Down in the Gutter: IC, Surviving to See Tomorrow is Goal #1 Options

[Meriss]

00:49:19 Saturday, November 1, 2070 - Along 124th Ave NE somewhere between 132nd and 137th.

Ink

Ink replaces the pistol in the waistband of his faded denims after Legion confirms these go boys were a part of the newly forming gang.

"So SSR, huh homes? Heard you guys took a patch of the 405, ese. Sweet, 'mano."

He falls back into his usual pattern of conversation. Comparing body mods. No one could normally match his own collection of ink. But that was part of how he got his handle.

[Abbandon]

00:49:22 Saturday, November 1, 2070 - Along 124th Ave NE somewhere between 132nd and 137th.
Fool

"If we did it sure didnt last very long" heh. "So your Ink huh? I usually blow all my money on other things but I've always wanted some tat's. In some of the movies I watch the heroes sometimes have these hella wicked neon color changing tatoo's. Can you do shit like that or ones that are animated? If you can you just may get to pop my cherry and do my first tatoo." hehehe.

[grendel]

01:31:09 Saturday, November 1, 2070 - Intersection of 124th Ave NE and 136 Lane NE
Legion

Listening to Ink, Doc and Fool talk about tats and body-mods formed the backdrop of a ten block trudge southward. Legion pushed away the pain of the wound in his side, but the diamond like focus of his mind was too precise a force to deal with the amorphous discomfort of hiking several kilometers through the broken urban terrain of Kingsgate. He sucked in air deeply, four counting his breaths in order to keep a clear mind. He could read the signs on the west side of the street, the multiple tags of Steel Demon territory. Fool's revelation about the destruction of the Side Street Rollers didn't jive what what Legion knew about the Steel Demons, but the winds of war have a way of overblowing the reasonable mind. Kingsgate had been like a sharktank during feeding time.

The crew skirted the edge of Heartbreaker's territory as well. The whores had kept their neutrality during the feuding, but Legion knew through bitter experience that they were more than capable of defending themselves if the need arose. He fully planned on approaching Frosty when the time came. He figured that one or more of the surviving gangs would get the idea that having a harem at their beck and call would be a good deal and come rolling in towards Heartbreaker territory. When that happened, he was betting that Frosty wouldn't mind a couple of extra guns on her side of the equation.

Legion was still running the possible combinations through his mind when they turned the corner onto 136th Lane NE and the lights of the Evergreen Hospital Medical center rose up from the smoke-shot darkness. Grack grunted to Thumper, who turned to Legion, who shook his head.

"No way we can sweat Slippy like we are. Push west and find us a place to squat. This is where we're calling home, brothers."

Pressing his hand against the wound to his side, Legion turns to Ink.

"I don't suppose you've got anything you can tag with on you?"

[Unarmed]

01:31:09 Saturday, November 1, 2070 - Intersection of 124th Ave NE and 136 Lane NE
Doc

As the group wandered near Evergreen Hospital Medical Center, Doc briefly pondered splitting off from the group to go rest there, as he'd already paid Slippy for at least a week's worth of subpar living. He had some drugs stashed there, and his bike, but he didn't really feel as though it was worth it at this point. He'd slept on concrete floors before, hell, he'd slept on a concrete floor earlier this evening.

Doc considered it vitally important to stay near Legion during these crucial moments of what looked to be a new gang's forming. Time would come that Legion would have to pick some lieutenants, and while Thumper was an obivous choice, Grack was probably too unreliable, and he'd joined ahead of Ink and the SSR boys. Doc sighed, sure that he was overthinking things. Roll with the punches...

[Meriss]

01:31:11 Saturday, November 1, 2070 - Intersection of 124th Ave NE and 136 Lane NE

Ink

"I ain't no tagger hefe, but lemme see what I got"

Ink sets his pack on the ground and rummages through it for a few moments, trying to keep his new found wealth a secret for now.

He comes up with three pots of black tattoo ink and a machete.

Shrugging he hands Legion the machete. "Sorry, homes told you I ain't no tagger. Hey hombres, got any tagging shit?"

[pragma]

01:13:13 Saturday, November 1, 2070 – Intersection of 124th Ave NE and 136 Lane NE
Thumper

Thumper had been uncharacteristically silent when meeting the last LoCo and the remnants of the SSR. He'd been jarred by Grack[b]'s response to [b]Doc's poorly thought out joke. He knew comparing his behavior to Grack's standards was never a great idea, but was he being disloyal here? He couldn't deny the fact that he had, when discarding the Hammerpack's sash, his national flag and family crest for the past third of his life, he had felt like a traitor. Legion had given it up so easily, would he someday give Thumper up too?

