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

[WinterRat1]

00:36:23 Monday, November 3rd 2070 - Treaty Bus - 124th Ave NE and NE 144th St
Child and Bockscar

The dwarf strokes his chin thoughtfully. "Yeah, yeah we might be able to help you with that. But first, how do we know you're actually gonna return our stuff when you're done with it? Gonna need some collateral, case you decide to skip out on your obligations. And second, who you two roll with? That might influence what you have to offer us, and what we want."

[Fresno Bob]

00:15:03 Monday, November 3rd – October Ravens HQ - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Aziz

Aziz's back foot scraped against the cement of the roof as he recoiled from Legion's shove. He exhaled hard, his breath smoking in the cold night air.

So the stories aren't total bullshit. Aziz thought. He reflected briefly on his last 'swordfight'. Some drekhead jumped up on who knew what, swinging around a stamped metal katana like a glowstick at a rave. Aziz had both cut the blade and the top of the guy's head in one swipe. That was ages ago.

He surged forward again, determined to press the attack on Legion. Aziz figured he could outlast him, maybe even overpower him. His first slash was a lateral cut powered by the shoulders, parried easily with a clang. He shifted his left hand to the bottom of the grip, quickly powering the blade back and over, using the momentum to produce a diagonal slash aimed at where Legion's neck met his shoulder. Kalila's deadly steel scythed through nothing but air, Legion having sidestepped it, his own sword coming down. Aziz snapped his body up and met the blade with his own just above his head. He grinned in spite of himself. Every slash raised more hairs on the back of his neck, tingled his senses with the primal excitement of combat. Matched combat, at that.

He forced his arms upwards and threw Legion's sword back, making the leader of the pack take a step backwards. Aziz immediately closed in again, seeming to forget that it was just a practice sparring session.

[WinterRat1]

00:15:16 Monday, November 3rd – October Ravens HQ - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Shade

Shade watched the two swordsmen with growing trepidation. Aziz wasn't known for calm restraint in the best of times, and Legion...well he probably hadn't gotten his rep from being overly nice either. Their intricate dance of steel and flesh was speeding up, the intensity growing and death drawing ever closer.

His fingers twitched. Despite their speed and precision he saw every move in slow motion, as the moonlight squeezing through the polluted clouds cast its pale light on their ghostly ballet. He couldn't help it. The machine in his soul wouldn't let him see it any other way. Or maybe he just didn't want to.

[rob]

00:36:30 Monday, November 3rd 2070 - Treaty Bus - 124th Ave NE and NE 144th St
Bockscar

"Roll with the October Ravens. Mostly some old Hammerpack kids. Some new name Legion pulled out of his ass. You tell me what you're looking for. Maybe I could roll some girls down there for a nice party, bring along some party favors. Who knows."

[grendel]

00:16:11 Monday, November 3rd - October Ravens HQ - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Legion

Legion's blade flashed upwards, driven by recoil from the block against the slim Arab's sword. Immediately, Aziz lunged forward, his blade spearing out. It was a masterful stroke, a killing blow against any other opponent. The blade slid past Legion as he pivoted in place, the tip scoring a bloody furrow along the muscles of his abdomen. Legion's sword, though, described a glittering arc, it's blade a guillotine descending on the exposed flesh of Aziz's neck. Desperately, the Arab threw himself forward in a tuck and roll, slashing behind him when he regained his feet. Kneeling as he was, the cut would have taken Legion's feet off at the ankles had he hesitated at all. But his pursuit put him inside Aziz's reach, the cut blocked at the wrist by the heavy combat boots Legion wore. Legion bore down with his shin, seeking to lock Aziz sword arm to the ground. Instead, Aziz swapped hands, cutting upwards with his blade towards the vulnerable femoral arteries. Legion blocked vertically, driving his sword almost a handsbreadth into the rooftop tar before rolling over Aziz's back. Both fighters pivoted, swords slicing through the air in complementary arcs to meet with the resounding ring of steel on steel. The blades rebounded from each other and both cut again, Aziz regaining his feet with momentum, while Legion used the whiplike torque of his hips and shoulders to power his cut. The swords rang again, a chilling note. Aziz kicked Legion's hip out, pushing him back a full two steps at the same time that Legion's blade scored a long, shallow cut across the Arab's bicep. The two fighters shifted momentum again, balance coming forward onto the balls of their feet in preparation for another series of strikes.

