San Diego Act I.B - Scavanging Troubles - RPLOG
From Flexible Survival
Participants
Date
27/4/2014
Log
Two of hte Marines jerked, aiming their rifles in teh direction the knives seemed to come from, looking around. Other pointed their weapons at those gathered in the group. "SHOW YOURSELF AND YOUR FRIENDS DON'T GET HURT!" Yelled the one who'd been identified as Brooks.
Meanwhile, Bruce is busy with the Captain, who was now handing him a radio 'phone-set' from the interior of the humvee. Talking vigorously into the radio, his tail first starting to wag a small bit before drooping and starting to curl between his legs.
McGregor however, was looking unplussed by the whole situation. "Easy now... Either we'll find out what's got our 'fearless' leader worried about, and learn if it's good or bad." She says, not seeming worried about the dirt they were sitting on getting mixed into her chainmail bikini.<br
Now that the marines were looking, the real fun could begin. They'd get to see as the knives pulled themselves out of the ground again, hovering in the air for a moment before sticking themselves back into the ground in a question mark pattern. They seemed fairly harmless in their present state, but maybe it'd be a bad idea to provoke the magical floating knives.
Angus frowns, snapping his fingers as he sits up straight. "Dammit, welp looks like my game is over." Picking up his cards he starts shuffling the deck and looks up at the marines, chuckling a bit. "Hey, no need to point the popguns at us." He gives the nearest soldier a wink and a sharp toothed smile as he waits to see what is happening.....for now.
Locke sighs, looking towards the pile of weapons with a tinge of sadness. Separation was hard... She'd only received her firearm weeks ago, but was now butt-naked. She didn't even have her ass-kicking boots! "Sooooo... When can we have our loot back? Also, do we have to be nude?" She asked, readying herself in case someone decided to get rough with her.
Eyeing the armed guards for a moment, Savi turns her head and asks her own group, in a rather conversational tone, "So... do we keep waiting, or should we like... I dunno... Eat them?" Shifting slightly, the aggressive plant pops her neck and stretches her limbs restlessly. "Savi hates sitting aroud." she grumbles...
Rev frowns the dusk dragon is obviously not to enthused by the threat. He looks up at the female soldier thst had managed to capture him after he had been shot twice in the same leg."You know if you wanted to get in my pants so bad you could have at least taken me out to dinner first" He says with a mischievous smirk.
One of the Marines finally sits atop Edel, putting the muzzle of his rifle against the 'center' of the stump. "Nicely done kiddo, took our snipers a few moments to confirm you're spot." He says, figuring he could push through the wood to the reality, but was having trouble doing so. For the rest, the Marines didn't respond, watching for whoever was manipulating the daggers, as well as make sure the captured group didn't dash for their weapons.
Bruce was on his way back, head hung a small bit and his tail was DEFINITELY between his legs at this time. "McGregor, Yutilzin, and whoever wants to represent the Agents, please come with me." He says, as a truck comes up the dirt road that'd been the fastest route to the road they were looking to get to. A large Duece-and-a-half truck pulls up next to the Blackhawk.
Edel doesn't respond directly to the marine sitting on her. For all intents and purposes, it's still a stump. At the sudden accusation however, a nearby rock starts to 'subtly' roll off and behind a tree, as if trying to take cover. Just quiet enough to -act- like it's trying to be unnoticed without actually being so.
McGregor stands up, huffing a bit. Nearby, one of the Centaur's that'd been 'sitting' stands up, and nods. They're handed back their clothing, but not their gear or weapons. Bruce is handed back his suit, and they now wait for the Agent's chosen representative. The Marine on Edel tsks his tongue at the rock rolling. "Nice trick. Bet you're doing the same with those knives. Stop playing games now, or we see how real the wood you're wearing really is." He states, waiting.
The truck door opens, and another marine, this one not in full battle rattle like the rest presently here, jogs around to the back of hte truck, and opens it, jumps up, and pulls the flaps to the side.
Bruce nods. "All non Agent Zephyr, RSX and Promethean persons please get onto the truck. You'll be taken to a location for holding while discussions happen with the General. You'll also be handed back your clothing, but the equipment and weapons will remain here in the hands of these Marines." Bruce explains, getting glares from most of those present, but knowing that they were in a less than, favorable situation, comply.