It was at about this point in his musings when he decided they were far too deep and decided instead to dwell on the creeping hangover he'd started to feel. A stiff drink would go a long way towards clearing up deep thoughts. Thinking was overrated anyway; slowed you the fuck down, made it harder to fight.

He'd sized up his new companions. They didn't look like fighters, not like the pack, At least they were leaving him alone. He couldn't remember their names and instead thought of them as the little quiet one, the little loud one and the little Azzie with a gun and some tats. He hadn't said this out loud hoping that someone would drop their names in a conversation.

Arriving at Evergreen Heights, Thumper had the gun out before Legion's orders to tag the place. He was ready to take on the world with his new weapon. He idolized it, picturing himself diving through the air and mowing down armies of Raiders to reclaim the streets. He'd need to learn to shoot it someday.

It was time to contribute to the conversation.

"We don't got nothing but someone here does. Let's find shake this place down."

He cracked his neck and popped the index knuckle on either hand as a faint, tusky grin spread across his face. It might be time to get to work.

[Lindt]

01:13:14 Saturday, November 1, 2070 – Intersection of 124th Ave NE and 136 Lane NE
Child

Legion had set Child awestruck. Theres having a rep on the streets, and then there is meeting the man covered in what hopefully was someone else's blood on the side of the road. So Child did what he did best, and that was shut up and listen. Find out the dynamics and let someone else be the screwup. But things all went like butter, nice and smooth, if a little greasy.
Child shut the bike down and pushed it along, trying his best to keep up.

"Sorry, homes told you I ain't no tagger. Hey hombres, got any tagging shit?" was finally what brought on a reaction.
Child stopped pushing and set the kickstand before rummaging around in a saddle bag to retrieve a small blue Miller Welder.

"We don't got nothing but someone here does. Let's find shake this place down."

Child shook his head in the direction of Thumper.
"This should work. Leave a good mark that will last longer then the paint would have, and we wont have to extend ourselves to do it."

Child pulled his goggles from the bag as well.
"The big question, is what is our tag going to be?"

[adamu]

01:13:14 Saturday, November 1, 2070 – Intersection of 124th Ave NE and 136 Lane NE

Grack

Vendetta never dies!
Not till you're dead!
Vendetta never dies!
Not till I've got your head!
Vendetta forever!
Vendetta forever!
Vendetta for <click>

Talking. Weaklings.

New song. Need Riot Squad. "Honor Killing."

Find chip.

Boy speaks. He is weak.

I answer him.

"Eight-ball Killers. Use troll heads for tags."

[Unarmed]

01:13:14 Saturday, November 1, 2070 – Intersection of 124th Ave NE and 136 Lane NE
Doc

Oooh, looks like I cut him deeper than I thought. Either that or he thinks he's a comedian.

"Nah, that one's no good. No one would believe that you'd be capable of killing a troll. Just not feasible."

He said the word feasible slowly, assuming that Grack wouldn't even know what it meant. Doc was actually somewhat worried at this arrangement. He was used to people hating him, but it wasn't usually people that were this close to him.

[adamu]

01:13:16 Saturday, November 1, 2070 – Intersection of 124th Ave NE and 136 Lane NE

Grack

Don't move.

Don't turgma.

Just sit on curb.

Stare it in its eyes.

"Easy words. Hiding behind my old boss."

[Meriss]

01:13:16 Saturday, November 1, 2070 – Intersection of 124th Ave NE and 136 Lane NE

Ink

"The big question, is what is our tag going to be?"

Ink answers Child over the growing arguement between the two metas.

"You got me, ese. LoCoS was made from the letters of the cousins first names. Luis, Carlos and Santorio. They used the old Colombia flag for colors."

He shifts his weight a little. "Someting tells me we got too many 'manos to do that, hombre. We need some shit to scare the crap outta the Gate."

"Doc I don' know bout you ese, but if Grack was telling me to shut up, I would."

He motions for Child to move away from the potential brawl.

[Fresno Bob]

01:50:16 Saturday, November 1, 2070 – 1035 116th Avenue NE - Overlake Medical Research Center
Aziz

The door swung open to Aziz's room and he tensed up, relaxing when he saw it was Shade and Felix walking in.

"Hey guys, good to see you... Whats the story on Halo?"

[Unarmed]

01:13:16 Saturday, November 1, 2070 – Intersection of 124th Ave NE and 136 Lane NE
Doc

Doc shrugged at both Ink and Grack.

"Fuck man, I ain't hiding behind anyone. I just can't have this fragger thinking that I'm a pushover, you know?"

Doc stared at Grack.

"Some people only respond to violence. But fuck it, now's not the time. 'sides, he's just mad at me for telling the truth. To be honest, I'm already over it."

