the matter, of course, but he needed to be sure he was on the right track.
biliruben: (Businessman)

[personal profile] biliruben 2013-09-16 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
Bil sighed. "Most of which I suspected already. I can only wonder where you would find this Pandora's Box in Luceti. But I suppose you won't be willing to divulge that." He shrugged. "Have you figured out what the bomb does yet?"
yourhatred: (standing casual)

[personal profile] yourhatred 2013-09-16 12:17 am (UTC)(link)
The ninja nodded. "I have, for the most part. There are a few details that could use elaboration."
yourhatred: (this side of me)

[personal profile] yourhatred 2013-09-16 12:24 am (UTC)(link)
"There was no true mention of how final the deaths caused by it would be. It seemed there was still the possibility that they might return a few hundred years from its detonation." And that didn't really sit right with him at all, never mind the fact that they'd be killed in the first place.
biliruben: (Calling up a draft)

[personal profile] biliruben 2013-09-16 12:30 am (UTC)(link)
He nodded. "It's true. The manner of sacrifice is... beyond us, for many reasons. There was a time, before I was even in this world, where scientists tried to reproduce it. They thought if they could duplicate it, then they could learn to undo it. Of course, they never actually arrived upon the methods of the cultists. But it was effective... so long as the Shift could hold. You might think of it as a stasis. Once the subject dies, they are locked, unable to return to the planet to be revived. As long as the Shift remains active, at least."

A sigh.

"In a war where they only revived, blowing them up would never work. There was a time we tried to wipe them out using the full extent of science. But as we destroyed them, the world was ripped apart. It was clear they would only keep coming until the world was a wasteland. And if it was, what would it matter to them? We were only aiding them in the long tun. So, we fight as we do now, on their terms. After all, this war is not about winning. It's about buying time."
yourhatred: (i see)

[personal profile] yourhatred 2013-09-16 12:56 am (UTC)(link)
Itachi's eyes narrowed as he listened, and he nodded once the man was done, looking thoughtful.

"And the natural shifts in the area - how would it affect those? A weapon of this magnitude with such lasting effects is guaranteed to create ripples."
biliruben: (Businessman)

[personal profile] biliruben 2013-09-16 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
"My simulations have suggested they will become more violent. If this were anywhere else, it would be too risky to attempt. At worst, in a few decades, the Malnosso will be forced to shut down operations in this region. There will be other consequences. With this area acting as a swell, other areas will feel an increase in Natural Shifts that are being canceled out here. Whenever an enclosure is made, it pushes these Shifts away, but the effects are inconsequential. Like a pebble in a pond. This will be a bit more like a large stone. It won't destroy us, but it will make things more difficult on the whole."

He shook his head, clearly unhappy about that.

"But it's the trade off we make to buy ourselves more time. If we don't do this, there won't be any of us left to be concerned with the world."
yourhatred: (and i see the sky)

[personal profile] yourhatred 2013-09-16 01:37 am (UTC)(link)
Itachi frowned, also not pleased with how that sounded. He understood Bil's reasoning, though. That's what made choosing his own position on the matter so difficult, and why he had to take this risk for the information.

"I have further questions. Should I go into more detail on the filial subject?"
biliruben: (Calling up a draft)

[personal profile] biliruben 2013-09-16 01:47 am (UTC)(link)
"Do you intend to tell me where in Luceti you discovered this so-called box?"
yourhatred: (break this illusion)

[personal profile] yourhatred 2013-09-16 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
There was a pause, then Itachi lowered his head slightly.

"...From what I hear, in a cavern found several levels beneath the tunnels."

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