Angus perks his ears up as he hears the truck, his eyes narrowing a bt as he looks to Bruce then the nearest soldier. "Heyyyyyy, Private poodle. I know you're having fun acting all big and tuff in front of your butt buddies, but do you have a smoke?" He asks, flashing some more teeth as he adjusts his seat, adjusting so that he was sitting on his haunches like a real canine would.
Locke almost takes the offer given to non-agents from Zephyr, simply to get out as fast as possible, but chooses otherwise given the possiblity of not getting her weapons back... Aside from that, while technically an agent, she figured it might be best to act when she had the chance. After slipping into her cargo pants and rolling them up to the knees, then slipping on her tank top, she raised her paw-like hand into the air. "I'll represent, Holmes!" She said with a goofy smile. "But I better get my stuff back, later. I reeeeeaaaally don't want to have to pay for more... Nor do I have the freecred to do so."
The stump is silent for a moment before it turns back into the wolf-guised tanuki, a scowl drawing across her face as she flutters her wings her her long black cloak. "I do not like being threatened. I would abstain from that in the future, or I will tear your spine out and beat your friends to death with it. Your bullets do not harm me." Her scowl deepens as she adjusts her glasses and brushes her hands off on her plated dress. She holds out an arm and the knives fly to attention, returning to their owner.
Rev looks a tad dissapointed when he fails to get a rise out of the female marine.Then takes a look around at the others."Hmmm I wouldn't mind going myself. I have already been shot twice By them. So I would like to vet to see some of what they are trying so hard to protect. But we really should talk about this before deciding who should go. Or am I wrong for thinking that?" The short dusk dragon says as he shifts to a more comfortable position for his knee.
Locke turned to the Dragonoid with a small frown, her arms crossed over her chest-fluff. "Whiner. Don't try to use getting shot as a reason to go..." She mumbled, her cheeks puffed out irritably. "Anyways, I still wanna go. If you really want to move with an injury so bad as you claim, though, feel free." Locke said with a smirk.
Savi Looks around, and leans back on the grass. Waiting silently she eyes the soldiers casually. "That wont work you know. We are a collected assembly. None of us have the authority to discuss with your leader without the others, and each is as important as another. We cant let you seperate us, the chance for one to gain an advantage is too great. See how they fight to go... to gain favor...Or did you not notices the plethora of insignias.You will get noothing from this group without us as a whole."
Rev pushes himself to his feet. The dusk dragon is slightly annoyed by the woman's smirk."Oh I am more than happy to move around on my injury, and besides me feeding off your horniness is the only reason why you are nKs to focus right now."
Edel shuffles over to the rest of the group, arms folded defiantly. Seems she's not handing over her weapons quite so willingly, and her stones knives are left orbiting around her as if daring anyone to get close to try. "I'm not going, certainly. I'm mostly just here to pass time. I'm quite confident that I could leave any time I wish, actually. But... Yes, I also believe we should go as a group, if possible."
Locke shrugged, then rolled her eyes at this. "You want a medal, then? The purple heart? Don't complain and use bullets in the foot as a crutch to get where you want, unless you also want others to treat you as properly injured... And about my, er... Issue..." She said, trailing off with a slight blush. "It's cyclic. It'll vanish on its own, given time. I just happened to have some bad timing, really." After Edel spoke of her idea, related to Saviante's, Locke couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Would they let us all go together? I imagine we could be seen as a threat, in a group... Soooooo..." She explained, shrugging.
"We're the threat?" Savi says in a lughing tone. "They shot at us i the air,, shot at us on the ground, stripped us, and we are the threaqt?" Crossing one set of arms the plant smirks. "Now they just want the leader so they can ransom them... but we thought of that already didn't we? Thats why we sent a collective!" With a smile at the militry soldiers. Savi continues to lean back on the ground, sitting quite comfortably.
Locke sighed, shaking her head at the seemingly foolish statement. "I heard gunshots, earlier, before we were encountered. It came from the opposite direction of these troops. From this, I believe it stands to reason they're currently engaged in combat with another force and mistakingly shot us down as potential hostiles. At this point, however, we're likely being held for questioning and have been disarmed until we're deemed as safe. Right?" She asked, looking about curiously. "Er... That's just my theory, though.
Edel leaves her arms folded, shrugging. "I've said my piece. I don't really care who goes, but I'm not going to let them inconvenience me, personally, one way or another. Make a decision an let's get this under way."
Rev takes a deep breath, and sits back down before one if the soldiers gets the wrong idea, and shoots him again."Hmmmmm well it would be a good idea to send more than one person. After all one person really can't be expected to do the negotiating for everyone. Perhaps we should request that at last two to three people are allowed to do?"