[Lindt]

01:13:16 Saturday, November 1, 2070 – Intersection of 124th Ave NE and 136 Lane NE
Child

Sensing an impending showdown, and not wanting to loose one of 'The big guys to hide behind' at the hands of Grack , Child decided its time to play to one of his strengths, and as an added bonus possibly impress the new boss at the same time.

Child fiddled with a protruding bit on his hand and took a deep breath to center himself.

"Doc, Cerri, chill the frag out. We all saw the world end tonight, and if we expect to survive this post-apocalyptic hole, we gotta pull in. Doc, we know your not a pushover, you took on 2 of the UV at the same time and brushed it off like it was nothing. Grack, Im glad your on this side of Legion's fence, cause you scare the shit out of me omee', and I assure you that there are a lot of other people who ar'nt, so find them on the other side of the battle field, and Rorrt' until their world crashes down around them. But save it until then, focus."

He turned slightly away from the pair and looked off to the south to let the burst of panic cross his features.

[Abbandon]

01:13:35 Saturday, November 1, 2070 – Intersection of 124th Ave NE and 136 Lane NE
Fool

"Ahhh let em go at Child, this is like their mating dance or some shit. They dont really mean what they are saying they are just trying to turn each other on. Reminds me of this tridshow on channel 341 about this ghoul and this elf guy who are constantly fighting with each other but are the best of friends. Its called like Odd Couple of something."

Fool gives Child a light punch to the shoulder. Fool looks directly at Child, "Oh Grack you are the ugliest, smelliest bastard I have ever seen." Fool dramatically bats his eyes at child.

[adamu]

01:13:45 Saturday, November 1, 2070 – Intersection of 124th Ave NE and 136 Lane NE
Grack

"Bra-HAH!"

Weakling funny.

But troll must die.

See it.

See its soft places...

Use speed.

I have the Power.

I am fast...

Legion is fast.

See Thumper.

Fahd.

See the future. See my Legend.

Laugh again.

"Bra-hah-hah. You have hez. No drundeah."

Greeah coming.

Push button.

Riot Squad.

SPIT ON MY DEAD
MOCKED MY LIVING
NO REST NOW
BEFORE AN HONOR KILLING.

[Meriss]

01:13:45 Saturday, November 1, 2070 – Intersection of 124th Ave NE and 136 Lane NE

Ink

Ink rolls his eyes at Fool's attempt at humour. The SSR kid had more than likely signed his own death warrent with Grack. The louder strains of the Ork's music revealed that. Well hombre, I think you just pissed off the wrong 'mano. Gonzo lives again!

The smaller kid was a possible hermano though. Also an excellent canvas. Ink smiled at the new kid. "So go boy, what's yer handle?"

"So hombres any ideas other than ripping each other to pieces and lettting the 162's clean up the mess? How bout October something, since that's when the drek hit the fan?"

[Unarmed]

01:13:51 Saturday, November 1, 2070 – Intersection of 124th Ave NE and 136 Lane NE
Doc

Doc leaned in close to Fool's face, his eyes fixed on the small human's in an angry stare. He leaned in until they were just inches apart.

"I should fucking kill you for that."

Doc was silent for a full second, and another. Then a huge grin spread across his face. He clapped fool on the back, hard, almost bowling him over. It was slowly becoming clear that once again, this was Doc's poorly thought out idea of a joke.

"But I won't. I like you, kid."

It slowly dawned on Doc that Grack was talking to him when he said "No drundeah."

Looks like he's trying to get back into legion's good books. I still don't trust the creepy fucker, but for now, I'm alright with an uneasy truce.

He turned to look at Grack.

"Hey man, don't worry about me. I'm just an asshole. Always have been."

[pragma]

01:14:00 Saturday, November 1, 2070 – Intersection of 124th Ave NE and 136 Lane NE
Thumper

The conversation had unfolded faster than he could process a response. He wished people had started swinging; Thumper found it much easier.

It was good to hear Grack laughing though, even if it probably sounded like a fucking Rottweiler to everyone else. It reminded him of older times, before this goddamn month. Thump tensed momentarily, worried that he'd have to jump in to slow Doc down, but he didn't.

At a loss for what to do he folded his arms impassively and looked as tough as he could. He wished that he hadn't lost his shades in the recent blast.

"We got shit to get done so let's settle this quick. I think our tag should be a big fucking fist, show the world what we're going to hit 'em with, but other people probably got other ideas. Don't fucking matter if we don't have someplace to sleep and eat, I'd rather settle that than paint shit."

[grendel]

01:18:27 Saturday, November 1, 2070 – Intersection of 124th Ave NE and 136 Lane NE
Legion

"Ravens."

Legion looks at Thumper then at Ink.

"Ravens."

His gaze travelled across the remaining core members of his new gang. They stared back in a mixture of anticipation, confusion, fatigue, and rage. He gestured towards the rooftops and the powerlines in the area, the sweep of his hand encompassing the dozen or so black feathered scavengers gathered overhead.