"HOLD!" shouted Shade from where he stood on the sidelines. The interruption paused both Legion and Aziz, the wing of violence slowly lifting from the rooftop. Legion saluted with his sword.

"We should probably stop now before someone really gets hurt, omae."

[Meriss]

00:37:30 Monday, November 3rd 2070 - Bodega Gato Afortunato - NE 132nd St & 132nd Ave NE
Ink

Ink silently pumps his fist in the air as his grandfather answers the 'link. The old man had made it. Against the odds Theodoro Delgado lived. and if Theo was alive Nona was always going to be alright. A silent prayer departs the Cubano's lips as he gratefully fingers the 'links side. *Gracias Santa Maria.*

<<<@Papi: Ci Papi! Is me, esta bien, I'm outside and...>>> Ink notices the sudden movement and scrape of the trucks hood as Thumper runs towards the bodega. The Cubano spots Grack as he raises his glittering axe. <<<STAY AWAY FROM LA PUERTA!>>>

He jumps out of the truck, running headlong to prevent the sudden death of his familia. He doesn't get five steps before Thumper is besides Grack catching the axe on its upswing and starting to explain to el loco that they would not need to fight for their food tonight.

He throws the ork a thumbs up and mentally promises the big guy an extra cervesa.

<<<@Papi: Triste, I'm here with some new hermanos. One got a bit jumpy. I hate to ask so late but jou got any food to spare? I'm trying to get jou two some protecsion, but its gonna take a bit of work.>>>

[ChipheadCharley]

Warning: parts have explicit language


Iceberg gives Tricia a glance up from his seat; it’s more than he would for any of the other girls in his stable. Iceberg glances back down to his well manicured nails “This gorilla gots a name? Is he even a playa, or just playin’ at it?� Iceberg holds up his right hand daintily until Tricia comes over and grasps his upheld hand to help him up. Iceberg doesn’t offer a thanks or even acknowledges the help, only straightens his sleeves and flattens the wrinkles from the front of his suit.

Iceberg squares himself in front of Tricia and fixes a few strands of her hair that gone astray before tracing his finger along her exquisitely sculpted cheekbones and jaw line. “You look after grand-dad and them bitches if they gets to slacking. I gots to speak to da man. Legion you said this cat’s name was?� Iceberg’s finger traces her pouty lips and then both hands find their way to her breasts, where he checks the form and firmness. “Wizzer of a job.�

A gruff voice calls out “Look after who?� Grand-dad, an older black male with white hair shuffles out from a door way, still in his pajamas. Grand-dad wags his finger in Icebergs direction “I been pimpin’ since pimpin’ was real, I don’t need no-one looking after me.� As grand-dad spies Tricia he smiles. “I’ll take some of that� he says which causes Iceberg to remove his hands from Tricia’s chest. “Don’t stop on my account, maybe I’ll shout out some pointers.� Grand-dad begins to laugh and then cough, before sitting down. Iceberg begins to stammer “Grand-dad what I meant was look after you like feeding you…�

“Grand-dad! Grand-dad!� he bellows out “I told you, I was grand-playa or grand-pimp. And who the hell knows if you from my line no-ways? Just cause some ho says your daddy was the poppa don’t mean it so.� Tricia who had the good sense to disappear for a few moments reappears with a steaming cup of soycaf. She bends over as she hands it to grand-dad, who smiles at the cleavage shot. Completely appeased by the offering grand-dad continues on “How bout you show me them girl?� His eyes wide and face beaming as he asks. Tricia smiles as she shimmies out of her halter top. “Nice. Them nice and perky.� Grand-dad offers.

“Tell you what, why don’t you get some of dem girls and you can mesh all them titties against each other? We can get some baby lotion or somethin’ too.� Grand-dad blurts out. Iceberg interjects “why don’t you just turn on channel 759, they play that kind of…� Grand-dad interrupts with a stern loud voice “Now that’s the kind of attitude that almost killed the business. People jackin’ in instead of jackin’ off, and then it became easier than getting’ a 30 dollar ho. Used to be a man could stroll along easy street in the business, since it was paved with pootan-nannie.�

Iceberg pleads his anger down with his hands motioning down and calming “grand-playa, grand-playa.� Its a few moments before grand-dad stops his rant and Iceberg begins talking. “I need to go out and speak with this Legion.� Grand-dad perks up “Don’t you go down there actin’ to fool. Legion don’t play an’ your daddy an’ I taught you better than that.� Iceberg coldly replies back “I know how to play this. Besides, I thought you said there was no way to prove he was my daddy?� Grand-dad smiles “Boy, that’s how it works. When you do something good I claim you, when you fuck up I don’t.� Iceberg eyes him “You say it all the time.� Laughing grand-dad replies “that’s cause you always fuckin’ up. Now get boy, and please please don’t fuck this up too.�

[adamu]

00:37:31 Monday, November 3rd 2070 - Bodega Gato Afortunato - NE 132nd St & 132nd Ave NE
Ink, Grack, Thumper

The Duke's hand.