Locke shrugs. "I'm not sure I agree on that, Blacky. See, we ALL want to get out with our hides intact and keep our gear, yeah? I think I speak for everyone, in the basest regards. Also, judging from the behaviours of some in our group... I don't think bringing everyone would be for the best. Sorry to say it like that, guys, but I REALLY wouldn't feel safe with knives floating and insults flying, during a negotiation for what may amount to life, limb and loot."
Angus perks his ears up and turns to look at Locke as he frowns. "You guys can fight all you want over who is going, I just want my damn smoke. And does someone have a light while I'm at it!" He snaps a little, annoyed as he turns back to private poodle to wait to see how they answer him.
Edel rubs at the back of her head and sighs. "You know what. If only one of us goes, then I might as well. I'm not shot, Angus knows me, Savi knows me, you two are arguing. I'm probably one of the most qualified ones. Too bad Dio isn't here. I have motivation to ensure the safety of at least two others here, and two more won't be an issue. I don't like leaving people behind. But... We could always put it to a vote between us two."
With a shrug and a nod towards Edel, Saviante grins. "Works for me." she says simply.
Humming, Locke then shrugged apathetically. Arguing beyond this point would be, well... Pointless. "Fine, I guess. This /is/ my first time in the field and I don't trust myse-Oh, is that a Gerber tool? I LOVE those! Can I see it, please? I promise I won't shank anyone!" She said, her response cut short as her attention was drawn to the hip of a soldier.
Rev scratches his head thoughtfully."Hmmmm if we are going to put it to a vote, and assuming we can't vote for ourselves. I would have to vote for Edel. That is unless we manage to get them to allow more of us agens go. However lets get this decided quickly. As I am sure our soldier friends are going to make it for us."
Bruce nodded, though he wasn't headed for the truck. Himself, McGregor, the Centaur and Edel were directed to the middle humvee, everyone herded to the truck and handed their things. There was barely enough room for those who weren't on 4 legs to fit in, plus two Marines sitting in the rear, rifles at the ready. The truck started up, and drove down the road, feeling like it was hitting every tire-high pothole along the way, heading deeper into Camp Pendleton. With the tarp down, they could only see to the rear of the truck, seeing only what they'd past. They turned a few times, before stopping. Escorted out, and shuffled to what looked like what had once been a storage bunker but obviously converted to serve as an impromptu prisoner holding camp. Filtered in, it was obvious very quickly that while it had been a storage bunker, it's new purpose had seen very little use, if the amount of dust that'd accumulated was to indicate anything.
Edel nods and withdraws her knives as she's lead to the humvee, smoothing out her dress as she settles in. "Thank you. Now, hopefully we can get this resolved without issue. I really have no clue why you tried to shoot us down on a simple salvage trip."
Getting into the Humvee, Edel doesn't get much time to buckle in before the vehicle and it's escorts lurch into motion, following the truck part way before turning left when it'd turned right. McGregor chuckles. "No idea where the rest are being taken, but we're bound for Camp Pendleton North... Likely the General's office." She says, getting a harsh glare from Bruce. Outside the centaur is keeping up at a easy canter, the convoy moving slowly enough to make sure he didn't fall too far behind, but also didn't risk him running off.
Slithering into her gear, Saviante quietly waits. Uncertain where this all may be going.
Angus huffs a little, crossing his arms after he manages to get himself dressed again. "Sheesh, can't even give a guy a smoke or anything. This is not how you treat prisoners!" He shouts, giving them a glare as they are led off to their new prison, before he just leans against the wall near the door and mutters. "Well, this is fun right?"
Edel closes her eyes, breathing slowly as she enters a restful state for the duration of her little road trip. "I'd assume we were going to see the commanding officer, yes. I do hope they have a good reason for all of this."
Rev gets dressed from the waist up. But decides to wait for his knee to finish healing before he attempts to pull his pants on. The dusk dragon limps into the bunker behind the others, and after glancing around briefly. He finds himseld a place to sit, against the wall.
As Angus leans against the wall, the sharp crack of a electrical current jumping to the 'yote is heard across the room, as a jolt that felt like it was from a heavy duty generator hit Angus. It was clearly intended not as a punishment but as a deterrent from trying to break through. The door is closed, so for now, it seems like it's just the group sitting around waiting whatever fate is in store.