"Call us the October Ravens."

He completed his turn, facing south into Kingsgate where the Ravens' new home would be.

"For thousands of years men have held the Raven up as a power equal to the Gods. It is a symbol of time, of relentless hunger, of predatory fury, of despair, of unity. From this day forward, we will be the October Ravens, the hunters of Kingsgate. Born from war, bred in the fires of October."

He turned to Thumper.

"We will march beneath a winged banner, vertical wings, similar to the Roman Eagle standard. You and Grack need to put our soldiers back together again. Find us a headquarters. Prepare the defenses. Start recruiting."

Legion turns to Ink.

"The raven standard. That's your responsibility. You've got skills with a needle; put 'em to use. We're going to need resources to run this thing, you're going to be one of our breadwinners. Find what you need and setup shop. If someone says no, get Grack to break some heads."

A wry smile crosses his face.

"Doc, I know you're still a little crisp around the edges, but I need a lab up and running. From what I hear, supply lines have been disrupted which means the first people to bring any of the juice back in can make a killing. Start cooking again, when you have stuff ready I'll have runners ready to get it out on the streets."

The smile turns crafty.

"Child, you're a mechanic, right? Run with Fool, find yourself tools and whatever else you need to setup a shop close to where Thumper puts down our flag. The Ravens are going to need rides and we're going to be fixing things for others in our neighborhood. For a fee of course."

Legion sat with a tired sigh.

"I told Badmarsh to meet me here with the girls. I'll camp out here, you've got your orders. Thumper, let me know when you've found a place. Let's get to work, gentlemen."

[Meriss]

01:18:30 Saturday, November 1, 2070 – Intersection of 124th Ave NE and 136 Lane NE

Ink

"Si, hefe. Jou can count on me." Ink turns to the smaller of the SSR boys.

"Better leave that torch with me ese, I'll let the peoples know who we are."

He sits a respectful distance away from Legion and begins flipping through his demo book. "I've got my shit with me hefe, once Grack and Thumper come back I'll set up out front okay?"

He scans his new allies. "Anyone needs stiches say so soon. Less bleed out means more time to party."

[pragma]

01:18:33 Saturday, November 1, 2070 – Intersection of 124th Ave NE and 136 Lane NE
Thumper

"Fuck, yeah!"

Thumper clapped his hands and talked over Ink "I'm rolling the fuck out."

He popped his knuckles tossing the bat from hand to hand as he went through the motions.

He punched his comm. a few times as he walked off playing music quietly and counting on his audio enhancement to keep him from getting jumped. He was glad to be away from the rest of the gang, this music could get him shivved:

<<Blazing a trail.mp8, Song: Blazing a trail, Artist: Indie Elves -
Riding in the night and we're having a blast,
Don't know where we're going but we're going there fast.>>

He had forgotten his hangover and killed his music as his eyes jumped out of his head. He needed a fucking drink, this was the time to find it. He ambled purposefully and directionlessly toward his future, ready to start swinging.

[adamu]

01:18:33 Saturday, November 1, 2070 – Intersection of 124th Ave NE and 136 Lane NE
Grack

It speaks.

Riot Squad protects me.

Happy for peace.

Weakling.

But it is smart. Makes friends.

Watch it.

Close eyes. See it in color world.

The blind see. None shall know.

Legion's mouth moving.

His color growing.

Used to care.

Anything important, find out later.

Thumper leaves.

He is last of the Pack.

The last cerri.

Get up. Open eyes.

Follow him.

[grendel]

01:19:02 Saturday, November 1, 2070 – Intersection of 124th Ave NE and 136 Lane NE
Legion

"Actually, I could use some sewing."

Legion pulled his hand away from his side, examining the angry, puckered lips of the wound.

[Lindt]

01:19:05 Saturday, November 1, 2070 – Intersection of 124th Ave NE and 136 Lane NE
Child

Legion spoke, Child heard. A lot to take in, but the October Ravens had something scary, yet regal to it.

"Better leave that torch with me ese, I'll let the peoples know who we are"

Child pulled his welding goggles from the messenger bag and handed them, as well as the micro welder to Ink.

"People call me Child. I respond to it, so must be my name. But then its better then Shrimp, so I don't bitch much."

A rare smile crossed the face of the young man, having finally found some fleeting sense of security and comrodery.

Watching his new crew stand there Child realized something. He needed a cig and needed it bad. But apparently there was one more pressing matter, one that might further endear himself to the new chief.

"Actually, I could use some sewing."

"More then a little sewing from the looks of that. Much deeper it might have had something serious. But unless your planning on dieing on me right away, can I bum a cig offa someone?"