Ink's voice.

Stomach growling.

Soon it will be loudest.

Not yet.

But soon.

[WinterRat1]

00:36:58 Monday, November 3rd 2070 - Treaty Bus - 124th Ave NE and NE 144th St
Bockscar and Child

The dwarf nods thoughtfully. "Might be we could work somethin' out. But we don't want girls or stuff to party. We want salvage, parts, vehicles. Lotta drek got busted up in the war. Good biz bein' able to put it back together. 'Sides, all that drek that went down, now ain't exactly the time to party. Gotta survive to see tomorra' first, ya dig? So since we're gettin' down to brass tacks, you still ain't told me what's our guarantee we'll get our stuff back."

[WinterRat1]

00:37:46 Monday, November 3rd 2070 - Bodega Gato Afortunato - NE 132nd St & 132nd Ave NE
Grack, Thumper, Ink

<<<@Raymundo: Por supuesto! Por supuesto que puede alimentar tu y tus amigos. Déjese de hacer y en su casa! Voy a bajar y ver qué puedo scrounge arriba.>>>

A light upstairs flickers on. Apparently Theodoro was already on his way downstairs.

[rob]

00:36:58 Monday, November 3rd 2070 - Treaty Bus - 124th Ave NE and NE 144th St
Bockscar

phase 1 - complement, put down like I'm doin' em a favor. "Course I ain't put nothin' down yet. Trynn'a figger out if yall was chumps. Yall passed that test. Keepin' with yall's rep down here."

phase 2 - bargaining. The next are political calculations, and political caculations are fun. "Tell you what. I can put down this here cyberscanner and chemsniffer. It's a nice one. I'll put it down as collateral against a loan. You want something nice - in return for salvage from two of these hulks and a day with a 15-ton forklift to move some shit, I'll even turn it on for you. Should help finding valuable stuff while you got it."

phase 3 - admonition, contract enforcement clause. "Course, I kinda like thing. You hold on to it after I try to return your shit, well, then we got beef, which none of us want. Be a pity after all this shit to be beefin' over pipe wrenches and gizmos."

phase 4 - transfer. "That work for you? Wanna do this?"

[Slipshade]

00:15:01 Monday, November 3rd – October Ravens HQ - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128thAve NE and NE 142nd Ln
Felix and Baby

"Kid? Don't know who you're talkin' about, sorry." The child who had shown up late yesterday had been holed up somewhere before Baby had arrived back with Legion and after the furniture moving Baby had prompty crashed in the room her and Rags had taken over. After she had woken up this morning she had gotten some help moving an old hide-a-bed into the office, which Rags was now asleep on.

"Rag's and I kinda claimed a spot of our own in the back office over there." She pointed out the darkened room off in the corner, "So I haven't seen a kid, but you're right, the other girl's might have."

[Fresno Bob]

00:17:08 Monday, November 3rd - October Ravens HQ - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Aziz

Aziz pants softly, dimly aware of the pain in his arm, and slowly relaxes his muscles.

"Yeah, might be a good idea.", he says finally, raising his own sword in a rough approximation of the salute. "We'll have to do it again sometime."

He retrieved his sheath and slid Kalila into it, and lit another cigarette, smiling into Shade's almost-horrified expression.

Legion's supposed to be the big badass of Kingsgate, and I nearly gutted him... He'd better have enough respect for me than to send me off with the whores again... he thinks to himself, satisfied.

"So..." he says casually as he inspects the slice on his arm, clamping his hand down on it to stop the bleeding. "Any jobs today?"

[Lindt]

00:36:00 Monday, November 3rd 2070 - Treaty Bus - 124th Ave NE and NE 144th St
Child

Somehow Bockscars gambit had paid off, and the Asphalt Kings boys where talking business. Now to see if they where going to bite on the loan of equipment.

[grendel]

00:17:51 Monday, November 3rd - October Ravens HQ - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Legion

Legion nodded, it would be good to have someone who approximated his skill level to practice against. Aziz was an aggressive swordsman, with a greater degree of skill than Legion had first assessed. He smiled, wiping the blade of his katana clean before resheathing it.