The convoy pulls up to a large imposing building, the whole façade in impeccable condition. You are all pulled out and shuffled in, though you're heavily armed guard are left outside while a group that look more like MPs handle you all inside. You're led to a large meeting room, the only place you guess is large enough to account for the Centaur. Sitting at the head of the desk, sits a large, brutish officer, his uniform looking like it could barely hold itself together. "So, you four are the one's in charge of the group invading US Military Airspace and ignoring all calls to identify yourselves." He growls, the 4 black stars on his uniform collar in stark contrast to the desert tan pattern of the uniform.
"Mister General sir, we didn't know this base was still in operation, and our radio's haven't worked quite the same since P-Day." Bruce stammers, apparently having talked with the man, though it was likely just attempting to negotiate terms for discussion, not an actual deal.
Electricity! Something no one wants to deal with when they aren't expecting it! Angus falls forward, twitching in pain as he coughs a bit and groans. "d-did anyone get the number for what just hit me?" He asks after a few minutes, pushing himself up off the ground as he sighs and takes a seat. "Sooooo, what do we want to do now, just hang out or?" Reaching into the breast pocket of his coat he scowls as he pulls out a pack of cigarettes that was.....empty. "Thank ya Uncle sams pups, you really enjoy annoying me." He mutters, tossing it away.
Edel folds her arms and nods. "Yes, the radios were not working, and we have very little knowledge of the state of things outside of the bubbles up north. We were passing through on a salvaging run when you tried to shoot us down. What exactly were you expecting out here on American soil that would be flying with a fleet of helicopters? What would cause you to just shoot at something like that?"
Locke stared at the Coyote as their back received a nasty shock, a spark leaping into them like an angry tot. As Angus fell to the ground twitching, Locke let out a chuckle. "Ouch. Should we get a medic here with some defibrillators?"
Saviante takes in the information provided by the crackling coyote, that of the electrified surroundings, and snickers. "Would you like me to punish the wall for you Angus?" she says, her soft inflection giving no indication if she is serious or not.
Rev shrugs just before lacing his hands together behind his head."May as well just try, and relax as much as possible." He says while snickering at the coyotes misshap with the electrified wall. While he just feels a light tingling sensation on the back of his head.
The General grunts. "It's General Shepard. Not 'Mister General Sir'. As for what, consider our situation. Someone unleashed a new kind of, weapon on US soil, we're unable to raise higher command authority, and we suddenly pick up 4 helicopters flying in from the north, not responding to IFF or radio requests. We assumed that you were either a rogue militia or a hostile nation using captured US hardware to attack." He states, looking over the four. "Zephyr Inc, RSX, them we know about. RSX actually managed to 'borrow' one of our units for testing a new something or another right before The Attack." He states, pointing to Bruce and McGregor. "You miss, and you... Centaur, we don't know about." He says, pointing to Edel and the Centaur. "Hell, according to the reports from the 4 sniper teams we had deployed on that ridge, you little miss, appeared to have the ability to manipulate earth near you. So you can forgive us for being overly cautious and aggressive considering the nature of the situation."
Angus fixes his fur, making it stick up a little less then it was already as his ears perk up. "If you want Savi, might as well get the hell out of this place as quickly as possible, really don't feel like getting stuck. You pop the shock, I'll take the door? Unless you feel like doing it all alone?"
Looking the wall over for a minute, tthe plant woman snickers inwardly. "Cute.." she mumbles before closing her eyes. Sitting upright, Saviante just begins to half-doze, conserving her energy without actually giving up total awareness of her surroundings.
Edel gives a prideful grin at that. "Oh, I can do all kinds of things! Make food out of biomass, throw vehicles, shoot lightning, control earth... The world itself is a weapon to me. But we are not your enemy. No, we simply wish to go about our business in peace. If we wanted to fight, we would have started it back there in the forest, afterall."
Bruce nods. "Yes. We'd heard rumours that there was relatively intact equipment here in Camp Pendleton and sought to acquire some to help our reconstruction efforts in the north!" Bruce says, smiling at there was some progress.
General Shepard snorts. "You suit, can shut up. The ones who kept their head and thought things through are next to you. I'm only tolerating you because you're apparently the one leading you're little expedition." He states, turning his gaze on Edel, McGregor and the currently quiet Centaur. "Is what Suit there say true? You were all just looking for equipment and materials?"