"I'm impressed, you're very good," he allowed. "I lost some talent in this war, most of my lieutenants have fallen. Grack and Thumper are with me, but although Grack is a wonderful instrument of violence, he'll never be more than a blunt instrument. I can depend on Thumper, but I'll need more than just him to coordinate the operations of this gang. The job's yours if you want it."

Ghost, my brother, if you're still out there, I hope to find you soon. If not, peace unto you. I have raised another in your place.

[Fresno Bob]

00:18:23 Monday, November 3rd - October Ravens HQ - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Aziz

Aziz almost dropped Kalila at Legion's offer.

Did that really just happen? he thought, trying to suppress the surprise he was feeling. He smiled back to Legion

"Thought you'd never ask." he says, slipping back into his cool facade. "I'll take the job." he nods, stepping forward and sticking out his right hand for Legion to shake.

[pragma]

00:38:00 Monday, November 3rd 2070 - Bodega Gato Afortunato - NE 132nd St & 132nd Ave NE
Ink, Grack, Thumper

Thumper barged into the bodega while Ink and his relative exchanged their greetings. The place was dingy and crowded, but what wasn't in the barrens? He clomped loudly around the aisles as Theodoro worried over Ink with an almost embarrassing relief evident on his face ...

Guess I understand, war's tough if you've got people. Fuck, I lost a lot of friends...

The thought hadn't dawned on the ork until this moment. There were a lot of faces he'd never see again whether he missed them or not. One day he might be one of those.

Even kind of miss Ghost and Marsh ... someone really needs to step up and run day-to-day sort of shit.

Thumper was distracted by a metallic clink. His wires were still on and his head snapped into position to register the relatively faint danger of Grack's axe dragging on the floor.

[adamu]

00:38:00 Monday, November 3rd 2070 - Bodega Gato Afortunato - NE 132nd St & 132nd Ave NE
Ink, Grack, Thumper

Food.

Bite food package.

Suck out food.

Find hurlg.

[Meriss]

00:38:00 Monday, November 3rd 2070 - Bodega Gato Afortunato - NE 132nd St & 132nd Ave NE
Ink, Grack, Thumper

Ink was totally enjoying himself, it was nice to see and talk to Papi, despite all the craziness going on right now. Nona sounded like she was freaking out but all in all Ink's familia had made it through the war intact.

He watched Thumper and Grack look around the bodega carefully. He had gotten used to the insane shelving method years ago. All you had to remember was that the newest stuff got put closer to the door and then everything got replaced whenever the wire or plastic bin was empty. The labels were in English and Spanish and Papi and Nona took trade as well as nu and scrip.

He pointed down the second row of shelves and spoke "The booze should be right next to the music chips."

He turned back to his grandfather and shrugged, "Whatchu gonna do?" He was actually impressed that Theo hadn't freaked over Grack more. The old man was tougher than he recalled.

"So Papi jou seen el coyote around, lately?" Asking after the man the hood and LoCoS often depended on to make important and potentially dangerous runs.

[adamu]

00:38:10 Monday, November 3rd 2070 - Bodega Gato Afortunato - NE 132nd St & 132nd Ave NE
Ink, Grack, Thumper

Talk.

Stupid.

Music on.

Drink.

Need to shit.

Look around.

Freezer case.

[Mister Juan]

00:15:47 Monday, November 3rd – October Ravens HQ - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128thAve NE and NE 142nd Ln
Felix and Baby


Felix nodded to Baby a few times, his mouth smiling shyly, and his eyes looking at the floor.

“Ok............ I..... I'll see you tomorrow.�

He started to drag his feet away from the girl, realizing how tired he still was. He made a few steps towards the room where their call girls had taken up residence, but he stopped. With his hands shoved deep inside his pockets, he turned, and this time around, didn't shy away from looking straight at Baby.

“I.... Listen... I know you've had a rough time. I don't know what your went through, but...�

He blinked rapidly a few times, as if taken by some sudden nervous tick. His head twisted to the side, as if he was listening to some distant sound.

“But... I....� he said very softly “I can guess. You need the rest. You proved today that you're a really tough cookie.� he continued, smiling at her.