McGregor nods. "Yes Sir. We didn't know this base was still operated or run by Marines. Most who got hit in the opening days after P-Day didn't exactly keep their head. So for all we knew there were other scavengers roaming through this base." She explains.
Shepard looks between the three. "Alright. If, I say IF, we agree to help you with the material... What are you willing to provide in exchange?" He asks, leaning back and awaiting their response.
Rev closes both his eyes while lightly tapping the foot if his uninjured leg in the air."Hmmm perhaps we should just stay here for now, and give Edel a chance to smooth things over. Before we go, and start another fight." He says while closing both his eyes.
Angus nods to Saviante, guess he will just have to sit tight for now. "Sooooo, anyone want to play cards or should I just start playing a game with myself again?" He asks as that same deck of cards appear, this time from a side pocket as he starts shuffling the deck once more.
Edel folds her arms at that, licking her lips. "Well... We can offer some of our own, exclusive, materials in return! You have things we need, we have some things you might need, too! We do have some basic manufacturing going on up there, afterall. Resources, especially nanite based things... Trade, so to speak. What do you need down here? You'd have some allies, too, certainly!"
Shepard listens as Bruce offers the possible scientific breakthroughs, at cost, offered by Zephyr. McGregor merely shrugs and says she's just a pilot, not a diplomat, and the Centaur nods with Edel. "She speaks truth. And knowing there is another group of those who've accepted, or at least adapted to the new Nanite Age this far south would go a long way for helping everyone back north feel better, as they aren't the only major settlements on the US Pacific coast any more." He says, his voice a very deep one, almost bullish, but the way he says things, he clearly means good intentions and not intimidation.
Shepard raises his hand to halt the group talking. "Camp Pendleton may be still functioning mentally, but this weapon, these, nanites as you call them, have had an effect here. And San Diego is worse than here. We at least had the benefit of relative isolation. We've stopped sending patrols south to the city because our convoy's get hit with what some of our more... odd personnel call 'wild kaiju'. I don't know much myself, since I'm busy managing the whole base. Still, it's possible we can work out a deal. Had this been some other disaster and I wasn't worried about not getting replacements of what I'd send out, I'd been willing to go more easily with the equipment." He explains, leaning forward and resting his arms on the table. "The biggest issue for us right now, is while we have a shit ton of material to work with, we've not the facilities to actually convert it into usable material. Nor do we have the people with the technical know-how to do so. So, my deal to you is this. You help us solve our supply problems with folks who know how to build at the least a basic manufactory, and we'll supply you some of what we have in vehicles, personnel and supplies, that we CAN afford to spare until the manufactory is working. If you need to take it to whoever you call boss on, go ahead. If that's the case, I have our tower provide you a flight plan for coming here in 1 week to work further on the deal. Fair?"
Edel claps her hands together and grins. "That sounds mighty fine to me, yes! Plenty of people up north are great at making things, and we'd be happy to assist in return for some things we need, ourselves. And perhaps we can look into the San Diego issue, ourselves..."
Angus shrugs a little as it seems he doesn't get an answer, and starts playing solitaire once more, humming to himself as he does. "So Savi, how ya been? Haven't seen ya since you decided to use me as a weapon to beat up the guards, that was fun right?"
"I'll need to speak with the department heads of Zephyr, but I think we can work something out." Bruce says, smiling and nodding. McGregor nods. "I'll let my bosses know what you're needing Sir." She says, while the Centaur merely graces the whole thing with a polite bow of his head.
Shepard grunts and stands up to his nearly 7 foot tall height, and nods. "Alright then. When you step out that door, inform Captain Hardison that you and you're friends are to be released, your gear and equipment returned, and you are to be taken back to you're birds to inform those you need to." He states, offering a hand to each of them. "And I apologize again for the misunderstanding on our part." He states, letting them out the door. Standing outside, the MPs escorted the four back to the humvees, where the Marines were waiting with their vehicles, several of them grinning with lit cigarettes in either fingers or mouths, looking like they'd hit the jackpot.
Edel grins and claps her hands excitedly again. "Hooray! Thanks!" Without another word, she goes and shuffles off, tail wagging as she informs the guards. She's eager to get back to her sword and back to business. Or home. Whichever, at this point.
At this point, everyone in the prison shack is let out, given their stuff back (minus Angus's smokes), and it's a rather quiet flight back considering what just transpired. Or not, depending on what teh Agents do while in flight! As it was, it looked like RSX, Zephyr and the Prometheans were looking to get some new help, even if it started out a little... dangerous.