Felix shook his head from side to side, as if he was trying to shake something out. He wasn't quite sure what the hell he was trying to say, or even if there was a point to him saying anything. But he couldn't help it. He knew how Baby felt. Not because he had experienced it himself. But he knew it. He had seen the black ripples in her mind. Felix felt like reaching over to her. He felt like putting soothing thoughts into her mind; to ease her pain.

“You should rest as much as you can. I.... I can make sure that Legion leaves you alone for some time, if you want....�

[grendel]

00:18:55 Monday, November 3rd - October Ravens HQ - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Legion

Legion grips Aziz's offered hand wrist to wrist, the handshake of a swordsman.

"Bring me weapons," he instructs. "Take two or three, I don't care who, and sweep the area. We need weapons. If you find any stragglers out there from the war, bring them in if you think they're worthwhile."

[grendel]

00:18:55 Monday, November 3rd - October Ravens HQ - Just south of Kirkland City Park, between 128th Ave NE and NE 142nd Ln
Legion

Legion grips Aziz's offered hand wrist to wrist, the handshake of a swordsman.

"Bring me weapons," he instructs. "Take two or three, I don't care who, and sweep the area. We need weapons. If you find any stragglers out there from the war, bring them in if you think they're worthwhile."

Stepping back, he watches the slim Arab head downstairs before walking over to the edge of the roof next to Shade.

"What do you think?" asked Legion after a minute, "did I play it right? Did I show him just enough to bring him on board as one of my trusted lieutenants? Or did I give him too much hope that someday in the future he might be successful in bringing me down? Have I created an asset or a future liability?"

Shade smiled grimly.

"You know as well as I do that they're one in the same. You can't run a gang without strong lieutenants to help, and anyone strong enough to help ride shotgun on soldier's like these is strong enough to make a play for the brass ring."

Legion nodded, staring out over darkened expanse of the park. Inspiration struck suddenly, his subconscious rearing up and stabbing him between the eyes with the obvious course of action adrenaline and fatigue had concealed. He laughed.

"What do you know about agriculture, Shade?"

Not waiting for an answer he gestured out at the expanse of the park.

"It's been staring us in the face the entire time. We have land here to grow a garden. Find one of the hardware stores in the area, something that can get a hold of those seeds designed to grow in polluted soil. You know, the ones that corporate media whore is always singing about on the trideo, Universal Omnitech or whoever. Tell 'em that they get us the seeds and we'll give 'em back a tenth of what we grow. Barter: they give us the supplies, we'll provide the labor and they can share in the fruits."

Legion chuckled at his unintended pun.

"The park belongs to us now. We're going to keep it clean, and provide safe haven for anyone staying in it. In the future, it will be a place where people can come to barter for food and supplies, a farmer's market. We'll let people stay in the park if they have no where else to go under our protection. For too long Kingsgate has suffered from a bad case of parasites. We need to evolve into symbionts. I told Father Ron that we were going to protect the people and this is how we're going to do it."

Legion smiled, dark and intense, feeling the first stirrings of purpose inside him. All that had come before had been driven by simple survival, the stubborn refusal of the organism to lay down and die, even in the face of overwhelming odds. This, though, was something wholly different. This was a vision he could use to inspire men, to weld them into a fighting force that would sweep away all that stood before it. This was the beginning.

[WinterRat1]

00:36:58 Monday, November 3rd 2070 - Treaty Bus - 124th Ave NE and NE 144th St
Bockscar and Child

The dwarf rubs his hands together. "Aight, here's the deal. We'll get you your welder, you give us the chemsniffer and cyberscanner as collateral. As far as what we want, we want salvage rights to the stuff around here and security provided by the October Ravens while we scavenge. To up our side of the bargain, we'll loan you the forklift for a day and give you one of the hulks around here. Whaddya say?"

[rob]

00:36:58 Monday, November 3rd 2070 - Treaty Bus - 124th Ave NE and NE 144th St
Bockscar

My brain does a little jump for joy as this kid admits such a smidgen of need that I hadn't even brought up. Long as my face don't show it, this'll be a good night.

"Damn, bucky, we're talking about a little loan for some shit, not a fucking five star megacorp merger. You loan me the tools, I loan you the scanner and I'll turn it on."

"We'll talk about salvage shit and our cut from security assistance tomorrow afternoon. You ain't getting any more tonight than what you're scrapping right now, and I wouldn't be hanging around here gankin' shit come tomorrow morning when the Raiders wake up. Here's my commcode (give him Leon's). I'll hit you up if I find peeps snoopin' around."

"There's money for both of is in that shit, but let's not talk about dating before we've even fucked."